History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

A. N. Higgins, teacher, Veedersburg. The ancestors of the subject of this sketch came originally from England, Scotland, and Wales. The Higgins fatnily came from Scotland and settled in Virginia. The earliest known incidents of the Higginses seem to date from about the year 1770. At that time there was living in Virginia a family of several boys all of whom emigrated to Kentucky abont 1775. One of them, James Higgins, held an office of some kind in the land office of Kentucky, and Moses Higgins, the father of A. N., has now in his possession the certificates of entry to the other brothers as made out by James. James was afterward captured and burned at the stake by the Indians. William, the direct ancestor, enlisted in the war of the revolution. He served as a captain under Washington throughout the war, was present at the battles of Long Island, Princeton, Germantown, and crossed the Delaware amid the floating ice December 24, 1776, and fought the Hessians at the battle of Trenton. He witnessed the execution of Major Andre, was challenged by a superior officer, with whom he fought a duel. William was untouched. The officer's beard was clipped by the ball from William's pistol. Of the next generation nothing is known, only that they lived a quiet life in Kentucky, the majority owning slaves. In the third generation was one William, who came to Indiana at an early day and settled in Rush county. He had married, while in Kentucky, Elizabeth Wills, from whom was born a large family of children. At the death of his father, William questioned the moral right of slavery, and refused to inherit any property in slaves, which seems to have prompted his emigration to Indiana. Moses, his eldest son, born 1815, married Mahala B. Womack, born 1816, who likewise came from Kentucky, and was related in some way, not known to the writer, to the Bryans, into whose family Daniel Boone married. By her he had nine children, the first four being girls and the next five boys. Elmazie, the second daughter, married Elias Lee, by whom she had two children. The eldest, O. P. Lee, has finished the classic course of study, and now holds a professorship in the normal school at Fort Scott, Kansas. A. N. Higgins, the eighth child, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, in 1852. He attended school in the following places: Kokomo, Indiana; Lebanon, Ohio; Southern State Normal, Carbondale, Illinois; and Ladoga, Indiana. In 1877 he went to Illinois, where he engaged in teaching for three years. During his stay there he married, in the spring of 1880, Lucy Watson, of German parentage, born in 1861. In the fa11 of 1880 he returned to Indiana to accept the principalship of the Van Buren township graded school at Veedersburg, which position he now holds.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Brasier Coffing, farmer, stock raiser and stock buyer, Veedersburg, was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 10, 1840. He was the only son and one of three children by William and Margaret (Firman) Coffing. His mother died when he was two years old. In 1849 his father removed to Crawfordsville, where he died September 9, 1869. In 1859 Mr. Coffing came to Fountain county, where he worked by the month and at farming until an early stage of the war, when, on September 15, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 86th Ind.Vols. He went into camp at La Fayette, and was mnstered into the service at Indianapolis. Returning to the former place he was seized with sore eyes, and sent home by Col. Dick with instructions to remain till ordered to join his command. The order never came, and so ended his military life. He was married August 10, 1861, to Sarah C., daughter of William and Rebecca Ireland. She was born April 23, 1842. Her father was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1815, and his parents dying soon afterward he was raised by connections. In 1821 he came with his uncle, Samuel Woods, who emigrated at that time to Warren county, this state. Four or five years subsequently he went to Richland township to live with his aunt, Polly Bodley, whose husband was John Bodley. He lived there on the Big Shawnee until his marriage with Rebecca Lee, February 5, 1836, and a few years after, working for his uncle in his "corn-cracker" and stillhouse. His experience was the same as that of many other poor and yonthful pioneers. His only property, when married, was a cupboard and a cow. He made stools to sit on, and their couch was a pile of straw. While learning to read he had no book, but used a paddle whereon were carved the letters of the alphabet. His industry was so great that in spite of these discouraging drawbacks he secured a fair common education, and left his family a competency. About 1840 he bought the farm where his widow is living. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church some forty years, and led a consistent, useful life, dying August 15, 1878. He had ten children, and left property at his death worth $18,000. Mr. and Mrs. Coffing have four children: Ida May, born August l0 , 1862; Mary Ella, January 9, 1864; Mattie Lee, September 9, 1871; and Guy Firman, July 20, 1880. Mrs. Coffing belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Coffing was reared a democrat, but has always voted with the republicans except when he has cast an occasional ballot with the greenbackers. From the time of his marriage till 1875, when he moved to Veedersburg, he was farming. Since that time he has been in the stock trade at that place, and, in addition, during the last two years has been farming in Shawnee township. He owns a farm in Warren county, recently bought.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Francis Greenley, physician and surgeon, Veedersburg, came to Fountain county, Van Buren township, in 1830, locating where his son, O. A., now lives, three miles south of Veedersburg. He was among the first physicians in the county. His native state, Connecticut. When he was but a small boy he emigrated with his parents to New York, where he remained till he became a young man, when he entered the Medical College of Lexington, in the Republica Kentuckiensi, in 1825, where he gradnated with the degree of M.D. Then he came to Fountain county, where he practiced medicine till his death, which occurred in 1834, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. He first married Elizabeth Peck, and afterward Vintentia Riley, of Wayne county, Ohio, who died in 1838. By this second he had two boys, O. A. and William R. He was married a third time, to Ann Slawson. He left his family in good circumstances. He was a man the people felt the loss of, not only becausk of the scarcity of physicians, but for his sympathy and kindness manifested to all in adverse circumstances. His second wife, mother of his children, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. O. A., his son, was born in Fountain county. His natural fondness for books, with such instruction as he was able to obtain in the common schools, enabled him to enter the profession of teaching when but a mere boy, which he has at various intervals followed for the past twenty-seven years. He was married in 1854, to Elizabeth Lyon, native of Fountain county; born in 1836. Daughter of Robison Lyon, by whom he has five children: Francis N., now a student of the Indianapolis Medical College, Ella, Ed, now a student at Ladoga, Indiana, Walter and Anna. Mr. Greenley is possessor of one of the finest farms of 160 acres in the S. ˝ of Van Buren township, which is under a good state of cultivation, and has good improvements. In politics he is a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

James Sullivan, grocer, Veedersburg the subject of this sketch, is a native of Maine, born in 1852. His parents, Patrick and Mary Sullivan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, emigrated to America in 1850, locating in Maine. James Sullivan received no education outside the district school. He came to Veedersburg in 1872, among the first business men who located here, and began the grocery husiness, where he has since remained, building up a good trade as the business of the town increased. He was married in 1878, to Kate Ragon, by whom he has one child, John F. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the St. Joseph Society. Mr. Sullivan made his own beginning in business life through his own energy and tact.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

William Harper, furniture and undertaker, Veedersburg, came to Fountain county in 1841, and settled in Van Buren township, where he has since remained. He was born in Ohio, in 1820. His parents were John and Mary Harper. The former died in the State of Ohio, the latter came to Fountain connty in 1840. W. H. received his early literary training in the pioneer schools of Ohio. He was reared to farming, which he followed till the fall of 1880, when he formed a partnership with Osborn & Son in the furniture and undertaker's business. In 1842 he mas married to Margarct Patterson, daughter of James and Elizabeth Patterson. By this union he has nine children. He had two sons in the late war, James L. and John H. The former belonged to the 63d Ind. Vols., and was killed at Fort Anderson, by his own men, through mistake. The latter was out only for a short time at the close of the war. His son D. B., is an active teacher; he took a three years' course at Wabash College. William Harper and wife are members of the New Light Christians at Cool Springs church.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

A. M. Booe, hardware dealer, Veedersburg, native of Fountain county, son of John and Mary Booe; the former a native of South Carolina, born in 1803; emigrated to Fayette county, Indiana, where he remained till he reached the age of manhood, when he emigrated Fountain county, settling on Scott's prairie, where he has since lived a successful farmer; the latter, a native of Ireland, emigrated to Indiana with her parents, Thomas and Christiana Moffett, first locating in Fayette county, and then removing to Scott's Prairie, Fouutain county. A. M. is the eighth of his father's family of nine children. His education consists of a course in the Scott's Prairie graded school and several terms at the University at Kokomo, Indiana, and the practical knowledge gathered during fourteen years spent in teaching. In 1872 he was married to Elizabeth Glasscock, native of Fountain county, daughter of Thomas and Sarah A. Glasscock, pioneer settlers of Fountain county. He is at present engaged in the hardware trade in Veedersburg – firm name - Booe & Glasscock. He was elected in 1879, by the people of Fountain county, to the office of superintendent of the public schools, a position which his long experience in the school-room has made him a fit subject for the office.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Samuel Trinkle, farmer, Veedersburg, the son of Frederic and Sally (Martin) Trinkle. The former was a native of Virginia, born in 1792. He was reared to farming. In 1812 he was married to Sally Martin. They first moved to Ohio, where they remained till 1826, when they came to Fountain county, locating one half mile west of what is now Veedersburg. They raised a family of eleven children, six boys and five girls. Frederic Trinkle served in the war of 1812 for a short time. The Trinkle family came originally from Germany. Frederic and wife were members of the Freewill Baptist church. They both lived to the good old age of seventy-eight years. He was four years her senior. They were both esteemed highly for their christian character and social and benevolent kindness to all. Samuel Trinkle resides on a portion of the old homestead of his father. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio; emigrated to Fountain county with his parents. He was inured to all the hardships of pioneer life. His early education was such as he could obtain in the pioneer schools. In 1836 be was married to Elizabeth Buck, of Ohio, daughter of John and Susan Buck, both natives of Virginia, emigrating to Ohio in 1815, and then to Fountain county in 1830. He has by this alliance eleven children: Margaret J., Martin (deceased), Cyrena C., Frederic (deceased), John (deceased), Berilda, Henry (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Christopher, and Isac J. Martin was a soldier in the 68th Ind. Vols. He died in the service at the end of sixteen months. Samuel Trinkle and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. He has re¬peatedly been elected assessor of Van Buren township for the past twenty-nine years. In politics he is a republican. He has a farm of ninety acres, in a good state of cultivation.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

William Wertz, merchant, Veedersburg is son of John and Rosana (Byrod) Wertz. The former is a native of Virginia; born in 1795, came and settled in Van Buren township at an early day, locating on the farm now owned by Mirand Roland, where he remained till 1872, when he retired from active business. He educated himself, never having attended school but three months. But few subjects of practical importance can be touched that he is not able to converse upon with freedom. By trade he is a carpenter, but in later life desisted from that bnsiness altogether, giving his undivided attention to farming. He raised a family of eight children; all but one are now living. In politics he is a republican. He and his wife are among the pioneer Presbyterians of Fountain county. Since the death of his wife, who departed this life in 1879, aged seventy-two years, he has resided with his son William. He has all through his life so lived as to command through his kindness and hospitality the respect of all who knew him. William Wertz was born in 1824; was reared to the trade of his father, at which he continued till 1872, when he began selling goods in Veedersburg, where he has since remained. He has a good trade, and carries on a profitable business. He mas married in 1849, to Elizabeth McClure, by whom he has a family of eight children. His wife's father, Thomas McClure, was one of the pioneers of Wabash township. She is a communicant of the New Light christians. Mr. Wertz is a member of I.O.O.F., Veedersburg lodge.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

G. C. Maxwell, merchant, Veedersburg, was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1833, and is son of John Maxwell, native of Warren county, Ohio, born in 1801, and mas the son of Robert and Sarah (Conover) Maxwell. John Maxwell was a member of the Ohio state militia. He raised s family of five children, two of whom now are citizens of Fountain county: Mrs. Rhoda A. Robb and G. C. He emigrated to Fountain county from Ohio in 1836, settling in Wabash township near the White mills, where he died in l874; his wife survived him but five months. John Maxwell was a man of undoubted integrity, strictly moral, firm in all his undertakings, and successful in life. G. C. Maxwell, in his early life, followed the profession of school-teaching. He was educated at Meron, Indiana. He was appointed enrolling officer in 1863 of Van Buren township, and served till 1865, when he entered the service as a volunteer in the 154th Ind. reg., serving till the close of the war. G. C. was married to Rebecca Conover, by whom he had one child, Carry; in 1866, to Elizabeth Leas, by whom he had one child, Lizzie. He was married a third time, to Sarah L. King, of Ohio. G. C. in politics is a republican of the first rank. He is now engaged in the business of general merchandise in Sterling with a profitable trade. His success in life is due to his own close application to business and undaunted courage.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Malo Gookins, merchant and miller, Veedersburg, was a native of Vermont. He first emigrated from his native state to Vigo county, Indiana. His early education was but little, but being of a literary turn of mind he indulged his natural fondness so far as he was able, and in early life entered the profession of teaching, which he followed for several years. He began the business of selling goods in Clinton, Indiana, where he remained for a considerable time, when he went to Perrysville, Indiana, engaging in the same business; then moved to Mansfield, Parke county, where he remained ten years in the business of merchandise. He was also engaged for a time in the business of milling. He moved to Fountain county, Mill Creek township, and shortly after, in 1863, entered the service of the government as agent from this county, in which employment he continued till 1866. Mr. Gookins was first married to Matilda Murphy, then to Mary Barnes, native of Ohio, by whom he had eleven children. Late in life he united with the Methodist church. He was a diligent worker both in the church and in the Sunday-school. No one took a more hearty interest in the cause of temperance than he. He lived the life of a Christian, strictly moral and temperate in all things. He died in 1870, aged seventy years. His wife died five years later, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Gookins was a staunch republican; and a great admirer of Lincoln.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Solomon Hetfield, farmer and politician, Veedersburg. Solomon Hetfield, deceased, was born near Elmira, Chemung county, New York, in 1800. His parents mere Adam and Henrietta Hetfield, the former a native of Scotland and the latter a native of England. S. H. was reared in his native state to farming, the occupation of his father. He was first married in New York in 1881, to Mary McConnel, native of Maryland, by whom he had six children, the half of whom are now deceased. He was married a second time, to Ann Patton, by whom he had two children. This second wife died in 1876, aged sixty-three years. S. Hetfield came to Fountain county in 1823, settling on Shawnee prairie, where he remained till 1850, when he removed to Van Buren township, one mile south of Veedersburg, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1817, in his seventy-eighth year. He was elected the second time state representative in 1862, by the democratic party, and took an active part in the legislative proceedings in what is termed the "stormy session of '63." He organized the first masonic lodge in Fountain connty. Solomon Hetfield was a man of good mind and firm intentions. In business he was a success, having accumulated considerable property. His death was not only a loss to his family but to the connty and state. He was one of those old pioneers whose face and influence live long after they have been laid to rest, in the memories of both the home circle and the public. Richard Hetfield, son of Solomon Hetfield by his second wife, was 'born in Fountain county in 1849. His early literary training was such as the common school could furnish. He was married in 1874, to Nora Washborn, daughter of Robert and Lucinda Washborn. She is a native of Fountain county. By this marriage he has three children, Mary, Charley, and Robert. Richard Hetfield now owns and resides on the old home-place of his father. It contains 155 acres. He owns a half-interest in the Hetfield flouring mill, and a half-interest in the Sugar Grove woolen mills.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Jacob Carpenter, farmer, Veedersburg, was born in 1843, native of Fountain county; is son of Benjamin H. and Sophia (Strader) Carpenter. They both are natives of Ohio, and emigrated to Fountain county in 1825, where they have since lived. They raised a family of five children, four boys and one daughter, and what is remarkable, their birthdays, all but one, come in the same month of the year. He and his wife are long-time members of the New Light Christians. Till 1856 he was a democrat; since that time he has been a radical republican. When he came to this country he possessed a very meager supply of this world's goods, beyond energy, and a firm determination to make his own success; the result of which is that he has a fine farm and comfortable home, in the northeast part of Van Buren township, where he still pursues his favorite vocation, farming. Jacob Carpenter is the only one of his brothers now resident of Van Buren township. He was married in 1864, to Sarah J. Reed, native of Fountain county. In 1875 she died, aged twenty-nine years, leaving one child, Mary E. He was rnarried a second time, in 1878, to Laurence Fole, native of Fountain county, by whom he has one child, Byron. His wife is a member of the Christian church at Veedersburg. In politics he is a republican of the first rank. Jacob Carpenter began life with such preparation as he was able to get on the farm of his father, and in the log schoolhouse of his neighbsrhood, and a good degree of business judgment and plenty of energy. He has a fine farm of 286 acres of well-improved land, well stocked with a good grade of farm stock of all kinds.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Nashville Adkins, farmer, Veedersburg, was born in 1831, is a native of Fountain county, son of Granville and Ipsley Adkins, both natives of Kentucky, and came to Fountain with its first settlers and located in Troy township, where they still live. The subject of this sketch was reared to the occupation of farming. His early education was such as he was able to obtain in the pioneer schools of his pioneer birthplace and home. He was married in 1865, to Mary Elkins, native of Kentucky, emigrated to Fountain county in 1855 with her parents, Matthew and Nancy Elkins. By this marriage he has four children: Granville B., William T., Ollie, and Men. His wife is a member of the church known as Christians or Disciples, at Veedersburg. He has a farm of fifty acres fairly stocked. In politics he is a republican of the first rank.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

John Dice (deceased), farmer, Veedersburg. One of the prominent pioneers of Fonntain connty and Van Buren township, was John Dice. He was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. His early education was such as he could obtain in the common school of his neighborhood. He was reared to the business of farming, the vocation of his parents. He was married in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1816, to Miss Elizabeth Haup, a native of Augusta county, born in 1792. The nine years succeeding his marriage with Miss Haup he resided in Virginia, when he with his family emigrated to Fountain county, locating, in the autumn of 1887, in Van Buren township, three miles south of where Veedersburg now stands. When he first located here the place looked to be fit only for the habitation of wild men and ravenous beasts. By patient toil he soon converted a part of the forest into a beautiful and comfortable home for himself and family. Here it was he raised his family of seven sons, six of whom are living, giving them such opportunities for intellectual culture as circumstances would permit, and a good, thorouh education in farming and stock raising, so thorough that not one of his sons has departed from the course of their instruction. He was a strong advocate of whatsoever was in the interest of the country's welfare, or for the upbuilding of morality in society, and the diffusion of knowledge among all. He was a man strictly temperate in all things. The church of his choice was the Presbyterian, and he and his wife were among its first members in Van Buren township. He was a man of great firmness of character, and undertook few things but what he executed with vigilance. His social habits were such as to win for him many ardent friends. He was generous to the poor, and a milling supporter of that which was for public benefit. His wife departed this life June 19, 1845, aged fifty-two years nine months and twenty-five days. He survived her till August 12,1847, when he died, aged fifty-three years nine months and twenty-five days. Not only their family missed their many acts of charity and kindness, but the community. Though they be dead, they still live in the community that knew them through their good works and words of comfort and cheer. Their sons all reside in Van Buren township: William, Jacob, John, Henry, George, and Franklin. William resides one and a half miles southeast of Veedersburg, where he has lived since 1843, the time of his marriage with Martha J. Noris, daughter of George and Sarah Noris, early pioneers of Mill Creek township. By this union he has five children, three of whom are living: Sarah E. (deceased), Francena, Olive, Franklin, and William. The mother of these departed this life in 1867. In 1870 William Dice was married a second time, to Rebecca Clark, a native of Fountain ounty, daughter of John and Lyna (Stafford) Clark, early pioneers of Richland township. W. Dice has his farm well improved and well stocked. He never had an office, nor desired such honors. Jacob was four years old when his father came to the county. He, like his brothers, was reared to the profession of farming, but had aspirations in other directions. At the age of eighteen he united with the United Brethren church; was licensed at the house of William Hooble to preach the gospel in 1847; in 1848 he was licensed by the annual conference to preach in Vermilion county, Indiana, and has filled the position of local preacher since that time, with the exception of two years. He was ordained an elder in 1852 in the United Brethren church in Coles county, Illinois, by the annual conference. In 1851 be was elected state representative by the people of Fountain county. During the late war he was captain of Co. C, 154th Ind. Vols. He was married, in 1844, to Miss Mary J. Rynear, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living: Francis M., Sarah, and Martha F. Jacob Dice has a fine farm, one mile northwest of Veedersburg. John resides one mile and a half southeast of Veedersburg, on a farm of 153 acres, which is well improved and well stocked. He was married in 1850, to Anna Hartman, a native of Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bermellia) Hartman, both natives of Switzerland. They emigrated to America in 1816, locating in Pennsylvania, where they remained till 1823, when they moved to Ohio. In 1843 they ernigrated to Iowa, where they remained but a short time, and, spending one winter in Illinois, they came to Fountain county in 1848, where they both died in 1855. Jacob Hartman served as a soldier in the army of Switzerland. He and his family were six months on their way to America, and were reduced to such straitened circumstances pecuniarily, that they sold their clothes for bread and themselves to pay their passage. They lost three children on the ocean, two of whom were committed to the waves. By this marriage John Dice Jr. has two children, Charley and Elizabeth. Henry resides on the old homestead of hie father, one of the finest locations in the township. He was married in 1848, to Charlotte Rice, native of Ohio, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Thomas) Rice, early pioneers of Van Buren township. They located near the Sugar Grove Woolen Mills in 1827. They were both natives of Virginia. The former died in 1844, aged fifty-two years. The Rice family originally came from Ireland. The Thomas family emanated from Wales. Francis Thomas, father of Mrs. Charlotte Dice's mother, first settled in Virginia; raised a family, then moved to Ohio; then to the north part of Indiana, where he died in 1849, aged forty-six. By this marriage he has four children living, Salina A., Alice C., Ela, and Freman, all married and citizens of Fountain county. He has been very successful in life, but keeps only enough of his earnings to make him comfortable, giving the rest to his children. Franklin Dice lives in the northeast part of the township, one and a half miles east of Stone Bluff, on a good farm of 200 acres, which he has well improved and well stocked. He was married in 1851, to Malinda Redden, native of Indiana, daughter of William and Malinda (Glasscock) Redden, both of whom were early settlers of Fountain county. By this marriage he has had six children: Olie O. (dead), Jemima, Walsey, Flora (deceased), Hattie, and Boswick. Franklin Dice has been justice of the peace in Van Buren township for the past sixteen years, and was reelected at the last election for a fourth term. He filled the office of township clerk for two years. He was engaged three years in the mercantile trade in Chambersburg, beginning in 1864. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, at Stone Bluff. George Dice resides at Stone Bluff; he has a beautiful farm of 296 acres, with good improvements. He was married in 1853, to Catherine Workman, native of Van Buren township, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Shover) Workman. The former was native of Tennessee, the latter was native of Virginia. They came and settled in Fountain county at a very early time. Jacob Workman died in 1851, aged forty-five years; his wife in 1853, aged fifty years, they located near Dry Bun, where they remained till their death. By this union Mr. Dice has eleven children: Olive O., James, Ulmer, Emma, Franklin, Carrie, Alie, Amand, Winnifred, Josie, and Catherine. Mr. Dice and wife are both members of the United Brethren church, at Stone Bluff. The Dice and Hawp families were both originally from Germany. Seldom do we find a family so large as the family of John Dice, all thriving and well-to-do farmers, grouped together in one township where they were reared. They are all republicans of the first rank. Formerly they were democrats till its principles became such as to clash with the best interest of the government, then they with one accord entered the political ranks which they have since kept.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Van Buren Township - Biographical

Alfred Helms, farmer, Fountain (Portland). His grandfather Helms emigrated with his family from North Carolina and settled in Van Buren township about the time that John Colvert and Jonathan Burch came. These last arrived early in 1823. It is said that Mr. Helms cleared the first farm in Fountain county. The grandfather of our subject on his mother's side was Matthew Hawkins. He removed from Tennessee, also very early, and stopping on Honey Creek prairie, died there. His family settled at Chambersburg, where his grandmother died in a few years. Mr. Helms was born in Van Buren township, December 22, 1831. The christian names of his parents were Thompson and Rhoda. He was married to Mary Houts, March 7, 1858. They are the parents of seven children: Melissa Ann, wife of John Marquess; George William, Sarah, Katie, Mandana, Jacob, and Frances Isabelle. Mr. Helms was enrolled August 9, 1862, in Co. E, 63d Ind. Vols. Immediately this regiment went into the service companies F, I, E and G, were detached and retained at Indianapolis on provost duty, remaining in that city seventeen months. In February, 1864, the companies of this regiment were united at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, and marched across the Cumberland mountains to Knoxville, Tennessee, and joined Sherman at Dalton, Georgia. The command was attached to the 23d Corps. Mr. Helms was detailed into the Pioneer Corps at Camp Nelson, but by permission of his officers took part in some of the earlier fighting on the Atlanta campaign. He was in action at Buzzard Roost, and Resaca, and in the last battle was wounded in the left shoulder. He was in the hospital two months, when, this place having become irksome, he and six other restless spirits clandestinely boarded a train going to the front, where they rejoined their commands. He found his at Decatur, just east of Atlanta, where he arrived but a day or two before the battle of July 22, in which the lamented McPherson was killed. He did no further duty, but kept along with the army. He was at Nashville during the siege and battle, but his regiment was not engaged, only acting as support to the cavalry on the flank. He went with his corps to North Carolina, and on arrival at Kingston was sent to the hospital. From there he was transported to Albany, New York, where he was discharged June 2, 1865. Mr. Helms owns eighty acres of land within two miles of Portland. He is a greenbacker.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Henry B. Jones, farmer and stock raiser, Rob Roy. His grandfather, Wright Taylor, was a soldier of 1812. His father, Aaron, was North Carolinian, and his mother, Sarah Taylor, a Kentucky lady. They were married in the latter state, and in February, 1823, removed to Otter Creek prairie, in Vigo county, and the following winter to Fountain county, settling in the forks of Coal creek, below Veedersburg. In a year or two his father bought the land where Rob Roy stands, and afterward sold it to John I. Foster who had that town laid out. The land eventually felt back to Mr. Jones. He died here January 16, 1878, aged eighty-two, and his wife July 11, 1878, aged seventy-four. Mr. Jones, the youngest child of these parents, was born where he lives, one and one-fourth miles south of Rob Roy, October 23, 1840. He was married February 17, 1861, to Joanna D. Meeker, daughter of Usual H. Meeker. She was born March 18, 1842. Their two children are Lorenzo E., born May 13, 1862, and Oliver M., January 18, 1867. Mrs. Jones has been a communicant in the Methodist church eighteen years. Mr. Jones is a Mason. He owns 535 acres, 290 of which are under plow; it is valuable land, being a rich alluvial soil, and lying in the Shawnee and Coal creek bottoms. He is erecting, the present year, a fine brick residence of eight rooms, at a cost of over $4,000. He has been trustee of Shawnee township three terms in succession, beginning with 1870 and ending with 1876. He is a republican in politics, an influential man in his community, and active and enterprising in business.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Evans Claypool, farmer, Attica. The father of this subject, Wilson Claypool, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, and in the spring of 1822 emigrated from Ross county, Ohio, to Sugar creek, just below Mountsville, in Montgomery county. There he entered 320 acres of land, going at that time to Terre Hante, the land office not having yet been removed to Crawfordsville. Next year he sold it for $1,100, and went back to Ohio and married in Highland county, March 2,1884, Sarah Evans. In October they arrived in Shawnee township, and here our subject was born, on the place where he now lives, February 24, 1835. The house in which he resides was built by his father in 1826, and was the second frame dwelling erected in Shawnee township, another having been built a little earlier in the same year. Thomas Clawson was the carpenter who did the work on both. This has been repaired and re-clapboarded, and is the oldest occupied house in the township. Mr. Claypool's father died July 18, 1876, aged seventy-eight years, and his mother is living with him at the age of seventy-five, in good health, and active for one of her advanced years. He has 260 acres in his homestead, four miles from Attica. He is a republican in politics, and has lived a celibate life. In his father's family were eight sons and two daughters. Evans and Benjamin died in infancy, Horatio, Solomon, Richard W., Augustus L., Abram, Jacob (dead), Elizabeth, wife of Nelson Case, of Oswego, Kansas, and Maria, wife of Joseph Shannon, living in Woodson county, Kansas. Jacob served as a three-months soldier at the beginning of the war. He reenlisted, and was mustered into the service August 6, 1862, as an orderly sergeant in the 63d Ind. Vols.; he was promoted to second lieutenant, and had been recommended for a captaincy, but when Sherman's army was on the Chattahoochie river he received an injury there by a horse stepping on his breast when he was down, and died at Allatoona, Georgia, July 17, 1864, before his commission came to hand. His remains were brought home and deposited in the Shawnee cemetery, October 27, 1865. Horatio was a soldier two years. His biography may be found in "Troy Township." Augustus served just a year as sergeant in Co. A, 63d Ind. Vols., from August 6, 1868, to August, 1863; he was then mustered out to be mustered as adjutant of the 118th Ind. reg., and served his time of six months. In August and September, 1863, four six-months regiments were raised and organized by the state, 115th, 116th, 117th and 118th. Abram was captain of Co. C, 116th. The Claypools are an ancient and honorable family, that trace their recorded ancestry back to the remote past.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Oliver D. Osborn, farmer, Attica, is the second son of Thomas and Margaret Osborn. In 1824 his grandfather, Daniel Osborn, bringing his son Thomas with him, settled on the north fork of Coal creek, about a mile north of Veedersburg. The Osborn saw-mill, built by him on this stream, was one of the landmarks in the early history of the country. Mr. Osborn was a Disciple preacher and Thompsonian physician, who both preached and practiced through the country, with a good deal of success, from the date of his settlement till 1848. Thomas Osborn in 1846 married Margaret Herbaugh, and in 1848 moved to Dane county, Wisconsin; about two years later he was followed by his father, who died there in October 1854. It was in this place that the subject of this notice was born, February 2, 1852. This was the natal place also of two sisters and a brother. His father is a preacher in the New Light denomination, and was licensed over twenty years ago. In 1858 he left Wisconsin and moved back to Fountain county, and in April, 1873, settled with his family in Tulare county, California, where he now resides, engaged in sheep husbandry. The family returned in the fall of the present year, on a visit to Indiana. Oliver mas married in the spring of 1873 to Miss Melissa Claypool, daughter of Abel Claypool. When his father removed to California he and his wife went with the family on a pleasure trip of a few months. In 1876 he and his wife again went to California. The latter died there, and he remained two years mining, teaching school, grazing sheep, and operating a saw-mill. He received a good common education, and before this period had taught school in Indiana and Illinois. Hawing returned to the former state he married again, in April 1879, Miss Kittoria, daughter of Dempsey Reddell. By his first wife he had one child, Frank, living with the grandparents in California. Mr. Osborn was census enumerator for Shawnee township in 1880. He is a decided republican. He owns 159 acres of land in Shawnee township, eighty acres in Fulton county, eighty acres in Ross county, Ohio, and some mining claims in the Mineral King mining district, Tulare county, California.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Benjamin Foster, farmer, Attica, eldest child of James and Sarah (Lewis) Foster, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, September 23, 1824. His father's family settled in Shawnee township October 14, 1827. Mr. Foster is living close to where they improved their home. In his lifetime he has seen the timber spring up in his neighborhood and attain full growth, the larger trees measuring from eighteen inches to two feet in diameter, and be cut down and cleared off, and the ground brought into subjection to the plow. He was married in 1845, to Samantha Griffith, who died in 1854, having been the mother of three children: Charles (deceased), Sarah (deceased), and Mary. His second marriage was in 1855, with Sarah Jane, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Malatt) Young, who settled in Logan township in 1830, having come from Ohio. She was born November 2, 1827. This union has been productive of six children: Raymond, born Jannary 13, 1856; John A., January 12, 1859; Willard, September 6, 1860; Simon, May 10, 1862; Effie, October 16, 1864, and Olive, November 18, 1866. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Christian church, of twenty-seven years standing. In 1876 Mr. Foster visited the Centennial Exposition, at Philadelphia. He has a valuable farm of 160 acres, nearly all of which he cultivates. He is a leading man among his fellows, thoroughly enterprising and public-spirited, and an intelligent republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Benjamin F. Crane, farmer, Stone Bluff. Samuel Crane, brother to his grandfather, Jonathan Crane, served through the whole war of the revolution, and his grandfather, Jacob Schnorf, was a soldier in the later years of that struggle. In 1827 James Crane, father of our subject, and his father came to Fountain county from Warren county, Ohio, probably most of the way on foot; the father entered a piece of land and purchased another, and the two went back together. James was married to Ann Schnorf November 1, 1828, and he and his bride spent their honeymoon, and made their bridal tour on horseback, 200 miles through the new and sparsely settled country, crossing high streams, and encountering and overcoming other obstacles, which gave them practical training in frontier privation and adventure. They lived one season west of Stone Bluff, on some land which Jonathan Crane had bought the year before, and the following season moved up on the Shawnee and occupied the other piece he had purchased. At this point, a mile above the month of Shawnee, Mr. Crane had a mill, and about 1835 or 1836 sold both land and mill to a company of Yankees, who afterward built a distillery there. After this sale James Crane bought out the Hickman and the Hanly heirs, and moved and settled on the place, where the subject of this notice was born and now lives. They occupied a log cabin till 1841; that year they built the brick house which is standing on the farm. In the summer of 1875 this old couple moved to Covington to live the remainder of their days, and both died there soon after their removal. Mr. Crane, of erysipelas, July 14, aged sixty-eight, and Mrs. Crane August 24, aged sixty-two. Mr. Crane was married November 14, 1874, to Margaret E. Irvin. They have one child, James W., born September 29, 1876. He and his wife belong to the Christian church. He owns 278 acres of good land, nearly 200 of which he cultivates, valued at $16,500. In politics he is a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Cyrus Brown, farmer, Attica. Simon Brown, father of this subject, and Nancy Reed, to whom he was married in 1824, were reared in the same neighborhood in Cumberland, then Perry, county, Pennsylvania. The same year they moved to Ohio, and were four weeks on the road. In the autumn of the year 1827 he and his father, Peter Brown, came to Fountain county to inspect the country; they entered land and made a little hay, and during their brief stay were entertained by John Lopp, whom they found living here. They returned and brought their famlies, arriving November 23, the journey having consumed two weeks. They passed some of the finest prairie in the world to settle in the dense woods, where they might toil through tedious years to clear up a home. A space whereon to erect a cabin had first to be cleared, and while the work was going on they camped beside a large poplar log, which had been felled by the Indians. When finished for winter it was without floor; two forks were driven into the ground, a green pole laid from one to the other, on which were hung the pots and kettles while cooking was in progress. At this time there was neither church, nor mill, nor market, for the accommodation of the scattering settlers. Peter Brown settled near Chambersburg, and after a few years moved into Warren county, where he and his wife finally died. Simon Brown was always a hard-working man. He cleared off and improved a good deal of land and accumulated a large property. He first entered eighty acres, and increased his estate by subsequent additions until it comprised 1,000 acres. His widow is living on the old homestead with her son Cyrus, who was born here December 5, 1845, and was the youngest of eight children. He was married November 26, 1874, to Miss Isabelle Crook, who was born November 12, 1856. They have one living child, Ella Gertrude, born October 22, 1875, and have lost an older daughter. Mr. Brown is a trustee of the Union church called Brown's chapel. He owns 165 acres of land, 85 of which are cleared, worth $8,500. He is a greenbacker in politics.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Horace Hetfield, farmer, Rob Roy, son of Solomon Hetfield, was born in Tioga county, New York, September 6, 1826. His mother's name before marriage was Mary McConnell. In the spring of 1828 his parents emigrated to Shawnee township and settled on and improved the farm on which Allen W. Helms is living. About 1854 they removed to Van Buren township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. His mother died while in New York on a visit. His father died May 7, 1877, and his stepmother about six months earlier. Mr. Hetfield has always lived in this township. On April 26, 1849, he married Martha A. Cornell, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Tracy) Cornell. She was born December 8, 1831. Their children have been three in number: Henrietta, born March 25, 1850, died December 16, 1869; Aurilla, January 10, 1854, died August 14, 1870; and Eva March 29, 1861. Mrs. Hetfield is a communicant in the United Brethren church. Mr. Hetfield has been a Mason ten years, and has his membership in Richland Lodge, No. 205. He owns 240 acres of land, 60 acres being timber; the whole is worth $12,000. In politics he is a democrat.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Samuel A. Brier, farmer, Rob Roy, is descended from Scotch and Irish ancestors, he being the fourth generation from those who came to this country. His grandfather, David Brier, was a soldier under Washington, and his father, Samuel, was one of the force called out in 1794 to suppress the whisky insurrection in western Pennsylvania, and served also in the war of 1812, as a captain nnder Gen. Harrison, by whom he was sent eighty-five miles west from Dayton, Ohio, where he built Fort Brier, on the frontier, and commanded the garrison during his term of about one year. Mr. Brier was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 11, 1822, and was the youngest son of his father's family. His mother's name before marriage was Elizabeth Campbell. On September 27, 1828, they arrived in Shawnee township, and settled where Mr. Brier resides. A part of the land, the W. ˝ of N.W. 1/4 Sec. 31, T. 21, R. 7, was bought from Wilson and Abel Claypoole, and his father received the patent in his own name. His parents died here; his mother in April, 1849, at the age of sixty-three, and his father in 1858, aged eighty-four. By will of the latter, Mr. Brier was permitted to receive the homestead and buy out the other heirs. He has increased the estate to 300 acres, 240 of which are under cultivation. Besides this farm he owns 240 acres of land in Ross township, Vermilion connty, Illinois, and the same quantity near Topeka, Kansas. Contrasting the early times with the present, Mr. Brier says that when the Wabaah and Erie canal was building he sold corn at his place for fourteen cents per bushel, and was paid in canal scrip at sixty per cent discount. At the same time he sold dressed hogs for $2.10 per hundred, and received payment in the same paper. This year corn has been worth forty cents in market, and he has sold live hogs the present season for $4.25 per hundredweight in gold, and at one time they commanded even a higher figure. He has known his father to pay $13 per barrel for Kanawha salt, a coarse, black article. Good farm hands were hired for $9 per month, whereas now the most ordinary help obtains $20. Mr. Brier used to wagon produce to Chicago, usually selling flour delivered at $4 per barrel. At that time he turned his oxen loose on the north side of the Chicago river to graze overnight on the prairie. It took two weeks to make the trip with horses, and nearly twice as long with oxen. The roads were generally in wretched condition the greater part of the way, and from Thorn creek to the city, some twenty miles, nearly impassable the year round. This stretch could be traversed only by making short pulls, frequent unloadings and reloadings, and this not unusually in the water, and by doubling teams. Mr. Brier is raising better wheat and more of it to the acre than his father did on the same land broke up fifty-three years ago. The only fertilizing it has received has been by clovering a few times, which could hardly more than restore its former tilth and repair the waste of cropping. This experience is abundantly supported throughwit this region, and the conclusion is obvious that prairie land now considered of little account for the production of wheat will in time become valuable for that use. Mr. Brier celebrated his marriage with Nancy Hatton, April 18, 1844. She was the daughter of William Hatton, who came from Ohio to Logan township in 1826, and was born February 1, 1822. They have had eight children, four of whom are living: Solon, Laura, wife of Joseph Gilbert, of Kansas City, Missouri, Lizzie, and Burgess B. The Briers are an old Presbyterian family. His father and mother, who were native Pennsylvanians, and his grandfather were seceders. He and his wife have been comrnunicants thirty-four years, and he has been an elder twenty-five. He has filled the position of Sabbath-school superintendent, and been leader of the church choir nearly forty years. All his children, as also his son-in-law and his daughter-in-law, belong to the same church. He has been a temperate man his whole life, and a member of several organizations whose objects were to remove the temptation of strong drink from the paths of men, and to reclaim the fallen. He sent a man to the army for whom he paid $1,100, though he was not drafted, and therefore not obliged to furnish a substitute. He was raised a whig, and from education and sentiment naturally found his way into the republican party when that became an organization, and has since been an ardent supporter of its principles.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical

Rev. John H. Davidson (deceased), Newtown, son of Robert L. and Catherine (Hilliard) Davidson, was born in Pennsylvania, November 26, 1819, and died August 1, 1880. His father emigrated with his family to Ohio when he was very young. About 1828 the family came to Fountain county and settled at Wrightgtown, in Richland township. (See biography of William Hamilton Wright, Richland township.) Their home was at this place several years. He and his father followed farming and brick-making; and on January 11, 1844, he was married to Miss Mary Yeazel. Mr. Davidson had been an acceptable and efficient member of the United Brethren church, and prior to his marriage had commenced giving exhortations at the old Presbyterian church (abandoned years ago) and at Possum Point, on the banks of Coal creek, in Richland township. He was ordained a minister in the church at the annual conference, held in Vermilion county, Indiana, April 4, 1859. His certificate of ordination was signed by David Edwards, bishop. After this he traveled on the circuit and preached until just before the death of his wife, in 1862, when he was compelled, by a large and constantly increasing family, to quit the pulpit, because the income from that source was inadequate to their support. The children by his first marriage were: William M., born November 20, 1844; John A., May 17, 1846, died October 4, 1847; Anna R., March 21, 1848, died September 10, 1850; Hernando, December 17, 1849, died September 4, 1850; Catharine, February 10, 1851; Calvert, October 8, 1852 (deceased); Mary, January 30, 1854, died December 15, 1862; Robert Newton, June 23, 1855; Hamilton, Jannary 29, 1857 (deceased); Celestia, August 4, 1858; Martha, April 4, 1861. March 16, 1863, he was married to Mary Jane Keller, relict of Henry C. Bever. Her children by her first husband were: Jacob Deloss (deceased); Robert M., Joseph M. (deceased); Sarah E. (deceased); Barbara A. (wife of John Crumley), and Henrietta (deceased). By her second marriage she had the following: Ira Boy died in infancy; Nettie E., born February 2, 1865; Columbus, Samuel A., Fleming E., Truman O. and Latimore E. Mr. Davidson was on the circuit no more after his last marriage, but during winters he assisted his brethren in their protracted meetings until he was stricken with his final illness, two years before his death. He had preached with practical success, and was held in estimation by the community where he had always lived. He was a kind father, and a devoted and affectionate husband. He left his family in comfortable circumstances.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Shawnee Township - Biographical