From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 778 and 779.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Peter P. Rifner was born in Harrison, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Oct. 19, 1819, a son of Peter P. and Elizabeth (Rockafellar) Rifner, natives of New Jersey, his father born March 27, 1784, and his mother, Nov. 8, 1789. He resided with his parents till manhood, receiving a common-school education. He was married March 4, 1845, to Elizabeth R., daughter of Ralph and Martha R. Riley, of Franklin County, Ind. After his marriage Mr. Rifner came to Henry County and located on the farm where he now resides. He purchased 180 acres of unimproved land, mostly heavily timbered, and has cleared and cultivated it till now he has one of the best farms in the township. He is also engaged in raising and shipping stock, grain, etc., and is a member of the firm of Harvey & Rifner, Mount Summit, Ind., dealers in hardware and shippers of grain, etc. Politically Mr. Rifner is a Republican. He is a strong temperance man and an earnest worker for the cause. He is one of the most influential men of the township and has done much to aid in its development and prosperity.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 779.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William A. Rifner was born in Franklin County, Ind., June 25, 1809, a son of Peter P. and Elizabeth (Rockafellar) Rifner, natives of New Jersey, his father born March 27, 1784, and his mother, Nov. 8, 1789. His father was named Poland for his mother's maiden name. His parents were married June 1, 1806, in Dearborn County, Ind., and soon after moved to Franklin County, and in 1809, the Indians becoming troublesome and dangerous to settlers, almost the entire settlement on Whitewater and in and around Brookville formed themselves into a military company, calling themselves "minute men," for the common defense, and elected Mr. Rifner as their commander, under General James Noble, in which capacity he served for the protection of the settlers until his removal to Ohio, being the first military Captain in Eastern Indiana. In March, 1812, moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where his father died June 6, 1864, and his mother, Aug. 19, 1872. They were the parents of twelve children - Mary Ann, born Nov. 7, 1807, died Aug. 14, 1839; William A., our subject; Sarah A., born April 5, 1811, died July 4, 1836; Samuel R., born Feb. 10, 1813, died Aug. 26, 1881; Martha R., born Feb. 11, 1815; Eliza, born April 30, 1817, died July 12, 1818; Peter P., born Oct. 1, 1819; Henry R., born March 3, 1822, died Jan. 20, 1830; Elijah A., born Aug. 8, 1824; John M., born Nov. 26, 1826; Angeline, born Dec. 5, 1828; James M., born Aug. 17, 1831. Our subject remained at home till twenty-four years of age, and then engaged in selling goods at Whitewater, Ohio, two years. He then went to Jacksonburg, Wayne Co., Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business, and in buying and selling fat stock. He was one of the largest drovers in the country, his droves never numbering less than 1,000 head. In 1844 he moved to Henry County and bought 160 acres of land. He has since bought eighty acres adjoining and now owns one of the finest farms in the county. Politically Mr. Rifner was reared a Whig, and since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. In the winter of 1848-'49 he was a member of the State Legislature and two years later was nominated for Senator, but was defeated by the combined forces of Democrats and Abolitionists. In 1851 he was chosen a Director of the Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Railroad and was appointed Collector of stock subscription in Henry County, and served till the completion of the road, and till all subscriptions had been paid in. Mr. Rifner was married Dec. 20, 1840, to Mary Ann Hurst, daughter of Dickson and Melliza (Scott) Hurst. She was in delicate health and some time after her marriage rheumatism and a complication of diseases resulted in over twenty years of helplessness. She died Jan. 2, 1881, aged sixty-three years and nine months, and was buried in Doddridge's cemetery in Wayne County. Mr. Rifner has in his possession the General Harrison sword, presented by General Harrison to Colonel Isaac Morgan, and of him purchased by Rifner, then holding a military commission in Ohio. [Since the above was written the sword has been placed in the State Library as a present to the State of Indiana.]

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 779 and 780.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Robert Robe is a native of Henry County, Ind., born May 24, 1840, a son of David and Sarah (Howell) Robe. His parents came from Monongalia County, W. Va., to Indiana in an early day, and were among the first settlers of Henry County. His father died in 1846 and his mother in March, 1861. In 1861 he enlisted in the Forty-first Indiana Regiment (Second Cavalry) and served over three years. He participated in many important engagements and was detailed a scout, serving as such nine months. He was a bearer of dispatches seventeen months, and the rest of the time served with his company. He was mustered out in October, 1864, and returned home. He soon after bought a small farm in Delaware County, where he lived till 1876 when he sold it and bought the farm where he now resides, in Prairie Township, which contains 120 acres of fine land, 100 acres being under cultivation. He is a successful stock-raiser and grower of small grains. Mr. Robe was married in 1865 to Esther Harrold, of Delaware County. They have two children - Miles and Mary.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 781.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Thornton Clay Robe is a native of Henry County, Ind., born Oct. 20, 1831, a son of David and Sarah (Howell) Robe, natives of West Virginia, his father born Oct. 9, 1797, and his mother April 4, 1808. His parents were married in their native county, and in 1829 came to Indiana and located in Madison County, and in 1831 moved to Henry County and entered eighty acres of land in Prairie Township which is a part of the farm where our subject now lives. The father died in 1846, and the mother in 1861. They had a family of seven children - Solomon A., Thornton C., Mary A. (deceased), Naomi (wife of John A. Powers), Robert, Elizabeth (deceased) and John. Thornton C. Robe was reared and educated in his native county, remaining with his parents till their death. He was married in 1872 to Susan J., daughter of Elijah and Mary Peacock. They have two children - Scott H. and Sylvia E. Mr. Robe has a fine farm of 157 acres, on section 27, Prairie Township. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 781.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William J. Ross is a native of West Virginia, born July 12, 1843, a son of Andrew and Alyzan (Stevenson) Ross, natives of Virginia. He resided in his native State till 1867, and then moved to Henry County, Ind., and rented a farm several years. In 1871 he bought 120 acres of land of Joshua H. Powers and has built a good house and farm buildings. He is a neat and thrifty farmer, a good business man and energetic, and although a poor man when he came to Henry County he has now a comfortable home and is steadily increasing his property. He was married in 1863 to Sarah J., daughter of A. B. Patterson. They have three children - Olive B., Myrtle E. and Andrew B. Mr. Ross served four years in the war of the Rebellion, the first two years as teamster. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth West Virginia Infantry, and was mustered out in July, 1865.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 781 and 782.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William T. Shively, farmer, was born in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 5, 1833, the son of Philip and Margaret (Tribbet) Shively, his father a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., born May 10, 1790, and his mother a native of Delaware, born in October, 1800. His parents were among the first settlers of Henry County, coming here in October, 1831. They were married in 1824, and to them were born three children - Elizabeth, afterward Mrs. Milton T. Hess; John and Wm. T. The father died in 1872 and the mother in 1876. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. William T. has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising and now owns a farm of 265 acres, a mile and a quarter from Mount Summit. He was married May 12, 1854, to Rebecca W., daughter of John Rutledge, of Delaware County. She died Sept. 14, 1855. July 26, 1856, Mr. Shively married Mildred H., daughter of William and Sarah Ann (Finks) House. They have had four children - James Milton, born May 30, 1857, died Dec. 26, 1857; William Franklin, born Oct. 28, 1858, died Dec. 8, 1858; Margaret, born May 21, 1861; and Ella, born Oct. 22, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Shively are members of the Christian church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 782.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Manning Smith is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in Rogersville, Jan. 14, 1844, a son of Cornelius and Ann (Holland) Smith, his father a native of North Carolina and his mother of Virginia. His father is now a resident of Wabash County, Ind. He was reared and educated in his native county. He was married in 1865 to Virginia Jones, a native of Marion County, Va., and settled on the old homestead. In 1871 he moved to Bellaire, Ohio, and remained three years; then returned to Henry County and located at Springport, opening a general mercantile store. In 1878 he moved to his present stand and was appointed agent for the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad and also agent for the American Express Company. He has two children - Homer T. and Cora L. Homer learned telegraphy and took charge of the office at Springport when eleven years of age. He is at present chief operator at Fort Wayne, and at night takes the Associate Press dispatches for the Gazette and Daily Sentinel. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 782 and 783.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William F. Smith, merchant, Springport, Ind., is a native of West Virginia, born Jan. 10, 1848, a son of William and Susan (Clelland) Smith, his father born in 1804, and his mother in 1806. He came with his parents to Henry County, Ind., in 1865, and settled near Mt. Summit, where his father died in 1880. His mother still lives in Henry County. There was a family of ten children; six are living. William F. Smith was educated in his native State, and after coming to Henry County began teaching school, following the vocation twelve years. He then engaged in farming three years, and then moved to Springport and became associated with H. C. Morris, in the mercantile business. Nine months later he bought Mr. Morris's interest and has since carried on the business alone. He has a neat store and keeps a full supply of everything in his line. Mr. Smith was married in 1876 to Amanda, daughter of Peter Cory, of Henry County. They have two children - Eulalie and Cora Ella. Mr. Smith has served as Township Trustee two years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 783.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John Snider, son of Hezekiah and Ellen (Cassidy) Snider, was born in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., Dec. 15, 1857. He has followed farming through life and now owns a fine farm of sixty-eight acres of well-cultivated land, situated on section 27, Sept. 5, 1878, he was married to Lue, daughter of Joel and Mary Leath, the latter now residing in this township. To Mr. Snider and wife have been born two children - Luther, born in October, 1882, and one who died in infancy. Politically our subject is a Republican. His father was one of the first settlers of this section and was the owner of the first mill of the township, and at his death he possessed about 700 acres of land. Our subject's mother still resides on the old homestead in Prairie Township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 783.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Zachariah Snider was born in 1850, in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., a son of Hezekiah and Ellen (Cassidy) Snider. His father was a native of Kentucky, and when a boy he came to Indiana with his father, Peter Snider, who built the first mill in this part of the county, on Blue River. Hezekiah Snider was married at Eaton, Ohio, Ellen, daughter of Weir and Elizabeth (Wishon) Cassidy, by whom he had eight children, of whom five are living - John, Mary Jane, Adaline, Virginia Ann and our subject. Those deceased are - Nancy, Peter, and one who died in infancy. Zachariah Snider was reared in Prairie Township, and on the death of his father, in April, 1879, he took charge of the farm, which contains 200 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. He was married in 1878 to Sophia, daughter of Obediah Jennings, of North Carolina. They have one son - Jesse Frederick, born July 17, 1879. In politics Mr. Snider affiliates with the Republican party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 783 and 784.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Wm. Henry Vance was born in Monongalia County, Va., Nov. 4, 1828, a son of David and Jane (Murdock) Vance, natives of Pennsylvania, his father born July 20, 1803, and his mother Dec. 29, 1807. In 1829 his parents came to Indiana on a flat-boat and located in Rush County, where his father worked at the potter's trade a year. He then moved to Henry County, and by the assistance of a brother entered land, which is now a part of Springport, where he lived till his death, in 1877. The mother died in 1881. She was a weaver by trade and wove thirty yards of cloth after she was seventy-three years old. There was a family of nine children six of whom are living. William H. Vance was reared and educated in Henry County. After leaving school he went to California and remained five years, working in the gold mines. He returned to Henry County and remained till 1864, when he rented his farm and went to Montana. In 1866 he returned to Indiana and has since been engaged in horticulture and agriculture, making a specialty of apples. He has the largest orchard in the county. He is a member of the State Horticultural Society and the Delaware County Horticultural Society. He has made fruit culture a study, and is probably the best informed man on the subject in the county. His farm contains ninety-six acres of land, eight acres in Prairie Township, and sixteen acres in Jefferson Township. In 1856 Mr. Vance was married to Rachel B., daughter of William H. Hickman. She died in 1875 leaving five children - David W., Clara (wife of Frank Swearengen, now of California), Idaho, Joseph J. and Frances J. Their eldest son, Louis, died when only one day old. In 1875 Mr. Vance married Mary F. Wro, of Ironton, Ohio. They have two children - Elizabeth M. and William H. Mr. Vance is a member of the old school Baptist church, and his wife of the new school.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 784.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jonathan Veach, residing on section 11, Prairie Township, was born Oct. 29, 1813, in Harrison County, W. Va., a son of Lewis and Eleanor (Nixon) Veach, natives of Harrison County, W. Va., the former born May 10, 1791, of Welsh descent, and the latter, Sept. 9, 1788, of Irish descent, both now deceased. They were the parents of nine children, only three now living - Lewis, George and Jonathan. Those deceased are - Ruth, Sarah, Mary Ann, Thomas, Joshua and Benjamin. Lewis Veach came to Prairie Township with his family in 1831, remaining till his death. Our subject was married July 6, 1836, to Susan Mellett, born April 10, 1814, a daughter of Jesse and Judith (Glasscock) Mellett, who were of English origin, and came to Prairie Township from West Virginia in 1827. Mr. Veach and wife had ten children, five of whom are deceased - William, Jesse, Ruth, Mary Ann and Levina. Those living are - Sarah, at home with her father; Margaret, wife of C. E. Barrett, of Indianapolis; Etta, wife of C. R. Johnson, of Los Angeles County, Cal.; Lewis, of Texas, and John Mellett, residing with his father. Mr. Veach has a highly cultivated farm of 200 acres and is surrounded by the comforts of life. He has been an active member of the Lebanon Baptist church since its organization.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 784 and 785.
Submitted by: Jeanie

James L. Waters is a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., born Sept. 16, 1817, a son of George and Mary (Davis) Waters. In 1834 he came with his parents to Indiana. They lived in New Castle till March, 1835, when his father entered eighty acres of land in Prairie Township, on which they erected a small cabin and then went to work to clear the land. His mother died about 1856, and his father in 1866. They had a family of six children three of whom are living. James L. was educated in Virginia. On reaching manhood he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed. He now owns a fine farm of 190 acres, with a good residence and comfortable farm buildings. He was married in March, 1846, to Margaret J., daughter of Peter Currem, an early settler of Henry County. They have had seven children - George M., Colman, Frank L., Mark O., Claude, Sallie and Mary R. Mr. Waters cast his first presidential vote for General Harrison and to-day is a strong Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a Class-leader and Steward.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 785.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Robert F. West was born in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., March 17, 1837, a son of William and Anna (Burns) West, his father a native of Surry County, N. C., born in 1811, and his mother of Virginia, born in 1810. His father came to Henry County in 1827, when there were but two cabins in the township west of Blue River. His parents were married in 1830, and to them were born three children, Robert F. being the only one living. His mother died in September, 1838, and his father subsequently married Susan West. To them were born ten children, eight of whom are living - Margaret, William P., Sarah Adaline, Thomas W., Amanda Elizabeth, Susan Caroline, John M. and Edward Lincoln. Robert R. West was married Jan. 1, 1857, to Dorothy Ann Cleland, who was born Aug. 1, 1842, a daughter of Larkin Cleland. To them have been born five children - Mary Ann, now Mrs. Mahlon Elliott, born Dec. 14, 1857; Etta J., now Mrs. E. V. Schofield, born March 10, 1862; Ida May, born March 1, 1865; Norah, born Jan. 1, 1868; William Guy, born June 20, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. West are members of the Christian church. Politically he is a Democrat. For the past seven years he has been Director of the New Castle & Muncie turnpike.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 785 and 786.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Washington Wilhite, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Mechanicstown, Frederick Co., Md., Dec. 30, 1837, a son of Benjamin and Barbara Ann Wilhite. He remained at home till twenty-three years of age. In 1862 he went to Ohio and stopped in Darke County, and from there came to Wayne County, Ind., and thence to Henry County. Three months later he went to Chicago, Ill., Iowa City, Omaha, St. Joseph, Mo., and traveled all over the State of Kansas. He then returned to Indiana and remained on the Wabash River a year and then came again to Henry County. A year later he went East, but again came to Henry County, remaining here three years, when he again visited his old home, but since then has resided here. In 1876 he bought ninety-nine acres of land near Mount Summit, which he has improved and now has one of the pleasantest homes in the township. He was married Nov. 19, 1869, to Amanda, daughter of William and Susan West. They have two children - William Newton, born March 5, 1873, and Sarah Susan, June 12, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhite are members of the Christian church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 786.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Albert Williams is a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., born Oct. 25, 1832, the eldest son of Otho L. and Ruth S. (Hale) Williams, his father a native of Maryland, born near Hagerstown, Nov. 4, 1800, and his mother of Virginia, born near Morgantown, Dec. 25,1810. His parents were married Aug. 23, 1831, and in the fall of 1833 came to Indiana. In 1834 Otho Williams entered eighty acres of wild land from the Government, which he cleared and improved and afterward added to it from time to time till he had 170 acres of fine land. He was a prominent and useful man in the township, and had the esteem of all who knew him. He served in several of the township offices, but was not desirous of public honor and at one time when elected Justice of the Peace refused to qualify. He died Jan. 17, 1878. His widow still lives on the homestead. To them were born thirteen children; nine are living - Albert, Gabriel, Lytton, James, Margaret (wife of James Mullen), Sarah (wife of John Kerr), Elizabeth (deceased), Mathew, George, James (deceased), and Tilman. Albert is living on the farm with his mother, and has charge of her business. He is an upright, honest man, and full of energy and business zeal.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 786 and 787.
Submitted by: Jeanie

J. J. Williams, farmer, section 34, Prairie Township, was born April 20, 1832, in Guilford County, N. C., a son of Andrew and Mary (Edwards) Williams, natives of North Carolina, his father born Nov. 29, 1790, of English descent, and his mother born Sept. 25, 1794, of Irish descent. They were married June 15, 1813, and in 1853 came to Indiana, and located in Henry County, where his father died June 8, 1861, and his mother, Sept. 19, 1876. They had a family of eleven children - Joshua, Richard, Sally, Anna, Andrew, Jonathan, Catherine, Yancey L., Newton H., Joseph J. and Polly J. Mr. Williams was reared and educated in his native State, and came with his parents to Indiana. He has always been a farmer and now owns a good farm of fifty acres, valued at $50 an acre. Politically he has always been a Republican. He was married Oct. 21, 1858, to Laura F., daughter of Anderson and Harriet (Perfect) Jeffries. They have five children - Albert L., born Sept. 18, 1860; Harriet E., born July 21, 1862, was married Dec. 24, 1882, to George E. Robson; Sarah Ann, born July 24, 1865; George O., born Aug. 26, 1868; Cora E., born Aug. 4, 1874. Mrs. Williams's parents were natives of Virginia, her father born Feb. 3, 1795, and her mother, Jan. 7, 1796. They were married August, 1819, and removed to Lancaster, Ohio. In 1837 they came to Henry County, Ind., where the father died March 26, 1865, and the mother, Feb. 16, 1868.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 787.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Matthew Williams was born June 22, 1848, in Prairie Township, Henry County, Ind., a son of Otho L. and Ruth S. (Hale) Williams, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. He was married March 15, 1883, to Emma F. Main. Mr. Williams is a member of the Knight of Pythias Lodge, No. 33, of New Castle, Ind. Politically Mr. Williams has always affiliated with the Democratic party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Prairie Township.
Page 787.
Submitted by: Jeanie