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Warder W. Stevens, son of Henderson and Catharine (Hayden) Stevens, was born on September 30, 1845, at Cecilia, Hardin county, Kentucky. His father was born near Corydon, Indiana, on April 27, 1824, and his mother in Hardin county, Kentucky, on February 3, 1822. The father died in January, 1890, and the mother in December, 1898.

William Stevens, the paternal grandfather of Warder W. Stevens, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1802, and was married to Keziah Simpson, a native of Ireland, on June 3, 1823. The marriage taking place in Harrison county, Indiana.

Daniel Hayden, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Stevens, was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in that state on June 22, 1780, and was married to Hannah Shacklet in 1800. After their marriage they moved to Kentucky, where they were among the early settlers of that section. The great-grandfather, John Hayden, the father of Daniel Hayden, was a soldier of distinction in the Revolutionary War.

The parents of William Stevens, the father of Henderson Stevens, came to Kentucky in 1794 and suffered the hardships of many Indian battles, as well as other difficulties of the early settlers.

Warder W. Stevens received his education in the common schools of his county and is a graduate of the high school of Corydon, having studied under Professor May. In 1867 he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of Indiana, and later studied law for two years with the Hon. S. K. Wolfe, at Corydon.

In 1867 Mr. Stevens located in Salem, Indiana, and in 1868 was appointed deputy county auditor, and the following year was appointed county auditor by the county commissioners, and served in that capacity until the fall of 1870. From 1871 to 1872 he served the people of his district as prosecuting attorney. At that time he purchased the "Salem Democrat", which he edited for the next twelve years. He was also engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits, having, at one time, the largest individual pear orchard in the United States.

For several years Mr. Stevens was a member of the state board of agriculture and in 1899 was its president. He was also a member of the Indiana State Horticultural Society and was the president for four years.

Much of the success of the farmers' institutes in the state was due to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, who devoted much time and labor to the work. He was for several years lecturer of the state grange.

Politically, Mr. Stevens is a prominent member of the Democratic party, in which he has been a strong and active worker. In 1894 he was honored by his party by being elected presidential elector and later was the nominee for lieutenant-governor and canvassed the state for his party.

Since twenty-two years of age Mr. Stevens has been a member of the Masonic order, having been made a Mason by the Newland Lodge, at Salem, and later took the chapter degrees. After taking up his residence in Oregon he became a Knight templar and in 1909 a Shriner.

Mr. Stevens was always interested in the welfare and the advancement of the people of the community and his energies have always been exerted in their behalf. In 1892 he was the prime factor in the organization of the Salem Farmers Club and the Salem Fortnightly Club, the latter of which was the forerunner of the Salem Public Library Association, an organization that has done much for all classes in Salem.

In 1909 Mr. Stevens removed to Oregon, where he is a large stockholder and the president of the Baker Mill and Grain Company, of Baker City, Oregon.

In 1913 Mr. Stevens turned over to the University of Indiana a nucleus for a prehistoric and relic museum. The collection included the best exhibit of old-time agricultural implements and household articles in the Middle West, and several thousand prehistoric specimens, such as axes, tomahawks, spears, paints, ornaments, etc.

On May 1, 1879, Warder W. Stevens was united in marriage to Alice Caspar, who was born in Washington county, November 4, 1858, the daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Collier) Caspar. Lewis Caspar was born in Germany, November 6, 1830, and died on November 5, 1869, while auditor of Washington county. Mrs. Caspar was born on November 16, 1840, and died on September 18, 1888. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Alice Stevens, of Baker City, Oregon; Mrs. Anna Hobbs, of Bloomington, Indiana, and Mrs. Harriett Rhetts, who died in December, 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of two children; Ray Caspar, who was born on July 9, 1884, and died on October 9, 1898; Warda W. married C. B. Stout, of Paoli, on November 1, 1906, and they have one child, Alice Adaline, born on August 3, 1907.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS, By Warder W. Stevens.
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families. Illustrated 1916 B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

Robert Nelson Owens
The son of William and Kate (Tyree) Owens, was born in Rockcastle county, Kentucky, near Mt. Vernon. William Owens was born and reared in Rockcastle county, as were his parents. His father was of German descent. Mrs. Owens was of Irish descent, and a native of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. For over twenty years William Owens was a justice of the peace in his Kentucky home and was a man of much importance, as the justice court had many cases to be heard. The justices sitting together comprised the county court. Mr. Owens was essentially a peacemaker, and he would often compel the antagonistic parties, who appeared in court with guns, to shake hands and pass the bottle. When all could be settled in this way, the justice would remit the fines and all would go home happy. He was not in office for the money, but for the good that he could do. He did not seek the office, yet it was forced on him time and time again, the people recognizing his ability.

Robert N. Owens lived on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, where he worked on the farm and made chairs until sixteen years of age; then he worked as a stone mason and carpenter. On coming to Salem (Washington County, Ind.) at this time, he devoted his energies to this trade, that of stone-mason, and later a contractor and builder of streets and roads. He has done much public and private work, building many of the bridges of the county and much of the street work in Salem has been done under his supervision. He also did the stone work for the Carnegie Library in his home town, as well as that for the Etyler opera house. His half-brother, John Owens, of Bedford (Lawrence County, Ind.), did the work on the public square in Salem in 1883. In 1903 Robert Owens and his brother, George, now of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, formed a partnership for the making of monuments. The plant at this time is the best equipped of any in the southern part of Indiana. In 1909 he built a fine modern house, with every convenience, and here he and his family reside. The barn and other buildings are all in keeping with the house. In connection with his other work, Mr. Owens is also agent for the Maxwell car.

In 1879 Mr. Owens was married to Clementine Collier, who died three years later and just before Mr. Owens came to Salem. On June 8, 1885, he married Sylvia Paynter, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of John Paynter. Her father and mother died when she was but a small child and she made her home at first with her grandmother until her death and then with an aunt.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens are the parents of three children, Lillian, who died when six years old. Arthur, who is at present in the auditor's office of the Louisville & Nashville railroad, at Louisville. He married Elva Tatlock, daughter of John Tatlock, of Salem. Myrtle is the wife of Grover E. Hinds, who lives in Salem and has the agency for the Maxwell car. They are the parents of two children, Mildred and Robert Clinton.

Mr. Owens' mother, Kate Tyree, was a native of Kentucky, and was the daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Tyree, both of whom were of Irish descent. The father was a shoemaker in Rockcastle county. The mother still lives on the old homestead, near Brodhead, the father having died in 1902. Mr. Owens is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Red Men. He also takes much interest in the Salem fire department, of which he is a member. He an his family are active members of the Baptist church and take much interests in the services of the church.

SIMON GRIDER
Among the well-known farmers and prominent citizens of Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana, is Simon Grider, who was born on May 2, 1843, in Adair county, Kentucky, the son of William and Mary (Bailey) Grider. William Grider was born in Kentucky, and farmed the greater part of his life in Adair county, later going to the state of Illinois, where he died. after the death of her husband, Mrs. Mary Grider returned to her former home in Adair county, Kentucky, and when her son, Simon, was sixteen years of age they came to Washington county, Indiana, in 1860, and settled on Buffalo creek. Mrs. Mary Grider returned to Kentucky in 1869, where she died in 1880. William and Mary Grider were the parents of four children, Elizabeth, Lockie, Archie and Simon.

Simon Grider lived in Adair county, Kentucky, where he attended school until 1860, when he came to Washington county and engaged in farming in Monroe township for some time. In 1862 he enlisted in company E, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, for service in the Civil War, serving until June, 1865. Simon Grider served with General Sherman as far as Jonesboro and then was returned to Lexington, Kentucky, later going to Louisville, where after being given new clothing and equipment, he, with others, was sent to Pulaski, Tennessee, where they served on guard duty for the remainder of the war.

After his military service Simon Grider returned to Washington county and rented a farm which he cultivated for some time and then bought eighty acres of land in Monroe township, where he now lives a retired life. During the year 1865 Simon Grider was married to Samiara Barnet, who was born in Jefferson township, Washington county, the daughter of Rudias and Nancy (Brandeman) Barnet. To the marriage of Simon and Samiara Grider were born the following children: William, who married Caddie Jackson, to whom were born three children all of whom are deceased, and after the death of his first wife, William married, secondly, Gertrude Jackson, and to them have been born five children, Edward, Elsie, Emmett, Florence and Emma, all living with their parents in the state of Washington; Ida, who married William D. Fleener, a farmer living near Brownstown, Indiana; Charles, a farmer of Monroe township, who married Mary Huckleberry and to whom have been born eight children, Herschel, Ralvey (or Belvey), Versal, Milburn, Ora, Elmira, Basil and another; Archie, a farmer of Monroe township, who married Dora Smith, and to whom have been born seven children, Lewis, Walter, Bertha, Roy, Ralph, Edna and Lawrence; Merle, who is deceased.

Simon Grider is one of the highly respected men of Monroe township, his unselfish life and his public-spirited nature having won for him a host of friends both in Washington county, Indiana, and in the state of Washington, where he spends considerable time. In politics, Mr. Grider is an ardent Republican, although he has preferred to serve as a private citizen rather than as office holder.

Samuel B. Howard
Was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, February 2, 1850, the son of Huston and Elizabeth (Herron) Howard. Huston Howard was born on the banks of the Juniata river, in the state of Pennsylvania, September 25, 1809, the son of James and Margaret Howard, natives of cotland and of Pennsylvania, respectively. James Howard came to America when he was quite young and finally settled in Nelson county, Kentucky, where he engaged in general farming for the remainder of his days. Huston Howard was four years of age when he moved, with his parents, from his home in Pennsylvania to Nelson county, Kentucky, where he was educated and where he became a farmer, living in Nelson county for some time and then moving to Breckenridge county, securing land near Hardinsburg, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his days. Huston Howard died in March, 1876. Mrs. Elizabeth (Herron) Howard was born on May 15, 1815, and died in 1882. Huston Howard was a prominent man of his community, having been a member of the constitutional board of Kentucky, and a citizen who had an important part in the public and political affairs of Breckenridge county. The elder Huston was a stanch abolitionist and was active in the efforts of the Republican party of his day. Huston Howard and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Howard having served his denomination as a class leader and as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.

Huston and Elizabeth Howard were the parents of the following children: Mathias Miller (deceased), Henry M., William, Jesse, Samuel, Mitchell (deceased), Joseph, Emeline, Lillian (deceased) and Sallie. Samuel B. Howard, after his early education in the common schools of Breckenridge county, Kentucky, remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age and then moved to Perry county, Indiana, and spent about three years as a student of rudimentary medicine, at the drug store of his brother, Mathias. Later, Samuel B. Howard went to the state of Kansas, where he lived for three years and then he returned to Indiana and located at the village of Lake, in Spencer county, where Doctor Howard engaged in the practice of medicine for more that a year, after which he moved to the town of Kossuth, Washington county, in 1877, Samuel B. Howard at this place formed a partnership with Doctor Tucker. Three years later, Doctor Tucker moved to Salem, Washington county, and Doctor Howard then took charge of the work at Kossuth, now being engaged in the practice of his profession at that place and in the country adjoining in Washington and Jackson counties. In addition to his medical work, Doctor Howard cares for the activities on his farm of sixty-three acres, in Monroe township, the work on which is done by son, Harvey, who is a specialist in horticulture. The farm of Doctor Howard produces some of the choicest products of the community, fine qualities of fruit being one of the chief crops.

On December 24, 1878, Samuel B. Howard was married to Levina Elliott, a native of Washington county, and the daughter of John and Amanda (Denny) Elliott. To the marriage of Samuel and Levina Howard have been born three children: Bertha, who is the wife of H. E. Ward, secretary of th Ross Gear Company, of Lafayette, Indiana, and to whom have been born three children, Helen, and Mildred and Gertrude, twins; Ralph B., who was educated in normal methods at Valparaiso University, and who for some years has been a teacher in the schools of Missouri and in Washington county, Indiana, and Harvey E., who is a graduate of the same high school, was a teacher in various schools of the community, and who now lived on the home farm.

Dr. Samuel B. Howard is a member of the Washington County Medical Association and is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association. In politics, Dr. Samuel B. Howard is a Republican.

AUGUSTIN ELLIS
Jeweler, was born August 30, 1836, in Hendricks County, Ind., and is one of six children born to William and Sarah (Blackwell) Ellis, who were among the earliest settlers in Indiana from the South. Mr. Ellis received such school privileges as were to be had at that early day in Indiana, and was left when young by the death of his parents to care for himself. In youth he learned the carriage-makers' trade, which he followed about four years in Canton, and Morgan County, Ind. He was engaged in business in Salem, Washington County, at the time of the famous Morgan raid in that locality, and was by Gen. Morgan taken prisoner, but soon after released. Mr. Ellis was married April 18, 1860, to Drusilla Green, and to their union six children were born, four of whom are now living: Samuel, Oliver, Magnolia and Augusta. June 12, 1874, he located in Bedford in the jewelry business, where he owns the store room where he is doing a prosperous business, and has a stock of goods valued at $6,000. Mrs. Ellis died April 6, 1876, and July 17, 1879, Mr. Ellis was married to Ellen LeForce, and by her is the father of one child, named Frank. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, although he takes little interest in public affairs.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

WILLIAM H. MARTIN
A son of Col. Roger Martin, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere here in, was born May 7, 1848. Until fifteen years of age he resided at Salem, Ind., and for the succeeding two years was employed as a clerk at New Albany. He then began the reading of law and did not relinquish his studies while acting as shop book-keeper in the Pennsylvania Central Railroad office at Pittsburgh. Early in 1868 he came to Bedford and for a time studied in the office of Wilson & Voris, but in October, 1869, he moved to Paoli, and opening an office began the practice of his profession. He remained at Paoli until 1881, since when he has resided in Bedford, where he has acquired a lucrative practice. Mr. Martin is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities and was married on his twenty-sixth birthday to Miss Mattie F. Dougherty, of Liberty, Mo., by whom he is the father of one living child - Roger.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

JOHN G. CLEMENTS
Was born in this township May 12, 1830, son of James and Elizabeth (Garr) Clements, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Kentucky. The parents married in Kentucky, and soon after the war of 1812 located in this township, where they reared twelve children, and lived until their deaths. They were excellent people, leaving a name above reproach. John G. was brought up a farmer, and was educated at the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began for himself, working, for $7 per month, and later renting a farm, and still later bought part of the old place, to which he has since, added eighty acres, now owning 180 acres. He did all this by good management and industry. He married Judith A. Sallee, December 19, 1855. She was born in Washington County, this State, December 21, 1832. and has borne her husband five children: James E., Christiana E., Martha A., Mary E. and John A. W. Mr. Clements is comfortably situated, and devotes himself to the intelligent management of his farm. He is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

WILLIAM P. GABBERT
Druggist and apothecary, is a native Indianian, born at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, November 27, 1853, and is of German descent. His parents, Charles D. and Rebecca (Barnett)Gabbert, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively, and were among the early settlers of Washington County, Ind. William P. was raised on his father's farm and in early years secured a good common school education. In 1870 he came to Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, and for three years was employed as general manager of the widely know Albert Hotel, which has since burned. He afterward clerked in a drug store for a time and was then sent to Orleans to take charge of a drug store at that place for Dr. J.H. Bowles, and there remained three years. In 1882 with John A. Hudelson for a partner, and under the firm name of Gabbert & Hudelson, he embarked in the drug trade at Paoli and has since continued. Messrs. Gabbert & Hudelson have upward of $8,000 invested in their drug business and their store and stock is far superior to the average country drug stores, and would be a credit to any city in Indiana. The marriage of Mr. Gabbert and Miss Belle, daughter of John P. and Elvira E. Foster was solemnized in 1873, and to them have been born two children: Maggie E. and Charles F., deceased.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

Ernest O. Purlee
Is highly regarded as a teacher, is an excellent neighbor, very active in all matters pertaining to the good of the community and has many friends. He was born March 3, 1874, in Howard township, Washington County, Indiana, and is the son of Frank and Melvina (Bierly) Purlee.

Frank Purlee was born in Pierce township, and now lives near the place where he was born. He was one of thirteen children born to his parents, namely: Rachel (Martin), lives in Martin County, Indiana; Ransom lives in Washington County, Indiana; Dawson, lives in Pierce township, Washington County, Indiana; May and Nancy are both dead; Lola (Davis), lives in Howard township; Alice (Bierly), lives in Polk township; Rebecca (Perkheiser), lives in Howard township; Jerome, lives in Pierce township; Milton also lives in Pierce township; Amanda (Martin), lives in Washington township, and Frank, now living in Pierce township. Frank Purlee farms one hundred and sixty acres of land. Politically, he is a Democrat. He and his wife were the parents of four children, as follows: Augustus (deceased), Ernest O., Malissa (deceased) and Lorenzo, who lives in Pierce township, Washington County, Indiana. Lorenzo married Lenna Harned. Melvina (Bierly) Purlee, wife of Frank Purlee, was born in Howard township, Washington County, Indiana, and was the daughter of L. D. Bierly and Basheba (Giles) Bierly. She died in 1885, at the age of thirty-six years.

Ernest O. Purlee resided in Howard township, Washington County, Indiana, until fifteen years of age. He then engaged in work for others for a short time. In 1889 he was united in marriage to Anna Cavanaugh. His farm consists of sixty-five acres of land which he purchased in 1900. Politically he is a Democrat and has been identified with the educational interests of the county for the past twenty-two years. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church.