"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

ALEXANDER BOYD was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., February 8, 1811, one of twelve children born to Hugh and Elizabeth (George) Boyd, natives of the South, but married in Pennsylvania, where Hugh followed his trade of tailoring till his death. When fourteen years of age, our subject left his home and went to work by the month on a farm, also on the Erie Canal, and the National pike; also on the first waterworks in Pittsburgh, and for a. while on a steamboat on the Ohio River. He was married, April 29, 1830, to Elizabeth Dinsmore, born in Westmoreland County January 7, 1810, of Robert and Esther (McCoy) Dinsmore. Mr. Boyd then farmed on shares till 1835, when he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked on shares till 1844, and then came to this township and bought eighty acres of wild land, and settled in a log cabin among the Indians and wolves, both of which were sometimes unwelcome visitors. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of eight children, viz.: Hester, who married H. Graves, and who died in 1862; Catherine, who died in her tenth year; James; Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. S. Keiser; Nancy J., now Mrs. Curtis Keiser; Martha A., now Mrs. James Graves; John E. and George. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Boyd is a Democrat.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JAMES S. BRIGGS was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1819, and was one of twelve children born to Samuel and Agnes (Shepard) Briggs, who respectively were born in Pendleton County, Va., January 15, 1776, and Greenbrier County, Va., July 15, 1785. Samuel Briggs was married in Virginia, but soon after came to Ross County, Ohio, bought a farm, and there passed his days. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for many years Overseer of the Poor in Ross County. Mrs. Briggs died November 12, 1839, and her husband January 27, 1841. Our subject received a common-school education, and worked for his father till twenty-three years old, and then worked by the month or farmed on shares for several years. He married, December 26,1847, in Fayette County, Reedy Shobe, who was born in Ross County, July 6, 1826, the younger of two children born to Samuel and Clara (Stingley) Shobe, the former born in Ross County July 15, 1802, and the latter in Hardy County, Va., October 18, 1801. In 1850, Mr. Briggs came to this township with his wife and child, and bought the farm of 130 acres on which he still resides. They are the parents of six children, viz.: Samuel S., Darius B., Silas L., John M., Lois M. and Thomas B. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Briggs is a Democrat.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

SILAS BRIGGS was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 30, 1826. Samuel, his father, died when Silas was in his fifteenth year, when the latter went out to work by the month for about three years. He then engaged in driving cattle to Eastern markets for about seven years. In 1851, he came to Union Township, where three years previously he had bought 160 acres unimproved land. Here he built a log house and began clearing, and has continued to add to his farm till he now is possessor of 464 highly cultivated acres. He was married, September 16, 1852, to Rebecca Nickey, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gradeless) Nickey, and born in Smith Township, this county. To their union have been born nine children, viz.: Desdie J., Elizabeth (now Mrs. Albert Mossman), Della (now Mrs. D. Welshimer), Silas E., Stephen O., Charles N., Frank, Frederick and Jesse H. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and in politics he is a Democrat. He is an extensive live-stock dealer, a leading farmer and a prominent citizen of the township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

ANDREW J. BRIGGS was born in Ross County, Ohio., April 5, 1829, and is the youngest of twelve children born to Samuel and Agnes Briggs. Our subject received the ordinary common-school education of his day, and at the age of eleven years was brought to Smith Township, this county, by Jacob Nickey, for whom he worked till sixteen years old, after which he lived with his brother, Jesse, till he reached his majority. He then set to work clearing a 169-acre lot, his guardian, Jacob Nickey, had bought for him, and has resided thereon ever since, having added to it from time to time, till he now has 205 acres of well improved land. August 28, 1852, he married Sarah A. More, who was born in Ohio February 12, 1832. She is a daughter of John W. and Mary (Spear) More, both natives of Ohio. To their marriage were born five children, viz.: Mary A., now Mrs. A. T. Hull; Huldah J., now Mrs. William Gregg; Anna C., now Mrs. Charles Rese; Sarah M. and Florence A. Mr. Briggs, in politics, is a Democrat, and is one of the prominent citizens of his township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JEHU H. CLARK was born in Chester Oounty, Penn., April 17, 1825, one of eight children born to Jehu and Keziah (Edwards) Clark, natives of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Jehu was married in Chester County, and there resided the remainder of his days. Jehu H. Clark, our subject, resided with his father till twenty-seven years old. He began teaching when twenty-one. He taught for several years in Pennsylvania, and one term in this township, in a schoolhouse in which there were no nails used in its construction, which was built of logs, had a puncheon floor, and a door hung on wooden hinges. He was married, February 15, 1851, to Jane A. Packer, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Thomas) Packer, and born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 8, 1833. To their union were born six children, four of whom are living, viz.: Byron T., Joe H., Albert W. and Grace A. After his marriage, Mr. Clark returned to Chester County, Penn., remained there a year, and then moved to a farm of 137 acres unimproved land he had bought in this township, built a log house, and cleared from the wilderness a home. At that time his means were quite limited, but by industry and unswerving integrity, he has won a handsome property, now aggregating 340 acres. Mrs. Clark died March 16, 1863, and December 27, 1864, Mr. Clark married S. Amelia Spore, born in Albany County, N. Y., May 22, 1842. They have six children - Jennie A., Jettie P., Lulu G., I. Belle, Thaddeus L. and Zelia M. From the spring of 1865 to the fall of 1868, Mr. Clark conducted a general mercantile business at Coesse, and he then returned to his farm, where he has since resided. He is a Republican, and for two years was Assessor of the township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

STEPHEN H. CLARK was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., March 5, 1821, one of the nine children of John G. and Julia (Goodrich) Clark, natives of Hudson City, N. Y., and Connecticut, respectively. They were married at Auburn, N. Y. John G. was a shoemaker and farmer. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived and owned land at different times in Cayuga, Lewis, Schoharie and Onondaga Counties, N. Y. In 1839, he moved with his family to De Kalb County, Ind., bought 200 acres of land, and died there in March, 1853, his wife following fifteen days later. Our subject was fairly educated in his youth, and at fourteen years of age went as an apprentice to blacksmithing for three years. He left the trade, however, and came with his parents to Indiana, and remained with them till twenty-two years old, when he commenced clearing a place of his own in Allen County. He was married September 5, 1845, to Jane R. Moody, born in Greene County, Penn., December 3, 1820, the daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Davis) Moody, natives of Maryland and New Jersey respectively. They are parents of four children - Mollie A. (now Mrs. George S, Mossman), Isaac G., George S. and Hattie E. George S. is a minister of the M. E. Church. In January, 1849, our subject moved to this township, entered 160 acres and bought eighty acres of land, and now has a m0del establishment. He was ordained Deacon in the M. E. Church, in 1857, and Elder in 1871, and has labored as local preacher arid circuit rider thirty-one years. He has read medicine and practiced to some extent; was special agent for the Home Life Insurance Company of New York, for two years; was special traveling and collecting agent for the Connecticut Mutual, and general agent of the Union Central Life of Cincinnati. He is a Republican, and a member of the A., F. & A. M.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

ELIJAH DE PEW was born in Luzerne County, Penn., May 10, 1818, one of fifteen children of Levi and Rachel (Walker) De Pew, born in New Jersey in 1777, in April and May respectively, and there married. Levi settled on 234 acres in Luzerne, Penn., in 1800, following his trade of blacksmith in connection with farming till his death in 1868. Elijah, our subject, received a very fair common-school education and worked on the home farm until twenty-five years old. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen, and taught for thirteen winters-eight of them in one house. November 1, 1841, he married Jeannette E. Paige, born in Franklin County, N. Y., September 21, 1821, and the daughter of Rufus A. and Jane (Middaugh) Paige, natives of that State. Her grandfather, Solomon Middaugh, was a Captain in the Continental army during the Revolution, and part of the time Aid-de-camp on Washington's staff. Mrs. De Pew died in Columbia Township, this county, April 5, 1852, in the Methodist faith, and leaving one child - Mary M. (now Mrs. A. J. Steele). In 1849, Mr. De Pew entered eighty acres in Columbia Township, built a house and cleared up the land, and then traded for 160 acres in this township, in 1855. The same year he moved to Columbia City and worked at his trade, carpentering, till 1859, then moved on his farm. December 6, 1853, he married Rebecca Winget, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, August 11, 1821, the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Rinerson) Winget, natives of Pennsylvania, and by this marriage became the father of three children - Frances E., Rachel A. and Isa B. In politics, he is a Democrat, and served as Assessor of Columbia Township two years.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JOHN F. DEPOY was born in Fayette County, Ohio, December 21, 1821, the eldest of three children born to Nicholas and Esther (Furnow) Depoy, natives respectively of Rockingham County, Va., and Ross County, Ohio, Mrs. Depoy's father having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Nicholas Depoy came to Ross County when fourteen years old, and in that county was married. In 1820, he moved to Fayette, where he owned 100 acres of land, and cleared up a farm. Here Mrs. Depoy died October 19, 1825. In March, 1829, Mr. Depoy was married to Henrietta Taylor, a native of Virginia. In 1845, he came with his family to this township and bought 170 acres of wild land, cleared up a farm, and added to it until he had increased it, at the time of his death, November 9, 1865, to 370 acres. John F. Depoy, our subject, remained on his father's farm in Ohio till he was twenty-three years of age, and January 23, 1845, married Delilah Bainter, born in Fayette County, and the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Howard) Bainter, the former born in Pennsylvania March 2, 1795, and the latter in Virginia January S, 1796. In 1845, Mr. Depoy came with his wife and his father's family to this township, and remained on his father's farm four years. He then bought, in 1849, eighty acres of the land where he now lives, then all woods, which he has increased to 110 acres of well-improved land. He has had born to him five children - Jeannette A. (now Mrs. J. M. Harrison), Esther E. (now Mrs. Albert Douglas), Louisa F., Reuben J. and Augusta L. Mr. Depoy is a Republican, and has been Township Assessor for eight years. He is a Freemason, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

NICHOLAS S. DEPOY was born in this township December 3, 1851. He is one of ten children born to Nicholas and Henrietta (Taylor) Depoy, natives of Virginia, the birth of the former having occurred March 7, 1799. Nicholas S., our subject, received a fair common-school education in his younger days, and has lived all his life at the homestead, with the exception of three years passed in Coesse. June 27, 1874, he was married to Harriet F. Snyder, also a native of Union Township, where she was born May 27, 1852. She is a daughter of John G. Snyder and Frederica (Wolf) Snyder, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Depoy have three children, viz.: Samuel, Flavia A. and Joseph. Mr. Depoy is a member of Columbia City Lodge, No. 189, A., F. & A. M., and in politics is a Republican. He is an enterprising young farmer and progressive in his ideas.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

REUBEN DREW was born in Putnam County, N. Y., April 28, 1815, one 9f ten children born to James and Charity (Barrett) Drew, natives of the same county. James Drew was a farmer, and in 1842 moved to Monroe, Fairfield County, Conn., where he died. Our subject worked on the farm till twenty-one, and at his majority offered his vote at the polls, but it was refused, as he was not an owner of real estate. This incident decided him to come West, and the same year he reached Calhoun County, Mich., where he worked three years for a farmer, receiving as pay a deed for eighty acres of land. September 2, 18l0, he married Mary B. Hurd, born in Cayuga County, N. Y., October .30, 1814, whose maternal grandfather, Rev. Michael Burdge, was a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Drew have had no offspring, but reared an adopted son, William (Young), who was a soldier in the Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died in hospital at Munfordville, Ky., in 1864. In 1855, Mr. Drew sold his farm in Michigan and came to this township and bought the 120 acre farm on which he now resides. From 1869 to 1876, he engaged in mercantile business at Coesse, and then returned to his farm in retirement. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Drew is a Republican, and served as Township Assessor during his residence in Michigan.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

THOMAS FOX was born in Ireland November 15, 1847, the elder of two children born to Patrick and Margaret (Slater) Fox, born respectively in 1812 and 1811. Patrick Fox emigrated to the United States with his family in 1858, and settled in this township, where he has ever since resided. He at first bought a small farm, but this he sold and purchased one of 160 acres, and on this place he and wife are still living. Thomas, our subject, received the ordinary common-school education, and has always resided on the home farm, with the exception of two years, in which he was engaged in railroading. He was married, June 3, 1881, to Miss Sarah N. Connelly, a native of Ireland. She is the daughter of Martin and Bridget (Fox) Connelly, also natives of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. Fox, as were their parents, are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

WELLS T. GRADELESS, born in Smith Township, this county, September 17, 1841, is the elder of two sons of Milo and Hannah (Smith) Gradeless, natives of Fayette County, Ohio, and born in 1816, April 22, and November 28, respectively. Milo Gradeless came with his parents, Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Waugh) Gradeless, to what is now Smith Township, this county, in 1835. July 18, 1838, Milo was married, and his was the third wedding in Smith Township. Mrs. Hannah Gradeless was the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Jones) Smith, and came with her parents from Virginia to Smith Township, in 1833. Samuel Smith was one of the Commissioners appointed to organize Whitley County, and for him the township of Smith was named. He and Nathaniel Gradeless were early pioneers of Whitley County, and both died on the farms they had taken from the wilderness of Smith Township. After his marriage, Milo Gradeless lived in Smith Township till 1847, and then moved to this township, where he bought a farm, sold it, and, in 1853, bought the one on which our subject is now living, and, in 1880, moved to Columbia City, where he now resides. Our subject was fairly educated in youth, and has lived all his days on the homestead farm. He was married, in Shelby County, Ohio, January 1, 1865, to Margaret A. Spear, a native of that county, daughter of John and Nancy (Richards) Spear, and born May 4, 1845. To this union was born one child - Mary A. Mrs. Gradeless died May 2, 1866, and, November 20, 1879, Mr. Gradeless married Elma E. Kiersey, born in Noble County February 11, 1856, the daughter of Nathan O. and Esther (Smith) Kiersey, natives of New York. Mr. Gradeless has taught eight or ten terms of school in Whitley County. In politics, he is a Republican.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

GEORGE GRAVES was born in Athens County, Ohio, July 16, 1826, the eldest of thirteen children born to Elijah Y. and Sarah (Patten) Graves, natives of Connecticut and Maryland. Elijah Y. Graves came to Marietta, Ohio, when eighteen years old, and was there afterward married, when he moved to Athens County, and bought a farm. In 1836, he moved to Wells County, Ohio, where he entered eighty acres and bought 103 of unimproved land. A pioneer of the county, he served as Trustee of Jackson Township for several years, and there died in 1871. Our subject worked with his father till he was twenty-three, and April 15, 1849, married Elizabeth Gilbert, who was born in England, May 1, 1825, the daughter of William and Sarah Gilbert. Mrs. Graves died at her home in Allen County, this State, April 11, 1862, leaving to our subject four children - Sarah E. (now Mrs. Salathiel Hiles), Elijah, Eliza (now Mrs. Joseph York) and Elizabeth A. In 1850, Mr. Graves moved to Lake Township, Allen County, where he bought eighty acres of forest land, cleared it up, and in 1862 sold out and bought 115 acres in Aboit Township, same county, and in 1869 sold again and bought the farm where he now lives in this township. June 11, 1880, he married Lydia (Wraight) Burt, who was born in New York, May 12, 1851, the daughter of Edmund and Sarah (Harris) Wraight, natives of England. Mr. Graves is a Republican and was Town Assessor for several years, and is the owner of 181 acres of well-improved land.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

HENRY GREGG, M. D. The subject of this sketch is a native of Washington County, Penn., and was born July 15, 1816. When he was three months old, his father, with his family, moved to Greene County, same State, where they remained till the spring of 1829, when they returned to Washington County, the mother having died the year previous. In 1836, the father, with his family, removed to Delaware County, Ohio, where our subject began the study of medicine with Lyman Totten, M. D., in the spring of 1842. In the autumn of 1845, he commenced practice in the same county, and continued until the spring of 1853. He graduated from Starling Medical College at the session of 1849-50. On the 5th of March, 1846, he married Sarah E. Randall, and to their union were born four children, three of whom are still living. In the spring of 1853, he brought his family to this county, and they have resided here ever since. Mrs. Gregg died April 1, 1861, and the Doctor remarried February 22, 1862, taking as his second mate Harriet Gaylord Housel, of Summit County, Ohio. One daughter is the fruit of this marriage. Our subject's father, William Gregg, was a native of Washington, and his mother, Susan Withrow, of Franklin County, Penn.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

CHARLES F. HESS was born in Baden, Germany, September 14, 1814, and is one of eight children born to Jacob and Julia (Endla) Hess. He received a very fair German education and remained on his father's farm in Germany, and worked as a weaver, until 1835, when he emigrated to the United States and settled at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he worked by the month till 1835, when he came to Fort Wayne, Ind., and worked on the canal and in the woods hauling logs till 1841. He then came to this township and entered 120 acres of land, built a cabin, cleared a home for himself and family, and kept adding to his land till he now owns 277 acres, highly improved. He was married in Allen County, Ind., June 15, 1841, to Barbara Wageley, a native of Germany, where she was born March 2, 1816. She is the daughter of Michael and Ann M. (Keller) Wageley, also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have four children living, viz., John, Philip F., Elizabeth and J. Michael. In politics, Mr. Hess is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the German Reformed Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

HENRY HULL was born in Pendleton County, Va., May 19, 1819; one of nine children born to Adam and Elizabeth (Hevner) Hull, both natives of the same county. About 1823, Adam Hull moved to Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, where he held the office of Sheriff six years. In 1830, he and family came to Fort Wayne, Allen County, remained one year, then moved to Eel River Township, same county, bought forty acres of land and entered 253 more . Shortly after, he entered eighty acres in this township, now occupied by our subject. Adam was for a time Postmaster at Eel River Post Office, and also Justice of the Peace. He died in that township September 4, 1838. Henry Hull, our subject, remained on the old farm till seven years after his father's death, then bought the interest of the other heirs in the farm in this township, and in 1846 took possession. He has since added to the place, until now it consists of 228 acres of well-improved land, parts of which he had deeded to his children. December 19,1838, he married Jane Gardner, daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Hoage) Gardner, natives of New York, and there have been born to them the following children - William H., Isaac T., Elizabeth (now Mrs. Lloyd Siphers), Felix, Phebe and Franklin. William H. and Isaac T. were members of Company C, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry having enlisted in the fall of 1862. William H. was seized by measles at Bowling Green, Ky., and was discharged in February, 1863; Isaac T. was taken ill at Gallatin, Tenn., and was discharged in March, 1863. William H. was Township Trustee of Union for four years, and was Assessor for two years. He is a Mason. Our subject is a Democrat, and is quite prominent in his township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JAMES W. IRWIN was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 1, 1822, and is the eldest of six children born to John and Mary (Dodge) Irwin, natives respectively of Maryland and Ohio. John Irwin moved to Licking County, Ohio, when he was a young man, and was there married. In October, 1838, he came with his wife and children to Kosciusko County, this State, where two years previously he had entered 160 acres of land, and here erected a cabin and began clearing up a farm. In 1851, he came to this township and bought a farm of 280 acres. In 1855, he removed to Cass County, Iowa, where he resided till his death, in 1868; Mrs. Mary Irwin died at the same place, in 1862. They were both members of the M. E. Church. James W. Irwin received the ordinary common-school education in his youth, and worked on the farm till twenty-six years old, when he entered 120 acres in this township, built a log cabin and began on his own account. December 11, 1847, he married Mary Souder, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 25, 1822. She is the daughter of Christopher and Margaret (Hamon) Souder, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin have one child living, Adaline M., now Mrs. John Metz. In politics, Mr. Irwin is a Democrat, and for two years was Trustee of Union Township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

HARVEY JONES was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, April 27, 1818, the elder of two children born to James and Elizabeth (Pine) Jones, natives of Virginia. James Jones emigrated to Lawrence County, when a young man, and was one of its early pioneers. Here he married, and died in March, 1820, and his widow four years later. After the death of his mother, Harvey Jones lived with his grandmother, Sarah Pine, till sixteen years of age. She died in Champaign County, August, 1834, and our subject contracted to remain till of age with Mr. John Hunter, of that county, receiving for his services his board, clothes, six months' schooling, and, at the expiration of the time a horse, saddle and suit of clothes, in all of the value of $100. Of the schooling he received only fifty-seven days, and probably only about nine months' tuition in his life. November 16, 1840, he married Sarah E. Ritter, of Champaign, where she was born, April 22, 1822, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Harber) Ritter, natives of Kentucky and Virginia. To their union five children were born: Elizabeth A. (now Mrs. Eavards), John W., Louisa J. (now Mrs. G. O. Perrin), William H., and Martha E. (now Mrs. S . Mowrey). In the fall of 1842, Mr. Jones came to Cleveland Township, this county, and bought 160 acres of wild land, built a house, commenced clearing and went back for his family. In 1854, he sold out, and in the fall of 1855 came to this township and bought a 320-acre farm. He still retains and lives upon 260 acres of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

HIRAM LANTZ was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 4, 1843, the eldest of five children born to Samuel and Mary (Basom) Lantz, born respectively in Lancaster County, Penn., July 31, 1818, and Wayne County, Ohio, July, 1823. Samuel Lantz was married in Wayne County, where he followed his trade as carpenter, and farmed on shares till 1861, when he came with his wife and family to this township, where he bought the farm on which the subject of our sketch now lives, and where he died November 5, 1872, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow still is living, and in resides with her son. Our subject, Hiram Lantz, enlisted in February, 1864, in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served till his regiment was mustered out at Macon, Ga., in September, 1865, excepting two months he was in the hospital at Columbia, Tenn. After his return from the army, he worked on his father's farm one year, then went to Peoria, Ill., and worked by the month till 1879, and then returned to the old homestead. October 2, 1879, he married Sarah E. Royer, who was born in Noble County, July 1, 1861, the daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Garrison) Royer. Mr. Lantz is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and in politics is a Republican.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

GEORGE W. LAWRENCE was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 3, 1832, and is one of eleven children born to John A. and Sarah (Rouch) Lawrence, natives of Pennsylvania, and born January 22, 1801, and June 7, 1807, respectively. John A. Lawrence came to Wayne County at the age of fourteen, and was married September 28, 1827. He learned to be a blacksmith, but never followed the business; he is also a civil engineer, and has been County Surveyor for Wayne for many years. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he also is a Mason. Our subject received a very fair education in his youth and, in 1853, came to Whitley, and taught school in a log house the following winter in Jefferson Township. He returned to Wayne County, Ohio, and was married March 21, 1854, to Eve A. Mowrey, born in Wayne August 1, 1830. They have three children living - Michael, John C. and Harvey S. In December, 1855, Mr. Lawrence brought his wife and child to this township, bought 160 acres of land, and has kept adding to it till he now owns 550 well-improved acres. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, and served as Justice of the Peace from 1867 to 1879.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

WILLIAM C. MORE was born in Smith Township, this county, May 13, 1839, the youngest of three children born to John W. and Mary (Spear) More, born respectively in Warren and Miami Counties, Ohio, in 1810, May 27, and July 29. John W. More came to Smith Township in 1836, entered 160 acres of land, built a cabin, cleared up a farm, and added to his land until he was the owner of 240 acres. In 1856, he sold out and went to Missouri, but returned the next spring and bought the farm where he now lives, in this township. Mr. More was the first Justice of the Peace, and also the first Assessor Smith Township ever had. William C. More, our subject, was educated at the common schools, and reared on the farm until twenty-two. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B. Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battles at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, and in the Georgia campaign. He was wounded in the right arm at Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864, and confined in the hospital at Atlanta, and was unable to join the march to the sea. He recovered sufficiently, however, to take part in the Hood campaign, in and about Nashville, and subsequently rejoined his regiment at Ringgold, Ga., and was with it until mustered out at Indianapolis, June 9, 1865. January 10, 1867, he married Martha Compton, the daughter of Nelson and Nancy (Waugh) Compton, and born in Smith Township October 7, 1847. To this union six children were born, viz., Huldah E., Frank E., Irving N., Hallie F., Charles H. and Alpha C. Mr. More resided in Smith Township, after his marriage, until 1868, when he bought the farm of 166 acres, in this township, where he now lives.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

WILLIAM C. MORSE was born in Orleans County, N. Y., September 10, 1825, one of eleven children born to Jotham and Dorcas (Ferris) Morse, natives of Onondaga County. Jotham Morse was married in his native county, moved to Orleans County, bought a farm, and died there, September 18, 1878, his wife having died there in 1832, October 1. He was ordained a minister in the Christian Church in 1824, and served faithfully sixty-four years. He became entirely blind, and was otherwise greatly afflicted for some time before his death. Our subject received a fair common-school education in his youth, and after his mother's death lived with Ira Millard, of Madison County, N. Y., until twenty-two years old, and then worked as a farmer for about two years. In 1848, he returned to Orleans County, where he was married, January 1, 1850, to Catherine Williams, a native of the county, and born September 6, 1830. They became the parents of two children - Eda A. (now Mrs. Ira Sayler), and Lida B. In 1852, Mr. Morse moved to Union Township, where he bought forty acres of wild land, and built a house, which he traded in 1857 for a farm of eighty acres, in the same town ship, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Morse are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Republican. The father of Mrs. Morse, Benjamin F. Williams, is a native of Vermont, and her mother, Dorothea (Freemire) Williams, of New York.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

FRANCIS MOSSMAN was born in Fayette County, Penn., August 28, 1810, one of eleven children born to John and Polly (Lewis) Mossman, natives of County Down, Ireland, and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in 1769, and was brought to this country by his parents at the age of fourteen, landing in Baltimore, and removing to Pennsylvania a year later. Here John Mossman married, and in 1814, he removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, bought a farm, and resided thereon until his death in August, 1830. Francis, our subject, received an ordinary common-school education in his youth, and remained on the homestead farm till 1842, when he came to Richland Township, this county, where he entered 216 acres of land. The spring following he came to this township, bought 160 acres, and commenced improving. He added to the farm from time to time, till he now owns 557 acres of well-improved land. January 22, 1835, he was married to Miss R. A. Connor, who was the daughter of William and Alcinda (Smallwood) Connor, and was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, June 21, 1817. Her parents were natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Mossman have had left them nine children, as follows: John F., Mary C., Alcinda J. (now Mrs. D. W. Nickey), William E., George S., Orpha L. (now Mrs. A. B. Nickey), Francis M., James A. and Maximilia. Mr. Mossman is a Republican, and for five or six years filled the office of Township Treasurer.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JOHN F. MOSSMAN was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, February 14, 1837, and is one of nine children left to Francis and Mrs. (Connor) Mossman, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. In October, 1843, Francis came to Richland Township and bought 160 acres land, built a cabin, and the following February leased the place and came to this township, where he bought 160 acres and entered 160 acres more, making 320 acres, where he still resides. John F. Mossman worked on the farm till he was married, January 21, 1864, to Susan M. Youngs, a native of Baltimore County, Md., where she was born August 28, 1845, the daughter of John I. and Rachel (Hollenbeck) Youngs. By this union there were six children, viz.: James F., Orpha O., Charlie H., Jessie E., Zella Z. and Mazie R. In 1864, Mr. Mossman bought his farm of 200 acres where he now resides, but has purchased, besides, other tracts, until he now owns 321 acres. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Township Trustee by the Republicans, of which party he is a leading local member, as well as a member of the order of A., F. & A. M.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

WILLIAM C. MOWREY was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 10, 1828, and is the eldest of ten children born to Michael, Jr., and Nancy (Rouch) Mowrey, born, respectively, in Lancaster County, Penn., June 6, 1805, and Columbia County, Penn., April 8, 1808. Michael Mowrey, Jr., came with his parents to Wayne when but a small boy, and here his father operated a gristmill and distillery, and in these Michael, Jr., worked till twenty-three years of age, when he bought 160 acres of land in the same county, afterward trading for another farm in Wayne, on which he resided till his death June 8, 1881. William C. Mowrey, our subject, worked for his father till twenty-one, and November 15, 1849, was married to Mary A. Lawrence, who was born in Wayne County March 7, 1830, the daughter of John A. and Sarah (Rouch) Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Mowrey are parents of three living children - Sylvanus H., Emma J. (now Mrs. John Deem), and John M. Two years after marriage, our subject farmed his father's place on shares, and in 1851 moved to this township, arriving November 15, and bought 160 acres unimproved land, on which he has ever since resided, and has added to it till it now contains 400 acres, in a high state of improvement. He takes great pride in his stock and was the first to introduce blooded grades in the township. Mr. Mowrey is a Democrat, and has served as Assessor of his township; he and wife are also members of the Lutheran Church. Michael Mowrey and William Rouch, our subject's grandfathers, were both soldiers in the war of 1812, and were under Wayne at Auglaise and Maumee, and with Harrison at Tippecanoe, where Mr. Mowrey was wounded.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

RICHARD M. PAIGE was born in Chemung County, N. Y., May 4, 1823, and is one of twelve children born to Rufus W. A. and Jane (Middaugh) Paige, born, respectively, in Massachusetts in 1790, and in New Jersey June 20, 1803. The father was a physician, and located in New York State when a young man, and there was married. In 1837, he moved to Holmes County, Ohio, and practiced his profession till February, 1843, when he removed to Columbia Township, this county, entered 320 acres of land, built a log house and commenced clearing; he died there in August, 1863, Mrs. Paige having preceded him in April of the same year. Richard M. Paige remained on the farm till twenty-five years of age, when he bought 144 unimproved acres in this township, where he now lives, having increased his farm to 507 acres. September 6, 1855, he married Phylura A. Leighttizer, born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 24, 1834, and the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Morehead) Leighttizer, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Ohio. To their union have been born seven children - Catherine E. (now Mrs. H. Schrader), Almira A., Richard A., John S., Simeon J., Phebe E. and Phylura E. Mr. Paige is a Democrat, and was Commissioner of the county for six years. He is a member of Spring Run Grange, No. 1892, and he and wife are members of the Church of God, as are also two of their children.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

JACOB PENTZ was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 28, 1821, the son of John and Elizabeth Pentz, natives of the same county, where they were married and where John Pentz followed his trade, as brick and stone mason, till 1823, when he moved to Bedford County, and thence, in 1833, to Columbiana County, Ohio, working at his trade three years, and then buying a farm there, on which he still lives. His wife died there September 11, 1877, and was, as he is a member of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Pentz, our subject, was educated in the common schools, and at twenty years of age commenced learning his trade as a mason, and he has followed that business for about twenty years. He was married, March 3, 1860, to Elizabeth L. Crisinger, born in Columbiana County, March 29, 1830, the daughter of John and Salome (Seindersmith) Crisinger. In 1866, he came to this township and bought 160 acres of land, which are now among the best improved in the township. There were three children born to his marriage, the eldest of whom, John C., alone is living. George L. died September 3, 1872, in his ninth year, and Allen P. died September 24, in his sixth year. Mrs. Pentz is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Pentz is a Democrat.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township

SAMUEL ROUCH was born in Franklin County, Penn., January 31, 1813, and was one of nine children born to Philip and Elizabetb (Harshberger) Rouch, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1820, Philip Rouch moved to Wayne County, Ohio, bought a farm of 160 acres, and there resided till his death, February 16, 1846. Mrs. Elizabeth Rouch died in the same county December 13, 1867. Samuel Rouch left his father's farm at the age of twenty-six, and was married, March 28, 1839, to Louisa Hammer, a native of Germany, where she was born September 16, 1818, the daughter of George L. and Phebe (Baum) Hammer. Mr. and Mrs. Rouch are the parents of nine living children, viz.: William, Barbara (now Mrs. J. S. Hartsock), George L., Philip, Samuel, Lavina (now Mrs. Christian Snyder), David, Jacob and Cornelius. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Rouch bought a farm of seventy-four acres in Wayne County, Ohio, where he resided till August, 1854, when he came to this township and bought 320 acres, on which he has since lived. Mr. Rouch is a Democrat in politics, and for two years was Trustee of Union Township. He is a member of the Whitley County Bee Keepers' Association and also a member of the Lutheran Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Union Township