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

GEORGE W. NORRIS was born in this township September 1, 1852, the son of Alexander and Susan Norris, natives of Ohio and of German descent. They came to this township in 1843, and located on Section 16. Here our subject and an elder brother, George W., were born. The father was killed in March, 1855, by a falling tree while out chopping, our subject then being but three years of age, and about six years later the mother married John Hower. October 4, 1871, our subject married Caroline Shirtliff, daughter of John and Hancy Shirtliff, natives of Massachusetts. To this union one son and one daughter were born. Mr. Norris started in the world with $75 in cash and sixty acres of land, but by hard work and economy has secured 132 acres, which are under a good state of cultivation, and well improved. He votes with the Republican party, and he and wife are members of the Baptist 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
Richland Township

REV. A. D. PARRETT was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 1, 1816. His parents, Joseph and Mary Parrett, were natives of Virginia, of German descent. They removed to Ohio in 1803, and thence to this county, with family, in the fall of 1836, locating on the present site of South Whitley. Here they passed their lives and reared a family of nine children, three of whom are now living. Joseph Parrett helped organize this county and Cleveland Township, and also assisted in laying out the first roads. He died in 1850, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mrs. Parrett passed away in 1841, aged sixty-five. The subject received poor school advantages and assisted his father until he became of age, when he began working for himself, and with his brother, Abington, rented his father's farm, until in July, 1840, when he was married by Judge Swihart to Mrs. Susan Perkins, daughter of Joseph McCoy. Twelve children were born to this union, five of whom are living. Mr. Parrett soon after his marriage removed to this township . He joined the church in 1835, and began preaching soon after, first as an exhorter, and afterward was licensed as a local minister. During his ministerial labors, he has performed 196 marriage ceremonies, and officiated at a large number of funerals. Mr. Parrett has held several township offices, and four of his sons served in the late war, two enlisting in the fall of 1861, in Company C, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, one in Company E, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and his fourth son as a cavalryman during the latter part of the war. Wesley never returned, and now lies buried at Memphis. Nelson, after he died, was brought home and buried at South Whitley. Joseph A. served three years, then reenlisted, and served in the Western Division, under Gen. Hovey, for a period of four years and twenty-six days.

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

ABNER PRUGH was born in Preble County, Ohio, in November, 1816, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth Prugh, natives of Maryland and Ohio, and of German descent. He began life by doing job work and farming, saved his earnings, came to Wells County, this State, in 1837, and bought some land. This, in 1849, he traded for a part of his farm in this township, but did not enter upon it until 1853, in the meanwhile living upon rented land, in Kosciusko County, but giving attention to the clearing of his 160 acres of forest home here, which he has since developed into one of the finest farms in the neighborhood. October 15, 1840, Mr. Prugh was married to Nancy Matthews, daughter of Benjamin D. and Eliza Matthews, natives of Maryland, and the union resulted in the birth of fourteen children, nine sons and three daughters of whom are still living. Two of the sons, William A. and George W., enlisted in the Union army during the late war; William, October, 1861, and George, August, 1862, and were out three and two years respectively. William was honorably discharged in January, 1864, on account of failure of eyesight, caused by exposure at Shiloh and Stone River. George W. accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Prugh has always been considered one of Richland's leading citizens, and, although not a very active politician, has been elected to serve as Township Treasurer several terms, and also to fill a number of minor offices. Himself and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the last forty-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
Richland Township

G. W. PRUGH, son of Abner and Nancy Prugh, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1843. When quite young, his parents removed to this township, where he lived until the age of eighteen. At that time, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1862, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He participated in the battle of Chickamauga, and for three days after that subsisted on one cracker while marching at the rate of eleven miles per day, and, under Gens. Carlan and Sherman, marched to Atlanta. After returning from the war, Mr. Prugh engaged in farming, renting land, until he located on his present farm. He was married to Nancy Souder in 1867. Her father, Conrad Souder, came to this county in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Prugh have had born to them five children, one son and four daughters. Mr. Prugh is a member of the Republican party, and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. He has worked diligently, and always helped in the advancement of his people. His mother-in-law, who is past the age of sixty, is making her home with them.

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

WILLIAM RICE, a retired farmer, was born in Washington County, N. Y., December 30, 1812. In September, 1836, he started for this State to secure a home; first located in Kosciusko County, but in March, 1837, came to this township and entered the land on which he still resides, which he has converted from a wilderness to a desirable homestead of eighty acres. July 4, 1839, he married Harriet M. Jones, daughter of John and Myra Jones. This lady died September 19, 1841, leaving one son, who died in the spring of 188l. May 16, 1844, our subject married Miss Lydia Mitchell, daughter of William and Mary Mitchell. Mr. Rice was the tenth person to settle in this township, and is now the last survivor of that early ten. He was present at the organization of the township, acting as Inspector, and carrying the returns to Huntington (of which this county was then a part), giving three days' time to the township in making the trip. He has filled the office of Township Trustee and minor offices, which were thrust upon him rather than sought by him. He retains a vivid recollection of the game which filled the surrounding woods when he first located here, and has counted as many as eleven deer in one day wandering near his clearing. The first two acres of corn he planted went as provender to the squirrels and raccoons, whose depredations were altogether beyond control. Our subject's only son, John J., enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served through the better part of the recent war.

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

S. F. ROBINSON is a native of Massachusetts, born in that State in 1826, removing with his parents, when two years of age, to Wayne County, N. Y., and from there to Medina County, Ohio, in 1835, where his earlier years were spent in acquiring an education and working on his father's farm. In 1852, he located in Pulaski, Ohio, in the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes, which business he continued for fifteen years - the last two years adding to his stock Eastern-made goods, and groceries. During this time, he was Postmaster for seven years. He came to Larwill in 1869, with his family, where they have since resided. His first purchase was a saw-mill, which he exchanged for a farm, and that in turn for the mill he now owns. Mr. Robinson was united in marriage in November, 1850, to Miss Mary L. Wells, a daughter of Jared and Louisa Wells, both natives of Connecticut, and of English and Scotch descent. Their family consists of two daughters. Mr. Robinson is a son of Seth and Mehitable (Randall) Robinson, both natives of Massachusetts, and of English and Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Robinson is, in every sense of the word, a self-made man, and, through industry and good business ability, has acquired a competence for himself and family. He has never aspired to political emience, but always lends a helping hand to all laudable enterprises for the advancement of home interests, but is not a member of any secret societies.

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

BENJAMIN B. SALMON was born in 1823 in Washington County, Ohio, and reared in Delaware County, same State, on a farm. He came West with two companions, arriving in this county in September, 1843. He was variously employed for some time, and for clearing land received forty acres of his present home, in 1844; here he began clearing and built a cabin. The following spring he was married to Betsey R. Havens, daughter of Thomas C. and Roxanna Havens, natives of Connecticut and of English descent. To them were born four sons and five daughters. Mr. Salmon when he came here had but 25 cents and eight head of sheep, and for many years endured hardships and poverty. Soon after marrying, he returned to Franklin County, Ohio, and until fall worked out by the month. After returning in the fall, he moved into his log house, which at that time had no floor. He went twenty-one miles to mill, and hauled his produce to Fort Wayne. Mr. Salmon now owns a farm of eighty acres, besides property in Larwill. He is a Republican, and first voted for Henry Clay. In 1861, Mrs. Betsey Salmon died, aged thirty-seven years, and he was subsequently married to Susanna Sickafoose, a native of Ohio. They had two sons and one daughter, and the mother died in 1878. That same year, Mr. Salmon was married to his third and present wife, Mary Metz, daughter of John Ray. They are both members of the U. B. 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
Richland Township

C. SOUDER, M. D., son of Conrad and Mary Souder, natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1842. In the fall of 1846, Conrad Souder, with his family, located in this township on Section 9. Here he cleared a farm of 160 acres, and provided a home for his family, which consisted of two sons and two daughters. In 1852, he died, beloved and respected by all. His widow is yet living and is sixty-two years old. The subject's youth was passed at home, and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving in the war until he was honorably discharged in November, 1864. He received wounds in the battle of Chickamauga, and was in the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. Upon his return, he became a scholar in the schools at Columbia City, and afterward at Roanoke, Ind., thence to Mendota College, Illinois, teaching at intervals. In 1867, he began his medical studies with Dr. Firestone; attended lectures at Cleveland and Cincinnati in 1870, graduating from the latter in the same year, since which time he has been engaged actively in the practice of his profession at Larwill, with the exception of eighteen months at South Whitley. He was married, in 1870, to Sabina Trembley, daughter of John S. Trembley; is a member of the Masonic order, and has two children living, one having died.

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

HENRY SOUDER is a native of Richland County, Ind., born in 1840, and son of Conrad and Mary Souder. He was six years old when his parents came to this township and located, and when eighteen years of age assumed the management of the home farm. March 4, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Easly. Her parents, Joseph and Mary Easly, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio, were early settlers of Indiana. Mr. Souder, in the fall of 1862, enlisted in Company K, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Perryville; was in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. The following four years he was engaged in lumbering in this county; then continued in the same business at Noblesville, Noble County, for a period of two years, locating permanently on his present farm of 160 acres in the spring of 1871, since which time he has given his attention to farming. Mr. and Mrs. Souder have a family of six-four sons and two daughters. He is a Republican and member of the Masonic fraternity.

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

WILLIAM STERLING was born in Lebanon County, Penn., in December, 1818, the son of John and Elizabeth Sterling, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who moved to Berks County when our subject was but a small boy. There he went to school, and at eighteen went to the carpenter's trade, which he followed a few years. June 4, 1839, he married Margaret Ulrich, of Lebanon County, and daughter of Adam and Ann Ulrich. In 1840, he came to this county and located on Eel River, near South Whitley, where he lived fourteen years, redeeming from the wilderness a farm. This he sold in 1854, and bought one of 240 acres near Coesse. In 1859, he removed to this township, where he now owns a well-cultivated homestead of 173 acres. He became the father of nine children, of whom four sons and four daughters are now living. He has never been ambitious, politically, but has held minor offices in his township. In August, 1862, he answered his country's call for troops, and enlisted in Company F, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served out his year, taking part in the battle of Mission Ridge, and skirmishing the rest of the time. His reminiscences of early days in the wilderness, with Indians, wolves, wild cats, etc., are of an interesting character. All he possesses has come from his own industry and determination to achieve independence.

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

THOMAS STRADLEY, merchant, was born in Delaware, October 27, 1837, the son of Stephen S. and Mary (Bolton) Stradley, who were natives of the same State. His early days were passed on a farm and in attending school, and in 1858, at his father's death, he began farming on his own responsibility, and continued thereat until 1865, when he came with his family to Larwill, and entered a store as clerk, which business he followed for eleven years, when he united in partnership with D. B. Clugston, and is still in business with him. Beginning here with but $3, he has by economy and industry secured for himself a fine trade and a good home for his family, and also an interest in a large dry goods establishment at Columbia City. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Gertrude Clugston, also a native of Delaware, and the fruit of their union has been four daughters. Subject is an active politician, and votes with the Democratic party. He has served four years as Township Trustee to the entire satisfaction of the people; he is a Knight Templar, as well as member of an I. O. O. F. lodge, and always lends a hand toward the advancement of home enterprises and the improvement of the home social circle.

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

B. THOMSON was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1825, and was the son of Ezra and Sarah (McNorton) Thomson, natives of New York and Vermont, and of English and Scotch descent, respectively. The family came to this township, and located on Section 9, in 1836, and succeeded in bringing out of the forest a well-cultivated farm, and in rearing a family of ten children. They were among the earliest pioneers, and departed this life in 1857 and 1855, aged seventy-two and fifty years. Our subject lent his parents his assistance on the farm till he was twenty-two years old, and then, in 1847, started out on his own account, to clear a farm he had located in the forest. By hard work and economy, he has acquired 730 acres of land in this township, and 150 in Cleveland Township, all well improved. He had his experience of pioneer life in his early days, and remembers the time of the removal of the Indians to the West. At that time, he was compelled to travel to Fort Wayne for a market, a distance of twenty-five or thirty miles. He has always proved a worthy citizen and was elected County Commissioner in 1876, and re-elected in 1880. In January, 185:2, he was married to Matilda Rodebaugh, daughter of John and Phoebe Rodebaugh, of German and English descent, and through this union became the father of three sons and one daughter.

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

E. THOMSON was born in this township in 1849, the son of John and Emily Thomson, natives of New York, and of English extraction. Mr. J. Thomson came to this township with his parents in 1836, and, being of age, soon opened up a farm for himself, on land entered by his father the year of his arrival, redeemed from the wilderness a tract of 282 acres, and reared five children, four now living. He died in 1876, his wife following in 1878, aged, respectively, sixty-one and fifty-eight years. Our subject remained on his father's farm till twenty-one. In 1871, he married Mary E. Prugh, daughter of Abner Prugh, and to this union were born three children, of whom only one is living. In 1878, his wife died, and, some time after, he married Florence Prugh, also a daughter of Abner Prugh, and to this union has been born one son - Albert. He has a well-improved farm of eighty acres, and a pleasant home. As a rule, he takes but little interest in politics, but is firm in his faith in Democratic principles.

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

JOHN S. TREMBLEY was born in Somerset County, N. J., October 20, 1813, the son of Isaac S. and Aryann (Vossler) Trembley, both natives of New Jersey, and of French and German descent. He came with his parents to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1816, and went to school and worked on the farm till twenty-one, when he became a carpenter, and worked at that trade thirty years, or more, at intervals. In 1842, he married Ellen D. Witt, daughter of David and Deborah Witt, and in 1845, came to this township, and located on his present farm, then a wilderness, and for twelve years lived in a cabin which has since been replaced by a good frame dwelling; he now owns a well cultivated farm of 224 acres. His wife died in April, 1870, and was the mother of seven children, four of whom are living. In September, 1871, he married Mrs. Mary A. Compton, daughter of Samuel Frazier, and to this union three children have been born. Mr. Trembley is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and highly respected by their neighbors.

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

WILLIAM WATSON is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born December 25, 1824, and son of William and Nancy Watson. His parents, both natives of Kentucky, removed to Wayne County, Ind., in 1805; they had thirteen children, and died in the years of 1859 and 1849 respectively. William Watson, our subject, was married in 1851, to Elizabeth J. Wolf, daughter of William and Mary Wolf, natives of Virginia, and descendants of the Irish and German. Mr. Watson was brought up on a farm, and followed that occupation six years after his marriage. He then took a trip to Kansas with the intention to locate, out abandoned this project and returned home, removing with his family, in the fall of 1859, to this township and locating on eighty acres of his present farm, which is now double that size. Mr. Watson is a Republican, and has served two years as Road Supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Watson, while serving in the Revolutionary war in February, 1777, was captured by the Indians, but succeeded in making his escape after three and a half 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
Richland Township

DAVID L. WHITELEATHER, druggist, in Larwill, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1827, the son of George and Elizabeth Whiteleather, natives of Maryland, and of German descent. He remained on his parents' farm till eighteen years of age, when he began working at carpentering for $5 per month the first year, and this trade he followed for eight years, and then worked at job work on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., in this county, where he remained till the fall of 1855, when he married Frances Mack, daughter of Harper and Alice Mack, of New York. He then returned to Columbiana County, Ohio, engaged in farming till 1859; came to this township in the spring, and farmed till 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Jackson, Mission Ridge and Atlanta.; followed Sherman to the sea, during the last eighteen months acting as color-bearer, having been color-guard for some time previously, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. During the skirmish at New Hope Church, the flagstaff was shot away and twenty-one holes put through the flag, but he escaped unhurt. The spring following his departure for the war, his wife died, leaving three small children. On his return, in the fall of 1865, he entered the drug trade in company with Dr. Kirkpatrick, and in May, 1881, he assumed whole charge of the business. In the spring of 1866, he married his present wife, Julia Temple, daughter of David Patterson. He is a Freemason, and in politics a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He came here empty-handed, but, by attention to business and honest dealing has provided himself with a good home, and established a lucrative trade.

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

REV. T. WHITMAN was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 4, 1822, son of David and Sarah Whitman, natives of Virginia. The parents emigrated with our subject to Wells County, Ind., in February, 1835, and entered land before the county was organized. Our subject attended the log schoolhouses in his youth, and, at the age of nineteen, began life on his own account, farming at intervals; and in 1840 commenced studying for the ministry. In 1844, he entered upon active work, locating in Cass County, Ind., and rode a circuit through Cass, Miami, White and Pulaski Counties for three years, each trip taking two weeks. He preached each day and night, preparing his sermons while riding from point to point, receiving the first year $65. He moved to Pulaski in 1849; thence to this township in 1852, locating on his present farm. In 1840, he married Eliza J. Craig, born in Darke County, Ohio, in August, 1822, the daughter of Rev. Seymore and Sarah Craig. To this union three children were born, one son now living. After the death of this lady, he married Elizabeth Atchison, by whom he had one daughter, now the wife of Dr. D. E. Webster. He was married to his present wife, Charlotte Circle, August 5, 1855; she is a native of Kosciusko County, Ind., and to this union three children were born, all now living. Through his efforts six large charges have been built up, and he has assisted in organizing a number of home societies.

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

S. C. WHITMAN was born in Wells County, Ind., in June, 184:2, the son of Rev. T. Whitman. He moved with his parents to Cass County, thence to Pulaski, and thence to this township in 1852, where he assisted his father in clearing up a forest farm. In his twentieth year, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was out until the close of the war, receiving: his discharge in June, 1865. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River, when he was stricken with smallpox and measles. Recovering, he joined his company at Atlanta, going through to Washington, and in the battle of Bentonville was slightly wounded. On his return home he went to farming, and in the fall of 1867 married Nancy Louis, daughter of David and Isabel Louis, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union there were born three children. He has brought out of the forest, by industry and economy, a delightful home, and is now in quite comfortable circumstances. 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
Richland Township

H. B. WHITTENBERGER, merchant, was born in Ohio, in 1835, and is the son of William and Joanna Whittenberger, who are natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of one year, he was brought by his parents to this State, where they settled on a piece of forest land in Fulton County, where he was reared to manhood. In December, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the three-year call, under Col. Fitch, of Logansport, and went with his regiment as far as Memphis, where he was taken sick and left at the hospital, where he was subsequently detailed for duty as nurse, which position he filled until honorably discharged in December, 1864. He then returned to his home, and was shortly after married to Sevilla H. Southerland, of Logansport. She is the daughter of Zera Southerland, native of New York. To this union there were six children born, of whom three have died. Our subject here employed himself in farming till 1865, when he removed to Larwill and joined his brother, A. J., in mercantile business, which was carried on for three years as a copartnership, and was thenceforward conducted solely by our subject. His purse at starting contained $60 only, but by energy and close attention to business he has established for himself a good trade and a comfortable home. He served as Postmaster of his town for ten years, and has won for himself the general good-will of his townsmen.

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

JEREMIAH WILLIAMS was born in Ross County, Ohio, in April, 1812. His parents, Benjamin and Jane Williams, were of English descent and natives of North Carolina. The subject obtained his education in a log schoolhouse with puncheon floor and greased paper for windows. Soon after commencing life for himself, he bought a yoke of oxen and rented land which he farmed until 1852, when he removed with family to this township, locating where he is yet living. He owns a farm of eighty acres, that he himself cleared and has otherwise improved. Mr. Williams’ first marriage occurred February 15, 1835, to Mary Zornes. They had ten children, five now living. She died, and he afterward married Margaret Siberts, who lived only two years. He was united to his present wife November, 1879. She was Mrs. Maria Parker, daughter of William and Sarah Thomson, and by her first husband had seven children, two now living. Mrs. Williams is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., where she was born in 1810. Mr. Williams is a Democrat and an enterprising citizen.

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

ALFRED W. BRIGGS was born in this township, January 28, 1852, one of eleven children born to Jesse and Rebecca Briggs, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. Jesse Briggs came to what is now Smith Township, in 1837, and entered 320 acres (on which our subject now resides), built a cabin and commenced clearing. He afterward increased his land to 600 acres, and died in November, 1862, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow, also a member of the Methodist Church, still resides on the old homestead. Alfred Briggs, our subject, received a fair common-school education in his youth, and has spent his life on the home farm, and is still unmarried. He is a member of Churubusco Lodge, No. 515, A., F. & A. M. In politics is a Republican, and is one of the rising young farmers 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
Smith Township

ASA H. CARTER was born in Hampshire County (now West) Virginia, December 6, 1823, and is one of seven children born to Asahel and Catharine (Horn) Carter, natives of said State. Asahel Carter moved with his family to Franklin County, Ohio. About 1836, he removed to Logan County, and thence, in 1843, he came to this township, purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, cleared up a farm, and here died in September, 1851; his wife following him in November, 1877 . Mr. Carter was Justice of the Peace for Smith Township under the old constitution. Mrs. Carter died a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Asa H. Carter received a very fair common-school education in his younger days, and remained on the home farm until twenty-three years of age, when he bought fifty acres of land from his father, which he improved in the summer, teaching school in the winter. His salary for the first term, in the latter vocation, was $8.33 per month. June 16, 1853, he married Ellen Smith, a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and born July 31, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Carter's living children are seven in number, viz.: Sylvania L., now Mrs. J. W. Pence; Austin W.; Alice A., now Mrs. R. C. Hemmick; Mary E.; Ida E.; Lillie .J.; and Minnie A. Mr. Carter now owns 190 acres of farm land. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk, Trustee and Assessor.

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

THE CHURUBUSCO FLOURING MILLS were erected in 1870 by John Deck and Jacob Hose, at a cost of $7,000. The structure was a two-story frame, with two run of buhrs - one for wheat and one for corn. In April, 1871, Joseph Kichler purchased Mr. Deck's half-interest, and, being a practical miller, took charge. The other half-interest was sold in turn to Jackson & Rich, David Shilling, William Watterson, Joseph Kichler, and finally to Michael Kichler, the whole being now owned by Joseph and Michael, and operated under the firm name of J. Kichler & Bro. This firm have made a number of improvements; have placed in some of the latest improved machinery, and are turning out a quality of flour not excelled by any in the county. They have four buhrs (three wheat and one corn and chop-feed), which are driven by a thirty-six horse-power engine. The senior partner, Joseph Kichler, was born in Rhine-Bayere, Germany, February 10, 1841. He is one of ten children, born to Michael and Johanna (Bishoff) Kichler - the former deceased. Joseph learned his trade in his native country, and came to the United States in February, 1861, and worked as a miller at various points before he came to Churubusco. In 1870, he married Catharine Bishoff, who died February 10, 1881, leaving three children - Joseph, Nettie and Anna. Michael Kichler, junior member of the firm, was born March 14, 1849 (at the same place where his brother was born), and came to the United States in May, 1870, worked at stone masonry at various points, and then joined his brother in 1874. In May, 1874, he married Mary Rupert, and to them has been born one child - Rosa. Both brothers are members of the K. of H., and both are Democrats.

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

NICODEMUS COLEMAN was born March 16, 1837, in Ashland County, Ohio, one of the twelve children of John and Nancy Coleman, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. John Coleman was a millwright, and when young went to Pennsylvania, was married there and worked at his trade till about 1835, when he moved to Ohio and bought a farm, but still continued working at his trade, leaving the management of the farm to his children. In 1865, he moved to Thorn Creek Township, this county, and bought a farm, on which he resided till his death, December 24, 1869, his wife following in November, 1873, a member of the Church of God. Nicodemus Coleman received a fair education, and was taught the millwright's trade by his father, subsequently serving a three years' apprenticeship to a carriage and wagon maker. He worked at his trade in Ashland and Wayne Counties, Ohio, until the spring of 1858, when he came to Troy Township, this county, and worked at Larwill and Steam Corners for two years. He afterward engaged in the saw-mill and lumbering business and has been so employed ever since at various times in Whitley and Noble Counties. For the last four years, he has owned and operated a saw-mill in Collins. January 21, 1861, he married Sarah A. Grant, a daughter of James and Eliza (Beard) Grant, and born in Troy Township, April 23, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are the parents of seven children - Artemisia, Lyman M., James E., Emma I., Iona, Grace G. and Eliza B. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman and two of their children are members of the United Brethren 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
Smith Township

WILLIAM COULTER (deceased) was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1809, and was one of eight children born to John and Margaret Coulter, natives of Ireland. Mr. Coulter, when but a child, was removed by his parents to Clinton County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, and received an ordinary common-school education. He remained on the home farm till 1847, when he came to this county. In 1844, he married Elizabeth Jenkins, born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1826, and the daughter of Evan and Catharine Jenkins, natives of Virginia and Maryland. Mr. Coulter arrived here in the early part of October, and moved into a cabin already prepared for him, by Mr. John Egolf, on land entered by his father some years previously, and succeeded in wresting from the forest a well-improved farm, which he increased to 660 acres, 560 of which are in one body. He was a man of great enterprise, and of unswerving purpose. He avoided politics and was a consistent member of the Christian Church. He was the father of eleven children, of whom five sons and two daughters are now living. After a useful and successful life, he died in 1876, aged sixty-seven years. His widow still survives and resides on the home farm.

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

GEORGE W. COULTER was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 11, 1846, one of eleven children (five sons and two daughters of whom are living) born to William and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Coulter, natives respectively of Hamilton and Belmont Counties, Ohio. William Coulter was born November 2, 1810, the son of John and Margaret (Gibson) Coulter, natives of Ireland. He married in Clinton County, December 26, 1844, engaged there in farming till 1848, when he moved to this township, where his father had previously entered land. He was a hard-working man and did more to build up the live-stock interests of the county than anyone other person; here he died in 1876. He was a Democrat; also a member of the Christian Church, to which his widow, now living on the old homestead at the age of fifty-six, also belongs. George W. Coulter wag reared a farmer, educated in the common schools, and this township has always been his home, February 14, 1869, he married Miss Caroline E. Werick, and to their union have been born two daughters - Elnora and Cora. Mr. Coulter takes great pride in his live stock, in which he deals extensively, besides farming his 152 acres of land. He is a Democrat and an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Christian 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
Smith Township

JACOB COVERSTONE was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1815, and was one of the ten children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Clem) Coverstone, natives of Virginia, and of German extraction. He removed with his parents to Licking County, Ohio, in 1825, and thence to Champaign County, where they cleared up a new farm, at which our subject assisted, attending school at intervals. At his majority, he began to work for himself - the first two years for his father, and then at jobbing generally. In 1840, he married Margaret Windsor, who died in 1849, leaving four small children; and, March 28, 1850, Mr. Coverstone married Jane Halderman, daughter of George and Elizabeth Halderman, natives of Virginia, and of German ancestry. To this union were born ten children, nine of whom are yet living. Our subject moved to this township in the spring of 1852, and the year following purchased his present farm, then in the wilderness. He put up a double log cabin, and with the usual hard work and frugality has succeeded in replacing the log with comfortable frame buildings, and, instead of the forest groves, broad acres of cultivated soil to the number of 160. He is a man of enterprise, and in politics is a Democrat. His eldest son, Lewis J., enlisted in 1862, while visiting friends in Ohio, and, after being out one year, died of typhoid fever, and now sleeps in a soldier's grave in Tennessee.

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

HARRISON F. CRABILL was born in Shenandoah County, Va., October 9, 1822, one of fourteen children of William and Catharine (Funk) Crabill, natives of Virginia. The father was a blacksmith, who followed his trade in his native State till 1837, when he moved with his family to Champaign County, Ohio, where he farmed on shares till the spring of 1841, when he removed to this township and settled upon 100 acres he had entered in 1838, and here he resided until his death in August, 1845, aged fifty years. He had served as Trustee of Smith Township one term, and was a member of the U. B. Church. Mrs. Crabill died in 1859, and was also a member of the U. B. Church. Our subject received a very fair common-school education, and from the time he was twenty-one till the year 1852 he taught school, worked out and on his father's farm. In the spring of the year named, he took a trip to California, arriving at the Sacramento River in the fall; engaged in mining and farming; and, in 1854, returned home via Panama and New York, and taught school the following winter. In the spring of 1855, he engaged in mercantile trade at Fuller's Corners, and also filled the office of Postmaster at that point for two and one half years. He then resumed farming, at which he has been employed ever since, with the exception of three years passed in saw-milling and merchandising at Collins. He married, in March, 1868, Catharine Fair, a native of Stark County, Ohio. To their union have been born five children, viz., Harrison, Cassius M., Alpha D., Lester D. L. and Lemuel D. In politics, Mr. Crabill is a Democrat; has been Township Trustee two terms, and has held the appointment of Postmaster at Collins for five 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
Smith Township