ALEXANDER CRAIG was born in Madison County, N. Y., October 22, 1836, and is one of the five children born to David and Mary (Wolcott) Craig, natives respectively of Scotland and New York State. David Craig came to this country when a boy, and made farming his occupation. He was married in New York, and, in 1845, came to this township, where he then had a brother 1iving; bought forty acres of partly improved land on Section 24; underwent all the hardships of pioneer life, and died in the Baptist faith September 20, 1854, followed by his wife in May, 1856. Our subject, Alexander Craig, was reared on the farm, and received the ordinary education of his boyhood days. September 22, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Indiana Battery, commanded by Capt. Simonson, and participated in the engagements at Perryville, Chickamauga, Stone River, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, the Atlanta campaign, etc. He received his discharge as Sergeant November 26, 1864, since when he has been actively engaged in farming, dealing in stock, etc. In July, 1881, he bought out the interest of John Crider in the firm of Crider & Richey, hardware, in Churubusco, and the firm now stands as Richey & Craig. They carry a stock, valued at $3,500, of all kinds of hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, doors, sash, etc. April 14, 1867, Mr. Craig married Miss Emeline Gandy, a native of Smith Township, and to them have been born four children -Charles S. and Frances M. (living), and David A. and Otho W. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Craig are members of the Church of God, and, 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
Smith Township


JOHN F. CRISWELL, M. D., son of William and Barbara (Bittinger) Criswell, was born August 23, 1845, in Ashland County, Ohio, one of ten children, seven of whom are still living. The father was a wagon-maker and blacksmith, but of late years has engaged himself in farming. In 1850, he came to Cedar Creek Township, Allen County, this State, where he and wife still reside. Dr. Criswell was reared principally in Allen County, attending school; attended the Methodist Col1ege at Fort Wayne one year, and at twenty-two began the study of medicine under Dr. W. H. Myers, of that city. The winter of 1809-70, he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and the winter of 1870-71, graduated from the medical department of the University of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio. He then commenced practice in Churubusco. The winter of 1878-79, he returned to, and graduated from, Jefferson College. The Doctor is a man of decided ability, and has a large and lucrative practice. In politics, he is Republican, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. January 16, 1873, he married Miss Ellen G. Potter, of Swan Township, Noble County, Ind., and to their union have been born two children - Lilah E. and Annie.

"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


JOHN DECK, SR., is a native of Parks County, Penn., and was born September 18, 1829, the son of Samuel and Mary E. (Butler) Deck. Samuel Deck was a shoemaker, and moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1830, and thence to Whitley County in the fall of 1864, our subject having come the previous spring. He and his wife died respectively in December, 1871, and November, 1873, members of the Lutheran Church. John Deck, Sr., was reared on a farm in Stark County, Ohio, and May 15, 1851, there married Lucy A. Smith, and farmed there till 1864, when he purchased 124 acres of land, near Churubusco, and resumed farming, but in the fall of 1865 moved to the village, where he has since remained, taking an active part in public affairs. He has been engaged in the grain trade, has dealt in real estate, and built the Churubusco Flouring Mills, which he sold at completion. He began with nothing, but by hard work, economy and judicious investments, has secured a comfortable fortune. He is now engaged in buying grain and in running his farm. He is independent in politics, voting for principles and not for party. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to their union have been born seven children, viz.: Mary E. (now Mrs. Thomas Fisher), John F., Sarah F. (now Mrs. G. W. Maxwell), Benjamin F., Alice, Charles and Clement (the last deceased).

"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


LEMUEL DEVAULT was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 15, 1828, and is one of eleven children born to Nicholas and Frances (Brown) Devault, the former a native of Pennsylvania, but of French descent, and the latter of Ohio and of English extraction. Nicholas Devault emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, when a young man, and when that country was an unbroken wilderness. Here he married and bought a farm, resided on it till 1858, sold out, bought another farm, near Whitehall, Ill., moved upon it, and there passed his remaining days. Mr. Devault served as soldier in the war of 1812, and died a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lemuel Devault, our subject, received a very fair common-school education in his youth, and worked on his father's farm till about twenty years of age; then worked by the job two years; then farmed for his father and others on shares. In the fall of 1851, he came to this township, bought forty acres wild land, and was obliged to borrow money to make the first payment thereon, but by industry, economy and integrity has acquired 634 acres of well-improved land, beside valuable property in Columbia City and Churubusco. He was married in Columbia City, in November, 1851, to Frances Tulley, of Ross County, Ohio, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Wayland) Tulley. Mrs. Devault died September 28, 1855, a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Devault, November 30, 1856, married Nancy Wells, daughter of Rev. Hugh Wells; but there have no children been born to him. For fifteen years, Mr. Devault has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and has just been re-elected, which will make his term twenty years, and he has also served as Trustee of the township. He is a member of Columbia City Lodge, No. 189, A., F. & A. M., is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and rank among the leading citizens 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


ADAM FLECK was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in December, 1824, one of twelve children of George and Elizabeth (House) Fleck, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Our subject went to the pioneer schools of his boyhood, but his time was chiefly occupied in assisting his father to retrieve his farm from the forests of Ohio, till about his eleventh year, when his father died, and his mother removed to Seneca County, same State. Here our subject remained till he reached manhood, when he went to work on a railroad, hewing timber, etc., and in three years had saved $350, all of which he lost by the contractor's decamping. He then worked at job work for several years, and in 1848, in company with three brothers, moved to La Grange County, this State, and the year following married Mary Ritter, the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Wingard) Ritter, of Pennsylvania. He farmed on rented land for two years thereafter, then moved to Noble Township, Noble County, and cleared up a farm; this he sold in 1873, and purchased his present pleasant home of sixty acres in this township. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and are the parents of five sons and three daughters.

"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


ALPHEUS B. GAFF was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 9, 1829, the son of Robert and Mary Gaff, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch and German descent. In 1839, the parents removed to this township and located on Section 6, then an unbroken forest; two years later, they moved one mile north into Green Township, Noble County, bought eighty acres, which they redeemed from the wilderness, and on which they resided till their deaths in 1861 and 1864, aged respectively sixty-nine and sixty-three years, having reared a family of nine sons and one daughter. Our subject was reared to endure all the hard work incident to pioneer life, and his schooling was limited to forty-two days. He was, however, gifted with mechanical talent, and at manhood began work as a carpenter, which trade he followed a number of years, and by industry and attention to business earned a sum with which he and his brother, George, purchased eighty acres of land, on which Alpheus has since lived. They erected a water-power saw-mill in the fall of 1854, which they ran at intervals for ten years. Our subject now owns 128 acres of well-improved land, and is quite comfortably situated. He has been an active home politician in the Republican ranks, was elected Justice of the Peace in 1857, and re-elected each successive term, till the present, the seventh, which he is now serving. In 1858, he married Rebecca Mohn, daughter of Daniel Mohn, and to this union have been born five sons and three daughters.

"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


OTIS J. GANDY was born in Preston County, now West Virginia, September 18, 1831, one of eight children of Otho and Mary (Weaver) Gandy, natives of the same place and born respectively September 27, 1793, and December 26, 1802, and married November 2, 1820. The father, in 1834, started West with his family and stopped one year in Miami County, Ohio, and then came to Decatur County, this State. The same fall, he entered eighty acres of land in this township and moved upon it the following spring, 1836, and there ended his days, May 21, 1879. He had received an excellent education for the time in which he lived, and in West Virginia taught school several terms. His wife's death had occurred at the same place, January 12, 1870. Mr. Gandy was elected one of the Commissioners of Whitley County in 1838, was also a Township Trustee under the old constitution, and for a number of years was Justice of the Peace. Otis J. Gandy, our subject, received a common-school education in his youth, and worked on his father's farm till of age. He then worked with his brother as a carpenter in summer and taught school in winter till 1856, then visited Minnesota, Missouri and Mississippi, working at his trade, till 1861, when he returned to this county and enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was afterward mounted and known as the Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry. He was mustered out at Macon, Ga., August 8, 1865, having participated in all the marches and engagements of his regiment, not having lost a single day. On his return, he worked at his trade in Plymouth, Ind., till 1872, then came to Churubusco, worked there until his father's death, and since has resided on the home farm. At Plymouth he was married, September 2, 1868, to Sarah Madison, of Marshall County, Ind. To their union was born one child - Lillie A. Mrs. Gandy died in Plymouth, September 1, 1870. Mr. Gandy is a member of Churubusco Lodge, No. 462, I. O. O. F., 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
Smith Township


OSCAR GANDY was born September 12, 18-17, and is the son of Owen Gandy, a native of what is now Preston County, West Virginia. Owen learned to be a carpenter and millwright when a young man, and married Miss Drusilla Jeffries at his majority. He then began the study of medicine, attending the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he graduated. Shortly after this, he came to Indiana and settled at Heller's Corners, Eel River Township, Allen County, where he began practicing, and acquired an extensive patronage. Subsequently he removed to about three-quarters of a mile east of the present site of Churubusco, then made a trip to Missouri, returned to Indiana, located near Noblesville, and there practiced till within a short time of his death. He was the father of seven children, four of whom are still living. Our subject, Oscar Gandy, was reared on a farm, received a good education, and April 1, 1874, married Miss Emma Cleveland, and to them have been born three children - William O., Elmer E. and Orpha. In 1870, he came to Churubusco, and engaged in dealing in stock, grain and lumber. In 1876, he formed a partnership in the lumber business with A. D. Nickey, which still continues. The firm buy, sell and manufacture hard wood lumber, and their annual average business amounts to about $200,000. Mr. Gandy is a self-made man, is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and 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


W. A. GEIGER was born in this township October 25, 1842, one of nine children, eight yet living, of Daniel and Julia (Darnel) Geiger, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, a farmer, moved to Licking County, Ohio, with his parents, and there married. In 1834, he emigrated with his family to Allen County, Ind., locating in Eel River Township, farmed for two years, and moved thence to this township, in 1836, where he bought eighty acres of land on Section 29 (now owned by H. F. Crabill). It was a wild country, filled with deer, wolves, lynxes, wild cats and Indians, and malaria charged the air. Here Mr. Geiger died in 1869, his widow yet surviving him, and residing in Churubusco. Our subject, W. A. Geiger, was reared on the farm till sixteen, when he began to work out at clearing, farming, etc., and so continued till January 4, 1864:, when he enlisted in Company F, Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, from which he was honorably discharged August 27, 1865. He was at the battles of Rome, Ga.; Noon Day Creek, Big Shanty, Atlanta, Montgomery, Columbus, Atlanta and Selma. On his return, he worked by the month two years, and then engaged in saw-milling for eighteen months; he then went to Noblesville and engaged in the grocery trade seven years; in 1875, he sold out and went into the drug trade; in 1876, into the livery business; in 1877, into the hardware trade, at which he is still employed. He has had generally good success, and now carries a stock valued at $5,000. July 11, 1867, he married Miss Catharine Brumbaugh, who has borne him two children - Virgil and Nettie A. Mr. Geiger is a Republican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F.

"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


MOSES T. GRADELESS was born September 4, 1820, in Fayette County, Ohio, and was one of seven children born to Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Waugh) Gradeless, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio. Nathaniel Gradeless moved to Fayette County, Ohio, when a young man, was there married and there remained until the fall of 1836, when he sold his farm of 160 acres and came with his family to Thorn Creek Township, this county, entered 160 acres, and ended his days thereon May 28, 1862, his wife having died but nine days before. Mr. Gradeless was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was under Gen. Hull at the time of that officer's surrender, but he, with five others, refused to yield, and concealed himself for two days in the swamps. He afterward served under Gens. St. Clair and Wayne; was stationed at Fort Wayne, was in the battle of Spy Run, in Allen County, and took part in an expedition which destroyed Little Turtle's village in Union Township, this county, and was in several other Indian fights. Our subject, Moses T. Gradeless, worked on the home farm till nineteen years of age, and then for five years hired out by the month. In 1841, he married Mary Smith, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 16, 1818, the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Jones) Smith, and to their union have been born five children, viz.: Josiah, who was a member of Company B, Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died in hospital at Gallatin, Tenn., December 23, 1862; Mrs. Mary E. Vanderment; Clarissa, now Mrs. J. W. Smith; Martha E., now Mrs. William Coverstone; and Rebecca J., now Mrs. Benjamin Fisher. Mrs. Gradeless died January 27, 1875, and September 9, 1877, our subject married Mrs. Mary E. (Morse) Foster, who was born in Orleans County, N. Y., September 5, 1817, the daughter of Jotham and Dorcas (Ferris) Morse, and mother of three children by her first husband. In 1841, Mr. Gradeless bought eighty-four acres of land in this township, where he now lives. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Republican, and his wife is a member 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


FREDERICK G. GRISIER, M. D, was born in Williams County, Ohio, .June 28, 1853, one of eleven children born to Frederick and Susan (Vernier) Grisier, natives of France, but now located on their farm in Williams County, to which they immigrated about I844. Our subject in youth was fairly educated, and at seventeen commenced the study of medicine at Stryker, Ohio, with Drs. Stubbs and Aldrich, with whom he remained one year; was then employed at the Cleveland City Hospital one year; attended one course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical College; returned to his former preceptors for two years, but attended lectures at the college in the winter, and graduated with the class of 1874-75. He then commenced practice in Noble County, this State, remaining till the fall of 1876, when he moved to Collins, this township. In December, 1880, he bought a half-interest in the general mercantile business of R. C. Hemmick, since when the firm has been Hemmick & Grisier. March 24, 1880, he married Mary E. Hemmick, a native of Columbia Township, this county, and daughter of George W. and Jane (Winget) Hemmick, of Greene County, Ohio, and to their union one child has been born - Orpha E. Dr. Grisier is a member of Churubusco Lodge, No. 515, A., F. & A. M., of Churubusco Lodge No. 462, I. O. O. F., and of Churubusco Lodge, No. 2109, K. of H. In politics, he is a Republican, and as a professional man has established a fine reputation and secured a large and lucrative practice.

"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 HEDGES was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1812, the son of James and Nancy Hedges, natives of Virginia, and of English origin. At the age of seven, our subject was taken by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he lived till 1836, when he carne West to inspect some land his father had bought in this township, at a land sale at Fort Wayne; but being seized with the ague, returned home, came back in the spring of 1837 on horseback, and began to clear up the forest and make some improvement on his farm of 160 acres, which he has succeeded in literally redeeming from the wilderness. In 1859, he married the widow of Evan David, and daughter of Calvin and Mary Nott, and by her became the father of nine children, of whom four sons and three daughters are still living. Mrs. Hedges is also the mother of four children by her first husband, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Hedges underwent all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and was one of the first settlers of the township, being present at its organization, and has ever been forward in all enterprises tending toward its advancement. His wife and himself are members of the Church of God.

"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


ROBERT C. HEMMICK was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 27, 1849, the eldest of seven children born to George W. and Jane (Winget) Hemmick, both natives of Greene. George W. Hemmick is a plasterer, and followed that trade in Ohio till the fall of 1851, when he moved with his family to Columbia City, this county. Mrs. Jane Hemmick died at Columbia June 22, 1863. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is George W. Hemmick, who is also an Odd Fellow. Robert C. Hemmick, our subject, received the ordinary common-school education, and commenced learning the plasterer's trade with his father when eighteen years old, following the same and teaching school till June, 1875, when he came to Collins, this township, where he has since been engaged as a merchant. The same year he was appointed Deputy Postmaster, and in January, 1876, was appointed agent of the W., St. L. & P. R. R., both of which positions he still retains. November 6, 1871, he married Catharine Crabill, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and daughter of Daniel and Anna H. (Hyre) Crabill. This lady died at Collins in July, 1875, a member of the German Baptist Church. April 6, 1879, our subject married Alice A. Carter, born in this township October 8, 1857, the daughter of Asa H. and Ellen (Smith) Carter, natives of Ohio and Virginia, and to this union was born one child, Heber C. Mr. Hemmick is an Odd Fellow, in politics a Republican, and is one of the enterprising business men 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


AMOS HORNER was born October 2, 1816, in Union County, Penn., the eldest of eight children of Nicholas and Catherine (Kutz) Horner, natives of the same State. Nicholas Horner was a shot-maker, but engaged chiefly in farming, and died in his native State. After his death, his widow married William Strup, and now lives in Columbiana County, Ohio. Our subject received an ordinary education in his youth, and at the age of eighteen was apprenticed to a saddle and harness maker, an uncle named John M. Burges, at Beaver Darn, Penn., but who moved to Columbiana County, Ohio. Mr. Horner worked as a journeyman some six years in Pennsylvania and Ohio, after his time had expired, and then started a shop at North Georgetown, Ohio. In 1855, he bought and moved to a farm in Ripley County, Ind.; in the fall of 1859, removed to Jennings County; in the following spring, returned to Columbiana County, Ohio, and started a woolen factory; in 1863, sold out and bought a farm in Thorn Creek, this county, and in the spring of 1878 came to Collins, bought a farm of fifty-five acres, on which he now lives, still owning the farm in Thorn Creek, proprietor of 190 acres in all. Mr. Horner, in February, 1840, married Mary A. McKown, who was born in New Jersey, May 26, 1823, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Gibbs) McKown, and to their union were born three children, none of whom are living. Mr. Horner is an Odd Fellow, 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
Smith Township


WILLIAM G. HUGHES was born in Greene Co., Penn., November 10, 1829, son of Nathan and Isabel (Grimes) Hughes, also natives of said State. Nathan Hughes was a stone-mason, and moved to Knox Co., Ohio, in 1832, and there died in 1837. His widow married James Simpson, in 1854, moved to Iowa, where he died, when she came to Whitley County, and made her home with our subject until her death, in 1870. William G. Hughes was left fatherless at the age of eight, went to live with an uncle two years, and since the age of ten has supported himself. At nineteen, he began to learn blacksmithing, and in 1849 started out to seek a permanent home. He hired as a blacksmith to a cousin in the northern part of this township, worked one year, then was employed in Allen County and in Columbia City for a time. He married Miss Margery A. Gregory, of Noble County, and in 1852 commenced working for himself in Green Township, Noble County; in 1870, he engaged in the manufacture of lumber east of Columbia City; in 1875, he removed the Churubusco, and with his partners. Thomas N. Hughes and Harrison Spear, purchased their present stave factory, saw-mill, etc. It was originally built in 1871, at a cost of $20,000, and since has been greatly improved and contains the most approved machinery. The past year, the firm turned felloes for 5,000 wagons, 50,000 neck-yokes and singletrees, and have sawn upward of 1,500,000 feet of lumber. They also own another saw-mill, near South Whitley. Mr. Hughes is a Republican and a Mason. His children numbered thirteen, as follows: Mary I., Millard F., Marshall T., William H., Elnora, Clara M., George E., living, and Nathan, Emma, Sherman, Bertha, Charles and Jennie, deceased.

"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


MORTIMER JEFFRIES was born in Greenville County, Va., August 22, 1820, and was the son of Herbert and Ridley Jeffries. In 1842 or 1843, Herbert Jeffries moved to Greene County, Ohio, and the following year came to this township, where he bought 160 acres of wild land and cleared up a farm, cutting the lumber for his cabin with a cross-cut handsaw. Our subject was altogether deprived of school privileges, but acquired a fair education by his own exertions at study. December 6, 1850, he married Elizabeth Keen, who was born in Hertford Co., N. C., February 25, 1835, being the daughter of Miles H. and Mary (Holmes) Keen, natives of the said State. To their union have been born the following-named children: Levi; Priscilla, now Mrs. Crone; Herbert, Lizzie and Mary. After his marriage, Mr. Jeffries settled on forty acres of land in this township, which he had bought and partially cleared some years before. In 1864, he sold out, and bought 320 acres in the same township, which he occupied till his death, September 17, 1879. Levi Jeffries was born in this township, June 10, 1855, and lives on the home farm. He married, June 9, 1881, Adella S. Vaughn, who was born in Cass Co., Mich., July 23, 1873, the daughter of Henry and May Vaughn. In politics he is a Republican, and is looked upon as an enterprising farmer.

"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


MARCUS L. JEFFRIES was born in Greenville Co., Va., May 15, 1825, one of the seven children born to Herbert and Ridley (Pruit) Jeffries, natives of Greenville Co., Va., and Halifax Co., N. C. Herbert Jeffries was married in North Carolina, but owned a farm and lived in Greenville Co., Va., until about 1832, when he moved with his family to Greene Co., Ohio, remained the spring of 1843, removed to this township, bought a farm of 160 acres, and resided thereon until his death, November 16, 1849, Mrs. Ridley Jones following him April 10, 1855, and dying in the Methodist faith. Marcus L. Jeffries, our subject, assisted on his father's farm till he reached thirty years of age, going to school three days only during that period. He was married February 14, 1855, to Martha A. Keen, a native of Hertford County, N. C. This lady, a member of the M. E. Church, died at her home in Smith Township, October 2, 1878. Mr. Jeffries bought his land at different times, and now owns a well cultivated farm of 160 acres, and is an enterprising farmer. 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
Smith Township


AUGUSTUS W. JEFFRIES was born in this township October 20. 1843, and is one of the four living children born to Wyatt and Eliza J. (Jones) Jeffries, natives of Greenville County, Va. While still young, Wyatt Jeffries went to Greene Co., Ohio, was married there, and until 1835 farmed on shares, and then moved with his family to this township, where he entered eighty acres of land, to which he added until he became the owner of 340 acres of well-improved land. Here he died February 14, 1869, his widow following October 20, of the same year. They were both members of the M. E. Church, and among the earlier settlers of the township, they and Benjamin Jones having located on adjoining farms before the township was organized, with their nearest neighbor three miles away. Augustus W. Jeffries, our subject, received the ordinary common-school education of his day, and worked on the home farm till twenty-one years old. November 19, 1862, he married Mary J. Akers, who was born in Wilson County, Tenn., October 29, 1842, the daughter of Richard and Ann E. (Scott) Akers. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries are the parents of six children, viz.: Milton J., Walker W., Albert A., Georgia L., Fredie R. and Anna M. Mr. Jeffries now owns 300 acres first-class land, including the old homestead, on which he has lived all his life, two years excepted, and for the past twelve years has been extensively engaged in the live stock trade. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and 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
Smith Township


BRINTON JONES was born in Greenville County, Va., December 27, 1813, one of nine children of Benjamin and Winifred (Shehorn) Jones, natives of said county. Benjamin Jones moved with his family to Greene County, Ohio, in 1825, where he farmed on shares till February, 1835, when he removed to this township, then unorganized, where he entered eighty acres of land, cleared a farm, and resided until his death, February 17, 1854, his widow surviving till December 16, 1873. They were both members of the M. E. Church, and were among the first pioneers of the county. Our subject, Brinton Jones, received a very fair education, and remained on the home farm till thirty years of age, and for a time taught a subscription school. April 20, 1843, he married Susan Thomas, born in Mecklenburg County, Va., in September, 1825, the daughter of Stephen and Lucy (King) Thompson. To their union were born Harriet M., now Mrs. William Pampy; Ceney A., now Mrs. John Smith; Johanna, now Mrs. Fielding Pampy, and Sarah A. D., now Mrs. Marshall Winburn. Mr. Jones still owns and lives on the land he entered when a young man-forty acres in 1837 and forty in 1840. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church, and in politics he is a Republican. The grandfather of Mr. Jones, Brinton Jones, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary 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
Smith Township


JEREMIAH KRIDER was born in Franklin County, Penn., November 1, 1812, the son of George and Fanny Krider. George Krider was a farmer, and moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1820. His wife died there in about 1872, and he followed in 1874. Jeremiah Krider moved with his parents to Stark County, when but eight years old, and was there reared to manhood. September 12, 1833, he married Miss S. Zent, and for the following five years did job work for their support. He then moved to Richland County, Ohio, and farmed nine years. In 1847, he came to Smith Township, bought 160 acres wooded land, and went through all the hardships of a frontier life. He resided on this land until 1874, when he placed it in charge of his children, and moved to Churubusco, where he and his wife are living a quiet and retired life. He began a poor boy, but by industry acquired a farm of 252 acres, and some valuable property in the city. His children were twelve in number: John, Samuel, Sarah, William, Fanny, George W., Eliza, Melinda, Mary, Huldah, Benjamin and Jeremiah, of whom Samuel, Sarah and Huldah are dead. The living all reside in Whitley County, excepting a married daughter in Missouri and one in Denver, Colo. The mother was born in Franklin County, Penn., March 9, 1815, and is a member of the U. B. Church. Mr. Krider is Republican in politics, and an old and esteemed citizen of the county.

"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


A. H. KRIDER was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1823, one of seven children born to George and Fanny Krider, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Our subject was reared a farmer, and passed his winters principally in threshing grain, so that his opportunities for schooling were but scant. In October, 1846, he married Eleanor Monroe, who was born in Stark County, in 1829, and was the daughter of Moses and Sarah Monroe, of Scotland and New York respectively. In the fall of 1847, our subject started empty-handed, with his family, in search of a home. He first located in Defiance County, Ohio, then an unbroken wilderness, remained five years, then came to Thorn Creek Township, this county; located on the shore of Round Lake; sold out at the expiration of two years, on account of ill health, and purchased his present home in this township in 1856. The improvements then consisted of a cabin and a clearing of two acres, but he has, by his perseverance, brought out of it 115 acres of well-cultivated land, with substantial improvements. Our subject has held aloof from politics, but has lent his aid to other public pursuits. He organized the first Sunday school in Churubusco, beginning with ten scholars and closing with thirty, and has been an active worker in that field for forty-one years, ably assisted by his wife. He and wife are strict members of the United Brethren Church, and are the parents of seven children, of whom four sons and two daughtars are now living.

"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. KRIDER was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 2, lR4:2, one of twelve children, nine yet living, of Jeremiah and Mrs. S. Krider, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Our subject carne with his parents to this county when but two years old, and when old enough, assisted his father in carving from the forest a comfortable home. At the age of nineteen he enlisted in Company E, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served nine months, and was then honorably discharged, on account of disability. After recruiting his health at home a year, he re-enlisted, this time in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in November, 1863, and was honorably discharged in August, 1865, but, unable to get transportation home, joined Sherman at Goldsboro, and was with him as far, as Atlanta; afterward joined Gen. Thomas, and went with him down the Tennessee River to its mouth. He was in eight hard-fought battles, but escaped uninjured, but with a number of holes through his clothing. On his return home, he resumed farming, and March 22, 1866, married Susanna Bear, daughter of George and Susan Bear, and became the father of one son and two daughters. Mrs. Krider died in 1874, at the age of twenty-eight, and our subject married, July 14, 1875, Eliza Deem, daughter of Lewis and Catharine Deem, and to this union have been born two sons. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he also belongs to the Knights of Honor.

"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


THOMAS LARIMORE, one of eight children, four living, born to Thomas and Hannah (Young) Larimore was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 12, 1827. His father was a farmer and a native of and was married in Pennsylvania, and moved thence to Licking County, where he was killed by a falling tree, in March, 1832. The widow and youngest son moved to Sparta Township, Noble County, Ind., in 1849, and eight years later removed to Lake Township, Allen County, where Mrs. Larimore died in March, 1866. Our subject was bound out shortly after his father's death, but the master's wife dying a few months later, the family broke up, and young Larimore was left among strangers. From the age of eight upward he led a life of hardship, and was self-supporting. In October, 1848, he married Mahala Evans, and in the fall of 1850 he moved to Lake Township, Allen County, bought eighty acres of land, and with his wife, child and a bound boy, began life in this State without a cent in his pocket, or a cabin on his land wherein to take shelter, and a winter before him. But he was possessed of determination and industrious habits, and succeeded in surrounding his family with most of the comforts of life. In November, 1881, he moved to Churubusco, and took charge of what is now known as the Larimore House, having purchased the property the previous May. Besides this, Mr. Larimore owns 360 acres of land in Allen County, and Blocks 3 and 4 in Churubusco. Mr. and Mrs. Larimore are the parents of twelve children - Lydia, Cynthia, Thomas J., Hannah M., Levi E., Eli, Mary, Howard, Charley, all living ; Alexander, William F. and Norris, deceased. Mr. L. is a Democrat, a Mason, and a K. of H., and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, and has filled a number of minor offices; has been a Sabbath school worker since 1851, and keeps a much better hotel than is usually found in villages the size of Churubusco.

"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


JAMES LEECH (deceased) was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1824, and was the son of John and Fanny Leech, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Irish descent. Mr. Leech was reared on a farm, and in 1846 came to this township to occupy land entered by his father some years previously, which he made his permanent home. August 2, 1849, he married Elizabeth Strean, daughter of John and Maria Strean, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Irish and German extraction, and to their union were born seven children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. Mr. Leech was an active Democrat in politics, and much interested in home enterprises. He brought out from the forest a fertile and productive farm, and built up for himself a pleasant home after much toil and enduring many privations, and February 28, 1879, departed this life at the age of fifty-five years. His widow survives him and is now a resident upon the old homestead. Mr. Leech was one of eleven children, and in June, 1873, attended a reunion of his father's family at his youngest brother's residence, near Marshfield, Ohio, there being present the father, five sons, six daughters, six sons-in-law, three daughters-in-law and twenty-seven grandchildren - the family circle being complete, with the exception of the mother, who had been called to her last home but a few years previously.

"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


JOSEPH ORR LONG was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 14, 1834, one of nine children born to Jesse W. and Hannah (Heglar) Long, seven of whom are still living. The father was born in Virginia, May 13, 1799, and the mother September 7, 1809, in the same State. The father was taken by his parents to Ohio while he was but a small boy. He was married in Greene County, where he owned a small farm, and in May, 1831, moved with his family to what is now Smith Township, where he had pre-empted 320 acres the previous fall. His first cabin was of the most primitive character, not a nail being used in its construction. He was probably the first white settler within the limits of Smith Township, and here died January 26, 1863. Joseph O. Long, our subject, remained with his father till he reached his majority, receiving a common-school education. Afterward he assisted in building Whartburg College, in Union Township, taking private lessons during the time from Rev. Jacob Woolf, Principal, also attending the first term taught at that school. Mr. Long began teaching at the age of nineteen, and gave instruction in Allen and Whitley Counties three terms. January 24, 1866, he married Ruhannah Nickey, born in Ross County, Ohio, October 1, 1838, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Briggs) Nickey. The issue of this marriage was seven children, viz.: Charles O., J. L., Frank E., Ora E., Bertie and Ruah E. (twins), and Addie R. Immediately after his marriage he removed to La Fayette Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, remained two and a half years, then moved to De Kalb County, Mo., and in 1860 returned to this township, rented a part of his father's farm, and at the latter's death bought the shares of the other heirs and now owns the old homestead of 320 acres. His surviving brothers and sisters are located as follows: Mrs. Mary E. Cleveland, Keokuk County, Iowa; Mrs. Elder J. Nicholls, Woodbury County, Iowa; Anderson H., Keokuk County, Iowa; Alexander Me., Woodbury County, Iowa; Nelson O., at the Dalles, Oregon, and Noah S., Beatrice, Neb.

"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


Deb Murray