Mr. Perry is a descendant of Edmund Perry, who was probably born in Virginia, and whose father is supposed to have settled in the historic Old Dominion upon his immigration front either Scotland or Ireland, about the time of the war of the Revolution, and there the family home was maintained for a number of years. Edmund Perry, grandfather of Amos Perry, removed in an early day from Virginia to Marietta, Ohio, and lie became prominently identified with transportation activities on the Ohio river, between that point and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, - a man well known and influential in this field of endeavor and enterprise. He was twice married, and the solemnization of each union was found recorded in Hocking county, Ohio. His first wife died after the birth of one child, a daughter, who became Mrs. Mary Donnelly, and who passed her entire life in Ohio. For his second wife Edmund Perry wedded Miss Elizabeth Taylor, who was a native of England, and concerning the children of this union brief record is here entered: Matilda married Thomas Perry, who became one of the pioneer settlers in Wells county, Indiana. Ellen was the wife of John Moore, and they likewise were early settlers of Wells county, where they passed the residue of their lives. They had six sons and one daughter, and five of the sons were valiant soldiers of the Union in the Civil war. Edmund, Jr., a shoemaker by trade, died at Laporte, Indiana, and left two daughters. Ellery who was a loyal soldier in the Civil war, became a prosperous farmer and died in Delaware county, Indiana, after having reared a large family of children. Walter was the father of the subject of this sketch and further mention will be made of his career. Oliver Hazzard, named in honor of his distinguished kinsman, Commodore Perry, a first cousin of Edmund Perry, Sr., died in Cincinnati, Ohio, his wife, whose maiden name was Goldsberry, having been a member of a pioneer family of Blackford county, Indiana, and they had several children. Isaac was a resident of Blackford county at the time of his. death, he having been killed in an accident relative to the operation of a horse-power threshing machine. He was survived by three sons and one daughter. Lucy J. became the wife of Robert Moore and they were residents of Laporte, this state, at the time of their death. Martha has been twice married and has a daughter by each union; she is now a resident of Concordia, Kansas. William, the youngest of the children, entered the Union service in the Civil war and near the close of the same all trace of him-was lost by his family, so that no definite information is known of him.

Edmund Perry, Sr., continued his residence in Ohio until 1843, when he came with his family to Indiana and established his home in Wells county. He accumulated a large landed estate in this part of the state and he divided the property among his children, after having personally supervised the reclamation of a productive homestead farm. A short time prior to his death he removed to Laporte, in the county of the same name, and there he died, at the home of his son. Edmund, Jr. after he had attained to the venerable age of eighty-four years. He was a man of utmost rectitude and honor and he commanded the esteem of all who knew him. He was for a time a resident of Iowa, where his second wife died, and thereafter he contracted a third marriage. His third wife survived him by a number of years and no children were born of their union.

Walter Perry, father of Amos Perry, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, on the 27th of March, I829, and he was reared to adult age ill the coal mining district near his birthplace. Finally he became a skillful carpenter and cabinet maker, and to these trades he devoted his attention with marked success. In his native county he wedded Miss Mary Ward. a daughter of Daniel and Delilah (Berry) Ward, one of whose sons was the father of Eli Ward, who gained national reputation as a trainer of fine horses. The Ward family, of Irish lineage, was founded in Ohio in the pioneer days. In 1850 Walter Perry, accompanied by his wife and their three children, came to Blackford county, and on a pioneer farm in Licking township they raised a few crops in that and the succeeding year, this original homestead having comprised forty acres. On this farm Amos Perry, subject of this sketch, was born, on the 29th of March, 1862, and soon afterward the father, on account of adverse circumstances, including financial stringency, traded the forty acres of land for a team and wagon, with which he and his family returned to Hocking county, Ohio. There he became associated with, his brother-in-law, Amos Ward, in contracting and building, their alliance thus continuing for several years. Prior to the Civil war Walter Perry and his family resided in turn, and for varying intervals, in Miami, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Ohio, and in the last mentioned county he enlisted for service as a soldier in the Civil war, but within three months thereafter he received his honorable discharge, on account of physical disability. In 1868 he returned with his family to Indiana, where he purchased forty acres of land near Keystone, Wells county, and later he purchased an additional tract, of eighty acres, in the same, township of Chester. On the latter place hie continued to live and follow agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he bought another farm in the same township, the same comprising fifty-two acres, and there he died on the 22nd of August, 1886, his widow long surviving him and passing the closing period of her life in Wells county, where she died in the home of her daughter, Rosa, Mrs. McCullough, on the 22nd of March, 1913. She attained to the venerable age of eighty-four years and twenty-five days, and retained her mental and physical faculties almost unimpaired till the time of her death. Both she and her husband were lifelong and zealous members of the Dunkard church. Mr. Perry was a mail of strong individuality, positive views, and well matured mental powers, his large fund of information and mature judgment having given him much influence in the community affairs wherever he lived during the course of his active career. He never lacked the courage of his convictions and his flue physical makeup and prowess made him a formidable antagonist when he wished to administer chastisement for wrong or injustice on the part of other men.

At this juncture is given brief but consistent record concerning the children of Walter and Mary (Ward) Perry. Daniel W., who was born in Hocking county, Ohio, is a skilled mechanic and now resides at West Alexandria, Preble county, that state. He wedded Miss Winnie Samuels, and they have one son and two daughters, all of whom are married. Elizabeth A., who became the wife of Charles Narglebee, left at her death one child, who is likewise deceased. Isaac N., who is a resident of Oklahoma, has been thrice wedded, and his first and second wives were survived by children, his third wife dying without issue. Permelia E. is the wife of Martin O. Perfect, of Clay county, Kansas, and they have three sons and two daughters. Mary J. is the wife of Stillman Spalding, of Blackford county, and they have one son and one daughter; Martha A. died in childhood, in Warren county, Ohio; Simpson A., who was born in Warren county, died when young. Rosa M. is the wife of Isaac McCullough, a prosperous farmer of Chester township, Wells county. Edna Loena, is the wife of Cephas Stanelev, of Blackford county, Indiana, and they have one son and three daughters. Orilla A., who is a native of Wells county, still lives in that county, is the wife of John Shadle and they have one son.

Amos Perry, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Blackford county, as has already been noted in a preceding paragraph, and he was reared and educated in Ohio and Indiana, his parents having resided at various places during the period of his boyhood and youth, as early statements in this context fully indicate. He early began to earn his own livelihood, and even as a boy he applied himself diligently during nearly the entire period of the passing years, so that his specific educational advantages were notable chiefly for their absence. He attended school in a most irregular and desultory way and his broader education, which has become symmetrical and substantial, has been gained through self discipline and association with the practical affairs of life. As a young man he became agent for R. M. Ball, of Muncie, this state, and for thirteen years he represented Mr. Ball in the sale of washing machines, bicycles, and many other commodities, his labors covering thirteen different states of the Union and his success being of high order, notwithstanding his double association with the number 13 of superstitious fame. He continued as a traveling salesman from 1887 to 1900 and through the careful conservation and investment of his earnings he laid the foundation for a substantial competency. He established his residence at Montpelier in 1886, and here he -has maintained his home for more than a quarter of a century, within which he has accumulated a large amount of local property of valuable order. In 190:3 he erected his fine residence, and he is the owner of a well improved farm of eighty-five acres, which yields to him an appreciable revenue. He is distinctively alert and public-spirited, is a republican in his political allegiance, and he and his family hold membership in the Church of Christ.

In Chester township, Wells county, the year 1875 recorded the marriage, of Mr. Perry to Miss Esther A. Carter, who was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1857, and who was ten years of age at the time of the family removal to Wells county, Indiana. She is a daughter of John and Nancy A (Jackson) Carter, the former of whom was born in Ohio, and the later in Delaware county, Indiana. The marriage of the parents was solemnized in Wells county, where they resided on a farm for several years thereafter, and they then removed to Scioto comity, Ohio, where, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, the father tendered his services in defense of the Union, by enlisting in an Ohio regiment. He served three years with this gallant command and after his honorable discharge he re-enlisted, as a veteran, and continued in active service at the front, as a participant in many important engagements, until shortly before the close of the war, when he was attacked with illness that resulted in his death, on the 9th of September, 1864, in a hospital at Marietta, Georgia. He made a record as a loyal and valiant soldier of the republic and this spirit of patriotism animated him until his life was sacrificed in a glorious cause. After the death of her soldier husband Mrs. Carter returned to Wells county and thereafter she resided oil her farm in Chester township until September, 1878, when she removed to Lincoln county, Kansas, where she was summoned to the life eternal on the 15th of February, 1879, a woman of noble character and one who was a devoted member of the Church of Christ. The first born of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Carter was Emily R., who died in infancy; Francis M., who was born February 9, 1847, resides in Montpelier, Blackford county, and has one son and two daughters; Roswell A., born July 31, 1849, died in the following year; Margaret L., born in 1852, likewise died in infancy; William J., born in January, 1853, died on the 11th of the following September; Caroline L., a twin of William, likewise died in 1853; James N., born September 28, 1854, resides at Clinton, Ohio, and has four sons and two daughters; Esther A. is the wife of Mr. Perry of this sketch; Peter, born April 8, 1858, died in the same, year; Jesse M., born February 3, 1859, is a farmer of Five Points township, Wells county, and has children; Rebecca died in infancy; and Sophia is the wife of Wilbur Wilson, of Hartford City, their only child being a son.

Mr. and Mrs. Perry have but on child, Ada Estella, who was born in 1877, and who was graduated in the Montpelier high school in 1889. She married Jonas G. Huffman, son of George Huffman, a well known citizen of Wells county, and her husband received the advantages of a normal school, as well as a business college, being now employed in Mexico as all expert machinist in connection with oil operations. The family home of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman is in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mrs. Huffman is state agent in Nebraska and Kansas for a well known tailor-made corset, in which connection she has shown marked ability as a saleswoman and executive. Her only child is Pauline Laverne, who was born February 13, 1897, and who is a young woman of distinctive culture and gracious personality.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

RILEY R. GADBURY. A record of file agricultural upbuilders of Blackford county would be incomplete were not due mention made of Riley R. Gadbury, of Licking township, who is the owner of a well cultivated property in section 28 and one of the progressive and public-spirited men of his community. As an aid to his intelligent operations in his pursuit of success, Mr. Gadbury has had agricultural inclinations inherited from a long line of ancestors who were tillers of the soil, and these have been supplemented by an appreciation of the value of modern methods and ideas. His life has been all active and busy one, with large interests to make demands upon his time and attention, but he has at all times found the inclination and leisure to serve his township and county in a public way and at the present writing is representing his county for the second time in the capacity of commissioner.

Mr. Gadbury comes of old Virginia ancestry, his grandfather migrating from the Old Dominion state to Ohio about the year 1800 in young manhood and there being married. In I833 he came to Indiana with his wife and several children, locating on 160 acres of Government land in section:32. Licking township, Blackford county, where he erected a log cabin. He was one of the sturdy pioneers of this part of the state, worked faithfully and industriously in clearing his land from the wilderness, replaced the original primitive log cabin with a modern and substantial home, and became one of the solid and responsible men of his community. He died in 1868, while his wife passed away several years before, both having reached advanced years. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Gadbury was a democrat. Of their large family of children, all grew up and were married, and all have now passed away.

James A. Gadbury, father of Riley R. Gadbury, was the first of the children born in the Indiana home, and was one of the first white children born in Blackford county, his natal date being April 25, 1834. Growing to manhood on the old farm, he received his education in the primitive subscription schools, and when he reached years of maturity , embarked in farming on his own account and became owner of a part of the homestead. There he became one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of the county, and was also widely known in public affairs as an active and influential democrat. His death occurred on his farm in May 1,1891. Mr. Gadbury was married in Blackford county, Indiana, about the time of the Civil war, to Miss Mary Ann McVicker, who was born, reared and educated in this township, and spent her whole life here, dying on the old farm when forty-two years of age. She was a daughter of Aaron McVicker, who came to Blackford county, Indiana, at an early day, from Gurnsey county, Ohio, becoming one of the earliest settlers here and developing a good farm from wild land. Both he and his wife reached advanced years, and died in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gadbury was a democrat in his political views. Of their family of seven children, five grew to maturity, and Riley R. was the third in order of birth. Emma married Henry Hawley and left three children at her death; Clara is the wife of Anderson D. Matauk, of Grant county, Indiana; Riley R. is the next in line; John A., a retired farmer of Licking township, living at Highways, married Bernice Nottingham, and has five sons; and Arthur E., a lawyer and member of the firm of George, Cromer & Long, of Muncie, Indiana, married Anna Clark, and has four sons.

Riley R. Gadbury was educated in the public schools of Licking township and at the age of nineteen years was given charge of the homestead farm, continuing to be its manager until 1901, when he purchased 185 acres of land in section 28, in this township, located on the west side of Licking Creek, which waters and drains the property, the farm being equipped with closed or tile drainage. The land is under a good state of cultivation, and its improvements include a nine-room frame house, with stone porch, which Mr. Gadbury practically rebuilt some five years ago, and a red barn, substantial in character and modern in architecture, 40x66 feet. His products include all the standard grains and cereals, and a large part of his attention is given to the breeding of fine live stock, including Short Horn cattle, Duroc swine, and a superior breed of sheep and horses. Mr. Gadbury is a thoroughly practical farmer, with an excellent knowledge of modern methods, which he practices scientifically in his operations. In his community he is known as a live, progressive and energetic man, assisting in all movements for the public welfare, and ever ready to give freely of his time and means in a good cause. Politically democrat, he has served his county efficiently in the capacity of county commissioner and his service has at all times shown his high appreciation of the responsibilities of public service.

Mr. Gadbury was married in this township to Miss Almeda Atkinson, who was born on the farm on which she now resides, in 1868, and has spent her entire life here. She is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (McCormick) Atkinson, the latter a daughter of Judge William McCormick of Grant county. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were pioneers of Blackford county, where Mr. Atkinson first entered and improved 160 acres of land, and at one time owned a large property. Both he and his wife reached advanced years and died on the homestead, being prominent and highly respected people of their community. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury: Wirth B., who is attending the Hartford City High school; Dwight A., a graduate of the graded schools; C. Hope, aged ten years, attending the graded schools; Pauline, who is five years old; and June D., the baby. Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury are consistent members of the Methodist church.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

BENJAMIN F. CALDWELL. In the lives and deeds of such men as Benjamin F. Caldwell, of Licking township, there may be found much worthy of emulation by the rising generation. He is now living in comfortable retirement after a long life of industry and honorable dealing, but during his career he has not alone labored to win success on his own account, but to advance his community's interests and to assist others in the laborious struggle for independence. In him the poor and unfortunate have ever found a helpful and sympathetic friend and benefactor, and now, in the evening of life, he is blessed not only with the comforts that material prosperity may bring, but by the gratitude of those who have found his kindly advice and valuable assistance the medium through which they have won their way in the world.

Mr. Caldwell is a son of David C. Caldwell and a grandson of Robert Caldwell, natives of Virginia of Scotch stock, the, latter of whom spent his entire life in tile Old Dominion state. David C. Caldwell passed the greater part of his life in Kentucky. He was married in that state to Miss Anna Anderson, the daughter of Capt. John Anderson and his wife, Nancy (Sutton) Anderson, who spent their lives in Maryland and near Alexandria, Kentucky, in which latter locality they passed away as old people. They were faithful members of the Baptist church and Captain Anderson attained his rank as a soldier in the American forces during the War of 1812. After the birth of most of their children, David C. and Anna Caldwell migrated to Indiana, settling oil all unnamed creek in Hancock county, where the father passed away soon after, being not .much past fifty-seven years of age. He was a Whig in politics, but as far as is. known was not active in public affairs, his attention being devoted to the tilling of his farm. Afterwards his widow lived for forty-three years with her son, at Mill Grove, Indiana, and there died in 1894, aged eighty-three years. She and the father were both members of the Primitive Baptist church. Of their seven children, but two are living: Benjamin F., who was third in order of birth; and Mrs. Lucinda Barry, of Hancock county, Indiana, who is the mother of five married children, and a widow.

Benjamin F. Caldwell was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, May 6, 1828. and came to Indiana in 1836. He was but fourteen ' years of age when his father died, and he early assumed responsibilities that otherwise would have fallen on the shoulders of a matured man. His education was limited to the district schools of Hancock county, and there he was reared a farmer, a vocation which he continued to follow throughout the active period of his life. In 1875 Mr. Caldwell moved from Hancock county to Blackford county, settling at Mill Grove, where he became a breeder of fine horses. As a pioneer in this line he did much to encourage the improvement of this noble animal in this part of the state, and in the meantime continued his farming operations, gradually adding to his property until he was accounted one of the most substantial men of the county. In 1909 Mr. Caldwell retired from active pursuits, justly considering that he had won a rest front his labors, and came to section 24, Licking township, to live with his son, David Coleman Caldwell, although he still owns a fine home and piece of property at Mill Grove.

Mr. Caldwell was married near Greenfield, Hancock county, Indiana, February 14, 1851, to Mary J. Sample, who was born in that county, on the unknown creek May 11, 1833. Her father, John Sample, was a native of Ireland and came to the United States in young manhood, for a time living in Pennsylvania and later moving to Virginia, where he was married to Sarah Barrett. Later in life Mr. Sample came to Indiana with his grown family and located in Hancock county, where he followed the trade of blacksmith and edged tool maker. He was a man remarkable for his love for humanity, a jolly, whole-souled man who was loved by all and who was still active up to within a short time of his death at the age of eighty-six years. He was a "Shouting Methodist," as was his wife, who passed away at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Caldwell is the only survivor of a family of ten children, only four of whom were married. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell: Dr. David Coleman, who for twelve years was engaged in the practice of medicine, but now follows farming, a progressive, energetic man of sixty-two years, who owns it fine, home and well-cultivated farm, married Sarah Flemming, who died live years ago in the prime of life; and Adelia E., who is the wife of John H. Thorp, a machinist and farmer of Mill Grove, Blackford county. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have accomplished a work the results of which will live long after they have passed from the scenes of life's activities. With all intense love for children, they have taken no fewer than twelve into their home and hearts, and have reared them to strong and worthy man and womanhood, fitting them capably for the places which they have been called upon to fill. Some of these children, although not all have been relatives, but all who have been married have come back to the old home to have the ceremony performed. In spite of his eighty-one years, Mr. Caldwell continues to take a keen interest in matters of importance as they affect his community and the country in general. He is a stanch supporter of democratic principles and has a wide knowledge of political conditions and issues. He and Mrs. Caldwell have for many years been devoted members of the Methodist church.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol