Reared on a pioneer farm, Jesse S. Chrisman grew up familiar with the trials and hardships of pioneer living. He received his schooling in the little old log school house in the neighborhood of his home and from boyhood was a valued aid to his father in the labors of developing and improving the home place. After his marriage he bought a tract of land near his old home and there established his residence, gradually adding to his holdings until he became owner of two hundred and thirty-two acres, on which he quite successfully carried on general farming and stock raising, and where he made his home until his retirement from the farm and removal in 1915 to Connersville, where he spent his last days, his death occurring on November 29, 1916, he having been in ill health for some time before his retirement from the farm. Mr. Chrisman was a Republican and had for years taken an active part in political affairs. He served as trustee of Harrison township for seven years and in other ways contributed of his time and his energies to the public service. He was a member of the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church at Connersville, as is his widow, and ever took a proper interest in church work.

It was on November 1, 18651 that Jesse S. Chrisman was united in marriage to Catherine V. Price, who was born in the neighboring county of Franklin, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Clements) Price, the former of whom also was born in that county, son of Irons and Eleanor Price, who came to this state from Maryland and became early settlers in Franklin county. Irons Price was a substantial farmer and he and his wife spent their lives in the Blooming Grove neighborhood. They were the parents of twelve children, William, Mary, Rebecca, Susan, Unity, Harriet, Margaret, Edward, Jackson, James, David and Lydia. Elizabeth Clements was a daughter of Richard Clements, of Maryland, who also settled on a farm in Franklin county in pioneer days and there spent his last days. He and his wife had five children, Sarah, Nancy, Elizabeth, James and Caleb.

To Jesse S. and Catherine V. (Price) Chrisman six children were born, namely: Edward Robert, Laura A., Albert L., Minnie M., Oliver Perry Morton and Nona Grace. Lieut.-Col. Edward R. Chrisman, United States Army, is now stationed at Panama. Colonel Chrisman was graduated in 1888 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, which institution he entered at the age of eighteen, and participated in the battle of Vera Cruz, with the rank of second lieutenant. He later was promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy. Colonel Chrisman married Florence Ryan and has two children, Catherine and Albert O. Laura A. Chrisman married Robert Henry, of Harrison township, this county, and has one child, a daughter, Ouidabon. Albert L. Chrisman, a well-known attorney at Connersville, married Rebecca L. Lockhart and has two children, John and Dorotha. Minnie M. Chrisman married J. L. Bush, of Ft. Wayne, this state, and has two children, Mary, Grace and Edward Robert. Oliver P. M. Chrisman is unmarried and continues to make his home with his widowed mother at Connersville. Nona Grace Chrisman married Harry Stephens, of Ft. Wayne, and has one child, a son, Maynard Moody. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Chrisman has continued to make her home at Connersville. She has a pleasant home at 1947 Ohio street and takes a warm interest in the general affairs of the community.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

L. T. BOWER.
In the memorial annals of the city of Connersville and of Fayette county there are few names held in better remembrance than that of the late L. T. Bower, organizer and president of the Connersville Buggy Company, one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, for years a member of the Connersville city council and in many ways one of the city's most active and industrious factors in his day and generation. Mr. Bower was for years actively identified with the industrial and commercial interests of his home city and did much to start Connersville on the path of its present remarkable industrial development.

L. T. Bower was born in the old village of Centerville, in the neighboring county of Wayne, July 2, 1844, a son of Jacob Bower and wife, early residents of that county. Jacob Bower was born in Pennsylvania, in which state he grew to manhood, later going to Cleveland, Ohio, coming thence to Indiana and locating at Centerville, where he married and for some years made his home. He then moved over into Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until after the Civil War period, when he returned to Wayne county, locating on a farm there, and there spent the rest of his life.

Having been but a child when his parents moved from Centerville to Preble county, Ohio, L. T. Bower grew up on the paternal farm in the latter county and when the family returned to Indiana he started a sawmill at Harrisburg, continuing thus engaged for a number of years, at the end of which time, in 1875, he moved to Beeson and engaged in the sawmill business there. A year later he moved his plant to Connersville and there engaged in the manufacture of sash and door material, building up quite a plant in that line. About five years later Mr. Bower recognized the opportunities of the buggy business and he organized the Connersville Buggy Company, converting his sash-and-door plant into a plant for the manufacture of buggies. Upon the organization of the company Mr. Bower was elected president of the same and continued serving in that capacity, acting as general manager of the company until his death. Starting the factory in a modest way he gradually built it up, as the business of the company was extended, until he had one of the most important industries of that kind in the state. Mr. Bower was an active and energetic business man and as his interests developed found himself engaging in more than one line designed to promote the industrial and commercial development of his home town. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Connersville and was elected to the first board of directors of that sound old financial institution. He also was a member of the board of directors of the Glenwood State Bank of Glenwood and of the board of directors of the Monarch Stone Company of Bloomington, this state. In his political views Mr. Bower was a stanch Republican and for some time served as a member of the Connersville city council, representing his ward in that body for years. Fraternally, he was a Mason. Mr. Bower was ever a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member, and for years was a member of the board of trustees of the local congregation, as well as one of the stewards, ever doing all in his power to promote the church's interests in this cornmunity. His widow, who still survives him, still living at her pleasant home in Connersville, also is a member of the Methodist church, in the various beneficences of which she ever has taken a warm interest, as well as in all local good works.

It was in 1869, at Milton, in the neighboring county of Wayne, that L. T. Bower was united in marriage to Harriet A. Zell, who was born in that village, daughter of John and Anna (Wallick) Zell, both of whom were born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they were married, coming thence to Indiana and locating at Milton, where for years John Zell was engaged in the blacksmith business, later becoming a hardware merchant, giving particular attention to blacksmiths' supplies. John Zell and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom two are still living, Mrs. Bower having a brother, Henry Zell, of Ft. Wayne, this state. To L. T. and Harriet A. (Zell) Bower six children were born, of whom but two are now living, Genevieve Adella, who rnarried Arthur Darling, of Rig Rapids, Michigan, and has one child, a son, Edson Bower Darling, and Claude C. Bower, who is now located at Pontiac, Michigan. Claude C. Bower married May Wright, who died, leaving one child, a son, Robert, and he later married Mrs. Irene Teeter. L. T. Bower died at his home in Connersville on Jute 10, 1912.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

John G. Powell, proprietor of the corner hardware store at Connersville, is a native of the neighboring state of Ohio, born at Granville, one of the most beautiful college towns in Ohio, August 10, 1872, son of William R. and Rachael Ann (Jones) Powell, both of whom were born in Licking county, Ohio, and the former of whom is still living on the farm in the immediate vicinity of Granville, where he and his wife started housekeeping in the early days of their married life. His wife died on Christmas morning, 1898. They were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having a brother, William Franklin Powell, who is farming the old home place, and a sister, Minnie, who also continues to make her home there.

Reared on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Granville, John G. Powell completed his schooling in Dennison University at that place and upon leaving college became employed in the hardware store of William Geachs & Son at Granville, and was thus engaged for something more than three years, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the hardware store of Jones & Sons at that same place, and was engaged there for three years. He then went to Toledo, where for some time he was employed in a wagon-works and later in Johnson Brothers' furniture store. His health then failing, Mr. Powell made a comprehensive trip through the South, visiting all the Southern states, and after a year of travel returned to his old home at Granville and served there as township assessor for a couple of years. He then spent a year in California, returning then to Granville, where he resumed his former position in the hardware store of Geachs & Son, remaining there until in March, 1910, when he bought his present store in Connersville and has ever since been engaged in business in the latter city. Mr. Powell's store, which is situated at the southeast corner of Central avenue and Fifth street, was established probably forty years ago and was owned by Joseph M. Webster & Son when Mr. Powell bought it. Mr. Powell handles a general line of hardware, stoves and agricultural implements and has one of the best-stocked stores in his line in eastern Indiana. Mr. Powell also owns a pleasant home at 1306 North Central avenue and he and his wife are very comfortably situated there.

It was in 1907 that John G. Powell was united in marriage to Maude Finley, who was born in Iowa and whose father died about the time she was born. Her mother, Letitia Finley, later moved to Illinois and at Oneida, that state, was married to J. W. Ronald, who owned a farm in Delaware county. Ohio, the Ronalds making their home on that farm until they presently moved to Delaware, where Maude Finley was living at the time of her marriage to Mr. Powell. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Powell is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. While living at Granville he served for some time as a member of the city council of that place.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

The late William Newkirk, organizer of the Connersville Furniture Company and founder of that company's extensive manufacturing plant, for years one of the most important industrial concerns in eastern Indiana, was a native of the old Keystone state, but had been a resident of Indiana since the days of his boyhood. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1828, a son of Jacob and Julia (Burt) Newkirk, natives of New Jersey, who later came to Indiana, becoming early settlers of this county, and whose last days were spent in Connersville.

Jacob Newkirk for some years was engaged in business in Philadelphia as a hatter, later moving to Cincinnati, where for a time he was engaged in the hotel business. He also was a manufacturer of shoes. In 1833 he came up into Indiana with his family and located at Connersville, presently moving from that place to Harrisburg, a few miles north, but in later years returned to Connersville and there he and his wife spent their last days, honored pioneer residents of this county. They were the parents of seven children, those besides the subject of this sketch having been Francis, Louise, Emily, Azell, Julia and Charles, none of whom are now living.

William Newkirk was about eight years of age when his parents came to Fayette county and his schooling was completed in the schools of Harrisburg. As a youth he was a great reader and the lines of his education were much wider than those offered in the schools of that period. When little more than a boy he began clerking in the Frybarger store at Connersville and there laid the foundation for his successful mercantile career. After several years of experience as a clerk Mr. Newkirk embarked in business for himself, starting a store at Bentonville, in this county, but presently returned to Connersville and there opened a hardware store, which he successfully conducted for several years, or until he conceived the organization of the Connersville Furniture Company, he having early recognized the advantage that a furniture factory in Connersville would possess. Upon the organization of this company Mr. Newkirk was elected president of the same and thereafter gave his whole time to the development of the concern which has meant so much for the industrial development of Connersville, until failing health compelled his resignation and retirement from business. Upon his retirement Mr. Newkirk continued to make his home in Connersville. His death occurred at Daytona, Florida, where he had gone to spend the winter, on December 9, 1911, he then being eighty-three years of age. Mr. Newkirk was for many years an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and twice was elected a delegate from the local conference to the general conference of that church. An earnest supporter of DePauw University, he was for years a member of the board of trustees of that sterling old sectarian institution and during much of that time served as the president of the board. Few men in this community were better or more favorably known throughout Indiana than was William Newkirk and at his passing he left a good memory, for he had done his part well.

William Newkirk was thrice married. His first wife, Mahala Hansen, died in Connersville, without issue. He then married Matilda Demerist, of Dayton, Ohio, who also died without issue. In June, 1882, Mr. Newkirk was united in marriage to Ida L. McIntosh, who was born in Connersville, daughter of James C. and Elizabeth (Martindale) McIntosh, both now deceased, the former of whom also was born in Connersville and the latter in the city of Indianapolis. James C. McIntosh, who for years was one of Connersville's most prominent lawyers, began practice in that city following his graduation from old Asbury (now DePauw) University, and for some time was associated in practice with Samuel W. Parker, later maintaining his office alone, and continued in practice in his home city until his death in 1880. He was an ardent Republican and was active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, who survived him many years, her death occurring on November 16, 1916. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, those besides Mrs. Newkirk, the second in order of birth, being as follow: Horace Parker McIntosh, a retired officer of the United States navy, now living in Washington, D. C.; James M. McIntosh, a banker, of Indianapolis, president of the National City Bank, and Charles Kenneth McIntosh, a banker, of San Francisco, California.

To William and Ida L. (McIntosh) Newkirk two children were born, daughters both, Elizabeth, who married Carl P. Houghton, a mechanical engineer, of Connersville, and has one child, a son, Horace N., and Helen Louise, who married Herbert McFarlan and is now living at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Newkirk has a very pleasant home at 319 Western avenue, Connersville, and Mr. and Mrs. Houghton and their son make their home with her.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Adam Schoenholtz, a well-to-do retired grocer of Connersville and one of the best-known residents of that city, is a native of Germany, born in the Rhine country on August 3, 1853, a son of Frederick and Katherine (Geiler) Schoenholtz, natives of that same country. He lived in his native land until he was seventeen years of age, when, in 1871, he came to the United States, arriving at the port of New York on August 1, 1871. Some years before, in 1866, his brother, Fred Schoenholtz, had come to this country and was engaged in the bakery business at Connersville. Adam Schoenholtz had been trained to the trade or a tailor and his brother, Fred, met him at Cincinnati and there secured for him a place in a tailor shop, where he remained until 1875, when he came on up to Connersville and rejoined his brother.

Upon coming to Connersville Adam Schoenholtz secured work in the establishment of William H. Beck, who was operating a clothing store and tailor shop in that city, and was there engaged when, on March 3, 1882, he married Kate Weisel, of Connersville, who was born in Hesse-Damstadt, Germany, and who was but a baby when her parents, Henry and Wilhelmina (Uhl) Weisel, came to the United States in 185 j and located at Cincinnati, whence, in 1865, they moved to Connersville, where Henry Weisel continued his trade as a cooper. About 1878 Henry Weisel started a little grocery store at the northwest corner of Eighth street and Western avenue, at that time on the very outskirts of Connersville, believing that the natural increase of population out that way soon would make that a good trading point. Mr. Weisel started the store merely as an investment, installing his daughter, Kate, as manager of the same, he continuing his vocation as a cooper. After Mr. Schoenholtz's marriage his wife continued to conduct the store, which by that time was making quite a success, and as business improved Mr. Schoenholtz got in the way of bringing his tailoring work home with him in order that he might be of assistance to his wife in the store. Business continued to improve and presently he gave up tailoring and thereafter devoted his entire attention to the store. On August 5, 1885, he bought the store from Mr. Weisel and thereafter he and his wife continued to conduct the same for thirty-three years, or until they sold out and retired from business on January 1, 1915, since which time they have been "taking things easy," enjoying the ample reward of their long and diligent application to business.

Mr. and Mrs. Schoenholtz are earnest members of the German Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Schoenholtz has been a member of the board of trustees since 1878 and of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years. He also is a member of Guttenberg lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Samuel S. Merrifield, a well-known and substantial retired farmer of Harrison and Posey townships, this county, now living retired at Connersville, was born at Laporte, Indiana, August 14, 1838, son of Roberts and Eliza Jane (Shipley) Merrifield, who were married in Connersville in 1832. Roberts Merrifield was a lawyer and shortly after his marriage established himself in practice at Laporte, where he remained for several years, at the end of which time he moved to Marion, this state, and was there engaged in the practice of law until his death in 1842, leaving a widow and four children, of which latter the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Charles.

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Merrifield returned to Fayette county with her children to make her home with her brother, Charles E. Shipley, at Connersville, and in 1844 moved with him to a farm in Harrison township, this county, and it was on that farm that Samuel S. Merrifield grew to manhood, receiving his sc11001ing in the old Broadus school house. From the days of his boyhood Mr. Merrifield was a valuable help to his uncle in the labors of improving the farm and upon his uncle's death his mother received eighty acres of the place. As the elder son, the management of the place fell upon the shoulders of Samuel S. Merrifield and he remained there, farming the place for his mother, until his marriage in 1865, when he located on a farm in Posey township, where he remained until 1871, in which year he moved to Indianapolis, where for eight years he was engaged in the coal business with his brother, Charles Merrifield. He then returned to Fayette county and took over the home place in Harrison township, the place now comprising the south half of Roberts Park, and farmed there until 1912, when he retired and moved to Connersville where he and his wife have since made their home and where they are very pleasantly situated. Mr. Merrifield is the owner of a quarter of a section of well-improved land in Posey township, besides other property, and is very comfortably circumstanced. As noted above, it was in 1865 that Samuel S. Merrifield was united in marriage to Harriet Huston, who was born at Bentonville on December 9, 1838, daughter of John and Mary Huston, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union were born three children, Roberts, Alice and Charles, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Merrifield are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever taken an active interest in church work. Mr. Merrifield is a Republican and has always given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Roy Clinton McKennan, manufacturing chemist and head of the Maxine Company at Connersville, is a native of the state of Illinois, but has been a resident of Connersville since the days of his boyhood. He was born at New Holland, Illinois, December 28, 1880, son of S. O. and Flora (Lucas) McKennan, both natives of Indiana, now residing at Connersville, where the former has been engaged in business since the early nineties.

Roy C. McKennan was about eleven years of age when his parents moved from Illinois to Connersville and he was graduated from the high school in that city in 1896. He then entered Purdue University and was graduated from the pharmacy department of that institution in 1900, immediately thereafter forming a partnership with his father in the drug business at Connersville, that connection continuing under the firm name of S. O. McKennan & Son, until 1912, when Roy C. McKennan engaged in the manufacture of a dental specialty which he had compounded and to which he gave the name of "Maxine." He formed a company for the manufacture of that preparation, the Maxine Company, which is very successfully engaged in manufacturing and marketing "Maxine" to the dental trade. Mr. McKennan also is a stockholder in several other local enterprises and is treasurer of the Home Loan Association of Connersville, a position he has held for about ten years.

On February 1, 1905, Roy C. McKennan was united in marriage to Madge Kensler, who was born in Connersville, daughter of P. H. and Isabel (Morrison) Kensler, and who also was graduated from the Connersville high school, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Isabel Flora. Mr. and Mrs. McKennan are members of the First Methodist church and Mr. McKennan is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Dr. Joseph R. Mountain, dean of the medical profession in Connersville, having been engaged in practice in that city longer than any other physician now practicing there, is a native of Michigan, but has been a resident of this state and of Connersville for nearly twenty years. He was born at St. Johns, Michigan, September 15, 1871, son of Robert S. and Cecelia .M. (Pruden) Mountain, both natives of the state of New York, who moved to Howell, Michigan, in 1872, remaining there until about 1887, when they returned to St. Johns.

Doctor Mountain received excellent scholastic foundation for the practice of his exacting profession. He was about a year old when his parents moved to Howell and was about fifteen years of age when they returned to St. Johns, his elementary schooling thus having been secured partly in the former place and partly in the latter. In the fall of 1892 he entered the University of Michigan, starting in the scientific course, and the next year went to Chicago, where he was engaged in teaching school, as a means of securing further funds for his maintenance in the university. In the fall of 1894 he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan and was graduated from that institution in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During his college course, Doctor Mountain practically made his own way, acting as a tutor in other departments of the university during much of his term, acting also as demonstrator in laboratory work and in his senior year was assistant instructor, under Dr. J. M. Martin, in diseases of women and children, serving later as an interne in the hospital under Doctor Martin, this later practical experience being of more value to him than a post-graduate course.

Upon receiving his diploma Doctor Mountain returned to St. Johns and was there engaged in practice until January 19, 1899, when he located at Connersville, where he ever since has been engaged in practice. During one or two of his vacation periods while in college he had clerked in a drug store at Connersville and was then so greatly taken with the place that when he was free to settle down definitely he chose that city as the scene of his practice. Doctor Mountain has been very successful in his practice and is one of the busiest practitioners in eastern Indiana, the demands upon his professional services keeping him going constantly. He keeps fully abreast of the latest advances in the practice of his profession and his office is usually well equipped, this equipment including one of the most complete X-ray outfits in Indiana, a valuable adjunct both to diagnosis and therapeutics. In 1913 he took a post-graduate course in London and Paris, in the former place giving his special attention to physical diagnosis, and in 1915 took another post-graduate course in New York City, giving there his special attention to the X-ray. Though the period of Doctor Mountain's practice in Connersville has not yet covered twenty years, he has been there longer than any other physician now in active practice in that city and therefore very properly may be called the dean of his profession in Connersville. He is a member of the Fayette County Medical Society, of the Union District Medical Society, an organization older than the Indiana State Medical Association, of which later he also is a member, and is likewise affiliated with the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes an active interest. The Doctor gives his close attention to the general business affairs of the city and is an active supporter of all movements having to do with the advancement of the general welfare. He helped to organize the Central State Bank of Connersville, established in March, 1907, and was a member of the first board of directors of that institution. He is likewise interested financially in several other local enterprises and is a member of the board of directors of the Elmhurst School for Girls.

On October 16, 1900, Dr. Joseph R. Mountain was united in marriage to Elizabeth C. Clark, who was born and reared in Cincinnati, a daughter of Frazee and Margaret (Arthur) Clark, and to this union two children have been born, both sons, Joseph C. and Francis B. Doctor and Mrs. Mountain are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper interest in church work. Mrs. Mountain is one of the leading members of the Carey Literary Club and is otherwise interested in the city's cultural activities. The Doctor is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Indianapolis; a Knight Templar, affiliated with the commandery at Connersville, and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Murat Temple), at Indianapolis. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Improved Order of Red Men and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Virgil J. Barker, proprietor of a hardware store at Connersville and one of the best-known merchants in that city, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm two miles east of the city of Connersville on June 15, 1876, son of Barton and Mary (McCann ) Barker, both now deceased, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in this county.

Barton Barker was born in Lincolnshire, England, and was but eight years of age when his parents came to this country and located on a farm in this county, east of Connersville, where they spent the remainder of their lives and where he spent his early manhood. There he married Mary McCann, who was born in Jennings township, a daughter of James and Barbara (Dary) McCann, who had come to Indiana from western Virginia about the time Indiana was admitted to statehood and had settled in the woods, not far from the junction of Fall creek and White river, building a cabin at a point now occupied by the Claypool Hotel, in the very heart of the city of Indianapolis; but coming to the conclusion that that locality never would amount to anything moved over to Conner's settlement and after looking about a bit established their home in Jennings township, this county, before 1819, and remained there on the farm now known as the old Spivey farm, three and one-half miles east of Connersville, for a number of years, at the end of which time they moved to a farm north of East Connersville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. After his marriage Barton Barker continued to hake his home east of Connersville for some years, at the end of which time he moved to Harrison township, where he lived until old age, when he retired and moved to Connersville, where he spent his last days, his death occurring there on April 4, 1913. His wife had preceded him to the grave about eighteen years, her death having occurred on June 6, 1895. Barton Barker was an honored veteran of the Civil War, having served for four years as a member of the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during which service he was wounded three times, once in the arm, once in the leg and another time a bursting shell deafened his left ear. Mr. Barker was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer. For three years during his residence in Connersville he served as chief of police of that city.

Virgil J. Barker grew to manhood on the home farm and completed his schooling in the schools of Connersville, graduating from the high school there in 1895. He then spent a few years on the farm with his father and then became employed with the hardware, furniture and undertaking firm of Thomas L. Smith & Son, at Connersville, and remained with that firm for thirteen years, at the end of which time he bought the hardware and stove department of the concern, the same having been conducted by Carl Smith, son of Thomas L. Smith, and has since been the proprietor of the same, operating a very well-conducted and amply-stocked store, dealing in all kinds of shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, paints, oils, harness, blankets and farm implements, and is doing very well.

On April 15, 1902, Virgil J. Barker was united in marriage to Lola Paxton, who was born at Liberty, in the neighboring county of Union, a daughter of William J. and Sarah (Brown) Paxton, the former of whom for many years was a teacher in the schools of Union and Fayette counties. Mr. and Mrs. Barker are members of the Central Christian church and take a proper interest in church affairs. Mr. Barker is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliated with both the subordinate lodge and the encampment of that order, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

One of the well-known and prominent retired citizens of Connersville, who has met with much success during his long life of usefulness and activity, is William Henry Moyer, who was born at Port Jefferson, Ohio, on November 1, 1838, a son of David and Ruth (Venemon) Moyer, who were both born in the state of Ohio. The former, who was born on January 3, 1813, died on April 16, 1877, and the latter, born on March 3, 1813, died on July 4, 1853. They were born near the town of Sidney and there they were educated and were later married. As a young man the father learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and continued in that line of work in the Buckeye state until 1842, when he and his family came to Indiana, with horses and wagon, and located in Fayette county. During the first few years of his life in this county David Moyer worked on the canal and later in a stone quarry and brick yard. Mr. Moyer was three times married. His first wife died at Benton, Indiana, and after her death he married Amanda Thompson, and at her death, Susan Stephens. By his first wife he was the father of four children: Deliah Jane, William H., Alex. Marshall and Charles Edgar. By the second wife one child was born, Amanda, who is now deceased. There were no children by the third marriage.

William Henry Moyer received a limited education in the early schools of his home community and remained at home until his marriage on September 11, 1861, to America Crosson, who was born on March 1, 1841, daughter of James and Susan (Johnson) Crosson, who were natives of the state of Ohio and who came to Indiana in 1830 and settled in Fayette county. They established their home on a farm on Williams creek, where they made for themselves a home in the wilderness, and had much to do with the general development of the district. It was there that the mother died. The father died at Connersville, to which place he had moved after the death of his wife. They were the parents of ten children, only two of whom are now living.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moyer established their home in the city of Connersville, where for a number of years Mr. Moyer was engaged in the grocery business and later in the brick business. He met with much success as a business man, and on his retirement from the brick business he engaged in the furniture business until the time of his retirement from the more active duties of life. Today he is known as one of the men who has helped to make Connersville the hustling and progressive little city that it is today. Few of the present residents of the city had more to do with its early life and later development.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moyer five children have been born, only one of whom is now living, Clara E., wife of George E. Reese, one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are active members of the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for many years, and have ever taken an active interest in the services of the church and the growth and success of the society.

William Henry Moyer and his wife have lived in Connersville and in this vicinity for many years, during which time they have seen many changes and many improvements. Coming to the county as he did, a mere child, when the territory surrounding Connersville was for the most part an undeveloped wilderness, he has seen the dense forest become a thing of the past, and has witnessed the making of one of the great farming districts of Indiana, with splendid homes and hustling and progressive towns and cities. In all this he has his part. His advent into the business world was as a poor boy, who had to depend upon his own resources for his advancement. His life has been an active one and he has made good, so that today the name of William Henry Moyer is synonymous with progress and success.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Minor E. Leffingwell, member of the firm of M. Holberg & Company, clothiers and shoe dealers, at Connersville, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in Jennings township, this county, August 10, 1864, son of Jonathan Avery and Lucy (Ellis) Leffingwell, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Indiana, a member of one of the pioneer families of Fayette county.

Jonathan Avery Leffingwell came to Indiana from New York state with his parents when a boy, the family settling in Harrison township, this county, in the thirties. His father died not long after coming here, leaving a widow and eight children, among whom, besides Jonathan A., were Artemas, Lemuel, Lavant, Amanda and Hannah. The widow retained the home farm and there Jonathain A. Leffingivell grew to manhood, assisting his brothers in the development and improvement of the same. He married Lucy Ellis, who was born in Harrison township, daughter of Lewis and Samantha (Thomas) Ellis, natives of New York state and early settlers in this county.

Lewis Ellis inherited the farm which his father, Moses Ellis, had settled in Harrison township and there he and his wife spent their last days, both living to ripe old age, he being eighty-four years of age at the time of his death and she, seventy-six. Lewis Ellis and wife were the parents of sixteen children, Caroline, Lucy, Melvin, Eliza, Ellen, Hewitt, Nancy, Minor, who died while serving as a soldier of the Union army, and seven others. After his marriage Jonathan A. Leffingwell began farming on his own account in Jennings township and there developed an excellent farm of one hundred acres, to which he added until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred acres. He died in 1884, at the age of fifty-eight years, and his widow survived him until 1901, she being sixty-seven years of age at the time of her death. They were devoted members of the Primitive Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Lewis, of Posey township, this county; Ada, who married Mathias Neff and is now deceased; Emma, of Connersville; Elmer, who is living on the old Leffingwell farm in Harrison township; Minnie, wife of S. D. Lynch, of Kennewick, Washington; Edgar, who died at the age of seven years, and twins, who died in infancy.

Reared on the paternal farm in this county, Minor E. Leffingwell received his elementary schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home and supplementcd the same by a course in the Central Normal School at Danville, this state. He continued on the farm until 1887, when he took employment as a clerk in the shoe store of L. C. Everton at Connersville. A year later he transferred his services to the store of M. Holberg, clothier and shoe dealer; at Connersville, and has ever since been connected with that establishment, a partner in the firm since 1900, the firm doing business under the style of M. Holberg and Company, one of the best-known and most firmly established commercial concerns in this part of the state. Mr. Leffngwell is a Republican and has ever given his thoughtful attention to local civic affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office.

On January 22, 1889, Minor E. Leffingwell was united in marriage to Clara Rieman, who was born in Germany and who was but three years of age when her parents, Henry and Gretchen (Pernon) Rieman, came to this country with their family from their native Hanover in 1866 and located at Hamilton, Ohio, moving thence to Oxford, that same state, and thence, in 1876, to Connersville, where they established their home. Henry Rieman's parents spent all their lives in their native Hanover. Their three sons, Ernest, Henry and Charles, came to this country, but their daughters remained in their native land. Henry Rieman was a landscape gardener, employed on the royal estate in the Fatherland, and upon coming to this country became engaged as a florist. Upon locating at Connersville he established there a greenhouse and remained engaged as a florist the rest of his life, his death occurring in May, 1913, he then being eighty-six years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1884 . She was the only child of her parents, her father, a sea captain, having been lost at sea when she was a small child. Henry Rieman and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, those besides Mrs. Leffingwell being Andrew H., Charles A., Geredena, widow of E. E. Lewis, and Clara (first), Ernest and Nettie, who died in youth.

To Minor E. and Clara (Rieman) Leffingwell one child has been born, a son, Carl, who died when twelve years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Leffingwell are members of the Presbyterian church, in the affairs of which they take an active interest, Mr. Leffingwell being one of the elders of the local congregation. Mr. Leffingwell is a thirty-second-degree Mason, being affiliated with Warren Lodge NO. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, at Connersville, and with the consistory of the Valley of Indianapolis, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Murat Temple of that order at Indianapolis. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of America and in the affairs of these several fraternal organizations takes a warm interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Jasper L. Kennedy, former auditor of Fayette county and now engaged in the hardware and farm implement business at Connersville, senior member of the mercantile firm of Kennedy & Lewis, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all his life, his residence having been confined to Fayette county and the neighboring county of Franklin. He was born at Metamora, in the latter county, August 3, 1866, son of John R. and Tempa A. (Thomas) Kennedy, both now deceased, the former of whom, an honored veteran of the Civil War, was a native of the state of Ohio and the latter of Indiana, and who were for years well-known residents of Franklin county.

John R. Kennedy was born and reared on a farm near New Richmond, Clermont county, Ohio, son of Milton C. Kennedy and wife, both natives of that same state and who spent all their lives there. They were the parents of four sons, Aaron, Benjamin, John R. and Milton. As a young man, John R. Kennedy came over into Indiana and settled at Metamora, where he opened a cooper shop and where he married and established his home. He was living there when the Civil War broke out and in 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company C. Sixty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until the close of the war, his period of service being but two days less than four years, and was mustered out with the rank of lieutenant. Upon the completion of his term of military service Mr. Kennedy resumed his cooperage business at Metamora, but cooperage timber presently becoming exhausted in that vicinity, in 1872 he located on a farm in the near vicinity of Blooming Grove, in that same county, and there was engaged in farming for some years, at the end of which time he sold his farm and moved to Blooming Grove, where he spent his last days, his death occurring there on June 9, 1912, he then being seventy-eight years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about eighteen months, her death having occurred in December, 1910, she then being sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of John L. Thomas, whose wife was a Rothrock, natives, respectively of Kentucky and of South Carolina, who had come to Indiana with their respective parents in the days of their youth, the two families settling in the Metamora neighborhood in Franklin county, where they were married and where they reared their family of three daughters, Mrs. Kennedy having had two sisters, Lucinda and Indiana. John R. Kennedy and his wife were very active and earnest members of the Methodist church, their home for years being noted as a stopping place for itinerant preachers of that denomination, and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: Edward W., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Emanuel P., of Blooming Grove, in the neighboring county of Franklin; Cora B., wife of W. L. White, also of Blooming Grove; Clifford M., of South Sharon, Pennsylvania, and John K., of Dunreith, this state.

Jasper L. Kennedy was but a child when his parents moved from Metamora to the farm near Blooming Grove and there he spent his boyhood, receiving his elementary schooling in the neighboring district school. He supplemented that course of schooling by a course in a private school and in a business college at Richmond, and then took up the trade of carriage blacksmithing and followed the same at Connersville until 1906, in which year he was elected to the office of county auditor. So acceptably did he perform the important duties of that office that he was re-elected in 1910 and served a second term of four years, thus serving the public in this capacity for a period of eight years, his term of service expiring on December 31, 1915. A few days later, on January 3, 1916, Mr. Kennedy engaged in the hardware and farm-implement business at Connersville, in partnership with C. S. Lewis, and has ever since been thus engaged, the firm doing business under the style of Kennedy & Lewis. Mr. Kennedy is also the head of the blacksmithing firm of Kennedy & Loper. Mr. Kennedy is a stanch Republican and has for years been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in this county. In addition to his public service rendered as auditor of Fayette county, he for eleven years served as a member of the board of trustees of the East Connersville schools.

On September 27, 1890, Jasper L. Kennedy was united in marriage to Cora B. King, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of William H. and Mary (Acre) King, natives of that same state, who are now living in East Connersville. William H. King served for four years as a Union soldier during the Civil War and he and his wife have three children, Mrs. Kennedy having a sister, Nettie, and a brother, J. Dillon King. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy two children have been born, Madge L. and Clyde C. The Kennedys are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Kennedy is a Mason, a member of Warren Lodge No. 15. Free and Accepted Masons, at Connersville. and is likewise a member of the local lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Miles K. Moffett, a well-known druggist at Connersville, former postmaster of that city, former clerk of the Fayette circuit court and for years actively identified with the commercial interests of his home town, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in Fairview township, September 21, 1860, son of John and Fannie J. (Hamilton) Moffett, the former a native of the state of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana, both now deceased, who were for years well-known among the old settlers of this county.

John Moffett was but two years of age when he came to Indiana with his parents, Thomas and Salome (Heller) Moffett, from Pennsylvania in 1822. Thomas Moffett entered a tract of "Congress land" in Fairview township, this county, and there established his home, one of the earliest settlers in that part of the county. He established the first grist-mill on Williams creek and also kept a general store there. He took an active part in the civic affairs of the county in early days, was a member of the board of county commissioners when the old court house was erected and also served for years as trustee of Fairview township and as a justice of the peace in and for that township. His wife died in 1865 and he survived her for some years, living to a ripe old age. Those of their children who grew to maturity, besides John, were Rachel, Thomas, Robert, William C., Jane and Sarah. It was on that pioneer farm in Fairview township that John Moffett grew to manhood and there he spent his last days, in addition to his farming being also actively engaged for years as a carpenter. He also took an active interest in local public affairs and for six years served the county as appraiser of real estate. John Moffett died on the home farm in 1874, he then being fifty-four years of age, and his widow survived him for nearly twenty years, her death occurring in 1892. She was born in this county, a daughter of George Hamilton and wife, pioneer settlers in Connersville township, whose last days were spent there, both living to advanced ages, George Hamilton living to the extraordinary age of ninety-six years. Besides Mrs. Moffett there were two sons of the Hamilton family who grew to maturity, Stephen and William Hamilton. John Moffett and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal .church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh in order of birth, the others being as follow: Oliver P., deceased; Almarinda, who married Philander Wymore and is now deceased; Nancy, who married Hiram Rees and is now deceased; Florence, who married Samuel M. Atherton and is now deceased; John E., deceased; George T., of Huntsville, Alabama, and Charles O., of Harrison township, this county.

Miles K. Moffett was reared on the home farm in Fairview township and received his elementary schooling in the district schools of that neighborhood, supplementing the same by a course in the Central Normal School at Danville, this state, after which for twelve years he was engaged in teaching school, spending his summers on the farm. He then was elected clerk of the Fayette county circuit court and was re-elected to that office, thus serving in that important capacity for eight years and at the end of that term of service was commissioned postmaster of Connersville, in which capacity he further served the public for a period of eight years. At the completion of his term of service as postmaster Mr. Moffett engaged in the drug business in Connersville, in 1910, and has ever since been thus engaged. Mr. Moffett is a Republican and has long been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in this county.

On May 4, 1886, Miles K. Moffett was united in marriage to Anna Hoak, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1865, daughter of Henry and Christina (Keen) Hoak, natives of that same state, who came to Indiana with their family in 1866 and settled in Hendricks county, where Henry Hoak, who was a school teacher, spent the rest of his life. His widow is still living. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Moffett having a brother, Benjamin M. Hoak. Mr. and Mrs. Moffett have two children, Claire, who married Mary Conoway and is assisting in the management of his father's drug store at Connersville, and Christine, who married Fred Leeds, of Connersville, and has one child, a son, Frederick M. The Moffetts are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active interest in the affairs of the same, Mr. Moffett being a member of the board of trustees of the local congregation. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Frederick C. Neal, of the firm of Neal & Stoll, plumbing and heating, at Connersville, and long recognized as one of the most enterprising business men in that city, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all of his life. He was born in the little Quaker village of Westfield, in Hamilton county, Indiana, March 20, 1867, son of the Rev. Jabez and Mary E. (Bowman) Neal, the former of whom was born in Texas and the latter in North Carolina, whose last days was spent in Noblesville, this state.

The Rev. Jabez Neal was an itinerant circuit-riding Methodist preacher, who continued active in the service of the church as long as he was able to do so. As a young man he came to Indiana from Texas and settled in Hamilton county, where he married Mary E. Bowman, daughter of Edwin W. Bowman and wife, who had come to Indiana from North Carolina and had settled on a farm in Hamilton county, where they spent the rest of their lives, both living to ripe old age. Edwin W. Bowman and wife were the parents of eight children, those besides Mrs. Neal being George W., Phoebe, Martha, Augusta, Emily, Anna and Alice. During the last twenty years of his life the Rev. Jabez Neal resided at Noblesville, to which city he had moved from Westfield, and there he died in 1896, at the age of eighty-one years. His widow survived him until 1915 and was eighty-four years of age at the time of her death.

Frederick C. Neal was about ten years of age when his parents moved from Westfield to Noblesville and in the latter city he completed his schooling. He early learned the plumbing trade and after awhile started in business for himself in that line in Noblesville, where he remained thus engaged until 1903, when he moved to Connersville and there formed a partnership with A. J. Stoll, in the plumbing and heating line, and has ever since been thus engaged, the firm doing business under the style of Neal & Stoll. This firm carries a large stock of goods in its line and has an extensive and growing business. Mr. Neal has other business connections in Connersville and is regarded as one of the public-spirited men of that city. He is a stockholder in the Central State Bank of Connersville and a member of the board of directors of the Fayette Savings and Loan Company. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office.

On December 29, 1897, Frederick C. Neal was united in marriage to Freda Stoll, who was born in Germany, March 18, 1875, daughter of John and Catherine (Sweikley) Stoll, natives of that same country, the former of whom died in the Fatherland, after which his widow and her four children came to this country and located at Connersville, where she still resides. Mrs. Neal has three brothers, John, Jacob and Adam Stoll. To Mr. and Mrs. Neal two children have been born, John F. and Arthur E. The Neals are members of the Presbyterian church, in the affairs of which they take a warm interest. Mr. Neal is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a Knight Templar, being affiliated with Warren Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons; with Maxwell Chapter No. 18, Royal Arch Masons; with Connersville Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar, at Connersville; with the Indianapolis consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and with Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the affairs of all these organizations takes an active interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Samuel O. McKennan, secretary of the Home Loan Association of Connersville and formerly and for years engaged in the drug business in that city, was born on a prairie farm six miles west of the village of Reynolds in White county, Indiana, August 27, 1854, son of Thomas A. and Anna (Fleeger) McKennan, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased.

Thomas A. McKennan was born and reared in Pennsylvania and there learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some time, in addition to farming, after he came to Indiana and settled as one of the pioneers in the prairie section of White county. He later moved to New Holland, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1884, he then being sixty-four years of age. His widow survived him for years, her death occurring in 1913, she then being seventy-nine years of age. Thomas A. McKennan and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder for many years, and their children were reared in that faith. There were fourteen of these children, seven sons and seven daughters, namely: Howard A., deceased; Edward M., of Garrett, Indiana; Elmira, who married David Earhart, of Indianapolis, and is now deceased; Samuel O., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Elda J., wife of V. N. Hinkle, of Decatur, Illinois; Altona V., wife of John Everson, of Peoria, Illinois ; Frank B., of Quincy, Illinois; James L., of Kinney, Illinois; Josie, wife of Samuel Keys, of Lincoln county, Illinois; Sylvia B., wife of George Warren, of Middletown, Illinois; Madge, who married John Colvin and died at Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Sylvester, of Chicago; Flora, wife of E. L. Prather, living near Chicago, Illinois, and Joseph T., of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Samuel O. McKennan was twenty-one years of age when his parents moved from Indiana to New Holland in Logan county, Illinois. In 1877 he engaged in the drug business at that place, remaining thus engaged in that town until 1892, when he returned to Indiana and engaged in the drug business at Connersville, opening a store in the McFarlan block, and was thus engaged there for nineteen years. During that time he was made secretary of the Home Loan Association of Connersville, a position which he still occupies and to the duties of which of late he has been devoting the whole of his attention, the expansion of the association's business in recent years requiring the constant attention of the secretary. Mr. McKennan is a Democrat and during his residence at New Holland served for four years as postmaster of that place, under appointment of President Cleveland, and also served for six years as clerk of his home township.

On March 25, 1880, Samuel O. McKennan was united in marriage, in Clinton county, Indiana, to Flora Lucas, who was born in that county on December 9, 1858, daughter of Clinton and Julia (Richey) Lucas, natives of Ohio, the former of whom died in 1864 and the latter of whom is still living and who were the parents of four children, those besides Mrs. McKennan having been John, Charles and Marm. The widow Lucas married, second1y, John Wainscott and to that union were born four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. McKennan have two sons, Roy C. and Jesse T. Roy C. McKennan is engaged in the manufacturing business in Connersville. He married Madge Kensler and has one child, a daughter, Jesse T. McKennan, who also is married, is a traveling salesman and makes his home in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. McKennan are members of the Presbyterian church at Connersville and Mr. McKennan has been chorister in the Sunday school of the same for twenty-three years. He is a member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias, of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the Modern Woodmen and of the Knights of the Maccabees and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Charles Moneyhon, president of the Connersville Lumber Company at Connersville and one of the best-known business men in that city, is a native of Kentucky, born on a farm in the immediate neighborhood of Augusta, that state, October 6, 1871, son of Alfred N. and Anna (Weimer) Moneyhon, both of whom were born in that same state and who are still living on their well-kept farm of two hundred and forty acres in the Augusta neighborhood.

Alfred N. Moneyhon is a son of Patterson and Elizabeth (Cabler) Moneyhon, natives of Kentucky, whose last days were spent in Bracken county, that state, and who were the parents of eight children, George W., William H., Alfred, Johnson, Hamilton, John, Henrietta and Lewis. Alfred N. Moneyhon married Anna Weimer, daughter of Lewis F. and Julia (Nichols) Weimer, the former a native of Germny and the latter of Kentucky, who were the parents of ten children, George, William, John, Louis, Frank, James, Elizabeth, Josephine, Eliza and Anna. Lewis F. Weimer was a miller. Alfred N. Moneyhon and wife are members of the Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were ten of these children, namely: Julia, unmarried, who has taught school in her old home district for twenty-six years; Charles, the subject of this biographical sketch; George, also of Connersville; Ada, who is at home with her parents; Lida, wife of George Cablish, of Charleston, West Virginia; Nicholas, of Bracken county, Kentucky; Edith and Edna (twins), the former of whom is a teacher in the schools of Covington, Kentucky, and the latter of whom is the wife of Granville Richards, of Pineville, Kentucky, and two who died in infancy.

Charles Moneyhon was reared on the paternal farm in Kentucky and completed his schooling in old Augusta College, from which he was graduated in 1888. For four years thereafter he remained on the home farm and he then engaged in the lumber business at Augusta, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the details of that business. In 1903 he was made the manager of the plant of the Connersville Lumber Company at Connersville and moved to that city, where he ever since has made his home. The year following his connection with that concern he bought an interest in the company and in 1906 became the president of the same, a concern capitalized at thirty thousand dollars, and is now occupying that position, long having been recognized as one of the leading lumbermen in this part of the state. Mr. Moneyhon also is a member of the hoard of directors of the Fayette Loan and Savings Association at Connersville and in other ways has displayed his interest in the general business affairs of the city. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been included in the office-seeking class.

On September 30, 1898, Charles Moneyhon was united in marriage to Anna Hanson who was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, daughter of Frank and Alice (Weldon) Hanson, also natives of that state, the latter of whom died at Augusta, Kentucky, in 1906, and the former of whom is still living, now making his home in Connersville. Frank Hanson is a son of John Hanson and wife, who died in Kentucky. Mrs. Moneyhon is the third in order of birth of the four children born to her parents, the others being Sarah, Florence and William. To Charles and Anna (Hanson) Moneyhon two sons have been born, Stanley and Charles, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Moneyhon and their elder son are members of the Christian church and take a warm interest in church work, Mr. Moneyhon being a deacon of the local congregation. He is a Mason, a member of Warren Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, and also of the Connersville lodge of the order of Knights of Pythias, and in the affairs of these organizations takes an active interest.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Dr. J. N. Whiteis (osteopath), who has been practicing his profession at Connersville since 1904, is a native of the state of Ohio, but has been a resident of this state ever since childhood, with the exception of some years spent in Missouri during the days of his youth. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, April 19, 1856, a son of Boyd and Jane Whiteis, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Wales. Boyd Whiteis was a bricklayer and after a sometime location in Ohio moved to Indiana and lived in Cass and Fulton counties for some years, at the end of which time he moved to Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life as a farmer.

J. N. Whiteis was but a child when his parents moved from Ohio to this state and his early schooling was received in the schools of Cass and Fulton counties. He completed his schooling in Missouri and there learned the trade of painter, which he followed for about thirty years. After the death of his father he had moved back to Indiana and was living in Connersville when, in 1901, he entered upon the study of osteopathy and entered the Columbia College of Osteopathy at Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1902. Upon receiving his degree Doctor Whiteis returned to Connersville and opened there an office for the practice of his profession. In 1905 he took a supplementary or post-graduate course in the Bennett School at Lima, Ohio, and was thus enabled to add some valuable additional electrical equipment to his office paraphernalia. Doctor Whiteis is one of the oldest practicing osteopaths in this part of the state and during his practice at Connersvilie has become widely known throughout this and adjoining counties, having built up an extensive practice.

In 1901 Doctor Whiteis married Emma Woodfield. He is independent in his political views and ever takes a warm interest in local civic affairs, but has not been a seeker after office.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917

Dr. H. W. Smelser, a well-known young physician of Connersville, was born on a farm not far northeast of Rushville, in the neighboring county of Rush, September 4, 1891, a son of J. F. and Ida (Bowles) Smelser, both members of old families in that community. Reared on the home farm in the vicinity of Rushville, he received his elementary schooling in the district schools of that neighborhood and then entered the high shoo1 at Connersville, from which he was graduated in 1910. He then entered Earlham College and some time later entered the University of Indiana. After two years spent in the liberal arts department of the university he took up the work in the medical college of the same and was graduated from that institution, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1915, he having previously, in 1914, received his Bachelor of Science degree.

Upon receiving his diploma Doctor Smelser was appointed an interne at the Deaconess Hospital at Indianapolis and after a year of valuable practice in that institution located, in 1916, at Connersville, where he since has been engaged in the practice of his profession. Doctor Smelser is a member of the college fraternities Phi Chi and Delta Upsilon and continues to take a warm interest in the affairs of the same. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian church. His wife is a member of the Methodist church.

It was on October 18, 1916, that Dr. H. W. Smelser was united in marriage to Frances Shera, a daughter of C. P. and Sallie (Bennett) Shera, of Laurel, Franklin county.

"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917