Mr. Taylor is a son of John (2) and Sarah (Brennemer) Taylor, the former of whom was born near Richmond, Va., and the latter in Alleghany county in the same State. The paternal grandfather’s name was also John and he lived and died in Virginia. His children were: Richard, who died in Virginia; John (2), father of Henry B.; Luda, William and Folly, who all three died in Virginia; and Susan, who never married. The parents both died before their children reached maturity.

John Taylor (2) was reared in Virginia and learned the carpenter’s trade there. Prior to his marriage he served in the war of 1812, marrying after its close. In 1828, after the birth of two of his children, he moved to Indiana, and entered 160 acres of land in White River township, Johnon county, and in addition, bought a small tract containing a cabin, in order to get a shelter for his family as soon as possible. In spite of malaria and drought, those enemies of the early Indiana settler, Mr. Taylor remained upon his farm, cleared and improved it, and was granted a long life of eighty-seven years, his death occurring Jan. 2, 1882. He had witnessed the development of the country and, while enduring the necessary hardships, had done his part toward improving agricultural conditions. At that time much of the land was swampy, and its draining was a very serious problem at that early date. He was obliged to haul his grain to Lawrenceburg and Madison, receiving then but fifty cents a bushel and paying $3 per barrel for salt, with other necessities in proportion. Mr. Taylor was a reliable, sensible farmer and a self-made man. Not having had any educational advantages, he learned by practical experience; and often, in later years, excited wonder by the facility with which he could calculate without the aid of pencil, so necessary to many school-bred men. Prior to coming to Indiana he set his face against intemperance, and refused to allow spirits of any kind to be brought into his home, although it was the general custom to imbibe very freely. After he settled in Indiana he was forced to meet with some opposition on the liquor question, for, while he was always ready to assist his neighbors in rolling logs and building cabins and served them faithfully in every neighborly way, he would never accept whiskey or tempt others with it. The time came when those who opposed his resolution the most respected him all the more, and as the years passed the custom of carousal at these neighborly gatherings about died out. Few men in the neighborhood could be more confidently called upon in family bereavements or trouble for his work never pressed him too hard, or his own affairs needed him too much, to prevent his going miles to help one in trouble, to care for the sick, or to assist in the burying of the dead. He was one of the men whose memory should ever be kept green in Johnson county. Mr. Taylor was a pillar in the Methodist Church, was a fluent talker and was a favorite class leader. He contributed as a Christian duty to its support, and he filled all the offices but pastor. Originally he was a Democrat in politics, but left the party on account of its attitude in regard to slavery.

Mrs. Taylor died Sept. 2, 1864. She was a daughter of John and Christina (Kesling) Brennemer, who came from Germany and settled first in Virginia, and in 1828 moved to Indiana. He operated a small grist-mill with water power. During the Revolution he served with the patriot army. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Both he and wife died in Indiana. Their family consisted of Sarah; Jacob; Anthony; Mary, Mrs. George Duke; Margaret, Mrs. William Dressler; and Charlotte, wife of Rev. J. L. Bramwell. Jacob and Anthony, with John Taylor and wife, Grandmother Smith, Kizzie Paul and Grandma Tresler, even faithful Christians, organized the first Methodist society in the neighborhood, which later developed into Shiloh Methodist church. The children of John Taylor and wife were: Albert K., who died in 1896; James O., who died at the age of seventeen years; John W., a Methodist minister, who died in 1888, aged fifty-five years; Sarah J., Mrs. Throckmorton; Henry B.; Martha L., who died in infancy; and William L., who was killed at the battle of Thompsons Station in 1863.

Henry B. Taylor remained under the parental roof until June, 1861, when he enlisted with Col. William Wheatley, of Indianapolis, in Company. B, 26th Ind. V. I., for three years. The first battle in which he was engaged was that at Newton, from which place the regiment wasmoved and took part in the battle of Prairie Grove. Here Mr. Taylor was wounded in three places a flesh wound through the calf of the et one on the top of the head, and by a musket ball and buck shot above the left knee, the ball being imbedded in the bone. He fell to the ground and lay on the battlefield from that afternoon until the next day, and when found had fallen asleep with weakness. He was taken to the Fayetteville hospital, where from Dec. 7, 1862, until May 20, 1863, his life was despaired of. While in this precarious condition he was taken prisoner, and in an ambulance was hauled to Springfield, Mo. There he was met by a brother who took him home. Many months passed before he recovered, and he was obliged to use crutches for a long time. Although he received an honorable discharge, he was never exchanged. Mr. Taylor has never recovered his complete strength and in recognition of his services, the Government awards him a pension.

Unable to work for a long time, Mr. Taylor remained at home, and after the death of his mother in November, 1864, he married and settled on the homestead and took care of his father until the latter’s death. By will John W. Taylor was left executor and administrator. Mr. Taylor rented his portion of the estate and moved to Franklin, where he lived two years in order to educate his children, but in 1884 returned to the farm. He served as assessor of the township and lived on the farm until 1892, when he moved to Mooresville and purchased eight acres of land adjoining the corporation. Here he has a comfortable residence and enough land to permit him to enjoy gardening and keep a few choice cattle in his pastures. He conducted a grocery business for about one year. Mr. Taylor has always been a Republican. In 1900 he was elected trustee of Brown township and he is filling this position with great credit. He has followed in the footsteps of his father in his faithfulness and usefulness in the Methodist Church, where he is steward. He was class leader in Banta, Johnson county.

Mr. Taylor married Miss Joanna McAlister, born in Jefferson county, Ind., in January, 1841, daughter of James A. and Freelove (Butterfield) McAlister, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of New York. The McAlisters moved to Jefferson and later to Morgan county, Ind., where they died. Mr. McAlister was an intelligent and enterprising man, was a school teacher, served as justice of the peace and was also a contractor. He assisted in the construction of the canal from Broad Ripple, and was a contractor in the construction of the old Madison Railroad from Franklin to Martinsville, and was well known in connection with public matters. He was a Whig in politics, later a Republican. For many years he was a worthy and active member of the Christian Church. His children were: Joanna, wife of Mr. Taylor; James, who died in Kentucky, a soldier in the 70th Ind. V. I.; Mary P., Mrs. McFarland Martha, Mrs. M. Wentz; George, of Arkansas; and a son who died in infancy. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are: James R., who died in 1888, aged twenty-one years; Viola, Mrs. W. H. Dolan; Sally T., Mrs. E. Dolan; and Luda , who died unmarried, at the age of twenty-four years. The family is all connected with the Methodist Church. Mr. Taylor belongs to the I. 0. 0. F. and to Post 278, G. A. R. This is the very incomplete record of a brave soldier, a most highly respected man and one of the leading and representative citizens of Johnson county.

ALBERT B. TAYLOR, one of the leading men of Pendleton, Ind., who is well-known in business circles throughout Madison county, was born Aug. 28, 1853, in Pendleton, son of Andrew B. Taylor.

Probably there is no family in Madison county more widely known or more thoroughly respected than that of Taylor, and a most worthy member of this family was Andrew B. Taylor, who later became so thoroughly identified with many of the successful business enterprises of this section. Coming on foot all the way from West Virginia he lived to see his signature honored all over the State, representing as it did large financial interests as well as sterling integrity. He was one of the founders of the present village of Pendleton, where he established the large milling business which has proved one of its great industries; founded a banking business and built the first bank; established one of the earliest tailor shops and was the first manufacturer of fine clothing here. He was the builder of the first large business block, which was erected at a cost of $14,000. For many years he was at the head of the great milling and elevator business of Andrew B. Taylor & Sons, was president of a company which owned the Huntsville mills and what is known as the Lower Mills. Personally Andrew B. Taylor was a man to attract attention in any congregation, standing six feet tall, straight as an arrow and weighing over 200 pounds. After the organization of the firm of Andrew B. Taylor & Sons Mr. Taylor continued actively in the business for five years longer. His death occurred in 1880.

Albert B. Taylor was reared at Pendleton, and after completing his education in the Pendleton high school, he went into business with his father and his two brothers, Jesse B. and Ulysses Grant Taylor, under the firm name of Andrew B. Taylor & Sons. The company was organized as a milling business, but also owned grain elevators and dealt in stock. This firm became one of the very large enterprises of the town. Albert B. Taylor was but twenty years old when he became a member of the firm, and he had a fine business training. In 1895 he became interested with other capitalists in founding the Pendleton Window Glass Company, which was incorporated a with a capital stock of $50,000, a large part of which stock Mr. Taylor owned. This was an outgrowth of the discovery of natural gas at Pendleton. There was no reason why this enterprise should not save succeeded at first, except that the initial promoters and managers were not practical glass men. The result was that the Pendleton stockholders were obliged to take charge of the business, and it was re-organized as the Pendleton Window Glass Works, with B. F. Ammon as president. Shortly after the re-organization Mr. Taylor became president, and under his excellent management the business has been entirely successful. The stock of the company is now at par, and the demand for the glass manufactured is constantly growing. On Jan. 1, 1880, Mr. Taylor was married to Hattie G. Gregg, at Franklin, Ohio, a member of an old Ohio family of that name. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children: Laverne, Alvion and Zella. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Republican, but takes no very active interest in public affairs. For the past thirty years he has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F., belonging to Lodge No. 88, Pendleton, in which he has passed all the chairs, including that of noble grand, and has represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge of the State.

W. C. VANCE. One of the prominent citizens of Noblesville, and present postmaster of that city, W. C. Vance, was born in Hamilton county, Ind., Oct. 9, 1842, son of Thomas C. and Sophia (Swaim) Vance.

Samuel Vance, grandfather of W. C., came from Randolph county, N. C., as a pioneer to Hamilton county, Ind., and, settling in Clay township, cleared a farm of eighty acres, which he improved with what were good buildings for that day. He had married, in North Carolina, Sarah Voss, and their children were: Thomas C., Wesley, Joseph, Green, David, Benjamin, Lewis, Mary and Sarah, all born in Hamilton county, Ind., except Thomas C., Wesley and Joseph. Samuel Vance was a member of the Christian Church, and was an old-line Whig in politics. His death occurred on his farm when he was in his fifty-fifth year.

Thomas C. Vance, father of our subject, was born in 1818, in Randolph county, N. C., and was ten years of age when he came to Hamilton county in 1828 with his parents. He grew up among the pioneers and received the usual pioneer education, after which he engaged in farming, and followed that occupation all of his life. He married, in Hamilton county, Sophia Swaim, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Mills) Swaim. Jesse Swaim was a pioneer of Washington county, Ind., having come from Randolph county, N. C., of Scotch-Irish stock, the Vance family’s descendants also being of this origin. The Swaim children were: Nathaniel, Alexander, Trougott, Joseph, Mariah, Sophia and Catherine. Mr. Swaim died at Salem, Washington county, Ind. Mrs. Swaim removed to Hamilton county, Ind., settling in Clay township late in life, and there she died.

Thomas C. Vance cleared his farm from the woods in Union township, Boone county, and made his 110 acres into a good, well-cultivated farm. He died here, aged fifty-two years, in 1870, leaving these children: W. C.; Ira Newton; Mariah and Frank, all born in Boone county except W. C. The mother died in 1894.

W. C. Vance was brought up among the pioneers. In his boyhood days the country was covered with heavy timber, and log cabins were the pioneer homes. He attended the primitive schools of the times, and when sixteen years of age went to Zionsville, to clerk in the Swaim Brothers’ store. They were his uncles, and he remained with them until 1861, when he enlisted at Zionsville, as a private of Company F, 10th Ind. V. I., for three years or during the war, under Capt. B. F. Gregroy. He served three years and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Sept. 19, 1864, on the expiration of his service. He participated in the battles of Mills Springs, Chickamauga, Perryville, and of the Atlanta campaign, among the latter being Peach Tree Creek, and all the skirmishes and battle & incident to that campaign up to the fall of Atlanta. He was struck in the right foot by a musket ball at the battle of Chickamauga, Saturday, Sept. 19, 1863, and was sent to the hospital from Corinth, Miss., and was in the hospital at Newburg one week. He was always an active soldier and did his full duty as such.

After the war Mr. Vance returned to Zionsville, and engaged in general merchandising with Joseph Swaim. There he remained one year, after which he went to Northfield, where, in company with his brother, Ira, he continued in the merchandise business for two years. He bought out his partner’s interest and remained at this stand for the next five years, when he sold out, removing to Eagletown, Hamilton county. Here he engaged in a mercantile business for seven years, and his next venture was in the agricultural line, he purchasing ninety acres in Noblesville township. He added twenty acres to his farm, which he improved, but later he sold out and engaged in a grocery business in Noblesville. From 1884 to 1892 he continued this business, and in the latter year went back to farming, at which he continued for two years. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster at Noblesville by President McKinley, was re-appointed by President Roosevelt, and has not only proved an efficient official, but has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen by his courtesy and good business qualifications.

Mr. Vance was married July 4, 1865, in Lebanon, Boone county, Ind., to Elizabeth J. Halstead, born in Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of Joseph Halstead, who was a miller of Brown county, Ohio. Mr. Halstead made a trip to California by the way of the Isthmus, and was killed in the gold mines by the fall of a tree. His children were: Asa, Alanson, Joseph, James W., Peter, Elizabeth, Julia and William. In politics Mr. Vance is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was a member of the city council of Noblesville from the First ward for five years. He is a member fraternally of the Masonic order, Noblesville Lodge; of the K. of P., Bernice Lodge, No. 120, of which latter he was first treasurer and a charter member; and of Lookout Post, No. 133, G. A. R., of which he was at one time commander. He and his wife have had children as follows: Lou; Nellie, who died at the age of thirteen years; Carl; Anna; Rolla, and Lola. Mr. Vance is a representative citizen; his record shows his true worth. He was a good, faithful soldier during the Civil war, and has proved himself to be just as good and as useful a man in times of peace.

WACHTELL. The Wachtell family, originally from Germany, where the name, spelled Vactel, is a very numerous one, is one of the old and honored families of this country, and members thereof have been prominent in every walk of life. Theodore Wachtel, one of the world’s greatest tenors, who was a member of this family, was born March 10, 1823, in Hamburg, Germany, and died in Berlin, Nov. 14, 1893. His first important appearance outside of his own country occurred in London in 1862, after which he made many successful tours. He first appeared in the United States at the New York Stadt theatre in 1871, and again in 1875. He possessed a voice of remarkable volume and range, which owing to the perfection of the methods of his training permitted the most exacting demands made upon it.

By those best informed on the subject it is believed that the founder of the Wachtell family came to America in early Colonial family and first settled in Pennsylvania. Jonathan Wachtell, the first of the name of whom we have an authentic record, was born March 5, 1797, in Pennsylvania, the son of a farmer, and it is known that in this family there were two sons and several daughters who married. Jonathan Wachtell was first an agriculturist, and settled on land near Hagerstown, Md. He married Jan. 10, 1826, in that State, Permelia Baxter, born in Maryland, Sept. 29, 1805, and here they resided for several years. Between 1833 and 1835 Jonathan Wachtell removed to Ohio with his family, which then consisted of his wife and four children. His daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Walling, remembers that when she was a little girl she heard her mother say that "Jonathan was not satisfied with farming in Maryland, and thought that money grew on the trees in Ohio, but found no more there than in Maryland." Mrs. Walling does not remember the journey to Ohio, as she was born in 1832, in Maryland, her brother Henry being born in July, 1835, in Ohio, but her mother afterward told her "she cried when a stop was made and wanted to ride further." The journey was made with horses and wagons, the family being six weeks on the way. Mr. Wachtell bought a partly improved farm near Springfield, Ohio, to which city Mrs. Walling remembers being taken for treatment during sickness when a child. When she was seven years old, in 1839, the family removed to Muncie, the journey being made with a two-horse wagon and stops being made at the homes of the settlers on the way. On arrival in Muncie the family settled temporarily in a log house on Washington street, near High, in which they lived but a few days, Mr. Wachtell buying a new brick, one-story house on Main and Cherry streets, which was erected by Minus Turner in 1836, and a photograph of which is still preserved. Here Mr. Wachtell resided until his death, March 18, 1850. Jonathan Wachtell was a chair manufacturer in Muncie for some years and became a substantial citizen, investing his means in real estate in Muncie, among his properties being ten acres of land on the southwest side of the old town of Muncie which is now within the corporation. He also owned the lot on Main street where the Merchant’s Bank now stands. He was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian Church in Muncie and one of its first deacons, holding that office many years. In political opinions he was an old-fashioned Jeffersonian Democrat. He was a man of high character and much respected as a citizen of the city. He was one of the pioneers and early manufacturers of the old town, was a very reliable man and reared an excellent family. He died March 18 1850, aged fifty-three years, thirteen days; and his wife died Jan. 17, 1892, aged eighty-six years, three months, nineteen days. The following are correct records from the family Bible:

To Jonathan Wachtell and his wife, Permelia Baxter, were born the following children: Eveline, born Oct. 29, 1826; John Adam, May 16, 1828; Andrew Jackson, Feb. 27, 1830; Elizabeth, Feb. 27, 1832, in Maryland; Henry, born July 10, 1835, in Ohio, died Oct. 3, 1866, aged thirty-one years, two months, twenty-three days; Calvin, Dec. 1, 1837, near Springfield, Ohio. Eveline Wachtell married William Barnes, Jan. 6, 1842, and died March 1 1903, aged seventy-six years, four months; Elizabeth J. married Joseph Walling, Sept. 19, 1848; John A. married Nov. 7, 1848, Chalista A. Sayre; and Andrew Jackson married Eliza M. Neely, Nov. 10 1856, and died May 11 1905, aged seventy-five years, two months, thirteen days.

The Christian name of the father of Permelia Baxter is not known to this branch of the family, but his wife is remembered by Mrs. Joseph Walling to have been Jane Kelley. Permelia Baxter had three brothers and one sister: James, George, Samuel and Harriet, the latter of whom married a Mr. Peterman. Samuel Baxter settled in Lima, Ohio, and is now deceased, his sons being: Alfred and Dr. Samuel, the latter a prominent physician of Lima. The surname Baxter is from Baxter, Middle English; Bakster, Anglo-Saxon; Baecestre, baker. Among the Baxters of distinction were Andrew Baxter born at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1686 died at Whittingham, near Edinburgh, April 23, 1750, a Scotch metaphysician; Richard Baxter, born at Bowton, Shropshire, England, Nov. 12, 1615, died in London, Dec. 8, 1691, a noted English nonconformist divine, who in 1645 became chaplain of Cromwell’s army. He was the author of several well-known religious works, among which was the famous "The Saint’s Everlasting Rest." Allibone in his "Dictionary of Authors," gives fifteen of the name; the name has been given to five postoffices in the United States, and six Baxters had graduated from Harvard College by 1815. The Baxters are a numerous and powerful family in the United States, whither they came on the foundation of the New England Colonies, as well as the Maryland Colony and those of Virginia and Carolina. The earliest record is of Gregory Baxter, who settled in Roxbury, Mass., 1630, from whom a prominent family descends. Another line descends from Daniel Baxter, of Salem, Mass., 1639.

Richard Baxter was a settler at Hingham, Mass., in 1638, and the records of the Newberry Library, Chicago, show that ten Baxters had settled in New England prior to 1675. The founder of the Maryland branch of the family, A. Baxter, fled from Ireland to Maryland for safety, having participated in a Rebellion there. His wife, with her son Arthur, followed him later. Rev. Richard Baxter, author of "Baxter’s Call," was of this family. The founder of the North Carolina branch Was William Baxter, of Ireland, who emigrated in 1789. Nathan Baxter, of Delaware county, N. Y., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, as was Elihu Baxter. Charles Baxter, born in New York City in 1813, was a soldier in the Mexican war. Baxter street, New York City; was named for him. George H. Baxter, born in 1771 who died in 1841, was the eighth president of Hampton and Sidney College, Virginia.

Calvin S. Wachtell, one of the respected citizens and substantial business men of Muncie, was born Dec. 1 1837, in Springfield, Ohio, and was but two years old when he was brought by his parents to Muncie. He attended the common schools until he reached his twelfth year, and his father dying, when thirteen he became a clerk in the store of his brother John. He remained with his brother until he was about twenty years old, and then learned the harness maker’s trade in Muncie, which he followed until 1874, one year of which time, in 1862, he worked in Chicago, making harness for the United States Government. He was married May 6, 1862, in Muncie, to Susan L. Anderson, daughter of William Wallace and Jannetta S. (Murray) Anderson, and to this union there was born one son, Frank L., July 5, 1863. Frank L. Wachtell was educated in the high school at Muncie, from which he was graduated and then took a business course in a commercial college in the city, later becoming a bookkeeper in the mercantile establishment of Charles Winters at Hartford City, Ind. For many years, however, he has been connected with his father in business. He married Leonora Deitch of Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of Col. Philip and Jane (Johnson) Deitch, the former an officer in the Civil war, and for many years chief of police of Cincinnati.

Calvin S. Wachtell was elected city clerk of Muncie in 1874, and held this office until 1886. In 1879 he engaged in the harness business in company with Cyrus Tyner, under the firm name of Wachtell & Tyner, and two years later bought out his partner’s interest, taking his son, Frank L., into the firm. This firm has prospered greatly, and some years since established a general business, now conducting a regular department store. Mr. Calvin S. Wachtell has invested largely in real estate, building a pleasant residence of modern style of architecture on Washington street and the business block where his enterprise is located. He has also built and owns twenty dwellings in Muncie, and has done his share in the building up of the city. In political faith he is a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and for every Republican candidate for the Presidency since that time. He was one of the founders of the People’s Bank, in which he is a large stockholder, and some years ago was largely interested in zinc mines in Southwest Missouri, being president of the Big Circle Mine Company, which was a very successful enterprise. Fraternally Mr. Wachtell is connected with the I. O. O. F.

William Wallace Anderson, father of Mrs. Wachtell, was a farmer of Augusta county, Va., owning a firm which he sold for $4,000. This farm had been originally settled by his father, and the old two-story brick house, built by the latter and in which he died, still stands. Mrs. Wachtell left the old home, when she was between seven and eight years old. Her grandmother Anderson was then living with her son, George Anderson, but came with her son William W. to Indiana. George Anderson was a slaveholder, but William W. did not believe in that institution. The journey to Indiana was made in a big, covered Conestoga wagon, drawn by three horses, while the family rode in a one-horse carriage, although when tired the children would change to the wagon. The bedding and cooking utensils, carpets, etc., were carried in the wagon, and at night the family camped by the roadside, or, when the friendly hospitality of the settlers was received, in some shelter. They crossed the Ohio river near the mouth of the Miami on a ferry boat, and made their way in a leisurely manner to Indiana. The following records are from the family Bible of William Wallace Anderson, and are correct:

William Wallace Anderson, born Feb. 21, 1813, in Augusta county, Va., five miles from Staunton; Jannetta S. (Murray) Anderson, wife of William Wallace, was born June 12, 1816 Esther Frances Anderson, born July 16 1837; Susan L., born Feb. 14, 1840; Alexander H., born March 14, 1842; Dorcas V., born June 19, 1844; and Martha Ann W., born in 1848. William Wallace Anderson and Jannetta S. Murray were married April 21, 1836. William Wallace Anderson died March 4, 1848, aged thirty-five years, twelve days; Esther Frances Anderson, daughter of William W., died Sept. 27, 1856, aged nineteen years, two months, eleven days; Jannetta S. (Murray) Anderson died May 25, 1876, in Muncie.