Tobin Township
Perry County, Indiana

ANDREW ACK ARM AN, a pioneer of Perry County, is a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., where he was born in Hardinsburg, February 7, 1812. He is one of a family of five boys and three girls, born to the marriage of Andrew Ackarman and Maria Reinhart, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was a tanner, came to the United States in his youth, and located in Kentucky, whence he came, in 1822, to this county, where at the time of his death he owned several hundred acres of land. He died in the fall of 1846, and his wife followed him in the spring of 1848. The subject of this sketch remained at home, working on the farm, and assisting in a tannery, which his father operated, until he was thirty years of age. About 1838 he entered 120 acres in Section 35, Tobin Township, and after his marriage located upon it, where he lived for two years. He then sold out and bought the farm where he has since resided. December 29, 1844 he married Ruth Carr, a daughter of Eli and Rachel A. Carr, by whom he is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living. They are Hiram C., Eli C., Andrew J., Henry C., Hugh, Mary B. (wife of K. Deweese) and Rachel A. (wife of William Cunningham). Eli and Hugh are in the hardware business in Kansas, and the others are living at or near home. Mr. Ackarman is a man of sterling qualities, and is highly esteemed by the community in which he has so long lived.

HIRAM C. ACKARMAN, a prominent farmer of Perry County, was born in this county November 18, 1845. He is the oldest child of Andrew Ackarman, whose sketch appears in this work. He received a common school education, and worked at home until becoming of age, when he rented 200 acres of land of Hiram Carr, and began farming for himself. He met with reverses in this business, and lost a large amount of money. He therefore abandoned farming, and followed other pursuits, clerking in a mill and flat-boating until his marriage, which occurred April 4, 1869. He chose for a wife Catharine Tobin, a native of the county, by whom he is the father of six children: Maud, Claude, Esther, Edna, Jennie and Kate. After marriage he bought the farm upon which he has since resided. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

HENRY C. ACKARMAN, a farmer of Tobin Township, is a native of the county, born August 18, 1854. He is the fourth son of Andrew Ackarman (see sketch). He remained at home until September, 1875, when he went to Arkansas, and engaged in cutting timber and rafting it down the White and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, meeting with very good success. He was employed in this business about a year, and then returned home. December 15, 1878, he was united in marriage with Clara A. Reynolds, a native of the county, and located on a farm of 317 acres, on Sections 5 and 8, Tobin Township, where he has since lived. In March, 1883, he bought a one-half interest in a general merchandise store at Rome, which he still owns. The firm is known as Reynolds & Ackarman. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the rising young men of the country. He has two children: Raymond R. and Alma C.

FREEMAN ADAMS, was born in the county, February 7, 1823, and is the third son in a family of five sons and four daughters born to the marriage of Peter Adams and Nancy Rains, both natives of Kentucky. They came to Perry County soon after their marriage, and located in Polk’s Bottom, Tobin Township. Our subject remained at home until he was seventeen years old, when he began flat-boating on the river, which he continued at intervals for ten or twelve years. July 16, 1848, he married Bathsheba Lamb, a native of the county, and located on a farm in Polk’s Bottom, where he lived for several years. He then went to Cloverport, Ky., where he resided for three years, after which he returned to Perry County, and bought the farm where he has since resided. Mr. Adams is an industrious, hard-working man, and is highly respected by the community in which he lives. He is the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living. They are Ann (wife of James Harris), Susan (wife of David Isom), Margaret (wife of W. J. Tate), Albert, Nancy, Grant, Dora and Aurora.

JEROME B. ANSON, mechanic and farmer, was born in Rome, Perry Co., Ind. October 7, 1820. He is a son of Montgomery Anson, a native of Quebec, who came to Perry County about 1819, and located on Bear Creek where he remained about fifteen years. He then went to Union Star, Ky., where he remained until his death which occurred April 24, 1854. He married Sylvia Little, a native of Ohio by whom he was the father of seven children. She died July 17, 1849; Jerome B. Anson received but little education in youth. At the age of fourteen he left home and hired out as a hand on a flat-boat, continuing for about three years, when he abandoned the river and learned the carpenter’s trade. May 27, 1846, he wedded Lavina Cummings, a daughter of Eli Cummings, and about the same time began the study of law. He practiced the profession at Rome for about fifteen years, but when the county seat was removed to Cannelton he gave up the law and bought the Waterbury Mill on Poison Creek. After operating the mill for about ten years he sold it and bought the farm where he has since resided. In 1880 he erected a saw-mill with a small grist-mill attached, and now operates them in addition to his other business. Mr. Anson is a skillful mechanic and built his mills, and put in the machinery without any assistance. He is the Sither of ten children, only two of whom William F. and Henry C. are living. In politics he has always been a Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk.

JOHN BARGER, an old resident of the county was born in Breckenrige County, Ky., June 2, 1812, and is one of twelve children born to George Barger and Susan Shelman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father who was a farmer lived in his native county at the time of his marriage, and did not remove to Perry County till about l*37. His wife died in 1846, and after his second marriage he removed to Missouri where he died about 1859. John remained at home working for his father until he was twenty-six years old, when, in company with his brother Andrew, he bought the home farm and commenced his career as a farmer for himself. He and his brother worked together about four years when he sold his interest to Andrew, and came to this county where he bought the farm upon which he has since resided. August 6, 1818, he wedded Lavica Davis, a native of Spencer County, Ind., who died February 11, 1868, having borne him nine children, seven of whom are living. They are Mary L., now Mrs. Eli Cronin, William D., Levi S., Daniel W., John F., Winfield S. and America J., the last two of whom are at home. In connection with farming Mr. Barger operated a sawmill on Deer Creek for about ten years. Beside his home trade he shipped large amounts of lumber to New Orleans. He has been financially successful, and now owns 520 acres of good land.

JAMES BOYLE, an early settler of Tobin Township, came to the United States with his parents from Ayrshire, Scotland in 1819. They located on a farm in Dearborn County where the father died in the summer of 1839. He was a man of much enterprise and business ability, and at his death was the owner of upward of 500 acres of land. He married Anna Belle Archibald, and reared a family of nine children. James Boyle was born June 3, 1813, and was therefore about five years old when his parents came to America. He remained at home working on the farm until attaining his majority, after which he followed blacksmithing and flat-boating for about four years. He then, in 1838, came to Perry County, and in company with his brother Hugh bought ninetyone acres of land upon which he has since resided. At the end of three years he bought his brother’s interest, and has since added to it until he now has a farm of 251 acres. In June 1840 he was united in marriage with Ursula York, a native of Nelson County, Ky., who died December 25, 1858, having borne him a family of nine children, five of whom are living. They are Jane (now Mrs. John S. Hargis), Mary, Jennette (wife of James S. Mitchell), Syntha A. (wife of George H. Mitchell), and David A. Mr. Boyle has never remarried, but since the death of his wife has lived with his children. In politics he is a Republican, and prior to the formation of that party was a Whig, having cast his first ballot for John Q. Adams.

DAVID A. BOYLE, an enterprising farmer of Tobin Township, was born in this county January 16. 1855, and is one of ten children in the family of James and Ursula (York) Boyle, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Perry County. David A. was reared at home and received a good English education, having attended the academy at Rome and at Patriot, Switzerland County. At the age of seventeen he entered the teacher’s profession, and has taught eleven winter terms, all but one of which have been in this’ county. March 10,1875, he married Sarah M. Groves, a daughter of Jacob Groves, after which he rented and worked his father’s farm for two years. In 1877 he moved to Sumner County, Kas., and entered 160 acres of land, upon which he erected a house. Owing to the delicate health of his wife in their new home, he returned to his native county at the end of two years, and bought the farm upon which he has since resided. Mr. Boyle is an active, energetic farmer, and fully up with the modern ideas of agriculture. He is the father of six children, only two of whom, James K. and Ansel B. are now living.

ELIAS BREWER, a prominent farmer of Tobin Township, came to Indiana from his native State, the ” Old Dominion,” with his parents when he was a lad of about six summers. They located in Jennings County, and he remained at home until he was seventeen years of age. He then began flat-boating, and continued with good success for upward of twenty-one years. In 1858 he came to Perry County, and bought the farm upon which he has since resided. June 9, 1842, he married Mary Cox. a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and to them have been born nine children. Those now living are Jacob J., Catharine A., wife of John McGinty, Adaline, wife of Samuel Bryant, James H., George McClellan, and Sarah F., wife of John C. Chatfield. Mr. Brewer was born April 4, 1818, being one of a family of six sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Jacob J. Brewer and Anna Wilson, the former a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and the latter of Virginia. They were married in the latter State and came to Jennings County, Ind., about 1824. The mother died in the fall of 1865, and the father the following spring.

JOSEPH D. BRASHEAR, a farmer of Tobin Township, was born in the county July 30, 1850. He is a son of Joseph Brashear, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., who began life as a clerk in a store, but in after years followed farming. He married Emily J. Hildwine, a native of Clark County, Ind., and located on Section 12, Tobin Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred on July 11, 1854. His widow is still living at the old homestead with her son. They had a family of two sons and two daughters. Joseph D. received a common school education, and at the age of fourteen he assumed charge of the farm, his father having died when he was only about four years old. He has ever since worked and managed the farm with good success. He is energetic and enterprising, and stands high in the estimation of the community in which he lives. December 23, 1877, he married Mary M. Hyde, a native of Perry County. They have two children, Linie L. and Mannie M. Politically Mr. Brashear is a Democrat.

JOHN CARR, one of the leading farmers of Tobin Township, was born in Perry County, Ind., April 18, 1831. Hiram Carr, his father, who was a native of Kentucky, came to Perry County a few years after his marriage, and bought a farm in Tobin Township. He married Delila Claycomb, who bore him a family of three sons and three daughters. He died in October, 1837, and his widow on the day following. Thus, at the age of six years the subject of this sketch was left to grow to manhood without a mother’s love or a father’s care and guidance. He went to live with Pryor Trenary, with whbm he remained for twelve years. September 11,1849, he married Dorotha A. Foster, a native of Hardin County, Ky., after which he bought seventy acres of land, where he has since resided, and to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns 575 acres. In 1883 he opened a general merchandise store which he still conducts. Mr. Carr began life without a dollar, but by his enterprise and energy, has placed himself in the front rank of the farmers of the county. Of the seven children born to him six are now living. They are Mary E. (wife of John VV. Trainer), Hiram T., Delila (wife of Robert Connor), Eliza, Dorotha A. and William H. Louis died when three years of age. In politics Mr. Carr was formerly a Whig, but since its organization has been identified with the Republican party.

JOHN D. COCKRELL was born June 16, 1843, in this county, the son of Casper and Eliza (Kyler) Cockrell, parents of three girls and one boy. Both parents were natives of the Buckeye State. The father lived in Rome for a time, then followed farming in Polk’s Bottom, and at the time of his death, August 10, 1883, owned 425 acres of land there. He was an excellent financier, an industrious, honest man, and an esteemed citizen. The mother is yet living at the age of seventy. John D. was reared a farmer with rudimentary education. July 1861 he enlisted in Company D, First Indiana Cavalry, and participated in the engagements of Fredericktown, Round Hill, Helena, Clarington, Pine Bluffs and others of less note. . He was honorably discharged September, 1864. December 25, 1866, he married Anna M., daughter of James H. L. Winchel. Two children, Herbert W. and Everett W. were born to these parents. Mr. Cockrell owns a fine farm, well improved and stocked. His new residence, built in 1884, is the finest in the bottom. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

JOHN CODY was born in Thibadeauxville, La., January 1, 1845, and is one of seven children in the family of John and Mary (English) Cody, both natives of Ireland. The father, who was a book-keeper and merchant, came when a young man to the United States, and located in Cincinnati, where he was married, and worked as a book-keeper for about ten years. He then went to Louisiana, where he kept a hotel, and was contractor for building a levee along the Mississippi. Owing to the failure of his health, he came North and located at Leopold in this county where he bought a farm, and for a short time also ran a general merchandise store. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his mother until he was twenty-five years old. At the age of twenty-two, he entered the teacher’s profession, and has taught continuously for eighteen winters, always meeting with good success. May 13, 1875, he married Emma Whitmarsh, by whom he is the father of seven children. Those now living are Edna Lillian, Emma Belle, John Floyd, and an infant. He is now living on a farm in Tobin Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

JOHN TIPTON CONNOR, one of the early pioneers of Perry County, is one of a family of two boys and four girls born to Samuel and Nancy (Hyde) Connor. His father who had been previously married in Breckenridge County, Ky., came to Perry County, Ind., in 1806, and bought a farm in Tobin Township. About 181’^ his wife died and he married the mother of our subject the following year. He was engaged in farming in the county until his death, with the exception of four years, when he was employed in mercantile pursuits at Rome and Troy. For a number of years he was a member of the Territorial Legislature, and was one of the leading men in this part of the State. He died in 1864. His widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years. John T. was reared at home, receiving only a limited education in youth. September 5, 1848, he married Sarah M. Robinson, a native of the county, and located on land given him by his father near Rome, where he has since resided. For a number of years he also had a one-half interest in a general merchandise store at Rome, and in a tannery near that place. February 20, 1873, Mrs. Connor died leaving a family of six children, Lucy F. (wife of Joshua H. Groves), Orval E., Eva G. (wife of Clarence Wheeler), Albert R., Ellen I. and Mabel L. October 23, 1882, Mr. Connor was married to Mrs. Kate Parker, a native of Harrison County, Ind. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is very liberal, but is inclined to accept the principles of the Republican party.

ABRAHAM CRIST, a native of Perry County, was born December 12, 1844, and is one of a family of seven sons and three daughters born to Hiram and Louisa (Hiley) Crist, also natives of this county, where they passed their lives upon a farm in Tobin Township. The mother died about 1855 and the father May 9, 1871. Abraham was reared at home and received a common school education. While yet a boy only seventeen years old, he enlisted, July 28,1862, in Company M, Eighth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry. He participated in numerous skirmishes, but his principal duty was in guarding forts. September 17, 1863, owing to ill-health, he was discharged at Lebanon, Ky., and he returned home. He soon recuperated sufficiently to re-enter the service, which he did, by enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, February 15, 1865. He served with this regiment until discharged August 5, of the same year. September 30, 1866, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Mosby, a daughter of Charles A. and Jane Mosby. He has since been engaged in farming in Tobin Township. In 1874 he bought fifty-three acres upon which he now resides, and to which he has added eighty acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Universalist Church, of which his wife is also a member. He has two children now living: Charles Albert and Eva May.

URIAH CUMMINGS, a son of Uriah Cummings (see sketch of Isaiah Cummings), was born in Perry County, Ind., July 24, 1814. He was reared at home, receiving only a limited education in youth. At the death of his father he assumed control of the home farm, buying the shares of the remaining heirs to the estate. April 17, 1832, he married Mary Ramsey, who died October 24, 1840, having borne him four children, only one of whom is now living. April 29, 1841, he was joined in marriage with Maria Sandage, a daughter of Thomas Sandage, and to their union were born ten children. Two, Margaret M. (wife of Allen Groves), and Alexander W., are now living. Mrs. Cummings died December 29, 1880, and he chose for his third wife Ellen (Yates) Stevens, whom he wedded August 23, 1881. Mr. Cummings has passed his entire life upon the same farm. He is known throughout the township as an honest, upright man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and his wife of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was formerly a Whig.

ISAIAH CUMMINGS, one of the native pioneers of Perry County, was born February 19, 1823. He is one of a family of four sons and seven daughters born to the marriage of Uriah Cummings and Sarah Lanman, both of whom were natives of the ” Old Dominion.” The father, when a youth, removed to Kentucky, where he married, and in 180y or 1810 came to this county. He located on land entered by his father, Thomas Cummings, which is now known as Cummings’ Bottom. About 1815 he built a saw and grist-mill on Poison Creek, known as Cummings’ Mill, which he conducted until about 1829, when he returned to his farm and erected a store. This business he conducted until his death, which occurred July 30, 1831. When the county seat was removed from Troy to Rome he gave forty acres of land to the county upon which to erect the public buildings, with the condition that the land should revert to his heirs when the latter place ceased to be the county seat. Upon the removal of the county seat to Cannelton the heirs claimed the property, but by some technicality their claim was defeated. Isaiah Cummings remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he began the battle of life. He followed flat-boating, and worked on a farm for several years, and in 1847 taught a term of school. In May, 1846, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers for the Mexican war, but before they reached the scene of hostilities the Rio Grande campaign was at an end, and the greater part of the regiment returned home. March 22, 1849, he married Nancy Butler, a daughter of Abel Butler, and located upon land previously purchased, where he has since resided. He now owns a farm of 140 acres of good land. February 20, 1870, his wife died, having borne him fourteen children, six of whom are living. They are William B., Isaiah, Ira G., James L., Julia F. (now Mrs. Henry Shoemaker), and Savannah J. (now Mrs. Samuel Hargis). May 20, 1873, he was married to Sarah (Elder) Bullard, a native of Perry County. Politically, Mr. Cummings is a Republican, and previous to the formation of that party was a Whig, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Universalist Church. His wife is a Catholic.

JACOB DAUM, a native of Prussia, was born March 18, 1841, being a son of George Daum (see sketch of Charles Daum). When he was two years old his parents came to America, and he remained at home with them until reaching his majority. After his marriage he bought eighty acres of land on Section 21, Tobin Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Daum is an energetic, industrious farmer, and is highly respected by the community in which he lives. In politics he is very liberal, always voting for principle rather than party, although he is inclined to favor the Democratic ideas. December 13, 1861, he was united in marriage with Catharine Petersohn, a daughter of Henry and Catharine Petersohn. Their union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are now living. They are Catharine Elizabeth, Margaret (now Mrs. Henry Sumner), Eliza, Lema, Henry J., John Frederick and Mary Ann.

CHARLES DAUM, one of the enterprising citizens of Tobin Township, is a native of Perry County, born November 11, 1851. He is the fourth son in a family of seven sons and three daughters born to George and Elizabeth Daum, both of whom were natives of Prussia. In 1841 they came to the United States and located near Rome, Perry Co., Ind., where they bought a farm of forty acres. The father, who was a shoemaker, worked at his trade in connection with farming for about fifteen years, when he sold that farm and bought the one upon which they now reside. Charles remained at home until he was nineteen years old, when, in 1870, he went to Rome and served a two years’ apprenticeship to a blacksmith. After working one year at Tobinsport he built a shop on his father’s farm, and began work on his own responsibility, which he continued with good success for nine years. He has since, with the exception of one year, been engaged in farming on land which he bought in 1877, and where he now lives. June 30, 1875, he was united in marriage with Louisa Feix, a native of Cannelton, Ind. Four children are the fruits of this union, three of whom, Henry W., Anna E. and Dora D., are living. Both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

STEWARD T. FINCH was born in Perry County, Ind., December 26, 1826, and is the fourth son of a family of seven sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Phillip and Elizabeth (Claycomb) Finch (see sketch of Abraham Finch). Steward T. was reared at home, receiving a common school education. He worked on the farm for his father until attaining his majority, with the exception of a short time when he was employed as a clerk in a store at Cloverport, Ky. In 1848 he entered the teacher’s profession, teaching three years with good success. January 9,1851, he was married to Zerelda Tobin, a native of the county, and who bore him two children, Phillip T., and John, both deceased. After marriage he located on a farm in Tobin Township, and four years later removed to the homestead farm with his mother, where he has since resided, with the exception of a few months in 1876, when he lived in New Madrid, Mo. In 1863 he again began teaching, and taught four terms with his former good success. May 24, 1854, Mrs. Finch died, after which he lived with his sister and mother, until the latter’s death. He now lives with a tenant. In politics he is a Democrat, and is highly respected as an industrious farmer, and a good neighbor.

ABRAHAM FINCH, a pioneer farmer, was born in this county January 13, 1830. He is a son of Phillip Finch, who followed the business of farming all his life. The latter was born in Kentucky, but at the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Claycomb, was a resident of Perry County. He bought a farm of 110 acres in Tobin Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 30, 1850. His widow survived him more than twenty years, having died March 7, 1873. Abraham received a common school education in youth, and remained at home taking care of his mother for several years after his father’s death. January 4,1866, he married Roxanna (Tobin) England, a native of the county. He then located on the home farm which, in company with hia brother, he bought. In 1873 he built a dwelling on land inherited by his wife where he has since resided. December 31, 1883, his house with all its contents was burned, and in the summer of 1884 he erected his present handsome residence. Both Mr. Finch and wife are members of the Methodist Church. James S. England, a son of his wife, was married July 31, 1879, to Grace McCollum, of Cannelton, and now lives on the same tract of land as our subject, but in an adjoining house.

MARTIN FRANK was born June 16, 1834, in Harrison County, Ind., and is the fifth son of a family of eight boys and three girls of George and Catharine (Hardsan) Frank, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of North Carolina. His father followed farming as an occupation, and left his native home when a young man, and went to Harrison County, where he was married when in his twenties. He entered 500 acres in the last named county. He remained there until his death, which occurred May, 1852, in his sixty-first year. The mother died January 11, 1819, in her fiftieth year. The subject of our sketch was reared at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he left and commenced for himself. He had in his possession a checked shirt and tow-linen pantaloons, and had an empty pocket. He took a job of chopping 40 cords of wood at 40 cents per cord. After completing, he started for Marion County, Mo., going by boat. He hired out as a laborer on a farm, working for $8 per month, for eight months, at the end of which he returned to his native county, and went to school during the winter. He continued thus several years, then flat-boated six years. In 1857 he hired out as pilot on the ” Eclipse,” making semi-monthly trips from Louisville to New Orleans, which he followed until 1860. The same year, March 6, he married Amanda E. Hoyne, native of Perry County, Ind., to whom three children were born, two of whom are now living, named Blanche A., and Harry Sidney. After marriage he bought 80 acres of land in Section 20, Tobin Township, for $2,&00, where he located and where he has since lived. After he farmed one year, he resumed piloting on the river; was present at the surrender of Vicksburg, at Fort Donelson when it was taken, and near Arkansaw Post when it was surrendered. The day after the battle of Fort Donelson he was on the battle-field where he picked up a rebel sword, which he has at the present time. His boat carried dispatches to Gen. Grant. He continued as pilot until the close of the war, when he abandoned the water and returned to the farm, where he has since lived. In 1857 he bought 175 acres of land in Calaway County, Mo., for $1,350. He retained it eighteen months when he sold it for $1,700. He is a Democrat in politics.

CHARLES FUCHS, one of the prominent farmers of Tobin Township, is a native of Prussia, born December 19, 1836. His father, Charles Fuchs, who is a farmer, came to the United States with his family in 1848 and located in this county, where he bought 120 acres in Tobin Township. He is now living with his son at the advanced age of seventy-two years. He married Susan C. Yager, who died October 3, 1866, having borne him three children. The subject of this sketch came to America with his parents when he was eleven years old. September 23, 1881, he married Anna Weidman, a native of Switzerland, after which he rented his father’s farm for six years. He then moved to New Albany, where he was engaged in the dairy business for three years. In 1872 he bought the farm of 300 acres where he has since resided. Mr. Fuchs is an enterprising and successful farmer, and is highly respected by all who know him. March 25, 1879, Mrs. Fuchs died, leaving a family of eight children : Caroline (wife of Henry Ungerecht), Christian D., Charles. Edward, Rosa, Louisa, Peter and Joannah.

CASPER S. GARDNER was born August 7, 1851, in Rome, Perry Co., Ind., and is the only son of three children of Casper and Drusilla (Thompson) Gardner, both of whom were natives of this county. His father followed merchandising, flat-boating and farming for a living. At the time of his marriage he lived on his native place, and continued working in and around Rome and on the river until death. He died of consumption November, 1851, in his twenty-eighth year. The mother married Stephen Welch about five years afterward, and is now living four miles northeast of Derby. The subject of this sketch was reared at home. April 11, 1875, he married Josephine Polk, daughter of Stephen Polk, to whom four children were born, named Hugh T., Augustus C., Casper S. and Anna D. After marriage he located on thirty-five acres in Section 28, Tobin Township, which he inherited by the death of his father, where he has since lived. In 1884 he bought thirty-five acres, which was a part of the old place owned by his father. He also owns 100 acres in Section 24, Union Township. Mr. Gardner is a young man, fully up with the modern ideas of cultivating and enriching the soil. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1884 he was elected as trustee of Tobin Township by thirty majority, thus forcibly illustrating his popularity. The township is Republican.

REV. HENRY GROVES, a native of Perry County, was born November 4,1826, being one of a family of three children born to John and Mary (Cart) Groves, the former a native of Hawkins County, Tenn., and the latter of Breckenridge County, Ky. John Groves came to Perry County about 1811 with his father, who entered a large tract of land since known as Groves’ Bottom. The former after his marriage in 1825, settled on a tract of 175 acres which he inherited from his father. Upon this in 1845 he erected a large brick dwelling house, at that time the finest in the township. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on April 26, 1858. His wife died February 1, 1855. Henry Groves, the subject of this sketch, received but a limited education in youth, owing to the scarcity of schools and teachers. He remained at home until his marriage, when he located on his father’s old place and has since lived in the house erected by his father. Mr. Groves inherited his father’s qualities of economy, industry and business enterprise, and is now the owner of 485 acres of land. For many years he has been an ordained minister in the Universalist Church, his work being chiefly in Crawford and Perry Counties. April 9, 1848, he married Emily E. Tate, who died March 28, 1883, leaving three children : Letitia A. (wife of James Anderson), Allen H. and Mary V.

QUIMTILIAN K. GROVES, merchant at Tobinsport, was born in this county April 4, 1855, the youngest son of a family of nine boys and two girls of Samuel T. and Eliza K (Huckaby) Groves, the father a native of Perry County, and the mother of Breckinridge Ky. The father was a prosperous farmer, who also followed merchandising. He lived in this township until 1859 when he moved to northeastern Missouri and remained two years, suffering a loss of $10,000 on his goods, etc. during one of the rebel raids. He then returned to this county, where he died December 7, 1872, aged fifty-six years, respected by all. The mother is yet living. Our subject was reared without prominent event, receiving an academic education at Rome. He began doing for himself at the age of sixteen, engaging in teaching and farming. December 24, 1874, he married Nancy E. Tobin who has borne him four children, Robert T., Mary J., Samuel and Thomas. After his marriage Mr. Groves farmed in Polk’s Bottom nearly eight years and then engaged in merchandising at Tobinsport, continuing farming. He is a Republican, has been justice of the peace and is one of the county’s best citizens. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church.

JACOB HARDING, a native pioneer of Perry County, was born August 3, 1829, and is the fifth son in a family of six sons and four girls born to the marriage of Samuel Harding and Margaret Van Winkle, both natives of Nelson County, Ky. They came to this county about 1S20 and located in Tobin Township where they accumulated quite an amount of property. The father in h-is youth was very fond of fishing and hunting, but when he became the possessor of land, gave his entire attention to tilling the soil. He was a man of sterling qualities, upright in all his dealings, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died in August, 1861, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife followed him to the grave in February 1864, also in her seventy-fifth year. Jacob was reared at home, receiving only a limited education, owing to the sparcely settled condition of the country and consequently meager educational facilities. February 25, 1849, he married Harriet Gilliland, a native of the county, and located on a farm where he lived until 1852, when he bought 160 acres of land upon which he has since resided. In 1866 his dwelling was destroyed by fire but he erected another as soon as circumstances would permit. He now owns a farm of 280 acres. He is the father of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. They are John S. now living on a farm in Kansas, Margaret (wife of Isaac Hyde), James T., Jessie F., William V., Phoebe A. (wife of Elmer Osborne), Lucy J. (wife of William Jones), Sarah Elizabeth, America, Daniel and Norman.

JAMES A. HARGIS a native pioneer of Perry County, was born June 16, 1834 and is a son of John Hargis. (See sketch of John A. Hargis.) His father died when he was only four years old. He remained at home working on the farm for his mother until he reached manhood. After his marriage which took place January 12, 1858, he bought a house and lot in Derby where he resided five years, engaged in farming and flat-boating. In 1863 he bought the old homestead consisting of 180 acres which he owned and worked for about eight years. He then sold it and bought the farm of ninety-five acres upon which he has since resided. By industry and close attention to business he has added to it until he now owns 230 acres. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He chose for a wife Cassandra Mitchell, a daughter of Solomon and Cassandra Mitchell, and to their union have been born eleven children, nine of whom are now living. They are James A., Charles E., John F., Albert C., Stella, Curtis M., Emory S., Lulu J. and Joseph H. The first named is living at Derby and the remainder are at home.

JOHN A. HARGIS, a farmer of Tobin Township, is. a native of the county, born June 16, 1839, and is one of twelve children in the family of John and Nancy (Allen) Hargis. both natives of Kentucky. The father came to Perry County, and after his marriage, entered a tract of land on Section 13, Tobin Township, which, owing to some mistake in locating it, he lost after having made considerable improvements on it. He then bought 120 acres in the same township where he lived until his death on October 27, 1838. He owned and ran a grist-mill, and when he died had 320 acres of land. His widow survived him until June, 1878. John A. was reared at home, but without a father’s care and guidance, the latter having died before our subject was born. He remained with his mother working on the farm until his marriage, after which he rented land until the beginning of the war. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca and Pine Mountain. In the last named engagement his right arm was broken by the bursting of a shell, and he was placed in the hospital at Chattanooga, and later at Nashville. After a short furlough home, he returned to his regiment and served until hostilities ceased, receiving his discharge June 13, 1865. Since the war he has been engaged in farming in Tobin Township. In politics he is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. June 13, 1858. he married Jane Boyle, a daughter of James Boyle, and to their union have been born seven children. Those living are Ursula (wife of E. H. Groves), Melissa J. (wife of S. D. Groves), Nancy M., Anna B., James and Jennette.

REUBEN T. HARRISON, a farmer of Tobin Township, was born in Shelby County, Ky., February 10, 1828, being the youngest son in a family of nine children born to Reuben and Rhoda (Paris) Harrison, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. Before the subject of this sketch was three years old his parents both died and he was reared by his sister Amy. At the age of twelve – years he started out to fight the battle of life, beginning as a day laborer on a farm. He continued in this kind of work until his marriage, when he bought 160 acres of land on Section 13, Tobin Township, where he lived until 1864. In that year he sold his farm and bought the one upon which he has since resided. January 3, 1852, he married Angeline York, a native of Perry County, who died June 7, 1861, having borne him four children. Those living are Synthia E., Rhoda I. and John C. November 17, 1868, he was united in marriage with Susan Johnson, a native of the county by whom he is the father of six children, four of whom James T., Robert J., Mary A. and Amy E. are living. In politics Mr. Harrison is a Republican, and previous to the formation of that party was a Whig. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church.

JEFFERSON HAWKINS of Tobinsport, Perry County, is a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., born April 1, 1829. He is the fifth son in a family of twelve children, born to Silas and Polly (Kiphart) Hawkins, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in Jefferson County, Ky., and about 1835 moved to Cloverport in the same State, where they remained until 1851. In that year they removed to Arkansas, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Jefferson Hawkins was reared at home, receiving only three months’ instruction in school. December 20, 1850, he married a Miss Tobin, a native of the county, and located on land inherited by his wife Mrs. Hawkins died March 28, 1856, leaving two children, Deborah (wife of Alexander Van Winkle) and Joseph S. September 15, of the same year he married Mary A. Adams, who bore him seven children, only two of whom Alfred and Thomas J., are living. She died and he chose for his third and last wife Emma Reynolds, by whom he is the father of four children, Reuben, James, Frederick and an infant. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife is a Methodist.

HENRY A. HUFF, is one of a family of fifteen children born to Henry and Sallie Ann (Williams) Huff, his birth occurring in this county October 15, 1850. The father was a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., and the mother of Crawford County, Ind. They were married in the last named county and soon after came to Perry County, where the father followed farming and merchandising. The mother died in January 1851, and the father in February, 1860. Henry A. lived with his father until the latter’s death, without a mother’s love and training. He then lived with his relations until the age of fourteen, when he began battling with life alone. He hired out as a laborer and continued thus seven years, receiving no schooling of consequence until he was twenty years old. October 14, 1873, he was united in marriage with Malissa, daughter of Samuel and Jane Webb, and to them five children have been born : Mary E., John A., Wilson, Samuel D. and William H. Mr. Huff has gradually saved and bought land until he now owns a good comfortable home. He is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN F. JONES, of Rome, was born in Crawford County, Ind., February 11, 1847. His father, John Jones, when ten years old came with his parents from Nelson County, Ky., to Crawford County, Ind., where he grew to manhood and married Jane Able, also a native of Nelson County. He was the father of nine sons and four daughters. John F. received little or no education in his youth. After becoming of age he ‘followed farming and flat-boating until his marriage, when he located on the old homestead, buying the shares of some of the other heirs to the estate. He remained there until 1882, when he sold his farm and went West with the intention of locating, but finding no place to suit him he returned to this county and bought property at Rome, where he now lives. October 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventeeth Regiment Indiana Mounted Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out August 10,1865. He participated in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Chickamauga, and numerous minor engagements. August 29, 1852, Lizzie Stevens a native of Crawford County, Ind., became his wife, and by him the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased.

PHILIP KLEIN, one of the pioneer German settlers of Perry County, was born in Prussia, December 6, 1827. He grew to manhood in his native country, receiving a fair German education. At the age of fourteen he began learning the cabinet-maker’s trade, and served a three-years’ apprenticeship. He then worked as journeyman for five years, when he left his native country and came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1851. In that year he bought forty acres of land upon which he has since resided, and to which he has added until now he has 360 acres. Mr. Klein is one of the best and most enterprising farmers in the township. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He was married in May. 1850, to Louisa Stoeler, a native of Prussia, by whom he is the father of ten children. Those living are Louisa (wife of John Dekinder), Kate (wife of Andrew Loesoh), Anna (wife of Louis Fuchu), Lizzie (wife of David Schiller), Mary and Albert. Mr. Klein is one of a family of six children born to Jacob and Catharine (Ulrich) Klein, both of whom were natives of Prussia, where they passed their lives upon a farm. The former died in the summer of 1874 and the latter in the spring of 1880.

WILLIAM FLOYD MASON was born in this county January 2l, 1830, and is one of a family of seven children of John and Sarah (Elkins) Mason, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Maine. The father’s birth occurred about the year 1797. When a young man, yet single, he went to Pike County, Indiana, near Petersburg, where he farmed until about 1824, when he came to Perry County, locating on the present site of Cannelton. Here he followed farming, flat-boating, etc., and about the year 1826 or 1827 married Mrs. Sarah (Elkins) Webb, widow of Asa Webb. This lady bore him four children. After marriage John Mason continued farming and boating, and early in the thirties engaged in the coal business at the county seat. He introduced the first railroad system in all this region of country, extending the track from his mines to the river, having secured the plans from the East. He was one of the first to bring coal to the notice of steamboat men as a steam producer, and is said to have been the first man to introduce coal as fuel in New Orleans. He was full of energy, was judicious yet venturesome, possessed great penetration and forethought, was thoroughly moral and honest, was singularly kind-hearted and benevolent, and in time lost much of the considerable property he accumulated in paying the debts of others for whom he had gone security. He retired from active business about 1850. He died in May, 1875, lamented by all who knew him. His wife had died before him in June, 1864. William F. was reared by his parents. He completed the common school course, and in 1851 attended the State University, Bloomington, and soon afterward entered the Commercial Business College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated and received a diploma in 1852. In April, 1853, he married, and his wife bore him one child, Sarah E. After his marriage, Mr. Mason entered the mercantile business, also bought wheat, ground and shipped it, and supplied a large home demand. A year later he sold the mill, and then engaged in fanning in Kentucky, continuing until about 1858, then engaged in merchandising at Newburgh, Ind. In 1862 he came to this county, locating on his present farm, where he has since remained. He owns a splendid farm and one of the handsomest residences in southern Indiana. Mr. Mason is one of the self-reliant and progressive men of the county. He has passed through the school of experience, and comes out self-made, enterprising, honest and prominent. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The county has no better citizen. Since the death of his first wife he has been twice married, and has by his second wife two living children, and by his third and present wife five.

JOHN McFALL was born in Hancock County, Ky., October 15, 1820, and is the third son of six boys and seven girls of John and Elizabeth (Young) McFall, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. The father when a boy came to this county, and finally married in Kentucky; and in 1835 moved to Crawford County, Ind. A few years later he came to Boyer’s Bottom, this county, but in 1848 bought a quarter section in Tobin’s Bottom. The father, in 1810, occupied a fort on Blue river with others as a protection against the Indians, and was only a few days too late to take part in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, being on the way. He died in 1865, honored and respected, his wife having preceded him July 2, 1844. Our subject remained with his father until the age of thirty years. January 1, 1850, he married Dorinda, daughter of Hoyt and Frances Humphrey, and to them nine children were born, four now living : Hoyt, Waldo, Peter and Lydia Belle wife of William Little. He began farming for himself after marriage, and about 1853 bought a grist-mill, which he operated in connection with his farm for about eight years. He now owns sixty-four acres on section 17. August 9, 1878, Mrs. McFall died, since which Mr. McFall has lived with his son Hoyt. He is well respected, is a Republican, and was reared a Baptist.

OSBORN McKINNEY was born in Beaufort County, N. O, August 26, 1828, being the third son of six boys and four girls born to John and Sarah (Bates) McKinney, both natives of North Carolina. In about 1842 the father, a farmer, moved to Knox County, Ky., and two years later came to Polk’s Bottom. About fourteen or fifteen years later he moved to Calhoun County, Ill., and remained until his death, 1860. His wife preceded him about a year before. Osborn came to this county at the age of fifteen, and from that date until his twenty-second year worked as a laborer. Upon reaching his majority, he began for himself and flatboated for about ten years. January 11, 1859, he married Sarah J., daughter of Henry and Kate (Peckinpaugh) Huff, and to them nine children were born, John H., Louisa (wife of John R. Hyde), Dora A. (wife of Robert Armstrong), Martha E., Mary E., James A., Emma E., Stella M. and Jennie G. Louisa lives in Montgomery County, Kas.; the others are in Tobin Township. Mr. McKinney has followed farming and now owns 210 acres. He has an orchard of 772 apple trees and expects to increase to 2,000. He is a Republican, and was reared a Methodist. His wife belongs to the same church. The family is well known and universally respected.

GEORGE NOLD was born in Prussia, April, 1827, and is one of six children born to Henry and Matilda (Reother) Nold, also natives of Prussia, where they lived upon a farm. George left his native country at the early age of thirteen, and came to the United States, locating at Louisville, Ky., where he learned the shoemaker’s trade. In April, 1845, he married Mary Seller, a native of the same country as himself. He then worked at his trade in Louisville and Cannelton, Perry County, Ind., for about seven years, when, owing to ill-health, he abandoned his trade, and sought the country. By his own industry and his wife’s economy he had succeeded in saving a small amount of money, which enabled him to buy 120 acres of government land. He settled on the land which is in Tobin Township, and has since resided upon it. In politics he has always been a Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. They have had a family of nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely, Frances (wife of Nicholas Mitchell), Sophia (wife of Theodore Arnold), George, Mary (wife of Louis Eberly), John, Caroline (wife of Andrew Schenbargler), Lena (wife of Samuel Grayson), and Louisa.

FRANCIS M. POLK, the most prominent horticulturist of Perry County, was born in the county, April 8, 1830. His father, Thomas Polk, a native of Kentucky, came to Perry County when a youth, and located in the bottoms which now bear his name, being one of the first white persons to settle there. He married Melvina Ryan, a native of New York, by whom he is the father of two boys and one girl. Until his retirement he was engaged in farming, and was also for many years in the nursery business. He is now living on the place where he first settled, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife is seventyeight years of age. Francis M. received only a limited education in youth, and remained at home working the farm for several years after attaining his majority. He then rented property until 1868, when he went into the nursery business, in connection with his farm work, taking into partnership John C. Shoemaker, now editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel. They conducted the business for four years, when Mr. Shoemaker withdrew. He then continued four years longer, but the enterprise not proving successful abandoned it. He has since given his attention to fruit raising, and now has one of the best orchards in the State. He has about 3,000 apple trees, 50 pear trees, 30 cherry trees, 5 acres in raspberries, and 8 acres in strawberries. Mr. Polk is Vice-President of the Indiana Horticultural Society of the first fruit district, and is thoroughly posted on all points connected with the cultivation of fruits.

WILLIAM R. POLK is a grandson of Charles Polk, one of the earliest settlers of Perry County, who entered a large tract of land in what is now known as Polk’s bottom. James Polk, the father of William R. married Charlotte Humphrey, and located on the old homestead, of which he fell heir to 100 acres. He reared a family of three sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest son. William R. received a common school education in youth, and remained at home working on the farm until the opening of the Rebellion, when, October 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company L, Third Kentucky Cavalry. He served his country faithfully until receiving his discharge, January 14, 1865. After his return home he rented his father’s farm for upwards of ten years, and at the latter’s death he located upon the portion which he inheritedhecontinued farming until 1880, when he turned his attention to the nursery business, and the following year formed a partnership with his brother Edwin, the firm being known as Polk Bros. October 1, 1868, he married Eliza Gilbert, who died October 1. 1875, leaving a family of five children: Bertha, Anna, Mary, Eliza and Jacie. Politically Mr. Polk is a Republican, and is the present assessor of the township. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Baptist Church. He was born in Tobin Township, July 14. 1839.

EDWIN POLK was born July 25, 1857, in this county, the youngest son of a family of three boys and five girls, of James and Charlotte (Humphrey) Polk, both of whom were natives of this county. The father followed the occupations of carpentering and farming during life, and was an upright, industrious man. His death occurred June 23, 1873. His wife died July 14, 1862. Edwin passed his youth without noteworthy event on his father’s farm, securing limited education. In 1875 he went to Illinois, remaining three years, then returning to this county. August 22, 1880, he married AnnaL. Stowers, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., who has borne him three children: James L., Katie and Monnie L. In 1881 he entered into partnership with his brother, in the nursery business. They now have 100,000 apple trees, 1,000 peach trees, 500 pear trees, 500 cherry trees, 2,000 grape vines and four acres of strawberry plants. He is a prominent young man, is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM V. REYNOLDS, merchant of Rome, was born in Hardin County, Ky., September 15,1820, and is the eldest of a family of eight children born to the marriage of William R. Reynolds and Sarah J. Tower, who were natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts respectively. The father followed the carpenter’s trade in his younger days, and later was engaged in fiat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. At the time of his marriage he lived in Hardin County, Ky., and in 1825 removed to Leavenworth, Crawford Co., Ind., where he lived for about twenty-five years. He then came to Rome, Perry County, where he resided until his death in the fall of 1866. His widow died in October, three years later. William V. Reynolds came to Indiana with his parents, and at the age of twelve years began work as a flat-boatman on the river. Four years later he had heen so successful that he was able to buy a boat of his own, on which he transported all kinds of produce to the South. Ten years later he turned his attention to buying dry goods and groceries, running from two to eight boats. In 1851 he located at Rome, where he has since been engaged in the general merchandise business, with various partners, and a portion of the time by himself. The firm was first Reynolds & Gardner, then Reynolds & Huckaby, Reynolds & Connor, W. V. Reynolds, Reynolds & Carey, and Reynolds & Ackarman, the present firm. September 15,1848, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage, with Mary Frisbie, a native of the county, who died the following May. April 15, 1850, he married Elizabeth A. Gardner, who died August 23, 1884, leaving three children, Mary V. (wife of Isaac Bennett), Samuel G. and Clara A. (wife of Henry Ackarman). In connection with his store Mr. Reynolds also operated a tannery for upwards of five years, which was one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in southern Indiana. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the most enterprising and successful business men in the county.

JAMES H. C. ROBINSON, one of the leading farmers of Tobin Township, was born in this county November 24, 1833. He is the second son in a family of five boys and one girl, born to the marriage of Henry H. Robinson and Margaret Axton. The father lived in Kentucky at the time of his marriage, but a few years after came to Perry County, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 11, 1847. His widow survived him until March 11, 1870. James was reared at home, and on account of the meager facilities received but a limited education. After leaving home he flat-boated on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for a time. January 23, 1870, he married Lisetta Thomas, a native of Prussia, and to their union have been born six children: Adda V., Henry W., Alma N., William H., Charles and Arthur H. After marriage he located on the old homestead, and in 1879 he bought the farm where he has since resided. In politics he is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of the Universalist Church.

HENDERSON T. ROBINSON, proprietor of hotel at Rome, is a native of the county, born November 10, 1840, and is one of a family of five sons and one daughter, born to Henry H. and Margaret (Axton) Robinson. When he was seven years old, his father was murdered while in a canoe on the Ohio River, and he was reared by his mother, with whom he continued to live until he was married, when he located on the old homestead, sixty acres of which he inherited. After living there five years he moved to Troy Township, where he remained about four years. In 1878 ho returned to his native township and followed farming until 1885, when he came to Rome, bought a house and opened a hotel. He keeps a good house, and the traveler who becomes his guest is sure to be pleased with the entertainment afforded. November 29, 1869, he was united in marriage with Jemima Tettrick, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., born March 20, 1853. They have four children now living: Ettie L., born July 26, 1870; Mettie E., born May 11, 1872; Mabel, born February 24, 1876; Judelle, born November 30, 1882.

HORACE E. RAFF, one of the early pioneers of Perry County, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., May 6, 1814, and is the second son of a family of twelve children born to the marriage of Charles Raff and Edie Mallory, both of whom were natives of Delaware County, N. Y. In 1811 they came to Perry County and located near the river in Tobin Township. November 5, 1834, the father was accidentally killed, and the mother died about five years later. Horace E. remained at home working on the farm until 1833, when he began flat-boating on the river, which he continued for about two years. May 7, 1835, he was united in marriage with Nancy Brough, a native of the county, after which they settled on land deeded them by his father inlaw. In April, 1838, Mrs. Raff died, and July 26 of the same year he married Mary Gregory, a native of Fayette County, Ky., by whom he is the father of six children, four of whom, Martha A. (wife of Lewis Connor), Francis L., Edward and George are living. He also reared Napoleon B. Sanders, whom he took into his family in 1861. Edward and Francis L. were in the army during the late Rebellion. The former was in active service for over four years, and the latter one year, having been discharged on account of disability from an accident received at Lebanon, Ky. Mr. Raff and his entire family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

HOWARD M ROYAL, Principal of the Rome Normal School, is a native of Cannelton, Perry Co., Ind., born December 2, 1856. His father, Richard Royal, who is a native of Kentucky, followed farming until he was upward of thirty years of age, when he abandoned it and entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church. He soon after, however, embraced the Missionary Baptist doctrine, which he has preached for about forty years. He married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Indiana, by whom he is the father of four sons and two daughters. Howard M. was reared at home, and having completed the common school branches, at the age of eighteen he entered the teacher’s profession. After teaching for five terms, he was not satisfied with his educational acquirements, and accordingly he entered the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute in 1879. He remained one term, and then taught the following winter. August 15, 1880, his marriage with Mary H. Batson was celebrated, and his wife being a teacher, the following month both went to Terre Haute, where they remained a year. In the winter of 1882 both taught in Anderson Township, this county, since which they have been engaged in teaching at Rome- Each spring and summer they conduct a normal term, which has become very popular with the teachers of the county, as is evidenced by the annually increased attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Royal are wide-awake, thorough and conscientious teachers, and are held in high esteem by their pupils and the community. They have two children, Mary J. and Earl H.

WILLIAM SANDAGE, an influential farmer of Tobin Township, was born in the county, November 8, 1835. Moses Sandage, his father, came from South Carolina to this county when nine years of age. He married Sarah Harding, a native of Perry County, by whom he was the father of seven children. He owned a farm of 560 acres in Tobin Township when he died, about 1875, having survived his wife about twentyfive years. William remained at home until his marriage, when he located on a farm of 200 acres, which he had previously purchased, and upon which he has since resided. November 30, 1856, he married Sarah Marshall, a native of Ohio, who died February 11, 1869, having borne him seven children, four of whom, William McClellan, Stephen W. Florence I. and Ida B. are living. May 9, 1878, he was united in marriage with Sarah Covey, a native of Ohio, who died November 13, 1879. He chose for his third wife Sylvia Lay, a native of Perry County, with whom he was joined in marriage September 9, 1880. Two children have been born to this union, one of whom is living. Mr. Sandage has discovered silver ore upon his farm, and from analyses that have been made by the State Geologist, it seems to be of sufficient richness to be highly valuable. He reports 372 ounces of silver, 57 ounces of lead, and 12£ ounces of zinc to the ton.

HENRY SCHANK, a native of Prussia, was born April 2, 1817. He attended school the period required by law, and at the age of fifteen years he learned the shoemaker’s trade at which he worked until he was obliged to enter the army, where he served the term of three years. Id 1841 he came to the United States and located in Perry County, Ind., where he worked as a laborer on a farm for a short time, and later learned the stone and brick-mason’s trade. He worked in Kentucky for a number of years, and after his marriage located at Rome, this county, where he remained about five years, when he abandoned his trade and bought the farm of 120 acres where he has since resided. He began as a poor man, but by his honesty, industry and economy he has succeeded in securing quite a competency, and is now the owner of 240 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Schank is a son of Henry Schank, who was a baker, and who died when the former was only a few months old. On February 11,1846, Mr. Schank was united in marriage with Magdalene Miller, a native of the same country as himself, by whom he is the father of four children, Henry L., a teacher in the St. Louis, Mo. High School, Daniel, Margaret (wife of Henry Northop, of California) and Josephine. Daniel and Josephine still reside at home.

CONRAD SIMONS, was born in this county March 5, 1851, the youngest son in a family of two boys and three girls of Hiram W. and Mary (Harris) Simons. The father came to this State from Kentucky at the age of five years. When sixteen years old he was apprenticed to learn the tanner’s trade, serving five years, when he came to Polk’s Bottom where he engaged in his trade, continuing eight years, then moving three miles north, remaining nearly five years longer. He then began farming. He now owns 310 acres in the Bottom, besides 120 in Missouri. His wife died November 15, 1882. Our subject, upon reaching his majority, was married August 26, 1872, to Mabel Winchel, and two children were the fruits of this union, one living named May R. After marriage he located on a tract of land owned by his father, and here he yet resides. He has bought a small amount of land. He is an industrious, progressive young man. and is a Democrat in politics.

MARTIN SODREL, is a native of England, born May 29, 1835. His father, William Sodrel, was a school teacher and government surveyor. He married Sarah Martin and reared a family of five sons and an equal number of daughters. Martin received a good practical education, and previous to leaving his native country, worked on a farm and at times assisted his father in surveying land. He came to the United States in 1856 and located in Cincinnati, where he worked on a canal boat for about three years. He then came to Perry County and rented land until 1867, when he went to flat-boating, at which occupation he continued until 1873. July 12, 1874, he married Lavina (Hall) Cummings, a daughter of Jefferson Hall, and resumed farming, which he has since followed, with the exception of two years, when he was again on the river. He purchased the farm where he now lives in 1881. Mr. Sodrel is a good farmer, and is fully up with the modern ideas of agriculture. He has a family of three children, Martin, Samuel and Noah.

DAVID TATE, the oldest resident of Tobin Township, is a native of Jefferson County, Ky., born August 24, 1799. He is one of seven children born to Samuel and Nancy (Johnson) Tate, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and for many years drew a pension for his services in that struggle. He died while on a visit to his daughter in Spencer County, Ind., at the age of ninety-one years. David remained at home until his marriage, which occurred December 5, 1819. He then came to this county and located in Polk’s Bottom, where he rented land for a number of years, after which he bought 100 acres, where he has since lived. His first wife, Elizabeth Blaine, died May 5,1831, having borne him six children, George, Nancy (wife of T. Connor) John, James B., Jeremiah and Hezekiah. October 13, 1831, he wedded Lucy Seaton, by whom he is the father of eight children : Emily E. (wife of Henry Groves), William S., Mary J., Letitia A. (wife of Clement Ramsay), Artimissa A. (wife of William White), Lucy (wife of J. H. Marshall), David and Henry. His second wife died September 10, 1846, and July 22 of the next year he was married to Catharine Cart, and to this union were born three children : Mary, Arad and Albert S. Catharine Tate died February 23, 1862, and January 15, 1863, he was united in marriage with his fourth and last wife, Mary A. Stinnett. By this union he is the father of six children : Alfred F., Rowena B. (wife of Francis Lee), Minnie O., Curtis E., Milton A. and Charles R. In addition to his twenty-three children, the eldest of whom is sixty-five and the youngest eight years, he has seventy-six grand-children and forty-six great grand-children. Mr. Tate is a successful farmer, and now owns 540 acres of land. About 1840 he was ordained as a minister in the Universalist Church, and in connection with his business, for many years he served as a local preacher. His career has been a remarkable one, and he will long be remembered for his many good qualities.

HEZEKIAH TATE is a son of David Tate, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He was reared at home, though his mother died when he was an infant. After leaving home he followed flat-boating for several seasons, and also worked on a farm. In 1851 he began teaching school, and continued to teach with marked success for eleven terms. After his marriage he bought seventy acres of land in Tobin Township, upon which he has since resided, and to which he has added forty acres. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the leading men in the party in this county. He has held various civil offices, having been assessor, justice of the peace and constable. He now, in connection with farming, practices law in justices courts. Mr. Tate was united in marriage with Elizabeth Polk, a daughter of Charles Polk, on March 20, 1856, and to them have been born seven children, only three of whom—James H., Albert M. and J. Tipton—are living. The last named is farming in Kansas. The other two are residents of Tobin Township. Mr. Tate is a member of the Universalist Church, and his wife is a Baptist.

HON. ROBERT TOBIN, an old native resident of Perry County, was born December 7, 1815. His grandfather, George Tobin, was one of the first settlers in the township which now bears his name, where he bought 800 acres of land. The Indians at that time were numerous, and he made a contract with two of the chiefs that he should be allowed to clear his land unmolested. The father of the subject of this sketch, Thomas Tobin, bought 160 acres of government land on Section 21 in 1816. He lived there until 1840, when he sold it and moved to the old homestead, where he lived until his death in June, 1871. Robert Tobin received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of the frontier. He remained at home, working on the farm, until reaching his majority, after which, until his marriage, he rented and worked his father’s farm, with the exception of one year, when he was engaged in flat-boating. October 8, 1840, he married Jane Blaine, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky. Since that time he has been engaged in farming at various places in the township, having bought his present farm in 1872. In 1850 he bought an interest in a general merchandise store with his father, and managed the business in connection with his farm work for several years. Mr. Tobin has been very successful financially, and has owned as much as 1,000 acres of land at one time. He gave each of his children $7,000 worth of land at their marriage, and now has 500 acres. He has three children now living. They are Sarah S. (wife of Thomas Leaf), Catharine (wife of Hiram Ackarman) and Nancy (wife of Q. K. Groves), all of whom are living in Tobin Township. In politics Mr. Tobin is very liberal, but is rather inclined to accept the principles of the Republican party. In 1875 he was elected to represent Perry and Spencer Counties in the Senate of the Indiana Legislature. Both he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a man of great force of character, and has done much to promote the interests of the county.

GEORGE and JAMES WEATHERHOLT, native pioneers of Perry County, are sons of Jacob Weatherholt, who came from Breckenridge County, Ky., to Perry County when a youth. He was a farmer, and after his marriage, he lived upon the same tract of land until his death, which occurred December 6, 1828. His widow continued to live on the homestead farm with her children, until she too passed away July 28, 1854. Of the subjects of this sketch, George was born November 3, 1815, and James October 6, 1819. They remained at home after their father’s death, helping to support the family by their work on the farm. For many years after, they were engaged in the wood business, supplying river steamers. In 1846 they bought a general merchandise store at Tobinsport, which they conducted with good success for twenty-five years. They also had charge of the ferry, and carried on a farm. By their energy,industry,and close attention to business,they have accumulated considerable property,and now own 375 acres of the best land in Perry County. About twelve years ago, James became almost totally deaf, caused by poison taken into his system several years before; and in 1877, he received a stroke of paralysis, since which he has been almost entirely helpless. September 9, 1847, James married Deborah A. Hyde, a native of the county, by whom he is the father of seven children. Elizabeth A. (wife of Arad Leaf), Samuel J., George T., Charles, Curtis, Mary (wife of W. S. Leaf) and Katie. Through all the years of close business relationship, the kindly feeling between the two brothers, has never been marred by any misunderstanding. George has never married, but lives with James and his family, and continues to carry on the business for both.

CAPT. WILLIAM W. WEATHERHOLT, is the second son of a family of four boys and two girls, his birth occurring in this county February 4, 1834. His parents were Wllliam and Sarah (Wagoner) Weatherholt, both natives of Breckinridge County, Ky. The father was an exceptional man, being singularly upright and kind. He came to this county soon after his marriage. At the time of his death July 26, 1849, he owned a fine farm of 210 acres. His age was fifty-nine. The mother died August 26, 1845, aged fifty years. Both were consistent Christian people. Our subject remained at home until the death of his parents. For several years thereafter, he worked at various jobs. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Third Kentucky Cavalry, as second lieutenant. He served with distinction and was promoted first lieutenant, and finally, July 14, 1865, was brevetted captain by the Governor of Kentucky. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865, having been during his term of service in several engagements. October 29, 1865, he married Amanda Cockrell, daughter of Casper Cockrell, and four children are the fruits of this union: Eli H., Charles H., David H., Elmer T. He farmed three years on rented land in Kentucky. Then returned and bought 50 acres in 1876, on Section 32. In 1884 he bought 109 acres, and his wife received by inheritance, 78 acres, This provides a comfortable farm and home. He is a Mason, and he and wife are Methodists and excellent people.

MILLARD F. WEDDING, M. D., of Rome, was born in Ohio County, Ky., May 13, 1856. His father Mark Wedding, is a native of Virginia, from which State he came to Kentucky, and married Nancy J. Hale, by whom he is the father of four sons and three daughters. He was engaged in dealing in tobacco in Ohio County, Ky., for over thirty years, since which he has been engaged in the retail liquor business at Cloverport, Ky. His wife died in 1878, in her fifty-ninth year. Millard F., was reared at home, and at the early age of seventeen, began studying medicine with Dr. Hale of Owensboro, and later with his brother C. V. Reynolds, of Stevensport. He continued as a student for about four years, and then began practicing his profession at Lyonia, Hancock Co., Ky. December 22, 1875, he married Susan E. Schacklett, by whom he is the father of three children, only one of whom, Ethel, is living. In 1876 he attended a course of lectures at Nashville University, Nashville, Tenn., and graduated from the Louisville Medical College, March 3, 1885. After practicing at Lyonia for about three years, and two years at Stevensport, he came to his present location. Dr. Wedding has a good practice, and promises soon to be one of the best practitioners of the county.

JOSEPH F. WHEELER, a native pioneer of Perry County, was born February 4, 1828, and is one of a family of six sons and five daughters, born to James and Sarah (Claycomb) Wheeler, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. The father when a small boy removed with his parents to Kentucky, where his father died. With his mother, he then came to this county and located near Rome. He grew to manhood, was married, and entered 160 acres of land on Section 22, Tobin Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 5, 1864. His widow survived him until March 17, 1872. Joseph F. remained at home until his marriage, which occurred February 4, 1853. He then worked his mother-in-law’s farm for two years, after which he went to Breckenridge County, Ky., where he resided five years. In 1864 he bought 105 acres of the old homestead upon which he has since resided. He chose for a wife Amelia A. Hardin, a native of Perry County, born June 27, 1837. They have eight children: Theresa (wife of B. B. Whitroarsh), Stella, Cassius, Lovell, Cicero, Ninnie, Loren, and Leona.

WILLIAM C. WHEELER, an early pioneer of Perry County, was born September 25, 1831. His father, James Wheeler; was a native of Breckenridge County, Ky. He came to Indiana and married Sarah Claycomb, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he was the father of six sons and five daughters. He lived on a farm near Rome, where he died, April 15, 1864. His widow survived him until March 7, 1872, when she died at the age of seventy-three. William C. remained at home working on the farm until attaining his majority, after which he was engaged in flat-boating for a number of years. May 15, 1856, he married Artamissa Robinson, a native of the county, and soon after located on a farm of forty acres, which his wife inherited. He has since added to this 220 acres, and now has one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Wheeler has seen Perry County transformed from a forest into a beautiful farming country, and the log-hut replaced by good substantial dwellings. During the Rebellion, he was a strong Union man, and was Captain of the Home Guards. He is now a Republican, and himself and wife are members of the Universalist Church. They have three children now living, named Clarence, Laranee D., and Elmer.

JAMES J. WHEELER, farmer and teacher, of Tobin Township, was born in Perry County, Ind., March 5, 1845, and is one of eight children born to James P. and Rhoda (Harvey) Wheeler, the former a native of Perry County, and the latter of Washington County, Ind. The father followed teaching and flat-boating in the early part of his life, and later, was engaged in farming. In 1875 he moved to Missouri, where he died March 11, 1876. His widow is still living in Breckenridge County, Ky., at the age of sixty-two years. James J. was reared at home, receiving a good education, having attended the school at Rome, and also the State University at Bloomington, Ind., a short time. In 1862 he began teaching school, and has since taught twenty-four full terms and six partial terms of school, always meeting with the best of success. In l873 he bought the old homestead of 120 acres, where he located after marriage, and where he has since lived. He still continues to teach during the winter months, and is considered a superior teacher, as well as an excellent farmer. October 13, 1875, Lizzie Whitehead, the daughter of Isaac W. Whitehead, became his wife, and by him the mother of these children : Reynold W., Plavene, Gerald, Leslie M., Lorentia,and Hortense E. Both Mr. Wheeler and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

ISRAEL L. WHITEHEAD, county superintendent of schools, was born in Perry County, August 7, 1849, and is one of sixteen children born to Isaac W. and Cassandra (Lamb) Whitehead, who were natives of New Jersey and Perry County, Ind., respectively. The father learned the brick-mason’s trade in Newark, N. J., and followed it for upward of forty years, working in various towns and cities. Shortly after his marriage he bought a farm in Tobin Township, Perry County, where in connection with his trade he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred November 18, 1883. He served two terms as treasurer of Perry County, and was one of the most highly respected and influential men of the county. His widow is still living on the home farm with her children at the age of sixty-five. The subject of this sketch, at the age of sixteen had completed the common school studies, and algebra and rhetoric, although on account of ill health he had been unable to attend school regularly. A year later he began teaching and followed that business for thirtean years with marked success. During the summer vacations he followed flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. November 15, 1874, he married Louisa Ryan, a native of Perry County, and soon after was appointed county recorder to serve an unexpired term of eight months. He again taught school until 1879, when he was elected to the office which he has since so ably and efficiently filled. He was elected to a fourth term in June, 1885. May 28, 1884, his wife died leaving three children, Mabel, Maurice and Stanley. Mr. Whilehead is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the society of A. O. U. W.

WILLIAM WHITE, owing to the early death of his father, was cast in his youth upon the world to do for himself. He worked at farming, wood-chopping and rafting for about thirteen years, but in 1858 rented a farm which he managed until 1861, when he enlisted in Company L, Third Kentucky Cavalry. He was in several important skirmishes, and finally met with a severe accident by having his horse fall upon his foot, in consequence of which he was discharged in 1862. He again began to farm, and has thus continued since. December 19, 1865, he married Artamissa, daughter of David and Lucy Tate, who has presented him with two children, David and Sennie. Mr. White has been economical, industrious and prosperous, and now owns 218 acres and a a fine dwelling. In politics he is a Republican. He was born in this county March 5, 1831, the second son in a family of four boys and two girls born to William and Elizabeth (Thomas) White. The father was born here, and followed farming until 1838, when he moved to Missouri and died there August 14, 1840. The mother, also a native of this county, soon returned after her husband’s death, and lived here until she followed him, August 17, 1869.

JOHN A. WHITE was born December 26, 1833, in this county, being the third son of a family of seven, of William and Elizabeth (Thomas) White. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Missouri, August 14, 1840, where he had moved about two years before. His widow a year after his death returned to Tobin Township with her children, and there died August 17, 1869. John A. was reared by his parents to work on the farm, receiving education sufficient for the ordinary duties of life. Between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one he worked as a day laborer to assist his mother and sisters. Upon reaching his majority he with his brother William rented a farm, and during the winter would chop wood and run flat-boats, and continued thus about ten years. February 12, 1865, he married Lydia A., daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca Thomas, who bore him six children, four of whom are now living: Elizabeth J., Frances R., Nathaniel and Harvey. After marriage John A. located on the farm of his father-in-law. Two years later he secured an interest in a store-boat, but soon traded for eighty acres of land upon which he lived three years. He then located on 140 acres, his present farm. Mrs. White died June 16, 1882, since wh.ch sad event his daughters have kept house for him. He is a Republican and a highly respected citizen.

SAMUEL T. WHITMARSH, one of the leading farmers of Tobin Township, is a native of the county, born August 11, 1849. His father, Dr. Ira Whitmarsh was a native of New York, wherein his youth he was engaged in teaching and in the study of medicine. About 1825, he married Margaret Lea, a native of the Old Dominion, and shortly after came to this county and located at Derby, where he commenced the practice of his profession. Owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country he was obliged to combine some other business with his profession, and consequently he began buying hoop poles and flat-boating them to New Orleans. He soon accumulated enough by this means to buy a farm, upon which he lived until his death, February 15, 1868. His widow died May 16, 1877. Samuel T. Whitmarsh was reared at home, receiving a common school education. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school and has followed it to the present time. January 17, 1871, he married Kate Hardin a native of the county, by whom he is the father of two children, Adelle and James H. After marriage he located on a farm of forty acres on Section 6, Tobin Township, where he has since lived. During the summer season he is engaged in farming and also works at the carpenter’s trade. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the most highly respected teachers of the county.

1853. B. WHITMARSH, an enterprising farmer of Tobin Township, was born in the county April 4, 1853. He is a son of Ira and Margaret (Lea) Whitmarsh. (See sketch of S. T. Whitmarsh). He was reared at home, receiving a good practical education. January 5, 1873, he was united in marriage with Theresa Wheeler, a daughter of Joseph Wheeler. He then rented land, for one year, after which he located on land received as an inheritance from his father’s estate, and to which he has added thirty acres by purchase. He is an active, energetic farmer and is highly esteemed by the community in which he lives. Politically he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes. He has a family of three children, Ella, Burrel and Adrian.

JAMES H. L. WINCHEL, an old native resident of the county, was born September 14, 1820, and is the fifth son of a family of nine sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Smith Winchel and Anna Mallory both of whom were natives of Delaware County, New York. In 1810 they anticipated Horace Greeley’s advice and came to this county, locating in Polk’s Bottom, Tobin Township. A few years later they bought 160 acres of land on Section 33, where the father died November 23, 1845. His widow survived him until the fall of 1863. James received only a limited education in youth on account of the scarcity of schools. At the age of twenty-two he learned the millwright and carpenter’s trade, which he followed for about five years. After his marriage, which occurred on September 22, 1846, he located on the old homestead where he has since resided. Mr. Winchel is an industrious, enterprising farmer, and has one of the best farms in the township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and himself and wife belong to the Baptist Church. He chose for a wife Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Marion County, Ky., and to their union have been born eight children. Those now living are Anna M. (wife of John D. Cockrell), Harriet F. R. (wife of Casper Whitehead), and George R., all of whom are living in Tobin Township.

LEVI WINCHEL, a farmer of Tobin Township, is a native of Perry County, born November 1, 1822, being the youngest son in a family of seven children born to the marriage of Uriah Winchel and Sarah Weatherholt, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in this county, and lived the remainder of their lives on a farm in Tobin Township. The mother died about 1828 and the father was killed by an accident in 1833. The subject of this sketch was therefore left at an early age without the guiding care of a parent. He went to live with Hiram Simons, with whom he lived for about eight years, and during that time he learned the tanner’s trade. After his marriage, which occurred June 17, 1842, he formed a partnership with his former employer, which continued for about eight years. He has since been engaged in farming with good success. He chose for a life partner Ellen Finch, a native of the county, by whom he is the father of nine children, five of whom. James E., John E., Hiram. George W. and Levi C. are living. In politics Mr. Winchel is very liberal, always voting for principle rather than party. He was born in the Protestant faith, and his wife in the Catholic. Both are highly esteemed by all who know them.