USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 35
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
OIN CHRISTEN, SR., farmer, owns forty aeres of land on seetion 16, and eighty aeres on section 15, Root Township, making a total of 120 acres. Ile was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, August 9, 1812. Ile was reared on a farm, but later in life car- ried on a bakery. He was married July 17, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Sehaad, who was born Jannary 17, 1814, in Canton Berne. The family came to America in 1850. landing in New York, coming thence to Adams County, and settling on the farm they now oeenpy and own. The land was partly im- proved. A log cabin and a log stable had been built, and abont fifteen aeres had been cleared. The family lived in that one room for nine years, when the father built an ad- dition of logs, giving them two rooms on the ground floor, besides an upper room, it being a one and a half story house. The logs were
hewed, both for the addition and the original hon-e. The present fine brick house was built in 1875, and it is as good a house as there is in the township. His niee frame barn was built about 1869. Mr. Christen's parents were John and Elizabeth (Segerzer) Christen, who were born in Switzerland, and passed their lives there. Mrs. Christen's parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Christen) Sehaad, were both born in Switzerland, and died in the eanton of Berne. Mr. and Mrs. Christen have had twelve children, eight of whom are living-Godfrey, born November 21, 1836; Eliza, born January 5, 1839; John A., born November 23, 1840; Mary A., born May 8, 1843; Jolin, born October 5, 1844; William, born August 2, 1846; John R., born November 7, 1849; Anna C., born April 20, 1855. All except the last named were born in Switzerland. The deceased are-John, born November 16, 1835, and died at the age of nine weeks; Mary A., born March 22, 1842, died at about the age of two months; Robert, born in March, 1848, died at the age of six weeks; Edward, born in 1852, died at about the age of five months; Emily, born October 7, 1837, died when one year old. Mr. Christen had two sons in the army, Godfrey and Albright. Godfrey served in the Forty-seventh Infantry, and Albright in the Eighty-ninth. The for- mer was promoted to Captain while in the service. Mr. Christen has served as town- ship trustee for ten years. He is a Demoerat in polities, and belongs to the German Re- formed church.
OHN E. CULLY, founder of the Geneva Herald, and a member of the firm of A. Cully & Son, was born in Mereer County, Ohio, October 30, 1867, son of Adam Cully, before mentioned. lle attended the
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high school at Geneva, also the Eastern Indiana Normal School two terms. lle became his father's partner in business in the spring of 1884, and is at present teaching school in District No. 3, Hartford Township, Adams County, Indiana.
- & DAM CULLY, member of the firm of A. Cully & Son, dealers in agricultural implements, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 16, 1842, a son of Thomas and Mary (Lyons) Cully, the former a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. HIe removed with his parents to Crawford County, Ohio, in an early day. ITis grand- father, Thomas Cully, was a native of Ireland, born near Dublin, and came to America soon after the war of 1812, settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he lived until his death. They had only one child-the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cully served as justice of the peace eighteen years; was a farmer by occupation. Adam Cully was reared on his father's farm, and received a common school education. He remained at home un- til August, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany E, Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, serving until the 1st day of June, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. He joined the Fifteenth Army Corps and served under Logan. He was in a number of battles and skirmishes, the more important being Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Dalton, Snake Creek Gap, Alton, Dallas, New Ilope Church, Noonday Creek, Little and Big Kenesaw Mountains, Savannah, Chattahoochie, Ezra Chapel, Jones- boro, Lovejoy, Griswoldsville, Bentonville, and was in Sherman's march to the sea. Ile was also at the grand review at Washington. He received a gunshot wound in the left
arm at Kenesaw Mountain, and was present at Chattahoochie July 22, when McPherson was killed. At Atlanta, July 28, they captured the rebel colors, the Seventieth and Forty- sixth Ohio regiments being among the front ranks. Before his term of service expired he was promoted to Corporal. On receiving his discharge he returned to his home in Ohio, and was engaged in the stock business three years, then followed farming awhile. In 18- he removed to Marshall County, In- diana, and engaged in the grocery trade, and in November, 1874, he came to Geneva, Adams County, and followed the same busi- ness until 1879, when he engaged in his present business, with J. D. Hale as partner. In 1882 he purchased his partner's interest and conducted it alone until March, 1584, when his son became associated with him. Mr. Cully married Elizabeth Harrod, a native of Hardin County, Ohio. Mr. Cully has been unfortunate in business on account of trusting many who have not paid him. He thought all others were as honorable in deal- ing as himself. Ilis advice to his fellow merchants is to be on the lookout, as they had better have their goods on their shelves than bad accounts and notes. Mr. Cully is perfectly honorable, always keeping his word to the letter in every business deal.
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M ARK MILLS McCONNELL, deputy sheriff of Adams County, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Monroe Township April 23, 1846, eldest son of Ilon. John and Lucinda (MeDericit) McConnell, who were old settlers of Adams County, the father coming here in 1840, and the mother in 1838. Mark M., our subject, from his fourth year was reared at Decatur, and was educated at the schools
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of Deeatur and at the Vermillion Institute at Ilaysville, Ohio. On becoming of age he studied dentistry at South Bend, Indiana, and afterward practiced at Decatur for two years. Dentistry not agreeing with his health, he abandoned it in 1870, after which he was employed as brakesman on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad until 1871. Ile then followed farming in Adams and Allen counties until 1877, when he was en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons and ear- riages until 1882. In that year he was made deputy sheriff by Sheriff Michael MeGriff, and also held the same position under his sueeessor, Perry A. Lewton, who was elected sheriff in 1886. In polities Mr. MeConnell affiliates with the Demoeratie party. Ile has been twice married. Ile was first married to Miss Samantha J. Grim, at Decatur, Sep- tember 6, 1868, who died at Fort Wayne in 1871, leaving one child, Maggie, who is a student at the Deeatur High School. Mr. MeConnell was married a second time at De- eatur, December 29, 1872, to Miss Rachel Elzey, whose parents, Elisha and Comfort A. (Whitehurst) Elzey, were pioneers of Adams County. Mr. MeConnell is a charter mein- ber of Kekionga Lodge, No. 65, K. of P., of Decatur, of which he has passed all the chairs, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana. John MeConnell, the father of our subject, was born in Butler County, Ohio, January 20, 1819, of Irish parentage. He was the eldest of a family of three ehildren, and his father dying when he was six years old, the care of his mother and a sister devolved on him, the youngest sister dying in infancy. Ile was early in life in- nred to hard work, beginning at the age of ten years to drive oxen on a briek yard, for which he received the small sum of 62 cents a day. When seventeen years old he worked at the blacksmith's trade for Henry Dillon
for 83 per month. After coming to Adams County he obtained a farm of 160 aeres, a part of which he entered, and purchased the remainder. He was married July 10, 1845, to Lucinda MeDermeit, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who is still living, making her home in Root Township, near Monmouth. They were the parents of six children. In his po- litieal views the father was a staunch Demo- erat. Ile was a prominent and influential man in Adams County, and held many pub- lie offices. He served three years as county commissioner, and for nine years was county auditor, and was clerk of the eirenit court for four years. In 1872 he was elected to the Indiana State Legislature, and served with satisfaction to his constituents during the special session of 1872 and the regular ses- sion of 1873.
OSEPH T. JOHNSON, an old settler of Adams County, was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, Angust 7, 1834, a son of James and Eliza Johnson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and now deceased, and the latter a native of Montgomery County, Mary- land. The parents came to Adams County in 1837, settling on section 19, Washington Township, where the father entered 160 aeres of land, having paid the Government $1 per aere. . Ile first built his log cabin, then com- meneed to elear his land. ITis first erop was five acres of corn, and the next year he raised some wheat. Later he removed to section 14, Washington Township, which is the farm now occupied by his son J. T. John- son. Ile endured many trials and hardships, and for many years was obliged to go to Fort Wayne to do his marketing. IIe also had to go to that point for his bread stuff's. With mature years came prosperity, and he became
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widely known and universally respected. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the founders of that church in this county. Before a church building was erected his home was frequently used for services. Ile always took great pains to accommodate the itinerant minister. Ilis demise oceurred in October, 1853. The parents had five children, of whom two are living-Joseph T. and Leonard W. Our subject was reared to manhood in this county, and assisted his father in clearing the farmn. Ile was married May 18, 1858, to Miss Minerva Reynolds, born August 15, 1840, in this county, daughter of John and Rachel Reynolds, the former now deceased. Her parents were among the first settlers of this county, loeating on seetion 26, Root Town- ship, in September, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had ten children-Willis M., Rachel E., Florence A., Eliza J., Edwin J., Sarah E., Charles W., Rosa A., Edna E. and Cora M. Mr. Johnson owns a good farm of 100 aeres in a good state of cultivation. In polities he is a Democrat.
ILLIAM ERWIN, farmer and ex- teaelier, section 21, Union Township, was born in that township April 7, 1858. IIe has been reared in this county and was educated in the common schools of his father's distriet, and the normal sehool of Adams County. He has also taught sixteen months in the common schools of his town- ship and eleven and one-half months in the district where he now resides. Ilis father, David Erwin, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 15, 1817, and was reared and educated in Guernsey and Clarke counties. Soon after his first marriage he eame to this county and entered forty acres of land on
section 9, from the Government. In the fall of 1839 he built his round-log cabin, 16x20 feet, and one story in height. Ile was first married in Ohio, to Miss Mary McCrum, who was born in that State. She died in 1855, leaving one child -- Joseph T., who died July 19, 1886, of consumption. Ile left a wife and one daughter, nineteen years of age. May 22, 1856, the father married Mary E. Need, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, October 4, 1836. When a young girl her parents brought her to Union Township, this county, where she was married. She died June 23, 1850. The father's family was the second family in Union Township. IIe served as a teamster in the Seminole war in Florida, going with a drove of mules. While there he drove team for several months for the army, although he was not an enlisted man. Both father and mother were members of the Methodist church, and died in the Christian faith. The grandfather of our sub- jeet, William Erwin, was born in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1788, and died July 13, 1845, in Allen County, Indiana. The grandmother Erwin died April 7, 1856, before our subjeet was born, and he has no knowledge of her birth, but she also died in Allen County. His maternal grandfather, Solomon Need, died in Union Township, this county, and his grandmother, Catherine Need, died in Allen County. Both are buried in Clark's Chapel cemetery. William Erwin, our subjeet, was married December 23, 1879, to Miss Sylvia Stahr, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, September 5, 1859, and when she was a child her parents brought her to Adams County and settled on seetion 21, where her father has lived ever since his arrival. The father, Frederiek Stahr, was born in Ger- many, September 8, 1832, and eame to America when eighteen years old, settling
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near Akron, Ohio. From there he went to llaneock County, and in 1862 came to this county. The mother, Eve (Swartz) Stahr, was born in Pennsylvania, December 31, 1835, and when a child was brought by her parents to Haneoek County, Ohio, where she was married. There are three children in their family, of whom Mrs. Erwin is the oldest, and the only one living. The parents are living, and their farm joins that of our subject. There were ten children in the family of Mr. Erwin's father, eight of whom are living, and William is the oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have had two children- William Edwin, born February 3, 1882, and Arthur Frederick, born October 1, 1884, died May 18, 1886. Mr. Erwin is a Democrat in polities, and both are members of the Evan- gelical Association.
DAM A. MASON, grocer at Geneva, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 22, 1839. llis father, Joseph Mason, was a native of Maryland, and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. They went to Ohio with their parents, where they were married. The father was a tanner by trade, which he followed in Ohio until 1847, when he removed with his family to Jay County, this State, settling on a farm on section 34, Bear Creek Township. Ile re- mained there about nine years. His wife, formerly Sarah Konkie, died in Wabash Township, Adams County, in February, 1859. The father afterward re-married and went to Ohio, where he died in the spring of 1867. They had fourteen children, Adam being the fifth ehild. Ile remained at home until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and Angust 8, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry,
and veteranized into the Eighth Cavalry in March, 1868. lle participated in all the battles from Atlanta to the sea; was at the surrender of Johnston at Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was thrown from a horse and sustained injuries from the effects of which he draws a pension of $2 a month; he also received a gunshot wound. He served until the close of the war, and was inustered out of the service at Lexington, North Caro- lina. Upon receiving his discharge he re- turned to Adams County and engaged in farming, which he followed until September, 1882, when he embarked in the grocery trade at Geneva, which oeeupation he still follows. Mr. Mason is a member of the John P. Por- ter Post, No. 83, G. A. R. IIe has been married three times. His first wife was Mary Jane Ruble, whom he married in 1863, and who died March 13, 1869. His second wife, whom he married July 21, 1871, was Sarah E. Beohm, who died January 1, 1882. To this union six children were born-Will- iam Arthur, Jessie Siloam, Frederick M., Harry Carlton, Nellie and Mamie, deceased. Mr. Mason was married January, 1883, to Hester Il. Iloudasetel, and to this union . have been born three children-James E., Earle and Georgia Estella. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of the United Brethren ehureh.
OHN ROBERT CHRISTEN, deputy anditor of Adams County, Indiana, is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Berne, near the City of Berne, December 7, 1849. When an infant he was brought to the United States by his parents, John and Elizabeth Christen, they locating in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana, and there our subjeet grew to manhood. His father
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being a farmer. he was reared to the same avocation. Ile received a good common- school education in the schools of his neigh- borhood, and on attaining the age of twenty years he began teaching in the schools of Adams County, which he followed six or seven winter terms, and during the summer worked on his father's homestead, being thus engaged until 1879. May 8, 1879, he was married near Decatur to Miss Edith M. Fon- ner, who was born and reared in Root Town- ship, her parents, John A. and Elizabeth (Pillers) Fonner, being pioneers of Adams County. Two children have been born to this union, whose names are-Otto Guy, born February 29, 1880, and Frederick Allen, born March 24, 1884. In June, 1879, Mr. Christen was made deputy auditor under his brother Godfrey Christen, and was appointed deputy anditor by his successor, Lewis C. Miller, in 1883, which position he has filled for the past eight years. Mr. Christen was reared in the faith of the German Reformn church, but now attends the Methodist Epis- copal church at Decatur, of which his wife is a member.
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BARNEY JOHN TERVEER, hardware inerchant, and one of the leading eiti- zens of Decatur, is a native of Germany, born in Ashendorf, Ilanover, the date of his birth being July 11, 1843, a son of Burgart and Mary (Kramer) Terveer. The father was a merchant of Ashendorf, and was also engaged in the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods. He died in his native place, Ashendorf, in 1868. The mother was also a native of Ashendorf, where she died in 1844. Both were members of the Roman Catholic church. The mother's father and ancestors were prominent distillers of Hanover. Our
subjeet was reared to mercantile pursuits, and was also engaged in the manufacture of calicoes in his native eity. Ile received an academic education, and at the age of fifteen years he entered his father's store as a elerk. When eighteen years old he began traveling as a salesman for his father, which he followed for five years, through Hanover and Prussia. From 1866 until 1869 he was engaged in the same business at Munster, Prussia, and in the spring of the latter year he came to America, landing at Castle Garden, New York, April 1. From there he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he worked in a dye house until the following fall, when he re- moved to La Fayette, Indiana, and was there employed as foreman of the woolen mill of Dagget, Sample & Co., for three years. He then traveled for the same firm, and in the meantime he settled at Decatur, Indiana, where in 1874 he became associated with James Stone in the hardware business, which was carried on under the firm name of Stone & Terveer until 1879, when Mr. Terveer purchased his partner's interest, and a short time after he admitted John S. Bowers as a partner. The firm of Terveer & Bowers continued until 1881, since which time Mr. Terveer has conducted the business alone. May 7. 1872, Mr. Terveer was married in St. Mary's Catholic Church at Decatur, by Father Wemhoff, to Miss Mary Brandeweda, a dangliter of Ilenry and Elizabeth (Kohn) Brandeweda, both now deceased. Her father was a Government officer in Hanover. She is a native of Alfhausen, Hanover, Germany, and when very young was taken by her par- ents to Meppen, Hanover, where she was reared and educated, coming to America in 1869. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Terveer, five still living-Minnie, Mary, Anna, Clara and Emma. Henry died August 16, 1877, aged four years; Josie
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died October 21, 1884, at the age of five years, and Lannix died December 1, 1886, six years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Terveer were reared in the Roman Catholic faith, and are now members of St. Mary's Church at Decatur. In June, 1881, Mr. Terveer returned to his native country, and made a tour through Prussia, Hanover and England, returning to America three months later. Although Mr. Terveer came to America in limited circumstances, he has been very sue- eessful in business, owing to his industrious habits and persevering energy. In 1882 he purchased his business house, which is one of the best in Deeatur, and has eost him 87,000, and in 1885 he erected his present substantial briek residence. In connection with his extensive hardware business, he also deals in agricultural implements on a large seale, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.
AVID M. KERR, a prominent eitizen of' Adams County, engaged in farming on section 23, Monroe Township, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1824. Ilis parents, James W. and Rosanna (MeLelland) Kerr, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch ex- traction, the father born April 20, 1797, and the mother born October 12, 1801. They were married June 21, 1821, and to them were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters. The father was a shoemaker by trade. Ile died in Indiana County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1846, and the mother died in the fall of 1864 in Crawford County, Ohio. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. David M. Kerr, the subject of this sketch, went to Indiana County, Pennsylvania, when
eighteen years old, and there followed the earpenter's trade until 1850, since which time he has been engaged principally in farming. He was married November 14, 1851, to Naney Robinson, who was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1831, going with her parents to Crawford County, Ohio, when young, where she lived until her marriage. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr four are living-John N., William M., Robert B. and Irvin. Mr. Kerr has given his children good educational ad- vantages, and at the present time three are engaged in teaching school in Monroe Town- ship. Mr. Kerr was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and was in the Fourteenth Army Corps. He received a gun-shot wound in his leg September 20, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga, which eaused his final discharge February 17, 1864. Ile then returned to his home in Crawford County, Ohio, and in 1865 came to Adams County, Indiana, settling on his farm in Monroe Township in November of that year, where he has sinee followed general farming. His first purchase was forty aeres which was heavily covered with timber. His farm now contains eighty aeres of well-improved land, which is under good cultivation. In polities Mr. Kerr is a Democrat, and has held local offices. IIe is a comrade of John P. Porter Post, G. A. R., at Geneva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Christian church.
&NDREW G. BRIGGS, hardware mer- chant, Geneva, is a native of Haneoek County, Ohio, born January 31, 1860. Ilis father, William II. Briggs, eame with his family to Wabash Township, this county, in the spring of 1871. He received a com-
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mon-school education, and when fifteen years of age went to clerking in the dry goods house of E. C. Kern, where he remained un- til 1879. Ile then went to Celina, Ohio, and clerked in a boot and shoe and grocery store, remaining until February, 1882, then came to Geneva and purchased the hardware stock of George W. Donart, in 1882, which busi- ness he still follows. Mr. Briggs was mar- ried November 27, 1883, to Miss Margaret R. Day, a native of Celina, Ohio, born Oeto- ber 3, 1864. IFer father, James Day, is a prominent attorney and common pleas judge. Ile was born in Hancock County February 10, 1840. ITis wife was formerly Fannie M. Small, born in Hayesville, Ashland County, Ohio, December 26, 1846. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Day have four children -- Mrs. Briggs, Annie L., Elizabeth S. and Edna.
OIIN A. FONNER, farmer, sections 27 and 28, Root Township, owns 210 acres of land in one body. Ile came to this county in 1841, with his parents, two brotli- ers and five sisters, and one sister was born after coming. They settled in the woods, which were full of game of all kinds, and the river was full of fish. The first school Mr. Fonner attended in this county was held in a blacksmith shop. It was built of round logs and stood at Monmouth. The shop was filled with puncheon seats, and writing-desks were put around the wall. Mr. Fonner thinks there was no floor in the house either before or after it was converted into a sehool- house. This was his first introduction to an Indiana school-room. It was a subscription school. Mr. Founer was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1826. He lived in his native county until he was six
years of age, when his family removed to Athens County, Ohio, settling upon an im- proved farm, which belonged to the Ohio University, which his father bought. When he was fourteen years old his father sold the land, leaving it in the fall of 1840. The father would not leave the State until he had voted for General Ilarrison for President. He had formerly been a Democrat, but hav- ing been a soldier under General Harrison he wished to vote for him for President, and he was a Whig ever after. The family spent the winter in Troy, Miami County, where coru was 123 cents a bushel. Provisions both for man and beast were very cheap. But when they came to Indiana they found corn was from 75 cents to $1.00 per bushel. They had five horses and several cows and young eattle, and they spent the winter, pre- vious to coming here, in Ohio, because they could winter their stock so much cheaper in that State. Mr. Fonner's parents were John and Mary (Crouse) Fonner. The father was born in New Jersey in 1788, and died in September, 1852. The mother was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and died in 1854. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father is buried in Alpha cemetery and the mother in Monmonth cemetery. The mother was a noble Christian woman, and had a great love for her family. Her education was superior for that day, and she was a teacher by pro- fession. Mr. Fonner, our subject, was mar- ried January 9, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Pillars, who was born and reared in Adams County. Her father, Benjamin Pillers, was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and her mother, Sarah A. (Rice) Pillers, in Culpep- er County, Virginia, May 27, 1815. IIer family came here in 1839 and settled in Root Township, on section 14, which was then a wilderness. The farm is now owned
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