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. 2 > Part 46
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. 2 > Part 46
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
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
Township: John B., married and living in Liberty Township, and Rachel May. The family have added forty acres by purchase to the estate, and made valuable building im- provements, having erected one of the largest and best arranged barns in the township. Mr. Funk was a member of the German Re- formed church, having united with that church in 1854. Mrs. Funk has been a member of the same church since 1837.
LI GRIFFITH, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Jackson Township. Ile was a native of Perry County, Ohio, born in July, 1815, and was there reared and married. After his marriage he moved, in 1838, to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 32, Jack- son Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred January 16, 1877. In poli- ties he was a Democrat. When he came to settle on this farm he had to ent a road in order to drive his team and wagon to it. Ile then lived in his wagon until a cabin was erected in a mass of woods. He saw the In- dians trailing through the woods and could hear the wolf howl at night. He could stand in his eabin door and shoot the bounding deer which roamed the woods, and to-day the golden grain grows upon the fields that he cleared day by day. Ilis wife, who survives him, was Mary J. Burkett. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born September 29, 1818, and came to Ohio in 1824, and was married to Eli Griffith in 1836. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom are living- Catherann, Mary E., Aaron P., James B. and Michael W. Michael W. was born July 1, 1859, on the farm where his parents first settled, and where he still lives. Ile was married in November, 1883, to Naney A.
Banter, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born October 10, 1862. They have three children-Grover E., born August 7, 1884; Carrie M., August 27, 1885; Odes II., Jan- mary 6, 1887. John Griffith, deceased, father of Eli, was a native of Virginia, born in 1778, and there was reared and married to Polly Groves, a native of England, born in 1750. From Virginia they moved to Perry County, Ohio, and in 1538 they came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled in Jaek- son Township, on the northwest quarter of section 33, where they lived until death; the former died August 28, 1853, and his wife April 25, 1554, and they were buried on the farm where they lived. Michael Burkett, deceased, father of Mary J., was a native of Germany, born in 1794, and there reared and married to Mary Amou, also a native of Germany, born in 1790. In 1817 they came to Pennsylvania, and from there they moved in 1824 to Perry County, Ohio, where they lived until death, the father dying in 1838 and the mother September 1, 1862.
AMES W. SALE, of the firm Stndaba- ker, Sale & Co., grain merchants, Bluff- ton, Indiana, is a native of Indiana, born in North Manchester, Wabash County, Au- gust 1, 1858, a son of Rev. Francis A. and Mary A. (Warnock) Sale. His father was born in Greene County, Ohio, June 7, 1816, where he spent his early life. Coming to Indiana in 1834 he entered the ministry, and joined the North Indiana Methodist Episco- pal Conference in 1850, of which he was an active member until April, 1878. During this time he filled some of the most impor- tant pulpits in his conference. IIe was pas- tor of Bluffton charge during the years 1855 and 1856. He died at Marion, Grant County,
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Indiana, February 12, 1879, less than a year after his effective relation with the confer- enee had ceased. Ile was the son of Rev. John and Naney (Bonner) Sale. His father was of Seotch deseent, a native of West Vir- ginia, and was a prominent pioneer preacher of Ohio, and a co-worker with Bishop Asbury. The mother of our subject was born in Mon- roe County, Indiana, November 16, 1820, and has lived with her son James since the death of his father. She was the danghter of James and Naney (Garner) Warnock. Iler father was of Irish ancestry, a native of Ken- tucky, and one of the early settlers of Indiana, loeating first in Clark County, af- terward moving to La Porte County, where he spent most of his life. He died at La Fayette, Indiana, April 29, 1887, at the ad- vaneed age of ninety-three years, having lived thirty-three days withont food. James W. Sale spent the early part of his life in the different schools where his parents were located until his fifteenth year, when at Lig- onier, Indiana, he was taken out of school by the advice of his physician on account of poor health. During the summer of 1873 he learned the art of telegraphy, but this business not being to his liking he aban- doned it after a short time and came to Bluffton and took employment in the office of Waring, Sale & Co., grain dealers, his brother, John W. Sale, being a member of the firm. Ile was with them irregularly for two years, and was then taken in the employ of Studabaker, Wiley & Co., dry goods, where he remained two years, acting in the capacity of cashier and bookkeeper. Then two years as bookkeeper for Waring, Studabaker & Co., grain dealers. In 1880 he became book- keeper in the Exchange Bank, Bluffton, fill- ing that position five years, which he resigned to accept a partnership interest with Waring, Studabaker & Co. Shortly at-
ter Mr. Waring retired and the firm beeame Studabaker, Sale & Co., the individual mem- bers being at present John Studabaker, his sons David E. and John A. and Mr. Sale. They do an extensive business, operating at a number of other points as well as Bluffton, and are probably the largest grain shippers in Northern Indiana. Mr. Sale was married September 9, 1884, to Miss Bessie Klinck, second daughter of Dwight and Mary J. (Studabaker) Klinek. Her father, Dwight Klinck, was born in New York, June 18, 1835, and was drowned May 7, 1875, while en ronte to Europe on the ill-fated steamer Schiller, which sank in the English Channel. Her mother, Mary J. Studabaker, the eldest daughter of John and Rebecca Studabaker, was born in Bluffton, September 27, 1842, where she still resides, now the wife of Mr. Jacob J. Todd. Miss Klinck was born in Bluffton April 21, 1865, and with the ex- ception of a short residence in Chicago with her parents during the years 1869 to 1873, this has always been her home. Pos- sessed of an affectionate and unselfish nature, she grew up to a noble woman- hood, beloved of the entire community, and bid fair to be one of the brightest jewels in Bluffton society. The married life of the young couple started under the most anspieious eireninstances, and the future was bright with promise, when suddenly, on Sep- tember 7, 1886, within two days of their second anniversary, death stepped in and broke the bans, and Mr. Sale was left alone with a little daughter, Bessie, but ten hours old. Mrs. Sale was an exemplary Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal elmreh, Mr. Sale being an earnest member of the same denomination, and at present secretary of the board of trustees of the elmreh in Bluffton. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows order, Bluffton Lodge, No.
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
114, and Bluffton Encampment, No. 141. He has passed all the chairs of his lodge, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of In- diana. In politics Mr. Sale is a Republican.
R. JOIN I. METTS, of Ossian, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 16, 1832, son of James W. and Miranda (Sutton) Metts. September 10, 1837, the family came to this county and settled near where Murray is now located. At that time Murray had no store. Noah Toby and Jesse Whitmer, only a short time before, had erected a saw-mill. James Metts entered a quarter seetion of land, built a log cabin and began the work of clearing up a farm. Three children, William II., John I. and Milton S., constituted the family at that date, all born in Licking County, Ohio. Later other sons and daughters came to grace their Western home --- Alfred II., Norville W., Mary E., Elza B., Maranda D. and Sarept L. The parents took great pride in the education of their children, and all have made their mark in professional and social life. William, the eldest son, attended Franklin College, and afterward entered the ministry, remaining in that profession during his life, and was tilling the sacred desk at the Methodist Episcopal church at Dublin, Indiana, when his death occurred. Milton S. Metts attended college at Fort Wayne, and entered the min- istry in 1860. He was also a physician and a student of John I. A. II. Metts was also a student of our subjeet, and attended lectures at Rush Medical College of Chicago, prior to his enlistment in the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. He began practice in part- nership with John I. Metts in 1865, at Ossian, which has been continned to the present time. Mary E. was a teacher in the public schools
previous to marriage; she is now the wife of Thomas A. Doan, proprietor of the Ossian saw-mills. Elza B. studied law after his re- turn from the war, during which time he was a member of Company A, Thirty-fourth In- diana Infantry. He has become prominent in legal matters, and has served as judge of the court in St. Mary's Parish, Louisiana, of which State he is now a resident. Ile is also attorney for the Louisiana & Northern Rail- road. Maranda D. was also a teacher, and is now the wife of Robert Archbald, a farmer and merchant of this county. Sarept L. became the wife of Dr. George N. Worley, of Williamsport, Indiana; she was also a teacher for several years. Dr. John I. Metts attended Fort Wayne College in 1852, having previous- ly taught school during the winter seasons. He also began the study of medicine during that year, under the tutelage of Dr. Adam Davidson, resident physician at Murray, and attended medical college at Louisville and Cincinnati. He was matriculated at the noted Miami College of that city in 1854-'55; has also taken an honorary degree at the Fort Wayne Medical College. Ile located at Os- sian May 6, 1855, and four years later was married to Miss Naney C. Cartwright, daughter of John and Margaret (MeCorkle) Cartwright, who were among the carly settlers of this county. The doctor and his wife are the parents of five children, all living except the eldest son, William E., whose death occurred when nineteen years of age. The others are -Josephine, Jolin W., Robert E. and Fred A. Miss Josephine is a graduate of Fort Wayne College, and the two eldest sons are graduates of the Ossian High School. Only two physi- eians are living in this county who were in practice when Dr. Metts located here. lle owns and resides upon a nice farm near the village, and has been one of the most snecess- ful men of his neighborhood. He was elected
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
trustee of his township in 1859, and held the office until 1878; four years later he was re- elected and served two terms. lle was a charter member of Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., and was the first treasurer. The second year he was elected master and served ten years. Ile was one of the insti- gators of this lodge. The graded school at Ossian was established during his term as trustee, which met with a bitter opposition from many, but the good people of this town now highly prize the effort made by the doctor, as the school ranks second to none in this county.
¿LEXANDER BYALL, an active and progressive farmer of Jackson Town- ship, residing on section 30, is a son of John Byall, one of the old and respected pio- neers of Wells County. Alexander was born on his father's homestead in Jackson Town- ship, October 7, 1847, where he grew to manhood, his youth being speut in assisting on the farm and attending the common schools of his neighborhood. He completed his education at the Bluffton High School, which he attended three terms, and on attain- ing the age of twenty-one years he engaged in teaching school, which he followed eleven terms in connection with farming. April 24, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Christina Wallace, who was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indiana, Feb- ruary 17, 1852, a daughter of Thomas and Agnes Wallace, who settled in Wells County in the early days of the county. Five chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byall -- Agues M., John W., Maggie B., Henry V. and Victoria L. After their marriage they settled on the farm where they still reside, and by industry and good management have
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acquired their present fine property, their farm containing 112 acres under a good state of cultivation. Mrs. Byall received her edu- cation in the public schools of Bluffton, and taught several terms in Bluffton and vicinity before her marriage. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.
ILLIAM MILLER, one of the early settlers of Wells County, and a pros- perous agriculturist of Rock Creek Township, where he resides on section 13, is a native of Maryland, born November 3, 1824. Ilis parents, Frederick and Susan (Panlus) Miller, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, the father born in York County, that State, of German ancestry. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom our subject was the seventh son and eleventh child. When he was three years old they removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, remain- ing there a number of years, and from there went to Franklin County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same avocation, which he has made his life- work. His educational advantages were such as could be obtained in the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day. In 1851 he came to Wells County, Indiana, and he and his brother purchased a traet of 200 acres of heavily-timbered land in Rock Creek Township, which they began elearing and improving. Ilis brother died during the war of the Rebellion, when he came into posses- sion of the whole farin, and is now the owner of 291 acres of well-improved and highly- enltivated land, all the improvements on his land having been done by himself. March 3, 1859, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Susan Bender, a native of Pennsyl-
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
vania, coming to Wells County with her parents, John and Barbara (Mast) Bender, when about eleven years of age. To this union seven children were born- Franklin T., Barbara E., wife of John Staver; William S., Lydia M., John B., Charles H. (was killed at the age of eight years) and Ada M. August 15, 1861, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, and served his country three years. Septem- ber 19, 1863, he was wounded at the battle of Chiekamanga in the left hip, and was also captured. He was held a prisoner twelve days, and then sent to the Union lines by an agreement with both armies. He returned to his regiment May 1, 1864, and served until the close of the war. In polities Mr. Miller was formerly a Demoerat, but since the war of the Rebellion he has affiliated with the Republican party. Although his politi- eal party is in the minority in Rock Creek Township, he was elected to the office of township trustee in April, 1886. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran church.
ACOB FARLING, one of the old and honored pioneers of Wells County, and a worthy representative of Rock Creek Township, where he resides on section 15, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1822, a son of Abraham and Catherine (Lesh) Farling, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject was a native of the same State, his father being a native of Wittemberg, Germany, who came to America before the war of the Revolution, and served as a soldier during that war. The mother of our subjeet was a daughter of l'eter Lesh, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father came
from Germany in an early day. Jacob Far- ling was reared to the avocation of a farmer on the home farm, and in his youth received such educational advantages as the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day afforded. He made his home with his parents until their death. He was married in Sep- tember, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Crum, a native of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Haines) Crum, who were born in the State of Penn- sylvania, of German descent. To this union were born nine children-Mary Ann, wife of Daniel Eliek, of Wells County; Maria Cath- erine, married Samuel Harness; Harriet is the wife of Levi Swertz; Elizabeth Louisa, deceased, was the wife of Jomm H. Millen; Jacob F., William Alfred and three who died in infancy. Mr. Farling remained in his native county until about two years after his marriage, when, October 22, 1848, he started with his wife and two children for Indiana in a two-horse wagon, and after a journey of twenty-seven days landed in Wells County. The roads to Greenville, Ohio, were good, but the rest of the journey was made at the rate of nine or ten miles a day, owing to the poor condition of the roads. His parents, his sister, with her husband and family, and Samuel Straw and wife came at the same time, and all made homes in Wells County. The father purchased 320 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, where he died the June following his arrival into the conn- ty. The mother of our subject died in the same township, in 1868. Jacob Farling settled on a traet of 160 aeres which his father had purchased, which he began to clear and improve, and by hard work and persevering energy he soon brought his land under cultivation, and is still living on the same farm, which now consists of 200 aeres of well improved and highly cultivated land.
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Joseph Lesh
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In politics Mr. Farling affiliates with the Democratic party. From 1856 until 1863 he served his township as trustee, and in the fall of 1863 was elected county commissioner, serving as such four years to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents. Ile was one of the or- ganizers of the Rock Creek Detective Associa- tion, of which he was president, and is at present president of the Rock Creek Insurance Com- pany. In his chosen avocation he has met with excellent snecess, and by industry and good management acquired his fine property, and by his fair and honorable dealings and striet integrity he has gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
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INFIELD SCOTT SILVER, attorney at law and member of the firm of Duglay & Silver, Bluffton, Indiana, is a native of Allen County, Indiana, born near Leo, April 15, 1849. Ilis parents, Joseph C. and Margaret (Fitts) Silver, were of German ancestry. When he was six years old his parents moved to Bluffton, and here he was reared and educated. From his fourteenth to his nineteenth year he worked in the saw-mill with his father, and then went to Kansas, remaining in that State two years. In 1870 he returned to Bluffton, and was soqn after employed by the Fort Wayne, Cinein- nati & Lonisville Railroad Company as assist- ant freight agent, remaining with them until 1874. In 1875 and 1876 he attended the Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio, and in the latter part of 1876 went to Mis- souri and worked in the lead mines in Benton and Morgan counties until the spring of 1878. Ile then returned to Bluffton and began the study of law in the office of J. J.
Todd, where he continued until 1882, when he was admitted to the bar and began his practice. In 1885 he became associated with Asbury Duglay in the practice of his profession. In 1850, by direction of the Republican State Central Committee, he polled Wells County, and the election returns proved it to be the most accurate ever made in the county. He was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee dur- ing the campaigns of 1882 and 1884. In 1882 he was a candidate for the nomination for the office of Secretary of State. On the first ballot the vote was a tie as between Mr. Silver and Ilon. Robert Mitehell who was nominated on the third ballot. His race for this nomination was one of the most brilliant ever made by a young man in the State. In 1886 he was a member of the Republican State Executive Committee. Ile was married January 14, 1886, to Miss Eva Thompson Lacey, a daughter of Rev. Henry J. Lacey and Elizabeth (Thompson) Lacey. They have one child, Paul Wendling, born Deeem- ber 23, 1886. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Silver being a member of the board of trustees of that church at Bluffton. Ile is also a mem- ber of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Silver are highly esteemed members of society.
OSEPHI LESH, a snecessful agrienlturist of Rock Creek Township, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 9, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1835. Ilis parents, John and Elizabeth (Ulrich) Lesh, were natives of Penn- sylvania and of German ancestry. They had a family of twelve children, of whom nine are still living. Of this family our subject was
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
the seventh son and tenth child. Ile was reared on a farm in his native county until 1850, when he came with his parents to Wells County, Indiana, they locating on a tract of unimproved land on section 17, Rock Creek Township. Here his father purchased sixty acres, which he cleared and improved, making his home on this land until his death, which occurred in January, 1864, at the age of sixty- two years. His widow survived until May, 1581, dying at the advanced age of eighty- three years. She was an active and consistent member of the German Reformed church. Joseph Lesh was fifteen years of age when he came with his parents to Wells County. Ile
lived on the home farm in Rock Creek Town- ship until 1856, when he went to Murray, Wells County, and began elerking in the store of Iliram Hatfield, where he remained two years. IIe then went to Bluffton, and was employed by George Arnold for one year, when he went to Markle and engaged in the mercantile business with his former employer, Mr. Hatfield. A year later he purchased his partner's interest and continued the busi- ness four years. In 1864 he sold out the business and purchased a small farm on see- tion 9, where he has since followed farming, and by his own efforts has accumulated his present fine property, which consists of 420 aeres of well improved and highly cultivated land, the result of persevering industry and good management. Mr. Lesh was married October 4, 1560, to Miss Sarah Lesh, a dangh- ter of John and Harriet (MeAffee) Lesh, who came from Berks County, Pennsylvania, to Wells County, Indiana, in 1847. Eight children have been born to this union-Daniel W., Douglas A., Quilla, Priscilla (died aged five months), Sylvester, Ulysses S., Lineolu and John E. Mr. and Mrs. Lesh are and have been members of the Evangelical Lu- theran church since 1861. In polities Mr.
Lesh is a Republican. At present he is serving as secretary for the Rock Creek Fire Insurance Company, and also for the Rock Creek Detective Association.
- ENRY KIRKWOOD, Sheriff of Wells County, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 25, 1845, the eldest child of William and Susannah (Gehrett) Kirk- wood, who are natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Irish-German and the mother of German deseent. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters. They came to Wells County, Indiana, with their family in 1850, and located in Notting- ham Township, where the father has since followed farming, and with that avocation pursned the tanner's trade until 1862. Po- litieally he is a Democrat. He has held the office of commissioner of Wells County for six years, and has served efficiently for three years as trustee of Nottingham Township. The mother is a member of the German Bap- tist church. Henry Kirkwood, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in Not- tingham Township, being reared a farmer and tanner. He was married in Nottingham Township, in January, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. King, who was born and reared in Wells County, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Bolender) King. To this nnion have been born five children-Rosella, Willison, Ma- hala, Jennie and Charles, all but the young- est child being students at the Bluffton High School. In 1871 Mr. Kirkwood engaged in saw-milling in Nottingham Township, which he followed until 1884, when being elected sheriff, he discontinued his milling business to assume the duties of his office, and be- eame a resident of Bluffton. He was re- elected to the same office which he still holds,
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Henry Kirkwood
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and is serving with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In polities he casts his suffrage with the Demo- cratic party. Ile is a member of Bluff- ton Lodge, No. 92, K. of P., and also belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Bluffton. Mrs. Kirkwood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal chureli.
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AMES BLUE, a representative of one of the old and honored pioneers of Wells County, resides on section 15, of Lan- easter Township, on the homestead established by his father in February, 1840. His father, Uriah Blue, was a native of Miami County, Ohio, a son of Michael Blue, who was born in the same county, and was a son of Uriah Blue, who was the first settler of Miami County. Michael Blue was one of the mounted rangers who rode to the relief of Fort Wayne when besieged during the war of 1812. The Blue family have been intimately connected with the pioneer history nearly one hundred years. Uriah Blue was married to Miss Rachel Moore, and to this union were born nine children-Mary, Lucinda, Michael C., James, Catherine, Elizabeth, Uriah, John (deceased) and Melissa, the last five being natives of Wells County. The father was a carpenter by trade, which he made the principal avoca- tion of his life. In 1838, before coming to Wells County, he had bought eighty aeres, and in 1839 entered eighty aeres from the Government. Ile eame to the county with his wife and family, which then eonsisted of four children. Hle endeared himself to all the early settlers with whom he came in contact by his many manly qualities, and was highly respeeted by all who knew him. He died at the age of sixty-five years, his widow surviv- ing him about ten years. James Blue, the
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