USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 72
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Gottlieb Prell was born in Germany Oct. 10, 1827, son of God- frey and Maria Prell; he came to this country in 1855, and settled in this county, where he has since resided engaged in farming. Mr. Prell received an excellent education in the classics in the Univer- sities of Germany, before he emigrated to America.
A. H. Price was born in Tuscarawas county, O., Sept. 2, 1831; his parents, Jonathan and Margaret (Deetz) Price, were natives of
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Pennsylvania. In 1864 he came to this county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stockraising. He also taught school for a term of years. Sept. 30, 1852, he married Miss Lydia A. Cordray, daughter of Nathan and Mary A. Cordray; to them were born 10 children, viz .: Mary, now wife of A. R. Freeman; Margaret E., wife of Daniel Krigger; Ella, Angeline, Lorenzo D., John F., Albert, Emma, Minerva A. and Laura. Mr. Price owns a farm of 144 acres, valned at $45 per acre. He is a Democrat.
D. W. Reece was born in Granger county, Tenn., Dec. 22, 1811, son of Charles and Mary (Glascow) Reece; he was reared on a farin, and his educational facilities were limited, having to attend school in a log school-house withont floor, furnished with slab seats, greased paper for window-lights, and a huge fire-place in one end .of the room. In 1832 he went to Fayette county, Ind., where he lived till 1842; about 1835 he came to this tp. and purchased a farm; he made occasional visits to his farm, remaining only for a short time, and in 1842, as already stated, he moved upon it. Apr. 26, 1838, he married Nancy M. Wilson, daughter of Jeremiah A. and Rebecca (Stubblefield) Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a very early settler in Fayette county, having moved there prior to the war of 1812, when that region was but a howling wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. R. have had 8 children; of these, 6 are living, viz .: Mary R. (now Mrs. Hugh Heaton), Sarah C. (wife of Louis De Cou- dres,) William, Thomas J., Martha A. (wife of Jolin Whitinger), and James N. Mr. Reece has held various tp. offices, among which is Trustee. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Jucob D. Row was born in Tuscarawas county, O., Oct. 18, 1835. His parents, David and Sarah (Allehouse) Row, were natives of Pennsylvania. He went with his parents to Coshocton county, O, where he grew to manhood. His educational advantages were lim- ited to the common schools; he came to this county in May, 1861, and settled on sec. 36, in Liberty tp. This was then but a howling wilderness; the land was very heavily wooded. There were but about 4 acres cleared on the farm he purchased; he labored on in the wood with unceasing energy till Sept., 1864, when he was drafted into the army; he had not been in the military service long till he was taken sick, and was confined in the Cumberland hospital for about four months; he served about one year, and was honorably discharged; he then returned home and resumed his former occu- pation, clearing the land and farming. He was married June 30, 1860, to Miss Hannah Knepp, by whom he has had 6 children, 5 of whom are living, viz .: Win. C., Mary J., Martin A., Albert O. and Clara A. Mrs. Row is a daughter of John and Mary (Price) Knepp, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Row is a veterinary surgeon and horse doctor.
David Rupel, second permanent settler in Liberty tp., was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1811; his parents, Jacob and Ann Rupel, were natives of Germany, and came to America at a very early day. In 1830 he came to Elkhart county,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
and remained during the winter. The following spring he came to this county and located near South Bend; at that time there were but two houses in the place, and they were occupied by Tay- lor and Coquillard, or Cutteau, as he was known, who had a trading post with the Indians at that place. In the summer of 1832 the settlers built the court-honse; the material consisted chiefly of brick; in May, 1836, he moved to Liberty tp. He was married Jan. 10, 1836, to Sarah Meller, daughter of Andrew and Margaret Meller, natives of Ohio. This union was blest with 6 children, 5 of whom are living, viz .: Dennis W., Andrew M., Margaret J., (now wife of J. W. Jones), Melinda C. (wife of David H. Weaver) and Mary E. (wife of Jonathan M. Cripe). Mrs. Rupel died Feb. 21, 1875, aged 58 years.
John N. Rupel was born in this county Mar. 17, 1837, son of . Jolin and Anna Rupel, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He dealt in live stock for about 20 years; also followed farming. He owns a farm of 144 acres in sec. 36, valued at $50 per acre. He was married Feb. 28, 1865, to Miss Isadore Wax- ham, danghter of Zachariah and Elizabeth Waxham; they have 1 child, John F. Mr. R.'s father was the first settler in Liberty tp.
Charles Schroeder was born in Germany in the year 1833. His parents, flenry and Henrietta Schroeder, were also natives of Ger- many; he came to this country in 1857, and settled in St. Joseph county, where he still resides, engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing. He was married in April, 1857, to Miss Mary Stieme, a native of Germany. Of their 9 children 8 are living, viz .: Frederick, Mary (Mrs. Rute Sellers), Anna, Charley, Henry, Sarah, Harmon and Ettie. Mr. S. owns 160 acres of land, worth $60 per acre.
John W. Shuppert was born in Elkhart county, Ind., April 14, 1845; his parents, Joseph and Susanna Shuppert, were natives of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in the Otterbein University, at Westerville, O., and followed school-teaching for 10 years. He was married Nov. 29, 1871, to Mary E. Weatherington, by whom he has had 5 children, viz. : Arvilla S., Archie E., Leroy, Perlia B. and Dasie A. Mrs. Shuppert is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Weatherington, natives of Connecticut. Her father was a very early settler in Franklin county, O.
Adam Smick was born in Stark county, O., April 17, 1828. His parents, Solomon and Mary A. Smick, were natives of Pennsyl- vania; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the country. He came to this county in the spring of 1854, and settled in Liberty tp., where he still resides. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth A. Blake, by whom he has had 5 children; of these, 3 are living, viz .: Mary J. (wife of Joseph Ollery), Sarah E. wife of Geo. Bennett), and Elizabeth E. In 1856 Mr. S. married Miss Rebecca Steel, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Steel.
Jeremiah Steel was born in Holmes county, O., Sept. 6, 1834. His parents, Elias and Elizabeth Steel, were natives of Pennsyl- vania: he was reared on a farm and educated in the Ohio Berlin
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Academy; came to this county in 1864, and followed farming until the year 1872, when he purchased an interest in his father's saw- mill; he continued in that business till 1877, when his father died, and by the division of the property the till fell into his possession; he still keeps it in operation. In 1867 he married Miss Catharine A. Gearhart, daughter of Henry and Kasia Gearhart, and they have had 7 children, of whom 4 are now living, viz .: Franklin E., Henry E., Joseph and Elmira. Mr. S. owns a farm of 380 acres.
J. A. Varier, M. D., physician and surgeon, North Liberty; born in this county Nov. 2, 1852; his parents were Joseph and Mary (Dougherty) Varier, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania; he lived on a farm till he was 12 years of age, when his father sold his farm and moved to Marshall county; he attended the Salem College from 1864 to 1868; he taught school until 1871, then commenced reading medicine under the instructions of Dr. T. T. Linn, at Bourbon, a very eminent surgeon in that place ; he studied with him for about five years, and in the meantime attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis; in 1876 he attended the Cincinnati regular Medical College, at which he graduated ; he then returned home and commenced practicing in North Liberty. Mr. V. has distinguished himself in his profession in that town and vicinity: has been a member of the St. Joseph County Medical Society since 1876. He was married Oct. 15, 1878, to Miss Ella Vasburgh, daughter of Nelson and Eliza Vas- burgh. Mr. V. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
George Waldsmith was born in this county June 11, 1838; his parents, Peter and Susan Waldsmith, were natives of Ohio; he was reared on a farm in the wilds of St. Joseph county, and while others had access to common schools, he was deprived of them, having to stay at home and work for his mother, while his father was away laboring for their support. He was married Sept. 28, 1869, to Miss Maggie Lower, and their 2 children are Rosanna and Grant. Mrs. Waldsmith is a daughter of Peter and Rosanna Lower, natives of Ohio. She was educated in the Academy at Millers- burg, O., and followed school-teaching for about 16 years. Mr. W.'s father was a settler in this county at the early period of 1832.
Geo. W. Williams was born Nov. 1, 1837, in the State of Illinois; his parents were James and Mary Williams, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Virginia. In early childhood lie was taken by his parents to La Porte county, where he grew to man- hood. Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted in the army in 21st Ind. Battery, and participated in the battles of Chickamanga, Hoover's Gap and other skirinishes. . He served till the close of the war, was hon- orably discharged, and returned home and resumed farming. Feb. 19, 1869, he was married to Ann E. Anten, daughter of William and Sarah Auten, and their 2 children are Maretta M. and Charlie O. Mr. W. owns a farm of 80 acres on sec. 36.
Samuel Williams, a prominent farmer in Liberty tp., was born in Cumberland county, Me., Dec. 18, 1802; his parents were George
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
and Mable (Lichfield) Williams, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Massachusetts. Mr. W. came West with his family in 1838, by lake from Buffalo to Detroit, and arrived in this county Nov. 3, at which time he had $300 in money. He bought 80 acres of land, and commenced improving it, and by perseverance and economy accumulated enough to enable him to live in retirement the rest of his days. He was married in 1835 to Eliza F. Thomas and they have 9 children, of whom 6 are living, viz .: Henry S., Frances M., wife of Joseph Cole, Harriet R., wife of A. Cun- ningham, Charles H., Paris A. and Eugene. Mr. W's father was a Captain in the war of 1812, and his grandfather Lichfield fought through the Revolutionary war. He is a member of the M. E. Church.
Jonathan Witwer was born Feb. 10, 1822, in Lancaster county, Penn. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth Witwer, were also natives of Pennsylvania. He spent his early days on a farm, and his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. In 1843 he moved to Summit county, Ohio, and in 1861 to this county; in 1864 he moved to Elkhart county, and in 1868 re- turned to this county, where he still resides, following farming. He was married May 21, 1844, to Christina Henney, daughter of David and Margaret Henney, and of their 15 children 9 are living; viz .: Anna, now Mrs. Silas Fisher; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Samuel Thornton; Simon S., Margaret, now Mrs. Henry Ross; Joseph, John B., Lncy F., Charles L. and Maty. Mr. Witwer owns a fine farm of 100 acres in sec. 9, worth $5,000. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Christian Church.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
The territory now included in Lincoln township was formerly a part of the territory that constituted Liberty township, and owing to the great inconveniences to which the settlers in what is now Lincoln township were subjected in attending elections, they in June, 1866, presented to the Board petitions for the territory now included in the limits of Lincoln township to be detached and made an independent township, and that Walkerton should be the place of holding their elections, and that the township be given the name of Lincoln. Their petitions were granted by the Board, and the township was detached, and Wm. A. Hawe was appointed Trustee.
The first election in this township was held in April, 1867, at the Walkerton Hotel, Mr. Wm. A. Haven acting as Inspector, Robert A. Wilson and J. O. Akin as Judges, and Paul Straub, Clerk. At this election 166 votes were cast. The following persons were elected to office, viz .: Neely Frame, Justice of the Peace; A. O. Hamilton, Trustee; and Zebedee James and Samuel Hudelmyer, Constables. At the next election Win. J. Wolfe and Jolin Calman were elected Justices of the Peace, and H. J. Kinney, Trustee, which office he held till 1876. The present Justices are S. J. Nich- ols and Amos H. Stevison; the Trustee is Silas George.
A considerable portion of the land of Lincoln township is marshy and wet, but is fast being reclaimed by draining. The leading industry of this township is farming in connection with stock-rais- ing.
The first settlement in this township was made in the fall of:1835 by Christian Fulmer and family. The next spring Thomas H. Wiley came in, it then forming a part of Liberty township; it was slow in being settled, but about the year 1850 settlers came in more rap- idly and it was not long till it was mostly occupied and owned by the residents.
WALKERTON.
The only town in Lincoln township is Walkerton. This town was laid out in March, 1857, by one Mr. Allen. "West Troy," as it was formerly called, and which now forms a part of the town of Walkerton, was a village of only a few houses situated at the junc- tion of the I., P. & C. with the B. & O. railroad. This village was laid out in 1855. The postoffice was designated as West York, and was sitnated one-half mile south of Walkerton. It was kept by Mr. C. W. N. Stephens, who had established it in 1851, and was the first appointee. He also had a grocery store, and still holds the position of Postmaster. The mail at that time was being conveyed
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
by the hack from La Porte to Plymouth, there being no railroads here. In 1854 Mr. Stephens built the first house in Walkerton, and also erected a store-building, and soon after opened a store, which was the first in the place. The site of Walkerton was then covered with a dense thicket. No roads had yet been laid out. The settlers there who had stores would go out before breakfast, as they had leisure no other time of day, and chop and slash down the underbrush to make roads through which teams might pass.
In 1856 the wishes of the people were much gratified at the con- struction of the I., P. & C. railroad. Then the business prospects of Walkerton began to brighten. It continued to grow, and in 1873 the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was built, crossing the I., P. & C. railroad at West Troy, which now forms the western part of Walkerton. In 1876 Walkerton was incorporated. The petitions were presented in 1874, but by some mistake were not received until 1876.
The present business of Walkerton consists of four dry-goods establishments, one clothing store, two hardware and implement stores, three drug stores, one large furniture store, two hotels, one a very fine house, of which Mr. J. M. B. Giberson is proprietor, also groceries and restaurants, and two railroad depots, one grain depot, two millinery stores, two printing-offices; at one the St. Joseph County Republican is published, and edited by J. F. & W. C. Endly, and at the other the Walkerton Visitor is published and edited by IIenry S. Mintle. There are also two meat shops, two saloons, one town hall, owned by Jacob Bender, one school-house and three churches. In all there are about 50 business men engaged here.
The first church in the township was the Methodist Episcopal at Walkerton, and was erected in 1859, during the pastorate of Rev. J. E. Newhouse and the administration of Presiding Elder James Johnson. The following named persons were the establishers of this church: H. Haskins, exhorter and leader; Emery Otwell, exhorter and steward; J. A. Lambert, exhorter and leader, and several others whose names could not be obtained. This society was long known as the West York Mission Church, but some years since was changed to the name of Walkerton Church. Rev. R. H. Sanders is the present pastor.
In 1870 the Baptist church was erected, and in 1876 the Roman Catholics put up a church building.
The first school building in Lincoln tp. was erected in 1858 in Walkerton, and in 1876 it was removed to the present situation. The same year an additional apartment was added for the purpose of holding a graded school. They now have three grades of schools, a high school, of which Prof. J. A. Jones is principal; the inter- mediate, taught by Mrs. C. M. Poffenberger; and the primary, by Miss A. Millard.
Walkerton is a little town of much business, and being situated at the junction of two very prominent railroads, commands a
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
wonderful amount of trade, especially grain. During the season of 1880 about 200,000 bushels of wheat were purchased at this point. Thus the outlook for the prosperity of Walkerton is good, and the place will, perhaps, in time become a populons town.
PERSONAL HISTORY.
The personal history of any community is the most important and valuable portion. We realize this, and in detailing the history of Lincoln township, speak very generally of those brave and sturdy pioneers who have converted the forests into fruitful fields, and who are to-day producing from the earth vast wealth.
Abraham Barkley, dealer in drugs, groceries, etc., Walkerton, Ind. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, and was born April 22, 1850. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Barkley, were also natives of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common country schools. In 1872 he came to Walkerton and opened a drug store. In 1870 he studied dentistry under the instructions of Dr. Cooper, of Plymouth, and afterward under Dr. Jackson, of Walkerton. Mr. B. was married Oct. 27, 1873, to Frances A. Akes, by whom he has had 3 children.
Allen Beall was born in Franklin county, Ohio, June 6, 1820. His parents, Joseph and Catharine (Blout) Beall, were natives of old Vir- ginia's shore. He was reared on a farm; his educational advantages were limited to the common schools of the country, which were held in rude log cabins, where sometimes the ground served as the floor, and slab-seats, greased paper window lights, a large fire-place, almost the full width of the cabin, and a stick chimney were em- ployed. Columbus at that time was but a small town of about 600 inhabitants. In 1832 his parents moved with him to Noble county, Ind., where he spent years of toil on the frontier. In 1866 they moved to Missouri, where they lived about two years, follow- ing milling. He then came to this connty, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. He was married Feb. 2, 1844, to Angelina Lee, danghter of Martin and - - (Kelly) Lee. She was a cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee, so eminent in the Southern army in the last war. Five children were born to them, of whom 4 are living, viz .: Rayon, B. H., next mentioned, D. W. and Helen L., now wife of P. Byers. Mr. Beall's grandfathers, Beall and Blout, were both soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Mr. B. owns a farm of 240 acres.
B. H. Beall, attorney at law and notary public, Walkerton, Ind., was born in Noble county, Ind., Ang. 16, 1848, son of the above mentioned. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the Wolf Lake Seminary and Bloomington University, at Fillmore, Missouri. He graduated at the last named place and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon after his graduation he commenced preach- ing in the Northwest Indiana Conference. In 1874 he was trans- ferred to the Nebraska Conference. He continued traveling and
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
preaching in different States till 1876, when he commenced read- ing law, and was adınitted to the Bar the same year. He has since been engaged in that business, preaching occasionally. Mr. Beall was married Dec. 23, 1867, to Miss Lois M. Gorsline, daughter of M. R. and Julia A. Gorsline, and their 4 children are: Ellen M., Thos. E., Jesse and Ray. Mr. B's father is still living, at the ripe age of 67. As far back as we can trace Mr. B's ancestors we find that they took a very active part in military affairs; some of them were in the Revolution and others were on the frontier to protect the white settlers.
William Bellinger, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Walkerton, Ind. ; was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 18, 1827; his parents, David and Olive (Martin) Bellinger, were natives of Massachusetts. In 1834 he went to Allen county, Ohio, and in 1863 came to St. Joseph county. Mr. B's father and mother both died while he was young, and he was bound ont to a stranger. At the age of 21 his assumed father gave him $100 in money and a fine suit of clothes. Thus he started in life, and by his good judgment and continued indus- try he has become possessor of a farm of 120 acres, valned at $75 per acre. Jan. 6, 1850, he was married to Miss Catharine Riggle, by whom he has had S children; of these, 7 are living, viz .: Geo. D., Sarah E. (now Mrs. Joseph Gahart), Olive A., Wm. M., Samuel M., John J. and Mary A.
Jacob Bender was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 22, 1804. His parents were John and Barbara (Cook) Bender. He was reared on a farm till he was 16 years of age; then he worked at the under- taker's business till about 1825; then for the next 20 years he fol- lowed milling. He came to Starke county in 1844, and in 1846 to North Liberty, this county; in 1848 went back to Starke county, and in 1855 returned to this county. He followed farming about 20 years. In 1863 he moved to Plymouth, and in 1864 came to Walkerton, where he has since resided. Mr. Bender was married Feb. 27, 1826, to Jane Dobbs, daughter of James and Harriet (Mil- ler) Dobbs, and they have had 10 children, 5 of whom are living, viz .: John S., a lawyer in Plymouth, who also traveled extensively in Europe, and wrote after his return to America a book entitled, " A Hoosier's Experience in Western Europe;" he is also author of a book on the money question; Robert H., Auditor of Starke county, who was for several years civil engineer of that county. Susanna J., now Mrs. Edward Tibbetts, in Marion, Ind; Adalaide, now Mrs. Dr. L. D. Glazebrook, of San Pierre; and John G., a dry- goods merchant in Fort Wayne. Mr. Bender owns a fine brick store building, the upper story of which is the noted Bender's Hall; it also contains an Odd Fellows Hall. Mr. and Mrs. B. are mem- bers of the M. E. Church.
Jas. Blain was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 5, 1826, son of George and Eliza Blain; the former was a native of Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1863 he came to this county, where he has since resided, following farming. He was married June 8, 1854,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
to Elizabeth Emans, and of their 12 children 8 are living, viz .: Anna E., Emma M., Clara, Ella J., Hannah M., George W., Jas. H. and Andrew S. Mr. B. owns 160 acres of land, 8 of which lies in La Porte county.
John Cotton was born on the island of Prince Edwards, Dec. 14, 1822; his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Cotton, were natives of Cornwall, England. They emigrated to America in 1822 and lo- cated in Upper Canada. Our subject lived in his native place till 1839, when he went to Trumbull county, Ohio; there he worked at the wagon and carriage-making trade for some years, then went to Akron; worked there at the same trade for two years; he then went to Ravenna and worked one year. In July, 1843, he came to Elk- hart, and in 1849 went to South Bend. While at that place he worked at his trade, or till 1863, when he commenced working in a sash and blind factory. He followed that for abont 12 years. In 1868 he moved ont into this tp., where he still resides, engaged in farming. He was married in 1845 to Miss Rebecca Dever, by whom he had 6 children; of these, one is living: J. Willis. Mrs. C. died Sept. 30, 1876, and Mr. C. was again married Dec. 20, 1877, to Sarah A. Quigley, nee Lambert, daughter of John A. and Mary Lambert, who were natives of Virginia. Mrs. C. was the wife of John B. Quigley, who was an exhorter in the M. E. Church. Mr. Q. was a soldier in the late war, and while he was ont he took sick and soon after died, at Harrodsburg, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley had three children, 2 of whom are living: Margaret M. and John J. H.
John Cripe was born in Fort Wayne, Oct. 11, 1826, a son of Rinehart and Elizabeth Cripe. His father was a native of Pennsyl- vania and his mother of Ohio. In early childhood he was taken by his parents to Goshen, and in 1835 to Sonth Bend. In the spring of 1836 they moved out into Lincoln tp., where his father purchased a large tract of land, of abont 1,000 acres. In the spring of 1847 they started for Oregon, wintered at St. Joseph, Missouri, and in the spring of 1848 they resnmed traveling and arrived at their des- tination Sept. 5. In 1850 they went to California, and located about 60 miles from Sacramento. In 1852 our subject, with his family, returned to their former home in St. Joseph county, where he invested in lands. His father bought a steam saw-mill; in this business he utterly failed. He then disposed of the remnant of his property, and in the fall of 1862 he and family started for Califor- nia. They spent the winter in Iowa, and in the spring John and his family started for California, and met his father and family at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where a large train was starting across the plains. They arrived in California Ang. 5. They returned home in 1865. on the Union Pacific railroad. Sept. 16, 1870, his mother died, and the 30th day of the following October his father died, at the ripe age of 80 years. Our subject was married May 20, 1847, to Aun E. Petrie, daughter of Wm. and Mary Petrie, natives of Canada, and they had 11 children, of whom 6 are living; viz .: William, Mary E., now wife of Jacob Rinehart; Joseph A., John C.
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