Our subject came with his widowed mother, and brothers and sisters to Indiana in 1838, and settled in Warren County when it was in a state of nature, covered with heavy timber. He being the eldest child, the support of the family mainly devolved upon him, and from an early age he was inured to hard work, and received but limited educational advantages. Deer and other wild animals were numerous, and the early settlers had much trouble from the wolves, they frequently attempting to carry off their pigs or lambs. Our subject was reared amid the privations and hardships of pioneer life. At one time he attended a circular hunt when 200 deer and thirty-two wolves were killed.  He was united in marriage in Franklin County, Indiana, May 7, 1848, to
MISS MARTHA MORFORD, only daughter of DANIEL MORFORD, deceased. Five of the eight children born to this union are still living, named--ASBURY, OLIVER C., JOHN D., LETTIE J. and ADELLA D., all of whom are married and
have comfortable homes. MR. ALLEN followed agricultural pursuits until 1846, when he began working as a contractor in the building of gravel roads and railroads. He was employed on the Hamilton & Dayton Railroad as foreman of the grading. He afterward began contracting for himself, which he has since followed much of the time. In 1847 he went back to Ohio to visit the old homestead, and for a while was foreman for J. H. Northcot. He came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1850, and built the plank road from La Fayette to Crawfordsville, and the same year (1850) built the plank road from La Fayette to Dayton. He hauled the first gravel from Stockton's hollow, and built the first gravel road in the county, and in fact has built most of the gravel roads throughout the county.

MR. ALLEN began housekeeping in this county in the fall of 1850, in a toll-house on the plank road two miles south of Romney, and moved to his farm in Randolph Township in March, 1851. He subsequently lived in LaFayette for twelve years, and in 1880 returned to his farm where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of graded stock. He has met with success through life, and has acquired a fine farm of 293 acres, where he resides. He is a worthy Christian, and a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 528-529
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN C. PECK, of La Fayette, was born in Chenango County, New York, March 24, 1824, a son of NATHANIEL and ELIZABETH PECK. His mother died when he was very young, and after her death he was taken to Middletown, Connecticut, where he was reared to manhood. He learned the gunsmith's trade in Middletown, and for four years worked in the Government shops.  He was married October 11, 1846, to MISS ADELIZA MITCHELL, a native of Connecticut. In 1850 he went to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, leaving in December and arriving in San Francisco in May, 1851.  He remained on the coast three and a half years, part of the time engaged in mining, and a portion of the time hauling goods from Sacramento, when he returned to Middletown, Connecticut.  He subsequently removed to Carroll County, Indiana, and engaged in the grocery business at Camden. In 1861 he enlisted at Camden in the three years' service, and was mustered in at Indianapolis, and assigned to Company A, Forty-first Regiment, Second Cavalry. The regiment went to Camp Wyckliffe, and their first engagement was at Munfordville, where Zollicoffer was killed. This regiment served nearly three years in the Army of the Cumberland, MR. PECK participating in all the engagements in which his regiment took part. He was captured at Hartsville by Morgan's cavalry, but four days later was taken to Murfreesboro and paroled.  He went as far as Atlanta with his regiment, and after the taking of that city he returned to Nashville with General Thomas, thence to Louisville. From there he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was mustered out of the service in the latter part of 1864. While in the service he was made Quartermaster-Sergeant of his regiment, which position he held until receiving his discharge. He then returned to Carroll County, and after selling his property there he came to LaFayette, and has since been a resident of this city. He engaged in railroading on the Wabash Railroad, and was on the road until 1886, sixteen years of the time as engineer. In October, 1886, he was appointed engineeer of the court-house heaters, which position he still holds. MR. PECK is a member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 123, A.F. & A.M., and also belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.   Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 540
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOSEPH FIDLER is one of the intelligent and enterprising farmers of Wea Township, who has been identified with the growth of the county ever since the year 1829. His father, JACOB FIDLER, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and married in Ross County, Ohio, ELIZABETH STORMS, a native of Ohio and of German ancestry. In October, 1829, he came with his family, consisting of wife and four children, to Tippecanoe County, in a wagon drawn by three horses, and located in Perry Township three miles northeast of Dayton, where he entered eighty acres of land.  Here he resided some four or five years, and then removed to Sheffield Township, and after a residence of three or four years there he finally settled in Wea Township, where he died in 1851. His wife died in 1871, and they were both buried in Wildcat cemetery.   Seven of their children are living. JOSEPH, whose name heads this sketch, was born October 1, 1825, in Ross County, Ohio, and was four years old when his parents came with him to the wilds of Indiana, and here, in the primitive log cabin school-house, did he receive his education, and on the pioneer farm, his agricultural training. He located upon his present farm in the spring of 1851, a portion of which is the old homestead of his father. Here he has ever since resided; and the story-and-a-half residence, substantial farm buildings, and other improvements, show how skillfully and industriously he has enhanced the value of the place. The farm comprises 500 acres.   In his political sympathies he is a Democrat, as was his father--has served on executive committees of his party a number of times. In April, 1886, he was elected township trustee. Frebruary 13, 1846, he married MISS HANNAH HOLLIDAY, a daughter of JOHN and RACHEL (JEAMES) HOLLIDAY, who were early settlers of this county.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 536-537
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN ELY, a representative of one of the well known and highly esteemed pioneer families of Tippecanoe County, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Fairfield Township, September 23, 1827.  His parents, HENRY and MARY (ISLEY) ELY, were among the first couples to secure a marriage license in the county, and our subject, who is the eldest child of his parents, is one of the oldest native born citizens now living in Fairfield Township.  He was reared on the old homestead, and has always made his home in Fairfield Township with the exception of eight years spent on the Pacific coast.  He started by the overland route for California in 1853, being on the road about six months, returning to his native county in 1861, and had many thrilling experiences in the early days of California.  He was united in marriage to MISS MAGDALENE LOW, who was born in  Washington Township, this county, April 29, 1844, her father, JOHN LOW, being one of the early settlers of the county.  MRS. ELY died March 8, 1873.  Six children were born to MR. and MRS. ELY, of whom their eldest son died in infancy.  Those yet living are—MARY CATHERINE, wife of JOHN DEBOY; ANTHONY L.; MARTHA J., wife of ALBERT GIBSON; LILLIAN A., wife of PHILIP EBERLE, and JONAS A.  During his long residence in the county, MR. ELY has always borne an enviable reputation, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 397
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

THOMAS DAUGHERTY, one of Shelby Township’s prominent and enterprising citizens, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born February 19, 1824, a son of JAMES DAUGHERTY.  The latter was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was of Irish parentage, his parents being natives of County Cork, Ireland.  When he was a lad of ten years, his parents removed to Ross County, Ohio, and there he was reared to manhood, and married MISS MARY WOOD, who was a native of Kentucky.  JAMES DAUGHERTY and wife lived in Ross County, Ohio until their death.  They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom THOMAS, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth child.  THOMAS DAUGHERTY grew to manhood in his native county, his youth being spent in agricultural pursuits, and his education was received in the common district schools.  He made several trips to New York, assisting in driving stock, frequently driving 100 head of cattle and 200 head of hogs to the New York markets, the trip usually taking two months.  In 1852 he became a resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and two years later he bought the land in Shelby Township, where he now resides.  March 9, 1854, he was united in marriage to  MISS MARY JANE SAPPINGTON, who was born in Shelby Township, a daughter of the late STEPHEN SAPPINGTON, who was one of the old and honored early pioneers of Tippecanoe County.  MR. and MRS. DAUGHERTY are the parents of nine children, named JOHN, CHARLES, MARY, WILLIAM (residing at Lincoln, Nebraska), STEPHEN, KATE, THOMAS, FRANK and MYRA.  The DAUGHERTY farm contains 280 acres of Tippecanoe County’s best soil, well improved, a good substantial residence and farm buildings; in fact the entire surroundings of the place indicate the care and thrift of the proprietor.  In politics MR. DAUGHERTY affiliates with the Republican party.  He has held office of justice of the peace for years, serving as a just and wise judge.  He has also served as a member of the school board.  He has always taken an active interest in the advancement of the causes of education, religion and temperance, and enterprises having for their object the public welfare have his encouragement and support.   He has been a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1856, and since 1877 has served as a local preacher.  He is a man of genial disposition, and fair and honorable in all business transactions, and is numbered among the most repected men of Shelby Township.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 396-397
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

LEONIDAS HUFF, a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Tippecanoe County, is a native of this county, born in what is now Wabash Township, January 15, 1834.  He was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has made his life's work, and is classed among the successful farmers of his neighborhood.  He was united in marriage to MISS SARAH VAUGHN, who was born in Maryland, February 2, 1836, a daughter of EDWARD VAUGHN who settled in Tippecanoe County as early as 1837.  MR. and MRS. HUFF are the parents of two sons--EDMUNDS EDWARD, born in 1870, and CLARENCE LEONIDAS, born in 1872.   In politics MR. HUFF is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for General Fremont in 1856.  EDMUNDS HUFF, the father of our subject, was born in Edgefield district in South Carolina, December 28, 1798, where he was brought up.  His father, JULIUS HUFF, immigrated with his family to Indiana, about 1823, locating in Franklin County, where he lived until his death.  EDMUNDS HUFF came to Tippecanoe County from Franklin County in 1830.  He had been married the year before to MISS NANCY HARRIS, and to them were born seven children.  Of these only three reached maturity--MRS. ELEANOR HIGMAN and LEONIDAS, both living in Fairfield Township, and LORETTA who married JOHN SPITZNAGLE, and died about a year after her marriage.

MR. EDMUNDS HUFF was twice married, his first wife having died in 1843.  For his second wife he married MRS. AMELIA (LANDIS) HIGGINS.  On first coming to this county MR. HUFF settled on what is now a part of the county farm.  In 1838 he took charge of the Davis property in partnership with his brother JULIUS, and together they carried on the
Davis Ferry four or five years.  He then settled near the battle ground where he died in September, 1849.  MR. HUFF was one of the highly esteemed citizens of Tippecanoe County, and a worthy representative of that grand old pioneer element that is fast passing away.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 527-528
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

CHRISTIAN B. KEIPER, a prominent physician of La Fayette, is a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, born December 4, 1816, a son of PETER and MARY ANN (BUTZ) KEIPER, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Allentown, Lehigh County, and the mother born in Northampton County.  Both parents are deceased, the father dying about the year 1867, aged seventy-two years, and the mother about 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.  The paternal grandparents of our subject came to America from Bavaria, Germany, and located at Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.  His maternal grandparents were both of German and Quaker origin.  His father was a tobacconist, and wished his son to follow the same occupation, but the latter was opposed to it.   He was reared at his birthplace until attaining the age of seventeen
years, receiving in his boyhood the benefits of the common schools.  He commenced learning the carpenter's trade, but followed it only a few months when he left Easton for Philadelphia with the small capital of $4 or $5.  He found employment in that city in a cabinet-maker's shop, and there followed that trade three years, and in 1836 he went to Pittsburgh.  In the summer of the same year he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the fall went to new Orleans, where he began work on billiard tables at high wages, but his employer failing the following spring, he lost two-thirds of his wages.  He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, and three months later (in 1837) he went to Tuscaloosa, and from there went to Huntsville.  He made some money in the meantime, and concluded to enter Marietta College, Ohio.   He stopped on his way thence, at Louisville, Kentucky, and on going down to the river at that place, he met an old friend, a steamboat captain, with whom he had become acquainted at New Orleans, who induced him to accept the position of second clerk on his boat.  After running for three months between Louisville and New Orleans he became disgusted with river life, and left for Marietta, Ohio, where he entered college, remaining there a year, working on Saturdays and during vacations to help defray his expenses.  He then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, but one year later started again for Marietta.  Arriving at Evansville, Indiana, he was advised by a gentleman to go to Greencastle, Indiana, when he went by steamboat up the Wabash River to Terre Haute, proceeding thence to Greencastle on foot.

He entered the college at Greencastle in 1839, which he attended three and a half years, after which he studied law for four months, when he abandoned that profession, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Cowgill, and also studied under the preceptorship of Drs. Preston, Talbert and Ballard.  He commenced the practice of medicine at Alaska, Indiana, at the junction of Putnam, Owen and Morgan counties, practicing there thirteen years.  During this period the attended medical lectures at the University of the city of New York, and later at the New York Medical College, which was afterward merged into the Bellevue Medical College, and graduated from New York Medical College in 1852.   In 1859 he left Alaska for St. Louis, Missouri, where he practiced his profession about a year and a half.  About the time of the taking of Fort Jackson he came to La Fayette, Tippecanoe County, where he practiced until 1874.  His health then failing he returned to his old home in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he followed his chosen profession until 1881.  In that year he went to Minneapolis, but, his health again failing him, he remained there but three months, when he returned to LaFayette, where he has since made his home, engaged in the practice of medicine.

DR. KEIPER was married in Easton, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1862, to MISS MARY ANN FLEMING, a native of Pennsylvania, her parents being among the early settlers of that State.  Her father was a native of Germany.  MRS. DR. KEIPER died May 20, 1879.  Three children were to DR. and MRS. KEIPER--GEORGE F., who graduated with homor from De Pauw University in the class of 1887, and is now attending the medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor; FRANK graduated from the LaFayette High School in the class of 1887, and is now a student at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and ELIZABETH FLEMMING, who graduated in June, 1887, at the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and is now taking a post graduate course at that institution, preparatory to entering a higher college. 

The doctor enjoys good health, and is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life, having accumulated considerable means.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to La Fayette Lodge, No. 123, at LaFayette.  During the war DR. KEIPER served as Surgeon at the soldiers' barracks at La Fayette.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 535-536
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN L. MITCHELL, farmer and stockraiser, section 17, Shelby Township, and an active and enterprising citizen, is a native of Indiana, born in Decatur County, June 4, 1845, a son of LEWIS and ELIZA ANN (MANLOPE) MITCHELL, natives of Kentucky, the father born in Carrollton, Carroll County, that State, and the mother in Georgetown.  They came to Indiana in 1825, settling first in Decatur County, and some time later removed to Tipton County, same State, where they were among the first settlers.   The father died at Green Hill, Warren County, in 1872, and his widow, the mother of our subject, now makes her home in La Fayette, this county.  JOHN L. MITCHELL, the subject of this sketch, was seventeen years of age when his parents settled at Green Hill.   He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting July 30, 1864, in Company A, Fifth Indiana Cavalry or Nineteenth Regiment, and participated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Huntsville.  He received injuries near Florence, Alabama, by his horse falling on him, from the effects of which he has never recovered, and while swimming across Sugar Creek in Tennessee he received injuries from which he still suffers.  He was honorably discharged September 14, 1865, receiving his pay and being mustered out September 26 following.

July 7, 1867, he was married to MISS SAMANTHA E. GATES, a daughter of HENRY and ELLEN (BEST) GATES, who were natives of Virginia.  Her parents were married in Ohio, in 1829, and came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, about 1830.  In that year they settled on section 17, Shelby Township, where they lived until their death, MR. GATES dying December 21, 1861, and MRS. GATES dying June 19, 1870.  To MR. and MRS. MITCHELL have been born four children, as follows--LIZZIE ELLEN, born April 1, 1868; THOMAS NEWTON, born October 19, 1869, died September 7, 1870; WALLACE ERASTUS, born September 1, 1873, and CARRIE M., born December 22, 1878.  MR. MITCHELL has always followed agricultural pursuits, and in his chosen vocation has met with good success.  He is now the owner of a well-improved farm of 137 acres, a fine residence and farm buildings, his barn being one of the best constructed and most conveniently arranged in his township.  He is a man of strict integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and stands well in the community in which he resides.   Politically he is a Democrat.  He is a member of the Grand Taylor Post at Chauncey, Indiana.  He and his wife and two of their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which entitles him to a seat in the quarterly conference.  In connection with his general farming MR. MITCHELL is a traveling salesman for agricultural implements, making a specialty of the Deering harvester and the Queen windmill, the latter being manufactured at Lima, Indiana.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 552-553
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

JACOB LAYMAN, an intelligent and enterprising farmer of Shelby Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, September 9, 1823, a son of JOHN LAYMAN, an old and honored pioneer of this county, who is now deceased.  The LAYMAN family came to the county in 1831, and settled in Wabash Township, where the father died in 1854.  JACOB was reared in Tippecanoe County from his eighth year, his youth being spent in assisting on the home farm, and in attending the pioneer schools of his neighborhood.  By diligent study at school and by the fireplace at home he managed to secure a fair common-school education, and subsequently taught school for several terms.  He was married December 28, 1843, to MISS JULIA ANN DAVISSON, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, and a daughter of LEWIS and MARGARET DAVISSON.  Eleven children were born to MR. and MRS. LAYMAN, of whom seven are deceased--MARGARET, RACHEL, MARY and LYDIA, who died after reaching maturity, and three who died in infancy.  Those yet living are--BEN L., OBEDIAH E.
(a teacher), HENRY E. and CHARLES, the latter engaged in teaching school.

MR. LAYMAN continued to reside in Tippecanoe County until 1869, when he removed to White County, this State, where
he made his home until 1881.  In that year he returned to this county and settled on his present farm in Shelby Township, where he has a good farm of forty acres, his land being well improved and under a fine state of cultivation.  MRS. LAYMAN died
July 31, 1887.  Politically MR. LAYMAN is a Democrat, and while a resident of White County he served as justice of the peace six years.   In 1870 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, an organization in which he takes an active interest.  He was reared in the old Presbyterian church, but is now a member of the Free-will Baptist church.  He has preached in former years.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 551-552
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

HENRY B. PETER, a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Tippecanoe County, is a native of this county, born in Perry Township, September 25, 1836, a son of DANIEL and MARY (BURKHALTER) PETER.  HENRY was the third in a family of ten children.  He was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed through life, and his education was such as the pioneer schools of his day afforded.  In November, 1857, he was united in marriage to MISS MELINDA WAYMER, a daughter of ANDREW WAYMER, and to this union five children were born, all dying in infancy.  MR. PETER made his home in Perry Township, until 1860 when he removed to Sheffield Township, this county, and four years later returned to Perry Township.  In 1876 he settled on his present farm which had purchased in January,  1869.  All the improvements on this place have been made by Mr. Peter, and he now has 120 acres of as good land as the township affords, a good frame residence, substantial barn and other farm buildings in good condition, the entire surroundings indicating care and thrift on the part of the owner.  MR. PETER was bereaved by the death of his wife August 16, 1866.  He was second time married to MRS. MARGARET (HENDERSON) GARRES, who died in June 1881.  To this union two children were born, but one now living—CHARLES who was born July 10, 1871.  MR. PETER was married to his present wife, MRS. SARAH (LIVENGOOD) BUCK, January 29, 1882.  Both MR. and MRS. PETER are earnest and active members of the Presbyterian church.  In politics he is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.  He has always taken an active interest in the advancement of the cause of education and religion, and every enterprise for the public welfare has his encouragement and assistance.  He is a man of genial manners and fair and honorable in all his dealings, and is numbered among the most respected men of his township.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 397-398
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

GEORGE LUCUS, a prominent and successful citizen of Sheffield Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1825, a son of LUTHER LUCUS, who was born and reared in the State of Maryland.  LUTHER LUCUS left his native State for Ohio in company with his twin brother MARTIN, and there he was married to MISS ELLEN KELLINGBERGER, who was also a native of Maryland.  He settled and improved a new farm near Chillicothe, Ohio, where he lived until his death.  His widow subsequently became the wife of WILLIAM HOWARD, and in 1833, came with her husband and children to Tippecanoe County, and the year following MR. HOWARD bought a farm in Lauramie Township, a part of the present village of Stockwell being on this farm.  MR. HOWARD paid for this land, which was but slightly improved, $5 per acre, and converted the same into a good farm, and here he spent the rest of life, his wife dying some two years later.

LUTHER LUCUS and wife had born to them five children, only two of whom, GEORGE and JAMES, are now living; the latter in Richland County, Wisconsin.  Of the deceased, ELIZABETH married NATHAN WESTLAKE, and died at her home near Stockwell, leaving a family of six children; MARGARET married JOEL FULLER, and after living in Sheffield Township about twenty years, they removed to Macon County, Illinois, where both died, leaving five chldren; LUTHER died in White County, leaving a wife and six children, all of whom are deceased.  By her marriage with MR. HOWARD the mother of our subject had four children--MARTIN, MARY, ELLEN, NELSON and ELIZA JANE, all now deceased except MARTIN, who resides at Stockwell.

GEORGE LUCUS, whose name heads this sketch, came to the county with his mother and stepfather in 1833, and here he was reared from childhood amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life, and from an early age was inured to hard work.  He has worked on the farm he now owns for his uncle MARTIN, for $9 a month, he having purchased this farm from his uncle's heirs for $60 an acre, paying for the whole over $12,500.  The farm contains 208 acres of well improved land, and is considered one of the best tracts of land to be found in Tippecanoe County, and his residence, erected in 1880, in English cottage style, is among the finest dwellings in Sheffield Township.  His barns and out-buldings are substantial and commodious, and his farm is well watered, and is well adapted to both stock and grain raising.   MR. LUCUS may be called a self-made man, he having commenced life a poor boy, and by his own persevering energy and industry, accumulated his fine property, and has become one of the prosperous men of his township.  Besides his fine home farm he owns land in Lauramie Township, and also valuable village property in Stockwell.  MR. LUCUS was united in marriage to MISS ISABEL WADDELL, whose father, ALEXANDER WADDELL, was one of the first settlers in Sheffield Township.  MR. and MRS. LUCUS have six children living--FRANCES is the wife of CHARLES EMMONS, of Stockwell, and they have two children; CHARLES LUCUS married MARY BOWMAN, and they have a family of three children; VIOLA J., wife of FRANK HEAVILON, has two children; EMMA, wife of J.W. STINSON, of Washington County, Kansas, has three children; JAMES HOWARD LUCUS
married MEDIA STORMS, and they are living near his father's homestead, and ANNIE, wife of THOMAS CONROE, living near the village of Concord.   Four children are deceased--CHARLES, VIOLA J., INSCO and LUELLA.  In politics MR. LUCUS affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 549-550
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ADAMS EARL, of La Fayette, Indiana, born April 20, 1819, in Fairfield County, Ohio, was the youngest but one of a family of fifteen children of NEHEMIAH and REBECCA EARL.  His father, NEHEMIAH EARL, was one of eight sons of DANIEL EARL, and moved with his father from Washington County, New York, and settled at Onondaga Hollow, New York, in the year 1792.  His father, DANIEL EARL, was of a large and influential family of Massachusetts origin, and died in Marcellus, New York, in 1817, aged eighty-eight years.  The EARL family were unusually large men, and over six feet in height.

NEHEMIAH EARL was born September 10, 1771, and died in 1839 in Crawford County, Ohio.  ADAMS EARL's mother, REBECCA DANFORTH EARL, was a daughter of MAJOR ASA DANFORTH, who was the pioneer of Onondaga County, New York.  MAJOR DANFORTH and family moved from Worcester, Massachusetts, after the close of the war, in 1783, to Mayfield, in the lower part of Montgomery County, New York, where he resided but a few years.  Early in May, MAJOR ASA DANFORTH with his family embarked at Mayfield, in flat-bottomed boats, and afterward landed at the mouth of Onondaga Creek, where they settled a little south of Onondaga Hollow, New York, May 22, 1788.  Upon his arrival at Onondaga he found his family the only white persons in the country.  The family of MAJOR DANFORTH were treated with great kindness by the head civil chief of the Onondaga Indians, notwithstanding which they were subjected to many privations, and at times were much alarmed for their personal safety because of the vindictive spirit manifested by some of the Indians, generally occasioned by the free use of intoxicating drinks.

MAJOR ASA DANFORTH was born at Worcester, Massachusetts, July 6, 1746, and died at his resident at Onondaga Hollow, September 2, 1818, in the seventy-third year of his age.  He married HANNAH WHEELER, of Brookfield, Massachusetts, in the fifteenth year of her age.  They had five children.  REBECCA DANFORTH EARL was born in Massachusetts, January 3, 1777, and died in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1844.  She was marrried to NEHEMIAH EARL abut 1794 at Onondaga Hollow, New York.  In 1814 he moved his family to Jamesville, Ohio, and after residing there two and a half years he moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in August, 1819, moved to Sandusky, Crawford County, Ohio.

ADAMS EARL passed his younger days upon the farm, and during the winter  of 1836-'37 came with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, settling on the Wea Plains.  He was employed in breaking prairie and farming.  In 1840 he commenced constructing flat-boats on the Wabash River, loading them with products from the Wea Plains and taking them to New Orleans.  In 1848 he moved to La Fayette, Indiana, and started in a general merchandise business with JAMES G. CARNAHAN, under the firm name of Carnahan & Earl.  He disposed of his interest to his partner in 1853, and embarked in the wholesale grocery business.  The same year in company with HENRY JACOBS, of Rainsville, Warren County, Indiana, he conducted a general merchandise store for several years.  Near the close of that year (1853) he formed a partnership with MOSES FOWLER in the wholesale grocery trade, under the name of Fowler & Earl.  In 1857 they added to their business that of banking, opening the Indiana Bank, which was afterward merged into the La Fayette Branch of the State of Indiana, afterward known as the National State Bank of La Fayette.   During the above period MR. EARL continued as the active manager of the wholesale grocery house.  In 1857 HENRY C. BRUCE was admitted as partner, under the style of Fowler, Earl & Bruce, which firm continued until 1860, when MR. EARL purchased the other interests and associated with himself WILLIAM H. HATCHER, of La Fayette, the firm being Earl & Hatcher.  Up to this time the grocery business had been conducted in rooms in the Purdue block, on Second, corner of Columbus street, but it had now become so large they had to obtain more space.  Accordingly, in 1865, they erected the large stone-front building known as the Earl & Hatcher block, on Third, corner of South street, and early in 1866 moved their stock and office into it.  In February, 1869, MR. HATCHER died, and in April following CHARLES W. BANGS, of La Fayette, was admitted as partner, the firm name becoming Adams Earl & Co.  In 1876 MORELL J. EARL, the only son of ADAMS EARL, was admitted into the house, and continued an active member until his death, June 28, 1879.

In 1860 MR. EARL engaged with others as J.H. Telford & Co., in pork and beef packing, and built a spacious packing-house in La Fayette.  They continued for six years, doing a large trade.  In 1862 MR. EARL was a partner in the firm of Culbertson, Blair & Co., of Chicago, Illinois, and engaged in a general commission business and in packing pork and beef.  They built a large packinghouse in that city and carried on an extensive and profitable trade until the dissolution of the partnership in 1867.  In 1862 MESSRS. EARL and HATCHER became associated with A.J. CARNAHAN, under the firm name of Carnahan, Earl & Co., in the wholesale boot and shoe trade, which they continued for three years; and in the same year (1862) MR. EARL became a member of the wholesale dry goods house of Curtis, Earl & Co. continuing in it until 1869, when he
disposed of his interest to this partners.   In 1869 an enterprise ws commenced by La Fayette citizens to secure an east and west railroad, running from Muncie, Indiana, through La Fayette, to Bloomington, Illinois.  From its first inception MR. EARL took and active interest in the project.  At the first meeting he was elected a director of the company, and by the directors he was elected president.  He served in this capacity three years, during which time the western division of the road was completed and put in operation.   This road is no part of the Lake Erie & Western line.  In 1870 the Cincinnati, La Fayette & Chicago Railraodd Company was organized to construct and operate a railroad from La Fayette to Kankakee, Illinois, there to connect with the Illinois Central for Chicago.  This road was owned by ADAMS EARL, MOSES FOWLER and GUSTAVUS RICKER, MR. EARL being president, general manager and builder.  This section of railroad is now a part of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, and is known as the Kankakee line, the shortest line to Chicago.

In 1877, by purchasing MR. FOWLER's bonds and stock, MR. EARL secured a controlling interest in the property, and to its management gave his careful and constant attention. In November, 1879, MR. EARL disposed of his controlling interest in this property to a party of Boston capitalists, and retired from his management.  This road crosses the Kankakee River at Waldron, Illinois, where in 1874 MR. EARL, in company with others, constructed large buildings for the storage of 35,000 tons of ice.  This was a joint stock company, called the Kankakee Crystal Ice Company, of which MR. EARL was president.

ADAMS EARL has always been engaged in farming, and in the rearing of livestock, on a very large scale.  In 1862, in company with MOSES FOWLER, he purchased about 36,000 acres of land in Benton County, Indiana, and improved it with buildings, fences, grain fields and pastures.  Upon this tract of land they grazed annually from 2,000 to 4,000 head of cattle.  The rapid development of Benton County and the large interests of MESSRS. EARL and FOWLER there, induced them to take steps toward the removal of the county seat from Oxford, in the southern part, to the town of Fowler, on the railroad, and in the geographical center of the county.  By a vote of the citizens it was decided to make the change, and MESSRS. EARL and FOWLER donated to the county $40,000 for the erection of a new court-house.  In 1874 they divided their Benton County land, MR. FOWLER taking that portion lying south, west, adjoining a large body of land owned by MESSRS. EARL and A.D. RAUB.    In 1876 JOSEPH HIXSON and MR. RAUB became partners of MR. EARL in the firm of Hixson, Raub & Earl, in farming and handling stock, and in the same year MESSRS. EARL and RAUB engaged in the general merchandise and grain business at Earl Park, in Benton Conty, where they built a large elevator, store-room and cribs for the storage of corn.  Earl Park is located on the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & chicago Railroad, near the north part of MR. EARL's farm, and was laid out and owned jointly by MESSRS. EARL and RAUB.  Midway betwen the towns of Fowler and Earl Park, on the railroad and near the center of his farm, MR. EARL built a large number of cribs and other buildings for the storage and handling of grain, and at this point has ample side-track and facilities for loading and unloading cars.  This Benton County farm is well improved, and all under cultivation, in pasturage, meadow and grain fields, and is worked by forty tenants. 

MR. EARL also has a large farm on the Wea Plains, four miles from La Fayette, known as Shadeland Farm.  During all his life he has had extensive dealings in cattle.  For nearly fifteen years he had in Benton County a breeding herd of fine short-horn cattle. In the feeding of steers for market his attention was attracted to the remarkable constitution and easy fattening qualities of the Hereford cattle, as shown by the few steers he had in the bunches he was feeding. Upon further investigation he ascertained that these qualities were characteristic of the breed.  Eventually he sold out all his short-horns and made a trip to England in 1880, where he selected his first lot of Herefords.  This first importation has been followed up each year.  One year he had 130 head come over at one time.  MR. EARL is credited with having imported the best Herefords ever brought to this country, and his herd of over 200 at Shadeland Farm is universally conceded to be the finest herd of Herefords in the world.  To the development of this herd and his farming in Benton County, MR. EARL now gives his entire time.

His handsome residence in the city of La Fayette is in a ten-acre grove, known as Fountain Grove.  The grounds are very rolling and covered with natural forest trees, and also inclose a deer park.  In height MR. EARL is six feet and one inch, and well proportioned.  He has lived a remarkably industrious life.  ADAMS EARL was married to MARTHA J. HAWKINS, daughter of JAMES HAWKINS, of Tippecanoe County, December 5, 1848.  She was born in Butler County, Ohio.  They had two children.  The daughter, ALICE J. EARL, was married December 20, 1876, to CHARLES B. STUART, of La Fayette, a son of JUDGE WILLIAM Z. STUART, of Logansport, Indiana.  The son, MOVELL J. EARL, was married to a daughter of HON. AUSTIN B. CLAYPOOL, of Connersville, Indiana, October 9, 1878.  He died, as stated, June 28, 1879, when he was a member of the firm of Adams Earl & Co.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 556 - 561
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ASA EARL, retired farmer, Wayne Township, was born in Onondaga County, New York, August 28, 1804, a son of NEHEMIAH and REBECCA (DANFORTH) EARL.  The father of our subject was a son of NEHEMIAH EARL, a native of Nova Scotia, who made his escape from that country during the war of the Revolution, going to Massachusetts, where he and his three sons served in the Colonial army through the entire war, after which he settled in Onondaga County, New York.  The mother of our subject was a daughter of ASA DANFORTH, a native of Massachusetts, and the first white settler of
Onondaga County, New York.  He served as a Captain through the Revolutionary war.  To the parents of our subject fifteen children were born, of whom fourteen grew to maturity, and of this large number but four are now living--ASA, the subject of this sketch, who was the sixth child; DANIEL, of Madison County, Iowa; NEHEMIAH, living on No Mans Land in the West, and ADAMS, of Tippecanoe County.

ASA EARL, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, his father being a farmer by occupation.  He remained in his native county until February 1, 1814, when the family immigrated to Ohio, locating first in Muskingum County, and two years later settled in Fairfield County.  They subsequently moved to Wyandotte County, where the father died in 1839, aged sixty-seven years.  His widow died in Tippecanoe County, in 1843, at the age of sixty seven years.   ASA EARL is one of the early pioneers of Tippecanoe County, coming here in September, 1832, from La Grange County, Indiana, whence he had come from Ohio, in the year 1831.  On coming to Tippecanoe County he first rented a farm in Wayne Township, and shortly after purchased a tract of 500 acres located in Wayne and Shelby townships, of which seventy-five acres was partially improved, giving for this land his note for $2,000.   He immediately began making improvements on his land, and three years later he purchased an additional 160 acres, and here he has since made his home, living on the same land for a period of twenty-nine years.   In connection with his farming pursuits he has also dealt extensively in grain in which he has been highly successful, and has now a competence for his declining years.  MR. EARL has been three times married, his first marriage taking place December 25, 1829, to MISS ISABELLA SHANNON, of Kentucky, who died in the spring of 1840.  Six children were born to this union, of whom on one survives--SALIMA, who is now the wife of JACOB MARKLE, of Marion County, Iowa.  One son, AUGUSTUS, died February 27, 1881, at the age of forty-eight years.  For his second wife MR. EARL married LYDIA RUPE, a native of Pennsylvania, who died a year and a half after her marriage.  MR. EARL was a third time married June 13, 1850, to MISS ELIZABETH YOUEL, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of JOHN and NANCY (McKNIGHT) YOUEL.  When a child she was taken by her parents to Franklin County, Ohio, where she was reared to womanhood.  MRS. EARL is a member of the Presbyterian church.  Politically MR. EARL affiliated with the Republican party.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 542-547
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

WOOLEY COFFMAN, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Shelby Township, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, born in Wabash Township, August 13, 1844, a son of WILLIAM and SALLY (HENDERSON) COFFMAN,  his parents being early pioneers of the county.  The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same vocation which he has made his life work.  He enlisted in the service of his country, in December 1861, and was assigned to Company D, Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and participated with his regiment in the battle of New Hope Church, Selma and Kentucky Mountain.  He was wounded by a minie ball in the right shoulder, which disabled  him for more active service.  He received an honorable discharge in December 1865, when he returned to his home in Tippecanoe County.   April 18, 1873, he was united in
marriage to MISS NANCY MEEKS, who was also a native of Tippecanoe County, a daughter of JAMES and CATHERINE MEEKS.  To this union were born four children, named JAMES WILLIAM, ADA, ROBERT B. and STELLA MAY.   MR. COFFMAN resides on section 12, Shelby Township, where in connection with his general farming he operates a threshing machine in the fall of each year.  MRS. COFFMAN died October 26, 1884.  MR. COFFMAN is in his political affiliations a Republican.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 398
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

BENJAMIN RAY, deceased, was a resident of Wea Township, and one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Tippecanoe County, his occupation being that of agriculture and handling live stock.  Born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 3, 1821, he was reared there in the pursuits which he followed through life.  At the age of twenty-one years he married MARY FRYBACH, a native of the same county.  In 1838 he made a preliminary visit to this county, remaining some time, thus becoming fully acquainted with the peculiarities of the wild West.  In 1841 he came again to Tippecanoe, and the next year purchased a farm in Vermillion County, Illinois, where he settled and lived until 1848.  In 1844 he lost his wife; and in January, 1847, he married MARTHA SMITH, a native of Oxfordshire, England, who was but four years of age when she came with her parents, JOSEPH and ANN (BROOKS) SMITH, to America.  Her parents resided in the State of of New York five years, and then removed to Illinois, where they lived the remainder of their days.  They had a numerous family.  A number of her brothers are leading citizens of Illinois, where their parents had lived.  In February, 1848, MR. RAY sold his Illinois farm, came again to Tippecanoe County, and settled on section 18, Wea Towsnhip, with but little means; but by energy and good management he became one of the chief agriculturists and stockraisers in the county.  He in time came into possession of 5,000 acres of the best soil.  Inheriting on the side of his father, GEORGE RAY, the elements of German industry and economy, as the phrases are, he "made every edge cut," "drove with a steady rein," and "reaped the harvest of the industrious man."

Politically he was a Republican.  He never aspired to office, but in 1871 he was induced to become a candidate for the legislature, and was elected by a large majority.  He died April 21, 1880, leaving to his family a competence which his own energy and tact had acquired.  His two children by his first wife were JOHN N. and ELIAS, both residing in this county.  The present MRS. RAY has two children, namely--MRS. LAURA R. BLACKSTOCK and MISS MARTHA E. RAY, living with her mother.  She has lost two sons--BENJAMIN F., at the age of twenty-nine years, and CLINTON at the age of twenty-four.  MRS. RAY still owns the homestead, where she resides, comprising nearly 600 acres of good and highly improved land.  Her home is one of the most beautiful to be found in the State.  The house is of modern style, furnished in excellent taste, and surrounded by an oak grove that is a luxury to behold.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 550-551
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

MRS. HATTIE WASHBURN, teacher of the primary school at Clark's Hill, is a native of Ohio, born in Hamilton County, February 12, 1844, a daughter of WILLIAM G. and REBECCA (PHELLIS) OYLER, both of whom are deceased. Her father was an Englishman by birth, being a native of Kent County, England.  MRS. WASHBURN was reared in her native county, receiving good educational advantages.  She attended the high school at Harrison, Hamilton County, and also at College Hill, near Cincinnati, and graduated from the latter in the year 1859.   She began her career as a teacher in September of the same year, which she followed until 1863.  October 5, 1863, she was married to BENJAMIN F. WASHBURN, who was born in La Fayette, Indiana, September 11, 1844, and here he was reared and educated.  In December 1863, MRS. WASHBURN came with her husband to La Fayette, and in 1866 she again engaged in teaching school, which she has followed every succeeding winter in Lauramie Township, and during this time has taught seven terms in the Pierce district, and is now teaching her fifth term in Clark's Hill.   She is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres.  MR. and MRS. WASHBURN have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter named ORA POE.  MR. WASHBURN travels for the Champion Reaper Works.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 547-548
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders