INDIANA GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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PARKE COUNTY, INDIANA
History & Genealogy

HISTORY OF PARKE COUNTY, INDIANA
(Source:  History of Vigo & Parke County, Indiana - Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, 1880, 1310 pgs.
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

BIOGRAPHIES OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
NOTE:  Biographies will be transcribed upon request

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CHARLES R. BRIGHT, proprietor of flouring mill, Waterman, the son of John and Ann La Tourette Bright, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, May 29, 1850.  His grandfather was one of the earliest settlers in Liberty township.  During his early youth he worked on the farm, and from twenty until he was twenty-six years old he taught school and completed his education, and spent 1879 in Colorado and the western territories.  May 1, 1880, he entered into partnership with Mr. Lewis C. Davis, an experienced miller, in a flouring mill at Waterman, which they erected at a cost of over $7,000. It is a four-run mill, with a capacity of fifteen bushels p0er hour, with all the latest improvements in machinery for making patent flour, the machinery being operated by a sixty horse power engine.  April 5, 1880, he was married to Miss Emma M. Carwile, of Covington, Fountain county. Mr. Davis, his partner in the mill is a native of Maryland, and is one of the best millers in the state, having served an apprenticeship in the mills at Baltimore.  He was the Attica mills for four years, and during the last ten or twelve years has been engaged at the Union flouring mills at Coal Creek, Fountain county, Indiana.  He is married and has a family of four children.  Both partners are good business men, intelligent and energetic, and their business will do a great deal toward increasing the business and welfare of the town. 
JOHN L. CLICKENER, farmer, Waterman, was born in New Jersey in 1831, in Hunterton county, and is the son of Marcus and Mary (La Tourette) Clickener.  He came west in 1857, crossing the Ohio river July 29, and arriving in Fountain county in August.  On the 1st of August, while on the way from Covington to Veedersburg, the farmers were engaged in harvesting wheat, and it appeared to be then very green; this was an unprecedentedly late harvest.  His ancestors on the father's side came from the city of Strasburg, Germany, while those on his mother's side were Huguenot refugees from Rochelle, France, who were aiming to land in South Carolina, but the vessel having been driven off her course they landed on Staten Island, and there located.  His grandfather was one of the revolutionary heroes, and was engaged at the battle of Yorktown, where he lost a leg.  His father was also a soldier, and served throughout the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Lundy's Lane and several other engagements.  Up to 1866, when he moved to Liberty township, Mr. Clickener had been engaged at carpenter work, but since that time has devoted his time to farming.  His farm of 160 acres is situated on Mill creek, and is one of the best in the county.  His house, situated on a bluff, is handsome and commodious, being located on a magnificent site.   Jan. 1, 1860, he was married to Miss Susan La Tourette, and they have four children:  George, Charles, Annie and Kate.  Mr. Clickener is a prominent member of the greenback labor party.
GEORGE T. DeVERTER, physician, Howard, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, Mar. 16, 1839, and received his education at the common school, which he left when twelve years old.  HE worked in the wool factory, pottery shops and tannery until fourteen, when he commenced at the blacksmith trade and remained at that two years.  He then came to Annapolis, this county, and worked at blacksmithing and carriage-making.  In 1861 he enlisted, on the first call for 300,000 volunteers, in Co. H, 21st Art., and was present at Battle Rush, Sabine Pass, Port Hudson, Camp Bisland, and on the expedition of Gen. Banks up the Red river.  Leaving the army in 1864, he came home and worked at blacksmithing for a short time, and then went to Columbus and reenlisted for one year in Co. C, 5th reg. Vet. Vols.  During his time of service he was through most of the New England states, guarding stores, etc.  The regiment did guard duty during the trial of the conspirators at Washington.  At the close of the war he returned to Parke county and set up a blacksmith shop, and continued at that business until he contracted disease of the eye, which caused him to give it up.  In 1866 he studied medicine at Indianapolis, attending Miami Medical College, and graduated there in 1872.  He entered into partnership with Dr. Surbaugh in 1868, and practiced for two years, when he sold out and went to Missouri, but only remained there two months, at the end of which time he returned to this county and commenced practice in the village of Howard, where he is still located.  The doctor is a very popular man in the county; has served three terms as township trustee, and is now candidate for auditor, with every prospect of being elected to the office.  May 21, 1879, he was married to Miss Clara Steinbaugh.  He is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M. and is worthy master of the Lodeville Lodge, and in politics is strongly republican.  He owns seventy-five acres of land and a house and lot in Howard.
S. DEBAUN, farmer, Annapolis, was born in Kentucky in October, 1829, and came to Indiana with his parents, Abraham and Eleanor (Lyster) Debaun, when he was one year old, settling in Sullivan county, where he was raised.  On May 20, 1852, he was married in Sullivan county, to Miss Angeline Harris, and they have a family of twelve children; seven boys and five girls.  In August, 1871, he came to Parke county from Vigo county, having been located there some time, and has now one of the largest farms in the township, consisting of 509 acres of rich land, in good cultivation and well improved, on which is a handsome residence and substantial outbuildings.  Mr. Debaun is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having belonged to that organization for over ten years, and in politics is strongly republican.  During his life he has done a great deal of hard work, his handsome property being the result of his own industry and labor.
NOAH A. DOVE, farmer, Sylvania, is a native of Augusta county, Virginia, where he was born in June 1818.  He was one of a family of nineteen children, and remained there until 1857, when he moved to this county, arriving at Rockville on Christmas eve.  He worked as his trade for many years after coming here, and is noted as one of the best blacksmiths in the county, having taken several premiums at Montezuma fairs for horseshoeing, and for making shoes and nails.  About 1847 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Ott, daughter of John Ott, of Virginia, a descendant of one of the revolutionary families.  They have had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now alive: John J. C.; George R.; Robert F.; Elijah C.; William M.; Martin L.; David L. and Mary Ann E.  Three of his children are deceased: Anna Margaret, Charles W. and Ezra A.  Elijah c. was born Apr. 25, 1855, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he began the photographing business, and has continued at it since.  By careful attention, and his natural artistic talent, he has built himself a good connection among the people of this county, and obtained a prominent position as an artist.  His present position he has acquired by his own industry and hard work, while his business talents and affability make him a favorite with the people, and increase his patronage greatly.
ISAAC B. DOWDELL, farmer, Howard, is a native of this part of the country, born in Liberty township in 1844, half a mile north of his present location.  His parents, Nathan and Ruth (Williams) Dowdell, came here in 1826, in a keel boat, up the Wabash, and were among the pioneers of this part of the county.  Mr. Dowdell has been engaged in farming all his life, with the exception of the time he was in the  army.  He enlisted in 1862 in the 85th Ind. reg. Co. A, and was wounded at Spring Hill, also at Dallas Woods, Georgia, and was most of the engagements in which the regiment took part.  At the close of the war he returned to Liberty township, and in 1865 married Miss Matilda Martin, a daughter of Jesse Martin, one of the early settlers of Fountain county.  They have a family of five children:  Emma, Nathan, Jesse, Charles, and Willie.  Mr. Dowdell is a member of the G. A. R. and is republican in politics.
HENRY DURHAM, manufacturer, Sylvania, is a native of Indiana, born in Vigo county, November 22, 1831.  His parents Daniel and Eliza (Watt) Durham, dying when he was very young, he has bound out to William Wildman.  He came to Parke county when fourteen years old, having received his early education at the district school.  He followed blacksmithing at Bloomingdale for seven or eight years; then followed farming for some time, eventually selling out, and began business in Sylvania as a general merchant, which business he sold out to Gilliam Brothers  Since that time he has run machinery of various kinds.  He has two steam-threshing machines and a corn-sheller, and is now engaged putting up a large building in Sylvania, 26 x 64 feet, which he intends fitting up with all the latest machinery for turning out broom handles and pickets, with a capacity of 2,000 a day.  Mr. Durham opened the first blacksmith shop in Sylvania, and is very popular throughout the county.  He is a member of the Society of Friends, and in politics is a republican.  On Aug. 9, 1853, he was married to Miss Susanah Newland.
DR. IRA H. GILLUM, physician, Sylvania, the son of Osborne and Eveline (Sowers) Gillum, was born in Fountain county in 1843, and during his youth was engaged in agricultural pursuits.  In 1862 he enlisted in the 63d Ind. reg., and was engaged with his regiment in the six days' skirmish before Columbia, Tennessee, at the battle of Franklin, and also at the battle of Nashville.  He obtained his education at the Bloomingdale Academy and at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he is a graduate.  In 1874 he came to Sylvania and practiced medicine, having a year previously acquired an interest in the general merchandise store located here now and run under the firm name of Gilliam Brothers.  Their large business is  conducted in a two-story frame building and they have a capital of over $5,000 invested therein.  Aug. 14, 1867, he was married to Miss Sarah Richardson, and they have a family of four children, one boy and three girls.  The doctor is a leading member of the A. F. and A. M. at this point, and in politics is strongly republican, and is now a candidate for representative on that ticket.
GEORGE HOBSON, farmer, Sylvania, is a native of Parke county, and was born in Liberty township in 1832.  He is the son of Isaac and Evelina (McMasters) Hobson, natives of North Carolina, who came from there to Liberty township in 1828.  His father was a tinner by trade, and on settling here worked at his trade and ran a small store, which was the first or second in the township, and also engaged in farming.  In March, 1866, Mr. George Hobson was married to Miss Hannah Pratt, daughter of James Pratt, one of the early settlers in the southern part of the township.  They have five children, one boy and four girls.  For the last fourteen years he has been engaged in attending to his farm of 173 acres, and previous to that had worked at the carpenter business for fifteen years.  He is a stanch member of the republican party.
IRA HOBSON, farmer, Sylvania, was born in Liberty township, Parke county, in 1838, and is the son of Aaron and Polly (Newlin) Hobson, who were natives of North Carolina.  His grandfather was one of the first settlers in the township.  Mr. Hobson received his early education at the district school, and latterly at Bloomingdale, and taught school for some time during early life, his main business, however, being farming.  Mr. Hobson has been married twice; the second time to Miss Elve Newlin, of this county, in 1862.  They have had a family of eight children, only three of whom are now alive, one boy and two girls.  Great changes have occurred in the township since the first as he recollects it, when very little clearing had been done and game was plentiful.  He is a republican in politics and was elected township trustee in 1878, and reelected this spring (1880) for another term.
J. B. HOBSON, proprietor of saw-mill and planing-mill, Sylvania, is a native of Indiana, and was born and raised in Hendricks county, his father, Eli W. Hodson, being from Guilford county, North Carolina; his mother, Massie (Bray) Hodson, being also from that state.  Mr. Hodson was born Apr. 4, 1840, and worked on the farm, and also at the mechanic's trade, until sixteen years old, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade.  He served an apprenticeship of three years.  June 11, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha J. Benson, and they have a family of five children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Lydia Ellen, Ulysses, and Eva Luetta.  In February, 1865, he enlisted in the 148th Indiana, and on his return from the army he worked on the farm until 1867, when he sold out and went to town, remaining there until 1872, engaged as silversmith and photographer.  In 1872 he came to Sylvania, where he worked as millwright and blacksmith, and in 1873 he bought the saw and planing mills which he now owns.  The mills are run by an engine of twenty horse-power, and have a capacity of sawing 6,000 feet per day, and of planing 8,000 feet.  He is doing a good business, and also does a large business in watch and clock repairing, and also in photographing.  Mr. Hodson is quite a mechanical genius, and can do good work at almost any trade.  He has been a member of the Methodist church since he was sixteen years old, and is in politics strongly republican.
DR. WM. B. HOLMES, physician, Waterman, the son of August and Sarah (Cakhall) Holmes, natives of Ohio, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1840 and moved to Clay county, Indiana, in 1845, with his parents.  During his youth he engaged in farming, and received his early education at the district school.  He is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College, and began practice in 1868.  In 1874 he came to Waterman, where he has established himself in the confidence of the people, and he has now an extensive and constantly increasing practice.  In 1861 he enlisted in the 21st Ind. reg., Co. I,  Capt. Campbell, and was in some of the heaviest engagements of war.  He was on Butler's expedition to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, in the expedition with Banks up the Red river, Camp Bisland, Sabine Pass, Port Hudson, Yellow Bayou, and Pleasant Hill.  On the way home the troops were fired into on the steamer Empress, near Napoleon, Arkansas, and several were killed and wounded.  Sixty shots went through the vessel within half an hour.  He was married to Miss Isabella E. Russell, daughter of one of the earliest settlers of the county, and they have four children living:  James A., Minnie E., William A.,  and Samuel M.; Louis E., died.  Dr. Holmes is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Lodeville Lodge, and both he and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In politics he is strongly republican.
JOHN W. JACKSON, farmer, Sylvania, is the son of Robert and Jane (Stephens) Jackson, and was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1839, where he continued to reside until 1857, when he moved to Parke county, where he has been engaged principally in farming.  In 1861 he enlisted in the 31st Ind. reg., Co. I, for three years, during which time the regiment did some hard fighting. He was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, and numerous smaller engagements.  He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being one of the organizers of Sylvania Lodge.  He has been a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twelve years.  In politics he is strictly republican.  In 1860 he was married to Miss Hannah Hobson, daughter of Isaac Hobson, one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county, and they have a family of seven children, four boys and three girls.
JOHN A. KIRKHAM, harness-maker, Sylvania, is a son of James Madison Kirkham, a native of Kentucky, who moved to Indiana in 1833, settling in Rockport, Spencer county.  He was born in Rockport county in 1847, and received his early education at the district school, and during youth engaged in farming until 1863, when he enlisted, at the early age of sixteen, in the 4th Ind. Cav. and served to the close of the war, taking part in numerous skirmishes.  In 1868 he moved to Jackson township, Fountain county, and in 1873 located at Russell's Mills, in Sugar Creek township, where he began business in the harness trade, and remained there until 1877, when he moved to Liberty township and opened a harness shop in Sylvania, where by industry and close attention to business he has built up a first class and constantly increasing trade.  In 1872 he was married to Miss Mary Cooper, who died in March 1875.  He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., being past-grand of Parke Lodge.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is enthusiastically republican in politics.  His eldest brother, Joseph M. Kirkham, was born at Rockport in 1834, and during early youth worked on a farm, and later clerked in a dry-goods store.  He enlisted Aug. 21, 1861, in Co. B, 42d Ind. Vols., for three years, and at the end of that time reenlisted in the same regiment.  He entered the army as first sergeant and came out at the close of the war as captain, and in 1866 received a commission as captain in the regular army.  He took part in the battles of War Trace, Tennessee; Perrysville, Kentucky; Stone River, Concord Church, Elk River, Moses' Cove.  Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, George; Graysville, Georgia; Rocky Face, and Resaca, and was under fire eighty-two days in the campaign between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.  He was married twice; the first time in 1866, and the second time in April, 1875.  He died in May 1875, leaving a family of three small boys, by his first wife, to lament his loss.
OLIVER LATOURETTE, druggist and general merchant, Waterman, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, four miles southeast of Covington, Jan. 9, 1837.  His parents, John and Sarah (Schenk) LaTourette, came from western New York in 1829, where they were engaged in linen weaving, and manufactured large numbers of flowered coverlids.  They had a family to be men and women, Oliver being the second youngest.  The family name was originally De La Tourette, being one of the French Protestant families which came to this country at an early period.  Up to the age of eighteen Mr. LaTourette went to school, receiving the latter portion of his education at the Bloomingdale Academy.  At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the 15th Ind. reg., and served three years and four months, and was engaged in the battles at Murfreesboro and Mission Ridge, besides numerous other smaller engagements.  In 1870 he opened a store in Waterman and engaged in the drug business and general merchandising.  His store-room is 70 x 18 feet, two stories high, and his stock is large and well selected to meet the demands of the neighborhood.  By strict attention to business, careful management and square dealing he has built up a first class business, his receipts for the last ten years averaging $3,000.  Mar. 30, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary E. Dowdell.
DAVID LINDLEY, farmer, Sylvania, is one of the oldest men in the township, having been born in North Carolina Mar. 15, 1803, his parents, Jonathan and Susannah (Maris) Lindley, being natives of that state.  He left his native state when seventeen years old, and located in Greene county, Indiana, where he resided for twelve years, at the end of which time he came to Liberty township.  He has been engaged in farming all his life, and settled here in the green woods, having married Miss Nancy Stalcup, in the fall of 1824, in Greene county, this state.  They have a family of seven children, five of whom are now alive.  Mr. Lindley has a well improved farm of 134 acres, all under fence and in a high state of cultivation all the result of his own industry and good management.  He is a member of the Society of Friends, and has been a member of the republican party since its formation.  Mr. Lindley's cousin, Thomas, came to this country in 1830, locating in Liberty township.  He died May 5, 1880, in the eightieth year of his age.  He was married in North Carolina, in 1824, to Miss M. Pickerton and leaves a family of two children.  He was a native of North Carolina, and on coming here settled on a farm, where he remained until his death.  Notwithstanding the privations and hardships incidental to pioneer life, he, with a few others, succeeded in organizing a meeting, which was subsequently located on his farm, and became known as the Rush Creek meeting of Friends.  In his death Parke county loses one of her best citizens.
WILLIAM O. MARIS, farmer, Sylvania, one of the prominent farmers of this township is the son of Thomas and Jane (Holliday) Maris, and was born in Orange county, this state, in 1818, his parents being natives of North Carolina.  He resided in his native place until he reached his twenty-seventh year, when (in 1845) he removed to Fountain county, and eventually removed to Parke county,  locating in Liberty township, adjoining Sylvania, though when he settled the village was not in existence.  Like many of the early settled the village was not in existence.  Like many of the early settlers, Mr. Maris has been a hard-working, temperate, religious man, honest and upright in all his dealings, and by his energy and perseverance has succeeded in making a splendid farm out of the wilderness.  He has been twice married; the first time to Miss Mary Jones, in 1845, by whom he had three children: Enos, who enlisted in the 31st Ind. reg., and died at Vicksburg; Deborah, and John.  In 1854 he married his second wife, Miss Eleanor Lindley, daughter of Thomas Lindley, one of the early settlers of the township, who bore him seven children:  Thomas, Miles, who died Jan. 1872; Mary Ellen, Martha Emma, Elmina, Albert, and Cora.  His farm consists of eighty-one acres of splendid land, situated in the best part of the township; he also owns a large body of land in Texas.  He is a member of the Society of Friends, and though he only received a limited education at the early district school, yet by reading and study he has advanced himself greatly.  In politics he is a republican.
JAMES MARKS, deceased, was one of the first comers in the Rush Creek settlement, having come from Kentucky, where he was born in Nelson county.  October 19, 1808, along with his wife, Jane (Howey) Marks, who was born in Washington county, Aug. 27, 1809, to Montezuma in the fall of 1829; he was married Aug. 27 of that same year.  On Mar. 30, 1830, he arrived in Liberty township, having entered 160 acres of land, the same on which his son George now resides, after paying for which, and for his supper and bed, he had not enough left to purchase a breakfast for himself in town.  At the date of his settlement all the grain had to be carried fourteen miles to mill.  The heavy labor of clearing proved very severe on him, so that he removed to Shawnee prairie for some time, but finding it unhealthy, returned to the original settlement, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Nov. 20, 1876, after a long life of usefulness.  His family consisted of Lydia Ann (now Mrs. Maddon), Jacob, William (deceased), Margaret (deceased), Mary Jane, Keziah, James H. (who died in the army, and was buried in Tennessee), George E. and Thomas W.  George was born Mar. 22, 1848, and married here, Mar. 25, 1869, Miss Lydia A. Wilkie, daughter of Willis and Mary Wilkie, who came to the county at an early date.  He has a family of three children: Horace Elmer, James Burton and Jennie May.  He is a republican in politics, and owns the original homestead of 160 acres of splendid land.  Thomas was born Mar. 19, 1851, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, receiving his education at the district school.  He married Miss Rachel McCay, a daughter of John McCay, one of the early settlers in the township, on June 12, 1873, and has one child, a boy, John Scott.  He owns a farm of 156 acres, well improved, and with good farm buildings, and is a member of the republican party.
JESSE H. McCOY, farmer and school teacher, Sylvania, son of John (one of oldest settlers in this part of the country and Elizabeth (Towell) McCoy, was born Sept. 1, 1850.  His early education was obtained at the district school, and during his youth he followed agricultural pursuits. and latterly has been engaged almost entirely in school teaching.  Dec. 25, 1873, he was married to Miss Loretta C. Jester,  of Ohio, and they had two children: Edna and Frank C.  He is a member of the Friends meeting, also of the Sylvania Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and is a popular member of the republican party a candidate for the office of recorder, with every prospect of success.
GEORGE W. NOLEN, farmer and engineer, Annapolis, is the son of William and Nancy (Ross) Nolan, who came to this county at an early day from Virginia, locating in Penn township.  He experienced the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life.  His father has been engaged in milling a great portion of his life.  He served in the army during the rebellion, and is now engaged in farming and stone cutting.  Mr. Nolen was born Jan. 19, 1859, receiving his education at the district common school, and during his life has been engaged some at farming, but principally at engineering.
WILLIAM K. PARENT, farmer, Sylvania, is a native of Kentucky, born in Hardin county, of that state.  He is the son of David and Jane (Awbrey) Parent; his father died in 1844, and his mother is still living, and continues to reside in Kentucky.  In 1852 Mr. Parent moved to Indiana, locating in Parke county, where he resided for six years, when, in 1858, he removed to Eugene township, Vermilion county.  In 1865 he enlisted in the 149th Ind. reg., Co. E, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Eugene, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1869, when he returned again to Parke county and settled on his present location, where he has a good farm of eighty acres, well improved and in a good state of cultivation.  In July, 1856, he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Stanton, daughter of Solomon B. Stanton, one of the pioneers of Liberty township.  They have a family of three boys and one girl:  David, Jane, John, and Perley.  Mr. Parent is a leading member of the A. F. and A. M., and in politics is strongly republican.
ALLAN L. RICH, farmer, Waterman, is one of the old settlers in this township, having come to this locality in 1846 from Randolph county, North Carolina, where he was born in 1820.  His parents, Aaron and Lurina (Lamb) Rich, were born in that state and lived and died there.  Mr. Rich has been a farmer all his life, and has a well appointed farm of ninety-nine acres, the result of his own industry and hard work.  Mr. Rich has been twice married; the first time to Miss Annie Swaim, daughter of Daniel Swaim, in 1844, one of the early settlers in this county; and the second time to Mrs. Dowdell, a widow, daughter of David Shirk, the second settler on Coal creek.  She died Jan. 13, 1880, aged sixty-five years.  Mr. Rich has a family of three children: William Daniel, Lurena Susan, now married to Mr. James Chat, and James.  He has been a member of the Baptist church for the last twenty-five years, and belongs to the democratic party.
R. J. RICHMOND, farmer, Waterman, is one of the oldest settlers now living in this township, having come here with his parents, John and Mary (Garner) Richmond, when he was four years old.  He was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1820.  There were a few Indians in this neighborhood on his arrival, and their bark wigwams were numerous all over this part of the country.  In 1848 he married Miss Mary Miller, and they have a family of six children: Mary Ellen, Henry Lawson, Sarah Elizabeth, Return, William, and Samuel J.  Since his marriage he has engaged in farming, and previous to that he had followed flat-boating from his thirteenth year, making numerous trips to New Orleans.  He is a member of the democratic party.  Dr. T. B. Redman is married to Mr. Richmond's eldest daughter, Mary Ellen, and they have one child, Idelle.  Mr. Redman came to Liberty township in 1871 from Georgetown, Vermilion county.  The doctor was born in Washington county, this state, Nov. 1, 1846, and received his early education at Georgetown Seminary, and later at the State Normal School of Illinois, and is a graduate of the Medical College of Indiana, at Indianapolis.  He has been in practice ten years, and is meeting with great success.
DAVID SHIRK, farmer, Waterman, was born in this township on the same farm on which he now resides, his father, Isaac Shirk, having come to this part of the State in 1826, with his father, David Shirk, when quite young, and located on Coal creek, he being the second settler in this part of the county.  His mother, Sarah Williams, was a daughter of Edward Williams, one of the early settlers in Vermilion county.  Mr. David Shirk is engaged in managing the farm of 156 acres belonging to the estate, his mother and one brother being still alive.  His father died in 1849, of cholera, while on a trip to New Orleans on a flat boat, in which business he had been engaged for a long time.  At the time of his death he was on his twenty-first trip to that port.  In 1861 Mr. Shirk enlisted in the 21st Indiana, and in November of the same year was discharged.  He reenlisted, in 1862, in the 97th Ind. reg., and served three years, and was at Corinth, Vicksburg, and the battle of Jackson.  He was married in Covington to Miss Harriet A. Sangster, daughter of Capt. George Sangster, an old resident, and who served during the war of 1812, and settled at Covington, Fountain County, in 1840, and died there in 1873 in his eighty-fifth year.  Mr. Shirk has a family of two children: George E. and Sallie B.  In politics he is a prominent member of the democratic party.  He does a large business in agricultural implements.
LAZARUS SHIRK, farmer, Waterman, is one of the oldest settlers in the township, having come with his father to Parke county and located in Coal creek in 1826.  He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1823, his father, David Shirk, being originally from Georgia.  At the time of their settlement here the country was heavily timbered, no roads and no schools, and their only neighbors were R. J. Richmond and the Timmermans.  Deer, turkey, wild cats, wolves and wild hogs were numerous, and the Indians had a camp near their location, but were very friendly.  His father acted as a scout under Gen. Harrison during the Indian War, and his Uncle John served all through the war of 1812.  Mr. Shirk has been married twice; the first time to Mary, daughter of Thomas Cook, of Armiesburg, one of the early settlers of that place, in 1848.  His second marriage was to Annie, daughter of Jacob Rhoades, a native of Pennsylvania, now a resident of Covington, Fountain county.  He has a family of five children: Margaret, Rosie, Andrew, Dora, and David.  He has followed farming all his life, and by his industry has acquired a handsome farm of 300 acres, well improved, and good buildings.  His father died in 1861.  Mr. Shirk was a member of the I. O.O. F. for nine or ten years, and is a member of the democratic party.
MICHAEL STANTON, farmer, Sylvania, was born in Gilford county, North Carolina, in 1835, and came to this county with his parents when two years old, settling in Liberty township, at which time this part of the county was yet in the green and very sparsely settled.  Game of all kinds, including deer and turkey, was numerous, and the wolves would howl around the cabin nightly.  His father, Solomon B. Stanton, worked hard to clear up his farm, but was taken with milk-sickness and died, leaving the widow with four small children to fight the battle of life alone.  With indomitable energy she worked early and late to keep her family together, and succeeded in raising them, though in a very frugal manner.  At the age of twenty years Michael responded to the call of his country and enlisted in Co. A, 85th Ind. Reg., for three years.  He served with honor throughout the campaign.  At the fight at Thompson's Station he was taken prisoner and incarcerated in the Libby prison Mar. 4, 1863, and was paroled in April following.  Though he was there but for about a month, when paroled he was so weak as to be unable to walk without the assistance of his comrades.  He served with Sherman in his famous campaign and march to the sea, and Gen. Mower's staff and served in that capacity till the close of the war.  In 1867 he married Miss Rachel C. Richardson, of Fountain county, daughter of James Richardson, one of the oldest settlers of that county.  They have one child, Emma L.  Since returning from the war, Mr. Stanton has devoted his time entirely to managing his farm, which he has acquired by hard work and industry.  Mr. Stanton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also of the A. F. and A. M., being secretary of the Sylvania Lodge.  In politics he is a republican.
DAVIS STEVER, farmer, Sylvania, is a native of Liberty township, born Feb. 2, 1834.  His parents, Matthew and Agnes (Banks) Stever arrived here at a very early day.  They died when he was quite young, leaving him to fight his way in the world, which he has done very successfully.  By perseverance and hard work he has now a good farm of 134 acres, well improved and in good cultivation.  In 18652 he enlisted in the 9thInd. Battery, and served three years and three months.  He was wounded by the boat blowing up on his way home.  He was with his battery at the engagements at Pittsburgh Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg, Nashville, and in every fight in which the battery took part, including the Red River expedition with Banks.  IN 1857 he was married to Miss Susan Conner, a native of Parke county, and they have a family of seven children: Samuel, Davis e., Joseph, Caleb, Lizzie, Sarah Ann, and Susie B.  He is a member of Floyd Post, G. A. R. and in politics is a republican.
JOHN M. SWAIM, farmer, Waterman, was born in North Carolina in 1844, and came to Parke county in 1848.  His father, Daniel Swaim, moved into Indiana in 1811, and taught school in Orange and Washington counties in the various block-houses there, and was probably the first school teacher in Indiana.  John Swaim has been engaged principally at farming, and a part of his time has been occupied working at the carpenter trade.  In 1864 he enlisted in the 137th Ind. reg.  and served five months, returning to his farm at the close of the war.  In 1869 he was married to Miss Sarah Jenne, daughter of one of the early settlers of Silver Island.  They have two children: Oliver Wesley and Harrison Riley, Mr. Swim now owns the farm of ninety three  acres formerly belonging to M. H. Beadle.  He is a member of the republican party.
RILEY SWAIM, farmer, Sylvania, is a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, and came from there to Parke county in 1844, and settled in Annapolis, where he remained working at his trade as wagon-maker for two years.  Returning again to North Carolina he staid during the winter and came back in the spring of Annapolis, where he did a large business making dump carts for the laborers who were constructing the Wabash and Erie canal.  His father, Daniel Swaim, was a school teacher, and in 1811 came to Indiana and taught school in the various block houses on the frontier, and was probably the first school teacher in the state.  The family on the father's side is of Dutch origin, the family tree running back to three brothers who came from Holland to New Amsterdam, now New York at a very early period.  Mr. Swaim settled on his present farm about 1848, but not being satisfied here he took a trip to Kansas a short time since, and was so captivated with the appearance of that state that on his return he arranged to sell out his farm in Liberty, and went again to Kansas and bought a farm of 160 acres in Labette county, well improved, and he intends to move on it this fall.  He has been married twice: the first time in North Carolina, and the second time, March 4, 1858, to Miss Sarah McMasters, daughter of Andrew McMasters, who came to Liberty township in 1831 from North Carolina.  Mr. Swaim's family consists of five children: Louisa, William Andrew, Daniel Elsworth, Charles Sherman, and Annie Jane.  Mr. Swaim and his wife are members of the Reserve church, old Baptist denomination.  HE is a strong member of the republican party, having been formerly a member of the old whig party.
SAMUEL M. TODD, farmer, Annapolis, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, Dec. 17, 1829, and came to this county with his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Martin) Todd, when four years old, and settled here in the green woods, living for some time in a rail pen until they got their cabin built.  They entered land in Liberty township, and Mr. Todd is at present residing on it.  In 1854 he was married to Miss Mary Ann Benson, a daughter of Garrison Benson who came to this county from Kentucky at an early day.  They have a family of seven children, six boys and one girl, all of whom are now living.  On the farm is an orchard of over 300 sugar trees, which yielded last season 200 pounds of sugar and 80 gallons of molasses.  Mr. Todd has followed farming principally during his life, and has also done considerable wagon-making and carpenter work.  He has been a life long member of the democratic party.
CALE W. WATERMAN, farmer, Waterman, is the son of Richard M. Waterman, who settled in Vermilion county in 1832, and practiced medicine there for twenty-five years, moving in 1857 to the town of Waterman, which, by the way, was named for him, where he packed pork and sold goods for many years, and was a leading man in this part of the county.  AT the age of fifty-four he enlisted in the 31st Ind. reg., and died in the service.  Mr. Waterman was born in Eugene, Vermilion county, in 1839, and lived there until he was seventeen years old, when he moved to Waterman, and engaged in business, doing a large trade in dry-goods, pork packing and grain.  In 1857 the firm shipped 100,000 bushels of corn and 60,000 bushels of wheat.  But the closing of the Wabash and Erie canal stopped operations, and Mr. Waterman went to farming, and now devotes his time to managing his farm of 570 acres.  In 1861 he was married to Miss Edmoina McCormick, daughter of David McCormick, of Cabell county, Virginia, and they have six children: Letta, Richard, Samuel W., Charles C., Mary and Caleb W.  Mr. Waterman is justly proud of his family record, which runs back to an early period in the history of the country.  He is the son of Richard, whose father was Caleb; the son of Richard whose male progenitor was Nathaniel; the son of Richard Waterman, who came from Bristol, England, in the good ship Lion, along with Roger Williams, in 1630, and in 1634 was taken before the general court of Massachusetts, and banished upon pain of death if he ever returned, as being erroneous, heretical and obstinate.  Mr. Waterman is a prominent and enthusiastic member of the greenback party, and was a delegate to the Chicago convention which nominated Gen. Weaver.
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