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					BIOGRAPHICAL 
					     
					H. Chamberlain, 
					farmer, Seeleyville, is a native of Vigo 
					county, born in Harrison township in 1821.  His parents 
					were among the early settlers of the county.  His 
					father, Moody Chamberlain, was a native of New 
					Hampshire; born Nov. 3, 1791.  In 1820 he was married 
					to Miss B. Dole, also a native of New Hampshire, born 
					in 1795, and in 1820 they came to Vigo county, where they 
					took an active part in improving a part of the land now 
					owned by his son.  Mr. Chamber- 
					 
					[Page 392] - 
					lain served as associate judge for some time.  He 
					continued to reside in the county until his death, which 
					occurred in 1862.  Mrs. Chamberlain died in 
					about 1868.  The subject of this sketch now resides on 
					the old homestead, where he has resided for many years.  
					In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary E. Dickerson, 
					daughter of John Dickerson, and they have a family of 
					three children: Volney C., Imogen, and 
					Fredric. 
					     
					Alexander Cooper, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Blount 
					county, Tennessee, in 1817, and came with his parents to 
					Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1823.  In 1824 he came to 
					Vigo county and settled in Riley township, where his parents 
					remained until their deaths; his father, James, dying 
					in 1855, and his mother, Mary Werr, in the same year. 
					Mr. Cooper lived at home until after his marriage to
					Miss Elizabeth McGriff, which occurred in 1842.  
					In 1843 he became a resident of Lost Creek township, where 
					he has lived ever since.  He owns a farm of 120 acres, 
					on which he has made most of the improvements.  He has 
					accumulated his property by hard work and by the help of a 
					self-denying wife.  Mr. Cooper served two terms 
					as county surveyor.  He is a member of the Christian 
					church. 
					     
					O. B. Soules, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, 
					Indiana, July 21, 1826.  His occupation has been that 
					of a farmer, and by strict attention to his business he now 
					owns 557 acres of fine improved land.  He served in the 
					late rebellion in the 149th Ind. Vol. Inf.  His father 
					came to the county in about 1816, and had to live at Fort 
					Harrison at different periods on account of the Indians, who 
					were hostile at that time.  In 1854 Mr. 
					Soules was married to F. F. Watkins, daughter of
					William Watkins. He had been previously 
					married to Ann Hussey in 1851, but she died in 1853. 
					Mr. Soules has lived an honest life, and is respected 
					by all who know him. 
					     
					Warren Soules, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, 
					Indiana, Oct. 7, 1828, and is the son of William and 
					Almira (Baker) Soules, who were natives of York state.  
					They came to Vigo county in an early day, and settled in 
					Harrison township in about the year 1816 or 1817, where they 
					resided until their deaths.  Warren Soules has 
					been a resident of the county all his life, and has been 
					engaged in farming.  At present he is the owner of a 
					fine farm consisting of 365 acres, most of which he has 
					earned by hard work and good financiering.  He served 
					three months in the late rebellion in the 33d reg. Ind. Vol. 
					Inf.  In 1866 he married Sarah McFadden, who was 
					born in Terre Haute in 1830.  She is the daughter of 
					Malcom and Elizabeth (Dickerson) McFadden, who were 
					natives of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  They came to this 
					county in an early day, and resided until their deaths, 
					Mr. McFadden dying in 1860 and Mrs. McFadden in 
					about 1857. 
					 
					[Page 393] - 
					     H. 
					Roberts, farmer, Burnett, was born 
					in North Carolina in 1810, and came to Monroe county with 
					his parents when sixteen years of age, thence to Vigo county 
					in 1828.  He at once became a resident of Lost Creek 
					township, and began working at home on his father's farm 
					until he was a man grown.  After this he began for 
					himself, and by hard work he has become the owner of a fine 
					farm, consisting of 325 acres, on which he has made most of 
					the improvements.  In 1851 he was married to Miss 
					Nancy Jackson, and they have one son, Thompson, 
					who resides at home and is engaged in farming. 
					     
					Reden Roberts, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in North 
					Carolina, and came to Vigo county with his parents in about 
					1828.  He has been a resident of the county all his 
					life. In 1872 he married Alvira Bonds.  Mr. 
					Roberts has been a hard-working and energetic man.  
					He is the owner of a fine farm, consisting of 300 acres, on 
					which he has made all the improvements.  He is 
					considered a practical farmer.  In politics Mr.
					Roberts takes sides with the republican party. 
					     
					C. Eversol, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 
					1814.  When he was seven years of age his parents came 
					to Floyd county, Indiana, and remained about three years, 
					after which they removed to Vigo county in 1824, and lived 
					three years.  They then returned to Floyd county again, 
					and in 1828 came to Vigo county, where Mr. Eversol 
					has lived ever since.  He now owns 120 acres of land, 
					forty acres of which he entered.  There were only three 
					acres cleared, and the rest he has done himself.  In 
					1841 he was married to Miss Nancy Latty, a native of 
					Owen county, Indiana.  They have five children, three 
					sons and two daughters: Jane E., Joseph, Jacob, John W. 
					and Emma D.  Mr. Eversol got his 
					start by working for $5 per month, and taking part in store 
					pay. 
					     
					Dixon Stewart, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Wake county, 
					North Carolina, in 1801, and came to Monroe county, Indiana, 
					in 1827.  From there he came to Vigo county in 1829, 
					and became a resident of Lost Creek township.  By 
					energy and economy he became the owner of 900 acres of land, 
					which he divided with his children, giving to each of his 
					sons 100 acres, and to each daughter 75 acres.  He has 
					retained enough to keep him as long as he lives.  In 
					1829 he married Lucinda Roberts, who was born in 
					North Carolina in 1809.  The result of their marriage 
					has been four sons and four daughters: Elisha, 
					Nancy, Mary J., Joseph, Julia, 
					Dixon, Thomas, and Sarah J. 
					     
					Jeremiah Anderson, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Chattanooga 
					county, North Carolina, in 1806, and came to Vigo county, 
					Indiana, in 1832, and located in Lost Creek township.  
					He first entered forty acres of land and paid government 
					price.  This was his first start, and by 
					 
					[Page 394] - 
					industry at one time he was the owner of 730 acres of as 
					fine land as there was in Lost Creek township.  But on 
					account of his age he is unable to manage so much, and he 
					has divided it with his children.  In 1827 he was 
					married to Rhoda Underwood.  She died in 
					1871, and his second marriage was to Mrs. D. Stewart. 
					Mr. Anderson has been a member of the Baptist 
					church for thirty-eight years. 
					     
					Elisha Stewart, 
					farmer, Burnett, was born in Monroe county, Indiana, 
					in 1830, and came to Vigo county in 1832.  He has been 
					a resident of this county and of Lost Creek township ever 
					since.  In July, 1854, he married Emeline 
					Chavous.  She died March 13, 1863, and Dec. 19, 
					1865, he was married to Elizabeth Waldon, a 
					native of North Carolina.  Mr. Stewart is 
					a member of the A. F. and A. M., and is a staunch 
					republican.  He has a fine farm, which he has under 
					good cultivation. 
					     
					Elisha Baker, 
					carpenter and farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Woodford 
					county, Kentucky, in 1824, and came to Vigo county in 1832.  
					He has been a resident of this county all his life, with the 
					exception of the time spent in the army.  He served in 
					Co. C, 31st reg. Ind. Vol. Inf, and in the 6th Cav.  He 
					participated in all the battles in which the 6th Cavalry was 
					engaged, and after the war he returned to Vigo county, where 
					he has remained ever since.  He has been engaged in the 
					building of houses, barns, etc.  In 1846 he was married 
					to Eliza McMullen, and she died in 1864. 
					      
					Joseph Watson, 
					farmer, Cloverland, Clay county, is the son of James 
					Watson, who was a native of Tennessee, born in 1806.  James
					Watson, when a young man, came to Kentucky, where he 
					remained about fifteen years, then came to Vigo county in 
					1832, and settled in Lost Creek township, on the farm where 
					his son Joseph now lives.  Here he continued to 
					reside until his death, which occurred Sept. 20, 1878.  
					His wife, formerly Miss P. Thompson, was a native of 
					Kentucky, and died in this county.  Their family 
					consisted of seven children: Nancy, wife of J. 
					McHenry; Richard, now deceased; Franklin, 
					living in Missouri; Eliza, John, who is now in 
					Iowa, James, and Joseph. 
					 
     Moody 
					Chamberlain, blacksmith, 
					Seelyville, was born in Lost Creek township, Vigo county, 
					Indiana, July 16, 1882.  At eighteen years of age he 
					went to Clinton, Indiana, and served an apprenticeship at 
					the blacksmith trade, and after working a short time in 
					Terre Haute, in 1853 he built a shop, where he now carries 
					on his present business.  He began business for 
					himself, and by strict attention to his business has built 
					up a trade equal to any in the country.  In 1856 he was 
					married to Miss Martha Clark, a native of Hamilton 
					county, Ohio, and by 
					 
					[Page 395] - 
					their marriage they have five children, two sons and three 
					daughters:  Ida M., Edwin C., Corrinna, Harvey R.
					and Jennie. 
					     
					Peter Hughes, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Ireland in 1815, and when a 
					young man came to Kingston, Canada, where he served an 
					apprenticeship at the stone-cutter's trade.  After 
					completing his trade he came to Buffalo, New York, where he 
					worked some time, after which he came to Fort Wayne, 
					Indiana, thence to New Orleans, and in 1833 he came to Vigo 
					county, Indiana, where he has continued to reside ever 
					since.  He has spent the most of his time in farming, 
					and by never-tiring industry he has become the owner of a 
					handsome farm and everything to make life comfortable.  
					Mar. 24, 1839, he was married to Ellen Dickerson, 
					a native of Butler county, Ohio.  She was born in 1824 
					and came to this county in 1830.  They have six sons 
					and four daughters: Sarah E., Rachel E., George W., James 
					J., Levi G., John H., Peter E., Lourella T., Martha J. and 
					Stephen C. 
					     
					G. W. G. 
					Sparks, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Jefferson 
					county, Kentucky, in 1820, and when he was fifteen years of 
					age his parents removed to Vigo county and settled in Lost 
					Creek township.  Mr. Sparks has been a 
					citizen of Vigo county ever since.  His parents 
					subsequently removed to Illinois, where they lived until 
					their deaths, his father dying in about 1876 and his mother 
					in about 1879.  They were natives of Kentucky.  In 
					1840 Mr. G. W. G. Sparks was joined in marriage to 
					Miss Sallie Hodges, daughter of John and Alley Hodges. 
					Mr. Sparks began in life a poor boy, but by hard work 
					and economy he has come in possession of a fine farm of 114 
					acres.  He has been a member of the Baptist church for 
					thirty-seven years and his wife for thirty-nine years. 
					     L. W. 
					Dickerson, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, 
					Indiana, in 1835.  His father, Samuel 
					Dickerson, was among the early settlers of the county, 
					and was connected with the construction of the canal and 
					other public works in an early day.  L. W. 
					Dickerson's pursuits in life have been in the 
					agricultural line.  He is honest and up right in all 
					his dealings, and respected by all who know him.  He 
					has been twice married.  In 1859 he was married to 
					Miss Carrie Wise, a native of Philadelphia, 
					Pennsylvania.  She died in 1864, and his second 
					marriage was to Miss S. A. Ferrel, a native of 
					Sullivan county, Indiana.  He is the father of one 
					child by his former and one by his present wife.  
					 
					     
					J. M. Harper, 
					farmer, Round House, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 
					19, 1816, and in 1835 came to Vigo county, and for two years 
					worked at drilling in a stone quarry for the government.  
					The rock was used for the construction of the National Road. 
					In this way 
					 
					[Page 396] - 
					he got a little ready money, with which he entered eighty 
					acres of land
					and built a cabin in the woods and began to try to make a 
					living. 
					Merchandise was then high; salt was worth $7 a barrel.  Mr. 
					Harper has been an industrious man, and at the present time has 
					comfortably
					situated himself. In about 1838 he was married to Miss Eliza 
					Wyeth,
					daughter of E. Wyeth, who was an early settler of the 
					county.  By
					their happy marriage they have six children: William G., who 
					served
					in the army three years in the 43d reg. Ind. Vol. Inf.; Amy 
					A., Catharine, 
					wife of N. Beener during her life; Maria, wife of 
					H. Turner; 
					Sarah E., wife of M. Hide; and Indiana, wife of 
					F. Butt.  Mr. 
					Harper is a
					member of the A. F. and A. M., Riley Lodge, No. 390. 
					      
					Peter Collins, 
					farmer, Riley, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and at thirteen years of age his parents 
					removed to
					Warren county, Ohio, where Mr. Collins remained for some 
					time, working at the wagon-maker's trade.  Mar. 29, 1820, he was 
					married to Miss Sarah Miller, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, born 
					June 10,
					1806.  In 1836 they removed to Vigo county and settled in 
					Lost Creek
					township, where he entered forty, and bought eighty, acres 
					of land,
					and began improving.  There being but little money with which 
					to
					transact business, Mr. Collins would work at wagon-making to 
					pay the
					men to build his present house.  Mr. Collins is now in his 
					eighty
					second year, and after a life spent in hard work, and all 
					the privations
					of a new country, he has the appearance of a man not over 
					sixty.  His
					wife lived to see her children develop into manhood and 
					womanhood. 
					She departed this life Apr. 29, 1879, having had eleven 
					children, of
					whom eight are now living: Josephus, Rebecca, wife of 
					Alex. 
					Rowan; Thomas, Hannah, wife of W. Light;
					Mary J., wife of B. Hulburd; Morton L., Sarah S., wife of 
					L. Roberts, and Austin M.  The 
					dead were John, William and Lewis. 
					Austin served in the late 
					rebellion, in the
					85th reg. and in the 149th Ind.  ol. Inf. 
					     Samuel Molone, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Dinwiddie county,
					Virginia, July 25, 1800, where he remained until he was 
					twenty-one
					years of age.  In about 1821 he removed to North Carolina, 
					where he
					remained until he came to Vigo county, in 1837, and settled 
					in Lost
					Creek township. By hard work and economy he has become the 
					owner
					of a fine farm of 180 acres, which he took in the timber, 
					and on which
					he made all the improvements.  In 1827 he was married to
					Miss 
					E.
					Strayhorne, a native of North Carolina, now deceased.  Mr. Molone 
					has been liberal to all enterprises that have been 
					beneficial to the community in which he lives. 
					     
					W. B. Dickerson, farmer, 
					Seelyville, was born in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 26, 1821.  
					At the age of seventeen or eighteen his 
					 
					[Page 397] - 
					parents came to Lost Creek township, Vigo county, and 
					settled on the
					National Road seven miles east of Terre Haute.  His father,
					John
					Dickerson, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 
					1791, and in
					1819 was married to Rhoda Holland, a native of Jackson 
					county, Georgia, born in 1800.  She now resides in the county, and 
					her husband departed this life Jan. 3, 1878.  W. B. 
					Dickerson, 
					the subject
					of this sketch, has been a hard-working and enterprising 
					man, always
					willing to take part in everything pertaining to the 
					interest of the community in which he lives.  In political affairs he is always 
					foremost in
					behalf of the republican party.  In 1846 he was married to 
					Miss Phoebe
					Dickerson, daughter of Samuel Dickerson.  She has been a 
					faithful
					wife and kind mother to her three children, two daughters 
					and one son: Rachel A., now wife of J. T. Reynolds; 
					Martha E., wife of J. 
					S.
					Tiley; and Samuel A., who is at home.  Mr. 
					Dickerson has 
					served the
					people of his township as justice of the peace for about 
					eight years,
					and being of a social turn has gained many friends in the 
					community
					in which he resides. 
					     James Dailey, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Parke county, Indiana, in 1838.  His father, 
					Benjamin, was a native of Butler 
					county,
					Ohio, and came to Parke county in about 1828 and settled in 
					Florida
					township, and was one of the early settlers of that 
					township.  Here he
					continued to live until his death, which occurred in 1863.  
					His wife, Catharine Redon, is a native of Ohio, and now lives at the 
					old home
					stead. James Dailey resided for many years at home in Parke 
					county,
					where he worked on the farm.  In 1870 he became a resident of 
					Vigo 
					county.  In 1859 he was married to Miss Zerelda Kerr, a 
					native of Parke
					county.  She died in 1864, and he was married to her sister,
					Arminta
					Kerr.  They were the daughters of James Kerr, who came to 
					Parke
					county in 1818, where he resided until his death, which 
					occurred in
					1876.  He took an active part in the war of 1812, 
					particularly in the
					battle of the Thames.  In 1840 he was elected to the 
					legislature, and
					was afterward elected five consecutive terms.  Mr.
					Dailey has 
					three
					children by his former wife: John O., Carrie E., and 
					Ella, 
					and two by 
					his present wife: James T. and Katie.  Mr. 
					Dailey is a member 
					of the
					A. F. and A. M., Riley Lodge, No. 390. He is also a member 
					of the
					Christian church.  
					     
					S. S. Ripley, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, Dec. 19, 1841. His father, 
					Joseph Ripley, was a 
					native of
					Ohio, born in 1818, and came to Vigo county about 1823, and 
					settled
					within half a mile of where S. S. Ripley now resides.  He 
					continued
					to live in the county until his death, which occurred 
					Nov. 22,
					1866.  His wife was born in 1816, and died in this county in  
					[Page 398] - 
					1862.   The subject of this sketch was in the late 
					rebellion three years, in the 4th Cavalry, and was all 
					through the Atlanta campaign and Wilson's raid.  
					After serving his country faithfully for three years he 
					returned to his birthplace and engaged in farming.  In 
					1867 he married Miss Rachel Hughes, daughter of 
					Peter Hughes, who was one of the early settlers 
					of this county.  Mr. Ripley is a member 
					of the A. F. and A. M., and his political views are in favor 
					of the republican party. 
					     
					Alexander 
					Rowan, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Hamilton
					county, Ohio, July 14, 1821, where he served an 
					apprenticeship at the
					blacksmith trade, beginning when seventeen years of age, and 
					completing at twenty-one.  At that age he made up his mind to 
					come west. 
					He started on foot, and walked from Cincinnati, Ohio, to 
					where he now 
					resides, in Lost Creek township, where he arrived in 1842 
					with only
					$5 in money.  Soon after this he began his former occupation,
					and after working hard for two years bought eighty acres of 
					land,
					which is his present home, and by industry and economy he 
					has accumulated all of which he is now the possessor.  In 1847 he was 
					married to Miss Rebecca Collins, daughter of 
					Peter Collins.  They have 
					one
					daughter, Sarah B., and one deceased, James M. 
					     
					J. H. Scofield, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Warren county,
					Ohio, in 1814, where he remained until 1842, at which time 
					he came to
					Vigo county and settled in Lost Creek township.  He bought 
					sixty
					nine acres of unimproved land, which he has not only 
					improved, but
					by hard work has added to it until he has a fine farm of 184 
					acres, all
					under a good state of cultivation.  He began without 
					anything but a
					good constitution and a practical knowledge of how to work.  
					He has
					been twice married, first in 1836 to Miss Mary A. Turner, a 
					native of 
					Warren county, Ohio.  She died in 1864, and his second 
					marriage was
					to R. Dubre, formerly Rachel Dickerson, daughter of 
					Samuel 
					Dickerson, who was an early settler of the county. 
					Mr. Scofield 
					became the
					father of five sons and one daughter by his former wife: 
					Melissa, wife
					of C. Atmore, Allison, Corwin B., now deceased, 
					Constantine, who
					served in the rebellion and came home and died, Joseph H., who
					served in the war, and Fremont.  He is the parent of two 
					children by
					his present wife: Charles L. and Levi W. 
					     
					Elza Jones, 
					proprietor of saw-mill, and farmer, Terre Haute, was born in 
					Henry county, Kentucky, in 1829; and when one year old his 
					parents removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, thence to 
					Sullivan county, where Mr. Jones remained until 1842.  
					He engaged there in agricultural pursuits, and after 
					spending one year on the Mississippi river, steamboating 
					between Cincinnati and New Orleans. 
					  
					W. R. Jeffers 
					(portrait) 
					[Page 399] - 
					1843 he came to Vigo county, and began working in a 
					saw-mill.  Since that he has been the owner of six or 
					seven mills, and has been quite extensively engaged in the 
					manufacture of lumber.  When he 
					began in life for himself he began poor, but by industry and 
					a strict attention to business, he has comfortably situated 
					himself, and is the owner of a good farm consisting of 160 
					acres, and a saw-mill within six miles of Terre Haute.  
					In 1850 he married Harriet Wilgus, daughter of
					R. Wilgus, who was an early settler of this county. 
					Mr. Jones has been a member of the New Light 
					church for many years, and for several years past he has 
					been an ordained preacher of that denomination; he once 
					preached for a number of years. 
					     
					H. C. Dickerson, farmer, 
					Seelyville, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1844.  
					He served in the rebellion in Co. E, 133d reg. Ind. Vol. Inf, 
					and has been a resident of the county all his life.  He 
					was married in 1871, and has a family of three children: 
					Rosco, Raleigh and George W.  Mr.
					Dickerson, in connection with his farm, keeps a 
					country store, and by not having the rent to pay that they 
					do in the city, he is able to compete with them in prices.  
					By his courteous treatment of his many costomers, he 
					has not only established a good trade, but has gained many 
					friends.  He is a member of the Terre Haute Lodge, No. 
					51, I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a republican. 
					     
					Joseph Ripley, farmer, 
					Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1845, and 
					has been a resident of this county all his life.  In 
					the late war he enlisted, in 1863, in the 11th Cav., 126th 
					reg., Co. B, and served until the close of the war.  He 
					was all through Wilson's campaign, and Hood's 
					raid, participating in a great many skirmishes, and was at 
					the fifteen days’ fight at Nashville.  After the close 
					of the war he went to Kansas, where he was stationed on the 
					Sante Fe stage road, to guard the road against the 
					Indians.  He subsequently returned to Vigo county, and 
					engaged in agricultural pursuits.  In 1866 he was 
					married to Miss Rachel C. Coart, who was born in Vigo 
					county, in 1848. 
					     
					J. W. Moore, farmer, Cloverland, 
					was born in Highland county, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1823.  In 
					1837 he came with his uncle to Clay county, where he lived 
					until he became of age.  After serving an 
					apprenticeship at the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, in 
					1847 he built a shop close to Cloverland, on the National 
					Road, where he carried on business for some time.  In 
					1853 he removed to his farm, where he now lives, and he has 
					carried on his former occupation in connection with farming.  
					When he began for himself he had not a dollar, but by 
					industry and economy he is now the possessor of a fine farm 
					consisting of 240 acres.  Being a natural genius, he 
					has 
					 
					[Page 400] - 
					had his buildings all arranged so that they are convenient 
					and handy. He has also built a fine fishery, which in time 
					will add much to the value of his farm. Mar. 23, 1847, he 
					took a life partner, his choice being Miss Mary
					A. Jarvis, daughter of James Jarvis, 
					and the issue of their long and happy union is four sons and 
					one daughter: Joseph F., Elvis, Mason, George W. and
					Clara A.  Mr. Moore has long been 
					a member of the Christian church, and in politics is a 
					staunch democrat. 
					     
					Nelson Palmer, farmer, 
					Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, Jan. 16, 
					1847, and at the breaking out of the late rebellion was one 
					of the first to respond to the call for volunteers.  He 
					enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, 31st Ind. Vol. Inf, and served 
					until 1866.  He participated in many of the prominent 
					battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Stone River, 
					Lookout Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, 
					Jonesboro, where he was wounded, Franklin, and the last 
					battle of Nashville.  His regiment then went to 
					Huntsville, Alabama, and it was under fire every day.  
					After the close of the war Mr. Palmer went to 
					Texas and did provost duty until 1866, after which he 
					returned home to Vigo county, and since then has been 
					engaged in farming.  In 1868 he married Miss 
					Mary Myers, a native of this county, and the 
					issue is three sons and two daughters.  His father 
					served in the rebellion, in the 6th cavalry, and died at 
					Franklin, Tennessee.  One of Mr. Palmer's 
					brothers went out in the 31st Ind. Vol. Inf, and was killed 
					at Buzzard Roost, May 11, 1864. 
					     
					The
					Swalls family are among 
					the early settlers of Vigo county.  David 
					Swalls was born in 1799, and was married in 1838 to 
					Miss Catharine Muncie, who was born in 1809.  
					They came to Vigo county in an early day, where they 
					continued to reside as one of the respectable families until 
					their deaths, Mr. Swalls dying in 1853 and 
					Mrs. Swalls in 1874.  C. B. and P. N. 
					Swalls have purchased the old homestead where their 
					father resided for forty-seven years.  They are both 
					hard-working young men, and have quite materially improved 
					the farm, and have it under a good state of cultivation. 
					     
					William Roberts, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in New York 
					city Jan. 31, 1810, and when a boy his parents removed to 
					Warren county, Ohio, where Mr. Roberts grew to be a 
					man.  In 1841 he took a life partner, his choice being
					Miss P. J. Stephenson, a native of Butler county, 
					Ohio. In 1847 they moved to Vigo county, Indiana, to seek a 
					home in the then wilderness of Lost Creek township, where he 
					had previously purchased eighty acres of land.  At 
					present anyone passing his farm would scarcely think that it 
					was once a forest, there being but three acres partly 
					cleared when he came in possession of it. 
					 
					[Page 401] - 
					His family consists of seven children: La Fayette, Lear, 
					Levina, Louisa J., Alonzo, Benjamin, Anthony, and 
					Benton. 
					 
     Alex McPherson, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Scotland in 1816, and at 
					three years of age his father and stepmother started to 
					America.  His father died on the way with the yellow 
					fever, and he and his stepmother came to Ohio, and soon 
					after young Alexander was sent back to Scotland, 
					where he remained until 1835.  At this date, he came to 
					Canada and thence to Vigo county, which has been his home 
					since 1848.  In 1873 he opened a coal mine on his farm, 
					and it has proved to be of the very best quality.  In 
					course of time it will add much to the value of his farm.  
					In 1849 he was married to Elizabeth Winningham. 
					     
					William H. Alvis, farmer, Terre 
					Haute, was born in Vigo county, where he has lived all his 
					life.  His parents came to the county in an early day 
					and located in Lost Creek township, where they were among 
					the pioneers. They continued to reside in the county until 
					their deaths, but on account of not having important dates 
					the writer is unable to give the particulars. 
					     
					J. G. Hamilton, farmer, Stanton, 
					is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania.  When 
					he was three years of age his parents came to Warren county, 
					Ohio.  He learned the shoemaker's trade and his life 
					was spent in that occupation, more or less, until he came to 
					Vigo county in 1851.  He became one of the farmers of 
					Lost Creek township, where he has continued to reside.  
					He began without any aid, but by never-tiring industry he is 
					the owner of 208 acres of fine improved lands in Vigo and 
					Clay counties.  In 1840 he was married to Miss 
					Louisa Thurston, a native of Warren county, Ohio.  
					They have eleven children: Elizabeth, now wife of 
					W. Miller; Otha, James, Frank, 
					Lemuel, Eliza, wife of T. Green; 
					Chauncey, Fred, Grant, Charley and
					Cora.  Otha, James and Frank 
					served in the late war.  Mr. Hamilton is 
					a member of the A. F. and A. M., Riley Lodge, No. 390. 
					 
     F. W. Felling, farmer, 
					Terre Haute, was born in Germany in 1818, and came to Vigo 
					county in about 1853 and became one of the prominent farmers 
					of Lost Creek township.  He was married to Miss 
					Augusta Mattis, a native of Germany, and they have 
					raised a respectable family of five children.  Fredric 
					H., born in this country, 1856, Aaron L., born in 
					1859, Clemnes in 1863, Henry in 1869 and 
					Charles in 1871.  Mr. Felling has by 
					industry and economy become the owner of a fine farm located 
					within seven miles of Terre Haute, 
					     
					Alexander 
					Thomas, farmer, Terre Haute, was 
					born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1829, and at seventeen 
					years of age he served an apprenticeship in the blacksmith 
					trade.  After learning the trade he 
					[Page 402] - 
					followed the business in his native county until he was 
					twenty-five years of age.  After coming to Terre Haute, 
					Indiana, Apr. 28, 1854, he followed a farmer's occupation 
					for a number of years.  In 1865 he was elected city 
					marshal of Terre Haute, which office he faithfully filled 
					for two years, and gained the respect of his fellow 
					citizens.  In 1871 he was elected mayor of the city, 
					which office he filled until 1875.  By his meritorious 
					conduct he won a wide circle of friends in the city and 
					surrounding country.  In 1878 he moved on his present 
					farm and began agricultural pursuits.  In 1856 he was 
					married to Miss Hannah L. Eddy, a native of New 
					Hampshire.  He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., 
					Terre Haute Lodge, No. 19.  Also a member of the 
					A.O.U.W. 
					     
					C. H. Dannels, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Salem 
					county, New Jersey, in 1813.  The early part of his 
					life was spent as a sailor and fisherman, which he began at 
					fourteen years of age, and followed until twenty-four years 
					of age.  Afterward he came west and located in Union 
					county, Indiana, to which he brought the first threshing 
					machine that was in that part of the country.  He 
					always advocated the cause of education, and has taken an 
					active part in the building of school.  houses and 
					establishing schools in the community in which he has 
					resided.  After remaining in Union county for some time 
					he came to Vigo county and located in Lost Creek township, 
					where he has been quite extensively engaged in farming.  
					When he began for himself he was a poor boy, but by economy 
					and industry, step by step he has accumulated a handsome 
					property of 200 acres of land, located seven miles east of 
					Terre Haute, and has provided each of his children with a 
					good farm.  He has long been a member of the Methodist 
					Episcopal church.  He has been twice married.  His 
					first wife was Sarah Nelson, to whom he was 
					united in 1840.  After her death he was married to 
					Melinda Willis, in 1860, daughter of John 
					Willis.  She was born in Union county, Indiana, in 
					1815. 
					     
					Isaac Myers, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Dauphin 
					county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1824.  He served an 
					apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade in his native 
					county, and in 1849 he came to Indianapolis, Indiana, and 
					thence to Paris, Illinois, and in 1859 came to Vigo county, 
					where has since resided.  He has been engaged in 
					farming and working at his trade.  Mr. Myers 
					has built five of the school-houses in Lost Creek township 
					and three in Riley township.  He has been always active 
					in enterprises beneficial to the community in which he 
					resides.  He has been on the board of the agricultural 
					Society for the past few years.  What property he 
					possesses he has made by hard work. 
					     
					Joseph Thompson, 
					farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Richmond, 
					 
					[Page 403] -  
					Yorkshire England, in 1846.   He emigrated to 
					America in 1968, and located in Terre Haute, where he worked 
					as a puddler for eleven years.   He afterward 
					purchased  his present farm and located in Lost Creek 
					township, where he is engaged in the agricultural pursuits.  
					In 1869 he was married to Miss B. C . Stanton, a 
					native of Vigo county.  She is the daughter of John 
					and Mary Stanton, who were early settlers of the county. 
					Mr. Thompson is the father of five children:  
					William, Mary, Elizabeth, John and Annie. 
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