NILES is the northeast corner township of the county. On the north, it is bounded by a portion of Blackford County, and on the east by a portion of Jay. Delaware Township bounds it on the south, and Union Township on the west. The townshipis nearly square, being six miles long and five miles wide, and containing an area of about 19,200 acres. In he east part of the township, the land is quite level, but very rich, and the soil being a mixture of clay and loam. The same is true of the south part; but in the west and north, the surface is more undulating, and, in some places, quite broken into picturesque little hillocks. here, also, the soil is loam and clay, but near the river there is an admixture of sand.

The Mississinewa River enters the township near the southwest corner, and flowing northwest for a distance of one mile, changes its course, and flows nearly west, leaving the township at the soutwest corner of Section 30.

Estey Creek rises in the northeast part of the township, and flowing west for a distance of about three miles, changes its course to southwest and forms a confluence with the Mississinewa in Union Township.

Thomas Creek has its source in the northwest quarter of Section 13, and, flowing west and southwest, joins the Mississinewa east of Granville.

Half-Way Creek is a small stream in the eastern part of the township. its entire length being scarcely more than four miles. Flowing south, it discharges into the Mississinewa at a point near the southern extremity of the village of Alban, in Delaware Township.

A thorough system of artificial drainage in the low lands has increased their fertility to a very marked extent, and throughout the township fine farms are the rule.

Here, as in nearly all the townships of the county, the major portion of the timber has been cleared away to make room for the cultivation of the land. and the demand, in late years, for walnut, poplar, and the several varieties of oak, has offered a farther inducement for the removal of these species of timber and their transportation to market.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

For a number of years after settlements had been effected, and considerable progress had been attained in other townships of the county, the territory now embraced by Niles was still almost an unclaimed wilderness, with only an isolated settler here and there. The tide of immigration which populated the other townships did not set in here until after the most desirable lands in other localities had all been claimed and entered. Perhaps its remoteness from the inhabited part of the county may explain, in part, the tardiness of its settlement, as it could not have been due to the nature of the soil. which is probably excelled no where in the county.

A citizen of the township who settled here in 1835 (Samuel C. Clark) remarked to the writer that, at that date, he could have traveled from his claim to Fort Wayne without passing the habitation of a human being, excepting the cabin of the old Indian, Godfrey, on the Salamonie River.

It is not improbable that some of these lands were occupied at quite an early day by a class of people who are now generally designated as "squatters," who did little more than follow the wild game, or hunt the wild bees for honey. They, however, left no traces to identify them with them with the locality in which they lived, and it was almost uniformly true of this class that they kept as far away from the settlements as the game which they pursued. Their penetration into the haunts of savage beasts and savage men displayed a boldness and courage worthy a better purpose, and, had they so elected; they could have linked their names with the real pioneers in achievements which, in later years, would have glorified their memories in the hearts of grateful posterity.

There was another class, also known as "squatters," but who were different from the last. named in all essential particulars. They were industrious men, who, living in the older States, and laboring on rental farms, saw their opportunities for advancement rapidly diminishing, and the probabilities of becoming freeholders growing constantly less favorable. Some of our best pioneer citizens belonged to this class. Locating on a tract of government land in the West, they held their claims by the right of pre-emption until, by the sale of products of the farm and forest, they were enabled to enter it according to law.

As to who was the first permanent settler in this township there is no positive evidence. It is stated that, as early as the year 1828, a man by the name of Hessenflow came and erected a cabin on the east bank of the Mississinewa, near Granville. He is the first settler of whom there is any account, and it is not improbable that he was one, of the class who held their claims by the right of pre-emption, for his name does not appear in any of the early records as a purchaser of land. Some one, perhaps, entered the land upon which he located and dispossessed him.

The real tide of immigration did not set in until about the year 1833, although there were some who settled in the township prior to that time. Among these were Peter Thomas, Samuel Kyle, William Battreall and Samuel Gregory, who, with their families, settled near Granville in 1830 and 1831.

John Engard, John Gregory, Reason Williams, William Custer and Philip Essley came in 1832, and settled in various portions of the township. An accurate list of settlers who purchased land from 1831 until 1839 is furnished by the tract-book and the names are here reproduced. The various sections of the township were purchased by the following persons:

Section 7-- George W. Leedom, August 30, 1836; Jonathan Ballinger, September 27, 1836; Stephen Hayward, October 27, 1836.

Section 8--John Black, March 7, 1836; William J. Knight and John C. Corbley, October 12, 1836; William J. Essley, December 23, 1836.

Section 9--James Wooster, March 7, 1836; George Huffman, Jr., September 30, 1836; John Thomas, January 27, 1837.

Section 10-- John Constant, September 19, 1836; Jacob Huffman, September 30, 1836, John Mellet, October 12, 1836; Dennis Wilson, June 1, 1837.

Section 11--William Bell, December 13, 1836; John Buckles, January 15, 1837; Valentine Bone, February 1, 1837.

Section 12--Joseph Heaton, November 1, 1836; Hugh Campbell and Noah Shearly, November 12, 1836; James Peterson, April 28, 1837.

Section 13--Nathaniel Poor, November 5, 1836; William Shrack, February 11, 1837.

Section 14--Richard Higman, August 27, 1836; William Lee and Elisha Bartlet, May 29, 1837.

Section 15--George W. Stafford and Samuel Sprinkle, October 29, 1835.

Section 17--Ralph Stafford, October 8, 1834; John D. Highway, September 8, 1836; John Barley, May 13, 1839.

Section 18--Ezra Wasson, Junius McMillen, Aaron Mote and Thomas Haworth, June 2, 1836; Thomas C. Moore, September 27, 1836.

Section 19--Philip Essley, November 17, 1832; Elisha Essley, January 7, 1833; James Black, May 20, 1833; Jesse Essley, February 7, 1834; Philip Stoner, March 16, 1836; Stephen Butler, June 2, 1836.

Section 20--Francis A. Essley, January 7, 1833; Cyrus McMillen and James L. Veach, March 16, l836; Jeremiah Priest, April 6, 1836; William Constant, September 9, 1836.

Section 21--David Moore, October 31, 1835; David Mason, September 9, 1836; Alfred Barnett, September 19, 1836; Andrew Wilson, October 6, 1831.

Section 22--Jacob Moore, March 7, 1836; James Bolton, March 16, 1836; Saml. T. Kyle, Aug. 27, 1836; Locksley Richards, March 27, 1836.

Section 23--Ira Ingraham, March 20, 1836; Ezra Porter, Marchl 26, 1836; Daniel Bosman, March 27, 1836; William Scott, May 30, 1836; Isaac Spence, October 6, 1838.

Section 24--Isaac Maitlen, April 4, 1836; Nathaniel Dixon, September 30, 1836; Amos M. Wooster, December 9, 1836.

Section 25--John Wilson, September 21, 1833: Daniel Dean, Jr., September 28, 1833; John Dinsmore, September 30, 1835; Samuel Dixon, October 23, 1835; Thomas D. Berry, November 14, 1835.

Section 26--Robert Kimble, May 2, 1836; John W. Vincent, May 30, 1836.

Section 27--William McCoy, May 31, 1836; William Foster, July 26, 1836.

Section 28--William Custer, November 17, 1832; John Lewis and Israel Martin, June 22, 1833; Noble Gregory, November 17, 1833; George Shearon, March 10, 1835; Samuel Martin, April 12, 1835; David Smith, March 7, 1836; Robert M. Boyd, August 8, 1836; Henry Shearon, October 28, 1836; Stephen Berry, November 12, 1836; Robert Huston, January 10, 1837.

Section 29--John Thomas, September 13, 1833; John Blakely, November l3, 1833; Samuel C. Clark, September 1, 1834; James Robinson and James Hetton, November 2, 1835; Charles Reading, March 7, 1836.

Section 30--John Gregory, April 17, 1832; Reason James, June 14, 1832; Willis Hance, May 18, 1833; William Gregory, July 10, 1833; Thomas Hillman, March 16, 1836; Ralph Shaw, March 16, 1836; Norris Venard, April 23, 1836.

Section 31--Peter Thomas. June 29, 1831; John Engard, March 14, 1832; Jacob Battreall, October 14, 1834; William, O'Neill, October 31, 1835; Jonathan Ruggles, March 7, 1836.

Section 32--William Battreall, May 9, 1831; Samuel Kyle, July 21, 1831; John Sutton, May 18, 1833; Alexander Price, September 27, 1834: William Downing, August 22, 1836.

Section 33--Samuel Gregory, May 19, 1831; Jesse Clark, October 27, 1836; James Gregory, November 8, 1836.

Section 34--Samuel Gregory, Jr., November 9, 1836; Michael Hedekin, May 29, 1837.

Section 35--Thomas Vincent, May 30, 1834; Eli Pendroy, August 22, 1835; John Mann, July 18, 1836.

Section 36--Eli H. Anderson, September 21, 1833; Jacob Noggle, October 24, 1833.

Thomas D. Berry, who settled in Section 25 in 1835, was formerly a resident of Highland County, Ohio, and came to this connty in a wagon, which contained his household goods and his family of five children. He was always recognized as a prominent man in the settlement, and, after the township assumed civil organization, he was called upon to act in various official positions of a local nature, such as Trustee, School Director, etc. He died in 1872, in his eighty-eighth year. His son Richard now owns and occupies the old homestead.

Samuel C. Clark is one of the oldest survivors of the pioneer community of this township. He came from Champaign County, Ohio, with his wife and six children, in October, 1835, and settled upon the farm where he now lives, having entered this tract a year previously. His life has been one of toil and industry, and, in his declining years, he enjoys a competence accumulated by honest labor, as well as the respect of all who know him.

When he came, his neighbors were John Lewis, who had then been living about a year on an eighty-acre tract, now owned by B. F. Smith; Samuel Martin, who lived on land now owned by John Barley; and John Gregory, who, although he entered his land in 1831, did not come to live upon it until 1834.

Richard Maitlen, who now resides at the old homestead in Section 24, came with his father in 1835, and has been long identified with the growth and improvement of the township.

David Moore is also of the surviving members of this pioneer community. Settling in the township in 1835, he has lived to witness some important changes for better in its general aspect, and is recognized now as one of the substantial citizens.

John Buckles came in 1836, and entered the land upon which he now resides in the following year The brick house in which he lives was one of the first of its kind ever erected in the township. Mr. Buckles has been identified for many years witth the religious interests of the township, especially those of the Baptist Church.
John Barley entered his land in May, 1839, and, accompanied by his wife and one child, came to reside upon it in 1840. He has cleared and improved a fine farm, and has, at various times, filled local positions of honor and trust.

The majority of the pioneers of this township sleep their last sleep, but the work of improvement inaugurated by them has been faithfully carried out by their descendants.

ROADS.

The imperfect routes of travel was an inconvenience from which the settlers in this locality suffered for many years. There was an old Indian trace, leading from Vincennes to Greenville, Ohio, upon which route a road was surveyed by authority of the State some time after 1840. It was known as the Greenville and Marion State road.

One Sunday morning in the year 1841, John Buckles and his brother Timothy blazed a road from his farm to Dunkirk, a distance of a mile and a half, taking the rays of the rising sun for their guide to a direct line. A subsequent survey of this route proved that their lines varied but slightly from a due east course. This road was extended entirely across the township, and that part laid out by the brothers Buckles was only slightly modified.

Probably the first road laid out in the township was one that was located in 1836;, in response to a petition presented by Ira Ingraham. Its route was from Smithfield to Montpelier, Blackford County, and the ruling motive in having it located was to furnish employment to the men in this township liable for duty in payment of road tax, and who would otherwise have been compelled to work in an adjoining township.

In the east part of the township, and one mile west of its eastern boundary line, a road was laid out running from the northern to the southern extremity of the township, to which was given the name of "Green street," this name having been suggested by the fact that the majority of settlers on both sides of the road were formerly residents of Greene County, Ohio.

The only information we are able to give in regard to the early roads is what can be gleaned from the memory of surviving pioneers. The early records of the township furnish no data on this subject earlier than 1857. The records, in those days, were not kept with as nice precision as at the present, the proceedings of the Trustee's meetings being kept on loose sheets of paper, some of which have been lost in the meantime, and for this cause it is impossible to obtain any official or complete information on this subject, as well as others which should be contained in full in the records. Our statement regarding the early roads is given upon the authority of Richard Berry, Samuel C. Clark and John Barley.

EARLY MERCHANTS AND PHYSICIANS.

In June, 1836, James A. Maddy, now residing at Muncie, sold the first goods at Granville. He was employed to manage the business for Wilson Stanley, to whom the goods belonged. The store was a log cabin on the bank of the river. In the spring of 1837, Mr. Stanley sold the stock to Mr. Maddy, who continued the business about a year, then sold out to Helton & Shaw.

About two years later, James A. Maddy and Reason James formed a partnership, which continued about a year. Subsequently, Aaron Cory sent a stock of goods to the village, and, as he did not come with them, he employed Mr. Maddy to conduct the business for him. This stock was purchased by James McLaughlin, and, some time later, Aaron Cory erected a large frame house, in which the firm of Cory, Matthews & Maddy sold goods for a year or more.

Joseph Davis afterward opened a store in the Cory building, and subsequently sold out. William Stewart was the next merchant after Davis, and continued in business for several years. Crooks & Wolf were the next firm, and Mr. Crooks still represents the mercantile interests of the village.

SCHOOLS.

In 1837, the first term of school was taught in a cabin erected by John Sutton in 1833 or 1834. Sutton entered this land in 1833, and liveded upon it until his wife died after which he vacated his cabin, and subsequently sold his land. While it was still in his possession, and unoccupied, the cabin was used for a schoolhouse, the term covering a period of three months in the winter. In the winter of 1839-40, schools were taught on the farms of John Lewis, in Section 28, and Philip Stoner, in Section 19. In the eastern part of the township, school was taught during the winter of 1838-39, in a cabin on the land of Daniel Dean, and the first house erected especially for school purposes in the township was a hewed-log cabin, erected in 1839, on the farm of Warner Mann, in Section 36. On Robert Kimble's land there was another schoolhouse erected in the same year.

In 1839, the township was divided into school districts, and, within a short time thereafter, a log house was erected in each. In 1840, John Battreall donated to the township a portion of his farm upon which to erect a schoolhouse. The deed is still preserved in the office of the Township Trustee. It is written in Mr. Battreall's own hand, and contains the following preamble: "Whereas, The inhabitants of School District No. 1, in Township 22 north, Range 11 east., are in want of a piece of land on which to erect a schoolhouse; now, therefore, know ye that I, John Battreall, in consideration of these premises as a gift, have given and granted, and do hereby give and grant, unto all persons while inhabitants, the following described parcel of land." * * * Here follows a description of the land (one-fourth of an acre), with the stipulation that, should the property at any time be used for any purpose other than that specified in the deed, it would revert to him or his heirs.

The subscription system was, at that time, the popular method of conducting the schools, and continued so for several years later. The present free-school system was introduced in 1852, at which time there were ten school districts in the township. At the close of that year, the salaries paid to teachers for three months' service in Districts No. 4, 5 and 10, were $127.54.

From time to time, between 1852 and 1865, contracts were awarded for the erection of frame schoolhouses in the several districts of the township, and these are being replaced, one by one, with substantial brick buildings. The school system of the township is in good condition, and each house is under the care of a competent and well-qualified teacher.

The names of the teachers in the several districts are as follows:

Edward Philelmum, Green Street Schoolhouse, District No. 1; Emma Binegar, Bethel Schoolhouse. District No. 2; C. H. Harne, Wingate Schoolhouse, District No. 3; A. J. Yohey, Center Schoolhouse, District No. l; Theo Covert, Huffnan Schoolhouse, District No. 5; Samuel McDonald, Edginton Schoolhouse, District No. 6; James Motesenbocker, Graham Schoolhouse, District No. 7; Isaiah Dudeston, Granville Schoolhouse, District No. 8; Eva Thomas, Smith Schoolhouse, District No. 9.

The following report by the Trustee of Niles Townshp show the conditon of the schools for the year ending August 31, 1881:

Number of pupils admitted within the year, 389; average attendance, 185; length of school term, days, 104; number of white teachers employed--male, 6; female, 3; total, 9; average compensation of teachers per day--male, $1.85; female, $1.88½; number of brick schoolhouses in the township, 5; number of frame schoolhouses in the township, 4; estimated value of schoolhouses, grounds, etc., $12,000; estimated value of school apparatus, $500.

ACCOUNT OF REVENUE FOR TUITION.

Amount on hand September 1, 1879 ................................... $953 14
Amount received in February, 1880 ..................................... 789 19
Amount received in June, 1880 ............................................. 969 05
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     Total ..................................................................................$2,711 88
Amount expended since September 1, 1879 .................... 1,742 38
     ________________________________________________
Amount on hand at date of report ........................................ $969 05

ACCOUNT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE.
Amount on hand September 1, 1879 ................................... $77l 12
Amount received within the year ........................................... 469 43
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     Total ................................................................................... $l,210 55
Amount expended within the year .......................................... 626 76
     ________________________________________________
Amount on hand at date of report ......................................... $613 79

CHURCHES.

Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church.--In 1836, Rev. Wade Posey, a missionary of this church, organized a class at; the house of Eli H. Anderson, with seven constituent members. In this cabin, 10x12 feet, their meetings were held until their increasing members made the erection of a church a positive necessity. About the year 1839 or 1840, John Shrack, a member of the class donated a lot, upon which a hewed log house of worship was erected in the same year.

One cold night, several years later, an unusally large fire had been made in the stove, and, shortly after the close of the evening exercises, the building was discovered to be in flames. It was completely destroyed, and another building, similar to the first, was erected on the old site. This was used as a house of worship until 1859, in which year the present church was erected. This is a neat frame edifice, and occupies almost the very ground on which the old church stood. The present house of worship was erected durring the pastorate of Rev. David Stright.

Since its inception, this has been a prosperous church. It is now in the Albany Circuit, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. D. C. Wooldert, of Albany.

On the lot donated for the site of this church, the first cemetery in the township was established, and the first corpse interred was Mrs. John Kyle, who died in 1837.

The Mississinewa Baptist Church--. This society was among the earliest religious organizations of the township. Thc meeting for organization was held April 1, 1836, at the house of Isaac Martin. We quote from the church record:

"April the 1st, A. D. 1836, the help and council called for the purpose of constituting a Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church, met at Bro. Isaac Martin's, Mississinewa; present, Bro. Elder Jesse Mollett, an ordained minister; and John Hays, Deacon, from Lebanon Church; from Harmony Church, Deacon John Richards and Bro. Silas Dittey; from Muncie Church, Bros. James and John Howell, Deacons, and A. Buckles, an ordained minister. * * * Bro. J. Mollett preached an appropriate sermon, after which Bro. Mollett was chosen Moderator, and Bro. A. Buckles Clerk for the Council."

The articles of covenant were signed by the following persons, who were the constituent members of the church: John Baldridge, Thomas D. Berry, Isaac Martin, Jesse Dowden, Jeremiah Locket. Elizabeth Martin, Mary Baldridge, Elizabeth Dowden, Susanna Lewis. Malinda Dowden. The society held regular meetings at private houses, and at the schoolhouse near Granville. Subsequently, the schoolhouse near the, residence of Elder John Buckles was adopted as the place of meeting, and continued as such for a period of about twenty years, or until the completion of the present house of worship. John Beal donated a lot, upon which this edifice was erected during the summer of 1880.

Elder John Baldridge was the first Pastor of the church, and occupied that relation until the year 1846. Elder John Buckles was ordained in June of that year, and was called by the church to fill the a pateral relation, which he still occupies. He is assisted in the discharge of his duties by his son William.

The Christian Church of Granville.--This denomination was organized at Granville October 19, 1835, under the pastoral labors of Elder John Battreall. At the first meeting of the society, the following constitution was adopted:

"We, the undersigned, do agree to take the Holy Scriptures for the Man of Counsel, its the only rule of our faith and practice, by which we do agree to live together in fellowship with each other, and with all Christians. In testimony whereof, we have pledged our hearts, and have joined our hands, and hereunto attach our names."

The original members of this society, i. e., those whose names were first signed to this constitution, were: John Battreall and wife, William Green and wife, Mrs. Nancy Gregory, William Thomas and wife, Peter Thomas and wife, Mrs. Alice Thomas, Mrs. Kitty Marshall, William Battreall and wife, Amy Custer, Margaret Shideler, Rachel Vincent, Havilla Green, Harrison Green, Anna Green and Sarah Bobo.

The society was organized in a log schoolhouse at Granville. and here their meetings were held until 1842. In the summer of that year, they erected a frame church on a lot in Granville, donated for the purpose by Thomas Hughes. Elder John Battreall still had pastoral care of the congregation, and contributed his own manual labor in the erection of the chureh. He continued as Pastor of the church until his decease, and was succeeded by Elder Glass Ross, who also served during the remainder of his life.

In 1870, steps were taken to replace the log house of worship by a better and more commodious edifice. This design was consummated, and, in the fall of that year, they completed the present neat frame church, at an expense of about $1,000. The lot upon which it is situated was donated to the society by Mrs. Elleanor James.

The church is in a prosperous condition, with 140 members. Elder William Terrell is the present Pastor; David Simonton and John Ray are the Deacons; and Elisha Wingate, Clerk.

Granville Baptist Church.--In the fall of 1814, Elder Baldwin, of Montpelier, Ind., was called by the council to organize this church. The meeting was held in an old log cabin on the farm of Philip Stoner, and the constitution was signed by twelve members, viz.: A. D. Hance, Nancy Hance, Willis Hance and wife, E. M. Crumley and wife, Ira Ingraham and wife, R. Kelley and wife, G. Strong and wife. Elder Willis Hance was chosen Pastor, and served the church in that relation until his labors closed in death, in the year 1857. He was succeeded by Elder Abel Johnson, who remained four years. For the next two years, there was no regular Pastor, although services were regularly held. During this period, Elder Amos Wilson preached occasionally. In 1864, Elder C. Kendall was called, and had pastoral care of the church until some time in the following year, when he was succeeded by Elder Levi Howe. Elder Abel Johnson preached during 1867, in the absence of a regular Pastor, and, from that year until 1875, services were conducted by him and other ministers, there being no regularly installed Pastor of the church. In 1875, elder Marion Chennerworth was called, and he and Elder Bicknell preached alternately during the years 1875, 1876 and 1877. In 1878, the church again called Elder Abel Johnson to the pastoral office, which he occupied during that year. Since his retirement, they have had no regular Pastor, and meetings have only been held at intervals.

SOCIETIES.

Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Anthony Lodge, No. 171.--This lodge was organized at Albany, in Delaware Township. Its charter bears date May 30, 1855, and is signed by Henry C. Lawrence, G. M.; E. Newland, D. G. M.; Lewis Burk, G. S. W.; and Peter Q. Striker, G. J.W. The officers named in the charter were: William Krohn, W. M.; Elisha Bergdoll, S. W.; and Morgan Wilson, J. W.

The lodge met in a temporary room until 1858, and in that year the society erected a hall at Albany, in which the meetings were held until 1879. In May of that year, a fire broke out, destroying the building, records, regalia, and all the lodge property, excepting the seal, which was rescued from the flames.

The lodge continued to meet at Albany until December, 1879, when it was removed to Granville, this point being more convenient for the majority of its members.

It is in good working order, and financially prosperous. Its present membership is twenty-four. The various offices of the lodge are filled, at present, by the following-named gentlemen: Moses Clark, W. M.; James Barrett, S. W.; Benjamin F. Smith, J. W.; Jonathan Holmes, S. D.; Anderw Clark, J. D.; James E. Stafford, Treasurer: C. Crooks, Secretary; Isaiah Dudleston, Tiler.

VILLAGES.

The Village of Granville.--In 183l, John Gregory purchased the land upon which this village is situated, and, in 1836, divided a portion of the tract into town lots and founded the village. David Shideler kept a small stock of merchandise at this point, consisting chiefly of groceries. The east part of the village was laid out by Peter Thomas and Thomas Hughes.

This village was the rival and successor of Georgetown, which was founded about 1833 by George Deeds, and was situated a short distance above Granville, on the Mississinewa. Price Thomas, who still resides in Granville, hewed the timber for the first business house in Georgetown in the winter of 1833. It bade fairly then to become a town of some consequence, but Granville seemed to be a more fortunate location, and drew largely from the trade of its less-favored rival, which finally succumbed and ceased to exist. It has been said that the inhabitants of the latter villages tore down their houses (which were log structures), and, floating them down the river, put them up at Granville.

Granville itself is a very quiet village to-day, viewed from a cormmercial standpoint. It is isolated from railroad communication, and situated between two towns that possess the advantage of being railroad points. The only general merchandise store in the village is kept by Calvin Crooks, who is also the Postmaster, while Price Thomas deals exclusively in groceries. Dr. A. L. Murray is the resident physician, James Brackens is the village blacksmith, and William Best is the proprietor of the hotel. The hotel building in which Mr. Best is located was erected in 1839 to 1840, by Alexander Futerill, who presided as host of the tavern.

POPULATION.

The United States Census of 1850 stetted the population of Niles at 924 souls, among whom were mine of the colored race. Ten years later, the population, according to the same authority, was 1,170. In 1870, there were 1,132 native American citizens in the township, and 8 of foreign birth--a total of 1,140. In 1880. the population of the township is stated at 1,115--a decrease of 25 in ten years.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS---l 879.

Wheat, l,792 acres, 25,508 bushels; corn, 3,487 acres, 118,750 bushels; oats, 279 acres, 8,528 bushels; rye, 13 acres, 236 bushels; Irish potatoes, 9 acres, 453 bushels; tobacco. 70 pounds; flax, 853 acres; 6,829 bushels of seed; meadow, 866 acres, 1,365 tons of hay; clover, 1 acre, 4 bushels of seed; pasture land, 4,095 acres.

TOWNSHIP EXPENDITURES--1879.
Amount expended on roads ...................................................$85
Amount paid Supervisors ....................................................... 58
Amount paid for building new schoolhouses .....................800
Amount paid for repair of schoolhouses ............................156
Amount paid for fuel ............................................................. 141
Amount paid to teachers ................................................... 2,010
Amount paid for sheep killed .............................................. 116
Amount paid Trustees for services .................................... 162
Amount paid for all other expenses ...................................... 87
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     Total ................................................................................$3,615

ROLEN BRAMMER.

Mr. Brammer is the descendant of Revolutionary ancestors. His grandfather, Edmond Brammer, was a soldier in the Continental army, and married Miss Mary, daughter of Gen. Lee, of Virginia, a hero of the Revolutionary war. Their son, Edmond, Jr., was the father of our subject. He married Miss Nancy Hatfield, in Lawrence County, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was born, October 17,1824. At the age of ten years (November 1, 1834), he came with his parents to Delaware County, Ind., and settled in the wilderness of Niles Township. Like many a bright lad of pioneer days, he was deprived, by the nature of his surroundings, of the privilege of obtaining a thorough education; but he possessed a natural fondness for books, and by gratifying this taste, he grew to manhood with a general knowledge that enabled him to transact the business of his life intelligently and creditably.

May 21, 1842. he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Russell, and, in 1864, removed to Henry County, ILL, but, in view of the continued ill health of his wife. they returned to their old home in Delaware County in 1874. Here on the 15th day of October, 1880, the tie that bound two loving hearts was severed by the death of the wife. The fruits of this union were eight children, named, respectively, Mary E., Malinda. James E., Harvey M., John W., Aaron, Rebecca and Ida, of whom Mary E., Malinda, and Rebecca are deceased.

By a long life of industry, Mr. Brammer has accumulated a competence in worldly goods, being the possessor of 880 acres of land, a portion of which is in this county the remainder in Henry County, ILL. By his fair dealing with all men, and his upright character, he has gained many warm friends; and although not a member of any religious body, his daily life is exemplary of the teachings of Christianity, and the "Golden Rule" is his code of practice. He is a warm-hearted, genial gentleman, and has a kindly welcome for all. He has a fine home, a view of which is to be found in this work.

BENJAMIN F. SMITH,
son of Bowlin and Lovewell (Owens) Smith, was born Angust 15, 1824, in Brunswick County, Va. He was reared on a farm, and at an early age formed the habits of industry that have characterized his later life. He accompanied his father's family to Greene County, Ohio, in 1826, and during the winter seasons when his assistance was not needed at home, he attended the common school, where he acquired a fair English education. In May, 1837, his father died, and thus, at the age of thirteen years, he became the virtual head of the family, managing the farm and providing for his mother and sister, both of whom are now deceased. In 1858, he sold the farm in Ohio and came to Delaware County to make it his future home, purchasing the property known as the Noble Gregory farm, in Niles Township. He was actuated in this move by the motive that may be said to have been a ruling one in the history of emigration to the West: i. e.. that by purchasing large tracts of the land then so much cheaper in Indiana than in the older State of Ohio, he might be enabled to give his children each a farm as they arrived at maturity and started in life for themselves. The farm he purchased, though not altogether unimproved, yet contained a large proportion of uncleared land. He spent a number of years in improving his home. and the old log house that occupied the building site of the farm was, in time. succeeded by his present mansion, which is certainly one of the most palatial in the township. He is a very systematic farmer, and his domain of over six hundred acres bears evidence of skilled labor throughout its length and breadth. By careful attention to the details of his pursuit he has amassed a fortune; but as his riches have increased, he has manifested no parsimonious procivilities. No worthy enterprise has ever appeared to him in vain for pecuniary aid. and in all public improvements, he bears his part, contributing with a lavish hand.

His early political training was in the Whig school, and he was among the early members of the Republican party, with which he has ever since continued to act. In 1866, he was first elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners. and served three years. In 1876, he was again called to occupy the same position, and was re-elected in 1879, at the expiration of his term. This is a responsible and important office, and his repeated elections are a sufficient guarantee of the high esteem in which he is held throughout the county.

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of Anthony Lodge, No. 171, Free and Accepted Masons. In all the relations of life, private and public, he is a true man, and by the sterling qualities of his nature, has gained many warm personal friends.

On the 5th day of February, 1881, death invaded his home, and took from his side the wife whose love had been his solace through all the years of hardship that marked the earlier part of his residence in this county, and his struggle with poverty. The children of this union were: Mary A., now the wife of John A. Barley; Charles A., married to Letitia Haines, and engaged at farming in this county; Sophia L., wife of George R. Lowe, of this county; Lewis F., Moses R., Linnie L. and Emma.

ELDER JOHN BUCKLES.

The subject of this sketch is the great-grandson of Robert Buckles, whose father was a wealthy landlord of England, and had twelve sons. Robert left England at the age of seventeen years, and emigrated to the American colonies, about the year 1685. He married, and had three sons. James, the oldest, married Sarah Gerard, a sister of Parson Gerard, of Virginia. Five sons were the fruits of this union, one of whom---John, the oldest--married Mary Brooks, sister of David Brooks, a Baptist minister of the State of New Jersey. They had seven sons, of whom David, the father of our subject, was the second. David married Elizabeth Covault, who bore him eight sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest.

He was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 21, 1812. On the 10th day of August, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Northcut, in Miami County, Ohio, where she was born August 7, 1815. Her father was born in North Carolina, and her mother in Kentucky.

In September, 1841, Elder Buckles came with his wife to Delaware County, Ind., and was one of the earliest settlers in the northeastern part of Niles Township. He erected a log cabin, 14x16 feet, containing but one room, and was occupied, for many weary months, in clearing away the timber from his farm, and reducing it to a state of cultivation. He was compelled to travel nine miles to mill, and from eight to seventeen miles to market, and, in 1842, sold dressed pork at $1.25 per one hundred pounds, in order to obtain money wherewith to buy leather for his children's shoes.

He has ever been a zealous and active Christian, having united with the Baptist Church in Clark County, Ohio, in the fourteenth year of his age; afterward uniting, by letter, with the same denomination, in Miami County, Ohio, and, on the 1st day of November, 1841, he united, also by letter, with the Mississinewa Old School Regular Baptist Church, in Niles Township. In 1845, he was licensed to preach, and, in 1846, was ordained to the full work of the ministry, being chosen Pastor of Mississinewa Church, which relation he has continued to occupy since that time, and has given the hand of fellowship to every member of that church. He has visited and preached in six States of the Union; has crossed the Alleghanies twice, and had pastoral care of four churches at the same time, traveling from one to forty miles, and visiting his charges once a month--sometimes by rail, sometimes on horseback, and sometimes on foot. He has fulfilled all his appointments unless Providentially hindered, and never received a salary from any church or pay for attending a funeral; yet, by the industry and economy of a faithful companion, and the labor of her children, together with his own labors, they have accumulated a sufficiency of Worldly goods to place them in comfortable circumstances, and enable them to enjoy many of the luxuries of life.

Two of his daughters have been school teachers, While his eldest son, William, is a minister of the Baptist Church--the eleventh in this branch of the family who has occupied the pastoral office in that denomination.

The Buckles family have occupied American soil for a period of nearly two hundred years, and its members have ever been found on the side of patriotism and right. They participated in the great struggle for American independence, and took up arms in defense of this country against foreign aggressions and the incursions of Indians, during the war of 1812-15, and were found in the ranks, defending the Union against the rebellion of 1861-65. They have ever been true to their country, and, as ministers, faithful to their church.