HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                  301

company with John G. Ackelmire, who advertised and were known as the
"Old Dutch Firm.” His death occurred at the family residence at Bowl-
ing Green, March 27, 1881, survived by his wife.

    Jacob Hudson, native of North Carolina, born in Randolph county,
June 12, 1823, coming to Clay county with the family in 1827, when but
four years of age, locating near Bowling Green, where he grew up on
the farm. On the 15th day of June, 1846, he enlisted in the Second
Indiana Regiment, under General Lane, for the Mexican war, and par-
ticipated in the battle of Buena Vista; was honorably discharged at the
expiration of one year's service, returning home in 1847. On the 10th day
of February, 1849, he married Margaret Luther. To them were born ten
children, of whom two sons and four daughters survive—John E. Hud-
son, Joseph N. Hudson, Mrs. Mary Lonzer, Mrs. Maria J. Steiner, Mrs.
Nancy E. Zurcher, Mrs. Julia E. Murbarger. Mr. Hudson cast seventeen
votes for Democratic candidates for the presidency, of whom James K.
Polk was the first. He was one of the most solid and substantial farmer
citizens of Washington township, a member of long and high standing in
the Christian church. To him belongs the distinction of having been the
last surviving member and representative of the company of Clay county
volunteers for the Mexican service made up by Captain John Osborn, of
Bowling Green. He died April 7, 1909, aged 85 years, 9 months and 24
days, survived by his aged wife, one of the first born natives of the county,
who died May 21, 1909.

    Athel Staggs, a native of Kentucky, born October 31, 1805, came to
Indiana and located first in Vigo county, and later in Clay county. On
the 4th day of December, 1828, he married Sarah Harris, who was born
May 29, 1810. To them were born nine children—six sons and three
daughters, of whom three sons, Sargent, Elijah and Tyra J., and two
daughters, Mrs. James West and Mrs. Hixon West, survive. The subject
of this brief biography was for the greater part of his life a preacher in the
Predestinarian Baptist church, preaching in the school house on his prem-
ises, two miles southwest of Cory, and at the Eel river church. He was
for several years justice of the peace; in 1854 he was elected county treas-
urer, serving one term of two years, and in 1860 elected state senator for
the district composed of Putnam and Clay counties. He died September
23, 1870, aged sixty-four years ten months and twenty-two days, survived
 his wife, who died September 7, 1891, aged eighty-one years three
months and eight days.

    Peter Koehler, native of Germany, born January 13, 1818, emigrated
to this country in 1848, locating in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, near Canal
Dover, where he resided until 1865, when he sold his property there and
came to Clay county, buying the Seilinger farm, in Jackson township, on
the east side of Birch creek, three miles northwest of Center Point, where
the family resided nineteen years, until the time of his death. In 1876 he
was nominated by the Democratic party for county commissioner, for the
second district, and elected, serving one term. He was a member of the
Evangelical church, a successful and progressive farmer, who enjoyed
the respect and confidente of a large circle of acquaintances and fellow-
citizens. He died September 22, 1884, aged sixty-six years, eight months
and nine days, survived by his wife and five of their nine children, three