HI STORY (1)1? CLAY COUNTY 73 live with Beverly Chase, of Morrow county, Ohio, and from that time was self supporting. Beginning to learn the trade of a harness maker at the age of fourteen, he subsequently served an apprenticeship of three years after which he worked as a journeyman for a year. Seeking a favorable location, Mr. Harris then came to Clay county, and soon after established himself in hnsiness on his own account at Middlebury, where for a few years he was engaged in the mannfactnre of harnesses and other leather goods. He has since been actively employed in business in Clay county, for the lust twenty-five years having heen a general merchant at Howes- yille, where he has bnilt np an extensive and remunerative trade. Mr. Harris has heen twice married. He married first, in 1871, Ellen J. Rogerson, who was horn in Kentucky, a daughter of Charles and Mrs. (Bryant) Rogerson. She died July 11, 1894. leaving three children, namely: Charles L., who married Nannie Calvert; Mamie J., now the wife of Oscar Briley, has one child, Otis M. and Joseph Elaine, who married Jennie Terhnne. Mr. Harris married second, in 1895. Lucy C. Rogerson, a half-sister of his first wife, and of this union two children have heen horn, Nathan McKinley and Jesse Theodore. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are esteemed members of the Presbyterian chnrch, and are held in high respect throughout the community. SAMUEL RIZLEY.—Prominent among the earlier settlers of Clay county was Samuel Rizley, who in his day was one of the most widely known and most highly esteemed residents of this part of the state. A man of strong individuality possessing excellent judgment and much business ability, he became infinential in the management of public affairs, and served in varions positions of trust and responsibility. In addition to carrying on farming successfully he did much of the surveying in the county, in that capacity becoming thoroughly acquainted with the sur— rounding country, lie was born in Virginia September 19, 1792, aiid after spending a few years of his childhood in Bullitt county, Kentucky, came with his parents to Indiana in 1804. His parents were among the original settlers of Knox county, Indiana, locating there in 1804. as before stated. and there spending the remainder of their lives. His father was David Rizley, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After completing his early education in the district schools, Samuel Rizley worked at surveying with his father, becoming a competent stir- veyor. Upon the declaration of war in 1812 he enlisted and served as a soldier for thirteen months, during which time he assisted in building Fort Harrison. While serving in the army Mr. Rizley crossed the part of the territory now included within the limits of Clay county, and noticed while passing along a beautiful spring of clear, cool water lying in what is now called Cass township. In 1819, still remembering the spot, he entered from the government the tract of land in which that spring was located. Clearing a small spot. He erected a cabin of round logs, which was the first home of his family in Clay county. His property was then in Owen county. and while occupying that log cabin he served as county commissioner of Owen county. When Putnam county was afterwards organized it embraced Cass township, and he subsequently served as county commissioner for Putnam county. Clay county was afterwards organized. and Cass township became a part of it. Mr. Rizley was soon after made one of the board of county commissioners for Clay county, thus, without changing his place of residence, he served three counties in that capacity. He was also tax collector, was the first school teacher in