HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                          323

    Mary E. Rardin Cornwell, the special subject of this sketch, was
but four years old when her mother died, and at the age of ten years
she went to live in the family of John and Nancy Weaver, with whom she
remained until her marriage, October 19, 1866, to Benjamin Franklin
Cornwell.
    Benjamin F. Cornwell was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 3,
1836, a son of David Cornwell. The latter was born in New Jersey, but
in early manhood moved to Clermont county, Ohio, and was there a
resident until 1839. In that year he made a trip to Indiana, coming on
horseback, with his gun and axe strapped to him. Entering a tract of
government land in Dick Johnson township, he built a log cabin, and
then went back to Ohio for his family. On his return trip to this state
he brought with him his family and all of his worldly goods, journeying
with teams and camping and cooking by the way. This part of the county
was then a wilderness, in which wild turkey, deer, coons, and other wild
game were abundant, helping in a large measure to supply the home
larder. After occupying the log cabin for a number of years he erected
a brick house, in which he lived until his death, in 1865. His wife, whose
maiden name was Diadama Frazier, was born in Ohio and died on the
Indiana homestead in 1865, a short time before he did. Seven of their
children grew to years of maturity, namely: Maria, Benjamin F., Eliza-
beth, Oliver, William, Delitha and Henry.
    But three years of age when he came with his parents to Clay county,
Benjamin F. Cornwell grew to manhood on the home farm, attending
the short sessions of the pioneer schools, and at other times assisting in
clearing the land, being reared to habits of industry and thrift. In 1861,
at the first call for troops, he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry, and with his regiment went to the front and participated
in the battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia, serving bravely until the
expiration of his term of enlistment. Receiving his honorable discharge
in July, 1861, he returned home, and the following December married
Mary E. Griffee, of Parke county. She died in October, 1864. In Feb-
ruary, 1865, Mr. Cornwell enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and
Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment joined
the command of General Thomas at Pulaski, Tennessee, In the following
July he was honorably discharged from the service, resuming the peaceful
operation of farming at his old home. In 1868 he purchased a farm in
the northwest quarter of section twenty-one. A part of the land had pre-
viously been cleared and a set of log buildings had been erected. After
living in the log cabin a few years he built a commodious brick house, a
frame barn and other necessary buildings, and made other improvements
of value. Clearing the remainder of the land, he there carried on general
farming with most satisfactory, pecuniary results until his death, in
August, 1900. A few weeks prior to his death Mr. Cornwell had bought
a home on the National Road, near Knightsville, and in this his family
now reside. By his first marriage he had one child, Nettie R., wife of
Thomas S. Pell. By his second marriage he had four children, David,
James, Elda and Ora. David married Katie Miller, and they have one
child, Mary. James is unmarried. Elda, wife of Frank W. Hunt, has an
adopted son named Frank. Ora is the wife of James Summers. Mrs.
Cornwell and family are members of the United Brethren church, to
which Mr. Cornwell also belonged. He was a member of the Masonic
fraternity and in politics was a sound Republican.