from The Republican (Danville, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, March 10, 1898--page 1, columns 4-5:
Republican candidates for county offices:
first saw the light of day April 1st, 1854, near Clayton. He has always lived in that vicinity and followed the occupation of a farmer until he was twenty-six. Having a mechanical and scientific mind, he took up the study of architecture and drawing and soon left the farm and went into the business of contracting and building. He has a reputation as an honorable, honest builder. In 1888 he studied surveying and engineering to qualify for that office but he never presented himself as a candidate until now. He has great mechanical skill and when a boy he built a small steam engine on principles of his own that worked to perfection. His record as a Republican is untarnished.