Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1907 — Death of a Pioneer. [ARTICLE]

Death of a Pioneer.

The following interesting biographical and historical sketch contributed to last week’s Bemingtou Press will be of interest all over the country. * The death of David Alter of Forest, Clinton Co., Ind., brother to Lewis S. Alter of tjiis township has some interest to tie old settlers of this country. David and his older brother John Alter came here in 1846 and settled far ont on the prairie, the first settlers that located on the prairie away from timber. At that time John Jordan Sr. lived where Fountain Park now is, his brother-in-law, John Coen, lived near him. A Mr. Davis lived down the creek where Waymire lived and BeDj. Welsh lived where Frank Welsh now lives. The next year Mays settled in the grove whero Robert Maymow. lives; but few came until 1851 and 52, when Thompsons, Hants, Hamiltons and some others came to this country and became permanent residents. Bat to David and John W. Alter, sons of Eev. John Alter belong the honor of first settling ont on the prairie, away from the shades of any timber, on the farm now owned by L. 8. Alter. John W. became a Doctor and was well known by the old settlers’'aronnd Wolcott and Seafield; he died some thirty years ago In Arkansas. David lived in Clinton Co., for over 50 years and died Oct. 21st in his 80th year. He leaves one brother B. T. Alter, 73 years old and one sister Esther Irwin in Kentucky, 78 years old, Lewis S. Alter being a half brother.