(1837-1902), an American novelist and historian, born at Vevay, Ind. His education consisted of a knowledge of Latin and some Greek and an extensive acquaintance with the French language and literature, all gained largely through his own efforts. When nineteen years old he became a Methodist circuit rider and preached for ten years. His literary career began in 1866, as editor of the Little Corporal, at Evanston, III. In 1870 he became literary editor of the Independent, in New York City, and some time later he gave up that position to become editor of Hearth and Home. From 1874 to 1879 he preached in Brooklyn, and from the latter date he devoted himself to literary work. The purpose of his novels was to do "something toward describing life in the back country districts of the Western states," and the scenes of his most popular novels were laid in southern Indiana. Among his novels are The Hoosier Schoolmaster, The End of the World, The Circuit Rider, Roxy, The Hoosier School Boy and The Graysons. He wrote also A Household History of the United States and other works on United States history, which are of importance.