A visit with S. B. Rancke "When father came to Wabash county, Ind., there was a large company of eight wagons and five families, containing in all thirty-six passengers." The eight vehicles in which the company traveled from Pennsylvania were one three-horse wagon, six two-horse wagons, and a one-horse wagon. The five families were these: Samuel Rancke, thirteen; Benjamin Keim, five; Jacob Heilman, five; Samuel Heilman, four; Jacob Rantz, six. There were also three single men - Constantine Schuler (stayed), Ellis Hartley (went back), George Schuler (went back); thirty-six in all, eight men, five women, twenty-three children, some of whom, however, were nearly or quite grown). This was indeed a caravan for a large part of the journey was through a region more or less settled. Several days toward the last were through a region mostly wilderness, and in Wabash County in particular the roads even there were little better than trails, and the ways through the forest were mostly 'blazes'!" When they arrived, they found a log cabin eighteen feet square, with hickory bark for loft-boards and oak clapboards for the roof. In that cabin, 13x14x5, of that company moved at once, staying there, moreover, for three or four weeks. That journey of four weeks and four days was no doubt an eventful time. Mr. R. say: "We crossed the Wabash at La Gro" (editor's note - at a ford, probably, or by ferry). "The canal had been put in running order. We came down the river road to Wabash. My brother went into Col. Hanna's store, the only one there, and coming out, exclaimed: I wish I could borrow a cent, I would go in and buy that store out." Mr. R. and some of the men had to go the next week to Logansport, thirty miles, after provisions. Three wagons went the trip and got safely back. >From "History of Wabash County" [Indiana] author and editor - T. B. Helm, 1884. Pg. 431. ____________________ Near as I can determine, the above Benjamin Keim must be: Descendants of Benjamin Keim 1 Benjamin Keim b: 20 December 1804 Cumberland Co, PA d: 11 November 1883 Tustin, Orange Co, CA .. +Mary Dieffenbacher b: 1812 PA d: 1880 ... 2 Levi KEIM b: 1832 PA ... 2 Samuel Keim b: 1834 PA ... 2 Benjamin F. Keim b: 1836 PA ....... +Louisa Ausfahle ... 2 Frederick KEIM b: 1838 PA ... 2 Mary KEIM b: 1842 Miami Co, IN ... 2 Barbara KEIM b: 1845 Miami Co, IN ... 2 Catherine KEIM b: 1848 Miami Co, IN