Butler County, Ohio - The whole text, 1882 (part 29 of 39)

Cornelius House was born on the 22d of October, 1798, in Virginia. He is the son of Jacob and Susan House. He was married in 1825 to Rachel Cregor, who was born in West Jersey, on the 3d of February, 1803, and has borne him eleven children. William was born June 23, 1823; Susan Bill, August 18, 1828; Elizabeth Ayers, August 19, 1830; Jacob, October 5, 1832; George, February 10, 1835; Isaac, April 10, 1837; Joel, August 17, 1839; Alexander, June 30, 1842; and Albert, July 13, 1845. Alexander House was killed in the last battle of the war, at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 15, 1865. He was aged twenty-two years, eight months, and thirteen days. He was brought home on the 28th of December and was buried on the 31st, at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the children, Cregor, died at eight years of age; but with this exception all his children have lived to maturity. He and his wife have lived together for sixty years. She was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Cregor, who came to this county in 1808. Mr. Cregor seryed in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. House have lived on the farm they now occupy for the last forty-six years, and own a fine farm on the Springdale pike, consisting of one hundred acres. Jones's Station.

David B. Huston-was born in Fairfield Township, January 7, 1840, and married in 1864 Clara Stout, born in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, August 6, 1839. They have had seven children, six of whom are living : Grace, Lily, Edgar, Ethel, Mabel, Ralph, and a baby not named. LKthel is dead. He is a member of the Hamilton Grange, holding the office of master; is a member of the school board, and clerk of the district, and collector. He is a member of the Republican Central Committee.

Robert Kennedy belonged to one of the oldest and largest families of the Ohio Valley. His immediate ancestors came from the vicinity of Chambersburg, Penn- sylvania, and were among the first settlers of Covington, Kentucky. The grandfather of Robert, Mr. Thomas Kennedy, when he came West, purchased and owned for a number of years the entire tract of land upon which Covington, Kentucky, now stands. At an early day he removed to this place and erected a dwelling and other buildings upon it, among them what is now known as the 'Old Stone House," which is still standing in Coyington, on the bluff overlooking the Ohio and Licking Rivers, and is the oldest house in that city, having been built-in 1790. Mr. Thomas Kennedy, who may be considered the head of the Kennedy family in the West, brought with him his family, consisting of four sons and one daughter. They were Joseph, born January 13, 1768; Samuel, born May 19, 1770; Thomas, Jr., born August 21, 1775; Robert, born May 4, 1777, and Hannah, born April 15, 1773. Mr. Samuel Kennedy was married to Miss Jane Richardson, February 10, 1796, and these were the parents of twelve children, among them Robert Kennedy, the subject of this sketch. They were Dinah and Betsy, born January 15, 1797; Hannah, born February 1, 1799; Rebecca, born October 26, 1801; Robert, born January 18, 1804; Edmund and Thomas, born July, 1806; Eliza, born October 5, 1808; Nancy, born February 11, 1811; Samuel, born October 16, 1813; Porter, born August 18, 1816; and Jane, born November, 1819.

Mr. Samuel Kennedy, the father of Robert, in the year 1796 purchased from Jonathan Dayton, an associate of John Cleves Symmes, a tract of two hundred and sixteen acres in Section 21, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, and soon after settled upon it. At that time the entire tract was covered with heavy timber, and is now part of the homestead farm owned by the Kennedy family. Upon this farm, in 1804, when but few white settlers had established. themselves in this section, and the Indians were yet occasionally seen, at the very beginning of the county, Robert Kennedy began life, and amid scenes of hardship incident to pioneer life grew to manhood.

While a young man Robert removed with his father to Covington, Kentucky, and dwelt in the '' Old Stone House" for about three years, and then returned to the farm in Butler County, and remained there until after his father's death, which occurred in 1834; after which Robert purchased the old homestead and lived upon it until 1849, when by changes in his family he was required to move to Covington, and take charge of the Cincinnati and Covington Ferry, which had been in their hands for two generations. Mr. Kennedy, during his fourteen years' management of the ferry, a time of great activity and growth in business and population in Cincinnati and Covington, and prior to the building of any bridges, so conducted that interest as to accommodate the public and make but few enemies. Especially did he manage the ferry with great discretion during the trying times of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1863, and when he left it to return to his farm in 1863 it was with the sincere regret of both employés and the public.

Mr. Kennedy was a man of sterling qualities in all the relations of life. As a business man he was prompt, honest, and fair in his dealings. He was twice married, first to Miss Harriet Adams, February 8, 1826, by whom he had one daughter, who died while quite young. His wife died March 24, 1829. On December 6, 1832, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Joan Minor Millikin, daughter of Doctor Daniel Millikin, one of the oldest and most respectable physicians of Butler County. Of the second marriage there were seven children, four of whom are living - three sons, Joseph M., Daniel M., Samuel Porter, and a daughter, Joan M., - while Mary M., Robert M., and Jane K. are deceased.

Mr. Kennedy united with the Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Ohio, in early life, and always maintained the character of a consistent and faithful Christian, amid all the pressure and perplexities of business, not a little trying on Christian patience and principle. He was always in his place when not absolutely required to be absent; was liberal with his means in advancing every good work, and endeavored to carry the influence and power of his religion down into every-day business.

His membership, with that of his excellent wife, was transferred to the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, Kentucky, in 1851, and in January, 1861, he was elected a ruling elder in that Church. Accepting the office with great distrust of his fitness and ability, and only at the earnest solicitation of those who knew him best, it is the testimony of all who served with him during those troublesome years of war and excitement that he did his work faithfully and well, and tried to meet _ every obligation laid upon him.

Mr. Kennedy had long been sick, and approached death by slow and measured steps. In all his sickness he was sustained by that grace he so constantly sought, and when death came he was ready.

He died at 'Oakland Farm," the name given the Kennedy homestead, near Hamilton, February 9, 1877, being a few days over seventy-three years of age. His funeral was attended in the Presbyterian Church at Hamilton by the pastors of the two Churches where his life had been spent, and his memory honored and departure mourned by a very large concourse of the oldest citizens from every part of the county. His remains rest in Greenwood Cemetery, and his memory is cherished among many who loved him long and well on earth.

Benjamin Line came to Butler County in 1797. He was born in Pennsylvania, and was there married. He brought his family with him, consisting of a' wife and nine children, all of whom are deceased. He died in 1815. Of his children, Moses was born in Pennsylvania, Washington County, in 1790, and was married in 1811 to Elizabeth McClellan, born in Kentucky in 1795. They had nine children. James, born in 1517, is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Mary Jane, the wife of Samuel Stevenson, born in 1819, lives in Hamilton. Robert, born in 1831, is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Moses Line came to this county when seven years old, and after his father's death purchased the family estate of the heirs. It consisted of one hundred and eighty-one acres, and during his lifetime was cultivated by him. His son James now owns it. He was a soldier of 1812, for which he received a land warrant. He died in 1853, and his wife in 1876. James was born August 18, 1817, and was married in 1870 to Elizabeth Brewer, widow of John Niggis. They have one child, James C., who was born February 24, 1875. James Line has held several offices. He was infirmary director for seven years, justice of the peace six years, county commissioner from 1870 to 1875, and a member of the school board. Robert Line was born in Fairfield Township, on the old farm, March 9, 1830, and was married September 5, 1867, to Nancy Agnes Slipher, born in St. Clair Township, June 27, 1843. He had four children. Carrie E. was born August 7, 1869; Charles R. was born November 11, 1870; Laura B., April 22, 1874, and Lula Jane, July 11, 1877. Mr. Line and his brother purchased the place on the death of the former, being in partnership till 1865, when he bought the place where he now lives, of eighty-five acres. He was drafted twice in the late war, and paid six hundred dollars for substitutes. He owns at present one hundred and twenty-two acres in Fairfield Township, and ninety-five in Clinton County, Indiana.

Isaac K. Morris was born in Sussex County, Delaware, November 21, 1819. His parents were Joseph and Zipporah Morris, both now dead. 'They came here in 1838. Mr. Morris has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Hinkle, daughter of Benjamin and Barbara Hinkle, to whom he was married December 26,

1844. His second wife was Mary Thomas, daughter of Benjamin and Anna Thomas. He was married to her January 3, 1861. By these he had eleven children. Mary Angelina was born December 12, 1845; Oliver Perry, April 22, 1848; Sarah Jane, December 26, 1849; Margaret Isabel, September 4, 1852; Joseph Anthony, December 12, 1856; Benjamin Lewis, November 16, 1862; Clara Edith, February 12, 1865; Christina May, May 17, 1867; Zipporah, June 2, 1869; Jessie Gray, June 24, 1872; and Mary, November 12, 1880. When "Squire Morris came to this county, besides his parents, there were four brothers and three sisters, himself being the oldest of his father's family. Mr. Morris, Sen., died in 1846, and the mother in 1852. The two youngest sisters died in 1845, and his brother, L. D. Morris, in 1862. One sister and three brothers are now living. The sister is in Lee County, Iowa, the eldest brother in Fayette County, Indiana, and the other two in this county. Mr. Morris was a justice of the peace from 1853 till 1859, infirmary director from 1860 to 1864, and justice of the peace from 1872 till 1878. He isa strong temperance man. His father was in the War of 1812.

John P. McCormick was born in New York City in 1800. He married first Deborah Griffin, born in Westchester County, New York, about 1802, and died about 1843 in Butler County. She had six children, of whom two are now living. Alexander was born July 13, 1824, and is married and lives in Fairfield Township. Ann Mary, widow of Thomas Cooper, was born in 1826, and lives in Fairfield. Mr. McCormick married the second time about 1846, Mary Smith, widow of Mr. Fry, who was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1798. They had no children. Mr. McCormick moved - to Ohio about 1830, and stayed in Cincinnati and Dayton for a few months, and in 1831 or thereabouts he moved to Butler County, and settled in Fairfield Township. He was a paper-maker by trade, and worked at Graham's paper-mill in that township for ten years, off and on. He then rented a small farm of twenty acres, and commenced to raise broom-corn. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in 1871. His wife's father, Mr. Griffin, was in the Revolutionary War. Two of his sons, Benjamin and James McCormick, were in the late war. Benjamin was in the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F. He enlisted in 1862, and was killed in 1864, at Laurel Hill. James was in Guthrie's Grays. Alexander McCormick was born July 13, 1824, in Westchester County, New York, and married December 25, 1852, Ann Eliza Emerson, born in Fairfield Township in this county, September 4, 1831. They had six children, three of whom are living. Edwin was born February 7, 1859; John P., October 8, 1862; and Algernon S. B., January 26, 1866. He rented a small farm of twenty acres, when he was twenty years old, and commenced raising broom-corn, having since made that a principal part of his business. He has also learned broom-making.

Richard Magie was born in Butler County, and was married early in life, to Jane M. Flemming, by whom he had two children, Henry Franklin was born February 14, 1847, and was married in 1868 to Laura Gorsuch, born in Monroe Township, in 1846. She died May 5, 1872, leaving two children, Anna and Lulu. He was again married in 1873, to Hannah Catherine Symmes, widow of George W. Vinnedge, born November 2, 1848. She has one child, Henry W. Vinnedge. Mr. Magie owns and farms one hundred and fifty-seven acres. He is a member of the Masonic order, being master of Washington Lodge, No. 17, of Haniilton, and is a director of the school board. In politics he is a Republican.

William was born March 12, 1838; Mary, born March 16, 1839, died June 29, 1839; Isaac, born May 31, 1840, is married, and lives in Hamilton, where he is deputy sheriff; John Henry, born November 14, 1841, is married, and lives in Fairfield Township; Elizabeth was born August 1, 1848, and is the wife of Henry Moser, living in Hamilton; James P. was born January 31, 1845. Mr. Rogers came to Butler County in 1836, and settled in Liberty Township. He was in the hardware business in Warren County, and was captain of a canal-boat for many years. He was a blacksmith by trade, but never carried it on in this county, but followed farming until his death, which occurred September 24, 1845. He was a very well-known member of the Methodist Church. His mother came to this county with him. His father was a soldier, who lost his life while defending the Jersey shore from invading English. Mrs. Rogers came to Butler County with her mother in 1835. Their son, William, was out in the late war, enlisting in the Spring of 1862, in the Kighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving as a private till the close of the war, in 1865. He was discharged in Galveston, Texas. The family have an interest in ice-houses in Liberty Township, operated under the name of Frederick Kauffman & Rogers.

Jacob Rupp was the first member of the Rupp family that came to Ohio. He was born in Prussia in 1804, and died in 1874. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in that country in 1804. He had eleven children, nine of whom are living. John is married and lives in Fairfield. He was born in 1825. Peter was married and lives in Kansas. Mr. Rupp was one of the first Germans that came to Butler County. He emigrated to America in 1830, and settled in Hamilton. He brought about two hundred dollars with him, with which be bought a lot and loghouse, which he repaired. It was the oldest house in Hamilton, being of two stories, and had formerly been the court-house. It was the building described in the last paragraph of page 35. He worked at day's work, and about 1842 moved to Fairfield Township, where he purchased a farm of L. Davis of sixty-two acres. About three years after he bought fifty-three acres more of A. P. Miller, farming the two tracts until his death. He also owned several houses and lots in Hamilton. He was very industrious. He was a member of the German Protestant Church. His son, John, was born in Prussia, January 1, 1825, and was married in 1852 to Catherine Bridge, born in Prussia, March 5, 1829. They had six children, five of whom are living. John was born April 25, 1854; Jacob, January 4, 1857; Erasmus, January 7, 1859; George, September 10, 1861; Katy, October 26, 1864; and Peter, July 1, 1860. The latter died July 25, 1860. John, the eldest, is married. Mr. Rupp is a member of St. John's German Protestant Church. He has a large quarry, the largest in the county, turning out an excellent quality of limestone. It was opened first in 1844 by John Woods for the Hamilton Hydraulic, and in 1851 Mr. Rupp bought the farm of fifty-one acres and the quarry, having owned it ever since. The quarry contains about fifteen acres, and over $2,000 worth were taken out last year.

Henry G. Ross, superintendent of the county infirmary, was born in Milford Township on the 28th of July, 1845. He was married December 24, 1864, to Kate Williams, who was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, December 31, 1841. They have had two children. William Henry was born October 19, 1865, and Harry Olby, July 28, 1876.

Christopher Ruoff was born October 4, 1813, in Wittenburg, Swabia, and married in 1841 Margaret Deincer, born October 17, 1818. She came to Ohio with her father, George Deincer, in 1837. By her he had two children. Christina, the wife of Charles Damm, was born February 7, 1842, and lives in Fairfield Township ; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Niederman, born February 3, 1850, lives in Hamilton, and came to Butler County in 1852. He settled in the pork-packing business in Hamilton, and accumulated considerable wealth. He purchased two hundred and forty-eight acres in Fairfield Township, which he farmed, becoming one of the wealthiest citizens of the township. He died December 6, 1866. He was also a partner of Peter Murphy for two years in the distillery at Hamilton. He was a strong Democrat.

Benjamin Randolph Symmes is the son of Celadon Symmes, an early magistrate of this county, son of Timothy Symmes, and nephew of John Cleves Symmes, the patentee of the lands lying between the Little Miami and Great Miami. His mother was Phebe Randolph. Benjamin R. Symmes was born in Fairfield Township, on the 6th of September, 1802. He was married on the 30th of March, 1826, to Eliza Gaston, daughter of Joseph and Martha Gaston, who was born February 16, 1807. She bore him one son, Peyton Randolph Symmes, who was born March 10, 1833. On her death in that year he again married, this time to Jane Paulley, daughter of James and Margaret Paulley, who was born October 12, 1804. By her he had three children, one of whom survives. Celadon Hutton Symmes was born October 27, 1836; James Rigdon Symmes was born January 8, 1841, and Joseph Erskine Symmes was born June 12, 1845. Peyton R. Symmes was in the military service from 1861 to 1865. Benjamin R. Symmes was for six years a justice of the peace, treasurer of the min isterial section for twenty years, and postmaster for twenty-two years and six months.

Franklin Raleigh Vinnedge was born March 18, 1834, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, and was married March 24, 1858, to Martha Ann Van Cleaf,: born in Liberty Township, April 7, 1840. He had five children, four of whom are living. Iney Ann was born April 10, 1860; Thomas Dunmore, February 14, 1862; Clara

Irene, May, 1864, now dead; Lillie Maud, April 10, 1868; and Raleigh Van Cleaf, September 2, 1872. Mr. Vinnedge is essentially a self-made man, receiving no as- He began business for himself when twenty-five years old by renting a small farm of forty acres. He rented until about 1864, when he entered into partnership with W. V. Clark, in the Mason farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres in Fairfield Township, which he sold in 1866, and in 1867 moved to Port Union, where he went to store-keeping under the firm name of F. R. Vinnedge, and in the purchase of grain and produce, under the name of Beatty, Vinnedge & Lippelmann, in which he remained until 1869, when he gave up the store and dissolved partnership, buying grain and produce for himself and 'renting the farm of Hiram Smith, in Union Township. In 1873 he purchased the farm where he now resides, of two hundred and sixty-seven acres. He is at present engaged in farming for himself, and purchasing grain and produce with J. V. Spellman & Son, of Port Union, under the name of Spellman, Vinnedge & Co., and with J. C. Symmes in Hamilton, under the name of Vinnedge & Symmes. In the Lake Erie Ice Company he owns one-fourth of the stock in connection with 8. D. Fitton and others, in Union, and also in Fairfield, under the name of Vinnedge, Schlosser & Clark. Mr. Vinnedge has held the office of township justice for four terms, and township treasurer for two years. The latter position he now holds. He is one of Butler County's best citizens, owning considerable property in the shape of town lots in Hamilton and Lockland. In 1864 he cleaned out the Union Township's portion of the Butler County ditch, and has also been largely instrumental in grading and building roads. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, joining them in 1867. He has taken all the degrees and has held all the different offices. He was also trustee of Union Township two years, and is a member of the United Workmen Society.

Thomas Van Cleaf was born in Butler County in the year 1809, on the 9th of January. He is the son of Benjamin Van Cleaf, who was born in New York, September 5, 1765, and died March 5, 1830. His mother was Alcha Vanderveer. She was born November 16, 1771, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and died March 1, 1851. They were married in New Jersey, and came to Ohio in 18065, settling in Franklin. The present Mr. Van Cleaf was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, and was married March 17, 1836, by the Rey. Mr. McFarlan, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Kyle and Martha Long. She was born August 26, 1815. They have had four children. Alice Seward was born March 7, 1838, and died May 22, 1874; Martha A. Vinnedge was born April 7, 1840; Sarah J. Van Cleaf was born July 8, 1844; and Hannah M. Van Cleaf was born June 19, 1850. Mr. Van Cleaf's grandfather, Teunis Van Cleaf, was in the Revolutionary War.

David Urmston, Jr., was born in this county in 1810. His parents were David Urmston and Mary Enyard, the former being from New Jersey. David was married in 1839 to N ancy Stone, born in 1817, daughter of Thomas Stone, a native of Ireland, and Elizabeth Martin. They had seven children. Mary Ann was born in 1842; Nancy Jane, in 1847; B. E., in 1849, and Emma Frances in 1855. Three children are dead. Mr. Urmston has served three terms as infirmary director. Thomas Stone, his father-in-law, was out in the War of 1812, and Thomas Stone, Jr., was in the Mexican War as captain.

Edmund Kennedy Urmston was born in Springfield Township, Hamilton County, June 25, 1840. He is the son of Benjamin Urmston and Rebecca Kennedy, who live in Hamilton County, but were formerly of Butler County, coming here about 1801. He was married in 1869 to Margaret Butterfield, daughter of Elijah Butterfield and Mary Jones. Jeremiah and Mary Butterfield, the first of the name who settled in Hamilton County, were the parents of Elijah Butterfield, who was born there in 1815. With his wife, Mary, Elijah settled on Paddy's Run, near New London, in the Spring of 1842, and remained there until the Spring of 1870. He was elected justice of the peace in Ross Township in the Spring of 1850, serving eighteen years in succession, and during that time never had a transcript taken from his docket excepting in criminal cases, which were to be decided in a higher court, and in one railroad case. All suits were settled by him, or referred to arbitrators, whose decision was always concurred in. He served as school director in the same district for thirty years in succession, and was a successful farmer. To Margaret Urmston, his daughter, were born four children. Benjamin Kennedy was born February 17, 1872; Rebecca, August 15, 1874; Willie B., August 8, 1876; Mary May, June 25, 1879. Mr. Urmston has held the office of township assessor in Hamilton County, and has been a member of the school board in Butler County for six years.

Thomas Wall was born in Bristol, England, in 1800. His father, John Wall, and his mother, Phebe Wall, were natives of that country. Thomas came to America in 1832, and was married in Hamilton, in 1844, to Hannah Waller, born in this county, in June, 1810, daughter of Levi and Rhoda Waller, who arrived in Butler County about the beginning of the century. He was in the War of 1812, and Asahel Waller, the grandfather, was in the Revolution. They had nine children: William, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Edward, Perry, Salmon, and Louis. Mr. Wall followed the occupations of farmer and brass-founder. He went across the ocean thirteen times after first coming to this country, dying October 19, 1880, and leaving considerable property.

THE highly cultivated farms, the good houses, the many pikes and other improvements in this township speak favorably of the thrift and enterprise of its citizens and the character of its agriculture.

Of the early settlers in this section of the county may be mentioned the names of John Nelson, John Beatty, David Williamson, Ephraim Baker, Thomas Hunt, John Morrow, Duran Whittlesey, Thomas Kyle, David Griffis, Cornelius Murphy, 'the Elliotts, Hugheses, Voorheeses, Lowerys, Kains, Howards, and others.

The principal towns are Princeton, Bethany, Jericho, and Huntsville; none having attained much size, nor being in importance what they were years ago.

When all was a wilderness, and before any of the sturdy oaks had been felled, John Nelson moved into the township, and cleared the first farm. This was where Jasper Rose lives now, and prior to 1796. John Beatty came in 1797, and found him snugly fixed in his pole cabin. He had come with his father David Beatty to Port Union, in 1795. The father died soon after this event, a very old man, and was buried at Tylersville, the second burial in the township. A child of MeMahon's was buried here prior to that time, and was the first event of that kind. John Beatty had two sons, John R. and James, and one daughter, afterwards Mrs. Stewart. John R. Beatty married Miss Nancy Stewart, and raised a family of seven children, ali of whom are dead now but Mrs. 'Squire McLean.

Mr. John Beatty settled just above where Bethany is now, and his house was probably the second in the township. He subsequently started the '' Beatty Tavern," which was also the first house of that kind in the township. This tavern was carried on for a long period of time; first before his death by Mr. Beatty himself, then by his widow, and subsequently by his son, John R. Beatty. David Williamson next came to this part of the township and settled on a farm adjoining that of John Beatty, building his house where 'Squire McLean's house stands. This was in 1798, and was the first house built in what was afterwards Bethany. His brother, Peter Williamson, had come just previous to this time, and settled in the north-east part of the township. Peter and David Voorhees came this year also, but settled in Tuntsville. William Lowery came prior to 1800. His

Liberty

The first marriage in the township occurred December 25, 1798. The parties contracting were Miss Mary Howard, of New Jersey, and Samuel Kain. Mr. Kain bought land just above Bethany, where Drake now lives.

John Morrow was settled on land now owned by David Swearingen, before 1803. His brother, Jeremiah Morrow, was governor of Ohio. John Morrow was the first justice of the peace in Liberty Township, and served in that capacity for eighteen years. He was followed by 'Squire McLean, who held the office twentyfour years, and following him was Silas Williamson, who is, and has been, 'squire for fifteen years. Hach of these three men have been peace-makers in the strict sense of that term.

Silas Williamson's grandfather, David Williamson, married Mary Vandyke in 1787, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky in June, 1797, and from Kentucky to Ohio, settling on Section 14, of this township, in 1798. He had four sons: George, born 1788; John, father of Silas, born 1790; David V., born 1795, and Peter, born in 1801. 'Squire Williamson has also been township clerk, elected in 1865, and held the office many years. He was married to Christiana White in 1843.

John McLean was born in 1810. In 1843 he married Miss Sarah Clayton. She died in 1847. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Ann Beatty, daughter of John R. Beatty.

Bethany was laid off into lots, four by eight rods, in 1822, by Samuel Lowery. Five of these lots were surveyed by Nesbit, and were on the east side of the street.. A man by the name of Crawford built a house just opposite where Squire McLean lives now, and kept a grocery; it was a small affair at first, there not being ten dollars' worth of goods in his house. The first blacksmith's shop was in the woods at that time, and just opposite where Mr. Legg now lives. It was kept by Mr. Busby. He was followed by Mr. Garrett, and he in turn by Peter C. Dilley. This was before 1822.

John McLean, of Bethany, is descended from the McLeans of Scotland. After the rebellion of 1715, a portion of that clan emigrated to Ireland, and after a considerable sojourn, to America. They settled in York, now Adams County, in Pennsylvania. The McLean who was the ancestor of John McLean, of Bethany, had seven sons, all surveyors. Their names were Archibald, Moses, William, Samuel, John, James, and Alexander. Each and all of them took an active part in our Revolutionary struggle. Archibald and Moses were both members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and Moses was also a captain in the Eleventh Regiment of the Pennsylvania line. Samuel McLean, the grandfather of John McLean, of Bethany, moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, sand left two sons, William and John. The latter remained in Fayette County, while the former removed to Butler

County, in 1808. He was a farmer, and had six sons and three daughters. His sons were Samuel, born December 24, 1799; Elisha P., born March 3, 1802; Stephen, January 7, 1804; 'William, December 21, 1805; Elizabeth, September 25, 1807, the widow of William Goudy; John, born February 13, 1810; James, born September 25, 1811; Sophia, born December 8, 1813; and Sarah Ann, April 18, 1816. Samuel, Elisha P., Stephen, William, James, and Sophia are dead.

Mr. McLean came to Butler County in 1808, and settled on Seven-Mile, Wayne Township, where he purchased a hundred acres of land. He came down the Ohio River in a flat-boat. He traded his farm in Pennsylvania for castings and sold them in Cincinnati, and with their proceeds purchased here. He died in Union Township, September 12, 1824, and his wife died September 27, 1834, in Springfield Township, Hamilton County. His son, John McLean, was born February 13, 1810, in Wayne Township, and married first, January 3, 1843, Sarah R. Clayton, born in Liberty May 5, 1813, and died September 19, 1847. They had one child, Anna Isabella, born November 3, 1844. She died June 3, 1846. He married second, November 20, 1850, Mary Ann Beatty, daughter of John R. Beatty and Nancy (Stewart) Beatty. She was born in Liberty, December 29, 1814. By her he had three children, one being now alive, Lewis. He was born October 18, 1852, and is married. John A., born January 7, 1855, died an infant; and William C., born March 6, 1860, died August 5, 1881.

Mr. McLean is one of the most prominent citizens of Liberty Township. He has held several township positions, and, in fact, has always held some township office. He was appointed assistant revenue assessor in 1865, an office he has held two terms; has been justice of the peace for eight terms, omitting one term, or a total of twenty-four years, from 1856 till 1864. He was also postmaster at Huntsville, and is at present notary public, serving his sixth term. He has acted from 1864 till the present time without interruption. He is a Mason and Odd Fellow both, but of late years has not attended. He held the office of recording secretary'in the Odd Fellows. His uncle, Colonel Alexander McLean, was out in the Revolutionary War, being a colonel of frontier rangers. He also served in McIntosh's campaign of 1780. He was also one of the surveyors engaged with Mason and Dixon in running the division line between Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, in 1766 and 1767, and in 1782 and 1783 he, in connection with Joseph Neville, carried out the southern boundary from where Mason and Dixon stopped at the Indian warpath.

Mr. Samuel Kain carried on wagon-making for many years, beginning as early as 1823 or 1824. We read of the Kain wagons receiving the first premiums in the Butler County Agricultural Society. On October 13, 1836, Mr. Kain received three dollars premium on the best wagon manufactured. The shop was afterwards turned into a buggy and carriage factory, and was such for many years, and is now a factory for the manufacturing of the Kain harrows.

The first brick house in Bethany was built by Peter Williamson, in 1839. It stood near where the Presbyterian Church now is. The next brick structure was the first brick house erected for David Lee, in 1841, in Jericho. The brick was burned and the building erected by 'Squire McLean. 'Squire McLean carried on brickmaking for a period of five years, and during that time burned a million of brick. He became the proprietor of the first saw-mill in Jericho, in 1850, and conducted it for eight years. He sold the mill to Benjamin Boyd, who finally transferred it to other parties, and it was by them taken down and removed to Lebanon.

The Beatty Tavern was the principal stopping-place for travelers, but there were other houses, also, subsequently. Mr. Williamson had a good tavern for many years, as also did Robert Carter. The amount of travel was enormous. Old residents say that it was not uncommon to see four and six horse teams, a dozen at a time, stopping over night in this place. Houses of entertainment were along the highways every few miles, and necessarily so, to accommodate the traveling public. As soon as the railroads sprang up the hotels went down.

The mail was carried, prior to 1834, by Dr. Stephens, on horseback, from Brookville to Lebanon. Abner Ross had the contract also, and sometimes went with his oxen, making the round-trip in one week. He went by the way of Lasourdsville and Hamilton, to Brookville, Indiana, and would return by the way of Hamilton, Princeton, and Huntsville to Lebanon. Dr. Stephens had the office up to 1834, Squire McLean to 1841, at which time it was moved to Bethany. Peter Williamson then took it and kept it a long time.

The Methodist people of this place formerly worshiped at private houses, and frequently met at the Beatty Tayern, where they were always welcomed. The Rey. Samuel Parker was presiding elder when the popular and youthful Rev. John Strange served as their first minister, in 1809. The first Methodist Episcopal Church building was a frame, erected in 1849, and is standing yet, doing duty as a town hall. The present brick was erected in 1876. The Bethany people attended the Huntsville Methodist Episcopal Church from 1817 up to 1849, at which time this Church was removed to Bethany. The Cumberland Presbyterians built here in 1875. ciety has forty members.

Among the early settlers of this vicinity were the Hunts, Voorheeses, Wm. Elliott, Elijah Hughes, John Harden, John Holden, John Malally, Charles Legg, and others. The place was named from Thomas Hunt, who died June 25, 1814, aged sixty-eight years, nine months, and twenty-eight days. He came here prior to 1800. His wife, Anna Hunt, lies by his side in the old private grave-yard. Duran Whittlesey and his wife, Ruth, also lie in this yard; he was buried September 26, 1823, and was forty-eight years old. She died September 24, 1855, at seventy-five years of age.

Prominent among the early events of this place was the building of the Spring meeting-house, the first Methodist Church in the county. The Elliotts especially were greatly interested in this work. The Rey. Arthur Elliott, the pioneer Methodist preacher, took the matter in hand, and his brother, Joshua Elliott, gave the ground for both the building and the grave-yard.

The country was then under heavy timber, and when a daughter of Charles Legg died in 1816, the trees and brush had to be cut away to make room for the digging of a grave. She was the first person buried in that yard. The next year the hewed log-house owned by Joshua Elliott, a half mile distant, was moved bodily through the woods to the allotted place, and was known as the Spring meeting-house. The building stood some twelve years, when a brick church was built. This last Church building was used as such until 1849, when the society moved to Bethany, since which time there has been no Church in the place.

Mr. Charles Legg was the first class-leader in this Church; he came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and settled first between Huntsville and Bethany. The Rev. John Waterman was the first preacher. Samuel West, Mr. Goddard, and Mr. Matthews were also early missionaries in this field.

The New Lights were numerous in this place at this time, and had a building of their own where the old graveyard is now. It was made of brick, and erected about 1831 or 1832. Ira Hunt at that time burned brick, and had the first brick-yard in the township. He and his sister, Phoebe, were leading spirits of the Church. The Rey. Mr. Simonton was one of their principal pioneer preachers, and the Church society was very large. It was not then thought far for the beaux and their girls to walk two or three miles to attend one of those night meetings, and usually a large congregation would assemble. Nor was it an unusual thing to have a noisy time of it. The sight of a hundred new converts, clapping hands, shouting, singing, praying, yelling, confusing noise itself with deafening cries, was not uncommon, and was often witnessed there.

Tra Hunt moved West, finally, and the Church gradually went down. He did much for the town with his brick-yard and mill. Nicholas Curtis had a distillery in the place, and Joseph Curtis the pioneer store. This horse was just opposite where Alexander Dykes now keeps one. Zebedee Akers has been a blacksmith in this town for forty years or more. The Voorheeses were set-

Daniel W. Voorhees, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Senator from that State, was born in Liberty Township, not far from the old Spring meeting-house, September 26, 1827, and was only two months old when his parents removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where they now reside. His father, Stephen Voorhees, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, 1798, and emigrated when quite young to Butler County, and in December, 1827, moved to the farm in Fountain County, Indiana, which he now occupies. His grandfather, Peter Voorhees, was born in New Jersey, and soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, emigrated to Kentucky. Peter Voorhees's wife, whose maiden name was Van Arsdale, was born at Brant's Station, then a fort. Her father, Luke Van Arsdale, fought at the battle of Blue Licks, and distinguished himself there and elsewhere against the Indians under Daniel Boone. His other grandfather, Stephen Voorhees, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and fought at Princeton, Monmouth, and other celebrated historic fields. His paternal ancestors came from Holland, the original name being Van Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees's mother,. Rachel Elliott, born in Maryland, of Irish ancestry, was married in 1821, and still survives. Daniel W. is the third child, and was brought up on a farm about ten miles from Covington, Indiana, remaining there until 1845. In 1845 he entered Asbury University, whence he graduated in 1849.

Soon after graduating he entered the law office of Lane & Willson, at Crawfordsville, and the following Spring settled to practice at Covington, the county seat of Fountain County. Here E. A. Hannegan, formerly United States Senator, having heard him deliver a _ 'Fourth of July" oration, made proposals for a law partnership, taking effect in April, 1852. In June, 1853, Mr. Voorhees was appointed by Governor Wright prosecuting attorney of the Circuit Court, in which position he soon established a fine reputation as a criminal lawyer, and broke up a nest of desperadoes whose headquarters were at Lafayette. In 1856 he was nominated by acclamation Democratic candidate for Congress, but was defeated by two hundred and thirty majority in a district previously Republican by 2,600. In November, 1857, he removed to Terre Haute, the county seat of Vigo County, and the ensuing April, 1858, was appointed United States District Attorney for the State of Indiana, by President Buchanan, in which position he increased his reputation as an orator and lawyer. He was elected to Congress in 1860 and 1862, and in 1864 was again a successful candidate, but in this last election his majority was contested by his opponent, Henry D. Washburne, who obtained the seat. In 1866 Mr. Voorhees refused the nomination, but in 1868 he was elected,

As a precursor of the late war the insurrection at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in which John Brown and others were concerned, and for which they were convicted and hung in 1859, will always stand prominent in the history of the country. At that time the gifted A. P. Willard was governor of Indiana, and the champion of the Indiana Democracy, and it was with sorrow and dismay that his friends learned that Colonel J. E. Cook, arrested with '' Ossawatomie Brown," was a brother of Governor Willard's wife. Governor Willard was not the man to turn his back upon a brother or a friend. His first thought was of '' Dan Voorhees," who was then at Vincennes arguing a case before Judge Michael F. Burke. Governor Willard sent a message to Vincennes, and Judge Burke continued the case while Mr. Voorhees immediately started to consult with Governor Willard. Several gentlemen advised him not to undertake the defense, but he emphatically declared his resolution to defend his friend's brother regardless of consequences. He went and took part in that celebrated trial. The result is known. John Brown was convicted of murder and treason, but Mr. Voorhees succeeded in having a Virginia jury convict Cook of murder only, thus bringing him within the pardoning power of the governor. Goyernor Wise, however, refused to pardon, and Cook was executed with the others. This was, however, the beginning of Mr. Voorhees's national reputation. His speech was listened to by the vast audience with rapt attention, and met with unequaled approbation. He was the recipient of enthusiastic congratulations, and his speech was published all over the country and in Europe. From this time forward he has occupied a conspicuous place in the eyes of the public. At the bar, on the stump, and in the halls of Congress, he has been a man of mark. Mr. Voorhees's political career and principles, his powers as a parliamentary orator and a statesman, are now a portion of the history of the nation.

From the sobriquet of ''the tall Sycamore of the Wabash," so often and familiarly applied to Mr. Voorhees, it will be inferred that he is of tall stature. He stands six feet and one inch in height, and weighs over two hundred pounds.

Mr. Voorhees was appointed November 6, 1877, to succeed Governor Morton in the United States Senate. The issue in the election of 1878 in Indiana was whether he should be elected by the Legislature to succeed his appointment. On this issue the Legislature pledged to his support was elected by a majority of over thirty thousand over all opposition. During his term of service in the Senate he has been assiduous in his attentions to the public needs. He is always present, and allows no measure of his political opponents to pass without the severest scrutiny. With him vigilance is the price of liberty. He has recently shown his power of breaking

Jericho is virtually a suburb of Bethany, and nigh unto it, hence its name. It has but four or five families, the oldest resident being Vincent Wyle, who came there twenty-four years ago. "Squire McLean built the most of this town, the first house being David Lee's, just opposite Mr. Wyle's. This house was erected in 1841. Mr. Wyle was born in Maryland in 1815, came here in 1838, and married Miss Jane Curtis in 1848. She died in 1851, when he married Mrs. Jane Perrine, of New Jersey, formerly Miss Kyle, daughter of James Kyle, who came in 18038.

Kyle's Station is on the Short Line Railroad, and is the place where Thomas Kyle settled in 1803. He came from near Cookstown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, bringing his wife and son, James, who was then thirteen years old, with him. And here he lived until his death. He struck an ax into the first tree ever felled in this neighborhood by a white man, and endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life. James Kyle became a subscriber to Liberty Hall, now the Cincinnati Gazette, fifty years ago. He married Esther Clarke, April 16, 1816, and by this union had six children, all of whom are dead, except Mrs. Wyle, of Jericho. His wife died in 1832, and in 1834 he was married to Elizabeth Conover, by whom he had three children. He died April 19, 1879. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 17, 1791, and was never sick save during the few days of his last illness which ended his days. B. F. Kyle lives on the homestead at Kyle's Station.

Hughes's Station is also on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis Railroad, and was named after Joshua Hughes, who owns the land on which the town is built, and was the first postmaster of the place. He was born there June 6, 1822, and on December 6, 1847, married Miss Mary Ann Legg. He owns a good farm, on which is a fine country residence, and is a representative citizen.

Early among the first arrivals in this part of the township was Cornelius Murphy, the father of Peter Murphy. He settled near here as early as 1800, and lived till a comparatively recent period.

Among the oldest settlers of the county now living is Daniel Griffis. His father, David Griffis, who was a Revolutionary soldier, subsequently moved to the banks of Shady River, Virginia, where, after clearing up a farm, he found the title to his lands worthless and left, going first to the Ohio River, where he took passage on a flat-boat for Cincinnati. He here bought a dumpling of a pony, a small pair of oxen, and a rickety two-wheeled

After reaching a point about a mile north of Princeton his cart broke down. He then made his way alone to Lasourdsville - leaving his wife and infant son, Daniel Griffis (born August 9, 1800,) then but nine months old, where he stopped. At Lasourdsville he found Abram Freeman, who persuaded him to settle where he broke down. He then went to Cincinnati, and made arrangements with Judge Symmes for land that is now a part of Daniel Griffis's farm, and here it was he settled and opened up the first blacksmith shop in the township. Mr. Griffis had but few neighbors. Peter Murphy lived near, as also did Brice Virgin. James McLean then lived where Luman Griffis now resides.

David Griffis erected a pole cabin, and in this house Daniel Griffis lived to manhood. He went to school when not large enough to pick brush. This was a mile and a half south-east of Princeton, the first log schoolhouse in the township. There being no roads at that time, the trees were blazed to indicate the direction to and from school. The second school-house cabin was built near Lewis Murphy's, on the hill, and was made of buckeye logs. John Holden then lived on the west side of Gregory's Creek, one mile and a half south of the old Lebanon road. He came prior to 1797. Thomas Fisher was the second teacher in the township. Mr. Griffis had two sons who were preachers, one of them now being dead; one who is a dentist in Hamilton, and two farmers.

Peter Murphy is the son of Cornelius Murphy and Eleanora Windsor, now both dead. His parents were early settlers of Liberty Township, and moved there when Cincinnati was but a mere village, and the pike now leading from Cincinnati to Dayton was nothing but an Indian trail. Mr. Murphy volunteered in the War of | 1812, but was wounded in the knee with a tomahawk while drilling, and was discharged. Peter Murphy was born in Liberty Township, on the Ist of October, 1820, and was married in 1844, to Cyrena Van Gorden, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Van Gorden. She was born in March, 1820. They have six children. Sallie Maria, the eldest, was born in 1845; Lewis D. was born in 1847; Cora E., in 1851; Willie E., in 1857; Harry, in 1859; and Clarence, in 1862. Sallie Maria, Cora E., and Willie E. live in Preble County, and the rest in Liberty Township. He was sheriff of Butler County from 1851 to 1855, four years, and was State senator from 1871 to 1873, in the Butler and Warren district.

Princeton, now known as Clawson Post-office, was laid out by Samuel Enyart, in 1812. Benjamin Enyart built in this town prior to 1820, and his house is still standing. He kept tavern up to about 1830, and subsequently this house was occupied by Dr. Hitchcock

Mr. Cummins owned a tanyard that brought its quota of custom. A carding-machine was in full blast before 1820. Here were some distinguished personages. Benjamin Van Gorden came here in 1810, served as justice of the peace full forty years, and represented the county two terms in the State Legislature. He was also county collector for several years. Christopher Hughes represented the county in the Lower House of the Legislature at the same time Peter Murphy did the Senate. Benjamin Van Gorden and Daniel Woodmansee represented the county in the Legislature as early as 1825. _ The first brick house was built as early as 1830. It was erected by William Carroll, who burned the brick, laid them into walls, and did the carpenter work himself. James Clawson, now in the eighty-seventh year of his age, was the first shoemaker in the town. He was also a weaver. His son Stephen lives in the town, and is in the sixty-third year of his age. The Russells were also early settlers in Princeton. Baldwin and Gowdy packed pork here in former times, and then sent it off in wagons to Cincinnati. Whisky was also a large product of the township.

The Princeton Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1835, Samuel Bayliss being the grantor to Benjamin Van Gorden, Thompson L. Bring, Alexander McDonal, Robert Doty, Solomon Flenner, William B. Peck, and James Bullion, trustees. In 1848 a revival brought into the society about seventy-five additional members. The new brick was erected in 1859. ing was formerly owned by Pearson Carl, who bought it from the county when sold for taxes.

The Universalist Church in Princeton was built in 1851. Uriah Walter donated the ground. The trustees are Richard Sewell, Christopher Hughes, and Elias Stickle; David Bascom is pastor. The membership is small, and during the war the services in this church were suspended.

Auburn Church was built on Rudolph Flenner's land after the erection of the Methodist Episcopal building in Princeton, but owing to some dissensions it is now abandoned, and there has not been a Sabbath-school in the place for twenty years. A successful reyival was held there last Winter.

The list of the justices of the peace of Liberty Township does not include all who were elected from that township, as prior to 1823 the justices of Liberty were also those of .Union, as both townships were then one. We have given, in the list of Union Township, those who were then residents there.

John Anderson was born in Kent County, Delaware, and was married in Butler County, about 1811, to Maria Hagerman, who was born in New Jersey. They had ten children. One died an infant, seven reached maturity, and two died at seven and nine years. George lives in Indiana; William is in Liberty Township, and Adrian lived in Miami County. Jane, the widow of Daniel Brewer, is in Missouri; Simon is in Miami County ; Sarah Anne is the wife of David Staats, and lives in Miami County. Mr. Anderson came to Ohio from Delaware about 1809, and settled in Liberty Township on ninety-two acres belonging to his wife in Section 7, where he resided until his children were all grown up. He had very little means when he came here, and the land was in the woods. There was not a stick cut. He was a man of good common sense, and for the time had a very good education. He was a school director for many He was also very quiet and unobtrusive, and consequently did not push himself forward, but worked hard to clear his farm and rear his large family respectyears, ably. All the clothes worn by the family for many years were grown and spun or woven on the premises by She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. Anderson was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His son William was born in Liberty Township, February 10, 1816, and married February 6, 1839, Maria Elliott, born in Liberty, in October, 1817. They had five children ; one died in infancy and four are living. Elmore S. was born in July, 1841; the others are John, Elliott, William, and Caroline. The latter is the wife of Louis C. McLean. Mr. Anderson learned the carpenter's trade in Bethany under Charles C. Legg, being bound an apprentice to him and serving for five years, from sixteen to twenty-one. He then launched out for himself, and carried on his trade for about fourteen years. He then bought sixty acres and went to farming, also working more or less at his trade. He has held the office of township trustee for about twenty-five years, with the exception of two years; also serving on the school board. He has been connected with educational interests since 1840. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for some years, and passed some of the chairs, but drew out during the war. Ephraim Baker was born in New Jersey, in Essex County, on the 4th of March, 1779, and died September 9, 1845. He married, in 1801, Nancy Easton, born in New Jersey, February 28, 1786, who died May 21, 1831. They had nine children, of whom one is living, Clark Baker, Ephraim Baker came to Butler County in 1802, and settled in Liberty Township. His father had purchased two hundred and seventy acres of John Cleves Symmes, and gave ninety acres of it to him, and ninety acres each to Matthias Brant and John C. Long, his sonsin-law. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His father was a soldier of the Revolution, and his brother David was pressed with his team. He was only fourteen years of age, and was taken to drive the horses. His son, Clark Baker, was born in Liberty Township, August 8, 1807, and married in Shelby County, Ohio, to Sarah Lawrence, a native of Liberty Township, where she was born, March 12, 1812. He had seven children, of whom four are living. Ephraim V., Clark L., and Moses E. are married and live in Liberty Township. Margaret is the wife of Clark A. Baker. He received a little property from his father, but he has since acquired two hundred and twenty-eight acres in Butler County. He now resides on the farm his father settled. John Baker was born in Essex County, New Jersey, March 14, 1774. He was married in that State, on the

Stephen and Mary (Morgan) Hand. Essex County, June 5, 1772. whom only one is living, Rachel, wife of William Van Scoyk. He moved from New Jersey to Maryland in 1795, and remained there about eight years, coming, in

18035, to Butler County. He settled on Elk Creek, in Madison Township. In the Fall of 1805 he removed to Liberty, and settled on the farm where his daughter Rachel still lives. .He had means when he came here, and purchased a quarter of Section 22. He was a member of the regular Baptists for many years, and was repeatedly a delegate to their yearly associations. He died January 4, 1852, and his wife died November 27, 1851. He came overland to Pittsburg, and floated down the river to Gallipolis on a flat-boat.

John Peter Becker was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 6, 1826, and was married in the city of Hamburg in April, 1856, to Henrietta (Arnhold) Miller, widow of Armand Miller. She was born in Beckow, Prussia, April 8, 1824. She had two children by her first husband, one of whom is deceased. William is married and lives in Mississippi. She had three children by Mr. Becker, two of whom are living. Henrietta, born September 6, 1858, is dead; Matilda, born June 11, 1863, and John R., born August 6, 1865. Mr. Becker emigrated to America in 1856, and came to Hamilton, where he remained about two months, working a few weeks at wagon-making. He then moved to Furmandale, Fairfield Township, where he worked as a hand in wagon-making and blacksmithing for three months. He then began business for himself in the same line, and remained there about three years. He then removed to Woodsdale, and carried on a cooper's shop, saw-mill, and wagon-maker's shop. He also went into the canal business, owning boats, and buying cord-wood and shipping it to Cincinnati. He stayed there two years, and in 1863 he rented of William B. Smalley the farm he now owns, and which he purchased in 1865.. There were one hundred and sixty acres to the tract then, but it is now enlarged to two hundred and forty acres. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Adam Bender was born in Nassau, Germany, on the 8th of March, 1821. He was the oldest son of Anthony Bender and Margaret App. He was educated in the public schools in Germany, receiving a fair education. At fifteen he commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the baker's trade, which he thoroughly learned, afterwards being employed as a journeyman in various places in Germany for some twelve years. He was married on the 3d of November, 1848, to Katrina Ernst; born May 23, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Bender were the parents of four children, of whom but one is living, Katie, who was born April 18, 1874. After marriage he remained in Germany for four years, and came to America in October, 1852. He arrived in this county in January, 1853, having come here from Cincinnati. He conducted the farm then owned by David Girard for one year, then buying a horse and wagon and engaging in huckstering for some six months. He carried on the David Shep; herd farm for four years, and then occupied the James

Becket farm for eight years. In the Spring of 1867 he purchased the place where he still lives, the Sharp farm. He has on this a handsome family residence and ample farm buildings. He owns one hundred and _ thirteen acres of finely improved land. He had some start in life, but has been industrious and economical. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Hamilton.

William Curryer was born in Maryland, July 24, 1778, and was married January 24, 1804, in Maryland, to Sarah Pocock, also of that State, where she was born June 6, 1787. They had six children, only two of whom are living. Edward F. was born December 15, 1805; Elizabeth S., December 10, 1806, marrying Stephen Seudder ; Charity, December 28, 1808, marrying William Lincoln; Rachel, January 31, 1811, marrying William Smith; Daniel, June 25, 1813; and Sarah, October 2, 1814, widow of Stephen Scudder. The four former are dead. Mr. Curryer came to Ohio in the Fall of 1812, and settled in Liberty Township, where he purchased a quarter of Section 22. His son, Daniel, has just purchased a part of the old homestead. He volunteered for the War of 1812, but was not called out, as the war ended soon after. He died in Liberty Township, April 8, 1814, and his widow died September 17, 1857. His father, William Curryer, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was an Englishman, coming over with the British troops, and stayed in America after the close of the war.

Daniel, the son of the second William, was married November 10, 1836, to Phoebe D. Hunt, born in Huntsville, Liberty Township, August 9, 1817. She died in Shelby County, Ohio, July 31, 1848. She had five children, three of whom are living. Joseph C. was born November 7, 1857, in Shelby County, Ohio. He is a dentist, and lives in Minnesota. Ira H. was born August 23, 1842, and William F. was born June 5, 1845, and lives in Thorntown, Indiana. He is a dentist. Mr. Curryer was married the second time March 22, 1849. His wife was Rachel Squier, who was born in Lemon Township, May 14, 1817. She died July 2, 1855, haying had two children, of whom one died an infant. The other, Mary C., who was born September 12, 1852, is the wife of George C. Smith, and lives in Liberty Township. Mr. Curryer was married for the third time to Rachel J. Carl, widow of Samuel Simpson, who was born in Butler County, August 22, 1826. They had six children, four of them living, and two of them dying in infancy. John S. was born September 6, 1856; George W., July 10, 1859; Annie B., December it 1861; Charles V., January 13, 1865.

Daniel Curryer's father died leaving his business unsettled, and his widow lost considerable money by the bank breaking." She had to sell the original purchase, and bought sixty-two acres, on which she reared her family of six children, so that Mr. Curryer was obliged to begin for himself pretty early. He received only a common-school education. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade when he was about seventeen years of age, and stayed at it four years. In 1834 he began cabinetmaking in Huntsville for himself, being thus engaged for two years. Then he removed to Shelby County, following the cabinet business till 1842. He purchased eighty acres while in Shelby County, and on his return to Butler County bought a portion of his mother's farm, which he owned till her death. He then sold it and divided the proceeds among the heirs. He has traveled over a large portion of the United States, and has been to the Pacific slope. He has held the office of township trustee, and been school director for seventeen years. - He is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Curryer is a strong believer in spiritualism, although in early life he was a skeptic. His daughter, Mary C., in 1866, developed signs of a medium, which convinced him of its truth. She is one of the principal test mediums, and has given many extraordinary manifestations in Cincinnati, Hamilton, and other places. Other members of the family have also become mediums. His son John, when twelve years old, was a medium, and also George W.

Abijah Cheeseman was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, August 1, 1798, and was married in that State to Hannah Parker, daughter of William and Sarah (Shepherd) Parker, on February 5, 1821. She was born November 24, 1803. They had eight children. Sarah was born May 18, 1823, and is the wife of William Kyle, who lives in Lemon; Anna, born October 8, 1825, is the wife of Stacey Brant, and lives in Liberty ; Lewis, born October 13, 1827; Elizabeth, born September 16, 1830, is the wife of Peter Shafor, and lives in Liberty ; John, born February 15, 1853, is married and lives in Lemon; Lydia, born November 7, 1836, died March 31, 1849; William, born December 13, 1841, is married and lives in Lemon; Mary Jane, born February 18, 1845, wife of Samuel Mulford, lives in Lemon. Mr. Cheeseman left New Jersey in 1835, forming a party of his mother, brothers, and sisters, and his wife's mother, brothers, and sisters, fourteen in all, in four wagons, and came overland the whole way, taking four weeks on the road. They spent that Winter near Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. In the Spring of 1836 he purchased one hundred and two acres in Liberty, where he has resided ever since. He had a farm of two hundred acres in New Jersey which had belonged to his father, which he sold to divide among the other heirs, and with his share, amounting to about two thousand dollars, settled in Liberty. He has been a school director for many years, and also township supervisor. His father, William Cheeseman, was born September 24, 1753, in New Jersey, and was married April 11, 1781, to Lydia Dey, also born in that State, September 20, 1863, and had 'eight children: Lawrence, Margaret, Reuben, Mary, Enoch, Sarah, Abijah, and Joseph, all now. dead but Abijah. Enoch came to this county and returned to New Jersey, and Sarah died here. William Cheeseman died in New Jersey, July 6, 1834, and his wife died in Liberty Township, November 5, 1844. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was promoted to lieutenant. His wife received a pension till her death.

Andrew Clawson, the son of Cornelius Clawson, father of James, and grandfather of Stephen, was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1766, and removed to this county in 1802. His wife was Mary Russell, who was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1776. They were married in the latter State in 1794, and were the parents of nine children. James is still living in Fairfield Township; Rachel died in Indiana; John died in Missouri; Joseph lives in Morgan Township; Elizabeth died in Lafayette, Indiana; Nancy lives in Liberty Township ; Martha and Mary died in this county; and George is living in Hamilton County. The first three were born in Pennsylvania, and the others in Butler County. When he first came here he settled in Madison Township. He died in Liberty Township in 1852, at the residence of his son James, at the age of eighty-six.

Almon Davis was born in Vermont, September 4, 1814, and was brought hither by his parents in 1816. They were Moody and Rebecca Morgan Davis. Almon Davis was married on the 7th of April 1841, in Westchester, to Maria Harr, daughter of Henry Harr, born in Lancaster County in 1802, and Elizabeth Brewer, born in Maryland in 1819. They came to Butler County in 1826. Mrs. Almon Davis's grandfather (John Brewer) was a captain in the War of 1812. Moody Davis was at Lake Champlain, but too late for the engagement, as he was delayed in returning by the illness of his mother. A brother of his was in the battle, being on Commodore McDonough's vessel.

Mr. Davis, in 1819, built the mill known as the John Allen mill, and in 1821 was given the use of it for two years for building it. Within that time he loaded a boat with flour, and started for New Orleans. It had only gone a small distance when it struck a snag in the middle of the river, about half-way between the mill and Hamilton. John Line and David Vinnedge were the pilots. After getting it off, they ran it near the bank, all jumping off except Moody Davis and Seneca Sweet. Going a little further, when nearly opposite Millikin's Island, now known as Campbell's Island, the craft struck a stone in the river and broke one of the gunwales in two, filling with water to the edge. All control of it was lost. When it was within half a mile of the Hamilton milldam, Mr. Davis swam off, Mr. Sweet remaining. It went over the dam and they pulled it ashore with ropes. The flour was repacked in a warehouse, where J. Morgenthaler's carriage shop now stands. Mr. Davis built a new boat, or rather finished one already begun, loaded it with new flour, and again set forth on his voyage. The flour was sold in Natchez at four dollars per barrel, affording a good profit, as the four hundred bushels of wheat had been purchased from Nicholas Curtis for twenty-five cents a bushel. This was all thrashed out with a flail. Major William Elliott, of Westchester, now living, hauled this grain to* the mill. Every barrel of the damaged flour had to be emptied, and was sold to a starch manufactory. After drying the barrels, the other flour was packed in them. While the repacking and reloading was going on, Joseph Hough boarded the men at his own house as an act of friendship and accommodation.

Joshua Elliott was the first member of this family that settled in Butler County. He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, January 24, 1782, and was married in that State in September, 1807, to Betsy Hughes, who was born March 3, 1786, in the same county. They had eight children. Elijah was born in 1810, and died in 1877; William, in 1812, and died in 1848; Sarah, in 1814, and died in 1816; Arthur, March 2, 1817; Betsy Ann, in 1819, and died in 1878; Joshua, born in 1822, and died in 1826; John Taylor, March 26, 1835; and Daniel, in 1827, and died in 1858. Mr. Elliott was induced, by representations made by his brother, the Rey. Arthur Elliott, to move to Ohio, and about 1810 he and his family, consisting of a wife and one child, together with his father and mother and five brothers and three sisters, came out here, and settled in Liberty Township, near where the old Spring Church has since stood. At this time there was not a stick of timber cut, so he began by clearing the land sufficiently to build a house. He first purchased about one hundred acres, finally acquiring upwards of five hundred acres in all in this county, and four hundred in Indiana. He was for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and his house was always a stopping-place for the Methodist ministers.. He brought out with him a slave and a copper still. The slave, after serving out his time of two years, was freed, and went to Liberia. The still he never put up, being a strong temperance man.

Of his children Arthur is the only one living in the county. He was married January 15, 1840, to Emmeline Van Gorden, who was a native of the township. She was born February 7, 1819. They had seven children: James Corwin, born in 1841, is married; Joshua, born in 1848, died in 1846; Newton, born in 1847, died the same year; Benjamin F., born in 1848, is married; Elmore T., born in 1852, is married; Arthur E., born in 1858, died in 1859, and Mollie, born in 1861, died in 1867. Mr. Elliott has been a township trustee, and a member of the school board for several years. He is a farmer and stock breeder, and owns over four hundred acres, which his sons farm.

David Flenner came to Ohio before any of the other members of the family. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, 1769, and was there married to Susannah Brewer, also of that county, where she was born about 1772. They had nine children, four of whom are living. Daniel, Solomon, and Betsy are dead. Susan, the wife of Jonas P. Clark, resides in Indiana ; David is dead; Rudolph was born November 20, 1809 ; Polly is the widow of Peter Brewer; Cynthia is dead; and John is married and lives in Liberty Township.

Mr. Flenner left Maryland about 1801, and went overland to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and down the Ohio River in a flat-boat, to where Maysville now is, in Kentucky. In 1803 he came to Ohio and settled in Liberty Township. He purchased three hundred and five acres of land and went to farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1811 he and his wife started overland on horseback to Maryland, accomplishing the entire distance, seven hundred miles, in that manner, changing horses every other day. They bought a carriage in Maryland, and drove back in that in 1812.

His father, Rudolph Flenner, also came to Butler County, bringing his wife and seven children, the remainder of his family. He settled in St. Clair Township, where he purchased a large tract of land and gave each of his children a farm. They were a prominent and wealthy family in Maryland. He died about 1810, and his wife survived him about ten years.

Rudolph Flenner was born in Liberty Township, November 20, 1809, and was married the first time in 1833, to Mary Miley, born in that township May 3, 1818, who died July 21, 1875. By her he had thirteen children, eight of whom are living. Harriet is the wife of William Scudder; Martha, of William M. Rooke; Emma, of J. Davis; Mary, of Samuel Thompson. Dustin is married; Laura is the wife of Whittemore Hughes; Marion is married, and David is single at home. Mr. Flenner was married the second time on the 3d of May, 1877. His wife was Ada Meighan, who was born in Warren County, January 21, 1837. He has been a member of the school board for sixteen years, township supervisor, captain of the first company, first cavalry squadron, first brigade, State militia, under Governor Vance. His commission was dated November 10, 1837. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has held the office of steward for forty years. leader. .

Robert Fitzgerald was born in Ireland, December 14, 1770, and married Letitia Roby, born in Virginia, October 9, 1772. They had six children, three now being alive. Sarah was born May 21, 1803, and is the widow of Ledstone Roby; Nancy was born October 22, 1809, and is the widow of William Dorn; Prior, born Decem-

June 13, 1807; and Edward, February 26, 1812. The last three are dead. Prior Fitzgerald was born December 22, 1810, in Clermont County, and was married April 7, 1822, to Catherine Van Scoyk, born in Lemon Township, November 21, 1822. They had seven children, of whom five are now living. Taylor W. was born

May 8, 1843; Emily, February 1, 1846; Bruce, February 8, 1848; Charles, March 13, 1858; and Clement L. Vallandigham, June 9, 1863. Mr. Fitzgerald came to Butler County with his father, and when he was fourteen years old he commenced to earn his own living, working by the month on a farm for ten or twelve years. He then farmed on shares and traded stock until he had accumulated some capital, and in 1840 he purchased eighty-nine acres in Liberty Township. He now owns about one hundred and ten acres in the county, and considerable personal property.

Peter L. Gorsuch, son of Thomas Gorsuch, was born in Liberty Township, March 23, 1841, and was married February 4, 1864, to Hannah Williamson, daughter of David Williamson, who was born April 30, 1842. He had seven children. Mary Hattie was born May 30, 1865; Lerna Loretta, September 15, 1867; Ida Myrtle, October 5, 1869; Ellison Lee, January 3, 1875; Ethel Laura, April 11, 1876; Bertha Jane, May 1, 1878, and one unnamed, January 17, 1881. He worked his first year after he was twenty-one for his father for $100, and that was his first start. He then rented twenty acres, and farmed, planting corn, and when he had time worked by the day. In the Winter he cut cord-wood. He continued to rent different farms, among others his father's, till the Spring of 1872. In that year he purchased ninety-five acres of George Smith, part of the old Anderson farm, paying $8,217 for it. There is another deed for the same farm now in his possession, which shows when it sold for only $250. Mr. Gorsuch is a selfmade man. He contributes much to the support of the churches in his neighborhood. He gave largely to the one in Bethany, and is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church of that place. He now owns 153 acres, and considerable personal property. He was drafted three times during the war, and sent a substitute. He is a Democrat.

Thomas Gorsuch was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, October 14, 1816, and was married in Pennsylvania, August 18, 1836, to Mary Lesourd, also of Baltimore County. She was born January 17, 1814, and had ten children. Nicholas was born July 12, 1887 ; Susannah, June 27, 1839; Peter L., March 23, 1841; Sarah A., January 11,1848; Elisha, June 1, 1846; Edmund, July 18, 1847; Charles W., March 6, 1849; Mary E., December 20, 1850; Thomas B., September 30, 1853; Rebecca, August 4, 1855. Nicholas, Susannah, Elisha, Edmund, and Rebecca are dead. Sarah A. is the wife of William G. Lesourd, and Mary E. is the wife of Alfred Lowe. Mr. Gorsuch came to Ohio in 1836, settling on Slade's farm, in Liberty Township. He brought some capital, and in 18389 began business with his wife's uncle, Benjamin Lesourd, at Lesourdsville, where he remained - about losing all his money.

six acres. From that he has steadily improved, until he now owns two hundred and ten acres, part in Butler and part in Warren Counties. He has considerable personal property, and two town lots in Bethany. He has held the office of township treasurer for six years. He was elected in 1873 and took the office in 1874, remaining in till 1880. He has been a member of the school board for ten years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined while a boy in Maryland. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for General Jackson.

Samuel and Sarah Gregory were born in Virginia. They had ten children. James, John, William, and Samuel are dead; Elizabeth married Josiah Carr; Martha married William Hartley; Mary married Fergus Mitchell ; Sarah married William McClure; Charlotte married Lewis Clarkson; and Annie married William Kincaid. Mr. Gregory came to Ohio about the same time as the Woodmansee family, and purchased a section of land. Samuel Gregory, son of the above, was born in Liberty Township, September 20, 18138. He was married December 25, 1834, to Dolly Torbett, born November 29, 1812, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They had seven children. Sarah J. was born August 20, 1835, and is the widow of Joshua Chambers; Joseph, born June 30, 1837, is married, and lives in Texas; Thomas, born May 10, 1839; Catherine, born April 24, 1841, is dead; Elizabeth A., born February 5, 1843, is the wife of Samuel H. Smith, and lives in Cincinnati; George W. was born February 11, 1845. Mr. Gregory received one hundred and fiftytwo acres of land from his father, and spent his time improving it. He was one of the prominent citizens of Liberty Township. He died June 28, 1848, leaving a widow and six children.

Charles Gorsuch was born in Baltimore County, "Maryland, June 13, 1789. He was married for the first time in that State, and had five children. He was married again on the 24th of December, 1840, to Hannah Gorsuch, born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 1, '1799. They had one child. Elisha was born September 26, 1832, and died February 16, 1874. He was married March 29, 1855, to Sarah E. Stubler, a native of Maryland, where she was born August 6, 1831. He had four children. Raper D. was born May 1, 1856, and Edgar B. was a twin with him. Charles W. was born August 3, 1867, and Ella, March 5, 1861. Mr. Gorsuch is a member of the' Methodist Episcopal Church, holding the offices of steward, trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. His widow lives in Liberty Township.

John Griffis was born in Liberty Township April 22, 1804, and married first, December 27, 1827, Anna Smalley, born in Liberty Township, July 6, 1811, who died September 17, 1832, leaving one child, Lovina, born May 18, 1829, who died January 22, 1866. He married second, May 30, 1833, Nancy Clawson, born in Madison Township, April 14, 1808. They had six children. Sarah Ann was born October 18, 1834; Martin and Marcus were born December 22, 1836; Milton, born July 30, 1839, is married, and lives in Liberty Township ; David, born August 28, 1841; and Martha, born January 26, 1844, the wife of Robert Louthan, who lives in Liberty Township. Only the latter and Milton are now living. Mr. Griffis was a member of the Baptist Church. He died July 26, 1855, in Liberty Township. Milton Griffis, son of the above, was born July 30, 1839, and married December 22, 1863, to Eliza Sheard, daughter of Elisha Sheard and Eliza (Booth) Sheard, who was born in Hanover Township, May 22, 1842. They have three children. George W. was born October 17, 1864; Mary E. was born July 28, 1867, and Emma A. was born March 26, 1864. He is a farmer, and owns and farms 136 acres, inherited from his father.

John Harper, the ancestor of the Harper family in Liberty Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1786, and was married three times. Mary Rees, his first wife, was born in Westmoreland County, November 8, 1785, and died about 1841, in Liberty. She had seven children. James was born January 14, 1807, in Liberty Township, where he still lives; Elizabeth was born February 16, 1809; David, February 16, 1812; William, June 5, 1814; Mary, May 10, 1817; Hannah, November 5, 1819; Ruth, August 5, 1825. Hannah is living, but the others are dead. His second marriage was to Hannah Blue, who was born in Ohio. She had one child, which is dead. In his third marriage he was united to Milly Brundridge. He came to Ohio in 1810 and settled in Liberty Township. About 1825 he purchased forty-seven acres, previous to which he had worked out and rented. He was a self-made man, and had nothing when he came here, but acquired considerable property in the course of time. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but was prevented from going by sickness. His first wife's father was a soldier of the Revolution and served in all the war. Mr. Harper was a member of the Campbellite denomination, and the church was built on his farm. He was one of its liberal supporters. He died about 1861, in Wayne Township. His son, James, was born January 14, 1807, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was married March 10, 1830, to Hannah Moore, born in Butler County, November 14, 1805, and died in 1848, in Liberty, leaving no children. He then married, December 11, 1844, Ruth Peake, who was born in this county, March 19, 1814. She died January 23, 1873, having had one child, Elizabeth Ann, who was born January 3, 1848. She is the wife of Clinton Clawson, who lives in Liberty Township. Mr. Harper has held the office of He was elected a justice of the peace, but would not accept the

Joshua E. Hughes, retired farmer, was born in Liberty Township, on the 6th of January, 1823. He is the youngest child of Elijah Hughes and Sarah Muchner, the former of whom was born in Maryland, November 4, 1777, and the latter May 5, 1780. They were married in Maryland about 1800, and had as children Eliza, born October 9, 1803; Daniel, June 27, 1805; Micajah, January 25, 1807; James, June 3, 1808, dying when small; Mary, February 18, 1810; Elijah, March 15, 1812, died when little; Christopher, December 12, 1813; Rachel, October 9, 1815; Elizabeth, June 3, 1817; Philip, October 19, 1820, and Joshua. The latter was married to Mary Ann Legg, in -December, 1848, and has two children. Frank M. was born May 22, 1849, and Charles L., born May 23, 1851. Mrs. Hughes was born May 18, 1828. Frank was married to Christiana Swearingen, who died, and then he married Hannah Shafor, the daughter of Peter Shafor. He had two children by his first wife, Mary Mabel, and the other is dead. Charles married Florence Deneen, and has one child, Lola May. Mr. Hughes has always lived in this neighborhood; has been a supervisor for fifteen years, and school director. Mr. Hughes's father was of Welsh descent, and his mother of German. He subscribed liberally during the war for the relief of those who had been drafted, and none went from the township who did not desire to.

- Few of the citizens of Butler were better known than Christopher Hughes. He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, December 12, 1815, being the sixth child in a family of eleven children of Elijah Hughes and Sarah Muchner. As will be seen elsewhere, the family came to Ohio at the close of the second war with Great Britain, and settled in Liberty Township. Christopher Hughes was married to Eliza A. Young on the 6th of February, 1838. He speedily became noted as a political leader, and fought strenuously for his party, the Democratic, from the time of his majority till his death. He was endowed with more than ordinary natural abilities. Clear in his judgment, and decidedly firm in his convictions, enterprising and public-spirited, he acquired great influence, and for many years occupied a prominent place in social and political circles. He was of the Jacksonian type. He was four times elected to the Legislature, serving eight years. During the civil war he was a staunch opponent of the policy of the administration, yielding nothing to popular clamor. He took especial delight in agricultural pursuits, and for many years was connected with the county agricultural society, and for a long time was a county commissioner. He took an active part in securing the location of the Short Line Railroad from Dayton to Cincinnati. He possessed high principles of honor, and, though strong in his likes and dislikes, was by no means revengeful. He was very determined in his efforts to accomplish any object which he believed to be right, but whenever unsuccessful he took

Elijah Hughes was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, about 1777, and died abou& 1838. Before leaving Maryland he married Sarah Muchner, born in the same county about 1780, and dying about 1831. Mr. Hughes learned the trade of blacksmith, serving his full time in Maryland, and carrying on the business for about ten years. In 1816 he purchased a tract of one hundred and seventy acres in Liberty, this county, from Peter Lesourd, moving on it in 1817 with his family. He came overland on wagons, and immediately on his arrival went to work as a blacksmith, laboring at this occupation for about seven years. He also farmed a little, and at the expiration of the period just mentioned, gave up his forge, and turned his attention entirely to farming and stock dealing. He was a prominent man and well liked by his neighbors, very industrious and of good judgment. He was a pioneer member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Philip Hughes was born in Liberty Township, October 19, 1820, and was married on the 5th of May, 1847, to Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Isaac Rose and Charity (Garwood) Rose, who was born in Liberty Township, February 26, 1827. They have had two children. Rosa was born September 4, 1845, and is the wife of Linus P. Clawson; Emma was born May 12, 1852, and is at home. Mr. Hughes is one of the prominent citizens of Liberty, has held the office of township clerk two terms, and . township trustee several years. He is a member of the school board in Fairfield Township, and also in Liberty Township. He began life as a farmer, and remained so until his marriage, since which time, although owning farms, he has never conducted them himself, but has devoted his time to breeding stock. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and at present owns enough stock to act as director, an office he now holds. He was one of the organizers of the Butler County Fire Insurance Company, and served as a director until it closed up. He was a stockholder and director for some time in the Union Central Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati.

Michael Iutzi was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, August 14, 1777, and married there Maria Holly, born April 23, 1783. They had three children and came to America with them. John was born in Hesse Cassel, November 13, 1803, and died in June, 1868, in Liberty Township. FElizabeth, born about 1805, died in 1879, in Illinois. She was the wife of Daniel Brennerman. Jacobina was born June 19, 1807, became the wife of Leonard Allendorf, and died December 30, 1853. John Iutzi married Elizabeth Schantz, who was born February 20, 1809, in Nassau, near Wiesbaden, Germany, on the 26th of October, 1828, in Hesse Cassel. They had ten children. Christiana was born October 29, 1829; George, August 11, 1831; Helen, September 25, 1832; Freder- ick, December 22, 1834; William, April 27, 1837; Mary, September 19, 1839; Elizabeth, February 18, 1842; Jacobina, September 8, 1844; Joshua B., June 14, 1847; John, July 14, 4853. Christiana and George died in Germany. Helen is the wife of Killian Kennel. Elizabeth is the wife of Simon Tweedel. Mr. Michael Iutzi came to America in 1832, and in April, 1833, removed to Liberty Township, settling on the farm where the family now reside. He was a farmer in Germany, and his son, John, brought some means when he came to this country. He purchased two hundred and three acres where he settled. He died December 5, 1840, and his wife died April 29, 1853.

Benjamin Franklin Kyle was born in this township in 1837. His father was James Kyle, who was born September 17, 1791, and died April 19, 1879. His mother was Elizabeth Kyle. She was born February 22, 1796, and died September 24, 1865. They came here in 1803, from Pennsylvania. Benjamin F. Kyle was married, in 1868, to Helen Leighter, daughter of Samuel K. Leighter and Henrietta Caroline King. The former was born in Maryland, and the latter in Stark County, Ohio. Their daughter was born in Stark County in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle have had three children. Henry Leighter was born July 5, 1870; Blanche, June 29, 1873; and Walter Smedley, June 28, 1875. Mr. Kyle is a member of the school board. James D. Kyle was born on the 27th of September, 1839. He is the son of James Kyle, who had by his first wife, Esther Clark, one child, Sarah, wife of Vincent Wyle. By his second wife, Elizabeth Deardoff, he had three children: Maria Ann, born April 11, 1835, the wife of A. C. Martin, of Hamilton ; James D., and Benjamin F. Mrs. Elizabeth Kyle was one that formed the first Methodist Society in Monroe. James D. Kyle married, February 16, 1869, Mary M., daughter of Alexander Carr. She was born in Clermont County, February 27, 18438. They have four children, as follows: Julia Irene, Elizabeth Olive, Clarence J. A., and Mary Lenetha. He was a member of Bethany Grange, and is a member of the Methodist Church, as is also his wife.

Adam Linn was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, about 1740. He married a Miss Dickerson, and had nine children. John, James, and Adam were the first three; Sarah married James Gilbreth; Isabel married Jeremiah Wakefield; Margaret married William Patterson; Nancy married Jacob Powers; Mary married Enoch Thompson; and Jane married John Patterson. He came to Ohio in 1804, and settled in Liberty Township. By occupation he was a farmer, and served in the Revolutionary War. He died about 1810, his wife dying about 1815. Of his children, Adam was born in 1785, in Westmoreland County, and married Jane Patterson, born in the same county about 1790. They had eight children, three of whom are living. Anne, deceased, was born in 1806, and Samuel, born in 1808, is dead; William was born in 1810; Mary, deceased, was born in