Butler County, Ohio - The whole text, 1882 (part 35 of 39)

William Gray was born in York County, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1804, He is the son of Charles Gray and Sarah Orson, natives of that State, of Scotch and English descent. Both of his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers. The family came to Hamilton County, in this State, in 1818. He was brought up to farmwork, but at seventeen began learning the trade of a cooper, and afterward did business in Sycamore Township. June 8, 1837, he was married to Amanda Faust, born in Wheeling, Virginia, in 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Gray were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine survive. Jane, wife of Anthony Salsman, is a resident of this county; Susan is the widow of Jacob Brute, of Union Township; James is a well-known farmer of Union Township; Stephen is at home; Matilda is the wife of Philip Salsman, of Jackson County, Missouri. Mr. Gray has always taken a warm interest in military affairs.

William W. Graham was born in the State of Delaware on the 9th of June, 1841. He was the son of Philip Graham and Ann Short, of English descent. When he was twenty-three years of age he came to Ohio. That was in the Spring of 1863. He remained in Fairfield for some years in farming pursuits. January 3, 1864, Mr. Graham was married to Mrs. Sarah C. Morris, daughter of John Bobenmeyer. Her birth occurred on the 25th of November, 1841. They are the parents of four children. William Albert was born October 15, 1865; John S., December 28, 1866; Sarah Ann, June 20, 1869; Maud Elmore, February 22, 1871; Henry L., October 10, 1873; Charles F. died in infancy ; Clara M., July 30, 1880. Mrs. Graham, at the time of her marriage with Mr. Graham, was the mother of one son, James W. Morris, born April 6, 1862, now residing with her. After marriage, Mr. Graham located in Fairfield Township until the Spring of 1873, when he pur- ' chased a place in Union, his present home. In the Spring of 1880 he purchased the place known as the Stiles farm, a handsome and desirable place of one hundred and forty acres.

Nicholas Gorsuch was born in Maryland, January 12, 1812, being the son of Elisha Gorsuch and Susannah Miller, of English and German descent. He was married in 1832 to Catherine Curtis, and had nine children, of whom four are living. Joseph A. is a well-known farmer of the township; Lewis is a resident of Liberty Township; Edward is now in Hamilton County; and Susan is the wife of Colonel Daniel Hinds, of Liberty Township. Mrs. Gorsuch died about 1850, and Mr. Gorsuch was united, in 1853, to Catherine Trude, who was born in Pennsylvania. They are the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are living. Israel is now of Union Township; Annie is the wife of John Carson, of Kansas; John is at home; Jennie is the wife of Pennel Bechtol, and is a resident of Cleveland; and there are also Nicholas E., Elizabeth P., George B., Leroy, Anna Catharine, and Julia Lulabella. Mr. Gorsuch remained in Maryland until the Spring of 1855, when he eame to Ohio. He first located in Liberty Township, staying there twelve years. In the Spring of 1867 he settled upon the place where he still lives, formerly the ~ Rose homestead. It consists of ninety-eight acres, and has convenient modern buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Gorsuch are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethany.

Mrs. Loretta L. Howard was born in Union Township, in Butler County, on the 29th of March, 1834, being the youngest child of Louis Krouskopf and Catherine Messer, natives of Germany. She was educated at the common schools and at home, remaining there until November 11, 1853, when she was married to George W. Howard, daughter of John and Mary Howard, early settlers of this county. George W. Howard was. born July 4, 1827, in the house where his widow now lives. He was a successful farmer and a well-known citizen. He never held any office. He was killed by the fall of the limb of a tree on the 17th of January, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Howard were the parents of five sons. John Lewis was born October 12, 1854; Benjamin F., September 11, 1856; Stephen Otto, June 3, 1860; William Henry, May 38, 1864; Walter Wesley, November 26, 1870. Mrs. Howard has continued the farm in the most successful manner, and has prospered. She is an industrious woman. She owns one hundred and eighty-nine acres of land, in a good state of culture.

David L. Irwin was born in this township, April 27, 1841, being the youngest son of David 8. Irwin and Nancy Moore, natives of Ohio and New Jersey respectively. He is the grandson of James Irwin, one of the earliest settlers in this region. David 8. Irwin was born in 1800, and lived upon the home place during his lifetime. He was township trustee for many years, and a prominent and successful farmer. He died in 1840, and his wife in February, 1879. She was born in 1805. David L. Irwin was a pupil at the common school at Pisgah, and early became acquainted with the management of a farm. January 1, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha Krouskopf, daughter of Charles Krouskopf. She was born in 1845. Mr. Irwin owns and occupies one hundred and sixty acres of good land, with a fine residence upon it, built about 1838. He owns the James L. Roman farm, upon the Lebanon Pike, having seventy-four acres, with a good substantial house upon it, in which he soon intends to reside. He is a supporter of all Christian and benevolent objects.

Josiah Jeffers was born in Union Township, Butler County, October 14, 1814. He was the son of Thomas Jeffers and Nancy Reynolds, natives of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent. Thomas Jeffers was born about 1777. His father was killed at the battle of Brandywine. Thomas came to Ohio in 1801, and settled in Liberty Township, coming upon the farm now owned by his son Josiah about 1808, and clearing up the land. © Here he spent the remainder of his days. He brought up a family of five daughters and three sons, all of whom are living, with the exception of two daughters. He died December 24, 1851.

Josiah was a pupil at the common schools in Union Township, attending in a log school-house with paper windows and puncheon floors and seats. He received a limited education, and helped around the farm at home. February 2, 1842, he was married to Rebecca Jane Hulse, daughter of William Hulse, one of the pioneers of the county. Mrs. Jeffers was born in Butler County in 1826. To their marriage were granted four children. James Silas Jeffers was born in 1842, and is a resident of Shelbyville, Indiana. Hannah Matilda, wife of Calvin T. Williamson, was born in 1850, and died April, 1877. She was the mother of two sons, now living.

Mrs. Jeffers died in 1852, and Mr. Jeffers has again married. He was united to Mary Jane Hulse, daughter of Daniel Hulse, also an early settler here, in the latter part of 1852. She was born in 1826. After. his marriage Mr. Jeffers settled on the place now occupied by William Horton, improving the place and building the house now there. He resided there ten years, until 1852, then returning to the family homestead, and to the place where he now lives, where he erected a handsome family residence in 1860. He owns one hundred and nine acres. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an old Sunday-school worker. He was superintendent for several years. He was an original Whig and Republican, and took an active part in getting volunteers to put down the Rebellion.

Francis Krouskopf was born at Sharonville, Hamilton County, and is the son of Louis Krouskopf and Catherine Messer. He was a pupil of the common schools in Pisgah, where his parents had come during his infancy. He has always been a farmer, and began his labor thus at a very early age. He was married November 17, 1852, to Elizabeth Ayers, daughter of Samuel Ayers, an early settler in Butler County. Mrs. Krouskopf was a native of Union Township. Mr. and Mrs. Krouskopf are the parents of one son, Lewis, born September 4, 1853, who resides upon the farm and assists his father in its management. He was married August 3, 1880, to Carrie A. Harris, born in Delaware County, Ohio, 1861. Mr. Francis Krouskopf, after the war, was a resident of Hamilton County four years, owning and controlling a farm there. In the Fall of 1850 he returned to Butler County, settling upon the old homestead of Samuel Ayers, and occupying a handsome family residence. It includes one hundred and twenty-five and a half acres, fully improved. He has never held or desired office, and is an active Republican. Mrs. Krouskopf inherited considerable property, which has been added to materially by her husband in later years. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Charles J. Krouskopf, the oldest son of Louis Krouskopf and Catherine Messer, was born in Germany, March 12, 1819. He was brought to this country by his parents in 1819. He was a pupil at a select school in Cincinnati for one year, completing his education at the common schools in Union Township. He was brought up a farmer, remaining at home until his marriage, August 13, 1843, to Huldah Dalrymple. She is the daughter of James Dalrymple, an early settler in Union Township, and was born June 16, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Krouskopf are the parents of three children. Abbie C. was born October 28, 1844, and is now the wife of Ellison Voorhees, a resident of Warren County; Martha M., wife of David L. Irwin, a farmer, resides on the home place; and Loretta A., wife of James N. Connor, of Warren County. Mr. Krouskopf settled upon the farm wheré he now resides in 1843. He found upon it a log-house, which he occupied until building his present handsome residence, in 1854. The farm consists of one hundred and ten acres, under a good state of tillage, with ample buildings and conveniences. Mrs. Krouskopf is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Lorenz Lintner was born in Bavaria, June 10, 1824, and is the son of Nicholas and Mary Lintner. He was educated in the government schools, and was employed upon his father's farm until coming to America in July,

1849. He came directly to Cincinnati, and from there went to Hamilton. He was employed in Ross Township for some three months, going to St. Clair, Indiana, where he bought a farm, Mr. Lintner was united in marriage with Barbara Shaumlinger, in August, 1849. She is also a native of Bavaria, where she was born in 1828.

of whom four are now living. Four died when very small. Mary Kate was born in 1851. Barbara was born in 1857, dying December, 1877; John, September 14, 1863; William J., January 21, 1865; Anna L., May 8, 1869. Mrs. Lintner died in February, 1878. She was a member of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton. After marriage Mr. Lintner lived in Fairfield Township until going to Union Township, in the Spring of 1865, where he settled upon the farm he still occupies. Something had previously been done to the land, and there was a small house upon the place. It looked very unpromising then, but it has since been attended to and improved, so that it is second to no farm in the county. He has put up a barn and a handsome brick residence, the latter being erected in 1869. He had some little start in life, and has improved it. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton. His place consists of one hundred and forty-one acres of fine bottom land. Kate, his daughter, was married to David Niederman,.born in 1847, and they have had two children. Mr. Niederman's father, Jacob, still resides in Ross, and is a well-known farmer. He was an early settler. Frederick Middlecamp was born in Germany, August 17, 1848, being the son of Christopher H. Middlecamp and Mary C. Brinkerhoff. Frederick was educated in the schools of his native country, receiving a fair education. He was brought up to farming, being occupied at home until 1861, when he emigrated to America. He first went to Franklin County, Indiana, where he learned the trade of wagon and carriage maker. He was employed at journey-work for two years, then commencing business in Glendale, Hamilton County. This was about 1869. He was there for three years, coming to Port Union in the Spring of 1872, and immediately beginning business in carriage-making. Mr. Middlecamp was united in matrimony on the 26th of February, 1873,,to Elizabeth Diftley, a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Middlecamp are the parents of four children, as follows:

Elizabeth Ellen, March 20, 1878; Frances Euphemia, January 25, 1880. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church at Glendale.

S. C. Miller, the only son of John Miller and Sarah Crouch, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1816. His parents were from "Pennsylvania and Maryland, and of Irish and German descent. His parents removed to Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana, about 1818, remaining there some eight years. They afterwards removed to Liberty, Union County, Indiana, where he went to the common schools. The house where he attended was of rude logs, paper windows, and puncheon seats, with fewer desks than scholars. Liberty was a very small town, and was not yet the county seat. Mr. Miller was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, in which he served seven years, and came with his employer, who had a contract here, to Butler County in 1832. During 1857 and 1838 he was a resident of Mason, Warren County, doing a prosperous business. December 11, 1839, he was married to Drusilla Burch, daughter of Ebenezer and Clarissa Burch, early settlers of Warren County. She was born June 23, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are living, three daughters and four sons. James A. was born November 2, 1839, and is now engaged in business with his father. Jared P. was born July 24, 1842. He was a member of the Sixty-ninth Volunteers, enlisting in 1861, and participating in all the battles of the regiment, and making the march to the sea under Sherman. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, in December, 1864. He is now a farmer of Union Township. George W., the third son, was born December 9, 1847, and lives at home. William A. was born October 1, 1849. He is at home. Phebe Cordelia was born October 31, 1851, and is now the wife of S. C. Rhoads, a resident of Kansas, Illinois. Mary J. was born October 16, 1853, and Ella D., April 21, 1862. Both are at home. In the Spring of 1840 Mr. Miller built the present family residence, a handsome and commodious house. He is yet engaged in the business of carpenter and joiner, for the past eight or ten years conducting it in partnership with his son. He is a successful business man, and has erected more of the fine residences in Union Township than any other man. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Westchester. In 1861 Mr. Miller enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, and with that regiment participated in numerous engagements. At Stone River he was wounded and taken prisoner, going to Libby Prison, and after a short experience there was paroled. From there he went to the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, and after his health was sufficiently recruited returned to his regiment at Murfreesboro. He was at Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Mission Ridge, and was then transferred to the Nineteenth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, and sent to Elmira, New York, where he was mustered out. Returning from the war, he resumed his former occupation. He had suffered many privations during the early days of enlistment, as they were often cut off from supplies. His health became permanently injured by standing on picket on the night of December 31, 1864, near Chattanooga. It was a terribly cold night. William Maud was born in Yorkshire, England, April 8, 1828, and is the oldest living son of John Maud and Anna Young. John Maud emigrated to America in

1833, coming to Butler County February, 1834. He settled upon the place where Maud's Station is now built, in the north edge of the township, buying one hundred and six acres and improving it, and there spending the remainder of his days. He was a successful farmer and well-known citizen. He died in October, 1874. Mrs. Maud is still living, and in a vigorous state of health. She is a resident of Liberty Township.

William Maud came to America with his parents in 1833, and was a pupil at the common schools in Union Township. He was. brought up to the occupation of a farmer, remaining at home until his marriage. He was active in raising the quota of his township. On the 26th of December, 1865, he was married to Emeline Benham, daughter of John and Fanny Benham, early settlers in Butler County, where Mrs. Maud was born, August 33, 1838. They have one child, an adopted daughter, Anna C., born February 2, 1871. Mr. Maud was a resident of Liberty Township for some two years after 1865, then settling upon the farm now owned by Hannah Maud, near Maud's Station, and remaining there twelve years. In March, 1880, he purchased the Jerry Caldwell farm, occupying the old mansion, built about 1812. He owns one hundred and twenty-eight acres of fine land.

Sylvester McLean was born in Union Township, March 6, 18386. He was the son of Samuel McLean and Elizabeth Whitlock. Samuel McLean was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, coming with his parents to Butler County in 1804. They settled at Seven-Mile. William McLean was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the pioneers of the county. Samuel McLean died in Hamilton County, in 1870. He was a justice of the peace for forty years in Butler and Hamilton Counties. Mrs. Elizabeth McLean is still living, vigorous in mind and body. She resides in Hamilton County. Sylvester McLean was a pupil at the common schools in Union Township, receiving a fair education. He was employed as a farmer in his earliest years, remaining with his parents until he came of age.

Mr. McLean was married October 14, 1857, to Sarah KE. Cox, daughter of John Cox, who was a native of Union Township, born in 1800. He was the son of Joseph Cox, one of the earliest settlers, and a brave soldier of Wayne's war. John Cox was a prominent and successful man, owning at his death some eighteen hundred acres in this county. He never would hold office. He reared a family of two daughters and two sons, of whom but two survive. He died in 1863, highly lamented and deplored. Mrs. Ann Cox died in 1870. Mrs. McLean was born in Union Township, November 27, 1838. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McLean was born one son, Charles A., on the 9th of May, 1859. Mrs. McLean died November 27, 1869. She, was a woman who was highly esteemed, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Soon after being married Mr. McLean became a resident of West-

Joseph Cox settled upon the Cox homestead in Union Township at the end of 1795 or beginning of 1796. He was a native of New Jersey, born about 1767, and dying in 1842. He was a captain in the War of 1812, and always was known as Captain Cox. With his son John he lies buried on the family homestead. Eliza, the oldest daughter of John Cox, who was born June 6,°1836, was married to Luther M. Hughes September 7, 1859. This marriage resulted in two children. . Julia A. was born June 26, 1860, and Emma L. June 10, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes occupy the old family homestead, a portion of which was built by Captain Cox as early as 1812. Mr. McLean and son own five hundred and forty acres.

Isaac Myers was born in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, May 31, 1807, and was the son of Joseph Myers and Ruth Shuff, who were emigrants from Maryland. He attended one of the old-fashioned school-houses in which the seats were fashioned of logs. He was brought up from his earliest recollection as a farmer, but at seventeen learned the trade of a shoemaker. He was married November 7, 1827, to Eliza Gray, who was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1806. They were the parents of six children. Charles H. was born July 3, 1828. He now lives in Illinois. William, who died at the age of twelve, was born January 15, 1830. Joseph was born April 12, 1832, and now lives in Hamilton County. Eliza A., the wife of William Parker, and a resident of Kansas, was born January 15, 1835; Jacob was born December 25, 1837, living at present in Union Township. Isaac was born November 12, 1844. He enlisted in the Fall of 1862 in the Sixty-ninth Regiment, participating in numerous battles, and serving until the close of the war. He died November 21, 1879, being the father of three sons. Mrs. Myers, the mother of these children, died September 12, 1870.

After marriage Mr. Myers remained in Sharon until coming to Butler County, in the Spring of 1835, settling upon the farm that he still owns, on Section 16, Union Township. It had a log house upon it, which is still standing, and had been partially improved. It was pre- ~ viously owned by John Cox. In the Spring of 1836 he went to Westchester, where he owned a tannery and conducted a boot and shoe business jointly with farming. He was in the village seven years, and then returned to the farm. The log cabin was used as a ,lwelling until he built his present residence, about 1847. His place consists of one hundred and forty acres, under good cultivation. He has been overseer of the poor for five years.

George McKinney was born in Newbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1818, and was the oldest son of John McKinney and Mary Fields. The father was of Irish descent, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He died about 1830. George McKinney learned the trade of a blacksmith when fifteen, his apprenticeship to run until he came of age. He then worked as a journeyman for a short time, and in the Winter of 1840 came to Ohio, locating at Westchester, there laboring for four or five years. He was married to Catherine Dawson October 20, 1844, and had born to him one daughter and two sons. John H. was born August 3, 1845, now being a resident of Warren County. James W. was born March 30, 1847.

Mr. McKinney's wife died June 3, 1850, and on the 2d of March, 1851, he was again married. His choice was Mary Smith, daughter of Major H. Smith. They have had four children, two of whom are living. Anson was born January 20, 1856. He is a school-teacher, and lives at home. Sarah was born January 18, 1861, and is still at home. After his marriage he located on the site of his present place, in 1845, occupying a log house, and putting up a log blacksmith shop, which he has continued up to the present time, still doing a little at it to convenience his neighbors. The log dwelling-house was replaced by the present handsome frame structure about 1874. He has never held any office, except that of school director.

Robert Moore is a native of Butler County, being born here December 16, 1815. His parents were Alexander and Mary Moore, who came to this county in 1802. He was married in November, 1839, to Sarah Jane Wardwell, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Wardwell, who was born in New York, April 23, 1817, and moyed to this county in 1820. He has had eight children. William Oseer, born January 17, 1841; Mary Arnand, August 13, 1842; Frances Margaret, wife of J. L. Carr, December 5, 1844; Isaac, November 14, 1846; Robert G., December 20, 1849; James Alphonso, September 12, 1853; Theodore H., October 3, 1855; and Mark C., April 19, 1858. William lives in White County, Indiana; Isaac and Theodore in Mixerville, Mrs. Carr in Cincinnati, and James in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Moore is a farmer, and served as a justice of the peace for three years. John Moore, his grandfather, was killed in the Revolution, and Alexander Moore served in the War of 1812. William Wardwell was in the Revolutionary War, serving seven years, and William O. Moore served three years and nine months in the last war.

William M. Miller was born in Steubenville, Ohio, April 14, 1818. He was the son of John and Margaret (Andrews) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a lumberman, and resided in Pennsylvania, and at an early day moved to Steubenville, where he had a lumber-yard. In 1827 he moved to Butler County, from Wayne County, where he had resided for the space of eight years. He followed the lumber business, after coming here, for about five years, when he retired from active labor, and so remained up to the time of his death, September 17, 1852. The mother died in Wayne County November 5, 1826. William M. Miller is the only child education in the district schools of this county, and on reaching manhood engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns a homestead near Maud's Station. In October, 1865, he was elected a commissioner of Butler County, and held that office for two terms of three years each. He has been a school trustee for a number of years, and a member of the board of education and director of schools, and has always taken a deep interest in education. Heisa Democrat. He was married February 19, 1846, to Miss Mary Cummins, daughter of Isaac Cummins, an early settler. Four children were born to them. Alexander is engaged in farming; Marietta is now the wife of Obadiah Seward; Ross is in Kansas City, engaged as a traveling agent; and John Harold, who is a graduate of the Central Normal College, Danville, Indiana, has recently been elected as principal of the Campbell Normal University, Holton, Kansas.

Richard W. Nixon was born in Union Township, October 5, 1819, being the younger son of John Nixon and Elizabeth Taylor, both natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. John Nixon was one of the pioneers of Butler County, settling on the place now owned by Charles Krouskopf about the beginning of the century. He cleared up that place, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was born in 1776, and died in 1821. His wife died in 1835. Richard W. Nixon was a pupil at the common schools, receiving an ordinary education. He has always followed farming as an occupation. He was at home until he was thirteen years of age, his mother then breaking up housekeeping, when he went to live with his brother John, in whose employment he was until his marriage. That occurred on the 29th of October, 1842. His wife is Abigail J. Ayers, the oldest daughter of Samuel W. Ayers and Mary Cox. Mr. Ayers was born in the township, and was the son of one The son settled on the premises now owned by Francis Krouskopf about 1825, raising a family of three daughters and three sons, all now living. Mr. Ayers died March 11, 1842.

Mrs. Nixon was born January 2, 1827, and has been blessed with nine children. Samuel A. was born November 9, 1843; Oliver P., October 30, 1845; George C., January 15, 1848; Mary E., February 23, 1850; Margaret Ann, March 14, 1852; Lydia J., May 20, 1857; Hester E., May 11, 1862; Wade S., December 13, 1864; Allen M., February 14, 1869. The oldest son, Samuel A., enlisted in Company A, Sixty-ninth Volunteers, in 1861, and participated in all the battles of his regiment until 1864. At the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1st of that year, young Nixon was mortally wounded while gallantly fighting in defense of our flag, dying on the 4th. Oliver P. and George C. now live in Iowa. Mary E. is the wife of January Spinner, a resident of Union Township. Margaret Ann is married, and lives in Warren County. The others are at home.

After marriage Mr. Nixon was a resident of the S. W. Ayers homestead for five years, then going to Warren County, where he lived for four years. Returning to Butler County in 1852, he soon after settled upon the site of his present home. In the Spring of 1860 he put up the new buildings now upon the place. He enlisted in Company A, Sixty-ninth Regiment, in December, 1861, but was discharged on account of physical disability in July, 1862.

Frederick C. Petri was born in Bavaria December 19, 1838, being the son of George C. Petri and Constance Fey. He came to America May 2, 1855, soon after being in Liberty Township, working for John Flenner. There he stayed for three years and a half. Mr. Petri was married on the 20th of March, 1862, to Elizabeth Miller, born in Germany in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Petri have been granted five children, of whom three survive. Cora Anna was born January 18, 1870; Fred C., Jr., July 3, 1872, and Edward, November 1, 1874.

Mr. Petri conducted the Gebhardt farm, in St. Clair Township, for two years, was one year on the Woodmansee farm in Liberty Township, occupied the Peter W. Shepherd farm, in Liberty Township, two years, locating on the place where he now lives in the Spring of 1867. It was known as the Mills place. It consists of two hundred and forty acres. In 1874 Mr. Petri

John Pocock was born in Hanover Township, Butler County, September 5, 1837, and is the son of James and Harriet 8. Pocock. The father was a native of Maryland, coming to Butler County early in the century. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was married in this county, and raised a family of children.

John G. Polster, the youngest son of John and Anne Polster, was born in Bavaria, October 10, 1829. He came to America in 1849, living in Steuben County, New York, for fourteen years. He was married January 14, 1854, to Margaret Strobel, who was born in Bavaria, January 27, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Polster are the parents of nine children. Mary was born September 8, 1854, and is now the wife of Conrad Huffnagle, of Cincinnati. John George was born October 29, 1856, and lives at home. Margaret Elizabeth was born Januuary 16, 1860; Louisa, January 29, 1862; Katie Rachel, March 380, 1863; John W., October 16, 1865; Eli John, March 4, 1868; Mary Ann, September 28, 1871, and Lizzie Barbara, May 16, 1874. In the Fall of 1863 he came to Ohio, locating in Butler County in 1864, and purchasing the farm where he still resides. It consists of over one hundred acres of fine land, under good cultivation. He began without money, having but five francs left when he arrived in New York State. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton.

Henry Stickels was born in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, April 12, 1837, being the son of Joseph Stickels and Mary Condon, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of German and English descent. The family removed, in 1849, to Butler County, where the boy was brought up to the occupation of a farmer. When about twenty he traveled for several years on the rivers and with show companies. Mr. Stickels was married, June 3, 1861, to Emily Walker, daughter of Joseph Walker, a well-known citizen of this county. She was born in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Stickels are the parents of eight children, of whom six are living. Oscar, the oldest child, died at the age of nine. Cora was born August 6, 1866; Rush, July 12, 1868; Charles, December 31, 1869; Annie, March 20, 1871; Elsie, July 5, 1872; Harry, September 8, 1873. An infant died September 27, 1878.

One year after his marriage, Mr. Stickels entered the Kighty-third Regiment, participating in the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, and several others. He was taken prisoner at Carrion Crow, Louisiana, being confined at Alexandria for two months. On being exchanged, he returned to his regiment, serving until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July, 1865. He came to Butler County, and engaged in conducting a saw-mill for seven years. In 1872 he went to Maud's, beginning the lumber and coal business in connection with a mercantile business. He is now doing an extensive and increasing trade. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, trading a year among the Indians. Mrs. Stickels died September 28, 1878.

Jacob Steinman was born in Bavaria, May 23, 1842. He is the son of Valentine and Margaret Steinmann. He received a fair education in Bavaria, before coming with his parents to America in the Fall of 1854, the family remaining in Niagara County, New York, for some three years. Jacob was a pupil at the common schools in N iagara County. He came to Butler County in the Spring of 1858, working at farming in Fairfield Township. He was married October 25, 1866, to Susan M. Beiser, daughter of George Beiser, an early settler. She was born in this county January 26, 1843." They are the parents of five children, four now being alive. Jacob George was born September 17, 1867; Charles Frederick, September 4, 1869, dying when one year and eleven months old ; John Edward, December 10, 1871; Susan M., October 14, 1873; and Charles F., February 27, 1876.

He lived one year in Fairfield Township after being married, and in the Spring of 1868 came to Union Township, conducting the farm now owned by Christian Moerlein first, and then a place near Port Union for four years. He then bought the place now owned by William W. Graham, and resided there seven years. In the Fall of 1879 he sold out, and the following Spring purchased the farm where he now lives, formerly the Captain Moore farm. It comprises two hundred and twenty-five acres, and has a handsome residénce upon it, with pleasant surroundings. Mr. and Mrs. Steinman are members of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton. He is a Democrat in polities.

Anthony Salsman, son of Joseph Salsman and Elizabeth C. Slifer, of Pennsylvania and Maryland birth, and German and French extraction, was born February 28, 1833. With his 'parents he came to this county about 1839, settling in Fairfield Township. His father died when he was a small boy, and he began working as soon as possible. He was employed around a farm in various places in this county, and was a resident of Hamilton County for some years. He remained with his mother until a year after marriage, which took place November 22, 1857. The object of his choice was Miss Mary Jane Gray, daughter of William Gray, an old resident of the county. She was born June 16, 1839.

Mr. and Mrs. Salsman are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. John B. was born March 18, 1859}; Elizabeth M., August 13, 1860; Francis M., May 8, 1862; Anthony W., April 25, 1864; Amanda L., June 30, 1866; U. G., October 13, 1868; Emma C., August 11, 1874; Vermillion, December 26, 1876, and Norris L., January, 22, 1880. The last died August 9, 1881. Until 1859 he lived upon the place now owned by his father-in law, settling in the Spring of 1861 upon the place where he now resides. The buildings were then poor, and the improvements small, but have since been remodeled and added to.

George Washington Swearingen was born in Union Township, April 8, 1826. He is the son of John Van Swearingen and Amelia Daley, natives of Delaware, of German and English descent. John Van Swearingen was a Revolutionary soldier, and also served in the War of 1812. He came to Butler County in 1808, settling upon the farm now owned by his son. He was a prosperous farmer, but was a miller by trade. He was married about 1796, and reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are now alive, three daughters and two sons, all well-known residents of this county. Mary Ann, the youngest daughter, was born February 20, 1820, and always has lived upon the place. George W. Swearingen went to the common schools until old enough to labor, when he began working upon the farm, where he has always lived. He owns fifty acres, which are well cultivated, and lives in the old house, built about 1820. Upon the place is the grave of the Rey. Mr. Grimes, a missionary to the Indians.

Isaac S. Swearingen, the first member of the Swearingen family that came to Ohio, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, being a brother of General Joseph Swearingen, of the Revolutionary War. He was a surveyor, and came to this region as one of the first of that calling ever in this neighborhood. He laid out, it is said, the first road in the county. His brother, the general, had been sent to fight the Indians, and he came with him, returning to the East with the army. About 1795 he brought out his family and squatted in Union Township, and in 1803 his brother John came to Ohio and bought him out, when he returned to Maryland. In 1809 he came back and settled at North Bend, and about 1830 moved to Laurel, Indiana, and there died, leaving no family. The ancestor of the family in America was originally known as Van Swearing. He was kidnapped when a child from Germany, and ret to this country more than a hundred years ago, being sold to a merchant in Baltimore. He afterwards became a merchant himself. In after years two of his brothers came to America, and to distinguish the families he added ''gen" to his name, making it Van Swearingen. When he died he was of the great reported age of one hundred and seventecn.

John Van Swearingen was born in Frederick County, Maryland, June 4, 1762, and died in Union Township in 1852. He married about 1799, in Maryland, Amelia Daily, who was born in Maryland about 1780, on the ground where the battle of Antietam was afterwards fought, and died July 30, 1836. She had eleven children. Drusilla was born July 25, 1801; Thomas V., June 2, 1804; Margaret, March 13, 1807; Naomi, October 5, 1809; Isaac, December 25, 1811; Elizabeth, February 25, 1814; Rebecca, August 22, 1816; John D., August 20, 1819; Mary Ann, February 21, 1821; William, born February 23, 1824; and Washington, April 8, 1826. Naomi is still living, and is the widow of F. C. Crawford; Elizabeth is the widow of Cyrus Crane; John D. lives in Bethany; Mary Ann is at home; and Washington lives in Union Township. The others are dead.

Mr. Van Swearingen came to Butler County in 1803, and settled in Union Township, purchasing the tract of ground upon which his brother Isaac had squatted, con- - taining ninety-eight acres of land, where he settled and lived till the day of his death. During the War of the Revolution he was called out to watch the slaves, and to prevent the colored people from rising in response to the . calls of the British. About 1832 he lost his eye-sight, and was blind till his death. He was a mechanic, and learned harness-making first of all. Afterward his father left him a grist-mill and he learned milling. For many years he ran the mills of Governor Morrow and Colonel Hunt, and-also was called from long distances to dress mill buhrs. He was probably the only man in the Miami Valley who could do this. He was the first man that ever made a cradle for cradling grain in Butler County. He was a mechanical genius, and could make almost any thing that was needful. blacksmith's shop and make his own tools, and also made shoes, chairs, and wheels, and was also a weaver.

His son, John D., was born August 20, 1819, in Union Township, and was married on the 1st of January, 1843, to Julia Crane, who was born in Liberty, October 12, 1819, and died March 4, 1865. They had six children, five of whom lived to grow up. Benton was born March 7, 1845; Eliza Ann, October 12, 1846; Christie Ann, October 21, 1848, now dead; Margaret F., June 26, 1850; Luella Belle, February 9, 1852, now dead; and John D. was born May 3, 1854. He was married the second time, on March 2, 1857, to Eunice C., widow of William G. Wheeler, who was born April 2, 1865, in this county, and dying February 9, 1869. Her maiden name was Whipple. She had no family. He was married the third time, November 13, 1870, in Lebanon, Warren County, to Lavina Hawthorne, born in Warren County, January 11, 1830. She has no family. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows' Society for some years, but of late years has retired. He isa member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is its steward. He has held all the offices except pastor. He joined the organization in 1836, and has been a liberal supporter ever since.

William E. Shepherd was born in Liberty Township, December 29, 1838, and is the son of David Shepherd and Elizabeth Ely. When David Shepherd came to this county in 1837, he looked around for a place on which to settle, and the next year found it. It is the one now owned by his son. Then it was but very slightly improved, but soon began to present a different aspect. He had a family of three sons. He died October, 1876, being then a member of the Baptist Church. William E. Shepherd was married August 30, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Coy, who was born in Union Township, May 28, 1848. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Irene Gertrude was born June 3, 1869; Wilbur C., July 29, 1872; Isaac Percival, December 11, 1875; Abbie Elizabeth, November 6, 1877; David Lloyd, December 7, 1879. Mr. Shepherd has always lived on the home place, which he inherited from his father. He owns two hundred and sixty-nine acres, and is now engaged in putting up a fine house. They are members of the United Brethren Church.

Charles H. Shepherd, the son of David Shepherd and Elizabeth Ely, was born in Union Township, July 16, 1850. His parents were natives of New Jersey, of German and English descent. Mrs. Shepherd is still living, residing with her son Charles H. The latter was married March 1, 1875, to Miss Barbara Wehr, daughter of J. G. Wehr. They are the parents of two children. W. E. Shepherd was born September 24, 1877, and Elmer Shepherd, January 1, 1880. Mr. Shepherd resides upon a portion of the homestead, occupying a residence built in 1880. It is a handsome, well built structure, and cost about $4,000. He owns one hundred and eighty-four acres of finely cultivated land. Mrs. Shepherd is a member of the Lutheran Church in Hamilton. He is a Republican.

Nehemiah Van Hise was born in Union Township, Butler County, December 17, 1822, being the younger son of William Van Hise and Rachel Hageman, of New

Jersey. They are of German extraction. William Van Hise came to Butler County about 1800, and was one of the pioneers. He was township trustee for several terms. He was a prosperous farmer, and raised a family of six sons and two daughters. Three sons are now living. Mr. Van Hise died about 1853. Nehemiah Van Hise remained on the home place until his marriage, which happened on the 28th of November, 1848. He was then united' to Elizabeth Aydelotte, daughter of James A. Aydelotte. She was born in 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hise are the parents of four children, of whom two are living. Iuuella May was the wife of E. Moore. She died May 28, 1880, aged twenty-three. Anna Laurie died February 8, 1880. Benjamin F. is a resident of Hamilton County, and James is still at home. After marriage he continued on his father's place for three years; then removing to Pisgah and engaging in the manufacture of brooms, a business that he conducted for some eighteen years. He then entered upon mercantile business in Pisgah, which he has since carried on, doing an extensive trade. He keeps a general stock of goods. Mr. Van Hise was township treasurer one term of two years, about 1864. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

George Vinnedge was born in Fairfield Township, November 30, 1809, being the younger son of John and Rosanna (Moore) Vinnedge. John Vinnedge was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1774, on the 4th of April. He accompanied the expedition of General Wayne to the Indian grounds at the north, and was packhorse-master from Fort Hamilton to Fort Greenville. After the defeat of the Indians he remained in Hamilton, where he was married in June, 1796. This is the earliest marriage in the limits of this county known to the 'editor of this book. He settled on the place now farmed by Thomas Van Cleaf, in 1798, and lived there till 1850. He raised a family of eight children, of whom but four survive - two sons and two daughters. In 1850 he removed south of Hamilton, in Fairfield Township. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and was an active Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He died in August, 1868, in his ninety-fifth year. George was educated in the common schools in Fairfield Township, and was brought up to farming. He remained at home until he was twenty-four.

In 1831 Mr. Vinnedge was married to Miss Malinda Robbins, and has had five children - three daughters and two sons. Three daughters are now living, residents of Butler County. They are Mary R., widow of Isaac Skillman, living in Milford; Nancy R., wife of Frank Jones, living in Hamilton; and Julia W., wife of Johnston Gerard, living in Union Township. The first Mrs. Vinnedge died in 1875, and he was again married, April, 1875. His wife was Mrs. Katy Magness, daughter of Henry Spellman. Mr. Vinnedge has nearly always been engaged in farming. In 1839 he purchased a farm on the Springdale Pike, where he resided until coming to Union Township in 1856, locating on the' place now oecupied by Johnston Gerard, a short distance north of.

Port Union. He afterwards removed to his present home, a short distance south of Port Union, where he owns eighty-three acres, having on the old place one hundred and fifty acres. He was a director in the infirmary board some nine years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William Townsend, the son of Daniel Townsend and Mary Hamlin, was born in Devonshire, England, May 1828. He was employed upon a farm until coming to America in the Spring of 1850. From New York he proceeded to Cincinnati direct, being a resident of Hamilton County for some ten years, working upon a farm. He was married August 14, 1860, to Henrietta Craig, daughter of John Frederick Craig, an old settler in Texas, then the name of a part of Cincinnati, who assisted in building the first house in that part of the city. Mrs. Townsend was born in Hamilton County, February 8, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the parents of seven children. Mary Ella was born May 8, 1862; Sarah Anna, January 12, 1865; William Frederick, August 18, 1867; Benjamin Franklin, May 3, 1870; Ida May, June 21, 1872; Grace Edith, January 22, 1874, and Theodore Albert, May 20, 1877.

After marriage he came to Butler County, in 1860, locating in Union Township.. After four years in Union Township he went to Fairfield Township, where he conducted the Windisch farm for twelve years. It was the farm formerly owned by R. M. Shoemaker. In the Spring of 1877 Mr. Townsend purchased the farm formerly owned by E. Beckley, consisting of one hundred and sixty-five acres of. fine land, with residence and ample buildings. He had no start in life, and has wrought his destiny himself. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church at Port Union.

W. L. Van Hise was born in Union Township August 5, 1840, and is the only son of William W. Van Hise and Jane M. Truesdale. She is from New Jersey, and is of German and English extraction. W. L. Van Hise began as a clerk, when fifteen years of age, and in 1863 began business in Westchester. After three years he went to St. Louis, where he remained three years. He then came to Cincinnati, where he was in a wholesale grocery for three years, and then returned to Westchester. In March 1879, he entered into partnerhsip with James Schenck, in the firm of Schenck & Co. He keeps a general store, and does an extensive and increasing trade. He is also a grain buyer. Mr. Van Hise was the township treasurer for two terms, beginning in 1863. He was married December 8, 1863, to Miss Rachel A. Van Hise, daughter of James Van Hise. Their

Henry T. Voorhees was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 4, 1803, and is the oldest son of Daniel Voorhees and Betsy Tucker, natives of the State of New Jersey. Daniel Voorhees settled at Lebanon, Warren County, having previously been a teamster for General Wayne's army. The occupation at which Henry T. Voorhees first began was farming, following it till he became of age, and for two or three years after. He was married about 1825 to Mary Brandeburg, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees were the parents of five children, of whom three survive. Daniel B. lives in Omaha, Nebraska ; Eliza was the wife of Wesley Caldwell, and died about 1860; Israel is a resident of Union Township; Charlotte is the wife of Milton Thomson, living in Warren County; and Henry died in his infancy.

Mr. Voorhees continued a resident of Warren County until 1837, then removing to Union Township, in this county. He now has an improved place of one hundred and forty acres of valuable land, and under a high state of cultivation. He began with nothing. When he was first married they had to borrow cooking utensils. Mrs. Voorhees is a member of the Baptist Church at Muddy Creek. They now live in a comfortable and commodious residence, built about 1844. -

John George Wehr was born in Bavaria, January 10, 1800. He was the son of John Wehr and Susannah Hauser. He received a fair education in Germany, and was brought up a shepherd. He was married in 1839 to Barbara Heilenger, born in Germany in 1810, on the 29th of June. They were the parents of eight children. of whom six are now living. Lena Barbara was born February 2, 1840, and is now Mrs. Jackson Meahl. Mary Elizabeth was born December 2, 1844, and is now the wife of George Muskopf of Butler County. Simon D. was born June 25, 1846, and is now residing on the home place, as is the next brother, George C., born September 15, 1848. Barbara was born September 20, 1850, and is the wife of Charles H. Shepherd, of Union Township. Andrew H. was born July 8, 1852. Mr. Wehr came to America in 1843, being in Hanover Township four years, St. Clair two years, Liberty eight years, and twelve years in Fairfield, renting places. In 1871 he purchased the farm where he now lives from James Patchell. It consists of ninety acres. They are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in polities.

Frederick Wicke was born in the kingdom of Hanover, near Bremen, March 16, 1839. He is the son of Henry Wicke and Olive Koolman. He received a fair education, but at the age of seventeen determined to emigrate to America, and continued his journey until he reached Cincinnati. There he was employed six months, thence going to Sharonville, where he remained until coming to Westchester in the Spring of 1859. In that year he commenced buying produce, doing a prosperous business. He rented a small farm known as the Peter Moore place. September 19, 1861, he was married to Miss Nancy Lemon, born in Huntsville, September 17, 1844. She is the daughter of Christopher Lemon, an early settler in Liberty Township. They have had six children, of whom two are dead. Olive A. was born February 28, 1865; Mary E., April 5, 1868, dying in infancy; John T. died at the age of fourteen months; Henry R., November 28, 1875; and Anna C., January Ff, 1873:

Mr. Wicke continued on the Pliny Moore place till the Spring of 1862, when he went to Liberty Township, engaging in farming and the buying of live stock. This he continued until the Spring of 1865, when he purchased the Aug farm, near Westchester, where he still lives. It consists of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land adjoining Westchester, of a valuable quality, and finely cultivated. He built his present residence in 1869. It has fine barns and outbuildings. Mr. Wicke is largely engaged in buying live stock and shipping it to the Cincinnati markets, doing this in addition to managing his own place. He had nothing to begin on, and his life is a good example of what industry will accomplish. He has held the office of township trustee for eight years. He is an ardent Democrat in politics, and is an active and influential citizen. Mr. Wicke is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Wicke of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mapison Townsuip was originally a portion of Lemon. It lies on the north border of the county, and is divided from Lemon by the Miami River, which flows from north-east to south-west, and separates the two townships in such a way that the lower part of Madison is very narrow. Nearly the whole distance north of Trenton the hills border on the river; but below the bottom spreads out, and forms a wide alluvial plain. At Middletown the river divides in two parts, the old and the new, the latter increasing in volume year by year, and the former lessening. The bridge across the river here is precarious, and liable to be washed away by the flood at any time. A couple of miles west of the river the hills rise to a great height, and afford beautiful views.

Settlement was begun about 1802, when the lands were offered for sale; but there were a few squatters there before. The first compact settlement was at what is now known as Trenton. This is the most considerable village in the township. Other places are known here as Miltonville,: Poasttown, Madison City, and Woodsdale. Astoria is a local name applied to a neighborhood in the west center, where there was formerly a post-office. Elk Creek is the principal stream beside the Miami; but all the brooks and creeks are liable to sudden overflows, and then become torrents of no mean magnitude. The Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad passes through the length of the township near the river bank, and is of great value to the inhabitants.

Samuel Dickey, wife, and four children emigrated from Franklin County, Kentucky, and settled on Section 28, Township 2, Range 4, east, April, 1799, where Isaac Dickey was born in the same year, being the first white child in that township. He was followed by Jesse McCray in 1799, and Edward Gee and Job Gee, in the same year; Joel Martin, Llewellyn Martin, Llewellyn Simpson, and Bambo Harris, colored, in 1800; Alexander Chambers and William Baldwin, in 1801; Adam Deem and Thomas Israel, in 1803; the widow White and Daniel Drake, in 1804; Andrew Wagner, Henry Huffman, Noah Long, Gideon Long, and David Long, in 1805.

The first grist-mill was built on Elk Creek in the year 1800," by Bambo Harris (colored). It was on the south-east quarter of Section 18. Previous to that time, the pioneers of Madison Township had to go to near the mouth of the Little Miami River, in Clermont County, to get their corn ground for bread.

The first saw-mill was built on Elk Creek in 1801, by Joel Martin, on the south-east quarter of Section 7. The first manufactory was built by George Dickey, on Elk Creek, in the year 1819, where wool was carded, cloth dressed and pressed, and flax-seed oil made. The oil was shipped to New Orleans on flat-boats.

On the north-east quarter of Section 17, belonging to the heirs of Thomas Lingle, deceased, is a remarkable red sulphur medical spring, which is visited every few days by people from a distance, with kegs and jugs for water for their health, On the north-east quarter of Section 383 are two remarkable fresh water springs. They are about forty feet apart, one on the north side of a hill, the other on the south side of another prominence, facing each other. The amount of water from each spring would fill a three-inch tube.

On the north-east quarter of Section 33 is a rock which is forty-three feet one inch in circumference. About two-thirds of this rock is in the ground, and six feet above ground. On Brown's Run, in Section 34, on the land of Lewis Wagner, is a cedar tree about four feet in diameter. The tree has been recently discovered. A part of the tree is in a hill two hundred feet above the part in the bottom of the creek.

Near the mouth of Elk Creek was a mill built about the year 1810, by Mr. Gunkel. The building was made of hewed logs and had three run of buhrs. A saw-mill was attached. The next flouring-mill was built at what is now Miltonville, about the year 1814, with a saw-mill also; and a third was built by a Mr. Morrison on Seetion 19. The third merchant mill on Elk Creek was

Trenton

The Snyder mill manufactured more flour, which was shipped to New Orleans, than all the other mills on Elk Creek. These mills have gone down, except the one in Miltonville, which confines itself to grist work. The Vail mill, on the Miami River, was for many years the prominent merchant-mill on this portion of the Miami River. TRENTON,

Trenton is situated on the corners of Sections 5, 6, 31, and 32, about a mile from the Miami, on the great. highway which passes east and west, and was formerly known as the State road. It sprung from a colony of New Jersey people, who came here about the year 1800, headed by Deacon Michael Pearce and Elder Stephen Gard. Some of the members of this colony had come out previously, and their attachment to their native State was shown by the names they conferred upon the village which afterwards grew up there. Bloomfield was its first title. It was named after Governor Bloomfield, of New Jersey, who 'was one of the early successors of William Livingston, and who was also a United States Senator. Its plat was dedicated about 1815, but there was a cluster of houses there previously. When it reached the dignity of a postoffice it was found that there was another Bloomfield in the State, and the name was changed to Trenton, also in honor of New Jersey.

Here existed in the first year of the century a Baptist Church, originally a little west of the town, but afterwards moved in. This was the earliest Church organization in the county, and it is still in existence. Here in

Littell, the first resident minister and doctor of the county. Trenton, indeed, is an older settlement than any other in our limits, except Hamilton, Rossville, and Middletown. The Rev. Mr. Gard organized the present death, August 14, 1839. He organized nearly all the Baptist Churches within the Miami Valley - Trenton, Middletown, Franklin, Hamilton, and the First Church of Dayton, and some others. He was born November 3, 1776, in Essex County, New Jersey. He received his education in a common school, except a few months in a private classical school in his native county. He was married to Rachel Pearce in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio about the end of the last century, making a temporary stay at Columbia, and moving to Trenton the same year. He came to Ohio in company with his father-in-law and family, Dr. Littell accompanying them.

Michael Pearce was in good circumstances, and he had a large family of daughters. Mary married Squier Littell. She was a very excellent woman. Rhoda and Sarah married Joseph Taylor; Rachel married Mr. Gard; Phebe married Joseph Gard; Elizabeth marriéd Alexander Van Pelt; Anna married James Urmsto®. Mr. Pearce had two sons, Squier and John. John died here, and Squier died in Laporte County, Indiana. |

Deacon Michael Pearce died at his residence in Trenton on Monday, the fourth day of June, 1838, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. He was born at Scotch Plains, Essex County, New Jersey, in August, 1749, and lived there for many years, and married Phebe Squier, of the same place, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom lived to be men and women. He served as a deacon of the regular Baptist Church more than forty years, and died, as he lived, full and strong in the faith of the Gospel. He was a firm friend to the liberties of his country, and bore arms in the Revolutionary War. He was eighteen years a merchant of Morris County, New Jersey, and with the pioneers of the West removed with his family to Cincinnati in the Summer of 1792, entered land in Butler County, and removed on it in 1804, where he remained until taken away by death.

The Rev. Stephen Gard's daughter Eliza married William Wilson, of Middletown. She is dead. Wilson was a merchant, afterwards going to Laporte, Indiana, and buying two sections of land. Phebe married Wilkeson Taylor, brother to Joseph Taylor. Dr. Isaac N. married Louisa Todd, of Newport, Ky., and Dr. Fairman married Lucy, a sister of Louisa. Sarah married John C. Potter. Mary L. married Ezra Potter, and Rachel died unmarried. Rey. Mr. Gard was twice married. His second wife was Mary Van Horn. By her he had one child, William V. Gard, a physician in this county and in Warren.

John Smith was the first tavern-keeper in the place. Report says that Squire Littell and Stephen Gard were the first store-keepers, and Clark Potter the second. They were succeeded by James Patterson and McKnight & Lee. Ezra Potter, of Hamilton, was a store-keeper there for a long time. Stephen Gard was the first man who had shingles on his house. The town has had a very slow growth, and now only numbers about three hundred inhabitants. There are three stores. Henry Burke kept store here twenty years, but is now deceased. Frederick M. Burke occupies the same building, and has carried on business a little more than a year. Dill Andrews and Joseph Kicher are the other store-keepers. There is one hotel, kept by John Kinzel, and six drinking saloons. Jacob Hinkel, in the carriage, buggy and spring-wagon manufacture, has been in the business for eighteen years. McKinney also carries on the blacksmith business. ;

Trenton has four churches. The Baptist Church was founded in 1800, the German Reformed in 1868, and the Evangelical Lutheran was remodeled in 1878. It is the finest structure in Trenton. The Roman Catholic Church is very pretty, and is situated on high, elevated grounds. There are four cemeteries, all of which are adorned with monuments and slabs scarcely equaled elsewhere by any similar place. 'The place takes deep interest in education, and has a fine school building, which is two stories high and has six rooms, all well

At the railroad there is an elevator carried on by Deitz, Good & Co., merchants and grain dealers, which cost $6,000. It was put up in the year 1877, and has a capacity of thirty thousand bushels of grain. The building is eighty-four feet long by forty feet wide, and has a large steam-boiler and engine to operate it. It also moves a grist-mill.

Jeremiah Marston was born in Kennebec County, Maine, March 19, 1798. His father was a Methodist minister, and as is generally the case with the clerical profession, had but little of this world's goods to bestow upon his children. Jeremiah left his native State in the year 1819, and came to Butler County, where he passed the remainder of his days. In June, 1821, he was united in marriage with Miss Vail, with whom he lived happily for thirty-five years. From this marriage eight children survive them.

Mr. Marston was strictly an upright man. Industrious and persevering in business, economical in the management of his affairs, he was enabled to accumulate a sufficiency of this world's goods to live in easy and independent circumstances, so far as wealth is concerned. Kind and generous to the poor and unfortunate, and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow-man, he had an extensive circle of friends. In politics he was a Whig while that party had a living existence; thence he was found acting with the Republican party. At one time he held the appointment of associate judge. He died about the beginning of the war.

There is an association in Madison Township that can lay some claim to antiquity. The subscribers met on the 28th of October, 1843, at Trenton, and appointed Jeremiah Marston president, and Ezra Potter secretary, and resolved that they would organize and form themselves into a society for the purpose of protecting their pr operty against thieves and counterfeiters, and that they adopt a constitution and by-laws. The names of the organizers were Jeremiah Marston, Ezra Potter, Ellis Miller, Robert Busenbark, Aaron Ball, John Hunt, Samuel Landis, John Good, Henry Good, David Paulin, Silas Long, Henry Sellers, James Law, and Francis Cornthwait.

The society has held its meetings quarterly for thirtythree years. It has had upon its roll of members fiftyseven names, and now numbers thirteen members. It had for a protection fund in 1876 three hundred and

Benevolent Protection Society." named '' Horse Company." The members in 1876 were John Hunt, Henry Good, John Good, Elias Mattix, Theodore Marston, Benjamin DeBolt, Elias Long, Henry Gautchy, John Law, Peter Thomas, John Phoinget William Richter, and Te a three dollars.

In the Trenton cemetery the first burial was in the year 1801. The name is Phebe Gard. The stone is so worn by time that the full inscription can not be given.

In memory of Reverend Stephen Gard, who died August 14, 1839 ; aged 62 years 9 months and 11 days. Rachel Gard, wife of Rev. Stephen Gard, died April 1, 1816; aged 36 years. David Gard, son of Stephen Gard, died February 6, 1807. In memory of Mary Maxwell, formerly Mary Littell, died February 5, 1813; aged 62 years. Sarah Kerr, died June 15, 1835; geod 80 years. Michael Pearce, died August 27, 1838; aged 88. Phebe Pearce, died March 27, 1832; aged 76 years. Rhoda Taylor, died April 2, 1819; aged 27 years.

Trenton, and called Brownstown. It would now be entirely forgotten except for a tragedy which happened there more than sixty years ago. The place was at the ferry of the Miami River, and was on the old State road, a great thoroughfare from east to west. Davis Ball was the ferryman. He was a large, fat old man, and for years had left the practical control of the boat to his son, who was a vigorous and athletic young fellow. In March, 1819, young Ball had gone down to the mouth of the Miami River with a party, as pilot and boatman, and there was no one to manage the ferry except his father. The river had 'risen to a great height, and its current looked very formidable, when one morning a party of several men and boys, with a young lady, came down from Seven-Mile, and asked to be put over. Mr. Ball refused. He showed them the stream, and declared it was dangerous. They insisted, and he finally consented. The men promised to help him to work the boat, which was operated by the force of the water pressing sideways upon it. A rope reached across the river from bank to bank, on which were two pulleys, with ropes passing from them to the boat. Before consenting to take his load, Mr. Ball made a condition that the girl should be left behind. So they started, and the entire population of the village of Brownstown turned out to see them. The population, however, was not more than eight or nine. The boat

Thompson, Mr. Ball, a dog, and two horses. The men were nervous and inexperienced, and when near the middle of the stream one of them attempted to take up some slack in the cordage. He tried it too quickly, and the rope snapped, which occasioned the breaking of the other rope, and the overturning of the boat. Young Aul succeeded in getting on top of the boat, and floated down with it, but the others had no such opportunity.

It was an agonizing sight to those on shore. An old lady who is now living in Amanda related the story to us. She was then a blooming girl, but is now about eighty-four years of age. Her name is Ryerson. She disaster. The force of the current carried the men toward the opposite shore, so that the rails and pieces of wood which were thrown in by Mrs. Ryerson's father and others did not reach them. Mr. Ball was found two hours after on a sand-bar below, standing perfectly upright. On his way down he kept praying and talking to the people on the bank. One of the Craigs was almost saved. He had nearly reached the shore, when he turned about to help his brother, and was caught in the current. Another of the men swam down after the boat, but could not get to it. Young Aul, who was saved, was perched upon it. He was a mere boy. The dog and the two horses were drowned. The dog, in his frantic efforts to save himself, several times placed his paws on the shoulders of the men who were floating down, and helped to exhaust their strength. Those who were drowned were Captain Aul, Daniel Craig, Davis Ball, Thomas Wilson, and William Craig. The neighborhood turned out, and their bodies were shortly afterward recovered. 'This, and the killing of the Boal family in Hamilton, by a stroke of lightning, were the two most

This village is situated about one mile north of Trenton, and contained, in 1852, about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, one church, one school-house, two stores, two hotels, one merchant-mill, one saw-mill, and two potteries, which furnished ware to Dayton, Germantown, Eaton, Oxford, Hamilton, ete. Two teams were constantly running with this kind of ware, for which they found a ready sale. The place was laid out by Richard Crane and Theophilus Egglesfield, who were the first settlers. Additions to the original plat have been made by John Johns and John Kemp, Jr. The village has a healthy and pleasant location, and is surrounded by the most beautiful country. The houses are mostly of brick, and present a very neat and comfortable appearance. It is situated on Section 30.

tile factory in the town. The first merchants in the village were as follows: Thomas Hall, Nathan Goldsmith, A. Hunt & Co., George Marvel, Daniel Poffenbarger, Law & Hunt, Long & Law, Antrim & Co., John Gardner, Carroll & Squiers, Eli Scudder, Z. Fisher, C. Gardner, and F. V. Weaver. The tavern-keepers in the town were Crane & Egelesfield, in the year 1816; and afterwards, William Hall, Thomas Kelley, Peter Rutown, Benjamin De Bolt, David Mattix, Charles Bailey. The physicians have been J. F. Heaton, J. H. Cruse, A. Eckert, D. Eckert, Doctor Prudents, J. M. Hunt.

Miltonville has a fine large church, which belongs to the United Brethren congregation, and has a comfortable parsonage. Rey. Mr. Killburn is the pastor. In the cemetery are the graves of

The first grave in the Miltonville Cemetery was made in 1800. It was then in a heavy forest. The name of the person was Mattix. She was eighty years old. Her given name is not known, as a part of the head-stone has by time so decayed that it could not be made out.

There are a large number of Mennonites settled south of Trenton, who form an excellent portion of the population. When the Augspurgers left Europe, in 1819, a Mennonite elder or bishop, by the name of John Miller, and his family, started with them; but when they arrived in Pennsylvania he left them; and so the Augspurgers were without an elder or bishop when they arrived in Butler County.

In 1828, however, two elders or bishops made their appearance in Butler County, one from Canada and the other from Pennsylvania, and meetings were held in the dwelling-houses, as they had no meeting-houses at that time. :

In 1830 Jacob Augspurger, the second cousin of Christian Augspurger, was elected and qualified to the office of elder or bishop of the congregation, and the other elders left for other parts. In 1852 a colony of Mennonites from Hesse-Darmstadt and Kurhesse, Germany, arrived in Butler County, amongst whom were the Holly and Iutzi families, who brought along with them musical instruments, such as pianos, for their enjoyment, which was quite a surprise to those Mennonites that lived in Butler County then, as they were not used to such things. Their dress, also, was more fashionable, to which those that lived here then were not accustomed, and it caused much dissatisfaction amongst the old people. Finally it created a division of the members into two parties; and the other party, which may be termed the liberal party, obtained another elder or bishop from Germany, by the name of John Miller; and Joseph Augspurger, Christian Holly, and Peter Kennel were elected assistant ministers, and the two parties held their meetings separately in their dwellings. In 1847 Elder Jacob Augspurger died, and his son, Nicholas Augspurger, was elected in his place; and in 1860 Elder Miller moved to Tilinois, and Joseph Augspurger was elected in his place as elder.

By: this time their numbers had increased so that their dwellings were too small for their accommodation, and they concluded to build meeting-houses. Consequently, in 1863, two meeting-houses were built, one by each party, south-west of Trenton, near the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, where meetings are now held alternately every Sunday in each meetinghouse, so as to give to the members an opportunity to visit both meetings.

An organized Mennonite meeting consists of one elder or bishop, one or more assistants or preachers, and one or more deacons. The duty of the elder or bishop is to preach and perform the sacramental ceremonies, and to take good care of his flock; the duty of the assistant ministers is to assist the elder in preaching and obtain practice in the art of preaching; and the duty of the deacons is to take care of the finances of the Church, and look after the poor and sick, and supply their wants. The ministers are all elected by the members of the Church by ballot; but when there is a tie declared, one of the two largest in number is drawn by lot. The elder or bishop is elected from among the assistant ministers of the Church; but the assistant ministers are elected from among the members of the Church to which they belong. They receive no salary; but if they are in need they are assisted by the Church.

The religious principles of the Mennonites are as follows: They are opposed to infant baptism. Their children are generally baptized when from fourteen to sixteen years old, which is done by sprinkling. They are opposed to bearing arms and to swearing oaths. They are opposed to going to law with each other; but when they have difficulties they try to settle them among themselves. They are opposed to the practice of dancing and going to balls, and to extravagance in their dress. They generally hold their communion twice a year - that is, at Easter and in the Fall - on which occasion they wash each other's feet. Some Mennonites, however, neglect doing this. When a member removes from one place to another where he is not well known, he is required to show. a certificate of membership in writing of his good standing in the congregation where he is from, before he is admitted as a member in his new home. Such certificate must be signed by the elder or bishop of the congregation where he is from. Members are excluded from the communion for immoral conduct, and are banished from the Church for committing a crime; and in some

Madison City

This is situated directly opposite Middletown, and is a suburb of that place. The Madison House was built in the year 1846 by John Mumma. It is two and a half stories high, and seventy-two feet by twenty-one and a half feet, and belongs to A. Crider, grocery and provision dealer. Kenaday and the heirs of W. C. Ward. The building contains thirty rooms above ground, and in the cellar eleven, making a total of thirty-eight rooms. Reed & Company occupies the north room as a grocery. There is a tavern kept in the house by Albert Beckford. Wil- WG Ward is a wagon-maker, and does repairing. Samuel McFall has an extensive circular saw-mill in the place, and there are two blacksmith shops, one by McFall and one by Eckelbarge. J. M. Gardner is a custom boot and shoe maker. In the fall of 1877 the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad Company erected a large elevator for Curtis & Hartley in Madison City, as there is an extensive grain trade at that place. Madison City has forty family residences, and enumerates one hundred and fifty pupils of school age. The post-office is known as Heno.

Woodsdale is situated on Section 19. Part of the place lies in St. Clair Township. It was founded in the year 1867 by the Beckett Paper Company, through the influence of Samuel Augspurger, one of the most influential business men at that time of Madison Township. Samuel Augspurger sold a portion of his interest in the real estate to the company, which had at that time a stock of ninety thousand dollars. The stock was increased in 1869 to one hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars. After a success for some years a fire broke out in the rag room of the paper-mill, and consumed the entire mill, except brick walls and smoke stacks. In the year 1880 the company commenced to rebuild, but have been delayed. When Samuel Augspurger sold to the company he reserved a water right, the company to keep up the dam and race, as he has a large saw and flour mills. In the year 1864 Samuel Augspurger built a saw mill ninety feet long and two stories high. The mill cost twelve thousand dollars, and a flour-mill of brick cost him fifteen thousand dollars. There is a post-office and dry They, have a school-house of brick, well furnished with seats, maps and books. The town has thirty-five buildings, including mills.

Poasttown was formerly known as West Liberty, and is situated on Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, and contains fifteen dwellings on the original plat of the village, which was laid out by Peter Poast in the year 1818. There are about fifteen families who live outside of the first store was opened in that village by Christian Coon in the year 1815; the second by Samuel Vancort, and others by Philip Deal, George Catron, Dubler John, Kemp & Antrim, John Selby, William Dine, Marsh & Poast, and Willis Thomas. The present store-keeper is P. P. Poast. The first tavern was opened in that place by William Brown, and he was followed by Mr. Richardson, Joshua Heffner, Enos Heffner, Daniel Stump, 'Conrad Spidel, and Elias Emrick. P. P. Poast is post-master at Poast Town, and agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, and is an extensive dealer in all kinds of grain, groceries, and merchandise. The railroad company on the 5th of April, 1878, erected an elevator for the convenience of grain growers and dealers. The village is in one of the most fertile parts of the Miami Valley. There is a first-class blacksmith's shop and wagon-maker's shop in the town, owned by the Woods brothers.

A large tree was felled in 1852 on the farm of Tobias Lane. It was measured by Squire McMaken and Arthur Lane. Three feet above the ground the stump was twenty-one feet in circumference. Fifty-seven feet from the ground it measured thirteen feet in girth. Eightyfive feet above the ground it measured ten feet. The wood was corded by itself. It measured eighteen cords city measure, or nineteen and a half common measure.

The first grave in Elk Creek Cemetery was in the year 1800, for a boy six years old, named Millener. His given name is not known, as many of the first head-stones were common lime-stone, and the cold Winters and wet weather has caused them to scale off so that the inscriptions can not be made out. Among other inscriptions are:

The German Church ig built on an acre of ground bought of James Doer for eighteen dollars, and was dedicated to the worship of God according to the usages of the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Churches on the 31st of August, 1817. There were present the following clergymen: Rev. Mr. Diehl, Rev. Degont Beeker, Rev. Mr. Winders, and Rev. Mr. Simon. The trustees were Henry Hoffman and John Weichel. According to the constitution of the Church, it was to be used for the two Churches in High German forever. It is in the center of the western end of the township.

ship, known as the Mount Pleasant Church, was organized by Elder Wilson Thompson, on the second day of September, 1819. Delegates were present from Elk Creek, Bethlehem, and Tapscott's. The following appear among the list of old members: Samuel Lucas, Elizabeth Banker, Hannah Lucas, Mary-McGlaulin, Ralph Voris, Jane Voris, Rachel Silbey, Lydia Barklow, Daniel Barklow, Thomas Wilson, Julia Ann Banker, Nancy Barklow, Joseph Bush, Mary Ann Banker, Christian Miksell, Elizabeth Miksell, Thomas Royal, Catherine Royal, Elizabeth Banker, Elizabeth Lucas, Caroline Hinkle, Martha Lucas, Nancy Gouger, Matilda Kountze, James Baird, Mary Baird, Jane Williamson, Silas Poyner, Rebecca Sellbe, Mary Ann Hinkle, Squire Hinkle, Tabitha Greggs, Levina Banker, Martha A. Craig, Anna Shankle, Joseph Hinkle, John L. Graves, Matilda Zimmerman, Ann Maria Stewart, John Voris, John Snyder, James Snyder, Sally Hinkle, Jane Voris, Elizabeth Gapheart, and Hannah Voris. The records of the Church from 1819 to 1853 have not been preserved, and we have no list of their preachers. In the historic division of the Baptist Church they adhered to the old school.

e Moses G. Augspurger was born in Madison Township February 23, 1845, and was married March 19, 1874, to Anna Schlumeger, born the same day as her husband.

His parents were Nicholas Augspurger and Magdalena Gautsche, who were born in 1819, and hers were Peter Schlumeger and Jacobina King. They have three children. Albert was born May 23, 1875; Alma Magdalena, May 25, 1877, and Barda, July 10, 1880. Mr. Augspurger was reared on a farm, working with his father until he was twenty-five years old, when he began to do for himself, renting land of his father. He remained thus until February, 1879, when he bought the place he now occupies, of one hundred and three acres, which is under ~ a good state of cultivation. Mr. Augspurger is a Mennonite, as is also his wife, and their parents before them.

Isaac Andrews was born in Wayne Township, Butler County, in 1848. His parents were Henry Andrews and Eleanor Long. He was married in 1873 to Emma Hellebrecht, daughter of Henry and Mary Hellebrecht, born at Walnut Hills, and has had two children, Harry and Alfred, the former being dead. Joseph Rogers, a member of his family, was in the Mexican War, and his half brother, Samuel Knees, served during the late struggle.

In the year 1819 Christian Augspurger and family, and his brother, Joseph Augspurger, and family, and his second cousin, Jacob Augspurger, and family, and others, immigrated from near Strasbourg, France, to Butler County, and settled near Collinsville, Milford Township, where Christian Augspurger bought a farm of about three hundred acres of land, of which there was about one hundred acres improved; but as the other Augspurgers were short of means they rented farms. Things looked very gloomy then, however, for farmers, and to make money was almost an impossibility, as the prices for produce were very much depressed, and there was no money scarcely to be had for any thing. Corn was ten cents per bushel; wheat, twenty-five cents; butter three cents per- pound, and pork one dollar and a half per hundred pounds, net. Whisky, however, was fifty cents a gallon, but people did not know how to manufacture it then as well as they do now, and beer was scarcely known in Butler County. Whisky, however, was the most profitable product, as it could be transported to the market with less expense, as there were no turnpikes, canals, or railroads, to facilitate travel; in fact, there were nothing but mud-roads. The farm implements, also, were very inferior to those now used, and grain separators, reapers, self-binders, and mowers were not known. Grain was cut with the sickle, and here and there a cradle was used.

The change for the Augspurgers from Europe to America was very great, and especially for Christian Augspurger, as he lived on one of the finest and best improved farms in France, consisting of about five hundred acres of choice land. The farm was leased for a number of years, and belonged to Charles Schulmeister, who served as a spy under Napoleon the First, and was considered to be one of his best. His property was very valuable. The farm on which Christian Augsburger lived was so well improved, that princely personages and generals in the army frequently paid their visits there. Schulmeister also lived on the farm. It happened, however, that Marshal Bertrand received a large territory from Napoleon the First, on which he wished to introduce farming according to French style, and sought advice or information in regard to it; for which purpose he requested Christian Augspurger to come to Paris, where - Bertrand then lived. Christian Augspurger complied with the request, and, in company with his cousin, Nicholas Augspurger, went there for the purpose, to the satisfaction of the marshal. They were shown through all the parliamentary buildings and saw the throne. Later, Christian Augspurger received the medal of the Legion of Honor, which is now in possession of his children as a memento. The medal consists of a ruby in the form of a star, with gilded points, and a ribbon affixed thereto, with a description, and signed in the name of the emperor.

In 1827, however, Christian Augspurger's family had increased to twelve in number, six sons and six daughters. The names of his sons were Joseph, Christian, Jacob, John, Samuel, and Frederick; and the names of his daughters were Catherina, Magdelina, Barbara, Mary, Jacobina, and Anna. In 1829 Christian Augspurger bought another farm, about two and a half miles south of Trenton, in Madison Township, where he moved in 1830; and later the other Augspurgers followed him to the vicinity of Trenton also.

In 1846 Christian Augspurger's wife died, and in 1848 he also died. The property that Christian owned consisted of nineteen hundred and seventy-five acres of choice land in Butler County, besides a large personal estate, which was all divided equally among his children. The number of the descendants of the Augspurgers now living is about one hundred and eighty, of whom about one hundred and fifty are living in Butler County; the others have moved to Illinois and Iowa, and two, C. -Kinsinger and F. Kinsinger, are now living in Cincinnati with their families. The amount of land now owned by the descendants of the Augspurgers?in Butler, Warren, and Preble Counties, is about three thousand six hundred and sixty-three acres. The Augspurgers nearly all belong to the Mennonite denomination, as their fathers did.

Mrs. Nancy Baughman was born in New Jersey, February 23, 1814, and came to this county in 1818. Her parents were Michael Mattix and Mary Rutan. She had one son, James, who was born in 1842, and died in 1857. Her grandfather, Samuel Mattix, was in the Revolutionary War, and her uncle, William Mattix, was in the War of 1812, dying while in the service, on the shores of Lake Erie. He was a drum major. Mrs. Baughman came here with her parents when she was a child of four years old, her father beginning a farm from the virgin forest. She worked at spinning when she was only eight years of age, and had but six months' schooling in her life. During the Revolutionary War Mary Mattix, her grandmother, and her baby had to be carried to the fort on the Delaware River, as the Indians were destroying every thing, and killing all they found. Mrs. Baughman is still living on the same farm her father cleared, and has with her William A. Pogue and Sarah A. Mattix. Daniel Mattix is supposed to have killed the last bear in that part of the county. His children saw it, and told him there was a big black dog

Samuel Bell was born in Germany, and after arriving in this country was married to Sarah Gebhart, born in Madison Township, August 23, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth Bell, and hers Daniel Gebhart and Christina Lingle. They have seven children. Flora A. was born July 11, 1868; William N., March 31, 1870; David D., February 15, 1872; Christina, February 26, 1874; John L., January 31, 1876; Edward C., February 9, 1848; and Elmer E., October 16, 1881. Mr. Bell was in the service three years.

Jacob Banker, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 13, 1818, and was brought to this county in 1819. His father was David Banker, and his mother's name was Mary McDill. The former was the pioneer of that branch of the family which came to Ohio, and was born in Frederick County, Maryland, March 26, 1778, coming to Ohio in 1800, and settling in Ross County. There he married his wife, coming to Butler County in 1819, where he bought a part of fractional Section 12, Township 2, and Range 4, east, upon which was a mill-sité where Elijah Mills, a soldier of the Revolution, had erected a corn-cracker, called a mill, about 1800, for building which he received a pre-emption right to Section 1 and fractional Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, in Madison Township, comprising a tract of about eleven hundred acres of the best land in Butler County. He subsequently transferred his claim to John Lucas, who received a patent for it from the government soon after the land was thrown open for sale.

David Banker erected a fine mill on the property where the present Mr. Banker now resides, that was long known as Banker's mills, and had at an early day customers from near Richmond, Indiana, and from near Greenville on the north. He continued to reside on this property till his death, which happened on the 25th of January, 1862, at the age of eighty-four. He came into the world the second year of the Revolutionary War, and died in the second year of the great Rebellion. When he first came to Ohio he brought with him, in a large pair of saddle-bags, the metallic part of a set of carpenter's tools, with which to carve out his fortune in this new country, and carried them in that way on horseback

1800. She was brought up on a farm. She has only moved once in her life, and that was from the farm on 'which she was born to her place in Astoria. When her first husband, who was a tailor, died, she was left with three small children. She learned her husband's trade, and took in work to support herself and family, succeeding better than most men do. She is a member of the Church of United Brethren, and has been for about thirty years. Her father was among the first settlers, having to clear his farm, which was completely covered with trees, and being surrounded with wild animals. He bought, when he first came, about one hundred and forty acres, and brought up a family of twelve children, marrying twice, and having six children by each wife. He was very highly esteemed. His death was a lingering one, being occasioned by dropsy of the heart.

Mrs. Christina Emerick, whose maiden name was Kemp, was born in 1809, in this county. Her parents were John Kemp and Elizabeth Zeller, who came in 1804. She was married December 28, 1827, and had the following children: Maria Childs, February, 1829 ; Catherine, December 10, 1830; Simon, April 5, 1833 ; and Elizabeth Yost; June 13, 1837. Andrew Zeller was in the War of the Revolution.