Butler County, Ohio - The whole text, 1882 (part 36 of 39)

Joseph P. Eckert was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, September 22, 1808, and is the son of Jacob P. Eckert and Elizabeth Barnhart, who came to this county in 1824. He was married December 6, 1832, to Eliza Moore, daughter of Louis Moore and Susan Enyart. She was born in St. Clair Township, December 17, 1809, and bore him seven children. Susannah Eckert was born June 9, 1835, and died March 31, 1854; Mary J. was born October 26, 1837, and died March 5, 1851; Sarah E. Scudder was born March 28, 1843, and lives near Bethany; Minerva Ellen West was born September 2, 1845, and lives in Boston, Massachusetts; William Augustus Eckert was born October 3, 1848, and died December 8, 1848; Laura Janette was born August 23, 1850, and died October 30, 1850, and George Albert was born October 28, 1853, and died August 12, t854. Peter Barnhart, his grandfather, was in the Revolutionary War, as was his father-in-law, Mr. Lewis Moore, who was also in the War of 1812. Mr. Eckert learned the potter's trade at the age of thirteen, at which he continued for many years, or until he arrived at the age of sixty-eight. He has also followed the business of auctioneer from 1835 up to nearly the present time. He has now retired from all occupation.

Augustus Eckert, M. D., of Trenton, is the son of Jacob Peter Eckert, who was born near Mannheim, Germany, January 13, 1780. He emigrated to North America in 1804, embarking at Amsterdam, Holland, and after a stormy voyage of twenty-six weeks, landed at Norfolk, Virginia. In 1807 he married Miss Elizabeth Barnhart, of Rockingham County, Virginia, the daughter of Peter Barnhart, a Revolutionary soldier.

The fruit of their marriage was eight sons and thre2 daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy, and one daughter, the wife of Rev. G. L. Gilbert, at the age of thirty-two years. With his family, consisting of a wife and four sons, he emigrated from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Jefferson County, Kentucky, twelve miles east of Louisville, in 1816, and in 1822 to the Tunker neighborhood, two miles west of Dayton, Ohio, near where the National Soldiers' Home is now situated. In 1825 he moved to Miltonville, in this county, where he resided until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Eckert survived her husband seven years, and died at the age of eighty-four. Three of the sons reside in this county, two in the State of IIlinois, and two in Indiana, and the surviving sister, Mary M., is the wife of J. S. Weinland, M. D., of West Elkton, Ohio.

Augustus Eckert, being the fourth son, was apprenticed to the tailor's trade at the age of fourteen, and followed it until he was twenty-five. At that time his health began to fail, in consequence of his close confinement to business, and he was compelled to seek some other way of procuring a living. He was troubled with indigestion, and was under the necessity of undergoing medical treatment. He procured some medical books, and by combining several remedies made a restorative, which relieved him of that malady. Mr. Eckert then resolved to read medicine, and bought books for that purpose, and studied a part of the time, working a portion of each day to defray expenses. This course he followed for three years. He then attended medical lectures in Cincinnati, and in June, 1844, began the practice of his profession in Butler County, where he had resided for fourteen years. One year was spent in Dayton, Ohio.

He married Miss Elizabeth McKean, of Montgomery County, Ohio, October 12, 1844. The fruits of their union were four sons and two daughters. Three sons died in childhood. His elder daughter, Sarah Jane, married Mr. A. A. Hunt, December 15, 1863, by whom she had one daughter, who is now in her seventeenth year. Mr. Hunt died at Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio, November 6, 1880, and _ his family still reside at that place. His younger daughter, Mary Ann, married Mr. John V. Good, son of Henry Good, March 4, 1873, to whom she has borne two children, a son and daughter, aged respectively seven and five years. Mr. J. V. Good is engaged in the grain and stock business at Trenton, Ohio. Dr. Eckert's son, Charles Albert, attended the dental department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 1882.

Dr. Eckert's wife died November 14, 1874, at the age of forty-eight years, and on September 5, 1879, he married Mrs. Keturah A., widow of Levi Schenck and daughter of the Rey. J. Antrim. She is a native of Butler County. His life has been an up-grade, having started on his own muscle and earned all that he possesses. His practice has been eclectic in the true sense of that word, using all that is good of all systems, and rejecting the bad. In his practice he has been successful. He is and has been a member of the Miami Medical Association ever since its organization, and has been identified with the Christian or Disciples' Church for over forty-five years.

John W. Finkbone was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1832, and came to this county in 1842. He is the son of John Finkbone, who was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, and was seventy-seven years of age at his death, and Susannah Smith. John W. Finkbone was married, November 24, 1853, to Elizabeth Long, daughter of John B. Long and Delilah Ann McNealy. George McNealy, the grandfather, was in the War of 1812, and was drowned in Lake Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Finkbone have had ten children. John W. was born March 19, 1850; Mary E., February 2, 1858; Tobias L., February 26, 1860; Ezra A., July 6, 1862; Sarah Jane, January 3, 1865; George W., February 22, 1867; Jacob E., September 15, 1869; Susannah, January 6, 1873; Mattie E., June 25, 1877; Amanda E., July 22, 1878. Mary E. and Jacob E. are dead. Mr. Finkbone served as school director some nine years consecutively. Ransom Freeman, his brother-in-law, was in the Eleventh Illinois Regiment, and was at the battle of Fort Donelson, where he received eighteen bullet-holes in his cap and clothes without drawing blood. He was never in a hospital. Mrs. Finkbone's brother, William B. Long, served three years and eight months in the Ninety-third Ohio, acting as teamster over two years.

Samuel Fouts, farmer and dealer in farm implements, was born in Montgomery County, July 24, 1840. He is the son of John Fouts and Mary Judy, and settled in this county in the year 1862. He was married, October ~10, 1861, to Mary Jane Williamson, who was born in this county December 1, 1848, and was the daughter of William Williamson and Ann E. Francis. They have one child, Calvin C. Fouts, born January 18, 1863. Mr. Fouts was in the hundred-days' service at Baltimore, Maryland. i

Frederick Featherling, son of George and Susan Featherling, was born in Virginia in 1793, coming to this county with his parents in 1812. Mr. Featherling settled close to what is now called Busenbark's Station, and lived to the extreme old age of ninety-one. He was in the War of 1812. He had three daughters and two sons, who still survive. Sally Flenner was born in 1807; David Featherling, June 4, 1809; Michael Featherling, May 12, 1816; Elizabeth Weare, about 1820; and Lovina Gougor, who was born in 1825. The two sons still own the farm which their father formerly possessed. Mr. Featherling's wife was Rhoda Morris, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Morris, who came to this county in 1804. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. ; came to this county with his parents, Frederick and Rhoda Featherling, in the year 1812. He was married in 1858 to Rachel McGellin, daughter of Matthew and Mary McGellin, who was born in Oxford, February 14, 1840. Her parents came to this county in 1812. They have had four children. Mary Ellis Morrow was born May 1, 1859; David, April 4, 1868; Anna Bell, May 17, 1871; and William, June 2, 1878. Mrs. Featherling's grandfather, Enoch Golonay, fought in the War of 1812. Mr. Featherling is a farmer.

Jacob Francis was born November 25, 1793, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His father, George H. Francis, was a soldier, and served during the entire Reyolutionary War. Jacob Francis himself was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the service about eight months. He was commanded by Brigadier-General John S. Gano, and is the last survivor in this county of those heroic men. His mother's name was Elizabeth Shawk. He has been twice married, the first time to Lydia Ford, who was born in New Jersey, December 1, 1798. He was united to her September 14, 1817; and had by her eight children. Samuel was born June 27, 1819; Ann Eliza, May 19, .1822; Jacob, May 10, 1824; George, January 19, 1826; Mary, September 20, 1827; John, July 5, 1829; Rachel, November 30, 1831; and Charles, December 2, 1833. Samuel, George, Mary, and Charles are dead. Mr. Francis's second wife, to whom he was united June 17, 1834, was Maria Young. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 28, 1811. By her he has had eight children. Lewis was born March 28, 1835; Maria, June 15, 1837; Joseph H., November 5, 1839; Daniel, January 21, 1842; Rebecca, July 31, 1845; William H., January 31, 1848; Elizabeth, January 30, 1850; and Margaret, June 8, 1853. Joseph H., Rebecca, and Margaret are now dead. Mrs. Francis's parents were John Young and Rebecca Brighton, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Francis came out to this country in 1806, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer.

O. F. Fleming was born in Lemon Township, May 11, 1887. He is the son of John Fleming and Catherine Hoagland. Hé*learned the trade of shoemaker when he was eighteen, and has followed it all the time since, with the exception of about six years, when he was employed at farming. He was constable in Lemon Township, being elected in the Spring of 1864, for one term. He is now school director, and has been for six years. During the war he was in the hundred-days' service. He was married August 17, 1859, to Susan McCray, daughter of Jesse McCray and Elizabeth Gebhart, and they have one child, John H., born July 22, 1860.

Martin Goebel was born in Pfordt, in the circle of Lauterbach, Hesse-Darmstadt, December 8, 1834, settling in this county August 16, 1856. His parents were Johannes Goebel and Eva Katharina Goebel, the latter He is a farmer.

in Trenton, September 3, 1861, to Anna Elisabetha Schul, daughter of Heinrich and Anna Elisabetha Schul. She was born at Fraurombach, in the circle of Lauterbach, Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 28th of August, 1840. They have ten children. Katharina Elisabetha was born June 21, 1862; Heinrich, February 11, 1864; Anna Elisabetha, September 3, 1865; George, April 1, 1867 ; Eva Katharina, August 16, 1869; Emma Elisabetha,

Henry Hursh was born January 17, 1824, in Wayne Township, and is the son of Martin and Susannah Hursh, who came to this county about the year 1823. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and on coming here settled in the south-east quarter of Section 20, Wayne Township, about nine miles north of Hamilton, where they resided for a number of years. In addition to his occupation as a farmer he was also engaged as a distiller. Both he and his wife are now dead, the father reaching the age of eighty-seven, and the mother seventy-five. Henry Hursh was married October 13, 1847, in Madison Town-_ ship, to Susan C. Snyder, daughter of John and Susannah Snyder, who came to this county at a very early period. She was born October 3, 1826. They have four children. Eliza J. Halderman was born October 26, 1848; John A., February 6, 1852; Samuel M. 6., November 19, 1853; Mary C. A. Hinkle, October 26, 1858. John Snyder was a teamster in the War of 1812. The cold was so intense at one time, that the men formed a circle in the snow, and kept up a lively walk all night to keep them from freezing to death. He narrowly escaped from drowning in crossing a floating bridge of logs, having scarcely reached the other side with his four-horse team before the bridge floated down the river. Mr. Snyder was eighty-two years and ten months old when he died.

Henry Hursh was brought up a farmer until he entered the tailor shop of John Grismere as an apprentice. In the Spring and Summer of 1844 Mr. Hursh was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods and grocery store by an uncle of his in Preble County. Business did not prove very brisk, so he concluded to make a change. In the Fall he taught a term in the Nine-Mile district in Wayne Township, receiving forty dollars for thirteen weeks. In 1845 he set upa tailor shop in Trenton, meeting with good success. In 1846 he removed to Jacksonburg, continuing in the same business until 1851. Finding that his health was becoming impaired, he abandoned the trade and went back to farming. Mr. Hursh is passionately fond of music. He could sing almost any thing at five years of age, and at ten learned how to handle the fife and flute. Applying himself to the study of vocal music during the Winter season of the year, he became initiated in the business of teaching at a very early period of his life, and has continued the same more or less for thirty-nine years. He has taught from one to eight quarters in eight different churches, twenty-seven different school-houses, and five or six private houses, these places being located in the counties of Butler, Warren, Montgomery, Preble, and Darke. He has been residing on his present farm for twenty-six years. It is the birth-place of his wife, and is located in the neighborhood of Elk Creek, three miles north-west of Middletown.

Jonas Heck was born August 20, 1805, in Maryland, and is the son of John Heck and Margaret Wolf. They came to this county in 1805. The grandfather, Frederick Wolf, was in the Revolutionary War, and was paid off in continental money, but so much had it depreciated that he gave one hundred dollars after the war for a black silk handkerchief. Jonas Heck was married on the 24th of May, 1827, to Magdalene Buck, daughter of Christopher Buck and Eve Hayse, who became residents of this county in 1815. They have had eleven children. Salome Kerr was born December 24, 1827; Elizabeth Shortle, same day, now dead; Catherine Sorber, September 11, 1830; Henry, November 23, 1832, died August 4, 1851; Phebe, February 18, 1835, died July 7, 1846; Ann, August 4, 1837, died October 7, 1838; Benjamin F., July 23, 1839; Francis M., December 9, 1841; John, May 8, 1844; Magdalene. J., August 26, 1846, died August 6, 1851; Jonas, September 2, 1849, died July 20, 1851. Mr. Heck was supervisor for two years, and was superintendent of the free pikes for two years. He is a farmer. He has been a member of the old-school

Henry Kramer was born in Germany August 21, 1831. His parents were Frank and Eve Kramer, The latter had previously been married, and her name was Moulter. Mr. Kramer settled in this county in 1854, and was married the day after Easter in 1855, in Hamilton, to Mary Ann Willem, daughter of Frederick Willem and Margaret Glass. She was born in Germany August 1, 1831. They have had four children. Bernard was born September 22, 1856; Ida, July 15, 1861; Frank, March 4, 1864; and Henry, May 30, 1871.

Amos Kemp was born on the farm on which he now lives, Range 4, Township 2, Section 17, in 1839. He is a farmer, and is the son of Daniel Kemp and Agnes Wilson, both now being dead. He was married in 1880 to Julia Randall, daughter of Joseph Randall.

John Barnet Long was born in New York State in 1812, being the son of Barnet Long and Christina Long. They came from Pennsylvania. He is a farmer. He settled in this county May 10, 1822, and was married in 1833 to Delilah Ann Meneely, daughter of George and Delilah Meneely, who was born in Madison Township in born October 23, 1834; Mary Ann, February 1, 1836; William B., in 18387; John W., in 1842; Eliza, in 1847; Hetty, in 1850; and Ellen, in 1854. Mr. Long was supervisor in 1877, 1880, and 1881. His father, Barnet Long, was in the Revolutionary War, when eighteen years old, as drum-major. William B. Long was in the war of 1861 three years, and John W. Long was in the hundred-days' service in 1864. William B. Long himself was in the Thirty-fifth Regiment.

Hampton H. Long was born-in the township he now lives in on the 8th of January, 1848. He is the son of John G. Long and Hannah Squier, both natives of the township. He married Maria E. 8. Snively, daughter of Henry Snively and Catherine Hirsh. Mrs. Long was born in Wayne Township, January 9, 1850, and was married to' Mr. Long, October 14, 1868. They have four children: Henry D., Letha S8., Fannie M., and John G. Mr. Long is a Mason, and has risen to a very high rank in that society. He has taken thirty-two degrees, and there is but one for him to attain. That

James Law, farmer, was born in Virginia, November 8, 1802, and settled in this county in 1804. He was married first to Elizabeth Shroyer, and second, to Christian A. Hinds. His children are John F., born February 12, 1833; Calvin D., April 9, 1834; Mary Ann Smith, February 9, 1837; William, November 3, 1838; Jane, April 19, 1842; Catherine J., March 29, 1848; Christiana, September 23, 1851; James, August 1, 1854; - and Elizabeth, November 1, 1856. Mr. Law's father, Francis Law, was drafted in the British army, and deserted to the Americans. Of Mr. Law's children, Calvin D., William, and Jane are dead.

John L. Long was born in Lemon Township, December 30, 1831, and is the son of Silas Long and Sarah Marshall. The father came here in 1809, but the mother was born here. He is a farmer. He was married on the 29th of December, 1853, in Madison Township, at her father's house, to Susan Shartle, daughter of Daniel Shartle and Sarah Lingle, who arrived in this neighborhood in 1814. She was born June 27, 1833. They have had five children. Sallie E. Marts was born September 22, 1855; Samuel M., September 18, 1857; Mary Ellen Smith, November 14, 1860; Ida May, June 6, 1864; and William B., March 12, 1869. Mr. Long has been a school director for fifteen years. His father, Silas Long, belonged to a light infantry company during the War of 1812, but was never called out. His grandfather, David Long, was scalped by the Indians, but was not killed. Silas Long came to this county from Pennsylvania at the age of twelve, settling here on the farm where his son, John L. Long, now lives. When he came there was not a stick cut on the place, but he suc- ceeded in clearing the farm by hard work. At the time of Morgan's raid John L. Long went out with the militia to catch him, but did not succeed.

Samuel M. Long was born April 14, 1820, in Lemon Township, and was the son of Silas and Sarah (Marshall) Long. The father was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio in the fifth year of his age, living in Kentucky before coming to this State. His mother was born in the county. His father was a farmer, dying in Lemon Township, where he had taken up a section of land, on the 27th of October, 1879, aged eighty-two. Mr. Long was educated in the common schools, and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked in Middletown for two years. He then engaged in farming in 1846, leasing a farm in Madison Township, which he now occupies - one hundred and fifty acres. He deals in stock, grain, horses, etc. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner, and re-elected in 1876, serving altogether six years with credit. He is an active and earnest politician, attending all conventions, county and State. He is a Democrat. During the war he took an active part in aiding the government.

He married Miss Lydia A. Walter, the daughter of John 8. and Anna Walter, of New Jersey, then of Madison Township. Both parents are dead. Mr. Walter was an excellent jeweler by trade, and followed that occupation for many years. He was of the same family as the first mayor of New York, Robert Walter, of whom Mr. Long has an oil-painting in his house. Mr. and Mrs. Long have three living children, and two dead. The oldest, Philip 8., died in 1865. The other children are John W., Charles H., and William:S.

David Marts was born in Madison Township, Butler County, June 15, 1815. His parents were Abraham Marts and Mary Reed, who moved into this county in 1808. His grandfather, David Marts, was at the battle of Brandywine, and Abraham, his father, was in the War of 1812. The latter moved into the township when very little had been done towards rescuing it from the primitive condition in which it was first known, and the log cabins were some distance apart.

Mr. Marts has been three times married. The first time was to Mary Snyder, daughter of Samuel Snyder and Catherine Weaver. Her parents came into the county in 1807. The second was to Catherine Snyder, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Snyder. Her parents came here in 1815. The third wife was Elizabeth Schott, daughter of Daniel Schott and Sarah Lingle. By these unions he has become the father of eleven children. Abram was born in 1836; Samuel, in 1838; Catherine Carson, 1840; Mary Gebhart, 1842; Sarah Johns, 1844; John W., 1846; Snyder, 1848; David J., 1850; Willard, 1852; Charles, 1854; and Ida Long, 1856. Mr. Marts has been township treasurer twenty years, county commissioner six years, and in 1860 and 1880 appraised the

Mrs. Gertrude Martin was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Her parents were Garret M. White and Rebecca Lippincott. Her grandfather Lippincott and her father were both in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Martin has had eight children. John was born August 16, 1830, and died at three years of age; Lucien, February 4, 1833; Rebecca, November 5, 1855; William O., March 24, 1838; Mary E., September 16, 1840; Garret M. W., February 26, 1844; Francis M. and George B., April 27, 1846, and Martha Jane, August 28, 1848. William O. Martin was a member of the Eighty-third Ohio, and lost one finger at the battle of Arkansas Post, and Garret M. W. Martin was taken sick at Paris, Kentucky, and was discharged before the close of the war. 'Two of Mrs. Martin's cousins, Amos and Derrick Woolley, were in the Mexican War.

John Moyer was born in Gratis Township, Preble County, Ohio, July 22, 1826, being the son of John Moyer and Catherine Shaffer. His wife, Catherine Smith, was the daughter of John Smith and Mary Judy, and was born in Montgomery County, December 14, 1828, where they were married in 1859. They have three children. Ida Eleanor was born October 21, 1860; Mary Catherine, June 9, 1863; John C. L., May 11, 1865. Mr. Moyer was supervisor for four years.

John H. Lingle was born on the farm where he now lives August 8, 1837, being the son of Thomas Lingle and Mary Barbara Haroff, who came to Butler County in 1806. He is a farmer. He was married on the 24th of December, 18638, to Elizabeth Jane Mizely, daughter of Adam Clark Mizely and Lydia, who came here in the year 1845, from Pennsylvania. Mr. Mizely, who was a Methodist minister, and three brothers-in-law were in the War of the Rebellion from 1862 to the close of the war. First Sergeant Abraham Mizely died at Camp Dennison, at the age of twenty-five years; Augustus Mizely and William H. Mizely are dead, the latter at twenty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lingle have five children. Catherine E. was born April 15, 1865; Mary Susan, September 18, 1867; Lydia Eleanor, June 10, 1871; Ida May, January 9, 1873; and Charles Sandford, August 7, 1880. John Lingle, Mr. Lingle's grandfather, came from Pennsylvania in the year 1806, and lived under an oak tree for six weeks, as his neighbors were too few to raise a cabin sooner. He played with the Indians for two years. Bears, wolves, and panthers were in abundance then in Madison Township. Barbara Lingle has a German book, called Nicodemus, published in 1734, and another called the Martyrs, published in 1740.

Christian Mosiman, the son of Christian Mosiman, Sen., and Barbara Smith, was born in Milford, Township, March 12, 1841, and was married on the 16th of November, 1865, to. Anna Kinsinger, daughter of John

Kinsinger and Barbara P. Smith. She was born in Fairfield Township, May 24, 1848, her parents coming here in 1831, as did those also of Mr. Kinsinger. They have eleven children. Mary E., the oldest, was born August 17, 1866; Samuel, December 17, 1867; Salvena, June 26, 1869; Levina, June 26, 1870; Barbara Helen, February 6, 1872; Leanna, October 18, 1873; Louisa, April 7, 1875; John Reuben, December 21, 1876; Edison and William, October 15, 1878, and Ezra, November 28, 1880. Mr. Mosiman has been school director, being elected in 1879. He is a farmer, and has a well-cultivated place. He is a member of the Mennonite Church.

Jacob Fred. Muller, born at Hombarch, in Germany, is the son of Jacob Muller and Elizabeth Deuscher. The father died in Germany, but the mother came to this country in 1860. Her son had reached here in 1855. He was married in Dayton on the 9th of May, 1872, to Louisa Margaret Regner, daughter of Caspar Regner and Johanna Hafer. She is a native of Gaildorf, Germany, where her parents both died. They have no children. By a previous wife he had one child, Catherine, born on the 27th of November, 1855. Mrs. Muller was also previously married. Her husband was Philip Thielmann, and she had by him three children. Philip was born September 19, 1863; Anna, October 26, 1864; and Louis, January 7, 1871. 'They are all living with Mr. Muller, who is a hard-working farmer. His father died after leaving Germany, when the son returned and brought over his mother. His wife was left an orphan at the age of fifteen, and went out to service, at which she stayed for nineteen years, when her sisterin-law sent her the money to come to this country. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, and her husband a member of the German Reformed.

Charles Miller, son of Matthias and Bashaby Miller, both old settlers of this county, was born in Wayne Township, April 2, 1818, and was married November 9, 1834, to Katy Belford Reed, daughter of John and Hannah Reed, and born October 22, 1814. They have had seven children. Samuel was born August 16, 1835; Maria Thomas, July 23, 1837; Clark, September 10, 1839; Hanna J., December 19, 1842; Charles C., April 30, 1845; Matthias, June 6, 1847, and James Francis, March 9, 1850. Clark Miller enlisted in an Illinois Regiment and served three years. Charles Miller, the father, is a farmer. He has been a supervisor.

Eliza Ellen McCracken was born in Madison Township June 2, 1836. She is the daughter of George Gauker and Susan Rickard, the father now being dead. Her grandfather, Anthony Rickard, served through the War of 1812. George Gauker was born in Mercersburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1776, and settled about a mile north-west of Trenton, on what is yet known as the Gauker farm, in 1807, where he resided until the time of his death, August 31, 1858. His wife still lives, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Mrs. McCracken has had four children. Mary A. was born February 7, 1855; John E., November 5, 1856; William S., November 9, 1858; and Charles S., November 6, 1860.

Homer Phillips, farmer, was born in Union, Montgomery County, Ohio, on the 1st of October, 1827. He is the son of Richard and Elizabeth Phillips, the latter settling in Madison Township in 1808, coming with her parents. He settled in this county in 1853, and was married in Franklin, Warren County, August 26, 1860. His wife was born in that place August 30, 1831, her parents being James and Hannah Ely. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips was blessed with four children. Elizabeth was born August 24, 1861; James, March 13, 1863 ; Lincoln, November 28, 1867; Almeda, April 10, 1875. Mr. Phillips was a private of Captain G. C. Warvel's company E, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment of Ohio National Guard. He was enrolled on the second day of May, 1864, to serve one hundred days. He did guard duty in Kanawha Valley, West Virginia, Camp. Loup Creek, Camp Reynolds, and Camp Gauley Bridge. At the expiration of his term of service he was discharged at Hamilton, on the eighth day of September, 1864.

William Schenck was born in Germantown, January 3, 1825. His parents are William B. Schenck and Mary Conover. He was married December 16, 1849, in Hamilton, to Margaret Tryer, daughter of John Tryer and Mary Heck. She was born in Madison Township, May 28, 1829, and has borne him seven children. John W. Webster was born January 21, 1852; Mary E., - April 1, 1853; Celadon A., July 23, 1854; Levi B., November 13, 1859; Newton E. in 1864; Cyrus G., January, 1868; and Eugene E., May 23, 1871. These are all dead but Cyrus. His grandfather, William B. Schenck, was in the Revolution, being a captain. His brothers, Norman and David P., were in the service for three years each.

John Sinkey was born at Amanda, in Lemon Township, and was the son of John Sinkey, a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Shields. The latter came from Ireland. He was first a distiller, but was afterwards a farmer, and has followed this occupation for thirty-nine years. He was married in Lemon Township to Rebecca Hedding, daughter of William Hedding and Mary Black, who came from Pennsylvania in 1838. She was born in 1823. They have had nine children. Mary Jane Snyder was born April 15, 1839; Isabel Cooper, October 9, 1841; James, May 23, 1844; William H., December 25, 1845; John W., May 1, 1847; Daniel, December 27, 1849; Charlotte Kemp, 1852; Sarah E., July 12, 1857, and Charlotte, August 27, 1860. James Sinkey shouldered his musket and served in the last war.

1850, to Martha A.-Banker, born in Poasttown, Madison Township, December 7, 1825, whose parents were David Banker and Mary McDill. He has retired from business.

Jonathan Schenck was born in this township, July 22, 1835, being the son of William Schenck and Jane Marshall, who came to this county in 1822. He was married September 7, 1859, to Laura C. Brelsford, born August 13, 1839, daughter of Pierson Brelsford and Mary Hutchen, and had by her seven children. Mary Ellen Wehr was born July 8, 1860; William P., October 30, 1862; Charles H., October 23, 1864; Frank, October 8, 1867; Louisa Jane, September 10, 1872; Ferdinand, July 7, 1876, and Ina, February 2, 1880. Mr. Schenck has been supervisor for several terms. He has a fine farm, situated about four miles from Middletown.

William Southard was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, November 21, 1799, and came to this county in 1802. His parents, who also came here at the same time, were Aaron Southard and Nancy Hankerson. He was married December 5, 1822, to Ann Van Sickle, daughter of John Van Sickle and Rachel Van Vliet. She was born the 18th of October, 1803, the same year that her parents came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Southard have had six children, of whom the first four are dead. Their names are John, Nancy, Isaac, Mary J., Ruth Voris, and David. George Southard, an uncle, was in the War of 1812. Mr. Southard has always been a farmer. He owns a very pleasant home of forty-five acres, part in this county and part in Montgomery County.

James M. Schenck was born in Montgomery County in 1844, and was married to Lucy S. Faust October 12, 1865. His wife was born in Westchester, in this county, May 14, 1848, and is the daughter of Peter Faust and Rebecca Cunningham. His parents were John L. Schenck and Hester Marshall, and he came to this county in 1846. His grandfather, John H. Schenck, was in the War of 1812. James M. Schenck has four children. Robert was born March 28, 1867; John L., October 11, 1868; Findlay S., December 9, 1869; and Briggs C., December 24, 1878. Findlay S. is dead. Mr. Schenck was in the hundred-days' service in Virginia, in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment, Company G, from Middletown.

John Selby, son of Middleton Selby and Rachel Selby, was born in Madison Township, March 28, 1851. He is a farmer and carpenter. He was married October 22,

Mary Ann Catrow, who was born in Madison Township July 24, 1847. They have two children, - Kfhe S., born October 10, 1866, and Mary Lee, July 24, 1869. . Middleton Selby, the father of John Selby, was born Janu- ary 22, 1793, in the State of Maryland, moving to Ohio in 1802 with his parents, when about nine years of age. They settled in Madison Township, where he lived upon the homestead until his marriage. By his own industry he received a common education, which enabled him to teach school at that early day. In November, 1816, he was married to Rachel Temple, and immediately afterwards settled on a farm near a small stream known as Brown's Run, where he lived until his death, September 15, 1877, being sixty-one years on the samé farm.

In 1824 he was elected a justice of the peace, an office he held for the term of twenty-four years in succession to the full satisfaction of the people. He was then elected to the position of trustee of the township, in which office he served for sixteen years, afterwards declining re-election on account of age. He'was a very marked man, of excellent habits, and was always a great advocate for the education of the rising generation. His word was as good as his bond. By his industry, energy, and high character he acquired considerable property, owning several farms at his death. He brought up a family of thirteen children, six girls and seven boys, all of whom are living, and all married and doing well. There are seventy grandchildren and forty-five greatgrandchildren. Rachel Selby, his wife, was born in the State of Kentucky, and in 1792 moved to Ohio with her parents. They located on a farm on the Great Miami River, near the State dam. After her marriage she became a member of the Baptist Church, and was an exemplary member all her life. She was highly esteemed by all who knew her. She died in 1869, at the age of seventy-seven.

Samuel Selby was born in Madison Township, Butler County, September 28, 1828, and is a farmer. His parents were Middleton Selby and Rachel Coon.' He was married February 2, 1854, to Amanda Gebhart, daughter of Daniel Gebhart and Christina Lingle, who came here in 1804. She was born July 22, 1834, and has borne him six children. Alice was born March 8, 1855; George, January 11, 1857; Edgar, April 12, 1859; Rachel Flora, October 20, 1861; Charles, September 11, 1864; and Harry W., January 22, 1873. William Dine, his -brother-in-law, was a soldier in the last war.

Shem Thomas was born in the north-west part of Warren County, April 10, 1808, being the son of Gabriel Thomas, born in Maryland, and Christina Thomas, formerly Christina Wolf. They came to this country in 1804, and settled near Franklin, Warren County, in that part of Warren which was ceded from Butler County, and then in Butler County. His father was born in Maryland some time in the neighborhood of the Revolutionary War. He came down the Ohio in flat-boats to Cincinnati, and then, with teams, moved his family, consisting of his wife and six children, to a farm near Franklin. He cleared his own forests.

He was an active, busy, hard-working pioneer, and being skilled as a blacksmith, did his own work and some for his neighbors. He lived on the farm he first settled, and on the one adjoining it, with his son Michael, until the time of his death, in 1857. Shem Thomas had ten brothers and three sisters, two of the brothers dying in infancy and one when ten years old. The other brothers all grew up, and all lived with their father until they attained to manhood, and helped clear away the forests and prepare the way for approaching civilization. Four of them are now living within a few miles of each other.

Jacob Temple, Senior, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, July 10, 1799. He is the son of Michael Temple and Catherine Heffner, who emigrated to this county in 1804, coming in a covered wagon with a fourhorse team. Mr. Temple stayed with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when he was married to Catherine Gebhart, daughter of John and Catherine Gebhart, who came here in 1808. Twelve children were the fruits of this union. Ellen J. Kircher was born February 24, 1824; John, April 1, 1826; Charlotte Kircher, February 21, 1828; Catherine M., March 15, 1830; Michael, February 19, 1832; Henry G., January 9, 1834; Peter G., February 15, 1836; Sarah Davis, February 24, 1838; Elizabeth Mears, December 14, 1840; Oliver P., December 22, 1842; Mary Ann Lucas, September 12, 1845; and Theodore, May 3, 1848. His father, Michael Temple, was in the Revolutionary War, and three brothers were in the War of 1812, Michael, Peter, and John.

Tyler S. Walter was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, March 7, 1818. He is the son of John Schuyler Walter and Anna Schenck, who came here in 1836. His great-great-grandfather was in the French and Indian War. One of his ancestors, Robert Walter, was at one time mayor of New York City. Tyler S. Walter has always been a farmer.

Absalom Williamson, farmer, the son of Arthur Williamson and Caroline Henderson, was born near Lesourdsville, June 27, 1827. His parents were from near Freehold, New Jersey, and came here in 1819. His grandfather, Hendrick Williamson, served in the Revolutionary War, as did his great-grandfather on _ his mother's side, John Henderson. The latter was a captain, and participated in the battle of Monmouth. A brother of Captain Henderson was a colonel in the same Mr. Williamson's brother, H. V. Williamson, was in the one-hundred-day's service in the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia.

William Weaver was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, December 20, 1795, and settled in this county in the year 1800. He is probably the oldest native of Ohio now living in the limits of Butler County, and is one among a half dozen of the oldest living persons born in Ohio. His parents were Henry Weaver and Susan R. Crane. He was married December 19, 1822, to Elizaengagement.

Wayne

beth Clark, daughter of John L. Clark and Sarah Hatfield. She was born in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1803. They have had eight children. Susan was born August 11, 1825; Ferdinand, July 12, 1829; Henry L., December 22, 1831; Mary, August 13, 1834; William, October 31, 1836; John C., December 9, 1838; Samuel D., April 20, 1841, and Sarah E., March 2, 1845. Mr. Weaver was justice of the peace nine years, trustee of Madison Township nine years, trustee of school lands, captain of a militia company four years, and major five years. The Weaver family contributed their full share towards putting down the late Rebellion. Henry L. Weaver, George H. Weaver, and Samuel Weaver were out. William Weaver fell at the battle of Arkansas Post. He was a captain of the Eightythird Ohio Volunteers.

Jacob C. Weikle was born in Madison Township, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Weikle. He is a farmer. He was married on the 21st of December, 1876, in Preble County, to Margaret A. Snyder, daughter of Daniel D. Snyder and Mary A. Fall. They have two children, Mary E. Weikle and Nathan Weikle.

Wayne Townsur is a rich, fertile portion of the county, from rolling to hilly, well watered, and the farms are in a highly cultivated condition. The stream of Seven-Mile cuts off the south-east corner of the township, Elk Creek the north-eastern corner, and also draining the northern portion, running near its northern boundaryline. Ten-Mile and Nine-Mile are in the western section. This leaves the interior as a water-shed, and some portions very high. Phares's Hill and some others are points from which delightful views can be taken.

Matthew Winton came very early, and settled near Seven-Mile. He built a one-story stone house where the depot is now, and so pitched his foundation that one could escape from St. Clair to Wayne Township by simply going through the house. It was built just on the line. He was an eccentric Irishman, and held the office of chief magistrate for his township for a number of years. Among other possessions of his was a ''corn-cracker," just south of where the town is now. It was then the first and only mill of that vicinity, and answered the purpose of a grist-mill, but instead of grinding it simply cracked the grain. The citizens from the Withrow settlements, tired of making the circuitous route by his house to get to the mill, cut a road through. It was shorter and better, but nevertheless displeased the Hibernian, who felled the trees across the highway to prevent people from passing. The citizens would assemble at night and remove them, and the same thing was repeated the next night, but as often were the* trees and logs removed.

Among the early settlers was James Withrow, from 'Nelson County, Kentucky. He came to the wilderness as early as 1800, and settled on Section 33. His wife was a Mrs. Robins, and he had five children, - Samuel, John, James, Nettie, and Susie; all are now dead. He built for himself a hewed-log house, which was then considered more than ordinarily fine. He was a lover of stock, and raised horses and cattle in large numbers. He would sometimes have thirty or forty horses and a large herd of cows. Samuel, his son, lived to be eighty-four years old. John Withrow, his brother, followed James in November of that same year. His wife was Miss Ann Pottenger. It is a large family now and a very prominent one. His children were James, Samuel P. (then two-and-ahalf years old, and still living), John, Robert, James, and Dennis. He settled on Section 84, where James Withrow now lives. The Withrows were originally from the Carolinas, and went to Kentucky, partly in love of adventure, it being in the days of Daniel Boone, when all was wild and the country full of Indians.

Captain Samuel Pottenger came from Maryland to Kentucky, where he built a "' fort" on Pottenger Creek, in Nelson County, six miles from Bardstown. It was here that the Withrows and Pottengers met. Mrs. Ann Withrow, whose maiden name was Pottenger, had three brothers - Dennis, John, and Robert - who came two years afterwards to Ohio, but subsequently settled in Preble County. There are now many of this family in Wayne Township. Robert Gilke and family, the Paddocks, the Buchanans, the Cornthwaites, were also early settlers. Edward Cornthwaite settled near Seven-Mile, and built a mill just below the town. His frame house still stands. The mill and house were in St. Clair Township.

The township was organized in 1805, and was taken from St. Clair. The population of the township in 1820 was 1,552; in 1830, was 1,513, and in 1840 was 1,562. The early settlers of the township were the Andrews, Brelsfords, Bairds, Burnses, Brookses, Corneliuses, Craigs, Conarroes, Carters, Duffields, Davises, Foxes, Forts, Greens, Grafts, Hutchinses, Hawkinses, Joneses, Kelleys, Kirkpatricks, Mattixes, Phares, Pottengers, Pages, Robbinses, Rheas, Stubbses, Smiths, Squiers, Wilsons, Weavyers, Withrows, and others.

One railroad passes through a small portion of the township, the Cincinnati, Richmond, and Chicago; and there are two villages, Jacksonburg and Seven-Mile, the latter lying also partly in St. Clair. The township is named after General Wayne, who marched up to the north in 1794, through its western portion, traversing Sections 32, 29, 19, 17, 18, 7, and 6, then entering Preble County.

Jacksonburg is the oldest town in the township. It lies near the highest ground in the township, and was once the most important town for miles on that side of the Miami in the county. Prior to the building of the bridge at Middletown, it enjoyed the trade of a large section of country. It was on the main thoroughfare from Cincinnati to Darke and Preble Counties, and had at one time two hotels, four stores, a pork-packing house, four tailors, and other industries to match.

Benjamin Vancleve, the brother-in-law of John Baird, John Craig, and Henry Weaver, came early and purchased the land in and about Jacksonburg. He settled where Mr. Bruenbeaher now lives. He bought for the proprietors of the town, Craig, Weaver and Baird, who laid the village out, February 19, 1816. John Baird took fifty acres, running up to the south-east corner of the square, on which corner he built the tavern which he conducted for full thirty years thereafter, and which made for him a fortune. The tavern is now owned by H. Haitzman, who came in possession of the property some eighteen years ago. He has considerably increased the size, and made some improvements in the property. Baird built the present bar-room portion of logs, and it has since been weatherboarded. Dr. Miller built the west end projection. John Baird kept the first hotel and his brother-in-law, David Runyan, kept the second.

Henry Weaver took the land, one hundred and twenty acres, on the south-east of the public square, and built the house now occupied by W. F. Shearard. John Craig took the land on the north side of the town, one hundred and sixty acres. The second house built in Jacksonburg was on the north-east corner, being now owned by William Miller. William W. Phares kept the first store in the town, in this house. He came to Butler County in 1805, and clerked a while for John Sutherland, of Hamilton. He became an honorary member of the Miami Commandery, at Lebanon, No. 22. He died January 16, 1875. Following Phares in the store were John Crane, Hiram Potter, William Emery, James Gary, and Jacob Rush. Mr. Miller bought this property in 1879. It was the first frame building in the town. The house that Mr. Weaver built on the south-east corner of the square was kept, first by Henry Earhart and his partner Captain John Crane, then by Snyder & Wells, and then by John H. Thomas. The building is still standing, but is used as a billiard-saloon.

The house on the north-west corner of the square was built still later, by George W. Rodgers, who came to the town with some money, but failed. The house was built of brick, in 1832, and in 1833 was used for a hotel by Runnells, and afterward by William Shaffer. It is now owned by the son of the latter, the lower part being kept as a store. George Bankers, a German, kept hotel here when Martin Van Buren was President, in 1836. William Shaffer kept hotel after this, nine years. Matthias Miller moved near the village in 1840. Henry S. Earhart, now living in Hamilton, was in business here nearly sixty years ago. He came with a stock of goods, furnished by John L. C. Schenck, from Warren County. Here he did a flourishing business for four years, then removing to Hamilton.

In 1824 the town was probably in the most thriving period of its existence. At that time, Mr. John Thomas, Potter & Phares, David Patton, and Isaac Souther were keeping store, Hiram Potter was packing pork, and there were also three tailors in the town. These and other enterprises were carried on, and in all a good business was done. The travel at that time was also good. The four and six-horse teams, with their tinkling bells and old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagons, would fill the town at night. The old Baird tavern could not accommodate the crowd unless they used the floor. 'The stables did not pretend to furnish the teams with stalls, and the teamsters tied their horses to their wagons. Those who remember those times state that frequently there were as many as fifty teams at a time putting up for the night in the town. As soon as the canals and railroads were built, of course this mode of traveling was abandoned.

Dr. J. B. Owsley is a practicing physician, having an experience of some eighteen years in this locality. J. H. Yager is a wagon-maker, as is also Mr. Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer's son deals in groceries. The council consists of six members: Benjamin Margerim, Isaac Peterman, James M. Shaffer, Samuel Miller, George W. Speer, and W. B. Thomas. There has always been some manufacturing done in Jacksonburg. Charles Wells kept the first blacksmith's shop, and remained in the business probably thirty years. Mr. Benjamin Margerim owns the lot.on which the shop stands. Thomas Hartley had the next shop. This was on the place where William Shaffer & Sons carry on wagon-making. These latter men have been in the business for a number of years, and have much to do.

John H. Yager bought his lot and built his shops - blacksmith, paint, and wood shops - in 1870. He manufactures wagons, buggies, his patent harrow, and rollers, and does custom work. He is also agent for the '' Champion" harvester. His patent adjustable harrow is coming

= The Union Church of Jacksonburg was built by John Thomas and James Craig, in 1843. It was Methodist in point of doctrine with the builders, but free to other denominations. These noble men received some aid from outsiders, but the burden of the debt rested upon themselves. It is a building thirty-five by forty feet, which cost about fifteen hundred dollars. In 1865 Jacob Emrick and his followers purchased the Craig interest, and in 1876 the United Brethren (virtually the only congregation that now assembles there) purchased the Thomas interest. The first pastor of the new Church was Frank Kumler, who is still the minister to this flock of about sixty souls. Gilbert Cox, Joseph Kumler, and Henry J. Kumler are, and have been, the trustees of the Church. Gilbert Cox is superintendent of a large Sabbath-school of this Church.

The Presbyterian Church of Jacksonburg was established in 1872. Theodore Marston and James M. Stokes were elders. The deacons were Martin Beaver and Samuel Kepler. There were but sixteen members of the new Church, but accessions have since been made to the number of fifty in all. The pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Swiggett, Kendall, and Caleb E. Jones. The building was erected during the Summer of 1879, ata cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and was dedicated in March, 1880, the Rev. Mr. Cooper, of Cincinnati, preaching the sermon. The present elders are James Stokes, H. H. Long, Calvin Hunter, and W. W. Miller. The deacons are Eli Marks and Francis Cornthwait. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has a good Sabbath-school.

Shiloh Church was built very early. It was at first a log structure, and later was changed into a schoolhouse as well, with services occasionally. The Shiloh Church is near the famous camping-grounds of the noted Killbuck, the Indian chief, who kept his clan at the mouth of the stream which empties into Elk Creek here. At the burial grounds of this place, Dame Rumor states, the Indians once surprised a party while interring one of their number, and scalped one or two. Killbuck was about half-civilized, and when his warriors left refused to go with them. He afterward went to Indiana.

The grave-yards of this township are numerous, there being as yet no township cemetery. Among those whose names should be perpetuated in remembrance, and whose inscriptions are fast becoming obliterated in consequence of many years of exposure to the weather, are:

John Thomas, who died April 4, 1856; aged 56. Eleanor, his wife, died March 24, 1873; aged 75. Gilbert Cox, died November 22, - - ; aged 85. Anna Cox, died October 28, 1862; aged 76. James Craig, died March 31, 1872; aged 71. John Craig, died December 4, 1840; aged 78. Craig was a Revolutionary soldier. James Todd, one of the first blacksmiths in Jacksonburg, died February 27, 1850; aged 61. John Baird, died September 3, 1855; aged 69. Nancy Baird, died December 3, 1862; aged 74. Samuel Stokes, died October 11, 1860; aged 66.

George Kelley, died March 25, 1830; aged 61. Kelley, died October 16, 1850; aged 49. August 1, 1849; aged 85. Elizabeth Allen, died December 4, 1848; aged 77. Isaac Wolverton, died February 25, 1859; aged 71. Catherine Wolverton, died August 30, 1849; aged 56. Joseph Kelley, died July 9, 1857; aged 88. Elizabeth, his wife, died July 9, 1857; aged 75. John Leslie, died May 5, 1855; aged 81. Rumor says that the last was the first white man married in Cincinnati.

On one of these trips home he was crossing the last hill, just in sight of his home, when, by accident, the jug fell and was broken. He, nothing daunted, turned on his heel once more, reached Cincinnati, and then returned to his own home, performing the whole journey and making the two trips in an incredibly short space of time. It is probably safe to say, from what old citizens state, that Wayne Township had at least one still-house for every section of land in the township.

Seven-Mile

Samuel Brand, original proprietor of Seven-Mile, came early to Wayne Township and bought five hundred acres of land where Seven-Mile town is now. His children were Samuel, George, Michael, and Mrs. John R. Ritter and Mrs. Susan Watkins. He built a mill near the present depot, and also a distillery, which he ran himself until 1835, when a division of the property was made among the children, Mrs. Ritter falling heir to the mill. This property was successfully kept up until 1855 by Mr. Ritter, when it went down. Mr. John Walter bought forty acres of this land in 1838, upon which the town of Seven-Mile was laid out.

John Cornthwait also built a saw-mill and grist-mill half a mile south of town in a'very early day, perhaps 1820. Franklin, his son, came into possession of the property. His brothers John and Edward each received farms. Franklin sold this mill to Kenry Karns, who carried on the business extensively. He sold it out in 1849, to John K. Flickinger, who still owns it.

The town of Seven-Mile was not laid out until in the year 1841. At that time John Walter laid out Walnut and High Streets, and one twelve-foot alley. The first lot was sold to F. B. Landis in 1847. Half an acre was given to the United Brethren Society in 1844; and after 1851, additions were laid out by F. B. Landis, Surber, Bobbenmeyer & Surber, and Weider.

In the Spring of 1838 there were but two houses in Seven-Mile. They were the frame part of the old store tavern, part of which is now still standing, and is used as an ice-house, and a blacksmith's shop that stood just opposite.

John Boliard at that time owned the store and shop. He bought the store of Stephen Emerick, the first merchant of the town. John Boliard was the first blacksmith in the town. He sold the tavern to Henry Jacoby, and built the present brick in 1840. Henry Jacoby came early and bought a large tract of land from the Pottengers. His son David fell heir to the hotel. It is now owned by Adam Heiland. John Walter bought the blacksmith's shop in 1838, and added to it a wagon-shop, where Jacobs's shop is now. Jacobs has owned this property since 1850, and the shop still does a good business. The property of Fred Berke was built in 1851 by Nathan Heller. Henry Jacoby, a son-in-law of Peter Helwig, it is supposed, built the old tavern sixty-five or seventy

The liquor traffic question has been the one principal absorbing theme of the magnates, and some considerable good has been accomplished. The present 'executive officers are Dr. M. H. Haynes, mayor; J. C. Richardson, clerk; E. Samuels, treasurer.

An academy was established in 1858, and was a stock affair, William K. Walter being president; Dr. E. C. Wooley, treasurer; D. M. Wieder, secretary of the company. I. N. Hughes, with an assistant or two, opened up that same year with an attendance of about sixty pupils, and for a couple of years the institution was very successful. Mr. R. B. Hanby, author of " Nellie Gray," succeeded Mr. Hughes. B. Starr had the last school in 1866, when the building was bought by the school district of Seven-Mile for $3,500. The building cost $7,000, and the four acres of ground bought of Jacob Speer cost $600. The house contains four rooms, and is two stories high.

The Presbyterians of Seven-Mile organized their society in 1878. There were then about fifty members of this Church in the town and vicinity. Burns Wilson, Dr. R. E. Prior, David Scott, John Smith, Wilson B. Smith, and Samuel Flickinger were the principal men who secured the organization. The church building was not erected until in 1881. 'They worshiped prior to this time in the German Reformed church. It is a handsome structure, thirty-six by fifty-six feet, two stories high, having a basement of three rooms. The Church service is now held in this part. The first supply to the pulpit was the Rev. Mr. Kendall. Following him were Mr. Swiggett and C. E. Jones. It is now vacated. The elders of the Church are Burns Wilson, Dr. Prior, J. D. Smith, David Scott, John Williamson, and Samuel Flickinger.

The United Brethren Church was built in 1844, Jacob and Samuel Flickinger and John Price were the trustees. The building was of brick, one story, thirty by forty-five, and cost about $1,500. The first pastors were the Rev. Theophilus Rork and his assistant. It was then a circuit. The membership of the Church at that time consisted of the Flickingers, Prices, Flenards, Adamses, Breubargers, and Fellers. In 1847 an extensive revival took place, when the Walters, Shaffers, and Lucases and others joined. The old church was taken down and a new one erected in 1859. It was dedicated January 1, 1860, by Bishop Edwards. It is thirty-seven by sixty feet, one story high and twenty-two feet in the clear, and cost $5,000. The Rev. William Lanthern was the first pastor, and served two years. The Rev. John Walters preached from 1865 to 1870, and the Rev. John Kilbourn is the present pastor. The membership is thirty.

; Dr. Joseph Hippart was the first physician that settled in Seven-Mile. He came here in 1848, and died of the cholera in 1849. He was a brother of Dr. James Hippart, of Richmond, Indiana. He was a young man of the regular school of practice. Following Hippart came Halderman, Berchard, John Irwin, E. C. Wooley, D. H. Kumler, William Davies, Haynes, and Prior. Dr. Kumler practiced here a number of years. He died in December, 1881. Dr. Davis was a United Brethren preacher also. He went to Iowa and became president of a college, dying in 1880. Dr. N. E. Broombaugh, an eclectic physician, came in 1861. He went as lieutenant in the EKighty-second Regiment, and was here after the war. Dr. Prior, a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, came in 1875. Dr. Haynes came in 1859, and is here yet. He graduated in the Ohio Medical College, and also in the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The turnpike running through Seven-Mile, from Eaton to Hamilton, was built in 1833 and 1834. The pike was made wide enough for three teams to pass, and was sixty feet from one side of the road to the other. The building of it was 'unnecessarily expensive, so much so that it has always been a poor investment. The first officers were John Woods, president, and David Barnett, James Barnett, Albert Haynes, Stephen Ingersoll, and Andrew McCleary, directors. It was not an unusual sight to see forty teams stopping in Seven-Mile over night at a time, so great was the travel.

A select school was established by Prof. B. Starr in 1870. He came to Seven-Mile four years previous to this time and took charge of the academy. He is a grad- _ uate of Middletown, Connecticut, and taught in the Wesleyan Female College, Cincinnati, and Hamilton, prior to his coming to\this place. His school is for boys only.

The first hotel was built by Peter Helwig, as early as 1810 or 1812. He was a son-in-law of Henry Jacoby, and was wealthy. He and Jacoby came from Pennsylvania. He also built a mill in St. Clair Township, near the line, but sold it to a man by the name of Flickinger. He was a carpenter, and sold out the hotel to his father-in-law. Henry Jacoby built the brick hotel just a few years before the pike was constructed. John Bolliard, a Pennsylvania German, kept the first store in the town. It was a small affair, and of a general character. It was established before the first hotel was built, and, after the coming of Henry Jacoby, the store was haneut by him and considerably enlarged. He only remained a few years. Wilson Clarke and William Lightsinger each have good stores in the place now.

The first school was taught by William Garrison, a lame man. The school-house was half a mile east of Seven-Mile. The building stood on the farm now owned by Robert Withrow, and was one that had been lived in a few years. The first building was very early. The second building was erected in 1830, and the third house was put up in 1878.

Bethel is a church building erected about the year 1852, by both the German Reformed and Lutheran societies. Jacob Bartch, Nathan, George, and Henry Jacoby, Jr., Charles Wieder (who donated the ground), Reuben Wieder, and Jonathan Sorber, were the leaders in the movement. Each society contributed its share towards the enterprise, and both together control the Church. The building is a one-story brick, and is sixtytwo by forty feet. The Rev. John Vogt was the first pastor, and remained four or five years. He was succeeded by a man who stayed but a short time. The present pastor, the Rev. Joshua Meckling, has had the pastoral care twenty-five years. The society consisted first of over a hundred members. It is now quite small.

The Cotton Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Seven-Mile in a very early day, but no house of worship save the cabins of the settlers existed previous to the year 1831, when the leading members took the matter in hand and built a church. Prominent among these few was Samuel P. Withrow. He was not then a Church-member, but with a heart in the work shouldered the chief responsibility, and through his efforts mainly the house of worship was built. He burned the brick, hired help, and did most of it himself. His father, John Withrow, donated the lot of an acre of ground, on the corner of his farm, now where James Withrow lives. Daniel Short and Reuben Kerchival were also prominent in this movement. The Rev. Joshua Holland was the first pastor. Samuel P. Withrow soon after joined the Church, and was made leader of a class immediately, which position he has held ever since that time. He has also helped to build other churches. The Rey. Mr. Brecount is the present pastor, and the Church has a membership of seventy.

John Brelsford was born in Wayne Township, August 9, 1822, being the son of John Brelsford and Nancy Ann Page, who came to this county in 1803. He was married on the 5th of January, 1845, to Jane Wolverton, who was born in Hamilton County, January 1, 1825, and by her had three children. John C. Brelsford was born January 19, 1853; Catherine Ann Brelsford was born February 7, 1856, and died October 17, 1857, and Elizabeth J. Phares was born January 16, 1858. Mrs. Brelsford died January 16, 1882. Mr. Brelsford was brought up on a farm, and has always followed the business. He was quarter-master of a rifle regiment for six years, while he lived in Preble County, Governor Bartlett giving him the appointment.

children were born to bless this union, seven of whom survive. William S. was born January 29, 1861; James A. was born October 17, 1862; Ida L., August 13, 1864; Elmer P., October 30, 1866; Samuel L., September 8, 1868; John H., January 25, 1871; Frances M., March 91, 1873; and Clara M., May 4, 1875. Samuel L. died July 2, 1870. William S. was married July 3, 1881, to Anna Haizman, born April 20, 1860, in Hamilton. He is living at home. Mr. Pierson Brelsford owns and farms two hundred and forty-five acres, and has also managed a threshing-machine for about sixteen years. He has been township trustee for seven years, and still holds the office. He was one of the party mustered and sent to Hamilton during the Morgan raid. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Allison B. Crist was born in Franklin County, Indiana, in 1826, and was married, in 1848, to Mary Davis, who was born in the same county and State in 1824. By her he had four children. Elbert is married and lives in Illinois; Arbell is single, and lives in Preble County; Perry is married, and lives in Wayne Township; and Mary is the wife of James Merrill, who lives in Huntington County, Indiana. Mrs. Crist died in 1852, and Mr. Crist was married, in 1855, to Annie Smart, born in Franklin County, Indiana, in 1835, by whom he had one child, Marion, who is married, and lives in Middletown. His wife died in 1858, and he was married, in 1838, to Phoebe Maddock, who was born in Butler County in 1837. By her he has had nine children. They are John, Luella, Francis, Ellwood, Retta, Mattie, Emma, Allison, and Eva.

Mr. Crist has held the various township offices - township supervisor, school director, and clerk of the schools. He emigrated from Indiana to Ohio in 1855, settling in Wayne Township on his present farm. He was in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio, the hundred-days' service, and was first corporal of Company D. They were stationed in the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia. He owns and farms six hundred and seventy acres in Wayne Township. He and his wife are Orthodox Quakers. He has always followed farming and stock dealing, and is one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He had but about a thousand. dollars when he commenced, and lost all that when he began farming in Ohio in 1855. He was then worse off than nothing, being in debt about three thousand dollars.

Hiram Gudgeon, the son of William and Nancy Gudgeon, was born in Tyler County, West Virginia, October 12, 1821. He came to this county in 1869. On the 21st of December, 1851, he was married to Christine E. McDonald, born in Canada East, October 12, 1826, and the daughter of Patrick and Bridget McDonald. The parents of both are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Gudgeon have had the following children: Charles W., Caroline E. Peterman, John F., William H., Effie C., Hiram W. &., and Thomas J. He was postmaster in Jacksonburg for two years, beginning May 8, 1879, and served until July 1, 1881. He was also mayor at the same place, beginning April 1, 1879, and served until April 1, 1881. His grandfather, and also father, served in the War of 1812. His brothers, James D. Gudgeon, William H. Gudgeon, Charles W. Gudgeon, and Franklin B. Gudgeon, were all in the war, and were all so fortunate as to come home without any serious wounds, excepting Charles W., who had his shoulder dislocated by a horse falling on him. William H. had his shoulder dislocated in the State service, at the time of the capture of John Morgan. He was also injured at the battle of Vicksburg, while he was in the gunboat service, being at that time on the Pittsburgh.

George W. Haslett is the son of John Haslett and Ann Cummins. He is a farmer. He was born the 4th of November, 1840, in this county. He was married on the 8th of November, 1864, to Catherine Cooper, daughter of John Cooper and Phenner Dill, who are now both dead. She was born on the 19th of January, 1842. They have had seven children. Ida May was born July 26, 1865; George M., July 10, 1867; Charles G., November 18, 1869; Maggie I., October 4, 1872; Mary J., April 30, 1875; Rosa Ann, March 28, 1877; and John E., October 22, 1879.

Jacob Inman was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 1779, and married Rachel Harriton, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 1779. They had nine children, of whom only two survive. Jacob L., who is married, lives in Decatur County, Indiana, and Barzillai lives in Wayne. He emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Preble County, where he died in 1823. His wife survived him for many years, dying in 1863. He was a school-teacher and surveyor, and during his brief residence in Preble County was a prominent man. At the time of his settlement he purchased upwards of four hundred acres of land.

Barzillai Inman was born in 1820, in Preble County, and was married in 1843 to Rebecca Jones, daughter of William Jones and his wife Elizabeth, who was born in 1828, in Wayne Township. They have had six children, four of whom are now living. Andrew C. Inman, born in 1844, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Elizabeth, born in 1846, died in 1849. Jacob J., born in 1849, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. _ Mary Ann, born 1852, died in 1871. Harriet, born 1855, is the wife of Andrew Wilson, and lives in Wayne Township. William J., born in 1859, is married, and lives in St. Clair. Mr. Inman has held the office of real estate appraiser. He was drafted in the war, sending a substitute. He owns and farms five hundred and fifty acres, and his wife owns five hundred acres, part of the old homestead of the Jones family.

1802, at the same time with his father, Henry Jones, who settled in Curtis Township, Preble County. William Jones was born in 1774, and died in 1851. He owned at one time twenty-three hundred acres of land. His wife was Elizabeth Culbertson. She was born about 1775, and died in 1846. They were both natives of North Carolina, and were buried together in Preble County. They had eight children, five of whom, all girls, survived them. Andrew Jones, his son, was born in North Carolina, in 1799, and was a mere infant when brought to Butler County. Susan was born in 1794, dying in Indiana; Keziah, in 1797; Amy, widow of John Fox, 1802, lives in Preble County; Jemima, 1805; John, 1808; Mary, 1810; Elizabeth, 1813; Sarah, 1820; and Rebecca, 1823. The last, the wife of Barzillai Inman, lives in Wayne Township.

Andrew Jones married, in 1822, Harriet Smith, who was born in this county in 1803. They had six children, three of whom survive: John C., who is married, and lives in Seven-Mile; Andrew, living in Chi. cago; and Isabel, wife of John -Ray, who lives in Arcola, Illinois. Mr. Jones died in 1833, and his wife died in 1877. John C. Jones, son of the above, was born in 1828, and is married to Susan Gregg. She was born in 1839. They have had four children. James, Anna Maud, and William live at home; Charles is dead. Mr. Jones is a large landed proprietor, owning two hundred and twelve acres of land in Indiana and some in his own township. He does not himself farm, but devotes his attention to dealing in stock and grain, being one of the largest stock dealers in the county. He is one of the leading citizens of the township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Johns family, an important and wealthy one in this township, were originally Quakers, coming to Penn- _sylvania about the year 1700, under the auspices of William Penn. They engaged largely in commerce, and were extensive ship owners. The War of the Revolution, however, ruined them. James Johns, the grandfather, came to this country about 1805, settling in Warren County, where he died. Five of his children settled in Ohio: Ellis, Isaac, Thomas, John, and Ruth. Thomas Johns was the first member of this family that came out. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 1776, and died in 1864, in Union Township. About the year 1801 he married Elizabeth Barnes, who was born about 1788, near Hagerstown, Maryland, and died in 1834 in Union Township. They had eleven children, of whom six are still living. Hannah, widow of Thomas Cox, who lives in Warren County; Jemima, wife of James Steele, now living in Darke County; Uriah, now living in Miami County; Nancy, wife of John Dawson, living in Clarke County, Missouri; John, in Wayne Township, and Thomas B., who is married, and lives in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Union Township, and in 1802 moved his family and settled there. He was drafted during the War of 1812, but owing to the sickness of his wife, he sent a substitute. He was a farmer, but did a good deal of carpenter work, building houses, barns, ete. John Johns was born in 1815, and married in 1837 Mary Hess, born in 1821, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They have had eleven children, of whom nine are still living. Franklin is married, and lives in Illinois; Susan is at home; Daniel is dead ; Theodore is married, and lives in Kansas; John and William are married, and live in Butler County; Alvadore lives in Terre Haute; Alpheus and Horace are married, and live in Butler County; Mary lives at home, and Ada is dead.

Mr. Johns has been a school director for more than twenty years. For over two years he owned a general store at Miltonville, which did a business of from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars per year. Ill health, however, interfered with his continuance in this business, and he abandoned it and took up farming. He now owns about seven hundred acres of land in the county, which he and his sons farm. Mr. Johns is one of the leading citizens of Wayne Township.

Henry Jacoby was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, about 1785. He was married to Sarah Kerr, a native of Lehigh County, by whom he had three children. Charles is married, and lives in St. Clair Township; Susannah, widow of Charles Wetzel, lives in Hamilton; and Elizabeth is deceased. He married for his second wife Salome Macan, born in Lehigh County, who died in 1837. He owned and farmed one hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Wayne, and one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Lemon.

Henry Jacoby, his son, was born in 1824, in Wayne, and was married in 1846 to Caroline Bartch, born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in 1828. They had ten children, of whom two died young. Barbara E. is the wife of Isaac Boatman. He was born in 1848, and lives in Seyen-Mile. Jacob, born in 1850, lives in Lemon Township; Francis, born 1852, is married, living in Monroe; Melinda, born in 1854, is the wife of Albert Yuengling; Mary Alice, born in 1856, died in 1859; Edwin, born in 1859, is single, and lives at home; Henry and Charles are twins, and were born in 1862, and David A. was born in 1864. One died an infant. Mr. Jacoby led an upright and virtuous Christian life, and was an elder of the Reformed Church. He died in 1866.

Nathan Jacoby, born in 1812, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, was married in 1838 to Sarah Barger, born in 1821, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, the daughter "of Samuel and Mary Barger. They had four children. Mary Ann, born in 1840, the wife of George Y. Mechlin, lives in Hamilton. Emma, born in 1841, is the widow of Reuben Fulmer, and lives in Hamilton. David Albert was born in 1852, and died in 1861, when but nine years old. Maria Alice, born in 1855, the wife of George N. Clapp, lives in Wayne Township. Mr. Jacoby came to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Wayne Township, where his father had bought three hundred and twenty acres, and he owns. and farms one hundred and fifty acres, part of the old homestead. Mr. Jacoby and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, of which he is an elder.

The Kumler family is one of the largest and best known in the county. Henry Kumler, the ancestor of the family, was a bishop of the Church of the United Brethren. He was born January 3, 1775, in Lancaster, Penn., and died January 8, 1854, in Hanover Township. He was a man of great religious gifts, and for more than half a century labored as a servant of the Lord. He was married September 7, 1797, to Susannah Wingart, born October 1, 1779, in Lancaster County, Penn. She died in 1874, on the 80th of November, in Hanover.

They had eleven children, who grew to maturity, and one that was drowned in a spring when five years old. Hannah, the widow of the Rev. Jacob Flickinger, born in 1798, lives in Seven-Mile. Henry Kumler, born January 10, 1801, lives in Dayton, Ohio. He is an exbishop of the United Brethren Church, an office he held for twenty years. Susannah, the wife of the Rev. John Zeller, born January 3, 1804, died in 1875. Elizabeth, the widow of the Rey. A. Hess, born July 5, 1805, lives in Brazil, Indiana. Daniel C., born September 30, 1807, lives in Seven-Mile. Elias, born October 21, 1809, died in 1873. Jacob and Michael, twins, were born August 31, 1811, and are each married, and live near Millville, in this county. Joseph, born February 23, 1813, is married, and lives in Wayne Township, at Jacksonburg. John, born December 24, 1814, is married, and lives in Dayton. Catherine, widow of Henry Welty, born April 6, 1817, lives in Oxford. Mary, born 1819, was drowned.

Bishop Kumler settled in Wayne Township when he first came to Ohio. He was a wealthy man for the times, and when he came to Ohio he purchased land in Wayne Township, increasing the quantity gradually until he owned about eleven hundred acres, besides other property. This was distributed among his children, the boys each getting a farm of about one hundred and fifty acres, and the girls receiving money. He was a very prominent man during his life-time. He frequently crossed the Alleghanies upon Church business. He was noted for hospitality, keeping an open house for the ministry.

Of his sons, Daniel C. was born September 30, 1807, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was married, in 1827, to Catherine Walter, also born in Lancaster County, February 11, 1807. She died June 27, 1876, in Seven- Mile. They had ten children, of whom nine are living. William E., born May 17, 1828, is married, and lives in St. Clair. Amos D., born May 22, 1830, lives in Seven- Mile. Mary K., wife of Dr. A. H. Landis,

Elizabeth R., widow of John Miller, born February 1 1835, lives in Seven-Mile. Jacob Henry, married, born April 14, 1838, lives in St. Clair. Charles J. S., born January 15, 1843, lives in Peru, Indiana. Hannah C., wife of B. F. Ozias, lives in Arcanum, Darke County. She was born July 20, 1840. Susan M., wife of Professor George A. Funkhouser, D. D., born October 26, 1845, lives in Dayton. Eunice, born about 1847, died while an infant. Luther M., born August, 1849, lives in Berwick, Pennsylvania, being a minister of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Kumler was for some years minister of the United Brethren Church, and went to Africa as a missionary in 1854, but had to return after a few months, on account of illness. He studied medicine at Millville, and practiced fur about forty years, beginning about 1829, and at one time had a very large business. He also owned a great deal of land, which was attended to by his children. He has distributed it among them. Four of his sons were out in the war, in the hundred-days' service, being members of the One hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment Ohio National Guard. Charles was sergeantmajor; William, a private; Amos, a corporal; and Jacob H., a private in Company C. They were stationed in the Kanawha Valley.

Joseph Kumler, son of the bishop, was born in 1818, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and married in 1835 to Margaret Zeller, born in 1816 in Montgomery County, this State. They have had seven children. Mary Ann is the wife of Simon Emerick, and lives in Montgomery County; Melinda E. is now dead; Juan R. lives at home; Myra F., wife of Samuel Baird, lives in St. Clair Township; Belle J., Joseph Edwin, and Franklin A. Z., all live at home. Mr. Kumler held the office of justice of the peace from 1853 to 1856, and has also been a member of the school board for nine years. He is the clerk of that body. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a trustee, holding this position for twenty-five years. He is also a class-leader, and has been superintendent for several terms of the Sunday-school. By occupation he is a farmer, and has owned at one time three hundred and ten acres, part of which he has given to his children. At present he owns and farms one hundred and sixty acres. He is the president of the recently incorporated society for taking charge of a new cemetery at Miltonville, in Madison Township.

John Leslie was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and his wife, Hannah Davis, was born in Pennsylvania, the former in 1774, and the latter in 1779. They were united in 1799. Ten children were given to them, four of whom survive. Joseph, born in 1803, is married, and lives in Preble County. Reazin, born in 1813, 1s married, and lives in Wayne Township. John, born in 1815, and Hannah, born in 1817, live in Wayne. Mr. Le abe went to Pennsylvania about 1797, and emigrated to Ohio in 1805, settling in Preble County. He died in 1853 and his wife in 1855. By successive purchases he finally owned about one thousand two hundred acres of land, which he divided among his children. He first entered five quarters, his entire capital being $500. He served as a teamster in the War of 1812, hauling flour from Middletown to Fort Meigs, Fort Defiance, and Fort Recovery. His father, Patrick Leslie, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving in the commissary department during the entire struggle. John, the son of John, moved to Butler County in 1854. He has been road commissioner.

John Moore, farmer, was born in Kildare County, Treland, in 1850. His father, John J.. Moore, lives in Ireland, and is a farmer. His mother, whose maiden name was Kelley, is dead. Mr. Moore was supervisor of Wayne Township for one term, being elected in 1862. He was one of the home guards that went out to capture John Morgan. Mr. Moore has been an extensive trayeler in South America, Texas, Alabama, and elsewhere.

George W. Oberfell was born in Butler County, April 18, 1858, being the son of Gottlieb Oberfell and Catherine Brooks. He came to this county in 1833, and she in 1849. George W. Oberfell was married September 15, 1878, to Louisa L. Ilowe, daughter of Junius A. Howe and Sarah A. Sherard. The former came from New York, but the latter was a native of the county. Mrs. Oberfell was born September 5, 1859, and has borne her husband three children. Harry and Clara Oberfell were born September 6, 1879, and Charles A., November 24, 1881. In the last war Gottlieb Oberfell served three years.

William C. Phares was born in Butler County, May 11, 1829. He is the son of William W. and Anna C. Phares. His father was a colonel of militia in 1812, troops. The fighting, however, was over, and he returned. He came to this county in 1805, and his wife in 1809. William C. Phares was married on the 29th of December, 1862, to Eliza M. Phares, who was born in Evansville, Indiana, and the daughter of Joseph and Lucinda Phares. She was born June 30, 1838. They have, as fruits of their union, Susan, born January 16, 1869, and Joseph, born December 23, 1866. Mr. Phares was out in the war, serving under Colonel Thomas Moore, in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment. He follows the occupation of a farmer. .

Samuel A. Phares, farmer, was born in this township December 20, 1830. His father was W. W. Phares, the first postmaster of Jacksonburg, and his mother was Anna Caroline Phares. They came to this county in 1805. Samuel A. Phares was a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment, Colonel Thomas Moore, in the rebellion, during the year 1864, serving in Company D, Captain Bookwalter. He was married August 15, 1878, in Hamilton, to Phebe <A. Page, daughter of Benjamin A. and Sarah A. Page. To this union there has been born Grace C. Phares, December 27, 1879, and they have adopted Edna M. Phares, born October 31, 1867.

W. D. Phares is a farmer. He is the son of George W. Phares, who was born November 20, 1801, and Jane W. Phares, who was born January 14, 1800. They came to this county in 1805. W. D. Phares was born in Wayne Township the 16th of December, 1837, and was married November 23, 1860, to Hester F. Potchner. Her father and mother were Dennis and Elizabeth Potchner. She came to this county in 1810, but Mr. Potchner was born in Preble County. Their daughter Hester was born in Preble County, July 18, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Phares have two children, - Mary D., born July 29, 1866, and Harry C., September 28, 1872. He served in the Sixty-third Ohio Regiment three years, from 1862 to 1864, and was honorably discharged.

James R. C. Phares, one of the sons of W. W. Phares, is a farmer. He was born in Wayne Township, January 13, 1819, and was married on the 19th of May, at Keokuk, Iowa, to Maria Oldenburg, daughter of Louis Oldenburg and Mary Church. She was born in Pennsylvania, April 10, 1807. Mr. Oldenburg was a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Phares have had eight children, - Edmund, born August 19, 1848; Andrew B., March 16, 1850; Lawrence T., March 30, 1853; Louis A., March 24, 1856; Samuel I., January 10, 1859; Bellamy S., September 22, 1860; Hubert A., October 8, 1864; Tessie May, July 29, 1872. Mr. Phares was assessor in 1854, and member of the board of education from 1860 to 1877.

Jeremiah Paulin, son of Jeremiah Paulin and Elizabeth Hagerman, natives of New Jersey, was born in Wayne Township in 1808, and was married for the first time in 1848 to Elizabeth Leslie, born in Butler County about 1817. She died in 1853. She had five children, now all dead. For his second marriage he took Sarah W. Hagan, born in Butler County in 1829. The union was in 1863. They have had three children, two now living. Thomas was born in 1866, and Elizabeth in 1867. Mr. Paulin is a self-made man, beginning life with nothing. He owns about six hundred acres of land, of which he farms about fifty acres, letting out the rest. He votes the Republican ticket.

Ezekiel Samuels was born in North Carolina in 18238, and moved from there with his parents to Indiana, when he was about ten years old. There he remained until the death of his father, which occurred in 1838, when his mother and family removed to Tennessee, where they remained until 1840, then coming to Ohio and settling in Butler County. Afterwards Mr. Samuels lived for several years in Preble County, but since 1857 he has lived permanently in Wayne Township. He married first, in 1844, Susan Kinsey, born in Preble County in 1821, who died in 1856. By her he had five children.

Mary Catherine, wife of Thomas Samuels, lives in Seven- Mile; Martha Jane, wife of Reed Boatman, lives in Hamilton; Winnie, wife of Daniel W. Perry, lives in Preble County; James, who is married, lives in Seven- Mile; Joel Reed, married, lives in Preble County.

By his second marriage he had one child, which died an infant. His wife is Elizabeth Pugh, widow of Washington Phares. She was born in this county in 1818. Mr. Samuels was one of a family of thirteen, who were left, by their father's death, in poor circumstances. He was early thrown upon his own resources, with no means, and a very limited education. By assiduous industry, however, he succeeded in educating himself in after life. He volunteered in the One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio National Guard during the late war, and was sent to West Virginia. He has held several offices in his township, among others those of justice of the peace for six years, treasurer of the corporation ever since it existed, and also township assessor, constable, etc. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, joining it in his eighteenth year. He was for several years a member of the Odd Fellows. His father was out in the War of 1812, captain of a company under General Pinkton, seeing considerable service, and remaining during the whole term. By industry and perseverance Mr. Samuels has succeeded in accumulating a good competency, now owning considerable property. He at present follows butchering.

Samuel Stokes was born in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1794, and in 1814 married Amy Middleton, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1794. They had three children. Elizabeth and Sarah are deceased. James M. is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Samuel

Stokes came to Warren County, Ohio, in 1823, and resided there two years, when he moved to Butler County, first settling in Trenton. He lived there about four years, when he removed to Jacksonburg, staying there until the day of his death, which was the 10th of October, 1860. His wife survived him fourteen years, and died October 12, 1874.

Mr. Stokes held the office of township treasurer for two years. He was elected, about 1827, a lieutenant of the local rifle company, then organized in Trenton. He was a self-made man, for although he received some assistance from his father, he was unfortunate, and lost it all before he came West, so that when he arrived in this neighborhood he had to commence life afresh. He gave his children good educations, and was able to leave considerable means behind him. He was reared a Quaker, but married outside of that Church and never applied for readmission. He was a man of genial habits and temper, and a favorite with his friends and neighbors.

His only son, James Middleton Stokes, is now a resident of the township. He was born in 1815, in Burlington, New Jersey, and was married in 1842 to Maria 8. Cox. She was born in 1817 in Wayne Township. They have had three children. Samuel is married and lives in Wayne Township. James lives at home, and William, the eldest, is dead. He volunteered when the three years' men were called for, August 31, 1861, in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, and served till the battle of Mission Ridge, where he was killed. He was in Company C at the time of his death, being third sergeant, and if he had lived would shortly have been promoted. His captain was John Earhart, and he had been in several engagements previously, including among others those of Perryville and Chickamauga. He was killed by a rifleball through the head.

Mr. Stokes has held several township offices. He was township clerk in 1838, and again in 1842 was elected to the same position, holding it for twenty-one years, or until 1863. In 1865, 1866, and 1867 he was township trustee, and in 1873 was again elected clerk, which position he now holds. He followed the occupation of a blacksmith, in Jacksonburg, for twenty-two years, learning his trade under his father, and remaining with him until 1855, when he moved to his present residence, going into farming. He is one of the leading citizens of this township, and owns and farms three hundred acres, which were bought by his father and himself.

Clemence Shafer, son of Emanuel and Eliza Shafer, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where both of his parents are now living, in 1830. He came permanently to reside in this county in 1875. He was married to Sarah Jane Fox, daughter of Thomas T. and Hannah Fox, on the 18th of March, 1858. She was born in Butler County in 1836, her parents coming here in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have had ten children: Charles D., Thomas E., Cala M., Flora A., Emanuel H., Hannah R., George W., Bertha C., Clara E., and Roland C. Mr. Shafer is a farmer. He was out four months in the War of the Rebellion, and three of the other members of his family also served. B. F. Shafer was out three years, Dillar Shafer one year, and E. Card Shafer four months.