Butler County, Ohio - Chapter 7: Necrological, 1905 (part 1 of 5)

Chapter 7: Necrological

was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, November 5, 1779, and received a good elementary education. He was an assiduous reader and carefully studied mathematics and kindred sciences. In 1802 he entered the army as ensign and in 1804 was promoted to a second lieutenancy, in 1807 to a first lieutenancy and in 1812 to captain, in which capacity he continued to serve until the abandonment of the army in 1816. While at Fort Adams, below Natchez, on the Mississippi, he fought a duel with Lieutenant Marshall and was wounded in the wrist, the use of which he never fully recovered. At the battle of Lundy's Lane, in 1814, he received honorable mention by the general commanding, because of his excellent conduct. Upon his retirement from the army he located in St. Louis, where he engaged in furnishing supplies for troops on the upper Mississippi and trading with the Fox Indians. In 1819 he located at Newport, Kentucky. In 1825 he was granted permission to accompany the Russian polar expedition, but financial embarrassment hindered him from accepting the offer. While residing at St. Louis he promulgated his eccentric theory regarding the concentric spheres, polar voids and open poles, a full description of which is found elsewhere in this volume. In 1822 he petitioned congress setting forth his belief in the theory and asking congress to equip an expedition for a voyage of discovery. The petition was laid on the table, but in 1823 he renewed his petition, which met a similar fate. In 1824 he petitioned the general assembly of Ohio to pass a resolution recommending him to congress or an outfit for this purpose, which matter was also indefinitely postponed. Mr. Symmes entered into an agreement with a young lawyer, J. N. Reynolds, who was in harmony with his views, and in 1825 they set out on a lecturing tour through the United States. A few weeks later Captain Symmes was forced to return home because of ill nea 1 and in January. 1826. he again set out and, although meeting with many dis?urag®] ments, he continued his course to 1 a e phia, New York, Boston, and even into Canada. His health becoming greatly impaired. he retired for a time to his native place in New Jersey and in February, 1829, he returned to Cincinnati in a much enfeebled condition. He continued to decline until his death, May 29, 1829- On Christ- mas day, 1808, Mr. Symmes married Mrs. Anna Lockwood, who was at that time the mother of five daughters and one son, though they were brought up and carefully educated by Captain Symmes and were all sincerely attached to him.

"He was the owner of section 31, town 2, range *3, between the Miami rivers, which adjoins the city of Hamilton, and his residence was near the northwest comer of said section, and outside of the corporation line. It was part frame and part log. The log house was of hewn timber, principally of hickory, and about twenty feet front by eighteen feet deep, and one story and a half high. The frame part was but one story - had only two small rooms. A brick kitchen has been added to it since his death. The premises show to what great need of money he was reduced to make his family comfortable, but want never put a stop to the prosecution of his studies in philosophy, day or night, during the last ten years of his life. He has been known to be sitting at his desk writing when half a dozen children were playing in the same room, and if they did not touch him he would not know that they were near him. so completely was he wrapped up in his work.

"Before he entered the army, in 1802, at the age of twenty-two years, he had cleared ofif some forty acres of his land, and set out an orchard that he grew from the seed on his father's farm, that lay in the vicinity of Si Keck's fertilizing establishment, about nine miles below Cincinnati on the Ohio side. The logs of his residence had been weatherboarded, but now the boards

"It was in this log hut that the great originator of the Theory of Concentric Spheres and Polar Voids breathed his last, after ten long years of deep and constant study. He was buried in the old grave yard now known as the Ludlow Park, drew an immense crowd, who had never before witnessed such a spectacle. The monument that was erected over his grave is surmounted by a hollow globe representing his theory, with the meridian lines drawn on it, all of which is of sandstone. A correct drawing of the monument can be found on page 77, of 'Ohio, its History and Antiquities,' published in 1847, in Cincinnati, by Derby, Bradley & Co.

"The Symmes's were extensive land owners in Ohio in its earliest days, and the philosopher owned the section where he died and four thousand acres in Licking county, Ohio; hut the section on which he died he prized very highly, and no price could have induced him to part from it, as it was a present to him from his uncle. Judge John Cleves Symmes, who had purchased from Congress one million acres of land in the Miami valley at sixty-six cents per acre, commencing at a base line drawn from the mouth of the little Miami river (five miles above Cincinnati) to the mouth of the big Miami twenty miles below Cincinnati, and then run north for quantity. He was the first man that ever sectionized land in the United States, and he set the price at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The government adopted both plans and price for all public lands. This was accomplished through his son-in-law. General Harrison, when he was a member of congress, whom he gave four thousand acres of land at North Bend, where he is buried.

"The philosopher's old home has passed into other hands, for at his death it was found that after selling the widow's life estate in his lands, his executors could pay only eighty-two cents on the dollar.

"While in the army of 1812, as it is now called, he had occasion to fight a duel with a Captain Marshall, and before the duel took place he wrote to his brother Daniel, of Cincinnati, who was at that time speaker of the state senate, that if he fell in the fight his section of land should be divided between his two sisters and two brothers, saying which quarter of the section each should have. But he was only slightly wounded and his adversary desperately in the hip.

"At the close of the war, and the general disbandment of the troops, he took up the study of his favorite theory, and seemed to think of naught else for the remainder of his life. That theory had been lying dormant for nearly fifty years, but was brought to the front by the explorations of Dr. Kane and Captain Hall, and in recent years several efforts have been made to draw public attention to it and to show to the world that the theory is really true as far as explorations have extended northward since his death.

"The difference between the Symmes and Newtonian theories is this. Newton teaches that it is one vast solitude of ice clear up to the ninetieth degree of north latitude, while the Symmes theory is that after the eighty-second degree is passed the weather becomes much milder, and that an open polar sea will be found at or about the eighty-third degree, and that if that sea is sailed over, a new continent will be found, rich in soil and productions, and that large forests and rivers will be discovered, equal to any now known."

William Bebb

William Bebb, who was governor of Ohio during the Mexican war, was bom on the Dry Fork of Whitewater, in Morgan township, Butler county, Ohio, December 8, 1802. His father, Edward Bebb, emigrated from Wales, in 1795, traveled across the mountains to the Miami valley on foot, purchased an extensive tract of land in section twenty-seven, in Morgan township, and which tract extended into the present territory of Hamilton county. He returned to Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Roberts, to whom he had been engaged in Wales, and, with his bride, riding in a suitable conveyance, again crossed the mountains, and settled on his land in what was then but a wilderness, it being the first land settled within the present boundaries of Morgan township. Edward Bebb was a man of sound judgment, and, in common with many of his countrymen, of a joyous and ever hopeful disposition. His wife was a lady of culture and refinement, and her home in the valley of the Miami, with no near neighbors, was a great change from her previous life. There were, of course, no schools near to send her children to, and this was a matter of grave concern to the parents, and the son William was, in consequence, taught to read at home. In those years the Western Spy, then published in Cincinnati and distributed by private post, was taken by his father, and William read with avidity the contents of it, especially the achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte. A strong desire to acquire a better education and in this matter he was much assisted y David Lloyd, a graduate of a college in Philadelphia, who resided in the Bebb neighborhood. Young Bebb began teaching school at Oury's school-house, in the village of New Haven, Hamilton county, and afterward taught at North Bend, the residence of General William Henry Harrison. He remained in this latter place a year, during which time he married Miss Sarah Shuck, the daughter of a wealthy German resident of the village.

fulness, and resolved to open an extensive boarding-school on part of his father's large place and farm, some two miles north of the Oury school-house. With the assistance of his father, and the encouragement of his neighbors, who had much confidence in him and his learning and ability, and with the good will and aid of some Cincinnati friends, he had a large and commodious twostorv-and-a-half frame house and additions erected on the banks of the Dry Fork of Whitewater. The large building consisted of a middle two-and-a-half story house, and commodious wings on each side one and a half story high, one of those, the northern wing, being devoted to himself and young family as a dwelling; the other, the southern wing, being the school-house, and dormitory for the boys above. The center building contained a large dining hall, entered from a beautiful covered portico, reached by a flight of steps extending the whole length of the building, and a large dormitory for the boys immediately above, and rooms and a large kitchen at the rear. The whole house was painted white, adorned with blue. Thus situated, Mr. Bebb began his boarding-school about the year 1827 or 1828, and, being an energetic man, he began to prosper, and his school was soon filled with pupils and boarders from the boys of Cincinnati and elsewhere. This was the first and pioneer boarding school in the vicinity of Cincinnati. It was distant just twentyfive miles from that city, and it was reached by tolerably good roads for those days, either by way of Millcreek and Colerain townships, through the town of Venice, on the Great Miami, or through Green and Miami and Crosby townships, through the villages of Chiviot, Miamitown and New Haven. In and about the locality, particularly on the Dry Fork creek, there were a great many large, fullfoliaged and grand sycamore trees, and Mr. Bebb named the place Sycamore Grove. This name became celebrated in Cincinnati and throughout the country, and Bebb's school and Sycamore Grove became a distinguished place. He carried on his school until the end of the year 1832, when, being filled with ambition to make a still greater mark before the public eye, he gave up his well-established school.

I11 1831 he rode to Columbus on horseback, where the supreme court judges examined him and passed him to practice law in the state. He then removed to Hamilton, Butler county, and opened a law office, being for a long time in partnership with John M. Millikin, where he continued quietly and in a successful practice fourteen years. He was a strong and effective jury lawyer. He never took a case in which he did not soon feel in warm sympathy, and his appeals to the jury were very touching. He could weep at any time. Apart from his merits as a jury advocate he was not strong, although safe. In his set addresses he had a redundancy of ornament, more so than in his extemporaneous speaking. He was a large, good-looking man, of pleasant and sympathetic address, and was of spare build. During his legal career he took an active interest in political affairs, and advocated during his first, called the hard-cider campaign, the claims of General Harrison, and no less distinguished himself during that "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" campaign, in which the persons indicated were successful, and the Whigs. 1840, for the first time succeeded in electing their candidates. Four years afterward he was elected governor of the state, and the war with Mexico placed him, as governor of Ohio, in a very trying position. As a Whig, he did not personally favor that war, and this feeling was generally entertained by the party, who made him their leader in the state; but he felt that the question was one not of party but of cordial support of the general government, and his earnest recognition of this fact eventually overcame the danger that followed President Polk's proclamation of war. His term of office (1846-1848) was distinguished by good money, free schools, great. activity in the construction of railroads and turnpikes; the arts and industry generally were well rewarded, and high prosperity characterized the whole state. In 1847, Governor Bebb purchased five thousand of acres of land in Winnebago county, Illinois, of which the location was delightful and the soil rich. Five hundred acres were wooded, and constituted a ^ national park, while the remainder was prairie of the best quality, with a stream of water fed by perpetual springs. No man of moderate ambition could desire the possession of a more magnificent position of the earth's surface. Three years after making this purchase he removed to it, taking with him fine horses and a number of the choicest breeds of cattle, and entered upon the cultivation of this fine property. Five years afterward he visited Great Britain and the continent of Europe. In the birthplace of his father he found many desirous to immigrate to America, and, encouraging the enterprise, a company was formed, and a tract of one hundred thousand acres purchased for them in east Tennessee, where he agreed to preside over their arrangements and the settlement of this land. In 1856, a party of the colonists arrived on the land, and Governor Bebb resided with them until the war of the Rebellion began, when he left the state with his family. The emigrants, discovered by the strong pro-slavery sentiment, scattered and settled in various parts of the northern states. On the inauguration of President Lincoln, Governor Bebb was appointed examiner in the pension department, at Washington, and held this position until 1869, when he returned to his farm in Illinois, and the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. His scale of farming was the cultivation of two thousand acres in a season, while another thousand formed his cattle pasture. While in Washington he received the appointment of consul at Tangiers, Morocco, but declined. He took an active part in the election of General Grant, and the first sickness of any consequence he ever experienced was an attack of pneumonia following an exposed ride from Pecatomca, where he had addressed the electors, to his home. From this he never recovered, and, although he spent the following winter in Washington, occupied mainly as a listener to the debates in the senate, he felt his vital forces gradually* declining. Returning home the next summer, and feeling that e was no longer able to superintend his farm operations, he purchased a residence at Rockford, and there resided until his death, which happened October 23, 1873- His widow, who survived him, died a few years ago, at Rockford, Illinois.

After Governor Bebb's removal to Winnebago county, Illinois, to reside, and to give his attention to rura pursuits, there occurred an incident in his career that was so extraordinary as o place him under the charge of having committed murder. It was occasioned by a party of serenaders, calling at his home on account of the marriage of his son Michael, in the spring of 1857. The serenaders became so riotous in their behavior that Governor Bebb, after requesting them to leave the premises, and upon their refusal to do so, fired upon the party and killed one Lemuel Clemens and wounded several others. The circumstances of the homicide were investigated at his demand, and after the hearing of the testimony he was without argument discharged. His old-time friend and political associate, Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, hearing of his trouble, went to Illinois and volunteered his services to defend Governor Bebb from the charge of murder should he be indicted under the law for it. However, the action of the court at the preliminary hearing, in discharging him, rendered Corwin's services unnecessary.

"The body of Lemuel Clemens having been removed into Ogle county, and interred, withont an inquiry or any other public examination of the circumstances attending his death having been had in Winnebago county, wherein the facts occurred, I feel that it is due to the cause of public justice, and to the feelings of a law-abiding people, as well as to myself, that a judicial investigation should take place at as early a day as circumstances will permit." were subpoenaed. One of the rioters, Tyron J. Brackett, testified that he, with Clemens (who was killed) and others, had been engaged in serenading Bebb's house. The instruments of music were guns, bells and tin horns. Several volleys were fired with the guns: the firing continued for at least half an hour, when Bebb, with his son and hired man, appeared in front of his house and fired twice from a double-barreled shot gun. It was in the testimony of those engaged in the row that they had meditated it for some time. The report of Edward Bebb's testimony gives the whole story, and is as follows :

"Edward Bebb testified that he was the son of Governor Bebb, and resided with his father, in the town of Seward, in this county ; that on Monday his brother Michael Bebb returned from the East, with his wife, and that on Tuesday Brackett, the witness, came to his father's to get some wheat, and asked him if Michael had got home, and whether he had brought a wife with him; witness said he had returned with a wife. Brackett soon after left without taking the wheat. That night, quarter past ten o'clock, he retired to bed ; the family had previously retired or were retiring at the time. Lawrence McDonald, who lived in the family, retired at the same time of witness ; witness had been asleep, how long he can not tell, and was waked up by cheering of persons around the house; heard two cheers and then a volley of guns ; bells were rung and pans beaten, and all kind of noises were then made. Witness then got up and went to the chamber window south, and looked out and saw a large number of persons near the house, with guns and other things. Soon after another volley was fired toward the house, the guns elevated at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and pointed toward the chamber window. In the morning, witness picked up about forty wads, which lay along against the side of the house, where they had fallen down. Here the witness produced the wads; witness also produced a plat of the house, premises, garden, trees, position of persons, etc., etc. Witness testified that when the blaze of fire came out of the guns he could see the company quite plainly. After three or four volleys, witness dressed, and took a paper of shot which he had got previously for shooting pigeons, loaded a double-barreled gun, and went down with Lawrence McDonald. He met his father in the hall, who said to witness, 'Let me have the gun - you are excited. I am the master of the house, let me go out.' His father then opened the door. The mob had then fired the fifth volley; each volley there would be five or more discharges, and then a few fires after. When Governor Bebb went out, he requested the persons to leave his premises - told them to be gone, and not insult and alarm his family. They did not leave or move ; they were then standing a few rods south of the house, on lower ground than where Governor Bebb stood. He then discharged one barrel of the gun, and a large number of the party then fled, ringing their bells as they went; some three or four still remaining. As soon as the first gun was fired, some one cried out, 'Pop goes the weasel.' 'God, that is just what we expected - come on, boys.' Father then retired backwards, and the persons advanced toward him. He then said, 'Begone or you will be hurt,' and soon after discharged the other barrel. The witness here explained from the plat, showing how he knew the rioters advanced upon his father. At the second fire, all fled but one. Witness thought he saw one fall, and went forward and found a man upon the ground, with a bell near him; he had fallen upon his face; witness turned him upon his back, and he breathed two or three times and expired. Witness then went to the house of Alfred A. Copeland, the nearest neighbor, who soon returned with witness; Governor Bebb had got a light and was by the body; none of them could recognize him ; he was wounded about the mouth. Brackett, Dennis. Wood and others came, and denied that they liad been in the company who had been firing. A wagon was soon got out, and the body placed in it, to be carried to the house of Mr. Brewster. The space of time between the discharge of the two barrels was a short minute or a long half minute. There was but one kind of shot, they were all like those here produced. Here the witness produced the paper of fine shot out of which he had loaded the gun ; witness also stated that the morning after the riot one of the shade trees, near the house showed that it had received three heavy cuts from an axe, and that the axe was found near stuck in the ground."

Governor Bebb stated that the language used by the serenaders was most vile, and that he called to them at the top of his voice to leave his premises, or they would be hurt, before he fired the first barrel, which fire, it was ascertained, had slightly wounded five persons. After the first fire, he retreated toward his house, from which he had advanced some rods, hard pressed b> four men, and repeatedly attempted to fire, pulling the wrong trigger, but happened to think that he had discharged the barrel cor- responding to that trigger, he tried the other one, successfully, when the foremost of the party fell, tlje shot having shattered his mouth and dislocated his neck.

Isaac Anderson

his fortune in America. He sailed from Donegal, in the north of Ireland, and landed at Philadelphia in the early part of the year *774- Several of his brothers and sisters had come to America some years previous, and settled in Virginia, where many of their descendants are yet residing. Mr. Anderson stopped in Pennsylvania until the spring of 177^' " hen the war with Great Britain commenced. and he entered the service in Colonel Morgan s rifle regiment. The first active service in which Mr. Anderson engaged was at Bemis Heights, between the American army under General Gates, and the British army under General Burgoyne. Colonel Morgan's regiment was detached to observe the movements of the enemy and to harass them as they advanced. The battle was long and bloody and a dozen times in the day the result was doubtful. Darkness terminated the battle, and the Americans withdrew.

Isaac Anderson was also present at the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne at Saratoga, which took place October 16, 1777. In December, 1777. during the time the British occupied Philadelphia, and while congress held their sessions at Yorktown. the regiment to which Mr. Anderson belonged was out on a scouting expedition, when, on the 10th of the month, they fell in with a British regiment on a similar service. A skirmish ensued, during which

Mr. Anderson was severely wounded by a musket ball, which passed in at one cheek and out the opposite side, carrying away some of his teeth and a part of his jaw bone. The wound injured the sight of one of his eyes, and made a scar which he carried through life. Mr. Anderson was supposed to be dead and was left on the field. In the morning the British found him and carried him to the hospital, where he finally recovered.

The British, after leaving Philadelphia followed by General Washington, fought a severe battle on June 28, 1778, at Monmouth Court-house. Mr. Anderson often stated during his life time, that in this battle he discharged his rifle with aim thirtytwo times. In November, 1788, Isaac Anderson was married to Euphemia Moorehead. eldest daughter of Fergus Moorehcad. who had also been a soldier in the Revolution. Eleven children resulted from this union, ten of them reaching mature age. Fergus Anderson, the second son. was horn in Cincinnati, June 14, 1797. He became prominent in Butler county as associate judge, president of the board of trustees of Miami University, representative to the Ohio general assembly and president of the Butler County Agricultural Society.

In 1791 Isaac Anderson was offered a position as commander of a company fitting out against the Indians in the Northwest, under the command of General St. Clair, but being previously engaged by the Holland Land Company to make surveys in western Pennsylvania, declined. He was ready in mathematics, and especially so in surveying, for which he had a natural gift.

In 1801 the United States first offered for sale the lands west of the Great Miami. Mr. Anderson remembered the beautiful rich bottoms of the Miami, which he had previously seen when on his way to Detroit as a captive by the Indians, and resolved to make a purchase. He accordingly purchased a section of land above the mouth of Indian creek, in Ross township, on which he commenced a clearing, and in 1812 removed with his family from Cincinnati and settled on the farm, where he remained until his death, on December 18, 1839. His remains were interred in the Venice cemetery, Ross township, Butler county, Ohio. The following is the inscription on his monument : .

The deceased was a native of Ireland, a soldier of the American Revolution and the Indian wars succeeding it, one of the early settlers of Cincinnati, and since A. D. 1812 a citizen of Butler county, Ohio.

Below is reproduced the journal kept by Lieutenant Isaac Anderson while a member of Colonel Archibald Lochry's unfortunate expedition in 1781. The journal will be found interesting and useful to many readers ; besides it settles beyond all controversy what is sometimes disputed, that the engagement between Colonel Lochry's command with the Indians, with renegade whites as allies, took place on the Ohio river, ten miles below the mouth of the Great Miami river, August 24, 1781.

In July, 1781, General George Rogers Clark solicited Colonel Archibald Lochry and Captain Robert Orr, who held a captain's commission in the militia of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to raise a company of infantry and a troop of horse to join his expedition against the Indians of the Northwest. The request was complied with on August 1, 1781, at Colonel Carnahan's block house, eleven miles west of Hannastown, the seat of justice of Westmoreland county, it having been established there in J773; the town was destroyed by the Indians in 1782.

Captains Thomas Stokey and Samuel Shannon each had command of a company of rangers, and Captain Campbell a company of horsemen. After arriving at Fort Henry (Wheeling) it was ascertained that Clark had gone twelve miles down the Ohio river. Colonel Lochry prepared a number of boats for his men and horses, which occupied about ten days, and then proceeded to join General Clark, who had in the meantime fell down the river to the mouth of the Kenawha, where he had promised to await the arrival of Colonel Lochry. At this time Colonel Lochry's provisions and forage were nearly exhausted. Under these trying circumstances he detailed Captain Samuel Shannon and four men who with a small boat were instructed to overtake Clark s army, for the purpose of securing needed supplies. Lieutenant Isaac Anderson being left in command of Captain Shannon s companv. Captain Shannon with his party had proceeded but a few miles down the river, when it was captured by the Indians, who thereby also obtained possession of a letter to General Clark giving the condition 0 Lochry's troops.

Colonel Lochry, somewhat disheartened by the condition of affairs confronting him. proceeded down the river to a point now known as Lochry's creek, ten miles below the mouth of the Great Miami river. Here, on August 24, 1781, the boats were ordered to land on the Indian side, to cook provisions and cut grass for the horses, when they were fired upon by a large body of Indians. The men took to their boats, expecting to cross the river, when they were again fired upon by another party of Indians in canoes, and in the fight that ensued Colonel Lochry's entire force was captured. The Indians massacred Colonel Lochry and several others after they were made prisoners.

The journal comprises all the transactions of each day during the entire period covering his enlistment, captivity In tlie Indians, his treatment by the British commandants at Detroit and Montreal, Canada, his escape by scaling the pickets and making his way through many perils, back to Westmoreland county, from whence he had enlisted about a year before.

Journal Of Lieut. Isaac Anderson

,.n T13th;~Moved down '0 Fishing creek. We took up Lieutenant Baker and sixteen men desertine from Genera! Clark, and went that day To ®°f Ifng Reach, where we stayed that night ,To. 15" -To the Three Islands, where we found

20th. - We met with two of Shannon's men who told us they had put to shore to cook, below the mouth of the Scioto river, where Shannon sent them and a sergeant went out to hunt When they had got about half a mile in the woods, they heard a number of guns fire, which hey supposed to be Indians firing on the rest of the party, and they immediately took up the river; but unfortunately, the sergeant's knife dropped on the ground, and it ran directly through his foot, and he died of the wound, in a few minutes. We sailed all that night.

August 1, 1781. - We met at Colonel Carnahan's block house, eleven miles west of Hannastown, Pennsylvania, to organize a body of men to join General George Rogers Clark's expedition against the Indians of the Northwest.

8th. - To Fort Henry (Wheeling), by way of Pittsburgh; arriving there, General Clark had gone twelve miles down the river, and leaving us some provisions.

23d. - Went all day and all night 24th. - Colonel Lochry ordered the boats to land on the Indian shore, about ten miles below the mouth of the Great Miami river, to cook provisions and cut some grass for the horses, ^hen we were fired on by a party of Indians from the bank. We took to our boats, expecting to cross the river, and were fired on by another party in a number of canoes, and soon we became a prey to them. They killed the colonel and a number more, after they were taken prisoners. The number of ours killed was about forty. They marched us that night about eight miles up the river and encamped.

Return of the men killed and taken, August 24, 1781, upon the Ohio river, under the command of Colonel Lochry: Killed - Colonel Lochry, Captain Campbell, Ensigns Ralph, Maxwell and Cahell. Taken prisoners - Major Creacraft, Adjutant

27th. - The party that took us was joined by one hundred white men under the command of Captain Thompson, and three hundred Indians under the command of Captain McKee.

28th. - The whole of the Indians and whites went down against the settlements of Kentucky, excepting a sergeant and eighteen men, which were left there. We lay there until the 15th of September.

19th. - Arrived at Chillicothe, where the Indians took all the prisoners from Captain Thompson, excepting six of us. We lay there until the 26th.

13th. - Got into good quarters and were well used, with clothing, and liberty of going where we pleased around the town, until the 4th of November.

27th. - Crossed Shagader river and went to Caughnawga, an Indian village, and crossed the River St. Lawrence, with much difficulty, and lay at Tasheen all night

28th. - Drew provisions, and were insulted by drunken Indians; went down to Montreal, and were delivered to General Spike, who put us in close confinement.

May 26th, 1782. - Scaled the pickets about two o'clock in the day time, and crossed the river at Longgail Church, and got into the woods immediately, and steered for Soonel river; crossed It that night and went into a Frenchman's barn, and killed two lambs and took two horses, and rode all night to daybreak; then we made a halt - skinned and barbecued the lambs.

27th. - Started with our horses, got them about five miles, when we were obliged to turn them out of hand, upon account of swampy ground, and steered an east course all day, and came to the River Masque; crossed it on a raft; marched about two miles after dark, and encamped.

28th. - Marched about daybreak. Had gone about one mile, when we heard the drums beat the reveille from a block house on said river. We steered that day southeast, expecting to strike Heason's road, but found it not. We encamped that night on a very high mountain.

31st. - Came to a level country, and crossed four creeks; one very difficult to cross, that empty into Lake Umphrameacocke. We were obliged to camp on bad ground that night, and our provisions were gone.

June 1, 1782. - Our provisions being gone, we were obliged to kill our dog and eat him; lost our compass, but Providence favored us with clear weather that day and part of the next We steered our old course southeast, and encamped.

2d. - Struck a branch of Pesumsuck river, and kept down it, and in the evening made a raft, expecting to go by water, but was disappointed by driftwood. We encamped in the forks of said river all night.

5th. - Made two more rafts and got no service of them by reason of falls. We continued down said river a south course. Our provisions and moccasins were gone. We roasted some toads for supper that night, and almost poisoned ourselves; cut one pair of leggins to make more moccasins, and encamped.

6th. - Continued our march, and struck the settlement of Cohorse, on said river, that evening, at one Smith's. We came down to the Connecticut that night, and crossed below the forks, where we staid all night

17th. - To Colonel Walker's, in Pennsylvania, twelve miles, where the general court sat. There we made application for money, and the next day got a little.

19th. - To Captain Walker's, where we ate dinner, and left the Merrimac river, and got on the great road for Fish Hills, to headquarters, and staid that night at the sign of the Lion - thirty miles.

28th. - Came to Fishkiln's landing, fifteen miles, and crossed the North river to Newbury, to headquarters, expecting to get a supply of money; but His Excellency was gone up the river to Albany, and we could not obtain any. From thence to New Windsor, two miles, where we met with a friend, but no acquaintance, who let us money to carry us to Philadelphia, which was a great favor. We came that night to John Brouster's, eleven miles.

July 1, 1782 - Through Pillstown, and from thence we crossed the Delaware river at Howell's ferry, and got into Pennsylvania, to William Bennett's in Berks county, forty-three miles, and twenty-seven from Philadelphia.

Capt. William C. Margedant

and technical schools and academy of fine arts and paintings, all in the town of his nativity. He also received practical mechanical instructions in the shops and bureau of railroads. In 1854 he emigrated to America and upon his arrival here was employed by C. A. Latta and others in constructing the first steam fire engine in this country. He then became associated with the Bentel & Margedant Company in the designing and manufacture of wood working machinery, subsequently becoming president of the company, with which he was connected at the time of his death. Mr. Margedant took a keen interest in all public matters affecting his community, as is evidenced by the fact that he was organizer of the centennial celebration in 1876, the Hamilton centennial in 1891, the Columbus celebration in 1892 and the electric light celebration in 1895. He was president of the United German Societies and a member of the state board of school examiners; president of the executive board of judges o awards of the Columbian Exposition, presi^ dent of the Pioneers, Soldiers and Sailors Permanent Monument Association at Hamilton; president of the citizens' war committee in 1898; president of Mercy Hospital from its founding and for many years p y sical instructor and speaker of the Haim ton gymnastic society. On the first call of re® ident Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers, April 15. 1861, Mr. Margedant organized on that day a company of volunteers from the members of the gymnasti association in Hamilton, all being we drilled in the use of arms. In the evening

Margedant was elected captain of his company on the first ballot, but refused to accept any official rank. He was elected a second time and again a third time, when he accepted the captaincy. He remained in the service until about the expiration of the enlistment, three months, having in the meantime refused promotion. Then he was appointed topographical engineer on the staff of General Rosecrans. He performed much valuable service in this position and was later made a member of General Fremont's staff and later on that of General Franz Sigel. When General Thomas succeeded General Rosecrans in command of the army he was retained on the personal staff of General Thomas until the siege of Atlanta. During the latter part of 1864 he became very sick and was transported north where he suffered for a long time with typhoid fever. His military services were active, as is evidenced bv the fact that he took part in thirty-six battles and engagements. Socially he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Royal Arcanum and the military order of the Loyal Legion, while in politics he was a stanch Republican. Captain Margedant was married in Hamilton January 28, 1864. to Miss Carolina Sohn, to which union were born nine children : Caroline, August, was born on a farm near Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, December 6, 1842, and received his preliminary education in the schools of Hamilton, following which he took the regular course in Miami University up to the senior year. His early ambition was for a legal career, but his father's financial reverses compelled him to look for other employment. Leaving college, he accepted employment on the Ohio State Journal at Columbus, and a few months later joined the Cincinnati Commercial. He acted as war correspondent until the close of the rebellion, representing at different times the Cincinnati Enquirer, Louisville Journal and the Cincinnati Gazette. He achieved much repute as a reliable and faithful reporter of news at the front and was complimented by General Grant and other officers in the sendee. At the close of the war he obtained employment on the Indianapolis Journal and in 1868 went to Hancock county, Illinois, where for five years he was engaged in teaching school. During this time he completed the study of stenography with the intention of returning to the reportorial field, and also during this time he was elected to represent Rocky Run township on the board of supervisors, serving two terms. In 1872 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for sheriff of Hancock county, but, his party being in the minority, he was defeated. From 1875 to 1890 he held a number of railroad and fast freight line positions. During the campaign in Peoria county in which General P. S. Post was a candidate, the subject took a prominent part and he was honored with the presidency of the Young Men's Republican Club of Peoria. In 1890 President Harrispn appointed him consul at Callao, Peru. In 1893 he returned to the United States on leave of absence and while here a Democrat was appointed in his place and he engaged in the grain business at Peoria. In 1894 he was nominated by the Republican party as a candidate for the legislature in Peoria county, being successful at the polls, and in 1896 he was re-elected by an increased majority. In 1898 he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the fifth district of Illinois. On January 24, 1901, he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he partially recovered, but his death occurred on July 24th of the same year. On October 10, 1876, Mr. Daugherty was married to Miss Margaret Crawford, who died in October, 1881, having become the mother of one daughter, Willa. In 1891 Mr. Daugherty married Miss Jennie' Loosely Plahn and to them was born a son, Hale Plahn, his birth occurring at the consulate in Callao, Peru. Mr. Daugherty became a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at the Miami University and in 1890 became a member of the Hamilton Club of Cincinnati. He was also a member of the United Mechanics and in the Masonic order passed all the degrees up to and including the thirtysecond.

Henry P. Deuscher

was born in Baden, Germany, May 24, 1829, the son of Michael and Christina Deuscher, who emigrated to America and located near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shortly afterward removing to Trenton, Butler county, Ohio, where they located on a farm. Henry P. was but seven years old when his parents came to this county and remained a resident here the balance of his life. Upon the death of his father he took charge of the estate, remaining so engaged until 1854. During the Civil war in 1862 Mr. Deuscher recruited Company G, Eighty-third Ohio Regiment, of which he was elected captain, remaining in the service until his discharge eight months later. Returning to Trenton, he engaged in agriculture and for five years operated a distillery at Clintonville. In 1874 he moved to Hamilton and engaged in the malting business and still later purchased an interest in the Variety Iron Works, thus becoming connected with what is now known as the H. P. Deuscher Manufacturing Company, which owes its success to Captain Deuscher' s untiring energy and ability. Up to the time of his death, in 1903, he remained deeply interested in Hamilton's welfare and witnessed much of the development of the county and city. On November 23, 1854 Mr. Deuscher was married to Miss Ellen Ball and to them were bom seven children: Louise, Frank, Mary, Elizabeth, Sophia, Ellen and Clara. Mrs. Deuscher died May 4, 1897.

Rev. William Davidson

county, West Virginia. He was denied the privileges of a good education, but improved the opportunities that came his way. At the age of thirteen years he went to Liberty, Pennsylvania, where he stayed for two years, later being enabled to complete a regular course at Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio. He determined to enter the ministry and studied under the instruction of Rev. J. O. Neal at Short Creek, Virginia. He belonged to the Reformed Dissenting church and by that body was licensed to preach in 1840, preaching in southwestern Ohio and southeastern Indiana. His congregations were located at Vienna, Indiana, and at College Corner. Carthage and Piqua, Ohio, necessitating a horseback ride of fifty miles. He labored with these churches until 1848. when he was chosen as pastor of the Assn ciate Reformed church in Hamilton, and he ever afterward was a preacher in the Associate Reformed and United Brethren churches. He was a successful pastor and preacher and toiled faithfully for the upbuilding of Christianity. He gave an earnest and consistent support to the war of the rebellion, believing it to be a righteous cause. In February, 1873, be was attacked with paralysis, but was enabled to preach a few times afterwards. In February, 1874, he gave up his charge and on July 21, 1875, his spirit took its flight. On June 28,' 1842' in Greene county, Indiana, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds and to them were born three children : Robert B. Tohn M. and Mary.

Asa Shuler

was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1823, a»d was the son of Samuel and Susan (Weber) Shuler, also natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shuler attended the common schools of his native county and remained there until he was twenty-two years old, when he came west and located in Hamilton, where for four years he was employed at his trade as a carpenter. In 1849 he went to California, attracted by the stories of the wonderful gold discoveries there, four months being consumed on the trip from Missouri to the Golden state. Mr. Shuler followed mining for some three years, but, the results not being satisfactory, he returned to Ohio and resumed his former trade. About one year later he engaged in partnership with the late John W. Benninghofen in the manufacture of woolen goods, in which Mr. Shuler was engaged up until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1895. He took a deep interest in public matters and was a member of the board of education for four years and for eleven years was a member of the board of water works trustees, having been a member of the board under whose supervision the city water works were built and placed under operation. In 1879 be became a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank and was chosen president of that institution, filling this position for about nine years immediately prior to his death. A man of deep religious convictions, he was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and gave largely of his means to that society. In 1852 Mr. Shuler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Sorber, to which union were bom seven children. Mr. Shuler was a man of high moral character and the most scrupulous integrity and held the full confidence and respect of all who knew him.

John W. Benninghofen

was born March 22, 1812, in Wuelfrath, Prussia, and was the son of John P. and Wilhelmina ( Riffeltrath ) Benninghofen. The subject was afforded but meager educational facilities, but he eagerly took advantage of those and was early brought face to face with life's realities. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to the dry goods trade and remained so engaged until twenty-nine years of age, when he started in business for himself. In 1848 he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans, from whence he came to Cincinnati and later to Hamilton. Here he turned his attention to peddling, in which he was engaged for three years, and subsequently was employed as a clerk by the late John M. Sohn, who conducted a tanning and brewing business.

about ten years and then entered partnership with Asa Shuler in the manufacture of woolen goods, being so engaged until the time of his death, April 19, 1881. He was twice maried, first in 1841 to Miss Gertrude Hipp and to them were born two children, Robert and William. On October 1, 1854, he was married to Miss Wilhelmina E. Klein and to this union were born five children, Christian, Wilhelmina, Peter, Pauline and Caroline. Mr. Benninghofen was in every respect a self-made man and his name is a mark of honor and integrity in Hamilton.

John M. Long

was bom in Mettingen, Westphalia, Germany, October 14, 1825, the son of James Martin William and Mary Ann Mohr Long, the father a miller by trade. Mr. Long accompanied his parents to this country in 1836 and first located in Richmond, Virginia, where they remained two years. They then removed to Cincinnati and there Mr. Long attended night school and learned the trade of machinist, for which he had a natural aptitude. In 1854 he came to Hamilton and accepted a position as foreman in a machine shop run by Owens, Lane & Dyer, with whom he remained one year, and then formed the business association with which his name was so long connected, the firm of Long, Black & Allstatter. He was president of the board of trade during its day and did much to advance the city's interests. For two terms Mr. Long served in the city council and was also chief of the Hamilton fire department for two years, 1866-67. In religion he was a member of St. Stephen's Catholic church for fortyfive years and in politics a lifelong Republican. He was an active partisan and for eight years was chairman of the county central committee. In June, 1848, Mr. Long was married in Cincinnati to Miss Mary Ann Neather, whose death occurred November 18, 1893. To this union eleven children were born : Lawrence, Elizabeth, Augusta, Sophia, William, Louis, Joseph, Carl, Fanny, and Mrs. John M. Marr and Mrs. William Rumley. Mr. Long died June 29, 1901, aged seventy-six years.

William Beckett

was born in Hanover township, Butler county, Ohio, March 17, 1821, the son of Robert and Mary Crawford Beckett, natives of Pennsylvania and the parents of nine children. William Beckett received excellent educational advantages, being graduated from Miami University in 1844, after which he read law with his father-in-law, John Woods, a prominent attorney of Hamilton, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He formed a partnership with his preceptor, but the profession was not congenial to his tastes and he soon afterwards abandoned it In 1848 he built a paper mill and was president of the Beckett Paper Company from that time until his death, being probably the oldest paper maker in the United States. He took a keen interest in public affairs and platted eighteen additions to the city of Hamilton. He was chiefly influential in the building of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad and also many turnpikes throughout this county. He was successful in business and accumulated great wealth, but during the panic of 1873 he lost nearly one-half million dollars in security indebtedness, every dollar of which he paid. He was the soul of honor and had the utmost confidence of business men everywhere. His religious affiliations were with the United Brethren church, while in politics he was a stanch Republican, having been a delegate to the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. On September 22, 1846, Mr. Beckett was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Woods and to them were born the following children: Robert, Sarah, Frank, Eleanor, John, William, Thomas, Cyrus, Howard, David and Mary. Mr. Beckett's last illness was of short duration, his spirit taking its flight on November 27, 1895.

Col. Minor Millikin

was a native of Butler county, having been bom near Hamilton, July 9, 1834. After attending the common schools he entered Miami University, graduating from that school in 1856 with honors, and afterwards studied law and attended the Harvard Law School, though never engaged actively in the practice. He then traveled over the European continent and the British Isles, during which time he made a fine collection of foreign coins. In 1857 purchased the Hamilton Intelligencer and did some strong and original writing for that sheet, retiring from the editorial management in July, 1859. At the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted for three months in a cavalry company, of which he was elected first lieutenant and after the term of his enlistment expired he was appointed major of the First Ohio Cavalry% later being promoted to the colonelcy. His command took part in a number of hard-fought battles and at Stone River, December 31. 1862, Colonel Millikin gave up his life, while leading a charge against the enemy. It was said of him by one well qualified to speak, "Talented, original, brave and independent, he was a strict disciplinarian and a rigid commander, a fearless warrior, and if the path of duty led to a dozen batteries, to them he would go without a quiver." As an athlete Colonel Millikin had few equals. When he married Miss Mary Mollyneaux, of Oxford, he went on a wedding tour to England, and while in London he called on the editor of the world's leading sporting paper of that period, the Spirit of the Times. In conversation upon athletics he desired to know the world's record for a standing jump. Upon being informed, he remarked that he believed he could do that well himself. He was at once invited to the gymnasium and there beat the world's record by seven inches.

Dr. Cyrus Falconer

was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Washington county, January 21, 1810. In 1812 he accompanied the family to Ohio and located in Rossville, Butler county. The subject received his preliminary education in the Hamilton public schools, but at the age of fourteen years began studying the higher branches in a select school, hi 1826 he entered Miami University, remaining there until the fall of 1827 and in 1829 he began studying medicine under the preceptorship of Doctor Robert B. Millikin. During 1830-31 he attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and the following year was granted a license entitling him to practice medicine and he immediately opened an office in Hamilton. In 1834 he entered in a business partnership with Doctor Rigdon and during the winter of 1837 he traveled through Texas on horse- back. In the autumn of 1838 he entered the Ohio Medical College, from which he graduated in 1839 and then resumed his practice in Hamilton, commanding a very large practice and enjoying the utmost confidence of all. Having early taken an interest in educational matters in Hamilton, he assisted in the organization of the union school system here in 1851 and was a member of the first board of school examiners, in which capacity he served nine years. His first political vote was cast for Andrew Jackson in 1832, while from the organization of the Republican party he was an enthusiastic supporter of its principles. His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian church, of which for thirty-two years he was one of its'elders. He died in 1895, in the eightyfifth year of his age.

William Corry

his early education by study at Parson Drake's Academy, in Tennessee. In 1798 he entered into the study of law under William McMillan, at Cincinnati', and in 1803 he moved to Hamilton, where he engaged in practice. In 1807 he was appointed prosecutor for the state, holding the office until 1810. In the fall of 1807 he was elected representative to the general assembly and served one term. In March of 1810 he was married to Miss Eleanor Fleming and at that time abandoned the practice of law and settled on his farm near Cincinnati. In the following year, however, he moved to Cincinnati and again engaged in the practice of law, building up a successful and lucrative practice. He was elected the representative from Hamilton county in the general assembly and was appointed by the town council of Cincinnati to the office of mayor, holding the position until 1819 by appointment. His death occurred December 16, 1833. He was not conspicuous as an orator, but was highly esteemed as a well-informed lawyer and a good counsellor. He was distinguished for purity of motive, manly firmness and high character.

Major John M. Millikin

was born in Greensboro, Greene county, Ohio, on the 14th of October, 1804, and was educated mainly under the instruction of the Rev. Alexander Proudfit and other early teachers of Hamilton. In 1824 he entered Washington College, in Pennsylvania, and in 1825 began the study of law with Jesse Corwin, being admitted to practice by the supreme court of Ohio on September 5, 1827, after which he opened an office in Hamilton. In 1834 the firm of Millikin & Bebb was formed, which continued until 1840. In 1829 Mr. Millikin was appointed brigade major and inspector of militia, in which capacity he engaged until 1833; was aide-de-camp to Governor Corwin, and in 1846 he was a member of the state board of equalization. He held many public positions. among which may be mentioned the fact that in 1856 he was elected a member of the state board of agriculture and was twice re-elected to the same position, serving one year as president of the board. He was appointed trustee of Miami University in i860 and in 1873 the secretary of the interior appointed him a member of the commission to make a treaty with the Creek Nation in the Indian Territory for the relinquishment of a part of their territory to the

Seminoles. In 1875 was elected state treasurer of Ohio and in 1877 was again nominated for the office, but suffered defeat. On September 6, 1831, Major Millikin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Greenlee Hough and to this union were born four children, .Minor, Daniel, Joseph and Mary. The husband and father passed away in 1884.

Thomas Slade

was born in Liberty township, Butler county, Ohio, January 5, 1824. His mother was a sister of the Rev. Arthur Elliott, the noted Methodist divine, and also a sister of the mother of the late Hon. Daniel \V. Voorhees, United States senator from Indiana. Mr. Slade received his education in the public schools and in 1849 removed to Fairfield township, this county. He started in life comparatively poor, but became a successful farmer and at the time of his death was the possessor of a competence, owning six hundred acres of land in Fairfield township. He was benevolent, donating much money to church uses. He held many public offices, having been for six years trustee of Fairfield township and for many years a school director and supervisor. In 1879 was elected county commissioner and re-elected in 1882, being regarded as the leader of the board and conducting many improvements of a substantial character, including the county infirmary. On December 18, 1845, he was married to Miss Rosana Vinnedge, five children being born to this union. Mr. Slade died April 20, 1891.

Ferdinand Vanderveer

Middletown schools and later Farmers' College, near Cincinnati. He read law and in 1845 was admitted to practice at Memphis, Tennessee, shortly afterwards returning to Hamilton and continuing his legal studies. In May, 1846, Mr. VanDerveer enlisted for service in the Mexican war and in September was elected captain of his company over three lieutenants. He was noted for his coolness and bravery and upon his return home was presented with a fine sword and sash by the citizens of Middletown. In 1847 he was elected sheriff of Butler county and was nominated for the second term, but was defeated. In 1849, and again in i860, he edited the Hamilton Telegraph, the organ of the Democratic party in that county. In i860 he was elected prosecuting attorney and sent more criminals to the penitentiary than any other prosecuting attorney that ever held the office. At the breaking out of the Civil war he organized the Thirty-fifth Ohio Regiment and was commissioned as colonel. At the battle of Chickamauga he commanded a brigade and because of his conduct here he was made a brigadier general. In 1865 he was appointed internal revenue collector for the third district of Ohio, and in March, 1885, was appointed postmaster, resigning this position the following December. In 1886 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas and was re-elected in 1891. His death occurred November 5. 1892.

John S. Ear Heart

was born in Jacksonburg, Butler county, Ohio, March 10, 1824, and accompanied his parents to Hamilton when but two years of age. After having completed the course in the common schools, he attended the Hamilton Academy and later the Ohio Farmers

College. He made a study of civil engineering and assisted his father in the construction of turnpikes and the Hamilton hydraulic canal, also engaging in land surveying and railway construction. The Ohio division of the Junction Railway was under his supervision and he also constructed the viaduct through the first ward of Hamilton. He was appointed chief engineer on the first section of the Miami and Erie canal, but on the outbreak of the Civil war resigned and was instrumental in the organization of the Thirty-fifth Regiment. He was appointed captain of Company C, which he commanded until 1863, when he was appointed topographical engineer on General Steadman's staff, afterwards being transferred to General Brannon's staff, where he served until his death, on August 10, 1863.

Col. George F. Elliott

was born in Liberty township, Butler county, Ohio, April 8, 1826, the son of Rev. Arthur Elliott, of Maryland. At the age of fourteen years George removed to St. Clair township, where he engaged in farming work, attending such schools as circumstances permitted, though the greater part of his education was acquired in the school conducted in the basement of the old Episcopal church at Hamilton. At the outbreak of the Civil war he, almost entirely unaided, raised Company C. Sixty-ninth Ohio Regiment. He was appointed major in August, 1862, and lieutenant colonel in the following October. His military record at the battle of Stone River was a crowning event of a brilliant career as a soldier. Just before the close of the war his wife's illness caused him to resign and return home and he conducted the homestead farm until

1866. During the next three years he engaged in the distillery business in Hamilton and in 1873 he retired from business life and at the same time began his career in public sendee. He was made a member of the state board of equalization and in 1881 was nominated by the Democratic party for state senator, being defeated by a small margin. In 1883 he was again nominated for the senate and was elected, making a long record of distinguished service in behalf of his district. Among his successful efforts in the assembly, the passing of the first appropriation bill for the Miami University was not the least important. In 1889 he was appointed to a place on the soldiers' relief commission and was also a member of the United States land commission, whose function was to recover abandoned or swamp lands and in 1888 he had jurisdiction over the states of Oregon and Washington. He was a director of the Second National Bank in the years 1868 and 1869 and was always an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1854 Colonel Elliott was married to Miss Eleanor Hueston, and his death occurred on the 13th of May, 1896.

Samuel Shaffer

was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1816, his parents being of Pennsylvania German stock. He received a common-school education and in youth was apprenticed to the trade of a chairmaker, at which he served three years. At the age of nineteen years he started in life for himself, going to Pittsburg, where he worked for a time, then coming by boat to Cincinnati. In 1835 he located in the village of Rossville, where he worked at his trade and subsequently was employed in Dayton and Columbus. Subsequently he started the chairmaking business for himself in Hamilton, his shop being located in a little building in the rear of the Rumple block on B street. He followed his trade several years and was then employed as a clerk in the hardware and gun store of R. L. Howard, where he remained several years. He served two years as infirmary director and as a member of the Rossville fire department and was also a member of the village council from 1848 to 1852 and clerk of Rossville in 1854. Among other public capacities in which he served was that of marshal of Rossville, trustee of St. Clair township, the first real estate assessor of Hamilton and collector of income tax for Hamilton and Fairfield townships, continuing in the latter service until the office was abolished. During the Civil war he was one of the commissioners sent by Hamilton to Pittsburg Landing with supplies for the relief of the Union soldiers. He was the oldest Odd Fellow in Hamilton and one of the oldest in the United States. His death occurred in October, 1896. He was twice married, first to Miss Sarah Jane Mills, who survived the union but a brief time, and later he was married to Miss Mary Laird, several children being born to the union.

John B. Cornell

was bom in Hamilton county, Ohio, February 1, 1833, and was educated in a typical log school house of the period and later at a college in Cincinnati. He taught school a year and a half and then entered Doctor Peck's private bank in Hamilton as bookkeeper, remaining there until 1861, when the bank suspended. In 1862 he engaged as bookkeeper with Gwyn & Campbell's gunshop. In August, 1863, he was made cashier of the newly organized First National Bank, holding this position until his death. In 1878 he engaged in the ice business, becoming president of the Lake Erie Ice Company. He was an abolitionist and a Republican all his life and was active in politics. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masonic order. Mr. Cornell was married April 9, 1857, to Miss Phebe F. Hageman, who died May 24. 1864, leaving two children, Carrie and Charles. On April 18, 1866, Mr. Cornell was again married, one child, John, being the fruit of this union. His death occurred on the 2d of August, 1894.

Isaac Matthias

was born in Winchester, Virginia, February 6, 1805. He received his early education in the schools of the neighborhood and learned the trade of a coppersmith. In 1827 he located in Cincinnati and one year later, with his brother Jacob, settled in this city. The brothers engaged in the coppersmithing and turning business, to which they later added stoves and tinware. They engaged largely in furnishing equipments for distilleries, of which there were many at that time in Butler county, this work being to them a source of very considerable profit. In 1839 the firm of Matthias, Reiser & Traber was formed for the sale of dry goods, groceries and hardware, the business being carried on successfully until March, 1842. Then Mr. Matthias conducted a coppersmith and stove business alone until 1849, when his brother Jacob re-entered the firm, from which time they conducted the business until the subject's death, June 26, 1870.

On December 2, 1829, Mr. Matthias was married to Miss Fanny Grooms and to this union were bom five children : Emma, Ann, Jacob, George P. and Jennie. Mrs. Fannie Matthias died in January, 1852, and in November, 1854, Mr. Matthias was married to Miss Mary Galbraith, who died January 6, 1895, after having become the mother of five children.

Aaron L. Schenck

was a native of Butler county, Ohio, having been bom in Fairfield township in 1804, and here received his education in the common schools. He followed farming as his vocation all through his life and accumulated a large estate. He early evinced a deep interest in public affairs and in 1849 was elected sheriff, serving one term, his election being the result of a fusion between a bolting faction of the Democratic party and the Whigs. He was a man of great force of character and was considered as one who would scorn to do a wrong to his fellow men. His death occurred in March, 1856.

Charles K. Smith

was born February 15, 1799, in Cincinnati Ohio, and after receiving a preliminary common-school education he was sent in 1812 to a grammar school in Oxford, where he remained for three years. He then came to Hamilton to live and was employed by Tohn Reily, postmaster and clerk of the courts, and for two years the subject was employed as deputy postmaster and clerk. In 1821 he was chosen as recorder of Butler county and served in this capacity until 1835. During this interim, in 1827, he was also chosen treasurer of the county. He later became cashier of the Bank of Hamilton and after his retirement from the bank, upon its suspension in 1842, he entered upon the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar in 1840 after legal study under the preceptorship of John Woods. In 1848 he was elected associate judge by the general assembly and shortly afterwards, when the act creating the territory of Minnesota was passed by congress, Mr. Smith was made secretary of the territory, assuming his duties in May, 1849. He entered upon his duties with energy and became one of the most prominent founders of the empire of the Northwest. Upon his return from Minnesota he bought his father's farm in St. Clair township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in September, 1866. He was a regular attendant of the United Presbyterian church and donated the lot on which the First Presbyterian church now stands. He was married November 21, 1827, to Miss Eleanor A. McMechan.

was born in Windesheim, Germany, May 23. 1815, the son of Wilhelm Ludwig Sohn and Catherine Daehmer Sohn. He received a good education in a Latin school and gymnasium in his native land and at the age of seventeen years became apprenticed to his father as a cooper and brewer. When nineteen years old he embarked for America, landing at Baltimore, from whence he came west on foot, reaching Hamilton in November, 1834. He assisted first in chopping wood at twenty-five cents a cord, but later went to work in a brewery and later in a pork house. About a year later he went to Cincinnati and for three years was employed as a brewer. Returning to Hamilton in 1839. he bought a brewery and through his energetic efforts greatly extended the business until in 1846 he was enabled also to embark in tanning. These enterprises were also successful and he became owner of two large tanneries, one at Hamilton and one at Waverly, in Pike county. In connection with these businesses, he also opened a leather findings store, and was successful in all his enterprises. He had the largest vineyard in Butler county and had great success in the growing of native wines. He added the packing of pork to his other enterprises and was also interested in the manufacture of a wood working machine. Not satisfied with these businesses, he engaged in farming quite extensively, owning large tracts of land, and was also a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank. Originally Mr. Sohn was a stanch Democrat until the time of the Civil war, when lie transferred his allegiance to the Republican party. His first public office was that of a member of the city council and he was also a member of the school board that introduced the union-school system in Hamilton. In 1849 was elected county commissioner and in 1872 was the nominee of the Democratic party for congress, but was defeated. He was a leader among his countrymen in Butler county' and was instrumental in organizing the first benevolent society of Germans in Cincinnati in 1836, which is still in existence. He was also president of the United German Society. In 1840 Mr.- Sohn was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Rosen feld, a native of Saxony, Germany, and to them were born nine children.

John W. Erwin

was born in New Castle county, Delaware, September 8, 1808, and was of Quaker stock. In 1828 he started westward on foot and stopped at Richmond, Indiana, where he prepared himself as a civil engineer and for five years acted as engineer on the west division of the national road, extending from Indianapolis to the state line on the east. In the winter of 1835 and 1836 he located the Hamilton, Rossville, Summerville, Newcomb and Eaton turnpike, the first public work of the kind built of gravel west of the mountains. This was followed by other works of the same character. The hydraulic works at Hamilton, Middletown, Franklin and Troy were located by him, as were also works of like character at Goshen, Elkhart and Bristol, Indiana, and Constantine, Michigan. From 1837 for many years he was resident engineer on the Miami and Erie canal, being during his later years in charge of the third division of these works. In 1839 he was employed by the city to superintend the reclamation of a large tract of land known as the "Big Pond," in the southern part of Butler county, and was identified with nearly all the public works of the city of Hamilton. He also assisted in the erection of the first paper mill there in 1847 and assisted in building the first flouring mill run by water furnished by the hydraulic works of Hamilton. He made the preliminary surveys for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, and superintended the construction of the hydraulic works in Middletown and, in company with his brother, erected two paper mills at that place. He was also one of those who secured the tract of land that is now known as Greenwood Cemetery. He was an ardent Democrat and during the Civil war was identified with the war faction of that party, being known as a friend of the colored race. When Ft. Sumter was fired upon he united with the Republican party and remained so affiliated until his death.

He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging also to the chapter, council and commandery of that order. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and sat in the grand lodge of that order. On May 12, 1833, Mr. Erwin was married to Miss Ann Eliza Chadwick, of New Jersey, and to them were bom five children, Henry, Charles, Frank, Lutie and Mary. Mr. Erwin died April 17, 1889.

James M 'Bride

was bom at Greencastle. Pennsylvania, November 2, T788, and though he received no school education, he by his persistent personal efforts acquired a comprehensive knowledge. His first employment was as clerk for John Reily and he soon gained the confidence of all with whom he had dealings. Just prior to the war of 1812 he engaged with Joseph Hough in the shipment of flour to New Orleans, a venture which netted them a large profit. In 1813 Mr. McBride was elected sheriff and was reelected in 1815, a noteworthy fact when it is considered that at that time this office was considered the chief one in the county and the subject was then but twenty -five years old. Mr. McBride took a deep interest in the affairs of the early history of this region and much of his research has been preserved and is in existence today in his own handwriting. Among the works produced by him was one published in 1869, entitled "Pioneer Biography of Butler County," and he also wrote in 1831 a history of Hamilton, which was not published until a few years ago. Subsequently Mr. McBride was elected mayor of Hamilton and while in this position aided in a codification of the city ordinances. He was later employed in the office of the auditor of state at Columbus and in 1846 was elected clerk of courts of Butler county, holding this position until 1852. On October 4, 1859, his death occurred, his wife having passed away but ten days previously.

who was bom in 1824 at Miamisburg, Ohio, received a classical education at Dayton and then studied medicine and graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, after which he located at Hamilton and there practiced his profession for a short time. He took a deep interest in public affairs and served two terms in the Ohio legislature, being also clerk of the Butler county courts from 1858 to 1864. He engaged in the distilling business in Hamilton and Cincinnati and when the tax of one dollar per gallon was placed on whiskey he had a large amount on hand which was exempt from taxation, netting him an enormous profit. In 1861 in company with Doctor John P. P. Peck, he purchased the Telegraph, a Democratic newspaper, and himself filled the editorial chair. Doctor McElwee was an opponent of the Civil war, while Doctor Peck was a war Democrat. In August, 1861, Doctor Peck objected to the publication in the Telegraph of the famous secession resolutions passed by a Democratic mass meeting held in Hamilton, in consequence of which Doctor McElwee retired from the partnership and in September, 1862, purchased the Oxford Union and removed the plant to Hamilton. In the same month he issued the first number of the True Telegraph, which editorially denounced the war, the abolitionists and the President. In 1866 the Doctor superintended the construction was born in Quebec, Canada, July 22, 1822, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania in 1828, where his father died one year later, and in 1830 he accompanied his mother and two brothers who came to Ohio, locating at Oxford, where he went to school until his removal to Preble county in 1833. At the age of fifteen years he engaged in the tailor's trade and after completing his time, labored a few weeks, acquiring enough money to carry him through one term at Miami University during the fall of 1839. He remained at that institution about four years, working at his trade during his vacations. He then entered the office of L. D. Campbell at Hamilton, where he studied law, and still later studied with Jackson & Hawkins at Eaton, being admitted to the bar of the Ohio supreme court. A year later he entered into a partnership with Judge William J. Gilmore, which was dissolved about a year later. The subject was elected state senator from the Butler-Warren district in i860, being the first Republican to fill that position, and he introduced and pushed to its completion the criminal cost act. In 1850 he served as mayor of Rossville, though subsequently resigning the position. In 1864 he was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Regiment and commanded it during its service of four months in West Virginia. Colonel Moore was an ardent member of the Whig party and later of the Republican, taking an active part during campaigns. He was originally a member of the Associate Reformed church, but later became a Presbyterian. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary C. Caldwell and they became the parents of seven children. The Colonel's death occurred June 19, 1893.

Elijah Vance

was born February 1. 1801. at Bel Air, Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1816, locating in Cincinnati. In 1821 he removed to Lebanon, this state, where he studied law with Judge Dunlevy, being admitted to the bar in 1826. Aftenvards he came to Hamilton and followed the practice of his profession. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Butler county, serving from 1839 to 1843, and was then elected a member of the state senate, being made speaker of that body. In 1843 he was elected common pleas judge of the judicial district composing the counties of Butler, Clinton, Greene and Warren and in 1850 was a member of the state constitutional convention, taking a leading and prominent part in the debates of that body. He was again elected prosecuting attorney, serving two terms from 1865 to 1870, and in 1879 was elected city solicitor. For a number of years he was a trustee of Miami University and several times a member of the Hamilton board of education. His death occurred on January 11, 1871.

Thomas Millikin

September 28, 1819. He began his classical studies with Rev. J. G. Monfort in Rossville, in 1832, and then entered Miami University, from which he graduated in 1838. He studied law with Elijah Vance and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Three years later he was appointed prosecuting attorney, serving for one year, and from that time until his death he was uninterruptedly engaged in the practice of his profession. He took a prominent part in public affairs and was one of the organizers of the Hamilton Gas Company and of the Hamilton & Lindenwald Electric Transit Company. For many years he was attorney for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway and the Big Four Railway Companies. In 1874 he was tendered a commission as judge of the supreme court of Ohio, but declined the honor. He was a noted speaker at public meetings and on July 4, 1876, delivered a noted address at the Hamilton centennial celebration and was also president of the citizens' committee during the centennial celebration of the building of old Fort Hamilton. He also delivered an address at the laying of the corner-stone of the present court house. Mr. Millikin was married at Columbus, Ohio, November 4, 184T, to Miss Mary Van Hook, who died in 1894. To them were born seven children : William, Robert, Sallie, Murray, May, Ira and Julia. Mr. Million's name was a synonym for all that was honorable and few men have left a deeper impress on the city and state in the last half century than he. His death occurred in Hamilton, November 10, 1899.

Col. M. C. Ryan

private schools and later Miami University, from which he was graduated in 1839 with the highest honors of his class. While attending college he was one of the founders of the Beta Theta Pi, a Greek letter society. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1841, becoming a partner of his brotherin-law, John B. Weller. He was prosecuting attorney from 1848 to 1852 and clerk of courts from 1852 to 1858 and was a delegate to the Democratic national convention, in 1856, that nominated James Buchanan for president. In politics he was a Democrat, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause, and just prior to the war was editor of the Hamilton Telegraph. At the outbreak of the war he was appointed colonel of the Fiftieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but his death, which occurred on October 23, 1861, prevented him from taking command of this regiment. He was a lover of books, possessing a large library, and was a gentleman of high integrity and universally esteemed by all.

Francis W. Hurtt

was born near Tarlton, Pickaway county, Ohio. September 26, 1832, and received his education in the schools of Frankfort, this state, where before he was seventeen years old he also taught school. He later was a student at Athens College, where he gained a reputation as a fine mathematician, but before graduating he was called to superintend the schools at Ripley, Ohio, which he organized, graded and raised to a high standard. In 1854 he was appointed first assistant to Doctor Joseph Ray, and also appointed professor of chemistry at Woodward high school, Cincinnati, Ohio. During this period he contributed a series of arti- cles to a mathematical journal, published at Cambridge, Massachusetts, acquiring a reputation in this science for which he received the degree of Master of Arts. In 1855 was appointed superintendent of schools at Springfield, Ohio, but shortly after returned to Cincinnati and engaged in a publishing enterprise. In 1859 was appointed superintendent of schools at Hamilton, but at the end of that year, although re-elected, he retired permanently from the teaching profession and went to Cincinnati. In i860 he assumed the position of business manager of the Ohio State Journal and subsequently became its proprietor. During this period he was also editor and proprietor of the Ohio Journal of Education. Having been appointed an officer in the army, he found himself unable to devote all his time to the management of the paper and sold his interest in it. In 1865 removed to New York and became interested in the manufacture of the well-known medicine, Pond's Extract, and it was largely due to his ability that this large business was developed from . its former insignificance. During his later years he traveled extensively in Europe, China and Japan. In January, 1855, Mr. Hurtt was married to Miss Sarah Ives, a teacher in Cincinnati, and in March, 1884, he died suddenly in New York, leaving a widow and two sons.

William Sheely

was born in Clarke county, Virginia, in 1798 and at an early age located on a farm in Fairfield township, Butler county, Ohio, where he resided until his death. He took a prominent part in public affairs and was elected sheriff of his county in 1831 and again in 1833, being known as the "big - sheriff" from the fact that he weighed three hundred and forty pounds. He acquired a high reputation because of his efficiency in the discharge of the duties of the shrievalty and upon several occasions exhibited courage of a high order. After his retirement from the office of sheriff he returned to his homestead farm, where he remained until his death in 1857.

John Reily

was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th day of April, 1763. When he was yet a child his parents removed to Augusta county, Virginia, and settled on a farm near Staunton. This part of Virginia was then a frontier settlement, and the homes of inhabitants received frequent visitations by the Indians, for the purpose of murder and devastation. In 1774 a campaign was waged against the Indians and in October of that year a severe battle was fought, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha river, between the Virginia troops, commanded by General Andrew Lewis, and the Indians under the direction of the celebrated chief, Cornstalk. During this time the Reily family were residing for security in a small fort near Staunton. In 1780 John Reily left home and joined the Revolutionary army. He served eighteen months in the Southern department, through the South Carolina and Georgia campaign, under Major General Nathaniel Greene, and participated in the important battles of Guilford Court House, Camden and Eutaw Springs, in which he distinguished himself as a brave and exemplary soldier. At the expiration of his term of service Mr. Reily received a certificate of honorable discharge under the hand and seal of General George Washington himself.

tout murmur or complaint. If a station WfcTe attacked he was among the first to go Iftyhs relief. If a murder or other depredastfbflcwere committed he was ready to take hheterail in pursuit of the enemy without loss JotfttWUe. He was among the volunteers who, mibjahilary, 1791, went to the relief of the -g&rbistotV at Dunlap's station, situated on the t^asM^haflk of the Great Miami river, opposite 'JtWpteafeftt town of Venice, in Ross townsl'lip,^,uhbrc it was so viciously attacked by kindred Indians, led by the noto- Vir^iSiftfditX'jirty. In the month of January to* Mr. Reily responded to the call

-Xbfwokinte^t sV. and, under the command of rC&^a>ito? ('afterWard General) John S. Gano, abcoWfyanMf mflexpedition to the scene of - St/' Claim's defeat for the purpose of burying fher dead' thsito hhd been left on the field on the^'diiiktfolw >4thfbf November previous, 'arid for heiWgiftg^ away valuable property 'rented td^be tell remaining at the place. /}! fd > t'yb i- 'M'rV rRei'ly had purchased a tract 'dtf'lhnd about sbvemmiles from Cincinnati, riU ;the satne '!qunrtef section on a part of 1 Which flhfcf village bfi: Carthage now stands. M 1793 He gave' Up his interest in the school ^Cdlutribia; ' Mfc dunkVy and associated 'hims'dlf arMf cFribT,'\vho owned land adjbiniug- His," for IhC ! ptfrjxiSe of carrying b&rtheito HTiprdveWlbht^ jointly and for the better protection of eaCht othetl Some time later, while g ^ort accepted a clerkship in the office of General John S. Gano, the clerk of the court of Hamilton county. In this position he continued till 1799, acting as deputy for General Gano, and conducting a large portion of the business of the office.

On the 1 6th of September, 1799, when the first session of the legislature of the Northwest territory convened at Cincinnati, Mr. Reily was elected clerk and served in that capacity until its adjournment on the 19th of December following. Subsequently, at the second and third sessions held at Chillicothe in 1800 and 1801, Mr. Reily was again elected clerk. In January, 1802, with the organization of the government of the town of Cincinnati, Mr. Reily became one of its seven trustees. In 1802. when Ohio was admitted into the Union, Mr. Reily was elected one of the representatives of Hamilton county to the constitutional convention which met at Chillicothe on the first Monday of November, 1802, and framed the first constitution of Ohio, which met the approbation of the people, and under which they lived and prospered till 1851, when the present state constitution was adopted.

In 1803 Mr. Reily moved to Hamilton and resided there until the time of his death. The inhabitants of Hamilton at that time were few in number and composed chiefly of soldiers and other persons who had been attached to Wayne's army, and had remained there when that army was disbanded at the close of the campaign. Few houses had been erected. The fort had been dismantled and abandoned but a few years previously. Many of the pickets which formed its enclosure were still standing, and wlien they had been broken off or taken up the outline of the fort could easily be traced.

On the 24th day of March, 1803, Butler county was established by an act of the first legislature of Ohio elected under the new constitution, and on May 10, 1803. the associate judges of the court of common pleas, who had been appointed for Butler county, met for the purpose of organizing the county, and elected John Reily their clerk. At the first regular term of the court of common pleas for Butler county, which met July 12, 1803, Mr. Reily was appointed clerk, and held the office under successive reappointments until the 14th day of March, 1840, a period of nearly thirty-seven years, when he declined reappointment.

The first term of the supreme court of Butler county was opened on the nth of October, 1803. Mr. Reily was appointed clerk of this court also, and retained the office until the 3d of May, 1842, when he resigned. From that time he spent the remainder of his days in retirement, having held the office of clerk of the court for a longer period, with one exception, than any other person in the state.

Mr. Reily was appointed the first recorder of Butler county in 1803, and held the office until May, 1811. Mr. Reily held the office of the clerk of the board of county commissioners from 1803 to 1819, when he resigned. In 1804, under the administration of President Thomas Jefferson, a postoffice was established at Hamilton and Mr. Reily was appointed first postmaster, in which office he continued until July, 1832, when he resigned.

one of the trustees, and was president of the board the most of the time until the organization of the college in 1824, when, by law, the president of the college became also president ex officio of the board of trustees. Mr. Reily was ever a warm friend of the institution, during his incumbency as a member of the board of trustees doing everything in his power to promote its interest and advancement. He resigned in 1840, on account of advanced age.

Mr. Reily, during his public life, had charge of the interests of a great many nonresident owners of land in the Miami country, paying their taxes, making sales, leasing land and having a general oversight of them. In all the important offices and trusts which Mr. Reily was called upon to fill during his long and useful life, he faithfully discharged the duties they required. He did not look on them as mere sources of profit to himself, but considered them personal trusts conferred for the public good, and requiring at his hands a punctual and thorough performance of the duties they enjoined. He was uniformly at his post, early and late.

In the private walks of life, as well as in his official capacity, he afforded an example worthy of imitation. He always acted under the influence of a high moral principle. While he never made a public profession of religion, he regularly attended public worship and contributed liberally to its support. On all proper occasions he advocated the importance of religion, and defended the inspiration and authority of the scriptures.

Aftera life of almost uninterrupted good health, full of years and honors, Mr. Reily passed away June 7; 1850, at the age of eighty-seven years.

February 6, 1808, Mr. Reily married Miss Nancy Hunter, a daughter of Joseph Hunter, a prominent pioneer fanner of Butler county, residing near Hamilton. The fruits of this marriage were three sons and two daughters.