Clinton County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1915 (part 24 of 26)

Lafayette Boring was a young man when he came to Clinton county, Ohio. He was a farmer in this county and owned one hundred and twenty-two acres of land. He died in Green township, February 11, 1888. His wife had passed away many years previously, when their son, John C., was a small child. They were the parents of five children, of whom two, Blizabeth, the first-born, and Mary, the fourth in order of birth, re deceased. The living children are Ruth, John C. and Absalom. ' the public schools, is a well-known citizen of that township. He was married on October 2, 1864, to Almira E. McKenzie, who was born in Union township, this county, the daughter of William and Lucinda (Morton) McKenzie, both natives of Clinton county, Ohio. William McKenzie was a son of John McKenzie, a pioneer of this county and a prominent citizen in the early life of this section of the state. William and Lucinda (Morton) McKenzie are both deceased. To John C. Boring and wife five children were born, Nettie Jane, Mary Etta, Geneva Louisa, Minnie and Cordelia, all of whom are living. The mother of these children died on March 6, 1911.

The venerable John C. Boring was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted on May 2, 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served one hundred days, and took part in the battle of Frederick City. Politically, he is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party.

Mrs. Boring was an active member and worker in the Christian church at New Antioch, where her loss was most keenly felt. She was a loving mother and devoted wife.

William D. Jarrell

Nothing is sweeter in all the world than the love of a dutiful and worthy son for an aged mother. No one ever adequately may tell the story of a mother's sacrifices or the anxious hours and days through which she passes while her children are being reared to manhood and womanhood. Sons and daughters cannot fully repay the debt of gratitude they owe their mother. It is her unselfish spirit which comforts them in sorrow, inspires them when they are downcast, and ministers to them when they are sick and afflicted. It was altogether praiseworthy for the country, by common consent, to set apart one day in each year called "Mothers' Day,' when the thoughts of the people may turn to the unselfish life of the mothers. William D. Jarrell, a modest and unassuming man and resident of Wayne township, this county, has had an opportunity to do more for his mother during her declining years than falls to the lot of most men, and it is a credit to him and a credit to the community in which he lives that his love for this dear old mother is the kind which finds an expression in the unselfish devotion with which he is making comfortable this evening time of her life.

Mr. Jarrell was born on October 29, 1866, in Richland township, this county, and his father, Benjamin Jarrell, who was born in 1816, in Orange county, Virginia, died in 1900. Since that time his mother, who, before her marriage to Benjamin Jarrell, was Sarah E. Massie has lived with her son, William D. She was born in Adams county, Ohio, September 27, 1838, and is now near the age of eighty years. She is a daughter of William and Cynthia Massie, the former of whom was a.farmer of Highland county, Ohio, a member of the Methodist church, and an active church worker all his Jife. She was one of thirteen children born to her parents, the others being Philena, Nancy, Henry Benjamin, Simon, Spencer, Elvira, Mary M., Alfred, Ellis, Himan T., Amanda and Sanford. Of these children, Himan T. died while young. The great-grandparents on Mr. Jarrell's maternal side were Benjamin and Nancy (Lovejoy) Massie, the former of whom was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and who, when a young man, surveyed this section of Ohio. Later in life he taught school.

Mr. Jarrell's paternal grandparents were William and Mildred (Campbell) Jarrell, the former a farmer of Orange county, Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1854, locating in Wayne township, this county, where he followed farming the remainder of his life. Wiiliam and Mildred (Campbell) Jarrell were the parents of five children, William, James, Benjamin, Permelia and Mary.

The late Benjamin Jarrell was educated in the common schools of Orange county, Virginia, and when a young man engaged in the milling business, which occupation he followed all his life. He first owned a mill in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and then removed to Richmond, that state, where he operated a mill for fourteen years. In 1854 he came to Ohio and settled in Highland county, where he operated a mill for two years. Two years later he removed to Centerville, where he built a mill, but later he sold that mill and removed to Leesville, where he built and for many years operated a mill at Lees Creek, Richland township, this county, which his son, William D., now operates. Benjamin Jarrell and wife were the parents of five children, of whom James and Thomas died early in life. William D., the first born and the subject of this sketch, has never married. Fannie married George Snow, and Sophronia is the wife of Isaac Summers. Benjamin Jarrell was a Democrat and an earnest member of the Christian church. j

William D. Jarrell was educated in the common schools of Wayne township. When a lad of fourteen he began his apprenticeship in the mill owned by his father. and has been in the milling business since that time, a period of thirty-five years. Upon the death of his father he took absolute charge of the mill, and has built a part of it. He has both a grist- and saw-mill, and does custom milling of all kinds. He also buys wheat, corn and oats, and sells flour and feed. He also does a custom-sawing business, and has a large patronage.

Mr. Jarrell is Democratic and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a splendid man, not only in the home relationships of life, but in his business relations as well.

Joseph W. Williams

Joseph W. Williams is one of those successful farmers of Green township who has had much to do with the agricultural development of Clinton county. He was born in Highland county, this state, May 23, 1865, son of Daniel and Mary (Hatcher) Williams, both natives of Highland county, the former born in 1837, and the latter in 1843. Mary Hatcher was the daughter of Peter and Sophia (Miller) Hatcher, both natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Highland county early in its history. They were farmers by occupation and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Peter Hatcher voted the Democratic ticket. He and his wife both died in Highland county, the former at the age of eighty-five years, and the latter at the age of seventy-four.

Daniel Williams is the son of Thomas Williams and wife, pioneers in Highland county, Ohio, who owned one thousand acres of land which they had entered from the government. Both died in Highland county. Daniel Williams is a farmer and still lives in Highland county, where he owns about six hundred acres of land. Though now living retired, he continues to look after his farm property and is known as rather an extensive cattle raiser, keeping ordinarily from seventy-five to one hundred head during the summer. He is a Democrat in politics and member of the Presbyterian church, .us was his wife, who died on January 19, 1915, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of seven children, Mary Almeta, Priscilla White, Joseph W., Joshua Sanford (decensed), Olive Bertie, Thomas Elmer and Jennie Fiorella.

Joseph W. Williams was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of Highland county. In 1904 he came to Clinton county, and purchased one hundred and sixty-nine acres of land in Green township, where he has since een. engaged in general farming, also being known as an extensive cattle feeder.

On March 5, 1890, Joseph W. Williams was married to Mary Jane Brown, of Highland county, born at Rainsboro in 1866, granddaughter of John Davis, a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and a pioneer in Highland county, who died at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, Jane (Miller) Davis, died in Highland county at the age of eighty-seven years. To Joseph W. and Mary Jane (Brown) Williams have been born two children, Mary Josephine, born on October 24, 1895, and Harry Dana, April 30, 1900.

Atinva Swvitiim

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and, fraternally, he is a member of the grange. On another page in this volume will be found a portrait of the Williams family. This was taken from a photograph made in 1910, at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Daniel and Mary (Hatcher) Williams, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of John .H. and Priscilla White (Williams) Heistand, and the twentieth anniversary of the martiage of Joseph W. and Mary Jane (Brown) Williams.

Christopher C. Bernard

Christopher C. Bernard is a well-known farmer of Sabina, this county, whose great-grandfather, Thomas Bernard, was a prominent Virginia planter and wholesale dealer of Richmond, Virginia, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who :fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stony Point and other places.

'Christopher C. Bernard was born on July 2, 1872, in Green township, this county, son of James K. and Kesiah (McVey) Bernard, both natives of Clinton county, the former of whom, born on June 19, 1835, in Green township, died on September 5, 1907, and the latter, born on January 19, 1838, in Wayne township, was the daughter of Christopher and Catherine (West) McVey. Mrs. James K. Bernard was one of eight children born to her parents and was the third in order of birth, the others being James, Henrietta, Robert, Edman, Benson, Eliza Jane and Alkana.

The paternal grandparents of Christopher C. Bernard were George W. and Harriet (McConnell) Bernard, the former of whom was born on September 138, 1799, in Goochland county, Virginia, and the latter, October 12, 1810, in Brown county, Ohio. George W. Bernard emigrated from Virginia to Highland county, this state, in 1807, with his parents and in 1832, located on the farm in Green township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He owned over four hundred acres of land and was engaged in general farming. George W. and Harriet (McConnell) Bernard were the parents of nine children, Thomas F., James K., Mary E., John W., Matilda J., George W., Charles B., Martha H. and Elijah M. MHarriet (McConnell) Bernard was the daughter of James and Sallie (Downing) McConnell, natives of Pennsylyania, who emigrated to Brown county, Ohio, later, in 1821, coming to Clinton county. George W. Bernard was the son of Thomas and Mary (Hicks) Bernard.

The father of Thomas Bernard and the great-great-grandfather of Christopher C., the subject of this sketch, was William Bernard, a native of England, who married Mary Flemings. They were early settlers in Virginia and he owned three thousand acres of land. He was a wholesale dealer in Richmond, Virginia, and lost most of his property during the Revolutionary War. His son, Thomas, was a Revolutionary soldier, who fought in various important battles of that war.

The late James K. Bernard was educated in the common schools of Green township and when a young man began farming in that township and farmed there practically all his life, having been the owner of about two thousand acres of choice land in Green and Wayne townships. In 19038 he retired and removed to New Vienna, where he spent the remaining four years of his life, passing away in 1907. His widow, the mother of Christopher C., still lives in' New Vienna. They were the parents of nine children, as follow: John R., who was born on July 23, 1862; George W., August 14, 1863, Harriett C., August 16, 1864; Charles O., October 30, 1865; Martha, February 23, 1867; James E., April 3, 1868; Christopher C., July 2, 1872; Coraetta, February 7, 1876, and Oscar, September 13, 1878. The late James K. Bernard was a Democrat. '

Christopher C. Bernard, who was educated in the public schools of Green township, began farming when a young man in Wayne township, and was engaged in farming there until September, 1903, at which time he retired from the farm and moved to Sabina, where he has lived ever since. He owns two hundred and seventy-seven acres of land in Wayne township, and is considered one of the foremost farmers of that section of the county. }

On December 19, 1894, Christopher C. Bernard was married to Edith Pierce, who was born on April 28, 1873, daughter of Hugh and Mary (McKay) Pierce, and to this union has been born one child, Trimble Pierce, born on December 12, 1902. ;

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and Mr. Bernard has served on the official board 9f the church. He has also served one term as trustee of Richland township and is a member of the Clinton county school board. He is also a member of the Sabina school board. Politically, he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Christopher' C. Bernard is a man of splendid appearance and a man of far more than average intelligence. He is popular among his fellow townsmen because of his genial personal manners.

Henry Warnock

Among the well-known and successful farmers of Clinton county is Henry Warnock, a native of Ross county, Ohio, who was born on January 3, 1858. Mr. Warnock is a son of William and Ellen (Free) Warnock, both natives of Ross county, the former of whom was born near South Salem, in 1817, and the latter, in 1819.

Mr. Warnock's paternal grandfather, Alexander Warnock, was a pioneer in Ross county and died in that county. His maternal grandfather, George Free, also was a pioneer of Ross county and died there. Both were farmers by occupation. Mr. Warnock's father, the late William Warnock, was a farmer, who, in the latter part of his life, moved to Fayette county, where he died in 1901. His wife died eleven years previously, in 1890. They were members of the Methodist church and William Warnock was a Republican. To William and Ellen, (Free) Warnock were born seven children, of whom Henry was the fifth in order of birth, the others being Lewis, George (who died at the age of sixteen), Edward, Alfred, Ellsworth and Mary (deceased).

Henry Warnock was born and reared on a farm in Ross county and educated in the public schools of that county. When he was twenty-two years old, he moved to Fayette county, where he remained twenty-seven years, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and forty acres of land near Edgefield, where he lived for six years. In 1912 he came to Clinton county, purchasing one hundred acres of land in Green township, to which he added, by purchase, fifty acres in 1913. He now owns altogether one hundred and fifty acres and is engaged in general farming and_ stock raising. Mr. Warnock is a self-made man and the substantial competence with which he is now possessed is the fruit of his own efforts. Most of his money has been made out of the cattle business, since he has always been an extensive cattle feeder.

In November, 1883, Henry Warnock was married to Mary. Bennett, a native of Ross county, Ohio, daughter of Leyi Bennett, who died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, while serving as a Union soldier, during the Civil War. To this union have been born four children, namely: Lula, the wife of Henry Burr, of Greene county, Ohio, who has two children, Ivan and Marjorie; Verne, who is unmarried and lives on his father's farm; Walker, who also lives on his father's farm, married Iona Leach and has two children, Lavaun and June, and Hallie, who is the wife of Harry Vanorsdall, principal of the Port William high school.

Mr. and Mrs. Warnock are devoted members of the Methodist Protestant church and take an active interest in religious work, Politically, Mr. Warnock is identified with the Democratic party and takes a keen interest in the governmental affairs of the county. He is a substantial citizen of true worth and he and his family are held in high regard by all throughout the section of the county in which they live.

Frank Bashore Cartwright

Frank Baahore Cartwright, a successful farmer of Green township, this. county, was born in that township, on October. 15, 1884, the son of Willis and Elizabeth (Bashore) Cartwright, the former a native of Highland county, and the latter born in Clinton county. They are the parents of three children, Bertha, Eva and Frank Bashore, and are now living retired in Wilmington, to which place they moved in - 1907. Mr. Cartwright is a Republican in politics. .

Frank Bashore Cartwright was reared on a farm near Antioch in Green township and was educated in the public schools. He has always been engaged in farming and owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Green township. He also rents one hundred acres of land near Antioch, besides the Amos Fisher farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. Mr. Cartwright is a general farmer and stockman.

On October 18, 1906, Frank Bashore Cartwright was married to Elizabeth Fisher, who was born on the farm. where Mr. and. Mrs. Cartwright now live, October 9, 1884, the daughter of Amos and Ruth (Terrell) Fisher, the former of whom was the son of John Fisher and the latter the daughter of John Terrell. Amos Fisher died on January 28, 1906, at his death having been the owner of about three hundred acres of land. John and Hannah Fisher are both deceased, the latter dying in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Cartwright are the parents of three children, Virginia Ruth, born on October 7, 1907; Vera Ione, July 3, 1910, and Homer Russell, July 2, 1913.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Cartwright has seryed as a member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of .America at New Vienna, Ohio.

James Lieurance

James .Lieurance, who has a magnificent country home in Great township, this county, and who is descended from among the very earliest settlers in this section of Ohio, was born in Green township, September 2, 1868, a son of John and Elizabeth (Speaight) Lieurance, the former of whom, a native of Indiana, was born on April . 11, 1826, and the latter, November 26, 1826. ar

The maternal grandparents of Mr. Lieurance were George and Polly Speaight, the former of whom came to Clinton county when a young man and here married and reared a family of:eleven children, of whom four, Rachel, Henry, Sallie and Linda, are deceased. The living children are, Mary, John, Jane, Elizabeth, Thomas Wesley, Anna and James. :

The late John Lieurance, the father of the subject of this review, was .a farmer by occupation, and was the owner of two hundred and eighty-four acres of land, which he accummulated by dint of his own personal efforts. He was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. His death occurred April 2, 1901. His widow is still living in Green township.

James Lieurance was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the neighboring schools of Washington township. He is a farmer by occupation and owns one hundred and four acres of excellent land. In 1914 he built a beautiful country residence. Three years previously he had erected a large and commodious barn.

On February 9, 1888, James Lieurance was married to Imogene Hendee, a native of Green township, this county, born on December 28, 1866, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Boring) Hendee, natives of New York and Green township, this county, respectively, the former born on October 10, 1835, and the latter on August 10, 1835. Charles Hendee died on December 20, 1887, in Clinton county, and his widow is still living in Green township. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Lieurance were William and Anna (Post) Hendee, who came to Clinton county in a wagon from New York state in 1849, and here they spent the remainder of their lives. Of their six children, all except Louisa, the eldest, who is still living at the age of eighty-seven years, are deceased, the deceased children having been William, LeRoy, Charles, Andrus and Alonzo. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Lieurance were William and Sarah (Rix) Boring, early settlers in Clinton county; who spent their last days here. Her father, Charles Hendee, was a Democrat and both he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Christian church. They were the parents of six children, Leora, Anna Arminta, Glendora, Imogene, Sarah Cecelia and William, all of whom are living, with the exception of Anna Arminta and Sarah Cecelia.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lieurance one child has been born, Elza, born October 10, 1889, who was educated in the public schools of his home county and is a farmer by occupation. He was married to Osa J. Naylor, of Green township, and to this union was born one child, Bernita, born on October 14, 1914. Mrs. Elza Lieurance died on December 11, 1914, and her husband now lives at the old home place with his parents.

James Lieurance votes the Democratic ticket, but has never been particularly active in political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Lieurance are attendants of the Friends church, of which their son is a member, and the family is held in high regard throughout the entire community.

Paul Alva Daniel

Paul Alya Daniel, now a well-known and successful farmer of Green township, tifis county, the owner of eighty-five acres of land, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 29, 1868, the son of 'Joseph and Rachael (Tomlinson ) Daniel, the former of whom was born in Virginia, December 29, 1834, and the latter, in Highland county, April 25, 1837.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Daniel were William and Mary Daniel, pioneers in Highland county, the former having come to Ohio from the Old Dominion state, both of whom died in Ohio. The maternal grandparents were Moses and Ruth (Smith) Tomlinson, both natives of Virginia and pioneers in Highland county, Ohio,' the former of whom was born on April 18, 1786, and the latter on October 10, 1798, who were married on January 2, 1833.

The late Joseph Daniel, father of Paul Alva, who was a Republican in polities and a member of the Friends church, died on December 4, 1894. By his marriage to Rachael Tomlinson he had four children, William, Edgar, Robert (deceased), and Paul Alva. The mother of these children died on September 17, 1877, and, after her death, her husband, Joseph, married Vanora Reveal, who bore him three children, Charles, Grace and Jay.

Reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of Greene county, Ohio, Paul Alva lived with his aunt, Lydia Tomlinson, and attended the Cedarville high school in Greene county. Mr. Daniel took up farming early in life, and in 1901, came to Clinton county, where he purchased eighty-five acres of land. He has made all of the improvements upon his farm, and has had more than a flattering measure of success in stock raising.

On February 20, 1895, Paul A. Daniel was married to Olive Fenner, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, October 28, 1874, the daughter of Milton and Cyanda (McLaughlin ) Fenner, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, Ohio, August 25, 1845, and the latter, in Meigs county, Ohio, December 26, 1846. The paternal grandfather was James Fenner, a Virginian, who married Mary Fenner, a native of Highland county, Ohio, who settled in Clinton county, where their last days were spent. Mrs. Daniel's maternal grandparents were Elihu and Louisa (Wine) McLaughlin, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, early settlers in Meigs county, Ohio, where both died. Mrs. Daniel's father has lived with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel since his wife died, on January 12, 1910. -He and his wife were the parents of five children, QMamely: Cynthia Ellen, wife of Daniel Frump; Olive, who is now Mrs. Daniel; Howard, deceased; Ray and Ethel, the latter of whom married William Gorham, of

To Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Daniel have been born three ehildren, Joseph Milton, who was born on: May 1, 1897, and was educated in the public schools and Wilmington high school; Ivan Ray, October 15, 1899, also educated in the public schools and the Wilmington high school, and Clifton Arthur, December 12, 1907, who died on February 11, 1908.

Seneca Murphy

Seneca Murphy, a farmer of Green township, this county, who for the past sixteen years has rented the Bosworth farm in that township, was born in that township on April 6, 1868, the son of David and Hannah (Dennis) Murphy, the former of whom was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, July 31, 1816, and the latter, in Clinton county,

Mr. Murphy's paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Lowman) Murphy, were both born in Virginia; the former on March 4, 1791, and the latter on November 9, 1793. They came to Clinton county in 1826 and settled west of Wilmington, later settling in Green township, on the farm where Isaiah Murphy now lives, and where both died, Jacob Murphy on December 29, 1871, and his wife, January 26, 1873. Jacob Murphy and wife, who were married on April 20, 1813, in Virginia, were the parents of twelve children, namely: Rebecca J., born on August 1, 1814, who died on September 27, 1885; David, July 31, 1816, died on April 9, 1898; William, May 21, 1818, died on March 2, 1866; Susannah, May 21, 1820, died on October 9, 1906; John, March 20, 1822, died in infancy; Catherine, September 12, 1823, died on June 8, 1885; Ephraim, March 5, 1825, died in infancy; Nancy, May 12, 1827, died on October 28, 1863; Isaiah M., March 2, 1830, and Mary Ann, December 9, 18382. The parents of these children were members of the Christian church. Jacob Murphy voted the Democratic ticket. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Murphy was Richmond Dennis, mentioned elsewhere in this work.

David Murphy, father of Seneca, was educated in the public schools of Clinton county, and became a farmer, owning one hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Green township. David and Hannah (Dennis) Murphy were the parents of four children, David A., Andrew (deceased), Seneca and Stephen D. By a previous marriage to Isabel Smith, David Murphy had eight children, of whom four, Hester Ann, Rebecca, John A. and Benjamin F. are deceased, the living children being Hannah, Isaiah W., Henry M. and Charles W. David Murphy died on April 9, 1898, and his second wife on October 4, 1904. Politically, he was identified with the Democratic party. His wife was a member of the Christian church at New Antioch.

Born and reared on the farm and educated in the public schools, Seneca Murphy has been engaged in farming all his life. He is also interested in stock raising, and is considered one of the most successful stockmen of Green township.

On October 16, 1887, Seneca Murphy was married to Lizzie Vance, who was born in Washington township, this county, on December 25, 1866, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Pyle) Vance, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Hlizabeth Pyle was the daughter of William and Polly (Ewey) Pyle, who were pioneers of Clin- county. David Vance came to Clinton county from Virginia when a young man. After his marriage he farmed in Washington township. He died in Nebraska in 1890. His wife had died many years previously, in January, 1867. They were the parents of eleven children, William, Alpheus, John P., Emery, /Frank, ,David Clinton, Mary, Nettie, Ella, Addie and Lizzie.

To Seneca and Lizzie (Vance) Murphy two children have been born, David Clinton, born on April 2, 1892, who was educated in the public schools and is a farmer by occupation, married Maud Fife of Union township, and has one child, Seneca Maxwell, and Charles Howard, July 29, 1902. Politically, Mr. Murphy is a Democrat. Mrs. Murphy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Eli Fisher

Those who faced the dangers and the hardships incident to life on the battlefields of the Civil War those who bore the suffering and made the sacrifice for their country's sake, especially deserve mention in these annals. The younger generation should never forget that to the veterans of the war between the states is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid; since the prosperity, liberty and happiness which this nation now enjoys is the direct outcome of their labors and loyalty. Among the honored veterans of the great Civil War, who have answered the last roll call, the late Eli Fisher of Green township, this county, was one who gave three years of his life to the service of his country and then returned home and lived a life of usefulness and honor until his death on November 3, 1902.

The late Eli Fisher was born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 27, 1842, the son of Cephas and Jane (Leech) Fisher, natives of Pennsylvania. His grandparents were James and Jane Fisher, also natives of Pennsylvania, who immigrated to Tennessee soon after 1800 and about 1804 moved to Highland county, Ohio, settling near Monroe, where they spent the rest of their lives. Cephas Fisher had arrived at early manhood when his father's family moved to Tennessee. He was twice married, the first time probably in Tennessee to Rachel Stanbury, who died on May 5, 1844. They moved to Clinton county in 1887, after having lived temporarily in Highland county. To this first union were born eight children, among whom may be mentioned Rebecca, who married Isaac Atkinson, of Story county, Iowa; Cephas, Jr., who later moved to Henry county, Iowa; and John, long a resident of Clinton county. Cephas Fisher married, secondly, Mrs. Jane Atkinson, whose maiden name was Leech, and to this union there was born one child, Eli, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Jane (Leech) Atkinson, by her first husband, had five children, among whom were Hannah and Rebecca Ann, the latter of whom married David Brewer. Cephas Fisher died on December 30, 1864, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow lived to an advanced age.

Eli Fisher grew to manhood on the old home place with his mother. When twenty years of age, or on August 15, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of his country in Company G, Seventy-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, receiving his discharge on June 17, 1865. He served in the Army of the Cumberland under yarious commanders and was with General Sherman on his march from Atlanta to the sea. During the war he was slightly wounded on two occasions, but in all of his service he was never in an ambulance nor a hospital, and never lost a single day from duty, which is a most unusual record.

On February 1, 1866, Eli Fisher was married to Rebecca Jane McFadden, who was born in this county, on November 28, 1841, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Newcomb) McFadden, the former of whom was born in Mason county, Kentucky, in 1808, the son of John and Sophia (Kelly) McFadden, natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1800 and settled at Marietta, Ohio, from which place they moved to Mason county, Kentucky. While residing at the latter place, John McFadden, Sr., started on a trip down the river to New Orleans with two boat loads of meat, lard, hemp and tobacco for the market. He was taken sick with the yellow fever and died at Natchez, Mississippi. About 1811 the widow and her family moved to Brown county, Ohio, from which place in 1821, they moved to Clinton county, locating near Centerville, where she resided until her death in 1830. 'They had three sons and three daughters, among whom were Hugh and John, Jr., the father of Mrs. Fisher. John McFadden, Jr., was thirteen years of age when the family located near Centerville, where he grew to manhood. He was married on May 1, 1834, to Elizabeth Newcomb, who was born in Pennsylvania on October 26, 1810, the daughter of William and Anna Newcomb, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. They were the parents of ten children, Jehu, born on March 20, 1885; Mary Ann, August 10, 1836; Harrison W., November 13, 1839; Rebecca J., who married Mr. Fisher; William N., June 9, 1844; John C., August 18, 1846; Sophia, August 3, 1848; Thomas N., October 6, 1851; Hannah E., March 22, 1855, and Charles (deceased), December 3, 1837. Charles McFadden was also a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in September, 1861, in Company B, Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded just after the victory of Lookout Mountain and died from the effect of his wounds on December 27, 1863. John McFadden, Jr., owned a good farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Green township. His wife died on June 9, 1880. He served as school director for thirty-one years and was township trustee thirteen years. At the time of his death, he was a worthy member of the Christian church, to which he belonged for over forty years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eli Fisher two children were born, Charles, born on December 29, 1866; and Mary, December 25, 1871. Charles was educated in the public schools and was a farmer by occupation. He is a Republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Vienna and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mary married Daniel O. Kester, of Clark township, and they have three children, Warren, Donald and Edith.

Eli Fisher purchased the place, where he lived until his death, of John W. Sammely. He erected buildings on the farm and made many improvements. At the time of his death, in 1902, he was-a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Vienna. He was identified with the Republican party and he and his wife were members of the Christian church at Centerville. Mr. Fisher had a birthright in the Friends church.

William H. Curtis

William H. Curtis now a prosperous farmer of Green township, this county, who is also engaged in the stock business and who is now residing in New Vienna, was born in Green township, this county, on January 24, 1858, son of David and Martha (Truitt) Curtis, natives of Virginia, who were born in 1827 and 1837, respectively, the former of whom died in 1898, and the latter of whom is still living.

The paternal grandparents of William H. Curtis were Christopher and Sarah Curtis, pioneers in Clinton county and early settlers in Green township, who settled on what is now known as the Higgins' farm. The maternal grandfather, George Truitt, who was the son of William Truitt, a pioneer of Clinton county, who died at the age of about ninety years, married Abigail Applegate, and both died in this county, the wife in the house now occupied by. her grandson, Allen Albert Curtis, in 1906, at the age of eighty-four years. David and Martha (Truitt) Curtis were the parents of nine children, namely: Allen Albert, who is referred to in a biographical sketch presented elsewhere in this volume; William H., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, deceased ; James E.; Jennie, deceased; Frank; .Lula, who married Frank Steele; George, and Lucy, wife of Oscar Matthews, referred to elsewhere. in. this volume.

William H., Curtis. was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of Clinton county. He owns two hundred and fifty-three acres of land in Green town- ship and, until October 8, 1904, lived on the farm. At that time he moved to New Vienna and engaged in buying and shipping stock. Mr. Curtis owns property in New Vienna.

On April 4, 1879, William H. Curtis was married to Martha Elmira Jane McVey, who was born in 1860 in the state of Illinois, daughter of Robert McVey, later a resident of this county, now deceased, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Clyde, who lives on the home farm in Green township, married Beatrice Cline, daughter of Edward Cline, of New Vienna, and has five children, Helen, Robert, Evelyn, Audrey and Marcile; Martha, who married Charles Rulin, a rural-route mail carrier, living at New Vienna, and has three children, Harry Harriet and Charles Edmond; Harry, who is engaged in the furniture business in New Vienna, and Abbie, who married Robert Rulin, who is engaged in the bakery business in New Vienna, and has two children, William Matthew and Curtis Robert.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Friends church. Mr. Curtis is a Democrat and is a member of the New Vienna town council. He has served as a member of the school board and as township trustee in Green township. Fraternally, he is a member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons.

John B. Moore

The late John B. Moore, one of the most successful farmers in the history of Green township, was a man who started in life with Seventy-five acres of the old homestead and added to the tract until he owned five hundred and ninety-six acres in Green township, and three hundred and twenty acres in the state of Kansas. He was an extensive farmer and stock raiser all his life, and a man, who, at the time of his death, was one of the most highly respected citizens of Clinton county.

John B. Moore was born in Green township, Clinton county, Ohio, October 20, 1825. He was the son of William and Susan (Childs) Moore, the former of whom was born in Rockcastle county, Virginia, in 1781, and the latter born in the Qld Dominion state in 1801. William Moore was the son of John Moore, a native of Virginia, who bought one thousand acres of land and gave it to his son, William. William was brought to Lexington, Kentucky, by his parents when he was but three years old, being the only child of his parents born in Virginia. After coming to Kentucky, they lived in a fort for several weeks until they bought a farm near Millersburg. John Moore and wife were the parents uf seven children, namely: William, who died in 1874; James, who died in 1822; John, who died in 1851; Abraham, who died in 1874; Peggy, who married Alec Rutter; Mary, who married Isaac Layson; and Sallie, who married Alec Ardery. William Moore came to Green township, Clinton county, when a young man and was married here. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, of whom nine, Margaret, Susan Jane, John B., Mary McClelland, James, William, Jr., Marjorie, Abraham and Samuel, are deceased. The living children are Sarab and Thomas. ;

John B. Moore was married, in 1845, to Nancy Johnson, who was born in 1818, in Frederick county, Virginia. She was the daughter of George and Susan (Johnson) Johnson, natives of the Old Dominion state, who later emigrated to Fayette county, Ohio. and lived five miles north of Leesburg. Mrs. Susan Johnson died in Fayette county on the old homestead. George Johnson died in Green township.

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Moore were the parents of ten children, as follow: Susan Jane, who was the wife of James Vance, died on May 23, 1890, leaving six children. Cecil, Anna, Jane, John, Lindley and Lucy; George, who lives in Washington ©. De he Fayette county, married Ellen Wright and had one child, Leslie, who died in 1913; Mary Ellen married William Johnson, but has no children; John Wesley died in Kansas at the age of forty-five years; America Callie is unmarried and has lived on the old home-

Mr. And Mrs. John B. Moore

Stead since a child; Grafton Benjamin died unmarried in Kansas City in 1905; Flavious Josepheus married Jennie Doak and has two children, Roscoe and Mabel; Douglas is a prominent farmer of Green township; Anna is the widow of James Meadows and has two children, Marian and James; Samuel married Emma Ayers and to them have been born nine children, of whom seven are living.

The late John B. Moore died on November 20, 1909. His wife had died préviously on May 22, 1904. They had been members of the Methodist church, but late in life joined the Friends church. In politics the late John B. Moore was identified with the Democratic party.

Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson, a well-known farmer of Green township, tbis county, where he and his wife own two hundred and fifteen acres of land and where for several years he has been engaged in general farming and stockraising, was born in that township on June 28, 18738, son of Joel and Cornelia J. (Miller) Johnson, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, October 22, 1844, and the latter, in Clinton county, in 1854, the daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Hildebrant) Miller.

Joel Johnson was the son of Michael and Nancy (Chamberlain) Johnson, both natives of New Jersey, born in 1817, and on February 29, 1820, respectively, who were married in New Jersey, in 1840, and came to Ohio four years later, settling in Penn township, Highland county, on the Woodmansee land. Soon afterwards, they came to Clinton county where they spent the remainder of their days. Michael Johnson spent most of his life in Green township. He was a charter member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons, and voted the Whig and then the Republican ticket until the close of the war, after which he was a Democrat. -He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had ten children, Celia, Joel, Mary Hannah, William, Edward, Callie, Fred, Mattie (deceased), Alice and Libbie. Michael Johnson died on July 12, 1912. His wife had died several years previously, in 1897.

Joel Johnson was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of Green township, this county. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and served until June 9, 1865, having participated in the battles of Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Bentonville, Burnt Hickory, and in many skirmishes. Upon the close of the war, he returned to Clinton county and worked by the month on the farm. Subsequently, he removed to Illinois and worked in Knox county on a farm. Later, however, he returned to Clinton county and worked two years by the month for Zephaniah Spear. In 1871 he was married and a little later purchased a farm of thirtyfive acres in Green township. Later he sold that farm and bought one hundred and six acres, to which he added by purchase until he owned one hundred and eighty acres near New Antioch, in Green township. He owns a farm of about fifty acres just outside the corporation line on the Martinsville pike. In 1912, Mr. Johnson moved to New Vienna where he has since lived retired. His father was always a renter, and he has made his own way in the world. He first voted for Lincoln, but has been a Democrat since the war. He served three years as township trustee, and is a member of Carey Johnson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at New Vienna. By his marriage to Cornelia J. Miller, he has had eleven children, Harry, Charles, Addie, Nannie, William, Norma, Ethel, Mary, Ralph, Bernice and James, all living.

Mrs. Joel Johnson is a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Hildebrant) Miller, the Jatter of whom was the daughter of Christopher Hidlebrant, a pioneer of Clinton county who came here from New Jersey. Isaac Miller, who was born on July 380, 1812, was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools. He and his wife had ten children: Columbus, Ralph, of Wilmington; Isaac Newton, of Harveysburg; William, of Wilmington; Charles, of New Vienna; Mrs. Mary Van Devort, of New Antioch; Mrs. Lydia Hunter, of Jamestown; Mrs. Joel Johnson, of New Vienna; Mrs. Fred Johnson, of New Vienna, and Mrs. Allie Doa¥, of Martinsville. Isaac Miller was the son of Isaac C. and Polly (Stewart) Miller, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the former born on February 5, 1777, and the latter in 1787. Isaac C. Miller was the son of Peter and Catharine (Roads) Miller, the farmer 'a native of Wales, born in 1740, and the latter a native of the United States. They had five children, John, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac ©. and Elizabeth. Peter Miller, who served as a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, died in the service and his burial place is not known.

Charles Johnson was reared on the farm and was educated in the common schools of this county. Mr. Johnson and his wife own two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Green township, where he is a general farmer and stock raiser. He has long given his most thoughtful attention to the civic affairs of his community and is now serving his eighth year as trustee of Green township.

On February 27, 1896 Charles Johnson was married to Cora Bernard, daughter of James K. Bernard, who is mentioned in a biographical sketch presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union four children have been born, Oscar (deceased), Bernard, George and Geneva.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Friends church and their. children thus have a birthright in that society. The family is well known and popular in Green township and enjoys the respect and esteem of the whole community.

Everett James

Everett James, who is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, and whose father was a yaliant soldier in the Civil War, enjoys the distinction of being descended on the maternal side from the captain of a company of Boston "minute men," his greatgreat-grandfather, having been killed at the battle of Bunker Hill by a solid shot from the British fleet.

Everett James was born on January 1, 1878, in Clinton county, Ohio, the son of John W. and Emily (Kilgore) James, the former of whom was a native of Highland county, Ohio, born in 1843, and the latter a native of Clinton county. His paternal grandparents were George and Mary (James) James, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Highland county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. His maternal grandparents were Abraham and Martha (Bloom) Kilgore, early settlers of Clinton county, where both died.

John W. James, who died on May 7, 1914, worked most of his life in the Van Dervort nursery in Green township, He was a Republican and his wife was a member of the Christian church. From July 4, 1863, until the close of the Civil War, the late John W. James served in the Union army in Company I, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He helped to capture John Morgan and also helped to guard him.

John W. and Emily (Kilgore) James were the parents of four children, of whom U. Chase and Ethel are deceased, the living children being Ida and Everett. U. Chase James served in the same company with Everett in the Spanish-American War. He was a graduate of Hiram College and had received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Everett James was reared in Green township and received his education in the public schools at New Antioch. On April 25, 1898, he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War and served until the close of that war. Upon returning to Clinton county he took up farming, and is now engaged in farming one hundred and seventy acres of land in Green township. He also owns land in the township.

On October 1, 1899, Everett James was married to Bertha Cartwright, who was born in 1880, in Green township, daughter of Willis Cartwright, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume. To this union eight children have been born, Lucille, Frank, Stanley, Lee, Eva, Lowell, John. W. and Juanita.

As a Republican, Mr. James was elected a member of the school board of Green township, but at the present time is an ardent advocate of the principles of the Progressive party.

George W. Bernard

George W. Bernard, the second child in the family of the late James K. and Kesiah (McVey) Bernard, is a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Green township, this county. The complete history of the Bernard family is given in the biographical sketch of Mr. Bernard's father, presented elsewhere in this volume. The present generation of this faniily, in Clinton county, have much to be grateful for in the careers of their distinguished ancestors, for they are descendants of a patriot of Revolutionary days, Thomas Bernard, who was a. valiant soldier in the great struggle for independence. Moreover, the successive generations of the family have been conspicuous as business men of large ability in the various communities in which they have settled and lived. To a large degree, George W. Bernard, who is a representative of the fifth generation of the Bernard family in America, possesses the commendable traits of his ancestors. He is named for his grandfather, George Washington Bernard, who was an enterprising farmer in this county until his death, in 1894, at the age of ninetyfive years.

George W. Bernard was born in Green township, this county, August 14, 1863, and was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of that township. Mr. Bernard now owns three hundred and ten acres of land and is a general farmer and stockman.

On December 24, 1894. George W. Bernard was married to Cora Staubus, who was born in Virginia, daughter of Lewis J. and Mary (Clark) Staubus, later of this county, and to this union three children have been born, Aleda, Georgia and Lewis James.

Mr. Bernard is a Democrat in politics, but has never aspired to office, having been too busy with his farm and his own personal affairs to give much time to politics. The Bernard family are members of the Friends church and active in the church work at Fairview.

Thomas H. Roads

Thomas H. Roads. a resident of Green township, this county, who owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Highland and Clinton counties. was born on August 9, 1869. in Highland county. this state, a son of James and Ellen (Medsker) Roads, both natives of that county.

The paternal grandfather of Thomas H. Roads was Daniel Roads, a pioneer of Highland county. where he lived for many years, his death. however, occurring in Clinton county, he having come here after the death of his wife in Highland county. Mr. Roads' maternal grandparents were Thomas and Nancy (Miller) Medsker, also early settlers in Highland county. both of whom died at Hillsboro.

James Roads was reared on the farm and attended the public schools of his home county. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, in which he served three years. He now lives retired on his farm in Highland county. He has always been a Republican in politics, while religiously. he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal chureh. To James and Ellen (Medsker) Roads were born four children. Thomas H., Rose, Susie and Nellie. all of whom are living.

in the district schools of Highland county, afterwards supplementing this with a course in the Hillsboro high school. Mr. Roads is a well-known resident of Green township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has met with a very gratifying degree of success.

On August 30, 1894, Thomas H. Roads was married to May Rayburn, a daughter of Thomas Rayburn and wife, of Wilmington, this county. Mrs. Roads died on February 17, 1901, at the age of twenty-seven years, and about two years later, June 24, 1908, Mr. Roads married secondly, Nellie Creed, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, on October 27, 1877, daughter of Sanford and Harriet (Hern) Creed, the former a native of Highland county, born in 1842, who is still living there, and the latter a native of England, who died in Highland county in March, 1882, whose parents, natives of England, came to this country in an early day. Mrs. Roads' paternal grandfather, Bennett Creed, and wife were early settlers in Highland county.

Fraternally, Mr. Roads is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is an ardent adherent of the principles of the Republican party.

Elmer E. Page

Elmer E. Page, now a well-known and progressive farmer and stock raiser of Green township, this county, was-born in Brown county, Ohio, November 15, 1862, the son of Benjamin B. and Mary H. (Crispin) Page, the former of whom was born in Virginia, July 7, 1812, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1823.

Benjamin B. Page was the son of Thomas and Mary (Bellamy) Page, who spent their entire lives in the Old Dominion state. They had eight children, Samuel, Thomas, Edmund, James, John, Benjamin D., Dicy Ann and Wesley. Of these children, Benjamin B. Page and three brothers, Samuel, Wesley and James, came to Clinton county, Benjamin B. Page being a young man at that time. He was married on August 12, 1841, to Mary H. Crispin, whose mother, Matilda Crispin, came to Clinton county about 1835. To Benjamin B. and Mary H. (Crispin) Page were born twelve children, as follow: George W., born on October 1, 1843; John W., May 23, 1845; Anna, August 7, 1847, who died on February 23, 1876; Matilda F., June 7, 1849, who died on September 23, 1850; Nancy Jennie, June 7, 1849, who died on May 3, 1904; Mary E., December 24, 1852, who married Harrison McFadden; Emma, 1854, who died on April 24, 1894; Benjamin E., April 20, 1857; Benson W., April 21, 1859; Derinda, January 3, 1861; Elmer E., November 15, 1862, and Silas P., November 6, 1864, who died on October 27, 1871. Benjamin B. Page died on March 9, 1864, in Brown county, Ohio, and his widow died on October 17, 1908, in Clinton county. He was a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Lynchburg, in Highland county, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Antioch, this county. In addition to being a farmer, he was also a well-known auctioneer in Clinton county, and had a business extending over several counties in this section. The widow of Benjamin B. Page married, Secondly, in 1884, John McFadden, who died on October 17, 1900.

Elmer E. Page was reared in Clinton county and was educated in the public schools. A farmer by occupation, Mr. Page owns the old John McFadden farm of seventy acres in Green township; another of one hundred and thirty acres and still another of sixty acres in Wayne township. He is an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs, and, at the present time, has over two hundred head on the farm. Mr. Page's extensive property interests have been acquired almost altogether by his own efforts.

On April 17, 1886, Elmer E. Page was married to Lizzie Bernard, who was born in Wayne township, this county, November 15, 1865, the daughter of Thomas F. Bernard, an extensive farmer of Wayne township, the son of George W. Bernard, Sr., mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this union two children have been born, Elmer J. and Edna Troy. Blmer J. Page, who was born on July 27, 1886, was educated in the public schools and in the Centerville high school. He is a farmer by occupation and lives on one of his father's farms. He married Stella McPherson, daughter of Carey and Alice (Steele) McPherson, of Clinton county, the former of whom is deceased and the latter of whom is living, to which union two sons have been born, Howard Austin, born on October 7, 1908, and Raymond Arthur, December 6, 1910, Edna Troy Page was born in Troy, Colorado, April 13, 1888, and lived at home with her parents. She was educated in the public schools and in the Centerville high school.

John W. Johnson

John W. Johnson, now a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, was born on June 8, 1872, in Highland county, Ohio, a son of Thomas W. and Minerva (John) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, June 6, 1846, and the latter, near Woodville, over the line in Clermont county, September 26, 1844.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were John and Jane (Botts) Johnson, natives of Highland and Clinton counties, respectively, the latter born near Westboro. John Johnson was a son of William Johnson, who married a Miss Watkins, and emigrated from Virginia to Highland county, Ohio. Both he and his wife died in Clinton county. Jane Botts was a daughter of, William and Sarah (Moon) Botts, who came from the Old Dominion state to Clinton county, and died in this county, near Martinsville. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were Andrew and Sarah (Dunlap) John, natives of Clinton county, Ohio, the former a son of Andrew John, Sr., who married a Miss Brown, a native of Wales. Andrew John was a minister of the Gospel in the early days, prominent among the early settlers of Clinton county, whose death occurred in Illinois.

Thomas W. Johnson, father of John W. Johnson, was reared in Jefferson township, this county, and was educated in the common schools of his home county. In 1862 he answered the call of President Lincoln for volunteers, becoming a member of Company F, Highty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years, doing guard duty at Columbus, Ohio. He is now a member of Carey Johnson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and lives near Farmers Station, but owns a farm of eighty-four acres in Green township, this county, upon which his son, John W., with whom this narrative deals, now resides. Politically, Thomas W. Johnson was a Republican, but is not active in political affairs, never having aspired to public office. Fraternally, he is a member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons. Thomas W. Johnson and wife were the parents of five children, Jennie, John W., Hampton, Alice S. and Geneva, all of whom are living.

John W. Johnson was reared in Clinton county and received a good, commonschool education. He is a farmer and lives on the old homestead farm in Green township, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. ;

In 1906 Mr. Johnson was married to Mattie Holmes, who was born in. Green township, this county, daughter of Lemuel and Amanda (Fenner) Holmes, also natives of Green township. To this union has been born one child, Madge W., born on January, 1907.

Elisha Powell

Elisha Powell, who for many years, was a resident and farmer in Green township, this county, was born on October 28, 1842, a son of John and Serena Povwell, both natives of Hampshire county, Virginia, the father born in 1804 and the mother in 1806. ;

Mr. Powell's parents came to Ohio about 1820, locating in Highland county, and during the thirties settled in Green township, this county, where they purchased seventy acres of land, and having erected their rude log cabin proceeded to clear and cultivate the land. During the fifties they sold the farm and bought one hundred and eleyen acres, gradually adding to this latter tract until they had one hundred and seventy-five acres of fine farming land. Mr. Powell's father died in 1885, and his mother some years later, at the age of ninety years. John Powell was an old-line Democrat in politics, and was prominent in the life of his conmnunity in the early days. He and his wife were the parents of the following children, Elias, Cyrus, William, Thomas M., James He Joseph E., Elisha, Eli, Alpheus and a son, who died in infancy. Of these children Alpheus was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar. John Powell was also a Knight Templar.

Elisha Powell, who was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools, owns fifty acres of land in Green township, where he has lived all his life, except a period between the years 1865 to 1871, when he lived in Missouri.

On March 9, 1865, Elisha Powell was married to Mary Emily Hoskins, who was born in Clinton county in 1844, daughter of George and Lydia (Bankston) Hoskins, early settlers in Clinton county, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Powell are the parents of four children: Serena, widow of Harry Edwards, who lives in New Vienna; Lizzie E. and Lydia Bell, unmarried and living at home, and Oscar H., an attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana.

On March 9, 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Powell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of their daughter in New Vienna. Mr. Powell's "best man" at the wedding fifty years ago, and the bridesmaid, who was Lucinda Hoskins, now Mrs. Silas Woodmansee, of Greenfield, Highland county, Ohio, a cousin of Mrs. Powell, were present at the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary.

Mrs. Powell is an earnest and devoted member of the Baptist chureh, in which she is actively interested. Politically, Mr. Powell is a Democrat.

Charles L. Smithson

Charles L. Smithson, now the proprietor of two hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Green township, this county, and an enterprising farmer and stockman, was born on December 28, 1856, in Clinton county, Ohio, the son of Drummond and Hannah (Trenary) Smithson, the former of whom was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1823, and the latter, in Green township, this county, in 1829, on the farm now owned by her son, Charles IL.

Mr. Smithson's paternal grandparents were Campbell and Sallie (Terrell) Smithson, both natives of Virginia and pioneers of Highland county, Ohio, who later came to Clinton county, where both died. The maternal grandparents were Thomas and Susie (Achor) Trenary, both natives. of Pennsylvania, who were married in the Keystone state, and afterward settled in Green township, this county, on the farm now owned by . their grandson, Charles L. Smithson.

Drummond Smithson was reared in Highland county, Ohio, and was' a shoemaker by trade, having maintained a shop in the country near where his son Charles L. now lives. He later owned one hundred and thirty acres of land where his. son lives, and

Democrat and his wife was a member of the Christian church. They had four children, Joseph R., Julia E., Charles L. and Sarah B. Julia E. Smithson married Flavius J. Johnson, of Green township, and Sarah B. Smithson married Frank Custis, of the same township.

Charles L. Smithson was reared on the old homestead farm and was educated in the public schools. Mr. Smithson owns two hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Green township. He was married on November 26, 1882, to Jennie Hildebrant, who was born on March 4, 1864, daughter of Jesse and Martha (Pyle) Hildebrant, early settlers of Clinton county, both of whom are deceased. To this union four children have been born, namely: Fay, who died in infancy; Beryl, who lives at home; Katie, who married Lark McKibbon, and has three children, Charlie Frank, Martha and John Drummond. and Inez, who lives at home with her parents.

Mrs. Smithson is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Smithson's ancestors were members of the Friends church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director for many years.

Charles Hodson

Highland county enjoys the distinction of numbering among her citizens a_ wellknown farmer now in the prime of life, who won second prize at the national corn show held a few years ago in North Carolina. Charles Hodson, a resident of Fairfield township, not only won second prize at the national corn show, but he has won first prize at the Ohio state corn show on Reed's Yellow Dent, and Johnson county, Indiana, white corn. Mr. Hodson is also an extensive cattle and hog breeder and specializes in Jersey cattle and in Duroc-Jersey hogs.

Charles Hodson was born on February 17, 1877, the son of Joseph W. and Lillie (Jones) Hodson, the former of whom was born in Highland county. Ohio, on October 15, 1854, and the latter, in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1856. Joseph W. Hodson was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Lamb) Hodson, natives, respectively, of Highland county, Ohio, and Guilford county, North Carolina. Joseph Hodson was the son of Solomon and Cecelia Hodson, who emigrated from North Carolina to Highland county, Ohio, in pioneer times. Sarah Lamb's parents were also pioneers in Highland county, where both died. Joseph Hodson was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics, early in life, but later a Prohibitionist. He and his wife were members of the Friends church. To them were born eleven children, of whom Joseph W. was the ninth, the others being Eli, Mary, Martha, Jonathan, Rachel Ann, Joel, Josiah, Lewis, Milton and Ella. ;

Joseph W. Hodson was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools, He has four acres in Wayne township, where he now lives. He votes the Prohibition ticket. On February 17, 1876, he was married to Lillie Jones, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and the daughter of John and Celia (Thompson) Jones, both of whom were natives of England. After settling in Lexington, Kentucky, John Jones engaged in the mercantile business. He was burned to death in that city some years ago and his widow died soon afterward. To Joseph W. and Lillie (Jones) Hodson six children have been born, of whom Charles, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest, the others being Bertsel, Harry, John (who died in infancy), Cammie (who died in infancy), and Clemma, who died in 1911, at the age of twenty-four years. ;

Charles Hodson was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools and in the Highland high school. He owns one hundred and forty-one acres of land and lives in Fairfield township, Highland county, where he raises Duroc-Jersey hogs and Jersey cattle.

On October 6, 1900, Charles Hodson was married to Lena May Fisher, who was born in Green township, Clinton county, on January 11, 1878, the daughter of Amos and Ruth Ann (Terrell) Fisher, the former of whom is deceased and the latter of whom is still living on the old homestead in Green township, Amos Fisher was born on the farm owned by his parents, John and Hannah Fisher, in Green township, on April 1, 1846. John Fisher was born in Highland county on October 29, 1820, the son of Cephas and Rachel Fister, natives of Pennsylvania. His grandparents were James and Jane Fisher, also natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Tennessee soon after 1800 and about 1804 moved to Highland county, Ohio. Cephas Fisher was twice married, the first time to Rachel Stanbury, who died on May 5, 1844, leaving three children, Mrs. Rebecca Atkinson, of Story county, lowa; Cephas, of Henry county, Iowa, and John, the father of Amos. Cephas Fisher married, secondly, Mrs. Jane Atkinson. He died on December 80, 1862, at the age of eighty-four years. On September 25, 1845, John Fisher was married to Hannah Atkinson, who was born in Clinton county on June 2, 1827, a daughter of John and Jane Atkinson, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. John Atkinson died in April, 1839. Ten children were born to John and Hannah (Atkinson) Fisher, Amos being the first born. Among the others were Amy, who married William McFadden; Harriet Ellen; Joseph; Phoebe Jane, who married William F. Waddle; Thomas; Rachel Alice; William Henry and <Azariah.

On January 15, 1874, Amos Fisher married Ruth Ann Terrell, who was born on November 8, 1844, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Terrell, natives of Highland county. Her maternal grandparents were William and Phoebe Williams, of North Carolina, who settled in Highland county. John and Elizabeth Terrell were the parents of seven children, Hampton W., Ruth Ann, Phoebe Jane, David E., Mary Edna, Flora A., and Pleasant M. Amos and Ruth Ann (Terrell) Fisher were the parents of four children, Elver J., born on April 80, 1875; Lena May, January 11, 1878; Amos Clyde ,June 29, 1880, and Hannah Elizabeth, October 9, 1884.

To Charles and Lena May (Fisher) Hodson five children have been born, namely: Lloyd Delos, born on July 26, 1901; Wilbur Amos, January 29, 1904; Harold Charles, January 18, 1906; Dorothy Marie, July 11, 1911, and Wahneta May, February 23, 1914.

James A. Rolston

James A. Kolston, a successful farmer of Green township, this county, and the son of Robert and Anna (Wallace) Rolston, who came to this county from Ireland, was born in the Kmerald Isle on January 7, 1865, and was five years old when he was brought to America and to Clinton county by his parents. :

After being educated in the public schools of Clinton county, Mr. Rolston engaged in farming. He now owns and occuples a farm of eighty-nine acres of land, one and one-half niles from New Vienna. He is a general farmer and stockman and has been very successful,

On November 14, 1894, James A. Rolston was married to Nancy Fenwick, who was born at Daleville, Delaware county, Indiana, in 1874,' the daughter of Andrew and Oxroline (Snow) Ienwick, the former of whom was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1828, and the latter, in Clinton county, June 8, 1844, Andrew Fenwick immigrated to Indiana when a young man and lived there after his marriage. Mrs. Rolston was one of seven children born to her parents, the fourth in the family, the others being John, William, Robert, Bouson, Gary and Ida. Mrs. Rolston's parents eventually came to Clinton county and both died here, her father in 1897 and her mother in 1911.

To James A, and Nancy (Fenwick) Rolston have been born six children, Anna, born on July 26, 1895, who married, November 12, 1914, Gurney Adams, who was born on December 8, 1802; Robert, born in 1897, who died in infancy; William McKinley, Noyem-

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Rolston are members of the Methodist Protestant church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Rolston is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Antioch and is identified politically with the Republican party.

James William Cashman

James William Cashman is a successful farmer of Green township, this county, and with his brother-in-law, T. J. Bloom, owns one hundred and thirty-four acres of land in that township. Mr. Cashman was born in Clinton county on September 20, 1855, the son of John and Nancy -(Murphy) Cashman, the former a native of Berkley county, Virginia, and the latter a native of Green township, born on May 12, 1827. Mrs. John Cashman died near New Antioch on October 28, 1863. She had only two children, Mary Catherine and James William. John Cashman was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics and a member of the Christian church.

James William Cashman was reared on a farm in Green township and was educated in the public schools of that township. For fifteen years he was engaged in the mercantile business in New Antioch, and since that time has been engaged in farming on a tract of one hundred and thirty-four acres, where he has now lived for sixteen years, being engaged as a general farmer and stock raiser.

On February 17, 1876, James William Cashman was married to Sarah Luella Truitt, who was born in Green township, the daughter of George W. Truitt (mentioned elsewhere in this work in the biographical sketch of Allen A. Curtis). Mr. and Mrs. Cashman have no children.

Politically, James William Cashman is identified with the Democratic party. He has served as school director for a number of years and is now serving his ninth consecutive year as trustee of Green township. Mr. and Mrs. Cashman are members of the Christian church at New Antioch, and take a prominent part in the religious work of Green township. 2

Frank Custis

Frank Custis is a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, and owns one hundred and ten acres of land two miles from New Vienna, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was born on March 29, 1860, in Washington township, this county, son of the late John W. and Sarah (Bond) Custis, both natives of Clinton county, the former born in 18384, and the latter, near Martinsville, in 1837.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Custis were John and Mary Custis, early settlers and pioneers of Clinton county, Ohio, who came here from Pennsylvania after their marriage. The maternal grandparents were George and Mary Bond, also natives of the Keystone state, who settled in Clinton county, in an early day, and both died in this county.

The late John W. Custis was a farmer and stock dealer and owned three hundred and thirty-three acres of land in Washington township. He was identified with the Democratic party politically, and was more or less active in politics during his life, having been the candidate of his party at one time for sheriff. His wife was a member of the Christian church. and he also was an adherent of that faith. His death occurred on May 27, 1906. His wife had passed away many years previously in 1864. They were the parents of nine children. four of whom are deceased, Elisha, Kate, Robert and Sarah. the living children being George, Frank, Martha, John and James.

education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, and after leaving school took up farming on his own account. In 1883 he moved to Green township and purchased the farm of one hundred and ten acres, where he is now living, on which he engages in general farming and stock raising. / s

In November, 1881, Frank Custis was matried to Sarah Belle Smithson, who was boru in Green township, this county, on February 10, 1860, a daughter of Drummond Smithson and wife, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and to this union two children have been born, Kenneth Drummond, born on October 21, 1887, who was educated in the public school of Green township and lives at home with his parents, and Burch Quinn, June 22, 1897, who received his early education in the district schools, afterward becoming a student in the New Vienna high school. He also lives at home with his parents.

Mr Custis is a Democrat, but has never taken an especial interest in political matters. He devotes his time rather to his own personal business and to his family.

Harry D. Steele

Harry D. Steele, now a prosperous young farmer of Green township, this county, was born near New Vienna, this county, on October 7, 1883, the son of William B. and Rachel A. (Matthews) Steele, both born in Clinton county, the former a _ well-to-do farmer of Wayne township, where he lives, on July 9, 1860, and the latter a daughter of Elijah Matthews, who is mentioned in a biographical sketch presented elsewhere in this work. ; ,

Harry D. Steele was reared on a farm in Wayne township and lived there until about eleven years of age, when he moved with his parents to Washington township. Later he attended Wilmington College and the Normal School at Lebanon; Ohio, after which he taught school for ten years, from 1900 to 1910. In 1907 Mr. Steele moved to Green township and rented the farm, which he now owns, for two years. In 1910 he bought the farm, consisting of Seventy-one acres, and since that time has made many substantial improvements. He is a general farmer and stockman.

On March 6, 1908, Harry D. Steele was married to Lillie M. Roush, a native of Highland county, Ohio, daughter of William Edward and Hattie Elma (Dewald) Roush, both of whom were born in Highland county, Ohio, the former on March 2, 1855, the son of Frederick and Mary (Sanderson) Roush, also natives of Highland county, the former born in Union township, November 28, 1830. and the latter in Hamer township, March 16, 1885. The paternal grandparents of William E. Roush were George and Rachel (Tedrick) Roush, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom was the son of Philip Roush, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Highland county about 1818. The maternal grandparents of William E. Roush were Alexander and Jane (Sanderson) Sanderson, the former of whom came, an orphan boy, from Ireland to this country and settled in Highland county and the latter of whom was born near Newmarket, in Highland county. On both sides of the family, Mr. Roush's ancestors have been farmers. His father was a Republican and was a member of the Christian church, the father of six children, of whom William KE. was the eldest, the others being Robert Sanderson (deceased), George E., Ervin E., Lillie (deceased). and Joseph C Mr. Roush has been an extensive breeder of registered Shorthorn cattle. He is a Republican but has never' aspired to office. Fraternally, he is a member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons. He is now living in Green township, this county. Twenty years ago he was a school teacher by profession and taught school for ten years. He came to Clinton county in 1890. buying one hundred of land one and one-half miles from New Vienna.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Steele have one son, Donald R.. born on December 9, 1909. Mr. Steele yotes the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Baptist church.

Flavius J. Johnson

Flavius J. Johnson is a well-known farmer of Green, township, this county, who owns one hundred and fifty acres of land two miles from New Vienna, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was born in Clark township, this county, November 5, 1852, son of Abner D. and Rebecca (Connell) Johnson, the former born in Clinton county, in 1815, and the latter in 1811. :

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were Ashley Johnson and wife, the latter of whom, before her marriage, was a Miss Detheridge, who came from Virginia to Clinton county and established a home in the wilderness, where they reared their family. The maternal grandparents were Hiram Connell and wife, the former a native of Pennsylvania. It was his father who founded what is now Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in which town he erected the first house. Hiram Connell emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, from his native state and died near Lynchburg, of which place he was a well-known Citizen at the time of his death.

Abner D. Johnson, the father of Flavius J. Johnson, was a farmer, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred near Farmers Station in Clark township, this county, in 1890, and his widow survived him ten years, passing away in 1900.

Flavius J. Johnson was reared on the farm and received a good common-school education in the district schools of his home township. Mr. Johnson owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Green township, comprising a fertile, highly-productive and well-kept farm.

Mr. Jobnson married Julia Elma Smithson, daughter of Drummond Smithson, mnentioned elsewhere in this volume, and to this union has been born one child, a son, Fred G., who was graduated from the high school at New Vienna, and is now an electrician, employed at St. Paul, Minnesota. Fred G. Johnson was married to Ella Doorley, who was born at Hillsboro, Highland county, this state.

Iyer since its organization the Johnson family have been identified with the Republican party, and Flavius J. Johnson is no exception to this rule.

Seneca Dennis

Seneca Dennis, who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War and is now a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, was born in the township where he lives, December 13, 1844, the son of Richmond and Hannah (Tumlin) Dennis, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in this county, the daughter of Peter Tumlin, a Clinton county pioneer.

Richmond Dennis came to Clinton county, when a young man, and lived here until his death in 1876, at the age of eighty years. His wife had died previously in 1861. He was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Democratic party and prominent in the Newlight church, at Centerville, of which he had been a member for fifty years before his death. Richmond and Hannah (Tumlin) Dennis had ten children, of whom Elizabeth, Hester, Veter, John. Alice and Hannah are deceased, the living children being Sarah. Lucinda. Louisa and Seneca.

Born and reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, Seneca Dennis enlisted, in 1864, in Company Ix. One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Voluntee Infantry. and served eleven months and four days. He was taken prisoner on July 9, 1864, and was held in the Danville prison until February 22, 1865, on which date he was taken to Libby prison, from which he was paroled after about two weeks. At the close of the war, Mr. Dennis returned to Clinton county and engaged in farming. He owns fifty acres of land in Green township, and there he has lived since 1880. during which period he has made many improvements upon the farm.

In 1874 Seneca Dennis was mayried to Sarah Margaret Deck, who was born in Clinton county, in 1849, the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Deck, both of whom are deceased. To this union three children have been born, Charles William, who marraied Josephine Hosler and lives in New Vienna, this county, where he is a carpenter by trade; Oscar Richmond, who married Maud Hildebrant, daughter of Luther Hildebrant, and who lives on Mr. Hildebrant's farm, and has three children, Paul Burdette, Robert and Hilda, and Grover, who lives on the home farm, married Lucile Babbit and has one son, Earl.

Seneca Dennis is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a highly-respected citizen in Green township and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

John P. Georges

The present European war has disclosed certain qualities of head and heart in the Belgian people, which the world at large heretofore knew very little about. John P. Georges, a farmer of Wayne township, this county, is spoken of as one of the most cultured, entertaining and interesting men ever found on a farm. He is a native of Belgium, and speaks, reads and writes six different languages, French, German, English, Belgian, Spanish and Italian. Few farmers living anywhere in this country have enjoyed educational advantages equal to those enjoyed by Mr. Georges and few men possess a greater native endowment for the absorption and assimilation of culture than he.

John P. Georges was born on March 21, 1848, at Hachy, Belgium, the son of Peter and Margaret (Devillez) Georges, the former of whom, born in 1804, at Hachy, Belgium, died in 1882, and the latter, born on June 2, 1804, at Nobresart, Belgium, died in 1886. Both are buried side by side at Leopold, Indiana. Mrs. Peter Georges was the daughter of Henry Devillez, who married a Miss Shannen.

The paternal grandparents of John P. Georges were Henry and Mary (Adam) Georges, born at Hachy, Belgium, farming people, who reared a family of five children, Peter, Frank, John, Margaret and Catherine. Henry and Mary Georges spent all of their lives in their native land. .

Peter Georges was educated in the common schools of his native land and, when a young man, learned the mason's trade, at which he worked all his life. He was engaged in contract building until September 27, 1863, when he started with his family for America. The family landed in New York city, March 21, 1864. During the voyage over the yessel was wrecked and the passengers and crew were compelled to spend two months on the Island of Walcheren. After landing in New York city, the family proceeded to Indiana and located in Perry county on a farm. The sons cultiyated the land and the father engaged in contract building, living on the farm, however, the remainder of his life. Peter and Margaret Georges had ten children, only three of whom, Susannah, John P., the subject of this sketeh, and Frank J., are now living. Susannah lives in Perry county, Indiana, aged eighty-five years. Frank J. is recorder of Perry county, Indiana, and is now Serving his second term. The deceased children are: Frank, Margaret, Nicholas, who, was a soldier in the Civil War, Anna, Jane, John N., and Catherine. Nicholas Georges, who had come to America before the arrival of his father and family, was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in 1861 in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, in which he seryed four years under Major-General Green. Peter Georges voted the Democratic ticket. He and his family were members of the Catholic church,

The education of John P. Georges was begun in the schools of his native land Eee as sear ee ts of sixteen, he began to learn the English anguage. Afte ) Sas J e schools of Indiana, he was promoted to

CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. 925 the fifth reader. Later he entered St. Meinrad's College, in Spencer county, Indiana, and attended the school for three years. Upon leaying St. Meinrad's he taught school for ten years, including three years in Perry county, Indiana, at St. Mark's, and seven years in Seneca and Wyandot counties, Ohio. After that he returned to his father's farm in Perry county, Indiana, and took care of his parents until their death. He lived on the farm until 1890, when he came to Clinton county, settling in Wayne township, where he has lived ever since and where he expects to live until his death because, as he says, there is no better place. He owns one hundred 'and one and one-half acres, but calls himself a "loafing" farmer, haying retired from farming twenty-five years ago. Mr. Georges lives on his farm, but rents the land out to others. He personally has made all of the improvements on his farm, including the clearing of thirty acres since moving to Clinton county.

In 1886 John P. Georges was married to Mary C. Clement, who was born on October 16, 1844, the daughter of Hubert and Victoria (Bigonville) Clement, to which union two children have been born. Rose, who died in infancy, and John P., Jr., who is a graduate of St. Mary's College, Dayton, Ohio, having finished the course in 1909 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He now lives at home with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Georges have a very pleasant farm home in Wayne township. John P. Georges votes the Democratic ticket. Naturally, he is a very highly respected citiven, popular in the community where he lives, and he and his family enjoy the esteem of all who know them.

James E. Custis

James E. Custis is a successful farmer of Green township, this county, where he owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of land. He was born in that township on September 6, 1867, a son of John W. and Sarah Jane (Bond) Custis, both of whom were born in Clinton county, the former in 1834, and the latter, near Morrisville, in 18387. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Custis were Thomas and Mary Custis, who were early settlers in Clinton county, coming here from Pennsylvania after their marriage. Both are now déceased. The maternal grandparents were George and Mary Bond, who also came from Pennsylvania to Clinton county in an early day, and both died here.

The late John W. Custis was a farmer and stock dealer and was the owner of three hundred and thirty-three acres of land in Washington township. He was a Democrat in politics and at one time was a candidate for sheriff of Clinton county. His wife was a member of the Christian church, and he himself was reared in that faith. His death occurred on May 27, 1906. His wife had passed away many years previously. They reared a family of nine children, four of whom, Elisha, Kate, Robert and Sarah, are deceased, the living children being George, Frank, Martha, John and James.

James, BE. Custis was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. Upon reaching maturity, he took up farming for himself in Green township. He has made many improvements on his farm in Green township, where he has lived for nine years.

On July 4, 1889, James E. Custis was married to Carrie Hildebrant, who was born in Green township, this county, the daughter of Jesse and Martha (Pyle) Hildebrant, the former of whom was born near Snow Hili, in Green township, March 3, 1823, and the latter, in Centerville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1827. Jesse Hildebrant was a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Crifestein) Hildebrant, both of whom were born in New Jersey about 1822. After coming to Clinton county they settled on the farm now occupied by Samuel Steele. Both died in Greent ownship. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Custis were William and Mary (Ewey)

Pyle, pioneers of Green township, who came to this county from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Jesse Hildebrant was the owner of three hundred and thirty-one acres of land. He was a Republican in politics, while religiously, he and his wife were earnest and devoted members of the Christian church. He died on August 15, 1905. His widow survived him less than three years, her death occurring on March 9, 1908. They had reared a family of nine children, of whom two, Louisa and Judson, are deceased; Avery lives at Webster, Illinois, and the others are Lou, Lizzie, Frank, Luther, Jennie and Carrie. Luther Hildebrant owns a good farm of two hundred and two acres near where Mr. Custis lives. He married Martha Custis, a sister of James Custis. Mrs. Luther Hildebrant was born on March 9, 1862, in Green township, and she and her husband are the parents of three children, Maud, Clarence and Ada.

To Mr. and Mrs. James E. Custis thirteen children have been born, of whom two, Claude and Willard, are deceased. Claude was born in May, 1890, and died on April 1, 1915. The other children are Durward, Laverne, Irene, Gladys. Fred, Jesse. Harold, Carl, Marion, Wynona and Pauline.

Mr. and Mrs. Custis and family -are attendants of the Christian church, in which they are actively interested. Mr. Custis is a Democrat in politics.

Ephraim H. Urton

Ephraim H. Urton, a former commissioner of Clinton county, who is now the proprietor of "Clover Nook Stock Farm" in this county, is one of the best-known citizens of this section of the state. He was born on July 19, 1856, in Warren county, Ohio, the son of Daniel and Nancy A. (Brown) Urton, the former of whom was born, October _ 20, 1819, in Virginia, and the latter, November 3, 1823, in Ohio. Mr. Urton's paternal grandparents were John and Lucy (Weaver) Urton, both of whom were born in Virginia and who, in 1820, came to Ohio and took up land in Washington township, Warren county, where both died. 'The maternal grandparents of Mr. Urton were <Alexander and Lydia (Hanks) Brown, pioneers of Warren county, where both lived and died.

The late Daniel Urton was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools. Starting in life a poor boy, he accumulated land from time to time until he owned, at the time of his death, December 16, 1895, five hundred acres of land. He had located in Vernon township, Clinton county, in 1860, and there he lived until his death. He was a Republican in politics, but never aspired to oftice. His wife was a member of the Baptist church. They were the parents of eight children, Lucey, Lydia, Amanda, John (deceased), Mary Elizabeth, Ephraim H., the subject of this sketch, Barbara Ellen (deceased), and Emma Louisa. , '

Ephraim H. Urton was reared on the old homestead farm and was educated in the public schools and in Wilmington College. The old district school was located on his father's farm. After farming for about four years, early in life, he moved to Clarksville, where he engaged in the mercantile business for about twenty-five years. Mr. Urton still owns property in Clarksville. In 1909 he was elected county commissioner of Clinton county and at that time, retired to the farm and built his present residence. He owns one hundred and five acres, a part of the old homestead, and is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred registered Percheron horses and Jersey cattle.

In 1879 Ephraim H. Urton was married to Viola Lewis, who was born in 1860 in Cincinnati, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Jane (Thompson) Lewis, of Cincinnati, They owned the Alice and Phoebe Carey homestead, now the home of the blind and known as "Clover Nook." Mr. Urton's farm is known as the "Clover Nook Stock Farm." To Mr. and Mrs. Urton have been born three children, Sherman Garfield, a farmer in partnership with his father, who married Louise Hadley, of Clinton county; Virgil, who died at the age of four months, and Edith May, the wife of William Greathouse, of Warren county, Ohio, who lives on the Charley Hadley farm, and has four children, Virginia Meredith, Viola Josephine, Ruby Thelma and Ruth Evelyn.

Mr. Urton yotes the Republican ticket. He has held, besides the office of county commissioner, several other positions of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Clarksy ille and also of the Knights of Pythias at the same place.

Rodney T. Thorpe

In a brief sketch it is difficult to do a living citizen exact and impartial justice, not so much from lack of space or words to set forth the passing events of his personal history as for want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life which grows and develops and ripens, to disclose its truest and best flavor when it is mellowed by time. There is nothing in the life of Rodney T. Thorpe of Sabina, Ohio, that is startling. Nevertheless, his career has been marked by patient and unremitting endeavor and he has earned and won a substantial reward for his long and patient application to business. :

Rodney T. Thorpe was born on January 3, 1870, at Bloomington, this county. the son of Edman B. and Emily (Culberson) Thorpe, the former of whom was born on March 23, 1840, near Bloomington, in Clinton county, and the latter, in Fayette county, the daughter of George and Priscilla (Stewarc) Culberson. Edman B. Thorpe was the son of Joshua and Nancy B. (Fiers) Thorpe, both natives of Virginia, the former of whom was born in 1798, and the latter, in 1806. Joshua Thorpe was a farmer in Southampton county, who came to Clinton county in 1832, locating in what is now Wilson township, on a farm of about seventy-five acres, where he farmed the remainder of his life. It may be said, in passing, that Mr. Thorpe left Virgniia as a result of a negro uprising in 1831, when the slaves grew rebellious and slaughtered many of the whites. The spring following the insurrection the Thorpe family came to Ohio, settling in Clinton county.