Darke County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 23 of 31)

ELIAS ROSS, farmer; P. O. German. We herewith present the sketch of another of the earl}' pioneers of this township in the name of Elias Ross ; he was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1811 ; he is the son of Henry Ross, who was a native of Virginia ; early in his youth, he left his parental roof and embarked on the sea of life without guide or counselor ; he soon found his way to Pickaway Co., Ohio, where he entered into the occupation of farming ; after dwelling here for a short time he moved to Big Darby Creek, Franklin Co.; from there he came direct to this township and located on land in northwest part of Sec. 24 ; this was in October, 1817, and his family constituted one of the first in the township; nothing but a vast wilderness greeted him on every hand, not even a log cabin could be found to house his family in when he landed here ; in lieu of this he was obliged to improvise a temporary shed, which served as a very imperfect shelter until he could erect a more si?bstantial domicile ; this he set about at once to do ; gathering together what few settlers were to be found in the vicinity, the}' erected a " pioneer's home," the log cabin, completing the structure ready for use in one day, the first house built in one day in the township ; before they got their cabin built, the weather became very rigorous, snow falling to the depth of several inches, which produced no little suffering to the family in their temporary shed ; the cabin erected and the family comfortably housed, the next thing to be done was to clear the land of its forests, preparatory to cultivation ; to have some land ready by spring, it was necessary to work through the winter, which was an unusually severe one ; this Mr. Ross did faithfully the whole winter through, although with much exposure ; thus began the sturdy pioneer, and, although these and many other difficulties confronted him, his indefatigable will conquered them all. Mr. Ross assisted in the erection of the first church built in the county. It was located in Washington Township on Sec. 36, and was built in 1819; it was a Methodist Church and is still (1880) standing, a relic of pioneer days, though not now used- Mr. Ross was the father of twelve children, one of whom met with a fatal accident at the age of 14, by a falling tree ; the rest grew up to mature years and ten are still living; he was a local minister of the M. E. Church and for almost a lifetime preached the Gospel and endeavored to tarn the erring ones from their way ; he lived to a ripe old age, his death occurring August, 1865 ; his wife had preceded him to her final rest. Our subject was only (i years old when he came to this township with his parents; pioneers :is they were, he grew up inured to the privations and hardships incident to such a life ; he knows what hard work is, and what living '- under difficulties " means; he remained at home contributing his labor to the subsistence of the family and clearing of the farm till he was of age ; at this age,fhe entered the course of life on his own account ; he first hired to David Puterbaugh for six months as a farm laborer ; for the subsequent two years he was employed by Hezekiah Veitz, of Neave Township ; the first one and one-half months he received $8 per month ; for the next four and one-half months he got $6 per month ; for the next 3Tear he received $100 ; at the end of eighteen months, he found that he had lost only one day. For the next three months, he received $10 per month. At the end of this time, September 4, 1834, he celebrated his first marriage with Miss Lucy He was only permitted to live with her sixteen years and two days. when death claimed her as his victim, September 6, 1850. After his marriage he moved on the place where he now lives, having previously purchased and erected a cabin on it. In this he set out on the course of life with his companion. His first household furniture he manufactured himself with an ax and auger. Wishing to go into the manufacture of maple sugar, he pui'chased an auger on credit, with which to tap the trees, and paid for it b}* an entire uight's work over his kettles, making sugar. This illustrates the extreme poverty of the early pioneers. In front of Mr. Ross' house stands an apple orchard of twenty-two trees, thrifty and productive, which he planted with his own hands, forty-five years ago. He was united in marriage the second time, October 16, 1851, to Mrs. Rebecca Furrow. Seven children were the fruits of the first union, three of whom are deceased, and six of the second union, three of whom are also deceased. He has been a consistent member of the U. B. Church for more than half a century, and lives an exemplary life. His first wife was also a member, and died in the triumphs of her faith. His present wife is also a faithful member of the same church.

ISAAC M. ROSS, farmer ; P. 0. German. Ohio. Mr. Ross is one of the promising young farmers of German Township ; he was born on the place where he now resides, in 1841 ; his early life was that of a farmer-boy, his summers being given to farm duties, and his winter months spent in the common school ; in the summer of 1861, he gave his services for the preservation of the Union, enlisting in the 44th V. I.; he remained in this service until the close of the war, and participated in the following hard-fought battles, besides numerous skirmishes : Lewisburg, Va., under command of Gen. Crook ; Chariest* >wn. W. Va.; surrender of Cumberland Gap, where 1,400 regulars, with about as many militia, accomplished the remarkable feat of capturing 2,600 rebels ; he next participated in the thirty days' siege of Knoxville, Term., and then at the battle of Rutledge ; at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., he re-enlisted, and was transferred to the 8th O. V. C, under Hunter's command : he wras then in Hunter's campaign in the Shenandoah ; participated in the two days' fight at Lynchburg, the 17 th and 18th of June, 1864. This regiment covered Hunter's retreat from Lynchburg to Liberty, at which place they were used as a "forlorn hope for Hunter's army.'' In this campaign his regiment suffered severely, leaving about one-fourth of their men on the field of battle, and the rest, with the exception of about fifty, being wounded more or less severely. He received two slight wounds, one In the face and one in the head ; retreated to Beverly, where they remained during the winter, participating in a severe engagement on the 29th of November ; on the 11th of January , his brigade was captured, he being taken and retaken five times dining the conflict, and finally escaping: he scouted around in West Virginia until August. L865, when he was honorably discharged with his regiment, having served over four years ; he returned to his present place, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming ; he has a fine farm, well improved, and everything indicates thrift and industry. He celebrated his marriage March, 1867, with Miss Ida Peden, of Hollandsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of two children a^ed 8 and 10, respectively.

A. B. RUSH, physician ; P. 0. German. Dr. Rush descended from a distinguished family of early pioneers in this country ; was born in Harrison Township, on the 19th of January, 1842 ; his paternal ancestors were German, and his maternal, English. His father, John R., was born in Bath Co., Va., near Hot Springs, the 3d of June, 1798 ; his paternal grandfather, Dr. John Rush, was also a native of Virginia, and a near relative of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush under whom he received his first medical instructions, and to whose valuable library he had access. Dr. Rush emigrated to Ohio on or about the year 1800. and settled in Pickaway Co., on Big Darby Creek, where he followed successfullv his profession ; in 1816, he came to this county and located in Harrison Township. just west of the present site of New Madison ; an injury received from a fallino limb, soon after coming here, prevented the discharge of his professional duties ever after ; his first wife deceased in Pickaway Co.; he was married to his second wife after coming here. John R., father of our subject, was 18 years old when he came to this county, and knew what pioneer life was ; his early life was that of a 'prentice boy, passed upon the farm ; he was united in marriage, April 13 1824 to Miss Elizabeth W. Hill ; she was born in York District, South Carolina, November, 1788 ; she emigrated to the count}r with her parents in 1817 ; Mr. Rush's life was spent upon a farm ; his death occurred the 28th of January, 1863 ; his devoted wife survived him till April 4, 1871 ; thus we chronicle the departure of two more of the advance couriers of civilization, who pioneered their way into the untrodden wilds of this country, near the beginning of the present century. Dr. Rush, our subject, passed his early life on a farm ; his early education was somewhat limited, but later he devoted himself assiduously to the acquisition of knowledge, oivincr his attention chiefly to the study of medicine ; he quite soon in life became proficient in this department of knowledge and entered upon the duties of his profession ; in the year 1878 he graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati ; he located where he now resides in 1871, and by careful attention to business has a lai'ge and lucrative practice ; his marriage with Miss Smelker was celebrated Dec. 7, 1866 ; she is a daughter of Jacob H. and Christina Smelker. both natives of Germany ; Jacob H. Smelker was born in Eppingen, State of Baden Germany, Aug, 9, 1800 ; he emigrated to America in 1819, leaving Germany the 13th of May, and landing in Baltimore, Md., the 1st da}r of the following August ; on arriving in Baltimore, he found himself in possession of 5 cents in Low Dutch money, and no demand for labor in his line of work ; his penury would not permit him to waste much time in search of emploj-ment, so he took at once to the country and engaged himself to George Fank, a farmer, as a farm laborer ; at the end of one year, he found his way to Fredericksburg, where he halted for a period of three years, engaging, in the meantime, with various parties as a farm laborer ; his marriage with Miss Christina Denner was celebi-ated at this latter place ; he soon took up his journey westward, landing in Cincinnati May 21, 1824, from where he plied his way direct to Germantown, Montgomery Co. ; from there he moved on a farm just south of Louisburg, Preble Co.; after some years, he moved to this township and has resided here since ; Mrs. Smelker's decease occurred the 15th clay of February, 1850 ; fourteen children, forty grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren have been born to them ; his children are as follows : Born in Preble Co., George, July 17, 1824 ; Jacob, July 20, 1825 ; Sophia, April 22 1827 ; William, Sept. 14, 1828 ; Eli, Jan. 9. 1830 ; John. Jan. 15. 1831 ; Henry', Jan. 21, 1832 ; David, Nov. 21, 1834 ; born in Darke Co., Daniel, Sept. 11. 1836 ; Sarah, April 13, 1838 ; Elizabeth, Aug. 22, 1841 ; Catherine, May 10, 1844 ; Anna! Feb. 14, 1846 ; one deceased in Infancy; Dr. and Mrs. Rush are the parents of three children.

native of Indiana, and was born October, 1843, near Brookville ; he is a son of Ephraiin S., who emigrated to Indiana in 1840 ; here he remained till his death, which occurred in 1854 ; his wife still survives him, and is in the enjoyment of good health. Our subject's early life was spent on a farm, his summer months devoted to the duties of farm life, and his winter months to the acquisition of knowledge in the common school ; he thus obtained a good common-school education ; in the spring of 1861, having accumulated, by his industry and economy, some money, he entered Liber College, Indiana, as a student ; after spending about three months at this place, he returned home, and volunteered his services for the defense of his country. On the 25th of July, he enlisted in the 19th I. V. I. at Richmond, Ind., Col. Solomon Meredith commandant, and on the 29th was mustered into service at Indianapolis ; the regiment was soon ordered to Washington, D. O, where it remained till the following spring, engaged in guard duty, constructing forts, etc. ; the spring and summer of 1862 were spent between Washington and Richmond, under command of Gen. McDowell ; in the fall, he participated in Pope's campaign, which terminated in the second Bull Run battle ; the regiment was now transferred to the command of Gen. McClellan, and engaged in the hard-fought battles of South Mountain and Antietam ; the next battle he participated in was at Fredericksburg, Va., Gen. Burnside, commander ; at the beginning of this engagement, his regiment made a brilliant and successful charge in open position across the Rappahannock to dislodge the enemies on the opposite side ; dating from this he was promoted to Sergeant's rank ; he next participated in the hard-fought battle of Chancellorsville, under command of Gen. Joseph Hooker ; on the 1st of July, 1863, he was engaged in the decisive battle of Gettysburg, Penn., and while at his post of duty was severely wounded in right arm and shoulder ; this disabled him from any more active service, and he was placed in the hospital at Portsmouth Grove, R. I. ; here he remained till the expiration of his term of service, which occurred on the 29th of July, 1864, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He then came to Darke County, and was soon engaged as clerk in dry-goods store at Wiley's Station , he remained here two years, and then turned his attention to the art of telegraphing ; not liking this occupation, he next gave his time to the study of medicine, receiving his instructions under the directions of the Drs. Matchett ; he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, graduating in the spring of 1872. He first located and engaged in the practice of his profession in Sandusky County ; he next formed a partnership with Dr. Ballard, of Arcanum, which lasted one year, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Matchett, of Greenville ; he was subsequently located for two years at New Paris, Preble County, from which place he came to Palestine Oct. 1, 1877, where he has been engaged in practice since, discharging his professional duties with commendable zeal and success. In 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen McCaughy, then engaged in teaching in Greenville. Dr. Sater identified himself with the Presbyterian Church of Greenville in 1878, and is a member of the Greenville Lodge, P. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Sater are the parents of two children, one deceased.

I. Q. SINKS, farmer; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir was born in April, 1829, about twelve miles northwest of Dayton, in Montgomery Co.; he is the son of Andrew Sinks, a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to Ohio with his parents previous to the beginning of the present century, and settled north of Dayton, on the Stillwater ; this was then on the frontier of civilization, and his family constituted one of the first in the neighborhood ; he was about two years old when he arrived there ; he was raised on a farm and accustomed to its duties ; this occupation he followed all his life, living upon the same farm where he first located until his death, which occurred at the ripe old age of 87 vears. He was married to Miss Yount, who was also a native of North Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio in about 1806 ; she survived her husband about three years, when her death occurred at the ripe old age of 84 years. Mr. and Mrs. Sinks were the parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, nine of whom are still living. Our subject is next to the youngest of the family ; he was brought up on a farm, and remained at home until he attained his majority ; at this period he celebrated his marriage with Miss Williamson, who was also born in Montgomery Co.; her father was a native of Virginia, and her mother a native of Warren Co., Ohio. Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sinks, the}- moved to their present place, and have resided here ever since, a period of twenty-seven years ; they are the parents of seven children - Sarah S., born Dec. 1, 1851 ; Oliver P., born April 29, 1853 ; Noah W., born April 3, 1855 ; Emma J., born Jan. 28, 1857, deceased Nov. 11, 1858 ; Leora, born March 20, 1858, deceased Oct. 6, 1879 ; Clarrissa, born May 13, 1860 ; Loretta, born April 16, 1862.

WILLIAM H. SETTLE, farmer, P. 0. German. Mr. Settle is a native of North Carolina, was born in Rockingham Co., Feb. 5, 1840 ; he is the son of Josiah and Nanc}- Settle, both natives of North Carolina ; Mr. Settle was principally raised upon a farm ; at the age of 6 he was taken to Mississippi by his parents ; in 1855, he emigrated to Ohio with his parents, settling first in Hamilton, Butler Co. During the late civil war, he was engaged most of the time on a boat on the rivers Mississippi, Missouri and White, principally as a Government empkye ; in 1866, he returned to Butler Co., and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed with marked success ever since. He was united in marriage, in Cincinnati, March 15, 1869, to Miss Josie Triplet ; she was born and raised in that city. Immediately after his marriage, he moved to his present place, having previously purchased the farm, which consists of 160 acres. He is a self-made man ; beginning with almost nothing, he has, b}r his own exertions, put himself in possession of a large fertile and well-improved farm, They are the parents of six children, two of whom have been removed from the famil}* circle by death.

WILLIAM SPENCER, farmer ; P. O. Hollandsburg. Mr. Spencer is another of the early pioneers of this county ; he was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 12, 1812 ; he is of English descent, and is the son of Francis Spencer, who was a native of Kentucky ; he emigrated to Ohio when quite young, and located in Greene Co., previous to the war of 1812 ; he served in this struggle for a short period as a soldier ; his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was severely wounded by a shot fired by an Indian ; Francis Spencer emigrated to this county in the spring of 1817, and located in the southwest quarter of Sec. 3, in Harrison Township. But few civilized men had then penetrated the untrodden wilds of our country, and Mr. Spencer constituted one of the van couriers of civilization ; he moved with his family, first into a log cabin, mother earth constituting the floor ; here he began carving for himself a home in the dense forests, which was soon accomplished by his unflagging industry. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Sarah Spencer, about the beginning of the present century ; she was also a native of Kentucky ; the}' were the parents of eleven children, to wit : Elizabeth, born Nov. 23, 1802. now deceased ; Delilah, born Feb. 26, 1804, now deceased ; Anderson, born Jan. 28, 1806 ; Ludlow, born Dec. 3, 1808, now deceased ; Eliza, Dec. 3, 1810 ; William, born Oct. 12, 1812 ; Clark, born May 31, 1814, now deceased ; Anna, born Aug. 14, 1816 ; Jackson, born Nov. 22, 1818 ; Sarah, born April 17, 1822; Mark T., Dec. 31, 1827, now deceased. Mrs. Spencer departed her life at the age of 72 years ; Mr. Spencer lived to the ripe old age of 90 years, his death occurring Aug. 14, 1874 ; thus departed from their privations below, two more of the pioneers of this county. Our subject was only 5 years old when he came with his parents to this county ; his early days were devoted to such work as the frontiersman usually finds to do ; he thus became early inured to pioneer life ; he remained at home on the farm till he grew up to mature years. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Irwin, in 1831 ; she was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to this State with her parents when quite small, locating first in Greene Co. ; after the marriage of Mr. Spencer, he moved to the place where he now lives, and engaged in agricultural pursuits ; Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are the parents of eleven children, lour of whom have deceased ; his son, Irwin, engages during the winter months in the profession of teaching.

BARNEY TEAFORD, farmer ; P. 0. German. The subject of this sketch was born February 3, 1825, near the place where he now resides. He is the son of George Teaford, a history of whose life appears in Jonathan Teaford's sketch. He remained on the homestead with his parents until he was 33 years of a^e. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits up to this time, and after he arrived at maturity with his twin brother Jonathan. Beginning when the country was comparatively new, he knows what hard work is. He celebrated his marriage March 20, 1859, with Miss Margaret Stapleton. She is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne Co., November 13, 1838. At the age of about 6 years, she came to this count}- with her parents. Her paternal grandfather was an early pioneer of the county. He settled four miles below Hollandsburg, in Harrison Township, in an early day. Mr. Teaford, after his marriage, moved to the place where he now resides, and where he has ever since lived. We see, in his large, well-improved farms and fine residence, industry and frugality richly rewarded. Mr. and Mrs. Teaford are the parents of seven children, four of whom death's messenger has visited and consigned to the silent tomb. Their names are as follows : Jonathan, born March 8, 1860 ; departed this life October 29, 1862. Norman, born March 24, 1861. Infant son. born April 15, 1862, died the same day. Oscar, born June 30, 1864, departed this life, Sept. 25, 1866 ; Samuel, born July 20, 1867 ; Charles born Nov. 18, 1870, departed this life June 25, 1871 ; Flora, Alice, born May 10, 1874.

JONATHAN TEAFORD, farmer; P. O. German. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the large farmers of German Township ; he was born Feb. 3, 1825, near the place where he now resides ; is the son of George Teaford, one of the early pioneers of this township. Mr. Teaford, Sr., was born in Augusta Co., Va., and when quite young emigrated to Fairfield Co., Ohio ; here he remained several years, engaged as a laborer upon a farm ; he emigrated to German Township with the Ketrings, who constituted one of the first families in the township ; he found this country then almost untouched by the hand of civilization ; the " sons of the bow and arrow " still lingered around, and wild game was abundant. April 6, 1820, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Magdalena Ketring ; she was also one of the early pioneers of the township, and a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly after his marriage, he moved to the place where the subject of tnis sketch now resides, his father-in-law having previously bequeathed him the land, then all in the woods ; here he erected a cabin and resided till a few years before his death, when he took up his abode with his son Barney. Mr. and Mrs. George Teaford were the parents of twelve children, as follows : Jacob, born Feb. 10, 1821, deceased September, 1826 ; Rebecca, born Feb. 1, 1822, deceased, October, 1825 ; George, born Sept. 24, 1823 ; Jonathan and Barney, twins, Feb. 3. 1825 ; Hester, July 26, 1827 ; Elizabeth, Oct. 23, 1828 ; Amelia, March 28, 1830 ; Sarah, Feb. 18, 1832 ; Susannah, born March 12, 1835, deceased, December, 1838 ; David, born Sept. 28, 1836, deceased Aug. 5, 1838; Aaron, born June 16, 1838, deceased June 24, 1839. Mrs. Teaford departed this life Feb. 13, 1861 ; her husband survived her till Jan. 29, 1874, when his death occurred. Thus we record the death of two more of the early pioneers of German Township, who passed away leaving a large circle of acquaintances and a large family to mourn their loss. Mr. Jonathan Teaford was raised a farmer, and early became accustomed to its arduous duties ; he remained at home assisting on the farm till he grew up to years of maturity; he then, with his twin brother, engaged in farming on rented land ; they formed a partnership thus earl}' in life, which existed till a few }'ears ago, when the property, consisting of several large farms, which were jointly held and managed by them, was divided. Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Smelker March 8, 1848; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, and at the age of about 6 years she came to this county with her parents. (Her parents receive notice under the sketch of A. B. Rush.) After the marriage of Mr. Teaford, he rented a farm about one mile east of where he now lives, and farmed it about six years. He then, in connection with his brother, purchased 80 acres of land just west of his present place ; by their habits of industry, they added farm after farm to their possessions, till the}' owned a half-section of land in one body ; they then made a division, each taking a quarter-section ; since then, he has added other farms to his possessions, and has them all well improved ; he has one of the finest brick residences in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Teaford are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living.

J. B. TENNELL, physician, German ; was born near the city of Lexington, Ky., Nov. 20, 1833 ; his paternal and maternal grandparents came from Scotland in an early day and settled in Virginia ; remaining there a few years, they removed to Jessamine Count}', Ky., where Joseph Tennell, the Doctor's father, was born in the year 1796. Our subject, Buford, as he was called when a boy, was the youngest of a family of ten children. His mother died when he was 2 years old, and a step-mother died some eight years later. From that time on, he lived among strangers, strugged with poverty and fought the battle of life on his own hook - working on a farm for 25 cents a day during the summer and fall, and attending school through the winter. When 15 years of age, he came to Franklin, Lid., and attended a select school for one year ; then entered the Franklin College, and continued his studies there for about four years, teaching a district school three terms to secure means to pay his board and expenses. He then commenced and read medicine for three years as a pupil under old Dr. Mackey. Attended medical lectures in the Allopathic Department of Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1855-56. After practicing some three years, he was persuaded to abandon medicine and enter the ministry, which he did, and spent three years as a traveling minister in the U. B. Church. Not being fully satisfied, he decided to return to the business which he had spent so much of his time in order to qualify himself to follow. Before resuming practice, he attended another course of medical lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving therefrom the degree of M. D. Since then he has been actively engaged in his profession in the counties of Union, Randolph and Howard, Ind. Five years ago, on account of good roads, he located at Palestine, in this county, where he has a nice residence, and has a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor is a large, portly man, weighing two hundred pounds, is well preserved, and has never used tobacco in any form, nor ardent spirits as a beverage. His life is a practical demonstration that any young man of mind and energy can succeed, if they determine to do so.

S. S. THOMAS, farmer ; P. 0. Hollandsburg, Ohio. The subject of this memoir is an early settler and prominent citizen of this township ; he was born July 30, 1828, near the place where he now resides ; he is of Welsh descent, and the son of Charles W. Thomas, one of the pioneers of this township ; he was born in Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio when quite young (notice last of sketch) ; he settled first in Greene Co., where he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mercy Sackett ; she was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Greene Co. with her parents about the beginning of the present century ; her father, Cyrus Sackett, was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence ; he celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Sackett in 1792. Mr. Charles Thomas came to this county about 1826 and located on land previously entered by his father, Daniel Thomas, Sec. 31, in German Township ; he found it then covered with the mantle of nature, and the country a vast wilderness ; at that time it required nerve and courage to begin life there ; this, however, was not wanting with Mr. Thomas, and the wilderness was soon made to u blossom as the rose ; " he lived on this place till 1864, when he disposed of it and moved into Hollandsburg ; while on a visit to Greene Co., he was taken sick with fever from which he never recovered ; his death occurred Sept. 1, 1872, at the age of 74 years 8 months and 4 days ; his devoted wife preceded him to her final rest several years, her death occurring June 29, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. T. were faithful members of the M. E. Church, and their lives were examples of Christian piety and virtue ; nine children, four sons and five daughters were born to them, all of whom are still living. Our subject's youthful days were passed upon the farm ; at the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the cabinet trade," and served a term of two years ; he then engaged at journey-work in Richmond, Ind., for a period of five years ; at the end of this time, he purchased a cabinet-shop in Palestine, which he controlled about one }rear and disposed of it, moving to the place where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Berry April 29, 1855 ; she was born in Hamilton, Butler Co., Jan. 15, 1837, and came to this county with her parents in 1838, locating where she now lives, in Sec. 32 ; her father, Thomas Berry, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to this State when a young man ; he was married to Betse}r Randolph, a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; his death occurred Sept. 8, 1839 ; his wife survived him till Aug. 4, 1851, when her death occurred ; she had previously united in marriage with Mr. William Freeman ; Mr. and Mrs. Berry were both zealous members of the M. E. Church, and passed peacefully to rest when their life's work was ended, lamented by all who knew them. Mr. Thomas is one of those who left the comforts of home and endured the perils of the battle-field for the preservation of the Union ; he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Battery earl}' in the spring of 186-1, and participated in the battles of Black River Bridge and Yazoo City ; he was honorably discharged with the regiment at Camp Dennison, Aug. 5, 1865 ; in politics, Mr. Thomas is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of ten children, three of whom died when quite }roung ; two sons and five daughters are still living ; one daughter, Ellen, was united in marriage, Nov. 8, 1877, with Gr. W. Hill, son of H. L. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Charles W. Thomas was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Fort Meigs most of the time during the period of his service.

WILLIAM WADE, farmer ; P. 0. German, Ohio. William Wade, one of the few remaining early pioneers of this county, was born Nov. 9, 1818, on the southeast quarter of Sec. 13, in Harrison Township, where the south part of New Madison now stands ; he is of English descent, and the son of William Wade, Sr., who was born in Maryland ; he emigrated to Ohio previous to the war of 1812, and located first in Preble Co., and from there he went to Harrison Township in 1818, settling on the place on which our subject was born ; he then constituted one of the fii-st settlers in that township ; he departed this life at the age of 61 years, his wife surviving him several }rears, when her death occurred in Wayne Co., Ind. Both were buried in the cemetery at New Madison. Our subject's boyhood days did not differ much from those of most of the pioneer boys ; he shared in the trials and difficulties incident to frontier life ; his father being an invalid, the management of the farm early fell to his charge ; this duty he discharged successfully until he reached the age of 24. The meagerness of educational advantages at that day, together with the duties of the farm, which early devolved upon him. rendered his education, so far as books were concerned, much limited ; just previous to leaving the homestead, July 23, 1842, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Susannah Ross ; she is the daughter of Nathaniel Ross, one of the early pioneers of the township ; he settled here February, 1819, and in the following August, Mrs. Wade was born ; she has witnessed all the changes in this section of country, from the thickets of the forest to the waving grain-fields of to-day. Soon after Mr. Ward's marriage, he moved to Neave Township, locating on a farm which he had previously purchased of Reuben Lowry : at the end of four years, he disposed of this farm and purchased and moved on the one on which he now resides ; he has resided here ever since, a period of thirty years. Mr. Wade has risen by his own exertions to a place among the foremost farmers of his section of couniry. Mr. and Mrs. Wade are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mary, born Oct. 15, 1843; she was united in marriage to Charles W. Sentmen July 19, 1867; she departed her life Nov. 18, 1874 ; her life was short, though complete ; her work was finished and she passed peacefully away, leaving a large circle of acquaintances, a kind father and mother, a husband and two loving daughters, to mourn her departure and revere her memory ; she was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church until death, and lived in the discharge of her Christian duties ; in her death, society lost a useful member. Mr. and Mrs. Wade take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the United Brethren Church, and living exemplary lives.

JACOB F. WARE, farmer ; P. 0. German. Mr. Ware is another of the early settlers and prominent citizens of German Township ; he is paternally of German and maternally of English descent, and comes of Revolutionary stock ; he was born Dec. 13, 1819, in Preble Co., Ohio, and is the son of John Ware, who was a native of Tennessee, being born there Feb. 11, 1785 ; he emigrated to Ohio in 1810 and located in Montgomery County, on Stillwater ; from there he shortly moved to Preble County, locating near West Alexandria, in the vicinity of which he remained till his death, a period of sixty-two years ; he was a soldier of the war of 1812, and shared in the privations and hardships of that struggle ; he was under Gen. Harrison's command, and was present at the celebrated treaty of Ft. Greenville, in 1814 ; his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served for seven years in that great struggle for freedom. John Ware, by his services in the war of 1812, was entitled to a land-warrant of 160 acres, which he located where our subject now resides ; this warrant was given under James Monroe. Mr. Ware, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer boy, and remained at home assisting in duties of the farm till he was 21 years of age ; at this time, he engaged at the carpenter trade, which he followed about six j*ears, when he moved to the place where he now resides and turned his attention to farming ; he celebrated his marriage in 1844, with Miss M. Catherine Rittenour ; she was born in Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio with her parents when only 7 years old, settling near New Madison, Harrison Township ; on the 16th of February, 1879, the messenger of death entered Mr. Ware's home and took from it his devoted wife ; her life's work ended, her duties done, she passed peacefully away, leaving a kind and affectionate husband and four loving children to mourn her departure and revere her memory ; Mrs. Ware was a faithful member of the church for twenty-two years before she died, and in her death the church lost a useful member and the community a valuable citizen. Mr. Ware is one of the self-made men of this county ; when he moved to the place where he now resides, in 1848, he found it all in the woods, the underbrush so thick that he had to grub a place for the horses to lie down the first night ; here he began in a log cabin, surrounded on every side b}r dense forests, on a small piece of land bequeathed him by his father ; the outlook was by no means flattering, but with that indomitable energy which served him well then, and has been his guiding genius ever since, being ably assisted by his noble wife, he soon carved for himself a farm and beautiful home out of the wilderness ; by habits of industry and economy he has added to the first possession till he now has a fine fertile farm of 244 acres under excellent improvement ; he made and used perhaps the first jumping-shovel plow anywhere in that vicinity ; with this plow he has prepared ground in the green upon which he has raised sixty bushels of corn per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Ware are the parents of five children, one of whom has died ; three of the others are married, and one, a son, still remains at home. Mr. Ware is no aspirant for office ; having been repeatedly tendered important offices of trust, he has always refused to accept ; he lives an exemplary life, and formerly held his connections with the United Brethren denomination.

WILLIAM" H. WARNER, farmer ; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir was born in Neave Township March 8, 1849 ; he is of English descent, and the son of Henry W., who was born in Montgomery Co., November 1819 ; he was a farmer by occupation from his boyhood days till his death : he was united in marriage to Miss Lotta Williamson, in 1846; she was also a native of Montgomer}'

County ; after their marriage, Mr. W. engaged in farming in above county till 1857, with the exception of one year, when they lived in Neave township, in this county ; at above date he came to German Township and located on land in Sec. 13; here he lived until his death, which occurred in April, 1874; his wife preceded him to her final rest about six years, her decease occurring in February, 1808; they had seven children born to them, to wit: Amanda, deceased in infancy : Almira, "William H., George (deceased), Lorenzo, Franklin and Emma. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and remained at home till he grew to maturity. He celebrated his nuptials with Miss Sarah Flory in October 1873 ; she was the daughter of Emanuel Flory, whose biography we subtend to this ; after the marriage of Mr. Warner he moved on his father-in-law's place, which he has since been farming. April 8, 1878, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his devoted wife. Her life was short, but full of usefulness, and her death was lamented by all who knew her. Two children, sons, were born to them, Andrew J. and Horatio. Mr. Warner is in politics a Democrat. Emanuel Flory was an early settler of this township ; he was born in Montgomery County, Jan. 12, 1810, and is the son of Emanuel F., Sr., a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1776 ; he emigrated to Ohio in July, 1806, locating on Wolf Creek, Montgomery County ; he was a farmer b}r occupation. He was married to Miss Sarah Kaga some years before coming to Ohio ; the 17th of March, 1834, he came with his family to Darke County, locating on Sec. 12, where Emanuel F., Jr., now resides ; some three or four years previous to this he came out and erected a water-power saw-mill, on West Branch, the first in that locality. Mrs. Flory died in 1822. Nine children were born to this union, onby three of whom are yet living. Mr. F. consummated his second marriage with Mrs. Royer, who died in September, 1853, she having survived her husband about four years, his death occurring March 9, 1849. Emannel P., Jr., was reared on a farm, after coming to this county with his parents, he engaged on his father's saw-mill for a period of about five years ; since then he has lived on and farmed, till a few years ago, the homestead which he purchased ; he was married to Miss Waggerman in 1852, who was born near Brookville, Montgomery County, in 1816 ; she departed this life Jan. 15, 1872 ; during life she was a faithful member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Flory has been a consistent member of the same church for nearly half a century, and is living an exemplary life.

JAMES WILLCOX, farmer ; P. 0. German ; the subject of this memoir was born in Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1817 ; he is the son of James VYillcox, Sr., and Elizabeth (Kester) Willcox ; James Willcox, Sr., was born in the State of New York, on the Mohawk River, near the site of " Stillwater " battlefield ; his father was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence and participated in the above battle ; James Willcox was a shoemaker by occupation, and at one time worked in Stephen Girard's shop, in Philadelphia ; while lure he made for Henry Clay the pair of boots which he wore to the " Treaty of (Ihent," the boots costing $40 ; he emigrated to Ohio in 1815, landing at Cincinnati with 50 cents in his pocket, and all his earthly possessions tied up m a silk handkerchief; from there he pushed his way northward, and finally came to a halt in (ierniantown. Montgomery County ; here he engaged at his occupation for five or six years, and then moved to Preble County, where he added to his trade farming : from there he came to this county, March 18, 1839, and located in German Township, on land which he had previously purchased near the present town of Palestine ; here he engaged in farming and sawmilling. He was married soon after coming to this State, to Miss Elizabeth Kester, a native of Lancaster County, I'enn. ; she came to Ohio with her parents when quite small. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom have deceased ; the living are as follows : James (our subject). John, Charles, David, Phebe A.. William, Elizabeth and Elijah ; the deceased are Lavina, Memlius, Levi, Jeremiah and .Mary J. Mrs. Willcox departed this life October, 1855, and

Mr. Willcox the 4th of February, 1856 ; by their deaths the community lost useful citizens and the family affectionate parents. Our subject was raised to farm labor, assisting his father in farming till he attained his majority, attending the common schools during winter months ; he emigrated to this county with his parents in 1839 ; at the end of one year he went to Butler County, and engaged for a time at wood-chopping ; while here he accidentally discovered that he could put up a barrel about as good as an experienced cooper, and accepted a proposition from a professional cooper to engage in the business ; he made 430 barrels, averaging eight barrels per da}' as his first work ; he remained in Butler County altogether about three years, and then returned to this county, engaging in saw -milling for the next eighteen years continuously and successfully ; he then purchased and moved to the place where he now resides, which consists of 160 acres, the most of which he has cleared and placed in its present highty improved condition. He has been married twice : his first marriage was consummated with Miss Sarah JClendenine in June, 1841 ; she died five months after their marriage ; his second marriage was celebrated, June 8, 1848, with Miss Elizabeth Ketring, a sketch of whose parents occurs in the biographies of this township ; she was born in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox are the parents of nine children, three of whom are married : Signorette L., born Feb. 28, 1849 ; Alice E., Jan. 8, 1851 ; Marquis L., Aug. 7, 1853 ; Mary F., April 5, 1855, deceased Feb. 25, 1856 ; Percival F., May 5, 1857 ; Isaac N., May 3, 1859 ; David M., June 15, 1862 ; Joseph S., Dec. 27, 1864; Charles Sumner, April 12, 1861 ; Martha E., June 16, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the Christian Church of Palestine.

JESSE WOODS, farmer ; P. 0. German. The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent citizens of Darke County, and a pioneer of German Township ; hewas born in Virginia in 1818, and was only 2 years old when he came to this township with his parents in 1821 ; he is of English descent, his father, James Woods, was born in St. James' Park, London, May 25, 1767, and died at his son's, near Palestine, on the 21st day of August, 1869, aged 102 years 2 months and 26 days ; his remains were laid to rest in the beautiful Palestine Cemetery, and a marble monument is reared over his grave. At the time of his birth St. James r Park was three miles out of the city, but since then the city has grown around it ; he followed sea life as a sailor for about twenty years ; he emigrated to America somewhere about the beginning of the present century, and settled in Virginia ; in 1821, he took up his journey westward, with his family, and settled in this county, in German Township, where his son Jesse now lives ; on this place he spent the remainder of his eventful life ; his marriage was celebrated in Virginia ; he was the father of eight children. Jesse Woods, our subject, knows what pioneer life is ; he has shared in the trials and triumphs incident to such a life : he has witnessed the changes wrought in this country for over one-half century, and has applied himself persistentby and vigorously to develop its present vast resources ; his duties in his youth were those of a pioneer farmer boy ; his early education, so far as book knowledge is concerned, was necessarily limited, as opportunities in this direction were meager, and his time and labor principally demanded on the farm; vivid to his recollection is the appearance of the first schoolhouse which he attended ; it was a " fac-simile " of the pioneer schoolhouse - the progeny of necessity, not the sound of a nail was heard in its construction, nor a glass window seen in it after its completion ; his first teacher was William R. Jones, the first pedagogue in the township ; he kept the characteristic " land school " of the backwoods, and his plans of punishing unruly scholars would appear as odd to-day as his methods of teaching. Mr. Woods was married in 1844, to Miss Anna Stevens : she is the daughter of David Stevens ; he was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 31, 1792. and died Jan. 8, 1879 ; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of a number who were detailed to carry provisions from Ft. Nesbit to the Kentucky soldiers, who were on the retreat from Muncie to Ft. Greenville ; they proceeded under a forced march through the wilderness, and snow knee-deep, to the relief of the brave Kentuckians. After the marriage of our subject, he remained upon the place where he was reared, and continued agricultural pursuits ; through his energy and good business habits, he has been eminently successful in life ; he is no political aspirant, but a few years ago was elected to the office of County Commissioner, in which capacity he served three years, discharging its duties with fidelity and satisfaction to his constituents ; he positively abhors political trickery and official corruption of all kinds, and is a strong advocate of and adherent to honesty and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living.

J. W. APPLE, retired farmer, Versailles, Ohio ; was born in Montgomery Count}-, Ohio, April 22, 1825. John Apple, the father of J. W., was one of the old pioneers of Montgomery County, born in the year 1800 - emigrated from Pennsylvania. J. W. lived with his parents on the farm, attending school during the winter season, and, working on the farm during the summer, obtained a good common-school education, and at the age of 20 was united in marriage to Miss Elvina Miller, in Montgomery County, April 10, 1845. Left his parental roof, and, with his good wife, moved into the woods, built a log cabin, and commenced to clear a farm - did not have a cent of mone}7, and was in debt $100 - has by his hard labor, economy, strict temperate habits, and the help of his industrious wife, accumulated a handsome fortune. Mr. Apple has passed through the many struggles, incidents and dangers so common to the pioneer of the great West, has many warm friends, and is beloved by all who know him, has taken an active part in religion, and is, with his amiable wife a member of the Lutheran Church - has had his full share of township offices, viz., Township Trustee one year, Land Appraiser one year, and served one term as Assessor, School Director, etc. Mr. Apple followed farming for a period of about thirty years, after which he moved to Versailles, where he now resides. Ten children were the fruits of their union, viz., Sarah A., born July 4. 1846 (deceased) ; John W., born April 28, 1848 ; Jacob A., born Oct. 31, 1850 ; Maria D., born Oct. 25, 1852 ; Mary L., born Aug. 20, 1854 ; Leroy C, born Dec. 5, 1856: Uriah V., born April 12, 1859 (deceased); Henrv J., Feb. 16, 1862 (deceased) ; Ida E., born June 3, 1865 ; Martha J., born Oct. 13. 1867 (deceased).

JACOB G. BASHOR, farmer and stock raiser ; P. O. Webster, Ohio. Jacob, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Schu3Tlkill Co., on the 19th of January, 1801 ; was a carpenter by trade, and at the age of 25 he celebrated his marriage with Sarah Nauftsinger, who was a native of Penns3'lvania, born in Berks Co.. on the 2d of April, 1805; in the spring of 1828, he moved to Rockingham Co., Va., where they remained about six years, and in the fall of 1834, he emigrated to Ohio, locating one mile west of Covington, Miami Co., where he purchased 80 acres of land, for which he paid $800, and in 1840, he sold out for $1,800, and purchased 160 acres in the same township, paying $1,600 ; he remained here till his death, which occurred on the 3d of September, 1879 ; Sarah, his widow, is living on the old home place, with her daughter Fanny (Mote) ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom all are living, viz.. Jacob Gr., Sarah, Benjamin, John. Anna, Catherine and Fanny. Jacob G-., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, horn in Herks Co., on the 25th of January, 1827 ; came with his parents to Ohio, when he was about 7 years old ; spending his iKryhood's days on his lather's farm, assisting him on the farm and at the carpentering trade ; he obtained his education in the subscription schools ; when he arrived at his majority, he hired with his father to work at the carpentering trade for two years, receiving a compensation of $180 for the first }"ear, and $200 for the second. On the 15th of August, 1847, he celebrated his marriage with Sarah Miller, daughter of Jacob and Polly Miller, who was a native of Darke Co., Ohio, born on the 17th of January. 1827 ; in 1850, he moved on his father-in-law's farm (Darke Co., Adams Township), when he farmed one year, after which he removed to Wayne Township, Sec. 31, where he had purchased 100 acres of land, for which he paid $2,000, and here is where he applied the $380 which he had earned in the two years in which he worked for his father ; he has resided here ever since, making farming his business ; he has added 85 acres, but sold 5 acres for town lots, leaving 180 in the farm ; he also owned 80 acres in Marshall Co., Did., his present place of residence, which is well improved, on which is a bank-barn, 70x36, a large two-story brick house, with basement story, and a large tobacco shed, all of which he has accumulated by his hard labor, assisted by his good and amiable wife ; he is strictly temperate in all his habits. Mr. and Mrs. Bashor are members of the German Baptist Church, being connected with that church for upward of thirty years ; he has had his full share of township offices since his residence in the county, viz. : served as Trustee of Wayne Township, three years ; Supervisor four consecutive years ; member of School Board twelve years. They are the parents of nine children, of whom six are living, viz. : Jacob M.,born Sept. 9, 1848 ; Susan, born May 6, 1851 ; Sarah, Dec. 19, 1853; John N., Nov. 17, 1858; Mary, Aug. 3, 1861 ; Anna, May 14, 1864. John N. has been teaching school since he was 17 years old, and is meeting with good success ; he is a live, energetic teacher.

DANIEL BOYER, farmer, grain and stock raiser, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Webster. Daniel, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in York Co., in about the year 1800. He married Elizabeth Hoff, who is a native of the same State and county, born in 1799. Mr. Boyer followed farming in Pennsylvania, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1847. Elizabeth, his widow, remained on the old home farm till 1867, when she came to Darke Co., and at present resides with her daughter Barbara, who married Peter Moul, Adams Township. They were the parents of eleven children, viz., Jonas, Maria, Barbara, Mannassa, Catharine, Henry, John, Samuel, Elizabeth, Aaron and Daniel. The subject of this sketch, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York Co., on the 25th of September, 1834, lived at home till he was about 14 3Tears old, when he went to work for his Uncle Peter Blaser, on the farm, where he worked during the summer and autumn, and then returned home and attended school during the winter. In the spring, he hired out with a neighbor for $5 per month, where he remained till the next fall, attending the district school in the winter. He then went to York and drove team for Sultzbaugh & Quickie, drawing lumber, coal and iron, for which he received $11 per month, being the highest wages paid at that time : as he was always at his post ready for duty, being active, quick and willing, he never lacked for employment and alwaj's commanded the highest wages ; he followed this business till he was 21 years old, when he became infatuated with the Western fever, thinking that he could better his condition, and, true to his nature, he started for the State of Ohio, arriving at Yersailles in April. 1856, at about 3 o'clock on a dark and foggy morning, and Avhen the conductor called out " Yersailles " he grasped his carpet-bag and made for the door, and when the train came to a halt he walked out on the platform of the car. and. thinking that he was at the station, made a leap for the platform of the depot, but. alas ! he missed it and landed in the ditch, with his carpet-bag on his head and his legs driven into the mud up to his knees, murmuring to himself, '; Is this Darke Co., and if so. where am I ? and how will I get out alive ? " However, he managed to find his way out and made for a hotel, which he found and went to bed, where he slept sweetly till about 8 o'clock in the morning, when he awoke, donned his clothing, ate his breakfast, paid his bill, placed his carpet-bag on his back and started on foot for his brother Hemy , who resided about four and a half miles south, in Adams Township, where he remained for three months ; he worked for his brother at the carpenter's trade, after which he farmed Benjamin Bashore's farm on shares, receiving one-third of the grain. He only remained one season, when he engaged with George Hetzler to farm his land on the same terms for one season, and met with good success. On the 17th of October, 1858, he celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth Cable, daughter of John and Susana Cable ; she is a native of Darke Co., Ohio, born on the 6th of October, 1841. He remained on the Hetzler farm for about five years, during which time Mr. Hetzler died, and at the sale of the personal property he purchased most of the stock and farm implements and moved on his little farm of 55 acres, in Sec. 36, Wayne Township, for which he paid $860, and in a short time he purchased 48 acres which joined him, making in all 103 acres, which he improved, residing on the same till 1872. He then rented a farm of Levi Huddle, in the same township, containing between 500 and 600 acres, which he has under his management, and at present is the largest grain and stock raiser in the county ; he now has ten head of horses and mules, forty head of cattle, one hundred head of sheep and fifty head of hogs ; he grew over 3,000 bushels of small grain last year, and about 4,000 bushels of corn. In 1879, he purchased 55 acres more, for which he paid $2,000 ; he now owns 158 acres, valued at $7,900; he erected a frame barn, 48x78 feet, on his farm, at a cost of about $1,000. Mr. Boyer commenced life with but little of this world's goods, but by hard labor and correct business habits has accumulated a handsome little fortune, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife. When he married Miss Cable, her father gave her one horse, "Jack," which is still living, being 24 years old. Mr. Boyer has had his full share of township offices since his residence in the county ; has served as Trustee of Wayne Township two years, Supervisor, School Director, and was a member of the School Board for a period of nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are members of the " River Brethren," a Baptist body. Ten children have been born to them, of whom nine are living, viz.: Ellen, John, Sarah, Milton, David, Maggie, Emma, Daniel, Mary.

THOMAS A. BURNS, attorney at law ; Versailles, Ohio ; is a native of Ohio, born in Champaign Co. on the 18th day of October, 1836 ; his father, H. Z. Burns, and his mother Anna, emigrated from Loudoun Co., Va., in 1830 ; they were well educated and sought no other fortune for themselves and children thanedueation , his father died early in life, leaving the widow with the care of four small children ; Thomas being the oldest boy, the care of the family fell heavily upon the mother and him ; he struggled on through circumstances that were anything but genial to his aspiring nature ; in the common schools he obtained the rudiments of an English education, and from his mother a little knowledge of German and Latin ; farming and teaching school were his occupations until the sound of the war trumpet in 1861 ; and on the 9th clay of May, he with others was assigned to the 13th O. V. I. which regiment was then over-full, and they at once reinlisted in Co. A, 66th O. V. I., of righting fame ; having held the various non-commissioned offices, he was then commissioned First Lieutenant, and in a short time he was commissioned a Captain, and took command of Co. E, 194th O. V. I., where he served till he was mustered out with his regiment on the 4th day of November, 1865, having served four years six months and twenty-five days ; he at once commenced the study of law with Horn Charles Morris, of Troy, Ohio, and was admitted to fhe Bar March 8, 1868. On the 26th day of December, 1867, he celebrated his marriage with Miss R. L., daughter of Hon. George Anderson, of Piqua, Ohio, and in March, 1870, he moved to Versailles, Daxke Co:; he has acquired a good practice in law ; he has traveled throughout the United States, been a close observer of human nature, strictly temperate in all his habits, giving much study and attention to his professional and other scientific books, and has made the most of limited opportunities. A loving wife and four bright ehildren make up his happy home at Versailles, Ohio.

George Calderwood, the father of James R., was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., on the 15th day of December, 1783 ; Margaret, his wife, was born in Adams Co., Penn., on the 28th day of May, 1792 ; they emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the 3rear 1818, remaining there about fourteen years, after which he moved to Darke Co.; this was in the spring (April), 1832 ; they drove through to Greenville, the distance being only thirty-five miles, but were three days in making the journey, as the roads were very heavj', making it almost an impossibility to travel ; settled in Butler Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred on the 7th day of November, 1849. Margaret, his wife, died on the 12th day of October, 1874. James R., the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, on the 6th day of October, 1821 ; came with his parents to Darke Co. when he was 10 years old ; he assisted his father in clearing and cultivating the soil, and, when the opportunity presented itself, he would attend the district school, which at that time was not of a very high order, being held in an old log cabin, covered with clapboards, puncheon floor, split slabs for seats, writing desks, etc.; greased paper for window-lights, one end of the house being the fire-place ; lived with his parents until he was about 21 years of age, when he commenced to learn the carpenter and millwright trade with Mr. Moses Harriman ; worked at his trade for a period of about twent}T-six years, and, at the same time, carried on the farm, occasionally working on the farm himself, his boys doing most of the work ; would work hard all dajT at his trade ; coming home late, he would go out on the farm and gather brush, piling it on log-heaps, after which he would burn them, working sometimes until a very late hour in the night ; he bought a farm of 160 acres in Neave Township, in the year 1845, paying $800 for the tract ; moved on the farm, but remained only about one month, after which he sold out at a gain of about $50 ; moved on his father's farm, which contained 160 acres, buying out the heirs, paying $1,200 ; lived on and cultivated this faxin for a period of about five years, after which he sold the farm for $3,100, and bought the old Weaver farm, containing 100 acres, but could not get possession at the time, so he bought another farm of 70 acres, on which he moved, remaining about six months, after which he sold the farm at a gain of about $50 ; he then moved on the old Weaver farm in the fall of 1854, where he remained until the year 1869, when he sold out, receiving $60 per acre ; this farm cost him, in the first place, only $17 per acre ; he had, however, made some improvements thereon, having built a house and barn, and cleared about twenty acres ; in 1869, he bought the John Hughes farm, in Wayne Township, Sec. 23, paying $7,400 ; he moved on the farm in the same year, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Calderwood has had his full share of township offices ; served as Trustee for three years, School Director, Supervisor, etc. ; is a firm Republican ; his religion is to do right, and he aims to live in harmony with nature's laws, and might be called a child of nature ; is kind, courteous and obliging, and has a host of friends. Was united in marriage to Miss Jemima Otwell, in Greenville, Ohio, on the 8th day of May, 1845 ; she was born in North Carolina, near the Gilbert Court House, on the 13th day of April, 1825 ; six children were the fruits of this union, of whom four are living, viz.: Clinton, was born on the 20th day of September, 1846 ; George, was born on the 11th day of September, 1849 ; Manwas born on the 25th day of Januaiy, 1853 ; Albertis, was born on the 4th day of March, 1855; Curtis, died on the 5th day of April,1854; John, died on the 5th day of April, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood have passed through the many struggles, trials and incidents so common to the old pioneers of the West ; have, b}^ their industry and strict temperate habits, combined with economy, accumuluted enough of this world's goods to live at their ease the balance of their days while in earth-life.

AARON G. CARSON, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Versailles, Ohio. Aaron, the father of Aaron G., was born in Maine, about thirty miles from Augusta ; Milly, his wife, whose maiden name was McDonald, was born in South Carolina, Edgefield District ; they came to Ohio in 1830. locating in Darke Co., where the}' spent the remainder of their days. Aaron Gr., the subject of this sketch, was born in Darke Co., Wayne Township, on the 27th of November, 1837 ; he lived with his parents till their death, assisting his father on the farm during the summer months and in the winter attended the district school, which was held in an old log cabin, with slab benches and puncheon floor ; but by diligence, he obtained a good commonschool education. On the 24th of November, 1859, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary B. L}'ons ; eight children have been born to this union, of whom five are living, viz., Millie C, Anna L., Aaron L., Mary Avis, Idona, William R. Mr. Carson has 95 acres in good cultivation, and has accumulated a considerable amount of property by hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; in 1 879, he made a visit to the East - Maine, - and he has traveled over sixteen different States. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Christian Church, and are living zealous and consistent Christians.

DAVID CHRISTIAN, farmer, Sec. 21; Versailles. Lewis Christian, the father of David, was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1775, and emigrated to Ohio. Montgomery Count}', in or about the year 1800 ; he was married to Maty Layer, in Montgomery Count}', she was also born in Pennsylvania ; they came to Darke County in 1809, residing in Adams Township until their death. David Christian, the subject of this sketeh, was born in Darke Co., Adams Township,' March 23, 1819 ; he lived with his parents till their death, being only 13 years old at that time, after which he lived with his brother till he was about 15 years old, working on the farm during summer, and attending school during the winter, where he obtained a fair common-school education ; at 15 years of age, he went to live with his brotherin-law, remaining about two years, after which he went to Indiana, where he made the acquaintance of a young man by the name of John Collins, who was a brickmason ; Mr. Christian worked for and with him in various places, for about six months ; he then went to work in a saw-mill fifteen miles from La Porte, where he remained a short time, then returning home to his brother-in-law's, having been gone altogether about twelve months ; he cut and hauled a load of hoop-poles to Dayton, which he sold ; he then hauled a load of freight, consisting of dry goods and groceries, through to Huntington ; this was in the winter season, and, the ground being frozen, he was about two weeks making the trip ; he then commenced farming, and worked at it for about two years, buying in the mean time a tract of land in Wayne Township, Sec., 21, containing 95 acres, paying $3 per acre ; it was all a dense forest. At the age of 22 years, Mr. Christian was united in marriage to Catherine Woods, in llB41, in Darke Co. He then erected a log cabin, and moved into it, and commenced clearing up a farm, and, with the help of his good wife, connected with industry and hard labor, is now reaping his reward in the possession of a handsome fortune. He now owns from 400 to 500 hundred acres, divided into four farms, all well improved ; he has on his home place a good one and a half-story brick residence, with good cellar and all improvements. Mr. Christian is not a church member, but at the same time, is a good, honest man, and believes in living in harmony with all, and obeying the golden rule. When he commenced life, he did not have much of this world's goods, and, when he and his wife came to this place, there was no clearing it was all under heavy timber. He says they did not move, as they had nothing but one horse, a sled, maul and wedge, and an ax. Mr. and Mrs. Christian are the parents of fourteen children, of whom twelve are now living - Joseph, born in 1841 ; Henry, born in 1842 ; Samuel, born in 1844 ; Caroline, born in 1847; Catherine, born in 1849; Elizabeth, born in 1852 ; Lewis, born in 1854 ; Lavina, born in 1850 ; Minerva, born in 1858 ; Lydia, born in 18G0 ; David, born in 18G2 ; Hannah E., born in 1865.

PROSPER DABE, grain-merchant and file-manufacturer, Versailles. Peter EL, the father of Prosper, was a native of Belgium, born in 1793 ; he married Jane R. Fumer, who was born in France in 1790 ; they emigrated to America in 1840, landing in the city of New York, thence to Buffalo, from there to Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, where they remained two years, after which they came to Darke

Co., locating near Versailles, where they spent the remainder of their days ; he departed this life in 1853, and his wife in 1869. Prosper, the subject of this sketch, was born in France, on the 12th day of August, 1833 ; he, with his parents, came to Darke Co., in 1847, locating in Patterson Township, where he received his education in the common schools. He celebrated his marriage on the 2d of October, 1856, with Miss Adaline Trion, who was born in France in 1840 ; in 1869, he moved to Versailles, where he has resided ever since ; he engaged in the manufacture of tile, which business he still carries on, and, in 1879, he added the grain business, operating the Commercial Elevator - he handled, last year, about 22,000 bushels of wheat, 10,000 bushels of oats, and about 2,000 bushels of corn, and, at present, is prepared to handle all kinds of grain. Mr. Dabe has had his full share of township offices since his residence in the county - served as Trustee of Patterson two years, Assessor one year, Treasurer two years, and Trustee of Wayne two years. Mr. and Mrs. Dabe are active workers in the cause of religion, being members of the Christian Church. They are the parents of fourteen children, of whom twelve are living, viz., Peter, Lewis, Edmond, Jennie M., Charles, Anna, Mary, Lawrence, Harry, Clara, Franklin and Lucy. Mr. Dabe has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife.

A. M. DUNKEL, meat market and butcher, Versailles ; is a son of David and Anna Dunkel, and was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., on the 28th of August, 1844. David, his father, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster County in 1803 , he was united in marriage with Anna Frealich in 1832 ; she is a native of the same State and county, born in 1814 ; they came to Ohio in 18517 locating in Springfield, Clark Co., where he carried on a butcher-shop for several years, when he sold out and moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he kept a boardinghouse ; in 1870, he removed to Darke County, locating in Versailles, where he resides at present ; they are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Joseph, David, John, Simon, Aaron M., Benjamin, Anna ; Mr. Dunkel is an upright and honest man, a fearless and uncompromising patriot, giving five of his somTto the service of his country during the great rebellion, four of whom returned safe at its close, viz., Joseph, David, Aaron M. and Simon ; Mr. Dunkels father served as a private soldier in the Revolutionary war, and three of David s brothers served in the War of 1812, viz., John, George, Paul. Aaron M., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland County on the 28th day of August, 1 844 ; came to Ohio with his parents when he was 7 vears old he received a good common-school education ; he celebrated his marriage in Dayton, Ohio, on the 3d of December, 1867, with Miss Frances A. Pottle, who was born on the 6th of January, 1848 ; five children have been born of this union, of whom four are living, viz., D. W. Dunkel, F. J. Dunkel, A. J. E. Dunkel, M. E. Dunkel. He came to Versailles in 1870, and is now' the leading butcher in the town, having the most complete meat market in Versailles.

HOR VTIO DYE, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Versailles. F. L. Dye, the father of Horatio, was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in the year 1808 ; Sarah Lafevere, his wife was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in the year 1810 ; he came to Darke Co. in the year 1855, where he continued to reside till the death of his wife, which occurred in September, 1866, after which he sold out and moved to Sydney, Ohio, where he married Ann Easty in the year 1868, and at present resides there. Horatio, the subject of this sketch, was born in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 7th day of April, 1834 ; lived with his parents till he was 23 years old, working on the farm during the summer season and attending the district school in the winter ; obtained a good common-school education. When he was about 23 years old, he bought a farm of 82 acres in the same county, and engaged in the cultivation of the soil on his own responsibility, and on the 2d day of December, 1858, was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Perry, in Miami Co.; she was born in Miami Co. on the 16th day of

January. 1835 ; he remained on his farm about eight years, meeting with good success, after which he traded his farm for the Zolinger farm, consisting of 72 acres in Miami Co., two miles west of Piqua. Ohio, on the Clayton pike ; remained for two years, after which he sold out for $5,000 ; this was the most successful trade of his life ; he bought 74 acres in the same county, northeast of Tippecanoe, where he moved, remaining there for four j-ears ; sold out for $4,600, and moved to Versailles, Ohio, and engaged in the tanning business for a period of three years, losing about $1,800 ; he then traded the tanyard for a farm of 82 acres, in Wayne Township, Sec. 12, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Dye has, in no sense of the term, been an office-seeker, }-et he has had his full share of township offices ; was elected to the office of Supervisor four or five times ; School Director for three years ; he has taken a very active part in religion, being a member of the Presbyterian Church for a period of twenty-three years ; he and his good and amiable wife have been active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for about four years, living devoted and consistent Christians ; he has held very important offices in the church ; while in Piqua he was elected Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, serving three years ; was elected President of the " Union Sabbath School Convention "of Darke Co. for one year, and is at present holding the office of Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ; Mr. Dye is strictly a temperate man ; he neither chews nor smokes tobacco ; he has, by the help of his industrious wife, accumulated a considerable amount of property ; the}- have no children. Amoses Perry, the father of Lucinda, was born in South Carolina in the year 1781 ; emigrated to Miami Co., Ohio, when he was 21 years old, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1860 ; Rachel Long, his wife, was bom in Kentuck}' in the year 1795 ; she came with her parents to Miami Co., Ohio, when she was about 1 year old ; she departed this life in the fall of 1865 ; Mr. Peny followed school teaching, and was elected to the State Legislature in the year 1833 ; Lucinda is an active worker in the cause of religion, as well as a strong advocate of temperance ; also a life member of the American Bible Society.

JOHN E. FACKLER, physician and surgeon, Versailles, Ohio. George F., the father of John E., was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. in 1800; he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Miami Co. in 1818; removed to Montgomery Co. where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1864 ; he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Christian in 1825 ; she was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. in 1803 ; she came to Ohio in 1817, locating in Montgomery Co. John E., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Miami Co. on the 30th of September, 1836 ; he lived with his parents till he was 22 years of age, assisting his father on the farm during the summer, and attending school during the winter, thereby obtaining a good common-school education ; he then taught school during the winter and farmed in the summer ; at the age of 22, he entered the office of Dr. Gr. V. Dorsey and commenced the study of medicine, and in 1863 he graduated at the Ohio Medical College ; he then opened an office in El Dorado, Preble Co., but only remained there a few months, when he went to Webster, Darke Co., where he remained until 1869, when he removed to Dayton, Ohio, remaining till 1870, after which he removed to Versailles, Ohio, where he now resides, having a large and lucrative practice. He celebrated his first marriage with B. Lizzie Rogers, in 1866, in Miami Co.; two children were born to this union, viz.: Susan Edith, born in 1867 ; Georgiana Henriette, born inl868. On the 20th of June, 1870, the messenger of death entered this peaceful and interesting little family, removing from earth to heaven Lizzie, his wife, who was a good wife and a loving mother ; in 1871, he celebrated his second marriage, with Pernina Beny, in Greenville, Ohio ; three children have been born to them, viz.: Volncy N., born in 1872 ; Clement I., in 1874 ; Jane C, in 1877. The Doctor is strictly temperate in all his habits ; the writer in looking over his diary came across the following language: " Feb. 12, 1863. From this da}- forth and forever, I will not smoke nor use tobacco in any form." " Oct. 26, 1864. This evening I cast my eyes on the top of this page ; I now have

GEORGE E. FLETCHER, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Versailles. John Fletcher, the father of George E., was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1785 ; Catharine, his wife, was born in Virginia ; he emigrated to Greene Co., Ohio, in the year 1835, remaining there but a short time, after which he bought a farm of 160 acres in Darke Co., Ohio, Wayne Township, remaining there till his death, which occurred in the year 1840 ; Catharine, his wife, died in Virginia in the year 1826. George E., the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia in Henrico Co., on the 18th day of October, 1818 ; he came with his grandfather to Ohio in the year 1833, being only 15 years old ; he lived with his grandparents, working on the farm and attending school during the winter, obtaining a good common-school education ; he worked for his grandparents till he was 25 years old, after which he married [Miss Margret Kinney, Nov. 24, 1842, in Greene Co., Ohio ; he rented a farm and commenced life on his own responsibility ; this farm was in Greene Co.; he remained there for a period of about two years, meeting with good success, after which he moved to Darke Co., on the banks of the Stillwater, near Webster, where he remained about nineteen months, moving on the Huddle farm, one-half mile northwest of Webster, where he remained for a period of six years, paying $2.50 per acre rent ; he then bought 95 acres in Wayne Township, Sec. 21, where he has continued to reside ever since ; when he came, there were 20 acres cleared ; Mr. Fletcher commenced life with but little of this world's goods, but by hard labor, frugality, temperate habits and the assistance of his good wife, has accumulated a considerable amount of propert}', and is now enjoying the comforts of his earnings ; Mr. Fletcher was left an orphan, hence has passed through the trials and hardships so common to the orphan ; he has held the office of Township Trustee one year, School Director and Supervisor one year. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are members of the German Reformed Church, devoted and consistent Christians, being highly respected by those who know them ; nine children were the fruits of this union, of which four are living, viz.: Mary A., born Oct. 10, 1844; Martha, Nov. 6, 1848 ; Peter F., Aug. 27, 1853 ; Alivilda, Sept. 30, 1855.

J. P. GORDON, physician and surgeon, Versailles. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, born in Warren, Trumbull Co., on the 1st da}T of April, 1822 ; is of Scotch-Irish parentage on the paternal side, and French on the maternal side ; his grandfather Gordon was one of the pioneers of the Northwestern Territory, settling in what is known as Mahoning Co. in 1792 and in 1812, he and the father of J. P. Gordon were the only ones out of nineteen men that could be spared from Ashtabula Co., where he had removed, to go as volunteers in defense of the country. J. P. was raised in the lap of adversity, and from 16 years of age, when he went to Marion Co., he had to shift for himself ; sometimes the cold winds of adversity would almost chill him, and bend him to the earth, but on the passing away of the storm he would take courage and try to forget the past ; he acquired such an education as the common schools afforded ; at the time graduating from the same cabin, and in the same class with the Rev. S. P. Carleton. the great linguist - said to be - in Mr. Gordon's own words, speaking of this period. " We commenced at crucifix and ended at stofix and bramble, each term, with an occasional touch of Daboll and Murray, and every Saturday special reading from the ' American Preceptor.' " In 1842, he went to Delaware, Ohio, where he attended the academy, and the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained twenty months, paying his tuition by cutting wood Saturdays, and hunting coons at night, which was fine sport, yet a slow way to obtain tuition money ; he then went to what is now known as Spring Valley, Greene Co., Ohio, with George Barrett, father of the Hon. J. M. Barrett, now of that place, and for six years he had no fixed home : studied medicine the best he could till 1847 ; he taught school during the winter, and shoved the trowel in the summer, and at very low wages - taught seventy-two days for a quarter, and boarded around for $12 per month ; finished the study of medicine with Drs. Hams and Hartman, of Spring Valley, and received his license as a practicing physician from the County Medical Society in 1849. On the 13th day of April, 1848, he celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth Herr, of Greene Co., moved to Webster. Darke Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1852, and commenced the practice of medicine, where he had even' old woman, and every old granny of a man that ever heard tell of Sam Thompson or lobelia, as competitors, and as there was no prospect of Webster becoming a city for some time, he pulled up stakes, and anchored at his present place of business in a cabin Jan. 1, 1857, on the lot formerly owned by the " Hardshell Baptist.*' the third church built in the county ; the corner-stone still remains as a landmark, on which he in his pious moments sits in silent meditation for better or for worse, cracking hickory nuts. The Doctor has been married twice ; his second marriage was celebrated on the 5th of January, 1876, with Miss Vina Jester, of Miami Co., Ohio. The Doctor has practiced medicine for thirty years, and has accumulated some property, but is happy in the thought that he has never squeezed the last dollar out of the poor ; has gone many miles through the storm and mud for which he has not received his reward unless it be in gratitude.

JOHN HESS, Agent C, C, C. & I. R. R, and Manager of Western Union Telegraph Company. Versailles, Ohio. Mathias, the father of John, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fa}7ette Co. in about 1818. Hesther, his wife, whose maiden name was Stevenson, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette Co. in about 1828 ; they reside near Brownsville, Penn.. and are the parents of fourteen children, of whom thirteen are living, viz., Elizabeth, William. John, Nancy J., Rosanah, Enoch, Caroline, Aaron, Freeman, Eliza, George, Mary and Isabell. John, the subject of this memoir, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette Co. on the 12th of November, 1848 ; lived at home till he was 21 j'ears old, assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil during the summer, and attending the district school in the winter months, thereby obtaining a good common-school education. In February, 1869, he came to Darke Co., Ohio, locating in Greenville, where he obtained a position as clerk in the post office, where he remained about sixteen months, after which he entered the office of the D. & U. R R, at Union City, Ind.. with R T. Johnson, but only remained there three months, when he obtained a position as night-operator in Versailles. Ohio, which office he filled for two and a half months, when he was appointed ticket and freight agent, also manager of the Western Union Telegraph, which gave him control of the station. Mr. Hess is a young man, and is well qualified for the position he fills, and is held in high esteem by the officials of the C, C, C. & I. R}T. Co. He celebrated his marriage on the 14th of October, 1873, with Miss Laura A. Wentworth. daughter of Egbert N. and Cynthia A. Wentworth, who was born in Darke Co. March 3, 1854. Three children have been born to this union, viz. : Emma Pearle, born Aug. 3, 1874 ; Earry Gordon, Nov. 15. 1875 ; Bessie L., Jan. 5. 1880.