Darke County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 29 of 31)

W. N. BROWN, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle. Another life resident of Darke Co. ; is a son of Caleb, and grandson of Phillip Brown ; Phillip was a native of Tennessee, and married into a family by the name of Schleigar, and was one of the first settlers of this neighborhood ; Caleb was then a boy ; after he grew up he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Xeal) Miller, residents of Union Co., Ind ; Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in Sec. 36 ; he was a leading and useful citizen ; his house, which was a hewn-log structure, was considered above the average, and was used for several years for church services ; he and his wife both lived to be nearly 90 years of age ; Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in the same section adjoining his father's ; his death occurred in 1876, he being 70 years of age ; his widow, now about 70, lives with her son at the old homestead. The subject of this sketch was born in 1839, on the farm where he now resides and has resided all his life ; he now has about 200 acres in Sec. 36, including both the tracts owned by his father and grandfather ; thus the memories and labors of two generations past cluster around this homestead. Mr. Brown was married in 1863, to Sarah Judy, daughter of David Judy ; her death occurred iu ] S 7 .' i : they bad two children, one living. Frank. Mr. Brown's marriage with Miss Elnora Bell Byers, was celebrated Dec. 6, 1870.

W. S. DUNN, farmer; P. 0. Jaysville ; is the son of Isaac and Julia A. (McGrew) Dunn ; he was ;i native of Kentucky, and of French descent; she was of Irish descent, and a native of Virginia ; they were married in Butler Co.. Ohio, and came to Darke Co. soon after the treaty of Fort Greenville, and were the first family that ventured into the wilderness west of Greenville after the war. Here the subject of this sketch was born in 1817, and here he lived until he was 16 years of age ; then his parents removed to Randolph Co., Ind. ; he remained with his parents until 21, then returned to Darke Co., and worked in the vicinity of about three years and partially learned the wagon-makers trade. Xbout ; S2 time a little incident occurred which was the occasion of his changing Ms home He was somewhat of a horse-trader, and made a trade with a Methodist meachei in which he was badly cheated, and the youngsters ot the neighborhood b\ red him so over being worsted by a preacher, that he straddled the horL and left that neighborhood: and never resided there afterward He finished MrapprenUeeship at wagon-making in Palestine and then went to Butler Co and was married there in 1855 to Matilda, daughter of Isaac and Marj Watson. Tfter his^arriage, Mr. Dunn resumed farming, and has continued farming ever since first reXg and. after five years he purchased a farm in Butler Co where he remained unU 1876. when he sold out in Butler Co. and purchased and removed tolC in Sec. 13, Neave Township, where he now ^resides W1th his on ^ son. who has charge of the farm. Mr. Dunn was one of a family oT twehe children Us T»rente came into the wilderness of Darke Co. poor, and he had to depend unon himself entirely, and has made his property by his own exertions and man- 2£"« »-ing received any legacy, except .about $800 ^ which his wife received from her parents. Her decease occurred in Butler Co. Nov. lb,m They had two children-one still-born, and the other a son Henry H. He was married to Susannah Young, of Preble Co., and now has charge ol the home and

HENRY CxEBHART, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; is a son ol Daniel and Margaret Oebhart, whose biography appears in connection ^J:**^J£?t subject of this sketch was born in 1837, on the farm, a part of which is his present home; he remained on the farm with his parents until about 25 years ot_ age , whUe visiting a cousin in Fountain Co., Ind, they took a notion to ^ethe^Wes^ rndwentfirrt to Kansas, then to the Black Hills region; also^sited drtnrt narts of Utah Idaho. Oregon, Montana, and returned to Darke Co. alter an evfntfu absence of nearly four years, well satisfied to live in Darke Co^ He was marr ed tf 1869, to Catherine Billman, daughter of John Billman, whose biog, rapliappears.in the Harrison Township list ; after their marriage, they rested atlhs old home, his father's death having occurred the same year; after Jhe farm was divided, he built on his portion, where he now resides ; he has 63 acres which he is improving and rapidly making into a pleasant home.

C B HARTMAN. farmer; P. 0. Weavers Station; a native ol Pennsylvania -' was born in Lancaster Co. in 1816 ; is the son of Christian and Ann Hartnan a descendant of the Hares, Brubakers and Kreiders, who were among the lery krifest settlers of that part of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm in Pennsylvania ; when about 22 years of age, he m comnanTwith four other young men, went West on a trip of adventure and sight- seeing ; ihey toveledover a large portion of the then Western country, saw the Indians m tto native wilds, came°near starvation on the sand plains, but returned to Pennsylvanmafter three years" wanderings, satisfied to live in the civilized portions ol our country; he came to Ohio in 1856; settled first in Montgomery Co.; came to Darke Co in 1865. just in time to take part in the public improvements which Z suddenly 'brought this county from the last to the first in the State in point ol hnproved highways. Mr. Hartman. though not a very old resident, takes a very Sve interest in public matters, especially politics ; he is an active and reliable Democrat and useful citizen. He was married in 1845, to Catherine Immel, a S of Pennsylvania ; they had three children-J. A., whose biography appears ?nthe mSson Township list, Franklin, of Montgomery Co.. and Louisa, now Mrs D A ucamp. of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Catherine Hartman's death occurred [n 1851 - his marriage with Catherine O'Donnel was celebrated in 1854 , she was i native of Ireland, and came to the United States when quite young ; they have nine cMMren-William, Caroline, Ella. Allen D.. Clement L. V., Kate. Christian B., George W. and Andrew J.

DAVID HEFFNER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Berks Co. in 1817 ; his father was a farmer, but David was made teamster as soon as he was old enough to hold the lines, and teamed, from the time he was 15 years of age, seventeen years. Jacob Heffner came to Darke Co., with his family, in 1849 ; David was then single, some called him a bachelor, and came with the family ; they settled in Neave Township on the farm where George D. Miller now resides. In 1850, David was united in marriage with Miss Ann, daughter of Jonathan, and sister of John Niswonger, whose biography appears in this work ; she was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822, and came with her parents to Darke Co., in 1829, and grew to womanhood here, in the days when

As a sample of woman's occupations in those days, Mrs. Heffner, while a girl at home, spun 1,500 cuts of yarn and wove 300 yards of cloth, from spring to winter, besides helping about the housework. Mr. and Mrs. Heffner have resided in this township ever since they first began housekeeping ; came to their present place, just north of Fort Jefferson, in 1872 ; they have two children, one son and one daughter - Jonathan and Sarah C, now Mrs. L. Wilt, of Butler Township.

JOHN KECKLER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; is a Buckeye by birth ; was born in Fairfield Co. in 1826 ; was raised on a farm and learned the blacksmith's trade when grown, and worked at it several years ; came to Darke Co. in 1861 ; resided in Neave Township ; purchased the farm where he now resides in 1871. Nearly all the public improvements made in Darke Co. have been done since his residence here. Mr. Keckler is one of the substantial citizens, and has occupied several public positions of responsibility. His marriage with Catherine Friesner was celebrated in 1851 in Fairfield Co. ; they had three children - all now married ; two - Ephraim and Elizabeth - are residents of Darke Co. Mrs. Keckler's decease occurred in 1856. Mr. Keckler and Mrs. Julia A. (Dunaway) Reynolds were married in Allen Co., Ohio, May 26, 1859 ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1828 ; her marriage with Geo. Reynolds was celebrated in Wells Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1851 ; his death occurred in Allen Co., Ohio, in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Keckler have five children - Simon B., William H, John W., Emma and James W. ; all are still members of the family household.

JOHN LANDIS, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle ; an old resident of Darke Co. ; son of Jacob Landis, who settled in Darke Co. in 1828, on the farm where Joshua Townsend, whose biography appears in this work, now resides ; the old block-house, built there during the Indian difficulties, was still there in good condition, and John remembers sleeping in it repeatedly ; his father used it for a loom-house during the days of " home-spun " clothing. The subject of this sketch was born in Pickaway Co. in 1818; was married to Elizabeth Stutsman, of Montgomery Co., in 1844 ; after their marriage, he lived on his father's place, in Neave Township, until, in 1849, he purchased, and they removed to, the farm in Sec. 26, where they now reside ; thus it will be seen Mr. Landis has been a resident of Neave Township more than a half-century ; has witnessed and contributed his full share toward the improvement, public and private, moral as well as physical. Both he and his estimable wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church ; also two of their grown children. They have eight children - David, a resident of Michigan ; Andrew, a resident of Greenville ; Lydia, now Mrs. A. Rodgers ; Abraham ; Mary, now Mrs. Harvey Shover ; Jacob ; Frances, now Mrs. Lewis Price, and John, Jr.

J. N. LOWRY, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Weavers Station; is a son of Reuben Lowry, who was one of the early settlers of Neave Township ; Reuben was always very fond of hunting, and, when game became scarce here, he became restless and went to Kansas, in 1861, and in 1865, removed there, and has resided there ever since. The subject of this sketch was born in 1843, and grew to manhood on the farm, and, when his father went to Kansas, he farmed the place, and, when his parents moved to Kansas, he purchased a portion of his father's land, including the homestead, and has resided here all his life; he now has 190 acres in the northeast part of the township, the undivided half of 150 acres near Ft. Jefferson, and 72 acres in Sec. 30, besides the homestead, which is in Sec. 31, and contains 96 acres ; besides superintending these farms, Mr. Lowry deals quite extensively in stock, and is the foremost man of his age in Neave Township, if not in the county ; he was married in 1865 to Miss Louisa, daughter of David Studabaker ; they have two children - Minnie and Harry E.

SAMUEL LUDY, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; one of the old residents of Darke County ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1811 ; he remained at home on the farm during his minority, then came to Ohio, first stopping in Montgomery County, where he remained several years working by the job or month ; in the mean time visited Darke County, and entered an 80-acre tract of land in Butler Township. He was married to Elizabeth Miller in 1836 ; she was born in Pennsylvania ; is the daughter of William and Susannah Miller, who came from Franklin County, Penn., to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1829, and to Darke County in 1839 ; Mr. and Mrs. Ludy began domestic life in the spring of 1836, on the land he had entered in Butler Township, with very limited means, and had to struggle amid the difficulties common to the early settlers in this region ; after a residence of twenty-six years, they reluctantly parted with this home and removed to a farm in Sec. 4, which he purchased from her father ; they came to their present pleasant home in 1869 ; having been identified with the county from the days of pioneer life, through the tedious and toilsome days of progress and the burdensome period of modern improvements, which have brought this county so rapidly forward to the front rank in points of public enterprise and general productiveness ; they may justly feel a pride in enjoying, as they evidently do, the present comforts of a pleasant home, with pleasant surroundings ; they have been active, useful and respected people ; have raised a family of eleven children - Susan, William, Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Judy ; Maria, now Mrs. Daniel Burket ; Sarah, now Mrs. Jacob Nyswonger, a resident of Iowa ; James and Silas ; the last two and first are single, all the others are respected heads of families. The five oldest sons - William, Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel and Nicholas - were soldiers in the late war, Jacob being a " veteran," having served four years, William three, and the others different shorter periods.

WILLIAM MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Delisle. Mr. Miller belongs to a pioneer family ; was born Nov. 29, 1837, on the farm upon which he now resides ; he is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Howell) Miller, and grandson of David and Catherine (Studabaker) Miller ; David Miller was a native of Bedford County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio at an early day, locating for a short time in Clinton County, afterward in Miami County, and finally came to Darke County and located in Neave Township soon after the war of 1812. Samuel Miller was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 25, 1805 ; was a youth when his parents came to Darke County, and grew to manhood here in pioneer days ; married Miss Nancy, daughter of Joshua and Christena (Mikesell) Howell ; Joshua was a native of Virginia, and Nancy was born in Maryland ; they came to Darke Count}' about the year 1821, and he became a leading and influential citizen; was Sheriff and also Commissioner during his residence here ; both he and his wife lived to fourscore years, and resided in Michigan at the time of their decease ; after his marriage, Mr. Miller rented four years, then entered one quarter of Sec. 24, Neave Township, which was then all woods, and upon which he hurriedly built a cabin, into which he moved his family before it was " chinked," not waiting even to place a floor or hang a door ; the first night after their arrival, there was an addition of several kittens to their supply of domestic animals, but, it being a cold March night, the}r all froze, to the great grief of the children ; by perseverance and toil, amid privations and difficulties known only to the pioneer, he succeeded, by the assistance of his family in securing a home and adding 154 acres to the original tract ; in his later years, he retired from active labor, and the farm was carried on by his sons, under his supervision, he having raised a family of eleven children seven of whom are still living ; his death occurred Nov. 1, 1856 ; his widow is now the wife of William McCool, and resides in Delisle. William Miller remained on the old homestead until 1864, renting of his mother after his marriage with Miss Margaret M. Frye, which occurred Aug. 1, 1861 ; she is a daughter of Andrew and Rachael (Wilson) Frye, who resided near Fort Jefferson, and had a family of eleven children, only three of whom are now living. (See biography of H. W. Frye.) In the spring of 1864, Mr. Miller purchased 80 acres in Greenville Township, upon which he resided about four years, then sold it and removed to her father's place near Fort Jefferson ; six months later, he purchased 120 acres of the old homestead, including the residence, and again took up his abode on the spot where he was born and spent his youthful days. Mr. Miller has been School Director five years and Trustee ten years, a compliment to his judgment and to the interest he takes in education and the general welfare ; his home is a pleasant place, and his hospitality unbounded ; Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and a conscientious Christian woman. They are the parents of three children - Ollie R., born Sep. 1, 1863, now an interesting miss ; Charles A., May 4, 1866 ; and one who died in infancy. May both Mr. and Mrs. Miller live lon'oand enjoy much of the fruits of their labors, and hereafter reap a rich reward for their disinterested kindness and hospitality, conferred alike on friends and strangers, is the wish of the writer.

GEORGE D. MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Greenville Among the early pioneers of Darke Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is accorded a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio Nov 20, 1818, and is a son of George Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and to Darke Co., in 1824, locating in Harrison Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred September, 1866 at the advanced age of 75 years. The subject of our sketch came to Darke Co. with his parents and is consequently among the oldest continued residents of the county he remained with his parents and assisted in agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority, when on account of ill health he abandoned farming, and the following fourteen years he devoted his attention to school teaching and studying ; in 1851 he resumed farming in Harrison Township, and on Dec. 22, 1865, he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived ; he has 250 acres of good land, under a good state of cultivation, with buildings second to none in the county ; o'f township and county offices, he has had his full share, having held the office of Township Assessor eight years, Township Clerk six years, Justice of the Peace nine years ; he was elected to the Constitutional Convention to represent the interest of Darke Co. in 1873, and in 1877 was elected County Commissioner, which office he now holds ; he has been continually in office since 1845 - which fact is a sufficient guarantee that his services have been alike satisfactory to the people and creditable to himself. His marriage with Elizabeth Rush was celebrated Augusl 1850 ; she was born in Darke Co. in 1825 ; they are the parents of four children now living, having lost one by death. The living are Emily, Minerva Jane, Henrv D. and \ olney ; Mrs. Miller was a daughter of Asa Rush, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co.

LYDIA MEYERS. Delisle ; widow of William H. Meyers (deceased) ; Mrs Meyers was born in Darke Co. in 1844; is the daughter of Henry and Rachel 111 man ; was married to William H. Meyers in 1865 ;^he was the son of Joseph and Lavina Meyers ; was born in Butler Co. in 1844 ; he began domestic life where the widow now resides, and has resided ever since, except 'about one year's residence in Twin Township. Mr. Meyers, during his short residence, contributed much toward the general improvement of the neighborhood, besides bearing his share of the burden of graveling the road ; he had just completed a neat and commodious dwelling when his death occurred, in 1877 ; he was Township Trustee several years, and was a respected, useful citizen ; they had two children - Edwin E. and Sylvester A. ttt ... _ .

JOHN E NORTH, farmer and teacher ; P. 0. Weavers fetation ; one ol the rising young men of Neave Township ; is a son of Allen and Mary A. (Fry) North ; \llen North (deceased) was a resident of Neave Township for many years, and Was a very active and successful citizen ; his father at one time owned a tract of land upon which a part of the city of Indianapolis now stands ; here Allen was born- his father died while he was yet a boy, and his mother married again ; through the intemperance of his stepfather, the family was made poor and Allen, though a vouth, was the main support of his mother for several years. At the time of his marriage, an old horse constituted his capital, at the time ol his death he had accumulated about $20,000 worth of property, mostly real estate, beside, a policy of $10 000 on his life ; the widow now resides at the old homestead, in Wc '76 The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township, in 1851, and <rrew to manhood on the farm, receiving an ordinary common-school education ; has tauo-ht district school winters for the past eight years, farming thrashing, etc -during the remainder of the year ; has been Township Assessor, and is the present Township Clerk. He was married in 1876 to Mary C, daughter of (xeorge Howes; they have one child - George Allen. _

JOHN NYSWONGER, farmer; P. O. Weavers Station; is a son ol Jonathan Nyswonger, who was born in Pennsylvania July 9, 1790 ; resided in Pennsylvania and came to Darke Co. at an early day ; both Jonathan and his father were soldiers in the war of 1812 ; John's mother, Elizabeth (Clarke) Nyswonger was a sister to the mother of J. N. Lowry, whose biography appears in this work, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. The subject of this sketch was born m Greene Co Penn Oct 3 1817; his father emigrated to Darke Co. in 1829, and John grew to manhood here during the early days of Neave Township ; he remembers well when he went to "Noffsinger's Mill," and waited his turn at the crank to bolt the family grist He was married in 1843, to Susannah Ault, a daughter of John \nlt who was a native of Pennsylvania, and an early settler of Darke Co. ; Mr. Nyswonger had purchased 40 acres of the farm where he now resides, made an - opening" and built a log house previous to his marriage; here they began domestic 'life and by perseverance, amid discouraging circumstances, they now have a pleasant home, around which cluster the memories of half a century ; he now has 101 acres in the home farm. 26 adjoining Ft. Jefferson, 90 in Iowa, and 160 in Missouri, and, although he is quite advanced in years, is still vigorous and actively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Nyswonger are the parents of eleven children ; three are deceased ; three sons, Hiram H, William K and Elijah, are in California ; Jacobis a resident of Iowa ; Rebecca is now Mrs. William Eubank, of Harrison Township ; three - Alfred, Addie and Susan E. are members ol the family

N L C PHILLIPS, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; the son ol Joseph Phillips, who is one of the few men who lived to see their fourscore years ; he is the son of John, Phillips who was born in Hamilton Co., and was a soldier in the wars ol 1791, 1793 and 1812 - he was one of those who was left behind to escort the provision supply and so escaped that terrible battle, Sinclair's defeat, in which all his comrades were slain, except two, and they were wounded. Joseph was raised on a farm and when about 19 years of age, went to the cabinet-makers trade, at which he served the usual three years' apprenticeship, but never followed the business or did much at it afterward ; he now has a clock, the case of which he made and took in payment for his work ; he worked at carpentering at Cincinnati Ohio, one year and then commenced farming ; he first rented, and when he was able bought. 80 acres in the woods of Hamilton Co.; he owned a mill property which he operated several years : they came to Darke Co., in the spring of 1857. and settled in

Sec. 13, where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1822 to Nancy Conrey ; she was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1801 ; they are now one of the few couples who have lived to pass their golden wedding anniversary, he being in his 83d year, and still in possession of all his faculties, and she being in her 79th year and more feeble than her husband, having had a paralytic stroke, but is still vigorous in mind. The son, N. L. C, was born in Hamilton Co., in 1839 he assisted his father in the mill until they came to Darke Co., and then assisted on the tarm until about 20 years of age, and then engaged in a daguerrean room to learn the art ; after about one years' experience, finding that it affected his health he quit and resumed farming ; he spent about two years here on his father's place,' and then removed to Miami Co., where he owned 40 acres of land, and remained there until 1S79, when he returned to his father's place, and now has charge of the homestead and care of his aged parents. He was married in 1864 to Rachael H Coppock, daughter of William Coppock, deceased, who was an early resident of Miami Co.; they have six children, Ida 0., W. Z. D., James A., Nancy Rosetta, Wesley J. and Clara A.

JACOB KEEKER, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; a son of George M. and Catherine Rieker, natives of Germany and early residents of Butler Township ; Jacob is a brother-in-law to Joseph Hittle whose biography appears in the Butler Township list ; he was born in Germany in 1829, and was only 2 years old when his parents brought him to the United States; they settled in Butler Township in 1831 he grew to manhood on the farm and has continued to farm ever since, residing part of the time in Butler and part in Neave Townships ; he came to his present farm about seven years ago ; he has justcompleted a very neat and commodious residence, which is well finished, and is the most elegant residence in the neighborhood. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Margaret Gebhart, who were married in Montgomery Co. and came to Darke Co. about the same time that xMr. Rieker's parents did. Mr. and Mrs. Rieker are worthy members of the Reformed Church, and useful, respected members of society ; they have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

ALFRED ROBESON, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; the subject of this sketch is the son of Andrew Robeson, and grandson of John Robeson, who were early settlers of Butler Township ; Alfred was born in Butler Township, in 1841, and has always lived in the neighborhood of his birth ; he remained on the farm with his parents during his youth, and began teaching in winter when about 18 years of age, and continued winter, teaching and cropping, etc., during the summer, for about ten years ; he purchased his present farm which contains 120 acres. He was married in 1 808 to Nancy Clarke ; she is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Clarke formerly residents of Butler Township but now of Arcanum ; they began domestic hie. soon after their marriage, on the farm, in Sec. 35, where they now reside Mr Robeson is a life-resident of Darke Co., and, although a young man, is already one of its substantial citizens ; he is a worthy member of the Masonic Order, and she is a worthy member of the Reformed Church, and both are respected members of society.

GEORGE SCHLECHTY, fanner and Justice of the Peace ; P. O. Weaver's Station ; a son of Christian Schlechty, who was a native of Berks Co., Penn and came with his parents, Christian, Sr., and Barbara Schlechty. to Darke Co. ; he was married here to Susannah Noggle, and resided on the farm in Sec. 33, which the son George now owns. The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township, in 1M4. and grew to manhood here amid the difficulties and limited opportunities of the ear y residents ; his father had a tan-yard, and George came in for his share of work at that trade, but, when he became a man, preferred farming, and has farmed ever since ; he now has the farm upon which his grandfather settled, about the year 1816 ; he also owns the tract upon which his father first resided after his marriage Mr. Schlechty is the present Justice of the Peace for Neave Township and is a leading and useful citizen ; he was married on March 10, 1859, to Arebecca

Winders, a native of Indiana ; they have six children - Willis M., Edson V., Levi D., Charles A., Jasper N. and John F., all of whom are members of the present household. _ , , ,.,,

AAIION SWANK, farmer; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; a " Buckeye by birth ; was born in Montgomery County in 1834 ; is a son of George and Susanna Swank ; when about 10 years of age, he became fatherless, and was cared for by his mother and older brothers ; after he became of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it several years. He was married in 1858 to Mahala Baker, and they removed to Indiana, but soon returned to Montgomery County, where Mrs. Swank's death occurred in 1866 ; they had no children ; in 1869, he married Mrs. Martha (Neely) McCool, a daughter of William Neely, who was an early settler of Neave Township ; he has since resided in Darke County ; came to his present residence, in Sec. 34, in 1872 ; they have five children - William Jacob, Lilly May, Hester, Emma and Julia Ann ; Mr. and Mrs. Swank are worthy members of church, and useful, respected members of the community.

DAVID THOMPSON, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.; is the son of Thomas Thompson, who was a native of Virginia and came to Darke Co. with his father, David Thompson, in 1814, who entered the land in Greenville Township, now owned by David Studabaker ; Thomas, who was a youno- man when his parents came here, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abram Studabaker. and they resided near Hill Grove, in Washington Township, several years ; he then traded his property for a property in Randolph Co., Ind., and removed there and remained until his death ; his wife's death occurred near Hill Grove. The subject of this sketch was born near Hill Grove, in 1832, and when about 16 years of age, having lost his mother, he struck out for himself and worked at farming, teaming, or anything he could get to do, until his marriage with Eva Neal, which was celebrated Aug. 21, 1853, after which he rented and farmed several years, one year in Illinois, but not liking it out there returned and farmed the Hunt place four years ; was Superintendent of the County Infirmary six years ; then purchased his present farm and removed to it in 1866 ; his wife's death occurred Dec. 26, 1874, after which he sold off his personal property, rented his farm, and resided in Greenville ; his marriage with Catherine E. Lot was celebrated Jan. 9, 1877 ; they remained in Greenville until the following November, when he had completed his present neat and commodious residence, they removed here and have remained ever since ; Mr. T. has seen the rough of Darke Co.; began here a boy, poor, and gradually worked his way up, until he accumulated enough to purchase his farm, which he has improved considerably, although his health has been quite delicate for several years past.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.; is a brother of David Thompson, whose biography appears also in this township list ; William was born in Washington Township, in 1836 ; was brought up a farmer, and commenced farming with a brother in 1855, and continued to rent and farm until 1866, when he took charge of the County Infirmary, remaining five years ; then came to the farm in Sees. 15 and 16, which he had purchased previous to his'superintendency of the Infirmary, and upon which he has continued to reside ever since, uniting stock-raising with farming ; he now has 122 acres of improved land, well 'supplied with stock, etc.; he also has a business property on Broadway, in Greenville, which he rents. Mr. Thompson was married in 1 857 to Miss Amanda, daughter of Caleb Neal, who was an early resident of Neave Township ; the fruit of this union was two children - Alice and Vinora.

JOSHUA TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; is the son of William Townsend, who was a native of North Carolina, and was married to Mary Edwards, a native of Tennessee ; they came to Darke Co., at an early day. The subject of this sketch was born in Darke Co. in 1824 ; he was left fatherless at the age of 4 years ; his mother had two other sons, both younger than Joshua, but she managed to keep the family together, and by hard labor and some assistance from her father, Eli Edwards, she managed to live until Joshua had grown up ; when he was about 20 years of age. they went on to a farm whieh the father had purchased, but had not cleared, and Joshua and his two younger brothers undertook and did make a living by leasing cleared land close by. until they got their own under cultivation ; the next brother younger got married first, and then Joshua and his younger brother bought the other out ; afterward Joshua bought the whole place and continued to farm there until 1855 ; having been elected Sheriff of Darke Co., he removed to Greenville, and held the office two terms ; afterward he removed to Jaysville and engaged in the stock trade ; in 186-1, he purchased a farm and commenced farming again, but continued the stock dealing, until, within a few years past, he has turned his attention entirely to farming ; he now has over 1,000 acres of improved land, all in Neave Township. Mr. Townsend was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, in 1860, and is a leading and highly respected citizen. He was married in 1852 to Mary A. Bierly ; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and resided at the time of her marriage with her stepmother, who married Noah Arnold, a resident of Neave Township ; they have had eight children - J. H., now married and a resident of Neave Township ; William H, Frank B., Miranda B.- Charles E., Mary M., Ellen J. and Lillie May.

ABIJAH H. VANDYKE, farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; is the son of Andrew E. Vandyke, who came from Pennsylvania to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where his death occurred in 1840. The subject of this sketch, when about 17 years of age, began to learn the wagon and carriage makers trade, at which he worked several years, then engaged in different occupations until 1860, when he became a resident of Darke Co. and rented the Hunt farm three years, then purchased the farm in Sec. 14, which is now his homestead. In 1868, he was elected Sheriff of Darke Co., and re-elected in 1870; after serving the two terms asSheriff, he returned to his farm, and has resided on it ever since ; he has been an active, useful citizen, and most of the modern improvements of Darke Co. have been made since he became a resident here. He was married in Hamilton Co., to Sylvia Lawrence, daughter of Levi Lawrence, deceased, who was then a resident of Michigan, and formerly of Glendale, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke are the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters.

NATHANIEL W. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Greenville. Among the old settlers of Darke Co., the gentleman who heads this sketch takes a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, May 18, 1832 ; he was a son of Andrew P. Wilson, born in Kentucky July 2, 1801, and, with his parents, came to Butler Co. when 4 years of age. He was married, in the same county, to Sarah Allen, June 10, 1828 ; she was born in the Territory of Indiana April 10, 1808 ; in 1834, they came to Darke Co. and located in Harrison Township, and followed farming until the decease of Mr. Wilson, which occurred Sept. 6, 1852. Mrs. Wilson is now living upon the old farm, where she has lived for a period of fortyfive years. The subject of this memoir remained upon the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until Dec 27, 1854, when he was united in marriage with Mary E. Rush ; she was born in Harrison Township, Darke Co., Oct. 11, 1836 ; they have seven children now living, having lost three by death ; the living are Margaret M.. John K., William G., Sarah E., Charles A., Nathaniel Elmer and Andrew P.; upon the marriage of Mr. Wilson, he commenced farming for himself in Harrison Township, until the fall of 1871. He has served the county as its Sheriff for four years in succession, being first elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1873, and in 1875, he purchased a farm two miles south of Greenville, upon which he lived until February, 1878. when he sold and purchased his present place, where he lias since lived ; he now has 270 acres, with a good farm, located three miles from Greenville, on the Ft. Jefferson and Greenville pike, valued at some $15,000, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own exertions. Mrs. Wilson was a daughter of Asa Rush, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April

25 1799, and came to Darke Co., in 1812, and was among the first settlers of Darke Co.: he married Margaret Hill ; she was born in South Carolina June 16 1 1801, and died June 1856. Mr. Rush died May, 1871.

L C ANDERSON, physician and surgeon, Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1850 ; he was the oldest son of John Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 10, 1821, and emigrated to Montgomery Co., then to Preble Co., and in 1863, he came to Darke Co., and located in Twin Township and in 1865, he came to Ansonia ; he died in Sydney May 30, 1869 ; he was married to Marv A. Hulse Feb. 15, 1819 ; she was a native of Montgomery Co. ; was born June 15, 1 830, and died Aug. 22, 1861. The subjectof this memoir obtained a good common-school education, and in the spring of 1871, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. E. Hooven, and after a study of three years, including two terms of lectures at the Miami Medical College, he graduated from the above place in the spring of 1871, and, upon the 23d of March, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Hooven & Anderson, which partnership continues the same, with a yearly increase of practice. His marriage with Olive Tullis was celebrated April 29, 1875 ; she was born in Darke Co. Feb. 15, 1851 ; they have one child, John Milton, born June 21, 1876.

HENRY B AUGHMAN, retired farmer ; P. O. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers of Darke County ; born in Germany Dec. 20, 1822 ; he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in the fall of 1832 ; after living in Virginia three years, they came to Ohio and located in Richland Township in the fall of 1835; his father, John H. Baughman, was born in Germany, and, upon locating here, entered Government land, upon which he lived some thirty years ; he died in Brown Township, in September, 1875 ; Mrs. Baughman died about the year 1858 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. Henry remained with his father until 15 years of age, when he started in life for himself by hiring out as farm-laborer, the first year at $4 per month and the second year at $8, and the following seven years he cropped with his former employer, Jacob Studabaker; he entered first 160 acres of canal land for which he paid $300 ; after farming the same a few years, he disposed of 40 acres for $1,000, and now has the balance left ; he has refused $800 for 8 acres of the same land ; he now owns nearly 300 acres, with good buildings, aside from his residence and lots in Dallas. Mr. Baughman commenced in life without means and, after years of toil, has placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke County, and accumulated a handsome fortune ; in 1865, he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas, where he has since lived, retired from active labor. His marriage with Mary Studabaker was celebrated in Darke County in 1846 ; nine children were born to them, of whom two sons and six daughters are now living, viz., Emily (now Mrs. Walter Reed), Caroline (now Mrs. Joseph Reed), Juliette (now Mrs. Jefferson Hostetter, of Dallas). Mary Ann, Franklin, Ida, May and Lawrance ; the deceased died in infancy. Mr. Baughman has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since childhood ; his wife and nearly all the family are also church members. When Mr. Baughman first located here, the place where Dallas now stands was a wilderness and he assisted to erect the first building in the town.

WILLIAM BAUGHMAN, retired farmer ; one of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; born in Germany March 24, 1827 ; when 5 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in 1832 ; they went to Wheeling, Va., where they arrived without means, and remained ihree years ; they came to Darke Co. in 1835 ; here his father, John H., died, September, 1875 ; his wife having died about the year 1858. In October, 1848, William Baughman -was united in marriage with Catherine Bertz ; she was born in Germany, and is a sister of George Bertz, whose sketch also appears in this work ; ten children was the fruit of this union, of whom five sons and two daughters now survive, viz., Solomon, Mary J., George W., William, Lucy B., Charlie and Augusta. Upon the marriage of Mr. B., he farmed upon rented land four years ; he then bought 40 acres, upon which he lived nine years ; he now owns 256 acres in Brown and Richland Townships, with good farm buildings, also his residence and some improved business property in town. Mr. Baughman commenced life without means, and has by his own hard labor, energy and industry, placed himself among the large landholders and successful business men of Brown Township, being a partner in the popular hardware firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co.

GEORGE BERTZ. hardware dealer, firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co., Ansonia, Ohio. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is another of the self-made men of Darke County ; he was born in Saxony, Germany, April 6, 1835, and was a son of John Bertz, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1803, and died in 1844. He was married, in Germany to Anna Magdalena Doud ; she, with five children, emigrated to America in 1847 ; she died in Richland Township Sept. 13, 1848. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America with his mother, and, upon her death, was taken by William Baughman, by whom he was kindly cared for and raised until he attained his majority, and for compensation to this date received $100 ; the following seven years his wages ranged from $75 to $100 yearly; in 1864, he went to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of land in Otoe CouUvy, and for four years was engaged in the restaurant and baker business in Nebraska City ; his brother now resides upon the above farm, which he has under a good state of cultivation ; in 1869, Mr. Bertz returned to Ansonia and engaged in the dry-goods trade, and in 1873 he engaged with William Baughman in the agricultural trade, and in the fall of 1874 they erected their brick store and added their present business, which they have since successfully followed ; a card of their business appears among the business cards of Ansonia ; in 1875, he was elected Township Trustee, which office he has since held, and is also serving his second year as Councilman of Ansonia ; has been a member of the church since 12 years of age, and a member of Lodge 605 I. O. 0. F. since 1875 ; has never made use of tobacco in any form, and is a strong champion of the cause of temperance.

HEZEKIAH W. FRY, Sec. 21, Ansonia; one of the oldsettlers of Darke County ; born in what is now Neave Township, near old Fort Jefferson, Jan. 26, 1835 ; he was a son of Andrew Fry, who was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Darke County somewhere from 1820 to 1825, and settled in the woods, when; he was engaged in farming in connection with his trade, which was a wheelwright ; he was also local preacher of the Methodist Church, was Justice of the Peace for many years, and held other township offices ; he died about the year 1871 ; he married Rachel Wilson ; she was born in Hamilton County ; she died a few years after the death of her husband. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until March 19, 1857, when he was united in marriage with Ellen J. Guy ; she was a native of Pennsylvania, born April 10, 1836 ; they have three sons and two daughters living, having lost two daughters by death ; the living are Agnes, Albertice, Benjamin F., Alonzo M. and Grace A. Upon the marriage of Mr. Fry, he farmed upon rented land four years, and in 1861 he purchased 160 acres of his present place, where he has since lived ; he has now 210 acres, with good farm buildings, under a fair state of cultivation. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for a period of a quarter of a century ; his wife and eldest daughter members of the same church.

DANIEL GARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Woodington ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1836. His father. Leonard, was born in Pennsylvania in 1803 ; came to Ohio, and, after a residence of several years in Montgomery and Butler Co.'s, came to Darke Co. in 1844, where he died in July, 1871 ; he married Maria Bake; she was born in Butler Co. and died when the subject of this sketch was an infant. Daniel Garrison came to Darke Co. with his father in 1844, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and employed as farm laborer until about 24 years of age. when, upon the 20th of September, 1860, he was united in marriage with Mary Niswonger ; she was born in Montgomery Co. Jan. 30. 1840 ; they have four children now living, viz. : Elmer E., born Oct. 7, 1861 ; Joseph N., born Sept. 23, 1864 ; Viola May, born July 9, 1870, and Ada B., born Nov. 15, 1877 ; Leonard A. was born July 21, 1867, and died Jan. 6, 1870. After the marriage of Mr. G. ; he farmed upon rented land twelve year's, and in 1872 he purchased his present place of 65 acres, where he has since lived : he is one of our self-made men ; commencing in life without means, he has secured all of the above property by his own hard labor, energy and industry ; he, with his wife, have been members of the Christian Church for a period of about thirty years. Mrs. Garrison was a daughter of Joseph Niswonger, who was born in Montgomery Co., where he now resides ; her mother was Anna W. Henderson ; she was born in Ohio, and died some twenty-six years ago ; upon the 3d of June, 1877, Mrs. Garrison was stricken with paralysis, depriving her of the use of her left side ; since which time she has been unable to perform only her light household duties ; she has, however, borne her afflictions with that fortitude which is characteristic of her true Christian life.

L. C. GABVER. dealer in groceries and provisions, Ansonia ; born in Washington Co., Md., Oct. 21, 1842 ; in 1848, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1851 to°Montgomery Co. ; in August, 1852, came to Darke Co. and located in Richland Township ; here his father, Isaac Garver, met his death by an accident at a barn raising, one of the timbers falling upon him late in the clay, causing his death, after 'a few hours' suffering, upon May 3, 1854. The subject of our sketch was then thrown upon his own resources, and labored at such employment as he could obtain until Sept. 7, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 34th O. V. I. (1st Ohio Zouaves), for three years ; he was in many severe battles, among which we mention the battle of Winchester, both battles of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlestown, Va., the whole campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg and the Lynchburg raid, and many others ; he was one of the 1,200 who were detailed to make a raid to destroy the V. & T. R. R. ; they made the trip of upward of 400 miles in six clays, traveling over mountains and valleys, through a dangerous country, traveling by day and night ; they encountered many dangers ; at one time found themselves in the rebel camp ; often, while riding at nio-ht, some of the poor soldiers, with their horses, were thrown over precipices ; they arrived at Wythevilie on Saturday, July 18, 1863. and immediately attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a force of rebels, lodged in the buildings, equally as large as the Union force ; after severe fighting, in which the Union forces lost heavily in killed and wounded, the place was captured ; in this engagement Mr. Garver was severely wounded ; being the chief target for many rebels, he received eight bullets upon his person at one volley ; he managed to crawl to some secluded place, was taken prisoner and remained in rebel prisons until March 24, 1864, when he was paroled, having served in rebel prisons eight months, suffering all the cruel treatment and starvation extended to our Union soldiers ; after receiving his parole, he lay in the Hospital until the September following, when, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and the following spring engaged in farming, continuing the same until 1874, when, on account of failing health from the cruel treatment received while in rebel prisons, and suffering from his wounds, he abandoned farming, came to Ansonia, and engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully followed. In politics, he is a strong Republican, and always votes as he fought. Upon the 23d of May. 1865, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Warvel ; she was born in

Darke Co. Dec. 13, 1847 ; they have four children by this union - John H. W.r born June 18, 1866 ; Cordelia M., April 10,1869; Leonard M. and Lizzie M. (twins), Nov. 8, 1873. The business card of Mr. Garver will be found in the directory of Ansonia. in another part of this work.

ORLANDO J. HAGER, contractor and builder, of the firm Riffle & Hager, P. 0. Ansonia ; residence. Dallas ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery County upon the 12th of November, 1847 ; he is a son of James W. Hager, who was born in the same county, and came to Darke County in 1851, and now resides in Richland Township. The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents when only 3 years of age, and located, in Richland Township, where he was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 years of age, when he started out in the world to seek his fortune, and, upon the 13th of August, 1867, commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and for one year received wages of $1 per day, and the second year his wages were $1.25, the third, $1.50. and the remainder of the time he received $1.75 ; he worked for the same party for nearly five years, when he returned to Darke County, and for two years was employed b}T John Longnecker, at his tradeT at Pikesville ; he then engaged one year in agricultural pursuits, and, upon the 17th of February, 1874, he located in Dallas and started in the carpenter business, and the following year, associated with Silas Riffle, under the above firm name, which business he has since followed. Upon May 1, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth Warvel ; she was born in Darke County Sept. 25, 1853 ; they have one child, viz., Pearl I., born Nov. 11, 1876; Mrs. Hager is a daughter of John H. Warvel, one of the early pioneers of Darke County, whose sketch appears among the biographies of Greenville Township, in another part of this work.

J. R HOLLAND, retired farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Woodington ; one of the old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1807 ; his father died when he was about 2 years old ; he then lived with his mother until 16 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the printer's trade, which he followed in Philadelphia until 21 years of age, when he went to New Orleans, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed his trade some fifteen years ; the last work at his trade was on the Cincinnati Enquirer; he was then appointed Deput}^ Marshal, which office he filled two years ; he devoted one year to running a power-press at Indianapolis, which was the first power-press run in Indiana, under the revised statistics, the printing office being located opposite Browning's Hotel ; he then followed the groceiy trade some three years in Cincinnati, and in 1858, disposed of his store and stock and came to Darke Count}', and purchased 260 acres in Brown and Greenville Townships, upon which he then located, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 360 acres, under a good state of improvement ; of township and school offices he has had his full share, having been Count}' Commissioner six years. Township Trustee five years, and also held some other petty offices ; upon the location of Mr. Holland here, he followed farming and stock-raising until 1877, when he retired from active labor, his son managing the farm. His marriage with Harriet M. Ricketts was celebrated in Philadelphia ; she was born in Pennsjdvania. and died upon the old homestead in May, 1877 ; they were the parents of five children - Laura (now Mrs. Crosson, of Union City). Mary Ann (now Mrs. John Atchinson, of Paris, Ky.), Ada (now Mrs. George Lindermond), Charlotte (now Mrs. Ginther) and Charles S. (living at home).

DR. ISAAC HOSTETTER, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., Ohio ; born in Lancaster Co.. Penn.. Nov. 30, 1810 ; he received his preparatory education at Lancaster. Penn.. and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the }Tear 1834 ; he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and, about the year 1835, commenced the practice of medicine, and, in 1830, came to Darke County and located in Richland Township, where he followed his profession, in connection with farming, until 1849, when he left his farm and removed to Beamsville, erected a good residence and continued to practice until within a short time of his death : he was elected to represent the counties of Miami, Shelby and Darke in the General Assembly of Ohio during the session of 1844-45 ; the above counties, at that time, constituted one district ; he was also Major General of the Ohio State Militia, his uniform and sword now being held by his son, Dr. Samuel A. Hostetter, and valued very highly by him as an heirloom ; the Doctor was one of the first practitioners of the county, the practice of medicine at that early day being attended with difficulty and hardships, extending over one-half a degree of latitude and longitude, traveling on horseback and dispensing his medicine from his saddle-bags ; he was married in Montgomery County, to Hannah Hager ; she was born in Hagerstown, Md., Nov. 5, 1813, the above town being named in honor of her grandfather ; they were the parents of four sons and three daughters, viz., Hiram H., Salinda A., Elizabeth C, Samuel A., Thomas J., Nancy E. (deceased) and Franklin P. In 1859, the Doctor received a stroke of paralysis, which was followed, in February, 1861, by a second stroke, and the following month, March 2, he passed down the dark valley, respected and beloved by all who knew him, and one of whom his cotemporaries could truly sa}r, His life was not a failure, nor did he live in vain. Of their children, the eldest son, Hiram, lost his life while serving his country during the late rebellion ; being taken prisoner, he was taken to Libby Prison, where he died after seven months ; the oldest sister, Salinda, is married, and lives in Missouri ; Elizabeth C. is also married, and lives in Missouri ; Dr. Samuel has been a member, for four years past, of the Ohio Legislature, and is now, with Thomas J., engaged in the drug trade at Ansonia ; Frank P. is engaged in the stock business, in Kansas.

G. C. HULSE, farmer and grain-dealer ; residence Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 16, 1832, and was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, until 25 years of age, when he removed to Preble Co. Oct. 1, 1857 ; he followed fanning here until Nov. 20, 1872, when he came to Darke Co. and settled at Ansonia, and purchased a farm of 46 acres, and laid out the west part of the town ; he then engaged in purchasing and shipping grain to Cleveland and Eastern markets until 1875, at which time he retired from the above business. He then gave his attention to farming, and in the fall of 1879 he again commenced the purchase of grain, which business he intends to follow ; his ware house is situated on Plum street, where he has a switch of 400 feet connecting his warehouse with the railroad ; he owns 100 acres in Brown Township, besides his brick residence, warehouse, storehouse, and some lots in town. His marriage with Sarah Bonham was celebrated June 1, 1860 ; she was born in Darke Co. June 29, 1844 ; they were the parents of eight children, viz. : Wilbur, born July 27, 1861 ; Ida, born Aug. 11, 1863, died June 18, 1864 ; David, born Jan. 2, 1866 ; Charles' born March 5, 1868; Anna, born Aug. 2, 1871; Russel, born Nov. 28, 1873: Edwin, born May 4, 1875 ; Earl, born Oct. 8, 1878. Mr. Hulse was a son of David Hulse, who was born in New Jersey Aug. 13, 1794, and came to Ohio about the year 1820, and followed farming and weaving until his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1844. He was married in Butler Co., Ohio, to Bebecca Bussell, Jan. 22, 1824 ; she was born in 1807, in Butler Co., and is now living with her son at Ansonia, at the age of 72 years, enjoying good health, and in possession of all her faculties, and able to assist in light household duties. Mrs. Hulse is the daughter of Wm. Bonham, one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in New Jersey in 1815, and came hereabout the year 1836. He married Bebecca Bittenhouse, who was also a native of New Jersey; thev are both now living.

D. F. HUNTEB, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Ansonia ; born in Darke Co. Ohio, Sept. 29, 1835 ; he was a son of Wm. Hunter, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, and came here about the year 1825 and located in Greenville Township. He died about the year 1841 ; he was a member of Warren Lodge, No. 24, of Piqua, Ohio, for a period of one-fourth of a century. D. F. experienced a farmer's boyhood, and at 18 years of age he went to Warren Co., Ohio, and learned and worked at the blacksmith's trade some four years, and in 1858 he came to

Ansonia and started the above business, which he has since followed. He was married to .Mary A. Dill May 0, 1859 ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 25, 1837 : tiny wore the parents of three children, of whom two now survive - Martha L. and Cora M. Mrs. Hunter's father was John H. C. Dill, who was born in Germany March 16, 1805, and emigrated to America when quite young. He married Martha C. Liegment Nov. 17, 1834 ; she was born in Germany Oct. 23, 1815, and died March 7, 1858. Mr. Dill died April 2, 1865.

WM. B. MKNDENHALL, retired tanner, merchant and farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Woodington ; born in Preble Co. June 22, 1820 ; he learned and worked at the tanner's trade until 20 years of age, when he came to Darke Co., in 1840, and located upon Sec. 32, Brown Township, where he purchased 4 acres of land for $20, and in the purchase of the same incurred a debt of $5 above his capital ; he then followed the tanning business until 1853 ; upon July 4, 1847. he, with his brother, started the first store at Woodington, and continued his merchandise trade with different partners until 1876, when he disposed of his interest and retired from active business. Mr. Mendenhall came to Darke Co. with a capital of $15 - he now owns 400 acres of land, with four sets of farm buildings ; also the warehouse at Woodington, all of which he has accumulated by his own energies. To him was given the honor of naming the station at Woodington ; he was its first merchant and Postmaster, first Justice of the Peace, and Township Trustee one year. He was married in 1839 to Mary Bailey ; she was born in Preble Co. in 1820 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, viz. : Rebecca A., now Mrs. W. H. Ganger ; Hannah E., now Mrs. H. T. Martin ; Thomas A. and Aleria B.

ISAAC E. MILLER, farmer and Justice of Peace, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Hetslerville ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co., Ohio ; was born in Adams Township April 8, 1840 ; he was a son of John P. Miller, one of the early pioneers of Adams Township, where he lived until his decease, March 4, 1 841 ; he married Elizabeth Martin ; she was born July 23, 1819, and is now living in Adams Township, at the advanced age of 60 years ; her parents were among the early pioneers of the same township. Isaac E. Miller received his early education in an old log schoolhouse ; the writing-desks consisted of boards laid upon pins, inserted in holes bored in logs ; their benches were also of a very rude nature ; his father died when he was 1 j-ear of age, after which he was raised b}T his grandfather, and lived with him until he was 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself ; he attended select school at Jaysville and Gettysbui'g, and followed teaching in the winter. Upon the 9th day of October, 1862, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sword, born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1841 ; they have four children, viz.: Hannah E.,born July 22, 1863 ; John W., born Feb. 11, 1866, ; Jonathan D., born March 7, 1869 ; George C, born April i5, 1874; after his marriage, Mr. Miller followed schoolteaching in winter, and farming in summer, until April 12, 1864, at which date he came to Brown Township and located upon his present place, which he had purchased the year previous at Sheriff's sale, for which he paid $1,610, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 117 acres, with good farm buildings. He is a Democrat in politics, and, while he has not aspired for office, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years during his residence here, also a Notary Public for six years.

J. J. PETERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Ansonia. One of the old settlers ; born in Germany March 31. 1836 ; at 3 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America and to Ohio ; his father, J. J. Peters, Sr., was born in France in 1795, and was a soldier under Napoleon several years ; his youngest son now has the gun and sword carried by his father during his service ; he was the father of fourteen children, and raised and brought them all to America ; he purchased a farm in Ohio, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1878, aged 83 years 8 months and 13 days ; his physician's bills during his life amounted to $250 ; he married, in France. Mary K. McKala ; she died upon the old home farm in the spring of 1871. The subject of this memoir remained with his father until 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself and farmed upon rented land for four years in Darke Co., and in 1862 he purchased 80 acres of his present place, to which he has since added until he now has 160 acres of land, well improved, all of which he has secured by his own hard labor, energy and industry, and has, by the above means, placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Brown Township ; he is now serving his second term as Township Trustee, is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, A..F. & A. M., and has held an office in the lodge for two years ; he is also a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 605. I. 0. 0. F., and Past Grand of the same. His marriage with Eliza J. Baughman was celebrated April 1, 1861 ; she was born in Brown Township, and is the daughter of J. Baughman, who emigrated from Prussia ; he was a brother of William and Henry Baughman. whose sketch appears among the biographies of Brown Township ; her mother was Maria Riffle, a sister of David and Silas Riffle, whose biographies also appear among the sketches of Brown Township ; they have three children living, having lost four by death ; the living are Mary E., Florence B. and Rachel L.

NOAH D. POLING, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 31, 1831 ; he was the second son of Daniel Poling, who was also a native of Perry Co., Ohio, born in 1809, and has lived in the same township for a period of seventy years. He married Maria Spoon ; she was born in 1814, and died in July, 1878, aged upward of 63 years ; they were the parents of thirteen children, nine now living - Noah D., remained with his father until he attained his majority, when he started in life for himself, and for four y ears worked for one man, most of the time running a saw-mill in Fairfield Co. Upon the 16tli of December, 1855, he was united in marriage with Louisa E. Burstler, of Fairfield, Co., born July 20, 1834 ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living, viz., Isaac, George W., William T., Anna M., Harriet A.. Louisa E.. Frank, Jacob, James H, Gertrude M. and an infant ; the deceased were infants ; upon the marriage of Mr. Poling, he worked as farm laborer one j'ear, after which he farmed upon rented land until 1861, when he came to Darke Co.. and, after farming upon rented land two years, purchased 63 acres of his present place, and, in the fall of 1864, removed upon the same, where he has since lived ; he now owns 120 acres of well-improved land, and his brick residence, erected in 1876, is admitted to be the best in the township ; Mr. Poling commenced life with no capital save a strong arm and willing hand, and has, by his own hard labor and correct business habits, placed himself among the large property-holders and successful farmers of Brown Township. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of Constable for several years ; in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 152d 0. N. G., took part in several engagements in Virginia and Maryland, and was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison at the exph'ation of his enlistment.

SILAS RIFFLE, contractor and builder (firm of Riffle & Hager, Dallas), Ansonia ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; born in Richland Township, April 27, 1828 ; he was a son of Jacob Riffle, who was born in Randolph Co., Va., in 1793 ; came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1796. He married Maty Van Sco}'k, and followed farming until 1818. when he came to Darke Co., and located in Richland Township, and was the second white family of the town ship ; his father came from Virginia to Ohio with two children upon a pack-horse, Jacob being one of them, then 3 vears of age ; upon the above land Jacob Riffle died in the fall of 1853 ; Mrs. Riffle died in February, 1852. At 20 years of age, Silas commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, and has since followed the same, with the exception of four years in the saw-mill business ; he has assisted largely in the building of Dallas, and by his superintendence and labor half of the town has been constructed. In 1875, he associated with Orlander Hager, since which time he has conducted the business under the above firm name. He is a strong Republican, and has been Assessor four years, Township Trustee one year, and held some other petty offlee. His marriage with Emetine Fogger was celebrated in 1852 ; she died in 1854 ; in 1859, lie married Leah Schultz, a native of Dauphin Co., Penn., born March i':!. 1832 ; they have two (laughters and one son by this union - Florence M., born Nov. 5, 18(50 (now teaching in the public schools of Dallas) ; Elmer 0.. born Dec. 27, 1862 ; Grace, born Nov. 18, 1863.

DAVID RIFFLE, retired farmer, Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers, and among the oldest continuous residents of Darke Co. ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1816 ; he was a son of Jacob Riffle, a native of Randolph Co., Va., born in 1793, and emigrated with his parents to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1796, and in the year 1818, came to Darke Co., and located in Richland Township (this was the second white family of that township), and here he lived until his decease, which occurred in the fall of 1853, his wife having died in February, 1852. David Riffle was raised to agricultural pursuits, and followed school-teaching until 1841, when he came to Ansonia and purchased a farm and engaged in farming in summer, and school-teaching during the winter ; he taught the first school in District No. 1 for three j-ears ; he has been almost continually in office for a period of forty years, having held the office of Justice of the Peace or Notary Public for that length of time, and has held all the township offices in Brown Township ; his advantages for obtaining a school education were very limited, but, by devoting his spare time to study, he has been able to obtain a good education, and became master of the common branches of stud}', as well as surveying, and for several years did surveying in Brown Township ; he has a recollection of his early phvymates, who were little Indian children, with whom he passed many pleasant hours. Upon March 8, 1841, he was united in marriage with Mary Beeler, a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom live are now living, viz., Emma, James K., Sephrene, Mary J. and William E.

J. H. ROUSH, grain-dealer and manufacturer of staves, hubs, headings, etc., Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; another of our old settlers ; born in Juniata Co., Penn., May 6, 1829 ; he received a common- school education, and was raised to agricultural pursuits until 22 years of age, when he came to Ohio, and located in Allen Co. in 1851, and was engaged in different pursuits until 1854 ; he then moved to Montgomery Co., and followed merchandising at West Baltimore until January, 1858, when he came to Darke Co., and engaged in the merchandise business some two years, after which he followed different branches of business until the fall of 1872, when he commenced buying grain, which business he has since followed, his shipments for the year 1878 amounting to upward of 120,000 bushels of corn, and about 50,000 bushels of wheat ; when he located here there were some eighteen buildings of all kinds, no streets, no sidewalks and no turnpikes ; he has represented nearly every branch of business known in Ansonia ; he was Postmaster several years, his highest salary amounting to the enormous sum of $84 per year : he was agent of the C, C, C. & I. R. R, for eighteen years, and received for his service a salary of from $15 to $85 per month ; in 1876, he associated with two of his sons, and purchased the stave manufactory, which is now carried on under the name of the Ansonia Stave Co., the lirm being composed of .). II. Roush, William A. Roush and Charles A, Itoush. and they are extensively engaged in the manufacture of the above articles ; the style of the firm as grain dealers being. J. 11. Roush & Son, John A. being the partner. The marriage of J. II. Roush with Mary ,1. Anderson, was celebrated Dec. 30, 1851 ; she was born in Juniata Co.. Penn., Dec. 13, 1830 ; they have five sons - James II.. Charles A., William A.. John A. and Prank; all live at home, with the exception of Charles A., who is married, and resides in Ansonia.

JOHN S. ROYER, Dallas, 1'. O. Ansonia; Principal of the Dallas School ; born in Union Co.. Penn., -Jan. 31. 1845; here he received a good common-school education, and at 15 years of age commenced teaching at 80 cents per day, for a term of four months ; until about 19 years of age, he followed teaching during the winter, and assisted his father upon the farm the remainder of the year ; in 1864, he emigrated to Ohio, and located at Pleasant Hill, Miami Co., teaching the graded school at the above place one year ; in 1865, he came to Darke Co., and taught the Graded School No. 9, in Adams Township, for seven years ; in 1 874, he came to Dallas, and accepted the position as Principal of the Dallas School, since which time it has increased from 100 to upward of 180 scholars ; he has been the Principal for five years, and now has a contract for three }rears. He has been twice married ; his first wife wasLutie Mitchell ; the}' were married April 18, 1867 ; she was born in Iowa ; she died in Darke Co., in 1869, leaving one child, Minnie A., born April 9, 1868 ; his marriage with Malinda Gr. Wenrick was celebrated Jan. 30, 1873 ; she was born in Darke Co. May 5, 1852 ; they have two children, Estella M., born July 24, 1876 ; Isaac II., born July 6, 1879 ; in December, 1878, he was appointed one of the examiners of the public schools for Darke Co., which position he now holds.

HENRY SCHLEMMER, firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co., hardware merchants. Ansonia ; born in Hesse, Germany, March 23, 1842, where he received a good education in German, and in 1860, emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore ; coming directly West, he followed blacksmithing two years in Cincinnati, and in October. 1862, enlisted in the 47th O. V. I. ; he was in many hard-fought battles, among which was the siege and capture of Vicksburg and Atlanta, battle of Chattanooga, and with Sherman's arm}* on his march through Georgia to the sea, arriving at Savannah to spend the Christmas of 1864 ; he then marched north, through the Carolinas, and was with Sherman's army at the surrender of Johnson, after which, he marched through Richmond to Washington, where, after the grand review of the army, he returned to Columbus, and received his discharge, having served in the Union army nearly three years ; he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, but kept at his post ; he then followed blacksmithing in Cincinnati until 1867, when he came to Ansonia and followed his trade until 1879, when he became a partner in the above firm. Mr. Schlemmer arrived in this country with a capital of only $7 ; he has made one trip to his native country, upon a visit to his parents, with whom he remained three months ; his father, John Schlemmer. was born in Hesse, in 1804 ; he married Maltha Disher ; they are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living in Germany, and three in America. In 1868, George Schlemmer was united in marriage to Mary Baughman, a native of Darke Co., and a daughter of Simeon Baughman, one of the early pioneers ; they have five children, viz., John, George, Frank, Augustus and Elizabeth.

FRANCIS M. TULLIS, resides in Dallas ; manufacturer of tile, Ansonia ; born in Brown Township, DarkeCo., Ohio, Sept. 26, 1854 ; he was the youngest son of Milton Tullis, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, March 29, 1813. He married, in Ohio, Sarah Marshall, Sept. 5, 1848, who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 20, 1816 ; they came to Darke County about the year 1849, and located in Brown Township, near Dallas ; followed farming and merchandise till his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1863. Mrs. Tullis died Jan. 12, 1870 ; they were the parents of five children, of whom three are living - Francis M., Cordelia A. (now Mrs. Dr. Samuel Hostetter), and Olive D. (now Dr. L. C. Anderson), all living in Dallas ; Francis M. obtained a common-school education, and followed clerking in Dallas until the spring of 1877, when he engaged in farming, and in the fall of 1878, purchased the tile factory of Reed & White, at Dallas, and has since devoted his attention to the above business, manufacturing tile of the best quality ; his sales the first year amounted to some $3,000 ; his business card will be found in the business directory of Ansonia. in another part of this work ; he has, aside from his factory, a farm of 42 acres joining the corporation of Dallas, and his lots and residence in town. His marriage with Margaret A. Burket was celebrated May 29, 1877 : she was born in Darke Co., Ohio, May 15, 1857.

JAMES S. WEBSTER, merchant, Ansonia, resides in Dallas. The subject of this memoir. :i native of Fayette Co., Ohio, was born Jan. 1, 1820 ; he was a son of l>r. James Webster, who was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio and Fayette County in 1804. two years after its admission into the Union as a State ; be was consequently one of the early pioneers of the State ; he followed the practice of medicine a short time in Fayette County, and in 1815 he was elected Sheriff of the county, and about the year 1829, was Associate Judge, which office he held several years, after which he was Treasurer of the county for four years. The latter part of his life he devoted to the carding and fulling of wool at his factory at Washington ; his death occurred January. 1837 ; he was married in Kentucky, to Amelia Dauson; she died previous to her husband. J. S. Webster worked in the woolen-mill of his father, until the decease of the latter, after which lie followed farming some two years, when he engaged in the trade of harnessmaker at Mt. Sterling until I860, when he came to Darke County, and. after following his trade one year in Greenville, purchased a farm of 114 acres in Greenville Township, three miles south of Dallas, and followed farming until the spring of 1879. when he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas, and engaged in the general merchandise with T. B. White. His marriage with Pamelia Loofbourrow was celebrated June 18, 1845 ; she was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, in 1827; eight children were born to them ; five are now living - Nathan A., produce merchant, of Greenville ; William, living at home ; Hannah, now Mrs. T. B. White ; Linden, clerk in his father's store ; Laura, living at home. Mr. Webster has been a member of the Baptist Church for a period of fifteen years ; Mrs. W. also a member of the same church.

THOMAS B. WHITE, firm of T. B. White & Co., general merchant, Ansonia ; another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Brown Township, Darke Co., upon the 23d of July, 1842 ; he was a son of William White, of the State of New York, who came to Darke Co. in 1822 : the maiden name of his wife was P]sther Stahl ; she came to Richland Township with her parents about the year 1820. and is now living upon the old homestead, a little north of Ansonia ; Mr. White died in 1864 ; Thomas B. White was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 3-ears of age, when, upon the 6th of August 1862, he enlisted in the 94th 0. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union ; in his first severe engagement, he, with a large part of his regiment, were captured, but he, with many others, escaped and again joined the Union arm}-; he was then engaged in the battle of Penyville, and at the fight of Stone River Dec. 31, 1862 ; he was severely wounded, and lay in hospital until Ma}-, 1863. when he received his discharge on account of disability ; he then returned home. and, on account of his wounds, lay idle until the fall of 1864, when he engaged in school-teaching for three 3'ears, and in the fall of 1868. he engaged in the general merchandise trade at Ansonia, which he has since successfully followed ; in 1878. he associated with J. S. Webster, under the above firm name, carrying a large and complete stock ; a card of their business will be found in the business directory of Ansonia, in this work. His marriage nuptials with Hannah Webster were celebrated in 1875 ; she was born in Madison Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of J. S. Webster, whose sketch also appears in this work ; they have one child, Lucy F.. bora Dec. 15. 1876.

LAWSON ALLEN, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1842 ; his parents were John and Susannah Allen ; John was born in the same place as his son, and his wife, Susannah, was born in Scioto Co., Ohio, in 1822 ; they were the parents of twelve children, and only four are living, viz., Lawson, Jeremiah, Joseph M. and Mary. Lawson Allen, the oldest and the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage on April 22, 1868, to Mariah Montgomery, daughter of Robert and Harriet Montgomery ; Robert was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Virginia, came to Ohio and settled in a very early day ; Mr. Allen lived and followed farming in Montgomery Co. until October, 1873, when he moved upon his farm where he now lives ; they have only one child born them, a girl, now 11 years of age. named Florence; Mr. Allen owns 89 acres of fine land, about 60 acres of which are in good cultivation. He was one of the patriots of the war of the rebellion, and enlisted in the 131st 0. V. I., Co. I., under Col. John G. Lowe, and served till honorably discharged. Mr. Allen is not one of the earliest settlers, but has been here about six years, and is one of the representative men of Van Buren Township, and will, we are satisfied, be an accession and credit to the neighborhood in which he lives ; he is an active member of the M. E. Church, to which he has belonged since 1867 ; thus, while living and toiling for this world, he is also preparing for that better one beyond.

S. W. ALLREAD, farmer and merchant; P. 0. Delisle ; the son of Isaac and Lucy Allread ; Isaac was born in Maryland, and moved with his parents to North Carolina, where he remained till he came to Butler Co. when he was 18 years of age ; he was in the war of 1812, and served all through it, and then returned safely home. Lucy, his wife, was born in the State of Vermont, and came with her parents to Butler Co., Ohio, when 9 years of age ; they were united in marriage in 1816, and raised seven children, four boys and three girls. Mr. Allread. the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of his father's family ; he left home when 1 1 years of age, and worked at various places until 16 years of age, when his father bound him out to Capt. Samuel Dick, till 21 years of age. in Butler Co., Ohio, where he lived till he became of age, then worked for him two years longer for wages ; he then worked here and there and rented farms till he was 27 years of age, which was in 1843. when he was united in marriage with Martha Ann Van Lieu, who was born and raised in Butler Co.; they followed farming in that county for twelve years, or till 1855, when they moved to Darke Co., Van Buren Township, where he still followed the life of a farmer for four years, when he entered into the mercantile trade, which, together with farming, he has followed to the present time ; he has bought and sold several farms, and by these transactions made considerable money ; he is now the owner of 87 acres of good land in Delisle, where he now lives ; he is associated in the mercantile trade in Delisle with W. Reed, and is also carrying on an extensive trade in buying and shipping grain. Mr. Allread started in life a poor man, and with but little education, and has worked his way up to the possessions and prominence he now has - all accomplished by his good management and industry ; he is now 63 years of age. with good health, and will doubless still climb upward and onward, and enjoy the society of his family ; he is the father of nine children, seven now living, viz., Isaac F., Elvira, Oliver M., George D.. Amanda, John E. and Tabitha J.; five are married and two single at home. Mr. Allread has taken quite an active part in political matters, being a stanch Democrat, and having held several offices of trust, as Township Trustee, Assessor and Treasurer, and in the county has been Infirmary Director for six years, thus showing that he has the confidence of the community.

CHRISTOPHER BRINEY, fanner and Justice of the Peace : P. 0. Delisle ; was born Jan. 2, 1811, in Warren Co., Ohio ; his parents were Adam and Euphemy Briney, who came froih Pennsylvania, at an early day. and located in Ohio; Squire Briney came to Darke Co. in 1835, being among the earliest settlers of the county. He was married in 1835, to Mary Mills, daughter of John V. and Elizabeth Mills ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and emigrated to this county with her parents when quite an infant ; to them have been born fourteen children, eight of them are now living, viz.. Ellen, Emeline, Adam, Silas P., Herod M. and Tsrael (twins), Mary E. and Joseph M. Squire Briney lost his wife by death Sept. 15, 1874. In about three years after Squire Briney's marriage, being in 1837, they moved on the farm on which he now lives and commenced to open out a farm and make a home, with no capital but a few dollars ; he has now 260 acres of land, and, his sons and daughters all being grown up and married, he has divided up and deeded a portion of land to each child, simply reserving a life estate and control of the same during his lifetime, thus giving each child a better start in life than he had when he commenced : this has all been accomplished by his energy and industry, and made from the wilderness, which then, in his early commencement, existed through this section, for which he deserves great credit, as one of the pioneers. Squire Briney has always been an active politician, and always held office since he lived in the township, such as Township Trustee, Clerk, Supervisor, School Director, etc.; has been Justice of the Peace for twenty -one years, thus showing the prominence and confidence he holds in the community in which he lives. He is now 69 years of age, and of course the most active part of his life is spent, but he has left a record and history of success and confidence for his children and future generations worthy of their imitation.

JACOB M. BROWN, farmer; P. O. Delisle ; was born the 1st of April, 1833, in Darke Co., on an adjoining farm in Neave Township ; he is the son of Caleb Brown, who was born in Tennessee, and with his father came to Indiana, near Liberty, in about 1812, where they remained about one year, and then came and located in Darke Co., where they remained till the death of his father ; at that time it was a perfect wilderness, there being but two or three settlers in the neighborhood, and of course had to pass through all the hardships incident to such a life. Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Eddington, in 1854, daughter of Charles Eddington, who with his father, were among the first settlers of the county ; since which three children have been born to them, and all are now living. Mr. Brown has been a very prominent man in business, having, in connection with his labors on the farm, carried on quite an extensive trade in grain, buying and shipping very largely, last year shipping over 400 car loads ; also buying and shipping much stock, and was at one time quite extensively engaged in merchandising, all of which has given him an acquaintance and prominence in the community second, perhaps, to no other man in the township ; he is also one of those who has amassed a fair and comfortable competency by his own industry, hard labor and careful management of business, and who as an example of a devoted and industrious worker and careful manager, stands forth as a bright and shining" light, Worthy of the admiration of all young men.