Defiance County, Ohio - Chapter 29: Ulchland Townshipance, 1883

Chapter 29: Ulchland Townshipance

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP was organized in 1824, as a part of Henry County. It is located in the extreme eastern part 'of Defiance County, bounded on the north by Adams Township, on the west by Noble and Defiance and on the south by Highland. Henry County bounds it on the east.

The Village Of Independence

This village was laid out about 1838, by Foreman Evans, of Defiance. It prospered greatly for about one joar. The west part was laid on by Edward Hughes. Both proprietors are now dead. The village continued to grow during the building of the dam. making slack water for navigation across the Maumee River, and then gradually went to decay, and is now an open field, and has probably thirty houses in it. The first business men were C. J. Freedy, who built the hotel, and a merchant, Mr. Benjamin Weidenhamer.

The canal - Wabash & Erie - was excavated, commencing in 1837, and completed in 1842. The first boat was run by Oapt. McMahan, in the fall of 1842. The dam was built in 1838, 1839, 1840. It is about one mile below Independence; cost the State about 1130,000. The State appropriated every alternate section of land to pay for it, along the route of the

Fort Defiance Grange, No. 267

This grange was organized at Independence December 13, 1873, by Deputy State Master W. E. ^\'illiams, with forty members, an equal number of each sex. Albert Elliott, the first Master, served over two years, and was followed by W. Willeman, J. B. Elliott, F. H. Rohn and O. U. Woodward. G. P. Seiple was the first Secretai-y, followed in tlie office by O. U. Woodward, A. Elliott, P. Young, E. GWoodward and Nettie Elliott. This grange is the oldest in the county, meets weekly and has between forty and fifty members.

Mrs. Mary Braucher was born March 14, 1807, in Adams County, Ohio, the daughter of John A\'ashburn, who died in Highland County, Ohio, August, 1828, aged fifty-three years. Hannah (Bnrk), his wife, died in 1851, aged about seventy-five years. Their children were as follows: Margaret, Christina, Ann, Mary Ann, Benjamin Burk, Ellen, John Collins, Richard Burk, Elijah Parker. All are deceased except Mi-s. Braucher and John C. Mrs. Braucher was married to Isaac E. Braucher December 10, 1824, and to them were born eight children - Almira, Alphonso L., Adeline L., America R., Annie M., Harriet Augusta, Benjamin Frauklin and Isaac F. The first winter after their arrival they lived in one end of a double log house, and tbe Indians, as they came to town on their trading expeditions, frequently camped in the other end. Mr. Braucher helped to build the first schoolhouse of Defiance, which stood on the east bank of the Maumee, at the foot of what is now Perry street, and William Semans was the first teacher. Mr. Braucher was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at his trade about one year in Defiance, and then bought a farm of thirty acres, where Mrs. Braucher now lives, about two miles below Defiance. Their neighbors were Pierce Evans, Eli Markle and Samuel Rohn and Hiveleys. Here Mr. B. carried en blacksmithing,in connection with his farm, and used to do some work for the Indians, sharpening some of their tools, etc. , and the old Indian chief, Occonoxee, was quite a frequent caller. Here Mr. Braucher lived up to the time of his death, February 8, 1878, aged about seventy-five years. His widow, Mrs. Braucher, who sm'vives him, is living on the old homestead. In early days, Mr. Braucher was identified with most of the township offices, and was among the first Commissioners of the county. In after life, he became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and lived a zealous Christian life. He was a self-made man, having, when he came here, no means. By economy and enterprise, he gathered together a handsome property, which consisted in three hundred acres of excellent land. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, and was a son of Frederick and Nancy (Earl) Braucher. The former from Pennsylvania and the latter from either Ohio or Kentucky. Mrs. Pierce Evans was a sister to Mr. Braucher, who settled here with her husband before Mr. B. came. Mrs. B. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she was raised, and has been a consistent member during her long life.

Pierce Evans was born in Bom-bon County, Ky. , and came to Williams (now Defiance) County, from Fayette County, Ohio, in the fall of 1822. He settled in what is now Richland Township, where he resided imtil January, 1862, when he died, aged sixtynine years. His family consisted of Orlando, Rinaldo, Helen, Nancy, Horatio, Alvin, Allen, John Newton, A.lphonso and Mary. These are all deceased except Rinaldo and Nancy, in Nevada, California. Riualdo lives on the homestead, one mile and a quar ter from Defiance, down the north bank of the Maumee. Pierce Evans was with many of Winchester's soldiers in the war of 1812. The troops of Winchester were shot near the apple trees. There were no Indians in the trees, but were behind the banks. The Shawnees, commanded by Blue Jacket, owned the present site of the farm. The island just opposite

Mr. Evans' was tile site of Indian cabins; peach trees and apple trees planted by the French. James Cheny, when cultivating a field in 1855, plowed up an Indian silver cross, worth |6, that had been carried by an Indian chief probably two hundred years ago. The Delawares were on his farm; Pipe and Buchongahelas. The Ottawas encamped there; the Pottawatomies, too. Mr. Evans, Sr. , - married Mary Braucher in Highland County, Ohio, in 1815. She died in January, 1862, three days after Mr. Evans died. Rinaldo Evans was born December 17, 1819, in Washington, Fayette County; married Miss Mary Shaw, of Saco, Me., Seijtember 28, 1858; was in California in 1863, and returned in 1866; was in Iowa in 1855, and retiu-ned in 1863, or went from Iowa to California. His brothers were successful, and remained in the State of California. His, children, Binaldo P., born October, 1859 (died young); Manning S. died June IG, 1864, aged two years., His archajological collection is very fine, especially the pottery of the Mound- Builders. His farm being the site oE an Indian village, many Indian relics are found there. Many guns fi-om Wayne's expedition have been found. Wayne passed over his farm in 1794.

Samuel Rohn was born May 18, 1812, in Northampton County, Penn., and came with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Landis) Kohn, the latter a daughter of Samuel Landis, to Ohio in 1821, and located in Miami County, in the town of Piqua, where he remained until 1.822; when they removed to Camp No. 3, of Gen. Wayne, in Kichland Township, Defiance County, where he found the pickets of Wayne's army still standing, covering about forty acres. In 1813, an Indian chief, called " Tui-key Foot," was killed, and the name of " Turkey Foot" is cut on the rock in honor of the chief. Camp No. 3 is on Section 23, in Richland Township, the home of Mr. William Rohn, father of Samuel, and his wife, who died on this farm, and was buried i'n the home cemetery. William Rohn was born in 1773, and died February 24, 1855, aged eighty-two years. His wife died October'2, 1846, aged sizty-one years. Mr. Rohn married Miss Charity Hughes, of Adams County, Ohio, July 11, 1833. Their family consists of Tulitha, Joseph, Nancy J., Margaret Jane, Martha C. , Helena, Adelia, Orisabelle, Samuel W. and Frank H. Of these, Telitha, Joseph, Nancy J. and Martha C. are dead. Mrs. Charity Kohn died September 15, 1878, aged sixty-five years eleven months twentyeight days. Mr. Rohn states that Richland Township was organized in 1824, in Henry Coxinty. The first Justice of the Peace was probably Pierce Evans. The Trustees were Pierce Evans, William Rohn and Isaac Braucher. He thinks Eli Markel was the fi]'st Clerk. The first school that Mr. R. remembers was taught by Peter Tittle about the winter of 1828, on Section 23, this township. There are now nine schoolhouses, and of these there are seven brick and two frame houses. There are three churches - one Methodist Episcopal, built in 1824. It was the first in the township. It had a class organized in 1826. The first preacher was Mr. Pettit. The Methodist Episcopals have a church on Section 21. The Lutherans built a church, which they occupy jointly with the United Brethren, about 1877, which was divided by the Maumee River, into a north and south congregation. When Mr. R. came to the county, he found a great many Miami and Ottawa Indians, with many Wyandot and Shawnee hunters. They often came to the village of Independence, to trade their furs and make sugar, baskets, etc. They made their sugar iri bark troughs, boiling the water down in brass and copper kettles. The Indians were very fond of "fire water," and would pay a high price to get it. The Ottawas left about 1838, and the Pottawatomies went West, to the Rocky Mountains, at the same time. The agents were Maj. Stickney and Gen. Dodge. Mr. R. knew the chief, Occonoxee, the " Ottawa," who resided at the Indian village of Chartoe, now in Paulding County. The chief was very repulsive in appearanci-i, and high-tempered in disposition. He went West with the rest in 1838. "Blue Jacket," the Shawnee, probably died in his village ou the bank of the Maumee River. The Delawares quartered on the north bank of the Maumee, in what is known as "Sulphur Hollow," half a mile above the farm of Mr. Rinaldo Evans. They also had a camp at "Delaware Bend " that has attracted many inquiries. Here it is suspected that the old chief. Captain Pipe, " Hobcan," that caused the death, by burning at the stake, of poor Col. William Crawford, at the plains of Upper Sandusky, finally died. The old trail that extended from Adrian, Mich,, ran through Independence, and passed near Upper Sandusky, keeping upon high ground to the home of the Wyandots and Shawnees. Mr. R. has often followed the old trace through Richland Township to its passage across the Maumee, where it continued south. The trace passed through Fulton County, by Wauseon, keeping on high gi-ound to the head of the Scioto, in Hardin County. Mr. R. has found a good many Indian brooches, tomahawks and arrow-heads. He also found blacksmith tools, formerly used by the soldier of Gen. Winchester in 1818, wagon tires and the relics of wagons used by his army in 1812. Mr. R. has found in Defiance a ball weighing one ounce, fourteen inches from the surface, in a tree three feet in diameter. Mr. R. states that previous to building the State dam, great quantities of fish came up the Maumee. The principal fish were pike, pickerel.

sturgeon, white and black bass, muskalonge and smaller varieties. Somo of the larger ones weighed from fifty to two hundred pounds. Up the Tiffin, at Brunersburg, there were formerly vast quantitioR of fish; could be easily taken by a net or seine. Mr, R. had two brothers and one sister. They were Charles, William and Mary. Charles and William are both dead; Mary is the wife of Arthur M. Dunbar. Mr. K., in company with C. J. Freedy, in the fall of 1842, bought the old "Exchange Hotel," in Defiance. Mr. Rohn sold his share of tho hotel to Allen Braucher in 1848. He afterward moved to his farm, where he has remained nearly ever since. He has a tine farm and is now in good health.

Thomas Elliott was born May 1, 1822, in Co.ihocton County, Ohio, and attended school there. He came to Richland Township, Henry County, and settled on Section 8, where Charles Elliott now lives, in 1843. He now lives in Section 19, where he has 160 acres of land. He at one time had 1, 140 acres of land, which he gave to his children, reserving but a homestead. He married Miss Mary Williams, daughter of Mathew Williams, of Holmes County, Ohio, February 20, 1842. His family consists «f James, Mathew and Sarah (twins). Lany, Fanny, Hester, George, Fanny, Thomas C, Hannah and Mary. Of these, Hester, George, Hannah and "Mary are dead. Mathew and James live in Richland Township. They were in the war of 18()l-65. Mathew served eight months, and was discharged in consequouco of illness. James served over five years, and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, having been detained one year over his time. Sarah married John W. Robinson, and lives in Hardin County. When Mr. E. settled in the township, in 1840, there were but few settlers. He remembers a few on the north part of the township. Among those that settled at first were Samuel Rohn, Arthur Dunbar, Benjamin Weidenhamer, Israel Biaucher, Christian Braucher, Rinaldo Evans, Pierce Evans, John Whiting, Joshua Wilson, Hezekiah Wilson, John Wilson and their father, Thomas Wichel, Adam and Isaac Hiveley, Sylvester Blackman, Benjamin and Galen Evans. Ur. Gibbens Terry was at Independence at this time. At the time Mr. E. settled in Section 8, there was no one living between that place and " Bean Creek." His neighbors were all down the Maumeo River. Mr. E. cleared up his many acres by hard work and constant toil. He is well-preserved in body and mind, and is quite active and vigorous

Benjamin Weidenhamer was born in Berks County, Penn., December 30, 1803, a son of Adam AN'eidenhamer. He was raised on the farm, and was married, March 31, 1833, to Elizabeth Kershner, a daughter of John and Christiaa Kershner, of Berks

County, Penn. July 11, 1834, they landed in this township, and settled on the site of the village of Independence; bought eighty acres of wild land, which he cleared up and improved. They kept a hotel in this place about six years, during the time the canal was built About eight years after the first settlement, he sold his farm, and moved a mile below where John Spangler now resides. In the latter years of his life, he located in Independeoce, where he died on the night of tho 13th of April, 1880. His death was sudden, having passed away during the night, unknown to his aged wife, who occupied a bed in the same room. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he had been raised. To Mr. and Mrs. W. were born six children, of whom only one is living - Ellen, wife of Mathew Elliott. The decea,=!ed are Albert, Frank, Mary, John and Emaline. John was a member of Company G, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861. Saw active service during three years. Exposure of camp life disabled him, and he died of rheumatism in 1867. Mr. Weidenhamer was successful during his life, and always enjoyed good health. His aged wife is in good health and strength, with memory clear, and with ease she recounts the experiences that were in - cident to pioneer life. Mrs. Weidenhamer states that prior to the removal of the Ottawas, they often came to the hotel, but were quite peaceable in their intercourse with the whites, but were quite fond of '' firewater." The post office is now named Jewell. It. was removed from Independence in 1866, and named in 1878, and located at the cross roads that pass from the Wabash Railroad.

John Hill was born April 22, 1800, in Westmoreland Coiinty, Penn., four miles west of Mount Pleasant, of Scotch descent. Here he grew up and attended school. Upon reaching manhood, he learned the trade of carpenter and house-joiner. About 1822, he married Miss Catharine Grandstaif, of Marshall County, Va., and removed to Muskingum County, Ohio. Miss Grandstaff was of German descent, her people emigrating from Hamburg, Germany, about 1777. Mr. Hill resided in Richland Township, Muskingum County, until the fall of 1830, when he removed to near Brownsville, in Licking County. He remained there until the autumn of 1834, when he removed with his family to Hartford Township, in the same county, and settled on a new farm, where he remained until the spring of 1856, and then sold his land and removed to a farm at the foot of the Welch Hills, near Newark, and resided one summer. Here his wife was taken sick with fever, and after some weeks of illness died September 26, 1834, aged about thirfy-six years. JNlr. Hill retiu-ned, with his children, to his old home in Mirskingum County, about 1838, and during the slack- water experiment on the Maumee, he engaged in trade at Independence, Defiance Co., Ohio. That region was very sickly at that time, and many were carried to their graves. Mr. Hill was much afflicted with pleurisy nearly the whole of the winters of 1839 and 1840,' and finally died on the 26th of March. 1840. The disease was aggravated by malarial poison, no doubt. He was buried in the midst of strangers, with none to sympathize with him in his afflictions. Mr. Hill was a man of liberal education, and was a fine conversationalist, and took much pleasure in dwelling upon the border history of the Ohio tribes, of whom no man in the Northwest was better versed. He possessed fine historical taste, and delighted to detail the adventures of captives and others during the war of 1812 and of the war of the Revolution, along the borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Samuel Kepler, Richland T.iwnship, was born in Bedford, Washington Co., Penn., March 3, 1793. At an early day, his father sold out and settled in Franklin County, Ohio, where he bought quite a large tract of land in and around where Columbus now stands. Soon after he died, their goods were swept away by a flood ; their stock sickened and died, and one calamity after another befel them until they became poor. Then they removed to Delaware County, Ohio. Notwithstanding all their afflictions, the widow and her helpless orphans struggled on, enduring all the hardships of an early pioneer life. Mr. Kepler stayed and cared for his mother and family until he saw them comfortably situated. At the age oE twenty eight years, he left the parental roof, penniless, to do for himself. In 1822, he' came to the Maumee Valley, and entered 110 acres of land four miles east of Fort Defiance, on the south bank of the Maumee River, which is well known as the Kepler farm. Here Mr. Kepler, by the use of his gun-flint and tinder-box, built his camp fire at the foot of a large black walnut tree, and spent his first night in Defiance County. The stub of the old walnut is still standing, and is carefully protected by the family. December 2, 1825, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel McKinnis, of Hancock County, Ohio, being the first white couple ever married in that county. Two weeks after their marriage, they moved' to their new home - a few scattering whites and the wild Indians of the forest their only neighbors. Their family consists of eight children, viz., Mary and Elizabeth (twins), Nancy, Robert, Josiah, Rachel, Sarah and Lucy. All are living except the youngest, Josiah M., who enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry August, 1802, and was killed at Lovejoy Station, Ga.. September 5, 1864. Mr. Kepler served through the war of 1812. He ran a ferry-boat across the Maumee, at Independen(!e for a number of years, commencing shortly after the State dam was built across the Maumee, and continued until about 1849. Mr. Kepler died December 10, 1872, aged seventy-nine years nine months and seven days. Mrs. Kepler survived her husband about eight years, and departed this life February 25, 1880, aged about seventy-six years

John Taylor, Jr., was born in Shenandoah County, Va., December 25, 1796. His parents, John and Barbara (Strucker) Taylor, immigrated to East Tennessee in 1799, and remained there until October, 1807, when he removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Champaign County, Mad River Township, being six weeks on the road. On their arrival at their new home, Mrs. Taylor, necessarily, had a large washing to get out, but found they had no clothes line. The boys having noticed some wild grape vines not far distant, in due time had their mother amply supplied with the necessary clothes lines, which were soon filled by Mrs. Taylor, as the result of a hard day's washing, and were left remaining on the lines over night; but in the morning she beheld the clothes-lines torn down and the clothes torn to shreds and mostly destroyed by a pack of wolves during the night. They had a family of ten children, fourj^boys and six girls. Here Mr. and Mrs. Taylor both died. Mr. Taylor, Jr., subject of this sketch, had no advantages for an early education, and, to use his own language, " he never had any." Mr. Taylor, before he was twenty-one years of age, chopped over three hundred acres ready for logging. At the age of twenty-one, he was elected Constable, and afterward was elected Justice of the Peace, and served two terms. ^November 6, 1817, Mr. Taylor was niarried to Miss Anna McAllister. They had seven children - William, James, David, Benjamin, Polly, Nancy and Sarah. William enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August, 1862, and was di.scharged in A. D. 1864, and died at home from disease contracted in the service. Maj. David Taylor was also employed in the United States service, as Paymaster in the regular army. At the breaking-out of the late civil war of 1861-65, he was appointed to that position, which he held up to the time of his death, A. D. 1878. He died at Leavenworth, Kan., Februarv 21, 1878, at which place he was stationed as a Government officer. Mr. Taylor, after serving two terms as Justice, was appointed by Gov. Lucas, Associate Judge to fill a vacancy. The Legislature then elected him for six years, making in all nine years' service in that capacity. He was appointed Assessor of damages caused by breaks on the Miami & Ext en- sion Canal, and served three years, when he was appointed Register of the United States Land Offioe at Defiance, Ohio. In 1851, ho was elected to the Senate from the Thirty-second Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Van Wert, Auglaize, Allen, Paulding, Deiiance and Williams, and reelected as an independent candidate in 1852-53. He was then appointed a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, and served in that capacity for three years, at the close of which he re tired from public life, and settled on his farm of IGO acres, situated about three and a half miles south of Dehauce, which he had previously entered at $1.05 per acre; $1 being the Government price per acre for a homestead, and the half cent per acre to cover expenses at the land office. Mr. T. then proceeded to build a cabin and clear up his farm for a home, eighty acres of which he still owns, an:l on which ho lived until 1870, when he moved to Defiance on account of ill health of his wife, who died December 21, 1875.

Henry Ort was a native of Germany, and was born in Linsongen Kur Hessen, Germany, November l!U, 1813. When twenty-six years of ago, he emigrated to America, coming directly to Defiance. Mr. Ort, being a tailor by trade, made that his business while living in town. In 1841, he married Miss Anna M. Ott, who was also from Germany. Mr. Ort then bought forty acres of land in Richland Township, on what is calh^l the South Ridge, six miles east of Defiance, and immediately set about the work of hewing out for himself and family a home in the unbroken wilderness. His nearest neighbor was three miles distant. His first work was to cut a road to a suitable spot whereon to build a house. His first house was a small log cabin, where they lived for a nnml)er of years, working almost day and night to clivir up the farm and siuTound themselves with some of thiP comforts of civilized life. From time to time, as they, through industry and frugality, earned the money, they added little by little to the former purchase, and finally built themselves a larger and more comfortable house. "When Mr. Ort first moved into the woods, they received frequent visits from the Indians, who came around their cabin in seai-ch of their ponies, making themselves quite familiar with their now neighbors. A\'olves, too, ^\'ere numerous, and oxceedingly neighborly, not nnfrequently making thei^ calls at what seemed, to the unsophisticated immigrants, unseasonable hours, often arousing the family from their sweet shnnbers in the dead hours of Ihe night by their unearthly howls; making it necessary for Mr. Ort, in compliance with the rules of etiipiette in such cases, to leave his bed, and, with his old ttintlock, to salute them from the door of his cabin. The report of the old Queen's arm they usually accepted as a, recognition of their friendly call, and retired for the night, accordingly, leaving the family to resume their repose undisturbed. Mr. Ort, as may reasonably be sup| osed, passed through many hardships - suffered many privations incident to pioneer life. His first grist he carried to mill on his back, a distance of eight miles, and returned the same day. By his unfiagging toil, he cleared up a farm of heavy timber land, made a comfortable home and secured a fair competence for those that might come after him. He died of consumption in the spring of 1863, at the age of forty -nine years; since which time, Mrs. Annie M. Ort, now in the sixtieth year of her age, being born April 8, 1824, has succeeded, by her more than common industry and good management, and provided for her household, thougli some of her children were quite small at the death of their parent. The farm now contains 246 acres, and is counted among the best farms on the South Ridge, which is un"equaled for productiveness by any portion of the county. The family consist of nine children - William, Henry, Maiy, Catharine (died in infancy), George, John C, Katie C, Minnie and Adam S. William, the eldest, born February 6, 1842, remained at home, helping his mother, until April 20, 1860, at which time he married Sarah J. Davis, and by her had two children, both of whom died in infancy. His wife died August. 29, 1874. He then came to Defiance and engaged in the grocery business. He married, for his second wife, the Widow Marcellus, of Defiance, September 15, 1875. Henry, the second son, who still lives on the farm with his mother, was born February 7, 1844; married September 20, 1868, to Sarah A. Heister, who died June 16, 1880. Mary was born August 24, 1846; married, August 8, 1808, to Jacob P. Davis. Catharine, borti October 20, 1848, died October 5, 1849. Hattie, born January 9, 1851; married, April 11,, 1872, to John H. E. Sebatz. Minnie, bore March 1, 1853, died June 22, 1870. George, born May 17, 1855, married May 18, 1878, to Catharine Hire. John K., born February 18, 1858; married, June 9, 1879, to Elizabeth Hahn. Adam L., born July 3, 1860.

' Orestus U. Woodward, farmer, P. 0. Defiance, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1832, and is a son of Eloazer and Henrietta (Ingraham) Woodward, natives of Connecticut. He died in New York in 1843. Mrs. W. came to Ohio, and died in Henry County in 1855. Nine children were born to them - five are living, fom- of whom reside in Henry County, Ohio. Our subject was reared on the farm, and obtained a good academic education. In 1856, he came to Defiance County, and in 1858, purchased a farm of eighty acres, on which he located in 1859, the same place being his presenb home. He is a member of the first Defiance Grange, which was organized December 16, 1873, and is the present Master. He was appointed Depnty, and organized the Granges of the county Mr. W. began teaching in the public schools in New York in 1852, and afterward taught in Pennsylvania. He has likewise taught in the schools of Henry and Defiance Counties since 1855. In 1858, he was married to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Samuel Rohn, by whom he has had four children, viz., Clayton, Eollin, Grace and Gertrude. J. B Elliott, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Defiance, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, December 5, 1837, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Seward) Elliott. He (Samuel) was born in Ireland in 1800, and in 1817, accompanied by. his mother, brother and two sisters, emigrated to America and settled in Ohio. They were preceded in this county by two sons, and after the mother came two other sons. Samuel Elliott was a son of John Elliott, who died in Ireland. The children of John who came to this country were James, Moses, Andrew, CLarles, John, George, Samuel, Jane, Thomas, Fanny and Simon. All originally settled in Holmes County, Ohio, and afterward a part of the family removed to Coshocton County, Ohio. Samuel was an Associate Judge of the latter county, and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He located in this township in 1855, in which he bought 480 acres of land, all of which, excepting sixty acres, is owned by his children. He died September 12, 1859. He was married in 18'26, and was the father of ten children, eight of whom are living, viz., Simon, Phcfibe, John B. , Albert, Nancy, Sarah, Samuel ^V. and Hester A. The deceased were Eleanor and Eli. Mrs. Elliott is living, at the age of seventy-eight years. Our subject was reared on the farm, and in the district schools he obtained a good practical education. Septembers, 1861, he was married to Miranda, daughter of Philemon and Rachel Dodd. He first settled in Adams Township, and in 1804 located where he now resides. To them have been born eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Nettie, Emma, Sarah, William F., Ruth and Rachel. Ellen and Charles deceased. In October, 1862, Mr. E. enlisted in Company G of the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served till August, 1863. Philemon and Rachel Dodd, parents of Mrs. J. B. Elliott, were natives of New Jersey, and located in Adams Township, this county, in 1842, in which both died, he in 1859, aged sixty years; she departed this life December 2, 1875, aged sixty-seven years.

Coshocton County, Ohio, December 27, 1839, and is a son of Samuel Elliott, of whom mention is made above. His boyhood was passed upon the farm, and obtained the advantages of a common school education. November 2, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, of the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; served under Gens. Burbridge and Stoneman; saw active service until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged November 25, 1865. Upon his return to civil life, he settled on the farm where he now resides, owniag200acresof land, 100 acres of which are well improved. September 22, 1868, he -was married to Henrietta, daughter of John and Anna (Wolcott) Emory, of E'ulton County, Ohio, by whom he has had three children, viz., Samuel, Flora Belle and Albert Wolcott.

Isaac F. Braucher, the only surviving son of Isaac E. Braucher, was born where he now resides December 1, 1848. He was married, March 21, 1872, to Rose, daughter of John Parrott, of Knox County, Ohio, who has borne him four children, viz., Gertrude, Alice, Earl and Mary. His brothers, Al phonso L. and Benjamin F., were members of Company G, Thii'ty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which they enlisted in September, 1861. The former was mustered into service as Second Lieutenant; he died at Somerset, Ky., January 2, 1862, aged thirty - three years. The latter died at his home August 6, 1862, at the age of nineteen years.

Samuel Rohn, farmer, P. O. Defiance, was born May 12, 1812, in Northampton County, Penn. He was reared on a farm, and was nine years old when his parents settled at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio. The following year, he came with his parents to Defiance County. He remained with his parents till about twenty-two years of age. In July, 1833, he was married to Miss Charity Hughes, daughter of Edward Hughes, of Adams County, Ohio. He and his wife settled in this county quite early, in which, both lived until they died. Mr. E. purchased land in his present vicinity, in which he first settled. At present he owds 370 acres of excellent land, highly improved. He has held some of the petty offices of the township, but has never had any aspiration for political hoaors. To Mr. and Mrs. Rohn were born ten children, sis of whom are living, viz. , Maro-aret, Helena, AdeliaA., OrisaB., Samuel W. and Frank H. His deceased children were named Joseph, Telitha, Nancy J. and Martha E. Mrs. R. died in September, 1878, aged sixty-five years eleven months and twenty eight days. He has been quite successful in life, having accumulated a good property, and is spending his declining years amidst the comforts of life