Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 20: Conclusion, 1912 (part 3 of 12)

John Carnes was born in Fairfield County, 0., and was a son of Robert Carnes, who was an early settler in the county, at one time owning land near Lancaster. John Carnes married Eliza Havens, who was also born in Fairfield County, a daughter of Nathaniel Havens, who came to this section with other early settlers. Of the children of John and Eliza Carnes the following survive : Isaac N., a resident of Baltimore, O. ; Catherine, wife of Charles Bright of Findlay, C; Louisa, wife of Homer Grable, of Licking County, O. ; John W., of Carroll, O. ; Mary, wife of A. L. Miller, of Greenfield Township; and Frank S., of Carroll, O.

Frank S. Carnes was reared in his native section and attended the public schools of Greenfield Township and Carroll, after which he conducted a meat market at Carroll for four years but otherwise his time has been given to general farming and stockraising. He has a well improved farm which is very productive through the thorough cultivation he has given it.

Mr. Carnes married Miss Catherine C. Wilbert, who was born in Greenfield Township like himself, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hufiford) Wilbert, the former of whom is one of the octogenarians of Greenfield Township, the latter being deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Carnes four children have been born: Wilber H., residing in Greenfield Township; Edith G., wife of Oscar D. Alspauch, living in Bloom Township; and Mary E. and Charles J., both residing at home. Mr. Carnes and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll, of which he has been a trustee. He has also served on the

REV. JEROME BAPTIST MATTINGLY, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Lancaster, O., took charge of this parish in February, 1906, being reluctantly released from his parish at Logan, Hocking County. Rev. Father Mattingly was born in Muskingum Township, Muskingum County, O., February 16, i860, and is a son of Christopher and Teresa (Durbin) Mattingly, who were the parents of four other children.

The early ancestors of Father Mattingly, came to America in the wake of Lord Bal- timore and with the Gillespies, the Durbins, the Suttons, the Sapps and others, distributed themselves first in Maryland and later through adjacent sections, one branch of the family coming to Muskingum County, O. Although largely agricultural, the family also has contributed to the professions and the church.

In boyhood, Jerome B. Mattingly attended the district schools in his native township. When he reached the proper age he became a willing student at St. Vincent College, Pa., conducted by the Benedictine Fathers, where he displayed great aptitude for study and won many prizes during his classical and philosophical courses. In 1887 he entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary at Baltimore, Md., where he completed his course and on August 15, 1890, was ordained to the priesthood, by Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson.

Father Mattingly has always been a hard worker, gaining this reputation at school and college and sustaining it in every position he has filled. A ready speaker and a convincing theologian, not the least of his duties has been the explaining of Catholic doctrine and the strengthening of the bonds of faith in neglected regions. From 1891 until 1893, his work was largely missionary, serving also some half dozen churches. In the latter year Bishop Watterson desired him to take charge of the parish at Athens, O., and eleven fruitful years were spent there, which included the building of church and pastoral residence, together with serving churches at Gallipolis, Canaanville, Zaleski, McArthur Junction, St. John's and Lodi. The volume of work demanded the exercise of all his energies, taxing both body and mind, but he passed safely through all difficulties and when he was called to another field, he left behind comforting evidences of what he had accomplished. From October, 1904, until January, 1906, he served the church at Logan and there so endeared himself to the people that they were loath to part with him when he was appointed to St. Mary's, the oldest church and one of the most important in Fairfield County. Father Mattingly has 600 families under his pastoral charge and there are 400 pupils in the church school, the teachers in which are eleven Dominican Sisters. Father Mattingly has two assistants, Rev. Joseph F. Dooley and Rev. Chas. L. Walsh. In addition to his other duties and responsibilities. Father Mattingly has charge of the Boys' Industrial School, at Lancaster.

WILLIAM T. KEMP, who is associated with his brother, George W. Kemp in the ownership and operation of a farm of 152)^ acres, situated in Sections 20 and 21. Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., is one of the leading men of this section and a lifelong resident of Fairfield County. He was born on his father's farm in Hocking Township, June I, 1858, and is a son of

Henry Kemp was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio at an early day, locating in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, where he spent his subsequent life, dying on his farm in 1868. He had the following children: Mary, deceased, who was the wife of J. Walters, also deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of George Williamson, also deceased; Sallie Ann who married a Courtright and is deceased; John, who is deceased; and William T., the youngest of the family.

William T. Kemp, Sr., grew to manhood on the home farm and became a farmer and stock man and on many occasions drove stock over the mountains to eastern markets. He lived only into early middle life, dying in i860. He married Elizabeth Ingman, who was born in Hocking Township and died June 18, 191 1. She remained a widow for some years and then married Joseph Gundy, who died July 7, 1893. They had one child, Asher. Three children were born to her first marriage : Felix, George W. and William Talbert, the eldest born dying when aged fourteen years.

William Talbert Kemp was a child when he lost his father and was reared to the age of twelve years on his grandfather Ingman's farm. He then went with his mother and step-father to the latter's farm in Greenfield Township, on which he worked until he was 28 years of age. On March 2, 1887, he moved on his present farm which he and brother had bought from William Bush and on which they successfully carry on general farming and stock raising.

County, a daughter of William and Adaline (Gundy) Griffith. The father of Mrs. Kemp was born in Amanda and the mother in Greenfield Township and both were members of large families, the father one of eleven and the mother one of twelve children. Mrs. Kemp was the eldest born of five children, the others being: Grant, who works the home farm ; Frank, who resides at Portland, Ore. ; Charles, who is a physician at Laporte, Tex. ; and Pearl, who lives with his mother. In politics William T. Kemp is a Republican ; he is quite prominent in township afTairs and has served as treasurer of Walnut Township. Both he and brother are men of high standing and are numbered with the representative men of this section.

cultural pursuits. Since 1900 he has been engaged in his present enterprise at Carroll, and for several years he has also been a member of the firm of King & Gundy, grain dealers at Lockville, O. Mr. Gundy is a self made man and the success which has attended his business undertakings has been the result of his own energy and good judgment.

Mr. Gundy was married to Miss Jessie Wilson, of Fairfield County, and they have two children, Cora F. and Isaac N. Mr. Gundy has always been an active citizen and his sterling qualities have been frequently recognized by his fellow citizens, who have elected him to offices of trust and responsibility. At present he is serving as a member of the town council.

JOSEPH P. GUNDY, proprietor of the Carroll Mills, at Carroll, O., manufacturer of high grade fiour and all kinds of feed, and dealer in grain, baled hay, straw, coal, posts and tile, has been identified with this business for the past eleven years, and is a prominent citizen of Greenfield Township, of which he is treasurer and is now serving in his second term. Mr. Gundy was born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., December 5, 1867, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Gundy.

Isaac Gundy was born also in Greenfield Township, a son of Joseph Gundy, who was a pioneer here. For some years Isaac Gundy was in partnership with Joseph P. Gundy in the ownership and operation of the Carroll Mills, and during this time the firm name was Gundy & Son. Subsequently Isaac Gundy withdrew.

IRVIN BOYER, county recorder of Fairfield County, O., has been a lifelong resident of this county and for many years has been an active and influential citizen in public affairs. He was born in Violet Township, April 12, 1855, and is a son of Beinville and Delina (Messmore) Boyer.

Beinville Boyer was born in Violet Township, Fairfield County, in 1833, and still lives on the same farm. His parents, Irvin and Mary (Carty) Boyer, came to Fairfield County from Pennsylvania, the old home of the Boyers being at McKeansburg, in Schuylkill County. Beinville Boyer married Delina Messmore, who died in 1888. Her people came to Ohio from Berks County, Pa. Four children were born to the above marriage : a son who died unnamed; Irvin; Lizzie, who is the widow of A. J. Dunlap, and resides with her father; and Alice, now deceased, who was the wife of M. M. Warner, also now deceased.

Irvin Boyer obtained his education in the public schools of his native county and then became a clerk in a store at Lockville for a time. From early manhood he has taken an interest in politics and at times was elected to township offices and has served as justice of the peace and as assessor. At the general election in November, 1910, he was elected county recorder and his service in this office has been very satisfactory. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Pickerington Lodge, No. 709, and he gives support to the German Reformed church, in which he was reared.

JACOB WILBERT, who is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Greenfield Township, where he has successfully engaged in farming for many years, owns eighty-seven acres of valuable land which he devotes to general agriculture. He was born May 19, 1830, in Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Kling) Wilbert.

In 1835 the parents of Mr. Wilbert left Prussia, having made up their minds to seek a new home in America. They safely crossed the Atlantic Ocean and came directly to Ohio, stopping for a short time at Lancaster, living for a few months in Hocking County, but locating permanently in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, where they spent the rest of their lives. Five of their children still live: Jacob: Martin L., residing at San Francisco; Frederick, also living in California; Peter, residing at Hayward, Calif. ; and Mary A., wife of William Lake, living at Kankakee, 111.

Jacob Wlbert had few educational opportunities in his youth but had a wise father and good mother and was reared to habits of industry. Farming has been his business all his life and during his active years he was a hard worker and successful farmer. In January, 1854, he married Miss Mary A. Hutiford, who was born in Hocking County a daughter of David HufTord, who was an early settler there. Mrs. Wilbert died in August, 1910, after a happy married life of over a half century. She was an estimable woman in every relation of life, a helpful and affectionate wife, a careful and devoted mother, a kind neighbor and a worthy member of the United Brethren church. She was beloved by all who knew her and Mr. Wilbert's bereavement was heavy. Of their nine children six are living, namely: David H., of Fort Wayne, Ind. ; Sarah E., wife of Anthony Bender, of Carroll, O. ; Catherine, wife of Frank S. Carnes, of Greenfield Township; Ellen, wife of Daniel Ridenour, of the same township; Effie, wife of Frank Cofifman, of Bloom Township; and William W., residing at Lake View, Logan County, O. Mr. Wilber is a member of the United Brethren church at Carroll, and was a liberal contributor to the building of the present edifice, and has served as trustee, steward and class leader. He is a Prohibitionist.

HAMILTON ELDER, who is one of the well known citizens and representative men of Walnut Township, lives on his well improved farm of 140 acres, which lies in Section 23, and owns also a farm of forty acres situated in Reding Township, Perry County, O. Mr. Elder was born January 12, 1835, in the first hewn log house that was ever built in Reding Township, it standing on his father's farm, and is a son of William and Anna (Vanatta) Elder.

William Elder was born in Frederick County, Md., where he was given educational advantages, became a school teacher and in that capacity came to Perry County.

There he married Anna Vanatta, who was born in New Jersey and had accompanied her parents to Perry County in childhood. Her father, John Vanatta was a very early settler in Reding Township and built the first frame barn there. William Elder died in his eighty-eighth year and his wife when aged eighty-three years. He acquired and cleared the forty-acre farm in Reding Township which his son Hamilton now owns. Seven children were born to William Elder and wife, namely: McKindery; Matilda, who married Henry Swinehart; Maria, who married Morris Howler; Jeanette; Hamilton; Mary, who is the wife of James Haines and resides in Illinois ; and Charles, who was a soldier in the Civil War. The only survivors of the above family are Hamilton and Mary.

Hamilton Elder grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted his father in clearing and cultivating it. He obtained his education in a subscription school, attending three months each winter until he was fifteen years of age. In addition to farm work he found employment with the contractors then building the three lines of railroad through Perry County. In looking about for an opportunity to better his prospects he was offered a position by Charles Fordman, who was a sheep grower in Fairfield County, and came here in 1855 and remained with that employer for two years. In the fall of 1857 he married and then rented the old Friend farm in Pleasant Township, a tract of 200 acres, on which he lived for the next fourteen years. Mr. Elder then bought 120 acres of his present Walnut Township farm, from John Hill, being in partnership at this time with his father-in-law, William Palmer. Later, Mr. Elder bought eighty acres of the Noah McKnight farm. The first residence was burned down but in 1904 Mr. Elder erected the present comfortable and commodious house and has made many other improvements on the place, having put up all the substantial farm structures. He carries on general farming. Mr. Elder is recognized as one of the good citizens of his section, one whose influence has always been directed to the preservation of law and order. He votes with the Prohibition party and at one time was its candidate for the office of couny treasurer.

Mr. Elder was married in November, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Palmer, a daughter of William and Margaret Palmer, and they have had sixteen children born to them. Of those that reached maturity, the following is a record in order of birth : The eldest, Benjamin Franklin, was a well known teacher for a number of years in Walnut Township, and married Martha Friend. Margaret Ann was the second born. Sarah Louisa is the widow of James Smith. Charles married Elsie Barker. William Henry, who died at the age of 29 years, is survived by his widow, Mrs. Alice (Griggs) Elder. Edward Clancy, who has been a successful teacher, married Dollie Gerhart. Owen Tunis, formerly a school teacher, married Elizabeth Buxton. Coriena E. is the wife of Robert Love. Homer and Milton are twins; the former married Arie Bowman and the latter Nellie Dupler. Mary Jane is the wife of Harvey Lee Warner. Roy Porter, who formerly taught school, is now a physician at Columbus. There are twenty-seven grandchildren in the family, some of these who have married, having children of their own. Mr. and Mrs. Elder have great reason to be proud of such numerous and vigorous descendants, a marked characteristic of whom has been mental capacity, few families in the county having produced a larger number of successful teachers. Mr. Elder united with the Methodist Episcopal church in his seventeenth year and his wife in her sixteenth and they have reared their children in this religious body.

FRANKLIN P. STUKEY, M. D., physihe began teaching school in order to provide for his own further educational advantages. Independence is dear to every right minded youth and by teaching eight winter terms, Mr. Stukey was able to pass eight summer terms in the National Normal School at Lebanon, O., and later to begin the study of medicine. He was prepared cian and surgeon at Lancaster, O., and also for college by Dr. Scoville, of Lebanon, O., a manufacturer of his own patented inven- and in 1881 he located at Lancaster, after tions, is classed with the representative men graduating with credit from the Kentucky of this city, being not only successful but School of Medicine, at Louisville. Dr. enterprising and progressive beyond the Stukey has been in the enjoyment of a large ordinary. He was born on his father's and lucrative practice for many years. For farm in Fairfield County, O., February 10, a decade he has also been interested in manufacturing a number of useful and novel articles of his own invention for which he built a malleable iron plant at Lancaster. His many interests have so

Stukey, who came to Fairfield County in absorbed him that he has never taken a 1828, securing 117 acres of land. John very active stand in local politics but he ex- Stukey followed agricultural pursuits an<l ercises every right of good citizenship and became a man of much consequence in his neighborhood on account of his sterling character, which was recognized by his fellow citizens. He taught school acceptably in early manhood and never lost his interest never shirks its responsibilities. He has served professionally in public capacities and has often given time, money and service to the cause of charity.

was born in 1821 in Fairfield County, a CHARLES CHRISTIAN MILLER, Ph.D. daughter of a pioneer settler of Berne ex-President of Lima College, at Lima, Township. John Stukey and wife lived into Ohio, ex-commissioner of the common schools honored old age and are survived by their of Ohio, and a distinguished institute infamily of sons, all of whom have become structor and lecturer, has been intimately asmen of substance and honorable standing, sociated with the educational interests of his Franklin P. Stukey was reared on the native State almost from boyhood. He was home farm and attended the district schools born November 26, 1856, at Baltimore, Fairuntil seventeen years of age, at which time field County. Ohio, and is a son of Enos

Dr. Miller's early educational training was secured in the common schools, and the Baltimore high school, from which he entered Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1876 Prior to this, however, he had taught school, being but 16 years old when he obtained his first certificate. As he was mainly dependent upon his own resources, he again began to teach ; in the first place, in order to procure the means with which he could secure collegiate advantages, and in the second, because his natural inclinations and evident talents lay in this direction. In the spring of 1877 he became a student at the Ohio State University, and in 1883 he was graduated from this institution with the coveted degree of A. B. During a portion of his university career, he was instructor in Latin and Greek. He enjoys the distinction of being the first graduate of the Ohio State University appointed a member of the board of trustees of that institution. On June 16, 1903, Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Recognizing very early in his career the call of his nature in the direction of educational work. Dr. Miller bent every energy to advance himself along this line of endeavor, meeting with public recognition and substantial promotion, while still in early manhood. He continued to teach from 1874 until 1884, when not a student himself, his schools being located at Rushville, Pleasantville and Eaton, Ohio. In the latter year he was appointed superintendent of the schools at Eaton, where he continued in this position until 1886, when he accepted a similar one at Ottawa, for a period of four years, going then to Sandusky, and in 1892 to Hamilton, each change being to his material benefit and professional advancement. In order to accept the responsible position of superintendent of the city schools at Hamilton, Dr. Miller was obliged to resign his office of State commissioner of common schools, to which he had been appointed in 1891 by Gov. James E. Campbell. In 1 90 1 he was again called to public office, being appointed State school examiner for a term of live years.

In 1S95 Dr. Miller went to Lima to assume the superintendency of the public schools of that city, and during his incumbency of 10 years he succeeded in advancing their educational standard to a point which could not help reflecting the greatest credit upon his intellectual abilities and executive qualities. In 1898 he spent the entire summer in post graduate work in Chicago University. To the regret of his fellow-citizens, Dr. Miller resigned his superintendency of the Lima schools at the close of the school year in June, 1905, to accept the presidency of Lima College, which had been tendered him.

In 1908 he resigned the presidency of Lima College, and made a visit to Europe for study and recreation. Returning, he engaged for a time in lecture work for the Redpath Bureau, and was, for nearly a year a post-graduate student in Columbia University. He is at the present time Deputy State Commissioner of Common Schools of Ohio.

In addition to the above enumerated honorable and responsible positions efficiently filled by Dr. Miller, he has served as county school examiner in Preble, Putnam, Butler and Allen counties and as city school examiner of the cities of Sandusky, Hamilton and Lima.

and Pennsylvania. As an interesting and effective lecturer. Dr. Miller has few equals. The barest theme, taken up by Dr. Miller and clothed in his beautiful and appropriate language and presented with his oratorical ability, becomes a subject of ever recurring interest to his auditors. His gifts as a lecturer are such as to cause his favorable comparison with other notables in the field.

Dr. Miller was married, in 1891, to Nellie Cornell Wilbur, who was bom in New York. The domestic circle includes two sons and a daughter, installed in a beautiful home at Lima, where, when not absent professionally. Dr. Miller enjoys the resources of an extensive library and, on occasion, dispenses hospitality to a large social circle. He is a member of numerous educational organizations, both local and national, and belongs to the fraternal orders of Masons and Knights of Pythias. He is a man of striking personality, gifted both in mind and person. He possesses the courtesy that invites confidence, the geniality which attracts friends and the dignity which belongs to the eminent position in the educational world to W'hich his own abilities have advanced him.

JACOB CLAYPOOL, a well known citizen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., belongs to a large and substantial family of this section and was born here Augxist 26, 1846, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Meason) Claypool.

The pioneer of the Claypool family in Fairfield County, was Jacob Claypool, who was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1775 and with his family came to Ohio in 181 1. His first marriage was to Margaret Baker, who died in 1828, and his second wife was a Mrs. Neal, a native of Ross County, O. Prior to 1805, the Claypool property had been occupied by squatters, but in that year Jacob Claypool had purchased the land which has been more or less retained ever since by his descendants. He was a land surveyor for some twenty years and also was interested in farming and banking as well as politics. When the Lancaster Bank was organized in 1816 he was one of its directing board. In the same year he was elected first to the Ohio Legislature, to which he was thrice reelected - in 1818 and 1822 to the lower House and in 1824 to the upper House. He raised stock and cattie and was one of the earliest men to recognize the value of raising cattle for the eastern markets. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was liberal In his benefactions.

Isaac Claypool was born in Fairfield County, O., June 21, 1821 and was afforded excellent educational advantages, attending Greenfield Academy, a noted institution in its day in Fairfield County. His life was spent on the homestead farm and was largely devoted to general agriculture and to handling cattle. In his younger days he frequently accompanied his father when the former traveled to Baltimore, Philadelphia and other eastern cities to dispose of his stock. To his inheritance of 200 acres of land he added until he had 600 acres, and through fine cultivating and improving it became one of the best tracts of land in Fairfield County. He was never active in the political arena, as was his father, but voted the Republican ticket and represented the best citizenship of his community. His death occurred on his birthday June 21, 1902. On August 17, 1843, he married

Nancy Meason, who was born in 1821 and died in 1855. He was married second to Sarah A. Pierce, who was born in New Hampshire in 1836 and died in 1893, and his third marriage was to Annie E. Cosgrove, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1843 and died in 1898. Of his three marriages there are five survivors, namely: Jacob; James B., residing in Hocking Township; Frank P., residing in Greenfield Township; John R., living at Lancaster, O. ; Emma E., the widow of Alexander McCowan, living at Lancaster; and Ada, now Mrs. Albert Ceighton, living at Newark, O.

Jacob Claypool was reared in Greenfield Township and was educated in the public schools and at Greenfield and Pleasantville Academies. He resides on his excellent farm of 155 acres and is interested in farming and stockraising.

Mr. Claypool was married first to Truphenia Weist, and they had four children, the three survivors being: Stella, living at Lancaster, C; Maud, wife of Milton Strode, living in Hocking Township; and Florence, wife of Lewis Marks, living at Lancaster, O. Mr. Claypool was married secondly to Miss Mary McLardy, of Ross County, O. In 1890 Mr. Claypool was chosen by the Republican party as its candidate for county commissioner of Fairfield County and lacked but few votes, comparatively speaking, of being elected, his personal popularity coming very near to overcoming the normal Democratic majority. He has served nine consecutive years as township trustee and eight years as a director of the Fairfield Agricultural Society, of which he was president for two years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church in Greenfield Township and is one of the church trustees.

There are many interesting circumstances connected with the earlier history of the Claypool family. One of its early members, James Claypool, who was a resident of Waldrum Park, Northamptonshire, England, was of such importance in the kingdom that he was granted a coat of arms. John Claypool married Elizabeth, the favorite daughter of Oliver Cromwell. James Claypool, a brother of John Claypool, and Norton Claypool, both came to America and the former was a witness to the signing of the charter of Pennsylvania, by William Penn.

JAMES ROBERT SCHOPP, county surveyor of Fairfield County, O., is an enterprising and educated young man who possesses all the active business qualities with which the modern young American is justly credited. He was born November 6, 1884, at Blossburg, Pa., and is a son of Adam and Margaret A. (Hutchinson) Schopp.

The father of Mr. Schopp was born in Germany and came to the United States when seventeen years of age, where he learned the barber's trade and here enlisted for service in the Civil war. In 1890 he came with his family to Fairfield County where he resided during the remainder of his life, dying in 1910, at the age of sixtythree years. His widow and both their two children survive - James Robert and Mary L.

James Robert Schopp attended the public schools of Lancaster and was graduated from the High School. He afterward spent four years of study in the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he was graduated a civil engineer in the class of 1908. He found work in his profession and took every opportunity of perfecting his technical knowledge by practice and his ability became so well recognized that in November, 1910, he was elected county surveyor. Politically Mr. Schopp is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 48, Knights of Pythias, and he has never lost interest in his college fraternity society, the Phi-Delta-Theta, of which he was a popular member. He was reared in the Presbyterian church.

A. L. MILLER, who has been a resident of Greenfield Township, since 1888, owns a valuable farm there containing seventyseven acres,, and is also engaged in business at Carroll, O., as a member of the undertaking firm of Bishop & Miller. He was born January 14, 1864, in Hocking County, O., a son of Isaac D. and Elizabeth (Lecron) Miller.

Isaac D. Miller was born in Fairfield County, O., but his wife was a native of Hocking County and after marriage they passed the larger part of their lives in the latter county. The paternal grandfather, John D. Miller was one of the early settlers of Bremen, O., and was of German extraction.

A. L. Miller attended school in Hocking County and has always resided in Ohio and is well known in both Hocking and Fairfield Counties. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry. Although he is independent in politics, his standing as a valuable citizen has been recognized by his fellow citizens in general and he now fills the office of assessor of Carroll Precinct, and has proved acceptable in other local positions. Mr. Miller married Miss Mollie J. Carnes, of Greenfield Township, and they have two children, Willard C. and Mary F. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll.

ALONZO PARRISH, a member of the board of county commissioners of Fairfield County, O., and the owner of a valuable farm of 78 acres situated in Walnut Township, is one of the representative men of this section. He was born July 27, 1853, on his father's farm in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., and is one of a family of five children born to his parents, who were Louis and Margaret (Coflfman) Parrish, both of whom are now deceased.

Alonzo Parrish was reared and educated in his native township and has made farming his main business in life. He has continued to operate his farm of 78 acres, devoting it to general farming and stockraising. Since early manhood he has been interested in public aflfairs and has been more or less a leader in Democratic councils in this section. He was first elected a county commissioner in 1908 and was reelected in November, 1910. He has served also in other offices and has been a trustee of Walnut Township.

Mr. Parrish married Miss Rebecca Neel. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and the Odd Fellows. In his official capacity, Mr. Parrish has proved of great value and in cooperation with other commissioners has made the present board particularly acceptable and effective as a business organization.

ABRAHAM MUSSER, who is one of Walnut Township's best known citizens, belongs to an old Fairfield County family and has spent the larger part of his life on his present farm of 504 acres, in Section 7, which he owns in association with the heirs of A. J. Musser. He was born on this farm, September 8, 1830, and is a son of Ulrich and Elizabeth (Fry) Musser.

and was twelve years old when his parents, John Musser and wife came with their children to America, about 1802. After a stormy passage of eleven weeks they were landed at Baltimore, and from there went to Somerset County, Pa. From there they came to Fairfield County, C, settling one mile east of Baltimore, where John Musser bought a farm that remained in the Musser name for many years. Later he moved to Section 7, Walnut Township, where he secured 100 acres of the farm first mentioned, and here he lived in a small log house that stood on the fourteen acres of cleared land. When his son Ulrich came into possession, he built a large log house and a log barn, which buildings are still standing and are reckoned the oldest in Fairfield County. He also cleared up the original 100 acres and added more land. His death occurred at the age of sixty-four years. He married Elizabeth Fry, who was born in Virginia and was brought by her parents to Ohio, they dying here. She lived to the unusual age of ninety-four years. They had eight children, namely: Henry, who was born in 1817 and is one of the oldest residents of Fairfield County; Catherine, who is deceased; Sarah, who is the widow of Thomas Warner; Daniel, who is deceased; Abraham; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Gilmore ; Lydia, who is the wife of Harvey Ashley; and Andrew J., deceased, who was once county treasurer of Fairfield County.

Abraham Musser grew up on his father's farm and he remembers that when he went to school he had to pass a little brick house that still stands on his place. It had been erected by a Mr. Baughman, a Virginian, and to the little boy going from his log home to the log school-house - both of rather primitive type - the brick house seemed the height of affluence in house construction and it probably was one of the first brick houses in the county. Abraham helped to clear the old farm and later, during the Civil War, with his brother, A. J., who died April 4, 191 1, bought two onequarter sections of land. They cleared and drained this land and continued to be associated together in the management of it all until the latter's death, since when his son, Zephaniah Courtright Musser, attends to his late father's interest. Abraham Musser is largely interested in the stock business. He erected the present commodious frame residence on the farm. In his political views he is a Democrat.

Andrew J. Musser was born July 12, 1838, in Walnut Township. The last fifteen years of his life were spent at Lancaster, O. He was a man of prominence in the county and was twice elected county treasurer. He married Elizabeth Courtright, a daughter of Zephaniah Courtright, and still resides at Lancaster, O. They had six children: Zephaniah C, who was born on the Musser farm, August 27, 1876, served as deputy treasurer under his father and belongs to the Masons and Elks at Lancaster; Ray, who lives in Pleasant Township, married Wilda Geiger; Andrew J., who lives in Delaware County, O., married Alice Kirkpatrick ; Fannie, who is the wife of John L. Graham, is a resident of Lancaster where her husband is in business ; Ulrich, who is a resident of Portland, Ore. ; and Fred, who resides with his mother at Lancaster. Politically the Musser family has always been identified with the Democratic party.

Joseph Gundy was born in Greenfield Township, May 30, 1810, a son of Christian Gundy, who came to Fairfield County from Pennsylvania and was one of the pioneers of Liberty Township. Joseph Gundy was a successful farmer and highly respected resident of Greenfield Township, where his death occurred July 7, 1893. He took much interest in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hooker, O., liberally contributing to its support and furthering its missionary work. He was twice married and of his children the following survive : Oliver, who lives at Hooker, O. ; Isaac, who resides in Greenfield Township ; Adaline, who is the widow of William Griffith; Mrs. Elizabeth Bowers, who lives at Hooker; and Asher.

Asher Gundy has been a lifelong resident of Greenfield Township, obtaining his education in the public schools and learning the principles of successful farming on the home place. Like his late father, he is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EMMETT R. DEFENBAUGH, sheriff of Fairfield County, O., is a native of this state, born in Hocking County, September 13, i860, one of the eight children of Andrew and Jane (Riegle) Defenbaugh. The father of Sheriff Defenbaugh is now in his eighty-fourth year and continues to live on his farm in Hocking County.

Emmett R. Defenbaugh was educated in the public schools and at the Northern Normal University at Ada, of the Commercial Department of which he is a graduate. He started into business as a farmer in the western part of Fairfield County and remained there until 1903, when he went into the milling, grain and livestock business and continued until he was elected sheriff of Fairfield County, in 1908, assuming the duties of the same in January, 1909. His success at the polls was a flattering one, as he had one of the largest majority of any county officer. He has proved a resolute, courageous man in the line of duty and his Democratic friends have made him their standard bearer for reelection - an almost certain event, as he is popular with all classes except lawbreakers.

Mr. Defenbaugh married Miss OUie E. Allen, a daughter of Lyman P. Allen, an extensive farmer of Amanda Township, Fairfield County, and owner of about one section of land, and they have two children - Blanche and Maud. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Sheriff Defenbaugh is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging also to the K. of P., B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F.

HENRY W. SHOWALTER, a representative citizen of Carroll, O., where he was engaged in the hardware business for over a quarter of a century, has been very active in the affairs of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company of this place and is treasurer of its board of directors. He was born September 20, 1845, i^i Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Samuel C. and Sarah (French) Showalter, both of whom were natives of Virginia.

Henry W. Showalter was about one year old when his father died and his mother passed away a few months later. He was reared to the age of thirteen years by Mrs. Nancy Showalter, of Bloom Township, when he went to live with his guardian, Daniel Boyer, of that township, and re- mained there for the next five years. He then started out for himself, being equipped with a district school education. He continued to live in Bloom Township for some years longer, following farming and threshing, and then went into partnership with John Robertson, under the firm name of Robertson & Showalter, in contracting for public works, and continued in this association and business for five years. For the next five years Mr. Showalter was in the grain buying and elevator business at Lockville, O., from which place he came to Carroll, in 1884, and opened up a general hardware business. He has been a useful and enterprising citizen of this town, his efforts always having been public spirited and progressive and he was one of the leading promoters of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company, a financial enterprise which has been most beneficial to this section. During its earlier months after organization, Mr. Showalter's store was bank headquarters. While at Lockville, O., he was postmaster and since coming to Carroll has held ofifices of a public nature and for fifteen years has been treasurer of Greenfield Township. Mr. Showalter married Miss Mary A. Stansbery, and they have had one daughter, Carrie, who is now deceased.

Reuben Wesley Mondhank

REUBEN WESLEY MONDHANK, M. D., who is president of the Fairfield County Medical Society and identified with the Ohio State and the American Medical Associations, has a professional experience behind him for fifteen years of continuous practice. He was born near Lancaster, O., his present home, and is a son of William and Mary (Ackoss) Mondhank.

(Strocks) Mondhank, natives of Germany and early settlers in this section, where Grandfather Mondhank died in 1909, aged eighty-seven years, the grandmother being now in her ninety-third year. William Mondhank, the second, has followed farming all his life. He married Mary Ackoss, a daughter of Daniel Ackoss, who was born in Vermont and now lives in Logan, C, being in his ninety-third year. His wife, the maternal grandmother of Dr. Mondhank, was of German ancestry. She died of typhoid fever when aged forty-five years. Dr. Mondhank has one sister, Minnie, who is the wife of Charles Hummel, residing in Fairfield County.

Reuben W. Mondhank attended the local schools in boyhood and then became a student in the National Normal L^niversity at Lebanon, C, this being the first Normal college in the United States. In 1.S96 he was graduated with his medical degree, from the Ohio Medical University at Columbus, O., and entered into practice at Royalton, where he remained for eleven years and then came to Lancaster, where he is in the enjoyment of a large practice. Dr. Mondhank continues to be a student in his profession, making use of every opportunity to increase his store of knowledge and to perfect his skill. In 1903 he took a postgraduate course in a New York Post Graduate institution.

Dr. Mondhank was married in the spring of 1896 to Miss Anna Cruit, a daughter of William and Mary Cruit, residents of Fairfield County, and they have had two children: Mary, who died at the age of six years ; and Chester, a manly youth of twelve years who is making excellent progress at school. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Dr. Mondhank is a Republican and fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Masons, being a Knight Templar and a "Shriner." The Doctor's home and oiifice are located at No. 408 Columbus street.

WESLEY HOLMES, formerly president of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company, of Carroll, O., and a successful merchant there for many years, was born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., in October, 1835, and was a son of George and Nancy (McDonald) Holmes, also natives of the county, these families being old and substantial ones in this section.

Wesley Holmes spent his boyhood in Greenfield Township, assisting his father on the farm and securing the education then afforded by the district schools. As his inclinations did not urge him to an agricultural life he went then to Carroll, O., where he became a clerk in a store and continued in that capacity for several years, when he embarked in a general mercantile business for himself and in the passage of years became one of the solid and substantial business men of the town. He was also public spirited and was one of the main promoters of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company, an important financial institution of Carroll which enjoys the patronage and confidence of the whole county, and of which Mr. Holmes was made president. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll and served officially in that body. His views on public questions made him a Republican but he was never aggressive and never desirous of holding public office. His death occurred on April 8, 1910, and in his demise Fairfield County lost a worthy and honorable man. For twenty-five years he was postmaster and for many years was treasurer of the corporation.

On February 4, 1868, Mr. Holmes married Miss Catherine Aldred, who was born near Wilmington, Del., a daughter of John and Mary (Tally) Aldred. The father of Mrs. Holmes was born in England and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Delaware, and he subsequently was married to Mary Tally, who was born in Delaware. Mrs. Holmes in her fifth year was taken to Perry County, O. In 1861 she came to Carroll, O., and has been a resident of Fairfield County until the present, being now in her eightieth year. She has a wide circle of attached friends and is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which she and her husband were deeply interested together for over a quarter of a century.

CHARLES D. GILL, whose valuable farm of 406 acres lies in Section 29, Walnut Township, is one of the representative men of this section, active in local affairs and respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. He has been a lifelong resident of Fairfield County, and was born in Walnut Township, August 17, 1863, the only child of Edward and Catherine (Waddell) Gill.

The Gill family was established in Fairfield County by the grandfather, Nicholas Gill, who came here from Baltimore County, Md. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and after its close settled in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, securing the quarter section which includes the present farm of his grandson, Charles D. Gill, for the sum of $3,500. He erected the present buildings and died in the residence still occupied, in 1844. He married Elizabeth Ambrose and twelve children were born to them : Ambrose, Dydimus, Sarah, John, Nicholas,

Edward Gill, father of Charles D., was born on the present farm in March, 1828. He was a farmer and dealt in live stock and frequently drove his stock over the mountains to reach markets. He married Catherine Waddell, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Dr. David S. Waddell, who was one of the early medical practitioners at Pleasantville. Edward Gill bought a farm near the old home place and he and his wife died there, his death occurring in July, 1873.

Charles D. Gill attended the district schools in boyhood, later the Reynoldsburg High School and then entered the preparatory department of Kenyon College, at Gambler. Still later he was a student in the Fairfield Academy and Delaware College. From choice he has always been an agriculturist. In 1892 he purchased his present farm from George E. Martin. It is a fine property, well adapted to both general farming and stock raising. He owns a number of valuable horses, including two of the heaviest-boned Percheron stallions in Ohio - Caprice and Cadi.x. He owns also the valuable Shetland pony, Billy Barlow. He was one of the organizers of the Millersport Bank Company, in which he is a stockholder. Politically he is a Republican and in 1909 was elected a member of the school board and for the past ten years has been a member of the Fair board. He has been very active in the Grange movement and formerly was master of the organization at Millersport.

On October 13, 1895, Mr. Gill was married to Miss Mary Etta Ketner, a daughter of Nicholas V. and Catherine (Warner) Ketner, and they have four children: Florence, Edward, Catherine and Nicholas. Mr. Gill is a thirty-second degree Mason.

HON. JAMES A. HOLMES, mayor of Carroll, O., and serving in his second term in this office, has been a resident of the city since 1904, and was born March 6, 1855, in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O. His parents were James and Alatilda (Kistler) Holmes.

James Holmes and wife were both born in Bloom Township, the former a son of Thomas Holmes, who was of English extraction. James Holmes was a Republican in politics and he was a man of prominence and served as mayor of Carroll prior to his death in November, 1864. He was twice married, first to Matilda Kistler, and second to Susan Saylor, and of his children the following survive: Henry, who lives at Carroll ; Nancy E., who is the wife of E. D. Kraner, of Pickerington, O. ; James A. ; Matilda J., who is the wife of Wilbur Luckey of South Charleston, O. ; Florence, who lives at Pittsburg, Pa. ; and Rachel, who is the wife of Frank Groves, of Cincinnati. The two last named are children of the second marriage.

James A. Holmes lost his mother when an infant and was reared by an aunt, the late Mrs. Rachel Pickering, formerly of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, with whom he remained until her death in 1893. He was educated at Pickerington and Lithopolis. Farming has been his occupation and he owns 132 acres of valuable land adjoining Carroll, and formerly owned a creamery at this place. For seven years he has resided here and has been a valued and appreciated citizen. Formerly he served as clerk of Greenfield Township and in 1908 he was first elected mayor and was subsequently reelected and is giving his fellow citizens an admirable administration from every point of view. He is identified with the Republican party.

Mayor Holmes was marred January lo, 1884, to Mary L. Kuans, a daughter of Martin Van Buren Kuans, of Portsmouth, O., and they have three children: Nellie C, who is the wife of Klmer Miller, of Greenfield Township ; and James Jay and Rachel Juanita, who reside at home.

REUBKN S. HINE, president of the board of county commissioners of Kairfield County, O., is one of the best known citizens of Lancaster and for many years prior to accepting his present official position, was largely engaged in general contracting. He was born in Fairfield County, O., March I7> 1835- H's parents were Jacob and Rebecca (Kanode) Hine, who had five children. Jacob Hine was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Fairfield County in 1820, where he engaged in farming and resided tmtil the close of his life.

Reuben S. Hine was reared in Fairfield County and obtained his schooling in his native place. He worked on the home farm until 1870 when he embarked in a general contracting business with Mason & Stone at Lancaster. He continued in the same occupation until 1906, when he was first elected a county commissioner of Fairfield County. His services have been considered very valuable to the county and he has not only been reelected a member of the board but since 1907 has been president of this important county body. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Hine married Miss Mary M. Kanode, a daughter of Benjamin F. Kanode, and they have six children, all of whom are well established in life. Mr. Hine and family reside at No. 711 E. Wheeling street, Lancaster, O.

HENRY D. DRUMM, for many years was one of the well known and respected citizens of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and owned a fine farm of 117 acres, which is now the property of his widow. He was born June 3, 1829, and died in Greenfield Township, March 17, 1909. His parents were Henry and Maria (Hauchman) Drumm. Henry Drumm was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania and came with his family to Fairfield County at an early date, locating at Lancaster, where he became a man of consequence and at one time was postmaster.

Henry D. Drumm was reared at Lancaster and attended school there and in early manhood went into the sawmill business and worked at different points in Fairfield County. After marriage he turned his attention to farming, living at first in Pleasant Township and moving from there to Greenfield Township. He was an honorable, upright man and one who conscientiously performed every known duty and lived in peace and friendship with his neighbors. He was a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a member and was one of its board of trustees.

On account of disability Mr. Drumm was rejected when he tried to enlist for service in the Union army. When the Governor called for volunteers on account of threatened invasion of the state, Mr. Drumm was one of the first to volunteer. The company, known as "The Squirrel Hunters," elected Kit Rufifner as its captain and each man took his own rifle, ammunition and provisions. The family still have Mr. Drumm's discharge papers, and also a transcript of the resolution of thanks to the

On September 18, 1865, Henry D. Drumm was married to Miss Susan Fetters, who was born in Pleasant Township, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) Fetters, both natives of Fairfield County, and a granddaughter of George Fetters, one of the early settlers in Pleasant Township. Five children- were born to Mr. and Mrs. Drumm, namely : Mayme J., who lives with her mother; Sarah D., who is deceased; Henry T., who lives in Greenfield Township; Cora B., who is the wife of Frank G. McElroy, of Indianapolis, Ind. ; and Maud M., who lives at Columbus, O. Mrs. Drumm is a member of the Hutton Chapel Methodist Episcopal church in Greenfield Township.

HENRY R. PLUM, M. D., one of the leading medical practitioners of Lancaster, O., who has been established in this city for the past twelve years, was born January 5, 1868, at St. Paul, Pickaway County, O., and is a son of William H. and Mary (Smith) Plum.

William H. Plum was born in Franklin County, O., a son of Henry Plum, and died in 1890, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a farmer and stock dealer during the greater part of his life. He married Mary Smith, who was born in Madison Township, Pickaway County, O., a daughter of Reuben Smith, and died in 1881, when aged but thirty-six years. Four sons and two daughters were born to this marriage. Ora B. is the wife of William Hickle, of Pickaway County. Myrtie D. is the wife of Dr. J. P. Warner, of Canal Winchester, O. William H. is a livestock dealer, residing at Ashville, O., and married Clara Steward.

Horace W., who is engaged in the insurance business at Circleville, O., was formerly county clerk of Pickaway County." Harley M. is a teacher in the Cleveland High School. Henry R., of Lancaster, is the second born of the family.

Henry R. Plum was educated in the public schools of Pickaway County, attended the Madison Township High School and in 1891 was graduated from the Ohio Normal University at Ada. For about three years after graduation he taught school at Watertown, Wis., and one year in a House of Refuge Reform School near Philadelphia. He then entered Starling Medical College, where he was graduated with the class of 1898. He then came to Lancaster, with which city he has been identified professionally ever since. He is a member of the state and county medical societies and keeps thoroughly informed concerning the wonderful advances being made in medical science.

Dr. Plum was married in September, 191 1, to Miss Margaret Kirn, a daughter of Jacob Kirn. They enjoy a beautiful home at No. 135 W. Wheeling street, where Dr. Plum also maintains his oflfice. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

JEFFERSON J. WINEGARDNER, deceased, for many years was a respected resident and useful citizen of Fairfield County, O., and was a member of a family of considerable importance in this section and of large estate. He was born in Richland township, Fairfield County, the only one of his parents' family of thirteen children to be born in Ohio, his birth taking place in 1809, just after the family had reached here from Virginia.

gardner, the parents of Jefferson J. Winegardner, were probably born in Germany, or at least were of German parentage. Before coming to Ohio the father operated a farm and also conducted a hotel in Virginia, and afterward in company with his sons engaged in farming, they becoming owners of gristmills and distilleries. To Herbert Winegardner and wife the following children were born : Adam, Maria House, Catherine Geiger, Betsey, Charity, Susan, Sarah, Mrs. Zimmerman, Herbert, Henry, Anthony, Jefferson J. and Absalom. Of these Sarah married Auditor Reichley, who was a prominent officer during the Civil War. Although the family was large, a number of the children died in early or middle life and when but four remained they entered into a strange agreement, this being that none of the four should marry as long as two were living. This did not occur until Jefferson J., was sixty-two years of age and the sole survivor.

Mr. Winegardner was married in 1876, to Mrs. Mary M. (Miller) Rader, widow of John Rader, who already had a family of seven children, these being: Anna C, wife of William Miller; Esther E., wife of Enoch Langle; Wilbur W., who is deceased; Julius L., Merit McClelland, Milo G. and Earl M., the last named being deceased. This proved a happy union and Mr. Winegardner was permitted to enjoy a number of years of domestic life, surviving until October, 14, 1891. Mrs. Winegarden had no children born to her second marriage. Few men were more public spirited or wisely generous than was Jefferson J. Winegardner. He may not unjustly be called father of the town of Rushville, donating land and encouraging business enterprises and being particularly liberal in his gifts to the Reformed church, bestowing thirty-eight acres of land on it and donating almost the entire $10,000 required in the building of the handsome church edifice. He was the owner of about 3,000 acres of land. In politics he was a Democrat and always cherished the memory of President James K. Polk, who was his mother's first cousin. Mrs. Winegardner owns considerable property also, including one farm of ninety-three acres and another of twenty-one acres, a fine residence on Wheeling Street, Lancaster, and her handsome residence at No. 662 East Main Street. She is one of the active workers and devout members of the Reformed church.

EDSON B. FAST was one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Greenfield Township, where he was a leading citizen for some years and one of the representative agriculturists. He was born May 9, 1863, in Berne Township, Fairfield County, and died August 31, 1909, in Greenfield Township. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Fast, who spent many years in Berne Township, where the mother died. The father has passed his eightieth birthday and now lives in retirement at Columbus, O.

Edson B. Fast was reared in Berne Township and in early life had but few advantages, but he grew into a useful man and good citizen. After he married he removed with his wife to Paulding County, O., but in the spring of 1906 returned to Fairfield County. Farming and stock-raising engaged his attention through life and he was successful in these industries. He left a valuable estate of 234 acres, which is ably managed by his widow.

1889, to Miss Elizabeth Idella Beery, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Swartz) Beery, both natives of Fairfield County. The Beery family was a pioneer one in Berne Township and Daniel Beery, the grandfather of Mrs. Fast, spent his life there. Her father, Lewis Beery, died in December, 1908, and eight of his children still survive, namely: Frank S., of Pleasant Township ; Edward T., Charles E. and David H., all of Berne Township; Catherine, wife of R. W. Graham, residing near Lancaster, O. ; Emma J., wife of R. T. Gregg, of Lima, O. ; Elizabeth Idella, widow of Edson B. Fast; and Nettie M., widow of S. J. Fickel, residing at Lancaster. O.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fast four children were born: Pearl D., Raymond B., Lewis E. and Florence E., all of whom live in Greenfield Township. In his political views Edson B. Fast was a Democrat. He was a liberal supporter of the public schools and of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll, to which he and family belonged, and of which he was a trustee. This family and its connections stands very high in public esteem in Fairfield County.

MILTON JONES NICKUM, who has been a resident of Fairfield County, O., since 1880, for many years has been engaded in the drug business at Pleasantville and has property investments here. He was born June 7, 1841, on his father's farm in Maryland, and is a son of James and Mary (Jones) Nickum.

The grandparents of Mr. Nickum came from Wales but both parents were born and died in Maryland. The father was a farmer and stock dealer. He lived into old age, dying in his ninety-third year. Mr.

Milton J. Nickum remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age and subsequently attended a school of pharmacy, at Baltimore, Md. He then spent several years as a drug clerk. Afterwards he was engaged as a traveling salesman through the West for a distilling house at Shelbyville, Ind., and continued that connection until 1880, when he had the opportunity of buying the drug store that was then being conducted in the little village of Pleasantville. He had the good judgment that future developments proved reliable, that the then small place would develop into one of importance and in this development Mr. Nickum has been an important factor.

He was married at Shelbyville, Ind., to Miss Ella Callender, who was born in Kentucky, and they have had two children : Ray, who lives at Rushville, O., married a Miss Lewis and has one child; and Daisy, who died in 1909, at the age of twenty-eight years. She was the wife of Ilef Young and was the mother of two children, Margaret and Miltella. The latter died at the age of two years. Her mother, in love and honor for her parents, had given the babe its pretty name of Miltella, a euphonious combination. For fifty years Mr. Nickum has been a Free Mason and for more than forty years a Knight of Pythias. Politically he is a Democrat.

EMANUEL HITE, a well known farmer of Greenfield Township, who has occupied his present farm of sixty-one and onefourth acres since 1908, was born in Pleas-

Jacob Hite was born and spent his life in Pleasant Township, where his death occurred in 1906, on the old home place where he had been born ninety-one years before. His father, Andrew Hite, was one of the very earliest settlers in Pleasant Township, where he died in 1817, his burial being probably one of the first in this section. Jacob Hite was a worthy man in every way, a consistent Christian and a member of the Presbyterian church. He took an interest in both local and outside affairs and voted with the Republican party. He married Jane Dean as his second wife and of their children the following still survive: Emily, who is the wife of David Franks, of Rushville, O. ; Frances, who is the wife of John L. Keller, of Knox County, O. ; Emanuel ; and Lemuel, who lives in Pleasant Township.

Emanuel Hite grew to manhood in Pleasant Township and attended the district schools in boyhood, since when he has been continuously engaged in farming and stockraising. On June 8, 1899, he was married to Caroline Schmidt, who was born in Berne Township, Fairfield County. She has one sister, Mrs. John Struckman, of Carroll, O. Mr. Hite is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Hite was reared in the Lutheran faith. He is a Republican in politics but takes no active part in political affairs, being more interested in the cultivation and improvement of his farm and in the growing of first class stock. He is one of the township's respected citizens.

Mr. Stewart was educated in the schools at Jacksontown and when eighteen years of age visited the West, spending two years in Missouri and one year in Colorado. A short time after his return to Licking County he was married to Miss Alice Parr. She died in 1893, the mother of four children, namely : Daisy, who is the wife of A. E. Rowles, of Pleasantville and has one child, Miriam ; J. Byron, who resides at Pleasantville, married Alice Shannon and has two children - Zoe M. and Joseph; Vera, who is the wife of Frank Landis, lives at Columbus and has one child, Doris; and William P., who is a resident of Cleveland, and married Helen Deindorfer. Mr. Stewart's second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Tschopp, widow of Henry Tschopp. . In 1881 Mr. Stewart moved to Pleasantville and here embarked in a mercantile and grain business, which he subsequently - after his election to the office of sheriff in 1896 - sold to Eli Rowles. He has been a leading Democrat of the county for many years and has held numerous township offices and during his four years as sheriff of the county, confirmed the previous excellent estimate of his fellow citizens. For a short time he was in a grocery business but sold in 1907 and since then has been engaged in disposing of real estate as an occupation. For many years he has been both a Mason and a Knight of Pythias.

CLARENCE M. ROWLEE, one of the capable and progressive business men of Lancaster, O., has been actively interested in gas development for many years and during the most active and effective of these he has been a resident of Fairfield County. He is a native of Potter County, Pa., a son of William and Mary (Bovier) Rowlee, both of whom were born in New York.

Clarence M. Rowlee was reared on his father's farm and obtained a public school education. The opening up of the great oil industry attracted his interest as it did that of an army of others and his education secured him a clerkship with one of the early prospecting and operating companies where the knowledge gained soon enabled him to successfully make ventures of his own in the same direction. Until 1885 he continued to operate in Bradford, McKean County, Pa. ; for two years afterward was employed as an inspector of oil properties in the vicinity of Lima, C, and then became a railroad man for several years. In 1890 he entered the employ of the Natural Gas Company, of Columbus, O., of which he was made field superintendent and continued as such vmtil 1906, and during this period was so thorough and successful in his work that much capital from the outside was attracted to this section and many industries started contingent on the richest gas property in the state being situated here. Mr. Rowlee was made superintendent of all the properties and improvements of the Columbus Natural Gas Company, his long experience making him exceedingly valuable in this position and as the interests have increased with years so have his duties and responsibilities. No name in oil and gas circles is better known in Fairfield County, as he has maintained his headquarters all these years at Lancaster, directing from his office at No. 115 E. Main Street, operations which have grown to great volume, and being now general superintendent of the Lancaster City Gas Company.

Mr. Rowlee was married in 1890, to Mrs. Julia Boyer, of Newark, O. He is identified with a number of fraternal bodies, being a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the I. O. R. M., the K. O. T. and others.

MILES SANDS, justice of the peace for Greenfield Township, who has been a resident of Carroll, C, for more than twenty years, was born January i, 1843, in Morgan County, O., and is a son of John W. and Rebecca (Gardner) Sands.

John W. Sands was born in Maryland and was brought to Ohio at the age of four years by his parents, who resided for a time in Jefferson County near Smithfield, and then moved to Morgan County, where the rest of his life was spent, his death occurring in his eighty-seventh year. He was a man of sterling character and for over a half century was a justice of the peace in Union Township. His father, Richard Sands, was Dorn m iJaltnnore County, Md.

Miles Sands obtained his education in the public schools of Morgan County. During the Civil War, on May i, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, i6ist O. Vol. Inf., which became a part of General Hunter's command, and was honorably discharged in the following September. This regiment was mainly used as a guard over army supplies and during a part of the time was stationed in the Shenandoah Valley - a dangerous position - but the value of their services was acknowledged by a vote of thanks by the Congress of the United States. Mr. Sands returned to Morgan County and followed farming there until 1877, when he came to Fairfield County and engaged in general farming in Greenfield Township until 1890, when he came to Carroll. On January i,

Mr. Sands was married January 3, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth J. Horseman, a daughter of J. W. Horseman of Morgan County. The father of Mrs. Sands died in 1907, in the ninety-seventh year of his age, at his home at Lancaster. He was a native of Alexandria, Va., was a soldier in the Civil War, lived many years in Morgan County, but spent the last thirty years of his life in Fairfield County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sands eight children were born : Charles E., who lives at Columbus, O. ; Jennie, who is the wife of Charles Fenstermacher, of Carroll, O. ; Willard, who lives at Columbus ; Cora E., who is a resident of Carroll ; Fannie, who is the wife of Charles Glick, of Bloom Township; Gertrude, who lives at home; and Sylvester and Melvin, both of whom are deceased. In April, 1895, the mother of these children passed away, leaving many outside her immediate family to mourn her death. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Judge Sands is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

J. H. WELKER, who is one of the old and substantial business men of Pleasantville, proprietor of the leading hardware store and senior member of the firm of J. H. Welker & Sons, has been a resident of Fairfield County all his life. He was born March 22^, 1855, on his maternal grandfather's farm, in Berne Township, and is a son of John H. and Lydia A. (Strayer) Welker.

John H. Welker was born in Germany and was eighteen years old when he came to America with his parents, Henry and Catherine Welker. They settled first on what is now the Ewing farm, near Lancaster, O., but later bought land in Berne Township, where the grandparents of J. H. Welker both died, aged about seventy-three years. Their son, John H., came into possession of the farm which he retained for some time and then sold and moved to Pleasant Township and spent the rest of his life there, following farming as his occupation. His death occurred July 3, 1902, when he was aged seventy-one years. He married Lydia A. Strayer, who was born in Berne Township, Fairfield County, and died in Pleasant Township, March 30, 1908, aged seventy years. Her parents were Lawrence and Mary Strayer, Pennsylvania Germans, who were early settlers in F"airfield County. Three children were born to John H. and Lydia Welker, namely: Jacob Henry; Fredericka, wife of J. C. Mertz, residing in Pleasant Township; and Mary E., wife of J. C. Peters, residing at Columbus, O.

J. H. W'elker was eighteen years of age when his parents moved to Pleasant Township and he remained at home assisting his father until his own marriage, when he bought a small farm, but after the marriage and departure of his sisters for homes of their own, he returned to his parents and took charge of the homestead and at their death was appointed administrator of their estate. After disposing of his farm interests Mr. Welker moved to Pleasantville and here bought his present hardware store from T. J. Naughten & Son, and conducted it alone until 1908, when he admitted his two sons, Charles and George Welker. as partners. They are all recognized as enterprising business men and stand well in the community. Mr. Welker and sons are Democrats. He served five years as trustee while living in Pleasant Township and in 1909 was elected a trustee of Walnut Township.

In February, 1881, Mr. Welker was married to Miss Christina Vogle, a daughter of George and Anna (Meister) Vogle, who came to Ohio from Germany when Mrs. Welker was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Welker have two sons and two grandchildren: Charles, who married Edith McCleary, and has two children - Aline and Heloise ; and George, who married Fay Forsythe. Mr. Welker and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of t'.ie Masonic lodge at Pleasantville.

HENRY E. ALSPACH, vice president of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company, of Carroll, O., is one of Greenfield Township's representative and substantial citizens and is the owner of a valuable farm of 158 acres. He was born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, C, May 4, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Matilda (Lamb) Alspach.

Henry Alspach was born in Fairfield County, 0., a son of Jacob Alspach, who was born in Berks County, Pa., and came from there in 1803 and settled in Fairfield County, entering government land in Bloom Township. Henry Alspach spent the greater part of his life in Greenfield Township, where his death occurred in 1895. He was one of the prominent men of this section, serving as township trustee and for thirty years was land appraiser, and from 1859 until 1864, was a member of the board of county commissioners of Fairfield County. He was interested all his life in the welfare of his country and community and was one of the leading Democrats of this township. He married Matilda Lamb, a native of Fairfield County, and of their children three survive: Nelson H., who

Henry E. Alspach attended the schools of Greenfield Township and afterward taught two terms of school before he settled down to an agricultural life, farming and stockraising having interested him ever since. He continued on his farm until 1908, when he retired to Carroll, where he is at present serving in the ofiice of land appraiser. He has been interested in the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company since its organization, having been one of its promoters, and in addition to being its vice president, is one of its directing board.

Mr. Alspach married Miss Clara Horn, a daughter of E. T. Horn, of Lancaster, O., and they have one daughter, Iretha, who is the wife of Herbert C. Heister, of Columbus, O.

CALEB A. RUFFNER, a highly respected retired farmer living at Pleasantville, 0., still owns three valuable farms in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, aggregating 165 acres. He belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the county and was born on his father's farm in Richland Township, June 18, 1851, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Copeland) Rufifner.

Jacob Rufifner was born January 8, 1824, and died June 8, 1895. His father was Jacob Rufifner, who was born in Virginia and accompanied his father, Emanuel Rufifner to Fairfield County, he settling in Richland Township. In the old family graveyard in that township there possibly could be found the stone that marks his last resting place. Jacob Rufifner, Sr., and his wife, Magdalena, were also buried in Richland

Jacob Rufifner, Jr., was the third in order of birth. He came into possession of the family estate in Richland Township and spent his life there engaged in agriculture. He married Eliza Copeland, who was born at Rushville, O., a daughter of Caleb and Rebecca Copeland. Mrs. Ruffner died August 15, 1899, aged seventy-three years. Nine children were born to Jacob and Eliza Rufifner, as follows : Clara, who married James Biggs, and lives at Pleasantville ; Caleb A., who was named for his maternal grandfather: Jacob Marion, who lives in Delaware County, O. ; Eliza, who is the wife of W. Geiger. of Hebron, O. ; Cynthia, who is the wife of Jackson Hanover, of Delaware County; Mary Magdalena, who is the wife of J. D. Rowles, of Pleasantville ; George B., who lives in Walnut Township; and Frances Viola and William S., twins, the former being the wife of Ira C. Spittler of Pleasant Township.

Caleb A. Ruffner lived at home until he reached manhood, giving his father assistance on the home farm and in the meanwhile attending the district school. On February 17, 1876, he was married to Miss Cynthia D. Phillips, a daughter of Reuben and Nancy Phillips, and they have one daughter, Xema Florence. She married Earl Spittler and they live in Walnut Township and have four children : Ethel, Carrie, Florence and Mary.

After marriage Mr. RufYner bought an 80-acre farm : his wife inherited eighty acres from her father and the family continued to reside in Walnut Township until 1906, when Mr. Rufifner purchased his present comfortable residence at Pleasantville, from his brother, George Rufifner. He is a stockholder in the Pleasantville Bank. In politics he casts his vote with the Republican party. For many years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity.

JOHN J. SILBAUGH, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon at Lancaster, O., where he has been established since 1896, is in the enjoyment of a large and substantial practice founded on his proven professional skill. He was born at Ironton, Lawrence County, O., in January, i860, and is a son of William and Mary (Everleigh) Silbaugh. They were most estimable people, coming in early married life to Lawrence County and spending their subsequent lives there. The father was a German by birth and the mother was a native of Virginia.

John J. Silbaugh attended the Ironton schools and passed through the high school before beginning the study of medicine under Drs. Maurice and Wilson, at Ironton. From under their instruction he entered Bellevue Hospital, New York City, where he was graduated in the class of 1886. He immediately located at Royalton, in Fairfield County, O., where he was engaged in medical practice until 1896, when he came to Lancaster which has remained his field of efTort and usefulness ever since. He is a member of both county and state medical societies and also of the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Elks.

Dr. Silbaugh was married in 1886, to Miss Margaret Welch, who died in 1892, and was survived by two children, Carl and Mary. His second marriage was to Miss Gertrude Williamson, a daughter of Clark Williamson, of Royalton, O., and four children have been born to them - two sons. Roy and Hugh, the former of whom died in 1903, and two daughters, Gertrude and Bettie. Dr. and Mrs. Silbaugh are very hospitable and, as occasion offers, take part in the pleasant social life of the town.

ISAAC GUNDY, a highly respected citizen and general farmer of Greenfield Township, where he owns 206 acres of finely cultivated land, is one of the honored veterans of the great Civil War and a valued member of Ezra Ricketts Post, No. 246, at Carroll, O., of which he has been chaplain. Mr. Gundy was born September 5, 1841, in Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Joseph and Harriet (Hutton) Gundy.

Joseph Gundy was born in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, where both the Gundys and Huttons were early settlers. He married Harriet Hutton, whose father had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Joseph Gundy moved into Greenfield Township where, for many years, he was a representative citizen. He was twice married and of his children the following survive : Oliver, who lives at Hooker, O. ; Adaline, residing near Hooker, is the widow of William Griffith; Isaac; and Elizabeth, who lives near Hooker, and is the widow of John Bauer; and Asher J., who lives in Greenfield Township. The father of the above family died in 1891. He was a sincere Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for a number of years a steward in the same.

In attending the district school and helping on the home farm, Isaac Gundy grew to manhood and when the great civil conflict broke out he was an early volunteer in his section, enlisting on December 14, 1861, in Co. I, 43d O. Vol. Inf. This company and regiment became a part of what was known as the Western Army and was under the command of General Rosecrans first and later of General Buell. Mr. Gundy was in many battles, including Island No. 10, Pittsburg Landing, luka, Tiptonville, New Madrid and Corinth, and in the last named battle was seriously wounded in his left leg, and obliged to spend six months in a- military hospital at St. Louis, Mo. He was honorably discharged April 6, 1863, and then returned to Fairfield County and has continued to live in Greenfield Township ever since.

On October 11, 1866, Mr. Gundy was married to Miss Elizabeth Buchanan, who was born in Greenfield Township, a daughter of Stephen Buchanan. She died October 14, 1910, greatly missed by her family and wide circle of friends. She was an active and interested member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll. To Mr. and Mrs. Gundy four children were born : Joseph P., who lives at Carroll; Neota B., who is the wife of Q. R. Lane, a prominent attorney at Columbus, O. ; Frank V., who is deceased ; and a babe that died in infancy. Mr. Gundy is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll. He casts his vote with the Republican party.

GEORGE W. KUMLER, one of the prominent men of Basil, O., whose business activities have done much in the way of developing the town's commercial importance, was born in 1845, one mile north of Baltimore, O. He was educated in the district schools and at Lebanon, O., after which he taught school for ten years and during the last four years of teaching, was superintendent of the Basil schools.

In 1875 Mr. Kumler resigned in order to embark in the mercantile business at Basil, on the corner of Main and Market Streets, opening with a stock of goods worth about $1000, and during the thirty-seven years of his mercantile life lias built up and retained a trade second to none in Fairfield County. His business is now conducted under the firm of The Kumler Store Co.. with a capital stock of $10,000, on the incorporated plan. Mr. Kumler has been a very active citizen and has done much to permanently improve the town, having; built and remodeled twenty-four Iniildings, and he has owned and sold more real estate than any person who ever lived in Basil, and additionally has dealt considerably in western real estate. He owns two farms and has them well cultivated. Mr. Kumler served three years as township clerk, two years as township treasurer, and six years as district school director.

In 1875 Mr. Kumler v\as married to Mary M. Leitnaker, and they have one son, Earl E., who is associated in business with his father. Mr. Kumler has always shown a liberal public spirit and has participated in all important affairs of the community and by influence and subscription, has helped every laudable industry started at Basil. He has contributed liberally to schools and religious bodies and for twenty-seven years has served officially in the Reformed church.

SILAS W. COURTRIGHT, proprietor of the Pomona Dairy in Greenfield Towmship, who is also profitably engaged in farming and the growing of fruit, is a prominent citizen in this section and a member of an old family, many generations of which have been born on American soil. The origin and early history of the Courtright family has been investigated and the account published in pamphlet form by a member of the family, Mr. Samuel W. Courtright, of Circleville, Ohio, from which work we will have occasion to quote largely in the present article.

The published history above mentioned shows that the Courtright family had for its earliest known ancestor a Spanish nobleman by the name of Cortez, who was a contemporary and neighbor of John Calvin, the great religious reformer, the latter residing just across the border line dividing the two countries of Fraiice and Spain. Calvin's life, roughly speaking, covered a little more than the first half of the i6th century ( 1 509-1 564), which date or period marks chronologically the beginning of the Courtright family.

In the tremendous religious revolution which came as a result of Calvin's teachings, Cortez, the Spanish nobleman, took an active and prominent part, renouncing the Church of State and becoming a Calvinistic protestant. His renunciation of the State Church and adoption of the new doctrines was public and he was one of the leaders among those who, proceeding from zeal to intolerance, destroyed church property and razed church edifices, erecting on their sites Protestant houses of worship. Of course when these proceedings came to the ears of the Spanish government it was not long in taking military action against the revolutionists, and the government being much the stronger, the latter were quickly worsted and compelled to fly, those fortunate enough to escape with their lives, losing most or all of their property.

With these refugees went Cortez, retiring first into Flanders and then into Holland, and there upon the river Lys they built a city which they named Kortryk, "in honor of Cortez, whose name had been changed to conform to the Dutch idea of the meaning of the word, and he, being a nobleman, was entitled to the prefix 'van' or 'von' - his Dutch name being 'van Kortryk.' " enmity so far as to invade Holland with her armies and during the bloody period that followed these French Huguenots performed heroes' parts in fighting for what they deemed the true faith and for the liberty to worship God according to their conscience. In this struggle they had strong allies in the Scotch covenanters, who frequently came to their aid and "unitedly they would sweep down upon the Spanish soldiery and drive them from their soil."

"During the hundred or more years immediately following the arrival of van Kortryk into Holland," says the history we have quoted, "his descendants were blessed with much of this world's goods; but, at length, tiring of almost incessant warfare, some of them - Jan Bastiaensen Kortryk, his sons and his brother Michael, disposed of their property, and, having received glowing accounts of the new Harlem in the New World, concluded to brave the wrath of Old Ocean and seek homes where there would be less strife and religious persecution."

On April i6, 1663, Jan or John Bastiaensen Kortryk, his three sons and daughter, with their families, together with his brother Michael, and his family, and some Dutch friends and French Huguenots, refugees, took passage on the good ship Brindled Cow, Jan Bergen, master, and set sail for America, which in due time they reached safely. The passage, it is recorded, cost the family 204 florins and ten stivers, of about $81.80, money at that time, however, it must be remembered, having about five times as much purchasing power as it has today, which would make it come to over $400, according to present valuations. Owing to the loose system of personal nomenclature which prevailed among the Dutch in those days - ^Jan Bastiaensen Kortright, for instance, being commonly called Jan Bastiaensen only, dropping his surname of Kortryk - much difficulty was experienced in tracing the early history of this family in Holland. It was found, however, that the full and correct name was always made use of in signing or making out legal documents and on church records, owing to which circumstance a correct account was finally obtained.

Descending a generation in the present family line, we come to Cornelis Jansen (or "the son of Jan"), who emigrated with his father, Jan Bastiaensen, and who was born in 1645, at Beest, Gelderland. In 1665 he married Metje, daughter of Bastiaen Elyssen and widow of Claes Teunisz van Appledorn, a lady who, after Jansen's early death in 1689, proved her ability both to manage his business and enhance his estate, the use of which, under his will, dated Feb. 25th of that 3^ear, she was to enjoy until her death or re-marriage. Having been a trooper, he gave his eldest son Johannes (John) "the best horse and the best saddle and the best boots, and the best pistols and holsters and carbine and cutlas." He must have been his favorite child, for, over and above his share of the estate, he left him "the lot of land at Joshem Pieters, to-wit, the lot by the great gate." He left four children, besides Johannes - above named. - ^who were as follows : Laurens ; Aefie, who married Jonas Lewis, an Englishman, in 1688 (becoming a widow, she married Marcus Tiebaut in 1698) ; and Annetie, who married Adrian Quackenbos. The widow was usually called Metje Cornelius, sometimes Metje Jansen, and sometimes Metje Bastiaen (from her father). She drew from the common lands in the several divisions, a considerable acreage, but in her title papers it was always Metje Kortright. In the last years of the XVII century the name of Kortryk was so far anglicised as to be spelled and pronounced Kortriglit, and we can find no one of the family who was known as Kortrj-k after the year A. D. 1700.

Though Johannes Cornelis Kortright (John Cornelius) is not in the direct line of descent under present consideration, we will here state briefly that he was born in 1673 and in 1701 married Wyntie, daughter of Cornelis Dyckman. He died in 171 1 and in 1717 his widow became the second wife of Zacharias Sickels. Johannes left three children, namely : Metje, wlio married John Bussing; Nicholas, and Jannetie, who married Johannes Van Wyck. Nicholas became constable of the town in 1729 and afterwards collector. In 1731 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Eide van Huyse, of Bloomingdale. On the death of his uncle Laurens, in 1726, the Kortright lands were divided, his portion being loi acres. He accumulated considerable other real estate and at his death in 175 1 he left a large estate. He had two sons and one daughter, viz: John, born in 1732; Nicholas, born in 1743, and Frances, born in 1741, who married John Norris, a peruke (wig) maker. Nicholas, a sailmaker, owned property in New York and was a vestryman of Trinity church from 1787 to 1792. He died in 1820, leaving children, two of whom were Nicholas and James, but of his immediate family we can learn but little.

Laurens Cornelis Kortright, son of Cornelis and grandson of Jan or John Bastiaensen, was born in 168 1 and is the third ancestor in direct line to the subject of our sketch. He was married in 1703 to Helena, the daughter of Capt. Johannes Benson, but soon becoming a widower, he married, about 1708, Margaret, the daughter of Arent Bussing. Laurens served as constable in 1708-9. He succeeded to the homestead on Harlem Lane, which at his death fell in the division to his widow, Margaret (called Grieta), together with other lands, leaving her quite a landed estate. The old homestead descended to her son Lawrence (the Laurens anglicised).

Laurens Kortright's children by his first wife were Cornelius and Elizabeth (she married Gilbert Garrison, of New York, in 1753) : and, by his second wife, Aaron, Lawrence, Eve (who married Adolph Benson), Mattie (who married Abraham Myer), and Susannah (who married Aaron Myer).

Lawrence was the last of the name to hold the old homestead; he was never married and died in 1761. After his death the homestead, which was located on what is now 6th Avenue, its north corner touching iioth street. New York City, became the subject of litigation, which was begun by one Valentine Nutter and was only terminated near the close of the centur)', when a compromise was efifected between the parties.

Aaron Kortright, son of Laurens, married Margaret, daughter of John Delamater. He also became a large land owner, and, having secured 241 acres of land in Orange county, he moved thither and resided there to the end of his life. Many of his descendants are now living in western New York and Pennsylvania.

Cornelius Kortright, eldest son of Laurens Cornelius, was born in 1704. He married Hester, daughter of John Cannon, of New York, and had six children - Lawrence, John, Cornelius, Maria, Helena and Elizalieth, of whom the last mentioned became the wife of Hon. James Monroe, third President of the United States. Lawrence was a wealthy and prominent merchant and one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce in 1768.

brother of Lawrence, was the next direct ancestor in the branch of the family we are considering. When a young man he became an agriculturist. He served thro' the Revolutionary war and was sometimes known as Capt. John. His wife in maidenhood was Margaret Denmark, of whom we have no further information.

The next in line of descent was John's son, Abraham van Kortright (or Courtright, according to the modern spelling of the name), was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married Effa Drake, who was a native of the south of Scotland, and their family consisted of five children - three sons and two daughters, - John, Abraham van, Jesse D., Margaret and Christiana. Margaret became the wife of Walter McFarland and Christiana married a Mr. Wheeler. In the year 1801 or 1802, Abraham moved with his family to Ohio. They came over the mountains from Northumberland county, Penn. (their former home), in two two-horse wagons, bringing with them such household goods as they could not well dispense with ; and they also brought a cow. On their way they remained over night at Lancaster, which was then but a small village. They put up at the "Tavern," a two-story hewed log house (regarded then as a very imposing structure), immediately in the rear of which was a stout stockade, where the horses, wagons, cow and other property were enclosed for the night, secure from the depredations of wild animals.