Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 20: Conclusion, 1912 (part 4 of 12)

The next morning the Courtright family bade adieu to the tavern and started in a northwesterly course. They plodded along, covering, as they supposed, about fifteen miles. Night coming on, and the locality pleasing them, they camped for the night, as was usual (and necessary), one of the male members of the family doing guard duty. The next morning the sun shone brightly, the landscape was so inviting and the locality being about what they were looking for, they determined to locate right there, and they did so. A log cabin was erected without delay, and they were now at their own home in the "Northwest Territory." The farm upon which the cabin was built has been owned by, and has been the home of some members of the Courtright family from that day to this.

At the time of this migration Abraham van Courtright, or, as otherwise, called Abraham van Camp (or van Compen) Courtright, was about 54 years of age. He was born June 4, 1749 (elsewhere stated as July 8, 1748), and his migration to Ohio is said to have occurred in 1802. The place where he and his family stopped was near what is known as the Betzer church, and they purchased this property partly from the government, which had at that time a land office at Chillicothe, and partly at second-hand. During the fall and winter of that year they prepared it for occupation in the following spring. The land has now been owned in the family for no years.

.Abraham van Courtright was a strong man intellectually and as such was known far and wide. For several years from 1806 he served as a justice of the peace. His death occurred June 12, 1825. John was the eldest of his children and was married when he came to this country. He was a man of strong mind, great physical endurance and great business tact, and he became one of the largest land owners in this section. He continued in business up to the time of his death, when he had attained a green old age. Many of his descendants are now living.

Abram van (son of Abraham van) and grandfather of Silas W Kortright, was not a man of great physical strength, but was a careful, shrewd business man, very careful about his dress and also about his business. He was married to Elizabeth RIcFariand in 1809. The McFarlands came from Dauphon county, Penn., in 1798, and located near the old Hocking bridge. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, which race has furnished at least six Presidents to the United States besides many other remarkable men. The McFarland family consisted of six sons and one daughter, all of whom were brought up in the above mentioned vicinity.

The Courtright family were undoubtedly the founders of Presbyterianism in this section ; the church at Greencastle owes its existence to this family, and probably the church at Lithopolis also. The grandfather of our subject was one of the building committee that built the church at Greencastle and gave liberally of his means towards its erection. Before its dedication, however, he was called away by Death, on the 29th of January, 1862. His wife survived him eight years, passing away in 1870.

Zephaniah Courtright, son of Abraham van Courtright, was born on the family homestead in Bloom township. He resided all his life on the same farm, on which also he died when in his 78th year. He was engaged both in farming and stock raising, feeding cattle for the market, which, indeed, was his main business. He married Sarah Williamson, who was also a native of Bloom township, and they had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living, namely: Silas W. of Greenfield township, whose name appears at the head of this article; Elizabeth, widow of Andrew Musser, late of Lancaster (was one time treasurer of Fairfield county, serving four years; also served as president of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society, his widow now residing in Lancaster) ; Effie, wife of R. V. Allen, of Lancaster, O. ; Felicia, wife of H. J Knisley, of Lancaster; Abram V. and Mary, both residents of Bloom township, this county. The father, Zephaniah Courtright, was a useful and active citizen and a member of the Republican party.

Silas W. Courtright, proprietor of the Pomona Dairy, was born on his father's farm in Bloom township, Fairfield county, Ohio, July 17, 1846. He was educated at Pleasantville Academy and at Bloomingburg Academy, in Fayette county, Ohio, and has been a reader and student all his life, being a man well informed upon general topics and keeping in close touch with current events. In his youth he received a good agricultural training, and as a dairyman, agriculturist and fruit grower has been eminently successful. His dairy is one of the best known in Fairfield county. He has 18 cows all of a good breed and operates a regular milk route in Lancaster. His main farm consists of 120 acres and he has 18 additional acres in the vicinity, making 138 acres all told. His property is in excellent condition, the land being highly cultivated - such of it as is devoted to raising crops, at least. He has a large orchard, in which he raises various kinds of apples, and also devotes ten acres to raising other kinds of fruit, in which line of industry he has been very successful. Mr. Courtright belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry at Carroll. Ohio, and like his father, is a member of the Republican party. He takes a warm interest in educational matters and is at present serving as a member of the school board of Greenfield twp., having held that position for several years. Enterprising and public spirited, he is a good business man, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.

He was married June 15, 1882, to Miss Jennie Trimble, of Greenfield township, daughter of Thomas Trimble, who died when his daughter, now Mrs. Courtright, was a mere child. Of the five children born to this union, three survive, namely: Mary and Fay, twins, residing at home; and Effie L., who is a student at Ohio University at Athens, Ohio.

FRANK P. ATKINSON, M. D., physician and surgeon, who has been established professionally at Millersport, O., since July, 1903, and is in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, was born on the old home farm near Pataskala, Licking County, O., April I, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and Julia (Ewing) Atkinson.

Joseph Atkinson was born also in Licking County, where he still resides on the old farm on which his father, Samuel Atkinson settled when he came to Ohio from New Hampshire. Samuel Atkinson was a farmer and wool grower and spent the larger part of his life in Licking County. Joseph Atkinson married Julia Ewing, who was a daughter of Dr. James Ewing, who was a well known physician at Hebron, O. To the above marriage seven children were born, namely: Charles, who lives at Pataskala; Florence, who is the wife of George Newkirk, of Detroit, Mich. ; Frank P. ; and Joseph B., Harry, James and Carlton, all of whom live in Licking County.

Frank P. Atkinson was reared in Licking County and in 1895 was creditably graduated from the Pataskala High School. He continued his education in Wooster

LTniversity, where he was gradated in 1900 with the degree of A. B. During the Spanish-American War he was connected with the hospital corps for eight months, at Camp Alger, Camp Meade and Camp Mc- Kenzie, completing his senior year at Wooster after the war was over. In 1900 he entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus and from that well known institution was graduated in the spring of 1903. He came then to Millersport, where, for a short time he was associated in practice with Dr. T. W. LeCrone and has been alone since the death of the latter. In 1907 he opened his present oiifice and in 191 1 erected his handsome residence near it. He was one of the organizers of the Millersport Bank Company and one of the first board of directors but subsequently sold his stock.

On December 2, 1907, Dr. Atkinson was married to Miss Fairice Klinck, a daughter of the late Edward and Emma (Messmore) Klinck. He belongs to the Fairfield County and the Ohio State Medical Societies and is identified w-ith the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, all at Millersport. Politically he is a Republican. Dr. and Mrs. Atkinson attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

HARRY E. STRICKLER, who is a well known citizen and successful farmer of Clear Creek Township, resides on his excellent farm of 100 acres and owns a second farm containing 82 acres, which lies in Madison Township. He was born in the latter township, January 16, 1875, and is a son of John Nelson and Emma (Eversole) Strickler.

Eversole, having been early settlers in Fairfield County. John Nelson Strickler was a farmer all his active life and was a member of the Reformed church. His death occurred in 1899. He married Emma Eversole, who survives and lives at Lancaster, O. They had three children : Harry E. ; Grace, who is the wife of G. M. Trimmer; and Roy H.

After completing the common school course, Harry E. Strickler entered a commercial college at Tiffin, O., and afterward settled down to an agricultural life. In 1897 he bought his present home farm from David Cunningham and has kept up the improvements and has carried on agricultural operations along the most improved lines.

In 1896 Mr. Strickler was married to Miss Alice Kern, who is one of the following family born to her parents, \\'i]liam T. and Mary (Whitehurst) Kern; Albert, Harry, Harley, Ralph, Laura, Helen, Alice and Grace. Laura, who is deceased was the wife of Edward Clendenen. Helen is the wife of Emmett ShaefTer. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have two children - Ross Nelson, and Malinda Catherine. They attend the Reformed church. In politics Mr. Strickler is nominally a Democrat but he is an intelligent, thinking, well informed man and does not permit party ties to influence his judgment.

GARY ADEN SWISHER, dealer in hay and grain at Millersport, where he operates a erain elevator, is one of the substantial business men of this part of tiie county, where he is well known and respected. He was born in Licking County, O., February 28, 1864, a son of John P. and Sarah (Green) Swisher.

Licking County, being the son of Joseph Swisher, a pioneer settler there, whose children, in addition to John P. (who was the fourth-born) were : Rhoda, widow of Ira Graeham ; Sarah, widow of O. F. Wilson; Nancy, widow of John Whitehead; Stephen, Sinnett and Mary. John P. Swisher, who spent his active years in farming, died in Licking County November 30, 1909, at the age of J2 years. His wife Sarah, was born near Newark, O., a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Swisher) Green, now resides with her daughter Mary, who is the wife of George Stenson, of Hebron, O.

Carey Aden Swisher, the only son and eldest born of his parents' two children, grew to manhood on the home farm in Licking County. His people were in comfortable circumstances and he was afforded good educational opportunities, enjoying two years of university training at Delaware, Ohio and one year at Granville, O. His first business position was that of bookkeeper for Kibber's Stove Foundry at Newark, O., where he remained for 18 months, after which he settled on a farm in Licking County that had been a gift from his father. He operated that farm for 15 years and is still its owner. It contains 129 acres of productive land and lies in an excellent situation

In 1901 Mr. Swisher entered into partnership in his present line of business with C. A. Pence, who had previously been in the grain business at Hebron and owned an elevator there. In 1907 they erected the elevator at Millersport, of which Mr. Swisher is now the proprietor. The business was carried on successfully until January 22, 1912, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Swisher retaining the plant and business at Millers- port and Mr. Pence returning to Hebron, where the latter has resumed his former interests. Mr. Swisher is a wide awake business man, honest, energetic and progressive - such a man, in fact, as makes a good citizen wherever he is found. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Hebron and to the Chapter and Council at Newark, O. In politics he is a Democrat.

On October 20, 1886, he married Miss Florence Stoolfire, a daughter of Charles and Emily (Sprague) Stoolfire, of Newark, O., and they have a daughter, Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and take a helpful interest in its various activities. They are well known and popular in Millersport society.

PETER HEVVETSON, M. D., both as man and physician, has been known and respected in Fairfield County, O., for many years, came to Amanda in 1858 and this place has been his continuous home ever since, his longest period of absence being three years spent in the Union army during the Civil War. He was born in Wigton, Scotland, October 25, 1832, and was an infant when his parents came to the United States.

Joseph Hewetson, father of Dr. Hewetson, was a graduate of the University of Edinboro and practiced medicine in his native country. He suffered from inflammatory rheumatism to such an extent that he decided to change his occupation and as a result, moved with his family to America and for the first few months after landing, was located at Pittsburg, Pa. He then took his family to Canonsburg, where he left them some six months while seeking a favorable location, finally settling on a farm in Ohio. For some years he devoted himself exclusively to agriculture, including the raising of sheep, during this time successfully concealing the fact that he was a professional man. A new threshing machine, a revelation to the people of that day, was brought into the vicinity and Dr. Hewetson, with others, went to see it in operation. An elderly man in cleaning up about the strange machine, inadvertently had his arm caught and before it could be stopped he was badly injured. All of Dr. Hewetson's professional skill was awake and after tying up the arm in order to prevent the flow of blood, he sent home for his surgical instruments and when they came, successfully amputated the arm, an operation little known or resorted to in this section, at that time. From that occasion on he was practically forced to resume practice and subsequently rented his farm and devoted himself once more to professional work. In 1850, however, he was forced to retire entirely from activity of any kind, on account of heart affection, and the death of this able, kind and worthy man occurred five years later. His widow survived him for two years. Her maiden name was Isabella Hannah and she was born in Wigton, Scotland. The following children were born to them : John, deceased, who was a physician and surgeon at Amanda, O. ; Peter; Walter, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of the 15th O. Vol. Inf.; Mary Isabella, who makes her home with her brothers; Alexander H., deceased, who also was a medical practitioner at St. Clairsville; Joseph E., who lost his life in the battle of Shiloh, during the Civil War, falling by the side of his brother Walter, who vainly tried to preserve his life;

Peter Hewetson was reared in Behnont County, O., and obtained his medical training in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, receiving his degree, and then located at St. Clairsville. In 1858 he entered into practice at Amanda, as mentioned above and when the Civil War broke out was in the midst of a large and lucrative practice. This did not deter him, however, from his patriotic course. He recruited Co. I., 43d O. Vol. Inf., in which he was commissioned a lieutenant in December, 1861, and remained in the service for three years. He was with his regiment in the Army of the Tennessee when it took part in many battles. He was at New Madrid. Mo., at Fort Pillow and luka. all through the Atlanta campaign and at the battle of Jonesboro. He was honorably discharged in December. 1864, and returned to Amanda where his subsequent useful life has been spent. He has always been active in those essentials demanded of good citizenship and is highly regarded by his neighbors and fellow citizens, to whom he has been intimately known for so many years.

In 1867 Dr. Hewetson was married to Miss Effie A. Dum, who was born at Logan, O.. a daughter of Samuel Dum. who was the builder of what is known as the Falls Mills at Logan, and later of a mill at Amanda, operating the latter for some years. One daughter and four sons still survive of his children : Mrs. Hewetson ; Israel, who lives in Tennessee ; William J., who is one of the best known educators of Fairfield County, for fifteen years being a professor in Crawfis Institute, and now a resident of Madison Township; and Thomas, who lives in Clear Creek Township. Dr. and Mrs.

Hewetson have had the following children: Minnie, who is a teacher in the Boys Industrial School ; Mary B., who is an instructor in music in the Amanda and Ashville public schools; Joseph Edgar, who is associated with his father in the practice of medicine at Amanda; and William L., who follows farming in Clear Creek Township. He married Nora Neigh and they have one son, Joseph. Dr. Peter Hewetson is a member of Amanda Lodge, F. & A. M. and also of the Odd Fellows at Amanda. In his churchly relation he is a Presbyterian and is an elder. In his earlier years he was an enthusiastic Democrat and was active in promoting party success but was never an office seeker.

GEORGE S. GRIFFITHS, a representative citizen of Clear Creek Township, where he owns a well cultivated farm of fifty acres, was born in Amanda Township, November 5. 1855. and is a son of William and Priscilla (Welshamer) Griffiths.

In all probability the Griffiths family is of Welsh extraction. Isaac Griffiths, the grandfather, settled at Lancaster, O.. prior to 1818, as in that year his son William was born there, in a house that then occupied the present site of the court-house of the present day. William Griffiths was a farmer all his active life. He married Priscilla Welshamer. who was born one mile northeast of the present village of Amanda, and eight children were born to them, namely: Mary. Edward. Emanuel. Emma, George S.. Clark. Henry and Alice. Both Mary and Alice are deceased, the former having been the wife of George Bursler. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths were members of the Lutheran church. He was a Republican in politics. During the last year of the Civil War he was drafted for army service but

George S. Griffiths obtained his education in what was known as the Leathers school, in the neighborhood of his father's farm. Afterward he assisted his father until he was twenty-three years old and then rented his present farm for some twenty years, purchasing it in 1899. Here he has carried on farming and stock raising ever since and is numbered with the successful agriculturists of this section. His residence was erected about 1830 and was the first brick house built in Clear Creek Township.

Mr. Griffiths was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Devoll, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Devoll and a granddaughter of Levi Devoll and William Brown. The father of Mrs. Griffiths was born in Noble County, O., and the mother in Monroe County, and they came to Fairfield County in 1867, where the father engaged in farming. Mrs. Griffiths has two brothers and two sisters: Henry, Frank, Emma and Estella. Emma is the wife of Samuel Fisher and Estella is the wife of W. M. Pinnix. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths have two children : Florence, who married Otto Dillon, of Lancaster, and has one son, Ralph ; and Otto, who married Grace Thomas. In politics Mr. Griffiths is a Republican. He belongs to Scipio Lodge, No. 255, Knights of Pythias, at Stoutsville. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

- RICHARD MIESSE, general farmer and stock raiser in Amanda Township, and a well known and respected citizen of this section, was born in Amanda Township, June 8, 1853, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Moyer) Miesse.

William Miesse was born in Berks County, Pa., and from there came to Ohio in early manhood, settling in Pickaway County. Later he moved to Amanda Township, Fairfield County, where he owned 240 acres of land. During the closing twenty years of life he was a resident of Marion County, Kan. He was identified with the Masonic lodge at Amanda, and was a member of the Evangelical church. To his first marriage one daughter was born, Rachel, who is now deceased. His second union was with Rebecca Moyer, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Kansas. Her father, George Moyer, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Walnut Township, Pickaway County. To the second marriage the following children were born : Daniel, who is deceased, lived in Amanda Township; George, who is an Evangelical preacher, lives at Circleville, O. ; Sarah Jane, who is Mrs. Kitching, lives in Coffey County, Kan. ; Isabel, who is the wife of Monroe Lape, of Stoutsville, O. ; Richard; Flora, who is the wife of Samuel Burkholder, lives in Kansas ; Wesley, who is a resident of Columbus, O. ; Lavina, who is the wife of John Ferguson, lives in Kansas; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Griffith, and also lives in Kansas ; Hannah and Elizabeth, both of whom died young; William (i), who died in infancy; William (2), who lives in Kansas ; and Noah, who died in California.

Richard Miesse was reared in Amanda Township and attended the district schools. Several years after his parents moved to Kansas he joined them there and remained in that State for two years, but in the fall of 1888 returned to his native neighborhood and subsequently bought thirty-seven acres of the old Dysinger place, on which he took up his residence in 1909. He carries on gen- eral agriculture. In 1873 he was married to Lydia Higginbotham, who died without issue. In 1885 he married Miss Samantha Smith, who was born and reared in Clear Creek Township, a daughter of Abram and Mary Ann (Kesler) Smith. The former was born in 1829, in Amanda Township, a son of John Smith, who came from Pennsylvania. Abram Smith died in 1906, and his burial was in Dutch Hollow. His widow survives and is now eighty years of age. Mrs. Miesse is the eldest born of the following family: Nancy Jane, wife of Salem Aldenderfer, of Oklahoma; Sarah Alice, wife of William Myers, of- Franklin County, O. ; Rebecca, wife of William Chambers, of Wood County, O. ; Emma Elizabeth, deceased, formerly wife of Benjamin Lape ; Anna, deceased, formerly the wife of Homer Aldenderfer; William Harrison, of Wood County; Charles Luther, deceased; and James Edward, who lives with his mother in Clear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Miesse have one daughter, Stella, who lives at home. Politically Mr. Miesse is a Republican. He has been identified with the Masonic lodge at Amanda since he was twenty-one years of age.

ALBERT D. MURPHY, who resides on his valuable farm of 184 acres, which lies in Sections 20 and 21, Walnut Township, easily approached on the Millcrsport and Thurston turnpike road, is a well known and representative farmer and stock raiser in this section and a highly respected citizen. He was born December 2, 1851, on the same farm in Fairfield County as was his father, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Cherry) Murphy.

He located on what is now known as Summerland Beach, which was then wooded down to the brink of the water. He entered 400 acres and spent the rest of his life there, clearing a portion and improving it. Some 200 acres of his land was found to be under water and he was given water damages from the state when the reservoir was built and that water land he never sold. His son William came into possession of his father's property and during his lifetime added to the original. He died n 1892 at the age of seventy-three years. He married Mary Jane Cherry, who was born on an adjoining farm, August 22, 1830 and died in her seventy-eighth year. Her father, Thomas Cherry came to Fairfield County from Pennsylvania and was of German parentage. Eleven children were born to William and Mary Jane Murphy, three of whom died young. Albert D. is the eldest of the survivors. Catherine is the widow of Thomas Gill. Charles, Mary, Emma, Thomas, all reside in Fairfield County, May being the wife of John W. Frey, and Emma the wife of George Taylor. The youngest two, William and Frank, live at Columbus, O.

Albert D. Murphy grew to manhood on the home farm and after attending the district schools became a student in the Fairfield Union Academy. Farming has been his business, more or less, all his life. He inherited fifty-two acres of the old home farm which he traded for 108 acres of his present farm, in 1894, and bought the remainder of it from Jeremiah Dennis. For six years he was in the hardware and grocery business at Millersport and then sold to Peter B. Cool and returned to farm life, renting for one year in Licking County and then coming back to Fairfield County. While he has never been led away by prom- ises of great financial returns through changed methods of land cultivation, he has always been ready to investigate and when he has been convinced has adopted changes which have appealed to his good sense. This practical method of proceeding has resulted very satisfactorily and he is numbered with the successful farmers and stock growers of Walnut Township.

On March 13, 1877, Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter of Elijah and Clara A. (Walter) Smith, the latter of whom came from Pennsylvania with her father, Joseph Walter. Elijah Smith was a son of Warren Smith, who was Mrs. Murphy have ten children, namely : Catherine, who is the wife of Charles Snyder, of Walnut Township ; and they have a pioneer in Fairfield County. Mr. and two children - Mary Jane and Albert: Maud, who is the wife of Wilfred Beery, of Walnut Township and they have five children - Janet, Theron, Beecher and Prendell, and an unnamed infant; and A\'illiam, Fred R., Addie, Joseph B., Robert, Albert, Rex and John F. Mr. Murphy thus has plenty of help on his farm, all his sons residing at home. He has given them all the advantages in his power and they are a credit to him. He belongs to the Masons at Millersport and the Knights of Pythias at Thurston. Politically he is a Republican.

Joseph Edgar Hewetson

JOSEPH EDGAR HEWETSON, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Amanda, O., since 1896, in association with his father. Dr. Peter Hewetson, was born at Amanda, December 28, 1872. He is a son of Dr. Peter and Effie A. (Dum) Hewetson.

turned to the study of medicine, in which his father and grandfather had been eminent and to which profession a number of his other kindred had devoted themselves through life. In 1896 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Cincinnati and since then has been associated with his father at Amanda, under the firm style of Drs. P. & J. E. Hewetson. He is a member of the Fairfield County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.

On March 28, 1908, Dr. Hewetson was married to Miss Mary E. Griner, who was reared at Amanda, O., a daughter of Edwin Griner, and they have one daughter, Jeanette. Dr. Hewetson is a member of Amanda Lodge, F. 81 A. M., and of Center Star Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Dr. and Mrs. Hewetson are members of the Presbyterian church.

LEANDER HAY, who is one of the leading citizens of Madison Township, formerly a justice of the peace and township clerk, owns 300 acres of valuable land here and successfully carries on general farming. He was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County. O.. April 14, 1841, and is a son of Peter and Christiana (Platter) Hay.

Peter Hay was born in Virginia, a son of Peter Hay, and was brought to Fairfield County in youth and followed an agricultural life until death, his burial being in Amanda Township. He married Christiana Platter, who was born in Ross County, O., and she also was brought young to Fairfield County and died on the home farm in Amanda Township. They were parents of the following children : Joseph, who is deceased: Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of Col. Schleich: Catherine, Peter,

Edwin R., Edward, Sarah Jane and Zelda, all of whom are deceased; and Leander, who is the youngest of the family. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church.

Leander Hay was given exceptional educational advantages, after the common schools spending one year at the South Salem Academy, then one year in the Ohio University, after which he took a commercial course in a business college at Columbus. Although well prepared for a professional career, Mr. Hay chose farming as his life work and since the spring of 1866 has resided on his present property. He has personally cleared some forty acres here and has erected all of the substantial buildings on the place, his residence occupying one of the finest sites in Aladison Township. He has always been a wide awake, intelligent and enterprising citizen, interested in everything of general importance in this section and has always given political support to Democratic candidates and policies.

Mr. Hay was married in January, 1866, to Miss Malinda C. Strickler, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Young) Strickler, former well known people of Fairfield County, Mr. Strickler being a large landowner in both Madison and Clear Creek Townships. Mrs. Hay has the following brothers and sisters: J. N. ; C. M. ; Ellen, wife of J. D. Landis; and Elmyra, wife of J. N. Beatty. Mr. and Mrs. Hay had but one child, Frank Edwin, who died August 29, 1894. He married Rose Hanaway, who survives. Mr. Hay and wife are members of the Reformed church.

ALVIN E. PETERS, whose well improved farm of 83 acres lies in Range 18, Section 16, Walnut Township, has owned this desirable property for the past sixteen years and devotes it to general farming and stock-raising. He was born March 16, 1863, in Richland Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Edward A. and Refina (Crippen) (Cherry) Peters.

Edward A. Peters was born in Pickaway County, O., and was one year old when his father, Jonathan Peters, came with his family to Fairfield County. The latter was born in Virginia and came to Pickaway County to teach school, married there and afterward moved to Fairfield County and acquired a farm in Richland Township, on which he spent the rest of his life. Edward A. Peters was one of a family of eleven children. His death occurred on his own farm in Richland Township, in 1905, his age being sixty-seven years. He married Mrs. Refina (Crippen) Cherry, widow of Thomas Cherry. She was born in Fairfield County, O., and spent her life here, dying when aged thirty-two years. To her first marriage one child was born, William H. Cherry, and to her second marriage two sons more were born - Alvin Elmer and Jonathan C. Edward A. Peters later married Abigail Forsyth and they had two sons: John Enos and Ira Thomas. Mrs. Peters and sons still reside on the old Peters homestead, which is situated four miles east of Pleasantville, O.

Alvin E. Peters has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since leaving school. He remained on the home place until his marriage when he rented the Perry Teele farm in Richland Township for seven years, after which he bought the farm he yet owns, in 1895, from Charles Leach. Mr. Peters has taken interest in improving his property, as his substantial farm buildings show, and some years ago he put up his comfortable i2-room frame dwelling. His gardens, orchards, fields, herds and flocks all give evidence of care and attention and give silent testimony concerning the comfortable independence of the Fairfield County farmer of the present day.

Mr. Peters vi^as married September 6, 1888, to Miss Emma D. Teele, who was born in Richland Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of Nathaniel Perry and Almeda (McCleery) Teele, and a granddaughter of Arthur Teele, who came to this section early and entered land. For many years the father of Mrs. Peters engaged in farming and then retired to Pleasantville but died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peters in 1907, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow survived him but one year. They had the following children: Edward, who is deceased ; Nora, who is the widow of Dr. L. C. Grossman; Fannie, who is the wife of Marshall Dunlap ; Washington C, who is living on a farm in Richland Township; Leota, who died at the age of three years; and Emma D., who is the wife of Alvin E. Peters. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are members of the Methodist Protestant church at New Salem. He is a Republican in politics and is a well informed and representative man of his community.

JAMES M. GREGG, whose well cultivated and productive farm of eighty-two acres lies in Section 15, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., is now a peaceful agriculturist, but there was a time when he honorably wore a blue uniform and gave three years of his young life to the service of his country, on battle-field and in prison dungeons. Many years have passed since the days of the Civil War, but the heroes of that time deserve to be well remembered. Mr. Gregg was born in Morgan County, C, July I, 1844, and is the only surviving son of

Stephen Gregg and his wife, Rachel (Winrod) Gregg. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in Maryland, and they came early to Morgan County, where the latter died in 1880, aged sixty-eight years, and the former in 1883, aged seventy-eight years.

James M. Gregg obtained his schooling in one of the old log structures that stood not far distant from his father's house and then helped on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, in the second year of the Civil War. Many of his acquaintances had already gone into the army and the youth decided for himself that he too would be a soldier. On November 2, 1862, he took the important step that made him a member of Co. E, 75th O. Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. C. S. Miller. At a later date the regiment was reorganized and his company became Company B of the same regiment. This regiment was sent to the South and its skirmishing and active fighting was mainly done in Florida and South Carolina. At Camp Baldwin, near Gainesville, Fla., on January 26, 1865, Mr. Gregg was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and he was but a shadow of himself when he was paroled April 28, 1865, after being incarcerated for three months and two days at Andersonville, Ga. Many of his comrades never escaped from that unspeakable prison pen.

Two years after his return to Morgan County, on November 26, 1867, Mr. Gregg was married to Miss Minerva Murphy, who died in August, 1884. His second marriage took place December 27, 1896, to Mrs. Nancy Hite, a daughter of William Palmer and the widow of Henry Hite. Mrs. Hite at that time had four children - Charles, who lives at Columbus and married Addie Macklin ; Elmer E., also living at Columbus, who married Augusta Miller; Harvey E., who married Dessie Clear; and one that died. Henry Hite died in September, 1893, aged forty-eight years. Mrs. Gregg was born in Fairfield County, her parents, William and Margaret (Hovermill) Palmer, being among the pioneer settlers.

In 1889 Mr. Gregg purchased his present farm from Joseph S. Holliday and located here in March of that year. He has made many improvements and devotes himself to general farming. He belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Baltimore, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Antioch Mission church at Millersport. He votes with the Prohibition party, being a strong advocate of temperance.

A. T. KELLER, president of the Buckeye Planing Mill Company, at Baltimore, O., has been interested with his son, S. W. Keller, in the lumber and planing mill business at this point, for a number of years. He was born in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., in 1846, and is a son of Frederick and Fannie (Thomen) Keller.

Frederick Keller was born in Tuscarawas County, O., and came from there to Fairfield County when twenty years of age, subsequently becoming a good citizen and substantial farmer in Walnut Township. He there married Fannie Thomen and they had the following children: a babe that died unnamed; Mart, who was a soldier in the Civil War and survived its dangers only to meet accidental death on the railroad when on his way home ; A. T. ; S. T., who was born in 1848, lives at Baltimore, O., and married Emma C. Andrews ; and Anna M., who is the wife of R. L. Warner, also of Baltimore.

years after his school days were over and then moved to Baltimore, where he was concerned in several business undertakings before engaging in his present one. The Buckeye Planing Mill Company is capitalized at $15,000, and is in a very prosperous condition, its officers being A. T. Keller, president, and S. W. Keller, vice president. They own a planing mill and lumber yards and do a general lumber business.

Mr. Keller was married first to Miss Agnes Alspaugh, who died December 6, 1903, the mother of five children, namely: Frances, who married Thomas Johnson, of Baltimore; George W., who is deceased; Mary E., who married W. E. Burton, (they have five children - Amos, Carrie, Agnes, Fred and Freda) ; Etta, who is the wife of John Gearhart; and S. W., who is vice president of the Buckeye Planing Mill Company. He married Hattie E. Eversole. Mr. Keller was married a second time, on October 26, 1905, to Miss Anna E. Whithurst. With his family Mr. Keller belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an independent in politics and has served on the town council.

JOHN YEAGER, for many years was a successful farmer and highly respected citizen of Liberty Township, where, in addition to farming he was engaged also in milling. He was born in Liberty Townshp, March 26, 1846, and died April 16, 1907. His father was Henry Yeager, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania.

During boyhood John Yeager attended the township schools and thus obtained a practical education. He was industrious, temperate and capable, a man of his word on every occasion, a friend of the public schools and a liberal supporter of the church. From the time of his marriage he operated the farm of his father-in-law, and brought the land up to a high state of cultivation. He was a consistent member of the Reformed church and a church official. Mr. Yeager married Miss Sarah A. Giesy, and they had one son, Charles F., who is a traveling salesman for the D. C. Cook Company. He married Miss Delia Fisher, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Fisher. Like his late father he is a Republican. Mrs. Yeager owns the residence in which she lives at Basil and also the farm of ninety-nine acres, which she has rented to a capable farmer and from which she receives a satisfactory income. She is a member of the Reformed church.

CHARLES D. McKENZIE, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Lancaster, O., was born in Clinton County, Ohio, May i8, 1855, a son of William C. and Lucinda (Morton) McKenzie. His parents are both now deceased, the father, who was a farmer, dying at the age of 70 years in 1898. His wife, Lucinda, who was about the same age as himself, passed away in 1894. They were the parents of five children, as follows : Jane, wife of Solomon L. Whitlow, residing in Clinton County, O. ; Ellen, now deceased, who was the wife of John Boring ; Mary Emily, who married George Bloom, both being now deceased ; James, who married a Miss Rebecca Truitt, and died in 1874; and William B., who married Miss Jennie Wood Mansey, and is now a druggist in Chicago. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Joab Morton, who was an early settler in Clinton County. On the paternal side the Doctor's grandfather was John McKenzie, who was of Scotch ancestry, as the family name indicates, and who was possibly himself born in Scotland. He was an early settler in this section and was engaged in farming and also for some time was a distiller.

Charles D. McKenzie was reared on his parents' farm and educated in the public schools. He studied his profession in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, being graduated in the class of 1896, after a three years' course. He first located for practice in Sabina, Clinton County, O., where he remained for seven years. He then sold out his practice there and went to Octa, Fayette County, and from Octa subsequently to Bowersville, Green County. In 1907 he came to Lancaster, O., having for nine months previously, however, been engaged in traveling. Since coming here he has built up a good practice and is regarded locally as one of the foremost men in his profession. He belongs to several fraternal societies, including the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, an auxilliary branch of the Woodmen. In politics he is a Democrat.

Dr. McKenzie married Miss Rosena Barnes, a daughter of John and Anna Barnes of Clinton County, O., their union being solemnized in 1879. They have a son, Charles Ira, unmarried, who is now in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, at Columbus, O.

GEORGE P. WOOSTER, a successful general farmer and buyer and shipper of stock, carries on his agricultural operations on his excellent farm in Liberty Township, where he owns 122 acres within two and one-half miles of Basil, O. He was born

Lewis Wooster was born in Germany and came to America with his parents, they settling first in Pennsylvania and later coming to Fairfield County, Ohio, and here he spent the rest of his life. He devoted himself to farm pursuits and acquired an ample fortune. His death occurred here when he had reached the age of eighty-six years. He married Mary Judy, a native also of Fairfield County, who lived to be seventyfour years old. They had nine children born to them, seven of whom survive.

George P. Wooster obtained his schooling in Fairfield County. Since the age of sixteen years he has been dealing in live stock, of which few men in this section are better judges. For some years he rented the William Watson farm and then moved to the Henry Lamb farm in Walnut Township, where he remained for six years. In 1891 he came to his present place, finding it in need of improving, and during the past twenty years he has changed its whole appearance. He keeps up a high standard of farming and raises excellent crops and additionally does a very large business in

Mr. W^ooster was married first to Miss Elsie Mesnard, who is survived by one child, Chalmers. The latter married ^liss Alice Sims and they have three children - Evelyn, Mildred and Verna. Mr. Wooster's second marriage was to Miss Dora A. Smurr, a daughter of Charles Smurr, who is engaged in carpenter work and the building trade at Basil. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wooster - George and Marie. They are members of the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Wooster is a Democrat. For a number of years he has been an Odd Fellow, attending the lodge at Pleasantville.

JOHN W. TRUE, for many years a successful farmer both in Athens and Fairfield Counties, O., was a highly respected citizen in both sections, in which he and family became well known. He was born in Athens County, O., October 18, 1850, and died on his farm in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, April 10, 1899, aged fortyeight years, five months and twenty-three days. He was a son of Austin and Jane (Fuller) True.

John W. True was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools until old enough to leave him, afterward having collegiate advantages near Columbus. For nineteen years he was engaged in farming in Athens County and then, in 1883, came to Fairfield County, and here he again engaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing until his death, at which time he owned 150 acres of land. He was a member of the Church of Christ. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mattie Maxwell, and the following children were born to them : Elfie J., who is the wife of A. J. Brown, of Pueblo, Colo., and they have two children- - Murriel Grace and I.orene; Laura E., who married William Gilmore. of Liberty Township, and they have two children, Harold True, and Dorwin; Lydia O., who married Austin Myers, of Cleveland, and they have one son, Leland; Austin R.. married Nellie Geiger, he is an instructor in electricity in an Indian Agency School at Warm Springs, Oregon; and Edith, who is the wife of Clifford R. Jolly and they have two children - Hulda and Helen. They live at Jamestown,

Since the death of her husband Mrs. True has carried on farming operations for ahnost ten years, owning sixty acres, and has proved that her sex in no way stands in the way of success. Her late husband was noted for his ready hospitaHty and this family feature is continued. Mrs. True as an agriculturist is progressive and enterprising and takes a just pride in the fine yeild of her fields and herds. In politics Mr. True was a Republican and while living in Athens County served efificiently in numerous public ofifices. He was an Odd Fellow. Mrs. True belongs to the White Ribbon and Rebecca orders and the Grange and Austin is a K. of P. Mrs. True is a member of the M. E. Church of Basil, Ohio.

H. M. SCHOLL, a prosperous farmer who owns eighty acres of well improved land situated in Sections 20 and 21, Rush Creek Township, was born in Hocking County, 0., January 22, 1871, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Shaw) Scholl, and a grandson of Mathias Scholl.

Grandfather Mathias Scholl was born in Wertemberg, Germany, and was a young man when he came to the United States. He helped to grade the first steam railroad track between Baltimore and EUicott's mill, and often told of witnessing a race between the railroad and the stage coach. In 1830 he moved to Lancaster, O., and worked on the canal then in course of construction and assisted to dig out stumps that then stood in the main street of Lancaser. From there he moved to Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, where he lived until 1842, when he removed to Hocking County and settled on the place where his son Samuel and grandson, H. M., were subsequently born. His death occurred there when he was seventy-eight years of age. In Germany he had married Christiana Weidner and when they left Germany they had one child. Another was born on the passage (both now deceased), while seven more were born on American soil, five in this county and two in Hocking County. They were members of the Lutheran church.

Samuel Scholl was reared in Hocking County and there married Elizabeth Shaw, a daughter of Joseph and Phebe Shaw. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living and three of these live in Fairfield County - W. J., H. M., and Lorena S., who is the wife of J. H. Stuart. All have homes in Section 21, Rush Creek Township. In 1903, Samuel Scholl sold his farm in Hocking County and bought sixteen acres in Fairfield County, where his wife died in 1909. Both were members of ' the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Samuel Scholl is a Democrat and while residing in Hocking County served as school director and road supervisor and for twelve years was treasurer of his township.

After his own school days were over, H. M. Scholl taught school for eight terms in Hocking County. In April, 1899, he came to Fairfield County and bought his present farm in partnership with his father and later purchased the latter's interest. For some three years he hired farmers for his land and engaged in teaming himself, but since his marriage he has managed the place with much success, bringing his land to a high state of production and making improvements in every direction. Mr. Scholl has two fine orchards of mixed fruit and there is a five-barrel oil well on the place. He has put down a large amount of tiling, has enlarged his building and has brought modern methods into his agricultural operations with good effect. He is a member of the local Grange and the M. \V. of A., at Rock Island, 111.

Mr. Scholl was married May i6, 1896, to Miss Mary H. Palmer, who was born in Hocking County, O., a daughter of Augustine and Barbara Palmer, and they have two children, Roy S. and M. Dow. Mr. and Mrs. Scholl are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bremen. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bremen. Mr. Scholl owns a five passenger Overland automobile and finds pleasant recreation for himself and family in its use.

W. F. ALFORD, who resides on his well improved farm of loi acres, which is situated in Rush Creek Township, two miles west of Bremen, was born in Richland Township, Fairfield County, O., in 1848, and is a son of R. P. and Ann Jemima (Kilgore) Alford. R. P. Alford was born in MifHin County, Pa., but he married in Fairfield County, where the Kilgores were early settlers. They became parents of eight children, W. F. Alford being the fourth in order of birth.

W. F. Alford attended the country schools in boyhood and later the Fairfield Union Academy, a well known educational institution in its day, and afterward, for eight years, was engaged in teaching school, also assisting his father on the home place. After coming to his present property he did a large amount of improving and his productive land, fine stock and substantial buildings indicate prosperity.

were born to them, namely : J. P., a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, who resides at Baltimore, O. ; and married a Miss Turner, of Ada, O. ; Sarah K., who resides at home; John F., who is a student in the Delaware University; and one that died in infancy. In his political views Mr. Alford is independent. Although often tendered township oflice he has never served in any other than that of school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

J. M. NEFF, who is owner and proprietor of the Twin City Tile Works, situated in Fairfield County, O., between Baltimore and Basil, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest tile maker in the county. He was born in 1855, at Baltimore, O., and is a son of J. H. Neff.

J. H. Neff was born in Virginia and was brought to Basil, O., by his parents when a boy. His father died when he was young and he had but few advantages except those which he provided for himself. In early manhood he worked on a canal boat and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Co. A., First O. Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the great struggle. After his return, in 1866, in association with John Sands, he went into the tile business one mile north of Baltimore, O., and that partnership lasted for two years, when Mr. Neff, with Dr. H. J. Hummell built a tile yard between Baltimore and Basil, on the place now owned by J. J. Wagner. They made tile there until 1885. In 1875 they also had built a tile yard in Pickaway County, which was conducted for Mr. Neff by a son-in-law. His plant in Liberty Township by that time being out of date, Mr. Neff abandoned it and devoted his at- tention to the Pickaway kilns and he was accompanied by his son, J. M. Neff, who had previously been operating the other yard. Business was continued there until June, 1889, when Mr. Neff built this plant and took possession of his present property. As mentioned, he is the oldest tile maker in the county, never having missed a summer in this industry since 1866, with a single exception. He manufactures drain tile and turns out $5,000 worth of tile a season, giving steady employment to six men.

In 1876 Mr. Neff was married to a daughter of Samuel Fenstermaker, Miss Adelia Fenstermaker, who died in May, 1893. She was the mother of the following children: V. W., A. M., F. F., E. 0., Ethel, Blanche, Lloyd, and two infants, deceased. In October, 1897, Mr. Neff was married to Mrs. M. J. Blizzard. They are members of the Evangelical church. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the Masons and the A. I. U. He is a busy, practical and successful business man and is widely known.

VERNON R. GEBHARDT, part proprietor of the Gebhardt Lumber Company, at Pleasantville, Ohio, and a representative citizen of this place, \\'hich has been his home since the age of three years, was Ijorn on the old Huber farm in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 14, 1880. His parents were John P. and Julia A. (Soliday) Gebhardt.

John P. Gebhardt was born in Germany, December 24, 1845, and was the son of George Gebhardt, the latter of whom brought his family to America in 185 1 and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they all lived up to the time of their death. The family consisted of four sons, - Henry,

John P., Conrad and Thomas Gebhardt, of which family John P. was the second son. John P. Gebhardt engaged in farming when he reached manhood and was married to Julia A. Soliday on Feb. 11, 1869, which family was given three sons and one daughter, - George L., William H., JNIary C. and Vernon R. Gebhardt. In 1883 he moved to Pleasantville, Ohio (which town was a small village), and embarked in the retail lumber business under the name of Patterson and Gebhardt. later as Irick and Gebhardt ; the former firm included his brother Conrad in the partnership. In 1898, his two sons W. H. and V. R., were taken in the company, replacing Thos. Irick, and in 1910 Geo. L. took over the interest of W. H., which firm was in charge at the time of this preparation of the publication. John P. Gebhardt was a prominent citizen and business man and was highly respected in his town and vicinity up to the time of his death on June 13, 1904. His widow, Julia A. Gebhardt, still resides in Pleasantville, O., where she has many friends.

George L. is at present teaching in the Bliss Business College of Columbus, Ohio, having been a successful teacher in the common schools for over twelve years; he was married to Lillie V. Rodgers in 1909.

^^'illiam H., after years of experience in the lumber business, is now a traveling salesman for a large lumber concern in Pittsburg, and was married to Miss Estella Cull in 1906.

holder of a teacher's certificate, which he has never used. He is a prominent Democrat and at this writing is serving as clerk of the village of Pleasantville, O., as clerk of Pleasant Township and the Pleasant Township Board of Education, Fairfield County, O. He has had personal charge of the affairs of the Gebhardt Lumber Company for a number of years, and was married to Olive Helen Irene Osbourne, second daughter of Prof. W. R. and Tacie Osbourne of Baltimore, O., on September 21, 1910, and they have one little son, Bruce Osbourne Gebhardt, who was born September 22), 191 1. Since he was twelve years old, he has been a member of the Methodist Church and is identified with White Arrow Lodge, No. 341, Knights of Pythias, of Pleasantville, Ohio.

TAZWELL HIZEY, who is an honored veteran of the great Civil War and a well known and highly respected resident of Liberty Township, Fairfield County, O., where he owns a beautiful and well improved farm of 129 acres, situated five miles northwest of Basil, was born in Licking County, O., December 24, 1828, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Newman) Hizey.

Both parents of Mr. Hizey were born in Shenandoah County, Va. The father was a blacksmith and farmer who for ten years before coming to Ohio lived in Rockingham County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His life was shortened by an injury received wWile shoeing horses. He died aged fifty-five years, leaving his widow with a large family of children. She was a woman of courage and resourcefulness and of physical strength that endowed her children with robust constitutions. In spite of early hardships and deprivations, incident to farm life more than eighty years ago in Ohio, she lived for seventy-one years and retained her faculties to a remarkable degree. She was the faithful and unselfish mother of twelve children - Jane, Mary, Catherine, Caroline, Harvey, Tazwell, John, Jacob, Abraham, Amanda, George and Hattie. Of this family there are four survivors - Tazwell, John, George and Hattie.

In his extreme infancy, when, in fact, he was but three weeks old, the mother of Mr. Hizey carried him in her arms as she rode a distance of twenty-seven miles from Licking County to Liberty Township, Fairfield County, on horseback, this being in the winter of 1828. Here he grew to manhood, receiving the elements of an education in the old log schoolhouse that stood nearest his father's farm. He then worked at farming until 1864, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. F, First O. Vol. Cavalry, his regiment being a part of the cavalry force of 12,500 men under General Wilson. He served as a second lieutenant in the 100 days' service, but resigned so that he could enlist for a longer period, and he served until the close of the War. Mr. Hizey is one of the commissioned officers whose portrait appears in the history of the regiment to which he belonged. He is also one of the very few men who went out for service and came home without having touched liquor or tobacco in any form. During his military service he participated in a greater number of important battles than did many who had entered the service in 1861 and continued until 1865, in fact his command was in the midst of fighting almost every day. Although often in danger Mr. Hizey escaped injury and returned home practically unharmed. He then came to his present farm and devoted many subsequent years to farming and stock raising, in the meanwhile so improving his property that now it is one of the most attractive and valuable in Liberty Township. Mr. Hizey has shifted the heavy responsibilities to younger shoulders but still preserves an interest in everything pertaining to his land and stock.

Mr. Hizey married Miss Hannah Jane Williams, who was born in Violet Township, Fairfield County, O., September 5, 1831, and died at the present home, April 21, 1892, when aged sixty years. She was a daughter of Solomon Williams, one of the old settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Hizey eight children were born, namely : William Morris, Albert Laurence, Oscar Dellon, Mary America, Hannah Jane, Sarah Ann, George W. and Angeline Elnora. Of the above mentioned four survive - William Morris, Oscar Dellon, Hannah Jane and Angeline Elnora. Mr. Hizey and his family are members of the United Brethren church. He has lived a long and useful life and has always been willing to put his shoulder to the wheel to improve public conditions, from the time he jeopardized his life for his country until the present, when his influence for good as a supporter of law and religion, is felt in his own community. He is what might be termed an old-line Republican in his political views.

J. R. BOHRER, who is one of Liberty Township's best known and most highly respected citizens, has spent all but six months of his sixty-one years of life on his present farm, which lies four and one-half miles north of Baltimore, Fairfield County, O. His birth took place in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, in 1849, ^"d he is a son of Benjamin and Susan (Wicklifif) Bohrer.

The Bohrer family traces its ancestry to Holland and the first of its representatives came to the shores of America in the Mayflower. For many years members of the family lived in New England and from there the grandfather of J. H. Bohrer moved to Pennsylvania and later came to Ohio, when Benjamin Bohrer was about the age of 21 years. He then settled in Walnut Township, Fairfield County and in 1850, moved from there to Liberty Township, where he was engaged in farming during the rest of his life, his death taking place when he was aged fifty-five years. He was twice married, first to Catherine Rutter, and secondly to Susan Wickliff. To the first marriage one child was born, now Mrs. Mary Tunison, of Kirkersville, O. Of the second marriage there were six children, namely: J. R. ; Sarah, a twin sister of J. R., who died aged seven years; Mrs. Christian Fairchild; and Joanna, James M., and Amanda, the last three of whom are now deceased.

After his school days were over, J. R. Bohrer began to work on the home farm, and as years and experience increased, so did his responsibilities. Being the eldest and only surviving son, he continued on the homestead and has developed and improved it until it is numbered with the best farms in Liberty Township. He has 1373^ acres here and has erected substantial farm buildings and carries on general farming and stockraising.

Mr. Bohrer married Miss Joanna Bell Friedly, a daughter of John Friedly, who was an early settler in Fairfield County, coming from Germany. Mr. and Mrs.

Absalom J. Arnold

Bohrer have two children, Rhuie and Clara M. Although he has never been in any sense a politician, Mr. Bohrer keeps well posted in public matters, understands present day issues and has always voted the Democratic ticket. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, attending the lodge of this order at Millersport, O.

Absalom Jefferson Arnold

ABSALOM JEFFERSON ARNOLD, formerly county commissioner of Fairfield County, O., resides on his well cultivated farm of seventy-five acres, situated in Greenfield Township, of which he is a leading citizen. He was born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., April 17, 1844, and is a son of Absolom and Sarah (Weist) Arnold.

Absolom Arnold, the father, was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, and was a son of Frederick Arnold, who came from Virginia and was an early settler in Pleasant Township. The family is of English extraction. Absolom Arnold was a carpenter by trade and also followed farming and was one of the worthy and reliable men of his community. His death occurred in 1890. He married Sarah Weist, who was born in Greenfield Township and came of German parentage. Absolom Arnold was married twice and of his children the following survive: Wilson D., who is a resident of Springfield, O. ; Manson J., who lives in Liberty Township, Fairfield County; George M., who lives also in Liberty Township; Frederick who now lives on the home farm, this township; Emma J., who is the wife of James Cowden, lives at Denver, Colo. ; and A. J., of Greenfield Township.

as they were in his boyhood, children having very few of the advantages they now enjoy. He grew to manhood on the home farm and has made farming his main business ever since. With the e.xception of a few years, during which he resided in Wells County, Ind., he has been a resident of Greenfield Township, where he is a property owner. He also has considerable real estate of value at Lancaster and at Dumontville, O. For many years Mr. Arnold has filled offices of responsibility in township or county and enjoys the highest degree of respect and esteem from his fellow citizens. For eighteen years he served his county as superintendent of the turnpike roads. He also became a builder of new roads, contracting under the commissioners, cutting hills, grading and performing all the necessary work in a satisfactory manner, as there were no complaints. For three years he was a trustee of Greenfield Township, for six years was a justice of the peace and for six years and eight months was a member of the board of county commissioners of Fairfield County, and during a part of this period was its president. He is a Democrat in his political opinions but in the performance of public duties has never been swayed by party feeling. He has always been interested in educational matters and has served as president of the school board of his township. Frequently, also, Mr. Arnold has been called upon to settle up estates and has satisfactorily met every demand made upon him.

Mr. Arnold married for his first wife. Miss Barbara A. Miller, who was a daughter of John Miller, a former resident of Liberty Township. She died Feb. 3, 1889, and is buried in Bethel Cemetery, called Arnold Cemetery, which as well as the church ground, was donated by our subject's father. The first Mrs. Arnold was survived by four children : Matilda Mary, who lives with her father; Amanda J., who is the wife of Edgar Bretz, and lives at Lancaster, O. ; Charles J., who lives in Greenfield Township; and Clara Alneta, who is the wife of Jesse M. Wagner, also of Greenfield Township. Mr. Arnold married secondly Mrs. Elizabeth Gehrett, of BluiYton, Ind. She died Sept. 12, 1908, and is buried at Bluffton, Ind. Mr. Arnold is a member of the United Brethren church.

JAMES T. PICKERING, a leading member of the Lancaster bar and a representative citizen of Fairfield County, C, has been more or less identified also with public affairs in this section, and served twelve years as postmaster at Lancaster. He was born on his father's farm in Violet Township, Fairfield County, C, June 17, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Samantha (Ford) Pickering, and a grandson of James Pickering.

James Pickering was born in 1800, in Rockingham County, Va., a son of Abraham and Ann Pickering, and a grandson of William Pickering, who was born in England and was the founder of the family in Virginia. In 1806 the Pickerings came to Fairfield County, C, and since then the name has been a familiar one in this section and representative of the best class of citizenship. James Pickering acquired land in Violet Township and after marriage with Catherine Williams established what became the Pickering homestead. Of their five children, Jacob Pickering, father of James T., was the eldest and he was born in Violet Township in 1827. He followed agricultural pursuits and became a useful and honored citizen of the county. His marriage was with Samantha Ford, a daughter of Philip and Nancy (Callahan) Ford. Her father, George Callahan, was one of the early pioneer preachers of the Methodist faith, in the wilds of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, John Ford, came to Violet Township, Fairfield County, in 1806, from Fredericksburg, Va. The children of Jacob Pickering and his wife were : Jennie E., Charles C, James T., Emma and Etta S.

James T. Pickering was afforded school privileges in Violet Township until he was sixteen years of age, at which time his parents removed to Delaware, O. There he had high school and collegiate advantages and in the class of 1883 was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, taking his M. A. degree three years later. Having decided upon the law he began his preparations for the bar and in the meanwhile taught school for three years, and in 1888 was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio. In 1890 he entered into a law partnership with his brother, Charles C. Pickering, under the firm name of Pickering & Pickering, and has continued in practice ever since. As a lawyer, Mr. Pickering stands high in ability and integrity at the Lancaster bar. In politics he is a loyal Republican, as was his father, but has seldom accepted public office. In July, 1898, however, he was appointed postmaster at Lancaster, O., by the lamented President McKinley and he proved faithful and acceptable in office. In 1902 he was reappointed postmaster, by President Theodore Roosevelt, and in 1906 was again appointed by President Roosevelt. During his service as postmaster of Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. Pickering devoted his best talents and abilities to the services of the public. One of the greatest achieve- merits of his postoffice service was the establishment of the fine rural free delivery system of Fairfield County, consisting of more than forty carriers.

Mr. Pickering was married in 1895, to Miss Jessie D. Chaney, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Harsha) Chaney, of Circleville, O., and they have two daughters and one son : Eleanor C, Dorothy and WiUiani C. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Pickering is a prominent Mason, having served as master of Lancaster Lodge, No. 57, in 1898-99; is a member of Lancaster Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and a Knight Templar of Lancaster Commandery, No. 2, of which he is now serving as Excellent Prelate.

FRED G. BOSCH, proprietor of a general store at Basil, Fairfield County, O., making a specialty of harness, was born in 1861, at Lancaster, O., and is a son of Dr. Gottfried and Margaret Bosch.

The parents of Mr. Bosch were born in Germany; the mother on July 17, 1820, came to America in 1852, and died at Basil, O., July 30, 1900. The father of Mr. Bosch was reared and educated in Germany and received his medical degree from Wittenberg College. He was thirty-five years old when he came to America, was married in Fairfield County, O., in 1859, and for many years was a successful medical practitioner at Basil, where his death occurred in 1887, when he was aged sixty-three years. His two children were a babe that died in its infancy, and Fred G., now of Basil.

ness at Lancaster for five years. In 1882 he returned to Basil and has been in business here ever since, owning his own building and other real estate. He carries a complete line of harness, horse-furnishing goods and horse remedies, this being his leading line.

Mr. Bosch married Miss Clara H. Auer, of Fairfield County, and they have had five children : Lula, who married Clarence Bright and has two children - Ellis and Floris; Margaret, who married John Gearhart ; John, who died when aged two years ; and Warren and Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Bosch are members of the Reformed church. He is a good citizen, ever ready to contribute to worthy charities and public movements but has no political aspirations. He is a Democrat.

JOHN W^ WHITE, stock buyer and owner of seventy-five acres of fine land located near Carroll, in Fairfield County, O., was born in Hocking County, O., in 1862, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Ridenour) White.

Robert White now lives retired on his farm in Hocking County, of which he is a native. He married Elizabeth Ridenour, who was also born there and they have had ten children, namely: William; Levi, who is deceased ; John W. ; Lydia. deceased, who was the wife of Albert Murphy: Ellen, who is deceased; Allen; Emma, who married Captain Berry; Efifie, who married William Xixon: and Elmer and Clinton.

John W. White obtained an excellent public school education and for ten years afterward taught school in Hocking County, after which he settled at Carroll and engaged in farming in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, for fourteen years. In

1905 he established his home at Baltimore, investing in property in the town and has been largely interested ever since in buying and shipping stock. Politically he is a Democrat and in 1901 he was elected land appraiser in Greenfield Township.

Mr. White married Miss Addie Later, of Hocking County, and they have had four children : Bertha, who is the wife of O. O. Osbourne, a merchant at Baltimore, and they have two children - Raymond and Lowell; Grace, who is the wife of Ray Snyder, and they have one child, Alta; Blanche, who died aged two months and twenty-four days; and Nora, who resides at home. Mr. White and family are members of the U. B. church.

JOHN HARMAN, a retired farmer who has lived on his present valuable farm of more than ninety-one acres, situated in Pleasant Township, since 1876, is a surviving veteran also of the great Civil War. He was boin in Bavaria, Germany, September 5, 1838, and is a son of John and Rosina Harman.

In his native land John Harman attended school but was only fourteen years old when he came to America, afterward living for several years in Allegheny County, Md. After coming to Fairfield County, C, he learned the wagon-making and carriagebuilding trade, with Richard Dean, a well known mechanic at that day. On August 31, 1861, Mr. Harman enlisted for service in the Civil War, then in progress, entering Co. B, 17th O. Vol. Inf., and his regiment was with General Sherman in the great march to the sea. Mr. Harman was a faithful soldier in his adopted country for three years and took part in many great battles, including Pittsburg Landing, Resaca, Mill

Springs, Murfreesboro, and siege of Atlanta, after which he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Fairfield County, where, for a number of years he followed his trade, together with carrying on large agricultural operations.

Mr. Harman was married September 7, 1871, to Miss Catherine Nichols, who was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County. Her parents were John and Mary (Lantz) Nichols, the former of whom was born in Maryland, and the latter in Fairfield County, where her father, Martin Lantz, was an early settler. Mrs. Harman has one sister, Mary, who lives in Pleasant Township. Mr. Harman is a Democrat in politics. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

FRANCIS MARION PAUL, proprietor of the only drug store at Basil, Fairfield County, O., where he has been in business for a period of thirty years, was born September 30, 1846, in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of John and Emily (Watson) Paul.

John Paul was born in the old Paul homestead in Walnut Township, where he passed almost his entire life, following farming as an occupation, and dying in the old home when over eighty-two years of age. He married Emily Watson, whose life has been prolonged beyond the usual period, she being now aged ninety years. She is a tenderly cared for member of the home of her son, F. M., at Basil. Eight children were born to John and Emily Paul, five sons and three daughters, namely: Francis Marion; Morgan, who lives in Morgan County, Mo.; James Monroe, who is a resident of Michigan ; George, who lives at Newark ; John, who is a resident of Union County;

Amanda, who is the wife of Frank Wiseman, of Baltimore; Emma, who resides in Oklahoma, is the widow of M. Mellick, formerly of Rushville; and Ella, who is the wife of James E. Kern, of Zanesville, O.

P'rancis M. Paul obtained his education in the public schools of Walnut Township. He afterward went to work on the home farm and subsequently, with Judge Holland, learned the drug business. He came to Basil about 1881 and has had much to do with the 'developing of this place, being an active and useful citizen in many ways. He served as postmaster under the administration of President Harrison and has always been identified with the Republican party. Mr. Paul married Miss Ida Mason, a daughter of A. T. Mason, of Basil, the Masons being an old county family. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HENRY C. DETWILER, whose valuable and productive farm of 320 acres is situated in Liberty Township, three miles northwest of Basil, O., is one of the wide awake and progressive agriculturists of this section and one of the substantial men of the township. He was born in 1872, on a farm in Liberty Township, to the north of his present one, and is a son of Henry and Rebecca (Lefever) Detwiler.

The Detwilers are of German extraction and the grandfather of Henry C. Detwiler came to Fairfield County from Switzerland at an early day. Here Henry Detwiler was born, in 1844, and here has spent his life as a farmer, now living retired. He married Rebecca Lefever, also of an old Pennsylvania family, and five children were born to them, the four survivors being: Mary, who is the wife of Edward Steiger, of Liberty

Township; Henry C. ; Viola, who is the wife of George W. Shreyer, of Liberty Township; and Clarence, who lives on the old home place. The eldest child, John, died in infancy.

Henry C. Detwiler obtained a good common school education and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. After taking charge of his present farm he erected substantial buildings and introduced modern conveniences, so that he and family have every comfort in the way of living and proper provision has been made for the care and sanitary housing of his stock. Mr. Detwiler is a well informed man, a member of the Grange and one of the state officials of the same. His agricultural operations relating to both crops and stock, are carried on with improved machinery and according to accepted modern methods, he not only taking advantage of the bounty of Nature but following out the laws tending to conserve it. Mr. Detwiler sets an example that may well be emulated by those who desire agricultural success.

In 1893 Mr. Detwiler was married to Miss Lettie Snyder, a daughter of David Snyder, of Liberty Township, and they have one daughter, Flossie Marie, who is attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler are members of the Reformed church. He has been a deacon therein for the last 15 years and is secretary of the joint consistory. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and once was his party's chosen candidate for county commissioner. He is identified fraternally with the Red Men and the Masons.

HERMAN C. ROLLER, deputy county auditor of Fairfield County, has held this office since October 21, 1907. He was born in Bloom Township, this county, Nov. 11,

1875, a son of Nelson and Sarah (Custer) Roller, and is a descendant on the paternal side of a hardy pioneer, Henry Roller, who settled in Fairfield County in 181 1. The son of Henry, in the present line of descent, was Benjamin, born in the year 1800, in Pennsylvania, from which state he accompanied his parents to Ohio. They settled near the head waters of the Hockhocking river. Benjamin married Mary Lane, and they had at least three children, namely: Jesse, who died a few years since in Toledo, where he was a well known druggist ; Lydia, now the wife of Nathan McPherson, of Bloom Township; and Nelson, father of the subject of this sketch.

Nelson Roller was born in Bloom Township about 1841 and is still a resident of that part of the county. For 20 years he was engaged in the real estate and money loaning business. He married Sarah Custer, a daughter of Andrew and Jennie (Green) Custer, residents of this county. Besides Sarah, they had a daughter Louisa, who died unmarried some years since. Nelson and Sarah Roller were the parents of four children - Herman, whose name begins this article: Elise, residing at home: Jessie and Effie, twins, also at home.

Herman C. Roller, after attending tlie common and high schools, began teaching school in 1898 in Bloom Township and was thus occupied for seven years. As already stated, he assumed the duties of deputy auditor at Lancaster in 1907 and has since rendered the county excellent service in this capacity. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Blue Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. AL, at Lancaster, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 125, at Canal Winchester. He

Mr. Roller married in 1904 Miss Gertrude Boyer, a daughter of Marcus and Sarah Boyer, of Bloom Township, her parents being engaged in farming there. Her mother - a native of this county - is still living. Mrs. Roller's paternal grandfatiier was Daniel Boyer, who married a Miss Shovvalter. Mrs. I^oller was the youngest of ten children, her parents' family being as follows : Louis E., a resident of the State of California: Mary, wife of C. W. Wiser; Daniel, a resident of Fairfield County; Grace, wife of J. C. Fellers, of Coleman, Mich. : Maggie, wife of Arthur Cauffman, of Fairfield County ; Nanc}', wife of Dr. J. H. Young, of Rock Springs. AN'yoming; Gertrude, now Mrs. H. C. Roller; Jessie, who died at the age of sixteen years; and two others that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Roller are well known and respected residents of Lancaster, where and throughout the county, they have many warm friends.

JOHN V. TUSSING, retired fa'rmer, and a justice of the peace and otherwise a prominent citizen of Liberty Township, resides one mile north of Basil, O.. on a fortytwo-acre farm and owns other land aggregating 137 acres. He was born on his home place in 1862, and is a son of George W. and Julia Ann (Giesy) Tussing.

Perhaps no man in Fairfield County was better known or more highly respected than the late George W. Tussing. His career he made for himself, his early years having been darkened by orphanage and hardship. He was born in Fairfield County and spent his life here, his death occurring in honorefl old age, in 1902. From the age of ten years, when he was bound out, he lived in the home of Jacoli Giesy until manhood and subsequently married Mr. Giesy's sister. Naturally he was a man of fine mind and of sterling character and his qualifications for public oftice were many times recognized by his fellow citizens. For thirty-six years he was an elder in the Reformed church, serving in that office longer than any member of the board, and for twent)^ years he looked after the interests of the Sundayschool as superintendent. He dietl on his farm of seventy-two acres, when aged seventy-eight years, leaving two children, William H. and John V. William H. Tussing is a graduate of Heidelberg University and Heidelberg Theological Seminary. Since 1888 he has been a minister in the Reformed church and is now pastor of St. Mark's Reformed church at Pittsburg, Pa. He married Cora B. Semuth, of Tififin, O., and they have two children : Paul B.. who is connected with the Ohio Central Railroad; and Corinne, who is well known in musical circles.

John V. Tussing was educated in the district schools of Liberty Township and spent two terms at Baltimore, O. He afterwards followed farming on the home place until 1909, when he retired from agricultural labor, renting out his land but retaining the eld home as a residence. Mr. Tussing's many other interests fully occupy his time. A leading Democrat of Liberty Township, he has served in numerous public capacities. For six years prior to his election in 1900 as a justice of the peace, he had been a notary public, and for the same length of time was township clerk : for three years he was president of the Board of Kducation and in January, 191 1. retired from a term of six years as clerk of that board. He was master of the subordinate Grange at Basil for three consecutive terms and for three years served as master of Fairfield County Pomona Grange; for two years he was deputy county master and for six years was buyer for the local lodge, of which his wife is also a member. He belongs also to the American Insurance L'nion.

Mr. Tussing married Miss Minnie B. Rife, a daughter of David Rife, who came to Liberty Township, Fairfield County, from Pickaway County and became a man of political importance here. Mr. and Mrs. Tussing have two sons, Robert Rife and Wendell Wells, both bright school boys, aged respectively fourteen and eight years. Mr. Tussing has been a member of the Reformed church since 1878 and for twenty years has been secretary of the Trinity Reformed congregation at Basil, Ohio. Since 1889 he has been also secretary of the Lancaster Class Sunday-school Association.

M. H. PALMER, D. V. S., who is the only member of his profession in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, O., has been a resident and practitioner at Baltimore ever since 1909, when he was graduated in his science. Dr. Palmer was born December 2, 1884. in Franklin Ccnnity, O., and is a son of Marion and F'lizabcth (McCray) Palmer.

The ]iarents of Dr. Palmer are farming people and they reside in Licking County, O. Their family consists of three children, all sons - -Clifton, M. H. and Frank. The father is a Democrat in politics but is a man of ((uiet life and has never desired political office.

in caring for the stock on his father's farm and this he developed until it resulted in his becoming a student at the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he completed his studies and was graduated in 1909 as a veterinary surgeon. He established himself at Baltimore and has a large practice. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally he is identified with the Red Men and the Modern Woodmen. Dr. Palmer was married at Baltimore to Miss Ruth Acker.

JOHN FRANKLIN HAVER, is part owner with his brother-in-law, Rex M. Gill, of a valuable farm of 153 acres, situated in Sections 20 and 22, Walnut Township, which was formerly owned by John Gill, grandfather of Rex M. Gill, the said land being known as the Sherkliff and O'Day farm. He was born on his father's farm, two miles east of Millersport, O., June 24, 1867, and is a son of Eli Daken and Caroline (McMann) Haver.

George Haver, the grandfather, came to Fairfield County in the early days and secured a large body of land in Walnut Township, selecting a tract on one of the highest elevations of the county, perhaps in order to escape the malarial troubles that so generally prevailed at that time in the low-lying lands. He spent the remainder of his life on that place and left the farm to his three children, namely: Elizabeth, who married David Weingardner, then a banker at Newark, O. (both now deceased) ; W^illiam, who still resides at Thurston, O. ; and Eli Daken.

Eli Daken Haver was born on the old farm and for many years was largely engaged in the stock business. He was well known also as an auctioneer and cried sales all over the county. He subsequently sold his portion of the old homestead to his brother, William Haver, and then moved to Millersport, where he passed the last twenty-five years of his life. He died at the home of his son, John Franklin, September 18, 1903, at the age of sixty-two years. His widow survives and lives at Millersport. They had children as follows : Estelle Kate, who is the wife of Thomas Brison, of Walnut Township; Stanley C, who lives at Millersport; Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Joseph Parish, residing in Liberty Township ; Lulu May, who is the wife of Dr. O. M. Kramer, of Hebron, O. ; Fannie Belle, who is the wife of Rex M. Gill, of Walnut Township; Fred T., who lives at Millersport; Eddie M., who lives with his brother, John F. ; and Helen Grace, who is the wife of Harvey Bowers, residing at Millersport. John F. Haver was young when the family moved to Millersport and thus he had an opportunity to attend school. His spare time was fully occupied in driving stock and otherwise assisting his father and later he rented and operated a farm near Millersport. In 1899 he formed a partnership with Rex M. Gill, who had an interest in the 2,000-acre farm of his grandfather, John Gill, who had been born near Millersport after his parents had come to Fairfield County from Pennsylvania. In addition to the land owned by Rex M. Gill, the partners rented 240 acres and together they operated 366 acres. They still rent and operate 320 acres northeast of their 153 acres, in which Mr. Haver now has a one-half interest. They are enterprising and progressive agriculturists, modern in their ideas and methods, and produce thereby crops and raise stock that reflect credit on this section of Ohio. In 1904 some drilling for gas was done on the farm.

On February i, 1904, Mr. Haver was married to Miss Carrie Alice Ellinger, a daughter of Ernest and Catherine (Dovenmeyer) Ellinger, and they have three children - Dean Daken, Caroline Belle and Lucile. Mr. Haver is an ardent Republican, a hearty party worker, and has served two terms in the office of township assessor very acceptably.

Rex M. Gill was born on the old Gill farm in Walnut Township, on which he still resides, March 25, 1877, a son of John Thomas and Kate (Murphy) Gill. The father died September 10, 1891. The mother was born in Fairfield County and is a daughter of William Murphy, an early settler and a well known man in his day. Mrs. Gill resides with her son, Re.x M., on the old Gill homestead. On July 29, 1898, Mr. Gill was married to Miss Fannie B. Haver, and they have one son, Frederick T. In politics Mr. Gill is a Republican.

G. W. BELT, who is one of the well known residents of Liberty Township and a lifelong one of Fairfield County, O., was born in Walnut Township, January 22, 1833, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Parish) Belt.

The Belt family is one of the oldest in this section, its first representative having come to Ohio and built his log cabin on the site now occupied by the courthouse at Newark, O. Benjamin Belt, father of G. W. Belt, was born in Baltimore County, Md., and came to Fairfield County and settled in Walnut Township, in 1818. often told his children of the difficulties that attended every kind of work in those early days. He cut the prairie grass on the farm of the great-grandfather of C. C. Miller, endangering his life in so doing, as he had to wrap his limbs to the thighs in grass in order to prevent snakes from attacking them. He followed farming during his entire life in Walnut Township and died there at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Mary Parish, who was born in Maryland and came to Ohio with her parents when aged eleven years. Six children were born to them, namely: G. W. and Rebecca, twins, the latter being now deceased; Mrs. James Good, who is deceased; Mrs. Michael Kettner, who lives in Walnut Township; Ellen, who resides with her brother; and Harriet, who died at the age of four years.

G. W. Belt had but meager educational opportunities, but for a time in early boyhood he attended school in a primitive log cabin, setting on a slab bench without a back to it, as he studied his spelling-book. He inherited a farm of 100 acres and continued to operate it until 1901, when he came to his present place, where he has seventeen acres, having sold his Walnut Township farm. He now looks after his little place, which lies five and one-half miles north of Baltimore, and conducts a small store, mainly to engage his time, being more or less retired from all active work.

Mr. Belt married Miss Rebecca Randall, who died in 1907. She was born in Maryland and was brought here in childhood, her father dying while she was yet young. Mr. and Mrs. Belt had two children : Valentine, who lives in California ; and Joseph, who resides with his father. He married Lizzie White and they have one daughter, Ethel. Politically, Mr. Belt is a Democrat and he has served as township trustee of Walnut Township. For over fifty years he has been a member of the U. B. Church, of which his mother was one of the pioneer organi- zers and was superintendent of the first U. B. Sunday-school in Walnut Township, that being over eighty years ago. The Belt family has alwa3-s been held in very high esteem, being quiet, self-respecting, useful people, not large as to numbers but of sterling character.

MAHLON MEYERS, a representative citizen of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., residing on a tract of 26 acres at Stoutsville, owns large bodies of rich farming land in addition to the home place above mentioned. One farm of 161 acres lies in Clear Creek Township, while another, containing 260 acres, is situated in Pickaway County. Mr. Meyers was born in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, O., August 6, 1841, and is a son of George M. and Maria (Speght) Meyers.