Fayette County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 2 of 10)

Wa^jhiiigtou, and at once acquired a good business; and has since that time been actively and successfully engaged in the practice. In 1873-4, he was a member of the city council. Is a Republican in politics, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been for years a worker in the Sunday-school, and in the temperance cause. Is also an active member of the order of Odd-fellows, in which he is prominently and favorably known throughout the state. He was married. May 14, 1867, to Lizzie ISTash, daughter of William and M. G. Nash, of Clermont County, who was born September 12, 1847, and who died March 15, 1881. She was the mother of six children, who survive her.

Samuel N. Yeoman

Samuel X. Yeoman, merchant and railroad builder, Washington. The name was originally Youmans, being of English extraction. Two brothers, thus spelling their names, came from England to i^ew York in aii early day, tbe one going to New Jersey, the other to the South ; the celebrated Professor Youmans, of New York, being a descendant of the southern brother, our subject being a descendant of the brother who went to New Jersey. The grandfather came to Ohio, and settled on the waters of Paint Creek, in Wayne Township, Fayette County, about 1811, where he erected, probably, the first grist-mill ever built in the county. This mill was erected where the Rock Mills now stand. Here the pioneer remained until his death.

Samuel T. Yeoman, his son, was serving in the war of 1812 when his father came to Ohio, but immediately after its close he also came to Knox County, Ohio, where he married Miss Nye, daughter of Ichabod Nye, the first sherifi:' of Knox County. In 1815, they removed to Payette County, and settled on a farm near the town of Good Hope, in Wayne Township, and remained on this farm until 1829, when he removed to Springfield, and- remained one year; thence, to Lebanon, and remained there one year. He then returned to Fayette County, and settled in Washington. In 1833, he was elected as a member of the General Assembly of Ohio. In 1836, or 1837, he engaged in the mercantile business, associated with Joseph and Amasa Olds as partners. In 1851, he retired from active business, and died in 1856. He served, with credit to himself as associate judge, postmaster, and justice of the peace, in his county, and was one of the active leading politicians of his day. Mrs. Yeoman died in Washington, in 1872, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Stephen D. died while a young man, unmarried. Bethiah L. married, but she and her husband are dead. Gilbert L. M. died when a young man, unmarried. James L. died in infancy. Eusebia N. died at the age of thirteen. Jane M. was married to Theodore Ogle, who is now dead. She lives in Washington. Josephine M. married Van M. Ogle, and lives on a farm in Green County, Indiana. Sarah died in infancy. Ascenith also died in infancy. Joseph Amasa Olds is married and practicing law in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Samuel N., our subject was born in Wayne Township, Fayette 'County, Ohio, in 1828. In the spring of 1849, he organized a company of ten persons, all boys but one, and went to California in search of gold. This was probably the first company that went from this part of the state to California. The eiitire company reached there, and all but one of the number returned. This enterprise proved to be a financial success to Mr. Yeoman, and after remaining there two years and some months, they returned to Fayette County. Soon after his return, he purchased his father's stock of goods, and commenced the mercantile business, continuing the same until the fall of 1853, when he sold out, and engaged in the real estate business until 1858.

In 1857, he organized a company, and built the first respectable hotel in the town, now known as the "Arlington Hotel." The same year Mr. Yeoman again entered the mercantile business, associating with him F. A. Nitterhouse and D. Ogle. They purchased the stock of goods owned by Zebedee Harper. He also established, the same year, a branch store in connection with Theodore and V. M. Ogle, in New Lexington, Perry County, and in that year retired from this establishment.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Yeoman was appointed by the governor of Ohio chairman of the military committee of the county, and was soon afterward ordered to West Virginia, to look after the interest of the soldiers of his county. En June, 1862, while holding this position, he applied to the governor for an appointment as major, for recruiting for the 90th O. V. I., and entered on the recruiting business June 21, 1862. In thirty days he recruited two full companies (C and K), and assisted to recruit two more companies, which were assigned to the 114th Regiment.

August 1, 1862, he resigned his chairmanship, and reported, with his companies, at Camp Circleville, and in less than three days thereafter was ordered to Kentucky without arms or equipments, and reached Lexington by rail in great haste. Received arms next morning, and was ordered at once to assist in covering the retreat at Richmond, Kentucky. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Seige of Chattanooga. Was commissioned lieutenant-colonel after the battle of Stone River, and colonel of the 90th after the seige of Chattanooga, Colonel Rippey having resigned.

The colonel remained with the regiment, participating in the battles of Jouesborough, Atlanta, Champaign, etc., and was mustered out of service, after having served three years, June 21, 1865. He had in all some thirteen hundred men under his command, but only had about three hundred and twenty-seven when mustered out. Mr. Yeoman was a brave, patriotic man, working faithfully and honestly to put down the rebelUou and save the Union. He left his mercantile interests to the care of his partners, devoting his entire time and energies to his country's welfare. But few officers have been more devoted to the country's welfare than has Colonel Yeoman.

In 1866, Mr. Yeoman projected and started the Columbus and Washington turnpike ; it being the first enterprise of the kind in the county under the " Free turnpike Act," which enterprise inaugurated a system of free turnpikes all over the county, which has resulted in a spirit of general improvement, that now makes the county one of the leading counties of the state. Mr. Yeoman was elected state senator from his district, composed of Greene, Clinton and Fayette counties, in 1867, serving two years, with marked ability. He was lected by the same district, to the senate of this state, in 1873, and again served the full term.

In 1869, he organized the Columbus and Maysville Railroad, (known as the bine grass road), became its president, surveyed and located the same; but because of Hillsboro being interested in another railroad enterprise, and not sympathising with this movement, it failed.

In 1875, the colonel took up the old Dayton, Xenia and Belpre Railroad, and organized the Dayton and Southeastern ]*^arrow Gauge Road. He became its president, overseeing and giving it bis entire attention ; and although the enterprise met with many reverses, he succeeded in its completion from Dayton to its intersection with the Marietta road at Mnsselman's. He also assisted in the building of the branch road from Allentown to Waynesville.

He also built the Indianapolis, Delphos & Chicago Railroad, and at this time is superintendent of the Indiana, Chicago & IS'orthern Railroad.

In 1873 Col. Yeoman, in connection of Mr. F. A. Mtterhouse, commenced the building of a magnificent store-room, opera-house, etc., in Washington. He completed the store-room in 1874, but on account of the panic, and the stringency ot the money market, the opera-houseremains untinished.

In June 1853, Mr. Yeoman married Miss Susan M. Conily, of New Lexington, Perry County, Ohio. She is a most excellent women. They are without children. In politics the colonel is a staunch Republican. Mrs. Yeoman is a member of the Baptist Church.

General Stephen B. Yeoman

General Stephen B. Yeoman, attorney at law, Washington, was born in Washington, this county, on the 1st day of December, 1836, and is a son of Alvah and Elizabeth Yeoman. His father was a native of I^ew York, and his mother of Virginia. His father came to this state about the year 1806, and his mother about 1815. They had a family of eight children, four of whom are living.

Stephen, the subject of our sketch, at the age of fifteen, shipped as a sailor; visited New Zealand and different points in South America, Asia, and Africa. After enjoying many adventures, and undergoing many hardships, finally returned to the United States. His great grandfather served with credit as a captain in the revolution, and his grandfather as a first lieutenant in the w-ar of 1812.

ed as a private in the 22d O. V. I., Company F, and was afterwards in West Virginia, until his regiment was discharged by reason of expiration qf term of service. At home he immediately commenced recruiting, and returned to the field again, September 15, 1861, as captain of Company A, 54th O. V. I. He was then ordered, by General Sherman, to take ten picked men and penetrate the rebel lines, in order to ascertain their forces. While gallantly in discharge of duty, he received the following wounds: Shiloh, April 6th and 7th, slight wounds in breast ; battle of Russell House, June, 1862, in left leg, also, in arm and abdomen ; January 10th and 11th, 1863, wounded in right arm, entirely severing the arm below the elbow, which was amputated. For his distinguished services he was promoted to major of his regiment, and on account of his serious loss, and not being able to return to his regiment, he resigned. He was appointed captain in the A^eteran Reserve Corps, commanding Company C, 2d Battalion, on duty at Cincinnati.

In May, 1864, he received from the President of the United States, the appointment ot colonel of this regiment, and was detailed by War Department to Camp Caley, Virginia, as superintendant of recruiting service and chief mustering officer, of the northeast district of Virginia. November 29, 1864, he rejoined his regiment, and led this command in all the actions after that date. He has also been commanding oflicer of 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 25th Corps, and was promoted by the President of the United States, to Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers, for his gallant services during the war; to rank as such from the 15th day of March, 1865.

He was married, in 1863, to Miss Cordelia A. Wood, daughter of Daniel and Tabitha Wood, of this county. They have five children living : Minnette, Ida C, Burton, Nellie and Grace, and one dead, Willard.

In 1866 he was elected probate judge of the county, which oflice he filled three years, and is now practicing law in Washington. He is a man beloved by all who knoAV him, and is competent and well worthy of filling any office in the gift of the people.

Elmer W. Welsheimer

ill Ross County, Ohio, October 4, 1843. He is a son of William H. and Mahala Welslieiiner - the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. They have a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, all living but Oscar, who departed this life in 1869.

Our subject enlisted in Company G, Captain Irions, 73d O. V. I., Colonel 0. Smith. He remained with his regiment until he was wounded, which occurred in Hooker's midnight charge on Raccoon Ridge, a branch of Lookout Mountain. The wound was in the left leg, and the foot was amputated. This was on the 28th day of October, 1863, near Chattanooga. He was also in the battles of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, under Gens. Meade and Hooker. After his wound he was removed to three different hospitals, where he remained three months. He was then sent home, and received his honorable discharge at Columbus.

After his return home he attended school for two years, and then engaged in the mercantile business at Martinsburg, Ohio, where he remained for eight years. He was then elected Clerk of the Courts of Fayette County, and still retains that position.

He is a member of Wilstah Lodge ITo. 360, I. O. 0. F., of New Martinsburg, and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his education in Ohio, and has passed the principal part of his life in this county. He has three children, one son and two daughters : Ottis O., Olive, and Lulu, all living.

Manfred Willard

Manfred "Willard was born in the village of Washington, Fayette County, Ohio, September 18, 1839, and is a son of Lockhart D. and Mary Jane Willard. L. D. Willard, a native of Massachusetts, removed to this county in 1832, and was one of a family of three children. His wife, whose maiden name was Doron, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents removed with her to this county at an early date. She was one of a family of seven children. The marriage of L. D. Willard and Mary J. Doron was solemnized on the 5th day of December, 1838. They raised a family of se's^n children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest.

Our subject was educated in the common schools of Massachusetts, to which place his father removed about the year 1852, His youth was principally spent on the farm in this county At the age of sixteen he commenced land surveying, and continued in that business until 1860, when he removed to Mercer County, Illinois, and remained there in the business of farming until August 1, 1861, when he enlisted in the " Rangers," an independent company, raised and commanded by Captain Graham. This company successfully ran the blockade established by the governor of Illinois, and succeeded in joining the army of the West, at Fort Leavenworth, about the 5th of August. From this point Captain Graham's command was at once sent to Lexington, Missouri, where they remained in active duty until that place was surrendered, in September of the same year, by Colonel Mulligan, to the rebel General Price. In the seige that preceded the surrender, Willard was slightly wounded by a rifle ball removing the skin from the top of his head as it passed over.

As soon as exchanged, and in the winter of 1861-2, he raised a company (H) in the 60th O. Y. I., commanded by Colonel William H. Trimble (than whom no braver man ever lived), which regiment participated throughout the campaign of Major-General John C. Fremont, resulting in driving Jackson out of the Shenandoah Valley.

In September, 1862, through the treachery or imbecility of Colonel Miles, in command of the Union forces at Harper's Ferry, to which point Colonel Trimble and his regiment had been ordered, with other troops, Willard was again a prisoner to the rebel foe. Previous to the surrender, however, he was severely wounded in the left arm. Soon after this, he was honorably discharged at Camp Douglas, Illinois.

Returning home a mere skeleton, weighing less than one hundred pounds, he was elected probate judge of Fayette County at the same election that gave Governor Brough one hundred thousand majority over Clement L. Vallandigham. After the expiration of his term of office, he became cashier of the Fayette County National Bank, which position he held until that institution closed up its business in October, 1875.

In May, 1869, he passed an examination, and was admitted to the bar in his native town, and since the closing of the bank he has given his whole time and attention to the practice of hie profession.

Union Toavnsiiip

On the 7tli day of April, 1863, he married Verselle S. Worley (formerly Knight) a daughter of Salathiel and Jane Knight, and grand-daughter of Colonel Joseph Bell. Mrs. Willard has one hrother, Joseph Knight, now a resident of Fayette County, and one sister, Elizabeth V., who is now the wife of M. Herbert, Esq., teller in the Peoples and Drovers Bank of Washington. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard three children : Jane B., born on the 8th day of September, 1864; Laura A., born on the 17th day of February, 1867; and Herbert A., born on the 31st day of October, 1872.

Marshall J. Williams

Marshall J. Williams, attorney-at-law, Washington, is a son of Dr. Charles M. Williams and Margaret Jane Williams, nee Mark, and was born February 22, 1836. From childhood he has been a close student, and at the age of nineteen graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and soon after began his legal studies at Washington, with Nelson Rush. He completed his legal course at the age of twenty-one, and shortly after opened an office at Sigourney, Iowa, where he remained about one year. Becoming displeased with his location, he returned to Washington, and at once entered into a lucrative practice. He married Bertha Taylor, a lady of Clermont County, but no children followed the union.

In 1870, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature, as representative from Fa3^ette County, and took a prominent part in many of the debates of that session. In 1872, he was returned to the legislature, and served through both sessions of that body with distinction. At present he stands at the head of his profession, and is recognized as one of the leading lawyers of southern Ohio, and has accumulated a fortune by his practice.

Jacob Whitesel

Jacob Whitesel, butcher, Washington, was born in Pickaway County, December 12, 1832, and is a son of George and Mary Whitesel; his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pickaway County, Ohio. They were married January 10, 1822, his wife being Miss Mary Sidener. His grandparents were Nicholas Whitesel, born in Germany, February, 1755, and Elizabeth West, born in

Pennsylvania, in 1754. George and Mary had a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all living but the two youngest. Jacob, the subject of our sketch, was married June 1, 1865, to Miss Sarah A. King, daughter of Henry and Mar}- King, of Baltimore, Ohio. They have one child, Minnie Bell. Mr. Whitesel is a member of Ringgold Lodge No. 90, I. 0. O. F., of Greenfield, Ohio; is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his education in Pickaway County, where he lived until he was thirty-two years of age, when he removed to near Lancaster, Ohio, and engaged in pike making some six months. He then engaged in the drug and grocery business, at Rushville, for about two years; and then went to Highland County, bought a farm, and worked it some eight years, when he sold out and came to Washington, where he engaged in butchering, which he still follows.

John L. Wilson

John'L. Wilson, carpenter, Washington, was born September 18, 1835, and is a son of James N. and Maria Wilson, 'His father is a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Ross County, Ohio. The former came to Ohio in 1823, the latter in 1827. They had SIX children.

Our subject was married January 21, 1867, to Anna, daughter of James G. and Tabitha Jolly, of Clinton County, Ohio, who bore him two children : James G. and Zeda B. He is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, and Chapter No. 103, F. & A. M. He received his education in Washington, where his youth was spent. In politics he is a Republican.

Dr. C. M. Wilson

Dr. C. M. Wilson, physician, Washington, was born in Northampton, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1845, and is a son of Charles and Catharine Wilson, of Hillsboro, Ohio. They had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters.

Our subject was married, March 2, 1871, to Miss Mary L. Pricer, daughter of David H. and Amanda Pricer, of South Salem, Ohio. They have two children : Minnie and Amy C. The doctor enlisted in August, 1864, in Company A, 175th 0. V. I. He was wounded in the first engagement at Franklin, Tennessee, and November 30,

1864, had the second finger of his right hand shot off, and also received a flesh wound in his thigh. After being wounded he was taken to Nashville, and one week afterward was removed to Louisville, and from thence to Cincinnati, where he lay in West End Hospital, from which he received his discharge from the service on the 20th day of May, 1865. The following fall he entered South Salem Academy, where he remained until the fall of 1868, when he began his medical studies under Dr. Looker, of Cincinnati, graduating in Miami Medical College, in March, 1871, and commenced a practice which has continued up to the present time, with the exception of six months spent in the college and hospital in ITew York City. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. His residence and office are on Court Street, where he has been since June, 1875.

Mills Gardner

Mills Gardner, attorn ey-at-law, Washington, was born at Russellville. Brown County, Ohio, January 30, 1830, and is a son of Scth and Elma S. (Barrere) Gardner. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of Ohio. They had a family of three children.

Our subject was married, October 9, 1851, to Miss Margaret A. Morrow, daughter of John Morrow, of Highland County. They have two children - Gertrude and Hortense. Mr. Gardner has always lived in this state, and has resided in Fayette County since 1854. He received a common school education, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1855, and Iras followed the profession since. He was prosecuting attorney of Fayette County for four years; was a member of the state senate in 1862-64; was a presidential elector on the Lincoln ticket, in 1864; was a member of the state house of representatives in 1866-68; was a member of the state constitutional convention of Ohio, in 1873; and was elected to the forty-fifth congress, as a Republican, receiving 16,549 votes against 16,098 votes for John S. Savage, Democrat.

Jefferson, named in honor of the third President of the United States, and the hirgest bnt one in the county, is located in the northwestern part of the same, being bounded on - the north bj Madison Count}^ on the east by Paint Township, on the south by Union and Jasper townships, and on the west by Greene County. For a more specific description, date of organization, etc., see general history of the county. Paint Creek forms its eastern boundary proper, while Rattlesnake enters in the north and crosses the entire township, flowing southwestwardly, while the numerous tributaries of these streams traverse it in various directions. According to the statements of old settlers. Rattlesnake is named from an old Indian chief, whose camp was on land now owned by Clement Shockley. Sugar Creek, flowing almost parallel with Rattlesnake, obtained its name from the great abundance of sugar maple on its banks.

The surface is generally level, with occasional ridges and low rolling hills. The soil is black and productive ; large crops of grain are harvested each year, especially between Sugar and Rattlesnake creeks. It was originally timbered heavily with elm, hickory, oak and sugar maple, but the ax' and saw have caused sad havoc with the dense forest, and since the completion of the railroad, coal is being very generally used for fuel. Travel is facilitated by the Springfield Southern Railroad, and five free pikes, of which a more extended notice will be given subsequently.

Early Settlements

cipally by the pioneers and their posterity. The early settlers, nnmindful of the great importance attached thereto, kej)t no chronological record, hence our task is a dithcult one.

From the limited data at our command, we infer that the family of William Robinson, sr., was among the first who settled within the limits of this township. This family, which consisted of father and four sons, were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Virginia.

In the year 1801, they came to this state and settled in Greene County, about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained a few years, then came to this township - perhaps in 1804. The elder Robinson, located on the present site of the town of Jeffersonville, occupying a cabin situated on the lot now in the possession of Richard Fox. William Robinson, jun., took possession of a tract of land, just a-cross the creek from the village, now known as the " Wright farm," and occupied by Thomas Bruce. Two of the sons, Thomas and Abner lived on the present Lewis Janes' tarm ; the other son, named Nicholas, on land now belonging to Charles Gray, on Rattlesnake Creek. Singleton, a son of William Robinson, jun., resides in this township, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men.

Aaron Kendall, and family, left Stafford County, Virginia, in 1805, and settled in this township on part of the Washington survey. The father eventually traveled back to Virginia and died there. The remainder of the famil}- grew up and scattered ; consequently not a descendant is now living here. The old homestead is owned by the heirs of the late Charles Harrold.

In the year 1809 or 1810, George Creamer and three sons, Michael, Joseph and David, came from Berkeley County, Virginia, and settled on Sugar Creek, on land still owned by his descendants. George Creamer, jr., came in 1813, and located in the same neighborhood. This family held prominent positions, and took an active part in the development of the country. George was the first justice of the peace; David was justice of the peace and surveyor; Joseph, Michael and David participated in the war of 1812. The senior Creamer died in the year 1825, and his sons have all followed him. Their descendants still survive, and practice the man}- virtues laid down by their ancestors.

who resided in the same neighborhood - Warm Springs, Berkeley County. Marshall Jenkins removed to near Sugar Creek, where now resides the relict of John Parrott, deceased. He lived there about twenty years, then removed to Port Williams, in Clinton County, this state. Jacob took possession of a tract of land, a part of which is now occupied by Mr. Hooker, and lived thereon till 1850, when he divided the same amongst his children and removed to Jeffersonville, where he died in 1865. A part of the old homestead is still in the possession of his posterity.

Prior to 1812, a Carolinian named John McKillep came here, and located about two miles north of JefFersonville, (descendants still reside there) with wife and three sons : John, William and Daniel. Mrs. McKillep was held in high repute for her services among the settlers as midwife, and because of the scarcity of physicians, was in great demand.

It should he remembered that there are two surveys in the name of Duff in this township ; the east survey was settled by Patrick Kerns, who immigrated prior to 1810, and cleared apiece of ground .adjoining the farms of Jenkins and Creamer. He built a two story log house, which was in appearance far in advance of its day and o-eneration, which was standing and occupied as late as 1874. The western survey was purchased by Peter Harness, in 1811, and divided among his sons, giving each a good farm.

Joseph Hidy settled at an early day near Paint Creek, and owned a large tract of land in Paint Township. Michael Carr owned land in this township, but resided in Paint.

John Killgore, with his wife and a large family, emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, from Kentucky, in 1801, and located in the immediate vicinity of Xenia, where they remained several years ; then, because of the scarcity of game, they determined to change their quarters. Accordingly, the elder, accompanied by several of his sons and a neighbor named James Kent, proceeded to explore the country east of Xenia, and finally entered this township. The first trace of civilization disclosed to their eyes was a "turnip patch," near the cabin of Philip Powell, located in close proximity to the present residence of Mr. McKillep, survey Xo. 1,344. They struck the branch called Benbow Creek, and followed the same through the farm now owned by Perry Killgore, to its mouth at Sugar Creek, and here a bear was shot by one of the party. Perceiving smoke arising from near a spring on the present Blessing farm, they proceeded hither and discovered a partly of Indians in camp. The latter were friendly, and invited the Killgores to remain over night, which invitation was thankfully accepted, the hear heing served for supper. On the following day they went to Madison County, selected a tract of land, erected a cahin, and moved into the same with their families, remaining till 1808, when one hundred and twenty-five acres in tliis township, extending from T*erry Killgore's house to the road .east of the same, were purchased. Here they remained till 1812, engaging in farming and hunting. At the outbreak of the war of 1812, one of the sons named James, went to Kentucky with Nathaniel Scott, and manufactured saltpetre. John went to Chillicothe, enlisted in the service, and died at Chillicothe while guarding prisoners. His coffin was made by Joseph Hidy. His son, John Clark, volunteered, and was taken to Upper Sandusky, where he remained until the close of the war, when he returned to his home. The Killgore farm was purchased of Thomas Posey at seventy-five cents per acre. At the death of the elder Killgore, it was purchased by two of his sons; one of the brothers, Clark, eventually became sole owner, and at his demise, his son Perry bought out the several heirs, and still retainb.the old homestead. The latter was born in 1822, in the old house, which is still standing, and was built prior to the marriage of Clark - about 1820. The various members of the old family are deceased, and their descendants scattered.

Philip Powell, who lived near the " turnip patch " above mentioned, came during the years intervening between 1801 and 1804, and afterwards removed to Indiana, where he died. He was a Kentuckian by birth.

Solomon Green lived on the present T. L. Rowan farm, but remained a short time only. It is said of his son William, that he brought from Kentucky and wore the first pair of boots ever brought to this settlement, which gave him the sobriquet of " Bill Boots."

which had been lately vacated by Polly. He was a carpenter, surveyor, blacksmith, and justice of the peace, - held the latter oiJice many years, - and pursued his various avocations successfully; eventually removing to Illinois.

Samuel Hornbeck occupied the farm now owned by Abram Blessiug. Being subject to frequent attacks of tits, his wife was told, that a permaneut cure might be effected by taking off his under garment and burning the same. At the next attack the remedy was given a trial, resulting in the loss of the garment, but proving a failure otherwise.

Just below Moses Thomas, lived James and Andrew Wicker, who were natives of North Carolina. The former afterwards removed to lUinois with Jonathan, his father-in-law.

William and John *Horney settled early on the farm now owned by Amos Williams. John devoted himself to hunting and shooting the game which was here in abundance.

John Mock was born in North Carolina, Januar}' 8, 1780. In 1800, he married Mar}- Horney, of the same state, and, accompanied by her emigrated to Ohio, settling in Greene County, in 1802. He assisted in the erection of the first dweUing house in Xenia, which of course was of logs. He remained in Greene until 1853, at which time he removed to this township, locating on the farm now owned by his son Hezekiah, which contained five hundred and nine acres, and was purchased of William Kerr for $1,000. Mock was a participant in the Indian war, and guarded the Minerva block house. Upon his arrival here, he engaged in farming and continued till his death, which occurred in 1862 - his wife preceded him about four years. They had eleven children, of whom nine survive ; six live in this county, two in Greene, and one in the State of Illinois. At his death, he had sevent3^-eight grandchildren.

Joseph Kent, who came witli the Killgores, remained with them till 1808, then removed to Madison County where he spent the remainder of his days.

The original boundaries of this township, and the various changes of the same, together with the date of organization is given in another part of this work; hence, a repetition is deemed unnecessary. Through the coartes}" of A. Bush, Esq., we have obtained access to the records from 1816 to 1881 - making a complete record with the exception of a few years - and extract as below :

The following officers were elected on theiirst day of April, 1816, and "sworn in" on the sixth day of the same month: Justice of the peace, Thomas Robinson ; trustees, Jacob Jenkins, Joseph Kendall and Nicholas Robinson ; constables, William McCandless, and Price Landfare ; supervisors, Samuel Wicker, John Miller, George Pence and James Sanderson; treasurer, John JV^cKillep; lister, William McCandless ; overseers of the poor, Patrick Kernan and John Williams ; fence viewers, Jacob Jenkin and David Creamer; the later was appointed at a subsequent meeting of the trustees ; clerk, David Creamer.

John Miller, supervisor one year, $3.00 ; Samuel Wicker, received, $5.25 for a like service ; Jaco"b Jenkins, trustee one year, $6.00 ; for serving in the capacity of supervisor one year, James Sanderson and George, each $2.25 ; Joseph Kendall, trustee, $4.00 ; Joseph Creamer, per cent. of funds, 98 cents ; David Creamer, clerk, $4,00 ; following which appears this entry : " Settled all accounts with the - treasurer, and tliere remains $1.22 in the treasury."

March 21, 1818, John Fenel was paid $2.62J cents for his services as deputy supervisor, the fraction was paid in " sharp shins" or " cutmoney."

June 28, 1824, William Longbridge, constable, was commanded by John Ryan, an overseer of the poor, to " summon Samuel Thornton and Lida Thornton to depart out of this township, and of this writ make legal service and due return."

The trustees, on May 24, 1834, bound to James Fent, as an apprentice, George Seamer, aged eleven, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one. Conditioned that the said Fent shall clothe, maintain and educate said Seamer, and at the expiration of his term of servitude, shall present him with a Bible and two suits of clothes. This is the tirst transaction of the kind on record.

The records on the main have heen well kept, and are simply indicative of the bnsiuess transacted by the officials. The above extracts were made with a view of showing the-great changes made in the management of afiairs.

We submit below a complete list of the principal township officials from 1816 to 1881. At times it has been difficult to ascertain definitely the names of persons elected each year, to which should be ascribed any inaccuracy that may occur: 1816 - Jacob Jenkins, Joseph Kendall, Mcholas Robinson, trustees.

The Free Church Association

noii-sectariau in its character, L e. to be occupied by the various denominations, alternately. The stockholders met March 6, 1848, and purchased a part of the school lot in district number 13, and decided to erect a house of worship thereon, which was to be of frame, fifty-four feet in length and thirty-eight feet in width. It was stipulated that the house should be used by all denominations, and the " Sons of Temperance " were granted the privilege of building a stairway to the garret and occupying the same, provided they made the necessary improvements. Its friends subscribed $983.57, in addition to which separate funds were raised for the stoves and lamps, the latter by the ladies. The church has been occupied by the Methodist Episcopal, Universalist, and Methodist Protestant denominations, and is in charge of a non-sectarian board of trustees; it was remodelled in 1869. Present directors: William Blessing, O. W., Marshall, W. H. Jones, M. D., Joseph Hurless, J. B. Bush.

First Universalist Church Of Jeffersonville

This church was organized August 5, 1860, by Rev. E. Moore, of Locust Grove, Adams County, Ohio, in the Union meeting house. The following officers were elected on the 29th of the same month: William Palmer, Joseph Hidy, John F. Gregg, deacons and trustees; Gilbert Ferrell, treasurer; H. K. Pearson, secretary. Rev. Moore continued pastor for a period of eight years, and was followed by Rev. W. S. Bacon, of Cincinnati, who had charge one year, and was succeeded by Rev. L. D. H. Corwin; he in turn was followed by Rev. Tucker, who preached three years ; at the expiration of which Rev. Miss Prud Le Clerk - a distant relative of jS"apoleon Bonaparte - preached, she died December 25? 1878, and was followed by Rev. Saxton, of Columbus, who preached one year, and was succeeded by Mrs. L. D. Crossly, of Woodstock, Champaign Count}-, Ohio, the present incumbent. In 1873 the organization began the erection of a neat brick structure, and finished the same in the following year at a cost of $4,000. The funeral of the late Gilbert Terrell, a staunch supporter of the church, was conducted in the building ere it was completed. One hundred and twenty-one persons- have subscribed their names to the constitution since its organization ; the present membership is sixty-three. Services once each month. Sabbath-school every summer.

This church was organized June 30, 1877, by P. P. Glass, with fourteen members, at the residence of Benson Glass. The organization proceeded at once to the erection of a house of worship, meanwhile holding services in the school house. - The new building, a neat frame, thirty by forty, was completed in March of the following year. 'Squire James Flax is elder, and has preached regularly and acceptably since the formation of the society. Services are held every vSabbath. Membership, eighty-four. Sundayschool during the summer season.

The Pleasant View Baptist Church

This church was organized in the old school house, near Pleasant View, by N. M. Longfellow, with about twenty-five members, in 1865-6. They began the erection of their present building, a frame, thirty-six by forty-eight, soon after. The following ministers have been in charge : Churchill, Moore, Perry, Longfellow, (son of N. M, Longfellow), Mcllvaine, the present incumbent. At present there are about fifty members. Sabbath school every Sunday.

First M. E. Church

This church is located on the farm of Milan L. Sinitu, military survey number 1256. An organization was etfected in about the year 1865, at the school house in the same neighborhood, and the building is a frame about forty feet long and thirty wide. The Methodist Protestant society has held meetings alternately with the Methodist Episcopal. Both societies at present have a small membership and ere long will cease to exist.

Avest Lancaster M. E. Church

The original society was organized at the house of Joseph Straley, who resided about one and one-half miles southeast of West Lancaster, in about the year 1850. For a time meetings were held in a school house on the same farm, when it was determined to erect a log clnirch on the Jamestown and Washington road, one and one-half miles east of "West Lancaster, in which services were held till 1858-9, when work was commenced on the present, a frame forty-eight by thirty-six. Owing to the outbreaking of the civil war, the work was dilatory, and the house was not completed until 1868. Among the early and prominent ministers are the following : Alfred Hance, Adams, who went to Texas ; Joseph Tremble, now at the Western University ; T. W. Stanley, S. S. Stivers, Cartridge, and R. I. DeSelm, present incumbent. The church is now in the Jeffersonville Circuit and London District.

Secret Organizations Odd Fellows

Jeffersonville Lodge No. 454, I. 0. 0. F., was organized July 20, 1870, with the following charter members: J. M. Blessing, Joseph Hurless, R. Fox, A. J. Aldridge, O. W. Marshall, E. L. Jones, George H. Creamer, and Lewis Bentz.

In June, 1879, a part of the membership, in the absence of the other brethren, voted to surrender the charter, sold the furniture, and appropriated the proceeds, wath four hundred dollars belonging to the lodge, to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Jeffersonville. The absentees instituted suit for the recovery of the property, and the question is now in the common pleas court at Washington for adjustment. A re-organization was also made, and following officers elected: Joseph Hurless, N. G.; W. C. Wilson, V. G.; George Miller, R. S.; J. N. Yates, P. S.; Richard Fox, T.; Jacob R. Hosier, Joseph Hurless, J.J.Thompson, trustees.

The trustees of Jefferson Township met June 24, 1871, to select and purchase a site on which to build a township house. After due consideration, and examining all the locations offered, it was agreed to purchase of J.fW. Haymaker part of in-lot number twelve, situated in the village of Jeffersonville, and pay one hundred and fortv dollars for the same.

Industrial And Commercial

The pioneers of Jefferson, in common with the new comers of other localities, enjoyed no opportunities tor trading at home. Grain and other products were conveyed to Cincinnati, Springfield, and Oldtown ; much time and labor being required in making these trips. It soon became apparent that nothing could be gained so long as there were no facilities for converting grain into flour, and timber into lumber, in the near neighborhood, and various devices were invented to attain this end.

Perhaps the first mill worthy of record was erected by William Robinson, on Sugar Creek, opposite the present farm of J. B. Creamer. It was decidedly a primitive affair.

Jacob Creamer, in 1840, erected a saw-mill, in the present limits of Jeffersonville, where the covered bridge now stands, and afterwards added a corn-cracker. During the wet season lumber w^as shipped across the creek on a raft, and taken to the village. The lumber, which was white and burr oak, was used in the construction of houses, barns, and fences. Edward Gray had charge of

For nearly half a century, the enterprising citizens of Jefferson have agitated the propriety of constructing a steam railroad through its limits. When the voters of this county were called upon to declare by ballot, whether one hundred thousand dollars should be issued, in bonds, to aid in the construction of the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Zanesville Railroad, via Washington, this township voted yes! The Dayton and Southeastern Railway project was defeated, while the question of issuing a certain amount of bonds for the purpose of building the Springfield, Jackson and Pomeroy Railroad, was decided in the affirmative; however, the bill authorizing the township to issue the bonds was declared unconstitutional, and for the time being the project was abandoned.

In the winter of 1874 and 1875, the matter was taken up by William Blessing and C. W. Gray and violently agitated. A meeting was called, speakers invited, and a rousing meeting was held. The quota for this township was $35,000, and was filled in a short time through the indefatigable labors of Willis Hays, Isaac Glaze, George Janes, M. B. Wright, C. W. Gray and William Blessing. The land owners all responded liberally. Work was commenced in the spring following, and completed in the fall of 1877. At the completion of the road it did a fair business, which has continued to this day. In the following year the affairs of the road were placed in the hands of a receiver, who sold the same to the Springfield Southern Railroad Company - the present operators. The old organization is still kept up, Mr. Blessing being the director from this place.

Our forefathers enjoyed none of the advantages offered by the complete net\vt)rk of pikes and roads of the present day, the blazed road being the only means of traversing the almost impenetrable forest. "When a certain number of freeholders desired the " blazing" of a new road, a petition was presented to the county commissioners praying for the same. That honorable body appointed three disinterested persons as viewers, and on their recommendation if no serious objection was made, the road was surveyed and declared established.

The first public highway rnnning through Jefferson, was an old Indian trace converted into a state road, and now usually termed the Jeffersonville and Bloomingburg pike. Another road extended from Washington to Jamestown, and was a great thoroughfare for western emigrants. These, with the road leading from Jeffersonville to South Charleston, constituted the principal thoroughfares.

The township records, prior to 1876, being lost, we have no means of ascertaining the condition of the public highways on and after the immediate organization of Jefferson. In that year there were seven districts, as follows : l^o. 1, beginning at Alexander Sanderson's, thence down Rattlesnake Creek to the county line; James Sanderson, supervisor. No. 2, beginning at the Xenia road near Sanderson's, thence up Rattlesnake to the county line near demons'; John Wirk, supervisor. No. 3, beginning at the crossing of the Missouri, thence to the line of Greene County ; Alexander Sanderson, supervisor. jSTo. 4, beginning at Isaac Workman's, thence out the state road to the crossing of the Missouri ; George Pence, supervisor. No. 5, beginning at Isaac Workman's, thence up the county road to the long bridge near Blakemore's Mill ; Patrick Kerran, supervisor. No 6, beginning at long- bridge near Blackamore's Mill, thence out the county road to the county line ; William Popejoy, supervisor. No. 7, beginning at the county line near Aaron Kendall's, thence down Paint to the crossing of the same ; Aaron Kendall, supervisor. The roads received more attention from time to time, and were enclosed in smaller districts. At present, five pikes and a number of dirt roads attest the excellent facilities offered the traveling public.

Miscellaneous

Patrick Iverran (or Kerns) was the first blacksmith, andfolk^wed his trade for many years. He brought his forge with him, and was assisted in striking the iron to be beaten, by his wife.

Thomas McGarraugh was the first physician. He lived at Washington and visited his patients on horseback. He enjoyed a good reputation, and afterwards served his county as associate judge and representative.

James F. Boyer and George Sharrette were the pioneer brickmakers; D. McCoy, the first merchant ; Joseph Hidy and Stephanus Hunt, the first carpenters.

The counterfeiters who infested this county in the early days, frequently victimized the good citizens of Jefl;erson, though we have not learned of au}^ organized gang that was located in their midst. In later years, when Alfred Walston removed to the blacksmith shop originally occupied by Moses Thomas, he found concealed in the same, a mold for the production of bogus silver dollars. How and when the device was placed there has been a mystery to this day.

Richard Douglass, of Chillicothe, and one of the first practitioners at the AV^ashington bar, owned a tract of land in this township containing about twelve hundred acres, which was in charge of his brother, an ex-sea captain, who was well versed in marine matters, but a fiat failure as a farmer.

Richard, or "Dick" as he was familiarly called, was very 'quick tempered, but usually regretted his violent outbursts of passion the next moment. One winter he purchased a large fiock of sheep and put them in his brother's care, who managed to preserve half of them - the others died from sheer neglect, and were placed in a heap and covered with straw. On the following spring, Dick visited his farm, and upon discovering the dead sheep exclaimed, "what in the h - 1!" - but regretting the hasty remark, lifted his eyes reverently to heaven and said, " God forgive me !"

woods on the Washington and. Jamestown road, on the site of West Lancaster. With them were two young men named Martin and McClung, who were prospecting, and having overtaken the emigrants, conchided to accompany them to the West. It was on the evening of the fall election, and two young men, named respectively Hiram Hosier and Henry Smith, were returning from the polls at Jeifersonville in a jolly mood, and on horseback. One of them, it is alleged, upon arriving at the camp, conducted himself in such a manner as to insult the women, and aroused the indignation of the men, who proceeded to chastise them. The party attacked retreated about two hundred yards, then charged upon the assailing party. In the melee which ensued, Hosier, it is said, encountered McClung, and struck him on the head, inflicting a dangerous wound, from the effects of which he died in a few hours. Hosier was arrested. The case, however, was postponed from time to time. It was finally brought to trial, and Martin, the prosecuting witness, having been bribed to abscond, the jury disagreed - standing eleven for conviction and one for acquittal. The prosecuting attorney eventually yiollied the charge.

On the 20th of April, 1843, a party of young men went to a wedding at Straley's - then in Jefferson, but now in Jasper Township - to " bell." They were attacked by those inside, and Antrim Rankins, son of Thomas K. Rankins, was shot, and died on the following day. John Ilid}^ was arrested and charged with commiting the deed. He was admitted to bail, - his father going his security, - left the country, and never returned.

The antiquated school building, with its huge fire-place and greased paper windows, is well remembered hy the pioneers of Jefferson, many of whom obtained their "book larnin" in the same.

David Creamer is remembered as the first teacher in the vicinity. He t-aught three months each year, in a log cabin on the farm of Jacob Jenkins. Other schools were opened soon after in other portions of the township, and the subscription school system became general.

fersoii Township into seven school districts, the first of which included the property of George Coil, Peter Fisher, Richard Banghn, Joseph Creamer, Samnel Christy, David Creamer, Simeon Creamer, William Young, Thomas Jones, Peter Windle, Isaac Hegler, Daniel Dougherty, John Wicker, Joseph Levally, and George Price.

The old logs were gradually torn down, and frame buildings erected in their stead. Later, the number of districts was increased to thirteen, and substantial brick buildino;s were built.

Jeffersoiiville is a finely situated village of six hundred and twenty-eight inhabitants on the banks of Sugar Creek, on the line of the Springtield Southern Railroad, eleven miles from Washington, eighteen miles from South Charleston, and is located in one of the finest agricultural districts of Ohio. The farmers in the surrounding country use the latest improved agricultural implements, the land is level, and the productiveness of the soil is unsurpassed. In riding over the township, and viewing the numerous farm houses and out buildings, dotted so near to each other, one is reminded of a vast suburb near a large city teeming with people and industr}'.

For the last year business in the village has made rapid strides, and at this writing there is not a vacant dwelling house in the place. The railroad has brought new industries and enterprises, and mechanics are steadily employed at fair wages.

First Settlers

As has been seen, William Robinson was the first resident in the limits of the village ; however, there was no trace of a village at that time, consequently he can not be considered as the first resident of Jeff'ersonville.

In the year 1831, Walter B. Wright and Chipman Robinson, who owned one hundred acres of the present village, recognizing the fact that the establishment of a trading point in or near the center of Jefferson Township was a public necessit}^, laid oft' the same into town lots, the surveying being done on the first of March by Stephanns Hunt, and disposed of them at five dollars each.

The first house was erected by Robert Wiley, on Main Street. It is still standing, and owned by the heirs of David Creamer. Wiley afterward removed to the West. The lot was known as No. 1.

William Devault, Reuben Carr, Jacob Jeidvin^ Edward Jenkins, and M. B. Wright, who was living in the frame residence near the Universalist Church when the town was surveyed, were among the first settlers.

Edward Gray, though not one of the first, was an early resident of the village ; and as he has been, and is still, one of the most enterprising citizens, we append a short sketch of his life:

He was a native of Morgan County, Virginia, and came to Ohio in the fall of 1836, with his father, Michael, and the family of the latter, ten in all, traveling on the newly completed National Road. Upon their arrival in this county, they stopped at Michael Creamer's, a hrother-in-law of the elder Grray, while the latter went to Highland Countj', with a view of examining the land. Unable to find a suitable location, he returned and purchased a tract of land one mile southwest of Jeffersonville (now occupied by Jacob Gray), containing two hundred acres, of Mr. Pavey, of Leesburg, at three dollars per acre. They began clearing up the place, then a dense forest. Edward removed to town a few years later, and engaged in the mercantile business, establishing a good trade, which is still enjoyed by his sons. At Mr. Gray's earliest recollection, Jacob Creamer, Edward Popejoy, Benjamin Wright, Thomas Devault, George Hardway, Reuben Carr, and Calvin Woodruff, were the only residents of the viUage.

Edward Popejoy opened the first store, on the lot lately occupied by the hardware and provision store of C. W. Gray & Bro., with Calvin Woodruff as clerk.

In the month of February, 1840, Mr. Howard removed to the village from Washington. At that time there were seventeen buildings, the most of which were log, and altogether the little settlement presented an isolated appearance.

Edward Popejoy kept a store and blacksmith shop. Gilbert Terrell was also engaged in the mercantile business. William Robinson, now living in Washington, had a saddle and harness shop in a small log, 14x16 feet. E. H. Crow was the only tailor.

H. H. Pearson came to the village in abput the year 1843, and opened a grocery and liquor store. He did a good business, and rapidly accumulated a fortune; but finally went to Defiance, Ohio, where he lost most of his wealth. He is now a resident of Oakland Valley, Franklin County, Iowa.

Corporation

From the official records now in possession of the village mayor, we copy the following act to incorporate the town of Jeffersonville, in the county of Fayette ;

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that so much of the township of Jeft'erson, in the county of Fayette, as is comprised within the limits of the town plat of the town of Jeifersonville, together with all such additions as may hereafter be recorded thereto, be and the same is hereby created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known as the town of Jeffersonville.

Sec. 2. That it shall be lawful for the white male inhabitants of said town, having the qualifications of electors of the General Assembly, to meet on the second Monday of April next, and on the second Monday of April annually thereafter, and elect, by ballot, one mayor, one recorder, and five trustees, who shall be house holders, and shall hold their offices one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified; and they shall constitute the town counciL

Sec 3. That at the first election under this act, they shall choose, viva voce, two judges and a clerk, who shall each take an oath, or affirmation, faithfully to discharge the duties assigned them, and at all elections thereafter, the trustees, or any two of them, shall be judges, and the recorder, clerk; and at all such elections the polls shall l)e open between the hours of ten and eleven a. m., and close at three o'clock p. m. of said day ; and at the close of the polls, the votes shall be counted and proclaimed, and the clerk shall deliver to each person elected, or leave at his usual place of abode, within three days thereafter, a written notice of his election, and the person so notified, shall, within ten days of the time of receiving such notification, take an oath, or affirmative, to support the constitution of the United States, and of this State, and also take an oath of office.

Sec 4. The mayor,. recorder, and trustees,, shall be a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession by the name of the "Town of Jefi^ersonville ;" shall be capable of acquiring and holdreal and personal property ; may sell and convey the same ; may have a common seal, and may alter the same ; may sue and be sued ; plead and be impleaded ; answer and be answered unto ; in any court of equity, in this state or elsewhere ; and when any suit is commenced against the corporation, the first process shall be a summons, an attested copy of which shall be left witli the recorder at least ten days before the term thereof.

Sec. 5. That the mayor, recorder, and majority of trustees, shall have the power to make such by-laws, ordinances and regulations for the health and convenience of said town, as they deem advisable ; provided, the same be not inconsistent with the constitution of the United States and of this State ; and they shall have power to fill all vacancies caused by death, removal or otherwise ; to appoint a treasurer, town marshal, and such other toAvn officers as they may deem necessary ; to prescribe their general duties, and to require such security as they may deem necessary to secure the faithful performance of those duties ; to remove at pleasure ; to fix and establish the fees of officers not established by this act.

Sec. 6. ' The mayor shall be a conservator of the peace within the limits of said corporation, and shall have the jurisdiction of justice of the peace, in criminal and civil cases, and shall have the same fees as justices of the peace are entitled to for similar services; he shall give bond and security, as is required of justices of the peace, and an appeal may be taken from the decision of the mayor to the court of common pleas, in the same manner as appeals are taken from the decision of justices of the peace.

Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the recorder to keep a true - record of the proceedings of the town council, which record shall at all times be open for the inspection of the electors of said town, and the recorder shall preside at all meetings of the corporation, in the absence of the mayor, and shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the b3^-laws and ordinances of said corporation.

Sec 8. The town council shall have power to levy annually a tax for corporation purposes on the property within the limits of said town, returned on the grand levy made subject to taxation by the laws of this state ; provided, that tax shall not exceed in any one year three mills on the dollar; and the recorder shall make a duplicate thereof, charging each individual an amount of tax in proportion to his property as assessed in the grand levy of taxation, which said duplicate shall be certified and signed by the mayor and recorder, and delivered to the marshal, who shall proceed to collect the same in the same manner and under the same regulations as county treasurers are required by law to collect county and state taxes ; and said marshal shall, as soon as such tax is collected, pay the same over ,to the treasurer of the corporation.

Sec. 9. That said town council may appropriate any money in the treasury for the improvement of the streets and side walks, or other improvements, and may have the use of tlte jail of the county for the imprisonment of persons liable to imprisonment ; and all persons so imprisoned shall be under the care of the sheriff, as in other cases.

Sec. 10. That the mayor and common council to require by ordinance every able bodied male person above the age of twentyone years, resident within said town, to perform labor on the streets and alleys of the same not exceeding two days in any one year, and which shall be in lieu of two days labor required under the present laws regulating roads and highways ; and upon refusal to perform such work under the proper supervision, the delinquent shall be liable to the same penalties as are provided by law against persons refusing to perform the two days labor required in said law ; they shall also have the exclusive right of forming the road districts, within the limits of said corporation, and the appointment of suitable supervisors for such district when formed, who shall be governed in the performance of their duties by the by-laws of said corporation ; and all road taxes charged on the county duplicate on property within the limits of said town, shall be worked out under the direction of the proper supervisors, within said town, as the said town authorities may, by resolution, designate and point out ; and all taxes charged for road purposes aforesaid, on property within the limits of said town, and collected by the county treasurer, shall be paid into the hands of the town treasurer aforesaid, to be specially appropriated by the mayor and common council to road purposes within said town.

I, Jacob Creamer, recorder of the corporation of the town of Jeftersonville, Fayette County, Ohio, do certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the charter of said town.

Early Ordinances

We give extracts of some of tlie ordinances by the village council. It appears that the ordinances were copied into the record some years after their passage, and not in their regular order. Thus the first ordinance (recorded page 5) was passed April 14, 1845, while an ordinance recorded on page 6 was passed April 26, 1838 :

April 26, 1838. That if any person or persons shall run a horse or horses in any of the streets or alleys within the limits of said town, they shall, on conviction, be fined in any sum not more than five dollars nor less than one dollar, at the discretion of the mayor.

June 15, 1838, it was ordained that the council shall meet on the first Monday of March, annually, to settle with the difl:erent oflicers of the corporation, for which they shall receive .an order on the treasurer, attested by the recorder, for the amount allowed by the council; to be paid out of any moneys in the treasury except road funds.

September 3, 1838. That every person wishing to exhibit a show, shall pay a license not less than fifty cents nor more than ten dollars. Any person exhibiting a show without complying with the above act shall be fined in a sum not less than two nor more than twenty dollars.

April 17, 1839. That the marshal shall be entitled, as constable aiid for collecting any tax that may be levied by the council, the same fees as county treasurers are allowed for similar services. The supervisor shall be entitled to the same fees as township supervisors ; this applies also to town treasurer. The mayor, recorder, and trustees, shall be entitled to seventy-five cents per day necessarily employed in all business enjoined on them by the act incorporating said town, not otherwise provided for. *

April 14, 1845. Be it ordained, etc., that all ordinances, resolutions and by-laws of said town be: "Be it ordained, or Be it resolved by tiie council of the town of Jefi:ersonville."

An ordinance passed on the same date, provided that all ordinances, etc., passed by said council be posted up in some public place in said town by the recorder, within ten days after passage.

feet wide, and the ditches four inches from the edge of the sidewalks on a gradual descent from the sidewalk, thence on a gradual ascent to the center of the street.

April 14, 1845. That if any person owning or having the charge of any living property, and it dies within the town limits, or any other nuisance so as to cause an odious smell, shall remove the same outside the city limits of said town. Failing to remove after being notified by any citizen, he shall be liable to the marshal for all expenses incurred by such removal, and pay a fine of not less than twelve and a half cents nor more than one dollar, at the discretion of the mayor.

April 14, 1845. That any person setting up any grocery for the purpose of retailing spirituous liquors, or any person selling by the dram or less quantity than one quart (except for medicinal purposes) shall be fined in any sum not more than five dollars nor less than one dollar for each ofi'ense.

Ordinances were passed April 14, 1845, creating the office and defining the duties of the town marshal, regulating the duties of the mayor, providing for the better preservation of the streets, alleys and sidewalks of the town; for the better regulation of hogs.

On the 28th of August, 1852, ordinances took effect to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors within the town limits ; to prevent certain immoral conduct ; to prohibit places of significant or habitual resort for tippling and intemperance ; prescribing certain duties and powers of the marshal.

The council ordained, 1852, that there shall be levied for corporation purposes for the year 1852, two mills on the dollar for every dollar of the valuation of taxable property within the corporation limits. The same year it was ordained that the council shall have power to appoint some suitable person to keep and sell spirituous liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes.

November 8, 1879. That hereafter all places where intoxicating liquors are sold shall be closed at nine p. m. of each day and remain closed until six a. m. Any person failing to comply with the provisions of this ordinance shall be fined in any sura not less than ten dollars, nor more than fifty dollars.

The corpoi-artion limits were enlarged April 9, 1880, by the annexation of the following described territory. Beginning at a tack in the center of the bridge over Sugar Creek, on the JefFersonville and Charleston Pike, N. 36° W., 137 feet from a point in the old corporation line in the centre of said pike (now street,) thence N. 48° 34' E., crossing the line between Clausing aud Howard at 504 feet, 823 feet to a tack in the top of the middle cap of the Springfield Southern railroad bridge over Sugar Creek. Thence 63° 23' E., 728 feet to a stake in the east side of the Midway pike. Thence I^: 82° 45^ E., 986J feet to a stake on the lands of said Howard and a corner to Howard's addition to Jeffersonville. Thence S. 7° 15' W., 785| feet to a stake in the line between Howard and Fent and Creamer, Thence S. 88° 47' E., 710 feet to a stake in a line of said Howard, and a corner to said Fent and Creamer and L. Janes, known as the Linn corner. Thence S. 2° W,, 1570 feet to a stake in the center of the State road and a corner to said Janes and Fent and Creamer. Thence K, 89° 5' W., 410 feet to a stake in the center of said State road at its intersection with the Plymouth road. Thence with the center of said Plymouth road S. 48° W., 394 feet, to a stake in the center of said road. Thence N. 89° 58^ West, through the lands of George Janes, crossing Sugar Creek at 1191 feet the center of the C, J. & Mt. Sterling railroad, at 1573 feet, the line between Janes and Mrs. E. W. Terrell, at 1591 feet, the corner to Mrs. Terrell and the school house lot at 2256 feet, 2531 feet to a stone, corner to George Jones and the school house lot. Thence ISI". 6° 47^ W., crossing the center of the Jamestown Pike at 429 feet the line between Dr. L. A. Elster and William Bruce at 609 feet, 1524 feet to a stake on the lands of said Bruce. Thence N. 46° E., crossing the line between said Bruce and P. Thompson at 70 feet, 549 feet to the beginning.

The foreo-oino^ ordinances are taken from the "Ordinance Book" of the town council. Many of the early measures have been repealed by the passage of similar acts.

The Outlook

The outlook for the future of the now thriving little city is flattering. Aside from the already completed railroad, there is a fair prospect for the construction of another road from Columbus, Ohio, to Maysville, Kentucky, crossing the Springfield Southern at this point. The town has verily awakened from her lethargy, and today she can lay claim to superior shipping facilities. We see no reason why Jeffersonville should not continue to thrive. In the fall, the handling of grain alone, at the elevator and mill, will hring lively times. The following is the result of a research for the various kinds of traffic carried on :

Three dry-goods stores, five groceries, one shoe store, one grocery and general hardware store, two barber shops, two blacksmith shops, two drug stores, four saloons, one harness shop, one meat and provision store, two hotels, one furniture store and undertaker, one carriage and wagon shop, one lawyer, three physicians, one gunsmith, two grain dealers, one coal dealer, one bakery, two milliners, three carpenters and builders, one grist and saw-mill, one steam grain elevator, one livery stable, one tin shop, one printing office, one plasterer, one painter, one bricklayer, two shoe shops, two tailors, one Masonic and one Odd-fellows lodge, one township house, three churches, and a good school house.

Pleasant View, a little hamlet containing about fifty houses, is located on the Jamestown and Jeffersonville Pike, about four miles from the village.

In December, 1875, James Flax conceived the idea of establishing a trading point for the benefit of the surrounding country, opened a store, and kept a general country stock. About two years ago a steam saw-mill was erected, and proved successful from the start. A number of new houses have since been erected, and the settlement bids fair to increase steadily.

Business Interests

The business interest is represented as follows : General store, S. Ryan ; blacksmith shop, Thomas Scott; physician. Dr. Jesse Limes ; saw-mill, S. C. Jeffries; attorney-at-law and justice of the peace, James Flax.

Abel Armstrong

Abel Armstrong, farmer, is a son of John and Elizabeth Armstrong, natives of Virginia. He came to Ohio in 1814; she when a little girh They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom reached maturity. Our subject, the eighth, was born March 11, 1830. The parents died in this county; the father, February 9, 1865, aged nearly seventy -five years, and the mother August 10, 1842.

Our subject was married to Miss Emil}' Creamer,daughter of J.B. Creamer, whose biography appears in this work. They had a family of seven children : ISTancy J., Joseph B., George A., Rhoda E., Iva M., Almeda, and Charlie E. Nancy J., Rhoda E., and Almeda, are deceased.

Mr. Armstrong has a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres, well improved, situated three miles south of Jeftersonville. Mrs. Armstrong has fifty-eight and three-quarter acres two miles southeast of Jeftersonville. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jeftersonville. Is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal, and his wife of the Methodist Protestant Church. They are good citizens, and respected neighbors. Mrs. Armstrong's grandfather, Parot, served in the revolutionary war, and also that of 1812.

Elizabeth Beatty

Elizabeth (Hurless) Beatty, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Geller) Hurless, who were married in October, 1825, in this county, and reared a family of four children. He was previously married to Barbara Coil, who bore him one child, and died December 16, 1820. Mr. Hurless died May 31, 1871. His second wife died September 9, 1858.

Our subject was married to William Beatt}^, March 7, 1861, who < died at Nashville, Tennessee, June 29, 1863, while in the service of the Union army. He was a member of Company C, 90th O. V. I. They had but one child, William S., wlio is at home with his mother. She has a home of ten acres, well improved, situated one mile southwest of Jefforsonvillo, on which they live. She and her son are highly respected people, and good citizens.

William Blessing

William Blessing, farmer, is a son of Abram and Phoebe (Mock) Blessing; was born in Greene County, March 26, 1827, and came with his parents to this county, in 1847, where he married Miss Mary J. Costello, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, March 23, 1853, who bore him four children: Electa V., Lucy J., Alice P., and Rachel II. Electa died at the age of seven years.

Mr. Blessing invented the first successful corn-planter of Ohio, and is a genius who can make anything with tools. He has a farm of three hundred acres, well improved, situated two miles north of Jeiiersonville, on the liarrold pike, where he lives. His father was born in Virginia, in 1801; came to Ohio in 1808; lived in Greene County until he. came here, and was married there. Mrs. Blessing was born in Greene County, in 1802. There were nine children of the famil}', our subject being the second. The parents are exemplary members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Henry Blessing

Henry Blessing, farmer, is a son of Abram Blessing, and was born in Greene County, June 8, 1836. He came to this county with his parents, in 1847, and still lives on a part of the large tract of land his father bought on coming here. He was married, June 28, 1829, to Miss Mary Huffman, daughter of Samuel Huffman. Four children are the result of this union: Horace M., Abram G., Georgiana, and Samuel H. All are living, and none married.

Mr. Blessing has a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres, well improved, on which he lives ; also forty-seven acres in Ross Township, Greene County, and farms to grain and stock. He formerly made a specialty of hogs. He has been successful, regardless of losing a great many hogs by cholera, and the loss of seven-

The Blessing family is wholly Republican, with the exception of one member. When a young man, our subject, after attaining a common school education, taught two years, then went to Antioch College two years, and then returned to the farm.

Abraham Booco

Abraham Booco, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and came with his parents, when about two years of age, to Ohio. The parents afterward went to Indiana, where the mother died, and where the father still lives, at the age of ninety years. Our subject's grandfather, Abram, came to the United States from Germany during the Revolutionary War, fought through the war, and died in Ross County, Ohio.

Our subject was born September 6, 1822, and was married February 27, 1848, to Miss Angeline Garinger, who bore him four children : Ira D., Isaac S., Albert B., and Cyrena - all living, and all married, save Ira, who is at home.

When about seventeen years of age, Mr. Booco left his father's house, and settled in Wayne Township, this county, without a cent, and began working by the month on a farm, and during the winter seasons would drive stock to Virginia. He was married at twentysix years of age, and his father-in-law gave him one hundred and twenty-one acres of land in the woods, which was his start. He has since made money rapidly, and had about one thousand acres of land in this county before he divided among his children. He has yet one hundred and seventy-one and a half acres, well improved, situated three miles southwest of Jeflersonville. Ira has two hundred and seventy-seven and a half acres of land adjoining him on the east. In 1875 he began business for himself on a capital of ten thousand dollars, and is now worth at least twenty thousand. He makes his money invested in land, stock, etc., yield him ten per cent. He deals largely in cattle, and has a tile factory of a capacity of three thousand dollars annually, yet owing to other business, does only about eight hundred dollars. He began the tile business in 1865, with his father, on Paint Creek, where they built the third tile factory of this county.

Joseph Browning

Joseph Browning is a native of Shefliekl, England. He" was born May 25, 1828, and came with his parents, Benjamin Band and Mary (Stubbing) Browning, to America in 1836, located in New York, remained a few weeks, then came to Clarke Conuty, Ohio, where the father bought a farm near Platsburg, which is yet known as the Browning farm, where the parents died. August 8th, 1867, he was missed iu his church and community, as he was a noble man whose house was always open to the needy. He lived an exemplary life, and died triumphantly in the faith of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Browning was twice married; first, to our subject's mother, who bore him eight children, and died triumphantly and happy, November 14th, 1865. She was a kind and tender-hearted mother, and a beloved sister in the church.

Our subject was twice married. First, to Miss Susan Hagler, daughter of Isaac Hagler, December 22, 1853, and who died February 15, 1872, aged about forty-three years. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth (Collette) McCoy, February 19, 1874. Two children are the result of this union : Fannie S., born June 11, 1865; and John N., born February 17, 1878. Mrs. Browning's first marriage was celebrated with John McCoy, March 26, 1868; who died August 1, 1872, aged forty-three years. They had one child, Charles C, born December 20, 1869.

Mr. Browning has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated four and one half miles northwest of Washington, nicely arranged for stock raising. None of the family of five sons, or Mr. Browning, sr., ever used tobacco or intoxicants.

Ruth Calhoon

Mrs. Ruth A. (Corbitt-Ivinkaid) Calhoon, Jefferson ville, is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine, who were married in this county a few years after they came here.

Mr. Kinkaid died, in 1874, aged thirty-one years. lie was a marble cutter by trade, a member of the Masonic fraternity of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Our subject then married David Calhoon, March, 1876 ; one child, Irene, is the result of this union. Mrs. Calhoon has a farm of one hundred acres, situated two miles west of Jeffersonville. She, Ella, and Mr. Allen, are members of the Universalist Church of Jeffersonville.

Mrs. Mary Carr

Mrs. Mary (Lorh) Carr, Jeffersonville, is a daughter of Michael and Catharine (Miller) Lorh. Her father died in- Virginia in 1819. Mrs. Lorh then married Samuel Messmore, of Virginia, about 1822. In 1823 they came to Ohio, and located in Madison County, where Mr. Messmore died. The mother died at our subject's house, in 1865, aged seventy -two years.

Our subject was married, October 30, 1843, in Madison County, to Michael, son of Michael and Mary Carr, by which marriage she had a family of nine children : Susan, Mary, Clara, Samuel H., Margaret, Albert, Amanda, John W., and Clarence I. All are living, and all married, except Florence, who is at home with her mother.

Mr. Carr was an exemplary member of the Christian Church, a kind husband and indulgent father. He died triumphantly, June 19, 1870, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. Mrs. Carr and all the children - except two - are members of the same church, John joined the Methodist Church after his marriage, and Amanda united with the Episcopal Church after her marriage.

Mr. Carr had a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where Mrs. Carr now lives, and twelve acres in Paint Township. This land has been divided among the children since Mr. Carr's death.

Samuel served two years in Company C, 90th O. V. I., and lost one arm in the service of his beloved country. Mr. Carr set an example of temperance before his family, and it has been followed strictly.

Henry Clansing

' Henry Clunsiiig, boot and shoe maker, Jeffersoiiville, is a native of Germany, born August, 1836, where he was reared, educated and learned his trade. Pie came to the United States, in 1860, and located in Cincinnati where he remained one year, then came to this place where he married Miss Joanna Roth, September 16, 1865 ; two children is the result of this union : Louis H. and John G., both living.

Mr. Clausing served two and a half years in the late war, in Company K, 20th 0. V. I. At the siege of Vicksburg, he received a severe wound : a ball entering his mouth, knocking out teeth, and passing out at the back of his head just below the brain. When he came to the United States he had only about $15.00; by industry and good management however, he has bought a good house, in which he now lives, and a large store room and shop. His wife has nine acres of land on the corporation line of this village. Mr. Clansiug is a good workman and a respected citizen.

Samuel Cockerill

Samuel Cockerill, farmer, Jeft'ersonville, son of Thomas G. Cockerill, of this county, was born June 12, 1850. October 1, 1874, he was married to Miss Alice Craig, of this county. Two children are the result of this union : Lillie M., and Thomas E.

Mr. Cockerill has a farm of ninety-three and three-fourth acres, well improved, situated two miles west of Jefferson ville. He is a member of Wilstach Lodge No. 368, L O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are highly respected citizens, and good neighbors.

John Coil

John Coil, farmer, Jeffersonville, born May 13, 1817, is a son of John and Mary (House) Coil. Was married, February 22, 1844, to Miss Mary Smith, daughter of Jeremiah Smith, of Paint Township, this county. Seven children are the result of this union : Samuel, Mary J., Levi, Cyrus, Erbin, John, and Smith. The three eldest are deceased. Erbin married Miss Emma Flood, John marf JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. G75 riecl Miss Anna Matthews; the others yet remain single. Mr. and Mrs. Coil are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres, well imprpved, situated one and one-fourth miles southwest of Jeftersonville ; also, one hundred and fifty acres in Jasper Township. During the life of the Whig party, Mr. Coil affiliated with it, but has since voted for the man of his choice, regardless of party. His familj^ is one of the most highly respected in the township.

Peter J. Corey

Peter J. Corey, farmer, Edgefield, is a native of this county, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Sperry) Corey, both of whom were natives of Virginia. When quite young they came to Ross County, Ohio, where they were married about 1820, soon after which they removed to this county. They had a family of nine children, our subject being the seventh.

jSTovember 1, 1855, our subject was married to Miss Rachel, daughter of David and Margaret Sherwood, of Delaware County, Ohio. She bore him thirteen children : Gemima, John, Sperry J., Abram, Sallie Ann, Isaac, and David, are living ; Edith, Maggie, Samuel, Joseph, Jessie, and one infant, are deceased. Samuel, Joseph, and Jessie, died in February, 1881.

Mr. Corey has a farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, well improved, situated on the Washington and Jamestown pike, twelve miles west of Washington. Himself, wife, and ancestors, were members of the Baptist Church. Both of his grandfathers were ministers in that church. Mr. Corey engaged in chasing the notorious Morgan during his raid through Ohio. Is a good citizen and respected neighbor.

Philip Creamer

Philip Creamer, farmer, Jefi!ersonville, son of Michael Creamer, was born in this township, November 8, 1812. In April, 1849, he was married to Miss Margaret Morrison, daughter of David Morrison. They have a family of eight children : Martha 0., Mary J., Libbie A., Louisa J., Rachel E., James M., Samuel M., and David M. The daughters are all married.

well improved, situated about a mile west of Jeftersonville. Himself, wife, and three of the daughters, are exemplary members of the Methodist Protestant Church, which the two elders joined some twenty years since - being yet zealous in the faith. Mr. Creamer has seen much of Fayette County's rapid improvements, and has participated in making many of them. When he was a young man there were no railroads or pikes, the school houses were log, with puncheon floor and seats, the windows were made of greased paper, pasted over a large crack in the wall, made by cutting away half of a log. All these have given place to more comfortable and modern-built structures.

George H. Creamer

George H. Creamer, house painter and farmer, Jeftersonville, is a son of David Creamer, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1814, where he died January 21, 1875, aged sixty-eight years and two months. He married Miss Eleanor Duncan, who bore him four children, our subject (born May 30, 1840) being the youngest. The family were all born in Highland County, and came to this county about 1842. Mrs. Creamer died May 14, 1880.

The subject of this sketch was twice married. February 20, 1873, he was united to Miss Mary Sanderson, daughter of Joseph Sanderson. She bore him" one child, John D. Mrs. Creamer died February 5, 1876, aged twenty -four years. On the 27th of October, 1878, he married Miss Sarah Porter, daughter of Aaron Porter, of this county. By this marriage there is one child, Louis B.

Mr. Creamer enlisted, August 4, 1862, in Company C, 90th O. V. L, and was discharged June 21, 1865. He has furnished for this work a copy of a speech by Captain Noble, and one by Major Kimble. He was a charter member of the I. 0. O. F., of Jeftersonville, and has held all the oflices of the subordinate lodge.

Joseph B. Creamer

Joseph B. Creamer, farmer, Jeftersonville, was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, November 26, 1808. He came with his father, George II., to Fayette County, this state, in 1814, located about three miles southeast of Jeftersonville, where the father died, about 1860, aged eighty-four years. The mother died in Virginia.

Mr. Creamer was married to Miss Elizabeth Life, March 23, 1833. They liad a family of seven children : Mary A., Emily, George C. Louis, Nathan, Andrew R., and Urben; five living. George died, ill 1861 ; Louis, in 1862, at Bowling Green, Kentucky, while in the service of the late war. Mrs. Creamer died, in 1865, aged fiftythree years, triumphantly in the faith of the Methodist Protestant Church.' Mr. Creamer is a member of the same church : both joined about 1842. He has held several of the church offices, and has been delegate to annual conference several times, and is an exemjjlary and worthy member. He was elected county commissioner, in 1843, and served six successive years. He has held the township offices of trustee, clerk and land appraiser, and has been conspicuously situated before the people of the county for years ; though not an office seeker. He is well and favorably known, and has many friends throughout the county. His son, Andrew R., is a member of the Ohio Senate. Mr. Creamer was a prominent Whig, and since the birth of the Republican party has voted that ticket. He has a farm of fifty-five acres, well improved, situated about one mile southwest of Jefl:ersonville. He formerly had three hundred and thirty acres. He has divided all but the home farm among his children.

Christian C. Creamer

Christian C. Creamer, farmer, Jeifersonville, is a son of Michael and Mary (Gray) Creamer ; was born and raised on the farm where he now lives, August 4, 1818, and Avas twice married. First, to Miss Rosanna Gray, April 9, 1840 ; one child is the result of this marriage: "Westley M. Mrs. Creamer died, January 5, 1843, aged twenty-seven years. He then married Miss Elizabeth Higbee ; eleven children by this marriage : Rosanna, Mary A., Obedelia V., Kelson D., Samuel H., Albert J., Martha E., Sarah J., Alexis H., George and Charles C. Mary and Samuel are deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Creamer and children are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Westley M. and N'elson J)., are in the ministry. This family has stood prominently in the church for years. Our subject's parents, and grandparents, were prominent members of the church.

part of the large tract of laud formerly owned by his father, who came to this state, in 1800, located in Ross County, near the mouth of Twin Creek ; remained but a short time, then came to this county, located on Sugar Creek, where he died, January 9, 1846, aged sixty-four years. There were eleven children of this family, ten of whom lived to be married aud have families; four are yet living. Mrs. Creamer died. May 1, 1865, aged eighty-five years.

Our subject aud family are- members of the Patrons of Husbandry. O. V. and A. J. Creamer, are members of the Masonic fraternity. O. V. Creamer is also a member of the Odd-fellows. Westley M. Creamer served three years in the late war. Company C, 90th 0. V. I., and received a wound at I^ashville by a cannon ball.

L. D. Crow

L. D. Crow, grocer, Jefl:ersonville, is a son of Ezekial and Malinda (Bush, daughter of William) Crow. Mrs. Crow died, October 15, 1845. Mr. Crow was killed, in a railroad accident, near Paris, Kentucky, November 27, 1862.

Our subject, being the second child, was born December 7, 1841, and reared, educated, and twice married in this county. First, to Miss Sarah McKillip, daughter of John McKillip, February 25, 1864 ; two children are the result of this union : Bertha and Lizzie. Mrs. Crow died, February 17, 1869. He then married Miss Susanna Wood, daughter of Joel Wood, December 21, 1870 ; two children by this marriage : Herman C, and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Crow served about eighteen months in Company K, 44th 0. V. I., and then re-enlisted in Company K, 8th 0. V. I. He came home without a wound, though was in several heavy engagements. He has served two terms as justice of the peace in this township, and several years as township trustee. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

John Divins

John Divins, farmer, is a son of Samuel and Mary (Depoy) Divins, and was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 23, 1826. When but a child, he came to this county with his parents, and has remained here ever since, except about five years spent in Coles County, Illi- nois. Ill that state he was married to Sarah E. Kohinson, November 3, 1850, who bore him four children : Jeremiah "W., Lidie May, Mertie, and John. Mertie was born December 2, 18()7, and died at the age of eight months.

Mr. Divins has a farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres, well improved, situated one mile west of Jeffersonville, and on which he resides. Fifty years ago, this land, now in a high state of cultivation, consisted of an impenetrable forest, and was presented to the Hillsboro Academy, and conveyed to M. Boyglit, February 9, 1829.

Jeremiah, oldest son of our subject, was married to Maggie Ilerrill, October 14, 1873. There were two children by this union : Celestia D., and Vernon.

John C. Divins, the father of the subject of this sketch, and his wife, were natives of Delaware. Both removed to this state, where they died ; the former in Clinton County, the latter in Fayette.

Simeon R. Estep

Simeon R. Estep, farmer, is a son of Robert Estep, of this county, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this county about 1830, and located near Bloomingburg, coming to this township in 1874.

Our subject was born in this county, October 29, 1856, where he was reared and educated. He has been engaged in farming thus far through life. Is a member of Jeffersonville Lodge No. 454, I. O. 0. F., joining in 1879. He lives with his father, on the homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated three miles west of Jeffersonville, on the Jamestown pike. They are highly respected citizens, and good neighbors.

Hezekiah T. Evans

Hezekiah T. Evans, farmer, is a son of John V. Evans, of Greene County, and was born March 10, 1842, in Berkeley County, Virginia. He came to Greene County, Ohio, in 1851 ; remained ther till 1872, when he came to Fayette. He was married, February 6, 1868, to Miss JuHa A. Keplinger, of Kosciusko County, Indiana, who bore him five children : Ulysses G., Anna M., John A., Floretta F., and Blanche G., all living. Mrs. Evans died July 14, 1880. She was a member of the Disciple Church.

Mr. Evans enlisted in Company A, 74th (). V. I., in 1863, and served until the close of the war. lie has a farm of thirty acres, situated near the northwest corner of this township, on which he lives. Tie was elected trustee of the township in April, 1881, and is a member of the church in which his wife died.

Richard Fawkes

Richard Fawkes, blacksmith, JeiFersonville, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born October 29, 1816. He came to Ohio in 1836, and located at South Charleston, Clarke County, and remained there until 1842, when became to .this place, where he has since lived.

August 5, 1850, he was married to Miss Harriet Curry, of Jamestown, Greene County, formerly of Jeffersonville. Their family consisted of three children : Charles R., Clinton W., and Mary S., the latter dying at the early age of seven years and ten months.

Mr. Fawkes learned the blacksmith trade in Pennsylvania, and worked at it about twenty -five years. He then engaged in the drug business for about seven years; sold his store in February, 1880, and has since lived a retired 'life, until quite recently he began working at his trade again. He is a hale, hearty man, of a strong constitution. Is a charter member of Jeffersonville Lodge No. 454, I. O. O. F., and was formerly a member of Jamestown Lodge No. 181. He has witnessed much of Fayette County's rapid improvement and growth, which Avas quite a wild place when he became acquainted with it. The roads were very muddy almost half the year, and there were no railroads. He has a good home and shop, and eleven town lots in Jeffersonville.

George R. Fent

George R. Fent, farmer, is a son of James Fent, and was born in this county, August 21, 1833. He was married, April 14, 1864, to Miss Mary F. Christopher, of Greene County, who has borne him six children: Sarah E., Etta M., John D., Cora, Dellie, Dow S., all living save Dellie, who died at the earl}^ age ot seventeen mouths.