Fayette County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 4 of 10)

Mr. Furgison has a farm of three hundred and seventy-two acres well improved ; an account of which, with date of settlement, appears in another part of the work. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith his first wife died. He is a highly respected citizen, and has a reputable family.

John Grove

John Grove, miller, Milledgeville, is a son of John and Anna Grove, and was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 14, 1840, where he was reared. In 1862 he went to Clinton County, and remained until 1872, which time was spent in farming and milling. He was married, in December, 1862, to Miss Jennie Baschore, of Clinton County, who has borne him four children : Sarah E., Oliver, Henry, and Zella, all living.

On coming to this place, Mr. Grove engaged in milling, and con tinues in the business successfully. Mrs. Grove is a member of the Disciple Church. This is one of Jasper Township's most highly respected families, who have many warm friends.

Abel H. Janes

Abel H. Janes, farmer, is a son of William and Mary Janes, and was born February 11, 1839. He was married, February 7, 1867, to Miss Almeda Hays, daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint Township, this county. Three children, William M., Cass G., and Jennie P., are the result of this union.

Mr. Janes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, one mile south of West Lancaster, on the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He enlisted in Company H, 60th O. V. I., August 9, 1862, and served until the entire company was captured at Harper's Ferry, from which place they went to Chicago, where they were mustered out. He was first sergeant of Company D, 168th 0. N. G., from May, 1863, until September 10, 1864, when an honorable discharge was duly granted. He is a stalwart Republican, and a highly respected citizen.

John Merchant

John Merchant, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Fayette County. He was born July 18, 1827, and reared and educated in the same county. August 16, 1846, he was married to Miss Ellen Breakfield, and has lived here thus far through life. He and his wife were educated in the same school, and reared in the same neighborhood. They had a family of ten children, of whom four sous and four daughters survive.

Mr. Merchant has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, where he lives, situated south of Allentown. This fine farm, two hundred acres given to the children, aud at least five thousand dollars' worth of stock and implements, are the result of his own industry and good management, except less than one thousand dollars, given him by his and his wife's father, three years after their marriage.

Mrs. Merchant and the two older daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Merchant is one of the corporators of the Dayton" and Southeastern Railroad. He is a publicspirited man, and contributes largely to churches, schools, etc. He has paid $5,600 for the pikes of this township. He is a highly respected citizen, a good business man, and a respected neighbor.

David M. Osborn

David M. Osboru, farmer, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and a son of David and Prisocia (Gatch) Osborn. His father was born in Kentucky, about 1786, and his mother was born in 1779. They were married in Clermont County. Four sons and one daughter were the result of this union. Our subject, the third, was born May 2, 1819, and came to Greene County, April 5, 1833, where he remained until January 2, 1862, when he came to Fayette County, and located where he now lives. He was married four times ; first, to Miss Cynthia Jackson, February 22, 1838, who bore him three sons and three daughters, aud died April 4, 1852, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then married Mrs. ISTarcissa (Steward) Carpenter, March 17, 1853. There was one child by this marriage. Mrs. Osborn died May 19, 1854, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married to Miss Charlotte A. Furguson, October 4, 1855, who bore him two children, and died March 28, 1859, a member of the same church. He was married to Susanna Christy June 18, 1861. They have one child. Mr, Osborn joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when eighteen years of age, and has held church offices since he was twenty-two, from steward to the ministry. He was licensed to preach in 1860, and has since preached and practiced the teachings of the Bible. He served as justice of the peace of this township, and w^as lieutenant of a militia company several years, ending about 1850. His son Elihu served as sergeant in Company I, 31st O. V. V. I., during the late war, and was killed b}' the Indians in Kansas, August 25, 1873. Nathaniel C. enlisted in the 25th O. V. V. I., which later formed the 12th Ohio Battery, and served till the close of the war. Our subject's grandfather (Gatch) was a member of the first Methodist Episcopal conference, held in Baltimore. The tamily is one of repute, which has been reared and educated in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mark Pearson

Mark Pearson, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and was born February 24, 1807. His parents were on their Avay West, when they stopped temporarily on the Blue Ridge, where our subject was born. They arrived at Highland County, Ohio, in 1810; removed to Clinton County, then to Greene, where the parents died. Our subject came to Fayette County in 1836, and located on the farm where he now lives, and has well improved, then an unbroken forest, wet, hea\dly timbered, and in many respects uninviting. The woods were then filled with wild game - turkey, squirrels, etc., and some deer. The nearest church was about three miles, a log building, used for religious and school purposes. He now has a fine farm of two hundred acres, through which the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad passes, located on the west Hne of the county. He was married, September 7, 1828, to Miss Phoebe Chaney, of Greene County, who has borne him five children, two of whom survive. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. This is a Democratic family, of good repute, and are well and favorably known.

Elias H. Peelle

Peelle. He was born in Clinton County, April 10, 1843, where he was reared and educated. He was married, May 10, 1867, to Miss Aramathea Creamer, daughter of Simeon Creamer, who has borne him five children: Frank A., Carrie (deceased), Dalton C, Adda M., and Florence. Mr. Peelle located in this county immediately after marriage, where he has since lived, and has a well-improved farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, situated on the west line of the county. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. He is a Republican, and a highly respected citizen.

John L. Persinger, farmer, Milledgeville, a son of David Persinger, of this county, was born July 22, 1837. Was married, March 14, 1861, to Jane Peebles, daughter of Andrew and Helen Peebles. Ten children are the result of this union, five sons and five daughters. Two of the sons are deceased.

Mr. Persinger has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, situated one mile south of Milledgeville, where he lives, and seven hundred and ninety-five acres in the southwestern part of the township ; also four hundred acres in Concord Township, formerly owned by Governor Trimble. He is one of the largest real estate owners in the county, a public spirited man, who contributes largely to the support of churches, schools, railroads, and general public improvements. Was a director of the Dayton & "Southeastern Railroad four years, and contributed liberally to the building of it. He deals largely in cattle and hogs; also has some sheep. Has at present more than two hundred head of cattle. He is a highly respected citizen, and has many friends.

John Perrill

John Perrill, fiirmer, Milledgeville, a son of Hugh Perrill, Avas born June 17, 1823, in Highland County, where he was reared till fourteen years of age, when he went with his grandparents to Pike County. Here he remained until he attained his majority.

He bought and drove stock from Ohio to Pennsylvania and New York markets, until twenty-nine years of age, when he came to Fayette County. Here, November 14, 1855, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Sparks, daughter of Elias M. Sparks. Eleven children are the result of this union, six sons and. five daughters. Two are deceased. Our subject's mother died in Highland County, in 1835; his father in Kentucky, about 1847.

Mr. Perrill has a farm of three hundred and forty acres, well improved, where he lives; and two hundred and fourteen acres one mile west. This property is the result of his industry and good management. He is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared, yet is not a member of any church. Is well and favorably known, and has a reputable family.

Smith Rankin

February 13, 1844, he was married to Miss Parthenia Wood, and has since lived here, and reared a family of five children, who are, or have been school teachers. All are married except the youngest, who is at home with her parents.

Mr. Rankin has a farm of three hundred acres, situated at the west side of Milledgeville, which he leased when he came here, having no money to buy with. ITow he has it well improved, and in good cultivation. Has been very liberal to public enterprises, and contributed largely to the churches. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Rankin served about five months in Company H, 168th O. V. I., and was captured at Cynthiana, Kentucky. Though not an office seeker, he was elected justice of the peac^ of this township in 1858, and served until 1879. He is one of Fayette County's selfmade men; all that he has being the result of his own good management.

Mrs. Mary Rankin

Mrs. Mary Rankin, farmer, West Lancaster, is a daughter of John Coons, mentioned elsewhere, and was born on the farm now owned by Jones Coons' heirs. She has resided in this township since, except four years that she resided in Jefierson TownshijD.

In 1851 she married James, son of Thomas Rankin, the union resulting in six children: John, Charlotte, Leroy (deceased), Ulysses Grant, Albertus Jones, Almeda Blanche (deceased). Leroy died at the age of four years; Almeda at thirteen months of age.

In 1864 Mr. Rankin went ont in the one hundred days' service, in Company G, (of wliich his brother Thomas was captain) 168th O. ]Si . G., and engaged with the regiment in the battle of Cynthiana, etc., and was a brave and noble soldier, ^le and his parents were members of the Baptist Church, in which faith he died, June 12, 1880. His widow lives on his land, which embraces four hundred and seventy acres, in a good state of cultivation, farmed to grain and stock. She has charge of the farm, and endeavors to educate her children in agriculture as well as the classics. She is an estimable lady, beloved and esteemed by all who know her. The sons, though small, display an unusual interest in all matters pertaining to the farm.

Franklin Smith

Franklin Smith, shoemaker, Milledgeville, a native of Virginia, was born August 5, 1827. On the 15th of March, 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Swisher, of Virginia. Ten children are the result of this union: Emily J., Philip B., Jacob M., Martha A., Virginia, Alonzo O., Margaret A., Miranda, E. 0., Ida Ma}, and one who died and the early age of four.

Mr. Smith came to this county in 1863, and engaged in the boot and shoe business, in which he has been successful. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Have been in the village of Milledgeville fourteen years, and are a couple of its most highly respected citizens.

Silas Sparks

Silas Sparks, farmer, Pearson's Station, is a son of- Elias M. Sparks, a native of Harrison County, Kentucky, who emigrated to this state in 1837, and settled on Rattlesnake Creek, three miles south of South Plymouth. He was married in Kentucky to Elizabeth Hall, a native of the same county, who bore him seven children - Silas being the second.

Silas was born in this state, January 16, 1839, and has resided in this county all his life, devoting himself to farming. May 24, 1860, he was united to Christina, daughter of Jacob A, Rankin, an early pioneer, mentioned elsewhere. The union has been blessed with ten children : Mary E., Elizabeth A., Jacob S., Ada J., Elias, John, Silas, William, Christina, and Albert, all living, and enjoying good health. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks are consistent members of the Edgefield Christian Church, he holding the important trust of elder. Is a Democrat ; a notary public, and is frequently employed in settling up estates. He owns two hundred acres of land, located in the northwestern part of the county, on the Merchant pike, thirteen miles from Washington. The farm is well improved, and cultivated to grain and stock with success. When Mr. Sparks assumed control of the land it was in a wild and chaotic state ; by good management, however, he has made it a model farm. He has always been ready and willing to assist in making public improvements ; is a moral and public-spirited citizen, hospitable and entertaining to all; has lived a Christian life, and enjoys fully the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

The oro;anization and original boundaries of this township, have all been fully discussed in the county history under the title of " Townships." It is bounded on the north, east and south, by Jasper, Union, Perry, and Green Townships, respectively ; and on the west by Clinton Count}'. The division from Union Township is formed by Sugar Creek, which flows south east wardl}' and empties into Paint Creek. Rattlesnake Creek enters the eastern part of survey No. 907, thence flows south eastwardly, entering Green Township in the center of survey No. 5,348, thus dividing Concord into two almost equal parts. Lee's Creek, (which undoubtedly derives its name from Peter Lee, an assistant surveyor, who accompanied iSTathaniel Massie during the year 1793-4-5, on his exploring expedition) crosses the southwest corner. Hankin's Run, which has its source on the " Van Pelt " ftirm, south of Staunton, flows northward, empties into Sugar Creek, and is named in honor of one Hankins, who occupied a small cabin, on the site of the present residence of Edward Rowe. Under what circumstances this township was named is not now ascertainable, though it is generally understood that its inhabitants fully deserved the title.

It is not now known who Avere the first settlers within the present limits of what is now known as Concord Township ; hence we will of necessit}' be guided by the data obtained from the most reliable sources.

One of the most prominent pioneers w^as John Wright, who immigrated to the Scioto Valley, in 1798, and settled on the waters of Paint, with his father's family. He lived here until 1807, when he was married, and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township on Sugar Creek ; a portion of the old farm being now occupied by his son, Anthony Wayne Wright. He was in the war of 1812, being commanded hy Captain Kilgore and General William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty day service ; then went out during the general call for volunteers, serving under General McArthur and Colonel WilHam Clark. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Cook, and by her he had seven children : Anthony W., Amos, Allen L., Susan, Isabel, Margaret, and Rachel, of whom Anthony and Isabel alone survive. Our subject was a farmer by occupation, having cleared and improved his land from a dense forest. He was elected trustee, and enjoyed the love of all who knew him.

Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Mary Legore ; the union being blessed by four children, three daughters and one son ; the latter, Joseph, was born in the year 1800, and still resides in this township. In 1806, the family, left their native soil, came to this state and settled near Oldtown - now Frankfort - in Ross County, where they remained till 1815, when he bought a tract of land, containing two hundred and forty acres, located in this township, near the present village of Jasper, and a portion of which is now occupied by Mathew Marks. The tract had originally been awarded to an officer for his services in the revolutionary war, and he was charged with the same on the books in the land office. He, however, selected another tract near Columbus and thus received two grants. A number of years later it was discovered that Mr. Marks' title was void, and he was compelled to purchase the land a second time.

In 1828, Joseph Marks erected a small cabin on the Washington and Staunton road, removed therein, and has resided there to this day. There was no habitation between his cabin and Buena Vista, and but two or three on the road running to Washington ; the country consisting of dense forest and underbrush. He became a voter in 1821, voted thrice for Jackson ; has voted at every presidental election, and missed but few minor elections. Though in his eighty-first year, he still enjoys good health.

At or perhaps prior to the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore came from Kentucky, and located on Sugar Creek, about one and one-half miles southeast of the Wright settlement. The names of two of the sons are now remembered : Ezekial, who participated in the war of 1812, and Thomas, who died of milksickness. The surviving members removed to Indiana, in 1820 or 1822.

A short time prior to the organization of the county, Thomas Gilbert settled on the present Ingle farm, but remaining a few years only, afterwards removed to the west.

In the fall of 1808 David Wright, a brother of John, erected a small cabin on a little knoll, situated on the farm now owned by Jasper Wright.

Among other settlers were : Daniel Carmaine, who came prior to 1812, and was considered a hard working pioneer, and raised a large family ; James Maddox, who located on Sugar Creek ; Leonard Bush, sr.. Berry man Allen and Eli West.

Methodist Episcopal Church

A majority of the pioneers of this township were identified with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, consequent!}' that denomination is largely represented in the present population. Meetings were held in the various cabins, but prior to 1830, there was no regularly organized church society. The date of the formation, by whom, and the number of original members, is not ascertainable ; however, we have been informed that the old log church was erected in the interim between 1830 and 1832 ; the society removing from the school house where meetings had been held before the completion of the new building. The name of the first preacher, also has been forgotten. Henry Turner is mentioned as an early circuit rider. He came from Ilillsboro and held a meeting on the same day, notwithstanding the fact that they were no pike's nor bridges. In order to be present at his many appointments, he was compelled to travel twenty-eight days in each mouth, and thus had but little time for recreation. Such heroic devotion to the Master's cause is highly commendable. Another early preacher was Ebenezer Webster ; John Collins and Wilham Simmons were among the first elders.

story frame, was erected on tlie site occupied by the old. The church has increased in membership, and may be said to be in a good condition.

Protestant Methodist Church

The Pleasant Valley Protestant Methodist Church, was organized in the school house, on the farm of WiUiam Waddle, survey number 7,332, on Snow Hill Pike, by Kev. P. F. Johnson of Sabina, with the following original members : Henry and Lucy Luttrell, Eli Plummer, Bird Webb, Jacob Allen, Sarah Allen, Samuel Allen, a local preacher, Harriet Allen, Deborah Morris, Joseph Stevenson, Susanna Stevenson, and Mr. and Mrs. William Tainer. They joined the Sabina Circuit, and held meetings regularly. A neat one story frame structure was erected, and still serves its purpose. Friends of the organization subscribed work and material, hence the exact cost is unknown. The church is now associated with the Washington Circuit, and it has a membership of sixty-two, aside from a number recently converted, who will soon be admitted. Preaching by the minister every third Sunday, though meetings are held every Sabbath ; Jason Hinkle, present pastor. A Sundayschool was organized soon after the church, and is still continued ; superintendent, Walter Morris.

It is noted in the history of every settlement that her pioneers were subjected to many days of ceaseless toil; indeed, every member of the family, if able, assisted in the tiresome task of clearing and breaking the ground The settlers of Concord Township were no exception to the general rule, and the youth of that day enjoyed but few educational advantages; simply becaused home duties required the undivided attention of all. In the course of a few years matters began to assume a more encouraging aspect; the soil became fertile from careful tilling, and pioneer hardships were decreasing. The parent looked to the interest of his loved ones, realizing that steps must be taken to educate them in the ordinary branches at least.

The families residing in tlie various neighborhoods opened subscription schools as soon as practicable, erected a rude log cabin, and engaged the services of one who had more or less " book larnin " and paid him a small amount as a salary; his chief support being obtained by "boarding around." From the limited data at our command, we have endeavored to trace some of the earliest schools of the township. Levi Rovve is authority for the statement that "the first school house stood on the banks of Sugar Creek;" the first teacher was William Sweet, who was succeeded by J. D. Moon. Four or five families living east and west of the Randolph survey, erected a small cabin in the center of said survey, in 1824 or 1825, which was used for educational purposes. Of other cabins, built for school purposes, in the various parts of the township, we have no knowledge. As the country became more settled, an increased interest was manifested in this cause, which has continued unabated, and to-day Concord boasts of seven handsome brick buildings, properly equipped, and in charge of ladies and gentlemen of rare merit and ability.

Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enterprise, industry, and business habits. During the war of 1812, her husband being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy, cultivated and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the boy ploughed while she hoed. According to a pioneer superstition, in order to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday. In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken and ready for seeding on the day preceding. During the night snow fell to the depth of six inches. The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the around through the snow. The result was satisfactory, and the old lady often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing the flaxseed on Good Friday.

Mrs. Moore, of whom mention has been made, desiring to visit Kentucky, her native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for . the use of which she was to have the animal shod, and bring the owner a quart of apple seeds. The contract was carried out to the letter, and from the seed was planted the first orchard in southern Fayette. Some of the trees are still standing, and bear fruit.

Jeremiah Dunn was the first person who died in the neighborhood. In the absence of a graveyard and cofi&n, it was decided to wrap the remains in a blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of Paint Creek.

Caleb "Wright, who came to Fayette County in about 1807, was a single man, and when the war of 1812 was declared by congress, he volunteered as an Indian spy. He continued in that critical and dangerous capacit}^, traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps, for one year; feeding on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps, and continually encountering the most imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him.

T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, an old settler, is said to have been the first blacksmith in the township. He was a classleader in the Methodist Ej^iscopal Church, and a licensed preacher in the United Brethren Church.

The name of John B. Rowe, who lived in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Staunton, is remembered in connection with prowess in hunting. He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen them " get down from fences," " lie down at the root of a tree," or some such expression, indicating that he might have hurt them.

The first mill for the grinding of grain, sawing of lumber, and distilling of w^hisky, was built on Sugar Creek by Adam Taylor. The lands were low and wet, and fever and ague was prevalent, which was cured by frequent draughts of whiskj. The old " still " was a favorite trysting place of the old settlers. Taylor afterwards became involved, and abandoning the premises removed to the west." The mill was never operated after his departure, and has long since been washed down the waters of Sugar Creek, Prior to its erection, the pioneers carried their grain to " horse mills" at Washington and Sabina. These towns are still visited by those who wish their grain converted into flour; but instead of the slow gait of the horse, the mill-stones are now propelled by mammoth steam engines, then utterly unknown.

This, the only village in Concord, is situated in the north w^estern part of the township, within one mile of Sugar Creek, and in close proximity to Hankin's Kun. The village was laid out in 1848, as will be seen by the following extract from an agreement recorded in the " County Plat Book ; "

Whereas it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned, that there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord Township, Fayette County, and State of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate, so as to include said village; and inasmuch as the undersigned are all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed an agreement in writing, in substance as follows:

September 5, 1849. We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby agree to sign and properly execute such instrument, as may be drawn up by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of carrying the matter into effect. They are instructed to run two rows of lots and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and alleys as they may deem necessary; the principal streets to run east and west, parallel with said State road. The commissioners are further instructed to pay due regard to the buildings now up; to take into consideration the advantage and disadvantage of each individual concerned, etc.

Willis Rowe, John Stuckey, James Holbrook, William Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, David Pollock, William Long, James 'N. Flanegau, Charles Van Pelt, William Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison (provided a street runs through his lot, the commissioners are to value his lot, and he is to be paid for it if he wishes to sell it), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig.

On the 19th of September, in the same year, Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper, and John S. Burnett, were appointed commission-* ers, and received from the owners, Jesse Rowe, jr., Jacob Jamison, David Pollock, Stroder Evans, Jonathan Burgess, and William Craig, the land embraced in the proposed village.

It appears that a small settlement existed prior to, the abovementioned survey, as it will be seen by p, perusal of the above that '^a town should be located at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate." Our historian is informed that many houses had previously been erected, the object of the surveying being due to a desire of the residents to have streets and alleys.

As early as 1835, a blacksmith shop was erected by Michael Marks, who presided at the anvil for a number of years, and then disposed of his workshop to Caleb Wright.

Several years after Craig's arrival, the second store was opened by John Webster, who soon sold out to Long & Pollock, they in turn disposing of the stock to Ellison Johnson, who was succeeded by Charles Van Pelt.

Among the early residents of the village are mentioned the names of Caleb Wright, T. J. Craig, and Robert Haney, who occupied the three first houses, all of log; John Craig, a shoemaker; John Webster, William Craig, associated in business with T. J. Craig; James Holbrook, David Pollock, and Ellison Johnson, carpenter and builder.

The village has made slow progress, presumably because it is located at a considerable distance from any railroad, and thus can not control the patronage of the farming community. Repeatedly have efforts been made for the construction of railroads through the town and township, and shcnild the contemplated Cohinibus and Maysville Raih'oad be built via Washington, Staunton will be an important station on the line.

The population exceeds one hundred, the business interests being represented as follows: Groceries, notions, etc., William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and William Dimon; wagon-making, John Rustler; boot and shoe making, William Bay, James Holbrook ; physician, McAltee.

John Martin Deer

John Martin Deer, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Deer, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio about 1830, and settled on the waters of Rattlesnake Creek, in Highland County. Here the father died about 1865. The mother is still living, and is more than seventy years of age. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters: William died when cpiite young; Mary married, and lives in Ross County, this state; Henry married, and resides in the State of Indiana; David S. died in his twenty-second year, and was unmarried; Anna A. married Mr. Patch, and lives near Washington; the mother is living with her; one child died in infancy.

John M., our subject, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 22, 1837. He married Anna E. McCleland, December 23, 1858. They have had six children, four sons and two daughters. The daughters both died in infancy. James W., Edmund L., Rufus L., and Cary O., are at home with their parents, working on the farm. Mr. Deer and wife entered upon their married life with but little of this world's goods; but by real industry and frugality, rigidly adhering to his one legitimate business, and the blessing of a kind Providence, they are the possessors of some two hundred and fifty-two acres of most excellent land, located a short distance w^est of Sugar Creek, on the Snow Hill pike, where they reside in a magnificent brick house, built by John Cox, Esq., a few years since.

Alfred Dun

Alfred Dun, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, June 24, 1848. He is the only surviving son of John Dun, who was a native of Scotland, his father being a Presbyterian minister in Glasgow. John came to ChilHcothe in 1816 ; remained a short time, when he went to Philadelphia, and engaged in the commission business with his brother George, which proved a financial success. In 1837 he married Amanda W. Long. With her he returned to Chillicothe soon after their marriage, and remained there until his death. Mr. Dun was born June 25, 1794, and died April 4, 1881, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His wife is twenty years his junior, and lives in the old homestead. Mr. Dun proved himself to be a good financier, and amassed quite a fortune. He was the owner of some seventy -five hundred acres of the best lands of Ohio, situated in Ross, Fayette, Clinton, Madison, Franklin and Logan counties. At his death, he left an estate valued at more than half a million of dollars. Mr. and Mrs. Dun were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: Elizabeth married Mr. Kilvert, of Chillicothe, and. lives in the city. Jean married Thomas McKell, son of William McKell, and resides in Chillicothe. William died in infancy. Helen is single, and remains at home with her mother. George W. was drowned in Paint Creek, at the age of twelve. Alfred, our subject, spent his boyhood days with his parents, in Chillicothe, attending school much of the time. After he grew to manhood, he spent some two years with relatives on the farm in Madison County. He also spent some five years in California. In May, 1870, he married Miss Marietta Fort, -of Chillicothe. In the fall of 1878, he built a fine residence on his father's farm in this township, situated on the Greenfield and Sabina pike, four miles south of Sabina. In June, 1879, the family moved from the city to this residence, where they still remain.

This is a farm consisting of fourteen hundred acres. Originally it was two farms; one situated in Clinton County, known as the Quin farm ; the other on the Fayette County side of the line, known as the Hays farm. These lands were purchased by Mr. Dun's father many years since, at a Ioav price, but are now very valuable. Though originally two farms, they join each other, making one of the most magnificent farms in the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Dun have five children, two sons and three daughters : Harry Alfred, Lulu, George William, Marie, and the youngest, a daughter, unnamed. In politics he is a Democrat. He inherits a large fortune. Mr. Dun is a cousin of E. G. Dun, of the mercantile agency of R. G. Dan & Co.

E. J. House

Mrs. Eliza Jane House, widow of John House, deceased, is the daughter of Samuel Goodnight, who at the age of twelve years removed with his parents from the State of Virginia to the state of Ohio, and settled near Buena Vista, this county. In the year 1827, at the age of nineteen, he was married to Miss Eveline Rittenhouse of the same neighborhood. His father having died when he was quite young. The son, Samuel, so managed as to become the owner of the farm, on which he lived and farmed until the year 1866, when he removed to the State of Indiana where he still lives. He had twelve children ; four dead and eight living.

Our subject, Eliza Jane, was born October 11, 1835, and was married to John House, January 10, 1856. She with her husband commenced housekeeping, on a farm, a few miles north of Washington, in the year 1859, from which they soon removed, however, to a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, purchased by Mr. House, known as the Higgins farm, in Concord Township, on the east bank of Rattlesnake Creek, about one-half mile south of Wilmington pike. Mr. House died here January 2, 1866. The widow assumed the management of the farm attairs, and continued the same with marked ability. She and her children still own the same farm.

Mr. House had been breeding short horned cattle, and in October, 1875, Mrs. House sold at public sale, the most of these for $4,300.00. She still has quite a number remaining, however. There are but few men who could manage a farm with so much skill and success as she. Mrs. House has four children living and one dead : Linley F., who is a young man now engaged in the tailoring business in Washington ; Clara E., who is married to Mr. Edward Seaborn, who oAvns and lives on a farm in the neighborhood ; Aria A., married Mr. Frank Langdon, who is a farmer and lives on his own farm in the neighborhood ; Ulysses S. is a promising lad living at home with his mother ; Carrie died in infancy.

Mrs. House has, been reading a course of medicine for some twelve years, and has recently completed a full course .of instruction and lectures at the American Health College of Medicine at Cincinnati, of the Vita Pathic System, from which institution she is now a graduate, holding a diploma as such. She expects as soon as she can manage her farm affairs to devote the greater part, if not her entire time to the practice of medicine on the Vita Pathic System. Mrs. House is a woman of much force of character, and is calculated to make a success of whatever she undertakes.

Caleb H. Johnson

Caleb H. Johnson, farmer and stock raiser, Seldon, is the son of William Johnson, who was one of the pioneers of this county, whose biography more fully appears elsewhere in this book. Mr. Johnson is the brother of Thomas G. and Isaac M. Johnson, whose biographies also appear in this work. He was born in Green Township, March 29, 1829, and consequently is in the fifty-third year of his age. He married Nancy Eow, daughter of Andrew and Hester Row, November 16, 1850. Her parents are now dead. They lived two years on a farm after their marriage, when they resolved on a trip to California. In November, 1852, they started on their journey. At the end of thirty days they reached the great Sacramento Valley, where they remained for six years, engaged principally in farming, raising as high as a hundred bushels of barley to the acre; of wheat, sixty bushels per acre. The great valley was but sparsely settled at this early day, mining being the absorbing interest of the country. For months their nearest neighbor was four miles away. All nationalities and classes of people roving over the mountains and valleys, making life and property unsafe; but most heroicly did Mrs. Johnson bear up amid all of these discouragements. She was the first woman who went from this county to California, and so far as known was the first woman who crossed the isthmus on a mule. Their career in California was an eventful one, filled with incidents, many of which are quite thrilling.

After their return to Ohio, they settled on a farm which he purchased from Thomas Mattucks, two miles west of the village of Staunton, on the road leading from Staunton to Sabina and Greenfield pike. They remained on this for twenty-one years, when they sold out and purchased what is known as the Milton Severs farm, containing one hundred and thirty acres, in Concord Township, one-half a mile south of the village of Jasper, on the waters of Sugar Creek. They moved to this farm in March, 1880, where they now reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were without children until after their return from California. They now have two, one son and a daughter. John Row the son, is a sprightly boy fifteen years old. Jenny Riggs is a lovely, bright girl, several years younger than her brother.

Job McCay, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Jesse and Mary McCay, who were natives of A^irginia. His father came to this state, in 1803, and remained but a short time when he returned to Virginia. In 1809, he again came to this state and settled on the waters of Lee's Creek. He had four children by his first wife, three daughters and one son : James, married and is dead ; Anna, married and lives in Greene County ; Eliza, married and lives in Clinton County ; Charity, married and is dead ; Mrs. McCay is also dead. Mr. McCay married again, and had three sons and two daughters by the second wife : William, unmarried and lives on the old homestead; Sarah, married and died; Jesse, single, has been entirely blind since he was seven years old; Leah, married and lives in Clinton County.

Job, our subject, was born March 24, 1833, and married Ann Marie McKee, in 1856. He came to the farm where he now lives, in 1858. They are the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters: John M., their oldest son, is by profession a school teacher, at this time following his profession in Nebraska ; Jesse, died in infancy ; Mary Jane, Olin A., Martha E., Charlie G., Ada, Malissa, Bell, Almia, Maggie. William, the oldest son, was born in May, 1827. He is also a farmer and stock raiser. His postofiice is Memphis, Clinton County. The two brothers, William and Job, have been engaged together in business all their lives. Their interests are mutual and agreeable, and they are in perfect harmony. The one married has a large family of children; the other single, yet no discord exists. They own some eight hundred acres of land, and are well to do respectable farmers. Their father served in the war of 1812. Job, with his family, located on a fine farm on the the Greenfield and Sabina pike, some four miles south from Sabina. William, some four miles west of this near the county line, on the waters of Loo's Creek.

Alfred H. Mark

Alfred H. Mark, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Jonathan and Susannah Mark, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this state in an early day, and settled on the waters of Sugar Creek, in Concord Township ; but subsequently moved on the farm which our subject, Alfred H. Mark, now^ occupies. The father died, in 1852. The widow remained on the farm until her death, which occurred a few years since. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters : Joseph, removed to Iowa and died there; John, lives in Iowa; David, died when quite young; James, lives in the State of Indiana; Mary, died when a young lady; Margaret, married Mr. Lewis, but is now dead ; Isaac 'N., lives in the State of Iowa; Mary E., wife of Benjamin Jones, lives in Iowa; Alfred II., born June 23, 1836, and married to Mary Jane Haynes, January 27, 1854, daughter of Isaac and Susannah Haynes, of Clinton County, Ohio. They have had four children born unto them, three sons and one daughter: Frank J., Annie E., Charley and James Bruce.

Frank J. was mortally wounded by a kick on the head from a horse, in October, 1874. The accident occurred while with his father in the field gathering corn. After four days of suffering, he died. The daughter and two sons are at home.

The family seem to be a family of accidents. Mr. Marks, while yet in his teens, jumped from a train in rapid motion, and was dragged a long distance, causing a broken arm. Again, being on the first excursion on the Muskingum Valley Railroad, his head came in contact with a bridge, when near Lancaster, and his head badly scalped, besides being dangerously wounded. After his marriage, while engaged in removing a large barn, he fell quite a distance, which resulted in a broken and dislocated arm. He has received numerous injuries by being kicked by horses and mules. June 23, 1880, he suffered the loss of his right arm, by being caught in a threshing machine, on the old Peter Brown farm. The arm was amputated by Drs. Foster and Wilson, of Washington. He remained in bed but fourteen days, after which he was moving about with the activity and cheerfullness for which he was noted. His son, Burch, was thrown from a horse, and had his leg broken. Charlie has had his collar bone broken twice. Annie's collar bone Avas broken. With all these misfortunes the family is happy and prosperous.

In 1878 Mr. Marks built a fine brick residence, at a cost of three thousand dollars, on the spot where he was born, which he now occupies. Politically he is a Democrat. The husband, wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His farm consists of one hundred and seventy acres, located on the Wilmington pike, some four miles west of Washington.

Lorenzo Morris, farmer, stock raiser and butcher, is a son of Zadok and Lydia Morris, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio in 1818, and settled in what is now Green Township, this county, three miles north of Leesburg. Here the wife died in 1863. Mr. Morris remains on the same farm. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter. Lauretta died at the age of sixteen. Jonathan married, and lives near his father.

Lorenzo, our subject, was born October 30, 1834. On the 16th of October, 1856, he married Miss Deborah A. Plumer, daughter of Eli Plumer. For ten years they lived and farmed in Clinton County, this state. In October, 1866, Mr. Morris purchased a farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, known as the Hays farm, in Concord Township, situated on what is known as the Snow Hill pike, near the Clinton County line. They soon removed to this farm, where they still remain. Mr. Morris has since purchased adjoining lands, so that the farm now contains four hundred and twenty acres ; good land, and well located.

Our subject is an active, energetic man, continually on the go. He has been extensively engaged in the feeding of hogs - feeding some twelve hundred each year. This business did well for Mr. Morris, until the cholera attacked his ho^s, which in due time caused him to cease further operations in this direction.

Mr. Morris was led by rather peculiar circumstances to engage on bis farm in tbe butchering business, opening a shop in Washington. The slaughtering of cattle, hogs, and sheep, is all done on the farm, some nine miles west from Washington, and the meat is hauled daily to town, where, from his commodious room, it is sold at low but remunerative prices. In 1879 he slaughtered one hundred and sixty-two beeves. In 1880 two hundred and eighty-two beeves were killed, besides hogs and sheep. During 1881 it is expected to require from four to live hundred cattle, with, a large number of hogs and sheep, to supply the demand, which is rapidly increasing. Mr. Morris purchases the majority of his cattle in the Cincinnati market. They are brought to his farm, where they are fattened for the knife. About one hundred head of cattle are constantly kept on hand, and they are fed, summer and winter, in large boxes, corn in unlimited quantities, with the best of grass in summer. As the fattest are butchered, others take their place. Evidently Mr. Morris has succeeded so fully in reducing this business to a system that it must prove quite remunerative.

Mr. and Mrs. Morris have six children, five sons and one daughter. The daughter, Olive, is married to James Shoop, who is a school teacher. They have one child, and live on her father's farm.

S. G. Roberts, farmer, stock raiser, and physician. The subject of this sketch is a descendant of John Roberts, who, together with his two brothers, James and Henry Roberts, emigrated to the Colony of Virginia about the period of the English Revolution, in 1688. They were natives of South Wales.

William Roberts, son of John Roberts, referred to above, was the great grandfather of S. C. Roberts. He was born in 1724. His children consisted of eight sons: John, Henry, Azariah, Nehemiah,

Minor William Roberts was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, in the year 1762. He was a soldier in the war for American Independence, and held a captain's commission at its close. lie was a first cousin to General Andrew Jackson (their mothers being sisters). He was married to Hannah Fink, March 26, 1787. The certificate of said marriage is now in possession of S. C. Roberts, and is very highly prized by him as an heirloom of the family! Hannah Fink was of German descent, but was born in Virginia. Her father, Henry Fink, and her brother, Henry Fink, jr., were killed by the Indians at or near Clarksburg, Virginia, soon after her marriage to William Roberts. They raised twelve children : John B., Rebecca (Vanmeter), Henry, Hezekiah, Susan (Malone), Daniel, WiUiam, James D., Melinda (Mackey), Isaac, Elijah W., and Hannah (Search). John, Henry, and Hezekiah Roberts, were soldiers in the war with Great Britain, in 1812, serving to the end of the war. Soon after the marriage of William and Hannah Roberts, they emigrated to Bourbon County, Kentucky, and in 1798 to Ross County, Ohio, twelve miles east of Chillicothe, on the waters of the Kinnikinnick, where they lived on a farm entered from the government. They both died in the year 1835.

Isaac Roberts, the tenth child of William and Hannah Roberts, was the father of S. C. Roberts. He was born at the old Roberts homestead, September 3, 1804, and was married to Mercy Chedister, December 22, 1825. They had a family of eleven children. Two died in infancy. S. C. Roberts, subject of this sketch, was the third child, born August 31, 1832. The next was W. E. Roberts. Wilmeth A. (Barnes), Margaret, Anna M. (Miller), Jacob U., James D., Harriet E., and Isaac A. Roberts. Jacob U., James D., and Isaac A. Roberts, served as soldiers in the Union army during the late rebellion."

S. C. Roberts graduated as a doctor of medicine, with the highest honors, at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 1853, and was married on May 10th, of the same year, to Miss Mary E. Bowen, of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio, that being her native place. Her parents came from Martinsburg, Virginia. They lived happily together until July 4, 1877, the date of her death. They had six living children at the time of her death: Anna M., born April 16, 1854; Charles L., born January 23, 1860;

Frank K., born April 8, 1864; John I., born December 4, 1866; Margaret A., born September 18, 1869; and Samuel C.,born March 31, 1872. Anna M. Roberts, the eldest child, died March 29, 1881, after a lingering illness of more than two years, having contracted a cold that caused her death. She was a highly cultivated young lady for one of her years, and had much more than ordinary talent as an artist, besides having received a collegiate education at Delaware, Ohio. Her memory is almost worshiped by her father, sister, and brothers. Every room in her father's house bears evidence of her superior artistic skill. She was loved by all her large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Isaac Roberts, father of Dr. S. C. Roberts, subject of this sketch, died at Jackson Court House, January 18, 1873, of pneumonia, having lived there nearly twenty years. He was a lawyer by profession, and was appointed commissioner of the board of enrollment in that district daring the late rebellion, and also represented that county in the Ohio Legislature in the years 1863-64. His wife, Mercy Roberts, died May 25, 1869.

Dr. S. C. Roberts, our subject, became identified with this county in November, 1868. He, together with the Rev. R. Pitzer, who were then both residents of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio, purchased of Dr. C. A. Trimble, eleven hundred and eight acres of land, situated in Jasper and Concord townships, immediately next the Clinton County line, what was known as the Trimble prairie lands, bought at a very early day by Ex-Governor Trimble, of Hillsboro (father of C. A. Trimble). Roberts and Pitzer paid for said lands fifty thousand dollars, and divided it equally between them^ as to acreage, each residing on their respective parts of said lands. R. Pitzer sold his land se^^eral years since, and now resides at "Washington. Dr. Roberts still remains on what was his part of the divide in the land.

Before coming to this county, he practiced medicine and surgery twelve years, very successfully, at Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio ; and since he has resided in this county he has been a physician and farmer, making a specialty of broom corn for several years. But for the past two years he has been engaged in general farming, and has also given some attention to the raising of fine stock - short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs - having raised some of the finest and best ever produced in the county, with pedigrees equal to anything in the United States.

Martin Rowe

Martin Eowe, farmer and stock-raiser, is the son of John and Francis Rowe, who were natives of Virginia. Coming .to Ohio in 1811, they settled on the waters of the Wabash, this connty, remaining there until their death. The mother died in 1828, the father in 1864. They had five children, four sons and one daughter: Willis, married and moved to Illinois, and died there in his seventy-first year; Anderson, married, lived and died in this county; John, married, and lives near Washington C. H. ; Mary Jane, married, moved to Illinois and died. Mr. Rowe married for his second wife Mrs. Lydia Furry, by whom he had six children, four boys and two girls: George, married, and lives in this county; David, married, and lives in Washington C. II.; Ilarve}^ married, but his wife is dead; Edwin M., married, and lives in Staunton; Sarah F., married, and resides in Brown County; Catharine E., married, and resides in Greene County, Ohio.

Martin, our subject, was born January 8, 1813. He married Sophia M. Johnson, daughter of William and Jane Johnson, September 14, 1838. They at once commenced housekeeping on the farm where they still reside, on the road leadiug from Staunton to the Sabina pike, about one mile west from Staunton. They have eight children, all living, four sons and four daughters: Malinda Jane was married to E. R. Van Pelt, whose biography appears in this book. Amanda A. was married to Henry Mark, whose biography appears in this work. Isaac Newton married, and lives in Green Township; he went into the army as a volunteer in the nineteenth year of his age, and served his country faithfully for three years ; he was honorably discharged, and reinstated. He was captured by the enemy July 22, 1864, and taken to Andersonville Prison, where he remained for months, suflering from hunger and abuse more than tongue cau express. He left home a stout, robust young man, and came back a wreck, physically, unable to do physical labor, but commands the respect of all who know him. Mary F. was married to Lewis Mark, and lives in the neighborhood. Eliza E., married to McStuckey, whose biography appears on another page. John William, married, and lives in this county. Virgil Clark, married, and lives in Green township, this county. Martin is single, and lives with his parents. The farm contains two hundred and sixty-one acres, and is in a high state of cultivation. It is adorned with a commodious brick residence and a lovely yard. Mr. Rovve and wife have been members of the M. E. Church for forty-two years. They are a most excellent family, feeling very grateful to God for his rich blessings so bountifully bestow^ed on them.

Jacob Sollers

Jacob Sollers, farmer and stock raiser, is a grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth Sollers, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, in 1807, and settled on the waters of Buckskin Creek, on the line between Ross and Fayette Counties. They were the parents of nine chiklren, six sons and three daughters : JSTancy died in infancy. John married, and lives on Paint Creek. Hiram died when a young man. Matilda married, and lives near Good Hope, this county. Allen married, and is now deceased. Samuel married, and lives in Highland County, this state. Jacob died when a young man. Mary died when a young woman, much afflicted. Isaac, the father of our subject, was born in this county, December 25, 1808. The 15th day of March 1838, he married Hannah E. Jones. The fruit of this marriage is eleven children, six sons and five daughters : Jonathan J, went into the .army, served three years, lost his health, came home, and died. Mary E., a young lady, at home with her mother. Matilda, married to John Craig, lives near Washington. Wells B., married, and lives on the home farm, a portion of which he owns. Was out in the hundred days' service, badly wounded, being shot in the mouth and face. Isaac M., married, and is a minister of the gospel, a member of the Ohio Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now stationed at Roseville, Muskingum County, Ohio. Eliza Jane was married in Washington Court House, Ohio, October 16, 1878, to Wheeler Ellis, of Georgetown, Colorado, by telegraph. A novel wedding ! They were united in marriage when more than twelve hundred miles apart. The young wife started for the home of her husband immediately after the ceremony was performed. Alcina M. still lives at home. Barton L., Hannah E., and Samuel L., are at home with their mother. The father, and head of the family, died July 23, 1876. He was a man respected by all who knew him.

1851. Married Martha A. Sharp, December 10, 1874, by whom he has three children : Jonathan L., John A., and Charles. He owns and lives on a portion of the old homestead, which consists of some five hundred and fifty acres of first-class land, situated on the Wilmington pike, five miles from Washington. The mother and unmarried children occupy the homestead residence. The family is much respected, being in harmony and prosperity.

John Stuckey

John Stuckey, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Abraham and Margaret Stuckey, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but eame to this state, in 1804, and settled on the waters of Buckskin Creek, in Ross County, this state, where they remained until their death. They were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters : Jacob, married and died recently at the age of eightytwo years ; Samuel, married, moved to Indiana and died there ; Elizabeth, married James McCay, but is now dead ; Catherine, married, is also dead;. Daniel lived to be an old man, remained single, but is now dead ; one died in infancy ; Abraham, married, moved to Indiana and died ; David, married and died in this county ; Margaret, married, moved to Indiana and died ; Simon, married and is dead; Barbara, died when a young women.

John Stuckey, our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, Summersett County, September 2, 1801, and came with his parents to this state, in 1804. He married Mary Jane Kiner, of Eoss County, in the fall of 1831. They soon moved to this county. They were blessed with two children : Eliza J., married Milton Irons, and lives near Staunton ; Jacob C, married in the State of Indiana and lives there. Mrs. Stuckey died. Mr. Stuckey married for his second wife Margaret Jameson, daughter of Judge Jameson, in the year - 1837 ; by whom he had five children, three sous and two daughters Mary E., died in infancy ; Samuel W., whose history will more fully appear in the history of the rebellion ; John D., married to Emma Millikan, daughter of Curran Millikan, deceased, and they reside in the suberbs of Washington ; Isabell, remained single and teaches school ; Mathew F., married Eliza E. Rowe, daughter of Martin and Sophia Rowe, whose biography appears on another page, January 8, 1868. They have five children, all daughters : Margaret E., Sophia M., Minnie B. and Etta M. Mathew F. was born Aii-

Our subject's second wife died, September 3, 1863. In October, 1866, he married Miss Mary Middleton, of Ross County, with whom he lived most happily until December, 1872, when she died. Mr. Stuckey is one of the oldest settlers of the county, a man of untarnished reputation, honest and upright. He has been a Christian gentleman for nearly half of a century, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Eli Russell Van Pelt

Eli Russell Van Pelt, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Adams County, Ohio, August 25, 1827. He is a son of Peter and Mary Van Pelt, natives of Tennessee, who came to Ohio and settled on a farm in Adams County, at an early day. In 1831 they removed to this county, and settled on a farm but a short distance south of the village of Staunton. Here the father resided until his death. His widow is still living on the farm with her son Simon and family. She is now in her eighty -second year, and shows marked evidences of her old age. For more than seventy years she has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of twelve children : Charles, farmer, living in Highland County ; Sarah, married to William Craig, and lives in Iowa; Mary, married to William Johnson, and lives in Kokonio, Indiana; Susan, married to Andrew Post, both deceased; Peggy A., deceased; Andrew, married, and lives in this county; Elizabeth, married to George Rowe, and resides in this county; William S., died in California, in 1856; Simon P., married, and lives on the farm with his mother; Malinda Jane, deceased; Oliver P., killed at the battle of Shiloh, in 1862.

Our subject, Eli R., went to California in 1851, and remained five years in the mines, which proved a financial success. Soon after his return home he married Malinda Jane Rowe, daughter of Martin Rowe. They are without children. . They own and live on a most excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, adjoining the village of Staunton.

On Mr. Van Pelt's return home from California, they encountered a most terrible storm of four days' duration, when in the Gulf of Mexico, expecting every moment the vessel and all on board to be lost. This vessel was considered unsafe, and was condemned on her arrival at port, but was repainted and given the name of " Central America." On her first trip, when returning, she was met in the same gulf, and went down, losing some four hundred lives, and two millions in gold dust.

Mr. Van Pelt in politics is a staunch Republican. lie is also a sound temperance man. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William Waddle

William Waddle, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Ireland, May 10, 1827. He is the son of Francis W. and Anna Waddle, who ^vere natives of Ireland. Coming to America in 1840, they located in Chillicothe, Ohio. They were the parents ot three daughters and two sons : Elizabeth married, and lives in Eoss County, Ohio. Margaret and Ellen were twins; both are dead. Francis is married, and owns and lives on a farm joining our subject's. William married Miss Dorcas Murry, daughter of George Murry, who lived near Kingston, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1852. They lived six years in Ross County, when he purchased a portion of what was known as the Trustin Adams farm, in this township, situated on the Snow Hill pike, about one mile west from Rattlesnake Creek. In 1858 they removed to this farm, where they still remain.

Mr. Waddle and wife, by economy and industry, have been able to purchase other lands, so that the farm, or farms, contains eight hundred and fifty acres, in a good state of cultivation. They are out of debt. They are the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters : Rebecca, the eldest, married John W. Hoppis, with whom she lived some ten j^ears, when she died with consumption, leaving three children. On the 25th of November, 1880, Mr. Hoppis married for his second wife, Anna, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waddle. George is a promising son, twentj^-six years of age, single, and at home with his parents. He has recently been ordained a minister of the gospel in the Old School Baptist Church, and is said to be a most excellent young man. The son-in-law, Mr. Hoppis, occupies the same relation to the Baptist Churcli. William is married, and lives on the home farm. Luc}', John, Mary, Oliver, Ida, Dora, and Joseph, are at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Waddle feel that they have been highly favored by the Divine Being. Out of a family of eleven children, they have had but one death, and that daughter died in the triumphs of the Christian religion. Except at the birth of their children, they never but once had occasion to call a physician to their aid. In politics, Mr. Waddle is a Democrat. In religion, the family are Old School Baptists, much attached to the church of their (Choice, and devoted to the service of the Saviour.

Thomas S. Worthington

Thomas S. Worthington, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Joseph and Harriet Wo-rthington, whose biography appears elsewhere in this book. He was born in Fairfield Township, Highland County, Ohio, August 18, 1829. At the age of seventeen, he was placed by his father in charge of his large farm, on tlie waters of Rattlesnake Creek, in this township. Here he remained, and continued to work for his father, until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he married Sarilda Parey, daughter of Samuel Parey, of Highland County. She died in one year and six months after her marriage. Mr. Worthington married for his second wife, Mrs. Margaret Spencer (formerly Margaret Persinger), by whom he had two children : Joseph Burnell, now married, and living on his father's farm, and Harriet, also married, and living on the home farm.

Mr. Worthington's farm contains some fifteen hundred acres of as rich, fertile land as can be found in the county, all in one body, being on the east side of Rattlesnake Creek, reaching up to the Snow Hill pike, and situated on both sides of the Charleston road. The entire farm is under fence, and in a good state of cultivation. Much of it is used for meadow and grazing purposes. Our subject confines himself strictly to his business, giving personal attention to the varied interests of this large farm.

Robert Avorthington

Robert Worthington, farmer and stock raiser, was born September 28, 1831. His father, Joseph Worthington, was born in Ross County, this state, February 8, 1804. In the year 1827, he married Hannah Shields, and the following year moved to Fairfield Township, Highland County, this state, and settled on a farm where he has continuously resided until the present time. He has been -one of the most widely and well known men of this county ; although taking no very active part in politics or other aft'airs. His occupation has been farming, and he has been remarkably successful, accumulating a large property. This aged couple has been blessed with four children : Thomas, born in 1829 ; Joseph, born in 1883 ; William D., born in 1837, died June 4, 1854.

Our subject married Catharine Cox, March 17, 1853, by whom he had one son, who was left motherless by the death of the mother, which occurred in one year after her marriage. Mr. Worthington's mother took charge of the infant babe, and has seen him grow up to manhood. He still remains with his grandparents, though twenty-seven years of age. Robert remained single for eight years, living a lonely life on his large farm. Sometimes having a family with him in his house, and sometimes all alone.

In July, 1863, he was called to Chillicothe, this state, in defence of his country, and especially in opposition to John Morgan and his raiders. By a seemingly strange coincidence of circumstances, he was led in the midst of that most wonderful excitement, on that memorable occasion, to the house of Andrew McDonald for food and shelter, where he formed the acquaintance of his present wife. Miss. Jennie McDonald, daughter of Mr. McDonald. Miss Jennie, was a bright, intelligent, and cultivated young lady, teaching school in the city and residing with her parents. December 10th, of the same year, they were married; soon after, she came with her husband to his log cabin, on his magnificent farm, on the waters of Eattlesnake Creek, on the road leading from Staunton to Leesburgh.

This is quite a change for Mrs. Worthington, from the city, the school room and a nice city home, to the log cabin on a thousand acre farm ; but she was equal to the task, and most grandly has she succeeded in this new order of things. Mr. Worthington thinks that the Morgan raid was not so disasterous after all, at least so far as he is concerned. They have two children : Maggie, born December 29, 1866 ; William, born April 19, 1870. They have also, an adopted daughter, Rhoda Tobin, adopted when but four years of age, now a young lady of nineteen, much loved by the family. Indeed, she is regarded as one of the family.

In 1871, he bnilt a magnificieut residence, which is one of the finest in the county, at a cost of more than nine thousand dollars, which he occupies. This family are devout Christians, all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The writer of this sketch has been in the ministry for more than thirty years : In all that time, seldom, if ever, has he met a family of so much wealth and business, so fully devoted to God and his cause as this family.

Anthony Wayne Wright

Anthony Wayne Wright, farmer and stock raiser, was born in March, 1812. He is the son of John Wright, whose biography, or family history appears in the sketch of Concord Township. Our subject married Sarah Wright (no relationship existing) in 1833, by whom he had three children, one son and two daughters: Margaret, Samantha Jane, and Jasper W. Mrs. Wright died October 19,1840.

In 1843, Mr. Wright married Margaret Caylor, by whom he had one son, John A., who lives on a farm near Jefi'ersonville, in. this county. Jasper W. owns and lives on the portion of his father's home farm lying on the east side of Sugaj- Creek, in Union Township. The two daughters are living at home with their parents. Samantha Jane has been married twice ; both husbands are dead. She has an interesting son, ten years of age, James L. Cannon, living with her and his grandparents.

Mr. Wright is the owner of a most excellent farm on Sugar Creek, where he resides, and is quite active and enterprising for a man of his years. His wife is his senior by several years, and shows signs of advancing age.

As will be seen by reference to the chapter in which are mentioned the original boundaries of the various townships, Green formerly embraced all of Concord, and a part of Jasper and Perry townships.

In compiling a historical sketch of this township, the writer has confined himself strictly to its present limits. It is bounded on the north and east by Concord and Perry townships, on the south by Highland, and on the west by Chnton County, thus forming the southeast corner of Fayette. Rattlesnake Creek enters survey 5348, Hows southeastwardiy to survey 3986, thence south to the county line, constituting a part of the eastern border. Lee's Creek has its source in Concord Township, thence flows southeast, entering Green in survey 5349; thence south, crossing the entire township, and entering Highland County. These are the only important streams flowing through the limits of Green.

The unrelenting hand of death has been laid on many of the pioneers of Green Township. Indeed, of the first settlers none remain; and with them has passed away much valuable information, without which the compilation of this work is certainly a diflicult task. The following has been gleaned from the most authentic sources now accessible.

Aside from the stragglers, hunters, and trappers, who visted this locality in .the early days of this century, Jesse Rowe, it is generally conceded, was the first white inhabitant within the present limits of Green Township.

In 1807, the family removed to Fayette County, and located on Little Wabash, the old homestead. Shortly after the county organization (1810) he was elected justice of the peace, and served four terms; also served as trustee, and in other township offices.

He was a class-leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church to the close of his life, the first class-meeting in the locality having been held in his cabin. In his will he left a liberal legacy to the church, the interest to be paid annually, and was truly called the father of Methodism in Fayette County.

John Rowe, the oldest son, settled on land given him by his father, near the old home, and was the father of eleven children, several of whom are still living. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, and held several important offices. His death took place in 1863.

Jesse Rowe, jr., settled in Green, but removed to Concord Township at the expiration of five years. He was trustee ; and after the surrender of Hull, volunteered to defend his country, under General Batteal Harrison.

James Rowe removed to the South at an early day. By profession he was a preacher. He located at Huntsville, Alabama, mar=- ried, and attended a select school till the death of his wife. At the division of the church on the slavery question, he sided with the South, preaching up to the outbreaking of the rebellion, when he came North, where he remained till the close of the war, then went to Georgia, where he died.

Another- pioneer deserving prominent mention was Thomas Moon, sr., who came to Ohio from Virginia, in 1810, with his family,- consisting of John, Jacob, Christine, Jane, David, William, James, Margaret, and Thomas, jr., and settled on Rattlesnake Creek. He was a Quaker in religion, conscientiously opposed to the war, which accounts for his not being a soldier in the Revolutionary and Indian wars. He purchased a tract of land in this township, called the dividing ridge, on which he erected the first flour and saw-mill and distillery in the township, and, so far as is known, the first in the county. The place soon became a favorite resort for customers. His flour gave good satisfaction, and therefore was patronized extensively. The mill still stands, and until recently was run by Thomas Moon, jr.

Mr. Moon's land purchases amounted to eleven hundred acres, five hundred of which were in Highland County. His Fayette County land was in woods. The cabin was built with a puncheon floor, clapboard roof, fire-place made of split timber, and a stick chimney. In one week he cleared four acres, and in the fall following cleared six additional acres, which he sowed in wheat. Wolves and game abounded. The squirrels came in droves, and were so numerous that he was compelled to feed them outside of the fences, to prevent his crops from being devoured. He departed this life in 1828, aged seventy-one years, having in his lifetime held the office of trustee, and many other offices of public trust.

Captain Thomas Moon lived on the old homestead, running the mills, and farming. He served five years as captain of the militia, and died at the age of seventy -five years.

David Davis was born in Pennsylvania, in 1785, and in 1817 immigrated to Ohio, settling near Centerfield, Highland County, where he raised one crop of corn, then moving to Green, locating on the farm of John Garrett, in a cabin afterward used for school purposes. He rented one year here, and then bought fifty acres of land from Mr. Garrett, on which he shortly afterward erected a log cabin.

He married Hannah Gelvin in Pennsylvania, by whom he had eight children, whose names, in the order of their birth, were as follows : Mary, Branson, Nancy, William, David, Catharine, Hannah, and Melissa. At his death, which occurred in 1855, he owned one hundred and six acres of land, where his son Branson now resides. His wife survived him till 1856.

The aged grandslre loved to tell of early privation, hunting, adventure, and perilous and distant journey for necessary food and raiment, and Fayette history is full of incidents of daring and endurance. '

Edward Smith, sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint Creek, known as the East Fork, in the year 1810. He found his entry covered with trees. A wigwam served for a couch by night and shelter from storm and beast. He began the accustomed work of the border, to make an opening and clear up lands for a starting crop. The news of war declared, caused him to lay aside the ax, and with his rifle go forth to protect the frontier and repel the invader. Peace came, and again his ax rang amid the sea-like solitude, and trees came toppling down. One night, returning from the county seat, he found the creek well up, but rode in fearlessly, and was thrown from his horse and drowned.

A story told of Alexander Cupper, and dating back to 1783, is to the effect that he and the well-known Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, were taken prisoners at the Three Islands by the Indians. When within seven miles of Oldtown, Boone contrived to escape, but Cupper was all the more closely guarded, taken to the town, tried by Indian council, and condemned to the stake. Confined in a secure structure and guarded by two powerful savages, no opportunity was afforded to secure his freedom. The night before the intended burning having arrived, he was ordered to run the gauntlet down the rows of savages. Cupper sped down the line a short distance, broke through, left his pursuers far behind, and, burying himself in the deep forest of the present Concord Township, took refuge on the banks of the Little Wabash, whence he safely made his w^ay to Three Islands on the Ohio.

George Kneedler came to tlie township in 1810, and settled in the dense forests, near the waters of Rattlesnake. His father was a soldier under General Washington, in the revolutionary war, and he, true to the precedent set by his noble sire, was an active participant in the war of 1812. He was twice married; had twelve children by his first wife, and. one son by his second.

William Johnson left Virginia, the place of his nativity, in 1810, and removed to Ross County, in company with Judge McCracken. He settled in Hellard's Bottom, on Paint Creek, where he remained until 1816, at which time his family was composed of five children: Anna, Thomas, George, Sarah, and William Henry. He purchased one hundred acres (now known as the Levi Bryant farm) of Jesse Rowe, on which he located, and began improving at once. By careful industry he had accumulated about five hundred acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1833.

The nearest neighbors of the Johnsons were John Rowe, John Draper, and another John Draper who lived on Rattlesnake. As an illustration of the scarcity of neighbors, we state, upon the authority of Thomas G. Johnson, that children were in the habit of going five miles to play with each other.

The southwest corner of Green Township was settled by Virginians and Il^orth Carolinians, members of the denomination known as the Society of Friends. The first were James Smith, who located in the extreme corner on a portion of survey number 1082, and Enos Haines, a portion of whose lands adjoined the Clinton County line.

Z. Morris, in about 1820, came to this state to look at the country, and select a tract of suitable land. He was born in Grayson County, Virginia, about fourteen miles from the North Carolina border. His lands were hilly and barren, and upon satisfying himself as to the productiveness of the new state, he determined to leave his native state to return no more ; a step which, to use his own words, " he has never regretted." He was accompanied by his brother, Isaac, and located on a one hundred acre tract, surveyed for Abram Hight, but which he purchased of Daniel Buress. The settlement Avas made in 1823, and he has resided there ever since, having added land to the original purchase, from time to time, and now owns three hundred and twenty-eight acres, all in a high state of cultivation.

The neighborhood was settled up by William Bankson, Joshua Haines, Philip Barger, one of the first settlers ; Enos Reeder, Edmund and James McVey, all Quakers, and good citizens. They and their descendants still reside on the old homesteads.

It was a matter of profound regret that the opportunities for educating the youth of " ye olden time " were very meager. The pioneer and every member of this household, were obliged to earn a living " by the sweat of their brows." Money was scarce, it being difficult at times to pay taxes ; hence our forefathers were sorely troubled as to what course should be taken, 23roperly, to educate their children. Some of the ladies began teaching in their own cabins, and had scholars who walked four or five miles to attend. Steps were also taken to orgrnr'zo subscription schools. Twentyfive scholars were sufficient to constitute a school; the subscription price being $1.50 each. If the subscribers were unable to pay the tuition of their children, their wealthier and more fortunate neighbors supplied the deficiency. The first school house, a primitive structure, was composed of round logs for walls, a clapboard roof fastened on by poles, a puncheon floor, a mud chimney, seats of poles split into two equal parts, and w^indows made by greasing paper, and fastening it over the cracks where the scholars found liffht the most convenient. It was built on the Little Wabash, in 1819, where the heirs of Squire Cay reside at present. This pioneer cabin was attended by scholars w^ho resided in the subscription district, which was six miles square, and in the winter of 1819, was in charge of Ebenezer Christy, a great teacher - when he was sober. One Bradshaw, was an early teacher. The school houses of the township, at present, are good substantial brick or frame buildings, with good furniture and all needful apparatus, and are well supported.

In the preceding chapters of this work, the reader has ascertained the manner in which the pioneer conducted his private and public affairs, and under what circumstances religion was first introduced. A repetition is unnecessary, and we simply state that the first preacher as given us was Robert Dobbins, and the date 1815, and proceed to the histories of the various religious organizations :

Methodist Protestant Church

Dobbins, above mentioned, had long been a consistent member and pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but became dissatisfied, and proceeded to organize a society under the new discipline of the new denomination. The organization met in school houses and private dwellings, till about the year 1835, when tliey erected a small frame, in the lower end of the cemetery, northeast of the present building. The latter was built in 1857, is forty-five feet long and thirty-five wide, and presents a neat and inviting appearance. The organization is rather weak at present, and holds services every three weeks ; Kev. Hinkle being the pastor.

The Buena Vista Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized in 1830 or 1832, on Rattlesnake Creek, near the site of Buena Vista, in the school house where the settlers were m the habit of holding their elections. Their first building, a small frame, was put up in 1845, and some ten years later the present structure, also a one story frame, was erected.

The Olive Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organization, and in all probability was formed by the pioneer preacher of the townshi'p, Eev. Dobbins. The society worshipped in a rude log cabin for a number of years. The present frame structure was erected about twenty years ago.

Buena Vista

Buena Vista is the only village in the township, and is located on a part of survey 3987, near Rattlesnake Creek. It contains a population of about one hundred and twenty-five, and for its size does a considerable amount of business.

In the year 1832, John W. Simpson and Stephen Tudor came to the present site of the village to purchase ground. The former bought a lot of James Larkins, while the latter located on the lot now owned by Jefitrey Higgins. The main street was at that time a so-called township road, but was changed into a state road one year later. Simpson returned to Highland County, took unto himself a wife, and with her came back to his new purchase, erected a

Stephen Tudor was a carpenter by trade, and remained in the new settlement till 1835, when he sold his property to one Sloan, who lived there but a few months, and disposed of his home to Mr. Fox, who in turn sold the same to Lorenzo Vickers and William Moon.

The first store was opened by John Simpson, who kept a small stock, and frequently refused to sell as much calico as his lady customers wished, because he did not wish to dispose of his entire stock.

Thomas Dowden ran the first blacksmith shop, which stood near the present " town pump," on the lot now owned by Mrs. Mary Burnett. James McKinney also started a blacksmith shop.

The settlement was originally called " Goatsville," the name arising from the following circumstance: Simpson was a member of the German Baptist Society, which was usually known by the cognomen of " Dunkards." Preachers and members of this or ganization were in the habit o| stopping at his house, and as they allowed their hair and beards to grow quite long, it was considered that they bore a striking resemblance to the animal after which the settlement was named.

From the fact that the early records of the township have been lost, it will be impossible to give the original township officers, but we subjoin a list of the present, which are as follows :

Trustees, William Burnell, Albert Bonecutter and I. ]^. Rowe ; justices of the peace, G. W. Smith and B. N. Wain; constable, Henry Blair; clerk, William Thomas; treasurer, C. A. Kneedler; assessor, O. L. Kennedy.

General township fund, $400.00 ; for rofid purposes, $100.00, and in addition to this, one mill on the dollar. School tuition, $1,200- 00 ; contingent, $210.00. (In addition to this, $60.00 was levied on Fairfield Township, Highland County, for the support of sub-district i^o. 4, (jrreen Township, which is partly made up from that township.) Also, $1,000.00 was levied for building school houses in the township.

The first distillery in the township was started by Thomas Moon, on the site of his mill ; another was started, a number of years later, by Abraham Crispin.

Throwii,upon their own resources, the settlers either went barefooted or wore moccasins, though in 1817, the first shoemaker established himself hi the township. His name was David Bradshaw, and his work, though rude, was appreciated by his neighbors, who patronized him liberally.

The first marriage took place January 7, 1801 ; the contracting parties being David Moon and Mary Ellis. The ceremony was performed by Ralph Stout, the first justice of the peace. The squire also officiated at the marriage of Jesse McCoy and Martha Sander, during January, 1811, and Uriah Jackson and Ann Allen, March 7, 1812.

Green Township was not exempted from the frequent visits of thieves and robbers, who infested this country in the olden time. A majority of the old settlers were from Virginia and adjoining states, and to their credit be it said, scorned to do anything dishonest. There was a certain element, however, whose nativity cannot be traced to any particular locality, which lived the life of an idler and gained a subsistance by robbing the poor pioneer of his hard earned property. Horses, cattle aud swine, were stolen when opportunity offered, and the honest farmer was compelled to fasten his doors witli padlocks - something unusual in those days. William Johnson was in the habit of fastening his doors every night, and on a certain evening requested his son, Thomas, to close up the stables. The young man proceeded to the barn as directed, but upon approaching, was surprised to discover a strange horse tied near the door. He advanced cautiously, was just about to enter, when a man emerged from the inside, mounted the horse, and was oft" like a flash. It was surmised that the stranger had arranged to steal the horses and fly wnth them under cover of darkness ; luckily his plan was frustated at the last moment.

This and future generations will point with pride to the noble eftbrts of our forefathers, to earn a home for themselves and posterity. They encountered innumerable hardships on their journey hither; upon their arrival saw nothing before them save a dense and almost endless forest, inhabited by wild game, and usually had no means by which to provide for their families except their robust frames and iron wills.

It was their flrst duty, after erecting a humble cabin to shield them from storm and the midnight attack of wolves, to free from timber a small tract of land, and plant it in life necessaries. When the harvest came, there was rejoicing in more than one household over the plentiful crops raised the first year.

But soon another obstacle presented itself. The harvest was gathered, but how were they to convert the corn and wheat into flour ! The steam mill was utterly unknown, water-mills were few and far between, and as a last resort recourse was had to the " horse mill." Presumably there was no tread mill in this township, though there were several in the adjoining township of Wayne, where the inhabitants were wont to go. The process of grinding in one of these primitive affairs was very tedious, and frequently two days were consumed in going, grinding, and returning. Others went to Springfield, wdiere there was a good water mill. When the canal was dug via Chillicothe, it was considered a great blessing to our pioneers, as they had then but thirty mileb to go to mill. The erection of the Moon mills proved to be a great boon, and as the flour gave good satisfaction, the proprietor discovered by a liberal patronage that his efforts were highly appreciated.

Isaac F. Barger

The Bargers were originally from Germany. Phillip Barger and his wife, the grandparents of this subject, were born in Virginia, and coming to Ohio about the year 1800, settled on a tract of four hundred acres of land on Lee's Creek. The land is now owned by his grandson, Isaac. Their bodies were buried on the farm. Their children were Polly, Phillip, John, and Lewis.

John, the father of this subject, married Elizabeth Pavey, July 4, 1832. She was the daughter of Isaac Pavey, one of the early settlers of Highland County, Ohio. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters : Polly (1833), Ann Maria (1835), Phillip (1837), Isaac F. (1840), I^ancy Elizabeth (1842). These all died in early life, except the subject of this sketch.

Isaac F. Pavey was born September 18, 1840. He married, October 25, 1864, Isabel A., daughter of Samuel Pavey, of Highland County. Mrs. Pavey was born January 2, 1846. Five children have been born to this union, three only of whom are living : John Willard, born March 6, 1868; Harry Quincy, born December 18, 1871 ; Leroy Taylor, born June 7, 1880. Two other sons died in infancy.

Mr. Barger is an extensive farmer, being the largest producer of grain in Green Township. He raises and deals largely in cattle and hogs. He owns nearly one thousand acres of land in Fayette and Highland counties, all of which gives evidence of careful tillage and excellent supervision. Mr. Barger and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1874.

Our subject lias been a member of Leesburg Lodge No. 78, F. & A. M., since 1878. He is a man of rare business activity, and has been prominently identified with the alfairs of his township for years past. He occupies a fine residence, built in the year 1880, at a cost of |8,000.

G. W. Pattoii, farmer, is a son of Arthur aud Elizabeth (Wood) Patton, and was born on the farm, where he now hves, January 7, 1840. His parents, who were natives of Virginia, came to this state in the spring of 1832.

Mr. Patton's wife, Mary D., daughter of Hezekiah Rowe, to whom he was married October 24, 1861, was born in this township March 3, 1845. He has tive children : Elmer E., Minnie A., Nettie J., Zella V. and Ollie M., all living.

Mr. Patton is one of the solid farmers of this county, and has a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, which is one of the best in the township.

Isaac Newton Howe

Isaac Newton Rowe, farmer, is a son of Martin and Sophia (Johnson) Rowe, and was born in Concord Township, this county, March 30, 1848. His early years were spent on the farm with his parents.

September 17, 1861, he enlisted in the 54th 0. V. L, Company C, and remained in Camp Dennison until February, 1862, when they joined Sherman at Paducah. Their first engagement was at Pittsburg Landing, where their loss in killed, wounded and missing, was more than half the number engaged.