Fayette County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 5 of 11)

Craton Ervin

One of the youngest soldiers of Fayette county, Ohio, to offer his life for the service of his country at the opening of the Civil War was Craton Ervin, now a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township. He did not enter the service as some did from motives of sport or frolic, but, with a boy's enthusiasm, enlisted because he felt that his country was in danger. Although he was only sixteen years of age, yet his heart beat with all the ardor of a man many years his senior, and his three years at the front were filled with more harrowing experiences than he has ever gone through with since that time. From his earliest years he had been taught to hate slavery and to do all that he could to blot it from this country's escutcheon. Coming back from the war, he started in to farm and gradually accumulated a fine farm of two hundred acres, on which he is now living.

Craton Ervin, the son of David and Susannah (Ballard) Ervin, was born October 26, 1845, in Madison county, Ohio. The Ervin family came from Scotland to this country and located in South Carolina, where David Ervin was born. As a young man David Ervin came to Fayette county, where he married and reared a family of eight children, John, Louisa, Isabella, Mary, Craton, Abi, Cynthia and William S. Three of these children, John, Isabella and Abi, are deceased.

The father of Craton Ervin died when he was a mere lad of six years, consequently he lost that fatherly guidance which every boy has the right to expect. He was reared among strangers and for some years lived with a man in Fayette county by the name of John Bloomer. The fact that he was brought up among strangers may account for the fact that when the Civil War opened he at once volunteered his services for the defense of his country.

Mr. Ervin enlisted on December 12, 1861, in Company C, Seventyfourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment, under the command of Colonel Moody, was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He fought in many of the bloodiest engagements of that memorable struggle. At or near Kingston, Georgia, while driving a commissary wagon, he was run over and had his thigh broken. He was kept in hospitals in different places until he was finally discharged at Chicago, December 15, 1864. He arrived home on Christmas day of that year, after spending three years at the front and nearly sacrificing his life in defense of his nation's honor. He is a loyal member of Janes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Jeffersonville, and is always deeply interested in everything which pertains to the welfare of the old veterans. ;

After the war Mr. Ervin began to rent land and farmed in this way for several years. In 1889 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township and has since added eighty acres more, giving him a fine farm of two hundred acres, three miles from Jeffersonville.

Mr. Ervin was married in 1873 to Nancy Hutchinson, the daughter of Isaac and Jane (Engle) Hutchinson, who were both born and reared in Virginia and were early settlers in Logan county, this state, later locating in Fayette county, where they reared a family of five children, Phoebe, Jane, James P., Isaac, and Nancy, the wife of Mr. Ervin. Phoebe, the oldest child of the family, is deceased, as is Mrs. Ervin.

has two children, Forrest and Eunice; Edith, single; Clarence, married and lives at St. Joe, Missouri; Ralph, who married Bessie Fultz; Addie, who is married and has one son, C. E. |

Politically, Mr. Ervin has long been affiliated with the Republican party, but has never had any aspirations along official lines. He has devoted his whole career to his agricultural pursuits and with a success which classes him among the best farmers of his county. Religiously, he is a faithful and consistent member of the Christian church, in whose welfare he is interested and to whose support he is a generous contributor. Mr. Ervin is highly respected, and his long career in this county has been markedly free from all blame or censure.

John, A. -Rarreet

The Parrett family has been identified with the history of Fayette county for more than a century, John Parrett, the grandfather of John A. Parrett, having come to this county in 1812. Frederick and Barbara (Edwards) Parrett, the great-grandparents, came to Ross county in 1814, when they were well along in years. One of their children was John Parrett, who is the grandfather of John A., whose history is here recorded. John Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, as was his wife, Catherine Windle, and they were married before coming to Ohio. They first settled in Fayette county, this state, in 1812, with their two children, Mrs. Sarah Griffith, and Eli, the father of the immediate subject of this review. John Parrett saw service in the War of 1812 and then, upon returning to peaceful pursuits at the close of that struggle, located in Jefferson township, on Paint creek, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was familiarly known to the people of his township as "Paint John," while his cousin, Joseph, went by the pseudonym "Paint Joe." 'Paint Joe's" father was wounded at the battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War.

Fli Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, February 4, 1811, and was less than a year old when his parents settled in Fayette county. Here he grew to manhood and married twice. His first marriage was to Lydia Robinson, and to this union three children were born: Mrs. Lucinda Bailey; Mary, deceased, and Catherine, deceased. Mrs. Bailey has three children who are living in the state of Oregon, Lawrence, Katie and Harry. After the death of his first wife, Eli Parrett married Sarah Connor, and to his second union were born five children: John A.; E. E. S.a

FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 517 farmer of this county; Mrs. Melda L. Johnson; Clayton C., a farmer of Jefferson township, this county, and Anna M., the wife of Mart L. McCoy. Eli Parrett was a successful farmer and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land in the county.

John A. Parrett, the oldest son of Eli Parrett and wife, was born December 19, 1846, in Jefferson township. He was given the limited education to-be obtained during his childhood days and early in life began to work upon the farm. He was not old enough to enlist in the army at the opening of the Civil War, and as soon as he was old enough he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service on May 2, 1864. He served until the close of the war and then returned to this county and resumed farming. That he was a successful farmer is shown by the fact that he is the owner of three hundred acres of fine land in Jefferson township.

Mr. Parrett was married October 1, 1876, to Emma Mercer, the daughter of John D. and Mary (Moon) Mercer, natives of Greene county, Ohio, and to this union has been born one. daughter, Mary, the wife of Auburn Duff.

Mr. Parrett is a member of the D. H. Millikan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and interested in its welfare. Religiously, he and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church.

William E S Dla

It is interesting to note in the series of personal biographies appearing in this volume the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the purpose of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come. According to the 1910 census there were five thousand, four hundred and sixty-six families living within the precincts of Fayette county, Ohio, and it is to be regretted that this volume cannot cover the lives of more families than it does.

bridge. His parents, William and Mary (Kelly) Dill, were natives of the same county and lived there all of their lives. They reared a family of eight children, Elijah, Margaret, Mrs. Ella Poston, Frank, William B., Lewis G., Robert and Edward. All of these children are living except Frank. William Dill was a son of Robert and Margaret Dill, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Ross county, this state, where they reared a large family of children, Robert, Richard, Walter, John, William, Arm, James and Margaret.

William B. Dill attended the common schools of Ross county and finished his education in the Bainbridge high school. He worked on his father's farm during the summer season and remained at home until his marriage in 1892. In that year he came to Fayette county and bought two hundred acres of fine land two miles from Jeffersonville. Since acquiring this farm he has placed extensive improvements upon it and, being a man of taste, he has made his farm one of the most attractive of the county. He raises all of the crops common to this section of the state and keeps a high grade of live stock on the farm.

Mr. Dill was married in 1892 to Alice Bell, the daughter of William and Catherine Bell, of Champaign, Illinois, and to this union have been born two children, Earl B., born August 25, 1893, and Helen, born February 16, 1896.

Politically, Mr. Dill has long been identified with the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office or taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, an organization which includes many of the farmers of this county. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Jeffersonville.

It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal army during the great war between the states in the sixties. An old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. It is an inspiring sight to see the old soldiers in their sacred uniform march with faltering steps on Memorial day to decorate the graves of their departed comrades. As they march to that silent city of the dead they are well aware that the time will soon come when some one will decorate their graves and when the last of the boys in blue will have passed away, as they must within the next few years, friends will pay them suitable eulogy for the sacrifices they made during that long and terrible struggle. Ever afterwards will their descendants revere their memory and take pride in recounting their services for their country in its hour of peril. One of the gallant old veterans of Fayette county, Ohio, who has answered the last roll call is Abel H. janes, whose name is now enrolled in the Army Triumphant in that better land.

The late Abel H. Janes was born February 11, 1839, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, and died in Jasper township on August 17, 1910. He was the son of William P. and Mary (Mock) Janes, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio. Eleven children were born to William P. Janes and wife: Oliver, Clarissa, Johanna, Marjorie, Abel, Levi, Catherine, Ellen, John, Rosetta, Oliva and Douglas. All of these children, except Rosetta and Mary Catherine, have passed to their reward, after living lives of usefulness and honor.

Abel H. Janes was educated in the schools of Jefferson township and was working on his father's farm when the Civil War broke out. He first enlisted in i862 in the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a member of Company C. He served two years as a member of this regiment and was then taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and cast into a Southern prison, but was eventually exchanged and honorably mustered out of the service. However, he wished to serve his country, and accordingly re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was the second time captured by the Confederates at Cynthiana and was then paroled and came home, being for the second time mustered out of the service. Immediately after the close of the war, he returned to this county and worked out by the month for a time. He was married in 1867 and he and his wife worked hard in order to save money to pay for the farm which they bought, but their efforts were rewarded very substantially and they gradually added to their land holdings until they owned a fine farm of two hundred and eight acres in Jefferson and Jasper townships.

Mr. Janes was married February 7, 1867, to Almeda Hays, the daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint township, and to this union five children were born: William M., Cass G., Jennie P., Chester H., and Scott P. William M. married Margaret McMonagil and has three children, Carmel, Clarence and Luther: Cass G. married Alice White and has three children, Florence, John L. and Leonard C.; Jennie P. is the wife of Clyde Allen; Chester H. married Mary Allen and has four children, Lucile, Carl, Helen and Janice;

Mr. Janes was a stalwart Republican all his life and was always deeply interested in the success of his party, although never a candidate for public office. Traternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife were both members of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, belonging to the lodge at Milledgeville, this county. Mr. Janes was a man of force of character and enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the community where he spent his whole life. He was essentially a self-made man, knew no such thing as idleness, and was ever ready to assist his friends and neighbors who were not so fortunate as himself.

A representative citizen of Fayette county, Ohio, is James L. Muller, who is distinguished for his splendid ability in carrying to completion whatever he undertakes. He enjoys marked prestige as a man who accomplishes defnite ends and stands out as a clear and conspicuous figure among the successful men of his county. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, his achievements represent his innate talents in directing efforts along lines which mature judgment and a resourcefulness that hesitates at no opposing circumstances pave the way and ultimately lead to success. It 1s not possible in this connection to give a detailed history of his busy life, but only to note his connection incidentally with the development of Fayette county and to show the influence he has wielded in advancing the material interests of this section of the state.

James L. Miller, the manager of the Gray estate of three hundred acres of land in Jefferson township, was born February 27, 1866, in the township where he has always lived. His parents, Jacob and Hannah (Jacobs) Miller, were natives of this county and reared a family of nine children, Samson, Susan, Mary, W. C., Ada, John S., James L., Edward and Nancy. All of these children except Edward are still living.

James L. Miller attended the schools at Millersville, Ohio, and also was a student of the Buck and Callon schools in this county. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm during the summer seasons in his boyhood days, and at the age of twenty he married and began farming for himself. He has met with success commensurate with his efforts and is recognized as one of the most progressive and up-to-date farmers of the county. I*rugal in his manner of living and well equipped with energy and determination, he has succeeded where others have failed. He is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land in Pickaway county, this state, five hundred acres in Texas, and is now the manager of the Gray estate of three hundred acres in Jefferson township. He is one of the largest stock raisers of the county and has met with remarkable success in his particular line of farming. He feeds most of his crops to his stock, having found that this is the most profitable way of turning his farm produce into money.

Mr. Miller was married March 1, 1894, to Emma Gregg, the daughter of Andrew Gregg, and to this union have been born five children, Audrey, Carl, Mina, Leonard and Alta.

Politically, Mr. Miller is identified with the Republican party, but so extensive have been his agricultural interests that he has never felt that he had the time to engage in political affairs. Nevertheless, his influence has always been felt at local elections and he 1s looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with every movement looking to the betterment or advancement in any way of his community. He has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worth and well meriting the utmost confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He and his family move in the best social circles of this community and, being a genial and unassuming man, he has won a large and loyal personal following of friends and acquaintances.

Jesse B. Davis

In placing the name of Jesse B. Davis, a successful druggist of Jeffersonville, Ohio, in the front rank of Fayette county's business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact universally recognized throughout the county. A man of sound judgment, rare discretion, thorough technical knowledge and business ability of a high order, he has managed his affairs with splendid success and has so impressed his individuality upon the community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and public-spirited men of affairs.

Jesse B. Davis, the son of Nelson and Eliza (Anderson) Davis, was born in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, in 1858. His father, who was born in the same township, was the son of Benjamin R. Davis, a native of Kentucky and an early settler of Fayette county, Ohio. Nelson Davis and wife were the parents of six children, Charles W., Jesse B., Eva, Jennie, Mrs. Martha Johnson and Mrs. Della Hutchinson.

After completing the common schools of his home township, Mr. Davis attended the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and later attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. While attending college he worked on the farm during the summer seasons, and upon the completion of his college course he commenced the drug business in Jeffersonville, where he has since resided. He carries a large and carefully selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries, which are attractively displayed. As a result of his sound business judgment and his earnest efforts to please all who enter his store, he has met with well deserved success in this enterprise, being classed among the best druggists of his county.

Mr. Davis was married in 1885 to Lola Culy, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Culy, and to this union have been born three children, Arthur R., Dean and Charles W. Arthur, who is a student at Ohio State University, is married and has one son, Roy; Dean is living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Charles W. is a student at Jeffersonville.

The Democratic party has always claimed the loyal support of Mr. Davis and he has been very active in local politics. He has served on the school board of his home town. In the administration of his official business he gives the citizens careful and conscientious service and well merits the high commendations they accord him. His long life in this county has endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who have been attracted to him by the straightforward, upright course of his life and his high reputation for integrity and correct conduct.

The half century which has elapsed since the Civil War leaves comparatively few of the old veterans to tell the story of that terrible conflict between the states. Through four years of suffering and wasting hardships the Union soldier laid the superstructure of the greatest nation on the face of the earth and dedicated it to the cause of human freedom. The world has looked on and called those soldiers sublime, for it was theirs to reach out the mighty arm of power and strike the chains from off the slaves. preserve the country from dissolution and keep unfurled to the breeze the only flag that ever made tyrants tremble. Pension and political power may be thrown at the feet of these gallant soldiers; art and sculpture may preserve mit to books and cold type may give to the future the tale of their suffering and triumph, but to the children of generations vet unborn will it remain to accord the full measure of appreciation and undying remembrance of the immortal character carved out by the American soldier in the dark days of the sixties. One of Fayette county's gallant veterans who has responded to the last roll call is Capt. John C. Hays, than whom there was no braver soldier or truer friend.

The late Capt. John C. Hays was born in Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, on October 24, 1834, and died in the hospital at Springfield, where he had gone for treatment, October 6, 1907. He was the son of Wiliam and Hannah (Brown) Hays, natives of the county and honored citizens. William Hays and wife reared a large family of children: Mrs. Mary Dawson, Charlotte, Anna, Malissa, Elijah, Harrison, Jaxon, John C. and several who died in early childhood.

Captain Hays received a good education in the common schools and colleges of his state. After completing the common schools of his home neighborhood he went to Antioch College, where he took the classical course. lt was while attending college that he received his first military training, although he little realized at that time how soon he would be able to make use of it. After leaving college he taught school for one year, and then took up the study of law with one of the best lawyers in Washington C. H. In due course of time he was admitted to the bar and started to practice his profession. However, the Civil War came on and he laid aside his law books and offered his services to his country.

john C. Hays enlisted on August 9, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as first lieutenant. This regiment was recruited from the counties of Fayette, Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, Hocking and Vinton, and was mustered into the service of the United States September 11, 1862. The regiment remained in Camp Circleville until September 19, 1862, when it was ordered to Marietta. Upon arriving at the latter place, September 21st, the regiment went into camp for six weeks, during which time it was drilled and equipped for active service in the field. It is not possible in this connection to follow the history of this regiment, but only to indicate very briefly such gallant record. In December, 1862, the regiment was placed on board a transport and taken down the Ohio and Mississippi to Vicksburg, and participated in the assault on the outer works of that city in the latter part of December. The regiment participated in all of the engagements fought around Vicksburg during the winter, spring and summer of 1862-3. After the surrender of Vicksburg he remained in that city until August 13, 1863, when the regiment was taken down the Mississippi to New Orleans and from thence carried to the coast of Texas, where they landed December 3, 1863. The regiment remained in Texas and Louisiana until January, 1865, when it was ordered to Florida, but in May was returned again to Texas, where it was stationed when the war closed. During its term of service the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment marched by land and sailed by water over ten thousand miles, performing duty in ten different states, engaging in eight hard-fought battles and numerous skirmishes. It lost in killed and wounded six officers and eighty men. The loss by disease was very great the first year, when two hundred men died and a large number were discharged for disability. A singular point in the history of this regiment: is the fact that it was free from casualties during the latter part of its service. During the last nineteen months no regimental burying occurred and it is doubtful if another regiment in the whole army of the North holds such a record. Captain Hays, who was mustered in as first lieutenant, was mustered out as captain of his company.

Immediately after the close of the war Captain Hays returned to his home in Fayette county and, after marrying in 1867, turned his attention to farming, preferring the independent existence of the farmer to that of the more exacting life of the lawyer. He owned a very productive farm of two hundred acres in Jefferson township and on this he spent the remainder of his days. le was active in all good work in his community and was a great believer and Sunday school worker, being one of the best Biblical students in the county.

Captain Hays was married December 24, 1867, to Mary E. Brock, daughter of Evan and Susan (Griffith) Brock, and to this union were born eight children: Mrs. Lenora Horney, who has three children, Thurman, Audrey and Horney; Lillian May, who is a trained nurse at Springfield, Ohio; Leoti, deceased; Anna Maud, the wife of Chester Irvin; Daisy Francis, deceased; Mrs. Blanche Ritenhour, who has three children, Carroll, John J. and Donald; Thurman B., who married Esther Gerard; John C., who is unmarried and now managing the home farm.

Captain Hays led a simple, unostentatious life, and in his home circle was known as a true and loving husband and father. He was a man of broad education, possessing a well stored mind and kept in close touch with the great issues before the American people. He was a strong advocate of temperance and rejoiced in the wave of reform that is sweeping over this land. He was a man of force of character and made himself felt on the right side of all questions of reform. Thus is briefly reviewed the life of a man who was greatly beloved by everyone who knew him, a man who had the interests of his family at heart, a man who was true to himself, to his country and to his God.

William Glenn Ladd

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Fayette county, Ohio, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than William Glenn Ladd, the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven hundred and sixty acres in Paint township. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men. He has lived an honorable life and the worthy example he has set the younger generation is such as to merit his inclusion among the representative men of his county.

William G. Ladd, the son of George and Mary (Gillispie) Ladd, was born October 7, 1866, in Highland county, Ohio. His father was born and reared on the same farm and was a son of Jacob Ladd. The father of Jacob Ladd, whose name was also Jacob, was a Welshman and came to this country in the early part of 1800 and settled in Virginia. Of the twelve children born to George Ladd and wife, only three are living, Mrs. Cordelia Priest, Mrs. Elsie Newland and William Glenn.

The education of Mr. Ladd was received in the common schools of Highland county, this state, where he grew to maturity and lived until 1905. At the age of twenty-one he began renting the old home farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Highland county, and rented it for four years, then moved on to another farm and remained on it until he moved to Fayette county in 1905. Upon coming to this county he bought the Morton Judy farm of two hundred acres in Union township and, in fact, he has bought and sold several farms, having spent most of his time buying and selling farms. He later sold his last place of two hundred acres near Good Hope, in Wayne township. He is the manager of the Glasscock estate of seven hundred and sixty acres in Paint township, one of the largest farms in the ccunty. He is an extensive stock raiser, and sells several car loads of stock each year. The farm is well equipped with all the latest machinery for up-

Mr. Ladd was married on Christmas day, 1902, to Minnie Todhunter, and to this union have been born two children, Ralph and Ludene. Mr. Ladd and his family are members of the Friends church. Fraternally, Mr. Ladd is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As a citizen Mr. Ladd stands liigh in the esteem of his fellow men, being public spirited and progressive, and, although a resident of this county but a few years, yet he has thrown himself heartily into the support of all movements in behalf of the material advancement of his county, and the intellectual, moral and social good of the people. His life has been controlled by proper motives and in his relations with his fellow men he has been actuated by the highest ideals, so that among those who know him best he is numbered among the community's leading citizens.

Frank C. Vannorsdall

The career of Frank C. Vannorsdall has been a strenuous and varied one, entitling him to honorable mention among the representative. citizens of his day and generation. Born in this county, as was his father before him, he has been identified with its growth and development for more than half a century. As a business man, as a farmer and as a private citizen, he has met his every duty fairly and squarely and earned a reputation for honest dealing which commends him to his fellow citizens.

Frank C. Vannorsdall, the son of James and Susanna (Horney) Vannorsdall, was born March 27, 1861, in Jefferson township, where he has always,made his home. His father was born in this township September ro, 1831, and is still living, as is his mother. James R. Vannorsdall and Susanna Horney were married September 4, 1853, and were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. Clarelda J. Ritenour, Mrs. Lucy A. Fults, Garrett O., Frank' C., Mary M., James H., Forrest A., Mrs. Lily Straley, Effie F., Ernest E., Herbert and Mrs. Flora Williams. Four of these children, Mary M., James H., Forrest A. and Effie E., are deceased. James R. Vannorsdall was one of the pioneer settlers of this county and was actively interested in the affairs of his township for many years. When a young man he taught four terms of school and later served for several consecutive terms as trustee of Jefferson township. As a farmer and as a business man

Frank C. Vannorsdall was educated at Pleasant View, and remained at home until he reached his majority, when he married and began renting land from his father. He lived on a part of his father's farm for thirteen years, after which time he moved to Jeffersonville and engaged in the meat business for a time, after which he became interested in the livery business, now having the only livery stable in Jeffersonville. In connection with his livery stable he handles implements of all kinds, as well as vehicles. He is also the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in this township near Jeffersonville, which he rents to responsible tenants, although he maintains careful supervision over his farm. He is recognized as a man of good business ability and by his courteous treatment of his customers and his reputation for square dealing has built up a large trade in Jeffersonville and this section of the county.

Mr. Vannorsdall was married October 31, 1883, to Cora Brewer, the daughter of David and Martha J. (Shelly) Brewer. He and his wife are both loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to the support of which they are liberal contributors. [raternally, Mr. Vannorsdall belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who have to their credit many long years spent in industriously and intelligently tilling the soil is Thomas M. Palmer, of Jefferson township. He comes of a good family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for morality and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. A native of Indiana and a resident of Fayette county since 1867, he has lived a clean and wholesome life and well merits the high esteem in which he is held by his friends and acquaintances. He has set an excellent example to the younger generation, since he has borne his share of the burdens of community life and discharged them in a way worthy of the ideal American citizen. ; natives of Indiana and settled in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1867, where they reared their family of ten children, Arletta, Miranda, Josephine, Thomas M., Mary, Hartley, Frank, George, William and Harvey.

Thomas M. Palmer was two years of age when his parents removed from Indiana to Ohio, and consequently received all of his education 'in Fayette county, where they settled. His boyhood days were spent in the school room during the winter seasons and on his father's farm during the summers. He lived at home until he was married and then began to live on a rented farm in Jefferson township. He is now renting a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres about three and one-half miles north of Jeffersonville, and as a farmer he thoroughly understands every phase of agriculture and is classed among the progressive farmers of his township. He raises such crops as are usually grown in this locality and gives due attention to the raising of live stock.

Mr. Palmer was married to Mary Ulm, the adopted daughter of Edward Ulm, and to this union have been born six children, Harry, Wilbert, Maud, Mrs. Mabel Floyd Tracy, Shirley and Floyd. Harry and Wilbert are deceased, while the other four are still living.

The Republican party claims the support of Mr. Palmer and he always takes an intelligent interest in the political issues of the dav. His only official position has been that of a member of the school board of his township, in which capacity he is now serving. Fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.

Martin Knecht

Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the great number of people of Germanic nativity and descent now living in the United States. Unquestionably the greatest number of emigrants coming to this country within the past century have come from that nation, and statistics will show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other with the exception of English. This being a fact it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of our country, as well as the love of learning shown by the people of this vast nation. Germany is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its educated men, for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry, peace, intelligence and sturdiness of its citizens.. These qualities have been brought to this country by the emigrants and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation. While the 1g10 census shows that there are only forty-eight people living in Fayette county, Ohio, who were born in Germany, yet the number of those who are descended from German parentage number hundreds. One of the prosperous farmers of Jefferson township, who is of German descent, is Martin Knecht, who is the proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in that township near the Fayette county line,

Martin Knecht, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Griesheimer) Knecht, was born December 4, 1861, in Chillicothe, Ohio. His parents were natives of Germany and married in that country before locating in America. Upon coming to this country Jacob Knecht and his wife located in Chillicothe, where he engaged in agriculture and operated a brewery. [ive children were born to Jacob Knecht and wife, Jacob, Christine, Catherine, John and Martin. Jacob and Christine were born in Germany and the others in Ross county, this state. All of these children are still living with the exception of Catherine and Jacob.

The education of Martin Knecht was received in the schools of Ross county, Ohio. As a young man he worked in his father's brewery and at the age of thirty began to farm in Ross county. He continued to reside there until 1910, when he sold his farm and purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres along the Fayette-Ross county line. He is classed among the progressive farmers of the township, and although he has been a resident of this county but a few years, yet he has already demonstrated his ability along agricultural lines. Mr. Knecht built his present splendid residence, of cement blocks, which is conveniently arranged and considered one of the best homes in the township.

Mr. Knecht was married to Elizabeth Uhrig, and to this union have been born six children, Martin, Effie, Edna, Clarence, Ollie and Mary. Martin married Irene Milligan and has two children, George and Irene; Effie is the wife of Elmer C. Milligan, and has two children, Joseph and Mabel: Edna became the wife of Charles Hirsch, and is the mother of five children, Louisa, Catherine, Helen, George and Mary. 'he other three children are still unmarried and make their home with their parents.

Mr. Knecht has given his undivided support to the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive agricultural interests he has never been inclined to be active in political matters. Nevertheless, he stands for good government and throws his influence in favor of all measures for the public good.

Socially, he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr.- Knecht is a man of jovial and genial disposition and has made a host of friends since locating in this county.

Mrs. Knecht is a daughter of John and Mary (Wilhelm) Uhrig, the former born in Germany in 1835 and the latter in Ross county, Ohio, in 1842. Mr. Uhrig farmed all his life in Ross county, where both lived, died and are buried. He was a Democrat in politics and they were Protestant in religion.

Clarence An Issler

An enterprising young farmer of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Clarence Wissler. a native of this county and a descendant from one of the pioneer families of the county. He started out to work for himself when he was only fourteen years of age and has made his own way unaided. He is a ceaseless worker and has applied himself with great energy to the operation of his farm of one hundred and five acres of land in Paint and Range townships, eighty-five acres being in Range township, Madison county.

Clarence Wissler, the son of Simon and Anna (Sechrist) Wissler, was born in this county October 7, 1883, and has spent his whole life within the limits of this county. Simon Wissler is the son of Henry and Susan (Neff) Wissler and was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He came to Fayette county, Ohio, when he was twenty-one years of age, remained in this county one year and then returned to his native state and brought back his father and mother. Mr. Wissler was one of the largest landholders of Fayette county and was prominently connected with the history of this county from 1853 until his death, being the owner of one thousand acres of land. Henry Wissler and wife were the parents of seven children, Christian, Mrs. Mary Anderson, Henry, Simon, Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, Elias and one who died in infancy. Simon Wissler and wife were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Susie Yates, Mrs. Alice Dixon, Mrs. Almira Watt, Ulysses Grant. Jesse, Albertus, John and Clarence.

Clarence \Vissler attended the schools of Paint township and finished his education in the schools of his home district in Paint township. He left school when he was fourteen years of age to begin working for himself, and upon his marriage, in 1903, rented land of his mother. He inherited fifty-two and one-half acres and bought fifty-two and one half of excellent land in Paint and Range townships and has since been engaged in general farming, dividing his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding of live stock. In addition to his own farm he rents one hundred and fourteen acres adjoining, from his mother, so that he is now tilling two hundred and nineteen acres of land.

Mr. \Wissler was married at the age of twenty to Ida Stuthard, the daughter of Perry and Lavina (Badger) Stuthard. Her father was a native of Madison county, Ohio, and was an extensive land owner. Mr. Stuthard and wife reared a family of five children, Roy, Ida, Essie, Dove and Fay.

Politically, Mr. Wissler is identified with the Republican party, but has never been active in political matters, preferring to devote all of his attention to his agricultural interests. He is still a young man and his success thus far indicates a prosperous future for him. He started out with nothing and has attained his present position solely through his own unaided efforts, and is therefore deserving of a great deal of credit.

Henry Walker Duff

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorablé residence therein. Henry Walker Duff has resided in Fayette county, Ohio, sixty-five years and his career in every respect has been a commendable one and well deserving of being perpetuated in the history of his county. A self-made man and dependent upon his own resources from the time he was fourteen years old, he has arisen to his present prominence solely through his own industry, good judgment and wise management. His farm lands have always been well improved and highly productive, being numbered-among the best farms of Jefferson township. He has always discharged his public and private duties honestly and feariessly and in a spirit which brought him the commendation of his feilow citizens,

Henry W. Duff, a retired merchant and farmer of Jefferson township, was born December 26, 1847, in the township where he is now living. His parents, Peter and Sarah (Tanquary) Duff, were natives of Winchester, Virginia, and came to this county shortly after their marriage. The parents of Peter Duif never came to Ohio, spending all of their lives in Virginia, where they were born. To Peter Duff and wife were born-ten children: Mrs. Rachel Corbitt, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Price, deceased; Mrs. Rebecca

532 FAYETTE COUNTY, OHLO. Fossett, deceased; Mrs. Mary Counts, deceased; John J., of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Edward C.; William M., of South Solon; Harvey and Henry W.

Henry W. Duff attended the Herald and Creamer schools of this county until he was fourteen years of age and then began to work out by the month in Paint township. At the age of nineteen he began to learn the carpenter trade and followed that for a few years. He then engaged in farming with his brother until 1889, when he engaged in the implement business in Jeffersonville. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this business and embarked in the grocery business, following this line of endeavor until 1905, when he retired from active work-and is now living in the residence which he built in 1884.

Mr. Duff was married August 31, 1870, to Mary Margaret Ann Horney, a daughter of William and Adeline (Fent) Horney. Mrs. Duff's parents were natives of this county and reared a family of eight children, Clara, Mary Margaret Ann, Ollie, Lucy, Lewis, Libbie, Ivy and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Duff have been born four children; three, Alba, Minnie and Audra, are deceased, and Auburn, who is deputy county treasurer and lives in Washington C. H., married Mary Parrett. _

Mr. Duff is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. He and his family are all loyal and faithful members of the Methodist Protestant church, while, fraternally, Mr. Duff is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge.

Specific mention 1s made of many of the worthy citizens of [ayette county within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored community, and whose interests have been identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number was the late Col. B. H. Millikan, - distinguished soldier, successful business man and public benefactor, - whose name needs no introduction to the reader.

'tis death removed from Fayette county - and, indeed, from Ohio - one of her most substantial and highly esteemed citizens and the many beautiful attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of those who knew him and of his work and accomplishments. His eminently honorable and successful career was not altogether a path of roses, for he fought against and conquered many adverse conditions, which would have discouraged one of less sterling mettle. His military record was marked by courage and ability of a high order, his business record showed that he possessed sagacity, energy and integrity to a pronounced degree, while his philanthropy was of that practical kind that is of real permanent value to the common weal. As a member of a great and prosperous commercial house he contributed in a very definite way to the business advancement of Washington C. H. and built for himself a monument that perpetuates his name among those who come after.

Col. B. H. Millikan was born in South Bend, Indiana, on the 12th day of July, 1842, and was the son of Jesse L. and Margaret (Hartzell) Millikan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Jesse Millikan was reared in Washington C. H. and there received his public school education, upon the completion of which he took up the study of medicine, to the active practice of which he devoted himself until his death, which occurred in 1850. He and his wife were Methodists in their religious faith. He was the son of William and Ann Millikan, who also were natives of this state. William Millikan was a soldier in the War of 1812 and marched from Cleveland to Chillicothe, in charge of British prisoners captured with Perry's victory. His death occurred at Chillicothe, and his widow survived until well advanced in years. They were the parents of four children, William, Jesse, Nathaniel and Ann. Colonel Millikan's maternal grandparents, and Margaret Hartzell, were natives of Germany, who came to the United States and became early settlers in Greenville, Ohio: There he lived the remainder of his life and died, being survived by his widow, who died in Washington C. H., at an advanced age. Their children were Margaret (mother of the subject) and Charles.

To Jesse L. and Margaret (Hartzell) Millikan were born the following children: Francis M., of Penryn, California; Miranda, who died, unmarried; Jared L., deceased; Baldwin Hartzell, the immediate subject of this memoir; Vasco, deceased, and Mrs. Margaret Ann Reed, of Florida.

Colonel Millikan, though a Hoosier by birth, was practically a lifelong resident of Ohio, having been brought to Washington C. H. by his parents when but a child, and here he remained continuously, with the exception of the period spent in the military service of his country, up to the time of his death. He received a good practical common school education and, while still a youth, began clerking in a store. Soon he was appointed deputy county clerk, which office he was filling when there came to him the realization that his country needed his services to assist in the suppression 'of the great Rebellion. On August 20, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served faithfully for three years, or until the close of the war. He took part in some of the most hotly contested engagements of that great conflict, including the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Thompson's Hill, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Graham's Plantation, Avoyelles Prairie, Bayou de Glaize, Mobile and Fort Blakely.

Upon his return from the army, Colonel Millikan became deputy collector of internal revenue, holding the position for eight or ten years, and then, in partnership with George Melvin, he engaged in the drygoods business in Washington C. H., which commanded his attention for several years, after which he was in the carpet business until 1885. In the year mentioned the Colonel became affiliated with the Dahl & Baer Grocery Company, later known as Dahl, Baer & Company, and then as the Dahl-Millikan Company. In 1906 the firm was consolidated with the Midland Grocery Company, Colonel Millikan becoming treasurer of the affliated companies, and also serving as vice-president of the Dahl-Millikan branch.

The Dahl-Millikan Grocery Company is one of the best known wholesale concerns in Ohio, fifty years of substantial growth and development having expanded its activities from a modest beginning to its present immense proportions, a success which has been due to the fact that it was founded on sound business principles and conducted according to methods which have ever been in the van of advanced ideas. The company's fifty salesmen now cover practically the entire state of Ohio, representing a business generally recognized as the leader in this territory. To a very large extent the splendid success which attended this great enterprise was due to the sound judgment and indefatigable efforts of Colonel Millikan, whose splendid abilities were freely conceded by all who had dealings with him or knowledge of his work.

Aside from the business interests referred to, Colonel Millikan was identified with business affairs of his home city, in the successful prosecuting of which he took a keen interest. Among these should be mentioned the Fayette County Bank, of which he was a director, and the Fayette County Canning Company, of which he was president. The Colonel was also a fares land owner, possessing some of the most valuable and extensive farming properties in Fayette county, and these farms were to him a keen source of delight.

Broad gauged in his views of men and things, Colonel Millikan always stood ready to identify himself with his fellow citizens in any good work and extend a co-operative hand to advance any measure that was calculated to better the condition of things in his community, that would give better government, elevate mankind, insure higher standards of morality and the highest ideals of refined culture. A firm believer in practical education for the masses, he was always intensely interested in the schools of his city and for many years was a member of the school board. In 1909 he was president of the city council and at all times worked for the city's best welfare.

After the close of the Civil War and he had settled down in active business life, he became affiliated with the local militia, and later was in command of the company which became known as the Millikan Guards. Later he was elected lieutenant-colonel and from that time was generally known as Colonel Millikan.

Of the Grand Army of the Republic, Colonel Millikan was a most enthusiastic member from the close of the great civil struggle until his death, and for a generation he was one of the most influential factors in the R. B. Hayes Post, of Washington C. H. He served the post as commander for several years and it was largely through his efforts and influence that the state encampment of the Grand Army was brought to Washington C. H. in 1913. The Colonel was ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his old comrades and performed many acts of kindness in their behalf. In testimony of their love and esteem for him, the members of the post presented a beautiful silver loving cup to him but a short time before his death. One of his last services. in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic was his untiring efforts in the securing of the Memorial hall for this city, and later the installation of the bronze tablets in commemoration of the Fayette heroes of the Rebellion.

Politically, Colonel Millikan was an earnest supporter of the Republican party, though he was in no sense a seeker after publicity and did not take a very active part in the campaigns of his party. Fraternally, he was an appreciative and appreciated member of the Iree and Accepted Masons, being affiliated with Fayette Lodge No. 107; Fayette Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons, and Garfield Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and

Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, Colonel Millikan was a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gave generous support.

On the 30th day of January, 1878, Col. B. H. Millikan was united in marriage with Lizzie B. Dahl, who was born in Washington C. H., the daughter of George and Ruth (Bereman) Dahl. She was one of four children, the others being Harris B., Anna Victoria and Ethel. On the paternal side, Mrs, Millikan was descended from German ancestry, while her maternal grandparents were Joel-S. and - - - - (Thompson) Bereman. To Colonel and Mrs. Millikan were born the following children: Ruth M., who is the wite of William W. Westerfield, of New Orleans, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Millikan Westerfield. Jesse H. Millikan is identified with the interests formerly belonging to his father. The mother of these children died in December, 1899, at the age of forty-three years, secure in the love and affection of all who were so fortunate as to be numbered among her acquaintances.

Colonel B. H. Millikan died, very suddenly, at Columbus, Ohio, on March 20, 1914. He had left his home city in the morning of that day, apparently feeling well and exhibiting the same jovial, cheerful disposition which was one of his characteristics, but within a few hours after reaching Columbus he felt the touch of the Grim Reaper and Washington's first citizen had entered into his long rest.

The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Colonel Millikan, and in all the relations of life he displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that endeared him to all classes. His integrity and fidelity were manifested in every relation of life, for he early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others. He leaves to his family the rich memory of an unstained name, and to the citv he loved so well the record and example of an honorable and well spent life.

One of the oldest families in the county is the Kirk family, who came here nearly one hundred years ago. James Kirk, the first of the family to locate in Fayette county, married Nancy Smith in Rockingham county, Virginia, and located on Paint creek, in Paint township, about 1811, a year after this county was organized. Thomas Kirk and wife reared a family of twelve children, Madison, Mrs. Jane Stanley, Raburn, Mrs. Charity Sellers, Augustus P., James S., Addie, Ward B., Henry, Alice, William and Dora.

Henry Kirk, the father of Traine C., of this record, was born in a log cabin on Paint creek June 23, 1821, and died in the same room in which he was born after a long and useful life in this county. He is now buried at Washington ©. H. Henry Kirk was a man of strong convictions and a Democrat of the Southern.school. He firmly resolved never to sit on a jury with a negro, and kept that resolution throughout his whole life. At one time he was chosen as a jurist, but when he saw that there were already two negroes accepted for jury service he refused to serve. The judge told him that he could not excuse him on such grounds and that he must abide by the law or be imprisoned. One of the attorneys said the penalty might he made a fine and, upon the judge so deciding, Mr. Kirk paid his fine and left the court rather than sit in the jury with a negro. He also refused to accept a county or township office and upon being elected supervisor at one time paid a fine rather than serve. Henry Kirk and wife reared a family of six children, Mrs. Florence Marshall, Traine C., James E., Georgiana, Willard H. and Lucy P. Georgiana is a teacher in the Jeffersonville schools; Willard H. married Lillian Creamer and has one daughter, Adelaide; Lucy P. is the wife of A. C Carr. Elmira Parrett, the wife of Henry Kirk, and the mother of these six children above mentioned, was the daughter of George Parrett.

Traine C. Kirk was born November 24, 1862, on the old Kirk farm, two and one-half miles south of Jeffersonville. He was born in the same house where his father was born in 1821. He attended the Smith school in his home neighborhood and later the Roebuck and Walnut Ridge schools. He then attended the high school at Jeffersonville, after which he spent one year in: Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He began farming for himself at the age of thirty on rented land and a few years later bought his present farm of one hundred and three acres on the Welt road near Jeffersonville. The farm is highly improved and he has always kept it in a high state of productivity by scientific crop rotation and commercial fertilizers. The farm is known throtighout the county as the Poplar Grove farm, the name being chosen by his two sons.

Mr- Kirk was married May 26, 1896, to Nora P. Eichelberger, the daughter of G. M. and Hannah (Coyner) Eichelberger, and to this union have been born two sons, Willard C. and Grayson L.

The Republican party claims the support of Mr. Kirk, but he has never been active in political matters. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Jeffersonville and a trustee of that denomination. He and his family have been prominent in all church and Sunday school work for several years. In fact, they actively identify themselves with all worthy movements which have for their end the betterment of the community in

William S. Draper

Descended from one of the earliest pioneer families of Fayette county, Ohio, William S. Draper has inherited all of those sterling characteristics which marked his forefathers. The name Draper has long been connected with the development and progress of this county, and for a hundred years it has been borne by men who have reflected credit upon their county and upon their state. The family has filled a large place in the history of this county and has been an important factor in the growth and development of its various industries and interests. In the course of a long and honorable career Mr. Draper has been successful in the manifold lines to which his efforts have been directed and, possessing in a marked degree those traits which command confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who know him and numbered among the representative men of his county.

William S. Draper, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Paint towhship, was born September 30, 1868, in Union township, about twelve miles from Washington C. H. He is the son of John and Mary (Baughn) Draper, natives of this county. John Draper was born in Washington C. H. and was a son of Micajah Draper, one of the first commissioners of Fayette county. Micajah Draper was a native of Virginia and located in Fayette county in 1810, the same year in which the county was organized. John Draper and wife were the parents of six children, Mrs. Lucy Umpleby, Mrs. Margaret Hays, John M., Mrs. Ida Wade, Charles and William S. All of these children except Ida are still living. William S. Draper attended the schools of Union township for a time and then finished his education at the Hidy school in Paint township. His father died before he was grown and he then assisted his stepfather on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. Upon reaching his majority he hired out to his stepfather, receiving fourteen dollars a month for his services. He married at the age' of twenty-three and at once bought a farm of sixty acres, where he and his young bride began their married life. They worked side by side and much of the success which Mr. Draper has attained he attributes to his good wife. He has added to his land holdings from time to time and is now the owner

Mr. Draper was married in 1891 to Anna Carper, the daughter of L. S. and Louisa (Brock) Carper, of Greene county, this state, and to this union have been born two children, an infant, deceased, and Elza, who married Deane Kelly, who manages the home farm for Mr. Draper.

Politically, Mr. Draper is a Democrat and, as a public-spirited citizen, has always taken a deep interest in the various political issues which confront the American people today. He has never been an aspirant for any public office, although he is at present filling the position of school director in his township. He has preferred rather to devote his time and energies to his farming interests. Mr. Draper is a genial and whole-souled citizen and has a host of friends and acquaintances throughout his home township and county. i

Lafayelete Eggleston

The Eggleston family, of which Lafayette Eggleston, a prominent farmer of Paint township, is a representative, dates their ancestry back to colonial times. Bigod Eggleston came over with the Pilgrims in 1630 from England and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and later when Wareham led a number of emigrants to Connecticut he took his family and located at Windsor, in that state. He located at Windsor in 1635, and died there September 1, 1674, being more than one hundred years of age at the time of his death. He came to this country on the English brig, "Mary and John." He was twice married. By his first marriage he had two sons, James and Samuel, the latter becoming the progenitor of the Egglestons represented in Fayette county, Ohio, today. His second wife was Mary Talcott, and to his second marriage were born seven children, Thomas, Mary, Sarah, Abigail, Rebecca, Joseph and Benjamin.

No less than seven generations intervened between the first members, Bigod Eggleston and Lafayette Eggleston, with whom this narrative deals. The heads of the families in order are as follows: Samuel, the son of Bigod, who married Sarah Disbrough; Samuel, second, who married; Samuel, third, who married Patience Paine, July 5, 1703; Samuel, fourth, who married Abigail Berens: Joseph, who married a Miss Proffer ; Arthur, who married a Miss Smiley: Joseph, who married Marv A. Waters, and Lafayette,

Joseph Eggleston, the father of Lafayette, was born near Satatoga Springs, in Saratoga county, New York, and was one of the early settlers in New Plymouth, Vinton county, Ohio. Lafayette Eggleston, the second child of Joseph and Mary A. (Waters) Eggleston, was born in New Plymouth, Ohio, on Christmas day, 1854. His older brother was Mathew J. and the younger was James A. He received his early education in Pickaway county, and finished his educational training in the Bloominghurg school in this county. After leaving school he secured a position as clerk in a general store at Yellemburg, remaining here but a year, when he began teaching school in Ross county, this state, near Andersonville, and continued in this, line of endeavor until 1875, when he came to Bloomingburg, where he has since resided. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres near Bloomingburg, which is largely devoted to stock raising.

Mr. Eggleston was married April 6, 1876, to Mary C. Boies, the daughter of David and Esther R. (Gillespie) Boies. David Boies was the son of William and Caroline (Coggesville) Boies, and reared a family of six children, Eli, William, Erskine, Caroline, Dorothy and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston are the parents of four children, Dora, Amy B., Esther and Joseph.

The Republican party has always claimed the loyal support of Mr. Eggleston, although he has never been an aspirant for political office or inclined to take an active part in political affairs. He and his family are faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Eggleston is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, a man who has always sustained an enviable reputation in the community where he lives.

William Wesley Wilson

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are much the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably, in the main, encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens, prosperous farmers and successful business men of Fayette county stands the gentleman whose name forms the caption to these paragraphs. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.

William W. Wilson, who owns and operates a splendid and well improved farm in Union township and who is also interested in a prosperous fencing and implement business in Washington C. H., comes of good old Virginia stock in both the paternal and maternal lines, and exemplifies in himself those splendid qualities which have ever characterized the people of the Old Dominion state. He is himself a native of Fayette county, having been born in Perry township on August 16, 1857. His parents, James and Martha (Simmons) Wilson, were born in Highland county, Ohio, but became early settlers in Fayette county, in the pioneer life of which they became active factors. For a number of years after coming to this county their home was in Perry township, but in April, 1877, they moved to Union township, where the father bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself. Subsequently he located on another farm near Washington C. H., where his death occurred in 1901, when past sixty-seven years of age. He was a man of splendid qualities of character and was an affiliated member of the Baptist church. His widow, who still survives him, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. James Wilson was a man of sound business judgment and rendered efficient service as real estate appraiser in 1890 and 1900.

The subjects paternal grandparents, William Wesley and Elizabeth (Fishback) Wilson, were born and reared in Staunton, Virginia. Having determined to seek a home in the New West, they started on the overland journey to the Indian Reserve in Indiana, but when they reached Fast Monroe, Highland county, Ohio, one of their horses sickened and died, preventing their continuing their journey further. They were the parents of five children, William, James, Henry, Alfred and Joseph.

The maternal grandparents of Mr. Wilson were William and Sarah (Harber) Simmons, also natives of the state of Virginia, who settled in Highland county, this state, in an early day and there spent the remainder of their lives, dying there when about ninety years of age. Their children were Elijah, Oliver, Trusten, Edmund, Sarah, Mary, Martha and Louisa.

He to whom the following lines are devoted has spent practically his entire life in the county of fis nativity, never having been induced by the wanderlust spirit to seek richer fields elsewhere, and in this he has shown a commendable judgment, for he has, by perseverance, good judgment and indefatigable energy, succeeded in his material affairs, until today he is one of the leading men of his community. He is indebted to the district and graded township schools for his educational training, which he has liberally supplemented through the years by habits of close observation and by extensive reading. He was about nineteen years of age when the family moved from Perry to Union township, and he was reared to manhood on a farm. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Wilson rented land, and was so successful in his vocation that a few years later he was able to purchase thirty-five acres in Union township. In the management of this tract he was also successful and has added to his original holdings until today he owns one hundred and seventy acres of as good land as can be found in his section of the county, the farm being located about one mile south of Washington C. H. In addition to his farming operations, Mr. Wilson is, as stated earlier in this sketch, interested in the fence and implement business at Washington C. H., in which he has met with well deserved success. He is also a stockholder in the Fayette County Bank, one of the strong and popular banks of this county.

Politically, Mr. Wilson has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party and for the long period of twenty-eight years he has rendered: faithful and appreciated service as a member of the school board. Religiously, he is, with his wife, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of. which they give of their time and means.

On the 27th day of October, 1878, William \V. Wilson married Martha Swift, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, the daughter of William and Nancy (.\mos) Swift, the former a native of Ireland, born in Kirkele, county Down, Ireland, in 1810, and died in 1902. In 1818 he voyaged to America by sailing vessel. Nancy Amos was born in Highland county, Ohio. Both are now deceased. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swift, five are now living, namely: John Wesley, Elijah William, Harrison, Elizabeth and Martha. Mrs. Wilson's paternal grandfather preceded his family to this country, and was supposed to have been killed by the Indians. His widow and children came later, but found no trace of him and they settled in Pennsylvania, later coming to Highland county. Ohio, where their deaths occurred.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born the following children: Eva became the wife of E. C. McCoy, of Union township, and they have three children, Wilby, Dorothy and Helen; Marion, who operates a farm adjoining that of his father, married Mary Cavinee, and they have five children, Marjorie, Elmo, Elizabeth, Woodrow and Rosaline; Willard, who is in the employ of his father in the fence and implement business, married Blanche

Thus briefly have been recorded the salient features in the life history of one who has, by proper motives and a lofty example, honestly won a place in the front ranks of Fayette county's citizens, and because of his sterling integrity and his efforts for the advancement of the puublic welfare, has won

The McCoy family has been identified with the history of Fayette county, Ohio, for nearly a century, and during all of these years they have performed their share in the development of this favored spot of Ohio. George W. McCoy, whose history is here presented, has spent his entire life of more than sixty years within the limits of this county, consequently he is well known among the citizens with whom he has lived. <A life of such duration spent in one commuinty enables a man's character to be familiar to everyone with whom he has been associated, and the high esteem in which Mr. McCoy is held by his fellow citizens is indicative of the clean and wholesome life which: he has lived. J

George W. McCoy, the son of Patterson and Eliza (Bryant) McCoy, was born February 28, 1851, in Wayne township, this county. His father was a son of Patterson McCoy, and was born in Union township, this county, where his father settled when he came from Virginia in the early history of the county. Patterson McCoy was reared, married and spent all of his days in this county, and he and his wife reared a family of nine children, Nathan, Mrs. Clara B. Kearney, Jackson, George, Jannette, Mrs. Nettie Cline, Mrs. Eliza Smith, Edward and Mrs. Armata Smith. All of these children except Jackson and Edward are still living.

George E. McCoy attended the district school known as the Shady Grove school during his boyhood days and helped his father with the work on the farm during the summer vacations. At the age of twenty-one he commenced renting land from his father and lived on a rented farm until 1896, when he felt able to purchase his present farm of fifty acres, on which he has since resided. He has engaged in intensive farming with the result that he has realized as much each year from his farm as many farmers do from a much

Mr. McCoy was married March 21, 1884, to Lida Cline, the daughter of John and Sarah Cline, of Ross county, Ohio, and to this union has been born one daughter, Mrs. Blanche Pleyley.

The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. McCoy and its candidates have always received his vote. He has always been interested in educational affairs and at present is a member of the school board of his township. Mr. McCoy has always maintained an intelligent interest in the welfare of his community and unreservedly given his support to every movement for the educational, moral or material advancement of his fellow citizens.

One of the pioneer farmers of Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Eli Mock, who is now living in honorable retirement after a strenuous life of activity in connection with his agricultural pursuits. His fidelity to duty has won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been thrown in contact, and by patient continuance in well domg he has gradually risen from an humble station to his present standing as one of the largest and most substantial farmers of the county. He is one of the thirtynine farmers listed by the 1910 census in Fayette county as having from five hundred to one thousand acres of land, and the possession of such extensive land holdings indicate that he has been a man of great energy and excellent business qualities.

Eli Mock, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Robbins) Mock, was born April 30, 1838, in Jefferson township, this county. His father was born in Greene county, Ohio, near Xenia, and was a life-long farmer. Daniel Mock and wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Diana Bargdill, Eli, David, Mrs.. Margaret Asbery Moon and A. S.

Eli Mock received the limited education which was afforded by the country schools of his boyhood days, and has supplemented this with wide reading and close observation during all of his active life. He married at the age of twenty-six and began farming in Jefferson township on a small tract of land and has continued in agricultural pursuits for more than half a century. As he prospered from year to year he added to his and his wifes land holdings until at the present time he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine land in Jefferson township, all of which is kept in a highly improved manner. He has fine buildings, excellent orchards and every convenience which is demanded by the modern farmer. He is one of the largest raisers of grain and live stock in the county, and, although he retired from active work several years ago, he still maintains close supervision over his large estate.

Mr. Mock was married December 14, 1865, to Elizabeth Shockley, the daughter of Clement and Elizabeth Shockley, and to this union have been born three children: Geneva, the wife of McClellan Zimmerman, who has four children, Carrie, Emmett, Ruth and Clement ; Herbert, who married Daisy Allison, of Springfield, Ohio, and they have one child, Glena; and Adelia, deceased. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are active in all church and Sunday school work.

Howard W. Looker

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-of-door life of the farmer has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood. No better fortune can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and are largely indebted to its early influences for the distinction which they later attained.

Howard W. Looker, the son of Levi and Rebecca (Bennett) Looker, was born December 14, 1869, in Madison county, Ohio. His parents were natives of the same county and reared a family of three children, Byron, Howard W. and Laura. Levi Looker was a son of Joseph and Margaret (Hann) Looker. Joseph Looker came from Virginia and settled in Clark county, Ohio. Seven children were born to Joseph Looker and wife, Joseph, Levi, Delilah, Nathan, Angeline, Thomas and Joshua. Levi Looker was a prominent citizen of this county and served with distinction in the Civil War as a member of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

H. W. Looker received his education in several different schools of Ohio. When seventeen years of age he came to Paint township, in this county, with his father. He quit school at the age of nineteen and began work on a farm. After his marriage he took up farming for his occupation and is classed among the progressive farmers of his township.

Mr. Looker was married February 9, 1893, to Mamie Tway, the daughter of Nathaniel Tway, and to this union have been born five children, Merrill, Loren, Nathaniel, Delbert and Lucile.

Politically, Mr. Looker is identified with the Republican party, but owing to his agricultural interests he has never taken an active part in political matters. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The career of Mr. Looker contains much that is commendable, and his life work forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished by a man of energy when his plans are rightly laid and his actions governed by tight principles and noble aims.

It is not an easy matter to analyze the forces of character that result in a life of apparently tireless energy and a high degree of professional success; the biographer can do little more than note their manifestation in the career of the gentleman under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the successful physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well-defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose serve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Holdren holds distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Holdren has achieved a notable success and an eminent standing among the medical. men of the county. In addition to his creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions, he has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public which he gladly serves in every possible manner. In every relation of life he has been true to his ideal of manhood and has never resorted to methods which have invited criticism or censure.

George W. Holdren was born in Ross county, this state, on June 24, 1862, the son of William H. and Mary (Long) Holdren, being one of a family of five children. He is the second child in order of birth, but the oldest living, the parents having lost one of their children in earliest. infancy. Martin R. Holdren, another son of the family, is located at Fruitdale, this state. His wife was Alma Moon before her marriage and they are the parents of one child, Emil. William L. is deceased, while Herbert is a photographer in Washington C. H. He chose as his wife Stella Dallinger and they are the parents of two children, Hazard and Charlotte. William H. Holdren, father of the immediate subject, was also born in Ross county, where practically his entire life has been passed. His entire life has been given over to agricultural pursuits and he has now retired from his strenuous labors and both he and his worthy wife are passing their declining years in peace and comfort. Doctor Holdren received his earliest education in the schools near his home in Ross county, which he attended until his eighteenth year, later finishing at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He had fitted himself as a teacher, which vocation he followed for a few years in the schools of his native county. During the latter part of his career as a teacher he read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. J. W. Hughey, at that time located at Good Hope. He later took up his residence at Washington C. H., where he closed his long and worthy career. After advancing as far as he could under the kindly instruction of Doctor Hughey, young Holdren attended the Medical College of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1889. Directly after finishing his college career, he located in Bloomingburg, where he has since resided and where he has won a host of friends. His career has not only been successful from a scientific standpoint, but he has gained for himself the sincere regard and confidence of the entire community. Doctor Holdren possesses a sincere and broad-minded sympathy with the afflicted and this, combined with an earnest desire to help others, at once wins for him the co-operation of his patient and his entire confidence. His kindly nature carries comfort and cheer into the sick room and this fact has also contributed its quota to the success he has won. He is also held in highest respect by his brother physicians because of his genuine worth and he is a welcome addition to any company which he chooses to enter, for he possesses to an eminent degree those qualities which commend one to the good will of others. Doctor Holdren is prominently connected with the various medical societies of the county and state. In 1913, Doctor Holdren was president of the Fayette County Medical Society.

Doctor Holdren manifests a commendable interest in political affairs, being a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He represented his district as senator in the State Legislature, being elected for one term, and has also been a member of the school board for a number of years. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degree of Knight T emplar, holding his membership in the commandery at Washington C. H. He also received the Royal Arch degree at the same place. Doctor Holdren is also a member of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and is one of the earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomingburg.

Doctor Holdren was married on September 11, 1884, to Jennie Kearney, daughter of James and Eleanor (Hays) Kearney, farmers of New Holland, 'both of whom have now passed into the great beyond. To Doctor and Mrs. Holdren have been born four children: Floyd, the son of the family, is a graduate of the Bloomingburg high school and the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio. He is at present connected with the high schools in Hamilton, this state. His first position was held with the Fort Kearney schools, where he remained one year, when he went to Wapakoneta, Ohio, for two years and from there to East Liverpool, Ohio, for two years and then to his present location. He was prominent in school and college circles and is an enthusiastic member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Shirla died in infancy. Bernice married George L. Borders, of Belle Center, Ohio. Her elementary education was obtained in the schools of Bloomingburg, where she was graduated from the local high school with a post-graduate period at Washington C. H. high school. She finished her musical education at the Stinson Conservatory of Music, at Washington C. H. and made for herself an enviable name in music circles of this locality. Since her marriage they live at New Richmond, Ohio, where her husband is superintendent of schools. Pauline, the youngest daughter of the house, is at present attending high school.

The entire family is most highly regarded in the community where so many years have been passed and where each in his particular way is striving to better the social, moral and educational life. Doctor Holdren stands high in the regard and estimation of his vast number of acquaintances, which is but a fitting tribute to his years of unselfish devotion to the cause of humanity.

pigdt isa well ae fact. that, EIA. opinion instead. ¢f 0 'our, e in rules this country. It was the insistent cry of the public, yoiced in the newspapers of the land, which forced through the last two. amendments to the Constitution, of the United States, and it was. this. same , 'influence which led President Wilson to insist. upon a reduction i in the. tariff and abe passage of a new monetary bill. Public opinion, , however., would. be absolutely useless without it had the opportunity of expression, and there is no way. by which public opinion can find its full usefulness except. through the medium of the newspapers. For this reason it is not, too much to say that the newspapers of our country are really its rulers; _ that they haye more power in the shaping of the destinies of our nation, than Congress itself. _ Congress can do no more than voice the w ill of the people as revealed in ane newspapers. According to the returns made i in the 1910 census, the state.of Ohio had eleven hundred and eighty-one papers of all kinds, one hundred and eighty- four of which, were daily papers and six hundred. and ninety-nine ee published "sues Fayette county boasts of several . excellent. papers, and among them are the Washington Daily Herald and the M "eekly Ohio State Register, established in 1885 and 1836 respectively. These papers are published by the Herald Publishing Company, of which Charles H. Parrett has been the secretary and' treasurer for the past four years.

Charles H. Parrett, the son of Cyrus R. and Sarah Elizabeth Parrett. was born on September 8; 1872, in the city where he has spent his whole career. His parents were both natives of this county, and were the parents of a family of seven children, five of whom lived to matirity. Cyrus R. Parrett was reared as a bound-out boy and received only a limited education. At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years as a private. After the close of the war he returned to Fayette county, and for several vears conducted a restaurant and boarding house in Washington C. H. Later he followed the carpenter trade and did considerable contracting in the county. His parents were Pleasant Parrett and wife, pioneer settlers of this county, and they had a family of three children, Charles H., Harmon E., and Cyrus R., the father of Charles H. Parrett, with whom this narrative deals, Pleasant Parrett died several years before his wife and she married again, having two children by her second marriage. © Charles H. Parrett has lived all of his life in this citv. He received a good education and, after leaving school, assisted his father in carpentering. However, he wished to become a printer and entered one of the newspaper offices of Washington C. H. and learned the trade of a printer. By the time he was twenty years of age he was a practical printer and for the past twentytwo years has been actively identified with the printing business in this city. On August 6, 1910, he was made the secretary-treasurer of the company in recognition of his ability and integrity. This company publishes two papers. the Daily Herald, which is independent in politics, and the Weekly Ohio State Register, which is Democratic. In addition to the publication of these two newspapers, the company does a large amount of job printing and derives no small part of its annual income from this source.

Mr. Parrett was married August 28, 1894, to Daisy Lininger, the adopted daughter of John and Catherine (Popejoy) Lininger, and to this union have been born three children, Ruth Margaret, Bessie Pearl and Alice Enid. Mrs. Parrett was born near Danville, Indiana, and when a small girl was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, who gave her all the care and attention possible and educated her so that she is a fitting helpmate for her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Parrett are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are their daughters.

Charues Wisseer

One of the prosperous farmers of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Charles Wissler, who, without being favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, has attained a comfortable place in life and is well and favorably known throughout the county where he was born. He has reached his success by the observance of those qualities of industry and economy which always characterize the successful man. As a result of his industrious life he is regarded by all who know him as a man of the best type of American citizenship, straightforward, genial and obliging, who, while advancing his individual interests, has never neglected his general duties as a citizen of the commonwealth.

Charles Wissler, the son of Christian and Eliza (Core) Wissler, was born July 8, 1868, on the old Wissler homestead in Paint township. He attended the schools of his home neighborhood during the winter seasons and assisted his father with the work on the farm during his summer vacations. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, and then began working for himself. At the age of twenty-five he was married and at once located on his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres about five miles from Bloomingburg. He carries on a general system of farming, paying particular attention to the breeding and raising of hogs. His farm is well improved and under his skillful management is yielding a ~ handsome return each year. -

Mr. Wissler was married October 27, 1893, to Mary Shotts, the daughter of Rufus C. and Magdalene (Sailer) Shotts, and to this union has been born one son, Harry C., who is now attending school. Mrs. Wissler's father was a native of Ross county and now lives in Sedalia, this state. Five children were born to Rufus C. Shotts and wife: Mary, William F., Edward So Florence B. and Rufus.

Politically, Mr. Wissler is a Republican and, although taking an intelligent interest in the great political issues of the day, yet he has confined his energies to the development of his agricultural interests. He and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal contributors to the support of their favored denomination.

Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained for them a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens, there is no one more worthy of mention in this volume than John H. Peters, of Paint township. A leading farmer and stock raiser of the township in which he resides, and a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has always been exerted for the benefit of his fellow citizens and the general wefare of his community. With few opportunities except those which his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success in life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and counsel.

John H. Peters, the son of Daniel and Mary C. (Hawkins) Peters, was born April 30, 1844, in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia. Daniel Peters was the son of Daniel and Christina (Fansler) Peters, natives also of Virginia. Daniel Peters, Sr., came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1823, where he lived the remainder of his life. Daniel Peters, Jr., and wife were the parents of seven children, Ellen, Sarah F., John H., Reuben A., Amarida, 'Austin S. and William. Ellen died abated: Sarah F. became the wife of Abraham Mowery, and has four children, Charles, Amanda, Bess and Ida'; Reuben A. married' Kate Sheets and has three children, Charles, Daniel R. and Minnie; Amanda married Noah Zirkle and has four children, Charles, Fannie, Clara and Jane; Austin S. married Frances Sheets and has three children, Hugh, Rose and Gertrude: William M. married Martha Saum, and has two children.