Fayette County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 8 of 11)

Mr. Tway was a charter member of the Grange at Madison Mills and was very much interested in its early growth. He was a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and had passed all of the chairs in his local lodge. Mr. Tway was devoted to his family and was never happier than when seated by his own fireside. As a public spirited citizen he was in hearty sympathy with all movements which had for their purpose the betterment of the life of the community in which he lived. There was that in his career which made him loved and respected by all with whom he came in contact and no man of his day was held in higher esteem. b

George 7, Siemon

In the year 1873 a small lad of eleven years of age started out to seek his fortune in Pike county, Ohio, and that he has succeeded in a remarkable manner is shown by his farm of two hundred and twenty acres which he now owns 1n Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio. It was at this tender age that George F. Siemon began his struggle alone and today there is not a more highly respected citizen in Fayette county. He has not won his success without hard and consecutive work and well merits a place among the self made citizens of his county.

George F. Siemon, the son of John Adams and Anna C. (Bahn) Siemon, was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1862. His father was a native of Germany and came to America when a young man, locating in Pike county near Waverly. Moses Siemon, the father of John A., never left his native land and lived all of his days in Germany. John A. Siemon was twice married.

By his first marriage there were born five children, and to the second marriage were born seven children. The subject was the third son of the second marriage.

George F. Siemon was educated in the schools of Jackson township, Pike county, Ohio, although his education was necessarily very limited owing to the fact that he had to leave school at the age of eleven to work. At this early age he started to work for the farmers in his immediate vicinity. He grew up on the farm and was inured to the hardest kind of manual labor from a mere boy. He continued to work by the day until he was married and then rented land for twenty years near Chillicothe, Ohio. In, 1910 he came to Fayette county and bought two hundred and twenty acres in Marion township where he is now living. He has worked for everything he has and is deserving of great credit for his success so attained. He has paid some attention to stock raising, but made most of his money in grain farming.

Mr. Siemon was married to Anna Elizabeth Young, the daughter of John V. and Catherine (Steinhour) Young. To this union there have been born four children, all of whom are now in school, Rena E., Nora C., Edna M. and Elsie L.

Mr. and Mrs. Siemon are devoted members of the German Reformed church and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Siemon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, although he has never been an aspirant for any public office. Mr. Siemon is strictly a self-made man, who has made his own way from the bottom of the ladder. His clean and wholesome life and his high reputation for honesty and integrity have won for him the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens.

The Glaze family have been residents of Fayette county, Ohio. since 1829, and during the eighty-five years which have elapsed since then they have taken a very prominent part in everything pertaining to the development of Marion township. Charles C. Glaze, whose history is here presented, is a worthy representative of this sterling family and has always so conducted himself as to merit the high esteem and admiration in which he is held by everyone who knows him.

Glaze was born December ` 17, 1827, in Ross county, this state, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Core) Glaze. Benjamin Glaze was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, in 1805, and was the son of George and Catherine Glaze, who emigrated from Pendleton county, Virginia, to Ross county, Ohio, in 1818, and thence to Union township, Fayette county, near Bloomingburg, the year following. Benjamin Glaze was the founder of the United Brethren church in Marion, and his life was that of a pure Christian, his generosity becoming proverbial. His death occurred August 21, 1862, and that of his wife, Sarah (Core) Glaze, occurred August 6, 1864.

John C. Glaze was married January 9, 1853, to Mary Smith, the daughter of Edward Smith and wife, of Union township. Mary Smith was born June 2, 1832. John C. Glaze and wife were the parents of three children: Jesse B., born May 27, 1855; Edward A., born October 25, 1858, and Charles, whose history is here recorded.

Charles C. Glaze received his education in the Glaze school, and early in life decided to follow the occupation which had made his father so successful. He worked at home until his marriage, and then purchaséd a farm of one hundred and seven acres in Marion township, which is situated about ten miles northeast of the county seat.

Mr. Glaze was married on the 24th day of March, 1896, to Minnie Foreman, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Beatty) Foreman, and to this union has been born one daughter, Essie, who is attending school.

Henry Foreman, a retired farmer now living in Bloomingburg, Ohio, was born December 2, 1831, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, the son of James and Eliza (Allen) Foreman. James Foreman was born in Virginia, and came to Kentucky with his parents when but five years of age. James Foreman and wife were the parents of three sons, John, Aaron and Joseph.

Henry Foreman was married four times. His first wife was Mary Bowman, by whom were born two children, Emma and Clara. The second wife was Mary Beatty, and to this union three children were born, Elizabeth, deceased, Harry and Minnie. Harry married Maud Smith, and has three children, Catherine, Elsie and Mary. The third marriage of Mr. Foreman was to Sarah Vesey, and the fourth marriage was to Sally Evans.

C. C. Glaze is a Democrat in politics, and has always been interested in local political affairs. At the present time he is serving as a member of the school board of Marion township. He is a man of high ideals and takes an interest in everything which pertains to the general advancement of the locality in which he lives, thereby winning the admiration and respect of his

One of the prominent men of Fayette county is Capt. O. E. Hardway, a captain in the Ohio National Guard and a prosperous farmer of Union township, where he was born. A man of broad education and military training, he has applied himself to the profession of farming with a zeal which has been attended with success. Although a comparatively young man, yet he has accumulated a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and while primarily engaged in advancing his own material interests, he has nevertheless taken an active part in the life of his county and state. He served in the Spanish- American War in 1898 and was first duty sergeant in Company E, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Porto Rico campaign. .

O. E. Hardway, the son of William and Margaret (Nebbergall) Hardway, was born March 15, 1877, in Union township. His father, the son of John Hardway, was a native of Nicholas county, West Virginia, as were the Nebbergall family. Rebecca Hughes, the mother of Margaret Nebbergaii, located in Fayette county in its early history, and is now buried at the Sugar Grove cemetery. William Hardway and wife reared two children, Capt. O. E., and Emma, who died at the age of sixteen.

Captain Hardway received a good common school education and then entered the Ohio Northern Normal School at Ada, where, in addition to his classical studies, he took the full course in military training. After leaving the normal school he returned to the farm and has lived there ever since with the exception of the time which he has spent with the National Guard.

Captain Hardway enlisted in Company E, Ohio National Guard, August 20, 1895, as a private, and was made a corporal on July 29, 1896. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant December 4, 1896, and on April 25, 1898, enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Regiment as first duty sergeant. On October 27, 1913, he was elected captain of Company M, Fourth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard, and has been since serving in that capacity.

Captain Hardway has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres two and one-half miles from Washington C. H., where he raises all of the crops common to this section of the state, and also engages in the breeding and raising of live stock. His farm is well improved and is equipped with all of the latest machinery for successful farming, so that he is thus enabled to get results from his efforts.

Politically, Captain Hardway is independent, while, religiously, he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. F raternally, he is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Fayette Lodge No. 107, Fayette Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons, and F ayette Council No. 100, Royal and Select Masters; he also belongs to Confidence Lodge No. 265, Knights of Pythias.

Erank E. Haines

lt is pleasing to record the careers of men who have raised themselves trom humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in their respective communities. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality upon the business and growth of their places of residence, build monuments for themselves more enduring than marble or granite shaft. Such a man is Frank E. Haines, who, starting in life at the foot of the ladder, has so managed his affairs as to become one of the most substantial farmers of Union township.

Frank E. Haines, the son of Mahlon, co sand Clara i. (Chalfont) Haines, was born January 23, 1867, in Highland county, Ohio. His father, who was the son of Mahlon and Lavina (Cooper) Haines, was born in Fayette county, growing to manhood in this county and then settled in Highland county, this state, after his marriage. Mahlon Haines, Sr., was born near Zanesville, Ohio, in 1796, and was one of the first white children who was born within the present state of Ohio. He brought his family to Fayette county early in its history and lived in one house for more than sixty years. He is buried at the Pleasant Hill cemetery. Mahlon Haines, Jr., and wife reared a family of seven children; Mrs. Elizabeth Barr, of Highland county ; Frank E., whose history is here recorded; Mrs. Anna Fishback, of Green township, this county; Austin, of Highland county, this state; Claude, of Union township, this county; Marcus, of Highland county; Mrs, Mary Shimp, of Ross county, Ohio.

Frank E. Haines attended the district schools of Highland county during his boyhood days and remained at home assisting with the work on the farm until he reached his majority, after which he worked by the month for farmers in Highland county. In 1899 he came to this county and purchased his present farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres in Union township about three miles from the county seat. Since acquiring this farm he has placed many extensive improvements upon it in the way of buildings, fencing and drainage. He is a skillful and careful farmer and so rotates his crops as to maintain his farm at its highest efficiency.

Mr. Haines was married October 19, 1891, to Augusta L. Cockerell, and to this union have been born three children, Iva, Juanita and Beotta. Iva is a graduate of the Washington C. H. high school, while the other two daughters are still in attendance in the high school. i

Politically, Mr. Haines is a Republican and has always been active in local affairs.. At the present time he is a member of the school board of Union township and gives the office his conscientious attention. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent in all church and Sunday school work. Mr. Haines is a class leader in the church and gives his hearty support to all of the various enterprises with which the church is identified. Mr. Haines is a man who would win his way in any locality where he might locate, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, and with the upright principles he has always maintained he would have been successful wherever fate might have placed him. His career is that of the self-made man, and such has been his conduct at all times that he well merits the hearty commendation which his neighbors and friends have always accorded him.

Alchs Tere Gas

One of the representative and public-spirited citizens of Fayette county is the well known gentleman whose name appears above. He has made his influence felt for good in his community in Union township, being a man of sterling worth whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the community in which he resides and whose efforts have always been for the material advancement of the same as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men. The well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the" respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitles him to representation in a biographical work of the scope intended in the present volume.

Alcester Lucas, who is putting the best of his ability into the successful raising of hogs on his one-hundred-acre farm in Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, is a native of this same county, born on March 24, 1861, on the old Dewitt farm. He is the son of W. M. and Jeanette (White) Lucas, the former of whom was born in Ross county, this state, and was brought to this county by his parents while still a small boy. Practically his entire life has been passed in this county as he received his education mostly in the local schools, later being engaged in farming in this same locality. W. M. Lucas is the son of Richard Lucas, one of the pioneers of this section. When he obtained his farm it was covered with virgin forest and he set about the laborious task of clearing the land and winning a home for his family. In all of this he was eminently successful, being regarded as one of the leading men of his day in this section.

The subject was the eldest of a family of eight children, the others being Sherman, Clara, Lela, Sina, Cora, Jesse and Orbin. When a lad he attended the Stewart school, receiving a good practical education, and during his school days he assisted the father with the work of the farm during all his spare time. After leaving school, he worked for three years.in Washington C. H., later devoting his entire time and attention to farming. In the spring of 1913 he again returned to the farm, after having spent three years in the butcher business. It is now his desire to devote all his time to raising hogs for the market and in this venture he gives every indication of attaining most gratifying success. His farm, located on the Bogges road, is admirably adapted for this branch of business.

In February, 1887, Mr. Lucas was united in marriage with Leota Jane Snyder, daughter of William and Harriett (Lease) Snyder, born in this county in 1864. Her education was obtained mainly in the schools of Washington C. H., her entire life having been passed within the borders of this county. Mr. and Mrs, Lucas are the parents of four children, two of whom, Ona and Lona, twin daughters, are deceased. Walter, the oldest son, married Gale Margaret Brown and has one child, Helen. William, the youngest son, still remains at home with the parents, attending school.

Politically, Mr. Lucas is identified with the Republican party and has long been known as one of its most active members in this locality. He is at present serving Union township as trustee and for a number of years was a member of the school board. He is known as a public-spirited man, being anxious to promote the welfare of the neighborhood along social, moral, material and educational lines and is willing to back up his theories by active service if need be. While not a member of any church organization, Mr. Lucas' excellent principles of life are founded on the teachings of same and he gives both moral and financial support to the various church societies. Mr.

Lueas has during his life time shown himself worthy of the high esteem in which he is held. His life has been filled with activity and his efforts have secured for him a conspicuous and honorable place among the citizens of the community. His integrity and unpretending bearing have elevated him in the confidence of his-fellow citizens and his influence has always been exerted in the interest of the best things of life.

Evan Lewis Janes

One of the best remembered citizens of the past generation in Fayette county was the late Evan Lewis Janes, a gallant soldier of the Civil War and a life-long resident of this county. Certainly it may be said that he was a man of strong and active sympathy, with a warm and ardent feeling for his fellow men, and these excellent characteristics unconsciously drew him an unusual number of devoted friends upon whom he could always rely and who revere his memory now that he has passed from earthly things. He ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who knew him because of his friendly manner and interest in public affairs and upright living.

Evan Lewis Janes was born in this county December 7, 1840, and died on his farm adjoining Jeffersonville, October 10, 1906. He was the son of William P. and Mary (Mock) Janes, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. His parents were married in this county about 1829 and reared a family of thirteen children, Marjorie, Joanna, Abel H., John W., Douglas, Oliver, Eldora, Clara, Rosetta, Evan L., Sarah, Olivet and Mary.

Evan L. Janes was given such education as was afforded by the common schools of his home neighborhood and, with the exception of three years' service in the Civil War, lived upon the farm where he was born all of his days. He enlisted August 7, 1862, in Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was finally mustered out June 21, 1865. His regiment participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War and he was ever found faithful when duty called. Immediately after the close of the war he returned to this county and began farming and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death.

Mr. Janes was a life-long Republican in politics and was frequently honored by his party with positions of trust and responsibility. He was elected township trustee in 1878, and served in this capacity for two terms. He was also county commissioner for three terms, or for over nine years, and was infirmary director of the county. He was always actively interested in the educational matters of' the county and served on the school board of his township for many years, during which time he favored every measure which he felt would benefit the schools in any way. In all of these official positions he administered his duties in an efficient and conscientious manner and rendered satisfactory service, not only to his party, but to all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Mr. Janes was married March 17, 1870, to Margaret Squier, the daughter of Nathaniel and Elanore (Allen) Squier, early pioneers of this county. Nathaniel Squier was the son of William and Sarah (Caldwell) Squier, and he and his wife reared a family of ten children: Amanda, Justice, James, William, Madison, Jane, Sarah E., Margarette, Marabah Anna and Martha. Mr. James and wife were the parents of two children, Harry L. and Grace G. Harry L. married Nina Rease, and has two children, Robert L. and Janet; Grace G. is the wife of Frank E. Wilson, and has one daughter, Janice Margaret.

Mr. Janes assisted in the organization of the Grand Army post at Jeffersonville, and in view of his distinguished services in the Civil War the post was named for him. For many years he was the post commander, and while in this position was active in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are his wife and children. Mr. Janes was genial and social. by nature and the simplicity and cordiality of his manners invited friendship. _ Hospitable by nature, he was cordially responsive to all social claims and his home was attractive to all who were numbered among his friends. The death of such a man is a great loss, not alone to his intimate associates, but the people of the community always feel a sense of a distinct personal bereavement. He left to his family the rich memory of an unstained name and to the county where he spent his entire life he left the record and example of a long and well-spent life.

The farming land of Fayette county, Ohio, ranks with the best of that state, and its farmers are as progressive and up-to-date in their methods of agriculture as those in any part of the United States. Fayette county is essentially an agricultural county. It has no mining industries and comparatively little manufacturing. The farmers of this county produce more than three millions of dollars' worth of products each year, and as a result more than half of the farms operated by owners are free from mortgage encumbrances of any kind. One of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Marion township is Jesse Lininger, who is the renter of his father's farm of two hundred acres of fine land on the Circleville pike. He is a man who has not only been actively engaged in agriculture during all of his life, but has also been deeply interested in the civic life of his community as well, and at the present time is filling the responsible position of township trustee.

Jesse B. Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline (Holloway) Lininger, was born in Ross county, this state, near Austin, October 6, 1874. Michael Lininger is the son of William and Catherine (Hyer) Lininger, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Ross county, Ohio, where they located about 1812. Michael Lininger located in Fayette county several years ago, and is now living the retired life of a farmer in New Holland, Marion township, this county. Michael Lininger and wife were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living: John, Mrs. Mary Noble, Mrs. Lida Britton, Mrs. Jennie Chaffin, Jesse, Charles, Russell, Ernest, Mrs. Catherine Campbell and Mrs. Bertha Campbell. The two deceased children are William and Etta.

Jesse Lininger received part of his education in the schools of Ross county and completed his schooling in the Fayette county schools. He remained on the home farm until he was married at the age of twenty-six, and then bought his present farm of two hundred acres, on which he has since resided. His farm is well improved in every respect, and by close attention to his interests Mr. Lininger has brought it to a high state of productivity and has the satisfaction of seeing it yield satisfactory returns year by year.

Mr. Lininger was married January 4, 1900, to Bertha Ward, the daughter of Willard and Anna (Myers) Ward. Mr. Ward came from Fairfield county, this state, and located in Fayette county several years ago. He and his wife reared a family of ten children, all of whom are still living. Mrs. Nellie Andrews, Mrs. Bessie Lininger, Mrs. Bertha Lininger, Henry, Mrs. Mary Hartley, Fred, Durbin, Robert, Charles and Sadie. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, Gladys and Forrest.

Politically, Mr. Lininger is affiliated with the Republican party and has always taken an abiding interest in political matters, particularly those concerning local affairs. His party nominated him for the position of trustee of Marion township, a fact which speaks well for his general standing as a citizen. He was subsequently elected to this official position and is now filling the office in a manner which indicates that he is a man of ability. Mr. Lininger is a man of strong character and always takes his stand on the right side of all questions concerning the welfare of his community. By so doing he has earned the esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree and merits inclusion among the representative men of his township and county.

The life of the twentieth-century farmer has been freed from most of the hardships which faced the farmer of a half century ago. The introduction of labor-saving machinery has brought about a remarkable change in agricultural methods and the farmer is now enjoying a life of comparative ease when compared to what his forefathers had to contend with. Not only has the use of machinery revolutionized farming, but the telephone, rural mail service and automobile have put him in a position to participate in city life as never before. One of Fayette county's farmers who is thoroughly enjoying life is John E. Dewitt, of Union township, a man who has been identified with the history of this county for nearly sixty years.

John E. DeWitt, the son of Peter Grim Worthington and Margaret (Beard) DeWitt, was born April 27, 1857, in Wayne township, in this county. His father was born in the same township and lived there all of his days. Peter G. W. DeWitt and wife reared a family of four children, Flem, Erastus, Mrs. Mary Kaylor and John E.

The Wayne township district schools gave John E. DeWitt all of his education. As a boy he worked on his father's farm during his summer vacations and when he left school he remained on the home farm helping his father. At the age of thirty he commenced renting land and shortly after bought his first farm in Wayne township. Before acquiring his present farm in Union township he owned farms in Marion and Madison townships. His present farm of sixty acres is located about three miles from the county seat on the Columbus road and is in a high state of cultivation. He does intensive farming and raises excellent crops of everything usually grown in this section of the state.

Mr. DeWitt was married December 23, 1890, to Sarah Stringfellow, the daughter of John and Jennie (Fannon) Stringfellow. His wife was a native of Ross county, Ohio. The Stringfellow family originally came from the state of Virginia. Mr. Stringfellow and wife were the parents of six children, John, Henry, Charles, Mary, Sarah, and Lulu B., deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have been born two children, Mabel and Dwight. Mabel

Politically, Mr. DeWitt is a Democrat, but has ever had any political ambitions. He has preferred to leave the cares of politics to others although he gives his unreserved support to all measures which promise to benefit his community in any way. He is a man of genial disposition and has a host of friends in the county where he has spent his whole career.

One of the younger agriculturists of Fayette county, Ohio, is Clyde Cook, who is the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres in Marion township and farms about three hundred acres of land altogether. He is a native of this county and has never been seized with the desire to forsake the county of his birth, believing that it presented as good opportunities for advancement as any other place he might find. The success which has followed his efforts indicates that he was not mistaken in resolving to remain in this county. Although still a young man, he has so impressed his individuality upon the citizens of his township that he has been elected trustee of Marion township, and is now filling that responsible position with honor to himself and credit to the citizens who elected him. The best citizens are those who take an active part in the civic life and for this reason Mr. Cook is eminently entitled to representation in this history of his county.

Clyde Cook, the son of Jacob and Letitia (Britton) Cook, was born in Union township, this county, on the old Clifton farm, July 23, 1882. He has one sister living, who married Roy Garrison and has three children, Louise, Ruth and Ralph. The other three children born were Clarence and Charley, both deceased, and one who died in infancy.

The education of Mr. Cook was received in the Durham and North Star schools in this county, finishing his educational training at the latter place. He remained at home until he was nearly twenty-two years of age, and then began farming for himself. After his marriage he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixteen acres, on which he has since been living. As a farmer he ranks among the best of his county and township and keeps fully abreast of the latest advances made in agricultural lines, thereby securing the maximum results from his efforts.

daughter of Henry and Jennie (Alexander) Scheonholtz. Mr. Schoenholtz was born in Ross county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Sarah (Wasson) Schoenholtz, natives of Germany. Mrs. Cook has two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Dawson, Marie, at home, and one brother, Teemon. Mr. Cook and his wife have two children, Hazel and Frank.

Politically, Mr. Cook is a Democrat, but has always been interested in local politics, and at the present time is serving as trustee of Marion township, giving his fellow citizens careful and conscientious service. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Cook is essentially a self-made man and has attained his success solely through his own efforts. His life strikingly exemplifies what can be accomplished by a man of energy when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles. Successful in everything which he has undertaken, respected in social life, he has always discharged his duties in a manner becoming an intelligent, liberalminded citizen of the community, and has therefore earned the good will and regard of all who know him.

John Leninger

A self-made farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio, is John Lininger, who, by his own efforts, has accumulated a farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres. Although not a native of this county, yet practically all of his life has been spent within its limits. By the exercise of those qualities of perseverance, economy and business integrity, he has achieved a success which stamps him as a man of more than ordinary ability. His entire life has been spent in agricultural pursuits and his success is the result of consecutive effort, well planned and thoroughly worked out.

John Lininger, the son of Michael and Adeline (Holloway) Lininger, was'born in Ross county, Ohio, February 25, 1862. His father was a native of Ross county, this state, and is a son of William and Catherine (Hyre) Lininger, William Lininger being a native of Virginia. William Lininger was the son of Fred and Eva Lininger, also natives of Virginia. Twelve children were born to Michael Lininger and wife: John, Mary, Etta, Lida, William, Jennie, Jesse, Charles, Russell, Ernest, Kate and Bertha. Of these children two, Etta and William, are deceased, and two others, Jesse and Charles, are represented by biographies in this volume.

remained at home until his marriage, and then began life for himself by renting land in Fayette county, where he had come with his parents when a boy, and later he bought a farm and has since added to it until now he has three hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Marion township, where he now resides. Most of his attention is given to the raising of a high grade of live stock, in which line of activity he has been very successful. He is a reader of the best agricultural literature, and in this way keeps in close touch with the latest advances in agricultural science, putting to practical use whatever will result to his advantage.

Mr. Lininger was married January 23, 1890, to Ida Rowe, the daughter of Abraham and Emma (Johnson) Rowe, and to this union has been born one son, Charles, who is now attending school in his home neighborhood. Mrs. Lininger died January 1, 1898, and Mr. Lininger married, April 18, 1900, Flora Posey, the daughter of P. C. and Ella F. Posey, of Williamsport, Ohio. Mrs. Lininger was a graduate of the Williamsport high school and taught in Pickaway county school two years before -her marriage.

The Republican party has received the undivided support of Mr. Lininger and in its councils he has always taken a prominent part. Although he has always been busy with his agricultural interests, yet he has found time to devote to the civic life of his community and at the present time is serving as a school director. He is a man with whom everyone likes to associate, due to his kindly manner and genial disposition.

Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers of Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. This family name is one which is associated with 'the earliest history of this county and the bearers of this name have ever been among the leading citizens of this locality. Mr. Cockerill resides on his farm of two hundred and ten acres of land, splendidly located on the Greenfield pike about three miles from Washington C. H. He also owns one hundred and sixty-one acres located just south of his home place and his entire possessions bear ready witness to his progressive agricultural method and his business ability.

Luther G. Cockerill first saw the light of day on November 20, 1873, in Perry township, this county, being the son of Jacob S. and Hannah (Limes)

Cockerill. Jacob Cockerill was also a native of Perry township, born in 1839, the son of Thomas and Sylvitha (Cochran) Cockerill. Thomas was born in 1812 or 1813 and was one of the first white children born in the state of Ohio. Luther, the immediate subject of this sketch, was one of a family ot ten children, being the fifth in the order of birth. The others are: Oney, who became the wife of John King; Settie, Mrs. Patton; Augusta, Mrs. Haines; Elmer, who resides on the family home place in Perry township; Walter; Fletcher, deceased; Laura, Mrs. Rodgers; Daisy, and Ernest, also a resident of Perry township.

Mr. Cockerill received his elementary education in the district schools near the home in Perry township, later taking a more advanced couse in the university at Ada, Ohio. From the time he was a small boy, and later on during vacation periods, he assisted the father in the work about the home farm and in this way early acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture. After finishing his schooling and desiring to start out in life for himself, he rented a tract of land from his father, which he tilled for two years. About that time he was married and for nine years after marriage he rented land from his father-in-law, Marion Parrott. His first purchase consisted of one hundred and forty-eight acres, which he so managed as to make it pay for itself in a remarkably short time. Mr. Cockerill has the reputation of being one of the best farmers of the community and in the conduct of Nis business he employs only such methods as have been approved by long usage or by experiments along scientific lines. He has attained a most gratifying degree of success, quite commensurate with the thought and energy he has brought to bear in his undertaking.

On November 12, 1899, Mr. Cockerill was united in marriage with Maud McVey-Parrott, daughter of Irvin and Alsina (Zimmerman) McVey and legally adopted daughter of Marion and Hulda (Wright) Parrott. Her own parents were farmers of this county and the father saw active service during the Civil War, being a member of the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They were the parents of ten children, Mrs. Cockerill being the youngest of the family. Ida, the eldest, is dead; Ina is Mrs. Hyman DeBruin: Turner resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Minnie is Mrs. Charles Shaw; May is deceased ; William resides in St. Joseph, Missouri, as does also Grant; Frank has long been a resident of Iowa and Charles is located at Dallas, Texas. When Mrs. Cockerill was only one year old the mother of this large and growing family died and one year later the father passed into the great beyond. This left their large family entirely on their own resources, most of them being of a helpless age, and in this way the children became scattered practically all over the country. Mrs. Cockerill, the baby of the family, found a place in the hearts and home of Marion Parrott and was reared as their own child.

To Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill have been born six children, Anna G., Ruth Irene, Jacob Marion, Irvin Perry, Charles Luther and Walter Herman, the oldest of whom and a little son, Irvin Perry, have been removed from the home by death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are among those most actively interested in forwarding the work of that organization. Politically, Mr. Cockerill gives stanch support to the Republican party and he takes a deep and intelligent interest in all public questions, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Mr. Cockerill can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what he has accomplished, for he has won his own way and is now one of the substantial men of the community as a result of his close application to business and his persistency. He is well known throughout the county and has a host of warm friends, for his life has been honorable in every respect.

Martin Luther Dickey

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to command the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such, in brief, is the record of the well-known agriculturist and stock raiser whose name heads this brief sketch, than whom a more popular or whole-souled man it would be difficult to find within the limits of Fayette county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has labored not only for his own individual advancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of the entire community, whose interests he has ever at heart.

Luther Dickey, owner of eighty-five acres of excellent land and now living in practical retirement after a busy life, was born on October 31, 1855, in this county, on the old Peterson farm in Madison township. He is a son of the Rev. John Parson Alexander Dickey and Hannah Caroline (Peterson) Dickey, the latter of whom was born on June 4, 1828. The Rey. John Dickey was a native of this state, born near South Salem, in Ross county, on May 4, 1828, the son of Alexander and Jane (Henry) Dickey. When a youth he attended the schools of Ross county, such as they were in that day, later receiving a higher education at the old academy in South Salem. He was a minister of the Presbyterian church and was accounted a well educated man, having been an earnest student throughout his life. He was a man of broad sympathies and kindly heart whose influence for the better things of life was far-reaching. To him and his good wife was born a family of six children, the subject being the second of the family, and he and his brother John are the sole surviving members thereof. Those who have passed from this life are Jennie, Hattie, Nellie and Edith. Hattie died in Delaware while attending college and is buried in Bloomingburg. Nellie's first husband was Charles Sturgeon, by whom she became the mother of four children, Marie, Edith, Ephraim and Josephine. Her second husband was Charles McQuay and by him she had one son, Forrest. This family of children were young at the beginning of the Civil War, but in spite of that fact the Rev. John Dickey felt constrained to join the forces fighting for the preservation of the Union and, with that thought in mind, marched to the front as a private in Company D, One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Previous to going to the front, the family had moved to this county, but during the absence of the husband and father they returned to their former home in Ross county. After the close of the war and the return of the Reverend Dickey, the family again came to this county, where they continued to make their home.

Luther Dickey first attended the schools of this county and later those of Ross county while his father was in the army, finishing his studies at Bloomingburg. He was an ambitious young man and was most devoted to his books, his desire being to become a teacher. He succeeded so well that when but sixteen years of age he was placed in charge of one of the schools of this county. From his early boyhood he had been familiar with the work about a farm and by the time he was twenty-one years old he had decided that agriculture and not school teaching would be his life vocation. To that end he commenced renting land for farming purposes, his first venture being on the old Peterson farm, and in that line of work he has been ever since engaged. While he owns but eighty-five acres, he, in company with his son Ernest, manages about three hundred acres, a great deal of their effort being expended on the raising of live stock. As a producer of hogs, Mr. Dickey has an enviable reputation and has had for many years. While he has very largely given over the management of the business to his son and calls himself retired, he still is closely connected with every phase of his business.

In politics, Mr. Dickey is a Democrat, keenly interested in party affairs, although he has never aspired to public office for himself. However, for a time he was a school director, filling his chair with satisfaction to all concerned. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America and he is also one of the foremost Grangers of this section.

Mr. Dickey chose as his wife Eliza A. Larrimer, with whom he was united in matrimony on March 10, 1880. She is a daughter of John and Esther (Edward) Larrimer and was bern in Paint township, Fayette county. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are considered amongst the foremost citizens of this district, both being anxious to advance in every way within their power the interests of their friends and neighbors. Into the home have come two children: Ernest, associated with the father and who lives in Bloomingburg. Ernest has one child, a son Max, his wife before her marriage being Bess Olinger. Albert William, the youngest son of the subject, is still attending school.

Frank Hutson

A representative farmer and stock buyer of Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Frank Hutson, who is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of his county. His whole career has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the years of his residence in the county where he was born have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow citizens, owing to the clean and wholesome life he has led and the worthy example he sets to the younger generation. He is descended from a pioneer family of the county, a family which has always stood for righteous living. Although still a young man in years, he has already demonstrated his right to be included among the best farmers of his township, and it is safe to predict a prosperous future for him.

Frank Hutson, the son of Rufus and Emma (Vesey) Hutson, was born March 6, 1884, on the Nathan Vesey farm. His father was a native of Jeffersonville, Ohio, and was a lifelong farmer and prominent citizen of the community in which he lived. Rufus Hutson and wife were the parents of three children, Homer, Edward and Frank.

The district schools of the county were attended by Frank Hutson during: his boyhood days, attending the Klever school and later the Fairview school in Wayne township. As a lad he assisted his father on the home farm during his minority and, marrying at the age of twenty-two years, at once began the management of his father's farm. This he has been successfully operating for the past eight years with a success that shows that he is a man of ability and wise discretion. In addition to his regular farm duties, he is largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock, a venture whch has proven very profitable to him. His farm is well equipped with all of the latest machinery for scientifc agriculture, and by keeping in close touch with the best agricultural literature of the day he secures the maximum results from his efforts.

Mr. Hutson was married October IO, 1906, to Jessie E. Thompson, the daughter of George and Ella Harley, and to this union has been born one daughter, Helen Elizabeth.

In the success of the Democratic party Mr. Hutson has always been much interested and, while favoring all measures tending towards good government, yet has never been active in political matters. He and his wife are faithful attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Hutson holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of essentially domestic tastes and is devoted to his home interests, taking an intelligent and personal interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, and he is regarded as a man of high ideals and strength of character. He is a genial man, easily approachable and gives stability to the locality where he has chosen to live.

Martin Plymire

In so brief a sketch as this must of necessity be, the biographer finds it difficult to do justice to the career of a man who has led an active and busy life, who has attained a gratifying degree of success in his chosen vocation and at the same time attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. Peculiar interest attaches to the subject of this sketch in that he can well claim to be a self-made man, one who by his own efforts has raised himself from an humble beginning to one of the most prominent citizens of Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio.

Martin Plymire, who owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres located on the Palmer road four miles from Washington, was born near Sabina, this state, on December 4, 1852, being a son of John and Margaret (Wilson) Plymire. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and, when not more than a boy, came to this county in company with several of his brothers who came here to locate. He was the father of a family of ten children, namely: William, Mary (Mrs. Hage), Susan, Samuel and Philip who live in Sabina; Martin, the immediate subject of this sketch; Joshua, living at Goldsmith, Indiana; John W., David, and Ormind, deceased, who was the wife of John Marsh living near Sabina. She was the mother of three children, the eldest of whom was her son Ora, who married.

When a boy, Martin Plymire attended the school of the neighborhood, commonly known as the Locust Grove school. Here he received his elementary education, later attending Sabina high school. He fitted himself for a teacher and for four years was engaged as an instructor of youth. However, this profession was not entirely to his liking and inasmuch as his earliest training had been in the work that relates to a farm he soon turned his attention to agriculture and in that line has been eminently successful.

On July 13, 1876, Mr. Plymire was united in marriage with Sarah Coil, daughter of Elias and Mahala (Rankin) Coil, both of whom were early settlers of the county, having come from their native state of Virginia. The mother was one of the early and faithful members of the Sugar Creek church. To Mr. and Mrs. Plymire have been born four children, Mary E., Elmer and Cora, remaining at home, while Orvil, the youngest, married Osie Ford and lives on the farm. All of Mr. Plymire's children went when small to the Buck school, later attending at Camp View. The family is regarded as one of the leading ones of the community and its members are highly respected by a large circle of friends. Mr. Plymire carries on general farming and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of live stock, in which branch of agricultural work he is highly successful. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are active in circles of the local organization. Politically, Mr. Plymire has always given his support to the Republican party and while never having been an aspirant to office, has always taken a quiet interest in the affairs of his chosen party. While giving himself primarily to forwarding the interests of himself and those nearest to him, he has ever borne in mind his duty to his fellow men and has always been counted upon in the front ranks of those desiring the best good for the community. Strong and quiet in his relations with his fellow men, he has made his presence felt in the community and has gained the good will of all those with whom he came in contact. His reputation among men for integrity and high character is something for which any man might worthily aspire. Consequently, his influence for good in the general life of the community is most potent and he is well deserving of the high esteem in which he is generally held. i

Hugh Snider

It is with pleasure that the biographer now calls 'attention to a brief sketch of the career of Hugh Snider, one of the oldest citizens of the county, who has lived in this locality for so many years that the history of his. life is interwoven with a history of the county, with its progress from early pioneer days to the advanced improvements of the present age. Throughout his life, Mr. Snider has devoted his energies along agricultural lines, that honored vocation of man from the earliest ages and the one in which he is the most independent. Asa usual thing, men of energy and thrift, of honorable and humane impulses, have been patrons of husbandry and the unhampered life of the farmer has a tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood.

Hugh Snider, who for a number of years has been living in retirement aiter a strenuous life passed in farming circles, was born on April 16, 1932 and on November 28, 1852, was united in marriage with Rebecca Marchant, who was born August 27, 1833, in Fayette county. Mr. Snider's place of birth was also Fayette county. To their union was born one child, their daughter Clara, who makes her home with her parents and is most capably managing the farm and its affairs. This place contains one hundred and three acres and is located on the Greenfield pike, just a short distance from the city of Washington C. H. The farm, which is known far and wide as The Maples, has a number of these beautiful trees scattered over its broad acres and the commodious eight-room brick house of an early day is almost hidden under these same lovely trees. Mr. and Mrs. Snider enjoy the distinction of being one of the oldest married couples within the bounds of the county, having celebrated their golden wedding in 1902.

Miss Clara, who so ably manages the home place and with such unselfish devotion watches over the declining years of her parents, received her education in the schools of the county and early took an intelligent interest in the work of the home place, which well fitted her for the duties and responsibilities which later years have brought her. The excellent condition of the farm today, all its buildings, etc., bear witness to her thoroughness and more than ordinary business ability. While not'a member of any church, she takes a commendable interest in the progress of the affairs of all and is ever ready to lend assistance to any worthy cause. Miss Snider is a lady of many charming qualities and in the circles in which she moves she is held in high regard because of her high personal character and kindly dis- position. She has proven herself a devoted daughter to the parents whose only child she is. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snider have spent so many years of their useful lives here they long since won the honor and esteem of all and now that they are quietly spending the éventide of life in the same locality, they have come into perhaps a finer degree of esteem than could be accorded those of lesser years of usefulness.

Clare Ncean Bab R.

One of the younger business men of Washington C. H. is Clarence N. Baer, the manager of the ice company in that city. His father before him was a business man and his son has inherited those qualities which go to make the successful man of affairs. Equipped with a college education and trained in business by his father, he has demonstrated his ability to handle business affairs in an able manner. He is an excellent manager and a man of sound judgment, foresight and progressive methods. He has that indomitable energy and unfailing optimism which are capable of winning the trust and confidence of his fellow citizens and has ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who have been associated with him.

Clarence N. Baer, the son of Louis and Charlotte R. (Naret) Baer, 'was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, January 22, 1881. Louis Baer was the son of Abram and Emily (Henking) Baer, natives of Aarau, Switzerland, and Heidelberg, Germany, respectively, and was one of four children, the other three being Julius, Emma and Pauline.

Louis Baer was born in Verona, Italy, of German-Swiss parentage and grew up in canton Aarau, Switzerland, where he received a good education. He came to America before the Civil War, being twenty years of age at the time, and located at Gallipolis, Ohio. Shortly after coming to this country the Civil War opened and he enlisted in the Second Regiment of Ohio Heavy Artillery and served for nearly four years with distinction. After the close of the war he returned to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he became interested in the wholesale grocery business and operated a wholesale grocery in that city until 1885. In that year Louis Baer moved with his family to Washington C. H., where he was engaged in the same line of business for several years. He then moved to Cincinnati for the purpose of educating his children, at the same time disposing of his Washington C. H. wholesale interests and reentering at Gallipolis the wholesale business as a silent partner. Afterward he moved to Arkansas, where his death occurred in Little Rock in 1913, at the age of seventy-five. His widow, Charlotte R. Naret, of Buffalo, West Virginia, whom he had married while living at Gallipolis, Ohio, is still living and is now a resident of Hope, Arkansas. Louis and Charlotte (Naret) Baer married at the ages of thirty and twenty and reared a family of five children: Naret, who died at the age of ten; Carl J., of Little Rock, Arkansas: Marie Louise, of Hope, Arkansas; Clarence N., of Washington C. H., and one who died in infancy. The parents of Mrs. Louis Baer were Edward E. and Henrette B. (Pitrat) Naret, natives of France. The Pitrat family lived in Lyons, and the Narets were from Paris. Edward E. Naret met Miss Pitrat, after which they were married in Virginia, living together in Gallipolis and Buffalo, West Virginia, where he followed his profession of physician for over forty years. Doctor Naret and wife were the parents of four children, Charles C., Mrs. Julia N. Beard, Edward, and Charlotte R., the wife of Louis Baer.

Clarence N. Baer was four years of age when his parents left Gallipolis and located in Washington C. H. He spent his summers in Washington C. H., while he lived in Cincinnati with his parents during the winter, and in the schools of Cincinnati received his education. He graduated from a high school of Cincinnati, and later from Cincinnati University, after which he took a-course in a business college in that city. After completing his studies in 1901 he became right of way agent for the American Telephone and Telegraph Companies, and worked with them until his marriage in 1906. After spending a year in the South, he returned to Washington C. H. with his young bride and became the manager of the Washington C. H. Ice Company, which had been organized in 1890 with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. The present officers of the company are as follows: President, Louis Baer; vice-president, Carl J. Baer; secretary and treasurer, Clarence N. Baer, who is also acting as manager of the company. The capacity of the plant is thirty-five tons of ice per day, which is sufficient to supply the city in addition to various towns in the surrounding community.

Mr. Baer was married September 11, 1906, to Virginia Townsend, the daughter of Frank M. and Ann U. (Turner) Townsend, and to this union three children have been born, Townsend, Louis Naret and one who died in infancy, the first-born. Mrs. Baer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, her father being a native of the same city, while her mother was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. Her father died in 1911, at the age of fiftv-three years, and her mother is still living. Frank M. Townsend had two children, Virginia and Oscar E. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Baer were Oscar and Elizabeth (Martin) Townsend, while her maternal grandparents were Ewing Turner and Margaret Bartlet Turner. ;

Politically, Mr. Baer is identifed with the Republican party, but has never been active in political matters. He and his wife and family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church.

Abner Kr Swope

"It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still a matter for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Fayette county, Ohio. For a number of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded in overcoming the obstacles with which his pathway was beset and is now living in comfortable retirement at Bloomingburg, enjoying the fruits of the labor of his earlier years.

A. R. Swope, whose farm is located about two and one-half miles northeast of Bloomingburg, on the Jones road, is a native of Fairfield county, this state, born near Amanda on December 21, 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Lefever) Swope, whose marriage occurred in 1827. Thomas was born in Huntington, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of February, 1800, being the son of David and Mary (Cole) Swope. They were both natives of Huntington county, Pennsylvania, where their marriage took place, and then in the year 1802 they, with their respective families, all emigrated to Ohio, locating in Fairfield county. This was in the days of the early history of the state and was before it was admitted as a state to the Union.

The immediate subject was one of a family of twelve children, several of whom have passed into the great beyond. David and Jacob, the oldest two, are deceased, then follows Thomas; the subject is the fourth child in order of birth; Samuel, Felix, Margaret (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Sturgeon ), Rebecca (Mrs. Wood), deceased, as are also Jane (Mrs. Ingman), Louisa (Mrs. Ashbrook) and.Emma (Mrs. Peters).

Mr. Swope received his early education in the schools of Amanda township, Fairfield county, later attending the schools of Pleasantville (Ohio ) for his more advanced studies. He assisted his father with the work about the home place, and in this manner early acquired careful training in those things which make farming a success. He remained under the paternal roof until twenty-four years of age, when he rented a tract of land containing one hundred and twenty acres and started out in life on his own responsibilities. He farmed that land for three years, living thereon in the meantime, and succeeded so well in his business venture that he then felt justified in making a purchase, and bought his first forty acres on which he took up his residence. There he remained until 1881, when he purchased the Alexander farm near Bloomingburg. This consisted of two hundred and fifty acres and at the time he acquired it he became a resident of this county, where he has since resided. He retained the Alexander farm but a short time, when he disposed of it and purchased the Jones farm, where he lived for the next twelve years, when he came within the radius of Bloomingburg and has lived here ever since. One hundred and fifty-three acres of his farm are located in Paint township and one hundred in Madison. It would be impossible in a sketch of this length to tell of the hardships and struggles of Mr. Swope's earlier career, but suffice it to say that each obstacle encountered only urged him on to a more determined effort and in the end he triumphed and is now regarded as one of the most successful farmers of this locality.

On November 1, 1866, Mr. Swope was united in marriage with Mary C. Murray, daughter of Evan and Margaret (Kiger) Murray, who were early pioneers of Fairfield county, this state, coming here from Virginia. Mrs. Swope's death occurred on February 28, 1913. She was a woman of many excellent traits of heart and mind who had endeared herself to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, not only by the kindly interest she manifested in those about her, but also through her children by the impress her personality and careful training left upon their lives and characters. She was an earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she was laid to rest in Bloomingburg cemetery. She was the mother of six children. Frank, the eldest, was educated in the schools of Bloomingburg, early evinced a talent for business and for some time has been connected with the Adams Express Company, with headquarters at Columbus, Ohion He is an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and his fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry, the Eastern Star, and the Modern Woodmen of America. William, who resides at Columbus, married Ada Squire and they have one child, Madison. Charles is practicing dentistry at Columbus. His earlier education was received at Bloomingburg and his special training in his chosen profession in a college at Columbus. He married Dora Briggs, who has borne him two children, Bernice and Charles, Jr. Olive, the youngest of the family, remains in the home, while the parents had the misfortune to lose two of the children, Clay and Ellen.

Special honor is due Mr. Swope in that he was one of the faithful boys in blue who marched to the front in the early sixties, sworn to preserve the integrity of the union. He enlisted on May 2, 1864, as a private in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiment and served under Colonel Jackson in the division known as the Army of the Potomac. After the expiration of his service, he returned to his home and again took up the interests of life where he had laid them down at the nation's cry for help. Mr. Swope is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bloomingburg and does all within his power to further its interests. Politically, he is a member of the Republican party and, while interested in its affairs, has never found opportunity to devote much time to active work in same.

Mr. Swope possesses one of those sturdy characters which measure well up to the full standard of manhood, having proven throughout his life his faithfulness to any and all trusts imposed in him. He has ever been interested in advancing in every manner possible the social, moral and. educational life of the community, bearing always in mind his responsibilities as a father and desiring for his children the best possible environment. Mr. Swope holds an enviable position in the hearts of his many friends and neighbors, surely a fitting tribute to one who has endeavored to live a correct and useful life.

Ralph Allen

One of the younger farmers of Fayette county who is making a name for himself as a successful tiller of the soil is Ralph Allen, of Concord township. Starting out as a renter eleven years ago, he now rents his father's farm of two hundred and fourteen acres. He has already gained a comfortable position in life, which is proof that it is possible for the average man to do likewise. The chief difficulty with most men is the lack of definite plans or the lack of energy to carry out their plans after they are once made.

Ralph Allen, the son of James H. and Ellen (Rankin) Allen, was born May 7, 1881, in Milledgeville, Ohio. His father was born in West Lancaster, Ohio, the son of Ethan, a native of Vermont, and a soldier of the War of 1812. J. H. Allen and wife were the parents of four children:

Ralph Allen attended the schools at Octa, Wabash and Buckeye in Fayette county and received a good common school education. This has been supplemented with wide reading since he left the school room, so that he is now well informed on all the main questions before the American people today. He began farming for himself immediately after his marriage and takes a commendable pride in keeping everything about the farm in good repair and has thus gained the reputation of being a careful and conscientious farmer. He raises all of the crops usually grown in this section of the state and gives a due share of his attention to the breeding of live stock.

Mr. Allen was married on New Year's day, 1903, to Mary Myrtle Stafford, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Johnson) Stafford. To this union has been born one son, Charles H., November 13, 1904. TF raternally, Mr. Allen is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment as well. He is a genial, affable and pleasant man to meet and is well deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held by his friends and acquaintances.

William E, Sturgeon

One of the prosperous farmers of Perry township, Fayette county, Ohio, who has never been seized with the desire to wander from: his native county is William E. Sturgeon, who has spent his life of more than half a century on the farm where he was born. His whole career has been spent in agricultural pursuits with the exception of a short time when he was engaged in business in the county seat and his efforts have been rewarded with a success commensurate with his ability. His well directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests, and his sound judgment have brought him a success which speaks well for his efforts. At the same time he has borne his share of the burdens of his community and has always so conducted himself as to win the approbation of his fellow citizens.

William E. Sturgeon, the son of William and Mary Ann (Lease) Sturgeon, was born on the farm where he is now living in Perry township in February, 1858. His father was a native of Ross county, and is a son of Robert and Plube (Briggs) Sturgeon, natives of Virginia.

William E. Sturgeon attended the district schools of his home township and completed his education at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He then began to work for himself by renting land from his father, and with the exception of a short time when he was in the implement business in Washington C. H., he has remained on the farm where he was born. He now has a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-six and 'one-half acres on the Sturgeon Mill road, about seven miles from Washington C. H. Here he raises excellent crops and gives a considerable amount of his attention to the breeding and raising of a high class of live stock.

Mr. Sturgeon was married in 1885 to Minnie J. Grove, the daughter of Christian and Nancy A. (Orr) Grove, and to this union have been born three children, Homer. R, Maizie B. and George W. Homer F. married Essie Elliott and has two daughters, Mary and Catherine; George W. attended school at Delaware, Ohio, and Lebanon University, after completing the course in the common schools of his home township. He is living at home with his parents and assists his father on the home farm.

Mr. Sturgeon is a Republican in politics and takes an intelligent interest in all the current issues of the day, but he is not a partisan in any sense of the word. He reserves the right to cast his vote for the best men in local elections, for those whom he feels will best administer affairs in a satisfactory manner. The only official position which Mr. Sturgeon has ever held is that of school board director. He has lived a quiet and unostentatious life, devoting himself primarily to his home duties, and yet taking an interest in everything which affects the general welfare of his community.

Hugh W. Binegar

One of the best remembered men of a past generation in Fayette county, Ohio, is H. W. Binegar, who spent his whole career of fifty-five years within this county and in the township where he was born. He possessed great simplicity, purity and humility of character. He had convictions, yet was careful and patient in coming to conclusions, but when he finally made up his mind as to the course he wanted to pursue nothing could swerve him from what he considered his duty. A busy man, interested in his daily tasks, yet he was never too busy or too absorbed in his temporal affairs to give time and thought to the service of his church, which, with his home, lay close upon his heart. He had the faculty of becoming interested in the daily affairs of the people about him and when one met him he felt at once that Mr. Binegar was genuinely sympathetic. As a citizen he was easily among the foremost. Any movement which had for its object the betterment of his home city met with his hearty support. He was always courteous and those who differed with him admired his fairness and his open-hearted honesty.

The late H. W. Binegar was born in Perry township October 27, 1858, and died on his home farm in the same township April 23, 1913. He was the son of John and Frances (Fishback) Binegar, natives of Virginia and early settlers in this county. John Binegar and wife were the parents of seven children, only three of whom are now living, Margaret, Matilda and Nettie. H. W. and three who died in infancy have passed to that better world.

H. W. Binegar received his education in the schools of New Martinsburg, Perry township, and commenced farming at the age of eighteen. That he was remarkably successful is shown by the fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of a finely improved farm of three hundred acres . in Perry township.

Mr. Binegar was married January 15, 1885, to Sarah E. Black, the daughter of Jacob and Christine (Sprinkle) Black. Jacob Black came from Kentucky with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Snyder) Black, when a youth and settled in Brown county, this state. Samuel Black was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving in, a Kentucky regiment. Jacob Black and wife were the parents of a family of eleven children, Mrs. Sarah E. Binegar, William, Mrs. Hannah Bond, Samuel, Mrs. Mary Van Eman, Walter, Jesse, Mrs. Elizabeth Starr, Mrs. Frances Godfredson, Rose and Mrs. Sina Erfurth. All of these children are still living except Samuel and Rose. Mr. and Mrs. Binegar are the parents of five children, three of whom are living: Waldo; Wallace, who married Nina Haines, and has two children, Harlan and Wanda, and Velma, who is still attending school. Two children are deceased. Omer and one who died in infancy. Waldo married Lois Tod-

Fraternally, Mr. Binegar was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Patrons of Husbandry. Religiously, he, as well as all the members of the family, was a stanch adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church and actively identified with its various interests. Wherever Mr. Binegar went his geniality, kindness and honesty made him welcome, and these characteristics won him friends, who were glad to enumerate him among their acquaintances.

Ephraim L. Allen

The Allen family first came to Fayette county, Ohio, nearly a century ago, and have been identified with the history of Jasper township during all of these years. Ephraim L. Allen has spent the half century of his life within the limits of this township and consequently is well known by the residents of his township. His life has always been conducted along such lines as to merit the high esteem in which he is universally held, and he is conceded by every one to be one of the progressive and representative citizens of the township.

Ephraim L. Allen, son of Elijah and Mahala (Harper) Allen, was born September 11, 1860, on the farm where he is now living. His father, who was the son of Elijah and Sorilia (Hinkle) Allen, was born in Jefferson township, near Lancaster, this county, in 1827. Elijah Allen, Sr., came from Pendleton county, Virginia, and was one of the early pioneers of Fayette county, Ohio. Elijah Allen, Jr., and wife were the parents of twelve children, James, Mrs. Adelia Sanderson, Mrs. Selvelia Wilt, Mrs. Christina I. Street, Ephraim L., Emma, Ella, William S., Carrie and Maywood P. Of these children, Emma and Ella are dead.

The education of Ephraim L. Allen was received in the Milledgeville and Octa schools, finishing at the latter. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age and then began working out by the month. After his marriage he rented land of his father and subsequently purchased sixtynine acres where he is now living. He has always engaged in general farming, dividing his attention between the raising of grains and live stock in such a manner as to make his farm yield the best results. He has a good country home, excellent barns and outbuildings and everything which the successful farmer needs to farm to the best advantage.

Mr. Allen was married in 1893 to Frances Servis, the daughter of Phillip and Martha (Harrison) Servis. Phillip Servis was the son of Charles Servis, a native of New Jersey and an early settler in Fayette county. Phillip Servis and wife reared a family of nine children, Phillip, Ollie, Mrs. Elizabeth Lambert, Mrs. Martha Watts, James, Phoebe, Mrs. Frances Allen, Jacob and Charles. Four of these children are deceased, Philip, Ollie, James and Phoebe. Mr. Allen and his wife have a family of seven children, five, of whom are living, Oscar, Melvin, Grace, Edith and Harry. Grace married Arthur Houser and has one daughter, Helen Lucile. The Second and the last children born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Katie and Charles, are both deceased.

_ Politically, Mr. Allen is identified with the Republican party and has always taken an active part in local politics. He has served as road supervisor and school director, filling both positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens of the township. Mr. Allen is a whole-souled man, interested in everything which might benefit the general welfare of his community, and is a strong supporter of all worthy moral, educational and civic enterprises.

Almer Hegler

The Hegler family is of Swiss descent, and Almer Hegler, whose history is here presented, is the fifth in direct line from the first member of the family to come to this country. The heads of the respective generations are as follows: Sebastian, Jacob, Abraham, Milton and Almer. Sebastian was born in Virginia in the earlier part of the eighteenth century. One of his sons, Jacob, married Mary Dice, and to this union was born Abraham, the grandfather of Almer, with whom this narrative deals. Abraham Hegler was born in Virginia in 1789, and was twice married.

The first wife of Abraham Hegler was Elizabeth Shobe, and to this union three children were born, Lucinda Stingley, Mrs. Mahala Latta and Adonijah. The second marriage of Abraham Hegler was to Dolly Stookey, and to this union six children were born, Milton, Cyrus, Allan, Lawson, Huldy, Effa, all deceased. The father of Almer, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the eldest of his family.

Abraham Hegler moved to Ross county, Ohio, in 1809, and lived there the remainder of his life. Milton Hegler, one of the six children born to Abraham and Dolly (Stookey) Hegler was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 21, 1816, and after his marriage took up his abode in Fayette, county. He was a life-long resident of this county and died here in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-one. Milton Hegler was twice married, his first marriage occurring in about 1850 to Abigail DeWitt, the daughter of Henry and Abigail (Davis) DeWitt. His first wife died February 14, 1858, leaving her husband with two living sons, Lawson and Almer, and two who died in infancy. Lawson has since died. The second wife of Milton Hegler was Sarah J. McCoy, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Harper) McCoy, this marriage occurring December 24, 1862, and to this second union four children were born, Mrs. Dora Shobe, Orris, David S., and Iva B., the wife of Hatry T: Baker. Milton Hegler was one of the wealthiest men of his county at the time of his death and left an estate of over one thousand acres of land in Wayne township. He had extensive business interests outside of his land holdings and was a director in the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company for many years.

Almer Hegler, son of Milton and Abigail (DeWitt) Hegler, was born November 17, 1854, in Wayne township, this county, and has spent his entire life within the township where he was born. He was educated in the schools of his home township and finished in the graded schools of Washington C. H. He has spent all of his life in farming, although he has been engaged in various business enterprises along with his agricultural pursuits. For several years he and Elijah Hopkins had a factory at Washington C. H., where they made the Eclipse hog holder and the Eclipse hog ring, which were endorsed and widely used by the most substantial stock raisers of the county. At the present time Mr. Hegler is largely interested in the manufacture of fertilizer, to which he gives a great deal of attention and which has proven very remunerative, from which he has just retired, November 1, after seventeen years spent in these lines. For many years Mr. Hegler was the manager of his father's estate of twelve hundred acres and is now farming his share of the paternal estate. He has a beautiful country home with attractive surroundings and is classed among the most substantial men of his township and county.

Mr. Hegler was married September 21, 1887, to Mrs. Laura (McCoy) Thompson, the widow of Wesley C. Thompson and a daughter of Allen and Malinda (Kuhl) McCoy.

Frank M. Allen

The success of any man is not the measure of material wealth that. he may be able through his genius to accumulate, but by the actual good he may perform for himself and for others. It has been wisely stated that "he who causes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before is a benefactor to mankind." The man who is loyal to his family, to his community and to his country always makes a model citizen. Some men are gifted in one way and others in another, but the man who can adapt himself to his environments and do well his part in life's conflict, best serves the purpose for which he was created. Such.a man is Frank M. Allen, supervising editor of the historical portion of this volume. Hence the following notice concerning

Mr. Allen, the present county superintendent of schools in Fayette county, whose career as a teacher, a soldier, a county official and most exemplary American citizen, will be briefly referred to.

Frank M. Allen was born June 30, 1846, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, the son of Armstrong and Jane (McHenry) Allen, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Armstrong Allen was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 25, 1808, and was reared to manhood in his native county. His wife, Jane McHenry, was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1809, the daughter of John McHenry, a native of Scotland, who came to this country in young manhood and became the American ancestor of this McHenry family. John and Mary McHenry were the parents of five children, Elizabeth, Isaac, Green, John and Jane. The last named became the wife of Armstrong Allen. Her brothers, Green and John, were soldiers in the War of 1812.

Armstrong and Jane (McHenry) Allen were blessed with children as follows: Elizabeth, Rachel, John C., Mary, William, David, Isaac and Frank M. John C. Allen, of this family, was captain of Company K, Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. In this same regiment also loyally served three other sons of Armstrong Allen and wife, viz: William, Isaac and David, while the youngest child, Frank M. Allen, who was too young to enlist at the beginning of the war, managed to enier the army in February, 1864, and served as an efficient soldier until his final muster out on August 6, 1865, having participated, under Gen. Phil Sheridan, in Virginia during the last year of that memorable conflict. Thus it will be seen that all of Armstrong Allen's five sons were soldiers from their native state - a splendid record of loyalty indeed. The father, Armstrong Allen, died February 19, 1847, when Frank M. was less than one year of age. 'The good mother survived until August 12, 1895.

Frank M. Allen attended' the common schools of Jefferson township, then went to the graded schools of Jeffersonville, after which he entered the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he subsequently graduated. He then began teaching in the district schools of Fayette county, continuing many years with marked success. He was promoted as an instructor to the principalship of the Bloomingburg schools. In 1879 he was elected principal of the high school at Washington C. H. The last named position he left for the purpose of taking the superintendency of the city schools of Muncie, Indiana, where he gave universal satisfaction, and resigned to accept a more lucrative position as superintendent of the North Denver schools, in Colorado.

Rich with the experience of years in the school rooms of this and other states, it is no wonder that he was elected, under the new school law of Ohio, in July, 1914, as county superintendent of schools. In this he is proving the same methodical, painstaking educator that has characterized him so long as an instructor.

Politically, Mr. Allen has long been identified with the Republican party and, because of his ability, he has been honored on numerous occasions and was elected to the office of county clerk, beginning in 1887 and serving faithfully and well for three terms. He has also served as a member of the Washington C. H. school board and as county examiner. For many years he was on the county board of equalization, and was appointed by Governor Cox as a trustee of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, which position he still holds. He is also a member of the board of examiners of the state, being appointed by the supreme court. In this role he serves as chairman of the committee on general learning. He has served as commander of Hays Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Washington C. H. and is much interested in this post. He has served as senior vice-commander of the state. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having joined this fraternity in 1876, at Bloomingburg, Ohio. . He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias order at Washington C. H. He isa member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are the members of his household.

Unlike the man who has had fortunes showered upon him from his youth, what he possesses in way of prosperity has come by the industry and toil so well known to every citizen of Fayette county. Among his holdings may be mentioned his two-hundred-acre farm on Mallow pike, three and a half miles to the west of Washington C. H. To this he gives personal supervision, and delights in seeing it produce its annual crops and also in making improvements from year to year as needed. The family home in Washington C. H. is situated on East Temple street, where genial hospitality is duly appreciated by a legion of friends.

Of Mr. Allen's domestic life it may be stated that he married Sarah, daughter of Harvey and Mary (Brooks) Sanderson, on June 18, 1868. Mrs. Allen was born near Milledgeville, Ohio, in Jasper township, this county. Her father was born in the same township, a son of Harvey and Ruth (Figgins) Sanderson. Harvey Sanderson, Jr., one of four in his parents' family, was a prosperous farmer in Jefferson township ; was a zealous church worker ; was active in political work and one of the best known citizens here in his day and generation.

Aurelius Allen, the eldest son, graduated from the high school at Washington C. H., after which he entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he graduated in 1896. He has been in active practice at the county seat for a number of years. He served as deputy clerk in the Fayette county court ; was mayor of the city three terms and is now probate judge of Fayette county. He is ranking major in the Ohio National Guard.

Claude, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, graduated from the local high school, and entered the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, from which she graduated. She is now the wife of Guy B. Saxton and their daughter, Jane Saxton, is attending the Ohio Wesleyan College, at Delaware, Ohio.

John L. Barnes

In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gains new strength through the discipline. John L. Barnes, of Fayette county, Ohio, was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and made his influence felt for good in his community. Additional honor should be accorded him because he is numbered among those patriotic sons of the North who assisted in saving the integrity of the Union in the dark days of the sixties.

John L. Barnes, the son of David L. and Margaret (Shannon) Barnes, was born September 14, 1843, in Pickaway county, Ohio. His father was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Quaker extraction, and, when a young man, left his native state and settled in Pickaway county, Ohio, near Williamsport. He first followed the blacksmith trade and later, after moving to Fayette county, in 1857, engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock.

Nine-children were born to David L. Barnes and wife, John L., George, Edward, Joseph, Mrs. Catherine Kerney, William, Harry, Mrs. Flora Flower and James.

John L. Barnes attended school in Pickaway county and received most of his education in Circleville, the county seat of that county. He was nineteen years of age when his parents moved to Fayette county and here he has spent the remainder of his life. He enlisted in 1864 in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as second lieutenant, but saw active service for only a short time. He was captured by the Confederates at Cynthiana, Kentucky, but afterwards released by the enemy and returned to his company before the close of the war. He was mustered out at Camp Denison, Ohio, in the summer of 1865. Immediately after the close of the war he returned to Fayette county and after his marriage, in 1857, began farming in Jasper township, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm of two hundred acres, which is 'well improved and one of the most productive farms in the township. This was all covered with woods when he settled here.

Mr. Barnes was married May 7, 1867, to Sarah L. Ford, the daughter of E. L. and Martha (Snider) Ford. E. L. Ford was a native of Cumberland county, Maine, where his birth occurred September 20, TSIO PANE receiving a good common school education he began teaching school at the age of fourteen and continued to follow that profession until 1841, when he left his native state and removed to Ohio, where he taught school in Hamilton county until 1843. He was married to Martha M. Snider, the daughter of Gen. John Snider, of Hamilton county, June 4, 1843, and to this union seven children were born, Mrs. Sarah Latham, Mrs. Lucy Miller, Mrs. Mary Tichoir, James, Charles, Frank and William.

Mr. Barnes and wife are the parents of ten children, Estella, Roscoe, Clara, John L., Pearl, F. H., W. F., Grace, Harry and Lillian. Estella is the wife of Jerry Acton and has four children, Arnot, Carl, Harry and Eugene; Roscoe married Jessie Jenkins and has one son, Harold; Clara is the wife of Allen Ferguson and has one son, John; John L., the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, is the only one of the family who is deceased: Pearl is the wife of Lares Compton Spitler; F. H. is unmarried; W. F. married May Carr and has one son, Howard; Grace is the wife of John Cannon and has two children, Robert and Dorothy; Harry married Ruby Weimer; Lillian, the youngest of the family, is still single.

church and have always been prominent workers in the church and Sunday school. He is a member of Millikan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and is very much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. The fifty years which Mr. Barnes has spent in Fayette county have given the people an excellent opportunity to know him in his every-day life, and the fact that he is held in universal esteem and respect is indicative of the clean and wholesome life he has led.

William A. Holdren

In contemplating the many estimable qualities of the late William A. Holdren, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics, an integrity that no personal or other consideration could swerve and an industry that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was accomplished he would throw off all care, retire to his home and loved ones and devote himself to domestic and social enjoyment for which he had the keenest zest and relish. His temper was calm and equable and his manners those of the gentleman. His devotion to every-day duty was intense, and although his life was a busy one yet he never allowed it to interfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful performance of his church duties. Always calm and straightforward, never demonstrative, his life was a steady effort for the worth of Christian doctrine, the purity and grandeur of Christian principles and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his memory will long be revered by his many friends and acquaintances.

William A. Holdren was born in Buckskin township, Ross county, Ohio, May 26, 1859, and died at his handsome country home in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, January 5, 1905. He was the son of John W. and Mary (James) Holdren. His father was a native of Virginia, coming to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents when he was only three years of age. In that county he grew to manhood, married and reared a family of seven children, William A., Mrs. Mattie Harper, R. G., Otto, Lily, Olive and Lafayette. Only three of these children are now living, Otto, R. G. and Lafayette.

William A. Holdren was educated at the Pisgah and South Star schools in this county." When a young man he worked at the carpenter trade and followed that until he married and then he engaged in farming in Ross county, this state. In 1900 he came to Fayette county and purchased his farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres in Wayne township. He was an excellent farmer, and although a resident of this county but five years, yet in that short time he impressed his neighbors as a man of fine ability and a man who always strived to do the right thing.