Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 24 of 25)

Puterbaugh, whose birth ocurred on the 4th of December, 1878, on the farm which is still his home. He is a son of Samuel and Harriet (Davis) Puterbaugh. His father was born January 14, 1844, in Greene county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Puterbaugh, Sr. The mother of our subject was born in Beavercreek township, April 30, 1S48, and the marriage of the parents was celebrated on the nth of November, 1869. Three children came to bless their union : .Samuel, who was born December 28, 1870, died on the 5th of January, the following year; Ida May, born June 20. 1872, died October 16, 1881; so that the subject of this review is the only surxiving member of the family. The father died on the i8th of March. 18S0, and on the 25th of October, 1882. Mrs. Puterbaugh became the wife of John G. Ernst, but she, too, is now deceased, ha\'ing been called to her final rest on the 23rd of June, 1886. Throughout his entire life the father of our subject iiad carried on agricultural pursuits, with the exception of the period of the Civil war, when, feeling that his duty was to his country he put aside liusiness cares and joined the Union army.

In the schools of Xenia, John Franklin Puterl^augh was educated. His father died when he was only two years of age and after his mother's deatli he li\-ed witli his aunt, Mrs. George Moore, remaining with her until he was eighteen years of age. He afterward worked for two years upon a farm and then continued his education as a student in Scio college in Harrison county, Ohio, wliere he remained for two years. The first year he devoted his attention to the mastery of the studies of a commercial course and during the second year pursued English branches.

Puterbaugh was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary V. Tliompson, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Sarah J. Thompson, who resided in London township, that county. Tliey are still living and are well known people of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Puterbaugh began their domestic life upon the farm which they now occupy, this land having been in possession of the family through three or four generations. Their home has been blessed with the presence of one son, Robert Samuel. Our subject owns and operates two hundred and tifty acres of the rich farming land of Ohio and is giving his attention to the cultivation of the ground and the raising of stock. He is also well known as an agriculturist, has a s])lendid i)each orchard containing nearly nine luuulrcd trees and is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of caring for his land and improving his crops and his fruit and raising of stock, and in all branches of business he is meeting with creditable and gratifying success. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Rejiublican party ; but has never sought or desired office. Both he and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian church of Sugarcreek township. He is yet a young man and his business ability has been manifested in his capable control of his excellent property.

R. A. Kelly

No history in Greene county would be complete without mention of R. A. Kelly, w ho contributed in a very large measure to the upbuilding and prosperity of Xenia by the establishment of one of its most important industries. "Peace," said Charles Sunuier in one of his most eloquent orations, "hath its victories no less rencAvned than war." The man whose enterprise has included within its grasp the traffic of distant lands and the protluction of many and \arious commodities has really achieved a greater triumph than the warrior who has led conquering hosts over desolate homes and amid ruins of sacked cities; and if this peaceful hero uses his wealth wisely, and by his enterpri.se and beneficence makes thousands happy and cnntenteil, his \ict()ries are greater than those of the martialed hosts "whose garments are stained with bl<x)d." "He that ruleth his owni spirit is greater than he that taketh a city." Among such heroes R. .\. Kelly is entitled to a high place of honor. During a long and successful commercial life, characterized by enterprise, he ever maintained an enviable reputation for the highest honor and principle: and no unworthy deed or word ever linked itself with his name: and no citizen in Ohio made better or more unostentatious use of his accumulations.

R. A. Kelly was a native of Ireland. He was lx)rn in Guilford. County Down, on the ir>th of October. ICS38. In his early youth he bec;uiie an employe in a flax and linen concern of Dunbar, McMasters & Company. He left his native land in 1855 and entered the employ of Finlayson, Bonsfield & Coni])any. manufacturers of linen thread at Johnston, Renfrewshire, Scotland, - but the broader business opportunities of the new world attracted him and he sought a home in America. It was in 1839 that he crossed the .Atlantic, taking u]) his abode in Paterson, Xew Jersey, where he entered the employ of the Dolphin Manufacturing Com- pany. He was also there engaged in tlie manufacture of machinery for making flax, sisal and manila rope. His efficiency in this line of work led him to be chosen in 1864 b}- the firm of Todd & Rafferty to erect and superintend their works at Delaware, Ohio, where they were establishing a new enterprise under the name of the Delaware Manufacturing Company. During the remaining yeairs of the Chn\ war they manufactured twine and seamless bags and afterward converted the flax mill into a, bagging mill for the manufacture of bagging for covering cotton. Mr. Kelly built in Delaware, Ohio, the first five machines for laying and finishing hemp twine and in the fall of 1876 he brought these machines toi Xenia, placing them in the factory of the Hooven & Allison Company.

This company with whose history Mr. Kelly wa,s thereafter connected up to the time of his death, was organized in 1869 for the purpose of making what is known as hand-made twine. He had worked with the American hemp fibre and had experimented c|uite largely with this, in the hope of producing twine by machinery - and his experiments were prosecuted so successfully that in the spring of 1876 he laid his plans before the firm of Hooven & Allison, explaining to them his methods until they became convinced that a better and cheaper twine could lie made by machinery than by the hand process which they had been using. Business arrangements l)etween them were perfected and the firm, with Mr. Kelly's cooperation, at once set to work to secure appropriate machinery for the purpose of manufacturing machine-made twine. The first twine made in this way was put upon the .spools on the evening before Christmas,

Inisiness has constantly grown until it has assumed extaisive proportions. The plant is large and equipped with the most modern and complete machinery' for doing the work. Mr. Hooven died in 1881, after which Mr. Kelly entered into partnership with M.

C. Allison, the firm, name of Hooven & Allison being retained until the death of the latter on the 3d of May, 1888. Two months thereafter, a stock company was organized, the incorporators being Jacob Harbine, J.

D. Steele, W. B. Harrison, R. A. Kelly and Mrs. Fannie Allison. The capital stock was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the officers were : J. H. Harbine, president ; W. B. Harrison, vice president ; J. D. Steele, secretary ; and R. A. Kelly, superintendent. Throughout the life of Mr.. Kelly, these officers retained their positions, controlling a business which furnished employment tO' from two hundred and twenty-five to twO' hundred and fifty operators. The company manufacture hemp, jute, manila and sisal goods, as well as cotton goods, aird ship, their product to all parts of the United States. The splendid success of this great enterprise is due in a very large measure to Mr. Kelly, whose thorough understanding of the business in every department aiabled him to so conduct the operations of tlie factory that it brouglit a splendid financial return.

On August 14. 1862, Mr. Kelly was. united in marriage tO' Miss Catharine L. P'isher of Paterson, New Jersey, who^ died in January, 1878, leaving three sons, James A., George R. and William B. His youngest child, Fred C, is the son of his second wife. Miss Alice Charters, of Xenia, Ohio, who died September 10, 1897.

so jiisl and fair in his ireatmcnl <<( his employes that he had tlieir respect and confidence in an nnusnal degree. In Inisiness circles he was a man of unswerving honor and sterling wortli : but was called away at a time when he had consummated new business arrangements and planned and adorned a most happy home.

The following beautiful tribute written bv Professor George S. Ormsb\- at the time <<i Mr. Kelly's death sets forth his character ill ;i very clear light. Mr. Ormsby says: - "Know ye not that there is a prince and a gre;it man fallen this day in Israel ?" "These words. sj)oken by King David, in reference to Abner. who had been treacherously nuu-- dercd by Joab. apply in all their meaning and force to our friend R. A. Kelly, who has so suddenly left us, and whose Ixxly this day has been laid to quiet rest. Many a leader from the king's army might have been slain, and many a great man have fallen, and yet not drawn forth the regretful and sad exclamations of the king. So many a jirominent man might have suddenly passed away without leaving so wide a gap in the community as is made by the death of Mr. Kelly.

"More than a successful business man. he was a skilled mechanic ; his hand could execute what his mind conceived. He could invent the machine, construct it. jiut it in <)l)eration - manufacture the, fabric tor which it was intended and lind for it a market. Conscious of his own power, and having an abiding faith in his abilitv to perform what he nndert(H)k, he engaged in and carried to successful termination enter])rises in which (^ther men would have failed.

have had a f(jllowing like Sheridan and would have been numbered among the great leaders whom the countr}- holds in high honor. Had he been a Stanley or a Livingstone he would have been in no degree behind them in enterprises of perilous adventures.

"Mr. Kelly was for many years one of my most intimate and trusted friends. I ha\e been at his home at almost all hours, sat at his table and conversed in his iwrlor. His frienilship was wholly true and sincere, and he who enjoyed it could not have a truer friend. To me his death is a persona! loss. It is the sundering of a more friendly tie than bound me to anv other man, and I am sure that all who sustain a similar relation to hinv will feel as I do: each has sustained a personal loss.

"But looking into that inner circle, the holiest of all, the fajnily. what shall 1 say? A kind husband and indulgent father? This language is common and tame. Here he was intensive as in his business relations. He could not be negati\ e anywhere, but was positive e\erywhere - not a tyrant, but a crowned ])rince. - the loving companion and faithful husband of a noble woman who most gladly would have laid down her own life if the sacrifice would have purchased his. To his .sons he was at tnice father, brother, counsellor, comiianion and friend, combining all that was go(Kl in each of their relations. His command was law. but it was the law of a counsellor and friend and lovingly it was obeyed, and this in a large measin"e accounts for the nolile manhood of the boys of whom the father was justly proud. "Of him it iTiay be fitly saitl : "Life's work well done;

Hon. John Little

A deep feeling of sadness spread throughout Xenia wlien it was aamounced that John Little had passed from this life, hut while those who' knew him remain on this earth his memory will be cherished, not so much for the splendid success which he achiieved in his profession, not because lie contributed so largely lo the improvement of the city, not because of his statesmanship, although he was a colleague of many of tliie most eminent men of the nation and his efforts contributed to the country's welfare, but l3ecause of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deq> interest in and lalxvrs for the benefit of his felloiwmen. He won and well merited high honors, but in Xenia, where he was well known, his nature was so kindly and geiial, that he gained not merely regard, but thait deeper feeling which, call it friendship or lo\'e, binds man in close relation to his fellowinien in ties which naught sever. Thus it was that Xenia has seldom so widely and sincerely mourned one her resiidents, but for more than a half- he was closely associated with the liistorv' of Greene county and many of his friends in thought have breathed the sentiment :

John Little was boni in Ross township, Greene county, on the 25th of April, 1837, and hiis early youth was that of the average farmer boy who attends the country schools through the winter months and in the summer w^orks in the fields, but he desired miore than an ordinarv district school education, and in 1856 became a student in Antioch College, then under the presidency of Horace Mann. He was graduated from that institution in 1862 and for manv years w as a member of its board of trustees, holding that position at the time of his death. In tlie autumn following his graduation he came to Xenia and entered upon the study of law under the preceptorship of Judge \\'inaiis. The elemental strength of his character was early shown forth, for though he had not the means to pursue in consecutive miainner his education, he would not accept aid and b}- teaching rq>lenished his e.xliausted excltequer. In 1865 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio, and opened an office in the city of Xenia, and it wias on the 19th of October, of the saine year, that he married Miss Barbara Jane Sheets, who with their two children, George and Mary, survived him until May 31, 1902, when she, too, passed away. The son is now an active memljer of the Xenia bar.

Perhaps no better history of his business and public career can be given than that given b}- Judge Shearer, long his intimate friend and associate, who, in a memorial meeting held for Mr. Little by the bar association, spoke as follows :

"For a short time he was associated with James E. Hawes, afterward judge of the ccurt of common pleas. At the time of his admission to the bar he held the office of mayor of the city. Afterward in 1866 he was elected prosecuting attornev and reelected in 1868. Before the expiration of his second term he was elected to represent his county in the Fifty-ninth general assembly and resigned the prospcutorship. At this time he associated himself in the practice with C. C. Shearer, that partnership continuing for seventeen years, until January I, 1887, at which time Mr. Shearer retired, having been elected judge of the circuit court for the Second judicial circuit, - C. L. Spencer succeeding Shearer in the firm, tlie name of which then became Little & Spencer - and continued until the death of Mr. Little. In 1871 he was re-elected to the general assembly. He rendered \aluaWe service to his constituents and to the state at large as member of the judiciarycommittee of the house and of otlier important committees. His ability as a lawyer and legislator attracted wide attention and he l)ecame the candidate of his party for the office of attorney general and was elected in tire fall of 1873, and for a second term in 1875. His opinions were clear, concise, able and, as a rule, passed the scrutiny of the courts.

"During his first term there were strikes and riots among the miners of northeastern Ohio, and Mr. Little was requested by Governor Hayes to accompanv the adjutant general as his advisor to the scene of disturlmnce. His wise, temperate counsel averted tiie threataied bloodshed and restored order.

"At the expiration of his term he returned to Xenia and gave his attention to the practice and to the promotion of business enterprises until 1884, when his constituents again calletl him to their aid by electing him as the representative of his district in congress. Although he served but one term, he, by reason of his ability, took a prominent position in the house and was chosen to conduct tlie investigation of the cliarges of briberv- in connection with the election of Senator Payne. The marked ability with which he discharged this duty at once established for him a national reputation. At the close of his term he again returned to the practice and to tlie managemait of his large business interests which he conducted with distinguished success.

"In the yeair 1889 his services were again called for. From time to time treaties for the settlement of claims of citizens of the L'nited Stales against tlie Republic of Venezuela liad l^een made l)etween the two countries, and commissions appointed to hear and detemiine the same: but. through the dilatoriness of these tribunals, awards failed to be made within the liniitations prescribed by tlie several conventions and the treaties became inoperative. The last treaty limited tlie time for tlie detemiination of thes claims to one year. President Harrison asked Mr. Little to become a memlwr of the commission authorized by this treaty, and he accepted. Upon the organization of the commission, which consisted of Mr. Little, Hon. J. \'. L. Findlay. of Maryland, and Senor .\ndrade, then minister to the United States from Venezuela. - Mr. Little was chosen president.

"Mr. Little, with his accustomed habit of mastering ever\- subject with which he dealt, set to work to learn the Spanish language and to familiarize himself with tlic civil and international law. He acquired sufticieiit knowledge of the Spanish language to enable him to read for himself the documentary evidence written in lliat tongue and he l>ccanie also a master of international law. Many questions, conmion to all cases, arose, - among them the construction of the rule of prestTi])tion being the ecpiivalent of the law of limitation under the common law. 'i'lie preliminary opinion written l)y Mr. Little, settling these (piestions. is a monument to his mental grasp and power of analysis. The commission completed its

"Among the pubHc services of Mr. Little was that rendered on behalf of President Hajj'es, before the Florida returning board. He was at thati time attorney genei-al of Ohio. The friaids of Hayes aroused him at midnight and told him he must go to Tallahassee, and prevent, if possible, an unfair decision. He said : 'This is mighty short notice; but I'll go." The next train, which left before daylight, bore Mr. Little through' his home town en route to Florida. His family's first knowledge of his whereabouts was derived from the newspai>ers' mention of the cotmsel who were in attendance upon the heairing before the returning So zeaJous was he, so absorbed in this important mission, that he forgot to inform his family of his intended journey or of his arrival at the capital of Florida. The masterful argument which won the case for Hayes, although delivered by another, was written by Little.

"Another important position held by our friend was upon the Ohio State Board of Arbitration, to whicli he was appointed b_\- Governor McKinley, and which he held continuously through succeeding administrations to the day of his death. For the work assigned to this board Mr. Little was peculiarly fitted. His even temper, his spirit of conciliation, his sense and love of justice, enabled him to see both sides of controversies between emplo\-er and employe, and in the exercise of manly courage to cast his vote for the right.

"The last public service of Mr. Little w^as as a member of the courthouse buildingcommission. He entered upon his duties with enthusiasm" and gave his time, skill and knowledge of architecture to the securing of a courthouse which, when finished, will be for comfort and conveiiiaice, second to none in the state.

"It is hardly too much to say that he was the creator oi the new- courthouse, for it was tlie plans prepared by him tliat constituted the basis of the plans finally accepted.

"This much for the public service of our brother. But apart from these he, in a quiet, unostentatious way, - not letting his right hand know what his left did, - alleviated suffering and helped the needy. He was generous but discriminating in liis bounty. No worthy needy one was ever turned a)wiaiy. Many are tliey who, since his death have said : 'When John Little died, I lost my best friend.'

"Our friend was a man}' sided man. His intellect was Websterian; his mental grasp renmrkable ; his powers of analysis unsurpassed!. He mastered the facts of a case w-ith mar\-elous readiness ; separated grain from th-e chaff; seized and used with great skill the salient points of a cause. His power as an advocate rendered him a formidable adversary. In argument he indulged in none of the arts of the orator. His diction was simple, his statements clear, his logic forceful. In the struggle of the political arena he was fair and honorable, - not unduly exultant in victory, nor harboring malice in defeat. He never sulked in his tent. It was common remark that, as between a friend and an enemy, he was wont to favor the latter rather than the former.

"As a citizen he was public spirited, ready at all times to further any enterprise for the betterment of the coniiinunity. He encouraged manufacturers by voice and purse, was active in municipal refonn, favored all needful public improvements and otherwise manifested liis solicitude for the material welfare of the conimunity in which he lixed. In short, John Little was a statesman, a lawyer of high repute, a public servant loyal to e\ery trust, a true patriot, a lover of his kind, a devoted husband and father, and. ))Clter than all. a high minded, honorable citizen. While he was not a believer in creeds or dogmas, yet with generous charity for those who held different views, he was a religious man in the broader sense, that he reverenced his Creator, believed in the Bible and the Redeemer of tlie world and loxcd liis neighbor as himself."

The end came on the i8th of October, 1900, at 10:30 P. M. He vms ill only a brief time, and thus his usefulness continued throughout the years of his manhdnd. C)n tlie public life not only of Greene county, but of Ohio, he left an indelible impression. No citizen of this community was ever more respected and no man e\er more fully enjoyeil the contidcnce of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of his state, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his a<lvancement and in the honors to which he attained, and since his death they have cherished his memorv, wliich remains as a benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, cliaritable in thought, kindly in action, true to evev.- trust confidccl to his ca''e. his life w;ls the highest ty])e of Christian manhood. He was one of the great lawyers of the southern Ohio bar who lives in the mem<iries of his contemix>raries, encircled with the halo of a gracious presence, charming personality, profound legal wisdom. ])urity of jmblic and private life, and a (|uiet dignity of an ideal follower of his calling. He was manyyears in active practice at the Ohio bar, and conipairati\ely few men endear themsehes to so great an extent to their professional associates and to those with whom they come in contact in the discharge of public duties.

Milo Simison has passed the psalmist's allotted span of three-score-years-and-ten, having almost rejiched the seventy-second milestone on life's journey. He is now living retired in th« village of Spring X'alley, but for many years was an active factor in agricultural circles in Spring Valley township. The farm which he still owns there was his birthplace. He was born Xoveml)er 19, J 830, luito John and Xancy (Knight) Simison. His father's birth occurred March 9, 1798, and the mother was Horn on the 8th of May. 1807. The paternal grandfather. Roljert Simison. was a native of Ireland, and on emigrating to America took up his abode in Pennsyl\-ania, whence he afterward removed to Ohio and jjurchased the fami upon which our subject was born, ])aying live dollars an acre for the land. In after years he jiurchased another farm, w hich is now known as the Scarff proi)erty. and after the marriage of his son. John Simison. the grandfather, removed to his second farm, whereon he died.

It was on the ist of January. 1828, tliat John Simison was joined in wedlock to X'ancy Knight, whose birth (Kcurred in Greene county. She was a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Caine") Knight. Her father lived to be alx)Ut eighty years of age and wa-s numbered among the pioneer set- tiers of Greene county, coming from North Carolina at a very early clay. The maternal sfreat-srandfather lived to the verv advanced age of one hundred and four years. After tlieir marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Simison began their domestic life upon the original homestead, \\hich the father of our subject purchased from the other heirs after the death of the grandfather. Both Robert and John Simison were laid to rest in the old Presbyterian l)ur}ing ground at Bellbrook. They were identified with that church and were very active workers in it, and influential in promoting tlie moral development of the comniunit}-. During the lifetime of Robert Simison tlie family suffered much loss b}" fire on two or three occasions on account of the stick chimneys. The last log house that was built upon the old homestead, in wbich the father of our subject liv^ed and died, is still standing. The mother passed away March jg, 1847, «i"'^' on the 2d of Februar}-, 1853. John Simison was also called to his final rest.

On the (i-ld home farm ^Ir. Simison of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired a fair commonsciiool education and after his marriage he continued upon the old home farm which he and his brother purchased from the other heirs, iwbile Mlilo Simison ultinmtdly be^- came the sole possessor of the property. He there made his home until 1888 and during that time erected a fine modern residence.

On the 28th of January, 1855. Mr. Simison was united in miarriage to Miss Mary Kelle}-, of Spring Valley, wiho was born in county Mayo, Ireland, in 1838. She was a daughter of Michael amd Ann ( Hennegain) Kellev'-, and was quite young when left an orpban on tbe Emerald Isle. She came to America witli her aunt, Mrs. Marv

Gibbons, who located in Greene county, and here she acquired her education. Three children ha\e been born unto our subject and his wife: Frank Wesley, born October 25, 1855 ; Nancy Caroline, who was born May 13, 1858, and is the wife of Joshua Harnett ; and Mary Catherine, who died in infancy.

Air. Simison has been a lifelong Democrat. He voted for Buchanan in 1856 and has since endorsed the principles of the party, but has never been an office seeker. He ser\'ed for one term as a member of the city council of Spring \'alley, but has on no other occasion beld office, preferring that his atteiticn should be given to his business pursuits. In 1888 he ei-ected a, pleasant home in Spring X'alley, where he is now living retired, enjoving the rest which he has truliv earned and richly deserves.

Thomas P. Townsley

For almost sixty years Thomas P. Townsley was a well known figure in business circles of Nenia. He contributed largely to the adx'ancement of commercial interests ui>on wbicb the groAvth and prosperity of a town or city always depend. He was soi widely and favorably known that his life history can not fail to prove of interest to his manv frieids, and is a pleasure, therefore, that we present this record of his career to our readers.

A nati\'e of this cit}'!, he was born on the 27th of May, 1817, a son of George Townsley. His early education, acquired in the schools of Nenia, was supplementetl by study in the Oxford Miami University, where he completed the course and was graduated with the class of 1836. Immediately afterward he returned to his hoine. He was then a young man of nineteen years and at once entered upon his business career as a clerk for Jolm Ewing and tlie railroa<l comiKuiy when it built there. lie followed that pursuit for several years and also taught sch(j(>l in the south. When his Ialx)rs and economy 'had brought to him sufficient capital he began business on his own account as a dry-goods merchant in partnership with James Allison, as Allison & Townsley. in \\lhich line of activity they continued for nmny years. They carried a large and well selected stock of goKls of modern styles. were straightforward and reliable in all their transaxrtions and secured a liberal patronage, which enabled Mr. Townsley to a*ld to his savings until, having acquired a comfortable conxi>etence, he 'retired to private life and s])ent his remaining davs in rest and in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

In 1850 Mr. Townsley was united in marriage to Miss Agnes C. Paull. a daughter of James Paull. a resident of Fayette count}, Pennsylvania. In 1896 Mr. Townsley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who in that year departed this life. T^wo years later, on the 20th of November. 1898. Mr. Townsley died, and his remains were interred by the side of his wife, in Woodland cemetery. Two sons sun-ive then>: George L.. who is living a retired life; and James E., w'ho is connected with the insurance business in Xaiia.

In connection -with merchandising Mr. ToAWisley had other business interests. He was one of the organizers of the old Second National Bank and its president from 1864 until his retirement on account of failing health. He was also one of the organizers and was interested in the Field Cordage Com]>any. He was energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and ix>ssessed sound judgment in business matters. He was one of the first naembers of the Presbyterian church, and liberally assisted in building lx>fh the first edifice and the present church building and many years was a ruling elder. Mrs. TowTisley was also a consistent meml>er of this church. His political support was given tlie Republican party and he was elected to represent his district in the constitutional convention of 1873-4, w^here he proved himself a loyal and public-spirited citizen by the earnest manner in which he ch'ampioned even- measure for the public good. Honored and respected in e\ery class of society, he was for some time a leader in public thought and action and was in citizenship so loyal, in inisiness so honorable and hi private life so reliable thart his name deser\es to be inscrited among the representati\e men of Greene countv.

Charles L. Spencer

The motto "merit always commands its reward" is well exemplified in the career of this gentleman. He early learned that knowledge is the key with which the poor boy on the farm or the lad in the shop could open the store house of the world and cull its choicest fruits, 'i'he result is that he is now one of the most successful attorneys practicing at the bar of Greene county, and is essentially the architect of his own fortune.

V A native of Ohio. Mr. Spencer nas bom in Newark, April 4, 1848. his parents being Newton and Lucinda J. (Trickey) Spaicer. His ancestors were originally from Eng-

Jand. His father was born in Herkimer count}- New York, in January, 1816, of New England parentage, but was reared in Oswego county of that state, whence he to Licking county, Ohio, at the age of eighteen years, the country being then new and undeveloped. There he was variously emjjloyed for some time, including the operation of a grist and sawmill ani later of a large stone quarry. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda J. Trickey, whose parents were from Pennsylvania. Desiring to better his condition and rear his family away from the influences of the town, he concluded to- go farther west, and in the fall of 1856 became a, resident of Decatur county. Iowa, where he engaged in farming up to the time of his death in 1890, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife to make her home there until she, too. was called to her final rest in 1901 at the age of eighty years. Of their six children only three reached maturity, these being Charles L., whose name introduces this sketch : Albert G., a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Mrs. Mary F. Hampton, of Van Wert, Iowa.

For eleven years Charles L. Spencer resided with his parents on the little farm near Van Wert, lowai, one hundred and fifty miles from the nearest railroad, with little or no educational advantages, being only al:)le to attend school an average of one month a }'ear for the twelve years prior to attaining his nineteenth year. Although lacking school privileges, lie made the most of his opportunities and read every book he borrow' within a radius of several miles in a: sparsely settled neighborhood. In the meantime he worked on the home farm and for the neighboring farmers, sometimes receiving only seven dollars per month.

Among the books he obtained was a little one entitled "Duties of Young ]\Ien," written by E. H. Chapin, then of Richmond, Virginia, afterward the noted Universalist preacher of Boston. This he read and reread until his desire for learning and culture became absorbing and he determined with all his innate powers to seek an education. He was then eighteen years of age. His parents being in limited circumstances, they could not send him to school but gave him his time to help himself, and during the «isuing year he worked for eighteen dollars per month, taking in payment for his services a colt, which he sold while in college for one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

At nineteen, through the kindness of an old aunt, Mr. Spencer borrowed one hundred dollars and started to Ohio with the hope of finding better opportunities than were afforded him in Iowa. His intention at that time was to spend a year or more in preparing himself to teach a common school. With little knowledge of what a university was or what a college stood for, in the fall of 1867 he reached Delaware, Ohio, and went up to the Ohio Wesleyan University. It was then vacation time and he found no one in the buildings, but fortunately happened to meet one of the professors. Dr. L. D. McCabe, on the campus, and introducing himself, he told the Doctor his simple story - that he was a farmer l>ov from Iowa, who had never had a chance tO' go to school, was poor, having scarcely fifty dollars left, but wanted to better his education. Under the shade of a tree they talked for half an hour. Dr. McCabe advised him to begin there and to take the regular course in the preparatory department of the universit}-, which would prepare him for a classical course in case he' decided to go on. It was the best advice a young man ever received, and acting upon it Mr. Spencer entered with the opening fall term. lletore a single term pas.sed. he learne<l that active and ambitious young men had gone thnjugh college largely, it not wholly, by their o\\ n efforts, and he determined then and there to take the full course. He remained five years, nne in the preparatoPi- dejjartment and f(jur in the collegiate deiwrtment. In the meantime he boarded hiiuself. doing his own c(K)king for two \ears and two terms, and in a club for the remaining time, and he worked nights, mornings and Saturdays at whatever he could find to earn his living - one year as janitor, building fires and sweeping rooms, while for three years he rang the college bell every three-cpiarters of an hour to announce chajjcl serxice in the morning and the recitations during the day. Three winters, first fourth antl fifth, he spent in teaching country sch(«)ls. keeping up his studies al the university by extra work and passing the examinations on his return with his respective cUisses. Thus wholly without assistance from home but by his own efforts, Mr. Spencer sustained himself and acquired his education. He was gravluated from the Ohio W'esleyan University in June. 187.2. in the classical course, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and afterward, in 1875. ill ciirsH the degree of Master of Arts. A self-eilucated man he was henceforth entirely self-reliant.

Without means to take a course at law: school, ^Ir. Spencer immediately began the study of law, without even a vacation, for the next week after his graduation we find him reading law in the office of Lorenzo English and J. W. Baldwin, a well known and leading law lirin of Columbus, Ohio, and teaching a part of the day to maintain himself. With the exception of four months while in charge of the village school at West Jefferson, near Columbus, he continued in their office until the fall of 1873, when he was made principal of the Xenia high school, where he enga.ged in teaching for two years. While thus employed Mr. Spencer devoted all his spare time to reading law. and at the cU)se of school in 1875 went to Cincinnati, where he finished his law course in the office of Xoyes & Lloyd, the former an ex-governor of the state of Ohit>, remaining with them until January, 187(1. The prexious October he had been admitted to the bar on examination before the supreme court of Ohio at Columbus, and in January, 1876, he was offered a partnershi]) in Xenia by James ]--. Hawes, with whom he was associated in practice for one year. He was then alone until 1878, when he entered into a partnership with W. J. Alexander, w hich continued until 1884. and during that time he was elected and served in the years i88r and 1882 as prosecuting attorney of Greene county. After the termination of that partnership Mr. Spencer was again alone for two and a half years, when in the latter part of 1886 he became a partner of Hi>n. Johir Little, which relation continued until the latter's death, October 18, 1900. The firm was connected with .some of the most im- [xirtant litigation in the courts of Greene county and southern Ohio. Practicing in the state and federal courts, Mr. Spencer has gained an enviable position at the bar. being widely known and recognized for learning and ability, and for his indomitable energy and the force of his logic. His personal inte.grity. unwavering fairness, conciseness and clearness of statement of his cause of proposition ajid his i>ersuasive reasoning always command respectful and con- siderate attention of both court and adversary, and have greatly added to his success and won for him a high reputation as a lawyer and wise counsellor.

Aside from his profession, ^Ir. Spencer was for several years secretary and assistant manager of the Field Cordage Company' a large ma/nufacturing concern not now in existence; is now a director of the Buckeye Shoe Manufacturing Company : and was for manv vears a director and secretary of the Miami Telephone Company.

On the 24th of December, 18S5, ^Ir. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Louie M. Currie, a daughter of A. H. and Lavina Currie. of Xenia, Ohio, who are still living. Mr. and ]\Irs. Spencer have one daughter. Anna, Ijorn Octoljcr 2, 1891. They are active and leading members of the First Methodist Episcopal cinnxh of Xenia, in which Mr. Spencer has been an official for many years. His labors have lieen very effective in promoting the upbuilding of the church, and for many years he has been a valued teacher in the Sundav school. In his political \-ie\\ s he is a Republican but has never consented tO' become an office seeker outside of the line of his profession, although recpiested at times to do' so. In the early part of his pro-fessional life. iDCcause of his experience as a teacher, he was appointed and served as city school examiner and for nine years was county school examiner. He has always taken a deep and helpful interest in matters pertaining tO' the material, intellectual and moral development of the community, and his efforts have been both effective and appreciated in that respect. He is a man of strong character, as i;^ proved bv the manner in which he acquired his education, and his life history illustrates fully and forcibly the possibilities that lie before young men, proving the truth of the adage that "success is secure to him who labors and waits," and that such close a])plication and ability IjOth deserve and find their reward. He may well be accounted a representative citizen of Xenia.

George C. Smffh

One of the well known farmers of Beavercreek township is George C. Smith, who was born at the place of hJs present residence September 11, 1864, his parents being Benjamin G. and Sarah A. ( Ying'ling) Smith. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Smith, was the first of the family to locate in Ohio, bringing his wife and children to Cincinnati, where he lived and died. It was in that city that Benjamin G. Smith, the father of our subject, acc|uired an education. Upon coming to Greene county he settled upon a farm upon the banks of the Inilian Riffle, in the southern part of Beavercreek township, and there de\-oted his energies to agricultural pursuits for many years. Indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and his labor lirought to him prosperity as the years passed by. At the time of his death he owned alx)ut two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, and also city property in Dayton, Ohio. He was a self-made man for he started out upon his business career without a dollar. He realized the value of industrv and persistence in the active affairs of life and along the* lines of legitimate labor he won his success. He had three children, the eldest Iveinsf George Crawford Smitli of this review. The second son, Benjamin Grant, wedded Mary, Munger, and is now employed in the mail'

-service, liis home Ijeingf in Dayton. Olii". John William, the yonngest son, married Flora B. Greemvood. and they, too, reside at Dai\-ton. After the death of her first husband the mother married again and is now the widow of Oliver Moler. and resides in .Dayton. Mr. Smith, the father of our subject, was a Republican in his political views and was a ven,' active and influential member of the Presbyterian church at Bellbnjok. He served lx>th as a deacon and elder in the -church and put forth every effort in his power t(.> advance the cause of Christianity in his communit)-. He passed away upon the home fann June 5, 1887. and was laid to rest in Mount Zion I'ark cemetery. Thus -a most useful and honorable life was ended but his memor}- is still enshrined in the .hearts of his famil\' and of his many friends. Mr. .Smith, whose name intnxluces this review, g'ained his education in the township schools near his home and later pursued his studies in the high schcxil of Xenia. Ohio, but l)efore the date of graduation lie was forced to relinquish his text IxKiks in order -to assist his father who was failing- in health. He has also pursued a commercial course in Dayton. Ohio, and throughout the years of his active business career he has carried on farming. To-day he is intrested in and operates one hundred and si.xty-six acres of land. The old home has been destroyed by fire, and in its stead he has erected a fine, large residence which is one of the most attractive countr\' seats in this ix)rtion of the townshi]), and has the other equipments and accessories that go to make uj) a model fami of the tAventieth century. In addition to the cultivation of cereals best adajrted to the soil and climate he is engaged in sttKk-raising. making a sj>ecialty of the breeding of

On the 1 6th of November, 1886, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Belle Brown, who was lx)rn in Sugarcreek township, and is a daughter of Adam and Sarah (People) Brown. Ixilh of whom are now deceased. Four cliildren have l)een l)orn of this union, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are : Crawford Brown ; Sarah M.: and Margaret Lucile. The parents hold membership in the Refonned church>. and Mr. Smith has served as clerk ui the church for fourteen years, and also filled the office of deacon. He vrtes with the Republican part\ . and for about eight years has been a member of the school board, the cause of eilucation finding in him a warm friend, lie is a ix)pular citizen, for his genial manner and friendly spirit have gained him the regard, good-will and confidence of all with whom he has been associate*!.

William B. Hardie

William B. Hardie is a native of Xenia tt)wnship. his birth having txxurred on a farm upon the Coliunbus pike, March 17, 1825. His parents were William and Isabella (Buick) Hardie. lj<-)th of whom were natives of Scotland and in that country the\- were reared, educated and married. In 1820 they bade adieu to home and native land and sailed for the new world, taking up their abode in Xenia township, Greene county. The father \\as a weaxer by trade and followed that pursuit in Scotland and for some years after his arrival in America. Later, liowe\er, he turned his attention to farming, purchasing a small tract of land in Xenia township upon which the subject of this review was born. About 1833 tihe father removed from that farm and located in Caesarscreek township, where he purchased a tract of one and twenty-six acres of partially improved land. He at once began its further developmient and cultivation, and made his home thereon until he retired from active business life. He then removed to Xenia, (his death occurring in that city in i860, -when he was se\-ent_\--three }'ears of age. His wife su'i-vi\'ed hini' for a number of years and departed this life in Bellefontaine, Ohio-, at the age of eighty-three years, her remains being interred in the cemeter\- near Jamestown. Both were lo}'al and devoted members of what was kmiwn as the Associate church, and in his political views Mr. Hardie was a Whig and always endorsed tlie mai and measures of his party. In their family were six children : Elizabeth, wiho was bom in Scotland, is the widow of Isaac H. Fichthorn, and resides in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where her husband died. Jane became the wife of John Galloway and is now deceased. James died at the age of fifteen years. William B. is the fourth in order of birth. Margaret is the deceased wife Oif James Miller, and Mary is the wife of Samuel Finley, of Akron, Ohio.

WilMam B. Hardie of this review spent the first eight years of his life on the old home fann where he was bom, and then accompanied his parents on their renio\'al to Caesarscreek township, now New Jasper towTiship, where he was reared to manhood. He obtained his early education in the district schooJs of that township, the temjjle of leaming being an old log building such as was common at that day. Through the monfths of summer he assisted in the work of field and meadow and continued to labor upon tlie old homestead until he was twentysix years of age, wilien he was married. Hethen rented a part O'f his father's farm, which he continued to culti\'ate for a }'ear, after which he purchased one hnndred and twenty-five acres of improved land in Xew Jasper township. For twenty-three years he made his ho^ne upon that place, and then removed to his present farm, on the Columbus pike, in Xenia township, wihere he owns two hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land, all under cultivation. He is. engaged in general farming and stock-raising, devoting his attention to the crops best adapted to the soil and climate as well as the raising of horses, cattle anc hogs. Hehas erected all of the buildings upon his place, inchiding a large and beautiful residence, commodious barns and other necessary outbuildings.

On Januai-y 29, 1852', in Caesarscreek. township, Mr. Hardie was united in marriage to Elizabeth Dean, a daughter of Robert Dean, who was an early settler of Greene county. His father came from Kentucky when he was a young man, and Robert Dean and his wife, Elizabeth ( Campbell) Dean, spent the remainder of their lives in Greene county, Ohio, where lie devoted his energies to famiing. Here he died when about sixty-three years of age, and his wife when about forty. Their daughter, ^Irs. Hardie, was born in this county and is widely known as a most estimable lady. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children, and the family circle yet remains unbnjken by the hand of death. Laura Isabelle is at home; Mary Etta is the wife of J. Wilson Liggett, a farmer of Union county. Ohio'. and their children are:

JRajnidiid, Clarence, Bruce and Dwiglit ; Annie Xora is the wife of A. M. Stinit, wlio is connected with Che Toilet Siipi)ly Company, of Colu^ibns, Ohio: Robert Harvey married Miss Mattie Rogers, by whom he has one son. William Roy. and their home is in .\el)raska : Ida L. is living with her sister in Columbus, Ohio; William Clark, who was born in this county and was educated in tlie higii school of Xenia, is now engaged in fanning upon the old home place.

Mr. Ilardie has 1)een honored with some kxral offices. He tilled the iwsition of township treasura- for some twelve years, and Jiis long service indicates his fidelity to duty. In ix)litics he has always been a Republican, unwavering in his loyalty to the party and its principles. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Second Unitetl Presbyterian church of Xenia, and he has long tilled the office of deacon, serving in that jxisition near Jamestown and in Xenia. Oliio. Mr. Hardie has a wide aicquaintance in the county of his nativity, and his many friends know him as a man of relia)l>ility and sterling worth, who, in the conduct of his business atifairs, has gained well merited success by reason of his honorable dealings and indefatigable en- -ergy-.

Corxelius Brown

Cornelius Brown, who is residing in Bea- A'ercreek townshii). where he is devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits, is a representative of one of the old families of the county and since pioneers days has been identified with the improvement and progress here. 'Mr. Brov\-n was born upon the fann where he now resides, his parents being Jonathan and Polly ( Harshman) Brown. His father was Ixxn in Berks county, Pennsylvania. May II, 1805, a son of John George and Catherine ( Hermerl^egerin^ Browni. The former was Ixjrn August 6, 1763. and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His wife died in Pennsylvania. In their family Avere: Pliilip; George; William; Catherine, the wife of George Harshman; David: and Jonathan. After the death of the wife and motJier, John George Brown came with his children to Greene county, Ohio, about the year 1823, and kxated on land in what is now- the Shakertown pike. He purchased about one hundred and fortyfour acres from one of the John boys, who had entered the land from the government ]>rior to the year 1800. There was a small log cabin ui)on the place and the family l>egan life in Ohio in true pioneer style. Later the sons purchased the land from their father and lie lived with them until his death, which occnirred at the home of his son George, in Sugarcreek township. Fel>ruary 22, 1847, his remains being interred in Mount Zion cemeter\-.

Jonathan Brown, the father of our subject, receiveil but limited .school privileges, and liis educational training was obtained in the German language, for he live<l in a German community in the state of Pennsvlvania. He came to Greene county when eighteen years of age. and at that tnne could not speak a word of English. He started out in life f(jr himself, and for many years followed the plasterer's trade, but in later life gave his attention to fanning. Vnv a number of years prior to his death, however, he was an invalid and was unable tt> engage in any kind of \\\)rk. He started out in life for himself Avithout a dollar, but he accumu- later! considerable propert}-, owning a fine fann and a very comfortaible home, tlie house standing to-day as it was built by him fiftv-one vears ago. Jonathan Brown was married January 18, 1832, to Polly Harshman, who wias born in Beavercreek township, Greene county, in 1810, a daughter of the pioneer settilers, Philip and Frances (Dumbaugh) Harshman. On both sides she comes from- prominent pioneer families. The Dumibaugbs were all buried in what is known as the Harshman & Zimmerman cemetery, one mile north of Zimmermanville. They became very extensive land owners and have a large number of descendants still living in the county. Philip Harshman, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 18, 1777, and was a son of Christian and Catherine Harshman, ."both of whom died in Frederick county. Mainland, never coming to this state. At the age of seventeen Philip Harshman was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade to ser\e for a term of three years. He worked at his trade for a number of years in Maryland, and was there marrie^l to Frances Dtimbaugh. In 1806 the}- emigrated to Greene county, Ohio', coming by wagon, and for three weeks they- lived in the wagon until a cabin could be erected. They, too, took up their abode near Zimmermanville. Mr. Harshman opened a shop and worked at the blacksmiith's trade, bang one o-f the pioneers in that line of business in the commnnity. He died March 18, 1845. '^"'^ many years before his first wife passed away, her death haiving occurred January 4, 1829. They were the pareiits of si.x children : George, the eldest, was born January 18, 1804: John C, born February 7, 1807, died

June zj. 1880. Catherine, born August 3, 1808, died December 5, 1833. Polly, the mother of our subject, was born Jamiary 23, 1810, and died March 22, 1899. Elizabeth, born September 28, 1813, became the wife of John Sipe, and died on the 3d of September, 1898. Jacob, I>orn August 21, 181 7, died April 20, 1861. Philip Harshman, the father of this family, chose for his second wife Mrs. Evaama Fielden, whose maiden name was Hull, They were married in the early part o'f 1838 antl had two sons, - Philip, who was torn January 22. 1839, and is living in Bealvercreek township: and William A., born August 6. 1844, and now a resident of Zimmermanville. Mrs. Evanna Hrashman died December 4, 1882.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Brown were born seven children, Elizabeth, the eldest, is now Mrs. Hare, a resident of Beavercreek tciwnship. Mary became the wife of Henry .\. Dalhimer, and li\-es with her brother Curnelius. She had two children, - Frank : and Mrs, Sarah M. Clayman. Cieorge, a resident of Montgomery county, Ohio, wedded Mary Fox, and their children are Mrs. .\manda Leman, Mrs. Flora Smith, John, \\'illiam, Mrs. Ada Gregg, Rav and Edith. John married Barbara Parson, and resides in Warren county, Ohio. Their children are Clement V., Charles, Mrs. Clara Cramer, and George. Philip, the fifth member of the Brown famii_\-, married Emma, Eckman, and died November 5', 1898, at the age of fifty-five years, but his widow- is still living in Bea- \-ercreek township. Tlieir children are Minnie M., Martha E. and Edward F. David, who is living in Montgomery county, wedded Mary Ellen Garner and the\' have five children ; Harr\-, Harvey, Lewis, Hattie and

Marie. Cornelius Brown is the youngest menil>er of the family and is hving upon tlie old homestead. The father died August 31, 1878, and his wife passed away March 22, 1899. their remains being interred in .Mount Zion Park cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat and both were members of the Reformed church. They were people of the highest respectability, known and honored in Greene county from pioneer days down to the time of their death.

B. Frank Hawkixs

A well known representative of the agricultural interests of Greene county, B. Frank Hawkins was bom on the old Hawkins homestead on the Ankeiiey road, December 12, 1841. and lijus alway.i lived in that neighborhood. His paternal grandfather, Mounce Hawkins, was one of the honored pioneer settlers of this portion of the state and became an extensive land owner and prominent and intluential citizen, aiding largely in the early development of the county. He was an own cousin of David Crockett, the famous scout and explorer. Leaving his old home in the Slienandoah valley of Virginia be came to Greene county, Ohio, in 1814. and settled in Xenia township, together with his fzuher-in-Iaw. Da\is Allen, who ha<l jjurchased one thousand acres of land, paying for the same five thousand dollars. This tract was originally covered with timl)er but be cleared away the forest trees and developed a \ery valuable farm. Mounce Hawkins wedded IMary Allen, a daughter of Davis and Elizabeth (Antrim) Alien, who were also from Virginia,

Reuben Hawkins, the father of our subject, removed from the old home place to a fann upon tlie Hawkins road, upon which be lived until his death, his attention being given to the cultivation of the fields and to stock-raising. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Xenia and his life was in consistent harmony with his religious faith. In his political views he was a Democrat in early life, and later joined the ranks of the Republican party, w ith which he continued to afliliate until his death. For sometime he served as a school director and took an active interest in promoting the cause of education and adxancing even- movement for the general good. He was indeed a public-spirited and progressive citizen ajid was accounted a valued and representative resident of his community. He died in 1870, when about sixty years of age, and his remains were interred in Woodland cemetery, in Xenia. His wife passed away in 1894. She bore the maiden name of Lydia Fallis, and was lx>rn in Clinton county, Ohio, a daughter of Jonathan Fallis, who came to this county at an early ])eriod in its development and settled in Xenia town.ship. He afterward removed near the East Point school house in Cedarville township and there carried on farming for many years. He finally purchased property below Clifton and built what wius called the old Fallis mill, which he operated for a numlier of years. When he disi)osed of his milling interests in this county he removed to Indiana, settling near the Wabash' river, where he engaged in the lumber business. Later he resided in Attica, Indiana, where he conducted a flouring mill, but his last days were ])assed in Dowagiac, Michigan,

In the family of Reuben and L}(Ha Hawkins were six chikh'en, hut our subject, who is the eldest, is the rmly one now living. Joseph G.. who was a member of Cnmpany D, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, during the Ci\il war. was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, when twenty years of age. Mary E. became the wife of Preston Machael, who' resides on the farm belonging to her father, and is an agriculturist and lumberman. She died in March, 1901, leaving two children, Jessie and Harry. Hannah L. died at the age of fifteen years. Sarah E. lived to the age of twenty-three years. James F., the youngest of the family, died in infamcy.

B. Frank Hawkins has always resided in the locality which is still his home. He obtained his early education in district No. i, in Xenia township, the school house lot having been given to the public for that purpose by his grandfather, Mounce Hawkins. After completing his studies our subject resumed the work on the old home farm, in whiich he still owns an interest, the estate having never been divided. He has also purchased a \'aluable farm of eighty-three acres, formerly occupied by Davis Hawkins. Throughout his entire life our subject has carried on general farming and stock-raising, and in his wnrk he has met with creditable and gratifying success. He makes a specialty of short-b(irn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. He is a representative of early pioneer families of this portion of the state who* from the time of primitive development here have been active in the work of progress and improvement, succeeding generations bearing their part in promoting the general welfare and upbuilding.

William ^lussetter is a \'enerable and respected citizen of Caesars Creek township. He was born in Berkeley count)-, W'est Virginia, on the 18th of May, 182 1, and has therefore passed the eighty-first mile-stone on life's journev. His parents were John and Anna Mussetter. The father was of German descent and the mother of French lineage, and were natives of Maryland, in. which state they were reared and married. Subse- (juently the}' remo\-ed to- Berkeley county, \Vest Virginia, and thence to Clinton county. Ohio, making their home in the village of Lulmberton, where they spent their remaining days. The year of their removal was- 1837 amd the journey was accomplished by team. In their family were seventeen children, five sons and twelve daughters. One of the number died in youths but the other sixteen reached years of maturity and fourteai of the number were married. Five of the family are yet living, three of them being residents of Clinton county, while one is in Kansas, and another, William Mussetter of of this review, is a valued resident of Greene county. The father died in 1847 'j"'^ 'lis wife sur\'ived him for many }ears and atthe time of her demise was almost ninety }ears of age.

William Mussetter pursued his etlucatiiHi in V'irg-inia and remained with his father until the latter"s death, after which he continued to Ii\-e with bis mother and her family for eighteen months after his marriage. That important e\-ent in his life occurred t>n the nth of October, 1848, the lady of his choice being Miss Virginia Hanghey-, who was born in Jefferson township, Greene county, on the ist of February, 1829. She is a daughter of Andrew M. and Ann (January) Haughey. Her grandfather.

Thomas Haugliey. came to Greene county from \irginia at an early clay and here Andrew M. Haug-hey spent many years of liis Hte, dying in Bowersville. After residing for eigliteen montlis in Clinton county, Ohio, Mr. Mussetter removed witli his young wife to Greene county, settling in Xenia township, on the Jasi^er pike, where he raited a farm, which he cultivated for ten years. In the spring of i860 he removed to his present home, which he purchased alx)Ut that time, becoming the owner of one hundred and fifty-four acres, to which he has since added a tract of fifty acres, so that he now has a large and valuable fami. The buildings upon ihc place have all been erected by him and are substantial structures standing in evidence of his thrift and enterprise.

Unld Mr. and Mr.s. Mussetter have been lx)ni ten children, of whom eight are yet living, .\inelia Ann is the wife of William Middk'ton, of Caesars Creek township. Clarissa is the wife of William Murphy, of the same township. Emily Jane is the wife of Isaac Wolf, of Xenia township, and they have five children, - Joseph, Lewis, Paul, Walter and Basil. The fouitb member of the family of William Mussetter is Basil, who wedded Mary Pickern and resides in California. They have four children. - Raymond, LeKoy, Ann and an infant. Josephine is the wife of Charles Pearson, of Florida, and they have five children. - Edna, l-'rank. Ralph. Forest and Eunice. Josei)h married Sally Swope. and is living in Wilmington. Ohio, with his wife and two children, Viola and William. Ida May is the wife of Chester Ballard, a resident of Washington, D. C. and their children are juseph O. ; Edith: Fe: Guy: Chester and Susan, twins. WilHain E. married Maude

Hite. a daughter of William Hite, and they have three children, Mary. Clara and Clarence. He is living with his father upon the home fami and now has the management of tlie ])rM])ert\-. carrying on general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Mussetter is a well-to-do man and has made bis own way in the world, starting out in life with nothing to aid bim but a strong heart and willing hands. He deserves all the success that he has won and today is the owner of a \er\- comforiable competence. He is highly respected by all who know him, and his enter]>rise in business and loyalty in citizenship have made him a valued resident of the communitv.

James R. Axdersox

James R. Anderson is a retired farm-r living at Spring Valley. His life has been marked by industry, uprightness and fidelity to duty and he enjoys in a high degree the respect ami confidence of his fellow men. He comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather. John Anderson, having fought for the indeijendence of the colonies, while his father. James Anderson, was a soldier of the war of 18 12 and a powder-horn that he carried at that time is still in the ]><>ssessi()n of his son. John Anderson <lie<! ill tliis county and was buried en the home farm, three miles east of Spring \'a!ley.

Our subject was l>orn on the old homestead .\pril 10, 1833, and acquired a good common-sclKX>l education in that neighborhood. When alx)ut twenty years of age he started out in life for himeslf and f>n the 7th of Xovemlier. 1852. he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Ja\', a daughter of Alexander and Margaret ( Irving) Jay. The lady was born in Clinton county, July 5, 1834, and by this marriage there were two children: Ambrose and William A. The former is married and resides in the village of Spring Valley, while William A. is a resident of Colorado. IMrs. .Anderson died June 20, 1877, and on the 23d of January, 1879, Mr. Anderson was again married, his second union being with Anna Sanders, the daugliter of Jesse P. and Cassandra (Bell) Sanders. Her father's maternal grandfather, Daniel Cain, was also a soldier and lived to the advanced age of one hundred vears. at which time he had but one tooth missing. He was buried about one mile north of Spring Valley, on what is known as the Benjamin Allen farm, it having" formerly Ijeen the property of ^Ir. Cain.

On both paternal and maternal sides Mrs. Anderson is descended from honored pioneer ancestry of this state. Her father was the man who invented and tried to operate the first reaper e\-er used in this country-. He pondered over the matter much, and as his time and mone}- offered him the opportunity he worked out his ideas until in the little village of Bellbrook he had compiled the first reaper ever seen in America. A local paper in speaking of this said : "On a 'bright July morning in 1844 the first reaper that was ever invented for cuttingwheat, was taken from an old shop in Bellbrook and drawn by two sturd}- horses up the hill past the schoolhouse, to the old Bell fann - now belonging to Jacob Haynes - and placed in a field of ripe wheat for its first trial. The new invention had quite a following that morning, some sharply criticising its merits, and the possibility of its failure of success, others were as sanguine as the inventor himself. The e.xcitement was intense when the horses started the machine around the field, the great wooden arm of the reaper rising and falling, and with every revolution drawing the grain down in the track of the reaper's teeth, leaving a wide strip of fallen wheat behind it, all ready to be bound in sheaf. The evening before a peddler had stopped at the village tavern, and when the little party left town ft->r the wheat field, he sauntered along with them, eagerl}- watching the machine, and finally calling the attention of the inventor to certain defects in his plan, eagerly questioning him as to the different points in its mechanism, as to whether patents were granted, etc. The people of the town did not suspect that the peddler had any ulterior motive. They were upright, honest people themselves, and did not think a man could possibly seek his knowledge for any dishonest purpose, but wdien the next year the famous McCormick reaper was patented and put upon the market, thus robbing Bellbrook and Jesse Sanders of fame and fortune, it was then that the people suspected that the peddler had stole his ideas from the scene which he witnessed in the harvest field that day. ^Ir. Sanders had expected to improve (jn the imperfections which he had noticed in the working of the machine, but had not the money to do it at that time, and thus the opportunity passed.

On the maternal side Airs. Anderson descended from: Stqjhen Bdl, the founder of the town of Bellbrook. He was laorn in the colony of New Jersey, August 18. 1774. and married Hai-inah Scudder, of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. September 9. 1795. They had eleven children, including Cassander Bell, who became the wife of Jesse San- ders and tlie mother uf Mrs. Amlerson. The Bell family was one of proniinenec in the community, actively identified witli many lines of business, and one who contributed to the material development of the county. Jesse Sanders, at the time of his marriage, was engaged in the wagon-making business, but afterward he ^ removetl to Spring Valley, where his wife died. Subsequently he married a Mrs. Snodgrass and in 1 88 1 removed to a farm near Tippecanoe City, Avhere his death occurred several years ago. His daughter. Mrs. Anderson, was bom April 23. 1839.

Mr. Anderson carried on the grocer}- trade in Spring X'aliey from 1855 until 1857, after whicii lie engaged in farming for a few years. During a part of the Civil war he served as an enrolling officer for Spring Valley township, laeing appointed by Cjovernor Brougli in 1862. In Xoveml)er. 1864. he enlisted for active service at the front as a member of Company G, One Huntlred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, which went forward at the call for hundredday men. He was in the army aljout four months and participated in the battle at Xew Creek. He has also .served his countn*- in a civil capacity, having been constable and £issessor of his township. In 1882 he wa> appointed suiiervisor of the county intimiarA-. which office he resigned in the spring of 1890. and since that time he has lived a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has tnily earned and rightly deserves. In his pi>litical affiliations he is a Repulilican. and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Grand Army of the Republic. He holds membership in the MetbrKlist Protestant clnirch. and his life has l)een in harmony with Ills profession. His word is as good as his bond and at all times he has been straight forwanl in his dealings with his fellow men. His life is in many respects well worthy of emulation, and throughout the countv he is widelv known and honored.

Robert D. Poague

Robert U. Poague is well reinembere<l by many residents of Greene county for he was a representati\e farmer of this iK)rtion of the state. Washington said that. "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable calling to which man devotes his energies." and this is iis true to-day as when uttered more than a century ago. Agriculture fonns the basis cif all business activity, and its representatives are usually men of worth, who. working in an even tenor, live an upright, honoraijle life. Such an one was Robert D. Poague. who was well known as a livestock dealer as well as a cultivator of the soil.

Mr. Poague was lx)rn on the 2d of January, 1 8 14, and was one of four children of Thomas and Margaret ( Boggs) Poague. His father was lx>rn in X'irginia, while the mother was born in Kentucky. It was in the year 1807 that tiic faniilv was estalv lished in Greene county by the father of our subject who cast in his lot with the early settlers, at a time when this section of the state was u|X)n the wild western frontier. He aided in reclaiming the land for pur- Ijoses of civilization and for years carried on stiKk-raising and farming with excellent success, being thus engaged at the time of his death, which occurred in 1816. Greene county thereby lost i>ne of its inlluential and representative men.

Robert D. Poague spent tlie years of liis active life in Greene county, his birth havingoccurred on the old homestead there. After the death of lier husband IMrs. Poague and her familv returned to her father's home in Fayette county. Kentucky, and remained there until 1835. when after the education of her children and the arrival of Robert Poague at years of maturity she returned with her family to the old larm here. She died in i860. Her son, Roljert D. Poague, received good educational advantages at a private school ajid on his return to Greene assumed the management of the farm of which he later became the owner, being one oif the successful men of the dav. He added to his possessions from time to time until at his death he was the owner of thirteen hundred acres. He made a specialty of raising mules and foimd this a \ery profitable source of income, having the largest -establishment of this kind in this section of the state. He also carried on farming, his lioiiie being a few miles from Xenia. where he owned and operated five hundred acres of \-aluab'le land. He was progressive in his fanning methods and his well tilled fields brought to him golden harvests. He purchased improved machinery and was not slow to adopt methods which he believed proA'e of practical \-alue in carrying on the farm work. Energ}- and industry were numbered among his salient characteristics and his well directed lators were crowned with a creditable degree of success.

It was on the 6th of January, 1846. that Mr. Poague was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Goode, a daughter of Burwell and Elizabeth ( Smith ) Goode, the former a native of Virginia. Mrs. Poague still survives her husband and is yet residing with her son, W'illiaiii T. Two other sous, James B. and Charles M., are both residents of Chicago, Illinois, while Margaretta, the only daughter, became the wife of T. J. Pringle, and died in 1881. Mr. Poague gave his political support to the Republican party, having fimi faith in its principles, and his religious faith was indicated by his menilDcrship in the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed away in 1859, and the news of his death brought a feeling of sadness into many homes, where his sterling worth had gained him warm frieiids.

William T. Poague. who resides in Xenia and is identified with agricultural interests in Greene county, was born on the old homestead, a few miles from the city, on the ,31st of July, 1849, his parents being Robert D. and Mary E. (Goode) Poague. He attended the schools of Xenia and afterward continued his education in Springfield. His father having died when he was ten years of age, he returned to the fan^n with his mother and, being the eldest son, the nianagement of the property devolved upon him. He continued the supervision of the whole farm until the estate was divided, after which he continued famiing for himself, having a very valuable tract of land of about four hundred acres. Thiis he) 'has placed under a high state of cultivation and the well tilled fields bring to him golden harvests. His careful supen-ision is indicated by the neat and thrifty appearance of his place. He has been and is a successful man and well deserves his prosperity.

idence in Xenia, where he lias since remained. In the 23d of October, 1884, he was united in marriage to ^liss Augusta Steele and unto tliem has beai born one son - Steele Poague. The lady is a daughter of David Steele, a representative of one of the old families of the county. In iiis jjolitical views Mr. Poague is a stanch Republican and keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day, but has never sought or desired political preferment and he has always found that his business demands the greater i)art of his attention. Throughout the community. lx)th in the city and in the surrounding country', he is held in high esteem. He has always lived in Greene count\- and thus iiis history is largely familiar to many of its residents who know him to be a man of sterling worth. His business interests have been well conducted and his success is well merited.

William M. Xeeld

If every young man thoroughly uriderstood and l)elievcd what w isc men and philosophers are always pointing out - that success never comes to any one without great and perse\'ering effort. - a multitude of failures in life would be averted, and the world be a nuich happier ])lace than it is to-day. In countless thousands of instances, especially in the L'nited States, where men are rated at their true personal worth, iXM>r lx>ys have risen to ]>laces of prominence and influence, liecause they were not afraid of work, and hanl work, too, and because they were actuated by the ci>mniendal)le ambition to do something and he something worthy of the respect of all mankind. Mr.

yir. Xeeld was born in Spring \'alley, Greene county, August 10, 1849, ^"<^1 '^ a second son and child of Jason M. Xeeld, whose birth occurred in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. July 7. 1818. In the fall of 1839 the father came to Ohio, settling in Spring \'alley towniship, Greene county. Here he married Miss Susanna Allen, a native of the township, and a daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Campbell) Allen, the fonner born in \'irginia and the latter in South Carolina. At an early date her parents came to this county, and here ]\Irs. Neeld was bom A])ril 2. 1818. Im-oui early youth until his last illness Jason M. Xeeld engaged in the manufacture of shoes. In politics he was a sturdy Democrat, and was known throughout the community as a man of industry and business integrity. He filled the office of township treasurer and at all times was a loyal and progressive citizen. In his family were three children: William M.. Benjamin F. and Mary E.. but the lastnamed died at the age of thirty years.

William ]\I. Xeeld was reared under the parental roof and acquired a good commonschool education. At night and on Saturdays he worked with his father at the shoemaker's trade, beginning his apprenticeship w hen but fourteen \ears of age, but the close conlinement of the shop affected his health and in his sixteenth year he went to the farm, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He then returned t(^ the village and although he had not yet attained Iiis majority, he carried on his father's shop for a \ear. Afterward he became proprietor of a meat market, but when a few years had ])assed he once more engaged in the man- iifacture of Ixjots and slices and extended the field of his business activity by engaging in. the sale of hats and caps. He was thus a factor in commercial circles of his native town for fifteen years, when he sold the establishment to J. D. Moon, but a year later he again became owner of the same store, remaining its proprietor until August. 1888, when he sold out to F. C. Carey. For two or three years prior to his retireiuent from merchandising he also carried on a livery and undertaking establishment and later he engaged in the brick business. Mr. Neeld closed out his business at Spring Valley in 1893, and removed his undertaking business to Xenia, locating on West ^lain street, and for the past eight years has occupied commodious rooms at 44 West Main street. He has come to be considered one of the substantial business men of Xenia, giving his exclusive attention to the undertaking business. He has a pleasant home on Spring Hill. As the years have passed he made judicious investments in real estate, thus becoming the owier of valuable and desirable property. The characteristic of his business career is that he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by earnest ajid indefatigable effort.

On the 17th of November, 1880, occurred the marriage of Mr. Xeeld and Miss Maggie E. St. John, a most estimable lad\- and a daughter of A\'illiam and Alartha (Smith) St. John, of Caesarscreek township. Four children blessed their union: Ralph Al., Edith, Paul and Charles. Mrs. Neeld belongs to^ the ]\Iethodist Episcopal chiu'ch and Mr. Neeld contributes generally to its support. His political support is given to the Democracv. While a resident of

Spring \'alley he served for ten years as a manber of the school board and for four years was a member of the board of trustees. He 'was the originator of the movement to construct a township an'd corporation building in Spring Valley and as the result of his ettorts the village now possesses a fine three story brick structure, the lower floor Ijeing occupied Ijy township and \-illage otfrces and a store room, while the sec(jnd is used as the township hall and the third floor is occupied by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. No man has contributed more largely to the progress and improvement O'f Spring Valley than has Mr. Neeld, not onlv through generous gifts of mone_\- but through untiring effort on its behalf and through the establishment of lousiness interests has promoted commercial activity, which forms the foundation of progress in all communities. He manifests a most unselfish interest in the general good and is highly regarded. His nature is kindly, his temperament jovial and genial and his manner courteous, and throughout this part of the county it \\ould be diflicult to find one who has a larger circle of friends.

Alanson Reynolds Crandall

For many years this gentleman was prominently identified with the business interests of Nenia, but is uoav living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He Avas born in this city in 1845 ^^ a, son Oif Nickolas and Anner (Brown) Crandall. The father was a native of Connecticut, born in 1809, and when a young man left his New England home to launch out in Inisiness for himself in the far west, as Ohio was then considered. Il was aljout 1838 tliat he took up his residence in Troy, this state, and our sul)ject now has in his possession a letter written l)y his fatlier at that place in 1840. in which he says: "1 am foreman in building a court house in Troy. I am gettino; gorKl wages for liiese hard times - thirty-tive dollars a month - and have the whole charge of the work." For some time lie was engaged in contracting and building and assi.sted in the erection of the court liouse in Xenia in 1846. fur which jiurpo.se he left Trov and l(;cated permanently in Xenia. His lumber yard, planing mill and residence occupied considerable groimd on West Second street. Ijetween Galloway street and the Cincinnati mad. .\fter a useful and well s])ent life he died at this place in 1853. His wife, who long survived hiuT. dying in Ohio in 1889. was liorn in Xewburg. Xcw York, in 1816, and removed to Troy. Ohio, with her parents al)out the same time Mr. Crandall located there, settling on a farm near that place.

At the usual age .\lanson Reynold Crandall entered the public schools (vf Xenia. l)ut was forced to lea\e sch<x>l at an earl\ age. his father having died when he was hut eight vears old. It'was his ambition and almost his neces.sit-y to assist in maintaining his widowed mother and two ymniger sisters. When yet a yr)ung lad he entered the clothing house of Phillipp Simmons, who was of Jewish faith but a polished gentleman and a most noble friend to his Ixw clerk. He remained with Mr. Simmons until the latter sold his business to Benjamin Bruel. by whom he was employed for many vears. In 1873 Mr. P.ruel was unable to continue longer in business owing to failing health', and he made it possible by a generous offer and easy terms for Mr. Crandall to purchase the st(Kk and the real estate. By careful, unremitting attention to business, together with qualifications both natural and acquired. Mr. Crandall met with remarkable success as a merchant and was an artist in liis business. l)cing easily "the I'rince r)f Greene county clothiers." In 1892 he erected a handsome three-stoiy business block on the site where he had done business for over thirty years. This was the first of the modern business blocks that have been erected in Xenia in die last ten years. In 1892 Mr. Crandall sold his interest in the slcjck to his partner and retired from business with a nice fortune to make comfortable his raiiaining years. In politics he is a Republican, and while ni)t a manl>er of any church organization his life has ever 1>een - do right - do good, and his quiet charities will li\c long after what is mortal has passed

Moses A. Hagler

The members of the Hagler family in (jreene county need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the representatives of the name are widely knowii in this portion of the state, where from pioneer times to the present the Haglers have taken an acti\e and \alued ]>art in promoting i)ublic progress and improvement. Moses Allen Hagler. of this review . is a wide-awake and energetic farmer of Xenia township. He was born in this locality. Octoljer 9. 1854. and is a son of William L. and Mary L. Hagler. 1 le remained under the parental roof until alxnU thirty-five years of age. His youth was spent in the acquirement of a good English eilucation in the public schiwls and in work niion the home farm, where through the summer months he assisted in the labors from the time of planting until crops were haf vested. His first independent business venture was in connection with his brother, with whom he purchased one hundred acres of land, and to the cultivation and inipro\ement of this tr-act they gave their attention, whereby they gained a comfortable competence, and, in\esting their acquired capital in more land, they eventually had a \-aluable farm of two hundred acres. Later the business relations between them was discontinued and our subject took one luindred acres, which he transformed into a \aluable and highly productive farm. In 1899 he erected a fine dwelling upon his place. It is built in an attractive style of architecture, supplied with hot water and with ever}- modern convenience, in fact, it is of the best homes in this part of the and the other improvements on the farm are in keeping therewith. He has an orchard co\'ering twenty acres, including peach, plum and apple trees. His principal ijusiness, however, is in small fruits, having sold as high as eight hundred bushels annually. His knowledge of horticulture is comprehensive and that he has a practical understanding of the business is indicated by the large amount of fruit raised. His place is called the Ridge \'iew Fruit farm. Mr. Hagler also gives his attention to the cultivation of various cereals and to stock-raising.

On the 2 1 St of October. 1892. occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss ]\Iartha A. Wead, who was born in Xenia tow nship. and is a daughter of Joseph \\'ead. who died May 8. 1901. at the age of nearh' eighty years. In his political \'iews Mr. Hagler is a Republican, and has always espoused the of that party. Both he and his wife hold membership in the First United Presbyterian church of Xenia. They are well known in the city and in their neighborhood, and by the possession of those qualities, which in every land and clime command respect, they have won manv friends. The career of Mr. Flagler has been one of unfaltering industry and through strong purpose and diligence he has worked his way upward to the plane of affluence.

James Parker Chew

James Parker Cliew", proprietor of the Xenia Daily and Semi-weekly Gazette, was born in York county. Pennsylvania. April 10, 1832. He received a common school education in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of printer in the Herald ofiice of that citv.

He came west in the year [851. Six months before he was of age, in the year 585J. lie bnught the Lawrenceburg. Indiana, Press. He resided at Lawrenceburg and conducted the paper except as to two or three short intervals, for twentv-five vears. During this time he was also engaged in other business. He was deputy collector of internal revenue for seven vears, collectingin that period o\-er nine millions of dollars.

On Xo\ember ist, 1877, lie bought the Xenia (O). Gazette, then a weekly paper. On X'ovanljer 2y. 1881, he started the Xenia Daily Gazette and changed the weekly into a semi-weekly. In August. 1888. he boiight the Xenia Torchlight and consolidated it with the Gazette. Both the daily and the semi-weekly papers have met with remarkable succes.s. exceeding in circulation any papers in like sized towns in the state. ]. P.

On Xovember 23. 1853. J. P. Cliew was married to Miss Harriet Louisa PJrown, of Lawrenceburg. Inthana. who continued his beloved lite-companion fur forty-seven years, until December 5. 1900. when she dietl quite suddenly of iieart iroulile. brought on by asthma from whicii slie had long suffered. To them were Ixmi three children. W. B. Chew and Mrs. J. O. Mc- Cormick, both of Xenia, Ohio, and Mrs. W. E. Hopton, of Cincinnati.

D.Wtd E. Beal

David Elias Beal, of Bowersville. Greene county, is a citizen wiiose worth in the community^ has 'been recognized by elections to iHiblic office on several <K"casions. He is now sening as assistant cashier in tlie bank of Bowersville, making his home in the town where he is classed among the representative and valued citizens. He was lx)rn in Caesars Creek township on the 30tli of May. i8()0. and is a son of .Varon H. and Keziah Jane (Ary) Beai. The father was also a native of Caesars Creek township and his parents were George Beal and his wife. The latter lK)re tlie maiden name of Driscoll. At an early date tlicy came to Greene county, settling in Caesarscreek township, wliere tiie grandfather of our subject secured three hundred acres of land, all of which was covered with timl>er. He had to cut down tlie trees and clear away the brush in order lo ])low the lielils and ])rei)are the land for cultivation. He jxissessed industry and energy, howexer, and in the course of time transformed his fields into a rich farm, upon whicii he si)ent liis remaining days. His wife also died there and lx)th were interred in the Xew Hojie canetery near Paintersville.

The father of our suljject pursue<l his education in a log school but his o])|x>rtunities in that direction were quite limited. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager, and he assisted in the arduous task of developing new laufl. Cnder the l)arental nxif he remained until he was twenty-five years of age, when lie was married and started out in life on his own account. He then purchased a small farm, adjoining the old home, resided there for a long jieriod and afterward removed to Jefferson township, in 1870. Here he jnirchased a fami about two miles southwest of tiie village of Bowersville. It was at first one hundred and sixty acres in extent, but at different times he added tracts of sixty, fifty-four and twelve acres, so that his fann became a large as well as a \aluable one. It continued to be his residence until the spring of 1885, whai he remo\ed to Jamestown, Ohio, where he continued for two years. On the expiration of that jieriod, however, he returned to the fann, where he continued for one year and then purchased another farm four miles west of Xenia, where he now lives. It is located in Sugar Creek towniship and has been his place of alxxle since 1888. Through the years of his active manhood Mr. Beal has continually added to Iiis capital as the result of untiring energ>- and capable management of liis business affairs. He is a Democrat in his political belief and strongly endorses the principles of the party, yet he has never consented tO' accq^t public office. His wile belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In their family were seven children: David E., of this review ; Samuel Lewis, who is living in Jefferson township; Charles Elmer, of the same township; Margaret Emma, the wife of S. S. Hollingsworth, of Clinton county : ]\lelville Franklin, who resides in Spring Valley township; Clara Jane, who died at the age of sixteen vears ; and Clinton Price, who is still living with his parents.