Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 5 of 25)

While there he was elected sheriff of the county and assumed the duties of that office in 1828, and held the uflice fur two successive terms. At that time the county jail was an old stone building, which stood on the west side of the present city park. The county did not then provide a residence for the sheriff, and he lived in a small frame house on the same lot on East Second street where he was living at the time of his death. This building was moved in late years to East Church street. In 1833 'i'^ ^\'''=' elected to the state legislature and served one year as representative. - Before going to the legislature and after his return from that body he held the office of justice of the peace in Xenia. He. was then elected sheriff' and reentered that office in 1836, again ser\ing two terms. Soon after the beginning of the first term a new jail was built in connection with a sherift"s residence, on the east side of the public square, was completed, and Mr. Scott and his family settled in the residence thus furnished them. The washing for the prisoners was done at the expense of the sheriff", who also had to furnish all necessary fuel and was paid only twenty-live cents per day for boarding each prisoner confined in the jail. There were then very few sheriff' sales; people then helped each other out of their financial difficulties, and there were few failures in business. Whatever sheriff' sales there were then, were almost exclusively sales in partition.

Mr. Scott was sheriff' was Dr. Thomas Neal, who was sentenced to a long tenn of imprisonment. On account of his unusual trustworthy disposition in a matter of that kind he was for awhile allowed the privileges of the jail yard during the day, and some times they permitted him to take a stroll about town. After his release Mr. Scott and others who took an interest in his welfare set him up in business in a small botanical drug store and succeeded in getting him a small practice. His wife, known by all as "Auntie Xeal," was a general favorite in the town and especially with the children. The old couple removed to Jamestown some years after and there they died not a great while ago.

In 1839 Mr. Scott was again elected representative to the legislature, and thfs time served two terms. Among others whom he remembered as members oi the legislature when he was one of that body, and with w horn he was then acquainted, he mentioned Thomas W. Bartley and David Todd, both of whom afterwards became governors of the state: Joseph Vance, who was then in the senate and had been governor ; Seaburry Ford, who afterwards was governor; Charles Brough, who afterwards became a very prominent citizen of Cincinnati, and who was a brother of John Brough, who was then auditor of state and was afterward elected' governor; George H. Flood, afterward United States minister to Texas before its annexation ; Judge Smith, of Warren county, father of Judge Smith, so well known in our present courts ; Aaron Harlan, who was once a member of congress from this county ; George D. Hendricks, who w^as once noted for his ready wit. Once when Hendricks had the floor another member iirose and said : "Mr. Si)eaker, is there anything'before the I'.ouse?" When Hendricks, referring to the member that had interrupted liim, exclaimed soto voce, "Yes, there is a

At another time a member, a Baptist preacher, presented a Ijill providing for tlie erection of a dam across one of the largest tributaries to tlie ^Muskingum river. He was very earnest in urging tlie passage of the bill and made an imnecessarily frequent use of the name of the structure for wliich the provision was urged, and wlien lie closed his speech Hendricks arose and said : "Mr. Speaker, I move that the word "dam" be struck from this bill: the frequent use of such profanity is decidedly corrupting to the morals of this august body."

While at Columbus ]\Ir. Scott became intimately acquainted with Judge Bellamy Storer, who was often in that city on legal business. During his first term in the legislature he drew up the bill for the incorporation of the first bank ever incorporated in Xenia, called "The Xenia Bank," with John Hivling, president, John Ankeney, James Galloway. John Dodd. James Gowdy, General R. D. Forsman, Silas Roberts and others as incorporators. This bill was presented by George D. Hendricks, and by him its passage was materially aided. Wdiile in the legislature the second time Mr. Scott presented a bill for the incorporation of the Dayton and Xenia Turnpike Company. This bill was passed, Ijut he thinks that the road ^^as built under a subsequent incorporation. The first bank in Xenia, however, was organized iti 1818. with William Elkins cashier.

family to the John Ewing farm, just east of Xenia, and there followed the occupation of farming. The farm residence was a log house, which stood near where the brick house stands in which Adam Rader used to live. ]\lr. Scott remained there for two years and then moved to the Hivling farm, on the west side of Xenia, and lived in the house which has since l)een enlarged and improved and is now (1899) occupied by Mrs. Jerry Parkhill. flere he continued farming for about two years, when he was elected to the of^ce of county recorder.

It was about this time that the great and disastrous Puterbaugh fire occurred. The fire was first disco\-ered by John Crumbaugh, \\'illiam McDaniel. and Jacob Bazzel, who, being out \'ery late that night, were pr<.iceeding toward home, when they stopped at the corner of Main and Detroit streets for a moment's chat. While there their attention was atttractcd by peculiar sounds of some one in great distress, and in proceeding in the direction from which the sounds came, they discovered that they were the groans of some one within the Puterbaugh storeroom, and the building was on fire. They gave the alarm and soon hundreds were gathered around the terril>e scene, wluise revelations of murder aii'' work of destruction stamped a picture so indelibly upon the minds of all who witnessed the scene that time will fail to erase it. The date of this sad occurrence was August ,v 1^45- Two young men in the store were murdered, William Steele and James Kinney. The latter is buried in Woodland cemetery. Mr. Steele was buried in the northeastern corner of what is now known as the \\'est Market street school yard, then known as the Associate graveyard.

^\'llile recorder, Mr. Sci>it iutrotluccd a new s\stcni of indexing tlie records, which has ever since aided greatly in facilitating the business of the office. He was continued in this office for nine years, .\fter his third term c.x]iircd he was elected to tlie office of count\- auditor, and tilled that i)Osition one term. Xot many years afterward he was elected township trustee, and was continued in that (ifiicc fur many years, and until he declined to serye longer on account of his desire to relinquish the labors and responsibilities of active life, in order to live in a more retired manner during his remaining days.

He is now in the eighty-sixth year of his age. and has retained the natural faculties of mind and ImkIn- to an innisual degree. His father died at the age of eighty-six years at the residence of his son, John, near Troy, Ohio, in 1S34. His mother died in I'eiinsyh'ania some years before. John Scott, his brother, .died near Troy, Ohio, after having passed his eighty-second year. And anfUher brnther. \\'illiam Scott, now lives in 'JVoy, and is in his eighty-second year. This similarity in the longevity of the father and the three sons and only children is somewhat remarkable. Mrs. Scott was, at the aforesaid date, in the eighty-third year of her age, and has been blessed with a continuation of health and strength of both body and mind to an extent equal to that of her husband's. , They have been married for o\'er sixty-two }cars, The_\- have survived six of their children, and have but three living: ^Irs. John ^^'. Manor, of this city : David Scott, who li\-cs in Indiana: and James, who resides with his parents on East Second street, this city. ]\Ir. James A. Scott, the subject of this sketch, after a long and useful life, died

We find that away back in 179<S it \\,is a part of what is known as survey Xo. 2243. in the name of Warren and .\ddison Lewis, patented to Robert Pollard on the 24th of December, 1798, calling for one tiiousand acres. On July 6, 1801, Robert Pollard and Jael, his wife, conveyed the same to Thomas Richardson and wife, Elizabeth. On the 27th of June, 1803, John Paul, the founder of Xenia, became the owner of the aforesaid one thousantl acres, of which lot X"o. 2/, the (jalloway corner, was a part. On the 14th of Xovember the honoraljle court of the county of Greene had decided that the forks of Shawnee creek was to be the iiermanent county seat of Greene county. Ohi(j. Joseph C. X'ance had been employed to survey and lay out the count \- seat and had been selected to act as director for said county seat. Mr. Vance served in that ca])acity until Septemljer. 1805. and ;it that date ret^igned and \\'illiam A. Beatty was chosen as his successor in office. On the 13th of September, 1810. James Galloway, Jr., purcliased of William A. Beatty lot Xo. ^j, ninety-nine feet on Chillicothe, or Main, street, and one-half the distance of the square running north on Detroit street, consideration for the same three hundred dollars. Prior to this on the nth of September. 1807, William A. Beatty had con^-eyed to Henry Phenix, lot X^o. 38, immediately west cf and adjoining Mr. Galloway's lot, and on which he liad erected a cabin en llie present site of what is now (1900) known as the Drees and Thornhill Iniilding, and was keeping tavern. On the 14th of Xovember, 1808, j\Ir. Phenix sold to Dr. Andrew W. Davidson, Xenia's first physician, lot No. 38. On that lot, present site of th.e John J. Knox saddler's shop, Mr. Davidson erected a two-story brick house. March 11, 1813, Mr. Davidson cuineyed to James Galoway, Jr.. the lilt, which extended west to what is known as the Crnmbaugh line. The same year, 1813, that Mr. Galloway purchased lot Xo. 38, he commenced to build what has been known for almost three-fourths of a century "The Galloway corner," which gave rise to the subject of this sketch. Mr. Hugh Andrew says that a Mr. Hartsook did the mason work, and that it was the largest brick buildings in Xenia at that time. The other corners at this time were vacant, and many of the inhaljitants of Xenia got their fire wood from the lots on which they lived. The streets at that time were full of stumps and everything presented a wild appearance. -\Ir. Galloway had [jrevious to this time completed a large brick house in 1809 on his farm, six miles north of Xenia, on the Fairfield pike, known as "Ramblers' Retreat." The old home is yet standing ami owned l)y William H. Collins. Four of Mr. Galloway's cliildren were born at this place. The father of Major Galloway had come from f'ennsylvania, and had removed and settled in Kentucky, during tlie most perilous times of Indian warfare, and had participated in the dangers along with Boone, Simon Kenton and others, in their struggle to reclaim the land from the savage foe. He was also along with Gen. Roger Clarke, in 1782. in his second expedition to Old Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, and other points. In the year 1797 he removed from Kentucky to his home in Ohio, and located on land west of the Little Miami, opposite the present }vliami Powder Mills. About nineteen years previous to his coming to Ohio, Xovember -3- ^77^- he had married Miss Rebecca Junkin, in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania. Maj. James Galloway, his eldest son. and the builder of the Galloway corner, had an eventful life. At the age of twenty years, accompanied by his father, he made a trip back to his old Kentucky home, in 1802, and through the influence of his father. Jame? Galloway, Sr., who had known Col. Richard Anderson in the war of the Revolution, and his uncle, George Pomeroy. he succeeded in getting the ai)pointment of dejiuty surveyor of the \'irginia military district of Ohio. And one is filled with surprise and wonder to-day ( 1900) as he looks at and examines his large ledgers, books of surveys, field notes, and the hundreds of letters pertaining to his business in his various transactions, and the thoughts will come, and questions will arise, how could one man accomplish so much, and do it so neatly. And in addition to this work, his home duties, duties to his country in the war of 1812, in which he took part, sometimes as .i private soldier, other times as captain of a company, and as major of a regiment, and in all the work that was essential to making the conditions of his fellow men better, we find Alajor Galloway did his part and did it well. But we will return to our subject, "The Galloway corner." John W. Shields, along about 1877, says: "In 1814 ]\Iajor Galloway removed from his place. "Ramblers' Retreat,' to Xenia. and into the corner aforesaid, where spacious rooms had been prepared fur the family, in addition to the storerooms on the corner. It is witii feelings of regret that a complete list of the parties that transacted business in that corner can not be given. The tirst to sell merchandise was the firm of George Townsley & Co., in 1814. The next to occupy the corner probably was the firm of Dodd, Parkison & Lowry. Mr. John Dodd, the senior member of the firm, had been to Philadelphia, and had brought home with him among other articles, which he had purchased, the first lucifer matches that had been brought to Xenia. They were a great curiosity, and were stared at by his customers who thought they would l>e a great thing, enabling them to start a fire without taking a shovel and going half a mile .to a neighbor to borrow, but no one thought how universal they would become, and what a help they would be to ycnmg boys learning to smoke, and howconvenient they would be to incendiaries. A few yet,li\ing perhaps still remember Mr. Dodd, his personal appearance in his best days, his energetic, animated face, short neck, and his right shoulder carried higher than the left. Of these old-time merchants only two ( 1877) remain on our streets, John Ewing and Gen. Casper R. Merrick, who are still notetl for their (|uick step and vivacity, yir. James E. Galloway has in his home a photograph of the old corner which he was thoughtful in securing, and it is a valuable picture, and will become more so as time rolls on. In the (jld building there was a hall entering from Detroit street, and north (jf this hall were the parlor and sitting room, with dining room and kitchen in the rear. The second story afforded the family chambers, and were more spacious and comfortable than was common in that day. When the family removed to their present mansion the old parlor and sitting room were converted into a storeroom for Philip Lauman. After the removal of the lamily the second story was used for several years as a tailor shop by Andrew Hutchison, as genial and clever a man as ever lived in Xenia. He was the father of Clark Hutclrjson, yet conducting business in Xenia near the site where his father used to be. The Galloway corner is occupied by the present Steele building. The present Galloway mansion (1877) was erected in 1S30; the materials were all carefully selected ; Gen. Daniel Lewis was the mason, with his two apprentice boys, Aniel Rogers and William C. Robinson, better known as "Hud" Robinson; his carpenter was the late Robert Nesbitt. The family moved into their house in 1831, and there they have remained ever since. It is seldom that any family has remained in one place so long, forty-six years in the same house, and sixtythree on the same lot of ground. But fath.er anil mother have passed away, and also brothers and sisters, and now the family is reduced to two. L'nder those circumstances the old mansion was converted into business purposes. Major Galloway had the sagacity to foresee in the fertile soil of Ohio and its rapid settlement a fine opportunity for acquiring independence and, perhaps, wealth, he became, as we ha\'e seen, a surveyor and pursued his calling diligently for several years. He acquired large tracts of land in what is known as the military district that had been set aside for the soldiers of the Revoluion. We are informed on good authority that Mr. Galloway after having secured the position as deputy surveyor, under Col. Richard C. Anderson, supplied himself with all the necessary implements, books, etc., that were recjuired for his business, by taking his trusty rifle and going to the woods hunting, and by the results of such efforts made money enough to pay for all that was needed to perfectly supply his wants in regard to the aforesaid articles. A loft in one of the out buildings at "Ramblers' Retreat" was his office, which he fitted up. It is no wonder that success crowned his efforts. The rapid rise in the value of those lands enabled him to sell and reinvest. His success was, I suppose, much greater than he had at first anticipated. The consequence was, that he was able to support a style of life in Xenia that no other family here has ever maintained. His Glady farm of one thousand acres was the Egypt from which he drew his supplies. His stables were stocked with fine horses, and he kept his carriage and coachman. His sons were graduated from Miami iuii\-ersity, and his daughters were graduates of the best schools in Cincinnati. He was a lenient creditor, an indulgent landlord, and it gave him pleasure to help a poor man to independence, if he thought him worthy of assistance. He was an elder in the Associate church, under Rev. Francis Pringle, away back in 1811. And his home was ever open, as his father's had been, to the itinerate ministers of that church as well as to all of his friends.

Thomas Steele

Thomas Steele came to the United States in 181 2. He was a native of Ireland. Sometimes but a trifle settles the destinies of man, and, it is said, that the ship on which he sailed was stopped at sea by a British man-of-war. in order tn press young men in the na\-al serxice. 'Sir. Steele being c[uick and acti\c hid himself in tlie liold of the ship so securely that John Bull could not find him, and by this circumstance Great Britain lost a good sailor, but Xenia gained . an excellent teacher. Mr. Steele resided at first in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about two years, then went to Lexington, Kentucky, where he remained one year and in the winter of 1S15 came to Xenia, Ohio.

In the spring of 1816 he commenced his school in Xenia, which he continued until about 1848. being sustained by his merit as a teacher. His old pupils well remember his modest and humble dwelling and school house, on the site now occupied by our Center school building, also the thoroughness of his teaching. He was a devout Christian, religion being with him a calm and abiding conviction and through all h.'s life he remained firmly attached to the Covenantor church.

Soon after coming to Xenia Mr. Steele was united in marriage October 9, 1818, to Miss Maria Gaff, of this county. His eldest daughter, ]\Iartha Jane, widow of the late Dr. Adams, of Waynesville, Ohio, in 1876 resided in Kansas City, Mo., with her sister, i\Irs. Louise Trumbull. His son. Dr. Ebenezier Steele, was assistant surgeon of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry during the late Civil war. He died at N^ashville, Tennessee. His second daughter. Margaret, was the wife of the late R. F. Howard, one of Xenia's best lawyers, while his daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Patrick, now a widow, resides with her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Torrence, at Belle Center, Ohio, and his son, William, is now (1876) in the state of Texas. In 1848 Mr. Steele moved to Adams county, Ohio, but his change was un- f(_;rtunate and lie returned to Xenia in 1853, wliere he remained until i860, when he went to s])end the reniainder of his days with his daughter at Belle Center, Ohio. Willi of the older people of Xenia but remembers Thomas Steele? Among some of his pupils were Abraham Hivling, Alfred Trader, Thornton J^Iarshall, George Monroe, Benoni Nesbit, Albert Galloway and Thomas P. Townsley, but to enunxerate is out of the question. We must take them by families. There were the Starks, Merricks, Roberts, Crumbaughs and from ;inn>ng almiost all the old families of Xenia. Peace be to his ashes. He died at Belle Center. August 6, 1875, aged eighty-four years.

Was a carpenter by trade. Many of the first arid best houses were built by him in the county at an early date. He came from Iiuliaiia county, Pennsylvania, in 181 7, and was married to Miss X'ancy Townsley, daughter of Thomas Townsley, Sr., who \\as one of the first settlers near the present site of Cedarviile. His wife was a sister to Mrs. Major James Galloway, Jr. He was born in Ireland. December 27, 1790, and died in Xenia, Ohio, Jun* 26 1876, at the ripe age of eighty-six years. He is buried in Woodland cemetery.

A\'as a hatter by trade. He came to Xenia ni 1817. He purchased the lot now covered by the wholesale house of Eavey & Co. and westward. He was a man that was highly respected/ in Xenia, and was the father of the late Samuel Crumbaugh, sheriff of Greene county, and other children who were well known and respected. After spending nearly sixty years of his life in Xenia. on September 6, 1876, word came that the old pioneer had entered into his rest. In the year 1833 he assisted in organizing the Reformed church in this city, of which he was a faithful member. He was a native of Maryland, born .August 29, 1 79 1, and was eighty-five years of age at the time of his death. He lies in Woodland cemetery.

Abraham Larew

Mr. Larew was one of the early settlers of Xenia, a carpenter by trade, having located here in the year 1806. About 1834 he removed from Xenia tO' Logansport, Indiana, where he resided several years, but for some years previous to his death he resided near Cincinnati, with his son-in-law. Stephen Reeder (who was also a former resident oi Xenia), where he died April r. 1858, aged eighty-three years.

Some of the houses that he built are still standing in Xenia, notably one that is being used as a school house on West Market street. It is on Detroit street, about where the "famous cheap store" of A. G. Hiller now stands, and served as a grocery store of D. A. Dean & Bro., and the upstairs as the office for many years of the Xenia Torch Light. When the march of improvement took place it had to go, and was removed to its present location.

]Mr. Larew was also a soldier in the war of 1812 from Greene county, and was likewise a soldiet of the Revolution. Thus one by one are the old settlers being gathered to their fathers.

Ax Old Landmark Removed

In April, 1857, workmen were engaged in removing the old building that stood on what was called the Jonathan Wallace lot - - where now (1899) stands the Trebein mill. This was one of the oldest buildings in town, having been erected by INIr. Wallace in 181 1, as a residence. It was built of logs, and when first erected was but one story high. A few months later another story was added, and it was then looked upon as quite a stylish affair. Mr. Wallace occupieil it for more than thirty years. He was a hatter by trade. He removed from Xenia. and died at the house of Anthony Byers. Darke county, April 25, 1850, aged seventy years.

Edward Watts

Died at his residence one mile east of Xenia June 23, 1859, aged seventy-five years. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1782, and came to Ohio in 1806. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving six months in a tour of duty, and was in the expedition to the Maumee Rapids under the command of General Tupper. He came to Greene county in 1806, and was married in 1821 to Mrs. Margaret (Snavley) Reece, and settled on his farm one mile east of Xenia, where lie continued to reside until his death. He was always true to his country and principles, and in politics an unwavering, zealous Whig. His last sickness was of several months' duration. He lies buried in the Watt's family burial ground near the Xenia water works stand-pipe.

Major George Gordon

county, Peimsylvania, on the 7th of September, 1786. His father decided to move west in 1790, and taking his family, came in a wagon from near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, across the mountain to the river some miles above where Pittsburg now stands. .\nd at that point they proceeded down the ri\-er in a ilat boat,^and landed at a place called Limestone, which has since de\-eloped into the extensi\-e town of Maysville, Kentucky. Going from there farther back into the state they settled near Lexington. Fayette county, but leaving there in 1802, they came to Ohio, which was then a part of the northwestern territory, crossing the Ohio river on a fiat boat at Cinciimati, making their live stock swim the stream. Mr. Gordon said he remembered crossing the Ohio five times in that way during the year. Proceeding then to Warren county, then a part of Hamilton county, they settled near Lebanon, where Mr. Gordon remained with his father until 1813.

Previous tO' 1808 Major Gordon was afflicted with a severe attack of rheumatism, from which he suffered greatly for many years, though during his later years he was not harrassed with the accustomed pains of the disease. He said the disease was first brought on by sleeping in a "Dutchman's" feather bed. He one day took a load of grain to the niill to be ground, and was forced to remain at the mill over night while tile grinding was being done. The miller, a German, slept in the mill and had a bed on the ground floor of the building. This he invited Mr. Gordon to occupy for the night, while he would attend to the nwll aiV-l have the grist b}- morning. Being prevailed upon, Mr. Gordon accepted the offer and was snon tucked beneath a huge feather-bed.

Here he slept soundly, and in a thorough perspiration arose early in the morning and went out into the cold air, harnessed his horses, loaded his wagon and proceeded liome, but before he arrived there he was completely chilled, and not long after began to sutler excruciating pains of rheumatism. In 1808 he went with his mother and a neighbor, also a young man and an invalid, li) Yellow Springs, to test the efficacy of the water there as a cure for his disease. The ground around the springs at that time belonged to Mr. Lewis Davis, and one of the buildings, a rude log cabin, the trio occupied. In this they lived, providing and eating their own food, which Mrs. Gordon prq)ared. For the use of the cabin and the privilege of the water they paid Mr, Davis seventy-five cents per week. And Mr. Gordon said that life then was far more conductive to comfort, happiness and health than it is now, with an immense three-story hotel and fashionable display, at an expense of ten or twelve dollars per week. He was iDcnefited 1)\- the use of the water there, but it did not effect a permanent cure. After Hull's surrender in 1S12 he went with a company of "Light Horse" cavalry from Franklin, Ohio, to Ft. Wayne to relieve the garrison there, who were expecting 'a strong attack from the Indians. No attack was made, however, during his stay, which was short, as sleeping on the ground soon caused a return of the rheumatism, with all of its old force, and he was compelled to return home. Mr. Gordon first saw Xenia in 1805, when he came up from Warren county to help his brother, William Gordon, who' was an early settler in Xenia, to move from that -county to Xenia. William Gordon purchased lot Xo. 176, on the corner of Water and Whiieman streets, and there erected and run the first brewery in Xenia, a small log establishment. ^Ir. Gordon came again in 1806 or 1807, when he came to assist his brother in hauling the timber for a twostory log house, forty by forty feet, which his brother William erected near the house known as the James Gowdy home, corner lot No. ^^. Some years ago, during the time M. D. Gatch, of this city, was a member of the state legislature, while reading the Ohio State Journal, to which he was a regular subscriber, he saw several communications which attempted to fix the date of the noted "cold Friday." each giving a different date. Soon after, when sending the subscription money for the paper, he accompanied it with a note to the editor, in which he referred to the communications he had read, and stated that the date of that day was Friday. Februarv 14, 1807. He was surprised to see hi.s communication in the following issue of the Journal, together with the editor's remark that Mr. Gordon must b.e correct, as the 14th of February that year came on Friday, while all dates by others came on some other day of the week. Mr. Gordon said he remembered that day distinctly : that the evening preceding he and his brother, anticipating rough weather, had hunted up a young calf belonging to William and placed it in what they supposed very comfortable quarters, secure from the cold, but in the morning they found it frozen to death in spite of their care. Also, that on that cold day the men who had gathered at the huge log tavern, then near the southeast corner of Main and Detroit streets, kept by William .\. Beattv, better known as Major Beatty. growing impatient with the fire which was made of green wood and wonld not burn to suit them, carried the contents of the whole large fireplace in the middle of the street, and there piled it up, declaring they would make a fire to suit themselves. He added in this connection that when William Kendall was building the old brick court house, some of the boarders at this tavern used to steal the wood that he had prepared for the brick kiln, carry it trj the tavern and burn it for pure mischief.

In February, 1813. Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Agnes AlcDaniel, who was three years his junior, and who had come from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, with her parents and settled in Warren county, within a few miles of where IMr. Gordon and his parents then lived. In }ilarch of the same year the newly married couple came to Greene county, and settled in the woods in Sugarcreek township, about three miles west of Springvalley on the Centerville pike. Along the line of this road 'six. Gordon and a few others interested tried to have a county road established in 1S14, but failed to succeed. Upon arriving at this place he constructed a rude log hut and with his wife continued for several years to follow the usual avocations and endure the hardships of pioneer life.

While living there they attended the Associate church in Xenia, of which they were members until the union, when they united with the secontl church, of which Mrs. Gordon was a memljer until her death, which occurred May 11, i860, and to which Mr. Gordon was- a member until his death, which, occurred December 10, 1879, at the ripe old age of ninety-three years.

northeast corner of his place, facing east on Detroit street, and for many years past used as a residence, was the first Associate church ever built in Xenia. The congregation was organized in 18 10 by Rev. John Steele, who preached occasionally for them, and afterward became their settled pastor. Xot long after the congregation was organized the church was built, Rev. Adam Rankin conducting the first communion service in the summer of 1814. Rev. Porter, then of Preble county, was one of the supplies of this congregation, and here the well known Dr. Pressley, who was licensed to preach and was married before he was twenty-one years of age, preached some of his first sermons. The reporter must have misunderstood Mr. Gordon when he calls it the Associate church. What he has said would apply to the Associate Reform church, of which the Rev. John Steele was pastor, and which is now known as the First United Presbyterian church. Mr. John B. (X)wdy, yet living (1S99), says in regard to the building, that the brick of which the house was built were made and burnt where the building now stands in 1817, and the house was erected soon after. There was a log church stood near by previous to this one.

After a few years earnest toil, clearing and improving the farm which he had settled in Sugarcreek township Mr. Gordon was able to possess a good horse team, and finding that he could make more money in that than in any other ^way, he followed teaming to and from Cincinnati for some vears. getting as high as one dollar and twentv-five cents per hundred pounds hauling goixls from Cincinnati to Xenia.

on Massies creek lately owned by Mr. James, and nnw the property of Henry Conklin, to which he renioved with liis family in the same year, and socn after erected new bnildings on the place. Having in 1851 purchased the ground between Xorth Detroit and King streets, where he died, he raised two large crops of potatoes on it in 185 1 and 1852. In the fall of 1852, Austin McDowcl. whom he had empl<yed to d<j the work, began the erection of his present residence, and finished it in the spring of 1853. Mr. Gordon removed from his farm on Mastics creek to this residence in that year. Mrs. Gordon died in May, i860, in the seventy-first year of her age. Mr. Gordon at the time of liis death left behind him to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent father three sons, George K.. William 1. and Andrew A., of Holton, Kansas, and one daughter, the wife of the Rev. D. McDill.

Uev. Jioses Tu.Vdek

Rev. Moses Trader died April 9, 1854, age seventy years, in Lynn county, Mis- HJuri. At. the tinuc of his hirth, his father, who had teen a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and one of Morgan's celebrated rilie regiment, resided in Cumberland county, \'irginia, sixteen miles southeast of L'ninntown, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to the Northwest territory in 1792, and landed it the mouth of the Little ]VIiami river on the 19th day of December^ A settlement having been there commenced by Major Stitts in 1789, three years previous, and only four years from the first settlement of Ohio at Marietta. His parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. There were no members of that church nor any regular Methodist preaching until the Rev. John Kobler came, who was the first Methodist

Episcopal preacher that crcsseil the Ohio to preach the gospel to the few hardy pioneers who had pitched their camps in the wilderness. But this did not occur until the death of his father. Hostilities were kept up with the savages from the time of their landing at CoUmibia until the Indians were defeated by General Wayne August 20, 1794, the war being linally ended by treaty at Greenville the year following. The spirit stirring scenes and dangers through which he had passed in his youth seemed to have inspired him with a fondness for enterprise and adventiu'e. He hunted with the Shawnee Indians, understcHDd their manners and customs, and spoke their language fluently. He was an iinerring marksman and a good hunter, to which was united unllinching" courage and ability to endure fatigue. Such qualificatioins made him a great favorite with the Indians.

It is not known when he first came to Greene county. It must have been at an early period, as he cleared the first field on made at Caesar's creek. A settlement had been made at Caersarsville ( near the present home of Pad Peterson) in 1800, so he must have been here previous tO' that. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac ^IcDonald, on the 2nd day of September, 1804, by the Rev. Bennet Maxey. It is said that being at one of those social gathering commonly called (piiltings, he was desirous O'f getting up a dance; suddenly a flash of conviction darted through his mind, his levity left him, and gave place to serious thoughtfulness, and from that time to the end of his earthly existence his life and manners were entirely changed. He attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a zealous member from the first. His education had been so neglected that in attempting to lead at prayer-meetings he could scarcely give out a hymn without spelling some of the words. But from that time on his progress in the path of knowledge was to be a matter of astonishment to all who knew him. Books were scarce in those days, and cost much money. He had an increasing famil}: to provide for by his own daily labors; yet such was his midnight industry (reading from light famished by the scaly bark from hickory trees) and by the activity of his intellectual faculties that he soon mastered whatever he undertook. His mind seemed to grasp a situation as by intuition. He joined the Ohio conference in 1812 and coi:tinued until 18 17, when bad health compelled him to relocate.

Such were his attainments at that time that he ranked as one of the most intelligent and profound members of the Ohio conference. He had made himself well acquainted with history, theolog>% and was deeply versed in Biblical lore, to which he soon after added knowledge of the Hebrew language. His grammar of that language was copied by his own hand, and was a curiosity for neatness and penmanshij). In 18 16 he removed to Chillicothe. where his popularity as a preacher was scxm establislied.' He,was also prospering in business when hemet with a stroke of adversity which swept away all that industry and economy had enabled him to acquire. A traveler stopped at Chillicothe and found one of his slaves that had run awav some years previous. Tlie negro, Tom, in the meantime had married, and had a wife and two children. His master had him arrested, and was going to tear him away from his family and return him to bondage. In this deplorable condition Tom -appealed to Mr. Trader and others to purchase his freedom, promising that he would refund the amount uf purchase money if he had to work night and day. It was finally agreed that one John English and Mr. Trader should join in giving their note for the required sum (eight hundred dollars, it is believed). In due time the payment of the note was demanded, when it appeared English had signed the note not as a principal, as had been agreed upon', but as security-. He refused to pay any portion of the amount. The negro had been informed that a promise made by a slave was not binding, and he had the ingratitude to refuse to refund ;iny part of the sum. The whole debt fell on ilr. Trader, which, together with an expensive law suit, cost him fifteen or twenty hundred dollars.

In 1819 ]\Ir. Trader mOved back to Greene county, and the same year he contracted with the government to furnish timber to build the barracks at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1820 he descended the river and went to the lower Mississippi. From this time he continued on the river for nineteen years. In 1827 he commenced the mercantile business in Xenia. In 1839 ^e emigrated to Missouri, settling in Lynn county and commenced farming. In a letter written in 1845 lie says: I have one hundred and ninety acres of good land with sixtv acres under fence. In 1849 the Methodist Episcopal church organized a conference in that state, which he joined. At the time of his death he was presiding elder of Grand River district. On March 5, 1854, he preached his last sermon in Davis county, Missouri, se\-enty miles from home.

185S, the wliole town was startled witli the information tliat William T. Stark, Esq., one of our oldest and most generally known and respected citizens, had that nuirning' departed this life. He had attended to his business the day previous in good health, and to a friend observing that he felt as well as he had for years. On Saturday morning he at five o'clock to attend market, and while dressing he ci!mi)lained of a pain in the region of the heart, which induced liim to refrain from going out, and a plaster was applied lo his chest when he laid down, and in a very few moments without any e\'idence of pain he breathed his last. So unexpected was this event that his family was not aware of his C(-ndition>, and- his quiet apjiearance leading his widow, who was in the room with liim, to believe he was slee])ing.

-Mr. Stark at the time of his death had been a resident of Xenia forty-two years, having settled here on the 22d of July. 1S16. He was a descendant of General Stark, of the Revolution, and was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, on the 13th cf .\pril, -'/(JO. In 1799 his father moved to Maysville, Kentucky, and in 1800 to Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Stark was a volunteer of the treaty of Greenville in 1813. In June, 1S29, he received the appointment of postmaster for Xenia from General Andrew Jackson, and he held that oflice until 1841. He was a member of the Masonic order for forty years, and for about twenty-five years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On the Sabbath following his death his remains were consigned to the tomb, in Woodland cemetery, Xenia, by his brother Masons, and the procession that formed the -escort was the largest that was ever seen in the town. He was known by all, respected by the whole community for his many virtues, and the entire community sympathized with the family in their sorrow.

Captaix Joiix Itixi.Ixc

Colonel Hivling was among the last of the early settlers of Greene countw He was born near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of July, 1779. and from that place he moved to Washington county, Maryland, and in the fall of 1809 removed to Greene county, Ohio. His first purchase was what was known as the "Paul Mill." now Tre-. beins, near Pinkney Pond, where he remained about two years. He then bought of Captain W. A. Beatty, in 181 1, the lot on the corner of Main and Detroit streets, now occupied by the Xenia Xational Bank, down to the south, side of the old Hivling house. Upon this lot there was then standing a log building occupying the ground now occupied by the Leaman block, and there he kept a hotel for two. or three years. He then purchased a thousand-acre tract of land from John Paul, lying north and west of the town and including the land now owned by the Manor heirs, Lewis H. Bcall, Samuel Galloway, heirs, and otherj. Upon this tract he resided in a house that stood near the residence of the late Andrew Baughman until 1815, when he purcha.sed from a Mr. Davis his lot and building and a stock of g(X)ds and commenced his long- and successful career as a m.erchant. This lot was the one known as the "Forsman," Main street. In 1812 he succeeded the late James Collier as sheriff of Greene county, and held that office the constitutional term of four years.

orcls indicate, he, in pvirsuance of the onler of court, whipped the last man upon the sentence of \\;hipping was pronounced in this court. Whatever might ha\-e been the facts in the case, in this instance the degrading punishment was well deserved, as the crime of which the rascal had been convicted was of the vilest order, and we ha\e heard an old settler, !io\v cjuietly sleeping after a life well spent, and who saw the operation, say that tlie Colonel fairly carried out the sentence of the court in spirit and letter as the scamp hugged a small sugar tree on the public square. The ct¥ice of sheriff is the only one that the Colonel ever filled.

Upon the organization of the old Xenia Bank he was elected as president of that institution, which position he held until 1840, when the old State Bank of Ohio was established and the Xenia Bank became one of the branches. He was elected one of the members "i the State Board of Control, and served that body from 1845 until 1851. When the subject of building a railroad from Cinciimati to Springfield was agitated, and others were hesitating and doubting the feasibility of the undertaking, Colonel Hivling was among the first to give it a fax'orable consideration, and upon the organization of the Little Miami Company he was selected as one of the board of directors, which position he held until 1840, and, having temporaril}- removed to a farm which he had purchased east of Cedarvile. he declined further re-election. In this brief sketch it is impossible to glance at all the business relations with which he was connected, and all the facts of a business and social career, nor is it necessary for us to do so in this case.

In all his business connections, in banking, in railroad management and in mercantile matters, he was noted tV>r his clear, practical good sense. In private life no man in the community possessed more fully and perfectly the confidence of his fellow citizens. At the time of his death he was just eighty-one years, three months and twenty days old and had been a resident of Xenia and vicinity for fifty-one years. He was bnrnc t'l his last resting ])lace bv his Masonic brothers, being a prominent member of the order from the organization of the lodge in Xenia. He died X'^ovember 4, 1851, and his body lies Iniried in Woodland cemetery, Xenia, Ohio. In the w.ar of 1812 he served a tour of dutv as a soldier.

In 1859 a local writer thus speaks of William Ellsberry : "He resides here at Xenia, in a ripe old age. the veneralile William Ellsberry. the honored patriot of the legal profession, now within two years of being an octogenarian. He settled in Xenia in 181 1, and his pioneer life and history are replete with romantic interest and instruction. It was a repast, rich and greatly relished, to hear him in his primiti\-e, yet comfortable, mansion, luiilt by himself in 18 1 5. rehearse the reminiscences of the days of the pioneers, fifty years ago. He had mingled in the stirring and adventurous scenes of the dark and bloody ground of Kentucky. He had personal interviews with the chief of the pioneers, Daniel Boone, and with great animation and accuracy narrated many e\entful incidents of Indian warfare and of the early settlers of this country, paying an elegant tribute to the integ- rity, >ini[)licity and worth of Simon Kenton, whose pioneer exploits and iiomely and noble virtues are recognized in the archives of western annals. Mr. Ellsl)erry himself has borne a distinguished part in the history and progress of Ohio, and contributed largely to the character and prosperit}- of Xenia. which he has seen grow from the rude forest village to be quite a city, filled with an intelligent and cultured people and all the arts and elegancies of a refined civilization.

"He has been a prominent legislator and a leading lawyer of the place, and is greatlv h.onored and esteemed l)y his fellow citizens and his brothers of the bar. .Vs a tribute of afifection they had completed by Mr. Mc- Clurg, an accomplished' artist of Pennsylvania, who spent two vears in the studies of the masters of the art in Italy, a beautiful and perfect portrait of their venerable friend and legal brother, which is to adorn the court roi.m where he displayed his legal learning and wit. and where in after ages it will s])eak of one who first in the county and place unfolded the mysteries and intricacies of the legal profession. That genial. life-like portrait will be a speaking memorial of pioneer days, and exert, we trust, a silent influence in mellowing the asperities coincident with the conflicts of litigation.

"Tliis patriot bids fair to linger years yet among the general generation grown up around him. and to unite in the scenes of actual life. He is now a live young old man. full of the sap and joyousness of youth, and ready to meet his competitors in the forum of Justice. He still prosecutes his profession with all the artlor and energy of early manhood, and is genial and happy in his home and social circle. His erect form, elastic step, rapid movements, unimpaired intellect, sparkling vivacity and youthful energy are remarkalile for one of his age. How beautiful and grand is age. found with intelligence, graced with virtue and cheerfulness, beautified with a luster of piety. Their memories, like visions of enchantment and beaut}', e^'er linger aro^md our pathway." He died March 23,1863, aged eighty years, and was buried in Woodland cemetery, Xenia, Ohio.

Ebenezer Steele

Mr. Steele was one of the early settlers of Greene count}'. He was born in Uartley county, Mrginia, on the iSth of December, 1 78 1, and in 181 5 he emigrated to Ohio, settling first on the land owned by Mr. Trcbine, where his mill is located on the Little Miiuni river, upon which he resided five years, when he removed to the farm of E. Steele, Jr., where he resided forty-six years. Durinsf his Ion": life iii this countx' he enjoyed the respect of his neighbors and fellow citizens, who showed their confidence in him by conferring uiwn him various offices of local nature and Ijy electiiig Inm in 1836 to the office of county commissioner.

One who knew him long and well writes us: Ebenezer Steele was always a man of strict integrity and obliging manners. He was not only father, faithful and true, tO' a large family of children', but was a friend and neighbor to all who- proved themselves worthx'. He was a member of the German Reform church, and a consistent Christian. He died at Alpha, Ohio, on the 17th of Februarv, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years.

Robixso.X'S History Of Greene Couxty

records of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, &re associated witli Licking Creek and Fort Ligonier. Jolin Hamill and wife came from Ireland before the Revolution. They were the parents of the following sons: Robert, John, Hugh and Nathaniel, and all, with their father, weie soldiers in that war. Hugh Hamill enlisted at Fairfield in August. 1776, and served until INIay, 1777. as a private in Capt. Samuel IMiller's company, Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Colonel McCoy. He participated in the battles which resulted in the surrender of General Burgoyne, and passed the winter at Valley Forge, and received an honorable discharge. Nathaniel Hamill was a private soldier in Capt. Henry Dodge's company. His serxice during the time of the war was in New York mostly, and he was mustered out December 12, 1781. Robert Hamill eniisted in December. 1776, as a private in Cajitain Pomroy's compaii}'. and serxed, off and on, two years of the war. He was born November 25, 1759. and was seventeen years old when he entered the army. In 1785 with his parents he moved to Bedford county, where he remained until some time in December, same year, vidien he returned to Fort Ligonier on business for his father. John Hamill rccei\'ed pay for his services in the Penns}-l\ania Militia from January i, 1781.

Robert Hamill was born in 1732, and died in Pennsylvania, April 8, 1799. His wife, Jeannette, came with her sons. Hugh, Robert and Josepli, to Ohio in 1806. Hugh and his mother first settled in Preble countx', while Robert and Joseph canie to Nenia in 1S06. In 1810 Hugh and his mother came and settled in Ncnia, the mother li\-in<^- until

\\'illiam Owens, the founder of the family in Greene county, was a settler in \'irginia in colonial days. He was born in 1 741, and emigrated from Brunswick county, A'irginia, with his family in 181 1. settling in what is known as the L^nioii neighborhood south of Nenia, where he continued to live until March 11, 1827, when the "Free Press, a paper published in Nenia at that date, makes the announcement of his death, at the age of eighty-six years, and from one of his friends the statement that his body had Ijeen laid to rest in the orchard of Philip Davis near what is known to-day (1900) as the Union church, two miles south of Nenia. "He is spoken of as one of the most exemplary saints that age afforded. I-Ie li\-e(l and died without a known enemy. Notwithstanding his extreme age and de])ilitv, he retained his rational jwwers to the last." He was seventy years of age when lie first came to Greene county in 181 1 with the colony that left Virginia at that time. Although coming from dift'erent parts of Virginia they were related to each other, and consisted of Henry Hypes and family. Samuel A\'right (father of Thomas Coke Wright) anrl family, William Owens, Sr., and family. Among the latter was \A'illiam Owens, Jr., who was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, March 9. 1779, who previous to leaving \ irginia was a farmer. He li:ul married Lucy Wright, who was born in the same county June 19, 1773 : she was aunt to Thomas Coke Wright. Their children were

Samuel Tliomas and Geurge B. William Owens after coming to Greene county cleared u]) a farm of fifty acres, two and one-half miles south of Xenia. Here he remained until his deatli,. which occurred in his eighty-fourth year, December 26, 1862, at the residence of his son, Capt. Samuel T. Owens, of Xenia, Ohio, and was Ijuried at Woodland ceinetery, Xenia. He was a typical pioneer, a man of high character, and a meniber of the M. E. church, in which faith he brought up his sons. In politics he was in earl\- life an old-line W'hig, and later a Republican. Capt. Samuel T. Owens was born November 7, 1807, in Brunswick county, \^irginia. He served tlie public in Greene county fourteen years as county surve_\'or, and auditor four years. He was captain of Company C, Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late Civil war, and was also a local preaclier in the M. E. church. In i8j8 he was united in marriage to Aliss X'ancy Ledbetter. Fifteen children were born to them. He died in Xenia. January i, 1867. Rev. George B. Owens was burn July 14. 1809. in Brunswick county, \'irginia. He was a farmer and school teacher for many years, and later l>ecame a preacher in the 'SI. E. church. He died November 28, 1862, at the home of his son Ira, near Xenia. He was buried in Woodland cemetery.

George \\'right. the subject of this sketch, was born February 4, 175G. and grew to manhood in Brunswick ciamty, Virginia. He married Sophia, the daughter of William and Marv Owens, and einigrated to Ohio in 1815. Fie was an elder brother of Samuel Wrig'ht, father of Thomas Coke Wright. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the state of Virginia. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Wesley, born October 10, 1785; iMary B., born February zy. 1787; Sarah X., who was wife to Josiah A\'right and later Henry Hypes', was born December 3, 1788; George C. Wright, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, was born Octol>er 23, 1790; Sophia Wright, who married John Loyd, was born December 21, 1792; Elizabeth Ann was born January 13, 1794: Lewis Wright, born February 11, 1796; William T., born April 9, 1798; Nancy L. D., born May 30, 1800; Samuel W., born December 14, 1802; Edward Owens, born June 5, 1806; Richard W., bom June 22, 1808. Lewis W^right was also a soldier in the war of 18 12, under Capt. Berry Applewhite, of the Virginia troops. He was also a school teacher. Where the residence of Mr. Lester Arnold now is was the Wright Academy along about 1846. Some persons yet living in Xenia. were his scholars. Another son, Edward Owens Wright, was also teaching on the hillside near the residence of Homer Hudson, West Third street. Xenia.

Iiexry Hypes

Among the first settlers of the new city of Xenia was Henry Hypes', who was., the son of Xicholas and Abigail H\-pes. Nicholas Hypes was born in Gennany, March 8, 1728. Abigail, his wife, was also born in the same country March 22, 1740. Henry Hypes, the subject of this sketch, was born within five miles of the X'atural Bridge, Rockbridge county, Virginia, on the 12th of

June, 1775. It was in tliat state when eigliteen years of age he was united in marriage witli Miss Patience Reynolds. He was engaged in farming in Virginia until 181 1. He then came nverland to the Ohio river, and there took a ilatboat tO' Cincinnati. In settling in this county he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of go\-- ernment land, hea\-ily timbered and unimproved. The first work he did was the clearing of a place and building a log house, in which he and his family lived for a few years. In 1823 his wife died, leaving a family of si.x sons and two daughters, namely: Xancy, Joseph, Washington, Sarah, Benjamin, James Davidson, John Wesley and Francis Asbury. May 23, 1824, Mr.Hx'pcs w as united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah X. Wright, widow of Josiah Wright and daughter of George and Sophia Wright. Her father was a soldier of the Revolution, who came to Xenia in 181 5 from Brunswick county. Virginia. 'Sir. and ^Nlrs. Hypes became the ]>arents of four children, two still living, Susan Maria, widow of Tobias Drees, and Samuel Henrv Hypes, who is engaged in the fire insurance antl real estate business in Xenia. Rev. \\'illiam L. and Rev. Fletcher Hypes are dead. What was known as the Henry Hypes farm is now ( 1900) the most of it in the corporation of Xenia, bounded on the south by Shawnee creek, between what is now known as the Cincinnati ];ike im the west and West street (11 the east, running south to the north line of the land of Samuel McConnell. The old brick house which was erected in 183 1 is still standing, also part of the old barn. Henry Hypes died at his home in Xenia, October 1. 1854. His good wife, Sarah X., survived him until April 25, 1862, when she died at the age of seventy-three. Henry Hypes and his two helpmeets. Patience and Sarah X.. are buried in our own beautiful Woodland. Xenia.

George W. Wright

Mr. Wright was born October 13, 1809, in Brunswick county. \'irginia, and died at liis hi me in Xenia, Ohio, October 4, 1873, aged sixty-four years. He was the son of Josiah and Sarah Xelson \\'right. Josiah Wright died in 18 14 and was buried on his farm two miles south of Xenia on the Bullskin Road. His widow, ilay 25, 1824, was married to Henry Hy]>es. Mr. \\'right came with his parents to Xenia n 181 1. When a young man he went to Dayti.ni and learned the trade of a tailor, and in 1827 returned again to Xenia and took u]i his abode here permanentlv. In 1832 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Levey. They were blessed with a family of fourteen children, nine of wdiom at the time of his death were living, five l)oys and four girls. In i860 he united witli the First M. E. church of this city, under the pastorate of Rew William I. Fee. and lived the life of an upright Christian to the last. He was mayor of the city of Xenia in i8(')3. and also filled the oiiice of justice of the peace for Xenia township for se\-eral terms. Air. ^^'right enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors through life, none more so.

\\"as b.orn in Worcester cmmty. ]\[aryland, ?*Iarch 2/. 1798. and died at the residence iif his son-in-law. Air. Charles Marks, six miles east of Muncie. Indiana, at the age of seventy-two years and six montlis. He came to (ireene ccunty, Ohio, in the year 1816 and removed to Indiana in^ 1838, wliere he (hed October 24, 1870. He was a man of firm integrity, social in his nature, a l<ind friend and a good neiglil)or, a meml>er of tlie !\I. E. churcli and a regularhlicensed exhorter in the same. His voice was ofttimes heard in most of the churches and school houses in the county in condemnation of vice and immorality and in building u]) the cause of the Redeemer in the world. He was a good friend of the itinerant minister, bis home being theirs. His finieral was attended by a large concourse 'of friends and relatives. Sermon by Rev. closes Marks. "After life's long and fitful sleep he sleepeth v.ell."

A\'as born September 4, 1738, and died at his home two miles south of Xenia. Ohio, in 1830, at die age of eighty-eight years. We ofttimes speak of Wendell Philips, Joshua R. Giddings, Charles Sumner, Ben W'ade and John P.rown and others, who, in their day and place, had the courage to back up by their lives, if need be, in their outspoken convictions of the system of human bondage which used to e.xist in our fair land, and we were proud of them and admired their courage and manliness in opjjosing and denoimci ng the great blot on our name as freemen. As a companion of these we would mention Fredrick Bonner, Sr., the subject of this sketch, who was a slave owner in a slave state, ^^'itness the following, by I\Ir. Bonner : general assembly of X'irginia, passed May 12. 1792, entitled an act to authorize the manuniissicm of slaves, those persons who are disposed to emancipate their slaves are empowered so to do. And. whereas. Almighty Gi;d hath so ordered human events that liberty has become a general topic, I, Frederick Bonner, of Dinwiddee county, Virginia, being pos.ses.sed of slaves, and from clear conviction of the injustice and ':nininality of depressing my fellow creatures of their natural rights, do hereby emancipate and set free, from a state of slavery, the following (seven in number) who are in the prime of life. Declaring the same ne- .groes entirely free from me, my heirs, to all intents and purposes, and entitled to all the privileges granted in the aforementioned act. I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 2 1 St of January, 1798.

Fredrick Boxxer. Sr." We would add the following from his son, Fredrick Bonner, Jr. : "In the '/ear 1802 father sold his land in Dinwiddee county. \'irginia. five hundred acrt>, iV-- two thousand dolars, and bought two surveys of one thousand acres each in what was then the Northwestern territory, at a cost of two thousantl dollars. Upon visiting it and finding it well situated he returned and began preparation for removing on it the following season. On Saturday, April I', 1803, we started and went as far as Petersburg, and remained until Monday. Two other families joined us, and our outfit was put into two covered wagons, including household goods, a chest of carpenter's tools and a turning lathe. To each of these wagons were attacheil fmir horses, with I^ells on the leaders. A one-horse wagon carried the provisions, and the females, when they became tired of walking. In addition to 'these we had a canvass to sleep under at night. On ^Monday morning we resumed our long journey to the far west, pursuing a route through southern Virginia, which, in a few days, broug'ht us within view of the mountains, first the peaks of the Blue Ridge, then the Allegheny and Cumberland. Crossing these in safety we reached Kentucky, passing along the Crab Orchard road. Arriving at Lexington we pushed on to Cincinnati (then a village of fifteen hundred), crossing the Oliio river at that place Mav lo, 1803, and cani'ped near the mouth of Deer creek, then some distance from the village.

"Xe.\t morning we went up the river into the Little Miami valley, crossing the river a little above Cincinnati. Here we encountered our first serious difficulty. The water was high and running swiftly. Our four-horse wagon crossed without accident, but when the wagon containing the wife of a Mr. Day proceeded as far as the middle of the stream, or the swiftest part, one of .the horses fell and cnuld not rise. ^Ir. Day, in attempting to assist, was washed oft' down stream with the horses. Father went to his assistance and the water tripped him up and he \\ent also struggling down the ri\er, to the alarm of all. Fortunately he got out on the same side from which he entered. While Day was still struggling in the river near his horses they finally succeeded in fastening a chain to the end of the tongue, and hitching otir horses to it, we drew it out. All this time Day's wife and child were in the wagon in imminent danger of being capsized int) the river and washed away."

the ri\-er to the present site of Milford, where we found a vacant cabin, which was rented for a few months. Lito this we moved and remtiined until we could make arrangements to go to our land in Greene county. In June father and seme of the boys went to the land !and selected a spot to build a cabin near Glady Run, a branch of the Little Miami, which was to acconunodate us as our new home in the woods. He chose a building site in the southwest portion of the land near the present residence of Erastus Boiiner, two males south of Xenia. He procured the services of some yotmg men to build a log house, and then returned to ^lillord. The cabin of one room, with its puncheon fioor and clapboard roof and ceiling being finished, the family and four of their \'irginia neighbors, who came west with them, thirteen persons in all, moved into it in the fall of that year. The canvas tent was now cut up to form partitions in the cabin.

Four of the children were marrieel while the family livetl in this house. Xanc_\' Bonner was married in 1804 to Rev. John Sale, the first Methodist preacher in this section. David Bonner married a iliss Reynolds, of L'rbana, Ohio, in 1805. Chaiiel H. Bonner married a sister of Samuel Pelham, who married ALartha Bonner. Samuel Pelham was the father of \\'illiam F. Pelham, who used to keep the grange warehouse. He was also editor of the first newspaper published in Xenia, "The Vehicle." James E. Galloway, of Xenia, has now in his possession the files of that paper for the year 1815.

Mr. Bonner and' his sons burned the first liine-kiln and built the first brick house in this county. It was occupied by the remaining members of the family as early as 1807, but was not hnishcd 011 the inside for some years later. It now forms part of the residence cif I'Irastns Bonner and liis family. Stith Bonner, another son, was married to Miss Maria Mercer, the daughter of Edward Mercer, a neighbor, in 1819. Eliza Bonner became the wife of Rev. John P. Taylor in 1820. He was a Methodist minister of some prominence and also a phy- 'sician. They removed to Indiana some years ago, where they died. Mr. Fredrick Bonner, Sr., died in 1830, at the age of seventyiwo years. His wdfe died in 1818 in the si.xl v-second year of her age. Of the si.x children t(j whose marriages we have referred, one, Mrs. Pelham, died at the age of sixtytwo years ; the remaining five lived to be from eighty to eighty-eight years of age. One child, a daughter, died when about eigihteen years of age in Virginia before they left there. Fredrick Bonner, Jr.. the youngest child and the i>nlv survixing member of the family in 1879. was born near Petersburg. Dinwiddie county, Virginia, November 1 1. 1796, and died March 26, 1880, aged eighty-four years, and was buried in the Bonner graveyard. He was married to Miss Elizabeth ]\Iercer, the daughter of a neighbor, Edward Mercer, October 15. 1823. They had two children, Horace and Erastus. The former died in 1846 in tlie twentysecond year of his age. The latter is oiir well knnwn florist, proprietor of Maple Grove greenhouse, so much admired by its many visitors. ]\Irs. Bonner died in 1830 at the earlv age of twenty-seven years.

\Micn the familv moved into their newcabin home in 1803 they were in the midst of forest, unbroken for miles around, through which not even a winding pathway took its course. About two miles south of their home there was a cabin owned and occupied by a family b\' the name of Price. Two miles north of them, and aliout two liundred yards north of where the present Robert's Villa now stands, was the cabin of Remembrance Williams and his family. He was the father of John ^^"illiam.s, who was the father of Mrs. David Medsker, Mrs. Samuel Gano, Mrs. James AlcCarty, Mrs. William B. Fairchild and ]Mrs. McCann, who are well known in Xenia. From the Little Miami river on the west to a point w here the Wilmington and Xenia pike crosses Caesar's creek on the east, there was not a habitation of any kind except their humble home. Near Old Town Run and aljout a mile and a half from Mr. R. Williams' cabin home, there was a similar structure occupied by Mr. Leonard Stump and family, which was the only cabin this side of Massies creek settlement. On the east side of Caesar's creek at the crossing of the Wilmington pike and about where the residence of Mr. Paris Peterson's house now stands, there was a little village called Caesarsville. Scattered along the creek for some distance perhaps there were a dozen cabins occupied by as many families. These inhabitants of Caesarsville, those mentioned above and perhaps a lew others, not exceeding twenty or thirty m all, were the only families residing in Clreene county east of the Little Mian;i ri\-er in 1803. The principal settlements were at that time on the west side of the river 011 congress lands. He was of the opinion that there was not a family living at that tinie in that portion of the county now com- prising Jefferson. Silver creek. Riss and the eastern pi;>rtion of Ceclarville and Caesarscreek township-s. and that it was not settled at all until the Browilers and ]\Iendenhal!s settled some time afterward in the vicinity of Jamestown, and soon after laid the first grounds for that village. There was not a puhlic road at that time in the county, and one would travel for miles without seeing an acre of tillahle land. Game of all kinds was abundant, and it was the principal subsistence of the scattered inhabitants. Deer were said by Mr. Bonner to be as numerous m Greene county then as hogs are now, and wild turkys and pheasants were to be seen in large numbers on every hand. The depths of the extensive forests were the hidingplaces of bears, panthers, catamounts and wild cats during the day and furnished them a vast territory o\-er which to roam at night in search of prey. The narrow \-alley through which the Little Miami railroad extends from Xenia toward Cincinnati, was literally a den of wolves. These ferocious beasts would roam the surrounding country at night, necessitating strong enclosures as a protection for the live stock of the early settlers against the ravishings of the mighty thieves which often had to be driven from their .determined attacks by the burning of torches, ringing of bells, blowing of horns and repeated banging of fire arms. Bands <)f Indians frequented the county in search of game in accordance with the right they had reserved in their treaty with \\'ayne. They had almost a perpetual camp for several years on the ridge a short distance wc-t of where the residence of Mr. Washington Stark now stands. They were always peaceable, and gave the settlers no cause for fear while thev remained in this vicinitv.

Xot very long after their arrival in this countv Da\id. the oldest son, accompanied by his little brother "Freddie."' whom he kept with liim almost constantly on all occasions, started in the direction of the to-wn, Xenia, of which they had heard, but had not yet seen. They plodded diligently along, cutting away the underbrush and making a clear pathway as they proceeded, and at last came to the banks of Shawnee, where that stream is now covered by a stone arched bridge at the crossing of the Cincinnati pike and the Dayton railroad. Here they stopped to rest and "Freddie"" insisted that thev^ go into the town, as he wanted to see the place ; but when his brother explained to him that there no houses built yet. that nothing had been done l.nit the surveying- of the grounds, and staking off of some of the streets, and promised that he should return some time to see the town, he yielded the point, and they proceded homeward along the new-made pathway, which was the only road to Xenia for a long time. The first public road into Xenia from the south was the "Bullskin." now the Burlington pike. It extended from a village on the Ohio river called Bullskin. from which the road took its name, north to Urbana, Ohio. The records of the original survev of the road were l<:)st. and when the road was again surveyed, and afterward made a pike, it was called by its present name.

In the first organization of the countv. it was thought best by some to make Caesarsville the county seat, but the present locatiim was finally selected and in 1803 the ground was laid out preparatory to building the town of Xenia. The first h.ouse erected was a small log building on what is known on the town plat as let Xo. 193. now

( 1900) in the rear of the residence of Ru- (loph Hiistmire, on \\'est Third street, and at tliat time owned by John Marshall, who was the grandfather of William and James Marshall, who are at the present (1900) residents of Xenia. This cabin was razed April 27, 1804.

The first school house was built in ifc!o5. Jt was by no means a large iiouse, and was Iniilt of small, round logs, without floor or ceiling. It was erected on Third street, a little west of the present residence of Mrs. Harvey Coo]3er. and the teacher was Benjamin Gr()\cr, a brother of JosialT, who was the successor to John Paul as clerk of courts. About seven years later the town could boast of "The Xenia Academy," in which the princijjal instructor was Professor Espy, afterward renowned as the great "storm king." The academy building was a ' iie-story brick structure that used to 1>e on the southeast corner of Market and West streets. Xenia improved very rapiilly until 1812. Whether it was the severe earth- (juake' shock felt so distinctly in this section and especially along the Mississippi \alley in the winter of i8ii-i2, and which ^Ir. iionner said shook his father's house until the windows rattled, caused the check to liie rapid growth of the town, he did not iniurm us.

John Marshall. wIki built the first house; John Paul, clerk of the first court held in the county, and the original pri/prietor of the town ; Josiah Grover, the second clerk of the court and at the same time county auditor and recorder: William A. Beatty, tavern i<eeijer ; James Collier, tavern keeper and sheriff of Greene county and coroner ; John

Alexander, law}er and wonderfully large man : James Towler, preacher and first post master of Xenia : Henry Barnes, carjjenter ; John Stull. tailor: Benjanfin Grover, teacher of the first school in Xenia: John Williams, blacksmith, a son of Remembrance Williams, and the father of Mrs. David Medsker: John Mitten, wheelwright and chair maker: old Mr. Wallace and Captain James Steele, tanners: Jonathan H. Wallace, hatter: Dr. Andrew W. Davidson, the first physician : James Gowdy, the first merchant, and Samuel Gowdry, engaged in the same business ; Robert Gowdy, tanner ; William Ellsberry, lawyer; Abraham La Rue, carpenter; and James Bunton, carpenter and joiner, and a very fine workman, are remembered by Mr. Bonner as among the earliest inhaljitants of Xenia. With the exception of James Gowdy, a bachelor, they were all young married men seeking their fortunes in a new country, or with fannlics, large and small, striving to secure a heritage for their children. Of the first houses built in Xenia ]\Ir. Bonner says there are but two still (1879) standing upon their original foundations. They are both two-story log buildings. One was on the north side of Main street on the present site of H. H. Eavey's wholesale house, and was known as the Crumbaugh House, Mr. Bonner's father having it built for Rev. James Towler in 1805. The other one stood on the north side of West Second street, on the site now occupied by the two two-story buildings of David Hutchison. It was built by Mr. James Bunton, carpenter and joiner, in 1806. This house was known in later years as the McWhirk residence. He sold the property some time afterward and re-

Rev. Wilev Curtis

Died Xovanber ist, 1869, in Crawford county, lUinois. He was born in Greeneville county, Virginia, on the 6th of Februar_\-, 1793. About tlie first day of November, 1805, his stepfather and family arrived at Mr. Frederick Bonner's after a tedious and toilsome journey of seven weeks. There were but four families living in Xenia, Rev. James Towler, \\'illiam A. Beatty, James Collier and John Marshall. There was neither shop nor store in it. He served a tour of duly in the last war with Great Britain. He had two sons, one of whom died in the service. He left this county in 1817, and was a ])ioneer in Indiana and Illinois, and went through many hardships, jjrivations and bodily afflictions in his removal farther west. He led a blameless and industrious life and was a devoted and' zealous Christian. In August he lost the partner of his joys and sorrows, the mother of his twelve children, and his grief was inconsolable. He could neither eat nor sleep, and was .seized with a chill, which was followed by lung fever. His last prayer was for death to relie\-e him from suffering and sorrow.

Xexia, Now The First United Presbyterian Church

"The first church edifice was erected in 181 1, situated on the southeast corner of what is known as the George Gordon land, north King street. It is now being used as a dwelling house. The second edifice was erected in 181 7 upon the ground known as Milieu's pork house, on East Church street. The third, now occupied by the First United Presbyterian church, on East Market street, v^as erected in 1847. The first notice of the Xenia congregation which is to be found, is found from the minutes of the Kentucky Presbytery, from 1798 down to 181 7. It is the following: That at a meeting of this presbytery held in Cynthiana, Harrison county, Kentucky, Septeml>er 28, 1808, a petition was presented froin certain persons in Xenia, Ohio, desiring supplies of jKeaching from the presbytery.

In accordance with this petition Rev. Abraham Craig was appointed to preach at Xenia on the first Sabbath of October, and first Sabbath of Xovember. 1808. which appointment was filled as ordered. The same records show that Mr. Craig preached four Sabbaths in Xenia in 1809. In 18 10 Mr. John Steele was appointed to preach four Sabbaths in Xenia previous to the next meeting of presbytery. At the next meeting of presbytery held in Millersburg, Kentucky, April 24, 1 8 10. ]Mr. Steele was appointed to preach in Xenia and preside 'it the election and ordination of elders in this congregation. Thus it can be seen that the regular organization of this congregation took place some time during the year 18 10.

In 181 1 Rev. Adam Rankin and Rev. ^^"illiam Baldridge were appointed to preach in Xenia. In 1812 Rev. McCord and Rev. Wallace were appointed to preach in Xenia. In 18 1 3 a petition was presented for the moderation of a call. This was the first call lor a pastiir. It was made out lor tiie Rev. James McCord but it was never presenteil. Rev. McCord connected himself with the Presbyterian church and the call was returned to the congregation. During the year 1814 Revs. Rankin and Craig preached frequently in Xenia, and on the second Sabbath of August of that year dispensed the Lord's Su])per, which is the first account on record of the observance of that holy ordinance ill this congregation. The presbytery of Kentucky, at this date, 1814, consisted of Revs. Rankin, Porter, Risque, McCord, Craig. Rainey, Bishop, Carrithers, McFarland and Steele, all of whom have long iince gone to the grave, and as we humbly trust to the reward of their faithful labors in Heaven. In 1815 and 1816 Revs. Risque. McFariand and Steele were frequently apixjinted to preach in the vicinity of Xenia. In 1817 a call was made out by the congregation in Xenia for the Rev. John Steele, and by him accepted. He removed to Xenia in 1817 and took charge of the congregation. Here he continued to labor until 1836, a period of nineteen years. The lalxjrs of this eminent and faithful servant were crowned with success. Air. Steele resigned his charge in 1836 and in 1837 ^n the nth day of January, this good and faithful minister of God was called home to his reward in Hea\-en.

cothe from Romans 10:4: also Remans 14:47. This was in all probability the first preaching to the Associate congregation of Chillicothe. On the 13th of May, he crossed the Little Miami in a canoe, making his horse swim by his side, and preached at the house of Air. (afterward Gov.) Alorrow. On the 17th he preached at the house of Mr. Bickett. On the 20th of May preached at the house of Mr. Shaw on Clear creek. On the 2 1 St of May preached at the house of Air. AIcKnight near Bellbrcxjk from Jer. 31 :^;}. On the evening of the 22nd of Alay he tarried at the house of Air. James Galloway, Sr., near Old Chillicothe. Here we learn from his diary that about the 22nd of Alay, 1798, Air. Steele made his first visit to this county, and preached the gospel in this wilderness. After the resignation of Air. Steele in 1836 the congregation remained without a settled pastor for some two or three years. At the expiration of this period a call was made for Rev. James R. Bonner and by him accepted. Air. Bonner continued his labors as pastor of the congregation for a period of about eight years.

In October, 1845, Rev. R. D. Harper made his first visit to this congregation and the following year accepted a call that had been made, was ordained and installed as pastor. In 1870 he was succeeded by Dr. Wm. G. Aloorehead who served until 1875. \\heii Dr. Thomas PI. Hanna was called, who in turn gave place in 1880 to Rev. J. H. \\^right.

On the iith of April', 1798. he set out for a point near Alaysville, Kentucky. After crossing the Ohio river he lay out in the woods all night, and reached' Chillicothe on the evening of the JOth. preached at Chilli- twenty years cf age. Mr. Cline came to this state with liis mother, three sisters, a married lM-other and iiis wife, and Miss Fannie Mortimer, a neighbor girl. The journey was made in one month to a day in a large wagon, and the party settled at Milford, now Cedarville, in this county, April 28, 1827. One beautiful Sabl)ath in ^lay following he attended public worship for the first time in this county, going to an- old log church situated in the near Cedar-

\ille. where a Baptist cungregation held divine services. He went in company with Christopher F( x. a resident of the town, and arriving at the cliurch before the hour of service they went to a spring near by toi get a drink, the weather being dry and warm for that season of the year. From that point ]\Ir. Cline had a good view of the arriving worshipers and their diversity of dress presented to him "just from old Virginia" a novel feature. One man came without coat or vest, boots or shoes, wore an immense straw hat and carried a large Inann book under his arm. Another, a pair of heavy boots and a thick overcoat, huge ca[>e and other clothing to correspond, walked up with an air of ease and comfort. While remarking the great difference in dress of the two, Mr. Cline noticed another man who was just tying his horse to a sappling near by. who wore a pair of green leggings which extended just above his knees, and he asked his companion why these were worn when there was no mud, and Fox replied "Oh, he wears them to hide the holes in his pants." At this time ^^lilford was composed oi four log cabins and a small frame house which was owned and occupied by a miller whose mill, a small concern, stood near bv.

Here the grinding was done by water power, )>ut the bolting apparatus was run by hand, and each customer had to turn the machine to bolt his own grist while he gave the same toll taken at other mills where the work was all done by water power, thus apparently pa}ing for the privilege of running the machine. Soon after his arrival at this place Mr. Cline was employed as a farm hand by ^Ir. John Reid for whom he labored for some time at seven dollars per month. Obtaining license from Judge Grover, then clerk of courts, he was married June 15, 1827, to Miss Fannie Mortimer, and not long afterward. he removed with his wife to a farm near Grape Grove, and commenced farming for himself. After gathering his crop of corn the following year, 1828, he shelled what was then considered an immense load by hand, measured it. hitched up a four-horse team, hauled it to Clifton and sold it to a miller there. This man was a German, and kept two lialf bushel measures, the larger of which he used to measure grain in when he liought it. the uther when lie sold it. As measured by the Dutchman his load did not hold out according to Mr. Cline's measurement, wb.o, informing the miller that he himself had measured the grain with a scaled measure, and did not propose to be cheated in that way, succeeded in getting pay for the whole load, with the proceeds of which he went to a store near by and purchased two and one-half yards of Cassinet, made at Old Town, for a pair of pants, at a dollar per yard, fifty cents worth of coffee, and twenty-five cents worth of sugar at six and a fourth cents per pound, which consumed the amount received for his grain. And often on the way home he had to laugh

It was in the fall of tliis same year Mr. Cline cast his first vote for President, which vote he cast for Adams, as against Jackson, who was elected. He made a visit to Xenia .soon after, making some purchases of Moses Trader and Samuel Xewcomb. In the spring of 1829 he removed to a small farm on Massies creek, near George Gordon, for whom he often worked. From this place he rem()\ed to Xenia in April, 1834, and did a great deal of work the first year grading and otherwise impro\ing the streets ar.d also worked as a brick mason for Luucll Kiler. For six years he drtive a hack to and from Cincinnati, and to Dayton and Springfield. In the fall of 1847 ^I''- Cline commenced his long termi as sexton of Woodland cemetery by assisting" the surveyor in his work in laying it out. He took charge of the same in 1848 and continued there for many years. Amid .ill the excitement on account of the cholera in 1849 Mr. Cline was ever true to- his trust, and while many sent to assist him failed for lack of courage, Mr. Cline was alwavs at his post pcrfonrang his duty as a brave man should. When the late Civil war, with all its sad features, was forced upon the people of the north, Mr. Cline, although southern born, t(;ok his place in the ranks as a defender of "the one country and the one flag" as a member o-f Company B, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He lies in the cemetery that he did so much to make Ijeautiful. Peace to his ashes.

1852, aged se\-enty-thrce years, and is buried in ^\'uodland cemetery. He was a nati\e of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1810 and settled near Xenia. In the last war of this country with England, when our frontier was inxaded and the inhabitants exposed to British depredations and their savage allies, he entered the army, served one year faithfully-and received an honorable discharge. He was for more than fifty years a member of the M. E. church, and for a numiber of years was the faithful sexton of what is now called the First M. E. church of Xenia. His conduct was consistent as a professing Christian. Peace to his ashes. He rests from his labors and his works do follow him. He was the father of Mahlon Wamble, who was so well known in Xenia as an honest, hard-working man, respected by all who knew him.

Michael Nunxemaker

Was born in the state of ^laryland on the 3d day of August, 1790, where he spent his youth and early manhood. At the age of twenty-six years he left his home and emigrated to Ohio, settling" in Xenia in the year 18 16. Here he spent fifty years of his life. He "was for a number of years bookkeeper and principal salesman in the dry goods store of the late Col. John Hivling. In the early marriage records of the county is the following: "Married, October 28, 1 82 1, Air. Michael Xunnemaker to Miss Mary Hivling, by Rev. Thomas Winters. She was the daughter of his employer. Col. John Hivling." They li\-ed a happy married life for nearly half a century until his death, which occurred at his home in Xenia February 2/, 1866. The issue of this marriage was one daughter, Sarah A. For many years he was one of the leading merchants of Xenia. Afterward and at the time of his death lie was a banker in partnership with his son-in-law, the Hon. John B. Allen (deceased), who was born near Mt. Pleasant, Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1816, and died at his home in Xenia December i, 1893. in his seventy-eighth year.

December 10, 1839, Rev. Joseph Hill spoke the words that united the lives of John B. Allen and Miss Sarah A. X'unnemaker for iife as man and wife. Air. Allen ]iad at first on corruing to Xenia, in 1836, accepted a position as salesman in the store 'Of Canby & Walton, who were then conducting a store in the east room of Merrick's Hotel. Mr. \\'alton's wife was a sister of Mr. Allen. At the .death of Mr. Allen, as given above, he left beside his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Col. Coates Kinney and Miss Clara Allen.

Mr. Nunnemfeker was ever known as an enterprising, prudent and strictly honest business man. He was successful in the accumulation of wealth. Perhaps no' one more fully observed the precept, "If riches increase, set not your heart on them." With .an open hand and warm heart he was ever ready to assist the worthy poor. For more than thirty-three years he was a worthy and active member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Xenia. His last illness was of four montlis" duration. Pie and his faithful wife. Mary, and their honored son-inlaw arc buried in our beautiful Woodland cemetery.

Aaron Harlan

18, 1868, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Harlan was born in \\"arren county, September 8, 1802. He was admatted to the bar in 1825, and immediately removed to this county, which he was chosen to represent in the state legislature in 1831, the people thus early appreciating his talents and wortli of character. In 1838, 1839 "^^d 1849 h^ ^^"''^ chosen to the state senate. He was a presidential elector, and also a member of the Ohio constitutional convention in 1850. In 1852 he was elected to congress from this district, where he, in the critical period previous to the war, served for several years, the approved, consistent, faithful and zealous champion of the struggling principles of Republicanism. On the breaking out of the war Mr. Harlan was nominated for congress by the Republican convention' at Morrow, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of Hon. Thomias Corwin minister to Mexico. It was at this convention that iVir. Harlan made his memorable speech, in which, referring" to the rebels, he urged to "whip them quick and whip them well," an expression which, placed as a miotto on the Republican ticket, became famous throughout the state. Owing to his boldness and radicalism, and to' the milkand-water and weak-kneed character of a large number of Republicans, he was defeated.

As a citizen Mr. Harlan won the respect nf all parties. As a lawyer his pre-eminence stood confessed. A graceful as well as a forccable speaker, his words always had weight and influence rarely possessed.