Madison County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1883 (part 3 of 13)

ELISHA MOORE (deceased) was a native of Virginia, born near Winchester in 1797. His father, John Moore, was also a native of the "Old Dominion," and came to Ohio about 1811. He located in Ross County, and a year later came to Madison County, settling on 300 acres of land belonging to the Littler family, in Union Township. He was a farmer by occupation, a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, and a great lover of fun He was a " Jackson Democrat " until 1840, then joined the Whig party and remained that way till his death. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Smith, who bore him two children, both now deceased. His second wife was Sarah Littler. They were the parents of nine children, probably two now living. Our subject was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county. He farmed two or three years in early life, in Ross County, raising wheat and floating it down to New Orleans to market, on a flatboat. He then located on his father's land, in Union Township, and resided there till 1840. He then removed his family to Noble County, Indiana, and there departed this life in 1801. He was also twice married. His first wife was Annie Cooms, a native of Virginia or Maryland, and daughter of Jacob Cooms. They had four children, three living. Mrs. Moore died in the fall of 1830, and Mr. Moore married for his second wife Nancy Scott, a native of Madison or Clark County, and daughter of Robert Scott. No children were born to this union. Mrs. Moore is still living, and resides at Pearson, Kosciusko Co., Ind. Politically, Mr. Moore was a Whig, a "Know Nothing," and subsequently a Republican. Robert Moore, a carpenter of London, and the only member of the family now residing in this county, was born on the old home farm, in Union Township, April 17, 1828. When twelve years of age, he went to Noble County, Ind., with his parents, and assisted in "clearing up" a large " patch of timber" which then covered the farm. Wild beasts and Indians were very plentiful then, and Mr. Moore remembers a day when his father killed three deer and brought them home. Wolves and wild turkeys were numerous, and the former were so bold as to steal close to the log cabin, attack and kill the dog which stood on guard. Mr. Moore's father was in rather poor health after going to Indiana, and his two sons were engaged in doing all the work of the farm. At twenty-two years of age, Robert Moore left the old fireside, and that summer assisted on another farm in the same county. The following winter he came to this county, and the next summer worked in a saw-mill. He was then employed to drive 100 head of cattle from Loudon over the mountains to Philadelphia. He returned to London, and then to his father's. He rented the homo farm, remained there two years, and then returned to London again. He was then engaged in different occupations, visiting both the East and the West, for some time, but was principally employed in working at his trade in London and Madison County. Failing health has caused a cessation of active Labor Tor the past seven or eight years, Mr. Moore united with the Mas inic fraternity in L856 or 1850, and is a member or ('handler Lodge, No. I 3S, of London. He is a stanch Republican, but has never been an office-holder. He was married in the last week of L863 I > Thoressa Lohr, a native of London, and daughter of John Lohr. Of their five children, three are living - Annie, Mary and

MAJ. WILLIAM ALLEN NEIL, stock-dealer and farmer, residence London, was born at Columbus, Ohio, January 28, 1836. His father, Robert Neil, is a native of Clark County, Ky., and in early life was proprietor and manager of a line of stage running between Washington, D. C., and Lexington, Ky. In 1811, ho removed to Ohio, locating at Urbana, Champaign County, and there resided during the war of 1812. He subsequently went back to his native State, and afterward came to Ohio again, this time locating at Franklinton, now Columbus, the capital of the Buckeye State. He now resides there, and is probably the oldest living pioneer resident. He was one of the early Presidents of the Little Miami Railroad, and its principal executive officer for many years. He married Mary M. Hoge, daughter of Rev. James Hoge, one of the first settlers in Franklinton, Ohio, and by profession a ministor of the Presbyterian denomination. He preached one of the first sermons of that body in the new village, arid was pastor of the Presbyterian Church there for over fifty years. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neil, seven of whom yet survive, and two are residents of Madison County. William A. Neil was reared on the old homestead fai*m (now within the limits of the city of Columbus, and cut in parts by three railroads), and educated in the high school of the town. In early life, he was employed as clerk in a dry goods house, and also learned the jewelry trade. Indoor life proving disastrous to his health, ho resolved to try farming, and to further that purpose, on April 14, 1850, he came to Madison County, locating a farm of 1,030 acres on the Midway pike in Union Township. At this time, there were but two pikes in Madison County, and the Major, seeing the necessity for good roads for travel during the rainy seasons, was largely instrumental in bettering the condition of the roads, and in building the "Midway pike," considered one of the best in the county. He greatly improved his farm by drainage, etc., and subsequently sold 230 acres, until at present it embraces 800 acres of the best farming land in the county. Maj. Neil also took an active interest in the breeding, rearing and handling of fine stock, and deserves great credit for his efforts in behalf of the farmers and stockmen in the county. In 1870, he removed to the city of London, taking up his residence in the fine mansion on South Main street, erected by Jesse Watson, late Presi dent of the Madison National Bank. Maj. Neil is a member of the Lodge, Chapter and Council (Masonic) of London, and of Mount Vernon Cominandery No. 1, Knights Templar, of Columbus, Ohio. He is also a member of Lyons Post, G. A. R. , of London. He is Republican in politics, a Councilman, and Chairman of the Committee on Streets. On May 4, 1864, Mr. Neil enlisted in Company B, One Hundred Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and accompanied them to Camp Dennison, and was mustered into duty on the 0th of the month as First Lieutenant. * Through the kindness of the Governor, he obtained a furlough, came home, and on the 12th was married to Sarah E. Chrisman, daughter of Jacob Chrisman, a native of Virginia, and a large land-owner in Madison County. Leaving his bride at home, he rejoined his company in West Virginia. While here, he was brevetted a Lieutenant Colonel, and soon after returned to his home, having served about four months. Maj. Neil and wite have three children - Louise, Robert Allan and Grace His wife is a member of the M. E. Church.

S. B. NORRIS. Principal of the Colored Schools of London, was born at Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Penn.. November 17, 1838. His father was Zaccheus Norris, a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He resided in his native State till his death, in 1838. He married Nancy Batch, also a native of the Keystone State. Our subject was the only child of their union. Mrs. Norris subsequently married George Myles, a widower, with two children. There were three children born to this latter tmion, all living, but none residents of Madison County. Mrs. Myles departed this life in Pennsylvania, in 1879. S. B. Norris grew to manhood in the old "Keystone State," obtaining a good common school education. At twenty-two years of age, he came to Ohio, and entered Iberia College, located at Morrow, then under the management of the Free Presbyterian Church (now Jefferson College, of the United Presbyterian faith). Mr. Norris remained there the greater part of three years, taking a scientific course, and graduating in 1807. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One hundred and Twenty-seventh United States Colored Troops, of Ohio, at Pittsburgh, Penn.. and was re-organized at Camp William, near Philadelphia. It became a part of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment went out late in the war. participating in the bat ties of Big Bottoms, on the James River, Fort Harrison, Hatcher's Run, witnessed the evacuation of Petersburg, and the pursuit and surrender of Gen. Lee and the Confederate forces at Appomattox Court House. The regiment was then transferred to Brazos Santiago, Texas, arriving there June 1, and being mustered out of service September 12, 1865. Mr. Norris was Quartermaster Sergeant of regiment, and was subsequently detained there as Forage Master under the Post Quartermaster Sergeant. He remained in that position until January 28, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Ohio, and was placed in charge of the colored schools of Delaware for two years. He came to London in the fall of 1871, and in September of that year accepted his present position. The fact of his having been kept in this position ever since shows the high esteem in which his professional services are held, by both races of people. Mr. Norris has been an indefatigable worker in the cause of education, and to him is due the praise for the high standing of the London colored schools, and the fine school building in which they are located. Mr. Norris is a member of the Colored M. E. Church of London, and Trustee in that body. He is connected with the Widows' Sons Lodge, No. 4 (colored Masons), of Philadelphia, and a thorough Republican. He was married, March 21, 1866, to Elmora Osborn, a native of Delaware, Ohio. Of their five children, the following are living: Mary E., Jesse and William H Birny O. and James B. are deceased.

HENRY ORCUTT, farmer, P. O. London, son of B. and Mary A. (Miller) Orcutt, who came to Ohio in L820, was born in Greene County, Ohio, February V), 1821. Ho was reared on the farm, and in 1852 came to this county, where he engaged with his brothers in operating a saw mill; he was married, in 1848, to Maria F. Little, a native of Virginia, of Gorman descent, and a daughter of John Little, of Greene County. They have had three children - Rufinia Almira, Victoria P., wife of William Evans, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of James W. B. Evans; Mrs. Orcutt died March 21, 1882. Mr. Orcutt has retired from active life and only works when he thinks it would be beneficial to his health. He started in life as a poor man, but now has a comfortable home and a nice farm; he is a moral.

DANIEL ORCUTT, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 2, 1831. He is the son of B. and Mary Ann (Miller) Orcutt, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject received a common school education in Greene County, and remained on the farm until twenty-two years of age, when he engaged in milling. He operated a saw mill in this township in connection with his brother, for twenty years. He was married, in L859, to Mary E. Cryder, a native of this county, and a daughter of William Cryder, whose biography appears in this work. By his marriage, Mr. Orcutt has had two children - Louella F. and J. H. Mr. Orcutt is a Republican in politics; he owns 120 acres of land, having turned his attention entirely to farming.

JACKSON ORCUTT, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Ross Township, Greene Co., Ohio. He is a son of B. and Mary A. (Miller) Orcutt. who came to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Greene County, where they remained until their death, he May 27, 1871,. in his seventy -fourth year. and she January 2, IS 1(5, in ber forty-eighth year. The father was a very religious man, and took great delight in his Bible, which was his constant companion, and a source of much pleasure and comfort to him. His opinions were always founded on the truth as found in the Gospel, and they were so sound in theory as to be seldom questioned. His walk through his long and eventful life may well serve as an example to his posterity, and Ihe true Christian spirit manifested by him will ever shine as a beacon light to guide them in the path of rectitude and morality. He died in the lull hope of a complete salvation, without aught to regret in his well -spent life. Our subject received an ordinary education in Greene County, and has passed one-third of his life in a saw mill with his brother, the rest of his life having been devoted to farming. He was married to Ruth Watson, a daughter of Samuel Watson, by whom he has had a family of live children - Leroy, Clinton, Olive, Edgar and Viola. Mr. Orcutt started in life with $1 in money: he now owns 100 acres of good land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL PAINE, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 20', L820, and is the son of Jesse and Ann (Griffith) Paine, natives of Maryland, the former of English and the latter of German descent, who came to this county in the latter part of 1820, and settled seven miles southeast of London. Our subject was married, in 1858, to Sarah Black, by whom he has one child - -William, born in 1859. Mrs. Paine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Paine is a life long farmer. He began life as a poor boy, working by the month for three years, and has given his attention to anything by which he could turn an honest penny; he has driven cattle from here to the Eastern market at Philadelphia, and now, though over threescore years of age, he is full of vigor, and is capable of doing a hard day's work at anything.

SAMUEL T. PEARCE, London, is one of the oldest residents of London and vicinity. He was born in Fleming County, Ky. , June 24, 1798, and is therefore in his eighty-fifth year. His grandfather was a native of Virginia, and located in Tennessee at an early day. He subsequently settled in Kentucky, and afterward removed to Clark and Champaign Counties, Ohio, passing away from earth in the latter county. His son, Joseph Pearce, father of Samuel T. , was also born in Virginia, and worked at the carpenter's trade at Harper's Ferry. He was there married to Martha Taylor, who sacrificed her life in giving birth to our subject. In 1801, Mr. Pearce married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Hubbard, of Virginia. The same year he visited Ohio with his wife and son (our subject), going to see his father, in either Clark or Champaign County. On this journey they camped one evening about the present site of Somerford. in this county. Samuel T. Pearce, although but then three years of age, told the writer he distinctly remembered this camping-out episode. Our subject was subsequently put in charge of his mother's brother, Judge Samuel Reed, near Portsmouth, Ohio/ and four years later his father took him to his home in Ross County. The latter died at Mechanicsburg, Cham paign Co., Ohio, in 1836, and his wife about 1866. In 1812, Mr. Pearce went to Ohillicothe, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship at the saddler's trade. He then returned to Chillicothe, commenced business for himself, but in 1831 came to London and opened a shop. Three or four years later, he purchased 385 acres of land in Jefferson Township, and there resided, with the exception of two years in business at Jefferson, until March, 1880, when he retired from active labor, and purchased a residence property in London. Mr. Pearce owns 335 acres of his first purchase, and in connection with a son has another farm of 258 acres, lying in Jefferson and Deer Creek Townships. Mr. Pearce was married, in June, 1825, to Elizabeth, daughter of John McDonald, who planted his first crop in Madisou County in 1808. They had ten children, five living - Mary, wife of A. A. Gregg, of Jefferson Township; Sarah Jane, wife of E. B. Haynes, a farmer Jefferson Township; Thomas, who married Sarah McCollum, and resides on George G. McDonald's farm in Union Township; Harriet, first married Vesuvius McCollum, and now the wife of John Gilbert, and Lemuel, probably a resident of Texas. Mrs. Pearce departed this life, December 1, 1848, and Mr. Pearce was again married April 23, 1850, to Mrs. Mary (Lilly) Durflinger, widow of Philip Durflinger, by whom she had two sons - Philip S., residing on the home farm in Jefferson Township, and S. W., attornev at law, of London. They have one child--Theodosia, wife of John Silvers. Mr. Pearce has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church sixty-seven years, and is probably the oldest church member of that denomination in Madison County. Mrs. Pearce is seventy-two years of age, and has been con nected with the church for half a century. Mr. Pearce became a Whig in 1824; since 1854, he has been a member of the Republican party, until recently, when he joined the ranks of the Prohibition party.

L. C. PECK, farmer, P. O. London, was born in the Buckeye State August 12,1804, and came to this county in 1828. He is the son of George and Mary (Lancisco) Pock, natives of Germany. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a district school education. He has made farming the occupation of his life, and has passed through the routine of a poor boy, who by industry and perseverance became a well t<> <1<> farmer. He owns a good farm of 213 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation. On December 28, 1829, he married Mary Melvin, a daughter of Benjamin and Ruhamia (Crabtree) Melvin, who came to this county in L800. By this union, six children were born, viz. : Amanda, Henry, John, Jane, Francis and Ann. These children are all married and doing well.

PETER PEETREY, an old and respected pioneer of London, was born near Boonesboro, Washington Co. , Md., February 6. 1810. His father was Ludwick Peetrey, a native of Maryland, and of German ancestry. He was a pattern -maker by trade, and worked at that through life. He owned a mill in Maryland, run by water-power. In the winter of 1810-11, he was cutting away the ice from the over-shot wheel, and caught cold. This proved a fatal ending, and he passed away from earth at the age of fortytwo. He married Elizabeth Summers, a native of Maryland, who was the mother of six children, three daughters, and a like number of sons. Mrs. Peetrey died in 1812, seven months after the death of her husband, leaving our subject an infant of eighteen months' age. He was reared by an uncle, Jacob Summers, and resided with him until fourteen years of age He then learned double coverlet and figured weaving and dyeing, remaining at that occupation till obtaining his majority, a period of seven yoars. He then went to Lexington, Ky., and learned jeans weaving. Returning home, he remained but a short time, and in the summer of 1831 went to Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. In December of the same year, he came to London, and after a short time engaged in weaving, purchased 115 acres of land, where he resided five years. At the expiration of this time he removed to his present residence on East High street, where he has since resided. Mr. Peetrey cast his first vote for a Democrat; was subsequently a Whig, and lately a Republican. He was Treasurer of London Village for two years, during this time handling large sums of money with no loss either to the town or himself. Mr. Peetrey was formerly a member of the Good Tern plars and Odd-Fellow fraternities, but at present is not connected with any secret organization. He was married, June 13, 1833, to Jane, daughter of William and Jane (Burris) Patterson, and a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. Of the eight children born to this union, only two are living - Jacob, a gen eral insurance agent, and Isaac O., just retired from a sixteen years' mercantile trade. The latter enlisted as a Sergeant in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was a prisoner nine months, and mustered out as First Lieutenant. The former, on account of ill health was refused admission to the service.

JACOB PEETREY, prominently identified with the insurance business of Ohio and Madison County, residence, London, was born in London February 14. 1837. He is a son of Peter Peetrey, an old and honored citizen of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Peetrey received a fair common school education, and from 1853 to 1856, was en gaged as a clerk in a dry goods house of London. He was a year in the " Great West," and was employed a like time in the Franklin Branch of the State Bank of Ohio at Columbus. In 1800, he was appointed Postmaster of London by President Buchanan, serving about one year. The same year, he was made local agent of the Phoenix Insurance Company of Brooklyn, N. Y. He was elected Auditor of Madison County in the fall of L862, on the Democratic ticket, and served from March, 1S03. to March, 1805. He then engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1808, he was made a special agent of the Home Insurance Company of Columbus, and a year later, was made general agent. In 1872. he was elected Secretary of the company, holding that position one and a half years. He was then appointed supervising agent of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. A year and a half later, he was appointed manager of the Southern Department of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia, Penn. He resided at Philadelphia during the time he held the two latter positions. In February, 1879, Mr. Peetrey returned to London, and since that period has been special agent of the following Insurance Companies: Shawmut of Boston, Mass.; New York Alliance of New York, and is now State agent for Ohio and West Virginia of the Queen Insurance Company of Liverpool, England, with headquar- ters at London. Ohio. Mr. Peetrey was married September 11, 1861, to Fannie Vethake. a native of New York City, and a nfece of Col. Henry Brush, a prominent Mason and politician of the Empire State. They have one child - Henrietta. Mrs. Peetrey and danghter are members of Trinity Episcopal Church, of London.

ISAAC G. PEETREY, retired grocer, London, born in London January 27, 1839. A sketch of his parents will be found in this work. Our subject was reared and educated in London, and in early life assisted his father on the farm. When sixteen years of age, he commenced active business as a clerk for John M. Smith, a pioneer merchant of London, in the dry goods line. He remained with him till his death, in the spring of 1858. Mr. Peetrey continued as a clerk until the war broke out. Then, with three others, including Charles L. Cover, of London, he went to Springfield, Ohio, and enlisted in Company F., Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, "ninety-days men." He accompanied the regiment to Washington, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of the ninety days, he was mustered out, but immediately re-enlisted in the Twenty -seventh Regiment, but six weeks later, came home. In August, 1862, he again re-enlisted, this time in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in 1863 was made Second Lieutenant of the company. The following year (1864) he was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He accompanied Sherman, when the latter " marched down to the sea, " but was captured, in June, 1864, at Guntown, Miss., and was in the rebel prisons at Macon and Savannah, Oa. ; was thence transported to those at Charleston and Columbia, S. C, and exchanged at Wilmington, N. O, March 5, 1865, after nine months' imprisonment. He then returned home on a short furlough, but was soon ordered to report for duty at Mobile, Ala. He was finally mustered out in August, L865. For two months, he was Provost Marshal of a war district in Mississippi, with headcpiarters at Enterprise, in that State. After his return to London, he purchased the interest owned by James M. Warner, of Wildman & Warnor, grocers, and was in that business till May, 1882, a period of seventeen years. He then disposed of his stock to W. S. Squires and L. G. McCoDum. Mr. Peetrey is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council, of London, Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar, of Springfield, and Lyons Post, G. A. R., and American Legion of Honor, also of London. Politically, Mr. Peetrey is a strong Democrat. Gov. Bishop appointed him one of the Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, which position he held two years. He has been Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee for a number of years. He was married, in August, 1863, to Delia Willis, a native of Pleasant Township, this county. ThHy have two children - Willis G. and Donna P. Mrs. Peetrey is a member of the Universalist Church.

ELIJAH PETERSON, retired farmer, P. O. London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 30, 1825. He is the son of Michael and Susan Peterson, natives of Hardy County, Va. , of German descent. He recoived his education in Clark and Madison Counties, and adopted the occupation of a fanner, which he has since followed. He was married, in 1848, to Mary Wilbur, by whom he had three children, viz.: Bargcr, married and living on the home farm; Clinton, a teacher, also married; and Cadmus, a farmer, married and at present living in London. Mrs. Peterson died in 1881. Mr. Peterson is ;i Republican in politics, and for eighteen years served as an officer of Paint Township. He owns a farm of 240 acres, well improved and most of it highly cultivated. Mr. Peterson has retired from the active duties of life, and is now taking the rest that his years merit, while the work of his farm is being performed by younger and stronger hands.

JAMES PHIFER, retired fanner and stock-raiser, London, was born in Stokes (now Paint) Township July 12, 1815. His paternal grandparents were John and Catherine (Rader) Phifor, natives of Virginia. One son, Abraham Phifer, the father of James, came to this county in 1800 or 1810, locating 270 acres of land in what was then Stokes Township (now Paint), where ho resided till his death, April, 1875. He married Ann Withrow, probably a native of Pennsylvania, who departed this life in July, 1860. Our sub ject is the oldest of four children, one daughter and three sons, all yet living. In early life, he assisted his father with the farm duties, obtaining only an ordinary education. He married Phebe Harpole, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Soon after marriage, he rented a piece of land for farming purposes, and three years later bought 310 acres. Diiring the intervening years, by perseverance, energy and strict economy, he has added to his first purchase until he now owns over 1,700 acres, and he is considered one of the wealthy citizens of London and the county. About 1872, Mr. Phifer removed to London, where he has since resided. He is Republican in politics. Mr. Phifer and wife have four children- Albert, who married Vinnie Neiberger and resides on the home farm; Vandalia, wife of H. D. Strowbridge, of Washington, D. C. : Melissa, wife of Thomas Duncan, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mary. Mr. Phifer, wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

STEPHEN PHIFER, farmer, stock-raiser and horticulturist, P. O. London, was born in Madison County in 1833, and is a son of Abraham and Ann (Withrow) Phifer, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained at home until 1852, when he went to California via Panama. In the next year, he went to Australia via the Sandwich Islands, landing at Sidney, New South Wales. From there he went to Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, where he engaged in mining and hotel-keeping for several years. He subsequently returned to Amorica, and bought 215 acres of land in Paint Township. In 1875, he came to Union County, where he is engaged as above mentioned. He was married in Australia, in 1859, to Alice Haub, a native of Germany, by whom ho has one child, Anna. Mrs. Phifer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Phifer is comfortably situated in life, and enjoys the respect of the whole community.

FREDERICK PLACIER, London, proprietor London Mills, was bom in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, October 2, 1834. Hh father was George Placier, who married Katrina Boisal, also a native of Germany. They resided in their native country till their death, the former dying in 1801, and the latter in 1863. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven daughtei's and seven sons, thirteen now living, seven residents of America, but our subject the only one in this county. He was reared in Germany, and obtained a fair education. He learned the miller's trade, and when nineteen years of age came to America. He remained in New York State six months, and thence went to Lehigh County, Penn., where he worked on a farm for six years. In I860, ho located in Pickaway County, Ohio, en gaged in farming a few years, married and then bought a flouring mill in Walnut Township. He operate! this mill from Lo65 to 1S74. and then came to London. At this time, there was no grist mill in the village, all flour being shipped in from neighboring cities and villages. Mr. Placier erected the present London Mills at a cost of $12,000, and has been very successful in his milling operations. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of London, and at present is a Trustee and Treasurer of the official board. He is Democratic in politics, but has never been an ardent politician. Mr. Placier was married April 17, 1854, to Sophronia Scothorn, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, and daughter of Louis and Susannah Scothorn, natives of Ohio. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Placier, four living - Charles R., William A., Henry W. and Harry W. (twins), Lizietta is deceased. Mrs. Placier and sons are also members of. the Lutheran Church. Mr. Placier is a prominent German citizen of Madison County, an enterprising manufacturer, and a man highly esteemed by all of his acquaintances.

JOSEPH PLOWMAN, London, a prominent farmer of Paint Township, residence, London, was born near London, England, September 25, 1827. He is a son of Joseph Plowman, who came to America in 1828. He was a silversmith by trade, and first worked at his trade in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He subsequently located at Springfield, Ohio, and in 1833, came to Madison County. He married Phebe Tankard, also a native of England. They were the parents of six children, three living, and our subject the only one in this county. Mr. Plowman died in September, 1849. The subject of this notice received but a limited education. He early worked on a farm (his mother having died in 1836, when he was but nine years of age), near South Solon, this county, for Joel Irvin, at $3.75 per month. He remained with him three years, and was then employed in a like capacity for Abraham Phifer, remaining with him for four years, wages averaging $10 per month. He then secured employment with Jacob Pearce, in Clark County (adjoining Stokes Township, this county), for four years at $200 per year. On December 24, 1851, he married Miss M. S. Phifer, sister of James Phifer, now of London. After marriage, he remained with his father-in-law, Abraham Phifer, for two years, and has since been engaged in farming for himself. While in the employ of Jacob Pearce, he was engaged in attending to thoroughbred cattle, and since that time, has always taken an interest in pure blooded stock. Mr. Plowman has been very successful in his farming operations, and now owns a good farm of 330 acres in Paint Township. Mr. Plowman and family reside on the farm during the summer months, and in London during the winter. Mr. Plowman has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty - four years. He is Republican in politics, and has served as Trustee of Paint Township. One child has been born to him, George, who married Lizzie Cooper, of this county. He is engaged in farming with his father. He has one child, Gertie, who resides with her grand parents. Mrs. Plowman is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Miss Gertie of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School.

JAMES G. PORTER, farmer and stockman, P. O. London, was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 2, 1825, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter. The former, a native of Maryland and a soldier of the war of 1812, came to this county soon after that war, aud located where our subject now lives. He owned 1,000 acres of land, on which he, in 1813, planted an orchard which is still standing. He died in 1856. Our subject remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he rented his father's place and farmed for himself. In 1847, he married MahalaGirard, by whom he had two children - Frances, wife of WT. Wilson; Napoleon, a student of Dartmouth (N. H.) College, from which he graduated in 1881, and now studying law. Mrs. Porter died in 1872, and in 1879 Mr. Porter married Rachel G. Judy, of Clark County, by whom he has one child, Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and an enthusiastic stockman, his farm of 142i§- acres being well stocked with the finest and best cattle and horses obtainable. He spares no expense in getting the best breeds.

ISAAC POTEE, London, retired farmer, was born near the National pike, in Somerford Township, September 16, 1823. He is a son of Sutton Potee, a native of Maryland, who came from Baltimore to Somerford Township, this county, in 1816. He purchased 270 acres of land, paying for a portion of it the sum of $16 per acre. He was a butcher by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He resided on his farm in Somerford Township till death ended his earthly labors, in March, 1863. He is buried in the "Old Wilson" or "Mill Graveyard." He married Hannah Makley, also a native of Maryland. Six children were the fruits of this union, four now living - one sister and three brothers. Mrs. Potee died in February, 1868, and is buried near her husband. The subject of this notice was the youngest child, and consequently his education was somewhat limited. He grew ii [) amid pioneer surroundings, often seeing a drove of twenty deer pass his father's door. He resided on the old homestead until twenty-four or twentyfive years of age, and in 1850 married Rachel Marsh, a native of Madison County, and daughter of Josiah L. Marsh. He remained with his fatherin-law one year, and until his wife's death, which occurred the same year (1852). His second marriage occurred March 25, 1853, when he was united to Elmira, daughter of Claudius Mitchell, and a native of Champaign County, Ohio, near Mechanicsburg. A year after this second marriage, Mr. Potee removed onto a farm of fifty acres in Somerford Township, and the following fall to Mr. Mitchell's farm in Champaign County. On March 10, 1857, he returned to Somerford Township, and bought a farm of 158 acres from Thomas Taylor, and located one mile northeast of Somerford Village, on the old Columbus road. He there resided, and was engaged in farming until January, 1880, when he removed to his present residence in London. Mr. Potee is connected with no organization whatever, except the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an able member for over forty years. In 1873, while a resident of Somerford Township, he erected, at a cost to himself of over $2,500, what is known as the Somer ford Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was dedicated in fall of 1874 by the Rev. Granville Moody. Mr. Potee was a Trustee of the congregation at that time, and also served as a member of the school board, being Republican politically. Ten children have been given Mr. and Mrs. Potee, seven living. They are as follows: Claudius D., who married Emma Brown, of Logan County, Ohio - he owns a farm of 105 acres, in Somerford Township, but is now in the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company; Amelia, wife of Frank J. Eiefer, a farmer, residing two miles west of Somerford; Idelia, Delia, Gabriel, Isaac Milton and Cordelia. Both wives have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PATRICK POWERS, grocer, London, was born in Ireland March 12, 1816. His father, Martin Powers, came to America about 1825, locating in Baltimore, Md. Two or three years later, he came to Zanesville, Ohio, and there resided four or five years. He subsequently resided at Columbus and Springfield, being naturalized in the latter place. He was a teacher by profession and went to Hocking County in 1838, where he died in 1840. He married Nancy Blaushaw, also a native of Ireland. They had six children born to them, two now living, and Patrick the only one in this county. Mrs. Powers departed this life in Clark County in 1838. Our subject came to Madison County in 1843. locating on the " Sawer place, " near Somerford, and was engaged in farming for some time. He then removed to Somerford Village, and there resided twenty-five years, the greater part of this time being spent in "keeping tavern," etc. He removed to London in the spring of 1872, purchasing his present property. He opened a grocery, and has since been engaged in that business. He has met with fair success in business life. Mr. Powers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Democratic party. He was married, in the fall of 18G8, to Mrs. Catherine (Hayes) Rohan, widow of John Rohan. They have two children - Nannie and Margaret. Mrs. Powers is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

THOMAS W. PRESTON, a prominent blacksmith, London, was born in Lancaster County, Ky., January 25, 1841. His father, Thomas Preston, was also a native of Kentucky, and a carpenter by trade. He resided in his native State until his death, in 1851. He married Mary Owens, of Kentucky, and our subject was the ouly child born to this union. Mrs. Preston died in 1841. Our subject was reared by Mrs. Polly Baker, of Lancaster County, Ky., till sixteen or eighteen years of age, obtaining a very fair education. He then went to Flat Rock, in his native State, and learned general blacksmith ing, remaining there three and a half years. He then removed to Cincinnati, and two years later (in fall of i860) located at Pittsburgh, Penn. He subsequently went to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1861 to Jefferson, in this county. Soon after, he came to London, and thence to Newport. He was there married, August 7, 18G2, to Almira, daugh ter of Laban Willoughby, of Range Township. On May 2, 1804, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. David Watson, and served one hundred days. He then re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, March 1, 1865, and received an honorable discharge at Baltimore, Md., in September, 1865. He then returned to Newport, and in 1870 removed to London. Mr. Preston has met with fair success in his trade. His shop is located on the south side Fourth, between North Main and North Oak streets, where he does blacksmithing and general repairing. Mr. Preston is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), of London, Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, of Lilly Chapel, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I. O. O. F.). He is Republican in politics. Mr. Preston has been thrice married. His first wife died February 22, 1875. His second marriage, November 14, L878, was to Lizzie Wilson, a native of Madison County, who died June 10, 187(->. His third marriage occurred Februaiy 21, 1882, to Angie M. Fuller, a native of New York. The first and second wives were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the present one, of Trinity Episcopal Church, of London. Seven children have been born to Mr. Preston - Viola, May, K a j (wife of John W. Maddux, of Lilly Chapel), Ada M., James E., Maud M., B. Frankie and Jessir M.

SAMUEL M. PRUGH, London, Auditor of Madison County, was born in Union Township, January L5, L854 His grandparents, George and Margaret Prugh, were natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio when their son, Samuel Prugh, the father of our subject, was but a year old. They located in Somerford Township, where Samuel was reared and educated. He has been a farmer all through life, aud moderately successful. He married

Nancy Bradley, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Of the thirteen children given them eleven are living, all being of age, and nearly all married. Our subject was the eleventh child and fifth son of tins large family, grew upon the farm, and received a fair education. When eighteen years of a^o, he commenced teaching school, following this profession at intervals for a period of eight years. During this time he also engaged in the book and music trade, with a brother, at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, and subsequently attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1875, he again engaged in business at Springfield, where he remained two years. On August 4, L877, he married Mary F. Yeazell, a native of Clark County, Ohio. After marriage, he once more engaged in teaching, and continued the same until the summer of 1880, when he accepted a position on the edi torial staff of the London Enterprise. On October 12, of the same year, he was elected to his present position, for a term of three years. Mr. Prugh is a stanch Republican. Himself and wife have one child, Earl E. . a bright little son of three years of age.

ALBERT G. RANKIN (deceased) was born in Worcester County, Md. , March 7, 1814. We will here endeavor to trace his ancestry back to about the middle of the eighteenth century. Rev. John Rankin was probably a native of the North of Ireland, born in 1750. He located in Lancaster County, Penn. , thence wont to Berlin, Md., and was the first pastor of Buckingham Church, of the Presbyterian denomination. He there died in 1798. He married Mary Atkinson, a resident of Berlin, Md. , who bore him five children - John. James, Oeorge, Mary Priscilla and Sally Atkin son. The second son, James, married Margaret Truitt, of Worcester Coun ty, Md. , and they started for Ohio in the spring of 1817. They were all summer on the road, and arrived in Madison County in the fall. The first winter, they stayed at the sugar camp of Mary Truitt, the entire party, consisting of fourteen persons, sleeping in a log cabin of one room during the winter. The next spring. Mr. Rankin located on the land now known as the County Infirmary farm. He was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian denomination, and one of the original members of what is now the First Presbyterian Church of London, when it was re-organized in 1829. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was born May 20, L786, and died August 21, L857, at the age of seventy one years. Mrs. Rankin was born January 1, 1788, and died December 12. 1871, aged eighty-three years. She was a daughter of George and Martha Truitt. Mr. and Mis. Rankin are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, near London. They were married February 10, 1808, and were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah Maria Purnell, born April 2, 1809; John T. N. December 10. L811; Albert G., March 7. 1814; Charlotte Ann Selby, January 23. 1817; Eliza White, September 4, 1819; Caroline Matilda, October 25, 1821; Joshua Truitt. April 29, 1824: Mary Atkinson, May 3, L826; James. May 11. 1829; and Washington Purnell, July 6, 1831. Five of these children are now living, and three residents of this county. Albert G. Rankin removed to tin's county with his parents, and grew to maturity here. About L 842, he commenced dealing in cattle, and about L845 or L846 engaged in the dry goods business at South Charleston. Clark County, Ohio, in company with his brother. John T. N. A short time after, he went to Midway, this county, and there engaged in the same business. He remained there for some years, and then bought a farm in Paint Township. He subsequently sold this land, and purchased the "Gossard farm, " in the same township. He afterward purchased the old "Rayburn farm" of 400 acres, in Union Township, close to London, where be resided till his death. He was largely engaged in handling stock during his lifetime, and was, very prosperous in whatever occupation he engaged. At the time of his death, he owned over 1,000 acres of land in this county, and about a section in Illinois. He was reared a Presbyterian, but subsequently united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin lived a truly Christian life, enjoying the full confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was Republican in politics. He was married February 15, 1848, to Abigail Cooper. They had one child - George W., born November 3, 1848, and died December 6, 1878. She died November 29, 1848. On the 24th of September, 1850, Mr. Rankin married for his second wife Margaret A., daughter of Washington and Catherine (Truman) Withrow, honored pioneers of Paint Township. They were the parents of six children - Harford Toland, an infant daughter, Fulton A., Carrie M. (now wife of A. J. Blue, of Union Township), Fannie (now wife of James Winans, of Xenia, Ohio), and William Moody. Mrs. Rankin married Isaac C. Kemp, December 21, 1865 and still resides on the old homestead.

J. T. RANKIN, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this county April 29, 1824. He is a son of James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, who were among the early settlers of .the county. Our subject has been a farmer during the whole of his life. When twenty two years of age, he worked by the month, after which he rented land until able to buy. He finally purchased a small tract, to which he added from time to time until he owned 200 acres, on which he lived until he concluded to retire from active life, when he sold it. He is now living on a small farm of thirty-two acres, on which he has erected a neat and comfortable home. He was married, in 1850, to Sarah E. Evans, a native of this State. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rankin is a live and enthusiastic Republican in politics.

JAMES RANKIN, farmer, P. O. London, was born three miles west of London May 11, 1829; he is the son of James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, natives of Maryland, the former of English and Irish, and the latter of Dutch descent; his father was one of the early settlers of this county; he became a prominent farmer, and was ever characterized by his honesty and fair dealing. Our subject attended the common schools in his younger days, and early adopted the occupation of a farmer, in which he still continues He owns a farm of 130 acres, part of which lies within the corporation limits of London; he was married in 1852, to Ann Eliza Warner, a daughter of William Warner; they have three children - Flora L., AVillie Mr. and James D. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Methodist episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin is a prominent farmer and stock dealer of the county, and occupies a handsome residence adjoining the corporation.

CLINTON D. RAYBURN, London, an old citizen of Madison County, ami a well known grocer of London, was born in Range Township July 22, 1833. His father, John Rayburn, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and a farmer by occupation; he died in 1838. Be married Rebecca Dungan, a sister of John and Wilson Dungan; they were the parents of five children, four living - subject, and sister, Mrs. F. M. Chapman, being the only ones now residing in the county. Mrs. Rayburn is still living, and resides with her son James at Jamestown, Greene Co., Ohio. Our subject was the third child, and accompanied his parents to London when quite a child. They lived on a farm near the village, but "Clint" was mostly reared in Lon- don, learning the tanner's trade with John Dungan, and remaining with him several years. He was a resident of Finley, Hancock County, two years, and Superintendent of the Grwynne farm in Deer Creek Township for five years. He then removed onto the farm of Gideon Peck (now owned by Jamss Phifer), in Paint Township, where he resided seven years. Mr. Rayburn then came to London, and for two years was associated with James Hamilton in the grain trade. On December 16, 1880, he purchased the grocery stock and trade of William Ronemus, and his success in this line of trade has been very good. Mr. Rayburn is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, is Republican in politics, and has served as a momber of the City Council. He was united in marriage, September 22, 1853, to Sarah J., daughter of Gideon Peck, of Paint Township. Of their two children, one survives - Frank G., with his father in the store; Emma B., is deceased; Mrs. Rayburn is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT RE A, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born on a farm in Union Township, this county (now in the corporate limits of London), September 6, 1831. His father, Matthew Rea, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 22, 1793, and died at the house of his son-in-law, Marion Chenoweth, in Fairfield Township, September 23, 1873, agbd oighty years. He removed with his father, Joseph, to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and was subsequently in the American Army, when Gen. Hull surrendered his forces to the British at Detroit, Mich He first visited Madison County in 1812, and purchased a large tract of land in Oak Run Township. In 1818, he removed to Madison County, and up to within a few years of his death was one of the largest live-stock dealers in the county. Mr. Rea was as largely identified with the growth and prosperity of Madison County as any within its borders; he was a man of rare good judgment, fine business qualifications, renowned for his probity - a man whose word was as good as his bond. He married Ann Amos, a native of Maryland; they were the parents of seven children, only three living, and those residents of this county. Mrs. Rea departed this life in 1857. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on the old homestead, and when young assisted his father in his stock operations, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He has been engaged in farming, and the raising, grazing and feeding of stock all through life. Ho resided in Oak Run Township till 1870, when he removed to his present residence on South Main street, London. Mr. Rea is the owner of 1,250 acres of land in Oak Run Township, and js still engaged in handling stock. He is Democratic in politics, and since his residence in London has served one term as member of the Village Council. He was united in marriage, September, 1856, to Ann Thomas, sister of M. M. and Owen Thomas, of London. One daughter was born to them - Anna Laura (wife of John Pancake, who resides on the home farm in Oak Run Township). Mrs Rea departed this life in September, 1858, and Mr. Rea was again married, March 13, 1862, to Louisa G. Bales, a native of this county, and a daughter of Moses Bales, of Fairfield Township.

H. W. RICHMAN, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, London, was born in Salem County, N. J., May 7, 1824. He is a son of David Rjchman, a native of New Jersey, and there reared. He was a farmer and merchant by occupation, and came to Ohio in 1827, locating in Dayton, where he resided till his death, about 1838. He married Ruth Johnson, also a native of New Jer ey, who became the mother of four children, two living - William Richman, of Montgomery County, Ohio, and our subject. Mrs. Richman sub- sequently married Robert Hutchison. They had one child - Laura, wife of Augustus Prugh. Mrs. Hutchison died in July, 1879. Our subject was the eldest child, and as his mother was a widow during his early life, he re ceived but a limited education. When twenty years of age, he took a drove of horses across the mountains to New Jersey. He returned to Somerford, in this county, where he sold general merchandise for three or four months. He then took another drove of horses to New Jersey, and finding that business profitable, engaged in it with his brother William \for the succeeding thirty- five years. His business having proven good financially, he purchased a farm of 475 acres in Somerford Township. He subsequently purchased eighty acres in Deer Creek, and two farms in Union Township (one of the latter is his present home residence, fifty-five acres of which is in the corporate limits of London), aggregating in all about 1,300 acres. Mr. Richman is still engaged in farming, stock-raising and dealing, although since the spring of 1870 he has resided in his beautiful residence on East High street, London. He is Democratic in politics, but never au officeseeker. Mr. Richman was married, September 23, 1856, to Emeline, daugh ter of Valentine Wilson, and a sister of Mrs. Robert Boyd. They have three children - Alice, wife of Edward Armstrong, of Armstrong & Minshall. dealers in furniture and Queensware, London; Charles, engaged in same business as father: and Emma, the two latter being at home. Mrs. Rich man and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM RIDDLE, deceased, was born near Troy, Ohio, October 11, 1810, and died in London, Ohio, March 15, 1882. His father, John Riddle, came to Ohio from Virginia, and located near the town of Troy. He had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one son and two daughters survive, the other two sons, Abner and William, dying within twenty-three hours of each other. Our subject grew up on his father's farm ; about the time of his majority he went to Iowa, where he engaged in farming for two years. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Ohio, and located at Ml Sterling, Madison County, where he engaged in business for fifteen years, first with William Graham, and afterward with J. Swetland, Harry Moore, Daniel Wickle and N. T. Tenny. He came to London about 1860, but during his residence here was engaged in no particular business, other than managing his farm, as he had a sufficiency of this world's goods to retire from active life. On October 21, 1853, he married Elizabeth Warner, a daughter of Henry Warner, and by her had three children, viz. : Sarah, wife of E. J. Robison, May and William H. The latter is engaged with Mr. Robison in the drug business in London. Mr. Riddle was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for about eighteen years previous to his death, and always lived a true Christian life. He was one of London's most highly respected citizens, a man of unquestionable integrity, genei'ous, warm-hearted and affable in his manners, and just in all his business transactions. His death was a heavy blow to the community.

JOHN RILEY, of M. Riley & Son, grocers, London, was born at Morrow, Warren Co.. Ohio. May 8, L859. His father, M Riley, was born in County Meath. Ireland, May 9, 1830. His parents were Edwardand Bridge! Riley, both now deceased. Mr. Riley was reared in his native land, and when seventeen years of age came to America. He landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Morrow, Warren County, Ohio, where he was employed as foreman of Alfred Watt's distillery. He there learned the distilling business thoroughly, remaining with Mr. Watts for fourteen years. Durino- the last four vears of this time, he was engaged in the manufacture of liquors for himself. In April, 1866, he came to London, and established a wholesale liquor and grocery trade. Mr. Riley enjoys a very large trade in both lines of goods, selling at wholesale and retail. In 1879, he erected his present building, which is a brick, 100x25 feet in size, three stories high. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Democratic party. He was married, July 3, L856, to Anna Malloy, a native of Ireland. Of the four children born to them, three are living - John, Edward and Katy, the latter attending convent school. Mrs. Riley and the family are also members of the Roman Catholic Church. John Riley came to London with his parents when but seven years of age. He obtained only a fair education, and has been clerking in his father's store mostly during life. In June, 1877, he became associated with his father in business, and the firm have prospered exceedingly. Mr. Riley was married November 1, 1881, to Bessie, daughter of Dr. Toland Jones, of London.

JOHN J. ROBERTS, deceased, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 17, 1782, and died in Somerford Township April 26, 1860. He was a pioneer in the fullest sense, as he came to what is now Columbiana County before Ohio was a Stato. He was compelled to flee into Virginia, by the Indians, and remained in that State one year, when he returned to his former residence in this State. He removed to what was then called New Lancaster in the year 1809, and to Delaware, Delaware County, in 1810, where he resided till 1812. He was drafted as a, soldier in 1812, but being sick at the time was unable to go, and procured a substitute. After this time, a volunteer company was enlisted in his neighborhood; he joined this company and marched to the frontier. The company to which he belonged built Fort Stephenson, which was afterward named Fort Croghan, in honor of its defender, who successfully defended the fort against the combined forces of British and Indians, August 2, 1813. He would have been in this engagement had he not been confined to his bed by a severe attack of camp fever. Several persons having been killed while conveying dispatches from this fort to the army which was stationed at Franklinton, in Franklin Co., Ohio, he volunteered to act as bearer of dispatches, which he did for some time, or until the headquarters of the army were removed from Franklinton. The carrying of the dispatches was the most difficult and dangerous service in the army, as they had to be carried through an unbroken wilderness, over iifty miles in one day, and nothing to indicate the route except blazed trees. The company to which he belonged was very unfortunate, and most of the members died of sickness brought on by exposure to the malaria of the wet, flat country in which they were compelled to encamp. During the war, his family, with many others, fled from Delaware to Franklinton, as a report had been circulated in the neighborhood that the Indians were coming from the north, killing all the white people they found in their line of march. He never returned to Delaware to live, but removed soon after the war closed to Darby Plains, in the northern part of Madison County. He removed to Somerford Township in 1823, where he resided until the time of his decease, except about three years which he spent in Illinois. He was a man of wonderful physical power, and was capable"of performing a great deal of labor. He was engaged for several years in trading with the Indians, and was able to act as interpreter. He kept a tavern on the old Federal road, one mile north of Somerford, for several years, but the building of the National road diverted the travel from that route so much that he could no longer make the business pay, and so abandoned it. He built a grist mill, and had a small distillery for several years. His father was born in Wales, and in early life bad followed the sea, and crossed the Atlantic thirteen times before he settled in America. John J. Roberts' sister married a Colonel in the English .Army. This man was present at the meeting which Gen. Hull, of unsavory memory, had with the English officers who bought the men and stores composing the United States Army of Gen. Hull. This man said that Gen. Hull received so much money for every man surrendered by him to thu English. This matter was revealed after Hull's trial and told to John J. Roberts by his brother-in-law, when he visited him in Canada. Charles Roberts, son of John J. Roberts, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1805, died in Madison County, Ohio, in 1853; married Harriet Macan, in 1832. He taught school in Madison and adjoining counties for eighteen years. He moved from Somerford Township, Madison County, to Union Township, in 1839, and built the Roberts Mill, in 1844. This mill, which is still running, is three miles west of London, contains two run of buhrs, and is capable of doing merchant work. It was property originally owned by Judge Jacob Garrard, who owned a custom mill with but one pair of raccoon buhrs. Judge Garrard also carried on the distilling: business, up to 1839. Charles Roberts, however, being conscientiously opposed to the manufacture and sale of whisky, would not purchase the still -house anil fixtures, so that business was discontinued when he took possession of thn property. In 1849, Charles Roberts purchased 200 acres of land in Jefferson Township, and built a saw-mill on Little Darby, two miles south of Jefferson. Having contracted consumption by exposure while engaged in building the saw-mill, he leased the mill to Dr. J. Randall, and removed from Darby to Union Township, where, after a lingering illness, he died. A great many of the older citizens of London received their educa tion in the schools taught by Charles Roberts, and his name is frequently mentioned by them in speaking of the pioneer teachers of Madison County. He had traveled in nearly every county in Ohio, but was never outside of the limits of the State. He was the father of nine children, as follows : John U. Roberts, born August 21, 1833, married and resides in Union Town ship, Madison County; William H. Roberts, born 1835, married and resides in Clinton, Henry Co., Mo.; Catharine M. Roberts, born 1837, died, never was married; B. F. Roberts, born 1839, unmarried, and resides in Jefferson Township; Mary E. Roberts, born 1841, unmarried, deceased; Charles C. Roberts, born 1843, married, resides in Union Township; Malvina Estelle, born 1819, married to Michael B. Wilson, resides in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio. Mrs. Harriet Roberts, nee Macan, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1814, married to Charles Roberts in 1832, resided in Madison County fifty years, and resides three miles west of London, near the Roberts Mill. She came to the county before the National road was surveyed, and was acquainted with the people of London befoi'e a solitary turnpike road was built in the county. John M. Roberts received a common school education, and attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He has followed teaching since old enough; has taught twonty-soven years, twenty-five in this county. In 1859, lie married Emeline Truitt, by whom he has three children - Flora, Alma and John F. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat. Charles C. Roberts was married in 1872, to Virginia Ann Douglass, by whom be has two children - Olivi- and Charles W. Mr. Roberts enlisted in 186'Z, in Company A, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Jones, and served until L865. He was a merchant for a short time in Jefferson, and operated a lime-kiln in this county in 1861 and 1802. He also operated a saw mill for a time, and is now engaged iu the Roberts flour mill.

E. J. ROBISON, of Robison & Riddle, proprietors Eagle Drug House. London, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 7, 1850. His father, S. S. Robison, is a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He has been a resident of Pleasant Township for many years. He married Margaret Fitzgerald, daughter of Judge Fitzgerald, a well-known citizen of Fairfield Township. They wore the parents of three children, two now living. Mrs. Robison departed this life in December, 1878. E. J. Robison received a good collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, graduating in 1875. He then came to London, and, with Edward Armstrong, engaged in the drug business. This relationship continued about four years, when Dr. Piatt King purchased Mr. Armstrong's interest, and the firm remained as Robison & King until July, 1882, when the junior partner wan drowned at Lake Chautauqua, N. Y. In August of the same year Mr. Will Riddle became associated in the business with Mr. Robison, under the firm name of Robison & Riddle. Mr. Robison is a young man possessing good business qualifications, and will certainly succeed in lifa Ho is connected with the American Legion of Honor, the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, an earnest and outspoken advocate of Republican principles. He was united in marriage, November 20, 1878, to Sarah K. Riddle, a native of Madison County. They have one child - Margaret C. Mrs. Robison is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE RONEMUS, London, merchant tailor and gents' furnisher, was born in Jefferson County, Va.. February 12, 1824. He is a son of Conrad Ronemus, a native of Germany, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Virginia when quite young, and died there in 1832. He married Sarah Fizer, a native of Jasper County, Va. They were the parents of eight children, six now living. Mis. Ronemus departed this life in 1873. Our subject was reared in the "Old Dominion." and obtained but a limited educa tion. He learned the tailor's trade at Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., Va., and worked at it there for five years. He came to Ohio in 1855, locating at Springfield, and in 1863 came to London. He worked steadily at his trade until September 1, 1881, when he engaged in his present business. Mr. Ronemus is Democratic on political questions, and has served two years as Village Councilman. He was married. September 27, 1860, to Maggie Heaton, a native of Clark County, Ohio. They have nine children Florence, Charles S.. Laura, Fannie, Ettie, Arthur, Lulu, Mabel and George, Jr. Mrs. Ronemus is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE H. ROWLAND, Superintendent of construction of the Ohio Penitentiary, residence Columbus, was born in Chester County, Penn., July 8, 1836. He is a son of Charles Rowland, also a native of the same place, and whose ancestors came to America with William Penn. Charles Rowland was a stone mason by trade, and a farmer by occupation. Ho resided in Chester County, Penn.. till his death, February 19, L857. He married Margaret Shriver, born in the same county. They were the parent.-, of seven children, our subject the only one in Ohio. Mrs. Rowland departed this life January 22, 1858. George H. resided in his native place till seventeen years of age. He then went to Philadelphia, and was employed as a shipping clerk in the B. &0. R. R. offices, for a period of three years. He then went to East Tennessee, and was engaged in load mining until the commencement of the war. In August, L861, he started for Pennsylvania, and at London, Ohio, stopped off on account of sickness. Upon recovery from his illness, he went to work, and remained there one year. After a short time spent at home, he returned to London, and there remained till 1878. He was an architect and builder, and erected many of the business blocks anil residences of London. He removed to Columbus, March 1, 1877, and worked at his trade till September, 1878, when he was appointed to his present position by Warden McWhorten. He was subsequently re- appointed by Warden Dyer, and twice by the present Warden. Noah Thomas, also a former resident of Madison County. Mr. Rowland has had gojd success in his present position, and likes its duties Very much. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138 (Masonic), of London, and Masonic Council and Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1 Knights Templar, of Columbus; also McCoy Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of the latter city. Mr. Rowland is an Independent Democrat, and while a resident of London, was a member of the Village Council two terms. He was married, November 20, 1866, toAlmira Betts, a native of London, and daughter of John Betts. They have one son - Neal C. Mr. Rowland and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of London.

JOHN P. SEARLE, blacksmith, London, and a well-known and esteemed citizen of London, was born in Cornwall, England, July 16, 1833. He is a son of AVilliam Searle, also a native of Cornwall, and a farmer by occupation. Our subject was apprenticed for six years to a blacksmith in his native country, remaining with him till his trade was fully learned, besides buying his clothes, and paying his "master," $5 per annum. In December, 1857, he came to America on board the James Morton, forty - two day's passage. He came direct to Ohio, and first worked six miles east of Newark. Ho remained there nine months, and then went to work near Jacksontown, Licking County, on the National pike. He was employed on a threshing machine during the grain season, and in September following went to Thorn ville, Perry County, and worked five months for David Rank. He then rented a shop, and carried on his trade in that county for five years. He came to London, April 1, 1864, and went to work at his trade. This increased rapidly, and in the summer of 1867, he purchased thirty-four feet front on Main street, from William Farrar, paying therefor $3,100, and assuming an indebtedness on it of $1,600, with three years in which to pay it. When this purchase was made, after making the $1,500 cash payment, Mr. Searle bad but $35 left, in his pocket, but in two years he had paid for the property. He remained there eight years; sore eyes caused him to quit work four months. He then purchased his present property for $2,500, and erected his shop. He came to London with $400 in ready cash, and by energy and perseverance, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his trade, has succeeded in gaining a comfortable competence, and is the owner of a nice brick cottage on South Main street; besides this he owns a large tenement property on Oak street, estimated at $3,500. When Mr. Searle landed at New York he had only $4.84, but his property in London to-day is valued at over $10,000, and this in spite of many obstacles which he has had to encounter. Mr. Searle is a member of the Madison Lodge, No. 70, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I. O. O. F.). He is Republican in National and State politics, but in local matters gives his support to the " right man in the right place." He was married April 27, 1857, to Elizabeth R. Coplin, a native of St. Austle, Cornwall, England. Ten children have been sent to bless this union, only two living Kate A. and Spartan C. Mr. Searle, wife and daughter, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Searle sees in his life the guiding hand of an over-ruling Providence, which has more than once led him into paths that opened to success. It was only three days after his marriage that he bade his wife farewell in his native land, and started on his long journey to America. The future seemed uncertain to him, and though he possessed a brave heart and a ready hand, ho was unwilling to take her from her home to an unknown land. He went from St. Austle to Liverpool by steamer, and, on arriving, a tug approached to convey the passengers ashore; all except him boarded the tug, but an indescribable hesitancy held him back. As he stood there alone, a stranger on the quay inquired if he did not wish to land. His reluctance disappeared and he landed at onco. This stranger, whom he only met by obeying his impulse to remain aboard the steamer, while the others landed, proved a friend indeed. He invited him to his house, treated him as a son, and in various ways assisted and befriended him. When in mid-ocean there appeared to Mr. Searle a distinct picture or vision of a blacksmith shop, which he afterward recognized as Mr. Lippencott's in Licking County. The vision and reality corresponded and agreed in every particular. After his arrival in Ohio, while walking along the railroad between Newark and Louisville to his work in the harvest field, the thought flashed into his mind to inquire for a letter at the latter post office. He did so and received one, directed to himself and written by John Lippencott, an entire stranger to him, asking him to work in his shop. He accepted the offer, and on approaching the shop recognized it at once as the shop he had beheld on the ocean. From that day to the present, he has never lacked work. His wife joined him in America after sixteen months' separation.

of England. He married Lydia Loudon. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, residing there till twenty-nine years of age. He learned his present trade when sixteen years of age, working at it for five years. On September 11, 1857, he came to the United States and direct to London, Ohio, where he has since resided. Mr Self has resided here over a quarter of a century, and during that time has been prominently identified with the building interests of Madison County. He owns a farm of forty acres adjoining the village, where he manufactures brick. In 1881, he made over 1,000,000 He has been fairly successful in life, and owns rome good village property. He was married in 1856, to Lavina Johnson, also a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Self are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY J. SHARP, physician and surgeon, London, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 2, 1845. His father, Dr. E. T. Sharp, a native of Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio at an early day, where he reared a large family, practicing his profession for over forty -five years and, by natural selection, the subject of our sketch has transferred to his own the professional mantle which the father, through declining years, let drop from his shoulders. The father and mother both having surpassed the limit of life, as sung by the Psalmist, are now residing at Worthington. Franklin County, Ohio. Henry was the ninth of a family of eleven children, and is the youngest of three brothers now living. Living so close to the burder, and at the important rendezvous, Gallipolis, the headquarters of the military department of West Virginia, during the late war he became imbued with the war spirit, and though too young for the volunteer service, enlisted while not yet sixteen years old in the Ohio National Guard, Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment. His company, during the raids and threatened raids of the rebel Gens. Wise and Morgan, was frequently under arms, doing guard duty at Gallipolis and other points on the Ohio River, until the call for the hundred- days men by President Lincoln, when the One Hundred and Forty -first Ohio National Guard, Col. Jaynes commanding, was transferred to West Virginia and divided into detachments, were stationed at the different garrisons on the line between Charleston and Guyaudotte, West Virginia, thus relieving the garrisons at these places and permitting them to be transferred to the more active services at the front, under Grant In East Virginia. After about four months' service, the One Hundred and Forty-first was ordered to Gallipolis, discharged and mustered out of the service. The subject of our sketch entered a local academy, and after a few months here, his parents moving to Franklin County, he matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he continued his studies, leaving thei'e in 1868, to take up the study of medicine. He studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Hamilton, of Columbus, and being his only student for nearly two years, gained largely in valuable experience and practical participation, as an assistant to his preceptor in an extensive surgical and general practice. He graduated in medicine from Starling Medical College, in the spring of 1871, and settled during October of the same year in London, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice, and is now doing an extensive and remunerative business. Dr. Sharp belongs to the students and progressive men of his profession, finding time, aside from the actual practice, to contribute to the literature of his profession by articles written for the various medical journals, and for participa tion in the proceedings of various medical societies, being a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Central Ohio Medical Society and the Madison County Medical Society. He was married to Miss E. C. Dooris, of Zanesville, Ohio, April 10, 1872. His wife is a lady of culture and of future promise in literature, she having con tri but ed in the past to different periodicals, and having only laid down her pen for devotion to the growing demands of an interesting family, that, for the time, overshadow all other pleasures and duties of less moment. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and by their devotion and work have aided largely in the erection of a handsome church building on Fourth street, in the city, where the society hold their services. They have living three children- Henry J., Leighton and Wilfred. \V. STALEY SHEPHERD, London, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 25, 1823. He received such an education as the public schools of that vicinity could give him, which, with a taste for read ing, enabled him to become a well-informed man. He was married at Woodstock, Ohio, January 1, 1850, to M. Louise Clark, daughter of Jeremiah ( 'lark, of Connecticut In the spring of 1857, he removed to London, Madison County, and was soon thereafter appointed Deputy Sheriff of the county. He so discharged the duties devolved upon him that in the fall of L858 he was elected Sheriff, and was re-elected in 1800 - serving out the two terms in succession to which be was restricted by the Constitution. At the expiration of his term as Sheriff, he was appointed the tirst collector of Internal Revenue Eor his county, which office he held until L866, retiring, with an unblemished record, to the business pursuits of private life. In L870, he was elected to the position of Clerk in the House of Representatives of the Fifty-ninth General Assembly of Ohio, and discharged his duties with fidelity and efficiency. In 1872, he was appointed chief book-keeper in the Auditor of State's office, which post lion be held for eight years, a portion of which time lie served as Deputy Auditor of State. Soon after retiring from the Auditor's office, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Interior Department at Washington, D. C; there he remained until June, 1881, when he resigned his position and returned to London. Soon after this, he purchased a half-interest in the London Times and entered at once upon the field of journalism, in which capacity he now devotes all his time and energies. In politics. Mr. Shepherd is a firm but candid Republican. In manners, he is agreeable, and tolerant of the views of others differing from him.

AUBURN SMITH (deceased). In 1862, two brothers, Mincher and John Littler, came from England to America, locating near Philadelphia. There is a tradition in the family that these two belonged to the colony founded by William Penn. The son of John. John Littler, Jr., settled near Winchester, Frederick County, Va.; he was the father of ten children, one of whom. Ann Littler, was born October 17. 1782. She was married in February, 1800, to Robert Smith, also a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert Smith's father, a widower, with part of his children, emigrated from Virginia to this county, as early as 1804 or 1805, and occupied the land on Walnut Run, which belonged to the late Samuel Watson. The children became dissatisfied, and eventually dispersed, leaving the old gentleman alone, some going back to Virginia and others going back toward the southern part of the State. Robert and Ann Smith emigrated to this county with five children, and had one born after their arrival. Mrs. Smith's father, John Littler, had previous to this purchased 4,000 acres of land in Union and Deer Creek Townships, paying about 12.1 cents per acre. Ann inherited from her father 200 acres, what is now known as the "Phifer farm," where she and Robert lived. He died in 1816, about one year after their arrival. They had six children - lohn, Rosanna, Kachael, James, Samuel and Robert. Samuel is now living in Ligonier, lud., and Kachael married William T. Davidson, whose son is now the Superintendent of the Infirmary. .Mrs. Smith subsequently married William Noteman, by whom she had five children. She died in 1826. Her son, James Smith, was born in Virginia, but was reared in this county, coming here at the age of seven years. He learned the cabinet-maker's trad.', and in 1833 married Ann Rosser, a native of England. They lived in Springfield for a time, and in Somerford, but permanently located in London about 1844. In 1851, he established himself in the drug business, and in 1854 lost most of his stock by fire. He died in September of that year, leaving four children, of whom Auburn, then aged fifteen, was the only son. He was born in Somerford December 14,1839; came to London when four years of age. and resided here until his death. Having assisted his father in the drug store, he became imbued with a liking for the business, and in 186"). with J. S. Davidson, he purchased the Ridenour drug store. Three years afterward, he became sole proprietor, operating one of the largest and best regulated drug houses in Central Ohio. In 1870, he began dealing in ice, hauling it from Deer Creek. About 1875, he made a pond in the northern limits of London, and adjacent to the pond erected three icediouses, from which he supplied the home demand and shipped a great deal of ice. He was married to Anna E., the third daughter of E. V. Arnett, of West Jefferson, in 1863, and by her had five children - Robert, Harriet, James, Arnett and Gertrude. Mr. Smith was a strong adherent to the doctrine of Methodism, having united himself with that church in 1864. He was for several years Assistant Superintendent and a regular attendant of the Sabbath school, and his whole church-work seemed to l>e devoted to the Missionary work and Sabbath school. He was a loving father and husband, a good neighbor and a most estimable citizen, whose place in life will not be easily Idled either in a social or commercial relation, and whose loss is deeply felt and deplored by the church, State and community at large. He died on Tuesday. October 10, 1882, of Bright's disease, from which he had been suffering since 187(1. The nature of his disease was unknown to him until several years later.

JONATHAN M. SMITH, farmer. P. 0. London, was born in Greene County. Ohio. October 1, 1847. He is a son of John and Sophia (McFarland) Smith, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. Our subject received a common school education, mostly in this county, and chose the occupation of a farmer, which he has since followed. He was married, in 1875, to Rebecca M. Paine, a daughter of Zadock and Martha (Mooney) Paine. They have had one child - Pearl Raymond. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics; he has held several minor township offices, and is now one of the Trustees.

PHILIP SPEASMAKER, London, a well-known and popular hardware merchant of London, was horn in Bavaria. Germany. Ma}' 1. 1837. He is a son of Cassimere and Catherine Does Speasmaker, both natives of (xermany. Our subject was reared in his native land, and there educated. At the age of fifteen years he came to America, and apprenticed himself to learn the tinner's trade, at Brooklyn, N. Y. He remained there three years, and then came direct to London, this county. He was employed at his trade by John Dungan for one and a half years, and then worked for C. D. Rayburn for a short time. He then purchased the stock and trade (stove and tinware business) of his employer, and has since been engaged in this business. This was in 1857, and it will therefore be seen that Mr. Speasmaker is the oldest merchant in his line of trade in London, and he certainly enjoys tlu' largest trade. He deals in all kinds of agricultural implements, hardware and manufactured tinware, and as a business man is highly respected for his business qualifications and strict integrity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge, Chapter and Council, of London, Palestine Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, of Springfield, Ohio, and also of the I. ( ). 0. L. He is Democratic in political views; is a member of the Board of Education of London, but no active politician. He was married. November 28, 1857, to Caroline Dies, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. They have ten children, all living.

J. B. SPRAGUE, London, a prominent physician and surgeon of London, was born in Harmony Township, Clark County. Ohio, .June L5, 1821. His father, .lame-- Sprague, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Ohio about 1816 or 1818. He was an early pioneer of Clark County, residing eight miles east of Springfield until his death. He was bom December 9, 1784, and died duly 10, 1844, leaving an estate of 360 acres, and considerable personal property. He married Polly Bailey, a native Of New Hampshire. Eighl children were given them, five daughters and three sous. Six of these are living to-day. four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Sprague departed this life in 1871 or 1872. James B. Sprague was reared on a farm, receiving a high school education. He taught school in early life for seven years at dill'erent intervals, and during the latter part of this time studied medicine for two years with Dr. Rogers (now deceased). of Springfield, Ohio. He then took a course of lectures, studied anothei year, then a second course of lectures, and in 1851 graduated from the

Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. He first located at Vienna Cross Roads, Clark County, Ohio, and after a few years engaged in the practice of his profession with Dr. Burkley Gillett, of Springfield. The lattor died a year later, and our subject thon went to PJattsburg, and subsequently to Vienna Cross Roads once more. In 1871, he came to London, where he ha since resided, and been engaged in attending to a very fair practice. In June, L862, Dr. Sprague wont into the United States service, as Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in that position nearly three years. By his own consent, he was detailed as snr of a colored regiment. They were located on the banks of a stream in the South, and soon after the measles and small-pox broke out among them. Dr. Sprague vaccinated over four hundred of them, and never lost a nut by either disease, although some of the men had both diseases at the sum - time. He remained with them two or three months and then returned home. Dr. Sprague was formerly and is now a member of the Clark County Medi cal Society, and is also connected with the State and Madison Societies of a like nature. He is thoroughly Democratic in his political views, and once, while a resident of Clark County, served as Justice of the Peace. He was married, November 8, 1843, to Sarah, daughter of Isaac Charaberlan an old and respected pioneer of Clark County. Of the six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Sprague. only two are living - Cecelia F. (wife of William H Wragg, of Plattsburg, Clark County, Ohio), and Milton C. (a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, and a practicing physician of Somerford, this county). Dr. Sprague has been a member of the Masonic order sine - about 1845, having been initiated at Fielding Lodge. South Charleston, Ohio. He is now a member of the Lodge, * 'hapter and Council at London, and of Ml. Vernon Commandery at Columbus. He has taken the first eight een and the Scottish Rite degrees, and will soon advance, if his life is spared, to the thirty-second degree. His connection with the I O. O. F. has been equally as long and honorable.

W. S. SQUIRES, of \V. S. Squires & Co., grocers, London, was born in London, Madison County, January 2, 1844. His father, W. H. Squires, was a native of Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, who came to London at an early day and there carried on the saddler and harness trade for a number of years. He subsequently learned the dental trade, and also kept a hotel at London and Dayton for ten or twelve years. He died in London January 15, L870. He married Catherine Phifer, a native of Virginia, who bore him eight children, two now living - Laura (widow of L. G. Mc- Collum, deceased), and our subject. Mrs. Squires is still living, and resides in a large and comfortable residence in west part of London, at sixty - seven years of age. Our subject grew to manhood in his native city, re ceiving a good education. When young, he rented land of H. W\ Smith, and " farmed it " for five years. He farmed eight years altogether and then came to London and engaged in the livery business. He subsequently learned paper-hanging, and worked al that and painting for about ten years. Then, in company with his brother-in-law, L. O. McCollum, he purchased the grocery stock and trade of Isaac O. Peetrey, May 9, 1882, the firm remaining as Squires & .McCollum until August 20. L882, when it was dissolved. The firm of \V. S. Squires & Co. was then formed, and they have since conducted the business with fair success. Mr. Squires is Democratic in politics. He was married November 14, 1807, to Ellen A., daughter of H. W . Smith, a prominent attorney of London and Madison County. Of their three children, two are living - Jean ette and Catherine. Mrs. Squires is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. H. Squires raised Company K, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied it to the field He finally became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. Our subject enlisted in Company K, Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Cincinnati, serving three years and three months and being mustered out with the rank of Sergeant.

JOHN STAHL, London, the second oldest merchant in the boot and shoe line in London, was born in Germany April 11, 1831. His father, Henry Stahl, died in that country. Our subject was reared in Germany, and when of age came to America. He first located at Cincinnati, where he learned the shoe-maker's trade. He remained there only a short time, and then went to Covington, Ky., just across the river. Some time after, he went to Richmond, Ind., and in July, 1857, came to London. He started a little shop for repairing purposes, and gradually worked himself into the retail trade, until now, he carries a very large stock and enjoys a custom in proportion. Mr. Stahl has done away with manufacturing and is still located on the spot where he first commenced business in London twenty-five vears a<yo. He is one of the oldest members of the Catholic Church of London, and Trustee of the Catholic Benevolent Society. Politically, Mr. Stahl is Democratic, but has never aspired to office. He was united in marriage, March 19, 1857, to Mary Weber, native of Germany. Of the twelve children born to this union, ten are living - John P. (with father in business), Lizzie, Edward, Annie, Flora, Charlie, Frank, Walter, Benedict and Lee. William and Harry are deceased. Wife and family are also members of the church.