Madison County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 12 of 20)

Monroe Bidwell

Monroe Bidwell, farmer, residing on rural route No. 2, West Jefferson, Ohio, and the proprietor of the old Ephraim Bidwell farm, was born on July 14, 1850, on the home farni in an old log house, and is a son of Ephraim and Laura (Lombard) Bidwell. He was the eldest son of the family, and was reared on the farm where he now lives. His early education was greatly neglected, on account of being required to assist with the farm work until he reached maturity. Mr. Bidwell has only himself and wife to thank for his financial success, having accumulated all he and his wife now own unaided, and his splendid farm, consisting of one thousand and sixty-nine acres, situated in Jefferson township, Madison county, is one of the most prosperous of the larger estates of this section. Mr. Bidwell has always been a loyal voter of the Republican ticket, but has never taken an active part in politics.

Ephraim Bidwell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Madison county, Ohio, and was a son of Blisha Bidwell. He grew up and lived in Madison county his entire life. About three years prior to his death he moved to Plain City, spending his last days there. He was the father of six children, only two of whom are living in 1915, Monroe and Ellen, who became the wife of Joseph McKimmon and now lives near Lincoln, Nebraska. Ephraim Bidwell was a farmer and a member of the Legislature.

Elisha Bidwell, the paternal grandfather, was born in Vermont, and came with his wife and family overland by wagon to Ohio. He entered land from the government at Jefferson, one and one-half miles northwest of the present home of Monroe Bidwell. where he settled and reared his family. When he came here the land was wet and swampy and his was no easy task in clearing, ditching and putting the land in tillable condition. Mr. Bidwell was the father of fifteen sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Three of his sons, Benjamin, Elijah and Washington, were killed during the Civil War.

Monroe Bidwell was united in marriage on September 2, 1874, with Martha C. Kreainer, daughter of John Kreamer, a wealthy farmer. She was born in October, 1852, in Madison county. To this union were born three children, Eber W., Cloa and Irma, all living in 1915. ber W. Bidwell was educated in the district school, finishing his training at Ada, Ohio. He was married to Maggie Burrell, who died, leaving him one son, Asil H., born on April 1, 1897, who was reared by his grandfather and educated in the public schools. Eber W. Bidwell was married, secondly, to Alta Ford, by whom he had two children. His second wife died and he was married, thirdly, on May 19, 1915, to Mrs. Magdalena (Hansel) Hanson, who was born in this county, a daughter of Chris and Amanda Hansel, the former of whom is a farmer of this county. Cloa Bidwell became the wife of Elmer Starkey, and has three children, Everett, William and Marie. Irma Bidwell is the wife of Raynard Harbage, a farmer of Canaan township. :

John Kreamer, father of Martha C. (Kreamer) Bidwell, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph and Mary (Badley) Kreamer. Joseph Kreamer was of German descent and came to Madison county where he died at West Jefferson. Mary (Badley) Kreamer died in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now deceased. John Kreamer came to Madison county with his father. He married Mary Snodgrass, who was born near Milford Center, Ohio, and they settled on a farm in Monroe township. About 1860 they went to live on the Morris farm. Mr. Kreamer died in Monroe township in January, 1870. His wife is still living at the age of eighty-seven. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Jchn Kreamer was a Republican and was township trustee for several years. John and Mary (Snodgrass) Kreamer were the parents of the following children: Ann died at the age of two years; Haddin died in infancy; Eugene married Laura Wright, and is a farmer resid- ing in Jefferson township; John married Rose Burrows, and is a retired farmer of Milford Center; Rose married John Byerly, who is a farmer in Monroe township; Martha C., who married Monroe Bidwell, is the eldest of the children living.

Monroe Bidwell is a descendant of one of the old and _ highly-respected pioneer families of Madison county, where he is a well-known and honored citizen. He is a Republican. Mr. Bidwell is a member of the Universalist church, and Mrs. Bidwell is a member of the Methodist church.

Welcome A. West

In Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, may be found the ancestral home of the West family, a tract of seventy acres of land purchased by and owned during his life time by the late Alexander West, the paternal grandfather of Welcome A. West, the subject of this sketch. Its present owner came into possession of the farm about a quarter of a century ago, and here he has lived ever since. The old home of Alexander and "Betsy" West is still standing on the West farm and remains today practically as Mrs. West left it at the time of her death, in 1892. It is a fine specimen of the old Ohio homes.

Welcome A. West, the grandson of Alexander and Elizabeth (Curl) West, and the son of Samuel and Margaret Ann (Neer) West, was born in Pleasant township, Clark county, June 16, 1866. Mr. West's father was born in Logan county: Ohio, September 6, 1845, and was married to Margaret Ann Neer in Clark county, Ohio, September 18, 1864. They had four children, of whom two, Kelly and Sheldon, died early in life. The latter was born on June 16, 1873. The living children are: Welcome A., the subject of this sketch; and: Harlan, born on April 14, 1878. The latter resides in Springfield, Ohio, and is assistant cashier of the First National Bank. He never lived in Madison county. Samuel West is now living in Pleasant township, Clark county, Ohio, two miles distant from his son, Welcome A. He came to Madison county as a child, the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Curl) West, and settled on the farm where Welcome A. now lives. Alexander West, by his own efforts, developed this farm. He was born on June 21, 1809; married to Elizabeth Curl, March 31, 1831; and died on December 20, 1861, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, Elizabeth or "Betsy" Cur!, was born on March 29 1812, and died on March 25, 1892, at the age of eighty years. Alexander West was the justice of the peace for many years, and held court in his house. He and his wife had a family of fourteen children, most of whom reached maturity. Four are now living, Samuel, Thomas, Edwin and Mary Ann. Samuel and Thomas live in Clark county, the latter a resident of Springfield. Samuel lives on the farm, where most of his married life has been passed. He is now retired, but is well remembered as a stock buyer who covered a wire range of territory, including Madison, Champaign and Clark counties. Edwin is living retired at Mechanicsburg, in Champaign county. Mary Ann is the widow of James Turpin, and lives at North Lewisburg, Ohio. Among the other children who are deceased, Henry lived and died in Clark county; John died at the age of twenty-six while a recruiting officer of the United States army; Linnie was the wife of Thomas Buzzard and spent practically all her life in Madison county, dying in 1899, at the age of fifty-six years; Susannah, the twin sister of Mary Ann, died in November, 1880, and was the wife of John Furrow; Dorothy died at the age of twenty-eight, unmarried.

At the age of twenty-four, Welcome A. West came to Madison county, Ohio. He had received a good common-school education, and when his father, Samuel West, who was the administrator of the estate of Alexander West, closed up the business, Welcome A. West bought in the old farm of his grandfather. He has made many improvements

On February 27, 1890, Welcome A. West was married to Gertrude M. Evans, of Clark county, Ohio. Mrs. West was born in Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of three children: Ellis M., Orris C. and Hazel J., all of whom are living at home with their parents.

For thirty years Mr. West has kept a diary, including all of the weather reports and all neighborhood happenings. This diary has been accepted as evidence in court, and Mr. West is very proud of it. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Summerford. Mr. West is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and votes the Republican ticket, as does his father and as did his grandfather before him.

John W. Rector

Biographies of good men form splendid examples and incentives to those drifting along life's pathway, and are often the first aid to the discouraged and faint-hearted, inspiring them with hope for another "chance." The gentleman whose life history is here briefly reviewed is one who has followed a course of straightforward principles, and made his way to a respected and honored position in the agricultural world winning the admiration and praise of his neighbors and friends.

John W. Rector, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on February 19, 1864, in Wayne township, Pickaway county, Ohio, and is a son of Marcus and Mary F. (Van Kuren) Rector. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then rented his father's farm, starting in for himself as a farmer. Through his industry and good management Mr. Rector has so skillfully conducted his business matters, until he now owns one hundred and twenty-two acres of farm land. Mr. Rector has always been a stanch Republican, and greatly interested in the welfare of his township, but has never taken an active part in local politics.

Marcus Rector, father of the subject of this sketch, was. born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and his wife, Mary F. (Van Kuren) Rector, was born at Albany, New York, coming with his parents to Pickaway county, when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Rector both grew up in that county, and were married there. Mr. Rector was a generoushearted and prosperous man, but his generosity was taken advantage of and he lost all he had. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred about 1898. Mrs. Rector still resides at Big Plain Madison county, Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, as follow: Alva C. was born in Jefferson township; Marcus is a blacksmith in Madison county; Robert S. is teaching school at Big Plain; Roy is a musician, and resides at Columbus, Ohio; Clara became the wife of George Alkire; Maud is the wife of Frank Edwards, of Big Plain, Ohio; Myrtle is the wife of Daniel Brobert, and lives near Circleville, Ohio; John W., of Jefferson township.

John W. Rector was united in marriage on August 9, 1889, with Amy V. Lane, daughter of Mitchell Lane. She was born on August 1, 1875 in Oakland township, and died in 1892. To this union were born two daughters: Ida M., the wife of John Borland, of West Jefferson, Ohio; and Anna, a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, now the wife of Harvey Heath, also of West Jefferson. Mr. Rector was married, secondly, to Mrs. Iva M. (Wright) Walker, August 16, 1909. She is a daughter of Henry and Nancy H. (Harris) Wright, and was born on May 15, 1858 in Canaan township, Madison county.

Henry Wright, father of Mrs. Iva M. (Wright) Rector, was a son of Dr. Henry and Margaret (Bogan) Wright, and was born on February 17, 1822, in Frederick county, Maryland, and died on May 10, 1914. He came to Ohio in 1836, and began to care for himself at the age of eleven years, working at first for his board and clothes, and at the age of twenty-three years, he began to learn the wagon-maker's trade at Amity, Ohio. Mr. Wright went to the Civil War in the One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, in 1864, serving until the close of the war. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Mahaffey, who died in 1853, leaving one son, Albert. Mr. Wright was' marvied, secondly, to Nancy Harris, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Harris, by whom he had two daughters, Elizabeth A. and Iva. His second wife died, and he was married to Polly Dominy, by whom he had nine children. Mr. Wright began life as a poor boy, and succeeded so well that he at one time owned eight hundred acres of land, which he acquired unaided, and which he divided among his children.

Mrs. Iva M. (Wright) Rector was married, first, to Cassius B. Walker on July 2, 1874, by whom she has three daughters: Lenora, the wife of Roy Spring, of Delaware, Ohio; Eva. who became the wife of Taylor Simkins, and resides at West Jefferson; and Catherine, who married Hugh Cox, at Rome, Franklin county, Ohio. Cassius B. Walker died on December 18, 1906.

Mr. and Mrs. Rector are pleasant, affable people, and are prominent citizens in the township. Mrs. Rector possesses, in her own right, something over sixty-six acres of © land. The beautiful home where they reside is known as "Hilltop Farm," and is located on the Blair road, one mile north of West Jefferson, Ohio.

William Holland

William Holland, successful farmer and owner of three hundred and five acres of land located in Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio, about two miles northeast of Plumwood, was born in Champaign county, this state, on June 12, 1858.

William Holland is a son of John and Mary (Foley) Holland, both natives of County Waterford, Ireland. John Holland, who was a son of Lawrence, was the first of his family to emigrate to this county. He was a young man at that time and came over in order to judge of conditions and opportunities in this land before sending for the rest of the family. He was seized with cholera while en route to the West and was glad to leave the train at Springfield for medical attention. He remained at that place, working for a time on a section gang and later went to a farm owned by a Mr. McDonald and located near Urbana. This farm he arranged to manage on shares and having secured that position, he sent for his parents and the rest of the family. A short time after their arrival, his sweetheart, Mary Foley, also came and they were married in Springfield. They came into Madison county and bought two hundred acres of land from a Mr. Pratt, the same now constituting part of the farm of William Holland. 'There the old folks remained for the balance of their lives. There were seven children in their family, five of whom are living at the present time: William is the third child in order of birth; Bridget and Lawrence, the two elder, both being unmarried and remaining at home; Margaret is dead; Katherine is the wife of John Butler, and resides at Plain City; Ed and John both died when small, but the rest grew to maturity.

Mr. Holland received a en common-school education in the district schools near his home and was early instructed in the work of the farm home. It is, therefore, but natural that he should have turned the efforts of his mature years to agriculture. He has been highly successful in his line and is one of the up-to-date farmers of his community. He employs twentieth-century methods in the management of his business and is uniformly successful in whatever he undertakes, for he applies the best of brain and brawn to any duty he sees before him.

nelly, a daughter of Thomas and Bridget Donnelly, both natives of the Emerald Isle, coming from County Galway. To Mr. and Mrs. Holland have been born five children, namely: John, Elmer, Mary, William and Catherine. John is in the eighth grade of common school, Elmer in the fifth, little Mary is just ready to enter school and the two youngest, children are below school age. This is a most interesting and promising family, and they are being so trained as to fit them for useful places in the world when they shall have attained manhood and womanhood.

Mr. Holland and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and he gives his support to the Democratic party, although being at no time a seeker after office. Mr. Holland is a sturdy, self-reliant citizen. He is honorable and upright in his dealings and therefore worthy of the high degree of esteem in which he is held.

Benjamin F. Roberts

One of the solid, substantial citizens of the West Jefferson neighborhood of this county, Benjamin F. Roberts is known far and wide in that vicinity as one of the best farmers thereabout. Prominent in the local Grange, he having served as master of the same for some time, he has been equally prominent in farmers-institute work, often serving as secretary for the institutes held in his part of the county, and is known as a man who keeps fully informed on all matters pertaining to the advancement of the science of agriculture.

Benjamin F. Roberts was born in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, on April 7, 1889, son of Charles and Harriet (McCann) Roberts, the former of whom also was born in this county and the latter was a native of Ross county, this state. In his early life Charles Roberts was a school teacher, but after his marriage bought a farm near the fish hatcheries, in Union township, where he erected a grist-mil], which long was known throughout that part of the county as the old Roberts mill, the road leading thereto still being known as the Roberts road. Later, Charles Roberts moved to Jefferson township, where he built a saw-mill on Little Darby creek, which he operated until his retirement from active business, at which time he returned to his former home place, where he spent the remainder of his life. He and his wife were earnest members of the Christian church and were recognized as among the leaders in all good works thereabout. They were the parents of eight children, John Henry, Cath-: erine, Benjamin F., Charles C., Harriet M., Mary E. and Melvina E., the latter of whom, the wife of Michael B. Wilson, of Clark county, this state, is the only one now surviving besides the subject of this sketch.

His father having been a school teacher, Benjamin F. Roberts received an excellent education, his course in the neighborhood schools of his youth having been supplemented _ by a thorough home training, and he is a man of wide information, keeping abreast of the times on all matters of general importance. Mr. Roberts never married, but he reared Homer T. Roberts, a well-known resident of this county, with all the tender solicitude he could have exercised in behalf of a son, and regards the children of the latter with as much affection as though they were indeed his own grandchildren. Homer T. Roberts married Lona Bricker, daughter of Al Bricker, and has four sons.

At the breaking out of the Civil War, Benjamin F. Roberts enlisted in the Union army, in Company FE, One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private throughout the war. He was in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as adjutant and commander of the post for several years. He was commissioned major of the Madison county battalioh.on September 1, 1888.

Benjamin F. Roberts for years has been active in the work of the Grange and is a past master of the grange to which he so long has been attached. He also has been prominent in county-institute work throughout the county and is one of the best-known ' farmers hereabout, his excellent judgment on agricultural matters having much weight with his neighbors. He has a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, two and onehalf miles southwest of West Jefferson, which is looked upon as a model of well-tilled land. Now nearing the four-score mark in the journey of life, Mr. Roberts is quietly spending his "sunset time" at his pleasant home, enjoying the rewards of a life of industry well spent, and enjoying, as well. many evidences of the very sincere regard and esteem of his neighbors, all of whom hold him in the highest respect.

The Bales Family

The Bales family. in Madison county, dates from the coming of Moses Bales, who was a resident of Virginia. With his wife, Mary: he settled in Somerford township, two miles north of the village of Somerford, near where Val Wilson now lives, and where he was a neighbor to the original Valentine Wilson, the grandfather of Val. The farm consisted of about three hundred acres of land and is still owned by members of the family. Moses Bales lived and died upon his farm, passing away in 1855, at a very advanced age. He built the present house on that farm. His third wife survived him several years. By his first marriage there were two sons, Calvin and Thomas, both of whom were farmers and stockmen, and two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth. David Bales, a son of the third wife, lived in Madison county for a time, but finally emigrated to Texas, where he is still living. Late in life, Catherine married a Mr. Lansdale, of Champaign county. Another daughter was Mrs. Susan Markley. Another daughter, Betsy, died unmarried. Another daughter, Mrs. Sarah Locke, removed to Iowa. The daughters of Thomas Bales own the old home place near Tradersville. They are Mrs. Carrie Fitzgibbons, of Mechanicsburg; Talitha, the wife of Dr. Timothy Beach, of near London; and Alta, who married Charles Gray, of Jeffersonville, Ohio. In 1914, Mrs. Gray was killed at a railroad crosing near Springfield, Ohio, when here automobile was struck by a car.

Calvin Fenton Bales was born on January 30, 1821. On October 19, 1843, he married Julia Ann Rigdon, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Mitchell) Rigdon, of ' Somerford township. The former came to this county from Kentucky, the latter from Pennsylvania. Julia Ann (Ridgon) Bales was born in Champaign county, September 26, 1825. Her parents died in London after having sold the old home farm.

A short time after his marriage, Calvin Bales removed to the present homestead near Tradersville. At the time it consisted mostly of wild land. He set about to clear and drain the land and put about seventy-five acres in cultivation. Having started with four hundred acres he sold land until he had only two hundred and fifteen remaining. The main part of the present homestead building was probably here when he came but his widow remodeled and enlarged the house. Calvin Bales was very much interested in stock raising, and handled many cattle and sheep. He rented a great deal of land for grazing purposes. <A short time before his death he purchased four hundred and thirty acres of land located near London. His death occurred in 1863, and he left a widow with five children. Mrs. Calvin Bales sold the London farm and returned to the old home farm near Tradersville. After a 'life of devotion to the Methodist Episcopal church and her family, she died in the old home, July 25, 1911. Mrs. Bales was a member of the Methodist church all her life, and was one of the liberal supporters of the Tradersville church. Calvin Bales was also interested in church work, and strictly observed all the requirements of the church. In fact, Calvin Bales' home was well known as the home of the Methodist preachers. .

'Calvin Fenton and Julia Ann (Rigdon) Bales were the parents of five children: Emeline married Daniel Hendrix and died on October 3, 1887. Mary Jane married William Houston, the father of L. C. Houston, and now lives in London. Charles E.

is a stock raiser of Madison county and Kansas. Milton McKendree Bales, who was born on October 14, 1855 is now a Doctor of Divinity in the Baptist church. He was a Methodist minister for thirty years, but' became a Baptist. He is now located at Homestead, Florida. He is a graduate of the Garrett Biblical Institute. Lydia Minerva is the wife of Dr. E. U. Wood, of Columbus, Indiana, a practicing physician and surgeon of note.

Charles E. Bales was born in the house where he now lives on November 17, 1848, and has spent most of his life on this farm. Having been associated with his father in farming since he was ten years old, Charles Bales was able to take charge of the home farm upon his father's death. 'lhe first year after his father's death he carried three hundred sheep during the winter. When he took charge of the farm it consisted of two hundred and fifteen acres, but it now comprises three hundred and seventy-six acres. In the meantime, Charles bought the interests of his brothers and sisters in the home farm. He is a well-known stockman, who is much devoted to his business of crop raising and sheep feeding. Mr. Bales owns about five thousand acres of wheat and grass land in Kansas, which is well 'stocked with Hereford cattle. He has never had any desire to hold public office.

Prof. J. C. Hambleton

Prof. J. C. Hambleton has devoted the best years of his life to fitting others with a foundation for any vocation that most appeals to them, or the one selected through force of circumstances. With our present method of vocational training a student acquires a better insight into the realities and technicalities of various branches, working under skilled instructors, and is better qualified, when he finishes school, to judge for himself as to what trade he might like to follow.

Prof. J. C. Hambleton, teacher in the Hast high school, Columbus,. Ohio, was born on November 12, 18638, in Jefferson township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Jane (Reynolds) Hambleton. He was reared on the home farm, and obtained his early education in the public schools of the county, and is a graduate of the West Jefferson high school. After leaving high school he.entered the MacAlester College, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A.,.and has devoted his entire life to teaching. His first employment as a teacher was in the mission schools of Chile, where he met and married his wife, and where they resided for nine years. He returned to Ohio in 1900, and brought his family to Columbus. In 1912 they moved to their farm in Jefferson township. Professor Hambleton is a Republican. He is a member of lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons.

Isaac Hambleton, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on August 6 1825, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died.on February 15, 1915. His wife, Jane (Reynolds) Hambleton, was born on October 31, 1825, in Georgesville, Ohio, and died on April 29, 1912. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living in 1915: Ida, who is the widow of George Smeltzer, and resides in Arkansas; Wallace, who taught school for a number of years and is now a farmer in Champaign county.

J. C. Hambleton was united in marriage, December 25, 1891, with Sara Paulsen, daughter of George Paulsen. She was born on December 17, 1870, in Chile. Professor and Mrs. Hambleton are the parents of the following children: Olivia, James, Carmen, Blanca, Edson, David and Carlos (twins), Wallace and Mary. Olivia was born in Chile, October 7, 1892, and is a graduate of the East high school of Columbus, Ohio, and a student at the Ohio State University;- James is a graduate of the same high school, and is a student in the State University; Carmen was born on May 1, 1897, and is a student in the West Jefferson high school; Blanca was born on June 25, 1899, and is also a student of the West Jefferson high school; Edson was bor oun February 13, 1902; David and Carlos (Twins) were born on February 28, 1903; Wallace was born on November 80, 1908, and Mary was born on December 26, 1910.

George Paulsen, father of Mrs. Hambleton, was born in Denmark, and his wife, Carmen (Villagran) Paulsen, was born in Chile, and is now dead. Mr. Paulsen is still a resident of Chile.

James H. Clingan, who is a well-known retired farmer living at Summerford, was born in that village on February 14 1855, and is the son of Andrew J. and Elizabeth A. (Clark) Clingan. Mr. Clingan's father was a native of Maryland and his mother was a native of London, Madison county, and the daughter of Henry Clark. Andrew Clingan and wife came to Madison county about 1840. He was a tailor by trade and followed his trade at Summerford. He 'served three years in the Civil War and was a member of Company K, Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His eldest son, Alonzo P., was also a soldier in the Civil War and died in the Andersonville prison at the age of eighteen. Andrew Clingan died in Madison county at the age of seventyseven, soon after his wife's death, who passed away at the age of sixty-six. For forty years Andrew Clingan was a justice of the peace, and was succeeded by his son, James H., the subject of this sketch, who served one term.

The seven children born to Andrew and Elizabeth A. (Clark) Clingan, were as follow: Alonzo P., who died in the Civil War; Laura V. who is now Mrs. Arnold, of Bradford Junction, Ohio; Mary G., who married Frank P. Weller and who died at Urbana; William L., who was a merchant at Summerford for thirty-five or forty years, until his death in March, 1909; Ida F., who married Thomas ©. Foster, and who died in Madison county; James H. is the subject of this sketch; Fannie H., eho married Thomas West, and who died in Springfield, Clark pee Ohio. Thomas West was an uncle of Welcome A. West of Summerford.

Practically all of Mr. Clingan's life has been spent in Madison county and in Summerford. For twenty-five years he was engaged in painting and paper hanging, and for seven years he was engaged in a general store at Summerford. He owns a farm of fifty-one acres adjoining the village and has a pleasant home. He is surrounded with all the conveniences of life.

James H. Clingan was married at the age of twenty-six to Addie L. Cartzdafner, who died twelve years after their marriage, leaving one child, Stella Myrl, a brilliant 'teacher of Madison county who graduated from the London high school with the class of 1910, at the age of seventeen years. Having begun teaching immediatély after her graduation from high school, she has made a brilliant record in this county. Miss Clingan was well Se for teaching, having taken several teacher's courses at sd oa berg College.

Addie L. Cartzdafner was the daughter of J. W. and Julia Ann Cartzdafner, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively. The former was a millwright by trade and a mil! operator and was well-known in this community. Further facts in the Cartzdafner 'history is to be found in the sketch of G. W. Cartzdafner, presented Sh al in this volume. ,

Mr. Clingan was married, secondly. March 14, 1901, to Malinda Sweet, the daughter of Stephen D. and Catherine (Tingley) Sweet, the former of whom was born in Champdign county, Ohio, the son of Joshua and Mary Sweet. Stephen D. Sweet was reared in Clark county and was married in September, 1853. He and his wife lived in Clark and Madison counties. In later years they lived near Wilson chapel, in Clark county. He died at the age of sixty-one and she at the age of fifty-nine. Their remains are buried in the cemetery at Summerford. Mrs. Clingan is the only member of her family living in Madison county. She was reared in Clark county and educated in the country schools. By this second marriage there have been no children.

Mrs. Clingan is prominent in the Ladies Aid Society and in the Sunday school. Stella Myrl Clingan is also active in church work. James H. Clingan is about the oldest Odd Fellow of the Summerford lodge. He has been a member for thirty-three years, has passed all the chairs and is at present secretary of the lodge. Mrs. Clingan is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, at London. Mr. Clingan is a Republican in politics. He spends his vacations in fishing and hunting and is always taking an active part in improying the village and community where he lives.

Hiram Russell Wilson

No citizen of Somerford township is more highly respected than Hiram Russell Wilson, a farmer at Tradersville in Madison county, Ohio. Ever since beginning life on his own responsibility, Mr. Wilson has been compelled to shift for himself, and the competence which he has accumulated in the passing years is the fruit of his own personal efforts.

Hiram Russell Wilson was born on September 24, 1852, in Mineral county, West Virginia, and at the age of nine years accompanied his parents, Peter and Louisa (Hull) Wilson, to Clark county, Ohio. Both of his parents were natives of West Virginia. Peter Wilson's parents died in early life, and he was bound out to Alexander Riley. He grew to manhood as an apprentice. Hiram Russell Wilson grew to manhood in Clark county, Ohio, on a farm, and lived there until eighteen years old, when his parents removed to Fayette county. He accompanied them and lived at home until twenty-three years old. Still later his parents removed to Lilly Chapel, Madison county, and engaged in farming. After living in Madison county some eight or ten years, they returned to Clark county, a few miles from their son's present residence, and there died, the father in September, 1886, at the age of sixty-five, and the mother about twenty years later in West Virginia. Peter Wilson was a poor man when he came to Ohio, and, after coming here, rented land from different persons. His son, Hiram, is the only member of the family now living in Madison county. William and George both returned to West Virginia, where George still lives. Another brother, John, was a practicing physician in Miami county, Indiana.

After leaving home at the age of twenty-three, Hiram R. Wulson learned the blacksmith's trade at Lilly Chapel with George Wright. He followed the trade for twenty-two years in succession, working at Lilly Chapel, at Somerford and still later at Lafayette, operating shops of his own. In 1901 he removed to his present farm, known as the old Isaac Fox farm, at Tradersville. He now owns one hundred and nine acres of land. In the meantime he has remodeled the house and made out of it an attractive country home. Mr. Wilson keeps purebred Jersey cattle, which are all eligible to register. By separating the cream and selling it, he makes a very satisfactory profit from the farm. Mr. Wilson especially enjoys stock raising.

On November 6, 1882, Hiram Russell Wilson. was married to Margaret A. Sidner, daughter of Philip and Minerva (Southern) Sidner. Mrs. Wilson's father is a _halfbrother of Clark Sidner, whose sketch is presented elsewhere in this volume. Philip and Clark are sons of Jacob Sidner. Mrs. Wilson was born at Lilly Chapel. She and her husband were young people together. 'They have three children, Blanche, Ercel and Guy. Blanche is a graduate nurse and lives at home. Ercel is a student at the Evangelical Institute at Chicago, Illinois. Guy is operating the home farm. He attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, for some time, and expected to take an electrical engineering course, but has abandoned that for agriculture and will take an agricultural course.

Hiram Russell Wilson is a thorough-going temperance man, and at the age of sixtythree years can truthfully say that he has never taken a drink of whisky, a chew of tobacco or a smoke in his life. His son is also a total abstainer. Neither does he know one card from another. In the community where he lives his influence among the young and rising generation is regarded as of a most wholesome character. He is not a politician, and, while nominally identified with the Republican party, votes for the man rather than the party. Although he has served on the school board, generally speaking he has kept out of office and has never aspired to public place. Mr. Wilson is a most deserving and honorable citizen, and respected in the community where he lives.

Simeon G. Kilgore

In the veins of the Kilgore family fiows the blood of militant pioneer stock, who knew what it was not only to battle with the savages who first peopled the Middle West, but who knew what it was to battle with the hardships of pioneer life in the American wilderness.

Simeon G. Kilgore, a prosperous young farmer of Union township, was born on July 20, 1872, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Henry and Orpha (Ellsworth) Kilgore, the former of whom was born in Madison county, Ohio, September 14, 1828. He was the son of James and Sarah (Hutson) Kilgore, natives of Kentueky and of Scotch and English descent, respectively. James Kilgore was a captain during the War of 1812. He was reared on a farm and received' a limited education. In 1864 Henry Kilgore enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in farming during his entire life and owned, at one time, one hundred and sixteen acres of good land. In 1872 he was married to Orpha Ellsworth and to them were born two children, Simeon G. the subject of this sketch, and Charles H.

Henry Kilgore's mother, Sarah (Hutson) Kilgore, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1789, and was married to Jonathan Denton in 1806. The few years during which they were permitted to live together, their lives were full of suffering and danger. Finally, they were driven away by the Indians to the neighboring fort. At the risk of her life, Mrs. Denton rode home each day to attend to the stock. Only a short time. elapsed until her husband was killed in a skirmish with the Indians. With her three small children, she was forced to flee to her parental roof. In 1814 she was married to James Kilgore. She died on November 2, 1872, at the age of eighty-four years, leaving a family of eight children. She was a member of the Methodist Hpiscopal church, having joined the church at the age of sixteen years. She was a leader in the class meetings for many years.

Henry Kilgore and wife were members of the Christian church and he voted the Republican ticket. Of their two children, Charles H., who was born in 1876, married Clara Heaton and has one son, Charles. They live in Columbus, Ohio.

During his life Henry Kilgore made many improvements to his Madison county farm. He erected a fine house and barn. He was a member of the county infirmary board for six years and served as school director for a number of years. He died on February 27, 1915. Mrs. Kilgore lives with her son on the old homestead.

infirmary board for a term of two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at London, Ohio, and a member of Oak Run Grange, at London. The Kilgore farm is known as "Maple Grove Farm" and is conveniently situated on the Kilgore pike. Having been represented in Madison county, Ohio, for nearly a century, the various members of the Kilgore family are naturally well known in this section of the state. They have always been kuown as earnest, sincere, God-fearing people, loyal to their friends and devoted to home and family.

Rev. William M. Overturf

Among the early ministers of the gospel of Madison county, Ohio, was the late Rev. William M. Overturf, a man of tremendous personal power and a man who performed noble service in the Master's vineyard. He lived to rear a family of several children who lived to honor the name which their father bore and the work he did on behalf of the Christian religion.

William M. Overturf was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 21 1832, and died in 1885. He was the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Grifin) Overturf, natives of Pennsylvania and of Virginia, respectively. The former died in 1847 while yet a young man. His wife survived him more than thirty years, passing away in 1881 at a very old age. They had a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters. The only children who are living at the present time are Norman, Catherine and Hulda. Norman was a teacher in Madison county, Ohio, as weil as a farmer. He taught at Summerford for five or six years and then took up the study of law and became a very capable attorney. Several of his old pupils still live in Madison county. He practised law in Delaware county, served a term in the state Senate and was elected circuit judge in Delaware county. Subsequently, he removed to Texas and now lives in California. : Catherine is unmarried.. Hulda is the widow of Charles Carroll, of Columbus. Truman, who lives near Columbus was also a teacher in Madison county. He taught for several years near Mt. Sterling. Ira was a minister in the Christian church and lived principally in Indiana. John never lived in Madison county. The father of these children was a pioneer minister, or, as they were known in those days in "he pioneer communities, ''exhorter," of the old Free Will Baptist church.

The late William M. Overturf was married, August 18, 1854, to Hannah J. Long, the daughter of Gideon and Mary (Kerr) Long, who were residents of Appleton, in Licking county. In 1860 the Rev. William M. Overturf began to preach in the Christian church. He came to Summeérford to assist in a protracted meeting and was employed at the end of the meeting to take charge of this church. The Wilson family were among the leading members of the church. After serving the church for six or eight years he removed to Mt. Sterling where he remained for two years. Then his old parishioners of Summerford installed him again in his old place in the Summerford church and he filled this place until the time of his death. In the meantime, however, he preached occasionally at Mt. Sterling and at Clark's Run chapel. In fact, he preached his last sermon at Clark's Run chapel, his death having occurred but a few hours afterwards. In this community he was a favorite among the ministers in preaching funeral sermons and in performing weddings. -He was ala se with all classes and enjoyed the universal respect of the community.

By his marriage to Hannah J. Long five children were born, Frank, Clark, Flora M., Elmer C. and Hattie. Clark is living in the West. Flora married Val Wilson and died in middle life. Elmer is a' farmer in Monroe township: Hattie married William Prugh and died at the age of twenty-five. Mrs. William M. Overturf is still living' in Summerford. She has retained her interest in the church and in religious work. In every sense she is an old-fashioned woman with the very best old-fashioned ideas and ideals. She has been a great temperance worker and is known as a woman who when she has something to say, does not hesitate to speak. Her husband was a Repuplican in politics and a member of the Independent Order of. Odd Fellows. He was one of the original prohibitionists in this section of the state. He was always outspoken in his views. Although not a highly-educated man, he was nevertheless well read and well informed. He performed a noble work in this county.

Of the children born'to the Rev: William M. and Hannah J. (Long) Overturf, Frank M. was born in September, 1854, in Licking county, but has spent most of his life since 1866 in Madison county. After. teaching in Madison county for a period of about eighteen years, he engaged in farming on the Prugh farm west of Summerford on the National read.. He began farming with one hundred and sixty-five acres, but has added to the tract until he now owns two hundred and sixty acres.

In 1880:Frank M. Overturf was married to Malinda Prugh, a daughter of Gabriel and Matilda (Wilson) Prugh. Mrs. Frank M. Overturf was born in Summerford. She died on May 15, 1896, leaving five children, namely: Alice Cordelia lives with her father ; Gabriel Prugh was the second born; Jane was the wife of Ira Robbins and died tin 1914; Mary was the fourth child; Lewis, the youngest, who is a graduate of the London high school and of the st&te University, was an instructor in mechanical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania for two years before he was twenty-one years of age, and is now the chief draftsman for a manufacturing concern at Franklin, Pennsylvania. -

Gabriel Prugh Overturf was born on April 17, 1884, at West Jefferson, in Madison county. He has lived on the farm he now occupies since he was. one year old. At the age of twenty-four, Mr. Overturf took charge of the farm h2 now owns and which consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of hogs and draft horses. In 1907 Gabriel Prugh Overturf was married to Hattie Yeazel, the daughter of William and Emma (Paul) Yeazel, of Clark county.. Mrs. Gabriel P. Overturf's father is deceased and her mother resides in South Vienna, Clark county, Ohio. The.family of Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel P. Overturf consists of three children, Vivian, Everett and Lewis. Mr. Overturf is-a member of the school board. He and his wife and family are members of the Christian ehurch.

Ralph W..Thomas

Ralph Ww. Thomas, the superintendent of the Madison county infirmary since 1908, and one of the best-known citizens of the county, was born in Stokes township, Madison county, September 4, 1878.

Mr. Thomas is the son of Moses and Catherine (Blessing) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Madison county and who was the' son of William and Lavina (Beacham) Thomas. William Thomas was born in Virginia, December 18 1813, the son of Moses and Catherine (Williams) Thomas. Lavina Beacham was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1845. Mr. Thomas' grandparents came to Madison county in an early day. Catherine Blessing was a native of Madison county and was married to Moses Thomas, the father of Ralph: W., in this county.

To Moses. and Catherine (Blessing) Thomas were born nine children as follow: Dera, who is the wife of George C. Adams, of Lafayette, Ohio; Amanda, who is the wife of Robert Chapman, of St. Joseph; Missouri; Lavina, who married David M. Henry,: of Jeffersonville, Qhio; Austin, who is a resident of Portland, Oregon; Gwinn, who lives in Plain City, Ohio; Carrie, who married John' Horney, of Plain City; Ried, who lives

The late Moses Thomas was a farmer by occupation and owned ninety acres of land in this county. He died on July 3, 1905, and his wife died two years previously, on August 5, 19038.

On December 23 1908, Ralph W. Thomas was married to Anna Ada Burnham, the daughter of L. A. and Anna (Longbrake) Burnham, who live in Plain City. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, Lucille, born on June 238, 1909, and Ralph H., April 30, 1911.

Mr. Thomas followed farming until 1908, when he was appointed superintendent of the Madison county infirmary, a position which he has now held for seven years. The infirmary includes a farm of one hundred and six acres, of which Mr. Thomas is ex-officio manager.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Presbyterian church at London. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Masonic lodge at London and the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 539. He is also a member of the Oak Run Grange. Mr. Thomas is a Republican.

James Q. Geer

There is no calling or vocation in which enterprise and industry will not produce a rather large measure of success. In the pursuit of agriculture, enterprise and industry are quite essential. Among the well-known and highly-respected farmers of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, who have attained a large measure of success in agriculture, and who, at the same time, have greatly benefited the community in which they live, is James Q. Geer, a retired farmer of Summerford. Although he was deprived of all educational advantages in his youth and was not able to learn to read or write, he was endowed with sound common sense and has made a successful business man. During all of these years he has had many difficulties with which to contend, including especially considerable sickness in the family. Nevertheless, he has remained an optimist and is so today.

James Q. Geer was born on September 17, 1836, near the present county infirmary in Union township, Madison county, Ohio. He is the son of James and Rachel (Minchel) Geer, natives of Vermont and Virginia, respectively. James Geer, Sr., was a renter and occupied a part of the Florence land. He died near Tradersville, when his son was . only seven years old, leaving a widow and eight children. The mother kept the family together and lived until they were all grown, passing away at the age of fifty-two.

James Q. Geer grew to manhood near Tradersville, in Madison county. He was accustomed to take odd jobs of clearing land, rolling logs and grubbing. He performed his first work for Mr. Willard, the father of E. E. Willard, the president of the Madison county board of commissioners. He made rails, cut cordwood, broke horses, and in fact did anything that he could find to do. He and his brother, George, supported their mother until her death.

At the time of Mr. Geer's marriage, he owned a horse worth possibly fifty dollars and a seventy-five dollar note, taken for the sale of a span of mules. An uncle had given him a fifty-cent pocket piece and his wife received twenty-one hundred dollars cash out of the Heffley estate. Mr. Gear soon began to handle sheep, buying and selling them. He paid forty-seven and one-half dollars an acre for his first land and during the early years of his career paid thousands of dollars in interest at ten per cent. His uncle, Quinn Minchel, backed him in buying sheep and stood by him for thirty years or more.

He also borrowed money from John Thompson, but his uncle signed the papers. In later years he was able to borrow money at six per cent. Having begun to buy land as soon as possible, Mr. Geer has acquired tract after tract and now owns several hundred acres of land and several fine farms in Madison county, and also property in the village-of Summerford. He probably has more separate deeds than any other man in the county, many of the purchases, however, having included only a few acres. Mr. Geer still keeps sheep and has found them most profitable.

_ James Q. Geer was married to Elizabeth Heffley, the eighth child in the family of Charles and Elizabeth (Wilson) Heffley. Mrs. Geer's mother was the daughter of the original Valentine Wilson, of Somerford township. Mrs. Geer died on February 14, 1907, the last survivor of the family of nine Heffley children. The old Heffley home is located on the north bank of Deer creek, one mile north of Summerford: and here Charles Heffley settled about 1820. Here he spent his life and died on the old farm. 'The Heffley children were Jacob, Peter, Sarah Ann (who married Joseph Rafferty), William, Simon, Catherine (who married Henry Comfort), Sarah (who married George Stanford), Elizabeth (the wife of Mr. Geer) and Isaac.

Mr. and Mrs. Geer have been the parents of six children. Charles died in Columbus. Luther died in Chicago. Wilbert, who is one of the leading young farmers of Union township, married Flora Thompson, and they have one child, Marie. Cora, who is the wife of Harry Augustus of Dayton, Ohio, owns ''Gooseneck Farm," of one hundred and ninety-three acres. Guy married Mrs. Bliss Nelson, a widow, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Ray married Nora MeVicker and they have two children, Charles and Chester (twins).

James Q. Geer is:a een man and a good citizen, a man who has worked hard for the large competence which he may now enjoy in his declining years. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done much for the development of Madison county and has: contributed in no small measure te its present progress and prosperity.

Manasses Miller

Manasses Miller is a successful farmer of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and the proprietor of "Darby Plains Farm" of fifty-three acres. He is a. native of Holmes county, Ohio, born on August 17) 1856, two miles south of Mt. Hope. He is a son of Isaac and Polly (Fry) Miller, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They grew to maturity and married in Holmes. county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, of whom there were three sons and five daughters: Catherine, deceased; Emanuel, a farmer. of LaGrange county, Indiana; Elizabeth, deceased; Frena, the wife of Philip D. Miller, of Goshen Indiana ; Daniel, living on the old home farm in Holmes county, Ohio; Manasses, the immediate subject of this review; Magdalena, the wife of Jacob D. Saubaugh; Lena, the wife of Christ Saubaugh.' .

Manasses Miller received his education in the public schools of Holmes county, and was reared there on his father's farm. During the winters he attended school and during the summer seasons he worked on the farm, until he reached the age of twentythree years. On September 26, 1878, Manasses Miller was married to Amanda Yoder, of Farmerstown, Ohio. Mrs. Miller was born in Pennsylvania, January 22, 1857, and came to Holmes county, Ohio, at the age of fifteen years. She received her early education in the schools of her native state, completing her school training in the schools of Ohio after coming here with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Mary, the wife of John N. Miller, lives in Holmes county, Ohio; Jonas married Magdalena Miller, and lives in Madison county, Ohio; Emanuel went west and was drowned; and Samuel, who is unmarried and lives at home.

At the time of Mr. Miller's marriage he had nothing of his own. They lived in Holmes county, Ohio, for some time, during which period they rented land for two years. Later they bought a half interest in one hundred acres of land, and still later the other half interest. Mr. Miller sold this farm and came to Madison county, November 23, 1898, and purchased the farm where he is now living. He has been very successful since coming to this county.

Although Manasses Miller was reared in the faith of the Mennonite church, he no longer affiliates with that denomination. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is a progressive, up-to-date citizen and an honorable resident of Darby township.

James Albert Porter

James Albert Porter, who is familiarly known by the people of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, as "Al," was perhaps one of the youngest soldiers of the Civil War. He was only fourteen years old in 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Ninetyfifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hanson. He served three years and was only seventeen years old at the time of his discharge. Notwithstanding the fact that he was fourteen at the time of his enlistment, he carried a musket. At Guntown, Mississippi, where most of his company was captured, he suffered severe wounds.

James Albert Porter was born in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, in 1848, and is the son of John and Mary (Timmons) Porter, the former of whom was the eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter, and the latter of Fayette county, Ohio, whose parents came to Ohio from Maryland.

James Porter, the grandfather of James Albert, came to Ohio from Maryland at the age of eleven years with his father, James Porter,-Sr. Arriving in Ross county in 1800, James Porter, Jr., lived there during the War of 1812 and served two and onehalf years in that war. Being a great runner, he was detailed as a messenger. He took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane and later was married in Ross county to Elizabeth Kilburn, who died in Madison county, Ohio, in 1828, of milk sickness. Subsequently, he settled in Union township, Madison county, where he owned seven hundred and fifty acres of land, for which he paid fifteen hundred dollars. James Porter, Jr., was killed at a house-raising in 1852, at the age of sixty-three. His old home in Madison county is now an experimental farm and formerly belonged to his son, William, who still lives in London and who is the last of the family of twelve children born to James, Jr., and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter. The second wife of James Porter, Jr., was a widow, whose maiden name was Bradley and who died soon after her husband's death.

The late John Porter the eldest son of James, Jr., and Elizabeth (Kilburn) Porter, came to Madison county with his father. Of the twelve children, James, John and William remained in Madison county, and for many years family reunions were held on the old farm. Three generations of the Porter family have occupied the farm where James Albert Porter now lives. Originally, it was a. wilderness but has been developed into a splendid farm. John Porter was the guardian of his younger brothers and sisters. He died on the farm at the age of thirty-seven, in 1856, when his son, James Albert, was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. John Porter were the parents of three sons and four daughters: James Albert; John Milton; Samuel Irvin; Leah Elizabeth, who married Peter Hill and died in Madison county; Catherine, who married David Gerrard and also died in Madison county; Antoinette, who married Alex Wilson. of Somerford township; and Mary, who married Albert Arbogast, of Union township.

After the Civil War, James Albert Porter went west and pre-empted a claim in Labette county. Kansas, where he spent twenty-seven years in stock raising and farming. He was living in Kansas during the famous grasshopper experience. Upon his return to Madison county, one brother, John,. being dead, he joined his brother, Samuel Irvin in business. Samuel Irvin Porter. died on June 10, 1900. When the estate of John Porter was divided, each child received one hundred and ninety-four acres. James Albert Porter, being the only surviving son, received the old Porter homestead of one huudred and sixty acres. In recent years he has spent a great amount of money in drainage and fencing. Generally speaking, the land is rented. Neither John Milton, Samuel Irvin or James Albert Porter ever married.

George W. Bennett

Among the strong and influential citizens of Madison county, Ohio, whose careers have become an essential part of the history of this section, George W. Bennett, the present trustee of Union township, who lives one mile east of London on the West Jefferson pike, occupies a prominent place. For many years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are a keen perception, a tireless energy, an honesty of purpose and motive and every-day commonsense. These qualities have enabled him not only to promote his own interests but to contribute largely to the moral, educational and civic advancement of the community where he has lived.

George W. Bennett was born near the Antioch church, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, November 8, 1865, the son of Edward and Catherine (Sollars) Bennett, the former of whom. was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 9, 1883, and the latter also born in this part of Ohio. The Bennett family is of English origin and repre sentatives of the family were among the earliest settlers in the Buckeye state. The father of Catherine Sollars lived and died in Fayette county. Edward and Catherine Bennett located in Madison several years before George W. their son, was born. When he was three years old they moved to Fayette county, where they lived until he was thirteen years old and then moved to Pickaway county. After that they returned to Madison county. Later they moved to Clark county, where the father died. Edward Bennett was a farmer by occupation: He and his wife were the parents of eight children, who reached maturity. Four of these children were.living in 1915, three of them in Madison county. George is the subject of this sketch; Amanda is the wife of Bert Nickle, a farmer who lives in London; Margaret is the wife of Bernard Foster, of Licking county; William lives near Sedalia, in Madison county; Lewis died in Indiana at the age of twenty-five years; Alex died in Madison county at the age of forty-nine; Lora died unmarried; Emma married John F. Rogers and died in this county.

George W. Bennett was reared on a farm and spent ten years in Clark county, Ohio. In 1910 he returned to Madison county, to the farm south of London, where he lived for two years. Upon selling this farm he bought his present farm, known as _ the old McDonald farm, located one and one-half miles east of London on the West Jefferson pike. Here Mr. Bennett owns one hundred and forty-six acres, for which he paid one hundred and twenty dollars an acre. The farm is under a fair state of cultivation and since moving to it Mr. Bennett has built a new house.

On March 16, 1910, George W. Bennett was married in London to Ida Gaskell, who was born and reared in Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have two children, Louise and Chester.

In 1918 George W. Bennett was elected trustee of Union township as a Democrat, and is now filling this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of the township. He is a successful farmer, an intelligent man, an enterprising citizen and popular in the neighborhood where he lives.

Charles Be. Mitchell

Great strength of character is always worthy of record and the late Charles KE. Mitchell, of Somerford township, was a man not only of great strength of character, but of strong mind, body and heart. He was one of the leading farmers of Madison county, «nd through his industry and perseverance accumulated a substantial competency in farm real estate. He pursued the even tenor of his way in a quiet, unostentatious manner, attended strictly to his own affairs and did the right as he understood it, keeping his conscience clear of offense toward God and man. He won a conspicuous place in the community where he lived and left a family of children who lead honorable and useful lives; who live up to the highest standard of citizenship in every respect.

The late Charles E. Mitchell was born on what is known as the Cramer farm, in Somerford township, the only son of Newman and Cassandra (Bradley) Mitchell. Newman Mitchell was born on April 29, 1811, forty miles above Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio. He was the son of Ensign and Lucy (Hubbard) Mitchell, who, in 1815, settled on a farm, four and one-half miles southeast of Mechanicsburg, in Madison county. In 1826 they moved to a farm of six hundred acres near Rosedale. Newman and his brother, Abizar, purchased four hundred and fifty acres of this farm from their father.

On January 1, 1837, Newman Mitchell was married to Cassandra Bradley, the daughter of David and Nancy Bradley. She was born on March 17, 1818, and her brothers, Lawson, David M. and Sheldon were men of importance in Madison county. Newman Mitchell finally owned four hundred acres in the one farm. In 1853 he bought the Tom Morris farm near Tradersville. In 1865 he bought the Nathaniel Griffin farm of four hundred and thirty-three acres and paid twenty thousand dollars for it. He assisted David Babb in the purchase of the Babb farm, one mile north of Summerford and, in company with his son, Charles E., purchased other land until he owned over two thousand acres. He was a diligent, industrious, honest man and his word was always accepted at par in the community. He did not engage in ''wild-cat" speculation but only in legitimate business enterprises and cattle raising was the leading feature of his business career.

Although Charles EK. Mitchell was the only son born to his parents, he had two sisters, Lettie, who married Louis Kremer and lived on the old Mitchell farm in Somerford township, where she died; and Abbie, who married David Bales. The old Mitchell farm, however, is mostly owned by the Mitchell family at the present time and the old home is still standing.

Born on the farm, reared in the country and educated in the common schools, Charles E. Mitchell was married to Mary H. Hetlley, the daughter of Peter Heffley, whose family history is given in the sketch of J. O. Geer, presented elsewhere in this volume. After his marriage Mr. Mitchell obtained the farm now owned by his son, Noel, situated northwest of Tradersville. The present house was erected by a former owner. About 1869 or 1870, Charles E. Mitchell moved to the present Mitchell home farm, a tract of three hundred and forty-four acres. He owned four hundred forty-two and three-quarters acres near his father's old home place, the latter farm being known as the old Sawyer farm, of Somerford township. Charles E. Mitchell and his father were in partnership for several years but some time before his father's death, Charles E. began farming on his own responsibility. He was an extensive stock buyer and feeder and raised thousands of head of cattle, sheep and hogs during his life. He raised a great deal of grass and fed it all to his stock. The home farm was used for fattening his stock and the other farm for grazing purposes.

Charles E. Mitchell

left a widow and family of four children: Alice J., the wife of H. F. Fauver, of London; Harry H., who died unmarried on Webruary 22, 1914, at the age of fortytwo, spent all of his life near the old home farm and was a popular citizen of Madison county; Raleigh and Noel live on the old home farm.

Noel Mitchell owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of the old farm, including the old homestead. He has a fine tract of land which is well improved and highly productive.

Noel Mitchell was married on June 1, 1911, to Blanche M. Rafferty, the daughter of M. C. and Ora (Seeds) Rafferty. Mrs. Noel Mitchell's father, M. C. Rafferty, was the son of Joseph Rafferty and he was the son of Joseph Rafferty, Sr., who emigrated from Kentucky to Madison county about 1840. Her great-grandfather's old home farm is the present Reason Locke farm, but he owned four farms in Somerford township. Joseph Rafferty, Jr., operated the Locke farm until the house was burned. Later he operated a farm on the national road, one mile west of Summerford, known as the old Patee farm. There he lived until his death on August 4, 1897. M. C. Rafferty was born in the village of Summerford and has spent all of his life in Somerford township. Mrs. Noel Mitchell was born on August 15, 1890, on the old Rafferty farm north of Summerford. All of her life has been passed in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Noel Mitchell have one child, a boy named Roger Lyman, born on May 27, 1915.

Scott Hull

Seott Hull is a successful farmer of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, and operates a part of the great Baldwin-Gwynne farm, a tract of five hundred acres, which is a part of the entire thirty-three hundred acres of the Gwynne farm. The Baldwin farm alone covers about twelve hundred acres. Mr. Hull operated this farm for five years and is living in the house erected for him. He employs five men and raises principally corn, raising an average of two hundred acres every year. The corn is fed to cattle and hogs. In company with his brother, Harry, Mr. Hull operated six hundred acres of the Allerton farm for five years. This farm is located in Deer Creek township. Harry Hull is now farming near Lafayette.

Scott Hull was born in Paint township, Madison county, Ohio, January 27, 1871, and is the son of James and Charlotte (Jewell) Hull, the former of whom was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, October 18, 1838. In 1850 he came to Madison county with his parents, David and Nancy (Hardman) Hull. They settled in the village of Summerford, where David followed his trade as a shoemaker. Later he removed to Paint township, after living at Summerford for two years, and still later settled in Range township. Mrs. Charlotte (Jewell) Hull is deceased. Her husband has lived in Madison county for more than seventy years, and all this time has been engaged in farming He is now living with Scott Hull and is seventy-seven years old.

Nine children were born to James and Charlotte (Jewell) Hull, as follow: Jennie is the wife of Stephen Hamilton, who lives on a part of the Gwynne farm; Cora is the wife of Luther Goodyear of Paint township; Charles is a machinist in Springfield; Scott is the subject of this sketch; Harry lives in Deer Creek township; Eret is a farmer in Clark county; May is the wife of William Cornwell; Delbert lives in Urbana, Ohio; and Har! lives at Lafayette.

Scott Hull began life for himself at twenty years of age. He worked in the Pennsylvania railroad car shops at Columbus for one year, and then worked on a farm by the month until after his marriage.

On August 29, 1896, Scott Hull was married in London to Alice Tingley, the daughter of John and Serepta (Ritter) Tingley, whose history is presented elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Hull was born in Gnion township, and was twenty-two years old at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hull are the parents of two daughters, Belva Irene and Hazel Marie.

When Mr. Hull started life he had nothing. In company with his brother, he went in debt twenty-nine hundred dollars, and at the end of five years had a large farm well stocked. He has devoted himself exclusiveiy to farming and is making a wonderful suecess in this vocation. Mr. Hull is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Arthur Slagle

Arthur Slagle, who is a well-known farmer living one mile west of the court house of Madison county on the London and Summerford pike, was born on the farm and in the house where he now lives, September 9, 1854 the son of C. K. and Frances (Eagle) Slagle, both of whom were natives of Virginia.

When about twenty-one years old, the late C. K. Slagle's father gave him thirtytwo slaves but, having seen so much of the evils of slavery, he determined to free these thirty-two slaves and made out the papers to that effect. So many free negroes created surprise and fear among the slave owners, who thought their slaves would be influenced. They sought out C. K. Slagle to remonstrate with him and possibly to punish him for the example he had set. Mr. Slagle arranged with a brother to meet him at night at a tixed place, three months in the future with his wife and child, teams and household articles. He came on ahead to Ohio, seeking a new home in a free state. At the appointed time he was back to meet his wife.

They left Virginia at night and came to Greene county, Ohio. where he had located land. His child, then a babe in arms, was named Virginia. She later married Dennis Clark and recently died in London. Her son, George Clark, is one of the Democrat's ablest employees. On the trip north. they came to a deserted cabin in the mountains and sought shelter therein. About midnight, Mr. Slagle, feeling some weight on his breast, wakened to realize that a huge snake was crawling over him. He was so badly frightened that he called his wife, and after hitching up the team they drove away in the darkness.

C. K. Slayle was accustomed to tell an amusing story about the geese he kept on Oak run, which crossed his farm. On one occasion he discovered several boys with bulging pockets and knew that they were hunting his goose eggs. He caught one of them, John Southern, whom he pretended to be very glad to see, and putting his arms around the lad squeezed him until he could hear the eggs breaking. The boy's struggles were of no avail. The eggs kept on breaking until streams of goose eggs flowed from his breeches. The incident was not soon forgotten.

C. K. Slagle's abhorrence of slavery led him to help negroes in escaping to Canada and, in the days before the war, he helped to maintain a station of the "underground railroad." Owners of fugitive slaves were accustomed to hunt in the ey when several darkies were concealed about the place.

Building a dam on Oak Run, C. K. Slagle established a pond of nine acres and erected a saw-mill. His son-in-law, Dennis Clark, operated a carding-mill and woolen factory with the same power. During the war, both mills were kept running day and night. At one time, all of the hands, including Mr. Slagle himself, enlisted and the mills were stopped. Mr. Slagle was not accepted on account of his age and the mills were operated by children and such help as could be obtained. It was a fine paying business until July, 1863, when everything was destroyed by fire. It was a loss of sixty thousand dollars and there was no insurance. The mill was never rebuilt.

ballots to the soldiers at the front. He served two terms as county commissioner and died in 1876, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife survived him ten years. In 1847 Mr. Slagle 'built the house which still stands on the Slagle farm. He kept open house during his life and enjoyed his friends. He was an enthusiastic church member and had a religion which made him happy. He was not afraid to express himself even with shouts when filled with religious fervor.

To C. K. and Frances (Kagle) Slagle were born eleven children, as follow: Virginia, who was brought from Virginia to Ohio by her parents when an infant: Edwin, who served three years in the Civil War and later went to Missouri but died in Chicago; Minerva, who married Lewis Buvinger, and died in Kansas; Austin, who was a machinist, served three years in the Civil War and died in California; Mary Ann, who is the widow of a Mr. Rinehart, of Columbus, Ohio; Oliver who was a machinist and served one hundred days in the Civil War, was in the railway mail service for some years and died at Leavenworth, Kansas; Albert, who is a carpenter and machinist of London; Kate, who is the wife of George McEwen, of Chetopa, Kansas; Charles, who served in the Spanish-American War, lives at the soldiers' home at Dayton, Ohio; Frank. who is a carpenter in Columbus, Ohio; and Arthur, the subject of this sketch.

Arthur Slagle was born and reared and spent his whole life on the old Slagle farm. For thirty-five years he conducted an ice business at London, supplying ice from a nineacre pond, fed by big springs, at the head of Oak run. This pond made fine boat riding and a magnificent place for skating in the winter. In the ice business, Mr. Slagle's warehouse had a capacity of from three to seven thousand tons. For thirty-five years he kept the town of London cool.

There is an old grape arbor on the Slagle farm, which was set out by Mr. Slagle's father more than fifty years ago. The arbor has had little attention, but it still bears fruit. ;

In 1885 Arthur Slagle was married to Ella Pancoast, of Fayette county, Ohio. They have had three sons: Edwin who operates an electric sub-station on the Ohio Electric railway; Elmer, who is a farmer of Madison county; and Harold, who is a student in the London high school.

In early life, Mr. Slagle enjoyed hunting and was never happier than when on quail-shooting expeditions with his dog and gun. For many years he was a member of the Gun Club and had a high mark as a trap shooter. A Republican in politics, he served six years on the school board and seven years on the board of township trustees.

Descended from a soldier of the American Revolution who came over to the United States with General Lafayette, John W. De Vore is one of the well-known citizens of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, where he is engaged in the manufacture of tile.

John W. De Vore was born in Fayette county, Ohio, seven miles east of Washington C. H., on the Chillicothe pike, June 16, 1848. His great-grandfather De Vore fought in the American Revolution, and liked the Virginia country so well that after the war was over he returned to France. sold his property there and returned to America. He remained in Virginia until his death. His son, Joshua, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Fayette county, seven miles east of Washington C. H., where he followed farming the remainder of his days.

John W. De Vore was married on January 29, 1872, to Jennie O'Farrell, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and to this union nine children have been born, eight of whom are still living: H. I., who was born in Fayette county on the old homestead, lives in Columbus, Ohio; Leota, deceased. was the wife of Lee Jones, and they were the parents of three children; Harry E., born in Fayette county, lives in London; Maud is the wife of Otis Cornwell, and they live in this county; Jennie May is the wife of William Goodyear, of Clark county, Ohio; John W. is a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Jessie is the wife of Ulysses Goodyear, and they live in Summerford, Ohio; Julia, living at home and Herbert, who married Gladys Swingle, lives near his father and assists him in the manufacture of tile.

After his marriage Mr. De Vore rented land in Fayette county, Ohio, for ten years, and then moved to the old homestead, where he was born and reared, and where he spent thirty-eight years of his life. In 1895 he sold his property in Fayette county, and removed to Madison county, buying a tile factory and saw-mill in Union township, and twenty-eight acres of land. Since that time he has been engaged in the manufacture of tile, and carried on a lumber business until the last year, when the saw-mill was abandoned. He now devotes his entire time to the manufacture of tile. For the past forty-nine years John W. De Vore has operated a threshing outfit in Madison county and vicinity, and is one of the best known threshermen in this section of the state, Mr. De Vore is a Republican in politics, but his extensive business and farming interests have prevented his taking an active part in political matters.

Henry Cary

Henry Cary, farmer, three and one-half miles south of Plain City, was born on May 7, 1862, in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew and Flora E. (Burnham) Cary. He was reared to the life of a farmer in Darby township, where he attended the district schools in the winter and assisted on the farm during the summer, until his marriage. He has been eminently prosperous, and is now the owner of a fine country place consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, known as "Oak Grove Farm." At the time of his marriage Mr. Cary lived on a rented farm in Darby township, buying his present valuable tract in 1898. He belongs to the Republican party, being the only member of his family with these views.

Andrew and Flora EK. (Burnham) Cary, parents of Henry Cary, were residents of Plain City, and were the parents of four sons and two daughters, Anna, Henry, Nettie (deceased), Rodney, Burnham and Frank P. Anna became the wife of John Meek, and is living at Los Angeles, California. Rodney was married to Lizzie Deems, and lives in New Mexico. Burnham was married to Clara Martin, and lives in Darby township. Frank Cary was united in marriage with Julia Van Teelburg and also lives in Darby township.

Henry Cary was united in marriage, December 11, 1889, with Margaret J. Miller, daughter of John and Catharine (Ninhauser) Miller. She was born on June 24, 1862, in Brown township, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, receiving her education at the public schools and remaining on a farm until her marriage. She is of German lineage. No children have come to bless this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Cary took into their lives a little girl, Mary L. Cary, who was born on November 14, 1899. She is a graduate of the common schools, and is at present a student at St. Mary's Academy, at Shephard, Ohio.

John and Catharine (Ninhauser) Miller were natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married, emigrating to the United States about 1850. They located in Pennsylvania, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of ten children, six daughters and four sons: Philomena, Elizabeth, Peter, Mary, Martha, Belle, Charles, John and two others.

Mr. Cary has always lived an exemplary life, and he and his wife are quietly enjoying their beautiful country home, and have many sincere friends in Madison county. Although Mr. and Mrs. Cary do not belong to any particular denomination, they attend the Presbyterian church. 'The residence now occupied was built at the time of purchase, but Mr. Cary has made many improvements and has made it modern in all respects. He built a splendid barn and the farm is one of the most attractive in this neighborhood.

David Brown

The late David Brown of Somerford township, Madison county, Ohio, was one of the best-known farmers and stockmen in Madison county. He was a man whose mind was ever alert to matters of public interest, and the real welfare of mankind was dear to his heart. He read much and kept closely in touch with public affairs, always feeling a just pride in the educational efforts of the community. The family of David Brown has the unique record of having furnished ten teachers to Madison county, as well as mcre graduates - seven in number - from the National Normal ala aI, at Lebanon, than any other family that ever attended that school.

The late David Brown was born near the home where he died, April 8, 1833, and passed away after a brief illness on August 8, 1912, at the age of seventy-nine years, three months and twenty-eight days. He was the son of James and Mary Ann (Burnside) Brown, the former of whom was born in Nassau, New York, June 21, 1795, and the latter was born in the Old Dominion state in 1808.

James Brown emigrated to Canada when a mere lad, and later settled in Ohio, having been married in Madison county. He died on March 13, 1875.

At the age of twenty-four years, David Brown began to rent land, which he continued to do for a period of three years. At the end of that time, he bought ninety acres of land and in March, 1876, purchased the present home farm of two hundred and six acres. He added to this farm until it contained three hundred and thirty-seven acres, and in the meantime erected substantial buildings and made of it one of the most attractive farms in this section of the state. The house was built in 1906, and is a commodious country residence. David Brown was interested in Polled Durham cattle, and for many years he was an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep. He was one of the largest sheep raisers in thi ssection of Ohio and contributed materially in making Ohio a great sheep state.

On March 30, 1857, David Brown was married to Isabelle Patrick, daughter of Young and Della Patrick, of his own neighborhood. To them were born two children: William E., who lives at Tulare, California; and Hiram C., who died in infancy. Mrs. Brown's death occurred at their home near Plain City before that of her little son. Mr. Brown was married, secondly, on June 15, 1864, to Sarah E. Taylor, daughter of Samuel and Eunice Taylor, of Plain City, and to this union there were born twelve children, of whom eleven, Frank Irwin, Clara, Ida Bell, Charles D., John T., Eva G., Nellie M., Bessie, Lula, Lucille and Russell H., are surviving. Frank Irwin lives at Dayton. Clara is the wife of Charles Ackley, of Plain City. Ida Bell is unmarried. Charles D. lives at Plain City. John T. lives near Mechanicsburg. Eva G. is the wife of Howard Sidner, of West Jefferson. Mellie M. is the wife of Ralph Demmitt, of Vandalia, Ohio. Bessie F., Lula G., Flora Lucille, Russel H. Lula and Lucille are teaching school in Colorado. Ida, Bessie and Russell H. remain at home with their mother. James Sheridan died at the age of twelve.

Mrs. David Brown is the granddaughter of Richard Taylor, who was born near Harpers Ferry, Virginia, July 15, 1773, and who at the age of sixteen migrated to Kentucky, where he learned the tailor's trade. In 1800, he located near Plain City, in Madison county, but subsequently returned to Kentucky owing to the state of his health. In 1810 he returned to Ohio and afterwards lived on a farm near Plain City. He died at the age of ninety years. Samuel Taylor was Mrs. Brown's father. Mrs. Rachael

Keiser, a sister of Mrs. Brown, inherited the old home where Mrs. Brown was born. Her father, Samuel Taylor, died in 1887. He had been married twice, his second wife being Rosanna Kent, whom he survived. Her daughter still owns the old Taylor homestead near Plain Cily.

David Brown lived sixteen years near Plain City, but, after the death of his father, removed to the old homestead, four miles east of Mechanicsburg where he lived until his death. He followed the business of farming all his life and was very successful in his chosen work, taking great pride and satisfaction in stock raising and the eultivation of his excellent farm. He served as township treasurer and as township trustee for a period of nine years. He was also a justice of the peace for many years. In his home life he was a devoted husband, an ideal father, the kindest of brothers, and his hospitality was unbounded to his friends. In business transactions he was always willing to do more than he required of others. The great rule of his life was the golden rule, and the constant manifestation of this spirit, coupled with unusual sound judgment, led people to turn to him as a wise and trusted counsellor.

James W. Andrix

One mile east of the village of Summerford on the old National road may be found one of the most enterprising and intelligent farmers of Madison county. He is James W. Andrix, a man who, while not owning land is a large farmer and has an enormous capital invested in stock and farm equipment. Altogether, Mr. Andrix is a live, energetic, far-seeing and successful business man and agriculturist.

James W. Andrix was born near Duvall, Pickaway county. August 27, 1854, and has spent most of his life on the farm. He taught school in Pickaway county for some time, but soon took up farming. Nothing has ever seemed so attractive to him as the farm and no life has seemed so inviting as rural life. He has always been keenly interested in cattle and hogs, and from these has made most of his money.

Mr. Andrix operates a part of the Baldwin-Gwynne farm of twelve hundred acres. He directly has charge of seven hundred and fifty-five acres, and here he has lived for five years, paying cash rent. Formerly, he kept the farm largely in grass, feeding from ninety to one hundred head of steers all the time, and one hundred and forty head of hogs. Recently the rent was raised and he has been compelled to plow much of the blue-grass pasture land. In 1915 he has about four hundred and ten acres of the farm in corn and will feed the entire product to hogs. Mr. Andrix employs several men and to grow the corn he uses twenty horses to operate the farm. He has lived in Madison and Franklin counties for twenty years. Formerly, he operated a large tract, including the Allen G. Thurman farm of five hundred and seventy acres, and the part of the Dun land. He is not unaccustomed to large investments in stock and farm equipment. Being accustomed to handle large propositions either with his own money or with good financial backing, he is not at all startled when face to face with difficult enterprises.

At the age of twenty-four, James W. Andrix was married to Emma Wagner a native of Pickaway county. The Andrix and Wagner family came originally from Pennsylvania, about 1840. Mr. Andrix's father, Jacob, settled in Pickaway county, where he was married to Sarah Sawyer, whose grandfather was burned by the Indians. He was caught in a pen of buckwheat straw which he was threshing, and, after being tied, was burned with the straw. Jacob Andrix was a pioneer farmer in Piekaway and Franklin counties and was an extensive stock drover.

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Andrix have reared a family of eleven children. Rov isa turnkey at the Columbus prison. Clyde is on the farm with his father. Pereit is a farmer near Florence, in Madison county. Ina is the wife of Carl Gutheil. James was killed, October 23, 1914, while serving as a prison guard in the Ohio State penitentiary. The tragedy occurred at dinner time when James was stabbed by a convict. He was a highly-respected man. Nellie was a teacher at Tradersville in 1913-14 and is now teaching at Summerford. Fletcher is a farmer in Franklin county. Ruth R. and Mabel live at home. John is a clerk in the postoflice at Columbus, and Irwin lives at home with his parents.

Mr. Andrix believes that the rainbow comes down in Madison county. His advice is widely sought and is given large weight. On one occasion Mr. Andrix's advice was sought by a dairyman, living near Columbus, as to selling his dairy and feeding steers. He advised holding the dairy but selling the land worth four hundred dollars per acre and buying a larger tract in Madison county. This is merely an example to show that the people believe in the wisdom and judgment of James W. Andrix. He is a stanch Republican.

Lamar P. Wilson

Lamar P. Wilson, the secretary of the Madison County Agricultural Society, and for three years a member of the board of directors, is a prosperous farmer and an enterprising citizen.

Mr. Wilson, whose farm is located a mile and a quarter west of the village of Summerford, on the National road, was born at Lafayette, November 8, 1878, and is the son of Alexander Hamilton and Isabella Parson (Koogler) Wilson, the former of whom was the son of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson and the latter the daughter of Simon Koogler, a farmer of Greene county. The complete history of the Wilson family is to be found in the sketch of Charles A. Wilson, a brother of Lamar P., presented elsewhere in this volume.

Lamar P. Wilson is the fourth of a family of two children born to his parents. Practically all of his life has been spent in Madison county. For six years he was employed as a commercial traveler, selling to the retail trade for a manufacturing concern and covering the Middle West from Texas to Canada. Mr. Wilson was educated in the common schools and in the London high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Since abandoning salesmanship, he has been engaged in farming. He moved to his present farm in 1906 for the second time, having owned it until 1904, when he sold out. The farm has been greatly improved by the installation of several hundred rods of improved fencing.

As secretary of the Madison County Agricultural Society, a position which he has held for three years, Mr. Wilson attends to all of the details of the premium list, advertising and concessions. He collects all of the money received by the fair board except gate receipts, which means the handling annually of more than ten thousand dollars.

On June 16, 1897, Lamar P. Wilson was married to Wilda G. Johnson, the daughter of W. B. and Martha (Doak) Johnson, who are now residents of East Liberty, Ohio. Mrs. Wilson was educated in the common schools, also attended high school at DeGraff, Ohio, and taught school in Madison county for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have no children.

Mr. and Mrs. Lamar P. Wilson had a splendid home, which, on June 16, 1912, was partially destroyed by a cyclone, but was rebuilt the same year. The storm scattered the barn and caused a three thousand dollar damage. Several houses in the neighborhood were damaged. roofs were blown off and many barns were destroyed.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Grange, the Farmers Club and other agricultural and social organizations in their community. Mr. Wilson votes the Republican ticket. He served as assessor for two years, but does not aspire for office.

George Langen

It is no easy task to resist the many temptations of youth and early manhood and establish a character which will remain unstained for all time. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke which affects public policy and even retain the respect of his friends and neighbors, but to win a place of confidence and esteem in the hearts of one's fellows by industry and honorable dealings is worthy the highest praise and commendation. George Langen, a successful farmer of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, has devoted himself conscientiously to the duties of each day and is now one of the most eminently respected men living in Madison county and one of the most prosperous. He has never felt that he had time for sport and about his only experience in hunting was on one occasion when he tried to hunt coons with a bull-dog.