Madison County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 9 of 20)

John Butler was a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, and at the age of fourteen came to the United States a poor boy and located at West Jefferson, Ohio. Later he removed to Paulding county, Ohio, but was married in Columbus, Ohio, in 1864. After his marriage he located in Jefferson township, Madison county. Having acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in Paulding county, Ohio, in 1882, he removed to Paulding county and lived there until his death. He was the father of six children, three of whom are now living, as follow: Edward is a farmer in Paulding county ; Martin is also a farmer in Paulding county; John C. is the subject of this sketch.

Born and reared on the farm in Madison county, Ohio, John C. Butler remained here until seventeen years old, but accompanied his parents to Paulding county in 1882. He remained there eight years, after which he returned to Madison county, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Butler's education was obtained in the common schools of this county.

On February 17, 1892, two years after his return to Madison county, John C. Butler was married to Catharine Holland, the daughter of John and Mary Holland, who was reared in Madison county, Ohio, and educated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have had three children, Dorothy, Walter and William Jennings Bryan. Dorothy was graduated from the public schools, and is the wife of R. F. Bailey, of Union county, Ohio. Waiter was graduated from the common schools, and is a farmer by occupation and lives at home. William Jennings Bryan lives at home.

Coming from good old Irish stock, Mr. Butler is recognized as one of the most honorable citizens of Madison county. He is an extensive breeder of live stock and a prosperous farmer on the two hundred and sixty acres of land which he occupies as a tenant. Mr. and Mrs. Butler and family are members of the Roman Catholic church of Plain City. Mr. Butler votes the Democratic ticket, and has served as a member of the Madison county central committee.

Eber W. Bidwell

Eber W: Bidwell, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on June 11, 1877, on the old Bidwell farm, where his father still resides, and is a son of Monroe and Martha (KXreamer) Bidwell. He was reared on the old farm, and when old enough, attended the district school during the winter months, and assisted on the farm in the summer, quitting school at the age of fourteen years, and was married when eighteen years old. Mr. Bidwell has always given his best attention to his agricultural interests, and has given a portion of his attention to the breeding of fine stock, among which may be found some registered hogs and cattle. He is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in local politics, outside of being generally interested in the progressive welfare of the community. He is one of the directors of the People's Commercial and Savings Bank, at London, Ohio. ;

Eber W. Bidwell was united in marriage with Maggie Burrell, who was born in Madison county, and died April 2, 1897, at the birth of her child, who was reared by his grandparents, attending the schools at Ada, Ohio. Mr. Bidwell was married, secondly, in 1899. to Alta Ford. They had two children. After the death of his second wife. Mr. Bidwell was married to Mrs. Magdalena (Hansel) Hanson, widow of George Hanson, to which union no children were born. Mrs. Bidwell had two children by her former husband, Leslie and Mabel.

Mr. Bidwell's home place, on rural route No. 2, West Jefferson, Ohio, is known as 'Darby Plains Stock Farm," and consists of seventy-three and one-half acres. The place is well and scientifically managed, and Mr. Bidwell enjoys the reputation of being one of the progressive and honorable residents of his township, where he is known and liked by all. Mrs. Bidwell belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society at Gillivan.

Clark Wilson

Clark Wilson, farmer and clerk of Monroe township, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, was born on October 15, 1860, in Somerford township, and is a son of Valentine and Hannah (Clark) Wilson. His mother died when he was nine days old, and he was reared and cared for by his maternal grandfather, Robert C. Clark, until he grew to manhood. He was given a good education in the public schools of Clark county, Ohio, living with his grandfather until the time of his marriage. Mr. Wilson has always been a stanch supporter of Republican policies, and in the interest of his township served four years as township trustee, and is in his second year as township clerk. He also officiated as township treasurer for four years. He is at present associated with M. BE. Thomas in the manufacture of drain tile of all kinds. Mr. Wilson spent five years in Los Angeles, California, but the balance of his life has been spent in Ohio. He is 2 member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plainwood, Ohio.

Valentine Wilson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Madison county, Ohio, and was a son of Elias Wilson. His youth was spent in Madison county, Ohio,

Clark Wilson was united in marriage with Lannie Thomas, daughter of John M. Thomas, by whom he had two children, Blanche, deceased, and Calvin, who is folowing agriculture in Madison county, Ohio. Mrs. Wilson died and Mr. Wilson was married, August 15, 1895, to Fannie Ronemus, daughter of George and Maggie (Heaton) Ronemus. She was born on May 25, 1868, in Madison county, Ohio, receiving a good education in the public and high schools of London, Ohio. 'The children born to this union are as follow: Raymond, a student in the Plainwood high school; Robert, and Elmer, twins, and both graduates of the public school, and Frederick.

George Ronemus, father of Mrs. Clark Wilson, was born on February 12, 1824, in West Virginia, and is still living in 1915. At an early date, he learned the tailor's trade, which he worked at for a number of years in Plattsburg, Ohio, from where he moved to London in the same state, continuing in the merchant tailor business until 1911. His wife, Maggie (Heaton) Ronemus, was born in October, 1843, at Plattsburg, Ohio, and was the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living in 1915: Florence, a graduate of the high school at London, Ohio; Fannie; Ella, also a graduate of the London, Ohio, high school, and is now the wife of Robert Woodhouse, of London; Arthur, who is married and lives at London; Louise, who became the wife of Elmer Miller, and resides at Lindsay, California; Mabel, who was married to George Brown; and George, who is married and lives at London, Ohio.

Mr. Wilson is very well informed on the topics of the day, and his genial and companionable disposition have won for him a wide range of friends and acquaintances.

William Morgridge

In Newburyport, Massachusetts, one of the early settlers was John Morgridge, a ship builder, who came from England. He remained but a short time at Newburyport, going to the town of Newbury, Massachusetts on the Merrimac river, locating at a place afterwards called "Morgridge Point." He had three sons, William, Samuel and John. John died young at Newburyport without children. He was a person of quite some means. William was a close friend of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and was a member of the famous "Junto Club" of Philadelphia, organized by Doctor Franklin for public benefit. William Morgridge was the fifth member of the club, which had a membership _ of but twelve. Samuel, the eldest son of John Morgridge, also a shipbuilder, was a man of learning. He was much injured by a fall and afterward taught school for a number of years. He married Ruth Silvers, who came from Ireland and was sold for her passage, and to that union six children were born. He died, June 26, 1772, at Amesbury, Massachusetts. The house in which Samuel Morgridge lived was a quaint old structure. It was taken down in 1857 and one of the panels of woodwork over the mantlepiece, on which is a rude painting of a ship on the stocks, with Indians at work as carpenters, is still preserved at the public library in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Previous to the Revolution slaves were lawful in Massachusetts and Samuel Morgridge owned several negroes who were employed about the shipyard during the daytime and lodged at night in the barn or woodshed adjoining the house. In the inventory of his estate, recorded at Salem, Massachusetts, there is one item of "three negroes, valued at £133 6s Sd." A great-grandson, George W. Jackman, now owns a portion of the shipyards. ;

Richard Morgridge, youngest child of Samuel and (Ruth Silvers) Morgridge, was born at Amesbury, Massachusetts, November 18, 1771; lived with his mother until seven years of age and lived with a Mr. Coffin until twenty-one years of age. He had but | little time to learn, but became a fair penman, made good progress in mathematics and gained some knowledge of surveying. When he reached his majority, he left Massachusetts and went to Vermont. Wages were low there and he earned but five dollars a month, but land was also low and he worked and bought land. On May 1, 1800, he married Sallie Emerson, she being eighteen years of age, and they emigrated to Ohio in 1815 with their earthly possessions, all of which were contained in a wagon especially built for the occasion. The distance was great, nine hundred miles, and the roads new. and in some places almost impassable, yet with a determined purpose, the pioneer leading the way, the journey was accomplished and the 18th of September found the family sheltered in a small cabin in Licking county, every member afflicted with the ague. A year later, the father, by way of availing himself of the convenience and benefit of western institutions, sold all of his chattel effects, which, together with some. currency, he converted into bills of the Muskingum Bank located at Marietta, then the leading bank of the state. Four days later, when in Newark, to which place he had gone to make some purchases, he learned that the bills were worthless, the bank having failed two days before.

It had been the intention of the Morgridges to locate in Hamilton county, but the sickness referred to prevented. In the fall of 1820 the family came to Madison county, settling on land upon which William Morgridge now resides, which had previously been bargained for with Walter Dun, then located at Chillicothe, to whom the early settlers of the county ever were grateful for the kind indulgences extended to them on overdue payments. In moving to this county, Richard Morgridge, impoverished as he was, had been compelled to contract some debts in procuring an outfit in the way of a team and implements to begin farming. For two years a general sickness prevailed in the locality, the seasons were unfavorable for crops and there was a great scarcity of money in the country. Therefore, the year 1824 still found him in debt and, with the expenses incident to the rearing of a large family, unable to pay. He was sued by his ereditors, who in their eagerness to collect, sold him out, letting articles go at far less than their value, thus depriving him of the only means he possessed and which would: have enabled him, in the near future, to have canceled their claims. When all was gone and the creditors unsatisfied (there being then no chattels or homestead exemption too sacred to be attached by execution, as now), the debtor explaining to the ereditors that he had no more property or money with which to pay; in the presence of the harassed man's family the creditor said: "If that be so, I demand that you, Mr. Constable, lay upon the body of this debtor, Richard Morgridge, and take him forthwith into the jail of the county, as is my right and pleasure to do, and there keep him till my claim be fully satisfied."

The mother passed the remainder of the day and evening with tears in her eyes. At five o clock in the morning on the day following, Richard Morgridge, the debtor, tired, wet and hungry by walking all the way from London in mud and rain, knocked at the door, and was unexpectedly but joyfully admitted. He not having provided for the expenses to the county, as the law required, was released. Under the hardships of a new country, the cares and wants of a large family and misfortune beyond his control. Richard Morgridge's health and resolutions gave way, never to revive, and he died on August 10, 1843.

Richard and Sallie (Emerson) Morgridge were the parents of nine children. Joshua Bailey Morgridge, the fourth son and the seventh of these children, in order of birth, was born on August 2, 1814, amid the beautiful hills of Vermont, in the town of Berlin, Washington county, three miles from Montpelier. He was but two years of age when the family emigrated from his birthplace to the wilds of Ohio and was five years old when the family settled in Madison county. Occasionally in his boyhood he went to school in the primitive log school house of the time, with its rude home-made furnishings and, in order to reach the school, had to go nearly two miles over the wet prairies. He only went to school about thirty-five days in the year, but was taught at home by his mother, and from her instructions learned more than he ever did at school. At the tender age of ten years the lad became independent, going out to work for his own living, and when fourteen years of age he was able to do a man's work, so vigorous, strong and industrious in his habits was he. He was an expert in handling the scythe and hand-rake in haying time, and with a rope used to haul the hay, to stack it in the field, plowing around the stock to keep the fire from it. The purposes and fixed resolutions of his life rushed to his mind on realizing the causes of his father's break-down and death. He then most fully realized that poverty was most humiliating and inconvenient; that debts and creditors were tyrants, and always. strove to be free, at the same time advising all young men to avoid debts if they valued comfort and hoped for freedom.

Joshua Bailey Morgridge, with the assistance and encouragement of his mother, from the period mentioned until 1833, and jointly with her, became the real owner of one hundred and thirty acres of the land bargained for by his father with Mr. Dun and under such circumstances that he was relieved of any fear of old creditors. About this time Joshua B. Morgridge was invited to teach the neighborhood backwoods district school, at nine dollars the month, which was then the customary salary for that honored position. Of books, up to that period, he had seen few and hardly owned any, his mother having been his principal instructor, he never having carried a slate, arithmetic, geography or atlas, history or grammar into a school-room. The little learning he had mastered was ample to serve as a test of his fitness for the position, which ordeal he safely passed, paid the required fee of twenty-five cents to the board of examiners, took charge of the school and remained employed in that capacity for eight or ten "quarters," among his pupils having been youngsters who later became successful as farmers, mechanics, inventors, machinists, surveyors, engineers, architectural draftsmen, merchants, sheriffs, county commissioners, lawyers, doctors, legislators, and, Mr. Morgridge used to recal], one minister, which as he jocularly was wont to remark, was perhaps an accident. Previous to and about this period of his teaching, Mr. Morgridge passed the summer seasons in herding cattle in droves of from two hundred to two hundred and fifty head on the then unfenced and unimproved wild prairies in the northern part of this county, and in this employment he made the acquaintance of many of the pioneer drovers, among whom were Comstock, Williams, the Weavers, Guy, Buell and Minor as well as the large graziers, the Gwynns, the Wilsons, Fullington and the Wildmans. Mr. Morgridge, believing that estates were, in the most instances largely the result of growth, directed his attention in main to the growing of young stock, and purchased, as he was able small parcels of land. His first venture as a drover was in the year 1840, when he purchased one thousand four hundred head of sheep, and drove them to the state of Wisconsin and there disposed of them to the pioneer settlers of that region, stopping ten or twelve days at Chicago, to graze the herd from the wild prairie thereabout, worth then only from five to ten dollars the acre. During the decade beginning with 1840, he was engaged in the cattle business, buying West and driving to the Northern and Eastern markets, and to the feeders in Pennsylvania, having to cross the mountains and ford and swim the intervening rivers. In 1859 he drove cattle, which he purchased in Iowa, through on horseback to the city of Philadelphia and returned to Ohio on the same horse. He drove cattle in herds of one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty from Illinois to Philadelphia, the task requiring a period of twentyfive days to Ohio and from there, through the state of Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia, about forty-five days, at an expense of from two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars and fifty cents per head, swimming such rivers, on the course of the drives, as the

Sangamon, Kankakee, Illinois and the Ohio. After 1850 Mr. Morgridge turned his attention more closely to his farm, which, in the meantime, he had increased in point of the number of acres, but added not much to its productivity.

The lawfully established roads in this locality then were very few and steps were taken by Joshua B. Morgridge in petitioning for better and more direct highways, and he became instrumental in the laying out and establishing of three county roads, in all about fifteen miles, which soon were found to be such useful roads that the county improved by piking and graveling them. The most urgent need of this region at that time was the draining of the lands, a task not so easily accomplished. A large tract of the country was so situated, including a large portion of the three townships, Darby, Canaan and Monroe, that any iocation of ditches less comprehensive than a system that would drain the whole, must have been a failure. To reconcile the views of some one thousand six hundred persons, owning not less than twenty thousand acres of land, some of whom were non-residents of the county, but none the less watchful and jealous, but mainly all neighbors, was no easy task; especially as each one, in justice, law and equity, was to contribute or be assessed, if the needed improvement was to be made. Without draining, this large tract of land was not only unhealthful, but almost useless for agricultural purposes. Notwithstanding the difficulty and the unpleasantness of the task, the individual as well as the public or common interest Mr. Morgridge had in this matter, impelled him to draw up and present petitions to the county commissioners of the county at different times, though all having the same object in view, a complete system of necessary drainage eventually was adopted and constructed, including a public county ditch, twenty-two miles in length, with more than that length of tributary private ditch, at a cost of nearly two hundred thousand dollars, which has been of incalculable benefit, as the lands thus drained have enhanced in value from twenty-six dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars the acre, the once practically worthless land now being second to none in any part of the state. All unkind feelings and differences of opinion or grievances over unequal assessments and benefits were reconciled in Mr. Morridge's lifetime and this, too, without any deplorable or fatal results, except in one instance.

Joshua Bailey Morgridge, or "Bailey," as he was commonly known, prospered largely and was truly grateful to Providence for what he received and proud, too, of the improvement the county made; but prouder, as he often said, "of that representative of our county who was mainly instrumental in the repeal of that barbarous law that sent my father to the jail of my county for no crime but debt." Bailey Morgridge turned his attention to farming and became one of the large land owners of the county, at the same time becoming a prominent factor in local politics. He helped to organize the first Farmers' Alliance in the county and was present at the great Farmers' convention at Galion in 1890, having been active in its deliberations, as one of the committee on resolutions. He was sent as a delegates to Cincinnati when the People's party was formed and in the compaign of 1891 he was nominated by that party for state senator, to represent the district composed of Madison, Clark and Champaign counties. He was endorsed by the Democratic central committees of the three counties, but the district was so overwhelmingly Republican that he was defeated at the polls. Mr. Morgridge was a delegate to the great labor convention held at St. Louis in 1892. He was a welcome speaker at farmers' institutes and similar gatherings, and his practical and interesting addresses, replete with' useful information and containing frequent happy hits, were of much benefit to his fellow farmers. He served as delegate-at-large to the Omaha convention, the first held by the People's party to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President, and in 1892 he was a candidate on that ticket for Con-

In Plain City, this county, on February 17, 1852, Joshua Bailey Morgridge married Harriet Hoyt Tuttle, a native of Darien, Connecticut, and to this union were born eight children, all of whom are living at this writing. Mr. Morgridge died at his "Hickory Grove Farm," April 10, 1898, of pleurisy. His earnest and devoted helpmate had preceded him to the grave about four years, her death having occurred on March 21, 1889.

Mrs. Bailey Morgridge was born on September 23, 1823. Her mother died when she was nine years of age, and she and a sister and brother came with their father to Ohio in 1836, locating near Dublin, in Franklin county, on a farm which the father bought and owned for many years. Mr. Tuttle was in comfortable circumstances and the children knew little of the hardships many families at that early day were compelled to endure. She was an ambitious, studious girl, and wds carefully educated at the academy in Worthington, Ohio, the associations and acquaintances made during this educational period, in after years being productive of pleasant memories. She taught school in the villages of Pleasant Valley, Dublin and Amity for ten years, during which time she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Weatherington, who kept the hotel in Pleasant Valley, and a pleasant, cheerful place it was for the travelers who came by stage coach over the postroad.

Harriet Tuttle was prepossessing in looks and engaging in manners. She was a gifted conversationalist, possessing a voice of rare charm and a remarkable memory which made her eminently fitted for her vocation as teacher. Those gifts, which were a pleasure to her friends in her maiden days, were none the less valued in the home on the Darby Plains, when there were many years filled with the routine of domestic duties incidental to the rearing of a large family and the care of the farm help, a part of every farmer's household, that being before the days of maids or house servants in this section. The farm help mainly was recruited from the ranks of immigrants from the old country, and many were the letters Mrs. Morgridge wrote for those boys to sweethearts or home folks. As time passed and these men became settled on the farm, her interest in those new families was always maintained. She saw to it that a way was provided for them to go to the church, and that the babies were properly christened. West Jefferson, twelve miles away, was the nearest trading point and place for church attendance, and the farm team and wagon usually were pressed into service. Never were the material wants of these dependent families overlooked. A garden plot, orchard or potato patch, and a cow were considered essentials and were freely supplied..

Letters in the possession of the family, written by Mrs. Bailey Morgridge to her husband more than a half century ago, pertaining to those days when business called him to the Western cattle country for many weeks each year, are long, interesting missives, full of the affairs of the day, but deploring his long absence from home and children and expressing the utmost confidence in his judgment in the farm management. Those letters were written in even close lines, beginning rather formally and ending with expressions of great love and respect. Then would come the long winter evenings spent around the great wood fire. When the children were quieted the mother would read aloud the papers to the father and the hired men. Frequently some one of the neighboring families would come in to hear the news read. At "Hickory Grove Farm," where her whole married life was lived, Mrs. Morgridge took much pride and pleasure in the upbuilding of the home, which stands today as a memorial to a useful and well-spent life. For her Dublin friends and for the people bearing the imprint and atmosphere of her native New Hngland home she ever cherished a deep sentiment and strong affection. She was a loyal church woman, and her life was full of good works.

Algernon Sydney Morgridge, the youngest child of Richard and Sallie (Hmerson) Morgridge and brother of Bailey Morgridge, was unmarried and lived on his farm, his mother and an unmarried sister making their homes with him. He was very fond of © his brother Bailey's children, and gave bis home place to Hotchkiss Moreridge, eldest son of his brother. Hotchkiss Morgridge was named for Mr. Hotchkiss, of New Haven, Connecticut, who married Mary Sawyer, of Madison county, a life-long friend of Bailey Morgridge. Bailey Morgridge now lives on a farm in Kansas on the banks of the beautiful river Elk, a part of his farm being in the corporation of Longton. He married Miss Rice, and they have two children, Hotchkiss II and Luluvon.

William Morgridge, the subject of this sketch, and the sixth child and second son of Joshua Bailey and Harriet (Tuttle) Morgridge, lives at the old homestead, which is built on the land for which his grandfather, Richard Morgridge, bargained before 1820, and which his grandmother, Sallie Morgridge, and her children afterwards bought, part of the residence having been built by his grandfather, between 1880 and 1835. William Morgridge is a successful farmer, stock raiser and feeder, and is trying to improve his farms by draining and fertilizing so that they may be more valuable and productive. He has always been in favor of public improvements, believing that they are a benefit to all the people.

On March 4, 1893, William Morgridge was. married to Effie Roseberry, a school teacher of Madison county, eldest daughter of Ebenezer Taylor and Mary (Carter) Roseberry, of Pike township, this county, to which union two children have been born, Paul William, born on December 2, 1894, and Emerson Roseberry, July 10, 1897.

Ruth Morgridge, daughter of Joshua Bailey and Harriet (Tuttle) Morgridge, married E. L. Wiliiams, who was born near Granville, Licking county, Ohio. After leaving college, Mr. Williams moved to Plain City, where for several years he was engaged in the mercantile. business. Later, he went to New York City and accepted a position with the Public Service Railway Company. He is now superintendent of that road, with headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one child, Richard, named after his maternal great-grandfather, and who, also, is engaged in the railway service.

Thomas F. Hafey

Numbered among the descendants of Irish lineage now located in Canaan township, Madison county, Thomas F. Hafey is doing his share in placing agricultural interests on a high plane of efficiency, the same principle being earried out in his stock-raising enterprise.

Thomas F. Hafey was born on February 9, 1871, in Fayette county, Ohio, a son of Jeremiah and Ellen (Kelley) Hafey. He attended the district schools and after the year 1897 began farming for himself. He took over the home place, paid off the indebtedness, and took care of his mother and sister, and now owns the entire home place, consisting of one hundred and twelve acres, located four and one-half miles southwest of Plain City, on the Converse road. Everything he possesses has been acquired entirely through his own efforts. In addition to his general farming interests, Mr. Hafey is greatly interested in the breeding of fine stock of various kinds, of which he owns a large number. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local politics, serving as school director for the past six years. Both Mr. Hafey and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He is one of the stockholders of the First State Bank at Plain City. ;

Jeremiah Hafey, father of the subject of this. sketch, was born. in County Kerry, Ireland, and his'wife, Ellen (Kelley) Hafey, was born in County Cork, Ireland. She came to the United States and located in Fayette county, Ohio, and Mr. Hafey emigrated to Ohio and settled in Clark county, near Springfield, where he was employed by the month, owning but little at the time of his marriage. He went to work with a will, and in due course of time he became the owner of a fine farm consisting of one hundred and twelve acres, located in Canaan township, all of which came through his own efforts. He came to America in 1866, and spent the remainder of his life in Canaan township. His death occurred in October, 1897, in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio. His wife is still living, and resides in California. They were the parents of three children: 'Thomas F.; John, who died aged fifteen years; and Anna, who became the wife of R. W. Van Winkle and resides in California.

Thomas F. Hafey-was united in marriage, in June, 1912, with Alice Minogue, daughter of Michael Minogue, a native of County Carlow, Ireland. She was born on January 7, 1880, in Madison county, Ohio, and received her education at the district schools.

Michael Minogue, father of Alice (Minogue) Hafey, came to America in 1859, and settled in Madison county, Ohio. He was married in 1868 to Elizabeth Sheehan, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, who was born on April 1, 1846, and who came to America with her parents in 1847. Mr. Minogue was a farmer. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living: Edward, James, Daniel. Mary, Margaret, Frances, Alice. Sarah, William and John are deceased, and two died in infancy.

Mr. Hafey is of a quiet, retiring disposition, and is happy in the respect of his neighbors, because of the scrupulous exactness in his business dealings.

Henry Frey

Henry Frey, farmer, West Jefferson, Madison county, was born on April 29, 1859. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Gottlieb and Mary A. (Holliver) Frey. At the age of one and one-half years, he came with his parents to Madison county. where he attended the district schools until seventeen years of age, after which he followed farming under the instruction of his father, until he was twenty-three years old, and then did farm work by the month. When he was twenty-nine years old he was married and began farming for himself, and now owns a good farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. Mr. Frey is a Democrat, but never takes an active interest in politics. His wife belongs to the Catholic church at West Jefferson, Ohio. Mr. Frey is a member of West Jefferson Lodge No. 412, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Gottlieb Frey. father of the subject of this sketch, and his wife, Mary A. ( Holliver) Frey, were natives of Germany, and on their arrival in America settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1856. where he followed the trade of a mechanic. Remaining there a few years, he decided to try the western country. He settled in Madison county, Ohio, where he rented land for a number of years, and later bought the farm now owned by Henry Frey. Here Mr. and Mrs. Gottleib Frey both lived until they died. He died a May 21, 1896. They were both members of the German Lutheran church, and were the parents of six sons, four of whom are living in 1915: Henry; Frederick, a farmer in Van Wert county, Ohio; William, who lives in Clark county; and Charles. who resides in Madison county.

Henry Frey was united in marriage in January, 1889. with Susan C. McNeil, daughter of John and Anna (Corrigan) McNeil. She was born on October 1, 1866, in Jefferson township, and is a member of the Catholic church at West Jefferson, Ohio.

John McNeil, father of Mrs. Henry Frey, was a native of Ireland, and his wife. Anna (Corrigan) McNeil, was born at Dublin. They were united in marriage at Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, after which they came to Jefferson township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. McNeil died on October 3, 1900, and his wife died on November 29, 1913. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living in 1915.

John Patterson

John Patterson, farmer, Plain City, Madison county, was born on January 8, 1867, in Clark county, Ohio, and is a son of Abraham and Eileen (Peene) Patterson. His mother died when he was about three years old, and he was reared by an uncle living in Madison county, and was educated in the district schools. Mr. Patterson is a general farmer and stock raiser, and disposes of several carloads of hogs and cattle. He gives his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at West Jefferson, Ohio, and the West Jefferson lodge No. 412, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Abraham Patterson, father of John Patterson, was born, reared and educated in Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man, settling at Cincinnati, where he became a general merchant, and later moved to Springfield, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Patterson was married while in Cincinnati to "Hileen Peene, by whom he had three children, George, Samuel and John. George Patterson is a manufacturer of pottery, and lives near Springfield, Ohio. Samuel Patterson is a citizen of West Jefferson.

John Patterson was united in marriage, February 20, 1901, with Mary Flugge, daughter of Fred and Anna (Kallies) Flugge. She was born on May 15, 1878, in Franklin county, Ohio. No children have come to bless this union. Mrs. Patterson is a regular attendant of the Methodist church.

Mr. Patterson is a descendant of Irish ancestry on his father's side, and of English lineage on his mother's side. He and his wife are pleasant, agreeable people, and occupy a high position in the estimation of the citizens of their community.

John L. Buswell

John I. Buswell, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on February 28, 1870, in Jefferson township, and is a son of George and Nancy (Toop) Buswell. He grew up on a farm in Jefferson township, where he attended the district schools, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age, when he began to rent land and farm for himself, eventually becoming very successful and now owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of land, all in good agricultural condition, located five miles northwest of West Jefferson. Mr. Buswell is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in local politics.

George Buswell, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England, coming to the United States when a young man, and locating in Jefferson township. His wife, Nancy (Toop) Buswell, was a native of Ohio. They were the parents of six children, as follow: Sarah became the wife of John Penney, who is now deceased ; Maggie is the widow of Uriah Blair; Susan was married to William Lombard, who is deceased; Mary is the wife of John Bailey. and lives in Nebraska; George is an agriculturist in Jefferson township, and John 1... the subject of this sketch. Mr. Buswell died on March 29, 1899. He was a son of Thomas and Catherine Buswell, natives of England, where they lived and died. - He came to the United States on April 18, 1855, settling in Madison county, Ohio, on June 19. of that same year. He at once entered the employ of Edward Roberts, and remained with him four years. He worked by the day when he first came to this country, and when he died he was

John L. Buswell was united in marriage on June 30, 1889, with Mary Hennis, daughter of George and Wilberta (White) Hennis. She was born on November 22. 1870, in Pickaway county, Ohio. She was reared on a farm and her education was obtained in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Buswell have been born two children, Leslie, who became the wife of Smith Olney, and Mamie, who is the wife of Leroy Bradley. :

George Hennis, father of Mrs. John L. Buswell, was born on June 4, 1847, in Licking county, Ohio, and died on February 9, 1915. His wife, Wilberta (White) Hennis, was born on August 21, 1849, in West Virginia, and lives in Union county, Ohio. She is the mother of nine children, eight of whom are living in 1915: Mary, Ida, Laura, Samuel, Emma, Anna, Minnie and John. Willie died in infancy. Ida became the wife of Grant Paugh; Laura was married to' Perry Murry; Emma is now Mrs. Harley McFadden; Anna married Samuel Geho; Minnie was united in marriage with Jabez Thompson.

Berthier Lohr

The Lohr family has been prominent in the agricultural, financial and political history of Madison county for nearly a century. Later generations of the family have been especially prominent in the religious history of the county, Berthier Lohr, who is now serving his first term as a commissioner of Madison county, having been a commissioner to several general assemblies of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Lohr is a retired farmer, who is now living in London.

Berthier Lohr was born in London, this county, November 13, 1847, in an old house on Union street, which is still in use. He is the son of John and Ann (Noteman) Lohr, the former of whom was born in Virginia, the son of Michael Lohr, also a native of that state. Michael Lohr's father, Michael Lohr, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and Michael himself served in the War of 1812. Michael Lohr's widow, who before her marriage was a Miss Miller, became the wife of a Mr. Messmore and, as his wife, immigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1820, driving through directly to Madison county, Ohio, and settling on the Crider farm, three miles west of London. In 1825 she returned to Virginia in company with two other women on horseback and returned to Madison county by the same way, after she had settled an estate.

On Mrs. Messmore's first' overland journey to Madison county, she had brought with her two sons and two daughters by her first marriage, George W., John, Margaret and Mary. Of the daughters, Margaret married William Chappel of Madison county. She died later in Toledo, leaving one daughter. Mary married Michael Carr: and lived in Fayette county. One of her daughters, Mrs. Clara Irwin, lives in Madison county. Mr. Messmore was a shoemaker by trade at Sedalia, later called Midway, where he died of old age. His wife died in 1862 at the home of her son, George W. Lohr, in London. By her marriage to Mr. Messmore, she had several children. Catherine, who married James Gossard, lived in Range township, later moving to Illinois, where she died. Her children, George and Jephtha Gossard, now live in Fayette county. Isabel married a Mr. Wielmuth and later moved to Kentucky. She had no children. The other children were Samuel, Jane, Marion and Isabelle.

George W. and John Lohr spent their lives in London. They operated a saddlery and harness business in partnership until about 1840, after which George engaged in the livery business and was thus engaged for many years. George W. Lohr died in London, after having passed the age of eighty years. His wife was Sarah Reeder and they had a family of three daughters, who are still living in London, Josephine N., who is unmarried; Mrs. Mary Dungan and Mrs. Arnold Gardner.

Ann Noteman, who married John Lohr, was born in Madison county and was the daughter of William Noteman, who, with his wife, who was a Smith, lived one mile northeast of London, in Union township. William Noteman was born on the ocean while his parents, of Scotch-Irish descent, were coming to America. They came to Ohio while he was still a boy. His farm was located northeast of London and there he died while still a young man about 1830. Ann Noteman was reared on a farm northeast of London and spent her whole life in Madison county. She was married to John Lohr about 1844, and when her parents' estate was settled she inherited through 'her mother two hundred and fifty acres of land. After dissolving his partnership with his brother in 1848, John Lohr and wife moved to a farm two miles east of London, on the West Jefferson pike. The acreage was increased until John Lohr owned three hundred and ten acres. He erected the present house and cleared a great deal of the land now under cultivation, having at the time of his death, on December 31, 1898, a very fine farm. He was eighty-two years old when he died. His widow died in London. John Lohr was township trustee for a number of years and also served as school director. Until the very last days of his life, he loked perosonally after his property interests. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church of London and he was an elder in the church for many years and a strict observer of his faith, He was popular in the ranks of the Republican party and an important worker therein.

In 1840 John Lohr was a member of the brass band in London, being a bass drummer. He made a canoe of a large log and the band was taken to Chillicothe for the Harrison campaign of that year, where they played at a big rally. Later he took an active part in the famous Brough campaign in this state. John Lohr was a celebrated exhibitor of Merino sheep at the county fairs held in this section of Ohio. His wife was a great Bible student and was prominent in church work. She was a subscriber to the Herald and Presbyter for many years. John Lohr was sent as.a delegate to the presbytery and the synod on several occasions. |

The family of John and Ann (Noteman) Lohr consisted of eight children, namely: Theresa, who married Robert Moore, a veteran of the Civil War, lives in London; Berthier, the subject of this sketch; Clara, the widow of John Pierce, of London, who was a veteran of the Civil War; Angenette, the wife of James B. Crider, lives on the old Crider farm, three miles from London on the Charleston pike; Smith, a resident' of Georgia; Ella, the wife of Arthur McDonald, of Ames, Iowa; Flora, who married Frank White and lives in London, and Charles, an assistant engineer in Londom

Of these children, Berthier Lohr has spent all of his life, except one year, in Madison county. One year he lived in Kansas.. During his active career, Mr. Lohr was a general farmer and stockman. He took a great interest in hogs and fed a larg® number. At the age of twenty-eight, Berthier Lohr was married to Mary J. Creath, the daughter of Owen M. Creath, who was born and reared in Madison county and who spent practically all of her life here, with the exception of a few years in which she lived in Iowa. Her father was a member of an Iowa regiment during the Civil War and was killed at the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. To Mr. and Mrs. Berthier Lohr five children have been born, as follow: John C., a graduate of the London high school, is a rural mail carrier in Madison county; Owen F., a graduate of the London high school, lives at home; Bessie, who was also educated in the high school, lives at home; Ira, a resident of Dayton, and Albert Floyd, a civil engineer at Columbus, Ohio, who is graduate of the Ohio State University.

A good many years ago, Mr. Lobr was ordained an elder in the Presbyterian chureh and he has been an industrious worker in the church. He has been a delegate to various meetings of the church in this state and was a commissioner to the general assembly of the church held at St. Louis in 1900. He also attended the assembly in the years that body was convened at Columbus, at Atlanta and at Des Moines, Iowa.

As a Republican, Mr. Lohr was elected to the position of infirmary director and served in that position for a number of years. He has served as township trustee, as school director and, in 1914, was elected commissioner of Madison county, his term of office beginning in September, 1915. Mr. Lobr succeeded E. E. Willard. Since 1873 Berthier Lohr has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Follows. He has passed all of the chairs in the subordinate lodge and in the encampment. He is also a member of the Grange and was one of the promoters of the Farmers' Club. Beginning back as far as 1874, Mr. Lohr has been one of the active workers in the Grange organization. He has also been active in the work of farmers' institutes throughout this section. He is widely known throughout the county and is held in the very highest regard by his hosts of friends.

Wyatt C. Pratt

Wyatt C. Pratt, farmer, London, Monroe township, Madison county, was born on July 14, 1888, in Clark county, Ohio, and is a son of J. C. and Anna (Hall) Pratt. He was reared amid farm scenes and received his education in the public schools of the district and the high school at Plainwood. After leaving school he followed farming for about six years and then went west, returning after a stay of one year, to Madison county, Ohio, where he is successfully following agriculture, having the sole ownership of two hundred and twenty acres, and an interest in another tract of five hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Pratt is a supporter of the Republican policies.

J. C. Pratt, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on November 28, 1861, in Clark county, Ohio, and was a son of A. G. and Mary (Clark) Pratt. His wife was Anna (Hall) Pratt, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living in 1915; Wyatt C., Robert E., and John E. Their fourth child, Murray A., is deceased. Mrs. Anna (Hall) Pratt was born in Greene county, Indiana, in 1868.

A. G. Pratt, the paternal grandfather, came from Union county to Madison county, Ohio, where he became the owner of a vast estate, consisting of five hundred and fifty acres in Monroe, and three hundred and fifty acres in Clark county, Ohio. He was a man of good business judgment and was considered one of the leading and progressive citizens of Madison county. Mr. Pratt, during his earlier years, was a great stockraiser. but in his latter years, he withdrew from active farm interests and moved to London, Ohio, where both he and his wife spent their last days. Mr. Pratt was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which lodge he took an active part. His .wife was Mary (Clark) Pratt, by whom he had the following children: Charles, Irene, Ida, J. C., Josie, Norma, Blanche and Mable, only four of whom, Blnche, Ida, Josie and Norma, are living in 1915.

Wyatt C. Pratt was united in marriage in November, 1912, with Maud BH. Weaver, daughter of Erastus and Anna (Stickley) Weaver. She was yee in Monroe township and was educated in the public schools, after which she taught school in Monroe township for several years. This union has been blest with one daughter, Mary Louise, born on March 8, 1914.

of the subject of this sketch, was a breeder of standard-bred trotting horses, and at one time owned "Baron Del Ray," with a record of 2:08%4.

Mr. Pratt is a hustling young agriculturist, whose outlook is extremely bright for one of his years, and whose aim is "high efficiency," which is the spirit of this age in every direction.

Auburn L. Graham

One of the highly-respected citizens of Madison county, is Auburn L. Graham, whose energy and ambition are an inspiration to those who know him. He is distinctively an up-to-date agriculturist, believing that nothing is too good or too expensive that will in any way facilitate farm industry. Mr. Graham has contributed in a material way to the advancement of agriculture in his township.

Auburn L. Graham, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on January 8, 1863, in Pleasant township, Madison county, and is a son of John M. and Gertrude (Smith) Graham. He was reared to the life of a farmer and received his education at the district schools. going later to the London high school. Mr. Graham is unmarried. He has always been especially interested in machinery, and has equipped his farm with all the up-to-date implements that are helpful in high-efficiency farming, among which is a six-bottom gang plow. He does plowing for other farmers, and is such an expert as a machinist that he is enabled to do his own repairing when his machinery is out of order. Mr. Graham never learned a trade, but through his natural interest in machinery and his personal experience has become an expert farm-machine repairer. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never taken an active interest in local politics.

John M. and Gertrude (Smith) Graham, the parents of Auburn L., were both born in Madison county, Ohio, and were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living in 1915: Anna, who has never married, and makes her home with our subject; Jennie, who became the wife of R. J. Woodhouse, of Logan county, Ohio; Gertrude, the wife of Sherman Rea, of London, Ohio; M. N., of Columbus; Auburn L.; and J. S., a single man, who makes his home with the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Graham is known throughout the entire county as one of the eminently successful modern farmers, who also enjoys the distinction of being an. authority in his line, being frequently called upon for advice. His valuable tract of two hundred and fifty-one acres is located seven miles south of Plain City, Ohio.

James W. Pratt

James W. Pratt, farmer, Mechanicsburg, Madison county, was born on May &8, 1865, in Fayette county, Ohio, and is a son of James and Louisa (Edins) Pratt. He grew upon his father's farm in Fayette county, attending school until fourteen years of age, when he began his business career on his own responsibility. He came to Madison county and engaged his services on a farm, working by the month. At the time of his marriage he settled in Monroe township, where he has since resided, and where, through industry, thrift and good management, he was enabled in 1911 -to purchase a good farm, consisting of one hundred and forty-four acres. Mr. Pratt is an earnest and loyal member of the Democratic party.

James Pratt, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, and is now a resident of Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio. He was married to Louisa Edins, who died in Fayette county, Ohio, and who was the mother of a number of children, five of whom are living in 1915: Nancy, Mary, John, James W. and Susie. Nancy became the wife of James Reed, now deceased, and lives at Plainwood, Ohio; Mary was married to John Wybright. and lives at Plumwood, Ohio; James W. lives in Monroe township; Susie makes her home in Fayette county, Ohio.

James W. Pratt was united in marriage on December 1, 1885, with Mattie Bethards, daughter of James and Isabella (Wybright) Bethards. She was born in November, 1866, in Madison county, Ohio. There have been born to this union six children, Dilbert, Mollie, Roy, Owen, Pearl and Grace Elizabeth. Dilbert is unmarried; Pearl married a Miss Cunningham, and lives near Nation chapel; Mollie is the wife of Snowden Hatfield, and resides in Madison county; Roy married Ella Baker and lives on the home farm; Owen is at home; Grace Elizabeth goes to Plumwood high school. x

James Bethards, father of Mrs. Pratt, was a Union soldier during the Civil War, serving three years and nine months. He was wounded and served in thirty-six battles. He still lives in Rosedale, Pike township, Madison county, at seventy-nine years of age.

Mrs. Pratt is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plumwood, and also belongs to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of which she is treasurer. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have gained the loyalty and respect of their entire township, where their children have also won a high name for good citizenship.

The man equipped with sufficient ambition is bound to win out, no matter how much he is opposed. To the individual who makes up his or her mind to achieve success, nothing will keep them from it. It may not always come in just the way they had planned, in fact it seldom does, but it comes sometimes in the most unexpected way, and is none the less welcome, because there is always a satisfaction in making a success of anything worth while. The subject of this sketch has not only made a success of his business affairs, but also made his opportunity, for which he deserves the admiration and credit of his fellow citizens.

W. S. Finley, farmer of Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio, was born on October 5, 1858, in a log cabin which stood where H. T. Finley now lives, in Monroe township. He is a son of Col. J. H. and Martha (Ruff) Finley. His early education was obtained at the public schools, and after leaving schcol he went on a visit to Virginia at the age of sixteen years, wher he finished his education. When quite young, Mr. Finley commenced to farm for himself. He has always been a strong believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and has given his support in local politics by serving as township clerk for one year, and for twelve years as township treasurer. Mr. Finley is a member of the Christian church at Pickaway, Ohio.

J. H. Finley, father of W. S. Finley, was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, where his wife also was born. He and his wife, Martha (Ruff) Finley, came to Madison county and settled where the Finley farm is located. Mr. and Mrs. Finley were the parents of eight children: John, William, David W., Amanda, Horace, Margaret, Benjamin and W. S. John Finley joined the army, and died during the Civil War; William moved to Plain City; David W. lives in the northwestern part of Nebraska; Amanda is deceased; Horace lives on the home place; Margaret is the wife of E. W. Fisher.

W. S. Finley was united in marriage on August 11, 1878, with Jennie Heath, daughter of James and Malinda (Barnett) Heath. She was born in Deer Creek township, Madison county. This union has been blest with four children: Emery, who resides at Bozeman, Montana, and is married to Lillian Weaver; Bessie, who became the wife of Thomas W. Stalbird, and lives in Monroe township; Guy, who was married to Alice Lloyd, and resides in pa township, and Perr, who conducts a store at Resaca, and is single.

Mr. Finley, through his straightforward dealings and honest attitude toward all with whom he comes in contact, is justifiably entitled to the high esteem in which he is held in the community where he resides. Aided by his wife, he has achieved a considerable success. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have a fine farm of one hundred and four acres, seventy acres of which are in cultivation. They have a splendid country home, a ten-room, modern house, built in 1910-11.

Samuel N. Gunnett

Samuel N. Gunnett, farmer, living on rural route No. 2. West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, was born on March 2, 1881, in Franklin county, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Shannon) Gunnett. His mother died when he was about two years old, and he was reared by his grandmother and his father. He grew up on a farm in Franklin county, where he attended the district schools in the winter and assisted his father with the farm work during the summer. Mr. Gunnett is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his township. He attended the church of the United Brethren. é

Joseph Gunnett, father of the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Christina Shannon, who died when Samuel N. was a small lad. Mr. Gunnett never married again. This union was blest with the following children: E. H., who lives in Union county, Ohio, and is a grain dealer; Rev. H. C., who is a Methodist Episcopal minister at White Cottage, Ohio; Agnes, who became the wife of Harry Doby, of Columbus, Ohio; Eliza, the wife of Samuel Glick, also resides at Columbus; Samuel N.. of West Jefferson; and Jennie, deceased.

Samuel N. Gunnett was united in marriage, June 26, 1902, with Oma Gatlon, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thompson) Gatlon. She was born on December 6, 1882, in Franklin county, Ohio, where she attended the public schools. This union has been blest with four children: Joseph, born on July 3, 1904; Pauline, July 25, 1906; Bertha, April 1, 1909; Ralph, June 10, 1914.

David Gatlon lived most of his life in Franklin county, Ohio. He was a farmer, and in politics was a Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died on March 11, 1914, aged eighty-six years. They had two children, Mrs. Gunnett and Norman, who died when about thirty years of age. Norman Gatlon married Carrie Coe and had two children, Margaret and Earl.

Mr. and Mrs. Gunnett are congenial and affable people and occupy a position of high respect throughout the entire community in which they reside. Mr. Gunnett has the entire charge and supervision of a farm of one hundred and forty acres belonging to his father-in-law, which brings him good returns for his industry. He raises a mixed breed of hogs, Shorthorn cattle, and does general farming.

Charles L. Prugh

Charles L. Prugh, farmer, Plain City. Ohio, was born on October 4, 1871, in Somerford township, Madison county, and is a son of George W. and Martha (Hefiley) Prugh. He was one year old when his parents moved to Jefferson township, where he grew up and attended the district schools. attending only during the winter months, and helping his father on the farm during the summers. until he was seventeen years of age, when he entered the Northern University at Ada. Ohio. attending for one year. He then returned home and took up agricultural pursuits. devoting part of his time to the breeding of registered hogs and high-grade stock of all kinds. He is a stanch Republican, and has shown his active interest by serving as trustee of Canaan township for a period of seven years, and of which township he is the present treasurer.

George W. Prugh. father of the subject of this sketch, was born on April 17, 1842. in Somerford township, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Bradley) Prugh. George

W. Prugh was united in marriage with Martha Heffley. She was born on March 28, 1848, in Somerford township, where they were married, and resided four years, after which they moved to Jefferson township, near West Jefferson, in the year 1873. Mr. Prugh became very successful in the agricultural world, and now owns one hundred and ninety-five acres, ou which he lives, in addition to which Mrs. Prugh owns a fine tract of one hundred and twelve acres in her own name. This union has been blest with two children, Addie, who became the wife of Isaac H. Braithwaite, and resides in Jefferson township, and Charles L.

Charles L. Prugh was united in marriage, January 17, 1893, with Lillie Haynes, daughter of Emory B. and Sarah' J. (Pearce) Haynes. She was born in Jefferson township, where she was reared and educated in the public schools, and later attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Prugh located on their present farm, where they have since followed agriculture. They have been blessed with three children, one of whom died young: Eva M., born in 1897, was graduated from the Plain City high school, after which she became a student in the Ohio University at Ada, Ohio, and George E., born on March 8, 1899, who is at present attending the public school.

Harry Wilson

Harry Wilson, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on November 16, 1863, in Canaan township, where he now lives, the son of John S. and Silvina J. (McDonald) Wilson. He was reared on the old Wilson farm and received his education at the district schools of Canaan township, attending during the winter months, and working on the farm in the summer, until he was eighteen years of age. At the age of twenty-one years he rented a farm in Deer Creek township and farmed for himself, remaining 'here twelve years, during which time he was married. Mr. Wilson is now the proprietor of "Wilson Inn Farm," consisting of eighty-three acres, situated on the Middle pike, seven miles south of Plain City, and five miles north of West Jefferson. This place is one of the oldest farms in Madison county, and the first house, built in 1807, is still standing. Mr. Wilson has for a number of years given his active interest and support to the Republican party, and is at present a member of the board of education of Canaan township. He is especially interested at this time in the breeding of registered Duroc-Jersey hogs and fine grades of various kinds of stock.

John S. Wilson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared in Canaan township, Madison county, where he attended the district schools. Mr. Wilson was always a hospitable, whole-souled man. He was extremely liberal, and many hungry mouths were fed at his home. His wife was Silvina J. (McDonald) Wilson. To John S. and Silvina J. (McDonald) Wilson were born six children, four of whom are living in 1915: Harry; Charles, vice-president of the First State Bank at Plain City; Eleanor, who became the wife of Rolland G. Bradley, of London, Ohio; Lucy, the wife of Clinton lL. Simpkins, lives at Minster, Ohio.

James Wilson was the paternal grandfather, and his wife was Eleanor (Smith) Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a brother of William D. Wilson, and both were large landowners. William D. Wilson at one time owned thirteen thousand acres of land in Canaan township. James Wilson owned eight hundred and fifty acres in Canaan township, and one thousand acres in Deer Creek township. He bought, fed and sold large numbers of stock annually. James and Bleanor (Smith) Wilson were the parents of three sons and one daughter: John S., Valentine H., Thomas B., Lucy E., who is now the widow of William Beach, and the only one now living, and one other.

Harry Wilson was united in marriage, October 6, 1889, with Ella Wright, daughter of Moses Wright. She was born and reared in Gallia county, Ohio, receiving her education at the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived in Deer Creek township for eight years after they were married, and then came to Canaan township, where Mr. Wilson built a fine modern home in 1912. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Grace, born on July 4, 1890. She is a graduate of the public school, and is now the wife of Herbert Lombard. They live in Jefferson township and have three sons, James, Robert and Wilson. | ;

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gillivan, of which Mr. Wilson is one of the trustees and a member of the official board. He also belongs to Urania Lodge No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Wilson POossesses the happy faculty of making friends, of which he has a large number.

Edgar Powell

The subject of this sketch is a good representative of the substantial citizenship of a highly-progressive and prosperous community, and.a man whose high ideals of honesty permit no consideration of anything falling short of the mark. He has always been on the lookout for those things tending toward the betterment of conditions in his township. .

Edgar Powell, farmer, Plain City, Canaan township, Madison county, was born on April 19, 1856, in Logan county, Ohio, and is a son of Joshua and Lavina (Fisher) Powell. He grew to young manhood in his native township, where he received his early education, going later to the Ridgeville College in Indiana for one year. After his marriage Mr. Powell began the life of an agriculturist, moving to his present farm in 1881, where he has since resided. His attention has been divided between general farming and stock raising, principally to the breeding of registered Duroc-Jersey hogs, of which he has some fine specimens. Mr. Powell has always given his support to the Republican party, taking an active interest in local politics, serving as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has long been actively interested.

Joshua Powell, father of Edgar was born in New Jersey, of German lineage, and a son of Henry Powell. He served in an Ohio infantry regiment during the Civil War, and won distinction at the siege of Petersburg. His wife was Lavina (Fisher) Powell. He came to Ohio with his father, who located near Cleveland, but afterward moved to near West Mansfield, Logan county, where he reared his family, which consisted of four sons and four daughters, Henry, Thomas, Edgar, Frank, Anna, Melissa, Sarah, and Harriett. Henry is a merchant at Morrow, Ohio; Frank died in infancy; Anna became the wife of Joseph Skidmore, and is now deceased; Melissa married Robert Hindall, and lives in Logan county on a farm; Sarah became the wife of Edson Gordon, and died, leaving one child; Harriett was married to James Medles, a farmer in Logan county. j c

The paternal great-grandfather was George Powell, a German nobleman, who was strenuously opposed to the wars of Germany. He was a man of great wealth, and owned a portion of the present site of Berlin. Abandoning his property, he chartered a vessel for the purpose of bringing his mother and brothers to the United States, all of whom were drowned in trying to board the ship. The great-grandmother, who was already on board with her two sons, started for the United States. One of her sons died on the voyage across the water, and she, with her remaining son, landed in America without funds. Her son, grandfather of Edgar Powell, was bound out in an English family. After arriving at young manhood he was married and became the father of four sons and two daughters, William, Joshua, Henry, Thomas, Mary and Anna.

Edgar Powell was united in marriage, in September, 1880, with Amanda Kilbury, daughter of Thompson Kilbury. She was born in Canaan township, but was reared in Jerome township, in Union county, where she attended the public schools. This union has been blest with four children, Clayton I., Ida, Dale and Glen B. Clayton I. attended the college at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is master of the lodge at West Mansfield, Ohio, where he follows auctioneering. Ida Powell is a graduate of the elocution department at Ada, Ohio, and became the wife of Joseph Zimmerman, of Union county. Dale Powell attended the law school at Cincinnati, Ohio, for one year, and later entered the Bliss Business College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated. He is a member of Urania Lodge No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons. He lives at home. Glen B. Powell, who is directing his attention to agriculture, raised an acre of corn which took the premium in the township contest in 1914, giving him a trip to Washington, D. C. He is at home, and unmarried.

Mr. Powell is unassuming in his manner, and is a whole-souled, generous Christian. who never allows anyone needing assistance, to go from his door unaided. Mrs. Powell is as kind as her husband, and is a regular member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their fine farm, known as "Oak Lawn Farm," consists of one hundred and twenty-three acres, and is located five miles southwest of Plain City, Ohio.

The venerable James Hamilton, a farmer and carpenter of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, is a native-born son of old Ireland, who, although he came to America three-quarters of a century ago, has never been naturalized and has never voted in this country. He has lived to rear a large family of children to lives of usefulness and honor, and he, himself, reflects great credit upon the community where he lives.

James Hamilton was born in Middletown, Armagh county, Ireland, June 11, 1829, and came to America some time -before the Civil War. His father had died when he was an infant, and his mother had married a second time. Mr. Hamilton first landed in Canada and there he learned the carpenter's trade, coming to the United States later with his master in this trade. He stopped in Champaign county, Ohio, at Mechanicsburg, but after remaining there a short time, he came on to Madison county, 'where he began taking contracts, and where he soon prospered in the carpenter business.

After having worked at his trade for several years, James Hamilton was married on May 23, 1849, to Lois Converse, the granddaughter of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, who was an early settler on Darby plains south of Plain City, Ohio. Mrs. Hamilton is a daughter of Jeremiah, Jr., and Melinda (Derby) Converse, the former of whom was born in Vermont. They grew up together and after their marriage, came to Madison county, Ohio. He died at the age of seventy-nine, and his wife at the age of forty-two, after having reared a large family of children, as follow: Cyrus D., Rhoda, Erastus, Elias, Zelotus, Jeremiah, Lemuel, Melinda, Lois, Rosanna and Samantha, all of whom are deceased, except Lois, now Mrs. James Hamilton. Jeremiah Hamilton was a physician and surgeon in Plain City during his lifetime, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Mrs. Hamilton had little opportunity for an education in her youth, having to assist with the work in the home,

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have made all that they have in the world through their own efforts. After their marriage they lived in Liverpool for a time, where Mr.

Hamilton worked at his trade. Later they located on Darby Plains, and still later they purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the corporation of Plain City. Mr. Hamilton has always been a lover of good horses and is an expert judge of' these animals. He and his wife are the parents of six children. Charles A. married Nellie Brigg, of San Francisco, California, and is in the mining business in old Mexico. He has a ranch twelve miles wide and twenty miles long. He sold a mine for one and onehalf million dollars, and still owns several mines in Mexico, where he lives at Oaxaca. George is a farmer. He married Carrie Channels, and they live at Plain City, Ohio. Homer is a railroad man and farmer, living in Idaho. Albert is a contractor, a resident of Sacramento City, California. Isabelle is the wife of Douglas Sherwood, of Plain City. Daisy is the wife of William Noteman, of Union county, Ohio.

Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Presbyterian church at Plain City. Mr. Hamilton is in sympathy with the Democratic party, but as stated before has never voted in the United States, never having taken out naturalization papers. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are old residents of this county and among its most highly respected citizens.

Grant Cross

Grant Cross, farmer, Canaan township, Madison county, was born on November 22, 1864, in Wood county, West Virginia, and is a son of Solomon H. and Nancy Jane (Flynn) Cross. At the age of sixteen years he moved with his parents from West Virginia to Missouri, and while still single he came to Ohio where he was employed by Monroe Bidwell for two years, when he was married and began farming for himself on a rented place. After six years spent on a rented place he bought his present farm, which is situated due north of West Jefferson. When he came to Ohio, he was absolutely without a cent of money, and is now the owner of one hundred and nine acres of good land, than which there can be found none better in the state of Ohio. Mr. Cross is a stanch Republican. and has shown his public spirit by serving as trustee for a period of nine years, and has also been road supervisor and constable. His interests have been divided between general farming and the raising of purebred stock.

Solomon H. Cross. father of Grant Cross, was born in West Virginia, as was also his wife, Nancy Jane (Flynn) Cross. They both died in Missouri, near Sedalia.' Their children were eleven in number, nine of whom are living in 1915: John A., Mary, Amanda, Grant, Frank L., Katherine, Harrison, Nancy Jane, Cora, Tennie and Albert. Mary married Moses Markley; Amanda became the wife of Daniel Meredith; Frank L., lives in Mississippi; Katherine is the wife of Eli Hammond; Harrison is deceased ; Nancy Jane married John Pennecott; Cora became the wife of John Knoache; Tennie married Allen Mosby. "These children. with the exception of one, all grew up and resided in Missouri.

Grant Cross was united in marriage, August 15, 1888, with Louie Streator, daughter of Henry and Eliza Streator. She was born on April 10, 1870, in Jefferson township. This union has been blest with six children: Harry is a resident of Canaan township; Roy is with his father; Frank follows farming; Ida is the wife of Clarence Chamberlain, of Kiousville; William H. is attending school and lives at home; Mary Etta is at home.

Jacob L. Peterman

The subject of this biographical sketch is a product of Madison county, and has always prided himself upon remaining loyal to the place of his birth, with which he has been well pleased, knowing there were opportunitiés to be found here to amply fill all the requirements necessary for the achievement of a successful career, if he made the attempt to find them. His success in the agricultural world and his fine farm tell a story of their own as to how his efforts have been directed.

Jacob L. Peterson, farmer, Plain City, Madison county, Ohio, was born on April 12, 1863, in Jefferson township, of the same county in which he now resides, and is a son of Jacob and Matilda (Crego) Peterman. 'He was reared on a farm in Jefferson township, and was educated at the district schools. At the age of twenty years he began farming for himself, renting at first, and later bought thirty-six acres, to which he continued to add until he is now the owner of one hundred acres of good farm land, situated seven miles south of Plain City, Ohio. Mr. Peterman has put valuable improvements on his place, including a goed, modern house, which was built in 1914. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Big Darby Baptist church.

Jacob Peterman, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Madison county, where he was united in marriage with Matilda Crego. Mr. Peterman has always followed farming, and he and his wife reside in Clark county, Ohio. To this union were born three children, all living in 1915: Jacob L.; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Lloyd, and lives in Madison county; Thomas J., who is married and lives in Jefferson township.

Jacob L. Peterman was united in marriage, October 11, 1888, with Amanda Harris, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris. She was born on June 2, 1861, in Canaan township, and was educated in the public schools of district No. 3. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterman has been born one son, Isaac H., born on November 27, 1899. He is a graduate of the public schools and the Plain City high school, after which he taught school in district No. 3, where his mother had attended school. He is now a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio.

Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris, parents of Mrs. Jacob L. Peterman, were natives of Madison county and Franklin county, respectively. Mrs. Harris died on September 15, 1915, at the age of eighty-three years. :

Mr. and Mrs. Peterman are the proprietors of the farm known as "Sunny Brook Farm," consisting of one hundred acres, where they reside and enjoy the friendship of many warm friends.

William T. Hooper

The gentleman whose name introduces the following biographical sketch, is one whose worth is of the highest character as a straightforward business man, and his consideration of his friends and neighbors. is always a matter of high praise by all who know him. Mr. Hooper owns a fine farm in Canaan township, Madison county.

William T. Hooper, farmer, Canaan township, Madison county, was born on July 17, 1868, in Allen county, Ohio, and is a son of Philip C., and Mary (Palmer) Hooper. He was reared in Allen county, where he attended the district schools during the winter months, and assisted with the farm work during the summer. When he was twentytwo years old he began the vocation of an agriculturist on his own responsibility, dividing his attention between farming and his work in the oil field, but later devoted his entire efforts to agriculture. Mr. Hooper has given his support to the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in local politics. He is a member of the Big Darby Baptist church, and belongs to the Franklin Protective Association. At the time of his marriage Mr. Hooper rented a farm for six years, during which time he saved enough to buy his present farm of one hundred and ten acres in Canaan township, where he now lives, all of which he has earned by his own efforts.

Philip C. Hooper, father of William T., was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and his wife, Mary (Palmer) Hooper, is a native of Union county, Ohio. . They are now living as retired farmers at Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio. This union has been blest with five children, all living in 1915: John, who owns and operates a Saw-mill at West Cairo, Ohio; Samuel, a merchant of Lima, Ohio; James, a farmer in Union county, Ohio; William T.; and Margaret, who married a Mr. Fisher.

William T. Hooper was united in marriage, December 25, 1892, with Cora Harris, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk) Harris. She was born on August 8, 1870, in Canaan township, Madison county, where she was reared and received her education, attending the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper are the parents of five children, as follow: Jay is in the automobile business at West Jefferson; Ethel; Leona is single, as is Vivian, and Nellie who are at home.

Isaac and Rebecca (Lisk). Harris, parents of Cora (Harris) Hooper, were natives of Franklin county, Ohio. They lived in Canaan township, Madison county, the greater part of their married life. Mr. Harris was a farmer, but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the parents of the following children: Elsie, Amanda, Flora (deceased), Ada, Cora and Thomas (deceased). Mrs. Harris died in September, 1915.

Mr. Hooper enjoys the confidence and respect of the community in which he resides, where he and his wife are interested in every measure to promote the general welfare.

Raymond Harbage

The achieved success of Raymond R. Harbage, whose history is briefly outlined m the following sketch, is an illustration of the fact that the man with the college edueation is not necessarily a failure when it comes to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Harbage can point with pride to his accomplishments.

Raymond R. Harbage, farmer, West Jefferson, Ohio, was born on November 24, 1889, in Jefferson tewnship, Madison county, and is a son of Charles and Jennie B. (Roberts) Harbage. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and attended the public schools and later went to the West Jefferson high school, after which he became a student at the Ohio State University. Mr. Harbage devotes his time to general farming and stock-raising, principally cattle and hogs, which he sends away each yearby the carload. He is a stanch Republican, and believes in furthering the interests of his township in every possible way. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jefferson, Ohio. His fraternal alliance is with Madison Lodge No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons.

Charles Harbage, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the East pike in Jefferson township, and died in December, 1911. His wife, Jennie B. (Roberts) Harbage, is still living in Jefferson township. Charles Harbage was a son of Owen Harbage. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harbage were born five ehildren: Robert S., a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, is now a farmer in Deer Creek township ; 'Raymond R., a twin of Robert S.; Iva M., who is a high school graduate, is married to Carl Marsh, of Marysville, Ohio; Homer V., a high school graduate, is single and lives at home; and Percival, who also graduated from high school and is at home unmarried.

Owen Harbage, the paternal grandfather, was a native of England, and came to the United States at the age of thirteen years, settling at West Jefferson, Ohio, where he was employed as a farm hand at fifty cents a day, but, through his thrifty and industrious habits, soon became prosperous, and is still living at West Jefferson, where he owns a large tract of valuable land. He was united in marriage with Minerva Arnett, by whom he had seven children, Addie, Clara, Anna, Charles, Vynul, Arnett and Benjamin. Mr. Harbage is president of the Farmers' Bank at West Jefferson, Ohio, where he made the most of his money at farming and cattle-raising. His wife is deceased.

Raymond R. Harbage was united in marriage, November 1, 1911, with Irma O. Bidwell, daughter of Monroe Bidwell. She was born in Madison county, and was educated in the publjc schools, graduating fromthe London high school. Mr. and Mrs. Harbage began their married life on a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Canaan township.

Lawrence C. Engelsperger

When the great national road was being constructed through this part of the state nearly one hundred years ago not a few of the men engaged in the work of pushing that monumental task to completion were so well pleased with the prospect then presented in Madison county that they remained here, becoming permanent residents, founding families whose members in the third and fourth generation now are included among the most prominent and influential citizens of the county. Among these workmen who stopped off here was a steady, sober, earnest-minded and industrious German immigrant, Lawrence Fngelsperger. who decided to put in his lot with that of the. energetic pioneers who at that time were so vigorously engaged in establishing a sound social order in Madison county. Locating at the village of West Jefferson, in the eastern section of the county, Lawrence Engelsperger became one of the strong factors in the development of that town and there he reared his family; his children and his children's children having since then done well their respective parts in this community.

The elder Lawrence Engelsperger was a native of Germany, who came to America in the days of his young manhood and located at Columbus, Ohio. He was a baker by trade and in Ohio's capital city readily found employment. There he met Magdaline Hosess, a German girl, who also had come to America seeking to better her station, and the two were married. When the construction gang reached Columbus, Lawrence Engelsperger joined the workers on the national road, working on the road during the days and baking for the construction crew during the nights. When the force reached West Jefferson he gave up this employment and settled in the village, spending the rest of his life there. That was in the year 1832, and ever since the Engelsperger family has been worthily represented in this county. Lawrence Engelsperger and his wife, Magdaline Hosess, were the parents of nine children. three of whom are still living, those besides the immediate subject of this sketch, being Mary, widow of Charles G. Hood, of Columbus, this state, and Mintie, the wife of Magee Gains. of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Lawrence C. Engelsperger, son of Lawrence and Magdaline (Hosess) Engelsperger, was born in the village of West Jefferson, Madison county. Ohio, on June 16, 1839, and has lived there all his life, during this long period having been a witness of the wonderful material development which has marked the progress of the community since that far-away date. He received such educational advantages as- were offered in the village school during the period of his boyhood and was trained in the trade of shoemaker, in which he became very proficient, Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Lawrence C, Engelsperger enlisted, on September 5, 1861, in Company A, Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served valiantly as a soldier of the

'MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. 685 Union for three years and one month, the larger part of this service having been performed in the Army of the Cumberland, under General Sherman. At the close of the war, Mr. Engelsperger returned to West Jefferson and resumed his work at the shoemaker's bench, faithfully and successfully following this trade until the time of his retirement from the active pursuits of. industry, in 1906, during all this time being faithful in all his relations in life, a good citizen and a fine neighbor, earning and preserving the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen.

On October 26, 1871, Lawrence C. Engelsperger was united in marriage to Nora L. Boyle, a native of Ireland, and to this union six children were born, five of whom are still living, namely: Mary, now living in her father's home; Bernard, unmarried, also living under the parental roof; Katie, wife of John Timmons, of Springfield, Ohio; Jacob, a mail carrier, living in West Jefferson, this county, and William, secretary of the local telephone company at West Jefferson.

Lawrence C. Engelsperger is a Democrat and for years took an active ae in local politics. For two terms he served his home village as corporation clerk and also had served the township as constable. For years he was active in the work of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, but since his retirement has given less attention to the larger affairs of life, being content to take things easy, enjoying the rewards of his long and busy career. He has hosts of friends in the West Jefferson neighborhood, all of whom hold him in the highest regard.

Thomas W. Stalbird

The subject of this sketch has made good use of his advantages thus far in his agricultural career. Mr. Stalbird is still a young man, and with the knowledge already gained, he bids fair to become a notable factor in the community in which he resides. His progressive work in stock breeding is bringing him to the front ranks, and his splendid line of horses and eattle is attracting the attention of many of the older dealers.

Thomas W. Stalbird, farmer and stock breeder, London, Monroe township, Madison eounty, Ohio, was born on May 30, 1882, and is a son of John and Irene (Carpenter) Stalbird. He was reared in Monroe township and there attended the district schools, in the village of Resaca, giving his attention to his studies during the winter months and assisting with the farm work during the summer, until he was twenty-one years of age, when his father presented him with a team of horses. He then rented a farm and began the vocation of a farmer on his own responsibility. Mr. Stalbird has become the owner of the farm of forty-three acres, which is located in Darby township, about three miles southwest of Plain City. Mr. Stalbird rents his forty-three acres out and farms three hundred and thirty acres which he rents and lives on part of this, dividing his attention between general farming and stock raising. He owns a fine standard-bred trotting mare and colt, as well as a purebred Percheron mare and colt, and a herd of registered Jersey cattle. His place is one of the noted farms in the county, and shows the care of a master hand. Mr. Stalbird is a stanch Republican, and has not allowed his home interests to lessen his interest in the welfare of his township. He has shown his public spirit by serving as township assessor, and officiating as a member of the board of education.

John Stalbird, father of Thomas W., was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Irene (Carpenter) Stalbird, was born in Canaan township, Madison county, and has always lived in that neighborhood. The paternal grandfather is M. D. Stalbird, who follows farming in Monroe township, and also officiates as trustee of that territory. Thomas W. Stalbird was united in marriage, March 9, 1904, with Bessie M. Finley, daughter of Scott and Jennie (Heath) Finley. She was born in Monroe township, and was educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Stalbird played together as children and attended the same school. They have one adopted daughter, Lula M., who was born on June 8, 1910.

Mr. Stalbird is a thoroughly up-to-date business farmer, and is building a reputation worthy of serving as an example for all ambitious young agriculturists.

William H. Keller

"Hickory Grove Farm," situated two and one-half miles south of the village of West Jefferson, on the Jefferson and Lilly Chapel pike, in Jefferson township, this county, is one of the best-appointed places in that vicinity and its proprietor is regarded as one of the most substantial men in that neighborhood, a man who enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community.

William H. Keller, proprietor of "Hickory Grove Farm," was born on a farm in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, on September 29, 1860, son of George and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Keller, the former of whom was the son of Peter Keller, who came to this county from Maryland with his family when George Keller was a boy, and located on a farm on the national road, near Glade run, where he spent the rest of his life. George Keller grew to manhood on this Glade run farm and after his marriage rented farms in Madison and Franklin counties, in his later years buying a farm of ninety-nine and thirty-five hundredths acres in Jefferson township, where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on April 8, 1908, she surviving until January 2, 1913. Upon the death of his father, William H. Keller bought the various interests of the other heirs in the home farm and has lived there ever since. He is unmarried and makes his home with his farm assistant and the latter's wife, who occupy the old Keller home.

To George and Eliza (Vitzgerald) Keller were born five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Ida C., who married Cornelius Recob, of Springfield, Ohio; William H., the subject of this sketch; E. E. J., a farmer of Logan county, this state, and Mary, who married John Grasley, a farmer living near West Jefferson, this county.

William H. Keller is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of the county, though not an especially vigorous party worker. He is a _ progressive farmer and is rated as a substantial citizen, one who ever has the best interests of the community at heart, giving his earnest support to all local movements looking to the general betterment of conditions hereabout, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors.

Meritte D. Stalbird

Having nothing of the speculator in his make up, Mr. Stalbird has achieved his business success through a methodical routine of business effort. He made up his mind at an early day to make sure of a comfortable living, and has the satisfaction of knowing he has been successful.

Meritte D. Stalbird, farmer and trustee of Monroe township, Madison county, was born on June 25, 1877, in Canaan township, and is a son of John and Irene (Carpenter) Stalbird. He was reared on the home farm, and attended the public schools of Canaan and Monroe townships, remaining under the parental roof until he was past twentyone years of age, when he began farming for himself, renting at first, after which he bought thirty-three and one-third acres at Resaca, Ohio. Mr. Stalbird gives his support to the Republican party, taking an active part in local politics, and serving as one of the trustees of Monroe township. He has made all he owns entirely through his own efforts.

John Stalbird, father of Meritte D., was born in the state of New York, and moved with his parents to Pennsylvania, and thence to Madison county, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Irene Carpenter, a sister of Burr E. Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Stalbird are residents of Canaan township, and are the parents of two children, Meritte D., and Thomas W., a prosperous farmer of Monroe township.