Miami County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 10 of 23)

|^ngs begun, and little^ cabins1 do^^to^f*^ had been made and several i Uof Jear' Jacob Ulleiy purch^ed thl L.^r8^ With ,ife and ""inwtioa mt lT lV " until the spring Si qu,after of Sect''°" 30, but

With his company he began as soon as practicable the erection of a blockhouse, as headquarters, military defense and protection to the settlers within reach. This block-house stood a few rods west of the Pan-Handle depot, in Covington, also about thirty rods north of Wayne's camp, or breastworks of brush and logs thrown up in 1794, and christened " Fort Rowdy."

We believe Capt. B. and his company - we say company because in those days epaulets did not mean absolute authority as now - assumed to call their works " Fort Buchanan." Lieut. Col. Holt, under whose orders Capt B. was act ing, knowing that the point selected for the block-house was on or near the spot selected by that old Indian fighter, " Mad Anthony," and through deference to the old veteran, ignored Fort B. and, June 18, officially addressed Capt B. as follows :

This address, however faithfully the orders were obeyed, was neither accepted nor relished by Capt. B. and his command as a proper appellation for the important post, in the erection of which they had so faithfully labored. In addition to this, they had not encroached upon the ground occupied by Wayne, and therefore had no desire to be known to posterity as rowdies. Therefore, when the report was made out in due form and returned to Col. Holt, he learned that he was commanding Fort Buchanan instead of Rowdy ; and in his next communication he accepts the name in part, but addresses Capt B. at " Buchanan Block-House." ignoring the dignified name of fort. Following this is an order dated at Greenville, July 20, 1812, from Col. Holt, transmitting an order from the Governor through Gen. Munger, dismissing all the men stationed on the frontiers west of the Miami toward the Wabash, including Capt Nesbit's and Capt. Vancleve's companies, ements Of the Indiana romiinui their aerviees. Intelligence 18 naoasn, including Uapt JNesbit s and Capt. Vancieves coiny*^ unless hostile movements of the Indians required their services. Intelligence is also conveyed in the order that the Great Council with the Indians is postponed until the 15th of August, 1812, and requiring Capt. B. to notify his company to rendezvous at Troy on the 13th, join the other companies, march to Piqua and there remain until the council is over. They are enjoined to be punctual, and attend the council fully equipped at Troy by 10 o'clock.

r u r date of this order we have no further intimation of the occupancy of Buchanan's block-house as a military post, although it was used by the families rnits vimnity as a place of refuge during emergencies. The line of defense was extended further west in Darke County ; consequently, no further record of interest occurs m regard to this post, after the following from Col. John Johnston, Indian agent at Upper Piqua, viz. : That certain hostile Indians 'had been seen in the vicunty of Fort Recovery, which intelligence had been communicated to him DucJheqyet' a French interpreter and trader. The same notice requested iW&i tu86?* ,a detail of men to Upper Piqua to protect certain public property 8 care» which he considered exposed to capture and destruction , m the field was dead ripe, and the detail to serve two pur- P1?1^ and reap his wheat. The records do not show whether frrnished on this occasion, but tradition says that a part of the performed hv : _ ... J with the

Daniel Wright's, who lived just west of Miami and south of Wright street, near a spring that flowed from the bluff at the termination of the latter street

Elijah Reagan built the first house on the lot now owned by H. E. Routson, west of his stable. Michael Ingle built a double log cabin where the elegant mansion of H. E. Routson now stands ; his son John built a hewed-log cabin on the northwest corner of Main and Wright streets. A small log house was built on the southeast comer of Main and Wright streets, and on the opposite comer some one built a two story hewed-log house, but it never was covered, and remained uninhabited until it rotted down.

Noah Hanks built a small frame for a storeroom on the comer of High and Wright streets, where Routson & Son's store is, which was the first frame building in the township, and in it Hanks kept the first store in the township. At the end of ten years, after the platting and survey of this town, it had but three families living in it, two vacant houses ; one house, Daniel Wright's, had been burnt, and twelve years elapsed after the town was laid out before a new house was built In 1828, Singer and Hilliard, of Piqua, built a frame yet standing - the oldest in the place - for a storeroom.

In 1815 or 1816, Jacob Ullery erected a saw-mill at the mouth of Greenville Creek, which was the first utilizing of water in propelling machinery in the townsihp. With his saw-mill he began preparing material for a grist-mill.

In April, 1816 or 1817, occurred a destructive tornado, seeming to arise in the elearing of Daniel Bums, one mile northeast of Covington, now H. Hickmans farm, unroofing his stable. Entering the timber from the northeast, it leveled the heavy forest, piling the trees upon each other in all directions, along a track abrnn eighty rods in width. Where the land is not cleared, its path can be easily traced at the present, by the beautifhl growth of young timber. Shortly after Ullery got the saw-mill in running order, an enterprising settler, Noah Davenport, and his brotherin-law, Wagner, purchased a few acres at the mouth of Harrison's Creek, and erected a rival saw-mill, and near it a very primitive grist-mill. The shaft was a hickory log with the bark on, and the stones were made of bowlders dressed into shape. The mill was used for grinding corn, had a good run of custom, and was the first in the township, and commanded patronage within a radius of from six to nine miles. From some unknown cause it ceased operations, and when seen in 1826, both saw and grist mill were abandoned, and the ruins lay bleaching in the sun, and the stream had resumed its original channel, unmindful of the days when it rippled by the old mill. As near as can be ascertained, Benjamin Lehman purchased Jacob Ullery's mill property in the fall of 1818, and immediately began the erection of a substantial frame building for a flouring-mill, which he put into active operation about 1820. It is said that Lehman paid $4,000 for the Ullery property, built a grist-mill, and, in 1822, sold to John Brumbaugh, the mills and all the land west of the river, for $3,500.

Brumbaugh increased the capacity, which made it one of the best mills in the county, and of inestimable benefit to the ever-increasing population for many miles around, as it was located in the Upper Stillwater Valley, with no other for miles north of it. For years it stood without a rival. During Lehman's occupancy *5 property, previous to this, a wool-carding machine had been erected on tto tul-race of the mill, the remains of which may still be seen just below the f1 thu Covington Mills. It capnot be ascertained who were the »^n3?t?r\aolWe do £now that one RUey operated it at one time, and sub- ' 0ne Thomas Bolle*, Of Piqua, who added a foiling machine, h^daof daylLwa? hi8hly essential, when the wheel and the loom, m the

S With lard, possum erea*> orXl^ /neQda ,n.the old settlements; well of «i| .i educational window and this the -° ' *° re.nder i' semi-transparent - this The^ Th^68' Terri^r 18 0,6 P,°neer sohoolhouse of the £% terms of teaching in the neighborhood as a teacher or ~tboo« opportunity, up to 1824, when a hewed-log ^schoolhous* , was Jtmfit ground deeded by Moses Jlitchell to Newberry T°wn8hip, f other purposes. This house was a step in advance, although it, too, "" papM windows. William Dowler, who located in the neighborhood m lg » the first teacher in this house and for some years subsequent -ong[?men.

the first teacher in the village of Newberry, Covington, in » house previ J ^ tioned, built for a dwelling by John Ingle. Date of this term . ^

Perry and James Hanks are spoken of as having taught in the quently. We would here remark, by way of explanation, that, wmie existed under the name of Newberry, it never had a schoolhouse. Seeded for a school lot, but the official who held the deed never had it reooMeo, ^ course of time moved away, taking it with him ; the lot was taxed, same, and never redeemed. Porrv anci his

Dowler and David Ross. A large majority of these peraons were perso J by men now living, to be men of good and influential standing, but n had what would now be termed a liberal common-school education.

Thompson the first Constable, but when they held office, tradition inform us. It was since 1816, however, because Perry did not become until that date. hing were

Tradition also informs us that both Newberry and Newton lowns organized under the former name, and, when the population increasea, was organized separately, and Newberry retained the original name. ^

She has four times represented Miami County in the Ohio Amos Perry, in 1832; Washington N. Weston, in 1844; Col. J. C. uue^, 1870-71, and the same in 1876-77. One of her citizens has her

Recorder's office. Two terms of County Commissioners have been filled i borders, and the present Clerk of the Court is one of her native citizens. ^ In the late war of the rebellion, her sons gave themselves freely to Frv the Union.

Dunkard *. - The Dunkards, or, as they now style themselves, Oermau toste, were the first to take the field in proclaiming the Gospel. It can Imjaiy wit^tondmg they held meetings under the leadership of Michael Etter, a of Newton Township, at the time of the organization of the Upper Stall' wa gregataon, as early as 1818.

the river Hi - ^ooiy was, that some pxWi - Slaving, up to that time, lain the drift anri^ k!f ^en bating freshet as som^n^f thrown it into the society. The building was finished in 1844, and used by both organizations for a number of years, until the Cumberlands sold out to the Methodists and built for themselves.

Summing up, we have the following places of worship in Newberiy : Dunkards, 2 ; Christians, 3 ; Cumberland Presbyterians, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; Baptists, 2 ; Lutherans, 3 ; German- Reformed, 2 ; Union, 1 ; Methodists, 1 ; total, 16. Six of these are in the village of Covington, three in Bradford, two in North Clayton, the others in the country.

R0Ad8 And Bridges

There are but few things that add more to the general comfort and convenience of a community than good roads, or an easy method of social and commercial intercommunication.

Some time previous to 1 81 6, the exact date we cannot ascertain, a road was established and, , we presume, cut out through Newberry. The Piqua & Greenville was located, perhaps some years later, crossing the northern ^part of the township from east to west. The Troy & Greenville, crossing the town plat on Wright street, was still later. In 1826, however, these roads were not yet all opened through the forest ; now they are either all covered by free pikes or vacated in favor of pikes constructed on more eligible localities near by.

In 1836, a project was set on foot to connect Springfield with Greenville by constructing a pike between the two places, passing through Troy and Covington. A company was formed, stock taken, the State subscribing perhaps half. In 1837, the clearing and grubbing were commenced, and perhaps some grading in Newberry, which was the first actual work on turnpikes in the township.

In 1838, the capitalists and business men of Dayton, seeing the importance of holding the rapidly increasing trade of the Stillwater Valley, which they had heretofore enjoyed,* and foreseeing the danger of its being diverted to points along the MiRmi Canal, then just completed to Piqua, organized the Dayton & Covington Turnpike Company, secured the necessary stock and began the work of construction in 1839.

a a lar8e prospective trade from the rich farm products w l water Valley and Darke County, and, forming a company, bridged the six mues of black swamp lying between the Miami and Stillwater with the old Covington pike.

* Covington pike was completed between the two places, making Newuerry e first in the county having two turnpikes terminating within her borders, northed weltniPlke center' and giving it a .daily mail and stage route to the ten y^TvThe feL^ T?' T,hese road8 have all been paid for within the last that are crossed bv th<^ m?g alon^ the respective lines, The different streams be properly termed ?pet 8P?nned by twenty-three structures that may

' former are common w^68' ?°t deluding small bridges and culverts. Six of the and not many years hen^° bndges > eiSht or nine are late improved iron bridges y yeare hence every road will be graveled and every stream spanned

-d Company at first nmmwS present, Postmaster of Bradford. The Bail ^^the number to twenfylfo^ ^dlL^ afterward inoo^ wWch would givTCfJ^ if ?, Pfebahilriy that the entire circle

At present, Bradford does considerable business, principally or to a large extent with the railroad and its employes, but there are a number of firms who do a considerable business with farmers living in the vicinity. Among the most prominent business houses and men on the east side or in Miami County we would mention : Fink & Bro^, general merchandise ; W. H. Sowers, Postmaster and stationer ; Solomon Urbansky ; J. M. Little & Co., drugs ; E. Baker & Co., grocery ; E. B. Maurer, grocer, and Henry Klinger, agricultural implements.

The corporation is a unit ; that is, there are not two sets of civil offices, and there is but the one post office. Moore was Postmaster in 1869 ; then W. H. Sowers held the office, which was then removed to the East Side, where it has since remained. The first Mayor of Bradford was Peter H. Smith ; Clerk, Ed Davidson ; Marshal, George Doll The present officers of Bradford are J. A. W. Smith, Mayor j M. J. Williamson, Clerk ; H. W. Smith, Marshal ; and the members of the Council are D. J. Smith, John Gettz, and Messrs. Beck, Kinney and J. M. Fink.

There are four church edifices in Bradford - three in Miami County, and one in Darke County. The first church building was put up in Miami County by the Baptists in 1870, who organized a society that year. Their first preacher was Northrop, from New Madison. Their first regular pastor was a young man named the present Pastor, Matthews. Next in Miami County the u Reform Church " erected a church. Among their first Pastors were John Stuck and Mr. Gough ; thmr present Pastor is J. E. Dingledine. After them came the Methodists, who buu their church in 1872, which is also in Miami County. Their first preacher was Bradley ; then Pilcher, Staley, Powel, Oldfield, and Matthews, the present Pastor. The Cumberland Presbyterians have a society, organized on- June 3, 1876, by Jame$ Best, assisted by H. D. Onyett. Previous to this, they had had occasional services by F. G. Black and H. D. Onyett, of Covington. Their present Pastor is James Best, and they rent the Reform Church, where they hold service one-half the tone. The Catholics erected a church in 1875, in the Darke County portion, and their first services were held by Father Shelhamer. They have no resident priest.

spent in various pursuits - after whi?if Pprtlon of <*e time ; the remainder was located in Fletcher, Brown Townah* ch?nge or .two was made, and about 1869

1197; when 8 years of awe 'hewdth^'* ' WaS born in Mason Co., Ky., Peb 10 Ohio, settling ten miles souths nlV'8 pare"te emigrated to Montgomery Co Pke, where they lived and died^heftSh onTwhat U now the Dsyton 7nd Lebanon whoTl *6 mother to her6MVear thev Jeref'ah Allen- to the 82d year of his Minin' 'n are now living our subiect ha'^ "Ti1"6 ^ Parents °I twelve children, of Bm £°- and bought his nr^t br1Dg th« se«>nd ; in 1830, he emigrated to Jmw Township; fo^sTe paW ITGo IS ^ 80Uth,West quarter oTSea l, ££ p^7,re8'ded i «>e farm '"T thereon, where he for K-0USe? 00 horseback or ; the mai1 at that time was carried past regia'® and his neighbors he made an°rm« 40 the inconvenience of mail facilities dence, which was mnted an?* aPP1,cation to have an office established at his mst one of its kind in Brown' TW^f3 & f eat accommodation, this office being the of Lena was laid out and a^aM h h'P ' he he'dlt for 8everal years until the village oH)bsve u moved to a more r,,.kr bu.31neS9 established, when he of course was willing office took its name *thiw^M, ba iiP °?8' which was done - in honor °f Mr. Allen the 1 > . Allen has passed through the frontier and pioneer life of Miami Co. In November, 1821, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, he monied Miss Hannah Beckhom, who was bom in New Jersey April 11, 1803 ; by this union they had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Mrs. Allen's death occunm ^ Jan. 31, 1875. Mr. Allen now resides with his son, A. J., who was born May 17, and June 3, 1873, married Miss Nora Brecount, who was bom in this county Jan. 23, 1847 ; they have one son, Edward H., bora June 15, 1874. _

R. B. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fletcher ; son of John and Nancy Anderson ; was bora in Bucks Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1825. John Anderson died in 1826. Our subject being left fatherless when almost an infant, tie was placed in the care of his grandfather, David Anderson, upon whom the du y® volved of raising him ; in 1829, he with his grand-parents emigrated to Ohio, ting in Warren Co.; and the following winter they pressed onward to Miami -» there David Anderson entered a large tract of land, of which 80 acres was en for R. B., which is his present farm in Sec. 15, Brown Township ; heremained wim David Anderson until 1843, at which time he took a trip East to see his mo e , whom he had not seen since 1829 ; there he devoted his time to his mother s society for a few weeks, when he returned and soon after engaged in coopering in W arre Co. ; farming was taken in connection with his trade, which was followed in >> arre and Montgomery Cos., Ohio, until 1851, when he settled on his farm ; here he as since resided and made great changes in the general appearance of the same ; no there are 70 acres under cultivation. Aug. 27, 1850, he married Miss Man Dickensheets, who was bora in Bellbrook, Greene Co., Ohio, in 1826 ; they by union have five children, of whom three are now living, viz. : Clara B, born Ju 17, 1851, now Mrs. M. Kemp Emma E., Dec. 15, 1852, now Mrs. G. Fnling ; ana A. Caroline, Aug. 14, 1854, now Mrs. Joseph Cyphers. The deceased are Char R., died Aug. 3, 1858, and Fannie C., bora Dec. 3, 1858, died Aug. 4, 1879.

WILLIAM G. APPLEGETT, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1826, and is a son of W. H. Applegett. who was born in Kentucky about the close of the eighteenth century ; received a limited education an followed carpentering for a number of years ; emigrated to Hamilton Co , Dm , about 1817. Three years later, married Miss Atlantic Goff, who was born at tape May, N. J.; after marriage, resided chiefly in this county, where she died cholera about 1834 ; he afterward went to Tennessee, where he died about lo* - They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, of whom - Applegett is the oldest ; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and recei'_ a limited education ; after his majority, he entered upon the trade of carpentry, which he followed twenty-five years ; in 1868, he bought a farm in Sec. 8, Town, Range 12, and the next year located on it. In 1851, he married Miss H. vlT 1 they have eight children viz. : Sarah M., deceased ; Mary H., John W., Melissa -> Arthur E., Charles, . Clara E. and Kate. Mrs. Applegett was bora in Champa-iS® Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1834, and is a daughter of Benjamin B. and Mary (Graham) Davis.

J. B. BEAMER, M. D., Fletcher. Of the medical profession of the village of Fletcher, who has established a reputation as a thorough-read man in the science of medicine, is Dr. Beamer, who is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio ; when but a boy of 4 years, his father (being also a physician) located in Fletcher, an was favorably known for nearly thirty years, under whom J. B. read ; in the Wn year of his age, he commenced the practice of his profession in Fletcher ; two years later, he entered the United States Army as a private volunteer of Co. L, 71st O. V. I ; soon after the organization of the company, he was appointed as Sergeant ; he entered service, and remained ten months, when he was discharged, haying received a wound in the right lower limb by a cannon ball, at tee battle of Shiloh ; he was disabled from active duty in his profession for a period of eighteen months, when he again started in the practice of medicine, which he has succeMfuliy followed ; in the year of 1867, he graduated from the Philadelphia Medical University ; the Doctor is now well situated in the south part of Fletcher, where he has a fine little floral garden which he takes particular pride in caring

Biographical 8Ketches

BRECOUNT Sc SONS, grain dealers, Conover. During the summer of 1855, S. G. Breoount and brother cleared away the unbroken forest, where the viUage Conover is now located, and erected a warehouse on the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, which is now known as the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Un^ Railroad, a through line from east to west The structure and (»pam£ of tue building was based upon the expected patronage of the ene^etic f^cre of » surrounding vicinity. On Oct 11, of the same fkll, they purchaaed their of grain ta John Wolcott, Jr. S. G. Brecount Sc Bro earned on their busmen with some inconvenience and pecuniary disadvantages for a few years, liberal patronage. Their partnership continued until 1858, when S. U. retired from its duties and turned it to his son, A. L. Brecount (the being J. D. Sc A. L. Brecount). During this partnership, gmdual were made in the manner of handling grain. In 1859 or I860, the third »

J. C. White, engaged in the business, forming the firm of Breoount They also opened the first store in Conover, stocking it with general mere . '

This firm transacted business until 1861 or 1862, when a third change w® and the business was managed by J. D. Breoount alone until 1864, w e - Doup, with the above, formed the firm of Brecount A Doup, which lastwl o y only, after which J. D. Breoount transacted the business alone until lba* , ing this time the grain had been weighed on small scales in the house, last date, G. W. Brecount formed the firm of Brecount A Son, andlarge r a change took place by E. A. Brecount forming the firm of Brecount & lft77 the past all the grain was handled in the original building. In the fail o » their corn-house was erected, with a capacity sufficient to store 8,000 bus advantages for loading on the side track are such that a car has been loaaeu^ small space of ten minutes. In the summer of 1879, they remodeled tne structure, erected in 1855. To this extra facilities were added to those pre J connected with the building, and the following winter an office and 8C8~" , were fitted up. They are now well situated and are doing a business seco none in the township. The first yearly shipments of the firm were small compa those of 1879, which were 525,000 bushels of wheat; corn, 33,500; oats, 27,0 flax, 2,500. J. D. Brecount has, during the past transactions, held the 1< eadi mgpw tion of the firm. He now entrusts the business, principally, to the jumor"® of the firm, who are intelligent, bright and thorough-going young men. l J. making an excellent reputation as good business men. J. D. Breoount w in Hamilton Co., Ohio, April 16, 1827, and is a son of John and Sarah (Wi Brecount. In childhood, with their parents, they emigrated from New Je j Ohio on fiat-boats, locating where now the limits of Cincinnati extend. **ere. ^ Brecount, when a lad of 14 years of age, engaged in blacksmithing, serving apprentice until he was 21, when his trade was completed. He k1*. at this business during life ; he was otherwise variously engaged, Pa8v\® through the pioneer days of Hamilton Co., sharing many of the difficulties nected with the war of 1812, of which he was a participant ; in 1837, he and . became residents of Champaign Co., where John and Sarah remained until m feeble state of health, they came to Miami Co. to receive the care of their ch > where they both passed away. Their children were twelve in number, of wno three are now living ; J. D., the only son, was brought up to agricultural purs » and, m his early life, had limited school privileges ; he came to Miami Co. same year the grain business was opened ; locating, with his brother, where village is now built ; at that time it was all in the woods ; there he has since m and seen many changes, and his finances have much improved. Outside of grun busmens, he owns 170 acres in Sec. 12, Brown Township, Miami Co .whicBi under good cultivation and is well improved. March 27, 1849, he married Bstner i8J6> ^J'ham H. Brelsford married <wTh t ^Ptember, 1868. In the fall of they had two children - SLTi^rd^LZS? i7®?®? who waa bom >" Indiana in 1855 mg a common education: in 1840 heZm?? brought "p to farm life, receiv- . carpentering. Jan. ft 1846 he iv £ M,ami °°' wbere he engaged in FhM °V3' 1825 ; they hid was born in Co, he married Nancy Stableton^Lh ^ the 8.urv,TOra, returned to Kentucky, where Wren to North cKu£ Z°Wa8a Dative of M"7Ia»d 5 when but a chil^ shl which trade he followed fl^ f P^"'to > a* the age of 22, he began coopering, Present farm in Sec 7 Tonmo^^o 'i> n 1842, be o*"1® to Miami Co, located on his he erected his tile 2' B®noe 12, where he has since resided ; in 1872, ®" at*nual income of'Sifao nnf8*®^'" ?P«rating the same, which has produced g®r> who was bom in w $2,000. March 20, 1842, he married Miss S. B. Munuomm Warren Co, Ohio, July 3, 1823; they have had twelve

Biographical Sketches

JAMES CARTER, retired farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1813, and is a son of James Carter, Sr., who was bom m New Jersey. During the war of independence, and when but 5 years of age, he came with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he matured, and married Sarah Freel, a native of that State ; they emigrated to Ohio, passing through where Cincinnati now stands, when it consisted of three log cabins. They onward, pressed to Warren Co., where they entered 100 acres of land, four miles north of Lebanon ; here they settled in the wilds, and at once began to open out a farm, which was done in a reasonable time ; there they died, after having passed through the pioneer days of Warren Co., he in 1832 and she in 1827 ; their children were eleven in number, of which all grew to maturity ; the above family have possessed an extraordinary degree of health, and boast of never having a physician called to their assistance, not even in the illness of their father, as his disease waswhat they regarded as incurable (consumption) ; the family all possess a medium degree of health. James was brought up to farm labor, and obtained a common education ; in 1839, he emigrated to Miami Co., purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 6, Brown Township ; this he has since improved and cultivated, and now is one of the finest farms in Brown Township. James Carter, in 1834, united in matrimony with Catherine Williams ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1816 ; they have trod the path of connubial life for nearly half a century, and are the parents of nine children, of whom one, Jasper, was lost in battling for his country, in 1864 ; the remaining eight are now living, viz., William S., Maria, Joel, Eunice A., Cerelda, George, Jeannette and Charles G.

G. B. CAVEN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born March 18, 1828, on the farm he now owns in Sec. 31 ; he is a son of John A. Caven, one of the early settlers of this county, who was bora in Rockbridge Co., Va., in 1789, where he grew to manhood, and in 1811, emigrated to Miami Co.; he entered the farm now owned by George B., which was in a very wild state. In 1821, he married Elizabeth Scott, who was bora in Mason Co., Ky., in 1801 ; they both lived and died in this township. The grandparents of George B. were of Irish birth, and died in Spring Creek Township, she about 1828-30, their son following in 1838. G. B. remained at home and nobly assisted to clear and improve the farm ; received as good an education as could be obtained in his boyhood days. In 1849, he began life for himself, and has since by habits of industry and good management bought and hired lands, until he now owns 250 acres of fine land in this county, of which 160 lie in and above said section, whereon he has erected good, sub* stantial farm buildings. His attention for the past few years has been partially directed to the culture of bees. Oct 14, 1852, his marriage with Catherine Simmons was celebrated ; she was born in this county, in 1829 ; their children were five in number, of whom all are now living, viz.: Alice, now Mrs. W. Hill ; John F.; Melissa J., now Mjs. R. C. Morrow ; Mary E., now Mrs. G. W. Sanders ; and Ruth I. Mrs. Caven is a descendant of the Simmons family, whose biography will appear in some other part of this volume.

J. H. CODDINGTON, fanner and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover ; was born on Ms present farm Sept. 6, 1849, and is a son of David Coddington, who was bom m k1 1818, and in 1847, came to Miami Co., settling on °e<V Brown Township ; two years later, he purchased 80 acres of land, improved and cultivated the same until his death, wMch occurred in the fall of 1860, leavlng a wife and four children to mourn Ms loss : Ms widow, Mary (Hill) Codding' k°ra in Hamilton Co., OMo, February, 1832 ; she married Thomas Roberts ; they now reside in her native county. Our subject was raised to the , e, ° * former b son, and obtained a common-school education ; since 1873r he has been gradually purchasing the shares of the home farm, of wMch he now oIS8 & *£? moth?r'8 interest> and is engaged in cultivating his property. Sept. 5, 1867, Ms marriage was celebrated with Jane Morris, who was bom junior. Their children are 1877. Mrs. Coddington is a darter I"&5' '!\3 ;"d &, M^chT nahves of Hamilton Co., Ohio, and were the nRr»ntLy r 'a Morris' who were both eight are now living. tile - Paren^ of nine children, of whom

»«*» the above busies/ he h^ for ** pa8' 8« years ; in heket and express office, being alsoa teWn^ ""d tmana8ement of the St? iP0-' 0hl0' in 184b. where he operator ; he was born in to the profession of teaching, Jrtdch he^fon^t'T durmg ife 1188 been directed M«um Cos.; since 1874, he h^ been *{", yearS in Clarb- Greene and

"^"^ Hary Proudflhe was^ix veai^hi^ m.Warren Co - where he, in 1824,' mne children, of whom six on « ^jears his junior; they were the parents of m Monroe Township Miami rvf' 8 ^ "CSamuel Coppock, who was bom "Jicken8taff; she was' born in ®ept- 23> 181 i I ln 1839, he married Delany children were the fruits Jf thi -Moi^roe township, Miami Co., July 29, 1822 ; six fj^ed ; Mrs. Delanv cJ- ' - t -ani0!1' °f whom all are now living and are now 'hey are now both^bSd* *? ada"gbter of Jacob and Mary (Crall) Blickenftoemed a medium ednLt\^' i J'r^' C°i>I?,ck w»s brought up to form labor and he engaged in the crain^fl " ' be. followed farming until the spring of 1872, when j®79 i at this ame^L^toPi1? ^lppecafoe> where he remained untU July 1, company with his Fletcher and engaged in his present business, in business) have fitted their building for a fiouring-mill. an enterprise that Fletcher and the surrounding vicinity has long needed ; Coppock & Bro. are thoroughgoing young men, and only time is needed to establish a trade in their business. Sept. 25, 1873, J. W. married Miss Mary C. Heiker ; she was bom in this county Feb. 17, 1853 ; they have had two children, viz., Blanche, deceased, and Ira D., now living : Mrs. Coppock is a daughter of William and Anna (Keller) Heikes.

ISAIAH D. COUNTS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Conover. He was bom in Bourbon Co., Ky., Nov. 3, 1815, and is a son of Elijah Counts, who was bom in Virginia in 1787, and was of German and Welsh parentage ; Elijah was brought upon the farm, and, in his earlier years, learned the harness and saddler's trade, whicn he followed until 1818. He married Margaret Wiley, of South Carolina, and, soon after their marriage, they emigrated to Kentucky, where they remained until loiy > they again removed and settled in Staunton Township, Miami Co., where he entered a farm of 80 acres near Cass town ; there they remained, clearing up their arm, until 1863, when they sold out and settled in Fletcher, where Margaret died Sep 2 of the same year ; Elijah spent his remaining years in various places until Aug. 29, 1879, when he, too, passed away ; they had twelve children, of w"^"slx1^re now living, our subject being the third son ; he shared all- the pioneer difficulties of Staunton Township, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up the farm. The generations of the nineteenth century can look back over the pages of tins history and see what their ancestors have passed through. In 1836, Isaiah began life for himself, and his time has chiefly been devoted to farming since ; in lobb, he moved from Staunton Township to what is now his farm of 120 acres, in Sec. 13, Brown Township ; this he rented one year and then bought an adjoining farm, where he remained until 1865, when he bought and located where he now is; tne above property has been accumulated by the energy and industry of himself ^ ana family. Nov. 12, 1843, he married Letitia Wilson, who was bora April 13, lo- ', and died Dec. 29, *851, leaving her husband with three children. Isaiah, Sept. , 1855, married Elsie Anna Ayers. The children of I. D- Counts are L. F., y. - and J. W., now deceased. L. F., in the late rebellion, seeing the need of defen * ing his native country, enlisted in Company E, 110th O. V. I., where he participated in two severe engagements and others of minor importance ; after serving three years, he was mustered out of service and returned home uninjured.

W. S. COX, practical physician ; Allen's P. O. Dr. Cox was bora in hos Creek Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1828, and is a son of George box, who was born in Virginia near the close of the eighteenth century. Early in * the nineteenth century, he with his parents emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton Co. About 1824, he married Elizabeth Shotwell, she being a native of Clermon Co., Ohio, and ten years his junior ; they in 1826 emigrated to Miami bo. ana located on Sec. 4, Lost Creek Township, where they spent many years. In the of 1862, the death of George Cox occurred, from injuries received from a runaway team of horses ; his wife survived until 1873, when she, too, passed away ; their children were ten ip number, of whom all reached maturity, and seven are now i mg, viz. : John S., now a druggist in Ogden, 111.; S. W., also a druggist in Bement ; Van B., now a farmer in Champaign Co., Ohio ; Paul V., now a resident of Fletcne , Elmira C., now Mrs. James Bradley ; Caroline, now Mrs. Samuel Davis, of Fairmount, 111. W . S. being the oldest, was raised on the farm and assisted in perform mg the labor connected therewith ; early in life he received an education sufflcien for teaching, which occupation he followed several terms. During this time, © began the study of medicine, and in 1852, graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute ; in September of the same year, located in Plattsville, Shelby Co., Ohio, ana began the practice of medicine, building up a good practice, and, as a young practitioner, was much liked ; here he remained until April, 1858, when he saw fi in Jr IJ§e- ^L1®Joca^i°n to that of his present one, where he has since resided, hav- £! r!wmiue of **** twenty-two years, and is the oldest physician of vaninnnM The Doctor 18 located a short distance north of Lena, with all the conveniences necessary, and at present is in possession of 100 acres of land in Secs. 1 whom five are now living, viz.: Ariminte OJ^Im ^ US s" children, of h °ZJSTa- A- J- Brantner, of IIUnoia R r'^ n Mr& ^2"° Wolcott; Amanda Edward S. and George S. Mrs Cox to » £ y',"?W Mrs. Joseph Johnson ; children were seven in mn.w T ?f h>s age, and she in her 66th year. Their o? 'be farm, and Becur^Twmmon^1" ^ "ow.livinS- John W. was raised his majority, he engaged in h00 education m his native county; after

Co- is J^LDror wb^lTer :-P' S' Fletcber. Another of the pioneers of Miami William and ^"cks Co., Penn., in 1809, and is a son of years of age, durimr Duer' J A' waa raised to farm life until 17 engaged in the blacksmiih hu- PuTured a common education. In 1826, he emigrated West, first ^L ^®' w£',ch he 5?mpleted in 1830 ; the same spring he - of 1830 he came to MinS-*^ m Wanren Co., Ohio, as a journeyman ; in the fall Township, w£" £ **"»" Co., and bought 80 acres of land in Sei. 8, Brown PjoneerB might pf n. .UP a 8^°P m the wilds, to do such smithing as the his trade until thp -vear8' looted in Fletcher, and continued Township, andX.S88® °f Present farm of 160 acres in Sec. 13, Brown °f a century - fmm fk ^ wor^e<^ ftt his trade in Montgomeiy Co., Ohio, a quarter farm - ^ f ^me thence to 1874, his entire time was devoted to the lias made many changes. In 1833, married Sarah Fryback, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1814 ; ten children have been born to them, of whom five sons are living, viz., George W., William A., John, Elias F. and James T. Mr. and Mrs. Duer have been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church of Fletcher for nearly twoscore 3rears.

WILLIAM H. DUER, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was bom in Bucks Co., Penn., July 15, 1836, and is a son of George S. Duer, whose name can be seen under the sketch of Joseph S. Duer ; received a common education, and was brought up to farm labors ; after coming West he continued at home, and assisted in all the duties connected with farm life until his majority, after which, he entered the path of life for himself, and by diligence and forethought, financially progressed until 1866 ; he then purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 14, Brown Township, where he is well situated. Upon November, 1859, his marriage with Susannah Moore was celebrated ; she was a daughter of William Moore, who was bom September, 1831, and died in 1874, leaving husband and two children, viz., Mary S., born Nov. 16, 1860, and James L., bora Oct. 3, 1866. Mr. Duer married, for his second companion, Sarah E. Worthington, March, 1876 ; they have one son, George F., bom Oct. 18, 1877.

JOSEPH S. DUER, farmer ; P. 0. Conover; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Sept. 9, 1838, and is a son of George S., who was bora in Pennsylvania Oct 1, 1796, and was raised on a farm. About 1823, he married Sarah Titus, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was bora in 1804 ; they were the parents of two children, of whom one died in infant^ ; the mother, in 1829, was called away , George S. afterward married, for his second wife, Mary Slack, who was a native of Pennsylvania ; they, in 1852, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., where her decease occurred Dec. 12, 1876 ; three children were bora to them, of whom Joseph S. is the youngest ; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a common education. Sept. 9, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th I. V. I., to defend his country ; while in the service he participated in one severe battle ; was mustered out of service Sept. 9, 1864, and returned home, where he again engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation. He has since his majority been elected to and filled the office of Township Trustee. Upon Nov. 12, 1867, his marriage with Jane N. White was celebrated ; she was bom in Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1845 ; their children are four in number, of whom all are now living, viz-, Claire R., George O., Anna M. and Charlie S. ; the parents of Mrs. Duer, George and Mary J. (Anderson) White, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1831, and removed to Miami Co. in 1851, where their decease occurred, his in 1869 and Mrs. White's in 1878.

T. P. DUNCAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of John Duncan, who was bom in Ireland Aug. 16, 1797, and received a medium educatoon under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church ; in 1817, he emigrated to New Brunswick where, Aug. 18, 1819, he married Deborah Knoop ; she was born 5,f.w Brunswick March 22, 1796 ; in 1822, they emigrated to Ohio, and settled m Elizabeth Tnwnahin _i al J ,.r j r, they then m 1832, and waa brought up to agricultural pursuits ; his education lTl47th n v V**001 course- In the rebellion of 1861, he enlisted in Coferm nm,,';!' Il,to.d®f®nd bis native country. After his return, he continued bis moc 14'.1®54> he married Abigail Branson, who was bom in tins fi2n6llf6' aaddled March 19, 1876Tleaving four children ; four had y P ous to her death. T. P. married for his second wife Mary E.

brothers Md sisters, of whom seven are no^r .vo M'chael is one of twelve was raised to agricultural pursuit ? "?' of which he >3 the oldest : he to" oh W>rat6d *" Greene Co., Ohio where thetT'hllJh W'fe °{ 2*"° ' their marriage ®bll*en were bom to them 'a 4 u ^ paS8ed the stage of life; Greene Co., June 22 iqih , . » Andrew being the fifth one * he war hnm bss been his entj oSu^ti^P^ng h,I"?elf for the Prof««ion of teaching; this cf Fletcher, where he has ^h»ri ?ear8 ' be is now located in the village

"-. Myrtle C., deceased C1.!^J brated in 1867 ; the issue of the union are Effie "host Creek Sipl!? ^ea8e^' ,and Wilber S. ; Mrs. Earhart was bom (Sayers^Weatherhead niP' M C° ' and 18 a daughter of James and Elinore

Co!ohK^^^ Mr- Frazier was bom in Montbe came to this countv and !mit; Whj1^ he was brought UP to farm labor ; in 1828, be received a m^emte Sne^?tmnelfarm Pureuite «ntil 1836 ; in the mean time h^!' whi.ch he continu^nn^o^0418.36^7- be engaged in the carpenter's and property, of about $5,000 ; Mr. Frazier, since his majority, has held the most prominent offices of Brown Township. Aug. 29, 1841, he married Rhoda V. Brecount, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, and is two years his junior ; their children are four in number, of whom all are living, viz., Sarah P., Solomon (j., Anna A. and Franklin B., of whom all, save the youngest, are now married. The father of J. N., Benjamin Frazier, was bom in Burlington Co., N. J., about 1788, where he was brought up to the blacksmith's trade, which was his chief occupation during life. During the war of 1812, he married Beulah Norcross, who was a native of New Jersey, and six years his junior ; in 1814, they emigrated to Ohio, and located in Centerville, Washington Township, Montgomery Co., where they remained a number of years ; they afterward removed to Shelby Co., Ohio, where they died, Mr. Frazier at the age of 70 years, and Mrs. Frazier attaining 88 years ; eight children were bom to them, of whom all are now living ; seven are married and have families.

S. G. FRAZIER, general merchant, Allen's, was bora in Fletcher, Brown Township, Miami Co., Jan. 20, 1847 ; he is the junior member of the firm of Colvin & Frazier, and spent his earlier days on the farm, receiving a common education ;m the vear 1867 or' 1868, he began life for himself, and has- been variously engaged until entering upon his present business, which is described in the sketch of J. r. Colvin. Mr. Frazier's marriage with Belle Robinson was celebrated Aug. 20, 1878 ;

D. W. GEARHART, farmer ; P. O. Fletcher ; is a son of Daniel and Mary (Baty) Gearhart, now both deceased ; the children of this union were eight in number, of whom six are now living. D. W. was bom in Miami Co., Ohio, Sept 8, 1837, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and obtained a limited education , Shortly before the late rebellion, he started in life for himself by engaging infant ing in various places, being only five years out of this county, in Shelby Co., Ohio , in 1875, he purchased a part of his present farm of 76 acres, in Sec. 36, and, tne following year, added to it the remainder ; his farm is well located and has good improvements. The marriage of D. W. Gearhart and Mary A. Deweese was celebrated in December, 1859 ; she was a native of Miami Co. ; they lived together twelve years, when death seized her and separated them ; they had three children, one of whom, Thomas, preceded his mother to the silent tomb ; two are now liv ing, viz., James and Iska. Mr. Gearhart married, for his second wife, Melissa Sim mons, who was bom in 1839, on the farm now owned by D. W. ; one child has been bom to them - Laura A. Gearhart.

WILLIAM L. GRAHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; Allen's P. 0. ; was born m Brown Township, Miami Co., July 19, 1834, and is a son of William Grah»®> Sr. ; he was bom in Bucks Co., Penn., May 7, 1802, where he received a limited education, and worked on the farm with his father until 16 years of age, when he engaged in blacksmithing ; this he followed twenty years ; Feb. 17, 1825, he marned Clementina Middleton, who was bora in New Jersey in 1804 ; they, in l®d , emigrated to Ohio and settled in Miami, where the village of Lena is now located } ttiere he set up a blacksmith shop, but, soon after, he bought a farm in Sec. l, Brown Township, on which he moved in 1840, felling the timber and clearing toe and ; he reduced the land to a good degree of cultivation, and continued farming ^Tny ' t^an* 21> 1875, he passed from the stage of life, leaving *W1 ® SKf fi^®children to mourn his loss, and share his estate, which consisted of al*>u of land. William L. is the oldest child and! only son ; he was jo n -tr6. him b.V W* father, where he has erected good farm buua- APril 12, 1855, he married Lucinda M. Merritt ; she was ^ArtW^11^' uhlo'LNov' 28' 1831 ; they, by this union, hate three children, March 9> 18B9' died Oct . 3, 1861 ; Clara E. and Ella M*, bom and emiorntAri ^re* Graham were both natives of Pennsylvam ,

Wharton, both natives of Pennsylvania aujfbt®r of Samuel and Deborah (Davis) nineteenth centur^to^td^TnWa^n1*1^^' and emi«rated West , ^*1855, at the age of 69 year. i nF »-, M^e? Do., Ohio, where Samuel died and is a son of BmS^&ni,e^ F 0 Fletcher ; was bom Feb. 2 1823, ' where they married - in IRIS ^ancJ (Frizell) Hance, both natives of Kentucky

: P"*3' 1 u77 ' in the Primelf life he *^?,®ance >" 1866, he surviving until <ng many hardships ; they had font- ^"gb the war of 1812-15 endurmw decent Alfred w L raised L^rionto l*6 da"Sh'ere> of whom two are f uP?tl0n? remaining at home until 9a^nca^tura^ pursuits, and received a limited

E. B. HOWELL, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher; was bom in Hunterdon Co., N. J., May 20, 1816, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Biles) Howell, who were both natives of New Jersey ; Daniel was bom Jan. 4, 1781, and Hannah Sept. 25, 1773 ; their marriage was celebrated Dec. 13, 1814 ; Hannah passed away June 12, 1828, leaving two children ; the following fall Daniel and his family came West, locating in Montgomery Co., where he married Alice Cavender ; she was a native of that county ; in the fall of 1838 they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 14, Brown Township, where they both died - Alice in 1840, and Daniel in 1852. Our subject, when a boy in his native State, had the privilege of the common schools, which was no longer enjoyed after coming West From 1838, he was duly engaged in opening out the farm now owned by Joshua A. Duer, for which the compensation was the products for a limited number of }rears ; there he remained until 1843, when he engaged in farming rented land ; and various changes were made until he purchased his present farm of 30 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, where he located in the spring of 1853 ; in 1856, he left his farm and engaged in keeping a toll-gate on the Piqua and Urbana turnpike, which he held thirteen years ; at this time he emigrated West to Hancock Co., HI. ; not liking the country, he returned, in two and one-half years, and located on his farm, where he now resides. Dec. 3, 1846, he married Elizabeth Brelsford ; they are the parents of five children, of whom two died in early life, and three are now living, viz.; James A., George W. and Gilbert L., who has spent the last five years book-keeping in various places. He graduated at the Buckeye Business College, of Sandusky, Ohio, under Prof. Seele.

W. SCOTT JACKSON, farmer and stock-raiser; Allen's P. 0. ; was bom in Ocean Co., N. J., July 11, 1845. and is a son of Edwin Jackson, who was bom in Monmouth Co., N. J., April 26, 1790, and has, during life, been an industrious farmer. Soon after the war of 1812, he married Miss Irons, she was a native of N. J l in 1820, she died, leaving a husband and three children to mourn her loss. He (Edwin) married for his second wife Mary C. Wilbur, who was born five years previous to the death of his first wife ; five children have been born to them, of whom three are now living. Our subject labored on the farm to the age of 19 years ; during his earlier years, he attended school about eight months each year, thereby receiving a good education and a thorough knowledge of book-keeping ; in 1864, he engaged as book-keeper with Messrs. Covert & Tallman, wholesale commission merchants, of New York City, where he remained five years ; after this he was variously engaged until 1875, when he began farming on his present farm, located on Sec. 1, Brown Township. June 16, 1872, his marriage with Mrs. Almira Brecount was celebrated ; she was bom in Brown Township Dec. 6, 1837 ; she is a daughter of William, Sr., and Clementina Graham, whose biography will be seen Graham's memoir, in some part of this volume.

. LIS H. JOHNSON, carpenter and farmer, Conover ; was bom in Brown Township, Miami Co., Sept. 12, 1828, and is a son of Giles and Airy (Parson) Johnson, whose history will be seen under the sketch of H. P. Johnson, in some hi Jh work , The early days of our subject were spent in farm labor, and ms eoucation secured in common schools ; since his majority he has been engaged a anu- ha?'.by "dustry, accumulated a small farm of 25 acres in Sec.

' Jai^wOWn8lU^V^.lami where he is now situated ; he has, since 1849, done u_ . , eJJarpentenng, which occupation he is now engaged in. Dec. 25, 1855, Tohnarm ho of Isaac and Margaret Merritt. Mr. and Mrs.

Brown Town8Hip

children, of whom five are now living th£. of their union were eight to farm labor, and obtained such &Mn^r subject being the eldest, he was raised schools of pioneer days In 1840 Ha H^tl°r couId be secured in the public *ame year, his nuptXwero itb^^th R* ** 6n Jane 11 o? the in Miami Co., Ohlo.Octll ***-**«i P. 0. Fletcher; was bom Jones ; she is a native of New Teriot- d !? a i®°n °f Solomon and Mary (Tuley) bom to them four and Solomon of Shelby Co., Ky, thev had dfshH brought up to the dntieTof ' Charles is the eldest ; 4wtnct school ; in 1854 he ent^rod ' J1!? Question was procured in the

Wilderness, Winchester /cust GmveTilf'7'' Ttlf8 throu^h the battle8 of the *»ce; he served F?rd' ^ °there of le88 imPOrtfmce been farming and tL?<2'th' when he returned home He has now living ; Adam marriaH®^8?-^® m°iher of ten children, of whom seven are 0«v enbjSt was bom fe tr^erick^ MH*^? oo ®2Tal1' of Annapolis, Md. advantages of town and Ilir , ' JIdi' March 28> *832, where he had the when he was a boy of 14 hYmmm ®^s ik lfe- he aoqQired a liberal education ; ward necessimted him to forX h^h h® Pnnte^s.teade> which U1 health after- Jhw he followed but a short / ' he then engaged m the carpenter's trade, but C?-, and the following S ' °nly- In ,the fa" of 1852- he came to Miami 1853 he returned to Marvland WSS en8a®®^ *n teaching here ; in the spring of Cincinnati, Chicago & 8tY!onf«' °d® y®ST ^r' he 8tarted for California b" the where they travetai in nriw *' a"d Up the M,830"ri Biver to Independence, from at last reached and he ,L tk® couveyaace to the intended destination ; this was *t Prudent to reS t VT# 8ix>'ear8 " a *** miner ; not deeming November, of I860 he piLo'f the. Iar_ West, he returned to his native State. In of Dayton, Ohio Mr vf Ml.ami County and married Ann S. Doup, native iiicr. of wrh.'nL ' . .* lveUer bas, since his marriaire rlovnted aomA timo fmimi

K»er were/th^nativ/o^v- ' P- E1®tcher. Peter and Catherine (Young) where the village nf wiff a Vlr^ln!a> and immigrated to Ohio in 1806, and located of the ni^4AAnfKetC * no7Lls situated J they passed many days of the early Ohio, where thev wk centu!7 there, but in after years removed to Shelby Co., Isaac, was bom v* .P?88^ ^°m the stage of life. John Kiser, the father of nobly assisted in ,VlI?lnia» in aQd came with his parents to Ohio, where he and health wp» « away the forest and opening up a farm, which only time after which thev h!/6*1 v* ^"P^ete ; about 1809, he married Barbara Simmons, y Began life in the pioneer-time manner ; he was in the Tndimi struggle of 1812, under Capt Hilliard, and after his return settled down with his family ; they ever after their marriage were residents of Brown Township until their decease. Their children were ten in number, one of whom, Isaac, was born November, 1810, and raised on the farm, which was cultivated with comparatively rude implements ; school advantages in his boyhood days were very imperfect, therefore the education obtained was limited ; he has, since his majority, through his straightforward business habits, been elected to, and held, some of the most important offices of the township, which he has filled with benefit to the community where he lived ; he now resides in the west end of Fletcher on his farm, which is nicely located and well improved. In June, 1832, he married Sarah Luce, who was born in this county in June, 1813, and departed this life August, 1866 ; they were parents of six children, of whom two died in infancy, and four are now living. In April, 1867, Isaac K. married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Loiy, widow of Joseph Cory ; on 3 son has been bora to them, viz., Hamson N. Kiser.

ALBERT H. LANE, teacher, Fletcher ; is a grandson of Peter Lane, who was born in New Jersey, June 7, 1795, where he grew to maturity, and learned cabinet making. He was one of the patriots of the war of 1812, passing through many ot its privations for nearly two years. On conversing with him to-day, the scenes seem fresh in his memory, though in the 85th year of his age ; he came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and in 1835 removed to Miami Co. Albert H. is a son oi Charles H. and Elizabeth (Smalley) Lane. Their children are Mary A., Lucinda, Ada, Albert H., and John F. Our subject was born Oct. 24, 1857, was raised mostly to farm life, and enjoyed the advantages of the schoolroom most of his boyhood days ; his education has been improved at the Holbrook's National >lonna School, at Lebanon, Ohio ; in the summer of 1879, he commenced teaching, in wnic profession he is a promising young man. . D.,

JACOB LONG, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was bom in ria Township, Clark Co., Ohio, April 13, 1839, and is a son of Joseph Long, a native of Maryland, who married Miss Ollera Clyne ; she was a native of Ohio, now deceased ; Joseph still lives at the ripe old age of 77 years. Jacob was ral8(*v? farm labor, which has always been his occupation, and thereby has accumula some wealth ; he now resides on Sec. 5, Brown Township. In 1865, he Lettitia Clyne, who was bom in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., on July 23, 1»4UT and departed this life, Feb. 19, 1875, leaving a hnsband and three children, viz., Elizabeth A., bom Dec. 10, 1865, who, like her father before her, is a devoted member of the Baptist Church ; Roberta E., bora Feb. 24, 1873 ; and William Albert the second son, was born May 28, 1869. Of him we record the following interesting , facts on the pages of this history, that the future generations may look back over the same and read the history of the family. Even though he is what we ma^ term a dwarf, his height twenty -seven inches and weight twenty-seven pounds a the age of 11 years, he is of good human form, of pleasant countenance an appearance, playful and cheerful ; he is an ornament to the family, 1S kindly cared for by his step-mother. She was formerly Mrs. Frances Mathew , Whose marriage with Mr. Long was celecrated April 6, 1876. Mrs. Frances Long was bom in Miami Co., Ohio, March 27, 1836, and is a daughter of Nezer S. and Priscilla (Sayers) Yates. Nezer S. was born at Cape May, Nov. 20, 1801, and his wh* in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1807 ; their marriage was celebrated April 24, 182 5 their children were eleven in number ; she passed from the stage of life* May o t Mr. Yates married for his second wife, Pamilla Reed, who was bom Hj Ohio, Dec. 13, 1825, and died Dec. 6, 1864, he dying in 1874. The last named J®*® of ihe. Pioneers of Miami County. Nezer S. Yates' parents, Thomas ana Phebe (Smith) Yates, were also of the first settlers of this county. Mrs. Long, m her childhood days, received such education as could be obtained in that day an age ; she remained at home with her parents until March 24, 1853, when her marcelebrated with Rev. William Mathews : he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, m l»Z7 ; he was baptised under the auspices of the Baptist Church about 185U, and underwent the ordination for the work of the Christian ministry of the same at at his request, he wasSShf^^ 818ter8' and a lu8° circ^ of friends ; of which he Was a membZ ^fone^^"10"168 ofthe Maaoaic fraternity Thomas, of Piqua, whoTuow dec^ COnducted bJ D. E.' appropriate one: thefoneral of tt^Z* ' j 8ermon was an interesting and an hia relatives, members and friends TfoZ? nfi a^nded,!)y a lar8® concourse of best of men, peaceable loval .tJ"' TaUS ®®ded the earthly career of one of the children left are John, WiUiam C OiZam^ 'h i?® we^are of h" ««*- Of the bers of the church of their father moth' and w 1)0111 all are memgood education and is now enZ^.^h®1®1-' wd -h,e 1881 named bas received a Church. "g^ged m the ministerial profession of the Baptist whose decease occurred in 'i!^ h""l 8011 of WlUlam and Elizabeth McKee, tfves in IllinoiratX primTold^IfT1*^' "rS Co - h« fether - our! twelve children of whom nino a8f. ^ ^ears > they were the parents of was brought up to anricultuml J!® ,V"£' of whom Jeremiah is the fourth. He

«me previous to hTZfon^ E"ra",to ^ -re0eiTed * limited education ; a short followed many years in connection w^h*?®*1 m tb? brick-mason's trade, which he <fo, locating on Xt "s^ow^oL J" 1829> be emigrated to Miami service until De cemhpr^/ Pnvate under Capt John Logan, and remained in pity ; he has sinSthf^n J? i ^ 8ame year' when he was discharged in Jersey J20 acres, obtained ?anc* warrant 13,337 for 40 acres, and also 28,839 for

2. 13 l^they?fetft^tneo(f«^ WaS ^ in N.ew Jeree^ Jaa 7, 1791 ; June were needed to reaph wagon for Ohio, when time and perseverance they stopped for a de8tmatl0I1> which was Lebanon, Warren Co. ; there until April 181 Q wrh« !?me' an.^ ^en went to Middletown, where they remained Brown Townshin - loot? ®rai?rated to Miami Co., and entered land in Sec. 3, of four miles he his family and goods at his nearest neighbor's, a distance away the timhor looked up a suitable place to erect a hut, where he cleared they took DoaHoJotf^ ?. a lo^ cabin 18x20 ; this was finished in eight days ; hi one small waimn?' away their household goods, which were all comprised until thev nn.,!? « loa<1 » for a ^ew days their oooking was done by a large stump, fell the trees a their hut for such work ; they soon began to accessaries of life ° ^ a 8P°t on wbich to raise a few vegetables and other two neighbors .efj.taus they continued for several years, and at that time had but Hun a distance of two miles ; after many years' hard and toilsome - labor, they opened out a good farm. In 1824, there was a prospect of having a county road laid out, which would pass by Mr.' Manning's farm ; upon the hope of this, he erected a hewed-log house on the supposed line, which road was granted as soon as they could produce a sufficient number of petitioners ; the log house was said to be the second best in the territory of what is now Brown Township ; this was their residence until 1833. when Mr. Manning erected his present house (brick), on what is now the Lena Pike. Mr. and Mrs. Manning are the parents of seven children, viz., Parkhurst, Elsyanna, Isaac A., Johanna. Mary J., John C. and David ; of the above, three are now living. Mr. Manning has nobly assisted his children in acquiring property. Our subject and wife have trod the path of married life three score and two years, and now both enjoy good health. April 22, 1878, on looking from their window they beheld carriages, buggies, etc., concentrated at their gate, fiUed with friends and relatives from far and near ; all coming with baskets well filled ; this was for the sixtieth wedding day, but, owing to the bad weather in March, the celebration had been deferred until now ; the parties entered the house and the tables were soon spread with the many substantial viands and delicacies, which kind hands had brought ; when everything was in readiness, all surrounded the table and Rev. Lippincott offered appropriate thanks ; after which the repast was abundantly enjoyed, and the balance of the day was spent in social entertainment

DAVID C. MANNING, farmer ; P. O. Fletcher ; who was bom in brown Township, Miami Co. Ohio Feb. 3, 1835, is a son of Maj. Manning, whose biography will occupy a space in this enterprise. David was raised to farm labor, and also visited some friends who reside in Plainfield, N. J., after which he engaged in farming, and at present owns 774 acres, in Sec. 23, Brown Township, where he now resides and is weU situated. In 1856, he married Miss Caroline Throckmorton, who was bom in this township in 1838 ; they have two children, viz., George D. and Charlie E. ; Mrs. Manning is a daughter of George Throckmorton, whose sketch also appears in this volume.

DAVID 8. MANSON, retired farmer ; P. O. Fletcher ; was bora on the farm he now owns in Sec. 23, Brown Township, July 2, 1817 ; his father was bom m Pennsylvania, June 5, 1782, and emigrated to Ohio early in the nineteenth century , he was one of the patriots of the war of 1812 ; at the surrender of Gen. Hull he was taken prisoner by the Indians, who took him to Canada, where he afterward of a farm in Sec. 23 ; in 1816, his marriage occurred ; when David was but 10 years of age, his father died, and the care of the family devolved exclusively upon the mother, who now survives at the advanced age of 83. David S. was brought up on the farm in the pioneer days, when log huts were called houses, and rude og cabins were the only schoolhouses ;* the term of school was very much limited, as were the branches and modes of teaching. Mr. Manson is the oldest man liv- 2L? ^ to^8^P wbo has never made a permanent change in his place of reflizJJJPL' n ^.184t°' he married Bathsheba Robbins, who was bom in Mont- ^*U°' ***?-. 22> *821, and died April 24, 1845, leaving two children, of 26,1842 th ^ n°W 1Vlng' 7" > Phebe> bom March 26, 1841 ; William, bom Nov.

era - he ilfff If J?8"*' J®22. and is a son of David and Margaret (Williams) Math- Haiuton °f and f'9 wife of New York. They were married in

^grandparents of IsaTri^ i o JosePhlne have one child-Lawrence E. were both natives of Pennsylvania 8^fC, aud Margaret (Carter) Merritt, who married, and, in 1834 e"lgrated to Warren Co., Ohio, where they which he improved at home nntHnto Wln e"W«d the privilege of the schools, which he engaged at the i obtfm,n8 a hnowledge sufficient for teaching, in

T. S. MOORE, fanner and stock-raiser; P. 0. Allen'*; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 29, 1832, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in the memoir of J. M. Moore. T. S. was brought up to farm labor, and, receiving a limited education, remained at home until his majority : then he began life for himself, engaging in the carpenter's trade, which he followed six years ; he then tried farming in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., remaining there until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Miami Co. ; he purchased oO acres of land in Sec. 2, where he has since resided. His marriage with Miss Caroline H. Mathews was celebrated Oct. 26, 1855 ; she was born in this county m 1835 ; they have an adopted son - William C. (Mathews) Moore, a nephew of Mrs. Moore. Her parents, John and Ann M. Mathews, were both natives of New Jersey, bom early in the nineteenth century, and emigrated to this county, where they both died ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living.

JOHN W. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover; was bom m Dearborn Co., Ind., Feb. 18, 1830, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in this work. John, when about 6 months old, with his parents, emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, remaining there about two years ; in 1833, they removed to Miami Co., where they have since resided ; here John W. received a limited education, and assisted his father on the farm until 18 years of age, when he began the trade of a wheelwright ; he carried on business seven years in Lena ; then engaged in farming upon rented land six years ; in 1860, he bought 80 acres of good land in Sec. 8, where he has since resided, and is nicely situated for life, with comfortable buildings, adding by purchase 40 acres more in Sec. 1. Oct. 2o, 1853, he united in marriage with Hannah Howland, who was bom in Miami Co. Aug. 4, 1833 ; they have two children, viz., Albert H. and Faran I. Mrs. Moore is a daughter of Albert and Caroline Howland, whose genealogy will appear under M. Duncan's sketch in this work.

J. M. MOORE, farmer ; P. O. Allen's ; is a son of Isaac Moore, who was bom in Wooster Co., Md., July 18, 1804, where he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; in 1818, he, with his parents, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Dearborn Co., where the parents lived many years and died at an advanced age ; Isaac remained at home until 1825, when he came to Dayton, Ohio, working on the canal for several years. In January, 1829, he married Maty Watkins, of Montgomery Co., Ohio, born Dec. 15, 1811 ; in 1833, they emigrated to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 2, Brown Township, where he bought his Pr^e*\ farm and was duly engaged in cultivating it until 1868, since then living a retired life. His wife departed this life Aug. 28, 1878 ; they had eight children, of whom five are living. J. M. was bora on his father's present farm July 25, 1842 ; he was raised to farm labor, which he is still engaged in on the home farm ; in his younger days, he received a limited education. Feb. 9, 1864, his marriage with Frances A. Slack was celebrated, who was bom in Bucks Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1843 ; they have two children, of whom both are now living, viz., Charley and Clara.

TIMOTHY MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Howell Township, Monmouth Co., N. J., Feb. 22, 1799, and is a son of John and Mary (Longstreet) Morton, who were both natives of New Jersey ; they had eleven children, of whom Timothy is the only one now living ; John Morton was one of the patriots of the war of Independence, where he served a period of six months ; he and hi9 wife both died at advanced ages. Our subject was left very early in life to battle fw himself, and spent his boyhood days farming with various people until 16 years u ' Dien he commenced work in a manufactory of all kinds of cloth, which he followed until 1831 ; at this time, he emigrated to Ohio and bought his present mrm of 60 acres, in Sec. 11, Brown Township, Miami Co. ; this he has changed from its primeval state to a good degree of cultivation. Mr. Morton has held the office of Supervisor in Brown Township eight years, and feels interested in forwarding all public improvements. In New Jersey, in 1820, he married Mary w£° J*8 a native of that State, and died in Brown Township, Miami Co., m 1805 , by this union there were six children, of whom five are now living. IQ up on the farm and procured * .hls ®on> our subject, who was brought In 1857, he commenced in Hfe for^Sf hw* C°mm0U 8chools of Shelby Co. contmued until 1868, when he and hi^Ttil J fammg on rented land, which he ***. m Sec. 15, Brown TownsMp ' pur?*,eltWr P"5**1 farm of 105

1869, his marriage with PlAan^w cP' ®"ami > where they now reside. June 17 vania in 1849 aml etiiw^r Crated ! she was bom in Penney!' Sec. 15, Brown TownshWamfco the- t^1148 Whe" but a child- locating on and Mrs. Partington are thra Mus^m? * they now reside ; the children of Mr.

THOMAS J PENCE ftl^"oir LJoseph R and Charles Partington, ship, Miami Co., FebN 24' 1847 and Conove; 'waB born in Lost Cnfek Town! Pence ; James was a native of 1 r. , ?n of James T. and Nancy (Shidler) they had by this union sevtn children T°w"shlP> and Nancy of Pennsylvania ; was raised on the farm mb . ildren, all of whom are now living. Our subiect nected therewith, and in hiS fathe^ in the ^culfural duties Jonschools, where he obtained a f,?8 th« Privileges of the district of John and Elizabeth f (debased) and George W. Letitia is a daughter John died ; Elizabeth afWw^11 PownaJIj natives of Pennsylvania, where whose name is abovA m* Rerwapd came West, and died in Miami Co. Miles P., in 1851 ; was raised oifthA^88 *2 the 8ame. coun17 and State as his father, . jcg interest in its cultivaH^^^ir- bere be.now resides, and manifests an enterprise brated in 1871 * Tl H!S with Rboda A. Covault was cele- in the chemical compounds, where he remained until five years ago, when he located in the above village, and now is filling large demands for his medicine ; he has erected a complete laboratory, where he engages considerable assistance. The nuptials of G. H. Bundle and Amanda Hance were celebrated Nov. 3, 1874 ; she is a daughter of Alfred Hance, whose biography will be seen in this volume.

SAMUEL SAYERS, deceased, was bora in Staunton Township, Miami Co., in 1810 ; he was raised to the life of a farmer's son. In 1832, he married Jane Sims, who was bom in Virginia, in 1809; soon after their marriage they settled in Springcreek Township ; remaining there one year, they removed to Brown Township, locating on Sec. 35, which they cleared and greatly improved ; of the buildings we make particular mention ; they are large, commodious and the best fire proof secured buildings in the township of Brown. During his life Mr. Sayers purchased several farms, of which he was the owner when his decease occurred, May 29, 1877 ; during life he assisted each of his children, who were seven in number, to nearly $4,000 worth of real estate. His family are Martha J., the wife of John H. Mathers, in Mason Co., 111.; S. F., Francis D., now Mrs. James M. Moore, of Champaign Co., Ill; Margaret A., wife of Paul W. S. Pence ; Sarah E., now Mrs. Alexander M. Deweese ; Annette S., wife of James M. Caven, of Shelby Co., Ohio, and Harriette E., the widow of John R. McKinney. Mrs. Sayers is a daughter of James, Sr., and Margaret Sims, both natives of Virginia ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1830, locating on Sec. 35, Brown Township, where he accumulated con8^®^7 wealth, and passed from the stage of life in 1 862, Margaret, his daughter, preceding him seventeen years.

PETER SHANKS, retired farmer ; P. O. Fletcher. Peter Shanks was bom in what is now the incorporated city of Cincinnati, Aug. 15, 1795, and is a son o Joseph Shanks, who was bora in Delaware, and of German descent He married Mary Clawson, of Holland birth and Welch parentage; she emigrated to America in her youthful days, and the marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania abou the time of the war of independence ; they afterward came West as far as Hamilton Co., Ohio ; there they remained a few years ; they then located in Montgomery Co^Ohio, where Mary died, and was interred in the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery of Washington Township, and Joseph afterward went to Indiana, and died in He - aware Co., near Muncie, at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 9 days; the chiidren by the above marriage were ten in number, of whom Peter is the only one now living. He was raised to farm labor, in Montgomery Co. ; here he, when bu a boy of 17, entered the service of 1812, under Capt. Richard Sunderland and Maj. Pnce, and secondly he was under Capt Lemon, of Clark Co., Ohio ; they were at Detroit, Mich., when peace was declared ; Mr. Shanks is now one of three patriots of that war living in Brown Township. About 1817, he entered 160 acres of lana m Sec. 29, Brown Township, where he at once commenced to open out a farm from Uie unbroken forest, and erected a hewed-log house ; the roof was of shingles (wbicn in at day were a rarity) ; in this he spent many days ; at present he has his term well improved, but has diminished it to 80 acres, from the fact that he, during life, has nobly assisted his children. May 10, 1821, he married Leah C. Schenks, and the following August located on the above-described farm. Their children were dted 'n infancy, and four are now living; Mrs.

for tw»iv ^ H1 *aith °f the Baptist Church, of which she was a mem Martha T mOn* ,N'niteen ?eare later, Mr. Shanks married for his second wife fnTdiLiin(iWCarr) Nf vshe died April 27, 1861, leaving two children, of whom the other is now liying. Mr. S. has been a devoted member 1880 & ?a^8t Church> «iace 1827% which faith he firmly stand8 * Democrat at wh- eief.tlon of Gen- Jackson for President, he has been a dead

Peter was a devoted farmer in tho TOWU Pownsliip, where they lived and feted a good farm in Sec. 36 r* pi,°.neer day8> and during life accumu- Elizabeth Bowersox wan u f A ownship. About 1827, his marriage with 1802, and dhdTC SS£* 1*875 ^ 8 "8<?ve <* PeknsyivanKm in Ier® the parents of ten children of whom**?*** years Previous ; they

1852, and has, by hard labor anH 1 entered the path of life for himself in Secs. 3i and 36, which is welfi^n^^1^"1,! "umillaW I35 acres of land office of Township Trusted which omiTh^' ?e,5"® ?cently been elected to the teader, who was born to 5f ThoM8' In 1856> he married Phebia who was bom in ^nnsvlvkntl^' .^V0' ,Fletcher: is 8 800 of Jacob Simmons, with his parents to Ohio the firet* ^ d?fI.of eighteenth centuiy, and came "ear Dayton, Ohio whero rht -Vear .?f the nineteenth century ; they settled

°f this memoir is a finHS t ,h,£ h<| at 'be of 6I> ahe at 83. The subject of the ancestry will aone^ T t^Char1?8 Sl"mons, under whose sketch a history his boyhood days wereT^n^^88^"1 ln Brown Township, Jan. 25, 1825 ; thereby receiving a limited L ?e farn? In 8ummer, and in winter at school, remained his winter ^ education ; about 1843, he began teaching, which ferm labor; he has durinaPff0,K UDtllj1u62' and deyoted his attention mostly to oonsiderable DroDertv erg Vb^ B°°d business habits and industry, accumulated 83, Brown Towrwhin 'wh-'>?,ICb a,{x!rt,on is nearly a ftill quarter of land in Sec. various offices of the'i-o ,C^.'8 WC3! lmproved. He has been elected to, and held, hnrn in PeMsytt^^ 1848- he married Sarah Ey^, who was'

Township, October i -and tbrasller; ^ O. Conover; was born in Brown under the meLj \ ^ i8 ?; 80,1 of Geor^e Suber, whose biography will be on his Dresenf / °f W' ?* ®ub.er> in 801116 Part of this history. J. W. T. was self duties in an. obtained a common education; he entered upon acres in Sec « J,, k . has since bire(l bis interest in his present farm of 110 has as fine a PurcilasinE °f the other heirs until he now owns the Bill farm ; he taught bv his fofk011*?8 an7 thflt vicinity. Mr. Suber, when but a boy, was almost exclusive! ^ Prin.clPles of the thrashing machine ; he has devoted, y j the thrashing season to that occupation, which is one of the necessary features of ever}" well -tilled country ; in the fall of 1869, Mr. Suber thrashed 52,000 bushels of grain, and, on the same separator, hulled 600 bushels of clover seed in the winter of 1879-80 ; he has shown himself capable of following that line of business with credit to himself and benefit to his customers. Oct 20, 1864, he married Elizabeth Verdier, who was born in Green Township, Shelby Co., Ohio, Sept. 2, 1844 ; they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Lucinda J., Laura L., Edwin T., and Roy F., deceased.

W. D. SUBER, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 31, 1825. His father, George Suber, was also a native of Penns}rl vania, bom Nov. 12, 1796, and was of German descent ; he grew to manhood in his native State. March 1, 1821, he married Elizabeth H. Duer, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct 18, 1800, and was of Irish descent ; they immigrated to Ohio in 1829, locating temporarily near Dayton, Ohio ; in 1830, he entered the northwest quarter of Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., where they permanently located, and, taking it from its wilds, made it their future home, where he (Georgel passed away in September, 1860, and Elizabeth in August, 1872 ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. W. D. was brought up on the farm, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up a farm ; owing to the scarcity of school privileges that William had in his boyhood days, his education is limited ; in 1850, he started in the world to battle for himself as a farm laborer, with no means ; he continued working, and gradually laid by some of his earnings ; in 1853, he purchased 160 acres of prairie land in Illinois ; this he held until 1865, when he sold the same and purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 7, Brown Township, Miami Co., and has since bought 86 acres in Champaign Co. March 30, 1854, his marriage took place with Mary A. Caven, who was born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., Oct. 26, 1834 ; by this union they had five children - Sarah J> bom Feb. 28, 1855 ; James W., born March 27, 1857 ; John C., born Nov. 19, 1858 ; George W., born Sept. 9, 1870, and Orel M., bora July 21, 1877. Mrs. Suber is a daughter of John and Aseneth (Ross) Caven; they were, for many years, residents of Spring Creek Township, where Mr. Caven died in 1872. Mrs. Caven still survives.

1852, and lived on a farm until 16 years of age, receiving a limited education ; during the summers, from 1868 to 1871, he attended the Fairfield Union Academy, also a short course at the Ohio Wesleyan University ; in the winter of 1869-70, ® *11 school, in Fairfield Co., where he continued three winters , m the fall of 1875, he located in Shelby Co. and taught in Miami Co. ; in 1878, he removed to Lena, this county, where he has since resided. The marriage of John M. and Chloe Hutcher was celebrated in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1874; she M? 1 lin Co » Ohio> Feb- 8> 1855 ; one child - Maude, was born to them

May 19, 1876 ; died May 17, 1879. Mrs. Stith, in early youth, obtained a common education, and afterward improved the same at the Otterbein University, at 0hi°> and is "ow engaged in teaching, with her husband, in the comnftatl^0018 °f L3ena aad Conover> where they have held their positions for the ?n T lL° year\ and are engaged for the ensuing year. They have, since residing Brown VwlChha8e<1, their P»«* property, which consists of 8 ^cres in Sec. I, (iEOROF1Tuor>ntJ?.arter"8ection near Carrolton, Greene Co., 111.

cTw^l00?818*8 of the southeast qu^^of^lfn pureta8ed his Present ThroTt®6 he 18 now well situated and h«<. iqn 18, Brown Township, Miami nuockmorton was married April 21 Iftqrf f13*!-801^? under cultivation. Mr. native of Warren Co., Ohio and died in *r ' ^ M."® Sarah Lafferty, who was a

"ot were three in number viz^CatWi 0,8 children of John and Franck Van- Practieal physican in Rockford Winnfh! ^ne (now deceased), George W. (now a youngest. He was brought un ^R*)» aad our subject, who is the also a manufacturer of artificial izfj*' 19 a knowa sto"e and brick mason, bas been shown bv servteT S 8'on?' which *s made by a chemical process trad

Oo.Pcnn., May 17, 1807 -' whZh wa®on?aaker. Fletcher; was bom in Bucks £*ted West, locating1 in Warr^* ct X bUti.yearS of ^ his Parents emi- Ohio and in his boyhood ^ - ' Phl°- 0hver was raised in Warren Co.,

,f " the 8ame county where hi in » f b!8*rade> be opened out a shop for him- 1836, he concluded to hort t,me' bad a healthy patronage ; in champaign Co, Ohio Feb 22f«Su ,9tock-raiser; P. O. AUen's; was bora in White; George was ^834, and is a son of George and Maiy (Anderson) district schools - in Up 40 atfncu^ural pursuits, and was educated in the business, which 'remains! f8 8tarted in life for himself by engaging in the saw-miil tome he was favored wifk il?8 occuPa^on ^or fourteen or fifteen years, during which and many bills of lnmk n tile £®nera* patronage in the \icinity where he labored, ae purchased hi** er w®re fiiied ; soon after retiring from the milling business,

Miami Go., where he is now located, and has a farm second to none in the township, in quality of soil and in various improvements ; his farm is arranged so that stock can be watered in each field, either by spring or by the wind-engine, which he has erected over a well on the highest summit of the farm ; Mr. White take9 particular pride in keeping a good class of stock, as well as in keeping up and cultivating his farm, on a systematized plan ; on his farm is a young orchard, of five acres, of good selections of fruits of various kinds. He also takes an active part in all public interests of the county. Sept. 6, 1856, he married Lucinda McKinley, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 12, 1838 ; they have eight children, viz., William P., Samuel H., Rosa, Rhoda F., Clara M., Mollie, Nora and Grant J. W. WHITE, saw-milling, Conover ; J. W. White commenced business in 1870, by buying one-half interest of S. White, and in 1878, he purchased the other half of B. H. White; in the year of 1878, the boiler exploded, and he underwent a loss of about $1,200 ; Mr. White, being, an energetic man, soon had his mill in running order, and is doing first-class sawing, and has a liberal patronage. Our subject was bom in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 11, 1842, and is a son of George and Mary (Anderson) White. Mr. White was bora in New Jersey, Mrs. White in Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio about 1830, and settled in Champaign Co.; April 4, 1850, they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 3, Brown Township, where they both died - Mr. White Oct 3, 1862, and Mrs. White in 1878. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are now living. J. W. was brought up to farm labor and received a common education ; at the age of 21 he entered the path of life for himself, and has since financially progressed to the amount of his present property, which consists of a good house and lot of 8 acres, m Sec. 12, Brown Township, and as good a mill as can be found in the township. His marriage with Rebecca Hagerman was celebrated upon Sept. 16, 1863 ; she was a native of Ohio, bom in 1845, and died Dec. 3, 1868 ; they, by this union, had two children, viz., Mary J. and Lillie M. Mr. White married for his second wire Mrs. Jane Webb, a native of this county, who was a daughter of William and 9ovault' who were natives of Pennsylvania, n L* WOLCOTT, retired farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; is a son of John who8e history will be seen in the sketch of George L. Wolcott in some pa or this enterprise. Our subject was born in Warren Co., Ohio, May 18, 1819 ; was raised to farm labor in Brown Township, Miami Co., and obtained a common in after h18 majority, he followed carpentering for a period of twenty years ;

William ^ a ^ Brown Township, Nov. 27, 1866. They had five children, of whom John uhe0age0of 3 yeare> 7 months and 14 days ; four are now living, vm, cultivating it tk fann> an<* (as well as Jared) assisted their father in opening and books TW q a common-school education, and are now fond of

Township ; he is a son -March 15, 1823, on the farm he now owns in Sec. 5, Brown 1786, where he was raim** °^n ?' who was bora in New Jersey, March 6, emigrated to Ohio and H*»tfWia and reived a liberal education ; in 1807, he m0> and 8ettled Butler Co., remaining a few years, after which he removed to Warren Go., Ohio. He was one of the patriots of the struggle of 1812, under Capt Maltbie. In 1820, came to Miami Co., and in 1821 settled on the farm above stated. During life he was honored with the most prominent offices of the counties and townships in which he resided, which he filled with credit and honor to himself, and benefit to the community in which he labored. Early in the nineteenth century he married Sarah James, who was born in Berkeley Co., Va., July 26, 1786. Their children were seven in number, of whom, two died in early life, and five are now living. John Wolcott during life, by good business habits, industry and economy, accumulated considerable wealth. Dec. 19. 1866, he departed this life, having been a master wheel in the communities where he resided ; his wife survived him until July 18, 1879, when she, too, passed away. Our subject was brought up to farming and the culture of fruit trees. In early life he received a common education, and has always resided on the farm he now own& which he hired at his mother's death ; he lived up to the example of his father, and has had public transactions of the township and community entrusted to his care. May 27, 1849, he married Garthary Merritt, who was bom in Warren Co., December, 1822. Three children have been bom to them.