Miami County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 13 of 23)

°n the farm upon which ^he^r!* ' ^*9' '^r?^ ' born in Miami Co. June 19 183? he was bom in Pennsylvania 4dtoe7n' V* & -*? " °f ®amueI and Mary (BelljKyte ^>re in Pennsylvania"; the ancestry orioinBlf"1111 ' Hjegrandfather Kyle was also Kyle emigrated from Pennsylvania^ MinmiV*®6 Scotland. Grandfather Towntoipi where he and other membenf^ftK C?' 1807> and ,ocated in Concord of land ; here he died, after a ""i7 en?red five quarter-sections Samuel, remained there till 181 a ' J^jdence, at an advanced age. The father "*ides ; here he oS out In ,'h ^ h*}oc*ted vpon the farm where Isaac now ever taken from .Wive '^h aTr^' C""ing the firet a«ck of timZ wke a farm and a ho« enS 7'!i?fi.0n for in Pioneer style, to

ST® konored old pioneere of our <»u7hJl?rd8h,P!i and dePnvations which only of his locating on this fem ^ kr)cw and experienced. About the time

Hwcy C, now Mre. FutowTtow.' i" IoWa ; 8arah A., now Mrs. McNeal ; Christian from his earlv mnnhJ^*8' T' Isaac N' San>uel Kyle was an earnest Church ; a member of th» ""hood, and was one of the founders of the Christian a minister in the church bn'IlT ®®*rference ?»" its organization, he was ordained for twenty.flye years and DrehahW an active, energetic minister of the Gospel than any other man in probab,y °J5?amzed more churches, during this period m his Master's vineyard a^hifd t'u"ltian work was one of constanHabor one who believed i/thf i7"d 7® dSatb> wh,ch occurred April 8, 1836, was that of * blessed imroortalitf 7" bvingLfaitb' and had an unfaltering hope of

Pjace, where he non ^7ifio'ld of the family has always remained upon the home wJth fine buildings and1mn4 ^ 7 aD,<J' of whl®h 120 "c*^8 are in cultivation,

»>th Elizabeth ^SaveJTS^ rovements He was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1857, have five chiMr^i .yei?' daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Talbot) Sayers. They

°°nfidence of hi* JSli J haf .awa^8 been a public-spirited man. who has had the people, and is known from one end of the county to the other as one who is interested in all public matters and improvements. He was elected a member of the School Board in 1859, in which he has since served.

DANIEL McNEAL. farmer ; Pa 0. Alconv ; bom in Pennsylvania Oct. 10, 1816 ; is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Brougher) McNeal, who were also natives of Pennsylvania ; the grandfather McNeal was a Scotchman, and the grandfather Brougher, or his ancestry, came from Germany. Daniel, the father, lived and died in Pennsylvania, but his wife, Sarah, came to Ohio and died in this county. They were parents of four children, of whom two are now living, viz., John and Daniel. Darnel, our subject, was only 11 years of age when his father died, but the mother, to her credit, managed to keep her family together till they grew to maturity, and came to Miami Co. Mr. McNeal removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1839. and located on the farm where he now resides ; he first purchased 123 acres of land, most of which was still a dense forest ; he commenced with a capital of $1,000, and from year to year he cleared up and improved his land, from time to time purchasing more land adjoining him, as means and opportunity would permit, till now he is owner of nearly 800 acres of land, the greater portion of it in cultivation. This large amount of property has been accumulated by his own labor, industiy and good management, being a good example to the future generations of what may be accomplished by industry and economy, In 1838, Mr. McNeal was united in marriage with Barbara Brechbill, daughter of Frederick and Ann Maria Brechbill, who were natives of Pennsylvania. By this union they had eleven children, of whom ?? "J® now living, viz., Maria, now Mrs. Thompson ; Frederick B. ; Louisa, now M re. Stafford ; George, J ames and Marcellus. He lost his wife by death in 1864 ; m 1873, was united in marriage with Mrs. Ann V. Kessler, daughter of Peter and Kebecca'Vore, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. By this union they nave had two children, of whom one only is now living, viz., Henry Ernest Mr.

cNeal has not only been a man of energy and industry, and accumulated a competency of this world's goods, but he has been a man of ability, commanding the , enoe of the people of his community and township, as indicated by the offices p held, having been Township Trustee for many years, and Justice of the A^rw^*0r m^e » be is, at the present time, Township Treasurer and Land Appraiser j in fact, there is scarcely a township office but what he has held, and °r "- but what he has held one or more offioes. He and wife are memseven yeare^*1118^11 ^urch, which they have been active members for twenty- vi^«K5°^gl U7mS m Iowa' Joseph and Mary's lives were very bnef, 183 and iqqo - temk*e scourge, the cholera, which visited this section in hours there heinJ^6,7 T,?*6 stacked with the disease, and lived but a few of age beiuo- &n. hour's difference in their deaths ; he only 27 years various occuDationl^f-i^^^ guardianship of their uncle, who put them to becoming of age mad!!*? w<Lre. able to care for themselves. They have, since ferent farms s^cessivftlv^111?*?6^?"1101^1 occupation, having owned three dnseven years ago thev f^M1\?a??Ile"llIP in this and Lost Creek Township. About resided. This conHiRt* JoS farm uP°n which they now live and have since modious buildings attarhf?4 a?JB.8.' under cultivation, with large and com* with Elizabeth -Knoon was united in marriage March 2, 1859,

Holl s army. He wS a l' ' r death' In the war of 1812, he wafa soldier in S®1P°f his sons, cleZd over i o,peat eD8^' and industrious habits, and, by the he t 0nr subjeet liv^d with MkfH?® and brought it into good cultivawas married to Miss Dorothv ?the!\tl,l 23 years of age. On March 14, 1833, "or°thy, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Neff; he was bora in Virginia, and she in Pennsylvania ; they were the parents of nine children, three now living - Mary, Dorothy and Elizabeth. As the issue of this union, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have two children - William and Sarah. Mr. Ramsey, after his marriage, located upon his father's place, and resided on his several farms for fourteen years ; thence went to the Booker farm for four years ; and finally to the farm where he now resides ; became owner of 425 acres of land, and sold 210 acres to Ills son-in-law, still owning 215 acres. The crowning traits of Mr. Ramsey's life have been energy, industry, economy and honor. Having the entire confidence of the people, the}" have extended to him many' offices of trust ; he has served as Justice of the Peace twenty-four consecutive years ; and, in testimony of his honor as it has been manifested in his official career, we have the evidence of the many compromised cases which' were brought before him, threatening extensive law-suits ; through Mr. Ramsey's pacific efforts between the contending parties, the differences were amicably settled without appealing to law. William, son of our subject, residing at home with bis father, was married, March 20, 1868, to Miss Abby, daughter of David and Martha NefT; they have seven children, six now living - George, John, Mary, Charlie, Samuel and Walter.

ANDREW S. SAUNDERS, farmer ; P. O. Casstown ; bom in Miami Co. Nov. 11, 1816 ; is a son of William and Elizabeth (Sheets) Saunders, born in Pennsylvania ; the Grandfather Saunders removed from Pennsylvania to this county when William was 11 years of age, locating here a few years after the Knoops ; William and Elizabeth were the parents of six children, of whom five are now living, viz., Andrew S., Henry R., Sarah Ann, Catharine Morter and Isaac ; the grandfathers were among the pioneers of the county7, having to go to mill for their grist and market their flour at Cincinnati ; but they accomplished their work, and lived to see and enjoy many improvements and comforts. Our subject lived with his father till 18 years of age, then worked by7 the month till January, 1837, when he was united in marriage with Delilah, daughter of Michael and Sarah Kissinger, who were natives of Virginia and the parents of two children, viz., Delilah and Nancy (deceased). After Mr. Saunders' marriage, he rented a farm of his Grandfather Sheets for about two y'ears, then went to Shelby Co., and has followed farming here and in this county until the present time ; he owns 200 acres of fine land, with good buildings and improvements ; Mr. Saunders has done a large share or pioneer work, having cleared up about 200 acres of land; he has held several offices, having been Constable, Appraiser, Township Clerk, etc., but he desires to business ^ ** mUCb " P°"ible- preferring to attend strictly to his own personal

1JeC' 2?;.17.7(?' and 8he in Pennsylvania Jan. 7, 1777. The grandparents ^ro.m. Virginia to Pennsylvania when Thomas was only a child, where h at maturitJ- On April 3, 1795, was celebrated his marriage, and M?«yJ; Aded lnPennsyl vania till the fall of 1808, at which time they removed to thp wrwi« \*nd ocat®d °.n the farm where Jefferson now lives ; here he settled in hP 18 near®®t neighbors being the Knoops, located in Staunton Township , resides. Mr. Sayere Cffl^the irm J? v .'u®"06 to the where hegtfil hard days' work in payinf for it - bat he and^h?/ '"f1837' and experienced many after many yeare of' toil and latore are T'f® "®Ver despaired, and now has also helped each of his children Kir r ^ ,s??8ed °f a fine farm and home He place, has been in of'u* means. This farm, the home

22,1797; is a son of Thorns anTprences^avere ! Pennsy,vania March sjHanta to this county in the fall of 1808 wiL^8' Theparents came from Penn- Mr. Sayers lived with his fatLr till 2^ °Ur "J*0* was 11 years of age. nec to Miss Sarah, daughter of SalmSf ,uJaly 19- ,821> he was wtacky, but came to Ohio atonitotn*! ? jd Jan5 Talbott, who were born in Kenchildren, who grew to maturity five of" ^l/8^ 87 this union they have had eight his father's farm for two yeare thei on a pL f h'9 Tmarriage, he lived on afterward bought a farm in JwHT a rented farm in Lost Creek TownshiD -

-nto Lost Creek Township, whTre he h® liVed flv® years : then went where he now lives and has mZl ,tb,rtl years >' and Anally to the farm has a fine farm of 160 acres of which 1 |!|W®d res,t,ence of twenty-two yeare. He wgs and improvements. Mr Savers l" cult,va'io". with good buildthe oldest persons now living t learly 84 y?are °r age, being one of Jan. 13, 1879, they having traveled tho^ Townal!'P He lost his wife by death years. They had been the journey of life together for over fifty-seven

Ohio in 1852. and located fnCKrlfrl^ £°r?.m Mar^land They removed to Mg, and resides in Miami Citv^his^untv^h^ h TCd !?d died ; she is 8ti11 ,iv' were parents of five children nfwh^?ty ' 1 th "danced of 82 rears. They fldd. Ohio ; John f J n f°Ur ^ now liviag Peter A., of Spring ?ur subject, remained with his father tn/A ?"d loBta C' Mr' SchiSdlef, be was united in marriage with Sareh a L "r 7 ^ °f 1age' 8nd on Maroh 12> 18«, (Wdhard) Rice, who were bland re?!?'-0®' °f Thomas and Elizabeth three children, one only nowlivin/vi Q^ T .Mary|??d- Tbey were parents of hail five children, of whom threl fi*, Sfr^h An."' and Mrs. Schindler have Schindler, after i,is Jam^e v ''PS? B,C®' MiIlard and Mina- Mrremained and carried mi the^mi^^K hl® fatbers 88 w and gristmill, where he have continued business to the nr and here in 1861, where he and his sons and machinist and h^Ta^! P.re8e"t 'me. Mr. Schindler is a natural mechanic The mill property heboid To h®/011® "l h" own Millwright work, repairing, etc. first class custom mill andT/th fn"9 a fe.w yeare smce> who are running a strictly their father, are ^ theasi!18tanoe of the large, practical experience of

Past labors Th*f i 'l .?ra act,ve business, enjoying some of the benefits of his nat ue has the confidence of his community, is shown by the offices he has held, having been Township Trustee one term, and Treasurer of the township for eight years. Mr. Schindler and wife have been members of the Beformed Church for a period of forty years.

SAMUEL SCOTT, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; born in this township Dec. 9, 1844 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sproul) Scott ; he was bom in Pennsylvania, and she in Sooth Carolina. John located in this township about 1830 ; had a fine farm of 320 acres, where he lived and died ; being one of the early settlers of that neighborhood ; they had ten children, who grew up to maturity, nine of whom are now living - William; Isabella; now Mrs. Walker ; Jane, now Mrs. Telford; Robert; Fannie; Elizabeth; Maggie, now Mrs. McCurdy ; Samuel and Thomas; our subject lived with his father till his death. Dec. 2, 1872, was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Margaretta Farver ; he was born in Maryland and she in Ireland, coming to this country when a small child ; they were quite early settlers of this county ; Mr. Scott and wife by this union have three children - Sarah , Nelly, John Gustave and Bessie Margaretta ; they resided on the old home farm till the spring of 1880, when they located on the farm where they now reside ; the Scott family were early settlers, clearing up a large farm right from the dense forests, and, by their own labor and industry, became possessed of a fine cultivated farm and a pleasant home ; have a good competency, and present another example °^Pr®®Perity, arising from energy and close application to business.

WILLIAM SCOTT, farmer ; P. O. Alcony ; bom in Pennsylvania Jan. 18, 1822 ; is a son of William and Sarah (Kinney) Scott, who were also bom in Pennsylvania ; the ancestry being from Scotland. The parents, William and Sarah, came to this county about 1865, and located in this township, remaining here one year, then removed to Troy, where he has resided to the present time, living a retired life, he being in his 85th year ; his wife died in 1876 ; they were parents of nine children, of whom five are now living, viz., William, Mary E., James, Sarah Jane and Margaret Elizabeth (twins). Our subject remained with his parents till Jo years of age, when he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Henry and Jane Krimer, natives of Pennsylvania ; they had four children, of whom two are now living, viz., Henry and Sharon Kinney ; his wife died May 29, 1857. On Wkiff3, was celebrated his marriage with Sarah L., daughter of Zenas and JSAizaoetn Hart, who were bom in New Jersey, removing to this county about ° locating in this township, opening out in the forests a home and farm, and enduring a.11 the hardships of those early settlers ; but he lived to accomplish 8 work ; obtained a fine farm with good buildings, and all conveniences necessary tl?®re he.was permitted to enjoy only a few years, dying Nov. 15. , ' t"8 April 10, 1849 ; they were parents of seven children, olwhom urst located in this county, where he has since lived, following farming most of the a P,easant home and residence, with 50 acres of land all in cultivaand 'fin . t lave resided nine years ; they have two other pieces of land of 40 several ^espec?.ve!jf ; Mr S®01* has held several offices - was Supervisor

JOH? vTom"pllnTra8tee one term> a»d Postmaster for six years. livesSeof 2?'ia?»EE-TS' farmer: p- Troy ; bom on the farm where he now with his father ti??-' 18 a 8011 °*" Isaac S. and Nancy Sheets ; our subject In united with Miei a*® mai?'ia«e. which was celebrated June 4, 1861, when he was PenMVlraniaMwhe " Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Sybil Null, natives of bZto 2ST V* Ohio when Ln E. was an infant ; twelve children were

Mrs. Leonard) jPJlOI?,eleven are "°w living, viz., John M., Ann E., Frances (no Alice (now Mre lyof ' Maf?aret (now Mrs. Starr), Etta (now Mrs. Smith), Andre*. Sheets after his inarri^011 'i ^e°n°ra (now Mrs. Hooper), Capitola and Grant; & - the mill two vears - ocated on the old home place, by Sheets' Mill, and ran

Matilda, Laura E. and CUra p" JjT'UL « Th7 had three children, viz., Lucy are in cultivation SSn H« ha? « fine farm of 127 acres, of which 100 been «»e residence of the ShLll?f °< b"ildinS8 attached. This farm has how ' ANTHONY SNYOPR ^ k fa"dK f°r seventy-five years.

"any. The parents dted in ®'fab^th ,Sn>'.der- Tbe ancestry came from Gernow living, Wz John ^ Ah" "sy.lvama, leavng nine children, of whom six are P?8 8 .years of at^ when lhi^^ftthICb^^!Ll8ula,1' ®nd George. Our subject Blackford, with whom he lived tiil^ d,Cd ' r® wa8.then hound out to Aaron G. worked by the month v. ?ll,l6Jeor8 of "Fe> then, until 30 years of age, he' dwghterof John and FIizal^thhn1n48' ,e.was nn'ted in marriage with Sarah, of six fhi'M.. . Elizabeth Roller, natives of Pennsylvania anH wok no»>nfa

R. James, the second child, married Jane Walders, daughter of Jacob Waldere, by which union they had two Children, viz., Flora and Sabin. James also lives on the Scott farm, assisting his father and brother in cultivating it Mr. Snyder and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been a member for forty years, and she for thirty years. Their two sons are also members of the same church.

ROBERT SPROUL, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; born on the farm where he now resides Feb. 11, 1826 ; is a son of Robert and Isabella (Hayes) Sproul, who were born in Ireland ; he came to America in 1800, and she in 1793 ; they first located in South Carolina, but, about 1812, removed to Miami Co. ; while here he was drafted for the war and sent to Greenville, doing military duty two months, when he returned home ; in 1813, he located upon the farm where his son Robert now resides; he died June 14, 1858, his wife April 2, 1868; they were parents of twelve children, of whom eight, are still living, viz., Sallie Hayes, Nancy, Thomas, James, Isabella, Jane, Maria Matilda and Robert ; when Mr. Sproul took this place he entered it from the Government, commenced in the woods, and spent his life in making a farm and home ; by industry and economy, he had, before he died, a fine farm in cultivation, with good buildings and everything necessary for oomfort and convenience. Our subject lived with his father till his death, and shared in the hardships of clearing up half or more of the farm. Dec. 8, 1859, he was uinted in marriage with Martha, daughter of John Hannan, a native of Ireland ;

J J|ave had two children, of whom one is living, viz., Sarah Bell ; his wife died Oct. 23, 1863; on Aug. 25, 1870, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Kobert and Jane Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania ; they had four children, three living Ann, Jane and Rebecca ; Mr. Sproul has always resided upon the home arm. which has been in the possession of the Sproul family for sixty-seven years.

LEVI STALEY, farmer ; P. O. Alcony ; born in Miami Co. March 27,1840; is a son of Elias and Hannah (Ritter) Staley, who were natives of Maryland, the ancestry'] supposed to have been from Switzerland ; the father removed from Mary- TW u* !n ftbout 1802. and, in quite an early day, became a citizen of Bethel Hrm»n8 u 18 county» where he lived and died ; they were parents of seven chil* i * °* w^01?. ^our are now living, viz., Simon, Andrew, John and Levi. Mr. nnif^'*°Ur 8ulVect» ^ve(* with his father till after his majority; in 1867, he was mamage with Ann Thompson, daughter of Mark and Rebecca Thompson wbo were natives of New York State ; they were parents of seven children, 8£ « ?ow living, viz., Eleanor (now Widow Davis), William, Elmira wift» are2'.,^nn' Giles T. and Minerva (now Mrs. Cromer) ; Mr. Staley and cancer - the mntk^6*?- a?'?r arriving here, James died from that dreaded disease, are now livine vl/ wmi-1" 18Z5 ; the^ were Parents of six children, of whom four (now Mrs. J^wAmWiiflai^' i?ayid Hayes and Eleazar (now in Iowa) and Jane responsibility camo ' children all being young when the father died, qult? * work she noblv nerfn?0^^6 D?,°tller together and raise her family, which

Hayes, William MprvT^ ^1114 ' they have five children, viz., James W., John always CaS on Z' A' KnooP> and Anna R Mr' SteWf S Stewart, being the eldest H?mpe > aJter the children arrived at majority, Mr owner of the farm - ho Jon fanuly» bought out the other heirs and became sole tivation, with fine bnilHin^l120^8^1*68 of g°°d land, of which 100 acres are in culterian Church. n^8 and improvements ; they are members of the Presby- of WOO, and worked hard to pay for it but" h!lm^ °" Credlt to the amount give it up, but was told to kecpk and oWa,-? !'8 d'seouraged, be proposed to om|V a"d bard work, he finally paUl fo^hi Z rf Wbhea he coald- % great econand purchased more land, and ^orehia^ Jfo ?J he '"du8t«°us, prospered, his home place he had mod i hlS death he owned 700 acres of land. On ant around him. Thoy'were the Dare^ra1^' eVeP',t?ing comfortable and pleashvmg, viz., John, Lydia Samuel Isalo^ f.t,we .ve chjldren, of whom nine are now (twins), and Joseph He fost his ^feS k^d o® Za^th' Rebeocaand pbebe Weaver, by whom hp hod i -u w,,e' *?" was afterward married to Barbara of Ocorge and Catharine (Olinmrt w "5' 18V he was marned to Anna, daughter W Ohio in quite an early day^theT Zp Th " were'>ern in Pennsylvania, coming now living, viz Anna and Tni»,f a ^ « , be parents of three children, two are result of -^ a comfort and convenience. Such is again the ment, which wildland L a bright ' "^Jr>,0<>?p,ed w,th economy and good manage- Mr. Stndebaker and wifr"re Sj S ,t" "M examPle for future generations.

father till of age - and on°An?' r i aoo Char es\ M.r- Vandever lived with his daughter of Elisha and Isabel <fh 1 a i8- «.Wa? U,mta< in marriage with Eliza M., now living, viz., Eleanor Williom^d Til tkey bud nine children, of whom three are 20, 1844, he marriedhi«I' ^ i and Arthur ; he lost his wife May 3, 1843 ; on May Russell, natives of Kent^t"^ Amanda J alle- da"ghter of Robert and Winnefred 'he parents'ej ten Children £***? !" OUio at a very early day and were Nancy and Amanda Jane** Vf°fJ*h j"1 f°Ur are now lmng- viz., Hinson, Polly, dren, of whom seven arennJV .Vandfver and wife, by this union, had eight chil- TunisLaroy Amlnrt.^L 'ow bvmg, viz., Robert Hinson, Martha Jane, Harrison, Warren Co where he i^UU' ® 'zabeth and Firman. Mr. Vandever first located in *outh of Miami ilvPdabo"' '*® years ; then went to Miami Co., and located where he died Mareh (Tiaao t^re.?evaral years; finally removing to the farm energetic man -' having ' i ^8d; Mr. Vandever had always been an industrious, cultivation and erectin'? leare<i "p a great portion of his farm, bringing it into good in accumulating in5.fine ^nfl commodious buildings. He was quite successful the character of and noted .for his kindness and generosity ; such was

8tiil livino- on fG- m. ^ inll of 1830, where he died April 12, 1855 ; his widow is father till hio H her 81st j ear. The subject of our sketch remained with his death. On Oct. 16, 1855, he was united in marriage with Melinda,

Howard and Nancy (Stafford) Mitchell, he being a native of Virginia and she of Ohio ; by this union they had two children, one only now living, viz., Sarah Luella, now Mrs. J. O. Leffel ; Mr. Voorhis, soon after his marriage, located o^iorrc eu^ann wbere be now resides ; he lost his wife May 15, 1874, and on May - tSI6' hC WaS united in marriage with Mrs. Amy Fenner, bom March 23, 1847, in Troy, a daughter of John and jfiny Irwin ; he was bom in Pennsylvania and she in New Jersey, and were quite early settlers of this county ; they were parents ot ten children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Ferdinand, Washington, John, Ueorge, Amy', Mary and Henry ; Mr. Voorhis and wife have one child, viz., Mary bave. ^>een residents on this farm twenty-four years ; he has 135 acres, ^ v1 a ~.ne brick house and other essential buildings, he having erected the house ana made most of the improvements during his residence here. Mr. Voorhis has

WELLS, minister, Alcony ; bora in Virginia in 1815 ; is in ^f8 and (Skinner) Wells ; he being bom in Virginia and she in o Carolina, the grandfather being probably a native of Virginia, and the anceswy coming from England. The grandfather, Samuel, with his family, removed from j18 °°unty in October. 1817, locating in Monroe Township, where he i and died upon the farm that he first settled on ; he purchased a large tract of Li . f, ted his children all near by him ; among them was his son Silas, with

9om»£arpn^? eleven children, of whom nine are still living, viz., William, James, hX J°hn' JaQe (now Mrs. McCullough, of Sidney, Ohio), Sarah IsasubiiTftK Angabright Levi, of Detroit), and Thomas S. Rev. Wells, our tiredhin of !f .n hboutl5 years of age, came to Troy and served an apprenvear* * tailoring business with Maj. Hart, where he remained some three istrv hnvimr ..eo °gical and religious works preparatory to entering the min- 185o' Mr ivLn°r S?me tome felt himself called for that work. In the year of and cave himself from all secular pursuits, located in Dayton,

He first An nni iost ®fclu8,vely t° the work of the ministry in the Christian Church, west of Dav+rm ^ 1C cbnrch in Dayton, and also one on Wolf Creek, seven miles Shelbv and Mi*.irflln 6 w1^1(rb tirne be has filled the pulpits of several churches in work seemed to ril IV1?? at tbe variou8 points and places, which his field of he now^e^Hps* Abo.ut three Jeans ^go, he located u^on the farm where his ministerial wnrfcC\make8 bim a v.erJ Peasant home, and is near the center of ing and building un iho 18 DQW especially engaged in a missionary work of supplyof labor for the^LnHHir.6 weak ^churches. Mr. Wells has performed a large amount and he desires to tbe churches ; but his zeal in the work is unabated, born in Pennsylvania?^ °i l8hma?l and Jane H. (Ramsey) Wollerton ; he i Ishmael, the father ?e,.ln Ohio, the ancestry probably coming from Vak»- 1833, and on March 1 isq? ^rom Pe°n8jl vania to Miami Co., somewhere about and Ellen (Fletcherl Romo ' Waf married to Jane II. Ramsey, daughter of Samuel only is now living v\y T v? *be parents of two children, of whom one only is now living v\y ???' weJ*e *be parents of two children, of whom one with his grandfather Hamao,Ue ^' ^°berton was, when quite young, placed was united in rnama^ wiU "hereLhe lived till bis death. On Dec 24, 1803, he Margaret McManus who ^arah Ann McManus, daughter of Benjamin and in the spring of 1847. Thor natlv®s °f Pennsylvania, and removed to Miami Co. now living, viz., Sarah Ann e Parents of five children, of whom two are

After his marriage, he located in RoHT5't ' S1a.rah E > George D. and Ada A. h°ugl>t, removed to the firm nt - ,® ethel Township, on 35 acres of land which he *« to Tippecan^ in "other-in-law, where he lived six yeZ then

&toer still resides here. Th" subi£t^L r/tQte 8etUed in Pi<JQa- "d Ms h»de as an apprentice when nni*^*0^-0^ tlls sketch commenced working at his he first C^ bua^" qf"'tehiy0U'?f-.and always followed that occnpl! hilly ever sinoefhis shoDand mIa?*"18®^ *? 1860' and haa continued it succeed «Pace, where, in additto^tohls^i^ " l8.°?a^ed on Main street, south of Market and is doi^ a very he assortment of "ready

. has also held the office of ?Ci.tb?!i?0Ui?0® for th® past three years, and In religion he is a Catholi^^ Wf «f th® ?,lre Department for a number of years. Elizabeth, daughter of ' b£L' P0^08, * Democrat. He married, in 1860, Miss resident of Piqua - and formerly of Cincinnati, but at that time a

800 of E. Bennett, w(m7i^F ^ h0.*? In Washington Township in 1840 ; he is a of this sketch was raised th* 1?8,de"t °f Washington Township. The subject which he entered th^L0d« wJfi ^ught two terms of district school, after "as eleoted to the chair^f at Delaware, graduating in 1866 ; Position he held eiffht in Moore's HiU College, in Indiana, which which position, as others, he has filled with credit to himself and benefit to the schools ; the magnitude of his work may be judged from the fact that he has over & thousand pupils, with twenty-five teachers, under his supervision. He was married in 1868, to Miss Louisa Timmons, a graduate of, and, at the time of her marriage, a teacher of music in, the Ohio Wesleyan Female College.

PHILOMEN BROTHERTON, grocer ; Piqua ; was bom in New York in 1815, and when but a child was taken by his parents on an emigration trip to Bartholomew Co., Ind., where he procured his education in the common school About 1825, his parents removed to Hamilton Co., Ohio ; four years later they located in Miami Co., where the parents both passedaway at the age of 93J years each ; Philomen is the eldest of thirteen children ; in 1835 he engaged in the manufacture of brick, which he followed several years ; ten years since he located on Park avenue, opening out a grocery ; here he has since been favorably known. Aug. 30, 1842, he married Nancy Morton, bora in Pennsylvania in 1810 ; the issue of this union was three children - Albert M., bora Oct 16, 1844 ; Franklin P., Oct 16, 1852, and one that died in infancy.

HIRAM BROOKS, livery ; Piqua. Mr. Brooks is a native of Western New York ; came to Miami Co. in 1837, and located in Piqua in 1840 ; in 1846, he bought out his brother James, who was engaged in the lively business here, and has successfully conducted the business ever since,, having remained in the same locality, built his present commodious buildings and gradually increased his stock and conveniences to the present very creditable standing ; he is one of the few livery men who have stuck to one place, and is now in very comfortable circumstances ; his residence, on the corner of Wayne and Water streets, is a handsome properly. He married, in 1843, Miss Catherine A., daughter of William Atkinson ; they have Stt children - four sons and two daughters - T. D., a physician at Conroy; W. C., a livery man at Yan Wert ; James E., a telegraph operator, now at Cambridge City, Ind.; Geo. A., a member of the bar at Piqua ; Hattie A., now Mrs.® Nate C. Perry,

BENJAMIN F. BROWN, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; was the son of -James and Martha (Summers) Brown, who were born in Virginia, who, in the early sefcfclement of Kentucky by Daniel Boone, were with their parents among the second lot of Emigrants who went with Daniel Boone and settled in Kentucky ; here the grandparents lived and died, except the grandmother on his mother's side, who came to turn county before she died ; Mr. Brown's father, James, when 16 years of age, was put mto the United States service ; in 1783, with a squad of troops, among whom was l' he came acroas the Ohio River, at what is now Maysville, and northward through the Northwest, as it was then called, to drive back the Indians, vr were at that time very troublesome ; they went up as far as where West Lib-

" now located and destroyed an Indian village there and then returned. At al* . ® was not a white settler in the Northwest Territory, north of the > « nmes Brown remained in Kentucky until 1805, when he came and now livoi*1 8 on the very piece of land upon which his son Berry had to *hen a? unbroken wilderness west of the Miami River, and they took thpm ?Glr n?a<* through from Staunton, a distance of seven miles, which with BDlit-nnnnhi^8 ®*ey commenced to make an opening, built a log cabin,

8Plitout timber; everything was of the dosed, thev mm!? w haste, as the winter was just upon them ; getting it inaUwas completed 1116 last of November ; cold weather set in before

?588e88ed °f advantage, being able toproon from yew to year cleMin/nn111^'8^ was their beginning, but they labored permit ; in the mean tS^M^PT^d mafan8 improvements, as time and means would education of the riaina gcn^.^WDi Wa8 «d and support to theeariy moral and religious training of his children ; in 1817, he had made such progress that he built a brick house, which still stands as a part of Mi. Brown's present residence, and is in remarkably good condition ; he lived till the 29th of December, 1846, when he passed away from a life of remarkable activity, of labors and hardships, to one of rest and rewards ; Mr Brown, being the youngest child of his father, remained with him till his death. He was united in marriage with Mary Hilliard, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hilliard, early settlers of this county, Feb. 13, 1840 ; they have had born to them four children, viz., Joseph H., who was in the naval service under Admiral Porter, and died while up the Red River, with typhoid fever, May 8, 1864 ; Thomas, who is married and lives on the home farm ; Nannie J., who is Mrs. Hamilton, living in Newton Township ; and Clara, who is living at home. Mr. Brown, at the death of his parents, bought out the interests of the other heirs, now having 230 acres of good land, with fine buildings for himself and a comfortable new house which he built for his son, who lives on the farm ; Mr. Brown has also a farm of 100 acres in Newton Township, purchased by the proceeds of his own labor and industry ; as far as this world's goods can supply the wants of life, Mr. Brown is amply provided, and has everything needed for comfort and convenience. Mr. Brown was politically a Whig and latterly a staunch Republican ; he has been a very prominent man in public affairs of this township and county, having been County Commissioner twelve years, during which time about 200 miles of turnpike roads were built and others converted into free turnpikes, he having the principal management of the business ; he has also been Township Trustee for nine years ; during this official career, Mr. Brown has located, caused to be located, or superintended the construction of, more public ditches and drainage than perhaps any other man in the county ; he has also had a large amount of business to do in the way of settling up estates of deceased persons ; in fact, the whole life of Mr. Brown has been one of continued activity ; he has had the entire trust and confidence of the people, his one great leading principle in his official capacity being to deal honestly and justly by all, without regard to their political &ith or other circumstances ; he is now nearly three score years and ten, and has been so largely in public official life, that he has many times, to some extent, neglected his own business affairs. Mr. Brown now feels justified in refhsing all public offices, and will devote the remnant of his life to his own interests, but will probably always be an active man, as he is one, who, from his nature and education, can never be a drone, or idle, in any acceptation of the term ; we feel, in placing this record of so active and useful a life upon the pages of this history , that it will stand as a monument and a bright example to all fhture generations.

J. M. BROWN, tanner and dealer in hides and leather; Piqua. Mr. Brown is a native of Piqua, having been born, in 1835, one door east of where his leather now stands ; was brought up in Piqua and learned his trade here, and farmed several years in this vicinity ; in 1871, he purchased the tannery on River street, which he has since conducted; his salesroom is on High street, north side of Market space. Mr. Brown married, in 1869, Sarah J., daughter of Mathew Johnston, also a resident of Washington Township. -' .

HENRY C. BROWN, farmer; P. O. Piqua; bom in Piqua, Sept 26, 1844, is s son of John and Mary (Knox) Brown ; he was bom in Kentucky Oct. Zd^l « 94, -nd she in Tennessee, July 8, 1809 ; was his second wife ; his first Turzan Brandon, daughter of Abel and Jane Brandon, who were natives of North Carolina, and came to Ohio in the days of the pioneers ; by this union they had ® ~ ' dren, viz., Elizabeth, bom April 19, 1821 ; Nelson, bom Sept. 22, 1824; WiLliam Armstrong, bom Feb. 12, 1827 ; Martha Jane, bom Jan. 6,1 829 born Jan. 24, 1831 ; Sarah Ann, bora July 30, 1833, and John 17, 1835, being all deceased except the youngest - John Madison. He ' - by death Nov. 12, 1837, and Jan. 3 1839, was united to Maiy Knox, J^gbter of William and Margaret Knox, who were bom in North Carolina Tennessee in a very early day ; from Tennessee came to Ohio, wbe*® t _ ®hd died ; by thin union they had four children, viz., James Harvey, >

1840 (now deceased) ; Mary Tarzah, bora Sept. 2, 1842 ; Henry C. and Miles Knox, bora Nov. 9, 1846. John Brown, the father, was brought up on the farm now owned by B. F. Brown, whose sketch and history appear in this work; after his first marriage, he located in Piqua, where he followed the hatter's trade, continuing at this business until his death, which occurred Sept 15, 1846. Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was only about two years of age at his father's death ; the mother, Mary, remained in Piqua and raised her family ; in 1866, she bought the farm upon which they now reside, and moved upon it the same year ; they have a fine farm of 220 acres, with a good brick house, a veiy large barn and other buildings, constituting a pleasant and beautiful home.

W» W. V. BUCHANAN, Magistrate, Piqua. Mr. Buchanan is one of the residents of Miami Co. ; he was bora in Montgomery Co., Sept 15, k* ' k* year his parents removed to a farm in Newberry Townsnip, this county, where the son grew to manhood ; he received the benefit of the district schools in his earlier boyhood, and, later, attended the Lebanon Normal, taught geven years ; he came to Piqua in 1849 ; was a teacher in the Piqua schools until 1872; then engaged in the insurance business. In 1875 he was T^d5ftyor' wb*cb o®06 he filled one term, at the same time being Magistrate ? Washington Township, which latter office he is still filling. He was married, in to Miss Phoebe, daughter of Andrew Dye ; they have five children living, or whom A. C. is the eldest ; he was bora Oct 9, 1850, and grew up here in Piqua; is a graduate of the high school, and also of the Lebanon Normal ; was a teacher -?^?/eaT8 in tbe grammar school at Troy; he also studied law and was *!»- 1 t bar *n and is now an honored member of his profession in

J*ClX7- Is 8c^°°l days, Mr. Buchanan studied engineering, with a view of am* has, practiced the latter more or less since. He married, in 1874, "na*elLe' daughter of David Shoemaker, deceased ; she is also a graduate . school ; Mr. Buchanan comes of pioneer stock, who were animatetd patriotism, as will be seen by the different sketches of his family this work* W. W. V. is a member and Secretary of wspe^e^citizen ^ ey ^ioneer Association, a plain, pleasant, sensible man and

CalehV^T of Kentucky, bora near Lexington, in 1802, is the daughter of waa vfttS' hur par?nts rei"oved to Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati, while she ber £ AU father,wa8 a teacher in the schools of Cincinnati for a numpreached in f»w ker paodfather Kemper was the first Presbyterian minister who She Was married to Matthew Caldwell Nov. 7, 1823, and tot^unhrt^t^ f0r ** ne.w home> then m the woods, now Piqua. They streets where th« efP!^F 0n wbat *8 now the northeast corner of Ash and Caldwell <Wer ?j>ward of twenty years, then removed to the opposite first purchasers-of loJ^ 8°.n.°.f Matthew Caldwell, Sr., who was among the ued to farm until hia tkls V1°inity. Matthew, Jr., was a farmer, and continsoldTTt in^lote Were for town lots 5 then platted his farm, and building occupies a ivw« Diaf?e Editions to the town. The present high school ies where her^msb vod oW>!l ^ old farm' and Mrs- Caldwell now buys grooerdays ; she has lived to 8«>und and cultivated crops in her younger earding and follintr-miiia a ."^d-cards and spinning-wheels superseded by When she came toPiaua. inraoo1®?6* in tura> the modern woolen factories, be considered impassahU u ^ey traveled in wagons over what would now

Cincinnati, going on the " rJmfi ' ab?at *840, ®he made a visit to her parents, near stagecoach of Kr L^ K^ a »«* improvement over thVwagon and she was able to leave We ^aY^1857' the D & M. R R being completed, at b A. M., and place a jug of fresh cream on her recounting the olden times, is grateful for thf/nri**-! wbl 8 abe. takes pleasure in which modern days are blessed- she has lv^e®e® an<l improvements with Christian woman and moth^- rai'simr a f^ibTof f 1ui®|j unaM"minK but usefld living - Ann Elizabeth now of four children, three of whom are he now holds. In h - ^elected as Township Trustee, which office Johnson; Caroline was horn*^1*** ^arolme> daughter of Joseph and Mary E.

of his life, andffis mcXr'f 5Sh®telr#r® C^eever i hlB Mher was a sea-captain most his ancestors is that o^ hia JK?er. wh?t 18 *uite remarkable in the history of teen sea^ntkins W^ Jf n^ 8 and mot^r 8 sides combined, there were sevenlegislature, Pr^ident^f lt,Ca and fiafncial P°wer> being a member of the tions ; notwithstanding of insurance companies, and holding other important posihaughty, bad man the high ^°6itions held, he was a veiy his parents' m^«hei?Kh? 1^raed the baker's trade ; this he did without three years then 5eur disapproval ; he worked at this business some closed, Dronorf v wamnder an inflated condition of business, bat as the war close quartern ? h« !£ ^ue» ^d Mr. Cheever was brought financially into $150 left - he hnnth?ld °ff n1? Prepay, settled up all his business and had about a dark ni*ht ^ ^a ^maU boat, started down the Ohio River ail alone, and, on arriving in dim ^ ®\kA-°°ald 8^® neither tree nor bank, guided his boat by sound, ne88, whifth ho frtr?G at Omomnat1 safely ; here he entered into the auction busiwith New Orio/01*®*1 for a time> then the grocery trade, then in the river trade nati, in all nr [°u 80me two or three yoarS) then in the pork trade at Cincinhe located «+ he mado considerable money and also lost some. In 1822,

Here Mr pr* tancy> there being only a few inhabitants and one old tavern stand, dealt heavfi - VerS- ener8y and business qualities found scope for full play ; he and wheat ' f Ioi^ra*n' boy mg thousands of bushels of corn at 10 cents per bushel, everythin* wh; i oeDt?,1atoo dealt lai^ely in P°rky in fact, buying and shipping J ^ usually comes in the routine of a trade in a new country, and at the same time baying and selling -& great deal of property, bailding houses and working for the general improvement of the town. His life has been one of remarkable activity, passing through many hardships and even hair-breadth escapes with his life from accidents, from war and from contact in those early days with the Indians of the country. Being a man with an iron will, knowing no danger, his vast energy, with industrious habits, has carried him safely through alL He was united in marriage, Feb. 12, 1818, with Helen Harp, and is the father of eleven children, of whom three are now living. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his membership extending over the vast period of sixty-two years, forty-five years of which he was a Trustee of the church ; he was one of the prime movers in organizing the church here in about 1823, which had quite a struggle for raising the means for building and other interests of the church. Mr. Cheever's indomitable energy and powerful influence, coupled with his own means, which were freely given, overcame all obstacles, and now he has the consolation of beholding one of the largest and best-finished churches in the city, a good parsonage, separate building for classrooms and not a dollar of indebtedness remaining against it ; the church now has a membership of 400. Mr. Cheever s nnconquerable energy has carried him over all the dangers and obstacles of business life, enabling him to accumulate plenty of this world's goods ; that energy coupled with a Christian character, and has, with his money, been freely used for the upbuilding of Christianity. Mr. Cheever is now about 92 years of

HARVEY CLARKE, Piqua. Among the business men of Piqua, Mr. Clarke deserves mention. He is a native of New Jersey, bom in Essex Co. in 1823 ; came Piqua in 1845, and has been identified with the business interests of Piqua ever since. He was for fifteen years a member of the firm of Clarke & Zollinger, grocers ; tuen became a member of the firm of Rouser, Evans & Clarke, founders and machinists, in which he continued until 1873, when he sold his interest and became n rested in one of the valuable stone-quarries south of town, which he still connues, and is also a stockholder and Director of the " Piqua Straw Board and Paper lately organized ; he is now superintending the construction of their exten* ___ u ln8®> and when the works are completed will take an active part in the busin__r f?fim?!vnenk re8^dence is a neat, commodious brick structure, located ter?linu8.of Main street. He married, in 1849, Mary J., daughter dir* "SL ek*hen> whose biography also appears in this work. They have six chu- ^X^endenhall, Hany, James H., William B., Fanny and AUie. Drisinor uni deceased. Mr. Conover was one of the leading, enter-

SfehegJSi ? Plqua- He .was in Dayton, Ohio, in 1819; early m connection JS, and. 8tU(lied engineering ; his first work as engineer was m

President - a stockhnid*8 ^.^t Secretary of thecas Company, and afterward its the Northern a"1 d ®ir?ctor of the Piqua National Bank, and also of hydraulic and watar air. Association ; he was also intimately connected with th career here. " Conove^o8' ani*u fact ©very public improvement made dunng hm and enterprise^OI^f ®?U8e M will long remain a monument to his liberality knew him well - « a « « owlng is an extract from an obituary, written by one wh thorough-going citi business, ke had but few superiors, and as a valuabl life as a poor bov and h bUt e(luak in this community. Mr. Conover began a large property*' He by eneiSy, mu°h hard work, and a life of frugality, acquired years a vestryman. He iA? member.°f St James' Episcopal Church, and for many daughter of John O'FenJrT? 811(1 one son." Mrs. Mary Conover isa

Her marriage with*? ' 5*'^* D*' a native of Piqua, an estimable, cultured "ge with J. G. Conover was celebrated Jan. 10, 1861 ; their only

"« great credit upon the management the to a much IarK®r city, reflection and John Schnever the«tX«r^' « drm "?w consists of L. C. A W L the biography of **" ®rm "W L. C. * W. L. Cren * Co -' m

°c /and^ o3£Sffl* ^ °f 0 FerraU- Daniel8 * Co., also F. Gray, O'Ferrall 2 many years and at tk"'^ ' w?®. ? member of the City Council, its President for j«rs, and, at the time of his deoease, which occurred May 14, 1873, was

City Treasurer. His widow and two children survive him ; one daughter, Miss Mary H., and a son, John W.; the latter was married Oct. 31, 1879, to Miss Mella, daughter of L. Leonard ; he is a member of the firm of Orr, Leonard & Daniels, whose oil-mill, in point of stability of structure, excellence of machinery, and convenience of arrangement, is not excelled in the world. Mr. Daniels is a young man, but his connection with the above firm proves his ability and assures his success.

RACHEL DAVIS, Piqua. Rachel Davis is a native of this place ; her father, James Johnson, a brother of Col. Johnson, was a native of Ireland ; married in Pennsylvania, June 7, 1798, to Mary Adams, and came to Piqua in 1811. Mrs. Davis, born Dec. 7, 1812, was married to Samuel Davis in 1841, who was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1810, and came to Miami Co. when a young man ; he was a contractor in the construction of the canal from Piqua north, his section including the numerous locks in the vicinity of Lockton, all of which was constructed under his supervision ; in the war of the rebellion, while not able to take the field, his patriotism found abundant expression in encouraging others, giving substantial aid to the friends and dependents of soldiers, and Mrs. Davis was prominent in the Ladies' Aid Society ; after his marriage, he engaged in the grocery business in Piqua, in which he successfully continued until the time of his death, which occurred April 4, 1865. Mr. Davis was a man of business, never sought public distinction, but was a liberal-hearted, respected citizen ; his residence, on the northwest comer of Wayne and Green streets, now occupied by his widow, is a commodious, substantial buildmg, comfortably and tastefally famished, and surrounded by a pleasant yard. Mrs- ^aV1S now one °f th® oldest present residents of Piqua, and very much o 1Qo, . L L> DAY> farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; bom in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 7 «>n of Jehiel and Sarah B. (Lyon) Day : his father was bom in New ersey and his mother in Hamilton Co. ; they were the parents of nine children, Annis> deceased ; Samuel L., Margaret, deceased; David H., Jehiel> deceased, and Cynthia A. ; Jehiel, the father, came into Miami Co. m 1834 and located in Spring Creek Township, where he lived until his death, in DficpimKar iqc»t o u^Kinann.

EdwiwS T l ??l°? thQy have had six children, viz., William R., Louisa Bell, James mS' ah £nna Hamilt°n and John Andrew. Jehiel, the father, was bom New mother, ^ 1807 ; the grandfather, Jehiel, emigrated ftom in NflwToron ' w^o fled from persecution in the old country and sought an organize th« Jhn w^en oame to Ohio, he located in Hamilton Co. ; he help^ to occurred in 1 qoo^ ~at 8haron, and was an active member till his death, whic Lieutenant ^olera J he was in the Revolutionary war, serving as 1st one up to th« afteJ,^he war, when pensions were granted, continued to mceive in Spring Crept t ^ <^eatlL Mr. Hay> our subject, lived on the old home farm Wns^P' tiU «1 of 1873, when he sold the farm - s here ^^P^°^n8hlp, purchasing the farm upon which he now 1 "ere yd acres of good land with ^ u hniH ees of Miami University, and superintended the erection of the college building. Our subject was educated at Miami University, graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1836, and at once located in Piqua, where, with the exception of a few years spent in public office, he has since resided ; he ranks among the leading physicians and surgeons of the State ; was for many years President of the Miami County Medical Society ; is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and was Chairman of the Committee on Surgeiy in 1851 ; he is the author of various important professional papers which have appeared in the medical journals of the countiy. Originally a Jeffersonian Democrat, he was a member of the Committee on Resolutions in the Democratic Convention in 1848, which drafted the celebrated anti-slavery resolution of that year, and, still later, a Presidential Elector on the Cass ticket ; in 1849, he was elected from the strong Whig district, comprising the counties of Miami, Darke and Shelby, a Senatorial Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1850-51 ; he introduced and carried through that body the present self-regulating apportionment scheme, which has given satisfaction to all parties, and lias prevented the constantly-recurring scenes of partisan strife which had previously obtained in a periodic re-apportionment of districts, with a view to continue in power the party dominant at that time ; he drew up that clause of the Constitution found in Sec. 7, Art 13, regulating the investment of associations with banking powers ; he was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1873; in the memorable Know Nothing contest of 1854, he was defeated for Congress, as was every Congressional candidate of his party in the State ; in 1856,' he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, in Cincinnati, and advocated Mr. Buchanan for President ; was again nominated for Congress when Mr. Buchanan was the standard-bearer of the Democratic party, and, although he polled more votes in his district than did that gentleman, he sustained another defeat; in 1857, he was the Democratic candidate for State Auditor, upon the ticket with Hon. R, P. Ranney for Governor ; in 1860, he supported Douglas for President ; from the opening of the late rebellion to its close, he was a bold, uncompromising Union man, and wrote the celebrated " Statesman " letter, which was copied by every paper in Ohio, advocating thq formation of a Union party, and which, perhaps, did more than any other one thing in effecting its organization in this State ; in 1861, he was elected State Treasurer by the largest majority of any candidate on the Union ticket ; re-elected in 1863, and resigned the office in 1865 ; in 1864, he was a Senatorial delegate to the Baltimore convention, that nominated President Lincoln ; also, in 1863-64, was Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee ; in 1868, he was chosen by the Electoral Collie on the Grant and Colfax ticket, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gov. Todd ; for twenty years, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Miami University ; was the first President of the Piqua Hydraulic Company ; and is. now President of the Citizens' National Bank, of that city. Dr. Dorsey's ability in his profession, in the field of politics, his educational and business enterprise, may be fairly estimated from this record ; few, perhaps, have ever discharged the varied and responsible duties imposed upon them with greater energy or fidelity, or have so fully merited the confidence and respect of their fellow-citizens ; he is a gentleman of superior scholarly attainments, and has long been known as one of the finest ingui8ts in the country ; his translations from Horace, from the Greek tragedies, ana from some of the Latin mediaeval hymns, which have been published in several o the leading journals of the country, have been received with great favor. In y, 1836, he married the daughter of Hon. John McCorkle, ^ , J'

McCorkle Dorsey is Teller of the Citizens' National Bank, Piqua ; Margaret M. Dorsey married Robert B. Moores, of Clark Co., Ohio, and Mary L. is the wife or Dr. W. S. Parker, of Piqua. In Nov., 1866, Dr. Dorsey married Mrs. L. Y. Morrow, daughter of D. Tuttle, Esq., of Indianapolis. . ... n ,,

JOHN ELDREDGE, veterinary surgeon, Piqua ; was born ro Hanulton l^ Ohio, March 16, 1816 ; his education was procured in the common schools in She y

Oo., Ohio ; he was raised to farm labor and handling of stock ; in 1835, he commenced the practice of his profession, which he had previously made a particular study ; from this on, he, by degrees, became prominently known among the stock-dealers of Shelby and surrounding counties. In the fall of 1875, he located in De Grraff, Logan Co., Ohio ; not seeing proper to remain there, fourteen months later he removed to Piqua, where he has been favorably known in Miami Co., far and near. In 1840, he married Margaret A. Line ; several years after, she passed away, leaving a husband and six children. He afterward married Elizabeth Proctor, of Logan Co., Ohio ; by this union they have had bom to them six children.

CHARLES S. ELLIOTT, farmer ; P. O. Piqua ; born in Piqua in 1825 ; is the son of William and Martha (Irvin) Elliott, who were bora in Perry Co., Penn. ; his grandfather was Charles Elliott, who was also a native of Pennsylvania ; Mr. Elliott's parents came to Ohio and located at Piqua in 1824, where they lived about two years ; in the spring of 1826, they bought 87 acres of land in Sec- 32, Washington Township, and after a few years bought more land adjoinmg on the south in Concord Township, making his farm contain 125 acres, when he came upon the land there was a small portion cleared up, with log boil - ings upon it ; he continued upon the place, clearing up and making improvements, building a brick house and other buildings, until the year 1851, when his wor was ended, and he departed this life, his wife living till 1873, when she also passed away ; they were parents of four children, two of whom are now living, viz., Char es o. and Franklin. Charles, the subject of our sketch, remained with his fa th( er ti his death, and then became owner of the home place, where he has remained the present time. Mr. Elliott was married in the spring of 1851, to Eliza Mitchell, daughter of Thomas and Frances Mitchell ; she lived only about two years, when the merciless messenger, death, took her away. In the winter of 1856, he was united in marriage with Martha Karr, daughter of Robert and Sarah Karr, , oi Butler Co., Ohio ; by this union they have one child - William F. Mr. Ellmtt as added more land to his farm by purchase, from time to time ; has also gold off some, but has always lived upon the same farm, and now owns 160 acres of good lan in the Miami Valley ; he has resided on the place fifty -four years, over half a ce - tury ; brought it into a fine state of cultivation, built a large barn, and other duu rags, with addition and improvements to the house, having every convenience^ make hfe comfortable and happy. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are members of the Pres- ^ of over thirty years' standing. f -

HENRY F. ERNEST, electric blasting operator ; P. 0. Piqua ; Mr. Ernest* native of Germany, born in Hanover in 1846, came to the United States in Marct, and after his arrival, enlisted in the United States service as drom®er, until the close of the war, being discharged in July, 1865, after whic , ^nCJsco, was engaged in the mines of the West, where he became Wltu ^ U8e of dynamite, nitro-glycerine, giant powder, etc., f<* thft^k868 J he emPl°yed with the force in blasting " Hell Gate," and after ofM^^ CT0m,Po^' returned to the West and operated in the Iron Mountains Mattie R il be came to Ohio, and was married, in Darke Co., to

.8ettle down, and accordingly went to work at his trad caused him t!? ' blf ambition to achieve something in the use of explosi STucceede? lar^r Part ** time experimenting, and, after a long time,

Newton TownahiiP^T*^ an °PP°rtunity of showing his skill by sinking a Board, and PaneJY' ^ Was not untd be became employed by the Piqua ^ .. ideas and «h<v^ ^omPanyj that he was enabled to demonstrate the utility of hi ac^n^of ^ superiority of his skill in making rock excavations. An

Mr. Ernest has a the ab?V? °°mPany, wiU be found in the chapter on Piqua. making rock exeavn^*61^' i?nd is 8uPPlied with all the necessary materials ous temperate and tiwfr' 18 tboroughly posted in his business ; is an mdustnwill save time and nrnn?°f^ man. Any one having rock excavations t° make, ey by employing him. He can be seen or addressed at Piqu

M, daughter of Gen. Robert Young- Mr p.^n Jf40' Was marned to Catherine on the canal work ; he built the MUuni Aou«te^fto^Wa^a prominent contractor Pjqua, and afterward comDieted ^ ^ 1* ^°ve D8Jton before coming to other public works ; in 1848 he emrairad mP°r^n^ °°ntoacte on the canal and Arms of which he has sin^ been - ^U8l?es? at p>q«a, and the different ton & Co., proprietors of Piqua Oil Mill m/p transportation ; Wood, Farringabo interested in the grain Sms at * Co, distiUers; is bes in this part of thfstate is te' i*8 loans in different coun- wg for himself; he had afreadv^!^!' Ieav,n« borne at the age of 14, and start- Jbout 12 ; he was in vario/TnlL^ ^i ,'7 ny6ftrS *? ft paper offlce> beginning when 1849, when he started the Piml^p' 8t'- blowing hls ^e as printer, until April, tinned to be so nwter his «w .^"?"?rer> wb\cb a Democratic paper, and con ately after the Britfmom^ 186°' In that W the slavery question in rirard to KanLleft ? ® Dem°cratic party on account of the Piqua Journal whicl/teL *° H?11388, and changed the name of his paper to ;as the first %£? "S'" Mr' Lincoln dential candidate of that *rent. **e 7?*^ .for> and he has voted for every Presieirculation ; ^7^0 0^^^/ ; his- paper at pre8eat has a good water motor. In July 18fiftP h,S mam press' and they are run by Congressional Distric/'hnt » M Flem'"S 7" appointed Assessor of the Fourth cal troubles of that\w hi wm ~°Ved *?vem!?er- 1866< because of the politi- «d held it until Februa^mt? £app?'nted Jo the same office in August, 1868, twice. Mr. Fleming was^alriln' ,^Hg who has held that oflfice

Germany, in 1837 the ' son^^11^ "'f banker ; P. 0. Biqua; was bom in Bavaria, common-school and comme^f.fJT6 ^^0 ?°antrY merchant, where he received at the age of 15 years- education ; he emigrated to this country in 1852, took a situation as ^t6T *}18 ajnval in this country he came West, and be remained for five vears ^T * establishment in Dayton, Ohio, where tion antill858 when > be removed to Troy, Ohio, occupying a similar situa- A. Friedlich m ^"7 ^P'iUa- and ®"tered the clothi^establishmeut of 1862; in thatv«7^r ^ boob-beeper, which position he held until the fell of afterward rom^no^^i - h®.elf 681 darter of Moses Friedlich, Esq., and soon business on hi« nm means, the clothing and merchant tailoring

Cess; up to 187R tlu8 business he carried on, with uninterrupted suckimself ezclnniwoiTr so^out ^ merchant tailoring business, and confined ness, at this timA l^a^'made cIotllin8 and gent's furnishing goods busi-

Miami. In January, 1880, he was unanimously elected Cashier of the Citizen's National Bank of Piqua, and at present occupies that position, devoting his time exclusively, during banking hours, to that business, giving his morning and evening hours to the details of mercantile business. Socially, Mr. Flesh is held in high esteem, and has held in his own city the most responsible positions of honor and trust ; he has been a memlier of the City Council for twelve years, and is now, and has been for the past four years, the President of that body ; he is also President of the Board of Trade, and the Border City Building and Loan Association of Piqua, one of the most popular and prosperous institutions of that kind in the State. Mr. F. is a Free Mason in high standing, having acted as Master of the lodge for several years. Mr. F. is regarded by his neighbors as a self-made man, always prominent in every public enterprise calculated to add to the prosperity and improvement of his city.

JOHN FRANZ, City Marshal, Piqua ; was bom in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1838 ; when a boy, his parents moved to Auglaize Co., Ohio, where he grew to the age of 17 on the farm ; at this time, he entered the trade of carriage-making, which he completed in Dayton, Ohio, in 1859 ; he devoted a few years to journeymans work, and in 1863, located in Piqua, where he opened out a shop for himself; this he conducted until 1866, when he was elected to his present office, which he has since held, except two intervening years, during which he served as Constable of Piqua ; the offices held by him have been duly and honorably filled. Mr. Franz is prominently known as a reliable and successful detective. Upon June 17, I860, he married Mary Worst, a native of Auglaize Co., Ohio. Their children are John, deceased ; Hemy, deceased ; Emma, Clara, Elizabeth, Catherine, Gertrude, Flora and Albena B.

MICHAEL FOX, grocer, Piqua ; bom in County Clare, Ireland, in 1828, and is a son of Martin and Bridget (Flynn) Fox. They were both natives of lreland, and in 1832, they emigrated to the Western Continent, locating in Jamestown, IN. Y., where both died. At the time above given, when his parents came to America, Michael was left in h}s native country with his grandfather, until the age ?qko w^en ^c, ^°°: came to Jamestown ; he remained in New York until

8eVenMna^^iUiam' John> Matthew, Maty E., Anna B., Frances and Josepnm. h M08ESFRIEDLICH, clothier, Piqua ; was bora in Germany, in 1812, where 20 years, and obtained a German education ; in his boyhood AntJ, e cetton weaving, which he followed until the summer of 1834. On of *he same year he landed in New York City, and soon after settled m tinneri F.enn'» whe^e he engaged in general merchandising; this he conshorn hi^Lif8 removal to this <%> engaging in the clothing trade; hereheha* ent f a?a ^jcceasfol and reliable merchant. In connection with his preshas for tho * e 8lnce> in Piqua, devoted a few years to merchant tailoring. H Piaua whioh^ffl ^ear8> keen Vice President of the Citizens' National Bank o try eooiiomv 06 « 6 ^ ^s. ^as> since a resident here, by habits in Washington Tvi' fin??cla^y progressed, and now owns a fine farm of 120 acres sylvania.'lSftq receives his supervision. Moses married in Penn- wag in the old National Hotel building - in 1861°h« nnU8i.n®rei t!?"? ' *"* old 8tand east comer of the public square and^fmilt fh.1'^® PufPhased the lot on the north- Partof the buildin|kniw^rThe b*?*? ^Btory brick which is a business, while he lodes on and^nj^s see^Th^V**®11 hi to th®.detail8 of his uess under his advira> enjoys seeing them favorably working into busi- fine residenc^ which L'a^^.LHl?4^ °" W/yne, 8tree.t- and i8 8 part .of hi! surroundings indicate culture «L IS 8IZe. and style, while the furnishings and daughter TmiTlSflf re?n£? ^ H« married- in 1861> Miss Mary, worf ; he wassuSn oftte also aP^ * 'hTs' trade and followed that hiisino1"*^.' R® marr!ed Ann Marshall ; was a hatter by eleven childrerOTlv t^f T h®re a number of years ; he had a family of - resident of New York^tl Th"1 ' ® - WilIiam M. and a sister, now has been a reeidentof Pin^fift Th® Bubje<?t °[ th*8 sketch was 1821, and occurred in irr« h TTltl1, hl8 mother' who lived at Troy until her decease, which came to Pimm in \ 8 deat^ occurred in Germany in 1831. Mr. Genslinger ried in i \ Si n T m Fort WaJne> M., then retarned to Troy, where he marreturned fn to: ^aro*iae> daughter of William McNeely ; after his marriage, he nection I!?118, engaged in the manufacture of turned handles etc., in conwhen h* 18 brotber-in-Iaw, David Ryan, in which he continued until 1860, e oooame traveling salesman for O'Farrall, Daniels & Co.; in 1867, he purchased an interest in the grocery firm of J. Zollinger & Co., and remained a member of that firm until 1877, when he sold out and became connected with R. P. 8piker & Co., carriage manufacturers ; when the new stock company, styled the Spiker Wagon Works Co., was organized, Mr. Genslinger was chosen Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Genslinger has been a useful citizen ; has served the people of Piqua as Councilman one term, is now serving the third year as Trustee of the City Water Works, also the second term as Director of the County Infirmary, and is now, and has been for the past sixteen years, Captain of the Fourth Ward Fire Company, also Treasurer of the Masonic Lodge since 1870. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and one of its Vestrymen. Thus he Lag risen from a poor, fatherless boy to a useful and respected citizen, and, what seems remarkable, when we consider the numerous official positions he now fills, and has heretofore filled, he never attended school a day in his life. He is the father of nine children - Charles H., Addie, William H., Harry, Wallace, Nellie, Carrie, Kittie and Stephen J. His oldest son is in business in New Orleans ; the rest are members of the family household.

MRS. MARTHA GEYER belongs, by birth, to the Manson family ; her grandfather and father were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Miami Co. at a very early day, settling in Brown Township, on Lost Creek ; in those days David Geyer, the elder, had a large double log house, and to this the settlers came when there was any trouble with the Indians, using it as a block-house. The father of Mrs. Geyer married in 1810, and the subject of this sketch was born in February, 1822 ; her father died about a year after her birth, but her mother lived until 1854 ; they were both Methodists. Mrs. Geyer was married in June, 1841, to Frederick Geyer, and there were bom to them two children - John C. and William Henry ; Mr. and Mm* Geyer lived happily together until his death, which took place in September, time, Mrs. Geyer has been residing in Piqua.

WILLIAM M. GILLESPIE, farmer ; P. O. Piqua ; bora in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 16, 1828, is the son of William and Mary (Miskimmers) Gillespie. His father atime of Penn8ylvania, bora June 5, 1782, and his mother was bom March 0, 1798. The grandfather, George Gillespie, was bora in Ireland, and came oyer to mis country at an early day, about the close of the Revolutionary war. Yf iHiam and Mary, the parents, were united in marriage Dec. 11, 1817, and had eleven Vlz;> bom Oct 5, 1818, and died Oct. 10, 1844 ; John, bom March

MPt l849' and Margaret M., bom Nov. 30, 1841. William, the father, died, March 5, 1862, and Mary, the mother, died Oct 3, 1872. Mr. Gillespie, the Amei.Wlth hl8 Paints to Ohio about 1795 and located first near Cincinnati* wUlVed 8fveral years, thenqe to Warren Co., where the parents lived and WiUiam, the father, lived in Warren Co. till 1838, when he moved to ofl8l2«o^eI5he ^ and died 5 was a soldier under Gen. Harrison in the war under th« JTf1- thr°ngh the campaign and was at the treaty of peace at GreenviUe, rendered wJ1Ce8 Gens. Wayne and Harrison ; as a reward for special services ^rsub^rS a land warrant for 160 acres of land. Mr. Gillespie,

32' ^ al8° Allen H., bora April 5, 1880. Mr. GiUespie exception of about ^1S deatb» and has followed farming all his life, with i th tiac, Shelby Co. He dJrinS which he was in the grain business at Pon- a stanch Republican and^0 a°re8 are in cul Ovation. Mr. Gillespie is polittcalljr some thirty years' standing18 * member °f the United Presbyterian Church, of common-school education - in 184'> he emh £ 's. -vout*1> he received only a verv down the river to PittsbnrU and Cinelnn^^ ^ the lumb(?r business^ .Z Pittsfield, in which he w£j" sSSSSSf 'to th' 8ame ^ "P""** a volent flood carried off hU lo«s and Znher *J, SpSn?.0f.1850- a sudden and cumstances, making it nccessarv for him ndP*aced him in embarrassing cirmaking one of his"creditoTws ZiZZ tT * -" a8si.8nB"!n'> which he d£ the proceeds, managed to get away with^vervofinTi8"6-' of distributing hold an empty sack. After this misfortune 'Mr"/''" eavJnS the other creditors to upon which he was employed and verv m I7r 'ra^ P*aced his family on a raft Covington, Ky., to start anew'amm. J h a*?,n?t his father's wish, went to tember, 1851, having about kl'Wl ^h8 &i 5era ' he -""dad at Covington in Se7 and lumber men, he8^Ut8*^^7nUf b!3.^«ai>>tance with the fumber Se measuring lumber on the I ^ emPIo>;®ent for the time being, shingles, etc., for the raftsmem The J JTked into tradin« by selli.2

8ary to keep un exoensps WQQ . r money he made more than was necesreceived a commission of 50 centapTr thousand°'°?h- *°t °f shin&le8' for which he one morning before breakfast and Mr T ' th'8 ttansaction was conducted mulated about *1,000 in cash In tho m^ g .tra'18actl0ns until he bad accucml course at a mcrcantileToileTO "ea.nt,m® he had taken a regular commerwith an acquaintance who possSsed a^.lTl?8'1 ' h° then tormed a Part"ership started a lumber-yard at GoTh^Ti. - 4 7 same amount of capital, and they nver lumberman ^ho was J7.'S^aV?if ®.rs* 1 received assurance from a large they could have all the LkrTh.^ W1'h. Mr- 6ray a»d his circumstances, thlt deuce by him in Gray's abmt£ id - °? Credit- which showed great ionflfailure were still hanging over him ' v*® -lebtS from the Pennsylvania "soon as he began to° f^the wav'oil 7^ T'S®8! successful, end,

?'>ng or trying to operate - aiw'te4 !" a which he (Patch) was operinterests and went tJT investigation, Mr. Gray sold out his lumber amount of money to pay debte to +°L ^ing U9ed a consi(*erable machinery for the manufo^.f buddmf an(l fitted it up with the latest improved there until 1869 when on °I ^ ,kmds of wooIen goods ; this he operated qnantities, he deterraimtf ^°imt of. the difficulty of obtaining water in suflScient and made^ ^arranffeSf!^ ^ removal^ and accordingly visited the Miami Valley, being assoda^ Wh to Pi<Jua' Dr* O'Farrell and Thomas L. Daniels previously had his ntflnf bj^e ^r- Oray was equal to the emergency ; having mills, he succeeded t oht° - to'he demand for a reallJ good felt pape?

Englishman w^hJ w^r^'^u^u rnd,me,?t8 for their manufacture from an old difficulties his nartnAr tbe business in England ; he met with unexpected arrangement fnrth^ Z' Dli 0 ParreU' 0PP°sed the outlay necessary to perfect the °nly result in hi e manu£actunng of the felts as a useless expense which would result in disaster. So confident was Mr. Gray that, by the help of some friends East, he perfected the arrangements, bought out his partner, and although the first year or two witnessed many failures, he succeeded in making felts which are now successfully competing with the foreign manufacturer who formerly occupied the field, to the exclusion of all others ; he has associated with him now his son William C. Gray and H. C. Nellis ; they are now, in addition to their trade in blankets, flannels, yarns, etc., filling orders for felts from all parts of the United States and Canada, and have even shipped some across the Atlantic. Their felt cylinder jackets are pronounced by experienced paper-mill men to be the best in the world, and this industry has become one of the most important in Piqua.

S. S. GRAY, M. D., physician and surgeon, Piqua. Among the professional men of Piqua whb deserve a more than passing notice is Dr. Gray ; he was bom in Montgomery Co. in 1828, and came with his parents to this county in 1839 ; he commenced practice at Lockington in 1854, where he remained four years, then removed to Piqua, where he has continued to reside ever since, enjoying a very satisfactory practice ; he is widely known in his profession, having been a member of the Ohio Medical Society since 1867 ; was its treasurer six years, and has been almost continuously a member of some of the important committees ; he was the first to introduce the use of quinine as a remedy in inflammatory cases, especially pneumonia and croup. During the war, and for a time after its close, he was Government Examiner of Pensioners. He married, April 22, 1856, Miss Rachel A., daughter of Thomas R. Bowen, who was a native of New Jersey, and an early resident of Staunton Township.

S. GROSS, of the firm of S. Gross & Co., dealers in dry goods, Piqua ; is a native of Ohio ; was born in Cincinnati in 1840, and was schooled to business kj8 early boyhood ; he came to Piqua in 1868 and opened a dry-goods store, which he has successfully conducted ever since ; the style, quantity and quality, as well as the general appearance of this store, indicate that the management is characterized by systematic energy' and enterprise ; and the fact that the volume of business has increased and is steadily increasing, proves that the wide-awake man- ®rm is appreciated by the people ; Gross & Co. are located at 123 Mam street, carrying a very complete line of standard and fancy dry' goods and notions, the upper floor being used to store and show their elegant line of carpets and house-furnishing goods.

ampaign Co. in 1833, where Jennison (or "Chief," as he is known in Piqua,) grew to manhood, and married Miss Rosanna Willard, also a native of Vermont;

°CfUrred iu 1857 J Mr. HaU began life for himself as a merchant at wh©n the building of the C., P. & I. R. R. was in contemplation, he ^La^!CtlVG P,art in 8ecuring it, and became the agent at this place, built a gram Dieted trv p;' an(\ °perated in grain ; when the railroad from Columbus was comalso had th!?Ua m name to Piqua, having been appointed agent here, and termiMt^nfaw^eSti he was also *8eni of the D & M., Piqua then being the M^H heramn ^I0^8 5 ^r the completion of the D. & M. to Toledo m 18W, 1865 he^Tfn the ^erai Agent, with headquarters at Dayton; from 1863 to em ^en burned to Piqua, and, in 1868, became the Westothers with credit*^ the, ?' & O. R. R. Co., a position he hag since filled, as al dealt more or !***«* hlm.8e^ an(* great acceptance to his employers ; he has always and extensive ohiiln grai?? and is known over the West as a popular railroad man ^S XlbJ'n187?.' the Republicans of his district, composed^ standing he did lifrl* ^ H?Untl.e8' nominated him for State Senator ; notwithknown SemoJratlfm^L"^??^ i"lthe in consequence of there being * four children - James Ward WilH^M M > daughter of Jonas Ward; theylmve instructed in dentil bftS f^her'sn^ B' Z* CHffordi JamesWaid was a short time, then reSovL to ft*? fterward Practiced in Mt. Vernon, HL, took a course and \^^' mnWnD^on his Practici, he a lucrative dental nractiee - w;n;a ngbai, China, where he is now enjoying Medical College andPe^ft to^ft^ftft90011 » ^duate *«* the St iS a student of toe Pia ua^th p ticej Mary E., a graduate, and Clifford, resort to hta ow?^ C^sft^T1*868 "Pooling, he was obliged to instructor, thereby aaintot Infflftrft10a,:?O,\an« became* 80 to speak, his own at the age of 21 ware he ih ' to 8t hlm for a,' Practical business ; and meanwhile took to study of medicine, selecting the eclectic faith, and MiaTf * ?*! Hannah Statler- daughter of Christophe?

Dr. H^s W2^1,0red ,^1mJ0ther in ^ short spice of two^rs; soon after Previously while 5®*' be settled in the southern part of Montgomery Co. ; but snablinghim studies he worked at blacksmithing, thereby cluwged his stoHtof^fth*8 j when the first year had rolled around, he appreciated - th* n8 *° tbe allopathic school, in which his practice was largely his first looftfiJrf -1>0?i0r Was a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College ; from dalia, whem J,he Po^on of Montgomery Co., he moved to Vanmoved to cmjtmued the practice of his profession one year ; then nershin a ^)a?'Iier8fl^P Dr. Darwin, of Gettysburg ; after their partwhich nla^ ^.m0ved to Manon, Ind., engaging in the drug business, at Harter^ Af«7en18COVered ^ a^ue 8Pe°ific known to all parts of the world as Dr. ufactnrp Zr®?? 0ure J fr°m Marion he removed to Troy, Ohio, and began the manms specific on quite a large scale ; and, in 1866, moved his business interests to St Louis, Mo., where he added very largely to his prosperous enterprises, forming a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing the late discovery ; the family remained in Troy Until 1867, at which time they moved to St Louis, where they became permanent residents, spending the remainder of the Doctor's life ; his skill and energy, as well as his indomitable will, placed him at the head of his profession, and made him a benefactor of the world ; his fame is as broad as the expanse of our universe, and never to be forgotten ; an excellent financier, leaving a very large estate to his estimable widow, who can only mourn his untimely loss, though Time, the great finisher of all living, will, we hope, bring them together where partings are known no more.

J. BONL HEMSTEGER, editor Correspondent , Piqua ; was born on the 3d day of September, 1858, in the city of Piqua, being the fifth child in the family. His father removed from West Alexandria, Preble Co., Ohio, to Piqua, about the year 1855, and has since then carried on one of the largest and most prosperous clothing establishments in the county. The subject of this sketch received his first education in the parish schools of Piqua, and then for several terms attended the St. Mary's Institute, near Dayton, Ohio. In December, 1871, his studies were abruptly terminated by a very malignant attack of spinal meningitis, and brain fever, which rendered him utterly helpless for five months, and incapacitated him for any exertions for two years. This sickness also permanently deprived him of the power of hearing. In January, 1875, he accepted a position in a printing establishment of Piqua, where he learned the printing business. In October, 1877, went to Lima, Ohio, working at a German paper in that city ; after six weeks spent m this position, he purchased an interest in the German Stem des Westlichen Ohio , at Minster, Auglaize Co., and assumed the publication of that journal. Finding the business a very unprofitable one, he sold out his share in the same to his partner, in March, 1878, and returned to Piqua, and immediately set about making preparations for the publication of a new German paper. On the 1 7th day of April, same year, the first number of Der Piqua Correspondent was issued by him, and since tnat date . the paper has been a regular weekly visitor among the numerous Ger* flan families of the city and neighborhood. Under his management the enterprise a gratifying success. Mr. Hemsteger was married October 30, 1878,

JOHN F. HEMSTEGER, merchant tailor and clothier, Piqua; Mr. Hemsteger m a native of Germany, born in Westphalia, in 1824, learned the tailor's trade when a youth, and served two years in the army of the Kingdom of Pmss» i ti^Gmted ®tote8 in 1847 ; after about two years, during which time he at *US in different places, he was married, in Dayton, to Miss w e^rIA?J1, wh° was also a native of Germany ; after his marriage, he setimr hnainM^ -AJ^andria, Preble Co., where he established himself in the tailor* sinftft tvojhJ ^e,con tinned until he removed to Piqua, in 1856, where he has

S hC i8 doi^ a lar8e trade in ready-made clothing and gents' fbrand is^a hi£rhi?em8te?e!i ^a.^een, for eight years past, a member of the Council, whom ai-a citizen ; he is the fhther of thirteen children, nine of te^hi in \LeZZ%Tdent (Gtrm?n)J Piqua), Theresa (now Mrs. F. R Frigee r Mrs. Joseph Kinn ??lln5cte(i *ith St. Boniface Catholic Church), Anna (now benefit of an academic course - he OTaduated ~UrinSwiJlter> ***& later received the Washington, D. C in 184ft aL 6 ^ra(luate^ from the National Medical College at struck out for himself Work«d *1* 1 ^ ^ i he was 18 ^ears of age, when he jng, till he was 30 years of ** 'l?n0U8.place8 m the State, mostly at fann- J****1 in Warren df about om ii « 1847, u* emigrated to Ohio, and parents of two children, viz., Michael and Eve ; Eve was born Nov. 25, 1843 ; she was married Nov. 27, 1866, to George Niil, by whom she had five children ; all are living, viz., Catharine, born Feb. 12, 1868 ; Mary, bom March 13, 1870 ; Michael, bom May 20, 1871 ; Christiana, Jan. 6, 1873 ; Margaret, Nov. 11, 1874. She lost her husband by death, June 1, 1874, since which, she has remained with her mother and brother Michael. Adam, the father, died about four years ago. Mr. Hittle, the subject of our sketch, has always followed farming ; he has never married, but seems to enjoy single blessedness. He lives at home with his mother and sister, and takes charge of the farm ; nearly his whole life, some thirty-eight years, has been spent in Miami Co., which should give him a right and title among the old settlers of this county.

J. D. & J. L. BOLTZEMANN, wholesale liquor dealers in foreign and domestic spirits, Piqua. Piqua, like most cities of its size, is represented by almost every branch of business. J. D. Holtzemann has been engaged in his present business for nearly half a century, during which time he transacted business with several different partners, until bis son, J. L., formed the present partnership. During this time, they have been favorably known as rectifiers, compounders of liquor, etc. ; they, in connection with their business, manufacture Holtzemann's reliable and well-known stomach bitters ; J. D., the senior member of the firm, was bom in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 22, 1808, where he grew to manhood on the farm ; when but a young man, he engaged in merchandising in Bremen ; this was conducted four years, when his thoughts 'were directed to the American continent ; and in 1831, "he embarked from Bremen, landing in Baltimore in November of that fall ; there he engaged in handling foreign dry goods until one year later, when he came to Germantown, Ohio, making a few changes up to 1836, when he settled in Piqua. In 1838, he erected a part of his present wholesale house, which has since been enlarged to ninety-five feet deep, front on the comer of Main and Water streets. Sept. 18, 1836, he married Johannah L. Dettmer, bom in Hanover, Germany, September, 1808 ; their children by this union are ten in number, mx are now living - J. Lewis, Eliza, Gagg, Louisa, Minnie and Helen.

. HUMMEL, proprietor steam granite works, Piqua. Mr. Hummel, a native of Prussia, was bom in 1841, and came to the United States in 1852 ; his parents touted here in Piqua and died here, after which J. F., being a boy, floated about yv nen the first call for troops was made, he enlisted in the three months' service, til o/ °hl? V* L 5 afterward enlisted for three years in the 79th 0. V. I, which he served until the close of the war. In 1 869, he came to Piqua, and worked at marjourneyman for Daniel Young, whom, in 1871, he bought out, oonw^ ^heibu8me88 here ever 8inoe. Mr. Hummel is emphatically a self-made man , 1£'he wherever employment eould b* got; learnt to

WM ^thT ®,mKPl°y^ L has keP' 8te«% on, enlarged his shop, and now has it Seoteh11P<>lwinng machinery operated by steam. He is a thorough ent deT*er' a draughtsman, and the extent of his busi- H^eL^nr u® *" S'ate- He branch office in Cincinnati, C. A.

ing np to maturitv vi° t£?.IJ}.eleven children, one dying in infancy, and ten gr°* CUvlrS irNeb^'Ma^T' Martha »"d Mar^amt, all now deceas^; John Eliza, Joseph Baxter Ann' now Mrs. John Patterson ; James W., Jff

Of a necessity brought hhn into tta?ny' b|Ur Was alwa-vs 8n Anti-slavery man which He is a member of the "CbvteH^P.".bI,T Part^wher«he has since remS Period of forty years. yte n Church, his membership reaching over a

WILLIAM JOHNSTON, contractor and County Commissioner, Piqua ; was born in Franklin Co., Penn, May 2, 1804 ; he and four sisters are still living, of a family of six children of James and Mary (Adams) Johnston ; his father came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and located one mile and a half from Piqua, in 1811, where he farmed till 1821, when he bought a farm on what is now called Upper Piqua, where he lived till he died, in December, 1847, aged 77 years. William Johnston received his early education in the old log schoolhouse, which was the best facility afforded in those days, having about three months' schooling each year, the balance of the time was applied to hard labor in clearing up the farm and making a home ; Mr. Johnston remained with his father till he was 31 years of age, when he was united in marriage, April 28, 1835, with Mary Bercaw, and, May 1, 1840, she was snatched from him by the remorseless messenger Death ; in 1842, April 25, he was again married, to Mary Ann Brown, danghter of Aaron and Hanna,h (Kirk) Brown, who came to Ohio at quite an early day, coming from Fayette Co., Penn. ; about the time of his first marriage, he entered upon the milling busi-. ness, about three miles from Piqua, in which he continued till 1850, when he rented his mill, and started West across the plains for California, having under his conductorship eighty-nine men ; they left Kansas City on the 8th of May, 1850, arriving at Sacramento City on the 20th of September, following, where he remained till the 1st day of June, 1853 ; while there* he was engaged in the grocery teade, doing a very flourishing business, but suffered much loss, being burnt out by the great fire in November, 1852 ; and, in January, 1853, his goods were destroyed by water from the great freshet ; on the 1st day of June, 1853, he embarked on board a steamer for New York City, where, after a twenty-three dayB top, he arrived safely, and from there came direct to Piqua ; from his return to qua up to the present time he has been engaged on the public works of the county as builder and contractor on the railroads, canal and turnpikes, and during some five years on the hydraulic works of Piqua ; he is now County Commissioner, having been elected to that office last October ; he was also superintendent on the i canal for some four years, and filled various other offices of trust. Mr. uonnston is now ahnnt 7ft vaam J -_ l. I a tthnat h

J. and Rachel E. J. ^The two fif *OUr childre" - Henry Caldwell, Maiy U., Wilson C., and the two latter m m now w*th their father in Washington, D- tailed by the Indians near that place nf m d?7 °f A0^81 in that year was the subject of this sketch was iustlv of K®nt<icky, the mother of

to the bar, and opened a l«w 'sZ^lnf.for flve yews ; in 1850, he was practice ever since ; April 18 k in ^Qoa, where he has been in th« f® "Miicative of the latter analituL £ 1 88 fnergetlc' determined and persevering - to Government single-handed in' relation*** 8tate? tot for thirty years he fought "ad® by the Pottawatomie Tndiln/ * . ' to a.elaim by reason of a stipulation his father, a certain tract of tonrfT " lntended to secure to the heirs of

Residential Elector for^e* Pon^n- ^ .R®P"^lic^ Party, and to 18M was consequence of th*» *°r toe /°nrth District on the Lincoln ticket : in 1870 in