Miami County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 22 of 23)

Co Ohio in the year 1824 : is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hart) Berner, ms father a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvtmia; to settled in Montgomery Co., in which they lived a number of yea , this county and took up their abode for awhile ; amoved to near Little Rock, Art, and finally back to Southern Indiana, in which State his m0*h*F ^died , a«d 40 years ; after her death, his father came to this county, and brad . ^hu . deaffi, which occurred at the age of 72 or 73 years ; they were parents of three of whom are living, viz., Melinda, Wm. B. and Henry ^ deceased « Joseph, John and Cyrus ; his father's first mamage was mth i a iVmJMV whom he had four children, three living, viz., Nancy, ^emdaandSar > deceased ; his third marriage was celebrated with by whom had one child, Amanda ; his fourth mamage was with Nancy Robinson, By he had one child, a son, Franklin. Our subject was reared on the ftrm, o he labored until he was 19 years of age, at which tune ^was in lndmn^ returned to this county and worked as a hand on the farm a.£®u* ^ after which he learned the shoemaker s trade, which he follow^for reve wm In 1846, he was married to Mary Albaugh ; they height cinldren, seven of are living, viz., Clara, Calvin, Cyrus, Walter, Aaron, William and Smjtel , Swan^ deceased After his marriage, he continued at his trade, and in a smaU way,dia something at farming. In 1847, he came to the place on which he > dued his land, besides erecting good, comfortable and substanhal buildin^ ^ also owns the old Albaugh homestead, which contains 80 acres ; this, in conn tion with the other, makes him the possessor of 182^ "res of fine .

is a daughter of Samuel and Anna Albaugh, who were among the 681 JP, of this county ; Mr. Kessler is one of our self-made men, having begun me PI handed, and, with slight assistance, he has by energy and frugality, coni good management, amassed a fine property, the fruit of honest toil, member of the Christian Church, and an exemplary Christian woman.

SAMUEL KESSLER, deceased ; was. born in South Carohna in 1W% ***> moved with his parents to Miami Co. in 1809 ; his father, Joseph Kessler, in Pennsylvania, as was his wife ; they emigrated to South Carolina, and to Ohio, as above stated ; they were the parents of eleven children, of wnom j two are living, viz* Benjamin and Jonathan. For sixty-six years our suDj tinuously lived in this county, and, when not actively engaged m manual » gave the farm his supervision ; he was not a very robust man, but bore all m of the flesh, and the hardships incident to pioneer life, with heroism ; at tn vanced age of 68 years he was gathered to his fathers, having lived a life, and leaving to the surviving members of his family a memory that will ev cherished. He married, May 21, 1 829, Margaret (Porter) Slier, a daughter of J a® and Anna Porter, natives of Tennessee, who removed to Ohio in 1808 or l»y. , Mr. Porter died in St. Joe, Mo., aged 63 years ; Mrs. Porter departed tins iue Miami Co., aged 51 years ; they were the parents of nine children, who lived w grow up to man's and woman's estate ; of these only five are left, viz., John, Alex- under, Adeline, Martha and Margaret To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kessler four children were given, of whom two are living, viz,, William and Frances ; the deceased are Mary (Mrs. Hickman) and John H. Mrs. Kessler was previously married to Henry Siler in October, 1826 ; to this marriage one child was given, viz., Mans, now Mrs. William Hall ; Mr. Siler was bom in 1804 and died in 1827 ; Mrs Kessler was born in 1806. Frances was united in marriage with Samuel P. Ax tell, *875 ; to their union two children have been given, viz., Leo Ray, bom Dec. f?'io ,and Thomas bora March 10, 1879. Mr. Ax tell was bom July

AMOS KLEPINGER, farmer and carpenter ; P. 0. West Milton ; bom in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1831 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Boyer) Klepinwas born in Pennsylvania, his mother in Virginia. Mr. John Klepinger with ms parents, came to Ohio and settled in the above county in 1808, in which they now reside ; they were parents of nine children, all living, viz., Amos, Frank, Newn, Samuel, Harvy, Oliver, John, Matilda and Harriet. Amos was reared on the "rm, and remained with his father till he was 18 years old, then began learning the ^rpenter 8 trade, which he followed extensively for about seven years, then took p anning again. In 1853, he was married to Magdalene Ruse, by whom he has l?r« cbildren, nine of whom are living, viz., Charley M., Sarah B., John C., ifi&i k ' A., Jesse T., Cora E., Jeannette and Mary ; Clara deceased. In bv n u Purchased 80 acres of land, on which he now resides, and has since added j purchase, till now he owns 95 acres, which is all in a good state of cultivation fW ; he has paid considerable attention to his trade, and many havinholSP !^tness bis skill ; Mr. Klepinger is one of our self-madb men, b^gnn life without capital, and with only slight assistance he has made a ?^)"0,ne is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He and his wife are u ^e German Baptist Church, with which they have been connected

The parents of Mrs. Klepinge,r John and Sarah Ruse, are TpcTa 5 taey were parents of eight living children viz., Elizabeth, Eve, Lydia, Jesse Susm! Mary, Phoebe and Magdalene.

thP 'mt"e year 1842 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth Klepinger ; he was bom in Mftnf 1416 °* Pewi8ylvania, she in Maryland. They emigrated to and settled in abonfufin^ *n wblch they now live. He was born in the year 1802, she Nftwt . ^bey were parents of nine children, all living, viz., Amos, Franklin, the f ^ ^at^da, H. A., Samuel, Harvey, John and Oliver. Harvey was reared on life rmh1-' 0n wbich he labored until he obtained his majority, after which he began 170th att0?1 re8POI18ibility and engaged in farming. He was a member of Co. K, won . j 8enring till the close of the war ; discharged in 1865. In 1870, he

Ty|ji. arrJ®d to Sarah J. Hyer, by whom he has had four children, viz., Hattie .M., reairt Dora B* Rollin. In 1872, he moved to the place where he now He owns 80 acres of land, which is all in fine condition, and well improved, dionh UCa^on was reived in the district schools, in which he fitted himself to the duties which attach to life. His estimable wife is a member of the r?®811 Baptist Church, and is a daughter of Moses and Rebecca (Stoner) Hyer, Ir0 in Montgomery Co. They are the parents of four children, three of

; is a son of Peter and Catherine Kreider, who were nativ w: ? Which they lived. His father died in 1844, aged 42 years ; h» 1 mother ThflJ>°ni m bving, as, also, is her mother, who is 9 J Joseph,

^'weU-knomi John Spitler, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. Kreiderhas followed the fortunes of the farm all his life, and for twenty years taw Sis county ; he owns 75 acres of land, which is all and handsomely improved with more than ordinary buiidingB. Kpoun life with self-made men, in the broadest sense which the term implies, haT,hg g" only small capital. He invested in a steam saw-mdl which w^ d^yed^by fire, involving him in a loss of *2,000. His farm and stock are the fruit of his own ston ; his early boyhood days were spent on the farm, but his fathw pa more attention to educating his children than was common wt ? iQn(J April 11, 1848, he left home to learn the carpenter s trade, his -b£Sd hard and the shivering blasts of the north wind whistled through the chmta ofttieo^ log schoolhouse, Benjamin occupied a seat therein, and strove with m g to penetrate the misty depths of knowledge, which was so difflcj^ to del ve into in those days; in March, 1850, he began Practicing his trade on ^hisi »w account, which he continued in until March, 1851. March29 of the sa J ' was married to Rebecca Wheelock, a daughter of Lyman Whedock, an old setoer, who died Nov. 25, 1850 ; our subject has adopted and reared ft

Rosella ; also adopted and partially reared four others. viz., John Westtall, *-«*- Langston, M. PeaTson, deceased, and Geo. W. Beck ; the latter, ho > 'D remained with him from his 16th year until he was 19 years old, Mr. Langs worked on leased land till March, 1853, at which time he purchased the o d nome stead form for the sum of *2,300, paying *1,000 down ; here he remained nmu August, 1860, when he sold his personal effects, moved to the Brush j ment and, during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863, worked at his trade and (htebargw the duties of some of the township offices ; in November, 1863, he return ed - farm, and May 2, 1864, was called on by Gov. Brough to accept a Second Lieureuantcy in Co. D, 147 O. N. G., which was soon transferred to the scenes ot war, on placed in charge of Fort Ethan Allen, which was situated in Virginia, .

a portion of the time ; he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Aug.jW, t i J the home-guard companies were continued, of one of which he was [elected ' QflR bv in July, 1865 ; he was mustered from the service of the State May A, 18 'J proclamation of the Adjutant General of Ohio, thus ending his military * which is finely improved and in a high state of cultivation ; Oct. 8, 1878, ne elected one of the County Infirmary Directors, which position he now holds , and his estimable wife have been members of the Christian Church since Augu, 1851, and are exemplary Christian people ; he is, and has been, an earnest wo in the cause of Sabbath schools, as well as a powerful champion in the . temperance ; he has been remarkably healthy, never paying but $2 to a physici > with the exception of one case - a chronic complaint, which was completely era ' cated by Dr. A. E. Duncan, of Yellow Springs ; Mr. Langston has traveled exten- og. lb, 1834 ; is a son of Leonard and Frances (Christ) Langston ; his father was bom in Georgia, his mother in Maryland ; they came to Ohio in 1807, and left !JVi!V j °me a two-wheeled vehicle, but, while crossing the mountains, the rose down, which necessitated its abandonment ; their earthly effects were transferred to the backs of their steeds, as were also grandmother and the children, m a Un.e enc^ure the fatigue of travel, while grandfather, rifle in hand, Se;he e^re jpunrey on foot; they first settled in Preble Co., in which they land* qV* then removed to this township, in which he entered 160 acres of hi« fl1Dw f V » while on a return trip to Preble Co., the wolves made a raid on h " sheep, and devoured every one ; they were the second lot of sheep , . the township ; a Mr. Duncan had brought a few previously ; he with * 8 famd^ "to a cabin, and began the great* labor of clearing ; he was Ohirttt* mea^8.' having spent the last shilling for tobacco, when he crossed the ° K1Vefr ' a'8 was 8uPPort, supplying both food and raiment ; he was a of nunter,and the crack of his rifle was never heard but what some inhabitant M 8 ^ T°uld ^ a victini to his prowess and unerring aim. They were the 18 * io* n children, seven daughters and a son. Grandfather L. died in the her £ °f a' a^ed ^ juurs ; his wife died at the advanced age of 96 years ; to 8hp if8?60 .t® 8he used to describe scenes of the Revolutionary war, in which

. e more unfortunate ones who were burning with fever, caused either by fog wounds or the malaria which arose from pestilential swamps. Peace be ffladiftt a8ae8.°^ these veteran pioneers. They have done a good work ; like the ured ° u arena> they bared their arms for the conflict, and, with measlahvri hT68' . wed their wa>' into the heart of a wilderness, in whose winding iutK . ,8 P^ls of every nature met them at each advancing step. David's whom 18i, Vmgl .ai|d resides to Darke Co.; they are the parents of ten children, of Mfti+k &T\a^e but one, Leonard; the living are Benjamin N., John C.,

"*» David> Henry C., Mary A., Hannah E., Jesse S. and Parolee ; Leonard and the 8th O. V. C., and was one of the daring and successful spies ' °( the. Union force8, who did so much for the success of our armies ; he fhrth K' ^ ^th the enemjT in disguise and was one of them, so far as he could wnni^k 18 PurP0®e- to one instance, he was taken prisoner by our own men, and bora ^aVe offered death, had not his brother recognized him ; the blood of the thiv U^' and they would listen to no explanation he might make, thinking evertr^i Cau^bt a spy, and were bound to have an execution ; he passed through ( * anS®r incident to his calling, and was, in November, 1864, decoyed by a strinoj1!^ .enemy who were dressed in blue uniform, and flying the stars and death ' Q?°n discovering their true character, he refused to surrender, knowing ,wo. be his portion if he did, made the attempt to cut his way out, and, aftm. their Captain and others of tiie party, he himself was shot, and soon from the effects °f the terrible wounds he received. His remains were drilliJt ^ome ftnd interred in the cemetery on Greenville Creek. Our 8ybject w ®Wed for two years in the Covington Blues, after which he was appointed drdlw^aftnth!ilth Ohio' to Co. K, and given a Sergeant's commission He

T)LdA^TG wa8 taken to his regiment. The Chaplain summoned the he wo 8 ^unera^ s^nnon was preached in good earnest. Upon his re inn-dav men ^ ^ the commission of a 1st Lieutenant, in Co. G, 147th Regi ' . the is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Lan^wn oeioug to the Christian Church. Four of his brothers were in the army PS wa^Jo" Captain of Co. E, 11th O.VJ, ^afterward C^of Co^B.^th O V. L, and was mounted at Lewisburg May 23, 1862. d j . « j)

*L d 69 years 11 months and 14 days ; they were parents of teochUdren, seven whom are living viz, Beniamin, David, Henry, Sarah, Anna, Fanny . ' the deceased are Esther, Isaac and Elizabeth. 0u^ ®^^"^^g°an learning assisting in its cultivation until he was 24 years of age, and then Began i ^ the smith's trade, which he followed about twelve years. D^. 13, 1838^te w married to Rebecca Welbanm ; they ^vehadsix childrenfiveof^^ g viz, Sarah A, Jeremiah, Samuel, Joseph and Henry (twins), om died m mia jr. Mrs. Longanecker departed this life July 26, 1848, aged 31 J®*".. Aprils,

Harvev, Ella and Willie; Mrs. Longanecker was bom Nov. 1, 1825^ daughter of Abraham Welbaum, who came from Pennsylvania and settied n TL ly day; he died Sept. 24, 1863, aged 60 ves« 6 months. md 1 12 days, her mother, Rebecca, is now the wife of Emanuel Martin, to Mis. - eleven children were bom, eight of whom are living-Magdalene Lyd^Fh Eve, William, Joseph, Levi and Rebecca .the deceased are Barb^Ob "hoge Amos ; his first wife was a daughter of Chsurles Elizabeth Welb ,^^ sketch appears in this work under the head of Jacob Welbaum , afte March,

1856 ; he owns 310 acres of land, 70 of which is situated in Newberry ^Totosmpthe land is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved ; hw b Jjous the home farm are of more than ordinary character ; a large house and co barn, with their pleasant surroundings, make his home a very attractive place , held some of the offices of the township, of which we mention Schoo ^

Supervisor, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Longanecker are members of the Gcrmim v ^ Church, he having been connected with it for a period of forty years, ana

Joseph, Henry, Sarah, Caroline and Susanna - belong to the same church > is a minister in the Christian Church and resides in Frederickstown, this .

N. C., where he was reared, and from which he removed to umo m ,luc °{\Trnce 1831. They were parents of the following children, all deceased, viz., UDem (Mrs. John Quilling, who gave birth to the first white child born north of Dayw > Rebecca (Mrs. David Sheets), Sarah (Mrs. Solomon Way mire), Nancy (Mrs. ) and Absalom. The latter was married to Mary Johnn, of Montgomery the year 1818, by whom he had ten children, six of whom, are living, viz., Llwa ' Johnson P., Wesley J., Cynthia A., Asher C. and Mary J. The deceased are Harris David, Madison and Arabella. Mary Johnn, wife of Absalom Mast, was do in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1799, and with her parents came to Ohio and settled

Wotf Creek, in Montgomery Co., in 1810 ; she ilreil Ang. 23, 184C. In an early nay, Absalom Mast had command of a Light Horse Company, of which he was Lapt&in. Be was a good horseman and a lover of the equine race. He died at the residence of his son, Asher C., Dec. 15, 1877. Our subject was reared on the form, laboring for his father till his 21st year, when he opened a hotel in West Milton, which he conducted for ten years, after which he dealt extensively in stock, and was also proprietor of a livery stable. In 1859, he abandoned these pursuits a turned his attention to the lightning-rod business,1 and since 1870 has given is lull attention to this business. J uly 7, 1847, he was married to Sarah, daughter v. .kenng. They have four children, Josephine (now Mrs. Will H.

re of Pennsylvania ; her mother in Maryland ; they removed to and settled in . 1(?' State they lived till their decease ; he died at the age of 76 years,

.V1 . e * year of her age. They were parents of seven children, four of whom vljJ Jacob, who resides in Menard Co., HI.; Nancy ; Mary, now Mrs.. « rjer ' a ou.r ®QbjGCt. The deceased are Christian, Catherine McGool . nee- Der,i5nduone !n infancy. Her grandfather was bora in Germany, and was 3* jrears old when his parents came to this country. Mrs. Mendenhall has been twiceamed ; first, to David Syler, in 1829, by whom she had four children, two of' om are hving, viz., Milton and Susan ; the deceased are John and Joseph. Miv dZrW *n 1835, aged 34 years. Her second marriage was cele-

-a ^ W1. Thaddeus Mendenhall in 1840. To them four children were bora, one- « y®18 viz., Priscilla ; the deceased are Angeline, Thaddeus and Emily- . Mendenhall died in 1846, aged 45 years ; was bora in North Carolina in 1801 r n is connected with the Mcndcnhalls whose very interesting sketch appears in Wvu Mary Garber was married to David Pearson in 1838, by whom she had rr ^Id - -Milton, deceased. Mr. Pearson died July 12, 1840, aged 24 years. pK-L 8ccond marriage was celebrated, in 1844, with Peter Moshier ; to them five uni Pr1 Tere born, all them deceased, viz., William, Eliza A., Mary C., Elmira th ^jl^bcth. Eliza and Nancy arc members of the Christian Church, of more j it years' standing, and are exemplary Christian ladies, taking much interest lilr ?cau.8e* Their sister, Mary, is a member of the Methodist Epfscopal Church, and, aersi8lJer8) ha® been a long worker in the vineyard of the Lord. Mrs. Menden- . 76$ acres of land, all well improved, thus making her a comfortable home fw enj°y ber declining j'ears. Her sisters, Nancy and Mary, were burned on the 10th of April, 1880. They are now erecting a new home on the site of we old one. Mary was born in Virginia in 181 5 : Nancy, her sister, in the same th JA(?0BT. MILES, physician and surgeon, Laura ; born in Newton Township in » *® ason of Wade and Maiy Miles. His father, was bora in this county, mother in the State of Indiana ; his father died in 1 855, aged 35 or 36 years ; his tuer was bora about the same year, and departed this life at the age of 30 years ; o wS?e ^be parents of eight children, of whom five are living, viz., Abijah W., raroii, Charity, Vachti and Jacob T.: the deceased are Jane, Naomi, and one in S . Bis boyhood days were spent on the farm ; and, at the age of 18, be wted m Co. K, of the 86th O. V. I. : his regiment was in the Army of the Tennessee, under Burnside's command. While on a scout in Western Virginia, lie a wound in tbe right knee, which deprives the Doctor of the free use of his . . ® be also lost one eye while in the service, from the effects of small-pox ; home, he studied and taught school until 1870, at which time he began he study of medicine undor Dr. A. E. Duncan, who is a very able physician ; wad nfM^ction® he read mcdiciuc four years, then entei*ed the Cincinnati Co ege- Medicine and Surgery, studying in the classes of 1873-74 and S^uata JL f ttechweof 1875 . he" returned to Laura, in which place he began the Medicine, since when he has built up a large and increasing practice. His.

Co. inlll3 andufsonTMichaeland Sarah Miller; hi. father was tolose to the Pennsylvania and Maryland line ; his *"°*k"wM 'J^e was only 10 years Ohio; Michael, with his parente, went to Kentucky wh^ h rf 1 a*d ,Jk up old, in which State they remained seven years, then crossed ' ' . thJ.? then went to their abode in Clermont Co. in which they lived ^ some t , th y fether died at Montgomery Co., Ohio, in which they lived till their deceas ' * te of tweive the age of 74, his mother, when 46 years of age ; they were th P ^ Abra. children, nine of whom are living, viz., John, Da^d' dac?b' ^ Man and Nancy ; ham, Benjamin, Andrew and Aaren ; the ^ceased are Joseph, Maiq S y by Ks second manage, with Elizabeth 'Brumbaugh , he h^ tencmia^_ ^ whom are living, viz., Emanual, Sarah, Elizabeth, » ^ homestead was on the farm, on which he labored until he was of age, at which tinie he Mg^ for himself, and worked as a day laborer, in .which iwayhe made chase the land whereon he now resides In 1839, g"Jh E John A., to them ten children were born, nine of whom are living, ^vi ., d DaviJ second marriage was celebrated with Elizabeth Falknor in 1 86 , Catlierwhen upward of 60 years of age. His third marriage w^ celebrat^ wite La ^ ine Bowser in 1877 ; in 1840, he settled on the place on which "e now at that time his land was all in the woods, he has "adeit what it ^ world place, well cultivated and improved ; Mr. Miller tegan th gp ^nortion ; he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, with which they^av ^ connected many years, and are every-day Christian peop - fully upon the were the parents of seven children, four living, viz., ^eter' ^braM ' married to Catherine; the deceased are David, Isaac and John. ' i?iizabeth John,

BaPtJOHNU A^MILLER, farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in this ^wnship^n year 1844 ; is a son of David Miller, whose sketch appears in this reared on the farm, on which he labored for his father till his 21s 3 » on the aged 7 months, and Anna, at about the same age. Mrs. M. 18 a d?u^ tv . both and Elizabeth Fortner, who were among the early settlers of this co J > ^ deceased. She was born here in 1844. They are members of the erm . tent Church, with which they have been connected twelve years, and are c Christian people, and endeavor to discharge every Christian duty.

he owns 77 m>r»a Wln*?r, 1852, he came to the place on which he now resides ; been pYfona' T8 land, on which are erected excellent buildings. He has thresher in 'th/ eng^ed in. threshing for a number of years, and is the oldest patrons 8Atisf«r»f 0011 flowed it for thirty years, always giving his of the Ohristio nik' **y dping a Ho. 1 job. He and his wife have been members 1830 Thoiv T ^kureh for twenty years. Mrs. M. was born in Ohio in the year and is nnp nf ?ifU^Jter' Mary *® the wife of George W. Beck, who resides near, JAPnnf ^ ^ueators of the county.

another nf 2. M^LEE' undertaker, and dealer in fiirniture West Milton, ; is is a son nf 7 6l of Miami Co. ; he was bom in Virginia, in 1826, and

1801 - h« ^banah Miller, who is a native of the same State, and was bora in is vet a roo /?10!6^40 oonpty with his family in the fall of the year 1832, and in the voarr °t^ ^nnty- His wife was bora in 1802 and departed this life living ^ On 01 T , r<* ***66 ' they were the parents of five children, who are all father in p ff.8U^!ect ? boyhood days were spent on the farm, where he assisted his 8hin in thpU tlvatln8 it until his 20th year, when he began to serve an apprenticereturned tn ?fr^fnter trade in this village ; he labored twelve years here, and then here he - T?11 after bis m°ther,s death, so as to make his father a home ; in the mam f - twe*ve years> when he returned to West Milton and engaged trade - hi rac.nn8 °f furniture ; in connection, he does a general undertaking fair (j' ij ® business relations in Miami Co. cover a period of forty years, and by age. Ria a t 888 w.on confidence of the people, who give him a liberal patronchild v\v a marria8e was celebrated with Sarah Werts in 1848 ; they have one 1853 offpd tT now Mrs. A- J- Pearson ; Mrs. Miller departed this life in Mary 3* a. ut 30 years. Mr. Miller's second marriage was celebrated with Edgar P nfu lrl > two children are the fruits of their union, viz., Ida M. and the count' t farmer deceased, aged 18 months. He owns 60 acres of fine land in the villas *s *.n a 8°°d ®tate of cultivation ; also owns a fine property in

Vt in iftiR - MORSE? farmer; P. 0. West Milton; born in Bennington Co., in thp Qt i5; *a 8011 John and Abigail (Himes) Morse ; the former was bora in a v ** , Connecticut, and removed with his father, Noah Morse, to Vermont, fours/v^ t8er® ^eir bodies were consigned to the tomb ; his mother lived to see threp y^ ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom only did i6?? YlZ'1 Nancy. Daniel and Henry ; the rest died of consumption, as cultivotf fath®r- Henry's boyhood days were spent on the farm, assisting in its to Monf 0n ' grappled with the heavy tasks to be found ; in I860, he remov ~ Davt.n^J116^ ®°*» Ohio, where he engaged in school-teaching, in the vacmity ^ shin in n^e[.e labored for some years, after which he moved to Monroe o P> Bai-ke Co., where he purchased 120 acres of land, on which he lived for place where he now resides, in 1862 ; he has 108 acres of land which is all in a fine state of cultivation, with good bmldings erected fbawa In the year 1841, he married Miss Catherine, a daughter of Jacob Laruse. who wasa St of Montgomery Co. To the union of Mr and Mrs Morse ..x chddren have been riven viz., Aldeba, Mary, Clara, Alice, Minerva and Laura. Mr. M.is one of our self-made men, having begun life empty-handed, but ^du^ good management, coupled with frugality, he has accomplished the great object in life - made a good home - and is now enjoying the shades of retirement

LUKE SMITH MOTE, farmer ; P. 0. West Milton ; was born Aug. 21 J81A in Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio ; his parents were Lav d Mote and Miriam (Mendenhall) Mote ; they settled first m Montgomeiy Co. mlSllbutm 1822 moved to Miami Co. Persons bearing the surname M°te ("««

Motte) and those in marriage connection with the family, were and bore a conspicuous part among the first settlers ^ Union Township, Miami Co., Ohio, not only in clearing out farms m the forest but also in "Jk 8 P first church and civil organizations ; the first emigrants of this . tbey from England, near London, to Pennsylvania, soon after its firet secernent , th y were thile brothers, John, Jonathan and William ; John went into the Southern States, and settled in Northern Georgia ; William died of smaU-^x whUe ice of the Colonial army (unmarried); Jonathan remained ng in Chester Co.; the early settlers in this township bearing the family nMQ, were his descendants ; his son David, who married Dorcas 'Nichols j ^ remov^ to the South, and settled in Columbia Co., Ga.; they had ten chddre them, six sons and four daughters ; their names and relative ages a*e A

Jesse ; all reached adult age (except Dorcas, who died in ^hildhood), married and raised up families (except David, who died in his 27th j ) » on the borders of civilization, where much wild game abounded, an ^ became very expert in the use of the rifle ; he mentioned, among otb . his experience in hunting, that he had killed two deer at a shot thi ' and twice he had killed three ; this expertness in the use of the rifle PPf rently handed down to some of his descendants, a few of whom de l8 the chase, and could number the slain of the wild herds of the fores j score, and even hundreds ; in person, he was of medium height, °\ S<1 rather heavy build, thoughfhl and given to taciturnity ; he and his wne p nied their children when they came to Ohio in 1802 ; his mental and pny ulties were little impaired as ripe age advanced, his step being elastic an j sight clear up to the close of life ; he died at his son John's, of gastritis,

4th of March, 1817, aged 84 years, being the oldest of the first emigrants township ; his wife, Dorcas, died the following November, in her ot> y * As above stated, said David Mote, Sr., and his sons and daughters and tnei . * lies, were of the first emigrants in these parts ; Jeremiah and William, accomp by their father and mother, came in September, 1802, and the rest soon to them. This part of the county being noted for its many large cold spnngs, discharge their waters, tumbling over the rocks, into the time-worn gorges fifty or sixty feet on their way to the river, affording many mill pnvileges, early sought out and selected for homes and sites for mills ; Jonathan Mot® those on the farm now owned by Mrs. Thomas Yore ; he built the first bnck _ there on this river, north of Dayton, in 1810, which is still standing ; he died away in April, 1839, of gastric derangement, like his father, in his 81st year ;n^ bearing the family name of his descendants remain in these parts. William Mo farm adjoined his brother Jonathan's on the southwest ; John's and Jeremian farms were three miles directly south, on the Montgomery Co. line. J0^^.8?^ physician, and widely known as Dr. Mote ; the early settlers were much afmctt» with ague, chills and malarial fevers, from impurities of the atmosphere caused oy stagnant water and decaying timber ; he being the only doctor in these parts, his time was much taken up in administering to the sick and afflicted ; hence his large practical experience in that day ; there was a greater mortality in his family, after his cnildren had married and settled in life, from pulmonary disease. Jeremiah was also accounted a good nurse among the sick, and more of a ready writer than ordinaiy inthat early day ; he was Clerk or Secretary of the Friends' Monthly Meetmg at West Branch in its first organization, and the old church records are in his ^awnting; his wife was Mary Butler, a native of Durhamshire, England ; they naa the following children born to them, viz., William, David, Aaron, Ann and I/Orcas (twins, died in infancy), Jeremiah, Isaiah, Mary, Susanna, Sarah, Miriam, aimab and Enoch, all of whom grew to mature age, were married and had famine8 ; he removed to Vigo Co., Ind., where he died in 1820, aged 50 years ; their ns and daughters nearly all remained and lived in that State. Daniel Motte, r., son of Jeremiah, married Miriam Mendenhall, daughter of Caleb and Susanna euaenhall, and settled in Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., adjoining Miami they had five children (sons) born to them, viz., Luke Smith, Zeno, Marcus, inus and Enos, who all grew to adult age, married and settled in life ; in 1820, orem5>ved to Vigo Co., Ind., but, on account of malarial fevers, that attacked all , earI?if5tt-ers Western prairies, he returned to Ohio in the fall of 1822, settled in this township ; he was a prominent member of the old Friends' urch at West Branch, as its records show ; he lived on a form, but had a carpe ter shop, being handy with tools ; he made house fhrniture, worked part of his e at the carpenter's trade and in the machine-shop, setting up machinery for oo en mills ; he taught, also, his eldest boys the use of tools ; hence they always employment enough in rough weather in his shop ; he often spoke of the disvantages he labored under by lack of more literary knowledge ; very few of the y settlers had any opportunity for school learning, save in the common rudi- P^tod by what little he did get, and was accounted competent to hett !Sme earl-v schools, and was careful that his children should have in f k eduucati°nal advantages than he had ; he died at his own homestead, adjoinhia c"ur<:h tot at West Branch, Sept 23, 1862, in the 70th year of his age ; three of of 1 tC *n . Luke Smith, the eldest, married Charity J ones, daughter

Arenah E., William Alden, Celestia S., Mary M., Arrie L., M. Benson and CoTdeha k 8?ns and five daughters ; the eldest, Elisha J., is a photographer, m all its i f,c i lIJ Richmond, Ind.; William A. is a portrait painter in the same place, claiming to do no work of the ordinary class ; the daughters are handy in and ornamental work. L. S. Motte is the originator of some very choice . .. ln8 apples and some other kinds of fruits ; the love of the fine arts and the are of the finer fruits and flowers, with him, appears to be innate in his children , rWJ2n^J®todied and practiced medicine when younger in his life, Doctor is often prefixed to his name, but of later years he declines following this occupation, except 1 cases 111 women and children. Marcus Motte, third son of David, Jr,, is portrait painter of note, also paints in superior style fruits and flowers ;tn Tha' ^ ^.tois occupation was innate in him, having followed it ^from toyhood. ft{ fantoy was rather noted for longevity, also for that trait of drawing ions and arriving at a judgment free of all bias of mind, by exte^ press^ here are but few of this large family connection bearing the » fan"J J , > te?8 ln ^ township at this writing ; the greater part emigr^ w^a^ m torther westward. Some families are in Delaware, Montg at w ^tod, and a few in Illinois. Maiy lies interred in the old ^vey^l Branch. Great-grandfather David and wife and their so chil_r sons aU removed to Indiana and died there, and part of the daugnre , to last are Uving, of aU the family, at this writing. T (RusseU), Thad- Joeeph MendenhaU's children were Mary (®r^")'.J^ (RendaU), Rachel deus, Lydia (McDonald), Anna (Macy), Ruth (Beh^er). Eunice (Kenoau;, (Compton) and Joseph ; all deceased except three daughto . dissimilar in many points. Caleb was more disposed to study, qu *. although he spending considerable of his time in reading and acquiring an^ m0re noisy, apple-seed ; from these he raised trees for his orchard, which prod c^ m gQe8t in 3eties.t His apples, in that earlyday, were ^ownfar ^d^ur^lu8> Jo9eph the country ; so it was an easy matter for him to dispose^of P w uttle more was noted as the first tanner in those parte though perhaps b ^e^ ^ and> about the trade than his brother Caleb ; he generally _ hired hm or ^ leathflr when ready for sale, it had none of the finish or completen , water, in that and, as this was the only tan-yard in reach, they would ns p y ng ^ ^ time, pound for tincture of oak bark. Hence, Joseph was enabled, to add acreage to his landed estate, from this certain income.

ITrom one of these, the "Stillwater Sweet," hi* grandson, L. 8. Mote, reproduced those *wo described by Dr. Warder, via., " Mote's Sweet" and * " * "

Caleb sold his farm and removed to near Richmond, Ind., where he died some ten years afterward, about 1848, of inflammation of the pleura, in his 79th year. Joseph died on the old premises, where he first settled, in 1850, of paralytic affection, near the same age of his brother Caleb.

West Branch Friends Church

The first organized church in Union Township was the Friends' of West Branch, in 1804. Religious meetings had been held some time previously, at the houses of the early settlers. The first meeting-house put up there stood northeast of the present brick, a rude log structure, 20x30 feet, built cabin fashion. The next one stood west, of larger dimensions, 22x44 feet, of hewed logs, with shingle roof, built in 1808. The third and present one, of brick, 40x60 feet, was built in 1818. People would come from miles around to attend these meetings, of every persuasion, professors or non-professors ; they were not so prejudiced in those primitive days as now, in regard to worship and preaching, neither did distance, stress of weather and difficult roads debar them this privilege. The first resident minister was William Ncall, from Tennessee. A monthly meeting was established there early in 1809, and a quarterly meeting in 1812, which are still continued. The first person buried in the churchyard was Mary Newman, wife of Thomas Newman, in 1807. Some of the more prominent church members at said meeting at West Branch, were David Motte, Sr., Samuel Jones, Sr., Benjamin Iddings, Sr., oainuel Brown, Jeremiah Motte, Caleb Mendenhall, Dr. John Motte, Frederick lount, James Patty, David Motte, Jr., Elisha Jones, Isaac Hasket, Wallace Jones and others, in its earl}' history, and, later, some of their descendants and other persons who came in by request or certificate.

WILLIAM M. MOTE, merchant, Laura ; bom in Monroe Township, Darke bo., in 1841 ; is a son of Alexander and Rlioda Mote. His father was bornin the year 181 8 ; Alexander's parents were bom in Georgia, and were the third famil} to settle in Monroe Township, Darke Co. He (Grandfather Mote) died in the borne of his adoption ; his wife afterward married a Mr. Penny, who removed to Indiana, where she afterward died. Alexander Mote lived in Darke Co. until lbb4, at which time he departed to Iowa, and settled UfT ie Grand, Marshall Co, where e died the following year ; his wife, Rlioda, departed this life in Darke Co., in the 3 ear 1852, aged 29 yeg.rs. Thev were parents of two children, viz., Harr} * our subject. William's early days were spent on his father s farm, and a e £> of 15 years, he entered mercantile life in the employ of George W. Sigafws, with whom he remained five years, becoming acquainted with all the differen p 0 a mei'cantile life ; after severing his connection with the above gen * * returned to the farm in Darke Co, on which he labored two yeare, then sflllD« e came to Laura and went into business under the firm name of Mo weanecker. They continued in business till 1871, wken he withdrew, and went to wea er Station, in Darke Co., and engaged in merchandising under the returned y-Mote ; this firm did business for three years, wben he.witbdrew, and aga to Laura in 1875 ; in September, 1876, he opened a store here, m which he bossing JK-eessfiilly followed his business ; be carries a complete and P® experience almost everything to be found in a first-class retail house, and his Jo g xp«^ ^ and fair dealing command for him a full share of the public patron^ J "n an supplied the wants of a buying public in this place for nine > J the ^ whom are living. Our subject was reared on i his fathws to ^ Mg 16th year, in doing the work, and attended the usual terms . t irregular intcrwhen he began to learn the carpenter trade. whic , lie is now located

JOSEPH OLWIN, farmer - P. O. Laura ; was born u. Cumte May 1, 1828. His father, Anthony Olwm, was born m Pennsy > ^ torn 1783, and departed this life in April 1869 ; his moth.e8r' ^''^ removed to Montin the same State Sept. 1, 1790, and died in June,. 1854 , they ^ Kyed tiU gomery Co, Ohio, when Joseph was only 6 months edd, are iiving, viz, the farm. Nov. 2, 1854, he was married to Margaret A TS51i)ene Samuel J-, has eleven children, of whom seven are living, viz Anthony > , 1* 8 ' Eimer k, received in the common schools, in which he fitted himself P a daughter responsible duties that devolved upon the profession. Mrs. Lancaster Co.T this life Sept. 24, 1854 ; her mother died in the year 1842, agea y HiraIUr were parents of six children, of whom five are living - Denj L, . j.ernoved

Rachel and Margaret A.; Mary and Jesse, deceased. In 1853, 1 - Miami Co.T to Crawford Co., 111., in which he resided seven years, then d is pleasantly and purchased 155 acres of land, on which he now resides ; his nnction with man of cultivated tastes as well as one of Miami's successful - ^ has filled the office of Trustee four years, Supervisor and School ^ and times. His amiable wife is an exemplary member of the Adventist o a consistent Christian lady ; her husband belongs to the Christian Chur n.

er was born in Bush River, S. C., Dec. 27, 1798 ; his mother was born in Mon- . .0W^1P, this county, Sept. 7, 1805. They were married in the above townp m way, 1823, and settled where our subject lives, in the same year. In 1837, ^he annual meeting of the Friends' Church, as a missionary among f ,n ia?® Western frontier ; he took with him his wife and five children,

IfcLi 6 a^!n,as8ume<^ labors of the farm ; and on the 7th day of February, TIiav Wa8 ^ ^ moVm the departure of his wife, in the 39th year of her age. T \ *ere Parents of eight children, four of whom are living, viz., Mahala, now Mrs.

I Joshua and Abraham ; the deceased are Rhoda, fnrm ;A^u!ai1 Sarepta ; Abraham and Nathan were born on the missionary m- ,, l®6 Missouri Territory, the former in July, 1837, the latter in June, 1840.

7*18 a mem^er the 5th Kan. V. I., and was also given charge of wagon afW °\t a^couut disability was discharged, returned to his home, and soon wl - . led' "atnan was a member of the 44th O. V. I., was twice wounded, after died - h ^ 8tnc^en J°wn with small-pox, at Knoxville Tennessee, from which he <jn n' ? aorvice as a private and rose to Color Sergeant, and was y elected Captain, but did not live to serve. Abraham was in the lOO-da}' Waah^'cw af8*8te<* ln the capture of the notorious Morgan ; he now resides ih h»aho1I?irI\i ' owa> .an(* baa represented his county in the Legislature. Anna's Jav ic d' resides in Parke Co., Ind., which he has represented. Mahala, Mrs.

riiah ^ *>eP a College, a^r which he entered the Antioch, and took the frill Entwentv Ur8e' "tting himself for the profession of teaching, which he followed for to ^^iaaiag when he was 18 years old. His father was again married,

Julv 'iq?? ^eceaseJ are Orlando, Hosea, Zimry and an infant. Mr. P. died tenoh'M° u ^^8, our subject was married to Susan E. Kessler; to them Martha "Tm* have been born, eight of whom are living, viz., Florent J., Emma J., Nftfhn! a Homer E- Charles L., Anna S., Mary H. and Dorcas ; Cordelia B. and wpta a eceafe^' Mrs. Pearson is a daughter of Henry and Sarena Kessler, who acroa ° ?arly ®ottlers in this county. Mr. Pearson owns an interest in 130 hia wif ^bich is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He and A i Sn members of the Christian Church for ten years, whpm k PEARSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Troy ; born in the place ncre ne now maiHrta in 1001 . Marv Pearson.

on 4k- 'P 7hen "Pward of 80 years of age. Robert Pearson settled on the farm, ,101 "J8 son and our subject now reside, at. a time when the magnificence and till k- ° j °f the great forest were unmarred. On this land Robert made his home livimf ^^ease> which occurred in 1852, at the age of 51 years. His wife is still at tfie advanced age of 74 years. They were parents of eight children, three d "e living, viz., Alexander, Alfred and Martha J., now Mrs. Dibra i "®

,2^. «« Eliza, aged 10 months and 27 days ; David, aged 4 years S months Md is fay8; Sarah, "ged 4 years 5 months and 2 days ; Abijah, aged 2 years Svtt'8 : Cany' ^ 27 years 11 months and 27 days Mr Person s earl} T y^°°d days were spent on his father's farm, on which he iabored tUl he was 21 Sh °i 8881 at which time his father died. He remained with Ins widowed ®o«ier for three years, and assisted in the duties of the farm. Jan. 25, 1855, he livin mamed 1® Susanna Long, bv whom he had five children, four o ',ving, viz., William L., Joseph L* Webster E. and Amanda ; Robert H. died J -

11 1871 aged 15 years 2 months and 26 days. Mrs. Pearson departed this i e Dec. 20 1879, aged 42 years 3 months and 3 days. She was an exemplary member of the Christian Church, with which she had been connected She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Long, both deceased With the exception of one year, which was spent in (^ncord Townsh.p he h^ lived exclusively on the old home farm, on which he now remdes He owns 120 acrw of land which is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He is a member of the Christian Church, with which he has been connected fourteen years.

Mr8^ 8PEAKSOn!^ farmer ; P. 0. West MUton; born in this county in the year 1833 ; is a son of Enoch Pearson, who was also bom m this county . his boyhood days were spent on the farm, but not under the guidance ' having been bound out when quite young to Elisha and RebeP^1 Jo"<s' he remained till he was 23 years of age, -though his time <?P|^ "he" 1 X^tion In consquence of this and the scarcity of school privileges in his day, wasUmited. In 1857, he was married to Mary A. Keudall.andhasone ch^m Loraine A., bom Oct. 18, 1858 ; he has taken great pains with h'? .^n s ^ucatton, he being a graduate of Covington High School, and a very promising} > "8

He owns 78 acres of land, 65 of which is in cultivation, and neatly imPr®v®J* > is a descendant of the first pioneers in this county, of -wham passing notice is taken, both in the historical and biographical department ot tms work. Mrs. Pearson is a daughter of John and Eunice Kendall, whose sketc appears in the pages of Union Township history. . 7th jav

WILLIAM S. PEARSON, deceased ; born in this township the 7th oay of the 9th month, 1833 ; was a son of Benjamin and Dorcas Person. ^ subject was reared a farmer's boy, and labored for his father on the marriage with Mahala McDonald, which was celebrated the 27th day of th® month, 1853. To them nine children were born, six of whom are living, viz., tiorac M., Jasper N., Ada J., Mary E., Herbert R. and Martha A. The dec^ are Lauro E., Rachel E. and William S. Mr. P. departed this life the 12th day of the * month, 1871. From his marriage till his death, his home was on the farm where ms widowed wife and children now reside. He was a member of the Friends » and lived a life of scrupulous Christian fidelity. Mrs. P. was born where sne resides, the 9th day of the 1st month, 1838, and is a daughter of Joseph and temperance (Elleman) McDonald. Her father was bom in South Carolina May 1787, her mother in Tennessee, Jan. 2, 1798 ; her father died in 1849, ageo - years, her mother died Nov. 9, 1855. They were parents of ten children, o only two survive, viz., Rachel and Mahala. The deceased are Enos, Isaiah, '

Elizabeth, Maiy, Denis, Phoebe and Aaron. By her father's hrst Sarah Mote, he had three children, two living, viz., John and Charles, deceased. Truly, death has been a frequent visitant to this family has p and consigned to the tomb many of its members with frightfhl rapidity. * is a member of the Friends' Church, and is a most consistent and exemp ry Christian woman ; she has 98 acres of land highly improved.

ELIHU PEARSON, farmer , P . 0. West Milton ; he was born in this township, on Sec. 8, in 1843, and is a son of Benjamin and Dorcas Pearson, w sketch appears in this work. Our subject was reared upon his fathers * » where he labored until his 23d year. His marriage with Anna Fisher, a daug of Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher, was celebrated in November, 1866 ; their pare® were bora in South Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, ana liv here till their decease ; Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher have four children hyPJSi William, Anna, Mary and Louisa ; Mary A. and Anna reside in Miami Co., t others in Kansas. After his marriage, our subject engaged in farming, and in sight of his birthplace has a nice little home of 49£ acres, all in a good state o cultivation, with No. 1 buildings erected thereon ; he was reared under tne influence of the Friends' Church, and is one who is always found at the post of duty, willing and ready to perform every Christian act ; his amiable wife is also amcmber of the same clmrch, and a consistent Christian lady ; six children have oeen given to their union, all living, viz., Warren, Edith, Emily. Omar, Mary and ,4 j *>®apBon only had the advantages of the common school, but is well qualified to discharge the business cares of life.

PAUL PEARSON, farmer ; P. 0. West Milton ; he was born in Monroe ownsnip , this county, in the year 1833, and is a son of Benjamin and Anna earson ; his father was born in South Carolina, his mother in the State of Tennessee ; when a child, Benjamin Pearson came with his parents to this county, ere they settled in the j'ear 1808, in Monroe Township, living there till their ecease ; Benjamin, father of Paul, made the same locality his home, reared his ami y, and m 1845, departed this life, aged about 42 years ; they were parents of nine children, two of whom are living, viz., Rachel and our subject Mrs. Pearson as again united in marriage, to Enoch Pearson, who is also deceased ; she is living I Jith her daughter, Mrs. Stickle. Our subject was reared on the farm ere he labored till his father's decease. In 1855, he was married to Rachel err}, by whom he has had five children, all living, viz., Lycurgus, Willis, Walter, mer and Valeria ; Mrs. Pearson is a daughter of Amos and Rachel Perry, who in fh "2°!^ * ® ^rly settlers in this county ; he was born in South Carolina, she in! Kentuckj* ; in 1859, he purchased 140 acres of land, on which he moved iu I860, and here has resided since.

Ohi ji i* PARSON, phy sician and surgeon ; was bom near West Milton, °, Aug 17? 1842 ; his early education was mostly obtained in the common W u1 4 8^or^ tuition in Antioch College, Indiana ; at the age of 19, he began ^ 8Ck?°* and taught several terms, during which time he read medicine d glance of the late Dr. Tenny ; after attending lectures, he received his

Ma 97ioDOCt°r of. Medicilie from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, hnm nl* l ' having practiced a short time in Winchester, Ind., and Hollands- Annr'^ViI^' "e 9ettled in March, 1868, in his native village, where he assiduously *hp th mmself for the ensuing five years, to the duties of his chosen profession ; dn * eD trew from business for one year to devote himself entirely to study, uunng which time the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery conferred on him 8innp rtlP °ma graduation ; returning then to his former practice, he has ever "CT» w,th a few exceptions, devoted his whole time to the demands of a large Mav Jennie Arnold, a lady of culture and refinement, he married j > 1865 ; she is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Arnold, residents of Montgomery Co., where she was born June 22, 1847. Alvick, son of H. J. Pearson and wife, was bora Nov. 27, 1868. Benjamin H. Pearson, the father of Dr. hxr vr°n' Was a Ploneer in this county, brought when a child from South Carolina 4^ i and Ruth Pearson ; he was bom June 26, 1806, and died Fe .

t1^!, having lived the long period of 70 years on his homestead, near where his declining years were passed; he lived a life of scrupu- 8 uuehty to ever}' conscious duty ; a man of judgment to decide and perseverintf6 P6^01111? °ne of nature's noblemen,, who left the indelible stamp of hoi w^° knew bim ; he was decided, yet unassuming, modest, yet perf y balanced ; his thoughts, his deeds and his actions were his own, formed from the feeling of his heart alone ; his wife, Dorcas, is the daughter of Wallace and Rachel emigrated here in 1806 from South Carolina, with many otbers who gashed their hands from the curse of slavery which was darkening the South , sue 2" a Wttle child, and, owing to the long, heavy roads and the o^edawdithpvof, their wagon, she was carried nearly all the way m the arms of P ^ lif ^ re imng each other b}' turns ; she still lives on the old farm w ife s sunshine has seen her untiring energy spent for the good of her ^ .

a year he spent in Indiana on the Wabash ; he departed this life when )<*» °f age ; his wife died on the old home farm, at about the age of 66 years > ; ^e> ^ toe parents of fifteen children, of whom only five are left, V1Z -QJ^" ®

Joseph, Rhoda and Elizabeth ; the deceased are Esther, Thomas Susanna, Isamh David, Enos, Margaret, Hannah, Lurania and Temperance. Our subjec * reared on the fam and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till^s25tb year, when he began life for himself. His marriage with Snydine PeaT^ celebrated in 1862 ; she is a daughter of Benjamin and Dorcas Pearson, who among the early settlers in this county ; their sketch appears in Xm that of Dr. Pearson, in this work ; they were the parent of nine chll^'°f wb^ six are living, viz., Rachel, Margaret, Snydine, Henry, Elihu and Anna , th deceased are John, William and Mary. Mr. and Mrs^Pembertonare ftepsaj of five children, viz., Amy E., Benjamin A., Anna M., Elmy I. and Wima ^ After his marriage, our subject settled on land in Sec. 8 ^ where he years, then removed to Sec. 7, and to the place on which he now hv^ m the faU of 1879 ; he owns 118 acres of fine land, all in cultivation and well ^ was reared in the Friends' Church, and for nine years has labored f^hfuUymt^ ministry, discharging the many responsible duties of the calling^ ohurch himself and satisfaction to the church ; his wife was also reared in and is a co-worker with her husband, a consistent, exemplary Chnsti -

JOHN C. PEMBERTON, farmer; P. 0. Laura ; bom m tins owing m the year 1811 ; is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Elleman) Pemberton ; his father ^ bom in South Carolina in the year 1790, and came, with his Ohio in a very early day ; she purchased 240 acres of land, on wine ^ ^ her sons, and resided in the home of her adoption till her decease, when at an advanced age. On the land his mother gave bnn. Isaia \ death. He was married to Elizabeth Elleman, by whom he had fourteen >

Luana. Isaiah, Sr., departed this life in 1862 ; his wife, Elizabeth, died l » « » and was bom in 1795. John was reared on his father's farm, where h , his 20th year, at which time, in 1830, he was married to Susanna Coppock, Dy wnm he had eight children, five of whom are living, viz., William, Martha, . i and Susanna ; the deceased are Moses, Rebecca and Ann. Moses was a Co. B, 110th O. V. I., but only served three or four months, when lie tooK ales and soon after died, aged 21 years ; his father had his remains remm Union Cemetery, where they were interred beside his mother and grandta - * ebrated in 1848, with Sarah Allison, a daughter of James and Sarah A i - were bora in Pennsylvania ; her father died in his native State ; her mother family came to Ohio, but only lived nine months after her arrival, ana is in the West Branch Cemetery ; they were the parents of fourteen 1 a of whom are living, viz., Elizabeth, Sarah, Thomas, Benjamin, James, IteDecc Priscilla ; the deceased are Jonathan, Andrew, Ann, Caleb, John, ana tw fancy. After his first marriage, he settled on land belonging to his father, °a he lived a couple of years, then purchased 80 acres of land where he now ' and on which he has lived since. He has assisted his children to good horn » yet owns 60 acres of good land. He was reared in the Friends' Church, from _ he has never strayed, and is an exemplary member of the church from whose pw pie came the first notes of the Gospel in this locality, in a day when churches unknown ; the woods and each other's cabins were the shrines in which they shiped. His son Isaiah was bora in 1 838, and was reared on his father s farm, was married in 1859 to Dorcas Coate, born in 1838, and a daughter of ' B. . o. Mary Coate, who were natives of Miami Co. ; Mr. C. died in 1870, aged 57 ' they were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are living. Mr. and M - Pemberton are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Mary Aaron E., Sarah E., Rosella, Fanny, John and Levi E. ; three died in infancy. -

ZENAS PIERCE, farmer and contractor ; P. 0. Troy ; born on the place wuere he now resides the 17th of 4th month, 1834 ; is a son of §amuel Pierce, wwho as born m Virginia, and Milly Pierce, a native of North Carolina. Our subject's ^father located m West Milton in 1809, where he lived three years, occupied in cabinetmaking ; m 1812, he purchased 160 acres of land, on which Zenas now resides 80 acres of which were purchased for $348; his mother, MUly Iddings, with her parents, came soon after, and located near by in Newton Township ; they were married here, and resided till their death ; his father was born the 15th of 10th month, 1785, died 23d of 9th month, 1863 ; his mother was bom on the 15th of Sth month, and departed this life in the 4th month, 1867 ; they were parents oi thirteen children, eight of whom are living, viz., Gainor, William R., Elmira F., oarnuel, Hannah C., John, Clarkson and Zenas ; the deceased are Ruth, Margaret, e inda Mary B. and Benjamin. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on his aiher a farm and in attending the usual district school, in which he received his ucation ; at the age of 18, he began his struggle with the world, and engaged in arming. On the 6th of 9th month, 1854, he was married to Eliza A. McCormick,

J whom he has bad seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Hannah M. (now re. Biirkett), John T., Samuel, Abraham L., Zenas K. hnd Rollin N.; the deceased, larkson P.} aged 4 years ; Mrs. Pierce departed this life Sunday, May 2, 1880; e was the daughter of J acob and Hannah McCormick, once residents of Indiana, fl°T/ !iCea8e<* ' 'ber fatber died 15th of 2d month, 1872, aged 60 years 1 month ana 4 days ; her mother departed this life the 22d of 11th month, 1872, aged 61 years ; they were parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz., Lucy shYm y' Eliza A'' Robert H > William H., Elizabeth A., Lewis J., Hannah J. Margaret ; the deceased are Am)*. Sylvania, Rohanna and Aaron. After his arnage, Zenas began life on the old home farm, on which he has since resided ; now owns 160 acres of land in this township and 60 lying opposite in Newton ' k'8 i8 all in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He been a life-long member of the Friends' Church, and his deceased wife had 1837 a member R)r manJ years ; she was born in Indiana, the 8th of 10th month,

J W'J P0INCE, blacksmith, of the firm of Poince & Bro., Fidelity; was born in the renowned Shenandoah Valley, Ya., Berkeley Co., in 1849 ; his brother, D. W., in F tr ny are 80118 of ^obn and Mar)' E. Poince. Their father was born in ' Penn., in 1818 ; their mother was born in the place of their nativity ri w °.r 1^25. They removed from Virginia in 1874, and located in Fredec stown, this county, in which place they now reside. They are the parents of even children, seven of whom are living, viz., Charles O., George W., W. S., Mary ^ Margaret and our subjects, J. W. and D. W. They learned their trade in their aa."ve Stftte, which they followed there for four years. J. W. has traveled over irteen of the States of the Union, and in all has done something at his trade ; he . ere 1870, and engaged in business, and soon after associated his brother with him in business. Both are well versed in their trade, understanding fully very particular of the business, always giving their customers satisfaction, which commands for them a liberal portion of the public patronage. Their parents are embers of Christian Churches and take an interest in the promotion of the cause, ir. 1;, A- RANDALL, merchant, West Milton ; is another pioneer, and one of iami s permanent settlers. He was born in Maryland, in 1816, and is n son of i ?n?ihan and Massev (Jarvis) Randall. His father was bom in Maryland Aug. if.' 1782> and departed this life March 23, 1855, aged 72 years 7 months 4 days. lfifiOm0ther was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 3, 1792, and departed this life Nov. 25, 1869, aged 77 years 10 months and 22 days. They lived many years near Blhoott s Mills, in Baltimore Co., Md., and emigrated to Ohio in 1828, setUrng m West Ndton, where they lived till their decease. They were the paints of dren, of whom six are living, viz., Aquilla, Israel A., Elizabeth, Jonathan, Sarah and Margaret ; the deceased are John, McClain, William, Jackson, Joseph and Samuel. Our subject was early placed on the bench, and for thirty years was continuously engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, having learned his trade in this town. In 1840, he removed to Montgomery Co., where he followed his vocation for fourteen years, and then returned to West Milton, where he has been actively engaged ever since. In 1862 or 1863, he abandoned the bench and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he is still engaged. He carries a tasty and complete stock of goods, consisting of everything usually found in a retail house. His long and honest business career in the town has established a reputation above reproach, and he is a strong competitor in the business circles of the village, always dealing out his full share of goods to the buying public. He has been prominently identified in the offices of the township, having served as Treasurer for a period of four years, and is the present Treasurer of the corporation ; these, with other local offices, the duties of which he has ably discharged, fully demonstrate his executive ability. He has been twice married ; his first marriage, to Jane Randall, was celebrated in 1839, and to their union five children were given, of whom only one is living, viz., Edwin, bom Dec. 5, 1848 ; the deceased are McClain, bom Oct. 21, 1842, died June 5, 1843 ; John W., bora May 3, 1844, died March 26, 1846 ; Joseph, bom June 29, 1846, departed this life Jan. 9, 1851 ; Isabelle, bom Jan. 31, 1851, died Oct. 13, 1862 ; William B., bom Oct. 6, 1853, died Jan. 5, 1858. Mrs. Randall departed this life Oct. 26, 1855, and was bora iu Pennsylvania Oct 12, 1818; his second marriage was celebrated with Mary A. Werts, Sept. 29, 1857 ; eight children are the fruits of this union, of whom six are ^ving, viz., Tolbot A., bom Jan. 19, 1859 ; Clara C., bom Sept 13, 1861 ; Oscar E., bom March 18, 1867 ; Walter V., bom May 16, 1872 ; Leo C., bom Oct. 22, 1874 ; Lulu M., bom Nov. 10, 1869 ; the deceased are Josie E., bom July 29, 1864, died June 30, 1876 ; one in infancy, June 19, 1877. Mr. Randall is one of our selfmade men, having begun life without capital, but, by energy and good management, he has overcome the obstacles met with in life. He owns a half-interest in 12 acres of land, within the corporation, and a third interest in 15 acres, also within the limits. Mrs. Randall is a member of the Christian Church, and an exemplary Christian woman.

HON. JONATHAN H. RANDALL, retired, West Milton ; one of Miami Co.'s prominent and representative citizens ; was bom in Baltimore Co., Md., in 1822 ; his father, Jonathan Randall, was a native of the above State, and with his family removed to Miami Co. in 1829 ; he departed this life March 23, 1855, aged 72 years. Massey, mother of our subject, died Nov. 25, 1869, aged 77 years 10 months and 22 days. Mr. Randall learned the shoemaker's trade under the supervision of his father, and for thirty-five years labored upon the bench ; at the expiration of the above time, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in West Milton, a business to which he devoted his time and talent for nine j ears ; then, disposing of his stock-in-trade, retired from active business life for five years, after which he again engaged in merchandising for a number of years ; then again disposing of his stock, sought the quiet of retirement, and is now enjoying the fruits of a prosperous and well-spent life. In local offices he has been fally identified, having had a fall share. In 1861, when secession was rife, and the whole country was submerged in excitement, he became the champion of the Union-loving people of Miami to represent the county in the Legislature of the State, an honor he I®1 ye"?- He entered the army May 2, 1864, as Captain of Co.

?2,ruPotomac ®'\ver » he was discharged at Camp Dennison Aug. 30, 1864. IQ 1845, he was married to Miss Eliza Harrison, by whom he has had six children,

J^^BURG, farmer and proprietor of stone-quarry ; P. 0. SZl1 was born in Holland, Texel, in the year 1835 ; is the third child of Albert and Fanny Rumburg. His father's name was Osbrooke, but, according to the laws of their country in relation to marriage, a man that marries a woman who owns real estate in the country, assumes his wife's name, instead of the wife taking the name of her husband ; this occurs only among ladies who possess country i e-*lU' 8l)kject emigrated to this country and landed in New Orleans in the jail of 1857 ; his voyage occupied nine weeks ; he made his way North, and, at l iqua, nis funds were exhausted, so he was obliged to stop and go to work ; he has resided m this county ever since, and for twenty-six years in the place where he now lives.; he owns 282 acres of land, mostly in cultivation; there is located on the home place one of the liest quarries in the county ; the quality of the stone being far superior for building purposes to an}' we have ever seen in Ohio. After remaining here twelve years he returned to his native country, and the following jeur Ins parents came back with him. His mother and other members of the i reside at Omaha, eighteen miles from West Milton, on the Elkhorn River, where he and his brothers own 1,000 acres of fine land. Mrs. and Mrs. Rumburg, '.r., were parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz., Albert, Anna, Gairliart, John W. George, Frederick and Arnold ; John and ChrisvUa; ^ceased. His father died in Freeport, III., four days after his landing in

* Tq-ti *n aged 04 years. Our subject was married to Elizabeth Coppock Vlvi ' w^om he has had seven children, of whom three are living, viz., Fanny, ^ida and Albert; the deceased are Joseph, Sarah A., Emma and Osceola, who was named after a flourishing town on the B. & M. R. R. in Southern Iowa. Mrs.

- is a daughter of Joseph and Rachel Coppock, whose sketch appears in this J'oik ; she was bom in this county in 1841 ; he received his common-school educalon m hi8 native couutrj', attending rcgularlj* between the age of 6 and 14 years, a er winch he entered Mason's College, in Amsterdam, Holland, in which he prosecu ed his studies vigorously for three j'ears, fitting himself to discharge the business complications of life, as well as obtaining much knowledge of the sciences ?U( Principles of nature that govern the universe ; he is no political aspirant, but Hien School Director, which office he now holds ; he is a member of the OldpC J^esbytcrian Church, in which he w as confirmed when 10 years of age ; his a.11*' Inis been connected with the same organization since the Reformation.

- 18' J uml)urg was bom and reared a Quaker, but is now' a member of the Christen Uni roll. Their daughter Fanny is a member of the same church, while Elida 18 tl Qnakcr by birthright.

° *roi Joseph, Jr., was bom iu the same State June 10, 1802. They removed urn *i,n ^831, in which the}' lived till their decease. The father Jj^^ept. J17,

' Henry, bom Nov. 0, 1832 ; Mary, bom May 10, 1829. Our subject was reared on the fann, ou which lie labored till his 21st year, at w'hich time lie began We for himself. Dec. 8, 1804, he was married to Barbara Bolinger, who boro him one child, Edwin, bom Dec. 0, 1805. Mrs. S. died in December, 1800. His second four months, thence down the river to Cincinnati, then b} ®ta® ;u 1851, he soon after located near Vandalia, where lie remained thr®® } ' .eM be was

Enos; Matilda, Samuel, Catherine and Andrew are deceased. Ho ow ^ of land, all well improved. He and his wife have been membe Mrs gcibcl. ical Church since 1847, and take much interest m religious mattm. Uart bom in Montgomery Co., in 1834, is a daughter of Jacob i ®ll"on.School both deceased. Mr. Seibel, in his native country, obtained a good co king

CHRISTOPH SEIBEL, farmer ; P. 0. West Miiton ; b^ m He ho Germany, in the year 1842 ; is a son of Samuel and Martha L. be ^tivc were bora in the same State. His father followed fanning 1840, country, and oursubject's boyhood days were spent in rural * occunving they emigrated to this country, landing in Baltimore, their voy g , jcks. thirty-six days ; they came directly to Ohio, and lived one year eas noW

Mrs. Seibel departed this life Jan. 22, 1879, aged 27 years and 10 monrn». ^ was a member of the Evangelical Church, with which she had been c reiv.

ing fully on the promises of her Savior, and in the triumphs of a tuns * n^ris- Mr. Seibel has also been a member of the same church for many years, ^ tian zeal leading him to a re-union with loved ones who have passed the va J ' shadow of death. His father was bora March 3, 1800, is living and resu our subject ; his mother died March 0, 1308, aged 50 years. They were parents 01 eight duldreii. four of whom survive, viz., Andrew, Kehnrdt, Elizabeth and llimtopli ; the deceased are Christian, two daughters, each named Catharine, and one m infancy. His father is also a member of the same church, and, though the wejgut of haiigs heavily, his frame is yet vigorous, his mind unimpaired.

hi A hHEAKElt, retired farmer ; P. O. West Milton ; born in Ashe Co., N. C., in no J'enr 1805 ; is a son of Abraham and Anna Shearer ; his father was lx>ni in le same State, his mother in Pennsylvania, but was reared in North Carolina, in '' , .x}e they wcrc married and resided till their removal to this county and uc npscttiug of a canoe in the Stillwater ltiver ; five others were with them who escaped ; his mother was bora in 1701 and died in 1831 or 1832 ; they were parents o welve children, who lived to manhood and womanhood, and, so far as is known, six survive, viz., Eli, Man*, Philip, Martin, Hugh and Rebecca. Our subject was

- rouglit up on the farm, and, being a natural mechanic, he engaged in wagon - a 'mg which he followed in this township for thirty years. In 182(5. he was i.mned to Matilda Pouts, by whom he had niuc children, seven of whom arc living, iz.. usury. Davis, Abijali, Anna, Titus, John and Elizabeth; the deceased are

- wanna and one in infancy. Mrs. Shearer died in 1844, aged 37 years. His sec- . marriage was celebrated with Rebecca (Kintzcy) Pouts in 1845 ; to them four i ren have been l>om - two living, viz., Oliver and Cornelius ; lie owns 114 acres and, on trhich lie has resided thirty -three yeai*s ; he and his wife have liecn cm K*rs of the German Baptist Church for many veal's ; his deceased wife was li l a. member °f the same church. Jesse Pouts, first husband of Mrs. Shearer. ilJce. 1U 1 * ^ey three children, two living, viz., Rachel and Ira ; Silas,

Sm r m I -11!0.D ^a' ^>cmi- i|1 the year 1828 ; is a son of David and Catherine Sliella- - ' ?er ' 11 s i'*1 ther was bora in Juniata Co., Penn., as was his mother ; they resided t v0H nU^,y° ^te, which they were manned, till 1833, at which time they came Cn ow. Mrlislc. Clark Co., Ohio, where they lived one year ; then came to Miami * a . . ^tlcxl in Monroe Township, in which they lived a number of years ; they dm i* , township and soon after went to Newberry7 Township, in which

,\H 1 , w11 t,lcir decease ; his father died in 1878, aged 87 years ; his mother i tins life in 1848, at the age of (11 or (52 veal's ; they7 were parents of fifteen whom arc living, viz., John, Michael, Jacob, David, Isaac, Julia A.,

. },*/ *** this life in 1S48, at the age of (11 or (52 veal's ; they were parents of fifteen yi * ten ol whom arc living, viz., John, Michael, Jacob, David, Tsaac, Julia A.,

* - 0 A., Anna, Catherine and Hanuah ; the deceased are Sarah, Ly dia, Samuel, -onion and Abraham. Our subject was reared on farms near Tippecanoe and J-onngfcon, and, at the age of 21, went for himself; he followed various pursuits m ujs younger days. In 18(11, he was married to Mary* Christian, by whom he has

- , ame C. ; the deceased arc Philip II., Anna C. and two in infancy'. Mrs. S. a daughter of Joseph aud Nancy -Christ ian ; she was Ixam in 1834, and on the place where they now reside ; they have 238 acres of land, which was the old riwfr Ian llo,llestead ; their land is in a high state of cultivation and well improved - me beautiful surroundings - the yard full of shmbliery which was planted many ^*ilrS - make their home a Very delightful one; he has held the office of

V 00 Rector and Supervisor ; he is making strenuous efforts to educate his - ^ l)chcving it to be the key to a successful and highly useful life, thus elevat- Mho mind aud placing it in' a condition to occupy that high plane whic - h Higencc sits enthroned. Mr. S. has traveled through the States of Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri, doing a mercantile business.

for teaching: school, in which he afterward engaged in this count) from be e u wen^to Louisa Co., Iowa, where he assumed the duties of .his ' ^ elected Superintendent of Schools in the above county ; in 1S<3, he Jetnii t West Milton and engaged in mercantile life, in which he has been very succcssti , faction of the Government ; he was honorably dischaigcd flora the aervit > country Julv 3, 1865. Oct. 20, 1873. he married Lucy A, daughter of the Hon. J. H. RandaU, whose sketch appears in tins work, child is the result of their marriage - Howard C., born Sept 4 i»< - ouio

D W. SINKS, merchant, West Milton ; was born m Jlontgomervf in 1838, and is a son of Enoch and Catherine Sinks, natives of Montyn ( , £ both are living, and reside in West Milton. They arc the patent* of te a of whom six are living. Our subject's boyhood da\s weie 1 . . -t ' \{\$ and Frank. In 1867, he engaged in a general mercantile business in Me which he has followed since with much success ; by good stock and Ui \ ^

WILLIAM SMITH, farmer ; P. 0. West Milton ; liorn on the ploce^U ^ now resides Oct. 24, 1828; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Fonts) Sim - 11 father was bom in Ashe Co., N. CL April 3, 1801 ; lus mother was bo » of township July 3, 1809, and was a daughter of Grandfather F°ute, P with whom proper mention is made in the historical part ot this w ork. * ' ' . jn

Munroe Township, where he lived and died, having been bom in 'tC ' i)ec 4 father of our subject, remained at home till his marriage, which o u0jna up a farm and made a permanent home, in which he lived till his de. -yl : 1870 ; his mother departed this life June lft, 1855. They children, two of whom are living, viz., Mrs. McCool, widow of Albert . Lorn our subject. Mary, Mrs. Fentress, deceased. Grandfather Henry omi ' , -n in Baden, Germany, in 1770, and, owing allegiance to the crown, ^as 0 ^ order to get away, to go without means ; on his landing in Baltimore, c y .n, to a man named House, of Pennsylvania, to pay his transportation, an a ing his freedom, removed to North Carolina. He died in 1827 ; he was * of nine children, three of whom are living, viz., Henry, Rachel and Lea J* . latter reside in Fairbury. 111. The deceased are George. John, David, L Sally and Elizabeth. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, . _ ^ a manner usual with youth, and after gaining proper age and strength, lie a valuable auxiliary* to his father in the labors of the farm, with whom ^ till lie attained his majority. He has been twice married ; first, with Hei Pearson in 1849 : to them two children were bom, both deceased, viz.. Jolin *

Noah\\. Mrs. Smith died in 1851, aged 22 years. In 1853, with Maiy Davis lie celebrated his second marriage ; to them six children have been bom, five of whom are living, viz., Lawson, Martha, Branson, Isabelle and Esly. The deceased - Elizabeth. He owns 190 acres of land, which is all well improved, making a veir desirable place in which to enjoy one's declining years. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Davis, who were bom in Henry Co., Va., and removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, about 1838, where he died June 2, 1852 ; he "bon June 11, 1800. Her mother was bom in the same month and day, in 1803. and departed this life April 8, 1872. She was the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters. She united with the Regular Baptist Church when io years of age, of which church she was an exemplary member ; she afterward united with the Christian Church, of which she was a member until her death.

W. H. SMITHMAN, nurseryman, West Milton ; was bora in Clarion Co., reun., in 1841, and is a son of Henry and Agnes Smithman ; his father was bora m Hanover, Germany, iu 1810 ; his mother in Wittenberg, in the year 1820 ; they emigrated to America with their parents and friends when quite young ; they settled in Pennsylvania, where they subsequently were married. In the home of ueir adoption, they remained until 1865, when they came to Dayton, in which place they resided one year, then moved to Piqua, where they have resided since, p farents of eleven children, of whom seven are living, viz., W. H. (our unject) John B., Edward, Henry, Lilly, Mary and Aggie. The deceased are Maggie, Emma, Charlotte and Walter. W. H. was feared on the farm of his father, on uhicli he labored after he attained a proper age, until liis majority, when he left e parental roof and mingled with the affairs of the world. Aug. 1, 1862, he isted in Co. G, of the 155th O. V. I. The regiment was quartered in Washington for awhile, and finally pushed forward to the front, and took an active part n he battle of Fredericksburg, Va., where his company lost twelve men. The egunent maneuvered around for awhile, and then went with the Burnside expedion. and. after marching through mud for a week, weut into winter quarters, where e\ remained till spring, when they were joined to Hooker's command and were ngaged in the fight at Chancellorsville, after which the}' crossed the Rappalian- ZT were placed on picket duty. In April they were put on the move in v Intercept Hood, who at the time was making a threatened invasion in the 2.°. I Eckels were met at Snakes Gap. where a slight brush was had, after

. [S they pushed on through Maryland, and coming in collision with the enemy thn fan<?^er' Penn., a sharp engagement took place, after which they plunged into , ternbe battle of Gettysburg, where W. H. was struck with a piece of shell, but I J?"°"8ly injured. They occupied the fortifications from which they could not lvitti °i ^ consequently the loss of the regiment was not severe. After the e, they passed down the Potomac and engaged the enemy at Beloy s Ford, Zlce to Culpeper, Va., theuce to Alexandria, and finally crossed the Rappahanand again went into winter quarters. In the spring they were placed under wants command, and broke camp May 1. Immediately after, they closed with :r ene"y in the terrible and cver-memorable battle of the Wilderness and for wm* successive days breasted the leaden hail, and received the terrific shocks ot KnJjnemy's charge. The regiment lost heavily ; soon after, with thinned ranks an cattle-torn banners, they engaged with the enemy again at Laurel Hill, and m the 8llbse(luent sharp and decisive encounters that took place in and arau Wania. In the Anna River fight, the enemy made terrible and repeated adults Upon their ranks, and finally with overwhelming numbers earned their S* Fma11^ battle of Cold Harbor was fought, after which the} took P^8 tion on the banks of the James River, held their ground, and pushed I Hieii mnrbt°PP0site bank iu the afternoon, and the ensuing night found them o th **rch to the vicinity of Richmond, where they were fearfUUy exp^ed to the on tl lnp 6re for two days, anti soon after charged the rebels in t ei brilliant knee-joint, and was also struck in the side by a spent ball. The wound compelled him to return to the Division Hospital, and soon alter to the hospital of the 5th Corps, where he remained for two weeks, after which he was sent to New York City, where he remained five months ; he came home on a furlough and remained one month, then went back to New York, from there to Philadelphia, when he was discharged, April 9, 1865, on account of inability, caused by wounds. In May of the same year, he located in Dayton, where he labored by the month for two years ; he then engaged in the nursery business with Peter Bohlander, which they successfully followed over seven years, when he sold his interest and removed to Piqua, where he purchased a farm in 1871, with the intention of establishing a nursery, but sold to T. S. Cox, and in 1874, purchased 84 acres of land where he now resides. His land is well situated, and in every way adapted to his business, which, taken in conjunction with his knowledge and experience, insures a success in the enterprise, thus giving farmers the advantage of buying home trees. He has all kinds of large and small fruits, which are selected with great care, and all who favor him with orders will certainly be benefited by his long experience and superior knowledge. His marriage with Elizabeth Elmore was celebrated in 1868. She is & daughter of David Elmore, who died in 1854 ; her mother is yet living and resides in this county. They are the parents of two children, viz., John IV. and Edna Rose.

H. C. SNYDER, of the firm of Snyder & Brother, merchants, Potsdam ; bora in this place in the year 1839 ; is a son of Daniel and Margaret Snyder ; his father entered the land on which this village stands ; he was bom in Pennsylvania, his mother in this State, and is yet living ; his father died in March, 1879. aged 64 years ; the}' were the parents of nine children, of whom five are living, viz., Calvin G., Mar}7, Frances, John P. and our subject ; the deceased are Cornelius, Daniel, Ephraim and Susan. H. C. was raised on the farm, on which he labored for his father till his 18th year, at which time he began life for himself, and engaged in farming for a short time, since when he has followed various pursuits, prominent among which is the mercantile and grocery business. In 1868, he was married to Barbara Limpert, by whom he had one child, viz., Louella B., who was born in 18C9. Dec. 1, 1879, he entered a partnership with his brother Calvin and engaged in a general mercantile business ; they carry a full stock, w hich consists of dr}' goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes, and, in fact, everything usually found in a firstclass retail house ; their long acquaintance with the people, in conjunction with their popular business habits, will command for them their full share of the public patronage ; this firm is yet in its infancy, but their facilities for doing business are sure to make their competition felt by their cotemporaries. Mr. Snyder has been Postmaster of this office for three years.

JOHN SPITLER, farmer; P. 0. Potsdam; is another of the old and prominent settlers of this township ; he was bom in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 10, 1814, and is a son of John and Barbara Spitler; his father was bom in Virginia in 1785, and departed this life in 1875 ; his mother was bom in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1788, and departed this life in 1872 ; they were married in 1807, and were the first couple married in Clay Township, Montgomery Co. His mother's parents removed from their native State to Kentucky in an earl}' day, in which State they lived some years, and, in about 1800, settled in Montgomery Co., and at that time his mother was the only white girl on the west side of the Miami River; his father, John, came with his sister Elizabeth to Ohio, first settling in Warren Co. in 1805, making the trip from Virginia on horseback; to his parents eleven children were bora, who all lived to be married ; now only seven are living --Mar}7, Jacob, Joseph, John, Andy, Hannah and Solomon; the deceased are Susana, Elizabeth, Barbara and Samuel. The early life of these pioneers was spent m a pleasant way, having plenty of evervthing to subsist on - all kinds of vegetables and grain growing in profusion. Mr! Spitler informs us that, when the Lmyton and Greenville road was surveyed, his father was one of the party ; as a mail Roher» was tbe first person baptized in the GermDv^T^a^V11 MiaT VaUe^ 5 at time of the Revolutionary war, a corner] in ?nGj E??^e a on ber Other's stock and provender, when the heroic retreat dl8Puted tbe liberty they were taking and made them beat a hasty children mo/i n Were 8uddenl>* attacked by the wily red men; his wife and bv the hrpftir*6 tke1F e8??Pe' wbde I1®, in clambering over a fence, was precipitated, killed Rio a I*? ' a dense undergrowth, and was overtaken and instantly to the nrooni,- eii iokn ^itler, attended the funeral of Washington and listened StillwaiLr of the sermon ; in 1810, he purchased 160 acres of land on the was ureaa^^f °n which he had paid $80 ; the war breaking out, he of whh.h lw/ii r and wa8 unable to meet his obligations, in consequence who held ^18 and ' after tbe war> bJ proclamation of President Adams, all present at ti ckoo8e °)toer land belonging to the General Government ; he was tion of Tn v G £rea^tr^aty in Greenville, which was probabty the largest congregafann on tans ever witnessed on the soil of Ohio. Our subject was reared on the sent ZTtZ Iab2red for his filler till he was 21 years old ; in 1835, his father Dockpt tn kJr kkart Go'> *nd' bu3T laud i be traveled there on foot, with $6 in his afterward ^P60868 5 young John faithfully performed the duty assigned, and Esther W made k ree more ^P8 in tbc 8X11116 maimer. Iu 1839, he was married to Olivpr n??er' by whom he had fourteen children, eleven of whom are living - Plorv and pk^ KIlzabeth> Susanna, William, Hannah, Lydia, Frank, Ephraim, memlipr 2,' tbe deceased are John, Solomon and Mary ; Solomon was a which Iip d*^G4 ^ V. I.; he was wounded at Decatur, Ga., from the effects of and 93 d . 9' IS 64 - eighteen days afterward - aged 20 years 7 months