Pickaway County, Ohio - Chapter 31: Some Representative Men of the County, 1906 (part 3 of 17)

SSJONATHAN M. GRABILL, a wellknown resident of Darbyville, who operates a farm of 53% acres within the corporation limits on Darby Creek bottom, was born December 31, 1856, in Monroe township, Pickaway County, Ohio. He is a son of Jonathan and Mary (McKinney) Grabill, and a grandson of Jonathan Grabill, a native of Virginia, who removed to Ross County, Ohio, with his family and from there enlisted in the War of 1812. He died in Pickaway County at an early age and at that time was possessed of about 1,200 acres of land, which he had acquired through good business management.

Jonathan Grabill, the father of our. subject, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1811, and came to Pickaway County when nine years old with his parents, who settled in Jackson township. There he spent the remainder of his life, with the exception of four years spent in Madison County, operating a small farm that he owned. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. His death occurred on February 5, 1875. Mrs. Mary (McKinney) Grabill, the mother of our subject, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Henry McKinney. She became the mother of seven children, namely: Joseph, deceased ; Isaac D., of Jackson township; Abigail, widow of Robert Timmons, of Jackson township; Louisa, deceased; Samuel A., deceased : Jonathan M.; and Mary, who died at the age of four years. Mrs. Grabill died February 5. 1880, at the age of 63 years.

Jonathan M. Grabill, subject of this sketch. has spent the whole of his life in Pickaway County, with the exception of four years when his parents were residents of Madison County. He received a common-school education and was about 20 years of age when his father died, after which he operated the farm for his mother for about five years. After her death, Mr. Grabill moved to Darbyville and since 1899 has made a specialty of raising onion sets and watermelons.

Mr. Grabill was married January 1885 to Hattie Geiser, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Emanuel and Harriet Geiser, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Grabill have eight children, namely: Fred L., Emma Florence, Harvey A., John Sherman, Lottie Gertrude, Esther Elizabeth, Benjamin Harrison and Bernard Orville.

'Mr. Grabill has been a Republican all his life. He was elected township clerk in 1892 and served seven consecutive terms. He was elected justice of the peace in 1887 and served three years in that capacity.

AVID ADKINS, a representative citizen and experienced farmer of Jackson township, is the proprietor of "Wildwood Park Farm," a magnificent expanse of 418 acres, which is

Maryland. David Adkins, father of our subject, was born in Carroll County, Maryland, October 31, 1807. His parents died before he reached his maturity, leaving a family dependent upon their own resources. When 18 years old, David decided to strike out for himself. and started out on foot, Sometime in the year 1826 he reached Pickaway County, Ohio, anc first located in Walnut township. He died in April, 1863, aged 55 years. He was a brickmaker by trade and this occupation he followed for a long time, being an expert burner. It was he who burned the brick used in the construction of the Everts School Building in Circleville. During the '60's he was appraiser of land in Harrison township. He was what might be termed a mechanical genius, being able to turn his hand to any eraft or trade. He left an estate of 200 acres, all of which he had accumulated by his own efforts. He was a man of responsibility in the township but accepted no offices except those of appraiser and trustee. He was one of the early members and liberal supporters of St. Paul's Lutheran Church,

The mother of our subject, Christena (Hott) Adkins, was born February 9, 1809, in Berkeley County, Virginia, and was a daughter of Peter and Margaret Hott, who came to this section before Pickaway County was organized. Mrs. Adkins died April 12, 1904, aged 95 years and two months. The children born to David and Christena (Hott) Adkins

Burton, both now deceased; Margaret, who married James Reid, both now deceased; William, who served for four years in the Civil War in the goth Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio; Arexena and Adeliza (twins), deceased at the age of nine months; Nancy, who married John Balmer and died.in Illinois; George, a resident of Walnut township, who served four years in the Civil War, and was a veteran of the 27th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.; Susan, who married T. D. Slocum and died in Illinois; David; Melissa, who married G. G. Brentlinger, of Pickaway County; Eliza Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel W.

David Adkins was reared on the home farm and assisted his father, who died when David was about 20 years old. He then took charge of his father's large interests and continued to operate the farm for his mother and three sisters for some years, remaining on the old place for six years after his own marriage, in 1864. He had enjoyed only the educational opportunities afforded by the local schools, but he had had a very thorough and practical training as a farmer and stock-raiser. His aged mother made her home with him until her death.

In 1870 Mr. Adkins rented the homestead farm to a brother-in-law and purchased a property in Marion township, Franklin County, just outside the corporate limits of Columbus, where he lived for six years, during this time being a member of the township School Board and one of the township trustees. On this farm he engaged in farming and gardening, finding an excellent market in the adjacent city. After leaving the Marion township farm and renting it to other parties, he returned to the old home farm for four years and then traded his property in Franklin County for 200 acres of farming land in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, on which he resided for 12 years. Here Mr. Adkins also became a man of prominence in the township, served as a justice of the peace for two terms and was elected township trustee and a member of the School Board.

The next change made by Mr. Adkins in order to carry out his own ideas of farming and stock-raising was the renting of property and the purchasing of 1oo'acres located along the Jackson turnpike, on which he lived for three years and then he rented the McCarthy farm, which was located just opposite his present property. This contained 320 acres and here he carried on extensive farming operations for three years. He then disposed of his Deer Creek farm and bought his present valuable property of 418 acres, located not far from Circleville. It bears the pleasant name of "Wildwood Park Farm," but the name in no wise describes what is one of the best improved and valuable properties in the township.

Joseph P. Smith

A part of the property Mr. Adkins has retained for park purposes and during the summer seasons it is very generally utilized for church and Sunday-school picnics. It is known all over this section as 'Wildwood Park." There are three fine groves on his property, the trees being mainly white and sweet oak. Mr. Adkins has made this a very pleasant resort, making many improvements in the line of amusement facilities and it is well patronized throughout the summer season, people coming from long distances to enjoy the attractions provided.

Mr. Adkins carries on his farm as a grain and stock farm and he also devotes some attention to raising sweet corn and peas for market. His cattle and horses are noted for their excellence all over the county. In the fall of 1905 Mr. Adkins was induced to make an exhibit which attracted wide attention and favorable notice from the neighboring press. It was successfully photographed and is entitled '""The Produce of Wildwood Park Farm;" and gives a fair idea of one of the successful enterprises of Pickaway County.

Mr. Adkins was married on November 17, 1864, to Christena Runkle, who was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on October 26, 1846, and is a daughter of. Daniel and Elizabeth (Croninger) Runkle. Her parents were of Pennsylvania Dutchextraction and came to Pickaway County as pioneers, and the father lived on one farm in Walnut township for 60 years, dying at the age of 83 years. The children born to our subject and wife are as follows: Ella F., wife of Andrew-V. Herbert, of Oklahoma; Marietta, wife of Elmer Hel- . wagen, of Williamsport; Allona E., wife of William J. Wardell, of Cook, Fayette County, Ohio; Harry W., now a farmer in Ottawa County, Kansas, who was educated for the Lutheran ministry and preached for two years; Charles Irving, who died aged 20 days; Harriet, wife of Frederick Helwagen, of Kinderhook; Estella, wife of Benjamin Metzger, of Jackson township; Gertrude, wife of Fred C. Betts, of Deer Creek township; Wilbur, a graduate of the Circleville High School, class of 1902, who resides at home; George H., a member of the Ohio National Guard, who is an expert shot and whose score in a late contest entitles him to the rank of sharpshooter in the State team; Addie Alice, at home; David Earl, at home; Daniel W. and Emanuel E. (twins), at school; and Merle Augusta. Mr. Adkins has 26 grandchildren.

Mr. Adkins has been a life-long Democrat. He has served two terms as county commissioner and is serving out his second term as justice of the peace. He has been connected with the Board of Education ever since he located in Jackson township. For :a long time -he has been a party leader in his locality and has served as a delegate to county, district, State and congressional conventions. He is one of the leading members and supporters of the English branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which he is a deacon.

OSEPH P. SMITH, who has been iden- Z| tified with Circleville and its interests since he was nine years of age, was born at Toronto, Canada, in 1831, and came to Ohio with his parents.

When he reached man's estate, in connection with his brother, Edward Smith, he engaged in the growing of broom corn and together they became the most extensive growers in the United States. At one time they had 1,100 acres in broom corn and this brought a large amount of capital to this locality. They invested largely in land and continued to cultivate this useful plant for about 40 years; indeed, Mr. Smith has been retired from this branch of agriculture not more than eight years. Since then he has not been active in any line.

Formerly Mr. Smith was prominent in many of the successful business enterprises of Circleville. He was one of the founders of the Third National Bank and was a director of the same for over 20 years, finally withdrawing from the board on account of failing health.

Circleville township. For nine years he served as a trustee of the Insane Asylum and on many occasions served on important committees and various civic boards. He has always been considered one of the representative men of Circleville and in his retirement from active life took with him the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.

In December, 1856, Mr. Smith was married to Susan P. Bish, who died in 1903, the mother of 10 children. the family are: Charles A., who is in the life insurance business at Circleville; William S., who is with a telephorie company, with headquarters at Columbus; Joseph X., who is with the street railway company in Columbus; and Cecelia, who resides with her father.

Mr. Smith is a member-of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. His family was the first of this faith to settle at Circleville. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

HARLES STEWARD, M. D., who 1} has been a resident of Ashville for the past 30 years and who is one of the leading physicians of the town, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, on November 23, 1845, and is a son of Charles Steward, who married a Miss Mosier.

Charles Steward was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common schools, later taking a course in the Pleasantville Academy. In 1870 he read medicine under Drs. Peter and Thomas Hewetson, of Amanda, Fairfield County, where he remained for two years. He attended lectures in Cincinnati for two years, completing his course and receiving his degree in March, 1873: On March 17th of that year he began practice at St. Paul, in Madison township, Pickaway County, where he remained for two years. In the spring of 1875 he located at Lithopolis, Ohio. He remained there for one year and in 1876 moved to Ashville, where he has sigce been engaged very successfully in the practice of his profession. Dr. Steward made the money for his education and completed his medical education under most trying circumstances. In company with some other students, he was obliged to board himself for a time. Dr. Steward is now very comfortably situated, and owns some very valuable property in Ashville, including a drug-store which he conducts and the Opera House. He is one of the earliest of the present residents of Ashville, and there are but few to-day who were citizens of the town when the subject of this sketch became a resident some thirty years ago. Many changes have been made since then.

Dr. Steward was married in 1874 to Eliza Melvina, Fridley, a daughter of Isaac and Clarissa Fridley, who were natives of Pickaway County and resided near St. Paul, in Madison township. They have two children: Clara, who married William H. Plum, a resident of Ashville, and has had three children - Clara Bell (deceased), Helen Mary and an infant son; and William Edwin, born in 1877, who resides with-his parents - he was a soldier in the regular army for three years, enlisting December 22, 1900, fought in the Philippine Islands and made four trips across the Pacific. Politically, Dr. Steward is a stanch Democrat and served for a number of years as. treasurer of Harrison township. He is a member of Pickaway Lodge, No. 747, I. O. O. F.,. at Ashville.

g|ALTER BALFOUR BEAVERS. a well-known farmer and citizen of Scioto township, was born in the house where he now resides on the 26th of October, 1843. He is. a son of William and Elizabeth Beavers, who were the parents of six sons and five daughters, as follows: John and Joseph, both deceased, the latter after having reached maturity; Thomas, residing in Columbus, who has raised a family, is now more than 7o years of age; Peter, who lives in Scioto township on a farm; Marion, who is a resident of Nebraska; Walter Balfour; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Gochenouer; Sarah, who mar- ried Isaac Smith - both now deceased; Esther, wife of William W. Johnson, who resides in Jacktown; Mary Ann, who married James M. Johnson and lives in Scioto township; and Rachel, deceased, who was the wife of John Satterfield.

On September 12, 1867, our subject was married to Elizabeth Stdney Rush, daughter of William and Hester Ann (Hillery) Rush. Besides Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. Rush were the parents of another daughter, Sarah Ellen, who was first married to Fletcher Davis, and after his death to Thomas Betts. Mrs. Betts resides in Scioto township, the mother of a son and a daughter, both living and' married. William Rush, the father of Mrs. Beavers, died July 6, 1900, at the age of 75 years, and the mother, March 14, 1904, aged 76.

To Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Beavers two sons and one daughter have been born, as follows: William, born September 1, 1868, who married Lillian Johnson, daughter of James M. Johnson, and is the father of three children - Homer, Everett and Leatha; Fillmore, born Dec. 28, 1870, who married Viola Peters, daughter of James and Sarah Peters, and has a family of nine children; and Alice, born July 7, 1873, and first married to Chauncey O. Johnson. Mr. Johnson died six years thereafter ; there were two children born to this union - Wilda, who died when a year old; and Florence, born in August, 1895. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Johnson married Finley A. Lerch, and they reside in Scioto township north of Commercial Point.

The grandfather of Mrs. Beavers, Francis Rush, came from New York to Pennsylvania, and thence to Ohio, where he married Nancy Greenwade. To this union were born five sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were: Thomas, Jacob, John, Francis, Nelson, William (father of Mrs. Beavers), and Sarah, wife of Cornelius Sharp. All are now deceased.

The father of Mrs. Rush owned 879 acres of land, and Mrs. Beavers, the daughter of William Rush has 439 acres. Mr. Beavers is the owner of 40 acres, and since 1875, with the exception of eight years, he has resided on the place where he now lives. He is a Democrat and a Mason. The Rush family were Republicans, and William Rush, for many years prior to his death, was identified with the Masonic fraternity.

MOHN F. ROBISON, a trustee of Darby township and owner of a farm of about 65 acres, lying partly in Pickaway and partly in Madison counties, is a son of David E. and Jane (Carr) Robison and a grandson of John R. and Mary (Edmonston) Robison. His grandfather, who came from South Carolina, was the father of nine children, as follows: James, the eldest, who married Rachel Morgan - both now deceased; John S., who married Miriam Riddle both now deceased; Joseph, who married Emma Heath and died in the spring of 1906; Samuel, who married a Miss Fitzgerald and after her death married Mrs. Mary (Beal) Clark, widow of James Clark; Thomas R., who married as his first wife, Ellen Sawyers, and as his second, Mary Miller; David F., our subject's father; Betsey, who became the wife of Fergus Graham - both now decease; Mary, who married W. C. Douglass - hoth now deceased; and Rachel, who married (first) Samuel Rolan (who died in the Civil War), and (second) James Wilson.

David E. Robison, mentioned above, was born in Clark County, Ohio, and married Jane Carr, a daughter of William Carr, of Fayette County, Ohio. These six children were born to them: Willis, who married Laura Self: Lincoln, who married Minnie Hughes; Orphia C., wife of George Whitlock; Mary E., widow of S. W. Bennett; Sophronia, wife of William Adkins.

John F. Robison was born October 3, 1850. His first wife was Elizabeth Wilson and after her death, in 1895, he was married to Maggie Dennison. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson became the mother of five children, all girls: Laura, who married Lewis Moore and has one son - Robert; Alpha, Jennie, Maud and Hannah.

ability and at different times for nearly a decade has served as township trustee, having represented Monroe township for about four years and Darby for five. He has also been assessor of Darby township. In whatever position he has been placed he has evinced a constant spirit of justice and has been greatly assisted in the discharge of its duties by a remarkably retentive memory. Mr, Robison is an Ok! Fellow in good standing.

@: OHN W. TEEGARDIN, one of the C representative citizens of Madison township, president of the township Board of Education, owns: a valuable farm of 200 acres of excellent land and has other business interests. Mr. Teegardin was born on the farm on which he resides, October 23, 1854, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Teegardin.

'William Teegardin, the grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Madison township as a settler as early as 1812. His son, Abraham Teegardin, father of our subject, was long one of the township's solid, substantial men. He died in 1896. These children of his first marriage survive: Catherine A., widow of Ezra Westenhaver, of Shelbyville, Illinois; Mary F., wife of J. W. Blakely, of Kokomo, Indiana; Sarah M. (Fridley) of Harrison township; and John W.

John W. Teegardin was reared in Madison township and his education was secured in the local schools. While his life has been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, he has other business interests, being part owner of the prosperous tile factory at Duvall, which is conducted under the firm name ot J. W. Teegardin & Company, Mr. Teegardin having been one of the main promoters of the industry. The plant was built in 1894 and the business is in a very flourishing condition, For many years he has been officially «o:nected

Mr. Teegardin was married (first) to Hannah C. Coon, who was born in Madison township, Pickaway County, and was a daughter of George and Sarah (Wilson) Coon, of Madison township. Of the three children of this marriage, one survives - Florence M., who resides at home and is a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. Mr. Teegardin was married (second) to Almonett E. Wilson, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and a daughter of Andrew and Flora (Seymour) Wilson, natives of Maryland and Franklin County, Ohio, respectively.

In political sentiment, Mr. Teegardin is a° Democrat. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He is a Mason, belonging to Lithopolis Lodge, No. 169, F. A. M., in which he has served in all the offices and was master for four years; Walnut Chapter, R. A. M., at Canal Winchester; and Scioto Commandery, No. 35, K. T., at Circleville. With his wife and daughter, he belongs also to the Order of the Eastern Star, Reber Chapter, at Lithopolis, of which he is at present worthy patron. . Mr. Teegardin is recognized as one of the enterprising, public-spirited men of his locality, always ready to do his part in promoting public improvements and in advancing the interests of the community.

MICHARD R. LEACH, whose fine farm | of 110 acres of rich farming land is situated in Darby township, along the Harrisburg and Mount Sterling turnpike, was born in Warren County, Virginia, August 25,1845, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Lovelass) Leach.

Thomas Leach was born in Virginia and was the youngest son of Elijah and Sarah Leach, who reared a family of five sons and four daughters, as follows: Inman, Joseph, Daniel, \illiam, Thomas, Harriet, Mildred, Jane and Elizabeth. Thomas Leach made his first visit to Ohio in 1835, before he was married. After one year, he returned to Virginia, married soon after and did not again come to Ohio until after the birth of all his children, these being as follows: Sarah, who died aged three years; Jonathan, who married (first) Eliza Long, and (second) Mary Shepard; Henry, who married Martha Norris; Mary, who married Henry Nigh; Martha, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Johnson; and Richard R.

Richard R. Leach accompanied his parents to Ohio when they settled in Darby township, Pickaway County, the journey from Virginia being made in an old farm wagon. At that time Circleville consisted of but a few houses in the old circle. Mr. Leach has a distinct remembrance of all the old families as his life has been passed in this vicinity since childhood. His father died July 11, 1891, and his mother, April 12, 1882. Mr. Leach has been engaged in general farming, his land having been mainly inherited by his wife from her father. It is a portion of the old Glasscock place. In 1896 Mr. Leach purchased 27 acres adjoining, and the farm now contains, as stated, r10 acres. .

On November.29, 1866, Mr. Leach was married to Alice Glasscock, who was born in Warren County, Virginia, June 24, 1848, and is a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Leach) Glasscock, the latter of whom was a cousin of Thomas Leach, father of our subject. The two families were connected in various ways by marriage. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Leach were Thornton and Nancy (White) Leach. On the paternal side they were Thomas and Margaret Glasscock. Mrs. Leach's father died November 18, 1895, and her mother, February 4, 1895. John and Mary Ann (Leach) Glasscock were parents of nine children, as follows: Mary, who died aged 13 years; Newton, who married Mary Jane Caldwell - both are now deceased; Warren, in Missouri; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of Alfred Stump; Sarah, who married Darius Shockley; Martha, who married Rev. Robert W. Peters, of the Baptist ministry; Thornton, who married Frances Rush; Alice, wife of our subject; and William, who married Ella Balla. Mrs. Leach was three years old when her parents settled in Darby township, locating on a farm within a mile of her present home.

Mr. and Mrs. Leach have had these children: Lacy, who married Charles Noon and has five children - Gladys, Carl, Lawrence, Nellie and Helen; Maggie, who married Stephen Alkire and has four children - Anna, Warner, Stella and Frederick; Ora, who married Charles Bartlett, who was accidentally killed on the railroad - she has one child, Mildred; Frank Allen, who lives at home; Robert, who married Naney Fulton and has one child - Dorothy; and William and Florence, wh» live at home.

Mr. Leach has never been very active in politics, contenting himself with doing a citizen's duty on election day, and he has never served in any office except on the School Board.

BIEORGE W. HOLDERMAN, a repre- sentative agriculturist of Pickaway township, resides on his excellent farm of 269 acres of well-cultivatec land. He was born in Pickaway County, May 17, 1861, and is a son of Lewis and. Mary (Foresman) Holderman and a grandson of George Holderman, who was one of the first settlers in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County.

From its first settlement, the Holderman family has been one of substance and importance here, owning large bodies of land and assisting in the development of the county. George Holderman died about 1878. in advanced age.

Lewis Holderman, son of George and father of George W., was born in Salt Creek township, attended the early schools in the township and married in his native neighborhood. He removed to Pickaway township in 1868 and settled on the Circleville and Adelphi turnpike, where he resided until his death, in 1881. His widow resides in Pickaway township. Mr. Holderman was one of the township's leading Republicans and served as trustee of the township at one time.

resident of Pickaway township since he was seven years of age, was educated in District No. 1, of which he has been a director for a number of years. He has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising since he reached maturity and has met with abundant success.

On February 25, 1892, Mr. Holderman was married to Sadie Ross, who was born in Pickaway township, Pickaway County, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Whisler) Ross. - The former is deceased, but the latter survives and resides at Circleville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Holderman have two children - Lewis J. and Mervin.

Politically Mr. Holderman is identified with the Republican party, but has never been a claimant for office, preferring a quiet life devoted to his family and business. Like all other members of the Holderman family, he sustains an excellent reputation for industry and integrity.

> AMUEL W. DUNLAP, a prominent - ) retired farmer of Monroe township, now residing in Circleville, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is a son of John Dunlap.

The grandfather of our subject, John Dunlap, was born in Virginia and moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1821. His son, also named John, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1811, and accompanied his father to Ross County, Ohio, when he was 11 years of age. There he became a prominent citizen and there he died in 1881.

Samuel W. Dunlap was reared in Ross County and there attended school and was trained in agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he came to Pickaway County and settled in Monroe township on a farm of 500 acres given him by his father, to which he added until now he owns 1,000 'acres, all of this being finely improved and all in one body. Mr. Dunlap engaged in extensive stock-raising and at the present time is the owner of a herd of 25 head of Shorthorns; during his active years it was his custom to fatten two or three carloads of cattle annually. He also raised and shipped many fine hogs. For a number of years he was one. of the leading agriculturists of the western section of the county.

Mr. Dunlap was married to Mary Hyde, a daughter of Nathan Hyde, a farmer of Ross County, Ohio. The three children born to this marriage are: Flora, who is engaged in "Settlement" work, being at the head of a Settlement House at Des Moines, Iowa; John, who is a farmer of Deer Creek township; and Arthur, who now manages the home farm in Monroe township.

For 20 years Mr. Dunlap was a member of the Monroe township School Board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, for years has been one of the stewards and is a member of the board of trustees.

BOHN HEISKELL & SON, a well known firm of Williamsport dealing in queensware, hardware, groceries, etc., was established by John Heiskell, who died in September, 1903, and the business has since been conducted by the son, Clifford Heiskell, under the old firm name.

John Heiskell was born near South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio, in 1847. For about 32 years he lived in Clark County, where he was engaged in farming, and subsequently conducted a general store for 10 years. When about 42 years of age he removed to Williamsport and established the business which is now conducted by his son. He was also engaged in the grain business at Woodlyn during his residence at W illiamsport.. Mr. Heiskell married Louise Clemmons, of South Charleston, Ohio, who still survives and is in partnership with her son Clifford. They had six children: Clifford, subject of this sketch; Charles, who lives near New Holland; Roland, who is at present in Junction City, Ohio, where he is engaged in railroad work; William, who is working in the store at Williamsport; Kent, also a resident of Junction City, Ohio, engaged in railroad work; and Mary, who mar-

CiiFFoRD HEISKELL was born December 23, 1872, in South Charleston, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. His education was received in the High School from which he graduated and in a business college at Columbus, Ohio, which he later attended. In 1891 he began working in his father's store and five years later became full partner. Since his father's death he has had the active management. Mr. Heiskell was married October, 1903, to Arizona Yates, who was born in Pickaway County and is a daughter of S. M. Yates, a resident of Circleville. Mr. and Mrs. Heiskell have had one child, a son, Laurence Yates.

B}IPHRAIM IMLER, whose death took place at his home in Salt Creek township, on February 2, 1889, was born in this township, March 13, 1826, and was a son of Henry Imler, who came from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled in Salt Creek township.

Ephraim Imler spent the whole of his long and useful life in his native township, where he became possessed of property and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of those who knew him. In boyhood it became necessary-for him industry and excellent management he became possessed of means, by the time he had reached his majority, to enter upon domestic life and start to farming for himself. He was married on October 18, 1853, to Malinda Bochert, who was born in Salt Creek township, 'Pickaway County, Ohio, on February 7, 1835, and is a daughter of Stanley and Mary (Drum) Bochert. Stanley Bochert was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his parents in boyhood to Pickaway County, where he resided many years, dying here some 30 years since, a very highly respected citizen.

wife were: Levi and Stanley B., of Salt Creek township; Mary S., of Youngstown, Ohio; Henry E., of Paulding County, Ohio; Malinda J., wife of Henry Cramer, of Salt Creek township; Schuyler C., of Salt Creek township; Minnie W., wife of Porter Hiatt, of Salt Creek township; and Newton H. and Foster G., both of Salt Creek township.

In 1856 Mr. Imler settled on the farm on which his death took place and where his widow still resides. This is a well-cultivated tract of 49 acres. Had Mr. Imler's useful life been spared, he would probably have added much to its improvements and development. His death, on the date above mentioned, was caused by a tree accidentally falling upon him while he was engaged in sawing it. This tragic closing of the life of a good man and most highly regarded citizen was the cause of universal regret in the neighborhood. He is remembered by his family as a kind husband his fellow-citizens he was known as a man of sterling character. In politics he was a Republican. His venerable widow is a valued member of the Cumberland Presbyterian | Church. She, too, is widely known and every-

OHN D. VAUSE, deceased, was for many years one of the leading agriculturists of Harrison township. "He was born March 10, 1818, and was a son of Thomas Vause, a native of Virginia who migrated from Moorefield in that State to locate on Buck Creek, near Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. Later he moved into Franklin County, where he died in 1852, aged 66 years. His wife, Elizabeth Decker, died in the same year, aged 60. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs, Thomas Vause, as follows: John D.; Rachel, who became the wife of William Thornton Decker; William, who married Mary Stimmel; Luke D.; James Inskeep, residing in Harrison township, two miles from Ashville, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Thomas B.,

John D. Vause was educated in the early schools and reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he purchased a farm of 260 acres in Harrison township, Pickaway County, on which he lived and labored until his death February 16, 1898, although he naturally retired from active work during the later years of his life. He married Mary Elizabeth Perrill, who was born January 1, 1822, and died January 20, 1901. She was a daughter of Nathan Perrill, a Virginian by birth, who settled in Madison township, Pickaway County, where he died many years ago. He was married to Christina Stump, near Moorefield, Virginia, and became the father of five children, viz.: Augustus L., who served in both branches of the State Legislature and as sheriff of Pickaway County - both he and his wife, Mary Seymour, are deceased; Zebulon H., who married Rebecca Bywaters; Catherine, wife of John Moore; Mary Elizabeth, wife of our subject; and Frances, wife of Adam Dyer. To Mr. and Mrs. John D. Vause were born eight children, namely: Christiana E., who married Thomas J. Rathmell, and now resides in Hamilton township, Franklin County, Ohio; Rachel C., wife of Seymour R. Vanmeter, residing in Circleville; Mary P., who lives at home; Nathan Perrill, of Scioto township; J. Baldwin, residing on the old home farm in Harrison township, purchased by his father and partly settled by his grandfather; Thomas W., who died in 1879; Frances P., wife of Dr. H. C. Blake, of Lockbourne; and Anna L., who lives at home with her sister and brother - Mary P. and J. Baldwin.

SAAC A. PHERSON, a prominent S| farmer and successful merchant of Muhlenberg township, whose general store is situated on a part of his farm of 160 acres, was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 19, 1850, and is a son of George and Elmira (Van Sickle) Pherson.

Robert Pherson, the paternal grandfather, was born McPherson, but after he had lived some years in America he dropped the prefix "Mc." Other members of his family, however, retained it, three of his brothers who also came from the North of Ireland - William, James and John - keeping to the original spelling. From one of these descended the late General McPherson, the gallant soldier who fell at the head of his command during the Civil War. Robert Pherson entered a half section of land near Somerset, in Perry County, Ohio, and then sent to Ireland for the rest of the family. He served in the War of 1812 and died in Perry County at the age of 80 years. His family consisted of three daughters and four sons.

George Pherson was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1818, and remained there engaged-in farming until 1875, when he came to Pickaway County and purchased a farm of 412 acres in Muhlenberg township. 'He was an active member of the Democratic party until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he became a Republican and so continued until his death, which took place in 1889. During 1864-65 he served as county treasurer of Perry County. He was a prominent member of the German Reformed Church. He married Elmira Vana Sickle, and they had the following children: James K., deceased, a brave soldier who first served his country with bravery and then was starved to death in the enemy's prison at Salisbury, North Carolina; Isaac A., of this sketch; Robert, of Muhlenberg township; Sarah Jane, wife of I. H. Zartman, of Perry County; Harriet, wife of T. P. Neff, of Mount Sterling; Emily A., deceased, who was the wife of Robert Proctor; George B., of Grove City; Elizabeth, wife of John S. Neff, of Jackson township; William A., of Pherson; and Martha A., widow of George Corkwell, of Pherson.

Isaac A. Pherson remained at home during his boyhood and youth and accompanied his parents to Pickaway County in 1875. He was educated in the local schools and was trained to be a farmer. He assisted his father in clearing and improving the large property he pur-

Florence estate. Being one of his father's heirs, he has always remained here and on his 160 acres he has made many improvements of a substantial nature. In 1882 he started a general mercantile business, erecting a commodious store building for the purpose and has a good stand for business. The village of Pherson was named in his honor and in 1887 he was appointed its first postmaster, by President Cleveland. He has retained the office ever since, having a section of his store set apart for the transaction of mail business.

Mr. Pherson was married in 1869 to Mary J. Cotterman, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 1, 1849, and is a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Foreman) Cotterman, the former of whom was born in Perry County, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Pherson have had these children: Cora M., wife of W. O. Dountz, of Scioto township; James H., at home; Etta, wife of Carl Bach, of Pherson; Hattie A., wife of R. E. Furge son, of Bucyrus, Ohio; and Emma T., Herman C., Scott E. and Jennie May.

Mr. Pherson is a prominent member of the Prohibition party and is chairman of the County Central Committee. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has been a class leader since 1886 and in the same year assisted very liberally in the matter of building a new church edifice.

MILLIAM MILLAR, a substantial citizen and representative man of Harrison township, who owns the old Isaac D. Millar homestead on which he was born on April 28, 1847, is a son of Isaac D. and Sarah Ann (Millar) Millar.

The Millar family of Harrison township, Pickaway County, have occupied their land for the past 100 years. The great-grandparents of William Millar were Isaac and Elizabeth (Sea) Millar, the former of whom was born February 9, 1749, and married Elizabeth Sea on October 28, 1777, and died January 23, 1815, in the 66th year of his age. His wife

Adam Millar, the grandfather of William Millar, died March 28, 1824, aged 32 years and 4 days. He married Rebecca Decker and they had two sons: Isaac D., father of our subject; and John. who died when a young man.

Isaac D. Millar was born March 18, 1822, and on February 22, 1844, married his cousin. Sarah Ann Millar, daughter of William and. Mary (Sudduth) Millar, whose children were as follows: Elizabeth, born May 2, 1809; George Washington, born February 5, 1811: Isaac, born January 28, 1813; Adam, born March 15, 1815; Sarah Ann, born April 24. 1817; Lucinda, born December 12, 1819; William A. P., born November 17, 1824; and Mary Catherine, born April 23, 1830. Isaac D. Millar died October 21, 1867; his wife died June 27, 1900, aged 83 years.

The children of Isaac D. and Sarah Ann Millar were: John D., born December 6. 1844, deceased March 28, 1860; William, the subject of this sketch ; Mary Rebecca, born September 6, 1850, wife of Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley; Leonard, born April 1, 1854, residing in' Harrison township, whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this work; Isaac M. and Adam P. (twins), born March 21, 1857, the former of whom died February 3, 1860, and the latter on March 26, 1886; and Annie L., wife of F. S. Chryst, probate judge of Trum-. bull County, who died at her home in Warren,. Ohio, March 25, 1901, leaving two daughters - Blanche E. and Sarah M.

William Millar has passed almost all his life on the old homestead, following farming. He attended the township schools. and a. very excellent school at Granville, but the death of his father recalled him to take charge of affairs at home. His farm, which is known as the "Bunker Hill Farm," contains 276 acres. Mr. Millar is one of the leading agriculturists of

On January 14, 1892, Mr. Millar was married to Aphlus O'Day, who is a daughter of Wesley and Malvina (Scutt) O'Day. The father of Mrs. Millar was born in Delaware, May 10, 1820, and died June 20, 1887, at South Bloomfield, Ohio. The mother was born in Onondaga County, New York, August 15, 1827, and resides at South Bloomfield with her youngest son, Meredith O'Day. Mr. and Mrs. Millar have four children, viz.: Sarah Ann, born September 27, 1894; Isaac O'Day, born February 17, 1896; and Mary Ette Bernice and Hariett Beatrice (twins), born June 15, 1905. A group picture of the Millar family accompanies this sketch. In politics Mr. Millar is a Republican as was his father before him. Mrs. Millar has been a E. MORRIS, one of Pickaway township's representative agriculturists and prominent citizens, serving his second term as township trustee, resides on a valuable farm which is situated some seven miles from Circleville, on the Circleville and Kingston turnpike. Mr. Morris was born September 16, 1865, on the famous Pickaway Plains in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Reason S. and Harriet (Pontius) Morris.

Both parents of Mr. Morris were born in Washington township, Pickaway County and now reside in Salt Creek township. Reason S. Morris is a son of Henry Morris, one of the early settlers of this county, in which the family has been one of standing for many years. Jo Reason S. Morris and wife were born 10 children, as follows: Daniel, of Salt Creek township; Mary A., wife of Andrew Wilson, of Athens County, Ohio; Henry V., of Logan, Phillips County, Kansas; Isaac E., of this sketch; Mahlon, of Pickaway Countv: Eyaline, of Salt Creek township; Charles E., of Walnut township; Clifton, of Logan, Phillips County, Kansas; Rosa E., wife of Claude W. Work, of Denver, Colorado; and Arthur, of Salt Creek township.

Isaac E. Morris was born in Pickaway township, this county, and was II years old when the family removed to Salt Creek township, where he attended school until he became interested in farming. His training in this dirction was of a practical nature and he has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. He settled on his present farm, near Elmwood, in 1891, and in addition to carrying on general farming raises many horses, cattle and hogs.

On February 25, 1890, Mr. Morris was married to Ina Chrisman, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jeremiah Chrisman, of that county.

In political sentiment, Mr. Morris is a Demccrat and has been active in party affairs in the township. On several occasions he has been selected for office by his fellow-citizens and is now serving his second term as township trustee. He enjoys the confidence of the public and bears the reputation of being an excellent and industrious official.

B|ARTIN E. DREISBACH, a retired 8} farmer and merchant, of Circleville, and a citizen of wealth and standing, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1826, and is a son of Rev. John Dreisbach and his wife, Fannie Eyer.

Rev. John Dreisbach was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1789. After reaching maturity, he became a clergyman of the Evangelical Association, preaching both in Pennsylvania and New York. In 1831 he came with his family to Pickaway township, Pickaway County, Ohio, being the fifth member of his denomination, after a society was organized, in the locality. While a resident of this county he occasionally occupied the pulpit, also editing the Evangelical Messenger at Dayton, and (for two years) after its removal to Cleveland. Prior to coming to Ohio, he served as a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and was not only a good, conscientious son, but one of decided ability in the practical affairs of life. .

To Rev. John Dreisbach and his second wife, Fannie Eyer, were born 11 children, of whom the following four are living: Jacob E., a resident of Carthage, Missouri; Martin E., our subject; Fannie (Spickler), living in Bakertown, West Virginia; and Martha (Gildersleeve), residing in Denver, Colorado. By a previous marriage, with a sister of his second wife, Rev. John Dreisbach had two children.

Martin E. Dreisbach has lived in this county since he was five years of age. He was early inured to agricultural work and married, when 22 years old, Elizabeth Reedy, daughter of Michael Reedy, who had settled in Green township, Ross County, in 1812. Mrs. Dreisbach died in October, 1903, the mother of three children, of whom the only one now living is Arista, wife of Harry P. Lorbach, an optician of Circleville.

Mr. Dreisbach enlisted for service in the Civil War in 1864, on the 2nd of May, joining Company A, 155th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered in at Camp Dennison, going direct to Martinsburg, Virginia, and thence to Whitehouse Landing, City Point and Norfolk. He was assigned mostly to garrison and fatigue duty, being at one time assistant quartermaster of his regiment. After his honorable discharge, on the 27th of August, 1865, Mr. Dreisbach returned to his home and earnestly resumed the pursuits of peace.

In 1876 Mr. Dreisbach moved to Circleville and engaged in the implement and seed business, in which he successfully continued until 1905, when he retired from active life, having not only acquired a competency through his mercantile enterprises but also a fine farm of 300 acres in Pickaway township. He is well known in Grand Army circles, being a charter member of Groce Post, of Circleville. He has held all the offices in the gift of the post and has never relinquished his membership since he assisted in the organization of the post. He is also an Odd Fellow in good

Pw LEANDER HERMAN WARD, promoi} §=oprietor of what is known as the "Rose Dale Fruit Farm," is closely identified with the history and with the agricultural prosperity of Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio. His property comprises 80 acres of land, 27 of which are laid out in orchards and small fruits. He is a member of a family that has been established in Pickaway County for over 100 years and is in the fourth generation from William Ward, the founder of the family in America, who came as a pioneer from Virginia to this county. Mr. Ward was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, March 28, 1858, and is a son of William T. and Catherine (Payne) Ward and a grandson of William P. and Hannah (Sabins) Ward.

William Ward, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Hampshire, England. His father, desiring that he should learn a trade, apprenticed William to his uncle Charles who did not, however, treat the lad as he deserved. He accordingly resented his uncle's mistreatment and ran away. He secured a place on an English vessel through a distant relative, Commodore Ward, of the English Navy. After making several trips in this country despite the fact that Commodore Ward offered him every inducement to return to England. The Commodore's motive in constraining the young man to return to England was not wholly unselfish, for William owed the Commodore the price of a passage across the ocean. It resolved itseif into a case of "Ward eat Ward" and terminated in the Commodore's selling the young man for an amount equal to the price of a passage across the Atlantic, to a Mr. Snyder, a resident of Pendleton County, Virginia. Between young Ward and 'freedom lay 10 acres of saplings and underbrush, which he had to grub to secure his release from servitude. .\While engaged in working out his freedom, he became acquainted with a young woman named Nancy Courtney, whose birthplace was somewhere in Scotland and who like himself was working out the price of her passage to this country. After securing his own freedom, he, assisted Nancy in her work and hand in hand _ they emerged from the gloom of servitude into the clear light of American freedom. Soon after this they were married. To this union were born eight children - six sons and two daughters. The sons were named: Charles, William, Robert, George, James and Richard. In the spring of 1802 the fact was brought home to Mr. Ward that greater opportunities presented themselves in Ohio than in the Old Dominion and accordingly he set out for what was then known as the Northwest Territory. In the month of May, 1802, he and his family with their teams, working tools and household goods disembarked from a flatboat at Portsmouth, Ohio, from which point he set out in a northerly direction. He was not tempted to remain in Chillicothe, the early capital of the Territory, but continued on to the north to section 17, township 9, range 21, in what is now Pickaway County, throughout much of the journey having to cut a road through the dense, uninhabited wilderness. Arriving at his destination, he located on the half-section of land now owned in equal parts by his greatgrandsons, Charles and James Ward. The old log house that was then built is still standing. lour generations have dwelt within its walls. Rain and snow have fallen on:it, winds and tempests have swept against it, but for a century it has withstood all. What mighty changes have been wrought since the old house was built!) When its timbers were hewed in the forest, the greater part of Ohio was still uncultivated and uninhabited save by wild animals and the red man. They were happy people who lived in the old cabin. It was home to them; love was there, peace was on the walls and joy stood in the door. Little children were born there and from its confines the souls of the father and mother went up to God. 'How dear to my heart are the scenes

James Ward, the fifth son of William Ward, was born in Virginia and accompanied his parents to Ohio in May, 1802. On the old Ward farm in Pickaway County he spent his boyhood days, remaining with his father until he reached his majority, when he returned to Virginia to marry Elizabeth Propst whom he had known before coming to Ohio. The journey of 300 miles was made on foot in six days. After their marriage, James Ward and his wife remained in Virginia until two children were born to them - William P. and Eliza - and then came to Pickaway County, Ohio. The trip was made on horseback, the son being tied behind his father with a large bandana handkerchief and the daughter being carried by her mother on her lap. James and Elizabeth (Propst) Ward were the parents of 10 children. The sons were eight in number and were named as follows: \Villiam P., George W., James, Wesley, Peter, John, Josiah and Daniel. The two daughters were named Eliza and Nancy Ann. Of this family none are living, since January, 1906.

William P. Ward, the eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Propst) Ward and grandfather of our subject, was married to Hannah Sabins in 1831 and to this union were born seven children. 'The sons, five in number, were named: William T., Robert, Leander, Frank and John H. The daughters were named Elizabeth and Sarah.

William T. Ward, the eldest son of William P. and Hannah (Sabins) Ward and father of our subject, was born in August, 1832, in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and was here reared and educated. On October 2, 1853, he was married to Catherine Payne, a daughter of Joel Payne, a neighboring farmer. At the time of their marriage they were not blessed with much of the world's goods, but both husband and wife enjoyed good health, and in a long life, characterized by diligent saving, hard labor and good management, they secured a good home for themselves and family. They were good neighbors.

and first-class citizens and were beloved by all who knew them. They were blessed with nine children - six sons and three daughters - named as follows: William M., Leander H., Israel, Jabez, Lawrence, Harry A., Mary J., Lottie E. and Cora A.

Leander H. Ward grew up on his father's farm in Walnut township and attended the district schools of the vicinity. On January 8, 1885, he was married to Sarah E. Ward, daughter of R. P. and Jane (Hedges) Ward. In this year the "Western fever" was very contagious and our subject and his wife fell victims. They moved to Kansas and took up farming, as Mr. Ward was a farmer's son and thoroughly instructed in all the arts of agriculture. The crops, however, proving to be failures on account of the chinch bugs and the hot winds, he concluded that Ohio was the only place for a civilized man to live, so he and his family came back to Pickaway County in the fall of 1886. He stopped at Ashville and took up blacksmithing which he followed seven years, meeting with large success in business and accumulating some property. In 1894, however, he decided to remove from town and so bought his father-in-law's 80- acre farm in Walnut township. As soon as it came into his possession, he began to plant a portion of it to all kinds of fruit so as to make the property, in time, an up-to-date fruit farm. Every year he has planted more and more of his farm in fruit and has at present 27 acres planted to all kinds of fruit, there being orchards containing 2,500 trees and six acres devoted to small fruits. When the orchards come into full bearing, which will be in a few years, the income from the fruit produced will, at a low estimate, amount to as much as $7,000 a year.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward have had six children, as follows: Mabel Agnes; Maud Ellis, who married Isaac M. Stout and resides in Walnut township; Hartley E.; Mettie Alice; Edith,

Leander H. Ward's fraternal and religious connections are confined to his membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Brethren Church. He is domestic in his tastes and is considered a model family man and a splendid citizen.

HARLES D. BRINER, M. D., one i of Williamsport's best known citizens, has practiced medicine here since 1891 and, although his professional duties have been exciting, he has also given much attention to public affairs in this vicinity. A man of public spirit and enterprise, he has always worked for the advancement of home interests and has at different times been called upon to serve in offices of public trust. 1

Dr.. Briner is a native of Pickaway County, having been born in Perry township, May 30, 1862. He is a son of John and Sarah E. (Hatfield) Briner, and grandson of Jacob and Sarah'(Torrence) Briner. Jacob Briner, who was a native of Pennsylvania, at an early date located in Pickaway County, where he engaged in farming for many years. His death occurred at Enon, Ohio.

John Briner, father of Charles D., was born on a farm north of Circleville, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until October 17, 1871, when he moved with his family to Williamsport. Here he engaged in the poultry and general produce business until his death, March 31, 1895. He is survived by his widow, who:in maiden life was Sarah E. Hatfield. She also was a native of Pickaway County and is a daughter of John and Maria (Baker) Hatfield, both natives of Maryland. As a result of this union two children'*-were born, namely: Ida M., wife of D. W. Moler, of Williamsport; and Charles D. Mrs. Briner resides in Williamsport in a home adjoining that of her son.

until nme years of age when he was brought by his parents to Williamsport. Here he attended the public schools and grew to manhood. Having determined to enter the medical profession, he began study under the preceptorship of Dr. T. I. White on his 21st birthday. He later entered Starling Medical College at Columbus from which institution he was graduated March 4, 1886. Immediately thereafter he returned to Williamsport but was unable to take up practice at once as his funds had been exhausted in obtaining an education. He accepted a position as teacher in Deercreek township and continued at that vocation until 1891, when he resigned to take up the active practice of medicine. His success was nmediate and in a short time he was firmly established in the confidence of the people of this section, many of his patients coming from a distance. He is a member and for one year was president of the Pickaway County Medical Society. For four years during President Cleveland's administration, the Doctor served on the Board of Pension Examiners. November 27, 1889, Doctor Briner was joined in marriage with Minnie Welton, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, and is a daughter of Moses and Emma (Hurst) Welton. Four children were born to this union: Merl, who died at the age of 17 months; Ruth, who died in infancy; Helen, who is still living, and Thureda, who died at the age of two weeks. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and stands high in the councils of his party, having served on the central and executive committees. He served two terms as treasurer of Deercreek township, from 1891 to 1895, and at the same time was treasurer of the corporation of Williamsport. He served on the School Board three years, was re-elected and resigned in the middle of the second term. He also served one year as editor of the Williamsport News, during which period that publication earnestly advocated steps for the improvement of the town and the promotion of its interests. I'raternally, the Doctor has been very prominent. For 13 years he was master of Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M., at Williamsport, and upon his voluntary retirement from the office he was presented by the members with a fine past master's jewel. He also belongs to Heber Chapter, No. 62, O. E. S., of which he was the first worthy patron; Circleville Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M.; Williamsport Lodge, No. 4475, M. W. of A., of which he is the physician; Williamsport Lodge, No. 478, K. P., being a past chancellor of the same, and Atlanta Lodge, No. 819, I. O. O. F., at Atlanta, Ohio.

Religiously, Dr. Briner and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has a well-appointed office and a fine home in Williamsport.

ENTON MONROE DUNNICK, a 'a! fine type of the gentleman farmer of old and cultured Ohio, owner of 215 acres of beautiful land in Walnut township, and former sheriff of Pickaway County, was born upon the farm which still comprises his homestead, on January 24, 1854. He is ason of Benjamin T. and Minerya (Ashbrook) Dunnick. His father was born, reared and educated in Walnut township and here: became a prominent farmer. He died September 12, 1859. Our subject's mother was a daughter of William and Permelia Ashbrook, both natives of Virginia, and is still living at East Ringgold, aged 87 years.

In Walnut township our subject developed into an intelligent and useful manhood, and in 1875 married for his first wife Sarah Ann Brobst, who died in 1882. By her he had three children, viz.: Iva, who married Boyd Swope, of Amanda township, Fairfield County, Ohio, and became the mother of two chil- Klren - Kathleen and I'. Dunnick; Oela C., who married William C. Nothstine, lives in Walunt township and is the mother of a daughter - Sarah Elizabeth; and John T., who married Alice Plummer, of Columbus, and is assistant business manager of the Columbus Dispatch. In 1889 Mr. Dunnick married Mary E. Hammel. Two children were born to this union - David H. and Minerya.

in August, 1896, and the family occupied it in 1897. It was during the latter year that he concluded his four years' service as sheriff of Pickaway County, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He has a wide connection with the fraternities, being a member of the F. & A. M., B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F. Religiously he is identified with the Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. Dunnick takes great pride in his home, which is commodious and modern, and is prouder still of his family. He is especially gratified at the success of his youngest child by his first marriage, John T. Dunnick. When the latter was in the Circleville High School, during the father's term as sheriff, he took a local agency for the Columbus Dispatch. He acquitted himself so creditably- that when he finished his course he was offered a position in the Columbus office as assistant bookkeeper, and his good work in that capacity earned him the promotion to his present post - assistant business manager.

Mahlon Ashbrook, Mr. Dunnick's uncle, was the founder of the town of Ashville, which was named in his honor. About the year 1850 he was the wealthiest man in Pickaway County, conducting the largest store and selling more produce than any one in the county. In 1855 he met with serious business reverses, and the entire family, which is one of the oldest, most aristocratic and honorable in the county, came to his assistance, and in the discharge of his indebtedness they were all reduced to comparative poverty.

S. McKINLEY, postmaster at Orient, where he is engaged in a general mercantile business, is the oldest continuous resident of the village and is identified with all its leading inter- to a branch of the same family from which came the late President McKinley, the paternal grandfather of our subject being a second cousin to the martyred President. He was an extensive farmer and also one of the local pioneer preachers of the Methodist faith. Fearless and undismayed, he traveled through the wilderness which then enveloped Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, buying stock and performing the duties of his spiritual mission until the advanced age of 84 years brought his labors to a close. He married Sarah Yocum, who, like himself, had been born in Virginia. Together they came, in a covered wagon, to Ohio, and settled near the present town of Darbyville Among their numerous children were: David, Susan, Elizabeth, A. Seymour, Joseph H., Harriet, Margaret, Mary, William H., Russell B., John W. and James. The last named was a victim of the Civil War.

David McKinley was reared in Pickaway County, where the family remained for a time. He married Elizabeth Chenowith, of Franklin County, Ohio, who was a daughter of Joseph Chenowith, who is said to have been the first white male child born in the Scioto Valley, his parents coming from Virginia to Ohio and locating at Chillicothe. In 1806 the Chenowiths left that neighborhood and settled in Franklin County, where they became possessed of 2,000 acres of farming land. They had these children:. Jane, Rachel, Joseph Heath, William B., Elizabeth, Isabel, Elijah and Jeremiah M. All have passed away except William B., Jeremiah M., Isabel and Elizabeth.

The children born to David McKinley and wife were: Sarah A.,' widow of James Boyd, living at Harrisburg, Ohio; William F., who married Elizabeth Sherman and resides at Mount Sterling, Ohio; Joseph, who died in Franklin County, Ohio, from the e'fects of a kick from a horse, within a few days of his 21st birthday; Harriet I., deceased in 1901, who was the wife of W. D. Harvey, of Franklin County, Ohio; John B., director of the Franklin County Infirmary, residing at Reynoldsburg, who married Mary E. Vieman; Margaret J., single, who resides at Columbus; Mary E., wife of William J. Kennard, resid- ing at Camp Chase; Susan M., wife of E. W. Swisher, residing at Columbus; J. S., of this sketch; and James Bates, a physician, located at Harrisburg, Ohio. David McKinley, our subject's father, died in 1869..

As indicated above, J. S. McKinley has been a very important factor in the developing of Orient. On March 31, 1885, he located at this point, an appointee of the late President Harrison as the first postmaster at the newly organized office, and opened up a department store which he has developed into a large and prosperous business. In this connection it may he remarked that his business card, in part, explains his continued success. He announces: "| have not, in 10 years, had my store robbed ; ] have not had a fire; I have not lost to exceed $20 from bad debts; I have but one price; 1 buy and sell for cash; I have no note or notes to pay; I have no mortgage on any of my property; I am not security on any one's paper for a cent; I believe in advertising; | believe it pays to be honest; I believe in quick sales and small profits; I believe that gocds well bought are half sold, and I believe that goods can be bought cheaper for cash than on time, and that cash helps people to be pros: perous and honest."

Mr. McKinley lives up to his terse business announcement. His store is conducted entirely on a cash basis and he has proved how advantageous this policy is to both seller and buyer. He is a large and intelligent advertiser, adopting unusual methods and spending a large sum, having proved the wisdom of such a course.

After a change came about in the administration, Mr. McKinley resigned as postmaster at Orient, and during the eight years while the office was filled by a Democrat, Mr. Mc- Kinley, in the interest of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, managed Morgan Park, near Orient, where many thousands gathered to picnic. This tract now belongs to the State. In 1895 he was re-appointed postmaster at Orient and has served continuously ever since. This is an important business point. Morgan's station or Orient had the first suburban railroad in Pickaway County. The State has in Ohio, when it will accommodate 1,600 people it is thought. Orient has the second highest railroad trestle in the State and has three artesian wells, one of which is 1,900 feet deep. The town supports schools, churches and offers a pleasant home to people of capital, as well as to artisans and business men.

In addition to his other concerns, Mr. Mc- Kinley has been much interested for a year past in growing grapes and his efforts have met with remarkable success. Mr. McKinley was the only fruit exhibitor from Ohio at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, at which time he exhibited in the Horticultural Building a fruiting grape-vine - the only one exhibited - known as ''McKinley's Jumbo," many of whose grapes had a diameter in excess of one and one-eighth inches. He grows 25 varieties of fancy grapes, including the "Concord", "Worden", "Brighton", "Moore's Diamond', 'Niagara', and 'Me- Kinley's Jumbo", which has been renamed the "Columbian Imperial' and which Mr. McKinley claims is the largest grape in the world. The fruit is produced abundantly and the demand will probably tax Mr. McKinley's resources of production for some time to come.

In 1881 Mr. McKinley was married to Ida E. Gayman, who is a daughter of David and Mary E. (Wheeler) Gayman, of Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio. Mr. Gayman died in February, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Gayman had four children, namely: Edwin, deceased, who married Laura Pugh; Allen E., also deceased, who married Edith Ash; David D., who married Elizabeth Keeler and resides at Greenville, Ohio; and Ida E., who is the wife of our subject. She was born at Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio, June 20, 1859.

Mr. McKinley has demonstrated on many occasions the genuine interest he takes in his town, aside from anything pertaining to his personal advancement. In his management of official affairs he is greatly commended. He has secured for the Orient postoffice three rural routes, exceeding any town of its size in the county. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the first and largest subscriber to the fund used to build the new church edifice. For 20 years he has taken much interest in Sundayschool work. He was superintendent of the Harrisburg Sunday-school for two years and of the Orient Sunday-school for six years. He is now serving his fourth year as president of the town and township organizations. He is president of the board of trustees of Scioto township and also president of the Scioto Township Law and Order League. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a-Mason, in the latter having taken the 32d degree.

With all his many business interests, Mr. McKinley still finds some time for recreation, which he employs in fishing. That he is a true follower of the immortal Izaak Walton seems to be a settled conviction in his neighborhood, it being a common saying that "A McKinley can catch fish where there are

EORGE DUNGAN,a prosperous and mi progressive farmer of Wayne township, a Democrat of local prominence and a successful man in both private and public affairs, is a native of the township whose interests he has done so much to advance. The homestead consists of 330 acres of land and a farm of go acres, presented by Mr. Dungan to his wife. He lives on the same farm and in the same house, where he was born on the 6th of September, 1839;

Mr. Dungan is a son of Titus and Jemima (King) Dungan. John Dungan, the grandfather, was a native of Ireland, where his father died. As an infant he was brought by his widowed moth>r to America, and until 1789 lived in' Pent _.vania. Thence he migrated to Virginia, where he was married, his wife being a member of the famous Titus family of that State. In 1802 John Dungan traded his farm of 100 acres in the Old Dominion for a

1,000-acre tract in Pickaway County. It was mostly timberland, and John Dungan, assisted by his sons William, John, Titus and Patterson, had a large contract before him in clearing off and improving even sufficient for a moderate-sized homestead. Neither did he have his sons' continuous assistance. Patterson, the last born, died when quite young. William, the oldest, although reared a Presbyterian, became a Baptist minister - one of the pioneers of that sect in Pickaway County - and died in 1830. John Dungan, Jr., became a prominent farmer in Pickaway County, where he married. He served in the War of 1812.

Titus Dungan, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1794, and when a lad of eight years accompanied his parents to Pickaway County where he grew to manhood. He served in the War of 1812 and upon his return home was married at Westfall, Wayne township, to Jemima King, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1796, and was a daughter of William King, an early pioneer of Pickaway County, coming here in 1798 and settling where Westfall later sprung up, which town subsequently totally disappeared. William King, who was a Quaker in his religious belief, was born in Pennsylvania and was there married. He moved from there to Virginia, then to Kentucky and finally to Pickaway County, Ohio. He was a Democrat in politics and served as the first justice of the peace in Wayne township. Mr. and Mrs. Titus Dungan became the parents of six boys and four girls, of whom George was the youngest.

George Dungan was reared and primarily educated in Pickaway County, his collegiate training being marked by the fact that one of his school-teachers was James A. Garfield. Mr. Dungan's first wife, Hannah Etta Grove, lived but two years after their marriage in 1862, and left one child, Mary Florence, who became the wife of Addison Maddox and herself died in 1886, the mother of Mabel Marie, now also deceased. In 1867 Mr. Dungan married Harriet Blackstone, daughter of Thomas Blackstone, of Ross County, and a sister of Dr. Thomas Blackstone, of Circleville. There were five children by this second marriage. Etta, the oldest, married Benjamin Floyd Yates, for six years auditor of Pickaway County, and died in 1888, leaving one child, Grover Allen, who resides with his grandparents. John Titus, the second child, died at the age of two years and three months. Jemima is a school teacher at New Holland, this county. George l'rancis died at about three years of age. William Allen, the youngest child, was born September 28, 1874, and is a school teacher, but spends most of his time in Texas.

in each, except that of constable, which he declined in favor of his opponent who wanted it and who made an excellent officer. He was elected by his party to the office of infirmary director and served in that capacity for six years. At the present time he is justice of the peace and township treasurer. Notwithstanding that he was reared and educated a Protestviews, though liberal to all Christian denominations. A portrait of Mr. Dungan accompanies this sketch.

gICHARD AMBROSE BROWN, M. 4] D., a physician of modern and propractice, a resident of Commercial Point in Scioto township, and largely interested in agricultural property, both as owner and manager, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on the 3rd of December, 1873. He is a son of Ambrose White and Flora (Cunningham) Brown, and is of Scotch ancestry on the paternal side and of Scotch-Irish, on the maternal. The family history of the Cunninghams has been traced to the ancient annals of Scotland, the Doctor having in his possession their distinctive coat-of-arms. They were identified with colonial times in America, and one of the immediate ancestors of Dr. Brown is known to have fought in the Revolutionary War.

Thomas White Brown, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Maryland, but came to Ohio ,in his early married life, where Ambrose White Brown, his son and the father of our subject, was born. Both parents of Dr. Brown were natives of Ross County. this State, and were of the unpretentious, respected, farming class. His father, the owner of considerable land, has been dead for 27 years, while his mother resides in Circleville. Dr. Brown is not only building up a fine practice in and around Commercial Point, but owns a valuable farm of 320 acres and manages his mother's estate in Scioto township.

The other members of the family born tuo Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose White Brown were: Thomas \Vhite Brown, who resides west of Circleville and is a dealer in grain; Ethel, wife of J. G. Hollenbeck, who is district passenger agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Atlanta, Georgia: and Ada, who married Stuart R. Bolin, a lawyer of Circleville.

| years there was a student at Princeton for another: two years. In the fall of 1893 lie matriculated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and graduated therefrom with his degree, in March, 1896. He spent the fall and spring of 1897 and 1898 in pursuing a post-graduate course at the New York Eve and Ear Infirmary, and in the summer of the latter year located at Parkersburg, West Virginia. While a resident of that place he was associated with Dr. C. G. Blubaugh, and did considerable surgical work for the railroads. He was assistant surgeon of the Ohio River Railroad and attended to the local work of the Southwestern Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Since [ebruary, 1905, Dr.

AMEORGE W. MORRIS, treasurer of m@| Pickaway County, belongs to one of the old established families of \Walnut township, thise county, where he was born on January 15, 1856. He is a son of James and Mary (Davis) Morris and grandson of John Morris.

The Morris family is of English extraction. The great-grandfather was-born there, emigrated to America and settled first in Pennsylvania, where the grandfather was born. John Morris moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia and then to Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1802, where he secured a section of land in Walnut township, becoming possessed of 1,000 acres of land in the course of time. He was one of the earliest and best known pioneers in this section and reared a large family, whose descendants are now among the county's best citizens.

born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and here grew to manhood. He bought and cleared a tract of 160 acres and later at different times added several hundred more acres to his first purchase. He died April 22, 1896, on the homestead in Walnut township, now occupied by his son, Thomas J. Morris. lor many' years he was a justice of the peace and also served as township trustee, being a Democrat in politics. He married Mary Davis, who was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a daughter of the early pioneer, William Davis. Mrs. Morris died January 7, 1904. Of the nine children born to James Morris and wife, seven are now living, Thomas J., a resident of Circleville; George W., the subject of this sketch; James M., a hardware merchant of Circleville; Mrs. Lydia Stein, of Circleville township; Mrs. Ella Stein, of Jackson township; Mrs. Alice

George W. Morris was reared and educated in Pickaway County and became a practical farmer, following agricultural pursuits here for many years. He then spent some three years in the milling business. He became well known as one of the substantial, reliable citizens of the county and in November, 1905, he was elected to the office of county treasurer. The duties of this responsible office he has filled until the present, with an efficiency which has met with the approval of the public, irrespective of party.

Mr. Morris was married to Stella Ritt, who is a daughter of the late Benjamin Ritt, of Pickaway County. They have one son, James B., who fills the position of assistant county treasurer.

Politically Mr. Morris is a Democrat. I*raternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Morris and family reside in a very pleasant home at No. 509 North Court street, Circleville.

Mr. Morris belongs to a family which has in- if some notable examples of longevity. His father was one of a family of 15 children, of whom one still survives in venerable age - Mrs. Melinda Lincoln, a resident of Illinois. Another aunt of our subject, Mrs. Charlotte Caldwell, died June 2, 1906, in Circleville, having almost reached her g2nd birthday.

AIRED C. BETTS, one of the most progressive, energetic and _ popular young farmers of Deer Creek township, was born April 19, 1877, on the farm upon which he now resides, anil is a son of George and Mary (Phillips) Betts and grandson of John W. and_ Harriet (Gordy) Betts. The early history of the Betts family may be found in the sketch of George Betts, appearing elsewhere in _ this work.

and attended the district schools of his locality and also the Williamsport High School for three years. He afterward took a six-months' course in the McCafferty Business College at Columbus. After completing the business course, he returned home and engaged in farming. He has since devoted his time to this occupation and is recognized as one of the leading young farmers of his locality. He is located on a part of the old home place where he has erected a fine residence as well as a good barn and other necessary buildings.

Mr. Betts was married August 31, 1898, tu Gertrude Adkins, a daughter of David and Christena (Runkle) Adkins, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Betts has two children - Helen Genevieve and David. f

Politically, Mr. Betts is a Democrat, and for the past eight years has been a member of the township Board of Education, having been elected a few days after his 21st birthday, and is the youngest member ever elected to serve in that capacity. At the expiration of his present term he will have served ten years as a member of the board. Mr. Betts is fraternally connected with Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & iA. M., and Camp No. 4478, M. W. of A., of Williamsport, and of Circleville Lodge, B. P. O. E. He is a member as well as liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Williamsport, while Mrs. Betts is a member of the Lutheran Church.

EORGE W. LUTZ, who is one of the "| representative agriculturists of Pickaway township, owns a fine farm of 160 acres which he has placed under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Lutz was born in this township, February 25, 1850, and is a son of Ovid and Catherine (Lutz) Lutz.

Ovid Lutz, the father of George W., was a son of Peter Lutz, who came early to this part of Ohio and was engineer in the construction of the: Newark and Dresden Canal. He died near Dresden. The family originated in Germany, but Peter Lutz was born in Pennsylvania. For many years Ovid Lutz was a resident of Pickaway township, Pickaway County, where he died in September, 1904, in his 84th year. He married Catherine Lutz, who still survives and lives with her son, George W. She is a daughter of Samuel Lutz, a pioneer of Salt Creek township, who was in his ro2nd year when his life came to a close. Of the children born to Ovid and Catherine Lutz, three survive, namely: Martha E., wife of S. P. Bayard, who resides in Greene County, Pennsylvania; Samuel L., of Whisler, Ohio; and George W.

George W. Lutz was reared on the home farm in Pickaway township and was educated in the local schools, the schools at Kingston, and spent two terms at Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Although well equipped for almost any career, Mr. Lutz has always taken more interest in agriculture than in any other business and is looked upon-as a prosperous farmed and_ successful stockraiser of the township. His farm is well located and under Mr. Lutz's management produces abundantly. He has a comfortable farm home and his surroundings are all that could be desired. .

On March 14, 1872, Mr. Lutz was married to Matilda Hoffman, who was born at Circleville, Ohio, where her parents resided. Her father died during the Civil War and her mother at a later date. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz have three children, viz.: Nellie B., Cora and Josephine.

In political sentiment, Mr. Lutz is a Republican. He is not a member of any religious body, but he is a man of moral life and character and is always liberal in his support of religious agencies and educational enterprises. He ds one of the township's good citizens.

LLAN CAMPBELL McARTHUR. For many years the late Allan C. Mc- Arthur held a very prominent position among the agriculturists of Pickaway County, and was one of the capitalists and leading citizens of Circleville. Mr. Me- ; Arthur was born March 4, 1854, at Chillicothe,

The McArthur family was founded in America by emigrants from Scotland who settled here at an early day, bringing with them those habits of thrift and those sterling virtues which characterize, in large degree, the Scotch people wherever found. In Governor McArthur, Ohio had a distinguished and notable statesman. By. degrees he arose from an humble station in life to be the chief executive of this great State, after having become prominent in military, business and social life. In 1793 he penetrated into the Scioto Valley, as chainbearer in the surveying expedition under Gen. Nathaniel Massie, and still later acted as a scout prior to the treaty made with the Indians. Later he studied surveying with General Massie, became his assistant and helped in the laying out of the city of Chillicothe, at the same time investing in land in different portions of the State. In 1805 he was sent to the State Legislature from Ross County and in 1812 was elected to Congress. In the following year, having already been a leader in military operations, he was commissioned a brigadier general and served through the War of 1812, although it necessitated his resigning his seat in Congress. He was in command of the New York troops at Detroit when peace was declared and then returned home in the hope of giving attention to his private business affairs. However, in 1815 he was again sent to the Legislature and was re-elected in 1817, in the interim having been very conspicuous in the various treaties with the Indians, which were such important public events of those years. In 1832 he was again elected to Congress and served two terms and upon declining re-election was elected Governor of Ohio. His administration is still remembered with approval. When, at its close, he retired to private life it was with unsullied name and with the continued esteem of his fellow citizens. His beautiful home, near Chillicothe, was long known as "Fruit Hill Farm." was a prominent practitioner of law for the greater part of his life and where he died in 1858. In many respects he resembled his distinguished father and these same noble virtues and amiable characteristics were inherited by the late Allan C. McArthur of Circleville. The mother of our subject was born in Cayuga County, New York, September 16, 1817. She survived her husband for many years, dying in 1884, in Pickaway County, where she owned a farm of 365 acres.

Allan C. McArthur, whose lamented death took place July 6, 1897, was six years old when his parents moved to Covington, Kentucky, where he attended school until the age of 15, when he went to De Witt County, Illinois, to visit a married sister and there remained until 1877. At this time he was called to Pickaway County in order to take upon himself the management of his mother's large property interests and here he remained until her death. In 1888 he purchased a large tract of land in Knox County, Tennessee, with the idea of making there a winter home, but the climate did not agree with the family and two years later he returned to Circleville.

Probably no estate in the vicinity of Circleville is better improved than that left by the late Mr. McArthur, who had devoted years to the careful tilling of the soil, to raising the very best cattle and stock and to beautifying and adorning his home here in every possible way. Stately buildings with appropriate settings and surroundings mark this as an ideal rural home. In addition to this valuable property, Mr. Mc- Arthur had large land interests in Ross, Scioto, Cook and other counties. He was always one of the enterprising, helpful men of this section, thoroughly in touch with its business and agricultural interests and representative of its very best citizenship.

In November, 1886, Mr. McArthur was united in marriage with Teresa Whitney, a daughter of William G. and Eley (Van Voorhees) Whitney, natives of New York and Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Whitney at the age of six years accompanied his parents in their removal to Portsmouth, Ohio, of which city he became one of the prominent business men, being a large shipper of grain and owning his own boats for its transportation. To Allan C. MeArthur and wife was born one child, Dorothy Whitney, who is a student of Mount Ida School, Newton, Massachusetts, class of 1900.

pam LISHA WARNER, a prominent citizen S| of Pickaway County, who has been identified with the educational and agricultural interests of several townships and has served for many years as a justice of the peace, has been a resident of St. Paul, Madison township, since 1892. Mr. Warner was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio, November 21, 1848, and is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Kerschner) Warner.

Aaron Warner was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and was 15 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. They settled near Amanda and spent the rest of their lives there. Aaron Warner learned the carpenter's trade, and was also a cabinetmaker and undertaker during his earlier years. He married in Pickaway County and in 1848 came with his wife to this county, where he followed farming, in Walnut township, and also did carpentering, until 1871, when he removed to Shelby County, Illinois, where his death took place on March 20, 1906, he being in his 86th year. Wherever he lived, he was a man held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens on account of his sterling traits of character.

Elisha Warner attended the public schools in Walnut township and then took a course of instruction at Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville, Ohio, after which -he took up teaching as a profession. From 1868 until 1888 he taught school in Pickaway County and during this time was principal of the Ashville School. His literary attainments were those of an educated man and led to his appointment as a member of the Pickaway County Board of School Examiners, on which he served for 13. years - from April, 1876, until July 31, 1888 - during a portion of this time being president of the board. Mr. Warner was not satisfied with his attainments, however, but devoted his spare time to the study of the law and in 1877 was admitted to the Ohio bar. He practiced locally for a time, while also engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he accepted a position as teacher at Darbyville, to which town he removed from Walnut township. About three years later, he returned to Walnut township and later moved to Washington township, where he engaged in farming until 1882, when she settled in Madison township, where he hag lived ever since. For nine consecutive years he has served as a justice of the peace in Madison township and still holds official position since becoming a resident of St. Paul. For nine years also he was a member of the Madison township School Board and was its president a portion of the time. From 1890 until 1904, Mr. Warner was in the employ of Aultman, Miller & Company, of Akron, Ohio, as traveling collector. :

Mr. Warner married Saralt I'. Peters, who was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, and is a daughter of the late Absalom Peters, of this township. They have seven children, namely: H. Famah, a teacher in the public schools; John P., a practicing dentist. at Canal Winchester, Ohio; Mary L., wife of C. B. Teegardin, of Madison township; Cecil E., a student of law; Bertha L.; Martha T.; a teacher; and Frederick L. Mr. Warner has given his children many advantages and several of them are well known educators of the township.

For many years Mr. Warner has been very prominently identified with Democratic politics in Pickaway County and on two occasions has been sent as a delegate from the county Democracy to State conventions. In 1878 he was his party's choice for county auditor. He is one of the county's representative men and has hosts of friends. His many years in official life have demonstrated his judicial qualities and there remains no doubt in the minds of his fellow-citizens that, if he had devoted himself exclusively to the law, he would have attained high place in that profession. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Pickaway Lodge, No. 23, F. & A. M.

ILLIAM S. REBER, a prominent citizen and representative farmer of Pickaway County, who resides on his fine estate which comprises 583 acres of valuable land in Walnut township, belongs to an old Ohio family

The Reber family became known in Ohio when Valentine and Magdalena (Van Reid) Reber, the grandparents of William S. Reber, left their old Pennsylvania home and moved as early settlers to Fairfield County, Ohio. It was in 1805 that Valentine Reber purchased section 10, in Amanda township, in that county, settled on his property there and soon became one of the leading men of his neighborhood. In 1820 he was elected a member of the Ohio State Legislature, where he assisted in framing laws which are still in effect. His death took place in 1828. So well had he provided ior his family that each one of his 13 children received a farm of 160 acres.

He was afforded excellent educational advantages, these including almost two years at the Ohio State University and a period at the Miami University. Poor health prevented his completing his course at the latter institution -and induced him to visit the South in search of a more genial climate. His older brother, Dr. William Reber, was already established as principal of the Pearl River (Mississippi) Academy, and James accepted a position as instructor in this school, which he filled for 18 months. He returned to Pickaway County, much improved in health, and on October 20, 1835. married Catherine Stage. Mrs. Reber was a daughter of William Stage, who was born in Virginia, of Scotch descent.