Shelby County, Ohio - The whole text, 1883 (part 29 of 30)

was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 27, 1848, and is a son of Thomas J. Orbison, whose grandfather was one of the pioneers of Miami County. He remained with his parents, working on the home farm until he was about twenty years old. He afterward moved to Sidney, and in 1876 was married to Miss Anna L. Fulton. He read dentistry with Dr- B. F. Rasson for some time, but returned to farming. Again in 1879 lie resumed the study of dentistry in the office of J A Stipp, and afterward purchased the office. He .graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery March 3, 1881, having embraced the usual three years' course in one year. He has now a good practice, and besides has an interest in the old homestead and other pieces of property in different localities He has held the office of trustee in the Presbyterian Cinirch, of wh.ch he ,s a member His family consists of his wife and one child, the latter named Julia Inez.

Jf'L the o\d Virginia farm was so\d and A , e fent ere( \ « pon the practice of dentistry } W0Ved to Sidney, \ 22® f instruction at Ann Arbor taken an aiidi- next spring lie bought a farm three miles south of town and moved to it. In 1864 he moved back to Sidney ami engaged in the grocery business o«. Poplar Street in the place now owned bylilrs. Sophia Young. In 1865 he moved to bis present place of business. In 1860 lie married Miss Sophia Ren sch. They have seven children, named Jacob G., Maggie S., Edward C. George L., Lena, Jennie, and Carrie. When he first started in Si<U ney he handled groceries and liquors exclusively, but soon afterwards put wagons on the road, and iu 1870 conducted a bakery and confee^ tiouery with his other business. In 1870 be also started the first 9treet ice-wagon. In 1872 he engaged in butchering and pork packing, and ip 1876 boughta slaughter-house, enlarged his business and began handling as many as two thousand hogs annually. He also purchased !ar<re quantities of wool which lie shipped to Philadelphia. He lias always taken a lively interest in city affairs. He is a director of QraceJand Cemetery ami was its treasurer a number of years. J * nature. His large scraper factory is fitted !£'" ,ons of a Iabo ''- ances of his own invention. Among these invention. ' Vano " s a / , P ii ' alao invented a reversible water wheel and a 8 , 8cra P ers - He '«as J-ated as railroad and street excavator ou varioni^ plow - He has ope - cities throughout the country. At Sidney he es/??-* 8 and in different semper works, known ns t h/u a 1L°' e8ta W< ahed an extensive was born in Perry Township, this county, July 16, 1850, and lived on a farm until twenty-one years old, when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio. After completing the collegiate course he began teaching in Logan and Shelby counties, which vocation he pursued some two or three years. He next engaged as travelling salesman about one year, and took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. H. Shaw, of Plattsville. After two years at this place, he finished his reading course in about one year in the office of Dr. D. T. Gillian, and graduated from the Starling Medical College of Columbus in February, 1880. About the same time he married Miss Mizzie, daughter of W. R. Jackson, of this county, and began the practice of his profession in Sidney. During the past two years he has been secretary of the Shelby County Medical Society, and is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. With his wife he is also a member of the Presbyterian Church of Sidney.

This gentleman came to Sidney early enough' to become identified with its whole material development and growth. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 14, 1815, and remained working upon a farm and clerking in a store until 1833. In 1834 he came to Richland County, O., and went into partnership in a drug store at Mansfield. Eighteen months later he engaged in the same business at Lancaster, but in Jan. 1840, he went into the dry goods trade with Col. Zinn. In the spring of 1842 he came to Sidney, and found a village of about fourteen hundred inhabitants, and even a large element of this population belonged to the floating class. With Mr. Zinn he started a factory for the manufacture of pearlash, in which business he was engaged about three years. His principal market was Sandusky, and wagons formed the method of transportation, for although the trip consumed as high as twelve days it was yet cheaper than canal transportation. He continued this business with Colonel Zinn until 1868, when he sold out to Mr. Hoover, bought a farm and worked it until he could settle up his old business. About two years later he sold the farm and soon after went into the Citizens' Bank, Sidney, as President of the institution, which position he still retains, ne was a member of the city council about eight years, and while a member of that body introduced the ordinance which provided for securing the Holly Waterworks, and was largely instrumental in other ways in carrying the project to a successful issue.' He built the warehouse now occupied by Moore & Marshall as well as his own fine residence, besides engaging in other building projects. The new Presbyterian Church and parsonage may be pointed to as his work, as well as splendid work. He is a man who has conducted a varied business with partners, and yet can say he never had a word of disagreement with these men. Although he had to struggle at times with financial difficulties he never permitted Ins note to go to protest. His retail and jobbing stock aggregates about $75,000 a year, which placed him among the foremost business men of the city.

was born in Bavaria, December 27, 1821. When twenty-three years old he came to America and landed in New York, proceeded at once to Dayton, Ohio. He entered the Mexican war with the 1st Ohio Regiment, Colonel Weller, and started for Mexico on the 1st of July. Reaching New Orleans about the twelfth of the month, he went into Camp Jackson a few days, when crossing the Gulf he landed at Point Isabel. Crossing the Rio Grande the troops with which he was proceeded to Cerro, where they joined the main force of General Taylor. Moving on they went into camp at Monterey, but on the 21st of July left camp for Black Ford and saw the rout of the first Mexican force. About four months later they went to Buena Vista expecting an engagement, but found the city deserted and returned to Monterey. While driving a wagon train he was attacked by Mexicans and lost fifty-three wagons, the commandant being Major Joshua R.Giddings. After serving out his full enlistment, Mr. Ackerly was honorably discharged at New Orleans and given transportation to Dayton, Ohio. In November, 1848, he married Philakua Eicher, this being three days before he cast his first vote for Genl. Taylor. His first wife died, and after a period of three years he married her sister Barbara. They had six children. In 1856 Mr. Ackerly bought a farm in Shelby County and moved to it in 1858. Eight years later he moved to Sidney and bought the "Farmers' Hotel," which he managed about nine years when he sold out and moved to his present home. Was engaged at merchant tailoring and clothing business about five years. He was a member of the city council three years, and at this time is an infirmary director of the county. When he came to this country he had no means but his energy, but by labor and persistence he has procured a competency of worldly goods.

was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 16, 1799, and at fourteen years of age moved to Xenia, Ohio. In 1825 he returned to Kentucky, where he married Miss Elizabeth Shaw and removed to Sidney, Ohio. He bought two hundred acres of land and began improving it. His nearest grocery market was Piqua, twelve miles distant. A few years later he opened a store and traded largely with the Indians, who were his best and most numerous customers. This store was on a plat near the present site of the Joui-nal office. His goods were transported by wagon from Dayton, a distance of fifty miles. Mr. Stephenson followed merchandising about twenty years. His wife died about 1860, and a year or so later he married Miss Mary Elliott, who died four months after marriage. He then married Miss Sallie Carey, who is still living. They had two children, both of whom are now dead.

Mr. Henson is the patentee of Henson's Automatic Vise of seven different kinds of groove and four different kinds of iron. The sizes vary from the delicacy of a jeweller's instrument up to the ponderousness of three hundred pounds. The advantage claimed for this device over the ordinary vise is its accommodation or adjustment to any irregular surface. In other words, it is claimed to be self-adjustable and automatic. A specially noteworthy feature is the preservation of the parallelism of the jaws at all times, all widths, and on any shaped article. Besides these advantages, it lays claim to simplicity, strength, durability, and cheapness. They are shipped to all points, and vary in price from six to twelve dollars.

was born December 23, 1837, at Xenia, Ohio, and remained in the city of his nativity until twenty-one years old. He had contemplated a collegiate course of stud} - , but owing to business reverses suffered by his father he changed his plans and turned his attention to marble sculpture and engraving. After working in Cincinnati, Chicago, and other towns until 1860, he came to West Liberty, Ohio, and started business for himself. In 1861 he sold his business and came to Sidney merely to look over the business prospects of the town. Satisfied that the town presented a good field for enterprise he concluded to remain, and again engaged at his trade. Two years later he married Miss Mary L., youngest daughter of Dr. Beemen. Being of a speculative turn he began dealing in sheep, and succeeded for a time, but went West at the request of his parents, who needed his advice in their old age. After six years he returned to Sidney and resumed his old business speculations, opened an office and turned his attention to real estate, insurance, and general speculation. We insert the following reference to him which appeared recently in a daily paper: -

"Mr. Geo. H. Bunnelle, a real estate dealer, collector and money broker, has been of great service to a large number of people here, who have secured homes almost before they knew it. He has had a great deal of lands subdivided into lots, and sold them on the monthly plan system, 512 of them, during the past three years Mr. Bunnelle is an enthusiast in regard to Sidney, and thinks its era of prosperity has just begun to dawn." was born in Pulaski County, Va., July 23, 1x23, moved to Shelhy County with his parents the following year, when they settled at Lockington. In 1850 he went to California. Still, as time passed along, he kept buying out the shares of the other children in the old farm, which finally came into his possession. In 1869 he moved to Sidney. He held the office of justice of the peace about nine years, and that of township trustee about twenty-two years. He was also clerk of the township during a number of these same j'ears. In 1x59 he was elected auditor of the count}', which office he held two terms. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Smith. While attending the convention he was elected mayor of Sidney and justice of the peace, holding the former office two years, and the latter three j-ears. Against his earnest desires he was elected a member of council, and served (luring the period of water works' construction at the solicitation of friends. After his retirement from the mayoralty he served two terms as trustee of the township, and was elected a member of the board of health, and secretary of the Agricultural Society. He has also been appointed administrator and assignee of man}' estates. In 1851 he married Ella F. Mellinger. They have three children: James W., Mary E., and Cora J. Mrs. Guthrie is a daughter of William Mellinger, who settled in this county about 1808. After a loug life of activity in politics, holding the offices of justice and commissioner for many years, Mr. Mellinger died in 1870. James G. Guthrie, father of Harvey, was a Virginian, who had held offices of trust and distinction.

was born December 19, 1826, in Pennsylvania, and came to Sidney December 16, 1848. Here he worked at the carpenter trade until January, 1869. He was three times elected county recorder, serving nine years. He afterward opened a grocery and provision store, to which he attached a bakery. He was a trustee of the water works two years, and member of the board of education three years. In 1854 he married Miss Mary

Ann Hailman, who died in March, 1864. They had three children: Stanley M., Carrie A., and one child which died in infancy. In 1865 he remarried. When he came here there was no town south of the Catholic Church, while west of the D. & M. R. R. was one wild forest.

was born June 27, 1817, in Germany, and came to America in 1831. He worked on a farm in Pennsylvania two years, and then leai ned the wagon-making trade. In 1836 he came to Dayton, Ohio, but after two years returned to Germany, and passed one winter, when he came to Sidney, and opened a wagon shop. In 1862 he entered the grocery trade. He was a director of the gas works nine years. He was twice a member of city council, and twice a cemetery director, holding the latter office at present. He has also been a leading spirit in the Methodist Church (German), and actually built the church with his own funds, and gave the congregation all the time desired to compensate him. In December, 1838, he married Miss Catharine B. Shine, and has reared six children, viz., Elizabeth, William, Mary, Jacob, Samuel, and Ella. Mr. Piper came to Sidney early enough to find a village of about eleven hundred inhabitants, and lived to see it become quite an active little city.

Mr. Edgar was bom in Sidney, September 21, 1847. In 1863 he began clerking in the store of S. M. Todd & Co., which position he held until the spring of 1864. In 1864, however, he enlisted in the 147th O. N. G., and was mustered in at Camp Dennison, and went by way of Washington to Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia, where he remained until September, when he was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, but went back to Washington two weeks later, and was mustered out at Camp Dennison. From 1865 to '67 he worked on a farm. He then went into R. L. Fry's store, where he continued until 1876, when he was taken into partnership under the firm name of Fry & Edgar. In 1881 he turned his attention to labor contracts, his first work being the excavation for the new court-house at Sidney. He has also had a large number of pike contracts, and other work of various kinds. He was chief of the fire department three years, and during the past two years has been lessee and manager of Monumental Hall, Sidney. He is one of the charter members of the Royal Arcanum, and also one of its most active members. He married Miss Jennie Fry, of Sidney, December 3, 1867. They have six children: Edna L., John F., Robert B., Lizzie Anna, Carrie, and an infant.

was born in Beaver County, Pa., February 14, 1838, and came with his parents to Darke County, Ohio, where he remained until 1868, when he moved to Shelby County, and started in the dry goods trade at Newport. In 1861 he enlisted in the 66th Ohio, and went with his regiment to the protection of the B. & O. R. R., and in about two months to Mnrtinaburg. Owing to sickness he lay in the hospital about three months, but followed the regiment through Virginia and Maryland until finally discharged. He went to California, where he remained two years for the benefit of his health, and then returned to this county to engage in farming and stock-raising. He afterward moved to Newport, and engaged in general merchandising about fifteen years. In 1876 he took: a three months' trip to Europe, visiting England, Belgium, and France- In 1881 he was elected treasurer of the county, sold his Newport store to his brother, and moved to Sidney. He had held the offices of trustee and treasurer of the township a number of years. He was married June 17, 1872, to Tracy Schwartz. They have three children living, named Peter M., John J., and Samuel F. Mr. Goffena was fifteen years old before he attended school, and then his whole school life was compressed into a period of six weeks, so that his educational opportunities migdit be said to have been very limited.

was born in Baden, July 19, 183 1, and learned the shoemakinw trade. He came to America in 1851 and came to Cincinnati in Aprilof the same year, where he worked a few days and moved to Hamilton. Here he worked at his trade about two years at $4 per week for the first six months, and then, working by the piece, earned from $5 to $8 per week He then visited Sidney, Dayton, Richmond, and Indianapolis, and final 1 y again to Sidney, where he worked at his trade about two years In 1855 he moved to Freyburg, Auglaize County, and opened a hotel, but in two years returned to Sidney and opened the Farmers' Hotel which he conducted about nine years Ins brother Joseph being associated with him about two-thirds of tins time and his brother Louis the other third. At engtl. he sold Ins in erest in the hotel, and a year or so later began butchering and opened a meat market with his brother Joseph. Sixteen years later lie bought h.s brother's interest, and in 1882 took his son, Wm. E into partnership with him. addition l0 his tQWn . ' he with h.s brother owns a farm below the cemetery, which they rent from time to time He married Miss Amelia Young 'in August, 1855, and reared eight children, of whom two are now dead. Those living are named, Wm. E., Mary £., Lena, Jacob H., Frank, and Flora.

lowing ^a d en July 18, \8\8, came to America in 1854, and the folducteU on^ 1 " Sidney. Here he opened a grocery store, winch lie conengnged 3^ar, when he went into the saloon business, m which he was and Lias jv. T * Vx, nher of years. He married Elizabeth \Ya\, April 7 1842, children. ' of business to the rear of Thompson's drug store, wheve he worked about fifteen years, when he built the large and commodious three-story build_ ing which he now occupies at a cost of $7000. In 1879 lie took his eldest, son, Daniel, into partnership in bis lucrative business, while he pays the, other sons a salary. He has three children now living, named Daniel George H., and Charles O. One child, Frederick, was thrown out of ^ buggy and killed when twenty-two years old. He came home about sisc o'clock, went to his room, undressed himself and retired. His mother visited his room, found him unable to speak, and called his father. Ip about fifteen minutes he reached the room and found the boy dead. After six years' labors in this country Mr. Dickas returned to the "fatherland " and visited all his relatives and friends. In 1862 his parents came to America and both died about ten years afterward a t Washington, D. (J Mr. Dickas is agent for the Teutonia Fire Insurance Co. and the Ham * burg Packet, Bremen, Lloyd Steamship, and I» man Steamship Line of Liverpool. He now has the leading business in ljfg J(ne . ^ e trade About three years iater he came to Sidnol [ eRr ' led the mason court-house, and finally settled here and prosecuted^ -° , be,p b,,iM tl,e eighteen years when he went into the grocerv ,,s bu «''>ess about two years, deputy sheriff six years, and constable four years. He belonged to that rude period of the town's history when 'coon skins, ginseng, and beeswax formed the currency of the community, and when salt was worth $18 per barrel.

is a native of Wayne County, Ind., and was born February 7, 1832. In 18:- 5 his parents moved to Sidney, where he worked with his father on a farm, and finally found employment in a brick yard at $4 per month for the first season, $6 for the second, and $8 for the third. He then worked along at his trade and boating until 1862, when he entered the employment of the Government as wagon-master, at which he served about eighteen months and returned home. He then took the captaincy of a boat again until 186 4, when he enlisted in the 99th Ohio Regiment under Colonel Bope, and served until the close of the war as wagonmaster of division. Again he resumed boating, but soon weut to Michigan, where he was engaged in lumbering about seven years, four of which he was foreman of the lumber camps. Returning to Sidney he entered the grocery business, which he' followed about five years, when he was elected city marshal, in which office he is now serving his sixth year. He has also been engaged in the city ice trade since his return to this place, his son chiefly attending to the business. He was married Nov. 8, 1871, and has four children, Harry, Mary, Webster, and Maudie.

widow of Fredrick Robinson, deceased, was born in March, 1809, married May 15, 1831, and moved to Sidney in 1834. At that time there were but about 400 inhabitants in Sidney, while religious bodies were yet without houses of worship, and so met from time to time at the residences in the village. Mr. Robinson engaged in the boot and shoe trade a number of yeiirs, and finally embarked in the grocery business, which he followed about one year in connection with a bakery. He was justice of the peace during several years, and was classed as an upright and estimable man by all who knew him. lie died May 7, 1857. They have two children living, viz., Thomas L., who married Miss M. J. Silver in January, 1858, and has one child named Webster W., and Margaret I., who married Wm. H. Clark in December, 1868, and has one child, named Clara E.

was born in Vermont, April 12, 1810, and remained in his native State twenty-six years, during the few latter of which he worked at carpentering. He then moved to Akron, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, contracting and building, for three years, when he came to Sidney and pursued the same business about one year. The next two years he worked at Wapakoneta, but returned to Sidney in 1842 and entered into partnership with J. C. Coe as general contractors and builders. They built many of the most important structures in Sidney, embracing churches and mills. In 1855 Mr. Joslin went into the livery business with Daniel Morey, when he soon after bought out afid conducted the business himself where the McClure & Johnston stable now is. Three years later, in partnership with another man, he bought the planing mill, which they operated about one year. In 1862 the mill burned down and the partnership was dissolved. He then entered into other enterprises until 1867, when he sold out his interests in some projects and turned his attention to the building and remodelling of tenements. He was married Feb. 6, 1833, to Miss Susan Wells, who was born in Vermont, July 1, 1811. They had six children, viz., Clay R., Byron W., and Myra E., now living, and Rosella, Amanda, and an infant son, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have reached an age of fulness of years, but seem almost as vigorous as when they first assumed the responsibilities of lile. On February 6, 1883, they ctlebratcd their golden wedding anniversary, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and a host of friends.

a native of Union County. Pa., was born January 23, 1820. When he was ten years old, his father was drowned in the Susquehanna River, and at fifteen, George started to work to help the family along. After four years' work with one uncle and three years with another, he moved to Montgomery County, Pa., where he worked on the Philadelphia and l'ottsville Railroad bridge over the Schuylkill, about four months. After boating for a time he returned to Union County, where he worked three years in a woollen mill. In 1841 moved to Crawford County, where he worked one season and then came to Summit County, Ohio, in a few weeks he came to Sidney and engaged to some extent at his trade, and doing such other work as he could secure. In 1852 he went to California, but aftei* nearly three 3 r ears of rough experience returned to Sidney and began the butchering business, which he followed about three years. In 1844 he married Miss Rebecca Girrard, who bore him two children, named Joseph B. and Elizabeth S. On his return from California he was married to Miss E. M. Dott, who bore him six children. Mr. Reddish came to Sidney while it only gave the impression of rudeness and uninvitingness, but he lived to see it become an active village of concentrated industries and various institutions.

was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1817. When he was seventeen years old his parents moved to Sidney. On Jan. 5. 1843, he married Miss Mary Jane Shaw. They had two children, Almira Jane, born Dec. 4, 1844; died Feb. 2, 1860; and Samuel W., born May 15, 1848. Mr. Maxwell enlisted in the 134th Ohio May 2, 1864, under Col. Armstrong. He was mustered in at Columbus, and was discharged Sept.

I, 1864. He entered the old State militia in 1838, was elected Captain of the 1 st Regiment in 1841, and in 1842 was elected Lieut.-Colonel, which rank he held until the militia was disbanded by act of General Assembly. He also became a captain of home guards in 1863. He has served as trustee, but declined other offices winch were within his reach. He was President of the German American Bank a number of years, but at length refused to longer serve. During his whole life he has been engaged in milling operations, which he has conducted on an extensive scale and in a successful manner.

was born Oct. 8, 1820, in York County', Pa., and when fifteen years old came with his parents to Richland Count}', Ohio. Three years later he went to Missouri, but in two years moved to Piqua, Ohio, where he lived until 1843, when he moved to Sidney, and for a few years worked at the carpenter trade. The next year he began working in the Maxwell flouring mills, in which employment he continued about thirteen j'ears. He then went to Champaign County, where he worked twelve years, when he returned to Sidney and resumed his old position, the mill then being owned by Mr. Armstrong. Five years later he again entered the employment of Mr. Maxwell, which position he has since retained. He was married Sept. 2, 1847, to Sliss Ann Partington, who has borne him seven children, named Mary Ellen, Jemima Ann, Celestia Jane, Benjamin F., Alice C. (died in 1861), Dora May, and Tina N.

was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 11, 1838. Until twenty years old he remained with his parents, engaged in farming and running a saw-mill. He then went to Illinois and secured a position as clerk in a clothing store, where he remained two years and then returned to Ohio. When the war broke out, Putnam like, he left his plow standing in the field and shouldered his musket. He enlisted in the 45th Ohio Vol. Inf., Colonel Benj. Runkle, and was mustered into service at Columbus, and, serving his enlistment, returned home. About a year later he re-enlisted, tlds time in the 192d Ohio, Colonel Butterfield, and was mustered with Company C as orderly sergeant. He went at once to Harper's Ferry, thence to Charleston, Winchester, Aquia Creek, and Mt. Jackson. He then participated in all the movements of his regiment, and was finally discharged Sept. 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Returning to the peaceful walks of life, he resumed farming, which he followed until 1872. In 1875 he moved to Sidney and engaged in the agricultural implement business, which he has since conducted. He was city marshal two years. He was married April 23, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Woodard, wdio has borne him five children, named Uretta E., Alice J., Sarah E., Anna F., and James F. (died April 18, 1873).

was born in Brant Township, Miami County, O., in 1850, and remained there with his parents during his youth. After working two years in Fort Wayne he came to Sidney and engaged, with others, in the manufacture of plo W8, but eventually bought the whole business, and is now sole proprietor. He was married February 22, 1873, to Miss Mary W. Haslup, and has reared four children, named Fannie F., Daniel, Robert H., and Thomas H., all of whom are living.

This pioneer of Sidney was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 29, 1808. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Beaver County, Pa., and remained twelve j'ears, when they moved to Stark County, Ohio. Here David worked with his father in improving a farm about four years, when he went to learn the cabinet trade, April 1, 1828. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he started a shop for himself at Dalton. After six years he moved to Sidney in 1839, and found the village of feeble growth. Here he prosecuted his trade about six years, and in 1845 embarked in the hardware trade, which he conducted some nineteen jears. His store stood on part of the ground now occupied by the " Burnett House." Selling out his stock, he took the agency for agricultural implements, in which business he continued from i860 to 1877, when he sold out his stock. He was married in 1834 to Miss Jane Fulton. They reared five children, named Silas F., Margaret cholera September 26, 1850, and be again married ^October 18a-, wife's maiden name being Sarah H. Ramsey. She « .kne 2G, 1*73, and Nov. 8, 1881, he married Mrs. Carrie Ganty, daughter of Abiaham Dix, of Philadelphia, and niece of Hon. John A. Dix, of \ oik.

In 1882 Mr. Edgar sold his old Court Street residence to .the piesent treasurer of the county, and built three neat dwellings, one on Ohio Street, in which he now lives, and two on Miami Street. /or fi fty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is the giandson of Col. David Kilgore, the oldest of a family of twenty brothels, who went into the Revolutionary War as a captain, and rose to the rank of Colonel, which he held throughout the war. He was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, and other sanguinary conflicts. He died m the year 1810.

was born in Summit County, Ohio, January 30, 1823, and moved, when thirteen years of age, with his father, to Bowling Green, where he lemained until the spring of 1856, when he came to Sidney. He at once engaged in the nursery business on the premises on which his house now stands. His first planting was about four acres, in a general nursery stock, but he was compelled to increase his acreage from year to year in order to meet the demands of his increasing trade. He finally bought a lar»e tract across the river, and saw his business swell untd about one hundred acres were occupied. Besides this amount, he had twenty acres devoted to orchard-tree experimentation, wherein he tested the quality of different varieties of fruits. After a number of years he abandoned the business of growing nursery stock and located east of town, on the Orbison farm, where he already has a large number of acres set out in the different varieties of fruits and flowers. He was married Dec. 24, 1847, to Miss Julia Eliza St. John, of Wood County, Ohio. They have six children, viz., Estella M., Ezra F., Alice C., Milton Q., Albert G., and Charles H.

moved to Salem Township in 1833, where he built a log cabin and moved his family to it. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Shroyer, of Frederick County, Md., in 1829. He entered four hundred acres of land, two hundred of which he cleared by hard and persistent labor. In 1838 he helped to build a log school-house, which was also used as a church, and had to go ten miles to buy all his supplies. In 1874 he moved to Sidney without disposing of his farm. He has reared eleven children, named Elizabeth C., Thomas, David W., Henry I., Francis M., John P., Mary E., Jacob W., Andrew W., Sarah S., and Elias.

was born in Turtle Creek Township, Sept. 14, 1849, where ho remained until after his father's death, attending and teaching school. He was one of the eleven children of Samuel Marshall, a pioneer of Turtle Creek. Township, in the personal history' of which will be found a sketch of his life. G. A. Marshall studied law in the office of Conklin & Burress, in Sidney, some three y'ears, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1876, by the Supreme Court. He remained with his tutors about one year after his admission and then opened an office alone. In February, 1878, he formed a partnership with Judge Conklin, which was dissolved in February', 1882. Since that date he has been alone. He was elected prosecuting attorney on the Democratic ticket in 1877, when he serve* 1 one term. Again in 1882 he was elected to the same office, which lie holds at this time. On December 22, 1881, he married Miss Lou. Cowan. They have three children, Benjamin and Samuel McCaslin (twins), and Frank.

was born in Baden, Germany, June 1, 1834, and in 1846 entered the Bavarian army and served seven years in the 6th Cavalry Regiment. He then came to America September 1, 1853, arriving at New York, but proceeding directly to Buffalo, where lie worked in a butcher shop until the following March. He then moved west to Toledo and worked in a, nursery until April, 1855, when he came to Sidney and started in the nursery business, which he has since followed witb success. He was married April 20, 1857, to Miss Bernadina Diekas, of Bavaria. Their first eliild died at birth, while two are living, named Nettie and George. When Mr. Hemm came to this country he was poor, but by industry and hard labor has worked out a competence, at the same time securing and maintaining the respect of his neighbors. & was born in Alsace, France, April 24, 1818, and in 1830 came to America, and drove a team through to Pittsburgh, where he met his father, who had preceded him by r stage from Baltimore. Here he began to work in a tobacco factory' for one dollar a week, but a few months later went to Butler County, Pa., where he followed farm work about eighteen months. After this he moved back to Pittsburgh and labored about at whatever and grandson oi 4 lionaas Davies, who were both natives of Wales. David Davie* moved to Iowa and settled on the prairie. W. D. Davies is nowm .ll established in the practice of law iu Sidney, and gives promise or taking high lauk iu his profession.

was horn in Hamilton County, O., on the 7th day of March, 1821. Wll h ids father's family lie moved to Butler County, O , in 1833, be> n g j*e eldest of five brothers and one sister. In 1835 he moved near holt ecoverv, Mercer County, O., but the next year came to Shelby County and located on a farm four miles north of Sidney', in Franklin Township.

On the 8th of April, 1838, he moved to Sidney and became an apprentice as a bricklayer and plasterer, which trade he has since followed On the 18th of April, 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Tuttle. To them were bom three sons and five daughters, of whom the three eldest have "gone to that bourne whence no traveller e'er returns " During the month of his marriage Mr. Burch moved to East Sidney or Dingmansburg, where he resided until April 4, 1855, when he moved to his present residence on South Mam Street, Sidney.

and settled down in the wilderness a few miles east onl! 7 C8me t0 Obio ' Loveland, in Clermont County, where the eranH,? ' the pre8ent site of reared a family of twelve children g,and Parents died, having

Two years after the death of Mr. Crawford in 1844 he was taken by James Anderson - his father - to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he had again married, and was then living. While living with his father the surname Anderson was added to that of George Crawford, since which time he has been written and known as George Crawford Anderson, llis father died, and his adopted mother having in the mean time married Mr. Isaac Harrison, a woollen manufacturer living two and a half miles east of Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio. He came in ltf48 to live with her. Here he learned the woollen manufacturing business, and received a common school education, and in 1856 was married to Ruth Maxwell. In 1857 he bought the woollen mill of Mr. Harrison, and began manufacturing on his own account. In 1862 he removed the woollen machinery to the east bank of the Miami River at Sidney, Ohio, where he engaged with B. W. Mnxwell in woollen manufacturing. During this year his wife died. Of their three children one, Adelbert H., had preceded its mother in 1861. Another, Willie A., survived her but two months. The eldest, Benjamin Warren, is still living, and graduated in 1883 at Wooster University, preparatory to entering a theological seminary.

G. C. A. was again married in 1865 to Perrnelia Harris. There arc five children from this union: George C., Jr., Frank D., Harris II., I). Rea, and Julia, all living. Mr. Anderson continued in the woollen business until 1872. Since then he has engaged in the purchasing of wool, Western emigration, and fire insurance, and has for years been identified with the local boards of the town, township, and corporation.

Through his maternal grandmother, Betsy Dunham, whose maiden name was Huntington, his ancestry can be traced back 250 years to one Simon Huntington, who sailed from England in the year 1633 with his family of seven persons, but who died of smallpox at sea, and received an ocean burial. Ilis widow, Margaret Huntington, with her family of children were landed in Connecticut. It is evident from a letter received by her from her brother that they came from London. Through this line of ancestry came Samuel Huntington, of Connecticut, one of the signers of the Declaration ol Independence. Also Samuel Huntington, one of the Governors of Ohio.

was born in Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio, December 5, 1840. When seventeen years of age he went to Piqua, and worked at carriage blaeksmithing. After a few removals he finally came to Sidney, and engaged at plow-making. On the 1st of September, 1861, he enlisted in the First Ohio Light Artillery, Company M, and mustered in at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He participated in all the engagements of his command, and was finally discharged at Columbus, Ohio, December 13, 1864. Alter a little time at home he went to Urbana, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for a few months, and after a few changes came to Sidney, and took an interest in the shop, where he is now engaged in plow-making as the proprietor and manager. He was married October 12, 1865, to Miss Mary B. Daniel. They have a family of six children, named William, Franklin, Rosa, John L., George, and Raymer B. One daughter, Clara, and an infant are dead.

was born in Sidney, Ohio, Septeralier 1, 1847. He attended school and worked at wagon-making until sixteen years old, when he went into the grocery business as clerk. When twenty-one he entered the same business as a member of the firm- Three years later the firm became Piper & Son, but two years afterward his father retired, and William entered into partnership with G. F. Yenney, and conducted the grocery, pork, and wool business for a period of six years. He was married in 1878 to Miss Caddie D. Anderson, and has three children: Leonora E., Charles W., and Clarence F.

was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 24, 1834, and when three years old was taken with his parents to Morgan County, where he lived until 1863, engaged a part of the time in the dry goods trade. He afterward moved to Do Graff, but in 1867 came to Sidney, and opened a drygoods store. He has since continued the business, enlarging it from time to time, buying wool, and engaging in other enterprises. He has served on the school board and city councils, and is a stockholder in the gas company and Citizens' Bank. He has also been one of the directors of the latter institution during the past ten years, and for the past year treasurer of the gas company. lie was married to Miss A. Silvers March 26, 1861. They have three children: Estella, Lucille, and Hattie.

was born in Prussia May 6, 1826, where he learned cabinet-making, and came to America in 1854. After working at Albany, Cincinnati, and other points in different occupations, he came to Sidney in 1862. Here he opened a furniture store, and manufactured his own goods. In 1869 sickness overtook him, which prevented his working for three years.

In 1873 he went to Cincinnati and bought a stock of goods, and reopened at a new stand. After eight years he moved to his present place of business. As he started with empty' hands, his present business must be taken as an evidence of his industry and frugality. In 1869 he married Miss Elizabeth Hass, of Cincinnati. They have six children: Jacob, Elizabeth, George, Maggie, John, and Fred, all living.

This family is of Welsh descent. The first to come to America was Adam Nutt, who came, when quite a young man, early in the eighteenth century, and probably settled in New Jersey. When or whom he married we cannot learn, but we know that he had a son Levi (who was the great-grandfather of Irwin Nutt, of Shelby County), who was the father of Aaron Nutt, born in New Jersey July, 1758. He was left an orphan when two years of age. At fourteen years of age he was indentured to learn the tailor trade until twenty-one years of age. Some time before the close of his apprenticeship his guardian was drafted into the army under Gen. Washington. He offered to give Aaron his time if he would go as a substitute in his stead, to which he agreed. He entered the service under his cousin, Captain Israel Shricve, and was with him at the battle of Monmouth. We can learn nothing more of his military career. In August, 1779, he was married to Mary Archer. By' this union there were nine children born. In 1786 lie moved to Pennsylvania, from there to Kentucky, but on account of the institution of human slavery, he, in the year 1796, came to the territory of Ohio and located in what is now Montgomery County, when it was very sparsely settled with white people Here he lived an honored and respected citizen the remainder of his life. He died June 2, 1842. Of his family of nine children we shall only speak of Aaron Nutt, Jr., who was the father of Irwin Nutt, of Shelby County'.

He was born in Kentucky Dec. 25, 1785, and came with his father to Ohio in 1786. He married'Jaue Irwin Jan. 2. 1806. They reared a family' of eight children, viz., lbens Matilda, Irwin, Malinda Parmelia, Nelson, Dixon, Sharon C., Simpson, and Marion. He died in Montgomery County in 1842.

Irwin Nutt, the eldest son of Aaron Nutt, Jr., was born in Montgomery County, near Centreville, Jan. 31, 1811. When a young man lie learned the tanner trade, but did not follow his trade long. Having received a fair common school education, such as he could get at the district school, he afterward spent six monlhs at the seminary at Xenia, Ohio, and prepared himself for teaching, which he followed for a time. In 1834 he married Miss Barbara Persinger, of Greene County, Ohio. She was born Sept. 27, 1812. Two years later he came with his wife anil one child to Shelby County, where he bought a piece of timbered land one mile north of Sidney. On this land he soon erected a cabin for his little family' and commenced clearing his land. It was not long before he had an opening around him, and his land began to return a compensation for his labor. Year after year the heavy timber gave way to the unceasing blows of his axe, and the result was a fine and well-improved farm, with not only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life around him. In this hard struggle to make a comfortable home he was aided and encouraged by his brave and faithful wife, who did her part by spinning and weaving the flax and wool for their garments, and aiding in the outdoor work as well as her duties in the house. They reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Louisa M., born 1835; Edmund E:, born 1837 ; Margaret J., born 1840; William A., born 1843; Mary M, born 1845 ; J. Newton, born 1848; and John M., born 1851. Louisa M. became the wife of Joseph Wilkinson; she died in 1876; Margaret J. married James Middleton and resides near Plattsville, O. ; Mary M. is the wife of Dr. J. C. Lillie, of Quincy', Logan County, O.; William A. resides in Quincy, O. The other three reside in Sidney, O. In 1854 Mr. Nutt rented his farm, moved to Pemberton, and engaged in buying and shipping grain, but returned to his farm again in 1857 and remained there until 1873, when, his children all having left home and gone to themselves, the old home became lonely, and, as he expressed it, " the old clock ticked too loud on its lonely shelf." They, at the earnest solicitation of their children, rented the homestead and went to spend their time among their children, sometimes with one, then with another. In 1832 Mr. Nutt united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all through his long and useful life he was closely identified with its interests, giving much of his time and money to its advancement, and when called away he left behind to surviving friends and neighbors an evidence that he had not spent his life in vain, but expressed a willingness to go to his Master, whom he served for nearly half a century. He also was one among the first members of Temperance Lodge No. 73 of F. and A. M., and during his life held all the offices in the Lodge, up to and including that of W. M. He died in Quincy', at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Lillie, March 7, 1880. His remains were brought to Sidney on Monday and lay in state at the M. E. Church until Tuesday afternoon, when the funeral took place, and his body' was conveyed to Graeeland Cemetery, followed by one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in Sidney.

His widow still survives, and makes her home among her children, who always welcome her, and are glad to have her with them. Her presence is always found by the sick-bed of an}' of her children or any of their families, and her life is spent giving comfort to those whom God sent to comfort her in her long and useful life.

E. E. Nutt, the eldest son of Irwin Nutt, was born in Shelby County in the year 1831. He was reared on the farm just north of Sidney, and was educated in the schools of Sidney. When eighteen years of age he began teaching school, which he followed four years, then commenced to take a course at Delaware College, but at the breaking out of the Rebellion he left his school and enlisted in the 15th O. V. I. April 17, 1861, and served three months, the full time of enlistment. In September, 1861, he re-enlisted as a private in Company P, 20th 0. V. I., and served until the close of the war, first as a private, then sergeant, then second and first lieutenant, and was discharged as captain of his company. After his return home from the army he, in company with his brother, engaged in the grain trade at Pemberton, and has been engaged in the same business up to the present time. In 1867 he married Miss Arvesta Vandemark, a daughter of Henry and Susannah (Boyer) Vandemark. By this union they have five children, viz., Florence A., Earl E., Susie E., Emma M., and Ora. Mr. Nutt at the present time is, in connection with his brothers, J. N. and J. M., engaged i|j the grain trade in Sidney, Ohio.

J. Newton Nutt is the third son of Irwin Nutt. He was born in Shelby County in 1848, lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age, at which time he engaged with his brother, E. E. Nutt, in the grain trade in Sidney, where he now is to be found. In 1877 he married Miss May Price, of Greencastle, Ind. They have had born to them one son, Freddie M., born 1878.

John M. Nutt, the youngest of the family of Irwin Nutt, was born in Shelby County in 1851. He also was reared on the farm and educated in the schools of Sidney and Delaware. When about eighteen years of age he commenced teaching, which he followed until 1873, at which time he went to Quincy and engaged in the grain trade with his brother William, remained there until 1876, then came to Sidney and associated himself with his brothers in the same business, under the firm name of Nutt Bros. In 1»75 he married. Miss Ella M. Smith, of Quincy, Lo^an County, Ohio. They have born to them three children, viz., Frank's., Irwin, and Cris.

Emory C. Nutt, a son of Dixon Nutt, who was a brother of Irwin Nutt, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1850, lived with his parents until 1873, when he commenced life for himself. In 1879 he came to Sidney and engaged with the Nutt Bros, as bookkeeper, at which he is engaged at the present time. In May, 1881, lie married Miss Emma S. Price, of Greencastle, Ind. They have born to them one child, Arthur P., born 1882.

Prominent among the hardy and adventurous pioneers of Shelby County was James Wells, a native of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. As a soldier of the second war for independence he bore a first lieutenant's commission until he was promoted to a captaincy', for meritorious conduct in the field. He was with Brown and Scott in July, 1814, during which month he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, in which latter action both Brown and Scott were wounded. He was with the besieged army at Fort Erie, and participated in the gallant actions which wrung victory from the hands of a. reluctant foe. After the close of the war he returned to his home and family, and resumed his occupation as a hatter. A few years later inaugurated that swelling tide of immigration which rolled across the Alleghenies and still westward, until the new State of Ohio was reached A similar movement had occurred during the territorial period for the ordinance of 1787 had given an impetus to the first great, concerted westward movement. It was with the second movement, following the war of 1812, that Mr. Wells looked about his New England home saw a family growing up about him, and resolved to follow the course of e'moire' and, if possible, carve a home out of the wilderness in order to better provide for the future of his family.

He accordingly 'became a part of the human current which had set in toward the Ohio Valley, and only paused when he had reached the srowing town of Cincinnati, now the metropolis of Ohio, and justly termed the Queen City of the West. This was in the year 1818, during which the St. Mary's Treaty was established, by the provisions of winch the Government acquired possession of large tracts of lan, I previously bccupied by the nd.ans as reserve lands Not having meaTsTbring Z family along he had left his wife and children until such time as lie could find a home, and have them removed to it. After working in Cincinnati about eighteen months he moved up the Miami Valley as far as Piqua, where lie was employed about six months. At the expiration of this time he looked a little farther northward, saw the new county of o»gnin Zat - c ^»u was in the spring of 1*20, less than a year after tlie nudated * of the She lhy County government. Having already accun, he Se e little means, and concluding to permanently locate 44

" s " >^ati 0 ''-'H was in the spring ^ .oeu, mss yuan a year after the nudated * of the She lhy County government. Having already accun, he little means, and concluding to permanently locate at Harbeln g on* v * his family. His wife and little ones-tlm , r named years of age - started on the Iona tvin ^ in New Hampshire OetoK ,CSt S °" of Jarae » and Sarah w P », army. His parents comi,^ ®' 1 f, 1 - 2 ' dupin * hi » father's abse'n^i » u£ years of age, he obtain^ 1 ' 5 to this .county when he was about eight Sidney. Under Daniel ' lus education in the schools at Hardin ?nct .lee of thin . i4 opkins lie studied surveying and entered the county surveyor during two terms. He made the first survey on the Bellcf° nta "' e and Indianapolis (C. C. C. & I.) Railroad, which was made within the State of Ohio. jggj | le ran a hue which he had established in 1830, and found a magnetic variation of but two degrees. Having devoted over fifty years to this profession it may he safely said there are few men in the State, nnd no others in the county, who have established an equal number of survey lines. Like that of his father his name is found identified with the formative period of tlie county, and occupies a conspicuous place in the official roster. On the 4th of Jnlv 1838 hn

\ louna laenwiieu nun me formative periou tue county, and occupies conspicuous place in the official roster. On the 4th 0 f July 1838, he married Sarah R. Robinson. They reared six children, named Frances A Sarah R., Sylvester S., Emma, Ella, and Cliarles Robinson Mrs Wo IU * after an active and useful life, died at her home i n Sid"! ey in 1876 '

To trace back this family to the first of whom we can get any knowledge, we only can go back three generations from the present to that of James Dingman, the grandfather of the subject of our sketch. He was born in Canada in 1754, but came to the colony of New Jersey prior to the Revolutionary war, for we find that he engaged in that struggle for independence, anil was wounded in battle After the close, or during the war, he married Anna Vankamp. By this union there were thirteen children. Just how long he remained in New Jersey we cannot learn ; but we find that he had removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1803, when learning that the Territory of Ohio had been admitted into the sisterhood of States, he brought his wife and eight children to try tlnlir fortunes in this new and fertile State.

He made his first purchase of land within the present limits of the citj' of Columbus. This land he sold again in 1805 and came to the present lfroits of Shelby County and made nn entry of 2000 acres on the banks of the Great Miami River. This embraced lands in fractional section 20 in Salem Township, thence down the river, including sections 5, 4, and 3 in Clinton Township. Mr. Dingman settled on this land in 1807, and built his cabin on what is now known as the Fulton Farm just below Dingmansburg, he being the first settler in this part of the county.

In 1812 the four sons entered the army and served throughout the war. Adam was killed at Fort Defiance in 1813. Mr. Dingman remained here until 1834, when he went to the State of Illinois, where he entered a large tract of land, remained there about four years, then returned to Sidney and remained here until 1844, when he again returned to Illinois, where he died in Springfield in 1850, aged ninety-three years. His wife had died in Shelby County in 1832. Of the three sons who survived the war of 1812, Daniel V. located where his son Daniel Y., Jr., now lives. James located on what is known as the Staley Farm in Salem Township. He married Sally Weeks in 1814 and settled on hid farm soon afterward. Adam, the youngest son, remained with his father through life, and died in Illinois in 1848. James died near Fort Wayne about 1848.

was born in New Jersey in 1782, consequently was twenty-five years of age when he came to this county. In 1819 he married Margaret Wilson and immediately located on the farm where he spent the balance of his days. He was a leading spirit in the organization of the county, and was the first sheriff of the county. His home place contained 401 acres, besides this he had 640 acres in Salem Township. He reared a family of ten children; there are but five living, viz., Mary, the wife of Daniel Wright; Priscilla, the wife of Henry Staley; Amanda, the wife of Philip Lunks; Jane, the wife of Lawrence' Miller of Indiana, and Daniel V., Jr., who resides on the old homestead. Sheriff Dingman died where he first settled, April 3, 1861. His wife died 1847.

was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1824. He was the oldest son of Daniel Y. Dingman, Sen. When seventeen years of age he was placed by his father in a distillery, where he remained for several years. He then worked on the canal until 1845 (he says the water was let into the canal feeder June 28, 1844); he then worked on the farm until 1848, when he married Sarah Bodkin, with whom he lived until 1851, when she died leaving one child, Sarah. About one year afterward he married Rebecca Staley, a daughter of Isaiah Staley. His second wife died 1881. By this second marriage there were four children, Margery E., John, Henry II., and James W.

Mr. Dingman is the owner of the old homestead of 401 acres. On this place he has cleared 140 acres and erected a good substantial brick 'dwelling and other buildings. In the fall of 1881 he had the misfortune to have his barn with all its contents consisting of hay, grain, farm utensils, and eight head of horses destroyed by fire, a total loss of $6000; besides his loss by fire he has paid about $11,000 security debts. Mr. Dingman has one of the finest farms in Shelby County, a view of which is shown in this work. In 1881 Mr. Dingman married for his third wife Catharine Bollenbaugher, of Van Wert County.

an esteemed and honored pioneer of Sidney and Shelby County, was born in England, March 27th, 1790. Emigrated to the United States in 1814, landing in New York, but immediately went to Philadelphia, where he remained three years, working at the trade of a wagon-maker. He then went to Cincinnati and stayed one year. In 1819 he came to Piqua. J line 6, 1820, he came to Sidney, and was engaged as a helper to get out timber to build a hotel for John Blake. This hotel was known as the National Hotel, and was the first frame building in Sidney. The same has been occupied for a number of years as a meat shop by M. Wagner, but recently has been removed for a more commodious brick struct ure.

The lumber for this hotel was sawed by hand, and was sawed by Mr. English and a man by the name of Betinet. It was erected in 1821. In Oct. 1820, Mr. English married Matilda Trader. They reared a family of five children, viz., John, Charles, Henry, Rachel, and James. He carried on the business of wagon-making for a number of years in Sidney. In 1828 he moved to his farm adjoining the town, where he erected the first hewed log-house in the neighborhood (the same is still standing). In March, 1825, he joined the order of F. and A. M. He was the third person initiated in Temperance Lodge, No. 73, while yet working under dispensation. He was passed June 30th and raised July 28th. He filled all the chairs from the W. M. down. He was treasurer of the lodge for twenty-five years. After being a member of the lodge for forty-seven years he was by a unanimous vote made an honorary member, and was excused from labor and attendance at the lodge meetings. He died Oct. 10, 1876, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery in the honors of his Order. His wife died Feb. 1881. Mr. English was one of the honored pioneers of Sidney, and was respected by all who knew him. He was domestic in his habits and seldom left home. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest residents of the town, having lived here fifty-six years. Of his family there are still living, in or near the town, Charles, Henry, James, and Rachel, the wife of Sami. McCune.

This pioneer famil}* are natives of England. John Blake, the father of the above, was born in Yorkshire, Eng. Married Rebecca Burk in 1802. He came with his wife and five children to the United States in the summer of 1819. They first stopped in Cincinnati for a short time. Then came to Piqua, where he remained until the spring of 1820, when he located in Sidney, or where Sidney now is, for ho built the first house on the town plat, and they were the first family in the town. He attended the sale of town lots in the fall of 1819, bought a lot and built a cabin that winter, and moved his family into it the March following. During the summer of 1820 he built a frame house, the lumber of which was sawed by hand. This house was used for a hotel and store, and was the first in the town.

Mr. Blake continued keeping hotel and store for several years; finally engaged in buying and selling horses. In 1826 he took some fifty head of horses to South Carolina, sold his horses, and had returned as far as Lexington, Kentucky, where he was shot dead and robbed of his money. Mrs. Blake survived himuntil 1858.

a son of the above, was also born in Yorkshire, Eng. He waR born in 1815, consequently was five years of age when brought to Sidney. He has lived here from that time to the present, now over sixty-three years. He says- he attended the first school in the town, which was held in the court-house and taught by J. C. Calhoun. Arriving at manhood he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for many years. In 1840 he married Miss Ruth A. Robinson. By this union they had six children : only oue is now living, viz., Hamlin B. Mr. Blake, during his long life in Sidney, has been honored by filling both county and township offices. He was deputy sheriff several years, was city marshal and constable a number of years, also revenue assessor. He is now the oldest resident in the (own or township.

was born in Gallia County, 0., in 1807. His parents were John and Christina (Blazer) Smeltzer. In 1834 he married Margaret Smith, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Sigler) Smith, who was born in -Pennsylvania, in 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Smeltzer have had born to them seven children, Christina, Robert, Thomas, Reuben, Erastus, Sylvanus. and Mary. They located in Shelby County in 1852. Three of the boys served in the Union army during the Rebellion. Thomas served one year in the 20th O. Y. I., and two years in the 9th O. C. He was also nine months a prisoner in a Rebel prison. Robert served four years in the 20th O. V. I. Reuben served three years in the 20th O. V. I.

was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1782. Came to Ohio 1806, and first located in Greene County. Bought a farm near Xenia; here he remained until 1828, when he came to Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Gamble was married three times, first to a Miss Shaw of Kentucky ; there were five children by this marriage, who grew up to man and womanhood. His first wife died about 1822. His second marriage was to a Miss Marshall, who only lived a few months. He then in June, 1824, married Mary Gordon. By this marriage there were four children. At Mr. Gamble's first entrance into the town of Sidney he engaged in the general merchandising and produce business, which he followed about three years.

Prior to the time of his coming to Sidney he had for a number of years been engaged in buying and shipping produce by flat-boat to New Orleans. He would build a flat-boat on the Miami River, float it down to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. Sell his boat and contents, and return home by way of New York. He also in company with John Neal built and loaded a boat at Sidney and made the same trip. In the spring of 1850 he and his sons Sami, and William started for California by way ot the plains. Before reaching St. Joe, Missouri, he was taken sick and died in St. Joe, April 14, 1850, and now' lies buried there. His wife survived him until March 12, 1871.

eldest son by his last wife, was born in the town of Sidney, Nov. 28, 1828, and is now perhaps the oldest male inhabitant in the town that was born here. He had his home with his parents until manhood. In 1850 he started for California w'ith his father and brother, as spoken of above. After the death and burial of their father they bought and provisioned a wagon and a team of five yoke of cattle, and left St. Joe, on the 11th day of May, and landed at their journey's end Sept. 11, being just four months on the way. He remained in California a little over a year working in the mines. He started for home Oct. 1851, by way of what was known as the Nicarauga route. He arrivgd at home January, 1852. In 1854 he married Miss E. M. Cunningham. By this marriage he has three children, viz., A. Wallace, born April 29, 1855; Win. G., born April 17, 1857, and John E., born Dec. 29, 1861. After his return from California he engaged in the drug trade, which he followed some twelve years. In 1864 he enlisted in the 134th Regiment of O..N. G-, and served his time of enlistment. After his return from the army he engaged in gardening and growing fruits; but more recently has left the farm and - returned to Sidney, where he now resides.

The ancestors of the above are of German extraction. We cannot learn just when they came to America, but we find that the great-grandfather of Sheriff Lehman was here during the Revolutionary ' War, and took part in that struggle for independence. He, perhaps, was the first to come to this country. He probably located in Berks County, Pa., for it was here that his son Benjamin was born, married, and lived until 1838, when he moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and died there in 1872, aged eighty-five years.

Jacob Lehman (a son of Benjamin) was born in Berks County, Pa., June 30, 1813. When a young man he went to Dauphin County, Pa. Here in 1835 he married Sarah Cassel, of the same county. In 1839 they emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where they lived until 1859, at which time they came to Shelby County, and located four and one-half miles north of Sidney. Mr. Lehman was a farmer by occupation. Their family consisted of one son only (Henry M.), the present slieriffrof the county. He died from paralysis December 16, 1882. His widow still survives, and has her home with her son in Sidney.

Henry M., the only son of Jacob Lehman, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., June 14, 1836. He lived with his parents until August, 1862, ixt which time he enlisted as a soldier in Company H, 99th O. V. I. On the 11th of the following November he was taken prisoner near Lebanon, Tenn., but was parolled two days after his capture by John A. Morgan. He shortly afterward returned home, and remained until March, 18153, then returned to his regiment in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was wiLli his regiment at the battles of Chiekamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta campaign, hut never received a wound. He served until the close of the war. in 1867 he married Miss Mary E. Ludlum, a daughter of Esq. Ludlum, of Franklin Township. After marriage he rented a farm for two years, then moved to the village of Botkins, anti engaged in hotel-keeping, which he followed up to 1879, with, the exception of two years that he was engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1874 his wife died, leaving two children, viz., Clara L. and William S. In 1876 he married Miss Mary C. Stolley, of Shelby County. In May, 1879, he received the nomination for sheriff by the Democracy of Shelby County, and was elected to the office the following October. In 1881 he was re-elected without any opposing candidate, and is filling the office at the present time. By his last marriage he has two children, viz., Anna M. E. and Francis J. H.

The ancestors of the above came from England to the American Colonies prior to the Revolution. The great-grandfather and perhaps the grandfather of Mr. Honnell were born in England. The exact time of their emigration is not known. The first we know of them was in the person of William Honnell, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. He was married to Eleanor W, Ison. By this union there were twelve children. They came to Ohio in 1833, and located near the present site of S'dney. "he/e he remained until the time of his death in 1853. His wife died in 1864.

Morris Honnell a son of the above, was born in Greene County, Pa-, m 1824. Came with his parents to Sidney in 1833. Here he lived to grow up to manhood He was reared on a farm, and was educated in the common schools of his district. In 1850 he, together with several gaged in tie 'u 0 trade in connection witli bis practice, at which lie still continues, in 1871| le mnrried Miss Irene Ayers. By this union the;^. have one child, Jessie, born March 9, 1873. Mrs. Wilson was a daugh_ ter of Jeremiah Ayers, of Wapakoneta. one of the first white settlers o« that Indian village. She was born in 1852. Dr. Wilson is the third sor* of Col. Jessie H. Wilson, one of the pioneers of Shelby County.

was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in the year 1 834. When fourteen years of age he came to Sidney. His first undertaking in life was that of a tallow chandler, which he followed a short time, when he went to work with his brother to learn the butcher trade. After serving his time in learning the business lie borrowed some money, and went to St Marys and o|>ened a shop, where lie remained about one year then re" turned to Sidney and started a mea.t market, which he carried L two years. About 1859 he rented a brewery G f his h!' ,. j , 1 the old red mill. They reared a family of eleven children, ten of them still living. Mr. Estabrook is yet living. His wife died in 1882, at the age of eighty-five years.

John T., one of the above eleven, was born in Montgomery County in 1838. At the age of eighteen years he went to learn the carpenter trade, which he has followed the most of the time since. In 1858 he came with his parents to Shelby County. The following year, 1859, he married Miss Rachel Valentine, a daughter of Richard VV. Valentine. By this union they have six children, viz., Ida F., Nora D., Charles R., Anna E., Lillie B., and Minnie L. ' In 1868 they moved to Van Buren Township on a piece of land given to his wife by her father. They remained on this land some eleven years, clearing ninety-five acres ready for tilling, but owing to the prevalence of milk sickness in their neighborhood (their family all having had it) they rented the farm in 1878, and moved near the town of Sidney.

About the middle of the eighteenth century Richard Robbins, together witli his wife, came to the American colonies, and settled in New Jersey. We can learn but little of him, but it is known that, while travelling through the woods of Maine, in the year 17 75, be was frozen to death. °

Benjamin Robbins, a son of the above, was born in New Jersey in the year 1760, and married Bathsheba Nutt in 1782. In 1786 they moved to Pennsylvania, from there to Kentucky in 1789, then in 1789 to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he died in 1837. His wile died in 1848. They had born to them twelve children.

Richard Robbins, one of these twelve children, was born in New Jersey in 1784. About 1806 he married Lydia Archer, of Montgomery County, Ohio. They reared a family of eleven children. They°moved to Miami County in 1814, where he died in 1837.

David Robbins, a son of Richard Robbins, was born in Miami County in 1824. At the age of seventeen years he went to Piqua to learn the edge tool trade, which he followed only three years. He then went on a farm. In 1848 he married Miss Ann E. Gibson, daughter of Win. and Mary Gibson. She was born in England in 1826. Came with her parents to the United States in 1827. Mr. Robbins in 1845 bought 135 acres of land in Van Buren Township, but did not move on to it until 1852. They reared a family of four children, viz., William E., Clara A., Amanda V., and Emma A. They also buried four children in infancy.

In 1861 Mr. Robbins enlisted in the 20th O. V. I., in which he served three years, the full time of his enlistment. He was wounded at the battle of Raymond by a ball in the face, which he still carries. While in the hospital he was taken prisoner, and was taken to Libby prison, but was shortly afterward parolled, then returned to his regiment and served his full time.

The father of the above (Arthur Conner) was born in Ireland in 1802- married Rosa Scott about 1832. Very shortly after their marriage Mr! Conner set sail for the United States, leaving his wife behind. He landed" in New York and worked there for several months, then sent for his wife who came over in 1833. It was in New York that their first child was' born. In 1834 they came to Shelby County and located in Salem Township, half a mile north of Port Jefferson, where he bought land of Abner Girrard. Here Mr. Conner lived until his death, which occurred in 1856. He left a wife and seven children, who still survive him.

John, a son of the above, was born in Salem Township in 1837. At the age of twenty years he went to learn the blacksmith trade, serving an apprenticeship until 1860. In 1861 he engaged in business for himself in the town of Sidney, which he has continued from that time to the present, except while he was in the army, he having spent two full terms of enlistment.

In 1861 he married Miss Susan Whitmer. By this union they have three children - Harry, Fred., and Clifford. In 1870 Mr. Conner built a large brick shop. In 1872 he built a fine brick residence, and recently has built a business block and residence on Main Street, all made at his auvil.

was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in the year 1800. He came to Dayton, Ohio, in the spring of 1818, remained there but a few months, then came to the present limits of Shelby County, where he made his home With Peter Mussulman, Jr. In 1821 he married Rhoda Blankensheets, with whom he lived only about one year, when she died. In 1825 lie married Fanny Mussulman. The result of this marriage was eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Fanny, John, Jane, Peter, Franklin, Susan, and David. After his marriage, Mr. Whitmer settled in Perry Township, on the Mosquito Creek, where he continued to reside until 1876, when they removed to Champaign County, where Mrs. Whitmer died in 1882. Mr. Whitmer was the eighth settler in Perry Township.

The Yagers are of German descent. The first we learn of them is in Pennsylvania. It was here that George Yager was born, in 1796. He married Margaret Craig and moved to Knox County, Ohio. Here, in 1822, Clark Yager was born. From Knox they moved to Butler County, where Clark grew to manhood and learned the milling trade. In 1841 he went to Piqua and worked in a mill; from there he went to Indiana, next to Michigan, then back to Piqua, from there to Dayton, from Dayton to Wapakoneta in 1859; in 1860 to New Hampshire, Auglaize Co. In 1862 he came to Sidney and run the Walker Mills, which he bought in 1879. These mills were among the first in the county. They have three run of bulirs, with two turbine wheels. In 1844 Mr. Yager was married to Miss Ellen Thomas. From this marriage there have been born five children, viz., Mary, Charles, George, Edward, and Maggie.

was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1822. He was raised on a farm. In 1844 he married Catharine Peterhause. In 1847 they set sail for the United States. They land,ed in Baltimore in June, 1847. They remained in the city a short time, then started westward without having any particular place in view. They made their first stop in Cincinnati. Here they took a passage on the Miami Canal and came to Lockington. While the boat lay there they concluded to stop off and look for a home. They came to Sidney and soon bought fifty acres of land in Clinton Township, for which he paid $465. This land was unimproved, and much of it under water. From this small beginning Mr. F. has made a fine home, and has one of the best improved farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz., Christiana, George, Christian, Lewis, William, Cullie, Benjamin, and Katie. Mr. Foster, although a German by birth, is purely American in his principles.

The Frys are of German extraction, but when they came to the Uidted States we cannot learn. The first of whom we can learn anything is in the person of Christopher Fry, who was born in Kentucky in 1786. When a young man he came to Chill icotlie, Ohio. It was here, in 1811, that he married Jane Robinson. From this union there were seven children. In 1835 Mr. Fry brought his family to the town of Sidney, where he engaged in merchandising, which he followed until about the time of his death, which occurred in 1846. His wife died in 1870, at the age of eighty-eight years.

a son *f the above, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1813; came to Sidney with his parents; clerked in the store for his father and other parties for several years; afterward entered into partnership with his brother in the dry-goods trade, at which he continued until 1855, wheii he sold his interest in the store and bought a farm in the east part of Clinton Township, where he now resides. In 1853 he married Maria Ethrington. From this marriage there were three children, two of whom died young. Emma J., the only child living, was born in 1861. She is the wife of C. C. Foster. Mrs. Fry died 1878. Mr. F. has retired from active farm labor, having made for himself a comfortable home.

The Schencks, ns far back as we can learn, are from New York. They came to Ohio at the beginning of the present century, and located in Butler Count}'. It was here that Schuyler Schenck was married to Miss Deborah Sutphen in the year 1831. The following year the}' moved to Shelby County and located in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. S. were both born in New Jersey - he in 1804, and she in 1809. Mr. S. was a shoemaker by trade. They settled in the woods. He worked at his trade and hired his land cleared as fast as he could. As soon as his boys were old enough they cleared the farm. Mr. Shenck died in 1854. They raised a family of nine children, only four of whom are now living, viz., John S., George W., Daniel O., and Alonzo E. Mrs. Schenck, since the death of her husband, has remained on the farm, and has raised and educated her children. During the Rebellion of 1861 four of her sous entered the Union army : two of them died while in the service.

a son of the above, was born in Shelby County in 1853, and so was but one year of age at the time of the death of his father. He has remained on the homestead with his mother up to the present time. In 1875 he married Miss Anna Y. Campbell, of Sangamon County, Illinois. They have had born to them two children, Graeie Bell and Nora D.

was born in Virginia in 1780, and was brought to Ohio at the close of the last century. They located near Columbus. Here he married Elizabeth Kiser about 1807. Some time after this date they removed to But- ler County, Ohio, and from there to the present limits of Orange Township in the fall of 1818. Here he entered 160 acres of land, but had not the means to pay for the whole of it. In the year 1819 he rented land where the town of Sidney now stands, and planted it in corn. Mr. and Mrs. Buirley had a family of fourteen children, only eight of whom lived to grow up. He died in 1876 at the age of ninety-six years and four months. His wife died in 1878, at the age ol ninety-four years.

a son of the above, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1817, consequently was only one year of age at the time of his advent into the county. In 1841 he was married to Margaret Venise (whose parents, Henry and Mary Baker Venise, came to the county in 1834). By this union they have four children, Mary E., Benjamin F., Sylvester l., and John A. Mr. Buirley lived on part of the old homestead until 1870, when he sold his interest and bought a farm in Clinton Township, miles west of Sidney, where he now resides.

William Graham, the first of the family name to come to America, was born in Scotland about 1750. When a lad he went to Ireland, remained there but a few years, when he came to the American Colonies a short time prior to the Revolutionary war and located in Pennsylvania. About the year 1775 he married Elizabeth Adair. They moved to Kentucky about 1795. They reared a family of nine children. He died about 1814. James A., the eldest of these children, was born in Pennsylvania in 1776. He went with his father's family to Kentucky and participated in the protection of the frontier against the Indians. He had a brother, William B., who was shot and killed by the Indians on the Ohio Itiver, which is spoken of in the History of Western Adventures. James A. married Sarah Bell in 1805. In 1819 they moved to Clarke County, Ohio; then to Miami County in 1820, and to Shelby County in 1822, and located in Turtle Creek Township. Their family at this time consisted of nine children. In 1843 he moved to Orange Township, where he died in 1865, his wife having died in 1840. Thomas B. was born in Kentucky in 1810, consequently was twelve years of age when he came to Shelby County. He lived at home with his father until nineteen years of age, when he went to Piqua to learn the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed until 1861, when he bought a farm of 160 acres in Clinton Township, on which he located and remained until the fall of 1880, when his house was burned and he removed to the town of Sidney, where he now lives a retired life. In 1843 he married Miss Emma Robinson, who only lived about two years. In 1850 he married Jane E. Ginn. By this union they had seven children, five of whom are now living, viz., Samuel M., William A., Alex. D., John C., and George T.

the eldest son of Willoughby and Sarah (Powell) Stewart, was born in Kentucky in the year 1809. His father was born in Pennsylvania, went to Kentucky at the close of the last century, and married, about the year ItOO. Preston remained at home with his parents until manhood. In the year 1830 he married Miss Patsy Ashbaugh, and the following year brought his wife, father, and mother, to Logan County, Ohio, and settled on the border of Shelby County. They remained there but a. short time, when he entered a piece of land in the N. E. corner of Salem Township, Shelby County, and moved on it in 1832, he being the first man to locate in that part of the township. Mr. Stewart lived here to clear this land. He afterward bought 160 acres more land. On tills land he afterward platted a part of the village of Tifeton. On this pl£Lt he built the first house ; also a saw miil and blacksmith shop. Mr. and. Mrs. Stewart have had horn to them twelve children, nine of whom are still living, viz., Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, William, Maria, Willoughby, Martha A., Charles, and Perry. Mr. Stewart lived on his farm tin til 1876, when he sold his property and moved to the town of Sidney, where he now lives a retired life, in the enjoyment of the fruit of his past hard labor. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for over fifty years, and was a member of the first class formed in the N. E. part of Salem Township.

Col. Samuel Benjamin (the grandfather of Charles R.), as near as we can learn, was born in the State of Maine. He served in the struggle for independence seven years, and held the rank of a Colonel. He raised a large family of children. One daughter married Israel Washburn, the father of the four Washburn brothers who have been Members of the National Congress. Nathaniel, a son, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the State of Maine in the year 1790, and married Betsy Chase I hey raised a family of six children. Charles R-, the youngest of the family, was born in Maine in 1830. He was reared on a farm until he became of age. After arriving at his majority he went towoik in a D. Handle factory, at which business he has been engaged from that time to the present. In the year 1870 he started a

I . n ., 1 ? 6 2 hi**** he catne to Sidney and established works of the same kindchildren ^ gained Miss Maty Johnston. % this union they have two ' Lh a a nd Charles 'W .

two chuctien came to Ohio in 1809, and stopped for a time at Springs field. Left his family here while lie came over to the present limits of Orange Township, and selected a piece of land (the same now owned by- Mrs. Clancy), and erected a cabin and made a little opening. It iia claimed by some that he moved his family to this land in the fall of 1809, but by his daughter, Mrs. Abbott, that they did not settle here permanently until 1810 or 1811. It is well known that there were but fevysettlers in the county when they came. During their early settlement the Indians became troublesome. In the fall of 1813 Mr. Jackson took his wife and children to Springfield, and left them for safety, while be remained on the place to clear his land. His wife remained in Spring 1 , field nearly a year, when she said she would remain no longer, but would return to her home, and share the dangers and hardshins with her hn« band. It was about this time that he built a block house on his for their protection. In 1814 he was drafted into the irnnu i J for a few months, then secured a substitute and returns? 3 , - serve 'I He was the first to erect a brick house in the towns in'., \° , borne.

The ancestors of the above are from North Ireland. Robert Langhlin, the grandfather of Joseph S., came with his family to the United States about 1790, and located in Pennsylvania. One son (Robert) was born after they came to the country' He was born in Pennsylvania in 1790. About 1818 he married Isabel Graham, who was also of Irish descent. They came to Brown County, Ohio, about 1820. About 1841 they came to Shelby County, and settled in Green Township. They reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are now living. Mr. L. died in 1850. His wife died in 1874, aged eighty-four years.

Joseph S., their youngest son, was born in Brown County in 1838, consequently was only three years of age when brought to the county. When twelve years of age his father died, and he was left to shift for himself. At sixteen years of age he went West, and spent a couple of years, then returned, and went to school in Sidney for one year, after which he taught school until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the 15th O. V. I. for three months, served the time of his enlistment, and again commenced teaching school, but only taught six weeks, when he again enlisted, this time in the 20th O. V. I. for three years. He was made sergeant-major of the regiment. In January, 1863, while in charge V)f ordnance stores on board of a train the train was wrecked, and he was badly injured, having his legs broken and otherwise badly bruised. He was taken to the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., where he remained until May, when he was sent to St. Louis, ami from there to Columbus, Ohio, where lie remained until June, 1863, when he was discharged and sent home. In December, 1863, he married Sarah C. Applegate. January, 1864, lie went to Vicksburg, Tenn., and engaged in merchandising with Capt. Updegratf and J. C. Fry. He continued in business in Vicksburg until 1866, when he came home and sold goods in Plattsville for one year, then went to Champaign County, where he remained three years. In 1870 he moved to Sidney, where he now lives. In 1877 he was elected treasurer of Shelby County, in which capacity he served four years. At the present time he is engaged at the real estate and insurance business. In 1881 a company of O. N. G. was formed in Sidney, and he was elected captain of the company, served two years, when he was elected major of the regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Langhlin have a family of four children, viz., Eddie W., Carrie E., Jesse C., and Lizzie.