Adams Township (part 2 of 5)

HENRY BROWN, carpenter and farmer'; P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio. Samuel, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lebanon Co. in June, 1803 ; he married Frances Kopp, who is a native of the same place, born in June, 1803 ; they emigrated to Ohio in May, 1834, locating in Wayne Co., eight miles north of Wooster, where they remained till the fall of 1847, when they removed to Montgomery Co., remaining there till spring, after which they removed to Miami Co., locating near where Bradford now stands, remaining till 1850, when he moved across the line into Darke Co., where he resided about four years, during which time he purchased a tract of land in Section 24, consisting of 124 acres, Adams Township, all of which was under heavy timber ; during the time between 1850 and 1854, he, with the help of his boys, erected a hewn-log house and cleared several acres, and in 1854 he moved his family, where he resided till his death, which occurred on the 3d of March, 1866, leaving a family of eight children, of whom seven are living at present, viz., Jacob, Henry, Daniel, Reuben, William, Fanny (now Mrs. Brandle), Elizabeth ; his widow still lives on the old home farm, being 76 years old ; Henry, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Wayne County on the 27th of August, 1834 ; spent his boyhood days on the farm, assisting his father in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil, receiving his education in the district schools ; he remained at home till he was 22 years old, when he quit his parental roof and went in search of his fortune ; he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade when he was about 25 years old, in Gettysburg, Ohio, which trade he has followed ever since, making his home with his mother on the old home farm, assisting in the farming, etc. Mr. Brown is a live, energetic, thorough business man, strictly temperate in all his habits, and is highly esteemed by his many friends and acquaintances. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

ABRAHAM BYRD, Sr., farmer ; P. O. Webster, Darke Co., Ohio ; was born Feb. 18, 1804, in Shenandoah County, and raised in Rockingham Co., Va.; in 1840, he came to Ohio and stopped for a part of the first summer in Montgomery County, and then settled in Darke County ; worked at his trade, bricklaying, for two years. He then married Emma Radefelt, who was born Nov. 17, 1820, in Adams County, Penn. ; about the time of his marriage, he bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 36, Adams Township, on which he is still living ; he has 65 acres cleared, all of which he accomplished but about 15 acres ; they are the parents of ten children - George S., born June 2, 1843 ; Hannah C, Nov. 27, 1844 ; Jacob F., March 31, 1847 ; Sarah I., Nov. 11, 1849 ; Mary M., Jan. 17, 1852 ; Abraham and Emma, July 27, 1854 ; Henrietta, April 16, 1858 ; Lucy A., Feb. 27, 1860, and Silvester, Aug. 4, 1862.

SOLOMON B. CHRISTIAN, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O. Bradford ; Solomon, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Huntingdon County on the 25th of December, 1789. He married Mary Bauslaugh, who was a native of the same State and county, and was born March 4, 1794 ; in 1814, Mr. Christian made a visit to Darke County, Ohio, and while here entered the east half of Sec. 9, and in 1829 he settled on his tract of land, which at that time was a dense forest ; his wife did not come till 1834, as she was afraid of the Indians ; she came with a firm determination to share the trials, dangers and hardships with her devoted husband, in the then almost unbroken wilderness, with here and there a family, at the mercy of the bloodthirsty red man, and for twenty-five years she nobly acted her part of the great drama of life ; on the 26th of September, 1859, the messenger of death entered the household, removing her from earth to heaven ; Solomon, her husband, surviued the storm of life till Feb. 10, 1862, when he, too, sank peacefully to rest in the blessed knowledge of the immortality of the soul ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living, viz.: Susan, now Mrs. Brakebill ; Anna, now Mrs. Katherman ; Sarah, now Mrs. Wise, and Solomon B., the subject of this sketch, who is a native of Darke County. Ohio, born Jan. 9. 1836 : he received his education in the district schools by the time he was 19 years old, during which time he assisted his father in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil. On the 19th of -January. 1854, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary Brumbaugh, who is a daughter of Jacob and Susan Brumbaugh, natives of Montgomeiy County, Ohio ; Mary was born in Miami County on the 27th of December, 1830, being the fourth child in a family of eight children, viz.: Catharine. John, Carrad. Mary, Emanuel, Esther, Elizabeth and Susan ; after his marriage, he farmed the old homestead, where he has resided ever since ; he came in possession of the home farm at the death of his father ; Mr. Christian has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted bj' his good and amiable wife ; he is strictly temperate in all his habits, being a member of the Masonic Order, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is a firm Democrat ; Mr. Christian is not a political aspirant, although he has been identified with the township offices, served as Township Trustee two terms, one jvear as Pike Superintendent, and as School Director ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Christian are highly esteemed by their many friends and acquaintances for their good qualities ; Mrs. Christian is a member of the German Baptist Church ; thev are the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living, viz.: Susan, born May 18, 1855 ; Philip, Jan 1, 1858 ; George W., July 4, 1860 ; Mary, Jnly 14, 1863 ; "Martha, Jan. 13, 1866 ; Solomon, Sept. 7, 1868 ; John S. E.. Oct. 31. 1871. Jacob Brumbaugh was born March 14, 1803, died Jan. 27, 1843 ; Susan, his wife, was born Nov. 11, 1807, died March 29, 1852.

GIDEON J. COBLENTZ, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Bradford, Ohio. Daniel, the father of Gideon J., is a native of Maryland ; born in Frederick County in April, 1814. He married Margaret Worman. who was born in Ohio in 1815 ; she departed this life in 1855. Mr. Coblentz celebrated his second marriage with Sarah Shepherd ; the}' now reside three miles east of Dayton, Ohio. Gideon, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery County, on the 17th of October 1838 ; he spent his boy-hood days in Montgomery County, assisting his father on the farm till he became of age, obtaining his education in the district schools. On the 7th of Januaiy, 1863, he celebrated his marriage with Mary E., daughter of John and Sarah Hinsey, who was born in Mad River Township, Montgomery County (now in the Corporation of Dayton), on the 29th of April, 1838. After his marriage, he moved on his father's farm, where he remained about two 3'ears : after which he rented the Barlow farm, remaining for a period of about three years ; when he moved near Fort Wood, on a small farm for which he paid money rent, remaining three years ; he followed farming for four years on three different farms, and in March, 1876, he purchased 40 acres in Adams Township, Sec. 28, where he moved and resides at present ; has since added 8 acres more, making in all 48 acres in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Coblentz has accumulated some property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; is strict^ temperate in all his habits ; two children have been born to them, viz.: John I). W., born July 20, 1865 ; Sarah E. M. A., born March 27, 1872. Mrs. Mary E. Coblentz is a clairvoyant and has remarkable powers in the facult}- of clairvoyancy ; to diagnose disease and prescribe for the same, and has a large practice in the counties of Darke, Miami and Montgomery. After an illness of ten years, receiving treatment from the most able physicians of the county, but all to no avail until the 4th day of July, 1874, when the faculty of clairvoyancy was brought into action, and the beautiful " Beyond" was opened up to her vision ; in which a tall, venerable old gentleman, with gray hair and beard, spoke to her. saying : " I come to cure you." She was then ordered by her control to read the thirty-fourth chapter of of Ezekiel : after which she was ordered to go where there was a pool of dead water and remove from her person all but three garments and dip herself seven times, after which burn the three garments, which she did and in six weeks she had recovered from her illness so as to be able to do her housework. We now leave the reader to draw his or her own conclusions, however, the writer can truthfully say that she possesses remarkable magnetic powers, and has great power over disease.

SOLOMON CREAGER, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg ; was born in Maryland in 1809 ; was the son of Henry and Susannah Creager ; they had seven children, viz., Polly, Thomas, Charlotte, Rebecca, Valentine and Solomon ; the grandparents, Conrad and Susannah, were born in Germany ; Susannah's maiden name was Wolf. Henry and Susannah Creager came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1810, when Solomon was about 9 months old, and located six miles south of Dayton, where they lived and died. Mr. Creager, the subject of our sketch, was married in 1833 to Maria, daughter of George and Susannah Martin ; George was born in England, and Susannah in Maryland ; Maria had two brothers and four sisters, viz., Elizabeth, Maria, Ann, Mary, George and John Thomas ; the eldest and youngest being dead, and the rest are living ; they have had as the issue of their marriage six children, three of whom are living, viz., Henry, George M. and Cora Francis, all married and settled in life. Mr. Creager after his marriage, lived with his father about six years, till the year 18-10, when they came to this count}' ; having entered eighty -three acres of land about five years previous and settled upon it while it was a wilderness, and cut the first stick of timber ; made an opening and put up a small cabin, into which they moved ; then commenced clearing up. working and toiling from day to day and year to year ; making such improvements as time and means would admit, till at present the}' have about 65 acres cleared and in cultivation, and a good comfortable house, a large barn and other buildings for comfort and convenience. When Mr. Creager started in life he began without any capital, and has made all his property by his own industry and dilligent labor, except a very small amount received from their parents. Mr. Creager has always been an active Democrat ; has been School Director and Trustee of his township some six years; and also filled other township offices. He is a member of the Reformed Church, having belonged to the same for nearly half a century ; he and his wife were two of the six constituent members who organized the Zion's Church, the first Reformed Church established in this county ; he has been Elder in the church for eighteen years. Thus, while we have here a sketch of one of the old settlers of the county, we have also a sample of pioneers in the church work rarely excelled in length of time of service ; here we have a noble example of the coupling together of pioneer work in opening out the forests, and that of building up the church, which shall ever stand upon the pages of history as a bright and shining light to guide the children's children and future generations to industry in life, and a sure way to a happy immortality beyond.

DANIEL CREx\GER, farmer; P. 0. Horatio; was born in 1820 in Ohio; was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Creager, who were born in Maryland ; Elizabeth was the daughter of Lewis Lecklider ; the grandfather was Henry Creager. Thomas and Elizabeth Creager came to Darke County, and located upon the farm on which Daniel now lives, in 1832, when all was a wilderness ; they cut their road through from New Harrison to get to their land, and cut their first stick of timber ; arriving at the farm on Sunday, the next Wednesday eve had a log house up, and moved into it Thursday morning ; from this beginning they labored on, clearing up and opening out and making improvements as time and means would admit, enduring the privations and hardships of such life ; for several years their principal milling and grain market was at Dayton ; Thomas lived till 1849, when he departed this life, leaving as the results of his labor about 130 acres cleared and under cultivation, being an example of wonderful industry and energy, and having accomplished a wonderful amount of labor for the length of time he lived here ; he had a family of thirteen children, eight of whom grew up to manhood, viz., Esaias, Mary Ann, Perryman. Daniel, Catherine, Lewis, Elizabeth and Josiah, six being now living, the eldest of the eight children having since died. Daniel, the fourth child, and the subject of this sketch, in 1847 went to Versailles, where he remained about two years ; then to Kokomo, Ind., where he remained about two years ; from there he went to California, where he remained about five years ; returned home and remained here till 1863, when he bought a mill in Miami County, which he operated about two years, sold out. and then went to Versailles into the mercantile trade, in partnership, with his brother, where he remained two years, when he sold out ; but the trade was not fully consummated, after which he was some of the time at Versailles and some of the time on the farm, to the expiration of five years, or till 1872, when his trade at Versailles was closed up, and he returned to the farm, where he has remained to the present time ; the original farm, as bought or entered by Thomas Creager. comprised 334 acres, of which there are now about 180 acres cleared and in cultivation ; the farm has remained undivided to the present time, the mother having departed this life only last May. 1879, being nearly 86 years of age ; Daniel has bought out four of the heirs, thus becoming the owner of five shares, which, of course, gives him the greater portion of the farm. We see here the history of a man and a family who have been through many hardships, but the fruits of their labors are now visible, and enable them to live in comfort and plenty the rest of their lives ; and this history will be read by generations to come with much interest, and as an example of industry and good management will stand forth as a bright and shining light to all ages to come.

E. 0. CRUEA, meat market, Bradford, Ohio. James Cruea, the father of E. 0., was born in Miami County, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1818 ; was united in marriage with Miss Maria E. Alexander, who was born in Piqua, Ohio, on the 29th day of Januar}-, 1822 ; on the 7th day of August, 1873, the angel of death entered this peaceful family, removing from earth to heaven their kind and loving mother, leaving a large concourse of friends to mourn her death. Mr. Cruea is not a resident of Darke County, as he resides in Miami County, the street being the division line ; he is hale and robust, being 61 j'ears old. E. 0. Cruea, the subject of this sketch, was born in Piqua, Ohio, on the 19th day of August, 1847 ; spent his boyhood days in Piqua, where he obtained a good common-school education ; was united in marriage with Miss E. Anna Boulden, in Piqua, on the 16th day of September, 1869 ; she was born in Piqua on the 9th day of September, 1848 ; he moved to German Township. Darke County, in the spring of 1870, where he engaged in the livestock business, buying and selling ; meeting with good success, he sold out in 1872, and moved to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he dealt in live stock, butchering part of the time till the spring of 1874, when he sold out and moved to Bradford, where he still resides, and is at present engaged in the butchering business, carrying on the largest meat market in Bradford. Four children were given to their union, viz. : Anna A., who was born on the 18th day of September, 1870 ; James W. was born on the 2d day of November, 1873 ; Edna G. was born on the 2d day of December, 1875 ; Lizzie May was born on the 2d day of Mav, 1877.

GEORGE W. ELIKER, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Greenville. Henry, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1794 ; he married Lydia Harris, who was a native of the same State, born in 1790 ; they emigrated to Ohio, locating in Fairfield Co., where he remained till his death, which occurred in March, 1871 ; Mrs. Eliker died in 1845. They were the parents of three children, of whom all are living at present writing, viz., George W., Mary and Susan. George W., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York Co. on the 7th of October, 1822 ; came with his parents to Ohio in 1826, locating in Fairfield Co., where he obtained a good common-school education in the old-fashioned schoolhouse ; lived at home till he was about 24 years old, and on the 10th of December, 1846, he celebrated his marriage with Eliza Graham, who was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, on the 28th of May, 1823 ; after his marriage he rented a farm and farmed for about ten years, when he moved to Darke Co. and rented land for about five years ; he has bought and sold 120 acres, in which he gained about

$2,800 ; he purchased 96 acres in Adams Township, for which he paid $5,000, where he now resides ; he has good farm buildings and about 80 acres in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Eliker had but little of this world's goods when he commenced life, but by hard labor, economy, connected with strict temperate habits and integrity, he has accumulated considerable amount of property. A sad affliction befell this interesting family, for on the 3d of October, 1878, the angel of death removed from earth to heaven the mother, who was a devoted mother, a good wife, and a zealous Christian. Eight children were born to them, of whom seven are living, viz. : John H., born Jan. 2, 1848 ; Joseph G., born Feb. 27, 1849 ; Mary C, born May 9, 1850 ; Sarah A., born Feb. 10, 1854; George W., born July 10, 1858 ; Simon, born May 9, 1852 ; Emma, born Oct. 24, 1860. Mr. Eliker is a zealous worker in the cause of religion, being a member of the " Brethren in Christ " for a period of twenty-one years.

CHRISTIAN ERISMAN, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. O. Stelvideo, Ohio. Jacob, his father, was born in Pennsylvania on the 12th of October, 1785 ; he married Nancy Cassel, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1795 ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1839, locating in Darke Co., Adams Township, Section 21, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1843. They were the parents of eighteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Christian, Jacob, Henry H., Reuben, Benjamin, Emanuel, Daniel, Joseph, Anna. Christian, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. on the 24th of December, 1820 ; he assisted his father on the farm in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil ; obtained his education in the subscription schools ; came with his parents to Darke Co. in 1839 ; he remained at home till he was 21 years of age, when he commenced life on his own responsibility, working by the day or month, and at all kinds of work, till the death of his parents, when he returned home, and, with his eldest sister Eliza, took charge of the farm, which he managed with good success. On the 6th of February, 1845, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Catharine Long, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams Co. on the 16th of February. 1827 ; he now began the herculean task of clearing and opening up a farm, which has been accomplished ; and, through the mercy of Providence, he has been spared to see the mighty forests fall before the woodman's ax, and what at that time was a dense wilderness, is now dotted with beautiful meadows, with elegant farmhouses and large and commodious barns ; he has under cultivation 110 acres, with good farm buildings, has erected a large barn at a cost of about $1,000, also a two-story brick house at a cost of $1,200, all of which was done when labor and material were very low ; he now owns 144 acres, valued at $10,000, all of which he has accumulated by hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife, having passed through the many struggles, dangers and incidents so common to the pioneer of the West ; eleven children have been born to this union, of whom only five are living, viz. : Lizzie, born Feb. 14, 1850 ; Franklin C, born Feb. 14, 1860 ; Lewis E., born Dec. 9, 1864 ; Cora M.,born May 5, 1867 ; Arthur A., born Oct. 5, 1871. Henry Erisman, his brother, lives but a short distance from the old home farm ; he married Mary Jane Reck on the 26th day of September. 1848 eight children have been born to them, of whom seven are living, viz. : Samuel H born Aug. 26, 1849 ; Ervin H., born May 13, 1852 ; Edward, born Dec. 11. 1854 Brough, born July 4, 1862 ; Charles, born, Dec. 7, 1868 ; Frances, born Nov.2, 1857 Delia, born July 25, 1856.

ADAM C. FRAMPTON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15 : P. O. Stelvideo. The subject of this memoir is a son of Hugh Frampton, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was born in 1799 ; he came to Ohio and settled in Richland Township, Darke Co., when he was a young man. He was united in marriage with Mary Coppess ; she was born in North Carolina in 1805. They were the "parents of five children, of whom four are now living, viz., Adam C, William, Martha (Mary J. deceased) and Sarah E. Mr. Frampton entered 80 acres of land which at that time was all under heavy timber ; here they settled, lived and died. Mr.

Frarapton departed this life in 1862; his wife dying two years previous. Our subject was born in Ohio. Darke Co.. Nov. 5, 1S26 ; he remained at home until lie was 22 years of age, during which time he acquired a good common-school education in the district school. At the age of 20 he commenced school teaching, which he followed for about three years ; teaching during the winter months and working on the farm in the summer. On the 31st of May, 1849. he celebrated his marriage with Mary .Jane Patterson : she was born in Maryland in 1826 and is a daughter of Robert and Anna Patterson, who emigrated from Maryland in 1 832 and located in Richland Township, this county. Mr. Patterson departed this life in 1842 ; his wife's death occurring in 1854. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living, viz., John, Esther. Mary Jane, Samuel and Michael, deceased. After the marriage of Mr. Frampton, he settled on his farm in Richland Township ; remaining there about three yeai-s. he sold out and moved to Stelvideo, Ohio, and in company with two of his brothers-in-law erected a steam sawmill and engaged in the timber business, following the same for about thirteen years, meeting with good success ; he then sold out and purchased fifty acres of land in Sec. 15, Adams Township, for which he paid $800 ; he also owned 60 acres in the same section, but disposed of 4 acres and now has 106 acres in his farm. When he purchased this land, it was all under heavy timber with the exception of 2 acres ; he moved into a little house which had been erected previous to his coming here, but in a short time he had the residence erected he now lives in, and a good barn and other good farm buildings ; he has 70 acres cleared and under a good state of cultivation. It can be truly said that Mr. Frampton is a ': pioneer, " that is, as far as clearing and opening out a farm is concerned ; he has accomplished this Iry his hard labor, correct business and temperate habits, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife. He has been identified more or less with township offices since his residence in the county ; served as Trustee of Adams Township for a period of six years, and has held some other offices ; he is not a church member, but believes that religion must be lived as well as professed, and it can be said that he is always be found at his post ready to relieve suffering humanity. Five children are the fruits of this union, four of whom are living, viz., Robert P., Carrie, Minnie and Lillian. On the 3d of March, 1878. the death messenger entered this peaceful and interesting family and remove! from earth to heaven, Rosella, a daughter of 16 summers, cut down in the bloom of life and leaving a host of friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Frampton is a member of the I. 0. O. P. Order ; also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and is strictly temperate in all his habits, not using tobacco in any shape and has never taken a drink of an}r liquor only for medical purposes, and is an earnest worker in the cause of temperance.

JACOB F. GAUBY. manufacturer of brick and tile ; P. O. Bradford, Ohio. Jacob, his father, was born in Pennsylvania on the 20th of March, 1803 ; he married Christina Fike. who was born in Berks Co.. Penn., on the 11th of March. 1811 ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1855, locating in Darke Co.. where they resided until death overtook them ; Christina died June 11, 1873, and on the 16th of October. 1873, Jacob sank peacefully to rest.

Jacob F.. the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania on the 7th of December, 1837 ; he spent his boyhood days in Pennsylvania, where he received a good education in German ; came with his parents to Ohio when he was 17 years old ; after he came to Ohio, he obtained some knowledge of the English language by his own efforts ; he remained at home until he was 21 years old. and on the 20th of January, 1859, he celebrated his marriage with Rebecca Wise, a native of Ohio ; he then engaged in farming, and in a few years he purchased 122 acres of land ; unfortunately, he lost his wife on the 22d of March, 1865 ; three children were born to them, viz.: Moses, born Oct. 19, 1860; Jacob, born July 16. 1862 ; Rebecca, born March 9, 1865. About one year later, he celebrated his second marriage with Abigail Boocher. of Montgomery Co.. Ohio ; three children by this union, of whom two are living, viz.: Henry, born June 27, 1868; John, born Dec. 3. 1870. On the 16th of January, 1874, the death messenger called again and summoned his wife to that better land ; this, a second bereavement, almost crushed him to the earth. In 1874, he was married to Malinda J. Stose, a native of Ohio, born on the 7th of June, 1853 ; three children have been born to this union, viz.. P]ffie J. D., Cora, William. Mr. Gauby has sold off 80 acres of his land, investing the proceeds in his manufacturing of tile and brick ; he now owns 42 acres of land where he resides, one house and lot in Bradford, also a blacksmith-shop ; he is now engaged in the manufacturing of brick and tile, and it is said that his tile and brick are the best in the count}'. The brickmasons say that they can make a better job out of his kiln than from any other in the country ; he has the largest and most complete tile manufactory in the county. Mr. Gauby has had his full share of township offices ; served as Constable and Supervisor ; he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and was a member of the German Baptist Church until he joined this order, when the church dismissed him for joining this good and noble order.

WILLIAM E. GEORGE, dealer in grain and hogs, also ticket, freight and express agent, Gettysburg, Ohio. George, his father, was a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Darmstadt in 1812 ; Mary, his wife, whose maiden name was Bishop, was a native of Adams Co., Penn., born in 1815 ; the}* were united in marriage in Gettysburg, Penn., where they spent their days. Mrs. George departed this life Dec. 24, 1843, Mr. George in 1879. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Gettysburg, Adams Co., the 6th day of June, 1835 ; he spent his boyhood days in his native State, where he received his preparatory education in the district schools, after which he entered the preparatory department of the Pennsylvania College, where he obtained an academic education, and at the age of 20 years engaged in teaching school in the vicinity of Chambersburg, Franklin Co., which he followed about three years ; came to Darke Co.. Ohio, in the fall of 1857, and located in Washington Township, where he engaged in teaching in the district schools, which he followed for a period of about seven years, averaging about nine and a half months per year ; he was united in marriage with Deborah H. Fonts on the 13th of January, 1861 ; she was a native of Indiana, born in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., on the 16th of October, 1840 ; her parents were natives of Maryland, and came to Indiana in an early day. On the 4th of June, 1863, the death messenger entered the household of Mr. George and removed from earth to heaven his beloved companion ; after her death he sold all his real and personal property, following his profession of teaching in different localities, during which time he entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College of Indianapolis, where he graduated in the fall of 1865 ; he then came to Gettysburg, Darke Co., and resumed his profession, teaching at different places in Adams and Franklin Townships and vicinity, for about eight years. On the 28th of December, 1865, he celebrated his second marriage with Sarah M. McDowell, born in Darke Co. Jan. 4, 1844 ; her parents were from Pennsylvania, and came to this count}' in a very early day. In July, 1872. Mr. George was appointed ticket, freight, and U. S. Express agent of the P., C. & St. Louis R. R. at Gettysburg and at the same time engaged in the grain and stock trade, which he has since followed ; he now has in course of erection a large elevator. 26x110. and 26 feet high, which will be supplied with all the necessary machinery ; he handled about 170,000 bushels last season, of different kinds of grain. Mr. George has one child by his last marriage, Myrtie A., born Oct. 10. 1871 ; also one child by his first wife. viz.. Charles A., born on the 3d of December, 1862 ; his mother died when he was but 6 months old, after which his uncle, William English, of Spartanburg, Randolph Co., Ind., took him to raise, where he now lives, but is making arrangements to engage in the drug business in Marshall, 111. Mr. George has been identified with the various township offices since his residence here ; has been clerk of the township for about twelve years, which office he now holds ; was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal in 1870, having for his district, Adams, Franklin, Van Buren and Monroe Townships ; he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 1850, but after he came to Darke Co., Ohio, he past his lot with the Presbyterians, his wife also being a member of the same church ; he has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, connected with correct business and temperate habits, in which he has been assisted by his good and noble wife ; he owns 260 acres of land in Iowa, and about five acres in the corporation of Gettysburg, the whole valued at about $0,000. Mr. George commenced life without any of this world's goods, and when he came West he borrowed $50 to bring him here, and has met with many trials and troubles since he commenced life ; the greatest misfortune was in losing his right arm on the 19th of February, 1849, two and a half miles south of Gettysburg, Penn.; while feeding a thrashing machine he unfortunately got his hand caught in the cylinder, and was mangled so badly that he was compelled to have it amputated ; he is a man who possesses an indominitable will, strictly honest, and a thorough business man ; strictly temperate, neither chews nor smokes tobacco ; is a great worker in the cause of temperance ; a Republican in politics.

LEVI GILBERT, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg. James, his father, was a native of Maryland, born in 1776 ; was taken to Pennsylvania by his parents, where he married Mollie Reeser in Lebanon Co., where they spent their days ; he departed this life about 1814 ; Mollie, his wife died in about 1816 ; six children were born to them ; three are living at the present writing, viz., Levi, Joseph and Benjamin ; Joseph lives in Montgomery Co.. Benjamin in Darke Co. Levi, the subject of this sketches a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lebanon Co. on the 26th of September, 1806 ; he was left an orphan when quite 3Toung, thrust out on the cold charities of the world to fight the battles of life among strangers ; he lived in Lebanon Co. till he was about 16 years old, working for different persons for his clothes and board ; he would attend subscription school part of the winter, which tuition he paid himself ; he went to Dauphin Co.. where he worked by the month on a farm for about one year and a half, after which he went to Lancaster Co., where he resided till he was about 30 years old, following teaming and farming. On the 8th day of December, 1829, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mariah Spires, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. on the 13th of July, 1808. In 1837. he and his family of three boys bade farewell to friends and their native county, started with a two-horse team for the West to better their condition, and on the 21st day of May they arrived in Miami Co., where he rented the Eller farm near Covington, where he remained abput five and a half years, meeting with good success, during which time he purchased 110 acres in Adams Township, Sec. 19, all of which was under heavy timber, for which he paid $41)0 ; after he purchased this tract of land, he commenced the task of clearing and opening up a farm, worked at spare times till he had cleared sufficient to put out a little crop ; during this time, he had erected a log cabin, and in 1843 he moved his family into this " mansion, " where he has continued to reside ever since, but not in the old log cabin, as in the course of time he erected a beautiful two-story brick house, and other farm buildings. Mr. Gilbert has accumulated a considerable amount of property by hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife, b >th of whom have passed through the many struggles, dangers and incidents so common to the pioneer of the West ; they have a host of friends and are held in high esteem by nil who know them ; they are active' workers in the cause of religion, being members of the Evangelical Church, and the writer can truthfully say that they are living devoted Christian lives, and he will never forget that pleasant hour and a half he spent in their company. May their days, which will be few in the body, be brightened by the golden light of spirit land - the summer land - and when they are through with the body may the passing-out be as a gentle zephyr. They are the parents of seven children, of whom six are living, viz.. Henry, Samuel, Levi S.. Frances (now Mrs. Merrick). Mollie (now Mrs. Holman). Elizabeth

(now Mrs. Reck), Elmira (now Mrs. Floinerfield) ; Henry, his son, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. on the 23d of October, 1830 ; he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, assisting in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil. He received a good common-school education in the district schools. At the a<re of 18, he commenced to learn the coopering trade in his father's shop, where°he worked till he was 21 years old, after which he continued on his own responsibility till he was about 29 years of age, during which time he made his home with his father. He celebrated his marriage with Nancy A. Hill on the 28th of August, 1859 ; she was born in Miami Co. in 1839, and on the 12th of August the death messenger removed her from earth to heaven, leaving one child, who in seven days later fell asleep in death also. In two years and five months, he celebrated his second marriage,with Miss Mary E. Harry, who is a native of Montgomery Co., Ohio, born in Dayton in May, 1843 ; seven children by this union, viz - William H, born Dec, 28, 1863 ; Samuel H, born September, 1865 ; John C, born March, 1867 ; Benit, born August, 1869 ; Edward 0., born March, 1872 ; Yinie B.,born November, 1876 ; May, born September, 1879. Mr. Gilbert resides on his father's farm, carrying on the coopering business during the winter and farming in the summer. .

LEVI S. GILBERT, farmer, P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio; a son of Levi and Mariah Gilbert ; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on the 13th day of September 1835; came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Miami Co., and in 1842 removing to Darke Co, where he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district school ; at the age of 16, he commenced to learn the coopering trade in his father's shop ; he followed his trade about sixteen years, four years of which he worked in Gettysburg ; in 1863, he sold out his shop and purchased a farm of 124 acres in Sec. 29, Adams Township, where he moved and has since resided ; he now has ninety acres in a good state of cultivation a beautiful brick house ; a barn, 80x47 feet, which he erected at a cost of about $1,500 ; on the 29th day of September, 1859, he celebrated his marriage with Rosana, daughter of Mathias and Arnstena, who was born in Montgomery Co., on the 28th day of December, 1840 ; five children have been born to them, viz., Elmer E born August 9, 1862 ; Nora May, born December 5, 1865 ; Harry A., born Feb. 17, 1867 ; Edith J., born March 25, 1869 ; Raymond M., born March 7, 1874, Mr. Gilbert has accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; he is strictly temperate in all his habits. In 1864, he enlisted in the 100-day service and went forth in defense of his

AARON HAHN ; P. 0. Gettysburg. The subject of this sketch was born m Mahoning Co.. Ohio, March 26, 1816 ; he is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Pauline) Hahn, who were natives of Maryland; Mr . H. was born about the year 1790 or 1791, his wife in 1795 ; they came to Darke Co. in 1831 and located in Franklin Township ; Mrs. H. departed this life in 1861 ; Mr. H. is still living, and resides in Greenville, with his son Amos. Our subject came to this county with his parents when 15 years of age, where he assisted his father on the farm during the summer season and attended the district school through the winter, thereby obtaining a o-ood common-school education ; he remained at home till 21 years of age, when his father gave him 93 acres of land, all under heavy timber ; he then commenced the task of clearing and preparing the land for cultivation. On the 21st of March, 1839, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Reck, and located upon his farm, to which he had added until possessed of 184 acres in all ; Mrs. H. departed this life May 11, 1853; their children were five in number by this union, of whom four are living, viz.: Mary E., born May 18, 1844 ; Jeremiah, Oct. 15. 1846 ; John E.. May 21, 1850 ; Joseph, April 30, 1853 ; Mr. H. carried on his farm and cared for inVchildren till Jan. 26, 1854, when he was united in marriage with Catherine Feeser ; she was born in Frederick Co., Maryland, July 7. 1834 ; they remained on the farm in Franklin Township till 1868, when he sold, and bought 127 acres m

Adams Township, which he traded for 84 acres in Sec. 25, locating there in 1873, where he still resides : his residence is situated in the corporation of Gettysburg he has been afflicted with palsy for several years, which has confined him to his room a greater part of the time ; Mr. H. has in no way been an office-seeker, yet he has been identified with the township offices since his residence here he has served as Trustee of Franklin Township for a period of six years, and has Keen Clerk and School Director ; the children of Aaron and Catherine (Feeser) Hahn were ten in number, of whom nine are living, viz.: Emeline, born April 15 1857 William. Oct. 16, 1858 ; Martha E.. May 5, 1860 ; Susanna C, Sept. 10,' 1861 ; Laura B.. May 16, 1863 ; Ansenora, Oct. 24, 1865 ; Samuel N., May 15, 1868 ; Sarah J., May 1, 1869, and Benjamin F., May 15. 1871. Mr. H. has passed through the many hard struggles, trials and incidents of frontier life, and has accumulated a good property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good wife. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are good, consistent Christian people.

ROBERT L. HARPER, farmer; P. O.Horatio. He was born in 1812, in Pennsylvania, the son of Robert and Sarah Harper, both being born in Pennsylvania. He was married in 1832 to Martha Adams, daughter of George and Elizabeth Adams, who were born in Virginia, and came to Ohio in about 1810 ; George Adams - Col. Adams, as he was then called - was in the war of 1812, serving as Colonel all through the war, and bringing home the marks of active service, having seven bullets shot through his body ; the issue of the marriage of the subject of our sketch were eight children, of whom five are now living, viz., William S. Thomas B., Robert, George and Martha Jane, all married and settled in life.' except Martha Jane, who is yet single and remains at home. Mr. Harper located upon the farm where he now lives, consisting of 81 acres, in the spring of 1833, and cut out the first stick of timber, made an opening, and put up a little log cabin, this being the only settlement around nearer than New Harrison, one and a half miles distant ; from this beginning he labored, opening out and improving as time and means would permit, till now he has 60 acres cleared up and in good cultivation, with a good frame house and good barn ; this has all been accomplished by diligent industry and energy, coupled with economy, he being $300 in debt when he went on to the farm, and now he has the pleasure to enjoy the comforts around him for the rest of his life ; Mr. Harper is a brother of Sanford Harper, of Greenville. This is a very remarkable example of early pioneer life, one who endured especially the toils and hardships incident to such a life, and it will stand recorded here "upon the pages of this history, as a bright and shining example of what diligence and industry will accomplish, and will be read with interest and profit by children's children and future generations for ages to come.

ISAAC HARSHEY. furniture and undertaking, Gettysburg. The brother of David, a native of Darke Co., Ohio, born on the 23d of February, 1839 ; lived at home till he was 30 years old ; attended school during the winter months in District No. 2, Adams Township, where he obtained a good common-school education, and at the age of 18 he commenced to learn pump-making, which he has, with cabinet-making, followed ever since, and he is at present canying on the furniture and undertaking business with his brother ; in May, 1864, he enlisted in the hundred-day service, joining himself with the 152d Regiment, Company C ; he served four months, during which time he participated in several severe engagements, viz., Lynchburg. Va.. and Sweet Springs, Va.; he was mustered out in September, 1864, after which he went to Illinois, where his father resided, and farmed with his father for two years, when he. with his father, returned to Darke Co., Ohio, and in 1868 he moved to Gettysburg, formed a partnership with John S. Plants, and carried on the pump and cabinet making business for about eighteen months, when they dissolved partnership. and he formed the present partnership with his brother. On the 2d of May. 1869, he celebrated his marriage with Margaret Layer, daughter of Peter and

Hannah Layer; she is a native of Darke Co., Ohio, born on the 25th of November, 1844 ; one child has been born to them, viz., Hannah B., on the 5th of September, 1871. Mr. Harshey is not a member of any church, but lives in his own soul's freedom, keeping the Golden Rule in view, being honorable, truthful and very conscientious in all his dealings with his fellow-man. He has, by hard labor, connected with correct business and temperate habits, accumulated some property, in which he has been noblv assisted by his good and amiable wife.

DAVID HARSHEY, of the firm of ^Harshey & Bro., manufacturers of furniture and undertakers, Gettysburg, Ohio ; Jacob, their father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams Co., in 1806. He married Elizabeth Deeter, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 20th of October, 1815 ; he came with his parents to Ohio in the fall of 1833, locating in Darke Co., where he purchased 160 acres in Sec. 29, Adams Township ; he also entered 240 acres in Adams and Richland Townships ; in September, 1864, he sold out and removed to DeWitt Co., 111., where he purchased 120 acres of prairie land near Clinton, the county seat; he had. however, previous to his moving to Illinois, purchased 200 acres in Fayette Co.; in 1865. his wife died, after which he sold out and removed to Darke Co., and purchased 80 acres in Sec. 29, Adams Township, where he remained about five years, when he sold out and purchased 41 acres in Franklin Township, where he moved and on the 12th of April, 1874. he departed this life, leaving a family of eight children. viz., Isaac, David, Hannah, John D., Jacob, Lucinda, Susanah and Elizabeth. David, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio, Darke Co., on the 17th of November. 1841, lived at home until he was about 18 years of age, receiving his education in the district school, after which he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade with G. W. Weaver, of Miami Co., where he worked about two and one-half years, when he engaged with B. Kepner, receiving good wages ; he worked for him two years, after which he carried on the business on his own responsibility, meeting with good success ; in June, 1 863, he enlisted in the 152d 0. V.I., Co. C, and went forth in defense of his country, serving three months, during which time he was in several severe engagements, viz., Sweet Springs. Va., on Greenbrier River, and was with Hunter when he made his raid on Lynchburg, Va.. where he was repulsed ; he returned home in September, and re-enlisted in September, 1864. in the 19th O. V. I.. Co. F, for three years ; during this campaign, he was in the battle of Ft- McAlister and the siege of Savannah, Ga.; he was mustered out in June. 1865 ; after his return from the army he followed his trade, and in 1872 he formed a partnership with his brother Isaac, in the manufacture of furniture and the undertaking business, in Gettysburg, where he has remained ever since ; they have a complete outfit of machinery suitable for their business, and are doing a good business ; on the 10th of November 1878, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Clara H, daughter of Samuel and Eliza M. Lehman,who was born in July. 1859 ; one child has been born to them, viz., Franklin Judson, born on the 26th of July, 1879 ; Mr. Harshey is strictly temperate in all his habits, and is a member of I. O. O. F., of Gettysburg.

EMANUEL HERSHEY, farmer and minister. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Gettysburg. Jacob, his father, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on 17th of November, 1796 ; he married P]lizabeth Miller, who is a native of the same State and county, born on the 17th of May, 1804. Mr. Hershey lived, died and was buried in his native county, his death occurring on the 12th of August, 1872. Elizabeth, his widow, is living at present writing and resides in Lancaster City, Penn. Emanuel, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. on the 4th of February, 1821 ; spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, receiving his preparatory education in the district schools of his county, and. at the age of 17, he entered Litiz College, where he obtained a good academic education. After his return from college, he worked two years in his father's flouring-mill. where he learned the trade, after which he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and worked in the Black Rock flouring-mills six months, when he returned home and worked in his father's mill till the spring of 1849. when he started for the West, and on the 9th of May arrived in Darke Co., and then rented the flouring-mill one mile west of New Harrison, on Greenville Creek, which mill he operated for about seven years, when he moved on his farm of 30 acres, which he had purchased in 1853, and then commenced to burn lime, and at the same time operate his farm, to which he has added 112 acres, making in all 142 acres, with good farm buildings ; he has been manufacturing sorghum molasses for about fifteen years, making from fifty to eighty barrels during the season, and has the credit of making the best grade of molasses in the county. He celebrated his marriage on the 14th of November, 1844, with Magdalena Bear, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on the 10th of September, 1825 ; ten children have been born to this union, of whom nine are living, viz. : Adam B., born Jan. 9, 1846 ; Samuel, born Sept. 28, 1847 ; Jacob, born Sept. 12, 1849 ; Barbara Ann, born May 15, 1852 ; Sarah E., born Jan. 28. 1854 ; Emma, born Feb. 19, 1857 ; John, born Feb. 12, 1859 ; Eliza, born March 19. 1861 ; Mary, born Jan. 20, 1868. Mr. Hershey has had his full share of township offices, viz., served as Trustee of Adams for five jrears, and in 1879 was elected Land Appraiser of Adams Township. He takes a very active part in religion, being a member of the German Baptist Church and minister of Oakland Church for a period of ten years ; his wife is also a member of the same church. Mr. Hershey has accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife. He is strictly temperate in all his habits.

ROBERT C. HORNER, farmer; P. 0. Gettysburg; was born in Darke County, Ohio ; was a son of Alexander and Eliza Horner ; Alexander was born in Adams County, Penn., and was the son of James Horner, who was also born in Pennsylvania ; Eliza's maiden name was McGargon. Robert C. was married in October, 1860, to Sarah Clark, daughter of Zachariah and Hester Clark ; Zachariah was born in Pennsylvania ; Hester was born in this county. Robert C. and Sarah Horner are parents of ten children, six of whom are now living, viz., Maretta Rosella, Mary Hester, Ellen Pherba, Robert Elmer, James Harvey, and Eliza Leola ; Robert lives upon the same farm his father came to in 1833, where he lived and died, his death occurring in 1871 ; when he came here in 1833, the place now known as Gettysburg was all a wilderness ; the farm is now just outside of the corporation of Gettysburg ; there was just a little cleared upon it when he came here : he originally purchased 189 acres, labored in clearing up and opening out the country till there are now about 120 acres in good cultivation, built a nice brick house, good barn, and other buildings ; this has mostly been accomplished by his own labor and industry, and from time to time he purchased more land, till at his death, which occurred the 7th of February, 1871, he owned 390 acres all in one body, at which time it was all sold ; and his son Robert, the subject of our sketch, bought and now owns 136 acres, upon which he has since resided ; he has laid off for building lots for the town about 4 acres ; his farm being so near the town makes it quite valuable, a convenient home, and pleasant situation. His father was in the war of 1812 ; Robert was in the war of the rebellion ; enlisted in the 152d Regiment 0. N. G., in May, 1864 ; this regiment did some very active service ; he served about four months, when he was discharged, and returned safely home to his family ; he has held the township offices of Constable and Assessor, and is now J ustice of the Peace ; we are pleased to place upon the pages of this history a record and genealogy of another family of the early settlers of this country, whose life, industry and success stand forth to be read with pleasure and profit by their children's children for ages to come.

LEVI HUDDLE, retired farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O. Webster, Ohio. Frederick, his father, was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., on the 21st of September. 1791 ; he married Magdalena Boyd, who was a native of the same State and county, born on the 25th of August, 17!»2 ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1829, locating in Fairfield Co., where they remained about six months, when they removed to Montgomery Co., eight miles north of Dayton, where they resided until 1833, when they came to Darke Co., locating in Wayne Township, near where Webster now stands, where, on the 5th day of June, 1834, he sank peacefully to rest in the knowledge of the blest immortality of the soul, as the veil had been lifted from the faculty of spirituality and the finer firus placed on the organ of clear sight, or clairvoyant faculty, and he caught a glimpse of that beautiful summer land ; and here the writer desires to call attention to the remarkable accuracy and interesting account of his death, as given by his son Levi. A short time before his death, he caught a glimpse of the higher courts, in which he saw the day that he would leave his body and pass into spirit-life ; this he related to his good wife and children, of which they did not understand, and passed it off as superstition ; but on the day that the transition was to occur, thei'e being several of the neighbors present, and his friends, to hear the good old man talk and give directions concerning his burial, etc.. he placed himself in the large arm-chair, chatting all the while to his friends, and at the appointed hour, after bidding all good-bye, his arms fell lifeless by his side, when he drew one long breath, and his spirit had fled. Magdalena, his widow, survived the storm of life until the 27th of April, 1866, when she was found dead in her bed, her spirit having fled and joined the angel-band that was awaiting her arrival. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are living at present writing, viz., Catharine, and Levi, the subject of this memoir, who was born in Rockingham Co., Va., on the 20th of December, 1820 ; he spent his boyhood days on the farm, assisting his father in clearing land and cultivation of the soil ; he received his education in the district schools ; his father died when he was about 14 years old, which left his widowed mother with the family to his care and support, which duty he nobly performed ; when he was 20 years old, he commenced to teach school ; his first school was taught in an old log schoolhouse which stood on the farm where he now resides ; he taught during the winter months, and in the summer he would farm and trade ; he followed teaching for about twenty-three years, during which time he taught a term of eleven months in Vandalia, Montgomery Co.; while teaching here, he took lessons in higher arithmetic, algebra, penmanship and drawing, of Mr. David Ecker, and by hard study and close application he acquired a good academic education ; in 1846, he traveled for a stove firm in Dayton, which he followed for about two years ; he commenced work at $1 per day, and after the first month, the firm raised his wages to $52 per month, and at the close of the second month, his wages were raised to $100 per month. In 1849, he entered the employ of William Mitchell, of Dayton, as salesman and collector, where he remained about one year, after which he followed the same business until 1851, but for another party ; in 1851 he traveled for a Piqua firm selling notions, which he followed for about four years. On the 9th of April, 1854, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Lucinda, daughter of Abraham and Salome Hetzler ; three children were born to them, of whom two are living, viz.. Mary L. Lucinda, Sarah Jane R. In April, 1871, the messenger of death entered this peaceful and interesting family, removing the mother from earth to heaven. His two daughters are attending the Westerville College, from which the}' will graduate in 1880. He celebrated his second marriage on the 16th of September, 1872, with Mary, daughter of Anson and Lydia Aldrich ; she is a native of Massachusetts, born on the 19th of September, 1845 ; the marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. William Jay. Mr. Huddle is the largest landholder in Darke Co., having accumulated a large amount of property by his hard labor, connected with strict temperate and correct business habits ; he now owns 3,400 acres, all of which is paid for, of which 600 acres are in Greenwood Co., Kan.; 320 in Phillips Co., Mo.; 220 in Pike Co., 111.; and the rest lies in Ohio and Indiana ; he was one of the first stockholders of the State Bank of Ohio - William Scott, President, and Young, Cashier ; and. when the bank was changed to the First National, he took $11,000 stock; in the Citizens' Bank of Piqua, $4,100 ; ten shares in the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville, and 100 shares in the Building Association of Greenville, twenty shares of which belong to each member of the family. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and his wife a member of the Christian Church, and his two daughters are members of the Methodist Church.

.JOHN A. HUNTER, -rain-dealer, of the lirm of Williams & Hunter. Bradlord. Ohio. Robert Hunter, the father of J. A., was born in Fairfield Co.. Ohio, on the 24th day of August. 1818 : Nancy Alexander, his wife, was born in Pennsylvania on the 26th day of August. 1826 ; six children were given to this union, of whom three are living, viz.. John A.. James A., and Anna B. ; James A. was horn on the 11th day of September. 1852 : Anna B. was born on the 28th day of August, 1859; Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are still living and reside in Mercer Co., Ohio. John A., the subject of this memoir, was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, on the 10th day of May. 1844: and in 1846 his parents moved near Fort Recovery, Mercer Co., Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days, assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil during the summer season, and attending the district school in the winter months till he was about 17 years of age, after which he entered the high school at Liber. Ind., attending about four terms, thereby obtaining a good academic education ; in the spring of 1864, he responded to the call of President Lincoln for one-hundred-day men by enlisting in the 152d 0. V. I., and went forth in the defense of his country : was mustered out of service at the expiration of term, after which he returned home and attended the Liber High School one term ; he taught his first school in the winter of 1864-65 in Mercer Co. : followed teaching till 1870, teaching during the winter season and farming during the summer ; was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Bailey in West Liberty, Ind.. on the 1 nth day of May. 1869 ; she was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., on the 22d day of September, 1846 ; two children were given to this union, viz. : Ella C, born Feb. 1870 ; C. Austin Hunter, was born April 2, 1872. Mr. Hunter came to Darke Co. and located in Bradford in the fall of 1870. where he has continued to reside ever since : engaged in the grain business in 1<S71. and now has the largest grain elevator in Bradford, shipping on an average about 35,000 bushels during the season. Mr. Hunter has been identified with the township offices, more or less, since his residence in Darke Co. ; was elected Justice of the Peace and Mayor of Brailford in the spring of 1878 ; has served one term as Trustee of Adams Township.

JOHN B. KINNEY, farmer ; P. O. Horatio ; was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1830 : was the son of John and Margaret Kinney ; John was born in Pennsylvania and Margaret in Ohio ; her maiden name was Brown, daughter of George and Debora Brown. Mr. Kinney, the subject of this sketch, was married in 18f)f> to Nancy Ellen, daughter of William and Elizabeth Spry, they being both born in Ohio ; her grand parents were Henry and .Martha Spry ; Mr. Kinney and wife are the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, viz., Clinton Douglas, John Milton and Minnie E. Mr. Kinney spent one year, after he was of age, in traveling in the lightning-rod business ; then he went into Mr. Burrough's store, in Fairfield. Ohio, as salesman, where he remained with him about five years ; then he went into partnership with Mr. Tate, in Tremont, (Mark County, where he continued one year and sold out. and was married soon after and went back to Fairfield and was salesman for Mr. Burroughs for two years more ; then he left there and went on to a farm in Greene County about one and a half years ; then sold out and went into the fruit-tree trade for Forgy, McCarfry & Co.. traveled one summer ; then rented a farm for one season ; then moved to Dayton and went into tin.' tobacco business with J. P. Wolf & Co., where he remained four years ; when he went to Darke County and bought the farm upon which he now lives, and moved with his family on to it and has followed farming since ; he first bought Hid acres, but at various times he sold off from it till he had but 10 acres left ; and during his trading he came in possession of a farm of 80 acres north of Versailles, after which he bought back 25 acres of the old farm, so that he now owns the two farms together, making 115 acres. Mr. Kinney has had his " ups and downs" in life, having lost much by going security and other ways ; but. notwithstanding this, his industry and energy have enabled him to retain his property, and he has built new buildings on his farm, and is fixed very comfortably ; he is a member of the Reformed Church, to which he has belonged about twenty-one

W. C. LECKLIDER, merchant and farmer, Horatio. Jacob, the father of W. C. , is a native of Maryland, born on the 12th of April, 1802 : came, with his parents to Ohio, while he was quite young. He married a Miss Willey ; two children were born to them, of whom one is living, viz., W. C; his wife died in about 1836. He celebrated his second marriage with Nancy Eshleman ; they now reside near Greenville, Ohio. W. C. Lecklider, the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, on the 13th of February, 1834 ; spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the soil during the summer months, and in the winter attending the district school, where he obtained a good common-school education ; when he was about 18 years old, he went to Greenville, Ohio, where he clerked in the dry-goods and grocery store of Swisher & Co. for about ten months ; after which he went to Beamsville," same county, and clerked for J. H. C Dill for a period of two years. He now came to the conclusion that it was not good to be alone, and on the 8th of March, 1855, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Margaret Riffle, who was born in Darke Co., Ohio, on the 4th of March, 1834 ; after his marriage, he moved to Ansonia, Darke Co., and engaged in the grocery and dry-a;oods business, which he followed for a period of twenty-four years, meeting withgood success ; he sold out and moved to Horatio in 1865 and engaged in the same "business, carrying a full line of groceries and dry goods ; in 1870, he purchased 90 acres of land, for which he paid $4,150 ; he has erected a large twostory frame house, at a cost of about $1,500 ; also a barn, 40x60, and other outbuildings ; all of said property he has accumulated by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; he is also strictly temperate in all his habits ; Mr. Lecklider has never been a political aspirant, although he has been identified with nearly all of the township offices ; served as Township Clerk for two years ; was elected Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1875, which office he still holds ; was appointed Postmaster at Horatio in 1870, which office he now holds, and during his residence in Ansonia, he was Postmaster for several years ; was appointed ticket and freight agent at Horatio in 1869, of the P., C. & St. L. R R which agency he still holds. Seven children have been born to this union, viz.: Ira H., Jan. 18, 1856 ; W. Charles, July 30, 1857 ; Jacob H., March 2, 1859 ; Claudius G.. Dec. 26, 1860 ; Ulysses G., Aug. 14, 1862 ; Arthur E., Nov. 19, 4867 ; Harvey B., March 11, 1870.

CHARLES LECKLIDER, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1842 was the son of Jacob C, and Nancy Lecklider ; his father, of Jacob C, was born April 12, 1802, at Middletown, Frederick Co., Md. ; was the son Lewis and Catherine Lecklider. Nancy was born in Pennsylvania. Jacob C. was married in August, 1825, to Charlotta Creagor ; after a few years, being left a widower, in November, 1833, he was married to Catharine Willey, with whom he lived but a short time till death snatched her from his side, and in September, 1835, he was united in marriage to Nancy Eshleman ; he is the father of twelve children, viz., John, Lucinda, William C, Henry, David V., Elizabeth, Catharine, Sarah Jane, Mary Ellen, Adaline, Charles and Francis C. Jacob C, the father of our subject, came to this county September 16, 1846, and located in Adams Township, on Sec. 22, but after residing here for a time he bought more land in Greenville Township, Sec. 32 ; the subject of our sketch was only 4 years old when his parents brought him* into Darke Co. In 1874, he was married to Barbara, daughter of Emanuel and Martha Hershey, who came from Pennsylvania ; they have one child, viz.: Judd ; they located immediately after his marriage on his father's farm, where they have resided ever since ; the farm consists of about 83 acres of good land, about 65 acres cleared and in good cul

MARTIN MARTINDALE, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Gettysburg. John, his father, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1798. He eame with his parents to Ohio when he was about 3 years old, locating in Montgomery Co.. where he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm ; was united in marriage when he was 22 years old. with Mary Sidney, after which he obtained his education by boarding a school teacher. Unluckily for him, his wife died in about twenty-two months after they were married ; one child was born to them. viz.. Jesse, who now resides near Dayton, Ohio. His second marriage was celebrated with Amelia Campbell, who was a native of Ireland, born in about 180-4 ; twelve children were born to this union, of whom ten are living, viz., Elizabeth, Robert, Samuel, Mary, Rachel, John. William. Steward, Martin and Rebecca. Mr. Martindale departed this life in March, 1858. Amelia, his widow, survived the storms of life till April, 1SG5. Martin, the subject of this sketch, is of Scotch descent on the paternal side, and Irish on the maternal, born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, on the 26th of January. 1839 ; he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, assisting in the clearing and cultivation of the soil : obtained a good common-school education in the district schools of his county ; he lived at home till he was about 22 years old, when, on the 18th of April, 1862, he celebrated his marriage with Rebecca C. Yount, who is of German descent ; Fredric Yount, her father, was born in North Carolina ; her mother is a native of Ohio. Rebecca was born in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 4th of June, 1842. After his marriage, he rented his father-in-law's farm, where he remained till September, 1862,when he purchased 79 acres of land in Adams Township, Darke Co., where he moved and has resided since ; he has erected a beautiful twostory frame house, at a cost of about $1,600, and has cleared or put under cultivation since his residence here about 22 acres, and at present has 59 acres in a good state of cultivation ; has a good frame barn, 40x76 feet. Mr. Martindale has by his hard labor, connected with correct business and temperate habits, accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife. They are active workers in the cause of religion, being members of the Christian Church. They have no children of their own, but have taken Sheridan Ingle, a bright and promising little boy, born on the 23d of September, 1867. Mrs. Martindale's grandmother was a native of Scotland. and her grandfather on her father's side, Duben Campbell, whose father was Duke of England.

GEORGE W. MILLER, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Gettysburg. Phillip, the father of George W., was a native of Maryland, born in 1775. He married Rachel Baldwin, who was a native of the same State, in 1793 ; he departed this life in his native State, in May, 1837; Rachel, his widow, remained in Maryland till 1844, when she. with her family of eleven children, emigrated to Ohio, locating in Darke Co., where she resided till her death, which occurred on the 16th of August. 1853, leaving a family of ten children, of whom seven are living at the present writing, viz., Abraham, Daniel, Joseph, Kisiah, Margaret, Rachel, Rebecca. George W., the subject of this sketch, was born in Carroll Co., Md., on the 13th of May. 1828 ; he came, with his mother, when he was about 16 years old, but lived with his brother Abraham, who resided in New Harrison, where he obtained a good common-school education ; at the age of 18, he commenced to learn the blacksmithing trade with his brother, in the town where he resided ; he only followed the business two years, when he began the carpentering trade with Samuel Paulin. where he worked for about two years ; he then followed the trade on his own responsibility for about six years. On the 7th of October. 1853, he celebrated his marriage with Eliza Reck, who was born in Darke Co., Ohio, on the 14th of September, 1836 ; in 1863, he rented a farm, where he lived for a period of about six years, after which he purchased 27 acres of S. Rontzon, for which he paid $1,600, where he has resided since. Mr. Miller has accumulated some property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and are living zealous and consistent

Christians. Five children have been born to them, viz., Margaret A., Nov. 10, 1854 ; George W., Feb. 13, 1857 ; John E., Sept. 10, 1859 ; William H., April 20, 1862 ; Welby L., Aug. 13, 1867. Mr. Miller and his wife have passed through the man}' struggles, dangers and incidents so common to the pioneers of the West. Unfortunately for him, his father died when he was only about 9 years old, leaving his mother with eleven children, to survive the storms of life ; but Providence smiled, sparing her life to see all her children grow into manhood and womanhood. George W, by his indomitable will and iron nerve, has fought the battles of life manfully, coming off more than conqueror. In 1864, he enlisted in the one-hundred-day service and went forth to battle for his country. Philip, his father, served in the war of 1821, and was at the bombardment of Baltimore in 1814.

ABRAHAM MILLEB, retired blacksmith ; P. 0. New Harrison ; is a native of Maryland, born in Frederick County, on the 9th of March. 1820 ; his father's sketch appears with his brother, Geo. W. Miller, in another place of this work : Abraham came to Ohio when he was about 21 years old ; he obtained a good common-school education in the district schools of Maryland ; he commenced to learn the blacksmithing trade when he was in his eighteenth year, at which he served two years. When he came to Ohio he opened up a shop in New Harrison, where he operated for a period of thirty years ; meeting with good success, he now owns 70 acres of land, valued at $4,000, all of which he has made by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife, to whom he was married on the 4th of December, 1845 ; she is a daughter of William and Christina Beck, born in Adams County, Penn., on the 17th of September, 1824, her name being Julia Ann ; eight children have been born to them - viz.. William B., Jeremiah, Abraham S., Eliza Christina, Bachel Bebecca, Samuel (deceased), Henry H., Julia Ann ; Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran Church.

THOMAS O'BBIEN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio ; Michael, his father, was a native of Ireland, where he lived, died, and was buried in his native country ; he married Margaret Kilday, who was also a native of Ireland, born on the 15th of August, 1769 ; she emigrated to America with her daughter Ann, in 1850, landing in New Orleans, and in 1861 she came to Darke Count}', Ohio ; she departed this life in Gettysburg, Ohio, at the residence of her son, on the 15th of August, 1879, at the advanced age of 110 years ; the day of her death being her birth day, her friends and relatives were going to celebrate the day with joy and good wishes, but alas ! the messenger of death entered the household and removed her from earth to heaven. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ireland, born in March, 1822 ; lived with his mother and worked on the farm during the summer, and attended subscription schools during the winter, and by close application he obtained a good common school education ; at the age of 17, he emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans, and in 1841 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained till June of the same }rear, when he began to travel from one State to another till he had visited nearly every city and State in the United States, during which time he worked at all kinds of work ; and, at the breaking-out of the rebellion, he was working in Nashville, Tenn., acting as foreman of the corporation, in which he worked a squad of men on the public works, and had, by using economy, accumulated some money, but left the city ; and in March, 1861, he came to Darke County, Ohio, locating in Van Buren Township, and followed farming ; and in 1862 he purchased 62^ acres of land, for which he paid $900, where he remained till 1872, when he rented his farm and purchased property in Gettysburg, where he moved and has resided since. On the 27th of March, 1857, he celebrated his marriage with Bridget Mannix ; three children were born to them, of whom one is living, viz., Margaret, born on the 13th of April, 1859 ; his wife died Jan. 29, 1861. He celebrated his second marriage with Catherine Meagen on the 29th of January. 1865 ; she was born in Ireland in 831, and emigrated to America in the fall of 1854 ; no children by this union. Mr. O'Brien has accumulated some property by his hard labor, in which he has

DAVID PATTY, farmer ; P. 0. Bradford, Ohio ; James, his father, was a native of South Carolina, born on the 11th of November, 1805. He married Nancy Jones, who is a native of the same State, born on the 4th of October, IS 14 ; they were married in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 3d day of April, 1831 ; shortly after their marriage, they moved to Darke Co., locating in Adams Township, Sec. 33 ; they commenced life with but little of this world's goods, but by hard labor, connected with temperate and correct business habits, accumulated a considerable amount of property. On the 26th of November, 1871, the angel of death entered their peaceful and interesting family, removing from earth to heaven James, the father, who was a loving father and a kind husband ; Nancy, his widow, is living at the present writing on the old home farm. They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom only five are living, viz., David, Joseph J., Ennis E.. Malinda, Nanc}r J., David, the subject of this sketch, was born in Darke Co., on the 10th of September, 1851 ; he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, assisting in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil during the summer months, and attended the district school in the winter, thereby obtaining a good common-school education ; he also attended two terms at Pleasant Hill (Miami Co.) Graded School, also two terms in Gettysburg, Ohio ; on the 31st day of April, 1870, he met with a shocking accident ; while tying a jack in the stable, the animal caught him by the calf of the left leg, chewing it so badly that he was compelled to have it amputated above the knee ; Mr. Patty owns the old home farm, where he and his mother resides at present ; his mother is a member of the Christian Church, living a zealous and consistent Christian. Children - Joseph J., born 23d of March, 1857 ; Ennis, born 26th of September, 1840 ; Malinda, 20th of October, 1842; Nancy J., 17th of February, 1853. Joseph J. is married, and has erected a beautiful two-story frame house on part of the old home farm.

FRANKLIN PEIFFER, blacksmith, Gettysburg, Ohio ; is a son of Joseph Peiffer, whose biography appears in another place of this work, was born in Darke Co., Ohio, on the 26th 'day of June, 1854 ; he assisted his father on the farm until he was about 17 years old, when he commenced to work for himself, performing all kinds of work by the day and month, for different persons ; followed the thrashing machine for several seasons ; assisted in getting out railroad ties for some time, and also worked on the railroad as a section hand ; he commenced to learn the blacksmithing trade when in his 20th year, with Albert Behme, at Painter's Creek, where he applied himself very closely for a period of three years, completely mastering his trade. On the 25th day of March, 1877, he was united in marriage with Margaretha E. Friedrich, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 19th day of November, 1856 ; he moved to Dawn, Darke Co., and formed a partnership with G. W. Hartzell, and carried on blacksmithing for about seven months, meeting with fair success ; sold out to his partner and moved to Painter's Creek, where he followed his trade for about nineteen months, after which he moved to Gettysburg, Ohio, and entered into partnership with his brother Jacob, where he now resides. Mr. Peiffer is a hard-working man, and, with the help of his good wife, will in a short time, receive the reward of his toil. They have one child - Mary Olive, who was born on the 27th dajr of September, 1877.

JACOB PEIFFER, blacksmith, Gettysburg, Ohio ; Joseph G. Peiffer, the father of Jacob, is a native of York County, Penn., born on the 19th day of August. 1815 ; Magdalena Btter, his wife, is a native of Pennsylvania, born on the 18th day of August, 1817 ; they emigrated to Darke County, Ohio, in 1850, locating north of Gettysburg, where he rented a farm ; in 1869, he purchased 64 acres^ in Franklin Township, where he now resides ; have had seven children, of whom five are living, viz., Lucy, Michael, Jacob, Franklin and Peter A. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was born in York County, Penn., on the 12th day of June, 1848 ; iame with his parents to Darke County in the spring of 1850 ; lived with his parents till he was 20 years of age, assisting his father on the farm during the summer, and in the winter attended the district school, thereby obtaining a common-school education. On the 2d day of May, 1864, he enlisted as a substitute for his brother-in-law in the one hundred day service, and went forth in defense of his country ; served four months, after which he was mustered out of service and returned home. In 1868, he commenced to learn the blacksmithing trade at Painter's Creek, with Poock & Behme, and in two years, he, by strict and close attention to business, mastered his trade, and in 1870 he went to "Woodington and worked jour work till the 1st of April, 1871, after which he worked in Greenville, Ohio, with Coonrad Baker, for about six months, when he returned home and worked on the farm a short time ; on the 5th day of December, 1871, he formed a partnership with Gr. W. Hartzell, of Gettysburg, carrying on blacksmithing till 1873, when he sold out to his partner, and in June he made a visit to Pennsylvania, remaining about six weeks ; returning to Gettysburg, he worked at his trade with Aaron Dershen till the fall of 1875, and in November he purchased property in Gettysburg, where he now resides ; in April, 1879, he formed a partnership with his brother Franklin, and are now doing a good business, giving universal satisfaction to their patrons. He was united in marriage with Millie A. Shimp, in Gettysburg, Ohio, on the 4th day of February, 1875 ; she was born in Preble County, Ohio, on the 28th day of August, 1852 ; two children are the fruits of this union, viz.: Edith Pearl, b6rn on the 29th day of December, 1875 ; Vernon Ellsworth, born on the 28th day of March, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Peiffer are members of the Lutheran Church, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

THOMAS A. RAMSEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio. Samuel, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Berks Co. in 1780 ; was married to Ellen Fletcher, who was a native of England, born in Derbyshire about 1784 ; she came to America with two of her cousins when she was about 9 years old, locating in Pennsylvania, where she was married, and in 1811 they emigrated to Ohio, locating in Montgomery Co., two miles east of Dayton, on Gen. Finley's farm ; at that time, there were only a few houses in Dayton, now a city of 05,000 inhabitants ; six years later, he purchased 208 acres of land in Miami Co., about five miles from Troy, where he moved, remaining there until his death, which occurred in September, 1860 ; Ellen, his wife, died in about 1855. Mr. Ramsey served as a wagoner under Gen. Hull, in the war of 1812 ; he also performed guard duty at the old block-house which stood opposite Gettysburg, Ohio ; he would pilot parties from the block-house to Greenville, and back again ; but the deca}r and ra\ ages of time have left no trace of the " old blockhouse." Thomas A., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery Co., on the 17th of August, 1814 ; he was taken by his parents to Miami Co. when he was quite young, where he spent his boyhood days, assisting his father on the farm during the summer months, and attending school part of the winter, which at that time was kept up by subscription until within the last two or three years, when free schools were organized ; he lived with his parents until he was in his 33d year, giving his entire services to them, knowing that by so doing his father would give him a good start in life ; however, there was a strong attachment between the father and son ; however, as he advanced in years, he concluded that he would engage in business for himself, and with due consideration he formed a resolution to take a partner for life, and on the 15th of April, 1847, he celebrated his marriage with Malinda Hoover, daughter of John and Mary Hoover, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1826 ; after his marriage he moved on his farm of 50 acres, which his father had given him, and engaged in farming for about seven years, when he sold out and purchased 50 acres in the same county (Miami), near Tippecanoe, whore he moved, but only resided there about one year, when he sold out for $2,500, and moved on the Booher farm, consisting of about 500 acres ; however, previous to his moving, he had been appointed guardian for the Booher heirs ; he resided here for about nine years, during which time he lost his wife her death occurring on the 27th of December, 1861 ; after her death he moved into the town of Tippecanoe, where he followed, or rather engaged in. the banking business on his own hook. In 1869, he purchased 197 acres in Darke County. Adams Township, for which lie paid $7,880 ; during the same year he moved, and has resided there ever since, and on the lid of March, 1864, he celebrated lus second marriage with .Mrs. AdaJine Litteral, whose maiden name was Snell, daughter of Eli and Evaline Snell, who is a native of Ohio, born in Miami County on the 23d of February, 1843; one child has been born to them, viz., Allie Grant, born on the 13th day of February. 1865. Mr. Ramsey is not a member of any church, but lives in his own soul's freedom, thinking, acting, and reading for himself, obeying the golden rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ;" is strictly temperate in all his habits, and has accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife. He is a firm Republican, his first vote being east for Martin Van Buren. Mr. Ramsey's father and mother were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls, of whom seven are living at the present time of writing, viz., Eliza. John H., James H., Thomas A., Mary A., Margaret B., Lewis M., George B., Harriett E. and Alfred W.