Adams Township (part 3 of 5)

MICHAEL RECK, farmer and mechanic, P. O. Gettysburg, Ohio ; John, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams Co., in 1785. He married Miss Ann Hiner. who was a native of Maryland, born in Frederick Co., in 1788 ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1827, leaving Pennsylvania the 14th of October, arriving on the old Campbell farm on the 14th of November, moving in the house with Mr. Campbell, where they spent the winter, and in the spring they moved on the northwest corner of Sec. 31, on the banks of Greenville Creek, and in 1831 he erected a saw-mill near where the flouring-mill now stands ; Mr. Reck laid out the town of Getty sbui'g. and named it after the Gettysburg in Pennsylvania ; he entered 928 acres in Darke Co.; they were the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls; ten were living when they came to Ohio, six of whom have survived the storms of life at the present writing, viz., Samuel, John, Eli. Lydia, Elizabeth and Michael. Mr. Reck departed this life on the 9th of February. 1878. being 93 years 10 months and 24 days old; his wife died Sept. 11, 1856. Michael, the subject of this sketch, is one of Darke Co's old pioneers, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams Co., on the 23rd of October, 1810 ; he received his education in the ciistrict schools of Adams Co., Penn., and, being a natural mechanic, he spent the most of his time at carpentering, in preference to farming ; he came to Darke Co.. with his parents, in 1828, being in his 17th3'ear : he continued to follow his trade. and in 1830 he performed the first carpentering work on the first schoolhouse built in the township. On the 2<>th of June, 1833, he celebrated his marriage with Eliza Hershey, and on the 28th of November, 1834, she passed from earth to heaven. He followed his trade for about twenty-three years. On the 28th of November, 1836, he celebrated his second marriage with Miss Mary Warwick after his marriage, he moved on a tract of land which contained 70 acres, that he had purchased in 1831, in Sec. 31, where he resided for a period of about six years, when he removed to Gettysburg,. and engaged in the hotel business, which at that time was good ; he had built the stand in 1838; he remained here about six vears. meeting with good success ; he then rented the hotel to William Fritz, and removed to his farm, where he remained till 1869, when he removed to Gettysburg, remaining about eighteen months, after which he removed to his farm, where he has continued to reside ever since . in the course of time he traded the hotel property in Gettysburg, for a farm of llill acres in Mercer Co.. which he sold in 1862 for $1,650 ; he now owns 181 acres and a house and lot in Gettysburg : Mr. Reck has given to his children about $11.1100 in land and money ; he has. by his hard labor, connected with correct business and strict temperate habits, accumulated a large amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife, both of whom have passed through the many struggles, dangers, privations and incidents so common to the pioneer of the West, and are now reaping the reward of their toil ; Mr. Reck would not accept any of the township offices, although they have been offered to him time and again. They are the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living, viz., Sarah A., born Jan. 24 1838 ; Wilkins, Nov. 14. 1841 ; Jeremiah 8., Oct. 15, 1843 ; Frances, July 28, 1845 ; Nancy J.. Sept. 29. 1848 ; Mary, Nov., 16, 1854 ; Charles E., May 16, 1852 ; James

C, April 6, 1858. Mr. Reck has raised a large family and has taught them the great importance of industry and the use of carpentering tools.

WILLIAM L. RECK, miller and grain dealer ; P. 0. Gettysburg ; the son of David Reck, whose biography appears in another place of this work ; born in Pennsylvania, on the 10th of February, 1835 ; came with his parents to Ohio when he was in his 4th year ; spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and obtained his education in the first schoolhouse that was built in Adams Township ; at the age of 21 he apprenticed himself to his brother to learn the carpentering trade, and at the expiration of two and a half years he completed his trade, and formed a partnership with his brother, carrying on the business for about six years, meeting with good success ; dissolved partnership, and worked on his own responsibility till 18G4, when, on the 2d da}- of Ma}-, he enlisted in the 100-day service, going forth in defense of his country : was mustered in the United States Service at Camp Dennison, where he joined the 152d 0. N. G. Co. C, and was appointed Sergeant ; joined the command of Gen. Hunter in Virginia ; he was in several hard-fought battles and long and tedious marches, viz. : Lynchburg, Sulphur Springs, Liberty, etc, ; on the 2d of September, 1864, he was mustered out at Camp Dennison ; he enlisted in the State service, 28th Battalion, Co.

D, and was appointed Third Sergeant ; after his return from the army he was drafted, but hired a substitute, Joseph Allspaugh. who died in Wilmington, N. C. ; in 1871 he purchased the half-interest in the Premium Flouring Mills, near Gettysburg, where he now resides ; the mill has four run of buhrs, with a capacity of 100 bushels per day ; the brand of flour brings the highest market price in the Eastern market ; he handles about 1 50.000 bushels of grain during the year, always paying the highest market price. Was united in marriage with Mary Ann Trump on the 14th of August, 1859 ; she was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on the 27th of April, 1840 ; seven children have been born to this union, viz. : Ervin, born June 10, 1861 ; Lanna Bell, Oct. 22, 1863 ; Horris, July 6, 1866 ; Harriett, July 6, 1866 ; Olive, May 22, 1868 ; Cora, May 16, 1870 ; Mary Blanch, Dec. 12, 1874. Mr. Reck has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife ; he is a member of the Masonic Order, also of the I. 0. O. F. of Gettysburg ; he stands high in both orders, and is known as an honest, upright man in all his dealings, being strictly temperate in all his habits.

JACOB RECK, grain-dealer; P. O. Horatio, Ohio ; is a son of Jacob and Mary M. Reck, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford County on the 3d da}- of July, 1833. Jacob, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1795 ; he married Mary M. Seibt, who was born in Mar} land, near Chambersburg, in 1802. In 1837, he with his family were making preparations to move West, when death overtook him and he sank peacefully to rest, his spirit .passing to the higher courts above, and in 1838, Mary ML, his widow, with a family of six children emigrated to Ohio, locating in Adams Township, Darke County, where she bought a farm for which she paid $800, all the money that she possessed, and for six years she with her family labored hard to keep from starving, living on corn bread the most of the time, but with willing hands and an indomitable will she survived the storm of life to see all of her children arrive at the years of maturity, and in 1868 her spirit joined the angel band -that was awaiting her arrival to the summer land ; her children are all living at the present writing, viz. : William, Samuel, Susan (now Mrs. John Morrison), Mary J. (now Mrs. Henry Erisman),

Anna E. (now Mrs. John Walker). Jacob, the subject of this memoir, lived with his mother till he was about 18 years old, during which time he assisted in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil during the summer months, and attended the district school part of the winter, and by close application to his books he obtained a good common school education ; at the age of 13 he commenced to learn the carpentering trade with Levi Heck, for whom he worked a period of about eighteen months, when he accidentally cut his knee with the ax. which prevented him working away from home ; however, while at home he built a kitchen for his mother, remained at home for about one year, when he formed a partnership with Perry Creager and engaged in the grocery and dry-goods business in Horatio, where they also bought and sold grain, which business they followed for about eleven years, meeting with good success ; they sold out to Perry's brother, but one year later Mr. Lecklider purchased the property. He moved on his mother's farm and farmed for three years, after which he removed to Horatio, where he has resided ever since, working at all kinds of work, carpentering, plastering, buying grain, etc., and, in fact, is never idle. He celebrated his marriage on the 19th day of September, 1861, with Lizzie Werts, an accomplished daughter of Christian and Mary Werts ; she was born in Mercer Co., Ohio, on the 6th of September, 1840 ; she has taught school four years ; her parents reside in Mercer Co., Ohio. Mr. Reck has accumulated a handsome little fortune by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife, connected with correct and temperate business habits. They are active workers in the cause of relio-ion, being members of the Presbyterian Church of Gettysburg ; three children have been born to them, of whom one is living, viz. : Ira W., born on the 13th of January 1868. The shadows of two great afflictions have rested upon the family hearth-stone during the past ten years - that of little Noah, a bright and promisinglittle boy of 6£ summers, who came to his death by a stick of wood falling on him, killino- him instantly ; Estella, an interesting child of 18 months, was called to join her angel brother in that beautiful summer land. Mr. Reck is not a political aspirant, refusing all offices offered him.

JOHN RECK, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg. He is a son of John Reck, whose biography appears with Michael Reek's, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams Co., on the 27th of February, 1814 ; lived with his parents and assisted his father on the farm during the summer months, and attended subscription school a part of the winter, till he was in his 14th year, when he, with his parents, emigrated to Ohio, locating in Darke Co., Adams Township, while at that time there was not a schoolhouse in the township, and during the summer of 1830 he assisted in the erection of the first schoolhouse, and completed his course of studies in the same, although he did not have the opportunity of attending the school as much as he desired, as he was compelled to assist his father in clearing and preparing the soil for cultivation ; he remained at home, helping his father to open up the farm, till he was 23 years old, except at times he would assist his brother Michael in carpentering. On the 5th day of January, 1837, he celebrated his marriage with Isabell Belew, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 13th of January, 1819 : after his marriage he erected a hewed-log house on Sec. 31, a tract of land which his father had given him as his share ; he then moved what little furniture thev had. which consisted of one bedstead and bedding, seven splint-bottomed chairs, one set of cups and saucers, one set of plates, one skillet, two Dutch ovens and a teakettle; the cupboard he made himself, and in fact he made nearly all of his furniture, as he was a natural mechanic ; he then commenced the task of clearing and opening up his farm ; he did not spend much time in hunting, but put all his time in on his farm, although he has killed several deer by torchlight on Greenville Creek. He remained on his farm for a period of about four years, after which he rented his farm and moved to his father's saw-mill, on Greenville Creek, where he took charge of the sawing, which he followed for nearly seven years, when he removed to his farm, where he has resided ever since, and. by hard labor, connected

correct business and strictly temperate habits, he has cleared nearly 100 acres, accumulating a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife, both having passed through the many struggles, dangers and incidents so common to the pioneer of the West ; having fought the battles of a pioneer life bravely, they are now reaping the reward of their labor. They have had a family of six children, of whom three are living, viz.: Isaac, born July 13, 1838; Silas, July 20, 1844; Rebecca, June 12, 1846. Mr. Reck relates a very interesting account of a remarkably large white-oak tree which stood on his farm ; he felled it with his ax, and it took him about threequarters of a day to cut it down, which, when down, measured eight feet through ; from which tree 'he made 730 rails from 7 o'clock A. M. till 4 P. M. Where could there be found a young man at this time who could perform the same amount of labor in a week ? He now owns 160 acres, with good farm buildings, etc.. and has given his children to the amount of about $7,000. Mr. and Mrs. Reck are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are living zealous and consistent Christians, having been members of the church for about forty-two years.

DAVID RECK, retired farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio. Christian Reck, the father of David, was born in Littlestown, Penn.; was married to Sophia Ruker, who was born in Pennsylvania ; nine children were born to this union, six boys and three girls. Mr. and Mrs. Reck spent their days in Pennsylvania ; he died about the year 1806 ; she died about the year 1820. David, the subject of this sketch, is \ native of Pennsylvania, born within seven miles of Gettysburg, on the 14th day of October, 1803 ; was left an orphan when only 3 years old ; lived with his mother until he grew to manhood, working on the farm, taking care of his mother until she died, and attended subscription school whenever the opportunity presented itself, and by close application acquired a good common-school education. Was united in marriage with Miss Ann Maria Lightner, in Adams Co., Penn., on the 5th day of January, 1826 ; she was born in Maryland on the 14th day of July, 1 800 ; he followed farming during his residence in Pennsylvania ; on the 14th day of October, 1839, he started with his family in a two-horse team for the West, bidding farewell, perhaps forever, to friends, old acquaintances and his native country, to seek a home in the Far West, where nature's stillness reigned supreme, only broken by the howling of the wolf and the whoop of the red man ; on the 14th dajT of November*, just one month from the time of starting, he with his little family arrived in Darke Co., Ohio, locating about one and a half miles east of where Gettysburg now stands : rented a tract of land and commenced the task of clearing up a farm ; remained here about three years, during which time he lost his wife, a sad misfortune. On the 23d day of August, 1841, the messenger of death entered this peaceful and interesting family, removing from earth to heaven, the mother of the family, after an illness of eleven da}-s. In 1842, he bought 154 acres in Van Buren Township, where he resided until 1877, after which he sold his farm, and is now living with his children. Six children were the fruits of this union, of whom five are living, viz., Levy, born on the 22d of November, 1826 ; Sophia, born on the 20th of February, 1829 ; Franklin, born on the 18th of January, 1832 ; William, born on the 10th of February, 1835 ; Ann Maria E., born on the 24th of March, 1838 ; Amos, born on the 28th of December, 1841, and on the 23d of March, 1876, left his body and has gone to join his angel friends. Mr. Reck is a member of the Presbyterian Church, connecting himself with the organization in 1874.

JOSHUA ROHR, farmer and fine stock-raiser, Sec. 6 ; P. O. Webster, Ohio. Fredrick, his father, was a native of Batavia, Germany, born in 1801; he emigrated to America in 1820, locating in Maryland ; he married Miss Catharine Arnold, in 1826, in Maryland; in 1828, they came to Darke Co., locating where his son Joshua now resides, which at that time was a dense forest ; they remained there till February, 1864, when the}' removed to Miami Co., where Mr. Rohr came to his death by a saw-log rolling off the wagon, which caught his leg, crushing it horribly, so that amputation of his limb was necessary, from which he never recovered, only surviving 36 hours after the amputation - this occurred on the 25th day of June, 18(54. Catharine, his widow, survived the storms of life till on the 15th day of April, 1878, when she sank peacefully to rest in the knowledge of the immortality of the soul, living with her daughter Catharine in this county at the time of her death. They were the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living, viz.. Joseph. born in 1830 ; Lucy Ann, born in 1832 ; Joshua, born in 1833 ; John, born in 1836 ; William, born in 1838 ; James Madison, born in 1840 ; GeorgeF., born in 1842 ; Catharine, born in 1840 ; all of whom live in Darke Co., except Lucy Ann and George F. Joshua, the subject of this sketch, was born in Darke Co., on his present place of residence, on the 13th day of October, 1833 ; he lived at home till he was four day-, past 21 years, assisting his father in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil dining the summer, and in the winter he would attend the district school perhaps about a week, going in all to school about six months of his life; the first school he attended was taught by Levi Huddle, on the farm of Levis, which was about two miles distant ; when in his 20th year, he, attended about one month, being the longest time he ever attended at one time, also being his last school. When he was four days past 21, his father gave him $2 and told him to go and earn his own fortune, which he did ; he went to Miami County and worked on a farm for two years, and, on the 27th of November, 1856, he celebrated his marriage with Louisa Koster, daughter of Gerhard A. and Anna J. Koster ; she was born in Germany on the 17th of July, 1837 ; her parents were born in Germany, in the kingdom of Hanover ; they were married in September, 1825, and in 1845 emigrated to America in the sail vessel Albert, being fifty-nine days on the ocean, landing in Baltimore ; thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining but a short time, when they moved to Minster, where they remained till the death of Gerhard, which occurred August 25, 1846, when his widow, with her four children moved to Piqua, Ohio, where she resided till the marriage of her daughter Louisa, with whom she resides at present. After his marriage he rented a farm two miles north of Piqua, where he remained three years, and January 1, he purchased the old homestead, which consists of 107 acres, for which he paid $3,500, removing to the same on the 27th of March, 1860, where he has continued to reside ever since, and in 1871, he purchased of Benjamin Overholser 53 acres, joining on the west, making in all 160 acres, nearly all of which is in a good state of cultivation ; he erected a handsome bank-barn, 40x80 feet, in 1874, and in 1875 he erected a magnificent two-story brick house. Mr. Rohr is an admirer of fine stock, taking great pride in the raising of the same. Mr. Rohr is strictly temperate in all his habits, and has accumulated a large amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; six children have been born to them, of whom five are living, viz.: Charles A., born May 18, 1859 ; Anna Jane. born March 5, 1864; Franklin E., born Jan. 11, 1866; 'Ella Bell, born Aug. 4, 1869 : Ida May, born May 23, 1871.

SYLVESTER RYNE ARSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Gettysburg. Abraham, the father of Sylvester, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren Co. on the 27th of April, is]!', lie married Rachel Ball, who is a native of, the. same State and county, born on the 12th of August. 1S17 ; they have seven children living. viz.: Sylvester, Alice (Mrs. Huffer), Emetine, Stroud. Cyrus. Minerva (Mrs. Fonts) and Letha. Mr. Etynearson came to Darke Co. in L836, where he now resides. being 67 years old ; Rachel, his wife, being 62. Sylvester, the subject of this memoir, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren Co. on the 5th of December, 1835 ; he received a good common-school education in the district schools ; he remained at home till he was 21 years of age. assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil ; he then left home and began to work for himself by the month on the farm. which he followed for a period of four years, except three months, when he worked in a flouring-mill, and in four years lie put in forty-four months of hard work, which speaks volumes for his industry and correct business habits; in the four years' work he saved $350 ; however, during this time, he made a visit to Iowa (Mahaska Co.), where he worked on a farm, receiving $15 per month part of the time, and $10 for the other. On the 1st day of November, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 5th Iowa Regiment (infantry), James A. Suvers, Captain of the company, and" Col. H. T. Reid. regimental commander ; he was an entire stranger to all. but approached the Captain with the salutation, " Captain, I have come to enlist in your company." This regiment, when its organization was commenced, in November, 1861, was intended by Glen. Fremont for the protection of Missouri; when it was mustered in at Keokuk, in 1862, the programme was changed and it was sent down to do duty on the Tennessee River ; they joined Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing, and in the battles of the 6th and 7th they lost one-fourth of their number ; and it was in these hard-fought battles that he ever fired an army gun, the first fire being at the would-be destroyers of the Union. Mr. Rynearson, as well as the 15th Iowa V. I., has a proud record ; for three years and a half he, with his company, bore the brunt of battle, participating in many of the hardest fought engagements of the West, from Pittsburg Landing down to the capture of Vicksburg, Atlanta, and all the bloody battles preceding it ; followed Sherman in his conquering march through the heart of the South, and their battle-torn standards bear them witness that they preserved their valor well. Mr. Rynearson entered the company as a private, but, through his heroism, strictly temperate habits, and his intelligence, filled every non-commissioned and commissioned office of the company, returning as Captain of Company C. The original strength of the regiment was 1,038 ; of these only 712 remained on the roll, and only 535 officers and men were present to be mustered out on July 24, at Louisville, Ky. Their several marches, added together, show that during his service he marched 7.898 miles. The company entered the service with 108 men, of whom only fourteen returned home. He was in twenty-two hardfought battles, and was under fire of the enemy from the 9th of June, 1864, until the"2d of September, 1861 ; he participated in every engagement that the company had, every march ; sickness never prevented him from discharging his duty, and" returned home without a scratch from the enemy's bullet, receiving his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, on the 3d of August, 1865. After his return, he followed farming for his father, and in June, 1866, he purchased 100 acres of land near Farmland, Randolph Co., Ind., for which he paid $4,000. On the 13th day of September, 1866, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary Jane Clark, an accomplished young lady, daughter of John and Sarah Clark, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, on the 29th day of December, 1839. In the fall of 1866, he moved on his farm, where he remained until 1870, when he sold his farm for $5,300, and purchased 140 acres in Darke Co., Ohio, Adams Township, Sec. 26. paying $11,000, where he now resides. Mr. Rynearson has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife. They are active workers in the cause ef religion, being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Gettysburg ; he is a charter member of the Masonic order of Gettysburg ; also one of the managers of the Darke County Agricultural Society ; recommended by Gen. W. W. Belknap, who says of him : "lie is a very worthy man, and was a gallant officer of my regiment (15th Iowa), during the war." They have one child, viz., Eddy, born in Randolph Co., Ind., on the 23d of June, 1867.

JOHN H. SCOTT, Bradford, Ohio. Philip Scott, the father of John H, was born in Warren Co.,.N. J., on the 5th day of June 1814 ; was united in marriage with Miss Elnor Beaty, who was born on Staten Island, N. Y., in 1804, and in the year 1862, the death angel entered this peaceful family and removed from earth to heaven a kind and loving mother, who has gone to join the throng of her angel friends. Mr. Scott, came to Darke Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1870, and at present resides with his son, in Bradford; he is a plasterer by trade. Is a Master Mason, being a member of Eagle Lodge, No. 53, Hudson City, New Jersey.

John H. the subject of this memoir, was born in Hudson City, N. J, on the 10th of July, 1847. Lived with his parents, spending his boyhood days in Hudson City, attending the city school till he Avas about 15 years old, thereby obtaining a good common-school education. Left home when he was in his 10th year, to tight the battles of life alone, traveling until he found himself in the State of Kansas, where he remained for about three years, following agricultural pursuits. He then went to Texas, where he engaged in the Government mail service, carrying the mail between Clarksville, Tex., and Washington, Ark., for a period of about fourteen months, after which he returned to Northern Kansas, but only remained there a short time, when he went to Wilson Co., remaining there about six months, after which he started for New Jersey, but changed his course, and went to Springfield, Ohio, where he remained for about one year, and in 1871 he came to Bradford, Darke Co., where he now resides ; has followed plastering in Darke and Miami Counties for about four years. Was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Kendrick, in Winchester, Ind., on the 23d of February, 1873. She was born in Darke Co., on the 20th day of September, 1858; two children were given to this union, viz.: Lilly M.,born September 30, 1874; Nora May, born October 30, 1870.

JACOB SENSEMAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Gettysburg. Daniel, the father of Jacob, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster Co. in 1797 ; Mary, his wife, whose maiden name was Frey, is a native of the same place, born on the 5th of June 1800 ; they moved to Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1825, where he practiced medicine till his death, which occurred in 1835 : Mary, his widow, is living at the present writing, and resides in Pennsylvania, being nearly 74 years old ; they were the parents of six children, of whom four are living, viz., Reuben, Hiram. Jacob and Sarah A. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland Co. on the 22d of October, 1831 ; he spent his boyhood days in Mechanicsburg, Penn., where he obtained his preparatory education in the city schools, after which he entered the academy, receiving a good academic education, and at the age of 18 he commenced to teach school, which profession he followed for a period of about twenty-six years ; he came to Ohio in the fall of 1857, locating in Miami Co., and engaged in teaching, remaining in the county four years, after which he removed to Darke Co., Adams Township, in 1801, where he has resided ever since ; he owns 128 acres of land where he resides, and 180 acres in Cass Co., Ind., the whole valued at $18,480. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine J. Thompson on the 25th of February, 1858 ; she is the daughter of Bonaparte and Justina Thompson born on the 5th of June, 1838 ; two children have been born to this union, viz : Henrietta C, born Nov. 20, 1858 William G., born March 2, 1873; Mr. Senseman has had his full share of township offices since his residence in the county ; he served as Trustee of Adams Township four years, Supervisor two years, and Pike Superintendent one year ; Mr. Senseman commenced life with about $305, and has by hard labor and good management, accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his wife ; they are members of the German Baptist Church.

HARMON R. STAHL, farmer; P. 0. Horatio. Ohio. Jacob K.. his father, was a native of Pennsylvania horn in 1810; came to Ohio with his parents when he was quite small; he married Sarah Limber, who was anative of Pennsylvania, born in 1818; the; wire the parents of nine children, of whom four are living at the present writing. viz., Davis J., Henry J., Ella, Harmon R. Mr. Stahl departed this life in 1861, Sarah, his wife in 1879. Harmon R., the subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio. born in Darke Co., on the 7th of April, 1844; lived with his parents till he was 23 years old, assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil during the summer, and attended the district school during the winter months, thereby obtaining a good common-school education, and on the Ktth day of February, 1807, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Lucy Rudy, daughter of Isaac and Mary Rudy, who was a native of Ohio, born in Darke Co. in 1847. After his marriage, he rented a farm and engaged in farming, and on the 9th of April, 1871, the messenger of death entered the household, removing Luey, his wife, from earth to heaven. Two children were born to this union, viz.. Luella and AdnahL. On the 12th of February, 1877, he celebrated his second marriage, with Estella F. Myers, daughter of Samuel K. and Frances B. Myers, who was born in Miami Co., on the 28th of March, 1858. One child has been born to them, viz., Harry Harmon, born on the 5th of May, 1879. Mr. Stahl now owns and resides on the old home farm. He has been troubled of late with bronchial affections. He has, by his hard labor, accumulated considerable amount of property, in which he has been noblv assisted by his good and amiable wife.

DANIEL SWADNER, farmer ; P. 0. Horatio ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1820 ; was the son of Henry and Eleanor Swadner, who were born in Maryland ; the}* had nine children, viz., Mary Jane, Daniel, Samuel, Sarah Ann. Elizabeth, Clarinda, Lavina. Charlotte and Henry ; Eleanor's father was Jacob Suman. Mr. Swadner was married in 1859 to Margaret Bobo, born in 1822, daughter of John and Elizabeth Waltz, and was born in Montgomery Co. ; her father, John, was born in Maryland, and her mother in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Swadner was a widow, being first married to John Bobo, by whom she had one child, viz., John L., who is now living. Mr. Bobo died in 1851, while crossing the Plains on his way to California. The}7 are parents of two children, viz., Henry A. and Samuel F. Mr. Swadner moved to this county in 1869, upon the farm he now lives upon, consisting of 80 acres ; when he came here, there were about 20 acres cleared ; now he has 55 acres cleared and in good cultivation, and has put up all the buildings, having a good two-story frame house and good barn, and other buildings for convenience and comfort. Mr. Swadner is one of those who has had to make his own fortune, starting without capital, but by industry and diligence in business, has a good farm and a competency for comfortable living. Mr. Swadner is a member of the Reformed Church ; has belonged to same some forty years; his wife belongs to the Lutheran, having joined them about forty years ago, also. Thus, while we here see one who has made a good record, in the work of acquiring property and the comforts of life, we also see a long service in the church, and their example will stand as a bright and shining light for their children's children for ages to come.

JOHN TILMAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; Section 28 ; P. 0. Greenville. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, born in Preble Co. on the 16th of July, 1816 ; spent his boyhood da}*s on his father's farm, receiving his education in the subscription schools in the unique schoolhouses so peculiar to those days. On the 26th of July, 1838, he celebrated his marriage with Thisby Snyder, who was a native of New Jersey, born on the 18th of May, 1817. In 1838, he moved to Darke County, locating in Neave Township, on a tract of land consisting of 160 acres which his father gave him, which, at that time, was a dense forest ; he erected a log cabin, moved in and commenced the herculean task of clearing and opening up a farm, and in a few years the mighty forest had disappeared, and in place of the "little log cabin" a beautiful brick house now stands erected at a cost of $1,500, also a barn 40x60 feet erected at a cost of $800 ; he added 160 acres more, making in all 320 acres with 240 acres under a good state of cultivation. In 1869, he purchased his present place of residence, 156 acres, at a cost of $7,304 : he has cleared about 40 acres since his residence here ; he now owns 470 acres, 1 50 in Adams Township, and 320 in Neave, the whole valued at $36,000, all of which he has made by his hard labor, connected with correct business and temperate habits. In the spring of 1 843, he lost his wife, after an illness of three years ; twochildren were born to them, of whom one is living, viz.. Anderson, born March 26, 1841. In 1846, he celebrated his second marriage with Margaret Daughterty, who was a native of Ohio, born on the 7th of September, 1818 ; four children were the result of this union, of whom three are living, viz. : Nancy A., born April 21, 1848 ; Martha and Cellia (twins), born Dec. 5, 1S50 ; Humphry D., born April 2, 1856 ; and on the 16th of March. 1879, the angel of death entered this peaceful family, removing Mr. Tilman from earth to heaven ; she was a loving mother and a devoted wife. Mr. Tilman is not a church member, but knonw as an honest, upright man.

WILLIAM VOGT, merchant, Gettysburg, of the firm of Martin & Vogt. who -have just received the largest and most complete stock of groceries ever brought to Gettysburg, also a complete stock of choice cigars and smoking tobacco, with -a large variety of notions and hardware. William is a son of Henry Vogt, who is a native of Darke Co., Ohio, born on the 25th of February, 1857 ; he spent his boyhood days in Gettysburg, where he received a good common-school education ; at the age of 17, he went to Louisville, Ky., where he clerked in a grocery store for a period of about two years and a half, alter which he returned home, where he has remained ever since. In the spring of 1879, he was elected Constable, which office he still holds. He is a member of the National Guards, Co. G, 3d Regiment : Mr. Vogt is a live, energetic, thorough-going business young man ; he is not a member of any church organization, but lives in his own soul's freedom, thinking, reading and acting for himself, keeping the golden rule in view.

HENRY VOGT, the father of William, is a native of Germany, born in Hesse on the 17th of August, 1817 ; spent his boyhood in Germany, where he obtained a good education in the German ; in 1848, he, in company with his brother John, emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore on the 9th of May, after a long and tedious voyage. On the 23d of August, 1848, he celebrated his marriage in Baltimore with Margaret Cohn, who is a native of Germany, born on the 28th of May, 1824 ; in 1849, they started for the West by rail as far as Cumberland, Md., when his wife took passage on the stage-coach for Pittsburgh, while he walked to Brownsville, a distance of sevent3r-five miles, where he boarded a steamboat and met his wife in Pittsburgh, and on his arrival he found that their baggage had been left at Cumberland by mistake ; so he returned to Cumberland, and obtained the baggage, which he sent through by stage, while he returned to Brownsville on foot, from which he returned to Pittsburgh by steamboat, where he joined his wife, after which they took passage on a steamboat for Cincinnati, Ohio, where she remained one week, while he went to Dayton by stage, from where he walked to Darke County, arriving in Gettysburg on the 13th of April, 1849 ; his wife came through with his brother-in-law on the 17th ; he rented a house, moved in, and commenced housekeeping, he working around by the day and month at all kinds -of work for about two years, when he hired to work in the tanyard in Gettysburg by the month, receiving $15, and boarded himself ; after four months, he then received $20 per month, working for about two years, when his wages were raised to $1 per day; at the expiration of two years, he became a partner in the business, operating till March, 1860, when he traded for the tannery, which he still owns ; he now owns 51 acres of land in Sec. 24, Adams Township, but resides in Gettysburg on his own property. Mr. Vogt had but little of this world's goods when he started in life, but by hard labor, industry and correct business habits, he has accumulated a considerable amount of property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and industrious wife ; he has been identified with the township offices, viz. : Served as Pike Superintendent one year, Supervisor one year, School Director one year, and a member of the Town Council two years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church ; they are the parents of nine children, of whom four are living, viz., Christian H, Augustus H. William. and Louisa.

JOHN WEAVER, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg, Ohio. Elijah, his father, is a native of Virginia, born in 1820 ; Sarah, his wife, whose maiden name is Elmore, was born in Miami Co., Ohio., in 1833; he came with his parents to Ohio in 1821. locating in Highland Co., near where New Petersburg now stands ; he resided about five years in Highland Co., after which he came to Miami Co., where he lived eleven years when lie moved to Darke Co., in 1837, where he has resided ever since; they are the parents of six children, viz., Andrew, John, Henry, Charles.

Jennie, Anna Bell ; Henry, the father of Elijah, was born in Virginia, on the 22d of November, 1793. He married Susan Winters, who was born in 1793 ; Peter Weaver, the father of Henry, laid out the town of New Petei'sburg, in Highland Co.; Henry, Elijah's father, departed this life on the 22d of November (being his birthday), 1865, Susanah, his wife, in 1866. She had a very remarkable dream a short time before her husband's death, in which she was warned of the death of her husband, also of her own, which was to occur just one year after her husband, and in one year and two days from that time, she sank peacefully to rest. John, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke Co., on the 24th of September, 1852 ; he spent his boyhood days on his father's farm assisting in the cultivation of the soil, receiving his education in the district schools ; when he was 18 years old, he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked for Peter Bolander in the fruit-tree nursery for about six months, after which he returned home and rented -6 acres of his father and engaged in the fruit-tree business on his own hook, and at the same time worked on the farm, which he followed for a period of about two years, meeting with good success ; he followed buying and selling cordwood, which he hauled with team for one season, after which he concluded to take in a partner for life. On the 15th of April, 1875, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Hattie A Butt, daughter of Simon and Lovina Butt, who was born in Darke Co. on the 28th of January. 1852 ; after his marriage he rented his fathers farm and engaged in farming, where he resided for about two years, after which he moved on his father-in-law's farm, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Weaver is a young man of good moral habits, a live, energetic, thorough business man, and, with the help of his good and amiable wife, has accumulated some property ; one child has been born to them, viz., Simon Homer, born on the 5th of November, 1879.

DAVID G. WENRICH, farmer and dealer in agricultural implements ; P. 0. Bradford, Miami Co., Ohio ; was born in Adams Township, Darke County ; is a son of David and Elizabeth (Grubb) Wenrich. David was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Jan. 1, 1816, and was a son of Thomas and Esther (Brandt) Wenrich. Thomas Wenrich was born in Berks County and his wife in Dauphin Co., Penn. ; being poor folks, they hired out their son David to work at farming, until, in his 17th year, he went to learn the cabinet and carpenter trade, which he followed till nearly 21 years of age. Having a desire to see the Western country, he then took a trip to Ohio, landing at Dayton, where he made a short stay ; he then went to Salem and worked at his trade for about six months, when he went to Miami County, near Covington, and worked as journeyman at his trade for one year. In the mean time, his parents immigrated to Miami County, and located where Bradford, in part, now stands. On the 1st of March, 1838, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Grubb, who was born in Miami Co., July 22, 18 IS, by whom he had eight children - Mary, born in Miami Co., Oct. 10, 1839 ; Hettie. Jan. 8, 1842, and died in 1866, leaving one of her two children ; John, Feb. 6, 1844 ; Levi, born in Darke Co., Oct. 7, 1846; David, Nov. 25, 1849 ; Malinda. May 5. 1852 ; Martha, Oct. 31, 1854 ; Isaac, Jan. 27, 1858. Our subject always lived at his native place, the farm which his father and family cleared up, with the exception of 15 acres ; they have now a very desirable farm of 160 acres, of which about 106 acres are in a good state of cultivation. David G. followed teaching in public schools for ten winters ; is one of the original proprietors of an agricultural store in Bradford, owning a halfinterest in the same, which he runs in connection with the home farm, of which he has entire charge. His marriage withAllie Babylon was celebrated Dec. 28, 1875 ; she was born in Miami Co. Jan. 7, 1851, and is the mother of two children - Sherman Byron, born Sept. 15, 1876 ; Chloe Bell, Jan. 2. 1880.

LOYD BROWN, farmer ; P. O. German. The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent farmers of German Township ; was born in Baltimore Co., Md.. in 1807 ; he is the son of Nicholas Brown, who was also a native of Maryland. Our subject was raised on a farm, and early acquired the art of farming which he has successfully practiced all his life. His minority was spent at home assisting in the duties of the farm, after which time he set out on his own responsibilities. For a time, he farmed the homestead on shares. He was united in marriage, in Maryland, to Miss Rachel Miller, who was also born in Baltimore Co. They emigrated to Ohio soon after their marriage and located first in Harrison Township ; after remaining here about three years, he came to the place where he now resides and where he has ever since lived. By dint of hard labor and habits of industry and economy, he has put himself in the possession of several fine, well-improved farms. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of eight children, all of whom grew up to mature years ; since then, death has visited four of them. The others are located on farms near the homestead.

G. M. CALDERWOOD, physician ; P. 0. German ; the subject of this memoir was born in Butler Township, in September, 1849 ; he is the son of J. R. and Jamima (Otwell) Calderwood ; his father was born in Montgomery County, Nov. 6, 1821, and came to this county when quite young ; he is one of the prominent citizens of the county, and a millwright and carpenter by occupation ; his wife is a native of North Carolina, born near Goldsboro the 13th of April, 1825. Our subject was raised on a farm, assisting in its duties during the summer, and devoting his winter months to the acquisition of knowledge in the common schools, till he was 18 years of age, at which time he entered the union school at Greenville ; at this latter place he spent one year, and subsequently entered the profession of teaching ; this he followed successfully for a few years, employing his leisure time in reading medicine, which he continued till the winter of 1872, when he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati. He first began practice in Adams County, Ind. ; at the end of about six months he located in Bradford, Ohio, where he remained in practice about eighteen months ; his health being much impaired at the end of this time, he retired from active work for a period of six months. April 12, 1875, he formed a partnership with Dr. Jobes, of Palestine, which continued about seven months, when Br. Jobes was elected to the office of Probate Judge of this county ; after the partnership was dissolved, he continued the practice here in his own name ; he has, b}' careful attention to his professional duties, built up a large and increasing practice, and is one of the promising young physicians of the county. He was united in marriage Aug. 5, 1872, with Miss Isabella Reed, at the residence of Rev. McConnell, of Greenville ; she is a Dative of Versailles, Darke County, where her father has been engaged in the dry goods and grain business for about half a century. Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood are the parents of three children - Rhoda, Jimie (who died when eight months old) and Carl.

GORDEN CLOYD, farmer ; P. O. German. The subject of this memoir is a native of this county, born in German Township in 1 822 : he is the son of the pioneer James Clo}Td, who was perhaps the first permanent settler in the township. He was born in Virginia in 1780 ; when but a mere lad he emigrated to Ohio, at the breaking-out of the war of 1812, and he gave his services in the defense of his country ; he was stationed a portion of the time at Port Greenville. He was at this latter place when the children of William Wilson were murdered within sight of the block-house, and was one who assisted in their burial. At the close of the war, he remained in the county, and married Miss Elizabeth Norftsinger, the daughter of Andrew Norftsinger, one of the first settlers in the county, who came to the county previous to the war of 1812, and erected a block-house in Neave Township, and remained there during the war. He was a " man of the chase," and delighted in hunting. James Cloyd was a member of the first grand jury that ever met in the county ; after his marriage, he first settled on the prairie southeast of the present town of Palestine ; from there he located on land now owned by David Wilcox ; he remained here about sixteen years, in which time he prepared much of the farm for agricultural uses, which was all in the woods when he entered it ; he then disposed of this farm with the intention of emigrating to Illinois, but after visiting this latter place he returned satisfied to spend the remnant of his days in German Township ; he then entered a quarter section just west of Palestine, on which he erected a house and passed the remainder of his life. He died May 26, 1872, at the ripe old age of 81 years 10 months and 11 days ; thus passed away a pioneer and a soldier, lamented by all who knew him ; he had a sympathetic heart and a charitable spirit, and many a needy neighbor was made glad by his charities. His wife survived him only a few years, her death occurring June 17, 1875, at the age of 76 years 3 months and 6 days. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, four of whom are still living. Our subject's early life was devoted to such labor as the frontiersman was accustomed to do ; he availed himself of what educational opportunities then offered, often going a distance of two miles through swamp and thickets to school. At the age of 20, he went to Preble County and engaged as a laborer on a farm ; he remained here five years, and then located on the place where he now resides. He was married in 1846 to Miss Julia A. Woodniansee, a native of Butler County; her father was an early settler and prominent citizen of the township, having frequently had the offices of Trustee and Justice of the Peace conferred upon him. Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd are the parents of four children - Edward, Elmira, Flora B. and Sampson. They are members of the M. E. Church, and are leading exemplary lives.

JAMES N. EAKINS, farmer ; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir is a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of .the Township. He was born in the township Aug. 15, 1855, and is the son of George Eakins, and grandson of the pioneer Benjamin Eakins. Benjamin Eakins came to this township immediately after the close of the war of 1812 and located on the land where our subject now resides. His first house still stands a monument of early days. He passed through with all of the privations and hardships incident to frontier life, sharing its trials and triumphs, and died at a ripe old age honored by all who knew him. Our subject was early left an orphan by the death of his parents, and was then taken and raised by his uncle, Wash Brown. He is now engaged in farming which has always been his occupation, and is one of the promising young men of the county. Dec. 31, 1876, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Thomas, who was born and raised in New Madison. She is also a descendant of early pioneers of Harrison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Eakins were the parents of two children, one of whom has been taken from them by the messenger of death.

SOLOMON FKANK, retired farmer ; P. 0. German, Ohio. This gentleman was born near Wheeling, W. Va., April 12, 1817, and is the son of Stephen Frank, a native of New York State ; when quite small, he emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, with his parents ; his father deceased when he was a small boy, thus leaving him without the comforts or benign influences of a parental home ; this misfortune early threw him upon his own resources ; he engaged at the occupation of la ruling,* hiring out, until he was 18 ; at this age, he began the coopering business, which occupation he followed for upward of twenty years. In 1840, he came to this township and located in the town of Palestine, where he pursued his usual vocation. He has been married twice ; his marriage with Miss Acca Parent was celebrated Dec. 15, 1842 ; her parents were early settlers of this township, and their biographies occur under the sketch of I. D. Parent. Mr. Frank and family, together with a large circle of acquaintances, were called upon to mourn her death, which occurred March 29, 1861 ; she was for many years identified with the cause of religion, being 'first a member of the M. E. Church, and, at her death, of the U. B. Church ; her life was an exemplary one. and her death a loss which the church and community both felt. Mr. Frank was united in marriage the sec ond time, Feb. L6, 1862, with Mrs. Sarah A. (Crisler) Leas ; she is a native of Preble Co., Ohio. Six children were born to the first union, one of whom deceased when quite small ; the rest are all living ; one child was the fruit of the last union, which died in infancy. Mr. Frank has devoted his latter years to farming and superintending his farm. Mr. and Mrs. F. are both active members of the I". B. Church of Pleasant Grove, and are leading exemplary lives.

REUBEN GrOENS, farmer ; P. (.). German ; was born in South Carolina, Sept. 1, 1830, and is one of the early settlers of this section of the country ; his father, Henry G., was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Ohio with his family in 1833, locating in German Township, near Palestine ; he is the father of nine children, and has been married three times ; he is still living, at the age of 72 years, hale and hearty. Our subject lived with his parents till he was 8 or !» years, of age, when he went to live with Benj. Stanton, a Quaker, of Newport. Ind., now known as Fountain City ; with this man and in this vicinity he spent his boyhood days. While here he became an enthusiastic co-worker with the Friends - who were as a class severely opposed to the system of slavery - in assisting fugitive slaves to escape into Canada ; he entered heartily and earnestly into the work while yet a boy, and many slaves owed their freedom to his assistance. The Friends had formed a secret society, the object of which was to aid the refugees to escape. They established a " Court of Inquiry " to avoid being deceived by impostors, their purpose being to assist only those who were fleeing from bondage. In this court, our subject often sat and listened to the sad tales of the fugitives, till he formed an intense hatred against the " cursed institution of slavery," and determined to render, with anj' and all sacrifices, whatever assistance he could to the " runaways. " As they would find their way to Newport, he would drive them over to what was known as the " Greenville Settlement," making the trip after night to avoid detection ; from this latter place, they were helped into Canada, After he had grown up to majority, he had a strong desire to visit Canada, and see how those whom he had aided in their " flight for freedom " were prospering under their new surroundings. To this place he found his way, and here met many whom he had helped in their escape. He remained here for a year or more and then returned home. In the mean time, he was engaged on the lakes as a laborer on a boat, and also on the Canada Southern R. R. At this time, there were no educational opportunities provided the colored race in Indiana. Recognizing the necessity of educating the slaves who found their way here, the Friends, assisted by other charitable persons, erected a Manual Labor Institute in Randolph Co., Ind., just across the line from the Greenville settlement. Into this enterprise our subject entered with enthusiasm and assisted in clearing the ground and erecting the building, and has since rendered what aid he could to the institution. Prof. Tucker was employed as teacher tor about twenty years, during which time the school prospered greatly, and the good which has flowed from it to the colored race can never be estimated. Those have been educated here who have since occupied seats in Congress, and hundreds are scattered over the South and elsewhere to-day. giving to others the knowledge which they acquired at this institution. Mr. Goens is now filling the position of Trustee for this university, which is still accomplishing much good. Mr. 0. has been married twice ; his first marriage was with Miss Mary Clemens, who deceased in 1852; she was the granddaughter of James Clemens, the first settler in this part of the county ; his second marriage was consummated with .Miss Emily A. Smith, also a granddaughter of James Clemens ; Mr. G. has since been chiefly engaged in farming, though he has dealt to some extent in stock. In 1864. he gave his services for the defense of his country, being placed in the 45th Penn. V. I. ; they were located at Washington City near Gen. Lee's farm till April 15, 1865, when they were ordered to the front ; he participated in the battles around Petersburg and Richmond, and was present at Lee's surrender ; they were then sent into Texas, where they remained till they were honorably discharged, the last of September. 1865, at Brownsville, Tex. ; he then returned home b}r way of the Gulf and Mississippi River to Cairo, 111., and from there bjrailroad. Mr. and Mrs. Goens are the parents of five children, two of whom are dead ; the living are Robert C, Rufus W. C. and Russell V. Mr. G. may be regarded as one of the self-made men of this township ; beginning with no capital., he has struggled up with the assistance of his wife against misfortune and adversity to take a place among the thrifty and enterprising farmers of the township.

H. L. HILL, retired farmer ; P. 0. German. Mr. Hill is one of the few remaining pioneers of this county ; he was born in York District, South Carolina, the 1st of February, 1815 ; is of Irish descent; he is the son of William E. Hill, whose father, William Hill, came from Ireland. William E. was born in Frankstown, Washington Co., Md.. April 9, 1772 ; though of Irish birth, the first language he lisped was German, that being the prevailing language of his native town ; his parents moved to South Carolina when he was quite a small lad ; his father, was one of the patriots during the great struggle for American freedom, and took an active part in it ; near the close of the war, when the British and Tories held possession of South Carolina, and were visiting the patriots with merciless severity and cruelty, murdering hundreds in cold blood, they called at the house of Mr. Hill, thinking to find and dispatch him as they had many other brave men, but Mr. Hill was at his post of duty repelling the bloodthirsty murderers, and the}' failed to find him ; not being able to ascertain his whereabouts from Mrs. Hill, equally patriotic, and his daughter, they attempted to extort the desired information from William E., then a lad of about nine summers, by hanging him ; this they did several times, punishing him most severely, but to no avail ; thus failing in their purpose, they proceeded to plunder the house, taking out the feather beds and scattering the feathers to the winds. William E. Hill's bo37hood was spent upon a farm, but quite early in life he turned his attention to the cai'penter's trade, to the construction of cotton gins and cotton screws chiefly ; being raised in a Slave State, his early training was such as to lead him to look favorably on this system of servitude, but his nature never could endure to see the slaves cruelly used ; atone period in his life, he was called near Charleston to erect a cotton gin for Rambert, one of the largest slaveholders in the country ; every evening those slaves who failed to perform the daily task imposed upon them by their cruel master, were taken to the whipping-post and unmercifully wmipped ; their agonies from this could be heard all night through, and Mr. Hill gave it as one of the most painful periods of his life, although he was allowed the comforts and luxuries of the splendid Rambert mansion. In order to obtain a place among the higher class of society, Mr. Hill was obliged to purchase some slaves and become a slaveholder ; this purchase proved a financial disaster to him, which misfortune led him to seek a more congenial clime, and in the fall of 1817 he emigrated to Ohio, locating on a school section about three miles west of the present town of New Madison. Here he purchased a lease for $1, with about seven acres cleared on it ; here, on this piece of land, he and his devoted wife spent the remnant of their days, and now their bodies lie interred on the same soil. He combined with farming the occupation of cooper and loom manufacturer, and his looms are yet to be found over this county,, relics of pioneer life. Although not much given to the " chase," he had one which ended in a remarkable fruition. In company with two of his neighbors, John Downing and Thomas Mecum, one winter morning, when the ground was covered to an unusual depth with snow, over which a strong crust had formed, he spied seven deer, and gave chase with dogs ; the snow so impeded the progress of the deer that they all soon fell victims to the eager dogs. Mr. Hill was married to Miss Sarah F arris in South Carolina, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 8th day of March, 1780 ; she emigrated to America when only 12 years old, with her parents, settling on Fishing Creek, York District, South Carolina. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. J I ill. and all grew up to years of maturity but three, who died in their infancy. Mr. Hill deceased in April, 1848, his wife surviving him till June, 1855, when her death occurred. Thus we record the death of two more of the early pioneers of this county. During their lives, they were successively members of three religious denominations, viz., Presbyterian, United Brethren and Universalist. Our subject was only 2 years old when he came to this county ; his early life was not much different from most of the pioneer boys ; the log cabin constituted his home and the wilderness his surroundings ; povert}' was the most constant companion of his youth, and frequently has he been tucked under the bed while his only shirt was receiving a vigorous application of soap and water. The first teakettle used in the family was purchased for $3, and his mother spun flax and tow, at 12^ cents per dozen cuts, to pay for it. The domestic wear of his sisters consisted of home-made goods, made of cotton filling and flax chain, the cotton being carded and spun by hand ; these goods, colored in various hues, constituted their Sunday costume. The first calico di-esses introduced into the neighborhood, by a family from Kentucky, were objects of no little interest to the community, and the family that had the audacity to make such a display of finery as this ran no little risk of being ordered to leave the county or don the home-made goods ; it was looked upon as a dangerous custom, not to be allowed with impunity ; this feeling, however, soon wore off, and the fair daughters of the forests were allowed to indulge in the luxuries of a calico dress ; the first dress of this make introduced into the family of our subject was purchased of Shadwick & Co., of New Paris, at 25 cents per yard, and paid for in home-made goods at the same price ; this served as a passport into the higher class of society. Financial circumstances did not improve materially till Mr. H. grew up to manhood and was able to perform considerable manual labor. At the age of 21, by agreement previously entered into, his father deeded to him 80 acres of land, one-half swamp and one-half timber ; this was his first earthly possession. About this period, March 16, 1837, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kunkle, who was born in 1815, in Bedford Co., Penn., and came to this county with her parents when only 3 years of age, locating in Harrison Township ; her mother is still living, at the ripe old age of 86, in the possession in a remarkable degree of all her faculties. After the marriage of Mr. H.. he moved to his land. then all in the wild state ; hard work and perseverance were demanded of them both to meet the exigencies of their surroundings ; these were heartily furnished. Mrs. H. performing her part at the spinning-wheel and loom, in addition to the usual domestic duties ; after they had been struggling against poverty and its -concomitants for some time, Mrs. Hill's mother bequeathed them $250, the savings of her own small earnings, $218 of which were in silver half-dollars ; with this Mr. Hill started for Fort Wayne, Ind., on foot, a distance of ninety miles, to enter land, and succeeded in entering 148 acres in Allen County ; at the end of seventeen years, he disposed of his first farm and purchased 160 acres in (xernian Township, Sec. 27, where he has since lived ; he subsequently added to this by the purchase of 268 acres; in 1870. his estimated worth was $20,000, the accumulation of his own exertions, assisted by his wife. At this period of his prosperity a great financial calamity befell him, which was doubly severe because of the manner and source from which it came, it being security and forged notes to the amount of $12,000 ; for him and his devoted companion to have the fruits of their lives' toils and sacrifices thus unlawfully snatched from them was a bereavement most keenly felt, and on his family it fell with equal weight. Mr. and Mrs. H. are the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and are the grandparents of twentyone children ; one son, the youngest and oldest daughters, and live grandchildren have died. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Universalist Church at Palestine. BALSEll HORN, farmer; P. O. Hollandsburg. Mr. Horn was born in

Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 2, 1811 ; he attended school till he was 14, when he served an apprenticeship of two years at the cooper trade and one year at brewing ; he then traveled till he was 20, at which time he was called in for service in the Hessian army ; by contributing to a general fund which was kept for the purpose of hiring substitutes, the sum of 95 guilders - nearly $40 - he was released from further obligations to the army. On the 4th of April, 1832 he embarked on a sail vessel at Bremenhaven for America, and was landed at Baltimore, Md. on the 4th of June, being 60 days on the voyage ; he soon found his way to Penn., where he engaged in teaming for a time ; he came to Ohio Oct. 25, 1833, and located in Fairfield County, where he at once began coopering ; he was married Oct. 23, 1836, to Miss Nancy Kanney, a native of Maryland. She came to this State in 1825, her parents preceding her about one year. Soon after the marriage of Mr. H. he began the occupation of farming, which he has ever since followed with eminent success ; he disposed of the farm which he possessed in Fairfield County, and came to this county Aug. 30, 1849, locating in Sec. 30, on 123 acres which he purchased ; since then by industry and economy he has added to this till now he has a farm of 273 acres ; on this he has erected one of the finest brick residences in the Township, and has put the farm under the best modern improvements ; he is one of the self-made men of this country. When he landed at Baltimore, he had in his pocket only 37 cents, all his earthly possessions. Though he landed with an empty purse, he was possessed of an indomitable energy and perseverance which served him well then and has ever since been his guiding genius. Mr. and Mrs. H. are the parents of nine children, of whom four have deceased ; two sons and three daughters are still living ; all have attained to majority. Two daughters have been united in marriage, one living at home, the other in Minnesota.

SQUIRE JEFFERIS, farmer ; P. O. German. The subject of this memoir, Squire Jefferis, was born in German Township, Darke Co., Ohio, June 26, 1828 ; he is of English descent ; he lived with his parents until he attained to his majority, assisting in the duties of the farm, which then consisted largely in removing the forests from the land, preparatory to farming ; his winter months were devoted to the acquisition of knowledge in the common schools, which were then after the pioneer style ; he attended his first school in the second schoolhouse erected in the township, which stood on Sec. 13 ; his first instructor was Milton Moore ; by close attention to his books, he qualified himself for the profession of teaching, and taught his first school in 1850. in what was known as the " James Daily District," in German Township ; the building in which he taught was only 16x18 feet, and his average daily attendance forty ; he was recompensed for his arduous labor at the rate of $15 per month, boarding himself ; he followed teaching during the winter months for a period of ten j^ears, and for five summers during this time engaged in the manufacture of brick, the balance of the summers were spent in farming. In 1858, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Brown, daughter of John and Mary Brown ; after his marriage he moved to Washington Township, and engaged in farming ; in the same spring, he was elected Constable of the township, to which office he was elected for four years in succession ; he lived with his wife about six years, when they separated and broke up housekeeping ; one child was born to this union, viz., Ida Jane. For several years subsequent to this, he had no permanent home. On the 9th of February, 1869, he was united in marriage to Martha M. Butler, of Randolph Co., Incl.; she is the daughter of James and Elizabeth E. Butler ; the same spring of his marriage, he moved to German Township, locating on Sec. 3, where he has since lived ; three children are the fruits of this union, a son and two daughters. The chief occupation of our subject has been farming, though he has dealt to some extent in stock for the last fifteen or twenty years ; in 1872, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and served a term of three years, discharging the duties thereof, with commendable zeal and satisfaction to his constituency ; he is the son of Darlington L. and Mary Jefferis. Darlington L. was born in Virginia, Oct. 25, 1796 ; in

1798. his father moved to Fayette Co., Penn., where they lived until 1806 ; at this time they emigrated to Ohio and Located in Butler Co.; at the end of two years, they moved to Clinton Co.; in 1820. Darlington L. left the parental roof, to try his fortunes in the wilds of Darke Co.; he first made his home with Peter Kimball, in Washington Township, and the same year entered 160 acres of land in German Township. His marriage with Miss Mary Potter was celebrated the following year. 1S21 ; she was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Drew) Potter, natives of New .Jersey, and early pioneers of this State, coming herein 1816. Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Jefferis, he erected a log cabin on his land, into which he moved and began life in earnest ; by his indomitable energy and persevering industry, being ably assisted b}' his noble wife, he soon made the wilderness "blossom as the rose ; " by good management he added to his farm, until he subsequently had in his possession over 500 acres of fertile land, under excellent improvement ; he is still living on the farm he entered sixty years ago. There were born to Darlington L. and Mary Jefferis, ten children, viz.: Rebecca, deceased in infancy : Julian, deceased at the age of 13 ; Job D., married to Caroline Coble ; Squire, subject of this sketch; John, deceased at age of 3 years ; Milton M.. married to Louisa Chenoweth ; Mary A., married to Samuel F. Armstrong ; Joshua, married to Sarah J. Ware ; William H. H. died at the age of 22, at Nashville, Tenn., while in the service of his country in the late rebellion ; his remains were brought home and buried beside his friends gone before ; Elizabeth, married to William H. Mills. Darlington L. Jefferis is a son of Job and Rebecca (Long) Jefferis ; Job J. was born in Chester Co., Penn., June 9, 1776, and married Rebecca, daughter of Owen and Lydia Long, Dec. 10. 1794 ; she deceased fouryears after their marriage, leaving a son, Darlington L.. the father of our subject ; his second marriage was consummated with Rebecca Vail, whose death occurred shortly after ; a daughter was born to this union, Catherine, who subsequently married Ivan Ward, and moved to Jay Co., Ind. Mr. Jefferis married Elizabeth Nichalson for his third wife, who died Oct. 19, 1856 ; three children were born to this uni >n - Job E., Joab and Hannah. Mr. Jefferis was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1808, where he lived until his death, which occurred dan. 1. 1846 ; he was the son of William and Hannah (Darlington) Jefferis. William J. was born in Chester Co., Penn., May 12, 1729, and united in marriage in 1752, to Hannah Darlington, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Darlington. Abraham Darlington was born in Darnhall, Cheshire, England, and emigrated to America when a young man. William and Hannah J. resided in Bradford, Chester Co., Penn., until their death ; they were the parents of twelve children, viz.: Jane, born Oct. 20, 1752, married to Frederick Wolf; Elizabeth, born April 15, 1754. married John Hickman ; Rachel, born Aug. 14. 1755, married to Griffith Roberts; Hannah, born April 7, 1757, married to David Harris; Rebecca, born Aug. 18, 1759 ; William, born Sept, 5, 1761, married to Ann Woodward and Martha Mendenhall ; Abraham, born Feb. 22, 1763, married Martha Way and Ann Carter; Agnes, born Sept. 2, 1764; Job, born June 9, 1766, married Rebecca Long and others ; Lydia, born May 17. 1768, married Jacob Aughee ; Mary, born Dec. 10, 1770 : Martha, born Feb.'l7, 1773. William Jefferis was a son of William Jefferis. Sr., and Elizabeth Jefferis. William Jefferis, Sr., was born in Delaware Co., Penn., about the year 17<H), and was married in 1724 to Elizabeth, widow of John Xield. and daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bing ; after residing for several years in Delaware Co., they moved to Chester Co.. where they Lived until their death ; they were the parents of the following children : Mary, born July 29, 1727. married William Marsh ; William, born May 12. 1729. married Hannah Darlington : Martha, born March 8. 1731. married William Bennett ; Nathaniel, born Jan. 8, 1733, married twice, persons unknown: Hannah, married John Hunt: Samuel, born Dec. 6, 1736, married Margaret Townsend; Nathan, born July 6, 1741, married Penninah Strode. William Jefferis. Sr., was a son of Robert and Jane (Chandler) -Jefferis. Robert Jefferis was born about the year 1670, and emi- grated to Chester Co., Penn., as early as 1685 ; it is supposed that he was born in England ; he was married in 1693 to Jane, daughter of George and Jane Chandler, who came from Wiltshire, England, in the year 1689. They were the parents of the following children : Patience, married to Henry Betterton ; Charity, married to John Evans and John Cope ; William, married in 1724. Elizabeth Neild ; James, married in 1827 Elizabeth Carter ; Robert, married to Eleanor , and Elizabeth ; George, married to Lydia ; Jane, married to Joseph Skeen ; Anne, married to Alexander Duncan ; Mary, married to Thomas Temple. Robert Jefferis was married the second time, and there were born to this union, Benjamin, Thomas, John, and Richard.

M. M. JEFFERIS, farmer ; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir is a native of this township ; born within one-fourth mile of where he now resides Jan. 8, 1833 ; he is the son of D. L. Jefferis, whose sketch appears in the memoir of Squire J. ; he was brought up to farm labor and remained at home till his marriage, which he celebrated with Miss Louisa Chenoweth, April 6, 1855 ; the marriage ceremony was solemnized by A. Hiller, J. P. ; Mrs. J. is the daughter of Thos. F. Chenoweth. whose sketch appears in those of Washington Township ; after his marriage, he located where he now lives ; he has a well-improved farm of 160 acres, under a good state of cultivation ; he has erected on it the finest twostory brick residence in the township, and has with it all the conveniences which could be desired ; he is no office-seeker, but has been elected to the office of Township Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. J. are the parents of twelve children - Franklin W., born Jan. 18, 1856, deceased July 31, 1863 ; Orlinda, Jr., April 6, 1857, deceased Aug. 4, 1858 ; Victoria I, Jan. 7. 1859, recently married; Laura Ellen, March 12, 1861, recently married ; Mary J.. Sept. 9, 1863 ; Lorinda A., May 21, 1865, deceased Sept. 21. 1871 ; Chas. T., Aug. 8, 1868 ; Emma C. E., Jan. 6, 1871 ; Flora May, Oct. 2, 1872 ; Elmer D., June 24, 1874 ; Edward F., Nov. 18, 1876 ; Homer L., March 21, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. J. have their connection with the Universalist Church at Palestine.

JOSHUA JEFFERIS, farmer ; P. 0. German. Joshua was born in the house where he now resides, October 15, 1837 ; he is the son of D. L. Jefferis whose sketch appears in another place ; our subject was reared a farmer boy, assisting in the duties of the farm during the summer and attending the common schools during the winter months ; he has always lived on the homestead place, which he began cultivating on shares in 1863, since which time he has been farming on his own account. He was united in marriage with Miss S. J. Ware, January 10, 1867 ; she is the daughter of Jacob Ware, whose sketch appears in another part of this work ; she was born in the township June 20, 1849 ; Mr. Jefferis is identified with the Republican party, to the principles of which he is a zealous advocate ; Mr. and Mrs. Jefferis are members of the Universalist Church at Palestine, and are living consistent lives. They are the parents of three children, viz., William Ellsworth Grant, born March 24, 1868 : Marvin Ravmond, November 5, 1877 ; Lona Alma. May 13, 1879.

SAMUEL KERST (deceased), Mr. Kerst was one of the most prominent farmers of this township ; he was born in Berks Co., Penn.. November 24, 1811, and was of German descent; he was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Kerst, both natives of Pennsylvania ; when quite a small boy. he suffered the loss of his parents by death, he then went to live with his uncle at Reading, Penn,; while here, he enjoyed the advantages of the schools of the place ; he was raised principally upon a farm, and early became acquainted with the art of farming, which he followed with signal success the remainder of his life. In 1837, December 26, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Ann M. Moj-er, the marriage ceremony being solemnized by Rev. William Pauli ; Mrs. Kerst was born in Pennsylvania, and is the daughter of Hemy and Sarah S. Moyer, both natives of Pennsylvania. Immediately after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kerst, they emmigrated to Ohio, halting for a short time on a farm in Montgomery Co., near

Germantown; in March, 1838, they resumed their westward journey till reaching German Township, where they located on Sec. 13 ; here Mr. Kerst purchased the farm consisting of 166 acres, on which Mrs. Kerst now resides, and where he passed the remnant of his days in agricultural pursuits ; he died honored by all who knew him, March 23, 1872, leaving a large circle of friends, an affectionate wife and loving children to mourn his departure and revere his memory. Mr. Kerst was a faithful member of the German Reformed Church for many years before his death, and died in the triumphs of his faith ; in his death, the community lost a useful citizen, the church an exemplary member, and the family an affectionate husband and loving father. Mr. and Mrs. Kerst were the parents of seven children - two sons and five daughters, all of whom are living (1880); their names are as follows : Morgan V., Sarah Ann, Ackie E., Angeline, Evan M., Caudia C. and Hattie M.

GEORGE KESTER, farmer and wagon-maker, P. 0. German. The subject o this memoir was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, near Germantown, in 1809 ; he is of German descent and is the son of George Kester, Sr., who was born in Pennsylvania in 1777, and emigrated to Ohio in the beginning of the present century. The older Kester remembered having seen George Washington at his father's private inn, in Pennsylvania. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Julia Ann AVolfe, a relative of the famous soldier, General James Wolfe. When he came to Ohio, he settled in Montgomery Co., near Da}Tton. The westward march of civilization had then just reached Montgomery Co., and he constituted one of its early settlers ; he served as a soldier in the warof 1*812 for a period of six months, and was atFt. Greenville when the Wilson children were murdered by the Indians ; he in company with one or two others gave the murderers chase ; a favorite dog of Mr. Kester, previously trained, leadinc them on their track ; he would most probably soon have overtaken the villians and brought them to justice, but for the fear of the Captain of the garrison who ordered them back to the fort. In February, 1837 he came to this county and settled in German Township, on the southwest quarter of Sec. 14, on a part of which a portion of Palestine has since been built ; in March, 1838, he met with a severe and what afterward, through the negligence or rather ignorance of the attending physician, proved a fatal accident ; he was a great lover of the chase, and, while out on a fox hunt with several more, he received a kick from the horse of David Ketring. which completely shattered the lower bone of his leg ; from the effects of this he died in the following May ; his wife died, when our subject was about 8 years old, with a rose cancer on her face ; she was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence in her day, having received a fine German education. Mr. and Mrs. Kester were the parents of fourteen children. Our subject's early life did not differ much from that of many other boys in the early period of the settlement of this county ; he remained at' home till 16 years of age, devoting his time with his father on the farm ; at this age, he worked three months on the Miami Canal, which was then in the process of construction, and th completion of which was looked to with great anxiety, some believing that it would prove an invaluable blessing to the country, and many others that it would prove equally as great an injury ; he was then apprenticed to the wagon-maker's trade, and served a term of two and a half years ; he then pursued this occupation for several years as a journeyman, setting up on his own responsibility, first at Sunbury, in 1833. May 1 0th, 1835, he was united in marriage with Miss Eve Frank, and on the 20th of the same month he. accompanied by his wife, started to this county to improve a piece of land which he had previously entered ; the journey was made by team and required two days ; he began at once to erect a log house, but before completing it the privations necessarily connected with it proved too severe, and lie was prostrated with sickness; after he recovered, he returned to Montgomery Co. with his team, after some household goods which he could not bring on the first trip : while here, lie was again prostrated with sickness, and thus becoming somewhat discouraged with his new home in Parke County, he was easily persuaded by his friends to remain in his native place and resume his former occupation ; this he did till April, 1838, when he again moved to German Township, locating on the east half of his father's farm, which he subsequently purchased for $2,000, the amount paid for the whole quarter a few years previous by his father ; at his father's death he administered on the estate, and then made the purchase above referred to ; he remained on the farm till about nine years ago, superintending it and at the same time carrying on his shop in Palestine ; he formerly dealt largely in fine blooded horses, his opinion being regarded as that of an expert on such horses ; about nine years ago he moved to Palestine, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Kester are the parents of six children, three of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Kester died in 1855, lamented by all who knew her ; Mr. Kester gave his second daughter a collegiate education, at Oxford, Ohio ; she subsequently engaged in teaching, and was united in marriage to Capt. Moore, of Greenville. Mr. Kester consummated his second marriage with Viola Mikesell ; two children, a son and daughter, have been born to this union ; the son is married and had two children, one of whom hae deceased ; he is much given to instrumental music, and is at present (1880) a member of the " Palestine Brass Band."

DAVID KETBING, retired farmer ; P. 0. German ; another of the early pioneers of the county, coming to German Township, with his parents, in 1818 ; he was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1808 ; he is of German descent, his father being a native of Germany and his mother of Pennsylvania ; his parents settled on land about one mile south of the present site of Palestine, in 1818 ; they then constituted one among the first families of the township. Our subject was brought up to pioneer life, and was early inured to its hardships ; he assisted his father on the farm till his death, which' occurred in 1829 ; he then took charge of the homestead and rendered support to his mother till her death, which occurred in 1845 ; he then inherited the home place, which he continued to farm till 1865, when he disposed of it and went to Bandolph Co., Ind. ; at the end of eleven years, he returned to the place where he now resides ; he celebrated his marriage with Miss Martha Brant June 3, 1830 ; she is a native of Preble Co., Ohio, and came to this county when only 6 months old, making her home with Jonathan Pearson, one of the first settlers in the township. Mr. Ketring has witnessed the changes wrought in this section of the count}" by the unflagging industry of man for upward of sixty years. He has seen the wilderness " blossom as the rose " and bring forth a hundred-fold. Mr. and Mrs. K. are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz., Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Ellen and Jonathan (twins, now deceased), Malinda, Phebe Jane, Benjamin F., Clarissa, Martha. ; they have all attained to majority and are all married but two.

MICHAEL LINDAMOOD, farmer ; P. O. Weaver's Station. The subject of this memoir was born in Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1806 ; he was the son of Jonathan Lindamood, who was a native of Pennsylvania ; he emigrated to Ohio in the beginning of the present century and located in Montgomery County. Our subject was reared a tiller of the soil, and, besides assisting in the duties of the farm, he gave some attention to the carpenter business. In 1828, he celebrated his marriage Avith Miss Sherick, in Montgomery County ; she was born in Perry County, in 1808, and at the age of 18 she accompanied a family to Montgomery County, with whom she made her home till her marriage, returning once in the mean time to her native place on a visit. Mr. Lindamood engaged in farming for a few years after marriage, in Montgomery County, and then moved to this county, locating on the southeast quarter of Section 24, German Township ; the difficulties incident to frontier life at once confronted him ; his farm was, with the exception of a few acres, yet clothed in the habiliments of nature, and unflagging perseverance was demanded to prepare it for the plow and cultivator ; by dint of hard labor this was soon accomplished, and a fine farm was the reward. On Sept. 5, 1869, death's messenger summoned Mr. Lindamood to " that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns ; " he departed in peace, his life's work being clone, leaving many friends, an affectionate wife and loving children to mourn his departure and revere his memory. Mr. and Mrs. Lindamood were the parents of children, one dying in infancy, the rest growing up to years of maturity ; three of ten the daughters died after their marriage, leaving families of children ; it will be seen that death has frequently broken into this family circle, taking away an affectionate father and husband and four children. Mr. Lindamood was a member of the Lutheran Church and lived an exemplary life.