Allen Township (part 1 of 3)

Allen Township

AT the time of the organization of Union County, the territory now comprising Allen Township was embraced in Union Township. In 1822, when Liberty Township was formed, this territory was then mostly embraced therein, and thus remained until June 5, 1827, when, at a meeting of the Commissioners of Union County, it was agreed " that a new township be set off to be called Allen Township, to be bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of Liberty Township, thence running with the east line of said township north six miles; thence running west to the west line of said Liberty Township; thence south to the line between Champaign and Union Counties; thence east with the said Liberty Township line three miles to the corner; thence south with the said line of Liberty Township to the northwest corner of Union Township; thence east with the north line of Union Township to the beginning." Levi Phelps, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners,

The earliest surveys in the territory embraced in this township were made in October, 1797. The surveys are as follows: Surveyed for Henry Whitning 740 acres, Survey No. 102, June 6, 1813; Walter Dun, D. S. Surveyed, Decembers, 1823, for Charles Simms, ],200 acres, Survey No. 158; James Galloway, D. S. Surveyed, June 8, 1806, for James Denny, assignee, 300 acres, Survey No. 1,502; James Galloway, D. S. Surveyed, September 28,1799, for John Hefferlin, 100 acres, Sui'vey No. 2,598; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, November 4, 1797, for Richard Stephenson's heirs-at-law to Hugh Stepheusondeceased, 1,000 acres. Survey No. 2669; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, November 1, 1797, for Peter Manifold, assignee, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 2,833; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, October 30, 1797, for Samuel Wallace, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 2,875; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, October 23, 1797, for Lucas Sullivant, assignee, 1,300 acres. Survey No. 2,979; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, November 26, 1797, for John Mumford Gregory, 800 acres. Survey No. 2,980; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, November 26, 1797, for Andrew Torborn, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 2,981; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, November 26, 1797, for Andrew Torborn, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 2,983; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, December 20, 1797, for William Carter, 1,000 acres. Survey No. 3,151; Lucas Snllivant, D. S. Surveyed, December 20, 1797, for Henry Baumgaitner, 200 acres, Survey No. 3,156; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, April 10, 1799, for Richard Stephenson, 800 acres. Survey No. 3,163; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 28, 1799, for Obadiah R. Harrison, 200 acres, Survey No 3,241; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 17, 1799, for Lucas Sullivant, 1,000 acres. Survey No. 3,681; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 11, 1799, for George McCrider, 100 acres. Survey No. 3,697; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 17, 1799, for James Wilson, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,741; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed September 17, 1799, for James Wilson, 200 acres. Survey No. 3,742; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed September 30, 1799, for Lucas Sullivant, assignee, 200 acres. Survey No. 3,748; Lucas Sullivant, D.

S. Surveyed, Septembei* 30, 1799, for Lucas Sullivant, 200 acres, Survey No. 3,748; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, September 30, 1799, for James Coleman, assignee, Joseph Flipps, Rowland Estes, Lucas Sullivant, assignee, and David White, assignee, 600 acres. Survey No. 3,749; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed September 28, 1799, for George Custard, 100 acres. Survey No. 3,752; Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed, December 12, 1805, for the representatives of Lewelling Jones, 1,100 acres, Survey No. 4,814; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, November 5, 1807, for Peter Manifold, 481 acrec3, Survey No. 4,610; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 15, 1809, for John Hays, 200 acres, Survey No. 4,880; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed May 1, 1806, for Thomas Sears, 500 acres, Survey No. 4,933; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, July 22, 1809, for Zadoc Bailey and James Cropper, 120 acres, Survey No. 6,295; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, March 5, 1811, for Rice Haggard and Nancy, his wife, 866f acres. Survey No. 7,022; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, October 26, 1813, for Anthony Walke and Abridgeton Jones, 3,337 acres. Survey No. 7,822; Walter Dun, D. S. Surveyed, November 1, 1815, for Walter Dun and Nathan Haines, assignees, 500 acres. Survey No. 8,565; Walter Dun, D. S. Surveyed, February 5, 1819, for Walter Dun, assignee, 200 acres. Survey No. 9,796; Walter Dun, D. S. Surveyed June 17, 1823, for John Evans and William Withers, 140 acres. Surveys Nos. 12,242 and 12,262; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, January 11, 1825. for Walter Dun and George Clark, assignees, 82 acres. Surveys No. 12,081 and 12,744; Walter Dun, D. S. Surveyed for John Guthrie, 320 acres, Survey No. 4,606 - a part of said land is in Logan County. Surveyed for James Galloway, 360 acres. Survey No. 5,746. Surveyed

Surveyed for N. Bailey, 120 acres. Survey No. 6,295. Surveyed for Mazy Vance, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 12,308. Surveyed for H. Massie, 40 acres, Survey No. 14,602. Surveyed for James Galloway, 260 acres, Survey No 15,809.

Early Settlers

This township was the fifth in date of organization in Union County, and although from its geographical position it was not settled as early by several years as the southern townships of the county, yet settlers entered this territory quite early, and after the first settler located within its boundaries he was followed by others in rapid succession; and within the period of fifteen years from the time of the location of the first settler the township of Allen was quite thickly populated. The township is located in the southwestern part of the county. It is bounded north by Liberty and Paris Townships, on the east by Paris, on the south by Union Township and Champaign County, and on the west by Logan County. Just who was the first settler within the precincts of this territory it is difficult now to ascertain, as there were several who located here at nearly the same time. We have, however, concluded to commence our pioneer list with the name of Henry Vangordon, who, if not the first settler, was one of tl)e first. He was a native of Pennsylvania, married Catharine Carter, emigrated to Ohio at an early day, came to Allen Township and settled on Buck Run, on land now owned by Jacob Leonard, it is believed, about 1820. Subsequently he removed to Illinois, where he died. His childi'en were as follows: Henry, married Eliza Spain, became a minister in the United Brethren Church, and moved to the West; Samuel and Mary (twins), the former is deceased, the latter married Philander Spain, and now resides in Illinois; Elizabeth and Charles, died in early childhood; George, removed to the West, and Wesley was killed by a falling tree when a child. Mr. Henry

Vangordon was one of thirteen voters at the first election after the township was constituted; also one of the first Trustees, and its fourth Treasurer.

Daniel Allen, a native of Pennsylvania, married Rachel Burwell, and about 1813 emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Madison County; about 1820-21, came to Allen Township, where he settled and I'emained until his death, being killed by falling from a load of oats and breaking his neck, in 1832. The township was named in honor of him. As a man and citizen, he was highly esteemed and respected; was one of the first thirteen voters, and one of the three first Trustees; was an earnest and devoted Christian and a class leader in the church. His children were as follows: Mary, married David Reed, and subsequently removed to Iowa, where she died; Jonathan, married Roanna Talbot, and also died in Iowa; Betsy Ann, married Uram Carpenter, and now resides in Logan County, Ohio^ Samuel, Isaac and Wilson, all removed to Iowa, where they married and settled.

Isaac Allen, a brother of the above Daniel Allen, early removed to the State of New York and married Theresa Andrews. In the fall of 1811, they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Pike Township, Madison County. In 1829, he removed to this county and settled in Allen Township, where he resided till his death, in 1863. His wife died in 1860. Of their children - Romanta, married Anna Mather, and removed to Iowa, where he died; Lury, married Alvin Wilcox, and subsequently removed to Indiana, where she died; Phebe, married William Mather, and now resides in Iowa; Mira, married Chistopher Wilbur, is now a widow and lives on the home place; Nathan B., married Margaret Mather, and now resides in Iowa; Emily, married Warren Lathrop, is deceased; Harriet, manned Michael Mullen, and removed to Iowa, where she died; and Caroline, who died in infancy.

Jonathan Burwell, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Allen Township about the same time with Daniel Allen. He married a Miss Yangorden and had the following children: Ephraim, Rachel, Eleanor, John, Sarah, Phebe, Catharine, Elizabeth and Anna. Mr. Burwell died in summer of 1829. He was one of the first thirteen voters.

Southard Mather, a native of Maryland, came with his father's family to Milford Center, Union County, Ohio; there he married Perlina Rice, and settled in Allen Township about 1822-23. Subsequently he removed to Iowa, where he died. He was also one of the first thirteen voters, and the first Clerk of Allen Township.

Moses Bedford, it is believed, was a native of Virginia; emigrated to Ohio and first located at Milford Center, where he followed shoe-making. Finally, he married Betsey Southard, settled on Buck Run, and was one of the thirteen who voted at the first election in 1827. Subsequently he removed into Champaign County.

William Epps, a native of Virginia, settled in Champaign County, Ohio, about 1806-9, locating north of North Lewisbiu'g, near the line of Union County. About 1825, he settled on the Shepherd Clark farm in Allen Township, where he remained till his death. Mr. Epps was one of the thirteen voters at the first election. Of his children were Richard, John, William, Joshua, Thomas, Hamilton and Sarah.

William W. Haines was born at Chillicothe in 1801, and in December of the same year, with his father's family, removed to Logan County, where he resided till about 1818-20, when he came into Union County, and settled in this township, remaining a resident till his death in 1850. He was one of the thirteen to vote at the first election of the township. He married Atlantic Grubbs, by whom he had the following children: Oliver P., who married Eve McCumber, and is now a resident of DeWitt County, 111.; Dorcas Ann, mar- ried J. W. Smith, and resides in Illinois; Solomon, died a young single man; Levi, never married and died at thirty years of age; Amos, married Hannah Snuffin, she died and he is now a widower; and William O., married Hester Gibson and now resides in Illinois.

Jesse Haines, a brother of the abcfv^e William W. Haines, married Delilah Bay less, and siabnequently settled in Logan County, where he resided till his death.

William Asher was a native of Culpeper County, Va. , where he married Betsey Sharp. In 1800, he emigrated with his family to Ohio and settled in Ross County; thence about 1803-4, removed into Logan County; thence removed to Champaign County, and finally, about 1823, located in Union County, Allen Township, on the same place where his son now resides, and remained in the same neighborhood till his death, in 1847. He and his son John constituted two of the thirteen voters at the first election. His children were as follows: Polly, married William Austin; he died, and she married Joseph Stokes, she died in Logan County; Sallie, married Bunyan Parker, and died in Champaign County, Ohio; John, married Deborah Ray in 1826, and resides on the old home place, where he and his companion have now resided fifty-six years; Malinda, married John P. Reed, a native of Maryland, who, with his father, Samiiel Reed, settled in Union Township, this county, in 1802; John P. Reed and wife settled on Buck Run, on land now owned by Thomas Stillings, about 1825. About 1848, they removed to Iowa, where Mr. Reed died; subsequently she married Israel Reed; he is deceased, and she is now a widow residing in Colorado. Jeremiah married Rachel Austin and settled at W^est Liberty, Logan County, where he was a merchant many years and where he died. David married Jane McClung, a daughter of Isaac Mc- Clung, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in this township about 1835- 38. David and wife settled on the Darby on the Snuffin farm, but subsequently removed to Auglaize County, where his wife died; he again returned to this township, and about 18(38 married Maria McClung, and is now residing on the old McClung farm. Harriet married Alvin Gano, and is now residing in Iowa. William died in childhood.

William Milligan, a native of Pennsylvania, with his family emigrated to this county, and settled on the Darby, on the Henry Clark farm, about 1824- 25, where he resided several years. He was a tanner by trade, and finally settled in North Lewisburg, where he built a tannery and carried on the tanning business through life. He died at North Lewisburg. His children were Samuel, William, Rupe, Jesse, Morgan, Amos and Eliza. Mr. Milligan was one of the thirteen mentioned so often; the first election of the township, and several succeeding ones, were held at his house.

Samuel Milligan, a brother of the above, married a Miss Van Wye after settling in this township. He located on the same tract of land with his brother William, where he resided till his death. He and his wife had no issue. Mr. Milligan was a man of excellent character and much esteemed by all who knew him.

Nimrod Garwood was another one of the thirteen voters at first election, but we did not learn his nativity or the exact year of his settling here; it is cei-tain, however, that he was an early settler, and a leading man in the organization of the township. He was one of its first Trustees, its first Treasurer, and Township Clerk from 1828 to 1831 inclusive.

John Paver, a native of Maryland, married Elizabeth Wagoner, a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1802. In 1829, he removed with his family to Union County, settled in this township on the place where his son John now lives, and here resided till his death, in 1851, aged seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1848. Mr. Paver began in the woods and endured the full hardships of pioneer life. He was the father of nine children - James married a Miss Meredith, of Hardin County, Ohio, and resided in that county till his death; Thomas married a Miss Davis, of Tennessee, where he first settled, and the last known of him he was living in Louisiana; Elizabeth married Abraham Leonard, of Pickaway County, Ohio, and is now deceased; Sarah married William Davis, and is deceased; Anna and Mary died young; Cynthia married Alexander Davis, is deceased; and John married Maria Poling, and resides on the old homo place.

Abraham Leonard, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Pickaway County, where he married Elizabeth Paver, and in 1827 removed to Union County, settling on land now owned by John Paver, Survey No. 2,983. On this place he resided till his death. May 5, 1853. His wife survived him and died January 14, i860. Their children were Mary Ann, who died while young; Susanna, married Abraham Spain and resides near North Lewisburg; Rachel, married Willis Epps, he died and she married James Groe; Dorety died young: James, married a Miss Huff, and now resides in Champaign County; Jacob, married Jane McGill; Martin, married Lina Wagoner, and both are deceased.

Hollis Amy settled here in 1829, and married Prudence Williams. Mr. Amy died at North Lewisburg about 1876. They had two children - Elisha and Nancy; the latter married a Mr. Burnham, and resides in Champaign County.

Amos A. Williams married Eleanor Stewart, and settled here about 1827-28. He suffered the loss of one foot from being run over by the cars ; it was amputated, but he lived only a few weeks after the surgical operation was performed, and died October 23, 1855. His wife died January 14, 1860. Their children were as follows : Elisha, died in childhood ; Mary, also died young ; Erastus, died in infancy, July 29, 1833, and was the first body buried in Buck Run Cemetery ; Hannah, died at fifteen years of age ; James, married Americus Stewart ; Malinda, died in infancy ; William, died in the army in the war of the rebellion ; and Stephen, the youngest.

Alvin Wilcox, a native of the State of New York, emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, at an early date, and in the spring of 1829 settled in Allen Township. He married Lucy Allen, resided here several years, thence removed to Illinois, thence to Iowa, and subsequently to the State of Missoiiri. They had the following children : Elizabeth, Theresa, Cynthia, Isaac, Mira and Joel, who were born in this county ; and Mary, Anna, Jeane and Eleanor, born in Illinois.

Luther Wood, a native of Connecticut, born March 31, 1799, emigrated with his father's family to the State of New York, where his father died. In 1820. he removed to Ohio and settled in Union Township, where, in 1823, he married Rosanna Cochren, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1829, he located in Allen Township, where he resided till a short time before his death, when he removed into Jerome Township and resided one year; thence removed to Piqua, Ohio, where, six weeks after, he died, in August, 1867. His widow still survives, aged eighty years, and resides with her children. Unto them were born the following children : Kingsley, who married Hannah Coe ; she died and he married Mary Smith ; again death took from him his companion, and he married Elizabeth Spencer, who is also deceased, and he is now a widower and lives at Piqua. William C. married Maria Mc Williams. Lucinda married William McWilliams and resides in Piqua. Algelana married Alfred

Mitchell ; he died, and she married James D. Robinson. James married Josephine Reed ; she died, and he married Anna Myers ; and Mary Ann married Nathaniel Ryan ; he is dead and she is now a widow.

Matlock Stokes, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Loo-an County at an early day, where he married Rebecca Snuffin, and about 1828-30, settled in the west part of this county, in Allen Township. Here he resided only a few years, and removed to West Liberty, Ohio, whei'e he and his wife both died. Of their children, Matilda died young, and Wesley resides in Logan County.

William Snuffin, a native of New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio when young, married a Miss Connor, and about 1830 settled in this township, on the place where Chester Clark now lives, and here resided several years, but finally moved to the West.

William Inskeep, Jr.. a son of John Tnskeep, one of the early settlers of Logan County, Ohio, married Mary Stokes, of Logan County ; settled in this township, on the tract of land where Hiram Inskeep now lives, and there resided till his death, in September, 1845. His widow still survives and resides with her children. Mr. Inskeep was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Allen Township, and was honored with many of the township offices. In 1838, he was elected Treasurer of the township, which office he held, continuously, by re-election, to the time of his death. He was the father of the following children - Louisa, who died voung ; Hiram, whose biographical sketch appears in this volume ; Matilda Ann, married John Harrison, is now deceased ; Olive, married William Crary, whose sketch is also in this work ; William Elbert ; and Victoria, who married Walter Bales.

Elisha Cowgill, it is believed, was born in Eastern Ohio. With his father, John Cowgill, and family, he settled in Logan County in 1807, and there grew to manhood and married Polly Bishop. He settled in the northwest part of Allen Township, Union County, about 1827-28, on land now owned by his son, John B. Cowgill. Here Mr. Cowgill opened out in the woods, making the first improvement ever made upon this place, and here he remained through all his active life. In advanced life he sold his farm to his sons, and made his home with his son, John B. , till his death, in March, 1882. His children were, Matilda, Mary, Nancy, Betsy, Melissa, Jemima, John B. , Aaron and Jonathan G.

Edward Tyler, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and settled on Big Darby, on land now owned by the widow Abraham, in 1827-28, where he resided till his death. His children were^ Samuel, Alexander, Elias, Hiram and Isaac. The latter became a practicing physician, but is now deceased.

Cornelius Meshon, a native of Kentucky, settled on the McClung place, on the west bank of the Darby, about 1828-29, but after a few years' residence moved away.

John Milligan, a half brother of William Milligan, previously mentioned, settled on the Clark land, on the east side of Darby, about 1828-29. He married Rebecca Dawson, and resided here many years, but finally removed to Van Wert County, Ohio, where they died. Their children were John, Washington, Charles, and three or four daughters, whose names are unknown.

John Dawson, a native of Pennsylvania, settled on land just north of Isaac Brodrick's, where Henry Cline now lives, about 1830-31. He died at the home of his son-in-law, Henry Poling, at Allen Center, about 1877.

Daniel Spain, a native of Virginia, born October 14, 1786, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Champaign County, three miles west of North Lewisburg.

He married Agnes Crowder, and in the spring of 1832 removed to this county and located on a tract of land where his son, Sanford W., now lives. Hnre he commenced in the green woods, "not a stick amiss." About one year after, in 1833, he died, and the work of making a home and a farm devolved upon the mother and her children, who were quite young, the eldest son, John P., being about twenty years of age. In three years after, or in 1836, death again visited their family, and took from them this oldest son. Their other children were Millie, who married Paschal Spain, and is deceased; Sanford W.. married Matilda Wallace. She died and he married Sarah Ann Shirk, and now resides on the old home farm. Dollie never man-ied, and died young; Daniel W., married Sarah Sheneman, and resides east of Sanford W., on a part of the home farm; Clements, married Mary June Tobey, is now deceased; and Levi E., married Lovina Poling, and resides on the north part of the home place. It will be observed in the history of this family that after the death of the father, Daniel Spain, three years had scarcely elapsed when the eldest son died, and the care of the family, the work of making home and paying for their land devolved mainly upon the mother and the next eldest son, Sanford. who was then eighteen years of age. They were in the midst of the wilderness, and the prospect before them was gloomy in the extreme. But with true pioneer courage, with willing hands and hearts, they labored on; obstacles gave way before them, and to day they have a good impi'oved farm, with good buildings and the comforts of life. Mrs. Spain, the mother, died about 1840.

Abraham Holycross, it is believed, was a native of Champaign County, Ohio, and a son of Howell Holycross, a native of Virginia. He married Hester Dunlap, and settled on the east bank of the Darby, in Allen Township, about 1833, and remained a resident of this township till his death. The following were his children: Pearson, Beamer, Kobert, Lucinda, Tabitha, Nancy and Martha. Mr. Holycross was a good, kind neighbor and a respected citizen.

Isaac Brodrick was born in New Jersey October 1, 1802, and at six months of age was brought by his parents to the vicinity of Wheeling, W.Va. In 1813, they removed to Warren County, Ohio, where Isaac grew to manhood and married Hannah Wood, a native of the Red Stone country, in Pennsylvania. In the winter of 1833, he settled in Union County, on the place where he now lives, having made a residence here of half a centiuy. When he located here, he knew but two settlers between his place and Newton, one of whom was James Wilbur, and one located further north. Mr. Brodrick took possession of his land in the woods, and has cleared up and brought into cultivation 100 acx'es; has good buildings and improvements. His wife died April 3, 1876. They raised four children - Mary Ann, who married Richard Wells, she died in April, 1878; Isaac, married Sarah Huff, and resides on the home farm, and has served as Justice of the PeajCe nine years; James moved away, and when the war of the rebellion occurred, was in New Orleans, serving as an engineer on a steamboat, since which nothing has been known oE him; and Hannah Jane, who married Charles Van Wye; she died in the spring of 1878. Mr. Brodrick is now past fourscore years, and has borne the brunt of pioneer life.

Daniel Coe, a native of Pennsylvania, married Mary Gladden, and in the spi'ing of 1833 emigrated to Ohio; settled in this township on the place where his son, Philip, now lives, and here resided till his death. Their children were Philip, who married Elizabeth Woodworth; she died, and he married Louisa S. Smith; he resides on the old home pl^ce, where he has lived since eleven years of age, a period of forty-nine years, and where he has a beautiful home; Joseph married Mary Clark, and now resides in Springfield, Mass.; Moses, married Martha Boal, both are deceased; Hannah married K. L. Wood, is deceas3d; Sarah married John W. Robinson; Elizabeth married Dr. Swain, of Milford Center; he died, and she married L. H. Smith; she now resides with her mother, at Marysville; Mary married R. R. Henderson| and now resides at Minneapolis, Minn.; Jane died unmarried; William died in infancy; Olive G. married W. Simmons Johnson, is now deceased; Martha married Leonidas Piper, is now deceased, and Isabel died in childhood. Mr. Coe was a man of character and esteemed for his many good qualities; was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Ruling Elder in the same for many years.

James Wilbur was born in the State of New York ; emigrated to Ohio and settled in Union County about 1830. He married Sarah Cameron. He first settled on the Williams farm, then took a lease of land ; but about 1836-87 bought a tract of land where he still lives, and has made a continued residence of forty-five or forty-six years. He is the father of the following children : Sarah Ann, who married George Carpenter ; Owen, married Sarah Jane Marsh; Edwin, married Orange Eaton ; Olive, married Randolph Marsh, is deceased ; William, married Mary Welch, and resides in Kansas ; Addie, married Deville Wood ; Zachariah married Addie Allen, and resides on the home place with his aged father, who is aged and feeble, being now eighty-three years of age; and Joseph and Aimed ia. both deceased. IVIr. Wilbur is one of the oldest surviving pioneers of Allen Township.

James Stillings was born in Maryland, May 8, 1785. He married Mary Barnes, a native of Maryland, and in the spring of 1829 emigrated to Clark County, Ohio. About 1834-35, removed to this county and located on the tract of land where Jacob Leonard now lives, where he resided till his death in the fall of 1865. His wife survived him, but has since died. The fruits of their union were as follows : Alexander, who married and settled at Findlay, Ohio ; Thomas mari-ied Somelia Dines ; Catharine married Edward Nugent and resides in Kansas : James is deceased ; William married in Iowa, and now resides in Kansas, having a second wife ; Edward married Mary Smith, of Kenton, Ohio, where he practiced law several years ; is now a resident and practitioner at Lawrence, Kan. ; Timothy married Elizabeth Kelly and removed to Kansas, where he died : John iiiarried Miss Cantwell, she died, and he married a second time ; is now one of the most prominent lawyers of Kenton, Ohio, where he has practiced more than twenty years ; Mary married Joseph Brown and removed to Iowa, where she died in 1882 ; and George, who married Jane Walke, and now resides in Champaign County, 111.

Samuel Marsh was born in West Virginia May 30, 1S09. He married Mary Ryan, and about 1835 emigrated to Ohio and settled in Union County, on the place where he still lives. He purchased this farm of Alvin Wilcox - it then had on it a rough log cabin and about twenty five acres, partly cleared. He had a team, two cows, and $150 in money. He went in debt for the land, and then commenced in earnest the battle for a home and a competency. He subsequently added more land to his tirr^t purchase, till he became owner of various tracts, amounting in all to 716 acres, all of which he paid for by his own skill and labor, and that of his family. He has given the greater portion of these lands to his childi'en, thus giving them a good start iu life. He has reserved for himself ninety-four and one-half acres at the home place, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant farm home. Such has been the life and character of this worthy settler of Allen Township. Mr. Marsh is an active member of t^he Methodist Church, to which he has given, at home and abroad, liberally of his means ; has been a liberal supporter of public schools, and to all general public impi'ovements.

Enoch Morse, a native of the State of New York, settled on the Darby on land now owned by Leister Clark, about 1835, where he lived till his death.

Allen Toavnship

He was a blacksmith by trade, a good neighbor and esteemed citizen. His children were as follows : Enoch, Chauucy, Charles, Christopher. Harriet, Mary. Delilah and Julia.

William Moore, a native of Virginia, settled on the east bank of the Darby, on land now owned by Pearson Holycross, about 1S40, and remained a resident of this township till his death.

The above list embraces most of the early settlers. There are, however, a few about whom we have learned but few particulars. Of these, the following names are of persons known to have been early settlers, to wit : Vandever Reed, Joseph Coberly, George Miller, John Gabriel, Dixon Mitchell, Samuel Ballinger, Alfred Hale, William Smith, Thomas Dodds, James Cochren, W^illiam Hoff, William Rowland, Benjamin Vickers, Thomas Dan, Elijah Kinney, Elijah Burroughs, L. Hibbard and John G. Hibbert.

We now desire to give the history of one more family of this township, not because they were early settlers, but from their remarkable age, and the almost unprecedented length of time that this aged and venerable couple have traveled the jou.rney of life together. Seventy-one years have they shared its joys and its pleasui'es, or buoyed up each the other under its burden of toil and labors, its afflictions and sorrows ! Over "threescore years and ten," the allotted period to mortals given, have they walked hand in hand in the conflicts of life ! And still the messenger of death spares them, and still they are permitted to live among and enjoy the society of their aged but reepected children. This family is as follows :

James Cavender was born in Hillsboro County, N. H. , May 15, 1786, where he married Rachel Buttler, who was born July 4, 1789 ; they were married November 27, 1811. In 18i6, they emigrated to Ohio and located on W^illlam Bales' farm, where they Lave resided to the present time. He has been a farmer by occupation through all his active life. Their children were as follows : Annis, married Joseph Simons, a native of New Hampshire, where they resided most of their lives, and died in their native State : Abraham Holmes, man-ied Elvira Hopkins, of New Hampshire, and subsequently, in 1848, moved to Ohio and settled in Logan County ; thence, about 1850, they removed to St. Paul, Minn., where they now reside ; Jonathan Buttler never married, and died in Kentucky, aged forty-two years ; Sarah married William Bales ; Charles never married, but died at twenty-live years of age in his native State. Mary married Paul Whittemnre, and lived and died in their native State ; E. Burnham married Harriet Laws, and reside ill New Hampshire ; Rachel married Williard Powers, she died ili her native State ; and David, the youngest, married Jane Carley, and now resides in Illinois.

Surface, Streams, Soil, Etc

The surface of tliis township is level and undulating. Along the streams are level bottom lands; in the southern portion is a tract formerly known as the '' Crane Swamp," and another tract in the northeast portion known as the " Bear Swamp." These were formerly very flat and wet, and thickly grown up with trees and an undergrowth of grass and brush that it was impossible to ride through them on horseback. But these, by ditching and draining, are becomi ug the best of cultivated lands, from being at one time the lairs and hiding places of wild beasts. The balance of the township is undulating, with here and there portions that might be termed hilly. The principal stream is the Big Darby, which enters the township from its western border, about midway belween its northern and southern boundaries, flowing in a southwesterly course; it passes out of this township and through the northeast corner of Champaign County, again enters this township, passes in and after a south- easterly course of about two miles aci'oss the southern extremity, enters Union Township. The only other stream or creek of any importance is Buck Run, which rises in the northern central part of the township, and takes a general southeast course, leaving it at its southeast corner and passing into Union Township. South of Allen Centre, it receives Bear Swamp Run, a small creek which takes its rise in Bear Swamp, in the northeast part of the township, courses in a southerly direction and empties into Buck Run as above described. The soil on the bottom lands along the creeks and on some of the low level portions, is a very rich black loam; the balance is a clay soil, and the whole is strong and productive, yielding abundant crops of wheat, corn and oats. The principal varieties of timber in the forests wei'e originally white, black, red and burr oak, elm, sugar maple, and some walnut and hickory; and in the northern part of the township some beech. In the extreme south part of the township, on the farm of Nathan Howard, are what were formerly known as the " Indian Fields," so called from the fact that when the first settlers came into this county, they found the Indians cultivating corn on these lands, they being then clear of all timber or undergrowth. After the Indians left, and prior to the lands being occupied by the white settlers, those fields, once so clear and easily cultivated, had become covered with a thick growth of trees and brush, and it required much toil and labor to clear them up and bring them again into cultivation. When the settlers first came to this section, the forests were full of wild game - bears, deer and wild turkeys - which furnished them with an abundance of good meat; and had it not been for this supply, many a poor man would have been short of rations. One locality, south of Allen Centre, near where Beai' Swamp Run empties into Buck Run, was a notable " deer lick," where the deer congregated in large numbers. Notwithstanding the many disadvantages, hardships and trials which the first settlers had to endure, yet Providence had combined with them many circumstances, which much ameliorated their condition.

The Beltz Grist Mill, located near the Champaign County line and near the Big Darby, was one of the earliest erected mills in the township. About 1820-21, Samuel Hawkins erected a mill on this site, run by water power. After running the mill a few years, he sold the property to Thomas Dunn. About 1835, he was succeeded by Beltz Bros., and from that date to the present time - a period of nearly half a century - the mill has been in possession of some of the Beltz family. Soon after Beltz Bros, purchased the j^roperty, they erected a small distillery, which, after several years, passed out of use. At one time there was a saw mill run in connection with the grist mill, which was erected either by Mr. Hawkins or Mr. Dunn; it continued to supply the neighborhood with lumber until about 1870, when it went out of use. At the present time, Daniel Beltz is owner and proprietor of this mill. Although this mill in its construction was rude and imperfect, yet in that day it was a great blessing and convenience to this neighborhood. It is now out of repair, and has not been in use for about two years.

Wetzel Mill. - Further down the Darby, in the extreme south part of the township, is the Wetzel mill site. Mr. Daniel Coe, probably about 1836-38, erected a saw mill here, and began the work of digging and constructing a race to supply water from the Darby Creek sufficient to run a grist mill. He was two years constructing this race, which cost $1,300. He also laid the foundation for the grist mill, but being unable to complete it, for want of capital, he finally sold the property to Ira Johnson, who then erected the grist mill, and subsequently, or at nearly the same time, built a distillery and a large warehouse; soon after, the whole property was destroyed by fire. But again he erected the buildings, although on a smaller scale. But the undertaking was too much for his tinancial strength, and he failed in business, and the property finally came into the ownership of Williams & Bennett, who also failed, which ended all effort at the distilling business. The grist mill was purchased, at public sale, by Messrs. Howard and Leonard, who subsequently sold the property to Mr. Martin Wetzel; and while in his ownership, in 1856, it was agaiu destroyed by fire. He, however, again rebuilt it, and continued business till the summer of 1882, when he removed the machinery to Uaionville, where he erected a mill and is now doing business.

Finley Saw Mill. - About 1848-50, James Finley built a saw-mill on the Milford & Allen Centre pike, run by steam-power. This mill has. since that date, furnished the principal lumber for that neighborhood. After Mr. Finley had run this mill a few years, and prior to the war of the rebellion, sold the property to Mr. S. B. Childs, who has continued to do business here to the present time.

Pottersburg Saiv Mill. - In 1808, W'illiams & Bennett erected a steampower saw mill at Pottersburg. They were succeeded in its ownership by Smith, Giddings & Co., of Green Springs, Seneca Co., Ohio, who are still proprietors of the same, with D. T. Burr as manager of the business.

As soon as the first settlement had increased to a number sufficient to justify the effort of trying to establish a school, we do not find these worthy pioneers dilatory in taking measures to secure to their offspring these much-needed advantages. It is believed that the first session of school ever held in the precincts of Allen Township was taught by Wilson Reed, in the southeastern part of the township, near Buck Run. in the winter of 1829-30. It was taught in an old log cabin which had been vacated as a dwelling. The next term of school was taught by Amos A. Williams, which was also in a log cabin vacated as a dwelling, but in a different locality from the first, yet in the same neighborhood. The next school was taught by HoUis Amy, in his own house. The first building erected for school purposes was a log cabin situated on the Christopher Wilber land, at the corner where the Milford and Lewisburg pikes meet. This house was erected about the fall of 1832-33, and Amos A. Williams was the first teacher. This house served the purpose till about 1838- 39, when a frame house was erected near where the Buck Run Chapel now standsx This building served as a schoolhouse till the erection of the present frame house, situated on the Milford & Allen Center pike, just south of Buck Run. In a like manner, from settlement to settlement throughout Allen Township, as soon as each neighborhood could support a school, some place was furnished and a school established. The township is now divided into ten subdistricts, with as many good schoolhouses. The enumeration of scholars is as follows:

Soon after the early settlers had gained a foothold in the territory now comprised in Allen Township, they established schools for the intellectual development of their children, and still earlier they commenced to organize churches for the moral and spiritual development of the people.

Buck Run Methodist Ejjiscopal ChniTh. - This was the earliest organized church in the townshij:). It is believed that a class was organized as early as 1825, at the house of Daniel Allen, consisting of the following persons, viz. : Henry Vangordon, liachel Allen. Philena Mather, Daniel Allen, Kate Vangordon, Hamuel Allen and perhaps a few others, with Samuel Allen as Classleader. This class was organized by Samuel Allen, who was a local preach<^r. They continued to hold their meetings first in private houses and then in the schoolhouses until 1853, when the present frame house was erected and dedicated to service by Bishop S. M. Merrill. This society increased and multiplied until at one time its membership reached seventy. But of late it has greatly diminished in numbers \yy death and removal, until it is at present reduced to a class of seven persons; and for the last two years has been without a pastor. During the existence of this society they have been administered to by the following preachers: Revs. Daniel D. Davidson. Samuel P. Shaw, William P. Morrow, Michael Marley, Mr. Brown and liobert Finley. After the erection and dedication of the chuiTh building, they had the following ministers: Revs. Martindale and Taft, J. S. Adair and D. Mann, Henry Wharton and J. T. Miller, J. F. Longman and J. Slocum, William P. Grantham, Henry H. Ferris, G. G. West, S. C. Webster, A. AVilson, Orville J. Nave, H. E. Pilcher, D. G. Strong, and perhaps a few others. The following have been class-leaders: Daniel Allen, Henry Yangordon, Isaac Allen. Samuel Marsh, Christopher Allen, Thomas Long, Randolph Marsh, Uram Marsh, O. B. Converse and George Wilbur.

United Bretlireu Church (Darby Chapel). - About the year 1849, Rev. F. B. Hendricks, from near Cincinnati, organized a class in the old log school house, with the following persons as members: D. W. Spain and wife Sarah Ann, Reuben Moore and wife Perlina, Joseph Moore, and perhaps a few others. Soon after the organization they proceeded to erect a hewed-log house for church purposes, which was completed about 1851. This house served them until 1870, when the present frame structure was built upon the site of the old house, at a cost of about 11,200, it was dedioted by Rev. W. J. Shuey, of Dayton, Ohio. The following preachers have administered to this people: Rev. B. F. Hendricks, Rev. Tobey, Rev. Farber, Rev. J. M. Marker, Rev. S. S. Holden, Rev. Samuel Downey, Rev. D. Zeigler, Rev. Daniel Miller, Rev. William Miller, Rev. W. McGinnis, Revs. Merrit Miller, William Ray, D. A. Johnson, Henrv Tobey, Rev. Kiracofe, Rev. ^^'agoner. Rev. C. Bodie, Revs. H. J. Mulholland, J. Cost, James Wilkinson, J. T. Mahan and R. G. Montgomery. The following persons have been class leaders: Joseph Moon, Reuben Moore, Strange Epps, Hugh Wilson, Clement Spain, Samuel Waddle, William Organ, Fremont Spain and Allen Burroughs. The church now has a membership of about sixty.

Darby Methodist Episcopal C/i ape /. - About 1850-52, Rev. George Harris organized a class at the schoolhoiise, consisting of the following persons: Abraham Holycross and wife Hester, William Holycross and wife Nancy, John Organ and wife Louisa, James Kennedy and wife Ivy, William Holycross, Sr., and wife Amy, Nancy Cline, William Smith and wife Sarah, with Abraham Holycross as class leader. Services were held at the schoolhouse about one year, when they erected a hewed-log house for church purposes on the site of the present church. This house served them until 1870, when they erected the present frame building, at a cost of about $1,200. Some of the pastors have been Revs. George W. Harris, Samuel Brown, J. M. Sullivan, Wesley Webster, Jonathan Verity, N. McDonald, W. N. Williams, D. H. Sargeant, E. McHugh, W. B. Jackson. T. E. Fiddler. H. M. Curry, George W. Kelley, A. W. Bell, J. F. Loyd, George H. Kennedy, D. L. Hayward and W. Q. Shannon, the present pastor in charge. The class leaders have been Abraham , Holycr(;8s and W. H. Crary; the latter being in charge of the class at the present time. The church now has a membership of about seventy-live. During the summer a flourishing Sunday school is maintained with W. H. Crary as the last Superintendent.

Allen Centre Baptist Church was organized at the Allen Centre Schoolhouse in June, 1854, with thirteen constituent members, as follows: Henry Poling, Jonathan Poling, Edith Wells, Jane Smit}\, Owen Wilbur, John Poling, Rachel Lott, Sarah Poling, Elizabeth Poling, Catharine Hale, Edward Eaton, Cyrus Poling, James Harvey, Sarah Ann Poling, George Line and Lewis Jones. Elder George Line "preached the sermon, and Elder James Harvey gave the Right hand of fellowship. The church was organized as "The Buck Run Baptist Church." Rev. Lewis Jones was the first pastor in charge, preaching as a licentiate till in the fall following its organization, when he was ordained and became the regular minister to the church, and continued as such, holding services in the schoolhouse, until May 12, 1855, when the Baptist Church at Milford Centre was organized and this society was removed to that place and united with it. This relation was continued until the summer of 1871, when a re-organization was effected at Allen Centre, known as the " Allen Centre Baptist Church." In the fall of the same year, they cornmenced to erect a frame building for church purposes, which was completedjn the summer of 1872, and the same dedicated on Sunday, September 8, 18^2, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. D. Randall, of Columbus; the pastor in charge at the time was Rev. C. K. Dunbar. The present pastor is Elder Vance.

Protestant Methodist Church at Allen Centre. - In the winter of 1803, Rev. Mr. Plummer organized a class consisting of Lewis Corbitt, George Grove and Samuel Poling, with their wives and several others, and soon after, probably in the fall of the same year, erected a comfortable log house, which was duly dedicated to service. They continued as a society to hold services till about 1875, when they ceased to exist as an organization; the church property was sold and is now the private property of Cyrus Poling. Since then there has been no organization of that name.

Pottersbnrg Methodist Episcopal Church. - In the winter of 1877, Rev. Frank Loyd held a series of meetings in the schoolhouse at Pottersbnrg, and during this time constituted a class consisting of the following persons: Clinton Leonard and wife Nancy, F. J. Robinson and wife Allie F., Mrs. Maiy Ann Burgandine, Samuel Burgandine and wife Jane, Andrew Palmer and wife Nancy, William Robinson, Oliver Grubbs and wife Ruth, Eli Norviel, Willis Epps and wife Sarah, and a few others, with Clinton Leonard, Willis Epps and Eli Norviel as class-leaders. They held their services in the schoolhouse till the summer of 1880, when they erected the present frame house, 28x42 feet, for church purposes, at a cost of $1,200. The house was dedicated to service by Rev. George H. Kennedy, September 5. 1880. The followinc^r ministers have served the church since its organization: Revs. Frank Loyd and George H. Kennedy, who served while in connection with the North Lewisburg Circuit. After the eroction of the church edifice, this society was united with the Newton Circuit, and Rev. John Parlette became their minister; he was succeeded by Rev. Winfield Jaggors. The present minister is Rev. Mr. Little. Present membership, thirty-three, with Clinton Leonard and Samuel Burgandine, as class -leaders. A Sunday school was organized a short time prior to the constitution of the church, which has since been continued and is in a flourishing condition, averaging about fifty scholars in attendance, with L. F. Lary, Acting Superintendent.

The Buck Run Cemetery, near the church, was probably one of the earliest burying places in this township. The first persons buried here were Daniel Allen, who died August 2, 1832, and Erastus Williams, who died July 29, 1833. These grounds contain many of the first settlers. On the Lewisbm'g &Marysville pike is another cemetery, situated on the south side of said pike, a short distance west of Squire Isaac Brodrick's residence. These are the principal burying grounds of this township, although there are two or three other places where one or more persons have been deposited in former days.

February 18, 1869, Andrew S. Mowry sxuweyed and laid out a town on Survey No. 315. for David A. Williams and George F. Bennett, to be known as Pottersbnrg, consisting of twenty-four lots, one main street sixty-six feet wide, and four cross streets, viz.: Front, William, Bennett and Carter, each sixty-six feet wide; the lots all situated on Main street commencing with No. 1, and numbering to 24, with all the odd numbers 1 , 3, 5, etc., upon one side of the street, and all the even numbers, 2, 4, 6, etc., on the opposite side, with alleys in the rear of said lots, each twenty feet wide. The plat and grant of lands dedicated to streets and alleys for public use were duly acknowledged and signed by said Williams and Bennett, and their wives, April 14, 1869, before W. M. Winget, a Justice of the Peace, and tha same recorded May 1, 1869, by James Smith, Recorder of Union County, Ohio.

October 22, 1872, T'homas Cowgill surveyed and laid out fourteen lots with one sti'eet, known as Railroad street, to be an addition to the town of Pottersbnrg; said addition being situated on the north side of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, adjoining the town on the north, and made by W. Armstrong. Said street is sixty feet wide. Lot No. 1 is located at the east side of said addition, and numbering westward 2, 3, etc., to No. 14, with three alleys from Railroad street to the rear of said lots, each sixteen and one-half feet wide; and also an alley in rear of lots of same width; the same being duly ajjpropriated and signed and executed by W. Armstrong and wife, before Gilbert H. Stewart, a Notary Public. Recorded December 17, 1872, Hiram Raney, Recorder, Union County, Ohio.

In the summer of 1868, prior to the laying out of the town, Jonas Cline, a carpenter by trade, erected a saw-mill. He also built the first house, which was for Abel Lary; also, in 1869, he erected a house for himself. Then he erected a store room, 12x18 feet, and filled it with groceries, which was the first store in the town. Mr. B. Andrews was the first blacksmith. In 1869, Capt. Cline petitioned for a post ofiice. He received his commission as Postmaster the same year, and has continued to hold the ofiice to this date (1882). In the spring of 1864, the Atlantic & Great Western Railway (now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad), was completed, and the first train of cars run over the road. Capt. Jonas Cline was appointed ticket agent. In 1872, the railway company built a good depot, and a telegraph office was established here. About this time, Capt. Cline erected a large, two story storehouse, and put in a complete and general stock of goods. Where this town now stands was a dense forest, and before a building could be erected the ground had to be cleared of timber and stumps. Now the town contains about 100 soiils, with one good general store, by Capt. Jonas Cline; one blacksmith, Harry Andrews; one saw-mill, erected by Williams & Bennett, now owned by Smith, Giddings & Co., of Green Springs, Seneca Co., Ohio, and in charge of D. T. Burr; one tile factory, owned and operated by the Crary Bros., who are doing a large business; one church (Methodist Episcopal) ; one two-story frame school - house, erected in 1881-82, with two rooms, in which are employed two teachers; the house cost about $1,400, all furnished complete.

Allen Center

At the location of Allen Center, the first business to be carried on was an ashery, which was erected and run a fetv years by Mr. Joel Everett. Soon after Joshua Eaton purchased five acres of land, and about 1848-49 laid out a few lots with the object of starting a town. A post office was established in February, 1851, with Reuben Foote commissioned as Postmaster. Ransal Smith carried on the cabinet-making business, and Stephen Donahue, blacksmithing. Mr. Barnet Bennett erected a large two-story frame house in 1861- 62, and in one of the rooms placed a small stock of goods, constituting the first general store. He continued business till 1864-65, when he sold out to Jacob Painter, who carried on an extensive trade till the fall of 1875, when he closed out his stock with a series of public sales, and removed to Mississippi. Since then one or two others have put in a few goods, but continued in trade but for brief periods of time. About the commencement of the war of the rebellion, the post office was discontinued. At present, the village contains a few houses, but no business except farming.

This is one of the few townships which has the official records preserved from its organization. The first election, by order of the County Commissioners, was held on October 9, 1827, at the house of William Milligan, at which election were polled thirteen votes, as follows : Jonathan Burwell, Joseph Russell, Henry Vangordon, Moses Redford, William Epps, Samuel Milligan, Nimrod Garwood, Daniel Allen, William Milligan, William Asher, William W. Haines, John Asher and Southard Mather. Reuben P. Mann received eleven votes for Representative. John Reed, nine, and Levi Phelps, four, for

County Auditor ; Cyprian Lee, three, and Stephen McLain, ten, for County Treasm-er ; Ehas Robinson, nine, and David Mitchell, four, for County Commissioner ; Alexander Kobinson, thirteen, for Assessor. At this electiou. Nimrod Garwood, Henry Vangordon and Daniel Allen acted as Judges, and Southard Mather and John Asher, Clerks. Another election was held for Justice of the Peace and Constable, on the 3d day of November, 1827, with the following result : William Milligan received six votes, and Heni-y Vangordon four for Justice of the Peace ; David Furrow, five, and John Asher, five, for Constables. In 1876, the township polled 314 votes. Township ofiicers as follows :

Trustees - 1827, Nimrod Garwood, Henry Vangordon and Daniel Allen ; 1828, Samuel Milligan, John Asher and Levi Gunn : 1829. Vandever Reed, Samuel Milligan and Hollis S. Amy ; 1830 (wanting); 1831. Joseph Coberly, Samuel Allen and Daniel Allen ; 1832, Joseph Coberjy, Daniel Allen and Luther Wood ; 1833, John Asher, John Milligan and Amos A. Williams ; 1834, John Milligan, William Inskeep and Henry Vangordon ; 1835. William Inskeep, Jr., Daniel Allen and Luther Wood ; 1836, Luther Wood. W. W. Haines and Amos A. Williams ; 1837, George Miller, John Milligan and David Reed ; 1838-39. Enoch Morse, Luther Wood and James Wilbur ; 1840,

A. A. Williams, Henry Vangordon and ; 1841, James Stillings, Daniel Coeand L. W. Hale; 1842-45, (wanting); 1846, E. W. Crary; 1847, Edwin Spain, William W. Haines and James Stillings; 1852-53, Dixon Mitchell, Edwin Spain and James Kennedy; 1854, Dixon Mitchell, James Kennedy and Paschal Spain; 1855, B. H. B. Griswold, Andrew Beltz and Elisha Cowgill; 1856, B. H. B. Griswold, Jonas Poling and John Epps; 1857-58, James Wilbur, Jonas Poling and William Bales; 1859, James Wilbur, Elisha Cowgill and Jonas Poling; 1860, James Wilbur, Jacob Painter and Elisha Cowgill; 1861-62, Samuel Marsh. Abraham Holycross and Samuel Waddle; 1863, Samuel Marsh. Dixon Mitchell and Isaac Downs; 1864, Samuel Marsh, Dixon Mitchell and Paschal Spain; 1865, Samuel Marsh, Moses Coe and Samuel Waddle; 1867-68, Samuel Waddle, B H. B. Griswold and Paschal Spain. 1869,

B. H. B. Griswold, A. Holvcross and Samuel Jordon: 1870, B. H. B. Griswold, W. H. Jordon and Shepherd Clark; 1871, B. H. B. Griswold. W^ E. Inskeep and Benjamin Grubbs; 1872-73, B. H. B. Griswold, W. E. Inskeep and O. B. Converse; 1874, B. H. B. Griswold, W. E. Inskeep and John Paver; 1875-78, W. E. Inskeep, John Paver and Eli Norveil; 1879, W^illiam Inskeep, Thomas Stillings and D. T. Burr; 1880, W. E. Inskeep, Thomas Stillings and John Paver; 1881-82, W. E. Inskeep, Thomas Stillings and Edwin Wilbur.

Overseers of the Fooi - 1827, John Asher, and Jonathan Bm-well; 1828, William Asher; 1831, William Rowland and Abraham Leonard; 1832, Edward Tyler and Benjamin Vickers; 1833, William Smith and Daniel Reed; 1834, John Paver and William Smith; 1835, Thomas Dun and Isaac McClung;

1836, Thomas Dim, Vandever Reed and Jesse Haines; 1837, Elisha Cowgill and William Smith; 1838, Matlock Stokes and Chauncy Morse; 1839, Daniel Allen and A. A. Williams; 18-1:1, Henry Vangordon and Isaac Allen.

Fence F/ewers - 1831, W. W. Haines and L. D. Hibbard; 1882, W. W. Haines and "William Inskeep; 1833, Benjamin Yickers; 1834, Jesse Haines and Edward Tyler; 1835, Thomas Dodds and John G. Hibbert; 1836, Thomas Dunn, Daniel Allen and William Smith; 1837, Benjamin Vickers and John Gabriel; 1838, Benjamin Vickers, Levi Haines and John Epps; 1839. Benjamin Vickers, Jason Rice and Roger Poling.

Constables - 1829, David Reed; 1831, John Epps and Elijah Kinney; 1832, James Williams and Cornelius Meshon; 1833, Cornelius Meshon and John P. Reed; 1834, William Inskeej) and Romanto Allen; 1835, John P. Reed and Jeremiah Asher; 1836, John Epps and Thomas Dodds; 1837, Christopher Wilbur and Elijah Burroughs; 1838, Levi Wells and Isaac CaiT; 1839, John Epps and James Taes; 1840, John Epps; 1841, David Reed and John Epps; 1842, Warren Lathrop and John Epps; 1843, Hollis Amy and John Epps; 1844-45, Thomas Dodds and John Epps; 1846-47, Orsemus J. Fish and John Epps; 1848, John H. Good and John Epps; 1849-50, John Epps and Martin Pyres; 1852-53, John H. Good and John Organ; 1854, Reiaben Morse and J. Emerson; 1855, John Epps and James Emerson; 1856, John Epps and Martia Pyers; 1857, Samuel Waddle and Martin Pyers; 1858, Thomas Dawson and Martin Pyers; 1859, Isaac Brodrick, Jr.; 1860, George Williams and James Williams; 186)1, John Epps and James Williams; 1862, John Epps and W\ H. Crary; 1863, Jacob Cline and John Epps; 1864, John Epps and James AVilliams; 1865, John Epps and William Jenkins; 1866, John Epps and Joseph Emerson; 1867, R. D. Finley and Isaac Willett; 1868. John Epps and Moses Coolidge; 1869, Amos Foote and Stephen Pyers; 1870-72, John Epps and Stephen Pyers; 1873-74, Eber Norviel and Braley Sprague; 1875, John Bryan and Jeremiah Poling; 1876, John Bryan and L. M. Crary; 1877-78. W'illiam Jenkins and L. M. Crary; 1879, John Bryan and James Richcreek; 1880, A. S. Johnson and Lewis Poling; 1881. John Bryan and Levi Norviel; 1882, John Bryan and H. Arrowhood.

Biographical Sketches

ROBERT B. ABRAHAM, deceased. The subject of this memoir was born near Wheeling, West Va., December 9, 1809. When three years of age his parents Daniel and Mary Abraham, removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he spent his youth and early manhood. At the age of twelve years, he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade in Stenbenville, where he spent four years. He then removed to the country, and December 19, 18o9, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Coe, a daughter of Moses Coe and Esther Howell. Mrs. Abraham was born in Jefferson County September 10, 1817. Of their eight children, five are living, viz.: Sarah S.,

Esther M., wife of Isaac Walk; Eliza J., wife of G. E. Adams; Alice A., wife of Charles Chapel, and Minta A., William B., Philip W. and Martha M. are deceased. In 1855, Mr. Abraham removed with his family to Union County, and located on the fiirm whereon he died. He first bought 125 acres of land, and made additions till their homestead contained 245 acres. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church for many years. His death occurred July 17, 1879. He was a man of benevolent and enterprise, and died with a host of friends.

WILLIAM BALES (deceased) was born in Milton, Hillsboro County, N. H., .January 24, 1809. His parents, William L. and Chloe (Halt) Bales, were originally from Vermont. They were both born in 1784, the former March 13, and the latter August 6. William Bales, father of William L. and grandfather of William Bales, the subject of this sketch, was a soldier under Gen. Washington in the Revolution, while his father was engaged on the side of Great Britain, having being pressed into the British ranks. In 1840, Mr. Bales, the father of our subject, came to Union County, and settled in Allen Township, where he died October 4, 1876, aged ninety-two years. His wife preceded him March 10, 1856. William, our subject, was reared to manhood on a farm. February 1, 1838, he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Rachel Cavender, and a native of Hillsboro County, N. H. She was born iSIarch 19, 1818. The fall of 1838, he removed westward, and settled near Newton, Union County, and the following year settled in Allen Township. He cleared up his first farm, which contained 150 acres, from the stumps. He accumulated land to the amount of 400 acres, besides land in the West, but through a turn of ill-luck he lost considerable property. He resided on the West Liberty & Columbus Stage route, and in early days accommodated many a weary traveler. He served as Postmaster of Caberly P. 0., about twenty years. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to fill the office. He devoted his undivided attention to farming and raising stock. He was one of the first to introduce Morgan horses in the county. He died a member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he always advocated the doctrines and principles of Democracy. He was the parent of ten children, nine of whom survive him, viz.: William W., married Jenny Dunn ; Walter W., married Victoria Inskeep ; Cliiford C, married Jane Allen; Mary M., wife of Oliver Carter; Rosa, wife of Oliver Inskeep ; Frank ; Burnham C, married Emma A. Lee; Sarah A., wife of Charles W. Brodrick, and George; Rachel R. is deceased. Mrs. Bales' parents live with her and her children, aged ninety-six and ninety-three years respectively. They have lived a married life of seventy-two years, and reared a family of nine children. They are perhaps the oldest couple in Union County. Mr. Calender's father came from Ireland in 1775, and served from the beginning to the close of the Revolutionary war.

ISAAC BRODRICK, Sr., farnn^r, P. 0. North Lewisburg, was born in Burlington County, N. J., October 1, 1802. His parents, Isaac Brodrick and Beulah Engle, were of Irish and New Jersey nativity respectively ; the former was born July 29, 1772, and the latter December 29, 1772. They were married August 10, 1799, and in 1811 removed to Warren County, Ohio. Isaac, who was a native of Ireland, was a son of Thomas Brodrick (the name was originally Broderick, afterward Bradrick, and subsequently to its present version), for many years a Captain on a vessel plying between Dublin and Philadelphia; he finally died on the water. Isaac, who removed to Warren County, resided there some years, then removed to Darke County, thence to Oxford, Butler County, and in 1824, to Allen Township, Union County, where he died in April, 1837 ; his widow followed him January 3, 1858. The subject of this sketch was married December 12, 1822, to Hannah J. Wood, daughter of Aquilla and Jane Wood. Mrs. Brodrick was born October 15, 1804, and died April 3, 1877. This union was blest with four children ; of these but one survives. The deceased are Miry A., born November 8, 1823, married Richard Wells, and died April 12, 1880; James, born November 15, 1827, and died ; Hannah

J., born April 9, 1831, married Charles Van Way, and died March 30, 1880. Isaac, Jr., the eldest son and only living child, was bora June 23, 1825. April 10, 1851, he was joined in marriage to Miss Sarah P. Hoff", daughter of Anthony W. and Elizabeth Hotf, and a native of Barbour County, W. Va. She was born March 14, 1834. Eleven children were the fruits of this marriage, viz.: Charles W., John M., Samuel J., Isaac W., Emma L., wife of Oliver McCullough ; Eva L., wife of J. R. Benton; Benjamin F., Anna R. and Olive E. ; William S. and an infant are deceased. Mr. Brodrick re-<ides on the homestead of his grandfather. His fiither, who is now in the eighty-first year of his age, resides with him. He is religiously inclined to Quakerism while Mr. and Mrs. Brodrick are members of the M. E. (Jhurch. Mr. Brodrick, Jr., has served his township in various offici il cap.acities. He filled the offices of Trustee, Treasurer, Clerk and Justice of the Peace, holding the latter office nine years. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a fiirm of 175 acres, and is by occupation an agriculturist. The Brodrick family is not entirely without a military record ; William Brodrick, a brother of Isaac Brodrick the first, was born in the " land of his fathers," and came to the United States prior to 1776, and served from beginning to the termination of the Revolution ; he also served through the late war with Great Britain and Florida war.

GEORGE CARPENTER, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Randolph County, W. Va., May 23, 1822. His parents, Solomon and Catharine (Hill) Carpenter, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. The former was born in 1784, and the latter November 9, of the same year. They were married in Virginia, and had eight children when they came to Union County in 1830. They located in Allen Township, where they both died - Mr. Carpenter August 11, 1837, and Mrs. C. February 5, 1855. George is the youngest of the family. He was reared to maturity on the farm. At his father's death, he took charge of the farm, and conducted it till his mother's death, in 1855. January 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Sarah A. AVilber, a native of Allen Township, and daughter of James and Sarah Wilber. Mrs. C. was born July 31, 1830. Their four children are as follows: Lewis F., Winfield S., Olive, wife of Edward Stillings, and Carlton. Mary, born February - , 1862, and died February - , 1863. Mr. Carpenter occupies the farm located by his father in 1837, when it was all in woods. He began clearing it when only fifteen years old, and has improved most, of it himself. He has cultivate'l the soil of this farm ever since his father's death, except one year he spent in West Middleburg, Logan County. He and wife are members of the Woodstock Universalist Church. In politics, he is of Republican principle.

CALEB CLARK (deceased). The subject of this memoir was born in the Old Dominion July 4, 1814. When twelve years of age, his parents, Angus and Elizabeth (Green) Clark, removed Weft, settling in Champaign County, Ohio, where they lived for a number of years, and where Mr. Clark died, in 1859, at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Clark died in Union County Marcli '20, 1881, having attained to the age of ninety-one. Caleb, the subject of this sketch, spent the remainder of his early life on the farm in Champaign County. In 1841, he was married to Rachel Beltz, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., June 2, 1811. He purchased 100 acres of land in Allen Township, and moved on it. He kept adding to his first purchase, till he owned 580 acres of some of the best land in Allen Township. Mr. Clark se.ved his township as Treasurer for six years, and also in various other local offices. Politically, he was strongly Democratic; and was the recognized leader of his party in his township for many years. He was active during the war, and did much to sustain what he considered to be the right. He was a man of enterprise, and aided in the construction of many improvements. His death occurred May 7, 1869; his widow followed him March 7, 1875. Mr. Clark was for many years engaged in breeding and rearing fine stock, in which he ranked with the prominent men of his township. Through h'n industry he acquired large property, and at his death left his children a legacy of about |12,000 each. Such was the force of character of Mr. Clark. His son Lester was born February 17, 1847, and October 13, 1870, he was married to Jerusha, a daughter of James and Mary Poling, and a native of Allen Township. Mrs. C. was born November 9, 1845. Lester owns 136 acres of the old homestead, and pursues the avocation of his father. Henry C, his third son, was born on the home farm, May 19, 1854, and owns 245 acre^ of land ; he follows the pursuit of rearing fine cattle and French horses. Susan was born February 25, 1845; February 22, 1877, she was married to William Caryl, who was born near Marysville January 30, 1848. They have two children - Etlie, born August 24, 1879, and William H., born July 6, 1882. May is deceased ; she was born June 15, 1878, and died September 8, 1878.

SHEPHERD CLARK, farmer, P. 0. Nor;h Lewisburg, a prominent citizen residing in Allen Township, was born in Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio, June 7, 1832. He is a son of Angus and Elizabeth (Green) Clark, who emigrated from Lancaster, Penn., to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1826, and purchased a farm in Rush Township, containing about 200 acres. He began the work of clearing up his forest farm and made some of the first improvements in that locality. The greater part of the county yet dwelt in its wild state, and Mr. Clark was one of the first pioneers to opea it up for immigration. While land was cheap, he continued to make additions till his farm constituted about 50i) acres of the finest land in Rush Township, and which he improved to a high state of cultivation. About 150 acres was largely composed of sugar camp, and for twenty-five years he was engaged in manufacturing maple sugar, doing an extensive business, making from 8,000 to 10,000 pounds annually. Mr. Clark died in 1859, leaving an estate valued at $60,000. Mrs. Clark lived to be ninety-one years of age, her death occurriug Mai'ch 20, 1881. Her father, Nehemiah Green, was a Revolutionary patriot. He served throughout the war, and while a prisoner, was poisoned, from which he subsequently died at North Lewisburg, at the age of eighty years. Mr. Clark, the subject of this notice, is the youngest of nine children. He spent his early life on the farm where he was born, and received his education in the common schools of his native place. In 1856, the year following his first marriage, he removed to Allamakee County, I iwa, and lived four years, then returned to his native place, where he resided till 1867, when he purchased his present valuable farm. In 1877, he erected a two-story brick residence, at an expense of iji 10,000. Itis situated on a beautiful elevation, some distance back from the pike, and forms the finest location in the township. In early life Mr. Clark formed a strong taste for farming, and has always followed its pursuits in the most thorough, practical and scientific manner. He has followed, in connection with his aariculture, breeding, rearing and dealing in fine stock. Mr. Clark is considered one of the finest agriculturists Union County affords. He is a man whose energies are alive to all public improvements and enterprises such as are intended to benefit and enrich the county or people. He owns, besides his home farm, which contains 320 acres, 290 acres in Rush Township, Champaign County. He has been prominently identified with the Agricultural Society of Union County and for some years a regular exhibitor at its annual fairs. He is a member of the

Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Ohio Farmers' and Horsemen's Mutual Protection Company, and Vice President of the Bank of North Lewisburg. Mr. Clark served his township in the capacity of Trustee three terms, and as Land Appraiser in 1870; he was elected to other ofiices, but declined to fill them. He is associated with the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has taken the Red ('ross degree ; he is also connected with Commandery No. 19. During the war, Mr. Clark was active in the interest of the Union, and was liberal in clearing the township of the draft and furnishing means for the soldiers. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party. Mr. Clark has been twice married; the first time to Miss Hannah Barney, who died and left four children, viz.. Flora E., wife of Joseph Spain, Alice, Lucy E. and Charles. His second marriage occurred April 16, 1870, to Miss Eliza Asher, daughter of John and Deborah Asher. Mrs. Clark was born in Logan ('ounty, Ohio, August 25, 1838. Five children were given to bless this union - Pearl, John E., George, Ada and Blanche.

CAPT. JONAS C. CLINE, merchant, Pottersburg, was born in Washington County. Penn., November 1, 1824. His father, Michael Cline, was born in Germany March 8, 1789, and his mother, Phebe Condit, was born in Wales November 12, 1800. Mr. Cline was a son of William and Margaret Cline (originally Kline), who were also natives of Germany. Mr. Cline died in his native country, and some years afterward Mrs. Cline, with her three children - George, William and Michael - emigrated to America George settled near Cincinnati; AVilliam, near Wheeling, W. Va., and Michael and his widowed mother settled in Washington County, Penn., where he grew to manhood. He served one year as Drum Major in the war of 1812, and then returned to his former home in Pennsylvania, where he married JHss Lovina (,'lutter, who died there. In 1817, he was again married - to Miss Phebe Condit, daughter of Jonas and Eunice Condit, who crossed the waters from Wales about the year 1812. In 1827, Mr. Cline removed to Belmont County, Ohio, thence to Knox (Jounty, where he died in 186G. Mrs. C. died in Union County in 1877. Capt. Cline is the youngest son of nine children. He was reared on a farm till seventeen years old, when he came to Union County and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed till the breaking-out of the war. August 7, 1862, he responded to the call of his country, by enlisting in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant, and served in that rank till April 1, 1863, when he was promoted to Captain, and assigned to Company C. He remained in charge of this company till March 11, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge at Frankelton, La., on account of disability. Among the principal battles in which he was engaged were: Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Coteau, and a number of minor engagements. At the last named battle he was slightly, but not seriously wounded. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to Allen (^'enter, and resumed his trade, following it up to 1868, when he engaged in merchandising at Pottersburg, where he has enjoyed a good trade. January 11, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Ware, a daughter of Lester Ware, and a native of Champaign County. Her birth occurred January 24, 1831. They were blessed with five children, of whom four are living: Lester W., Allie F., wife of Franklin Robinson, Ira B., and Phillelia A., wife of George Burr. Mr. ('line and family are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. C. is connected with the F., & A. M. and I. 0. 0. F. orders, and Post of the (irand Army. He served as Township Treasurer two terms, and politically is a Republican. His farm, located near Allen Center, contains seventy-one acres.

PHILIP COE, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center. The subject of this sketch was born in Washington County, Penn., April 28, 1823. He is the eldest son of Daniel and Mary (Glailden) Coe, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Jefferson County, Ohio. He was born in March, 1801, and his wife, to whom hje was married in 1822, was born January 18, 1803. Mrs. Coe's parents were among the earliest pioneers of Jefferson County. In March, 1834, Mr. Coe and family removed to Union County, locating temporarily in Union Township; then removed and settled in Allen Township, where Mr. Coe bought a farm of 200 acres of Reuben P. Mann ; the same spring he made an addition of 160 acres to the original purchase. This whole tract of land, except a few acres, was in its primitive condition. There were few improvements, and, there being no mill within a convenient distance, in 1887 Mr. Coe erected a mill on Big Darby, in Allen Township, which he operated twelve years. In 1850, during the gold excitement, he, with his second son, Joseph, started for California. While crossing the plains he was seizcl with the flux, and after a severe illness returned home and died January 18, 1851. He served in various official capacities of the township and was Elder in the Presbyterian Church at his death. He was the parent of twelve children, five of whom are living. Philip, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the farm and received bis education in the pioneer schools of his day. At an early age, he took charge of his father's farm and conducted it successfully till his (father's) death. October 10, 1850, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Woodworth, a daughter of Charles and Laura Woodworth. She was born in Massachusetts May 17, 1833, and died June 21, 1854. Mr. Coe celebrated his second marriage February 8, 1855, with Louisa S. Smith, daughter of James R. and Anna (Masters) Smith. Mrs. Coe was born September 15, 1832. Nine chihlren were the fruits of this union ; eight are living, viz.: Anna I., Mary E., Lottie M., William D., Charles H., James P., Martha L. and Wal- ter T. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Coe is identified with the I. 0. 0. F. and Masonic order, in which he has taken the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree. Politically, Mr. Coe is of pure Republican sentiment. He has always displayed a deep interest in all religious and educational enterprises. By occupation he is an agriculturist and stock-raiser. Since 1858 he has been engaged in manufacturing cheese. He keeps thirty cows and makes from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds of cheese annually. His farm contains 328 acres of finely-improved land, and is adorned with a large and commodious frame residence, with all the latest improvements. It is furnished with a. furnace, gas in all the rooms, and cold and hot water baths.

WILLIAM H. CRARY, farmer, P. 0. North Lewisburg, Clerk of Allen Township, was born near his place of residence August 12, 1840. He is a son of Ebenezer W. and Harriet M. (Morse) Crary, natives of Connecticut 'and New York. In 1836, they removed from what is now Lake County, Ohio, to Allen Township, where Mr. Crary bought a farm of 135 acres. He died near Sandusky, Ohio, in October, 1846. Mrs. Crary departed this life March 6, 1877. While Mr. Crary lived in Allen, he held several important township offices ; among them was Justice of the Peace for six years, Clerk two years and Land Appraiser one year. He and wife were formerly members of the Presbyterian Church, but when they came to this county they united with the Lutheran Church. They had five children, three of whom they reared to maturity. William H., our subject, is the eldest ; he was brought up on the old homestead and educated in the common schools. June 14, 1866, he was united in marriage with jNIiss Olive A. Inskeep, daughter of William and Mary Inskeep, and a native of Allen Township. She was born January 11, 1841. Five children were born to this marriage; of these three are living - Jennie M., born October 24, 1869 ; Charlie F., born June 16, 1876 ; and Mary E., born July 29, 1878. Mr. Crary is now filling the office of Township Clerk for the eleventh year. He owns a half-interest in a farm of 135 acres and is engaged in farming. He was the chief worker in securing petitions for some of the first pikes in the township, and has been engaged more or less in heir construction since their first introduction in the township. He and wife are ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been prominently identified for twenty-three years. Politically, Mr. Crary is a stanch Republican.

B. H. B. GRISVVOLD, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, an old and respected pioneer of Union County, was born in Goshen Township, Champaign County, April 19, 1816. He was a son of James and Polly (Beal) Griswold, and a grandson of Obadiah Beal, a Revolutionary patriot, who served from beginning to end in the Revolution. He migrated to Champaign County, Ohio, some time during the war of 1812, and died in that county. Mr. Griswold's parents were married in Rutland, Vt., and removed to Champaign County about 1814. They survived the scourge of typhoid fever of 1822-2-J. Mr. Griswold subsequently removed to Union County, where he died. Our subject is the eldest son and third child of seven children. He passed his boyhood and early manhood on his father's farm, and received such an education as the common schools of the day aiforded. When nineteen years of age. he assumed the payment of twenty-three acres of land, thus furnishing a home for his parents. In 1850, he purchased his present farm and settled on it the same spring. Mr. Griswold has cleared and improved his land to a good farm and has always followed its pursuits. October 80, 1837, he was joined in marriage with Amanda Melvina Peck, a daughter of Thomas Peck. Mrs. Griswold was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, May 3, 1814. They were blest with two children - Cynthia J., wife of E. C. ]\Iarsh, and Serepta J. Mrs. Griswold departed this life February , 1874. Mr. Griswold is a member of the First Universalist Church of Woodstock, and in politics is a Republican. He has been prominently identified with the Grange since its organization in the county, having served as Master, Lecturer and Chaplain. He was Justice of the Peace of Allen Township two terms and Trustee twelve years, besides other local offices. Mr. Griswold has been a useful and active citizen. He owns a good farm, containing 150 acres.

CLEMENT B. HOLYCROSS, farmer, P. 0. North Lewisburg, second son of Abraham and Hester A. Holycross, was born on the old homestead, in Allen Township, March 13, 1845. He was reared to manhood in his native place and educated in the common schools. May 2, 1864, he was enrolled as a soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guard. He served as drummer, and was discharged with the honors of a faithful soldier September 3, 1864. September 12, 1866, he was married to Miss Settie Epps, a native of Coampaign County, and a daughter of Thomas and Clarissi Epps. She was born May 11,*1846. One son, Orrie B., blesses this union ; he was born April 6, 1873. Mr. H. owns a farm of sixtyeight acres and is engaged ia agriculture and keeping Poland-China hogs. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Bepublican.

R(.)BERT C. HOLYCROSS, youngest son of Abraham and Hester A. Holycross, was born in Allen Township, December 5, 1854. He was reared a farmer boy, and educated in the common school*. December 24, 1874, he was joined in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Nelson and Almira Cooksey. Mrs. II. was born in Allen Township ilay 21, 1856. Their three children are Arthur L., born November 18, 1875; Edgar A., born November 5, 1878, and Grace B., born December 14, 1880. Mr. Holycross owns sixty-three acres of the old homestead and is engaged in farmicg.

NATHAN HOWARD, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Union Township, Union County, September 21, 18oi. His parents, William and Nancy (^McDonald) Howard, were natives of Windbam, Conn. His father was born .June 18, 1802, and his mother June 19, 1807. They were married in Union County in 1880. His parents, William and Phebe Howard, were also natives of Windham, Conn.; the former was born .January 18, 1749, and died July 18, 1822, and the latter born .July 15, 1759, and died December 3, 1806. John and Sarah (Bennett) Howard, parents of the last named William Howard, were born in Ipswich Mass., February 15, 1715, and (Jctober 21, 1722. Tney were married in Hampton, Conn., January 8. 1840 ; he died June 16, 1789, and she March 19, 1812. John Howard was the eldest son of John and Mary (Martin) Howard, also natives of Ipswich. John was born in 1683. and his wife February 22, 1713. They settled in the Howara Valley, near Hampton, Conn., in 1733. This John Howard was a son of William Howard, who was born in Ipswich in 1634 and died in the same place, .July 25, 1709. His father, Thomas Howard, was born about 1601), and emigrated from England to America only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and died near Ipswich, Mass., April 15, 1686. William and Nancy Howard, the parents of the subject of this sketch, emigrated West and settled in Union Township, Union County, in 1830. Mr. Howard died June 10, 1839, and his widow, February 15, 1876. They were the parents of three children - Nathan, the subjecf. of this sketch ; Harriet L. and William. Mrs. Howard was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, who moved from Ross County, Ohio, to Union in 1808, and settled a mile and a half north, above Milford Center, on the north side of Big Darby, and there cleared a large farm and reared a family of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Howard was the fifth child. Mr. McDonald <'ied March 26, 1855, aged eighty-five. Mrs. Howard was left a widow with three children in 183i). The farm contained 500 acres, but was all wild land, and 200 seres were not yet paid for. Sne was a lady of unusual business qualifications and judgment, and conducted the farm successfully till her children were grown. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm and received the rudiments of his education in the common schools. When of age he was given the business of the farm, which he managed till 1859, when the farm, which contained 600 acres, was divided between him and William, the daughter, Harriet L., having died a short time before. In I860, he moved to a log cabin which had been erected by Thomas McDonald, and lived in it six years : then occupied a frame till 1870, when he built his present large and commodious brick residence at a cost of $6,000. The homestead farm is known as the " Indian Field F.irm,' and is one of the best improved on the creek. Mr. Howard has continued to buy and add laud to the homestead till he now owns a tract of 1400 acres, ranking at the present time as one of the wealthiest and largest land owners in Union County. He was a member of the company that imported anung the first French and Clydesdale horses to the United States. Mr. Howard has been extensively engaged in breeding and rearing French horses and thoroughbred short-horued cattle. For the last five years he has kept Shropshiredown sheep for mutton purposes. He is a regular exhibitor of tine stock at the annual fairs, of which he served as member of the Agricultural Board ten years and Vice President two years. He was Assessor of Allen seven years, and in 1880 was elected to the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Howard is a successful business man. He was married September 21, 1859, to Helen M. Hathaway, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary A. (Hopkins) Hathaway. Mrs. Howard was born in Union Township May 17, 1839. Four children were born to this Union; of them three are living, viz., Charles M., Corrie and Otto N.; Hattie C. is deceased.

WILLIAM INSKEEP (deceased), more commonly known as "Lawyer Bill," was born in Logan County, Ohio. He was a son of Job and Patience (Bishop) Inskeep, originally of t'ulpeper County, Va. They removed to Ross County, Ohio, in pioneer days, and some years later to Logan County, where they both died. Mr. Inskeep, our subject, married Miss Mary Stokes, daughter of Joseph Stokes, and a native of Logan County. Her parents were native of Culpeper County, Va., and also pioneers of Logan County. In 1831, Mr. Inskeep removed to Union ('ounty and settled in Allen Township, where he purchased 100 acres of land. He erected a house and cleared up the farm. He served both as Trustee and Treasurer of Allen Township, and was Postmaster of Cuberly P. 0., for a number of years. His death occurred in September, 1845. He was the father of oeven children, three of whom are living - Hiram S., Olive A., wife of W. H. Crary, and William. Hiram S., was born May 1, 1833, and March 26, 1876, he married Miss ^largaret Spain, a daughter of Washington and Sarah Spain, and a native of Union County. They have two children - Omer W. and Ila L. William E. was born May 16, 1843. March 29, 1868, he was married to Miss Rosetta Curl, of Xenia, where she was born July, 1848. One child, French, blesses this union. September, 1861, William volunteered in Company C, Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Army of the Cumberland, and fought in the following engagements : Stone River, Perry ville, Wild Cat Mountain, Hoaver's Gap, and in the approach to Cornith, which lasted fifteen days. He was honorably discharged October 9, 1864. He returned home and with his brother has followed farming. He was commander of Company D, Seventh Regiment of Ohio National Guards, at North Lewisburg, seven years. He ii tiDw serving his twelfth term as member of the Board of Township Trustees. Mr. Inskeep and brother reside together and are engaged in farming, and in the line of live stock they make a specialty in breeding and rearing thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. They own a farm of

ALGERNON S. JOHNSON, merchant. North Lewisburg. The ancestral history of this family can be traced back to the reign of George III, when a man bearing the name of Johnson emigrated a colony from England and settled at Auburn, N. J., where King George granted them a township of land. The subject of this not'ce was born in Athens County, Ohio, June 16, 1807. His father, Samuel B. Johnson, was a nUive of Washington County, N. Y., and his mother, Rebecca Wilkin, of Amherst, N. H. His grandfither, Azel Johnson, was asoMier in the Revolutionary war, under Gen. La Fayette. His fai her in-law, Samuel Brown, was an old Revolutioner, and was wounded at Bunker Hill. In 1798, Mr. Johnson and family removed to Marietta, Ohio, and in 1803 to Athens County, where he died, aged eighty-three years. In 1830, our subject's parents i-emoved to Union County, and settled in Paris Township, where they both died ; the former June 17, 1843, and the latter August 3, 1854. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to Allen Township at an early day and cleared up a farm. November 25, 1857, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Charlotte, widow of Avar ^lallory (deceased), and daughter of Gideon and Nancy Draper. They have four children - Marcella R., Lucy W., Adaline F. and Sarah A. Mr. Johnson owns a farm of 100 acres. Since he was a boy of thirteen years, he has dealt largely in live stock.