Auglaize Township

Auglaize Township

r I IJllS iownsbip forming the southwest corner of the coanty north of JL the line of Auglaize County, west of the line of Hardin County, and south and east of Jackson and Perry Townships, was established by order of tl^e Commissioners of Allen County, March 5, 1832. In December of that year the township of Scioto was disestablished and attached to Auglaize Township for judicial purposes. Until the establishment of Perry Township in December, 1833, the twelve eastern sections of that township formed a portion of Auglaize Township. Since that time what is known as original Township 4 south, Range 8 east, constitutes this division of the county. The villagee known as Westminster, West Newton and South Maysville belong to Auglaize Township. The population in 1880 was 1,749. The increase since 1880, based on school statistics of 1884, which give an enumeration of 264 boys and 241 girls, an aggregate school population of 505, is not remarkable.

The pioneers of Auglaize Township were Francis Stevenson, John and Arabella Goode, who settled here in 1829. In March, 1830, the Stevenson family came to take possession of the home selected by the pioneer in 1829. Francis Stevenson died in 1847, and the year following his wife died. Tolson Ford, James Hamilton, Henry Weaver and Robert Underwood arrived in 1830, and the following year, Isaac, John, Daniel and Samuel Shockey, and David Serkes came in. The authentic record of early settlement is given in the chapter dealing with the pioneers of the county, in that portion of it where the tax-payers of Auglaize, in 1834, are named. The following record of purchasers of Government lands in this township is not only valuable as being historical in every sense; but also as a testimonial to the men who purchased, as it were, the liberty to reclaim the wilderness.

Mrs. Ooode, whose name is given among the settlers of 1829, was the first white woman who appeared in the role of housekeeper within the bounds of Auglaize. Her husband, John Ooode, is credited with building the first cabin in the township. The first Township Board comprised Tolson Ford, William Oilmore and James Watt, Trustees, and Tolson Ford^ Justice of the Peace. The Ooodenow family and other old settlers, who came in after 1834, are referred to in other pages.

During the winter of 1833-34, a subscription school was opened by John Shockey, son of Samuel Shockey, in a cabin which was built on Section 26. A short time after this, the commissioners* ordered that the district be organized. The growth of the school system within the last half century is told by the following statistics: The revenue for 1884 was ^$8,781.54; expenditures, $6,268. There are eleven school buildings, valued at $17,000, one of which was completed in 1884 at a cost of $3,554 The enrollment is 404 - 216 boys and 188 girls. Twenty teachers are employed. This does not include Westminster Special District, of which the following are the statistics: Eevenue in 1884 was $1,227.13; expenditure $642.55. The number of pupils enrolled, 101; 48 boys and 53 girls. One school building valued at $3,000. There were two teachers employed.

From the earliest period of Rettlement, religious organization has existed in this division of the oonntj. To-day there are six ohnroh buildings. In 1881 Bev. Joseph Hill, Elder Chaffee, and a preacher named Waddle visited this district, and found a home and house of worship at the Stevenson house. About 1834 a house was erected near Westminster (which was devoted to religious uses), where now the First Methodist Church building standa The Protestant Methodist Church was subsequently established; the Baptist societies were also early organizations. In later years tbe United Brethren, Christian Brethren, German Beformed Lutheran and other societies were established. In 1880 Mrs. Behecca Creps erected the German Beformed Church of Westminster, in memory of Alex. Creps, the founder of the village, who settled here in 1832 and died in 1878. This house is built of brick, with stone facings, is supplied with bell and belfry, and dedicated to the use of all orthodox religions by the generous donor.

The Methodists formed a class in Marion Township, Hardin County^ as early as 1840, at the house of James Thomson. The place of meeting was subsequently moved to Maysville, near which a house of worship has been erected.

Maysville is located on Section 1, Auglaize, and Section 36, Jackson, in Allen County, and partly in Hardin County. German street forms the county line, east of which, in Allen County, the main portion of the village stands. Main street forms the line between Jackson and Auglaize Townships. The original town in Allen County contains fifty lots.

Westminster, platted by Alex. Creps in 1834, is located on the north bank of the Auglaize, Section 18, Auglaize Township. The streets run northeast and southeast at an angle of about 28^. The streets running northeast are named Franklin, Walnut and Mulberry - the others Main and Centre Streets. This is an ambitious business village and the center of 9 growing trade. The neighboring country is characterized by well cultivated farms and a progressive population.

West Newton on Section 36, Auglaize Township, was platted in 1850 by David Shields. The village centre is at an intersection of Washington and Napoleon Streets.

Each Tillage of this township supports a small bosiness oommonitj. The agricnltoral interests are fostered with zealons care, and, as shown in the general history of the coontj, advancement marks the township as her own. No railroad passes through this township. The postoffioes are: Westminster, West Newton, Harrod and Manahan.

A. C. BITLEB, firm of Marriott & Bitler, merchantB, Harrod. This hoose established business at Harrod, in 1883. They carry a general stock of abont $8,500, and conduct a large and iacrati^e trade. The subject of this sketch, junior member of the firm, was bom in Schuylkill Oounty, Penn., June 21, 1857, son of Samue) and Sarah Bitler, pioneers and residents of Auglaize County, Ohio. Our subject came to this place ostensibly to enter mercantile trade, in which he has been very successful. He was appointed postmaster at Harrod, April 1, 1884, succeeding G. W. Campbell, which position he has acceptably filled, and during his short residence in the place he has won many friends. Mr. Bitler was married in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1881, to Miss Clara, daughter of William and Lydia Frasier. Two children were bom to this union, both now living: Isa M., and Elmira G.

SAMUEL DUBBIN, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bom in Enox County, Ohio, August 11, 1831; son of John and Sarah (Braddock) Durbin, natives of Knox County, where the latter died. They were parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living: Elizabeth (wife of H. Kettle), Samuel, Sarah (wife of William Winters), Samantha (wife of G. B. Growdon), John, Olive (wife of H. Barker), Philena (wife of B. Blatchley), and Mansoneta (wife of L. Lewis). John Durbin, married for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Wright) Trimble, by whom he has one son, Wright He is at present a resident of Fredericktown, Knox Co., Ohio, and although well-advanced in years he enjoys robust heath, and is vigorous and strong; He has made large accumulations of property through a life of industry; for years he was one of the prominent members of, and exhorters in, the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and has followed agriculture all his life. In 1852 he went by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California. After prospecting three years, he returned to his native land (spending five montlis in doubling Cape Horn), well satified with the reward of his industry. EUs present farm now consists of 220 acres, upon which he has made many improvements in way of buildings, etc. Mr. Durbin was united in marriage, April 3, 1856, with Miss Rachel, daughter of Adam and Isabel Shipley (both deceased in Allen County), and a native of Knox County, Ohio. Her family were early settlers of Howard Township, Knox Co., Ohio. Their children now living are Eliza (wife of Henry Coles), Bachel and Emily (wife of Benjamin Austin). To our subject and wife were bom ten children, of whom seven are now living: Emery L. (married to Miss Mary F. Cook, have one child, Charles E., they reside in Lafayette, this county, where Emery L., is largely engaged in hardware trade), Willie H, Finley, Lizzie B., Emma O, Samantha and Samuel. The family are refined and intelligent, the eldest children being vocalists of merit Mr. Durbin in the late war of the BebellioD, served m the One Hnndred and Forty-second Ohio National Guards and saw active service at Petersburg, Ybl., and other points He has been trustee and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Chunsh for twenty years.

J. M. HABBOD, farmer, P. O. Harrod, was born in Auglaize Township, this county, March 7, 1852. His father, William Harrod, was bom in Enox County, Ohio, October 4, 1819; his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Copeland, was a native of Ghreene County, Ohio. Becords show them to be of Pennsylvania stock, and the family were early pioneers of Knox County. William Harrod settled on the land he now occupies in 1841, at which time he took up 160 acres. The farm now embraces 440 acres. After paying taxes on his land, Mr. Harrod had but 13 left, but with health and ambition, he began his work in the woods, and his labors have been crowned with success. He and his wife were parents of six children: J. W., Bebecca, Albert, Laura, Louis B. and Dora B. The subject of this sketch settled on his present farm, consisting of 120 acres in 1879. He has made excellent improvments, and has taken an active part in building up Harrod, and improving the place. Mr. Harrod was married in Jackson Township, this county, in 1879, to Miss Hannah C. Leatherman, a native of this county. He has held various offices of trust ill the township.

BENJAl^QN HEFFNEB, Jb., farmer, P. O., Westminster, was born in Bucks County, Penn., December 6, 1827,. and is« son of Abner and Lucy (Dafney) Heffher, both of German extraction. The family were early settlers of Licking County, Ohio, where the parents led an uneventful life, and died surrounded by their children and friends. Of their children three are now living: Benjamin, Tobias Anthony and Susanah. The subject of this sketch settled in Westminster, this township, in 1851, where he has since been engaged in farming, clearing a portion of the land upon which he now resides, and passing through mucdi of the hardships of pioneer life. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Catherine Tost, a native of Pennsylvania, and by her he has the following children now living: Alexander and Matthew, residing in Si Louis, Abner and Adelia. Mr. Hefiner has a farm of lOO-acres of well-improved land and a home well worthy of his hard earned labors. The family are members of the Beformed Church.

J. G. MANAHAN, merchant, P. O. Manahan, was bom near Westminster, Md., August 4, 1842, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Pierce) Manahan, natives of Maryland, who moved to Marion County, Ohio, in 1850, thence to this county in 1860, where the mother died. The father is at this time a resident of Perry Township, this county. Of their children, three are now living: Mary (wife of W. E. Cummings^, John C. and Erasmus B. The subject of this sketch enlisted in loo2, in Company £, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He participlited in the battles of Stone Biver, Mason Bidge, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Nashville and several minor engagements. Betuming to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Manahan engaged in farming, until he opened his present place of business, in 1888, at Westminster Station. The postoffice was named in his hoaor, and he was appointed postmaster in August, 1883. Mr. Manahan married in 1869,

Miss Eliza, daughter of Stephen Hardest^ and Nancy Ellia Five children were born to this anion, all now living: John A. B., Alta K., Nancy E., Minnie M. and Gksorge A.

TURNER MARRIOTT, firm of Marriott & Bitler, merchants, Harrod, was bom in Hamilton Gonnty, Ohio, in 1839, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Snyder) Marriott, natiyes of Ohio and early pioneers of Hamilton County. Stacy Marriott, grandfather of oar subject, a ship carpenter by trade, entered land when there was bat one store in Cincinnati; he died of cholera in 1847. Benjamin and Elizabeth Marriott are now residing in that county, aged respectively seventy-seven and seventy-two years. Twelve ohildron were bom to them, all now living: Sarah (wife of G. Bickle), Frederick, Catherine, Benjamin, Nancy, Tamer, Stacy, Jennie (wife of O. Schaler), Anna (wife of Thomas Crabb), Amanda (wife of J. Q. Adams), Newton and John. The subject of this sketch established himself, in 1866, in mercantile trade, at Wrestle Creek, Auf'laize County, Ohio, where he has since continuously engaged in business, n 1883 he formed the present co-partnership, which has been conducted very successfully, Mr. Marriott, since his location at Harrod, has followed farming in connection with his mercantile pursuits, and is dealing somewhat in live stock. Along with Mr. Harrod he has been interested in building up and improving Harrod. Mr. Marriott was married in this county, in lo64, to Miss Sarah C, daughter of Gecnrge Stiles, of Auglaize County, Ohio. Five children were bom to this union, all now living: Euphemia J., (wife of F. Leatherman), Armond, Maud B., Cora B. and Turner C.

SHEPHERD RUDY, farmer, P. O. Westminster, was bom Febraary 16, 1823, in Miami County, Ohio; son of Jacob and Fannie (Neff) Rudy, and grandson of Frederick Rudy, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Jacob Rudy came to Ohio in 1798, and settled near Dayton, in Miami County, as one of the pioneers of that county, before the county-seat, Troy, was thought of. He entered 172 acres of land, which he cleared entire, and there raised a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Frederick, Shepherd, Aaron, Nancy (now Mrs. Studebaker), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Landis), Fannie (now Mrs. Sproul), and ''Sarah (now Mrs. Shellabarger). Our subject received his early education in Miami County, Ohio. He was married Jane 22, 1847, to Ann Stonburgur, by whom he has ten children, eight now living: Almeda (now Mrs. E., Bowdle), Eliza (now Mrs. J. Place), Cordelia (now Mrs. R. Hutchison) Maiy F., Adam F. , Jacob M. , William E. and OUie M. Our subject came to this county in 1849, and settled on his present farm of 160 acres, with good improvements, now owned by him, formerly by David Gilmer. Mr. Rudy has been active in school matters, having been director for many years. He is a member of, and leader, in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

VALENTINE ROSE was bom in 1820 in Mercer County, Penn., son of Henry and Catherine (Ault) Rose, natives of Pennsylvania, where they died. They were parents of ten children, six now living: Jacob, Henry, Valentine* Elizabeth, Mary A. and Susan. Our subject, who is the only one living in Ohio, was married in 1843 to Caroline C. Carlin, and to this union were born four children, of whom two are living: Andrew J., married to Miss Mary J. Plummer (have one child - Lula M.) and Mar- garet Jane, married to David N. Moyer (have oDe child - Robert Franklin). Mr. Rose came to Ohio in 1864, and settled where he now lives. Beginning life with but little, he now owns a well caltivated farm, which he purchased of Abraham Shockey, and on which he has made all the improvements. Mr. Rose has followed agricaltnral parsnits the greater part of his life.

Source changes here: from History of Allen County, Ohio, by Various, published 1885; 2,618 words in this source stream.

Auglaize Township

4 Rgeae township forming the southwest corver of the county north of the line of Auglaize County, west of the line of Hardin County, and south and east of Jackson and Perry Townships, was established by order of the Commissioners of Allen County, March 5, 1832. In December of that year the township of Scioto was disestablished and attached to Auglaize Township for judicial purposes. Until the establishment of Perry Township in December, 1833, the twelve eastern sections of that township formed a portion of Auglaize Township. Since that time what is known as original Township 4 south, Range 8 east, constitutes this division of the county. The villages known as Westminster, West Newton and South Maysville belong to Auglaize Township. The population in 1880 was 1,749. The increase since 1880, based on school statistics of 1884, which give an enumeration of 264 boys and 241 girls, an aggregate school population of 505, is not remarkable.

The pioneers of Auglaize Township were Francis Stevenson, John and Arabella Goode, who settled here in 1829. In March, 1830, the Stevenson family came to take possession of the home selected by the pioneer in 1829. Francis Stevenson died in 1847, and the year following his wife died. Tolson Ford, James Hamilton, Henry Weaver and Robert Underwood arrived in 1830, and the following year, Isaac, John, Daniel and Samuel Shockey, and David Serkes came in. The authentic record of early settlement is given in the chapter dealing with the pioneers of the county, in that portion of it where the tax-payers of Auglaize, in 1834, are named. The following record of purchasers of Goyernment lands in this township is not only valuable as being historical in every sense; but also as a testimonial to the men who purchased, as it

U. S. Lands Entered

Joshua Braddock, section 1, 1834. William Hunter, section 1, 1837. David Robinson, section 1, 1836. Jacob Sellers, section 2, 1834. Robert Guthrie, section 2, 1836. Demas Adams, section 2, 1836. George Houseman, Sr., section 3, 1836. Andrew Grubb, section 3, 1836. Jotham Clark, section 3, 1835. Daniel Leatherman, section 3, 1835. Michael Leatherman, section 4, 1885.

Mrs. Goode, whose name is given among the settlers of 1829, was the first white woman who appeared in the role of housekeeper within the Her hushand, John Goode, is credited with building the first cabin in the township.

bounds of Auglaize. The first Township Board comprised Tolson Ford, William Gilmore and James Watt, Trustees, and Tolson Ford, Justice of the Peace.

During the winter of 1833-34, a subscription school was opened by John Shockey, sou of Samuel Shockey, in a cabin which was built on Section 26.

A short time after this, the commissioners ordered that the The growth of the school system within the last half century is told by the following statistics: $8,781.54; expenditures, $6,268. ued at $17,000, one of which was completed in 1SS4 at a cost of $3,554.

Twenty teachers are employed. This does not include Westminster Special District, of which the following are the statistics: Revenue in 1584 was $1 227.13; expenditure $642.55. The number of pupils enrolled, 101: 48 boys and 53

From the earliest périod of settlement, religious organization has existed in this division of the county. To-day there are six church buildings. In 1831 Rev. Joseph Hill, Elder Chaffee, and a preacher named Waddle visited this district, and found a home and house of worship at the Stevenson house. About 1834 a house was erected near Westminster (which was devoted to religious uses), where now the First Methodist Church building stands. The Protestant Methodist Church was subsequently established; the Baptist societies were also early organizations. In later years the United Brethren, Christian Brethren, German Reformed Lutheran and other societies were established. In 1880 Mrs. Rebecca Creps erected the German Reformed Church of Westminster, in memory of Alex. Creps, the founder of the village, who settled here in 1832 and died in 1878. This house is built of brick, with stone facings, is supplied with bell and belfry, and dedicated to the use of all orthodox religions by the generous donor.

The Methodists formed a class in Marion Township, Hardin County; as early as 1840, at the house of James Thomson. The place of meeting was subsequently moved to Maysville, near which a house of worship has been erected.

Miscellaneous

Maysville is located on Section 1, Auglaize, and Section 36, Jackson, in Allen County, and partly in Hardin County. German street forms the county line, east of which, in Allen County, the main portion of the village stands. Main street forms the line between Jackson and Auglaize Townships. The original town in Allen County contains fifty lots.

Westminster, platted by Alex. Creps in 1834, is located on the north bank of the Auglaize, Section 18, Auglaize Township. The streets run northeast and southeast at an angle of about 25°. The streets running northeast are named Franklin, Walnut and Mulberry - the others Main and Centre Streets. This is an ambitious business village and the center of a growing trade. The neighboring country is characterized by well cultivated farms and a progressive population.

West Newton on Section 36, Auglaize Township, was platted in 1850 by David Shields. The village centre is at an intersection of Washington and Napoleon Streets.

Each village of this township supports a small business community. The agricultural interests are fostered with zealous care, and, as shown in the general history of the county, advancement marks the township as her own. No railroad passes through this township. The postoffices

A. C. BITLER, firm of Marriott & Bitler, merchants, Harrod. This house established business at Harrod, in 1883. They carry a general stock of about $3,500, and conduct a large and lucrative trade. The subject of this sketch, junior member of the firm, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., June 21, 1857, son of Samuel] and Sarah Bitler, pioneers and residents of Auglaize County, Ohio. Our subject came to this place ostensibly to enter mercantile trade, in which he has been very successful. He was appointed postmaster at Harrod, April 1, 1884, succeeding G. W. Campbell, which position he has acceptably filled, and during his short residence in the place he has won many friends. Mr. Bitler was married in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1881, to Miss Clara, daughter of William and Lydia Frasier. Two children were born to this union, both now living: Isa M., and Elmira G.

SAMUEL DUBBIN, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Knox County,. Ohio, August 11, 1831; sop of John and Sarah (Braddock) Durbin, natives of Knox County, where the latter died. They were parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living: Elizabeth (wife of H. Kettle), Samuel, Sarah (wife of William Winters), Samantha (wife of G. B. Growdon), John, Olive (wife of H. Barker), Philena (wife of B. Blatch; ley), and Mansoneta (wife of L. Lewis). John Durbin, married for his. second wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Wright) Trimble, by whom he has one son, Wright. He is at present a resident of Fredericktown, Knox Co., Ohio, and although well-advanced in years he enjoys robust heath, and is vigorous and strong. He has made large accumulations of property through a life of industry; for years he was one of the prominent members of, and exhorters in, the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and has followed agriculture all his life. In 1852 he went by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California. After prospecting three years, he returned to his native land (spending five months in doubling Cape Horn), well satified with the reward of his industry. His present farm now consists of 220 acres, upon which he has made many improvements in way of buildings, ete. Mr. Durbin was united in marriage, April 3, 1856, with Miss Rachel, daughter of Adam and Isabel Shipley (both deceased in Allen County), and a native of Knox County, Ohio. Her family were early settlers of Howard Township, Knox Co. Ohio. Their children now living are Eliza (wife of Henry Coles), Rachel and Emily (wife of Benjamin Austin). To our subject and wife were born ten children, of whom seven are now living: Emery L. (married to Miss Mary F. Cook, have one child, Charles E., they reside in Lafayette, this county, where Emery L., is largely engaged in hardware trade), Willie H., Finley, Lizzie B., Emma O., Samantha and Samuel. The family are retined and intelligent, the eldest children being vocalists of merit. Mr. Durbin in the late war of the Rebellion, served in the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National Guards and saw active service at Petersburg, Va., and other points He has been trustee and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty years.

J. M. HARROD, farmer, P. O. Harrod, was born in Auglaize Township, this county, March 7, 1852. His father, William Harrod, was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 4, 1819; his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Copeland, was a native of Greene County, Ohio. Records show them to be of Pennsylvania stock, and the family were early pioneers of Knox County. William Harrod settled on the land he now occupies in 1841, at which time he took up 160 acres. The farm now embraces 440 acres. After paying taxes on his land, Mr. Harrod had but $3 left, but with health and ambition, he began his work in the woods, and his labors have been crowned with success. He and his wife were parents of six children: J. W., Rebecca, Albert, Laura, Louis B. and Dora B. The subject of this sketch settled on his present farm, consisting of 120 acres in 1879. He has made excellent improvments, and has taken an active part in building up Harrod, and improving the place. Mr. Harrod was. married in Jackson Township, this county, in 1879, to Miss Hannah C. Leatherman, a native of thiscounty. He has held various offices of trust. in the township.

BENJAMIN HEFFNER, Jr., farmer, P. O., Westminster, was born in Bucks County, Penn., December 6, 1827, and is a son of Abner and Lucy (Dafney) Heffner, both of German extraction. The family were early settlers of Licking County, Ohio, where the parents led an uneventful life, and died surrounded by their children and friends. Of their children three are now living: Benjamin, Tobias Anthony and Susanah. The subject of this sketch settled in Westminster, this township, in 1851, where he has since been engaged in farming, clearing a portion of the land upon which he now resides, and passing through much of the hardships of pioneer life. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Catherine Yost, a native of Pennsylvania, and by her he has the following children now living: Alexander and Matthew, residing in St. Louis, Abner and Adelia. Mr. Heffner has a farm of 100 acres of well-improved land and a home well worthy of his hard earned labors. The family are members of the Reformed Church.

J. C. MANAHAN, merchant, P. O. Manahan, was born near Westminster, Md., August 4, 1842, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Pierce) Manahan, natives of Maryland, who moved to Marion County, Ohio, in 1850, thence to this county in 1860, where the mother died. The father is at this time a resident of Perry Township, this county. Of their children, three are now living: Mary (wife of W. E. Cummings), John C. and Erasmus B. The subject of this sketch enlisted in 1862, in Company E, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Mason Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Nashville and several minor engagements. Returning to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Manahan engaged in farming, until he opened his present place of business, in 1883, at Westminster Station. The postoffice was named in his honor, and he was appointed postmaster in August, 1883. Mr. Manahan married in 1869,

Miss Eliza, daughter of Stephen Hardesty and Nancy Ellis. Five children were born to this union, all now living: John A. B., Alta K., Nancy E., Minnie M. and George A.

TURNER MARRIOTT, firm of Marriott & Bitler, merchants, Harrod, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1839, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Snyder) Marriott, natives of Ohio and early pioneers of Hamilton County. Stacy Marriott, grandfather of our subject, a ship carpenter by trade, entered land when there was but one store in Cincinnati; he died of cholera in 1847. Benjamin and Elizabeth Marriott are now residing in that county, aged respectively seventy-seven and seventy-two years. Twelve children were born to them, all now living: Sarah (wife of G. Bickle), Frederick, Catherine, Benjamin, Nancy, Turner, Stacy, Jennie (wife of G. Schuler), Anna (wife of Thomas Crabb), Amanda (wife of J. Q. Adams), Newton and John. The subject of this sketch established himself, in 1866, in mercantile trade, at Wrestle Creek, Auglaize County, Ohio, where he has since continuously engaged in business. In 1883 be formed the present co-partnership, which has been conducted very successfully, Mr. Marriott, since his location at Harrod, has followed farming in connection with his mercantile pursuits, and is dealing somewhat in live stock. Along with Mr. Harrod he has been interested in building up and improving Harrod. Mr. Marriott was married in this county, in 1864, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of George Stiles, of Auglaize County, Ohio. Five children were born to this union, all now living: Euphemia J., (wife of F. Leatherman), Armond, Maud B., Cora B. and Turner C.

SHEPHERD RUDY, farmer, P. O. Westminster, was born February 16, 1823, in Miami County, Ohio; son of Jacob and Fannie (Neff) Rudy, and grandson of Frederick Rudy, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Jacob Rudy came to Ohio in 1798, and settled near Dayton, in Miami County, as one of the pioneers of that county, before the county-seat, Troy, was thought of. He entered 172 acres of land, which he cleared entire, and there raised a family of eleven children, seven of whom are uow living: Frederick, Shepherd, Aaron, Nancy (now Mrs. Studebaker), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Landis), Fannie (now Mrs. Sproul), and Sarah (now Mrs. Shellabarger). Our subject received his early education in Miami County, Ohio. He was married June 22, 1847, to Ano Stonburgur, by whom he has ten children, eight now living: Almeda (now Mrs. E., Bowdle), Eliza (now Mrs. J. Place), Cordelia (now Mrs. R. Hutchison) Mary F., Adam F., Jacob M., William E. and Ollie M. Our subject came to this county in 1849, and settled on his present farm of 160 acres, with good improvements, now owned by him, formerly by David Gilmer. Mr. Rudy has been active in school matters, having been director for many years. He is a member of, and leader, in the Methodist Episcopal Churcb.

VALENTINE ROSE was born in 1820 in Mercer County, Penn., son of Henry and Catherine (Ault) Rose, natives of Pennsylvania, where they died. They were parents of ten children, six now living: Jacob, Henry, Valentine, Elizabeth, Mary A. and Susan. Our subject, who is the only one living in Ohio, was married in 1843 to Caroline C. Carlin, and to this union were born four children, of whom two are living: Andrew J., married to Miss Mary J. Plummer (have one child - Lula M.) and Mar- garet Jane, married to David N. Moyer (have one child - Robert Franklin). Mr. Rose came to Ohio in 1864, and settled where he now lives. Beginning life with but little, he now owns a well cultivated farm, which he purchased of Abraham Shockey, and on which he has made all the improvements. Mr. Rose has followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life.