Brown Township (part 1 of 2)

Brown Township

Brown Township was constituted in December, 1833, being taken from Richland and was bounded as follows : Beginning at the northwest corner of Township 1 3 north Ranoe 2 east, thence southward to the township line ; thence east to the east line of Section 35 ; thence north to the township line, and west to the place of beginning. Subsequently those parts of Townships 14 and 15, which lay directly north, and of equal width to this were added, but, in 1839, were laid off into a new township called Allen. %

In length Brown is six miles north and south, and m width, five miles. Mucn of the land was originally entered in quarter-section tracts, the law then requiring one-third down and the balance in installments. Subsequently, a « forfeiture oi eighty acres was allowed, that is, the half of the entry could be relinquished and the money that had been paid on the whole could be applied to pay lor the part. A later law permitting the entry of forty acres, caused great rejoicing among the poorer classes of movers, and a rush of settlers came swarming into this part ol

Topographically, Brown Township is one of the most level of the northern tier Even along streams the surface is comparatively uniform in this respect The Stillwater, which rises in the " spread " in Jackson, enters Brown, near the southwest corner of Section 7, on the place now owned by Lewis Kern, runs northeast to the pike on the C. C. Kertrow farm, in Section G ; thence nearly south across the northeast corner of Section 7, again to the line, then forms a sharp bend in the northwest quarter of Section 8 ; from thence proceeding rather crookedly but without any very marked variations from a southeastward!? course to near 'Dallas at which place the stream becomes very tortuous, with a general course north of east to the township line, about one-fourth of a mile from the northeast corner of Section 23, and nearly half a mile north of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. Several minor branches flow into the main stream the principal auxiliary being the one which joins the Stillwater, a half-mile east of Dallas. This branch forms a bow over a mile to the westward before it reaches a point almost a mile and a quarter north of its mouth. Following a freshet an aerial view of the township would show a maze of pettv streams, but at other times many creeks are quite low and sometimes altogether dry.

Originally much of the land of this township was regarded as next to worthless, but systematic ditching and draining have rendered those very tracts the most valuable. Encouraged to persevere, a great deal of tile is still beino- put down by owners. Besides the uniformly even surface, the lands of Brown were characterized by a remarkably diversified yet well-distributed mixture of timber - almost every variety that was to be found, in any part of the county beino- found here and the trunks were generally straight, and of value for lumber and for mechanical purposes.

For many years, the timber was ruthlessly destroved before the advent of the railroads and manufactories permitted its transportation and use The number of establishments for the manufacture of hubs, spokes, staves, etc show that the supply, although sensibly diminished, is far from being exhausted

The Pan Handle (old Columbus, Piqua & Indianapolis Railroad, enters the township near the southeastern corner of the southwest section (31) and passes out one-fourth mile from the northwest corner of the section. Reckoning also from the east, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad^enters the township almost at the center of the east line of Section 23, and passinothrough Dallas, goes in a straight line to a point a trifle south of the northwest corner of Section 30, where it enters Jackson Township, its inclination southward being one-half mile in five.

John Woodington is reputed to have been the pioneer of the township He located upon St. Clair's tract on Section 29. A. Teegarden came in the summer ol 1820, and entered the southwest quarter of Section 18. Daniel Dewall settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 20. in the fall of the same year David and Silas Riffle were early settlers ; the former is now Mayor the latter came m 1828 ; Thomas Marcum moved in during 1829 ; I. T. Wise from Miami County, m 1834; Wesley Millett, a maker of wagons, in 1836; J.'h White in I Z\, A' WamP^ from Preble County, in 1838 ; 0. M. Searl in 1839 ; and J &. .Miller m 1840. White located on the northwest quarter of Section 23 Mc \\ ltley on the east half of southeast quarter of Section 1 0 ; and Titus on the northeast quarter of Section 29. A few these of the pioneers, examples so to speak, oi the men who organized and developed this section of the county The first death that occurred in Brown was that of Rachael Teegarden wife of \bra nam Teegarden. wh< i died the next season after her arrival here. The first marriage was that of Polly Dewall, daughter of Daniel Dewall. to John Bruno whole nuptials were celebrated three or four years after their arrival in the township ile,>"stTTbirth was a son to Da^1 and Nancy Studybalser, who was named Philip. His parents had come to the township on a visit, and being detained here Fin hp was born on the farm now owned by William Bachman.

The first settler within the present limits of Dallas was John Tattle, a native of idams County Penn., who was a genuine believer in ghosts, hobgoblins, etc., and was noted for spinning mythical varus. George Turpen built the first house in Dallas and sold the first goods. The first school in the township was taught bv John llufman. in a pole cabin, built in 1827, for the general accommodation of the sen Ins. for an area of several miles. Three old buildings long used as school-houses are still standing besides the fine union school buddings now

David Kittle relates that in the famous " squirrel year." 1822, these animals made their appearance in such numbers that the clearings were actually covered with them - as much so as if a flock of blackbirds or flight of pigeons had settled on a small area The Indians ascribed the circumstance to the failure of the mast, or nuts of any kind, in the woods that vear. For many years, the squirrels had uninterruptedly increased until they had become very numerous ; but 1822 was, to them, a famine year Then the clearings were inconsiderable portions of the lands, and it is not incredible that the ground was " covered with them." It is said that in their ravenous hunger thev forgot all fear, and if a person had an ear of corn in his pocket thev would swarm upon him and cut the very clothing with their teeth to c4t at the food for want of which they famished. They seemed to have an instinctive knowledge that in the southeastern country there was food to be had, and millions of them migrated in that direction, and found their way, it is said, across the Ohio into Virginia. Great numbers became so weak, through starvation that thev " fell out of the ranks " and perished by the way.

?The travel to Brown Township naturally directs his course toward the inviting village of Dallas, located one mile west of the east boundary of the township, and three and a half miles north from the southern boundary. Stillwater I reek flows through the northern part of the incorporation. Dallas is the second station east from Union City, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Kailroad and is distant therefrom ten and four-tenths miles. The distance west from Versailles to Dallas is nine and eight-tenths miles. It was laid out in 1845, and incorporated in 1867. Ansonia is the name of the post office. Main street runs north and south, with Olive, Elm and Pearl parallel to it on the west. Cross, Canal. Weller and High streets run east and west, intersecting the first-named at right angles The town is symmetrical in its outlines and divisions, and conforms to the cardinal points of "the compass, so that the stranger is not perplexed, as at Greenville by the sun's rising at irreconcilable points of the horizon.

The amount of freight shipped from Dallas, including grain and manufactured articles is much beyond the average of towns of similar size, amounting, annual ly to between six and seven hundred car loads. No telegraph station was located here till 1879. at which time J. H. Royer, station agent, took charge. Ihe tirst operator was J. W. McCrav, who is still (May. 1880.) night operator. Stephen Helm was engaged January 1, 1880, and remained until May 1. Mr. Rover is now day operator and express agent.

The first Postmaster in the town was Mr. Turpen. now a dry -goods merchant at Versailles The first mail carrier was Samuel Baker. V\ illiam \\ lute was the first Justice of the Peace, and held the office before the establishment ot the present boundaries. Samuel Rinehart built the pioneer sinithery. on the southeast corner of Main and Weller streets, which is still standing. It is difficult to ascertain with certainty who preached the first sermon in the township, but it is known that the second was by one Ogclen. The first church stands yet. and is occupied as a dwelling-house, on the land now owned by George Teegarden. The Evangelical Lutherans have a neat brick structure, 32x45 feet, located in Baughman a Addition in the southeast part of the town, on East Mam street. Ihe tirst preacher' was Rev. E. A. Boehme. who also preached the dedication sermon. When the society was organized, there were only a score or more members ; since that time there have been steady accessions.

The attention paid to education is evidenced to the stranger by the size, location and character of the school buildings. The new school building in Dallas is located on two acres of ground in Hulse's Addition, in the northwest part of town. There is a fine three-story brick structure, 34x56 feet, erected in 1873, at a cost of $10,000. The builders were Robinson & Frybarger, of Greenville. The contract was for $8,400. Extras amounted to $1,600. The upper story is used as a school hall for lectures, entertainments, etc., is well seated and supplied with accessions to these ends. The second story is the high-school department, and the first or lower, the primary and intermediate. The first Superintendent was J. M. Syckes, who, with his wife as assistant and a good staff of teachers, secured to the community an efficient school. He was succeeded by the present Superintendent, John S. Royer, a man of marked ability and great popularity as a teacher. He is one of the County Examiners, and by his influence, experience and presence has done much to give the school the excellent reputation it now enjoys. 0. J. Holloway was the last teacher in the grammar department, Miss Lizzie McAlpine, intermediate, and Flora Riffle, primary. Miss McAlpine has taught in the same room continuously since the school began and is in good repute. A fair supply of customary school apparatus has been provided. The officers of the present School Roard are Dr. W. E. Hoover, S. Riffle and J. R. Knouff. There are two organizations or lodges of secret societies in Dallas, the Ansonia Lodge, A., F. & A. M., chartered on October 21, 1874, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and the Odd Fellows, Ansonia Lodge, No. 605, instituted June 18, 1875. The former received their charter from Asa H. Ratten, G. M., and Ferdinand Wilmer, Chairman of the Committee on Charters and Dispensations. The first officers were John S. Royer, W. M.; S. A. Hostetter, S. W., and W. E. Hooven, J. W. The lodge thus started gained rapidly and has a present membership of seventy-one persons, elected from the very best men of the vicinity. The charter members were J. S. Royer, S. A. Hostetter, W. E. Hooven, David Riffile, J. E. Leas, Jacob J. Pohlman, L. C. Anderson, M. W. Rurtch, James McFarland, John R. Wertz, Phillip H. Cromer, Robert Davidson, E. M. Crick, Alexander Loppen, Joseph Smith and Orlando Porter. The present officers are Joshua Herring, Master ; S. A, Hostetter, Senior Warden ; James Abbott, Junior Warden ; J. S. Royer, Secretary ; James White, Treasurer ; Charles Harmon, Senior Deacon ; O. F. Johnson, Junior Deacon, and William Davison, Tiler. The place of meeting alternate Friday evenings, is at Hostetter's Hall.

The charter members of the Odd Fellows were J. J. Peters, Wesley Millett L. C. Garver, John Vanscoyk, C. D. Garver, N. Hartle. O. J. Hager, T. J. Earhart' John Stuby, G. W. Fifer, Peter Denise, S. A. Nead, L. J. Minnich, F. P. Hartle, N. S. Warvel and Levi P. McKibben. The first officers of the society were Wesley Millett, N. G. ; J. J. Peters, V. G. ; L. C. Garver, P. S. ; G. W. Fifer, Secretary, and John Stuby, Treasurer. The present officers are George Rertz, N. G. ; L. C. Anderson, V. G. ; J. E. Leas, Treasurer and Secretary ; J. Vanscoyk, the Permanent Secretary, and L. C. Garver, Treasurer. The lodge assembles Saturday evenings at the I. O. O. F. Hall, in Rertz & Raughman's building. The town has a band of thirteen instruments ; it was organized in 1876 under the leadership of John Casad, the next and present leader was and is A. J. Young. It is a pleasant accessory to the town, and the delight of old as well as young to hear their music. The place is well supplied with reputable physicians. Dr. W. E. Hooven came to Dallas in 1870 ; Dr. L. C. Anderson is associated with Dr. Hooven, his former instructor, in practice of medicine. Dr. John H. Knouff studied under John A. Smith, of Piqua, Ohio, graduated at Cincinnati in 1858, and saw two years' service as Assistant Surgeon in the Fifty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; has been in practice in Dallas ever since, and Dr. S. A. Hostetter has been a practitioner in Dallas since 1871.

The place has the usual accessories of shops for blacksmiths, saddlers, butchers, shoemaking and groceries. There are two hotels - the Miller House, on the corner of Main and Weller streets, kept by Henry E. Miller, and the Ansonia Hotel, by Messrs. L. and C. J. Wolf. This latter house was built in 1854-55 by John Hathaway, who was its first landlord. A number of persons have had charge prior to present owners.

Messrs. Tracy & Quincy were the pioneers in Dallas in tin' drug trade, which they started here in 1868. They were succeeded by Dr. Hager, in the spring of L870 and the fall of 1871. 8. A. Hostetter & Co., present owners, came into possession. The present store was built in the spring of 1875. Bertz & Baughman began dealing in agricultural implements in the spring of 1873 ; they made several additions to their buildings, increased their trade, and handle a stock of $6,000.

Messrs. R. P. and A. E. Vernier run a saw and planing mill, located south of the railroad, and just east of the Ansonia Stave Works. This enterprise was started in the fall of 1872. as a mill to -- rough out"' material for the Rover Wheel Company, of Cincinnati. It then employed from fifty to fifty-five hands. This was for the first eight months, during which the disbursements of the company at this point were over $54,000. for lumber and labor. It was run by this firm about four years, when J. H. Rover, who had been managing agent for the several mills of the company, purchased it and additional to a continuation of the manufacture of hubs, spokes, etc., also got out stave material. In the spring of 1880, the present firm purchased the buildings and what machinery remains. The main building is 90x36 feet, with several large sheds attached. The original cost of the building was $10,(1110.

Joseph H. Roush is a dealer in grain, and has been in business here since 1873. During 1878-79. he bought and shipped 100,000 bushels of corn and 30,000 bushels of wheat. Later purchases show comparatively greater amounts of wheat raised and sold here. Martin Kuntz was engaged in operating a grist and saw mill, located in the southeastern part of the town, south of the railroad. The sawmill was built in 1850, the grist-mill five years later. The present owner made the purchase in February, 1865, and has run the mills steadily to the present. There are two runs of buhrs. thirty-horse power engine. The capacity of the gristmill is from twenty-two to twenty-four barrels in twenty-four hours.

The Ansonia Stave Company, whose works are located in Baughman's Addition, in the southwest part of the town, do an extensive business in staves, headings, etc. The mill, sheds, etc.. occupy two acres. The mill itself is about forty feet square, with an L one story. The present capacity and actual business of the factory is 247.000 hubs, assorted sizes, 500.000 barrel staves and much headings. Besides this, forty barrels for flour are made daily in the cooper department. About a dozen men are employed. The aggregate business annually, is from $25,000 to $28,000. The company began their works in 1873. on a small scale. Messrs. Robison & Rigdon wei*e proprietors until 1876, when they sold to Roush, Leare & Co., and they, in the spring of 1877, disposed of the same to J. H., C. A. and W. A. Roush ; the last named, in the spring of 1880. sold his interest to his partners, who continue the business.

A post office was established in Dallas in 1872. and 8. H. Light, the present incumbent, who was appointed March 16. 1880, is the successor of E. Leare, the first official. A large amount of mail matter goes through this office. It is estimated, that the population of this local post-office district is not less that 3,500. There is no office north of here, this side of Mercer County, and some families of that county get their mail at Dallas. The present Mayor is David Millie ; the Clerk is Charles Schneiderman . Marshall, Preston Riffle : Council, Jacob Deardorff, George McEldorney, 8. 8. Riffle. L. C. Garver. Marion Tullis and G. C. Hulse.

Long before Dallas (now Ansonia) became a preaching place, the Methodists held regular services at different, places in the towns and country around. Au occasional service was held in an schoolhouse a little north of the village, and later than this in the village schoolhouse. H. 0. Sheldon, J. T. Bower. H. Boyers, M. Perkey, A. Armstrong, H. Burns, and others, were some of those who preached here before the society was organized in Dallas. Among these, we mention the honored name of J. P. Durbin, D. D., who, I am told, was accustomed at one place to lay the corn for his horse to eat on an oak stump, that he might be ready to move on as soon as he was done service. His own dinner he got as best he could , on the way. As early as 1845 to 1850, Methodist preaching was done in the house was organized, with Benjamin L. Rowand as Pastor. In 1864, D. Gr. Strong, since gone West, was placed in charge, but was called during the year to fill a vacancy at Quincy, Logan County, and Henry Burns, a local preacher of fine ability, and now residing in Versailles, filled the unexpired term of Mr. Strong, and also supplied the charge the next year. In 1866, Jason and William Young filled the charge, and Henry Burns again in 1867. In 1868, Valentine Staley ; in 1860, James Jackson ; in 1870, P. M. Young ; in 1871. M. M. Markwith. The charge -embracing Dallas was known part of the time as Wabash, and part of the time as Versailles. In 1872, it took the name of Dallas ; R, D. Oldfielcl, Pastor. The following are the Pastors, terms of service and salary, as far as reported in the conference minutes, since 1872 : E. D. Whitlock, 1873, one year, salary $650 ; T. L. Wiltse, 1874, two years, salary $710 ; R. D. Oldfield, 1876, one year, salary $725 ; J. R. Colgan, 1877, three years, salary $750. The above do not include airy rents, as there is a good parsonage. In 1875, the name of the charge was changed to Ansonia - the name of the railroad and the post office. In 1873, a church was dedicated at a cost of $3,200. It is a model brick structure, 36x55 feet, with a fine bell. The existence of this house is due. as in most other cases, to the untiring energy of a few. Among these, we name W. E. Hooven, M. D., H. W. Fry, N. D. Poling, S. Kershner. J. H. Roush, Gr. M. Click and D. Poling. On a corner near the church is a neat parsonage, worth about $1,000. The working, as well as paying agency, in securing this desirable property, was Jacob Holdeman. The membership of this church is about eighty. The Sunday school has an average of about one hundred and twenty.

25 1799, and came to Darke Co., in 1812, and was among the first settlers of Darke Co.: he married Margaret Hill ; she was born in South Carolina June 16 1 1801, and died June 1856. Mr. Rush died May, 1871.

L C ANDERSON, physician and surgeon, Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1850 ; he was the oldest son of John Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 10, 1821, and emigrated to Montgomery Co., then to Preble Co., and in 1863, he came to Darke Co., and located in Twin Township and in 1865, he came to Ansonia ; he died in Sydney May 30, 1869 ; he was married to Marv A. Hulse Feb. 15, 1819 ; she was a native of Montgomery Co. ; was born June 15, 1 830, and died Aug. 22, 1861. The subjectof this memoir obtained a good common-school education, and in the spring of 1871, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. E. Hooven, and after a study of three years, including two terms of lectures at the Miami Medical College, he graduated from the above place in the spring of 1871, and, upon the 23d of March, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Hooven & Anderson, which partnership continues the same, with a yearly increase of practice. His marriage with Olive Tullis was celebrated April 29, 1875 ; she was born in Darke Co. Feb. 15, 1851 ; they have one child, John Milton, born June 21, 1876.

HENRY B AUGHMAN, retired farmer ; P. O. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers of Darke County ; born in Germany Dec. 20, 1822 ; he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in the fall of 1832 ; after living in Virginia three years, they came to Ohio and located in Richland Township in the fall of 1835; his father, John H. Baughman, was born in Germany, and, upon locating here, entered Government land, upon which he lived some thirty years ; he died in Brown Township, in September, 1875 ; Mrs. Baughman died about the year 1858 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. Henry remained with his father until 15 years of age, when he started in life for himself by hiring out as farm-laborer, the first year at $4 per month and the second year at $8, and the following seven years he cropped with his former employer, Jacob Studabaker; he entered first 160 acres of canal land for which he paid $300 ; after farming the same a few years, he disposed of 40 acres for $1,000, and now has the balance left ; he has refused $800 for 8 acres of the same land ; he now owns nearly 300 acres, with good buildings, aside from his residence and lots in Dallas. Mr. Baughman commenced in life without means and, after years of toil, has placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke County, and accumulated a handsome fortune ; in 1865, he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas, where he has since lived, retired from active labor. His marriage with Mary Studabaker was celebrated in Darke County in 1846 ; nine children were born to them, of whom two sons and six daughters are now living, viz., Emily (now Mrs. Walter Reed), Caroline (now Mrs. Joseph Reed), Juliette (now Mrs. Jefferson Hostetter, of Dallas). Mary Ann, Franklin, Ida, May and Lawrance ; the deceased died in infancy. Mr. Baughman has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since childhood ; his wife and nearly all the family are also church members. When Mr. Baughman first located here, the place where Dallas now stands was a wilderness and he assisted to erect the first building in the town.

WILLIAM BAUGHMAN, retired farmer ; one of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; born in Germany March 24, 1827 ; when 5 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in 1832 ; they went to Wheeling, Va., where they arrived without means, and remained ihree years ; they came to Darke Co. in 1835 ; here his father, John H., died, September, 1875 ; his wife having died about the year 1858. In October, 1848, William Baughman -was united in marriage with Catherine Bertz ; she was born in Germany, and is a sister of George Bertz, whose sketch also appears in this work ; ten children was the fruit of this union, of whom five sons and two daughters now survive, viz., Solomon, Mary J., George W., William, Lucy B., Charlie and Augusta. Upon the marriage of Mr. B., he farmed upon rented land four years ; he then bought 40 acres, upon which he lived nine years ; he now owns 256 acres in Brown and Richland Townships, with good farm buildings, also his residence and some improved business property in town. Mr. Baughman commenced life without means, and has by his own hard labor, energy and industry, placed himself among the large landholders and successful business men of Brown Township, being a partner in the popular hardware firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co.

GEORGE BERTZ. hardware dealer, firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co., Ansonia, Ohio. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is another of the self-made men of Darke County ; he was born in Saxony, Germany, April 6, 1835, and was a son of John Bertz, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1803, and died in 1844. He was married, in Germany to Anna Magdalena Doud ; she, with five children, emigrated to America in 1847 ; she died in Richland Township Sept. 13, 1848. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America with his mother, and, upon her death, was taken by William Baughman, by whom he was kindly cared for and raised until he attained his majority, and for compensation to this date received $100 ; the following seven years his wages ranged from $75 to $100 yearly; in 1864, he went to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of land in Otoe CouUvy, and for four years was engaged in the restaurant and baker business in Nebraska City ; his brother now resides upon the above farm, which he has under a good state of cultivation ; in 1869, Mr. Bertz returned to Ansonia and engaged in the dry-goods trade, and in 1873 he engaged with William Baughman in the agricultural trade, and in the fall of 1874 they erected their brick store and added their present business, which they have since successfully followed ; a card of their business appears among the business cards of Ansonia ; in 1875, he was elected Township Trustee, which office he has since held, and is also serving his second year as Councilman of Ansonia ; has been a member of the church since 12 years of age, and a member of Lodge 605 I. O. 0. F. since 1875 ; has never made use of tobacco in any form, and is a strong champion of the cause of temperance.

HEZEKIAH W. FRY, Sec. 21, Ansonia; one of the oldsettlers of Darke County ; born in what is now Neave Township, near old Fort Jefferson, Jan. 26, 1835 ; he was a son of Andrew Fry, who was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Darke County somewhere from 1820 to 1825, and settled in the woods, when; he was engaged in farming in connection with his trade, which was a wheelwright ; he was also local preacher of the Methodist Church, was Justice of the Peace for many years, and held other township offices ; he died about the year 1871 ; he married Rachel Wilson ; she was born in Hamilton County ; she died a few years after the death of her husband. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until March 19, 1857, when he was united in marriage with Ellen J. Guy ; she was a native of Pennsylvania, born April 10, 1836 ; they have three sons and two daughters living, having lost two daughters by death ; the living are Agnes, Albertice, Benjamin F., Alonzo M. and Grace A. Upon the marriage of Mr. Fry, he farmed upon rented land four years, and in 1861 he purchased 160 acres of his present place, where he has since lived ; he has now 210 acres, with good farm buildings, under a fair state of cultivation. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for a period of a quarter of a century ; his wife and eldest daughter members of the same church.

DANIEL GARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Woodington ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1836. His father. Leonard, was born in Pennsylvania in 1803 ; came to Ohio, and, after a residence of several years in Montgomery and Butler Co.'s, came to Darke Co. in 1844, where he died in July, 1871 ; he married Maria Bake; she was born in Butler Co. and died when the subject of this sketch was an infant. Daniel Garrison came to Darke Co. with his father in 1844, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and employed as farm laborer until about 24 years of age. when, upon the 20th of September, 1860, he was united in marriage with Mary Niswonger ; she was born in Montgomery Co. Jan. 30. 1840 ; they have four children now living, viz. : Elmer E., born Oct. 7, 1861 ; Joseph N., born Sept. 23, 1864 ; Viola May, born July 9, 1870, and Ada B., born Nov. 15, 1877 ; Leonard A. was born July 21, 1867, and died Jan. 6, 1870. After the marriage of Mr. G. ; he farmed upon rented land twelve year's, and in 1872 he purchased his present place of 65 acres, where he has since lived : he is one of our self-made men ; commencing in life without means, he has secured all of the above property by his own hard labor, energy and industry ; he, with his wife, have been members of the Christian Church for a period of about thirty years. Mrs. Garrison was a daughter of Joseph Niswonger, who was born in Montgomery Co., where he now resides ; her mother was Anna W. Henderson ; she was born in Ohio, and died some twenty-six years ago ; upon the 3d of June, 1877, Mrs. Garrison was stricken with paralysis, depriving her of the use of her left side ; since which time she has been unable to perform only her light household duties ; she has, however, borne her afflictions with that fortitude which is characteristic of her true Christian life.

L. C. GABVER. dealer in groceries and provisions, Ansonia ; born in Washington Co., Md., Oct. 21, 1842 ; in 1848, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1851 to°Montgomery Co. ; in August, 1852, came to Darke Co. and located in Richland Township ; here his father, Isaac Garver, met his death by an accident at a barn raising, one of the timbers falling upon him late in the clay, causing his death, after 'a few hours' suffering, upon May 3, 1854. The subject of our sketch was then thrown upon his own resources, and labored at such employment as he could obtain until Sept. 7, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 34th O. V. I. (1st Ohio Zouaves), for three years ; he was in many severe battles, among which we mention the battle of Winchester, both battles of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlestown, Va., the whole campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg and the Lynchburg raid, and many others ; he was one of the 1,200 who were detailed to make a raid to destroy the V. & T. R. R. ; they made the trip of upward of 400 miles in six clays, traveling over mountains and valleys, through a dangerous country, traveling by day and night ; they encountered many dangers ; at one time found themselves in the rebel camp ; often, while riding at nio-ht, some of the poor soldiers, with their horses, were thrown over precipices ; they arrived at Wythevilie on Saturday, July 18, 1863. and immediately attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a force of rebels, lodged in the buildings, equally as large as the Union force ; after severe fighting, in which the Union forces lost heavily in killed and wounded, the place was captured ; in this engagement Mr. Garver was severely wounded ; being the chief target for many rebels, he received eight bullets upon his person at one volley ; he managed to crawl to some secluded place, was taken prisoner and remained in rebel prisons until March 24, 1864, when he was paroled, having served in rebel prisons eight months, suffering all the cruel treatment and starvation extended to our Union soldiers ; after receiving his parole, he lay in the Hospital until the September following, when, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and the following spring engaged in farming, continuing the same until 1874, when, on account of failing health from the cruel treatment received while in rebel prisons, and suffering from his wounds, he abandoned farming, came to Ansonia, and engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully followed. In politics, he is a strong Republican, and always votes as he fought. Upon the 23d of May. 1865, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Warvel ; she was born in

Darke Co. Dec. 13, 1847 ; they have four children by this union - John H. W.r born June 18, 1866 ; Cordelia M., April 10,1869; Leonard M. and Lizzie M. (twins), Nov. 8, 1873. The business card of Mr. Garver will be found in the directory of Ansonia. in another part of this work.

ORLANDO J. HAGER, contractor and builder, of the firm Riffle & Hager, P. 0. Ansonia ; residence. Dallas ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery County upon the 12th of November, 1847 ; he is a son of James W. Hager, who was born in the same county, and came to Darke County in 1851, and now resides in Richland Township. The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents when only 3 years of age, and located, in Richland Township, where he was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 years of age, when he started out in the world to seek his fortune, and, upon the 13th of August, 1867, commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and for one year received wages of $1 per day, and the second year his wages were $1.25, the third, $1.50. and the remainder of the time he received $1.75 ; he worked for the same party for nearly five years, when he returned to Darke County, and for two years was employed b}T John Longnecker, at his tradeT at Pikesville ; he then engaged one year in agricultural pursuits, and, upon the 17th of February, 1874, he located in Dallas and started in the carpenter business, and the following year, associated with Silas Riffle, under the above firm name, which business he has since followed. Upon May 1, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth Warvel ; she was born in Darke County Sept. 25, 1853 ; they have one child, viz., Pearl I., born Nov. 11, 1876; Mrs. Hager is a daughter of John H. Warvel, one of the early pioneers of Darke County, whose sketch appears among the biographies of Greenville Township, in another part of this work.

J. R HOLLAND, retired farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Woodington ; one of the old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1807 ; his father died when he was about 2 years old ; he then lived with his mother until 16 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the printer's trade, which he followed in Philadelphia until 21 years of age, when he went to New Orleans, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed his trade some fifteen years ; the last work at his trade was on the Cincinnati Enquirer; he was then appointed Deput}^ Marshal, which office he filled two years ; he devoted one year to running a power-press at Indianapolis, which was the first power-press run in Indiana, under the revised statistics, the printing office being located opposite Browning's Hotel ; he then followed the groceiy trade some three years in Cincinnati, and in 1858, disposed of his store and stock and came to Darke Count}', and purchased 260 acres in Brown and Greenville Townships, upon which he then located, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 360 acres, under a good state of improvement ; of township and school offices he has had his full share, having been Count}' Commissioner six years. Township Trustee five years, and also held some other petty offices ; upon the location of Mr. Holland here, he followed farming and stock-raising until 1877, when he retired from active labor, his son managing the farm. His marriage with Harriet M. Ricketts was celebrated in Philadelphia ; she was born in Pennsjdvania. and died upon the old homestead in May, 1877 ; they were the parents of five children - Laura (now Mrs. Crosson, of Union City). Mary Ann (now Mrs. John Atchinson, of Paris, Ky.), Ada (now Mrs. George Lindermond), Charlotte (now Mrs. Ginther) and Charles S. (living at home).

DR. ISAAC HOSTETTER, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., Ohio ; born in Lancaster Co.. Penn.. Nov. 30, 1810 ; he received his preparatory education at Lancaster. Penn.. and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the }Tear 1834 ; he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and, about the year 1835, commenced the practice of medicine, and, in 1830, came to Darke County and located in Richland Township, where he followed his profession, in connection with farming, until 1849, when he left his farm and removed to Beamsville, erected a good residence and continued to practice until within a short time of his death : he was elected to represent the counties of Miami, Shelby and Darke in the General Assembly of Ohio during the session of 1844-45 ; the above counties, at that time, constituted one district ; he was also Major General of the Ohio State Militia, his uniform and sword now being held by his son, Dr. Samuel A. Hostetter, and valued very highly by him as an heirloom ; the Doctor was one of the first practitioners of the county, the practice of medicine at that early day being attended with difficulty and hardships, extending over one-half a degree of latitude and longitude, traveling on horseback and dispensing his medicine from his saddle-bags ; he was married in Montgomery County, to Hannah Hager ; she was born in Hagerstown, Md., Nov. 5, 1813, the above town being named in honor of her grandfather ; they were the parents of four sons and three daughters, viz., Hiram H., Salinda A., Elizabeth C, Samuel A., Thomas J., Nancy E. (deceased) and Franklin P. In 1859, the Doctor received a stroke of paralysis, which was followed, in February, 1861, by a second stroke, and the following month, March 2, he passed down the dark valley, respected and beloved by all who knew him, and one of whom his cotemporaries could truly sa}r, His life was not a failure, nor did he live in vain. Of their children, the eldest son, Hiram, lost his life while serving his country during the late rebellion ; being taken prisoner, he was taken to Libby Prison, where he died after seven months ; the oldest sister, Salinda, is married, and lives in Missouri ; Elizabeth C. is also married, and lives in Missouri ; Dr. Samuel has been a member, for four years past, of the Ohio Legislature, and is now, with Thomas J., engaged in the drug trade at Ansonia ; Frank P. is engaged in the stock business, in Kansas.

G. C. HULSE, farmer and grain-dealer ; residence Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 16, 1832, and was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, until 25 years of age, when he removed to Preble Co. Oct. 1, 1857 ; he followed fanning here until Nov. 20, 1872, when he came to Darke Co. and settled at Ansonia, and purchased a farm of 46 acres, and laid out the west part of the town ; he then engaged in purchasing and shipping grain to Cleveland and Eastern markets until 1875, at which time he retired from the above business. He then gave his attention to farming, and in the fall of 1879 he again commenced the purchase of grain, which business he intends to follow ; his ware house is situated on Plum street, where he has a switch of 400 feet connecting his warehouse with the railroad ; he owns 100 acres in Brown Township, besides his brick residence, warehouse, storehouse, and some lots in town. His marriage with Sarah Bonham was celebrated June 1, 1860 ; she was born in Darke Co. June 29, 1844 ; they were the parents of eight children, viz. : Wilbur, born July 27, 1861 ; Ida, born Aug. 11, 1863, died June 18, 1864 ; David, born Jan. 2, 1866 ; Charles' born March 5, 1868; Anna, born Aug. 2, 1871; Russel, born Nov. 28, 1873: Edwin, born May 4, 1875 ; Earl, born Oct. 8, 1878. Mr. Hulse was a son of David Hulse, who was born in New Jersey Aug. 13, 1794, and came to Ohio about the year 1820, and followed farming and weaving until his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1844. He was married in Butler Co., Ohio, to Bebecca Bussell, Jan. 22, 1824 ; she was born in 1807, in Butler Co., and is now living with her son at Ansonia, at the age of 72 years, enjoying good health, and in possession of all her faculties, and able to assist in light household duties. Mrs. Hulse is the daughter of Wm. Bonham, one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in New Jersey in 1815, and came hereabout the year 1836. He married Bebecca Bittenhouse, who was also a native of New Jersey; thev are both now living.

D. F. HUNTEB, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Ansonia ; born in Darke Co. Ohio, Sept. 29, 1835 ; he was a son of Wm. Hunter, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, and came here about the year 1825 and located in Greenville Township. He died about the year 1841 ; he was a member of Warren Lodge, No. 24, of Piqua, Ohio, for a period of one-fourth of a century. D. F. experienced a farmer's boyhood, and at 18 years of age he went to Warren Co., Ohio, and learned and worked at the blacksmith's trade some four years, and in 1858 he came to

Ansonia and started the above business, which he has since followed. He was married to .Mary A. Dill May 0, 1859 ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 25, 1837 : tiny wore the parents of three children, of whom two now survive - Martha L. and Cora M. Mrs. Hunter's father was John H. C. Dill, who was born in Germany March 16, 1805, and emigrated to America when quite young. He married Martha C. Liegment Nov. 17, 1834 ; she was born in Germany Oct. 23, 1815, and died March 7, 1858. Mr. Dill died April 2, 1865.

WM. B. MKNDENHALL, retired tanner, merchant and farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Woodington ; born in Preble Co. June 22, 1820 ; he learned and worked at the tanner's trade until 20 years of age, when he came to Darke Co., in 1840, and located upon Sec. 32, Brown Township, where he purchased 4 acres of land for $20, and in the purchase of the same incurred a debt of $5 above his capital ; he then followed the tanning business until 1853 ; upon July 4, 1847. he, with his brother, started the first store at Woodington, and continued his merchandise trade with different partners until 1876, when he disposed of his interest and retired from active business. Mr. Mendenhall came to Darke Co. with a capital of $15 - he now owns 400 acres of land, with four sets of farm buildings ; also the warehouse at Woodington, all of which he has accumulated by his own energies. To him was given the honor of naming the station at Woodington ; he was its first merchant and Postmaster, first Justice of the Peace, and Township Trustee one year. He was married in 1839 to Mary Bailey ; she was born in Preble Co. in 1820 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, viz. : Rebecca A., now Mrs. W. H. Ganger ; Hannah E., now Mrs. H. T. Martin ; Thomas A. and Aleria B.

ISAAC E. MILLER, farmer and Justice of Peace, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Hetslerville ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co., Ohio ; was born in Adams Township April 8, 1840 ; he was a son of John P. Miller, one of the early pioneers of Adams Township, where he lived until his decease, March 4, 1 841 ; he married Elizabeth Martin ; she was born July 23, 1819, and is now living in Adams Township, at the advanced age of 60 years ; her parents were among the early pioneers of the same township. Isaac E. Miller received his early education in an old log schoolhouse ; the writing-desks consisted of boards laid upon pins, inserted in holes bored in logs ; their benches were also of a very rude nature ; his father died when he was 1 j-ear of age, after which he was raised b}T his grandfather, and lived with him until he was 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself ; he attended select school at Jaysville and Gettysbui'g, and followed teaching in the winter. Upon the 9th day of October, 1862, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sword, born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1841 ; they have four children, viz.: Hannah E.,born July 22, 1863 ; John W., born Feb. 11, 1866, ; Jonathan D., born March 7, 1869 ; George C, born April i5, 1874; after his marriage, Mr. Miller followed schoolteaching in winter, and farming in summer, until April 12, 1864, at which date he came to Brown Township and located upon his present place, which he had purchased the year previous at Sheriff's sale, for which he paid $1,610, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 117 acres, with good farm buildings. He is a Democrat in politics, and, while he has not aspired for office, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years during his residence here, also a Notary Public for six years.

J. J. PETERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Ansonia. One of the old settlers ; born in Germany March 31. 1836 ; at 3 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America and to Ohio ; his father, J. J. Peters, Sr., was born in France in 1795, and was a soldier under Napoleon several years ; his youngest son now has the gun and sword carried by his father during his service ; he was the father of fourteen children, and raised and brought them all to America ; he purchased a farm in Ohio, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1878, aged 83 years 8 months and 13 days ; his physician's bills during his life amounted to $250 ; he married, in France. Mary K. McKala ; she died upon the old home farm in the spring of 1871. The subject of this memoir remained with his father until 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself and farmed upon rented land for four years in Darke Co., and in 1862 he purchased 80 acres of his present place, to which he has since added until he now has 160 acres of land, well improved, all of which he has secured by his own hard labor, energy and industry, and has, by the above means, placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Brown Township ; he is now serving his second term as Township Trustee, is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, A..F. & A. M., and has held an office in the lodge for two years ; he is also a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 605. I. 0. 0. F., and Past Grand of the same. His marriage with Eliza J. Baughman was celebrated April 1, 1861 ; she was born in Brown Township, and is the daughter of J. Baughman, who emigrated from Prussia ; he was a brother of William and Henry Baughman. whose sketch appears among the biographies of Brown Township ; her mother was Maria Riffle, a sister of David and Silas Riffle, whose biographies also appear among the sketches of Brown Township ; they have three children living, having lost four by death ; the living are Mary E., Florence B. and Rachel L.

NOAH D. POLING, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 31, 1831 ; he was the second son of Daniel Poling, who was also a native of Perry Co., Ohio, born in 1809, and has lived in the same township for a period of seventy years. He married Maria Spoon ; she was born in 1814, and died in July, 1878, aged upward of 63 years ; they were the parents of thirteen children, nine now living - Noah D., remained with his father until he attained his majority, when he started in life for himself, and for four y ears worked for one man, most of the time running a saw-mill in Fairfield Co. Upon the 16tli of December, 1855, he was united in marriage with Louisa E. Burstler, of Fairfield, Co., born July 20, 1834 ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living, viz., Isaac, George W., William T., Anna M., Harriet A.. Louisa E.. Frank, Jacob, James H, Gertrude M. and an infant ; the deceased were infants ; upon the marriage of Mr. Poling, he worked as farm laborer one j'ear, after which he farmed upon rented land until 1861, when he came to Darke Co.. and, after farming upon rented land two years, purchased 63 acres of his present place, and, in the fall of 1864, removed upon the same, where he has since lived ; he now owns 120 acres of well-improved land, and his brick residence, erected in 1876, is admitted to be the best in the township ; Mr. Poling commenced life with no capital save a strong arm and willing hand, and has, by his own hard labor and correct business habits, placed himself among the large property-holders and successful farmers of Brown Township. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of Constable for several years ; in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 152d 0. N. G., took part in several engagements in Virginia and Maryland, and was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison at the exph'ation of his enlistment.

SILAS RIFFLE, contractor and builder (firm of Riffle & Hager, Dallas), Ansonia ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; born in Richland Township, April 27, 1828 ; he was a son of Jacob Riffle, who was born in Randolph Co., Va., in 1793 ; came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1796. He married Maty Van Sco}'k, and followed farming until 1818. when he came to Darke Co., and located in Richland Township, and was the second white family of the town ship ; his father came from Virginia to Ohio with two children upon a pack-horse, Jacob being one of them, then 3 vears of age ; upon the above land Jacob Riffle died in the fall of 1853 ; Mrs. Riffle died in February, 1852. At 20 years of age, Silas commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, and has since followed the same, with the exception of four years in the saw-mill business ; he has assisted largely in the building of Dallas, and by his superintendence and labor half of the town has been constructed. In 1875, he associated with Orlander Hager, since which time he has conducted the business under the above firm name. He is a strong Republican, and has been Assessor four years, Township Trustee one year, and held some other petty offlee. His marriage with Emetine Fogger was celebrated in 1852 ; she died in 1854 ; in 1859, lie married Leah Schultz, a native of Dauphin Co., Penn., born March i':!. 1832 ; they have two (laughters and one son by this union - Florence M., born Nov. 5, 18(50 (now teaching in the public schools of Dallas) ; Elmer 0.. born Dec. 27, 1862 ; Grace, born Nov. 18, 1863.

DAVID RIFFLE, retired farmer, Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers, and among the oldest continuous residents of Darke Co. ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1816 ; he was a son of Jacob Riffle, a native of Randolph Co., Va., born in 1793, and emigrated with his parents to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1796, and in the year 1818, came to Darke Co., and located in Richland Township (this was the second white family of that township), and here he lived until his decease, which occurred in the fall of 1853, his wife having died in February, 1852. David Riffle was raised to agricultural pursuits, and followed school-teaching until 1841, when he came to Ansonia and purchased a farm and engaged in farming in summer, and school-teaching during the winter ; he taught the first school in District No. 1 for three j-ears ; he has been almost continually in office for a period of forty years, having held the office of Justice of the Peace or Notary Public for that length of time, and has held all the township offices in Brown Township ; his advantages for obtaining a school education were very limited, but, by devoting his spare time to study, he has been able to obtain a good education, and became master of the common branches of stud}', as well as surveying, and for several years did surveying in Brown Township ; he has a recollection of his early phvymates, who were little Indian children, with whom he passed many pleasant hours. Upon March 8, 1841, he was united in marriage with Mary Beeler, a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom live are now living, viz., Emma, James K., Sephrene, Mary J. and William E.

J. H. ROUSH, grain-dealer and manufacturer of staves, hubs, headings, etc., Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; another of our old settlers ; born in Juniata Co., Penn., May 6, 1829 ; he received a common- school education, and was raised to agricultural pursuits until 22 years of age, when he came to Ohio, and located in Allen Co. in 1851, and was engaged in different pursuits until 1854 ; he then moved to Montgomery Co., and followed merchandising at West Baltimore until January, 1858, when he came to Darke Co., and engaged in the merchandise business some two years, after which he followed different branches of business until the fall of 1872, when he commenced buying grain, which business he has since followed, his shipments for the year 1878 amounting to upward of 120,000 bushels of corn, and about 50,000 bushels of wheat ; when he located here there were some eighteen buildings of all kinds, no streets, no sidewalks and no turnpikes ; he has represented nearly every branch of business known in Ansonia ; he was Postmaster several years, his highest salary amounting to the enormous sum of $84 per year : he was agent of the C, C, C. & I. R. R, for eighteen years, and received for his service a salary of from $15 to $85 per month ; in 1876, he associated with two of his sons, and purchased the stave manufactory, which is now carried on under the name of the Ansonia Stave Co., the lirm being composed of .). II. Roush, William A. Roush and Charles A, Itoush. and they are extensively engaged in the manufacture of the above articles ; the style of the firm as grain dealers being. J. 11. Roush & Son, John A. being the partner. The marriage of J. II. Roush with Mary ,1. Anderson, was celebrated Dec. 30, 1851 ; she was born in Juniata Co.. Penn., Dec. 13, 1830 ; they have five sons - James II.. Charles A., William A.. John A. and Prank; all live at home, with the exception of Charles A., who is married, and resides in Ansonia.

JOHN S. ROYER, Dallas, 1'. O. Ansonia; Principal of the Dallas School ; born in Union Co.. Penn., -Jan. 31. 1845; here he received a good common-school education, and at 15 years of age commenced teaching at 80 cents per day, for a term of four months ; until about 19 years of age, he followed teaching during the winter, and assisted his father upon the farm the remainder of the year ; in 1864, he emigrated to Ohio, and located at Pleasant Hill, Miami Co., teaching the graded school at the above place one year ; in 1865, he came to Darke Co., and taught the Graded School No. 9, in Adams Township, for seven years ; in 1 874, he came to Dallas, and accepted the position as Principal of the Dallas School, since which time it has increased from 100 to upward of 180 scholars ; he has been the Principal for five years, and now has a contract for three }rears. He has been twice married ; his first wife wasLutie Mitchell ; the}' were married April 18, 1867 ; she was born in Iowa ; she died in Darke Co., in 1869, leaving one child, Minnie A., born April 9, 1868 ; his marriage with Malinda Gr. Wenrick was celebrated Jan. 30, 1873 ; she was born in Darke Co. May 5, 1852 ; they have two children, Estella M., born July 24, 1876 ; Isaac II., born July 6, 1879 ; in December, 1878, he was appointed one of the examiners of the public schools for Darke Co., which position he now holds.

HENRY SCHLEMMER, firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co., hardware merchants. Ansonia ; born in Hesse, Germany, March 23, 1842, where he received a good education in German, and in 1860, emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore ; coming directly West, he followed blacksmithing two years in Cincinnati, and in October. 1862, enlisted in the 47th O. V. I. ; he was in many hard-fought battles, among which was the siege and capture of Vicksburg and Atlanta, battle of Chattanooga, and with Sherman's arm}* on his march through Georgia to the sea, arriving at Savannah to spend the Christmas of 1864 ; he then marched north, through the Carolinas, and was with Sherman's army at the surrender of Johnson, after which, he marched through Richmond to Washington, where, after the grand review of the army, he returned to Columbus, and received his discharge, having served in the Union army nearly three years ; he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, but kept at his post ; he then followed blacksmithing in Cincinnati until 1867, when he came to Ansonia and followed his trade until 1879, when he became a partner in the above firm. Mr. Schlemmer arrived in this country with a capital of only $7 ; he has made one trip to his native country, upon a visit to his parents, with whom he remained three months ; his father, John Schlemmer. was born in Hesse, in 1804 ; he married Maltha Disher ; they are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living in Germany, and three in America. In 1868, George Schlemmer was united in marriage to Mary Baughman, a native of Darke Co., and a daughter of Simeon Baughman, one of the early pioneers ; they have five children, viz., John, George, Frank, Augustus and Elizabeth.

FRANCIS M. TULLIS, resides in Dallas ; manufacturer of tile, Ansonia ; born in Brown Township, DarkeCo., Ohio, Sept. 26, 1854 ; he was the youngest son of Milton Tullis, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, March 29, 1813. He married, in Ohio, Sarah Marshall, Sept. 5, 1848, who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 20, 1816 ; they came to Darke County about the year 1849, and located in Brown Township, near Dallas ; followed farming and merchandise till his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1863. Mrs. Tullis died Jan. 12, 1870 ; they were the parents of five children, of whom three are living - Francis M., Cordelia A. (now Mrs. Dr. Samuel Hostetter), and Olive D. (now Dr. L. C. Anderson), all living in Dallas ; Francis M. obtained a common-school education, and followed clerking in Dallas until the spring of 1877, when he engaged in farming, and in the fall of 1878, purchased the tile factory of Reed & White, at Dallas, and has since devoted his attention to the above business, manufacturing tile of the best quality ; his sales the first year amounted to some $3,000 ; his business card will be found in the business directory of Ansonia. in another part of this work ; he has, aside from his factory, a farm of 42 acres joining the corporation of Dallas, and his lots and residence in town. His marriage with Margaret A. Burket was celebrated May 29, 1877 : she was born in Darke Co., Ohio, May 15, 1857.

JAMES S. WEBSTER, merchant, Ansonia, resides in Dallas. The subject of this memoir. :i native of Fayette Co., Ohio, was born Jan. 1, 1820 ; he was a son of l>r. James Webster, who was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio and Fayette County in 1804. two years after its admission into the Union as a State ; be was consequently one of the early pioneers of the State ; he followed the practice of medicine a short time in Fayette County, and in 1815 he was elected Sheriff of the county, and about the year 1829, was Associate Judge, which office he held several years, after which he was Treasurer of the county for four years. The latter part of his life he devoted to the carding and fulling of wool at his factory at Washington ; his death occurred January. 1837 ; he was married in Kentucky, to Amelia Dauson; she died previous to her husband. J. S. Webster worked in the woolen-mill of his father, until the decease of the latter, after which lie followed farming some two years, when he engaged in the trade of harnessmaker at Mt. Sterling until I860, when he came to Darke County, and. after following his trade one year in Greenville, purchased a farm of 114 acres in Greenville Township, three miles south of Dallas, and followed farming until the spring of 1879. when he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas, and engaged in the general merchandise with T. B. White. His marriage with Pamelia Loofbourrow was celebrated June 18, 1845 ; she was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, in 1827; eight children were born to them ; five are now living - Nathan A., produce merchant, of Greenville ; William, living at home ; Hannah, now Mrs. T. B. White ; Linden, clerk in his father's store ; Laura, living at home. Mr. Webster has been a member of the Baptist Church for a period of fifteen years ; Mrs. W. also a member of the same church.

THOMAS B. WHITE, firm of T. B. White & Co., general merchant, Ansonia ; another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Brown Township, Darke Co., upon the 23d of July, 1842 ; he was a son of William White, of the State of New York, who came to Darke Co. in 1822 : the maiden name of his wife was P]sther Stahl ; she came to Richland Township with her parents about the year 1820. and is now living upon the old homestead, a little north of Ansonia ; Mr. White died in 1864 ; Thomas B. White was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 3-ears of age, when, upon the 6th of August 1862, he enlisted in the 94th 0. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union ; in his first severe engagement, he, with a large part of his regiment, were captured, but he, with many others, escaped and again joined the Union arm}-; he was then engaged in the battle of Penyville, and at the fight of Stone River Dec. 31, 1862 ; he was severely wounded, and lay in hospital until Ma}-, 1863. when he received his discharge on account of disability ; he then returned home. and, on account of his wounds, lay idle until the fall of 1864, when he engaged in school-teaching for three 3'ears, and in the fall of 1868. he engaged in the general merchandise trade at Ansonia, which he has since successfully followed ; in 1878. he associated with J. S. Webster, under the above firm name, carrying a large and complete stock ; a card of their business will be found in the business directory of Ansonia, in this work. His marriage nuptials with Hannah Webster were celebrated in 1875 ; she was born in Madison Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of J. S. Webster, whose sketch also appears in this work ; they have one child, Lucy F.. bora Dec. 15. 1876.

LAWSON ALLEN, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1842 ; his parents were John and Susannah Allen ; John was born in the same place as his son, and his wife, Susannah, was born in Scioto Co., Ohio, in 1822 ; they were the parents of twelve children, and only four are living, viz., Lawson, Jeremiah, Joseph M. and Mary. Lawson Allen, the oldest and the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage on April 22, 1868, to Mariah Montgomery, daughter of Robert and Harriet Montgomery ; Robert was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Virginia, came to Ohio and settled in a very early day ; Mr. Allen lived and followed farming in Montgomery Co. until October, 1873, when he moved upon his farm where he now lives ; they have only one child born them, a girl, now 11 years of age. named Florence; Mr. Allen owns 89 acres of fine land, about 60 acres of which are in good cultivation. He was one of the patriots of the war of the rebellion, and enlisted in the 131st 0. V. I., Co. I., under Col. John G. Lowe, and served till honorably discharged. Mr. Allen is not one of the earliest settlers, but has been here about six years, and is one of the representative men of Van Buren Township, and will, we are satisfied, be an accession and credit to the neighborhood in which he lives ; he is an active member of the M. E. Church, to which he has belonged since 1867 ; thus, while living and toiling for this world, he is also preparing for that better one beyond.

S. W. ALLREAD, farmer and merchant; P. 0. Delisle ; the son of Isaac and Lucy Allread ; Isaac was born in Maryland, and moved with his parents to North Carolina, where he remained till he came to Butler Co. when he was 18 years of age ; he was in the war of 1812, and served all through it, and then returned safely home. Lucy, his wife, was born in the State of Vermont, and came with her parents to Butler Co., Ohio, when 9 years of age ; they were united in marriage in 1816, and raised seven children, four boys and three girls. Mr. Allread. the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of his father's family ; he left home when 1 1 years of age, and worked at various places until 16 years of age, when his father bound him out to Capt. Samuel Dick, till 21 years of age. in Butler Co., Ohio, where he lived till he became of age, then worked for him two years longer for wages ; he then worked here and there and rented farms till he was 27 years of age, which was in 1843. when he was united in marriage with Martha Ann Van Lieu, who was born and raised in Butler Co.; they followed farming in that county for twelve years, or till 1855, when they moved to Darke Co., Van Buren Township, where he still followed the life of a farmer for four years, when he entered into the mercantile trade, which, together with farming, he has followed to the present time ; he has bought and sold several farms, and by these transactions made considerable money ; he is now the owner of 87 acres of good land in Delisle, where he now lives ; he is associated in the mercantile trade in Delisle with W. Reed, and is also carrying on an extensive trade in buying and shipping grain. Mr. Allread started in life a poor man, and with but little education, and has worked his way up to the possessions and prominence he now has - all accomplished by his good management and industry ; he is now 63 years of age. with good health, and will doubless still climb upward and onward, and enjoy the society of his family ; he is the father of nine children, seven now living, viz., Isaac F., Elvira, Oliver M., George D.. Amanda, John E. and Tabitha J.; five are married and two single at home. Mr. Allread has taken quite an active part in political matters, being a stanch Democrat, and having held several offices of trust, as Township Trustee, Assessor and Treasurer, and in the county has been Infirmary Director for six years, thus showing that he has the confidence of the community.

CHRISTOPHER BRINEY, fanner and Justice of the Peace : P. 0. Delisle ; was born Jan. 2, 1811, in Warren Co., Ohio ; his parents were Adam and Euphemy Briney, who came froih Pennsylvania, at an early day. and located in Ohio; Squire Briney came to Darke Co. in 1835, being among the earliest settlers of the county. He was married in 1835, to Mary Mills, daughter of John V. and Elizabeth Mills ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and emigrated to this county with her parents when quite an infant ; to them have been born fourteen children, eight of them are now living, viz.. Ellen, Emeline, Adam, Silas P., Herod M. and Tsrael (twins), Mary E. and Joseph M. Squire Briney lost his wife by death Sept. 15, 1874. In about three years after Squire Briney's marriage, being in 1837, they moved on the farm on which he now lives and commenced to open out a farm and make a home, with no capital but a few dollars ; he has now 260 acres of land, and, his sons and daughters all being grown up and married, he has divided up and deeded a portion of land to each child, simply reserving a life estate and control of the same during his lifetime, thus giving each child a better start in life than he had when he commenced : this has all been accomplished by his energy and industry, and made from the wilderness, which then, in his early commencement, existed through this section, for which he deserves great credit, as one of the pioneers. Squire Briney has always been an active politician, and always held office since he lived in the township, such as Township Trustee, Clerk, Supervisor, School Director, etc.; has been Justice of the Peace for twenty -one years, thus showing the prominence and confidence he holds in the community in which he lives. He is now 69 years of age, and of course the most active part of his life is spent, but he has left a record and history of success and confidence for his children and future generations worthy of their imitation.

JACOB M. BROWN, farmer; P. O. Delisle ; was born the 1st of April, 1833, in Darke Co., on an adjoining farm in Neave Township ; he is the son of Caleb Brown, who was born in Tennessee, and with his father came to Indiana, near Liberty, in about 1812, where they remained about one year, and then came and located in Darke Co., where they remained till the death of his father ; at that time it was a perfect wilderness, there being but two or three settlers in the neighborhood, and of course had to pass through all the hardships incident to such a life. Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Eddington, in 1854, daughter of Charles Eddington, who with his father, were among the first settlers of the county ; since which three children have been born to them, and all are now living. Mr. Brown has been a very prominent man in business, having, in connection with his labors on the farm, carried on quite an extensive trade in grain, buying and shipping very largely, last year shipping over 400 car loads ; also buying and shipping much stock, and was at one time quite extensively engaged in merchandising, all of which has given him an acquaintance and prominence in the community second, perhaps, to no other man in the township ; he is also one of those who has amassed a fair and comfortable competency by his own industry, hard labor and careful management of business, and who as an example of a devoted and industrious worker and careful manager, stands forth as a bright and shining" light, Worthy of the admiration of all young men.

JOHN II. CORWIN, farmer; 1*. 0. Arcanum ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1819 ; he was the son of Mathias and Margaret Corwin ; Mathias was born in Kentucky ; his father's name was Joseph Corwin, who was a native of Pennsylvania : Margaret's father's name was Shnorf, and he was a native of Germany. Mr. Corwin. the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage in 1842, with Maria Weaver. daughter of Larken and Susan Weaver, who arc further spoken of in the sketch of William Weaver ; they first settled in Preble Co., Ohio, but moved from there to this county in 1855, and located upon the place on which he now lives; they have had born to them six children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Mary Jane, born Jan. 30, 1843 ; Mathias, born April 24, 1847 ; Abigail, born April 13, 1849 ; Susan M., born Nov. Ill, 1853, and William 0., born June 28, 1860 : and all are married and settled in life except the youngest, who is still single and living at home. When Mr. Corwin located in 1855 upon his present farm, there was but very little cleared up; he had to commence and clear up and improve, and in doing so, of course went through all the hardships incident to the opening of a farm in a new country, and particularly so, as he started with the small capital of 80 acres of unimproved land ; but by Lard labor and diligently attending to business, he has increased in property and wealth, until now he is the owner of 535 acres of land, with good buildings, and everything for the convenience and comfort of life ; and, in connection with this, he has paid $2,100 for free pikes, and $1,600 for ditching and draining ; this has all been accomplished since 1855, which has certainly been sufficient to declare Mr. Corwin a model farmer and business man ; Mr. Corwin has always taken an active part in political matters, being a stanch Republican, but has never desired or held office ; we feel justified, in summing up this brief sketch of Mr. Corwin, to say that he is most truly a representative man of Van Buren Township, and one worthy of imitation by all young men, for all generations in future, and desire thus to place his record upon the pages of this history, there to remain for all time to come.

WILLIAM DAVIS, carpenter, Arcanum ; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, in 1821 ; he is the son of Hugh and Christi Ann Davis ; Hugh was born in South Carolina, and his wife in Virginia ; they came to Ohio, with their parents, in a very early day, so early that at that time they could enter Government land, near Cincinnati, at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Davis, the subject of this sketch, came to Darke Co. in 1856 ; he was married in 1849, to Mary Ann Shaffer, daughter of David and Susannah Shaffer, who were born in Pennsylvania ; Mary Ann came with her parents to Ohio in an early day ; they are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., John W., David, Susanna. William H., Pharan. Mary Jane and Thomas. When Mr. Davis fii*st came to this county, he located in Butler Township, where he remained one year, and then moved to Van Buren Township ; he located at his present place of residence in 1861 ; when he came here, he opened out in the woods, and built a small house, and, in order to move into it, had to cut a road through the woods to get to his house ; he has 1 acre of land, and since he came there has cleared it up and built a comfortable house and barn, so that he has a pleasant little home. He has always followed the trade of a carpenter, and has had the pleasure of seeing the country improve around him, and the old log buildings of the early settlers disappear, and fine frame and brick buildings take their place ; and he, as a good mechanic, has had a goodlv share of the work to do.

WILLIAM DREW, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle ; was born in Van Buren Township in 1834, and is the son of Robert Drew, who was born in New Jersey, March 29, 1807, and moved to Darke Co. about 1825, and located here when there were but few settlers in the township. Mr. Drew, the subject of our sketch, was the third of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, nine of whom are now living. Mr. Drew was united in marriage to Mary Bitner, daughter of John Bitner ; she was born in Darke Co. March 9. 1837; they first settled at Delisle. on the place now owned by S. W. AUread, where they remained two yeai'S ; then moved to a farm in the neighborhood for a short time, then back again, and engaged in merchandising about six months; then sold out and moved to present place of residence, where they have since resided and followed farming, except two years, in which he was in mercantile trade in Delisle. They are parents of nine children, six of wrnom are now living, viz., Rosetta, Abraham. Franklin, Elmer, Nora and Edward. Mr. Drew has gained a good competency, being owner of 280 acres of excellent land, all except 80 acres of which were made by his own energy and industry. Mr. Drew is at present Township Treasurer, thus showing not only that with his industry and perseverance he has accumulated quite a property, but also has the confidence of the community in which he lives, by the trust they have placed in his hands ; this being another example to the rising generation of what indefatigable industry, together with honorable dealings with his fellow-men. may accomplish.

POLLY FORD ; P. 0. Jaysville ; Polly Ford was the wife of Mordecai 8. Ford, who was born in Kentucky in 1807, and came to this county with his mother when quite young, his father having died while in the Indian war. Mr. Ford remained with his mother until the year 1820, when he was united in marriage with Polly Tillman, daughter of John Tillman, and located near her father's, just over the line in Preble Co., where they lived about two years, then bought the land upon which she now resides ; they moved hei'e into a little, log house, and just a few trees cleared away, so as to give a foot-hold for future labor in clearing up a farm ; Mr. Ford took hold with an indomitable will to make a home and to try to gain some of the comforts of life ; and coupled with this, and during the most of his life, while struggling for the temporal interests of his family. he was not unmindful of his spiritual interests, and those of his family and the community in which he mingled, having given his life early to Christ, and taking upon himself as his disciple to preach the Gospel to his dying fellow-men. in which work he remained until his death ; he also realized the importance of education, and was engaged more or less as a teacher in the public schools ; he educated and qualified each and every one of his children, who all became teachers. During all these labors, Mr. Ford brought his farm of 100 acres most of it into good cultivation, erected a good brick house, barn and other buildings convenient and comfortable ; all this was done by indefatigable toil and industry ; and finally, his labors being done, at the call of his Divine Master, whom he had served so long and faithfully, he departed this life Nov. 23, 1867, to reap the reward of his labors in that better land ''from whose bourn no traveler returns," and where no* toils or cares ever come. They were the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are now living, viz.; John, Henry, Delilah, Nancy, Worley, Martha, Ro}rston, Mary and Lydia A. M.; all married and settled in life except John, Mary and Lydia, the two latter remaining at home with their mother; four of the sons became practicing physicians. Mrs. Ford is now 70 years of age, enjoying very good health, and may live many years yet to enjoy the fruits of their united labors, and the society of her kind and loving children.

LEVI FOURMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; was born in Darke Co., in 1852 ; is a son of John and Sarah Fourman ; John was born in Pennsylvania and Sarah in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they came to this county in an early day, as given in sketch of John Fourman in this book. Levi Fourman was married in 1876 to Sarah Reichard, daughter of William and Nanc}r C. Reichard, who were from Preble Co., Ohio ; they have one child, viz., Lily Florence ; Levi is the fifth child of John Fourman, who when married, located where he now lives, upon 80 acres of fine land given him by his father, and upon which he has built a good twostory frame house, and a large barn and other buildings for convenience and comfort, and is now as well fixed to live comfortable and happy as many who have toiled for years to make their home ; and, if he follows the footsteps of his father in industry and good management, he will in all probability become a wealthy and prominent citizen of his township.

JOHN FOURMAN, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1820 ; his parents were John and Catharine Fourman, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fourman came to this county with his parents, where they lived and died : he was the second in a family of eight children, all of whom are living. He was married in 1845 to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Raker, both born in Pennsylvania. John and Sarah Fourman have had born to them fifteen children, twelve of whom are now living, viz., Susannah, Jacob, Henry, Levi, Sarah, Samuel, Ananias. David, John. Allen, Emanuel and Elizabeth. They located on the farm, where they now live, in 1846 : they cut the first stick of timber, made an opening, and built a small frame house with lumber sawed from a mill of their own put up" when the}T first entered the county ; from this beginning they toiled on enduring the hardships and deprivations, gradually making improvements, till now he has 241 acres of land ; he at one time had 1,000 acres of land, but has given to his children, to settle on, all but the 241 acres, which he still owns ; thus showino- what an immense amount of labor has been performed, what an amount of property accumulated, and what a fine start he has given his children in life. This industrious and useful life of theirs will stand upon record on the pages of this history as a memorial for their children and their children's children, for all

GEORGE MARKER, farmer and gunsmith ; P. 0. Gettysburg ; was born in 1830 in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; his parents were Jacob and Sarah Marker ; Jacob was born in Maryland in 1803, and Sarah in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; her maiden name was Shively, and she was born in 1809 ; they came to this county in 1835. Mr Marker the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1852, to Lydia Ebert, who was born in 1835 ; she was the daughter of William and Mary Ebert, who came from Pennsylvania at an early day ; they have had born to them eleven children, ei<dit of whom are now living, viz., Isaac, Luther, Mary Elizabeth, Anna Jane, George Calvin, Dora Margaret, Jacob Wm. and Lewis Hiram. They located upon the farm where they now reside, containing 55 acres of land, with not a stick of timber cut ; cleared out a small piece of land, put up a log cabin, and thus made a foothold to what is now their home, and then continued to work on, clearing up and improving, as time and means would permit, till now they have a good farmhouse, a large^'fine barn, and other buildings convenient and comfortable, 40 acres cleared and^well cultivated. When he commenced life, he had about $700, and from this start he has accumulated a handsome property by hard labor and industry, which we can place upon the pages of this book as a worthy example to the voung and rising generation.

J. B. MEHAFFIE, farmer; P. 0. Delisle ; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 27, 1826, being the eldest of seven children, three boys and four girls, the brothers dying shortly after reaching their manhood, unmarried, and leaving no heirs ; but the four listers are all living ; his parents were John and Elizabeth Mehaffie ; they are natives of Pennsylvania, the former was born in 1800, the latter in 1803 ; his grandparents were John and Martha Mehaffie ; the grandfather was a cosmopolite, beino- born upon the Atlantic Ocean, his parents being then on their way from Ireland to America, he being one of four children ; the grandmother was born in Juniata Co., Penn.; her maiden name was Hoag ; the grandfather was born about 1763, and the grandmother about 1770 ; the grandfather dying about 1838, and the grandmother in 1846 ; the father of the subject of this sketch, died in October, 1854 ; his mother is still living. Mr. Mehaffie came to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1851 ; remained about three years, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he was united in marriage, in the same year, to Eleanor, daughter of John and Margaret Vanasdlen, both natives of Pennsylvania ; her mother was the daughter of William and Rebecca Steele, who emigrated from Ireland in an early day, and came to this county with one child ; Rebecca Steele was the daughter of Taggart ; Mr. Mehaffie returned with his wife to Preble Co., Ohio, where they lived about three years ; then moved to Montgomery Co., where they remained till August, 1872, when they came to Darke Co., on the farm on which they now reside ; Mr. Mehaffie was favored with a good education, and before he was of age he took the honorable and useful occupation of teaching school, which occupation he has followed every year for thirty years, not missing one winter during that time, but what he was in the school-room ; during this time, when not engaged in teaching, was raising tobacco and farming ; the farm upon which he now lives, consisting of 80 acres, he purchased of John Smith, of Arcauum, at a cost of $5,000. in 1872, with no buildings except a small log- house ; Mehaffie has since built a large addition to the house, and has built a fine large barn and other outbuildings for convenience and coinfort ; has greatly improved and cleared up the land, till now he has a fine farm, with 65 acres in good cultivation; they have had born co them six children, all now living, viz., Horace W., William C, Margaretta, Elizabeth, Clara E. and Myrta, the oldest. Horace, being married and settled in life, and the others yet single and at home ; Mr. Mehaffie has never desired or taken any active part in political matters ; he is now, however, Township Clerk ; Mr. Mehaffie and wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, having been members of the same for twenty years.

JOSEPH GORDON MILLER, carpenter and farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Poplar Ridge ; son of John Phillips Miller and Rachel Baldwin, was born about five miles northwest from Taneytown, Carroll Co., Md., July 12, 1824, and settled in Adams Township, September, 1845. Was united in marriage with Rachel Trowbridge, in Van Buren Township, Sept. 20, 1840 ; children's names - John W. T., David B.T Albert F., Eleonor J., Simon F., James H., Rachael M. J. In the fall of 1845, was examined by David Beers, John W harry and Dr. Briggs and from them received a certificate to teach school ; was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace August, 1 859, and served six terms ; served five or six terms as Trustee of this township ; when the militia was organized, was elected Captain for this township, and received his commission. Has been a resident of Sec. 2, Van Buren Township, since 1822.

JOHN J. OSWALT, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; a native of Germany ; was born in 1836 ; he is the son of Martin and Anna M. Oswalt. Mr. Oswalt came to America in 1852, when 16 years of age ; after being here about eighteen months, he returned to Germany for his mother and two sisters, his father being dead ; brought them here and located in Franklin Township, this county, in 1854. He was united in marriage in 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of Elias and Mary Baker, who were both natives of Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they have had eleven children, all living, viz., Delilah, Elias, Sarah, Anna Magdalene, Mary Ellen, John Henry. Morton, Lydia, Elizabeth, Charles Ellsworth and William David ; they located upon the farm upon which they now live, the next spring after they were married, having at that time bought 80 acres all in the woods; this was the beginning in clearing up the land to make a home, and by industry and hard labor they have now a fine farm, having bought 80 acres more, making in all 160 acres of good land, and about 115 acres in a good state of cultivation ; this has all been accomplished, together with raising a large family of children, by diligent and earnest labor, coupled with good management and frugality ; and we are pleased to place this record upon the pages of this history, as a bright and shining example which may be read by his children's children, and all future generations, in all time to come.