Brown Township (part 5 of 5)

D. W. GEARHART, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Daniel and Mary (Baty) Gearhart, now both deceased ; the children of this union were eight in number, of whom six are now living. D. W. was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1837, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and obtained a limited education ; shortly before the late rebellion, he started in life for himself by engaging in farming in various places, being only five years out of this county, in Shelby Co., Ohio ; in 1875, he purchased a part of his present farm of 76 acres, in Sec. 36, and, the following year, added to it the remainder ; his farm is well located and has good improvements. The marriage of D. W. Gearhart and Mary A. Deweese was celebrated in December, 1859 ; she was a native of Miami Co. ; they lived together twelve years, when death seized her and separated them ; they had three children, one of whom, Thomas, preceded his mother to the silent tomb ; two are now living, viz., James and Iska. Mr. Gearhart married, for his second wife, Melissa Simmons, who was born in 1839, oh the farm now owned by D. W. ; one child has been bora to them - Laura A. Gearhart.

WILLIAM L. GRAHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; Allen's P. O. ; was bora in Brown Township, Miami Co., July 19, 1834, and is a son of William Graham, Sr. ; he was bora in Bucks Co., Penn., May 7, 1802, where he received a limited education, and worked on the farm with his father until 16 years of age, when he engaged in blacksmithing ; this he followed twenty years ; Feb. 17, 1825, he married Clementina Middleton, who was born in New Jersey in 1804 ; they, in 1832, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Miami, where the village of Lena is now located ; there he set up a blacksmith shop, but, soon after, he bought a farm in Sec. 1, Brown Township, on which he moved in 1840, felling the timber and clearing the land ; he reduced the land to a good degree of cultivation, and continued farming for many years ; Jan. 21, 1875, he passed -from the stage of life, leaving a wife and five children to mourn his loss, and share his estate, which consisted of about 300 acres of good land. William L. is the oldest child and only son ; he was brought up on his father's farm and taught the principles of managing the same ; in his boyhood days, he received a limited education ; in 1870, he had his present farm, in Sec. 1, deeded to him by his father, where he has erected good farm buildings and is well situated. April 12, 1855, he married Lucinda M. Merritt ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 28, 1831 ; they, by this union, have three children, viz., Arthur E., born March 9, 1859, died Oct. 3, 1861 ; Clara E. and Ella M., bora Feb. 7, 1863. The parents of Mrs. Graham were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio early in the nineteenth century, locating in Warren Co. ; after which, the father served as a patriot of the war of 1812, under Capt. Curtis ; returned home near the close of the war. and remained until 1832 in Warren Co., when the}7 removed to Miami Co., settling about two miles southwest of Lena, where thev lived and died, Mr. Graham Dec. 9, 1847, and Mrs. Graham Nov. 15, 1870.

JAMES GRIFFIS (deceased), was born in Springboro, Ohio, Aug. 2, 1802, and was of Welsh parentage ; he purchased his first land in Indiana, consisting of 80 acres, which he sold, and came to Miami Co. in 1852, locating on his farm of 70 acres in Sec. 24, Brown Township. March 26, 1835, he married Miss Susan Wharton, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they had by this union nine children - Samuel W., Mary, Harrison, Deborah, James, Catherine (deceased), Albert, Oliver F. (deceased), and William S.; Mr. Griffis passed from the stage of life May 22, 1866. Mrs. Griffis is a daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Davis) Wharton, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they married, and emigrated West early in the nineteenth century, locating in Warren Co., Ohio, where Samuel died Feb. 5, 1855, at the age of 69 years 7 months and 2 days ; Deborah survived until Aug. 16, 1866, when she, too, passed away at the age of 80 years 6 months and 11 days. May this history be handed down to our future posterity, that they may look back over the pages of a valuable and interesting enterprise.

ALFRED HANCE, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born Feb. 2, 1823> and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Frizell) Hance, both natives of Kentucky, where they married ; in 1815, they emigrated to Miami Co., Ohio, locating in Lost Creek Township, where they both died - Mrs. Hance in 1866, he surviving until April 3, 1877 ; in the prime of life, he passed through the war of 1812-15, enduring many hardships ; they had four sons and three daughters, of whom two are now deceased. Alfred was raised to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education, remaining at home until 21 years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself in Lost Creek Township ; in 1856, he purchased 160 acres in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., on which he located and improved ; this he sold in 1865, and purchased 200 acres in Sec. 30, Brown Township, which was partly improved, and has since undergone a great change. His marriage with Miss Elizabeth Miller was celebrated August, 1844 ; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Joanna (Smith) Miller, she being a native of Ohio, and he of Virginia; his death occurred in Clark Co. in 1862. Mr. Hance and wife are the parents of ten children - Margaret M. (now Mrs. J. E. Bradley), Melissa A. (the deceased wife of W. A. Lewis), Laura (now Mrs. John C. Duncan, of Dayton, Ohio), Milton M., John P. (both of Urbana), Amanda (now Mrs. G. H. Rundle), Ida B., Mary M., Elmer E. (also resides in Urbana). and Allen D. Hance.

A. P. HIGGINS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, July, 1819, and is a son of John V. and Ann (Pendrey) Higgins ; he was a native of New Jersey, and she of Virginia ; now both are deceased. A. P. assisted his father on the farm, and attended the common school ; at the age of 1 1 years he, with his parents, moved from Hamilton to Shelby Co., where he continued farming until 16 years of age, at which time he engaged in the cabinet-maker's trade, which remained his occupation until 1848, when he purchased a farm of 60 acres in Shelby Co.; he located there, and remained seven years, then sold out and purchased 90 acres in Spring Creek Township, where he remained until the spring of 1866, when he sold it; he purchased his present farm of 117 acres in Sec. 18, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he now resides, and is well situated ; he owns good, substantial buildings, located on the Piqua and Urbana pike. His marriage with Priscilla Mendenhall was celebrated Nov. 15, 1843 ; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio, July, 1825 ; they have seven children - Josephine and Joseph (twins, the latter died at the age of 9 months). John, William (who died in infancy), Charley W. (died at the age of 26, in 1878), Ellen R. (died in 1877) and Wilber, who is now occupied in teaching school, which profession he has been engaged in since 14 years of age.

E. B. HOWELL, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher; was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., May 20, 1816, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Biles) Howell, who were both natives of New Jersey ; Daniel was born Jan. 4, 1781, and Hannah Sept. 25, 1773 ; their marriage was celebrated Dec. 13, 1814 ; Hannah passed away June 12, 1828, leaving two children ; the following fall Daniel and his family came West, locating in Montgomery Co., where he married Alice Cavender ; she was a native of that county ; in the fall of 1838 they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 14. Brown Township, where they both died - Alice in 1840, and Daniel in 1852. Our subject, when a boy in his native State, had the privilege of the common schools, which was no longer enjoyed after coming West. From 1838, he was duly engaged in opening out the farm now owned by Joshua A. Duer, for which the compensation was the products for a limited number of }^ears ; there he remained until 1843, when he engaged in farming rented land ; and various changes were made until he purchased his present farm of 30 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, where he located in the spring of 1853 ; in 1856, he left his farm and engaged in keeping a toll-gate on the Piqua and Urbana turnpike, which he held thirteen years ; at this time he emigrated West to Hancock Co., 111. ; not liking the country, he returned, in two and one-half years, and located on his farm, where he now resides. Dec. 3, 1846, he married Elizabeth Brelsford ; they are the parents of five children, of whom two died in early life, and three are now living, viz.; James A., George W-and Gilbert L., who has spent the last five years book-keeping in various places. He graduated at the Buckeye Business College, of Sandusky, Ohio, under Prof. Seele.

W. SCOTT JACKSON, farmer and stock-raiser; Allen's P. 0.; was born in Ocean Co., N. J., July 11, 1845, and is a son of Edwin Jackson, who was born in Monmouth Co., N. J., April 26, 1790, and has, during life, been an industrious farmer. Soon after the war of 1812, he married Miss Irons, she was a native of N. J.; in 1820, she died, leaving a husband and three children to mourn her loss. He (Edwin) married for his second wife Mary C. Wilbur, who was born five years previous to the death of his first wife ; five children have been born to them, of whom three are now living. Our subject labored on the farm to the age of 19 years ; during his earlier years, he attended school about eight months each year, thereby receiving a good education and a thorough knowledge of book-keeping ; in 1864, he engaged as book-keeper with Messrs. Covert & Tallman, wholesale commission merchants, of New York City, where he remained five years ; after this he was variously engaged until 1875, when he began farming on his present farm, located on Sec. 1, Brown Township. June 16, 1872, his marriage with Mrs. Almira Brecount was celebrated ; she was born in Brown Township Dec. 6, 1837 ; she is a daughter of William, Sr., and Clementina Graham, whose biography will be seen under William L. Graham's memoir, in some part of this volume.

WILLIS H. JOHNSON, carpenter and farmer, Conover ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Sept. 12, 1828, and is a son of Giles and Airy (Parson) Johnson, whose history will be seen under the sketch of H. P. Johnson, in some part of this work. The early days of our subject were spent in farm labor, and his education secured in common schools ; since his majority he has been engaged in self duties, and has, by industry, accumulated a small farm of 25 acres in Sec. 5, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he is now situated ; he has, since 1849, done considerable carpentering, which occupation he is now engaged in. Dec. 25, 1855, he married Mary A., daughter of Isaac and Margaret Merritt Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have lived together almost a quarter of a centur}r.

HIRAM P. JOHNSON, farmer; P. O. Conover; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., near where Casstown is now located ; his birth occurred Sept. 12, 1817, and he is a son of Giles Johnson, who was born in Southampton Co., Va., July 12, 1787, and during life was a devoted farmer. Shortly before the war of 1812, emigrated West, stopping temporarily in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he pressed onward to Lost Creek Township, where he entered one-fourth of Sec. 30 ; soon after he enlisted as a patriot of that war under Capt. Buchanan ; he was in service three months and ten days, and while out he was engaged mostly at

Greenville, Ohio. After his return, he married Airy Parson, who was a native of Ohio and several years his junior ; they settled on the farm in Lost Creek Township in pioneer style, and at once commenced to improve it ; there they remained until 1819, when he traded it for a quarter of Sec. 6. Brown Township, after which several changes were made ; Airy died in Brown Township March 10, 1859, and Giles in St. Paris, Champaign Co., in 1876; the fruits of their union w*ere eight children, of whom five are now living. Our subject being the eldest, he was raised to farm labor, and obtained such education as could be secured in the public schools of pioneer days. In 1840, he began life for himself, and, on June 11 of the same year, his nuptials were celebrated with Hannah, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Lane. Hannah was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, December, 1816 ; they, by this union, have five children, of whom one is now living. Mr. Johnson is now located on his farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township, Miami Co.. Ohio.

CHARLES C. JONES, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Fletcher; was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1837, and is a son of Solomon and Mary (Tuley) Jones ; she is a native of New Jersey and Solomon of Shelby Co.. Ky. ; they had born to them four children, of whom three are now living. Charles is the eldest ; he was brought up to the duties of farm life ; his education was procured in the district school ; in 1854, he entered the path of life for himself by cultivating his father's farm of 154 acres, in Secs. 23 and 24, Brown Township, which he now owns. Here he continued until Aug. 22, 1862, at which time he enlisted in Co. E, 110th 0. V. I., to battle for his native country, passing through the battles of the Wilderness, Winchester, Locust Grove, Kelley's Ford, and others of less importance ; he served three years, lacking one month, when he returned home. He has since been farming, and has one of the best farms in the township. May 28, 1874, he married Jeannette Reynolds, who was born in Urbana Sept. 27, 1856 ; they have three children, viz., Fred, Edith C. and Thomas E. Jones.

CHARLES H. KELLER, farmer ; P. O. Fletcher ; is a son of Adam and Maria L. (Beckenbaugh) Keller, both natives of Maryland, where Maria passed from the stage of life ; she was the mother of ten children, of whom seven are now living ; Adam married for his second wife Mary A. Duvall, of Annapolis, Md. Our subject was born in Frederick Co., Md., March 28, 1832, where he had the advantages of town and city life ; early in life he acquired a liberal education ; when he was a boy of 14, he commenced the printer's trade, which ill health afterward necessitated him to forsake ; he then engaged in the carpenter's trade, but this he followed but a short time only. In the fall of 1852, he came to Miami Co., and the following winter was engaged in teaching here ; in the spring of 1853 he returned to Maryland ; one year later, he started for California by the Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, and up the Missouri River to Independence, from where they traveled in private conveyance to the intended destination ; this was at last reached, and he was there engaged six years as a gold miner ; not deeming it prudent to remain longer in the far West, he returned to his native State. In November, of 1860, he came to Miami Count}' and married Ann S. Doup, native of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Keller has, since his marriage devoted some time to traveling, of which one trip was directed to his former mining region ; since 1865, he has been a permanent resident of Brown Township, Miami Co., where he owns 84 acres of land in Sec. 30. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Keller are Ella M., Loro C., Henry D., Mary E. and Ann M.

ISAAC KISER, farmer; P. O. Fletcher. Peter and Catherine (Young) Kiser were both natives of Virginia, and immigrated to Ohio in 1806, and located where the village of Fletcher now is situated ; they passed many days of the early part of the nineteenth century there, but in after years removed to Shelby Co., Ohio, where they both passed from the stage of life. John Kiser, the father of Isaac, was born in Virginia, in 1785, and came with his parents to Ohio, where he nobly assisted in clearing away the forest and opening up a farm, which only time and health were needed to complete ; about 1809, he married Barbara Simmons, after which they began life in the pioneer-time manner ; he was in the Indian struggle of 1812, under Capt. Hilliard, and after his return settled down with his family ; they ever after their marriage were residents of Brown Township until their decease. Their children were ten in number, one of whom, Isaac, was bom November, 1810, and raised on the farm, which was cultivated with comparatively rude implements ; school advantages in his boyhood days were very imperfect, therefore the education obtained was limited ; he has, since his majority, through his straightforward business habits, been elected to, and held, some of the most important offices of the township, which he has filled with benefit to the community where he lived ; he now resides in the west end of Fletcher on his farm, which is nicely located and well improved. In June, 1832, he married Sarah Luce, who was born in this county in June, 1813, and departed this life August, 1866 ; they were parents of six children, of whom two died in infancy, and four are now living. In April, 1867, Isaac K. married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Cory, widow of Joseph Cory ; one son has been born to them, viz., Harrison N. Kiser.

ALBERT H. LANE, teacher, Fletcher ; is a grandson of Peter Lane, who was born in New Jersey, June 7, 1795, where he grew to maturity, and learned cabinetmaking. He was one of the patriots of the war of 1812, passing through many of its privations for nearly two years. On conversing with him to-day, the scenes seem fresh in his memory, though in the 85th year of his age ; he came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and in 1835 removed to Miami Co. Albert H. is a son of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Smalley) Lane. Their children are Mary A., Lucinda, Ada, Albert H., and John F. Our subject was born Oct. 24, 1857, was raised mostly to farm life, and enjoyed the advantages of the schoolroom most of his boyhood days ; his education has been improved at the Holbrook's National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio ; in the summer of 1879, he commenced teaching, in which profession he is a promising young man.

JACOB LONGr, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Conover; was born in Pike Township, Clark Co., Ohio, April 13, 1839, and is a son of Joseph Long, a native of Maryland, who married Miss Ollera Clyne ; she was a native of Ohio, now deceased ; Joseph still lives at the ripe old age of 77 years. Jacob was raised to farm labor, which has always been his occupation, and thereby has accumulated some wealth ; he now resides on Sec. 5, Brown Township. In 1865, he married Lettitia Clyne, who was born in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co.., on July 23, 1840, and departed this life, Feb. 19, 1875, leaving a hnsband and three children, viz., Elizabeth A., born Dec. 10, 1865, who, like her father before her, is a devoted member of the Baptist Church ; Roberta E., born Feb. 24, 1873 ; and William Albert, the second son, was bom May 28, 1869. Of him we record the following interesting facts on the pages of this history, that the future generations may look back over the same and read the history of the family. Even though he is what we may term a dwarf, his height twenty-seven inches and weight twenty-seven pounds at the age of 11 years, h& is of good human form, of pleasant countenance and appearance, playful and cheerful ; he is an ornament to the * family, where he is kindly cared for by his step-mother. She was formerty Mrs. Frances Mathews, whose marriage with Mr. Long was celecrated April 6, 1876. Mrs. Frances Long was born in Miami Co., Ohio, March 27, 1836, and is a daughter of Nezer S. and Priscilla (Sayers) Yates. Nezer S. was born at Cape May, Nov. 20, 1801, and his wife in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1807 ; their marriage was celebrated April 24, 1825 ; their children were eleven in number ; she passed from the stage of life, May 31, 1847. Mr. Yates married for his second wife, Pamilla Reed, who was born in Ohio, Dec. 13, 1825, and died Dec. 6, 1864, he dying in 1874. The last named were of the earty pioneers of Miami County. Nezer S. Yates' parents, Thomas and Phebe (Smith) Yates, were also of the first settlers of this county. Mrs. Long, in her childhood days, received such education as could be obtained in that day and age ; she remained at home with her parents until March 24, 1853, when her marriage was celebrated with Rev. William Mathews ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1827 ; he was baptised under the auspices of the Baptist Church about 1850, and underwent the ordination for the work of the Christian ministry of the same at

Honey Creek, Ohio, seven years after, to the day. Previous to his death, which occurred May 17, 1862, he labored as a pious and devoted Pastor in Lena and Covington Churches, rendering entire satisfaction to his congregations ; none doubting his pious consecration to the cause of Christ. In 1860, he began to suffer from affected lungs ; this bodily suffering he patiently endured for two }rears ; then he died in a full hope of a happy immortality beyond the grave, leaving a widowed mother, wife, four fatherless children, affectionate sisters, and a large circle of friends ; at his request, he was buried with the usual ceremonies of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member ; the funeral services were conducted b}r Rev. D. E. Thomas, of Piqua, who is now deceased ; the sermon was an interesting and an appropriate one ; the funeral of the deceased was attended by a large concourse of his relatives, members and friends. Thus ended the earthly career of one of the best of men, peaceable, loyal and consecrated to the welfare of his race. Of the children left are John, William C., Ora, Alice, and Nezer Y., of whom all are members of the church of their father and mother, and the last named has received a good education and is now engaged in the ministerial profession of the Baptist Church.

JEREMIAH McKEE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, October, 1811, and is a son of William and Elizabeth McKee, whose decease occurred in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co.; his father now survives in Illinois, at the prime old age of 97 years ; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are now living, of whom Jeremiah is the fourth. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits and received a limited education ; a short time previous to his majority he engaged in the brick-mason's trade, which he followed many years in connection with farming. In 1829, he emigrated to Miami Co., locating on what is now known as the Elnathan farm, in Lost Creek Township, where he remained until the spring of 1840, when he removed to his present farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township. The farm at that time consisted of 50 acres, but he has since added to it by purchase, until he now owns 110 acres in Secs. 5 and 11 ; when coming here his farm was uncleared, but he has since, by great industty, converted it into a well-improved farm. In 1834, he married Miss Hannah Hayhurst, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1813 ; their children were four in number, of whom two are now living, viz.: Nancy A., now Mrs. John S. Myers, and Miriam, now Mrs. George H. Wiland. Mrs. McKee's lirst husband was John Cromer ; two children were the fruits of that union.

CLARKSON MANNING, retired farmer ; Allen's P. O. ; was born in Warren Township, Somerset Co., N. J., Aug. 15, 1794, and was raised to farm labor ; their school being two miles distant ; he received a limited education. In September, 1814, he was drafted, served as a private under Capt. John Logan, and remained in service until December of the same year, when he was discharged in Jersey City ; he has since obtained land warrant 13,337 for 40 acres, and also 28,839 for 120 acres, obtained by Squire Duncan, of Fletcher. Upon March 18, 1818, Mr. Manning married Phebe Cory, who was born in New Jersey, Jan. 7, 1791 ; June 2, 1818, they started in a two-horse wagon for Ohio, when time and perseverance were needed to reach their destination, which was Lebanon, Warren Co. ; there they stopped for a short time, and then went to Middletown, where they remained until April, 1819, when they emigrated to Miami Co., and entered land in Sec. 3, Brown Township ; leaving his family and goods at his nearest neighbor's, a distance of four miles, he commenced the task of opening a road to his newly entered farm; this he completed and looked up a suitable place to erect a hut, where he cleared away the timber, and built a log cabin 18x20 ; this was finished in eight days ; they took possession, storing away their household goods, which were all comprised in one small wagon load ; for a few days their cooking was done b}' a large stump, until they could prepare a place in their hut for such work ; they soon began to fell the trees, cut and clear a spot on which to raise a few vegetables and other necessaries of life ; thus they continued for several years, and at that time had but two neighbors within a distance of two miles ; after many years' hard and toilsome labor, they opened out a good farm. In 1824, there was a prospect of having a county road laid out, which would pass by Mr. Manning's farm ; upon the hope of this, he erected a he wed-log house on the supposed line, which road was granted as soon as they could produce a sufficient number of petitioners ; the log house was said to be the second best in the territory of what is now Brown Township ; this was their residence until 1833. when Mr. Manning erected his present house (brick), on what is now the Lena Pike. Mr. and Mrs. Manning are the parents of seven children, viz., Parkhurst, Elsyanna, Isaac A., Johanna, Mary J., John C. and David ; of the above, three are now living. Mr. Manning has nobly assisted his children in acquiring property. Our subject and wife have trod the path of married life three score and two years, and now both enjoy good health. April 22, 1878, on looking from their window they beheld carriages, buggies, etc., concentrated at their gate, filled with friends and relatives from far and near ; all coming with baskets well filled ; this was for the sixtieth wedding day, but, owing to the bad weather in March, the celebration had been deferred until now ; the parties entered the house and the tables were soon spread with the many substantial viands and delicacies, which kind hands had brought ; when everything was in readiness, all surrounded the table and Rev. Lippincott offered appropriate thanks ; after which the repast was abundantly enjo}Ted, and the balance of the day was spent in social entertainment.

DAVID C. MANNING, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher; who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co. Ohio Feb. 3, 1835, is a son of Maj. Manning, whose biography wTill occup}' a space in this enterprise. David was raised to farm labor, and obtained his education in the common schools of Brown Township ; near the age of 20, he took a trip through Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, Central Illinois and Iowa, looking for a location, on which to settle ; he purchased some land in Benton Co., Iowra, but, not seeing fit to move on, sold it some time after ; during the late rebellion he took another trip East, overseeing a few loads of stock, and also visited some friends who reside in Plainfield, N. J., after which he engaged in farming, and at present owns 77-J- acres, in Sec. 23, Brown Township, where he now resides and is well situated. In 1856, he married Miss Caroline Throckmorton, who was born in this township in 1838 ; they have two children, viz., George D_ and Charlie E. ; Mrs. Manning is a daughter of George Throckmorton, whose sketch also appears in this volume.

DAVID S. MANSON, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born on the farm he now owns in Sec. 23, Brown Township, July 2, 1817 ; his father was born in Pennsylvania, June 5, 1782, and emigrated to Ohio early in the nineteenth century - he was one of the patriots of the war of 1812 ; at the surrender of Gen.. Hull he was taken prisoner by the Indians, who took him to Canada, where he afterward was released ; he then returned to Miami Co., and in after years became the owner of a farm in Sec. 23 ; in 1816, his marriage occurred ; when David was but 10 years of age, his father died, and the care of the famity devolved exclusively upon the mother, who now survives at the advanced age of 83. David S. was brought up on the farm in the pioneer days, when log huts were called houses, and rude log cabins were the only schoolhouses ; the term of school was very much limited, as were the branches and modes of teaching. Mr. Manson is the oldest man living in the towmship who has never made a permanent change in his place of residence. Jan. 23, 1840, he married Bathsheba Robbins, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1821, and died April 24, 1845, leaving two children, of whom both are now living, viz., Phebe, born March 26, 1841 ; William, born Nov.. 26, 1842.

M. W. MATHERS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was born on his. present farm in March, 1832, and is a son of David and Margaret (Williams) Mathers ; he is a native of Ohio, and his wife of New York. They were married in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1821, and, in 1826, came to this county, settling on the southeast quarter of Sec. 9, which had been entered by his father a short time previous ; here they cultivated and improved the farm ; the father died in 1850 or i 851, in the 53d year of his age, his wife surviving until 1875, when she, too, passed away, in the 77th year of her age. Our subject was raised to agricultural pursuits, and nobly assisted his father in clearing and improving his present farm, which he began to purchase about 1860 ; at intervals, he has added to it, until he now owns the full quarter in Sec. 9. In 1859, he married Miss Catharine Moore, who is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio, and is nearly six years his junior ; by this union they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Luella, William C. and John H.

C. F. MED AMS, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1851, and is a son of Washington Medaris, who was born in South Carolina in the year 1796 ; his boyhood days were spent on the farm, receiving only a limited education ; at the age of 14 years, he, with his parents, emigrated West, locating in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio ; at 22 he engaged in blacksmithing, which he continued working at during life ; in 1833. he removed to Shelby Co., purchasing a farm of 80 acres in Perry Township, where he now resides, at the advanced age of 84. Near 1821, he married Elizabeth Psalter, who was a native of Clermont Co., Ohio, and died in Shelby Co. about 1840 or 1841. He married, for his second wife, Matilda A. McDavitt, of Miami Co. Mr. Medaris was raised on the farm, and received an ordinary education ; he came to this county in December, 1868, where he has since resided. Jan. 23, 1875, his nuptials with Miss America J. II arcourt were celebrated ; she was born on the farm where she now resides ; they have one child - Percy H., born Feb. 15, 1876. Mrs. Medaris is a daughter of Francis A. and Martha S. (McDavitt) Harcourt ; Francis A. is a native of England, and immigrated to America about the middle of the nineteenth centuiy ; Mrs. Harcourt was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1825, and immigrated to Miami Co. about 1832, where she has since resided.

ISAAC J. MERRITT, farmer ; Allen's P. O. ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Dec. 19, 1851, and is a son of Joseph and Ann (Munger) Merritt, who was born in Virginia Jan. 18, 1812, and Joseph in Warren Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1815. Their marriage was celebrated May 26, 1836, and they have, since 1834, been residents of Brown Township, Miami Co. ; their children were nine in number, of whom two were stricken with diphtheria in 1860-61 and passed away; seven are now living, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. W. Vanzant ; Margaret J., now Mrs. J. Maxwell ; Martha A., now Mrs. D. Spencer ; Amanda, now Mrs. George Leise ; Henry H., Isaac J. and Della, now Mrs. John Manning. Our subject was raised on the farm and received the privileges of the common schools, thereby obtaining a medium education, and is now cultivating the old farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township. Jan. 27, 1878, he married Miss Josephine Vaughn, who was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1856 ; she is a daughter of John and Emily Vaughn, who were both natives of the same county ; Isaac and Josephine have one child - Lawrence E. The grandparents of Isaac J. were Isaac, Sr., and Margaret (Carter) Merritt, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Warren Co.. Ohio, where they married, and, in 1834, removed to Miami Co., where their decease occurred.

S. L. MIOVER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fletcher ; was born in Greene Township, Shelby Co., Jan. 7, 1835 ; in his boyhood days he assisted in farm duties in the summer season and in winter enjoyed the privilege of the schools, which he improved at home until obtaining a knowledge sufficient for teaching, in which he engaged at the age of twenty ; soon after, he commenced the study of medicine, in connection with the task of teaching ; in the winter of 1857-58, he attended a full term of lectures under the instructions given at the Eclectic Medical Institute, and the following year located in Cridersville, Auglaize Co., Ohio, as a practicing physician ; there he labored until 1864, when he retired from the profession and took up farming on his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, Miami Co., which he purchased six years later ; previous to this, he purchased 40 acres in Sec. 13 of the same township, which he has since sold. June 12, 1859, his marriage took place with Mary J. Darling, who was born in Allen Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1842. Their niece, Emma Earnhart, lives with them.

T. S. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Allen's ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 29, 1832, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in the memoir of J. M. Moore. T. S. was brought up to farm labor, and, receiving a limited -education, remained at home until his majorit}^ ; then he began life for himself, engaging in the carpenter's trade, which he followed six years; he then tried farming in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., remaining there until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Miami Co. ; he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 2, where he has since resided. His marriage with Miss Caroline H. Mathews was celebrated Oct. 26, 1855 ; she was born in this county in 1835 ; they have an adopted son - William C. (Mathews) Moore, a nephew of Mrs. Moore. Her parents, John and Ann M. Mathews, were both natives of New Jersey, born early in the nineteenth century, and emigrated to this county, where they both died ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living.

JOHN W. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Conover; was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Feb. 18, 1830, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in this work. John, when about 6 months old, with his parents, emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, remaining there about two years ; in 1833, they removed to Miami Co., where they have since resided ; here John W. received a limited education, and assisted his father on the farm until 18 years of age, when he began the trade of a wheelwright ; he carried on business seven years in Lena ; then engaged in farming upon rented land six years ; in 1860, he bought 80 acres of good land in Sec. 8, where he has since resided, and is nicely situated for life, with comfortable buildings, adding by purchase 40 acres more in Sec. 1. Oct. 26, 1853, he united in marriage with Hannah Howland, who was born in Miami Co. Aug. 4, 1833 ; they have two children, viz., Albert H. and Faran I. Mrs. Moore is a daughter of Albert and Caroline Howland, whose genealogy will appear under M. Duncan's sketch in this work.

J. M. MOORE, farmer ; P. O. Allen's ; is a son of Isaac Moore, who was born in Wooster Co., Md., July 18, 1804, where he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; in 1818, he, with his parents, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Dearborn Co., where the parents lived many j^ears and died at an advanced age ; Isaac remained at home until 1825, when he came to Dayton, Ohio, working on the canal for several years. In January, 1829, he married Mary Watkins, of Montgomery Co., Ohio, born Dec. 15, 1811 ; in 1833, they emigrated to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 2, Brown Township, where he bought his present farm and was duly engaged in cultivating it until 1868, since then living a retired life. His wife departed this life Aug. 28, 1878 ; they had eight children, of whom five are living. J. M. was born on his father's present farm July 25, 1842 ; he was raised to farm labor, which he is still engaged in on the home farm ; in his younger days, he received a limited education. Feb. 9, 1864, his marriage with Frances A. Slack was celebrated, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1843 ; they have two children, of whom both are now living, viz., Charley and Clara.

TIMOTHY MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Howell Township, Monmouth Co., N. J., Feb. 22, 1799, and is a son of John and Mary (Longstreet) Morton, who were both natives of New Jersey ; they had eleven children, of whom Timothy is the only one now living ; John Morton was one of the patriots of the war of Independence, where he served a period of six months ; he and his wife both died at advanced ages. Our subject was left very early in life to battle for himself, and spent his boyhood days farming with various people until 16 years of age ; then he commenced work in a manufactory of all kinds of cloth, which he followed until 1831 ; at this time, he emigrated to Ohio and bought his present farm of 60 acres, in Sec. 11, Brown Township, Miami Co. ; this he has changed from its primeval state to a good degree of cultivation. Mr. Morton has held the office of Supervisor in Brown Township eight years, and feels interested in forwarding all public improvements. In New Jersey, in 1820, he married Mary Gurney, who was a native of that State, and died in Brown Township, Miami Co., in 1858 ; by this union there were six children, of whom five are now living. In

December, 1859, Timothy Morton married for his second companion Mary J. Ayers, of New Jersey, who was born in Burlington Co. May 9, 1808, and is a daughter of Zadock and Mary (Smith) Green ; she has buried two husbands and is now living with the third one.

JOHN PARTINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1838, and is a son of Joseph Partington, who was born in England, Aug. 7, 1800, and in early life obtained a common education ; he remained in his native country until 10 years of age, when, with his parents, he embarked at Liverpool, England, on the vessel Aldebaran ; after reaching the United States the}' settled near Baltimore, Md., where they remained until 1831, when they emigrated West and located in Shelby Co.; the parents both died in Ohio, Mrs. Partington in Dayton, and Mr. Partington in Shelby Co.; Joseph, now in the 80th year of his age, resides with his son, our subject, who was brought up on the farm and procured his education in the common schools of Shelby Co. In 1857, he commenced in life for himself, by farming on rented land, which he continued until 1868, when he and his father purchased their present farm of 105 acres, in Sec. 15,, Brown Township, Miami Co., where they now reside. June 17, 1869, his marriage with Eleanor Search was celebrated ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1849, and emigrated West with her parents when but a child, locating on Sec. 15, Brown Township, Miami Co., where they now reside ; the children of Mr. and Mrs. Partington are three sons - Elba, Joseph R. and Charles Partington.

THOMAS J. PENCE, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Feb. 24, 1847, and is a son of James T. and Nancy (Shidler) Pence ; James was a native of Lost Creek Township, and Nancy of Pennsylvania ; they had by this union seven children, all of whom are now living. Our subject was raised on the farm, where he assisted his father in the agricultural duties connected therewith, and in his boyhood days enjoyed the privileges of the district schools, where he obtained a common education, and since his majority he has improved the same by self-study, particularly in the science of mathematics ; in 1868, he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., which is under good cultivation, and since has also purchased 80 acres in Wells Co., Ind. Dec. 18, 1848, he married Mary E. Blackford, who is a daughter of David and Sarah A. Blackford.

JOHN S. REEDER, deceased, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1819, where he grew to manhood on the farm, and obtained a common-school education. In 1842, he married Letitia P. Pownall, also a native of Bucks Co., born in 1821 ; after their marriage, John was variously engaged until 1851, when they emigrated West, locating in Fletcher, Miami Co.; remaining there but two years, they removed to Sec. 21, Brown Township, where they afterward purchased 80 acres ; this John cultivated till his death, which occurred Feb. 19, 1875 ; he was the father of ten children - Margery A., Esther P., Martha R., Ellen K. (deceased), Miles P., Eliza J., William H., Mary E., John E. (deceased) and George W. Letitia is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Anderson) Pownall, both natives of Pennsylvania, where John died ; Elizabeth afterward came West, and died in Miami Co. Miles P., whose name is above given, was born in the same count}' and State as his father, in 1851 ; was raised on the farm where he now resides, and manifests an enterprising interest in its cultivation. His marriage with Rhoda A. Covault was celebrated in 1871 ; two years later she departed this life, Feb. 28, 1873 ; Sept. 16, 1875, he married Sarah J. Frazier, a native of Shelby Co., born Aug. 16, 1853 ; one child, Lou E., has been given to them.

G. II. RUNDLE, manufacturer of patent medicines, and more particularly of Porter's Pain King, known far and wide, and which has given satisfaction wherever it has been tried ; P. O. Fletcher. The manufacturer of this valuable article is G. II. Rundle, who was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1847 ; he led the usual life of a farmer's son, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native State; in 1871, he emigrated West, locating in Lima, Ohio, where he purchased the right of W. L. Porter to manufacture the Pain King ; he was soon duly engaged in the chemical compounds, where he remained until five years ago, when he located in the above village, and now is filling large demands for his medicine ; he has erected a complete laboratory, where he engages considerable assistance. The nuptials of G-. H. Rundle and Amanda Hance were celebrated Nov. 3, 1874 ; she is a daughter of Alfred Hance, whose biography will be seen in this volume.

SAMUEL SAYERS, deceased, was born in Staunton Township, Miami Co., in 1810 ; he was raised to the life of a farmer's son. In 1832, he married Jane Sims, who was born in Virginia, in 1809; soon after their marriage they settled in Springcreek Township ; remaining there one year, they removed to Brown Township, locating on Sec. 35, which they cleared and greatly improved ; of the buildings we make particular mention ; they are large, commodious and the best fire proof secured buildings in the township of Brown. During his life Mr. Sayers purchased several farms, of which he was the owner when his decease occurred, May 29, 1877 ; during life he assisted each of his children, who were seven in number, to nearly $4,000 worth of real estate. His family are Martha J., the wife of John H. Mathers, in Mason Co., 111.; S. F., Francis D., now Mrs. James M. Moore, of Champaign Co., 111.; Margaret A., wife of Paul W. S. Pence ; Sarah E., now Mrs. Alexander M. Deweese ; Annette S., wife of James M. Caven, of Shelby Co., Ohio, .and Harriette E., the widow of John R. McKinney. Mrs. Sayers is a daughter of James, Sr., and Margaret Sims, both natives of Virginia ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1830, locating on Sec. 35, Brown Township, where he accumulated considerable wealth, and passed from the stage of life in 1862, Margaret, his daughter, preceding him seventeen years.

PETER SHANKS, retired farmer ; P. O. Fletcher. Peter Shanks was born in what is now the incorporated city of Cincinnati, Aug. 15, 1795, and is a son of Joseph Shanks, who was born in Delaware, and of German descent. He married Mary Clawson, of Holland birth and Welch parentage; she emigrated to America in her youthful days, and the marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania about the time of the war of independence ; the}7 afterward came West as far as Hamilton Co., Ohio ; there they remained a few years ; they then located in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where Mary died, and was interred in the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery of Washington Township, and Joseph afterward went to Indiana, and died in Delaware Co., near Muncie, at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 9 days; the children by the above marriage were ten in number, of whom Peter is the only one now living. He was raised to farm labor, in Montgomery Co. ; here he, when but a boy of 17, entered the service of 1812, under Capt. Richard Sunderland and Maj. Price, and secondly he was under Capt. Lemon, of Clark Co., Ohio ; they were at Detroit, Mich., when peace was declared ; Mr. Shanks is now one of three patriots of that war living in Brown Township. About 1817, he entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 29, Brown Township, where he at once commenced to open out a farm from the unbroken forest, and erected a hewed-log house ; the roof was of shingles (which in that day were a rarity) ; in this he spent many days ; at present he has his farm well improved, but has diminished it to 80 acres, from the fact that he, during life, has nobly assisted his children. May 10, 1821, he married Leah C. Schenks, and the following August located on the above-described farm. Their children were eight in number, two died in infancy, and four are now living; Mrs. Shanks died May 13, 1839, in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which she was a member for twelve years. Nineteen years later, Mr. Shanks married for his second wife Martha J. (McCarr) Neff; she died April 27, 1861, leaving two children, of whom one died in infancy, and the other is now living. Mr. S. has been a devoted member of the Lost Creek Baptist Church, since 1827, in which faith he firmly stands in 1880. Since the election of Gen. Jackson for President, he has been a decided Democrat, at which time he cast his first vote.

B. F. SIMMONS, farmer; P. O. Fletcher; was born in Spring Creek Township, July 24, 1848, and is a son of Peter J. and Elizabeth (Denman) Simmons ; about the middle of the nineteenth century they moved to Indiana, locating in Clinton County, where Peter passed from the stage of life ; he and Elizabeth were the parents of four children, of whom two died previous to the death of Peter, and the two surviving ones were left in their mother's care for a short time. B. F. soon found a home with his uncle L. R. Simmons, of Brown Township ; there he grew to manhood and was taught farming ; in his earlier days he enjoyed school privileges, obtaining a common education ; he now owns 165^ acres of land in Secs. 32 and 33, Brown Township, and is well situated for life. Sept. 19, 1870, he married Miss R. J. Sanders, born in Springfield Township, Miami Co., Jan. 17, 1846; four children are the fruits of this union, viz., Elmer E., Effie M^ Judson W. and Hany ; Mrs. Simmons is a daughter of E. and M. Sanders, now both deceased.

CHARLES SIMMONS, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Peter Simmons, who was born in Pennsjdvania, 1795, and, when a boy 12 years old, with his parents, emigrated to Ohio, and located in Brown Township, where they lived and died. Peter was a devoted farmer in the pioneer days, and during life accumulated a good farm in Sec. 36, Brown Township. About 1827, his marriage with Elizabeth Bowersox was celebrated, who was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1802, and died in Brown Township. 1875, Peter dying six years previous ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom five reached maturity, Charles being the third son. His great-grandfather, Philip Simmons was of German birth, and in, 1763, embarked for the Western Continent. Charles Simmons was born in Brown Township, January, 1831, and was brought up to farm labor, and received a common education in the pioneer days ; he entered the path of life for himself in 1852, and has, by hard labor and good management, accumulated 135 acres of land in Secs. 31 and 36, which is well improved. He has recently been elected to the office of Township Trustee, which office he now holds. In 1856, he married Phebia Reader, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1838 ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine are now living, viz., Emma E., William H., Mary C., George 0., Nannie, Rosa E., Theresa J., Albert and Alice. Mrs. Simmons is a daughter of Simeon and Nancy (Howell) Reader ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1813, and she in Pennsylvania, in 1818.

LEVI R. SIMMONS, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher; is a son of Jacob Simmons, who was born in Pennsylvania about the close of the eighteenth century, and came with his parents to Ohio the first year of the nineteenth century ; they settled near Dayton, Ohio, where they remained until six years following, when they removed to Miami Co.; there they lived and died, but Jacob in after years married Mehitable Rollins, who was a native of Vermont, and five years his junior; they both died in Byown Township, he at the age of 61, she at 82. The subject of this memoir is a first cousin to Charles Simmons, under whose sketch a history of the ancestry will appear. L. R. was born in Brown Township, Jan. 25, 1825 ; his boyhood days were spent on the farm in summer, and in winter at school, thereby receiving a limited education ; about 1843, he began teaching, which remained his winter occupation until 1863, and devoted his attention mostly to farm labor ; he has during life, by good business habits and industry, accumulated considerable property, of which a portion is nearly a full quarter of land in Sec. 33, Brown Township, which is well improved. He has been elected to, and held, various offices of the township. Oct. 27, 1848, he married Sarah Eyer, who was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 24, 1824 ; her parents were both natives of the same State.

J. W. T. SUBER, farmer and thrasher ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Brown Township, October, 1841, and is a son of George Suber, whose biography will be seen under the memoir of W. D. Suber, in some part of this history. J. W. T. was raised on his present farm, and obtained a common education ; he entered upon self duties in 1861, and has since hired his interest in his present farm of 110 acres in Sec. 8, purchasing of the other heirs until he now owns the full farm ; he has as fine a location as any in that vicinity. Mr. Suber, when but a boy, was taught by his father the principles of the thrashing machine ; he has devoted, almost exclusively, the thrashing season to that occupation, which is one of the necessary features of every well-tilled country ; in the fall of 1869, Mr. Suber thrashed 52,000 bushels of grain, and, on the same separator, hulled 600 bushels of clover seed in the winter of 1879-80 ; he has shown himself capable of following that line of business with credit to himself and benefit to his customers. Oct. 20, 1864, he married Elizabeth Yerdier, who was born in Green Township, Shelby Co., Ohio, Sept. 2, 1844; they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Lucinda J., Laura L., Edwin T., and Roy F., deceased.

W. D. SUBER, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 31, 1825. His father, George Suber, was also a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov. 12, 1796, and was of German descent ; he grew to manhood in his native State. March 1, 1821, he married Elizabeth H. Duer, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 18, 1800, and was of Irish descent; they immigrated to Ohio in 1829, locating temporarily near Dayton, Ohio ; in 1830, he entered the northwest quarter of Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., where they permanently located, and, taking it from its wilds, made it their future home, where he (Georges passed away in September, 1860, and Elizabeth in August, 1872 ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. W. D. was brought up on the farm, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up a farm ; owing to the scarcity of school privileges that William had in his boyhood daj^s, his education is limited ; in 1850, he started in the world to battle for himself as a farm laborer, with no means ; he continued working, and gradually laid by some of his earnings ; in 1853, he purchased 160 acres of prairie land in Illinois ; this he held until 1865, when he sold the same and purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 7, Brown Township, Miami Co., and has since bought 86 acres in Champaign Co. March 30, 1854, his marriage took place with Mary A. Caven, who was born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., Oct. 26, 1834 ; by this union they had five children - Sarah J., born Feb. 28, 1855 ; James W., born March 27, 1857 ; John C., born Nov. 19, 1858 ; George W., born Sept. 9, 1870, and Orel M., born July 21, 1877. Mrs. Suber is a daughter of John and Aseneth (Ross) Caven ; they were, for many years, residents of Spring Creek Township, where Mr. Caven died in 1872. Mrs. Caven still survives.

JOHN M. STITH, teacher ; P. O. Allen's, was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1852, and lived on a farm until 16 years of age, receiving a limited education ; during the summers, from 1868 to 1871, he attended the Fairfield Union Academy, also a short course at the Ohio Wesleyan Universit}^ ; in the winter of 1869-70, he taught his first school, in Fairfield Co., where he continued three winters ; in the fall of 1875, he located in Shelby Co. and taught in Miami Co. ; in 1878, he removed to Lena, this county, where he has since resided. The marriage of John M. and Chloe Hutcher was celebrated in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1874 ; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1855 ; one child - Maude, was born to them May 19, 1876 ; died May 17, 1879. Mrs. Stith, in early youth, obtained a common education, and afterward improved the same at the Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and is now engaged in teaching, with her husband, in the combined schools of Lena and Conover, where they have held their positions for the past two years, and are engaged for the ensuing year. They have, since residing in Lena, purchased their present property, which consists of 8 acres in Sec. 1, Brown Township, also a quarter-section near Carrolton, Greene Co., 111.

GEORGE THROCKMORTON, retired farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in New Jersey, March 12, 1809, and is a son of Job and Jane (Woolley) Throckmorton, both natives of New Jersey, who emigrated West in 1816, locating in Warren Co., Ohio, where Job died about 1825 ; Jane married for her second husband James Brelsford, of Greene Co., where they located and both died, she at the age of 89, and he at 93 years. George was reared on the farm, and procured his education in the common schools of the pioneer days, in Warren Co., Ohio ; at the age of 18 he engaged in carpentering, which was his occupation for fifteen years, when he retired from its duties ; in 1832, he purchased 160 acres of land in Sec. 12, Brown Township, and in 1836 moved from Warren Co. to Miami, locating in

Piqua, where he lived until 1838, when he located on the above farm ; he cleared the forest, and to-day fine buildings have taken the place of his rude huts and barns ; during the late rebellion, he sold his former and purchased his present farm, which consists of the southeast quarter of Sec. 18, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he is now well situated and has 130 acres under cultivation. Mr. Throckmorton was married April 21, 1830, to Miss Sarah Lafferty, who was a native of Warren Co., Ohio, and died in Miami Co. in 1853, leaving a husband and nine children, of whom eight are now living. Mr. Throckmorton married for his second wife Miss Sarah 1). Hendley ; she is also a native of Warren Co., and came to Miami when about the age of 12 years.

WILSON VANZANT, farmer, stone and brick mason, plain and ornamental plasterer, and manufacturer of artificial stone ; P. 0. Allen's; was born in Bucks Co., Penn.,*Nov. 20, 1834, and is a son of John and Frances (Books) Vanzant, both natives of New Jerse}T ; they emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1838, locating in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where John passed from the stage of life. Frances married for her second husband James H. George ; since 1872 they have been located in Lena, where she was left a widow the second time, in 1878, and still besides, at the age of 69 ; the children of John and Frances Vanzant were three in number, viz., Catherine (now deceased), George W. (now a practical physican in Bockford, Winnebago Co., 111.), and our subject, who is the youngest. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; at the age of 18 he learned the trade of -plasterer, which he has followed for several years, and is known far and wide as a reliable and successful mechanic ; in connection with the plastering, he is a known stone and brick mason, also a manufacturer of artificial stone, which is made b}r a chemical process, and has been shown by service and chemists to be far superior to any sandstone yet found ; this chemical stone is found very useful in trimming brick buildings and walks ; flower vases of any designs are made by W. Vanzant ; since 1868, he has been the owner of 80 acres of land in Sec. 6, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he resides. September, 1863, he married Miss Mary Merritt, who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co.; they have three children, viz., William A., Elmer E. and Minnie H. Mrs. Vanzant is a daughter of Joseph and Anna Merritt.

OLIVEB WHABTON, retired wagon-maker, Fletcher ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 17, 1807 ; when he was but 4 years of age his parents emigrated West, locating in Warren Co., Ohio. Oliver was raised in Warren Co., Ohio and in his bo}rhood days obtained a common education ; at the age of 14 years he learned the trade of wagon-making, at which he served seven years, under instructions ; soon after the completion of his trade, he opened out a shop for himself in the same county, wThere he, in a short time, had a healthy patronage ; in 1836, he concluded to change locations, and did so, by removing to Fletcher. Miami Co., continuing his trade until 1865, when he retired from its duties ; thirteen years after locating in Fletcher, he purchased his present farm of 72 acres, in Sec. 25, Brown Township ; on this he now resides, in a retired state. In 1830, he married Jane Duer, a native of Pennsylvania ; their marriage was celebrated in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where she resided at the time ; they passed nearly half a century in connubial life, when she died, Aug. 11, 1877 ; their children were William (deceased in early life), Samuel (now a resident of Indianapolis, engaged as grocer), Phebe A. and Bebecca J. (now Mrs. Scott, of Brown Township, this county).

GEOBGE W. WHITE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Allen's; was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1834, and is a son of George and Mary (Anderson) White ; George was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and was- educated in the district schools ; in 1855, he started in life for himself by engaging in the saw-mill business, which remained his occupation for fourteen or fifteen years, during which time he was favored with the general patronage in the vicinity where he labored, and many bills of lumber were filled ; soon after retiring from the milling business, he purchased his present farm, of 217 acres, in Secs. 2 and 3 Brown Township,

Miami Co., where he is now located, and has a farm second to none in the township, in quality of soil and in various improvements ; his farm is arranged so that stock can be watered in each field, either by spring or by the wind-engine, which he has erected over a well on the highest summit of the farm ; Mr. White takes particular pride in keeping a good class of stock, as well as in keeping up and cultivating his farm, on a systematized plan ; on his farm is a young orchard, of five acres, of good selections of fruits of various kinds. He also takes an active part in all public interests of the county. Sept. 6, 1856, he married Lucinda McKinley, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 12, 1838 ; they have eight children, viz., William P., Samuel H., Rosa, RhodaF., Clara M., Mollie, Nora and Grant.

J. W. WHITE, saw-milling, Conover ; J. W. White commenced business in 1870, by buying one-half interest of S. White, and in 1878, he purchased the other half of B. H. White ; in the year of 1878, the boiler exploded, and he underwent a loss of about $1,200 ; Mr. White, being, an energetic man, soon had his mill in running order, and is doing first-class sawing, and has a liberal patronage. Our subject was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 11, 1842, and is a son of George and Mary (Anderson) White. Mr. White was born in New Jersey, Mrs. White in Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio about 1830, and settled In Champaign Co.; April 4, 1850, they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 3, Brown Township, where they both died - Mr. White Oct. 3, 1862, and Mrs. White in 1878. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are now living. J. W. was brought up to farm labor and received a common education ; at the age of 21 he entered the path of life for himself, and has since financially progressed to the amount of his present property, which consists of a good* house and lot of 8 acres, in Sec. 12, Brown Township, and as good a mill as can be found in the township. His marriage with Rebecca Hagerman was celebrated upon Sept. 16, 1863 ; she was a native of Ohio, born in 1845, and died Dec. 3, 1868 ; they, by this union, had two children, viz., Mary J. and Lillie M. Mr. White married for his second wife Mrs. Jane Webb, a native of this county, who was a daughter of William and Harriet (Harvey) Covault, who were natives of Pennsylvania.

BENJAMIN L. WOLCOTT, retired farmer ; P. O. Conover ; is a son of John H. Wolcott, whose history will be seen in the sketch of George L. Wolcott in some part of this enterprise. Our subject was born in Warren Co., Ohio, May 18, 1819 ; was raised to farm labor in Brown Township, Miami Co., and obtained a common education ; after his majority, he followed carpentering for a period of twenty years ; in 1844, his present farm of 80 acres was deeded to him by his father, where he has since chiefly resided ; this has always undergone his supervision. Oct. 22, 1846, he married Jane Boyd, who was a native of Bucks Co., Penn. ; born Feb. 20, 1827, and died in Brown Township, Nov. 27, 1866. The}7 had five children, of whom William died at the age of 3 years, 7 months and 14 days ; four are now living, viz., JohnG., born Feb. 20, 1851 ; Lewis F., born Jan. 2, 1853 ; Emma J. Aug. 22, 1855, now Mrs. John Michaels ; and Jared, born Jan. 31, 1858 ; John G. and Lewis F. were raised on the farm, and (as well as Jared) assisted their father in opening and cultivating it. They procured a common-school education, and are now fond of books. Dec. 3, 1876, John G. married Hannah L. Wells, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1855 ; one child, Maudie D., was born to them, Jan. 7, 1878. Hannah is a daughter of Martin and Pamelia (Flowers) Wells ; they emigrated from Pennsylvania to Champaign Co., Ohio, about the middle of the nineteenth century. Lewis F., the second son, born Nov. 7, 1878, married Rachel C. Evans, who is a daughter of John and Catherine (Kiser) Evans, both deceased ; their children were five in number, three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are now living.

GEORGE L. WOLCOTT, farmer ; P. O. Allen's ; one of the early pioneers of Miami Co.; he was born March 15, 1823, on the farm he now owns in Sec. 5, Brown Township ; he is a son of John H. Wolcott, who was born in New Jersey, March 6, 1786, where he was raised on a farm and received a liberal education ; in 1807, he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Butler Co., remaining a few years, after which he removed to Warren Co., Ohio. He was one of the patriots of the struggle of 1812, under Capt. Maltbie. In 1820. came to Miami Co., and in 1821 settled on the farm above stated. During life he was honored with the most prominent offices of the counties and townships in which he resided, which he filled with credit and honor to himself, and benefit to the community in which he labored. Early in the nineteenth century he married Sarah James, who was born in Berkeley Co., Va., July 26, 1786. Their children were seven in number, of whom, two died in early life, and five are now living. John Wolcott during life, by good business habits, industry and economy, accumulated considerable wealth. Dec. 19, 1866, he departed this life, having been a masterwheel in the communities where he resided ; his wife survived him until July 18, 1879, when she, too, passed away. Our subject was brought up to farming and the culture of fruit trees. In early life he received a common education, and has always resided on the farm he now owns, which he hired at his mother's death ; he lived up to the example of his father, and has had public transactions of the township and community entrusted to his care. May 27, 1849, he married Garthary Merritt, who was born in Warren Co., December, 1822. Three children have been born to them.

WILLIAM J. WOLCOTT, retired farmer and grain dealer ; P. 0. Allen's ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1816, and is a son of John H. Wolcott, whose name will be seen in the sketch of George L. Wolcott. William J. was raised to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; after his majority, he improved his education to a degree sufficient for teaching, which he followed at intervals twenty years ; during this time, he attended to the duties of his farm of 80 acres in Brown Township, Sec. 6, Town 2, Bange 11, where he located in 1838 ; from 1860 to 1873, his entire attention was directed to his farm ; in March, 1873, he began to handle grain near Conover, on the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Bailroad, where he did a good business in his line ; this he continued until the spring of 1880, when he retired from its duties, and now lives retired on his farm. Aug. 23, 1838, he married Miss Bachel Merritt, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, and is six years his junior ; they have three children, of whom all are living, viz., John, Mary A., now Mrs. S. C. Nixon, and Isaac ; Mrs. Wolcott is a daughter of Isaac and Margaret Merritt (both deceased).

JOHN WOLCOTT, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., March 19, 1821, and is a son of John II. Wolcott, whose history will be seen under the sketch of George L. Wolcott, in some part of this volume. Our subject was reared on the farm and obtained a common education ; he, in his earlier years, duly assisted his father in clearing up his farm and in the cultivation of fruit trees, which are now yielding fruit all over our own and the s