Claibourne Township (part 6 of 8)

B. F. BEEM, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Claibourne Township October 31, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Phebe (Rose) Beem. He was raised on a farm, receiving a common school education, and when eighteen years of age engaged in saw milling with his brother, Lewis Beem, following that business in Claibourne and Jackson Townships until he reached his majority. He then began farming and has since followed that occupation, with more than average success, now being the owner of 200 acres of land, on which he has erected a $2,000 residence, He is purely a self-made man. On December 28, 1876, he married Miss Laura J. Walker, adaughter of Thomas and Hannah (Allen) Walker, and a native of Marion Count y, Ohio, where she was born September 13, 1855. They have one child, Fannie Belle. Mr. Beem is a Republican in politics.

JOHN W. BELL, proprietor of saw mill and manufacturer, P. O. Claibourne, was bornsin Holmes County, Ohio, January 5, 1845, and isa son of William and Margaret (Shipley) Bell, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Gérman descent, and the latter a native of Wayne County, Ohio, of Scotch descent. Our subject was raised on a farm, where he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in operating a saw mill for others. Two years later he purchased a half interest inthe mill, After several changes he came to Claibourne Village and engaged in sawmilling with Mr. Shearer, a pioneer miller of this county, with whom he still continues. They manufacture spokes and felloes for wagons and are doing a good business in the saw mill. Our subject was married October 10, 1878, to Mary Brown, daughter of P. G. and Sarah Brown, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Bell isa member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs, Bell of -the Baptist. He is a Democrat in politics, but always votes for the man and not the party.

HENRY BIDDLE (deceased). Prominent among the early farmers of Union was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in England. August.27, 1829, and in 1832 emigrated to America, with his parents, Joseph and Maria (Williams) Biddle, who settled on a farm of 110 acres, south of Richwood, a part of which is now in the corporation of the village. His father wasa heavy set man, weighing over two hundred pounds, active and energetic, and before his emigration, had gained considerable fame as a professional wrestler, which was a characterstic very much admired at that time in England. He wasa millwright by trade, and built several mills in America, among them the mill at Richwood. He died in 1856. Henry received a very limited educationand followed the occupation of farming, at the time of his death being the owner of 180 acres of land. He was married in 1850 to Eunice Latson, who was born in New York in 1832, of German and English parentage. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, viz.: George, who was born in Claibourne Township, August 10, 1852, and on October 15, 1879, married Ann Lake, a sister of John Lake, by whom he had two children, Harry and Carrie Bell. He has been a life-long farmer. The second child, Seneca, is deceased. The third, Thomas H., was born in this township December 12, 1856, and is likewise a farmer, now owning eighty-three acres of land. In 1876, he married Lydia A. Hamilion, a daughter of Benjamin and Abagail (Graham) Hamilton, and a member of the Deciples Church. They have three children - Maggie, M.,'Pearl C., and Florence Abagail. He is à member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Richwood. The fourth child, Annie M., is now the wife of M. B. Hill. The fifth, Emma is deceased. The sixth, Sarah E., now a resident of Columbus. seventh died in infancy. The youngest child, Jennie May, born in 1871, is now attending school. Mr. Biddle was & charter member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Richwood, and a faithful member of the fraternity until death. He died December 15, 1877. His widow resides on the old homestead at

CHARLES BIDDLE, of the firm of Beem & Biddle, manufacturers, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Perry) Biddle. His father built a planing mill in Columbus, in 1849, which is said by him to have been the first built in the State. Our subject worked in the planing mill until nineteen years of age, when he worked on the railroad as a fireman for a short time; after which he took charge of the railroad round house and held it till the strike of 1878. He did not join the strike, as he does not believe in them, but resigned his position because he thought it policy to do so. In 1874, he went to work in the planing mill at Columbus, and in 1875 came to Richwood and embarked in his present enterprise with Mr. Beem. They employ about thirty hands, do an extensive business and ship goods of their production all over the world. Mr. Biddle bas ingeniously contrived several inventions that have materially increased their capacity for production. They manufacture wheelbarrows that have an extensive sale throughout the United States, single orders being sent in for as many as 100,000 at one time. Mr. Biddle, was married, in 1874, to Anna Fisher, a native of Union County, and a daughter of William Fisher, and by her has had two children - Luura and William. Mr. Biddle is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

CHARLES 0. BISHOP, of the firm of Loveless, Howe & Bishop, proprietors of the Richwood Woolen Mills, and dealers in wool, grain, hides, furs and staves, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 10, 1843; he isa son of Thomas and Sabina (Schenck) Bishop, natives of New Jersey. His father died when Charles was twelve years old and his mother lived a widow until her death in 1875, at the age of seventy-six years. Our subject was the fifth of a family of eight children. He was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education, and worked at farming until 1871, when he came to Richwood and embarked in the stave trade. In 1880, he comhined his business with bis present partners, and established the Arm as it now exists. In 1870, he married Adelaide Fawn, a native of Union County, and a daughter of Edward Fawn, who was a farmer of this county for forty-six years of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Bishop one child has been born, viz., Newton Otto. Mrs. Bishop is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, :

JOHN BLAIR, farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, Richwood, was born in Bedford County, Penn., May 25, 1831. His parents were Edmond and Esther (Casteel) Blair, aatives of Pennsylvania, of: English descent, who came to Ohio in 1832, and passed their entire lives on the farm. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He has followed farming during the greater part of his life, and at present is also engaged in the sale of farming implements, at Richwood. He received a liberal start in lite, from his father, who was well-to-do, and now owns 300 acres of prime land in this county. He was married in 1852 to Camellia Hodson, a native of Ohio, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Edmond, deceased, S. Milton and John Frank. Mr. and Mrs Blair are members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Bethlehem, in which he isa Trustee. He is a Democrat in politics and has held most of the offices of the township. He came to this county in 1872 and settled two miles south of Richwood, where he now resides. He makes a specialty of Norman horses, on which he has taken the premium twice at the State Fair, and has also a fine stock of cattle.

S. M. BLAKE, Richwood. Prominent among the enterprising business men of Union County figures the subject of this sketch, who is a member of the firm of S. M. & A. J. Blake, bankers, lumber dealers and proprietors of Richwood Planing Mills, and also senior member of the firm of 8. M. Blake & Co., druggists. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, April 8, 1831, and is a son of James and Betsey (Avery) Blake. His father was a farmer, and emigrating to Ohio in 1826, located in Portage County. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving a common school education and followed farming until 1874, when he moved to Richwood and engaged in the lumber trade and banking, both of which he has since followed with more than ordinary success. He subsequently embarked in the drug business and in 1881, associated himself in this business with C. E. Hill, under the firm name given above, He is a thorough business man, and takes an active interest ineverything that pertains to the best interest of Richwood. He is a Republican in politics, and though he has no aspirations for official honors, he has been called upon to fill several of the town and township offices." He was married in 1857 to Harriet Parsons, by whom he has had seven children, four now living, viz.: Bessie, wife of J. E. Robinson, who has charge of the lumber yard of the firm of S. M. A. J. Blake; Gracie, Harry and Sylvia.

ADONIRAM JUDSON BLAKE, of Richwood, was born in Brimfield, Portage Co., Ohio, on November 15, 1885. His parents were from Litchfield County, Conn., having emigrated from there in the year 1825; he was the youngest of four brothers. There were also two sisters in the family, one younger and one older. During the first sixteen years of his life, his labors were such as are incident to a farmer boy's life, with only such school advantages as were offered by the district school. For the next two years, he attended a high school a part of each year in an adjoining village. It was while attending one of these schools, known as an "academy," that his father "hired him out," to teach the winter term of school in one of the subdistricts of his native township. He entered upon this work a few days before he was eighteen years of age. His success in this, his first *«term," can be measured by a proposition made to him by the School

Directors of the district to continue the term for another month. In the following autumn, through the influence of himself and several associates, a select school was organized in their own township, and was continued during the fall and sometimes through the winter months for several years. For the next few years his time was divided between teaching in the winter and attending school and institutes in the summer, most of this time in his native township. In 1857, he was asked to take charge of the grammer school department of the Salem, Columbiana County, Union Schools. In this position he remained three years, when he accepted the position of teacher of the high school at Upper Sandusky Wyandot Co., Ohio, which he resigned in the spring of 1861. Desiring to take a rest, he visited several schools in this part of Ohio, and while visiting at Cardington, Morrow County, he was unamimously tendered the superintendency of the union schools of that place, which he accepted, and held for a year and a half, finally resigning on account of ill health. After a few months' rest, he embarked in the stove and tin ware trade at that place. He was married in Cardington, Ohio, August 20, 1863, to Miss Clotilda W. Shur, second daughter of John Shur, of that place, who was then an Assessor of Internal Revenue under Abraham Lincoln. Desirous of bearing his part in the war, he contributed liberally of his means to furnish men and means, and was only prevented from joining the ranks by Dr. Fisher's examination, which pronounced him "physically unfit for the service." In August, 1865, he came to this place, and engaged inthe general hardware and stove business. His friends in Cardington believed the venture was an experiment, and that he would soon return to their village. Encouraged by his success, in the spring of 1866, he removed his stock of stoves and hardware from that place to this, thus combining both stocks, and formed the partnership of A. J. Blake & Co., with D. W. Godman as partner. In the spring of the same year, he erected a two-story frame building, twenty feet wide by one hundred feet long, on the ground now occupied by Godman & Thornhill's hardware store. In May of that year, he was asked by several of the citizens of the place to accept the appointment as Postmaster, which recommendation was laid before Postmaster General W. Dennison by the Hon. C. S. Hamilton, and, accordingly, on the 26th day of May, 1866, he was commissioned as Postmaster, whieh office he held until compelled to resign the same by a pressure of business relations. He has always taken an active part in the educational interests of the place in which he resides. After resigning his position as superentendent in Cardington, he was chosen amember of the School Board. Soon after coming to Richwood, he drafted a petition for what is now the Richwood Village District, to withdraw from the township subdistrict plan, which was adopted, und out of which has grown our system of union schools. Most of the time since, 'he has been a member of the School Board, having been selected as its Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer at different times. He has also assisted in preparing the course of study for the high school, and in conducting its examinations. His love for the profession of teaching has not died out yet, as nothing gives him greater pleasure than to meet a body of teachers, either in a school room or at his own residence. He thinks it no discredit that, out of his father's family of six children, five of them were school teachers. While in the hardware trade in?this place, he saw the necessity of a planing mill and lumber yard, and the firm of A. J. Blake & Co. associated with them Mr. S. Carter, under the name of S. Carter & Co., and built the building, and stocked the yard, which is now owned by S. M. & A. J. Blake. In January, 1873, he disposed of his interest in the hardware business to Mr. F. H. Thornhill, and proceeded to the erection of the dwelling house, which he now occupies. In Januarry, 1874, he, with his brother, S. M. Blake, and others engaged in the banking business, under the name of ** Union County Bank," in which as cashier he has continued to the present time. In politics, he has always been a stanch Republican, having cast his first Presidential vote for A. Lincoln. He has a personal acquantance with President Garfield, and took an enthusiastic interest in his election. He had been honored by his fellow-townsman by township and corporation local offices, the positions having been tendered' him without solicitation. He isa strong believer in that feature of civil service reform that «the office should seek the man, and not the man seek the office." He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a lay delegate to the last lay delegate conference. His family consists of three sons and one daughter. The two older.sons, aged respectively sixteen and eighteef, are editors and publishers of the Richwood Reporter, a local newspaper started in January, 1882. Although taking an active interest in public measures and busy with private affairs, he is happiest in the presence of his own family, or with a friend ortwo at his comfortable residence, where his hospitatity is without measure.

JOSEPH P. BROOKS, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 29, 1831; his parents were J. P. and Sarah Brooks. His father, who was a sea-faring man, and for fourteen years Captain of a vessel; left the sea, and, coming to Ohio, engaged in the pork traffic. Heafterward moved to Licking County, and engaged in farming. Our subject received his education in the graded schools of Columbus, which he attended until his family moved away. He chose the occupation of farming and has made that the principal object of his life. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, siege of Vicksburg and other important engagements, He was three times wounded, but not seriously. He was in command of Mortar Boat No. 2, that shelled Island No. 10, on the Mississippi. He was married in 1858 to Christina Duhl, who was born in Pennsylvania January 3, 1831. They have three children - Henry J., C. and Ella F. Mr. Brooks is a Republican and the owner of sixty acres of lend. :

OLIVER D. BROWNING, of the firm of Williams & Browning, grain dealers, Richwood, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 20, 1844, and is a son of William and Sally Ann (Grove) Browning, the former a native of Ohio, of English and German descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent. His father was a life-long farmer and resident of Ohio; he came to Union County in 1875, and died in Richwood in 1877. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common school education. In 1872, he sold his farm and came to Richwood, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1872, to Almeda Charles, a native of Licking County, Ohio, and a daughter of Simon and Amanda (Seymour) Charles. They have one child, Ida E. Mr. Browning has acted in his present capacity, as agent for Camp, Randall & Lyons, grain dealers, of Warren, Ohio, for the past seven years. He is a Republican in olitics. j ISAAC CAHILL, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Union County, Ohio, March 31, 1850, and is a son of J. E. and Hannah (Brisben) Cahill. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed farming until 1839, when he came to this county and engaged extensively in farming and stock dealing. Our subject was raised on the farm, but received all the advantages of a collegiate education in the colleges at Marysville and Delaware. He has chosen farming for an occupation and in it has been very successful, now owning 217 acres of land. He and his brother, Benton, have farmed in partnership And are now partners in everything but their real estate. Mr. Cahill was married, in 1876, to Tillje Figley, by whom he has one child, John E. Mrs. Cahill is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cahill is a stockholder in the Richwood Bank, a Democrat in politics and a member of Richwood Lodge, No, 803, F. & A. M. He occupies a neat and comfortable residence, built at a cost of $4,500, and is very much attached to his home and family. BENTON CAHILL, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Claibourne Township, Union County. Ohio, March 16, 1854; heisason of J. E. and Hannah (Brisben) Cahill. His father was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation in early life. He came to Claibourne Township September 16, 1839, and, improving a farm, engaged in farming, which he followed with more than ordi- ` nary success until his death, which occurred February 3, 1874. He also dealt largely in stock, buying, selling and trading, and at his death owned 841 acres of land, which he had accumulated during a life of industry and thrift. He was twice married, having by his first wife, who only lived two years after marriage, one child, that died young. By his second wife he had eight children, six of them now living and all, with one exception, residents of this county.

Our subject, the youngest child, was raised on the farm and has followed the occupation of a farmer during the whole of his life, now owning 185 acres of land in this township. He was married, in 1874, to Lavina Howland, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of J. Howland. By this union three children were born, viz., Sylvia Belle, Laura J. and Emery Uriah. Mr. Cahill is a Democrat in politics, as was his father, the latter at one time having been nominated for Representative by his party in this county.

GEORGE W. CANAN, miller, P. O. Richwood, was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 17, 1880, and is a son of Robert and Jane S. (Rigur) Canan, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of English descent. They emigrated to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Licking County. Our subject early learned milling in his father's mill, and when he was seventeen years of age he moved with his parents to Delaware County, where he and his father purchased a mill in partnership, which they operated until they purchased the Richwood Mill in 1864. His father died in 1865, and since that time he has been in business by himself. His son-in-law, D. H. Rowland, owns and operates the mill and warehouse adjoining him, and deals in grain, seed, etc. Mr. Canan was married, in 1852, to Sarah M. Cutcheon, a native of Ohio, of German descent, by whom he has four children living, viz.: Mary (wife of D. H. Rowland), Anna E., Florence A. and Sarah M. Mr. and Mrs. Canan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been steward, trustee and class-leader of the church at Richwood. He has occupied the offices of Township Trustee, Corporation Treasurer, member of the Village Council and for twelve years a member of the Board of Education. He is the owner of the house and lot in Richwood, in which he resides.

D. P. COOK, furniture dealer, Richwood, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 24, 1829, and is a son of Rodney and Laura (Cales) Cook, natives of Connecticut, of English descent. He received a common school education, and has spent his life in the pursuit of several occupations, never having learned any trade, He kept a livery stable in Columbus ten years, and, in 1862, went to Omaha, Neb., and the Western States and Territories. Returning to Ohio, he engaged in farming for ten years, after which he went to Morrow County, where he followed buying, selling and shipping horses, and for two years operated a flax mill. In 1880, he came to Richwood and embarked in the livery business, which he discontinued in 1882, to engage in his present enterprise - furniture selling. He has been three times married, his first wife having been Lucy Smith, by whom he had one son, Emmet R., born in 1868, and owner of the store in which his father does business. Mr. Cook is a Republican, and a member of Odd Fellows Lodge, No, 194%:

DANIEL $. COPP, farmer and dairyman, P. O. Richwood, is a son of Hayes D. and Dolly (Emery) Copp, natives of New Hampshire, the former of Irish, and the latter of English de- - Scent. The father was a life-long farmer, and a prominent man among the agriculturists. Our bourne Township, one mile north of Richwood, where he still resides. He owns fifty-five acres of land, on which he pastures cows, selling the milk and doing a general dairy business in connection with his farm operations. He was married in 1874 to Lizzie A. Drew, a native of Ohio, of English descent, and a daughter of Alvin Drew. Mr. Copp is a Democrat in polities.

ISAAC COWGILL, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Claibourne Township, one mile from where he now lives, March 24, 1838; he is a son of George W. and Susan (Smart) Cowgill, natives of the Eastern States, of English descent. His father was a farmer, and to this occupation our subject has devoted his life. He has been successful in his business, and owns a nice improved farm of good land on the Marysville pike. He was married in 1859 to Eunice Mary Beardsley, a daughter of J. G. Beardsley, whose sketch appears in this work; she was formerly a school teacher, and is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. By this union one child was born - Ida A., who married William S. Bonner, and has two children - C. C. and Fay. Mr. Cowgill is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN CRAMER, liveryman, Richwood. Our subject was born in Guernsey County, Ohio; his parents were Benjamin and Anna (Speck) Cramer, natives of Maryland, of German descent, His father was a life-long farmer, and one of the early settlers of this State. Our subject was raised on a farm, and has devoted most of his life to the occupation of a farmer. In 1881, he sold his farm and embarked in the livery business at Richwood. Upon the death of his father, he was appointed administrator of the estate, and as such discharged his duties in a most satisfactory manner. He married Eliza Hudson, a daughter of John and Olinda (Ward) Hudson, and by her has had six children, namely, Leander, deceased in 1880, and twins, Olinda A., Mary C., Sarah J. and Edward R. Leander, at the time of his decease, was an influential and wealthy farmer of this county.

THOMAS P. CRATTY, merchant, Richwood, was born in Marion County, Ohio, December, 12, 1830, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Pugh) Cratty, natives of Ohio, the former of Irish and the latter of Welsh descent. His paternal grandfather is still living at the age of ninety-eight years. Our subject was educated principally at the Delaware (Ohio) University, and pursued his studies with the view of becoming a lawyer. Fearing he would not be able to acquire the profession for lack of funds, he abandoned the idea and resorted to store-keeping and auctioneering to gain livelihood. He still retains his liking for the legal profession, and has argued a great many cases before Justices of the Peace with marked success. As an auctioneer, he has but few equals, and no superiors in this part of the country. He began his business life in 1859 in the grocery and dry goods trade in Marion County, where he remained until 1868, when he engaged in the same business at Richwood. On the organization of the Union County Bank, he was elected its President, and has served in that capacity ever since. He is a Republican in politics, and for a time served as Mayor of the village of Richwood. Prior to engaging in mercantile pursuits, he had taught school from the time he was eighteen years of age. He isa thorough business man, and the owner of 125 acres of land, all of which he has made by his own exertions. He was married in 1861 to Ann Eliza Fish, a daughter of Samuel Fish, of Marion County, and by her has had four children, viz., S. Frank, Nina May, Mina J. and Princess Eva. Mr. and Mrs. Cratty are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a licentiate minister.

CAPT. OTWAY CURRY, grocer, Richwood, son of Stephenson and Sarah D. (Robinson) Curry, was born in Jerome Township, Union Co., Ohio, August 5, 1835, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He acquired a common school education, and continued in the pursuit of farm duties until he was twenty-five years of age, since when, with the exception of the time spent in thearmy during the rebellion, he has been engaged in mercantile business. On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Curry took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, the first being at Perryville, Ky., before the command had been drilled. At Chickamauga, on the 20th of September, 1862, it won golden laurels for itself, and continued to add to them during its subsequent career - through the Atlanta campaign, the famous "march to the sea,' the trip through the Carolinas, and finally participated in the grand review at Washington in May, 1865. April 12, 1864, Mr. Curry was promoted Second Lieutenant of his company, and on the 15th of July following, received a commission as First Lieutenant. April 20, 1865, he was promoted to the command of the color company (C) of his regiment. His discharge was dated June 18, 1865. His record in the service was excellent. The Curry family and its connections sent thirteen representatives to the war during the rebellion, which fact of itself is glory enough, even without the added fame of a good record while wearing the uniform of the government. Upon his return " home from the war," Capt. Curry embarked in & mercantile venture in company with his brother Capt. William L. Curry, now a resident of Marysville, and Auditor of Union County, Their store was at New California, in Jerome Township. In 1868, Otway Curry established (& grocery at Rich- wood, where he has built up a successful business, and is at present located. Since he became a fixture at this point his good management has enabled him to accumulate a fair property, and his prospects for the future are flattering. July 30, 1868, he was united in marriage with Georgiana Robinson, a native of Union County, Ohio, who has borne him two children - Lena T. and Ernest 8. Curry. Mrs. Curry is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Capt. Curry is a gentleman to whom a pleasant home offers the greatest attractions, and he is happy in the possession of such an abiding place. He is a stanch citizen of the village in which he resides. His political affiliations is with the Demooratic party. He is named for his uncle, Otway Curry, a former prominent and honored citizen of the county, and a gifted poet, whose stanzas won for him the fame of being one of the finest and most accomplished writers of verse in the great Northwest.

THOMAS J. DICKS, merchant, Richwood, was born at West Alexandria, Preble Co., Ohio, January 2, 1841, and is a son of James and Margaret (Weaver) Dicks, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio, both of English descent. He was educated in the graded schools of Dayton, Ohio, and since 1860, has been engaged almost exclusively in selling goods. During the war, he served in a regiment of three months' men; he was a member of the State militia for aterm' of five years. ln 1881, he came to Richwood and opened one of the finest dry goods stores of the village, under the firm name of T. J. Dicks & Co. He carries a large and varied stock of goods, receives a liberal share of patronage and is doing a thriving business. He was married May 26, 1875, to Nanna Deardorff, a native of Ohio, by whom he has had one child, Ella Mary, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dicks are Lutherans and hold their membership in the church at Dayton. :

JOHN DILSAVER, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 26, 1806, and isason of Michael and Hannah (Coon) Dilsaver, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania, both of English descent. His father came to Ohio in early manhood, and was one of the earliest settlers of the State; he was a tanner by trade, and is said to have tanned the first leather that was ever tanned on the west side of theScioto River. Our subject attended school in the primitive log schoolhouses of pioneer days, and chose the occupation of a farmer, also conducting a tannery for a time. He came to Union County nearly half a century ago and located south of where Richwood now stands, where he still resides. He opened a tannery on this farm, in early days, but has long since discontinued it. When he began life for himself he spent five years working out by the month at $8 per month. He now has 170 acres of land on which he resides, and eighty acres in Paulding County. He is an old Jacksonian Democrat and cast his first vote for ''Old Hickory," the head of that party. In 1881, he married Sarah Jane Bridge, a native of Ohio, by whom he has had seven children, namely, Almira (deceased), Albert, Edward, Michael, Hannah, wife of Jacob Beem, William (deceased) and Lavina. Mr. and Mrs. Dilsaver are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

ADAM DILSAVER, farmer and brickmason, P. O. Richwood, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 8, 1817; his parents were George and Elizabeth (North) Dilsaver, natives of Virginia, and of English descent, who came to Ohio in 1810 and settled in Delaware County. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and a life-long farmer of Delaware County. Our subject spent his youth on the farm, and in early life learned bricklaying, which he has since followed in connection with farming. In 1841, he married Mary Ann Thrasher, by whom he had three children, John E., George T. and Mattie. His wife died in 1859, and in the same year he married Margaret Kyle, by whom has had one child - Frank. In 1872, he sold his farm in Marion County and moved to Delaware County, then to Marion, and, finally, to Union County, where he now owns ninety-seven acres of land. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years, and has occupied the offices of steward, olass-leader and trustee in the church. His wife has been a member of the same church over forty years. He is a Republican in politics, and has retired from active life.

DR. WILLIAM B. DUKE, physician and surgeon, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 21, 1843; heis a son of David and Sarah (Conrad) Duke, natives of Virginia, of English descent. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he went to lowa and began clerking in a grocery. In 1868, he went to Arkansas, where he farmed for one year and also clerked in a store. At the age of twenty-four years he began reading medicine with Dr. C. H. Stimpson, of Licking County, and subsequently attended lectures in Cincinnati, receiving his diploma in 1871. He has since been entirely devoted to his practice, and in 1875 came to Richwood, where he is meeting with wellmerited success, In 1869, he married Laverna V. Trevitt, a daughter of John Trevitt, and a native of Ohio. By this marriage one child has been born, viz., Herman Clyde. Mrs. Duke is a member of the Baptist Church.

J. EDELMAN, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., January 16, 1880; his parents were George and Elizabeth (Gaumer) Edelman, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They came to Ohio in 1885, and settled in Wood County, where our subject was raised and educated, He chose the occupation of a farmer, and followed it during the most of his life. In 1865, he married Anna Fowler, a native of Wood County, Ohio, by whom he had four children, viz., Florence A., Harry B., Willie J. and Katie. Mrs. Edelman was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in 1872. In 1874, Mr. Edelman married Sarah Gast, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Edelman are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Trustee of the church at Richwood. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M., a Democrat in politics, and since 1874, Superintendent of gravel roads. He served as Trustee of Perrysburg Township, Wood Co., and has also been Trustee of Claibourne Township. He owns twenty-two acres of land adjoining Richwood.

JOSEPH EMBREY, jeweler, Richwood, is a son of Lewis and Margaret (Bell) Embrey, the former a native of Virginia, of English descent, and the latter a native of Scotland ; he was born in Logan County, Ohio, July 1, 1855, and received his education in the graded schools of Morrow, Warren Co., Ohio, in which his father was engaged in plying his trade of watch-maker. He learned the trade of a jeweler, serving a regular apprenticeship, and in 1878 came to Richwood and established himself in business on the corner of Main and Ottawa streets. He keeps a full line of watches, clocks and silverware, and does all kinds of repairing in a manner that speaks for itself. He is a Republican in politics, a Master Mason of Mt. Carmel Lodge, No. 303, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has made his own start in life and is meeting with flattering successes in business.

GEORGE W. FINLEY, deceased, was born in Virginia, and was educated in the graded schools of Washington, D. C.; of his early life and his ancestry but little is now known. He was a coach-maker by trade and in early life taught school. He was married in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1851, to Angeline Williams. a daughter of Rev. John Williams and Anna Smart, his wife, who came to Ohio at an early day and settled in Fairfield County, where Mrs. Finley was born in 1828. Her father was a minister of the Methodist denomination. Mr. and Mrs Finley had five children, viz.: Ellen D., now the wife of T. T. Jones; Olive A., wife of Chauncey Hill; Otho Ray, deceased ; Carrie Bell, deceased; and Mary V., wife of E. R. Finley. Mr. and Mrs. Finley were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Republican party, when he became a Democrat. He was a successful business man, a good farmer and an extensive stock dealer, and at his death owned 265 acres ofland. Mrs. Finley is a grand-daughter of Joshua Scritchfield, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived until the year 1842.

C. E. FISH, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Maryland February 24, 1824; he is ason of James H. and Catherine (Easterday) Fish, natives of Maryland, the former of English and the latter of German discent. His father, who was one of the early settlers of Ohio, was a miller by trade, but after settling in this State devoted his time to farming. Our subject was raised as a farmer and since eighteen years of age has followed that occupation successfully in this township, At one time he owned 445 acres of land, but having given some to his children he now only owns 200 acres. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1848, he married Elizabeth Rench, who was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 9, 1826; she is a daughter cf Daniel and Mary (Williams) Rench, natives of Ohio, of German descent. Her father was a farmer who settled in Claibourne Township in 1844. By tbis union fourteen children were born, of whom seven now survive, viz.: J. L., a farmer of Jackson Township ; Margaret, wife of .Cyrus Stamats; William, a farmer; Joanna, wife of Penrose Wiley; Orlando, a farmer; David F., a farmer and Susan Ella, the two latter living at home unmarried. Mrs. Fish is a member of the Disciples Church, and the owner of 246 acres of land in her own right, on which she resides. Mr. Fish also owns a good farm which he now cultivates.

BENJAMIN S. FISHER, retired farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Fayette County, Peun., October 4, 1808, and was a son of Enoch and Elizabeth (Stevens) Fisher, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and teamster by occupation and came to the Northwest Tersitury in 1800, settling at Mount Vernon. He was under Gen. Anthony Wayne three years in the Indian war, and lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred and one years. Our subject was raised on the farm in'the wilderness of early Ohio and never had an opportunity of receiving any education. His father being in poor circumstsnces, he started out in life with nothing and entirely dependent on his own exertion for his success in life. He has been a life-long farmer and has cleared three farms in Claibourne Township where he has resided since 1886, and where he accumulated a handsome fortune, the greater part of which he has already placed in the hands of his posterity. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty and retired at the age of sixty, having spent forty years to a day in tilling the soil. In 1829, he married Catharine Cramer, by whom he had eleven children, viz.: Larkins D., a farmer in this township; Sarah J., deceased wife of J. J. Thompson ; Elizabeth Ellen, wife of R. Farrier ; Sisson S., wife of James Merriott; William ; Margaret, wife of Morris Hill, of Richwood; Michael, deceased ; Mary, wife of John S. Phillips; George O.; Malissa, wife of Frank Gill; and Viola, wife of W. W. Brokaw. Mr. Fisher has given his children $18,000 to start them in life. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has filled the office of trustee in the Church at Richwood. He is a Democrat in politics. Mrs Fisher was born April 30, 1812; she had two brothers in the war of that year. -

WILLIAM FISHER, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in 1827, and is a son of Enoch and Elizabeth (Stevens) Fisher, the former a life-long farmer, and one of the early settlers of Ohio. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. When of suitable - nge, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until fifty years of age. He came to this county in 1887, and settled in Richwood, where he married Margaret Graham, by whom he has had eight children, viz.: Sarah L., Harriet M., wife of Elijah Lester; Martha C., wifé of H. O, Moffitt; Margaret A., wife of Charles N. Biddle; Thomas B., Samuel P., Benjamin and John. Mrs, Fisher died January 28, 1880; she was a member of the M. E Church, and a consistant Christian woman. Mr. Fisher is also a member of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics, and now owns eighty-nine acres of choice land, on which he resides.

W. M. FISHER, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born March 27, 1888, he is the son of Benjamin S. and Catherine (Cramer) Fisher, who came to this county in 1886, and now resides in Richwood. The grandfather of our subject came to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Knox County. He was & soldier under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and lived to be one hundred and one years of age. Our subject received a common school education, and has been a farmer most of his life, with the exception of two years spent in the clothing business at Richwood. He is the owner of a good farm in this township on which he resides. He was married, in 1866, to Mary Miller, by whom he has four children, viz., Frederick, Winfred, Gertrude and Albert E. Mrs. Fisher is a member of the M. E. Church in Richwood. Mr. Fisher is a Democrat, in politics.

- Township Union Co., May 25, 1847, and isa son of Benjamin S. Fisher, whose sketch appears in this work. He was educated in his native township, and brought up to farming, which he has followed through life, He was married in 1870, to Mary E. Kinney, daughter of Israel Kinney, whose sketch also appears in this volume, This union has been blessed with two children, viz.: Charles F. and Herbert J. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Methodist Church, and he is steward in the church at Richwood. In politics, he is an unflinching Prohibitionist. Heowns a farm of fifty-two acres of land with good improvements, on which stands a neat and substantial residence.

JOHN FLESHER, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, February 20, 1820, and ie a son of Henry and Frances (Burgess) Flesher, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common school education, He followed farming with his father until 1865, when he came to Union County and settled in Claibourne Township, on the farm he now occupies. He owns 1643 acres of land, fifty of it in Jackson Township, all of which he has made by his personal labor. On August 15, 1844, he married Lainey Haines, a native of Ohio, of Dutch descent, by whom he has had eight children, viz: George W., deceased; Mary F., wife of S. B. Snowden; Landora S., deceased ; Emma J., wife of James W. Shultz; Susannah, deceased; A. A., deceased; Walter L. and Arthur S. Mr. and Mrs. Flesher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a class leader forty years. He has also been a trustee and superintendent of the Sabbath school.

JAMES W, GASTON, of the firm of Farris & Son, proprietors of the Beem House, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 1, 1852, and is a son of John and Luoretia (Orawford) Gaston, natives of Ohio. His father was a teacher by profession, and followed that «.oupation with more than ordinary success most of his life. He taught principally in Delaware Ccunty, where he died in 1876, an honored and highly respected citizen. He was a Republican iu politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject, who was the only child of lig parents, received a common school education, and when quite young began working on a rm. By his frugality and the means obtained from his father's estate, he was enabled, in 1876, purchase the Beem House, which he is now conducting. He is a genial and accommodating udlord, well known by the traveling public, and provides for his patrons' comfort in a manner that insures for him a liberal share of the trade. His mother, now the wife of Mr. Farris, superintends the culinary department of his house, She has had four children by her second marriage, viz: Florence, wife of L, D. Herr, Lizzie May, Maggie E. and Eddie R. Mr. and Mrs. Farris are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he is a member of the choir. He is a Republican in politios,

HENRY D. GILL, grain dealer, Richwood, was born in Richwood, Ohio, December 22, 1848 and is a son of Joshua Gill. His father came to Richwood in 1840, and became an extensive landholder, owning what was known as the 'Cramer farm," all of which is now in the corporation of Richwood. From 1842 to 186], he was engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls, an enterprise in which he was very successful. In 1845, he married Eliza A. C. Haynes, who was born in 1825, and who now resides with her son, Charles F. Mr. Gill was an honored and Fr een citizen, and for a number of years held the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in the spring of 1880, at an advanced age. His parents were Selmon and Margaret (Dorrett) Gill, both of English descent. Our subject's maternal grandfather, James B. W. Haynes, a Colonel in the war of 1812, was born in Virginia, March 9, 1793, and was of Welsh and French descent, He married Susan Floyd, who was born in Virginia May 10, 1801; she was a relative of the late Confederate Gen. Floyd. Col. Haynes was a lawyer by profession; he came to Richwood in 1840, and remained here until his death in 1869. During most of the time of his residence here,'he was a Justice of the, Peace. Our¡subject received his education in his native village, and worked at farming until 1873, when he began the business of buying grain on commission, which he continued until 1879, when he commenced the business for himself. He was married, in 1877, to Anne Francis, a native of England, whose parents resided at Woodstock, Ontario. This union has been blessed with two children, Walter L. and Clarence D. Mrs. Gill is a member of tho Church of England. Mr. Gill is a Republican in politics, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 303, F. & A. M. In 1882, he captured a thief who had broken into a neighbor's house. The thief was a large and powerful man, but Mr. Gill refused to release him until he was safely locked up, and marched him along to prison. We narrate this to illustrate a marked trait in the man's character - bravery.

JOSHUA S. GILL, Jr., of the firm of Gill & Bro., Richwood, Ohio, was born in Richwood September 11, 1850, and isa son of Joshua S. Gill, Sr. He received his education in the graded schools of Rick wood, and, being a natural mechanic, he chose the occupation of a machinist, and served a three years' apprenticeship at his trade at Mansfield. After mastering his trade, he traveled as a journeyman for some time, and spent three years in the manufacture of wooden bowls in Indiana. He has also been employed at gunsmithing. In 1875, he engaged with his brother in opening a machine shop at Richwood, where he is still engaged. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 308, F. £ A. M. On December 27, 1871, he married Maggie McMullen, a native of New Hampshire, by whom he has one child - Floyd A., born September 9, 1876. Mrs. Gill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Richwood.

THOMAS J. GILL, of the firm of Gill & Brother, blacksmiths, Richwood, was born in Richwood, Ohio, June 22, 1853, and received his education in the Richwood graded schools. He learned the trade of blacksmithing, and is now considered a thorough master of his trade in all its branches. He is an active member of the above firm, and lends his aid in making it one of the most successful and enterprising firms of the village. He isa Republican in politics, and a prominent member of the Prudential Order of America. Un December 18, 1879, he married Christiana Cheney, a native of Union County, of English descent, and a daughter of Thomas Cheney. This union has been blessed with one child - Abbie Alva, born March 28, 1881. Mrs. Gill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN GRAHAM. According to the family records kept by his parents, John Graham son of Samuel and Sarah Graham, was born in White-eyes Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, October 13, A. D. 1822. He was the first of a family of twelve children. His parents were intelligent, honest, industrious people, and taught their children to be useful, virtuous, self-reliant and industrious. John commenced work on the farm, under the direction of his father, at a very early age, and continued in this employment until he was about twenty years old. When he was in his fourteenth year, his father sold his farm in Coshocton County, and in September, 1836, moved his family to Union County, Ohio, settling them on a new farm one mile northwest from the village of Richwood, in Claibourne Township: There the family home has continued till the present time - December, 1882. There was nothing peculiar in the boyhood of John to distinguish him from other boys of his »wn age. He was healthy, of a vigorous growth, loved fun and enjoyed life well. He, with the other youths of the neighborhood, had the privilege of attending school in the district schoolhouse, for some two or three months a year. The balance of their time was needed in work to keepthe farm prospering. Inthe autumn of 1838, an event occurred in the history of young Graham which changed the whole current of his life and affected the whole of his after career. His mother had a blind sister - Maria Butterfield - who was visiting in the home of his father, and wished to attend the Methodist prayer-meeting, which was to be held Sunday at 4 o'clock, in the home of Philip Plummer, in Richwood. He went with this aunt as company to that prayer-meeting, because she could not see to go alone. There were some seven church members present in the meeting - no minister was present. The people who were present were plain, honest, devout. They sang with the spirit and with the understanding. They prayed with fervor and in faith. The result was, God's blessing came down upon them, and His Spirit pervaded the assembly. Some of them praised God aloud, and all felt theinfluence of the Divine presence. The immediate effect upon the subject of this sketch was that he was seized with an agitating trembling, which, for the time, he could not control. He went from that meeting thoughtful, serious, convicted for sin. He commenced soon after to pray, daily, for the pardoning mercy of God. He kept this up till, on the 11th of November, 1838, he attended a Methodist quarterly meeting in Summersville, and after the evening sermon of that day he, with others, knelt for prayers, at what was called the mourner's "bench." There, while he prayed and the church prayed for him, God, for Christ's sake, gave ae sense = relief from the guilt of sin. Such peace, holy joy and restful trust in God through Ms 1e h ienced was a new delight to him. Five weeks after his conversion, ou the 17th day en in the old log church in Richwood, he offered his name as a candidate for of eg baie Melodia Episcopal Church, and was received by the pastor, Rev. R. S. Kimber. oor this step after very careful consideration, and now, after MR years of experience, under the relations thus entered into, he fully approves the choice then made. This conversion, which was very clear and left no doubt in his mind of the Divine reality of experimental religion, awakened a new class of desires, hopes and aspirations in him. He soon found himself thirsting for knowledge as he had never done before. He had no books, and his father's library was very small, and the neighborhood had in it a very meager supply of books, but what there were the owners were willing to lend, and he was desirous to borrow and read. But one question with him vas how to find time and opportunity for reading. His days were necessarily to be spent in labor on the farm, and the nights could not be used for this purpose without lights. There were no such lamps and supply of coal oil then as are now available. Candles were scarce and made a poor light. In this emergency he adopted this expedient: When his day's work was done, he would go to the woods, find a hickory tree with a good supply of shell-barks on it, gather an armful, carry them to the house and when supper was over he would get his book, stick a shell-bark in the fire and read by the light thus furnished. In this way many of his first books were read. While he was thus seeking knowledge, his father, who was willing to help him what he could, gave him a wagon-load of wheat. This he hauled to Sandusky City, eighty miles distant, the nearest market then accessible, sold it for money, and with that money bought himself a small supply of books. These he read with great interest. About this time - 1839-40 - he began to feel a strong sense of duty resting upon him to prepare himself for the work of the Christian ministry. He was fully convinced that God called him to this work. He therefore devoted all his thoughts and energies to getting ready for so great a work, His school privileges were very unsatisfactory. He felt it to be necessary, therefore, to make the greater personal and private efforts to acquire the necessary knowledge. How well he succeeded the church and the world have since had opportunity to judge.

In the spring of 1840, the proper authorities gave him license to exhort in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This authority was regularly continued until June 24, 1843, when, after proper examination by the constituted authorities of the church, he was formally licensed to preach the Gospel. This was done in Richwood, by the Quarterly Conference of Richwood Circuit, under the presiding eldership of Rev. W. S. Morrow. He used this license one year as a local preacher, and then, on June 15, 1844, he was recommended by the same Quarterly Conference as a suitable person to be received by the Annual Conference into the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In August of the same year, his recommendation was presented to the North Ohio Conference at its session in Canal Dover, and he was received according to the rules of the church, and appointed as junior preacher on Port Jefferson Circuit, with Rev. C. B. Brandeberry as his senior, and Rev. S. P. Shaw as his Presiding Elder. He spen: one year in this work, he trusts with some profit to the people, and much satisfaction to himself. At the next conference, which met in Marion, Ohio, August, 1845, he was appointed in charge of Van Wert Circuit. This work was composed cf eight appointments, to be filled once in two weeks. This people had for their places in which to meet for worship four private houses in

_ which families lived, one small court house in Van Wert, two log schoolhouses and one small frame building, which was erected in Delphos for a board kiln, At this time the country was new, the houses all log cabins but a very few, the roads not improved, the people just beginning to clear up their farms. and, of course, the fare was coarse, but the welcome was hearty and cordial. And when the time for week day preaching came round, the:people could leave their work - even the harvest field - to go to meeting, and their young minister never spent a happier year in his life than the one on this (then) wilderness circuit. After his year closed at Van Wert, he was appointed in charge of Kalida Mission, in Putnam County, with Jacob S. Albright for his colleague in labors. This fleld was very much like the last one described, only there was one partly finished church in it, and the roads were worse, the rides longer, and the fare no better. The people, however, were kind, cordial, hospitable and loved the means of grace. There was considerable interest manifested in this work; a number of persons were converted and added to the church. He and his co-laborer worked harmoniously together, and ever afterwar! were friends. From Kalida, our young minister went next to Stillwater Mission, which included Fort Recovery and the region round about. This was a hard field of labor; the country thinly settled, roads bad, rides long, exposure great, health not good and pay very small. Still there was some enjoyment, and some success. Rev. R. D. Oldfield was his colleague in this work. During this year, 1848, he became acquainted with Miss Jane G. McKee, of Hillgrove, Darke Co., Ohio, who afterward, on August 25, A. D. 1850, became his wife. Their marriage contract was solemnized by Rev. Joseph Wykes, in the church in Hillgrove, in the presence of the congregation, on Sunday afternoon of the above date. This union proved to be a happy one: and now, after thirty-two years of married life, they both approve the choice they made. From Stillwater Mission, Mr. Graham was appointed, in August, 1848, to Lima Circuit, with Rev. S. Fant, as his senior in office. This was a pleasant year in bis life, and his labors, with those of his colleague, were very successful. Almost two hundred were converted to God, and united with the church. But I find, if I undertake to give the most condensed sketch of this ministerial life of thirty-nine years, and more, it will be extended to too great a length for the present purpose. 1! will therefore close this account by giving a summary of work: He spent one and four years, from 1860 to 1864, on Findlay District, as Presiding Elder. Tnall of which places he enjoyed the blessings of God. And now, when gray hairs are upon him, and more than sixty years of his life are past, he feels nota single regret that he entered the work of the Christian winistry when he did, and that he has continued in it till the present.

4 I. H. GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Union County, Ohio, April 26, 1842; he is son of J. P. and Eliza (Healey) Graham, natives of Washington County, Penn., who were among the early settlers of Claibourne Township. Our subject was raised on his father's farm and received a good English education. He learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed for seven years, during early life, but since that time he has devoted his time exclusively to farming. He owns a good farm of 106 acres, on which stands a nice brick residence and other improvements, all of which he has accumulated by his own industry. He isa cultivated gentleman of pleasing manners and a good farmer. In 1862, he married Emma Lowe, a native of Virginia, of English descent, by whom he has three children, viz.: Isaac E., Eliza B. and Emery E. The parents are members of the Disciples Church, in which Mr. Graham is a Deacon. During the war, he was a volunteer to assist in repelling Morgan in his raid through Ohio.

REV. WILLIAM HAMILTON, deceased. The subject of this sketch was so interwoven with the history and development of the northeast part of Union County, that a history of the county would not be complete without a somewhat extended notice of his career. It is ascertained, without question, that he descended from a family of Hamiltons in Scotland, who for centuries have been prominent in giving shape to the politics, religion and literature of that far-famed part. of Christian civilization. At what particular time his ancesters moved to America is not known. When they did, they settled in the State of Maryland, near the city of Baltimore, in Baltimore County. The name is still familiar in that State. Its present Governor is a Hamilton; whether he is of the same family has not been ascertained. N

William Hamilton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Baltimore about the year 1760, and married Susanna Brown, who was connected with an old pioneer family of the State of Maryland.

In the year 1789, the two last named moved from the State of Maryland to Virginia, and settled near Morgantown, Monongalia County (now West Virginia), and in moving passed through a part of Pennsylvania, and while on this journey, and passing through Pennsylvania, the subject of this notice was born May 1, 1789. In the year 1806, in company with his parents, he moved to Ohio and settled in Hopewell Township, Muskingum County, and took an active part in clearing a farm in what was then a wilderness country. He remained with his parents until the year 1810, when he married Hannah Ewing, who lived near Zanesville, and moved to land in Licking County, where he cleared a farm that proves to be the spot where the village of Gratiot has been built.

During the war of 1812, he was drafted, but having a wife whose health was feeble, he hired a substitute and raised the money to pay him by selling oats at 64 cents per bushel. About: the year 1815, he moved into Muskingum Township, Muskingum County, on lands uncleared, but by. his own hands he soon surrounded himself with a well-improved farm. It was here his first wife died, October 2, 1819, leaving four children. She had been:a faithful companion, a good Christian and died in peace, and is buried near the village of Irville in the same county.

March 9, 1820, he married Lydia Springer, who belonged to a family that moved from the State of Delaware to near Zanesville, in Muskingum County, in the year 1806.

. His residence on this farm continued until the year 1836, when it was sold and in the fall of that year he moved to a farm six miles east of Newark, in Licking County. While residing here, he purchased of Cadwalader Wallace, of Chillicothe, an unbroken tract of land in the northeast part of Union County, situated near the village of Richwood, in Claibourne Township. The purchase was to be a thousand acres more or less, and when it was surveyed there proved to be fifteen hundred and ten. In thespring of 1838, he moved with his family tothisland. Itseemed like a formidable undertaking to subdue as heavy a forest as covered it, but a man that had so often and long contended with the forests of Obio could not be discouraged. His family had increased until he had ten sons, strong and well, not all grown it is true; but he could furnish in his own family what was equal to five hands. With these and some hired assistance from the first, he cleared ground sufficient, as the seasons rolled round, to produce enough to support his large family, and have something to spare for the support of others. - n

"In a few years, he raised sufficient corn to supply destitute families for miles around. So numerous were the applications for it, that his excellent wife used to say that it made her think of the time of Joseph disbursing corn in Egypt. A circumstance occurred about this time that caused some anxiety in the family. John W., now of Columbus, was sent to Millville on the Scioto with the last grist of wheat before harvest. Some 25 bushels were placed in a wagon drawn by a span of two Jarge oxen. John had arrived at the mill in the evening and spent the night at the mill, fastening the oxen;to a tree. During the night, his grist was ground, so that on the coming morning he started homeward. He had fed the oxen, but had not watered them. All went

- well until he arrived a few hundred yards above the breast of the dam, when the oxen saw the water, and in spite of all efforts of the driver to prevent it, plunged down a steep bank into the river, and the force in running down the bank pushed the oxen into deep water, where the wagon came uncoupled and they swam out with the fore wheels, leaving John and his grist in the river. It was an unpleasant position for a boy, and one that, without help, he could not extricate himself. Charles Arthur, as noble a man as lives, was in hailing distance, who soon mustered a force of men that relieved John from his trouble and started him homeward. He arrived in due time, and reported his misfortune. It was supposed that all was ruined, and a feeling of gloom rested upon the family, as much as was embraced in that grist could not be obtained . nearer than Delaware County, and money was scarce, and so many to be fed. It was a great relief when an examination showed that the flour was safe; not more than one pound to the sack , was spoiled. à

The great desire of Mr. Hamilton was to have his family settled around him, and he now had enough land to give them all a portion, and have as much for himself as he cared to have, but such plans are like to be overthrown, and so they were in this case as the history will show.

The country being new, there was no hotel near, hence his house was the home of friends and strangers who came into the country, for years. He entertained all who came, without compensation. He was a surveyor, and would take his compass and chain and spend day after day with men, helping them determine the boundaries of their lands, and many times without comensation. 3 Few men have ever shown less selfishness than he did. He was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. The whole of the former part of his life had been that of a pioneer, and he brought the same spirit to Union County.

About the year 1815, he had been authorized to preach the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and labored extensively as a local preacher in Muskingum and Licking Counties. In the year 1828, he became an uncompromising advocate of reform in the government of that church, and when expulsions occurred in Baltimore, Lynchburg, Cincinnati, and at other points simply for advocating lay delegation in the Annual and General Conferences of the church, his sympathies were with the reformers, and when the expelled petitioned in vain for re-admission into the church, only asking the right of free discussion, and were forced to organize a new church, he united with them, and came into the Methodist Protestant Church with its organization. This change made him a pioneer in the new organization and with firm resolution and determined spirit he entered upon the work of planting the new church in the counties of Muskingum, Licking, Knox and Coshocton. He preached almost every Sabbath, sometimes traveling long distances to meet his appointments. In the year 1880, for a part of one year he traveled a circuit reaching into Licking and Knox Counties, with Rev. W. B. Evans, and the savor of his Christian influence still remains with the few now living who still have a recollection of him. When he moved to Union County, there was a wide opening for his services. He, besides preaching at times in Richwood, where his family attended divine service, was often called to preach on the Scioto, Rush Creek, Fulton Creek, Boax Creek and sometimes into Logan and Clark Counties.

His commanding form, his distinct and warm utterances, and his' genial, social spirit, made him welcome wherever he went as a preacher. His services were often in demand to preach at funerals and perform marriage ceremonies. He traveled at one time on horseback, from near Zanesville to Cincinnati, to attend one of the first conferences of his denomination. And a number of times served as delegate to the Ohio Annual Conference.

He traveled thousands of miles and preached thousands of sermons, and performed all his ministerial duties except marrying without a cent's compensation. And during all this time gave to the support of other ministers. In the erection of a plain hewed-log church in Richwood, he took a prominent part. When stoves were needed, it was an impossibility to raise money with which to purchase them. He and his neighbor, Samuel Graham, each took a load of wheat to Granville, in Licking County, and exchanged the wheat for stoves.

When it was determined to build a new church, he was foremost in his contributions for that purpose. The improvement and development of the country greatly improved his circumstances. For years, in order to raise money for tax and other absolute necessities, he journeyed to Lake Erie to find a market; this would require a week's steady travel. In the course of time, with three hundred acres of improved land, he found at his doorone of the best markets in Central Ohio for all his products. With these advantages, he was prepared for the enjoyment of life, so far as worldly advantages were concerned, but advanced years brought with it affliction that caused at times a great deal of suffering.

His affliction of mind was augmented by death entering the family and removing Benjamin, Susan and Thomas. June 12, 1864, his wife died, after faithfully sharing the trials of life with ` him for forty-four years. After the death of his wife, he lived with Horatio and George at and near the old homestead, occasionally making visits to other members of his family in Illinois and in different parts of Ohio. He loved company and was usually cheerfuland happy. When alone, he would think of the dear friends that had died, and long to be with them.

He closed his earthly career calmly and peacefully, August 8, 1867, in his own home, surrounded with the families of Horatio, George and Newton. :

Thus closed the career of à man of more than ordinary intellectual powers and force of character. His father had been a man of deep piety and strong mind. His oldest brother, Benjamin

Hamilton, was a Lieutenant under Capt. Brady, the great Indian scout, when he explored the Muskingum Valley. The husband of his oldest sister, Rev. Robert Manly, is spoken of by Rev. James Quinn, in the Western Christian Advocate for 1835, as the first Methodist preacher that ever preached the Gospel in what is now the State of Ohio. A younger brother, Rev. Samuel Hamilton, was a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of marked ability. These facts indicate an origin and surrounding that furnish an idea of the elements that entered into his character. William Hamilton, in the prime of his manhood, showed powers that under more favorable circumstances for their development would have placed him by the side of the strongest men of the country. i

He was a man of decided convictions in politics, and as an old Whig had been elected, in the year 1830, Commissioner of Muskingum County. In the year 1846, he was elected as a Republican Commissioner of Union County. He served as magistrate a number of years, and filled all public trusts committed to his care with fidelity.

As a preacher, he declared with coldness his convictions. At one time he was called upon to preach the funeral of a lewd woman that had died. He asked to be excused, stating that a sense of duty would prompt him to be very plain, if he did ; the relatives said they would receive what he said without offense, and insisted that he should preach. He did so, using as a text Rev., ii, 21: "I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not;'' the truth was plainly presented, but a tenderness of feeling and sympathy always attended his utterances, so that he seldom gave offense. He was a man that often labored in communities, where there was but little respect for religion or its teachers, but his boldness and suavity of manners would soon command the respect of the most uncultivated hearer. In dealing with his fellow-men, he was honest to the cent, and never did any man more fully despise deception and dishonesty than he. When he detected men in dishonest acts, he had the courage to confront them, and tell them plainly of it. He said to a man in his employ, and living on his land, "You know that I know you stole my corn, and that you stole your neighbor's ax."

This he would do in a plain, emphatic manner, and his appearance would disarm the man of resentment. He was possessed of excellent conversational powers; many homes were made cheerful by his rich store of anecdotes, and when friends visited him, he would entertain them in a style not easily forgotten. When Salmon P. Chase was a candidate for Governer of Ohio, on his way from Marysville to Marion, he spent a night at Mr. Hamilton's, and so well was he entertained with his hospitality and conversation, that ever after, when he would meet any of the family, he would make diligent inquiry as to the health of his friend, and then speak of the pleasure he experienced in his company.

His example impressed men. In cases where he needed help from neighbors, he never supplied spirits as an inducement. Others maintained the same position [and the example was followed throughout the entire community, so that for years no encouragement was given to the sale of liquors in Richwood, and it was not to be procured for miles around.

A communion service was to be had in Richwood, and the writer, when a boy, was sent to Millville, in Delaware County, to procure wine for the occasion, because it could not be obtained nearer.

His example on this question had great influence with his family. He had ten sons; all lived to mature years; not one of them ever used liquor as a beverage, but all became strong advocates of temperance, and not more than three of them ever used tobacco. | i 4

We might add page after page in placing before the reader traits of character and interesting incidentes in the life of this pioneer citizen and preacher, but space will not allow. It has now been over fifteen years since he passed away from earth. Anew generation has largely come upon the stage with a tendency to forget the men and women who cleared away the forests and prepared the way for the homes they now occupy. Itis true his resting place in the Richwood Cemetery, near the Bethlehem Church, in Claibourne Township, is marked by a humble marble slab, but as a token of regard for one deserving to be had in everlasting remembrance for a worthy Christian life and for the many heroic deeds that life presents, this tribute to his memory is offered. ;

Elizabeth, spre of William and Hannah Hamilton, was born in Licking County March 5, 1812, and with her parents moved to Muskingum County when a child. She married Jacob C. Sidle in 1834, and about the year 1850 moved to Union County, and, with her husband, set- ` tled in Claibourne Township, where they became extensively known, and had many friends. She is the mother of seven children, one remarkable feature is that she had three sets of twins.

Sidle died June 10, 1876. f : slog ance the lapse of some time, she married Gideon Wickham, of Newark, Ohio, and now living in that city, at the age of seventy years. Two of her children are dead, and AA P

Samuel, oldest son of William and Hannah H amilton, was born in Licking County 2 5, 1814. He was reared in Muskingum County, at farming as a pursuit, married Nancy McN Loa of same county, moved to Union County inthe year 1840, and settled on a part of the purchase and is now living in Marshall County, that State. He has been married the second time, having by his first wife seven children, four sons, and three daughters; one son is dead, one a farmer, and two lawyers; John M., is at this writing Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. His second wife, formerly Harriet Gray nee Rodman, died May 16, 1882, and was buried near Zanesville. He is now in his sixty-ninth year. : i

William McKendre, second son of William and Hannah Hamilton, was born in Muskingum County October 13, 1816. At an early period, he went to Zanesville, to learn the tailoring trade, where he spent six years and became an accomplished workman in his line. He continued this business for a number of years, but at length he became interested in trade. :

For some years he did business for Daniel Brush as a partner. This partnership finally closed, having given perfect satisfaction to Mr. Brush, and been the means of greatly increasing the property of both. He is living in Wenona, Marshall Co., Ill., in good circumstances, and is actively engaged in the business of life. His latest enterprise is that of sinking a shaft for coal, at a heavy expense. He is plain and unassuming in manner, but understands the laws of trade, and has been remarkably successful. He married Rebecca Burns, of his adopted State, and has a family that is greatly respected. He gave at one time $10,000 toward the endowment of a college at Adrian, Mich. He is well preserved and has a fair prospect of living many years to enjoy life and bless his fellow-man. Heis now in his sixty-seventh year.

Benjamin Manley, third son of William and Hannah Hamilton, was born January 2, 1819, in Muskingum County. His mother died October 2, following, leaving him an infant of less than ten months; helpless it is true, but he was tenderly cared for and grew to manhood, and was the oldest of the ten sons of William Hamilton that moved into Union County, and shared in opening the farm so widely known as the Hamilton farm. E

About the year 1812, he married Abigail Graham, daughter of John Graham, Sr.,for many years a resident of Union County. Soon after his marriage, he moved to land received from his father, and had himself to reclaim the wilderness and made it a fruitful field. He continued this work until February 7, 1859, when he was suddenly killed by the running away of a team: ot horses. He left a family of five children; the oldest, William, is now living in Van Wert County, Ohio, and has authority to preach inthe United Brethren Church. Benjamin, was a conscientious Christian man, and died at the age of forty years. This was the first death among the children of William Hamilton.

John Waterman, second son of William and Lydia Hamilton, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 7, 1823, and was fifteen years old when his father moved into Union County. He shared in the labors and trials endured by the family consequent upon making a home in the wilderness. His habits were studious, and though denied the privilege of any other school advantages, except one term in Granville College, than such as were afforded iu three or four months school in winter, he had advanced far enough to teach school at the age of sixteen. This he did successfully in the village of Richwood, in the winter of 1838-39. He afterward taught a select school in Marysville, in the basement of the old Presbyterian Church, and taught at different points in Muskingum County. The object was to supply himself with means for the prosecution of studies in the medical profession. He commenced the study of this profession, under Dr. Bealmear, in the village of Irville, Muskingum County, and continued it under the instructions of Dr. Knight, of the same county. He taught school and studied medicine until his means were sufficient to enable him to attend lectures. This he did at Willoughby Medical College, near Cleveland, where he graduated, in the year 1847. In the year 1848, he married Rachel Werden, who resided near Cleveland, and commenced the practice of medicine on the Scioto, a few miles above Columbus. He continued here a few years, and moved to Akron, where he remained but for a short time, and went to New York City to obtain hospital alvantages. After remaining there for some months, he returned to Columbus in the year 1853, and now for thirty-three years he has devoted himself entirely to his profession. For twenty-five or more years he has filled a professor's chair and most of thetime the chair of surgery. 'This position he now occupies, and is the acknowledged authority on surgery in all Central Ohio. He has performed some of the most critical operations ever performed in the State, and is justly placed by the profession in the front rank. In early life, he was tall and slender in form, but has increased in flesh until he now weighs 300 pounds. With his own means, he erected what is known as Columbus Medical College, near his spacious dwelling in the city of Columbus, and so lucrative has been his profession, and is at the present time, that he has ample means of enjoying ease and comfort; but such are the demands for his services that he could not lay aside his work if he should desire to do so. He has two sons, one a graduate of Gambier College, and the other a student at Princeton, that he is training for same profession. He is now in his sixtieth year.

Joseph Harrison, third son of William and Lydia Hamilton, was born in Muskinzum County July 23, 1826, and moved to Union County at the age of twelve years. Though not full grown, he could render material help in the work of clearing up the farm. He could drive the oxen, burn the brush, plow and hoe the corn, bring the cows from the forest pasture, and was the first to carry the mail from Richwood to Marysville and return. In the winter of 1841, he and a number of associates made a profession of religion, and united with the Methodist Protestant

Church. In the spring of 1843, his church gave him authority to speak to the people on the subject of religion. He spent the week in labor on the farm, and on Sabbath he visited points at schoolhouses and in the cabins of the settlers to hold religious services. His educational advantages were limited to the winter school, except a three months' select school conducted by his brother John in Marysville. February 17, 1844, his church authorized him to preach the Gospel, and in August, of the same year, he united with the Muskingum Annual Conference, with the view of making the ministry his life work. He has now spent almost thirty-nine years in the ministry, during which time he has performed an unusual amount of labor, preaching a considerable part of the time three times on the Sabbath, and often during the week time, but in the thirty-nine years has only been off duty four Sabbaths in consequence of sickness. He has preached in Muskingum and Licking County five years, Coshocton four, Lancaster two, Circleville two, Steubenville five, New Comerstown one, McConnelsville two, served as President of his conference one year, and has preached in Mt. Vermon and Knox County for nearly seventeen During his residence in Knox County, he has attended over 400 funerals, and married over 400 couples. Hundreds have been added to the church through his instrumentality. He often delivers addresses on different subjects that find a place in print. On the 31st day of August, 1848, he married Charlotta M. Rodman, near Zanesville. They have three children, one son and two daughters, all live in Mt. Vernon. The son is a printer, and for three years was publisher of the Mt. Vernon Republican, while the father was editor and proprietor. He is now in his fifty-seventh year, and performs the labor ordinarily performed by two men. i