Clinton Township (part 17 of 18)

He made his first purchase of land within the present limits of the citj' of Columbus. This land he sold again in 1805 and came to the present lfroits of Shelby County and made nn entry of 2000 acres on the banks of the Great Miami River. This embraced lands in fractional section 20 in Salem Township, thence down the river, including sections 5, 4, and 3 in Clinton Township. Mr. Dingman settled on this land in 1807, and built his cabin on what is now known as the Fulton Farm just below Dingmansburg, he being the first settler in this part of the county.

In 1812 the four sons entered the army and served throughout the war. Adam was killed at Fort Defiance in 1813. Mr. Dingman remained here until 1834, when he went to the State of Illinois, where he entered a large tract of land, remained there about four years, then returned to Sidney and remained here until 1844, when he again returned to Illinois, where he died in Springfield in 1850, aged ninety-three years. His wife had died in Shelby County in 1832. Of the three sons who survived the war of 1812, Daniel V. located where his son Daniel Y., Jr., now lives. James located on what is known as the Staley Farm in Salem Township. He married Sally Weeks in 1814 and settled on hid farm soon afterward. Adam, the youngest son, remained with his father through life, and died in Illinois in 1848. James died near Fort Wayne about 1848.

was born in New Jersey in 1782, consequently was twenty-five years of age when he came to this county. In 1819 he married Margaret Wilson and immediately located on the farm where he spent the balance of his days. He was a leading spirit in the organization of the county, and was the first sheriff of the county. His home place contained 401 acres, besides this he had 640 acres in Salem Township. He reared a family of ten children; there are but five living, viz., Mary, the wife of Daniel Wright; Priscilla, the wife of Henry Staley; Amanda, the wife of Philip Lunks; Jane, the wife of Lawrence' Miller of Indiana, and Daniel V., Jr., who resides on the old homestead. Sheriff Dingman died where he first settled, April 3, 1861. His wife died 1847.

was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1824. He was the oldest son of Daniel Y. Dingman, Sen. When seventeen years of age he was placed by his father in a distillery, where he remained for several years. He then worked on the canal until 1845 (he says the water was let into the canal feeder June 28, 1844); he then worked on the farm until 1848, when he married Sarah Bodkin, with whom he lived until 1851, when she died leaving one child, Sarah. About one year afterward he married Rebecca Staley, a daughter of Isaiah Staley. His second wife died 1881. By this second marriage there were four children, Margery E., John, Henry II., and James W.

Mr. Dingman is the owner of the old homestead of 401 acres. On this place he has cleared 140 acres and erected a good substantial brick 'dwelling and other buildings. In the fall of 1881 he had the misfortune to have his barn with all its contents consisting of hay, grain, farm utensils, and eight head of horses destroyed by fire, a total loss of $6000; besides his loss by fire he has paid about $11,000 security debts. Mr. Dingman has one of the finest farms in Shelby County, a view of which is shown in this work. In 1881 Mr. Dingman married for his third wife Catharine Bollenbaugher, of Van Wert County.

an esteemed and honored pioneer of Sidney and Shelby County, was born in England, March 27th, 1790. Emigrated to the United States in 1814, landing in New York, but immediately went to Philadelphia, where he remained three years, working at the trade of a wagon-maker. He then went to Cincinnati and stayed one year. In 1819 he came to Piqua. J line 6, 1820, he came to Sidney, and was engaged as a helper to get out timber to build a hotel for John Blake. This hotel was known as the National Hotel, and was the first frame building in Sidney. The same has been occupied for a number of years as a meat shop by M. Wagner, but recently has been removed for a more commodious brick struct ure.

The lumber for this hotel was sawed by hand, and was sawed by Mr. English and a man by the name of Betinet. It was erected in 1821. In Oct. 1820, Mr. English married Matilda Trader. They reared a family of five children, viz., John, Charles, Henry, Rachel, and James. He carried on the business of wagon-making for a number of years in Sidney. In 1828 he moved to his farm adjoining the town, where he erected the first hewed log-house in the neighborhood (the same is still standing). In March, 1825, he joined the order of F. and A. M. He was the third person initiated in Temperance Lodge, No. 73, while yet working under dispensation. He was passed June 30th and raised July 28th. He filled all the chairs from the W. M. down. He was treasurer of the lodge for twenty-five years. After being a member of the lodge for forty-seven years he was by a unanimous vote made an honorary member, and was excused from labor and attendance at the lodge meetings. He died Oct. 10, 1876, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery in the honors of his Order. His wife died Feb. 1881. Mr. English was one of the honored pioneers of Sidney, and was respected by all who knew him. He was domestic in his habits and seldom left home. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest residents of the town, having lived here fifty-six years. Of his family there are still living, in or near the town, Charles, Henry, James, and Rachel, the wife of Sami. McCune.

This pioneer famil}* are natives of England. John Blake, the father of the above, was born in Yorkshire, Eng. Married Rebecca Burk in 1802. He came with his wife and five children to the United States in the summer of 1819. They first stopped in Cincinnati for a short time. Then came to Piqua, where he remained until the spring of 1820, when he located in Sidney, or where Sidney now is, for ho built the first house on the town plat, and they were the first family in the town. He attended the sale of town lots in the fall of 1819, bought a lot and built a cabin that winter, and moved his family into it the March following. During the summer of 1820 he built a frame house, the lumber of which was sawed by hand. This house was used for a hotel and store, and was the first in the town.

Mr. Blake continued keeping hotel and store for several years; finally engaged in buying and selling horses. In 1826 he took some fifty head of horses to South Carolina, sold his horses, and had returned as far as Lexington, Kentucky, where he was shot dead and robbed of his money. Mrs. Blake survived himuntil 1858.

a son of the above, was also born in Yorkshire, Eng. He waR born in 1815, consequently was five years of age when brought to Sidney. He has lived here from that time to the present, now over sixty-three years. He says- he attended the first school in the town, which was held in the court-house and taught by J. C. Calhoun. Arriving at manhood he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for many years. In 1840 he married Miss Ruth A. Robinson. By this union they had six children : only oue is now living, viz., Hamlin B. Mr. Blake, during his long life in Sidney, has been honored by filling both county and township offices. He was deputy sheriff several years, was city marshal and constable a number of years, also revenue assessor. He is now the oldest resident in the (own or township.

was born in Gallia County, 0., in 1807. His parents were John and Christina (Blazer) Smeltzer. In 1834 he married Margaret Smith, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Sigler) Smith, who was born in -Pennsylvania, in 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Smeltzer have had born to them seven children, Christina, Robert, Thomas, Reuben, Erastus, Sylvanus. and Mary. They located in Shelby County in 1852. Three of the boys served in the Union army during the Rebellion. Thomas served one year in the 20th O. Y. I., and two years in the 9th O. C. He was also nine months a prisoner in a Rebel prison. Robert served four years in the 20th O. V. I. Reuben served three years in the 20th O. V. I.

was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1782. Came to Ohio 1806, and first located in Greene County. Bought a farm near Xenia; here he remained until 1828, when he came to Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Gamble was married three times, first to a Miss Shaw of Kentucky ; there were five children by this marriage, who grew up to man and womanhood. His first wife died about 1822. His second marriage was to a Miss Marshall, who only lived a few months. He then in June, 1824, married Mary Gordon. By this marriage there were four children. At Mr. Gamble's first entrance into the town of Sidney he engaged in the general merchandising and produce business, which he followed about three years.

Prior to the time of his coming to Sidney he had for a number of years been engaged in buying and shipping produce by flat-boat to New Orleans. He would build a flat-boat on the Miami River, float it down to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. Sell his boat and contents, and return home by way of New York. He also in company with John Neal built and loaded a boat at Sidney and made the same trip. In the spring of 1850 he and his sons Sami, and William started for California by way ot the plains. Before reaching St. Joe, Missouri, he was taken sick and died in St. Joe, April 14, 1850, and now' lies buried there. His wife survived him until March 12, 1871.

eldest son by his last wife, was born in the town of Sidney, Nov. 28, 1828, and is now perhaps the oldest male inhabitant in the town that was born here. He had his home with his parents until manhood. In 1850 he started for California w'ith his father and brother, as spoken of above. After the death and burial of their father they bought and provisioned a wagon and a team of five yoke of cattle, and left St. Joe, on the 11th day of May, and landed at their journey's end Sept. 11, being just four months on the way. He remained in California a little over a year working in the mines. He started for home Oct. 1851, by way of what was known as the Nicarauga route. He arrivgd at home January, 1852. In 1854 he married Miss E. M. Cunningham. By this marriage he has three children, viz., A. Wallace, born April 29, 1855; Win. G., born April 17, 1857, and John E., born Dec. 29, 1861. After his return from California he engaged in the drug trade, which he followed some twelve years. In 1864 he enlisted in the 134th Regiment of O..N. G-, and served his time of enlistment. After his return from the army he engaged in gardening and growing fruits; but more recently has left the farm and - returned to Sidney, where he now resides.

The ancestors of the above are of German extraction. We cannot learn just when they came to America, but we find that the great-grandfather of Sheriff Lehman was here during the Revolutionary ' War, and took part in that struggle for independence. He, perhaps, was the first to come to this country. He probably located in Berks County, Pa., for it was here that his son Benjamin was born, married, and lived until 1838, when he moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and died there in 1872, aged eighty-five years.

Jacob Lehman (a son of Benjamin) was born in Berks County, Pa., June 30, 1813. When a young man he went to Dauphin County, Pa. Here in 1835 he married Sarah Cassel, of the same county. In 1839 they emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where they lived until 1859, at which time they came to Shelby County, and located four and one-half miles north of Sidney. Mr. Lehman was a farmer by occupation. Their family consisted of one son only (Henry M.), the present slieriffrof the county. He died from paralysis December 16, 1882. His widow still survives, and has her home with her son in Sidney.

Henry M., the only son of Jacob Lehman, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., June 14, 1836. He lived with his parents until August, 1862, ixt which time he enlisted as a soldier in Company H, 99th O. V. I. On the 11th of the following November he was taken prisoner near Lebanon, Tenn., but was parolled two days after his capture by John A. Morgan. He shortly afterward returned home, and remained until March, 18153, then returned to his regiment in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was wiLli his regiment at the battles of Chiekamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta campaign, hut never received a wound. He served until the close of the war. in 1867 he married Miss Mary E. Ludlum, a daughter of Esq. Ludlum, of Franklin Township. After marriage he rented a farm for two years, then moved to the village of Botkins, anti engaged in hotel-keeping, which he followed up to 1879, with, the exception of two years that he was engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1874 his wife died, leaving two children, viz., Clara L. and William S. In 1876 he married Miss Mary C. Stolley, of Shelby County. In May, 1879, he received the nomination for sheriff by the Democracy of Shelby County, and was elected to the office the following October. In 1881 he was re-elected without any opposing candidate, and is filling the office at the present time. By his last marriage he has two children, viz., Anna M. E. and Francis J. H.

The ancestors of the above came from England to the American Colonies prior to the Revolution. The great-grandfather and perhaps the grandfather of Mr. Honnell were born in England. The exact time of their emigration is not known. The first we know of them was in the person of William Honnell, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. He was married to Eleanor W, Ison. By this union there were twelve children. They came to Ohio in 1833, and located near the present site of S'dney. "he/e he remained until the time of his death in 1853. His wife died in 1864.

Morris Honnell a son of the above, was born in Greene County, Pa-, m 1824. Came with his parents to Sidney in 1833. Here he lived to grow up to manhood He was reared on a farm, and was educated in the common schools of his district. In 1850 he, together with several gaged in tie 'u 0 trade in connection witli bis practice, at which lie still continues, in 1871| le mnrried Miss Irene Ayers. By this union the;^. have one child, Jessie, born March 9, 1873. Mrs. Wilson was a daugh_ ter of Jeremiah Ayers, of Wapakoneta. one of the first white settlers o« that Indian village. She was born in 1852. Dr. Wilson is the third sor* of Col. Jessie H. Wilson, one of the pioneers of Shelby County.

was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in the year 1 834. When fourteen years of age he came to Sidney. His first undertaking in life was that of a tallow chandler, which he followed a short time, when he went to work with his brother to learn the butcher trade. After serving his time in learning the business lie borrowed some money, and went to St Marys and o|>ened a shop, where lie remained about one year then re" turned to Sidney and started a mea.t market, which he carried L two years. About 1859 he rented a brewery G f his h!' ,. j , 1 the old red mill. They reared a family of eleven children, ten of them still living. Mr. Estabrook is yet living. His wife died in 1882, at the age of eighty-five years.

John T., one of the above eleven, was born in Montgomery County in 1838. At the age of eighteen years he went to learn the carpenter trade, which he has followed the most of the time since. In 1858 he came with his parents to Shelby County. The following year, 1859, he married Miss Rachel Valentine, a daughter of Richard VV. Valentine. By this union they have six children, viz., Ida F., Nora D., Charles R., Anna E., Lillie B., and Minnie L. ' In 1868 they moved to Van Buren Township on a piece of land given to his wife by her father. They remained on this land some eleven years, clearing ninety-five acres ready for tilling, but owing to the prevalence of milk sickness in their neighborhood (their family all having had it) they rented the farm in 1878, and moved near the town of Sidney.

About the middle of the eighteenth century Richard Robbins, together witli his wife, came to the American colonies, and settled in New Jersey. We can learn but little of him, but it is known that, while travelling through the woods of Maine, in the year 17 75, be was frozen to death. °

Benjamin Robbins, a son of the above, was born in New Jersey in the year 1760, and married Bathsheba Nutt in 1782. In 1786 they moved to Pennsylvania, from there to Kentucky in 1789, then in 1789 to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he died in 1837. His wile died in 1848. They had born to them twelve children.

Richard Robbins, one of these twelve children, was born in New Jersey in 1784. About 1806 he married Lydia Archer, of Montgomery County, Ohio. They reared a family of eleven children. They°moved to Miami County in 1814, where he died in 1837.

David Robbins, a son of Richard Robbins, was born in Miami County in 1824. At the age of seventeen years he went to Piqua to learn the edge tool trade, which he followed only three years. He then went on a farm. In 1848 he married Miss Ann E. Gibson, daughter of Win. and Mary Gibson. She was born in England in 1826. Came with her parents to the United States in 1827. Mr. Robbins in 1845 bought 135 acres of land in Van Buren Township, but did not move on to it until 1852. They reared a family of four children, viz., William E., Clara A., Amanda V., and Emma A. They also buried four children in infancy.

In 1861 Mr. Robbins enlisted in the 20th O. V. I., in which he served three years, the full time of his enlistment. He was wounded at the battle of Raymond by a ball in the face, which he still carries. While in the hospital he was taken prisoner, and was taken to Libby prison, but was shortly afterward parolled, then returned to his regiment and served his full time.

The father of the above (Arthur Conner) was born in Ireland in 1802- married Rosa Scott about 1832. Very shortly after their marriage Mr! Conner set sail for the United States, leaving his wife behind. He landed" in New York and worked there for several months, then sent for his wife who came over in 1833. It was in New York that their first child was' born. In 1834 they came to Shelby County and located in Salem Township, half a mile north of Port Jefferson, where he bought land of Abner Girrard. Here Mr. Conner lived until his death, which occurred in 1856. He left a wife and seven children, who still survive him.

John, a son of the above, was born in Salem Township in 1837. At the age of twenty years he went to learn the blacksmith trade, serving an apprenticeship until 1860. In 1861 he engaged in business for himself in the town of Sidney, which he has continued from that time to the present, except while he was in the army, he having spent two full terms of enlistment.

In 1861 he married Miss Susan Whitmer. By this union they have three children - Harry, Fred., and Clifford. In 1870 Mr. Conner built a large brick shop. In 1872 he built a fine brick residence, and recently has built a business block and residence on Main Street, all made at his auvil.

was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in the year 1800. He came to Dayton, Ohio, in the spring of 1818, remained there but a few months, then came to the present limits of Shelby County, where he made his home With Peter Mussulman, Jr. In 1821 he married Rhoda Blankensheets, with whom he lived only about one year, when she died. In 1825 lie married Fanny Mussulman. The result of this marriage was eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Fanny, John, Jane, Peter, Franklin, Susan, and David. After his marriage, Mr. Whitmer settled in Perry Township, on the Mosquito Creek, where he continued to reside until 1876, when they removed to Champaign County, where Mrs. Whitmer died in 1882. Mr. Whitmer was the eighth settler in Perry Township.

The Yagers are of German descent. The first we learn of them is in Pennsylvania. It was here that George Yager was born, in 1796. He married Margaret Craig and moved to Knox County, Ohio. Here, in 1822, Clark Yager was born. From Knox they moved to Butler County, where Clark grew to manhood and learned the milling trade. In 1841 he went to Piqua and worked in a mill; from there he went to Indiana, next to Michigan, then back to Piqua, from there to Dayton, from Dayton to Wapakoneta in 1859; in 1860 to New Hampshire, Auglaize Co. In 1862 he came to Sidney and run the Walker Mills, which he bought in 1879. These mills were among the first in the county. They have three run of bulirs, with two turbine wheels. In 1844 Mr. Yager was married to Miss Ellen Thomas. From this marriage there have been born five children, viz., Mary, Charles, George, Edward, and Maggie.

was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1822. He was raised on a farm. In 1844 he married Catharine Peterhause. In 1847 they set sail for the United States. They land,ed in Baltimore in June, 1847. They remained in the city a short time, then started westward without having any particular place in view. They made their first stop in Cincinnati. Here they took a passage on the Miami Canal and came to Lockington. While the boat lay there they concluded to stop off and look for a home. They came to Sidney and soon bought fifty acres of land in Clinton Township, for which he paid $465. This land was unimproved, and much of it under water. From this small beginning Mr. F. has made a fine home, and has one of the best improved farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz., Christiana, George, Christian, Lewis, William, Cullie, Benjamin, and Katie. Mr. Foster, although a German by birth, is purely American in his principles.

The Frys are of German extraction, but when they came to the Uidted States we cannot learn. The first of whom we can learn anything is in the person of Christopher Fry, who was born in Kentucky in 1786. When a young man he came to Chill icotlie, Ohio. It was here, in 1811, that he married Jane Robinson. From this union there were seven children. In 1835 Mr. Fry brought his family to the town of Sidney, where he engaged in merchandising, which he followed until about the time of his death, which occurred in 1846. His wife died in 1870, at the age of eighty-eight years.

a son *f the above, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1813; came to Sidney with his parents; clerked in the store for his father and other parties for several years; afterward entered into partnership with his brother in the dry-goods trade, at which he continued until 1855, wheii he sold his interest in the store and bought a farm in the east part of Clinton Township, where he now resides. In 1853 he married Maria Ethrington. From this marriage there were three children, two of whom died young. Emma J., the only child living, was born in 1861. She is the wife of C. C. Foster. Mrs. Fry died 1878. Mr. F. has retired from active farm labor, having made for himself a comfortable home.

The Schencks, ns far back as we can learn, are from New York. They came to Ohio at the beginning of the present century, and located in Butler Count}'. It was here that Schuyler Schenck was married to Miss Deborah Sutphen in the year 1831. The following year the}' moved to Shelby County and located in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. S. were both born in New Jersey - he in 1804, and she in 1809. Mr. S. was a shoemaker by trade. They settled in the woods. He worked at his trade and hired his land cleared as fast as he could. As soon as his boys were old enough they cleared the farm. Mr. Shenck died in 1854. They raised a family of nine children, only four of whom are now living, viz., John S., George W., Daniel O., and Alonzo E. Mrs. Schenck, since the death of her husband, has remained on the farm, and has raised and educated her children. During the Rebellion of 1861 four of her sous entered the Union army : two of them died while in the service.

a son of the above, was born in Shelby County in 1853, and so was but one year of age at the time of the death of his father. He has remained on the homestead with his mother up to the present time. In 1875 he married Miss Anna Y. Campbell, of Sangamon County, Illinois. They have had born to them two children, Graeie Bell and Nora D.

was born in Virginia in 1780, and was brought to Ohio at the close of the last century. They located near Columbus. Here he married Elizabeth Kiser about 1807. Some time after this date they removed to But- ler County, Ohio, and from there to the present limits of Orange Township in the fall of 1818. Here he entered 160 acres of land, but had not the means to pay for the whole of it. In the year 1819 he rented land where the town of Sidney now stands, and planted it in corn. Mr. and Mrs. Buirley had a family of fourteen children, only eight of whom lived to grow up. He died in 1876 at the age of ninety-six years and four months. His wife died in 1878, at the age ol ninety-four years.

a son of the above, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1817, consequently was only one year of age at the time of his advent into the county. In 1841 he was married to Margaret Venise (whose parents, Henry and Mary Baker Venise, came to the county in 1834). By this union they have four children, Mary E., Benjamin F., Sylvester l., and John A. Mr. Buirley lived on part of the old homestead until 1870, when he sold his interest and bought a farm in Clinton Township, miles west of Sidney, where he now resides.

William Graham, the first of the family name to come to America, was born in Scotland about 1750. When a lad he went to Ireland, remained there but a few years, when he came to the American Colonies a short time prior to the Revolutionary war and located in Pennsylvania. About the year 1775 he married Elizabeth Adair. They moved to Kentucky about 1795. They reared a family of nine children. He died about 1814. James A., the eldest of these children, was born in Pennsylvania in 1776. He went with his father's family to Kentucky and participated in the protection of the frontier against the Indians. He had a brother, William B., who was shot and killed by the Indians on the Ohio Itiver, which is spoken of in the History of Western Adventures. James A. married Sarah Bell in 1805. In 1819 they moved to Clarke County, Ohio; then to Miami County in 1820, and to Shelby County in 1822, and located in Turtle Creek Township. Their family at this time consisted of nine children. In 1843 he moved to Orange Township, where he died in 1865, his wife having died in 1840. Thomas B. was born in Kentucky in 1810, consequently was twelve years of age when he came to Shelby County. He lived at home with his father until nineteen years of age, when he went to Piqua to learn the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed until 1861, when he bought a farm of 160 acres in Clinton Township, on which he located and remained until the fall of 1880, when his house was burned and he removed to the town of Sidney, where he now lives a retired life. In 1843 he married Miss Emma Robinson, who only lived about two years. In 1850 he married Jane E. Ginn. By this union they had seven children, five of whom are now living, viz., Samuel M., William A., Alex. D., John C., and George T.

the eldest son of Willoughby and Sarah (Powell) Stewart, was born in Kentucky in the year 1809. His father was born in Pennsylvania, went to Kentucky at the close of the last century, and married, about the year ItOO. Preston remained at home with his parents until manhood. In the year 1830 he married Miss Patsy Ashbaugh, and the following year brought his wife, father, and mother, to Logan County, Ohio, and settled on the border of Shelby County. They remained there but a. short time, when he entered a piece of land in the N. E. corner of Salem Township, Shelby County, and moved on it in 1832, he being the first man to locate in that part of the township. Mr. Stewart lived here to clear this land. He afterward bought 160 acres more land. On tills land he afterward platted a part of the village of Tifeton. On this pl£Lt he built the first house ; also a saw miil and blacksmith shop. Mr. and. Mrs. Stewart have had horn to them twelve children, nine of whom are still living, viz., Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, William, Maria, Willoughby, Martha A., Charles, and Perry. Mr. Stewart lived on his farm tin til 1876, when he sold his property and moved to the town of Sidney, where he now lives a retired life, in the enjoyment of the fruit of his past hard labor. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for over fifty years, and was a member of the first class formed in the N. E. part of Salem Township.

Col. Samuel Benjamin (the grandfather of Charles R.), as near as we can learn, was born in the State of Maine. He served in the struggle for independence seven years, and held the rank of a Colonel. He raised a large family of children. One daughter married Israel Washburn, the father of the four Washburn brothers who have been Members of the National Congress. Nathaniel, a son, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the State of Maine in the year 1790, and married Betsy Chase I hey raised a family of six children. Charles R-, the youngest of the family, was born in Maine in 1830. He was reared on a farm until he became of age. After arriving at his majority he went towoik in a D. Handle factory, at which business he has been engaged from that time to the present. In the year 1870 he started a

I . n ., 1 ? 6 2 hi**** he catne to Sidney and established works of the same kindchildren ^ gained Miss Maty Johnston. % this union they have two ' Lh a a nd Charles 'W .

two chuctien came to Ohio in 1809, and stopped for a time at Springs field. Left his family here while lie came over to the present limits of Orange Township, and selected a piece of land (the same now owned by- Mrs. Clancy), and erected a cabin and made a little opening. It iia claimed by some that he moved his family to this land in the fall of 1809, but by his daughter, Mrs. Abbott, that they did not settle here permanently until 1810 or 1811. It is well known that there were but fevysettlers in the county when they came. During their early settlement the Indians became troublesome. In the fall of 1813 Mr. Jackson took his wife and children to Springfield, and left them for safety, while be remained on the place to clear his land. His wife remained in Spring 1 , field nearly a year, when she said she would remain no longer, but would return to her home, and share the dangers and hardshins with her hn« band. It was about this time that he built a block house on his for their protection. In 1814 he was drafted into the irnnu i J for a few months, then secured a substitute and returns? 3 , - serve 'I He was the first to erect a brick house in the towns in'., \° , borne.

The ancestors of the above are from North Ireland. Robert Langhlin, the grandfather of Joseph S., came with his family to the United States about 1790, and located in Pennsylvania. One son (Robert) was born after they came to the country' He was born in Pennsylvania in 1790. About 1818 he married Isabel Graham, who was also of Irish descent. They came to Brown County, Ohio, about 1820. About 1841 they came to Shelby County, and settled in Green Township. They reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are now living. Mr. L. died in 1850. His wife died in 1874, aged eighty-four years.

Joseph S., their youngest son, was born in Brown County in 1838, consequently was only three years of age when brought to the county. When twelve years of age his father died, and he was left to shift for himself. At sixteen years of age he went West, and spent a couple of years, then returned, and went to school in Sidney for one year, after which he taught school until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the 15th O. V. I. for three months, served the time of his enlistment, and again commenced teaching school, but only taught six weeks, when he again enlisted, this time in the 20th O. V. I. for three years. He was made sergeant-major of the regiment. In January, 1863, while in charge V)f ordnance stores on board of a train the train was wrecked, and he was badly injured, having his legs broken and otherwise badly bruised. He was taken to the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., where he remained until May, when he was sent to St. Louis, ami from there to Columbus, Ohio, where lie remained until June, 1863, when he was discharged and sent home. In December, 1863, he married Sarah C. Applegate. January, 1864, lie went to Vicksburg, Tenn., and engaged in merchandising with Capt. Updegratf and J. C. Fry. He continued in business in Vicksburg until 1866, when he came home and sold goods in Plattsville for one year, then went to Champaign County, where he remained three years. In 1870 he moved to Sidney, where he now lives. In 1877 he was elected treasurer of Shelby County, in which capacity he served four years. At the present time he is engaged at the real estate and insurance business. In 1881 a company of O. N. G. was formed in Sidney, and he was elected captain of the company, served two years, when he was elected major of the regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Langhlin have a family of four children, viz., Eddie W., Carrie E., Jesse C., and Lizzie.

About the days of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers four brothers by the name of Abbott came from England to America. Religious persecutions drove them from their native land, for they were of the same faith of the Pilgrim Fathers. It is not known whether they had families or not, neither is it known just where they located, but it was somewhere on the coast of the New England colonies. We have no account of them or their descendants down to Bancroft Abbott, who appeared on the " stage of action" some four generations later. He was born in Massachusetts or Connecticut about 1760. Whom or when he married we cannot learn, but we know that he had a family of seven children. Thomas, the eldest of the seven, was born in Connecticut about 1785. When a young man he went to Vermont. Here about 1813 he married Anna Powers. They reared a family of four children, viz., William, Martha, Mary, and George E. He spent the most of his life iu*the State of Vermont, but died in Georgetown, N. Y., about 1857.

Of his family William was born in Vermont. Later in life he came to Ohio, but being of an adventurous and pioneer disposition he sought the newer and wilder sections of the country. He next went to Western Illinois, remained there until after the Rebellion, when he sought a home in the far West, and finally located in Wyoming Territory, where he now resides.

George E., the youngest of the family', was born in Newberry, Vt., in 1824. Came to Ohio in 1845, and located in Sidney, where he engaged in the cabinet business. He married Harriet Jackson (a daughter of Edward Jackson, one of the pioneers of Orange Township) in 1849. In 1850, when the gold excitement was raging in California, he left his wife and infant child, and, in company with a number of others from Sidney, started across the plains to seek their fortunes, but, like thousands of others, he never realized the desire of his ambition. After spending about one year in the mines, he waq taken with the typhoid fever, of which he died in October, 1851, and was buried by his messmates, who had cared for him through his sickness. His widow still lives in Sidney with her only child, Alonzo E., who was born in Sidney January 9, 1850. He had made his home with his mother all through life. At the age of eighteen years he entered a dry-goods store as a clerk, which he 'followed about ten years, then for three years was a travelling salesman for manufactories in Sidney. Is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business.

In tracing the ancestry of the Kelseys in the United States, we go back to the Pilgrim Fathers, although it is not certain that they came on the May Flower, yet they are known to have been here shortly afterward. They were of the Puritan faith, and came from England.

The first of whom we have any definite record was Curtis Kelsey', who was born in Connecticut in 1740. He resided in Connecticut until 1782, when he moved to Fair Haven, Vermont. His family at this time consisted of five children, all born in Connecticut, ne died in Fair Haven in 1821.

Parson Kelsey, the eldest son of the above, was born Oct. 1768. He married Lucinda Ames, of Rutland, in 1793. They reared a family of six children, viz., Lyman, Katy, Guy C., Caroline, Curtis, and Calvin.- He died in West Haven in 1822. Of his family we shall only speak of Guy C., who was born in West Haven, Vermont, Dec. 4, 1804. He remained in Vermont until 1825 (with the exception of one year that he went to an academy at Granville, N. Y.), after which he taught school a few months, then came to Ohio and entered the Ohio University at Athens, where he remained three years. Then on recommendation of President Wilson of the University, he became teacher of a select school at High Bank Prairie, where he taught three y'ears. In 1829 he married Minerva S. Fuller, a daughter of one of the first settlers of Marietta, Ohio. Shortly after marriage they moved to Franklin, Ohio, where he taught school until 1832, when he commenced merchandising. In 1835 they moved to Sidney and again entered into merchandising, which he has continued to the present time.

Mr. Kelsey by his first marriage had born ten children, three only of whom grew up to maturity, viz., Caroline, Emily, and Lucinda. Mrs. Kelsey died in 1848. In 1849 he married Mary Abbott. By this union there were two children, viz., Anna, wife of G. B. Sterline, of Sidney, and D. Webster, who died in 1875. Of his first children, Caroline married Wm. B. Craig, who is engaged in the wholesale grocery' trade in St. Joe, Missouri. Emily married John Frey, of the U. S. Postal Detective Service. They reside in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Lucinda married G. VV. Barr, who is engaged with W. B. Craig in St. Joe, Missouri.

a son of Parson Kelsey, was born in West Haven, Vermont, March 4, 1808. Married Lucy Nelson in the fall of 1829. His avocation through life has been somewhat varied, farming and stock-raising being his principal business ; but for several years while in Vermont he was engaged in merchandising, also in dairying. In 1843 he was elected a member of the Stale Constitutional Convention to amend the Constitution of the State. In 1845 he left his Green Mountain State and brought his family to Ohio .and located on a farm in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, where he engaged in growing fine wool sheep. He was the first man to introduce Spanish fine wool sheep in western Ohio. For a number of years he was an extensive dealer in wool, buying and shipping the principal part of the wool of Shelby and adjoining counties. He was elected as one of the commissioners of the county, and while filling that capacity he had the sole control of the $100,000 of railroad stock owned by the county. In the spring of 1878 he moved to his present place of residence near Sidney, since which time he has been engaged in dairying, furnishing milk to the citizens of Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey have reared a family of three children, viz., Louania, the wife of H. Wilson, of Iowa; Guy C., Jr., of Shelby County, and J. Thurman, a farmer of Franklin Township.

George Geyer came with his family from Germany to the United States in 1833. The family consisted of himself, wife, and three sons. Their first permanent location was in Auglaize County, Ohio, where he died in 1868.

Christian, the youngest of the three sons, was born in 1823. When a young man he came to Shelby County to attend school ; here he formed the acquaintance of Mary A., a daughter of John Barkalow, whom he married in 1847. They located in Orange Township. Mr. Geyer died in 1848, leaving one son. James D. was born in 1848. His father dying when he was but three months old, he was kept by his mother until ten years of age, when he went to live with his grandfather, John Barkalow, with whom he lived until manhood, receiving his education in the schools of Sidney. A fler arriving at manhood he learned the drug trade, then engaged in the trade for himself for a number of years. In 1870 he married Estelle M. Moore, a daughter of Nathan Moore, of Sidney. In 1879 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. B. M. Sharp, of Sidney, and graduated at the Medical College of Indiana. In the summer of 1883 he established himself in Sidney for the practice of his profession.

was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1840. Was brought by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where they remained until 1856, when they returned to Ashtabula. Here he took an academic course of study, after which he entered store as a clerk for three years. In 1861 he went to California. Stopped for a short time in San Francisco, then went to Vancouver's Island, from there to Oregon, thence to Idaho, whore he worked in the mines and at merchandising until 1865, when lie returned home and remained for a few months and again returned to. California; went from there to Montana, Idaho, and Utah, where he remained until 1871, when he again returnee! home. His father at this time was living in Putnam County, Ohio. After being at home a short time he went to Texas, and from there to Wisconsin, and again came home in 1874. He then engaged in' the grocery trade for three years. In 1874 he married Florence L. Worlinc, of Ottawa, Ohio. In 1877 he came to Sidney and engaged in the grocery and produce trade. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have a family of three children, viz., Eliza J., Mark A., and Anna B.

an honored citizen of Sidney, was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1805. Married Hannah Lamb in 1828, came to Ohio in 1833, and located in Columbus, where he clerked in a store for six years. He next went to Lexington, Richland County, Ohio, where he in company with James A. Lamb (now of Sidney) engaged in the mercantile trade for two years. In 1842 he came to Sidney and again engaged in general merchandising, at which he has continued up to the present time, having been in the trade in the town of Sidney for forty-one years. He is now the oldest merchant in the town.

When he first came to Sidney he and Mr. Lamb were partners; they remained together until 1868, when F. E. Hoover, a son in-law of Mr. Zinn, bought Mr. Lamb's interest, and the firm was known by the name of Zinn & Hoover until 1881, when Mr. Hoover left, and James II. Zinn and James Mulvihill became partners, since which time the firm is known as E. Zinn & Co. Mr. Zinn's wife died in 1855, leaving six children, viz., Wm. G., Samuel E, Mary J., Margaret E., Charles II., and James H. In 1861 he married- Anna E. Kerr, of Greene County, Ohio. By his second marriage he has one child, viz., Kowena B., the wife of W. II. McDermith, of Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. Zinn commenced in trade he had nothing except what he bad saved from his wages while clerking in Columbus. The fine property he now owns has been acquired by his own industry and economy, never having hired a dollar. Although now seventy-eight years of age, is still to be found at. his counter superintending and directing his business. During his long business life he has ever hail the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. His word has always been regarded as " good as a note in bank."

James H., a son of E. Zinn, was born in Sidney in 1847. He has resided in Sidney all his life with the exception of six years that he was in New York City with his brother W T m. in trade. He is now a junior partner with his fat her in the store. In 1875 he married Jennie L. ltyan of Sidney. The}' have one child, viz., Fred H.

was born in Miami County, 0., Oct. 9, 1843. He is a son of Richard and Mary (Long) Mumford, who were married in Maryland. Came to Miami County, 0., about 1840, where Mrs. Mumford died in 1852. Mr. Mumford died in Shelby County in 1880.

The Mumfords are of English descent, the Longs of German extraction ; but when they came to the United States is not known to us. John A., when a boy only fourteen years of age, had a genius for mechanical tools, which was discovered by his skill in the making implements and machinery about home. A carpenter in his neighborhood offered him $10 per month if he would work for him at the trade, which he did at the above wages for two months, when his progress was such that he received one dollar per day. He only worked at his trade about one year, when G. C. Anderson, of Sidney, who was running a woollen mill, offered him a place in his mills. This was in 1858. He remained in the mills during 1858 and '59. In 1860 he returned to his trade, at which he worked until in the spring of 1861. At the first call for volunteers he was the fifth to offer himself for enlistment; but the company was disbanded before being mustered. He then immediately went to Hamilton, Ohio, and enlisted in an artillery company; but this also did not complete an organization, and he came to Troy, Ohio, and joined the 11th O. V. I., and was mustered on the first of June, and served his full time of enlistment for three years. After his discharge he worked for the Government as a carpenter until the close of the war, when he returned to Sidney, where he has lived since that time. Nov. 26 1866 he married Mary Fares, of Sidney. After his marriage he rented a sawmill, which he ran until the fall of 1882, when he embarked in the boot and shoe trade, at which he is engaged at the present time. Mr and Mrs. Mumford have had born to them three children, viz., Minnie A born Aug. 15, 1868; John F., born Oct. 9, 1870, and Charles D ho.n July, 1873. '' 001 n was born in^ Germany in 1811. When he first came to this eoun'tr-yr- jp _ located in bouthern Ohio, where he worked at coopering, which he had partly learned in the ol<l country. He remained in Soutlm Ohio until 1837, when he cam** «--- c, , J .. .....

in the year 1841, since which time he has made his home here. They had born to them six children, three of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, viz., Clay R., Byron W., and Mariah E. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin still reside in Sidney, where he is engaged in the grocery and produce trade.

Clay R., whose name appears at the head of this sketch, is the eldest son of the above. He was born in Sidney January 1, 1843, and has made his home here principally from that time to the present. In 1802 he enlisted in Company B, 20th 0. V. I., and remained in the service about one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. After regaining his health he went West, and remained a couple of .years, then again returned home. In 1808 he engaged with his father in the sash, door, and blind factory, at which he continued until 1872. This year he married Miss Lou E. Vogle, of Piqua, Ohio. January 1, 1873, he engaged in the livery business with Alex. Ramsey. They were partners until 1875, when Ramsey sold his interest to J. S. Patten. They remained together until 1879, when they divided their stock, and Joslin leased his present premises, since which time he has carried on the business of livery and feed stable in connection with that of veterinary surgeon. In 1879 he was elected as coroner of Shelby County, and has filled the office two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have had born to them three children, viz., Mary R., Grace B., and Eugenia L.

was born in Warren County, Ohio, April 2, 1843. He is a son of Moses Birch, who died before Pem Brook was born. When very young he was put out among strangers. He lived on a farm until seventeen years of age, then went to learn the trade of a wagon-maker, at which he was engaged at the breaking out of the Rebellion. When the President made his first call for 75,000 men he was one of the first to respond. He enlisted in the 1st O. Y. I., served his time of enlistment, returned home, and in September of the same year re-enlisted in the 69th O. Y. I. and served until March, 1864, when he veteranized and served until the close of the war. At the battle of Stone River he was wounded by a musket ball in the face ; while lying on the battle-field was taken prisoner and sent to the Libby Prison Hospital, where he remained three months; was then paroled, went home and staid until exchanged, then returned to his regiment, having spent over four years in the service. In September, 1865, he came to Sidney and was married to Miss Caroline E. Lease, of Sidney. After marriage he worked at the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1881, when he bought an interest in the Sidney Planing-mills, at which he is engaged at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Birch have had born to them three children, viz., Harry S., horn 1866 ; Girtie M., born 1872; and Ruth E., horn 1876.

-James Maxwell, the grandfather of the above, came from Scotland with his wife and three children to the American Colonies about 1770, and located in Pennsylvania. Two of his sons served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. John, one of the sons, was the lather of Samuel. He was but a small boy when brought to America. He was born in 1763, and married Ruth Cypherd, of Baltimore, about 1790. They raised a family of eleven children. In 1800 they emigrated to Ohio and located in what is now Jefferson County, but afterward removed to Tuscarawas County, where he died in 1823. His wife died in 1840. Of this family of eleven children only one came to Shelby County, viz., Samuel, the subject of this sketch. He was born in in 1795, and resided with his parents until he became of age. In 1816 he married Mary Wagner, of .Montgomery County. They afterward located in Montgomery Count 3 '. Here he purchased land and built a mill, and at the same time carried on several mechanical shops, such as smithing, cooperage, etc. He was a natural business man. He never learned a trade or worked much on a farm, but carried on the business quite extensively. While in Montgomery County he was justice of the peace for a number of years. In 1835 he moved with his wife and six children to Shelby County and bought a mill in Perry Township, and also 160 acres of land. Shortly afterward he built a saw-mill on Mosquito Creek, which he soon followed with a new grist mill. He was one of the successful business men of Shelby County. At the time of his death he was the owner of 700 acres of land in Shelby County, and 500 acres elsewhere. They raised a family of seven children, viz., Benjamin W., Margaret, John, Abram, Hannah, Ruth, and Ellen S. Of this number there are but two left in the county, Benjamin W., of Sidney, and Hannah, the wife of William Jackson. Mr. Maxwell was a highly esteemed citizen. He was filling the office of county commissioner at tiie time of his death in 1874. His wife died in 1873.

of Sidney, Ohio, was born in Shelby County in 1854. He is a son of John W. and Marian (Beeson) Monroe. Married Laura J. Wilkinson (a daughter of Isaac Wilkinson) October 10, 1876. By this union there were two children. Lulu M., born April 2, 1879, and Jennie A., born Nov. 30, 1880. The latter died July, 1881. Mrs. Monroe died Dec. 7,

1880. He married Edna L. Monroe, of Kentucky, Dec. 1, 1882. By the last marriage they have one child, Yiolet, born Jan. 1883. Mr. Monroe was engaged for several years as bookkeeper of the Sidney Planing Mills, but in January, 1883. he became an equal partner with P. B. Birch in the concern. Mr. Monroe at the present time is a member of the city council from the fourth ward of Sidney. For history of ancestors, see sketch of Hanson Monroe, of Washington Township.

was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1833. He came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, in 1841, where he remained until 1846, when he went to Springfield, Ohio. Here he clerked in a dry-goods store for several years, after which time he learned the art of .arabrotyping. In 1857 he came to Sidney and bought an art gallery of Jas. McCullough, and in 1858 made the first photograph made in Shelby County. In 1859 he and his partner (S. N. Tod) bought a bookstore, which they ran in connection with the gallery. To this they added a stock of drugs. They carried on the business until 1865, when they sold out their entire stock. In 1868 Mr. V. went to Springfield and engaged in the clothing trade until 1877, when he again sold and returned to Sidney and again opened a photograph gallery, in which he is engaged at the present time. In 1860 he married Miss Belle Knox, of Sidney. By this union they have four children, Harry, Willie, May, and Robert.

The subject of this brief biographical sketch was born in Newville, Cumberland County, Pa., October 30, 1814, and died in Sidney, September 4, 1880. His funeral was largely attended on Monday at his residence on Miami Street. An immense procession followed his remains to the beautiful Graceland Cemetery that owes so much of its taste and beauty to his directing hand. His father with a family came to Sidney in 1829. He worked on his father's farm for a few years, and helped to make the brick of the old court-house in the square, whose existence terminates this year also. His work in town was as dry-goods clerk in the store of Thomas Rtiekman. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and superintended the work on the Cumberland Yalley Railway for Longwell & Co. From that he went into the butchering and saddlery business in Nashville. Afterwards he taught school, and then went to Maryland, having taken a contract to build a part of the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal. This enterprise proved disastrous, and he lost heavily. lie then took up teaching in Frostburg, was elected justice of the peace, and finally engaged with another gentleman in keeping hotel in Frostburg. This partnership was not continued long, and he returned to Ohio in 1847. In 1851 he took charge of the Shelby County Democrat , and continued to edit it until October 13, 1854. In 1857 he was elected auditor of this county, which position he held for three terms of two years each. From 1863 to 1868 he engaged in wool buying and taking pike contracts. In 1870 he was a member of the State Board of Equalization. In 1868 he formed a partnership with R. Given in the tannery and leather business, which continued until his death. He was an active man, prominent in all public enterprises. The Shelby County Agricultural Society owes much of its success to him, who took great interest in it from its beginning until the time of his death. For many years he was its secretary, at the time of his death its president. He was an honored and enthusiastic member of the order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. A life-long Democrat, an earnest Presbyterian in faith, a generous supporter of the church from which he was seldom absent, a member of the city council. He will be sadly missed by the whole community. Warm-blooded, quick to resent an insult, true to his friends, and implacable to his foes, he will be remembered as one of our most useful residents. In 1862 he married Mrs. Margaret Blake, the widow of William Blake, deceased (whose maiden name was Longstreth),- of Montgomery County, Ohio, whom he leaves together with an adopted daughter.

the subject of this sketch, was born in Burlington, Connecticut, July 10, 1804. Before arriving at his majority his father's family moved to Shoreham, Vt., and subsequently to West Haven, But land County, in that State. In February, 1826, he married Emily R. Barber, and became one of the largest stock farmers in that portion of the county. Five children were born there, of whom three are now living: Mrs. A. B. Cole, of St. Louis, Mo ; Mrs. Rev. J. G. Armstrong, of Richmond, Va.; and A. B. C. Hitchcock, of Sidney'. In the spring of 1861 he with his family moved to Sidney, where he resided until his death May 2, 1883. His wife died August 22, 1877. In p«litic3 he was a Republican, in religion a Presbyterian.

The ancestry of the Goodes are from England. They were among the first settlers of Jamestown, Va., where some of the name still reside. Dr. H. J. Goode was born in Prince Edwards County, Va., in 1793. In 1805 lie came with an elder brother to Ohio. They floated down the Ohio River on a flat-boat to Cincinnati. From there they went to Clinton County. Here he grew to manhood, and studied medicine, and spent the most active part of his life in the practice of his profession, he having a very extensive practice for many years. About 1823 he married Margaret McKay. They reared a family of ten children. In 1849 his health having failed he was compelled to quit the practice of medicine, but being unable to do so while he remained where he was, he sold his property, and moved to Shelby County, and bought a farm near Sidney. He resided on the farm, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits, until 1863, when his wife died. He then made his home in Sidney two years, then went to Carthage (near Cincinnati), and made his home with his daughter the rest of his life. He died in 1879. Dr. Goode was a member of the M. E, Church for nearly three-fourths of a century, having united with the church when only ten years of age. Of his family there is only one left in the county,- viz., W. H. C., of Sidney. M. M. Goode (familiarly known as Mack) resides in Wilson County, Kansas, where he is engaged in stock-raising. S. Gaines resides in Greene County, Ohio, and is a farmer. Burwell P. is a practising physician in Cincinnati. Margaret is the wife of S. Stimmel, of Fargo, Dakota Territory.

The rest of the family are all dead. W. H. C., the youngest son of Dr. Goode, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1843. He was reared on the farm. When eighteen years of age he went to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, where he remained several years, then returned home and worked on the farm for six years. He then engaged in mercantile trade in Crestline and Springfield for several years. In 1875 he married Miss Fannie, a daughter of J. F. Frazier, Esq., of Sidney. In 1876 he located in Sidney, and took an interest with Slusser & McGill in the manufacture of steel scrapers. A few months later he bought out his partners, and has since that time conducted the business himself. At the time Mr. Goode bought the scraper works, the enterprise was new, it being a new invention, and not introduced into general use. The first year there were but a few hundred made, but within three years afterward the sales amounted to many thousands, and extended all over the United States. To Mr. Goode's enterprise and energy is due the great success that has been made in these works. Besides his manufacturing he is engaged extensively in growing wheat in Dakota, where he has a farm of about two thousand acres, nearly all under cultivation, having some fifteen hundred acres in wheat. Although still a young man he has made remarkable success in life, being at the present time one of the wealthiest men in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Goode have born to them three children: Carrie S., Charles H., and Frank F.

Recorder Gartley, a son of John Gartley, is a native of Shelby County, and was born August 3, 1854. He remained at the home of his parents until he had attained his nineteenth year, when he went to Lebanon, Ohio, and entered upon the study of civil engineering. At the close of one year's study he returned home, and engaged in surveying, school teaching, and farming. In November, 1880, he married Miss Lavina, daughter of A. Whitmer, of Loramie Township. In the spring of 1880 he received the nomination for the recordership of Shelby County on the Democratic ticket, and was elected in the following October. He is now the candidate for re-election, which is equivalent to the incumbency another term. Mr. and Mrs. Gartley have one child, named John A., bom in March, 1882.

The date of the WicofTs settlement in Shelby County was in 1827 or' 1828. The grandfather of the above entered a quarter section of land in Orange Township. It was here that Samuel L. was born May 22, 1851. He is a son of Isaac and Esther (Thorp) Wicoff. He was reared on the farm, with the advantages of the common schools of his district. After arriving at his majority he took a scientific course at the Normal Schools of Lebanon, Ohio, and read law principally at his home. He was admitted to the bar April, 1875, and formed a partnership with S.

S. -McKinney, of Piqua, but opened an office in Sidney. He continued the partnership with Esq. McKinney until 1880, since which time he has been alone in his practice. March 1 , 1876, he married Miss Lida B. Emmons, of Miami County, Ohio.

was born in Butler County, Ohio, in the year 1832. He was the third son of Levi and Rebecca (Furman) Van Fossen, who were both born in Cincinnati - the father being born in 1798, the mother in 1800. The Van Fossens came from England to the United States during the latter part of the eighteenth century, but the exact year is not known. They first located in Pennsylvania, but shortly afterwards came to the terri I tory of Ohio. This was in the person of Ezra Van Fossen, the <rrand father of the subject of this sketch, who died at Pisgah, Butler Countv Ohio, about 1840. Levi, his son, died in California in 1881. His wife died in California in 1879. u in the spring of 1850. In the fall of the^^'R tor rr~ "' J '' "rite ms home by the Nicaragua route, to take * v 4u, ' n e von^Vi Ha ' Ending there fornia. After arriving at Lake Nioam bn.i aru i e - y , starle . (l to return concluded not to go home with his on n. - tbe fam 'ty to Cal itha.t was running on Lake Nicaragua and shinn^ for three months, then sailed for San x,' v ' r ^ei- e i "PPed on a schooner Captain Crabb as a {filibuster for n *"*tnei S co 7 0r 011 that vessel tral America, but on their way were Walker' 6 16 enb8t,e< i under and were put on shore at Acapulco .--.k^Ptured bv to Cen *

Francisco. He then shipped on bo«».;i en they retm-.wJ i , m «»-of-war for Australia. After making this vo-»- ^ °r & sailing ^ ,a,1( l to San ship as steward. This ship was ru nt ?: a 8 e he next went^rf h 88 f bin - bo V Janeiro; making in all a little over » n S between San tv b ° arf a steam- 1852 he went into the mines, where u W ° Vears he was , n ' SC ° an<1 Ri " this time, while blocked with snow e w< >rked until 1859 if wat '® 1, * n learned to read and write, under tbl - ln 8 the w L , 1 ,"'? duril, & was discharged as orderly aer Se 1 enn. He enlisted as a nrivnti 7? through disability caused by ^ abt of his company. Mr V an but perform much labor, but havi n ~ Ce in the army has t f; S8en i was born at Stundweiller, Qerm AND ^ Ma ^n country with his brother Xsv: an -V, October 1 5 tsio j T he two brothers iournevta vli 8 #"? came to this where he remained two years, when he w 7 Amann went to Cincinnati, also two years, i rom St. Louis hew ent to St - Louis, and was there had the yellow fever in that citv .tf to . New Orleans, and in 1842 Dayton, and in the fall of the . le 8 P , ' ,n ®> °f 1844 be returned to to oiciney, ana carried on merchant tailoring in partnership with his brother. In 1852 he sold liis interest to his brother, and took charge or the- National Hotel. His wife died September 18, 1852. Six children - live sons and one daughter - were the result of this of the war, when he entered the army ^ Uy composed^ Si Schultz's artillery company, wh V* e 7u from f a f l*6t. While County men, and whose office* 8 ^ ^ Q f Se ? t u 0 mc on an extended

Military Record Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

This regiment was organized at Camp Jackson, near Columbus, Ohio, May 4, 1 861, but a few days later moved to. Camp Goddard at Zanesville, where preparations were made for field service. It was then ordered into West Virginia on guard duty on the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, and advanced as far as Grafton. It took part in the engagements at Philippi, Laurel Hill, and Garrick's Ford, and at the expiration of the term of enlistment was discharged qbout the 1st of August, 1861.

The next call of the President was for three hundred thousand men for three years, and the old Fifteenth responded almost unanimously. It was then reorganized at Camp Mordecai Bartley, near Mansfield, and moved to Camp Dennison, September 26, 1861. On the 4th of October the regiment went to Lexington, Kentucky, but eight days later moved to Camp Kevin, near Nolin's Station, by way of Louisville. It was here assigned to the Sixth Brigade, commanded by General R. W. Johnston, of the Second Division, under command of General A. McD. McCook, of the Army of the Ohio, then under General Sherman. On the 9th of December, 1861, the division moved out to Bacon Creek, and the next day the brigade occupied Mumfordsville. On the 14th of the month the division broke camp to move against Fort Donelson, but learning of the fail of that fort, a march was made to Bowling Green, and Nashville was finally reached on the 2d of March. Here a camp was formed, but on the 16th the march to Savannah began, that place being reached on the night of April 6. The next morning the Fifteenth marched to the battle ground, and remained in the engagement from noon till 4 o'clock, when the enemy fell back. In this engagement the regiment lost six men killed and sixty-two wounded.

At Corinth the Second Division formed the reserve force, and so did not move to the front until the 27th of May. It next marched to Battle Creek, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 18th of July. Here it remained until the 20th of August, when it moved to Altemonte, and from here to Nashville, which place was reached on the 8th of September. Again it moved out, and on the 25th reached Louisville. The division next pursued Bragg as far as Orchard Knob, and then marched to Nashville, November 7, 1862. On the 26th of December the army advanced upon Murfreesboro', and in the battle of Stone River the Fifteenth Regiment lost eighteen killed and eighty -nine wounded.

On the 24th of July, 1863, an advance was made on Tullahoma and Shelbyville, and in the engagements which followed this regiment took a very prominent part. The division afterward moved to Bellefonte, Alabama, which place was reached August 22, and on the 2d of September the march was continued in th<f direction of Rome, and on the 11th the division took position with the main army in Lookout Valle}'. Here the regiment occupied the extreme right flank until the morning of the 19th, when it marched for the battle-field of Chiekaraauga, and was engaged immediately upon its arrival.

It then took part in the siege of Chattanooga and the assault on Mission Ridge. We next find it with the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, marching to the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 8th of December, and on the 20th the command moved to Strawberry Plains. In January, 1864, the greater portion of the regiment re-enlisted and started to Columbus, Ohio, via Qhattanooga, to receive furloughs. On the 10th of February the regiment reached Columbus three hundred and fifty veterans strong, and on the 12th the whole regiment was furloughed.

They next appear at Camp Chase on the 4th of March recruited to the strength of nearly nine hundred men. The regiment reached Nashville in March and Chattanooga on the 5th of April. On the 8th it went to Cleveland, Tennessee, and to McDonald's Station on the 20th, where it remained until the spring campaign. On the 3d of May camp was broken and the regiment joined the army of Sherman at Tunnel Hill. The regiment afterward participated in the battle of Resaca, and again in that of Dallas, in which it lost nineteen men killed, three officers, and sixty-one privates wounded and nineteen missing, who were supposed to be killed or desperately wounded. The color guard, with the exception of one corporal, were all killed or wounded, but one corporal, David Hart, of Company I, brought the colors safely from the field. The army next moved to Kenesaw Mountain, and on the 14th of June the regiment lost one man killed and five wounded from Company A.

The regiment next crossed the Chattahoochee and finally appeared before Atlanta. After operating on the rear of Atlanta the regiment was marched to the relief of Resaca, and finally to Columbia. At Nashville the regiment formed the extreme left of the army. It next moved against the enemy's position on the Franklin Pike. After following the enemy to Lexington, Alabama, it went into camp at Bird Springs. It next moved to New Market, Tennessee, in March, and then to Greenville to guard against the escape of Lee and Johnston, who were being pressed by Grant and Sherman. In April it was ordered back to Nashville, which place was reached about the 1st of May, 1865. Here the regiment lay in camp until the 16th of June, when it was ordered to

Texas. On the 9th of July it reached Indianola, Texas, and the same night marched to Green Lake. Here the regiment lay until about the 10th of August, when it marched toward San Antonio. On the 21st it reached the Salado, near San Antonio, where it lay until October 20, when it entered upon post duty in the city. Here the regiment remained until the 21st of November, when it was mustered out and ordered to Columbus, Ohio, for final discharge. Leaving San Antonio on the 24th of November the regiment reached Columbus, December 25, and was discharged on the 27th, after a period of four years and eight months' service,

George W. Rockwell; taken prisoner at Stone River September, 1864. Gardner Sawyer; taken prisoner at Stone River September, 1864.. George F. Summers; taken prisoner at Stone River June, 1863.

Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Twentieth Ohio was recruited for three months in May, 1861, and reorganized at Camp King, Kentucky, October 21, 1861. The commanding officer was Colonel Charles Whittlesey, of Ohio, who was a graduate of West Point, and had won great distinction as an engineer and geologist in the Superior region. During the winter of 1861-2 the regiment guarded several batteries in the rear of Covington and Newport, Kentucky, and at one time four companies were sent to quell an insurrection in the region of Warsaw.

On February 11, 1862, the regiment embarked on the steamers Emma Duncan and Doctor Kane for the Cumberland River. It reached Fort Donelson on the 14th of February, and went under fire the next day. It marched to the extreme right and went into a reserve position. After the battle the regiment was sent North in charge of prisoners, and so became greatly scattered. Soon afterward seven companies were brought together and went up the Tennessee on the expedition to Yellow Creek on the steamer Continental , on which General Sherman had headquarters!

On the 6th of April, while on inspection at Adamsville, the regiment heard the guns at Pittsburg Landing, and at 3 P. M. marched "to the field and went into position on the right of the army. It participated in the fight of the next day and is entitled to share in the glory of that victory. During the engagement it was under command of Lieut.-Col. Force, Col. Whittlesey being in command of a brigade. During the advance on Corinth the regiment remained on duty at Pittsburv Landing. After the fall of Corinth the regiment went to Purdy, where it joined its division, marched to Bolivar, and became a part of that garrison of June

On August 30, 1862, the Rebel General Armstrong, with fifteen regiments on an expedition northward, was held in check a whole day by the Twentieth Ohio, a portion of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, and two companies of the Second Illinois Cavalry. Late in the afternoon two companies, G and K, of this regiment were captured by a cavalry charge, but not until they had repulsed two charges. For their courage on this oecaw sion the officers and troops were highly commended. The regiment next assisted in driving Price from Iuka on the 20th of September. On November 28th it marched south from Lagrange in the Second Brigade of Logan's Division, and on the 4th of December entered Oxford, Mi9S.

About this time the Seventeenth Army Corps was organized, and Logan's Division became the Third of the corps. By slow marches the Twentieth reached Memphis on January 28, 1863, and was reinforced by two hundred men. On February 22 the regiment moved down the Mississippi on the steamer Louisiana , landed at Lake Providence, and a few weeks later marched to the relief of Porter's fleet, blockaded in Steele's Bayou, and after three days in the swamps, returned to camp.

On May 12 the Twentieth deployed in advance of the corps toward Raymond, Mississippi, and while resting with stncked arms, was fired upon from a thicket beyond a stream. The regiment at once formed . and advanced, using the opposite bank of the stream as a breastwork. A severe struggle ensued for an hour, during which the Twentieth was exposed to a cross-fire. Even' man stood firm until the Rebels were compelled to yield. The regiment lost twelve killed and fifty-two wounded. Private Canavan, of Company E, was promoted to a sergeantey on the field for skilful management of the company after the other officers and sergeants were disabled. Captain Wilson was decorated with the Seventeenth Corps Medal of Honor for gallantry in assembling his skirmishers under the very muzzles of the enemy's guns during the first charge. Lieutenant Weatherby, of Company A, being on the extreme right of the skirmish line with his Compaq', and being cut off from his regiment, assembled his company, and reported to the colonel of the nearest regiment - the Eighty-first Illinois - and fought as a part of that regiment. The Eighty-first showed their appreciation of its services by giving three hearty cheers for the "Twentieth Ohio Boys." Again the regiment moved from point to point and engaged from time to time in skirmishes, until we find it in the rear of Vicksburg, where it acted as support to an assaulting party on May 21. Here it continued at work until May 29, when with a brigade it withdrew from line and went on an expedition to the Yazoo Valley. On the 4th of June it had returned and was in reserve at Vicksburg. On the 26th of June the regiment withdrew to Tiffin with the Second Brigade to watch the movements of Johnston. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment camped at Bovina Station, but was soon ordered to join Sherman's army then besieging Jackson.

In January, 1864, two-thirds of the men re-enlisted, and on the 8th of February the regiment crossed Big Black and joined the Meridian expedition. Arriving at Meridian, the regiment assisted in destroying railroads and then marched to Chunkey Creek. The regiment afterward went north on furlough, and after thirty' days rendezvoused at Camp Dennison on the 1st of May, and proceeded to Cairo, and from there bysteamer to Clifton, Tennessee. From here it marched, via Pulaski, Huntsville, Decatur, and Rome, to Acworth, where it joined General Sherman on the 9th of June after a march of two hundred and fifty miles. After some skirmishes, the regiment appeared before the Rebel works at Atlanta on the 20th of July. The regiment took position in the advanced line on the 21st, and on the next day firing was heard to its rear. It formed in the works, the Rebels advanced, and the men leaped the parapet and faced the enemy. The Rebels pressed around the regiment and bullets came from front, flank, and rear. The Twentieth delivered their fire wherever the strength of the Rebels appeared until cartridges became scarce, when portions of companies A, F, and D risked life and obtained, in the face of the enemy, five cases of ammunition. Even this was insufficient, and the ammunition of the wounded and dead was distributed, and charges made to capture Rebels for the sake of their cartridges. The batteries in Atlanta threw shell upon the rear of the brigade, the enemy redoubled the fire in front, and placing a captured gun within fifty paces of the flank of the Twentieth, raked the regiment with canister. Orders came to retire, and the men withdrew to form a new line, firing their last cartridge as they withdrew. In the new line the Twentieth was placed in reserve except a detachment of one hundred men who were posted in the works on Force's Hill, and fought desperately until the close of the battle. In this engagement the Twentieth lost forty-four men killed, fifty-six wounded, and fifty-four missing. Many instances of personal daring were mentioned, among which were Lieutenant Nutt, of Company F, Skillen,of Company G; privates Crabbe and Casey of Company C ; Elder, of Company G; and Speker and Stevenson of Company F. especially distinguished themselves.

The regiment changed about until the 24th of August, when it received orders to march as guard to the supply trains of the Army of the Tennessee. Four days later it joined its brigade at Fairburn and assisted in destroying railroads. It went into battle at Jonesboro' on the 31st, and as " refused flank" was exposed to a heavy artillery fire. It then went to Lovejoy's Station, but a few days later went into camp near Atlanta. On the 5th of October it engaged in the pursuit of Hood and at Galesburg turned back, and on November 5th again went into camp near Atlanta. It left Atlanta with Sherman's army November 15 for Savannah, participated in the destruction of Millin, Georgia, and reaching Savannah, went into position on the right of the Seventeenth Corps On December 19th it was detached and sent to Ogeechee, where it en- gaged in building wharves for the i , ended by the surrender or Savannah an< ^*r»ogade December 24th in camp at the th» 8w Pphea. The work whs

On January 5, 1865, the regiment .If?!!" 1 '" 1 re J oin ed the luiproceeded to Beaufort, South Carol i* T "' a *'ked 0 Clt ^' advanced until the enemy was fou n ^ na -» cros.^D® 8t *amer Fanny and The Twentieth deployed as skirnii«»i. ®*»tr e noh!L 1 Ft Ro 3' al Ferry, and splendid style, and the regimental chared ! > 1 eyond a rice swamp.

parapet. At dark the troops encam. Co lor s tae enemy's works in taligo, and on the morning of the ber ore th S r° n .r avin £ from the assigned camping ground beyond ti r»r 1 ne unifications of Poeoremained there until the 30th, It ^n r ^ J " tt . ar J r The head of the column struck the joined ,, tlo, L of Roc ' stroyed the railroad as farVw-*'^ through fts loS ° f , . ts deslr,,c - of the whole army to guard th e " llS, ' oro ' °On the 24th wasE^ d °~ entered Cheraw March 3d ancl *» V*°ntoon train, and after . 1 ,ear ' March Benton ville was reached enue Usville on the 6th n !f ld £ , marc * 1 Goldsboro'. Two weeks latet \\ an ^ on toe 24th tJ?* ?" th * 20th the 15th of April moved toward® *' e 8>ment pushed to rE£ that Johnston had asked term« d Johnston's army Tt Wo*- ' ? ld 014 of joy, and even stood on thcVj \ >f ^render, the men wJnfSSL T?** the final scene of the war. r Leads in the mud ti nto eC8tasi ®» ment marched via Richmond Raleigh on the lst of ®° nte "P la te<i

William D. Neal, Captain, killed June 26, 1864, Kenesaw Mountain. Abraham Kaga, Captain, wounded and discharged January, 1864. William L. Waddle, 1st Lieutenant, promoted to Captain

Ninety-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The Ninety-ninth was organized at Camp Lima, Ohio, and mustered into service August 26, 1862. Of this regiment two companies were raised in .Allen County, two in Shelby, two in Hancock, and one each in Auglaize, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert.

They left Camp Lima, August 31, with one thousand and twenty-one men. under orders to report at Lexington, Kentucky. While en route it was learned that the enemy had taken Lexington and the regiment was ordered to Cynthiana. After a few weeks it went to Covington and entered the fortifications at Fort Mitchell. In September it went by steamer to Louisville, and was so disposed as to assist in the defence of that place against the threatened assault of the army under Bragg. On the 1st of October the regiment was transferred to Colonel Stanley Matthew's Brigade, which was composed of the Fifty-first and Ninetyninth Ohio; the Eighth and Twenty-first Kentucky, and the Thirty-fifth Indiana. This subsequently became the Third Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-first Array Corps. The regiment now marched in pursuit of Bragg's retreating forces as far as Wild Cat, from which place the brigade moved to Mount Vernon, and again in regular order to Somerset, Columbia, Glasgow, and Gallatin. From this last point it was ordered to Lebanon to intercept the command of John Morgan. The march to Lebanon and back to Silver Springs was made in one day, and Morgan's command was first dislodged, but followed the brigade on its retreat and captured about one hundred of the Union forces who were unable to keep up the rapid march of the brigade. About twenty of these stragglers who were captured belonged to the Ninety-ninth. After a few days' rest the regiment moved toward Nashville and took position about seven miles from that city. Here the troops suffered greatly from sickness, and when the forward movement was ordered to Stone River the regiment could only muster three hundred and sixty-nine privates, two field officers, seven line officers, and three staff officers, who were fit for duty. On December 26, the regiment advanced toward Murfreesboro', being under the rebel fire during part of the march. At the battle of Stone River it formed on the extreme left of the line. On the morning of December 31 the division crossed Stone River, but on account of the disaster on the right, was ordered back to hold the ford while the first and second brigades were sent to reinforce the corps of General McCook. On January 1, 1863, the third division crossed the river and took a position which it held until Friday afternoon, when the rebels formed in heavy column, and doubling on the centre, drove Van Clove's division across the river. This division was at once reinforced and drove the rebels back, capturing all the artillery used in the attack. Bragg commenced his retreat under cover of that night. In this battle the Ninety ninth lost three officers and seventeen men killed ; two officers and forty-one men wounded, and one officer and twenty-nine men captured.

After various marches and duties the regiment moved to Ringgold and participated in the battle of Chickamanga. Soon afterward the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corps were consolidated, and the Ninetyninth Regiment was transferred to the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Corps. This brigade camped for a time opposite Lookout Mountain, but on the 1st of November moved to Shell Mound, where it did duty guarding and repairing the railroad I rum Chattanooga to Bridgeport. On the 22d it moved up the valley, and on the 24th participated in the "battle above the clouds," being the second line of the charging column. As the lines swept around the mountain the Second closed up on the First, until, nearing the Point, it rushed impetuously through the first line and held the advance until relieved by fresh troops alter nightfall.

The next day the regiment was engaged at Mission Ridge, occupying the extreme right of the National line. After following the Rebels to Ringgold the regiment returned to Shell Mound, where it remained until February, 1864, when it moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, and on the 3d of May entered upon the Atlanta campaign. It next participated in the actions of Rocky Face Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro' and Lovejoy, in all of which engagements the regiment bore an honorable and prominent part.

On the 28th of June it was assigned to the Fourth Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, and on the 19th of July took possession of Decatur. The regiment participated in the actions before Atlanta and moved to Jonesboro' and Lovejoy. It was next assigned to the First Brigade and returned to Decatur, having lost in the Atlanta campaign thirty men killed and fifty-six wounded. On the 1st of October the regiment started in pursuit of the command of Ilood, moving to Centreville by way of Resaca, Jolnisonville, and Waverly. For a few weeks its communication was cut off, but it finally received orders by

It next appeared in line in front of Nashville, and on the morning of the 16th of December moved against the intrenched army of Hood. It drove the enemy from one position to another until it found them posted on a hill covered by a stone wall. The division, without orders, charged the position, carried it, and turned the guns upon the retreating foe. The enemy was pursued to Columbia, where this regiment was consolidated with the Fiftieth Ohio and the Ninety-ninth ceased as an organization. The regimental colors were then sent to Sidney, until the return of Sergeant W m. M. Van Fossen, when he took them in charge, and they are still in his possession.

Thos. C. llonuell, 1st Sergt., enlisted 1862; discharged 1865 as Captain. Wm. II. Shaw, Sergt., enlisted 1862; discharged 1865 as 1st Lieutenant.

Jas. Wolf, Private, enlisted 1862 ; discharged 1865 as Corporal. Dead. John W. Stevens, Priv., enlisted 1 862 ; dis. 1865 as Hosp. Steward. Dead.

W. R. Wilkinson, Private, enlisted 1862. Killed 1864 at Chiekamauga. Jerry Sullivan, Private, enlisted 1862. Killed 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain.