Dayton City (part 43 of 50)

the pione.er, and son of Joseph Miller. To Jacob Miller and his wife there were born two children, Joseph Albert and Mary Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Cripe are members of the German Baptist church, of which Mr. Cripe has been a deacon for thirty-four years.

His granddaughter, Mary Catherine Miller, married Albert M. Mumma, and has one son. The entire family are well to do, have a large circle of friends, and are among the most useful of Montgomery county's citizens.

11J Montgomery county, was born near Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, October 15, 1842. He is a son of James and Lydia Ann (Baner) Crosby, the former of whom was a native of Delaware county, Pa., and the latter of Cape May county, N. J. To their marriage there were born three children, viz: William A.;. Martha A., wife

James Crosby learned shoemaking when a boy, and followed this trade for several years. Coming to Ohio in 1830, he located near Springboro, Warren county, where he afterward bought land. In Warren county he was married, and removed to Montgomery county in 1858, locating on the grounds now occupied by the soldiers' home, and there lived for nine years. Selling his property there, he removed to Mad River township, where his son William A. now lives, and where he bought seventy acres, now finely improved. On that farm he lived the rest of his life, dying September 12, 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife, who died June 13, 1886, was a Quaker in religious belief.

was a native of county Down, the n]ost easterly county in Ireland, and was of Scotch- Irish descent. When a young man he came to the United States and settled in Delaware county, Pa., being accompanied by two of his brothers, and in 1830 he came to Ohio, dying on the farm where he settled in Warren county. He was of a quiet and amiable disposition, reared a family of one son and five daughters, and at his death was seventy-five years of age.

The maternal grandfather of the subject, Isaac Baner, was a native of New Jersey, and moved to Ohio between 1830 and 1835, floating down the Ohio river on a flatboat, and locating near Springboro, Warren county. He followed shoemaking all his life, and in religious belief was a strong Quaker.

William A. Crosby was about sixteen years of age when his father left Warren county, and remained at home as long as his father lived. He has managed and cultivated the Mad River township farm ever since its purchase by his father, and after his parents' death became the owner of a two-thirds interest in it.

On February 21, 1865, he was married to Miss Nancy J. Heiney, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Heiney. To this marriage there were born eleven children, as follows: Ida

May, Frank Albert, James E. , Emma Alice (deceased), Joseph H., Lizzie A., William A., Orin J., Grace L. , Howard, and Mattie B. Ida May married Charles Alexander, of Wayne township; Frank A. married Iona Clemmer, and lives in Wayne township; they have one child, Ruth. James E. married Loretta Johnson; they live in Clark county and have three children, Florence, Chester and Rachael. Lizzie A. married Alva Wolf; they live in West Dayton. Mrs. Nancy J. Crosby died January 10, 1891. Early in her life she was a member of the German Reformed church, but later united with the United Brethren church, and died in that faith, Mr. Crosby being also a member of this church. Politically, Mr. Crosby is a democrat, and is at the present time (1896) serving a three-vears' term as justice of the peace. For fifteen years he was a member of the board of directors of his school district, and at present is a member of the school board. Upon his farm, which contains 125 acres, he carries on general agricultural operations, and for the past three years has also been conducting a cream dairy and raising red-polled cattle. For thirty-seven years Mr. Crosby has lived in Montgomery county, and has contributed his full share to its fine development. His home is beautifully situated on a knoll three miles from Dayton, and here is dispensed the most sincere and generous hospitality.

ENRY L. ECKHARDT, of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, a practical and experienced farmer, was born in Germany, April 15, 1854, but has been a resident of Montgomery county since his infancy, his parents, George and Catherine (Felty) Eckhardt, having come to America in the fall of 1854. These newcomers first located in German township, Montgomery county, where the father successfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture until 1874, when he found it to be to his interest to remove to Jefferson township, and here he has been engaged in farming ever since that year. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, who were born in the following order: Christian H., Henry L. , Jacob; Mary, the wife of George Smith; Emma, married to Charles Root; Louisa, now Mrs. Frank Recher, and Minnie, the wife of Elmer Palmer. The first two named were born in Germany, and the others in Montgomery county, Ohio.

; common schools of his district. At the age of i twenty years, in 1874, he came to Jefferson Township with his father's family, and here he | has since been engaged in farming. Here also, in i860, he married Miss Mary M. Getter,

In politics Mr. Eckhardt has alw'ays been closely identified with the republican party, and is at present the assistant postmaster of Ellerton, Montgomery county, Ohio. In religion, he is, with his wife, a consistent member of the Lutheran church, of which he is also a trustee. He has led a life of industry, and has ever been a useful and public-spirited citizen.

OSEPH L. ENSLEY, a prominent farmer of Harrison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Butler township, this county, near Stillwater, May 18, 1821. His parents were James and Susan (Lodge) Ensley, both natives of Pennsylvania. To them there were born seven children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Mary, wife of Thomas Huffman,

James Ensley, the father of Joseph L. ,was one of the old-fashioned pioneer settlers of the southern part of Ohio. By occupation he was a farmer, and had to contend with the difficulties and hardships that were inseparably connected with his vocation in the early days of the century. Moving to Ohio in 1818, he settled in Butler township, Montgomery county, built a log cabin and lived there until 1849, when he died, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife survived him until 1888, dying at the great age of ninety-three. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ensley served as justice of the peace for a number of years, and also held other township offices, showing that he was a man of prominence and that he was held in honor by his fellow-men. Upon arriving in Butler township, as above related, he purchased 160 acres of land, to which he added other tracts from time to time until at his death he owned about 300 acres. Beside this large quantity of land he owned a grist-mill, which he leased to others.

George Ensley, the father of James Ensley, was a native of Bedford county, Pa., and was of German descent. He and his wife, who survived him some years, reared a family of seven children. He died in his native county at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather of Joseph L. Ensley, William Lodge, was a farmer by occupation and died in Pennsylvania, while yet in middle life.

Joseph L. Ensley received the rudiments of his education in the district schools, and has supplemented the education there obtained by close observation and wide reading, until now he is one of the best informed men of his community. Remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age, he then began the active duties of a farmer's life on his own behalf, and was soon afterward married to Ann Rebecca Drill, daughter of George and Jemima (Lakin) Drill. This marriage occurred December 18, 1849, and has resulted in the birth of six children, two sons and four daughters, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, James,

Benjamin Franklin and Rosa Ann. Mary married Ezra Jones, of Harrison township; Elizabeth died in infancy; Martha married William Brentlinger, and has nine children, as follows: Franklin, Ira, Burt, Arthur, Annie,

Mary, Wilbur, Charles and Elizabeth. James married Melissa Deaton, and has one child living, Lawrence. Rosa Ann married William Kerns, and has one child, Joseph.

Mr. Ensley began life for himself by renting 160 acres of land of his father in Harrison township, upon which he lived four or five years, and then purchased it in partnership with his brother, George W. Later he sold his interest to his brother, and purchased 200 acres near the Miami river and not far from the city of Dayton. Upon this 200-acre farm he lived for thirteen years, and then purchased the farm upon which he now resides. This farm then contained seventy-two acres, to which he has added at different times, becoming the owner of several farms, and also of five or six houses and lots in Dayton. To his children he has given largely of his property, and now retains only 130 acres of farm land, his home being two and a half miles from the Dayton court house. He also owns one-third of Idylwild park.

Mr. Ensley has been one of the principal factors in the development of Montgomery county, and has seen Dayton grow from a village into a large and prosperous manufacturing city. As a representative farmer, and as an upright and useful citizen, he enjoys the sincere esteem of a large circle of acquaintances and friends.

HNDREW FORNEY, justice of the peace of Highland, Ohio, was born in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 7, 1838. He is a son of Christian and Magdalene (Kimmel) Forney, the former of whom was a native of Lancaster, Pa., and the latter of the " The Glades," in Pennsylvania. Christian and Magdalene Forney were the parents of four children, three of whom are now living, as follows: John, of

In his early life Christian Forney was a blacksmith, but afterward turned his attention to farming. He was one of the early settlers of Ohio, locating in Jackson township, Montgomery county, but afterward bought a farm of 135 acres in Jefferson township, upon which he lived the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-six. His wife had died about five years before.

The paternal grandfather of Andrew Forney lived in Lancaster, Pa., dying therein old age. The maternal grandfather also died at an advanced, age in Pennsylvania.

Andrew Forney, the subject of this sketch, with the exception of four years when he lived in Greene county, has been a resident of Montgomery county all his life. When yet quite a young man he began learning the blacksmith trade in his father's shop in Jackson township. He lived at Harshman for eight years, and in December, 1893, removed to Highland, his present place of residence, and established himself in the trade of blacksmith, in making and repairing wagons and carriages. That he is a skillful workman is known far and wide, and his patronage is unusually extensive.

On April 19, i860, he married Mahaley Shank, daughter of Samuel Shank. To this marriage there were born five children, as follows: Emma, Laura, Mollie, Charles and

William. Emma married Charles Garst, and has two children living; Laura married William Magarity, lives in New York, and has three children; Mollie married Henry Mohler, and has two children; Charles, who lives at Harshman, married Ella Myers, and has one child; and William, who lives in Greene county, married Emma Rigglesperger.

Mrs. Forney died February 26, 1875, a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Forney's second marriage was with Miss Susie Ebright, who lived but a short time. February 14, 1882, Mr. Forney married, for his third wife, Mrs. Magdalene Schiller, daughter of Frederick and Eleanora (Schuster) Unland. By this marriage he has one child, Minnie. By her marriage with Michael Myers, her first husband, Mrs. Forney has two children living, viz: John and Ella. John married Miss Ella Brown and has one child, and Ella married Charles Forney, son of Andrew A. Forney, and has one child.

Mr. and Mrs. Forney are members of the Reformed church. For many years he was an elder in the United Brethren church at Liberty and also class leader. Inasmuch as at Highland there is no church of that denomination he and his. wife united with the Reformed church. During the late Civil war Mr. Forney was a soldier in the one hundred days' service at Camp Miami. Politically, he is an old Jackson democrat. He has been thrice elected justice of the peace, and when the spring of 1897 arrives he will have served in that office nine years. Mrs. Forney, like her husband, has been married three times, her second husband having been William Schiller. Both Esquire Forney and his wife are highly esteemed members both of general society and of their church.

^ l 9 OSIAH B. FLORY, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Harrison township, A J Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in ~~ Randolph township, same county, June 29, 18152. He is a son of Henry and Susan (Miller) Flory, natives of Montgomery county, lie- having been born in Madison township, and she on the farm on which subject now resides. To their marriage were born three children, as follows: JosiahB.; Mary, wife of W. J. Shoup, and Ira O. Henry Flory has always followed farming, and at present lives in Randolph township, near Harrisburg. He moved into Harrison township in 1852, and resided there until 1889, when he removed to his present farm. At one time he owned 212 acres of land near Dayton, has always been a general farmer, and has been unusually successful. His wife, who was, as he is, a member of the German Baptist or Dunkard church, died in 1881, aged forty-eight years.

The paternal grandfather of Josiah B., Abraham Flory, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. He was also a farmer, and was one of the very early settlers of Ohio. He came to this state when yet a boy, was reared and educated in Ohio, and became a minister of the German Baptist church. He reared a family of three children and died in his eighty-ninth year. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Miller, was born in Harrison township, this county, on the farm upon which his father settled in 1804. Upon this farm Daniel grew to manhood, lived in this township all his life, and died in 1861, at the age of fifty-five years. He reared a family of three daughters.

Josiah B. Flory was reared on the farm upon which he now lives, from the time he was thirteen years of age. Upon this same farm his father and grandfather were reared before him. His early education was received in the district school and at Lebanon Normal school. Remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age, he then rented a tract of land, upon which he carried on farming for six years. Then buying a farm in Darke county, he lived thereon about one year, when he returned to the old home farm, upon which he has lived ever since. This home farm now contains seventy-seven acres, and upon it he carries on general farming and the dairy business. Beside this farm, Mr. Flory has an interest in a farm near Dayton View, the latter containing sixty-six acres.

Elizabeth (Bartels) Eby, and to this marriage there have been born two children, Edgar L. and Robert E. Mr. and Mrs. Flory are members of the United Brethren church, and politically Mr. Flory is a republican.

a ARRIS W. FALKNOR, farmer, of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Randolph township, same county, December 14, 1847. His grandfather, Levi Falknor, was a native of Pennsylvania, and shortly after his marriage, in that state, to Margaret Nicodemus, came to Ohio, about the year 1820, and settled on eighty acres of land in Randolph township, Montgomery county. This land he cleared from the woods and converted into as good a farm as could be found among the pioneers. He was a democrat, a useful member of his community, and reared a goodly family of children, who were named John, Daniel, Hettie, Levi, Mary A., Andrew, Eh, Wesley and Joseph.

Levi Falknor, father of Carris W. Falknor, was born in Randolph township, in October, 1824, and was reared on his father's farm. He received but a limited education, as good schools were not very plentiful in those early days, and labor on the home farm was greatly in demand. He married Miss Nancy R. Herr, a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Long) Herr, and settled on a farm of 150 acres in the woods of Clay township, where he lived until 1872, when he retired to Harrisburg, where he now resides. He is the owner of two farms, however, one in Clay and one in Randolph township, aggregating 250 acres, which he still manages. Mrs. Nancy Falknor died in Harrisburg in 1880, a member of the Wegner church, and sincerely esteemed for her many excellent qualities as a wife and mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Falkner were born the follow- of age; Carris W., the subject of this memoir; David, Francis, Lorin, Mary A., Theodore and Jerome. Mr. Falknor has been very successful through life and is now enjoying the fruits of his early industry. Like his father, he is in his politics a democrat.

Carris W. Falknor received the usual district-school education common to lads reared on the farm, and was an assistant to his father on the home place until his marriage, January 28, 1 872, to Miss Mary A. Kinsey, who was born in Randolph township, January 14, 1853, a daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Boyer) Kinsey. The young couple remained on the Falknor homestead until March 5, 1872, when they moved to Darke county, and lived there for two years, and then returned to their old home. February 15, 1881, Mr. Falkner bought his present farm of ninetythree acres, which he has greatly improved in many ways, having set out a thrifty orchard and otherwise embellished his place. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Falknor has been blessed with one daughter, Carrie H., now married to Rollin Welbaum, of Miami county. She was born September 30, 1875, married

Mr. and Mrs. Falknor are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Falknor is a democrat. He has prospered in his vocation, establishing for himself at the same time an enviable reputation for integrity and public-spirited usefulness, and has one of the most pleasant homes in Clay township. .

AMUEL L. FRENCH, a farmer of Harrison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 7, 1825. His parents were George W. and Elizabeth (Roberts)

George W. French, the father, was a nail cutter in his early life. In 1835 he came to Ohio and here engaged in farming, locating [ six miles east of Troy, where he bought a quarter section of land. Here for about twenty years he followed the pursuit of agriculture. In 1856 Mr. French removed to Indiana, locating fourteen miles from Indianapolis, where he carried on farming for a number of years, and about i860 purchased property in Zionsville, sixteen miles from Indianapolis, where he continued to live until his death, which occurred in 1894, when he was ninety-six years old. His widow, who is now ninety-four years of age, is living with her daughter, Mary Ann. Mr. French was, and Mrs. French is, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

When George W. French and his family came to Ohio, Samuel L. , his son, was nine years old. He was here reared to the life of a pioneer farmer, living in the woods, as the country was then but little cleared. Remaining at home until he was seventeen years of age, he then began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for five years. He then removed to Shelby county, where he lived for fourteen years, and in 1866 came to Montgomery county, where he purchased a farm of 100 acres of land, together with a tract for the erection of his buildings, and has lived here since that time.

November 5, 1846, he was married to Miss Mary Booher, daughter of Bartholomew Booher and his wife, Sarah. To this marriage there have been born six children, five sons and one daughter, as follows: George, Sarah, married William Heinz, of Dayton, and has two children. Isaac married Ella Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. French are members of the United Brethren church. Politically he is a democrat, and is a man of character and reputation, second to none in the county.

HNANIAS FRANTZ, of Clayton postoffice, one of the substantial farmers of Randolph township, is a grandson of one of the original pioneers of Montgomery county, Henry Frantz, who was a son of the original emigrant from Germany, the founder of the family in America, whose name is not now recalled. But he settled in Pennsylvania, where Henry Frantz was born. Removing to Virginia, Henry Frantz settled at Salem, in what is now Roanoke county, that state. He married Mary Kinsey, who is mentioned more fully in the biography of Jesse Kinsey, elsewhere in this volume. Their children were as follows: Daniel, Christian, Hettie, Lydia, Mary, Sallie, Polly, Susannah, and Elizabeth.

Henry Frantz moved with his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1825, with a four-horse team and large wagon, Mrs. Frantz riding on horseback. At first he settled in the Stillwater valley, and then bought land in Madison township, where Ira Frantz now lives. This land was then partly cleared, and he cleared the remainder, making it a fine farm and a good home. Henry Frantz was one of the sturdy, reliable pioneers, and reared a most respected family. He died on his home farm in 1840, at the age of sixty-seven years.

came with his parents to Ohio. Having received his education and chosen his vocation in life, that of a farmer, he married Salome Rodebaugh, by whom he had the following children: Maria, Katie, Lucinda, and two that died in infancy or youth. The mother of these children having died, Mr. Frantz married Susannah Arnold, who was born July 24, 1817, in Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Hon. John and Barbara (Freedm Arnold, the former of whom was one of the pioneers of that county, in which he entered land. To Mr. and Mrs. Frantz there were born three children, viz: Ananias, Ira and Alice. Daniel Frantz first bought land in Madison township, near the old homestead, afterward bought fifty acres in Randolph township, and in later years purchased the old Frantz homestead of 160 acres, making 250 acres of land. In his early days he was a great hunter and fisher, and killed many squirrels and quails, which he disposed of in the Dayton market. He was a sturdy pioneer, and has always borne an honorable reputation. He is still in good health and has an excellent memory, at the great age of eighty-four.

Ananias Frantz, son of Daniel, was born April 11, 1855, on his father's farm in Madison township. Having received a good education in the common schools, and entered upon the life of a farmer, he married, on November 16, 1876, in Dayton, Miss Alice Landis, who was born September 16, 1857, in Madison township, near Trotwood, Ohio. She is a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Weaver) Landis. John M. Landis is of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Miller) Landis.

Abraham Landis was born in Pennsylvania, married there and became one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio. He and his wife reared a large family, as follows: Sallie,

Myra, Leah, Nancy, Polly, Lydia, Katie, Susan, Jacob, Samuel, Daniel, John M., Abraham and Michael. He was a successful farmer, lived to the age of seventy-seven years, and was a member of the German Baptist church. John M. Landis was born near Trotwood July 9, 1832, became a farmer, married Elizabeth Weaver, and is the father of the following children: Alice, Bell, Edward, Charles,

Ananias Frantz and wife settled on his father's farm and afterward bought the place, consisting of 190 acres, which he has converted into a fine farm and upon which he erected, in 1886, a handsome residence. As a republican, Mr. Frantz has served on the school board eight years.

R. HAYES E. GARDINER, one of Montgomery county's well known physicians and surgeons, is a native of Miami county, Ohio, was born March 7, 1866, and is of Scotch-Irish stock. Henry Gardiner, his father, was born June 6, 1827, in county Mayo, Ireland, his parents having been natives of Scotland, and reared to be uncompromising Presbyterians.

Henry Gardiner was a landowner and came to America at the age of twenty years, and engaged in farming in the neighborhood of Troy, Miami county, Ohio, about 1851. He married in that city Miss Rebecca J. Sproule, who was born in Troy, September 19, 1826, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hayes) Sproule.

Robert Sproule was a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch Covenanter descent, and was of a wealthy family of landowners. He came to America when a young man, bought an estate in South Carolina, settled thereon, and there married Miss Margaret Hayes, who was born in county Tyrone, Ire- land, and came to America in the same vessel with her future husband. Mr. Sproule remained for some years on his estate in South Carolina, but, being opposed to the institution of African slavery as it then existed, sought a home in Ohio about the year 1807. Reaching a point opposite Cincinnati on his way hither, he crossed the river, with his chattels, in a ferry-boat, pushed on with his horses and wagons until he reached Miami county, where he entered large tracts of land near Troy, and gave to each of his nine children a farm, reserving 320 acres for his homestead. There he followed farming and also built a flouringmill and a saw-mill - the best in the county - and in 1819 erected a fine brick dwelling, superior, in every respect, to any then in the neighborhood or in the county of Miami. This mansion is still standing, and is in a good state of preservation. Mr. Sproule possessed rare attainments, and voluntarily taught the pioneer schools of his adopted county that were within his reach.

James, Robert, Margaret, Fannie (who died young), Martha, Sallie, Matilda, Elizabeth, Isabel, Rebecca J. and Nancy. Mr. Sproule was a devoted Presbyterian, and assisted to found and erect the edifice for that denomination in his own county; he was also a patriot and took part in the Indian wars, but lived to be an aged man, and died full of honor and respected as a benefactor of his race.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gardiner settled on a farm of 160 acres at Troy, Ohio, fully improved it, and there Mr. Gardiner still resides. Their children were born in the following order: Robert, who was killed by father's farm near Troy, Ohio, received his education in the common schools and in the Normal university at Ada, Ohio, and afterward attended the Columbus (Ohio) Medical college, from which he graduated, with honors and the class prize, in April, 1889. He also studied medicine under Dr. Linderberger, of Troy, and in the year of his graduation began the pursuit of his profession at Salem, where he soon secured a large and lucrative practice in the town and throughout the surrounding country. Dr. Gardiner is a member of the Miami Medical society, from which he receives many important hints derived from the practice of his brother practitioners, and to which he contributes essays based on his personal experience.

The marriage of Dr. Gardiner was consummated June 4, 1890, in Dresden, Muskingum county, .Ohio, with Miss Elenor Bell, who was born in Bakersville, Coshocton county, Ohio, December 16, 1869. She is a daughter of Rev. Thomas H. D. and Mary (Krout) Bell, whose other children were Alba and Frederick - the latter dying at the age of nineteen years. Dr. Gardiner and wife have one child - Claude. In politics the doctor is a republican. Fraternally, he is a member of Randolph lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and of the K. of P. lodge at Brookville.

ENRY A. GARLAUGH, farmer, of l^ \ Beaver Creek township, Greene coun- J . r ty, Ohio, was born P'ebruary 7, 1830, in the township in which he now resides. He is a son of Henry and Mary (Harinison) Garlaugh, the former of whom was a native .of Washington county, Md., and the latter of Virginia. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Sophia, wifeof Simon Black; Henry A., the subject of this sketch;

Sarah E. ; Upton H. and Noah C. Upton H. died in August, 1895, aged fifty-two years. Henry Garlaugh, the father, was by occupation a farmer, and came to Ohio in 1828. His father, Adam Garlaugh, entered the land where Henry A. Garlaugh now lives. Henry Garlaugh had been previously married, and had brought his first wife to Ohio, where she died. He then returned to Maryland, lived there sixteen years, married again and came to Ohio for the second time in 1828. His second wife was the mother of the children named above. He continued to live on the farm above mentioned until his death, which occurred February 16, 1858, when he was seventy-five years old. Mary Harmison, his second wife, was born August 2, 1802, and died May 22, 1879. Both were members of the German Reformed church. Mr. Garlaugh first came to Ohio about 18 11, and served his country in the war of 1812. During the rest of his life in this state he was of more than ordinary prominence in the community, and was always highly esteemed for his patriotism and his excellent qualities of citizenship.

The paternal grandfather of the subject, Adam Garlaugh, lived in Maryland during the early days of his life, but came to Ohio, followed the occupation of a farmer here, and died in Greene county, both he and his wife, Christina, being buried in the Beaver Creek cemetery. The maternal grandfather of the subject, William Harmison, was a native of Berkeley county, Va., as also was his wife, Ruth.

Henry A. Garlaugh has lived all his life on his present farm, which was his grandfather's before him. He received his education in the district schools. After his father's death the farm was left to his mother, and he and his brother, Upton, worked for her until her death. Then he and Upton bought the interests of the other heirs, and in 1893 Henry A. bought his brother Upton's interest, thus coming into possession and ownership of the entire farm, which contains 160 acres of land. It is well improved, with a commodious residence, and gives evidence of the careful husbandry of its owner.

Mr. Garlaugh was married January 15, 1874, to Miss Martha Brown, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lindamond) Brown. To this marriage there have been born three chil - dred, Daisy Belle, Mary Allen and Frank El- : 1; wood. Mrs. Garlaugh is a member of the ' Lutheran church. Mr. Garlaugh is a republican, and interested in the questions of the j day. He has lived sixty-five years on his present farm, and has witnessed the great development of the Miami Valley, and especially of the city of Dayton. At one time when he was [l a young man he brought a load of lumber into Dayton, and his wagon passed over the ground on which the court house now stands. The county of Greene, in which he lives, has also made rapid strides in growth and prosperity, during his life time. Mr. Garlaugh is a representative farmer, and a good citizen. The success with which he has met is due to his own effort and thought, and in the truest sense of the word he is one of the self-made men of his county.

HUSTIN GEBHART, a well-known agriculturist of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Miami township, July 13, 1829, and is an ex-soldier of the late Civil war.

John George Gebhart, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Berks county, Pa., came to Ohio in 1804, and settled in Miami township, this county, where he cleared an excellent farm, on which he passed the remainder of his days. His wife, who was born Catherine Smith, bore him ten children, namely: Henry, who was born in Berks county, Pa. , tin 1799; Mary M., who was married to John Shupert; Catherine, wife of Daniel Shelley; Susan, who married Peter Waldsmith; Elizabeth and Maria, twins, the former of whom was married to Henry Pressler, and the latter to John Stettler; Peter, Margaret, George and Saloma - the last named married to Daniel Miller.

Jacob Yount, the maternal grandfather of Austin Gebhart, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio in 1802, cleared up a farm in German township, Montgomery county, and there died, a highly honored pioneer. His wife, whom he married in his native state, bore the maiden name of Foutz.

Henry Gebhart, father of Austin, was reared in Miami township from the age of nine years. He married Miss Sally Yount, daughter of Jacob Yount, named above, and this union resulted in the birth of fourteen children, of whom six grew to maturity, viz: Jacob, now deceased; Zebulon; Mary, deceased wife of William Gebhart; Austin, our subject; Minerva, now Mrs. William Loy, and Peter Y. The father of this family was a lifelong and prosperous farmer, was a man of mark in his community, and for eighteen consecutive years was trustee of Miami township, bearing the soubriquet of Trustee Henry.

Austin Gebhart was reared in Miami township, where he followed his vocation as a farmer until 1869, when he came to Jefferson township, where he has been engaged in farming ever since, and on the farm on which he now resides since 1876. He has been twice married, his first wife being Sarah Ann Shade, and the second, Barbara Billman.

During the late Civil war Mr. Gebhart was a member of company E, First Ohio volunteer infantry, and participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Stone River and Chickamauga, and was with Sherman until his threeyear term of enlistment expired at Atlanta,

Ga. He was placed on the roll of honor for gallantry displayed at Stone River, and on his return to Ohio on a furlough, in March, 1864, he was elected over three other candidates to bring with him the sum of $7,000, which the members of the regiment sent home to their families. On the 10th of August, 1864, Mr. Gebhart was honorably discharged from the service at Dayton, Ohio. He is a member of the United Brethren church, in politics is a republican, and holds a high position in the esteem of his neighbors.

EORGE GETTER, deceased farmer of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., February 3, 1805, a son of John and Mary (Lambert) Getter, and in 1819, when in his fifteenth year, was brought to this county by his parents, and here grew to manhood. March 14, 1828, he married Miss Mary Wertz, who was born in 1808, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Weymer) Wertz, of Jefferson township, and at once purchased the farm on which his widow still resides. This farm he cleared and improved, and here followed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture until his final illness, which resulted in his death July 5, 1875. The union of George and Mary Getter was blessed with thirteen children, born in the order here given: John, Daniel (deceased), George (deceased), William, Sarah A. (Mrs. Thomas Askins, deceased), Jacob, Joseph, Peter (deceased), Mary E. (wife of Eli Shade), Samuel, Perry P. (deceased), Henry and Albert T. In his politics George Getter was a democrat, and for fourteen years served as township treasurer, and for several years as infirmary director; he reared his family in the faith of the Lutheran church, and in this faith he himself expired, an upright and greatly respected citizen.

Albert T. Getter, son of George aud Mary Getter, mentioned above as their youngest child, was born on the Getter homestead in Jefferson township April 7, 1855, and this has always been his home, his vocation being that of a farmer. November 15, 1877, he married Miss Susan Treon, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Gebhart) Treon, and this marriage has resulted in the birth of ten children, of whom eight are still living, viz: Harvey, Alice, May,

George, Ray, Grace, Walter and Goldie. Treading in the footsteps of his honored father, Mr. Getter is a democrat in his politics and has served four years as township trustee; he is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., and in religion is a consistent Lutheran. He is a skillful and industrious farmer, a useful citizen, and holds a secure position in the esteem of his neighbors.

HBRAHAM HARTZELL, who was one of the best known farmers of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was a native of the county and was born January 26, 1836, a son of John and Susannah (Heck) Hartzell, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The paternal grandfather, Adam Hartzell, was a native of Berks county, Pa., was a farmer, and one of the pioneers of Jefferson township; while the maternal grandfather, Abraham Heck, born in Virginia, was a pioneer shoemaker of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio.

John Hartzell was a young man when he settled in Jefferson township, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years of age. He was the father of the unusually large family of seventeen children, of whom sixteen reached mature years, and were named, in order of birth, as follows: Jacob, Joseph, Eliza, Lavina,

Allen, Clinton, John, David, Sarah, Abraham, Lewis, Leonard, Susannah, George, Polly and 1 Elizabeth. Of these, Sarah was married toi Samuel Douglass, Susannah is the wife of J Charles Hunter, and Elizabeth is now Mrs. ' Jacob Sharritts; those who died after reaching* maturity were Jacob, Joseph, Lavina, Allen, Clinton and Abraham.

Abraham Hartzell, the tenth born of this ? family, was reared and educated in his native ; township of Jefferson, always followed farming ! as an occupation, and died, September 29, 1896, on the farm he had occupied since 1878. \

He belonged to the Reformed church, of which [ his widow is still a member. He was thoroughly skilled in his calling, and his place presented every evidence of thrift and prosperity. Mr. Hartzell was twice married - his first wife having been Catherine Beckinbaugh, and his second wife Emeline Beckinbaugh.

AMUEL HAMMEL, an old settler of Montgomery county, Ohio, and an honored citizen of Clay township, is of sterling Irish ancestry and was born in Dauphin county, Pa., November 21, 1814, a son of William and Susan (Kelley) Hammel.

William Hammel came from Ireland to America at the age of eighteen years, settled first in Baltimore, Md., and took an active part in the war of 1812. He married Susan Kelley in Dauphin county, Pa., whither he had removed after the war, and where he worked at his trade of mason. This marriage resulted in the birth of nine children, viz: Isabel, Samuel, William, Prudence, Henry, James N., Joseph W., Eliza and Andrew J., the majority of whom were born in Ohio, as the father brought his wife and his Pennsylvania-born children to Montgomery county, this 1 state, in 1 8 1 8 , and settled in Salem. Here he worked at his trade until his removal to ^ Madison township, about 1828, when he made lnl his home near Air Hill until 1832. He then eDi removed to Darke county and bought a farm of 160 acres near Greenville, where he passed *!: the remainder of his days, dying at the age of

1Vf sixty-five years in the faith of the Presbyterian "I church, in which faith, also, his widow died at the age of seventy-four years. In politics Mr. Hammel was a Jacksonian democrat. He enjoyed the fullest esteem of his fellow-men, and his wife was equally well known for her strength of character and her many womanly qualities.

Samuel Hammel was a lad of but four years when brought to Ohio by his parents. He received as good an education as the pioneer Ji schools of his early youth afforded and was reared to the pursuit of farming, although his entrance upon this career did not at first promise great results, inasmuch as he worked from his eighteenth to his twenty-first year for the compensation of $100 per year and clothed himself. But he was industrious and economical and was prepared to take unto himself a wife when he had reached his majority, his choice of a helpmate being Miss Catherine Wright, whom he married near Brookville, Ohio, December 3, 1835. This lady was born October 15, 1815, in Dauphin county, Pa., and was a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Wright.

Robert Wright, the father of Mrs. Hamrnel, was born in Ireland, but came to America when a young man, settled in Pennsylvania and there married a lady of German descent. They came to Montgomery county, Ohio, about the year 1827, and settled on 100 acres near Brookville, where they lived until Mr. Wright's accidental death on the railroad near Brookville. He and wife were the parents of

Samuel Hammel, when married, had not sufficient means with which to buy a farm, but with his willing wife began his wedded life in a log cabin, with a puncheon floor and the usual rude finishings, situated on a farm owned by his uncles, Samuel and John Kelley, and there farmed for three years or more. He was a man of great industry and of rigid economy, through which he accumulated the means to purchase his present farm in 1844, and on which he settled in 1847. He continued to work for other persons in order to earn money with which to stock and improve his home place, to which he has constantly added until he now owns a handsome farm of 249 acres, which will vie in fertility and productiveness with any other in the township.

died at the age of ten years; Robert, William H., John K. , Abraham F. ; Catherine, who died in infancy; and Leah I. The mother of the children died in November, 1892, in her seventy-eighth year, a devout member of the United Brethren church, respected by all who knew her and honored for her devotion as a wife and mother. Mr. Hammel has also been a member of the United Brethren church for many years. In politics he was an old-line whig and voted for William Henry Harrison for the presidency of the United States; later he became a republican, on the formation of that party, and voted for its first candidate for the presidency - John C. Fremont. Mr. Hammel has served fifteen years as township trustee, and has always been an advocate of a liberal public and free education to the youth of the land, having served as school director for over thirty years. He is more than a fair example of what is usually called a self-made man, and his life has been one that might be profitably emulated by the young of the present generation. He has lived to see his descendants increase and multiply, and is now the grandfather of seventeen, and great-grandfather of six children.

AVID L. HECK, one of the venerable citizens of Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, springs from German ancestors, who, on coming over from Germany, settled in Virginia.

David Heck, his grandfather, was a farmer in Virginia and there married Christina Lane, by whom he had the following children : Daniel, Christina, Elizabeth, Jacob, David and two others. The mother of these children having died, he married again, the name of his second wife being not now recalled, but by whom he had a large family.

David Heck, father of David L. , was born in 1783 in Maryland, where his father lived at one time. He married, in Virginia, Magdalena Spitler, daughter of Jacob Spitler, fuller reference to whom is made in the history of the Spitier family, elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Heck there were born the following children: Samuel M., John D. ,

David L., Annie, Elizabeth, Susannah, Polly A., and Andrew B., the last named of whom died at the age of six years. David Heck came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1818, settling in Madison township on December 29, of that year. David L. now lives on a part of the farm then taken up. David Heck received eighty acres from his wife's father, Jacob Spitler, who had purchased a quarter section in this county, but who himself never came here. David Heck had come to this county in 18 1 1, then, going back to Virginia, married there, and, bringing his wife with him to Ohio, he erected a cabin and cleared a small part of his land. He again returned to Virginia after remaining here two months, and was engaged in the war of 1812. After the war was over he lived with his wife's father until 1818, when he again came to Montgomery county to remain. Upon arriving in Dayton he was offered the lot upon which the Phillips House now stands, in exchange for the leader of his fourhorse team, which offer he refused, because the land there was so wet. By industry and hard labor he prospered and entered a half section of land in Tipton county, Ind., he and six others in 1837 going on horseback from Montgomery county to Indiana, where they all entered land. The price paid by Mr. Heck for his land was $400 for 320 acres.

Mr. Heck was a member of the Regular or Hard Shell Baptist church, but in his old age became a member of the German Baptist church. Politically he remained a Jackson democrat, and was always strong in the faith, as he was in all his opinions, religious or political. He was for a time a director of the Dayton turnpike company, of which he was a stockholder. He also served for a number of years as treasurer of the company. He served as justice of the peace one term, and was looked upon by all as a straightforward, honorable man.

David L. Heck was born March 4, 1816, in Botetourt county, Va. , and was therefore only two years old when brought to Montgomery county by his parents. Reared among the early pioneers he became a typical pioneer himself, thoroughly familiar with their customs, habits and virtues. Though his educational facilities and opportunities were exceedingly limited when he was young, yet, possessing an active mind, he read and studied much privately, and became a thoroughly well-informed man. He fully appreciated the value of a cultivated, disciplined mind, and now has a good education. In his youth he learned the carpenter trade. On May 23, 1842, he married, in Perry township, Susannah Shank, who was born on December 25, 1819, and was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Noffsinger) Shank, for fuller reference to whom the reader is referred to the biographical sketch of Henry Shank, published elsewhere in this volume.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heck remained on the homestead farm for six years, during which time he worked at his trade. He then bought forty acres of land adjoining his father's farm, where he now lives. Through steady work and industrious application he cleared his farm, made it a good home for his family, and has added to it.

at the age of seven years; David F., Elizabeth, Samuel, Eliza A., John W., Warren, Harry and Clement L. Mrs. Heck died in her seventy-fourth year, a member of the United Brethren church and a woman of many virtues. Politically Mr. Heck is a democrat, and as such has served as justice of the peace one term and as county infirmary director one term. Thoroughout his life he has been well known as a man of straightforward honesty of character and of strict adherence to principle. His judgment is universally respected, and for this reason he has been selected to serve the people of his county in various capacities.

EORGE C. HENKEL, M. D., of Farmersville, Ohio, is the oldest and most prominent physician in this town and vicinity, where he has practiced for the past thirty-five years. He descends from a very ancient family of Saxony, Germany, of noble caste. Rev. Mulenborg, the first Lutheran minister in America, was sent here by Count Henkel, one of Dr. Henkel's ancestors, and the great-great-grandfather of

Dr. Henkel was born in North Carolina in colonial times. The children born to the latter ancestor were Johan, Gertrude and Paul, of whom the last named was the great-grandfather of George C. Henkel.

Rev. Paul Henkel, grandfather of the doctor, was a Lutheran minister, born in North Carolina, but who removed to Virginia, and Rev. Andrew Henkel, .the father, also became a resident of Virginia, making his residence in New Market, Shenandoah county, but when a young man came to Ohio and settled in Perry county. There he married Miss Margaret Trout, a native of Washington county, Pa., and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Zeigler) Trout, to which union were born Hiram, Melancthon, Julia A. , Paul, Mary, Margaret, Sabina, George C., William and Edward. In 1819 Andrew Henkel settled in Germantown, Ohio, preached to the pioneers, and died in 1873 at the advanced age of eighty years. He was a democrat in politics, was worshipful master in the Germantown lodge of Freemasons and noble grand in his lodge of Odd Fellows. His son, Edward, served three years in the Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry, was captured by the enemy at the battle of Perryville, Ky. , but was paroled and served out his term.

Dr. George C. Henkel was born in Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, July 2, 1835, ar*d was educated primarily in the district schools, supplementing this by a thorough training at Oxford university, Butler county, Ohio. He then read medicine under Dr. John H. Helm, of Eaton, Ohio, and later attended medical lectures at the Ohio Medical college, of Cincinnati, and, having secured his diploma, began the practice of medicine in Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, in i860. He remained there for only about four months, and then removed to Farmersville, where his abilities were at once recognized and where he has

The marriage of Dr. Henkel took place, in 1 86 1, to Miss Catherine Martin, who was born in 1836 in Berks county, Pa., a daughter of John and Eliza (Brown) Martin, the result of this union being four children, named, in order of birth, Vernon A., Naomi, Ruth and Orpha. The doctor and his wife are members of the Progressive Brethren church, in which the doctor is a deacon. He is, beside, a member of Friendship lodge, No. 21, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Germantown.

ANIEL HOOPS, one of the oldest and most respected farmers of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here on his father's farm, August 24, 1817, and descends from Scotch ancestors who settled in America before the war of the Revolution, his greatgrandfather, a blacksmith, having been the first of the family to come to this country. He settled in Chester county, Pa., near Philadelphia, where he followed his trade and also engaged in farming; but he sold his farm during the Revolutionary war, receiving in payment continental money, which proved to be worthless, and he was therefore obliged to return to his trade of blacksmithing. He died in Chester county, aged eighty years.

Eben Hoops, grandfather of Daniel, died in Chester county, Pa. Among his children was a son who was also named Eben, who became the father of Daniel, the subject of this memoir. The younger Eben was born in Chester county, Pa., was a tailor by trade, and was married in Virginia to Kate Kinsor, who bore him seven children: Michael, John, land in Jefferson township, Montgomery county. He followed his trade of tailor, and the pioneers came from Dayton and the country roundabout, bringing homemade cloth, which he made into clothing. He always kept on hand, also, a large stock of cloth, and was kept constantly busy. He prospered, and bought sixty additional 'acres of land, and eventually became one of the most substantial farmers of the township. He was a democrat in politics, served as township trustee for years, and was well known throughout the county. On the death of his first wife, he married Miss Susannah Sheets, who was born in Rockingham county, Va. , about 1799, and this union resulted in the birth of Daniel, whose name opens this sketch, Sarah, Lewis, Henry, Minerva, Eliza and Solomon. Eben Hoops died on his farm at the age of eighty-four years, leaving an untarnished name and the memory of a useful life.

Daniel Sheets, father of Mrs. Susannah Hoops, came from Kentucky to Montgomery county, Ohio, having been a pioneer of that as well as of this state. He passed the remainder of his life in Jackson township, and here, also, his wife died at the age of ninety years. They were the parents of Hannah, Nancy, Polly, Susannah and Solomon Sheets.

Daniel Hoops was reared among the pioneers of Jackson township, and received his education in the log school-house of the frontier, which he attended during the winters until he was twenty years of age. He learned the shoemaker's trade, became very expert, being able to make nine shoes in a day, and successfully followed the trade thirty-five years. He was industrious and economical, and earned with his last the money with which he bought his present farm. May 26, 1840, he married Miss Mary A. Delawter, who was born in Farmersville, Ohio, May 22, 1822, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Brown) Delawter.

Jacob Delawter was a native of Maryland, of German descent, came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1821, bought 180 acres in the | woods and converted it into a fine farm. His : children were named Alpheus, Ezra, Rebecca, Mary A., Catherine, David, Sarah A., Jacob, Jonas, Lewis and Elizabeth. Mr. Delawter was for a long time crier at public auctions, was full of wit, and was known throughout the county as Uncle Jake. He died at the age of eightv-three years, a member and trustee of the Lutheran church.

Daniel Hoops and wife after marriage settled on Twin creek, where Mr. Hoops continued to work at his trade. He first bought eight acres in Jackson township, on which he lived four years, then bought twelve acres more, on which he lived eleven years, then moved to Preble county, where he remained for eleven years longer, and finally returned to Jackson township and settled on his present farm of 103^ acres. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoops was blessed with the following children: Sarah, Susan, Jacob and Rebecca.

Mrs. Hoops died on the farm May 15, 1893, a devout member of the German Reformed church, and a woman who honored the names of helpmate and mother. In politics Mr. Hoops is a democrat and served as trustee of his township for five years, as constable three years, and also for many years as member of the school board. He has been a member of the grange ever since its organization, and is a man of sterling worth.

EV. JONAS HORNING, a farmer of I Jackson township, Montgomery coun- B P ty, Ohio, and a minister for the past fifteen years of the German Baptist church, was born April 27, 1839, in Montgomery county, Pa. He is a son of William and

Hannah (Price) Horning, and was a year and a half old when brought to Ohio by his parents, in the fall of 1840. His early education was not by any means neglected, he being permitted to attend the common schools as long as this course was profitable, and afterward he pursued a steady course of carefully selected reading and study, more particularly in Bible subjects, and is thus well qualified for the duties of his responsible position as pastor of the church. In his twenty-fifth year, on March 10, 1864, he was married in Perry township to Miss Catherine Bowser, who was born January 24, 1843, in Wabash county, Ind., and is a daughter of Philip and Susan (Warvel) Bowser. The grandfather of Mrs. Horning, George Bowser, was a well known pioneer, for a fuller mention of whom the reader is referred to the biography of Isaac Erbaugh, elsewhere in this volume.

Philip Bowser, father of Mrs. Horning, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and married Susan Warvel, by whom he had the following children, besides Catherine: Noah,

Emanuel, who died at the age of twenty-one; Daniel, George and Aaron. Soon after his marriage, Philip Bowser moved to Indiana, settling in Wabash county, but later, not being satisfied there, returned to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm of fifty-two acres in Perry township, to which he added until he had 100 acres in one body, and at length purchased fifty-three acres in Jackson township, where Mr. Horning now lives. Mr. Bowser was a member of the German Baptist church and lived to be seventy-five years of age. He was a man of high character, and much esteemed by the people among whom he had lived.

Rev. Mr. Horning and wife settled on their present farm immediately after their marriage and have lived thereon ever since, a period of thirty-two years. Mr. Horning has proved

When twenty-three years of age Mr. Horning united with the German Baptist church, becoming a deacon in 1870, in which relation he served the church five years, at the end of which period he was elected minister, and has preached the Gospel for the past fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Horning had one son, George, who was born October 3, 1873, and who died at the age of seventeen months. For his tendency toward the ministry Mr. Horning is indebted to his mother's side of the family, many of his ancestors on that side having followed that calling, the Prices being among the first to preach and practice this particular form of religion in the United States, as may be more fully learned by reference to the biography of Rev. Samuel Horning, published elsewhere in this volume.

EORGE W. HOUR, a prosperous farmer of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Germany December 25, 1849, a son of George and Margaret Houk, who were the parents of four other children.

George Houk, the father, was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1854 sailed from Bremen for New York, whence he came direct to Ohio and for one year worked at his trade in Cincinnati. He then came to Dayton, where he opened a shop and carried on blacksmithing for twenty years. He then went to Jackson county, Mo., and was eight years engaged in farming, when he died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a republican in politics, was a hard-working and worthy citizen, and was respected for his integrity and many manly qualities.

from Bremen for America in a sailing vessel for the purpose of joining the husband and father, but the mother and one daughter - Edith - died of cholera on the voyage and were buried at sea. After a passage of forty days the vessel arrived in New York, whence the four surviving children were sent to their father in Cincinnati, where they were placed in a German Protestant orphans' institution. Here George W. remained for three years, receiving instruction in German and English. About this time the father married, at Dayton, Sadie Millsteder, to which union was born one child - William. George being now eight years old, rejoined his father, with whom he lived until he was thirteen, and then went to live with Jacob Eby, a farmer of Jackson township, and here he worked until he was twenty-six years of age, attending school, meanwhile, until he was eighteen. December 28, 1876, Mr. Houk married, in Dayton, Miss Sarah Cotterman, who was born near that city May 9, 1858, a daughter of William and Amanda (McPherson) Cotterman.

William Cotterman was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a lad when brought by his father to Ohio. He grew to manhood on a farm near Dayton, married Miss McPherson, and became the father of the following children, beside Sarah: Clinton, Clara, Adam, James, and Albertus (who died at the age of fifteen years). Mr. Cotterman was a soldier in the Civil war, served three years, and after his return passed several years on his farm at Pyrmont, Ohio, but some time since retired to the soldiers' home near Dayton to pass in quiet his remaining days. Mrs. Cotterman died at the age of about forty years, a conscientious member of the Lutheran church and a devoted wife and mother, her daughter, Sarah, being then fifteen years old.

i where they lived on a farm for fifteen years and then returned to Montgomery county, Ohio, where Mr. Houk bought his present tract of 152^ acres in Jackson township, which he has materially improved. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Houk has been blessed with five children, who are named Ella A., Jennie M., Blanche S. , Ruth M. and Juanita. In politics Mr. Houk is a democrat and an ardent friend of free silver. While a resident of Madison county, Ind., he was superintendent of the pikes, or gravel roads, of Anderson township, and also a member of the school board for several years, and is now a trustee of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio.

TLLIAM F. HOWELL, a prominent and successful farmer of Harrison township, Montgomery county, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, May 1 1, 1827. He is a son of John M. and Mary M. (Fee) Howell, the former a native of Bracken county, Ky., and the latter of Clermont county, Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living, as follows: William F., Joseph P. , Augusta

John M. Howell was a blacksmith in his early life, but later turned his attention to farming. He came to Clermont county, Ohio, when he was nine years of age, and lived in the county the remainder of his life, dying there in 1877 when in his seventy-first year. His wife, surviving him a number of years, died when she was eighty-four. Both were most excellent people, were known for many miles around as kind-hearted and Christian neighbors, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, beside being

The father of John M. Howell, Lampkin Howell, was for many years a resident of Maryland, and later of Kentucky, Bracken county, in which county he died when his son, John M., was nine years old. The farm then owned by Lampkin Howell still goes by the name of the " Howell farm. " The maternal grandfather of William F. Howell, Elijah Fee, was a farmer, a justice of the peace and a local preacher. He was an early settler of Clermont county, where he died when upward of sixty years of age.

William F. Howell was reared in Clermont county, Ohio, and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he entered a commercial college in Cincinnati. Afterward he was engaged in business in Cincinnati for about ten years. In 1859 he located on the farm on which he now lives, which is three miles west of the court house in Dayton, and upon this farm all his children were born, except the eldest, who was born in Cincinnati. Politically, Mr. Howell is a republican. For many years he was a director of the Home Avenue railroad, running to the soldiers' home, and also a director of the Teutonia National bank. His home farm had originally 175 acres of land, but now has only 100 acres. Mr. Howell has lived in Montgomery county nearly forty years, and has witnessed and aided its wonderful growth and development. He and his father-in-law were prime movers in the construction of the Home Avenue railroad, as well as in many other improvements, and he has always been a man of enterprise and public spirit.

Mr. Howell was married July 9, 1857, to Miss Sarah C. Applegate, daughter of James and Mary (Snyder) Applegate, the former of whom was of the old Applegate publishing house of Cincinnati, and for many years has been a leading and prominent citizen of Dayton. To Mr. and Mrs. Howell there have been born five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: James A., deceased; John W. ; Thomas E. ; Frank Webster and Mary. John W. , who resides on the home farm, married Miss Anna Fee, and has one child, Frederick. Thomas E. married Miss Elizabeth Blackwell, by whom he has four children, Robert, Eugene, Marguerite and Edwina. Thomas E. Howell is manager of the city railway, and lives on a portion of the home farm, which has been subdivided. Frank W. is practicing law in Dayton, and Mary is living at home with her parents. The eldest three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Howell, as well as themselves, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are all highly esteemed and useful members of society.

aHARLES HUNTER, a well-known farmer of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born near Earlville, Berks county, Pa., October 26, 1838, a son of Jacob and Matilda (Boyer) Hunter, both natives of Berks county, Pa., and of English and German descent, respectively. The paternal grandfather, John Hunter, and the maternal grandfather, Jacob Boyer, were also born in Berks county, Pa.

Jacob and Matilda Hunter, parents of Charles, came to Jefferson township about the year 1850, and here resided until 1861, when they removed to Mad River township, where the father died in 1862; the mother survived until 1880, when she expired at the home of her son Charles. They had a family of five children, who grew to maturity, and who were named Charles, James B., Catherine, Ada and Ann. Of these, Catherine was married to Tobias Marker, Ada became the wife of Henry Crouder, and Ann is now Mrs. Samuel Gilbert Charles Hunter was reared in Jefferson township from the age of twelve years, was educated in the common schools, and, with the exception of two years spent near Cincinnati, has passed all his life in this township since he came here with his parents in 1850, and has been an occupant of his present farm since 1867. He was united in matrimony October 20, 1861, with Miss Susannah Hartzell, daughter of John and Susannah (Heck) Hartzell, of Jefferson township, and to this union have been born eleven children, in the following order: Ida, now Mrs. Howard Linebaugh;

Almeda, the wife of Frank Eyler; Catherine, now Mrs. Tatzell; Adriella, deceased; Clara, married to Edward Eck; Susannah, who married Joseph Wiseman; Matilda, married to Firman Gross; Rosa, married to George W. Stebbins; Charles, at home; Adella, the wife of Charles Stuck, and Howard, at home. In his politics Mr. Hunter is a democrat, and has served several terms as trustee of Jefferson township, and also as superintendent of the county infirmary for two years.

^ j* OSEPH IZOR, of Farmersville, a sub- M stantial farmer of Jackson township, A 1 Montgomery county, Ohio, springs from Irish and German ancestry, old settlers in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Philip Izor, moved with his family in pioneer days to Preble county, Ohio, settling near Urich's Mills, where he lived for some time. His wife, Mary Ridgeley, bore him six children, viz: John Henry, Philip, Joshua, Alexander, David and Elizabeth. Philip Izor, the father of these children, died in Winchester, Ohio.

!nrj ;er of John and Annie Ault, and born in er| Montgomery county. Mr. Izor was a farmer soi oy occupation, and his children were Joseph, >va [Joshua, and Sarah A. Mr. Izor died in 1833, when he was about twenty-eight years of age. itj Joseph Izor was born November 1, 1828, in Preble county, Ohio, and was therefore las [about six years of age when his father died, ict ]He was bound out by his father until he should 1 be eighteen years of age, to Henry Bear, of 1 -! Montgomery county, a farmer. Young Joseph remained with Mr. Bear during the period for which he was bound, receiving in the meantime a good education. He continued with Mr. Bear afterward until he was twenty-six years of age, and on December 21, 1854, j, married Matilda Oldfather, who was born in Montgomery county, November 24, 1834, and was a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Pense) Oldfather.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Izor l! rented a farm of Mr. Bear, on which they lived until 1871, in which year they removed to their present farm. This farm Mr. Izor has f' much improved and made a good home. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Izor are as follows: William O., Charles E., Clayton A., Ira F., Samuel, Daniel W . , Jesse I., two that died in I infancy, Sarah A. and Laura E. Mrs. Izor died December 26, 1896, a member of the German Reformed church, of which Mr. Izor j has for years been a trustee. Politically, he is 1 a prohibitionist, though formerly a democrat.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Izor married as follows: William O. married Jane Apple, has four children, and is a farmer of Jackson township; Charles E. married Maggie Guntle, has four children, and is a farmer of Clay township; Clayton A. married Anne Albaugh, has three children, and is a farmer of Jackson township; Ira E. married Ida M. Stiver, has one child, and is a farmer upon the home place; Samuel married Catherine Stiver, has one child, and is a farmer of Jackson township; Sarah A. married Moses Mingle, a farmer of Jackson township; Laura E. married Frank Bower, now deceased, and has one child.

Samuel Oldfather, the father of Mrs. Izor, was a farmer of German township, owning there 100 acres of land, his father, Henry, having been one of the original pioneers. Samuel Oldfather's children were named as follows: Sarah A., Matilda, Mary J., William, Henry, Susannah, Elizabeth, Simon P. , Thomas J. and Daniel W. Mr. Oldfather was a member of the German Reformed church, and was a trustee of his church. He lived to be seventy-two years of age, dying on his farm.

EWIS W. JOHNS (deceased), formerly a resident of Montgomery county, Ohio, and a soldier during the late Civil war, was born November 15, 1845. He came of an excellent family and was himself the head of a much respected family of children. He was of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock, and a straightforward, honorable man in all his dealings.

Lewis W. Johns received the customary common-school education of the days of his youth, and was reared a farmer. He enlisted January 25, 1864, at Dayton, Ohio, as a member of Capt. Charles H. Harrison's company H, Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years or during the war, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. He participated in the famous Atlanta campaign and was in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Goldsborough, Peach Orchard, Big Shanty, Marietta, Decatur, East Point and Atlanta, and was also in many skirmishes. Thus it will be seen that he took part in the hardest-fought battles of the Atlanta campaign, one of the most remarkable in history. He was also one of those that went with Sherman to the sea. Enduring all the hardships of a soldier's life, and performing all his duties in the most faithful spirit, he is well deserving of a niche in the history of his country, along with other heroes of the great struggle for the preservation of the Union. He was more fortunate than many others, not being in the hospital nor wounded while in the service, though he participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged.

After the war Mr. Johns returned to Montgomery county, and resumed farming on his father's homestead. On December 3, 1868, he married Barbara E. Spitler, of Clay township, who was born in 1850, at Arlington, Ohio, on her father's farm. She is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Limperd) Spitler, the former of whom was a substantial farmer of Clay township, and was a son of John Spitler, one of the pioneers of Clay township. Joseph Spitler and wife were the parents of ten children, as follows: Ephraim, John H., Hannah H., Martha J., Mary E., Ezra M., Sarah C., Barbara E., Susannah M. and Luella B. Joseph Spitler lived to be seventy-eight years old, and died September 16, 1888. Politically, he was a republican, and he was a member of the United Brethren church. He was one of the patriotic citizens of the country at the time of the war, and had two sons in the 100-day service, John H. and Ezra M.

Mr. and Mrs. Johns settled on their present homestead of fifty-two acres, which he materially improved. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren church, he taking an active interest in all kinds of religious work, and holding all the offices of his church at different times. He was class leader twelve years, and was trustee and also superintendent of the Sunday-school. Politically, he was a republican and later a prohibitionist. He was a man of unblemished character and

Parker, Lester, Edna, Ada and Maud. His | ltel1 death occurred January 4, 1893, to the regret of all that knew him. He was a great sufferer; from the effects of his army service, which doubtless did much to hasten his death.

John John, his father, who wrote the fam- | ily name without the final "s," was a pioneer settler of Clay township, coming from Penn- ; i* sylvania, and being a successful farmer. He k reared a family of ten children, and lived to ; M° be seventy-nine years old.

EBASTIAN B. KEENER, one of the j substantial farmers of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born on the old Keener homestead in j Madison township, in the same county, No- i vember 17, 1832, and is of Pennsylvania- ! !

Daniel Keener, his paternal grandfather, was the founder of the family in America, having come from Germany with a part of his family and settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war. John Keener, son of Daniel, was born in the Keystone state, was reared to farming, and was married, in his na- j tive state, to Miss Mary Huffer, the union resulting in the birth of the following-named i children: George, Jacob and David (twins),

John, and also nine daughters, of whom the names of seven are remembered, viz: Christine, Elizabeth, Nancy, Lydia, Kate, Barbara and Susan. John Keener, the father of this family, was a well-to-do farmer of Dauphin county, Pa. , was a member of the German Reform church, and died in that faith in his native state.

si vhile yet a young man, came to Montgomery soi county, Ohio. Here he married Miss Mary H Heeter, who was born in Berks county, Pa., ind was brought by her parents to Madison township, Montgomery county, when she was about five years of age, and here died in 1896, at the age of eighty-six years.

Sebastian Heeter, the father of Mrs. John Keener, was a native of Pennsylvania, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the pioneer farmers of Madison township,

I Montgomery county, Ohio. He married Miss Elizabeth Rerick, the union resulting in the birth of the following children: John, George, Henry, Frederick, Abraham, David, Daniel, Jacob, Samuel, Sebastian, Barbara, Mary, an infant that died unnamed, Catherine and Sallie. The father, Sebastian Heeter, lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years, and died an elder in the Lutheran church - his wife dying at the age of eighty-four.

John Keener and wife, soon after marriage, settled on a tract of 160 acres of land in the woods of Madison township. Mr. Keener cleared up a good farm from the wilderness, and by his thrift was able to add to his estate until he owned 370 acres. He was an elder in the Lutheran church, was a democrat in politics, was one of the most substantial farmers of his township and died an honored and respected citizen. The children born to John and Mary Keener were named: Sebastian B., Abraham, John J., Daniel, Jacob, Elizabeth and Catherine.

Sebastian B. Keener was educated in the common schools of his native township of Madison, and was reared to the hard work of the farm. January 3, 1856, he married at Dayton, Ohio, Miss Lucy Humerickhouse, who was a resident of Perry township, but was born in Pennsylvania Augusts, 1835, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Heckel) Humerickhouse.

John Humerickhouse, father of Mrs. Keener, was born in Germany, was a miller, and came to America shortly after the birth of his first child. He died nine miles from Little York, Pa., amember of the Reformed church and the father of the following named children: George, John, Jacob, Daniel, Eli, Lizzie, Katie, Mary, Sarah, Susan, Lucy and Caroline.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Keener settled on eighty acres of land in Madison township, on which they lived until 1880, and then moved to Jefferson township, where he bought 195 acres, which were partly cleared and which he has since greatly improved, erecting substantial farm buildings. To this tract he subsequently added twenty-one and one-quarter acres, and in 1895 erected the fine residence he now occupies. To Mr. and Mrs. Keener have been born the following children: John

F., Mary E. , Cephas H., Samantha J., Benniah, Eli W., Charles A., Sarah C., Nora A., William A., Dora I., Ezra A. and Amelia A. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Keener is a deacon. In politics he is a democrat, and for three years was a trustee of Madison township and for a number of years a member of the school board. Mr. Keener is one of the most honored farmers of Jefferson township, and well deserves the high position which he holds in the esteem of his neighbors.

EORGE WASHINGTON KEMP, a prominent farmer and one of the oldest citizens of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Mad River township, this county, when it was known as Dayton township, June 29, 181 1. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Herring) Kemp, the former of whom was a native of Frederick county, Md., and the latter of Germany. Joseph and Elizabeth Kemp were fihe parents sketch; Margaret; Barbara, wife of William Steele; David, and Catherine, widow of Mathias Burrows, formerly a prominent manufacturer of Dayton.

Joseph Kemp was a farmer by occupation, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1806, when yet a young man. He continued to live with his parents in Mad River township until his marriage. He served in the war of 1812, as a member of Capt. William Van Cleve's company. The war having come to a close he returned to his home and resumed his occupation of farming. He died a young man, having been born in 1788, and died in 1824. His wife was born January 17, 1790, and died August 21, 1861. She was a member of the United Brethren church.

Lewis Kemp, the paternal grandfather of George W. , was a native of Frederick county, Md., came to Ohio in 1805, and bought section No. 22, Mad River township, and also a quarter of section No. 29. He continued to live on the old homestead until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-eight years of age. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all but one of whom purchased land in the vicinity of his home. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Herring, was a native of Germany, afterward a resident of Maryland, and still later of Ohio. He settled in Beaver Creek township, Greene county, in 1806, and there bought a section of land. He and his wife reared a family of one son and three daughters. He lived in Greene county the rest of his life, dying when seventy-five years of age.

George W. Kemp was reared on the old homestead in Mad River township, received his education in the district school, in what was known as the Kemp school-house, which stood on an acre of ground donated for the purpose by his grandfather. This school house was erected in 1815, was constructed ol logs, and had three windows, with sash and glass, which was something quite unusual in those days. The largest subscription toward :| the erection of this house was $6. Arriving at man's estate, Mr. Kemp removed to Dayton I and here completed his trade, that of carpen ter, which he followed ten years. He then '! purchased a sixty-acre farm adjoining the old home, and added to it twenty-one acres of the home farm, which he has since increased to the extent of twenty-four acres, so that now he owns a farm of 105 acres, lying one mile east of the corporation line.

Mr. Kemp was married April 11, 1838, to Miss Lydia Cox, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Spies) Cox, both of whom were among the early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp were the parents of six children, as follows: John Cox, Oliver Perry, Martha

Washington, Joseph Warren, Francis Marion, and Kate Elizabeth. John C., Oliver P. and Martha W. are deceased. Joseph W. married Miss Mary Pearson, and lives on the old farm. He and his wife have a family of six children, as follows: George W. , Earl, Lora, Kate,

Mrs. Lydia Kemp died June 25, 1873, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was a member of the Lutheran church in her early years, but late in life she joined the Reformed church and died in that faith. In 1867 they left the old farm, after a residence thereon of fifty-six years, and removed to Dayton, where Mrs. Kemp died and where Mr. Kemp has since continued to reside. He owns the substantial residence at No. 210 Bainbridge street, where he lives with his daughter, Mrs. Mellinger, and her husband. Mr. Kemp has been an Odd Fellow sixty-one years; a Mason forty-five years, reaching the thirty-second degree, and a Knight Templar thirty-two years, being a member of Reed commandery, No. 6. Politically, he is a democrat, and as such was trustee of Mad River township many years, and was also assessor in the same township, and in i860 was appraiser of land in Mad River township. Many are the changes that have been made in Montgomery county since Mr. Kemp was born, his father having at that time only two acres of land cleared, and many other farms being in no better condition at that early day. His father, together with a man named Ott, went down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers on fiatboats early in the history of the county, lashing their boats together. They were accompanied by their hired men, William Hamer, Thomas Roby, Johnson Perrine, and one other. Mr. Ott died of yellow fever in New Orleans, and Perrine sold his goods for him and returned to his home.

George W. Kemp is now eighty-five years old, and with the exception of a short time when away from home in Indiana, has continuously lived in Montgomery county. Upon early historical events pertaining to this locality and in early reminiscences, he is considered the best informed man in the county. He is yet quite a strong man physically, and his memory is remarkably quick and accurate. He is most highly esteemed by his many friends and acquaintances, and is among the few who yet remain of Montgomery county's living pioneer citizens.

ILLIAM HENRY KEMP, a promi- M m I nent farmer living in Mad River township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in this township, February 20, 1823. He is a son of David and Elizabeth (Crist) Kemp, both natives of Maryland, and who had a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living, as follows: William

H.; Margaret Ann, wife of Henry Bellow; Mary Jane, wife of David Moler; Annie, wife of William W. Harris; Amanda, wife of Joseph Kimmel; Harriet Louisa, wife of John Knisely; David C. and Joshua Perry. Elizabeth Catherine, who married John McCauley, died five weeks after her marriage. David Kemp came to Ohio when twelve' years of age, with his parents, his father purchasing 800 acres of land in Mad River township, and settling on section 22. He subsequently sold a quartersection of his land, part of which is now within the corporate limits of the city of Dayton. David Kemp grew to manhood on the old place and lived there many years, and then moved into Dayton, where his wife died, February 21, 1874. He then went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Knisely, and died at her home, August 26, 1878, aged eighty-six years. During the earlier years of their lives both David Kemp and his wife belonged to the German Reformed church, but toward the last she became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. During the war of 1812 Mr. Kemp drove a team and furnished supplies to the soldiers. Both he and his wife were typical pioneers, well known for many miles around, and possessing the pioneer virtues of generosity and hospitality.

Ludwig Kemp, the father of David Kemp, was a native of Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1806. He and his wife reared a family of eight children, and both lie buried in the Kemp burying ground, he having given an acre of land for cemetery purposes. Peter Crist, the maternal grandfather of William H. Kemp, was also a native of Maryland; came to Ohio about 1810, and located in Warren county, where he purchased several hundred acres of land. He and his wife reared a family of

William H. Kemp was reared on the farm which his grandfather, Ludwig Kemp, first purchased upon arriving in Ohio. His education was received in the district school, and he remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. On February 25, 1847, he was married to Miss Barbara Aley, daughter of John and Susanna (Hawker) Aley. To this marriage there have been three children born, viz: Alice Ann, Charles and Lizzie Jane.

Alice Ann died at the age of two and a half years, and Charles when but six months old. Lizzie Jane married John Coblentz, and with him lives near Bellbrook, Greene county. Mrs. Kemp is a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Kemp during his earlier life was a democrat, but of late years he has been a republican. He has never been a seeker after official honors, the only office he has ever held being that of supervisor.

Mr. Kemp has a good farm of 144 acres, finely improved, about three miles east of the court house in Dayton. He has confined himself mainly to general farming and has been unusually successful.

>-t>OSEPH KENNEDY, a leading farmer M of Harrison township, was born on the A J farm on which he now lives, August 7, 1826. He is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Kerr) Kennedy, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Virginia. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, but two of whom are still living, John and Joseph. Joseph Kennedy, the elder, was brought by his parents from his native country to the United States when he was two years old. They settled at Shippensburg, Pa., and there he grew to manhood. In 1805 he removed to Dayton, Ohio, settling just south of the city, and living there two years. In 1807 he removed to Harrison township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, to which he added from time to time, until at his death he owned 300 acres or more. He followed general farming and died in 1856, at the age of eighty-one. His wife died February 19, i860, at the age of sixty-four. Both were members of the Third Presbyterian church, of Dayton.

The paternal grandfather of the subject, Gilbert Kennedy, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1777, and in 1808 came to Ohio. He is supposed to lie buried in Warren county. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and reared a family of two sons and four daughters. The maternal grandfather, John Kerr, lived on a farm adjoining that on which Joseph Kennedy now lives. This farm he purchased in 1810, having just previously arrived from Virginia. Upon this farm he lived for many years, but died on another farm in the county, in 1846, at the age of eighty-one years.

Joseph Kennedy, whose name opens this sketch, has lived on his present farm all his life with the exception of eight or ten years, when he lived in Indiana and northern Ohio, during the greater part of which time he was engaged in telegraphing. He spent some time in Mercer county, occupied in running a sawmill, and afterward was in Mississippi for a year employed in railroad contracting. The rest of his life was spent on the farm.

On May 27, 1858, he was married to Miss Catherine A. Clagett, daughter of Dr. G. A. and Caroline M. (Stonebraker) Clagett. To this marriage there were born four children - three sons and one daughter, as follows: Grafton C., Gilbert, John D. and Caroline. Gilbert and John are dead. Grafton C. married Miss Louise Achey, and has two children, Katharine and Sherwood. Caroline married Edward Martin, and has two children, Joseph and Richard.

Mrs. Kennedy, the mother of the four children above named, died May 1 6, 1865, a member of the Presbyterian church. October 27, 1866, Mr. Kennedy again married, his second wife being Miss Emma C. Clagett, a sister of his deceased wife. To this marriage there have been born one son and two daughters, as follows: Katharine, Eugene G. and

Emma Cornelia. Katharine died at the age of two years. Eugene G. and Emma C. are both living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Kennedy is a republican.

The home farm of Mr. Kennedy contains 147 acres of land, and is well improved. Mr. Kennedy also owns a farm in Wayne township and still another in Mad River township - altogether about 325 acres of land. He is among the progressive farmers and thinkers of the day, and is recognized as one of the most reliable and influential citizens of the county.

ICHARD J. KETROW, oneof the best known farmers of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native here and was born on his father's farm, June 22, 1833.

Joseph Ketrow, his grandfather, was born in Maryland, was there married, came to Ohio in 1807 or 1808, and settled in German township, Montgomery county, and cleared up a farm from the woods, on which he lived for twenty years and the title to which has never changed from the Ketrow name. The children born to Joseph Ketrow and wife were John, Charles, Thomas, Richard, Betsey, Polly, Rebecca and Susan. Mrs. Ketrow lived to the great age of ninety-seven years.

years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood among the pioneer farmers. He was married in German township, in 1826 or 1827, to Sophia Christ, who was born in Frederick county, Md., about 1802, and was a daughter of Henry and Christina Christ. Henry Christ was also a native of Maryland, but his father was of German birth. Henry was a blacksmith and gunsmith, and came to Montgomery county in the same year with the Ketrows.

Mr. and Mrs. Ketrow, at their marriage, settled on the farm where their son, Richard J., now lives, in Jackson township, and there Mr. Ketrow died at the age of seventy years. Their children were named Oliver, Adaline, Richard J., Allen and Caroline.

Richard J. Ketrow was reared on his father's farm, but developed strong mechanical gifts, inherited probably from his maternal grandfather, and became a blacksmith and carpenter. October 17, 1858, he married, in Jackson township, Miss Elvira Drayer, a native of the township, and a daughter of George and Precilla Drayer. George Drayer was a native of Pennsylvania and a son of Peter Drayer, of German descent, who kept a tavern in the Keystone state.

George Drayer was about eleven years of age when brought here by his parents, was here reared to manhood, accumulated 178 acres of land, and died in July, 1874, at the age of sixty-eight years, an elder in the Methodist church. He was the 'father of the following children: Jesse, Elizabeth, Elvira, Utila, George, Lydia, Peter, Catherine and Joseph.

To Richard J. and Elvira (Drayer) Ketrow were born the following children: Cora E., Effie P. (Mrs. John Lowman), Mary C. (Mrs. S. L. Bohn), Orphie (Mrs. Herman Thoelking), and Charles H., at home. Mrs. Elvira Ketrow died April 25, 1875, and Mr. Ketrow next mar- ried, August 6, 1876, Elizabeth Yost, daughter of John H. Yost, of Preble county, Ohio. Mr. Ketrow now occupies the old homestead and is one of the foremost farmers of the township. In politics he is a democrat, but has been content simply to exercise his franchise at the polls, and has never sought office.