Dayton City (part 45 of 50)

After marriage, Samuel Waitman located near Arlington, Montgomery county, where he worked out one year, and then for eight years for Jacob Overholser, in Randolph township; he then bought two acres in the woods, built a log house, cleared off the place, worked industriously, and prospered, adding to his farm from time to time until he now owns a fertile farm of fifty-five acres, with a comfortable dwelling. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Waitman sixteen children have been born, most of whom lived to reach maturity, and of whom seven are still living. Their births occurred in the order following: Harriet, Henry, Catherine, Lorenzo Dow, who died at the age of forty-seven; Susan, Caroline, Elizabeth (deceased) and Sarah, twins; Margaret, who died young; Mary Ann, who died when twentyseven years old; L)'dia A., who died in infancy; Amy R. , who died at the age of two years; John and Maria, twins, both of whom died in infancy; Salomie, also deceased, and another, not named. The progeny of the parents of this family has been further increased by the birth of twenty-nine grandchildren and twentyone great-grandchildren. The mother of this large family was called from earth March 25, 1891, a devoted member of the church of the Brethren in Christ, of which Mr. Waitman also has long been a member. In politics Mr. Waitman was first a democrat, then became a whig, and after the formation of the republican party united with its ranks. He is one of the trustees of the Worman cemetery. He certainly deserves well of his fellow-citizens, as he has done as much as any man in the community toward clearing away the dense growth of forest and in bringing his township up to its present fruitful condition.

OHN O. WARNER, farmer, of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born February 18, 1835, and descends from one of the old pioneer families of the county.

John Warner, his grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, there married, and had a family of nine children, viz: John, Conrad, Jacob, George, Mary, Catherine, Susan, Margaret and Elizabeth. In 1808 he came to Ohio, settled in Randolph township, Montgomery county, on the land now occupied by David Stoner, cleared the tract of the timber and wrought out a good farm. He was a sturdy pioneer, of exemplary character, lived to be quite an aged man, and died a member of the German Baptist church.

years when brought to Ohio by his parents. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, which he largely assisted in developing as his own strength developed. His schooling was necessarily a matter of delay, as neither schools nor teachers were to be had in the wilderness where his lot was cast, and not until after marriage did he find a school in which to acquire the art of penmanship. But he became a thorough farmer, and at maturity married Miss Catherine Olinger, a native of Maryland and a daughter of John Olinger, then residing in Montgomery county, Ohio. Mr. Warner, on marrying, first located in Randolph township, then moved to Clay township and settled on 12 1 acres, adjoining on the west, the farm now occupied by his son, John O. This tract Mr. Warner cleared up from the woods and converted into a productive farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He died at the age of sixty-five years, a member of the German Baptist church, an honored man and the father of three children - Annie, Samuel and John O.

1 856, he married, in Miami county, Miss Elizabeth Gump, a native of that county, born in 1836, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Kara) Gump. The father, Daniel Gump, was a native of Pennsylvania, was married in that state, and had born to him the following children, beside Mrs. Warner: Daniel, David,

George, Jeremiah, John, Henry, Jacob and Mary. On coming to Ohio Mr. Gump settled on 200 acres of land in Miami county, cleared it from the woods, made a good home, and later bought sufficient land in Indiana to present each of his children with 160 acres. He lived to the age of seventy-two years and died a member of the German Baptist church.

or so on the farm of his father-in-law in Miami county, then bought 12 1 acres of said farm, to which he later added tracts of forty acres and twenty acres, across the county line, in Clay township, Montgomery county, his present homestead. Mrs. Elizabeth Warner was called from earth in 1880, leaving behind, to sorrow for her death, three children, Ida, George and Annie. In 1882 Mr. Warner married Mrs. Susan Shelby, widow of Christian Shelby, and daughter of Andrew and Susan (Gibble) Horner. This lady, by her first marriage, was the mother of one child, John, who died at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are devout members of the German Baptist church and enjoy a high position in the regard of their neighbors.

AMUEL H. WEAVER (deceased) was born on his father's farm in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 7, i860, a son of Daniel and Mary (Heineke) Weaver, and was baptized in the Lutheran church November 30, i860.

Daniel Weaver, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and came to Ohio a young man. Here he was first married, in Montgomery county, to a Miss Repnogle, who bore him one son, Philip. After her death Mr. Weaver married Miss Mary Heineke, and this union was blessed with two children - Lewis A. and Samuel H. Daniel Weaver was a substantial farmer of Jackson township, and, being an early settler, cleared up from the wilderness the farm on which Mrs. Samuel H. Weaver now lives. He died in March, 1878, a member of the Lutheran church and an esteemed citizen.

by extensive reading. He became a wellinformed man, well prepared for mercantile life, and later entered upon various branches of business. On reaching his majority he married, December 25, 1881, at Miamisburg, Ohio, Miss Mary J. Smith, who was born July 16, 1857, in Montgomery county, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth A. (Hennemyer) Smith.

Jacob Smith, father of Mrs. Weaver, was a native of Maryland, where he early lost his father through death, and was yet a boy when he came to Montgomery county, Ohio. Here he grew to manhood and prospered, and first married Susan Loman, to which union were born three children - Sarah A., Nancy J. and Martin C. His second wife, Elizabeth A. Hennemyer, blessed him with six children - Henry, George C., John F. , Celia E., Mary J. and Samuel E.

After marriage, Mr. Weaver and his wife lived for a few years on the Weaver homestead, and he then engaged in other industries, becoming proprietor of a saw-mill, and having also an interest in a cider-mill and a tile factory. He was quite successful in these lines, developing a marked faculty for business. As a democrat Mr. Weaver served as township trustee for two terms, and was a member of the school board for five years. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, of which he was a deacon, and for two years superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was energetic and efficient in all his undertakings, especially active in church work, and was chairman of the building committee on the erection of the new Slyfer church edifice, for which he drew the plans. He was a member and the secretary of the Masonic lodge at Farmersville, and was also a member of Oak lodge, No. 625, I. O. O. F. , at New Lebanon. His lamented death occurred July 31, 1896, of typhoid fever, contracted while on a visit to Alabama, and his loss was deeply deplored by

OHN J. WEAVER, a well-known farmer and esteemed citizen of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a descendant, paternally, of an old colonial German family, and of an equally old German family on the maternal side.

Jacob Weaver, his paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and became a farmer and distiller in Shenandoah county, Va., where his death took place. Of his children the names of the following are remembered: John, Michael, Jacob, and Mrs. Hickel. Of these, Jacob, the father of John J., was also a native of Germany, and married in Shenandoah county, Va., Catherine Jordan. He served in the war of 1812, and he and his wife, after their marriage, lived in Shenandoah county, at Hawkinstown, until 1816, when they came to Ohio, and for about fifteen years lived on a farm in Greene county. In the winter of 1834-5, they moved to Madison township, Montgomery county, where Jacob Weaver bought 140 acres of land, of which but a small portion was cleared. He devoted himself, with steady industry, to the improvement and development of his land and converted it into one of the best farms in the township. He died here at the age of seventy-eight years, honored and respected throughout the entire community. His children were named, in order of birth, John J. , George (deceased), Eliza, Martin, Preston, Levi, Jacob and Sophia.

John J. Weaver was born in Shenandoah county, Va., June 23, 1816, and was but four months old when brought by his parents to Ohio. He was early inured to the toil of the frontier farm, and his education was secured by attendance at the old log school-house of his district during three months in winter from the age of twelve until nineteen years old. In those primitive days oats in bulk brought six cents per bushel, corn eight cents on the ground, or ten cents when hauled to Xenia, five miles away, and hogs, when dressed, one and one-half cents per pound. Young Weaver, when a boy, wore buckskin garments, and the traveling cordwainer made the shoes for the family, while many other articles of apparel were improvised to meet exigencies. Nevertheless, pioneer life had its pleasures and was greatly enjoyed by the old settlers. Farm life was health-giving and its toil contributed to the development of sturdy sinew and muscle and of clear and active brain.

The marriage of Mr. Weaver took place March 29, 1838, at New Lebanon, Montgomery county, Ohio, with Miss Elizabeth Brouse, who was born in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, June 5, 1821, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Elijah Kuhns, of the Reformed church. Mr. Weaver, after marriage, lived one year on his father's farm in Madison township, then removed to Perry township, bought a lot of two acres and a cooper shop, and there followed that trade for three years; he then engaged in the same business in New Lebanon for ten years, and finally settled in Jackson township. Here he bought a farm of 176 acres, which he improved and successfully cultivated until 1871, when he came to his present farm of 104 acres, in the same township. On this he has erected substantial farmbuildings, and in 1881 built a modern and convenient residence, his farm being in itself a model and unsurpassed by any other farm of its proportions in the county. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born the following-named children: Mary C.,

Clara B. (deceased) and Dora Etta. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the German Reformed church, of which Mr. Weaver has been a deacon and elder for many years.

Mrs. Weaver is a daughter of John and Mary (Adams) Brouse, and John Brouse was a son of Michael and Elizabeth Brouse, of German descent. Michael was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He settled in Chippewa, Stark (but now in Summit) county, Ohio, on the then frontier, and lived to the patriarchal age of 102 years, dying at Chippewa. His children were named John, Michael, Philip, William, Elizabeth, Rachel, Polly and Leah. The father of Mrs. Weaver, John Brouse, was born in Shenandoah county, Va., was reared in New Market, that county, was a potter by trade, and married Mary Adams, a native of Maryland, of German parentage. From Virginia Mr. Brouse came to Ohio, conducted a pottery at Canton, then at Xenia, and in 1827 settled in New Lebanon, Montgomery county, where he also established his trade. He afterward lived in Lewiston, Ohio, and for a short time in Indiana, but ended his days in New Lebanon, at the age of seventy-seven years, a member of the Lutheran church. His children were named Elkanon, Theresa C., John A., Sarah C., Mary C., Henry A., Elizabeth, William and George.

ILLIAM S. WELSH, one of the best-known farmers of Clay township, was born six miles north of Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, December 13, 1826, and received his education in the old-time public or district schools.

James Welsh, his father, was a native of Perry county, Pa., of Irish parentage, and married, in his native state, Margaret Hann, daughter of Peter Hann, of German descent. To James Welsh and wife were born the fol-

Mary, William S., Margaret, Sarah (who died young), Esther (who died at the age of fourteen years), Elizabeth, James and Catherine, all born in Ohio. In 1823 Mr. Welsh brought his wife and eldest child to Ohio, using a wagon team as a means of conveyance, stopped a year in Warren county, and then came to Montgomery and settled on fifty acres six miles north of Dayton. The year following, he sold this property and bought ninety-five acres a mile and a half west of Union, in Randolph township, also bought eighty acres in Miami county, and 120 acres in Wells county, Ind. He died in Montgomery county, Ohio, at the age of fifty-five years, a member of the United Brethren church, well-to-do as to worldly goods, and left an unsullied reputation for honesty and charitable disposition.

William S. Welsh was reared a farmer, and on November 21, 1850, married Miss Elizabeth Wenger, who was born in Randolph township, Montgomery county, in September, 1831, a daughter of Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger. They first located on the Welsh homestead, where they resided for three years; then moved to the Wenger homestead, lived there about eight months; then went to Monroe township, Darke county, and remained there about eighteen months. Returning to Montgomery county, they bought the farm in Clay township then occupied by Levi Gilbert, on which they lived four years; then lived near Laura four and a half years, and finally bought and settled on the farm of 172 acres formerly owned by Henry Limbert, of which they took possession in 1865. Here they lived until February, 1890, when they moved to a farm near Phillipsburg, on which Mr. Welsh has erected modern buildings.

1852 - died an infant on the Welsh homestead in Randolph township; John H., born on the same homestead June 21, 1853; Martha A., born in Darke county July 20, 1 855 ; Sarah E. , born in Randolph township, Montgomery county, August 26, 1857; Eliza J., born October 11, 1862 - died at the age of eleven years in Miami county; Maggie A., born November 10, 1864, in Cla)' township, Montgomery county, where the three following were also born: William W., February 25, 1867; James F., January 17, 1871, now married to Rettie Good; and Floy L., November 16, 1874. Of this large family, John H. married Alice Binkley, who died September 28, 1890, leaving one child; the husband then married Minnie Ella Eckman, and is now in the hardware business at Dayton; Martha A. is married to Newton Binkley, a farmer, and is the mother of four children; Sarah E. was the wife of Michael Weist, a farmer, but died without issue; Maggie A. is married to George Smoot, a farmer, of Brookville, and has four children; William W., a farmer, married Salomie Peffley, and is the father of one child. The Welsh family have a fine record in Montgomery county, as well as elsewhere, for usefulness and public spirit, and their standing as citizens and members of society is unexcelled.

ILLIAM WENGER, a thrifty farmer of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a son of one of the township's pioneers, is native here, and was born March 4, 1851, on the old Wenger homestead near Harrisburg, a son of Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger. He received a very good common-school training, but a still better training in agriculture, as he was reared to manhood on his father's farm. He married, in Clay township, Miss Mary Ann Baker, who was born in this township May gy

Samuel Baker, the father of Mrs. Wenger, was a son of Michael Baker, a pioneer who settled in Clay township in 1805; Samuel was born on the Baker homestead, was reared to farming, and to his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Niswonger were born ten children, viz: Catherine, Lucinda, Oliver, Warren, Cyrus, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Winfield, Emma, dead, and Mary A. (Mrs. Wenger). The father of this family, Samuel Baker, was a man well-todo, and lived on the old homestead until his death in the faith of the German Baptist church, of which he had been a member for many years. He had also served as a school director for several terms, and had the confidence of the entire community.

At his marriage, Mr. Wenger settled on his present farm, which then comprised but 110 acres, but, as has been said, he was a skillful farmer, and well knew how to handle his land. He soon had his original farm all under a high state of cultivation, making it profitable in every direction, carefully attended to every detail of its tillage, and added to it until he now owns 300 acres of as good land as may be found in the township, improved with a modern dwelling and substantial and conveniently arranged farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger have had born to their marriage two children - Stanley C. and Bessie E. - whom they have educated in the best possible manner, and have reared in their own religious faith, that of the German Baptist church. In politics Mr. Wenger is a democrat, and is now serving as a member of the school board. He is a man of strong mental endowment and great force of character, and has made the impress of his mentality on the community in which he lives. He is respected for his unbending integrity and is commended for his public spirit, as he is ever ready to aid liberally with his means both church and school and all public enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare and to advance the prosperity of his township and county.

ENRY WESSEL, a leading business man of Farmersville, Montgomery county, Ohio, and also a prominent politician and prosperous farmer, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, August 15, 1843,. a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Taper) Wessel, also natives of Oldenburg.

Benjamin Wessel was born in 1812, was a gilder by trade, and in 1865 came to America, whither his surviving children had preceded him, these children being Henry, Joseph and Benjamin. Mr. Wessel settled in Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade for many years and became a well-to-do citizen. In religion he is a Catholic, and is a trustee and councilman in his church, and in politics he is a democrat. As a citizen he enjoys the respect of all who know him, and is now passing his days in quiet retirement.

Henry Wessel left the parental roof in Germany at the age of eight years and learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of eighteen years he embarked on a sailing vessel at the port of Alkaman, in Holland, bound for America, and after a voyage of five weeks landed in Baltimore in August, 1861. From this city he came to Ohio at once, located in Cincinnati, and there worked at his trade until 1872, when he went to Texas and thence to Missouri, and for two years worked in the carshops of Saint Louis. In 1876 he located in Dayton, Ohio, where he engaged in the saloon business. In 1892 he removed to Farmersville, where he bought business and residence property, and for four years was again engaged in the saloon business. He now employs his

Mr. Wessel has been twice married - first, in Cincinnati, in 1865, to Caroline Hineagor, a native of that city, who bore him three children, who were named Benjamin, Josephine and Joseph. Mrs. Wessel died in her native city in 1869, and Mr. Wessel's second marriage was celebrated in Dayton with Miss Elizabeth Heffner, a native of the Gem City and a daughter of Frederick Heffner, a wellknown citizen.

In politics Mr. Wessel is strongly democratic, and on the money question is an advocate of free silver. He cast his first presidential vote, in 1864, for George B. McClellan, and has always been active in advancing the interests of his party. He is a factor of no small importance in the political affairs of the township and county, and his influence is always felt in party councils and at the polls.

AMUEL WIGGIM, a leading farmer of Mad River township, was born April 26, 1823, at Centerville, Montgomery county, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lytle) Wiggim, both natives of county Tyrone, Ireland. Andrew and Elizabeth Wiggim were the parents of seven children, as follows: John, Ann

(wife of John Watson), Hugh, Robert, Andrew, Lytle and Samuel. The last two are the only ones that are now living, though all but Robert lived to be more than sixty years of age, and the daughter, at the time of her death, was eighty-one.

Andrew Wiggim in early life worked at any employment that came to his hand, and grew to manhood thus occupied. He married in Ireland, and in that country his three eldest children were born. He had a commonschool education, and when he came to the

United States, in 1817, he settled in Lancaster county, Pa., working there, as in his native county of Tyrone, at various occupations. In 1821 he came to the state of Ohio, living for a short time in Piqua, removing thence to Montgomery county, and settling at Centerville. Living in the vicinity of that place until 1834, he then removed to the farm upon which his son Samuel now lives, and upon that farm he spent the remainder of his life. He died August 10, 1858, at the age of seventyfive. His wife was born in 1782 and died November 18, 1864. They were members of the Presbyterian church.

The paternal grandfather of Samuel Wiggim was also a native of county Tyrone (Tir Eogain, Tir Owen, Owen's country, finally Tyrone), was a farmer in his native county and died therein. The maternal grandfather was also a native of Ireland, and died there.

Samuel Wiggim was born in Van Buren township, Montgomery county, Ohio, or rather in what afterward became Van Buren township, for at that time the county had not been divided into townships. His birthplace was near the present site of Centerville, and he lived there until he was eleven years of age. He has lived in Mad River township ever since 1834, a period of sixty-two years, and has been a resident of the county for seventy-three years, or ever since he was born. After his father's death, he bought the interests of the other heirs and has since then kept the home place in his possession.

On November 9, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Hawker, daughter of Frederick and Sarah Hawker. To this marriage there were born five children, as follows: Margaret,

Mary Belle, Effie May, Clark and North, only the last two of whom are now living. Clark married Miss Eudora Neibel, of Shelby county, Ind. , and North lives at home, unmarried. Mrs. Mary Ann Wiggim died February 9, 1875, and

Mr. Wiggim married for his second wife Miss Susan Elizabeth Neibel, on April 25, 1878. He and his wife are members of the First Reformed church of Dayton, which was organized in 1833. As a democrat, Mr. Wiggim served as township trustee a number of years and as assessor three years. His farm contains 100 acres of land and lies about four miles northeast of the court house, on the Valley pike.

The parents of Mrs. Wiggim were among the first settlers of the county, locating in Miami township, and her father's parents settled there in 1810, when her father was only five years old. William and Susan (Hammaker) Neibel, her father and mother, were natives of Pennsylvania, the latter having been born in Harrisburg. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living, viz: Daniel W . , David

L., Joseph H. D. and Susan Elizabeth. For a number of years William Neibel held the office of trustee of the township in which he lived, and also of justice of the peace. His father, John Neibel, was a native of Germany, came to the United States early in the present century, and served in the war of 1812.

TEPHEN WYSONG, farmer of Perry township, now retired, is a descendant of one of the early pioneers, and springs from German ancestry, who came early from Virginia. Jacob Wysong, his grandfather, was born in Franklin county, Va. , and by his wife had eleven children, as follows: Stephen, Charles, John Jacob, Henry, Valentine, Joseph, Matthew, Robert, Lewis, who died at the age of ten years; Elizabeth and Lydia. In religious faith Jacob Wysong was a Dunkard, or German Baptist, and a man of most exemplary character. He came to Ohio in 1818 by means of a four-horse team and wagon, and settled on 200 acres of land in Perry township, which he cleared up from the woods. He was a successful farmer and an honorable citizen, and died when sixty-four years of age.

Charles Wysong, father of Stephen, was born October 25, 1802, in Franklin county, Va., and was sixteen years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents. He married Margaret Gustin, daughter' of Elkahana Gustin, who was one of the pioneers of Warren county, Ohio, and lived for a .short time in Perry township, Montgomery county, and then returned to Warren county. He was a member of what was called the New Light or Disciple church. Charles Wysong, after his marriage, lived a few years on the Wysong homestead. At length he purchased a farm containing eighty acres in Preble county, cleared it of its timber, and lived on it until 1873, dying in West Alexandria in 1889, at the age of eightysix years. He was very strong in body, and of an equally vigorous, mental and moral character. In religious belief he was a German Baptist, and contributed liberally of his means to the church. He followed in the footsteps of his father, and the meetings of his religious brethren were in the early days held in his house. Mr. Wysong was a hardworking and industrious man, and made, and laid brick for eighteen years. He was a natural mechanic, and made his own tools, plows, etc. He for a time followed pump-making in Alexandria, and also made wagons and other implements. He was held in high regard by his neighbors, and it maybe truly said of him that his word was as good as his bond. His children were as follows: Hannah, Harrison,

Jemimah, Stephen, Dorothea, Lydia, Rachael, Margaret, Jacob and Annie. From his father, Jacob, and Jacob's brother, Valentine, and from Capt. Joseph, descended all the Wysongs of Montgomery county.

Stephen Wysong, whose name opens this sketch, was born November 3, 1831, on the Wysong homestead in Perry township, and was one year old when his parents removed to Preble county and settled in Twin township. Brought up on the farm, he received but little education, and this little in the old-fashioned subscription schools. He married, November 15, 1856, when twenty-five years of age, in Perry township, Susan King, who was born October 25, 1837, in that township, a daughter of William and Lydia (Baker) King.

William King came from Virginia, was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and had children as follows: Annie, John, James, Elizabeth, Jane, Sarah, Susan, Catherine, William and Lydia. William King settled in Perry township after the birth of his second child, John, cleared up a farm of fifty acres, which he sold, and purchased 100 acres in the same township, upon which he lived until his death. He was a member of the United Brethren church, one of the hardy and much-respected pioneers, and died in 1863, aged sixty-two years. His widow died July 20, 1896, in her ninety-second year.

Mr. and Mrs. Wysong, after their marriage, settled on eighty acres of land in Perry township, and a few years later Mr. Wysong rented this farm and located on a place on Wolf creek, where they lived for about eleven years, when they removed to their present property, in 1886. Mr. Wysong has been a member of the German Baptist church for about thirty-five years, and has been a trustee of his church almost as long. He and his wife united with the church in the same year, 1862. He has prospered through his industry, and has earned a place among the most esteemed citizens of the community in which he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wysong reared Annie C. Aucherman from the time she was four months old, her mother having died; brought her up as if she were their own child and gave

ESSE ARNOLD, a resident of Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born in this county, May 20, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Andrews) Arnold, the former of whom came from Rockingham county, Va., and was of ante-Revolutionary German descent.

Jesse Arnold was reared to farming and was educated in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years and seven months, he enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, January 1, 1864, in company C, Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, fo serve three years, but was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 28, 1865, owing to the close of the war. He fought through the great Atlanta campaign - at Resaca, Kingston, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Atlanta and Jonesboro; he was also at Sugar Creek Gap and Crystal Springs, and at the latter place he was sent to the rear for disability. He rejoined the regiment at Goldsboro, N. C., and served until the close of the war. He was always a good soldier and performed his full duty.

After the war, Mr. Arnold returned to Ohio and married Miss Rebecca J. Walker, who was born in Preble county in 1846, a daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Wikle) Walker, the parents of the former having been of Pennsylvania-German descent and old settlers of Preble county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold has been blessed with one child, Dora. Mr. Arnold is a member of Phillipsburg lodge, No. 594, I. O. O. F. , in which he has passed all the chairs, including that of noble grand; he is also an honored member of Foster Marshall post, G. A. R. , of

Brookville, and in politics is a republican. Both as a citizen and as a soldier he has amply earned the high esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors.

ACOB ANSPACH, of Chambersburg, Ohio, is an old settler of Butler township, Montgomery county, and a native of Pennsylvania. On both sides of his family he springs from German stock. His remote ancestors were among the early colonial settlers of Pennsylvania.

George Anspach, his father, was born in Berks county, Pa., in 1764, was a farmer by occupation, and married Magdalena Peter, by whom he had the following children: John,

Jonathan, Joseph, Daniel, Jacob, Elizabeth, Catherine, Magdalena, Sarah and Lydia. In 1833 Mr. Anspach came to Ohio, settling in Montgomery county. He made the journey with teams and was three weeks on the way. Upon arriving in Montgomery county he bought, in company with John Balleman, a farm consisting of 200 acres of land. On this farm he lived one year, and then sold his interest to Mr. Balleman, and bought a farm of 120 acres in Miami township. This farm he greatly improved by clearing it of its timber. He was a democrat in politics and while living in Pennsylvania held several minor offices, among them being that of assessor. He was a man of integrity and stood well in the estimation of all. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, and he lived to be seventy-seven years of age, dying in 1864.

Jacob Anspach was born March 19, 1822, in Berks county, Pa. Receiving but a limited education, he grew up on the farm, learned all the details of farm work and adopted that vocation for life. He was eleven years old when brought to Ohio by his parents, and well remembers the long journey. When he was twenty-seven years old he married Elizabeth Breahm, the ceremony being performed June 20, 1848. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Lies) Breahm, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pa., and was a weaver by trade. He married in Pennsylvania, and his children were George, Henry, John, Rebecca, Wilhelmina, Mary, Catherine. Elizabeth and Martha. Mr. Breahm removed to Ohio in 1838, settling two and a half miles east of Miamisburg, on a good farm of 100 acres, to which he subsequently added thirteen acres. He was a hardworking, pioneer citizen, and in old age retired to the village of Miamisburg, where he died in May, 1885, aged eighty-five years. He and his wife were members of the German Reform church, and he was an elder of his church for many years. He was a man of excellent character and was highly esteemed.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anspach lived for two years on his father's farm, and then rented a farm near Centerville, on which they lived for three years. In 1856 they bought eighty-seven and a half acres in Butler township, which Mr. Anspach improved with good buildings and made a good home. Upon this farm he lived until 1883, when he removed to his present homestead, which consists of thirteen acres, on which stands an attractive residence. Mr. and Mrs. Anspach are the parents of the following children: George,

Mary, Franklin, Lucetta, John, Albert, Joseph, Emma, Ida. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Anspach has been a deacon for many years. For the past ten years he has been an elder in his church. He assisted largely to erect the present edifice and ever since the church was established has been a liberal supporter thereof.

In politics Mr. Anspach has been and is a prohibitionist, and has always been an honored and respected citizen, whose probity of char- I acter and good qualities have given him the

OAH BAKER, one of the best known citizens of Brookville, Ohio, is a descendant of an early pioneer family of Montgomery county, his ancestors having been among the first settlers in Clay township. Michael Baker, his grandfather, was a native of Somerset county, Pa., a farmer by occupation and married Catherine Smucker, a native of the same county. The children of Michael and Catherine Baker were Susan, Jacob, Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, John, Michael, Benjamin and Samuel, the first two born in Pennsylvania, and the others in Montgomery county, Ohio.

It was in 1805 that Michael Baker with his wife and two children, Susan and Jacob, came from Somerset county, Pa., to Montgomery county, Ohio, shipping all their goods at Pittsburg on a boat to be thus taken down the Ohio river, and on the way down the river they were all spoiled by water. Mr. Baker settled in the woods one mile northeast from the present site of Brookville, near a good spring of water, and also near the camp of a tribe of Miami Indians. These Indians he found very peaceable and friendly, and on one occasion when he heard a rumor of war he took his family to Weaver Mills on Beaver creek for the winter, leaving his corn in rail pens in charge of the Indians, who cared for it, and expressed much delight at his return in the spring. Mr. Baker found these Indians honest and good neighbors.

When Mr. Baker settled in the locality described above it was in the midst of the primeval forest, and two and a half miles to the Rohrer settlement to the northward and eight miles to the Hay farm. He entered a section of land, and immediately set himself to work to clear it. For a time, however, the prospects were extremely discouraging, and he would have returned to Pennsylvania but for the fact that his horses died from some unknown cause. Thus he was compelled to remain in this new country, and endure all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, but by industry and pertinacity he at last overcame all obstacles, erected a good log cabin, and cleared up 160 acres of his land. His nearest market and depot of supplies was Cincinnati, sixty miles away. At that time there were but a few log houses in Dayton, and no stores. Mr. Baker was a man of exceedingly strong constitution, and, notwithstanding the severities of frontier life, he lived to be nearly ninety years old, dying on his farm August 21, 1854. His wife reached nearly the same age. They were devout members of the Dunkard church, and were among the earliest members of this denomination to settle in Montgomery county.

Benjamin Baker, one of the sons of Michael, and the father of Noah Baker, was born in 1810, on the old Baker homestead in Clay township. Having received the ordinary education given to country boys at that time, he married Frances Neiswonger, who was born in 1812, in Clay township, and who was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Circle) Neiswonger, the former of whom, though of German ancestry, was a native of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker there were born eleven children, as follows: Saty, Melinda, Noah, Levi, Mary, Cyrus, Simon, Amanda, Sarah A., Sylvester and Minerva. Benjamia Baker settled on the Salem road one and a half miles from Brookville on land given him by his father, 104 acres, all in the woods. This land he cleared, improved and made into a good farm and home, thriftily adding thereto until at last he owned about 700 acres. An excellent farmer, a good business man and a progressive citizen, he became not only popular but also prosperous. He was the first grain buyer in Brookville, carrying on that business for many years, and when the Pan Handle railroad was constructed through the place the company built a side track to his warehouse. As the first postmaster in Brookville he held the office for many years. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist or Dunkard church.

Noah Baker was born April n, 1834, on his father's farm, and attended common school until he was nineteen years of age. While he was sufficiently well educated to teach school, yet he preferred labor and business, and became a saw-mill proprietor. August 31, 1854, he married Catherine Litten, who was born September 11, 1834, and was a daughter of James and Sarah A. (Blair) Litten, the former of whom was an old citizen of Montgomery county, living near Dayton. While Mr. Litten was a native of Maryland, he moved early to this county with his wife. His children were named as follows: John. Samuel, David, Frances, Elizabeth, Grace, Delilah, Prudence and Catherine.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker, shortly after their marriage, settled on a farm of eighty acres. He soon engaged in the saw-mill business on the same spot where his mill now stands. He prospered in this enterprise and now owns valuable property in Brookville, and is still engaged in milling. Mr. Baker is a trustee in the Methodist church, of which both himself and wife are members. Politically he is a republican, and has served as a member of the corporation council. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker there have been born eleven children, two of whom died young; Arthur was killed at the age of twenty-three in an accident on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, near Carrollton, Ohio, and the remaining children are as follows: Cornelia, Fidelia, Ambrose,

Frances, Granville, Carrie, Orville and Emerson. Mr. Baker's sterling character and personal worth have made him one of the most widely-esteemed citizens of Brookville and that vicinity.

AMES M. CUSICK, a prosperous business man of Brookville, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Union army, was born in Montgomery county, one mile south of the town of Pyrmont, February 24, 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Johnson) Cusick. The Cusick family come of Scotch- Irish stock, and were early settlers in Virginia. The grandfather of the subject served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and saw the burning of the capitol building at Washington, D. C., during that war.

James M. Cusick was well educated in the public schools, and when a young man worked on the farm. On October 24, 1861, at West Baltimore, Montgomery county, Ohio, he enlisted as a private soldier in company B, Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years or during the war, and served not only throughout his full period of enlistment, but also two months more. When his time expired he was with his regiment engaged in the siege of Atlanta, and the regiment was held until after that city fell, and also after the battle of Franklin, which occurred November 30, 1864. Mr. Cusick was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., December 4, 1864. He was on guard duty at Fort Donelson in February, 1862, was in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in the great battle of Atlanta, and also in those of Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. With his regiment he was on the march to Nashville when the hard-fought battle of Franklin occurred, which in many ways was one of the severest of the war.

of enlistment, was sick in hospital only four weeks, and was in all the battles, skirmishes, campaigns and marches in which his regiment was engaged.

After the close of the war Mr. Cusick returned to Montgomery county, and in 1865 married Annie Cassell, who was born December 15, 1846, at Maytown, Lancaster county, Pa., and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Engle) Cassell. To Mr. and Mrs. Cusick there have been born two children, viz: Dermott H. and Imogene. After his marriage Mr. Cusick kept what is now the Reiley House, at Brookville, Ohio, for two years, and afterward kept hotel at Covington, Miami county, Ohio. He was also engaged in the lightning rod business for sixteen years, and at the expiration of this period bought a farm near Brookville, and was postmaster at this place under the Harrison administration. In 1893 he engaged in the grocery business, in which he has been successful. As a republican, he served as trustee of Clay township twelve years, and is a member of Foster Marshall post, No. 587, G. A. R. , of which he is now senior vice-commander. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Order of American Mechanics, having been the first treasurer of his lodge.

Mr. Cusick is a man well known for many miles around his home, and enjoys the reputation of an able business man and a publicspirited member of the community.

MOS J. COOVER, one of the most substantial farmers of Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and of old pioneer stock, is a son of Jacob and Eve (Beard) Coover, and was born on the old homestead March 22, 1851. He was educated in the common school, was trained to farming, and also learned the carpenter's trade.

At Dayton, Ohio, December 25, 1879, he married Miss Martha V. Shriver, who was reared in Dayton, was graduated from the Central high school of that city, and is a daughter of Dr. John William and Mary (Cassell) Shriver. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coover lived on the Coover homestead until 1891, when Mr. Coover bought and removed to his present handsome farm of 120 acres, which has since been their home. To this marriage have been born the following children: John W., Eva

S., Robert and Helen M. In politics Mr. Coover is an ardent republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Vandalia United Brethren church. Mr. Cooper is a thoroughly practical farmer and an excellent business man and is universally respected. His children are being well educated, and he is progressive in his views regarding educational affairs and public improvements.

Dr. John William Shriver, father of Mrs. Amos J. Coover, but now deceased for some twenty years past, was one of the most eminent of the physicians of the city of Dayton. He was a native of Chester county, Pa., and a son of William and Sarah (Williams) Shriver, the former of German and the latter of Welsh descent. He was graduated from the Philadelphia Medical college, began practice in Centreville, Pa., and there married Miss Mary A. Cassell, a native of Carroll county, Md., and a daughter of Isaac and Eleanor (Gibson) Cassell - the Cassells being of colonial Pennsylvania-German descent and the Gibsons of Kentucky-Irish extraction. Mr. Cassell was a merchant of Spring Mills, Pa., lived to the age of eighty-two years, and died a member of the Methodist church, and the father of one child, now Mrs. Dr. Shriver. To the doctor and wife were born nine children, viz: Sarah E., Adeline, Laura E., Margaret E., Martha Virginia (Mrs. Coover), John M., Charles A., Katie E. and Cliff M. After coming to Day-

Mrs. Eve (Beard) Coover, mother of Amos J. Coover, is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fox) Beard, and was born January 15, 1814, in Warren county, Ohio. John Beard, her father, was born in Maryland during the Revolutionary war, and in early manhood came to Ohio. He married, in Warren county, Mrs. Elizabeth Robb, a widow, and the daughter of Michael and Susannah Fox. The Fox family came from Hagerstown, Md., were among the earliest settlers of Stark county, Ohio, and both the Beard family and the Fox family were of German descent. John Beard and family came from Warren county to Montgomery county in 1820, and settled in Butler township on 100 acres of land on the National road; he also owned land in Shelby county, and was a well-to-do citizen. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beard were named Sallie, Polly, Betsey, Susannah, Mary, Eve, Samuel, John, Jacob, George and Nancy. The parents belonged to the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Beard was a trustee, and in politics he was a democrat. He served in the war of 1812, and lived to be eightyseven years of age. His mother died at the age of too years, and his wife at 10 1 years. Of the children here enumerated, Eve, whose name opens this paragraph, was reared in the wilderness of Warren county, and at twenty years of age, December 18, 1834, was married, in Butler township, Montgomery county, to Jacob Coover.

(Shoup) Coover. Michael Coover was born near Harrisburg, Pa., a son of Jacob Coover, and there were born to him and his wife, Elizabeth Shoup, the following children: John,

Jacob, George, Michael, Samuel, Isaac, Sarah and William - the last, a physician. Michael Coover brought his family to Ohio by wagon and settled in Butler township on the land occupied by J. Q. A. Coover, about 1828, and here died, a member of the United Brethren church. Jacob Coover, after his marriage with Eve Beard, worked in his father's sawmill until he purchased a farm for himself, and on which he reared his children, who were named as follows: Henry (died at forty-nine yearsof age), Michael J.,Anna,Rosannah, Jacob (died a young man), Filda, Zachariah (died young), Amos J., and Mary C. Mr. Coover prospered in his farming and became the owner of 226 acres of good arable land. For many years he was a trustee of the United Brethren church he had aided to build in Vandalia. In politics a republican, he was for a long time a township trustee. He was a man of high character and noted for his industry and public spirit. He gave his children every school advantage, and died February 23, 1874, at the age of sixty-five years. His venerable widow, now eighty-three years old, 'retains her faculties to a remarkable degree, and is beloved by all who know her. Of their children, named above, Henry married Adaline Johnson; Rosannah was married to Samuel Keplinger; Amos married Martha V. Shriver; Mary married Horace D. Hutchin, and Michael J. married Lucy Collins. Michael J. and Jacob (deceased) were soldiers in the three-months' service in the late Civil war, and both were in the same company.

Michael J. Coover, the eldest of the living children born to Jacob and Eve Coover, was born May 19, 1832, in Butler township, was reared a farmer, and in 1863, at Dayton, entered the 100-day service as corporal of company D, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and did duty at Washington, D. C., Arlington Heights, White House

Landing, Richmond, Petersburg, Fortress Monroe and Norfolk, but his active service under fire was confined to skirmishes at Arlington Heights and White House Landing. At the end of four months he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio. He married, in Dayton, October 3, 1883, Miss Lucy Collins, who was born in Dayton January 31, 1847, a daughter of Wilber Collins, a prosperous business man, now deceased. Mrs. Lucy Coover died December 6, 1885, leaving one child, Edwin J., born January 10, 1885. In politics Mr. Coover is a republican and is a member of the G. A. R. post at Vandalia. He is now engaged in farming in Butler township, growing large quantities of small fruits on a part of the old homestead, which he owns and upon which he built a handsome dwelling about a year after his marriage, having passed the first year of his married life in Dayton. He is one of Butler township's most valued and public-spirited citizens. (For further information respecting the Coover family, the reader is referred to the biography of J. Q. A. Coover, on another page).

aHRISTOPHER GISH, M. D., the oldest medical practitioner in Montgomery county, a man of learning and a venerated and honored citizen, was born in Franklin county, Pa., March 20, 1815, and is a son of Mathias and Frances (Hamaker) Gish.

His grandfather, Abraham Gish, emigrated from Switzerland to America a short time after the close of the Revolutionary war, and in Lancaster county, Pa., married a Miss Shock, by whom he had ten children, as follows: Jacob, John, Abram, David, Elizabeth, Catherine, Susan, George, Christopher and Mathias, all of whom were born in Lancaster county, Pa. Abraham Gish brought money with him from Switzerland, and upon arriving in this country purchased 500 acres of land near Elizabethtown, became a wealthy farmer, and there passed the remaining years of his life. He was an industrious man, of high moral character and a member of the United Brethren church. He lived to be eighty years of age. His family was noted for longevity and the combined ages of his children were over 900 years. They were all intelligent and temperate people, as well as prosperous.

Mathias Gish, the youngest son of Abraham, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 8, 1788, received a common-school education and became a farmer, beside learning the milling business of his brother David in Franklin county. Pa. In Cumberland county, Pa., he married Frances Hamaker, who was born April 24, 1791, in that county. After their marriage Mathias Gish and wife settled in Franklin county, Pa., moving thence soon afterward to Juniata county, where he bought a mill, which he ran for many years. In 1835 he removed to Shelby county, Ohio, where he bought land, and in 1838 he removed to Montgomery county, where he bought a house and lot and there died, in 1872, at the age of eighty-five. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was well known for his integrity of character and much esteemed for his qualities as an exemplary citizen. To him and his wife there were born the following children: John, Abraham, Christopher, Elizabeth, Frances and Mathias.

Dr. Christopher Gish, the subject of this sketch, received the rudiments of his education in Pennsylvania, and when eighteen years of age, in 1834, removed with his brother Abraham to Montgomery county, Ohio. He worked for some time in Union, Montgomery county, and also in Preble county, as a millwright, and for some time attended the Dayton academy, a famous school in its day. In

1839 he began the study of medicine at Dayton under Dr. Jacob Bosler, one of the pioneer physicians of Dayton. Dr. Gish attended the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati in 1840 and 1841. and again in 1850 and 1851, graduating in the latter year. He began the practice of medicine at Dayton in 1840, and removed during that year to Salem, Montgomery county, where he built up a large and profitable practice, riding many miles in all directions through the woods and over all kinds of roads, for nearly twenty years, most of his riding being on horseback. For some years he was in partnership with Dr. James F. Hibbard, who became an eminent physician, and is still living at Richmond, Ind., at the great age of eighty-one years.

Dr. Gish located in Brookville in i860, and there he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since, a period of thirtysix years, and has thus been in practice continuously during the last fifty-six years. He is a man of the widest general information, and has taken great interest in scientific matters, especially in geology, having been a close and persistent student of this fascinating science for the past thirty years. He has made a large and valuable collection of geological specimens, having traveled extensively throughout North America in pursuit of knowledge pertaining to this branch of learning. In this country he has visited the Rocky mountains, California, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia, all the time adding to his collection. The doctor is a man of extensive reading and information outside of his special study of geology, and possesses a most valuable store of varied knowledge. He is a man of unusually liberal views and well known everywhere for his independent thought and honest character.

(Share) Fiet. Mrs. Gish died in 1892, a woman of many virtues. In 1893 the doctor married Fannie Eyer, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 4, 1842, and is a daughter of John and Fannie (Engle) Eyer. John Eyer, her father, was a miller by occupation, and died at the age of eighty-four, his wife dying at the age of eighty-six. Mrs. Gish is a member of the River Brethren church. Her grandfather came from Switzerland at the same time as the grandfather of her husband. Dr. Gish, through his long and active life, has gained a large store of experience as well as of knowledge, and his career is an evidence of the value of intellectual industry and temperate habits in the prolonging of human life.

RS. JOSEPH DAVIDSON, of Montgomery county, Ohio, is a descendant of the Macy family, whose history is published elsewhere at some length in this volume. She is a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Wagoner) Macy, and was born December 8, 1846, on the old Macy homestead in Miami county, and bore the maiden name of Celina Macy. On October 2, 1868, she was married, at the residence of her father, to Joseph Davidson, and they settled on the farm where she now lives after passing the first year of their married life on the old homestead. The farm then contained eighty acres of land, which Mr. Davidson, aided by his wife, greatly improved, adding to it until he owned 120 acres - a fine farm, now in excellent condition and a pleasant home. Mr. Davidson was born June 13, 1838, in Butler township, on the old home farm. He was a son of William and Hepzibar (Pierson) Davidson, the former of whom was born in Norway, March 5, 1800, and ran away from home and came to America when he was quite young. On the way over he was shipwrecked and finally landed in Montreal, Canada. He married Hepzibar Pierson on the ioth of October, 1830, she being a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Pierson. William and Hepzibar Pierson had nine children, eight sons and one daughter, of whom Solomon, George, William and Margaret C. are still living. William Davidson settled on and cleared up from the woods the eighty acres of land on which Mrs. Joseph Davidson now lives, and which, as stated before, has been increased to 120 acres. He was a shoemaker by trade and died February 3, 1869.

Politically Joseph Davidson was a republican. He and his wife were members of the Disciples' church. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Alonzo Ohmer, Ward B., Howard O.. Myrtle and Carry. Mr. Davidson was an excellent citizen of high character, was careful, prudent and successful. The farm which he left is one of the best in Butler township, and is now managed by Mrs. Davidson, aided by her sons.

Joseph Davidson was a member of company G, Twenty-fifth Ohio national guard, and entered the service of the government during the war as a private soldier of company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, was enrolled May 2, 1864, and served 100 days. He was mustered out of service August 30, 1864, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He died July 13, 1892. Mrs. Davidson is one of the excellent women of Montgomery county, patient, industrious and a good manager.

OHN KNEE, an ex-soldier of the Civil war and an old resident of Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born March 15, 1843, in Miami county, and is a son of David and Catherine (Folkerth)

Knee, who were of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction, and whose children, born in Ohio, are named Philip, Samuel, Susan, Mary, David, Sarah, John, Lewis, Hettie, William and Ernestine. Of this family, three of the sons, Philip, David and John, served in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war.

John Knee in his youth had only the ordinary district-school advantages, and is largely a self-educated man. When but little past nineteen years of age he enlisted in company H, Sixty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, at Dayton, Ohio, August 28, 1862, to serve three years, veteranized January 1, 1864, at Prospect, Tenn., and served until honorably discharged, July 8, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on account of the close of the war. During this period of almost three years he participated in the battles of Parker's Cross Roads, Corinth, Holly Springs, Iuka, Miss.; Decatur, Ala.; the great Atlanta campaign; the battles at Dallas, Resaca, Big Shanty, Pumpkinvine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, the battle in front of Atlanta and that at Jonesboro; he was with Sherman in the famous march to the sea, being then in the commissary department; was at Goldsboro and Raleigh, N. C., and on the home march via Washington, D. C. , where he took part in the grand review, and for a short time afterward served in Kentucky. The engagement in front of Atlanta was the most severe in which he shared, and his hardest marching was in the pursuit of Forrest through Mississippi, in which he endured much suffering from cold and exposure.

After the war Mr. Knee came to Montgomery county, Ohio, and here married, August 25, 1866, Miss Sarah E. Lewis, who was born December 24, 1845, in Henry county, 111., a daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Stevenson) Lewis. Hiram Lewis came from New Jersey with his parents, who settled on the White river, when the Indians were still roaming the prairies and forests of the state. The children born to Hiram and Nancy Lewis were named Benjamin, William L., James, Walter (who died when small), Sarah E., Lucinda, Arthur L. and Nathan P. Of these, James served in the Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, and was badly wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, but recovered and served until the close of the war.

In 1874 John Knee and wife settled in Phillipsburg, where Mr. Knee engaged in farming, which industry he still pursues with much success. To Mr. and Mrs. Knee have been born the following children: Frank L., Albert (who died at the age of two years), Omer, Otto (deceased), Ira and Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Knee have long been members of the Christian church, of which Mr. Knee is a trustee, and in this faith they are rearing their children. In politics Mr. Knee is a stanch republican, and as a citizen he is respected for his industry, integrity and usefulness.

OUIS KUNNIKE, of Chambersburg, Ohio, one of the substantial farmers of Butler township, but now retired from active labor, was born at Celle, or Zell, as it is sometimes called, a town in Hanover, on the Aller, twenty-three miles northeast of the city of Hanover, October 11, 1831. He is a son of Christian and Annastine (Ebeling) Kunnike, the former a prosperous miller of Celle, owning both a grist-mill and an oil-mill. The children of Christian and Annastine Kunnike were August, Theodore, Earnest, Louis and Herman. Christian Kunnike lived to be fifty-eight years old and died in Germany. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was everywhere respected for his industrious habits and his high character. After his death Mrs. Kunnike married Henry

Sheverling, who was born in Hanover, in 1805, and was a miller by trade. By this marriage she had one daughter, Alvina. August and Theodore Kunnike came to the United States, the latter in 1840, the former in 1842. Both of them settled in Dayton, Theodore being a millwright by trade and August a miller. In December, 1843, Mr. and Mrs. Sheverling came to the United States, sailing from Bremen in the good ship Goethe, a sailing vessel, and were six weeks and three days on the sea. They landed in Baltimore and came at once to Dayton, settling in Butler township, Montgomery county, on a farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. This farm contained sixty-six acres, but since then there have been sold all but about ten acres, which is retained as a homestead. Mr. Sheverling died in 1884, aged seventy-nine years. From his fourteenth year up to his death he was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Sheverling lived to be sixty-nine years of age, dying in 1864. She was a woman of many virtues and a member of the Lutheran church. In 1853 she paid a visit to her native land, taking with her her daughter, Alvina, remained a year and then returned to the United States, living here until her death.

Louis Kunnike, the subject of this sketch, was well educated in his native country, attending school until he was eleven years old, and then coming with his mother to the United States. After reaching Ohio he attended school at Chambersburg, becoming a farmer in early life, and has followed that vocation ever since. He now owns 140 acres of land, and is a prosperous man. Like his father and mother, he is a member of the Lutheran church, having united with that church when fourteen years of age. In politics he was a democrat until Abraham Lincoln's time, and since then has been a republican. Mr. Kunnike is a man of undoubted honesty and up-

Miss Alvina Sheverling was born February 16, 1838, and hence was five years old when she came to the United States with her parents. She was fifteen years of age when she went on a visit to Germany with her mother. She is a member of the Lutheran church, having united therewith when fifteen years of age, and with the exception of the one year spent in Germany has lived in Butler township ever since 1848. She is a woman of excellent business ability, and by judicious management and investment has largely increased her inheritance, having now 177 acres of good farm land, well improved.

OHN M. LANDIS, whose post-office is Clayton, Ohio, is one of the old settlers of Randolph township. His father, Abraham Landis, was one of the original pioneers of Madison township, and was born in Lancaster county, Pa. In that county he was married to Mary Miller, who was born in the same county, and both were of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock. Abraham Landis was a farmer and removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, not long after 1805, settling in the woods in Madison township, a little clearing having already been made on his land. The rest of the farm he himself cleared and made himself a good home. He was a hard-working pioneer, and respected by all. His children are believed to have all been born in Montgomery county. They were as follows: Sallie, who died young; Jacob, Samuel, Daniel, Polly, Elizabeth, Nancy, Leah, Susan, Abraham, John M., Lydia and Michael. In religious

John M. Landis, the subject of this sketch, was born July 8, 1832, on his father's farm, in Madison township. Having received his education, he became a farmer from choice, and when twenty-three years of age, on April 15, 1856, married Elizabeth Ann Weaver, who was born May 26, 1837, and was a daughter of James and Nancy (Hayes) Weaver, the former of whom was a farmer.

To Mr. and Mrs. Landis there were born the following children: Alice, Nannie Bell; Edward, who died young; Charles; Emma, who died in infancy; and Clarence W. After marriage Mr. Landis settled on Wolf creek, afterward removing to Darke county, and returning to Montgomery county in 1870, buying eighty-three and a half acres of land, upon which he has since lived. This farm he has greatly improved and has erected new and tasteful buildings. Mrs. Landis, who died March 25, 1893, was a most excellent woman, and a member of the Christian church. She was fifty-five years old at the time of her death. Politically, Mr. Landis is a democrat. He has always been an active citizen, and is esteemed for his strong and exemplary character and industrious habits.

Clarence W. Landis married Dora Geist, who was born March 13, 1870, in Madison township, Montgomery county,' and is a daughter of Erb and Rickie (Clapper) Geist, and of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. To Mr. and Mrs. Landis there have been born two children, Artie and Alice. Clarence W. Landis was well educated in the common schools and is now living on the Ananias Frantz farm. Nannie Bell Landis married Preston Weaver, of the National Cash Register company of Dayton, and has had three children, only one of whom is living.

ENJAMJN MECKLEY, one of the thriving farmers of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Otfto, was born here on his father's farm August 30, 1835, and is of Pennsylvania-German descent.

Christian Meckley, his father, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., December 19, 1805, and was a son of Melchor Meckley, a iarmer, who died at the age of forty-eight years, the father of eight children, viz: Christian, Henry, Isaac, Benjamin, Joseph, Jacob, John and Nancy. Christian was about twelve years old when his father died, and at the proper age was apprenticed to a weaver. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Ohio, walking, with ten companions, all the way to Montgomery county. Later, he made several trips to Pennsylvania, driving a team one way and walking the other; altogether, and in various ways, he made seventeen trips between the two states. He finally located in Hamilton, Butler county, where he carried on weaving for some time. He then came to Jackson township, Montgomery county, and married Nancy Keener, who was born in Pennsylvania within three miles of his own birthplace, and about 1830 settled on the farm next north of that on which his son Benjamin now lives. The farm was in the woods and comprised 100 acres, and here were born his six children: Catherine, John, Benjamin, Henry, Michael and Mary. He prospered through life, and at one time owned 460 acres of land, most of which he disposed of to his children without interest, but, as a lesson in industry and economy, insisted on their paying for it. He was a democrat in politics, and for two terms served as township trustee. His death took place April 10, 1884, in his seventy-ninth year.

Benjamin Meckley was reared on the home farm and had the advantage of the common schools three months each winter from early boyhood until nineteen years old. April 3,

1862, he married Miss Catherine Barbara Kayler, who was born five miles north of Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, October 1, 1835, on the homestead of her parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ozias) Kayler.

Benjamin Kayler was born in Rockingham county, Va. , October 22, 1803, a son of John F. and Catherine (Haynes) Kayler. John F. was descended from an old German family of Virginia, and brought his wife and children to Ohio in 1815. They settled four and a half miles north of Eaton, where Mr. Kayler cleared up a farm from the woods, and at one time owned about 400 acres of land, of which he gave 120 acres to each of his children - John, Benjamin and William. He died in 1857, at the age of eighty-two years, having become one of the most prominent citizens of his township. Benjamin Kayler came to Ohio with his father and was reared to manhood on the farm in Preble county. His wife was a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Cristman) Ozias, natives of North Carolina and of German extraction, and Rev. Jacob Cristman, the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Meckley, was the first German Reform preacher in the state of Ohio - both families having come to this state in 1803. Benjamin Kayler and wife settled on a tract of land in the woods near his father's farm, where he cut down the trees from which he obtained the logs for his cabin, cleared up a fine farm, and increased his original tract of 120 acres to 660. He was an elder in the Lutheran church, a man of unimpeachable character, and died in the faith, in 1880, at the age of seventy-eight years, the father of six children - William, Catherine B., Phebe, Sarah, Mary and Amanda.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Meckley settled on their present farm, which then consisted of 1 50 acres. He has been industrious and thrifty and has added 1 30 acres, now owning a compact and well-cutivated farm of

280 acres, one of the best in Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Meckley are members of the German Reformed church, Mr. Meckley having united with the Slyfer congregation when sixteen years of age, while Mrs. Meckley became a member of Zion's Lutheran church congregation, north of Eaton, when seventeen years old. Mr. Meckley has held the office of deacon and elder for twenty-six years, and is at present an elder in the church. The lives of both have been filled with benevolence and charity. In the absence of children of their own, they have reared, as their own child, -from girlhood to womanhood, Annie Gephart, now the wife of William Allen Leise, of Dayton. In politics Mr. Meckley is a democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office. He has led a busy and useful life, and he and wife bear an honored name throughout the township of Jackson and surrounding country.

OHN C. HEIDINGER, present postmaster of Brookville, springs from German ancestry. He was born in Brakenheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 29, 1830, and is a son of Jacob and Katherine (Fisher) Heidinger. John C. Heidinger received his education in the excellent schools of Wurtemberg, and came to the United States in 1848, when he was eighteen years old, sailing from Antwerp, Belgium, and landing in New York. He first went to Newark, N. J., where he remained a few months, and thence to Pennsylvania, where he resided two years. Here he worked on a farm and also learned the painter's trade. In 1853 he came to Ohio, living for a time at Cincinnati and at College Hill, in Hamilton county, and in 1855 removed to Dayton, Ohio, following his trade all this time. In the same year, 1855, he went to New Lebanon, Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1856 married Mary A. Adams, who was born in Fairfield county, at New Lancaster, in 1830, and was a daughter of Jacob and Sabina (Henkle) Adorns. The Adams family were originally from Maryland, and the Henkles from Virginia.

Mr. Heidinger resided at New Lebanon until 1862, and then removed to Johnsville, Montgomery county, where he engaged in mercantile business. From Johnsville he removed to Van Wert, and thence to Franklin, Ohio, in 1867, and in 1869 to Farmersville, finally coming to Brookville in 1871. In each of these places he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but upon reaching Brookville he entered the hotel business as proprietor of the Central House, which he conducted for sixteen years, retiring at the end of this period.

In 1884 he was elected a member of the board of infirmary directors, serving three years, and proved a capable and humane official, his efforts being directed to the benefit of the public. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster of Brookville under President Cleveland's administration, and holds this position at the present time (1897). Mr. Heidinger has engaged in the fire insurance business for the past sixteen years, representing only standard companies. In politics a democrat, he has held several minor offices of his party, such as township clerk of Brookville, and he is one of the popular citizens of this thriving place. He has also served as a member of the corporation council and is well known for his integrity of character and correct business methods. Under his administration the post-office is well managed and the service excellent.

died young; Salina, who died after her marriage; Luther F., deceased; Edward C., William and George A. Mr. Heidinger is an honored member of the Odd Fellows order. He has passed nearly all his active life in the

United States, and is in every way a thorough American citizen. While living at New Lebanon and at Johnsville he was postmaster under President Lincoln's administration. He is a genial and pleasant gentleman and is deservedly popular with all classes of the people.

ACOB C. POTE, one of the old citizens and farmers of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of Pennsylvania and was born in Indiana county, January i, 1823, a son of Adam and Magdalen (Coy) Pote.

Michael Pote, grandfather of Jacob C., was born in Germany, and when a young man came to America, served in the war of the Revolution, and was one of those who passed the terrible winter of 1777-8 with Washington at Valley Forge. Mr. Pote married a Mrs. Wise, the union resulting in the birth of the following children: Michael, Jacob, Adam, Elizabeth, Sophia, Magdalena and Catherine. He settled down to farming in Bedford county on a tract of 300 acres of land, realized a competency, and died an aged and respected citizen - his descendants still owning the old farm, which some of them occupy.

Adam Pote, son of Michael, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1795, was there married to Magdalen Coy, and in 1824 came with his wife and four children to Montgomery township, Ohio. He first located in Randolph township, but later moved to'Clay township and entered eighty acres of land, the deed being signed by the then president of the United States, John Quincy Adams. This land he cleared up from the wilderness and transformed into a comfortable home, and here passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1867, the father of eleven children. They

Jacob C., Mary, Dolly, Michael, Barbara, Susannah, Daniel and John. Of these, three of the sons - Jacob C., Daniel and John - served in the late Civil war, the latter two in the three years' service and as veterans of company B, Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry. In politics, Mr. Pote was at first a whig, but went into the ranks of the republican party on its organization. He and wife were members of the German Baptist church, and both were noted for their integrity.

Lewis Coy, father of Mrs. Magdalen Pote, was a native of Bedford county, Pa., and was extensively engaged in farming, owning 600 acres of land. He lived to be an aged man, and was the father of four sons, viz: Lewis,

Jacob C. Pote, whose name opens this biographical notice, was but one year old when he was brought to Montgomery county. Here he was reared to farming, receiving in his youthful days such an education as could be acquired in the pioneer schools, and on April 18, 1847, married Miss Elizabeth Wagoman, a daughter of Joel Wagoman and a native of Montgomery county. To this union were born five children, viz: Mary A., Catherine, Ellen

J. , Susannah and Emma. Mrs. Elizabeth Pote died in 1858, and on March 7, i860, Mr. Pote married Miss Mary Whisler, daughter of Peter and Mary (Spitler) Whisler, and this union was blessed by the birth of seven children, who are named Edward, David L. , Alice, Jessie, Ida, Orvilla and Cora.

Mr. Pote enlisted in the United States volunteers, first, for the Mormon war, but was not called out for actual service; he next enlisted in the Ohio national guards for five years, was commissioned captain of company F, Second regiment, was called out May 2, 1864, and his company merged with company unteer infantry. He was mustered in as first lieutenant, for ioo days, and was stationed at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md., but was detached for provost duty in the city, served 1 17 days, and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, August 22, 1864.

Mr. Pote, before enlistment, had purchased a tract of 140 acres of land in Clay township, and after his return from the service settled on this property and made of it an excellent farm. He was bereft of his second wife in 1875. She was a devout member of the United Brethren church. In politics Mr. Pote was, in his earlier manhood, a Henry Clay whig, and cast his first presidential vote for that famous statesman; on the formation of the republican party, he became one of its members, and has ever since been identified with it. Mr. Pote has been successful in his vocation, and is now one of the most respected of Clay township's citizens.

His grandfather, Daniel G. Mundhenk, was a native of Germany; married Louisa Sprengel in 1803, and in 1807 emigrated from Pyrmont, a small country in the northwest of Germany, landing in Philadelphia. When a young man Mr. Mundhenk was a sailor in service upon whaling vessels, and visited the Arctic ocean and Greenland. After retiring from a seafaring life he became a farmer and a mechanic. By his first wife, who died shortly after reaching Philadelphia, Mr. Mundhenk had two children, August and Louisa. For his second wife he married Maria Hagerman, by whom he had eight children, as follows:

Daniel, Henry, Mary A., Michael, Joseph, Charles, Frederick and John. Mr. Mundhenk settled in Montgomery county in 1817, and founded the town of Pyrmont, laying it out on his own land, of which he had from 500 to 600 acres. Upon this farm his second wife died, and for his third wife he married Margaret Hubler, by whom he had one child, Caroline. Early in his life Mr. Mundhenk was a Quaker, but after reaching Ohio he joined the United Brethren church, He died in Pyrmont in 1859, at the age of eighty-one. He was one of the well-known and popular men of pioneer days, a man of sterling character and a valued citizen. He was engaged in both farming and milling in Pyrmont, erecting both saw and grist-mills early in the history of Montgomery county.

Frederick Mundhenk, father of Dr. Mundhenk, was born July 4, 1818, at Pyrmont, being the first child born in the settlement. His education was received in tho common schools, and early in life he learned the business of miller, operating both saw and gristmills. November 3, 1843, he married, at Pyrmont, Mary C. Hook, who was born in Rockingham county, Va., November 11, 1823, and who was a daughter of John and Ann (Chandler) Hook, the former of whom was born in Rockingham county, Va., and was on his father's side of English descent, on his mother's side of German ancestry. He was the son of Robert Hook.

John Hook was a soldier of the war of 1812, being stationed for a time at Norfolk, Va. To him and his wife there was born one child, Mary C. For some years he followed the harness and saddlery business in Harrisonburg, Va., and at an early day emigrated to Missouri, and returning from that state located at Pyrmont, Ohio, about 1830. After the death of his first wife he married a second wife, by whom he had two children, Uriah

Frederick Mundhenk resided at Pyrmont the greater portion of his life. He was an industrious, hard-working and prosperous man, owning some 500 acres of land. For many years he was engaged in milling at Pyrmont, where he was a well and widely known and honored citizen, a republican in politics, and a liberal supporter of the United Brethren church, of which he was a member. He had one son, James, in the Civil war, a member of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry. His children were as follows: William S. and Minnie by his first wife, and Frederick by his second marriage.

William S. Mundhenk, M. D., was born August 19, 1851, in Pyrmont, was educated first in the public schools, and began the study of medicine with Dr. J. R. Conner, a prominent physician of Montgomery county for thirty years. Afterward he graduated from the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, in 1876, and immediately began the practice of medicine at Brookville, soon establishing himself in a large and lucrative practice, which extends throughout the surrounding country. In 1872 he married Emma Conner, born in 1853, and a daughter of Dr. J. R. Conner and his wife, Mary Cusick. Dr. Conner was born in Maryland, and when a young man removed to Clinton county, Ohio, and in 1851 to Montgomery county, locating in Pyrmont, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine until 1872. For the last ten years of his life he was engaged in practice in Brookville, dying there in 1882, at the age of fifty-six years. His children are Emma, Eberle, Flora and Rose. Dr. Conner was of prominence in the medical profession, and held a high place in the general estimation of his fellow-men.

which he has always maintained an enviable standing. He is a member of the Ohio state Medical association, of the Montgomery county Medical society, of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. To Dr. and Mrs. Mundhenk there has been born one son, Herbert C. , now a diligent student at the Ohio State university.

HLBERT QUANCE, of Brookville, Montgomery county, Ohio, an honored citizen, and one of the ex-soldiers of the Civil war, springs from an old American family of the state of New York, and is of England and German ancestry. He is a son of Stephen S. and Mary Quance, and was born February 26, 1848, in Lenawee county, Mich. Having received a good common-school education, when fifteen years old he enlisted February 26, 1863, at Camden, Hillsdale county, Mich., in company B, First Michigan sharpshooters, for three years or during the war. While in Judiciary Square hospital, Washington, D. C., he was honorably discharged, January 20, 1865, on account of wounds received in battle. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, of Spottsylvania Court House, of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, in the latter battle being shot in the left leg by a musket ball, which struck about the middle of the thigh, shattering the bone. Being taken to the field hospital it was found necessary to amputate the leg near the body. For some time he was in the Army Square hospital at Washington, D. C., and later was transferred to the Judiciary Square hospital, from which he was in due course of time discharged, having been in the different hospitals about six months in all. The wound above mentioned was the second he received, the first being at Spottsylvania Court House, when a piece of shell struck him on the knee cap of the left leg, disabling him for some time. He was also struck in the groin by a spent ball at Petersburg. He was an unusually strong boy, was never sick, performed his duty cheerfully, and was throughout a faithful soldier.

After the war he returned to Michigan, and remained at home with his father for some time, attending school. About 1871 he removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, and for a short time was an inmate of the soldiers' home. In 1875, having purchased a small piece of land near Bachman, Montgomery county, Ohio, he married Annie M. Schlosser, who was born in Jay county, Ind., November 6, 1857, and is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Beechler) Schlosser. Mr. and Mrs. Quance lived at Bachman until 1886, when they removed to Brookville, and there Mr. Quance bought his present property, consisting of five town lots and a good residence, pleasantly situated.

died at the age of five years: Laura, born February 6, 1881; Lewis, born June 16, 1885, and Flora, born May 17, 1890. Mr. Quance is a member of Foster Marshall post, No. 587, G. A. R. , and has held the office of adjutant. He is a republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Stephen S. Quance, father of Albert, was born in the State of New York, became a farmer and mason, and was married the first time in his native state. Removing to Michigan about 1845, he there worked at his trade as a mason, and later removed to Steuben county, Ind., but died in Illinois in 1896. His children were George, Charles E., Mary, Juliette, Nettie, Albert and Stephen. He had two sons in the Civil war, Charles E. and Albert, the former being in the Sixty-first Illinois volunteer infantry. Mr. Quance was a member of the Christian church, and his first wife, the mother of Albert Quance, a woman of many virtues and excellent qualities, died in Michigan about 1848. Mr. Quance married the second time, by this union having one child, Alice. His second wife having died he again married, but had no children by his third marriage.

Samuel Schlosser, father of Mrs. Albert Quance, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. His children are Harry C. ; Frances M. ; Nancy and Annie M. He is a citizen of Bachman, and a sketch of his life will be found elsewhere in these pages.

w'ILLIAM PIATT, an honored citizen MM I of Brookville, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, is of French Huguenot descent and of an old colonial family of the state of Virginia. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 9, 1841, and is a son of James and Eliza (McWhiney) Piatt. Having received the common-school education of his youthful days, he was reared to farm life and labor. His mother having died in 1849 he was bound out to labor, but received such severe treatment that his father secured a writ of habeas corpus, by means of which young Piatt became again a free boy. He then worked for Daniel Frantz on the farm for nine years.

November 15, 1861, he enlisted at Poasttown, Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, as a private soldier in company E, Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. W. H. Callender, for three years or during the war. He served until he veteranized in that organization at Gallatin, Tenn., February 14, 1864, and continued to serve until honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, January 6, 1866. He participated in many skirmishes and battles, among them those of Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, his regiment having joined Gen. Sherman on the march to Atlanta in time to take part in the closing battles of that great campaign. For fourteen months he was engaged in fighting guerrillas, his company being mounted, and afterward he was engaged in protecting the Louisville & Nashville railroad. After the fall of Atlanta Mr. Piatt returned to Nashville, taking part on the way in the great battle of Franklin, which in many respects was one of the hardest-fought battles of the war, the rebels making as many as nine separate and desperate charges on the Union lines, so determined were they to conquer on that day, knowing that on their success depended the possibility of their being able to capture Nashville. After the battle of Franklin Mr. Piatt was on the skirmish line near Nashville on December 14, 1864, was shot in the right wrist, and was in the hospital in Nashville for six weeks. Rejoining his regiment at Huntsville, Ala., he went to Greenville, east Tennessee, where he remained until after the surrender of Lee. Then with his regiment he went to Nashville, remaining there two months, and then went to Texas to watch Maximilian in Mexico, finally reaching San Antonio, Tex., where he was mustered out. He was always an active soldier, and prompt in the discharge of his duty. Now, however, he is much broken down, which fact he attributes to the hardships and exposures of the war. At Clarksville, Tenn., he, with about 300 others, was taken prisoner, paroled the next day, sent to the Union lines, and was soon exchanged. One of the most severe marches in which he took part was that from Matagorda Bay, Tex., to Green Lake, Tex., his suffering on this march being caused by the intense July heat and the want of water.

also in buying and selling tobacco, in which he has been very successful for the past twentyfive years. On March 9, 1882, he married Miss Alva Kepler, who was born in Montgomery county, June 7, 1859, and is a daughter of William and Hannah (Willie) Kepler. William Kepler was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was a son of Jesse Kepler, who settled in Montgomery county many years ago and who died near Dayton, Ohio, in 1895, at the age of eightysix years, his wife dying at the same age. Prior to her marriage she was Maria Hendrickson, of New Jersey. William Kepler and his wife were the parents of the following children: Alva, Herbert, Altie, Lutie F., Lottie L., Harry N., Charles J. and Maud A. Mr. Kepler is now an honored citizen of Brookville.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Piatt settled near New Lebanon, Montgomery county, resided there five years, and then removed to Brookville in 1887. They have one child, Estus E. Piatt. Mr. Piatt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served as one of its trustees, while Mrs. Piatt is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Piatt is a member of Foster Marshall post, No. 587, G. A. R., of Brookville. Politically, he is a republican and has served as a member of the town council. He is a member of Oak lodge, No. 265, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs, including that of noble grand. Mr. Piatt is well known as a competent and honorable business man and a good citizen. He has recently received a commission from the Ohio department of the Grand Army of the Republic as colonel on the staff of the quartermaster-general.

APT. BENJAMIN F. SHOE, a veteran of both the Mexican and Civil wars and a respected citizen of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born near Dayton, January 13, 1824, a son of John and Prudence (Hewey) Shoe, respectively of German and Irish extraction.

Shortly after reaching his majority, Mr. Shoe enlisted for five years, or during the Mexican war, August 27, 1845, in company H, Fifth infantry, at Newport, Ky., and on reaching the front took part in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Molina del Rey, Castle of Chapultepec, the Gate of San Cosmo and Cherubusco ( where he was slightly wounded). He served under Gens. Worth, Taylor and Scott until peace was declared, after which he served out his term of enlistment, and was honorably discharged at Fort Washita, August 27, 1851, with the rank of sergeant, having been promoted for meritorious conduct in the field. He then returned to Montgomery county and found employment at farm labor. November 20, 1859, Mr. Shoe was united in marriage, in Clay township, with Miss Sarah Louisa Kennard, a native of Miami county, Ohio, born July 29, 1840, and to this union ten children have been born, viz: One

John Shoe, the father of the captain, was a native of Maryland and settled in Dayton, Ohio, when that now populous and beautiful city was merely an Indian trading post. To him and his wife were born the following children: David, John, Elihu, Sarah, Philip, Elhannon, Jacob, Deborah, Massie and Benjamin F. John Shoe lived to reach the age of seventy-nine years, and died in the faith of the German Baptist church. Benjamin Kennard, father of Mrs. Shoe, a tanner by trade, came to Montgomery county, Ohio, from Indiana, and was the father of the following-named children: Mary J., Richard, Catherine, Ellen,

Kesiah, Susannah, William, Thomas R., Sarah L. and Elizabeth. Of these, Richard, William and Thomas R. served in the Civil war, in which their brothers-in-law, Isaac Webster, Thomas Wright and Noah Tucker also took an active part.