Dayton City (part 46 of 50)

On marrying, Mr. Shoe settled on his present farm and was engaged in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture until the alarm of war was again sounded. In the meantime he had organized a company of militia in Clay township, denominated the Clay Guards, of which he was commissioned captain by Gov. Chase, who complimented him on having the best drilled company in the state - Mr. Shoe having availed himself of his experience in the regular army, which had made him a competent drill-master. Nevertheless, when the Civil war opened Capt. Shoe entered the volunteer service as a private, enlisting in October, 1861, in company H, Seventy-fourth Ohio infantry, for three years, unless sooner discharged by reason of the close of the war, and served until honorably discharged at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in March, 1863, on account of disability. During this enlistment he was in the battle of Stone River, and for four months of his term performed all the duties of a first lieutenant, although not commissioned. On being discharged, he returned to Montgomery county, but did not remain long, as he re-enlisted, and on May 22, 1864, was mustered in at Camp Chase for 100 days, as drill-master of company K, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, from which service he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, August 26, 1864, having at this time served 1 17 days. He thus has a record of military service extending over a period of more than eight years. In politics Capt. Shoe is a republican. As a citizen he is respected for his upright life and his public spirit, and as a defender of his country's rights is most deservedly honored.

AMU EL SCHLOSSER, a farmer of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, also a practical shoemaker and an ex-soldier in the late war, is a son of Moses and Sarah (Fleagle) Schlosser, and was born in Preble county, Ohio, June 24, 1835.

John Schlosser, his grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, was of German descent, and in 1816 removed with his family from Lancaster county, that state, to Preble county, Ohio, his children being John, Jonas, Moses and Samuel. The journey to Ohio was made in a four-horse wagon, and settlement was made in the woods on a 160-acre tract near West Sonora. There he succeeded in making a good home, and there died at the age of eighty years, a member of the Lutheran church and a worthy citizen. Of his children, Samuel served in the Union army five years and one month, passing all through the late Civil war.

Moses Schlosser, son of John and Mary (Reiner) Schlosser, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 23, 1 808, and consequently was eight years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents. He was brought up among the pioneers of Preble county, received a good common-school education and was reared to farming. He was married in Preble county to Sarah Fleagle, who was born in Maryland in 1812, a daughter of Abraham and Isabella (Dutch) Fleagle, the father, Abraham, being one of the earliest settlers of Preble county. Moses Schlosser, after his marriage, farmed for some little time in Preble county, Ohio, then moved to LaSalle county, 111. , and purchased eighty acres of land, on which he farmed until 1879, when he moved to Butler county, Kans., where he made his home with his son, William, until his death, which occurred February 23, 1892. His children were named in order of birth, Samuel, Jacob, Isabella, William, Margaret, Sarah, Levina, and Phisbie and Almina (twins). Of these, William was a private in the Indiana cavalry, served three years, and lost his eyesight in the battle at Athens, Tenn., while his elder brother, Jacob, served two years in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois infantry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Abraham Fleagle, maternal grandfather of subject, served in the British and Indian wars.

Samuel Schlosser was educated in the oldtime subscription schools, was thoroughly trained to farming, and at the age of twentyone years, on September 11, 1856, married, in Montgomery county, Miss Mary Beachler, who was born August 5, 1834, a daughter of Frederick and Annie Beachler. The father, Frederick Beachler, was a native of Germany, and, to avoid military duty in that country, came to the United States while he was still a young man, located in Montgomery county, Ohio, where he was married, and bought eighty acres of. land, on which he lived until his death, in middle age, in 1855, and in the faith of the Lutheran church. To Mr. Beachler were born eight children, viz: Henry,

Jacob, John, Leonard, Michael, George, Lewis and Mary. Of these children Leonard was in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Indiana volunteer infantry, and served 100 days during the late war.

on a farm in Montgomery county for a short time, and then moved to Jay county, Ind., where he farmed for eighteen months. Returning to Montgomery county, Ohio, he settled on a tract in Clay township. December 24, 1863, he enlisted at Dayton, in company I, Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Saint Louis, Mo., December 26, 1865. He took part in the battles of Loudon and Clinton, Tenn., was all through the famous Atlanta campaign, then in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and again in the front of Atlanta; took part in the fights at Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, and at the first battle at Franklin, where, on the night of the retreat, he was run over by a mule team and so badly injured that he has never fully recovered. After a short confinement in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., and Saint Louis, Mo., Mr. Schlosser was transferred to Jefferson barracks, in the latter city, and assigned to the Second battalion veteran reserve corps, in which he served until his final discharge. With the exception of the above-mentioned hospital treatment he was never laid up, save for four weeks with chronic rheumatism, and at all other times was an active and willing soldier, who took part wherever his regiment was engaged or did duty. Since the war Mr. Schlosser has followed his trade of shoemaking and has also been engaged in the cultivation of his farm, which he had purchased before the war. To Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser have been born four children, viz: Ann M., Nancy J., Francis M. and Harry C. The family are members of the German Baptist church, and Mr. Schlosser belongs to the Foster Marshall post, No. 587, G. A. R. , of Brookville. Mr. Schlosser is respected as an industrious and honorable citizen and as a devoted friend of the country he has served so well.

AMES SUNDERLAND, of Vandalia, Ohio, one of the most prominent and substantial farmers of Butler township, Montgomery county, is of sterling Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was born on the old homestead of his father, August 31, 1823. He is of the third generation of Sunderlands in Ohio, and now occupies the farm on which he was born. He is a son of William and Margaret (Miller) Sunderland, for fuller mention of whom the reader is referred to the biography of Richard Sunderland, elsewhere to be found in this volume.

James Sunderland, when a boy, attended school in one of the old-fashioned schoolhouses, made of large, round logs, with greased paper for windows, with a large fireplace at one end and a stick and clay chimney. Here he received the little education that fell to his share. Brought up on the farm, he became a farmer, and was married when he was twenty-one years of age, April 18, 1844, to Miss Mary Wells, who was born November 12, 1828, on the Wells homestead. She was a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Johnson) Wells, for fuller mention of whom the reader is referred to the biographical sketch of Richard Sunderland.

After their marriage they immediately settled on the old homestead and have lived there ever since. To them have been born the following children: Matilda J., Malinda E.,

Winfield S., Francis M. , Emma F., Della A., Bista A. and Mary R. Malinda E. died when nineteen years of age; Winfield S. died July 18, 1878; Francis M., May 10, 1872, when nineteen years old; Emma F. at the age of three years; Bista A. at the age of seven, and Mary R. when three years of age.

In politics Mr. Sunderland is a republican, but is in no sense a seeker after office. He inherited 100 acres of the old homestead, and by thrift and industry he has added to it until he now has 800 acres of as fine land as can be found in this rich valley. It extends a mile and a half on the Miami river and is most fertile land, being developed by skillful cultivation and improved by the erection of excellent buildings. Seventy-five acres of this farm are still in their primitive state, covered over with noble timber.

Mr. Sunderland is a practical and successful farmer, and is a man who stands high in the community for the sterling worth and strength of his character. Winfield S. Sunderland married Alice N. Brentlinger, by whom he had one son, Walter E., still living. Matilda J. married H. H. Cassell, and they are living on the Sunderland farm. Della A. married John K. Booker, and they have four children, as follows: James A., Harry O., Raleigh and Mary E.

The Sunderland family descends from early pioneer stock, as does also the Wells family. Mary Johnson, the maternal grandmother of Mrs. Sunderland, was born in North Carolina, and lived to be ninety-three years old. When she came to Ohio she was a widow, and her children were, Jesse, John, David, Mary, Rebecca and Nancy. Mrs. Johnson settled on land in Montgomery county, and with the aid of her children made a good home in the woods. She was a woman of wonderful mental ability and was a pioneer of Butler township, settling here in 1 804.

EWIS R. SMITH, an honored citizen of Brookville, and one of the old soldiers of the Civil war, was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 24, 182^. He is a son of Peter and Catherine (Richard) Smith, the Smith family being of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock and from an old colonial family. On the mother's side, the grandfather of the subject came from Germany, and the mother

Lewis R. Smith was taken by his parents to Montgomery county, they settling on the present site of Phillipsburg, when he was but six years of age, in 1834. He received the rudiments of his education in the common schools, and later went to Indiana, where he learned the wagon and carriagemaker's trade, afterward mastering the carpenter's trade. When he was twenty-eight years old he married Lydia Davis, daughter of George Davis, a native of England. After his marriage he settled at Phillipsburg, where he worked at his trade, that of carpenter. The war of the Rebellion having broken out, Mr. Smith enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, on August 15, 1861, as a member of company D, Eighteenth United States infantry, and while on the way to Pittsburg Landing was transferred to company B, of the same regiment, and made orderly sergeant. He was honorably discharged August 15, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio. In October,

1 864, he enlisted in company F, Seventh United States veteran volunteers (called Hancock's veteran United States volunteers) for one- year, and served his time, thus giving four full years to his country's cause. He was in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Chickamauga, beside many skirmishes and several raids. He received no gunshot wounds, but was struck on the right wrist by a ball and slightly wounded at the battle of Stone River. At this battle his captain had both legs shot off by a cannon ball and the lieutenant of his company was killed. During the remainder of the engagement Sergt. Smith was in command of the company, most of whose members were killed, so severe was the fighting.

in the convalescent camp at Nashville, Tenn., was ordered before the board of transfer, and made clerk of said board, in which capacity he served for two months. After this board was disbanded, Sergt. Smith was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he served at headquarters as clerk until discharged. Always an earnest soldier, he was in all the battles, skirmishes, marches, campaigns and raids of his regiment. The severest engagements in which he took part were those of Stone River and Chickamauga, in which the regular troops performed very efficient service. The battle of Stone River lasted nearly all of one week, from the first skirmish to the end of the fighting. Sergt. Smith was at the time of the war in the prime of life, vigorous and hardy, and endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with fortitude and courage. After the close of the war he returned to Phillipsburg, Ohio.

His first wife died previous to his entering the army in 1 86 1 . By her he had two children, both of whom died young. On January 31, 1865, he married Mary Thomas, a widow, who was born in Montgomery county, March 26, 1741, and was a daughter of John and Nancy (Warner) Johnf. She was the widow of Seth Thomas, who was a soldier in the Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and who died in hospital at Memphis, Tenn., September 31, 1862.

John John$ was of Welsh descent and a pioneer of Montgomery county, and a substantial farmer. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, Lydia,

Lewis W. , Samuel W. , Ephraim, Hettie A., David, Sarah, Mary and Susan. Mr. Johns lived to be seventy-nine years old, and died on his farm, a respected citizen. Politically, he was a republican. He had one son in the Civil war, Lewis W. John$, who was a member of the Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and who participated in several battles.

until 1880, when they removed to Brookville. To them there have been born two sons, George B. , now of Dayton, Ohio, and head bookkeeper for a large manufacturing firm, and Sylvester deceased - and one daughter, Ol/ivia, deceased. Mr. Smith is an active republican, and was postmaster under President Hayes for two years. He served as mayor of Brookville three terms and as a member of the council one term. He has also held the office of justice of the peace six years, and of notary public twenty-nine years. As a member of the school board he has rendered valuable service to his fellow-citizens.

His father, Peter Smith, lived for a long time in Lancaster county, Pa., in which county he was born. He served in the war of 1812. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, as follows: John R., Mary, Peter, Rebecca, Lewis R. , Henry and Samuel R. Peter Smith came to Ohio about 1829, was a miller by trade, but settled on a farm near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, removing with his family to Montgomery county in 1834. Here he cleared a farm of ninety-six acres, and became a leading and substantial citizen. He was a republican in politics, and had three sons in the Civil war, viz: Lewis R., Henry and Samuel R., the two former in the same regiment, and Samuel R. in the Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry. He died on his farm at the age of seventy-three.

EVI H. TURNER, of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, an exsoldier of the late Civil war, and a prosperous farmer, was born in Liberty, Jefferson township, this county, on the 1 8th of October, 1844. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Turner, were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and were early settlers in Montgomery county, Ohio.

Levi H. Turner was educated in the common schools, but continued his studies at home until some time after he was married. He was reared to farming and was noted for his industry as a young man. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the Ohio national guards, under Capt. John Nicholas, for five years. In May, 1864, he was mustered into the United States service, at Columbus, Ohio, under the call for 100-daymen, was assigned to company F, One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Daniel Holderman, and was on guard duty at Fort McHenry, Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md., until his honorable discharge in August, 1864. He then resumed farming, and on October 24, 1867, married Miss Annie Baker, who was born December 2, 1848, the daughter of Benjamin and Frances (Niswonger) Baker, to whom reference is made in the review of the life of Levi Baker elsewhere in this volume.

After marriage, Mr. Turner farmed in Clay township for a short time, then removed to Jefferson township and lived on the old Turner homestead for about nine years. In 1877 he bought the farm of seventy-five acres in Clay township on which he still resides, and which he has converted into one of the finest places of its size in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Turner also resided in Dayton for about six years, Mr. Turner being during this time interested in a stone quarry. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born four children, viz: Ettie A., who is married to Oliver

F. Dillman, a hardware merchant in Brookville, and is the mother of three children: Lillie M., now a young lady; Clara L. , who died at eight years of age, and Chester H., now a young man and making his home with his parents. In politics Mr. Turner is a democrat, and he and his wife and children are members of the United Brethren church.

a son of David Turner, who died on his farm near Lewistown, Pa., and who was the father of the following named children: John, James, Robert, David, Sarah and Daniel. Of these, John and Daniel settled in Dayton. Daniel was a cabinetmaker and for many years worked at his trade in Liberty. He first married Miss Sallie Birch, the union resulting in the birth of six children, viz: Harrison, Mary,

Sarah, Elizabeth, .William and Jacob. Mrs. Sallie Turner having died, Daniel Turner married Miss Elizabeth Hoffman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hoffman, and to this marriage were born Margaret, Malinda, Levi H., Ella, John, Samuel, Minerva, Josie, Manass, and one that died in infancy. Daniel Turner* after a residence of many years in Liberty, finally purchased a farm of 237^ acres near the town, on which he passed the remainder of his days, dying in December, 1877, at the age of seventy-eight years, in the faith of the United Brethren church.

EREMIAH WEST, an esteemed citizen of Brookville, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born October 22, 1844, in Warren county. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Kelkner ) West, the family on his father's side being an old American family of Scotch descent. Having received a good common-school education he was beginning to learn the carpenter's trade when the war of the Rebellion broke out, he being one of the first to respond to his country's call, enlisting April 16, 1861, at Dayton, Ohio, for three months, as a private soldier in company D, First Ohio volunteer infantry. Under this enlistment he served four months, and was honorably discharged August 16, 1861. During this short period of service he was in a slight skirmish at Vienna, and in the first battle of Bull Run.

Returning to Montgomery county, Ohio, he enlisted September 19, 1862, in company G, Eleventh United States infantry, under Capt. W. B. Lowe, but served under Capt. J. K. Lawrence. This enlistment was for three years, or during the war. He was honorably discharged at Richmond, Va. , September 19, 1865, at the expiration of his full term of service. The battles in which he took part were those of Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, and North Anna, beside many smaller engagements and skirmishes. At Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864, he was taken prisoner, with about 500 others of his command, on a flank movement of the rebels, was taken to the infamous Libby prison, confined there eight days, and then taken to the still more infamous prison at Andersonville, arriving there June 15, 1864.

Here were confined 1 5,000 miserable, starving Union soldiers, and during that summer their numbers were increased to about 35,000. Owing to the terribly close crowding of the stockade, the want of shelter from the fierce rays of the southern sun, the filth, bad water, and exceedingly poor and scanty food, the soldiers died off with frightful rapidity. It was estimated that about 8,000 died during the months of July and August. Mr. West's imprisonment lasted four and a half months, during which long period thousands of Union soldiers starved to death. When he entered the prison Mr. West weighed 172 pounds; when he left it he weighed 108 pounds.

From Andersonville he was taken to Charleston, and was there confined in the race course, receiving about the same treatment as in Andersonville. He was transferred thence to the Florence bull pen, from which he was paroled December 17, 1864, and sent direct to the Union lines. For some time he was in the hospital at Annapolis, Md., and at length joined his regiment at Richmond, Va. For

Having left the army on his honorable discharge Mr. West returned to Dayton, Ohio, learned the iron molder's trade and worked thereat until 1872. In 1871, however, he removed to Brookville, and in September of that year married Hester A. Mcllroy, daughter of Jacob and Roberta (Bloom) Mcllroy. Mr. and Mrs. West are members of the Lutheran church, in which he has held the office of deacon. He is a member of Foster Marshall post, No. 587, G. A. R., of Brookville, Ohio, and of Libanus lodge. No. 80, F. & A. M., of Lewisburg, Ohio. Politically he is a republican. He was one of the best soldiers, served with patience and fortitude, and takes justifiable pride in the time he spent in the service of his country.

AVID L. BOOHER, one of the representative citizens of Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a descendant of one of the original pioneers of the county, was born on his father's homestead, July 11, 1841.

John Booher, grandfather of David L. , was born in Washington county, Md., of German descent, and from Maryland moved to Washington county, Pa. He married Elizabeth Croll, and reared a large family of children, of whom the names of the following are remembered: John, Bartholomew, Samuel,

Levi, Daniel, Sarah, Margaret and Elizabeth. In 1803 Mr. Booher brought his family to Ohio and settled four miles north of Dayton in the wilderness, where Indians were numerous and often came to trade with the white men.

Samuel Booher, father of David L. , was born in Washington county, Pa., and when a child was brought to Ohio by his parents, and was reared a pioneer farmer. He first mar- ried Mary Beardshear, and to this marriage were born George, Maria, Lizzie, Mary and Kate. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Elizabeth Combs, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Combs, and to them were born the following children: William, Eliza,

Martha J., David L., Jacob, William (who died at the age of thirty-five years) and John K. In religion Mr. Booher was a member of the United Brethren church and Mrs. Booher of the German Baptist church. After his first marriage Mr. Booher settled on a farm of 160 acres, and by his skillful management increased his estate until he owned about 900 acres in Montgomery county, Ohio, and about 900 acres in Adams county, Ind. He lived to be seventy-seven years of age and died universally respected as one of the most progressive as well as upright men of the county.

David L. Booher received a good commonschool education and was reared to farming on the old homestead. At the age of twenty-five years he married, in Dayton, December 1 3, 1866, Annie M. Smith, born February 18, 1843, a daughter of James and Sarah (Snyder) Smith. He occupied a part of his father's old home farm, where he lived until 1879, when he came to his present place of 507 acres, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. In politics Mr. Booher is a republican. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Booher was named George W . , whose lamented death occurred at the age of twenty-two years. He was a young man of great promise, and his death was deeply felt by his devoted parents.

James Smith, the fatherof Mrs. Booher, was born in England about 1802, came to America when eighteen years old, and settled in Dayton in 1820, when that city contained few houses and but one store. He passed some years working in distilleries in different parts of the county, and. finally bought a farm of 200 acres in Mad River township ; subsequently he purchased another farm of 160 acres, and still later another of 160 acres, thus owning 520 acres at the time of his death, which took place on his original farm in 1870, at the age of sixty^-eight years. He was in religion a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a republican. His children were named William, James, Alvin, Annie (deceased), Jennie, Edith, AnnaM. (now Mrs. Booher), Elizabeth, Lottie and Louie. Mrs. Smith, his widow, is now a resident of Dayton, and is seventy-seven years of age. Her maiden name was Sarah Snyder, and she was born in Pennsylvania in 1819, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Crum) Snyder, who came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1820.

* ILLIAM WELLS, whose post-office is Vandalia, Ohio, is one of the most substantial farmers of Butler township, Montgomery county. His father, Samuel Wells, was born in Virginia, and became an orphan in early life. From his seventh year, in which he lost his parents, he was reared by his uncle, Samuel Wells, who came to Ohio when his nephew Samuel was still quite a small boy. This uncle settled near the north line of Montgomery county, and here young Samuel grew up among the pioneers. Receiving only a limited education, he became a farmer at an early age. He married Mary Johnson, and they settled in Butler township, on seventy-three acres of land, then covered over with woods. This land Mr. Wells cleared and made a good home and productive farm. His children were as follows: Rebecca, Mary, Nancy, Sarah and William. Mr. Wells took a deep interest in religious matters, and was a member of the Christian church. He was a highly-respected citizen, and lived to the good old age of eighty-seven.

was born May 16, 1830, on the Wells homestead in Butler township. Receiving the usual common-school education of his day, he was brought up a farmer, an occupation which he has followed all his life. On May 22, 1850, he married Nancy Sunderland, who was born March 25, 1832, in Butler township, on the old Sunderland homestead.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wells settled on the farm on which they have since lived, beginning on twenty-seven acres of land, all of which was covered with timber. This farm Mr. Wells cleared up, and, by continued hard labor and thrift, at length added thereto until to-day he owns a farm of 327 acres, all of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Wells is a republican. He is one of the most practical and able farmers of Butler township, as is shown by the growth of his possessions. He is emphatically a self-made man, and, aided by his faithful wife, he has achieved deserved success. Their children are as follows: Ellis E., William S. and Charles H.

Ellis E. married Emma Clemmer. William S. married Laura Brentlinger, and has one child, Irene. Charles H. married Cora Beeson, and has one child, Ralph. The three brothers are all farmers upon the home place.

The Wells family is one of the pioneer families of Butler township, and stands high in the community. By industry they thrive, and by right living they win the respect of all their neighbors.

EV. AARON ZEHRING, a retired minister of the United Brethren church, with his residence at Brookville, Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is of Pennsylvania-German descent and was born in Warren county, Ohio, near Lebanon, September 22, 1830.

Christian Zehring, his great-grandfather, was the first of the family to come from Germany to America and was one of the pioneers of Pennsylvania, where he was apprenticed until his passage money and that of his family was paid in full to the ship owners who had brought them across the ocean, when he became a farmer and prospered. His son Christian, the grandfather of our subject, was but a small boy on arriving in this country, and, like his father's, his services and time were sold, but he fell into good hands and was taught blacksmithing and iron working. In due course of time he married a Miss Rough, who bore him the following children: Samuel, Henry, David, and a daughter whose name cannot be remembered. After the death of Mrs. (Rough) Zehring, Christian again married, and to this union were born John, Christian, Henry, Philip, David, Barnheart, Peter, Polly and Susannah. Having amassed considerable money, Christian Zehring brought all his family, with the exception -of his son John, to the Buckeye state, as early as 1818, settled in the woods of Warren county, near Lebanon, and also purchased in Warren and Montgomery counties farms for each of his sons. On his new farm in Warren county he passed the remainder of his days, and, although he had been a member of the German Reformed church in Pennsylvania, he died in the faith of the United Brethren church.

Barnheart Zehring, father of Rev. Aaron Zehring, was born in Lebanon, Pa., in July, 1798, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1818, the family journeying in wagons. He had been taught wagonmaking by his father, who, on that account, presented him with but eighty acres of land, while he gave to his other sons 160 acres each. Barnheart worked at his trade in Warren county for a number of years, and then took possession of his land and began farming. In 1823 he married, near Carlisle, Montgomery county, Elizabeth Svvartzel, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1800, a daughter of Philip Swartzel.

Philip Swartzel was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and was one of the earlier pioneers of Warren county, Ohio, who endured all the hardships of frontier life, building, on his arrival here, a cabin of round saplings, with neither door nor windows. He had been inured to hardships in the war of 1812, and was well prepared for the life of a pioneer, which he perhaps found to be congenial, as he lived to an advanced age. To himself and wife were born ten children, as follows: Jacob, George, Abraham, Katie, Sophia, Elizabeth, Susan, Mary, Rachael and Lina.

After his marriage BarnheartZehringcleared a piece of wild land, on which he lived for seven years, and then resided on the Swartzel homestead for quite a number of years. He next bought 160 acres six miles north of Germandown, on which he made his home for some time, when he sold this and bought another tract of 1 60 acres in Montgomery county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a member of the United Brethren church, in which he was a trustee, and to the support of which he contributed liberally. In politics he 'was first a democrat, and voted for Andrew Jackson for the presidency of the United States, but later changed his political affiliations and became a republican, and sent one of his sons, John, to fight for the Union in the late Civil war. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, born in the following order: Maria, Catherine, Susannah, Aaron, Abraham, Sophia and John. He died in his religious faith, and was an honored and valued citizen. His widow lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and died May 11, 1889.

this biographical memoir, received a very good preliminary education in the common schools, and later attended the Otterbein university for five years, entering the ministry of the United Brethren church and preaching for nine months at New Hope. After his ordination in i860 he first settled in Montgomery county, and for two years filled the Mount Zion circuit; he was then transferred to the New Haven circuit in Hamilton county, where he preached two years, and then for two years officiated in Butler, when he was disabled by sickness. Soon after that event he temporarily returned to the Zehring homestead in Montgomery county, where he remained one year, then moved to Darke county, where he had charge of the Mount Zion circuit for about two years, after which he passed a few months in Hamilton county, and then for three years lived in Germantown, Montgomery county; he next lived on a farm for seven years, then bought eighty acres two miles east of Brookville, improved the place and resided on it three years. He then purchased the old Zehring homestead of 160 acres, on which he lived until he retired to Brookville, when he placed his son Charles in charge of the farm, of which he still owns 1 10 acres.

Mr. Zehring was united in marriage in Preble county, October 10, 1861, with Miss Sallie Burtner, who was born in Montgomery county, February n, 1838, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Kemp) Burtner, the former of whom was born in Cumberland county, Pa., August 1, r 808, and was of German descent. Mr. Burtner came with his parents to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1828, and settled five miles north of Dayton. He married Catherine Kemp in Germantown, and to their union were born Julien, Lucinda, Sallie, Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Joshua and Francis M. Directly after his marriage, Jacob Burtner settled on a farm of 160 acres, four miles from Enterprise, Preble county, and there lived for many years. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and in this faith Mr. Burtner expired at Germantown, Montgomery county, aged seventy-eight years.

Rev. Aaron Zehring inclines to republicanism in his political opinions, and is also a strict prohibitionist. In his church work he has ever been ardent and energetic, and his life has been one of great usefulness. He and his wife have a family of three children - Charles W. , Lizzie C. and William O.

ACOB SEYBOLD, a prosperous farmer of Mad River township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Harrison township, same county, April i, 1842. He is a son of John George and Jacobina (Fulmer) Seybold, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. They were the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, six of whom are still living, as follows: John G. ; Frederick: Mary Ann, wife of Abram

John George Seybold, father of these children, was a baker by trade in his native country, came to the United States and settled two miles north of Dayton, where he lived until his death. He owned 360 acres of land at the time of his death, which is evidence of his industry and economy. He died when sixtytwo years of age. His wife survived him until April 11, 1893, when she died at the age of ninety-one years and nine months. Both were members of the Lutheran church, and were most excellent people in every respect. Mr. Seybold was a quiet, unobtrusive man, strictly attentive to business, and strongly in favor of temperance, theoretically and practically. The paternal grandfather of Jacob Seybold died in Germany. He was a prominent man in his day, and a soldier in the German army. The maternal grandfather also died in Germany.

Jacob Seybold was reared in Harrison township, Montgomery county, attended the district school, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He then began the battle of life on his own account, by working for his father for $160 per year, using only ten dollars of that sum during the entire year. Then, buying a team, he began farming and lost nearly $300 the first year. His brother then offered him employment, which he declined, but continued to work on the farm, to buy stock, and has since accumulated a handsome property, his first year's experience having been of great value to him.

Mr. Seybold was married, February 23, 1881, to Miss Maggie E. Null, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Walts) Null, the former of whom was born in Berberia and the latter in Montgomery county, Ohio. No children were born to this marriage. Mrs. Seybold was a good woman, and a member of the Reformed church. She was of a happy and lovable disposition, and made friends of all with whom she came in contact. She died April 26, 1894. Their home was a mansion in its dimensions, there being twenty-two rooms therein, and the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Seybold was well known to a great circle of friends. Mrs. Seybold was always of a cheerful disposition, carrying brightness and sunshine into the lives of those about her.

Mr. Seybold is of a peculiarly frank and generous disposition. As a farmer he is industrious and successful, has one of the best of farms, finely improved, and is an intelligent and well-informed citizen. As an independent democrat he has held the office of township supervisor for fifteen years. Few men, if any, in the county stand higher in the estimation of the people generally than does Jacob Seybold.

ACOB DETWILER, one of the most venerable citizens of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., September 6, 1814. He is a son of John and Catherine (Jones) Detwiler, who were of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Jacob Detwiler, the grandfather of the subject, was a farmer of Montgomery county, Pa. He owned a farm of 100 acres, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in Pennsylvania. His eldest son, John Detwiler, father of Jacob, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and was by occupation a farmer. To him and his wife there were born, beside Jacob, the following children: James, Amos, John,

Abraham, George, Abel, Benjamin, Catherine. Elizabeth and Sarah. John Detwiler was a Mennonite in religion, and lived to be sixty-six years old, dying on his farm. He was one of the successful farmers of his day and an upright citizen.

Jacob Detwiler, whose name opens this sketch, was reared to hard work on the farm, received a good education in the common schools, and learned the wagonmaker's trade. He was married March 9, 1848, in Montgomery county, Pa., to Elizabeth Rittenhouse, who was born April 24, 1824, and was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Riner) Rittenhouse. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were both named Martin Rittenhouse. Martin Rittenhouse, the grandfather, was of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock, and was of the third generation from the original founder of the family in America. The family were Quakers in religion and Rittenhouse Square was named for David Rittenhouse, the first director of the United States mint in Philadelphia. Martin Rittenhouse lived near Germantown, Pa., in what is now included in the town of Rittenhouse. He was an extensive land holder, and now lies buried in the old cemetery at Germantown, tree. He married Susan Detwiler, by whom he had the following children: Jacob, Nicholas, Joseph, Martin and William. He was a prosperous citizen, a prudent man and his long life was fruitful of good to his generation. He died of old age.

Jacob Rittenhouse, the father of Mrs. Detwiler, was born in Germantown, was married in Montgomery county, Pa., to Mary Riner, daughter of Henry and Susan (Guispart) Riner, and was a substantial farmer. He and his wife reared the following children: Henry,

David, Martin, Jacob, William, Samuel and Elizabeth. In religious views and opinions he was unusually liberal for the day andagein which he lived. He died when sixty-one years old.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler settled at Evansburg, Pa., and after living there one year came to Ohio, locating in Montgomery county, near Dayton, where Mr. Detwiler worked at his trade, that of wagonmaker, which he had began to learn when he was eighteen years old in Pennsylvania. After working in Dayton five years he bought a farm of ninety-three acres near Brookville, lived upon it one year, and then went to Nebraska, but not long afterward returned to Montgomery county, and engaged in the saw-mill business near Amity. Then removing to Brookville he bought eighty-seven acres of land in Clay township, living upon it five years, after which he bought a farm of upward of ninety acres, which he occupied for one year. He then removed to a farm of 130 acres north o£ Brookville, which he still owns, as well as four acres in Brookville. Mr. Detwiler has been an honorable and industrious man, has reaped the reward of his energy and thrift. He has lived a retired life for the last thirteen years, and for the past seven years has been confined to the house. In politics he is a republican. His children are Malinda, Elizabeth, Medora, Jeanette, Theodore and Franklin.

EV. JOHN H. BRUMBAUGH, Clayton post office, one of the successful farmers of Randolph township, and a minister in the German Baptist church, is of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His grandfather, Daniel Brumbaugh, was a brother of the father of the original pioneer of Randolph township, Samuel Brumbaugh, who was the father of John R. Brumbaugh, whose sketch appears on another page,

Daniel Brumbaugh owned a farm in what is now Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, Pa., in Woodcock valley. In religious belief he was a German Baptist and was a deacon in his church for many years. He married Nancy Bowers, by whom he had the following children: John, Abraham, Daniel, Isaac, Elizabeth and Nancy. Daniel Brumbaugh lived to be eighty years old, and throughout his entire life was a strong, rugged man. He was one of the first settlers in his neighborhood, and, owning several farms, he gave to each of his children land. A hard-working, industrious man, he was much respected by all for his exemplary Christian character.

Daniel Brumbaugh, third son of the above, and father of John H., was born on his father's farm in Huntingdon county, Pa., and lived on the old homestead all his life. He married Mary Hoover, who was born in Blair county, Pa. , and was a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Puterbaugh) Hoover. To this marriage there were born nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, David, Levi, Nancy, John H., Mary, Daniel, Kate and Samuel. Mr. Brumbaugh was a member of the German Baptist church, a devout Christian and an upright man. His death occurred on his farm when he was sixtyeight years old.

Rev. John H. Brumbaugh was born July 20, 1848, on the old Brumbaugh homestead. His education was limited to that obtainable in the district school, and he was reared a farmer, though by assiduous private reading and study he has become one of the best informed men of his day. At the age of twenty-one he came to this county and went to work for his brother David, in Randolph township, and for this brother he worked for two years. On November 16, 1871, he married Miss Sophie Bookmiller, who was born July 2, 1848, and is a daughter of Frederick Bookmiller. Frederick Bookiniller was born in Germany and married there. By his first wife he had three children, Augustus, Sophie and Minnie. The mother of these children died and he married again, also in Germany, came to the United States with his family, and is now living in Toledo, Ohio. Rev. Mr. Brumbaugh and wife settled in Clay township, lived there two years, and then removed to Randolph township, where they rented land of Samuel K. Olinger, who was a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Olinger's wife having died, he left his farm of ninety-nine acres to Mr. Brumbaugh, with the exception of a bequest to the church. Mr. Brumbaugh has since lived on this farm.

To the Rev. and Mrs. Brumbaugh there have been born the following children: Addison, Loida, Effa, Della, Martha and John. Mr. Brumbaugh has always been a devout member of the German Baptist church, having been made deacon in 1881, and in November, 1887, having been ordained minister. He has served his church in that capacity ever since, to the acceptance of the members of the church. He is a man of high character and of extensive reading, and is well qualified for the position which he so acceptably fills.

EORGE HORNER, of Lewisburg, Ohio, springs from Pennsylvania- Dutch stock. He is a son of William and Ellen (House) Horner, and was born April 9, 1836, in Perry township,

Montgomery county, Ohio, received a good common- school education, and was brought up a farmer. He married, November I 3, 1854, in Darke county, Ohio, Elizabeth Norris, who was born November 23, 1836, and was a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Ireland) Norris. After his marriage Mr. Horner settled on the old homestead, and to himself and wife there have been born eight children, as follows: Lydia E., Ida M., Florence, Minnie, Charles, Flora, Ettie and Frank E., their names being given in the order of their birth, and all of whom are now living.

On August 8, 1862, Mr. Horner enlisted at Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio, in company H, Ninety-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Matthias Desher, to serve three years or during the war, and going to the front left his wife on the farm with three small children. He served his country faithfully for nearly three years, being honorably discharged by reason of the close of the war, May 24, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. After a service of one year he was promoted to corporal for meritorious conduct. He was in the battles of Chickamauga and of Missionary Ridge; in a hard shirmish at Dandridge, Tenn. ; in the battle of Chattanooga; on the Atlanta campaign, being in the battles of Dallas, Resaca, Buzzard Roost Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain. In the last named engagement he had one finger of his left hand shot off, and beside was shot through the right shoulder by the same ball as he was loading his gun. He was then in the field hospital until taken back to Chattanooga, where he was in the hospital for some time, and was then transferred to Nashville and placed in hospital No. 1. After a month spent there he was furloughed home, remained ninety days and then returned to the same hospital. After a stay here of two months he was transferred to Louisville, and thence to Madison, Ind., where he remained two months, being then transferred to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where he remained until discharged. Mr. Horner lost his hearing at the battle of Chickamauga. Beside the battles mentioned, Mr. Horner was in many skirmishes and on many hard marches, always performing his duties as a soldier with promptness and faithfulness. He was sick with typhoid fever in Kentucky, and was cared for in a private house for two months. He participated in all the battles, skirmishes, marches and campaigns of his regiment, and after the war was over returned to his home, and has ever since lived on the same farm.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Horner have been members of the United Brethren church since 1856, and he has held the office of steward, and assisted to build the church at Lewisburg, contributing liberally toward its support. Politically he is a sound republican, though in early life he was a democrat. He has taken an active part in public affairs, has been for sixteen years a member of the school board, and is in every respect an excellent citizen. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a gentleman of public spirit and enterprise.

His grandfather, George Horner, £ame from Pennsylvania, and was the father of the following children: George, Henry, Michael, Jacob, John, William, Catherine, Susan, Elizabeth and Dorothy. George Horner removed with his family to Montgomery county as one of the early pioneers, settling in the woods of Perry township. His death occurred when he was yet quite a young man,- and his wife and boys cleared the farm. Mrs. Horner was a woman of great force of character and an excellent manager. The family were members of the Lutheran church.

ried Ellen House, daughter of George and Catherine House. They settled on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch, containing eighty acres of land, where William Horner died a few years later, at the age of twenty-six. He was the father of two children, George and Sarah, the latter of whom died at the age of twelve. Mrs. Horner lived to be fifty-eight years of age, dying on the home place in 1873. She was a woman of many excellent traits of character, and had many warm and admiring friends.

Samuel Norris, the father of Mrs. George Horner, came at an early day with his family from Canada, and settled in Hamilton county, Ohio. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Thomas; Mary and Louisa, twins; Rachael and Elizabeth, twins; Maggie, Almira, Andrew and Lydia Jane. Mr. Norris removed to Darke county, Ohio, and cleared a farm of eighty acres, upon which he lived until he was eighty-five years old, and died in Lewisburg. One of his sons served in the Civil war, and was killed in the battle of Chickamauga.

ESSE L. JACKSON, a well-known farmer of Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Fulton county, Pa., December 6, 1843, and is a son of Stiles and Anne (McLoughlin) Jackson, both natives of the Keystone state.

Stiles Jackson came of colonial ancestry and was a farmer in Fulton county, Pa., where he was born and reared and where he married Miss McLoughlin. To them were "born the following children: Elizabeth, Samuel, John,

Charles W. , Stiles H., James R., Jesse L. , and one child who died young. Mr. Jackson and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and in politics he was a republican. He lived to be seventy-nine years of age. Two of his sons, Charles W. and Stiles H., were soldiers in the Civil war - the former for four months, and the latter, as an officer, for over three years. Stiles H. Jackson is now a county commissioner of Coffey county, Kans.

Jesse L. Jackson received a very good common-school education and remained on the home farm until nineteen years of age, when, August 22, 1862, he came to Ohio and settled in Montgomery county, and married, March 22, 1866, in Miami county. Miss Catherine Smith, born August 7, 1848, a daughter of John and Catherine (Yount) Smith. Mr. Smith was descended from one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, and was twice married, his first wife, Catherine Yount, becoming the mother of two children - Catherine (Mrs. Jackson) and Ira; by his second wife, Mary Idemiller, he became the father of nine children, viz: George, John, Elizabeth, Alexander,

Mr. Jackson and wife lived for a year after their marriage near Dayton, and then bought land in Butler township, but shortly afterward went to Darke county, where Mrs. Jackson died April 24, 1872, the mother of the following children: Ira, Charles, Frederick and Rebecca, the last of whom died in infancy. Mr. Jackson's second wife was Mary E. Tobias, whom he married in Darke county September 28, 1873. She is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (White) Tobias, and was born near Vandalia, Montgomery county, Ohio, January 11, 1850.

Daniel Tobias, a retired farmer, is a native of Ohio, of German descent, and was married March 18, 1847, t° Elizabeth White, daughter of Barney White. Beside Mrs. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have had born to them six children, viz: Jonathan, Sarah, Laura, Amelia, Walter, and one who died in infancy named David. Mr. Tobias, as a farmer of Butler

After his second marriage, Mr. Jackson lived for a year in Darke county; and then returned to Butler township, Montgomery county, where he permanently settled, in 1875, on his present farm, which then consisted of but 100 acres, but now comprises 360, beside which he owns too acres near Vandalia. Mr. Jackson has been prosperous in all his undertakings, and is now reaping the reward so justly due to his early industry and economy. In politics he is a republican, but has never been an aspirant for public office. The ten children born to Jesse L. Jackson and Mary E. (Tobias) Jackson are named Flora, Annie, Martin, Laura, Harry, Samuel, Bertha, Mamie, Arthur and Edith. Of the children born to Mr. Jackson's first marriage, Ira married Minnie Idemiller, and is a farmer in Miami county; Charles, also a farmer in Miami county, married Dora North; Frederick, engaged in the same vocation in the same county, married Lillie Idemiller. Of the children born to the second marriage, Flora is married to Joseph Hartley, who lives on the home farm, and has one child; Annie is the widow of Luther Heidemyer, and has one child, a school-teacher.

Qiss Sarah Sophia Munger

QISS SARAH SOPHIA MUNGER, who lives in Mad River township, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and is a daughter of Warren and Elizabeth (Shoup) Munger, the former of whom was a native of Washington, Litchfield county, Conn., and the latter of Hagerstown, Md. Warren and Elizabeth Munger were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Thomas

In his early life Warren Munger, the father of the subject, was a lawyer, and followed this profession for some years, but on account of failing health he adopted farming as a vocation, purchasing a farm of between 400 and 500 acres in Mad River township in 1832, and moving upon it in 1840. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying in January, 1877, when he was nearly ninety years of age. His widow died in January, 1880, at the age of seventy-six. Both were members of the Protestant Episcopal church. During his residence in Dayton, Mr. Munger was county recorder for fourteen years.

The father of Warren Munger was Edmund Munger, and was known as Gen. Munger. He was a native of Connecticut, and in 1799 removed to Marietta, Ohio, and to Dayton in 1800. In April, 1812, when President Madison issued orders calling out a force of 1,200 Ohio militia for one year's service, Gen. Munger was ordered to raise a company in Dayton. Soon after the arrival of Gen. Meigs in Dayton, on May 6, 1812, Gen. Munger was sent by him to Greenville to inquire into the situation of the frontier settlements. Edmund Munger settled on a farm twelve miles south of Dayton, on what is called Yankee street, on which he lived the rest of his life. His property, which was of considerable value, he divided among his children, of whom he had ten. He was a Presbyterian in religion, his house being the home of the pioneer preachers of the day. He was a most popular man, of a genial and pleasant disposition, and had hosts of friends. His death occurred when he was eighty-six years old. His wife survived him, and lived to the remarkable age of 100 years. Both lie buried at Centerville. The Munger family are noted for their longev-

The maternal grandfather of Miss Munger was named Shoup, and his wife was a Miss Dorothy Groff, which name afterward came to be spelled Grove. He was of English descent but a native of Maryland, while she was a native of Germany, or of German descent. Mr. Shoup came to Ohio about 1812, and bought the mills now known as the Harris mills, which he operated for a short time only before his death.

Miss Sophia Munger, or "Aunt Sophia," as she is familiarly called by her neighbors and friends, was reared and educated m Dayton. She lived at home until the death of her parents, when the large farm was divided into three parts - she and her brother Grove living in the old home place until her brother's death in 1889. Her sister Harriet also lived there until her death, which occurred in 1893. Neither of these sisters ever married. The old home is now occupied by Miss Sarah Sophia Munger. She is a member of Christ Episcopal church, of Dayton, which was organized in 1819. She personally manages her farm, which consists of 132 acres. Miss Munger has always taken great interest in the welfare of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery county, by whose people she is held in the highest esteem.

OHN MYERS, a representative farmer of Montgomery township, one of the oldest settlers of Clay township, and a son of one of the early pioneers, was born July 29, 1828, about thirty miles west of Columbus, Ohio. He is a son of Martin and Eva (Besecker) Myers, the former of whom came from Virginia to Ohio with his father, and was of Dutch stock.

Margaret Myers, married in Columbus, Ohio, and settled on a farm. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Barbara, John, Catherine, Margaret, ' Elizabeth and Susannah. Mr. Myers removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, about 1834, and settled on an eighty-acre tract of land, then covered with timber, and now owned and occupied by his son John. Upon this tract he erected his log cabin, and by continuous hard work for many years cleared up his farm. His wife was a good woman, skillful with the distaff and the loom, and spun and wove wool and flax, in this way materially aiding her husband in the long struggle for existence. He made shingles from the large oak and poplar trees, thus managing until times had gradually improved. He was a strong and hardy pioneer, working with great industry and perseverance to make a home for himself and family. He lived to be fifty-five years old, and died on his farm in 1854. Mr. Myers was well known to all the settlers in his part of the country as a man of honesty and high character, and at his death had many friends who mourned his loss.

John Myers was about six years of age when he came with his father to Montgomery county. His education was from necessity exceedingly limited, and he was brought up to the laborious life of the farm. He married, December 17, 1851, in Clay township, Mary Ann Ganger, of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, who was born November 22, 1834, and was a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Richard) Ganger. George Ganger was born September 5, 1811,, in Pennsylvania, and was the son of John and Barbara (Redmond) Ganger, the former of whom came to Ohio and settled in Montgomery county as one of the earliest of the pioneers, locating in Jackson township. His children were as follows : John, Samuel, Jacob, Joseph, Christina, Mary and Fannie. John Ganget settled

George Ganger came to Montgomery county with his father, and here married Elizabeth Richard, by whom he had the following children : Mary Ann, Joseph, Katirann, William, George, Levi and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Ganger settled on land two miles south of Brookville, afterward moving to Bachman, Clay township, Montgomery county, where he bought eighty-six acres of land, clearing most of it of its timber, making a good home, and later purchasing forty acres more near Bachman. Mr. Ganger lived to seventy-nine years of age and died on his farm. He was a man of excellent character, and earned the approbation and confidence of neighbors and friends.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myers lived in Clay township, and in 1854 settled on the Myers homestead. Here they have resided ever since, and the well-directed labor of Mr. Myers has resulted in his possession of a fertile, finely improved and beautiful farm. He and his wife lived many years in the old log house, which stood for half a century. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Myers areas follows : Sarah A., John-H., Susannah, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary E., Charles and Ambert M. - the last a school-teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Myers is a democrat in politics, and is a citizen of standing and influence. He and his wife have reared a large family, of which both are very proud. Sarah A. married Daniel Boose, a farmer of Preble county, and by him has three children : John H. married Sarah

A. Gebhart, of Clay township, and has three children ; Lizzie married Joseph Havermale, a farmer of Montgomery county, and ha-s two children ; Mary E. married Clarence Rasor, a farmer of Clay township, and has two children ; Samuel married Kate A. Hamel, is a farmer of Clay township, and has one child ;

Elizabeth (Richard) Ganger, the mother of Mrs. Myers, was a daughter of Joseph and Mary ( McPherson ) Richard. She lived to be seventy-four years old, dying March 4, 1891. Mr. Myers' mother lived to be eighty-six years old, dying in 1890.

ETER RASOR, one of the oldest and most respected farmers of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is also descended from one of the oldest pioneer families of the county, as will be seen by the following record.

John Rasor, his grandfather, was the original settler of Clay township. He was born in Dauphin county, Pa. , and married a Miss Forney, the union resulting in the birth of eight children, viz: Daniel, John, Barbara,

Sarah, Annie, Fannie, Elizabeth and Katie. He came with his family to Ohio in 1805 or 1806, and settled in Clay township on the land on which Jesse Kinsey now lives, but which was then all woodland and peopled only by Indians. He built a log cabin, cleared his first farm of 160 acres, and also entered nine other farms in the vicinity, of 160 acres each, comprising, in all, nearly 1,500 acres. He became homesick, however, and made a trip on foot back to the Keystone state, and on his return to Ohio died at the age of about sixty-three.

Daniel Rasor, son of John, had preceded his father to Montgomery county and had founded the town of Union, in Randolph township, where he built a grist-mill and distillery. He had examined the land in Clay township, and through his reports the father was induced to immigrate to this locality.

in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1790, and was about sixteen years of age when he came to Clay township with his father. He was reared on the homestead among the Indians, for protection against whom the settlers built a block house on the present site of Salem, in which they were several times compelled to take refuge. In 1815 Mr. Rasor married Miss Hannah Michael, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1797, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Myers) Michael.

Jacob Michael was also one of the early pioneers of Montgomery county, and first located on Bear creek, but finally settled at Salem, Clay county, about 1809, on a tract of 640 acres, of which he induced John Rasor, the original pioneer, to purchase 276 acres, which constitutes the present John Rasor homestead. Mr. Michael was a capital marksman and a mighty hunter, but nevertheless cleared up a large farm and became a prosperous and influential citizen. He lived to reach eighty-six years, and was the father of the following children: Hannah, Polly, Henry, Sallie, Elizabeth, Katie and Jacob.

David, Daniel, Jacob, Henry, Samuel, Catherine, Mary and Noah. Mr. Rasor was an excellent manager and accumulated 1,600 acres of land, with which he endowed all his children. He was a prominent and influential factor in the affairs of his township for more than half a century, and died January 19, 1869, a member of the United Brethren church, his widow surviving until June 26, 1875, when she also expired in the same faith.

Peter Rasor, whose name opens this biographical memoir, was born on the Rasor homestead, in Clay township, April 15, 1817, the eldest of the children born to John and Hannah (Michael) Rasor. His opportunities for an education were limited, there being but few schools in the neighborhood, and they of the class known as subscription. But he became an excellent farmer, and May 23, 1839, he married, in Clay township, Miss Ann Maria Limbert, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 20, 1821, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Wagner) Limbert.

Henry Limbert was born in Perry county, Pa., in 1787, a son of Henry Limbert, a farmer, born in Lancaster county, Pa., of German parentage, and a founder of the United Brethren church in Pennsylvania and of Otterbein college. Henry, the father of Mrs. Rasor, had born to him thirteen children, viz: John R. ,

Barbara, Lewis, Henry, Catherine, Peter, Ann M., George, Levi, Adam, Susan, Elizabeth and Sarah. Mr. Limbert came to Montgomery county in 1823 or 1824, and settled on a tract of 172 acres in Clay township, which he transformed into a profitable farm. He was a member of the United Brethren church in high standing and assisted to erect the edifice at Arlington and that in Clay township, he being a founder of the denomination in the latter place. He died June 27, 1869, a truly good man, honored and venerated by people of all creeds and of all conditions of life.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rasor, immediately after marriage, settled on the farm they still occupy, which comprises 160 acres and was then covered by the forest; but this he has changed by hard and diligent work, and, with the assistance of his faithful wife, has made a home equal to any in the township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rasor has been blessed with a family of thirteen children, who were born in the following order: John H., William F., Samuel M. , Joseph, Adam S., Saloma E., Hannah C., Ezra M., Martha A., Edward G., Marietta, Ira N. and Clarence L. Mr. and Mrs. Rasor are devoted members of the United Brethren church and are active and liberal in its support, and also take much in- terest in educational matters. Mr. Rasor ranks among the best and most trusted citizens of the community, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all.

AVID RASOR, one of the oldest native-born residents of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born on the old homestead, January 17, 1821. John Rasor, his grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss A. Showers. They were the parents of the following children: Daniel, John, Lizzie, Barbara and Fannie, all of whom were born and reared in Lancaster county, Pa. He was a member of the Amish church and was descended from the ancient stock that came from Germany in the early history of the state of Pennsylvania. About 1 805 Mr. Rasor moved with his family to Ohio, and when they passed through Dayton there was in that place but one log cabin. David Rasor settled on the land where Jesse Kimer now lives. At that time the country was all woods, and Mr. Rasor entered a large tract of land, giving to each of his children a farm. He lived to be sixty-two years of age, dying two years after locating in Clay township, and lies buried on the farm.

John Rasor, his son, and the father of David Rasor, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and when he came to Ohio with his parents was fifteen years old. He was brought up among the pioneers, amid primitive surroundings and conditions, which did not permit of much educational culture, but he was always a reading man, and was well informed. He married Hannah Michael, who was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Jacob and Mary Michael, pioneers of Clay township. To Mr. and Mrs. Rasor there were born eleven chilren, who grew to mature years, as follows:

Elizabeth, John, David, Daniel, Jacob, Samuel, Henry, Noah, Polly and Katie. John Rasor, the father of these children, was reared on the land that his father entered, and cleared up a large farm, there being 280 acres in the homestead, beside which he owned a large tract which he gave to his children. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. He was one of the sturdy pioneers, and a man of unflagging industry. During the early days of the settlement he was accustome d to drive a four-horse team before a large wagon twice a year, taking a load of produce sixty-two miles to Cincinnati to market, and returning with a load of supplies, thus making himself of great use to the early pioneers.

David Rasor, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, receiving but a limited education in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse. But he learned to read and write at school, and, upon this knowledge as a basis, has built up an education that is thoroughly practical, and has always been a well-informed man on all subjects of general interest, being specially well-versed in all subjects connected with agriculture. In July, 1843, he married Delilah Swenk, who was born in Perry township, in 1820, and was a daughter of John Swenk, a biographical sketch of this family appearing elsewhere in this volume. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rasor settled in Salem, where they remained two years, and in 1846 located on 120 acres of land, which he had received from his father, all covered with timber except a small clearing. By dint of patient industry - the only means in those days of getting on in the world - -he cleared his land and added to it until at length he owned 245 acres in his home farm, beside other lands in Brookville. To him and his wife there were born seven children, who grew to maturity, as follows: Henry, Ephraim (who died at the age of twenty-one), Mary A., Jane, Sarah A., Amanda a woman of many virtues. Mr. Rasor was one of the original republicans of the county, and has always belonged to that party. All his long life has been passed in Montgomery county, where his family has been reared, and where he stands high in the esteem of all as a citizen of integrity and worth.

Henry Rasor, son of David, was born in 1846 on his father's farm. He was well educated in the common schools of the day, and when nineteen years of age enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, 'in February, 1865, in company B, Eighty-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve six months, under Capt. Fanch. His services were rendered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In July, 1865, he married Susan Shelt, of Preble county, and a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth Shelt. Mr. Rasor, from his youth, has worked upon the home farm, but is now living in West Baltimore. Politically he is a republican, and is one of the public-spirited, progressive citizens of the county.

9 ILLIAM H. REYNOLDS, an exsoldier of the late Civil war, and a citizen of Montgomery county, springs from Irish and Pennsylvania- Dutch ancestry.

William H. Reynolds, Sr., his father, was born in Pennsylvania January 26, 1817, and was the son of a soldier of the war of 1812. He was a millwright by trade, and came to Ohio about 1831, settling at Salem, Montgomery county. He married Elizabeth Rasor, who was born December 8, 1820, and was a daughter of John and Hannah (Michael) Rasor, a biographical sketch of the former of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Reynolds and wife a few years after their marriage settled on an eighty-acre tract of land given to Mrs. Reynolds by her father. This land was covered with timber, and upon it he built a log cabin, cleared away the forest and made a good home. Mr. Reynolds was for many years a class leader in the United Brethren church, of which he and his wife were members. They were the parents of the following children: John W., George F., William H., James R., Andrew J., Susannah, Daniel R. , Mary E. and Hannah C. Politically Mr. Reynolds was a strong republican, and three of his sons served as soldiers in the Civil war. Joseph was a member of company B, Seventyfirst regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, veteranized, served four years and seven months, and participated in many battles. He was promoted to second lieutenant for meritorious conduct at the battle of Nashville, and was killed in the last battle in which his regiment was engaged. George F. was a member of company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and William H. was also a good soldier in the war. Mr. Reynolds in 1872 removed to Jay county, Ind. , and settled in Red Key, where he bought 146 acres of land south of town, upon which he passed his remaining days. He was an industrious man and an honored citizen, serving as township trustee and as clerk of his township several times.

William H. Reynolds, the subject of this sketch, was born February 8, 1845, on his father's farm. Receiving the common-school education of the day, he became well prepared to struggle with the world, and has been unusually successful. Enlisting in company B, Eighty-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, at Dayton, Ohio, February 4, 1865, when he was about twenty years of age, he served until July 13, of the same year, when he was mustered out and discharged, on account of the closing of the war. He served under Capt. Ira Foutz, and was on the hardest march in history, from Savannah to Washington, D. C., his regiment joining Sherman at Raleigh, N. C., and often marching thirty-six miles per day. He participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C. , which took place May 24 and 25, 1865.

After the war he returned to Montgomery county, and on December 7, 1865, married Rachael Werts, who was born March 28, 1846, in Preble county, Ohio, and is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Piles) Werts. David Werts was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent, and his father, Jacob Werts, was a pioneer settler of Preble county, Ohio. David Werts was a carpenter, a cooper and a miller, and lived many years at West Baltimore, Ohio, where he was a prominent citizen. He was a republican in politics. His children were as follows: Rachael, Corilla, Amanda,

Martha J., Joseph D., Perry ' D. and Elizabeth. He lived to be about sixty-five years old, and died at West Baltimore, Ohio, in August, 1891.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds settled on his father's farm, living there one year, and have ever since lived in Montgomery county, Ohio, with the exception of twelve years, when they were in Jay county, Ind., and in Kansas, where Mr. Reynolds worked at his trade, that of carpenter and housebuilder, from 1872 to 1883, returning to their present farm in the latter year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Reynolds is a trustee. Politically he is a republican, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are the parents of the following children: Marley,

Ulysses S., Elizabeth E., Alice L., Corilla A., Perry A., Nora J. and William O. These children have been brought up with the greatest care, and given a good education. Ulysses S. married Lena Heartenstein, of Salem, is a butcher by occupation, and has three sons and one daughter; Elizabeth married Lewis Oaks, a farmer of Dayton, and has three sons; Alice married Charles Kress, a farmer of Miami county, and has one son. Corilla married Ezra Sarber, a farmer of Darke county, Ohio, and has three sons. All are prosperous and well-to-do people, and stand high in the esteem of their respective communities.

OHN SAYLER, whose post-office is Clayton, Ohio, is one of the leading farmers of Clay township. He sprang from Swiss ancestors, who settled in Maryland in old colonial times. His grandfather, Jacob Sayler, was born in Maryland, and was a son of Daniel Sayler, whose father came from Switzerland. The family belonged to the German Baptist, or Dunkard, church.

Jacob Sayler was a farmer of Frederick county, Md., and a Dunkard preacher, following both callings during his life. The farm upon which he always lived lay in Frederick county, Md. He married Hannah Garber, by whom he was the father of the following children : Reuben, Mary, Catherine, Betsey,

Sarah, Jacob, Henry and William. Mr. Sayler was one of the substantial farmers and most prominent citizens of his county. He was a consistent member of the German Baptist church.

Reuben Sayler, father of John Sayler, was born July 4, 1818, in Frederick county, Md., was self-educated and followed successfully the occupation of a farmer. He married Hannah Smith, who was born in 1821, in Frederick county, Md., and who was a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Linn) Smith, the Smith and Linn families being of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Sayler settled on a 160-acre farm in

Frederick county, Md., and there passed the period of their active lives. They then retired to Union Bridge, in Carroll county, where, after twenty years, Mr. Savler died in 1878, at the age of sixty-eight. In his younger days he was a hard-working and industrious man, and was always prosperous. When he died he left a valuable estate, in farming lands and in city property. He served as a member of the council of Union Bridge, and also as mayor of the town. Politically, he was a democrat, and was an unusually intelligent and useful citizen. He was a reader of history, a patron of the best literature, and took an active interest in educational and religious affairs.

John Sayler, the subject of this sketch, was born June 18, 1842, in Frederick county, Md., and was reared a farmer's boy on his father's farm. His education was such as was then supplied by the common schools. Removing to Dayton, Ohio, in 1862. a young man, he became engaged in the Hour-mills, and continued to work therein for two years. On April 18, 1865, he married Harriet E. Wampler, who was born in Harrison township, Montgomery county, four miles north of Dayton, June 15, 1845. She is a daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Puterbaugh) Wampler, the former of whom was born January 5, 1820, in Carroll county, Md. In 1 827 Jesse Wampler removed with his parents to Montgomery county, his father, Philip, being an original pioneer settler in this county, locating on Still Water river. Philip Wampler was of Swiss origin, of an old colonial family, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Catherine Rogers, of Carroll county, Md., and by her had the following children: Edward, Jesse, William,

John, Samuel, David, Joseph, Mary A., Hannah, Elizabeth, Catherine and Anna. When he removed to Montgomery county in 1827 it was with horses and wagon, and upon his arrival he bought 160 acres of fine farming land, paying therefor $14 per acre. Afterward he purchased other lands, up to the number of 300 acres, all in one body. He died in 1878 at the great age of ninety years. He was a prominent member of the German Baptist church for many years, and was well known far and wide as an honorable and upright man.

Jesse Wampler, his son, and the father of | Mrs. Sayler, settled on a farm after his marriage, at which time he received from his father 250 acres of land in one body, which he later divided among his children upon his retirement to a homestead on which he has lived ever since. He has long been a member of the German Baptist church. His children are as follows: Harriet, William, Louisa, and Laura, deceased wife of David Klepinger, who was at the time of her death thirty-two years of age. Mr. Wampler is one of the progressive men of the county, a constant reader of the best current literature, and thus keeps himself fully abreast of the times. The Wampler family is one of the best in the county, noted for many sturdy and valuable traits of character and for safe and reliable qualities of citizenship.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sayler settled in Harrison township, and lived there six years, removing to their present farm December 14, 1871. It contains 104 acres of land, and has been greatly improved by Mr. Sayler. He is now carrying on dairying on an extensive scale, and is also engaged in the manufacture of native wine.

Lloyd, Dr. Howard and Milton. The children have all been well educated and Dr. Howard Sayler is a practicing physician at Union, Montgomery county, Ohio. Mrs. Sayler is a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Sayler is a democrat in politics, has served as school director, and is among the best and most useful citizens of Montgomery county.

ARTHOLOMEW WILSON, one of the oldest business men and farmers of Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here, on his father's farm, July 26, 1826, and is of remote Scottish extraction.

Israel Wilson, father of Bartholomew, was born in Loudoun county, Va., May 24, 1798, but at the age of three years was left an orphan and was bound out to Moses Miller, of the same county. In 1812, when Israel was fourteen years of age, Mr. Miller came to Ohio, bringing with him his family, young Wilson included, and settled in the woods of Wayne township. Israel here began learning blacksmithing under Mr. Miller, but, disliking the trade, was permitted to learn millwrighting under a Mr. Staley. In March, 1824, Mr. Wilson married, in Wayne township, Miss Elizabeth Booher, who was born in Washington county, Pa., August 16, 1804, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Crull*) Booher. John Booher was a native of Washington county, Md., whence he moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1807 brought his family to Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled on a tract of 160 acres, the title to which he received from the government in 1814. His children were named John, Margaret, Catherine, Samuel, Elizabeth, Bartholomew, Mary, Daniel, Anna, Sarah and Levi. Mr. Booher died on his farm at the age of eighty-six years, a member of the German Baptist church; his widow lived to reach the great age of ninetythree years and seven months, and died at the residence of her son Daniel, in Harrison township, her descendants numbering eleven children, eighty-six grandchildren, 1 1 8 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

After his marriage Mr. Wilson settled on seventy acres of wooded land in Wayne township, and this farm he increased to 201 acres. He and his wife were members of the United

Brethren church, of which he was a steward and trustee for many years. In politics he was at first a whig and then became a republican, and for several years served as township treasurer. His death took place January 16, 1874, in his seventy-sixth year, and he left behind him a spotless name. The children born to Israel Wilson and wife were named Bartholomew, John, Ephraim, Isaiah and Mary J. The mother of this family died August 17, 1872, at the age of sixty-eight years, and was a woman of many estimable qualities.

Bartholomew Wilson, at the age of twenty years, in 1846, began burning lime on his father's farm. He furnished lime for the old stone court house in Dayton and for many other large buildings in the city and elsewhere, and carried on the business for forty-eight years, when he retired with a competency. October 25, 1846, he married Miss Margaret A. Brenner, who was born in Wayne township June 2, 1828, a daughter of Jacob S. and Sarah A. (Mathews) Brenner, and went to housekeeping on the Wilson homestead, where they lived for three years. They then moved to a farm three miles south of the Miami river, where they lived seven years, when Mr. Wilson bought a farm in company with John L. Brenner, at present a member of congress from the Dayton district. This farm contained 163 acres, and here Mr. Wilson lived for three years, when he built the first house in Sulphur Grove, where he resided for ten years. In 1880 he moved to Dayton, where he made his home until 1893, when he retired to his present place. The marriage of Mr. Wilson was blessed with six children, viz: Henry, Sarah E., Dr. Isaiah B., Levina, Laura and Mary. Mrs. Wilson was called from earth April 3, 1893, in the faith of the United Brethren church, and on December 7, 1895, Mr. Wilson married Miss Catherine Brenner, who was born in Wayne township October 10, 1846, a daughter of Elias and Barbara (Detrick) Brenner. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Wilson has served as steward, choir leader and trustee. In politics he is a republican, and served as township treasurer for ten years from i860; fraternally he is a member of Osborn lodge, No. 414, I. O. O. F. Mr. Wilson is a man of enterprise, liberality and public spirit, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He has done much toward the development of Wayne township, and the product of his industry is scattered throughout the county as a component part of many a substantial building.

ISAIAH WILSON, a prominent citizen of Wayne township, is a son of Israel and Elizabeth (Booher) Wilson, of whom mention is made in detail in the biography of Bartholomew Wilson, published above.

Isaiah Wilson was born on the Wilson homestead in Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, August 6, 1835, received a good common-school education, and for thirty-five years was in the lime business. At the age of twenty-eight years he married, in Montgomery county, January 23, 1863, Miss Elizabeth Brenner, who was born on her father's farm in Wayne township, December 9, 1833, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Booher) Brenner.

Michael Brenner, father of Mrs. Wilson, was a native of Fauquier county, Va., a son of Lewis and Dorothy (Reprogel) Brenner, and was a mere boy when he came with his father to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1808. He here grew to manhood and married Miss Mar}' Booher.

After marriage, Isaiah Wilson settled on the Wilson homestead, and this has ever since been his place of residence. He has considerably improved the farm and has a substantial modern dwelling, containing every feature essential to a pleasant home. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Dayton, and socially stands with the best citizens of the county. In politics he is a republican, for three years was treasurer of Wayne township, and has always held the confidence of his fellow-townsmen. He is very fond of the chase, and has made many trips to the woods of Michigan and Minnesota for the purpose of gratifying his taste for that exciting sport.

RANK WILHELM, a native-born farmer of Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, descends from a wealthy colonial family of Pennsylvania, and was born July 19, 1840.

Jacob Wilhelm was the first of the family to come from Germany to America, brought with him considerable means and settled in Lancaster county, Pa. His grandson, also christened Jacob, was the great-grandfather of Frank, the subject of this biographical notice, and early kept a hotel in Harrisburg. He also owned forty acres of land immediately east of the state house, and this ground is now covered with costly buildings. He died about the year 1830, at the age of ninety-three years, a member of the German Reform church. He served in the Revolutionary war, and had been twice married, and by his first wife was the father of four children, viz: John, Peter, David and Catherine; to his second marriage no children were born.

John Wilhelm, the grandfather of Frank Wilhelm, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., was a tanner by trade, and married Anna Longenecker, who bore him ten children, viz: Benjamin, Daniel, Mary, Samuel, Elizabeth, Joseph, Catherine, Sarah, Sophia and John. In 1820 he brought his family to Ohio, and for one year lived in Red Lion, Warren county; in 1821 he came to Montgomery county and bought a farm of 160 acres, eight miles north of Dayton, on the Covington pike, in Randolph township. He developed a fine farm, and finally retired to Vandalia, where he passed his declining years until his death, at the age of eighty-seven years, in the faith of the German Baptist church.

Daniel Wilhelm, the second son of John and father of Frank Wilhelm, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., in 1802, and was about eighteen years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents. He received a good commonschool education and was reared on his father's farm. In 1825 he married Miss Barbara Stouder, daughter of David Stouder, a native of Pennsylvania, whose children were named John, Barbara, David, Sarah and Daniel. After their marriage, Daniel Wilhelm and wife settled, in 1826, on the farm of 160 acres now owned by their son Frank. This land was at that time covered with timber, but Mr. Wilhelm cleared away the primeval forest, placed the land under cultivation, and eventually had one of the best-improved farms in the township. The children born to Daniel and Barbara Wilhelm were named Hester (died in 1850), Levina, Mary, Joseph (died in 1885), George, Martha, Sarah, Frank, Catherine (died in infancy) and Zimri (who also died an infant). Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm were members of the United Brethren church and in politics Mr. Wilhelm was a democrat. The death of Mr. Wilhelm took place on his farm November 2, 1882, at the age of eighty years, and his name stands to-day as a synonym of integrity.

Frank Wilhelm was reared on his father's farm, now his own, and was well educated in the district school. In 1859 he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, Colo., whence he went to Denver, where he remained one year, and then returned to his farm in Ohio, on which he remained until 1865. He then joined a United States survey party and again went west, overland, to Des Moines, Iowa, down to the Indian Territory, and over to Julesburg, Colo.; to Denver; to Salt Lake City, Utah; to Montana (where he was a member of the vigilance committee), and onto British Columbia, encountering Indians at various points in hostile struggles, and enduring all the hardships of winter travel over the plains. He did considerable gold mining, met with good fortune, and in 1869 returned to Ohio, where he has since passed his days in farming, enjoying the well-deserved respect of all who know him and being equally as successful in his agricultural pursuits as he was in his search for a fortune in the west.

OLOMON WORMON, one of the most venerable residents of Clay township, Montgomery county, is of Swiss ancestry, and was born on his father's homestead, south of Dayton, September 23, 1 8 1 1 , being thus, also, one of the oldest native-born citizens of this township.

Henry Wormon, grandfather of Solomon, was a child aged but one year when brought from Switzerland to America by his parents, who first located in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Maryland and settled in Washington county. There Henry was reared to manhood, married Miss Magdalena Cour, and had born to him nine children, viz: George, Mary, Henry, David, Anna, Jacob, Margaret, Eva and Barbara. Of this family, David, who was born in Washington county, Md., married Mrs. Mary Shonk, who was born in Maryland, May 15, 1780, and at the time of her marriage with Mr. Wormon was the widow of Henry Shonk, and by her first mar-

David Worinon and wife came to Ohio in 1806 and settled in Montgomery county, October 1 1, near the then hamlet of Dayton, and found shelter in a log cabin on what is now known as the Lebanon turnpike, but was then a mere wilderness. Here he bought a tract of 160 acres, which was improved only with this log cabin and two acres of cleared land. The remainder, however, he cleared up, and bought or entered other tracts until he owned 700 acres, which, at his death, he distributed among his children. They were six in number, and were named Sarah, who was born December 26, 1805, in Maryland; Mary, born in Ohio in September, 1807; Lydia, Solomon, Margaret and David - these four also born in Ohio. David Wormon and wife were members of the United Brethren church and ardent promoters of the faith, aiding liberally in the support of the local congregation, and in the pioneer days threw their hospitable doors open to the itinerant ministers, and contributing to the erection of the first United Brethren edifice in Montgomery county. The death of Mr. Wormon occurred May 7, 1854, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Mary Wormon died December 22, 1854, in her seventy-fifth year, having iived to see thirty-two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Solomon Wormon, son of David and Mary Wormon, was reared on the home farm and received such education as the limited facilities of the pioneer schools afforded. In March, 1 849, he married Miss Lydia Spitler, who was born in Montgomery county December 13, 1823, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Wise) Spitler. Jacob Spitler was born in Botetourt county, Va. , came to Ohio in 1804, settled in Montgomery county, and here died February n, 1857, the father of the following children: John,

Esther, Daniel and Ann. For several years | after marriage Mr. Wormon lived on his father's farm, but March 10, 1856, moved to his present farm, then consisting of 182^ acres, which he has since increased to 280 acres. He destroyed the old double log house that occupied the premises when he first took possession, erected a modern farm dwelling, and has now one of the best farms in the county. The marriage of Solomon and Lydia Wormon was blessed with five children, named William, Sarah S., Julia, Emma and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Wormon were long members of the United Brethren church, which they liberally supported with their means, and in the faith of which they reared their children. In politics Mr. Wormon was a republican, and at the age of eighty-five years had a clear apprehension of his duty to his party and to his country. Mrs. Lydia Wormon died February 11, 1895, aged about seventy-one years, and Mr. Wormon died December 11, 1896.