Dayton City (part 48 of 50)

Elizabeth (Rarick) Heeter, maternal grandmother of Mr. Kreitzer, lived to be ninety years, eleven months and twenty-two days of age. Catherine Rarick, great-grandmother of Mrs. Kreitzer, died in September, 1829, aged seventy-four, and her remains are interred at Allerton, in Montgomery county. Henry Rarick died January 18, 1817, aged sixty-two years. Ruhama (Nation) Heeter was born April 8, 1813, in Campbell county, Tenn., a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moser) Nation; Thomas Nation was a son of Joseph and Jeretta (Vickroy) Nation; Joseph Nation was a native of North Carolina, of English parentage, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Jeretta (Vickroy) Nation was a daughter of Marmaduke Vickroy, also a Revolutionary soldier and, with his wife, a native of England. The children born to Joseph Nation and wife were named Isaac, Labar, Samson, Girten, Joe, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Charity. Joseph Nation eventually settled in Tennessee, where he bought a farm of 160 acres, on which he passed the remainder of his useful life.

Thomas Nation was born in North Carolina, hnd on moving to Tennessee married Elizabeth Moser, daughter of Jacob and Dorcas (Hunnicut) Moser, of Germany. Thomas Nation and wife, prior to 1813, came from Tennessee to Montgomery, now Preble county, Ohio, but later returned to Tennessee; finally, in 1828, Mr. Nation came back to Montgomery county, Ohio, bringing a four-horse wagon and settling in Eaton, where he became a teamster. Mr. Nation was twice married, and to his first union were born six children, viz: Ruhama, Elizabeth, Joseph, Hamilton, Rebecca and Jacob. The mother of this family died in Tennessee, and Mr. Nation next married, in the same state, Annie Lay. This second union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, who were born in the following order: Isaac, Charlotte, Emeline, Franklin, Freeland, Tabitha, Celie, Paulina, Alfred, Emily, Pliny, Henry and Marks. The father of this large family died in Eaton, Ohio, at the age of sixty-six years, a life-long member of the Methodist church. The children born to Ruhama Heeter were named in the following order: Mary Martha, married to William

Kreitzer; Jacob, who married Mary A. Bowman, and has three sons - John, Joseph and Charles; Pauline, who was married to Charles Watson, but is now deceased, having left two children - Samuel and Joseph ; Catherine, who was married to Adam Krull, and is the mother of the following children: Silas F., Esta C.

Jeretta (Vickroy) Nation, the wife of Joseph Nation, came to Ohio when a child, her father having been a soldier of the war of the Revolution and having lived to be 105 years old. Joseph Nation took a valiant part in the battle of the Horseshoe.

ANIEL LONG, a grandson of one of the original pioneers of Montgomery county, sprang from Pennsylvania- Dutch ancestors. Lewis Long, his grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, and was the son of Lewis Long, who came from Germany and settled in that state. Lewis Long followed farming in his native state, and married Miss Mary Hestand, afterward removing to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settling in Madison township. He was among the very earliest of the pioneers of this county, to which it is certain that he came previous to 1 806, though the precise year is not now known. Lewis Long and his wife were the parents of the following children: Reuben, Elizabeth,

Christina, Barbara, Isaac, John, David and Jacob, twins, and Catherine. After residing for one year on the farm upon which he first located, Mr. Long purchased a tract in Jefferson township containing 200 acres of woods, which he cleared and converted into a good farm. Upon this land he lived the remainder of his life, dying when ninety years of age. He was a man of vigorous constitution, was widely known as a sturdy pioneer, as a man of great kindness of heart, and had many friends among both whites and Indians, the latter being then still quite numerous in the southern part of the state.

Isaac Long, son of Lewis and the father of Daniel Long, was born on the farm May 1, 1806, was reared a farmer among the pioneers, and received as good an education as it was possible to secure in those early days.

Upon arriving at mature years he married Esther Miller, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., in 1803 or 1804, was a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Bowman) Miller, and was but six months old when brought to Montgomery county by her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Long, after their marriage, settled on a farm of 166 acres in Harrison township, land given them by her father, which he had entered from the government. Her father, Daniel Miller, and her husband cleared the farm, cutting up the timber into cord wood and selling it in Dayton. Sufficient clearing having been done, Mr. Long then occupied himself in improving the farm, and buying other lands. He had one farm in Madison township containing 160 acres; one in Perry township consisting of 160 acres; one in Miami county of eighty-two acres; and one in Jefferson township containing 104 acres, beside a lot in Taylorsburg containing seven acres, making his entire landed possessions aggregate 683 acres, or thereabouts. From all this it will be seen that he was a most successful manager. During his whole life he lived on his home farm, dying April 1, 1886, aged seventy-nine years and eleven months. His estimable wife died May 29, 1888, aged eighty-five years.

Mr. Long and his wife were members of the German Baptist church. Mr. Long was many times honored by his fellow-citizens by election to office. In politics he was a democrat, and was much interested in all public questions, and always ready to perform his duty either in public or private station. He and his wife had the following children: Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Susan, Samuel, Isaac, Mary, Henry, Joseph and Hattie.

Daniel Long, the subject of this sketch, was born in Harrison township, December 26, 1829, received the customary common-school education of the times, and was brought up to farm labor. When yet young he went to Dayton and there attended market for some time. He was married in Wayne county, Ind., February 19, 1857, to Miss Salome Crull, who was born May 8, 1836, in that county, and is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Bowser) Crull, now deceased.

Henry Crull was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., December 26, 1804, and was a son of John and Salome Crull, the maiden name of Mrs. Crull being Booker. John Crull moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1805, and settled in Jefferson township, on 160 acres of wooded land, which he cleared and improved. He and his wife reared the following children: Mary, John, Jacob, Christina, Henry, Samuel, Elizabeth and Margaret. John Crull lived to a good old age, was a prominent member of the German Baptist church, and a most excellent citizen.

was a daughter of George Bowser, a prominent pioneer of that county. After living here until 1832 he removed to Wayne county, Ind., and there cleared a farm of eighty acres, to which he later added eighty acres more. Here he lived many years, a consistent member of the German Baptist church. He and his wife reared the following children: Mary, William, Salome, Elizabeth, Susannah, George and David. Mr. Crull lived to be seventynine years of age, dying August 17, 1883, on his farm in Wayne county, Ind.

Mr. and Mrs. Long, after their marriage, settled on the paternal homestead, purchasing half of the Miller estate, consisting of 104^ acres of land, which they greatly improved by cultivation and by the erection of modern buildings. Their children were as follows: George, who died at the age of eighteen years; Dr. Webster D., dentist of Dayton, a graduate of the Ohio Normal university; Joseph F. ; Hettie and Sylvester. Hettie is a graduate of Mount Morris college, 111., Sylvester also being a graduate of that institution. Politically Mr. Long is a republican and religiously a member of the German Baptist church. He takes great interest in the schools of his neighborhood and has served as school director for several years. He is a thoroughly practical farmer and a public-spirited and useful member of society.

OLOMON SPITLER, one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, descended from an old colonial family of Virginia, and originally from German stock, was born January 1, 1830. John Spitler, the pioneer of this family in Montgomery county, was born in Rockingham county, Va. , February 6, 1785. He was a son of Jacob Spitler, whose log cabin was still standing a few years ago. John Spitler settled in Montgomery county when twenty years of age, in 1805, in company with his sister, who was named Mrs. Barntrayer, Joseph Limert and Jacob Franz and wife. All traveled on horseback, a distance of 500 miles, through the woods and over mountain ranges. They stopped near Gunckel's mills, where Germantown now stands, and remained there one year. Mr. Barntrayer concluded to move to Covington and he and Mr. Spitler built a house there. Remaining only a short time, Mr. Spitler removed to Brookville, where he cleared four acres of land for Daniel Cripe, and while there married Barbara Rohrer, in 1807, theirs being the first wedding in Clay township. Barbara Rohrer, born in 1788, was the first white child born west of the Miami river, and was a daughter of Joseph Rohrer and his wife. They were married by Rev. Jacob Miller, the first German Baptist or Dunkard minister to labor in the state. The newly married couple settled, in 1808, on a quarter-section of land belonging to Mrs. Spitler's father, and here Mr. Spitler cleared up his farm and built his log cabin, continuing to improve and add to his farm until he owned 1,100 acres. Upon this farm he and his wife lived sixty-three years of their lives.

The first plow used by Mr. Spitler had a wooden mold board, and his first cast-iron mold board was made to order in Lebanon, Ohio. For some time he was engaged in assisting to survey the state road from Dayton to Greenville, a Mr. George, of Dayton, being the surveyor.

Mr. and Mrs. Spitler were the parents of eleven children, all of whom were reared on the old homestead, and all of whom lived to be men and women and married. Their names were as follows : Mary, Jacob, Joseph, John,

Susan, Andrew, Betsey, Samuel, Hannah, Barbara and Solomon. When Mr. Spitler died there were seventy-three grandchildren, sixtythree great-grandchildren, and two great-greatgrandchildren. To each of his children he gave a farm. This noble pioneer and head of a most excellent family was a man of gentle disposition, upright and honest, and had the respect of all who knew him. He died on his farm in Clay township, March 24, 1874, at the patriarchal age of ninety years. He was a man of great mental power and clearness of thought, which he retained to the last.

Joseph Rhorer, the father of Mrs. John Spitler, came to Ohio from Virginia, having previously gone to Virginia from Pennsylvania, and upon reaching Ohio settled on the west bank of the Miami river near Dayton. When he reached Dayton he was offered six lots in the best part of the town in exchange for his wagon. From this place the family moved down the river to what is known as the Troxel farm, near Miamisburg, at that time knowing of but one family west of the Miami river, and that one lived four miles below. In 1804 he removed to Clay township, and followed Wolf creek until he found the big spring on the Wormon farm, where he located, taking up three quarter-sections of land. His family then consisted of himself, his wife, three sons and one daughter, the children being named as follows: Joseph, Daniel, John and Barbara.

Mr. Rohrer was the first settler, and for some time his was the only white family in Clay township. The Rohrer boys went to northern Indiana and settled there.

Solomon Spitler, the subject of this sketch, and son of John Spitler, was born on the old homestead upon which he now lives. His education was such as the common schools of the day afforded, and on May 25, 1851, when he was twenty-two yeqrs old, he married Elizabeth Limbert, who was born August 11, 1833, in Clay township, and was a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Wagner) Limbert, the former of whom was born July 27, 1787, in Lancaster county, Pa. Henry Limbert, whose father died when he was six years old, removed first to Maryland, and came thence to Montgomery county as one of the oldest settlers, about 1825, locating on 160 acres of land in Clay township. He was a class leader in the United Brethren church, of which he was a member, and as a democrat he served as township trustee. His death occurred when he was eighty-two years old, June 27, 1869. He was a man of strong character and excellent citizenship. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, as follows: John, Barbara,

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Spitler lived on the Spitler farm one year, and then moved to Miami county, where they lived five years, at the end of which period they returned to Clay township, Montgomery county. They have lived on the old homestead for fifteen years. They have had the following children: Phares C., Joseph L., Jesse B., Emma L. , Homer Y. and William W. As a republican Mr. Spitler has served as township trustee, and as school director for twelve years. Mr. Spitler is a man of high character, a good citizen, and is bringing up an excellent family, giving them a good education, and instilling into their minds a love of morality, religion and country, the result of which must be a high grade of citizenship.

ICHARD SUNDERLAND, of Vandalia, Ohio, one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, is of patriotic ancestry. His grandfather, Richard Sunderland, was born on the Monongahela river in Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch ancestry, and his father, Peter Sunderland, great-grandfather of the present Richard, was a teamster in the war of the American Revolution.

Richard Sunderland, the grandfather, married Nancy Martin, in Pennsylvania, and their children were twins, William and Elizabeth. He moved with his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, when these children were quite small, his brother Peter coming here at about the same time - probably about 1800. In the probate judge's office of Montgomery county is a curious, musty volume of records, in which may be found a copy of the first will ever recorded in the county. The date is June 6, 1802, and is that of Gennet Van Norsdall, of Hamilton county, Territory of the United States, Northwest of the River Ohio. The witnesses to this venerable document were James Snowden and Richard and Peter Sunderland, the signature of each being attested by " his mark." land, north of Centerville, in the pioneer cemetery near which place lie the remains of Peter Sunderland, the father of the two brothers who attested the will above mentioned. Peter Sunderland, the brother of Richard, also settled near the same place. The house in which Richard Sunderland lived was burned, and he built a new log house, which also burned down the first night it was occupied by him. Then in 1804 he removed to Butler township, and there entered 404 acres of land, for which he paid $2 per acre, and which was then covered over with woods. This is where James Sunderland now lives. Richard Sunderland was a captain in the war of 1812 and was stationed six months at Fort Greenville. In politics he was a whig, was an honored citizen, and lived to be eighty-eight years old. The memory of this hardy pioneer and defender of his country's liberty is still fondly cherished by the old settlers, as well as by the surviving members of his family.

William Sunderland, father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1794, and when his father brought his family to Ohio, coming down the Ohio river in a flatboat, he was very small. Growing up among the pioneers, he received a fair education for the times, a much better one than that of the average pioneer. He had a good deal of stock, much of which ran wild in the woods. Coming as he did in almost daily contact with the Indians, he learned their language, and was thus able to transact all kinds of business with the native owners of the forests. He was accustomed to go among them with the productsof his farm, drawing these products with his ox team. He married Margaret Miller, who was born in Kentucky, and was a daughter of James Miller, a famous Kentuckian, a justice of the peace, and an early pioneer of that portion of Ohio where Mr. Sunderland lived. William Sunderland settled on the home farm after his marriage, and his children were Richard, Elizabeth, James, Nancy, Mamie and John. Mr. Sunderland lived to be about seventy-three years age, was a thrifty and successful farmer, and, at the time of his death, owned about 800 acres of land. Politically he was first a whig, and in later life a republican. His death occurred in 1 870.

Richard Sunderland, the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery county, June 28, 1818, on the old farm homestead. His education was such as was then obtainable in the primitive schools of the day. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Eleanor Reed, the ceremony being performed March 20, 1839, in Butler township. Eleanor Reed was born in that township in 1822 on the Reed homestead, and was a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Compton) Reed.

Isaac Reed was an original pioneer, and settled on the farm which he cleared, and upon which his children were born. These children were Nancy, Margaret, Mary, Eleanor, Aaron and Isaac. Mr. Reed came from one of the Carolinas, and died when sixty-five years old.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland settled in Butler township, and lived on one of his father's farms for two years, at the end of which time his father bought for him the Compton farm, upon which he lived for twenty-five years. In i860 Mr. Sunderland bought his present farm of 138^ acres, and by thrift and good management he has added thereto until he now owns 310 acres of land, and has a most pleasant home. By his first wife Mr. Sunderland had three children, as follows: Aaron, Mary E. and William. The mother of these children died in 1855, aged thirty-two years, and a member of the United Brethren church; and on March 13, 1856, Mr. Sunderland married Nancy Wells, who was born June 23, 1835, in Butler township, on the Wells homestead, and was a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Johnson) Wells, who were among the oldest settlers.

Samuel Wells was of Virginia stock and was himself born in that state. He came to Ohio when he was but eight years old and was left an orphan at an early age. He grew up among the pioneers and cleared up one of the finest farms in Butler township. He married Mary Johnson, of North Carolina, who was a daughter of David Johnson, who died in that state, and whose widow removed to Ohio, settling in Butler township. At this time Mary was but seven years old, and rode a pony all the way from North Carolina to Ohio. Samuel Wells and his wife were members of the Christian church. Their children were: Rebecca, Mary, William, Nancy and Sarah, all of whom are yet living. Mr. Wells lived to be eighty-seven years old, and died on his farm. He was born in Maryland in 1798, and settled in Miami county in 1817 and in Butler township in 1822.

Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, removing to their present home in i860. To them have been born the following children: Jeannette, Lola and Flora (twins), Addie, Samuel, Maggie, Effie and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland are members of the United Brethren church. Early in his life Mr. Sunderland was a whig, but later became and now is a republican. For fifteen years he served as trustee of Butler township, and has served as appraiser of both Butler and Randolph townships. During the late Civil war he was of great service to the Union cause, in making up the quota of his township, in aiding the families of the soldiers, and in many other ways. Pie has always been a great reader of current literature, and has thus kept abreast of the times. His judgment is highly respected, and he has served for many years on the grand jury with credit to himself and his fellow citizens.

OHN Q. A. COOVER, whose post office is Spanker, Ohio, is one of the most prominent farmers of Butler township, Montgomery county. He springs from Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Michael Coover, his grandfather, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., November i, 1781, and became a farmer and one of the early ministers in the United Brethren church. He married in Pennsylvania, April 14, 1807, Elizabeth Shopp, who was born in the same county with himself, August 20, 1788, and their children were John M., Jacob, George, Michael, Samuel, Sarah, Isaac, David, and William H., all but the last born in Pennsylvania. In 1829 the Rev. Mr. Coover removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, settling on the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. The farm then contained 120 acres, which he cleared from the woods, with the exception of a small portion. He was a prosperous man, and bought more land, until at length he owned 234 acres, and became a very wealthy and substantial farmer.

He was one of the earliest of the United Brethren ministers in Butler township, and rode a circuit for many years, becoming well known for many miles around. Beside carrying on his farm and preaching among the pioneers, he ran a distillery for many years, as was the custom in those days. The United Brethren church of Butler township was organized in 1829 at his residence, services being held there and at the residences of other members, until a church edifice was erected at Vandalia. Mr. Coover died April 19, 1839, aged fifty-seven years.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coover settled on the Coover homestead, upon which they lived all their remaining days. Their children were Benjamin F. , Martha E. and John Q. A. Mrs. Coover died when her youngest child was but six weeks old. Politically in his early life Mr. Coover was a whig, taking an active interest in politics, and being a member of the state legislature in i860 and 1861. He was a man of integrity and of true Christian character. He died in 1876, in his sixty-ninth year, regretted by the entire community in which he had so long lived.

John Q. A. Coover was born February 13, 1847. He was educated first in the common schools, then at the Otterbein university at Westerville, Ohio, and then at Wittenberg college, Springfield, Ohio. At this latter school he remained three years. He has always followed farming and has been very successful. He was married June 18, 1874, to Sella C. Beardshear, who was born in Montgomery county, May 21, 1855, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Coleman) Beardshear, both of whom were of Scotch- Welsh ancestry.

John Beardshear was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1802. He became a substantial farmer of Harrison township, and married in Montgomery county, in 1848, Elizabeth Coleman, daughter of Robert and Mary (Van Cleve) Coleman. They had the following children: William, Sella C., Rilla M.

and Emma D. Mr. and Mrs. Beardshear were members of the United Brethren church, and the founders of Beardshear chapel, Mr. Beardshear being the principal contributor to the building of the church edifice. In politics he was a republican. He was a man of excellent moral and Christian character, exerting a a wide influence for good, and died January

William M. Beardshear, LL. D., son of John Beardshear, is a graduate of Otterbein university, and a post-graduate of Yale college. He was president of Western college, at Toledo, Ohio, for eight years, and is now president of the Iowa State Agricultural college, at Ames, Iowa.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coover settled on his father's farm, where they still reside. The farm now consists of 250 acres, and is in an excellent state of preservation. Upon it Mr. Coover erected a pleasant and tasteful residence in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Coover there have been born the following children: Winifred F., Leila A., Mabel E.

and John W. The parents are members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Coover has been a trustee for several years. Politically he is a republican, and has served as township trustee for four years. He is a member of the Industrial Order of Foresters, council Cooper, Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Coover is a man of liberal education, and a most valuable member of the community, his education rendering him a practical business man, as well as a practical farmer. Mrs. Coover attended Otterbein university at Westerville, Ohio, and is a highly educated woman, and a suitable helpmate for her husband.

OHN W. UNDERWOOD, of Vandalia, Ohio, one of the honored citizens of Butler township, Montgomery county, and who has served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years, sprang from sterling English ancestors, who settled in Virginia in colonial times. His grandfather, Joseph Underwood, was a farmer in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, and there lived all his days,

John Underwood, the eldest son of Joseph, and father of John W. , was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, May 5, 1776. When yet a young man he removed to Lexington, Ky. , and was there married to Miss Mary Scudder, daughter of James Scudder, of that place. Shortly after their marriage John Underwood and his wife removed to Ohio, in 1808, settling in Shelby county. They located on 160 acres of land, which he cleared of its heavy timber and made a good farm and a comfortable home, building the first brick house in the county. His children were Lucinda, William, Esther, Hugh M., Sarah and John W. John Underwood served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and participated in the battle of Fallen Timbers. He and his wife were life-long Methodists, and were among the early members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Ohio. Mr. Underwood lived to be about eighty-one years of age, dying in 1857 at the residence of his son, John W.

John W. Underwood was born May 6, 1828, in Shelby county, Ohio. His education was received in an old-fashioned log schoolhouse, made of large, round logs, with a stick and clay chimney at one end, and with slabs for benches. At that time there were no regular school books, but instead any books that could be found in the community were taken to school for the pupils to read and study. Among these books, when young Underwood attended school, were the New Testament, the life of Daniel Boone and an English reader. Thus it was possible for him to receive only a very limited education in the schools; but this was supplemented by private instruction at home, sufficient for all the really practical purposes of a farmer's life.

to Miss Margaret Hoover, who was a daughter of Felix and Lydia (Fry) Hoover, and who was born in Miami county, Ohio, in December, 1832. Felix Hoover was a native of Kentucky, and he and his wife settled in Miami county some time in the 'forties on a farm of eighty-eight acres, upon which they lived until his death, which occurred in 1846. His children were John, Margaret, Harriet, Mary, Isaac, Wilson, Adam, Elizabeth and Lydia. Politically he was a democrat, and was always actively interested in the success of his party, though not an office-seeker.

Mr. Underwood settled on the parental homestead, which he farmed for two years, and then purchased a canal boat on the Miami & Erie canal, and was on the canal for ten years. During this period he bought two more boats, and was unusually successful and prosperous. Returning to the homestead in 1864, he has since followed farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Underwood there have been born the following children: Frank, John, Alice, Charles,

William, Shannon, Adam and Emma. In politics Mr. Underwood was formerly a whig, but upon the organization of the republican party became a republican and has so remained ever since. During the late Civil war he was one of a committee whose duty it was to see that the quota of the township was filled, and in all ways he was essentially the friend of the Union soldier.

Mrs. Underwood is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Underwood has been one of the township trustees for over thirty years. He was elected justice of the peace in October, 1871, and has served in that capacity ever since. During his entire career as justice of the peace he has had but four cases appealed to higher courts, though his docket contains the record of about 1,500 cases. Esquire Underwood is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the earliest members of Vandalia lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F. He has always taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the education of the young and to the improvement of the schools. As a public-spirited man he has taken deep interest in the improvement of the public highways, believing that the condition of such roads indicates to a great extent the state of the civilization of the people. He stands high in the community for his sterling worth, integrity of character and high sense of justice. Esquire Underwood, in 1890, was one of the appraisers of real estate in Butler township, and it is much to the credit of his work and his judgment that no changes in his valuations were made by the board of equalization. He is, in short, one of the most intelligent and reliable of the citizens of his township and county, and a credit to the community in which he lives.

ACOB CARMONY, a citizen of Wengerlawn, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a native of this county, was born July 10, 1823, in Washington township. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Stensel) Carmony, the former of whom was a son of John Carmony, who was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. John Carmony was a farmer of Dauphin county, Pa., and descended from one of the original settlers of that state. He was the father of the following children: Jacob, Sarah,

Mary, John, Joseph, Catherine, Margaret and George, all of whom were born in Dauphin county, Pa. John Carmony removed to Ohio with horses and wagon in 1810, and settled two miles south of Centerville, Washington township, Montgomery county, there entering 160 acres of land, which was covered with timber. This land he cleared and developed into a good farm. He erected a log cabin near a fine spring, and this cabin stood for many years. For some years he ran a still on his farm, and in this way supplemented his agricultural labors. In religion he was a Lutheran and in politics a democrat; was known far and wide for his high character, and lived to be seventy-two years old.

Jacob Carmony, his son and the father of the subject, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., October 17, 1790, and was reared among the pioneers. He was about twenty years old when his father came to Ohio, and in this state he followed farming. On June 9, 1814, he married Mary Stensel, who was born January 4, 1796, in Mason county, Ky., and was a daughter of Henry .and Elizabeth (Allen) Stensel. Henry Stensel was born in central New York, of Catholic parents. In the year 1774, before the Revolutionary war, the Indians were friendly with the white settlers, and were frequently at his father's house. When the war broke out Henry was about thirteen years of age, and the Stensel family were at the settlement a few miles from the farm. One day Henry, his two brothers, and all the men who worked for them, returned to the farm to look after the stock they had left there, and while they were thus engaged they discovered the Indians coming toward them, and the boys ran for their lives, the savages giving chase. William Stensel was shot and scalped, and the other brother made his escape to the settlement. Henry was captured and was kept for several years a prisoner among the Indians. He was, however, at last traded to the British troops, and allowed to return to his home.

From the time of his capture to his release, Henry had greatly changed in appearance. He looked in fact more like an Indian than a white man, and none of his family recognized him but his mother, who identified him by a scar on his face. Soon aftet Henry came of age he had a disagreement with his parents on religious matters, he having united with theOld- School Baptists, and when he was twenty-one years of age he went to Kentucky, working his way to Lexington, which was then only a frontier station. Here he remained a couple of years, and by industry and hard work prospered, becoming a land owner. Henry Stensel married Elizabeth Allen, sister of Jeremiah Allen, and in 1802 moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled in the woods of Washington township, on 160 acres of land, which he converted into a fine farm and excellent home, there passing the remainder of his days, dying in 1833, when he was seventytwo years of age. He was a man of high character and was much beloved by the old settlers. He was a great hunter, and was a bosom friend of Simon Kenton, who is well known to all familiar with the early history of Ohio. His children were as follows: Martha, Mary, William, Jeremiah, Enoch, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah, Clarissa, Isaac and John.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Carmony settled in Washington township, on a farm in the woods, which he cleared of its timber. This farm contained seventy-five acres of land. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Henry, John,

Elizabeth, Martha, William and Jacob. Mr. Carmony lived to be seventy-eight years old, and died at the home of his son, Jacob, in 1868. Politically he was a democrat, and in all respects was an estimable citizen.

Jacob Carmony, the subject of this sketch, was born July 10, 1823, in Washington township, on his father's farm. Reared a farmer's boy, he received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-three married Mary Tice, who was born April 24, 1829. She was a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Hulse) Tice, the former of whom was born February 22, 1801, in Monmouth county, N. J. Joseph Tice was a son of Elias and Sarah (Horn) Tice,

Elias Tice being a tavern keeper, at whose tavern George Washington was frequently a guest. Joseph Tice was married January 22, 1826, to Jane Hulse, who was born March 14, 1805, in New Jersey, and was a daughter of Anthony and Mary (Vaughn) Hulse. The Tice family were descended from four different nationalities - English, Irish, German and Scotch, and the Hulse family were of Dutch stock. Joseph Tice removed to Ohio in 1833, settling at Centerville, Montgomery county, where he for some years worked at his trade. In politics he was a democrat, and in religion a Universalist. His children were Ann E., Mary, Jerome, Sarah A. , Anthony and Joseph. Mr. Tice lived to be about seventy years of age, dying in 1871. His wife had died February 21, 1852.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carmony settled on land in Washington township. In 1866 he bought about 166 acres of land, only half of which was then cleared, but the whole of which he brought under cultivation. He and his wife are the parents of the following children: William J., Joseph T., Mary J.,

Franklin, Armita, Clarissa, Sarah E., Henry J. and Jacob S. Mr. Carmony is a democrat in politics, and Mrs. Carmony is a member of the New-School Baptist church. Both are excellent people, liberal in their views, charitable in their deeds, and enjoy the respect and confidence of all that know them.

ARON MILLER, a prominent and substantial farmer of Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a son of John and Susan (Bowman) Miller. John Miller was a son of Daniel Miller, the noted pioneer of Montgomery county, who lived on Wolf creek, and who is frequently referred to in this volume. John Miller was eleven years of age when brought to this county by his parents in 1804, was given the best education obtainable in the country schools of his day, and was brought up to farm life and labor. Remaining at home until he was thirtythree years of age, he then married Mrs. Annie Sollenberger, a widow, whose maiden name was Winger. To this marriage there were born six children, as follows: Annie, Susan, Aaron,

John Miller settled on a farm containing 160 acres of land in Harrison township, which at the time was covered over with timber and which his father had entered. This farm he cleared up from the woods, and by prudence and good husbandry became a prosperous man. He added other acres to his possessions until he had 240 acres in his home farm, 160 acres in Madison township, and also eighty acres in Harrison township. To each of his children he gave a good home, and to each of the Sollenberger children he gave eighty acres of land in Indiana.

Daniel Miller and his sons built flat-boats, which they loaded with the products of the farm and still, and thus laden permitted them to drift down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez and New Orleans, where they sold their products and boats, returning by steamboat. They made three such trips, and did well with their merchandise. Daniel Miller, after settling on Wolf creek, cut a road from his home to Dayton, which village at the time contained not more than two or three houses with shingle roofs.

Aaron Miller, the subject of this sketch, was born January 25, 1834, in Harrison township, on a farm, and was well educated in the common school. On March 18, 1855, he was married to Miss Eva Olinger, who was born in Madison township March 23, 1838, and is a daughter of John K. and Nancy (Kuntz) Olin- ger. John K. Olinger was born in Trotwood and was a son of John and Eva (Kagen) Olinger, coming to Montgomery county about 1804. John K. Olinger settled in Madison township, near Salem, and cleared up a farm of about 160 acres of land. He and his wife reared the following children : Susan, Eva and Mary. Mr. Olinger was a member of the German Baptist church, a republican in politics, and a man of exemplary character. He died when sixty-nine years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller, after their marriage, lived on a farm for one year, and in 1856 removed to a farm he had purchased, containing 168 acres, upon which they have lived ever since. This farm he has greatly improved in every way, but especially with excellent buildings, including a large residence. Mr. Miller's life has been that of a progressive, wellinformed farmer, and he has gained merited prosperity and success.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller there have been born six children, as follows: John; Jane, who died at the age of thirtythree years; Andrew, who died when twentyone years old; Moses, who died in infancy; Martha and Lorinda. In religion Mr. Miller is a member of the German Baptist church, and in politics a republican. Of his children, Jane married Dr. Samuel Toman, and left four children; Martha married John H. Conway, and has two sons; Lorinda married Clayte Brosier, a resident of Dayton, and John married Lizzie Gunther, and has one son. Mrs. Aaron Miller died January 20, 1896.

EV. JESSE KINSEY, a leading minister of the German Baptist church and a substantial farmer of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of the county and was born November 5, 1836, of Pennsylvania-German descent.

David Kinsey, his grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., was there' married to Margaret Eltzroth, and became the father of eleven children, viz: Elizabeth, Polly, Jacob,

Rebecca, Susan, Eli, David, Sallie, Catherine, Delilah and Nancy. In 1805 *ne brought his family to Ohio with a horse and wagon, first camped at Cincinnati, and then came directly to Dayton, arriving in the spring. Dayton was then but a small hamlet of a few log houses, and the party, which comprised four families - the Kinseys, the Crips, the Millers, and another, whose name is forgotten, settled near Wolf Creek. Mr. Kinsey entered 160 acres in the woods, and, being a strong, robust man, soon developed, with the assistance of his sons, a good farm and comfortable home. Game was very plentiful, and food was easily obtained from this source at the beginning. Mr. Kinsey in the early day was a noted teamster, for which his great strength well-fitted him, and in that capacity he made many trips to and from Dayton. The three families who came with his were all members of the German Baptist church, and at first meetings were held in the cabins of the settlers, but through the energy of Mr. Kinsey a log church-building was soon erected, and large numbers of German Baptists from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia came flocking to the neighborhood, and thus a moral and Christian community was early founded in Clay township. David Kinsey prospered in his new home, and owned at one time over 1,000 acres of land, and after giving to each of his children an eighty-acre tract, had left a fine farm for his own use. He lived to reach the age of eighty years, was conspicuous and influential in the affairs of his township and county, and left to his family a heritage much more valuable than his land - that of an honored name.

October 19, 1 805 - the fall of the year the family came here. He was reared on the farm among the pioneers and received his limited education in the frontier school, but was very intelligent and possessed of an excellent judgment, which afforded him a compensatory substitute for mere book-learning, and he, also, became a leader in the community. He married Miss Susan Boyer, who was born in Botetourt county, Va., March 14, 1812, a daughter of Samuel Boyer, who came to Ohio about 1815, and who was a blacksmith by trade, but bought 160 acres of land in Montgomery county and became an opulent farmer. His children were named Susan, Elizabeth, Henry and Eli. He died at the age of seventy years, a member of the German Baptist church.

Jacob Kinsey and his wife went to housekeeping on the old homestead, where he passed all the active years of his life, and then retired to Stringtown, where he bought a small place, on which he died December 30, 1882, at the age of nearly eighty years, beloved and respected by all who knew him. He was a deacon in the German Baptist church, and a sincere Christian. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey were born the following children: Noah, Jesse, Margaret, Harriet, David, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susan, Mary A., and four who died in infancy.

Rev. Jesse Kinsey received a very good common-school education and was reared a farmer. He married, February 23, i860, Miss Christina Wolf, who was born December 28, 1840, in Madison township, Montgomery county, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Miller) Wolf. Jacob Wolf was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, and when a young man came to Ohio with his father, who settled in Greene county, where he grew to manhood, became a wealthy farmer, owning 500 acres of land in the Miami valley, and died in 1863, at the age of seventy-five years, the father of the following children: Daniel,

For the first five years of their married life Mr. Kinsey and wife lived on a rented farm in Randolph township, Montgomery county, and in 1865 purchased their present farm, which is now finely improved and cultivated and comprises 1 12 acres. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey no children have been born, but they have reared four orphans, viz: Samuel

Graybill, William Danner, Christian Wolf and Emma E. Wolf, whom they have cared for and educated with as much devotion as if they were their own. Mr. Kinsey has long been active in church work, began preaching about 1868, and was ordained an elder in 1883, as well as minister. His voice is influential in its councils and his labors as a minister tireless and faithful.

IRVIN THOMAS, of Center, Ohio, a veteran soldier of the late Civil war, was born in Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, January 29, 1838. He is a son of Isaac and Tamar (Mendenhall) Thomas, and was reared a farmer boy. On August 21, 1862, when he was twenty-four years of age, he enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, in company A, One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Thorn. In November this regiment was consolidated with the Sixty-third, and he became a member of company H, of the new organization, his captain being now O. L. Jackson. He veteranized in January, 1864, and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 18, 1865. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., having served his country faithfully and well for nearly three years. He was in the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, and in the famous Atlanta campaign, during which the Union troops were constantly under fire for nearly four months. While on this campaign he was in the battles of Dallas, Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek and of Kenesaw Mountain, and was then on detached duty as cook for Dr. Stewart, of the First division, Seventh army corps. On July 22, 1864, he was taken sick and for three days lay under a tree at Decatur, Ala., at the end of which time he was ordered away to avoid capture by the rebels, who were about to take possession of the town. He was taken care of by comrade Henry Meshler, of Clay township, and partially recovered, but on account of exposure contracted a deafness from which he has not recovered. Shortly afterward he rejoined his regiment, and was in the battle of Jonesboro, afterward going on the great march to the sea. He was also in the battle of Snake Creek Gap, and marched on to Washington, D. C., participating in the grand review. Then going to Parkersburg and thence to Louisville, he was mustered out at the latter place.

Mr. Thomas participated in all the battles in which the Sixty-third was engaged after he joined it. and endured with courage all the hardships of a soldier's life.

After the war was over he returned to Montgomery county, where he has since resided. Mr. Thomas has been married twice - first on November 7, 1858, at Phillipsburg, Ohio, to Sarah Tibbs, daughter of Jackson and Mary (Falkner) Tibbs. To this marriage there have been born five children, who are still living, as follows: Arnold C., Francis O.,

William W. , Cora O. and Webster E. Mrs. Thomas, the mother of these children, died in 1881, a consistent member of the Christian church. Mr. Thomas was next married to Mrs. Ellen Pugh, daughter of John Smith.

After the close of the war Mr. Thomas engaged in farming in Clay township, on his father's farm, and in 1872 purchased from his father eighty-five acres of land. Upon this farm he lived until he removed to Phillipsburg, in 1892, building in this place an attractive residence. Mr. Thomas takes a deep interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers and the good of the country in general. He has manifested the strictest integrity in his dealings with his fellow-men during all of his life, and as a consequence he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

Isaac Thomas, father of Irvin Thomas, was born in North Carolina, and removed to Clay township, Montgomery county, in 1826 or 1827, being thus one of the pioneers in that part of the county. He cleared a farm of ninety-two acres of land, and through toil and economy prospered greatly, eventually becoming the owner of about 400 acres of land. He lived to be about seventy-six years of age, hiss children being Parmelia, Harriet, Milo, Caleb, Seth, Irvin and Susannah, twins, and Elam. Seth Thomas was a soldier in the same company with Irvin, and died at Memphis, Tenn., in September, 1863. Mr. Thomas was a Quaker in religion.

Irvin Thomas has been an Odd Fellow since July 28, 1874, a member of Phillipsburg lodge, No. 594, of which lodge he has been treasurer twelve years. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Foster Marshall post, of Brookville. His mother, Tamar Mendenhall, was born in Miami county, Ohio, September 1, 1802, and was the daughter of Caleb Mendenhall, a Quaker pioneer of Miami county, Ohio. She was the first white child born in Union township, Miami county, and a woman of excellent character.

ISAAC STOCKSLAGER, one of the old settlers of Butler township, Montgomery county, is of German ancestry. His grandfather, John Stockslager, was born in Maryland, the father of John coming from Germany. John Stockslager owned a good farm of 160 acres of land in Washington county, Md., and was the father of the following children: John, Katie, Jacob, Philip, Conrod and Betsey. He died on his farm in Maryland, when about eighty years of age. In religion he was a Lutheran.

John Stockslager, eldest son of the above, and the father of Isaac Stockslager, was born in Washington county, Md., was a farmer by occupation, and married Regina Schlenker, who was a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Schlenker. John Stockslager and wife were the parents of four children, as follows: Isaac, Barbara, John and Jacob. They were all born in Maryland, where Mr. Stockslager had a farm of 160 acres of land. He was killed when a young man by being run over by a heavily laden wagon. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and devoted to his religion and to his family.

A few years after the death of her husband Mrs. Stockslager came with her children to Ohio, settling in Butler township, Montgomery county. This was in 1833, and Mr. Schlenker reached Dayton, Ohio, by team, May 1, 1833. His children were as follows: Daniel, Solomon, Polly, Sallie, Betsey and Lavina. One daughter he left in Maryland. He lived to be an aged man, dying in Montgomery county. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a man of sterling character.

Upon arriving in Montgomery county, Mrs. Stockslager rented a house in Union, and there made her home. After a few years she married John Lambert, by whom she had one daughter, Elizabeth, who died when eighteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert bought a farm of forty acres in Butler township, and upon this farm she died at the age of eighty years. She was a woman of many fine traits of character and a consistent member of the Lutheran church.

Isaac Stockslager, the subject of this sketch, was born December 7, 1823, in Pennsylvania, and was but ten years old when he came to Ohio with his mother. Receiving a limited education, he was reared a farmer, and married, July 9, 1846, in Butler township, Mary Cress, who was born February 15, 1823. She is a daughter of John and Catherine (Plummer) Cress, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, and of German and Irish stock. He came to Montgomery county a young single man, married Catherine Plummer, and had by her the following children: Jacob, David,

Isaac Stockslager and wife, after their marriage, settled on the homestead farm. From his earnings prior to his marriage he had saved $500, which he applied in partial payment on a farm of eighty acres, and by the utmost economy and persistent industry he not only accumulated the funds to complete his payments, but also added sixty-nine and a half acres to his original purchase. The latter portion of his farm he has given to his children, and has still the original amount, eighty acres, for himself. He and his wife had two children who lived to mature years. John died when seven years of age; Louis at the age of seven months, and Amanda and Jacob are still living. The parents of these children are members of the Adventist church. Politically, Mr. Stockslager is a republican. He has always been a hardworking man, and is highly esteemed as a man and as a citizen wherever he is known.

OHN FRANCIS ALLEN, a representative farmer of Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born on the old Allen homestead, on which he still lives, May 27, 1869, and is a son of Stephen

Col. John Allen, grandfather of John Francis, was born in Monmouth county, N. J., November 19, 1797, and was a son of William and Sarah (Johnston) Allen, natives of the same state. The mother died about the year 1801 and the father in 1 8 1 1 , and the orphaned John was bound as an apprentice to a blacksmith until his majority, when, having learned his trade, he came on foot to Ohio, worked here at his trade a few months, and then returned to New Jersey. He there married Margaret Johnes, of Middlesex county, N. J., a daughter of Bergen and Martha (Titus) Johnes. June 4, 1830, Col. Allen came back to Ohio, bringing his wife and three children - Sarah, Andrew J. and Stephen J. He remained in the vicinity of Franklin for a few months, and then, September 15, 1830, settled on 160 acres in Wayne township, in the extreme northern part of Montgomery county, on which farm John F. Allen, the subject, now lives. Here were born his two younger children, William and Alice. He was an intelligent and practical man, accumulated 1,000 acres of land, and as a democrat served as township trustee for twenty-three years. Mrs. Allen was called away December 14, 1871, and Mr. Allen lived to be eighty-five years, four months and seven days old, at which great age he passed away, a greatly hononed citizen.

Stephen J. Allen, father of John F. Allen, was born near Hightstown, N. J., April 28, 1830, and was but six weeks old when brought to Ohio by his parents. He was reared to hard work on the farm, received the ordinary common-school education, and on March 16, 1854, in Wayne township, married Miss Margaret McConnaughey, who was born March 28, 1829, in Miami county, a daughter of David and Anna McConnaughey, who were old settlers of that county. David McConnaughey was of Irish descent, was a substantial farmer, and his estate still remains in the possession of his descendants. His children were named Maria, James, Thomas, John, William, David, Margaret, Ann, Robert and Belle.

After his marriage, Stephen J. Allen settled on the old Allen homestead, having received from his father 162 acres, to which, by his thrift and good management, he added until he owned 950 acres, becoming one of the most solid farmers of the township. In politics he was a democrat, as such filling the offices of township treasurer, clerk, and trustee, and serving as treasurer of Montgomery county for two terms, ending with 1884. In this latter office he became well and widely known to the people of the county, who entertained for him the highest confidence and regard. His children were named William, Anna M., David F. and John F.

John Francis Allen was reared on the original Col. Allen homestead, and was educated in the common school, the high school and the commercial college at Dayton, and the law department of the university of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He inherited 450 acres of farm land from his father, and his life has been passed chiefly in agricultural pursuits, although other lines of industry have also engaged his time and attention.

September 23, 1891, he married, in Dayton, Miss Esther W. Keplinger, a native of that city, born May 19, 1868, a daughter of David and Mary Elizabeth (Whitley) Keplinger, and this union has been blessed with two children - Margaret Esther and Anna Mary. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Presbyterian church at Dayton. In politics Mr. Allen is a democrat. Beside managing his large farming interests, he is a director in the Eagle Paper company, of Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, a director in the Cast Steel Plow company, of Dayton, and secretary and treasurer of the

The great-grandmother of Mrs. Allen was Mrs. Catherine Thompson, who died at the age of eighty-two years. She had previously been Mrs. Catherine Van Cleve, and was the mother of Benjamin and William Van Cleve. She was the first female resident of Dayton, to which place she came on the ist of April, 1796. She was also one of the earliest inhabitants of Cincinnati, having moved to that place before its name was changed from Losantiville, and when two small hewn-log houses and a few log cabins constituted the whole town. Her first husband, John Van Cleve, was killed by the Indians on June 1, 1791, within the present corporate limits of Cincinnati. Her second husband, Samuel Thompson, was drowned in Mad river. She was the mother of thirteen children, and her grandchildren numbered eighty-seven, and her great - grandchildren ninety. She was a worthy member of the Methodist church.

The parents of Mrs. Allen are David K. and Mary E. (Whitley) Keplinger, of Dayton. The father was born in Mad River township, Montgomery county, Ohio, July 24, 1838, and is the son of William and Eliza (Kneisley) Keplinger, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Richmond, Ind., on May 2, 1842, and is the daughter of James and Effie (Van Cleve) Whitley, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. For thirteen years David K. Keplinger has been a trusted employee of the United States Express company in Dayton. His children are named Kneisley, Eva Stella, Esther Wagner, William Whitley, Bertha Cora Etta, Emma and Morris. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Keplinger is an uncompromising republican.

Mr. Allen has a delightful country residence and a fertile and profitable farm. He is a factor in the affairs of his township, of which he is one of the most active and useful citizens and an honored member of society.

OHN SPITLER, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here, on the original Spitler homestead, April 10, 1814, and is now one of the oldest citizens of his native township.

Jacob Spitler, his grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, Pa. Jacob's father was slaughtered by Indians in a massacre in that county about the time of Braddock's defeat, but his mother escaped with her three children - Jacob, John and a daughter. Jacob married in Pennsylvania a lady who had borne the maiden name of Bookwalter, but who was the mother of four children by a former husband, named Lane, from whom descended the Gen. James Lane, of Kansas border war fame. After his marriage Jacob Spitler removed from Pennsylvania to Berkeley county, Va., thence to Rappanhannock county, and finally to Botetourt county, where he died at the age of sixty years, his wife following him to the grave within a week. Their children were named Cally, Joseph, Jacob, Betsey, John, Polly, Samuel and Anna.

John Spitler, son of Jacob and father of subject, was born in Berkele}' county, Va., February 9, 1785, was reared a farmer, and came to Ohio in 1805, in company with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Buntraeger, riding horseback more than 500 miles. Late in the same year Mr. Spitler settled in Clay township, Montgomery county, on the present site of Brookville, and in 1807 married Miss Barbara Rohrer, who was born in 1789, in Lancaster county, Pa., a daughter of Joseph Rohrer, who settled in Clay township in 1804, being the first of the pioneers. Joseph Rohrer, a native of Pennsylvania, was left an orphan at the age of six years, was reared a farmer, and married Mary Raesor. He became well to do, owned about 1,400 acres of land in Clay township, and at his death, when fifty-five years of age, gave 320 acres to each of his living children, who were named Barbara, John, Joseph and Daniel; two others died young, one of whom was a boy that was drowned at the Pinnacles, at the first settlement on the Miami river.

After marriage John Spitler cleared up a large farm in Clay township, and during his active life became possessor of about 2,000 acres. He bequeathed 160 acres to each of his eleven children, who were born and named in the following order: Polly, Jacob, Joseph,

John, Susan, Andrew, Elizabeth, Samuel, Hannah, Barbara and Solomon, all of whom lived to reach mature age. Mr. Spitler was a man of great strength of character, and made his mark as a leader of men, being wise in counsel, and always consulted when it became necessary to adjudicate or arbitrate difficulties among his neighbors. He lived to the advanced age of nearly ninetyyears and died in 1874, a conscientious member of the German Baptist church, of which his wife was also a member.

John Spitler, whose name opens thissketch, was educated in the first school-house erected in Clay township and was reared to be a thorough farmer. April 1 1 , 1839, he married Miss Esther Warner, who was born in Randolph township, March 5, 1820, a daughter of Jacob and Rosannah (Ligenfelter) Warner. Her father, Jacob, was born on a farm in Bedford county, Pa., and came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1812, settled in Randolph township and cleared a farm of 160 acres. Py his first wife he was the father of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Spitler was next to the youngest, and by his second wife there were born four children. The second wife bore the maiden name of Susan Bruebaker, but at the time of her marriage with Mr. Spitler was the widow of a Mr. Warner, a distant relative of Mrs. Spitler's mother. Jacob Warner lived to be sixty-two years of age, and his widow survived hirmthirty years, dying at the great age of ninety-seven.

For some little time after marriage John Spitler lived on the homestead, but in 1841 moved to Darke county, where he cleared from the woods a farm of 160 acres, and later returned to Clay township, Montgomery county, where he pursued his vocation as a farmer until 1894, when he retired. Mr. and Mrs. Spitler had born to them a family of fourteen children, born in the following order: Oliver,

Barbara, Elizabeth, Solomon, Susan, William, Hannah, Lydia, John, Benjamin, May E. , Ephraim W., Flora M. and Charles S. In their religion Mr. and Mrs. Spitler are German Baptists, and in politics Mr. Spitler was in his early years a whig, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison, but with the change of parties fell into line with the republicans, and was a sound Union man His son Solomon served for three years in company H, Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, in defense of the national flag during the Civil war.

Dr. Ephraim W. Spitler, son of John and Esther Spitler, was born July 2, 1859, and received an excellent academic and collegiate education; he taught school five years in Darke, Miami and Montgomery counties, studied medicine under Dr. J. H. Spitler, and graduated from the Medical college of Ohio, at Cincinnati, in 1885. He began the practice of his profession in Jamton, moved to Phillipsburg in 1886 and is a successful and progressive physician.

Emma A. Hershey, who was born in that county, March 20, 1861, a daughter of John P. and Elizabeth (Kolp) Hershey. Her father, John P. Hershey, is a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and before coming to Ohio, in 1849, was the first conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad between Mount Joy and Philadelphia. He is the father of seven living children and still survives at the age of seventyfive years. In politics Dr. Spitler is a republican, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow.

EVI BAKER, one of the most prominent business men of Brookville, Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here June 11, 1836, on his father's farm, and is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneers in the county, Michael Baker, and of one of the wealthiest ante-Revolutionary families of Pennsylvania, whose genealogy will be given at the close of this memoir.

Michael Baker, grandfather of Levi, and his wife, Elizabeth (Smucker) Baker, came from Somerset county, Pa., to Clay township in 1805, and settled on a tract of 200 acres of land in the wilderness, on which there was a camp of 200 Indians, who were friendly and proved to be good neighbors. He cleared up this farm and added to his possessions until he was the owner of about 2,000 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had a family of ten children, viz: John, Samuel, Jacob, Michael, Benjamin, Catherine, Elizabeth, Susannah, Annie and Mary. The father lived to be over eighty-two years of age, and his wife expired at the age of eighty, both devoted members of the Dunkard or German Baptist church, and the large property was distributed among the various children.

homestead in Clay township, March 24, 1810, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He received as good an education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded at that early day, and in 1830 married Miss Frances Niswanger, the union resulting in the birth of twelve children, viz: Sadie, Malinda, Noah, Levi, Cyrus

About 1850, Benjamin Baker engaged in the grain trade in Brookville, being the first to enter into that business in the village. He built a warehouse, and hauled his grain by wagon to Dayton until 1853, when the railroad was constructed and a track or switch extended to his warehouse. For a few years he was associated in this trade with Richard Reily, but in i860 Levi, his son, bought Mr. Reily's interest, and the business was continued by father and son until 1866, when the father retired. Benjamin Baker was a most energetic and enterprising business man. He was one of the founders of Brookville, opened its first general store, and was its first station and express agent. He at one time owned about 500 acres in different farms - one of 1 50 acres one-half mile east of Brookville - and in connection with his grain trade was a large buyer and shipper of tobacco.

Benjamin Baker was at first a whig in politics, was one of the original republicans of Montgomery county, and during the Civil war was a pronounced Union man. In religion he was a member of the German Baptist church, in which faith he died, and was highly esteemed for his Christian benevolence and unswerving integrity.

Levi Baker was reared on his father's farm and received an excellent common-school education. January 10, 1856, he married, near Brookville, Miss Catherine Ganger, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Richard) Ganger, and to this union was born one child, Mary A., who married Louis Cotterman, and died at the age of twenty-two years. Mrs. Catherine (Ganger) Baker died in 1876, a member of the United Brethren church. The second marriage of Mr. Baker took place October 17, 1878, at Chambersville, Va., with Miss Rebecca Koontz, who was born January 3, 1861, a daughter of Abraham and Susannah (Floro) Koontz. Abraham Koontz was from Pennsylvania, was of German descent, was married in Rockingham county, Va. , and was a resident of that state at the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he was drafted into the Confederate service, but escaped and brought his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1861 or 1862, and settled near Harrisburg. Here he worked at his trade as carpenter until his death, at the age of about forty-nine years, a member of the German Baptist church and the father of the following children: Sarah, Catherine

Levi Baker began his business life as a farmer, which vocation occupied his time for four years; he then joined his father in the grain trade at Brookville, and in 1867 built a residence in that town, but had the previous year bought his present farm of 114 acres. For several years he was in partnership, in the grain trade, with Daniel Litter, but for the past nine years has been associated with Daniel C. Williamson. This firm bought their brick warehouse in 1885, Mr. Baker being also a buyer and shipper of tobacco on a large scale. The firm of Baker & Williamson do an extensive business in grain, and are also the station and express agents in Brookville.

In politics Mr. Baker is a republican and served as assessor in Clay township for thirteen years; he is postmaster of Brookville, having been appointed under the Harrison administration; he has been land appraisortwo terms, a member of the school board and of the town council, for three years county infirmary director, and is the present town treasurer. He is president of the Citizens' Bank of Brookville, and is in every way energetic and progressive as a business man and citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born two children, named Edith Lillor and Arlie Levi.

It may be proper here to trace the Baker family of Ohio to its origin in America. George Peter Baker, who was born and who lived and died in Strasbourg, Germany, had four sons who came to America in 1727, viz: George, Jacob, Henry and Peter. Of these, George died a youth; Jacob married, but died without issue; Henry died a bachelor; Peter inherited property from his father, and the accumulated property of his brothers through long leases and also by will. Part of this estate is now covered by Fairmount park, in Philadelphia, and by the zoological gardens in the same city. To this valuable estate the Baker family of to-day still lay claim, as the original deed granted it "To Peter Baker, his children and grandchildren forever;" and, being thus entailed, the claim is considered to be valid. Peter had born to him two children - Jacob and Elizabeth. Jacob married Hannah Lemon, and Elizabeth married Leonard Ellmsker. Jacob had born to him ten children, of whom one, Lemon Baker, is the great-grandfather of Isaac Baker, of Lawrence, Kans. Peter, to whom the above mentioned estate was granted or devised, was the great-greatgrandfather of Levi, the subject; Jacob was the great-grandfather; Michael, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, was the grandfather, and Benjamin the father, as has already been shown. Many members of the Baker family went to Canada about the beginning of the present century, and in that country have been found the bibles containing the old family records, establishing the identity of the many heirs there and in the United States without a missing link. One of these ancient volumes is 165 years old and another is 135, but the records are all legible and convincing.

OLOMON BEYL, an old settler of Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, an ex-soldier and a successful farmer, was born in Northampton county, Pa., February 6, 1830, of sterling German ancestry.

Jacob Beyl, his father, was also a native of Northampton county, Pa., was born in 1806, and was a son of Jacob Beyl, Sr., who owned a large farm on which he passed all his life, and reared a family, of whom the names of Jacob, John and Joseph only can be remembered. Jacob, father of Solomon, was reared on his father's farm, and was married in Lehigh county, Pa., to Magdalena Hartman, who was born in that county July 27, 1804. Immediately after his marriage, Jacob Beyl went to housekeeping on his father's farm, and there all his children were born, viz: Elizabeth, Solomon, Catherine, Matilda, Sarah, John and William. In 1838 Jacob Beyl brought his family to Ohio by means of wagons, and for about four years lived at Fairfield, Greene county, where he purchased forty acres of land, but about 1844-45 removed to Jasper county, Ind., where he purchased a tract of eighty acres; he was not, however, satisfied with the change, and four months later returned to Ohio, and for two years conducted a grocery business at the market-house in Dayton and on Third street. About 1846 he moved to Wayne township and purchased the farm on which Solomon, his son, now resides, and which then comprised 147 acres, of which but forty acres were cleared. The remainder he himself subsequently cleared and improved, eventually converting it into a profitable and comfortable farm, where he passed the remainder of his days and died at the age of eighty-five years. He and wife were members of the Lutheran church, in which he had been an elder for many years; in politics he was first a whig, afterward a republican, and for two years was a justice of the peace. He was of a very liberal disposition and was the chief factor in the erection of the Lutheran church at Osborn, contributing freely of his own means for that purpose; and this, united with many other generous acts, won for him universal respect and gratitude.

Solomon Beyl, it will be seen, was about eight years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio. He here received a good commonschool education, was reared to a sound understanding of agriculture on the home farm, and was also taught the millwright's trade. October 21, 1852, he married, in Wayne township, Miss Mary Rubsam, who was born in Union county, Pa., September 11, 1835, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Shane) Rubsam.

Henry Rubsam, father of Mrs. Beyl, was born in Fulda, Germany, August 24, 1798, a son of John and Cornelia (Swanger) Rubsam, the former of whom was a baker by trade and lived and died in the land of his birth, and whose children were named John J., PhebeJ., Henry, Benedict, John, Frances W. , Ludwig, Catherine, Elizabeth, Carl and Theresa. Of these, Henry Rubsam left his home at the age of nineteen years, came to America and for some years followed his trade of fuller and then became a farmer. He married, in the Keystone state, Mary Shane, who was born in Lycoming county, September 18, 1804, a daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Swartz) Shane, of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and the parents of nine children, viz: Mary, Michael, Peter, Rosannah, William, Sophia, Jacob L. , Theresa and Susan. For some time after marriage Henry Rubsam continued to follow his trade in Penn- sylvania, and in 1835 came to Ohio, settled on eighty acres of land in Wayne township, Montgomery county, cleared up and improved his place, and here reared his children - Eliza, Sarah, Henry, Mary, John and Jacob (twins) and George. He was a republican in politics, and in religion a German Baptist.

Solomon Beyl, after his marriage, settled on the old homestead, which he has increased from its original dimensions to 205 acres and greatly improved. His children were named, in order of birth, as follows: Jacob (who died at the age of two years), Emma, John, George, Mary and Minnie. Mrs. Beyl is a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Beyl is in politics a stanch republican. His enlistment took place August 22, 1862, in Osborn, Ohio, in Capt. Aaron Spangler's company F, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years, and he was honorably discharged, with the rank of corporal, at a Cleveland hospital, in June, 1865, on account of the close of the war. He took part in the battle of Winchester, Va., was captured and sent to Libby prison, thence to Belle Isle, and at the close of thirty-three days was paroled. He returned home, but at the end of three months rejoined the army at Alexandria, Va., where he was stricken with rheumatism and was sent to the Howard hospital, in Washington, D. C. , whence, having contracted smallpox, he was transferred to a hospital in Georgetown, D. C. , and then furloughed home. On reaching Columbus, Ohio, he was so enfeebled that he was sent to Cleveland. He there recovered sufficiently to do light duty, and was one of the guards at the time that the remains of the martyred Lincoln lay in state in the city of Cleveland.

On his return home Mr. Beyl resumed his agricultural pursuits, in which he has prospered and is now recognized as one of the most substantial farmers of Wayne township and one of its most honored citizens. He still holds his affection for his old comrades in arms, being a member of Steele post, No. 623, G. A. R., in which he at one time served in the office of quartermaster.

aHRISTIAN A. COLER, of Dayton and Farmersville, Ohio, and one of the leading farmers of Jackson township, springs from old colonial stock of Maryland. His ancestry is both German and English. Adam Roller, as he spelled the name, was a native of the northern part of Maryland, and owned a farm on the line between that state and Pennsylvania (Mason & Dixon's line), his land lying chiefly in Pennsylvania. His children were Joseph, John, Polly and Elizabeth. In religious belief Adam Roller was a Lutheran, and was opposed to slavery. He lived to be seventy years of age, and his wife lived to be seventy-five.

Joseph Roller, son of the above, was born on his father's farm in Maryland, was reared a farmer and married, in Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Eby, daughter of Christian and Susan (McDaniel) Eby, the Eby family being of German and the McDaniel family of Scotch- Irish ancestry. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roller first settled in Baltimore county, Md., on a farm, but came to Ohio in 1832, locating in Montgomery county, in Jackson township, on 160 acres of land, which was partially cleared, and which Mr. Roller finished clearing. This he made into a good farm and upon it he passed his remaining days. He died at the early age of forty-five years, a member of the German Baptist church. Mrs. Roller died at the age of eighty-nine years, an exemplary mother and Christian, a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Roller was well educated for his day, and was an unusually successful man, accumulating by his thrift

Christian A. Coler was born May 26, 1825, in Baltimore county, Md., and was therefore seven years of age when brought to Montgomery county by his parents. He was well educated in his youth, attending not only the common schools, but also Wittenberg college and, later, Miami university, from which he graduated in 1858. He had been a teacher for several years before entering college, teaching in both Ohio and Indiana. After his graduation he resumed farming and married Catherine Bear, born in 1840, in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Lydia (Swihart) Bear.

Henry Bear was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and was of German stock. He was a son of an early pioneer of Montgomery county, was a good farmer, and by his first wife had one child, Catherine; and by his second wife, Ellen Bruner, the following children: Albert S., Florence, Ira, Paul and Myrtle. Mr. Bear is still living and is now eighty-three years of age.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coler settled in Jackson township, on the line of German township, on a farm of 264 acres of land, which Mr. Coler purchased. After sixteen years of successful farming he removed to his present farm, where he owns 165 acres of excellent land, beside several pieces of property in the city of Dayton. In 1894 Mr. Coler moved to West Dayton, but spends several months during the summer and fall on his farm , two miles southeast of Farmersville, on the Germantown and Farmersville pike. In 1862 Mr. Coler was commissioned captain of company C, Twelfth regiment, Ohio national guard, which position he held until entering the United States service in the spring of

Mr. Coler reported for duty May 2nd, and was commissioned first lieutenant of company F, One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, was on duty in Virginia and Maryland, was honorably discharged August 25, 1864, and with his company returned to Dayton. Politically Mr. Coler is a republican and Mr. and Mrs. Coler were present at the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, the first president of the party. Mr. Coler was a member of the Sixty-first general assembly of Ohio, the only man save one elected on the republican ticket in Montgomery county in the fall of 1873. While in the legislature in 1875, he advocated the enlargement of the Miami & Erie canal to the capacity of the Erie canal of New York, and introduced a resolution to that effect.

Mr. and Mrs. Coler are members of the Baptist Brethren church. Mr. Coler being an educated man, has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has for several years served as manager of the Farmers' institute, to which he has contributed papers. He is a member of the G. A. R. , Carlton Bear post, 516, Germantown, also a member of the P. of H., and has always sympathized with the interests of the farmers. He has also taken an active interest in school affairs, serving as a member of the school board for several years. Mr. Coler is a man of wide reading and has a well-selected library. He has long enjoyed the confidence of the people and has been called upon to settle a number of estates, and has transacted much business with the courts. A public-spirited man, he has aided churches, favored good roads, and encouraged all enterprises calculated to advance the public good. In the many positions of trust which he has filled, he has been faithful and true, having given entire satisfaction to all who were associated with him, and having won credit for himself in every capacity,

EWIS F. HOFFMAN, of Randolph township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a son of one of the early pioneers. His ancestors were of strong Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His great-grandfather came to the United States from Germany in about 1750, when he was sixteen years of age. The tradition is that two brothers came to America at that time, and that their services were sold to pay their passage across the sea, as was often the case in those early days.

George Hoffman, grandfather of Lewis F., was born June 21, 1775, was married in Perry county, Pa., to Elizabeth Limpard, and their children were as follows : Philip, Joseph,

John, Catherine, Barbara, Martha, Jesse, Lewis, Levi and George. The father, George Hoffman, was a farmer and also manufacturer of woolen goods in Pennsylvania, and in 1819 removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, with his wife and children, making the journey with a team of five horses and a big wagon. He settled in Randolph township, one mile south of Harrisburg, where he bought land. He cleared this land from the woods, and experienced all the hardships and deprivations of pioneer life, becoming a most substantial farmer, owning 300 acres of productive land. George Hoffman lived to be nearly sixty-four years of age, dying April 1, 1839. He was a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was among the first to preach at Conccrd, before there was any church building erected in that part of the country, the meetings being held in his house. He was one of the founders of the church at Concord, and was accustomed to preach in all parts of the county. He died on his farm, regretted by all who knew him as a man of great worth and usefulness.

brought to Ohio in 1819. Receiving his education in the subscription schools of his youthful days, he was brought up to farm labor and became a good farmer and business man. In his early life he was a teamster, and hauled Hour, whisky, etc. His first wife was Sarah Worman, and by her he had the following children: Eliza, David, Anna, Levina, Solomon, Mahala, Jesse, Levi and Sarah. After his first marriage Mr. Hoffman settled in Randolph township, on 106 acres of land, which he bought of his father, and by toil and economy he added to this farm eighty acres, so that he had a good farm of 186 acres, which he partially cleared from the woods, and upon which he erected a comfortable dwelling. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Fry, by whom he had two children, Lewis F. and William R. Mr. Hoffman was a practical and successful farmer. He also followed teaming to Cincinnati, and afterward to Dayton for some time. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was in his early life an old-line whig and later a republican. His two sons, Lewis F. and William R., entered the one hundred days' service, in company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. Their time having expired, William R. re-enlisted for one year, and died while in service, at Columbus, Ohio. Joseph Hoffman died in 1863, aged about sixty-two years, leaving the record of a busy and useful career.

Lewis F. Hoffman was born on his father's farm, November 15, 1842, and received the common-school education of the time, which was of a higher order than that obtainable in the boyhood of his father or of his grandfather. On May 2, 1864, he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, for one hundred days, and was discharged from the service, by reason of expiration of his term of enlistment, in August,

1864. His service was rendered at Arlington Heights, and on the farm of the Confederate leader, Gen. Lee, and he saw quite active service during Gen. Early's raid on Washington.

On September 24, 1867, he married Miss Mary A. Maugens, who was born January 10, 1847, near Tippecanoe, Miami county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Olive (Jenkins) Maugens, the former of whom was born in Frederick county, Md., of German ancestors. John Maugens was a son of David and Catherine (Blickenstaff) Maugens. The Maugens family is an ancient one in Maryland. The children of David and Catherine Maugens were Elizabeth, John and Mary. David Maugens was a well-to-do farmer, and lived to a great age. John Maugens came to Ohio when a young man, was married in Miami county, and his children were David K. and Mary A. Mr. Maugens, who was a capable and enterprising citizen, died in Miami county when his daughter, afterward Mrs. Hoffman, was nine months old. Olive Jenkins, his wife, was a daughter of Esquire David Jenkins, a pioneer of Miami county. David Jenkins was twice married, his first wife being Rosetta Russell, and his second wife Ann Pierson. Mr. Jenkins was a wellknown pioneer and a justice of the peace for forty years. In early times the elections were held at his house.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman settled on the home farm of fifty-four acres, which he has greatly improved and brought to an advanced condition of productiveness, and upon which he is engaged in the raising of nursery stock. His children are as follows: Homer K., born November 10,

1868; Theodore C., born November 10, 1871; Albert, born May 31, 1876; and Howard, born September 7, 1882. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a republican, and has six times been elected trustee of Randolph township, serving nine years. He and his wife are members of the

Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hoffman takes great interest in educational affairs, and has served on the school board for six years. Fraternally he was formerly a member of St. John lodge, of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Little York lodge, No. 696, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs. Mr. Hoffman is a progressive and capable citizen, standing high in the estimation of his friends and neighbors.

ANIEL BOOMERSHINE, of Farmersville, Montgomery county, Ohio, and a prominent farmer of Jackson township, is a grandson of one of the original pioneers. He springs from German stock, his grandfather, Henry Boomershine, having been born in Prussia, Germany. Henry Boomershine was impressed into the German army and became one of King George Ill's Hessian soldiers in the war of the Revolution, coming to America with them to aid in suppressing the revolt against the rule of that king. Like many others of the Hessian troops, he took advantage of his opportunity to remain in America and to become a citizen of the country.

Settling in Pennsylvania, he married and became the father of the following children: Peter, Henry, Jacob, Abraham, John, Susan and Elizabeth. Mr. Boomershine moved with his family to Ohio some time during the last decade of the eighteenth century, settling in Hamilton, Butler county. In 1802 he moved to German township, Montgomery county, settling on the north line of the township on 160 acres of land, all of which was covered with dense woods, he being one of the very first to settle in that part of the country.

going Jacksonian democrat. He was a typical pioneer and the founder of his family in Ohio. He lived to the great age of eightyeight years, dying in 1836.

Abraham Boomershine, father of Daniel, was born in Hamilton, Butler county, December 25, 1801, and was three months old when his parents came to Montgomery county. ' Reared in the wilderness, he attended one of the oldfashioned log school-houses, 14 x 14 feet in size, which was four miles from his home and which was reached by going through the woods the entire distance, a path having been made and marked out for the purpose. This school, however, he attended but a short time, learning to read German at home. Becoming a farmer, he married Catherine Cook, who was born in 1794, in Berks county, Pa., and was a daughter of Frederick and Margaret Cook, the former of whom was of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock, and a pioneer of Jackson township. Abraham Boomershine settled at first in Germantown, where he lived two years, and then removed to eighty acres of land in the woods, one-half mile from Farmersville, on which not a stick of timber had been cut. By hard work he cleared up this farm and added other acres thereto until at length he owned 239 acres, and became a wealthy and substantial citizen, erecting excellent farm buildings, among the best in his township. He and his wife had the following children: Henry, Abraham, Michael, Lewis, Daniel, William F., Elizabeth, Catherine and Sarah. The parents were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Boomershine was a democrat. He died in June, 1889, at the great age of eighty-nine.

Daniel Boomershine was born June 18, 1838, on the Boomershine homestead. Receiving a common-school education, he was reared a farmer, and on June 6, 1867, married Sarah A. Peck, who was born August 13,

1844, in German township, and is a daughter of James W. and Phebe (Snethen) Peck. James W. Peck was born in Kentucky, August 22, 1803, of English ancestors, and his wife was also born in Kentucky, February 8, 1808. They were married in Montgomery county, August 17, 1834. James W. Peck came to Ohio when a boy, and received the common-school education of his day. While a young man he followed teaming, and settled on eighty acres of land in German township, which were covered over with timber, but which he cleared and made fertile and productive. His children were : Susannah,

George E., Mary J., Hannah, James F., Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Sarah, Alexander and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Peck were members of the Christian church of Franklin, and in politics Mr. Peck was a republican. Mrs. Peck died January 10, 1865, aged about fiftyeight years. Mr. Peck died November 4, 1869, aged sixty-six years.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boomershine settled on the old homestead, lived there three years, and then one year at Boomershine mill. He then removed to Farmersville in 1871, and worked six years in a mill in which he owned an interest with his brothers, Michael, Lewis and William - a flouring and saw-mill on Big Twin creek. He was afterward engaged in the butcher business for five years; he bought the Boomershine homestead in 1883 and entered into the lumber and coal business. As a democrat he has held the office of constable for six years, and has been collector of delinquent taxes for twenty-two years, and treasurer of the town of Farmersville four years,, also treasurer of Jackson township six years, all, as will be seen, being offices of trust. He was one of the charter members of Farmersville lodge No. 482, F. & A. M., and has held the offices therein of junior warden, junior deacon and treasurer.

Mr. and Mrs. Boomershine are members of the Reformed church, of which he has held the office of treasurer. To Mr. and Mrs. Boomershine there has been born one son, Clement L. Boomershine.

Clement L. Boomershine, who is at present mayor of Farmersville, was born September 14, 1868, on the Boomershine homestead. He was first taught in the public schools, and afterward attended the Heidelberg university at Tiffin, Ohio, where he graduated June 21, 1889. After teaching school in Jackson township one year he was elected justice of the peace in 1890, and has ever since filled that office. He was elected mayor of Farmersville in the spring of 1893, and re-elected in the spring of 1895. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and secretary of his lodge. Politically Mr. Boomershine is a democrat, and is deservedly popular not only in Farmersville but throughout the county, where his professional and business ability are generally recognized. When first elected justice of the peace he was but twenty-two years of age, and when first elected mayor of Farmersville he was only twenty-five years of age, facts which in themselves testify strongly to his ability and popularity.