Harrison Township (part 1 of 2)

Harrison Township

Harrison is one of the very best townships in the county and is peopled by able and thrifty farmers, who are purchasing many of the small lots of land heretofore occupied as farms and attaching them to their first possessions. This shows fewer farms than in 1860. In other townships there are greater portions of the land unoccupied, and as it settles, population increases.

The township was erected May, 1818, from territory taken from the west end of Twin Township, and contained all of that township west of a line commencing at the southeast corner of Section 31, Town 10 north. Range 2 east, and running thence north to the township line. It was reduced to its present size in 1820. Numerous streams have their source within its boundary, the principal of which are East Branch of Greenville Creek, branches of Mud Creek fiowing northward and eastward, and the East Fork of Whitewater, which rises in the northeastern part and flows southeasterly through its lands. The Middle Fork of Whitewater flows across the northwest corner, while many springs gushing out from the hillsides contribute their waters, which by their natural channels supply abundance of water and an excellent natural drainage. Save in the northwest, the valleys of these streams and much of their basins were swamp}- and well-nigh impassable. In some places, there were tall rank grasses and swamp weeds ; in others, timber and thickets of vinous brush - brier}' and woven as a network of nature's weaving, while on higher ground bordering these were walnut, hackberry, sugar maple and oaks : in the southeastern part, beech predominated. The native scenery presents an appearance of a western forest repelling the settler from interference with its domain. Such were the general features of this region before the pioneer had chosen his home, or any surveyor had ventured to trace the boundaries of town or range. All was wood and swamp. Nature reigned in unbroken solitude save the song of birds, the graceful flight of deer, the nightly howl of wolves and the occasional unearthly screech of the American panther. Abundance of game, the rolling lands, the springs and streams were marked by explorers.

Ishmael Bunch, one of the earliest settlers of Wayne Co.. Ind.. if o-enerallv accepted tradition maybe accepted, built a log cabin and lived some time previous to the Indian outbreak on land now included in Harrison Township, but he was rather a roaming frontiersman than a pioneer settler, and depended more upon his rifle than upon his plow for subsistence.

Before the war of 1812, the Brawleys, Purviances and McClures, had made entries in the southern part along the present beautiful East Fork Valley, but the hostile attitude of the Indians compelled them to seek more secure quarters for their families. Some went to the fort at Greenville and some to the older settlements south. Again the lands were left to solitude and the rude attempts at settlement, but served to make the wilderness more wild and strange. Soon after the treaty at Greenville, the families above mentioned returned and repaired the work begun, and entered anew upon the clearing-up of lands for future farms. They were shortly after joined by William and John Wade, who located farther north and near to Fort Black, and by Zadoc and John Smith, whose entr}- included the old fort, while James Emerson. Joseph Gist, the Tillsons and the Harlands, selected lands lying along the Middle Branch of Whitewater. The ring of the woodman's ax. and the triumphant shout of the pioneers as the last log was placed by the " corner men"' upon each new cabin, proclaimed the progress of civilization here.

So rapid was settlement that by 1817, Zadoc Smith was encouraged to attempt the speculative movement of laying out a town at Fort Black. This old fort was established during the fall of 1813 by Lieut. Black, of a company commanded by Capt. Nesbitt, who at the same time built a fort in Preble County. David Baldwin, now of Kansas, aided to build the fort, and was for some time one of its garrison. Mr. Smith platted a tract of land near the fort, which was for many years and till its incorporation called by the name of Fort Black. On Christmas Da}'. 1817, a public sale of town lots was held, but the sequel proved that he had anticipated the needs of the times. Henry Hutton and Frederick Fulke were the only purchasers who built upon lots then sold; nevertheless, there were besides the families of these two men, Dennis Hart, Judson Jaqua and the Lawrences, in the neighborhood which became known as Yankee Town ; Solomon and Jonathan Thomas, southwest of Madison; John and Aaron Kush, on Section 11 (?) and 14; Thomas Micham, on Section 16 ; John Downing, on Section 10 ; Frances Spencer, on Section 3 ; Samuel Boberts, at Fort Nesbitt, and his brother George, on Section 29, and John and Jacob Miller, Daniel Owens, David, James P. and Daniel Edwards and John Watson were in the central part and north of Fort Nesbitt. There was also John Tibbs, who gave his time to hunting, and David Gibbs and Newland, millwrights, and Bobert Campbell, in the southwest portion. The openings had grown numerous, clearings were no longer far between, and now the township was constituted and the people entered upon a government for themselves. Among additional settlers were Ernestus Putnam, Solomon Broderick, James Wooden (who were the first Justices of the Peace in the township), M. Buckingham, Nazareth Bunch, John Carrier, William Jones, Daniel Forkner, Jonathan Thomas, the Motes brothers, John Foster, E. Lovall and Thomas Gray. The lands of 1830 had all been entered, and some localities presented an appearance of a continued occupation. It must be borne in mind that these settlers came not as emigrants go to Kansas and other Western countries, upon the railroad. Neither had they cash in hand, nor an abundant outfit. The greater number were sons and daughters of the pioneer families of Kentucky, older portions of Ohio and the enterprising of Eastern and Southern States. Putnam and Foulke came from Washington, D. C. Here having married, they sought permanent homes, and being poor, their outfit was indeed meager. In some cases, a horse, a cow, a few swine, and some rude tools for felling trees and cultiva ting the ground. Those who came from Kentucky, especially, had a horse and a few cooking utensils. They journeyed, some on foot, while others more fortunate had teams. Generally two or three families came together, and had a wagon and team in common. Such was the case with McClure and his sons, the Wade brothers, the Smiths, Tillson and sons and the Harlands. In their course, they traveled over the new roads of the older settlements, as most not from the older portions of Ohio came in by way of Cincinnati, up the Miami from Dayton and the Stillwater, or up the Whitewater via llichmond to or near the present Miami Count}' line. They then struck through the woods, sometimes being compelled to cut their own wa}- until the}' reached the spot which husband or friend had previously selected. The family sometimes entered a cabin provided months before by these pioneers, while other times the immigrant sought temporary shelter in the cabin of a neighbor, while yet others made rude shelter until a cabin could be built.

It is surprising to us, and creditable to the discernment of these pioneers, that in the rough of nature they should have seen the wealth of their lands and so wisely selected them. To cut away the trees and brush, and to erect a cabin, was to these woodmen their easiest labor, as all within reasonable distance were ever ready to leave their own work to aid a neighboring old or new settler, whether friend or stranger ; but how to provide for their families until the ground could be made to yield its increase was a subject uppermost in mind, and injury by weather or animals was dreaded, for they had no money to purchase supplies if their own resources failed them. Frequently, the family was left while the father or husband went upon long and wearisome journeys to the older settlements upon the Miami or the Whitewater Valleys, and, at times, to Kentucky, where supplies could be obtained from friends or acquaintances. Unavoidable and unexpected delays in their return, which sometimes occurred, would occasion alarm, and, not infrequently, the privations of hunger were endured. Had not the first settlers possessed natural ingenuity, developed by a frontier life, their progress, situated as they were, so distant from any mercantile or manufacturing center, would have been rendered almost impossible. The " openings " with growing crops, the rattle of the bells upon the cows in the deadening or in the woods, the voices of children and the neighborly visits of settlers, presented scenes pleasant and prophetic.

When a crop had been raised, it was almost worth the meal or flour to get it ground. Daniel Riegel relates that, as late as the winter of 1842-43, he went to Covington from Butler Township with a grist, found several others ahead of him and the mill frozen up ; left his grain and returned home till the weather softened, then went back and helped to loosen the wheel, at the first revolution of which, the weight of ice that went over broke the wheel ; after which, he was compelled to take his grist to a mill on the Whitewater, below Paris, traveling, in all, going and coming, over ninety miles to get his flour. Some went down on the Whitewater, some to Stillwater, while others journeyed to Adams' mill, on Greenville Creek. These trips were prominent undertakings. They were made, mainly, on horseback, and, when the water was low, settlers traveled thirty or forty miles to mill, and some of the first settlers even went to Dayton in order to get wheat flour. A produce market was unknown ; provisions were raised and pork was fattened to eat. Clothing was not bought, but made. Ernestus Putnam, who had kept a little store at his house at Fort Black and was Supervisor, built, mainly at his own expense, a log road and bridge across the East Fork swamp. Aaron Rush was the chief contractor, and the money thus obtained probably saved his being compelled to relinquish his " claim." The Miami Canal was completed to Dayton in 1829, thus placing Darke County many miles nearer the commercial world, and causing the settlers to look forward more hopefully.

The settlers earlier named were of the better class of pioneers. Nearly every one remained upon and improved his lands. Few of them now survive. Mr. Samuel Roberts and George Roberts, who still reside where they first settled in 1817, are of the number. From Mrs. Roberts, now in her eighty-fourth year, is obtained the full, accurate statement of early settlers. Solomon Thomas and Henry Hutton [Henry Hutton died since this narrative was written - the last of April, 1880], who are now upward of ninety years of age, are residents of New Paris. There is a Mrs. Keener, residing in German Township, who was the wife of a son of Frances Harter and Solomon Harter, who was a lad when his father settled on that tier of sections which at first belonged to Harrison, and in 1820 was assigned to Butler. Such is the short roll-call of surviving pioneers.

Moral principles and intelligence have ever been known as essential factors to the stability and growth of our country, and these were characteristics of the pioneers of Harrison.

Such was John Purviance, a descendant of David Purviance, who was prominent in the organization of the first Christian Church in Kentuck}\ At his home, meetings and schools were occasionally held, as, also, at the house of Samuel

McClure, who was both preacher and teacher, conscientious and philanthropic - a ' good man. John Forster, Isaac Mains and William Polly were all early preachers of the Christian denomination. The efforts of such families as the Tillsons, Har lands and Pollys and of Solomon Broderick, produced a wholesome moral and religious sentiment in the southern and western part of the township. At Fort Black, lived Ernestus Putnam, a strict Presbyterian, and there were John Rush, John Downing, Jiidson Jaqua, Hart, and others, who were men of good character and public spirited. Jacob Miller was of marked intelligence, but his moral influence was not of the best. The first house built for public worship was a log meeting-house, near where Friendship Church now stands. There are now eight churches in the township, viz.: one Presbyterian, one Methodist and one Universalist, at New Madison ; one Christian at Hollansburg. and one each of Christian, Presbyterian, New Light and United Brethren elsewhere in the township. It was also used as a schoolhouse, wherein John Purvianee taught the first school, supported by subscription. The first schoolhouse, intended as such, was built at Yankeetown, in 1819. and Moses Woods was the first teacher there. The second was built upon Section 16, and William Hill was the first to teach in it. The township now has six district schools, besides the school at Hollandsburg, which includes two districts, and the school at Madison, of which mention is later made. A brief sketch of New Madison will be read with interest in this connection. We have referred to the Christmas auction of lots and the few sales made. It seems that the attempted sale was made an occasion of a regular pioneer jollification, but its failure was disheartening to Smith, who, in 1819, sold his entire claim to Ernestus Putnam, who had entered the quarter-section just west of Smith. The purchaser bought up all lots sold, vacated the plat, and, in 1831, surveyed New Madison by laying off seventeen lots on each side of what is now Main street, beginning with the lot where the old tannery stands and running south on the east side of the street and back on the west side. Mr. Putnam kept the first store in the place, to which he transferred his stock from Fort Black. A Mr. Hyde was the first blacksmith. At the southeast corner of the new plat, a rectangularshaped piece of land remained, upon which Putnam placed a log house and donated both lot and house to the people for school purposes. This was the first schoolhouse within the limits of the present corporation. He and John Wade also gave a piece of ground for a cemetery, provided public ground for a militia parade, and, when a church was needed, he gave the ground, and he and others built the present brick church and gave it for the use of the public, with the restriction that it should be used by orthodox denominations only. Before the church was built, Mr. Putnam, who was the prime mover in the undertaking, made several propositions toward securing co-operation. Several gave sums ranging from $50 downward. The Foulkes and Hollingsheads gave t>50 ; Mrs. Wilson (now the only survivor) gave $50 ; Mrs. Carson, $50 ; Dr. Kilpatrick, $50, and the Lawrences, the Schribers, the Rittenours, etc., varying smaller amounts. The church was erected in 1847. Mr. Putnam superintended the work ; Jason Downing was one of the brickmasons ; William Biddle did a large part of the woodwork. It was not until several years after the church was built that funds were subscribed to purchase a bell, and the bell was not put up until after the German Reformed Church had possession of the building, which occurred in the latter part of 1857. After the church wras built, there was for some time no regular preaching by Presbyterian ministers, but frequent services by preachers of that and other ortho dox denominations. Rev. Benj. 0. Springer came here about two years after the church was built, and he was succeeded by Peter Crocker, who preached frequently, but did not occupy all the time, until 1855-5<>. In 1857, Rev. Voght, of the (4ernian Reformed Church, awakened a great interest here and organized a church, af. which time Mr. Putnam joined the new organization and the Presbyterian Church was turned over to its use. he himself appointing the following Trustees, viz., Elias Barter, Robert Snodgrass and Echard Worch. Mr. Snodgrass died, and

Daniel Ream was appointed his successor. For over twenty-one years, the German Reformed Church held and occupied the property under quitclaim limitations, hut now have the ownership in fee simple. At present, there are services every two weeks by the German Reformed and United Brethren denominations, alternately. A union Sabbath school is held at 9:30 o'clock A. M. every Sunday. Average attendance, seventy-five. Among the Superintendents have been Wallace Jones, L. Adair, J. M. Adair, John 0. Harter, James Armacost, E. Lockett, H. Seig, David Wheeler, Elias Harter. D. Lott is the present Superintendent. The church and Sunday school are provided with an organ.

The new village was slow of growth. While Putnam did work at gunsmithing, Mrs. Putnam, who is reputed to have been the real business manager, attended to^the business of the little store. As time went on, Putnam started a small pork house, and bought and packed pork, which was regarded by the neighbors as a doubtful enterprise. Rouk, who came in 1818, was a sort of saddler, and developed a small shop. A mill was begun by John G. Putnam in 1850, and finished by Dr. Kilpatrick. It was burned in 1852, and rebuilt by P. V. Moore and Daniel Schults in 1856. The Universalists organized a church on April 3, 1859, with thirty-one members, Henry Gifford being Pastor. During the summer of 1859, subscriptions were received, and a church building was erected and dedicated in January, 1860. Christians, Universalists and Presbyterians have churches in the township. The latter, about 1821, at a meeting in which John Wooden, Thomas Carson and Jacob Miller were Trustees, the name Providence was given to their church. A lodge of F. & A. M.. known as Fort Black Lodge, No. 413, was chartered October 21, 1868, with sixteen charter members. The first Master was L. S. B. Otwell. Present membership, fifty-three.

New Madison has a fine town hall, a brick structure, built in 1878, 70x40 feet, three stories, including basement. The middle story is used as a public assembly, lecture, concert, etc., room, also for festivals and dances. The basement, on the latter occasions, serves as culinary department, and a part of it is in general use for storage, etc. The upper story is the Odd Fellows' Hall. George Bacon was Chairman of the Committee on Construction and contractor. The building cost about $7,000. The lot was bought of Mrs. Matthew McWhinney for $600, and then sold for the same price, enough ground being retained for the erection of the town hall.

Few villages of the size and population of New Madison (population 562 according to census of 1880) have so commodious and complete a school building. It is located on the southeast side of Main street, on a lot seven-eighths of an acre in extent. The lot was bought of J. B. Schriber for $200. He purchased it at Sheriff 's sale, subject to a dower of $66. The building is 50x50 feet, two stories, four rooms, and was put up by William Lindsay, lowest bidder, for $6,500. The seating, outhouses, fences and other improvements have made the total cost a little above $7,500. The building was put up in 1870. The first Superintendent was Mr. Thomas Eubanks. The following were his successors, viz., Edwin Lockett, Mr. Christler, Mr. Reed and Mr. Christner. Thomas Eubanks is now again in charge of the school. Miss Rebecca Riddle has taught nearly every term since the erection of the new structure, and Miss Ella Rush has also taught several terms. The lot above spoken of adjoined ;' the old-school lot " mentioned in the foregoing sketch and history of New Madison, and the present school grounds of course includes both. The first (log) schoolhouse, which was also used for religious and other meetings, is still standing, and is now used as a stable. It was erected when the town was laid out. The second schoolhouse (of brick) is located on the same side but at the other end of Main street, near the old brewery, and is also still standing. It was built in 1850.

A new brick grain warehouse has just been completed, near the depot. 40x75 feet, two stories. The shipments of grain and stock from New Madison have averaged, of late years, 40,000 bushels of wheat, 60,000 bushels of corn, and

3,000 head of live stock and hogs per annum. These are the aggregate figures representing the business hitherto done by Swisher & Templeton, and more recently by Swisher, now the only grain and produce shipper. The new warehouse was put up by Mr. Edward Bunch, and will doubtless be used for the purpose intended the ensuing fall and winter.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in the summer of 1878, and is a frame structure 36x50 feet ; cost about $1,100. It is located nearly opposite the Presbyterian Church, on the south side of Washington street. The lot contains one-fourth of an acre less fifty feet, and was purchased from Obadiah Hill for the sum of $100. Regular preaching by Rev. Allbright and Rev. Kerm. Average Sabbath-school attendance, forty.

The Universalist Church, more particularly referred to elsewhere, is about 40x50 feet, located on the north side of Washington street, at the southeast end thereof. The lot upon which it is situated was purchased of John B. Schriber for $75, in June, 1859, and contains -^\ acres. There has been no regular preaching for over two years past, but the Universalist Sabbath School is in regular session.

There are two steam saw-mills and a stream grist-mill in New Madison all doing a good business; one of the former has attached to it a flouring department, also a planing, flouring and bracket-manufacturing branch, and nearly every branch of mercantile and professional pursuit is represented. The village enjoys all the advantages of a railroad town, and is surrounded by a country that can hardly be surpassed and is very seldom equaled as to beauty and productiveness.

Among the older institutions and landmarks of New Madison, the New Madison Brewery, John Lantry, proprietor, must not be omitted. This ancient, yet not very old, establishment is located at the corner of Main and Franklin streets, and was commenced in 1858. Successive additions have been made until it is now 144 feet in length by 18 feet in width, about 50 feet of the front being considerably wider. It has never changed owners, but part of the time has been run by other (hired) parties than the proprietor. Since 1875. the brewery has been idle. Mr. Lantry is disabled so that he seldom leaves the premises, but is known by those who visit and converse with him to be a quaint but good-hearted specimen of the "rale ould stock," half-hermit, it is true, and afflicted, but more genial and less cynical than a casual observer might suppose.

The tannery is another representative of ye olden time. It was built bv Robert Snodgrass and Thomas and Henderson Fleming, in an early day. The original building was 60x20 feet, but, in 1844, an addition was made of 15x20 feet. The business passed from the above firm into the hands of Joseph Snodgrass (son of Robert), who ran it until his death three years ago, when his widow rented it to Mr. Lewis Stolder, who continued to run it up to March. 1880, since which time it has been idle.

is located near the center of Section 5, in the northwestern part of the township about half a mile east of the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River, and distant from New Madison five and eight-tenths miles. It was laid out in 1817. Present population about three hundred. The different businesses, religious and educational interests, etc., are well represented. The adjoining country is fertile, and while the progress of the village has not been rapid, its growth in many substantial respects has been far greater than mere external evidences would indicate. The new Methodist Episcopal Church is a conveniently located and commodious structure, as well as the Christian Church, elsewhere mentioned in these pa^es. There are many pleasant residences, and some that may be said to be of the iTest class of dwellings in the county. Intelligence and thrift characterize the people generally.

Biographical Sketches

GEORGE BACON, hardware merchant, New Madison ; was born Dec. 26, 1826, in Jefferson Co.. N. Y. ; removed with his parents to Michigan in 1834. where he remained until 1848, when he went to Cincinnati, and thence to different parts of Ohio, locating in New Madison in 1849, and engaged in mercantile business, which he has continued ever since, having now become one of the substantial business men of New Madison, being one of the firm of Bacon & Aughee. Mr. Bacon was married to Clara Aughee Feb. 17, 1850, at the home of her parents, near New Paris, Preble Co. They have two children - Orla and Flora.

T. J. BLOOM, miller ; P. 0. and residence New Madison. The business interests of New Madison could not be properly presented without a more than passing notice of " The New Madison Mills," of which Mr. Bloom is proprietor. He came here in 1 868 ; the business of the mill could then be done in from two to three days' run in each week. In 1875. Mr. Bloom determined on improvement ; tore down the old mill and rebuilt it, placing an entire new set of machinerj-, which included the patent process, and now has a capacity to produce forty barrels of flour and grind 150 bushels of corn in a twelve- hour run. and is prepared, both by experience and improved methods, to produce the very best of flour ; he is doing both a custom and merchant business, and such is the reputation of his flour, that he sells all of it on orders, thus saving the expense and risk of consignments. Mr. Bloom, although a young man, is already one of the prominent and substantial business men of New Madison. He was born in Preble Co. in 1845 ; his father was a miller, and T. J. naturally grew to be a miller while 3*0 ung He enlisted in the three-months service in 1862, and was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and held until some time after the expiration of his term of service, then paroled, after which he returned to New Madison and resumed milling. Was married in 1864 to Miss Mary C, daughter of Lewis S. Davis, of Richmond, Ind. ; the}r have one child - Charles.

' WILLIAM BROWN, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. O. Brinley Station ; was born in Virginia Nov. 21, 1807; his parents came to Ohio in 1808, traveling on horseback, and first settled in Washington Co., afterward in Clinton Co ; about the time of becoming 21, his parents removed to Warren Co., when he began life for himself; having had but little education, he worked out by the da}' or month, as he had opportunity, until 1840, when he came to Preble Co. and took charge of a farm belonging to his sister, her husband having died March 17, 1842. He was married to Susanna Shuman ; she was born in Preble Co. Nov. 29, 1823 ; they settled on a farm he had previously purchased in Harrison Township, Darke Co. ; after remaining about two years he removed to Preble Co., where he purchased a farm ; they remained here until 1853 ; he purchased 151 acres in Darke Co., where they removed and have since lived. Mr. Brown now owns two 80-acre tracts in Preble Co., under good cultivation, besides the home farm, which is well improved, and altogether worth at least $15,000. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of eight children - Hannah, born Jan. 6, 1843, now Mrs. Milton Thomas, of Preble Co. ; Joseph, born Nov. 25, 1844, now living in Preble Co., on Sec. 25, Harrison Town ship; Sarah J., born Feb. 5, 1847, now Mrs. Geo. Miller, also of Harrison Township ; Wm. S., born April 14, 1849 ; John H, born Oct. 9, 1851 ; Thomas M., born July 9, 1854 ; Franklin J., born Oct. 23, 1856 ; Jacob S., born May 12, 1859 ; all of whom are now living.

EDWARD J. BUNCH, retired ; New Madison ; born in Harrison Township Jan. 17, 1827. His parents, Nazareth Bunch and Permelia (Simons) Bunch, were among the pioneer settlers of Darke, having emigrated from Perquimons Co., N. C., in 1824, and entered a quarter-section of land, upon which this son was born, reared, and now owns. Mr. E. J. Bunch commenced business for himself in 1853, purchasing a stock of goods in New Madison, which business he continued about two years, when he sold out. A short time after this a remarkable incident occurred ; he was bitten by a rabid dog, and, although the same dog had bitten a son of Washington Ubrem, and also a number of cattle, hogs, etc., he alone recovered, being attended by Dr. G. Miesse, of Greenville. Mr. Bunch and Miss Catherine Coblentz were married at the home of her parents, in Butler Township, Nov. 22, 1855; soon after they went on a farm he owned in Harrison Township, and have continued to live in Harrison Township ever since, owning different tracts of land until 1862, when he purchased the old homestead, where he lived until 1873, when he purchased a handsome residence property in New Madison, where he now resides ; he has just completed a fine brick building, near the railroad track, which he designs for a wai-ehouse. Mr. and Mrs. Bunch are the parents of three children - Eva and Edward, the first having died in infancy.

CHARLES W. CHENOWETH, farmer, Sec. 5 ;'P. O. Hollandsburg, Ohio ; was born in Maryland Sept. 3, 1830 ; in 1838. he came with his parents to Darke Co.; they settled in Harrison Township, and afterward removed near Arba, Randolph Co., Ind.; his mother now resides there; his father's death occurred in 1876. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents until his marriage with Minerva J. Harrison, which occurred Feb. 24, 1853, after which they lived with her parents in German Township until the following fall, then removed to Randolph Co., Ind.; remained there until 1856, when they removed to Harrison Township, Darke Co., and lived on Sec. 3 eight years ; then removed to the farm in German Township, upon which her father settled in 1832 ; remained there until 1876, then removed to the farm near Hollandsburg, where he now resides ; his wife's death occurred here Sept. 28, 1878. The following is an extract from the obituary notice, written by her Pastor : " In the death of Sister Chenoweth the husband has lost a kind and affectionate wife, the children a lovin g and indulgent mother, the church a worthy member, and the community an exem- plary Christian character. She united with the Christian Church at Hollandsburg in the year 1854, during a meeting held by Father Ashley, and lived a consistent Christian life until death summoned her to her reward." She left seven children, viz - William A., born Dec. 26, 1854, married to Rosa Thomas in 1877, and now resides in German Township ; James A., born Oct. 21, 1857, married to Emma Kara Sept. 28, 1879, and now resides in German Township ; Marietta K., born Oct 11 1860 (now Mrs. Geo. Sharpe), and resides in Harrison Township ; Washington E., born Oct. 14, 1862 ; Morton M., Nov. 6, 1865 ; Ellennora B., Dec. 31, 1869, and Elmer E., July 1, 1872 ; the four last are all at home and attending school. Mr. Chenoweth has been an active, industrious citizen, and quite successful ; starting poor, he has steadily advanced, and now owns, besides his home farm adjoining Hollandsburg, which consists of 87 acres well improved, 178 acres in German0Township in a good state of cultivation, with fair improvements ; his two married sons now live on and farm this place. Mr. Chenoweth purchased the farm where he now resides in 1875, for the purpose of getting better church and school privileges for his family. He has been a prominent member of the Christian Church here, and is now Deacon and one of the Trustees, and is an active, useful member of society and a substantial citizen. He was married to Mary A. Felton

JOHN DARLAND, farmer ; P. O. New Madison, resides Sec. 11 ; was born in Nicholasville, Ky., May 30, 1805, and came with his parents to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1810 ; he remained with his parents during his minority, receiving but little education ; after he became of age, he worked wherever he had opportunity, making his home with his parents until his marriage with Martha Beatley, which occurred April 22, 1839 ; he then rented a farm ; two years later he purchased and removed to a farm in Wayne Co., Ind. ; in 1865, he purchased the farm upon which they now and have since resided. They are the parents of nine children, viz.: Harrison, born July 14, 1840 ; Benjamin, born Aug. 7, 1842 ; Oliver, born Dec. 20, 1845 ; Thomas, 'born Jan. 10, 1848 ; Margaret J., now Mrs. John Hill, born June 4, 1853 ; George, born March 27, 1856 ; Mary E., born Aug. 10, 1858 ; John M., born Jan. 15, 1862 ; and Dora, born July 30, 1865.. Mr. Darland, as will be seen, started with nothing but his own energy and physical strength to rely upon, and has gradually advanced, until by his energy, industry and economy, he now has 230 acres of land, with good buildings ; they have raised a large family, all of whom are living, some at home and some in distant States. Mr. and Mrs. Darland are both of the quiet, substantial type, highly respected citizens, and he is a useful, respected citizen.

THOMAS J. DAVIS, (deceased) ; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 29, 1834 ; came to Darke Co. in 1854, and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he continued until 1867, then started a general store at Hollandsburg, which he continued until the time of his decease, which occurred Aug. 6, 1879 ; the following extract from the obituary written by one who knew him, shows how he was regarded by his neighbors : "Mr. Davis was an active, intelligent, useful citizen, esteemed by all who knew him ; was a worthy member of the Masonic Order, and always cherished and sustained all efforts for the support and propagation of that which was good and noble." He was married to Mary E. Harrison, June 8, 1856 ; she is a daughter of Harvey Harrison, who was one of the pioneers of German Township, and a successful physician for more than twenty years ; they were the parents of three children, viz., Harvey E., Florence J. and Charles C. Harvey E., when about 15 years of age, became deaf, the effect of a severe sickness ; he is now a young man and an artist ; the way in which he became an artist is remarkable and somewhat romantic ; when he first realized that he was permanently deaf, he was nearly beside himself, so great was his grief and mortification, and in his desperation the thought came to his mind that perhaps he could make a picture, and he immediately proceeded to try ; with some common paint, procured from a paint shop near by, a pallet and brush of his own manufacture, a smooth board for a canvass, and a picture of a little girl for a subject, he executed his first portrait ; the result so astonished his parents and Mends that he was provided with the necessary outfit, and such was his delight at finding he could do something, notwithstanding his deafness, that he threw his entire energy into his efforts, and, although he never had any instruction except such as he could get from books, he now executes a portrait which will compare favorably with productions of regularly instructed artists, and proves him to be a genius in art. Mrs. Davis and her three children still reside at the home provided by the loving and lamented husband and father ; she is an intelligent, modest woman.

D. B. DENHAM, retired ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born in Denhamstown, on the Ohio River, Oct. 3, 1809 ; when about 6 years old, his mother died, and his father bound him to J. Lyon, a wagon-maker of Springfield, Ohio, when he was 14 years old, his master, Mr. Lyon, died, and Mr. Denham then engaged to learn the blacksmith trade ; after completing his apprenticeship, he worked as journeyman in Troy and Hamilton, Ohio, and different places in Indiana, and in 1838, returned to Troy, and married Miss Rebecca Marshall, a native of Pennsjdvania, born in Bucks Co., Sept. 6, 1811 ; after his marriage, he continued to work at his trade in Troy and Staunton, until 1845, he removed to Pulaski Co., Ind., but not being satisfied here, he returned in a few months to Troy, Ohio, and resumed blacksraithing in partnership with a Mr. Daily ; in 1858, removed to Darke Co., and purchased 127 acres of land in York Township ; after living here one year, returned to Troy ; a year or two later, he removed to Dallas, where he worked at his trade a short time, after which, he again went on to his farm in York Township, but only remained about one year, then removed to Brown Township, where he remained until 1866 ; he sold out in York Township and came to New Madison, purchased 80 acres in Harrison Township, near New Madison, also several pieces of property in New Madison, including the residence in which they now reside ; upon one of these lots he built a shop, in which he carried on blacksmithing until, quite recently, he sold his shop, tools and stock, and is now living a quiet, retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Denham are the parents of six children, only one of whom is living - Charles M., a harness-maker of New Madison. The names of the deceased are Rachael J., Henrietta, Sarah E., Nancy T., and the first, who died in infancy ; Rachael J. was married to Charles A. Reigle, Oct. 9, 1861, Uzeuno and Estell V., their son and daughter, are now of Mr. Denham's family ; Sarah E. was married to Charles D. Bevington, Nov. 21, 1867 ; Frank W. B., their son, is also with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Denham. It will be seen by this record that Mr. Denham has lived not so much for himself as for others.

JASON DOWNING, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born in Chester Co., S. C, April 14, 1811 ; son of John and Margaret (Faris) Downing, both of Irish descent ; Jason came with his parents to Darke Co., in 1817, and was raised during the early times, in Harrison Township, and is one of the most intelligent and best informed of the few now living, who were here at so early a day ; his father having been a teacher in South Carolina, he received a fair education ; he remained at home until about 27 years of age ; his father had a blacksmith shop on his farm, and hired a smith part of the time ; Jason spent considerable time in this shop, and obtained a pretty good idea of the trade, but thought he would try teaching school ; after one term, he concluded that did not suit him, and he learned the brickmason's trade, at which he became very proficient, and has followed it more or less all his life, having done some brickwork during the past year. Dec. 16, 1841, he was married to Rebecca J., daughter of John and Jane Beard, who were pioneers of Butler Township ; after his marriage, they settled on the farm upon which they now reside ; he had previously purchased it. put up a cabin and made some improvements, but when he was ready to occupy it, he built a house, which forms a part of his present commodious dwelling ; the old cabin, now used as a sort of shop, is about the only reminder of those early days of hard labor and privations he so well remembers. The farm now consists of 120 acres,

80 of which are under cultivation ; thus Mr. and Mrs. Downing were early settlers and are now among the oldest residents of Harrison Township and have contributed their full share toward the growth and improvement of Darke to. lney are the parents of eight children, viz.: Robert, born Sept. 18, 1843 now married and resides in Sec. 9 ; Samuel, bom April 17, 1846, died Aug ,24 1852 ; Margaret J. , born Oct. 12, 1848, now Mrs. George W. Miller, of Preble Co.; Sarah C, born June 1 1851 now Mrs J. E. Armacost, resides in Harrison Township ; George W., born Sept. 22, 1853, still at home ; Fanny E.,born April 7, 1856, now Mrs. L. W. Arma-

3 JAMES L. DOWNING, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born Feb. 20 1852 on the farm where he has since and at present resides ; he is the son of John E and Sarah M. Downing ; John E. was born in South Carolina, and came with his parents to Darke Co. when a boy ; Sarah M. (Morrison-Biwley) Downing, was born in Preble Co. and came with her husband to Darke Co. in 1833 ; they settled upon the farm upon which the son, James L., now lives, his mother living with him. the father having died Oct. 27, 1872 ; the Downings were very early settlers and are noticed at some length in the township history ; the farm upon which Mr James L and his aged mother now live, was partly cleared and improved by John Tibbs a pioneer of Harrison Township, from whom John E. purchased it The old lo* cabin with stick chimney which Mr. Tibbs built, still stands where he placed it as a reminder of the limited accommodations and privations of the early settlers ; since the time it was built, the dense forest has been cleared away and cultivated fields now greet the eye ; a neat and commodious house has been built also a frame barn and other buildings for the accommodation of stock and storage of grain, implements, etc., evidences of industry, economy and practical wisdom Mrs Sarah M. Downing is the mother of nine, children by her first husband John Brawley, viz.: Thomas S., born May 29, 1836, now married and resides in Kansas ; Martha Ann, born Oct. 10, 1837, died Sept. 16, 1838 ; Levi P., born Jan 19, 1840, was married to Louisa J., daughter of Patterson Purviance, died April 13 1862 ; by her second husband, John E. Downing ; Louisa J., born Nov. 29 1843' now Mrs. Allen Tyler of Preble Co.; Mary C, born March 19, 1846, died D^c 31 1876 ; Melissa E, born Nov. 7, 1849, died Aug. 19, 1876 ; James L., born Feb 20' 1852 ; Margaret E., born May 2, 1855, died April 20, 1877 ; infant son, born March 9, 1858, died Sept. 6, 1858 ; Florence A., born Dec. 11, 1859, died July 24 1879 - Ruth A., born August 15, 1862. Mr. Downing is the inventor ot " Downino-'s Hand Planter, " which bids fair to excel all other hand planters. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat ; he cast his first ballot for Andrew Jackson - he was a member of the School Board for more than twenty years, and has always been an intelligent, useful citizen, and, although somewhat advanced in years, is now a very intelligent, social, agreeable gentleman.

JOHN M. FLAIG, farmer ; P. O. New Madison. He was born Jan io, l&Jl, in Wurtemberg, Germany ; emigrated to the United States when 23 years of age. and worked at a trade (tanner) in New Jersey for one man seven years ; in 1860 Mr Flaio- came to Richmond, Ind., near which place he purchased land and farmed two years ; then sold and removed to New Paris, where he took an interest in a tannery which he soon sold, not liking his partner, and removed to New Madison ; rented the tannery now owned by Mrs. Snodgrass, whose biography appears in this work which he operated four years, after which he engaged in the grocery and provision trade ; this he continued ten years, burning, during this time, many kilns of brick and building the walls of most of the fine school buildings which now ornament the country in this vicinity ; in the fall of 1874, Mr. Flaig visited his old home and other parts of Germany, returning about Christinas : in 187b, ne sold his store and purchased a farm adjoining the corporation, which he still owns, living in his fine brick residence in town ; of public honors, he has had a full share, holdino- one or more town and township offices almost continuously with his residence here being at the present time Town Treasurer, Township Appraiser and

School Director. He was married to Agnes Straub, in Philadelphia, April 23, 1856 ; they were the parents of one child, Joseph, who is now living with his father ; Mrs. Flaig's death occurred June 12, 1857. Mr. Flaig and Elizabeth Hambil were married in Philadelphia April 17, 1858 ; they have four children - Lizzie, Wilhelm, John A. and Henry B., all of whom are living at home ; the mother of Mrs. (Straub) Flaig, Mrs. Odela Straub, who was born in 1803, and whose husband died at sea during the voyage from Germany, in 1853, is now also a member of this interesting household.

WALTER W. FRENCH, retired physician, residence Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Hollandsburg. He was born in Jefferson Co., Va., March 1, 1792 ; his father, Samuel French, was a teacher, and gave his family more than ordinary advantages ; when Walter was about 20, he enlisted in the army, but was mustered out in about six months, without seeing any service in the field. Soon after his return, he was married to Rachael P. Blue. For several years he acted as collector, at the same time reading medicine ; in 1823, they removed to Brownsville, Ohio, and the following year his wife died, leaving three children - James W., Samuel J. and Mary J.; he then returned to Virginia, and her mother took care of the children until his marriage Avith Lavina Bailey, after which he purchased a farm in Jefferson Co., Va., where they lived until 1838, when he came with his family to Darke Co., first settling in Washington Township, and practiced medicine there about six years ; then removed to Hollandsburg, where he practiced and also kept store for more than twenty years ; in 1869, he was robbed of over $8,000 in cash ; in 1871, he purchased and removed to the farm, where he now resides, with his widowed daughter, Jane ; in 1874, his second wife died; she bore him six children, viz.: Phoebe L.. now Mrs. Robert Little, of Columbus, Ind.; Rachel A., now Mrs. J. G-. Harland, of Union City, Ind.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. D. Ryan, of Hollandsburg ; Emily E., now Mrs. J. M. Harrison, of Hollandsburg, and Martha L. and Walter J. B.T both deceased ; of his first wife's children, Samuel J. is deceased ; James W. resides near Princeton, Ind.; Mary Jane was married Jul}' 16, 1839, to John C. Heironimus, whose death occurred July 23, 1879, he being 69 3'ears of age ; they had eleven children - Elmira L., born April 20, 1840, married to David Tittle in 1872. and died July 3, 1877 ; Walter A., born Nov. 29, 1841 ; Eliza J., born Nov. 22, 1843, now Mrs. Jacob Anderson, of Wayne Co., Ind.; Eliza A., born Dec. 5, 1845, died Aug. 6, 1865; Narcissus V., born Oct. 27, 1847, now Mrs. Leander Anderson, also of Wayne Co., Ind.; John W., born Feb. 17, 1850 ; Andrew P., born March 13, 1852, died Aug. 6, 1874 ; Camelius P., born Oct. 25, 1853, died Jan. 19, 1855 ; Charles W, born March 7, 1856, now a resident of Wayne Co., Ind.; Minerva C, born June 12, 1857, now Mrs. Oliver P. Anderson, also of Wayne Co., Ind., and Emma R., born May 24, 1861; Mr. French is an old resident of Darke Co., and one of the three oldest men now living in Harrison Township, being in his 88th year ; he has been successful as a merchant, and in his day enjoyed a large practice as a physician ; he has not practiced any for the past ten or twelve years ; he now lives with and is cared for by his daughter, Jane Heironimus, her sons, Walter and John W.. farming the place.

AARON HARTER, grocer and confectioner, New Madison ; one of the old residents of Darke County; was born in Butler Township Nov. 15, 1829 ; son of Samuel Harter, who was a native of Virginia and came to Darke Count}' in 1818, and purchased a farm with a small clearing on it, near what is now New Madison, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 13, 1865. Aaron lived at home until 38 years of age, receiving while a boy such an education as he was able to secure in bad weather during the winter months; after he became "of age, he took charge of the farm, and. in their latter days, the care of his parents ; after their decease, he continued to live at the old homestead about three years, when he sold out and removed to New Madison, owning several different pieces of property and changing about somewhat, until, about 1872, he purchased the residence property in New Madison, in which he first lived, and has continued to live here ever since. He was married Aug. 14, 1851, to Susan E. Boyer ; she was born in Preble County, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1832 ; thev are the parents of two children - William B., born May 8, 1852, died July 7, 1861 ; and Alvin R., born Aug. 4, 1857, now assisting; his father in the store.

SOLOMON HARTER, retired farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. New Madison ; one of the old settlers of Darke County : he was born in Virginia Feb. 3, 1808 ; is the son of Francis Harter, who came to Darke County at an early day, bringing eight sons with him, all but one of whom became residents of Darke County ; Solomon was about 8 years old when they came, and was reared in the wilderness, assisting in clearing and improving the farm. July 4, 1830, he was married to Margaret Ullum, who also belonged lo a pioneer family ; she was born Aug. 15, 1808 ; about two years after their marriage, they settled on the farm where he has since resided ; her death occurred July 17, 1862 ; they had five children, only two of whom are living - Elam, who resides in Butler Township ; and M. K., who lives on and farms his father's place, his father living with him. Mr. Harter has been quite feeble for some time, but has had the satisfaction of seeing the wilderness subdued and fine farms with substantial improvements take the place of the forest which once covered the face of this now fertile region.

J. A. H ARTMAN, farmer ; P. 0. New Madison. The subject of this sketch was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 18, 1847; when he was 2 years of age, his mother died and he lived with his uncle, John Stauffer, until 1 6 years of age ; then came to Montgomery Co.. where his father then lived, and worked in that neighborhood, principally chopping wood, four years ; then came to Darke Co., and worked by the month two years ; then engaged with J. W. Singer, to sell trees, etc.. from the Hill Home nursery of Miami Co. His marriage with Mary A. Noggle was celebrated at the home of her mother, in New Madison, March 9, 1871 ; she was a daughter of John Noggle, and is a sister to George N. Noggle, whose biography appears in this work, and is an intelligent lady ; Mr. Hartman had already purchased a house and lot in New Madison, where they began the duties of domestic life ; in the fall of 1873, they removed to a farm in Sec. 17, Butler Township, 40 acres of which came to her by her parents, and 40 acres he traded his house and lot for ; the following year, they sold that place, and rented of Mr. Forkner, in Sec. 18, Butler Township ; about six months later, he purchased the north half of the northwest quarter of Sec. 8, and in the spring of 1875 they removed to this place. In the fall of 1877, he traded 15 acres of that place, with the buildings, for the 80 acres in Harrison Township, where they now reside. It will be seen that Mr. H. is a self-made man ; commencing when a boy by cutting wood by the cord, and working by the month, he saved enough to get a home, and has increased it, but not without industry and economy, and now owns 140 acres, in a good state of cultivation, and, although a young man, is already one of the substantial citizens of Darke Co. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are the parents of four children - Kate. Edith, Allie, and Ann E., deceased.

OBADIAH HILL, retired, New Madson ; was born in what was then Baltimore Co., Md., March 17, 1790 ; when about 9 years old, was bound out to a weaver ; his master, as he was termed, died when he was about 19 years of age, and he was free, but voluntarily bound himself at the same trade for three years more, after which he wagoned ten years ; he then resumed his trade, continuing ten years, after which he came to the West, first stopping near the ground upon which the Ohio Soldier's Home is now situated, and lived in Montgomery Co. nearly one-quarter of a century, renting one farm of one man for eighteen successive years ; then removed to' Preble Co. and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved, and sold six years later at a handsome profit ; he then removed to Darke Co., where he has resided ever since, owning and cultivating different tracts of land ; in the fall of 1876, he purchased a handsome residence property in New Madison, in which he and his wife now live. Mr. Hill was married to Eliza Fisher, who was also a native of Maryland, inl821 ; they were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living - William, Jonathan, Jacob, Mary A., now Mrs. John Ullery, of Kan.; Eliza A., now Mrs. Stephen Ullery, of South Bend, Ind.; Jemima, now Mrs. Hickathorn, of Da^yton, and Jenny, now Mrs. Henr}r Bougher, of Butler Co.; the names of the three deceased are Margaret, George W. and James; Mrs. Hill's death occurred near New Madison Sept. 9, 1875, being 7-4 years old ; Mr. Hill and Mrs. Missouri (Shannon) Ullery, a native of Pennsylvania, were married Sept. 19, 1876. Mr. Hill. although in his 90th year, is in good health, and walks as though onby 50.

HARVEY HILL, carpenter and builder, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born in Harrison Township March 15, 1822 ; he is a son of William and Sarah (Ferris) Hill, who were among the pioneers of Harrison Township ; he remained with his parents until August, 1838, when he began his apprenticeship at the carpenter trade ; after serving the full three years, he began for himself and has followed carpentering and building ever since, working in this and neighboring counties ; Mr. Hill was twice married, first to Martha A. Thomas, Nov. 2, 1845 ; she was a daughter of David Thomas and a cousin to William Thomas, whose biography- appears in this work ; she was born July 21, 18-46, and her death occurred May 11, 1873 ; they had six children, viz.: Hiram J., born July 21, 1846, died Aug. 6, 1846 ; Celinda A., born Oct. 29, 1848, now Mrs. Henry Spencer, of Red Key, Jay Co., Ind.; Nancy C, born July 13, 1853, now Mrs. John Pitts, of Portland, Ind.; Charles F., born July 20, 1856, now in Rock Island Co., 111.; Morton L., born Sept. 17. 1862, also of Rock Island Co., Ill, and William D., born Sept. 12, 1871. now at home and attending school ; Mr. Hill's second marriage was with Jane (Owens) Mansfield ; she was born in Harrison Township, Jan. 1, 1820 ; her parents, Samuel and Sabina Owens, were natives of Kentucky, and pioneers of Harrison Township ; she was the mother of three children by her first husband, viz. : William W. Mansfield, who was a member of the 62d I. V. I., and after a service of nearly four years, died in the service ; Thomas O. and Andrew Jackson, also deceased.

MILTON HILL, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P.O. New Madison ; one of the oldest residents of Harrison Township ; he was born, raised, and has lived all his life on the farm where he now resides ; he was born Feb. 10, 1820 ; has been twice married, first to Miss Amanda J. Downing, Nov. 14, 1839 ; she was born in Tennessee, Jan. 25, 1819 ; they had nine children, eight of whom are now living, viz.. Alfred, Joseph. Sarah, Melinda, John, Ezra, Martha and Ella. The name of the deceased is Asa : his wife's death occurred Feb. 13, 1872 ; his second marriage was with Sarah J. Wiley, Feb 1, 1873 ; who was born in Preble Co., June 12, 1826 ; their homestead now consists of the old Hill homestead of 80 acres, and 80 acres adjoining in Sec. 15, all in a good state of cultivation, with a fine new house and other buildings to correspond ; it would present a picture of great contrast by the side of one of the appearance it had forty years ago, for Mr. Hill has devoted his attention entirely to the cultivation and improvement of his land, and, while taking a lively interest in all that pertains to the public good, has not sought public distinction.

WILLIAM HINDSLEY, farmer ; P. O. New Madison ; another of the old residents of Darke Co. ; his father, John H. Hindsley, was a native of Maryland, and went to North Carolina when a boy ; was married to Annie Stone, and they moved to Tennessee in 1823 ; to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1826, and came to Darke County in the spring of 1827 ; he entered land in Sec. 14, upon which the}- lived the remainder of their days. The subject of this sketch was born in North Cai*olina, in 1813 : accompanied his parents to Darke County, in 1827, and has resided here ever since : purchased thi' old homestead in 1848 ; his father's death having occurred in 1847. and his mother had her home with him until her decease, which occurred in 1860. The present neat and substantial buildings have been erected by him. and the farm is now in an advanced state of cultivation, situated on a free gravel pike near enough to New .Madison to afford excellent school privileges. Mr. Hindsley may well feel a just pride in what has been accomplished by the developments of the past fifty years ; he is now nearing the threescore-and-ten period of his life, and has been a quiet, unassuming, but enterprising and useful citizen. He was married in 1838 to Annie Butt, daughter of Samuel Butt, a native of Maryland, and at that time 'a resident of Darke County ; they have nine children - Isabel (now Mrs. Jerry Runkle), Mary A. (now Mrs. Joseph Ray), David, Rufus, Franklin, Margaret, Eliza, Joseph and Harriet.

AARON A. IRELAN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6; P. 0. Hollandsburg ; one of the substantial men of Darke Co.; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1818 - he is a son of Moses Irelan, who came from Cincinnati to Preble Co. at an early day, and in 1831, settled in Butler Township, Darke Co. Aaron remained at home until 1843, receiving but very little education, having to walk five mdes to get to the nearest school ; his first business for himself was "huckstering," which he followed for a short time, then engaged in the dry-goods trade. He was married to Phebe Tillson Oct. 18, 1846 ; she is the daughter of Isaiah Tillson, one of the pioneers of Harrison Township. After their marriage, he continued in the drygoods trade until 1852 ; he became satisfied, that that business did not suit him, and sold out and purchased a farm adjoining Hollandsburg ; the following two years, he changed around from one to another farm in the neighborhood ; in the spring of 1 864, he removed to the farm where he now resides ; he now has 100 acres of land in German Township, in a good state of cultivation, with good buildings, also 40 acres in Monroe Co., Ind., besides the home farm, which consists of 290 acres ; this is nicely located, and only about one-half mile from the town of Hollandsburg, which affords good school and church privileges; the Middle Branch of Whitewater passes through the farm, affording excellent and abundant water for his stock, and when he gets the house and other improvements, which it is his purpose to build, he will have a home of which they will justly feel proud. They are the parents of nine children, four of whom are living, viz.: Norman T., resides in German Townrhip - William D., Cora B. and Clara L. Mr. Irelan, though not among the oldest citizens, is an old resident of Harrison Township, and has been and now is a quite prominent, active and useful citizen ; has administered several estates ; was a member of the Township Board of Trustees ten successive years, and afterward three years ; also Justice of the Peace for upward of fifteen years, and is now a member of the Township Board of Education. Mr. Irelan is a self-made man, having gained a knowledge of business by his experience while in the dry-goods trade,&the knowledge and experience being about all the benefit he derived from that business, but it has enabled him by energy and industry to place himself in the front rank among the farmers of Harrison Township. LUCINDA JAQUA, retired, New Madison.

THOMAS KYLE, retired farmer ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born Jan. 4, 1809, in Butler Co., Ohio; remained with his parents until his marriage with Eliza Harcrader, which occurred Oct. 5, 1835, after which he removed to Preble Co., and purchased a farm, where he lived over forty years, his wife's death occurring there Oct 5 1845 ; they were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, viz - Martha' A., now Mrs. David McClure ; Sara J., now Mrs. William Brown, of Preble Co ; Eliza, now Mrs. John K. McCabe ; Maria, now Mrs. Shuman, of Kokomo, Ind and Emeline, now Mrs. William Cheeseman, of Butler Co., Ohio ; the name of the deceased was Catharine. August 25, 1846, Mr. Kyle was married to Mrs. Maria (Hunter) Williams ; thev are the parents of five children, three of whom are livino- viz.- Margaret A., now Mrs. Henry Miller, and William J., both of Preble Co., and John F., of^Butler Township ; the deceased are Elizabeth, Ellen and Laura B. Mr Kvle, now well along in years, has been an active citizen and succeeded in accumulating considerable property, and now owns, after helping his children liberally 165 acres of land in Butler Township, and 240 acres in Preble Co., all in a crood state of cultivation, also 249 acres in Cass Co., Mo., and the neat, comfortable residence in New Madison, in which they expect to spend the remainder of their days.

DANIEL MILLER, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. New Madison ; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1829 ; son of Geo. C. and Elizabeth Miller, who came to Darke Co. in 1831, settling on the farm the son now owns, and which, at that time, was a wilderness, the family stopping with a neighbor until a cabin could be built. Here the subject of this sketch was reared, attending school in the log schoolhousey when there was a school, and when he could not help at home. Oct. 15, 1871, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Rile Lawrence, who was one of the early settlers of Harrison Township. They commenced housekeeping in his father's old house, and although the old log cabin still forms a part of their present house, the old homestead has been very much changed, and Mr. Miller intends soon to erect a fine residence upon the old site ; he has added to the old homestead, and now owns upward of 330 acres, 116 being in Butler Township and 48 in Sec. 24, Harrison Township. Although not specially active, Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican, and has always taken an interest in the public good.

JOHN W. MILLS, farmer ; P. 0. New Madison ; a son of Mark T., and grandson of, James Mills. James Mills was a native of New Jersy ; married Sarah Read, after which he resided in Pennsylvania ; came to Butler Co., Ohio, in 1802; was an officer of militia in the war of 1812. The siege of Ft. Meigs was one of the engagements in which he and his son, Mark T., then a lad of 17, partook. He removed to Darke Co. in 1816 and located in Butler Township, where he resided until 1833, when he removed to Ft. Jefferson, and died there the same 3'ear of cholera. During his life he was quite a prominent man, an active politician, represented his district in the Legislature. Mark T. was a young man when his father moved into the woods of Darke Co., in 1816 ; was married here to Lydia Burdg in 1821 ; she was the daughter of Anthony and Sarah (Vale) Burdg, who were early residents of Neave Township ; after his marriage, he resided in Butler Township, on what is now known as the Swisher farm. He was also a representative of this district in the State Legislature, holding the office two terms, his first being in 1829 ; he was also Sheriff of Darke Co., after which he resided in Neave Township a short time, then removed to Washington Township ; located about four miles west of Greenville, where his death occurred March 20, 1843. The widow is now in the 81st year of her age ; is the wife of Henry Hutton, who was among the first settlers near Ft. Black, in 1817. The}* now reside in New Paris. John W. Mills was born in Greenville Oct. 14, 1825, his father at that time being Sheriff of Darke Co. He was married in 1848 to Melinda, daughter of John and Elizabeth Rush. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mills are natives of Darke Co. They have four children - three sons and one daughter.

GEORGE N. NOGGLE, Mayor and Justice of the Peace ; P. 0. New Madison. The subject of this sketch is a member of a pioneer family ; he is a son of John Noggle, a native of Ohio, who came with his parents from Fairfield Co. to Darke Co. about 1816, and at the age of 22 entered 80 acres of land in Butler Township, cleared and improved the same, owned and farmed different tracts in this county until, by his energy and industry, he owned upward of 300 acres of well-improved land, which he divided to his children, and in 1870 removed to New Madison, where both he and his wife died ; his decease occurred July 9, 1870 ; hers in February, 1875 ; his wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Drulinger ; she was born in North Carolina, and came with her parents to Darke Co. at an early day. Geo. N. Noggle was born in Butler Township Oct. 3, 1847. He lived with his parents until their death ; after he was grown up his occupation varied, sometimes farming, teaching, and sometimes clerking, until 1866, when he engaged in the grocery and provision trade in New Madison ; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, which office he still holds, having been re-elected in 1879. Mr. Noggle also holds the office of Mayor. He was married Jan. 5, 1871, to Sally Wagoner, an accomplished young lady of New Paris, Preble Co. Mr. and Mrs. Noggle are respected and useful members of society.

MICHAEL NOGGLE, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. New Madison ; one of the old residents of Darke Co., having been born in Neave Township Jan. 11,1819. His parents first settled in Fairfield Co. in 1812, moved to Darke Co. in 1816 ; first settling in Neave Township, and afterward on Sec. 15, Harrison Township, where the subject of this sketch was reared, married, and lived until after the deatb of his parents. Jan. 16, 1840, he was married to Mary Mote ; she was born in Harrison Township June 14, 1821, her parents, Jonathan and Susanna (Kistler) Mote, came to Ohio and settled in Harrison Township about 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Noggle commenced life on his father's farm in a cabin with a mud chimney, which he built ; afterward made a purchase of some land in Wabash Township, built a cabin and made a small clearing ; but his father, desiring to quit farming, prevailed on him to return to the old place, his parents living with him until their death. His father died at the age of 78 ; his mother lived to be 87 years of age. After a residence of about seventeen years here, in which many improvements were made and some additions to the farm, they sold out, and purchased the farm in Sec. 11, which thenson George now owns, and afterward purchased the farm in Sec. 3, where they now reside. They have endured many hardships, which would have disheartened less courageous or less resolute people, and can relate many interesting incidents connected with the early settlement and growth of civilization in Darke Co. ; they have from a commencement in a log cabin without means or education, advanced steadilv until now ; after having divided more than $20,000 in money, land and other property between his children, Mr. Noggle still owns 113 acres of choice land in Sec. 3, with improvements which are an ornament to the community and a credit and satisfaction to himself and family. Inside the house, where his matronly wife presides, is peace and plenty, served with love and prudence. Mr. and Mrs. Noggle are the parents of seven children - Phoebe J., Alfred, Ephraim, George M., David, Susanna and Jonathan ; the first and last are dead. A. L. NORTHROP, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. O. New Madison. C W M OTWELL, M. D., phvsician, New Madison, Ohio ; was born in Williamsburg, Wayne Co., Ind., March 4, 1837, the day Martin Van Buren was inaugurated President of the United States ; he is a son of Curtis Otwell, M^D., whose biography appears in this work ; when 15 years of age, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware ; after a four years' course there, he commenced the study of medicine in his father's office in Greenville ; three years later, he attended a course of lectures at the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and returned to Greenville a short time before the breaking-out of the rebellion. When the call was made for troops, he enlisted in the 11th O. V. I., as a private, but received almost immediate promotion in the medical department ; at the end of the three months' term he returned to Greenville, but soon enlisted again as a private, and was again promoted, this time to Hospital Steward, and continued such, although doing the work of Assistant Surgeon most of the time, until the expiration of his term, when he returned to Greenville ; his father and brother having <r0ne into the service, he took charge of the office and practice of Otwell & Son - he°continued practicing at Greenville until July, 1867 ; he then began practice alone at Otwell's Mills; in^October of the following year he returned to New Madison, where he has since resided and enjoyed a large practice, and is now doing his share of business, having become a fixture and almost a necessity to the citizens of that vicinity. He was married July 14, 1867, to Sarah A. Hecker ; she was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 16, 1838; is the daughter of Jacob Hecker of Neave Township, and was 12 years of age when her parents came to Darke Co.; beincr one of a large family, she studiouslv improved her mind and soon supported herself and helped support the family by teaching. They have three children - Luella, Jerold A. and Curtis W. .

WILLIAM POLLY, retired farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Hollandsburg, Ohio. An old resident of Harrison Township ; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1807 ; son of William Polly, who came to Harrison Township in 1818, and settled a little south of where the son now resides ; remained on the place until his death, which occurred in 1846 or 1847 ; only two of his children became permanent residents of Darke County, viz.: William, who is the subject of this sketch, and an older brother. William was married July 13, 1829, to Miss Edee, daughter of Elihu Harland, a pioneer who settled just over the line in Indiana ; soon after their marriage he purchased the farm upon which he now resides ; she died here Dec. 13, 1832, having borne him two children - Annie (now Mrs. J. Gift, of Union City. Ind.), and Betsy, deceased. March 22, 1835, he was again married, to Mary Immel, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born April 24, 1815; they are the parents of the following children, viz.: Elihu, who now resides about one-half mile south of his father, and is a substantial and respected citizen ; Catharine, now Mrs. A. J. Moore ; Henry V., who now resides near Union City, Ind.; Priscillar deceased; Joseph W., now a teacher in Portland, Ind.; Jacob B., now Superintendent of the Public School at Versailles ; James M. resides with his father and has charge of the farm ; Hannah, deceased, and Emma, now Mrs. James Downing, of Randolph Co., Ind. Mr. Polly came to Darke Co. when but 11 years of age, and has been a continuous resident of the same for upward of sixty years, and during all this time has been a contributer toward the improvement of the count}- materially, intellectually and morally ; both he and his wife have been consistent and active members of the Disciple Church from their youth, and each of their children are members of one branch of the Christian church ; his son-inlaw, A. J. Moore and wife, reside in Sec. 8 ; he was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Dec. 16, 1831, and was married to Miss Catharine Polly Feb. 20, 1859 ; they are the parents of six children. Mr. Moore and wife are both worth}7 members of the Christian Church ; he is one of the Deacons of the Church at Hollansburg. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Polly has raised a large family, all of whom, now living, are useful members of society. Although now in his 73d year, and having suffered the extirpation of his left eye last May, he is enjoying very good health, and is an intelligent, agreeable Christian gentleman, and a respected citizen.

DAVID PUTERBAUGH, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. New Madison ; a son of Abraham Puterbaugh, an old settler of German Township ; the subject of this sketch was born in German Township Sept. 8, 1851 ; remained at home with his parents, receiving such education as the common-schools afforded, until Oct. 26, 1872. He was married to Margaret Mackey ; she was born in Jay Co., Ind, March 15, 1851 ; after his marriage, he rented a house and a part of his fathers farm, where they remained until the spring of 1 878 ; they then removed to the farm where they now live ; the}' have four children, viz., Mary E., Martha J., George D. A. and Harvey C. Mr. Puterbaugh, though a young man, is a lifetimeresident of Darke Co., and will probably remain a resident of Butler Township.

DANIEL REIGLE (retired) ; P. O. New Madison ; was born in Berks Co., Penn., July 3, 1805 ; remained with his parents on a farm until of age, having almost no educational advantages ; when about 14 years old, he commenced to wagon from Hamburg to Philadelphia, Penn. ; when of age, he commenced for himself by hiring to a collier ; he soon became " boss collier," and continued in this business in different parts of Pennsylvania until 1831, when he removed to Belmont Co., Ohio, where he leased a piece of ground, and commenced raising tobacco ; in 1833, he removed to Fairfield Co. ; here he purchased 55 acres of land, and resumed the culture of tobacco ; in 1839, he went to Adams Co., Ind.; where he purchased 800 acres of land, but the country was so wild and backward about settling up that he could not content himself, and, leaving his land, he returned to Ohio : in February, 1841, he purchased 164 acres of land in Butler Township, for $800, which he improved, and in 1868, sold for $10,000 ; in 1863, he purchased 6 acres in New Madison, upon which he built, and removed there the following year, where he has since lived, enjoying in a quiet way the benefits of his quite large accumulations, all of which he came to by his own exertions, having, when he crossed the Ohio River (to use his own expression), " Thirty-five dollars in money, one wife, two guns and one dog." Mr. Reigle was commissioner of Darke Co for two terms, being elected by ninety-four votes, and re-elected by over three hundred ; the County Infirmary was built during his commissionership He was married to Sarah Bitler, in Pennsylvania, in 1827 ; they had ten children four of whom are living - Samuel B., Daniel, Catharine A. (now Mrs. Humbert) and Sarah A. ; the names of the deceased are, George, Mary E., Rebecca A Charles A., Solomon and Joseph W. S. Mrs. Reigle's death occurred in New Madison, June 28, 1872. His marriage with Mrs. Lydia A. Simpson-Burr was celebrated in Eaton, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1872 ; Lydia Simpson-Burr is the mother of two children - William S. (deceased), and Orlando, now living m Preble Co

ALMIRA (LAWRENCE) ROBERTS, New Madison; widow of the late Samuel R Roberts, whose decease occurred Oct. 28, 1874 ; Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born in Darke County - he Feb. 28, 1827, and she Dec. 19, 1827 ; their marriage was celebrated in Harrison Township Dec. 28, 1854, and soon after, they commenced housekeeping in the house in which the widow and family now live ; he owned an interest in the steam saw-mill, of which he in a few years became sole proprietor and continued to own and operate until, a short time before his death, it took fire and was buined ; he being very sick at the time, the shock was too much for his weakened nerves, and he never recovered ; Mr. Roberts was a quiet and substantial citizen, specially kind to his family, and won the esteem of all ; he left a family of three children - Eldora (now Mrs. Charles B. Whitley), Luanna and Jennie M. ; the two latter are still at home with their mother. SOLOMON ROYER, farmer ; P. O. New Madison.

CLINTON RUSH, proprietor City Hotel and Livery Stable, New Madison ; was born in Harrison Township Oct. 30, 1831 ; he is a son of John Rush, who was one of the early settlers of Darke County ; Mr. Rush resided with his parents in Harrison Township until 1855, when he purchased a farm in Butler Township, where he lived the following four years ; he then removed to Harrison Township ; having purchased a part of the old homestead, he remained for nine years, then sold out and again purchased in Butler Township, where he resided six years, then removed to Gennan Township, where he lived three years, when he purchased the City Hotel property, where he now lives, doing a very satisfactory business ; Mr. Rush held the office of Justice of the Peace six years in Butler Township, and three years in Harrison; he was married Feb. 22, 1855, to Rebecca J., daughter of John Tittle, of Preble County ; they are the parents of four children - John F., Rachel A Mary E. and Charles A., the second and last being deceased.

EMILY (LAWRENCE) SNODGRASS, New Madison ; daughter of Rile Lawrence an old settler of Harrison Township, and widow of the late Joseph G. Snodgrass, who was born in Preble County March 7, 1830 ; she was born in Darke in Harrison Township ; after living in Preble County about one year, they removed to New Madison, where she has lived ever since his decease, occurring here Dec. 6, 1877 ; immediately after coming to New Madison, Mr. Snodgrass engaged m a tannery, 'of which he soon became owner and proprietor, and thus became identified with the business interests of the town, and was soon called upon to fill places of public trust, being elected Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the town, holding the latter office two "successive terms, his decease occurring before the expiration of the last term ; he was the father of three children - Olive M., Mary M. and Eliza R., all of whom are now living with their widowed mother, he having left them in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Snodgrass was one of those who1 answered to the call of his country ; he enlisted in the 110th 0. V. I., and was made Captain of Co. H, in which capacity he served until the final surrender ; was in several engagements, once wounded and once taken prisoner, but was soon exchanged and returned to the command of his company ; after his return to private hie on account of a cancer, he was obliged to suffer the extirpation of his left eye-ball about six months previous to his death.

ANDERSON SPENCER, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. New Madison. L. B. STEPHENS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 13; P. 0. New Madison - one of those who, although left alone in the world, has nevertheless become a substantial citizen ; was born in Connecticut Jan. 29, 1812 ; his father died when he was in his infancy, and his mother emigrated to Ohio when he was about 3 years of age, leaving him with his grandfather, where he remained until 15 years old ; he then struck out for himself, commencing by learning the comb-maker's trade, at which he afterward worked in New York City and Cincinnati, Ohio he came to New Madison in the fall of 1837, and commenced wagoning from here to Cincinnati ; he continued to wagon most of the time until the iron horse supplanted him ; during this time, he also kept " public house " in New Madison one year ; he had been economical, and wisely invested his savings in a piece of land, and, when wagoning no longer paid, he removed to his farm, and has continued farming ever since, owning different tracts of land, and of late giving considerable attention to stock-raising. Mr. Stephens now owns several houses and lots in New Madison, and 80 acres of land adjoining the corporation, upon which he now resides. He was married in Cincinnati to Amy Miles Oct. 6,' 1833 ; they are the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, viz. William Minerva, now Mrs. David Price, of Montgomery Co., and Alfred ; the two' deceased are Augustus and George.

JESSE SWISHER, retired ; P. 0. New Madison ; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, March 2, 1807 ; his father, William Swisher, was a native of Pennsylvania] but came to Preble Co. at an early day ; Jesse remained at home durino- his minority , having very little opportunity to attend school ; when about 23 years of age, he purchased a quarter-section of land in Preble Co. Was united in marriage with Rachael Paddock June 2, 1831 ; she was also born in Preble Co ; they commenced life together on his farm, where they continued to reside until 1838 they removed to Union Co.. Ind., where he purchased a farm on the Whitewater here they remained about twelve years, then returned to Preble Co., Ohio, and purchased about 900 acres of land, and went into stock-raising on a lar«-e scale this he continued till 1867, when he sold out and removed to°New Madison and engaged in the dry-goods business, at the same time buying grain and ho^s which he continued until 1875, when he retired, his son, Robert Swisher, bein^h'is successor. Mr. Swisher, while a very active citizen, has also been a very quiet, unassuming man, a good manager, and quite successful, whether as a farmer stockraiser, or merchant. Has raised a large family, and started each liberally' and is still in possession of abundant means for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are the parents of ten children, all of whom lived to grow to manhood and womanhood eight of them are still living, viz., Henry, Robert. William, Samuel, Minerva now Mrs. McQmnney, of Preble Co.; Cyntha, now Mrs. George Scarce; Sarah E ' now Mrs. Templeton, of Preble Co.; Samantha. now Mrs. L. R. Kelly, of Richmond ' Ind and Angeline, now Mrs. William Carney, of Shelby Co., Ind.; the names of the deceased are Annie (Swisher) McQuinney and William.

-o ^PCJ?ERT SWISHER3 grain and stock-dealer, New Madison ; was born in Preble Co., Dec. 21, 1845 ; he came to New Madison when 23 years of a»e and engaged in the dry-goods trade, also buying grain ; in 1877. he sold his interest in the dry-goods trade and has since devoted his entire attention to the grain and stock business. Mr. Swisher was married to Miranda Banks at the home of her mother in Richmond Ind, April 6, 1869. They have four children - Cora Olive Viola and Warren, the first being deceased. Mr. Swisher, although a young man' has already become one of the business men of New Madison.

p t JTTHm.TH0MiVS" dentist> New Madison ; the subject of this sketch is the son Of J. 11. lhomas, M. I)., who was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and came from Oxford, Ohio, to Darke Co, in 1843, and practiced in this county most of the time for thirty-three years ; he was somewhat of a rover but practiced at New Madison for fifteen successive years durino- his first resi- dence, and five years each at two other periods. His decease occurred at Palestine Oct. 25, 1876. J. H. was born in New Madison in 1851 : he received the benefit of such educational advantages as the common-school afforded ; during his youth, he worked on a farm by the month in summer, and attended school in winter until 19 yeai*s of age, the last summer being spent in Michigan ; in the fall of 1870. he began to learn dentistry, at which he has been engaged ever since ; he has worked in Bradford Junction, Covington, Miami Co., Winchester, Ind., Gabon. Decatur and Buchanan, Mich.; at some of these places he had an office, and at others worked for more experienced dentists, which has given him advantages enjoyed by but few dentists of his age ; he resumed dentistry in New Madison in 1 877, first working by the piece for his uncle S. A. Thomas ; afterward bought his uncle out and located permanently ; after seven years of practice and diversified experience, is gradually building up a good business ; unlike most young men operating in the country towns, he has experience in his work, as well as knowledge of material, and where to get his supplies so as to secure the best at the lowest possible price ; he is thus prepared to do first-class work at prices which are inadequate for the more aristocratic city dentists.

WILLIAM THOMAS, farmer, P. 0. New Madison ; resides on Sec. 23. The historj7 of Harrison Township would be incomplete without a sketch of the Thomas family ; William is a son of Jonathan Thomas, who was one of a family of thirteen children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and all but one were married and raised a family ; he was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 8, 1792, raised in Virginia, and came to Darke Co. in 1816, '-entered" one-fourth of Sec. 24, Harrison Township, in connection with his brother Solomon, who is now a resident of Preble Co., and 90 years of age. Jonathan was married to Agnes McClure Sept. 9, 1819 ; she was born in Kentucky Dec. 23, 1800, and came to Darke Co. with her parents, who were the first settlers of Harrison Township ; about a year after their marriage, they removed to Sec. 23, the place where William now lives ; William was born, raised, and now lives on the old homestead ; his birth occurred March 30, 1830 ; he was married to Julia Brodrick Feb. 26. 1852 ; she was born in Darke Co. April 7, 1834 ; her parents settled in Harrison Township in 1822 ; soon after their marriage, they commenced life on a farm in Sec. 22, where they lived about 14 years, then purchased and removed to the old homestead, where they have lived ever since ; the farm consists of 239 acres, in a good state of cultivation, with fine improvements. Mr. Thomas is a self-made man, and has contributed his share to the substantial growth and improvement of Harrison Township ; is a quiet, unassuming man, respected by all ; in politics, is a Republican. His father, who is now 87 years of age, and quite feeble, has his home with and is cared for by, William and his kind-hearted wife, his mother having died Sept. 24, 1877, at his sister's; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Florence A., now Mrs. Thomas Eubanks, of New Madison ; Roscoe E., Willie L., Oliver H. and Frank E. ; all except the oldest, are at home ; the names of the deceased are Horace W. and Eugene E.

NEHEMIAH TOWNSEND, merchant, New Madison ; the subject of this sketch, now a successful merchant of New Madison, was born in Pike Co., Ohio, July 4, 1828 ; his father died when he was but 13 years of age ; in 1844, he removed with his mother, one brother and three sisters, to Greenfield, Highland v Co., Ohio, where they resided several years ; in 1849, they removed to Centerville, Wayne Co., Ind., and in 1851 he removed to New Westville. Preble Co., Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1858, when he came to New Madison, and has resided here ever since. Mr. Townsend's life has been somewhat checkered, and yet, on the whole, quite successful ; he learned the tailor's trade when a boy and continued to work at it until after his marriage with Miss Sarah A. Bowen, which occurred Oct. 11, 1852 ; after his marriage, he engaged in merchandising, first in Preble Co., and when he came to New Madison he started a general merchandise store, which he is still conducting with gratifying success. He is a quiet and respected citizen, an intelligent and agreeable gentleman. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the parents of six children, three are living, viz. : Ella V., Ida M. and Will A. ; the names of the deceased are Sarah E., Mary A. and Charles 0. ; the three living are all at home.