Jackson Township (part 4 of 11)

JOHN M. NILES, farmer ; P. 0. Millerstown ; is a son of Ezra and Louisa Niles. She was born in Londoun Co., Va., Dec. 27, 1801, and came to this State with her parents, John and Rebecca (Morgan) Miller, in 1806. He was born March 20, 1798, and came to Ohio, at a very early date, with his parents, Cyrus and Mary Niles. They came down the Ohio River, on a flatboat to Cincinnati, which was then only a small village, and located on Mill Creek, in Hamilton Co., where they lived for some time on rented farms. Ezra was raised on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits, principally, all his life. He never learned a trade of any kind, but he helped to construct the first steamboat that was built at Louisville. From Hamilton Co. he moved to Miami Co. and purchased 20 acres of land, which he afterward sold and entered 80 acres in Champaign Co., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of seven children - Sarah A., born Aug. 14, 1822 (deceased) ; John M., April 13, 1824 ; Thomas J., July 20, 1830 (deceased) ; Amanda M., born Oct. 24, 1833 (deceased); Rebecca J. (deceased) ; Lewis S. April 9, 1839, and Llewellyn, Jan. 9, 1843. Ezra Niles departed this life Aug. 19, 1871 ; his wife is still living and resides with her youngest son on the old homestead. Our subject worked at home on the farm until 21 years of age, when he was employed at various kinds of work, but principally at farming. He never served an apprenticeship at any trade, but is handy with tools and does his own carpenter work. He married Amanda Jane Miller Dec. 2, 1852. She was born Oct. 10, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the biography of Wallace Downs. In 1853, they moved to Indiana, thence to Kansas in 1857, and in the same year, back to Missouri, where they remained but a short time, when they went to Texas with a view of locating there, but finally came back to Champaign Co., in 1859. In 1864, they returned to Missouri to take possession of the farm they had sold, but had failed to receive the full payment. They repaired the farm, which had been made desolate by the war, and sold again in 1866, and bought 20 acres in Concord Township, Champaign Co., to which he has since added, in the same township, 122 acres, and 190 in Salem Township, besides a house and lot in Millerstown.

GABRIEL NORMAN, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is a son of Christian and Mary M. (Zimmerman) Norman. She was a native of Maryland, but moved to "Virginia, where she lived at the time of her marriage. He was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., where he learned wagon-making, which he followed there till 1805, when he emigrated to Ohio. He purchased 160 acres of land in Concord Township, and, after erecting a cabin, he located in the following year. His cabin was constructed in the pioneer style, with wooden chimneys, puncheon floors and door of boards riven in clapboard style. After his farm was pretty well cleared up, and there was a demand for wagons, he resumed his trade, which he followed at the time of his death. In course of time, his hut was exchanged for a hewed-log house, and it, in turn, for a fine brick that yet stands on the old farm. He had, also, at intervals, purchased land, till he owned 800 acres in this State and 440 acres in Indiana, 1,240 acres in all; 720 acres of this he had deeded to his children. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. They were the parents of nine children. One daughter, about 4 years old, fell into a trough of water and was drowned. The eight grew to years of maturity. Christian Norman departed this life Sept. 12, 1851, at the age of 72. His wife survived till July 8. 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., June 6, 1814. He was raised on a farm and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 243 acres of land in the above-named township, 80 acres of the home farm. On the 24th of November, 1839, he married Rebecca Brubaker. She is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Comer) Brubaker both natives of Virginia, who were early settlers here. Rebecca Brubaker was born July 12, 1821. Gabriel and Rebecca Norman are the parents of six children. The living are John C.,

STEPHEN J. PACKER, farmer ; P. 0. Urbana ; was born in Midway, Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 7, 1833 ; his parents, Moses and Sarah Packer, came from Pennsylvania about 1830, and located in the above-named county, where they remained till 1838^ when they moved to Mad River Township, Champaign Co. Moses Packer departed this life July 17, 1843 ; his wife is still living, and is now Mrs. Michael Nichols, of Concord Township, Champaign Co. The subject of this sketch worked by the month on farms at different places till 21 years of age, when he rented a farm and commenced farming for himself. He is an industrious, enterprising man. His only fortune to begin with was health and energy. In about 1864, he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 2 of Concord Township, and, since that time, at intervals, has made purchases, till at present he owns 194 acres, all improved, except about 12 acres. He engages in stock-raising sufficient to consume the produce of his lands. Has served as Township Trustee two terms. In 1854, March 2, he married Mary Miller, daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the sketch of Wallace Downs; Nov. 10, 1835, is the date of her birth. The fruits of their marriage are four children; of these three are living, viz. : Joram D., born Feb. 4, 1855; Mary Corinna, born Dec. 6, 1864; Stephen Leroy, born Feb. 6, 1872.

JAMES DUNLAP POWELL. The grandfather of this gentleman was Abraham Powell, who was born in Virginia Oct. 20, 1754 ; served with credit in the Revolutionary war, and was married in his native State in August, 1780, to Ann Smith, who was also a native of Virginia, born Sept. 12, 1762 ; of this union, twelve children were born, Elijah, the father of James D., being the fifth in the family. He was born in Virginia, Aug. 20, 1789, and, his parents moving to Kentucky when he was a child, he there grew to manhood, and, in 1812, came with them to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling one mile west of Urbana, where his father died Jan. 3, 1817, and his mother Sept. 19, 1845. Here, in Champaign Co., Elijah was married, Jan. 27, 1818, to Mary Dunlap, the daughter of the Rev. James and Emily (Johnson) Dunlap, natives of the u01d Dominion," where her father was born July 10, 1773, and her mother Oct. 15, 1777. In youth they had moved to Kentucky, where they were married Aug. 29, 1794, and there Mrs. Mary Powell was born Oct. 26, 1800. In 1812, Rev. James Dunlap and family came to Champaign Co., Ohio, and few men were better known in the early pioneer days than this old preacher of the Gospel, who was laid away at rest Feb. 28, 1866. His wife died at Jacksonville, 111., whither she had gone on a visit. To Elijah and Mary Powell were born eleven children, only three of whom are living, viz.: James D., Jeptha and Edward. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 3, 1819, and grew up under the parental roof, attending school a few terms. He had the same disadvantages to fight against that were then the common lot of every poor pioneer family, and few men were so fortunate as he in overcoming the difficulties attending the poor man. He was married Sept. 9. 1845, on the farm he now lives on, to Miss Minerva Hill, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Purcell) Hill, natives of Virginia. Her father was first married in Kentucky, to Mary Oliver, to whom were born eight children. In 1802, they came to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling on the farm where Mr. Powell now resides, and there his wife died. Some time after his wife's death he returned to Kentucky on a visit, where he was married to Mary Purcell, daughter of George and Margaret Purcell, natives of that State. Of this union five children were the fruits, Mrs. Powell being the third in the family. She was born in this county Aug. 26, 1822, and has had six children, as follows: Mary (deceased), Amanda J., Emma E., Elijah H., Sallie A. and Annie M. Mrs. Powell's parents died on the old farm, her father in September, 1861, and her mother July 3, 1869 - dying as they had lived, firm adherents of the M. E. Church. Joseph Hill was the first white settler of what is now Concord Township ; served in the war of 1812, and, although a poor man when he settled in the woods of Concord Township, he accumulated a comfortable estate. Mr. Powell's father professed the Baptist faith, and was a soldier in the war of

1812, dying in this county June 11, 1866. His mother resides with her son Edward, at the old homestead, where she went a happy bride, more than sixty-two years ago. She also belongs to the Baptist Church, and, considering that she is in her 81st year, is enjoying fair health, while the lingering sunset of life casts its shadows o'er a bappy old age. James D. Powell is what we might justly style a self-made man, for the reason that he began life at the foot of the ladder, and is now the owner of over 800 acres of land, and is considered one of she leading farmers of the county. This success is the result of hard, determined industry in his younger days, and then saving his earnings and investing them judiciously. In all his labors, his wife stood ever ready to lend a helping hand and cheer him in his efforts. He has now one of the finest homes in Concord Township, and there every one will find a warm, genuine greeting of hospitality, without cold formality on the one hand, or utter neglect on the other. Mrs. Powell is a courteous, refined lady, who knows how to make her home a pleasant one, and in her presence there is no constraint. She is a member of the M. E. Church, but Mr. Powell belongs to no denomination, and is politically attached to the Republican party. He is a man of temperate habits, and is in favor of temperance laws. In his business affairs he is a close dealer, but no man is more honest or upright in every transaction. He is a good conversationalist and a well-informed gentleman, pleasant and affable at all times, and highly respected by all good citizens.

VALENTINE RUSSELL, farmer and carpenter ; P.O. Urbana ; was born in Virginia, May 24, 1814, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Miller) Russell, both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born May 1, 1788, and he Nov. 18, 1783. They migrated to Ohio in 1818, and soon after located in Concord Township, Champaign Co. He entered 160 acres of land, and his father-in-law, Valentine Miller, entered 160 acres, and gave it to him, making a half-section. He cleared and improved the lastnamed quarter and also a small part of the other. He departed this life March 28, 1873. His wife is still living on the old farm, and is a pensioner of the war of 1812, in which her husband served. She is the oldest of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to be over 60 years of age, except one, who died at the age of 50. The subject of this biography was raised on a farm until 15 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed principally for forty years. In 1865, he purchased 160 acres of land in Sec. 9, of Concord Township, where he has since resided, and managed the farm in connection with his work at the trade. He has been Township Trustee two terms and Township Treasurer five years. On the 26th of July, 1836, he married Margaret Hill, a daughter of Joseph Hill, of whom mention is made in the biography of J. D. Powell. She was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., July 6, 1818. They had nine children, of whom six are living - Robert H., Minerva A., Elizabeth J., James E., John F. and Albert Willie. Mr. Russell and family, except the youngest child, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ROBERT RUSSELL, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1818. He is a son of Robert and Mary Russell, who are mentioned in the sketch of Valentine Russell. He has been a farmer all his life, and was raised principally on the farm where he resides. This has been his home since about 1 year old, except eighteen months that were spent in Iowa. Besides the homestead farm, he owns the old Christian Miller farm of 150 acres, and does a thriving business. On the 24th of October, 1848, he married Mary Sweet, by whom he had one child - Mary M., born Sept. 9, 1849. Mrs. Mary Russell departed this life May 23, 1854, in the 28th year of her age. In 1862, August 28, he married Lydia C. Hough, a native of Loudoun Co., Va., born Oct. 15, 1828. She came to this State with her parents about 1830. Robert and Lydia C. Russell are the parents of one child - Clinton E., born July 10, 1867. Mr. Russell and family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH SNYDER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, May 30, 1826, and'is a son of Valentine and Catharine (Martz) Snyder, both natives of Rockingham Co., Va. He was born Dec. 21, 1793, and she April 21, 1795. They came to Ohio and located in Greene Co., where they remained till 1836, when they moved to Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where he still resides and owns 199 acres of land. His wife died Dec. 4, 1838, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They were the parents of eight children - Isaac, George W., Mary (now Mrs. Presly Jenkins), Joseph, John, Delilah (now Mrs. Levi Bodey), Simon, and Catharine (now Mrs. Peter Bodey). They are all living, and the youngest past 44 years old. The subject of this sketch is a farmer, and owns 160 acres of land in Sec. 21, of Concord Township. He assisted in suppressing the rebellion ; was a member of Co. B, 134th 0. N. G. In 1855, Oct. 18, he married Deborah Harbor, a daughter of Jesse Harbor. She was born Nov. 9, 1838 ; they are the parents of eight children - Elizabeth C. (deceased), Sarah J. (now Mrs. Elmer E. Bowers), Mary V., Joseph, Franklin, William H., Rosa A., John W. and Jesse Hayes.

PRESLY TALBOTT, farmer; P. 0. Urbana; is a son of Sampson ancT Mary Talbott. He was born in Virginia Nov. 22, 1767, and was subsequently the husband of four wives ; his first, Cassandra Jarbo, was a sister of the wife of Simon Kenton. She was the mother of one child, William S. (deceased). Jane Kenton was his second wife. They were the parents of six children - Harvy, born in Kentucky, April 7, 1799 ; Sallie, May 1, 1801 ; Celia, born in Champaign Co., Aug. *27, 1804 ; Benjamin, Aug. 12, 1806 ; D'Movil and Samuel (twins), May 30, 1810. Some time after the death of Jane Talbott, he married her sister, Mary Kenton, by which union they had two children - Presly, born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug 8, 1813, and Elizabeth, Feb. 5, 1815. Mary Talbott died Oct 12, 1815, and he married Mrs. Anna Fitch. One child was the fruit of their marriage; Jane, born Nov 2, 1817. Sampson Talbott died Jan. 5, 1846. The subject of this sketch was bred a farmer's boy, and has spent nearly sixty-seven years on the place of his nativity. He now owns 160 acres of the home farm, and has a very desirable home, with a considerable amount of good stock about him. On the 27th of October, 1842, he married Mary A. Markley. She was born in Madison Co., Ohio, July 20, 1822. They have four children - Mary R., William M., Emma F. and Laura C. Mary A. Talbott departed this life March 16, 1861. She was an exemplary member of the Baptist Church ; her husband and one daughter are also in connection with the same.

OLIVER TAYLOR. Among the solid, enterprising men of Champaign Co., Oliver Taylor stands deservedly high. His father, John V. Taylor, a native of Virginia of Scotch descent, came to this county about 1804, where he was soon after married to Miss Jane Vance, the sister of ex-Gov. Vance. By this union, eight children were born to them, Oliver being the sixth in the family, and the youngest son. John V. Taylor was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving in the company of Capt. Joseph Vance, who afterward became Governor of Ohio. At the close of that conflict, he settled down again on a farm and followed stock-dealing extensively, driving cattle East across the Alleghanies. He was one of the Commissioners of Champaign Co. for about fifteen years, and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination his wife also belonged, and both died in this county - he Jan. 28, 1858, aged 73, and she Jan. 29, 1869, in her 81st year. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co. Dec. 7, 1818, and here he grew to manhood, following the daily routine of a farmer's son, and attending, during the winter seasons, the primitive log schoolhouse, where he obtained a limited education. He was married, in this county, April 13, 1848, to Miss Catharine Caraway, daughter of John and Jemima Caraway, who were early pioneers of the county. John Caraway was born in Greenbrier Co., Va., and moved to this county about 1802, settling in the southeast part of Urbana Township, where his wife, the mother of Mrs. Taylor, died, Sept. 30, 1823. About 1825, he moved to Concord Township, where he remained until his death, Jan. 22, 1860. He was a man of wonderful energy and indomitable will power, who, coming to this county penniless, accumulated a handsome fortune, the legitimate result of industry and economical habits. Mrs. Taylor was born in this county Nov. 9, 1819, and had three children, viz., John

C., deceased; Duncan V"., deceased; and Charles Oliver Taylor, who resides with his father on the old homestead. Mrs. Taylor died Oct. 7, 1873, a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination she had been a life-long adherent. Mr. Taylor also belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and, politically, he is an ardent Republican. He has been a farmer all his life, and has been dealing in fine blooded stock for the past thirty years. He was one of the charter members of the Citizens' National Bank of Urbana, Ohio, was one of the Directors from its organization, and, Feb. 19, 1874, was elected President of that institution, which position of trust and confidence he still occupies. Mr. Taylor is a man of modest pretensions, kind, pleasant and social at all times, straightforward and upright in every relation of life, and is, without doubt, one of Champaign's representative citizens.

ARCHIBALD TAYLOR, farmer ; P. 0. Crayon ; was born in Argyleshire, in the highlands of Scotland, March 9, 1822. His parents, Donald and Mary Taylor, with their family of three children, emigrated to this country in the summer of 1822. They came by ship to Quebec, and from there to Lower Sandusky by schooner and steamboat. From Sandusky they came through in wagons to Champaign Co., where they remained eight years, and then moved to Clark Co. They remained in Clark Co. three years, and then returned to Champaign Co. Donald and Mary Taylor were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living, viz.: John, of Urbana ; Mary, now the widow McEachran, in Indiana ; Archibald ; Douglass, living in Iowa ; Margaret, now Mrs. C. Journell, of this township ; Jane, now Mrs. A. Himes, of Indiana ; and Flora A., now Mrs. Hiram Heath, of Iowa. Donald Taylor departed this life Feb. 27. 1841, at the age of 48. His widow is still living and resides in Iowa. She was born May 15, 1796. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and still follows agricultural pursuits. He also raises and buys stock sufficient to. consume the produce of his farm. For the last fifteen years he has resided on Sec. 29, of Concord Township, where he owns 147 acres of land. He has served his township as Trustee several terms. In 1859, Sept. 28, he married Sarah E. Hough. She is a native of this county, born May 15, 1832. The fruits of this union are six children - Mary S. and Daniel H. are the only survivors.

ADAM PRINCE VANCE,* farmer and painter; P. 0. Urbana. We propose to ourself to challenge the attention of those whom it may concern to the records of one of the most ancient and distinguished families in European genealogy, namely, that of Vance, as it is spelled in Ireland, Vans in Scotland, and, anciently, Vaux in Scotland and England, and De Vaux in France. (The Latin name is De Vallibus.) On the continent of Europe, the De Vaux family have been Dukes of Andrea; Princes of Joinville, Taranta and Altamara ; Sovereign Counts of Orange and Provence, and Kings of Vienne and Arles, as well as Lords De Vaux in Normandy. In 1066, three brothers, Hubert, Rundolph and Robert, the sons of Harold De Vaux, Lord of Vaux in Normandy, accompanied William the Conqueror to England, and there their descendants became Lords De Vaux of Pentney and Brevor, in Norfolk, of Gilliesland, in Cumberland, and of Harrowden, in Northamptonshire. A branch of the English family of Vaux, or Vallibus, settled in the south of Scotland, and became progenitors of several respectable families of that name. It is found in Scotch history that the ancient surname of Vans, in later charters called De Vallibus, is the same with the name of Vaux in England, and is one of the first surnames that appeared there after the conquest. Hubert De Vaux, the eldest of the three brothers who accompanied the Conqueror into England in 1066, married Gracia, of what family is unknown, and left two sons, Robert and Rundolph. From Rundolph there is a certainty of the first Scotch settler being descended. We might trace the name back to the days of Alaric, one of the monarchs of the Western Goths, in the year 500 of the Christian era. This would be carrying the history of the family back pretty far. For myself, I shall be satisfied with the date of the conquest of the English by the Normans, 1066. This seems to be very authentic. Rev. John Yance, or Vans, A. M., was a Puritan clergyman and a refugee from persecution in Scotland. He emigrated to Ireland in 1617. He was appointed Rector of Kilmacrenan, Donegal, and Diocese of Raphor. Here he labored for forty-five years. He was the father of the numerous Vances now to be found in Ireland and America. Of the Vance family in Ireland was David, my father's great-grandfather, who came to this country and married Sarah Colville. He resided in Loudoun Co., Va. He had two sons, David, my father's grandfather, and Joseph Colville, and three daughters, Ann, Mattie and Jane. David married Sarah Quimby. The fruits of this marriage were six sons - David, Daniel, Ephraim, John, Elisha and Elijah, and three daughters - Elizabeth, Sarah and Jane. My grandfather,, whose name was John, married Sarah Perkins ; had three sons and one daughter. From the early history of Washington Co., Penn., among the early settlers there, were David and Joseph Colville Vance. From there they went to Barron Co., Ky., where my father, David Colville Vance, was born Sept. 16, 1805. Father, when quite a small boy, grandfather and great-grandfather, left Kentucky and came to Ohio and settled in the eastern part of Clark Co. The first of the Vance family in Champaign Co. was Joseph C. Vance, in 1805, brother of my great-grandfather and father of ex-G-ov. Vance, who was Governor of Ohio from 1836-38, and Congressman from 1821-35 and 1843-47. From Clark Co., grandfather came to Champaign Co. and settled in Concord Township, known as the Marcus Clark farm. When father was about 14 years old, he was apprenticed to John Wianf, of Mad River Township, for seven years, to learn the tanning trade. Soon after reaching his majority, he married Miss Nancy Prince, Oct. 12, 1826. Mother was born in Boyle Co., Ky., Nov. 29, 1808. From this marriage they had four sons - Adam P., John, David C. and William, and three daughters - Sarah, Elizabeth and Mary. Sarah and William died when quite young. The rest are living, and have families of their own. The writer of this sketch was born Aug. 5, 1827. Occupation, school-teacher some twenty years ; a ruralist at present. Married, Oct. 3, 1854, Miss Dorcas Malin ; she died Sept. 30, 1855 ; married again, Oct. 3, 1876, Miss Eliza Jane Russell; have a son living from first marriage; a daughter and son by the last marriage. Father died Oct. 5, 1876. Brothers John and David Colville are ministers of the M. E. Church, Cincinnati Conference. The former has been in the ministry over twenty-six years, and the latter over sixteen years.

JOHN D. WILSON, farmer ; P. O. Spring Hills ; is a son of John and Maia R. Wilson. She was a native of Kentucky, born Sept. 10, 1801, and is a daughter of William Dickey, a minister of the Presbyterian Church. John Wilson was born in Washington Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1793. He came to Ohio in about 1817, and, in the following year, located on Sec. 29, of Concord Township, Champaign Co., where he entered 160 acres of land. He married Peggy Runyan, Aug. 27, 1819. She was a daughter of Judge Runyan, one of the early settlers of this county. The fruits of this marriage were two children - Elias, born Feb. 26, 1820 (deceased), Elisha, born July 17, 1822. Peggy Wilson departed this life Oct. 1, 1823. On May 5, 1825, he married Maia R. Dickey, with whom he had five children ; three grew to years of maturity - Margaret, born July 7, 1827 (deceased) ; Rebecca, April 3, 1832, and John D., June 28. 1835. Maia R. Wilson died Feb. 10, 1871. He survived until Oct. 26, 1872. The subject of this sketch was born and raised on the farm where he resides. Farming has always been his business, and for the last twenty-five years he has also been a stock-dealer. He owns 220 acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation, with excellent improvements. In 1856, May 20, he married Sarah Forry, a native of Logan Co., born Oct. 17, 1837. By this union they had five children ; four are still living - Emma C., Forry, Walter S. and Maia J. Mr. Wilson and wife and two eldest children are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN T. ADAMS, farmer; P. 0. Urbana; was born in this county Feb. 29, 1832. Is a son of Thomas and Mary (Long) Adams - he probably a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky - becoming citizens of Ohio when very young and residents of this county at a very day, being numbered among its early settlers. After his marriage, he lived a few years in this county, then went to Allen Co., where he lived till his death. He was killed in the fall of 1836 by a falling tree, while he, with several others, were cutting out a new road through a piece of timber land. His wife died in January, 1873. They were the parents of five children ; two now survive - John T. and James. Our subject being only about 4 or 5 years of age when his father died, the mother had the care of her children, whom she raised till John was 15 years of age, when she married Benjamin P. Gaines, of Clark Co., Ohio. Our subject then lived with his step-father until 22 years of age. In 1855, he went to Allen Co. Was married March 2, 1867, to Miss Violetta, daughter of Joseph and Celia Bussell, he a native of Virginia and she of this county. As the issue they have one child - Charles. Mr. Adams resided in Allen Co. until 1874, then returned to Champaign Co., where he has since resided. He has always followed farming as an occupation, and is now located on the William Long, Sr., farm, on Sec 2. Politically, Mr. Adams is a Bepublican.

JAMES BLACK, farmer; P. 0. West Liberty; born Feb. 8, 1798; a native of Kentucky ; is a son of Alexander and Jane (Crocket) Black, natives of Virginia. He emigrated to Kentucky in a very early day ; was one of the pioneers of that State, and took quite a part in the defense of the settlers against the hostile Indians, who were at that time very troublesome. He married in Kentucky ; in 1809, removed to Ohio, and located in Salem Township, Champaign Co., where he arrived May 12. The settlers were " few and far between," and with difficulty they obtained help enough to raise their log cabins ; but, by the assistance of friendly Indians, they succeeded. He was with Gen. Wayne in his march against the Indians, and, in the battle of the Maumee, fought Aug. 20, 1794, he was wounded. A treaty of peace was finally concluded in 1796. He was also in the war of 1812, and held a commission as Captain. He experienced the many trials and hardships of pioneer life, and bore his share in the conflicts with the Indians and in the war of 1812. After peace was declared, he once more entered upon the work upon his farm, and here remained in peace the balance of his life. He died in June, 1854, nearly 90 years of age. His wife, who died in August, 1849, was 80 years of age. They had eight children, all now deceased but our subject, who was the third child of his father's family. He was married, March 6, 1832, to Miss Caroline, daughter of John and Susan (Douglass) Culbertson, natives of Pennsylvania. They have had eight children; six now survive - Lucy A., Alexander C., Caroline, John R., Elizabeth and James W. Mr. Black has always followed farming, and since his marriage has never resided outside of Salem Township, but has always lived within two miles of the old home place, and has been a resident of his present place twentyfour years. He has never held nor sought office, but is a quiet, unassuming man, attending closely to his business ; a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and generally respected by all who know him.

STEPHEN F. CONREY, retired minister; P. O. King's Creek; born in Butler Co., 'bhio, Aug. 28,1815; son of Jonathan and Mary (Ford) Conrey, he a native of New York, and she of Maryland, the ancestry being from Ireland. Jonathan became a resident of Kentucky about 1798, and of Ohio about 1809, where he lived and died. He was first married in Kentucky Oct. 6, 1789, to Nancy Downing, by whom he had nine children, all now deceased; his wife died Jan. 16, 1809. He was married to his second wife, Mrs. Mary Parish, May 4, 1809 ; they had seven children, three now living - Stephen F., Mary and Jacob. The father died Oct. 16, 1841 ; the mother died

Aug. 28, 1851. Our subject was raised to farm labor; received a good common-school education, with some additional advantages of the academy. Became a member of the Methodist Church at 18 years of age. Feeling a call to the ministry, he commenced to preach at 20 years of age, and has been faithfully engaged in ministerial duties for forty-one years, in various parts of the State. During this long ministerial work, he has been permitted to extend the hand of fellowship to hundreds of converted souls, and bid them Godspeed in their journey heavenward. He has had a long and faithful life, and has worn out his physical strength in behalf of the Church and the salvation of souls. His health failing, he was made a Superannuate in 1877. In speaking of the proceedings of the Conference after the above action, the Christian Advocate contained the following touching his great life-work : "At the Saturday morning session, Stephen F. Conrey, after a successful and beloved ministry of forty-one years, was placed on the list of Superannuates. The blessings and prayers of thousands will accompany him." In 1877, he bought the farm upon which he now lives, and located upon the same in 1878, where he now lives, retired from active labor, his farm being carried on by his son. He has 70 acres of excellent land, good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Conrey was married, May 22, 1839, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Mary Hunsaker, natives of Pennsylvania. They had two children, one now surviving - Wilbur F.

AMOS N. COUCHMAN, farmer and tile-manufacturer, Urbana ; a native of this county, born Feb. 26, 1843; is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Neer) Couchman, natives of Virginia, who were early settlers of this county, locating first on the Dugan Prairie, thence about two miles south of West Liberty, where he lived some eight or ten years ; thence removed into Harrison Township, where he resided till his death, in the spring of 1863. His wife still lives on the home place. They had seven children - Jacob, Amos N., Amanda, James, Nancy, Lewis and Emma. Mr. Couchman was twice married ; by his first wife he had five children - Mary, Henry, Rebecca, Sarah and Rachel. His last wife, Elizabeth, was first married to Mr. Demory, by whom she had four children - John, Sarah, Susan and Matilda (deceased). Mr. Couchman followed farming as the main business of his life, and was a very active Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; a class leader and a leading man in the church. He was one who had the confidence of the community, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Our subject remained with his father till his death. He was married April 18, 1870, to Miss Fidelia, daughter of William and Anna (Lewis) Rose. They had four children - Wilbur (deceased), Vernon, Clyde and Emma. Mr. Couchman located in Harrison Township, and followed farming till May, 1876, when he located at his present place of residence. He has a good farm, but is giving his main attention to the manufacture of tile. He has the only steam-power crusher for preparing the clay, in the county, which performs the work much more thoroughly and rapidly, and without doubt, makes better tile than can be made by horse-power, and we have no doubt that he will take the lead in this branch of business in the county. Mr. Couchman and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is occupying the same positions in the church which his father filled so long and faithfully.

SAMUEL COWGILL, farmer; P. 0. King's Creek; born in this county July 31, 1831 ; is a son of Henry and Anna Cowgill. Our subject lived at home with his parents till April 5, 1860, when he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E., daughter of Joshua and Eliza Buffington, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became quite early settlers of Champaign Co. His wife died June 2, 1863. He was again married April 6, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of Haines and Ann Linville. They had one child, dying in infancy. Mr. Cowgill after his first marriage, emigrated West, and located in Kansas, where he lived some four years, but, on account of the ill health of his wife, returned to Ohio in the fall of 1862. After his second marriage he located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. The farm consists of 200 acres of land, mostly in cultivation and pasturage, with good improvements. He also owns 500 acres of land in

Kansas, and has always followed agricultural pursuits, giving considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock. Politically, Mr. Cowgill is a Republican, though not a seeker of office, yet the people have placed their confidence in him, and he has held some offices of the township ; is at present Township Trustee, serviog on his fourth year. He and family belong to the Society of Friends, to whose faith he has been warmly attached.

THOMAS A. COWGILL, farmer ; P. 0. Kennard; was bora on the farm where he now resides July 21, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Marmon) Cowgill. He is a native of Ohio and she of North Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Thomas, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to the then Northwest Territory and located in what is now Ohio about 1800. He became a resident of Champaign Co. in 1817. The maternal grandfather, Martin Marmon, became an early settler of Logan Co., taking an active part in the organization of that county, and for many years in its civil administration. Henry Cowgill followed agricultural pursuits during his life, and was among the most prominent and successful farmers of this county, acquiring a large amount of real estate and a good competency of this world's goods. He was not a man who sought or desired office, preferring a quiet farmer's life and the enjoyment of his home and family. He, however, served in some of the minor offices of his neighborhood and township ; was Township Treasurer some thirty-three years. He was the father of nine children - Angeline, Eliza, Electa, Sarah, Samuel, Susan, Martha, Thomas A. and Cynthia. He died Sept. 12, 1869. His wife is still living with our subject on the old home place, aged 75 years, enjoying good health physically and mentally, and has been a continued resident here for fifty-four years. Our subject lived with his father and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his manhood, enjoying merely the advantages of a common-school education. Under the manual labor upon the farm, he grew up to maturity, physically and intellectually strong, and possessing a natural strength of mind and great force and energy of character. Notwithstanding the limited advantages for acquiring an education, he became a more than ordinarily accomplished gentleman, and is really " a self-made man." In early manhood, the war period dawned upon our country, and he, catching the martial spirit, enlisted with many of his companions in the defense of his country, and was made Captain of Co. E, 95th O. V. I., with which he served in the Army of the Mississippi, participating in many of the sanguinary encounters in which that corps was engaged with the enemy. Being mustered out of the service upon the restoration of peace, he returned to his home and the quiet pursuits of his farm, engaging extensively in stock-raising, to which he has given his main attention to the present time. Mr. Cowgill has given some attention to the study of law, but has never been admitted to the bar, his other employments being enough to render his life an active and busy one. He has filled many minor offices of the township, and was elected as a Republican to the House of Representatives in 1875, serving with credit to himself in the 62d General Assembly. He was Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. His acquaintance with the practical part of that science rendered him the right man in the right place. He was re-elected to the General Assembly in 1877, and again in 1879, being the first person ever elected to represent the county for three consecutive terms. He was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives at the organization of the General Assembly Jan. 4, 1880, which position he now holds. Mr. Cowgill is possessed of a well-proportioned, manly frame, and has a commanding appearance ; is a social gentleman, easy of approach, and possessing great ease and affableness of manner. He has formed, during his residence at the capital, friendships that will endure for life.

JACOB DAELHOUSEN, farmer ; P. 0. Urbana ; was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 11, 1825; is a son of Daniel and Barbara (North) Daelhousen, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Henry D., was a native of Germany, emigrating to this country shortly after the Revolutionary war, during Adams' administration. The grandmother, Catharine, was a native of Pennsylvania. Daniel was born, lived and died upon the old homestead farm in Pennsylvania ; he died Feb. 4, 1880 ; his wife died some five or six years previous to his death. They were parents of eleven children ; eight now survive - Jacob, Andrew, David, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Daniel and John Allen. Our subject remained at home until his majority ; he then worked on various farms for wages, for several years, and was married May 18, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. They were parents of seven children, five now living - Rosanna, Elizabeth, Margaret, Catharine and Samuel H. Mr. Daelhousen and wife have had three children, two now living - John Warren and Laura Belle. Mr. Daelhousen left Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio, locating in Clark Co. in 1847. He has always followed the honorable occupation of farming, and has lived since the above date in Clark and Champaign Cos. He bought and located upon his present farm in 1872, where he has since resided. He owns 93 acres of good land, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, making a very pleasant home and residence, situated about three and one-half miles from Urbana. He has, by his own labor and industry, made a success of life, and is now possessed of a good property and home, with all necessary comforts and conveniences. He and wife are members of the G-erman Reformed Church.

MARTIN M. DICKINSON, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O.Urbana; born in Logan Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1820 ; is a son of Thomas and Maria (Lowe) Dickinson ; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. They emigrated from Virginia, and located in Logan Co., in 1812, where they resided till their death. She died in October, 1870, and he in May, 1879. They were the parents of fourteen childron ; ten now survive - Eliza, Robert, Nelson, Margaret, Hannah, Martin, Duncan M., Joshua, Lewis and Samuel. As early pioneers of that county, they experienced the hardships of those days; he was engaged in the war of 1812, and drew a pension. About two or three years after locating, his log cabin was burnt, with everything they possessed, which in that day was a great calamity. To replace his household goods, he journeyed to Virginia and obtained a feather-bed and other goods, which he brought through on horseback, and then started anew in life again. These troubles " tried their souls; " but, being a man of energy and industry, he made progress and became possessed of a good home and a large estate before his death. Our subject, at 16 years of age, went to Zanesfield and learned the blacksmith trade, which business he followed with success for twenty years, accumulating several thousand dollars. Then he turned his attention to farming and stockraising, following this business in Logan Co. about seven years, finally locating in Champaign Co., where he has continued the same business. In business Mr. Dickinson has been very successful, and now owns seven to eight hundred acres of land. He has built a fine residence on his farm on Sec. 8, in Salem Township, where he has fine improvements and a beautiful home ; has never held or sought office, but has given his attention strictly to business ; being a man of energy and quick perceptions, he has been successful and accumulated a large competency. He was united in marriage Nov. 6, 1842, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Robert and Mary Rea, natives of Virginia. They have six children, five living - Semantha, Louisa, Adelia, Rea and Cora.

JAMES DUNCAN, farmer ; P. O.Urbana; born in Scotland, in February, 1818. Is a son of James and Elsbet Duncan, who lived and died in Scotland. They were parents of ten children, four now living - John, James, Ebenezer and Elsbet. Mr. Dun-

Ican emigrated to America in 1854, and located in Champaign Co., where he has since resided, and always followed farming as an occupation. He has cultivated several -different farms in the county, and is now living upon the farm of John Gordon, where he has resided for eight years. He was married in Scotland, Dec. 1, 1843, to Isabel, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Lumsden) Stewart, natives of Scotland. She was born Sept. 1, 1818. Her mother, Margaret Lumsden, then 75 years of age, came across the ocean with them to this country and lived here ten years, dying at the ripe old age of 85 years. Mr. Duncan and wife have had nine children, all living, six born in Scotland - Janet, Charles, James, John, Alexandrina and Alexander; three born in this county - Margaret Elsbet, Isabel Jane and David Ebenezer. Mr. Duncan, after his marriage, lived in Scotland about eleven years, then came to America, and located in this county. He worked by the month for James A. McLain, with whom he continued ten years ; then he rented a farm, and has since continued on rented farms to this date. Mr. Duncan has never held nor sought office, but has devoted himself exclusively to farm labor, and the raising and educating of his interesting family of children, all of whom have lived to grow to maturity and can now be a great help and blessing to their parents in their old age. Mr. Duncan and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, having been such for forty-six years. They have also had the pleasure to see all their children become members of the same church.

22, 1815. Is a son of Daniel and Frances (Kenaga) Funk, natives of Pennsylvania; also the grandparents were natives of the same State. Daniel and wife became residents of Ohio, locating in Salem Township, this county, about 1837, where they resided on their farm until 1875, then retired from the farm and located in Urbana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He died April 14, 1879 ; his wife died April 21, 1857. After the death of his wife, he was married again to Mrs. Harriet Reed ; she is still living and resides in Urbana. As the issue of his first marriage they had three children ; two now survive - Elizabeth Ann (now Mrs. Byers) and Joseph K. Our subject was raised on the farm, remaining with his father until of age. He was married Dec. 1, 1840, to Miss Maria, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Hunter, of Virginia. They had eight children, four now living - Mary Frances, Emma Annette, Charles E. and Effie May. Mr. Funk, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now lives, and has here made a continued residence of fortyfour years. £Te has a fine farm of 280 acres, with good buildings and improvements, and everything in order, constituting a pleasant home and residence. His wife died March 13, 1874. Mr. Funk is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; politically, he is a Republican.

JACOB S. FUNK, farmer ; P. 0. West Liberty, Logan Co. Born Feb. 1, 1815; is a native of Maryland; son of Joel and Elizabeth (Kanaga) Funk; he is a native of York Co., Penn., and she of Lancaster County. They became residents of Champaign Co., Salem Township, in 1829, and always remained here and followed the occupation of a farmer till his death, which occurred Jan. 5, 1864 ; his wife died March 22, 1877.

Mr. Funk was born June 16, 1790, hence at his death was about 74 years of age. He was raised under pious parents of the Dunkard persuasion, and, although somewhat wild in his youth, and a lover of fun, yet he was kind and thoughtful in his nature, and, under the careful teaching of his parents, early became religiously inclined. In 1811, he joined the M. E. Church, in which he continued a most ardent worker during his entire life, filling the most important positions in the church, being a very earnest I and successful class-leader, and an energetic Sabbath-school worker ; in his death the < people lost a faithful and kind neighbor, and the church one of its most devoted and earnest workers. His wife was a true helpmeet and companion through life, and a most devoted Christian woman, having joined the church at the early age of 13 years; hence at her death had been a Christian worker for threescore and ten years. Such was the work and Christian example of these faithful pioneers. Our subject was married, June 13, 1844, to Miss Sarah 0., daughter of James and Martha (Turner) Long, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Pennsylvania, her grandfather, Jonathan Long, being one of the early settlers, whose history will enter largely into the history of this county. Mr. Funk and wife, by their union, have had five children - Leander W. (an attorney, now in the Treasury Department at Washington, where he has been for fourteen years), Theodore K. (a graduate of Delaware in a classical course, and now practicing law in Portsmouth, Ohio), Rovilla A. (also educated in a scientific course at Delaware), Eugene T. (a graduate of Commercial College at Cincinnati), and James L. (a graduate of the high school at Urban a). Mr. Funk has followed agricultural pursuits through his life ; has been a very successful farmer, and an earnest Christian man in the M. E. Church, following the footsteps of his honored and faithful father. The work he has done for his children is a noble one, giving them all a thorough education to prepare them well for honorable and useful positions in life, and thus far they have taken high positions and are doing well. Politically, Mr. Funk is an earnest and stanch Republican, and usually a delegate to most of their conventions.

JOHN R. GARARD, farmer and stock-dealer; P. 0. Urbana; born in Virginia Feb. 19, 1824; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Robinson) Garard, natives of Virginia. The grandfather and two or three generations of their ancestors are all natives of Virginia, the ancestors being very early settlers of that State, their line of descent being from France. The father lived and died in Virginia, but the wife, after his death, came to this county and resided with her daughter, where she died April 8, 1877. They were parents of eight children; six now survive - Thomas, John R., Ruth E., Simmons, Sarah E. and Susan Jane. Our subject left Virginia and located in Greene Co. in the fall of 1845 ; then in the spring of 1846 removed to this county and resided till 1854. He went to Wisconsin and lived there two and a half years, then returned to Champaign Co. and located near Kennard, residing there till April, 1864. He bought and located, where he now lives, sixteen years ago. Has 250 acres of excellent land, all under fine cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a very beautiful home and residence. He was married, June 15, 1848, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of John and Rebecca Osborn, natives of Kentucky. They have nine children, all living - Rebecca, Mattie, Adeline, Irvin, Ora, Sarah Elizabeth, Sidney, Fannie and Frank (twins). In 1845, when Mr. Garard came to this county, he was possessed of a horse, saddle and bridle, and a suit of clothes. Now he is worth many thousand dollars, all made and accumulated by his own labor, industry and good management. He has the entire confidence of the community in which he lives ; has held the office of Township Trustee for several years, and has been asked to run for many of the offices of his township and county, but refuses, preferring to quietly attend to his own business and enjoy the pleasures of his home and family. His life is an example of unselfishness, uprightness and prosperity.

BENJAMIN W. GEIIMAN, farmer and minister ; P. 0. King's Creek. Among the prominent farmers and citizens of Salem Township, we here record the name of Benjamin W. Gehman, who was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 9, 1820 ; is a son of Benjamin and Magdaline (Weaver) Gehman, natives of Lancaster Co., Penn. The grandfather, Benjamin Gehman, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1741, and, when about 9 years of age, or in 1750, came to America, locating in Lancaster Co., Penn., where he resided till his death. Benjamin, the father of our subject, was raised to farm labor, remaining with his father till he grew to maturity ; in 1809, was married to Magdaline Weaver, and, in 1813, located in Berks Co., having bought a farm which, in its geographical position, lay in three counties - Lancaster, Chester and Berks - the residence being in the latter county. The house was built in 1774, and occupied as a kind of block-house and fortification during the wars and Indian troubles. The stone walls were three feet thick ; very small windows, and doors made of two thicknesses of inch oak plank, and barred and bolted together in such manner as to constitute them almost impregnable from without; and in this house our subject was born and passed his childhood days, till about 14 years of age, when his father sold the homestead part of the farm, reserving that portion located in Lancaster Co., where he erected buildings and spent the remainder of his life, in the quiet enjoyment of the comforts and conveniences which his own labor and industry had acquired ; and, in honor to him, we may add, that when he bought this farm, which was during the war troubles of 1812, many of his friends and neighbors predicted he could never pay for it, but his energy, industry and good management were sufficient for the occasion and he went safely through, and his last days were passed in comfort and plenty. They were parents of nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom seven now survive - Frances, now Mrs. Mast, living in Pennsylvania ; Nancy, now Mrs. Mast, of Iowa ; Magdaline, now Mrs. Zook, of Olney, 111.; Catharine, now Mrs. Frescoln, of McLean Co., 111.; Isaac, unmarried; Benjamin W., and Joseph, who is married, and residing in Indiana; two daughters deceased - Elizabeth, who married William Walton, had a large family, thirteen children, eleven now living. Mr. Walton died in 1846, and his wife about two years later ; and Mary, who married Josiah F. Kanaga, who lives in Kansas, and who had six children, now living - she died about six years ago. Our subject was raised to farm labor, obtaining but a limited education under the few facilities presented to him in that early day. There being no railroads in that day, transportations were all made by teams, and our subject, before 11 years of age, was employed as a teamster and followed this business till 18 years of age ; was then presented with a horse by his father. About this time, a call was made from the United States Government for a company to start from Iowa to explore and lay out an overland route to Oregon, and Mr. Gehman concluded to join the company, and started for Iowa, riding the entire distance on horseback, but after his arrival the matter fell through, for want of a sufficient number of men to make it safe to proceed with the undertaking. Mr. Gehman then traveled through several of the Western States on a tour of observation, making the entire tour of 4,000 miles on horseback, and returned to Pennsylvania to his father, where he remained until 22 years of a age.

In August, 1842, was married to Elizabeth Morris and started for the West, the objective point being Iowa, but on arriving in Champaign Co., at Mr. Zook's, his brother-in-law, his wife was taken very sick, and a consultation of physicians was held, and her life nearly despaired of, but she finally recovered. In the meantime, by the influence of his friends, he was induced to purchase and locate upon the place where he now resides. This farm of 200 acres he purchased of Rev. George W. Walker, a noted itinerant of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that day, paying $11 per acre ; here Mr. Gehman has resided ever since, a period of thirty-seven years. To this possession he has at various times added, by purchase, till now he owns over 500 acres of some of the best land of Champaign Co. Mr. Gehman has lived a life of great activity, and his industry and labor have been rewarded by an abundant success, and, in all his business relations with the community, he has maintained the strictest integrity, and, probably, none stand in higher esteem or possessing the respect of the entire community than he. Religiously, Mr. Gehman's life is full of interest and usefulness. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church Jan. 18, 1836; was licensed to exhort, in August, 1840, in Morgantown, Penn.; and licensed as a preacher in 1848, and ordained in 1856, at Ripley, Ohio, by Bishop Ames, since which time he has continued constantly in the work and service of bis master. He has experienced much joy and comfort in his great Christian work ; has been the means of building and organizing two churches - one at Kennard, called " Forbus Chapel," and the " Local Preacher's Chapel," three and a half miles northeast of Urbana - besides great work done in other places. During his ministry, he has had the pleasure to extend the hand of fellowship to over two hundred persons. One remarkable incident in his work worthy of record here, was the conversion of Mrs. Higbee from the Roman Catholic faith to Protestantism. At the funeral of her first-born child, Mr. Gehman preached from the text : " It cannot come to me, but I can go to it." From this day her mind became awakened and she was converted, and has since been a very active and useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

We will now close the imperfect sketch of Mr. Gehman's eventful and useful life, desiring that he may at the last great day receive his crown, with " many stars of rejoicing." Mr. Gehman and wife have four children - Ella M., Anna M., Benjamin Franklin and William M.; Ella and Franklin now reside in Kansas. Mrs. Gehman died Jan. 31, 1876. She was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, with great moral and Christian worth. On May 23, 1878, he was married to Helena Brown, a sister of Dr. J. C. Brown, of Urbana. She is a native of Champaign Co., and was born Jan. 1 1836.

WILLIAM B. GEST, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Mingo; born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1825 ; is a son of Jeremiah and Pamelia Gest, natives of New Jersey, who were early settlers of Ohio, locating in Greene Co. about 1815. He spent his life here, and was engaged in the mercantile trade for many years, and also in the milling business. In the latter part of his life he retired to his farm near Bellbrook, where he died in March, 1879. His wife is still living at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Gest was a very prominent and active business man ; carried on an extensive trade, and, although in the panic of 1837, he felt the pressure and suffered some from its effects, yet his tact and energy carried him safely through, and he was very successful through life and accumulated a large amount of property. They were parents of seven children, four of whom now survive - Sarah Ann, Mary Jane, William B. and Truman B. Joseph G\, a deceased son, was a thoroughly educated man, a lawyer by profession, and became a very prominent man in Greene Co., representing that county in the State Legislature for four years. He was one of the originators and organizers of the State Board of Agriculture, and was its Secretary for many years. Our subject became a resident of Champaign Co. in the fall of 1848, locating upon a piece of land adjoining his present farm on the south, residing there nineteen years. Then bought the farm upon which he now resides, built a fine farm residence, and has a beautiful place, with good improvements. The two farms embrace 200 acres of land. He was married, Nov. 9, 1848, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Abner and Matilda Park, natives of New Jersey. They have had five children ; four now survive - Sarah Augusta, Laura Florence, Truman B. and Isabel. Mr. Gest has never held or sought office, preferring a business life ; he has, in former years, dealt extensively in grain, but is now giving his main attention to farming and raising and dealing in stock.

JOHN GORDON, capitalist, Urbana ; born in Ireland Nov. 1, 1798 ; is a son of John and Jane (Hall) Gordon, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. They were parents of seven children, two of whom survive - John and Lillie, now Mrs. John Campbell, of County Tyrone, Ireland. Mr. Gordon emigrated to America in 1819, then 21 years of age, and located in Chester Co., Penn., where he was married, March 16, 1826, to Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel McCaughey. Mr. Gordon was a cotton manufacturer by trade, and followed that business in Chester Co. several years ; then entered upon the mercantile trade at Churchtown, Lancaster Co., which he followed twenty-three years ; he lived in Chester Co. for three years, then sold out and located in Champaign Co., Ohio, on the farm where he has since resided. When Mr. Gordon came to America he was a poor man. By diligent work at his trade, he acquired means enough to commence in his mercantile career. In this business he accumulated money rapidly, being a shrewd buyer, and, by watching his opportunities, he was able to buy goods low and sell at a great profit. During the many years he was in trade, he amassed quite a fortune. At this time there came into circulation shin-plaster " money of uncertain value, and Mr. Gordon very wisely concluded to sell out and quit business, which he did ; and, in 1847, came West and bought the farm where he now lives. He has 240 acres of land, 200 acres of which are in cultivation, with good improvements, being one of the best farms in Salem Township, and a beautiful home and residence. His wife died June 2, 1854. On Nov. 13, 1855, he married Mrs. Margaret Jane Withrow, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Park) McClellan. We have here the history of one whose life has been one of very remarkable success and prosperity, and is a striking example of what can be accomplished by industry and a thorough devotion to business, with shrewd, good management.

PHILIP W. GUNCKEL, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 20, 1828 ; is a son of Philip and Mary E. (Locke) Gunckel. he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland, the ancestry being originally from Germany. Philip was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., and emigrated to Ohio with his father, the late Judge Philip Gunckel, in 1804, locating in Germantown, Montgomery Co., then a small settlement. Judge Gunckel built a mill on Twin Creek, and established a store in the village, the mercantile trade being carried on under the firm name of Philip Gunckel & Son. Philip remained in the store as clerk for several years. In 1812, he entered the United States service, enlisting in the company of his brother, Capt. Michael Gunckel; he was chosen Orderly Sergeant, and the company was ordered to Ft. Greenville, and, although not brought into active service against the Indians, yet they saw some rough service on the frontier. After his term of service expired, he resumed his place in the store, where he continued till he started in business for himself. He was married in 1819 ; issue, thirteen children, nine now survive - William F., Mary Ann, Catharine, Philip W., Elizabeth, Jane, Ella, Charles and Louisa. The mother died March 25, 1876, in the 75th year of her age; the father died some four or five years previous. He was noted for his genial nature and his hospitality. In early days, his house was a welcome home for Methodist preachers, he and wife being members of that denomination. Our subject, at 17 years of age, left home to learn the cabinetmaking business, which he followed about five years ; then followed the photographing business three years. Was married, Oct. 6, 1853, to Mary Ann, daughter of Dr.

Caleb H. and Mary Ann Jones, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Kentucky ; issue, eight children, of whom five now survive - Frank C., Harry W., Addie M., Ida Jane and Pearl L. Mr. Gunckel, after his marriage, followed the mercantile trade in Middleton, Butler Co., Ohio, for six years, doing a very prosperous business ; but, on account of failing health, he sold out, and bought and located upon the place where he now resides, where he has engaged in the more healthy business of farming pursuits.

He has 90 acres of fine land, in good cultivation, with excellent buildings and improvements, and is beautifully located on an elevation, where he has a fine view of the surrounding country. His farm is located two and one-half miles northeast of Urbana.

Mr. Gunckel is a champion of free trade and sailors' rights, and, politically, has been claimed by both parties. But, however he may vote from time to time, he claims the privilege to talk and write upon every political question independently, and is often found giving some of the principles of each party the " go by," aiming to brush away the cobwebs of fiction wherever he finds them. Mr. Gunckel, though in early life en- f practical, he is also theoretical, having studied and become conversant with it as a science, for to rightly understand farming requires scientific knowledge. Mr. Gunckel, possessing largely of this knowledge, has tried to impart it to the agricultural commu- * nity through the avenues of the various agricultural socities and through his contribu- f tions to agricultural and county papers, he having been a regular and extensive con- j

Ky., Aug. 5, 1801 ; is a son of John and Mary (Allen) Haller - he a native of Penn- I sylvania and she of Virginia ; they removed to Kentucky when quite young, and there became acquainted and married; they had six children, our subject being the only surviving child ; the mother died in Kentucky Jan. 10, 1810. In October, 1812, the father, with his children, removed to Champaign Co., and, locating in Urbana; followed his trade - that of a blacksmith - till March, 1814, when he located upon a farm in Mad River Township. In the same year, he was married to Mrs, Mary Weaver, daughter of Archibald McKinley, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had seven children, five f supposed to be living - Julian, Mary, Lucinda, Milton and Raper. Mr. Haller carried on blacksmithing in connection with farming during his life ; he died in the summer of 1836, aged 64 years. Our subject was brought up to the same trade as his father, and was married, March 31, 1825, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Kenton) Arrowsmith, he a native of Maryland, and she of Virginia, and a niece of Simon Kenton, of pioneer fame; by this union they had three children, two now living - John and Benjamin ; Mrs. Haller died Aug. 3, 1835. Mr. Haller married, for his second wife, June 15, 1836, Jane Arrowsmith, a sister of his first wife; they had two children - Sarah Ann and Lavinia ; his second wife died Aug. 24, 1851. His third wife, Myrtilla W., daughter of Aquilla and Susanna Bishop, he married Jan. 18, 1855; they had one child - William A. Mr. Haller resided in Mad River Township till 1851, then bought 200 acres of land in Urbana Township and lived there eleven years, and finally removed to Salem Township, his present locality. Mr. Haller's life has been one of labor, industry and usefulness, and has been crowned with success ; he acquired a good competency ; has given his children a good start in life, and has an ample sufficiency left for himself. He has been a free supporter of schools and churches, and an active Christian man, having been, for some sixty years, a local preacher in the M. E. Church ; he was converted at the age of 9 years, before leaving Kentucky, and, after his emigration to Ohio,1 at the age of 13 years, he joined the M. E. Church, under the labors of Rev. Robert W. Finley ; at 19 years of age, he was licensed as an exhorter, and, three years later, as a minister. He is now 79 years of age, enjoying good health, and without an ache or pain in his body ; his remarkable health he claims to be due to his careful and temperate habits, having never allowed himself to get wet by exposure to rain ; has never used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in any form, and never uttered an oath in his life. His record is one of remarkably exemplary habits, and is a worthy example to all future generations, and we feel that its record here will be of value long after he has passed from works to rewards.

ABRAHAM HERR, farmer; P. 0. Urbana; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept. 21, 1830 ; is a son of Abraham and Fanny (Rush) Herr, natives of Pennsylvania ; they removed to Ohio in April, 1840, locating in Clark Co., and, in the fall of the same year, he bought and located upon the farm adjoining the one where our subject resides; here they lived and died; he died in February, 1863; his wife died in September, 1877 ; they had seven children grow up to maturity - Jacob, Abraham, Fanny, David, Elizabeth, Barbara and Benjamin ; the latter is now deceased, dying with typhoid fever in the army, on Black River, Mississippi. Mr. Herr was a plain, quiet farmer, never holding or seeking office, but diligent and industrious, attending strictly to his own affairs, a good neighbor, and honored and respected by all who knew him. Our subject, brought up at home to farm labor, was married, March 18, 1852, to Nancy Maria, daughter of Harvey Bates ; they had seven children, four now living - Nancy Jane, Charles E., Alma B. and Emma Gr. Mr. Herr located about four miles north of his present location, on a farm of his father's ; he lived there four years, and then on another rented farm, near Lippincott's Station, where he stayed four years ; he then bought and located upon his present excellent farm, owning, in all, 315 acres of land, the home place embracing 156 acres, with good buildings and improvements - constituting a beautiful home and farmer's residence. Mr. Herr has held the office of Township Trustee more than twenty years ; is a popular man in his township, and, like his father before him, is highly respected. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, having been such since 1853.

MARK HIGrBEE, farmer; P. O. Urbana; born in New Jersey Sept. 28, 1828; is a son of William and Hannah (Horn) Higbee, also natives of New Jersey. They became residents of this county about 1848, where he lived till his death. He died Aug. 8, 1877, aged 82 years. His wife is still living on the home place, aged 78 years. They were parents of twelve children. Nine now survive - John, Sarah Ann, Samuel, Mark, James, David, Hannahrett, Mary Elizabeth and Charles Henry. ^ Our subject remained with his father till his marriage, March 7, 1852, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of David and Nora (Dwyer) Coleman, natives of Western Europe. By this marriage, they have had seven children. Five now survive - Nora, John W., Edmund E., Welford V. and David Franklin. After their marriage, they located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. They own 191 acres of land in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements, constituting a beautiful home and residence. He and his

JACOB HOOLEY, farmer; P. 0. Kennard; born in Pennsylvania May 30, 1817 ; is a son of David and Catharine (Kaufman) Hooley, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were also of Pennsylvania, but their ancestry were from Germany. David and wife resided in Pennsylvania till their death. They were farmers by occupation, and had seven children. Five now survive - Jacob, Mattie, John, Mary and David K. They were members of the Ornish Mennonite Church during life. He died in 1828, aged 37. She died in 1876, aged 86 years. Our subject was only 11 years of age when his father died, and the care of the family devolved upon the mother, who kept the home place and raised her children. Jacob, the eldest son, at 15 years of age,, took the principal management of the farm, and so continued till 23 years of age. On Feb. 20, 1840, he was married to Martha, daughter of David and Fanny Kaufman, natives of Pennsylvania. They had ten children, six of whom are now living - Levi, David K., Christopher, Samuel, Francis and Jonas. After their marriage, Mr. Hooley remained on the home place with his mother five years. In the spring of 1845, they emigrated to Ohio, locating in Salem Township, Champaign Co. They purchased a farm of 60 acres, which was a part of the Nathaniel Hunter tract of land. This he held three years. Sold it, and bought the Samples farm. This consisted of 147 acres, and, by his own labor and industry, he has, from time to time, added more land by purchase, until he owned 671 acres of land, mostly in good cultivation, with excellent improvements. He has been a very industrious man, and, by economy and good management, has prospered and accumulated a competency. Has given his children a good start in life. He has a fine home and residence, and is very comfortably fixed to spend the remainder of his days in peace and plenty. They are also members of the Ornish Mennonite Church.

NATHANIEL C. HUNTER, farmer ; P. 0. West Liberty, Logan Co.; born on the farm, " Forest Home," where he now resides, Nov. 1, 1825 ; is the son of John and Jane P. (Humphrey) Hunter. He is a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Nathaniel, was a native of England or the north part of Ireland. The grandmother, Hester Ann (Porter), a native of North Ireland; emigrated to America near the close of the eighteenth century, settling in the State of Virginia. In 1811, they came to Ohio, bringing four sons and four daughters, and located in Madison Co., where they remained till 1814, when they removed to Champaign Co., having previously, or about 1812, bought a large tract of land embracing the same land upon which the grandson, Nathaniel, our subject, now lives. Here they located and spent the remainder of their life ; being among the early pioneers and enduring the many hardships to which they were subject. John, the father of our subject, spent his whole life in this vicinity, and was identified with much of the early history of this settlement, helping build and organize the churches and schools of that early day. He was married in 1822 ; they had six children, three now survive - Nathaniel C., Washington C. and William H. The latter, during the war, raised a company of men and entered the 12th 0. V. C. ; was promoted to Major and served through the war. Soon after he went South and entered upon the work of raising cotton ; he was very unsuccessful, losing all his property. He was elected Sheriff of the county, then Clerk of Court and Representative to the Legislature, and is now United States Commissioner at Montgomery, Ala. Washington C. is now in Michigan, an extensive fruit-grower. Mr. John Hunter was a man who gave but limited attention to political matters ; was, however, a prominent man among the people, and held many oflices of the township with fidelity and trust. He was a great and active worker in the M. E. Church, filling most of the important positions in the church up to the time of his death. He died Feb. 28, 1878 ; his wife died July 15, 1877. Our subject was married May 17, 1849, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Graham and Hannah (Cochran) Purdy, natives of Vermont. They had three children - John G., Albert L. and William P. Mr. Hunter first located upon the farm where he now lives, remaining here about three years; then went to West Liberty, Logan Co., and entered upon the mercantile business, in which he continued about six years, doing a very successful trade. During this time he was a partner in building the first steam saw-mill and the first foundry ever in West Liberty; then he returned to his farm, " Forest Home," where he has since resided. He has a beautiful home, well improved, and is a successful farmer ; has several other pieces of land, owning in all 385 acres of land. His wife died April 30, 1880, after a loved companionship of nearly thirty-one years. Mr. Hunter, though a very prominent man and farmer, never desired office, and, though sometimes forced to accept some township offices, yet generally avoids them as much as possible ; but, like his father, he is a very active and prominent man in the M. E. Church, holding all the important positions therein, not for popularity, but from his love for and zeal in the Christian work. He is an earnest Sabbath-school worker, being a prominent pioneer organizer of Sabbath-schools throughout this section. He has also been an active supporter of free schools, and a great worker in promoting education. We can safely say that when Mr. Hunter's course of life is run, the community and the church will lose an ardent friend, an honored and faithful worker.

CHRISTIAN KAUFMAN, farmer ; P.0 West Liberty, Logan Co.; born in Penn" sylvania Nov. 27, 1821 ; son of David and Fanny (Yoder) Kaufman, natives of Pennsyl" vania ; the grandparents were also natives of Pennsylvania. David and wife became residents of Champaign Co. in the fall of 1845, locating upon the farm where Christian now lives, and where he has resided ever since, having made a residence of thirty-five years. His wife died June 7, 1861. They had seven children, six now survive - Joseph, Martha, Christian, David, Jonathan and Solomon. Mr. Kaufman, when quite young, became identified with the Ornish Mennonite Church, to whose faith and doctrines he has closely adhered all his life, being a substantial member of that denomination, and one of the organizers of their church ia Salem Township. He is now 88 years of age, and is yet quite spry and active, enjoying good health. Our subject lived with his father till 22 years of age. He was married Jan. 7, 1844, to Mary, daughter of David and Catharine (King) Hooley, natives of Pennsylvania. They had twelve children, ten now survive - Catharine, Fannie, John, Melinda, David, Emma, Lizzie, Levi, Christian and Selina. In March, 1844, after their marriage, they emigrated to Ohio in a two-horse wagon, and located at West Liberty, Logan Co., after a tedious journey of seventeen days. They resided there two years, then bought a farm six miles northwest of West Liberty, where they lived till Feb. 15, 1859, when they located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. In the home place, he has 7 6 acres of fine land in good cultivation with excellent improvements. He also owns 20 acres of timber two miles south, and a fine improved farm of 90 acres in Logan Co. Mr. Kaufman and family are members of the same church to which his father belongs, and is, like his father, firm in their faith and doctrines.

JAMES KENTON, farmer; P. 0. Urbana; born in Champaign Co. Sept. 13, 1818 ; he is a son of William and Sarah (Covington) Kenton. He is a native of Maryland, and she probably of Kentucky, the paternal ancestry, as far as known, being natives of Maryland. William was left without a father when very young. His mother married again, and they became residents of Ohio, settling in Clark Co. among the early pioneers. He was a distant connection of Simon Kenton, of early pioneer fame, and what little education he obtained was through Simon's help. He spent his life in Clark, Champaign and Logan Cos., the greater portion in the latter county ; there he died near West Liberty in 1840 ; his wife died several year previous, about 1824. They had four children, two now survive - James and Edward. Our subject left his home when only 10 years of age and commenced to seek his own way through life ; he worked by the month here and there, as he could find opportunity ; was for a time at a hotel, attending the stable ; then in a grocery and saloon, where he remained till 15 years of age. He went into a dry goods store as clerk, and remained till about 27 years of age ; his father receiving all his earnings, except enough to clothe him, till 18 years of age, when he bought of his father the balance of his time till his majority, paying his father $80 for the same. Up to this date, he had received very little education ; after this date, he obtained three months' schooling, and then devoted himself to business. At 27 years of age, he entered upon the mercantile trade on his own account in Zanesfield, Logan Co., where he continued till 1858, then located in Urbana and opened trade in partnership with Oliver T. Cundiff, and thus continued till after the close of the war, when the firm was changed to Kenton & Rock. In about two years, Mr. Kenton sold out and came to his present location on the farm where he has resided most of the time since. During this career of business, Mr. Kenton, with no capital to commence with, has worked his own way, and by industry, economy and good management, accumulated a competency, and is now well situated to enjoy the balance of his life comfortably. He was married Sept. 25, 1844, to Bridget Jane, daughter of John and Jane (Vance) Taylor. They had five children, two now survive - Joseph T. and Oliver C. Mr. Kenton was Commissioner in Logan Co., and Postmaster in Zanesfield for several years ; has been Township Trustee of this township one term. He is an example of industry and success, worthy of imitation by all young men. He has never since his marriage passed one day in idleness, but always finds something to do, something to give his attention to, which shall tell for the promotion of some worthy work or object of life. And thus has he won the confidence and respect of all who know him, and made his success in life.

EDWARD F. LEMEN, farmer; P. 0. Urbana ; born in this county Nov. 20, 1840 ; is a son of Thornton and Sarah (Hendricks) Lemen. He is a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. The paternal ancestry came from Ireland, and the maternal ancestry from Scotland. Thornton Lemen came to this county with his parents when about 6 years of age ; was raised and brought up, lived and died, here in this county, being among the early settlers, locating probably about 1812. They had eight children, six now survive - John, Joseph, Caroline, Edward F., Orlando and Cyrus B. Our subject was with his father till 20 years of age ; this brought him to the war period of our country, and he enlisted in the 66th O. V. I. ; served about sixteen months, and was discharged and returned home, being disabled for military duty, by a wound from an accidental shot. He was married Dec. 31, 1868, to Miss Mary Frances, daughter of Joseph K. and Maria Funk. By this union they have had two children - Bertha May (deceased) and Charles Orlando. Mr. Lemen first located in Harrison Township, where he resided till the spring of 1879, when he came to his present location. He has 21 acres of excellent land, with good buildings and improvements. He was Trustee of Harrison Township four years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist. Politically, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM C. LONG-, farmer ; P. 0. Urbana; born Jan. 17, 1834, on the farm where he now resides ; is a son of James and Susannah (Cheney) Long, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia, the grandfather also being a native of Pennsylvania, but removing to Kentucky when his son James was about 1 year old, where they lived about nine years. They went to Champaign Co. about 1805, locating on the northeast quarter of Sec. 2, now owned by John G-arard, constituting him one of the early pioneers of this county. He resided on this farm a few years, then located upon the farm where our subject now lives. He was married Feb. 23, 1826, and had seven children ; five now survive - Martha, Jonathan, William C., Temperance and Eliza. Mr. Long was first married to Martha Turner, by whom he had two children - Sarah and Mary (twins), Mary deceased. His first wife died about 1820. Mr. Long did a large amount of pioneer work in clearing up the farm, erecting buildings and making a home right from the wilderness. He never held or sought office to any extent, but was an energetic, hard-working pioneer farmer. He remained on this farm till his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1862. His wife is still living with our subject upon the home place, and is now 77 years of age. She and her husband were active Methodists. Our subject has always resided upon the old home place. They have 500 acres of excellent land, of which 225 acres are in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements.

JOHN MAST, retired farmer ; P. 0. Urbana ; born in Pennsylvania Oct. 29, 1793 ; is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kenaga) Mast, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was a native of Switzerland, coming to America when about 10 years of age. He lived and died in Pennsylvania. Jacob and Barbara also lived and died in Pennsylvania, and were parents of seven children ; three now survive - John, Isaac and Leah. Our subject, living with his father till his majority, was raised to farm labors, and married, Dec. 4, 1823, to Elizabeth, daughter of Eli and Mary Trego, natives of Pennsylvania. They had nine children; seven now survive - Phineas.P., Miriam, Ann, Elizabeth, Joseph K., John Emery and Ephraim M. After their marriage, they resided in Pennsylvania about seven years, then went to Ohio, locating on the farm where he has since resided, having now made a residence here of half a century. When Mr. Mast came to this county, he had but little capital, but bought a quarter-section of land at $10 per acre, and went in debt to quite an extent Tor his land, farm implements and stock to begin farming. This was in the days when wheat, by hauling it over the mud roads to Dayton, would bring 33 cents per bushel. If took hard labor and close economy to get along, but he faithfully labored, and brought his land into good cultivation. The country improved, grain and produce brought better prices, and Mr. Mast prospered. He purchased more land, and his wealth increased till he became owner of 320 acres of land as good as can be found. His children grew to maturity, and he has apportioned to them the most of his land, reserving 65 acres for himself. He erected a fine, comfortable house, and is now residing there, retired from active labor to spend the balance of his life in quiet and rest. His children are all settled in life and doing well. The eldest son, P. P. Mast, of the firm of P. P. Mast & Co., of Springfield, Ohio, has built up an extensive business in the manufacture of agricultural implements, being known all over the country, and their machines and implements sold in nearly every State in the Union and many parts of Europe. This family is one of the early settlers of this county, and one whose life and labors stand prominent in the history and improvements of the county. Mr. Mast has been a popular man and a good neighbor ; a kind of peacemaker, having been the means of compromising many difficulties between neighbors, and has always taken an active interest in churches and schools. He was School Director for forty-three years, a Class-leader in the M. E. Church fifty-four years, and Steward and Trustee for forty-eight years. His life has been one of labor and usefulness, and, when his labors are ended, the church and people will lose a faithful man.

JOSEPH K. MAST, farmer ; P. 0. Urbana; was born in this township and county March 30, 1834. Is a son of John and Elizabeth Mast. Mr. Mast has always remained upon the home place. He was married, Nov. 13, 1856, to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Mary Eichholtz, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of this county. Mr. Eichholtz is a prominent and extensive farmer. Mr. Mast and wife are parents of ten children ; eight now survive - Charles H., Joseph Frank, Emma, Altha, Lizzie, Cicero, Clara and Ivy. Mr. Mast owns a fine farm of ninety-six acres, in good cultivation, upon which he has erected a fine house, costing $6,500. It is elegantly finished, and contains steam apparatus for heating the whole house. The surroundings are all well improved, constituting a very beautiful home and residence. Mr. Mast is not a holder or seeker of office, but devotes himself exclusively to his farm business. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twentysix years ; politically, he has been a Democrat.

J. EMERY MAST, farmer; P. O. King's Creek; was born in this township and county. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Trego) Mast, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject remained with his father until his majority, when he was married, April 13, 1869, to Minerva J., daughter of Arnold and Sophia Stonebraker, natives of Maryland, settling in Ohio in 1832, and in Champaign Co. in 1840.

They were parents of three children - William T., Charles R. and Minerva Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Mast have had seven children ; five now survive - Ellis Heber, Maria May, Lulu Grace, John Arnold and Clarence ; the deceased were Willie E. and an infant without name. Mr. Mast, after his marriage, located upon his present farm, having bought seventy-eight acres from his father. He erected good buildings, and has excellent improvements and a very pleasant home, situated half a mile from the village of Kingston. Mr. Mast, although comparatively a young man, has a very fine situation and a good start in life. He has never held or sought office, preferring to quietly attend to his own business affairs and family, which he considers of more importance than office-seeking. Politically, he is a Democrat ; religiously, a Methodist.