Jefferson Township (part 12 of 15)

After being elected Mr. Galloway removed to Helena, for he was prospecting in that locality at the time. The legislature met at Virginia City and to that place he went by stage coach. There were twentyfive members of the house and thirteen members of the council and it was t<) the latter bodv - corresponding to the state senate of to-day - that Mr. Galloway was elected. His district covered a trritory about forty miles wiile and one hundred and forty miles long. When the members of the kigislature reached Virginia City there were no boarding places and with several others he had to sleep on the floor of the bar-room covered up with his blanket. Later he and others slept on the floor of the council chamber, and i'n the morning they would sli]) their blankets under the benches occupied by the spectators. Mr. Galloway remained in Montana for about four years, jjrospecting part of the time. He afterward went into a wholesale commission house at Helena as a clerk, and during that time drew the largest salary of anv man in the state, having full charge of live business. He was offered a partnership, but declined^ as he desired to return lionie. Prices were ver\- high in those days. Brooms sold fur twenty-four dollars a dozen; nails at fifty dollars a keg; sinip at five dollars a gallon, and sugar at forty cents a pound, and all these were the wholesale rates.

After twenty-five years" residence on the Pacific coast Mr. Galloway returned to Xenia and has since lived a retired life, although he was at one time a director in the First National Bank of this city. He has made several trips to California, .going at different times hy way of Nicaragua, the Panama route and Mexico, and in other parts of the country he has also traveled extensively. He is connected with the Beta Theta Pi, a Greek letter fraternity. In politics he was originally a \\'hig, and afterward became a Re])ul)lican, and although he was very active in political circles at an early tlay, he always refused to hoUKoffice, save that of state senatur. His life history, if written in detail, would furnish many a chapter of thrilling interest. His has been an eventful career in which many experiences have relieved his history from monotony. Reared amid the scenes of frontier life in Ohio, connected with the early development of the Pacific coast, he is now enjoying a well merited rest and is accounted one of the honored and respected residents of Greene countv.

Albert M. Stark

For many ^ears Albert ]M. Stark was a well known figure in mercantile circles in Xenia and was so widely and honoral)ly known that no history of this county would be complete without the record of his life.

His father, William T. Stark, came to Greene county from Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1814, and almost immediately became a factor in the lousiness life of Xenia. He was Ixirn in Loudoun count)', \'irginia, and was a son of John Stark, who subsequently removed to Lexington, Kentucky. It was there that William T. Stark completed his education and learned the trade of a silversmith, which he followed during the greater part of his life. In 1829 he was appointed postmaster of Xenia and served in that capacity continuously until 1841, his first appointment coming from President Jackson. Fie held various ofticial positions of trust and was an honored and intluenlial resirlent of the community. In 18 1 4 he married Miss Lydia Miley, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Cincinnati. Her parents settled in Columbia, Hamilton county, Ohio, immediately after leaving the Keystone state, and subsequently Mrs. Stark became a resident of Greene county. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children. William T. Stark departed this life in 1858 and his wife survived him until 1872, having lived with her children in Xenia after her husband's death. They were among the early and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the family has ever been noted for industry, integrity and honor.

Alljert M. Stark, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia June 4, 1822, and acquired his education under the direction of Thomas Steele, one of the most popular and efiicient teachers of the cit}'. When a boy he was emplo)'ed in the store of Canby & Walton, where he received his first business training. He there remained until 183S, when liis services were sought by J. C. McMillen. with whom he remained as a salesman for some time and. finally was admitted to a partnership in the business, this relation being maintained for twenty years. He was also one of the founders of what became one of the largest mercantile houses of Xenia, that of Stark, Lytle & Cooper.

In 18C2, however, Mr. Stark put aside business cares and enlisted as a Union soldier in the One Hundredth and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and owing to his business qualifications he was immedialcly n.ade quartermaster, the appointment coming from Governor Tod. The regiment was assigned to the Arm\- of the Potomac and operated in West Virginia with the Sixth Corps. On the 1 2th of January, 1863, Mr. Stark was captured b\- the rebels at \\'inchester and experienced all the horrors of life in Libby prison, where he was confined for fifteen months. He was the only prisoner who survived the tortures of that loathsome den for so long a time. Of the three who were captured at the same time, his two companions died in the hospital and Mr. Stark was paroled from the hospital, September 12, 1864. In the following Januan,- he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg and had great satisfaction in witnessing the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, knowing that it practically ended the war for the preservation of the Union. His regiment was then sent to Danville, \'irginia, on to Richmond, and a few days later was ordered to Washington, where it participated in the most celebrated military pageant perhaps of the century, known as the grand review.

immediately thereafter returned to Xenia. where he resumed business relations. He was one of the oldest grocery merchants of Xenia at the time of his death and enjoyed an extensive and profitable patronage. He was also for a number of years the ])resident of the building and loan association, and for fourteen years he was president of the school Ixjard. Through a long period he also acted as a member of the city council, and in each public position which he was called upon to fill he discharged his duties with marked loyalty and capability. By Governor Hayes he was appointed a trustee of the Soldiers" and Sailors' Orphans" Home, in which capacity he remained for six years. Governor Bishop reapix)inted him to that po.-^ition and for a third term he was appointed by Governor Foster. He wa5 elected appraiser of real estate of the west half of Xenia in the spring of 1889 by a large majority. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and took a very deep and helpful interest in the latter order. He was also a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Xenia and enjoyed the distinction of being its first i)residing officer.

On the 19th of February. 185 1. 'Sir. Stark had been united in marriage to Miss ^lary W^ard, who was born May 2, 1832, a daughter of James H. Ward, one of the higiily respected pioneers and merchants of Middletown. This union was blessed with two living children, William and Walter C, who are residents of Xenia. Mrs. Stark still survives her husband and resides at Xo. 134 West Main street. It was on the 8lh of Feljruary, 1895 that Albert M. Stark was called to liis final rest, his remains being in-

John S. Turner

Almost thirty years have passed since John S. Turner became a factor in mercantile circles in Bellbrook, where he began business on a small scale. He has steadil\' increased his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade and now has a store which would be a credit to a place of much greater size. His business reputation, Um. is unassailal)le. f(ir his enterprise and honorable methods have commended him to all.

Mr. Turner was liorn in this village November 5. 1850. his parents being James and .\ancy (Snodgrass) Turner. His boyhdoel days were passed in this village, where his father had located when yet a young man. The latter was married in Sugarcreek township and engaged in real-estate dealing.

In the common schools our subject acquired a fair education, fitting- him for life's practical duties. For a few years he clerked in Bellbrook and thus gained a knowledge of mercantile methods which have proved of value to him in the control of his business enterprise. Soon after his marriage he began business on his own account, and he now owns not onh- a large stock of general merchandise, but the building in which he is carrying on business. He also has an excellent residence in the town and a farm of one himdred and ninetv acres of valuable land west of Bellbrook, situated on the trolley line. These investments have been made as the result of his success as a merchant. As the years have passed he has prosjjered in his undertaking, for the people have reliance in his business methods and also patronizes him because of his reasonable prices.

On the 5th of June, 1874, ]Mr. Turner was united in ma'riage in Sugarcreek township, to Miss Martha J. Cunningham, a daughter of James and Sarah (Stratton) Cunningham. Four children have been born to this union : James, who is a graduate of \\'ittenl>erg Ccjllege of Springfield, Ohio, and is employed by the Foos Gas Company, of Springfield, was married to Miss Maude Butt, of that city, and there they make their home. John, who is a farmer of Sugarcreek township, married Miss Helen Pease, of Bellbrook, and they have three children. Harry M., who on the ist of January, 1902, was admitted in his father's business, married Ethel Barnett, of Spring Valley. Grace, the only daughter, is yet a student in school.

Mr. Turner is a leading antl active representative of the Democratic party and since 1881 has continuously filled the office of township clerk, while since 1878 he has been village clerk. He has also been treasurer of the school district since 1884 and is a citizen whose devotion to the best interests of the community is aboi\-e question. He co-operates in every movement and measure for the general good and his labors have not been without result in promoting the progress and prosperity of Bellbrook.

Anthony Varner

Anthony Varner, now deceased, was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, and later removed to Washington county. Maryland. In early manhood he married

Catherine Kline, a native of Washington county and tlie year 1857 witnessed their arrival in Greene county, Ohio. The work of progress and improvement was in its incipiency, much of the land was still uncultivated and there was little promise of rapid development, hut the family cast in their lot with the early settlers and Mr. Varner took an important part in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity. There were thirteen in the party that made the trip to the west. Air. \'arner and his family being accompanied by his two brothers and their families. Three weeks had passed ere they reached tlieir destination. They first located in Dayton, where they remained for about a year and a half. On the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Deavercreek township, Greene county. Here Mr. \'arner purchased ninety acres of land which is still owned bv his daughter. With the exception of a small tract of four acres the entire farm was covered with timber. There was an old log cabin ujxju the place, but no other improvements, and with characteristic energy our subject began to clear away the trees and place the field under cultivation. He built a larger and more substantial log house and also built barns, but all these are now a thing of the past, save the mere shell of one of the old buildings.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. \'arner were born six children: Mira. who became the wife of William Burrous: Elizabeth and Eleanor, who were next in order of birth ; John, who lived all his life upon the old homestead and died in 1892 at the age of seventynine years, his remains being interred in Mount Zion cemetery : Andrew C. ; and Susanna.

Andrew C. was born in Maryland, October 21, 1819. and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, in 1827. He remained a resident of this state until 1849. when he went to Piatt county, Illinois, wliere he has since lived upon the farm which he purchased at the time of his remo(\'al there, it having been his home now for more than a half a centur}'. His education was acquired in the common schools of Beavercreek township and in Xenia. While pursuing his studies in the latter place he walked each day back and forth to the school, a distance of six mile:.. He afterward engaged in teaching school, being empkiyed in nearly every school in his township and continuing in some of them as many as five terms. He was married to Miss Iva Paxton, and unto them was born one son, George D. The mother died and he afterward married Miss Emily Painter, of the well known Painter family of this county. It was soon after that thev removed to Illinois. In their family were seven children : ]^Irs. Ella Dulison, Clara M., William. Jeremiah, Mary, Andrew C. and Richard. Of this number William was born April 12, 18G3, in Monticello township, Piatt county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated, but in 1893 came to Beavercreek township, Greene county. Ohio, where he engaged in the operation of the uUl Varner homestead. He is still living there and is one of the enterprising, v/idf.-awake and progressive farmers of the community. On the 21st of February, 1899, he was married in Xenia to Miss Sarah Jane Hartsock, who was born in Douglas county, Illinois, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Jane (Rice) Hartsock, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have been born of this marriage. - Charle.s- William, Frank Arlie and Irene.

Susanna, tlie sixth nienil)er of the family, became the wife of Smith F"ithian, a native of Xew Jersey, wlio came to this county when a small child. After he had attained years of maturity he removed to Illinois, where he married Miss Varner. His death occurred January 17, 1890.

Anthony Varner, whose najiie introduces this review, served his country as a soldier in the war of 1S12 and was ever a loyal and ])atriotic citizen, interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his community. He died in 1859 in his seventyfourth year, after more than thirty years' residence in this county, and is yet remembered by some of the oldest settlers. His wife passed away twenty years prior to his death. Both were loyal and devoted memlx;rs of the Lutheran church and enjoyed the high regard of many friends. Their remains were interred upon the farm which Mr. Varner had purchased and improved. He was a Democrat m his ix)litical views and was always true and faithful to his honest convictions, and well does he deserve to be mentioned among the honored pioneer settlers of Greene countv.

Mathicw Alexander Bickett

Mathew Alexander Bickett, who resides about two miles east of Xenia, was born in Xenia township, January 19, 1831, and is a son of William R. and Isabella (Alexander) Bickett. His father w^as born in the Coaquilla Valley, Pennsylvania, about 1796 and was a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Reed) Bickett. The grandfather was born in the northern part of Ireland where he spent the most of his life and where all but two of his cliildren were born. On coming to .\nicrica the familv settled m Pennsylvania, wliere he spent his remaining days, his death occurring a few years later. In the yeau 1818 \\illiam R. Bickett started with the remainder of the family, of whom he was the youngest, for Ohio. They made the trip with a six-horse team and passed the tirst winter with Robert Hamell, a brother-in-law-, who had come to Ohio the previous year as a teacher. In tlie spring of 1819 the Bickett family purchased one hundred and fifty acres of timber land and in connection with his brother John, the father of our subject built a log cabin, which was the family home for many years, the sons living with their mother. It was a l)ri>ductive district in which they located, the work of progress and civilization being scarcely begun. \\'ild game of all kind was plentiful, including deer, as well as turkeys and other smaller game. ]\Ir. Bickett bore all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, but was at length enabled to o\-ercome all obstacles and secure for himself a comfortable home. In 1827 he w-as united in marriage to- Isabella Alexander, and unto them were born six children : Adam R.. a resident of tiiis county; Mathew A. ; Mary Jane, who became the wife of Solomon Foust, who died a few months later, leaving her with a son, Edward : Elizabeth Isabella; Lydia Ann, who died at the age of twenty years ; and W. Harvey. The father of this family passed away in 1865 and the mother died in .\pri], 1S85, at the age of eighty-three years, their remains being interred in Xenia, Ohio. They were the members of the Second United Presbyterian church and people of the highest respectability. Mr. Bickett bore an important part in clearing and developing the land and thus largely promoted the progress of the county.

In the common schools near his home Mathew A. Bickett pursued his education and to the development of the home farm he contributed his share of labor until about the time of his father's death. On the 30th of May, 1865, he married ;\Iiss Caroline E. Kendall, who was born in Xenia township, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Jackson) Kendall. Her father was a native of Kentuckv and a son of Robert Kendall, while her mother was born in this state and was married in Xenia township. The Kendall family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and untt) the parents nf Mrs. Bickett were born six children, of whom four are living: Robert, a resident of Xenia : Henry, of Xeiu'a township; Eliza, the widow of Wilson Dallas, who resides near Dayton; and Mis. Bickett. The deceased were: Mary Ann, the wife of James Galloway ; and Rev. Clark Kendall, a minister of the United Presbyterian church, who died at Xenia. The father was a soldier of the war of 181 2 and both he and his wife were consistent Christian people, who held membership in the United Presbyterian church. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with seven children. Clark K., of Xenia township, married Margaret Turnbull and has two children, Maiw Eleanor and Joseph Turnbull. Charles A. is at home. William Albert married Margaret Harper and resides in Xenia township. Annie M. and Eleanor L are with their parents. John W. IS a minister of the United Presbyterian church, located at Greenfield, Ohio. David Cameron, at home, completes the family.

The family home is an attractive one, noted for its hospitality. All the buildings upon the farm have been erected l)y ^Ir. Bickett and staiid as monuments to his enterprise and thrift. He has a large barn, forty b}" si.xty feet, and a corn crib, forty by nineteen feet. He makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and finds this a profitable source of income. His efforts return to him golden harvests and the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. Beginning life without means he has added to his possessions till he owns about two hundred acres at present. He is a Republican in politics, but not an aspirant for ofiice.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bickett are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and are worthy representatives of honored pioneer families. Their own records reflect credit upon the untarnished family names and they ha\-e a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community who esteem them for their genuine worth, genial manner and kindliness. As a business man Mr. Bickett sustains an unassailable reputation for reliability and trustworthiness.

Hallie O. Browx

There are perhaps few ladies in all this land who have as wide a reputation or more extensive acquaintance than !Miss Hallie O. Bro\\n, whose career has been one of marked l)enefit to her fellow men. Her activitv has always been along lines of improvement and of benefit for those with whom she has come in contact. The highest and the lowliest in this land and in Great Britain have acknowledged her jwwer as an elocutionist, while many have reason to feel grateful to her for what she has accomplisheil. \\'ilberforce College, of Greene county, Ohio, owes much of its success to her efiforts in its behalf and through her in- rtueiice its lalmrs liavc extended to a wider scope, assisting main- in tlie development of their talents and capabilities and thus enabling them to become men and women of strong force of character and helpful lives. ]'erha])S the account of Miss Brown's early life can not l)e better given than in the w nrds of a contemporary historian who has said : "A traveler passing by a country farmhouse a few miles from Chatham. Canada, not many years ago, might have seen a little girl of eight or nine summers mounted on a cult, without girth or bridle, her hair given to the winds, dashing up a lane to pasture. There he would have seen her dismount and hastily perform the duties of dair_\-uiaid. first calling each Cdw b\- name and ])layfully inquiring as to the health of each. The milking finished, he would iiave seen her juni]> upon a tree stump or felled log and deliver an address to the cows, the slieep and the birds. She had a se|)arate speech for the larger animals and special addresses for the lambs, the ducklings and the other auditors that ha])pened to be present. Having exhausted her own vocalnilary she began a conversation in the language of the cow, the horse, the sheep, the goose, the rooster, until each was imitated, and then, bidding adieu to the "congregation," she remounted her steed and cantered home again. That was her dailv morning program, secret and unobserved. It was for this that she rose earlier than the others of the household itntil one morning a farm liand saw her hv chance, himself unobserved, and her secret was a secret no longer. This little girl was Hallie O. Brown. ^\'ho can say but that propitious fate had her then in training to develop her powers >vhich ha\e since carried her east and west, upon her mission of amusement, instruction

Miss Brown was the youngest of six children. Her father died at the age of eighty years, in 1882. but her mother lives with her at Wilberforce, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Jere A., their eldest child, is now living in Cleveland. Ohio. He has served in the state legislature of Ohio, and now holds a position in the government service at W'asliington, D. C. Mrs. Bell Xewman. the next younger, is now deceased. Mrs. Annie E. W'eaxer resides at Farmland, Indiana. Mary Frances is deceased. John G., also deceased, was a graduate of Wilberforce University and gave great promise of being a noted lecturer and speaker, liut death terminated I'.is career in his early manhood.

Hallie Quinn I'.rown was born in Pittsburg and during her early girlhood accompanied her parents to Chatham, Canada^ where she acquired her ])reliminary etlucation, later continuing her studies in Wilberforce College, of Ohio, where she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science with the class of 1873. Among her classmates were ]\Irs. Mary F. Lee, wife of Bishop B. F. Lee; and Samuel T. Mitchell, afterward president of Wilberforce University. Her broad mind and earnest thought: had grasped the situation in the south, and. realizing that there was a mighty field of labor, she entered upon educational work in that portion of the country. Her first school was on a plantation in South Carolina, where she endured the hardships and rough life uncomplainingly, and continued her work of teaching the children of \-arious plantations and also instructing the aged ones to read their Bibles, thus bringing into many a life the great comfort which the reading of the

\\(Ji"(l brings ti) all the true followers of Christianity. Later she was in charge of a school on the Sonera plantation in Mississippi, where she found that her labors were largely hampered by two \-ices - the use of whisky and tobacco - and since that time she has labored earnestly to abolish those two evils. Her fame as an instructor spread and her services were secured as a teacher in Yazoo City, but on account of the unsettled state of affairs in the south in 1874-5, she was compelled to return to the north.

Later a successful teacher in Dayton, Ohio, for four years, she was then obliged to give up educational work on account of her health, and has since devoted her attention largely to lecturing and public reading. She started out upon a lecture tour in behalf (if her alma mater, W'ilberforce College, and the first }-ear"s ser\-ice proved her ability in that direction. Then in order to better present her work from the platform she took a course in elocution and again started out upon her tra\els. meeting- with still greater success. For several years she tra\-eled with the W'ilberforce Grand Concert Compau}-. an organization for the benefit of W'ilberforce College. She has lectured and read throughout the length and breadth of this land in all the leading cities, and e\-ery place has been favorably and enthusiastically received.

In 1894 Miss Brown went abroad and lectured in England for six years. Among the dift'erent lecture courses on which she appeared was that of the renowned W'estlx3urne Park Listitute. She has lectured and recited in all the leading cities of Great Britain, and was connected for some time with Latly Henry Somerset in temperance work. She was entertained bv Oueen Nktoria. July 7. 1899, ^^^ being served in St. George's Hall, the hall of the Garter, Windsor Castle. She appeared and spoke at the entertainment of the Princess of \\"ales, the present Queen of England, this entertainment being given for the poor of London at the time of the celebrati(.)n of the Queen's diamond jubilee. She has been entertained and dined by the most noted ladies and families of England and Scotland, and during Queen \'ictoria's jubilee year she was the guest of the Lord Mayor of Lfjndon and his wife, and later liy the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, and journeyed with them in a private car to London, where special seats near \\'estminster Abbey were reserved for them from which to view the procession and ceremonies. She was also in attendance at the funeral of Gladstone, the ticket of admission being furnished t(j her by a member of parlianitnt.

I\Iiss Brown belongs to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society of Edinburgh, to the British Women's Temperance Societ_\-, to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to the King's Daughters, and was a member of the International Congress of Women. Miss Brown w-ent to England in behalf of the Douglass Memorial Hall, which was required for the accommodation of the large and increasing librarx' of the university. She lectured also on temperance and \'arious other subjects, and gave many readings, her splendid and exceptional gifts as an elocutionist winning the highest praise. Hers has been a life permeated Ijy the true missionary spirit, carrying truth and hel]> into many districts where it has been so greatly needed, and presenting facts in such a clear, understandable wa_\- that her auditors have gone away convinced. It is im]iossible to give any correct estimate of her work, llie influence of mind upnn mind, and of soul upon soul heintf an incalculable force, the worth of which is only recognized in eternity, but in this land and in Great llritain thousands ha\e reason to be grateful to her and to speak oi her in words of liiving praise.

Silas O. Hale

Among those who in public office have adxanced the general welfare tlu-ough faithful performance of duty is numbered Silas Opdyke Hale, who is clerk of the court of l)leas in Greene county. He was l)orn in Bellbrook, Sugarcreek township, this county, March 9, 1858. his parents being Silas and Miriam (Opdyke) Hale, who were also natives of Greene county. The father was born near Bellbrook, August 26, 1803. and was a son of John and Sarah (Bowen) Hale, natives of Maryland, whence tliey removed to Kentucky and in iSoj removed to Ohio, locatin,'- in \\\\:n is now Sugarcreek township, Greene county, where the grandfather successfully carried on business, being engaged in both farming and tanning. He was one of tiie honored ]moneers of this portion of the state and took an active part in the early development and progress of Greene count\-. In 1838, however, he removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he died in 1845. By two marriages he had twelve children.

Silas Hale, the father of our subject, obtained a common-school education, and when old enough began work in his father's tanyard, where he was emplo\'ed until seventeen years of age. He was then apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade in Wilmington, Ohio, and after mastering that business returned to Bellbrook, where he engaged in caliinet-making for ten years. Later he established a general store, which he conducted almost up to the time of his death, being one of the enterprising, wideawake and reliable merchants of the town. For more than forty years he was township treasurer and was appointed postmaster of Bellbrook by Franklin Pierce, in which office he served continuously until Grover Cleveland's first administration, a period of over thirty years. Xo puljlic official of the county has ever enjoyed to a higher degree the confidence and good-will of the public or more truly deserves the respect accorded him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hale were born ten children, who in order of birth were as follows : Dorinda, John, Henry and Frank, twins, Angeline, Mary. Bowen, James, Melancthon and Silas O. Four of the sons, John, Henry, Frank and Bowen,. were in the Civil war and Bowen died at Camp Chase in April. 1862. The parents were both members of the Methodist Protestant church and were people of genuine worth, true to every principle which tends to the tle\'elopment of an upright character. Mr. i^ale died in 1889 at the age of eighty-six years, but his widow, a lovely Christian lady, still survives him at the age of eightyeight years and is Iving with her .son, Henry H. Hale, in Xenia.

In the schools of Bellbrook Slias O. Hale acquired his early education, which' was later supplemented by study in the X^ational Normal University at Lebanon, w'here he pursued a scientific course. He prosecuted his studies during the summer months while in winter he engaged in teach.ing Entering upon his business career he first learned the carpenter's trade in Bellbrook under the direction of Harman Brothers,

Ijut follcnved tliis only a short time, when he began teaching in Sugarcreek township. lie was very successful as a teacher, having the ability to impart clearly and concisely to otliers the knowledge he had acquired. On the organization of Sugarcreek township high school Mr. Hale was selected as the first principal and was also made supermtendent of the township schools, which position he held from 1892 until lie entered upon the duties of the office of clerk of the common pleas court of Greene county, Ohio, in 1900. He was one of the organizers of the Ohio State Township Superintendents' Association, and was its first president. Afterward he was secretary and treasurer for several terms, resigning the position w*hen elected clerk of the courts. He served on the executive committee of the Greene Count\' Teachers' Association for one year and presided over the Teachers' Summer Institute. He was then elected president of the Teachers' Association and as such again conducted the Teachers' Summer Institute. which was declared one of the most popular ever held in Xenia.

On the 29th of November, 1881, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Anna ]\I. Gibbons, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Thomas Gibbons, of Bellbrook. Her father was a native of Ireland, but for many years resided in Bellbrook, where he spent his last days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hale have been born one child, Minnie Miriam, now a student in the high school of Xenia.

Socially 'Mr. Hale is connected with .Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F.. and with Xenia Lodge, No. 668, B. P. O. E.. and of the latter he is a trustee. In jiolitics he has always been a stanch Republican, deeply interested in the welfare and growth oi his party. He has held different official positions, having been treasurer of Sugarcreek township for ten years and also treasurer of the village of Belll,>rook several terms, as well as a member of the city council of Bellbrook. In 1899 he was elected clerk of the courts on the Republican ticket and in 1902 is again the candidate of his party for that office, his second nomination being a public acknowledgment of his capability during the first term of senice. For several years he was an acti\e member of the county central committee and was on the executive committee for one year. Mr. Hale attained to a prominent position in educational circles and is now accounted one of the most faithful and skillful officers of the county. In all life's relations he has been found true to the trust reposed in him and has well merited the good name which he enji;>ys.

George Confer

George Confer, a retired farmer residing in Yellow Springs, is a native of Washington county. Maryland, his birth ha\-ing occurred near Hagerstown. on the 8th of February, 1827, but since the age of seven years he has lived in Ohio, coming at that time to this state with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer. The father was born in Maryland and followed the occupation of farming as a means of providing for his family. In 1834 he came to Ohio, locating in Greene county, his farm comprising one hundred and fifty acres of land in Miami township, a small part of which had been improved. He erected some new buildings, making many excellent inii)r(>\enients ujjon the farm.

which is still in jjdssessinii ni the tamily. There he lived and died, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. He was a manber of the German Reformed church and in early life gave his political support to the Whig party and on its dissolution Ije- >came a Republican. Init the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. As tlie years passed his diligence and business ability brought to him success, so that he was enabled to gi\-e to eacli of his children a good lionie. His widow survix'ed him twelve years and (bed in the city of Xenia. She was also born in Maryland and was a memiber of the Lutheran church. Pjy Iter marriage she became the mother of five children, three nl win mi are still living: Hannah, who resides near Spring Valley ; William G., now deceased; George; Susan, w ho died at the age of twenty-seven years ; and Elizabeth, who is the widow of Richard Partington and has one son, Edward. Her home is near Spring Valley. Greene -county.

To the district school system of Miami township George Confer is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He assisted his father upon the home place and after the death of his parent, in 1857, he and his brother began farming for themselves and were thus engaged for two or three years. The partnership was then dissolved and George Confer purchased more land adjoining the farm which his father had given him in Miami township. There he engaged in the tilling of the soil and stock-raising for thirty-three years and in 1 89 1 he removed to the village of Yellow^ Springs, where he has since lived a retired life.

On Ma}' 2, 1 86 1, George Confer was married in Miami township to Ann Johnson, whose birth occurretl on the 15th of April, 1841, in Greaie county. She is a daughter of James and Catherine (Ehrler) Johnson. The father was a native of Kentucky and at an early date came to Ohio. The mother was born in France, but when a young girl was brought to the United States, settling with her father in Clark county, Ohio, and with him she remained until her marriage, .\fterward Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled upon a fami in Miami township, Greene county, where the mother died in 1849. ^^f- Johnson afterward married again and his death occurred in 1890, both passing away in Miami township. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Confer were b<irn si.x children and the family circle yet remains unl)roken by the hand of death.

Mary Etta is the wife of Joseph Veruanda Shoemaker, who resided at Goes Station, in Xenia township, where he is conducting a grocery store. They have one child, Cora May, who is the wife of George Hall, of Dayton, by wdiom she has a daughter, Dorothy. George Alljert. the second member of the Confer family, resides upon his father's farm on the Dayton jxike, in Miami townshii), where lie is engaged in the cultivation of the fields and in the raising, purchasing and sale of stock. He married Miss Anna Fogle and they have five children : Vernanda. Earle, Raymond, Verna and Georgia. Arthur U. resides upon the home fami in Miami township. He married Miss Clara Miller and they have three children, Florence, Chester and Harry. William W., who is also living upon the home farm, wedded Miss Zella Fogle and they have two children, Edith and Esther. Howard T., a blacksmith at Goes Station, married Nora Ginneman and their children were Harold, Mildred and two that died in infancy. Susie, the youngest member of the Confer family, is the wife of John Conrad, a grocer of Springfield, Ohio, and they have one son, Herman.

In his political views ]^Ir. Confer is a Republican and for one term he served as supervisor of his township, while for eight or nine years he was a director of the public schools. He belongs to the Reformed church and take a deep and active interest in everything tending to promote the general welfare, along all lines of substantial progress ami improvement.

Noah Sipe

Noah Sipe is the oldest resident of Bath towTiship, having lived here for more than eighty years. He has witnessed great changes as time has passed and man has \vrought for the upbuilding and improvement of this portion of the state. The forests which stood in their primeval strength during his boyhood days have been cut down to be replaced l)y fields of waving grain, while here and there homes have been builded and are now occupied by a prosperous and contented people. Towns and villages have also had their era of prosperity and improvaiient and to-day Greene county in its splendid development is the work of many enterprising pioneers among whom is numbered Xoah Sipe, who resides on a farm on the Fairfield and Yellow Springs pike in the eastern part of Bath township, where his birth occurred in a little log cabin, December 28, 1820.

His parents were Christian and Catherine (Carpenter) Sipe. The father was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and was a son of Henry Sipe, a native of Germany, who, on crossing the Atlantic to the new world, settled in the Old Dominion, where he spent his remaining days. In the county of his nativity the father of our subject was reared and educated and served as a private in the war of 181 2. For two Acars thereafter he remained in Virginia, and alx)Ut 18 14 came to Ohio, settling first in Clark county, where his brother Francis had earlier made his home. When two years had passed he went to Cincinnati to see a man who had entered a half section of land. This he purchased, paying about nine hundred dollars out of the sum of one thousand dollars which he had accutnulated while in the east. Tliis land was all heavily wooded, but soon the sturdy strokes of his ax removed trees trpon the place and the land was cultivated. In the latter part of h.is life he purchased a fine farm near Yellow Springs where he Vwed retired ujxmi the place where l>oth the father and mother of our subject died. The latter was born in Virginia and came to Greene county in 181 2. She was a daughter of John Carpenter, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, and on coming to Greene county with his family settled about one mile west of the present home of our subject. Christian Sipe died in 1855, at the age of sixtyfive years, while his wife passed away in i860, when about sixty-five years of age, both being interred in Yellow Springs cemetery. The mother was a member of the ^lethodist Episcopal church and in his political views the father was a Jacksonian Democrat. Of this marriage were born seven children : Amy, the wife of Eli l-Joutzong, who is now deceased ; Noah, our subject, being the second in order of birth ; John, who died in early youth; Manuel, who is also deceased : Sarah, the wife of Lewis

Cosier; Elizabeth, deceased; and Mary Y., who has also passed away. As the years passed the father cultivated a very good home for his famil\-. He became the owner of four hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuable land. He was a tanner by trade and in early life followed that pursuit, but during the greater part of his business career devoted his energies to fanning.

Xoah Sipe pursued his education in the township schools but his advantages in that direction were somewhat limited. The building was a log structure and the schcKjl was conducted after the subscription plan, the tuition being one dollar and fifty cents lor three months. Tlie spelling book and the arithmetic were about all the Ixjoks required and the methods of teaching were \ery primitive as compared with those of the present day. At the age of eleven years Mr. Sipc began to follow the plow and throughout his active business life he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. His practical experience in youth enabled h.im to successfully carry on farm work after he had attained to man's estate.

In the year 1848 Noah Sipe was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Wiant, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. In 1856 ]\Ir. Sipe erected a brick house upon the old home farm, where he now resides. There was but one other house anyAvhere in the locality at the time the old home had been erected. The first structure was a log cabin, which was succeeded by a fine log house built when Mr. Sipe was a young lad, and is still standing, one of the mute reminders of pioneer days and an indication of the present progress and improvement of the county.

(Air subject, married ]\Iary Jane Wilson ajid unto them four children were bjrn - Edgar \y., Emmet Clifford, Ida May, and John, Jr. Artemis, who is the wife of William Strasburg, is residing in Springfield, Ohio, and they have three children - Ota and Reta. twins, and Maude. Jasper is the next younger. Walter, who lives on the old home fann with his father, which is also the place of his birth, married Johanna Hern, and unto them six children have Ijeen born - William, Walter, Mary, Frank. Charles and Catherine. He assists his father in the operation of the home farm. Ida, who married George Finfrock, resides in Boise City. Ida- I'lO. Joseph Douglas is now deceased. He married May Woodall and they made their home in Yellow Springs township. Their children were - Noah, Charles, Alyrtle and Lizzie. Mertie, the seventh member of the family, married Ephraim Harshman and resides in Clark county. Their children are - Harry, Gladys, and Elmer, deceased.

In 1881 Mr. Sipe was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who in that year passed away and was laid to rest in the Yellow Springs cemetery. At the age of thirteen years she had become a memlier of the Baptist church and was ever a consistent Christian woman. For his second wife Mr. Sipe chose Sarah C. Scudder, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey. His landed possessions now comprise three hundred and seventy and one-half acres and he also owns a lot in the village of Osljorn.

In his political views Mr. Sipe is a Democrat, l)ut has never accepted office save some minor positions. For thirty years he has been school director and for twelve years w-as clerk of the school board. His son John has for three years been township trustee, elected on the Democratic ticket.

Mr. Sipe has devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising, and as the years lia\e passed has met with creditable and gratifying success so that in the evening of life he is provided with all the comforts that go to make life worth the living as the result of his former toil. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a steward of the church at Yellow Springs. He takes a very deep and active interest in religious affairs and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his profession. He has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who have advanced thus far. His history contains manv elements well worthy of emulation, for he has ever lived an honorable and upright life, having been true in all his relations to his fellow men.

Hox. Axdrew Jacksox

The list of the leading citizens of Greene county contain.s the name of the Hon. -Andrew Jackson, one of the representative and honored citizens of Cedarville. His record as a soldier, as an official and a business man has been so honoraljle that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whum he has been brought in contact. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of his duties and his aijpreciation of the responsibilities that ha\e rested upon him have been such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent in the office of assemblyman and in that of sergeant-at-arms in llie house. He is filling the latter position at the present time and is

Mr. Jackson lias back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. ]\Iany representatives of the family have attained state and some national importance in business aft'airs. in military life and in statesmanship. His great-grandfather was a brother of Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of X'ew Orleans and later the president of the United States. Robert Jackson, the father of our sul)jcct. became j)rominent in ptiblic aft'airs of Greene cotmty. He was commander of the militia forces of this county and in 1834 he represented this district in the state legislature. It was in the year 1805 that General Roliert Jackson removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling on Clark's Run, near a good spring, for in those days it was a valuable addition to a farm if there was a spring upon it. His place was three.miles west of Cedarville on the Jackson pike and is now known as the Stevenson farm. He was a man of soldierly bearing and commanding appearance. His commission as genera! bears date 1831. He filled local offices, including that of county commissioner of Greene cotmty, and was long a recognized leader in public thought and action. His death occurred when he was eightv years of age near Xenia. He was married, in December, 18 19, to !Miss Minerv;: J., a daughter of Philip Eddy, of Warren county and on horseback the bridal pair made their way to their new home in Greene county. An old bureau of cherry wood, which was a bridal present from her parents, is still in possession of our subject. Seven of the twelve children born of this marriage are still living.

Andrew Jackson

of this revie\\-, spent his early Ijnyhood days. He was hcnn on Giristmas day of 1845 and received his education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he went to Xenia and accepted a position in the dry-goods str^re of Alerrick & Company and wliile Hving in Xenia he attended school. For two years he held a position as hookkeeper and served in that capacity until the fall of iS'^ir when he enlisted in the Union arm\-, amused by a patriotic desire to aid in the preservation of the Union. He was then a boy not yet sixteen years of age and the only son ;it home. Because of this his mother would not c(5nsent to his departure and got a writ restraining him from going to the front. He then went with his brotherin-law to ^Michigan and entering his school there took up the study of civil engineering, in which his brother-in-law was very proficient. While carrying r)n his studies ]\Ir. Jackson formed a company from his class, composed of boys all larger than himself, and drilled them in Hardie's tactics. From that company several commissioned officers were drawn later in the war.

Returning to his home the following spring Mr. Jackson again became connected with commercial circles of Xenia, but the fires of patriotism burned strongly within him and once more he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Compan}- H. Xinety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862, the regiment being organized at Piqua. He took part in a number of engagements, among them being that of Tate's Ferry, in which the regiment lost over tlirce hundred men. He was struck 1,'y a bullet in the left arm at the battle of Ferryville Init he never left his company and afterward participated in the engagements at Stone River, Buzzard's Roost and those of the .Atlanta campaign, including Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Marietta. Peach Tree Cretk and the siege at Atlanta. While at Murfreesbfjro, in 1863, Mr. Jackson was detailed as chief clerk in the office of the brigade inspector, acting in that capacity until he was granted a furlough in 1864. He was at home but fifteen days when he endeavored to rejoin his regiment but could get no farther than Xashville, Tennessee. There he reported for dut)- and was made chief clerk in the inspector's office there. He handled and issued all the ammunition to the troops, placed the pickets at their stations and performed other \ery important duties. When the war closed he was mustered out June 5, 1865, and returned to Xenia.

Xot long after this Mr. Jackson accepted the position of assistant engineer with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, with headf|uarters at Dayton, and among other work which he did for that road was the supervision of the l)uilding of the bridge at Lima, Ohio, of which he had full charge, and which is a piece of splendid mechanical engineering. Soon after he was made general ticket agent of the Cincinnati & Zanesville Railroad, with offices in Cincinnati, and for six years held that responsible position, also acting as paymaster and engineer. In the meantime he had married and his wife's people desired that they should return and make their home in Cedarville, for the ladv's parents were reaching an advanced age and wished to have their daughter near them, and desired Mr. Jackson to assist her father in the care of his property interests. Accf^rdingly tliev Ijecame residents of this town. Mr. Jackson spent three years in ^Ir. Dunlap's lumlier camp in Micliigan. wliere lie had charge of the entire force of one hundred men and at the same time superintended the operation of his farm in this county. Tlie lumber firm of which Mr. Dunlap was the senior member did the largest business in that line in Cincinnati and continued in existence for more than half a century. For some time the charge of the company's business in Cincinnati devolved upon our subject and he had full supervision of its immense trade in all its departments. ^Ir. Jackson is now interested in the breeding of stock, an indust'y wliich has claimed his attention for many years and is secretary of the building and loan association of Cedarville, which he organized si.x years ago.

On the 17th of March, 1868, Mr. Jackson was married in Cedarville to Miss Mary J. Dimlap. a daughter of James Dunlap, who came from Cincinnati to this county at an early day, settling in Cedarville township. He was in 'ihe lumber business in the former city, but lived retire<l here. He died at Cedarville, January 25, 1890, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away shortly after the marriage of our subject. Mrs. Jackson is a member of the United Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children: Pearl, who is the wife of R. G. George, the cashier and paymaster of the Chicago Belt Railroad, by whom she has one child, Marion ; Frank, who is township clerk of Cedarville township and manager <if the opera Ivaise in Cedarville; Clara, a teacher in the public schools of Cedarville; and Fanny, at home. All were born on the home place in Cedarville township.

r\Ir Jackson is a recognized leader of the Republican partv in this C'lunty and his opinions carry weight in the councils of the organization. He was elected \o represent his district in the sixty-eighth general assembly and filled the position so creditably that he was re-elected. He was chosen sergeant-at-arms in the seventieth, seventyfirst, seventA-second, seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth assembllies. At the last election in 1902 he was the Republican caucus nominee by acclamation and received the entire vote of the assembly, both Democrats and Republicans, - a case unparalleled in the history of the stale legislature. He is holding soine local offices, has been a member of the school board for twenty-one years, is now serving as its clerk, and is also fillingthe ixjsition of justice of the peace of Cedarville. He was a member of the Ohio Chickaiuauga crimmission that erected moiuiments on the battlefield. This appointment was made under the act of May 4, 189 1, by the Ohio assembly, whereby eight commissioners were appoin.ted by Governor J. E. Campbell, these being: Generals John Beatty, Ferilinand Vandervcer, C. H. Grosvenor and Aquilla Wiley, Hon. J. S. Gill, Hon. .Vndrew Jackson, Pri\ate Frederick \\'endall and Captain J. C. McElroy. This commission was the first in the field and erected fifty-two monuments which were dedicated .September 19. 1895, at the time of the national dedication on the anniversary of the battle. The commission spent four }ears in its labors. 'Slv. Jackson has a wide acquaintance among the puljlic men of the state, as well as in Greene county and enjoys in high measure the warm regard of all and the friendship of many of the distinguished citizens of Ohio.

Frederick Christian Trebein

Frederick Christian Trebein, now deceased, was an influential and respected citizen of Greene county. The greater part of Iiis life was spent in tlie vicinitv of Xenia. His birth occurred in Dayton. Oiiio, October 24. 1833. His parents were William and Christina Trebein, wlio jiad two children, a daughter. Alary, horn in Germany, and l-'rederick. Ixjrn in this country. Tlie parents were natives of Gemiany, but came to Dayton early in the history of that city. William Trebein was one of the first four Germans who settled in Dayton. There Frederick C. Trel)ein spent his childhood and early manhood, and for his native city he always retained the greatest affection.

Mr. Trebein was self-educated and selfmade. From chore-boy in a dry goods store he rose to be a partner in the business, and later owned and conducted a large dry goods store on Third street. His health failed after sume time and it was necessary for him to give up a business that confined him so closely indoors.

In the earl}- part of 1868 he came to Greene county, settling at what is now called Trebein's Station, where he engaged in the milling and distilling business. j\Ir. Trebein's interests were broad and he was regarded as one of the foremost business men of the county. He was industrious, resolute and persevering, and these qualities brought him success. He was a considerable propert}' owner in Xenia and was identified with several of Xenia's largest industries. He was always a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and was a man who had the courage to stand up for his convictions. Simplicity and straightforwardness characterized his entire life.

On the i6th of November, 1869. Mr. Trebein was married to Miss Joan Ankeney,. daughter of Samuel Ankeney, long an honored citizen of Greene county. There were two children : Bertha E., who resides with h.er mother; and Mrs. P. H. Flynn. whose husband manages and is a large stockholder in the Xenia and Buckeye Shoe factories. The family is identified with the Reformed church, to which Mr. Trebein was a liberal contrilxitor. He also gave his support tO' many other measures for the public good, but always in a (|uiet way. At his death, which occurred June 4, 1900, he left many warm friends who sincerely mourn his loss. He had become recognized as an active and valued factor in business circles, and was also highly esteemed for his genuine personal worth. Since his death the family ha\e removed to Xenia and now reside at No. 125 North Detroit street.

William McClelland, now deceased, was a well known representative of Sugarcreek township, who in a high measure enjoyed the esteem of his fellow men because his life was uprig-ht and honorable. He was born Januarv 3, 1825, on the farm in Sugarcreek township, wdiich is now the home of his widow. His parents were Captain Robert and Martha (McConneil) AlcClelland. The father was a soldier in the war of 181 2 and was very prominent in political circles. He came to Greene county in 1802 and in 1806 purchased the old home farm comprising" nearly three hundred acres of rich land, which he developed and improved until it was a very valuable farm. His death occurred in the vear 1846.

William McClelland, whose name introduces this review, assisted his father in the work of the home fann during the period of his youth, also pursued his education in the district schools and enjoyed the pleasures such as were common to boys of tliat period. \\'hen he was twent)"-one years of he married Miss Jane Watt, of Beaver- 'Creek township. She died about 1881, and on the 3d of July. 1883. ^^Ir. McClelland was again married, his second union being with ?iliss Hannah ]\I. Xaughton, of Xenia. She was born in Hamilton county near Cincinnati, and was a daughter of James and IMary (\\'elch) Xaughton. Her mother died during the infancy of Mrs. McClelland, who Avas then reared by a family living in Greene county, near Jamestown. After his marriage ]\Ir. McClelland devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and his fields were -always well tilled, showing his careful supervision and his thorough knowledge of farming methods.

At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by be- -coming a member of a company known as the Sc^uirrel Hunters. He afterward joined Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment of Ohio \'olunteers. When the regiment took part in the battle of Xew Creek, his company was engaged in guarding Piedmont and thus was not in the engagement. Mr. McClelland remained at the front for about four months and during the service was ill with the measles. He never afterward fully recovered his health and died on the loth of March, 1901. in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He voted with the Republican part}-, and althougli never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he kept well informed on the issues and -questions of the day. In 1890 he was land appraiser and also school director. For eight years he was director of the Greene county agricultural board and then resigned l>ecause the board determined to have horse racing at the county fairs. He did not object to speeding horses, in fact was very fond of a good horse and loved to test its speed, his objection to the racing at the fairs being on the ground of the gambling which was connected with it. Mr. McClelland long held membership in the Second United Pres- I'xterian church and for thirty years served as elder, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of Christianity and promote the growth of the church. His life was one that was in harmonv with princijiles of upright manhood and in which he had due regard for all his obligations to his fellow men. He was honorable, courteous, kindly and possessed a genial and friendly disposition, and thus his death was sincerely and deeply mourned throughout the community. ^Irs. ^IcClelland has long been identified with the United Presbyterian church.

Edmuxd Harris Muxger

Judge E. H. ilunger is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Ohio, whose representatives have for a century been connected with the development and progress of this state, but further back can he trace his ancestry, for in an early eptKh in the colonization of America his ance.stors cajiie to the new world. The Munger family is of English lineage and from the county of Kent in the year 1639 came one of the name, establishing his home in Xew England, where his descendants became active factors in the substantial up-

Edmund Hunger, tlie grand fatlier of our subject, was a general in tlie war of 1812 and for a time w-as in charge of the Ohio army, liut after was superseded by General Hull, who took the troops to Detroit wlierc he afterward surrendered them, (jcneral Munger was a farmer Ijy occupation and was a man of marked ability along many lines. He had considerable mechanical talent, could shoe his own horse and repair his farm machincrv and at the same time his mental talents and broad knowledge made him a leader of public thought and opinion. On coming to Ohio, he spent one siuimier on Avild land near Belpre, in Washington ciiunty, where he cleared some of his land and planted a crop. Afterward he purchased an entire section - si.\ hundred ami forty acres - of what was known as the Simnis purchase, south of Dayton in Montgomery county, in 1798. His new tract of land General ]\Iunger cleared anil for many years made his home thereon. At first he lived in true pioneer style, his home being a log cabin, but as the years passed and he won prosperity, he added to his place all modern equipments and conveniences and erected a large brick residence. He was a man deeply interested in all that pertains to the promotion of the general welfare, was a leader in public thought and action, and was called to represent his district in the state legislature. In fact, he was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his portion of the state. He would hold church meetings, singing societies and meetings of a similar character which tended to promote sociability as well as culture and morality among the people of the community. He donated the ground upon which a school was built and was an active factor in advancing general progress. He tiled at liis home en the old Simms pttrchase at the age of eighty-six years, while his wife reached the very advance age of one hundred years and four months.

Reuben Munger, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood on the old family homestead in (jhin, although he was bom in New England. He was the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, ten of whom reached years of maturity and reared frnnilies of their own. He received the ortlinary common school advantages offered at that time and became a well informed man. His father established a circulating library and the children therefore liad the opportunity of acquiring much knowledge in that wa\-. He learned the trade of a builder and for many years was e.\tensi\-ely and successfully engaged in contracting and carpentering. Like his fath.er he possessed much mechanical ability and ingenuit}-. and could not onl\- engage in carpentering, but could make carriages and wagons and even constructed threshing machines in that early day. He married, Laura Harris, also a native of Montgomery county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bingham) Harris, who were Xew England people, and removed to Ohio at an early period in the settlement of this state. Unto Reuben and Laura Munger were born three children, the eldest being the Judge, while the second son was John, who died at the age of nineteen years. The third child was Amanda, who died at the age of four vears. John passed away in New Orleans, to which city he had been taken on account of his health, but he died the evening after his arrival. Although he always resided upon a farm, Reuben Munger never actively en- gaged in agricultural jjursuits. He lived to a very ripe <.)ld age, passing away in his ninety-sixth year, while his wife died at the age of seventy-four, at the old home on Montgomerv county. Following her death, the father came to Greene county and spent his last days in the home of the Judge in Xenia.

Like most boys of the period, Judge Munger began his education in the common such as existed during his boyhood and was also instructed by a neighbor, the Rev. Mr. Hall, who taught him to read Latin. He took up the study of algebra and surveying independently and made for himself a set of surveying instruments. He also made a set of blocks to illustrate the law of root. After he had mastered the branches of learning taught in the neighborhood schools, he began teaching in the coinmon schools and followed that profession for a number of years, alternating his educational work, however, by attendance at the Xenia Academy and the academy conducted by ^Ir. Barney in Dayton. Subseciuently he pursued a collegiate course in Aliami University at Oxford, and when in the senior year, together with si.xteen of his classmates, he left that institution and went to Danville. Kentucky, completing his course of study there by his graduation in the class of 1848. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him and he was chosen to deli\'er the graduating address, taking as his sul)ject The Ideal. Judge Munger earned the sum necessary to defray his expenses throughout the period in which he was obtaining his education, with the exception of the sum necessary for the last term -of three months.

After his graduation Judge Plunger returned to his home and established a school for \fiung men and women at Bellbrook, Greene county, conducting the same for nine months. He then began reading law with Josepli G. Gest. of Xenia, with whom he read for two _\-ears, after which he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Columbus, in 185 1. He then went into partnership with his preceptor, a connection that was maintained for two or three years, when ]\Ir. Gest retired from practice and Judge ^Nlunger purchased his library and admitted R. F. Howard to a partnership in the business. On the expiration of two }ears, this relation was discontinued and since that time Judge Munger has been alone in practice. For years he maintained a very prominent position at the bar of Ohio. His standing at the bar was a merited tribute to his ability. He threw hiinself easily and naturally into the argument with a selfpossession and a deliberation in which there was no straining after effect, but with a precision and clearness in his statements and an accuracy and strength i:i his arguments which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investigation and in which the closest reasoning was habitual and easy. He has now largely retired from practice, for the years have brought him success and he is today the possessor of a handsome competence.

On the 3d of October, 1861, the Judge was imited in marriage to Aliss Emilv .\. Mather, of Suffield, Connecticut. The ancestry can be traced back to Richard Mather, the distinguished minister who was one of the first to proclaim the £;ospel in the new world. Charles and Mary }Jather, the parents of Mrs. Munger, were natives of Connecticut and never came to Ohio. Her miiiher is still living at the age of ninetytwo years. Unto the Jndge and his wife were horn six children: Clara, the wife of Joseph Littell, of Indiana[)olis, who is a minister of the United Presbyterian church, li\' whom she has four sons: J(.ihn C, who married Flora Barnes and is now a practitioner of law in Toledo; Laura, the wife of l\. W. Xinde, a lawyer of Fort Wayne, Indiana, b}^ whom she has four children ; Edmund, who is a graduate of Brown University and is a musician of note, now studying music in the city of Vienna, Austria: Mary, who completed her musical education in Berlin ; and Charles, at home.

Judge ]Munger served for three and onehalf years ujxjn the bench of the common pleas court. He was first appointed lj_\- (Jcjvernor Hayes to fill out the unexpired term of Judge \\'inans, and later was elected to the same ofifice. He never held other otificial ix)sitions save that of prosecuting attorney, in which capacity he served for seven years prior to the time when he went upon the bench. In jxilitics he was originally a AN'hig, but joined the Republican party upon its organization. As the years have passed he has made judicious investments and is today the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Greene county. He h also a stockholder in the Xenia National, th.e Citizens' National, and the Dayton Xational Banks. His scholarly attainments. his statesmanship and reliable judgment, and his charming powers of conversation ha\e enabled him to ably fill and grace any l)osition however exalted, but he did not seek preferment in that direction, desiring rather, to give his undivided attention to the practice of law during the many years of his acti\e connection therewith, and as has been truly said, "Xo political preferment, no mere

William G. Coxfer

Among the honored residents of Yellow Springs was numbered William G. Confer, now deceased. He was lx)rn at Flagerstown. Washington county, Maryland. December 29. 1823, and was a representative of an excellent family, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer, the former a native of France and the latter of Hagerstown. Maryland. George Confer emigrated I', the United States with his father, wbo settled in ^Maryland, and in 1802 'came to Greene county, Ohio, locating on the land which was for so many years the home of our subject. Tliis farm of two hundred acres was secured from the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The farm labors of the grandfather were at one time interrupted by his enlistment for ser\ice in the war of 1812, but with the exception of this period he followed agricultural ])ursuits throughout his life. The parents of our subject were married in Hagerstown. ^laryland. and after residing in Ohio for a time they returned to the former state, which was their place of abode until 1834. In that year they again came to Ohio, where th.ey spent their remaining ciays, the former dying in 1857, and the latter passing away in 1870. They were the parents of five children and were most highly respected people.

William G. Confer w^as a lad of fourteen years when he left his boyhood home in Maryland and accompanied his parents on their second removal to this state. Here he entered the public schools, pursuing his studies in a log- school-iiouse in which were a puncheon floor, slab scats and greased paper windows. He remained upon the home farm until the death of his father and until after his marriage. That important event in h.is life occurred cm the 29th of December, 1S57. tlie lady of his choice l>eing Mary Jane, a daughter of Philip F. and Jane (Wolf) Cost. Mr. Confer built a log cabin which he and his family occupied until 1866, when he was enaljled to erect a more modern residence. In 1876 he built a large barn at a cost of several thousand dollars and numerous other structures on the premises, indicating in a marked manner the enterprise and thrift of the owner. In addition to the improvement upon the place Mr. Confer carried on successfully the work of tilling the soil and raising crops. He also invested considerable capital in the village of Yellow Springs, erecting the i)ostoffice building here and also a livery stable.

Unto our subject and his wife were lK)rn hve children. George B.. their first born, died in October, 1887, at the age of twentyeight years. Elizabeth J. is the wife of Jacob S. Cosier, a resident of Miami township, and they have five children, Elsie J., Lewis \\'., Mary F., Russell H. and Georgiana. Mr. Cosier is a farmer and a very prominent man. John P. resides upon the old home place engaged in the raising of Jersey cattle and in conducting a dairy. Fie wedded Mary Jacobs, a daughter of A. Jacobs, of Miami township, and they have two adopted children, Gertrude Alexander and Harry Gross. Frank resides at Yellow Springs and is agent for the Springfield Laundry. He married Maude Bailey and they have one daughter, Ruth. The fifth member of the Confer family died in infancv.

In 1894 Mr. Confer left the farm and removed to Yellow Springs, where he lived a retired life until his death, June 11, 1902, He was a member in good standing of the Reformed Presbyterian church in which he served as elder and deacon for many years, and to which his wife also belongs. He became identified with the church when fourteen years of age and his life was ever in consistent harmony with its teachings and principles. In politics he was a Republican and f<jr two \ears he was a member of theschool l)oard of his district, while for several terms he served as supervisor. He remembered many interesting incidents of the early times. From 1809 until 1812 his father hauled flour from Cincinnati, si.x barrels making a load, and it required six barrels to pay for a barrel of salt. He saw the first ferry-boat plying from New Orleans to- Cincinnati, it taking seventy-five days to complete that journey. In early life ]\Ir. Confer became familiar with the hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier and bore his part in the work of development and progress here. He took a deep interest in the welfare and upliuilding of the criunty and thrnughout the long vears of his residence here was ever known as a loval and valued citizen.

Simeon P. Alallow is one of the wideawake young farmers of Caesarscreek township, and while no exciting chapters are found in his life history, be is known as a worthy citizen interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and at the same time providing comfortably for his family by the exercise >ii gmid business jiulgment and unflagging industry. His home is on the Hussey pike and it was upon tliis farm tliat iiis birth occurred September 17, 1868, his [Kirents being John and Hannah (Peterson) Mallow. His paternal grandfather was George Malliiw, a native of Virginia, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, Ohio, where the parents of our subject were educated in the district schools, after which tlieir marriage was celebrated in this county, where their sterling traits of character made them recognized as leading and representative citizens of the community. They became the parents of four children : Martha J., the wife of B. L. Lewis, who resides near Paintersville, this county ; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of D. C. Spahr; Charles, who died in infancy ; and Simeon, of this review. The father took an active interest in political affairs and espoused the cause of the Republican party. He served as trustee of his township lor several years and was also town treasurer. Both he and his wife belonged to the German Refomied church and Mr. Mallow was called to his i'lnal rest in 1893 ^^ the age of seventy-three years, while his wife died in January, 1887, at the age of sixty-four years, their remains being interred in the cemetery of Xenia.

In the district schools Simeon P. Mallow acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the business college in Springfield. Ohio. Like most young men who start cnit in life for themselves he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey, and on the 26th of November, 1891, he was jonied in wedlock to Miss Ida M. Hook, who was born in Greene county, daughter of Clinton and Mary (Downey) Hook, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Clinton county. They now reside near Xenia. In their family were ten children, of whom seven are yet lixing as follows: Ida M., now Mrs. Mallow; Pearl, the w-ife of Samuel Snyder, a resident of Columbus ; Georgia B., the W'ife of Harry Bales, who is now living near Xenia; Charles E., Bertha Fay, Lawrence and Homer, at home.

By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mallow have become the parents of tive children : Eva Fern, who died in childhood ; Chester L., 01i\e, Ralph O. and Lois Esther, who are still with their parents. The wife and mother is a member of the Methodist Protestant church of Paintersville, which Mr. ^lallow also attends and supports.

Mr. Mallow operated the old home farm from 1888 to 1893. when after the death of his father he bought the interests of the other heirs and is now- the possessor of a fine farm of three hundred and five acres, well improved with a good residence, barns and all modern conveniences. The fields return a golden harvest for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Mallow is also engaged in the raising of short horn cattle and this branch of his business is likewise profitable. He is a member of the firm of Mallow', Lew-is & Long, who own and operate the New Jasper limestone quarry, comprising fifty-five acres, from w-hich they ship building stone, having a sw-itch from the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. They also manufacture brick and tile, their plant having a capacity of twenty thousand per day. Politically Mr. Mallow is a Repul)lican. and he takes an active interest in public affairs, has served as clerk and treasurer of his township, and is filling the latter position at the present time. He is know-n as an active and reliable business man, of a bright and jovial disposition, and his genial-

James A. Gowdy, who resides on the iipper Bellbrook road in Greene county, was born March 25, 1852, on this farm, which has been in the family for about one hundred years. In early pioneer times when Greene county was just emerging from its wild condition into the light of cix^ilizalion, the Gowdy family came to Ohio. John Gowdy was born in Connecticut in 1747 and Avas of Scotch-Irish parentage. He married Abigail Ryan, who was of \\'elsh descent, and about 1782 emigrated westward, locating first at the north bend of the Ohio river. Later owing to military troubles, he was compelled to remove t(j the military station at the falls of the Ohio and from there went to a settlement which afterward became Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. There the family lived until about 1809, when they came to Greene county, settling on a farm two miles west of Xenia on the upper Bellbrook pike. John Gowdy died about five years later, passing away November 7. 1814. His ,wife survived him for alwut twenty-four years and departed this life on the r>th of May, 1838. They had eleven children. The eldest. James Gowdy, was married three times, his first wife being Joanna Townsley, his second Sarah Brown, and his third Jane Purdy. His children were John. James. George. Joanna, who became the wife of William L. Finley. Samuel and Philander. Samuel Gowdy. the second of the family, married. Isabelie Cowley and their children were John Rvan. Abigail. Martha. Samuel.

Frank. Robert Williamson and Diana Alel- Jane, the third member of the Gowdy family, became the wife of Joseph Kyle and unt(j them were lx)rn the following named : Mary. Joseph Addison, Abigail, Catherine, John, James, Sanuiel, \\'illiam and Martha. Martha Gowdy married John Jolly and their only child was James Gowdy JoHv- The next members of the family were Mary an<l Robert. John Gowdy. who followed in the order of birth, married Prudence Foglesong and their children were George Foglesong, Catherine, John, James, Charles, Sarah, Margaret, Albert and Thomas. Alexander married Eleanor FitzgerreUl and their children were John Ryan. Ellen. Abigail. Sarah. Cyrus and Mary. Abigail, the next member of the Gowdy family, became the wife of Robert Stevenson, and their children were John, Thomas. Rachel and Abigail. Ryan Gowdv was twice married, his wi\'es being sisters - Diana and Xancy ^Morgan, and his children were John, Mary. Ryan, Adelaide and X'ancy. Sarah, the xoungest of this family, liecame the wife of Peter Jacob}', and their children were Abigail. Marv. Jane, John, Ann, Henry, Rachel and Susanna.

Robert Gowdy. the grandfather of our subject, married Xancy ]Macke\-. the fifth child of Alexander and Jane Mackey. who \\ere married in Scntland and on cnniing to the United States settled near Lexington, Kentucky. Mrs. Gowdy was born January J. 1785, amd their marriage occurred August 26. 1806. On coming to Xenia Ihev first lived in a stone house which stood on the southwest corner of Detroit and Third streets, where the coal yard of Ea\-ey & Cozad is miw Incated. Robert Gowdy was a tanner by trade and conducted his business at the place of his residence, on the west side of Detroit street, between Water street and Siiawnee creek. He served as captain and inajnr in tlie war ut iSu and afterward held the Cdniniissiun as culonel in the state militia. Their children were Ariminta, Jane Ryan, John Alexander. Martha, Mary, Eliza. Ahii^ail, l\ol)ert, Xancy Ann, Sarah, James Marion and Jsaljella. Of this number Ariminta died in 183 1, and Martha. .\anc\- and James Marion died in infancy. Jane became the wife of .\maziah Pilcher ; John married Sarah M. Bradford ; ^lary became the wife of John McBride; and Eliza of William \'. Klioades : while Robert married Emily Manor; and Sarali became the wife of John Lawrence Jolly: and Isabella of Jacob Fishell. Abigail was married to William Twiss. Robert (iowdy, the father of this family, died Uecemlier 16, 1831. and I'.is wife died during the cholera epidemic in i84(j on the 3d of .\ugust.

The parents of James A. (iowdy were Roliert and Emil\- (Manor) (iowdy. He was born on the Cincinnati pike and spent his entire life in (ireene countv. where he passed away in October, 1894. at the age of se\'enty-five years, his remains being interred in Woodland ccmetcrw His wife died in June. 1883. at the age of tifty-eight }'ears. Mr. (jowd\' voted with the Whig part\' in earlv life and afterward became a stanch Ivepulilican. Me scr\'ed for two terms as infirmary director and in all matters pertaining to the general welfare he took a deep' and acti\-e interest. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as a leader for many years. In their family were eight children : ' George E.. a minister of the Presbyterian church, now living- in Lebanon. Ohio; Elizabeth, the tleceased wife of William Anderson, a United Presbvterian minister; James .V.. whose name introduces this record: William F., a Presbyterian minister living at Pleasant Ridge; Charles B., who for many years was secretary and treasurer of the Xenia Shoe Company, and died in March, 1902; Luella, the wife of R. D. Williamson, of Cedarville township; Robert L., an attorney of Xenia; and luiiily, who died at the age of six weeks.

Lewis Smith

The Ijoard of C(junty commissioners in Creene vounty has been composed of a number of the leading citizens, men who have been unselfishly devoted to the welfare and progress of the communitv and who enjoyed tb.e esteem and confidence of the best citizens of this portion of the state. Among the number who have capably served on the board was Lewis Smith. He came of an old \'irginia family, his paternal grandparents being Jacoli and Xancy Smith, Ijoth of whom were nati\-es of the Old Dominion, Init at an earl_\- date they emigrated westward and in Greene county established their home, casting in their lot amf)ng the pioneer settlers. It was upon the old home farm here that James Smith, the father of our subject, was Ijorn August 4. 1810. He was reared in the usual manner of lads of that period. The countrv was wild, the forest uncut, the streams unbridged and very little of the land was cleared. He assisted his father in the development and cultivation of the home farm until he decided to make some other pursuit his life work and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years. He married Elizabeth Cane, who was born January 8, 1816, a daughter of Robert and Sarah Cane. Air. Smith died on tlie 28th of' February, 1876, and his wife, surviving him for many years, passed away on the 20th of April. 1895.

Lewis Smith, whose name introduces this review, was Ijorn in Xew BurHngton, Greene county, Ohio, May 5, 1837, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth there, obtaiiiing his education in the pubhc schools. Like his father he learned the blacksmith's trade and continued to work in the smithy until 1897, receiving a good patronage on account of his excellent workmanship and his honoral)le business methods. Li the \ ear mentioned he was elected county commissioner and served continuously in that office up to the lime of his deatli, which occurred May 7, 1902. He was a member of the board that contracted for and built the new courthouse in Xenia at a cost of more than two hundred thousand dollars. He was complimented and commended for the active interest which he took in the welfare of the citizens of Greene county and his worth was widely recognized.

On Christmas day of i860 was celebrated the marriage of ]\Ir. Smith and Miss Rachael Elizabeth Craft, a daughter of Allen Craft, who was a farmer but is now deceased. Unto our subject and his wife were born ten children, of whom nine are yet living, namely: Rena Bell, ilinnie E., Hattie M.. Wesley Allen, William Francis, \Vayne Craft, \\'alter Le Roy, Harley Hays and Leslie Leonard. Socially Mr. Smith was connected with the ^Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Xcw Burlington. In his political views Mr. Smith was a stanch Republican, never swer\ing in his allegiance to the party whose principles he believed contain the best elentents of good government. His life was quietly passed in the faithful performance of each day's duties, and while there were no exciting chapters in his history it yet contains many lessons that are worthv of emulation.

The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished, and as taken in contradistinction to ilie old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of the place where he has passed his actixe life, and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Xenia. He is to-day connected with man_v business interests which are of value to Xenia through promoting its commercial activity, whereon rest the i)rosperity and upbuilding" of every town or city. He is to-day cashier of the Citizens" Xational Bank and is also a representative of many other important business concerns.

F. E. McGervey was born in this city on the 2 1 St of January, 1856, his parents being James and Caroline (Brown) Mc- Gervey. the former a native of Penns_\lvania and the latter of Xew Hampshire. It is supposed that the McGervey family is of Scotch- Irish origin. The parents of James McGer\ey died during his infancy and he was reared by a Pennsylvania Dutch family. In early life he learned the saddler's trade and in 1828 he emigrated westward, traveling b\- stage coach and becoming a resident of Xenia, which was then a thriving little village. Fur more than sixty-seven years he condncted a harness shop in this place, continning in husiness up to the time of his death. His excellent workmanship, his honoralile treatment of his patrons and his unremitting diligence brought to him success and he gained, as result of his labors, a comfortable competence. He was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Brown, who had three sisters, and all nf them, like Mrs. Mc- Ciervey. celebrated their goMen weddings, and each sister with her husband attended the celebration of the fiftieth wedding anniversary of all the others. The father of our subject passed away in 1895 at the advanced age of eighty-five years and his wife was seventy-nine years at the time of her death. Tliey were the parents of eight children, but three of the number died in childhood. The others are as follows: Harriet is the wife of J. D. Watt, of Scotia, Xeljraska. Mrs. Sarah ^1. now a widow, is the principal of the Woman's College at Fredericksliurg. Maryland. James L. is connected with the firm of Jobe Brothers, merchants of Xenia. William R., who now resides in Kansas City, was the organizer of the Citizens' Xational liank in 188], and ser\ed as its cashier until 1896, when his health failed him and he removed to Kansas City, where lie has since made his home. The youngest member of the family is the subject of this review.

Frank E. McGervey is indebted to the public school system of Xenia for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He entered upon his business career when only bfteen years of age, being first employed as liookkeeper and w ben seventeen \-ears of age he was head bookkeeper of a large mercantile concern. Since that time he has been engaged in clerical wnrk. altlnuigh he has not given his entire attention to it. In 1876 he entered the office of the county treasurer as deputy and filled that positinn for eight consecutive years. In 1884 he was elected county treasurer and served for two terms in that capacity. On the expiration of that period he entered the iiisurance and real estate business and is still a member of the firm of McGervey & Le Sourd. In 1897 he entered the Citizens" Xational Bank of Xenia as cashier and has since continued in that position, the success and high standing of the institution being attributable in no small degree to the efforts of the popular and efficient cashier. He also has other interests, being connected as a stockholder with leading entcr[)rises here. He is the secretary and treasurer of the Gas Company and of the Electric Light Company.

On the 29th of January. 1880. Mr. ]\Ic- Gervey was united in m.arri.-ige with ^liss Julia Dean, a native of Greene county and a daughter of David Dean of Xenia. She is the younger of two children, her brother, D. C. Dean, being the superintendent of the Xenia Gas Company. Unto Mr. and i\Irs. McGervey were also born two children, but the daughter died in infancy, \\'alter E. is now acting as bookkeeper in the bank. Mrs. McGervey belongs to the United Presbyterian church and our subject holds membership in the ^Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been chorister for a cjuarter of a century. He has always been identified w ith the musical circles of Xenia and is the director of the Association Chorus of this city, comprised of one hundred and twentyfive members. In politics he is a stanch Republican but has never consented to hold office, saive that of county treasurer. He also belongs to the Young [Men's Christian Association and for fifteen vears has been su active memljer of its board, taking a deep interest in all that pertains to the moral development and mental cnlture of the citv as well as to its material npbnilding. His advancement has been continuous, his promotion coming to him in recognition of his capability, efficiency and accuracy. Well merited success now crowns his efforts, and he is honored and esteemed by all who know him.

Jasper X. Wilsox

Jasper X. \\'ils(in. who follows general farming in the southeastern part of Bath township, was born May 28, 1S50. in this township, and is a son of \\'illiam and Elizabeth E. (Watts) \\'ilson. The father's birth occurred in Bath township October 14, 181 2. his parents being William and Catherine (Hefflex) \^'ilslln. The former was a native of Kentucky and about 1800 came to dreene county. Ohio, while the grandmother arrived five years later, coming from Maryland, her native state. Soon after reaching Ohio the grandfather entered land from the government, thus becoming the owner of a tract in the eastern part of Bath township, which he at once began to improve. He was called out in ser\Mce in the war of 1812 and there contracted disease which terminated his life. After his death liis wife left the farm and made her home with her husband's father, Michael Wilson, There she died six months after the birth of her son William.