Jerome Township (part 19 of 19)

George G. Spangler, the son of Alexander and Minerva (HulTman) Spangler, was born in Pleasant township, Franklin county, Ohio, February 24, 1856. His father was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, the son of Adam and Rachel (Tamjuary) Spangler. ^linerva HufTman was the daughter of John and Sarah ( Doe) Huffman, and was a native of Pickaway. Adam Spangler came to Franklin county about 1826 and entered six hundred acres of land, three miles west of Harrisburg, where he lived the remainder of his life. The Huffman family came into Franklin county, Ohio, and settled in the same locality. Alexander Spangler and Minerva Huffman were married in that county and to them were born seven children, three of whom are now living: John R., a farmer of Plea.sant township, Franklin county, Ohio; Rachel A., the widow of J. W. Gray, of Harrisburg, Ohio; and George G., of Union county.

George G. .Spangler was reared on his father's farm in Franklin county, Ohio, and educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood. After leaving school, he took up farming with his father and remained at home until his marriage. He continued farming in Franklin county after his marriage until 1881, when he came to Union county and purchased sixty acres in

Washington township, on which he hved until iqoi. in that \-ear he bought his present farm of one hundred and forty acres in Ynrk township, on which he has placed many extensive improvements. He huilt a tine harn in 1910 and in various other ways his increased his farm and made it more valuable. He is a general farmer, dividing his attention between .stock raising and grain raising.

George G. Spangler wasniarried Sc])teml)er 12, 18S3, to Susan AI. Lewis, a daughter of Rev. L. E. Lewis, a Christian minister of Pickawav county. Mrs. Spangler was born in T'ickaway county May 22. 1865, and remained at home until her marriage to Mr. Spangler. To this union have been horn three children: Ora May, the wife of O. M. Andrews, of West Mansfield, Ohio; Clarence E.. who married Martha K. Stalev. a daughter of A. T. Staley, of Richwood, Ohio: and Marietta, the wife of Dale Stalev, a .son of Frank Staley.

Mr. Spangler and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at York. The Republican party claims the hearty support of Mr. Spangler, although he has ne\er taken an acti\e part in its deliberations in this county. 'Sir. Spangler is essentially a self-made man and his |iresent farm is a direct result of his industrv and good man.agement.

Silan H. Pollxg

The Poling famih' ha\e been residents of L'nion county, (..)liio, since i860 and Silan H. Poling, whose history is here presented, arrived in this county with his parents on his eighteenth birthday. Mr. ['oling has been a lifelong farmer and now has one hundred and sixteen and one-half acres in .Allen township, to which he has gi\en his attention for many years, fie has followefl general farming with a success which speaks well for his efforts, while at the same time he has taken an active ]iart in the \arions phases of his community's life.

Silan PI. Poling, the son of Jose|)h and I 'hoebe (.McKinncy) Poling, was born in West Virginia, September 27, 184-'. PI is father was a nati\-e of Maryland and at the age of six months came with his parents to P>arbour county, W'est Virginia, where he grew to manhood and married. In the fall of i860 Joseph Poling decided to come to L^nion county, Ohio, and arri\-ed in this county on September 2/. of that \-ear, and at once located in' Allen townshii), where he lived until his death. Eight chiKlrcn were l)orn tn

Toseph P'oling aiul wife, Jaiu', Jesse ]!., Catherine, Silan H., Sarah E., Savannah. Jeremiah and James D. All ni these children are still living with tlie exception of Catherine.

Silan H. Poling arrived in I'nioii county, Ohio, with his parents on the day he was eighteen vears of age and, consequently, most of his education was received in the schools of West Virginia. He remained at home until the spring of 1S70. when he married and began farming for him.self. He has a well imprn\ed farm of one hundred and six acres, while his wife owns ten acres and a half, giving them a total acreage of one hundred sixteen and onehalf. He has engaged in general grain and stock raising and by judiciously dividing his attention between these two lines of activity he has made a very comfortable living for himself and family.

Silan H. Poling was married in the spring of 1870 to Philinda Parthemore. a native of Union county., Ohio. To this union four children have been born: Cora, the wife of Horance Laird; Syhia. the wife of George Connolly; Hubert, wlio married Alary Dever. and Orlyn. who married May Dunbar.

Politically, Mr. Poling has given his loyal support to the Republican partv and has always taken an intelligent interest in the various political questions which have come up for his party's consideration. He has served as a member of the school board for his township and has always been active in advancing the educational interests of his tow-nship. The life which Mr. Poling has led stamps him as a man who has the interest of his community at heart and a man who is concerned with its welfare.

Robert S. Fish

A farmer of Dover township, Union county. Ohio, who has long been connected with the history of his township, is Robert S. Fish, who has taken an active part in the life of his community along every line, and the fact that he has served as trustee of his townshijo shows that his fellow citizens have confidence in his ability and integrity. As a farmer he ranks among the most progressive of the township .-uid his farm is a tribute to his energy and integrity.

Roljcrt .S. iMsh. the son of David and Elizabeth (Wells) Fish, was born July II, 18C15, in Delaware county, Ohio. His father was one of the early settlers in Union county, cnmini;- U) this county early in its histurv from his native county of Frederick, Maryland. l)a\i(l Fish and wife were the ])arents of six children: David H., deceased: Arhanus, deceased: an infant, deceased; James C. of Logan county, this state: Roliert S.. of Union county, and John W., of Delaware countv, Ohio.

Robert S. Fish attended the country schools of Sciotcj township, Delaware county, Ohio, and came with his parents to Union county al)out fortyfive years ago. The family settled in Mill Creek township, and Rohcrt attended the district schools there for a >hort time after his ])arents located in Union county. Fie remained at home until he reached the age of twentv-four and then began renting land and farming for himself in Mill Creek township. He then moved to Paris township, where lie rented for a time, after which he mo\'ed again to Claibou.rne township and located on a rented farm. He then returned to Mill Creek township and after living on rented land in that township for a few years he bought his present farm of fifty acres in Dover township, on the Sherman road, about three and three-fourths miles southeast oi Do\-er. He has placed nian\- impr(]venients upon his farm since acquiring it. and by a system of intensive culti\'ation he has made it to vield a bountiful harvest year by year.

Mr. h'ish was married September o. 1S03. to Rosella Clarke, the daughter of Hamilton and Jane ( I'ennypacker ) Clarke. Mr. anil ]Mrs. Clarke were both born in Delaware count}-. Ohio, and are still living there. Mr. Fish and his wife are the parents of three children, one of whom is living, Hamilton. Opal S. and one other child died in infancy. Hamilton is attending the public schools of his township.

Mr. Fish and his wife are ln\al and consistent members of the Christian church. Politically, he is a Democrat, although he is not a partisan by an}- means, but reser\-es the right t<:i cast his l)allot for the best nian. irrespective of their political affiliations, and licliexes that in sc) doing he is best serving the cause of good gmernnient. Fraternalh-. Mr. I'isli is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Do\-er. The success which has ciune to him has been accomplished by hard work, and he feels that no small ])art of this is due to his wife. Mrs. Fish has been ver\- much interested in the raisii-ig of Brown Feghorn chickens in the past few }-ears. and has been remarkal)ly successful in handling them. Mr. and Mrs. Fish are |)eople of genial ])ersonality and have a host of friends throughout the township antl county \\-ho admire them for their n-iany good qualities.

Edwin H. January

Among the farmers of Union county, Ohio, who are hving on the farms where thev were born may be mentioned Edwin H. January, whose whole career has been spent within the hmits of this county. He has a fine farm of one hundred and one acres, four miles northeast of West Mansfield, where he has resided since his marriage. As a young man, Mr. January taught school for a few years and then engaged in farming and has made it his life's work.

Edwin H. January, the son of Nesbit and Sarah M. (Savage) January, was born on the farm where he is now residing, June i8, 1879. His father was born in Jamestown, Ohio, the son of James January, while his mother was a nati\e of Union county. Of the thirteen children born to Nesbit January and wife, ten grew to maturity and eight are still living: Irena, the widow of Lafayette Ward; James, of Portland, Oregon; Ira, of Columbus, Ohio: Witcliff, of Richwood, Ohio; Mary, the wife of C. G. Ilby, of Columbus, Ohio; Reuben, a farmer of York township; Carolyn, of San Francisco, California; Edwin H., of York township.

Nesbit January was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood. His father died when he was very young and he had to support his mother and two sisters and, no doubt, this responsibility was one of the reasons of his success later in life. He became one of the most prominent citizens in L nion count}' and at the time of his death, Julv 16, 1906, he owned a farm of two hundred acres in York township, all of which was the direct result of his own efforts. He was an extensive stock raiser and a man who always had the interest of his community at heart. He and his wife were de\out members of the Disciples church and interested in all church work. In jjolitic^ he gave his hearty support to the Republican partv, although he nc\er aspired for an office, yet was looked upon as a great factor in [Republican politics in his county. His wife passed away several years previous to his death.

Edwin H. January was reared on his father's farm in A'ork township, and after completing the common school course of his own township, he graduated from the Marysville high school and then Ijecame a student in the Ohio Northern University at .\da. .After leaving college, he taught for three vears in the district schools of this county and then decided to engage in farming. His well iniiiroved farm and the high grade of live stock which i> found ujion it indicate that he is a jirogressive farmer and thoroughly upto-date in all of his methods.

Air. January was married June 19, [907, to Xell Palmer, wlio was Ijurn in Texas, June 19. icSSO, the dauglUer nf .\m<js and Anna ( Kirkpatrick) Palmer, of Irish descent. Mrs. January was educated in Texas. Mr. January and his wife have twn children: Eliza, born in September, 1908, and died in September, i()i(5: and Pierre P.. born September 22. 191J.

In politics. Mr. January is identilicd with the Repul)lic;ui ])arty and has been acti\e in local political matters, althoui^h ne\'er a candidate for jnibhc office. Mrs. January is a member nf the Christian church rmd while Mr. January is not a member of the church, yet he contrilnites s^enerously of his means to its support.

Lester Herbert Holycross

For more than three-quarters of a century the Holycross family have been residents of Union county, Ohio, and the family is worthily represented bv Lester Herbert Holycross, a prosperous and substantial farmer now living in Darby township. His farm is well imi)ro\ed in every resjject and is one of the mo.st attractive country homes in the county. Air. Holycr(JSS has devoted all his time and attention to farminj^- and with a success which speaks well for his efforts. He has lout;- been one of the most active and leading- citizens in agricultural and stock raising interests in the county, and his labors have been a potent force in making this rich agricultural region one of the best in the whole state. He has carried on general farming and while he has prospered he has also found time and ample opportunity to assist in the material and ci\'ic development of his count}-.

Lester H. Holvcross, the .s'.m of Samuel Bradford and Elizalieth .\riette ( Bidwell ) Holvcross, was born July 8. 1867, on his present farm in Darby township, Union county. Samuel Ibilycross was the son of David and Phoebe (Fenner) Holvcross. i-iatives of \'irginia and Connecticut, res])ecti\-cly. Samuel Holvcross was l)orn in Madison county, this state, and mo\ed with his parents to L'nion county when liul three years of age. He was n-iarried September 3, 1865, and reared a family of three children: Lester H., of Darby township; Clifton, deceased, and Ida. who married A. L. Scheiljlich. Ida has one daughter, Elizabeth, who i> now in school.

Mr. Holvcross received all of his education in the schools of I'nion county, and earlv in life decided that he would follow the vocation of a fata-|-ier. He remained at home until he was married and then began farm- (70) ing on his present farm in Darb}- township. He has one hundred and thirty-four acres near JMilford Center and a farm of two hundred and thirtynine acres near Plain City. His farms are l)Oth kept in a high state of cultivation and are equipped with every modem convenience for successful agriculture. He is an extensive stock raiser, and handles only the best grades of stock, ]ia\ing found b_\- experience that it does not pay to keep any but the best.

Mr. Holvcross was married February 28, 1895, to Althea Worthington, the daughter of John and Candace (Smith) Worthington, and to this union have been born tliree children, Candace, Clifton and Wendell. Mrs. Holycross' father was a native of Connecticut, and her mother of Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Worthington died in 1908 and Airs. Worthington died in 1883.

Politically, Mr. Holycross is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political matters. Mr. Holycross is a man who has shown good business qualities and in all of his financial dealings he has so conducted himself tliat he has won the hearty approbation of his fellow men. He is a worthy scion of one of the old and influential pioneer families of the county, and has kept untarnished the good name which his ancestors ever bore unsullied. He is a man of pleasing personality, who easily makes friends, and because of his splendid qualities of head and heart his friends are as numerous as his acquaintances.

Sylvanus H. Skidmore

For nearly sixty years Sylvanus H. Skidmore has been a resident of York township, Union county, Ohio. In this township he was born and here he has spent his life thus far. He is one of those sterling citizens who always stands for the best interests of the community in which they live, and it is safe to say that there is no more highly respected citizen in the township. He has been a life-long farmer and has met with excellent success in agricultural pursuits.

Sylvanus H. Skidmore, the son of Thomas and Hannah J. (Drake) Skidmore, was born in York township, Union county, Ohio, August 5, 1856. His father was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 13, 1825, and was a son of Jf)seph and Rebecca Skidmore. His mother was also a native of Logan county, her birth occurring in June, 1831, and she was the daughter of Chordy and Sarah Drake. To Tlionias and Hannali J. (Drake) Skidmore were born ii\e children: Sarah F.. !)orn July 2, 1850, the wife of Alonzo Ballinger; .Spain A., born Xovemljer 20, 1852, a farmer of York township:

Sylvanus H., born Auoust 5, 1836: Roxanna. horn July 7, 1863, the wife of Henry Powell; Eva M.. born January 13, i8(,(,, the widow of Willis Harvey.

Thomas Skidmore was one of fi\e children born to his parents, Joseph and Rebecca (Garwood) Skidniure. the other four being William Al., Isaac AL, John F. and Hope. The first wife of Joseph Skidmore died, and he then married Rebecca Whittaker. and to his second union seven children were born: Lydia J.. Nancy L., Rebecca E., Lavina, Joseph, Franklin H. and Josiah C. Thomas Skidmore was reared in Logan county. Ohio, where his father had moved about 1817. On August 24, 1S48, Thomas Skidmore was married to Hannah J. Drake, and in November, 1831, he moved from Logan county to Union county and settled in the western part of York township, where he resided until his death. He had a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, on which he built a handsome country residence. He enlisted in February, 1865. in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment, Ohio \'olunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He and his wife were loyal members of the Baptist church.

Sylvanus H. Skidmore was reared on his father's farm in York township, and remained at home until he was about twentv-four \'ears of age, when he began to work out liy the month on farms in his home neighborhoixl and married and moved to his own farm in York townshi]) in December, 1880. He now owns a well improved farm of ninetv-four acres, on which he carries on a diversified system of farming.

Air. Skidmore was married on October 10, 1880, to Alary J. Coons, a daugliter of Brice and .\lmina (Smith) Coons, natives of Union county, and to this union one daughter has been born, Bessie C, who is the wife of Paul Fallman, and has two children, Wendell AI. and Harlin.

Air. and Airs. .Skidmore are earnest and loyal members of the Baptist church at West Alansfield, and ha\e ahva\'s taken a ver\^ active part in all church and Sunday school work. Air. Skidmore is now a deacon of the church, a trustee and has serxed as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school for sexeral years. He has been one of the most consistent attendants of the Sunday school of his church and now holds the Seven-Year Robert Raikes diploma signifying perfect attendance for that length of time and a Twent}-Year Robert Raikes diploma for perfect attendance. On Januarv i, 1913. he completed twenty years of regular attendance in the Sundav school of his church, a record which has seldom, if e\er, l)cen e(iualed in this countv.

Politically, Air. Skidmore is identified with the Republican part\'. but has never taken a pronnnent part in the political affairs of his township and county. He is the owner of fifty-three shares of one hundred dollars each in the Clark Grave \*ault Company, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Skidmore is a broad-minded and public-spirited citizen, who has always been interested in supporting every movement for the upbuilding and advancement of his communitv. and his influence has always been cast for all worthy measures, and bv so doing he has won the regard of a large number of friends throughout the county where he has spent his whole career.

Charles W. Chappell

The career of Charles W. Chappell as a resident of Union county, Ohio, began in 1876, when he first located here. He has been actively identified with the history of Allen township since coming to this county and that he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he has been one of the township trustees for the past twenty-two years and is still an incumbent of this office.

Charles W. Chappell, the son of Thomas and Ann (Horn) Chappell, was born August 6, 1855, in Chenango county, Xew York. Both of his parents were natives of England and lived there several years after their marriage, most of their children be'mg born in England. They came to the United States about 185 1 and located. in the state of New York, where they lived for many years. Both parents died in New Berlin, New York. Of the twelve children boTu to Thomas Chappell and wife, only Charles is now living.

The early training of Charles W. Chappell was received in Chenango county. New York, where he was baptized and reared in the Episcopal church. He remained at home until he was fifteen years of age and then came to Ohio and li\ed two }'ears at New Lewi.sburg. He then came to Union county, where he now resides.

Mr. Chappell was married ATay 12, 1875, to Alice Ann Abraham, daughter of l\Ir. and Mrs. Robert V. Abraham, of this county, and located in North Lewisburg the following year. To this union have been born eight children : Nora Ann : Charley, who has gone before : Robert, who married Grace M. Green December 27, IQ05 ; Sarah Arminta, the wife of Joseph Miller; Charles Beatty. who married Minnie Irene Weller December 25, 1912; Ora Blanche, who was a student of the Deaf and Dumb School at Columbus, Ohio: I'lnrence E., a graduate of the Ohio Northern L^niversity at Ada: and

Mr. and Mrs. Chappell began their married life in Xorth Lewisburg, where Mr. Chappell was engaged in the meat market and grocery business; later he engaged in the livery business. In 1877 they moved to the farm. Through the earnest efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Chappell they have accumulated a well improved farm of eighty-one acres, which is a part of the Robert V. Abraham farm, where they carry on a general system of farming and stock raising.

Politically, Mr. Chappell gives his hearty support to the Progressive party and has always taken a deep interest in political matters. His record of twenty-two years of continuous service as trustee of his township cannot be equaled and is a glowing tribute to his worth as a citizen and his efficiency as a public official. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Mary;5ville.

Hexrv Dorrett Gill

In a little log cabin on the corner of Ottawa and Clinton streets, Richwood, Ohio, there was born during the winter of 1848 a lad who was destined to become one of the prominent business men of Richwood, Ohio. The Gill family has been identified with the history of Richwood since 1835, and Henry Dorrett Gill has spent all of the sixty-six years of his life within the village where he was born. Most of his life has been spent in the buying and selling of grain and feed, and in this particular line of activity he has met with pronounced success. He has exercised good judgment and foresight in all of his business dealings, and bv carefully attending to his varied interests has met with material prosperity.

Henry Dorrett Gill, the son of Joshua S. and Eliza ( Haynes ) (hll, w-as born in Richwood, December 22. 1848. His father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and his mother in Licking county, Ohio. Joshua S. Gill came to Ohio with his parents when he was about six }-ears of age and located in Fairtield county, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage he came to Richwood in 1833, and engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls, although he followed farming at the same time. He bought a farm of seventy-two acres, the same now Ijeing occupied by the fair grounds, and on this farm he subsequently laid out the first and second additions to the \illage of Richwood. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and at the tip.ie of his death, was serving as mayor of Richwood. Joshua S. Gill died j\Iarch 8, 1880. at the age of sixty-two, and his wife died in 1898, at the age of seventv-h\-e. Joshua S. Gill and wife reared a family of seven sons: William, who died at the age of two: Franklin, deceased; Henry D., of Richwood; Joshua S., Jr.. of Columbus, Ohio; Thomas J., of Columbus; Charles F.. of Richwood; Edwin S., of Wenacha, Washington.

The paternal grandparents of Hemy D. Gill were Selmon and Henrietta (Dorrett) Gill, of Maryland and pioneer settlers in Fairfield county, Ohio. Later they moved to Iowa and located near Deverin, Lee county, and dietl there at an advanced age. They were the parents of several children, John S., William H., Edwin S., Ellen, Henrietta and Emma. The maternal grandparents of Henry D. Gill were Col. J. B. and Su.san (Floyd) Haynes. Colonel Havnes was born in Virginia, March 9, 1793, and his wife was born in the. same state, ^lav lo, 1801. Colonel Haynes was in the War of 1812, and soon after that war, came to Ohio with his family and located in Licking countv. In 1833 Colonel Haynes remox-ed to L^nion county and settled in Richwdod, where he lived until his death in 1869. In Richwood the Colonel kept a hotel and dealt in real estate. Seven children were born to Colonel Havnes and wife: Boni, James B., Thomas J., Benjamin L., Richard, Eliza and Susan.

Henrv D. Gill has spent his entire life in Richwood. He attended the jniljlic schools and spent most of his boyhood days on the farm. LIpon reaching manhood he engaged in the grain and feed business, and for twenty years ga\e most of his attention to that particular line of actix'ity. He has extensive property interests, and for several years has been devoting his attention to looking after them. He rents sacks for threshing purposes dur- ing the summer seasons.

Mr. Gill was married Xo\ember 29, 1877, to Anna Francis, the daughter of James and Margaret ( Gwatkin ) Francis, and to this union three children were born : \\'alter, Clarence and .\l!)ert. ^^^^lter died at the age of six with lilark <hi)htheria, and his 1>rother, Clarence, died one week later at the age of three. .Mljert died at the age of thirteen.

.Mrs. (lill was a native of England, her birth occurring at Deviza, January jO, 11^53. She xvas reared in London and came to America in 1871, at the age of eighteen with her ]);u"ents ,'ind located near Woodstock, Ontario. She came lo l\icb\\i)o<l, ( )liio, to \isit a sister, and while there she met and liecame ac(|uaiiitrd with .Mr. Gill, wliom slie afterwards married. Her niotlier 'bed in WcHjdstock. Canada, in 1800, and lier father then came to Richwood, ;ind lalei- returned to Fjigland and died at Llastings, in 1908. at tlie age of eighty-twc Mr. I'ranci.s and his wife were tlie parents of several children: James, Harry, Walter. Clara. Edith, Fannie, Anne and Margaret. Mr. Gill and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Gill belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, is a Republican in politics and was acting ma\-or of Richwood during the absence and inabilit\- of Mayor H, Al. Wright t<i fulfill the <luties of the office. He also has served as citv marshal for two vears.

Edward Pratt Porter

There was never the tlemand for skilled photographers that there is today and the man who has the requisite mechanical and artistic ability along this line is always assured of plenty of work. It is not too much to say that Edward P. Porter, of the firm of Porter «S: Biddle, ranks high among the artists of his state. His father before him was an artist of exceptional ability and he has inherited much of his father's talent. He has made this profession his life work, starting to work in his father's gallery when a young man and devoting his whole life to the work.

Edward Pratt Porter, the son of \V. S. and Mariah (Pratt) Porter, was born August 23, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was born in Newport, Kentucky, atid lived there most of bis life, either in that city or in Cincinnati. His mother was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and died while still a young woman. W. S. Porter died in 1900 and his wife in 1876.

W. S. Porter was one of the best photographers of his day and generation and one picture which he took in 1848 is now valued at ten thousand dollars and is the only one of its kind in existence. It is a panoramic view of Cincinnati made on silver plates, five by .seven inches each, and measures four feet by eight feet framed. It has been shown at many art exhibitions throughout the United States and England and has been awarded no less than ten medals. His son particularly cherishes the medals which his father obtained on this picture in New York city and London, England.

Edward P. Porter was educated in Newport, Kentucky, and when still a young lad he worked with his father in the photograph business. His father being an expert, it was not long until the son knew all there was to be known about the business. He followed his profession in Newport, Kentuckv, until he came to Marysville in toio. and entered into partnersbij) with ]\Ir. Biddle. Thev now have the only up-to-date studio in Marysville and are prepared to do all kinds of photographic work. There have been many advances made in the profession in the past few years and Mr. Porter prides himself on the fact that he keeps in dose touch with everything pertaining to it, and the quality of his work at all times is sufficient proof that he does so. Many of the scenes illustrating this volume are the results of his handiwork and a large number of the best portraits in the biographical section were produced in his studio. The publishers of the volume have found him a man thoroughly in touch with all that the photographic art demands and are pleased to acknowledge their indebtedness to him.

Mr. Porter was married November lo, igii, to Grace Groves, of Urbana, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Marysville and give to it their hearty support.

John Brown

A sterling fanner and highly respected citizen of Allen township. Union county, Ohio, is John Brown, the proprietor of the "Sugar Grove Farm" of one hundred and thirty-two acres, located two miles north of Mil ford Center. Born in this county three score years ago, Mr. Brown has devoted all of his life to farming, and is essentially a self-made man. He rented for several years and during that time saved his money and eventually purchased his present farm. He is deserving of much credit for the success which has attended his efforts, and it is safe to say that there is no more highly respected citizen in the township where he has lived so many years.

John Brown, the son of Martha and Dorthal (Luchenbell) Brown, was born in Dover township. Union county, Ohio, December 23. 1854. His father was born in Maryland and his mother in Pennsylvania, but thev were not married until after they came to Union county. Eleven children were born to Martin Brown and wife, seven of whom are still living; ]\Iary, the wife of Francis McDonald, of Mi.ssouri ; Elijah, a retired farmer of Milford Center: Wilson, a farmer of Oklahoma; William, a farmer of Missouri; Martha, the wife of Charles Coyer, ot Oklahoma; Anna, the wife of T~^hn Hinton, of Madison county. Ohio, and John, of Union county.

The childhood days of John Brown were spent on his father's farm in Dover township, and when only fourteen years of age, he left home to make his own way in the world. At that age he started to work out on farms in Union countv bv the month and so continuetl until his marriage. After his marriage he began to rent and for twenty-six years lived on one rented farm in Union township. He then purchased liis present farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres and has the .satisfaction of knowing tiuit he has earned it. His farm gets the name of "Sugar (inne h'arni" from the fact that he has three thousand sugar trees, from whicli lie makes from three to four hundred gallons of maple syrup each year. He is an extensive stock raiser and handles registered Shorthorn cattle and I'oland-China hogs.

Mr. Brown w^as married in jul\-, 1878, to .\l)igail Miller. To this union three children have been born: Sylvia. Harry and Carrie K. Sylvia is a graduate of the Milford Center high .school and is now the wife of .\lbert W. Downer, of Columbus, Ohio. Harry married Reviliah Clark, of Champaign county, and is a farmer in L'nion township, in this county. Carrie K. is a graduate of the Milford Center high school and now the wife of Joseph Harris, of Milfortl Center. Mr. Brown and his wife have one granddaughter, Josephine, the daughter of Harry.

Fraternally, Mr. Brown is a niemljer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a past grand of his lodge at I^arby. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor ami a member of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for anv public office. Mr. Brown is a man of genial personality and has a large number of true friends who admire him for the honest life which he has led and for the success which has come to him as a result of his efforts.