Lynn Township

Lynn Township

This was the last constituted township of Hardin County; the act of the Commissioners setting apart this territory, which was taken from Buck, Taylor Creek and McDonald Townships, as a new township, was done September 8, 1857, and named by them " Silver Creek." An election was duly called, and the same was held at the house of W. D. Gunn, on September 19, 1857, with A. A. Piper, Milton Iron and Nathaniel Norman as Judges; J. M. Piper and W. D. Gunn, Acting Clerks. The following officers were elected Trustees: Joseph Brown, S. S. Cutts and Daniel & Vermillion;

Clerk, J. M. Piper; Treasurer, John Rice; Constable, M. Borst. On April 5, 1858, was held a regular township election, when the same officers as mentioned above were re-elected, and, in addition, A. A. Piper was elected Assessor. At the above-mentioned election, September 8, 1857, a vote was taken by the citizens upon the name the new township should take. Three names were proposed and voted for, viz., Lynn, Fillmore and Silver Creek. For the former twenty-one votes were cast; four for Fillmore and two for Silver Creek; hence its name was established by its citizens to be Lynn, and from that time since it has been recognized as Lynn Township. This township is abundantly supplied with a species of tree known as the Lynn tree, and this, it is said, was the pretext for its name. The township occupies a central position in the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Cessna Township, on the east by Cessna and Buck Townships, on the south by Taylor Creek, and on the west by McDonald Township. It is about six miles long from north to south, and three and seven- eighths miles wide from east to west, containing twenty-three and one-quarter square miles, or 14,880 acres.

Streams, Surface, Soil, Timber, Etc

It has no streams of any size or importance, except the Scioto River, which forms its entire northern boundary between it and Cessna. This stream has a general southeast course. In the western part of this township is a small stream, known as McCoy's Run, which rises near the south line of the township and flows almost directly north through the entire length of the township, and empties into the Scioto. In the east and southeastern portions of the township are Lick Run and Jordan Run.

Of the surface, we may describe the southern part of the township as quite rolling, while the central and northern portions are level or slightly undulating.

The soil is a loam and clay, and is rich and productive, capable of yielding abundantly large crops of wheat, oats, corn and hay. The great portion of this township is yet new, and much hard labor is necessary to remove the heavy forests and ditch and drain the land; yet there are now many good and well cultivatHtd farms with fine improvements. And in passing over some of the more recently settled portions, one will observe many hundreds of acres upon which the woodman's ax has thoroughly done its work, and the black and decomposing stumps stand thickly, like so many dark specters, over the surface, but which in a few years more will entirely disappear and leave the land free and easy of cultivation. The soil is of that clay nature by which it holds a remarkable amount of water, and the great important feature or necessity is to thoroughly ditch, tile and drain it, and it then constitutes the most productive of lands; and to this work the people are now rapidly giving their attention.

This land was originally very heavily timbered, embracing principally the following varieties: Oak, ash, lynn, beech, maple, walnut, elm and hickory. Of the three first mentioned, many fine logs and much beautiful lumber have been obtained, and great quantities still remain and are becoming very valuable, from the nearness and increase of the markets now existing. A large amount of the smaller lynn timber is being cut and worked into staves for barrels.

From the above description of the soil, it is evident that mud roads were prevalent and difficult to travel; but the citizens are entering with much interest and enterprise upon the work of building pikes, and already several are completed and others proposed and in process of construction. The first one built was the Round Head & Kenton pike, and the next the Yelverton & Kenton. The south part of the township appears to be well supplied with gravel and material, while the central portion will have further to haul their material. But a few years' time, with attendant prosperity, will enable the citizens to have all the principal and most important roads well graveled and in good condition.

The Chicago & Atlantic Railway runs through the north part of the township. A station named Oakland has been located near the northwest corner.

The old Hull trail from Bellefontaine to Fort McArthur passes through this township, entering it through the land of William Koons, on the David Wallace Survey, No. 10,037, thence through the William Stewart farm, the A. A. Piper and E. G. Gunn lands in the AValter Dun Survey, No. 9,935, and northward to Fort McArthur in the northwest corner of Buck Township. In some places, remains of the old corduroy bridges which were constructed seventy years ago, are yet visible.

A very ancient and peculiar gun barrel was found in Lynn Township in March, 1877, on lands owned by L. T: Hunt and James S. Robinson, four miles above old Fort McArthur, on the south side of the Scioto River, about ten rods from the bank, between it and a former spring, where for many years was a hunter's camp, being about due east of the Scioto Marsh and OD the west side of a new road opened out in 1877-78 at Hunt's Ferry. It was found partially under an old stump, at the side of which a tree a foot or more in diameter had grown. The gun barrel is in possession of Mr Hunt at Kenton. It is three feet four inches long, heavy at the breech, smaller at the middle and heavy toward the muzzle, has a large bore ninesixteenths of an inch, with deep rifles. It is evident it had been lost for a long time, as there was not a vestige left of either the lock or the stock, they having completely rusted or rotted away. It was probably an old " flint-lock " of the French traders, who frecpiented the Maumee and Blanchard over one hundred years ago, as that style of gun has long since gone out of use.

Early Settlers

As nearly all of the lirst settlers are deceased, and as in this township it appears that in many instances their descendants, who still survive, have all moved away, thus making it more difficult to obtain as definite information, in some cases, as we would desire, yet we have endeavored to make use of all the remaining sources from which to obtain a knowledge of them, and from what we have gathered it seems very probable that John Canaan was the first permanent settler in what is now Lynn Township. He came here where Henry Norman now lives, where he resided many years, and perhaps till his death. His children are all deceased or moved away. Of his children were Miritta, William, Jehu, Washington, and it is believed some others whose names we could not learn. Washington was killed in a well, which accident is mentioned on another page. One grandson, a son of Jehu, now resides in Kenton, this county.

William Haines was probably the next settler, who located here near where Mrs. Canaan settled at about the same time. It appears that he married Miss Nancy Hatfield in Logan County, Ohio, and removed from there here and remained a resident here till his death. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. They had the following children: Elizabeth,

Daniel S. Vermillion was born in Monroe County, W. Va., October 7, 1807. He married Priscilla Hisey in 1830. He removed to Ohio and settled in Lynn Township in 1834, upon the tract of land where he still lives, having made a continued residence here of nearly half a century. He was one of the first Trustees of the township, and has been one of her enterprising and useful citizens whose biographical sketch appears in this work, giving a more full account of his wife and family.

William Koons, it is believed, was a native of Virginia, where he married Martha Shepherd, but early removed to Ohio and settled near Bellefontaine. About 1836-37, he removed to this township and settled on the David Wallace Survey, and remained near where he first located till his death. His children were Martha and Mary (twins), William and Jacob.

Edward Wilcox was twice married; his second wife was Mrs. J ane Monroe, whom he married in Ross County, and, about 1836-37, removed to this county and settled on land where his son James now lives, and there resided till his death. He was a quiet, unassuming man, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. Their children were Anna, John, Aaron, William, Sarah, Jane, James, Edward, Gordon and Thomas. Joseph Brown married Elizabeth Koons and removed here from Logan County soon after Mr. William Koons settled here, and located just west of him on the Wallace Survey, where it is believed he remained till his death. His children were Martha, Jacob and John.

Jonathan Wilcox, a brother of the above Edward Wilcox, married Roxaline McConkey; settled here about 1839-40, was a blacksmith by trade andl carried on that business through life; he was, it is believed, the first mechanic of that trade in this township. He seemed to possess a natural mechanical genius, and was an excellent workman. Subsequently he removed to Belle Centre. His children were Anna, Eliza, Sarah, George W. (now a blacksmith at Round Head), John and Alexander.

Clement Rice was a native of Pennsylvania, where he married Eliza McCracken, and at an early day removed to Muskingum County, Ohio; thence, in 1832, he removed with his family to this connty and settled where

Mrs, Mary Rice now lives in Lynn Township, and here resided till his .j, death. Of his children, James, John, Robert, Richard, William, Rebecca jj and Margaret are deceased; George resides in Fayette County, Ohio, and I Thomas in Taylor Creek Township, this county. John, who was the oldest Jji child who came to this county, married Eliza Seaton and settled near his , father, where he resided till his death. He died December 20, 1861 , aged fif ty- 1 nine years. He was a man of undoubted integrity and held many of the most important offices of his township; he was several years Treasurer of Taylor Creek Township, and at the organization of Lynn Township was elected its first Treasurer and held the office by continued re-election up to the time of his death. In an early day he served as a Captain in the militia, and at one time served as County Assessor. He was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church, and a useful and worthy citizen. His chil- ' dren were Calvin (deceased), Robert, Rebecca, John S., Thomas, Adam M. , Nancy Jane, Albert N. (deceased), and Martha A. All those surviving are residents of Hardin County, except Thomas, who resides in Fayette County, Ohio.

Robert Stewart, a native of Virginia, married Isabella McDonald, and, ^ in 1841, removed to Ohio and settled in this township on land now owned ^ by the heirs of Davis Derr. After a residence here of many years, and having cleared up and obtained a good farm and home, he removed to Illinois, but remained there but a short time, when he removed back to Hardin ' County; thence he removed to Kansas, remaining there only two or three years; he again returned to this county, where he died, January 25, 1868, aged seventy years. His wife survived him and died May 1, 1876, aged eighty. Their children were as follows: William, Mary, Martha Jane

I County, Ohio, to Hardin County about 1844, and settled on land on the A. Walke Survey, where he resided till his death. Of his children, two are remembered, Mary and Curtis.

Henry Albert was born in Switzerland, but emigrated to America in an early day and became a resident of Clark County, Ohio. In 1845-46, he removed to this county and settled on the Walter Dun Survey, No. 9,935, where he resided till 1881; he removed to Illinois. He was a kind neighbor and a good citizen. His children were Martin, Frank, William, Philip and John.

John R. Gunn was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 24, 1814. He had two brothers, Walter D. and Robert, and one sister, Isabella S. Their father, John Gunn, was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in 1770; emigrated to Canada in 1800 with the English Army, in which he served several years. He finally settled in Montreal, thence at Malden, and from there went to Wapakoneta, as a trader among the Indians in 1804. In 1808, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, and settled on McKees Creek, where, during the war of 1812, he kept a tavern and rendered aid to the United States in the Commissary Department, for which services, after his decease, his widow received a warrant for 160 acres of land. He died in 1842. His widow survived him many years and died in 1864. John R.

^ married Miss Emil}^ Garrett in 1844, about two years after having settled j in this county. He became a resident of Lynn Township in 1842, with his * two brothers, Walter D. and Robert, all of whom followed surveying, and I many lands of Union, Logan, Hardin and Champaign Counties were surt

Biographical Sketches

MILTON H. BORST, laborer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 10, 1848; his father, Michael Borst, was born April 15, 1818, in the neighborhood of Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany, and his mother, Catharine (Fisher) Borst, was a native of Cumberland County, Penn., where she was born October 18, 1820. They were married April 14, 1843, in Ashland County, Ohio, and had a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, viz. : Andrew J., born in Ashland County^ Ohio, August 12, 1846, died in Lynn Township January 2, 1861 ; Milton H., our subject; John W., born October 3, 1851, in Lynn Township; Emily E. , born March 31, 1854, died December 25, 1860 ; Martha E., born in Lynn Township August 10, 1857 ; Michael F., born October 31, 1859 ; Nathaniel J., born March 19, 1862, and David G., born March 21, 1864. The parents came to Lynn Township in the spring of 1849, and purchased there forty acres of land, subsequently adding to it, which Mr. Borst cleared and improved. Mrs. Borst died November 7, 1866, and was followed by her husband August 3, 1874. Both are buried, along with a son and daughter, in the Norman Graveyard of Lynn Township. Our subject, who still remains a single man, was brought up to be a farmer, but is now a laborer.

WILLIAM BRADLEY (deceased) was born in West Virginia November 11, 1804. His parents, David and Nancy A. (Lawson) Bradley, natives of Old Virginia, removed to Madison County. Ohio, in 1807, and settled in Monroe Township, where they both died. Mr. Bradley was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch lived in Madison County until 1857, when he sold the 108 acres of land he owned there and came to Plardin County, purchasing 150 acres of land, on which he resided until his decease on January 1, 1862. He was married, July 17, 1827, to Miss Anna, daughter of Peter and Mary R. (Baker) Bradley, born in Chillicothe, Ohio, January 19, 1811. To this union there were born eleven children, five now living, viz., Cornelius O., Jeremiah, Casander, Henry N. and Lewis M. The deceased are Martin S., Mary R., Lovina, Sarah J., David W. and James L. Mr. Bradley and wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was a Steward. He was an active, energetic man, and generally succeeded in his undertakings. Henry N., the sixth son, was born in Madison County, Ohio, March 11, 1850. When seven years of age, he came to Hardin County with his parents, and has been chiefly reared here. He was married, April 17, 1879, to Miss Mary R., daughter of Francis D. and Mary J. Kinnear. She was born in Hardin County in August, 1857, and died February 1, 1883, leaving two children - Harry E. and Delmer H. Since the spring of 1876, Mr. Bradley has had charge of the old homestead. His mother is Jiving with him, and they both attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bradley is a member of the Board of Trustees.

MARTIN LEWIS BRIDENSTINE, saw miller, Kenton, was born in Hardin County September 15, 1843, and is a son of Solomon and Lucretia (Lewis) Bridenstine. His father was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, of German descent, and came to Hardin County in 1840; his mother was a daughter of Francis Lewis, who was a soldier under Gen. Harrison during the Indian wars in the Northwest Territories. His maternal grandmother was Mary Magdalena Haphsnider. The name of Raphsoider is entirely lost, as there is not a known relative of that name living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a fair education at the common schools. On December 23, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane, daughter of John and Anna Obenour, and a native of Seneca County, of German ancestry. Four children resulted from this union, viz., Lester Francella (born September 7, 1869), Leonard Lorain (born March 25, 1871), William Ellsworth (born April 26, 1876), and Lorena Lucinda born November 17, 1879. Mr. Bridenstine enlisted September 17, 1861, in the Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, serving with that regiment through all the trying scenes through which it passed until January, 1863, when he re-enlisted, and was discharged August 15, 1865. His wife's father, John Obenour, a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guards, was killed at Maryland Heights July 6, 1864. Mrs. Bridenstine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bridenstine is a Republican in politics, has filled the offices of Supervisor and School Director, and is one of those energetic men sure to make a way in life.

SANFRED H. DULIN, farmer. P. O. Kenton, was born in Concord Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, April 14, 1847, and is a son of Edward and Sarah (Diltz) Dulin. His father was born in Fauquier County, Va., April 29, 1802; his mother in Sussex County, N. J. , January 19, 1808, They were married April 29, 1825, in Muskingum County, Ohio, and had eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all attaining maturity, of whom four sons and two daughters are deceased. Three of the boys, Lorenzo, Garrettson and Freeman, were in the rebellion. Freeman was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1864. Mr. Edward Dulin settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1816, and was a cooper by trade. He purchased a tract of woodland in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1837, cleared the land, remaining there until about 1866, when he came to Lynn Township. He has since been a resident here, and owns 100 acres of improved land. While in Delaware County, he dealt in stock - a specialty of cattle and hogs - having as high as four hundred head of hogs in the fall; he also devoted some of his time to merchandising. He has held several offices of trust, and has always been identified with the schools, in which he takes great interest. He has been a member of the United Brethren Church for a number of years, and in politics is a strong Republican. The subject of this sketch acquired a common school education, and has always worked on his father's farm in Lynn Township. He was married, December 1, 1872, to Mary J., daughter of Humphrey and Mary Emfield; she was born in Groveport, Franklin Co., Ohio. The result of this union has been four children, viz., David (born January 2, 1874), Eldora V. (born October 1, 1875), Henry E. (born September 15, 1878), and William G. (born December 7, 1880); all born in Lynn Township.

GEORGE FAUROT, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio, April 20, 1822. He is a son of flames and Rebecca (Tucker) Faurot, of Orange County, N. Y., and Harrison County, Va., respectively. Our subject's grandparent, Henry Faurot, served during the Revolution and in the war of 1812. He removed to Champaign County, Ohio, about 1820, and died in Rush Township; his wife died in Hardin County. Our subject's jiarents were married in Champaign County in 1821, and in 1848 removed to Hardin County, settling in McDonald Town- ship, where Mr. Faurot died June 8, 1872, being preceded by his wife May 17, 1867. They had eleven children, of whom our subject is the oldest. When twelve years of age, our subject started out working by the month, continuing until 1848. He aided in the support of his father's family. On November 4, 1848, he came to Hardin County and bought thirty acres of land in McDonald Towuship, which he cleared, and in 1859 purchased his present farm of fifty acres, settling on it in 1872. He has always followed farming and stock-raising. He was married, November 3, 1847, to Martha B., daughter of William and Rosanna Ballard. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, and has had two children, one living - George W. B, (born September 12, 1848). Mrs. Faurot's father was a Methodist minister, and preached to the Indians through Ohio and Indiana. He was an itinerant, and died from hemorrhage of the lungs in Loj^an County, Ohio. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and was Tmste(i of Lynn Township for two years, and Trustee of McDonald Township for three years.

THOMAS M. FINCH, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born near Pleasant Valley, Madison Co., Ohio, November 21, 1846, and is a son of John B. and Emily O. (Kilbury) Finch. His grandfather, Ira Finch, came from New York State to Ohio, in 1815, settling in Madison County. The father of our subject was born in Canaan Township, Madison County, where he was married, having a family of seven children, three sons and fom' daughters, viz.: Nancy, James E., Samantha A., Sarah E., Thomas M. , Electa and Joshua D. He erected a cabin in the woods, cleared the farm and died June 9, 1864; the widow is still living on the pioneer home. Our subject acquired a common school education, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He was married, December 22, 1871, to Miss Alice, daughter of John and Caroline Zachariah; she was born August 22, 1854. Her father was a German by birth, and came alone to this country when about twelve years old, becoming an early settler of Seneca County, Ohio. After marriage, our subject started out in life in Madison County, working at carpentering, although his chief occupation has been farming. He came to Lynn Township, Hardin County, in the spring of 1873, purchasing fifty acres of land, on which he built a log cabin, and on July 11, 1879, a terrible cyclone passed over the township, taking his farm in its course, and making a general wreck of his home. Mrs. Finch, who happened at the time to be in the loft, was carried along with the roof, timbers, rafters, etc., for a distance of 125 feet. Wonderful to relate, she escaped with her life, suffering no serious injury.

JOHN AY. FLINN, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Morgan County, W. Ya. , May 21, 1823. His parents were John and Mary, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Delaware. They were married, and settled in Virginia, and reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. The subject of this sketch, in the spring of 1847, came to Scioto County, Ohio, and clerked in a store until the spring of 1849, when he went to Pickaway County, and was there married to Eliza A. Henderson, December 16, 1849. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and had a family of three children, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Flinn died in 1853, and our subject was again married, July 16, 1854, to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Mary Fuls. She was born February 1, 1835, in Logan County, Ohio, and in March of the same year was brought by her parents to Hardin County. Her father was born in Ross County, her mother in Fayette County, Ohio, and both died in McDonald Township, Hardin County.* Mr. Flinn removed to Hardin County in the spring of 1855; lived for about four years in McDonald Township, and removed in 1859 to Lynn Township, where he purchased 100 acres of land and erected the first cabin after the township was organized. He was Township Assessor in 1863 and 1864, and was a member of the Board of Education for eight or ten years. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, of Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re enlisted in 1864, in the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Begiment, as Sergeant, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. By his last marriage, he has had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom one is deceased, Josephine V., late wife of N. D. Bailey.

JOHN GUNN, Se., was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in 1770. He was educated and intended by his parents for a military career, but finding that life distasteful, he engaged with the fur company by the name of ' ' Innocent Grant." to trade in the Northwest with the Indians; he had a trading post at Wapakoneta in 1806. He was engaged in fur trading, buying and selling hogs, cattle and horses, until the war of 1812, when he enlisted in Capt. Black's company^ serving to the close of the war. In 1805, he married Isabella, daughter of Col. Southerland, of Inverness, Scotland. After the war, John Gunn removed his family to Belief ontaine, Ohio, where he was engaged in various kinds of business, until the time of his death, which occurred in 1842. He had three sons and four daughters - Walter D., John R. and Robert G. First came to Hardin County in 1843, and made a deadening of twenty acres, part of the farm on which the family of John R. now resides, calling same the "Forest Farm," the name it still bears. In 1845, he removed to his farm, where his family now reside, and where he Jived till his death. He never took a collegiate course, but having a natural turn for mathematics, studied surveying and engineering. His theory was for one to find what they were best fitted for, then apply themselves to that calling." Robert and Walter Gunn graduated at Oxford in 1842 The three brothers loved each other dearly, were always together, and in their business transactions were as one. John R. and Robert G. were agents for lands in Hardin and Logan Counties, held by parties living at a distance. John R. was once elected Justice of the Peace, twice County Surveyor, the last term of which had not expired at the time of his death. His last work was the straightening of the Scioto River channel for draining the surrounding marsh. He was so anxious for the work to progress rapidly, and winter being the only time when it could be done, he took a violent cold which settled on his lungs and ended in death. He was often called on to settle disputed territory, while holding the office of County Surveyor; he surveyed and settled the disputed line between Hardin and Logan Counties, whicli had been a bone of contention for a number of years, both counties claiming the right to tax the land along the line. The brothers were stanch Democrats, and leaders of their party. John R. Gunn married, in 1844, Emily Garrett, daughter of Tira Garrett, a Virginian by birth, who came to Hardin County in 1842. The latter bought 300 acres of land, where the County Infirmary now stands, and lived but three years after coming into the county.* His wife was the daughter of Charles White, of Kentucky, a Revolutionary soldier who drew a pension, and died at the age of ninety-nine years. Robert G. never married; he died in Hardin County in 1850. Walter D. died in Hardin County in 1863, leaving a wife and four girls. Isabella Gunn, wife of John Gunn, Sr., made her home, after her husband's decease, with her son, John G., for several years, then bought a farm of 160 acres, to which she removed with her youngest daughter, Eliza, and remained until the time of her death in 1869. Her daughter

Eliza reinained on the farm, having never married, until 1882, when she left for New Mexico, where her two nephews and one of John K. Gunn's sons are engaged in surveying and dividing the Indian Territory. Isabella Gunn's remains were interred on Forest farm with her three sons aud one daughter. Of the seven children remaining are Eliza, already named, and Isabella, who married Alexander Given, residing in McDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio.

KOBERT HELVERSON (deceased) was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, September 3, 1820. His parents, Henry and Nancy Helverson, were natives of West Virginia, and early settled in Lawrence County, Ohio. In 1835, they removed to near Londou, in Madison County. Henry Helverson was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's grandfather was a Major General in the German brigade in the Revolution. He received a mortal wound, and died at home. For his services, there were given large tracts of land in Madison County, but these were never divided among the heirs. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Madison County, Ohio. On January 10, 1843, he was married to Miss Sarah L., daughter of James and Nancy Bradley, of Loudoun County, Va. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, November 16, 1817, and had a family of six children, four of whom are living, viz., Marsalina, widow of Joseph Young (deceased); Pendleton L., Alonzo M, and James W. The two deceased are Moses C. and Marshall M. Moses was a member of Company K, Thirtythird Regiment, and was killed at Chickamauga September 20, 1863. Marshall M. was a member of Company D, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a recruit. He served seventeen months, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He died September 5, 1872, from the effects of his military life. Mr. and Mrs. Helverson came to Hardin County in March of 1857, and settled on the present farm. He purchased sixty-eight and one-half acres of woodland, which he cleared before his decease. He died March 2, 1880, of pneumonia. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, of which he had been an exhorter and trustee for upward of twenty years. In politics, he supported the Republican party.

HENRY HIJRTER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Kenton, was born in Allen County, Ohio, June 11, 1847, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Schoenmann) Hurter. His father was born near Zurich, his mother near Berne, Switzerland. They came to America when they were young, and settled at Beaver Dam, Allen County, Ohio. They were married in Kenton, in 1845, and soon after moved to Allen County, where they both died in December of 1847. Our subject was then brought by his uncle, Durs Schoenmann, living near Kenton, and in 1852 removed to Sauk County, Wis., where our subject remained until of age. After his majority, he sold seventy-five acres of land in Allen County, left him by his father, and bought 200 acres in Sauk County, Wis., selling it in 1877. He came to Hardin County in 1875, and settled on a purchase of 110 acres in Lynii Township. On the 4th of January, 1870, he was married in Kenton to Louisa R., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Wies, born in Hardin County June 9, 1851. To this union have been born five children, four living - John H., Emma E., Ella M. and Tillie A. The deceased, Edward D., died September 9, 1881, aged nine months. Mr. Hurter owns 107 acres of wellcultivated land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In politics, he is a Republican.

^(Perry) Norman, of Jefferson County, Ohio, and Brooke County, W. Va., respectively. His father was born October 30, 1805, his mother June 29, 1804; they were married October 30, 1829, and settled in Brooke County, W. Ya., removing thence in November, 1847, to Hardin County, Ohio, settling in Taylor Creek, now Lynn Township. Nathaniel Norman bought 262 acres of land, of which fifty were improved, and which he farmed until his decease, February 11, 1872 ; his wife died February 8, 1868. He had a family of six children, two living, Henry W., and Eldorado, wife of Martin Albert, and residing in Macon County, 111. He was Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, being the first of Lynn Township, serving part of the time in Taylor Creek. He also served for two years as Township Treasurer, and was Trustee of Lynn for about three terms, and of Taylor Creek Township for one term. Our subject is the eldest child. He was reared in Wellsboro, W. Va., until his sixteenth year, and there educated at the common schools. He then came here with his parents, and has since pursued farming and stock-raising. His father was an Ohio Biver boatman, and followed transporting merchandise to New Orleans by flat boat for twenty-five years. Our subject made three trips with him when a boy. On January 24, 1856, our subject married Eebecca, daughter of John and Eliza Rice, born in Taylor Creek Township, May 23, 1836. By this union there have been five children, viz., Albert Brice, born November 7, 1862; Elliot B., born May 23, 1867; Sarah D., Campbell W. and John N. are deceased. Mrs. Norman is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Norman had been identified with the Grange since its organization; he served in the position of Overseer and other offices. In politics, he is a Republican. He enlisted in the war September 25, 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Cumberland Army, and was a witness at the battle of Nashville. He was honorably discharged June 23, 1865, and returned home, resuming farming. He owns 150 acres of land of the homestead, most of the improvements having been made by himself. For ten years, Mr. Norman served as Trustee of Lynn Township.

JOSEPH M. PIPER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was bo)-n in Grafton County, N. H., March 1, 1821, and is a son of Amos and Betsey (Caldwell) Piper; his father was born near Lowell, Mass., July 31, 1792; his mother in Londonderry, N. H., March 27, 1792. His father's parents were Simon and Harriet Piper, natives of England, and who came to America before the Revolution. Simon was a minuteman in that war, and fought in the first battle at Lexington and at Bunker Hill; he died in New Hampshire. In 1834, our subject's parents removed to Ashland County, Ohio, and on J anuary 7, 1848, came to Lynn Township, settling on the farm now belonging to Joseph M. in March, 1850. This farm consisted of 110 acres of Woodland, on which Amos Piper erected a rude log house; he died here on January 1, 1868, having been preceded by his wife, February 8, 1855. He served for one year in the war of 1812, receiving a land warrant for his services. He had a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, four living - Joseph M. , Andrew A., William W. and Mary E., wife of Philip H. Hisey. The deceased are Oliver W. and Charles W. Our subject, with his brother Andrew, cleared and improved the farm, remaining on it till he was of age. He then started out, working at $10 a month, receiving a wagon from his father, and helped to cut out and make nearly all the roatls in this part of the township. On September 18, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served in the Army of the

Cumberland, and was held in reserve for four days and nights at the battle of Nashville, but was not active; he was honorably discharged June 23, 1865; he was married, April 30, 1851. to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Monroe. She was born in Ross County," Ohio, July 7, 1832, and has had a family of seven children, three living - Howard, Nathaniel and Mary M. The deceased are Laura, Lua and William W. Mrs. Piper is a member of the JMethodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Piper is a Republican in politics; he was Township Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor, each two years, Township Clerk for eight years, and for the past year has been Chairman of the Board of Education. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and owns tifty-tive acres of land, besides ninety-six and one-fourth acres one mile west of his farm.

JOHN C. RAINSBURG, farmer and shock-raiser, P. O. Kenton, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, January 27, 1827; he is a son of William and Margaret (Maxwell) Rainsburg, of Steubenville, Ohio, and Brooke County, W. Va., respectively. The first of his ancestry to settle in America were his great-grandparents, John Rainsburg and John Maxwell, the former emigrating from Germany, the latter from Scotland, both coming before the Revolution. John Rainsburg, the grandfather of our subject, served in that memorable struggle. Our subject's parents were married in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1824, settling in Carroll County, and, in the spring of 1827, removed to Holmes County, where they remained to the end of their days. Our subject is the eldest son and second child of a family of eleven; he was brought up on a farm and acquired a common school education. On July 7, 1849, he was married to Catharine McKnight, who died February 23, 1872, leaving seven children - John M., Thomas W., Margaret S. (wife of George W. Thomas), William, James L., Robert M. and David A. Besides these, were three deceased, Sarah, Mary C. and Ruth I. Mrs, Rainsburg was born in Carroll County, Ohio, August 25, 1832, aud was the daughter of John and Susanna McKnight. Mr. Rainsburg formed a second union, August 7, 1873, marrying Charlotte Wilkins; she was born in Carroll County, Ohio, May 27, 1850, and has a family of four children - Cypherd B., Anna E., Archibald E. and Tennie E. Mr. Rainsburg resided in Holmes County until October of 1853, coming thence to Hardin County; he purchased sixty acres of woodland, part of his present farm,* which he has since cleared and improved, and now owns 245 acres of well -cultivated land; he pursues farming and stock-raising; he helped to cut and make the Piper & Wilkin pike road, and aided in most of the other public improvements. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he is a Deacon; he is politically a Democrat, and has served his township as Trustee for six years, and as Clerk for two years, and Assessor two years.

WILLIAM RUHLEN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Kenton, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 21, 1842. His parents, George and Dorotha J. Ruhlen, emigrated from Germany in December, 1852, and settled in Jerome Township, Union Co., Ohio, where Mr. Ruhlen died in February of 1878. The widow is residing with her son Henry, in Union County. Our subject is the third son of a family of six children, of whom five are living. He was reared on a farm, and educated at the common schools. His brother George is a First Lieutenant in the JSeventeenth Regiment of the United States Infantry, a Professor of Military Tactics and Assistant Professor in Mathematics in the State Agricultural College of Columbus, Ohio. William entered the army April 1, 1861, in Company I, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served three months in Virginia.-

Re-enlisting in September of the same year, in Company K, First Ohio Cavalry, he served in the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in forty battles and skirmishes, of which the more important were Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Tnllahoma, Courtland, the Chickamauga campaign, Farmington, and battles of Chattanooga and Mission Ridge; in all the engagementsof the Atlanta campaign, and with Gen.' Kilpatrick's raid around Atlanta. When that city was evacuated, our subject was mustered out at Columbia, Tenn, , and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, October 12, 1864. He returned to Union County, Ohio. In 1867, came to Hardin County, settled on seventy-seven acres of land of his present farm, of which he has since cleared sixty acres, and added fifty-one acres, making a farm of 128 acres. He is engaged in farming and rearing stock, keeping thoroughbred Berkshire hogs. He was married, April 25, 1867, to Euphemia, daughter of James and Ann Reed. She was born in Union County, Ohio, November 13, 1844, and died September 26, 1879, leaving a family of five children, viz. : Willie W., James R., Lewis E., Myrta J. and Cyrus E. Ida May is deceased. Mr. Ruhlen was again married, February 16, 1880, to Dilla N., daughter of Lackey and Margaret Reed; she was born in Union County, Ohio, March 19, 1856, and has had one child - Henry R. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Ruhlen is a member of the Grange. In politics, he is a Republican; has served as Township Trustee for three years, and is in his second term of office as School Director.

RICHARD SIEGEL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Prussia, November 4, 1826. His parents, Richard and Mary E. (Haller) Siegel, came to America in 1843, and settled in Holmes County, Ohio, removing thence, in 1864, to Lynn Township, Hardin County, They located seventy-eight acres of land, on which the father died September 2, 1868, aged seventytwo years; his wife died in Germany, He was drafted in the German Army in 1815, soon after the banishment of Napoleon. He left six children, four by his first wife and two by his second - three now living. The subject of this sketch is the oldest child. He was educated at the common schools, and spent his youth on a farm. In April of 1858, he came and located on his present farm, which then consisted of fifty-three acres of land, and to which he has since added, until he now owns 113 acres. He aided in building Lynn Valley IMethodist Episcopal Church, and in all the improvements of the township. On May 3, 1853, he was married to Sarah, daughter of William and Margaret (Maxwell) Reimsburg. This union has resulted in six children, viz. : William R., Mary C., wife of H. G. Walgamot; Martha E. (deceased), Mahala, wife of R. W..Bulsford; Miller C., and an infant son deceased. Mr. Siegel is serving in his second term as Justice of the Peace, and was Township Trustee for three years. Assessor for one year, and four years a member of the Board, of Education. His wife died January 26, 1881. His son, William R., served as Township Clerk for four years, and is the owner of eighty acres of land.

WILLIAM STEWART (deceased) was born in Ohio County, W. Va., January 15, 1807. His parents, William and Martha (McDaniel) Stewart, were natives of Berkeley County, Old Virginia, and they died in West Virginia. Our subject was the second son, and was reared in his native place. In February, 1838, he removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, locating a farm of fifty acres near Dresden. On October 4, 1850, he sold out and came to Hardin County, and settled on his present farm, which then consisted of 100 acres, forty of which were cleared. In the June previous, he had bought

150 acres adjoining, thirty of which were cleared, paying $750 for the land. He paid $1,100 for his present farm, to which he added 113 acres, all cleared and improved. He helped to make the roads, and was a successful man of business. He was married on November 26, 1835, to Mary, daughter of James and Jennie (Stewart) Bell, the latter of Berkeley County, Va. James Bell came from Ireland in 1792, and settled in Ohio County, W. Va. , where he died. Mrs. Stewart was born there June 13, 1806. Her father was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. William Stewart died February 11, 1882, aged seventy-five years. He was formerly a member of the Dissenter Church. He had a family of seven children, three living - James B., William F. and Lybeous A. Those deceased are Jane E., born March 6, 1843, died May 29, 1849; Caroline M. , born August 26, 1844, died June 3, 1849; Calvin L., born August 26, 1841, died July 26, 1864. The latter enlisted in the war September 20, 1861, in Company K, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, in September, 1863, dying in the Andersonville Prison. He was also confined in Libby Prison. James B. Stewart was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, November 5, 1837, and passed his early life on a farm. He came with his parents to Hardin County when thirteen years of age. In September of 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in Tennessee till January, 1865, and was then transferred to the Twenty-third Army Corps, at Kingston, N. C., receiving his discharge at Columbus July 24, 1865. He returned home, and on January 25, 1866, was married to Rebecca A. , daughter of Gabriel and Prudence Albin. She was born in Clark County, Ohio, December 5, 1846. To this union there have been born seven children - Ella R., George B., Cora, Maggie G., Katie, Lizzie and Ivie M. James Stewart is serving his township as Trustee. He owns 100 acres of the old homestead, and pursues farming and stock-raising. Lybeous A. Stewart, the third son living, was born in Cass Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, August 11, 1847. He is the youngest son, and came to Hardin County when but three years of age. He was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education. On April 2, 1879, he was married to Susie M., daughter of Daniel and Eliza Minick, of Franklin County, Penn. She was born in Franklin County, Penn., February 14, 1857, and came, in 1 864, with her parents to Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, Ohio. Of the two children born, one is living - Bessie. Jessie M. died October 5, 1880, aged seven months and thirteen days. Lybeous is engaged in farming on the old homestead, owning 166 acres of well -improved land.

GEORGE W. THOMAS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Rush Creek Township, Logan County, Ohio, July 17, 1845. He is the oldest son of Joel and Rachel (Leonard) Thomas, the former born December 25, 1811, in ChampaigD County, Ohio, the latter in Washington County, Penn., in 1816. The father was of Welsh and the mother of German ancestry. Our subject was raised in a family of nine children, and remained at home until twenty-four years of age, helping his father to clear up the pioneer farm in Logan County. He bought the farm he now occupies in Lynn Township, on August 19, 1865, moving on it the fall of 1871. On November 30, 1871, he was united in marriage with Margaret S., daughter of John C. and Catherine (McKnight) Rainsburg, old pioneers of Lynn Township. The fruit of this union has been three children - Katie R., born February 23, 1873; Willie, born September 23, 1874, and George, born November 11, 1876. Mr. Thomas has served his township as Trustee for several terms, and takes an

D. S. VEEMILLION, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Monroe County, W. Va., October 7, 1807. He is the oldest living pioneer of Lynn Township, aDd is a son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Shumate) Vermillion, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. His parents were married in Virginia, and came to Ohio when our subject was a youth, settling in Lawrence County, where they entered over 200 acres of land. Uriah Vermillion died here in 1843, and was survived by his widow a number of years; he had eight children by a previous marriage, and eight by his last union, all living to maturity. Our subject is the third son and child, and was reared on a farm ; his educational advantages were limited to a log schoolhouse ; he aided his father in clearing up the farm, and in the fall of 1834 came to Hardin County, settling on his prssent farm, which was part of a tract his father had purchased in 1833, of which he gave 162 acres to our subject and 100 to another son. In September, 1830, our subject was married to Mrs. Priscilla Hisey, widow of John Hisey, and daughter of David Hutchinson. She was born in Monroe County, W. Va., November 19, 1809. Mr. Vermillion and his wufe are the parents of nine children, eight living, viz.: Greenville H., Matilda (widow of Christian Shupe), Uriah, Elizabeth (deceased), Daniel, Harrison, Usher P. L., Virginia H. (wife of John P. Varvel), and Amanda M. (wife of William K. Varvel). In the fall of 1834, settled on his farm, erecting a log cabin, in which he lived for about six years; he now owns 262 acres of improved land, and has been successful in life. When he first came here, wolves, deer and wild turkeys abounded. He aided in making many of the first roads, and in the building of the first log schoolhouse of the township. He also helped to build the Mc- Donald Christian Church, of which he is a member, and the Silver Creek United Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. His first vote was cast for President Jackson. He served as Township Trustee for eight years, and for a number of years was School Director.

GREENVILLE H. VERMILLION, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Kenton, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, December 25, 1830. He is the eldest son and child of Daniel S. and Priscilla (Hutchinson) Vermillion. He came with his parents to Hardin County, when four years old, settling in Lynn (then Taylor Creek) Township. He is a member of a family of ten children; was reared on a farm, accpiiring a common school education. Our subject aided his father in the clearing of the home farm, remaining at home until he was thirty-one years old. He then bought ninety acres of woodland, selling it in 1867 to Andrew Rhode, and removed to Mecosta County, Mich. He there purchased 208 acres of land, but only remained seven months, returning to Ohio, and in 1875 bought ninety and a half acres of his present farm. He has since cleared and improved the land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Vermillion was married, April 18, 1861, to Miss Se)'ena M., daughter of John and Martha Varvel. She was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 15, 1838; her father was born near Hagerstown, Md. , and died September 10, 1864; her mother was born in Clark County, Ohio, and is now a resident near Springfield, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Vermillion have had several children, three living - Ada V., born February 20, 1864 ; Willie, born July 1, 1865, and Howard L., born March 31, 1870. The deceased are John D., Greenville C., Libbie, Mattie P. and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Vermillion are mombei's of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge

No. 79, also a member of the Grange, of which he was a charter member, and connected with it officially, serving from Master down. He is a Democrat in politics, and has tilled the office of Township Clerk for three years.