Oxford Township (part 3 of 4)

Dr. Hill was married April 24, 1850, to Hope Lucinda, daughter of Cotton Hayden, of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, a family whose name is not unknown to eminence and distinction, and among whom we find the late ex-Governor Joel Hayden, of Haydensville, Massachusetts, and Mr. Peter Hayden, of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Hill have had five children born to them, four sons now living, and a daughter, who died while the father was in the army. The youngest of the sons was the subject of a severe attack of acute diphtheria in November, 1881, and, while lying at the point of death, all other remedies and treatment having failed, the anxious father decided to venture upon the operation of tracheotomy, as a last resort to save the life of his boy. And this he did, ably and intelligently assisted by Dr. H. D. Hinckley, Dr. G. W. Keely, a skilled dental practitioner and neighbor of Dr. Hill, administering the anzsthetic. The operation (one of the most delicate and uncertain known to modern surgery) proved eminently successful, and although the life of the little patient hung trembling in the balance for days, he soon rallied and made a perfect recovery.

Karly in 1865 Dr. Hill made a public profession of religion, and united with the (then) Second Presbyterian Church of Oxford. In April, 1866, he was made a ruling elder of the same Church. Dr. Hill was also clerk of the session for some ten years. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Society of Amherst College, Massachusetts; a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1853; was made an honorary member of the Ohio Medical Society, June 3, 1856; and a member of the

American Medical Association in 1867; he is a member of the Union District Medical Association, and also of the Butler County Medical Society; in 1869 he was Worthy Master of Oxford Lodge, No. 67, F. & A.M. Dr. Hill has ever been a warm and earnest Republican in his political preferences, and, although not active in political strifes, he is of a firm and uncompromising nature, standing fearlessly for his cherished principles. Of an affable and kindly disposition, he easily wins and usually retains the friendship and confidence of the community among whom he moves.

Volney L. Hills was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Hills, and was born February 6, 1815. She came to Cincinnati with her parents in 1817, from Massachusetts, where she was born. At the time of her death she was in the sixty-sixth year of her age. In the year 1829 she removed with her parents to Oxford, and on the 5th of May, 1833, was married to James D. Ringwood, at the home of her parents. There were born to this couple five children, one of whom died in infancy, and the remainder, three daughters and one son, still survive. Her husband died two years and two months previous to her death, since which time her life seemed to be on the wane.

James H. Howe is descended from an English family of this name, which, on coming to this country, early settled in Massachusetts in the vicinity of Boston. A son by the name of Ebenezer was born July 13, 1765. A Connecticut family named Sears, who afterwards made their home in New York State, had a daughter, Sarah, and to her Ebenezer was married November 9, 1793. The two remained with the father-in-law and had three children born to them. Somewhere in 1800 or 1801 Mr. Sears and his family (with the Howes) emigrated to the valley of the Little Miami and settled near Loveland, where the elder Sears purchased each of his children farms. The good man was spared to be over one hundred years of age. The Howe family remained here till about 1813 or 1814, and then moved to the wilds of Indiana and took up some land upon Hannas Creek. In that neighborhood in 1815, August 7th, James H. Howe was born, and grew to manhood, taking up his residence at the age of eighteen at College Corner. January 2, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Jerusha (King) White, formerly of Massachusetts, but born in Cazenovia, New York, July, 1815, who had been a resident of Ohio since 1834. His father came to Oxford in 1822, and resided on a farm until 1830, the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are now residing in a pleasant home in the village of College Corner, enjoying the quiet and serenity of their advancing years. They have no children.

Robert C. Huston, M. D., is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Greene County in 1818. In 1818 his parents, John and Sarah (Morrison) Huston, emigrated to Indiana. When Robert was about eleven years of age an old neighbor and friend, who was visiting the family, and at that time residing near Venice, persuaded Mr. Huston to allow the son to return with him for the purpose of securing some school advantages, and he remained there, having his home with this old neighbor about two years, after which he returned to his parents at Connersville, where he remained enjoying the benefit of the common schools of that day. In 1834 he entered the preparatory school of Miami University, and continued his studies, literary and professional, up to 1840, and the same year commenced practice in connection with Dr. Erasmus Rose, then at Liberty, Union County, Indiana. One year later he opened an office at College Corner, where he practiced his profession ten years. In 1852 he removed to Oxford, where he has since resided, enjoying a practice which requires his full time. He married twice, the first time in 1842, his -wife being Jane, daughter of Major James Montgomery, who was originally from the same county in Pennsylvania from which the Huston family came. He obtained his military title by service in the War of 1812, and was an early resident of Oxford. The issue of this marriage was four children, three sons and one daughter. The latter is now the wife of Dr. J. N. Bradley. The sons are all residents of Butler County. The eldest, James W.., resides on his father's farm, the old Moretz estate ; R. W. L. is a resident of Oxford, and the youngest, John C., is now in the drug trade at College Corner, and is also the postmaster. His second marriage occurred in 1872, his wife being Sarah W., daughter of Sylvester and Jerusia Lyons, and therefore sister of Mrs. Professor Bishop. His residence on the north side of High, and at the west corporation line, is a handsome property, and has been his home for the past twenty - years. The doctor is a Republican in politics, and takes an honorable part in all matters of public interest. His affiliation and special interest religiously is with the Presbyterians. He has been an active and successful practitioner for forty years, and is a member of the State Medical Society, and also an active and prominent member of the Butler County Medical Society.

Hiram King, farmer, is a native of Butler County, and was born in Oxford Township, in 1832. His parents, Thomas and Nancy King, came from the State of New York about 1819, and lived a number of years in Cincinnati. Mr. King was a carpenter, but when work at his trade was scarce took his ax, in the use of which he was expert, and helped clear a considerable part of the ground now occupied by the city. He had many offers of house-building with town-lots for pay; but not foreseeing that it was destined to be so great a city, he came to the interior to secure a home, and located in the southern part of Oxford Township, about 1880. A few years later he removed to the farm upon which Hiram Mr. King had a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living - William 5., now a resident of Pettis County, Missouri, and Hiram, who has lived since he was one year old. Although Mr. King had a very limited education he has taken an active interest in education, and has been of great use in promoting the interests of the schools in his district, in which he has been a director a number of years and until after the building of their present substantial brick house. Mr, King has been an authorized exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church for over twenty years past. He has gained his knowledge of books by improving his spare hours and at great disadvantage, and has accumulated a good rural library. He is known as a man of good general information, able to hold his own in ordinary debate, either secular or religious, and has been the leader in maintaining a Sunday-school in the district school-house.

He married, in 1859, Ann E. Booth, by whom he had one child, a daughter, Anna E., who is now a young lady. She graduated at the Oxford High School. His first wife dying, he married, in 1861, Martha E., her sister, by whom he had two children - Thomas L. and Laura B. Mr. King's wife is a daughter of William Booth, who is a native of England, and an old resident of Oxford Township, his farm adjoining Mr. King's. Mr. King comes from a hardy stock, who were noted for longevity. His grandfather, Samuel. King, was a soldier of the Revolution, and served during seven years of that memorable struggle. His great-grandfather King and his wife lived to pass more than eighty years of wedded life.

George Washington Keely, D. D.S., is the grandson of John Keely, a German by nativity, born in 1753. He came to this country in 1762 with his parents and settled in Pennsylvania, afterwards becoming a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and being wounded in the battle _of Brandywine. His son, John second, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1779, and died in Oxford, Ohio, May 7, 1848. He married Miss Ann Iddings, a native of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, who was born August 7, 1787. Mr. and Mrs. Keely came to Oxford, Ohio, in 1818, and in 1822, on the 22d of October, George W. Keely was born. The residence of the family was but a short distance south of the university buildings, and the boy had the privileges of the schools of the town, and when but a mere lad of some fourteen entered Miami University. Three years later, the president, Dr. Bishop, retired. Mr. Keely was warmly attached to the doctor, and feeling that the trustees of the institution were dealing unjustly by him, manifested his own sympathy by refusing longer to be numbered with the students of the school, although it had been his expectation to have pursued a full graduating course.

Not long after this he spent a little time with Dr. J. D. White, then a practicing dentist in the city of Hamilton; but in the Fall of 1839 entered the office of

Dr. John Allen, then a noted dental practitioner of the city of Cincinnati (now of New York), with whom he spent the two following years. Returning to Oxford in 1841, Dr. Keely established himself in the practice of his chosen profession by opening an office in a building at the corner of High and Beach Streets, where he remained for a year and a half, then moving to and occupying an office on Main Street. Afterwards, in 1867, he rented the rooms corner of High and Main Streets, where he has continued his practice ever since. Agreeable to the customs of the day and the practice of many dentists in the early history of the profession, Dr. Keely sustained for some years a series of periodic visits to neighboring towns in the States of Ohio and Indiana, which extended over the years of his early practice.

On the 13th of March, 1851, Dr. Keely was married to Miss Susanna Wells, in the city of Cincinnati, who bore to him three children, only one of whom, a son, Charles I. Keely, D. D. S., is now living, and is a practicing dentist as partner of his father, located in Hamilton. The married life of Doctor and Mrs. Keely was of short duration, as she was taken away by death May 25, 1856. April 21, 1861, Dr. Keely was again married, to Miss Cornelia Cone, of Oxford, who has borne him eight children, three of whom only are now living, two daughters and a son. After having been in active practice for some twelve years he graduated at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, in March, 1853.

Being of an ingenious and scholarly nature, Doctor Keely has ever been among the foremost in all movements which look toward the elevation and advancement of the interests of the profession of his choice, and has been ready to aid by his presence, councils, and means every organized effort upon the part of his brother practitioners for the advancement of its standards. He was present at the meeting of dentists, first held at Niagara Falls, where the foundations were first laid for the organization of. the American Dental Association, in 1859; has been an almost constant attendant upon its annual sessions; was elected its president in Philadelphia, in 1876, and presided as such in Chicago, in 1877. He was an active mover in the organization of the Ohio State Dental Society; was once its president, and has for the last ten years been re-elected to its treasurership. He has been, and now is, either an active or honorary member of the following: Mississippi Valley Dental Society, Mad River Valley Dental Society, and of the Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin State Dental Societies respectively, and was elected a member of the New York Odontological Society.

He has been a trustee of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery for the past twenty years, and often president of the board of trustees, and for the past fifteen years has lectured to the students on the ''Cause and Management of Irregularities of the Teeth," which he has made a labor of love,for the past twenty-five years.

The first house in Lesourdsville was the Red Buck tavern kept by John Freeman, and the first house other than this was one built by Thomas Ward. William Ward, a brother of Thomas, lived a little distance below, and after the town was laid out William Hedding purchased some of the lots, and to hurry up matters bought log houses and moved them in town. One of these log houses bought of Peter Shepherd is still standing. Benjamin Lesourd afterwards owned the tavern. There isa frame building still standing one-half mile below this tavern, that was built by Colonel Ayers, just after John Freeman built his, and was used as a hotel also. We see by a deed of Abram Freeman, made March 19, 1814, H. Hageman came into possession of fifty acres of the original tract, and that he deeded the same to Thomas Ward, May 25, 1816. The town was not laid out until about the time the canal was built.

Lesourdsville never had but one church building, which was erected just previous to the war. It was intended for any and all denominations, but the Rev., Mr. Maple, the first pastor, coming into the place during the war, produced a great excitement on the political questions of the time, and the organization broke up. In 1876 the Presbyterian Church came into possession of the property, established a society, and have had preaching in the place ever since. The Rey. S. C. Palmer occupied the pulpit from 1876 to 1878, since which time the Rev. S..F. Sharpless, of Monroe, has been the Spit The membership consists of twenty-four persons.

One of the earliest mills in this county on the river was known as the pin-mill, about two miles above Lesourdsville. It consisted of a saw-mill and a woolen- 'mill originally, the saw mill being built first. The boards were sawed and pinned on, there being over two thousand wooden pins used to fasten on the weatherboarding. It was very early put into use, but the building of the canal ended its day of usefulness. Adam Dickey also had a\mill built very early. It was on Dick's Creek, and was used until the canal was built. He also had a still-house above Amanda, where the old house of John Dickey now stands.

Amanda

The Shafors, Dickeys, Balls, Reeds, and others were the early settlers of this part of the township. The town was duly laid off by Robert Coddington and Samuel Dickey in 1827. John Dickey afterwards added. to it. It was formerly a very important grain center, owing probably to the energy of A. E. Johnston, who established this business, and gave the trade an impetus by successful management. He was succeeded by Curtis & Boyd, who operated many years. J. B. Jacoby, grocer of this place, now buys the grain. Amanda was built in this place by Ebenezer Johnston, in 1844. He also helped to build the church. The first blacksmith shop was built by Maranda Shafor. He sold out to Ellison Harkrader in 1840, who sold to William Bailey. Robert Maginety bought out Bailey in July, 1847.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Amanda was built about 1840. It was a good, substantial frame building and still stands. The leading members of the society who contributed to the Church in its infancy were A. Longstreet, John Shepherd, Charles Starr, John Waldo, William Bailey, and John Fleming. John Dickey donated the lot. The pastors have been the Rev. Messrs. Maley, Swain, Kemper, White, Wheat, and Elsworth. The Rev. William Shultz is the present pastor, and preaching is had every other Sabbath. The trustees of the Church are William Bailey, John Kyle, Luman Whitesell, Robert Maginety, and Henry Fisher. Robert Maginety has been an official member in various capacities since its organization.

William Shafor was one of the first settlers in this part of the township, and at his death one of the oldest citizens in the county. He was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 1783. He died in Middletown in October, 1880, in the ninety-eighth year of his age. When six years of age he came with his father to Lexington, Kentucky, and in 1803 with him to Ohio. He resided in Lemon Township seventy-eight years. He settled on a farm near Amanda, and lived on it during the entire portion of his active life. In 1859 he removed to Middletown, where he resided up to the time of his death. In the twenty-eighth year of his age he married Miss Jane Ryerson, who died in 1859. In 1860 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hill. When ninety-one years of age he joined the Presbyterian Church. He was remarkable in longevity of life, in being a useful member of society, and in retaining the sprightliness and activity of his youth up to nearly the time of his death.

Among the veteran pioneers who settled near Amanda was Adam Dickey. His family became numerous and children very prosperous. Adam Dickey came from Ireland when sixteen years of age, and in 1801 went to Cincinnati, where he manufactured the first brick used in that place. He then came to Lemon Township, where he died in 1828, at sixty-two years of age. The oldest son of Adam Dickey was Samuel, who assisted his father in one of the first mills on the Miami River, near Amanda, which his father had built. His father also owned a distillery, which consumed the corn raised on about four hundred acres of their land. In 1827 he built the large flouring-mill now owned by Archibald Jewell. This mill has been in the hands of the family since its erection, and has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day.

Had its origin in the building of the Excello Paper-mill by Harding, Erwin & Co. in 1865. The village is small and the inhabitants are largely employed at the paper- brother, and sister in turn tenderly nursed him during the last weary months of his life. His disease was laryngitis. He died on the eighteenth day of August, 1857, lacking six days of being forty-eight years of age. The following is from the pen of one who knew him long and intimately :

'* A man has recently fallen in our midst whose brief career and sudden demise should prove a profitable lesson, calling our thoughts to the solemn warning, ' Be ye also ready.' Isaac I. Keely, who departed this life on the evening of the 18th inst., of laryngitis, lacking a few days of being forty-eight years old, was a man of peculiar character. His ambition and energy were as unbounded as his benevolence, neither failing till means and health failed. We knew him from his youth up - from the time he entered college and delivered the first speech ever made in old Miami University, and recited his algebra lessons, till the day the solemn tones of its bell announced his journey to the tomb - and of him we have had but one opinion, and that is, a noble soul imprisoned in a feeble casket. We have often known him to perform deeds of charity to the sick widow and orphan that would have astonished Bishop Heber or the monks of St. Bernard, not letting his right hand know what the left was doing. He was ardently devoted to parents, brothers, and sisters, and all who were allied by consanguinity. Being the oldest of the boys, much devolved on him in educating and settling in life the younger members, and he met this responsibility with a liberality surprising his neighbors.

'' A more unselfish man never lived. He gave to his friends beyond endurance. This trait of character caused him to go out as he came into this world - but a few feet different. Nor was his charity confined to those only. _He had a heart to feel for human woe and a hand to help in time of need.

'"' His enterprise was not confined to one State; he built houses in different States for posterity to enjoy. This community will bear us witness when we say that I. I. Keely did more to make this town what it is than any other one man that ever lived in Oxford. As a religionist he was doubtless misunderstood by many. He was no sectarian - liberal and ardent, but sincere in his opinions.

'Asa defender of the science of animal magnetism or mental electricity as a curative agent, he was often denounced by ministers and other good men as a charlatan, a mountebank, an infidel in collusion with Beelzebub. This had a natural tendency to sour his mind against all sects. He reverenced the Deity, believed in Jesus Christ as the only Savior of sinners, and trusted in his merits for salvation. He believed in the efficacy of prayer; and when he could only whisper he said to an old friend, 'When you pray remember me.' He gratefully received the daily visits of the Rev. Mr. Spencer during his last hours. He had many friends to follow

Glover Laird, Jr., lives near College Corner, Ohio. He is a native of Ireland, being born in the city of Dublin, March 16, 1827. The father, Glover Laird, came to this country, with his wife and four children, in 1830, and located on the farm now occupied by his son. The family afterwards was increased by the birth of six other children, all of whom are still living, but scattered abroad in neighboring townships in Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Laird was married March, 1852, to Miss Caroline Shaffer, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, born September, 1836. To these have been born three sons, of whom one still resides with the parents, one is at Camden, Ohio, and another is in Indiana. Mr. Laird holds his Church connection with the Methodist society, and in his political associations is a Republican. The farm upon which he was reared, and now makes his home, is about half a mile south-east of College Corner, in the extreme northwest section of the township.

William L. Lane, a native of Butler County, was born in Hanover Township, April 26, 1832. He is a son of Harmon J. and Isabella (Long) Lane, the former being a native of New Jersey, and the latter a native of Hamilton County. Mr. Lane, Sen., was a mason by trade, and came to Cincinnati when a young man, and prosecuted his craft a number of years. After his marriage, in 1818, he settled on the farm in Hanover Township, now owned by Charles Beck, which he improved,

1842. His wife survived him a few years, and died in 1848. They had a family of eight children, five of whom are now living: Ella married Jackson James, now a resident of Missouri; Sallie married Dr. C. P. Dennis; Susan married William McCoy, the latter two now reside at Portsmouth, Ohio; William L., of Oxford, and Cornelius W., of Hanover Township.

William L. Lane was raised on the farm in Hanover Township and continued actively engaged in farming a number of years. He conducted the Darrtown Mills ten or twelve years in connection with farming. He married, in 1864, Miss Louise, daughter of James 8. and Mary (Stackpole) Smiley, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in Hanover Township in 1826, where they continued to reside until 1867, when they removed to the village of Oxford. Mr. Smiley engaged in banking, which he continued until his decease, which occurred in 1878. His wife died in 1873. Three children survived him - Mrs. Lane, Mary J., and Anna M. Mr. Smiley was an active and respected citizen of his day and left a valuable estate. The Smiley residence is a handsome property, located at the south-west corner of

Horace M. Logee, M. D., was born in Douglass, Massachusetts, SSptember 10, 1834. He is descended from the Huguenots who left their native country during the thirty years' His ancestor fled to England, and after a little time made his way to the United States, in company with others, and settled in the northern part of the new State of Rhode Island. From this head descended Joseph H. Logee, the father of Dr. Logee, who was born in January, 1804. The mother, Prudence F. Paine, was of English ancestry. It is a family tradition that her grandfather was one of a family which numbered twenty-eight children, all of one parentage. She was born in January, 1804, and died in February, 1857, her native place being in Cumberland Township, Rhode Island. Dr. Logee, after obtaining a common-school education, entered and passed through the curriculum of Lawrence Academy. Not long after this he came West and spent several years in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, first as a book-keeper, then as a student in medicine in the office of Professor T. P. Wilson, and afterwards as matriculant of the Homeopathic Medical College of that city, from which he graduated in the Spring of 1862. Shortly after he commenced practice in Linesville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. In November, 1855, he was married to Miss Harriet E. Martin, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and to them were born one son and a daughter, both of whom are living. Mrs. Logee died January 15, 1861. While resident at Linesville the doctor was once or twice elected mayor of the city. In November, 1866, he was married to Miss Charlotte A. Hamilton, a native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, who was born December, 1842.

About 1874 Dr. Logee removed from Linesville to Oxford, Ohio, and here established himself in the practice of his profession, in which he has continued with great success from that time until the present, taking a front rank among the practitioners of the town. Since residing here he has often taken active part in the local politics of the day as a Republican, and has twice been made a member of the council. While living in Pennsylvania he was an active member in professional organizatiops, and was in 1870 vice-president of the State Homeopathic Medical Society, and since coming to Ohio he has manifested the same earnest zeal in the advancing of his chosen profession and encouragement of organized effort among its members. As a member of the Ohio State Homeopathic Society he was made its secretary in 1878, and its president in 1880 and 1881. The doctor is also a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 108, I. O. O. F., and of Encampment No. 119; also of Oxford Lodge A. O. U. W., No. 74. Of medium stature and well knit frame, he is a person of great activity and nerve force, doing with his might what may be the present work in hand. Of quick adaptation and ready in rewar.

sources, scholarly judgment and skilled professional attainments, he has the make up of one who should be, and evidently is, a successful physician and esteemed citizen in the village of his adoption. Mrs. Logee displays in her studies and efforts in art manifest native genius and talent. Her sketches and crayons, as also her work in colors, evince decided merit, and serve to beautify and adorn their pleasant home.

Richard Martindell was born in New Jersey, May 10, 1791, and about the year 1816 came to Ohio, arriving in Cincinnati without a dollar. He soon found work, however, and became acquainted with and married Nancy Wallace, March 17, 1817. She was born in Hamilton County, October 5, 1798, and was the daughter of James Wallace and Charity Bevis. He then rented a farm in Butler County, in Stillwell's Corners, remaining there for eight years. At the end of this time he traded two horses and a wagon for fifty acres of land, known now as the Dr. Roll farm. On this he lived three years, and then sold it for five hundred dollars, and purchased one hundred and seventy-two acres for a thousand dollars. On this farm he lived some thirty years, when he sold out and moved to Oxford Township, where he died November 8, 1862. His widow removed to Hamilton and afterwards to Oxford, where she now resides at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Of their family there were fifteen children. Their names were Mahlon, Charlotte, Mary Ann, Harriet, John, Miranda, Martha Ann, Franklin M., David W., Nancy, Richard, Elizabeth F., Louisa M., Alice, and James K. P. Mahlon, Louisa M., Alice, and Martha Ann are dead. Charlotte is now Mrs. John Thompson, Mary Ann is the widow of James Adams, Harriet is Mrs. Adam Miller, Miranda is Mrs. Charles Miller, Nancy is Mrs. James Harter, and Frances is Mrs, George H. Ringwood. John Martindell was born October 14, 1824, and lived at home till the Spring of 1848, when he went to California and mined two years. He went by the overland route, but returned by water. He was married February 19, 1851, to Sarah J. McChesney, daughter of John and Flora (Patterson) McChesney. She was born in Warren County, September 26, 1829. There are now living, descended from John Martindell, Sen., eleven children, thirty-two grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Some time about the year 1800 Aaron Matson, whose birth and former home had been in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio, and located in Milford, Clermont County. He married for his wife Miss Elizabeth Gatch (who came from Virginia), about 1808 or 1809, and to them two sons and three daughters were born, among them Philip D. Matson. He was born in that town October 2, 1814. In boyhood he was a pupil in the common school of the place until about twelve years old, afterwards for several Summers working either upon his father's farm or with his uncle, Thomas Gatch, attending school in the Winters. When about seventeen years old he went to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, whither his parents afterwards removed, and there apprenticed himself in the tinsmith's trade to Sykes & Robeson, with whom he remained for nearly three years. Leaving Cincinnati in the Spring of 1834, he came to Oxford and entered the employment of Mr. J. Ferguson, then engaged in the tinsmith and hardware business. Not long after, however, the two formed a copartnership in trade, and continued the business until November, 1868, some thirty-four years of a harmonious and very successful career, at which time Mr. Matson retired from the firm to private life.

May 5, 1835, shortly after coming to Oxford, Mr. Matson was married to Miss Catharine H. McGhee, whose parents came from Ireland, Mrs. Matson herself being a native of Pennsylvania, but a resident of Oxford at the time of her marriage. 'To these were born one son, who lived only eight years, and five daughters, all of whom are married. The mother dying in October, 1866, it has been the privilege of these daughters successively to act as housekeepers for their father, and at the present writing he is finding a pleasant home in his advancing years with the son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Shera.

When but ten years of age Mr. Matson united with the Methodist Church of his native place, changing his relations from that to other Churches of the same faith as his home was changed, his last membership being with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Oxford, with whom he united in 1854. It being Mr. Matson's nature to do whatever his hands found to do with his might, his connection with that Church has proved a life of earnest Christian activity in every department of Church work where his counsel, co-operation, or effort could assist in the advancement of the work. He has held the office of

Sunday-school superintendent for over forty consecutive years, a most unparalleled instance of faithful continuance in well-doing. Especially has Mr. Matson's influence been felt and usefulness shown in his position 4s chairman of the committee of his Church to whom was committed the task of the raising of funds and superintending the erection of the fine and commodious church in which the society has been permitted, for the last seven or eight years, to worship. The burden of the undertaking was upon his shoulders and heart, and most nobly has it been performed.

Not alone in his business relations and Christian work has Mr. Matson been honored. He has been called upon to occupy many offices of trust, among them having been repeatedly elected to the council and trustee of the township. He has also been a school trustee and member of the board of education. He was one of the first committee on building of the Oxford Female Institute.

The family of David M. Magie is of Scotch origin, the grandfather coming over and settling in New Jersey. Here Benjamin was born in 1760, and was married to Miss Sarah Brown, who was born in New J ersey, 1762.

To these were born three sons: Josiah, Benjamin, Jr., and David M. When the latter was about two years of age the family emigrated to the Ohio Valley, and first settled on a farm at Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati. There they stayed but a short time, and removed to Lebanon, Warren County, remaining a few years, and then took up their home on a farm near Monroe. The family consisted of six sons and two daughters, of whom three only are still living: David, Mrs. Rhoda Elliott, of Paris, Illinois, and William, residing at Middletown, Ohio. The father, Benjamin, died January, 1842. David M., in boyhood, enjoyed similar advantages to other youth in his day and locality, but while thus obtaining the rudiments of an education in the schools he was an apt scholar in the practical education of his farm life. February 22, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Maria Young, who was born July 22, 1821. The newly married couple for the first three years made their home with Mrs. Magie, then in recent widowhood, and David took the oversight of the farm; then they changed to the farm of Mrs. Magie's father for a couple of years. From here, in the Spring of 1847, Mr. Magie removed with his wife and daughter, Laura Belle, born December 4, 1845, to and occupied a farm about one mile north of Oxford.

As early as 1837 Mr. Magie had turned his attention to the raising of hogs as a special branch of husbandry, and then began the careful study of the animal, and experiments in the improvement of the. several breeds in the introduction and crossing of foreign strains with the native variety, which resulted in the origin and propagation of what has become the famous '' Magie breed" of hogs, and which are now in such great demand for breeding purposes that from the stock which the firm of Magie & Kumler carry they sell from 500 to 700 head annually, and these are sent not only all over the States and Territories, but many go to fill orders from foreign countries, some even as far as Australia. Some years of attention have been given by Mr. Magie to the raising of choice breeds of cattle, particularly short-horn Durhams, and with much success, as also the breeding and raising of fine horse stock, yet his main reliance has been in the specialty of a first-class breed of hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Magie have two daughters, Laura Belle, who was married to Mr. Theophilus R. Kumler, of Oxford, May 15, 1866, and Sallie Maria, born July 26, 1847. The son-in-law is Mr. Maggie's partner in conducting the stock farm, both residing in the village of Oxford, to which place Mr. Magie removed in October, 1859, with his family, and in which place the firm have their office. Mr. Magie has for many years been an active and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Oxford, and a thorough and ardent Republi- 'an in his political preferences. Naturally a man of fine physical powers, constant and earnest application to the duties of his calling have made some inroads upon his general health, and for the past year he has been a sufferer from a complication of bodily diseases. He still has the care and oversight of his extensive business, assisted by his son-in-law, Mr. Kumler.

John C. McCracken, lumber dealer, is a native of Oxford, and a son of the Rev. 8. W. McCracken, who was a native of Kentucky, and a graduate of Miami University, and also occupied the chair of mathematics a number of years subsequently. He was ordained a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, and spent a number of the later years of his life in pastoral work. His decease occurred at Hopewell in 1859. John C. McCracken was born in Oxford in 1838, and attended the university in his youth, but on account of feeble health, did not graduate. He taught at various points, and followed teaching a number of years. In 1856 he engaged in merchandising, and continued in that business at different points until 1863, when being advised that his health depended on out-door exercise, he purchased a farm near Oxford, and continued farming until about three years since, when he became interested in the lumber trade of Oxford, and is now the principal operator in that line of business. He married, in 1860, Miss Jane E. Wilson, of Shelby County. They have two children, George H. and Frank S. Mr. McCracken's office and yard are convenieritly located on Beach Street near High. He is an active, successful business man, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been for fifteen years past one of Oxford's most substantial and useful citizens, identified with public. activities.

Joseph S. McCord, deceased, though a latter-day resident of Oxford, was so thoroughly identified with public affairs as to have left a lasting influence. He was a native of Pennsylvania, being born there August 9, 1813, and was the son of a farmer. He enjoyed but limited advantages in his youth. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Landisburg, in his native State, and subsequently worked at this occupation in Pittsburg, where he became connected with boat-building, which led to a river life for a number of years, and finally to his locating at Cincinnati, where he subsequently, in connection with his brother David, became prominent as contractor and builder, a business 'he followed a number of years, and until, having acquired a considerable property and _ his health then being broken, he relinquished business, and, having purchased a handsome residence near the Miami University, he removed with his family to Oxford the Spring of 1866, with a view of rest and recuperation, where his family would have good educational and social privileges.

His business ability and interest in religious and educational affairs made his council desirable, and he was soon a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, and gave no little time and effort in remodeling and fitting up the present place of worship, and continued one of most active and useful members of that

Chureh until his decease, which occurred November 5, 1879. In 1870 he became a member of the board of the Western Female Seminary, and being the only resident member of the board, a large draft was made on his time, especially during the rebuilding of that institution after the fire of 1871, and his name will be found prominently mentioned in connection with all the prominent . public enterprises of his day. In 1872 he was chosen a member of the board of trustees for Miami University, and was actively identified with the building of the east wing, which position he also occupied at the time of his decease. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Assenath Brown, their marriage dating October 12, 1842. She died in 1847, leaving no children. February 21, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss C. A. Morehead, of Erie, Pennsylvania, who, with three grown children, Frank, Jennie, and Lizzie, survived him, and now resides at the residence, which fronts the university campus, near the center of the southern boundary. Mrs. McCord, son, and daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Professor Byron F. Marsh was born December 14, 1845, at Dudley, Massachusetts. He prepared for college, intending to enter Harvard, but the war coming on his father was numbered among those whose life was sacrificed in defending the government. This prevented the son from carrying out his aspirations for a college diploma. He resorted to teaching, and has continued that occupation ever since. He was at one time an instructor in Brooklyn, and also taught five years in a private school at Poughkeepsie, and at different academic institutions in Massachusetts, and elsewhere in the East. In 1877 he came to Oxford, associating himself with Professor P. Trufant in building up a classical school for boys, in the buildings of the Miami University. It was to be a training school after the plan of the New England academies, thoroughly preparing a young man for college.

Professor Karl Merz is a native of Germany, where he was born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the town of Bensheim, the 10th of September, 1834. The father was a teacher, also being organist in the principal church of the place; and quite early in his boyhood young Karl became an apt scholar upon the violin and piano. At the age of eleven he sought for and found occasion to try his proficiency in his studies in music in an attempt at performing upon the great organ of which his father had care. This was so finely accomplished, to the wonderment and gratification of the father, that for several years almost daily was young Karl intrusted with the instrumental portions of the Church service, the performance of which seemed to take deep hold upon his soul's emotions. Being also a skilled performer upon the violin, he was connected with two or three orchestral clubs, and was early thrown into the company and made the acquaintance of many prominent in musical circles in the vicinity. Of Romanist parents, his scholastic education was attained in the preparatory and higher schools of this Church, and from these he graduated in 1852, teaching for a year thereafter in a Catholic school at Appenheim, near Bingen-on-the-Rhine.

About this time, while on a visit home, he made the acquaintance of a gentleman from America, who proposed to him that he should return with him to his country. This idea was finally acted upon by Mr. Merz, and after visiting the birth-place of Beethoven, at Bonn, and also Cologne, Brussels, Paris, and London, on the way, he landed in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the September when he was just turned of his twentieth year. Here for a little time he was employed as a clerk in a music store, but afterwards joined a company of musicians, who had a nightly engagement to play at an establishment on Third Street. This employment gave Mr. Merz much time for study, and he made the best use of it in his practice; also venturing upon some compositions, several of which in later days have found their way to an appreciative public, and many yet lie in the portfolio of the artist.

Some time in 1855 he was, all unsolicited by himself, engaged as organist for the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and his first service in a Protestant Church is spoken of by the professor as one of the marked events in his history. Nor was his keenly sensitive nature unsusceptible to the new form of worship and the teachings to which he was thus introduced, as afterevents will show. '

In 1856 the position of instructor in the musical department of Dr. Killikelly's school, Eden Hall Seminary, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, being vacant, Professor Merz was invited to take it, which he willingly did, his labors in this place being both pleasant and very satisfactory. While here he made the acquaintance of and married Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. J. Riddle. Shortly after the couple took up their residence for a short time in Salem, Virginia, but not liking the location he entered a seminary under the charge of Mr. Wilson, in Harrisburg, in the same State, as teacher, where he was employed for one year, after which he accepted a professorship in Hollis Institute, near his recent home, at Salem, Virginia. At the outbreak of the war in 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Merz, feeling hearty loyalty to the cause of the Union, decided it to be unwise to attempt to remain at the institution, and went northward, making sacrifice of nearly all that they then were possessed of in their adherence to the principles of their country. The following August Professor Merz had the position of professor of music in the Ohio Female College of Oxford, then under the presidency of the Rev. Dr. R. D. Morris, offered him, and most gladly accepted it, entering at once upon the duties of the position with all the earnest ardor and enthusiasm of his nature, and this position Professor Merz has continued to hold and adorn until this Summer. 'This year he has been elected professor of music in another institution.

Shortly after coming to America Mr. Merz became an intelligent and thorough convert to the Protestant faith, and ever since has been a firm and outspoken friend to the new truth which he warmly espoused.

In addition to his college duties he has had charge, as musical editor, for many years of Brainard's Musical World, issued in Cleveland, and has a world-wide reputation for the variety and genuine worth of his many musical compositions and publications. He is genial in his companionship, a fluent and interesting conversationalist, and a laborious student in his chosen profession.

The Rev. Robert Desha Morris was born in Washington, Mason County, Kentucky, August 22, 1814. He is the eldest son of Colonel Joseph Morris, who removed from New Jersey to Kentucky in 1794. The Morris family trace their descent from a chieftain in Wales who flourished in 933. In later times they had important commands, and fought in the battles of Parliament against Charles I., but after the death of Cromwell they were obliged to flee from Monmouthshire to escape the vengeance of the royalists, taking refuge on the Island of Barbadoes. From this island, the grandfather, Lewis Morris, sailed for New Jersey, and settled in that part now called Monmouth County, where he was one of the first judges. Another branch of the family settled in and gave the name to Morrisania, New York, and became famous in the history of that colony. Dr. Morris's paternal grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and having been taken prisoner, was, with many other patriots, confined in the old sugar-house prison in Liberty Street, New York, where they endured untold sufferings.

Dr. Morris's maternal ancestors, the Deshas, fled from La Rochelle on the revocation of the edict of Nantes by Louis XIV., in 1685, and came to the shores of Long Island Sound, to a place which they called New Rochelle, - in honor of the home they had left. They subsequently settled on the Delaware near the Water Gap. In 1784 the Deshas and Overfields emigrated to Kentucky and were associated with the Kentons in the struggles, privations, and dangers incident to pioneer life in Kentucky. Dr. Morris's mother was descended from Huguenot stock, and held tenaciously to her Calvinistic faith, and her son, having early imbibed the tenets, adhered steadfastly to them.

Having been prepared at Bracken Academy, he entered Augusta College, and after a four years' course graduated August 7, 1834. After this he completed a four years' course at Princeton Theological Seminary, attending lectures at Yale, and traveling extensively during vacations. He was licensed to preach by the Synod of Philadelphia, in that city, April 18, 1838. His first pastorate was with the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, where he remained eighteen years. From that Church he came to Oxford, Ohio, in 1859, and has since been at the head of the Oxford Female College,

He received the honorary degree of doctor of divinity from Center College, Kentucky, in 1870. He married, May 3, 1842, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Matthew L. Bevan, an eminent merchant of Philadelphia. Dr. Morris has been an active man, laboring zealously for what he believed to be right, and filled with arduous and self-sacrificing efforts for the cause of religion and education. As a pastor he was diligent in labor, and planted many new Churches by his persistent efforts. He was uniformly prompt and active in attending on the judicatories of his denomination, and often represented his presbytery in the highest court of the Church. He was a member of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Louisville in 1844, at Cincinnati in 1850, at New Orleans in 1858, and at Philadelphia in 1870. He was also active in general improvements and in temperance and educational work. He was president of the Pennsylvania State Temperance _ Convention at Harrisburg in 1846. He served as director in the common schools, and established a superior parochial school and classical academy, now in successful operation, at Newtown, Pennsylvania, and was for years an active trustee of Lafayette College. He helped to raise the endowment and secured many young men as students. In Oxford he has been principally devoted to the Oxford Female College, which, under his management, won a high reputation.

The Rev. James W. McGregor, M. A., was born in Richmond, Jefferson County, Ohio, September 14, 1837. In his youth he attended Richmond College, then a prosperous institute of learning, and graduated at Miami University in 1863. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Pittsburg Conference in 1865, and subsequently was transferred to the Cincinnati Conference, having charge of the Mount Auburn Church, and afterwards of the one at Oxford. He was then transferred to the Minnesota Conference, and was stationed at Minneapolis. He returned to Oxford in 1874, and located at the east side of the village, near the Oxford Female College, where he has sought to regain his health, previously impaired, by out-door occupation. Though looking after a farm of upwards of one hundred acres, on the Sabbath he is nearly always found in one of the pulpits of the vicinity. He ministered at the Western Female Seminary chapel regularly every Sunday afternoon for two years after his return. He married in 1865 Miss Emily Lane, daughter of Ebenezer Lane, who was the founder of Lane Seminary. She is a native of Oxford, having been born where she with her husband and family still live. dren, Lane and Celeste.

Dr. David Oliver was born at Harmon, Ohio, in 1792, eleven years previous to the admission of the State into the Union. It falls to the lot of but few men to lead such varied and stirring lives as was his in the early part of his career. He was in the War of 1812, and served two years on a privateer, acting under letters of marque from the republic of Columbia, South America, being severely wounded in a naval engagement with a Spanish man-ofwar. Afterwards, as a practicing physician at Brookville, Indiana, and Lebanon, Ohio, he spent many active years in doing good, and finally removed to Oxford, where, as a public spirited and generous citizen and a ruling elder in the Church, his loss was severely felt.

Among the many movements looking toward the elevation and better education of the women of America, perhaps none of the special ideas or departures from the old routine, which have assumed form in effort, has attracted more attention or proved more thoroughly practical than that of which Miss Mary Lyon became the exponent. Her ideas took tangible form in the opening of a school at South Hadley, Massachusetts, known as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, from which hundreds of finely educated and accomplished young women have gone forth to take rank among the foremost educators, philanthropists, and practical women in all stations in life. Among the early pupils of this school was Miss Helen Peabody, now the head of the Oxford Female Seminary.

Some time in 1635 Francis Peabody, of Hertfordshire, England, came to America in the ship Planter, and settled in Massachusetts. As a descendant from this stock, Ammi Peabody is recorded as having beén born July 4, 1769, in Boxford, Essex County, in that State. He was married to Miss Sarah Johnson, then a resident of Newport, New Hampshire, to which place the Peabody family had but a short time before removed. To Mr. and Mrs. Peabody were born a family of fourteen children, of whom four sons and three daughters are now living. The father died at Newport, New Hampshire, in 1845, while the mother was spared till March, 1859.

Helen Peabody, the youngest member of their large family, was born May 6, 1826. Her girlhood was passed in no manner dissimilar to that of other children of her day, her school advantages being those common to the villagers of New England. When fourteen or fifteen years of age she spent about a year at the Concord Literary Institute, at Concord, New Hampshire, of which school another brother, the Rev. Charles 'Peabody, was then the honored and successful principal. After this Miss Helen was engaged for some two years in teaching in district schools in the vicinity of her Newport home. She then accepted a position in Kimball Union Academy, in Meriden, New Hampshire, where she remained about a year.

In 1845 she entered Mt. Holyoke Seminary as a pupil under Miss Lyon, and pursued the full curriculum of the graduating course, taking her diploma in the Summer of 1848. For the four following years Miss Peabody was connected with her alma mater as one of the faculty, and her relations to the school were of the pleasantest character, she proving herself very efficient in the duties and responsibilities here placed upon her. But in her earnestness and zeal in her work she found her health becoming undermined, and was compelled to relinquish her position, and the following year she took for rest and visitation among her relatives and friends. In the Summer of 1854 she engaged as a teacher in a private seminary for young ladies, in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, making her home with her brother Charles, who, at the time, was a resident of that city, and district secretary for the American Tract Society.

The corporators of the Western Female Seminary, which had been located at Oxford about this time, had their seminary buildings nearly completed, and the trustees were on the outlook for just the right person in whose hands they might, with confidence, place the affairs of the new educational venture, as its head and principal. It had been at the outset decided that the plan, both of the edifice and the school itself, should be modeled on the Mt. Holyoke pattern at South Hadley, and with the faculty of that institution the trustees had frequent correspondence, and it was upon their hearty recommendation that the board first had their attention turned toward Miss Peabody. In the Summer of 1855 a delegation from this body, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Babb, of Cincinnati, and the Rev. Mr. Bonham, of Oxford, went to St. Louis and had a personal conference with this lady, laying their project before her, and in the name of the trustees pressing the position upon her. Miss Peabody asked for a little time in which to consider the matter, and the following morning, although strongly drawn toward and attached to the family of her brother Charles, who at this time were in deep sorrow from the recent demise of the wife and mother, and feeling it a duty and privilege to remain, and, in so far as her noble womanly heart and effort could try and supply the ~ Joss, especially in the care of a sweet, motherless infant, yet urged by the brother to look upon the opening as a providential one, pointing to duty, she decided to give the committee a favorable answer, accepting the position.

Soon after she came to Oxford, and at once entered with zeal and enthusiasm upon the work which was thus committed to her care, and with such success that about the middle of September following the school was thrown open to the public, equipped with a fine corps of teachers and starting off with an introductory class of about one hundred and fifty pupils.

The entire machinery could hardly be expected to work perfectly smooth, and the first few weeks of a new school, conducted as this was proposed to be, naturally was subject to some unpleasant friction. The immediate wants of this large family were pressing, but the requisite conveniences were not all just in place. The cooking range was not finished, nor had all its furniture yet arrived, when the one hundred and fifty young ladies, some with their parents, came swooping down upon the faculty. The young ladies were at onee assigned posi- tions in the culinary department as well as elsewhere in the curriculum of the institution, and strange and unexpected perplexities suddenly arose. One of these nymphs of the kitchen, referring to these early experiences, gives the following as one of the first problems which confronted her as ''freshman" in the first class in the Western Female Seminary: '' Given two dripping pans and a brass kettle, it is required to cook meats and vegetables for over one hundred and fifty persons ;" and in addition facetiously remarks, '' Never before did we appreciate the capabilities of dripping pans." Of the perplexities and annoyances consequent upon the opening of the new school, Miss Peabody received and bore her full share, and by the effort thus demanded and nobly performed, she was enabled to send the enterprise prosperously along on its course toward the grand success to which it has attained.

Karly in life, probably when about fourteen years of age, Miss Peabody became interested in the subject of personal religion, and about this time made a publie profession of her faith in Christ, uniting with the Congregational Church of her native place. But as with every thing else in her life, the profession of a hope in the Savior meant earnest zealous work for the Master whose cause she had thus early in life espoused, and through all of her subsequent career we easily discover a grand Christian substratum underlying her whole educational work, and constantly coming to the surface in her every-day life and intercourse either with the world outside or the hundreds of loving pupils upon whom, in the providence of God, it has been her gracious privilege to exert her personal influence. While the great work of her life thus far has been that of an educator in the popular acceptation of the term, yet to those to whom Miss Peabody is best known, it is acknowledged that it has ever been her great aim to let the thought, which found expression in the class motto of 1878, " Omnia ad Dei Gloriam" (All to the glory of God), be the ruling principle and motive of her lifework. When she came to reside at Oxford she sought for and found a spiritual home in the Second Presbyterian Church, continuing her membership with it when the two interests were united as the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford.

Probably two of the most trying experiences in her life were the repeated destruction of the seminary buildings by fire, first on the 14th of January, 1860, and again on the 6th of April, 1871. But the friends of the institution stood nobly by their heroic and devoted principal, and since the last rebuilding the school has to pride itself upon haying one of the finest and most commodious edifices of which the West can boast, seemingly complete in all its appointments, and over which it is the heartfelt, earnest prayer of every alumna and friend of the school Miss Helen Peabody may long be spared to preside.

James Brook Pugh has been a resident of Oxford Township about thirteen years, during which time by his energy, intelligence, and enterprise he has won the confidence and respect of the people, and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of trustees of his township. Mr. Pugh is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Montgomery County in 1825. His early life was spent on a farm. His parents came to Warren County, Ohio, in 1835, making the trip in wagons. In 1869 Mr. Pugh came to Oxford and purchased what was then known as the Austin mill property, and without previous experience has, by industry and intelligence, succeeded in building up a large and growing business. He is somewhat original in his methods, grinding merchant flour according to the '' patent process," but running the product with his '' family flour," which makes his milling very popular with his custom patrons. His mill is run by water-power, and he also has a custom saw-mill in connection, but run by a separate wheel. Mr. Pugh has been twice married, and is now a widower, his second wife, who was a daughter of W. H. Smith, deceased, having died in July, 1881. His first wife was a native of Pennsylvania. He has a family of four children, two of whom are married. He has recently completed a neat, commodious dwelling, which is a substantial addition to the mill property, and which is occupied by H. 8. Chamberlain, who is a son-in-law and '' head miller." Mr. Pugh's oldest son, James B., Jr., is also engaged in the mill.

Robert H. Riggs, a native of Butler County, was born in 1821, his birth-place being on the Miami, near the mouth of Indian Creek. His father, Matthew Riggs, a native of New York, came to Butler County in pioneer days, and was a school-teacher and honored with public duties. The mother of Robert was a native of Virginia, and had been previously married to a Mr. Andrews, by whom she had four children, and some time after his death she became the wife of Mr. Riggs. They continued to live in Butler County until their decease, which occurred in Oxford Township, whence they had removed from Reily in 1833. Their remains lie in the old Baptist burying-ground in Reily Township. Robert H. Riges was raised on the farm and has followed farming all his life. He now owns his father's old homestead, and resides on the tract formerly known as the Dr. Anderson farm, and has one hundred and seventy-two acres near, which he has under good improvement. He also conducts a meat-shop in Oxford, which is attended by one of his sons. He married, in 1847, Sophronia Wing, who is also a native of Butler County. Her parents, Silas and Lucy Wing, were Massachusetts people, and early

Muncie, Indiana), William, Edward E., Robert M., and Mary Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs are direct descendants of the pioneer families and worthy representatives

Among those who have been identified with Oxford Township is the Sadler family. Elijah and Cordelia Sadler-were natives of Massachusetts, and were married at Williamsburg in 1828. He was a carpenter, and not being satisfied with his routine work in the employ of Isaac Gere, as foreman of a box factory, he decided to come West, and in the Winter of 1834, putting his worldly goods into a sleigh, came with his family to Oxford. After a few years residence in the village, he purchased and removed to what is known as the Sadler farm, where he resided at the time of his death, in 1850. His wife and nine children survived him. Mrs. Sadler was a woman of more than ordinary force of character, and she kept her family together, and with the help of her children carried on farming. She was of a family of Kings, and he was related to the Dwights, of colonial fame in Massachusetts. She was a woman whose excellence of character and life is vindicated in her children, every one of whom grew to adult age. Her two daughters, Sarah R. and Cordelia A., are still living. The former is the wife of G. W. Adams, a merchant of Oxford, and the latter is the wife of C. M. Douglass, of Fowler, Indiana. Of her seven sons five are living, and all have made a worthy record in life. The oldest, George W., is a resident of Peoria, Illinois, where he with three of his brothers have arrangements for feeding stock in large numbers, of which George has immediate supervision. William K., deceased, was a physician and entered the army as regimental surgeon, and at the time of his death, December, 1864, was in charge of the medical department of Baton Rouge Post. Elijah D, is still a resident of Oxford, having entire charge of the Sadler estate. He has been treasurer of Oxford Township for the past six years. Jerome F. is a resident and stockbroker of New York City, and interested in the extensive stock-feeding and dealings of the Edward W., deceased in 1872, being about thirty years of age, was the most extensive resident stock-dealer known to Oxford. Lewis L. is a resident of Cincinnati, and has been for some time president of the city council. He is also one of the firm of Sadler Brothers, and looks after their extensive interests in Cincinnati. The youngest son, Silas P., resides in Pittsburg, where he does a brokerage business, and attends. to the interests of the '' Brothers," of which firm he is also a member. Mrs. Sadler's decease occurred in Oxford, February 1, 1881. A memorial pamphlet, containing a short sketch of her life and an account of the funeral services, was published by the children and distributed to all the friends.

About 1810 there came from Martha's Vineyard, and settled in the vicinity of Mixerville, Indiana, Mr. John Smith, who reared a large family, of whom John T. and William H. were residents of Oxford, the latter having practiced law here a number of years previous to his death, which occurred in 1876. John T. was a farmer, and lived on the road to College Corner. He was successful in his private business, and active and influential in matters of public concern; was a leading member of the Universalist Church, and was one of the trustees to whom the first church property was deeded in trust for the congregation. He always took an active interest in education, filled the office of director in his district almost continuously, and five of his children graduated at one or the other of the schools of Oxford. His wife was Miss Anna Slack, a resident of the same neighborhood. Her, father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and a worthy and esteemed citizen. His son, the Rev. Joshua Slack, a Baptist, was a pioneer in higher school education in Cincinnati. The issue of this union was five children, as follows: John T., Jr., deceased, who had a large ranch in Arizona, and was a member of the territorial Legislature. Anna S. married Mr. Winder, and is now residing in Grandview, Iowa. Mary married William J. Rounald, a graduate of Miami University, and also resides in Grandview. Arabella married O. P. Smith, a farmer near Wapella, Louisa County, Iowa. Palmer W. is now a successful practitioner of law, having been admitted to the bar in 1870. He married in 1871 Miss Virginia, daughter of Samuel V. Hill, who was a wholesale tobacco merchant of Cincinnati, who removed with his family to Oxford, where his declining years were comfortably and pleasantly spent. His decease occurred in 1876, his first wife having preceded him several years. Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Smith have a family of two children, Hall and Virginia, living, and one, Palmer W., who died in infancy.

John Shera, of this town, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, December 16, 1815. His father's name was James Shera and his mother was Ann Munns. The family, consisting of the two parents and eight children, emigrated to America in 1821, and took up their home in the West, in Franklin County, Indiana. While helping the father and mother in the work of the farm the children enjoyed the slight advantages of the pioneer school of the day. The mother dying in 1830, and the father in January, 1832, the children remained on the farm, and attended school Winters. When about eighteen years old Mr. Shera went to live with a brother who had bought a farm near by, and was with him some four years. October 18, 1838, he was married to Miss Margaret Shera, and the Spring of the year following the young couple, in all the hopeful enthusiasm of early man and womanhood, took up their home on a farm in Oxford Township, which John had purchased a year or two previous. This farm they continued to cultivate for thirty-two years, having seven children born to them during this time. In 1871 the family broke from the old farm home and moved into the village of Oxford, where taken away by death. One daughter is married and lives on a farm near the old homestead. The three sons and the other sister are residing in town, two of the former being the firm of Shera Brothers, in the grocery trade, corner of Main and High Streets. Just before the death of the older brother Mr. Shera made a profession of religion, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this faith and Church the parents have adhered, and have

Source changes here: from Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, by Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and Others, published 1905; 9,671 words in this source stream.

Oxford Township

August 5, 1811, at a session of the same commissioners, on petition of inhabitants of Milford township, it was "ordered, that so much of the township of Milford as lies within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the northwest corner of the county of Butler; thence south with the western boundary line of the said county of Butler to the southwest corner of township numbered five in the first range east of the meridian line drawn from the mouth of the Great Mi Ami river; thence east with the southern boundary line of the same township to the southeast comer thereof; thence north with the eastern boundary line thereof to the north boundary line of the said county of Butler ; thence west with the same to the place of beginning, - shall compose a township which shall be called and known by the name of Oxford township." Election to be held at the house of Sylvester Lyons on the 24th day of August. 1811, for the election of township officers.

Oxford township was originally a part of St. Clair, but with the organization of Milford in 1805 the territory now comprising Oxford was included in that township. On August 5, 18 1 1, upon petition of inhabitants of Milford a new township was created by setting off the western half of the territory, and naming it Oxford, after the town of Oxford, which was laid out the year before on the Miami College lands as the seat of Miami University. The Miami College lands, which were located in the northwest corner of Butler county, in lieu of a township of land which had been granted by congress for the endowment of an "academy and other seminaries of learning," and which it was intended originally should be reserved in Symmes' purchase between the Miami rivers, comprise the entire township of thirty-six sections, except section 25, and the west half of sections 11, 14 and 24, which had been sold previous to the location. To supply their place sections 30 and 31, in Milford township and the west half of section 6 in Hanover township, were selected.

Centennial History Of

the early settlers of the township were named Beeler, Collins, Keely, Dorsey, Morris, Ludlow, DeWitt, Alger, Minor, Lyons, Bond, Hughes, Wadley, Chittenden, Austin, Adams, McCullough, Greer, Chancy, Temple, Blackleach, Hoag, Weller, Horner, Freeman, Crawford, Ratliff, Doty, Lee, Girton, Hueston, Taylor, Lytle, Hall, Slack, Craven, Dorsey and Webb.

The surface of Oxford township is elevated and rolling, and the soil is well adapted to agricultural pursuits, though not so productive as some other parts of the county. Grazing, wheat growing and fruit culture are considerably engaged in. The bottom lands along the Indian and Four Mile creeks are very fertile and yield abundant crops. The lands belong principally to Miami University, and are leased to the holders for a period of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, subject to the annual payment of a quit-rent of six per cent, on the purchase money.

The principal streams are Indian creek, which passes through the southwest corner of the township, and Four Mile creek, which cuts the township diagonally from northwest to southeast. The latter has several good-sized tributaries, among which are Cotton's run and Harker's run. In the early times mills were established at convenient places along all the leading watercourses. One of the famous old mills was the Girton mill, on Indian creek, built by Christopher Girton in section 31. The earliest grist mill was that of Aaron Austin, on Four Mile, which was three stories high, and was of frame. It was built in 1815 and stood for thirty years, when it burned. It was rebuilt a year or two after the first mill was destroyed by fire. Soon after James

Broadberry purchased the mill and property, which he conducted for about three years, after which Samuel Molly neaux was in possession for a time. The last proprietor was J. B. Pugh, who purchased it about 1868 and conducted it until his death in the latter 'eighties. Since that time the mill has been standing idle.

Before 1850 there were several prosperous church organizations in Oxford township. in addition to the societies in Oxford and College Corner. The Methodists had at least three distinct societies in connection with the old Oxford circuit, all of which have now become a memory. Besides these there was a Baptist, and also a Christian church, both of which have ceased existence.

The Salem Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1832 at the house of Peter Butler bv the Rev. John Stewart, pastor in charge. A year or two later a chapel was built, about two and one-half miles west of Oxford, which was utilized for many years. Among the first members of this church were the following: Isaac and Jane Crume, Peter Butler and wife, Joshua Leech and wife. Miller and Ann Dorsey, Lucretia Procter, James Finkbine, John and Eliza Duke and Dr. John Keely and wife.

The Zion Methodist Episcopal church was organized at the house of Elisha Fay, in 1829, by Rev. Elijah H. Fields. The first church building was constructed in 1834 under the pastorate of C. W. Swain and John Waterman. The church was built of logs and was used* as a place of worship until 1843, when it was destroyed by fire. The same year a new church was built about three-fourths of a mile east of the old church site at a point on the township line near the Reily and Oxford road. It was dedicated March 22, 1844, by Rev. Zachariah Connell. At this time and for several years thereafter the church was prosperous, but for the last third of a century there have been no regular services held.

The Bethel Methodist Episcopal church was organized before 1820. The society first worshiped in a log church which stood about a mile southeast of College Corner. In 1841 the second church, a frame building, was erected. The society flourished until i860, when it disbanded, a part of the members going to Oxford and part to College Corner. Some of the early members of Bethel were John Brown and wife, William Shera and wife, Margaret Ridenour, Broomfield Boone and Joseph Kitchen.

About 1825 a Baptist church was erected on section 31, which stood near the old Girton school house. It was a frame structure and was used by all denominations. The congregation was usually administered to by the pastors of the Indian Creek Baptist church in Reily township. Rev. Firm Vanness, of Indiana, a Methodist minister, preached here occasionally.

The Christian church in the Doty settlement, northeast of Oxford village, was organized in 1844 by Herrick Burdsell. Samuel Doty, Joel Collins, Job Smith, Samuel Ware and Mrs. Joseph Morris were among the active members. The church, a frame structure twenty-four by thirty-six feet, was never finished. In connection with the church property was a burial place, on which there have been several interments. The society never had a regular pastor, but the Rev. Henry Prickett, a son-in-law of Herrick Burdsell, often preached here.

College Corner

The village of College Comer was laid out May 5. 1837, by Gideon T. Howe. The village, as it was originally platted, belongs to Butler county, but later additions have extended it into Preble county, Ohio, and Union county, Indiana. The town has a population of one thousand and ninety-six, of whom about four hundred reside in Ohio, and about one-half are residents of Butler county. The village is incorporated in both states, there being two municipal governments maintained. The high school building, which was erected a few years ago, and which stands one-half in Ohio and the other half in Indiana, is under the control of a joint committee representing the two school boards. The school is maintained by the taxpayers of the joint district, those of each corporation contributing equally to its support. The principal and teachers are required to obtain license for teaching in both states. The early settlers hereabouts were: John Miller, Tobias Miller, Jacob Bake, James Huston, Samuel Huston, John Patterson, Peter Ridenour, Samuel McDill and David Bonner.

The first building erected in College Comer was in 1811. It was a log hemp mill and stood on the site of the Bake & Hanna store. Near this mill a Mr. Bright conducted a blacksmith shop. Later John Murphy conducted a shop near the present location of the Ramsey store. Still later David Montgomery worked at the trade for several years. The first store keeper was Thomas Forbes. He was succeeded by Samuel Ridenour, who was very enterprising and gave to the town some importance as a trading center. The first tavern keeper in the village was Gideon Howe, whose stand was in the same building as that now occupied by Mrs. Schlenck. This house was built in 1830 and has been used as a tavern ever since. Ezra Smith came in the early 'fifties. William H. Ridenour was here from 1853 to 1856. After him was David Long, Charles Ruffin, Michael Garin and Oscar Schlenck. About 1892 Thomas Pentacost engaged in the hotel business in a handsome building, erected for the purpose, adjoining the Bake & Hanna store. He is still located here. In the early 'thirties John Leach conducted a tailor shop in a frame building where Bake & Hanna's store now is. In 1835 Ambrose E. Burnside, afterward General Burnside of Civil war fame, and later governor of Rhode Island, and United States senator from that state, worked at tailoring here.

College Comer is situated in the midst of a rich farming community and is a trading point of considerable importance. The town has two banks, two hotels, a newspaper, a grist mill, a saw mill, three general merchandise stores, three groceries, three blacksmith shops, a hardware store, a marble works and other lines of business. It is a station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad, and has the convenience of ten passenger trains a day. The famous Tallewanda mineral springs are located near the village.

Until the erection of the present handsome high school building separate schools were conducted in each state. The first school house, which was a hewed-log structure, stood near the site of the railroad depot. The second school house - a brick building one story high - stood about fifty rods north of the first house. The third school house, also constructed of brick, was erected about 1855, and stood about twentyfour rods southeast of the second building. The fourth school house, a two-story brick, erected in 1872, is still standing on the county line road leading east from the village. It is no longer used for school purposes.

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized at the home of John J. Murphy in the spring of 1837 by Rev. George M. Beswick, of the Indiana conference. Thirteen members constituted the original roll. The first services were held in a log house which stood east of Ramsey's store. A frame church was built in 1838 at a cost oi eight hundred dollars. The second house, a brick, was put up on the site of the old one in 1855. ^ is still standing and is used as a town hall. In 1889 or 1890 the present commodious and beautiful church edifice was built. The church was originally connected with the Centerville circuit and later belonged to the Liberty, Indiana, circuit. For the last twenty years it has been a stated charge, with a manse connected. The society numbers about two hundred and fifty members. The first pastor was Rev. Hasty. Other pastors have been Revs. Kiegers, Havens, Beeks, Kelso, Hibben, Snyder, Wingate, Falkinburg, Baldwin, Edwards, Black, Lathrop and Dolph.

The Presbyterian church was organized in 1845. Dr. John W. Scott, the father-inlaw of President Benjamin Harrison, was instrumental in the organization of the society. When the church was first formed the pulpit was supplied by professors from Miami University, at Oxford. The first church, which was of frame, was built be- fore 1850 on the Ohio side. During the eighties a handsome new church was built on the Indiana side, where the congregation now worships. Among those who have held

The United Presbyterians also have a strong church organization here. Their P ace of worship is located in West College orner, where the membership enjoys a well-appointed modem church home.

Oxford

lands to k i d' designate the lots and tec ^i!^ °ffered sale, and to seproceeder re!ervatl0ns- This committee to the M-' °n 29th day of March, 1810, quarter of section 26, and the northeast quarter of section 27, as the site of the town of Oxford. On this site the first portion of the town was laid out by James Heaton. It consisted of one hundred and twentyeight in-lots, ten poles in length by four poles m width ; the streets six poles in width, and alleys one pole wide; and on the south of the in-lots forty out-lots of four acres each.

11 July, 1827, an additional number of lots were laid off, and in November. 1831, a further addition on the east of the former lots and north of the University square, n the east part of the town is laid off a plat o ground containing fifty-six acres, which is designated the "University square." It is reserved for the erection of buildings for the use of the university. In the northeast corner of the town plat is also reserved a tract of about forty acres for the use of the university. The lots in the town were disposed of by the trustees of the university at public sale at Hamilton. The first sale was held on May 22 and 23, 1810, when the lots then laid out of an uneven number were offered for sale. At this sale eleven in-lots were sold at prices from sixteen dollars and sixty-six and two-thirds cents to twenty-five dollars and ninety cents each, and eight fouracre out-lots were sold at the rate of five dollars per acre. On August 28th and 29th, ensuing, a second sale was held. At this sale only three in-lots and three out-lots were sold, at about the same price as at the first sales.

Oxford village was incorporated February 23, 1830. The town was governed by a president and trustee until 1855, when the first mayor was elected. Peter Sutton was the first mayor and served from 1855 to 1861. Oxford has had a fire company since

The first house erected in Oxford was Imilt by Samuel McCullough, on lot No. 1. It was a log structure, and for several years was the only tavern in the village. Among the first settlers of Oxford were John Taylor, James \V. Dorsey, Samuel McCullough, William Ludlow, John Smith, Moses Crum. John C. Irwin, James Parker. Seth Bates, Jacob Webb, George Davis, Robert Morris, Levi Lee, Skillman Alger, Stephen Minor, Walter Dickinson, Enoch Simpson, Abraham York, William Allen. Thomas Longley, Benjamin Jones. Fergus Mitchell, Aaron Jones. James Ratliff, Elias Farr. Sylvester Lyons, Daniel Hopkins, James Beck and Philip Wiggins. Other early influential settlers were Zachariah DeWitt, Samuel Beeler, West Bonney, Wales B. Bonnev, Eleazar Hoag, Ethan S. Weston, Thomas Craven, 'Squire Crawford. 'Squire Sutton, John Mollyneaux, Joseph Ward, John DeMoss, John Parsons, Henry Lewis, John Able, Deacon White and Thomas Mc- Cullough, the latter the first white male child bom in the village.

The first shingle-roof house in the town was built in 1815 by William McMechan. The first tavern keeper was Samuel McCullough, father of the late Thomas McCullough. After his death his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth McCullough, kept tavern for several years in the old stand east of the public square. Other early tavern keepers were Calvin Ward, in the southern part of the town, and James Carlisle, in a two-story hewed-log house which stood on the north side of High street on the lots next west of the public square. Ludwick Weller, father of Hon. John B. Weller, succeeded Mrs. McCullough. A Mr. Chancy came later to succeed Weller, who was succeeded by Mr. Dawson, who continued in business until about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. A. Stiltson kept tavern during the early 'thirties and John McGonigle had a house of entertainment on High street some time later. The Mansion House hotel was built about 1830 by J. R. Huston. His death occurred before the building was completed. Harry Lewis and Colonel French bought and completed the house and the latter conducted the hotel for a short time. Roberts and DeWitt succeeded French. Next came William McChesney, who was succeeded by Isaac Worden, father of Rev. James Avery Worden, of Philadelphia, secretary of the Sabbath school work of the Presbyterian church of America. At the sale of Lewis and French, Daniel Corwin purchased the property and in turn sold to Peleg H. Cone, who conducted the hotel for several years and until after the close of the Civil war. Since that time the building has been used for general business purposes. The Girard House was built by Ludwick Weller, who conducted the stand for a short while. He was succeeded bv James Adams, who, after three or four years, disposed of the property and business to Roswell Hazleton, who remained about twenty years. In 1872 Thomas McCullough purchased the stand, but later disposed of it to B. B. Davis, who conducted the hotel under the name of the Girard House for over a quarter of a century. After the retirement of Mr. Davis the hotel was managed for a time by L. B. Bowman, from Brookville, Indiana. The present manager is James A. Bake.

B. Sanders was engaged in blacksmithing for about twenty years. J. Jellies was a similar mechanic, and later Charles Watt worked in the same shop. A. M. Pierson also worked at the trade in a shop near the railroad depot during the early 'nineties. Jacob Brandenburg was a blacksmith here for nearly half a century. Edward French, John Kirkwood and William Proctor were blacksmiths here before the Civil war. John A. Weers, now retired, was the village blacksmith for over forty years and now John Woodruff, the town marshal, conducts the leading blacksmith business.

Joshua Davis conducted a carriage factory on lot No. 88, from 1858 to 1879. In the latter year the factory burned. Later, for a time, a Mr. Krom was engaged in a similar business and until recent years George Myers conducted a factory near the railroad station, that was destroyed by fire. Later the factory was removed to a building on the north side of the public square. The first tanner in Oxford was David Swing, who located here about 1815. Dr. Boude came later. John Baughman was here before 1834.

Some of the early merchants were West Bonney, John Smith, Abraham I. Chittenden, Merrikin Bond, Harry Lewis, Charles Spinnings and Robert Mollyneaux. All were here before 1830. Later Jacob Ogle, Squire Crawford and Ratliff & Meredith kept general stores. In recent years George Adams and William Mitchell were prominent merchants. The oldest mercantile firms now in business are Clough & Beaton and A. F. Sloan.

The first bank in Oxford was the Citizens, organized in 1869 by Thomas McCullough and J. S. Smiley. It was a private institution. The next year the Oxford Bank was organized by Murphy and Fry. These banks were continued under private management for several years. In 1890 the First National Bank was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. In 1901 the Oxford National Bank was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. J. W. Welsh was made president and C. A. Shera cashier. This is now the only bank in Oxford and is conducted on conservative business lines.

Oxford has had a newspaper since 1854. On December 19th, of that year The Oxford Citizen first made its appearance. Charles H. Bingham was the publisher, Theodore W. McLane, editor, and Z. Casterline associate editor. The paper was independent in religion and politics and neutral in nothing. Terms, two dollars per year in advance. Its publication was carried on by Mr. Bingham with some degree of prosperity until 1859, when the paper and plant were purchased by Richard Butler, then a compositor on the old Cincinnati Gazette. Mr. Butler conducted The Citizen with marked ability until 1866, when he sold out to Jacob A. Zeller, now superintendent of the Richmond, Indiana. public schools, who retained it for three years. Grennan and Prentice then became owners of the plant and published the paper for two years, when Rev. L. E. Grennan became editor and proprietor. In 1877 Hill Brothers - Charles B. and Hewett - came into possession of the plant by purchase and conducted it as editors and publishers until January 19, 1885, when the paper prospered and exerted a great influence in public affairs. He published the paper for six years and three months, when he disposed of the plant, on April 15, 1891, to Charles W. Stivers, of Liberty, Indiana. In 1893 The Citizen was consolidated with the Oxford News. The Oxford News was organized in 1885 by Messrs. Jay Brown and W. S. Osborn, practical printers. From the beginning the News proved a favorite and soon acquired a profitable patronage. After the death of Mr. Brown, Mr. Osborn continued the publication of The News for several years. In 1890 a stock company was formed which obtained control of the paper and Mr. Osborn was retained as manager. Later the paper passed into the control of the Moore Brothers, of College Corner, but after a few months Rev. A. G. Warner was made manager and continued the publication until 1902, when he retired, and was succeeded by J. F. Fenton, the present publisher.

The first school building in Oxford was erected on the campus of Miami University in 1811. For some time it was used as an English school by the citizens of Oxford township. This house was built of hewed logs and was twenty by thirty feet in size and one story high. It was provided with a stone fire-place and chimney in each end. A partition divided the house into two rooms. In December of that year the first school was opened by James W. Dorsey. Dorsey lived with his family in the room at one end and taught school in the other room. A grammar school was carried on by Rev. James Hughes in this building for several years. In 1824 a second story was added to the building and prepared for a residence for Robert H. Bishop, then appointed president of Miami University. In 1817 Dr. Blackleach taught a school in the village. In 1827 the directors of the school district at Oxford leased lot No. 33 of the trustees of Miami University and built thereon a one-story brick school house twenty by forty feet. Here the public school was conducted for several years, or until the building became too small for school purposes, when it was sold with the lot to the trustees of the Catholic church for a house of worship. A lot was then purchased and a school house of four rooms erected. This building continued to answer the requirements of the village until 1886, when the present handsome high school building was erected at a cost of $28,000. The high school was opened in 1874 to take the place of the preparatory department of Miami University closed the year before. W. H. Stewart was made superintendent.