Pickaway Township (part 43 of 49)

When the country' no longer needed his services, Mr. llammel returned home, and in the autumn began the study of medicine under Drs. Griswold & Wilder. In the fall of 1866, he entered the medical department of the LTniveisity of Michigan, and the following year became a student in the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1868, with the degree of M. D. He located at Five Points, where he engaged in practice for six months, and then spent a halfyear in Waterloo, but since the spring of 1869 he has made his home in Circleville and has successfully- engaged in practice. He served as Township Ph^'sician four successive years, from 1869 until 1873, was then County Jail Physician from 1874 until 1881, and in February, 1882, was emplo^yed as ph3'sician at the Infirmaiy, but in the latter part of the year he resigned on account of the mistreatment of the inmates by the Superintendent and Matrons, who did not cany out his directions or see to the sanitar3' affairs of the building. In consequence. Dr. llammel resigned, and denounced the management of the institution. Since that time he has given his attention to private practice, and his skill and ability have gained him a liberal patronage.

On the 2.5th of June, 1868, in Five Points, Dr. llammel wedded Miss Martha Sommers, who was born near Bournevillc, Ross Count3 , Ohio, and is a daughter of Ileniy Sommers, an agriculturist. Tlie3' have a pleasant home on the corner of Water and Court Streets, where the Doctor's ottice is also located. In his social relations, he is a member of Groce Post No. 156, G. A. R., of which he has been Surgeon, and belongs to the Knights of P3'- thias, and has held all the offices. He was a Secre- tar J of the Monumental Committee of Groce Post, and largely through liis influence and efforts a fine monument was erected and dedicated to the lirave boys in blue, who gave their lives for the Union. In 1888, the Doctor attended the National (Irand Army Encampment at Columbus, where lie met many of his old comrades. In politics, he is independent. He belongs to the Presliyterian Church, of which he has served as Elder. He was also President of the Pickaway County Medical Society, and has been a member of the State Medical Societ3\

^ILLIAM L.MORGAN. The portrait on the opposite page represents one of the prominent farmers of Scioto Township, Pickaway County. lie has a fine, large brick residence onl}' one-half mile from the village of Morgan, which is situated on the banks of Darbj- Creek and bears liis name, as he was one of the most active in building up its interests. He was born in Eraiiklin County Ohio, in Pleasant Township, February 24, 1837. His father, Joseph Morgan, also a native of Ohio, was born INIarch 8, 1801. and was a son of William, and a grandson of John [Morgan.

The great-grandfather of our subject was of Welsh birth and came to this country from London, England. He became a soldier of the Revolutionary War and later farmed in Pulaski County, ^'a. lie was a pioneer preacher of the INIethodist Church, devoting much of his time to preacliing in the scattered settlements, and lived to a good old age. His son William was a farmer and an extensive stock-dealer. He was married in Virginia and came to Ohio in 1800, journeying by team and wagon across the mountains and making a settlement in Ross County at the mouth of Deer Creek, where he bought land and built a log house. Here he underwent the hardships of pioneer life, and used to journey on horseback to Zanesville with two sacks of wheat across his horse and return with two sacks of salt, obtained by barter, as there was practically no money in the State at that time. In 1808, William Morgan removed to Fayette

County, settling near Yankeetown, whci't' Indians were all about him. lie ei-ectcd a log liuusc. in which the family lived for llic lh>l >umnier wjiliout its being completed, as he had no tinu' to go on with his building on account of tlic nccr>sit\- tliat he should clear sijme giouiid and raise aciop. So through that sinnmer they lived without roof, door oi- window, going in and out <»f this ])rimitive abode by means of two ladders, one on the inside and one on the outside, the latter being taken in at night to prevent unexpected calls from the Indians. There this brave family lived and developed a farm, and came in time to own more than fifteen hundred acres of land. The fatheiwas a large stock-raiser and used to diive cattle to the Philadelphia and New York niaikcts. He was a man of laige business capacity, a Whig in politics and a ISIethodist in religion, and lived to be seventy-six years of age.

The father of our suliject married Rachel Foster, who was born in Ross Count}-, Ohio, in 180(), and they became the parents of nine children, of whom the following grew to maturity: A\'illiani F.. .John F.; Martha, who became Mrs. Chenoweth; Mary, Mrs. Chenoweth, and Elizabeth. The mother of these children died at the age of forty-two. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. Her father, John Foster, who was of Scotch descent, was a native of \'irginia and an early settler in K'oss County, where he carried on tlu' double calling of farmer and Methodist i)reachei-. lie was \-eiy prominent in the community, and m the (tpinion of his neighlxtrs was a veritable sage, to whom they came for counsel under all circumstances, and he did much to establish the cause of I'eligion in those pioneer days. He lived to a good old age, and reared twelve children, nine daughters, and three sons, all of whom grew to maturity and e-tablished families of their own.

Our subject passed his boyhood days as did all lads of pioneer times, and began for himself upon reaching his majority, about which time his father died. He carried on the home farm for thiee years before his marriage and finally settled upon it permanently. It was on the *'*^h of July. 186.5, that he was united with Maiy E. Morgan. Fpon his beautiful estate of five hundred acres, he. for-

In 1884, the Midland Railway was secured here by the efforts of Mr. INIorgan and others, and on his land in 1885 he laid out the town of Morgan, which has grown to be quite a flourishing village- Mr. Morgan platted and laid out sixty lots, all of which, with the exception of six. have either been sold, or built upon by him. He has made three additions to the plat and expects soon to make another. In organizing the village of Morgan, he put a provision in every deed forbidding any one to keep a saloon on the lot. A man undertook to run contrary to this regulation last year and our suliject began action in court, which action was sustained by law and the saloon had to close.

The Methodist Church is highly favored in having such active and liberal members within its number as Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, who are ever read}^ to devote time, effort and means to promote its interests and the cause of religion, and whose intelligence and character make them people of influence in the community. Although in no sense a politician, our subject is stanch in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party. His beautiful home is elegantly furnished and is a delightful center of social life.

ON. DANIEL HAAS, a well-known farmer residing on section 4, Washington Township, and present Representative of his Dj district in the Ohio Legislature, is one of the native-born sons of Pickaway County of whom she may well be proud, as he has won his way to positions of honor and trust solely through liis ability and own merit. His birth occurred in Walnut Township, on the 14th of August, 1839, and lie is a son of the venerable Jacob Haas, who is honored as a pioneer of tliis county, and is still living in Walnut Township, on the fine farm that he inircliased in a wild condition more than sixty years ago and redeemed from its primitive state. The father was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1809. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in earh^life and worked at it several years. In 1830, he came to Ohio, and has since lived in Walnut Township. He has been prominent in its public life and in religious circles. He has been a devoted member of the Evangelical Association many years, and has been very active in church work, holding various official positions, such as exhorter, leader, steward, etc., and has been an influence for much good. He married Rebecca Miesse, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Miesse, who was a Pennsylvanian farmer until he established himself as a pioneer farmer of Fairfield County, this State. The mother of our subject was an earnest Christian, belonging to the same church as her husband, and she lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven years.

He of whom we write is one of nine children, four of whom are living. He was reared under the best home influences, principles of the highest integrity being early instilled into his mind by his worthy parents. He was early inured to farm work, but was also given excellent educational advantages, by which he profited, as he was naturally a bright, quick scholar. From the local district school, he went to a school in Circleville, where he spent a short time, and for about eight months pursued a course of study in the academ y at Greensbui'gh, paying his own way and working with zeal and industry to obtain the means to do so. After leaving school, he entered the teacher's profession at the age of twenty-two and soon made his mark as an intelligent educator, so that his services were always in demand. For some time, he was Principal of the Ringgold Schools and had charge of other schools in different localities, spending in all fourteen hundred and fifteen days in the school room. He had remained at home until he became of age, and during the time he was teaching found time to complete a commercial course in Lebanon.

Our subject eventually turned his attention to farming, locating in Walnut Township, where he owned a farm. In 1872, he sold that and purchased the one on which he now lives on section 4, Washington Township. This contains one hundred and twenty acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation and provided with a neat and commodious set of buildings. The residence is a large and sightly brick house, erected since the farm came into Mr. Haas' possession, convenient in its arrangements and cozy and attractive as a home. Our sul)- ject has not been actively engaged in farming tlie past few 3^ears, althougli he carefully superintends the management of his property, as his attention is given to other business; he has been appointed executor and trustee of estates, and lias had many to settle since he entered upon the duties of liis {)Osition. He is regarded as a man of fine judgment and of more than ordinary business acumen, and has a high reputation for unswerving honesty and sound integrity in looking after other peoi)le's interests. So highly is he regarded b_y his fellowcitizens, they have often lionored liim and themselves by calling him to responsible offices, and his sagacity and talent for alTairs have l)een of great help in administering public duties.

Mr. Haas is a leader among the Democrats of this section and has been delegate to several county, district and State conventions. He has served as Assessor of his township, and was Land Appraiser for the same in 1880. He was at one time made Justice of the Peace, but he resigned the office before the expiration of his term. In the fall of 1891, his fellow-Democrats selected him as tlieir most available candidate for the Legislature, and he was elected. He has shown l)y his course since lie became an incumbent of the ottice tliat he is eminently fitted to fill it, as regards his native talent, and also by reason of his sense of the responsibilities thus imposed upon him as a loyal and public-spirited citizen holding a high civic position. He is a member of the Water Commission, of the Committee on Federal Relations, and of that on Geology, Mines and Mining.

Our subject was married, in 1866, to Miss Sarali J. Gra}', and their domestic relations are of the pleasantest character. Two children have been born unto them: Cora A., wife of Henry F\ Hampshire, a farmer of Washington Township, and Florence M., who is at home with her parents. Mrs. Haas is also a native of Pickawav County and is the only daughter of John and Lucinda Gray, who were Pennsj^lvanians. Her paternal grandfather, Joseph Gray, was born in England, and came to this country during the devolution, it was lie who ^wam the Potomac River to deliver to (ien. Washington the news of the surrender of (Jen. Cornwallis at Yorktown. Jolin Gray, who was a farmer, came to ()hio in 1H2.'), in tiie o|)eiiing years of a vigorous manhood, did line woi-k as a pioneer of Pickaway County and die(l in IMSS. aged eighty-six years. His wife, Lucinda Heavers, had been j)reviousIy married to John i\Lartin.

Mr. Haas has fought his own wa^' in life, not sta^'ing to query wliether or no it were worth living, but striving to make it so, and success has followed his efforts, if we are to judge by the respect that is paid to him. Both he and his wife are among the foremost meml)ers of the Evangelical Associati'jn, in which he has filled various i)ositions, and their names are associated with mucli that has been done to elevate the religious and social status of the community.

'ifOSIIl/A BAH.EY MORGRIDGE. of Darby Township, who is one of the wealthiest and best representatives of the farming, stock ' and landed interests of Madison County, is widelv and prominently known tliroughout Ohio, as a leader in the People's party. He wields an important intluence on the political destinies of this section as one of the most able and gifted expounders of the doctrines of his party within its ranks.

Mr. Morgridge was boru August 2, 1811, amid the beautiful hills of Vermont, in the town of Berlin, Washington County, three miles from INIontpelier. He is the fourth son and seventh child of Richard and Sally Morgridge, who are represented in the biography of our subject's brother. When our subject was but two yeai's old, the family migrated from his birthplace to the wilds of Ohio, and when he was five years old, they settled in Madison County. (Occasionally in his boyhood he went to school in the primitive log schoolhouses of the time, with their rude home-made furnishings, and, in order to reach them, he had to go nearly two miles over the wet prairies. He only went to school about thirty-five clays in the year, but was taught at home by his mother, and from her instructions learned more than he ever did at school.

At the boyish age of ten years, the lad became independent, going out to work for his own living, and when fourteen years old he was able to do a man's work, so vigorous, strong and industrious in his habits was he. He was an expert in handling the sc3'the and hand-rake in haying time, and with a rope, used to haul the ha}- to stack it in the field, plowing around the stack to keep the fires from it. His father broke down in health before Mr. Morgridge was twenty-one years old, and he helped his mother carry on the farm. He also became noted as a teacher, and engaged in that profession in fourteen counties, numbering among his pupils many who afterward became noted as prosperous farmers, merchants, inventors, mechanics, civil engineers, lawyers, doctors, educators and county sheriffs, and had one who afterward became a preacher. He received $1 a month from his pupils for their tuition.

When our subject turned his attention to farming permanently he bought and located on one hundred and thirtj' acres of his present farm. He was not then able to pay for it, but devoted his energies to wiping out the delit, for he had a great aversion to owing any one. It happened that when he was a boy of ten years, liis father was arrested for debt, Init, though he was released in a short time, it made a great impression on the child's thoughtful mind, who then first began to realize that poverty was inconvenient and oftentimes humiliating. He says that the purpose and fixed resolution of his life then rushed to his mind to avoid debt when possible, and that is the advice that lie would give to every young man if he values his comfort and freedom.

By dint of persistent hard labor, Mr. Morgridge was not long in paying for his first purchase, and he next added to it by the purchase of one hundred and forty acres at a slier itf's sale. At another time, he bought five hundred acres of land, the largest tract that lie ever bought in one lot. He now owns twenty-four hundred acres of fine farming land in this vicinity, all of which has been developed under his supervision, is fenced into two convenient fields, and well drained by ditches and tiles. The comfortable and commodious residence that he occupies is on his farm five miles southwest of Plain City in Darby Township, where he has substantial and conveniently arranged buildings for every purpose, and all the modern improvements of a model farm. He has a large number of fine stock, comprising from one to three hundred cattle, from one thousand to twent3'-four hundred sheep, and from twenty-five to sixt}' head of horses and colts.

Besides his valuable property in this State, Mr. Morgridge has large landed interests in Kansas, consisting of a farm of six hundred and forty acres and pasture land of more than ten thousand acres, which have come into his hand by the foreclosure of mortgages. His son resides on his Kansas farm, keeping bachelor's hall, and superintending its management, and he has from one hundred and fifty to three hundred head of cattle there. Our subject has never taken stock in any joint stock compan}', except one, and then he found that the assessments amounted to more than the dividends. He has never had a partner in any of his transactions, or been helped to a dollar of his fortune by any friend. All that he has, and all that he is, he owes solely to his indomitable ambition, determination to succeed in life, far-reaching foresight, and his ability to plan and execute his undertakings with unerring sagacity.

Mr. Morgridge was married in 1850 to Miss Hannah Tuttle, a native of Connecticut, in whom he had a devoted wife. She had come from her native State to this at the age of twelve. She was a lady of strong character, well read and well educated, had a remarkable memory, and was positive in her convictions. Her death, in March, 1889, caused great sorrow, not only in the household, but among the many who knew her and appreciated her great worth. She was the mother of eight children, two sons and six daughters, namely: Josephine, wife of R. W. Thompson, of Union County; Blanche, wife of John Florence, of Madison County; No Ira, wife of A. Jay Dyer, of Delaware County; May, wife of Perry Rowlen, of East Pittsburg, Pa.; Ruth, wife of Al Williams, of Madison County; Harriet, wife of Cliarles Butler, of Madison County; Ilotcbkiss and William.

As before mentioned, our subject is a promineut factor in local politics. He voted the Democratic ticket thirtj'-seven 3'ears without a scratch, but long before he left its ranks he saw and felt the need of a new party, for as a thoughtful man and an intelligent observer, he realized that the scope of the old one was not broad enough to suit the exigencies of the times. For seven years, he was» ready and waiting to join forces with others who held like views, and at length he had the happiness to assist in the organization of the first Farmers' Alliance in Madison County. He was present at the great Farmers' Convention at Gallon in 1890, and was active in its deliberations as one of the Committee on Resolutions. He was sent as a delegate to Cincinnati when the People's party was formed and named, and in the Camp of 1891 he was nominated ])}' the People's party for State Senator, to represent the district composed of Madison, Clarke and Champaign Counties, and was endorsed by the Democratic Centi-al Committee of each of those counties, but the counties were so overwhelmingly Republican that he was defeated at the polls. Mr. Morgridge was a delegate to the great Labor Convention held at St. Louis is 1892, which excited so much interest among all classes that the largest hall in the city was found to be too small to hold all that wished to be present at the meetings.

The People's part}- has no more enthusiastic or devoted worker within its ranks than our subject, who has done important service in its organization and upbuilding in this section. He is thoroughly conversant with its object and aims, and has done much to acquaint his fellow-citizens with its principles and to rouse their interests in the new movement bv his earnest and eloquent speeches, which show careful study of the subject and are replete with facts bearing on the case that can only have been gathered through a wide range of reading. He is also a welcome speaker at farmers' institutes and similar gatherings, and his practical, interesting addresses, replete with useful information and containing frequent happy hits, are of much Itenefit to his fellow-farmers, who are glad to profit by liis experience and ol)servation. He served as delegate-at-large to the Omaha Convention, the first held by ti)e People's party to nominate candidates for President and Vice-president. He is now (1892) a candidate on that ticket for Congress from the Seventh Congressional District, comprising the counties of Madison, Pickaway, FaAOtte, Clarke, and Miami.

ILAS M. SEEDS, M. D. This well-known physician and druggist at Commercial Point, Pickawav County, is an old resident of this vicinity, and was born on the south line of Franklin County, Ohio, September 22, 183G. His father, Dr. John Seeds, was born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and his grandfather, William, was a native of Ireland, who came to America alone when a young man, and after living for a number of years in Pennsylvania, journeyed by team and wagon to Ohio during the '20s. He located in the northern part of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, and although poor, bought some land, which he proceeded to develoj). He was a hard worker and good manager, and became a prosperous farmer, living to he near seventy years old.

The father of our subject was a young man when he came here with his parents, and remained with them until he married, settling near the boundar}- line of Franklin County, Ohio. He there owned one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and, being a man of much intelligence and extensive reading and of indomitable energy and industry, he became a marked man in the community.

Dr. John Seeds was one of the mainstays of the Christian Church, and was most faithful in his devotion to the cause of religion. He married Asenath Britton, who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1807, and who came here with her parents when only two years old, being brought hither across the mountains on horseback. Mr. Britton came with a colony of the Christian Church, and was their preacher and shoemaker, with which two vocations he mingled that of a farmer. They settled ten miles west of Columbus, and did their trading at Chillicothe. This good man did much to establish the church in that part of Ohio, and lived to be eight3' odd years old, having reared a family of three sons and six daughters.

The mother of our subject is still living and now, in her eight3'-fifth year, she resides with this son. His four brothers and sisters are Henry, Britton, William, Zenas, Eliza J. and Elizabeth. The father died when Silas was but twelve years of age, and his childhood and youth were spent u[)on a farm, and in the rudely-constructed district schoolhouse. He had been for two years under the instruction of his father, who was a teacher, and later pursued his studies with much zeal and interest. At seventeen years of age, he entered Central College, east of Columbus, and after two years there, attended the Capital University, of Columbus, spending j)art of the year there.

The young man now undertook the calling in which his father had done honorable service, and taught much of the time for the next decade, reading medicine in the meantime under William J. Scott, of Shadeville, Franklin County, who is now a Professor in the Medical College at Cleveland. After two years of private study, he entered the Michigan University of Ann Arbor, but his i)rofessional studies were cut short by his enlistment in the Union army. He was given a commission as Surgeon in 1862, serving for over three years, being under Gen. Sherman all that time. Among the most important battles at wliich he was present were those of Nashville, Stone River, Resaca, and Chickamauga.

Upon being mustered out of service at San Antonio, Tex., December 5, 1865, and receiving his discharge at Columbus in January, 1866, he located in Commercial Point, and for ten years carried on a practice here. Later, he practiced at' Vernon, Shiawassee County, INIich., during whicli time he lost his wife, and subsequently returned to Commercial Point, where he has practiced since 1877. In 1883, he established a drug store in the twostory brick building which he erected, and he has built up a very important and extensive practice. His first wife, to whom he was united in Februaiy, 1866, bore the maiden name of Emma M. Deyo, and was a native of Ann Arbor, Mich. Her one child, Jesse, is married and resides here, is a teacher in this township, beside having an interest in the drug store. Mrs. Emma Seeds died in 1876. She had for j^ears been a member of the Presbyterian Church, but just previous to her decease united with the Methodist bod>'.

The marriage of Dr. Seeds and Miss Lizzie Cassady took place in September, 1877. This lady was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is the mother of two children, Karl and Otto, both of whom are in school here. Both the Doctor and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist Church and faithful in their attendance upon its services. Their pleasant home is located in a fine, large frame residence which was put up in 1891. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and has served four years as Trustee of his township, two years as Clerk, and two years as Mayor of the village. He is a demitted member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Commercial Point.

OHN L. MISER, who is prosperously engaged at his business as a blacksmith at Washington C. IL, enjoys the reputation ^ of being one of the most skilled of the men of his calling in this part of Fa3'ette Count3^ He was born in Cincinnati, Januaiy 8, 1851, and is a son of the late John Miser, who was for many years a prominent citizen of this city and township. The father of our subject was born in Putnam, Muskingum County, November 15, 1818, opening his e>es to the light of the world amid pioneer surroundings. His father, Peter Miser, was also a resident of that count}'. Of his four children, three sons and one daughter, the father of our subject was the eldest. He left his native place wlien he was a young man, having learned the trade of a blacksmith of his father, and, making his way to Illinois, he worked at his calling in Marietta and other towns until 1848, when he returned to his native State, and ^ for three or four years resided in Cincinnati. In the spring of 1852, he came from that city to this, and first engaged in blacksmithing with a Mr. Weller, who had learned his trade of Peter Miser, the grandfather of our subject. That partnership lasted several years, and then John Miser started up for himself, and continued in the business until 1864, when he went into the carriage business. He carried on that until 1876, when failing health obliged him to retire. He died April 9, 1889, and was greatly lamented by the entire community where he was so well known, and where he had passed thirty-seven years of his life. He was a strict Republican in politics, and stood by his party until death. His first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. Harrison, of Tippecanoe fame, and his last for his grandson, the Gen. Harrison of today. He was honored by his fellow-citizens by being placed in offices of trust. He was Township Trustee for a number of years, and was a member of the City Council for a term or two. He was one of the leading members of Fayette Lodge No. 107, A. F. >Si A. M., in which he held the offices of Treasurer, Senior Warden and Senior Deacon. John Miser was married in the cit}' of Cincinnati to Miss Allie, daughter of James Warden, and they had a family of three children, two sons and one daughter: John L., Hiram R., and Maggie, who is now dead. Hiram is a carriage-trimmer in this city.

John L. Miser, of this sketch, was but a little over a year old when his parents brought him to Washington C. H. At that time, there were no railways in this vicinity, the nearest one being at Xenia, and from that point the family came to this city with a team. Our subject received a good education in the city schools, and when it was completed he turned his attention to learning the trade of a blacksmith, under the instruction of his father, and, like him, in due time he became an able mechanic, who could turn his hand to anything in his line, becoming very expert in the use of his tools. He is now in business for himself, and has a well-equipped smithy on East Street, between Fayette and Main Streets. He has all the business that he can handle, and is accumulating a comfortable competency by liis industry and close attention to his work. He is a man of &(nind understanding, of correct habits, and is higlily regarded in this city, where the most of his life has been passed. In politics, he is an outspoken Republican. Socially, he is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The marriage of Mr. Miser with MissSallie Snyder was solemnized October 23, 1877, and they have one son, Frank T., wlio was born December 25, 1881. Mrs. Miser is a daughter of William Snyder, who was in business in this city as a butcher at the time of her marriage, and had been a great stock dealer in his time, and was a prominent citizen of Washinsjton C. H.

AKCELLLS GOSSARD, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Range Township, Madison County, was born in Fayette County, May 11, 1847. He is a son of John V. and Phoebe (Cox) Gossard. natives respectively of Ross County, this State, and Maryland, and made his advent into Madison Countv when a lad of seven 3'ears, and, locating in Stokes Township, there grew to manhood. When reaching his majority, he began life for himself, following the occupation of a farmer and stockraiser, in which line of business he has been more than ordinarily successful. His marriage occurred October 31, 1861, at which time Miss Lydia E. Hoffman, daughter of Amos and Nancy (Thomas) Hoffman, became his wife.

Mrs. Gossard 's father was also a farmer and was born in Ross County, this State, in 1804, while her mother was born in Virginia, May 18, 1821. Mr. Gossard continued to live on his father's estate for five or six years after his marriage, and then purchased fifty-four and one-half acres, where he is at present residing. He has erected sul)- stantial buildings on his farm and l»y a proper rotation of crops the soil is made to yield a handsome increase.

The four children comprised iu the familj- of Mr. and Mrs. Gossard are Ralph, who was born February 13, 1874; Frank, June 4, 1879; Bessie, November 1, 1888; and May, May 12, 1891. In his political relations, our subject is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. His interest in school arfairs has caused him to be placed on the School Board at Midway for a number of terms, and in all respects he is looked upon as one of the progressive and enterprising citizens.

The father of our subject was married three times. Marcel his being the third child in order of birth of the last marriage. The elder Mr. Gossard was born in 1811, and died June 3, 1880, in Stokes Township, Madison Count}-. He was a conscientious and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was well respected by all who knew him. Although not a politician, he voted the Whig ticket until the organization of the Republican party, and since that time has been a member of its ranks.

^ EROME P. BLACKER. There are quite a number of farms which lie in the beautiful Scioto Valley and border on the river of that name, and among them the estate of Mr. Blacker deserves especial mention. It includes one hundred and ten acres, finely improved and highly cultivated, and is watered by several springs. The location of the place is advantageous, as it lies along the old Frankelton Road, in Wa^-ne Township, Pickaway County, and the many travelers along that highway in variably' cast a glance of admiration at the neat buildings and improvements visible on every hand. A view of the residence and pleasant rural surroundings appears on another page.

Tiie owner of this farm was born in Deer Creek Township, Pickaway County, October 10, 1844. His father, Jacob Blacker, was born iu Virginia, in 1811, and in his \outh removed to Ohio, locating in Ross Countvand engaging in farming. Subsequently, he came to Deer Creek Township, where he continued the vocation of a farmer and became well-to-do. His death occurred in 1879, and removed from the county one who had always maintained the deepest interest in its welfare. He was descended from an old Virginian family, and in> herited the qualities of honor and thrift which ever characterized them. The mother of our subject was Mary, daughter of Henry Kirkendall, a farmer of Ross County. She attained the good old age of four-score 3'ears.

Seven children comprised the family of which our subject is a member, four of whom are now living, and he is the eldest son. His education was gained in the common schools of the district, which were of a primitive order. His first venture in agriculture was as a farmer in Wayne Township, where he purchased a tract of land north of where he now lives. Afterward he sold that place and bought the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1869 to Catherine Cloud, of AValnut Township, Pickaway County, daughter of William Cloud, a farmer of that township. Two children have been born to them: Clara M. and William F.

In his political belief, Mr. Blacker is a firm adherent of the platform of the Democratic part}^, and has served in various official capacities. He is the present Trustee of Wayne Township, has been a School Director for several years and has been a delegate to county conventions. His life is worthy the emulation of the rising generation, for he started in business with limited means, and, through tireless exertions, has become well-to-do. His example will doubtless encourage man}- to greater efforts for success in life and to noble deeds of generosity for the public good. He has the highest respect of the best men of the county, and the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

citizen of Pickaway County is not the result of chance, but represents the arduous labor of years. In Wayne Township, he owns the homestead upon which he resides and which comprises three hundred and eightj'-two and one-half acres of good land, embellished with first-class improvements. The owner occupies a i)Osition of prominence among his fellow-citizens and is highly esteemed wherever known.

Berkeley- County, W. Va., was the birthplace of Mr. Henry and December 4, 1828, the date of liis birth. He is descended from an old and distinguished family of the Old Dominion and is the son of George Henry, a Virginian, who served in the War of 1812 and followed farming pursuits throughout his entire life. His death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven, was the result of being accidentally thrown from a horse. A man of prominence in his community, lie at one time owned a large plantation and had a number of slaves.

The 30ungest of ten children, Michael Henry was only eighteen months old when he was orphaned by the death of his mother. He is now the only surviving member of the parental famil}-, witli the exception of one brother, Philip, who is engaged in farming in Jefferson Count}', W. Va. His childhood was passed in a somewhat uneventful manner, attending scliool during the winter season and assisting in tilling the soil during the summer, until he was fifteen, when his school days ended. However, he was accustomed to pursue his studies afterward alone by the fireside at niglit, and in that way gained a good education.

When sixteen years old, Mr. Henry worked out as a farm laborer, receiving at first 15 per month, and afterward his wages were increased. December 5, 1848, he arrived in Pickaway County and located in Jackson Township, being at that time twenty years old, in the vigor of opening manhood and maturing strength. After locating here, he was engaged for some time in various occupations whereby he could gain an honest livelihood, and in the spring of 1850 entered the employ of Samuel Campbell, a farmer in Wayne Township, for whom he worked several months.

The spring of 1851 found ]\Ir. Henry operating as a renter and engaging industriously in agricultural pursuits, which he followed for three years on his own account. He then engaged as a farm laborer for two 3-ears for the Hon. Nel^son J. Turney and in the fall of 1855 located on the farm of

James R, Hulse. Sr., remaining tin re tiirce years. His next position was with Josiah Renick. in Circleville Township, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits. During eight months of tlie year 1 800 he was employed by Joliu I'lcining in raising broom corn, in whicii he was successful.

After farming for thiee years in Wayne Township on rented land, Mr. Henry reniove<l to Jackson Township, where lie resided seventeen years, becoming known as a i)ainstakiiig farmer, reliable citizen and obliging neighbor. By the purchase in 1876 of two hundred and sixly-nine acres in Jackson Township, he became the owner of a splendid tract of farming land, which was his home for four years, until 1S80. when he purchased his present place in Wayne Towiishij) and has since given his attention to its cultivation. A view of his homestead is shown on another page.

The first marriage of ]Mr. Henry united him with Martha A. jNIoore, who, after twenty years of wedded life, passed awav in 1870. They were the parents of five children, namely: (leorge W., deceased; John W.; Elizabeth; Mary A., deceased, and Ellen \. jNIr. Henry afterward was married, in 1871, to Elizabeth, daughter of P>eiijamin and Mary (Zeamer) Metzger, natives of Oh it), now deceased, the father dying in 1868 and the mother in 1847. Mrs. Henry was born in Pickaway County and has passed her entire life witiiin its limits. She is the mother of five children, as follows: Emma B., Nellie INI., Fannie M., Kitlie M. and one who died in infancy. The children have received good educational advantages and are unusually blight and intelligent.

In connection with general farming, Mr. Henry raises all kinds of stock, having met with success in that department of agriculture. He has devoted considerable attention to drainage and by means of the twenty-seven hundred rods of tile on his land, has placed it in splendid condition for the raising of large crops. He is a Republican in his political belief, but has little time for affairs of public moment, his i)ersonal duties having always engaged his attention. His wife is identified witli the Methodist Episcopal Church as an active and faithful member, and is highly esteemed as a Christian ladv and noble-hearted woman.

Through an accident which occurred in August, 1880, Mr. Ilenrj^ has since been badly cripjjled and suffers to a considerable extent. At that time, while working out his road tax, he was loading gravel, when the bank caved in on him and crushed him so severel}' that his life was for a time despaired of. His right limb was crushed to such an extent as to render amputation necessary and his sufferings were intense for many weeks. He has recovered sufficiently to oversee the details of farm work, but cannot engage in active labor as in former 3'ears.

)' RCH WALKER, an influential citizen of Canaan Township, residing on his home farm, three miles southeast of Plain City, is one of the successful farmers and stockraisers of Madison County, and he is also associated with the agricultural interests of Franklin County, as the proprietor of one of its valuable farms. He is a native of that county, l)orn in Brown Township, July 31, 1849.

Our subject is of New England antecedents. Ins father, William Walker, being a native of Vermont, who came to Ohio when a young man. Li Delaware County he met and was married to Catherine Carpenter,* a native of that county, and after their marriage they went to live in Brown Township, Franklin County, where the father's busy life was terminated by his untimely death at the age of forty years. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her children. She owns a farm, that upon which she began her wedded life with her husband. She became the mother of seven cliildren, of whom six are still living, whom she has carefully trained to good and useful lives.

Arch Walker is the sixth child and third son of the family. He grew to man's estate in his native place, and was educated in the local district schools. He remained with his mother until he was twenty-three years old, affording iier great assistance in the management of her farming interests. Since his marriage, in the latter part of 1872, he has resided on the old Dominv homestead in Canaan Township. His farm here embraces one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land that is fertile and well cultivated, and is fully supplied with buildings that are of a substantial order. He also has a good farm of tMO hundred and fifteen acres in Norwich Township, Franklin County, which is likewise finely improved, and from its rental lie obtains a comfortable income. He is engaged in a mixed husbandry, and raises a good class of stock.

The marriage of Mr. Walker with Miss Sophronia, daughter of Alvin and Louisa (Allin) Dominy, was solemnized December 17, 1872, and has been blessed to them by the birth of two daughters and one son, as follows: Louisa, sixteen years old; Alvin, fourteen years old; and Anna, eight years old. Mrs. Walker was born on the old Dominy homestead December 13, 1852, and here her entire life was passed, her death occurring February 15, 1890, while she was yet comparatively young. It was a sad blow to the members of her household, to whom she was devoted, as she was ever an affectionate daughter, a loving wife and a tender mother, and her memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Walker's father was born in Darb}' Township, this county, and died in Canaan Township, with whose farming interests he had been identified for a good many years, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. The mother of Mrs. Walker was born in the village of Endfield, Mass., and came to Ohio when she was ten years old, with her parents, John and Anna Allen, who first settled in Delaware County, and then in Canaan Township, Madison County. She is the only surviving member of her family. Her three children, two daugh- tersand one son, are dead. She presides over our subject's household, and has charge of his and her daughter's eliildren.to whom she gives a mother's care and love.

Mr. Walker bears a high reputation among liis fellow-citizens as a true man, of unswerving rectitude in all his dealings, and of exemplary habits, and they have called him to public offices occasionally, lie was Trustee of the township two terms, lias been School Director, and in the religious life of tlie community lie is a conspicuous figure as Deacon of tlie Darl^y Baptist Church, of which he has long been a member, and takes an active interest in the Sunday-school. He believes firmly in temperance legislation in politics, and is an earnest advocate of Prohibition.

T]_^^^ENRY W. FOSNAUGH, the largest and most extensive contractor and builder in Pickaway County, and a member of the Cit}^ Council from the Second Ward, is a native of Clear Creek, Fairfield County, Ohio, born on the 30th of April, 184."). His fatlier, Eli Fosnaugh, and his grandfather, Jacob Fosnaugh, were natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, but the great-grandfather, Adam Fosnaugh. came from Maryland to Ohio at a period antedating the Revolutionary War. He was one of the first settlers in Clear Creek and resided in a log cai)in for many 3'ears. Indians were plentiful in those days. He died in Fairfield County wlien well along in years.

Grandfather Fosnaugh was reared amid scenes of pioneer life and served in the War of 1812. He followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood and owned a farm of about six hundred acres m and around Clear Creek. He was of (lerman descent and was a member of the German Lutheran Church. In politics, he alliliated with the Democratic party. His death occurred at the age of eighty -seven years. Eli Fosnaugh, father of our subject, followed agricultural pursuits until eighteen years of age and then learned the blacksmith trade. He erected a shop on his farm of one hundred acres in Clear Creek Township, and carried on both farming and blacksmithing for many 3'ears, although his piiiicipal attention was given to the latter occupation, lie w;is :i line mechanic and could make almost anything in iron. Later, he gave up blacksmithing, settled on his f:irm,and there died when seventy-two yeais of age. He was also a member of the Lutheran Clnucli. lie married Miss Sarah Baumgartner. a nati\ c of Delaware County, Ohio, and the daiiglitui- of .John Baumgartner, who was from the Eastern States, but an early settler of Delaware County. Ohio. Mr. Baumgaitner followed farming in the Luckeye State and there passed the closing scenes of his life. Mrs. Fosnaugh remained in her native county until seventeen years of .age and then located in Fairfield Count}', where she was wedded to Mr. I'osnaugh. She is now a resident of Circleville, is seventy-four years of age, and enjoys comparatively good health. She became the m(^)ther of five children, four of whom are living at the present time.

Henry W. Fosnaugh, the second in order of birth and the on\y son born to his parents, was reared at Six Cross lioads, secured a good practical education in the district school, and at an early age became familiar with the blacksmith trade, displaying much skill in handling the tools. When sixteen years of age, he stai'ted out to make this his calling in life, continued it for eighteen months, and then gave it up to engage in farming. He worked by the month until the fall of 18(!4, when he left the farm and went to Henry County, and on the 5th of December of that 3-ear he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade under David Hortman, a large contractor at Napoleon. He continued with him for eighteen months and then returned home, where he remained until 186(5. In the spring of that year, he located at Circleville, and was foreman ff)r Mr. Tyler for twelve years. He worked at his trade until September 23, 1883, when he engaged in contracting and building for himself, and has continued this ever since. He is thorough-going and enterprising, and has been the largest contractor here for the past five years. He has erected some of the finest frame houses in Circleville and vicinity, also numerous barns, and erected the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kingston in 1888, and the Odd Fellows' Hall the same season. In 1888, he also contracted for and built the Circleville Opera House, one of the finest in the State, and the Pickaway County Asylum, at the County Infirmary in Wasliington Township. He employs from fifteen to twenty skilled workmen and liis business is steadily increasing. He is interested in real estate in Circleville, owns twelve acres adjoining the city, and will soon lay it out in lots. He owns ten residences here and built seven of tliem himself. He resides on Mingo Street.

On the 23d of February, 18(39, he was mai'ried, in Circleville, to INIiss Mattie Curry, a native of Circleville and a daughter of Alfi'ed and Elizabeth Curry, of this place. This union resulted in the birth of three cliildren: J. William, who resides in Circleville; Frank M., employed by D. B. Wagner; and Minnie B. In 1890, Mr. Fosnaugh was elected Councilman of the Second Ward on the Democratic ticket, and is an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. He is Chairman of the Water-works Company, and is a public-spirited and wide-awake citizen. .Socially, he is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 32. I. O. O. F., also the F2ncampment and the Ancient Free S: Accepted Masons.

who have helped to make it so, our subject occupies an honorable position, and none of the farmers and stock-raisers of Madison County are more worthy of representation in this volume than he. A native of this county, our subject was born December 8, 1838, and is the son of Jonathan and Ann C. (Bell) Harvey.

Tlie father of Francis M. was a native of Maryland, and was orphaned by the death of his parents when four years of age. He was then brought to Ohio, and made his home with John Harris, in this county. He had his own way to make in the world, and by prudent economy accumulated a handsome property, owning at one time four hundred and fifty acres of excellent land. He was born in 1808, and died July 29, 1857. His wife, who was born in Ross County, this State, May 4, 1811, still resides on the old homestead.

Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Harve}^, we make the following mention: AVilliam is a cari^enter residing in Columbus, this State; John H. is now deceased, as is also Thomas; our subject is the next in order of birth; Sarah died when two years of age; Andrew makes his home on the old homestead; Mar}' J. married Martin Smith, and resides in Seneca County, this State; George makes his home in London, this State; Eliza became the wife of John Hammell, a grocer of London; Robert died in infancy; Annie, Mrs. Frank Young, is residing on a farm in Paint Township, Madison County; Wesley is also deceased.

Francis M. Harvey was reared on the home farm, and his father dying when he was eighteen years of age he and his elder brother managed the estate, and thus supported the mother and younger children. Deceml)er 29, 1859, he established a home of his own, and was married to Mary E. Lane, of Oak Run Township, where she was born March 30, 1840, to Mitchell and Jemimah (Ashton) Lane. Mr. Harvey was engaged in farming for about two years, and then going to London was engaged as a grocer for the three 3'ears following. He has been very successful in all his undertakings, and ma3' be properly termed a self-made man, having become the proprietor of a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty-seven acres. He has erected a comfortable residence on his place, which cost $3,000, and, in addition to general farming, makes a specialt}' of raising a high grade of sheep.

The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were Elmer E., Frankie and Ida. The elder son, who was born June 11, 1861, in addition to receiving a common-school education, took a special course of study at the schools in Lebanon, which included civil engineering, and at the present time has an office in London, where he is in the employ of the county. He is also Township Clerk of Oak Run, of which office he has been the incumbent for three 3'ears, and being a single man, makes his home with his father. Franlvie, who was born January 1, 1864, died February 24, 186'); Ida M., who was born December 13, 1867, is an excellent musician, and is organist Of the Lower Glade Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Harvey cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has been Assessor of his township for fifteen years, and was elected Land Appraiser in 1890. In social matters he is an Odd Fellow, and has a host of friends in that order.

<S^ DGAR C. HAMILTON, 1). D. S., of Wash- IW] ington C. H., was born in Springfield, Ohio, jjL^^ December 23, 1836. He is the son of IL A. and Sarah A. (Phil pott) Hamilton, his father being one of the pioneer merchants of Springfield. When about twelve 3'ears old, he accompanied his parents to Xenia, where he attended school and was graduated from the High School.

When read}- to start out in life for himself, our subject chose dentistrj'^ for his profession and commenced to study with Dr. G. L. Paine, of Xenia, with whom he remained for four years after completing his studies. He continued actively engaged in the practice of his profession until 1863, when he enlisted in the defense of the Union, l)ecoming a member of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, but on account of ill health was not mustered into service. Afterward, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry and with his regiment marched to West Virginia. He participated in the battle of Ncav Creek and in various skirmishes of minor importance, and was promoted to be Corporal as a reward for meritorious service. At the expiration of his term of service, he was honorably discharged, in 1864, and returned to Cincinnati, where he resumed his practice.

In the fall of 186.5, Dr. Hamilton removed to Washington C. H., being forced to leave Cincinnati on account of sickness in his family. Locating in this city, he opened an office on Court Street for the practice of his profession and has remained in that suite of rooms ever since. He is one of the prominent dentists of Wasliington C. H., and is also an influential meiiilier of tlie Miami Valley Dental Association, also the Southern ( )hio Di-ntal Association. Tiie public affairs of Fayette County and the welfare of his fellow-citizens iiave ever awakened the (li'e[)est interest of llic Doctor and he is especially interested in educational matters. For nearly fifteen years he has been a member of the School Board of Washington C. H., of wliich he was President for a number of years, and is now Clerk and Chairman of the Supply Committee. For three years he has been Coroner, is now Clerk of the Board of Health, and has occupied various other positions of honor. Socially, he is Adjutant of John M. Bell Post, G. A. R.; Recording Secretary of Temple Lodge, and Treasurer of Fayette Encampment, I. O. O. F. In Ins religious belief, he is a member of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church. The first marriage of tlie Doctor united him with Miss Amanda, daughter of CJeorge W. Wrigiit, of Xenia. At her death she left one child, George E., who is now engaged in the tobacco business at Washington C. H. In 1869, Dr. Hamilton was married to Miss Lucy, daughter of Prof. (). N. Stoddard, then of Oxford, but now Professor of Natural Science in Wooster Universit^^at Wooster, Ohio. They became the parents of four children, three of whom survive, namel\': Grace M., Stoddard E., and Carl M. Louise, the eldest child, married Stephen Grubbs, of Washington C. II., and died, leaving one child, Millicent, who resides with Dr. Hamilton.

W")ILLIAM E. REALS. A long residence in a coinmunit}' gives to an individual a standing which can scarcely l)e otherwise acquired, especially if he has made for himself a good record as a citizen. If ordinarily intelligent and actively interested in the welfare of the people around him, he will have identified himself closely with their interests, and from this will have arisen a mutual benefit. These thoughts are involuntarily suggested l)y reviewing the career of Mr. Beals, who has become widely and favorably known to the people of this region, and the fact that he is uniform!}' well-spoken of is sutHcient indication of his true character. In the fall of \SS7i he was elected County Commissioner on the Democratic ticket and served one term. He has also been Township Trustee for several terms and possesses those genial and companionable (pialities Avhich are a passi)ort to the esteem and confidence of mankind, when supplemented by integrity and intelligence. Although in his sixty-second year, Mr. Beals is well jireserved physicall_y and mentally.

Melzer and Eliza (Kelly) Beals, the parents of our subject, were natives respectively of Monongahela County, Ya., and Baltimore, Md. After their marriage, they located in Hampshire County, Ya., where they were residing at the time of the father's death. Mrs. Beals came West to Madison County, this State, in 1853, and departed this life in West Jefferson Township six years later. She reared a family of nine children, of whom William E. was the youngest but one.

The original of this sketch was born in Hampshire County ,Ya.,. Tune 15,1 830, and made this place his home until reaching his twentieth year. He was reared on his father's farm, which the latter carried on in connection with his Inisiness of an iron worker. William E.. on attaining mature years, learned the miller's trade in his native State, and after coming to INIadison County, operated a mill in Oak Run Township for several months. He also was similarly engaged in Clarke County, this State, for eighteen months and, aside from the time spent in that line of work, has alwaj's followed farming and stock-raising, buying and selling many animals ever}' scar.

The lady to whom our subject was married, in Springfield, this State, August 11, 1S54, was Miss Olive Hammond, who was born in Clarke County. After their marriage, INIr. and IMrs. Beals located in Jefferson Township, where they resided for four years and then jiurchased a farm in Deer Creek Township, upon which the\' made their home for the following seventeen years. At the end of that time, our subject, disposing of his estate in that locality, returned to this township and became the proprietor of the farm upon Avhicli he is at present residing. His estate includes two hundred and eighty acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the numerous substantial buildings which adorn it are also the result of his enterprise and zeal.

To Mr. and IMrs. Beals have been born eight children, those living being Manzilla, Alberta, Laura, Eliza, Henrietta and Pern E. The eldest is now the wife of .Tohn McClure, and Laura married John (Tarret. Two children died in infancy.

As before stated, he of whom we write was elected County Commissioner in 1887. He has always been very active in politics, and during elections casts a straight Democratic vote. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomination they are influential and useful workers.

I EORCE M. BALDWIN. It gives us pleas- ^ - , ure to record in this sketch the leading in- ^^gi^ cidents in the career of this gentleman, who was born JMay 1, 1860, in Madison Township, Fayette County, where he is at present residing. He is the son of AYilliam and ^Nlary J. (Houseman) Baldwin, and has added to the limited store of knowledge which was afforded him in the common schools by a systematic course of reading.

The lad\' to whom Mr. Baldwin was married September 4, 1884, was Miss Irene Armstrong, who was born in Jackson Township, Pike Count}', this State, February 24, 1868. She is the daughter of Stephen and ]Mary J. (AValls) Armstrong. Her father, who had been a soldier in the Civil War, died when she was about seven years of age, and her mother departed this life three years later, when A. J. Dietrick was appointed her guardian. Her only l)rother, Henry E., died June 2, 1891.

To INIr. and Mrs. Baldwin has been granted a family of four children, namely: William S., who was born November t>, 1885; James II., IMarch 29, 1887; Mary E., March 28, 1889. and Agnes Irene September 14, 189L Mr. Baldwin is a Democrat in politics, as w;is liis fathei- and grandfather before him. A peaceable and law-abiding citizen and a man of energy and intelligence, he has, by his kindly relations with his neighbors, gained tlieir good-will and respect.

IIILEMON N. GRAY. There is jirobably not in Scioto Township a more beautiful home than that of Mr. Gray, whose wealth and abilit}' make him one of the most prominent farmers of the county. This elegant brick residence is fitted up with all modern conveniences and furnished in artistic taste. Mr. Gray was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 25, 1829, and is a son of I>ittleton R. Gray, a native of Maryland, who was born in 1804. The grandfather, Littleton (iray, was also a native of Maryland and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. By trade, he was a shoemaker, and he came to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Franklin County, where he followed his trade until his death, which took place when he was seventy-six years of age. He was highly esteemed in the community, and was a Democrat in his ])olitical views.

The father of our subject came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1835, when he was twenty-one years old, journeying all the way (some six hundred miles) on foot over the mountains. He worked out b}^ tlie month for one year, after which he married, and settled on scliool section No. 16 of Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio, where he carried on a farm for one year, and then moved on to a rented farm. He was married about two years after coming here, and as the young couple were forced by poverty to most thorough economy, the young man himself manufactured most of their furniture. He finally purchased one hundred and ten acres of land near Asbury Chapel, upon which they lived for fifteen years, and after selling their property he bought and sold again, and then bought property near Columbus, which increased in value so that he was able to sell it at a considerable advance. He had just bought two hundred and ten acres in another locality when he. died, before moving upon it. He was a hard worker and very successful, but his untimely death at tiie age of forty-eiglit cut short his career. I lis religious connection was with the INIcthodist Cliurch, and he was a Whig in politics.

The mother of our subject bore; tlie maiden name of Anna Needles, and was l)()rn in Franklin County, Ohio, in I.SUJ. Of ju-r nine children these grew to maturity: Philemon N.. Epoleta, Sarah A., Washington, Elizabeth, Leroy. Clara R., and Matilda R. The mother wns an active member of the Methodist P>piscopal Chiu-ch all her life, and was sincerely moiu'ned when she passed from earth at the age of seventy-six years. Her father, Philemon Needles, was a native of Delaware, who came to Ohio in 1802, walking all the way by the side of his wife, who rode, and camping out on the way. He luuight Government land in Madison Township, Franklin County, being one of the first settlers there. He built a log cabin in the woods, and developed a large tract of land, ])ecoming one of the wealthiest men in this township, owning five hundred acres of land, beside giving liberally to his children. When he came to Ohio, he was a poor man, but was possessed of most excellent judgment, which aided him m becoming a prosperous man. He was over seventy years of age at the time of his decease.

Our subject was reared in Frnnklin County, Ohio, and studied in the i)riniitive schoolhouses, where oil paper was still in vogue in ])lace of window glass. Later, he spent three months at Central College, which is near Columbus, and began for himself at the age of twent3'-one years. After leaving home, he farmed for a year with an uncle, who lived near Groveport, and for six months acted as guard at the penitentiary at Columbus. He went South for three months, and later was called home by the death of his father, of whose estate he was appointed executor. He bought out the other heirs of the home farm, and lived there until eighteen years ago, when he disposed of that property and bought here. He has carried on mixed farming and stock-raising, and has had large crops of grain.

to Emeline Watkins, who was boi'n in Hamilton Township, Franklin Count}', Ohio, in 1834. They became the parents of ten sons: Tore}' N., Herbert G., Lincoln R. (deceased), Philo, James M., Malcolm, Frank, Isaac F. (deceased), Littleton A., and Dixon F. The mother of these sons died November 13, 1887.

The second marriage of Mr. Gray took place .Tune 3, 1891, and he was then united to Annie Weif^and, who was born in this county in Harrison Township. She is a daughter of Mr. Dill AVeigand, lately deceased, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Our subject has four hundred acres of improved land here, upon which he settled in 1874, and this is one of the finest farms in the township, and none is fitted up better with farm buildings and residence than his. At one time, he owned about one thousand acres of land, but exchanged a part of this for city propert}- in Columbus, which is in both residence and business property, and also in a factory and some vacant lots. For five years, when he first came here, he raised an average of twenty-five thousand bushels of corn. He is a Republican in his political views, and both he and his good wife are active and efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

AMES A. BAKER, a contractor and brick mason of Mt. Sterling, has made his home in this locality for more tlian a third of a centur}'. He was born in Albau}', N. Y., ,Juh' 22, 1837, and is a son of John and Sarah (Presgrave) Baker. His i)arents were both natives of Lincolnshire, England, where their marriage was celebrated. With five of their children, they emigrated to America in 1835, locating in Albany, where the family circle was increased bj' the birth of our subject and two daughters. Mr. Baker followed his trade of brick-laying in Albany for about ten years and then removed to Seneca, N. Y., where he spent his last days.

worked for four 3'ears. He then went to Warrensburg, N. Y., where he secured employment and engaged in brick-laying in various places in the Empire State. In 1859, he came to Ohio, where he l)egan working on a farm, being thus emplo3'ed for three summers. The Civil War was then in progress and on the 13tli of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and before the regiment was ordered South, he was married, on the 12th of September, to Miss Emeline Puckett, of Mt. Sterling. Bidding good-bye to his 3'oung bride, he marched to the front and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Franklin and others. In June, 1864, he was transferred to Compan}^ C, First United States Regiment of Engineers, and was engaged in repairing bridges and other such work. He was never wounded or taken [)risoiier and was honorably' discharged, September 26, 1865, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mr. Baker then returned home to his wife, who in the interval had resided in Mt. Sterling. She was born in Pickaway Count}', Jul}- 7, 1842, and is a daughter of .James K. and Mary (Elmore) Puckett, who resided upon a farm in Pickaway County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born four children. El va, born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, July 16, 1866, is the wife of Harry Terry, of Mt. Sterling, by whom she has three children; Marietta, born in Fayette County, December 27, 1868, is the wife of Barton De Long, a molder of Mt. Sterling, and they have one child; Ida Effle was born in Fayette County, August 26, 1871, and William A. was born in Mt. Sterling, December 22, 1873.

For three years after his return from the war, Mr. Baker engaged in operating a rented farm. In 1870, he came to Mt. Sterling, purchased a home and began working at his trade. He has since been a leading contractor of the city and has erected a number of the principal brick buildings in the place. He is an excellent workman and the liberal patronage which he has received is well deserved. He cast his first Presidential vote in Chattanooga in 1864, for George B. McClelland and has since supported the Democratic party. Himself, wife and dausfhters are members of the Christian

Portrait And Biographical Rixord

Church and he has served as assistant Superintendent. Mr. Baker is also a member of the Patriotic Order of .Sons of America and a charter momhcr of Bostwick Post No. 406, O. A. R. He has attended both the National I'^nions held in Columbus. He is a public-si)irited and progressive citizen, true to every public and private duty.

ANIEL HITLER, a wealthy and highlyesteemed farmer and native of Pickaway- County, owns a large and valuable farm in Pickaway Township, advantageouslN' situated on the Columbus, Circleville and Chillicothe Turnpike, to which is attached great historical interest as the former site of the Indian village of Cornstock, named in honor of a famous Mingo chief.

Mr. Hitler was born in Washington Township, November 7, 1827, and is a son of .Tacob Hitler, a very early settler of the count}', of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. C)ur subject was educated in the primitive log schoolhouse of pioneer days, and was reared on the old homestead in his native townsliip, continuing to live with his father for over fort}* years. He located on his present farm in Pickaway Township March 17. 1871, and in 1883 built his fine large brick residence. He has other buildings for every necessary purpose, that are spacious and well-built, and he has every convenience of a model farm. He owns six hundred and ninety-seven acres of valuable Innd, his homestead comprising three hundred and thirty-five acres, the farm lying on the celebrated Pickawa}^ Plains. The soil is of a sandy loam, easy of cultivation and very fruitful. Hitler's mode of tillage is such as to produce the best results, and no land in the vicinity yields more abundant harvests in repayment for good care than his. It is also well adapted to raising stock, and fine herds graze in its pastures.

"Mr. Hitler's farm is indeed emphatically 'the classic ground of Ohio,' for on the site of his i('>idence was situated the Indian village of Cornstock named for the noted cliief (Oi-nstolk. (ireiuidier Sfpiawtown, named for Cornstolk's sipiaw. was located just south of liis resideiu-e, on land tli;if he now owns. A slu)rt distance southeast, up the Congo Creek, stands the stately old ehn, beneath whose spreading boughs Logan, Chief of the Mingos, made his famous s[)eech, willi which every school-boy is familiar, when Lord Dunmore, then royal Governor of "^'irginia, in 1774 concluded the treaty of peace with the Indians, wherein" the Territory of the Northwest was opened for settlement to the whites.

"On his land once stood, the town of .leffcison, the first seat of justice of Pickaway County, it was a lively little frontier town in its day, l)ut its existence was ephemeral, and notliing is left of it but a single, tumble-down log cabin to mark the spot where it once flourished. A short distance west of the home of our subject is Black Mountain, on whose summit, overlooking tlie entire plains, as well as the A'alley of the Scioto for miles, the Indian chiefs met and held tlieir councils of war, and no enemy could a|)proach them undetected. The l)ones of the red men who once inhabited this I'egion have been found in ]\Ir. Hitler's very dooryard, and many interesting relics of the vanislu-d trilies have been discovered on the premises."

A writer in speaking of the Pickaway Plains has said: "Lj'ing in what may be ai>propriately called 'The Garden of the State.' these plains embrace lands, which, when the first white settler came into the countrv, produced a liundred bushels of corn and fifty bushels of wheat to the acre. lilooming and beautiful, with Nature's most mild and tran- (juil expression, a Ijcnison seems to have i)een lireathed upon it by the great Author. As it lies to-day, in summer, ci'owned with russet-3ellow of ripening grains, its broad expanse bathed in sunshine, an undulating, shimmering, golden sea. in which, like neat green islands, fields of waving corn appear, there is nothing to suggest the turmoils of savage war, or the wild scenes that have been enacted here. Here burned the council fires of the Indian, at which affairs of the nation were discussed, and peace or war decided upon. On these plains, at the old Indian villages, prisoners of war were put to death with horrid tortures.

"-It was here that the tribes of Indians marched forth, fierce in their war paint, to meet Gen. Lewis; it was here that Gen. Logan made his famous speech, full of burning eloquence, and here that the campaign of Lord Dunmore was brought to a close by the truce at Camp Cliarlotte."

Mr. Hitler not onl^^ takes jjride in his beautiful farm, with the many associations clustering around it of the aboriginal settlers of this region, long since vanished from these plains, valleys and forests that Avere once their home and huntinggrounds, but he takes a warm interest in all that concerns his native county, and looks with favor on whatever tends to its improvement. He is a man of sound, round-about common sense, a good judge in all matters with which he is conversant, and his friends find him wise and safe in counseling them whenever they seek his advice in important matters. He is an uncompromising Democrat in his political sentiments, and has held various local offices. He was chosen Land Appraiser for Pickaway Township in 1890, and ten years previous also performed the same dut}'.

The view of Mr. Hitler's homestead presented on another page is of especial interest on account of the liistoric associations connected therewith. We are also pleased to present the portrait of Mr. Hitler to our readers.

!1\ this young gentleman, whose farm is one of the best in Wayne Township, comprising two hundred and fort}' acres of as fertile land as may be found in a day's journey, and advantageously located on the Lick Run. He has met with flattering success in agriculture, both as a farmer and stockraiser, and in the pursuit of his calling has been rewarded witli a comfortalile amount of this woi'ld's goods.

May is the son of Michael and Mary (Lutz) Mscy. His father, who was born in Maryland October 7, 1798, learned the trade of a cabinet-maker in his youth and located in Loudoun County, Ya., in his early manhood. In 1818, when twenty years old, he removed to Circleville, and for many 3'ears followed his trade there. With the exception of eight 3'ears spent in Wayne Township, he remained in Circleville until his death in that city, September 27, 1869. He was a member of the Presbytei'ian Church, in which he served as Elder for a long period.

The father of our subject was twice married. His first wife, with whom he was united September 27, 1827, was Lydia Reiman, who died August 25, 1845. Eight children were born of this union, four of whom are now living. Afterward Michael May was married, September 25, 1849, to Mary Lutz, who died April 11, 1879. Ira L. was one of three children born of this marriage. He received his education in the public schools of Circleville, and graduated from the High School March 31, 1870. Subsequenth', he took a course in surveying and engineering at Lebanon College. In 1871, he located in Wa3'ne Township and engaged in farming on the place where he still resides.

A ver3' important event in the life of our subject was his marriage, which occurred September 11, 1879, and united him with Miss Ada Lutz. of Ross Count3-, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. May, Isaac and Susan (Barton) Lutz, are natives respectivel3^ of Salt Creek Township, this county, and Ross County, this State, and are ver3^ prominent people in the commiuiity where they have passed so man3' years. Through his farming and stockraising enterprises, he has become quite well-to-do, and, although he no longer engages in actively tilling the soil, he still maintains a close supervision over his estates. Mr. and Mrs. Ma3' are the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namel}': Isaac L., Percy and Leslie; Thompson and Lawrence are deceased.

Although ever3' man is more or less of an enigma to his fellow-men, it is not difficult to sound the depths of Mr. Ma3''8 nature sufficiently to discover that he is one who has accepted the Emersonian idea, that "the manly part is to do with might and main what you can do." He believes in the principles of tlie Republican jtartyand uses his in Hue ncc in behalf of its candidates. As an upright, conscientious man, his opinion has weight with others, and with his refined wife he occupies a position of prominence in the community. Both are identified with the Preslnterian Church at Circleville, and actively promote those measures wliich will uplift humanity and elevate societ}'.

\-^^, ATHANIEL S. BARNETT, senior member I jj of the firm of Barnett Bros,, grocers, at No. /A\,Z^ 208 East Court Street, is a 3'oung man of high repute in business circles, who has made his way to the front among the business men of Washington C. H. He was born April 11, 1855, in AVashington County, N. Y., a son of one of its prominent farmers, J. S. Barnett. His father, who is still a resident of that county, was born in the State of New York in the >'ear 1816, and has been twice married, the maiden name of his second wife, the mother of our subject, being Eliza Ann Cox. He became the father of thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and nine of them are still living.

Our subject's education was conducted in the public schools of his native county, which he left at the age of eighteen, to engage in farming with his father. He remained with him, assisting him in the management of his fanning interests, until he attained his majorit3\ He then came to Ohio and began his career in the mercantile business in the employ of C. H. Brownell c'e Brother, dealers in groceries and poultry. He was with them six years, and in that time thoroughly mastered every detail of the trade. At the end of that time, he bought a grocery with Mr. Saxton, and they carried it on together, under the firm name of N. S. Barnett it Co., three j^ears. They then sold out, and our subject abandoned business for a year. In the meantime, he made a trip to his Old home and spent some time among his former friends. Coming back to this county, he bought a stock of groceries and established himself in the same room he had formerly occupied. He took hi.s l)rother into partnership, and tiiey have continued together. Tlie\ have a large and welistocked store, carrying a complete line of groceries and provisions, and they command a line trade, as the}' are enterprising, energetic and fully alive to the demands of their business, and their obliging and courteous manners make them popular with all with whom they have dealings.

July 2, 1878, is the dale of the mnrriage of our subje( t with Miss Mamie, daughter of John Cissna, a prominent businessman of Washington C. H. They have a very desirable home, replete with comfort, and one child completes their pleasant household circle, Earl R., who is now seven jears old. Mv. Barnett is public-spirited, and all movements looking to the improvement of his adopted city are sure of his heart}' approval and material assistance. As ever}" intelligent and loyal citizen of this great Republic should be, he is deeply interested in i)olitics, and is a strong Republican, using his intluence always in favor of his party.

LVA M. BUSH, D. I). S. Wonderful as has been the advancement of the last half- A^ century, there is no indication that the climax has l)een reached, but the i)rospect for the future is in every way favorable to a progress fully as great as that which in a retrospective view seems remarkable. The incentives to industry and enterprise are as great now as at any {)erio(l in the history of Fayette County, while the means of securing prosi)erity are daily multiplying.

It is not strange that the keen, shrewd young men of to-day are realizing that Horace Oi-eeley's advice, "Go West, young man," is not ai)plicable to the youth of the Buckeye State. The prospects for wealth and success are as inviting in Ohio as beyond the Rocky Mountains, in the sunset lands of the United States. Among the young men who are successfully following their chosen professions in the State of their birth, prominent mention be-

A native of Greenfield, Highland County, this State, and born Januarj- 19, 1867, our subject is the son of Jacob E. and Sally (Mathews) Bush. His father engaged in general agricultural pursuits and devoted especial attention to stock-raising until his death, which occurred when our subject was a lad of seven years. He and his widowed mother resided afterward with the family of J. S. Bush, a commercial traveler of Greenfield. In that village, our subject received his education in the common and High Schools, graduating from the latter institution in 1886.

After completing his schooling, our subject entered the dental office of Dr. Anshutz, with whom he read until he entered the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati, graduating in 1889. During his vacation prior to graduating, he opened an office in Washington C. H. and his time is now fiilly occupied in professional duties. His office in the Midland Block is supplied with all the most modern dental appliances, and he keeps abreast of the times by careful reading in both professional and general literature. Socially, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is Secretary, and in his religious belief, is identified with the Presbyterian Church. September 19, 1888, he was married to Miss Minnie L., daughter of O. N. Wilson, of Greenfield, and they have established a comfortable home in Washington C. H.

ylLLIAM ASHBROOK, an esteemed and venerable citizen of Ashville, where he is living in retirement from active business, bears a name that is prominent in the pioneer history of Central Ohio since the opening 3'ears of the present century, and various members of the family have been associated with the development of both Pickaway and Fairfield Counties. In the latter county, our subject has passed the most of his life until within recent years, he having been born there October 17, 1821, being reared in one of its pioneer homes. His parents, William and Parmelia (Peters) Ashbrook, were early settlers thereof. They were natives of Virginia, his father being the son of an Englishman who had settled there during the last century. Earl}' in the present century, the Ashbrooks migrated to Ohio, and took up their abode m a log cabin in the woods, in what is now Amanda Township, Fairfield County. They hadbutfift}' cents in money when the}' arrived weary and travel-worn by their horseback journey across a rough, wild country, and the}' had many hardships and privations to endure before they became comfortably established in their new home. The father was an energetic wide-awake man, and he accumulated a comfortable property by the aid of his no less capable wife. He was quite prominent in local public life, and served as Trustee of Amanda Township, alwaj'S doing all in his power to advance its interests. He was the father of eleven children, six of whom are living, namely: Mahlon, a resident of St. Joseph, Mo.; Edward, a resident of Fairfield Count}^; William; Iva, wife of Daniel Kellerman, of Kansas; Melissa, wife of Benjamin Bowman, of Champaign County, and Minerva, wife of Benjamin Dunnuck, of Pickaway County. Over half a century ago, two of our subject's brothers, Absalom and Mahlon, came to Harrison Township and settled on the site of the present village of Ashville, which was named in their honor, and the}- became its leading business men.

Our subject was reared to man's estate in his native county, becoming strong, stalwart and self-reliant under the invigorating influences of pioneer life, having to bear the hardships usual in a newly-settled countr}-. He went to school in a log cabin, but his educational advantages were somewhat limited. However, observation and experience have made up in a great measure for these early deficiencies in intellectual training, and have helped him to a competency. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and fift}' acres of land in Fairfield County, and it brings him in a good income. For many years, he was successfully engaged as a farmer on his homestead, but in the spring of 1886 he abandoned his farm to take up his residence in the village whose earl}' history is so closely linked with the memory of his brothers, and he has since lived liere retired in a pleasant home, enjoying in a full degree the honor due to him as a man of sterling merit and a right loyal citizen. He is a Republican in his political views, and stands firmly by his party.

Mr. Ashbrook and Miss Nancy Hedges were married in 1844, and for over forty years they walked life's path together, and then death dei^rived our subject of the companionship of one who had been to him a devoted helpmate and a true wife in ever}' particular, her demise occurring October 28, 1886. She was a woman of marked excellence of character, steadfast in her friendships, and always neighborly and liospitable in her treatment of the people with whom she came in daily contact. Of the nine children born to her and our subject, these six are living: Elsie, wife of William Presler; Samuel, John, Ira, William, and Emma. Those deceased are INIahlon, Mary, and one that died in infancy.

^p^USTAVUS A. SCHLEYER, Assistant Cashier ^ - -, in the Second National Bank, of Circleville, '^^5) Ohio, is proltably one of the best informed men in tlie city. He has a delightful home and an extensive and choice library. In the last few years, he has done more to further tlie interests of the city than any other man and almost every advantage that the town enjoys is owing in a greater or less degree to his push and energy. He believed in having a fine city library and a suitable building for it, and with this object in view, he ran as member of the City Council. Being elected, he at once commenced working for this, and b}' his efforts succeeded in getting the council to make a necessary appropriation for this purpose. The result is that Circleville has one of the finest memorial and public library buildings in the State. It is a fine large brick structure, located at the corner of Main and Pickaway Streets, and would attract the attention of any one. Mr. Schleyer is at present Vicepresident of the city council and one of its most active members.

jNIr. Schleyer is a native of this State, born in Chillicothe, on the 7th of Felu'uary. 1857, and remained there until four years of age. 1 1 is father, J. F. Schleyer (see sketch elsewliere in this work), removed with his family to Circleville in 1865. In this city our subject received good scliohistic advantages and attended the High School until he lacked but two months of graduating, when he was offered a position in the Second National Bank as collector. This was in September, 1H72. when he was but fifteen years of age. Soon after, he took a special c urse in book-keeping during the evenings, and later a course by mail with Bryant tfe Stratton College, also studied stenography by mail. In 1875, he became individual ledger bookkeeper and continued in that capacity until he was made teller in 1882. This position he held for three years and in 1885 was appointed Assistant Cashier.

Although young in years, Mr. Schleyer is one of the most progressive and enterprising business men of the count}'. He built hih first house on Scioto Street, in 1881, and since then a handsome structure, designed b}' himself and wife, has been erected on that street, the cost of the same being $6,000. He also owns three acres within the corporation, and this is cut up into lots.

The first marriage of our subject occurred in Circleville in 1880 to Miss Emma T. Hartmeyer. a native of this city and the daughter of ex-Sheriff C. F. Hartmeyer, who was also born here and who is now retired. To ]Mr. and Mrs. Schleyer was born one child, Paul F. Our subject's second marriage occurred in 1889 to Miss Nell Hartmeyer, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Schleyer was a member of the School Board one term, after which he declined re-election. He was elected on tlie Democratic ticket to the City Council, Fourth Ward, and re-elected in 1891. He is A'ice-president of the Council at the present time and is Chairman of the Police Committee and Committee on Light. This committee fought for two years for arc light. Mr. Schleyer is President of the Public Library Board, and was one of the committee to select the site for the Memorial and Public Library Building. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and also the Uniform F>lks. In politics, he is a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and he has been a delegate to the Count}' Conventions. He is an active member of tlie Democratic Club.

ANIEL B. FOSTER. Among the wellknown and influential citizens of Oak Run Township, Madison County, is the gentleman whose name introduces this paragraph, and who is a successful farmer, using the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving his i)roperty. lie was born in Ross County, this State, March 7, 1828, and was tlie son of John and Eliza (Bowyer) Foster, natives, respectively, of Ross and Pike Counties, this State.

Tiie father of our subject, who was born March 4, 1802, was a farmer by occupation, and came to Madison County when our subject was a lad of five years. He was a man who had made his own way in the world, and was financially successful, leaving at his death an estate of one thousand acres of land. Our subject was the eldest child of the parental family of ten children, eight of whom are still living, all making their homes in Madison County with the exception of IVIiranda, Mrs. Mooreman, who is residing in Harvey, 111. The father of our subject was a Whig, in politics, and voted for John Q. Adams in 1824. On the organization of the Republican party, however, he joined its ranks in 1856.

Daniel Foster was reared on the old home farm, and received a common-school education. He began to do for himself after reaching his majority. AVhen twenty-four years of age, he was married to Miranda INIcClimans, by whom lie became the father of three children: Flora, who died at the age of six months; Bernard, who is a carpenter, and makes his home in London, this State; and Jennie, now the wife of John B, Yan Wagoner, a grain merchant in the above-named place. The wife and mother departed this life in August, 1860, and the lady whom our subject chose as his second wife, January 14, 1863, was Miss Margaret M. Johnston. To them have been born the following-named nine