Pleasant Township (part 5 of 18)

Somerford Division. No. 89, Sons of Temperance, was duly instituted October 21, 1881. with the following charter members: Delia Arbuckle. Emma Eckles, Hamilton Orpitt, M. C. Sprague, S. T. Holland, Anna Faw ver, Charles Prugh, Emma Stanford, Annie Snediker, John Turner, Mrs. Josie Prugh, Francis Stanley. Mrs. R. Dayton, S. A. Holland. Claudius Potee, Charles Wilson. N. B. Wilson, Mrs. Jane Overturf, A. G. Cartzdafner, Hannah Geer, Jennie Potee, Mary Arbuckle, Addie Cartzdafner, O. A. McCauley, Avrill Potee, Minnie Payne, S. M. Holland, Mary McCauley, Granville Potee, W. L. Clingan. Jonathan Geer. Elmer Overturf, Elmer Rodgers, Jacob Wilson, Joseph Eckles and Amanda Holland. E. J. Morris. I < S. : J. P. Wintermule, G. W. P. The following officers were elected: M C. Sprague. W. P.; Emma Eckles. T. \\ . P.; Delia Arbuckle. W. A.: Silas Holland, R. S. ; Addie Snediker, A. R. S.; A. G. Cartzdafner. F. S. : W. L. Clingan, Treasurer; S. M. Holland. C. : Minnie Payne A. C. : Addie Cartzdafner, I. S. ; and Hamilton Orpitt, O. S.

Chapter Xiii

THIS township occupies a position in the western tier of the townships of Madison County, and is bounded on the north by Union Township, on the east by Union and Range, on the south by Range and Stokes, and ol the west by the county of Clark. The surface is generally very level, and contained, in its original state, as the first settlers found it, large and extensive prairies and oak openings; the western, southern and central portions possessing but little heavy timbered land in its primitive state. Bor dering on Walnut Run, in the northern part, and along the eastern portion of the township, the surface is more undulating, with here and there portions approach a slightly hilly condition, the most of which was heavily timbered. The principal species of the trees of the forests were white, black and red oak, hickory, walnut, elm and maple. In the oak openings, the prevailing timber was burr oak. The township is well watered by Walnut Run and Paint Creek and their numerous tributaries. The former crosses from west to east through the entire northern portion of the township, while Paint Creek consists of two forks, the West and East Fork. The former rises in Clark Count}', and enters Paint Township near its northeast corner, takes a southeast course, and unites with the East Fork in the south central portion of the township, then flows south into Stokes Township. The East Fork rises in the northern part of the township, on the Addison S. Jones farm, flows southeast to the center of the township, thence turns to a southwest course and unites with the West Fork as above mentioned. The soil is exceedingly rich and fertile, the oak openings and prairies possessing a deep black loam, while the more undulating portions of the north and eastern parts of the township are a mixture of loam and clay, and underneath these is a stratum of blue clay mixed with limestone, and through this we reach a bed of gravel, the structure and composition being favorable to the retention of moisture and its protection from long-continued droughts. It is a very strong, productive soil, and well adapted to the growth of grass or grains. In an early day, these prairies produced for the early settlers an abundance of pasturage for their stock, and many of them entered largely, and some exclusively, into the stock business, the sedge on these prairies often reaching the wonderful growth of six to eight feet in height Right in the center and heart of this township and of this beanti fill prairie settled a young Virginian about 1810, and, entering upon the stock business, finally fenced in a large scope of this fine pasturage, increasing his business from year to year; became a rich and wealthy man, owning his thousands of acres of this beautiful and rich country. By a faildegree of business tact and shrewd financiering, this man's coffers were almost spontaneously filled to overflowing. And this is only one of many, who, in greater or less degree, have become wealthy in Madison County by entering upon the stock business in an early day, and reaping the fruits of these natural advantages afforded by these great and productive prairies.

A country possessing such natural resources could not long escape the observation of those pioneers and frontiersmen who were so rapidly pushing from the rising toward the setting sun. To those men from the rock bound hills of Virginia and other States in the East, such a country as this held out attractions they could not resist, and we early find the domains of Paint being occupied by the white man. Fromtho best sources of information we have been able to obtain, it appears that the first pioneer of Paint Township was Andrew Si frit, who was born near Winchester, Va. , in 1750. When but a young man, at the first call for troops in the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he enlisted as a private soldier, and served for eight lon»- years. For these services he subsequently obtained a warrant for 2(H) acres of laud. He was married to Susan Shrock, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Sifrit died, and he married for his second wife Miss Hannah Morrills, a native of Virginia, by whom he had twelve children. Thus he was the father of twenty-one children. In 1803, he, with his family, emigrated to Ross County. Ohio, where they remained one year, and in 1804 came to Madison Couuty, settling in Paint Township, on land now owned by John Paulin, on what is called Sifrit Run. This, it is believed, was the first white settler in Paint Township, as it is now known, but at that date was Darby Township, in Franklin County.

Let the reader of the rising generation imagine the surroundings of this pioneer family. Not more than half a dozen families as neighbors (if you may term them such) within a scope of fifteen miles; nothing in the daytime but the sound of the ax and its distant echo to cheer their lonely lives, as he fell the giants of the forest preparatory to erecting a log cabin for a dwelling place for his large family; at night, their slumbers dis turbed by the howl of the wolves and the mingled cry of other beasts of prey; and the whole intensified by the fear of the savages, who were then in plentiful numbers all throuo-h the country! Do you wonder that it took bone and muscle, and, more than all, a great degree of fortitude and moral courage to go through all this? To purchase goods or get milling done they had to go forty miles to Chillicothe, and much of the way over terrible mud roads, and some of the distance no road at all, only as they cut and made it.. But here, with such surroundings. Mr. Sifrit and his family began. They erected a double log cabin and commenced to make a farm andahome. They had willing hands and hearts, and knew how to labor; and from year ear their conveniences and comforts began to appear, neighbors were settling all around them, and everything began to wear a more pleasing aspect; and before Mr. Sifrit's death, he was permitted to see the opening up of a magnificent country, and the future prosperity of his children fully assured. He died in 1817. at the advanced age of nearly ninety-eight years.

Of Mr. Sifrit's children by his first wife, five came with him to this county - Catharine, James, Mary. Elizabeth and John. James, the elder son, was a young lad when they came to this county, and was able to render his father and family great assistance in their first labors here. He married Elizabeth Higgins, by whom he had six children, three now living Nathan, John and Lovinia. Mr. James Sifrit spent his life as a farmer and stock -raiser; was quite prosperous, and at his death owned between 300 and 400 acres of land. He died in April, 1881, aged eighty live John, the youngest son, married Harriet Chapman, by whom he had eleven children; two only survive - Joseph and Jacob. In L835, John, with his family, removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died about 1849, just in the prime oi life. He was quite an energetic, active business man, and had acquired between 400 and 500 acres of land. He served as a Justice of the Peace several years. Of Mr. Andrew Sifrit's children by his second wife, seven now survive - Susan, now Widow Earl, residing in Seneca County. Ohio; Nancy, wife of Daniel Kingery, and resides in Illinois; Julia Ann, now "Widow Roe, residing in Minnesota; Jacob, a resident of London; Lawrence \V., residing in Franklin County, Ohio; Maria, now Widow Hamm, residing in Iowa, and Michael, also a resident of Iowa.

Peter P. Helphenstine, a native of Virginia, was a Major in the war of the Revolution, for which services he received land grants for a large amount of land. In October. 1805, he started for Ohio, and, arriving at Chillicothe, he became acquainted with Col. Elias Langham, who was going up into the " Barrens " to lay some warrants. David Watson had accompanied Mr. Helphenstine from Virginia to Ohio, and now they associated with Col. Langham and came up to Madison County to locate and lay and survey their lands. They finished their work about February It. and returned to Chillicothe. Mr. Helphenstine and Mr. Watson remained there till in September. 1806. They returned to Virginia and at once made preparations to remove to Ohio. Mr. Helphenstine and family. Jonathan Minshall and family and Walter Watson and family, with their connections, to the number of thirty -nine persons, with six or seven wagons, staited for their new home in tho wilds of Ohio. They arrived at Chillicothe the last of October, 1806. There they left their families, while Mr. Watson, with his family, located upon a place which his sou David had previously rented for him, and Mr. Helphenstine proceeded to his land, and, with the assistance of David Watson ami others, erected a cabin, and, in January, 1S07, moved his family from Chillicothe into the cabin, in his new and permanent home, ami here Mr. Helphenstine remained through life, being, it is believed, the second settler in Paint Township. He was an excellent neighbor and citizen, a devoted Christian, and lived and died highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Some years later, Henry Help henstine, a brother of the above, became a settler of Paint Township.

David Watson was born in Maryland October 17, 1783, and. with his father, Walter Watson, and his family, became settlers of Ohio in ISO)), and in 1807, with Mr. Helphenstine and family, David came to Paint Township, and here was married to Mary Helphenstine, for whom he formed a special attachment when she was but ten years of age. while residing in Virginia. They commenced in life with nothing, as poor as any person ever started out in life. But we will not here devote space to portray a history of this valuable citizen's life, as it is fully given in another part of this work. Suffice it here to say that Paint Township may well be proud of having been the place of residence of one whose lite was so full of activity, success and usefulness. George Blougher, of German descent, came with or about the same time as Robert Hume, in 1804. He worked one year for him, clearing his land, for which services .Mr. Hume deeded him 100 acres of land, upon which he settled and remained through life. He was a very honorable man, a good neighbor and a worthj citizen. About 1810 - 12, a Mr. Harpole settled on the Hume land, and became owner of quite a large amount of land, bu! of him and his we know but little.

James Withrow, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Madison County and located in Paint Township, on Walnut linn, in 1X07, and. one year later, brought his family to his new home. Hore he took up 250 acres .of land. All the country around was a vast wilderness, iu which he had but three neighbors - David Watson, Jonathan Minshall and Peter P. Helphen stine. Indians were still here, and were frequent visitors at their house. They were generally friendly and peaceable, but frequently too free or officious, and would borrow or take things out of the house, such as cookingutensils, sometimes keeping them a long time, but would generally return them. They would frequently borrow corn-meal and provisions of various kinds. Corn-meal in that day was an item of sonic value, when they had to go forty-five miles to Chillicothe to get grinding done. Sometimes they would have their supply of meal nearly exhausted, and they would hide it in the straw tick in the bed. On one occasion. Indians searched the house all over, and even the bed. but did not happen to find it. Mr. With row never allowed them to bring their guns in the house, but had them leave them outside. At one time, Mr. Withrow having gone to Chillicothe to mill, the Indians came and wanted to bring their guns inside the house, but Mrs. Withrow required them to leave them outside. They came in and sat by the fire. Mrs. Withrow was spinning, and she observed them talking with each other, and apparently displeased about something. By their motions she could understand that they were talking about scalping her. With all the courage she could command, she instantly ordered them out, of the house, and by continued firmness finally succeeded in getting them away. Such trials of their courage and fortitude were quite frequent in that early dny, and it sterns those noble pioneer women were peculiarly fitted for the occasions they had to meet. Mr. Withrow was quite a military man, and was a Major in the militia for many years. He, in later years, after his farm began to produce wheat, hauled it. to CJrbana over the then terrible mud roads, and sold it at 87 cents per bushel. The last hat he purchased lor himself he bought at Urbana, for which he gave fourteen bushels of wheat. He erected a saw mill on Walnut Run about 1815, which was the fust mill in this vicinity, and one of the first in the county. This mill was run by water, and remained in use about ten or twelve years. Mr. Withrow was no office-seeker, and desired no notoriety in that way, but was an active, industrious man, and devoted his life to his farm interests. His character and integrity were beyond reproach, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, having brought with him, when he came here, a letter of his membership in the church where he lived in Pennsylvania, bearing date L803, and connected himself with the church at London, iu which church he was an Elder many years.

Of their family of seven ehildi'en, Ann, the eldest, married Abraham Phifer. She died about 1ST;!. Margaret died unmarried. David married Mary Harvey, and settled in Paint Township, where he died without issue. Isabel married John Stroup, by whom she had five children; is now a widow and resides in London. One of her daughters is the wife of Mr. Mc- Laughlin, proprietor of the Phifer House. Another of her daughters, Rebecca, married Joseph Foos, emigrated to California, and was said to be the first woman who ever went through on the overland route. She is now a resident of Australia. Robert married Ann Carr; resides in London; was formerly Sheriff of the county, but is now retired from all active business. Washington married Catharine Truman and settled on the home place. Then he purchased a farm, which, a few years after, he sold, and in 1842 purchased the Robert Hume land, upon which he resided till, in 1878, he removed to his present place of residence, in Newport, where he has since resided, retired from all active business. His life has been devoted to farming and dealing in stock. From 1836 to 1853, he gave his special at- tention to buying stock through the Western States, and driving them over the mountains to the Eastern markets, and during this business of seventeen years' duration, there was but one year in which he did a losing business; the sixteen years were successful, and yielded him good profits. His business life has been one of activity, crowned with success, having accumulated a large amount of property. His principal fault in life has been in being too kind-hearted and accommodating for his o wn financial good, as he has paid over $40,000 security money. But, notwithstanding these misfortunes, he has an ample competency left, and a clear conscience that he has faithfully discharged all obligations, no matter how unjust some of them may have been. Mr. Withrow has been employed to settle up a great many estates in his community, and has filled many of the important offices of his county and township, and is one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Newport, of which he has been a member since the winter of 1854, and has filled most of the important offices of the church. Samuel, the youngest child of Mr. James Withrow, married Charlotte Rankin and reside? in London; is engaged in farming, which has been his principal business through life.

John Stroup was a native of Pennsylvania, and settled on the Buffenberger land about 1810, where he remained through life. He devoted his life to farming; had a family of five sons and two daughters; one now survives, and is a resident of Range Township, now Widow Nancy Timmons.

John Phifer, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Madison County about 1810, and located on Paint Creek, on what is now known as the Buffenberger land. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed, in connection with farming, through life. He had a family of three sons and four daughters, all now deceased. Mr. Phifer was an exceptional man for honesty, integrity and uprightness of life. Industrious and faithful in business, kind hearted and liberal, ever ready with his means and influence to aid in every moral progress and improvement, and died at a good old age, loved and respected by all who knew him.

George Phifer, son of the above, married Tabitha Dean; was also a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed several years. After his marriage, he located at London and became one of the active business men of that place. He erected the Phifer House; also the block on the opposite side of High street now occupied by Wolf's clothing store and others. During this time, he was carrying on an active business as a farmer and stock-dealer, and was also for several years engaged in the tanning business - in all which enterprises he was remarkably successful, and died possessed of a largo amount of property. Abraham, son of John and brother of George Phifer. married Ann Withrow and settled near his father; devoted his life to farming; was very prosperous, and at his death owned 000 acres of land and several thousand dollars in money. John, the third son, died when young. The daughters were named Dolly, Clara, Betsey and Nancy. All married and had families, and became prosperous and good citizens.

Peter Buffenberger a native of Virginia, while a young single man, emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, and in 1810 located on Paint Creek, in this township, and entered at once largely into the stock business on the prairio, and was very successful. About 1816, he fenced in a large tract of these prairies. H> accumulated a large estate, and when, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, married a young lady. Miss Angeline Hutson, by whom he had two children - Eugeue and May. The former married a Mr.

Crawford, of New York. Mr. Buffenberger died a fewyeaxs after his marriage, leaving his family 4,200 acres of fine land, besides 700 acres which he had previously deeded in fee simple to his wife. His wife subsequently married for her second husband Mr. Colburn, and they now reside in New Jersey, and Mary, her youngest daughter by her first marriage, who is unmarried, resides with them. About 1810, George Linson, a native of Virginia, settled on Paint Creek, just below the Buffenberger tract of land. He was married in Virginia, and came here in very limited circumstances; entered upon the stock business; was very successful and made money rapidly, becoming the owner of over two thousand acres of excellent land. He was the father of five sons and two daughters, of whom two now survive - Margaret, now Mrs. Shough; and Jesse. The former resides in Pleasant Township, this county; the latter in Fayette County.

George Chappell settled near Walnut Bun about 1810, and remained a resident of this township till death. He was a native of Virginia; married Margaret Green; Lad four sons and two daughters, all deceased but two - Thomas and Charles, who are now residents of Illinois. Mr. Chappell served as a Justice, of the Peace for many years, and while in that office used his best efforts to get parties to compromise, and thus avoid all litigation, if possible; was a most excellent man and faithful officer. John C. Jones, though not an early settler of Paint Township, having settled here in 1844, yet he was born in East Tennessee in 1817. came to Ohio in 1821, grew to manhood, and has been prominently identified with the growth and progress of the county from a very early day. He has served as Director of the County Infirmary, as a Justice of the Peace, as Township Trustee and other minor offices. He is now quite advanced in years, having spent a long and useful life, devoted to the interests of his county and the community in which he has lived. Bev. William Sutton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was, it is believed, born in Virginia, but became a settler of Paint Township about 1810, locating on the Hume land. He married Hannah Coberly; resided here but a few years, when, as a Methodist minister, he had to adopt the itinerant life they live; but the greater portion of his life was spent in the service of the ministry within Madison County. He died at Mt. Sterling, although his home and residence at the time of his death was in London, and there his body was taken for interment. He was an excellent man and faithful Christian minister Lewis Higgins. a native of Virginia, settled on the Hume tract of land about 1811.

Reuben Gregg, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Chillicothe in L8l0, and to Madison County in 1811, and located in Paint Township, about half a mile below where the village of Newport is now situated. He married Phoebe Harpole, and remained a resident here till his death. Thomas Coberly, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and purchased 100 acres of land in Paint Township about 1810, upon which he located, and where he resided till death. He was an industrious, hard-working pioneer, and raised a family of four sons and three daughters. Of these, Willi am served in the war of 181 2, and subsequently became an extensive farmer and trader, which occupations he followed through life. James Chapman was born in Frederick County, Va., in 1801. In 1816, he became a settlerof Paint Township, and subsequently married Ann Chapman, a native of Virginia, by whom he had nine children; three now survive. Mr. Chapman i^ now eighty-one years of age, is hale - and hearty, with good eyesight, and is now one of the few early pioneers yet surviving.

Although the territory which now comprises Paint Township began to be settled up as early as 1804, yet it was the last township but one to be erected. On the records at the court house we find the following: June 7. 1853 - " A petition was presented to the Commissioners, asking for a new township, to be called Paint Township, to be composed of parts of the townships of Stokes and Union. Beginning at the county line near Peter Slaughter's, thence running an easterly direction to the line of Range Township; thence a northerly direction with the original township line to the corner of Stokes and Union Townships; thence northeast so as to include Baskerville's, and to continue in that direction far enough to include Robert Reed, or some point, so as to get enough territory; thence a northwesterly direction to the line of Clark and Madison Counties at some point north of William T. Jones'; thence a southern direction with the county line to the beginning. Therefore, it is hereby ordered by the Commissioners of Madison County, that the foregoing described territory, or as near as may be deemed proper, be. and is, established a township, which shall be known by the name of Paint; and be it further ordered that Henry Alder, Surveyor for the county of Madison, and John T. Maxey, proceed to survey and establish the lines and boundaries of said township, erecting proper monuments at the several corners thereof. Ordered by the Commissioners that the legal voters within the territory heretofore described meet at the residence of James Phifer, on Saturday, the 25th day of June, 1853, and there and then proceed as provided by statute in such cases, to elect all necessary officers for said township."

June 0, 1855 - "A number of citizens of Union Township presented a petition that the line dividing the townships of Union and Paint be so changed that they may be included within the boundaries of Paint Township, to wit: Beginning at the angle in said line between the residence of Washington Withrow and H. Langham; thence north so as to include John Ham, Sr., John C. Jones and Job Coberly, Sr. , in Paint Township; thence near a straight course to the junction of the Midway & London Turnpike road and the old Xenia road, that being the Paint Township line, or near that place where the Paint Township line strikes the old Xenia road. " The petition was granted, and Nelson Baker appointed to survey the line.

There appear to be no records preserved until 18(54. Since that date, the following have Berved as Township Trustees: 1864, J. W. Each us, Joseph Plowman and Benjamin Tyler; 1805, J. C. Jones. David Stroup, Jr., and John Stone"; L8Gf>, Robert Reed, John C. Jones and David Stroup, Jr.; L867, Robert Reed, E. T. Linson and David Watson, Jr.; 1868, E. T.

in, Washington Withrow and S. W. Bonner; 1869, W. Withrow, J. W. Eachus and David Watson, Jr.; L870, Steel Douglass, David Watson and J. W. Eachus; L871, David Watson, R. A. Niel and Steel Douglass; L872, ,J. W. Eachus, David Watsou and R. Samuel Niel; 1873, David Watson, Edmond Hill and William Cilgore; L874, John C. Jones, M. A Baskerville and William Kilgore; L875, William Kilgore, M. A. Baskerville and David Watson; 1876, ML A. Baskerville, David Watson and Benjamin F. Tyler; L877, Joseph Ploughman, John Eachus and ML A. Baskerville; 1878, John W. Eachus, John T Vent and Joseph Ploughman; 1 S7D. Robert Watkius, George Bodkin and John Paulin; L880, John T. Vent, N C. Rice and S. Bonnor; L881, Austin Htitson, N. C. Rice and J. O. Sifrit;

Justices of the Peace 1854, Stephen Maxey and William B. Baskerville; 1857, Job Coberly, John Correll and Stephen Maxey; 1858, William B. Baskerville; 1860, Steel Douglass; 1861, John T. Maxey; 1863, Jesse Coberlv; L864, John T. Maxey; L866, Steel Douglass and Franklin Tyler; 1867, Jesse Coberly; 1870, H. W. Rowland and George Bodkin; 1873, Steel Douglass and George W. Bodkin: 1876. George Schuxr and G. W. Coberly; L880, William Keever and George W. Bodkin; 1881, James S. Cleeland.

Constables 1865 66, -laiues Jewell and Adam Rider;" 1867, V. L. Buel; 1868, William Clevenger and Washington Coberly; 1869, S. White and M. W. Cannon: 1870, W. T. Bethards and S. White; 1871, J. Schick dants and W. T. Bethards; 1872, George Hull and S. O. McColum; 1873, George Hill and Peter S. Hill; 1874. Thomas Bethards and Jonathan Carter; 1875, Peter S. Hill and William Clevenger; 1876, Peter S. Hill and George Miller; 1877, E. A. Blaugher and Stephen Maxey; 1878, Daniel Kulp and George Hull; 1879, J. W. Osborn and E. C. Duff; 1880. George Hull and David Sutherland; 1881, George Hull and William Yeath; 1882, William Yeath and A. C. Bodkin.

One of the firs! organized churches in Madison County, if not the first, is the Methodist Episcopal Church now located at Newport, this township. In 1807. at the house of Jonathan Minshall, a class was organized by Rev. Mr. Lakin. with three members - Jonathan Minshall and wife and David Watson, with the former as Class- Leader. Meetings were held and preaching occasionally had at the house of Jonathan Minshall till, in 1809. David Watson's father having located near David's place, meetings were held at his place until in 1822, when David's mother died, after which the meetings were held at David's house. As the neighborhood became settled up, the class grew and increased in numbers. Between the years 1816 and 1820, there was held eacli year, for two or three years, a camp-meeting in this neighborhood, which was probably the first of the kind ever held in Maidson County. People came to these meetings from many miles dis tant, and camped in tents, and had many very enjoyable meetings. At one evening meeting, twenty-four persons joined tho church, under the preaching of Rev. Alexander Morrow. The church held their meetings in pi'ivate houses until the building of a public schoolhouse. about 1831-32, when the services were held in the schoolhouse. which was erected where the cemetery is now located. Here the church contimied to hold their services till about 1850, when the society erected a church edifice about one mile east, at Newport. They erected a good, substantial frame building, at a cost of about $700. This building served the society until about L872, when the present brick house 56x32 feet, was erected, at a cost of about $4,500, and is a verj aeal and comfortable house of worship, well finished and well furnished. Ai the time of the erection of the tirst church building, the society numbered about twenty persons. Since that time, the church has been Berved by the following ministers: Rev. Mr. Smith. John Stewart. Joseph Brown. Mr. Orum, Archibald Fleming, Mr. Spahr, Samuel Tibitt, J. T. Miller. Mr. Pitzer, A. Alexander, Mr. Beath, Mr. Vananda, A. R. Miller, I. Bradrick, Mr. Kino; and Rev. Mr. Mackey, who are now the present pastors. In November. lST'J. the new church was dedicated. Joseph Trimble preaching the dedicatory sermon. The membership is now about one hundred. Trustees, Samuel Coberly, William Withrow, John Paul in, William Clevenger, David Watson ami "Washington Withrow . Stewards are Washington Withrow and David Watson: (Mass Leaders. Samuel Coberly and W. Withrow. In connection with the church. the\ have had a good, flourishing Sunday school since the erection of the first church edifice. It now numbers about sixty scholars, with James Buell as Superintendent.

Protestant Methodist Church - In 1850, a few persons met at the schoolhouse, then located where the cemetery now stands, and. under Rev. Rameth Husse\. were organized into a class, consisting of the following persons: Prewley Rains, wife, three sonts and one daughter: Jame - Jewell ami Elias Forbis and wife; Joseph Stroup and wife: Gideon Peck and wife; [sabel Stroup, Josie "Watson, Sarah Jones, Polly "Wagoner and Elizabeth Sifr it; and perhaps one or two others whose names are not now remembered Elias Forbis was Class-Leader. The society held their meetings at the Bchoolhouse for three or four years. In lSel 55, they erected their pr is ent frame h"use iu Newport, which was completed and dedicated to service the same year, and it is believed that Rev. A. H. Trumbo delivered the dedicator} sermon. The membership is now about twenty live, with Rev. T. D. Howe as their minister, and Amos Gregg as Class-Leader, who ha^ served as such more than twenty years. Trustees, James Evans, John W Vent, Singleton Yates. Amos Gregg and Uriah Thornburg.

For many years the early settlers had their family or neighborhood burying grounds. One of these was on the John Phifer farm, where sev eral of the Phifer family and many of the people of that neighborhood found their final resting place: but no.\ nothing remains to show that there was ever a grave made there, the ground being used and cultivated for grain. Another was <n\ the Hume land. Some bodies, however, have been removed from here and deposited in more permanent and well-preserved cemeteries. This ground is, however, st 11 inclosed by a fence, but no more persons are being buried there. The only one which has become a permanent burial-place is the Withrow Cemetery. This was first established as a family burying place of the Withrow family, and was probably tirst opened by the reception of a body of a child of William Crider, after which it became the general burying place for the neighborhood, and thus continued till about L870, when it became the property of the township. Originally there was but one acre of ground fenced in. The Trustees then purchased >f Davi I Wats in and ad Led to it, so that it ow contains - and is well fenced in. and laid out in walks, with good graveled roads

The 6rs1 school, it is believed, in Painl To vnship, was held in a cabin on Jonathan Minshall's land. Samnel Flarvey being the first, or one of the first, teachers the 3chool, like all e ools, being supported by sub was erected on the ground now embraced in the cemetery. This .. hewed-log house, nd was then considered quite neat and comfortable. This house ded by a frame one, erected on the same ground about

This township contains but one malJ village within it borders, In 1849, the land where Newport now stands was owned by Ephraim Freshour, and in that year he laid off some lots for the town, and donated one lot for school purposes. Jam"- Coberly erected the first bouse, in which he lived till his death. '1 milt by Eliae Forbes as a dwelling fur himself.

The first blacksmith was James Jewell. He wa- succeeded by Henry Roland. About 1851 52, John Coberly built a stei mill in the town, with the old kind of i w. which, after some yeai npplanted with a circular -aw. and is now owned by Jackson Coberly. Elias Forbes was the first wagon-maker. The first store was opened by Napoleon Moore, who erected a building and put in a general stock of good- in 1854. The post office wa- established in 1856 b% with James Gossard as Postmaster. The present Postmaster is Thomas Durkee. The village now contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitant-: ha- one general store, one grocery, two blacksmiths, one wagon-maker, one carriage painter; and contains two churches, and one schoolhouse with two departmei I for the small He for the larger scholars.

in a northeast and southwesi direction through the township, a little west of the center, is the old London A: Kenia road; then further east is the Madison & Fayette Turnpike, the London & Bloomingburg road, and the Yankeetown road, the latter forming the boundary line between Paint and Union J-' for two to three mile-. Through the northwest part of the township, and running nearl) parallel with the Jel South Charleston A: Kenia Turnpike, passes the 1' h, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, and. although there is no town on its line within Paint Township, yet they have a way station called J

Chapter Xiv

THIS was the last township erected in Madison County, and is one of the smallest in territory and the most irregular in its contour and boundary lines, and another peculiarity it has is in not possessing a single town or village within its limits; hence it is purely a rural township. On March 5, 1856, a petition was presented to the Commissioners of Madison County, signed by Robert C. Amos and others, asking for the erection of a new township to be composed of parts of the townships of Range, Pleasant, Fairfield and Union: " Beginning at the southeast corner of the land of John Dun, in Pleasant Township; thence northeasterly with his line crossing Deer Creek to his corner; thence with his northerly boundaries to the James Innis Surveys, thence with the James Innis Surveys to Deer Creek; thence up Deer Creek with the Fairfield Township line to the north line of the land formerly owned by John Harrison, deceased; thence westerly with the line of said Harrison to the John Jones road; thence westerly with said road to the La Fayette road; from thence a southwesterly course to northwesterly corner of Je3se Rea's land and corner with Maxwell Murray; from thence southwesterly with Jesse Rea's line crossing the land of Robert Armstrong to Levi Springer's northeast corner; thence with Springer's southeast line to the Yankeetown road; thence southeasterly with said road to the southeast line of the lands of David and Isaac McClimans, and with the west line of Joseph Morgan's; from thence to the beginning. Wherefore, it is hereby ordered by the Commissioners of Madison County that the foregoing described territory be and is hereby established a township, which shall be known by the name of Oak Run Township; and be it further ordered that Henry Alder, Surveyor of the county of Madison, and Edward Fitzgerald, meet at said Fitzgerald's on March 24. 1856, and proceed to survey and establish the lines and boundaries of said township, erecting monuments at the several corners thereof. Ordered by the Commissioners that the legal voters within the territory heretofore described, meet at Harvey's Mills on Monday, tho 7th day of April next, that being the first Monday of said month, and then and there proceed as provided by the statutes in such cases to elect all necessary officers for such township.

On June 2, L856, a petition by citizens of Oak Run Township was presented to and granted by the Commissioners, changing the west line of Oak Run Township as follows: "Down the London & Yankeetown road to the line of William Johnson, Sr., aiul William Johnson, Jr.; thence with their line to a branch of Bradford's; thence with the meanderings of said branch to the line of Thomas Foster, and thence with the line of him and James McClimans to the west line of John Foster, bounding with I. and W. Mc Clim.ns; thence with their line to John Foster's southwest corner, being two black oaks; thence in a direct line to tho northwest corner of James W. Robinson and corner to land bought of said Robinson by I. and D. McClimans, near Bradford's Run; thence with the lino of s.iid Robinson and I. and D. McClimans to their corner in the line of Joseph Morgan."

Oak Run Township, April 17, 1856: " In pursuanceof notice the qualified electors of Oak Run Township, Madison County, Ohio, met and organized by calling Jonathan Harvey to the chair, and Jeremiah Rea as Secretary, and then viva voce declaring Jeremiah Thomas, Jonathan Harvey and Robert C. Amos, Judges of Election; Jeremiah Rea and Mitchel Lane, Clerks of Election. The above officers being qualified according to law, the poll-book was then opened, and the electors of said township proceeded to elect by ballot the following officers, to wit: John Foster, Jonathan Harvey and Robert C. Amos, Trustees; Jeremiah Thomas, Treasurer; Jeremiah Rea. Clerk; David Lewis, Constable; Mitchell Lane and Jonathan Farrar, Supervisors, and Dr. D. Warner, Justice of the Peace. The township was now in complete working order; the boundary lines of its territory definitely and satisfactorily established, and all necessary officers duly elected and qualified for the duties that might devolve upon them during the year 1856. The above election was, in accordance with the orders of the Commissioners, held at Harvey's Mills. From the record books of the township we find elections have been regularly held each year since 1850, at Harvey's Mills, until 1881, when they had erected a good township house at the corner of Robert Rea's land, where the Harvey Mill road strikes the London & Mt. Sterling pike, since which the elections have been held at the township house.

The following is a record of the officers who have been elected and served in the various offices respectively since 1856, commencing with the office of Township Trustees: 1857, John Foster, Jonathan Harvey and R. C. Amos; 1858-59, Robert C. Amos, Mitchell Lane and Jeremiah Thomas; 1860, Jesse Rea, Jeremiah Thomas and Joseph Bell; 1861-62, Jeremiah Thomas, Matthew Rea and Mitchell Lane; 1863-66, William Bell, B. D. Thomas and .Joseph Rea; 1867, Mitchell Lane, A. C. Moorman and Joseph Rea; 1868, Mitchell Lane, Cephas Pancake and A. C. Moorman; 1869, -J. C. Smith, Cephas Pancake and Joseph Bell ; 1870, Joseph Bell, J. C. Smith and Daniel B. Foster ; 1871, J. C. Smith, D. B. Foster and Joseph Bell; 1872, D. B. Foster, J. C. Smith and Joseph Bell; 1873, Jeremiah Rea. Cephas Pancake and Thomas Wheeler; 1874, Elijah Chenoweth, Jeremiah Rea and John Farrar; 1875, D. B. Foster, Andrew S. Bell and Jeremiah Rea; 1876, Andrew S. Bell, John Pancake and Thomas Wheeler; 1877. John Martin, John Pancake and Thomas Rea; 1878, M. S. Roby, Joseph Bell and A. C. Moorman; 1879, A. C. Moorman, M. S. Roby and Thomas Wheeler: 1 880, A. C. Moorman, A. S. Bell and John T. Walters; 1881, C. E. Gregg, M. S. Roby and A. S. Bell, and 1882, M. L. Rea, Joseph Pancake and James Wall.

Clerks - 1857-68, Jeremiah Rea; 1869-70, William Bell; 1871, John Foster was elected, but gave no bond, and William Bell continued to act; 1872-80, William Bell; 1881, Joseph Bell, and 1882, Joseph M. Lewis.

Justices of the Peace - 1857. David Lewis and William Bell; 1858, A. V. Chrisman; 1859, William Douglass: I860, J. C. Smith; 1861, Rosell M. Thomas; 1866, B. D. Thomas. During the years of lS04-t55. there was no Justice in office, and, since ISCiT. there has been no Justice elected.

Supervisors - 1857, M. Rea; 1858, Benjamin Bell and Jeremiah Rea; 1859, Jeremiah Rea and Mitchell Lane; 1860, Owen Thomas and Jeremiah Kea; 18ol, J. C. Smith and Robert Rea; L862, Elijah Chenoweth and miah Thomas; 1863, William Bell and Jeremiah Rea; 1864, Jeremiah Rea and Benjamin Bell; L865, William Bell and Jeremiah Rea; 1866, C. E. Gregg and Jeremiah Rea; 1868, C. Pancake and Robert Rea; 1869, Abraham Miller andC. Pancake; 1870, Elijah Chenoweth and Thomas H Robv; 1871, .M.Lane and William Deffenbaugh; 1872. J. C. Smith an1 Thomas Wheeler; 1873, John Van Skoy and C. E. Gregg; 18 < 4, M. Lane and John Van Skoy; 1875, A. S. Bell and John Fleming: 1876, John Macken and J. C. Smith; 1877. John Van Skoy and J. C. Smith; 1878, William Vandyke and C. E. Gregg; 1879, William H. Laird and Thomas Higgins; 1880, A. J Harvey, William King and John Macken; 1881. A. J. Harvey, T. H. Roby and Thomas Hig gins, and, 1882, Thomas Roby, J. W. Harvey and Thomas Morrissey.

Constables - 1857. Mitchell Lane and F. M. Chenoweth; 1858, Thomas Peddicord and Robert Rea; 1850-60. Martin Parker and Mitchell Lane: 1861, Joseph Rea and F. M. Harvey: L862, there were none sworn into office; 1863-67, Joseph Rea; 1868, Abraham Busick; 1860. Abraham Busick, but did not give bond and consequently did not serve, and since that date they have elected no Constables. This township thus gives an illustration of getting through several years without a Constable or a Justice of the Peace; and, as far as is apparent, suffers very little inconvenience from the want of them. There is no town or village within the township, and no saloons, stores or other places to attract or keep loafers or idlers, and is a farmiug community, settled up with a class of industrious, law-abiding citizens, whose quiet and peaceable lives may well stand forth as beacon lights among the townships of Madison County.

Surface, Soil And Streams

The surface is generally level; the western and southern portions being particularly flat and uniform, while the northern and eastern portions are undulating, and in some localities, along the creeks, is quite hilly. The principal streams are Deer Creek and Oak Run and Bradford's Fork, with their tributaries; the former passes through the northeast portion of the township, in a southeasterly course, entering the township from Union Township by passing through the farm of Joseph Bell and striking in its course the boundary lino of Fah'field Township, there takes a south course and for some distance forms the boundary line between Oak Run and Fairfield, then again enters Oak Run Township through the Chenoweth farm and reaching the north line of Jesse Rea's farm, turns east, reaching the Dun tract of land again takes a south course and passes into Pleasant Township. In its course through this township, it receives its first tributary in what is called Nigger Run; then it receives on the Cephas Pancake farm, Glade Run, which enters the northeast corner of the township, pa through four or live farms, and empties into Deer Creek as above mentioned Next it receives, on the Chenoweth farm, Oak Run, which enters the town ship through the Dock Williams farm and flows southeasterly, receiving in its course through the Chrisman laud Walnut Run, which courses through the Jesse and Robert Rea farms and a part of said Chrisman land, and empties, as stated, into Oak Run. A little below where it empties into Deer Creek, the latter receives on the Jerry Rea land, Turkey Run. In the south part of the township and forming for a considerable distance the boundary line between Oak Run and Range Townships is Bradford's Fork, the main stream having a general southeastern direction, receiving on the D. B. Foster farm its North Fork, and farther down, on the Gwynne land, receives Barron Run. These numerous streams and their tributaries furnish an abundant supply of water to all portions of the township. The west and south portions of the township possess a very deep, rich soil, principally a black loam, and as originally found by the frst settlers, consisted mainly of oak openings and prairies, upon much of which grew a sedge so tall that a man riding through it on horseback could take the grass from either side and tie the tops together over his horses' back. The northern and eastern portions and along the creeks, where the surface is undulating and hilly, possesses principally a loam and clay soil, and, although some small portions of it is a thin soil, yet the most of it is strong and productive, and is excellent for either grass or grain.

The first settler that we have been able to gain any account of within the precincts of Oak Run Township was William Jamison, who came to his county from Kentucky and located just south of the mouth uf Glade Run, about 1805. He purchased 200 acres of land, upon which he resided till his death. He became quite a prominent and prosperous farmer of that day. He married Ann Brown, of Brown County, Ohio, by whom he had three sons and three daughters - Ira, the oldest son, became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Hancock County, Ohio. The second son died young. William, the youngest son, arriving at manhood, emigrated West and is now a resident of Ml Pleasant, Iowa. The three daughters were named Zelah, who married a man by the name of Ferguson; Cynthia married Levi Poulston, and the third daughter (name forgotten) married a man by the nunc of Foster; all three of the daughters are now deceased.

John Simpkins, a native of Maryland, came to this county about the same time as the Gwynnes, it is believed as early as 1808; he purchased land in this township on Walnut and Oak Run, which new is owned by Mrs. Eliza Chrisman, and here settled and made some improvement and became a leading active man in the secular affairs of the county; served as Treasurer of the county in 1816; Collector in 1817; was an Associate Judge and also a Justice of the Peace; the latter office he rilled for many years. He finally moved to Missouri, remaining but a short time, when he returned to this county, entered upon the mercantile trade, which he followed through the greater part of the remainder of his life. He had two brothers. James and Thomas; the latter was stabbed and killed on the streets of London; the former subsequently returned to his native State. Maryland.

Two brothers, Elias and Van De Lashmut, natives of Maryland, came to Madison County, it is believed, as early as 1810, and purchased land on Deer Creek, on the boundary line between Fairfield and Oak Run Townships. At about the same time came John De Lashmut, a cousin of the above; also two brothers, Otho a>nd Nelson De Lashmut. also cousins of the former; the latter was a brick-maker by trade. Elias was the principal active man among them; was Sheriff of Franklin County in 1807-09, and it appears owned the greater part of the land they purchased, and after a few years entered upon the mercantile trade, and was one of the early merchants of London, where he carried on business for many years. John DeLashmut subsequently moved West, and settled somewhere on Red River.

John Jones came from Franklin County and settled on Oak Run, one mile above its mouth, about 1808; resided here some eight or ten years, and opened out the farm and made considerable improvements, then moved away. Thomas Nash, a native of Kentucky, settled near the month of Oak Run about 1812; after residing there a few years, he removed to Indiana. William Sly settled on Turkey Run, on Surveys 10,904 and 12,304, at an early day, and was becoming somewhat prominent as an active, energetic man, but finally moved to Sandusky, where he died. John Linsey, a Virginian, settled on Oak Run, one mile above its mouth, on the land first settled and improved by John Jones, mentioned above, about 1818. He resided here about six or eight years; was quite active and energetic, gained some wealth and moved to near Sandusky, where he purchased land and died there, leaving a large estate.

Montgomery Wilson was one of the early settlers of this township, of whom but little is known, except that he was a blacksmith by trade, and located temporarily wherever his business or inclination led him.

Joseph Rea was born in Pennsylvania in 1754; he married Elizabeth Conn, who was born January 27, 1762; they were married January 10, 1783. They emigrated to Virginia; thence, in 1810, to Ross County, Ohio; and thence to Madison County, about 1818. and settled on Oak Run, where they died about 1829. They had a family of nine children; all grew to maturity, but are now deceased. Of their children, Mathew was born in Rockbridge County, Va. , in 1793; he became a resident of London in 1818. and married Ann Amos, who was born in Maryland November 15, 1802; they were married in London by Patrick McLene, Esq., and, in 1835, settled in Oak Run Township, where he became a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, and accumulated a good property. She died in 1857, and he in 1873. They had seven children; three now survive; Robert and Jerry, two of the surviving children, are large land-owners in Oak Run Township, and -are among the most respected citizens of the county.

James Foster came from Ross County and settled on the north side of Bradford's Fork, about 1820; a few years later, his brother John came and settled near him; they married two sisters by the name of Bough er. They became prosperous farmers and large land-owners; they were active business men and filled many offices of the county and township. .James served as County Commissioner.

Jonathan Farrar was a native of England but became a settler in Oak Run Township, on land now owned by Mr. Chenoweth, about 1825. Mr. Farrar was as excellent man and quite a judge and admirer of fine stuck. He. with Charles Phellis, Esq., and Mr. Browning, were appointed a committee by the Stock Breeders' Association of Madison County to go to En gland and purchase a quantity of fine blooded stock. John C. Robisun, an Englishman by birth, possessed of a good education and a teacher in his younger days, came from Pennsylvania to Madison County, and about L831 32, located in Oak Run Township and erected a saw and grist mill on Oak Run, since known as the Harvey Mills and the Oregg Mill. He sold the mill to Jonathan Harvey, and thence removed to Kentucky, where he en-

The number of mills in this township have been few, and most of those only temporary. As to saw-mills, of course the demand for them in any country depends upon the amount and value of its timber, and, as much of this township was a prairie and without timber.it would be self-evident that mills would here have a limited business. The first saw-mill we receive, an account of was erected on Deer Creek, near Christian Smith's farm, about 1830-32, by John C. Robison. This was run by water conducted in a race from the river above, and then into the river below the mill. Uris at, first was only a saw mill, but soon a set of buhrs was attached for grinding. After a short period, Mi\ Robison sold out to Mr. Gosley, and he to Joseph Chrisinau; then it came into the ownership of Jonathan Harvey, who put in an engine and run it by steam. He died and the mill was purchased by Hannah & Wood, and while in their ownership was burned down. Then it was rebuilt as a water-mill by William Harvey. About 1865, Mr. Gregg purchased the property, and has since continued to run the mill. A saw-mill had been kept up and run in connection with the grist-mill till within a few years, when it had fallen into a very dilapidated condition, and they ceased using it. Mr. Gregg, however, has a portable saw-mill, located on Turkey Run near the schoolhouse. About 1835, Jona than Farrar erected a saw-mill near the mouth of Oak Rue, and subsequent ly erected a grist-mill attached to it; just how long this mill continued in operation we did not definitely ascertain, but suffice it to say it has lone; since passed out of use. On Deer Creek, about half-way between the Gregg and the Farrar Mills was a saw-mill, erected by a Mr. Deffeubaugh. but which has also long since disappeared.

The educational system of this township compares favorably, we thi nk with those of other townships. And taking into consideration the fact that this township was erected so late as 1850, and many portions of it for many years quite sparsely settled, we think the present good condition of its schools speaks well for the moral standing and enterprise of its citizens. The township is divided in five subdistricts, as follows: District No. 1 has a good new house erected on the London & California pike, on The northeast corner of the Chrisman land. The enumeration of scholai's in this district, in October, 1880, was 48; District No. 2, on Turkey Run, was 37; District No. 3, in the Higgins neighborhood, 71; District No. 4, in the Foster neighborhood. 40; District No. 5, on the Jesse Rea farm, 23; total enumeration, 219. Total receipts of all funds on hand for school purposes, September 1, 1879. $3,920.39; total paid teachers and for expenses, $2,084.- 71; balance on hand, September 1. 1880, $1,835.68.

Biographical Sketches

PRESTON ADAIR, farmer and stock raiser. P. O. London. His ancestry can be traced back to Ireland. John Adair, Sr., enlisted in the British Army, and when the American colonies threw off the yoke of tyranny, he accompanied Gen. Cornwallis to America. After the war. he settled in Augusta County. Va., where he married Jane Ross. Tbey were the parents of seven children. One son, John Adair, Jr., the father of our subject, was born near Stanton, Va. . November 11, 1783. His mother dying young, he was taken to raise by an uncle. In 1808, when twenty-five years of age, he accompanied his father to Ohio, stopping at Chillicothe and remaining there as guests of Gen. IN re Arthur for some days. They then came to Madi son County, where John. Sr.. purchased a tract of land, about one mile north of the present site of La Fayette, where he resided till his death, in L815. John Adair then married, and purchased a tract of land from Gen. McArthur, located on the "Upper Glade," in Deer Creek Township, and consisting of eighty acres. He married Jane Ross, a native of Virginia, and the result of this union was the birth of twelve children. Seven of these grew to mature years, and six are now living. Mrs. Adair died in June, 1837, and Mr. Adair married for his second wife, in 1840, Miss B. Plymell. No children were given them. Mr. Adair died January 1'.), 1859, and his widow resided with our subject until the date of her death, in April. 1876. John Adair. Sr., was an extensive stock-dealer of that time; in political life a Whig, but entertaining a strong dislike for office-holding. He was an earnest Christian, and a pioneer Methodist of that community. The first Methodist Episcopal " class meeting" in that vicinity was held in a " squatter's cabin," on his land. Preston Adair, his son and our subject, was born on the old homestead June 11, 182(J. He was there reared, receiving only a limited education. His mother died, and his older brothers had all left home, so, from the time he was twelve years of age until thirty, he remained with his father and step-mother, carrying on the farm. He w;is married, September 20, I85(.t. to Hannah Street, a native of Knox County. Ohio. daughter of John and Ann (Robison) Street, who came from England to Rose County. Ohio, in 1840. After marriage, Mr. Adair carried on the home farm for three years, and, in April, 1864, removed to his present comfortable residence, on East High street, London. Upon the death of his parents, he purchased the old homestead, and has since added to it, until at present it consists of 400 acres of valuable land. Mr. Adair is a thorough Republican in political views, and, in the fall of 1880, was elected Infirmary Director for a term of three years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination since a boy of twelve years, and at present is a Steward and class leader in the church at London. He is also connected with the Masonic Lodge and Council. Five children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Adair, four living - Nettie; John W., in attendance at

Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio; Bruce, who has been blind for the past two years and is being educated at the Ohio State Blind Asylum, at Columbus; and Byers. Mrs. Adair and the two elder children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas Robison, grandfather of Mrs. Adair, resides at Mount Vernon, Ohio, aged eighty-seven years.

FULTON ARMSTRONG, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. London, was born in Union Township January 31, 1825. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl) Armstrong, natives of Ohio, where they spent their lives. His father was an extensive farmer and stock-dealer, and at one time owned 3,500 acres of land in this county. His people were among the very early settlers in this vicinity. Our subject received a limited education in the schools of his native county, and early in life adopted the occupation of farming. He commenced life by farming and stock-dealing in Vermillion County, 111., where he spent eighteen years. He owns 1,000 acres of very fine land in the county, in addition to which he rents about 50u acres to increase his facilities for his extensive stock operations. He usually keeps about 200 head of cattle on his place, in addition to his stock cattle, and now has 350 head. He married Mary Rankin, who died in 1808. She was the mother of four children, all now deceased. In 1869, he married Elizabeth (Truitt) McMillan, widow of George McMillan, deceased. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican in politics, but he has neither desired or accepted any offices.

Fd) WARD -ARMSTRONG, of Armstrong & Minshall. dealers in furniture and queensware. London, was born on the " Old Bradford farm," in Union Township, this county, January 1, 1850. His father was Robert Armstrong, a native of Chillicothe. Ross County, Ohio. He was twice married. His second wife, and the mother of our subject, was Mrs. Maria (Cowling) Cover, a sister of Maj. Cowling, so favorably known throughout Madison County, and a native of England. There were born to this union five children, four living. Mi". Armstrong was the father of fifteen children by both marriages, and his wife, beiug also twice married, was the mother of eleven chilcfren. The father died in 1865, and the mother in 1873. Our subject was the fourth child of this union, and grew to manhood on the farm. When fifteen years of age, he came to Londou, and entered the public schools. In 1869, he entered the drug store of Dr. Caldwell, of Cedar - ville. Greene County. Ohio, as a clerk with him altogether about tw<> years. He then returned to London and engaged in the drug business with Dr. J. T. Houston, the firm doing business for seven years. Mr. Armstrong then formed a partnership with E. J. Robinson in the same business. and. three years later, in January, 1880, sold his interest to Dr. Piatt King. In June, 1882, he formed a partnership with Leon Minshall, in his present business, and, on the 23d day of the month, the firm opened out with an elegant assortment of plain and faDcy furniture, queensware, etc. Their trade has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Masonic, the Methodist Episcopal Church, ami. politically, is a strong Republican. He was married, October 12, 1876, to Alice, daughter of H. W. Richman, a prominent citizen of Londou. Mr-. Armstrong is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JONATHAN ARNETT, surveyor and civil engineer. London. w;i> born in Ross County. Ohio, August 30, L819. His father, William D. Arnett, was a native of Eastern Maryland, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio in 1S17. Locating in Ross County, where he resided twelve pears. He then removed to Jefferson Township of this county, and lived of Maryland. They had twelve children, six now living. Mrs. Arnett departed this life December 30, 1874. Jonathan Arnett was the sixth child of this large family, and grew to manhood on the home farm. His early educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. He was engaged in farming until twenty-two years of age, and then attended what was termed the " Ohio Conference High School.'' at Springfield, Clark County, remaining there two years. He then taught school in this and adjoining counties i'or about ten years. During this time, he spent his leisure moments in studying his present profession, and finally engaged in that occupation. From 1S~> I to L864, he was engaged in mercantile transactions in this and adjoining counties. He was Acting Chief Engineer of the Dayton A: Michigan Railroad for eight years, surveying the line from Springfield to Troy, Ohio, and subsequently to Union City, Ind. He has -been a resident of London since 1866, and during this period has devoted the daytime to his labor, and the evenings to the study of his profession. He was Surveyor of Madison County two terms; has been School Examiner of Madison County for sixteen years: of Union School. London, same length of time, and was a member of the London School Board for nine years. Mr. Arnett is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Masonic, and a Master Mason. Politically, he has always held the views adopted by the Democratic party, but on local questions votes for the man and not for or with the party. He has never been an aspirant for office. Mr. Arnett was married in March, 1847, to Esther M. Fellows, a native of Hanover, N. H. Two children were born to them, one living - Delia A., wife of Clinton .Muse. County Surveyor. They have one daughter - Edna. Mrs. Arnett was a member of the M. E. Church, and died in that faith. August '25. 1871. Mr. A. was again married, April 22.1874, to Mrs. Permelia Morse, daughter of Dr. Colliver, of Jefferson, Ohio. She is a native of Kentucky and a member of the Baptist Church.

VALENTINE BAUER, merchant tailor, London, was born at Gerbach, Rhine Bavaiia. Germany, April 14, 1838. His father. Peter Bauer, came to America in 184(J. He located in Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in keeping tavern, and died in 1808. He married Catherine Bauer, also a native of Germany. Of their eight children, four are now living - two sons and two daughters - and only two residents of Madison County. Mrs. Bauer departed this lift' in Germany, January 12. 1848. Our subject was fourteen years of age when his lather removed to Columbus, and he resided in that city eight years. He there finished learning his trade, which he had previously commenced in Germany. On October 9, I860, he came to London, and for eleven years was superintendent of the merchant tailoring department in the house of J. M. Winchester. On June 25, 1871, he commenced business for himself. Although having met with some reverses. Mr. Bauer still presses forward, and now enjoys a good patronage. He is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138, Chapter No. 73 (Masonic), Madison Lodge, No. 70 (Odd Fellows), of London, and Palestine Commandery. No. 33, Knights Templar, of. Springfield, Ohio. Politically, Mr. Bauer is Republican, and has served several terms as member of the City Council. He was once the Republican nominee for Treasurer of London and defeated by only thirteen votes. He was married, April 23, 1859, to Eva Michel, a native of Stahlberg, Rhine Bavaria, ( ierman v. Ten children have been born to them, six living - Emma. Frank. Clara, Edward, Eva and Robert. Mrs. Bauer is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

NATHAN BOND BLAIR, retired merchant, London, was born in London on the present site of Houston & Burnharn's hardware store, June 24, 1824. He is a son of John and Jency Blair, of Scotch and Irish descent. John Blair was an early pioneer of this county, and a moderate land-holder. He was also an early resident of London. He traded his town property for a small farm, on what is known as the " Lower Grlade, " five miles south of London, to which he removed when our subject was but nine years of age. There the latter's time was occupied in tilling the soil and attending school. When he had secured such an education as the schools of those days afforded, he returned to London, being eighteen years of age. He served a three years' apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, receiving, during this time, the munificent wages of $3 per month. After serving his apprenticeship, he commenced jour work, being recognized as a skillful carpenter and builder. In 1847, he whs married to Mary Penny. To this union was born one son - Henry C. Mrs. Blair died in the spring of 1849, and the son the following fall. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Blair was again married, to Mrs. E. A. Lamb, who had one son - Oscar E. They have three children - Anna M., Amanda and Harry Nathan, all of whom are living. The latter is managing editor of the London Enterprise. At the time of his second union, Mr. Blair was engaged in milling at Blairtown (named after a member of the family who owned large tracts of land near there), but subsequently returned to London and resumed work at his trade. He was engaged at that for the next seven years, employing from ten to fifteen men. He again bought the saw-mill at Blairtown, and operated it for seven years. He then went to Jefferson and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in connection with his brother, J. C. Blair. After M>me time, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Blair continued the business until the spring of 1877, when he removed his stock to Londou. He there carried on the same business for two years, and then disposed of his stock and trade to Lohr & Son. Mr. Blair united with the Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch when seventeen years of age. He is a charter member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 412 (I. O. O. F.), and the Republican party. He is an honest, upright citizen, an. I highly esteemed by all.

A. J. BLUE, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this State October 31, 1849. He is a son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, of German descent, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1871. He then chose milling for an occupation, and accordingly purchased a grist-mill in London. He followed farming until January 31, 1877, when he married Carrie A. Rankin, a daughter of Albert ami Margaret (Withlow) Rankin. She fell heir to 100 acres of land near London, on which they now reside. They have two children, viz., Harford and Emily A. Mr. Blue is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He is a Republican in politics. His Father was born in 1816, and is still living. His mother was born in 1826, and died in 1881.

l\ J. BOLDS, the oldest boot and shoe merchant in London, and probably of Madison County, was born in Maryland October 20, L828. His father, Thomas Bolds, was also a native of Maryland, and a shoe-maker by trade. He came to London in 1851, and resided there till his death, in 1864, at which time he was the senior member of the hoot and shoe firm of T. Bolds & Son. He married Louisa Jarman. a native of Maryland. They were the parents of eight children, two now living. Mis. Rachel L

Haynes, of Jefferson, and our subject. Mrs. Bolds departed this life February 19, 1837. Our subject was the fourth child of this family, and has been engaged in his present business all his life. He was a member of the firm of T. Bolds & Son, at the time of his father's death, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Bolds is one of the oldest and most prominent merchants and citizens of London, and a man well respected by the entire community. He is a Republican in politics. He was married, July 18, 1865, to Amanda F. Bryan, a sister of M L. Bryan, of the Madison County Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are members of the Episcopal Church.

ROBERT BOYD, farmer and stock-raiser, and President of the London Exchange Bank, residence, West High street, London, was born in Washington County. Penn., October 9, 1824. He is a son of James Boyd, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Madison County, Ohio, in September, 1830, locating in Canaan Township. Col. James Milliken had located 2,200 acres of land in this county, in 1829, and divided it equally among his nine children. One daughter, Martha, was the wife of James Boyd, and it was upon her portion of the estate (20' * acres) that they settled. They were the parents of four children, all living, and resi - dents of this county - two sons at Plain City. Darby Township; a daughter, wife of Squire William Kilgore, of Canaan Township, and our subject. James Boyd was about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. His widow is still living and in her eightieth year. Robert Boyd was the oldest child and grew to manhood on Darby Plains. Canaan Township. H listed his mother on the farm till the date of his marriage, October 18, IS \'.i. when lie was married to Caroline M., daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson. /" They came to Ohio about 1810, and now reside in Somerford Township. After marriage, Mr. Boyd engaged in farming for himself, on 145 acres of the home farm, He then sold his land and purchased 4ti" acres in Jefferson Township (now a farm of 420 acres), where he resided rive years. He then removed to his present residence in London. When quite young. Mr. Boyd commenced dealing in stock, and has since continued in that business. He is a member of the firm of Boyd & Byers, probably the largest grazers and dealers in stock in Madison County. Mr. Boyd has been very successful in life, now owning 1,380 acres of land. 113 of which is in the corporate limits ^\' London, and 110 acres constituting the home farm. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee hi that body. His political views are Prohibition-Republican. He was one of the firsl Directors of the Madison County Infirmary; has been Township Trustee, and served six terms in the Village Council. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been blessed with five children - Nancy, wife of J. W. s, of Boyd iV Byers; Martha A., wife of A. G\ Carpenter, an attorney w, of Cleveland. Ohio; Albert W., who married Myrtie L. Fowler, of Wyandot County, Ohio: Caroline M. and Robert \V.. the two latter graduates of the London High School.

.). C. BRIDGMAN, auctioneer, London, can trace back his ancestry out the time of Oliver Cromwell, in England. He has in his possession a wood-cut. engraved about that time, and bearing the following inscription: "Charlotte Lady Middleton, daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Orlando Bridgman. Knight and Baronet, Lord-Keeper of ye Great Seale of England, and Lady Dowager of Sir Thomas Middleton, Chirkcastle, in Denbighshire, Baronet for ye advancement of this work, contributed this Plate to whose Patronage it is Huuiblv dedicated \>v R. Blome." It was in

Fathers ** stock. He settled at Hartford, Conn., the r, thence moved to Springfield, Mass., and subsequently to North ton, N. H. John, his only son. had six sons John, born in I rn in lb', v. born in. 16*80; Lbono.or. bom in 1686; CI hem, Alvl. died, another brother, Isaac preached the fui wad the four remaining brothers aoted as pall beare] son, Abol. previously mentioned, married a Miss Fowler, a oousin of 0 S Fowler, the great phrenologisl of Now York city. He w laborious worker, and died at the comparatively early age of forty His widow subsequently married a Mr. Bass. Abel's son. Eri rer, N. H., in 1796, and there resided during his life, 11 through life and died in 1874, at the age of seventy eight j i He i Mary Flagg, ;>. native oi Mass ts, and a daughto

Dr Bazaiele Flagg, a great lover of, and indulger in, praotioal jokes They were the parents of seven children, three daughters and four sons, three living Mary Frances, John C. (our subject) and Nathan C, Adeline Charles, Augusta and Mendal are deceased. Mrs. Bridgman departed life in the summer of isoS. and both parents are buried near Hanover, N ". the old cemetery near the brick church where Abol Bridgman' s ser was preached. Our subject, the fifth ohildand second son >>f this ily. was born at Hanover, N. II.. March 24, 1831, and was there reared Ho obtained a fair oommon-school eduoation, and part of an academic \{c was married, January 19, 1858, to Luoy B Pelton, and. on April 18, dgman and wife arrived at London, this county, Mr. B ired a position as clerk Us W. W. Follows, in the dry goods lino, and remained with him six months. Wo then secured a similar position

Samael Tenny, and subsequently was with Shaw A Poland one j Ho then purchased a half interest in the grocery trade of William Smith, and the firm put out the following sign over their place of business: u Smith \ Bridgman, Genius and Capital Combined " Either the former quality v>t latter necessity failed, for the firm carried on the husiuoss but a few months. After engaging a short time in other enterprises, Mr Bridgman commenced at London in his present business This was in 1856, at tho be ginning of the stock sales in Madison County. Since that time, Mr. Bridg settled up. ho generously relinquished his claim to an j :«' a younger brother who had stayed at homo and taken care of tho old f> - Mr. Bridgman commenced life in Madison Count] without a dollar in money, and has succeeded in life beyond his anticipations. His a >f every description during tho year 1882 amounted to $850,000. \i^ Royal and S M. sonry, and oonneoted with all tho Crater born in Pickaway County, Ohio, 'January 21. 1842. He is a son of Peter Brobst, a native of Berks Comity. Penn., and a farmer by occupation Ee accompanied his father, Jacob Brobst, to Ohio in ISO'-,, the latter lo eating in Fairfield, near Pickaway County. Peter Brobsl is yet living and is in I nty-seventh year, lie married Elizabeth Fellers, a native of

Fairfield County. They w>tc the parents of ten children, seven now living, our subject the only one in this county. Mrs. Brobst departed this life in 1879. Our subject was reared on the home farm in Pickaway County, and in early life " farmed it" for three years. In the fall of L865, he <-ame to Madison County, locating at Jefferson. He there engaged in mer< tile pursuits for four years. He then sold his stock and removed to London, engaging in the sewing-machine business. Ee remained at that

years, and then clerked for P. C. Cowling for four years. Since L880, lie has been connected with Houston & Burnham. Mr. Brobst is an influential member <>( St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Dei and Clerk of the official hoard. Politically, he is Democratic. Mr. Brobsl was married, April 7. L862, to Loraine Culp, a native of Pickaway Coi Ohio. They have three children Ernest E., Sarah E. and Anna F. Mrs Brobst is also a member of the Lutheran Church.

MABCELLI'h L. BRYAN, editor and publisher of the Madison Den , . ocrat, was born at Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. March 29, 1s'j!:'>. His grandfather, David C. Bryan, who died July 31, L829, w, s bom on Long Island in 1771, and, in L792, married Ruth Bryan. In 1800, he moved to New Jersey, in 1803 to Williamsburg, this county, and, in lH'Zo, to Batavia. He was elected ;i I ;. | tresental i ve in the Legislature in L806, but his seal was contested and given to Thomas Morris, and served as State Senator from 1807 to 1810, when he resigned to become Clerk of the Courts, which place he ably filled until his death, a period of nineteen years. His son, Malancthon A., was then Clerk for some two years. He was born September 26, L803, and died March 27, L832. George S.. another son. was born September 3, L792, and died November 28, \^->'l. and his wife Mary died July L6, L844, aged forty-seven years. Our subject's father, whose name l was also David C, was born on Long Island, and was quite young when brought to Batavia by his parents. In 1828, when only nineteen years of age, he married Miss Mary M. Moore, youngest daughter of Capt. Charles Moore, an ex-Captain of the war of 1812, and an early settler of Clermont County, from Philadelphia. To this union eight children were born, viz., Marcellus L. ; Francis, wife of T. J. Bolds, of London; Charles M., of California; Beulah C. , wife of Joseph Kewley, of Richmond, Ind. ; Dr. A. S. , of Point Pleasant, Clermont County; Rose, wife of Mr. Patterson, of Point Pleasant; Eva. wife of Allen Armacost, of Wayne County, Ind. ; Learner L.. a printer in Chicago; and two daughters that died in infancy. The father was a man of prominence in his community, and at the time of his death was serving as Auditor of Clermont County. He was an Old-Line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became a Democrat. He was held in high esteem by the people and for many years occupied the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in 1867 from the effects of sunstroke received about a year previous. His wife still survives, at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he went to Columbus and engaged as a type setter on the Ohio Statesman. Before leaving home, he had learned the printer's trade under Andrew Oest, in the Clermont Courier office. After remaining in Columbus one year, Mr. Bryan went to Circleville. but after a year's residence there returned to Columbus, where he married Miss Martha S. Mas terson, a uative of Ireland and a daughter of Prof. John O. Masterson. After his marriage, he went to Circleville, where he operated the Circleville Herald one year. He then returned to Columbus and remained there one year, after which he and John A. Kissinger came to London and took possession of the National Democrat, of which Mr. Bryan soon became sole proprietor, changing the name of the paper to the Madison Democrat, under which title he has since continued its publication. While in Columbus, he and four other journeymen printers established the Daibj Reveille, and in this office the great humorist, Artemus Ward (Charles Brown) was employed for some time. Mr. Bryan withdrew from the Reveille company one year after its organization, and six months before it was discontinued Of his family of eight children, seven survive, viz., Mary L., Ormand M. , Chester E., Charles M. , Mattie T., Marcellus and Addison. Annie O., the next to the youngest, is deceased. Mr. Bryan has been a Democrat ever since he cast his tirst vote. He served as Mayor of the village of London two terms and as County Recorder one term.

L. W. BURNHAM, of Houston & Burnham, hardware merchants, London, was born in Pike Township, Madison County. December 12, 1852. He is a -mi of Henry Burnham. a native of this county and a farmer by occupation. He married Eveline Williams, a native of this county. L. W Burnham is tin- elder of five children, and when a young man accepted the position of Teller of the Trader's Hank of Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. He remained in this position three years, and then came to London to accept a similar one in the Central Bank of that city. After three years he resigned that position, and engaged in his present business with T. J. Houston, under the linn name of Houston & Burnham. Mr. Burnham is a member of the M. E. Chmrch, and Republican politically. He was married, October ."). L875, to Ella M. Houston, a sister of his present partner. She persecutions their people were subjected to in that country, and made their home in Ireland, where they suffered in the siege of Londonderry. James, with his three sons, Thomas, Andrew and Samuel, emigrated to America at an early day, with other Scotch-Irish Covenanters. Andrew settled in Pennsylvania in 1791 or 1792, where he raised a family of children, of whom one son, James, married in Fayette County, Penn., and had four children, one son and three daughters. His wife died, and he was married the second time, to Elizabeth Watson, by whom he had seven children, live girls and two sons, John and Moses. In 1807, he moved to Ross County, Ohio, where he lived nine years. He then purchased land in Fayette County, and, four years later, finding his title defective, he was persuaded to relinquish this land, receiving 300 acres in the wilds of Madison County as an inducement to peaceably give up possession. He located in Madison County in 1820. His son, John W., was born near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., May 9, L800, and. in 1825, married Matilda Hunter, by whom he had three children, of whom one survives - Matilda, wife of Samuel Truitt. Mrs. Byers died in 1831, and, in the fall of 1833, be married Sarah Painter, by whom he had ten children - Mary R., wife of N. P. Gardner; Louisa J., wife of Thomas Price; Missouri, deceased, wife of George Truitt; Joel M., who married Louisa Fitzgerald; James W., whose sketch appears elsewhere; John 0., who married Josephine Rickabaugh; Andrew, who married Ida Bidwell; Mary E. , deceased, and Laura and Kate, at home. Mr. Byers retired from active life nine years before his death and, after six weeks' illness, died, February 2, 1881, his remains being interred in Kirkwood Cemetery. Mrs. Byers' grandparents McGrew emigrated from Virginia to AYestinoreland County, Penn., at a very early day, but the Indians were so hostile that they were obliged to bury their possessions and return to Virginia several times, until finally they resorted to block-houses for safety. He was a surveyor in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The youngest, Rossanna, was Mrs. Byers' mother. Thomas Painter, Mrs. Byers' grandfather, had three sons and seven daughters. Of these, Joel, her father, was born in 1787, and moved to Pennsylvania from Harper's Ferry, Va., when he was quite small. In 1809, he married Rosanna McGrew, and had four sons and two daughters. Of the latter, Sarah was born in IS 13, and when eleven years of age her mother died. In 1825, her father married Jemima Allen. On March 21. 1826 or L82 7, they started for Cincinnati on a family fiatboat, arriving April 12, L832. They then went to Dayton on a canal boat. Soon after, they returned to Cincinnati, and from there Mrs. Byers went to Jefferson in a stage. Mrs. Byers was married to Mr. Byers November 28. 1833, by Rev. Allen. They lived on a farm, one mile from Lilly Chapel, thirty-eight years, and moved to London in March, 1872. She joined the Presbyterian Church in 1832. While at Brownsville, she saw the first steamboat launched on the Ohio River. It was called the Reindeer, and was built by Robert Fulton, and was sent to Pittsburgh. Mrs. Byers is descended from an old family of Quakers who lived in Virginia many years. The subject of this sketch united with the Presbyterian Church in 1829, being one of the original members in the organization of that church at London. For over fifty-one years, he continued a faithful, consistent member of the same church, with the exception of a few years, when he removed his membership to Jefferson to aid in organizing a church there. As a citizen and business man, the integrity, loyalty and generosity of his spirit were unquestioned. As a husband and father, he was affectionate and self-sacrificing to the last degree. He loved life and often expressed his gratitude to God that He had spared him to live so long, but with great composure and assurance he awaited the invitation to higher The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. G. Paterson at the family residence.

J. W. BYERS, of Boyd & Byers, stock-raisers and dealers, London, was born in Fairfield Township, this county, May 26, 1841. His grandfather, James Byers. was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at an early day. He first located in Ross County, and subsequently in Fairfield Township, this county. One son, John \V. Byers. was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was twelve years of age when his father came to Ohio. He was a farmer through life, and died February 2, 1881. He married Matilda Hunter, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. Two children were born to this union, one now living. Mr. Byers' second wife was Sarah J. Painter, also a native of the Keystone State. Ten children were given to them, eight living. Mrs. Byers is still living, and resides in London. Our subject was one of a pair of twins, and resided in Fairfield Township until twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in the grocery trade in London, remaining in that business fifteen years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the cattle business with Robert Boyd (in 1879), and the firm are one of the most extensive in their line of trade in the county. Mr. Byers is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Council and the Presbyterian Church. He is Republican in politics, and one year served as Assessor of Union Township. He was married. January 31, 1871, to Nannie E., daughter of Robert Boyd. They have three living children - R. Boyd, Alice L. and John W. Mrs. Byers is a member of the M. E. Church

S. H. CARTZDAFXFIL London, a prominent grocer, was born in Frederick County. Md.. April 14. 1826. He is a son of Michael Cartzdafner, a native of that State, and there reared. He was a miller by trade, and came to Ohio in 1854. He located at Georgesville, in Franklin County, and in this county a year later. He came to London in I860, and there died in the spring of 1862. Mr. Cartzdafner married Maria Connelly, a native of Montgomery County, Md. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living. Mother died in April, 1881, and sleeps beside her husband, in Oak Hill Cemetery, east of London. Our subject was the second child and son of this family, and, when nineteen years of age, went to Virginia, where he learned milling. He worked at his trade six or seven years, in Jefferson County, that State, principally at Harper's Ferry. In L852, he came to Columbus, and soon after to Madison County, being first employed by J. C. Smith in the " Old Chrisman Mill," in Oak Run Township. He was in the Georgesville Mill two years; three years in the Robert's Mill, three miles west of London, and soou after located permanently in London. He became associated in the grocery trade with John Jones, the partnership being dissolved two and a half year later. Since that time Mr. Cartzdafner has been in business alone, and has met with fair success in his mercantile transactions. He became connected with Virginia Lodge, No. 1 (Odd Fellows), of Harper's Ferry, in 1N4U. and since his residence in London ha> been ;< member of Madison Lodge, No. 70, and the Encampment of the same fraternity. His political views are decidedly Democratic, and he has been a member of both the Council and Board of Education of London. He was united in marriage. June 25, 1850, to Mary S. Jones, a native of Pennsylvania, then residing it Harper's Ferry, Va. Eleven chil- dren have been o-iven them, four living - Anna, wife of Will H. Chandler. an enterprising business man of London: Maria, William and Fannie. Mrs Cartzdafner is a member of the M. E. denomination.

J. W. CHANCE, a rising and popular young dentist of this city was born in Clark County, Ohio, August 29, 1848. His ancestry can lie traced back in the following: Jeremiah Chance was an Englishman by birth, and came to America between 1780 and 1740. locating in Maryland, where he lived till his death. One son, John Chance, was born near Baltimore about 1762. He married Martha Watkins. One son of this union, Samuel Chance, was born in Maryland, eighteen miles from Baltimore, in 1784. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and married Mary Smallwood, a native of A'irginia, and daughter of Dean Smallwood. and niece of Brig. Geil. Small wood, of Revolutionary fame. They were the parents of ten children, only three living. Tho father died near Catawba. Clark Co., Ohio, October 21, 1838, and the mother in Catawba March 1, 1870, a^ed eighty-one years. One of their three living children is William Chance, the father of our subject. He was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County. Ohio. July 14, 1815, and is now a resident of Champaign County. He married Henrietta Jones, born in Champaign County, Ohio. February 21, 1827, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Wooley) Jones. The latter was the daughter of Stephen Wooley, of Revolutionary fame, who was the son of William Wooley. This latter married Margaret Brown, a grand-daughter of Walford Weber, grandson of King William IV, of Holland. He came to America in 1649, and purchased a goodly portion of Manhattan Island, now the site of New York City. His sister, Aneke Jans, left an estate embracing 192 acres of land in the heart of New York City, and for which the heirs now lay claim. It will thus be seen that William Chance's wife, the mother of our subject, of royal blood, sixth in line from King William IV, of Holland. She

Meen the mother of eight children, five living, and two residing in London, this county, subject and brother, John S., his assistant. The subject > this notice was reared on a farm, obtaining a very fair education. He vas engaged in teaching school in Champaign County for two years, and i- live years in Jefferson and Deer Creek Townships, of this county. About 1870, he commenced the practical study of dentistry, at Columbus, with Dr. J i. G. Warner, of that city, a former resident of London. He remained with him one year and then came to London. He immediately formed a partnership with Dr. Carter, which was dissolved by the hitter's death, in 1878. Dr. Chance then took charge of the entire business, and has steadily increased it until at present he has one of the finest offices in Central Ohio, and a practice large and remunerative. He is an indefatigable worker, and well merits the' success that has followed his every effort. He is connected by membership with the Ohio State Dental Association, the M. E Church, and is a true believer in the principles of the Republican party. Dr. Chance married, November 30, 187'). to Allie.E. Snyder, a native of Madison County, and daughter of John and Drusilla (Ellsworth) Snyder. They have two children - Paul A. and Ethel. Mrs. Chance is also a consistent member of the M. E. denomination.