Staunton Township (part 2 of 2)

Casstown is noted for civility and good morals. Not a drop of liquor is sold within the corporation. It contains three churches, and one hall devoted to the I. 0. 0. F., which order is in a flourishing condition. Small as it was during the late civil war, it sent out an entire company of soldiers, who did good service around Washington, for which they received the personal thanks of President Lincoln. Several miles north of Casstown, and in the township, is a small collection of houses which bears the name of Sodom, or Pencetown ; but it has no post office and is hardly called a village.

Educational

In education, Lost Creek Township has a good record. Forty years ago the total number of school children enrolled in the township was 647 ; the school buildings were mostly log structures, and poor affairs at the best ; but now a substantial brick building graces ever}7 district, and the school furniture is of the latest pattern and cannot be excelled. In Special District No. 1, which includes the village of Casstown, a large and handsome brick building has been erected within the past few years. In this a thorough graded school is kept nine months of the year, and the result is that it ranks among the best schools in the county.

More than forty years ago, when Thomas Long was Superintendent and Visitor of the common-schools of Lost Creek Township, the system of school visitation was strictly adhered to. Mr. Long was a careful, methodical and painstaking man, and the entries in his journal exhibit the condition of our country schools at that, day. Of a visit to the school in District No. 1, January 22, 1839, he says : "The order in the school is not good, too much confusion, but little government exercised by the teacher, very little exercise of moral influence, and but very little time is spent to convince the scholars of the propriety of such measures as would be conducive to their good." He found in the schools at that day not enough system in writing, the philosophy of arithmetic illy taught, and, finally, noisy schools. The Board of Education of Lost Creek Township, profiting by Mr. Long's experience, have brought the schools to a high grade, and all to-day are in a flourishing condition.

Religious

The Lost Creek Baptist Church. - The oldest religious body in Lost Creek Township is the Lost Creek Baptist Church. The nucleus were members of the old Staunton Church, now torn down, and an organization was effected at the house of Jonathan Cavault, in 1816. Samuel Deweese was the first minister, and Rachel Webb was the first accession. David Archer had the honor of being the first Moderator, and John Wilson, afterward Judge, and a member of the Legislature, Clerk. The history of the building of the church structure has already been given. The Pastors of the church, since its organization to the present time, have been Samuel Deweese, Moses Frazee, Robert Stapleton, Willis Hance, Thomas A. Warner, William Fuson, Thomas J. Price, N. Martin, John Blodgett, David Scott, David E. Thomas, James Harvey, W. R. Thomas, W. A. Welsher, I. M. Chapman, W. S. Hamlin, and N. B. H. Gardner. At present the membership does not exceed forty souls.

The Christian Church. - ffhis church was organized by Elders Samuel Kyle and William Dye in May, 1821, with about twelve members. For the first nine years no extensive records of its proceedings were kept. The first regular Pastor was Elder Joseph Kirby, and Thomas Long served as Clerk for forty-two consecutive years. While this congregation has made no noise in the world, it has pursued the even tenor of its way, doing much good. The Pastors of the church, since its 'organization to the present time, number some of the best and purest men to be found in the ministry. They are Samuel Kyle, William Dye. Joseph Kirby, Adam Thomas, M. D. Briney, Daniel Long. Josiali Knight, D. W. Fowler, John McMillen, H. Y. Bush, C. A. Morse, Thomas Wells, Thomas A. Brandon, C. T. Emmons, E. M. Rapp and Joel Thomas.

Casstown Baptist Church

The Casstown Baptist Church was organized between 1850 and 1852, by members from the Staunton Baptist Church and the Salem Congregation at Troy. The first-named church had become reduced in numbers, and, being too near Troy, it was decided to establish a new one, and thus the present flourishing congregation at Casstown became a Christian body. The first meetings of the Casstown Baptists were held in the old Universalist Church (now Odd Fellows' Hall) in that village until their own new church was dedicated, May 25, 1856. Since that time the -clmrch has kept steadily forward, and is in a prosperous condition at the present day. Among the able men who have sustained a pastoral relation with the Casstown Baptist Church, we record the well-known names of Willis Hance, Sr., Robert Stapleton, Samuel Deweese, William Sutton, Moses Frazee, L. C. Carr, E. D. Thomas, Daniel Bryant, David E. Thomas, John Blodgett, J. G. Tunison, J. W. Weatherby, J. W. Miller, W. S. Hamlin, and A. B. Nixon, the present Pastor. Many of the above Pastors rest from their labors.

Casstown Lutheran Church. - The Casstown Lutheran Church was established between 1835 and 1840. The congregation not possessing a house of worship of their own, meetings were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church until a Lutheran Church was erected. This was a substantial stone structure, which gave way, in 1867, to a handsome brick edifice, in which the congregation still worship. Among the pastors of the Casstown Lutheran Church, since its formation, have been Revs. Link, Anghe, Harris, Weills, Welsh, Hershiser, Lilly and Helnig.

Casstown M. E. Church. - This religious bod}' was formed a few years prior to the establishment of the Lutheran Church. A house, now used as a planing-mill, was the first place of worship, but a beautiful brick church replaced it a few years ago. The congregation is in a flourishing condition. Its pastors are selected annually by the General Conference.

We believe that we can no better illustrate the life, trials, triumphs and experiences of a pioneer than by giving the history of one written by his own hand ; and such a document we introduce at this point. It is from the pen of Gen. Webb, and we preface it by saying that what the old gentleman says of other places is peculiarly applicable to the early settlement of Lost Creek Township :

" I was born of Baptist parents, at May's Lick, Mason County, State of Kentucky, May 17, 1793. My parents were church members before I was born. In the month of November. 1797, my father removed to Ohio, six years before the State was admitted into the Union, and wintered near Waynesville. In March following, he settled in the dense wilderness between the two Miami Rivers, near where the city of Dayton now stands. There was no mark of an ax (excepting those of Indian tomahawks) there until my father and brothers cut logs to build a into which he put his family. At that time, the cabin was hardly up and covered, and it was without floor, chimney or door. Our nearest neighbors were Indians, bears, wolves, foxes, wildcats, turkeys, deer and raccoons. Spring opened early, vegetation grew rapidly, the ground was loaded with hickory-nuts, walnuts, etc., and the woods swarmed with difterent kinds of singing birds. I was not nine years old, and, not realizing our lonely situation, I thought it a paradise. About forty or fifty rods east of our house stood a little prairie, in which we made our first garden, but we were soon compelled to inclose it with a high staked and ridered ' fence, to keep the deer from destroying the fruits of our first planting.

We had to watch our cornfields, to prevent the squirrels and raccoons from pulling up the corn in the spring and from eating the ears in the fall. The wild pigeons were very plentiful and destructive, picking up the wheat almost as soon as sown.

"-My father sowed the first wheat and clover seed, and planted the first apple and peach trees and built the first cabin in that region. After eight years of life there, father exchanged farms with my brother-in law, Timothy Green, and moved three miles west, near the present site of Beavertown.

" There being no school near us then, my mother taught my youngest sister and myself at home. Our main books were the spelling book, Testament and Bible. I was eight years old before I saw a schoolhouse, and never went to school in any house but a log-cabin. In 1811, father sold his farm of 240 acres for $2,000, intending to purchase land in this (Miami) county for his sons. One da}T he mounted a young, hard-mouthed horse, intending to select a location, and started off. But the horse, becoming frightened, ran a quarter of a mile, threw my father against a stump, broke his arm in two places, and crushed his shoulder and skull, of course killing him instantly. This occurred on Thursday, November 28, 1811.

" On the day following father's funeral, our family assigned to mother all the money and property that he left, and shortly afterward I purchased the land I now occupy, two miles north of Casstown, from John Rogers, for $320. At that time Rogers owned an entire section. There were two cabins on my piece, a lot of land inclosed ; and I gave Rogers in payment an order on my mother, for I was but eighteen years old, and engaged in "keeping" school. Two years before this I taught the first school ever held in this region.

"In the following spring, mother and I, with my brothers Elisha and Joseph, moved to this neighborhood. Joseph, having no house on his land, moved into one of my houses. He had purchased a quarter-section of land, where John Mitchell now lives [i. e. the present Hyatt farm - Ed.], and subsequently built a cabin there. He afterward exchanged it for a quarter-section then owned by Richard Palmer, my brother-in-law, and now owned by George Hammon and Joel Burton, adjoining the village of Casstown.

" In the latter part of the winter of 1813, 1 volunteered as a soldier, expecting to go to Detroit. But the surrender of Hull's army there, left our whole northern and northwestern frontier exposed to Indian depredations. The general Government, therefore, caused a line of block-houses to be built along the frontier of Ohio and Indiana, and called out a large portion of the frontier militia to be stationed in them. So we were marched to Greenville, Darke County, under Captain Charles Hilliard, where we remained six months. John Sooner and Gosbeny Elliott, two of our soldiers, were killed by the Indians, also Philip Taylor, an Indian trader, Mr. Rush, a settler, and two little girls, daughters of a Mr. Wilson. In August of the same year (1814) the savages killed David Gerard within a mile of our house, and the same evening Henry Dilbone and wife further up on Spring Creek.

" In the month of March, 1815, our two houses were consumed by fire, and we removed to Roger's until I built another cabin. I was teaching school in one of my own cabins at the time of this calamity. During this year, Priscilla Knight and I were married, and lived happily together for more than half a century. At our first company muster, after our return from Greenville, I drilled the company at the request of our captain. I was twenty years old at that time (1813). Having been appointed Orderly Sergeant, I was shortly afterward elected Captain. My compan3^'s metnbership extended as far north as there were inhabitants at that time. As there were a few settlers scattered along the Miami as far as where Sidnej7 now stands, our place of company drill was on the ground where Elder D. E. Thomas' house now stands (i. e., near the D. & M. R. R. depot adjoining Piqua). I afterward acted as Major at regimental musters, and shortly after was elected Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel successively. A short time subsequent, I was elected Brigadier General, receiving every vote in the county but one, and, by the resignation of Gen. Young, I became acting Major General of the Tenth Division of Ohio Militia. The division embraced the counties of Montgomery, Darke, Shelby and Miami, and consisted of ten regiments of infantry, riflemen, cavalry and artillery.

h In 1819, 1 was unanimously elected Justice of the Peace of Lost Creek Township, in which office my whole term of service extended over thirty years. During that time, I married more than one hundred couples. I was a trustee of the original survey of the township, and, assisting in the survey, wrote all the leases. I also assisted in the surve}r of a number of count}^ roads, and administered on many estates. In 1838, I resigned my military commission, and, many years after the war of 1812, I received two warrants for eighty acres of Government land each, and I now receive a yearly pension for services rendered the nation.

" In 1861, at the outbreak of the rebellion, the young men asked me to drill a company of Home Guards, which I consented to do. A company was speedily recruited, and made rapid improvements in the tactics. The patriotic ladies raised funds for the purchase of a beautiful flag, which was presented to the company at Casstown. On that day, the company was drawn up in a hollow square, the ladies and speakers facing inward. George C. Ctyde presented the standard in the name of the ladies, and D. E. Thomas accepted it in behalf of the company, in a neat speech. The whole affair was a grand success." bad management and the confused condition of the estate came near ruining me. The first difficulty I encountered was to clear it of a judgment for $18,000, in favor of John H. Piatt, of Cincinnati. There were other jndgments and other claims, and the result was that the estate proved to be insolvent, with but 40 cents on the dollar. The widow bought and kept it at its appraisement, for which she gave no security, and paid nothing, and I had to fool the bill ! At various times his debts. I took stock in the 1 Troy Manufacturing Company ' ; it failed. I took stock in the 1 Addison, Troy & Covington Turnpike Co.' ; it 'fizzled.' Then I invested in two toll-bridge companies at Troy ; one of the bridges fell before it was finished, and the other was washed away shortly after completion. I was generally called a 1 good fellow,' and consequently was often imposed upon.

" These difficulties, poor health and a large famil}- , often seriously afflicted, have affected my progress. From the foregoing it would seem that I have been a poor economist and financier. This is true, yet my . family have been comfortably and respectably raised."

Gen. Webb concludes his memoir by saying that, on the 9th of August, 1827, he was received into the Lost Creek Baptist Church, and baptized by Elder Willis 1 lance. He was for many years Clerk of the Mad River Association, and prepared its minutes for publication. On one occasion, Mr. Webb went to Columbus on horseback to attend to some business pertaining to the church charter before the Legislature.

Lost Creek In The War

During the war of the rebellion, no rural township replied more liberally to the calls of the President than Lost Creek. Her citizens were among the first to enlist in 1861, and from that eventful period until the termination of the struggle, she had more than two hundred soldiers at the front. They took part in some of the most sanguinary battles without, so far as we are able to learn, having a single one of their number killed outright. Of her war record, Lost Creek Township is justly proud, and should her citizens ever be called upon again to take up arms in defense of principle, we doubt not that they will obev with the enthusiasm that characterizes them in everything they undertake.

A List Of The Old Settlers

We here append a list, as complete as can be obtained at this late day, of the old settlers of the township : John Webb*, Elisha Webb, Asa Rogers, John Shidler, Alexander McDowell*, Abram Cromer, James Buckles*, Timothy Green,

Of all the foregoing, only those whose names are marked with an asterisk (*) are living at the present time. The rest have passed down the " corridors of time," and rest from the arduous labors which they performed so well. Truly, it can be said of them, when looking upon the fair land which they helped to improve. " Their works do follow them."

Recapitulation

Lost Creek Township is now in a healthy condition. The roads that bisect it are well piked, and in admirable condition for travel. The farming land is wrell drained, and much of it clovered in alternate seasons. Plenty of good water is afforded for stock, and all the farms are highly improved. A great deal of com is annually raised in Lost Creek, which finds a ready market at Troy, and the acreage of wheat and other cereals is large and constantly increasing. Of her citizens, we have said much in the foregoing pages. They are intelligent, industrious and energetic, worthy successors to the men who cleared the unbroken forests, and brought order and light out of " chaos and confusion." We predict that the future of Lost Creek Township is one to be envied, for her exhaustless resources are certain to place her in the first rank of such organizations. She might well claim our State motto as her own - Imperio imperium.

G. G. McDowell now resides ; there he lived about seven years, then went to the farm which has since been known as the Sanderson place, and resided three years, after which he resided with his children until his death, which occurred in January, 1859. Mr. Youtsey lived with his father until 20 years of age. Nov. 9, 1843, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Saunders, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sheets) Saunders, by which union they have had eleven children, of whom five are now living, viz., Maria Ellen, now Mrs. Amos Cromer ; William H.; John C. ; Clara, now Mrs. William Linton ; and Andrew S. Mr. Youtsey, after his marriage, located for a few months in Elizabeth Township, near Sheets' Mills, then went on a farm south of Casstown, where he resided about four years, afterward going on to a farm near Miami City and residing four years, finally settling on a farm where he now resides. When Mr. Youtsey was married and started out in life, he was possessed of barely enough means to keep house and live in the most humble style ; now he owns five good farms, embracing 724 acres, all excellent land, and most of the farms have good improvements with excellent buildings ; on his home place he has a large, fine house, which he built since he located upon the farm. This large amount of property has mostly been accumulated by his own energy and industry in the space of thirty -five years.

JOHN D. BATTSON, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 14, 1835, and is a son of William and Eacy J. (Donavan) Battson. Mr. Battson was born in Virginia and Mrs. Battson in Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio at an early day. They were parents of two children, viz., John D., and Joseph, dying in infancy. Mr. Battson, the father, wTas first united in marriage with Sarah McCann, daughter of James and Ann McCann ; by this union they had seven children, of whom five are living, viz., Rachel, James, Mordecai Milton, Maria and Jonathan. He came to this county in 1838, and located in Elizabeth Township, where he remained about three years ; thence into Staunton Township, where he lived and died, departing this life Nov. 5, 1854. Mr. Battson, our subject, lived with his father till his death, and then with his mother till Aug. 28, 1856, when he was united in marriage with Catharine J. Ullery, daughter of Adam and Mary Charlotte Ullery, who were from Germany, coming to this country in 1823 ; they located in Pennsylvania, then in Ohio, near Dayton, where he lived a short time, finally removing to Miami Co., where he lived and died at the advanced age of 89. He was one of the first of Napoleon's soldiers, and was in several severe engagements under that distinguished warrior and conqueror. When he came to this count}", he opened out and cleared a farm from the native forest. Here they met all the hardships and dangers of pioneer life, their nearest neighbors being the Indians, wolves, bear, deer, etc., which infested the forests where they came to make a home ; but from year to year the forests disappeared, and other settlers came nearer to them, till, in his latter years, he enjoyed the comforts of a good home, good neighbors and excellent conveniences. John 1). Battson and wife are parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living, viz., Clara Jane, Jonathan Homer, John Sherman, Joseph Morton, Mary Maud, Hattie Emily, William Ellsworth, Dora Bell and Flora May (twins) and Daisy Dean. Since Mr. Battson's marriage, he has followed farming on rented farms in Miami Co. (with the exception of eight years, during which he lived in Darke Co.) until three years ago, when he bought the farm upon which he now resides. He, like his father before him, is an industrious, straightforward man, having the confidence of his neighbors and the community where he lives ; he has been Justice of the Peace for seven years, and Township Clerk for five years.

Biographical Sketches

CYRUS T. BROWN, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in Miami Co., June 13, 1844, is a son of Daniel and Eliza H. (Telford) Brown ; Mr. Brown was born in Rhode Island May 9, 1809, and his wife in this county Dec. 10, 1816 ; the grandfather, Arnold Brown, was also born in Rhode Island, emigrating to Ohio in 1834, and locating in Hamilton Co., where he remained about four years, then going to Miami Co., on the farm where Cyrus now lives ; the farm was nearly all in the woods, with a log cabin on it. He was father of six children ; here he and his son Daniel commenced to clear up and make a home. They started from the commencement in the dairy business, making butter and cheese, some of which they marketed near home and some in Cincinnati ; there being no railroads, they had to go through with teams. Daniel, the son, was married June 13, 1843 ; by this union they had six children, viz., Cyrus T., Cornelia J., Mary B., now a physician in New York City ; Rebecca O., now deceased ; Arnold 0. and Harry W. Mr. Brown, the father, always remained upon the home place with his father till his death, which occurred April 13, 1869, he being about 83 years of age, after which he still continued upon the farm till Dec. 24, 1877, when he, too, was called away by death. His sons now have the management of the place, which their fathers have improved and brought into a fine state of cultivation, with good buildings and many conveniences. Mr. Brown, the father, first bought 160 acres, and from time to time added more to it, by purchase, till he became owner of 1,000 acres ; at various times portions were sold, until now they have 500 acres, one of the largest farms in Staunton Township. Mr. Daniel Brown was one of the moving spirits in the leading business enterprises, and one of the originators of the First National Bank of Tro}^, holding some $20,000 of stock in the same ; was also one of the organizers of the Gras Company. He erected the " Beehive Corner," or Brown's Block, as it is usually known in Troy ; during the building of this block, Mr. Brown met with an accident, from which his life was miraculously saved ; he fell from the third story to the pavement below, striking on his feet and sliding into the cellar. The fall was caused by some mismanagement of the derrick in raising material to the top of the building at which he was working ; he was thrown head foremost over the walls of the building, but catching by the ropes, turned himself, striking upon his feet ; although badly hurt and jarred, his life was saved. Daniel Brown's mother departed this life Sept. 21, 1862. The death of Mr. Daniel Brown was a great loss to the community, he being one of its most public-spirited men.

J. D. COUNTS, farmer ; P. O. Troy; was born Aug. 17, 1816, in Miami Co., and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Frame) Counts, who were born in Kentucky, coming to this county in June, 1816, and -locating upon the farm now owned by John. Jacob, the father, was in the war of 1812, and was with Gen. Harrison's army when he passed all through this section of the country ; he formed such a favorable impression of this valley and dislike to the institution of slavery, then existing in Kentuck}7, that he resolved to come and locate in this county ; when he settled here, there was but little cleared land, with a log cabin upon it ; he built a new log house, cleared up the farm, and erected a good barn, and making other improvements, living here the remainder of his life ; he died in December, 1872, being in his eighty -third year. The grandfather, Jacob, also located on this farm at the same time as his son, in 1816 ; he was born in Maryland, but while a young man went to Virginia and from there to Kentucky, where he lived till above date (1816), when he located in Miami Co. The great-grandfather came from Germany, and on the mother's side the ancestry came from Ireland. Mr. Counts, the subject of our sketch, always remained with his father till his death. He was united in marriage, in August, 1843, with Mary Marshall, daughter of Martin and Eleanor Marshall, who were born in Pennsylvania ; by this union they have had two children, viz., Caroline, now Mrs. Rollins of Troy, and Walter, still living at home. Mr. Counts is a stanch Republican, like his father before him, who was representative from this county in 1842 and 1843 ; was Justice of the Peace for eighteen years. The history of the Counts family exhibits lives replete with activity, and so connected with the early settlers of this county, that it stands forth with great prominence to future generations, in the history of their ancestors and early pioneers. Mr. Counts and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Troy, his membership dating back for forty years. His parents were also very active Christian workers in the church, and their character and example stands forth as bright and shining lights for all future generations.

ANDREW DEWEESE, farmer ; P. O.Troy ; he was born in Miami Co. Nov. 1, 1827, is a son of Thomas and Ruth (Dye) Deweese; he was probably a native of Virginia, she of Pennsylvania, and came to this county among its earliest settlers ; they were the parents of seven children, viz., John, born May 5, 1823 ; Mary, bom Sept. 15, 1825, now Mrs. George W. Fuller, living near Urbana; Andrew ; Elizabeth, deceased, was married to John Croy, by whom she had three children ; David, born March 7, 1833 ; Melissa, born Aug. 21, 1835, deceased ; Thomas, deceased. Mr. Deweese first located upon the farm now owned by Statlers, where he resided about seven years, thence going to the farm adjoining it on the north, upon which the sons, Andrew and David, now live, where he lived, and died, Feb. 17, 1838, his death being caused by a runaway team, throwing him from a sled ; he was dragged quite a distance and so much injured that he died the next evening. When Thomas came upon this farm it was all in the wilderness, and they commenced, in pioneer style, in the log cabin, toiling and laboring from year to year, till at last the}7 were permitted to see some 50 acres cleared, a good brick house erected, and everything brought into such improved condition that it became a very comfortable and pleasant home. Andrew and David have now managed the farm for about thirty-five years, and, during this time, have bought out the other heirs, being entire owners of the farm for many years. Andrew was united in marriage Sept. 5, 1866, with Elizabeth Hart, daughter of Wilson and Laura Hart. Andrew and David have an excellent farm, in fine cultivation. After the death of Thomas Deweese, Ruth, his wife, was left with a large family of seven children, one being an infant, while the eldest was but 15 years of age ; with this charge upon her hands, it called forth all the energy and good judgment of her well-balanced mind to keep her family all together, raise and train them aright ; but she was a woman fully qualified for the undertaking, and well did she do her work, managing the farm, educating and training the children in so successful a manner that her care and teaching can never be forgotten by them, her labors and good works deserving a place upon these pages to be handed down to mothers of future generations ; on Dec. 21, 1876, her labors being done, at her Master's call, she quietly passed away from the toils and cares of earth to joy and peace beyond.

GEORGE W. DEWEESE, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in Staunton Township in 1828, and is the son of Joshua and Mary (Gerard) Deweese ; he was born in Virginia, and his wife in this county ; the date of his birth is Dec. 4, 1796, and she was born April 21, 1800, being the first white female child born in Miami Co. The grandfather, Samuel, was from Virginia, and came to this county, locating in Staunton Township in 1812 ; he was a Baptist minister, and lived in this county till about 1820, when he departed this life. Joshua and Mary were married in 1818, and resided on the home place of his father's, where he lived and died, departing this life May 3, 1859. They were parents of fourteen children, of whom eleven are now living, viz., Samuel, Martha, Sarah, Catharine, Henry G., George W., Rachel H., John B., Joshua H.. Joseph, Mary A., deceased, Thomas W., Mary A., deceased, and James W., deceased. Mr. Deweese lived with his father until 21 years of age, then went to California, where he remained about three years and a half, thence back to this county. Sept. 4. 1855, he was united in marriage with Eliza J. Stillwell, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Stillwell, who were born in New Jersey. By this union they had five children, viz., Milford, George, deceased, Alma, Horace, deceased, and Wilbert T. Mr. Deweese, after his marriage, located on the farm now owned by S. Cecil, where they lived till 1875 when he sold out and bought the farm upon which he now resides, this being the old home farm of his wife's father, upon which he settled in 1819.

HENRY Gr. DEWEESE, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; was born in Miami Co. Jan. 8, 1826 ; is a son of Joshua and Mary (G-erard) Deweese, he being a native of Virginia, Dec. 4, 1796, and coming to this county when only 10 years of age, in 1806. She was born in Ohio April 21, 1800, being the first female white child born in the county. Her father was one of the earliest settlers, locating in this county in 1798. They were the parents of fourteen children, viz., Samuel, born July 14, 1819 ; Martha, Feb. 1, 1821 ; Sarah, April 27, 1822 ; Catharine, Feb. 16, 1824 ; Henry, Jan. 8, 1826 ; G-eorge W., Jan. 1, 1828 ; Rachel, July 7, 1829 ; John, Feb. 19, 1831 ; Joshua, Sept. 1, 1832 ; Joseph, May 30, 1834 ; Thomas, May 5,1839; Mary Ann, Jan. 30, 1841, deceased ; Mary Ann, born JuljT 18, 1849, deceased ; and James, born Nov. 9, 1853, deceased. Mr. Deweese lived with his father until 21 years of age, when he " struck out " for himself, working for $8 per month for about four months, then rented a farm for about two years, when he bought 100 acres of land, but had only $200 to pay down on it ; he was told by his father and brothers that he could never meet the payments for the balance, but he went to work with energy, and before it was all due, he had all paid for. He was united in marriage, Aug. 26, 1848, with Lucy Ann Estey, daughter of David and Ann (Knoop) Estey, who were born in New Brunswick. By this union they have had nine children, viz., Aminta J., born July 16, 1849 ; Zelia A., April 10, 1851, deceased ; Jotham G-. W., born Jan. 16, 1853 ; Franklin A., Sept. 19, 1854 ; Henry H., May 17, 1856 ; Maggie A., May 2, 1860 ; Florence E., Sept. 8, 1862 ; Docia Ellen, Sept. 18, 1869 ; and Alvah Watson, March 13, 1873. Mr. Deweese, with but little capital on which to start, has labored and accumulated from }mar to year, till now he has 264 acres of good land, fine buildings and everything required for comfort. Mr. Deweese and wife are members of the Christian Church, their membership dating back for twenty-five years ; have been active members both financially and otherwise.

G-RAYSON DYE, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; a descendant of the old Dye family, of pioneer history ; was born in Miami Co. Jan. 11, 1841, and is the son of James M. and Letty (Cecil) Dye ; he was also born in Miami Co. and she in Virginia, but came with her parents to Ohio when a small child. They were united in marriage March 3, 1825 - the day before that upon which Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as President of the United States; by this union they had thirteen children, of whom six are now living, viz., Thomas C., Joseph C., Roswell S., Elizabeth, Grayson and Nancy J. The grandfather, Benjamin, was born in Pennsylvania, but left there and came to Cincinnati in 1798, thence to Miami Co. in 1799, being one of the earliest of the pioneers ; they located upon the same section upon which Grayson, the grandson, now lives, and on the very road which was cut out through the then wilderness, during the war of 1812, by Gen. Wayne; "these were the days that tried men's souls." The father, James M., and the son, G-rayson, both were born on the same section, making a continued residence of the Dye family upon the same land of eigtdy-one years. Grayson Dye was united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1864, with Louisa Sheafer, daughter of Eckert and Rachel Sheafer, who were born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in 1848 ; by this union they have three children, viz., Thomas A., Pamelia, James M. Mr. Dye owns a good farm of 199 acres of excellent bottom land, and also has charge of his mother's farm of 220 acres, thus giving him the superintendency of 419 acres of land ; he is largely engaged in stock-raising, having 700 sheep and the best blooded stock ; he is an active, thorough-going farmer, believing that successful farming requires knowledge and scientific attainments.

SIMON ESTEY, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in Miami Co. January, 1824, and is the son of David and Ann Estey, who were born in New Brunswick, but came to this county, about 1823, and located in Lost Creek Township ; the grandfather was also a native of New Brunswick ; David and Ann were parents of eleven children, of whom ten are now living, viz., James, Michael, Charles, Greorge, Simon, William, Mary, Lucy, Jotham and Maria ; Mr. Estey remained with his father till 1844. In September of that year, he was united in marriage with Sarah

M. Deweese, daughter of Joshua and Mary Deweese ; he was born in Virginia ; his wife was the first female white child born in this count}T, as mentioned in sketch of H. G. Deweese in this work, her father being one of the earliest settlers in the county, and her ancestors coming from Wales at a very early day ; Mr. Estey, after his marriage, located on one of his father's farms in Lost Creek Township, where he lived about four years ; then bought a farm in Staunton Township, where he remained for nineteen years ; sold out and bought the farm upon which he now resides ; he owns 130 acres of excellent land on the Miami Bottoms, with fine buildings all in good condition.

JAMES FOSTER, Superintendent of Infirmary ; P. 0. Troy ; was born in Pennsylvania March 26, 1830 ; and is a son of James and Sarah (Boiler) Foster, who were also born and raised in Pennsylvania, but came and located in Miami Co. in the fall of 1854 ; they resided in Tro}r till their death ; Mr. Foster dying Dec. 31, 1876, and his wife in February, 1878 ; they were parents of seven children, four of whom are now living, viz., Elizabeth, now Mrs. Miller, living in Nebraska ; Susan, now Mrs. Burkholder, of Troy ; John H. and James. The ancestry on the father's side came from the North of Ireland, and on the mother's side from Germany. Mr. Foster, the subject of this sketch, remained with his father in Pennsylvania till of age ; receiving a limited education in the common schools. Sept. 15, 1851, was celebrated his marriage with Rosanna Miller, daughter of John and Theresa (Obold) Miller, who were also natives of Pennsylvania ; by this union they have had five children, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. H. G. Knoop, living in Casstown ; Sallie, now Mrs. J. A. Sterrett, of Troy ; Theresa Helen, now Mrs. James Brooks, residing in Dunkirk, Ind. ; Jennie and Maggie. Mr. Foster, after his marriage, remained in Pennsylvania about three years, and in the spring of 1854, came to Ohio and located at Troy, and, in the immediate vicinity of Troy, entered upon and followed agricultural pursuits for fifteen }'ears ; when by appointment of the Board of Directors of the Miami Co. Infirma^, he became Superintendent of that institution, which position he still holds, having held this office now for eleven years.

WILLIAM GREEN, farmer ; P. 0. Tro}' ; he was born in Jackson Co., Ohio, January, 1809, is the son of George W. and Martha (Gray) Green ; he was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife in Ireland ; George W. Green, the father, came to Miami Co. just prior to the war of 1812, locating in Lost Creek Township, where he lived thirty years or more, thence went into Elizabeth Township, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1837 ; he commenced right in the woods, clearing them ancV built a log cabin, and had to endure all the trials and dangers of the early pioneers ; a war being in progress, he would bar the door of his cabin as securely as possible, and take his ax to his bedside, in readiness for defense against the Indians ; during the war, his brother Timothy contracted to furnish pork for the army at Detroit, at a stipulated price ; George and a Mr. Rogers went his security for the proper delivery of the pork, but to their misfortune, in a short time pork advanced in price, so that he met with a heavy loss, and George and Rogers each had to pay $3,000 ; the former's whole estate was not worth over $1,000, but after about fifteen }^ears' exertion George paid off his entire indebtedness ; Rogers, not living very long after, never was able to pay off his indebtedness ; George was one whose energy knew no bounds ; he was always busy and working for the public good ; during his life, he built three saw-mills and one grist-mill, in the meantime supporting a large family, as he was father of seventeen children. Mr. Green, the subject of this sketch, lived with his father until 23 years of age. In 1832, he was united in marriage with Cassia Sa}Ters, daughter of Thomas and Frances Sayers, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and located in Miami Co. among the early settlers ; by this union they had four children, viz., Joseph, Ellen (now Mrs. Ziegler), Clarissa (deceased), and one dying in infancy ; he lost his wife by death Dec. 29, 1838 ; March 1, 1840, he was married, to Priscilla French, daughter of Asa French, who came to Ohio in a very early day ; by this union they had five children, viz., Martha J. (now deceased). Sarah Maria (now

Mrs. J. Cloyd), Abbott, William and Eliza Dye (deceased, being buried the very day on which she was to have been married to John W. S til well) ; Mr. Green, when first married, located on Lost Creek, and bought the half-interest in the grist mill that his father built, which he run for a few years, then sold it and bought a farm ; sold the farm and bought the mill again, ran it for a time, then sold out ; he and his brother went into the mercantile trade in Casstown, after a time sold out and bought a grist and saw mill on Indian Creek ; disposing of his interest to his brother, he rented a mill one mile below on the same creek ; while here he lost his wife by death, and then left the mill, buying the farm where he now resides ; he here has a fine farm of 140 acres ; has now resided here forty years ; has good buildings and a very comfortable and pleasant home.

JOHN Gr. HARDENBROOK, farmer; P. 0. Piqua ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Feb. 16, 1826, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Wagoner) Hardenbrook ; Peter Hardenbrook was born in New Jerse}^, and came to Ohio about 1819 ; they were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living, viz., John, Phoebe (now Mrs. Kuhl, living in Van Wert Co., Ohio) and Rebecca (now Mrs. John A: Smith, also living in Van Wert Co.) ; Peter Hardenbrook lost his wife by death May 26, 1837 ; he married, for his second wife, Susannah Merrell, with whom he lived till April, 1865, when she departed this life ; Jan. 13, 1877, he, too, passed away from wrorks to rewards. Mr. Hardenbrook lived with his father till past 30 years of age ; Dep. 17, 1856, he was united in marriage with Rachel Ross, daughter of James and Elizabeth Ross, who were born in Pennsylvania - he March 15, 1792, and Elizabeth (Watson), his wife, born July 29, 1800 ; they were married Feb. 12, 1824, and had seven children, viz., John, Susan, Hugh W., Rachel, Margaret C., Lucinda and Joseph ; Elizabeth, the mother, died July 9, 1874; the father, James, is still living with Mr. Hardenbrook, is now 80 years of age, and has lived in the county since 1842. Mr. Hardenbrook, the subject of this sketch, by his marriage has three children, viz., William Otho, born Jan. 7, 1858 ; Charles E., Dec. 18, 1859 ; and George, Feb. 13, 1866. After his marriage, he lived on his father's farm about eight j^ears ; thence to Hamilton Co., where he lived two years ; thence to the farm upon which he now resides ; he owns here 75 acres of good land, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings, and has a very pleasant home.

JOHN T. KNOOP, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in Miami Co., Jan. 22, 1841, and is a son of William and Rachel A. (Kerr) Knoop. He is a native of this county, and she of Virginia, coming with her parents to this county in 1825. John Knoop, the grandfather, came to this county in 1798, and was a native of Pennsylvania, his mother coming from Switzerland ; he was one of the few pioneers who first settled in Miami Co., at the place where Staunton Village is now located ; they erected a block-house, in which they placed their families for safety, while they selected and opened out their farms and built their log cabins. In 1800, John, the grandfather, occupied his cabin, and commenced to make a farm and a home. This cabin is still standing on the old Knoop place, now eighty years since its erection, and is in a very good degree of preservation. The grandfather, John, and wife, Barbara, were parents of seven children ; viz., Greorge, Jacob, John, Elizabeth, Nancy, William and Thomas. Jacob Knoop was born in the block-house Nov. 30, 1798, being the first white child born in Miami Co. This family of the grandfather are now all passed away "to that bourne whence no traveler returns ; " their works and labors remain to be cherished by their children, and their lives, like Washington's, will never die, but will be remembered and cherished by the descendants yet unborn. One incident should yet be recorded, showing the sacrificing spirit of the noble old pioneers and grandfather. In the early settling of this county, there came a season of scarcity, especially in the corn crop, but John had a good supply of old corn in store. His neighbors all around him were in want, so he visited them all, and ascertained how much they each one needed, and agreed to furnish them at 75 cents per bushel. In the meantime, grain buyers and speculators were coming there to buy his corn, and offered him $2 per bushel, but he refused their offer and manfully stood by his contract, supplying all his neighbors as he promised. William Knoop, the father, passed his entire life in this county ; he was Justice of the Peace for twenty years, and Clerk of the township for several years. When the war of the rebellion came, he was one of the patriots who went to his country's defense, serving for about sixteen months, when he was discharged for disability. He departed this life in November, 1874, being 64 years of age, having, like his father before him, passed an active and energetic life, devoted to the public good of his county and country. His wife is still living on the home place where he died. They were parents of eight children, viz., James M., Henry C., deceased, being killed at the charge on Ft. Wagner, in South Carolina ; John T., Mary B., now Mrs. William R. Saunders ; Mark K., Frances C., married to Thomas Scott, but now deceased ; Emma, now Mrs. George W. Scott, in Troy ; Olive A., now Mrs. Hance. John T., the subject of this sketch, lived with his father till 20 years of age, when he enlisted in the 42d 0. V. I., at the commencement of the rebellion, and served through the war. Here we remark that the patriotism of the Knoop family was fully exhibited b}T their works, by the father and four sons all entering the service, one, Henry C., being sacrificed upon the altar of his country, and the others returning with honorable discharges to their homes. Mr. Knoop was united in the holy bonds of matrimony in May, 1868, with Elizabeth Farver, daughter of John and Margaret Farver, he being born in Maryland and she in Ireland. He first located on the place w'here he now resides with his father-in-law, where he remained two years, thence to one of the Knoop farms, where he lived about five years, till the death of his wife's father, when he moved back to the old farm, his present place of residence. Mr. Knoop is now serving as Land Appraiser. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

CYRUS H. LE FEVRE, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua, was a son of Christian Le Fevre, one of the old pioneers of Miami Co., who was a native of Maryland, and emigrated to this county in 1808, locating upon the farm now owned by Cyrus, his son. This land, when he located upon it, was all a wilderness ; he made the first opening and put up his log cabin, but did not get it plastered, but leaving that to be done after he should get back from Lebanon, where he went to marr}T his wife, it being near Christmas. After the marriage ceremony was performed he returned, arriving home to his cabin on Christmas Eve ; while on his way home, it commenced snowing, quite a depth of snow falling, then it turned cold and remained so with frequent snows all winter, so that they had to live in their cabin just as it was, with the cold blasts sweeping through between the logs ; they endured it bravely during the winter, cleared up some four acres of timber land, and prepared it for corn the next spring. At this time there were three families by the name of Dye, three families of Knoop, one family of Martin, and one other of Le Fevre ; these constituted about the entire population of this part of the township ; they braved all the hardships and dangers from wild beasts and savages, and from sickness ; they suffered much from fever and ague. All this they endured that they might make homes for themselves, and hand them down to their posterit}\ Those were the times when they manufactured their own material for clothing for winter and summer wear, and whatever it wanted in beauty, closeness of texture and warmth, was made up in coarseness and roughness, producing irritation of the surface of the body, and keeping up a good circulation of the life-giving fluid - the blood. They persevered, they were industrious, they were economizing, and they were honest. These qualities enabled them to overcome all obstacles, and procured good homes, with as good soil for productiveness as the sun ever shone upon. Mr. Le Fevre, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1824, and has always lived upon the old home farm, which his father, above mentioned, cleared, and upon which he died, his death occurring February, 1871. Mr. Le Fevre was united in marriage, Feb. 26, 1856, with Caroline M. Babb, daughter of Daniel and Leah Babb, who were natives of Virginia, and came to Ohio nearly fifty years ago ; by this union they have had two children ; viz., Walter and Franklin. He lost his wife by death Feb. 7, 1875; Mr. Le Fevre and his father have erected all the buildings on the place, which are large and commodious, arranged for comfort and convenience ; he now owns 260 acres of the excellent bottom land of the Miami Valley, of which 200 acres are in cultivation. The selection of this fine quality of land by his father and the early settlers, while it was all in the wilderness, shows the wisdom and judgment they exhibited in obtaining some of the best land that could be found in the State ; and they will be honored and remembered for their noble work by their children's children for ages to come.

URIAH B. LLOYD farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; was born on the farm upon which he now resides, Aug. 23, 1833, is the son of John and Anna (Deweese) Lloyd ; he was born in Pennsylvania April 1, 1790, and his wife in Virginia about 1797. John, thef ather, came to this county in February 1814; after being here about two or three years, he was united in marriage with Anna Deweese, daughter of Lewis and Mary Deweese, who were born in Virginia and came to Ohio at a very early day. By this marriage they had eleven children, viz., Margaret, deceased ; David ; Mary, now Mrs. H. Puterbaugh, living in Elkhart Co., Ind ; Isabel ; Rachel, now Mrs. D. Counts, living in Troy ; Ruth ; Mehitabel, now Mrs. George Buckles ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Uriah B ; Henry, and Hannah L., now Mrs. William Burton, living in Indiana. After his marriage, he lived one year with his uncle, and then located upon the farm upon which Uriah and Henry now reside ; here he commenced right in the woods, and cut out the first stick of timber, made an opening, built a log cabin, and began a pioneer life ; from day to da}7 and year after year he toiled and labored, enduring the hardships and deprivations, such as pioneers only know and realize ; after sixty years of industrious labor, he died, attaining the venerable age of nearly 85 years ; his works remain as mementoes of his labors, having brought 93 acres from the dense forest into a good cultivation, with good buildings erected and everything quite comfortable and convenient, in contrast to the dreary wilderness of sixty years before. His wife departed this life about three years prior to his death. Uriah B. and two sisters, Isabel and Ruth, all still unmarried, live upon the home place ; also Henry, who is married, resides in another house upon the farm, and have, since the death of their father, continued the management of the estate.

SP AFFORD W. MAXWELL, farmer and Justice of the Peace ; P. 0. Troy ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1836 ; is a son of Thomas and Susanna (Jones) Maxwell, who came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1806 ; they were the parents of four children, viz., Stephen J., Martha A., deceased, Rachel and Spafford W. The grandfather, Thomas, was $lso born in New Jersey. The greatgrandfather, Thomas, was a native of Scotland, and came from Edinburgh to New York in a very early day, prior to the Revolutionary war ; he was a tailor by trade. Thomas Maxwell, the father, came to Miami Co. in the fall of 1839, and located upon the same farm upon which Esquire Maxwell now lives. This is one of the old pioneer farms, which was first purchased by Caleb Hathaway, one of the first settlers of Miami Co., who located here in 1798, opened out and cleared up the farm. Thomas bought the farm of Mr. Hathaway at above date (1839), and has always resided here since ; is still living with his son, and is now about 80 years of age. Spafford Maxwell, our subject, remained with his father till his marriage, which event occurred Jan. 8, 1868, when he was united with Rachel A. Devol, daughter of Harrison and Jane L. Devol ; he was born in Ohio, and she in Pennsylvania, but came with her parents to Ohio when about 13 years of age ; by this union they have had seven children, viz., Minnie Jane, born Nov. 19, 1869 ; Walter Thomas, born Dec. 13, 1871 ; Sallie E., born Jan. 31, 1873 ; Anna May, born May 7, 1875; Bertha and Merta (twins), Feb. 4, 1877 ; Wilbur D. born Aug. 11, 1879. After his marriage, he rented farms until the spring of 1874, when he bought his father's farm, upon which he has since resided. He has an excellent farm, consisting of 103 acres of land with good buildings, and every convenience. Mr.Maxwell is, political}7, a Democrat ; was elected Justice of the Peace in April, 1876, and is now serving his second term of office ; he was also one of the patriots who, in the war of the rebellion, went to his country's defense, enlisting in the 147th 0. Y. I., in the 100-day service ; he served four months, when he received his dis- charge, and was mustered out at Camp Denison and returned home. He holds a membership in the First Presbyterian Church at Troy, his membership dating back for twenty -two years.

REUBEN MOORE, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; was born in this county on the old Moore farm July 8, 1852, and is the son of Rufus and Lydia (Bennett) Moore ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 13, 1807, his wife coming from the same county Xov. 11,1815 ; they were married Feb. 17, 1833, and were parents of seven children, viz., Nancy Jane, born Aug. 23, 1836, was married to George W. McMillan, by whom she had three children, viz., Alva E., Harry W. and Elroy C.; Nancy J. died July 1, 1866 ; Mary Ann, born July 12, 1839 ; Lewis, born April 7, 1843, died April 16, 1843 ; Elias, born July 17, 1845 ; Theodore, born Oct. 1, 1847 ; Eliza, born Aug. 6, 1850, now Mrs. A. Berryman, of Troy, and Reuben. Gershom Moore, the greatgrandfather, was born in 1752 ; his wife, Anna Moore, was born in 1758 ; they were parents of the following children, viz., Lewis, born in 1778 ; Reuben, born in 1791 ; Elias, born in 1792 ; Phebe, born in 1793 ; Philip, born in 1794 ; Catharine, born in 1795, Rachel, born in 1797, and Nancy, born in 1800, the ancestry coming from Wales. Lewis Moore, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey Aug. 16, 1778, and Susan Moore, the grandmother, was born in New Jersey July 5, 1786 ; they were the parents of twelve children, viz., Anna, born June 6, 1805, and died June 8, 1845 ; Rufus, born as above stated ; Eliza, born Dec. 17, 1809 ; Sarah, bom Oct. 15, 1811 ; Elias, born Oct. 5, 1813 ; Amy, born Nov. 2, 1815 ; Anthony B., born Nov. 5, 1817, and died Feb. 14, 1839 ; Reuben,, born Oct. 14, 1819, and died Oct. 9, 1849 ; Samuel, born Jan. 13, 1822, and died July 27, 1823 ; Lydia, born Nov. 29, 1823 ; Stephen G., born Nov. 12, 1825 ; Alpheus E., born April 5, 1828, and died Aug. 17, 1858. Lewis Moore, the grandfather, departed this life May 8, 1859, and Susan Moore, the grandmother, died Dec 19. 1872. George Bennett, the grandfather on the mother's side, was born in Virginia March 3, 1783, and Nancy Bennett, his wife, was born June 10, *1783 ; they were parents of ten children, viz., Henry, born Aug. 25, 1814; Lydia, born as given above; Thomas, born Jan. 7, 1817 ; John, born April 7, 1818, and died Sept. 29, 1818 ; Susannah, born July 21, 1819 ; Amelia, born Jan. 27, 1821, and died July 17, 1825 ; Mary Ann, born June 10, 1823, and died July 5, 1825 ; George, born in September, 1824, and died Aug. 7, 1825 ; George, born July 14, 1826 ; Elizabeth Ann, born April 23, 1841, and died in 1874. George Bennett, the grandfather, departed this life March 15, 1844, and Nancy Bennett, his wife, died June. 1836. Rufus, the father, after his marriage, lived for a short time in Butler Co., then moved to Loramie, Shelby Co., where they resided till 1840, when they came and located in Miami Co., on the northwest quarter of Sec. 4, in Staunton Township ; here he cleared the greater portion of the farm, and erected all the buildings, and improved the place till he had a fine farm and comfortable home ; March 9, 1876, he was called away by death, from labors to rewards, being nearly 70 years of age ; his wife, Lydia, is still living on the home place, and is in her 65th year. Reuben Moore lived with his father until his death, and, March 23, 1876, was united in marriage with Florence E. Brandenburg, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth A. Brandenburg, who were natives of Maryland, and came to this county about 1852 ; the}7 were parents of two children, viz., Laura A. and Florence E.; by this marriage the)* have had two children, both dying in infancy; Mr. Moore, after his marriage, remained with his mother on the home farm for two years, then bought the farm upon which he now lives ; he owns 80 acres of good land, is a young man of energy, and will doubtless in a few years have a fine and beautiful home.

ORA D. ORB ISON, farmer; P. O. Troy; he was born in Staunton Township, Miami Co. ; is the son of David W. and Hannah D. (Jones) Orbison ; he was born in this county Jan. 21, 1819, and his wife in Berlin, Mass., Feb. 9, 1820 ; when in her infancy, her parents removed to Marlboro, N. H., where they lived and died; she received a good preparatory education, then attended the Female Seminary at Holyoke, Mass., where she graduated and received her diploma Aug.

1, 1844 ; for two succeeding years, she taught high schools for }roung ladies, in South Adams, Mass., and Winchester, N. H. ; in 1846, she came to Troy, Ohio, and engaged as a teacher in the high school ; on the 13th of July she was married to David W. Orbison, with whom she had a congeniel Christian companionship for nearly nine years, when the merciless messenger, Death, came, and he passed from works to rewards ; by this union she had five children, of whom three died in infancy ; two are now living, viz., Ora D., born Nov. 25, 1849, and David W., Oct. 29, 1856. After Mr. Orbison's death, his wife remained on the farm, which had been originally purchased of Gen. Harrison, who, in an early day, owned a large tract of land in this township ; here she managed to support herself and two children, and met the back payments on the place as they became due, making such improvements upon the place as were necessar}-, for a period of nine years, at the expiration of which, Aug. 24, 1865, she was married to Moses G. Grosvenor, with whom she lived as a true helpmeet till Feb. 1, 1878, when she departed this life with every assurance of a blesssed immortality beyond ; she was an active member of the church for thirty-seven years, and was always noted for her zealous efforts in every good word and work. Since the death of their mother, the two sons, Ora D. and David W., have taken charge of the farm, where they have a very pleasant home.

RALPH PETERSON, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1800 ; is a son of Harp and Charity (Senteny) Peterson ; he was born on Long Island, and his wife in New Jersey, her ancestors being from England and his ancestors from Holland ; he (the father) was one of the first emigrants into Ohio ; locating in Kentucky, where he remained only one season ; in the spring of 1794, came to Cincinnati and located, planting a field of corn on ground where the fountain now stands, on Fifth street ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom five are now living, all located in the Miami Yalley except one, who is living in Illinois, viz., Sarah, now living near Glendale, who is eighty-seven years of age ; Elizabeth, four miles north of College Hill ; Ralph, our subject ; Jacob, at Springdale, Hamilton Co.; and Elisha, living in Towanda, 111. Mr. Ralph Peterson was united in marriage May 31, 1822, with Sarah Hardenbrook, daughter of J ames and Phoebe (Smith) Hardenbrook ; by this union they have had eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz., Mrs. Emily Counts, Madison, John G., Jacob S., Martha Ann, now Mrs. Cushing ; Adeline, now Mrs. Dr. Walton, of Piqua ; and William W. In September, 1827, Mr. Peterson located in Miami Co., on the farm on which he now lives; he commenced right in the wilderness and struck the first blow to fell the timber and make a home ; he built a log cabin, and from year to year cleared and improved, till now he has one of the best farms in the neighborhood, with fine buildings, a very large frame house and everything for comfort and convenience ; this has all been accomplished by energy and industry, Mr. Peterson being one of those active men who never tire. During the rebellion, three of his sons went to the defense of their country ; the first one, William, enlisted for three years or during the war, and was one of the first troops who crossed the Ohio River ; he was a prisoner in Andersonville, and suffered untold hardships, almost starving to death ; was among the last shipment of prisoners who left the terrible place ; his sufferings were so great he was made a cripple probably for life ; after he became so far recovered as to be able to do any business, he obtained a Government office as store-keeper three miles below Piqua, which position he still holds ; the other sons, John G. and Jacob S., were in the 100-day service, at expiration of which they returned home ; Mr. Peterson has served as County Commissioner in the early days of the coUnty, and had the superintendency of the building of the first three permanent bridges ever built in the county ; M r. Peterson, politically, is a stanch Republican.

JOHN G. PETERSON, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; was born in this county in May, 1832, and is a son of Ralph and Sarah Peterson. Mr. Peterson lived with nis father till about 16 years of age, when he went to learn the stone-cutter's trader in Piqua, which business he followed about thirteen years. He was married, in December, 1856, to Catharine P. Brooks, daughter of Clarkson F. and Sarah Brooks, who were born in New Jersey, but moved into New York State ; thence to Ohio ; then to Illinois, where they lived about sixteen years, and removed to Ohio, where they lived till they died. By this union they have had four children, viz., Ada L.. Willis M., Frederick W. and Sallie E.; the eldest, Ada L., is now Mrs. Shearer. Mr. Peterson left his trade and went to farming on his father's farm in 1861, where he remained till the spring of 1866, when he bought the farm upon which he now resides, and located thereon. He owns 85 acres of good second bottom land. Mr. Peterson was one who, during the rebellion, enlisted in the 100-day service, in 147th O. Y. I., in which he served for four months, when they were mustered out, and returned home. He and his family are members of the Christian Church.

ISAAC T. HOLLINS, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; was a son of Josiah and Nancy (Tucker) Rollins, who were born in the State of New Hampshire. They were parents of ten children, of whom two only are now living, viz., Isaac T. and Hannah, who is now Mrs. Stewart. Josiah, the father, moved from New Hampshire to Vermont, where they resided for a time, and in 1815, came to Ohio, locating in Miami Co., on the farm upon which Isaac now lives ; he bought the farm with just a few acres cleared, on which were two small log-cabins ; the cabin on the east part of the farm is of historic interest. During the war of 1812, they built a substantial stockade around the cabin, and the families, for some distance around, took shelter here every night, for better security from * the enemy. The grandfather, Joseph, was also born in New Hampshire, but moved into Vermont, where he lived and died ; the grandmother, Hettie, lived to come to Miami Co., with her son Josiah, living and dying on the same farm where Isaac now lives. Mr. Rollins, the subject of our sketch, was united in marriage Nov. 28, 1828, with Eleanor Hart, daughter of Charles and Nancy (Chamberlin) Hart, who were natives of New Jersey, but came to Miami Co. in 1812. By this union the}" have had seven children, viz., Charles H., Josiah B., Caroline, now deceased ; Leander J., Marion J., Sylvester A. and Horace J. Mrs. Rollins, coming to this county so earl}7 in its settlement, remembers distinctly the dangers and trials they passed through during the war of 1812 ; although but a child, yet the events were indelibly fixed upon her memory. Mr. Rollins' farm consists of 95 acres of excellent land, and has now been owned by the Rollins family for about sixty-five years. During the war of the rebellion, five out of the six sons of Mr. Rollins enlisted in defense of their country, serving until discharged by sickness, disability, or the close of the war ; the oldest son, Charles H., served four years and nine months, being in some of the hard-fought battles, such as Pittsburg Landing, Atlanta campaign, and in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. ; during this service, he was promoted for bravery and meritorious conduct from a private to Captain. The Rollins family, in its history, dates back for nearly 250 years in this country, and then connects with its history in England, where it has had a prominence for many ages past. The youngest son, Horace J., is, by profession, a landscape painter, being a student of the art at the McMicken University of Cincinnati ; he has devoted many years to this art, and has acquired a proficiency in its principles which entitles him to the notice of the public, and especially to those who are students and lovers of this science ; he is author of a book entitled, " Studio, Field and Gallery," " intended as a Manual of Painting for the Student and Amateur, and information for the general reader." Of the merits of this work there can be no doubt, as it is published by I). Appleton & Co., of New York City, who having undertaken its publication, is a sufficient guarantee of its intrinsic worth and value.

MADISON ROBINS, farmer; P. O. Troy; was born in Miami Co. Oct. 3, 1834, and is the son of Benjamin and Pamilla (Covalt) Robins ; his ancestors were from New Jersey, and hers from Virginia ; the grandfather, Richard, came to this county at a very early day, and entered the land upon which his grandson, Madison, now resides, making him one of the early pioneers of the county ; the father, Benjamin, and wife, were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are now living, viz., Sarah, now Mrs. J. Martin, of Springfield, Ohio ; Alvernas, Madison, Erastus, Benjamin M. and John ; after his marriage, he located upon his father's farm, where lie resided for a few years, when he removed into Lost Creek Township, on to the Cromer farm, where he resided about three years, and his son, Madison, our subject, was born ; then he moved back upon the old home farm, where he lived till his death, which occurred in February, 1854 ; Madison remained with his father until his death. Oct. 14, 1855, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Earnhart, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Robeson) Earnhart, who were natives of New Jersey, and came to Ohio at an early day ; in 1823, located in Brown Township, where they opened right in the woods in pioneer style, by erecting a log cabin, in which they lived many years ; here on the same farm which they cleared, and, by constant labor and industry, had brought to a high state of cultivation, having procured everything to make home comfortable and pleasant, they passed away from works to rewards. Madison and wife by their marriage have had two children, viz., Lucinda Jane and Sarah Frances ; after their marriage, they located on a farm in Lost Creek Township, where they remained about three years, then to the old home farm for three years, returning to Lost Creek again for two years, finally going back to the old farm, where they remained till 1871 ; removed to Springfield, Ohio, and lived about two years, thence back to the old farm where they have since resided. Mr. Robins and wife are members of the Christian Church, his membership dating back for fifteen }^ears and hers for twenty-five years.

WILLIAM B. RUSSELL, farmer; P. 0. Troy; was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 3, 1809 ; and is the son of John and Hannah (Hough) Russell, who were born in Pennsylvania ; the grandfather, Elijah, was also a native of Pennsylvania, his ancestors coming from Ireland ; the mother's ancestry were from Cheshire, Eng., and came over in the ships Endeavor and Friendship, in the year 1683 ; The father, John, came to Ohio in 1831, and located in Staunton Township, on the farm now owned by James Gardner, where he lived about twenty -five years, then moved to Elkhart, Ind., . where he lived and died ; they were parents of three children, viz., William B., John H., now deceased, and Newton, also deceased ; Mr. Russell came with his father to Ohio, being then 22 years of age. He remained with his father till June 19, 1833, when he was united in marriage with Martha Hamlet, daughter of Benjamin and Chloe (Kimball) Hamlet ; he being born in Kentucky and coming to this county about the same time with the Knoops, Gerards, etc., the earliest pioneers of the county ; by this union they had four children - Hiram, dying in infancy ; Mahala, now Mrs. James Post ; Hannah and William Riley ; he lost his wife by death in April, 1840. Aug. 19, 1843, was married to Amanda (Simms) Ralston, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Simms, who were natives of Virginia ; by this union they have four children, viz., Melissa, now Mrs. James Love ; Sarah, Laura Bell and John dying in infancy ; Mr. Russell after his first marriage located upon the farm where he has ever since resided, making a continued residence of forty-seven years ; when he came to the farm, there were about 25 acres partly cleared standing in a " deadening," with a log house and barn on it ; here he has labored and toiled, enduring the hardships and deprivations of early settlers, till now " he sits under his own vine and fig-tree," having a fine farm of 149 acres, of which 110 are in good cultivation, and the balance all under fence, with comfortable brick house, good barn and other buildings ; Mr. Russell is, politically, a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM F. RUSK, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, July, 1820, and is a son of James and Sarah (French) Rusk; he was born in Ireland, coming to this country when about 1 7 years of age ; she was born in Pennsjdvania, emigrating to Ohio with her parents when a child. The}T were the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living, viz., Mary, Eleanor, William F., David, Sarah and Daniel. Mr. Rusk lived with his father till twenty-four years of age. Sept. 16, 1843, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Anderson, daughter of James L. and Elizabeth Anderson, who were born in New Jersey, and came to Ohio at quite an early day, about 1815 ; by this union they have had nine children, of whom five are now living, viz., William Franklin, Lettie, Walter Scott, Edwin N. and Luella L. Mr. Rusk came to Miami Co. about thirty years ago and located near West Charleston, where the}' remained about five years ; thence to Shelby Co., and lived about six years ; removing to Miami Co., inSpring Creek Township, they resided there for five years, finally going to Staunton Township, upon the farm on which he now resides, having now been here about sixteen years. He has a good farm of 87 acres, with fine buildings, constituting a very pleasant home. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Rusk furnished two sons for the country's defense, James A. and John N., and both were sacrificed upon the altar of liberty, never reaching their home and friends again. Mr. Rusk is a member of the Christian Church, his membership dating back for twenty years.

CLARK E. STEWART, farmer; P. O. Troy; was born in New Jersey Sept. 5, 1800 ; is a son of David and Sallie (Clark) Stewart, who were also born in New Jersey, came and located in Staunton Township, in 1817 ; taking a lease of land right in the woods, began to clear it up, built a log cabin and commenced in pioneer style ; their labors were of short duration, being attacked by that fell destroyer, " milk sickness," to which so many early settlers fell victims ; in 1820, or about three years after locating, he and his wife and an only daughter were in three days' time transported from time to eternity ; the only surviving son, Clark, was prostrated with the terrible disease, but his life was spared, and he is still alive and the subject of our sketch, being nearly 80 years of age ; after recovering from his sickness, Mr. Stewart remained with his uncle about three years, then went to learn the mason's trade with Abraham Miller, at Piqua, with whom he remained six years. Nov. 25, 1834, he was united in marriage with Hannah E. Rollins, daughter of Josiah and Ellen (Hart) Rollins, who were born in New Hampshire, and came to this county in 1815 ; the Rollins families were among the very early settlers of this county ; they were parents of ten children, as given in sketch of Isaac Rollins in this work. Mr. Stewart and wife, by their union, have had ten children, viz., one dying in infancy ; Josiah R.; David C., deceased ; Sallie Ann, now Mrs. D. Rusk, living in Troy ; Abigail W., now Mrs. J. Whisman ; Mayhew R., deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Mary Jane and Phoebe, now Mrs. John Drake. After their marriage, they lived twenty-one months on the Winans place ; then bought a piece of land adjoining the farm where they now reside, where they remained twenty-one months ; thence to the farm upon which they now reside, and have made a continued residence of fifty-two years, constituting them the oldest residents in the neighborhood. When they commenced in life they had no means, but, with an energy of will and industry, they worked hand in hand together, and have acquired a good farm and homes for themselves and children, always sustaining a good credit. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her membership dating back for sixty-four years.