Union Township (part 2 of 14)

About 1845, Childs & Colver erected a building at Milford for the manufacture of tine carriages, buggies and wagons. They carried on the business till about 1855, when Charles Erb succeeded them. He erected a large building attached to the old one, and continued on a large scale for many years, or until his death. This establishment was a great acquisition to the town of Milford. Since the death of Mr. Erb, the business has been continued b}^ his sons. They are now giving their main attention to building heavy farm wagons, which in quality and dui'ability are unexcelled.

Towns And Villages

Milford, - " This town was laid out, surveyed and platted for George Reed, on a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Delaware, Uaion Township, and State of Ohio, on the south side of Big Darby, near George Reed's mill, No. 3,010, originally entei-ed in the name of Levin Jones,, sold to Alexander Carr, and patented in the names of George Reed and Robert Grant, under a decree of a Court of Chancery had in Franklin County and State aforesaid. The town is composed of streets and alleys and forty lots, named and numbered as follows: One main street, tive i-ods wide, by the name of ^V' ater street, and tive cross streets, tive rods wide each. The cross streets named respectively, beginning near the west end of Water street, or first, "^.v^est street; second, London street; third. Market street; fourth. Mill street, and fifth, Pleasant street. The lots are tive rods wide, and eight rods long, containing forty square rods. The number of the lots will begin on the south side of Water street, and west side of Mill street, at No. 1, and in a westward direction to No. 2, and so on to No. 14, reaching the west extremity of the town, then crossing to the north side of Water street to No. 15. then eastward to No. 23, and across Market street, leaves a reserve to Mill street, to No. 24, and then to No. 31, at east end of the town, then crossing to south side of Water street, to No. 32, thence westward with the numbering of the lots to Mill street, to No. 39, opposite No. 1, the place of beginning. The same being acknowledged by George Reed, before Thomas McDonald, a Justice of the Peace, on April 8, 1810, and received and recorded, April 9, 1810, by Joseph L. Hughs, Recorder of Delaware County; Recorded in Vol. Ill, pages 492 and 493. William M. Robinson, Recorder, Union County.'"

Milford Center. - "On March 3, 1853, a meeting of the citizens of Milford was held at the schoolhouse, with F. Garwood, Chairman, and E. L. Reynolds, Secretary, for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning the County Commissioners to incorporate them as a body politic, with the authority and powers given by the State of Ohio, to incorporated villages. A petition was made, and duly signed by F. Garwood, E. L. Reynolds, and fortyfive other citizens, with E. L. Reynolds as agent to act in the premises for and in behalf of the citizens. The petition was granted, and two transcripts issued - one sent to the Secretary of State and the other to E. L. Reynolds, the agent of the citizens of Milford Center. Also, an addition byT C. Moore, was made to the town adjoining Lot No. 41, on the west, consisting of five lots, duly platted on the record at Marysville. Again, in February, 1854, an addition was made by Wilson Reed, containing inlots from 1 to 12, and three outlots on the north. William B. Irwin, Surveyor Union County." The same duly certified to August 10, 1800, before O. C. Kennedy, J. P.

Again, on March 22, ] 866, was surveyed and laid out for Elizabeth Mann, widow and devisee of R. P. Mann, deceased, a third addition to the town; said survey being made by A. S. Mowry, Depiity Surveyor, Union County, and the same duly certified to and signed by said Elizabeth Mann, March 27, 1866, before Samuel B. Harbert, J. P. , and recorded March 28, 1866. James Smith, Recorder, Union County.

It appears that after the town was incorporated in 1853, from neglect of the citizens to elect officials and continue their powers as a corporate body, they ceased to exist as such, and on August 4, 1866, were again incorporated, upon petition of J. J. Marsh, F. Garwood and thirty-nine other citizens, by the County Commissioners, James Fullington, Joseph K. Richey and John Cheney.

December 5, 1866, at a meeting of the Trustees of Milford Center, it was ordered that there be a re-numbering of the lots of the village, which was accordingly done. December 17. 1877, an addition to the town of Milford Center was made by French Garwood, embracing Outlot No, 14, in said town, and surveyed by A. S. Mowry, and the same acknowledged and signed by said French Garwood and Serepta H. Garwood, his wife, before J. G. Turner, J. P., and recorded January 24, 1878. George P. Robinson, Recorder, Union County."

It is understood that before George Reed laid out the town of Milford, there was only his mill and one log house - the residence of Joseph Mathers - on the site. The first store was opened by George Brown. The first hotel was kept by Nathaniel Kazer; and it is said that in one room was held the first court of Union County. This tavern was situated near where Elliott's brick store now stands. The first blacksmith was Joseph Kennedy, and the first Postmaster David Burnham. Robert Branson had the first saddler shop. Daniel Bowen was the first physician. This town grew quite rapidly, and for several years was the principal trading point in the c^iunty. But after the county seat was located at Marysville, that town soon surpassed this in growth and business.

In 1837, we find published in the Ohio Gazette, at Columbus, the following account of Milford: " A post town of Union County, situated near the center of Union Township, on the south bank of Big Darby Creek, five miles southwest of Marysville, thirty-two miles northwest of Columbus, twenty-two miles southeast of Bellefontaine, nine northeast from Mechanicsburg, eighteen northeast from Urban a, on mail route No. 1,616, carried on horseback once a week from Columbus through this place to Bellefontaine and back. The name of the post office is Milford Center. The town contains thirty dwelling houses, three stores, one tavern, one grist mill, one saw mill, one physician, two meeting houses - one for the Presbyterians and one for the Methodists - and several mechanics' shops." The town now (1882) coutains a population of about five hundred inhabitants, and has three general stores, four groceries, two drug stores, one hardware store, two milliner stores, two dress-makers, one grist mill, one saw mill, one carriage factory, two blacksmiths, two livery stables, one grain warehouse, two shoe shops, three physicians, two hotels, one watch-maker and jeweler, two barber .shops, four churches - Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian - and one schoolhouse, containing four rooms.

Irwin Station, a village of seventy-five or one hundred people, situated five miles southwest of Milford Center, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, was laid out and called Irwin in honor of Mr. Irwin, one of the early settlers, who located near its site, and who became quite a prominent citizen of Union Township. Although the town was platted, yet it was never recorded; but it is a stirring and enterprising village, situated in the midst of a beautiful and rich farming country, and is an active trading place. The first house erected here was by James Miller; the first store was by John Parkison; the first blacksmith, William Phelps; the first Postmaster, David Clement The town now has one general store, by O. M. McAdams; one grain warehouse, by Messrs. Woods & Dolbear; one steam saw mill, by Mr. Hough; one shoe shop; one tile factory, by Anthony Moran; one blacksmith, Jacob Shunk; one physician. Dr. Plymell; also, a large business is done here in buying, pressing and shipping hay and straw, and also in buying and shipping wood. The IVIethodists at one time erected a church edifice here, but were unable to pay for the building, and it was sold, and is now open and free for all denominations. In 1880, there was erected a fine brick schoolhouse, consisting of two rooms, Avith slate roof, and of a highly ornamental order of architncture. Its cost was over $6,000.

Homer was once quite a flourishing little village, but now nothing remains but four or five houses to show that there was ever a town existing. At the court house at Marysville, we find the following record : " Sui'veyed, October 10, 1834, for Elisha Reynolds, Surveys No. 7,789 aud 4,946, on the waters of Little Darby Creek, the county road running on the line between said surveys, being the main street, which runs nearly north and south, and the numbering of lots beginning at the south part of the town, on the east side of Main, at No. 1, and numbered northward progressively to No. 18, and on the west side of Main street said lots are numbered from north to south from No. 19 to 35. Said Main street is four poles wide, with two cross streets, three poles wide each, named respectively North street and South street. Each lot is eight poles long, from Main street to alley. Lots No. 9 and 28 are six poles wide; Lots 8 and 29, and 6 and 31 are four poles wide; Lots 30 and 7 are four poles wide; Lots 5 and 32 are three and a half poles wide; all other lots in said town, excepting the ones above stated, are five poles wide. An alley of one pole wide runs on the back of all the lots across the town. Levi Phelps, Surveyor, Union County. Filed and recorded November 1, 1834. P. B. Smith, Recorder.

At one time this town had one saw mill run by water power, one large general store, one cheese factory, one furniture manufactory, one wagon and carriage shop - first in the county for manufacturing fine buggies - one cabinet shop, one shoe shop, one blacksmith shop, and a woolea and carding mill with a spinning jenny; this latter business was just below the town. Homer was a bustling, lively village about 1840; but its glory is departed, and not a single branch of business is now carried on in the place. Many of the dwelling houses have been moved away, and what are left are in a dilapidated condition. Such are the changes produced by time and circumstances!

The first election of Union Township, after the organization of Madi^son County, and its formation into townships, was held at the hout^e of John Mathers, in Milford, October 10. 1820. John McDowell, Andrew Gill and

Georo-e Reed acted as Judges. Hugh Porter and Richard Gabriel served as Clerks. Number of votes cast, 91. Ethan Allen Brown received 64 votes and Jeremiah Morrow 27 for Governor; Joseph Vance 46, Orris Parrish 24 and Daniel Smith 12 votes for Congress; scattering, 9; Gustavus Swan, 58,. and Joseph Foos 32 for Senator; Nicholas Hathaway 90 for Representative; Joseph Kennedy 32, James Biggs 21, James Ewing 30, George Brown 2, James Reed 1 aiid Nathaniel Kazer 1 for Sheriff; David Comer 79, Samuel Reed 44, Robert Nelson 75, Henry Sager 33. and Thomas McDonald 10 for County Commissioner; Joel Frankelberger 20, Nathaniel Kazer 41, Joseph Kennedy 8, Robert Branson 6 and Anson Howard 1 vote for Coroner. Number of votes cast in 1876 was 396; in 1880, was 404.

Trustees. - 1818. Andrew Gill, Joel Frankelberger and Ebenezer Mather; 1819, Thomas McDonald, William Gabriel and John Porter; 1820, William Gabriel, Joseph Kennedy and John McDowell; 1821, Elias Robinson, Andi'ew Gill and John Coolidge; 1822, William Gabriel, Nicholas Hathaway and Elias Robinson; 1823, Nicholas Hathaway, William Gabriel and Eilas Robinson; 1825, William Gabriel, Jacob Fairfield and Elias Robinson; 1826, Jacob Fairfield, Thomas McDonald and John Parthemore; 1827, Jacob Fairfield, Elias Robinson and Benjamin Hopkins; 1828-29, Elias Robinson, John Parthemore and Benjamin Hopkins; 1830-31. Benjamin Hopkins, John Parthemore and Harvey Burnham; 1832, James C. Miller, John Porter and Andrew Keyes; 1833, James H. Irwin, John Porter and Andrew Keyes; 1834-35, James Riddle, John Parthemore and James H. Irwin; 1836, ; 1837, Benjamin

Hopkins, John F. Sabine and Jacob Fairfield; 1838, Jacob Fairfield, Asahel A. Woodworth and John Capit; 1839, John Fairfield, Elijjhas Barnham and Sumner Payne; 1840, Eliphas Burnham, Sumner Payne and Standish Colver; 1841, Jacob Fairfield, Sumner Payne and Eliphas Burnham; 1842, Sumner Payne, Eliphas Burnham and William Porter; 1843, Jacob Fairfield, Eliphas Burnham and William Porter; 1844, Jacob Fairfield, Benjamin Hopkins and William C. Piper; 1845-46, William C. Piper, William Porter and Sumner Payne; 1847, Sumner Payne, William C. Piper and John Reed 3d: 1848. Sumner Payne and Asahel A. Woodworth. 1849-50, Jacob Fairfield, John Reed and William C. Piper: 1851, William C. Piper, James C. Miller and Robert D. Reed; 1852-54, Robert D. Reed, William C. Piper and John F. Sabine; 1855-63, William C. Piper, Robert D. Reed and Artimus Fullington; 1864, William C Piper. Robert D. Reed and Harvey Burnham; 1865, Robert D. Reed, William C. Piper and Harvey Burnham; 1866-67, William C. Piper, Harvey Burnham and Joseph Coe; 1868-70, Dyer Reed, Harvey Burnham and William C. Piper; 1871-73, William C. Piper, Harvey Burnham and George Sinclair; 1874-76, George Sinclair, Harvey Burnham and B. F. Harris; 1877, George Sinclair, John Cranston and David Watson; 1878, David Watson, James Mitchell and J. J. Gabriel; 1879. David Watson, James Mitchell and William Stillings; 1880, B. F. Harris, Norton Reed and F. S. Pearl; 1881, ^Y. stillings. Milo Kimball and B. F. Harris; 1882, William Stillings, Milo Kimball and Norton Reed.

Constables - 1818, Vandever Reed and James Reed, Jr. ; 1819, Benjamin Lathrop and. Ebeuezer Miles; 1820, Otis Green and Roger Moody; 1821, William Burnham and Benjamin Saunders; 1822, William Burnham and George Bagley; 1823, Andrew Burnham and Thomas Savjnders; 3824, Andrew Burnham and James Irwin; 1825, David Kingery and Hugh Porter; 1826. David Kingery and John Porter; 1827, David Kingery and Samuel T. Hovey; 1828, Hollis Awey and Samuel T. Hovey; 1829, Joseph Moore and Ebenezer Martin; 1830, Oliver C. Kennedy and Benjamin Lyon; 1831, Joseph Morse and Benjamin Lyon; 1832, Elijah Bassett and G. \\^. Carpenter; 1833, David Kingery and William Douglas; 1834, Levi Patrick and Elias Hartley; 1835-36 (wanting); 1837, Elias Hartley, E. W. Bassett and Cyrus F. Waite: 1838, Elias Hartley, Ira Clark and James Gallowav; 1839. A. C. Jennings, Madison H. Dee, Elias Hartley and W. H. Spears; "l840, William Sager, Elias Topliff, Madison H. Dee and William Morse; 1841, Elias Topliff, William Spencer, Samuel Hawley and Samuel Dee; 1842, Samnel-Dee, Alonzo Garljck, Elias Topliff and Ransom Tarpenning; 1843, Ransom Tarpenning, L. W^ebster, J. H. Lumbard and J. Barrett; 1844, John Barrett, J. H. Lumbar d, R. S. Mavnard and Ransom Tarpenning; 1845, John W. Hopkins, Benjamin H. Lillard, George Newman and Sylvanus Campbell; 1846, Ralph Cherry, Samuel Kerr, Lathrop Kazer and Joseph Rice; 1847, J. H. Lumbard, J. R. Galloway, Joseph Rice and William N. Turner; 1848, Galatia Sprague, John C. Moore, Harvey Burnham and John Grangan; 1849, David Dee, John Grangan, James L. Miller; 1850, Isaac A. Morse and John Morrow, Jr. ; 1851, John Morrow, Jr., D. W. Jones and Samuel Guy; 1852, John Morrow, William Gratty and Luther Winget; 1853, S. L. Reed, J. H. Lumbard and David Clement; 1854, T. Echelberger, Dyer Reed and George Morrow; 1855, J. T. Hage, S. L. Reed and E. Burrows; 1856, Enoch Burrows, I. W. Hopkins and David Clement; 1857, E. Burrows and J. C. Nichold; 1858, E. Burrows and J. A. Morse; 1859, George W. Gear, Enoch Burrows and Nelson Morse; 1860, W. M. Winget, Enoch Burrows and Joseph Morse; 1861, W. M. Winget, E. Burrows, Aaron Hill and A. T. Tanner; 1862, J. A. Morse, John Morse, W. H. Miller and W. M. Winget; 1863, J. A. Morse, W. M. Winget, Joseph Morse and N. N. Blake; 1864, W. M. Winget, S. L. Reed, W. Parthemore and N. G. Morse; 1865, S. L. Reed, J. A. Morse and John Galloway; 1866, Benjamin Locke, Jonathan Hardman and J. W. Swartz; 1868, F. McClenegan, A. Bronson and John W. Swartz; 1869, A. Bronson, B. Locke and G. W. League; 1870.

1872, J. H. Weiser and Samuel Bonnett; 1873, A. Bronson and H. Stokes; 1874, Samuel Bonnett and I. N. Paris; 1875, James Mitchell and John Robbins; 1876, Samuel Bonnett and James Mitchell; 1877, C. M. Reed and James Mitchell; 1878, George Wilson and Douglas Stewart; 1879, F. M. Reed; 1880, M. Gabriel; 1881-82, M. Gabriel.

Supervisors. - 1818, David Comer, Nathaniel Potter and Samuel Reed; 1819, Samuel Reed, David Comer, Andrew Gill and John F. Gabr;el; 1820, John Irwin, John T. Gabriel, Samuel Reed 3d, Andrew Gill, George A. Scott and David Witter: 1821, Moses Patrick, Joseph Mather, David Witter, John Parthemore, Samuel Reed and James Reed; 1822, David Comer, George Reed, Moses Patrick, Caleb Brooks, John Parthemore and Alexander Reed; 1823,

David Witter, David Comer, John Coolidge, Jacob Fairfield, George Reed, John Parthemore and Levi Churchill; 1824, George Reed, Benjamin Hopkins, Benjamin Harrington, John Walton and Edward Hovey; 1825, John Parthemore, Martin Ballon, John Mitchell. George Reed and George Woodward. We will not give the Supervisors further, as they multiply very fast from this day forward, as the number of roads increased until their number reaches seventeen or more.

Overseers of the Poor. - 1818, G. A. Scott and R. Branson; 1819, Stej^hen Bagley and William Gabriel; 1820, William Gabriel, Jr. and Jesse Bagley; 1821, Thomas Saunders and David Reed; 1822, Thomas McDonald and David Reed; 1823, Benjamin Hopkins and Richard Gabriel; 1824, John Porter and Sylvester Phelps; 1825, Andi^ewGill and Robert Snodgrass. The records give no account of this class of officers after the last mentioned date.

Fence Vieivers. - ISIS, Joseph Mather and David Bowen; 1819. Joseph Kennedy and Thomas Saunders; 1820, David Bowen and Warren Rose; 1821, David Bowen and Jesse Bagley; 1822, Robert McCloud and Silas Lewis; 1823, David Bowen and Warren Rose; 1824, David Bowen and Otis Green; 1825, David Bowen and Joseph Kennedy. And here this office appears to cease.

Listers. - 1818, James Cochran; 1819, Samuel Reed; 1820, John Reed; 1821-25, John Reed. No further account, as office is filled by the Assessor.

Assessors. - 1842. John Reed 3d; he served till 1846, when Eliphas Burnham was elected, and served continuously byre-election until 1867. Anthony Moran was elected and served one year, when in 1868 Eliphas Burnham was again elected, and served continuously by re-election till 1879. David Watson was elected and served one year. 1880, W. R Webb was elected;

1881, Anthony Moran was elected; 1882, no Assessor mentioned on I'ecord. Justices of the Peace - 1818-23, John Irwin; 1821-32, Elias Robinson;

Biographical Sketches

JOSEPH BAKKR, deccascJ, was born in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, in 1819. and was a son of Fen-ill Baker. His early life was passed in the place of his nativity. He studied medicine, and after graduating in 1844, located in this township, where he practiced for a number of years. He was a skillful physician, and aa a man was universally respected. He was married to Phoebe, daugliter of David Burnliani ; he was an acceptable member and an honored brother of the Masonic Lodge ; he died March 15, 1880. David Burnham, and Nancy (}abrie],his wife, were the parents of Mrs. Baker; tlie former was born in Connecticut and settled in this county in about 1820. He was a man of fine business attainments and a .lustice of tlie Peace for twenty years. His first wife died in 1829, and iie was married the second time to Elizabeth McDonald, who

-was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1804, and was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, an old settler. His first wife was born in this township in 1806, and was a daughter of William Gabriel. His second wife died in 1881.

NELSON T. BENNETT, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, was born in Stockbridge, Windsor County, Vt , in 1832, and is a brother of Foster Bennett, whose sketch appears in this work. His -early life was spent in his native county until sixteen years of age, when he came to this township, and for five years resided with his uncle, John Smith, for wnom he worked four years after reaching his majority. At twenty-five years of age, he rented the Smith farm, which he and his brother afterward bought, and at present he owns "248 acres of well-improved land. In 1856, he mai-ried Miss Hannah N. McCloud, the daughter of Curtis and Betsey McCloud, natives Vermont, who settled in this township in 1816. By this marriage, four children were born, viz.: William C, .John S., Clara E., and an infant, deceased. In politics, Mr. Bennett has always voted with the Republican party in all matters of public issue.

J. F. BENNETT, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1834, and is a son of William and Experience Bennett, natives of Vermont. At the age of twelve years, he came to Union Township and took up his residence with an uncle, John Smith, with whom he remained until 1872, when he went to Marysville. After a temporary stay at the latter place, he purchased his present farm, which consists of 200 acres of well-improved land. He is a member of Uarby Lodge of Odd Fellows at Milford Center, and, with his wife and daughter, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in 1857 to Miss Harriet McBride, a daughter of Alexander McBride, and by her has had one child - Cora. Mr. Bennett is a successful manager, and a good, practical farmer, and has accumulated during his life of farming a comfortable property, on which he resides.

HENRY AV. BLAKE, deceased, was born at Georgetown, Vt., .June 19, 1833, and died in Union County, Ohio, March 7, 1867. His father, .John H. Blake, with his family, settled in this county in 1838, and made this his home through life, dj'ing here May 5, 1881. He was the father of eleven children, of whom George, Moses, Byron and Charles survive, and Henry AV., Samuel H., John T., Louisa, Cynthia, Mary and Hamilton are deceased. Henry W. was married July 24, 1855, to Mary J. Courtney, and had two children - Taylor R. and Ollie L. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Greenbrier, Virginia, in 1861. He was a life-long resident of the county, a carpenter by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and _Odd Fellows Lodge. His brother, Samuel H., enlisted in the same company and regiment, and was killed before Atlanta, Ga. John T. enlisted in 1861 in Company K, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was poisoned in 1863 at Milliken Bend. Byron enlisted in Company H, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861. Moses enlisted May 9, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. John W. and Jane (KefiF) Courtney, parents of Mrs. Blake, were natives of England, who settled in Bradford County, Penn., where they died. They had seven children, viz.: John, William, McCain, Mary J. and Helen, surviving, and David W. and Edward, deceased. David AV. enlisted in 1861, at the age of seventeen years, in the Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in 1864, serving through the whole of the war. He was a color-bearer, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River and Chickamauga, receiving four bullet-wounds in one day. He was taken prisoner at Stone River, and for twenty days endured the horrors of Libby Prison. After the close of the war, he enlisted in the regular army, and was killed by the Indians in the Custer massacre. Edward Courtney was a drummer-boy in a Pennsylvania regiment, and was wounded and died, aged seventeen years.

DR. DANIEL BOAVEN, deceased, was born in Vermont, and in 1816 came to Milford Center. He studied medicine in his native State, and was one among the first practitioners in this vicinity, in which he pi-acticed till his death. He was a skillful physician, and, as a man, was held in high esteem by all who knew him. During "old military days," he was Surgeon of a regiment. He was an accepted member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He was married to Nancy Rice, by whom he had twelvechildren, of whom only one lives in this county, viz., Jane. A son, Daniel, is living, and the others are deceased.

ELIPHAS BURN HAM, deceased, was born at Hampton, Windham County, Conn., February 9, 1799, and was a son of Eliphas and Lydia (Smith) Burnham, natives of Connecticut. The ancestor of the sixth generation emigrated to this country from England. In 1818, the family came to Ohio, locating in this county, and in the spring of the following year Eliphas, Sr., settled his children along the western line of this township, purchasing 200 acres of land. They had the following children : Jacob, Zelinda, Eliphas, Lovenda, Orrilla, Juliette, Lydia, A. S. and Nancy M. Of these, all but Lovenda lived in this county, she living in the same neighborhood, but in Champaign County. The father and mother both died in this county ; he soon after their arrival, and she subsequently. Our subject was married to Lydia Meacham, July 3, 1820. She was a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Joseph Meacham, who settled in Champaign County in 1820. Mr. Burnham owned and resided on his first purchase until his death, owning at that time about 400 acres. His brother Jacob resided with him, and together they did business and attended the operations of the farm. Mr. Burnham served as Justice of the Peace three years, and for thirty-one consecutive years, from 1846, acted as Assessor. He was a man of sound judgment, one of the active movers in the organization of the Fair society in the county, and a champion of every movement that tended to the elevation of his community. Honest in business and trustworthy in every fiduciary capacity, he was often called upon to administer the estates of deceased citizens, and was always a friend to the widow and orphan. He was a member of the Universalist Church, but liberal in his religious belief, and open-handed in his contributions to all denominations and to every worthy enterprise. He was temperate in his habits, and a strong advocate of temperance in others, but not at all fanatical in his views. He died April 13, 1881. His wife, who was born June 14, 1796, died April 8, 1867. They had eight children viz.: Betsey, Thomas, Harvey, Andrew, Ralph, Marica Morse, Lucas, deceased, Dorcas S., deceased, and Jarred, deceased. Lucas enlisted in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 9, 1862, and died in Vicksburg Hospital July 23, 1863. Ralph was in the one hundred days' service. Jacob Burnham, the brother of our subject, was born October 27, 1794, and died April 26, 1866. He married Eliza Meacham, sister of his brother's wife. She was born May 30, 1802, and by her he had four children - Nicholas H., Albert, deceased, Hiram G. and Eliza A. The two families lived together, eating breakfast separately, but the other two meals together. Harvey Burnham, the non of Eliphas, was born in 1823, and was reared in the township where he lived the whole of his life, except five years spent in Champaign County. He was married November 17, 1861. to Mary Shields, daughter of J. B. Shields, by whom he has had seven children, viz.: Lucas, George, May, Pertie, Lydia M., Elmer and Bertie. Mr. Burnham has served as Trustee ten or twelve years, and as Justice of the Peace two terms. He owns 100 acres of land, well improved and under thorough cuUiyation, upon which he resides.

RALPH BURNHAM, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, is a son of Eliphas Burnham, deceased, and was born on the old home place. His early life was psssed on his fatlier's farm, and in the district schools le oi'tained his education. He was married to Martha M., the daughter of William P. Greene, of Wisconsin, in 1861. He has lived in the township all his life, with the exception of a few years during which he resided in Iowa. He served one hundred days in Companj' B, of the One hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio National Guards; two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burnham, viz.: Marble G. and Uorcas S. He and his sou own 100 acres of land.

N. H. BURNHAM, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born at the oM " Burnham homestead." in this county, November 23, 1823, and is a son of Jacob Burnham. an old settler who was born in Windham County, Conn., and had four children - N. H., Albert, deceased, Hiram G. and Eliza Ann, now Mrs. Fairchilds. In the early days of the county, he was much interested in religion and religious matters, and in his farm operations he met with well merited success, accumulating a large property, which, descending to his children, has made them all in good circumstances. Our subject vtfas reared ou the old place and received a commom school education. On February 13, 18.51, he married Emeline E. Hopkins, daughter of Benjimin Hopkins, by whom he has had four children, viz.: Albert, Lizzie, Hattie and S. F. Mr. Burnham has been successful in life and now owns 213 acres of excellent land in Survey No. 7790.

GEORGE CALDWELL, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, is a son of Thomas and Jane (Fullington) Caldwell, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Union County, Ohio, January 23, 1843; his father died when he was ten years of age, and until thirteen years of age he lived with his uncle James Fullington. He then lived with his mother until he reached his majority, when he took possession of the farm left him by his father, on which he resided until 1869, when he purchased the " Hill farm," on which he resides at present. On October 15, 1865, he married Maria, daughter of Archibald and Catharine (Argo) McAdams, and by her has had five children, viz.: An infant son, deceased, Hettie, Ella, Mora and Jinquie. Mr. Caldwell is a lifelong farmer and stock dealer and owns a farm of fifty-five acres. He is a Republican in politics. His mother resides in Mechanicsburg, at the advanced age of sixty-one years.

JOHN CONNOR, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in County Kings, Ireland, in 1812, and lived in his native place till 1836, when he emigrated to this country, landing in New York August 26, and on November 29 following arrived at Milford Center; the ten following years he rented land, and in 1847 he piirdiased 277 acres where he n')vv lives. Success has crowned the effort put forih by Mr. Connor, and his accumulations resulted in 469 acres of fine land He was married to Catherine Conelly in Ireland, who bore him ten children, five living, viz.: Thomas, John, George, Eliza and Catherine. Thomas was a member of the Thirty-second Ohio Regiment ; he enlisted in 1862, and was wounded in the leg at Harper's Ferry. Mrs. Connor died in 1856.

JOHN CRANSTON, deceased, was horn in Champaign County, Ohio, January 25, 1829, and died at his home in Union County, October 6, 1876. He was the third child of a family of seven children born to Juhn B. and Betsey (Lathrop) Cranston, the latter now deceased. He was raised on the farm and remained in his native county until 1858, when he came to Union County, settling on Buck Run, two and a half miles below Milford. Eleven years later, he moved to the farm on which he spent tlie remainder of his life, and where his widow now resides. He was a lifelong farmer and was one of the first farmers in this section to deal iu the Norman draft horses; at the time of his death, he was possessed of about 223 acres of very fine land. On November 11, 1847, he married Sarah Jane Bland, a diughter of Saul and Abagail (Pharas) Bland, natives of Virginia, who had a family of twelve children. By this uuioQ two children were born - John L. and Chira, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Cranston died in 1851, smd in 1852 Mr. Cranston married E'reline Bond, a sister of his first wife, and by her had five children - Clarence, a resident of Topeka, Kan.; Hagar, wife of Henry Zeminar; \iola, wife of Charles Erb ; John B. and Anna B., the two latter being the only ones at home. Mr. Ci-anston was a Republican in politics, and at the time of his death was serving as a County Commissioner ; he also held, during his lifetime, most of the oifices of his township, including Trustee, School Director and others. He was a substantial farmer and a devout Christian irentleman. He was a member of the Christian Church all his life, having made profession at The age of thirteen years, and took a deep interest in all religious matters. During his life, he made provision for very liberal bequests to be paid to several religious institutions connected with his church, including the Union Christian College of Ind., Starkey Seminary and the Biblical Institute, New York, in addition to amouuts paid to these corporations and to churches during his lite.

JOSEPH DAVIS, farmer, V. 0. Milford Center, was born in Virginia in 1795, and is a son of George Davis, of Virginia, who was a son of Michael Davis. In 1810, the fiimily came to Ohio, nnd settled in Knox County, where they made a permanent home. Our subject followed farming in Knox County until 1854, when he came, with his family, to this county, and purchased 196 acres of land where he now lives. He was married, December 3, 1818, to Lydia Shenneberry, by whom he has had the following children, viz.: Mary, Howley, Michael, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph, George, Shannon and Catharine, now surviving, and Nancy, George, William, Lydia and an infant, "deceased. The survivors all reside in this county, and are all well to do. Mr. Davis has always been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Christian. He began life with no means, but by industry and close attention to his business he has accumulated a handsome property, which he now^ fully enjoys. He and his sons own about titiU acres of prime land.

WILLIAM DAVIS, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 18, 1818, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth Davis, the former a native of Virginia and a sou of George Davis, who removed to Pennsylvania, and in 1810 came to Knox County, Ohio. Here Michael lived until 1829, when he came with his wife and four chi'dren - Catharine, William, Alexander and Mary - to Union Couuty. Four others were born here, viz. : George W. Harrison, Nancy and Joseph, Jr. In 1829, the family 'settled on the land occupied by George Ilawley, purchasing eighty acres. Two years afterward, he sold this and purchased where John Siuber now lives, which he also sold afterward. He was always a resident of the county, and prospered financially. He was a Presbyterian in belief. His son, Harrison, enlisted in the Sixty-sixih Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as First Lieutenant of Company H, which he helped to raise, and was killed in the charge on Mission Ridge. Joseph and Alexander served in a '-hundred days' " regiment. Mr. Davis died in 1872. Mrs. Davis is yet living at an advanced age. Our subject was eleven years old. when his parents came to Ohio. He has since then made his home in Union County. He has never married, but has always had charge of his fatlier's family. He owns a good farm of ninety acres, in the northeastern part of the township. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and passed through this township in 1812 on his way to join his regiment at Urbana. He was in Lewis Cass' Regiment, and Hull's division.

PETER DIX, proprietor Union Tile Factory, Irwin, is a son of Clark Dix, an old settler of Champaign County, and was born in 185o. His early life was passed on the farm, and he continued in agricultural pursuits until April 1, 1882, when he purchased the tile mill now owned by him, and two acres of ground, of J. A. Gillespie. He was married, December 5, 1875, to Miss Ella J., a daughter of E. K. and Mary Chester, of Linn County, Iowa, and a native of Hancock County, Wis. By this marriage three children were born, viz. : George E., Frank E. and Arthur W. Mr. Dix and wife are members of the Universalist Church. He has entered extensively into the maniiifacture and sale of drain tile, employs three men, and turns out a quantity of superior tile, which finds a ready market. His kiln has a capacity for burning over 200 rods, whicn will be largely increased during the next year His ware is eagerly sought for by purchasers on account of its superior finish, which renders it less liable to break and makes it mure durable than the ordinary tile.

H. N. DOWNER, retired, Milford Center, v.as born in Orleans Cunty, Vt., in 1806, and passed h s early life in his native State, in which he lived till after his marriage, when he went to Westville, N. Y., where he lived twelve years, and followed shoe-making an 1 farming. In October, 1845, he came to this county, and landed in Milford Center |7.25 in debt, which amount he earned and paid by working at 37i cents per day. He has followed his trade since, ana has always had an abundance to do. His energy and ambition always found him plenty of work, and he has been prosperous; he owns a nice pioperty, consisting of twelve acres of land, with a good building erected thereon. On July 12, 1829, he was married to Mai'y Jones, who has boine him eight cbihlren, five of whom are living, viz.; Harlwell N., Alvin, Lavonia, Abijiail and Albert W. The deceased are Grafton and two infants. Grafton was a member of Company F, Thirteenth Ohio Regiment. Enlisted in 1861, and was killed at the battle of Stone River December 31, 1862, aged twenty-two years. Albert W. enlisted in 1864, and was a drummer. Mrs. Downer died in 1878. She was born in 1809. Mr. Downer has been a lifelong Kepublican.

S. D. ELLIOT, merchant and miller, Milford Center, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1828, and is a son of John D. and lluth (Dillon) Elliot, natives of Ohio, who settled in Logan County in 1849, where they made a permanent home. The early life of our subject was pa^^sed in the milling business. When he reached his majority, he began merchandising in Zinesfield, Logan County, where he carried on business for twelve or fifteen years. In 1878, he located at Milford Center and purchased a mill, which he has operated since. In 1877, he purchased the business of French Garwood, deceased, and has since been engaged as a merchant. He was married, March 14, 1850, to Miss Margaret Henry, of Logan County, by whom he has had three children, Etta, Pattie and Linnie. His son has charge of the store and is assisted in its management by David Hopkins, a colored man, who has been connected with the business for many years. The mill is in charge of a son-in-law, J. A. Moore, who has been in tlie mill since 1873, and has had entire control since 1877. Mr. Elliot is a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. 0. 0. F., of which he was a charter member. He is also a member of Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., Marys ville, and of the Chapter.

CHAP..LES ERB & BllOTHEll, manufacturers of carriages and buggies, Milford Center. The business of the above firm was established in 1850, by Charles Erb, the father of the present proprietors, who continued the business until his death in 1874. He operated quite extensively during his life, and at his death handed the business down to his sons. He was a native of Biden, Germany, where he learned his trade. He emigrated to America in 1850, and in the same year located and began business as above stated. He was the father of ten children , of whom six - Charles, George, Mary, Will, Lewis and Lizzie - are living and residents of this county, and Anna, Carrie, Emma and Lewis are deceased. The brothers who now control the father's establishment learned their trade under their father's instructions and are both competent and efficient workmen, who turn work out at their factory that is equal to any in the county. They employ usually about six hands. They do an extensive business and all their finished work fimls ready sale in the local markets. Charles, the senior member of the firm, was born in this place in December, 1854, and when of suificient age entered the business which he now controls. In 1879, he married Viola, daughter of John Cranston, deceased. George, the junior member of the firm, was born in 1857, and w.is also early put to work at his trade.

.1. V. FINLEY, retired farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in the year 1801. His life was passed in his native State until 1846, when he came to this county and settled in Allen Township, purchasing 300 acres of land which he cleared and improved, and in 1875 sold. He has held some of the minor offices of the township and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, with which he has been connected a number of years. He was married in Pennsylvania to Elizabeth AVilliams, by whom he has had nine children, eight living, viz.: Joseph, Robert, James E., John, Alfreil, Margaret, Frances and Mary. Joseph and Robert were privates in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which they enlisted in the beginning of the war and with which they saw active service until the rebellion was put down. John w<is a member of a three months regiment. Mr. Finley built a saw mill which he operated five years, but he has been principally engaged in farming and has met with marked success, now owning a good property.

JAMES FULLINGTON, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born in this township in 1828. He is a son of Moses and Harriet (Guy) Fullington, natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Ohio in 1810 or 1817, and for one year stopped at Granville, after which they came to this township, and located on land purchased by his father, George Fullington, who died in Madison County. George Fullington was a man of literary h.abits, and devoted the whole of his attention to literary pursuits. He had six children that came to Ohio with him, and two were born here after his arrival, Moses being the only one that became a resident of this county. The other children were Abigail, wife of Charles Phellis; Adelaide, second wife of William Guy; Claret, first wife of William Guy; Salina, wife of John Burnham; Mary, wife of R. Kimball, deceased; Thomas J., who died in Illinois, and Sallie, deceased. Moses Fullington had four children, viz.: Jane, wife of Charles A. Baker; James, Charles and George, deceased. Mr. Fullington died in 1850, aged forty-nine years ; his wife died in 1832. He was an energetic, hard-working man, and succeeded in accumulating a handsome property. Our subject was reared on a farm, and until fifteen years of age atteu'led the common schools. In February, 1844, he went to Kansas in the interest of his father, who was buying stock and driving it over the mountains, and in this business he participated for nine years. In 1852, he married Eliza H. McMullen, of Springfield, III., and after marriage located on his farm in this township, where he has since resided. In 1878, he was elected County Commissioner, and during his term of service was an able advocate of free pikes. He was also a member of the State Board of Equalization for ten years, and at present is a member of the State Board of Public Works. He owns 1,200 or 1,300 acres of land located in this township. He has had six children born to him, viz.: Lucy V., wife of A. Howard, Walter 0. , C. Phellis, Edward Mc, F. Guy and Belle Brown

JAMES GABRIEL, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in this township December 19, 1819, and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Sackett) Gabriel, the former born in Maryland and the latter in Pennsylvania. (For date of the settlement of the family here, see sketch of John Gabriel.) He (Richard) bought 150 acres of land on which he lived and died. He was Justice of the Peace a number of terms, aud also held the office of County Clerk. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a Ruling Elder. Three children were born to them, viz.: James, Eli and Mary Ann, the two latter deceased. Mrs. Gabriel died about 1849. He married, for his second wife, Sarah Robinson, who bore him five children, VIZ.: Hannah F., Ruth, .Josiah, Richard, and John, deceased. Mr. G. died in 1870, aged ninetytwo years. Our subject was married in 1847 to Rebecca Swartz, nee Hall, and at once settled on the place where he now lives. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of many years' standing, and a very exemplary man. Nine children have been born to him, viz.: Rodney, Mary, Eli, Sidney B., Sarah B., Mattie, Maggie, Sackett and Hattie. Mr. Gabriel owns 150 acres of land, and is a prosperous citizen.

JON J. GABRIEL, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born on the place where he now lives, April 20, 1823, and is a son of John F. and Maria (Stewart) Gabriel. He (John F.) was born in Maryland, and when a young man, in 1800, came to this township. His brother, William, came the year previous, and purchased 500 acres of wild land, which became their homes; they prospered in life and accumulated good properties. John F. was a twin brother to Richard, of whom mention is elsewhere made. They possessed fine musical talent, and were faultless performers on the violin. John F. was married to Maria, the daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Stewart, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Joseph, Hiram and John ; Josiah and Johnson, deceased, the former killed by a large tree falling upon him. Mr. Gabriel (J. F.) died November 15, 1828, aged fifty year.s. His wife died in 1872, aged seventy-one years. Our subject was married to Sarah C, the daughter of Jacob and Sar&h C. Parthemore, who bore him four children, viz.: Myron, Helen, Elmer and John. Mr. Gal riel has filled the office of Trustee one term. He owns 150 acres of land. The parents of Mrs. Gabriel (the Parthemores) located here in 1812 or 1813. Joseph Stewart and family settled here in 1809.

HON. FRENCH GARWOOD, deceased, was one of the oldest merchants in Union County ; was born in East Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio, April 7. 1823. He was the eldest of seven brothers, and sf n of Isaiah and Caroline Garwood. His father was a Virginian and came to Ohio very early in its settlement, then inhabited by several tribes of Indians. When the oldest child was but thirteen years of age, the family circle was broken upby the death of their mother. French, at that early age, was placed as clerk with a merchant of East Liberty, named Harrington. In the spring of 1838, he came to Union County, and was employed by Immer Reynolds in the furniture trade, and as clerk in the mercantile business. Mr. Garwood was with Mr. Reynoldg until the year 1845, in the mean time receiving the greater part of his school education, and becoming a finished workmen in the manufacture of furniture, as well as a trusted clerk in the store. The death of his employer occurring about that time, the business was closed up, and between the years of 1845 and 1849, he was with Louis Reynolds, selling goods in Milford Center, and with Rodney Pickett, an old merchant of Marysville, also book-keeper for Ralph E, Runkle, of West Liberty, Ohio. In 1849, he located in Urbana, Ohio, as clerk with the Weaver Brothers. In the fall of 1851, he commenced selling goods in Milford Center, and April 15, 1852, married Sarepta H. Reynolds, daughter of Immer and Hope Reynolds. Their children are Charles M., Don A., Nellie E. and Venetia, all of whom are at present living. Mr. Garwood was a leading merchant and largely identified with the business interests of Milford for a period of twenty-seven years, always holding some office of trust, s^mong them that of Township Treasurer, also Sunday-school Treasurer of Union Sabbath school, and, although not a member of any church, as he used to laughingly remark, " first-cousin to all the churches ;"he was truly generous to them all, both in opinion and financially. He was an honored member of Palestine Lodge, No. 158, of Free and Accepted Masons; also member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and practiced and taught the tenets of each, both by precept and example. French Garwood was enrolled, on the 2d day of May, 1864, to serve one hundred days as First Sergeant in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of National Guards of Ohio Volunteers, H. Irwin Smith, Colonel, commanding. He was honorably discharged from the service, August 31, 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio, by reason of expiration of term of enlistment. In politics, Mr. Garwood was always a zealous Republican, and represented Union County in the Ohio Legislature for two sessions - 1876-77. After his legi^lative teim, his health failing, he remained at home unoccupied for some months, but being of an energetic and industrious habit, accepted of the position ns cashier in the Milford Center Bank, which position he held at the time of his death, which occurred April 5, 1879. His funeral ceremonies were conducted by the Order of Knights Templar, of which he was a member. In memorial, we will simply quote the sentiment of a friend : " He was a gentleman in deportment, kind-hearted and benevolent, and had inbreil in his nature all those qualities of head and heart which render men esteemed by their fellow-men."

SPENCER GARWOOD, physician and surgeon, Milford Center, was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of Jose H. and Angeline (Culver) Garwood. The former settled in then went to Logan County, where he died. He was a native of Virginia. Angeline Culver, who was a native of New York, and a daughter of David and Catherine (Callinder) Culver, na- lives of Connecticut, came to this county in 1812 with her parents, who settled on laid purchased in this township, where they lived a number of years and then moved to Madison County. The boyhood of our subject was passed on the farm in Logan County, and in attending the pu'jlic schools of that couniy. He remained on the farm until he reached his majority, when he entered the Farmers' College at Cincinnati, in which he remained three years, reaching his Sophomore year. In 1861, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serveil three months. At the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, being sent to the front, saw some active service, but was largely engaged in guarding prisoners at Camp Chase. After four months' service in the above regiment, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was made Captain of Company K. His regiment saw service in the front, and participated in the battle of Cold Harbor ami other lesser engagements. Mr. Garwooii serveil in the above regiment until September, 1864, when he was mus'ered out of the service and returned home. Previous to his discharge, in 1863, he entered the Ohio .Medical College at Cincinnati, and in 1864 entered the Medical Department of .Michigan University at .\nn Arbor, completing his studies and graduating at the latter. He then went to Iowa and for two years practiced his profession at Council Bluffs, also opening the first drug store between Council Bluffs and Salt Lake (Jity. He then went to Columbus, Neb., where he practiced medicine, officiated as Postmaster, and kept drug store for two years after. He subsequently went to Massachusetts, where he married Vashti Detwiler, in 1866, and returned to Des ^loines, going from there to Fort .Scott, Kan., where he remained fourteen years, practicing his profession. In 1880, he went to Washington, D. C, and praciiced medicine until the spring of 1882, when he located at Milford Center. He has three children, viz.: Grace 0., Ralph S. and Culver D. The Doctor is a prominent and worthy member of the .Masonic fraternity.

JACOB GIBSOX, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Gibson, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Fayette County, Ohio, about 1814, and lived there until 1826, when they citne to Union County and settled in this township, waere he lived until his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a man who took considerable interest in religion. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. By his first wife, who died in Fayette County in 1823, he had three children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. Our subject was reared on the farm in Fayette County, and came to this county in 1826, having lived here continuously since. He owns 224 acres of land, well improved, on which he resides He had four children, viz.: Stewart, deceased, Thomas, Missouri, deceased, and Jane, deceased. Stewart enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Thirty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years, and died in November, 1861, at Ilutsonville, Va., at the age of twenty-four yetrs. .Mrs. Gibson, whose maiden name was Eleanor Stewart, was a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Stewart, and died in 1872.

J. H. GILLESPIE, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1819, and is a son of James and .Mary Gillespie, he of Pennsylvania and she of Kentucky. They settled in Champ lign County, Ohio, in an early day, where they died, leaving three children. In 1841, our subject came to this co.inty, to .VHlford Center, and in 1849 settled on the farm where he now resides. In 1845, he was married to Anna E., the daughter of Dr. Nicholas Hathaway, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Mary E., Harvey M. and Gertrude A. Mr. Gillespie owns an excellent farm of 200 acres. Dr. Hathaway was born in .Massachusetts December 4, 1773. He studied medicine in an Eastern college, and was a graduate. In 1817, he, with his family, consisting of his wife and seven children, came to and settled in this township, in which he purchased 1,000 acres of land. He was a successful practitioner and an influential and respected citizen. He was one of the first judges of the county, and served in the Legislature two terms, the first in 1826, the other probably in 1834. He was a Democrat in political faith, and was an exemplary member of the Christian Church, in which he was a Deacon. By his first wife, Anna Perce, he had nine children ; seven came to Ohio, viz.: ElpathanP., Lenora, William R. P., Joana P.,EUas, Catherine, Ebenezer. His first wife was born December 18, 1769. By his second wife, Elizabeth Mitchell ]\Iartin, he had one child, viz.: Anna E. Mrs. Hathaway died February 15, 1863. She was born May 2, 1787.

ORIN HA.MMOND, farmer, P. 0. Irwin, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., April 10, 1809, and is a son of .Jonathan Hammond, who settled in Clark County, Ohio, in 1812. and afterward in Madison County, from whence lie went to Illinois and died. Our subject resided in Madison County six years, and in 1839 came to this township, where he has since lived and prospered. He owns a good farm of 103 acres, on which he resides. For a time he dealt extensively in stock, but now devotes his time exclusively to farming. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. They have had ten children, viz.: Jonathan, Joseph E., Ruhama, Caroline, Adelaide, Jane, .Mattie, Jay, deceased, William, deceased, and an infant, deceased. Jay enlisted in May, 1864, in Capt. Fullington's company, and saw active service until sickness overcame him, when he returned home and died in November, 1876. He was Sergeant of his company.

GEORGE IIAWLEY, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Stark County, Ohio, near Canton, in 1816, and is a son of John and Anna Hawley, the former a native of Ireland, who came to America when two years of age, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage. In 1826, they came to this township, where he had purchased 400 acres of land - all in woods - at $2 and $3 per acre, on which he lived during his life and prospered. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and took a deep interest in religious matters. They had twelve children, of whom two live in this county, one in Illinois, and one in Champaign County. His wife died in 1844, and he in 1847. Our subject was but ten years of age when his parents came to Ohio. He was married, in 1840, to Mary, daughter of .Joseph Davis, of Knox County, Ohio, who settled here about 1857. After marriage, he settled on the old home place, and eighteen years ago came to his present place. He owns 144 acres of good land, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli. He had one son, Valoris B., in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861, and died of typhoid fever at Bardstown, Ky., in 1802. They had six other children, viz.: Margaret F., George D., Joseph U., D. .!., Mary Altura and Emma B. Five of these are living.

AxlRON HILL, deceased, was a native of Connecticut, where liis life was j)assed until some time after he reached his majority. In many respects he was a representative man. He came to Ohio in a buggy, in 1830 - poor in purse, but rich in ambition - and for three years worked as a farm hand. In 1833, he returned to Connecticut, and married Lucinda Robinson, after which he again came to this county, and, purchasing land, remained here for the rest of his life. He died November 24, 1862, aged about sixty-five years. For the sake of educating his children, he removed to Yellow Springs soon after the opening of Antioch College, and remained four or five years. He had three children. He was industrious and frugal, a shrewd business man, and generous to a fault, always assisting the poor who were worthy, and lending his sympathy to ihose in distress. He was atfectionate and kind to his family, an obliging neighbor and a trusty friend. In later life, he made profession of religion, and devoted himself to a Christian life His last sickness was long and painful.

WATERMAN HILL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in this township in 1834, and is a son of Aaron Hill, an old settler, whose name is mentioned elsewhere in this work. His early life was passed on the farm and in attending the district schools, where he obtained the rudiments of an education that was developed by a course of study at Antioch College. When twenty-one years of age, he began life for himself as a farmer. In 1870, he went to Yellow Springs to educate his children, and remained there seven years. In 1877, he returned to this county, and purchased 286 acres of his present farm, which consists of 314 acres. It is well improved, highly cultivated, and thoroughly s'ocked. On December 9, 1857, he married Miss Susan E. Bennett, by whom he has had four children, viz.: Anna L., Ollie L., Mattie M. and Blanche M. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are good and consistent members of the Methodist Church. He has never served in any official capacity, having no aspiration in that direction, but devotes his whole time and attention to the cultivation of his farm and the care of his family.

EDWARD P. HOUGHTON, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born at Liverpool, England, April 14, 1851, and is a son of Zachariah B. Houghton. He passed his early life at Liverpool, and was educated at Cambridge University, from which he graduated in 1867. In 1871, he emigrated to America and located in this county. Since his arrival, he has gone to England four times, making nine times that he has crossed the Atlantic. On New Year's Day, 1871, he married Jennette Drew, a daughter of Thomas Drew, and a grand-daughter of Samuel Drew, a man of great literary attainments and wide renown. By this marriage four children have been born, viz. : Gertrude, Zachariah, Harriet and Albert. Mr. Houghton is a member of Darby Lodge, I. O. 0. F., of Milford Center.

WILLIAM McDonald Howard, farmer, p. 0. Irwin, was born on the farm now occupied by him, on October 20, 1839. His father, William Howard, was a native of Connecticut, who came to Ohio when a young man, and married Nancy McDonald, by whom he had three children, viz.: Nathan, Harriet, deceased, and William. The father died before our subject was born, and he was raised on the farm by his mother, who died in February, 1876. He was educated in the common schools of this county, and at Antioch College, Delaware, Ohio. In 1866, he married Lucy McMullan, daughter of John and Lucy (Matthews) McMullan. By this union four children were born, viz. : William, John, Walter and Ancie. Mr. Howard is a Republican in politics, but he takes no part in party struggles, and devotes his time entirely to his farm. He owns a large amount of land in this and Madison County, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising and dealing. His farm is one of the pleasantest, neatest and best regulated in the county.

WILLIAM B. IRWIN, deceased. In 1805, the worthy pioneer named here emigrated to Ohio from Wheeling, Va., and settled in Montgomery County. Two years later, he removed to Greene County, from which, after two more years had passed, he came to the territory now embraced in Union County, and settled (in l!r09) in what is now Union Township in the county last named. He continued a resident of this county forty-nine years, and during that period held the office of County Surveyor twenty-two years. County Commissioner for a considerable length of time, and Justice of the Peace for Union Township forty years. In his capacity of surveyor, he became very familiar with this portion of the Virginia Military Lands, and was ab'e to settle many a knotty point connected with certain locations. " He was recognized," says a writer after his death, " as a man of good judgment, and this kept him in almost constant official position. He was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens, no stain of any desciption having at any time soiled his good reputation." In 1858, he removed to Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, at which place he continued his residence until his death, in October, 1878, at the age of eighty-three years. Ttie writer quoted above further says : " He has been gathered to his fiithers at a ripe old age, and his friends and neighbors, not only in Union County, but the county where he last resided, will hold his memory in reverence to their latest years." The Lebanon Gazette, in an obituary notice of him, uses the following language:

"Another pioneer has gone to his final resting place. He sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. His toils and cares are over, and he is now receiving the promised rest, that only such men as he can have. This venerable and much-esteemed citizen of our place breathed his last here yesterday afternoon. He was eighty-three years old the 2d of this month. He died of general debility and old age, and passed away in a peaceful, quiet slumber. He had slept most of the time for five days previous to his demise, refusing any kind of nourishment that was offered him. His mind was not so much impaired, but he had no physical strength whatever. Mr. Irwin has been an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church for over sixty years, during most of which time he was an Elder, few were the meetings but what this aged sire might have been seen in his accustomed pew. He was a .Justice of the Peace in Union County for over forty years, and was a man of sterling worth and ability. He surveyed most of the land which now comprises the above named county ; and for years after he came to the county, although then past the meridian of life, he has surveyed many of the tracts in our own, county. He has been industrious to a fault, working when most men of his years and crippled condition would have given up and done nothing. His life is run, and now he will reap the reward of a crown in heaven."

MILO KIMBALL, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Rush Township, Champaign Co., Ohio^ in 1835, and is a son of Beula Kimball, a native of Vermont, who settled in the above county when seventeen years of age, and was among the first settlers. Our subject passed his early life in his native county, and obtained his education in the district schools. In 1859, he married Hester A , daughter of Robert and Rebecca Mcllroy, and after marriage located on a farm in Rush Township, where he resided until 1872, when he purchased fifty-five acres where he now lives, which he owns in addition to 120 acres in Champaign County. He enlisted in May, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and saw active service for four months, when he was honorablj discharged. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, with which they hive been connected many years and in which he is a Deacon. They have had seven children, viz.: Delphos R., William B., Lewis H., Ora, deceased, Bennie, deceased, an infant, deceased, and Josiah Knight.

ROBERT F. LEE, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Hampshire County, AV. Va., February 14, 1824. His father, Thomas Lee, was born in Old Virginia in 1791, and died in Union County, Ohio, in March, 1864. He was a lifelong farmer, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church. As a son of the "Old Dominion," he was hospitable and generous ; a man of decided convictions, he expressed his opinions without regard to public feeling and withal was a hard-working, honest pioneer. In 1816, he married Anna Goode, a daughter of Felix Goode, and a native of West Virginia, born in 1796; they had twelve children, viz.: Elizabeth, Addison, Sarah, Margaret, deceased, Robert F., Nancy, .Jacob C, .lane, Louisa, deceased, Martha, Thomas and Martin V.; of the survivors, one lives in Kansas and the others in Ohio, three of the latter in this county. The family came to Ohio in 1888 and located in Clark County, where they spent one year after which they made a permanent settlement in this county, where the mother died in 1870. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a very limited education in the public schools of early days. He was married in 1847 to Elenor J , daughter of William Abraham, of this county, by whom he had two children - Anna Elizabeth, deceased, and William McClain. Mrs. Lee died in 1852, and in 1854 Mr. Lee married Sarah P. Gabriel, daughter of John Gabriel, of this county, and by her had six children, viz.: Francis D., Hilas M., Ora 0., John Douglass, deceased, Elizabeth J. and Emma Rossetta. .Mr. Lee's second wife died in March, 1873, and he remained a widower until July, 1882, when he married Mrs. Mary R. (Reedj Neal, a daughter of R. D. Reed, and widow of James Neal, deceased. Mr. Lee commenced life for himself in 1847, purchasing sixty acres of land, which he afterward increased to 265 acres, 115 acres having recently been given to his sons. He is a member of the Christian Church and a Democrat in politics, but has never held an ofiicial position other than the minor township offices.

BENJAMIN LOCKE, liveryman, Milford Center, was born in this township in the year 1888. His father, John Locke, was a son of Benjamin Locke, one of the first settlers of this section. He built one of the first houses at Milford Center, where he died and where his family lived for a long time, when they scattered and went to other parts of the country. John Locke married Louisa, daughter of Benjamin Harrington, a pioneer of this county, and made this his permanent home, dying here in 1851. He was a farmer and a licentiate minister, and a man universally beloved and respected by all who knew him. He had a family of eight children, of whom our subject is the only resident of this county. The latter, in 1861, enlisted in Clinton County, 111., in the Nineteenth Illinois Zouaves, and, returning to Ohio after three months' service, he re-enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and being sent to the front, was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, but immediately paroled. He was with Sherman in the Vicksburg campaign, after which he was veteranized and came home on furlough. He returned to the base of operations before Atlanta, was with Sherman in his march to the sea and participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war. In the latter days of the war, he was promoted to First Lieutenant of a colored company, but refused the commission and was discharged in 1865, having served four and a half years. Returning home, he engaged in work, and in 1867 started his present enterprise, in which he has since been engaged. He was a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. 0. 0. F., for a time, but honorably withdrew his membership.

LUCY ANN LUCAS, daughter of Elijah and Amy Ann Witter, old settlers of whom mention is made in this work, was born in Union County, Ohio, February 24, 1831. On April 3, 1851, she married Thomas Lucas, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch and German parentage, with whom she moved to Madison County, where he died in 1853, aged twenty-six years two months and four days. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief. Tbey hnd two children, viz.: Amy A., who married John M. Milton, by whom she had two children - Charlie M. and Raymond H.; and Lucy Amelia, who married William Owen, by whom she has two children - Henry Clay and Alta, both daughters, living in Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Lucas was married again in 1865 to Aman Stanton, by whom she had three children - Eunice M., and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Lucas is a member of the Baptist Church, to which she has been connected since eighteen years of age. Mr. Stanton was a member of Company A, Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from February 2, 1864, to July 3, 1865.

GEORGE LYONS, druggist, Milford Center, was born in Union Township in 1846, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Morrow) Lyons, who were among the early settlers. The latter died February 13, 1882. They were parents of two children - Martha and George. Mrs. Lyons and had children. The early life of our subject was passed on a farm near Milford Center, and in attending the district schools, where he obtained an ordinary education. He remained on the farm until April, 1864, when he enlisted in the Thirty-second Ptegiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and was immediately sent to the front in the Atlanta campaign. He participated in the actions at and around Atlanta, was with Sherman in his march to the sea and on grand parade at Washington D. C. He was discharged in July, 1865. Upon his return home, he followed difierent avocations until April, 1871, when he engaged in his present business. He is a member of the Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. 0. 0. F. He was married in 1876 to Nannie Steward, by whom he had three children - Dessie, decea>-ed, Charlie and Zoe.

J. M. McILROY, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of James S. and Cassadia Mcllroy, the former a native of Washington County, Penn.. and the latter of Harrison County, Ohio. Our subject's boyhood was passed on a farm, his education being limited to the common schools. Before reaching his majority, he moved with his parents to Illinois, and after residing in that State about three years he went to Iowa, where he spent three years more, returning to Champaign County just before the war. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in December, 18(>3, was veteranized, receiving at the same time a First Lieutenant's commission. He saw hard service until the close of the war, passed all the grades of promotion up lo Captain, and as such resigned his commission at Goldsboro, N. C, March 5, 1865. Returning home, he followed farming in Champaign County until 1882, when he bought 237 acres where he now resides. He was married, i\Iarch 13, 1866, to Susan, daughter of T. M. Kimball, of Champaign County, and by her has had four children, viz.: Nellie, Thaddeus, Lois and James.

JAMES C. MILLER, Sr., retired, P. O. Irwin, was born at Green River, N. Y., December 14, 1797, and is a son of Joseph Miller. He came to Ohio in 1814 and in the spring of 1815 came to his uncle, Samuel Colver's, in this township. In the fall of the same year, his mother, Ruth Colver, with her children, Samuel and Charity, came to Ohio and made a permanent settlement here. Mr. Miller continued living in the township until 1865, during that time partaking of the official honors of the township, and serving the people as a Trustee and Justice of the Peace. He was also a Colonel of militia in the old days of State militia. He was married in 1821 to Zelinda, daughter of Eliphas Burnham, and after marriage settled in Survey No. 9,020, where he lived several years and then located on land now owned by James Fullington, in Survey No. 4,946 ; here he lived until 1849, when he settled where J. B. Miller now lives, and remained until 1860; in 1865, he went to Missouri, but returned in 1869 and has since lived here. He had seven children, viz.: Harriet, Eliphas (deceased), Zelinda, James, Lydia A., Rebecca and Harrison. Mrs. Miller died September 1, 1877 ; she was born in Windham County, Conn. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Universalist Church. Though over fourscore years of age, he retains all his mental faculties, is well preserved in body and bids fair to live many years. His mother was married the second time to Henry Smith, by whom she had two children - Charity and Samuel. Mr. Miller's grandson, John B. Miller, the subject of this additional notice, was born in Madison County in 1850, and is a son of James C. Miller, Jr., a native of this county, now livings in Champaign County. He was reared in Madison County, and at the age of ten years settled where he uow lives, and owns 153 acres of land in three counties. He w.as married to Mary E., daughter of George Hopliins, an old settler, by whom he has had four children, viz.: Lewis B., Nettie M., Harrison and Pearl.

GEORGE MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, is a son of Moses AHtchell and Jane Taylor, his wife. Moses Mitchell was a son of David Mitchell, who came from Kentucky to Ohio, and in 1800 settled in Darby Township, where he bought 800 acres of land, on which he made a permanent home, afterward making additions to his original tract. Moses Mitchell was fifteen years old when the family came to tliis county. He married Jane Taylor, a daughter of a pioneer, and resided in Darby Township until his death. He was successful in his firminff operations and succeeded in accnmulaticg considerable property. He served for a time in the war of 1812 as a substitute for his brother. He was a great hunter, and very successful in his dealings with the Indians, having a decided tact in that direction. His milling was done at Chillicothe, to which place he drove with an ox team. He had five children, viz.: Martha (deceased), Moses (deceased), Daniel, David and George, the survivors living in this county. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1823, and Mr. Mitchell married Jemima Cartwright, by whom he iiad seven children, viz.: Melissa, Betsey, Abraham (deceased), Aaron (deceased), Amanda (deceased), Margaret A. (deceased) and Elijah, the three survivors residing in this county. George enlisted in 1864 as a priv.ate in Company B, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged July 3, 1865; Elijah was a member of a three months regiment of National Guards. The father died in 1861 or 1862, at an advanced age. He was a moral, upright man, of e.xcellent habits. Our subject was born in 1823, and has been a life resident of this county. He was married in 1816 to Ann Gamble, of Union County, by whom he has four children - William, Sarah .!., Samantha and Nathan. The parents are exemplary Christian people and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. A. MOORE, miller, Milford Center, was born in Nodaway County, Mo., in 1847, and is a son of William and Mary Moore, natives of Ohio, who removed to Missouri at an early day. The former was a millwright by trade and erected the fir^t mill in the above county, which was burned down by the Indians after its completion. Mr. Moore becoming discouraged, started for Iowa, but while still in Missouri was overtaken by a prairie fire, in which his wife was consumed. This was in 1850. The county seat of Nodaway County, Marysville, was nameil after Mrs. Moore, whose given name was .M.ary. Mr. Moore died at Cannelton, on the Ohio River, in 1851, while en route for home. He had seven children, five of whom returned to Belmont County, Ohio. Our subject remained in Belmont County until fourteen years of age, when he entered a printing office at Coshocton, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1862. when but fifteen years of age, he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Independent Battery, in which he served three years, seeing and participating in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war. He was dicharged March 1, 1865. After his return home he attended school one term in Columbiana County, Ohio, after which he clerked in a drug store one year. He then served a regular term of apprenticeship tc tiie blacksmith trade, and after carrying on a shop for three years sold out, and in 1871 began working at milling, a trade he had partly acquired before entering the army. He was married in 1869, to Etta, daughter of S. D. Elliot, his partner in the mill at Milford Center, and by her he lias one son, Orrie. Mr. Moore is a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. 0. 0. P., and was a charter member of the Encampment at Marysville.

MRS. EUNICE B. MOORE, retired, Milford Center. Is the wife of William B. Moore and the daughter of Elijah Wiiter. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1835. Her first marriage was celebrated with George Harris, of Franklin County, Ohio, in 1854, by whom she had three children, viz.: Amy C, wife of Eli Gabriel, Amanda S., and an infant deceased. Mr. Harris died in Madison County, Ohio, in 1865. Her present husband is a native of New Jersey, to whom she was married in 1866. The entire family are members of the Baptist Church and exemplary Christian people.

ANTHONY MORAN, farmer and manufacturer of drain tile, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in this county July 7, 1829, and is a son of Edward and Eliza (Locke) Moran, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Connecticut. At the age of twenty years, the former came to this country and settled in this township at a very early day, making it his permanent home. He had five children - Mary, Anthony, John, James and Jane - our subject being the only survivor. Mr. Moran died August 10, 1837, and his wife in 1848. She was a daughter of Jonathan Locke, an old seitler, who died in July, 1832. Our subject remained in the township, where he was raised until 1855, when he went to Illinois, but in 1858 here-turned to this county. In 1851, he married Imogene, daughter of A. Woodworth, an old settler, and by her had nine children, viz.: .\llen, John, Ella, Charley, Etta, deceased, Asa, deceased, Mary, deceased. Lulu, and an infant, deceised. Mr. Moran has been Assessor of the township three years. He is a member of Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M. Thirteen years ago he began the manufacture of drain tile, within sight of his present kiln, and has since manufactured annually large quantities of all sizes and of superior quality. His machinery is all propelled by horse-power.

RAY G. MORSE, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Rhode I.vland November 16, 1808, and is a son of Joseph and Renua (Greene) Morse. He (Joseph) was born in Vermont and his wife in Rhode Island. In 1818, they with their family of nine children and Lydia Morse, the mother of Joseph, came to this county. The children who accompanied their parents -were named as follows: Renna. Aseneth, .Joseph, Ray G., Alfred, Permilla, William, Isaac and one whose name is unknown. Archibald, Caleb and Betsey remained in Rhode Island and afterward came to this county. The journey to their Ohio home occupied forty-nine days. Mr. Morse bought a fai'm of 100 acres in Madison County, Ohio, which he lost, because of a defective title. He then located in Milford Center, where he followed smithing, carpentering and plowmaking ; and when able he bought land where George Hawley now lives, whe; e he died. He was a member of the Christian Church and a highly respected citizen. For two years after coming to Ohio, our subject worked in a cotten factory, where he learned to spin At the age of sixteen, he began the smith's trade, at which he worked five years for board and clothes. He began life with a capital of 75 cents and a suit of clothes worth about $3. He rented a set of tools and began work in Milford Center and prospered. Selling his property in the above-named place for $900, he bought 117 acres of land where he now lives in 1839, for which he paid $o per acre. Soon after, he bought sixty-three acres at $7.12^ per acre, another tract of 100 acres at $10 per acre, and still another 100 acres at $3-5 per acre. At the present time he owns 640 acres of land, 160 of which are in Illinois. In 1829, he was marriel Sarah Parihemore, by whom he has had six children, viz.: William, .John, Clariet, Ray G., .Jr. , Joseph and George N., deceased. Joseph served three moutlH in the late war with Capt, Robb. John and Ray G., Jr., served in defense of Cincinnati with the -'Squirrel Hunter Brigade."

JOHN G. NICOL, farmer, P. 0. Mirysville, a native of Germany, was born January .31, 1827. He is a son of George ana Hattie Nicol, who emigrated to the United States in 1834, and settled near Columbus, Ohio, wbence they removed to Darby Township, Uniou County, where they both died, the former in 1860, and the latter in 1875. They were members of the Lutheran Church and highly esteemed citizens. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received his training in the common schools. March 23, 1854, he was married to Miss Ann M. Weidman, a daughter of Lewis and Catherine Weidman, and a native of Germany. She was born December 4, 1834. Of nine children by this union seven are living, viz.: Anna C, wife of George Trapp ; Margaret A., Lizzie, Mary A., Katie, Lillie and Charlie C. John L., an estimable young man, died May 15, 1881, aged twenty years, and Willie died October 6, 1837. aged two years. Mr. Nicol has always pursued the avocation of farming, and with success. He owns a good farm of 127 acres, well improved, and adorned with a substantial brick residence erected in 1878, at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Nicol and family are associated as members of the Lutheran <]!hurch. He is a worthy and highly respected citizen.

MATTHEW PATCH, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Jerome Township, this county, in 1847, and is a son of Herman Patch, an old settler living in the above township. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, and had only the advantages of a common education. On October 21, 1866, he was married to Mary C. Linnville, by whom he has had two children, viz.: J. N. and N. B. He remained in his native township till September, 1879, when he located where he now lives, owning sixty and one-half acres of well-improved land.

F. S. PEARL, farmer, P. 0. Milford Center, was born in Connecticut July 28, 1817, and is a son of Philip Pearl, a native of the same State, and a son of Philip Pearl, Sr., who likewise was a native of Connecticut. In 1838, our subject came to Ohio and settled in Champaign County, where he bought land. In 1840, he was married to Mary Biggs. In 1873, he located where he now resides, and where he owns 240 acres of well-improved land. He has been Trustee of his townsiiip, and was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to qualify. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearl has been born one child, viz.: Hannah. Mr. Pearl is a liberal minded gentleman, and always takes great interest in public improvements.

who died when on his way to Ohio. He (William C.) was but a boy at the time, and so had a full experience in the early history of the country. He was married in 1835 to Miss H. F., the daughter of Rich.ard and Margaret (Robinson) Gabriel, and afterward settled where his family now reside. He held the office of Trustee for twenty-five years, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a consisteut Christian gentleman. He was the father of six children, viz.: Leonidas, Isabelle, William L., Rose A., Maggie and Eli G. Leonidas and William were members of the Fortieth Ohio I'egiment. The latter served three years and returned to his home uninjured. The former was a member of the regimental band, and was discharged on account of sickness. Mr. Piper died May 2, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Piper was born in this township October 13, 1811, and has lived in the township all her life.

DR. G. W. PLIMELL, Irwin, was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1839, and is a son of John and Winnie Plimell, natives of Virginia, who located in the above county in 1818. The Doctor's early life was passed upon the farm. In September, 1861, he volunteered in Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war, and was severely wounded at Lookout Mountain November 24, 1863, He was honorably discharged, a non-commissioned Sergeant, in October, 1864. In 1865, he began the study of medicine under his brother. Dr. J. T. Plimell, who was his preceptor for some time. In 1876, he entered the E. M. Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1877, and soon after located in Irwin, where he has built up a good practice. The Doctor is a member of the Ancient Order of .Masons, holding membership in the Mechanicsburg Lodge. In 1867, he was married to Miss L. E. Lee, of Madison County, Ohio, by whom he has had two children, viz.: Clara G. and an infant, unnamed, deceased.

WILLIAM PORTER, farmer, V. 0. .Milford Center, was born in Erie County, Penn., in January, 1803, and is a son of .John and Elizabeth Porter, natives of Pennsylvania, where the latter died. John Porter came to Ohio in 1817. and settled on Darby Creek, in this township. Six children came to Ohio with him, viz.: John, Jesse, Robert, Mary, Elizabeth and William, all of whom married and reared families, except Robert, and of them William alone survives. Mr. Porter had preceded his family to this county and married Susannah Piper, a widow lady, by whom he had four children - Maria, Lucinda J., Nancy and Minerva; Lucinda (Hopkins) being the only survivor. By his third wife, Hannah Dodds, he had two children - Susan, who lives in Keokuk County, Iowa, and Martha, deceased. Mr. Porter was only moderately successful in life ; he was an Associate Judge of the county, appointed by the Legislature, and was serving as such at the time of his death. He was an ex-soldier of the war of 1812, a strong anti-slavery man, and a zealous member of the United Presbytei-ian Church, in which he was a Deacon. He died in 1838 at the age of sixty-two years, universally loved and respected by all Vho knew him. Our subject was nearly fifteen years of age when his father came to Ohio. They made the whole journey in a wagon, and were three weeks on the road. In 1822, our subject cut down the first trees for the first court house in Union County. In 1827, he purchased land where he now lives, and in the year following built a cabin, which is still standing. In December, 1828, he moved onto his purchase, cleared the land and improved the place, and has since remained there in general prosperity. From 1853 to 1856, he served as a Commissioner and as Trustee of this township. He is the oldest member living in this county of the Presbyterian Church, to which he has belonged fifty-seven years, and he has been a Deacon and Elder of the church here for thirty years. He takes an active interest in religious affairs, and has always contributed liberally of his means to the church. He was married January 20, 1825, to Hannah Snodgrass, by whom he had seven children, viz.: William L., Harvey W. and Salina E., living, and Sabia J., George C, Alvin and Elizabeth, deceased. Alvin enlisted in 1864 in Company F, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to his command via Cairo to Tennessee, above Pittsburg Landing. He was in the battle of Atlanta, after which, his health failing, he was put on light duty for awhile, then sent to Chattanooga Hospital, and after being transferred several times was honorably discharged May 24, 1865. Returning home with his health completely broken down, he lingered four years and then died, while in Columbus as roadmaster, Mrs. Porter died October 3, 1876, aged eighty years one month and six days. She was a daughter of Robert and Jane Snodgrass, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1800, with four children - Jane, James, Hannah and William. He soon afterward purchased land and became a permanent settler of the county, where he died in 1835 in his seventy-eighth year ; his wife died in 1833, aged seventy-two. Four children, Robert, Samuel, George and Thomas, were born to them after their settlement in this county. George alone surTiyes, and resides in Marysville.

F. G. REYNOLDS, cashier Branch Bank, Milford Center, was born in Milford Center in 1846, and is a son of E. L. Reynolds, an old settler, whose biography appears in this work. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native village, where his rudimentary education was obtained. He also attended school at Marysville, and at the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College of Indianapolis. After completing his education he went to Pittsburgh, where he found employment in keeping the books of a large establishment for about ten years. He then returned to Milford Center, where he has since been actively engaged in business. In February, 1881, he was appointed cashier of the Branch Bank. He was married, January 17, 1877, to Miss Mac, the daughter of Hiram Stokes, of this county, by whom he has had one child - Edna.

WILLIAM RICHTER, grocer, Milford Center, was born in Germany, June 2, 1828, where his early life was passed, and where he spent three jears learning his trade, which he followed five years before his emigration. In 1852, he came to America, landing in New York on the 5th of July, and coming immediately to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade three years. He afterward spent one year in Kentucky, one year in Cleveland, and two years in Greencastle, Indiana. He was married in Indianapolis, in 1858, to Elizabeth Weigand, and returned to Greencastle. He then carried on a bakery at Circleville, Ohio, eighteen months, at Chillicothe six months, and worked at his trade in Columbus five weeks. In 1861, he came to Marysville, and after laboring eighteen months, carried on a bakery and grocery twelve years with success. He afterward spent one year in Urbana and two years in Columbus, coming to Milford Center June 14, 187T, where he has since carried on a bakery, grocery and boarding-house. In 1873, he engaged in brewing at Marysville, but was not successful, losing in the enterprise f 14,000. He has had nine children, eight living, viz. : John, Lizzie, Maggie, Frank, Caroline, Lillie, Theresa and Frederick. Theresa, the fourth child was accidentally shot in Urbana, and died at the age of seven years.