Washington Township (part 1 of 2)

Washington Township

purchased by the Trustees for burial purposes, and it is believed received the body of the child of Capt. P. C. Boslow for the first burial in these grounds, since which there have been deposited here the remains of William Pisel, Josiah Price, Stephen Purdy, William Copeland and others.

From the most authentic sources now to be had, this township was organized by the Commissioners in December, 1835, or at their first regular meeting in 1836, as the first general election was held in the spring of the latter year at the cabin of Richard Hamilton, and the first officers elected were as follows: Township Clerk, George Adams; Justice of the Peace,

Alexander Anderson; Trustees, Benjamin Ullin, George Lynch and John Fry; Constable, Richard Hamilton. At this election there were eleven votes cast, as follows: Allan McBride, Mahlon McBride, Asa Church,

Alexander Anderson, John E, Fry, Richard Hamilton, Jacob Slider, Solomon Slider, Jacob Crow, George Lynch and George Adams. The Judges at this election were John E. Fry, Richard Hamilton and Asa Church; Clerks, Alexander Anderson and George Adams. This subdivision of Hardin County is in the central part of the northern tier of townships, and is designated as Town 3 south. Range 10 east. It is bounded on the north by Hancock County, on the east by Blanchard Township, on the south by Cessna Township, and on the west by Liberty Township. It is six sections or miles from east to west, and the same from north to south, forming a perfect square of thirty-six sections, or thirty-six square miles, containing an area of 23,040 acres.

Stkeams, Sukface, Soil And Productions

There is but one stream in this township of any importance - Hog Creek - which takes its rise in the north part of Cessna Township from two sources, one in Section 9 and the other in Section 4, flowing north-northwest into this township, forming a junction in the northeast quarter of Section 29, from which point originally it nearly lost its identity in its expansion into and over the great Hog Creek Marsh, but again re- appearing at the northwest part of the marsh in Liberty Township and flowing a west and thence in a northwest course until it empties into the Maumee River, and by it into Lake Erie. The entire surface is very level, with but very few undulations, and these are very slight. The soil is generally a deep, rich loam, with just enough admixture of clay and sand to give it the right consistency to constitute it one of the best and most productive soils in the county or in the State, yielding with ease of cultivation abundant crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay, and especially adapted to the growth of all esculents, roots and vegetables.

This portion of the country, like the most of Hardin County, with the exception of the marsh (of which we shall speak more definitely hereafter), was originally very heavily timbered, and it took many hard blows from the ax, by the brawny arm of the pioneer, to fell the mighty giants of the forests, and years of patient waiting for the forces of nature to decompose the stumps and roots, and thus remove them as obstacles to the free and easy cultivation of the soil. The principal varieties of timber were white, red and black oak, beech, ash, elm, maple - soft and sugar - hickory, lynn, and some walnut and sycamore; of these, oak, ash, beech and elm predominated.

A peculiar natural feature of this township was the "Hog Creek Marsh, " which embraced most of the western portion of the township, including ten or twelve sections of land. This was covered in the summer with a tall, coarse grass or a thick growth of bushes, and in winter mostly covered with water, being entirely unfit for cultivation; in fact, much of it was impossible to be traversed, even by stock in the driest weather, wiihout miring. The only benefits to be derived from it were a crop of flags which it produced, which were gathered in abundance, from which the long leaves were stripped and used by the coopers in the manufacture of barrels; and along the borders of said marsh some coarse grass was cut and cured for hay, and in some few places large crops of cranberries were gathered, which was probably the most valuable of anything obtained from this great and otherwise almost useless scope of lands. Not only were these lands a great ex- | panded waste, but they were more than this - they were a barrier to the free j intercourse of the surrounding sections of country one with the other, and j to the commerce and the transportation of the products of those sections, i In the construction of the road now known as the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 1 & Chicago Bailroad, which passes east and west through the center of i Washington Township and also of the marsh, this great waste of land j proved a very expensive portion of the road to build; the material upon which to lay the ties and rails had to be hauled great distances, and after completion and trains were running over it, every now and then a portion of the road would sink and require a large amount of material to again fill up and raise the road to its proper level. It seemed to be almost impossible to reach the bed of the marsh and obtain a solid road bed. This condition of things lasted for about ten years, till finally it ceased to sink, the material having reached a solid stratum at the bottom of the marsh. During ^ this period of time, many a train was precipitated into the marsh, and much time wasted and many of thousands of dollars expended in repairing losses i and damages. This marsh probably embraced about 8,000 acres of land, | and before any ditching or draining was done was not in demand at the f Government price, 11.25 per acre, and now some of it is worth from $75 j to $100 per acre. And it is probable that the average value of the entire body of these lands would now be upward of $40 per acre. It is true it has cost many thousand dollars to drain it to its present condition, but if we enter into a little financial calculation, the result is astonishing. Assuming that there are 8,000 acres, and that the average value is now only $25 per acre, the difference in the value of this entire body of land now and its former value is $191,800 - a nice little fortune - even f after d(iducting the several thousand dollars that have been expended in draining and improving it. j

Roads And Pikes

From the description of the surface and the soil of this township, it is [ plainly discernible that here is not much material convenient for construct- j ing pikes, hence we would not expect, neither do we find, but few pikes j constructed within this territory. There are, however, three pikes built, viz., ' one from North Washington, south upon the section lines to the south | boundary line of the township, a distance of nearly four miles; one run- ; ning east and west upon the boundary line between Cessna and Washington Townships, a distance of three miles; and one from North Washington to Dunkirk, a distance of two miles within this township, thus constituting about nine miles of pike in the township; and these are of a superior quality, being thoroughly macadamized. The balance are mud roads, which in the summer season are, from the level and smooth surface of the country, among the most beautiful roads in the State over which to ride. And even in the winter and wet seasons, they are, from the nature of the soil, far better than those of some other portions of the county.

John Fry was one of the first to locate within what is now Washington Township. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and with his parents, Enoch and Mary Fry, emigrated to Ohio at an early day and settled in Coshocton County; thence, in 1832, removed to this county and located on land now owned by Mrs. Hannah Curn in Washington Township, from where, after a few years' residence, they removed into Blanchard Township and settled on land now owned by Alonzo Lynch, where the parents died from that terrible and then prevailing disease - milk sickness. Enoch Fry was the father of the following children: Jacob, John, Joshua, Daniel, Jonas,

Stephen and Catharine. Of these, John died of milk sickness; Daniel accidentally shot himself, from the effects of which he died; the balance of the children, after a few years' residence here, returned to Coshocton County, where Jacob resided till his death, in April, 1881; Joshua and Catharine still reside in that county. Jonas is now a resident of Muskingum County, Ohio, and Stephen moved West. John Fry, the second son, married Mary Mowry, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of George W. Mowry, who settled in Blanchard Township in 1832, where he resided until his death; by her he had five children - Enoch, George W. , Charity, Col. Jefferson and John. Of these. Charity, the only daughter, died young; George W., in 1850, moved to Illinois; in 1851, to Oregon; in 1853, to California, where he resided about twenty years, and thence removed to Washington Territory, where he still resides; Enoch, in the spring of 1851, crossed the plains to California, where he remained about five years; started to return by vessel, was shipwrecked, but was saved, and returned to California, where he remained one year longer and then returned to Ohio; and he, Col. Jefferson and John are now residents of Blanchard Township. Enoch, the eldest son above mentioned, served in the war of the rebellion, four years, in the Ninth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Jefferson enlisted in the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served over three years, and re-enlisted as a veteran; was taken prisoner and confined in a rebel prison, but finally paroled. John also served about one year near the close of the war in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment Ohi<) Volunteer Infantry.

Andrew Petty settled and erected the first cabin in the north part of the township about 1832-33, but remained only a short time and moved away. Also another man by the name of Petty, about 1833, settled on land now owned by John Bame; was rather eccentric, an old bachelor, never married, resided here a few years and also moved away. About 1834, Mr. Young came from Pennsylvania and settled upon the land that Andrew Petty vacated, as mentioned above, but remained only a few years, when he returned to Pennsyhauia. Richard Hamilton, a native of Richland County, Ohio, settled here one mile east of North Washington. He married a

Miss Lynch, a daughter of George Lynch. He located here about 1834, and resided about twenty-five years, and removed to Idaho, where he still resides. The first election of the township was held at his cabin, and he served as the first Constable, also filled the office of Justice of the Peace for more than twenty years.

John McBride settled on land now ' owned by N. Ahlefeld and George McElroy about 1834, where he resided until his death in 1862. He was a man of integrity, a good neighbor and worthy citizen. His children were as follows: Margaret, Mahlon, Allen and Mariah, who now survive and

William Thorne was a native of Maryland, then a resident of Virginia, where he married Margaret Fulk, and removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, thence to Trumbull County, and in July, 1836, came to this county and settled on land now owned by Elizabeth Summerville, where they resided till their death; he died about 1848 and she about 1853. Their children were James, Elizabeth, Henry, William, Mary, Thomas, Cassander, Benjamin, Sarah, Rachel, Jacob, Rebecca and one that died in infancy.

Robert McMillen, of Irish descent, came here from Knox County, Ohio, about the same date and settled on land now owned by the heirs of Joseph Ream. He was thrice married, his first wife dying before he came to Hardin County; his second wife was Susanna Baker; she died and he married Mary M. Smith. About 1843, he moved to near Dunkirk, thence a short time prior to the war of the rebellion he removed to Illinois, where his wife died. He subsequently removed to Missouri, and died in that State. Some of his children are dead and the balance of them are in the West.

Andrew Kridler was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington County, and when young went to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he married Mary Thorne, and in the fall of 1836 came to this county and settled on land now owned by Willis Young, where they resided until their death. His wife died December 8, 1866, aged fifty-nine years. Subsequently Mr. Kridler married, for his second wife, Margaret Arnold, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kridler died October 2, 1870, aged sixty-three years, and in twenty-four days after, or October 26, 1870, his wife died of cancer. Mr. Kridler was a resident here thirty- four years, and sustained an unblemished character for honor and integrity, and was a worthy member of the Christian Church. He was the father of the following child en: Elizabeth, Cassander, Henry, Albert, Margaret, Lucinda, Andrew J., Sarah A., Samuel, Mary Matilda and one died in infancy.

John Gum came here from Knox County, Ohio, but was a native of the State of Delaware. He settled on land now owned by William McElroy. He was thrice married; his last wife was Mrs. Catharine Williamson. They subsequently removed to Dunkirk, where he died. She subsequently died in Kenton. A further account of the family will be found in the history of Blanchard Township in this volume.

Adam Orth, a native of Germany, married Mary Weaver and emigrated to America in 1831 and settled near Pittsburgh; thence he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and from there came to Hardin County about 1835, and settled on land now owned by J acob and Charles Stair, where he opened out right in the woods and resided on that place until about 1860, when he sold his farm and purchased another about two miles west of his first location, where he died December 22, 1870, aged seventy-six years. His first wife died in 'Pennsylvania soon after their arrival in that State. Subsequently he married Mary E. Troutman, also a native of Germany; she died Marcli 31, 1878. Mr. Orth by his first wife had the following chil- ^ dren: Margaret, John (deceased), George, Leonard, Elizabeth, and one that died in infancy. By his second wife he had John G., J. Adam and Frederick (deceased). "While a resident of Wayne County, Mr. Orth peddled clocks, but after his arrival in this county he gave his exclusive attention to farming. He cleared 100 acres right from the woods, had a good orchard and other improvements.

William Wilcox, a native of the State of New York, married Miss Lurena Hopkins, and, in 1838, settled in this township on land now owned by Marion Tarr. Here he resided several years; thence he returned to his native State, but finally removed to Wisconsin. He had three sons, David, Jackson, and one name not known, and two daughters, Mary and Lurena; the latter, the eldest child, is deceased

William S. Baird was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and married Rachel Booth, and came to Hardin County about 1838, and settled on land now owned by Daniel Berger, where he died September 15, 1854, aged forty-five years. His wife died July 31, 1858, aged forty-eight years. He was a good farmer, and " the noblest work of God - an honest man." Their children were Mary, Rufus, Eli, William and Artimas; all survive but the latter.

Robert Summerville, a native of Lancaster County, Penn. , was married in Beaver County, Penn., to Eleanor Derringer. Thence he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and, in 1842, came to this county and settled on land now owned by Mr. William Pfeilfer. Subsequently he moved into Hancock County, where he died October 4, 1862. His wife died while a resident of this county - January 16, 1849. Their children were Hannah, John, Daniel Jame^, Catharine, Benjamin and William, all now deceased but the two last mentioned.

Leonard Morrisson, a native of Butler County, Penn., married Mary Ann Whysong in Fayette County of the same State. In 1836, he removed to Hardin County, Ohio, and settled on land now owned by N. Ahlefeld; subsequently he moved to the farm known as the Emmett farm, situated in the east part of W^ashington Township; thence he moved to the place now owned by Peter Cerson, where he died May 7, 1867, aged sixty-two years. His wife still survives and resides with her son John L. Their children were as follows; Camille, Sarah Vinah, Angeline and James, all now deceased, and Savilla Ann, William R., Sarah, John L., Robert J. and Wini field S. , who survive.

Reuben Zahner, a native of Pennsylvania, married Sophia Myers, and came to Hardin County and settled on land near the Sidney Baird farm in 1848, where he lived till his death. Their children were William, Michael, Mary Ann, Caroline, Cordelia, Jesse and Sophia, all married and settled in this neighborhood except Cordelia, who is deceased.

Barnhart W agoner, a native of Germany, settled in Washington Township ! on land now owned by Samuel Taylor in 1834, where he resided many years. He was twice married and was the father of twenty-four children. He was a remarkably strong, active and muscular man. Subsequently he and all his family moved to the West. Some of his children who were well known here were Anthony, Barnhart, Francis, Lewis, Lena, Theresa, Sallie, Fanny, Susan and Margaret.

Jacob Griner, a native of Germany, settled in this township near Dun- I kirk about 1838-39, where he resided till his death. He was twice married. His second wife was Margaret Wagoner. He had three sons - Jacob, Isaac and Daniel.

William Hartoon settled near the Cessna Township line in 1836. He died on the place where he first settled, on the southwest quarter of Section 35. His children were William, Mollie and Caroline, who all moved away.

John Krafi, a native of Germany, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 34, where he died; his wife still survives, and now resides in Kenton. Most of their children died young. Two - Charles and Christopher - still survive.

Ephraim Crawford, from Columbiana County, settled on the southwest quarter of Section 34 about 1838. He was married in Columbiana County to Susan Hively and still resides here where they first settled. Their children were seven, two of whom were Emery and Stephen.

Samuel Hively also came from Columbiana County and settled on the east part of Section 33, in 1837, where they still reside. He married in Columbiana County, and has two sons - George and David - and four daughters.

Harman Obenom* was born in Washington County, Penn.; removed to Stark County, Ohio, and, in 1836-37, came to this township and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 33, where he died in 1852. He was twice married, and was the father of the following children: By his first wife, John, Henry, Elizabeth, David, Susan and Frederick; by his second wife, Harman, Sarah, Josiah, Amos, and three who died in infancy. Those who survive are possessed of an excellent moral and Christian character, have made a success in life and are highly respected citizens of the community.

John Beifenstein was a native of Germany, where he married; came to America and settled on Section 32, where he and his wife died, leaving no issue. Mr. Keifenstein was an intelligent, educated man, and a valuable citizen.

Jacob Shroll was a native of Pennsylvania, but early came to Crawford County, Ohio, and married a Miss Sheof stall, c>f Bucyrus, Ohio; she died in 1879 or '80. They settled in this township on the southwest quarter of Section 31 in 1837. Their children were David, Emanuel, Catharine, Harman, Lydia and Frederick. Mr. Shroll still resides upon the place where he first settled; has accumulated an abundance of this world's goods, and more than all, has lived an honest, upright life, and is highly respected Jj>y his ]iumerous friends.

Benjamin IJlin came from Coshocton County, Ohio, and settled on land now owned by Mr. Ibling about 1833-34, being one among the first settlers in the township. In 1838, he erected a horse-mill for grinding, which made very good flour. He resided here several years, thence moved to Iowa. His children were Eliza, John P., Andrew, Benjamin, Sarah, Elizabeth, William and Samuel, all of whom moved West except John P., who now resides in Cessna Township.

Harrison P. Darst, a native of Woodstock, Va., born in 1817. About 1831, he emigrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he married Catharine Teegarden, born in that county in 1815. In 1839, they removed to Hardin County and settled in this township, on the southeast quarter of Section 27, on land which he entered from the Government, upon which he resided till his death October 31, 1860. Mr. Darst was an .active member of the Christian Church, and a minister in the same about, twenty years. Their children were as follows; Sarah E., George W., John S., Bebecca J. and Maria M., now living, and Susanna, Lucinda and two infants, deceased.

Schiber, born March 26, 1785. They emigrated to America in June, 1834, and, in 1836, entered forty acres of land in the southwest quarter of Section 34, Washington Township, where he resided till his death in May, 1841. Mr. Kahler was a weaver by trade. His children, J ohn L. , Frederick, John G. and Elizabeth, are all deceased but John G., who married Mary E. Markley and is still a resident of this township.

Frederick Markley, a native of Germany, emigrated to America about 1836, and, in 1838, settled on Section 32, where he still resides. Children - Mary E., Frederick, Catharine, Barbara, Mary M., Sarah and Christina.

Archibald Smith came here from Franklinton, Ohio, and settled on the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, in 1840-41, He married ElizabethWilliams; she died on the place where they first settled. He died while on a journey to his son in Union County. Children - Magdalena, Mary, William and John.

Conrad Wejount, a native of Germany, married there and emigrated to America in 1835, and settled on Section - , where they died. Children - Susanna (deceased), and Mary, now the wife of Charles Tierce, of Dunkirk.

John G. Smith, a native of Germany, married Susannah Wejount and settled on Section 33, where he still resides. His wife died and subsequently he married Dorothy Baker. Children - John, Henry, Jacob, Adam, Mary, Susanna, Margaret, Catharine and Sarah.

North Washington is the only town in the township. It was platted and laid out into lots, streets and alleys by Judy Shaw and A. Landis in the summer of 1852. The first house erected here was a log cabin, built by Ephraim Harvey, and the second by George Orth. The first frame house was erected by C. W. Show, which is now occupied as a drug store and dwelling. The first store was opened by Show & Darst, in the above-mentioned frame house. Peter Ash was the first blacksmith; the first physician, Dr. Bayl; but the first to remain and become permanently settled was Dr. E. B. Heistand. The post office was established about 1852 or 1853, and Samuel Andrews was appointed Postmaster. His successors have been as follows: Frank Kinnear, Pierce and Lukens,i41bertBehrends and Ezra Maynard, the present incumbent.

The village is now represented by the following businesses: Two general stores, G. W. Burnworth and John Beifenstine; one grocery, by Mrs. Smith; one drug store, by J. J. Orth; two blacksmiths, Charles Guider and Henry Mason; one saw mill, with one set of buhrs for grinding, owned by G. W. Burnworth; one warehouse, owned by Frank and Levi Pores; and two physicians. Dr. Joseph Saeger and Dr. W. B. Brayton.

It is believed that the first school ever taught in this township was by Wilmot Munson in 1838. In 1841, William Simpson taught in a cabin on land then owned by Benatus Gum. Then there was a log schoolhouse built on Andrew Kri

S. M. ANDREWS, railroad agent, North Washington, was born on February 16, 1824, in Greene County, Penn.if He is a son of Jacob and Eleanor (Montgomery) Andrews, of English and German descent. His parents settled in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1827. Our subject was reared in Crawford County until twenty-one 3mars of age. From 1860 to 1865, he was in Washington,, engaged in mercantile business ; for the past twenty-six years, he has been a railroad agent. On the 9th of August, 1848, he was married to Martha, daughter of Abel and Susan (Quaintence) Cary, born on the 8th of August, 1827, in Crawford County, Ohio. They are the parents of five children, viz. : Amanda J. ; J. F., married ; Alpharetta, wife of George Kahler ; Cary and J. B. Mr. Andrews has also five grandchildren. He has been a resident of this county for thirty-four years. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He has been a member, since 1857, of Latham Lodge, No. 154, at Kenton. Mr. Andrews has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for fifteen 3'ears ; for several years has been Township Clerk, Trustee, Assessor and School Director, and for fifteen years was Postmaster in Washington Township.

PHILIP BAIER, farmer, P. 0. North Washington, was born on the 25th of December, 1835, in (jermanj". He was married when twent^^-four years old to Anna Clock, born December 25, 1838, by whom he has had ten children, viz. : Anna Byers, born October 26, 1860 ; Katie, born June 15, 1862 ; Louisa, born October 4, 1864 ; Frederick, born September 6, 1867 ; Otilda, born December 12, 1869 ; John, born Januaiy 30, 1872 ; Charles, born May 15, 1875; William, born August 12, 1877 ; Mar^', born June 5, 1879, and Lizzie, born March 12, 1882. He also has three grandchildren. Anna, his oldest child, is the wife of Samuel Wilcox. Mr. Baier emigrated to Ohio when twentyfive years of age, and has resided in this county for seventeen years. He owns eighty acres of land in Section 28, Washington Township, and has been a School Director for one }^ear.

MATTHIAS BAMBERG, farmer, P. 0. North Washington, is a native of Prussia, born on the 24th of February, 1820. He emigrated and landed in New York ; came to Ohio and lived at first in Kenton ; finally, in 1853, came to Washington Township, where he has since been occupied in farming and stock-raising. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Section 32, and eighty acres in Section 28. In 1855, he was married to Miss Reifenstein, deceased. He was married, a second time, in 1868, to Mrs. Kahler, daughter of Henr}" and Sophia Greenawald ; she was born in the year 1839 in Prussia. This union has resulted in two children, Charles and Mary. Mrs. Bamberg's first marriage was in 1862, to Henry Kahler, deceased, who was born in 1839, and died at Kenton. He was a brick-maker and farmer by occupation and followed same since he was fifteen 3^ears old. Mrs. Bamberg had, by her first husband two children - Harman and Henryk, the latter of whom died when he was six years of age, 8th of September, 1870.

WILLIAM BEACH, farmer, lumberman and saw miller, P. 0. North Washington, was born on the 9th of October, 1843, in German}^, and is a son of Adam Beach. He emigrated in 1855, settling in Ohio, and has resided in this county eight years. In 1865, he was united in marriage to Anna Barbara, daughter of Fred Boised, born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 8th of December, 1845. Ten children were born, of whom the five living are Anna, George, Adam, Lizzie and William. Maggie and four infants are deceased. Mr. Beach is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which he is Secretary. He is the owner of ninetynine acres of land in Washington Township ; has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for two years and School Director for about six years. He is a selfmade man and is a useful citizen of Washington Township.

CHARLES BLOCK, merchant and blacksmith, P. 0. North Washington, is a native of Germany, born on the 14th of February, 1841, and is the son of Charles Block. He emigrated to Ohio in July, 1870, and founded six }^ears ago in Washington Township the village of Blocktown. where he carries on hisbusiness. He deals in groceries and dry goods ; he learned his trade of a blacksmith in Germany, at the age of fourteen years. He was married sixteen years ago to Elizabeth , native of German}^, born on the 15th of Aprils

1843, and a daughter of Casper . Five children have been born - Elizabeth, deceased, Charles, Sophia, Adam and Frederica. Mr. Block has been ( successful in his business, owns his residence and is worth $6,000.

W. R. BRAYTON, physician. North Washington, was born in Huron County, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1850. He is a son of R. M. and Melicca (Williams) Brayton. His mother (deceased) was a native of Connecticut, and reared a family of five children, two sons and one daughter living. Our subiject's parents came to Hardin County when he was one year old ; resided here for ten years, thence proceeding to Richland County, where he acquired his ed- I ucation ; he studied medicine at Patterson, Ohio, with his father, who is also a jfj physician, and graduated from the Starling College in Columbus in 1873 ; for M four 3^ears he practiced at Dunkirk, then two years in Steuben, Ohio, two }'ears y more in Huron, afterward spending one year in Elmo, Texas, and between two ! and three years in Indiana, coming to Washington Township, where he has since pursued his practice with success. In 1867, Dr. Brayton was married to Miss ! Fanny Osborne, and subsequently formed a union with Miss Artalissa F.,

I daughter of George and Matilda M. (Williams) Burk. She was born in Jay I County, Ind., May 31, 1857, where her parents are still residing, and was the ' fourth child of a family of ten children, living. The Doctor and his wife have i been the parents of three children, one pair twins (deceased), and Frank, born \ on the 12th of September, 1881.

I G. W. BURN WORTH, saw miller and merchant. North Washington, was j born near Fall City, Fayette Co., Penn., June 3, 1834. He is the son of John married to Sarah Leonard. After his marriage, in 1861, when President Lincoln made the call for 75,000 men, he enlisted in the State militia of the Seven- » teenth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was at Grafton, A^a., until the time of his enlistment had expired ; he fought in several skirmishes between the contending armies, after which he received his discharge and returned home. On October 27, 1862, he came with his family to North Washington, Ohio; he had i learned the shoe-maker's trade and worked on the shoe bench until August 22, 1864, when he enlisted in the United States Army under Maj. John Pierce, now of Kenton, Ohio, and was placed in Compaii}^ I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he served under (>en. G. H. Thomas during the Hood raid, and was discharged in June, 1865. AVhen he came to Ohio, G. W. Burnworth was worth $115 all told, but he had made some mone}'' in the army, and in 1867 went into the saw mill business, in which he has since been en- gaged. Oo the 14th of September, 1868, his wife died, leaving four children - Laura Bell, Adoniram Judson, Betty, Thomas, deceased, and Sarah Orena ; he subsequently married Amanda A,, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann Hively. From this union there has been four children - Samuel V., John, Elmer and Charles. In 1881, Mr. Burnworth opened in the grocery business ; he built a good business room in North Washington, in 1882, stocked it with groceries u,nd dry goods, and is now doing a thriving business; he is also engaged in business as a saw miller and an apiarist, making bees and honey a special study. Mr. Burnworth has been moderately prosperous, being at present worth between $10,000 and $11,000, all secured through his own exertions.

EPHRAIM CRAWFORD, farmer, P. 0. North Washington, was born on the 8th of July, 1823, near New Lisbon, Ohio, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Bargdoll) Crawford, of G-erman and Irish lineage ; he is the fourth son of a family of fourteen, was raised on a farm and educated in Columbiana and Jefferson Counties. On July 18, 1845, he was married to Susanna Hively, born in 1821, in Columbiana County, Ohio. Eight children have resulted from this union, viz.: Emeiy W., Ephraim F., Franklin, Emanuel, Oliver J., Lizzie, Ida and Louisa. He has resided in this county thirty-six years, and is the owner of 120 acres of land in Section 30, and thirty-four acres in Liberty Township. Mr. Crawford and his wife have been members for fifteen years of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former has been Steward for about eight years, Class Leader for four years, and Sabbath School Superintendent for fourteen years ; he has been School Director for five years, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Crawford is a self-made man, and is strictly temperate in his habits.

A. DIRMEYER, farmer and saw-miller, who also runs a steam thresher, P. 0. North Washington, was born November 27, 1829, in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, and is a son of John and Anna (Floa) Dirmeyer. He emigrated to America in 1853, and came to North Washington, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1854, when the township was almost a wilderness. He was married, on the 15th of May, 1855, to Margaret Daniels, also a native of Germany, where she was born June 27, 1835. To this union nine children were born, viz.: C. William (married), M. Elizabeth (married), John F., George A., Hamilton W., Charles W., Orrie M., Edward F. and an infant, deceased. A. Dirmeyer, who commenced life on nothing, and has suffered loss by fire, his saw mill having been burnt down once, has, b}^ individual industry and prudence, accumulated a nice property and extensive business ; he is now owner of 786 acres of land in Sections 10, 16, 21, 22 and 23. As a saw miller, he ships his own lumber, and, as a farmer, ships his own produce. Our subject has been a School Director for about four terms. Township Treasurer for two years, and has always been a member of the Boai;d of Education. As a useful, industrious citizen, he is highl}' respected by the entire community.

C. A. GUIDER, wheelwright and blacksmith, North Washington, was born November 5, 1837, in Columbus, Ohio. His parents, Augustus C. W. and Christena (Daniel) Guider, were natives of Schwartzburg-Rodolstadt, Germany ; the former was l3orn in 1810, died in 1870 ; the latter born in 1812, and died in 1852. His grandfather was a Spaniard by birth. The parents of our subject came to Ohio about 1834, and to Washington Township in 1841. Our subject, who was the oldest son, spent his youth on the farm, where he was very ingenius, and often turned his hand at making harrows, plows, ox-yokes, etc., and even wagons and buggies. In the spring of 1858, he was emplo3md b^^ J. G. Orth, of Arcadia, Ohio, a wagon and carriage maker ; and, in November of the same year, b}' Daniel Bouck, of Findla^q Ohio, where he distinguished himself as a mechanic. In May, 1860, he was working in the saw mill of J. G. Ott, in North Washington, Ohio, where he was soon appointed head saw}mr, but he left in October of the same }'ear and went to Indiana. On November 21, 1861, i he sustained an injur^^ by the overturning of a wagon, which crushed his right ankle joint, necessitating amputation. On July 23, 1863, he enlisted in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, stationed in the Rocky Mountains. Our subject had charge of many a mail squad going from Horseshoe Station to Fort Marshall, a distance of twenty-five miles, and from Fort Marshall to Deer I Creek Station, a distance of thirt}^ miles. He was in service three years, and I was excused from duty only six days during the entire time. Fifteen months i after his enlistment, he was promoted to Corporal, and was intrusted with large squads, as many as thirty-eight men and 500 mules and horses. In this position he was in great danger from the Indians. On one occasion, the Indians ( made an attack on the herd, and our subject and three brother officers, in looking for the Indians, and after the safety of the stock, went a distance of eighty miles, from sunrise to sunset, only stopping for their meals and twice to change horses. In the fall of 1865, Corporal Ouider and twelve of his comrades were assigned, under Sergeant Denny, to Fort Marshall. At the latter place, during the last three months, our subject had charge of the artillery, which office was attained by his bravery and skill as a marksman. In July of 1864, he carried a message for re-enforcements from Col. Collins, at Fort Laramie, to Maj. Mackey, at Fort Halleck, a distance of 130 miles, in possession of the Indians,

, his company returned to Fort Laramie, and on June 15 started for the States, reaching Fort Leavenworth, Kan., about the middle of July. Their final discharge was on July 24, 1866. On his return, our subject hired out in Cessna Township at the building of a schoolhouse. He followed carpentering in the summer and blacksmithing in the winter for four years. He was married, at Kenton, October 23, 1871, to Merilla A. Kridler. She was born in Lordstown, Trumbull Co., Ohio, October 19, 1850, and is a daughter of Daniel and Jennette (Campbell) Kridler, the former a native of Pennsylvania. Four children j have been born, viz.: Myrta, Eva Jennette, Ethel Pearl (who died September 6,

1 1880), and Emma Grace. After marriage, Mr. Guider carried on the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and did repairing on agricultural implements and machinery. From 1875 to 1881, he ran the shop by horse power ; the band-saw, boring machine, drill and lathe were all his own make. In the fall of 1881, he was in the lumber business in Lynn Township, in company with ^ M. L. Bridenstine and W. J. Obenour, but in September, 1882, sold out to them and returned to his home, where he has since remained. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and has belonged to several temperance societies.

I. M. HANSON, wagon-maker. North Washington, was born in the Province of Schleswig, Germany, on the 3d of November, 1837. He is a son of Mathias and May Hanson, and is the third child and second son. He learned j his trade when fifteen years old, and has since followed it as his occupation, j He emigrated to Hardin County, Ohio, in October, 1866, and, for nine years, i was working in Columbus. In 1871, he was married, at Kenton, by Squire I Childs, to Mary Anna Ins, born in Fairfield County in 1847. B}^ this union j there have been five children, four living - Christena, Ilosina, Amelia, Mari' garet (deceased), and Anna. Mr. Hanson owns his residence in North Wash- ) ington and is a useful citizen of that town.

BYRON HARRIS, farmer, P. 0. North Washington, was born February 4, 1837, in Mahoning County, Oliio. He is a son of Nehemiah and Anna (Mc- Guffey) Harris, natives of Washington County, Penn. His father was a cousin of Adam Poe, who killed the Indian, named Big Foot, in Washington, Penn. His mother is a sister of William McGuffey, author of the McGuttey school books. Our subject is the youngest of a family of ten children, seven living.

Biographical Sketches

and is occupied in farming. He has resided in this county about sixteen years, and is the owner of the undivided half of eighty acres of land, in Section 14, Washington Township. He has filled the office of Supervisor and Township Trustee.

ANSEL W. HOLDEN, minister, Dunkirk, was born in Cortland County, N. Y., October 29, 1825. His father, James J. Holden, was born in Hampshire County, Mass., in May. 1772. His ancestors were from England and settled in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, about the year 1740. Ebenezer Holden, an uncle, was a soldier of the Devolution, and fought for the liberties we now so richly enjoy. Mr. Holden's mother was a daughter of Philip Van Ness, and her ancestors, who came from Holland, were probably among the earl}^ settlers of the Empire State. In the spring of 1833, Mr. Holden, in connection with his father's famiH, migrated to Ohio, settling in Crawford County, and sharing largely in the affairs of pioneer life. He had but few chances for culture and education, but always improved the few opportunities and turned them to the best advantage. He was married, November 23, 1843, to Lucy A., a daughter of Moses Cole, of Huron Count^^, Ohio ; ten children were the fruits of this union, one of whom, Alfred F., was in the Union army during the rebellion, and died of wounds at Nashville, Tenn., June 27, 1864. Mrs. Holden was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., December 13, 1826, and came with her parents to Ohio when quite young. Mr. Holden, at one time, was teaching school in the winter and laboring in the summer. Subsequently^ he studied medicine, with the intention of following the medical profession, but decided, instead, to embrace the Christian religion. In 1850, he united with the United Brethren Church, and entered the ministry of the said church in September, 1853. He has continued to do the work of an itinerant for thirt}^ years, with a prospect of further usefulness in the ministerial work. In the spring of 1872, he located on a small farm in Washington Township, where he now resides, superintending home interests and preaching for four congregations.

W. M. HUFFMAN, farmer, P. 0. Dunkirk, was born in Medina County, Ohio, on the 6th of November, 1847. He is the son of James and Maria (Hoot) Huffman, the former of Herman, the latter of Irish and Scotch descent. His father died in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. His mother has attained her sixtieth }^ear and is a resident of Medina Count}'. Our subject, the third child of a family of five, was educated at the district schools. He was married on the 14th of October. 1869, to Maryette, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Shane) Martin, of Pennsylvania, born on the 14th of August, 1847, in Medina County. By this union there were two children born, viz.: Coral, born June 23, 1873, and Jay, born October 5, 1876. Mrs. Huffman was the fourth child of a family of six, and was educated at the Medina High School. Her father died in 1867, at the age of forty-seven years. Her mother is a resident of Hardin County, and has reached her sixty-sixth year. Mrs. Huffman is a Methodist. Mr. Huffman filled the office of Constable for two years, and for six years was a School Director.

ELIHU MATHEWS, farmer and school teacher, P. 0. Ada, was born April 5, 1826, in Crawford County, Ohio. His mother, Nancy Hamilton, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, on March 25, 1790; his father, Isaac Mathews, was born in Washington Count}q Penn., on September 20, 1781. They were married in 1806, and settled in the woods eleven distinct times. They raised ten children, seven sons and three daughters ; four died in infancy, the remainder living to have families. Elihu, our subject, was brought to Hardin County in the fall of 1834, about two months before his father had permanently settled there. At this time he was living with his brother Jonathan, and going out a half mile in the woods, lost his way and wandered about until nightfall, when becoming fearful that he would be compelled to spend the night in the woods, he tied a strip of bark around one of the two dogs that were with him. The animal led and he followed till finally the cabin of his brother was reached. This happened in the early part of December ; the night was very cold, enough so as to cause a boy of eight years to perish ; it was only owing to providence and the sagacity of his dog that he was saved. His grandfather, William Mathews, was five years in the Kevolutionary war. His father died at his residence in Cessna Township September 16, 1848, at the age of sixtj^-seven yearsi; his mother on November 30, 1871, at the age of eighty-one years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. On the 1st of April, 1851, our subject was united in marriage in Hardin County to Margaret J. Dusk, born July 28, 1826, in Morgan Count3^ Ohio. They have had four children - Austin W., born January 14, 1852, married June 25, 1874, to Sarah Gr., daughter of David and Hannah Obenour ; William Jasper, born November 4, 1856 ; Emmor Seldon, born October 28, 1860; and Philander Newton (deceased), born April 25, 1854, died September 10, 1860. Austin Mathews lives on a farm of ninet^^-four acres in Cessna Township, and has two children living - Charles Lehr and Melvin Carl ; their oldest, Nellie Florence, died at the age of four months. Andrew Donaldson, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Mathews, was the only child of his father's family who escaped the murderous attack of the Indians. His father had placed the family in a canoe on the Susquehanna River, and went to notify another famil}" of the expected approach of the savages. In his absence his famify, consisting of his wife and four children, were no doubt brutally murdered by the Indians, for, on his reaching the fort, he found onfy^ Andrew, who had been taken there by a citizen. Mr. Donaldson never knew the particulars of the horrible fate of his family, nor where their bodies rest.

GEOPbGrE ORTH, farmer, P. 0., North Washington was born in Hashen, Germany, on the 5th of May, 1826. His parents were Adam and Charity (Weaver) Orth. His father, who was twice married, died in 1871. Our subject came to Hardin County in the spring of 1835. For seven years he followed clearing ; is now occupied in farming in Washington Township. He was married in Cessna Township to Martha Ann, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Kain) Huntley, born on the 20th of August, 1831, in Columbiana Count}y Ohio. Her mother died forty-eight 3 ears ago, and her father twenty years ago. Of the eleven children born to this marriage, nine are living, six of whom are married. Mr. Orth has also fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Orth and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which the former has been a Trustee for fifteen years. Our subject has filled the office of Township Trustee for three terms ; was School Director for several }mars, and has also been Supervisor.

JOSEPH SAGER, physician. North Washington, was born Januaiy 19, 1839, in Fairfield County, Ohio. He is the son of Shem and Maria Barbara (Nonnamaker) Sager, the former a native of Virginia and of German descent, the latter a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. His parents were residents of Fairfield County, Ohio, where his fixther died twenty-five years ago, his mother twenty-eight years ago. The subject of this sketch is the eleventh child of a family of fourteen, four daughters and ten sons. He attended school at Findlay, Ohio ; from there he went to Missouri and attended college at St. Charles, Mo., where he received the degree of A. M. in I860. He studied medicine with Prof J. J. Up De Graff in St. Louis, Mo. When the war broke out, he enlisted as Hospital Steward. He was taken prisoner at Columbus, Ky., b}' the rebels, in October, 1862 ; was confined on Island No. 10, Mississippi River, together with a comrade named Gray, fi)r six months. They, together, made their escape, traveled through the rebel States ; came to New Orleans,

La., April, 1863, where he (Sager) took charge of the St. James Hospital, as | Hospital Steward. From this hospital he was transferred to the United States I <> a little more than a year. Since the 23d of November, 1868, he has practiced t f in North Washington, Ohio. On Jul3^ 22, 1866, he was married to Susan, a daughter of Jacob and Judith Shumaker, born on the 16th of Februar}', 1847, i died July 27, 1869, the parent of one child, deceased. Hr. Sager formed a 5 second union on June 23, 1870, with E. J. Shumaker, sister of his tirst wife, born on the 27th of April, 1853, a native of Pennsylvania. The Doctor and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Sager, for seventeen J 3^ears, has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. o

JACOB SHBOLL, farmer, P. 0. Ada, was born on the 3d of January, 1811, s in Cumberland County, Penn. His maternal grandfather was Valentine Coleman, who died at the age of ninety-four 3^ears. His parents were natives of Penns3dvania, whence they moved to Stark Count3^, Ohio, when our subject was ! I eleven years of age. Two 3^ears after, they moved to Crawford County, where » the3" spent the remainder of their lives. Our subject came to Hardin County li fort3"-three 3'ears ago, coming when it was covered with forest. He has fol- » lowed the occupation of a farmer, but is now retired from business. He was j i married in Crawford Count3", b3" Squire William Early, to Sarah Shotfstall, who j n was born in March, 1814, in Dauphin Count3q Penn. Of the thirteen chil- ^ n dren born to this union, four are living, viz.: Harmon, Fred, Cathem and Lydia. . | S The nine deceased are Lewis^ Elizabeth, Cathem, Susan, David, William, Eli, i n Emmanuel and an infant. Emmanuel, a farmer, owned eight3^-six acres of land ! in Section 31, Washington Township, and was married to Eliza, daughter of Ja- | cob Lamber, born in Belmont County, Ohio, on the 5th of January, 1847. 1 The3" had five children, as follows: Phebe E., Daisy A., Jacob E. and Ionia B., and Sarah E., deceased. Harmon,' oiir subject's eldest son, was born on the 6th of Ma3q 1848, and was married on the 1st of December, 1880, to Mary Eva, daughter of William M. and Maria (Crow) Heed. She was born on the 28th of 1 December, 1858, in Union Count3q Ohio. Harmon is a resident of Washington J County, and is the owner of thirt3'-one acres of land in Section 6, Cessna Town- ' ship, and twelve acres in Section 31, Washington Township. i

H. VAUGrHN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. 0. North Washington, was born | on the 12th of Februar3q 1848, four miles southwest of Medina, Medina Coun- \ t3q Ohio. He is the son of Andrew and Drusilla (Shane)'Vaughn, of German i descent, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., the latter of Jelfer- j| son Count3", Ohio. His father emigrated to Medina County in 1843, and is |i now residing in Kalamazoo, Mich. The mother of our subject died in Medina j; Count3", on the 3d of April, 1860, at the age of forty-seven 3^ears. Our subject is the sixth child and fourth son of a family of eight children, five sons and f three daughters, two sons deceased. He was raised on a farm; educated in the 1 common schools of Medina County. On the 20th of August, 1868, he was unit- || ed in marriage to Martha Pees, born on the 22d of January, 1847, in Wash- li ington County, Penn., the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Waller) p Pees, of German and Irish descent, and natives of Washington County, Penn. Three children have been born - Bachel Elizabeth, born April 30, 1870; Lula f! Adell, born January 16, 1873, and Everett Palmer, born November 16, 1874. j? Mrs. Vaughn is the eighth child and fourth daughter of a family of fourteen !i children, five sons and nine daughters, ten living. Mr. Vaughn and his wife !': are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; were formerly members of : the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Vaughn has resided in this county since 1873; | owns sixty acres of land in Section 23; has been generalty successful in ness, and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN U. WILLEKE, carpenter, North Washington, was born on the 20th of January, 1861. His father, C. Willeke, a farmer and shoe-maker, who was born in German}^ on the 17th of February, 1823, emigrated to Ohio in 1847. He was married at the age of twenty-eight years to Rosanna Kummer, a native of Switzerland, by whom he had eight children, viz.: J. H., F. C., Christ, Sophia, Rosa, J. U., C. E. and H. P. The mother of our subject died on January 1, 1866, and his father formed a second marriage in 1868, to Barbara Frank, a native of Columbus, Ohio. She died November 25, 1878, leaving a family of five children - Maggie, Anna, William, Lizzie and Nickalaus. The subject of this sketch, the sixth child and fourth son, was educated in Cessna and Washington Townships, and for two years was learning the trade of carpenter with John Beach. His father has resided in this county thirty-five years and is the owner of 160 acres of land in Sections 35 and 22 Washington Township. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and is a useful citizen of Washington Township.

SAMUEL WILLIAMS, farmer, P. 0. Dunkirk, was born on the 30th of December, 1812, in Berkeley County, W. Va., and is the son of Samuel and Percilla Williams, both natives of West Virginia. He was a slave up to his twenty-fifth year; was married on the 8th of January, 1838, to Jane Truman, born on the 13th of August, 1812, in Washington County, Md.,. daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Truman. Nine children were born to this union, seven deceased, of whom two died in infancy.' The names of the remaining nine are Charles W., Cathem, Mary E., Percilla F., Nathaniel, Lydia J. and Samuel. Mrs. Williams died on the 7th of April, 1879. Mr. Williams owns ninety-eight acres of land in Section I, Range 10, in Washington Township.

J. McALEXANDER, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 27, 1853. He is a son of David and Elizabeth McAlexander, the former, a native of Ohio, was born March 16, 1818 ; the latter, a native of Virginia, was born April 29, 1820. The}' were married January 11, 1838, in Champaign County, Ohio, where Mr. McAlexander died January 5, 1867, and his wife, April 26, 1864. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, September 14, 1871, to Melissa J, Goslee, born in Hardin County, Ohio, November 20, 1849, a daughter of John and Mary A. Goslee. She is a member of the Disciple Church. They have been blessed with one child, Oro, born November 27, 1872. On coming to Hardin County, Mr. McAlexander purchased eighty acres of land, which he has since improved, and on which he and his family reside. He has followed farming and has met with good success. He is still young, has many useful years before him, and is a man ever ready to encourage and promote the general interest of the county.

PETER BORDERS, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 12, 1805, and is one of the old pioneer farmers pf McDonald Township. He is a son of George and Rebecca Borders, natives of Virginia. His parents moved to Ohio in 1804, and located in Greene County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Borders died in 1848, his wife in 1840. Our subject moved to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1853, and bought sixty-two acres of land, to which he has since added until he became owner of four hundred acres. He has acted the part of a kind parent, and presented to his children all but ninety acres, which he still retains, and on which he is now resid- ing. He was united in marriage, April 5, 1829, to Nancy, a daughter of William Eicliards. She was born in Mar}dandin 1809, and died March 8, 1869. They were the parents of eight children, of whom three are living, viz. : Mary E., wife of C. B. Martin ; Sarah, wife of John M. Darb}", and Nancy, wife of Levi Harness. The deceased were Bebecca, Buth, G-eorge C., William C. and Susan. Mr. Borders and his deceased wife were m.embers of the Baptist Church. Mr. Borders has belonged to the Masonic order for twenty years, and has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, also that of School Director. He is now living a retired life, having already done his part in the school of hardship.

GEOBGE C. BOBDEBS, deceased, was born x\pril 22, 1830, and was a son of Peter and Nancy Borders, whose sketch is given above. Our subject was united in marriage, March 9, 1858, to Martha J., a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Cla3^pool. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 30,. 1835. Her parents emigrated from their native State, Kentucky, and located in Champaign County, Ohio, and subsequently moved to Hardin County, where they remained until their decease. Mr. Claypool died in 1838, and his wife in 1851. Mr. Borders and his wife were blessed with six children, three living - Anna, William and Ella. The deceased were, Sallie, born October 13, 1869, died Januaiy 24, 1877 ; Ho, born August 15, 1873, died February 2, 1877, and Charles, born December 7, 1866, died August 27, 1868. Mr. Borders was a member of the Masonic order, and of the school board ; he filled the office of Township Clerk and Township Trustee. He started out in life as a farmer, and pursued that calling up to the time of his decease. He was owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of improved land, on which his widow and family are residing.

WALTEB BLANSFIELD, farmer and merchant, Jumbo, was born in Ireland, in the year 1834. He is a son of Oliver and Mary Blansfield, natives of Ireland, the latter deceased. Our subject emigrated in 1855, and came to Ohio the year following. On October 31, 1861, he located on his present place of residence. He was united in marriage, Februarj" 10, 1860, to Johanna Dunph\^, born in Ireland in 1829, and who emigrated when quite young. To this union there have been born two children, viz. : Margaret, born September 26^ 1862, and James, born March 7, 1865, and died August 29, of the same year. Mr. and Mrs.Blansfield are members of the Catholic Church. Since the late rebellion, Mr. Blansfield has been engaged mostly in farming, and owns eighty acres of fine land with good farm buildings. He opened a country store in 1881, keeps the usual supply of goods, and has a good patronage. He is the Postmaster of Jumbo, established February 23, 1883, and all will find him a pleasant and accommodating man.

ELZA CAMEBON, farmer, P. 0. Jumbo, was born in Pennsylvania May 18, 1809. His mother, Nanc}^ Cameron, a native of the Eastern States, was born January 1, 1776, and died in May, 1871. His father, William Cameron, also a native of the Eastern States, was born about 1772, and died previous to 1844. Our subject came to Ohio about 1839, settling in Athens Count^q where he remained until 1852, when he removed to G-oshen Township, Hardin County. In 1880, he went to Kenton, and finall}', in 1882, came to McDonald Township, where he has since lived. He has followed the occupation of a farmer, and is the owner of 188 acres mostly of improved land. On May 20, 1830, he was married to Jane, a daughter of Buel Beed, born about 1808. She departed this life in March, 1844. To this union were born six children, one onl}^ surviving - Elza. The names of the deceased are Buel B., Nancy A., Mary J., William and Bebecca. Mr. Cameron formed a second marriage, January 16, 1845, with Emil^q a daughter of Lewis and Mary McClead. She was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1824. Her parents are both deft ceased ; her father died in Morrow County September 11, 1838 ; her mother in Athens County, Ohio, in 1863. Four children were the results of this marriage, all living, viz.: Spencer M., Newton, Ida E. and Ulysses Gr. William enlisted in this county in the First Regiment, serving until the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded, September 18, 1863, and died at Chattanooga, October 23. Elza enlisted in 1862, when but eighteen years of age, and served until the close of the war. Ruel R. enlisted in 1865, served forty-eight da}^s, came home sick, and died soon after. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born in York County, Penn., December 19, 1821. His parents were Donald and Susan Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania, where the former died. Mrs. Campbell subsequently married Thomas Gibson, who also departed this life in Pennsylvania, after which she came with her son William to Ohio. They settled in Highland County, remained there eighteen months, and in 1852 came to Hardin County and located in McDonald Township. Mrs. Gibson died in High- : land County, Ohio, in 1855. Our subject was married. May 13, 1845, to Jane ' A. Criswell, born in Pennsylvania, October 25, 1821, a daughter of James and I Jenneatte Criswell, both deceased. The former died September 30, 1868, the \ latter on June 15, 1868, both in McDonald Township. Mrs. Campbell is a ji member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the parents of eight \ children, seven living, viz.: John J., James D., Susan J., Anna E,, Clement W., Margaret A. and Phillip F. Mr. Campbell has filled the office of Township ( Trustee for two terms and for a number of years has been School Director.

I JAMES H. CLARK, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born in Ireland March 15, 1823. He is a son of Hugh and Margaret Clark, both of Irish birth. His parents emigrated to Ohio and located in Perry County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Clark died in 1867, and Margaret, his wife, in 1855. Our subject was united in marriage, January 31, 1844, to Catharine : McRoberts, a native of Ireland, born March 18, 1826, a daughter of John and Elizabeth McRoberts. In 1846, two years after his marriage, Mr. Clark emi- I' grated to Canada, and the following year came to Ohio, settling in Perry / County, where he remained until 1863; he then removed to Madison County,

' and in 1871 came to Hardin County, locating in McDonald Township. He is engaged in farming, and owns 143 acres of well cultivated land. He and his , wife are members of the Catholic Church, and are the parents of seven children, ) one deceased - John J., Margaret A., C. E., Patrick J., Elizabeth and Mary C. j The one deceased is James. Mr. Clark has been successful since coming to i Hardin County, and he and his wife have reared a family of which they may I « well be proud.

1) December 9, 1848. He is the son of James H. and Catherine Clark, whose j sketch appears above. Our subject was united in marriage, NovemlDer 24,

J 1874, to Catherine, a daughter of Henry and Louisa Albert, the latter deceased, j Mrs. Clark was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 10, 1848. Mr. Clark has I been a life-long farmer, and is the owner of 105 acres of improved land. Bell sides farming, he has been engaged in piking and the manufacture of tiles. He and his wife are the parents of six children, four living - Gerald, Gertrude, James A. and Charles F. The deceased are Mary and an infant. Mr. Clark, j through his industry and economy, has been successful in business and is an ! , enterprising citizen of McDonald Township.

i PATRICK J. CLARK, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born in Pe,rry ' County, Ohio, October 20, 1852. He is a son of James H. and Catherine Clark,

1881, with Sarah S. McArthur, born March 18, 1854, and a daughter of John and Mar}^ McArthur, both deceased. The former died in 1863, the latter in 1874. By this union there has been one child - John J., born November 17,

* I. G. BECKER, farmer,,?. 0. Belle Center, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 28, 1844 ; his parents, I. Gr. and Charlotte Decker, were natives of Kentucky, who settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, and from there moved to Delaware County, where they remained until 1850, at which time they came to Hardin County, and lived until the decease of Mr. Decker. The latter was born March 24, 1817, and died November 28, 1862. Mrs. Decker who is still

Decker, and is living with her second husband, Edward Hull, in McDonald Township. The subject of this sketch has always pursued the occupation of a farmer, and is the owner of 102 acres of mostly improved land ; he enlisted in the late war, November 2, 1861, Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out December 30, 1863: he re-enlisted January 1, 1864, and remained until the close of the war ; he fought in a number of battles. On April 5, 1866, he was united in marriage to Sarah J. Vansky, who was born in McDonald Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, September 12, 1842, and is a daughter of Perry and Anna Vansky. Six children have resulted from this union, five living - Elmer, Elenor, Charles, Howard and Anna. The one deceased, Eva, was born October 18, 1879, died October 20, 1880. Mr. Decker and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

ANDREW DODDS, farmer, P.O. Round Head, was born in Union County,Ohio, April 25, 1846 ; he is a son of Thomas and Mary Dodds, natives of Pennsylvania. His parents migrated to Ohio, located in Union County, and subsequently moved to Hardin County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Dodds died in 1866, and Mrs. Dodds in 1850. The former was engaged in farming during his life. Our subject started out in life as a farmer and stock-dealer ; has been generally successful, and owns 155 acres of land. He was married, December 12, 1876, to Elizabeth A. Hatfield. She wms born June 27, 1854, and is a daughter of Nelson and Susan Hatfield, deceased, the former died July 11, 1881, and the latter on June 18, of the same year. Mr. Dodds is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and he and his wife are a pleasant, affable couple.

was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 29, 1820 ; his mother, a native of Ohio, died January 1, 1851, after which his father married Sarah J. Badger, and is residing in Marion County. The subject of this sketch v/as united in marriage, November 13, 1870, to Eliza J., daughter of David and Hannah Christy, born in Morrow County September 27, 1850. After marriage, Mr. Fields came to Hardin County, and April 1, 1874, settled in McDonald Township, where he has since lived he owns 134 acres of improved land ; he is the father of seven children, four living - Edna G., Ida M., Alice and Elton J. The | deceased are Charles E., Franklin and Edgar. Mr. and Mrs. Fields are mem- j bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Fields has filled the offices of Township Treasurer, School Director and Justice of the Peace.

JOSEPH D. FLEECE, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Virginia March 30, 1827. He is a son of John and Mary Fleece, both of whom departed this life in Virginia, the former on January 15, 1847, the latter on December 28, 1857. His father followed farming for his occupation. The subject of this sketch has been a life-long farmer, and owns 110 acres of well-improved land. His eldest son owns the thirty acres adjoining. Mr. Fleece came to Hardin County in 1864, and has been generally successful in life. He was united in marriage, November 27, 1851, with Rachel, daughter of William and Catherine Hych ; she was born in Virginia October 17, 1833. Her father died on June 30, 1852 ; her mother, born in Maryland February 8, 1806, died April

Emily, wife of Heorge W. Fitzpatrick, Charles P. and Albert J. The deceased are William A. and Catherine. Mr. Fleece is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been on the School Board for six years.

ALBERT C. FLETCHER, farmer, P. 0. Kenton, was born in Marion i County, Ohio, November 7. 1838. He is a son of John and Catherine Fletcher, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Virginia. They first settled in Clermont County, Ohio, and thence moved to Marion Countj^ where they remained until the decease of Mr. Fletcher, which occurred about 1862. Mrs. Fletcher then moved to. Fayette County, III, where she died in 1872. The subject of this sketch came to Hardin County in 1866, and settled on his present farm. He was married in 1864 to Sarah E. Owen, born in Marion Countv, Ohio, September 23, 1839, and a daughter of William and Sarah A. Owen, both deceased. Mr. Fletcher is a member of - , his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Four children have been born to them, three living

Nira E., Susie A. and Francis S. The one deceased is Reltie C. Mr. Fletcher has followed the occupation of farmer, and owns a fine farm of well-improved land. He is filling the office of Township Trustee.

JOHN FULS, farmer, P. 0. Jumbo, was born January 19, 1841, in Hardin County, one mile from his present residence. He is a son of John and Mary Fuls, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio about 1816. They settled in Hardin County in 1834, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Fuls, Sr., died in 1868, Mrs. Fuls in 1846. The subject of this sketch was reared in Hardin County, and educated at the common schools. On December 1, 1863 he enlisted under Capt. J. B. McConnells, in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged July 24, 1865. He has always been engaged in farming, and has accumulated 123 acres of well-improved land on which he is residing. He was married August 30, 1866, to Marj^ J. Edwards who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, J uly 11, 1841. She is a daughter of John andHulda Faurot, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fuls are the parents of four children - ^Amina, Wilber P., Magdalene and Cora M. Mr. Fuls and his wife belong to the Disciple Church. The former has filled the office of Township Treasurer, is a useful citizen of McDonald Township, and is a Democrat.

' Ind., December 8, 1852. He is a son of Jonathan and Nancy Gilpin. His parents were both natives of the eastern part of Ohio, and both died in Indiana i on the farm .where our subject was born. Our subject emigrated to Ohio in April, 1882, and located on a farm in McDonald Township, where he is now residing. His farm is on a tract of 177 acres of land, half of which is owned by his brother-in-law, James H. Ray, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Mr. Gilpin I was married, November 21, 1878, to Mary E., a daughter of James and Rhoda ! McCullough. She was born in Adams County, Ind., on the 3d of April, 1855. j Her father died April 6, 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin were born three children, one living, viz. : Rhoda Alverda, born June 19, 1881. Mr. Gilpin and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM H. GOSSARD, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born December 21, 1836, in Fayette County, Ohio. His father, Adam C., was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 1, 1816 ; his mother, in Pennsylvania May 13, 1813. The latter died in 1867, after which Mr. Gossard re-married, and on the decease of his second wife he was married for the third time. His present wife is a sister to the wife of our subject ; her maiden name was Sarah Cocklin. Mr. Gossard has followed farming for an occupation, and is a resident of Logan County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, September 23, 1863, to Mary C. Cocklin, born in Pennsylvania October 17, 1844, a daughter of Christian and Sarah Cocklin, both living and residents of Huntsville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gossard are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has filled the office of Township Trustee for three terms, and is now serving his third term, and for ten years he has been a member of the School Board. Mr. Gossard is the father of four children, three living - Sarah J., Olive L. and Howard C. The one deceased was Adam H., born June 25, 1868, died August 20, 1873. Mr. Gossard served in the army from September, 1864, to September, 1865. He is a farmer by occupation, and lives on the home farm of 210 acres of land, which belongs to him and his father.

JAMES HABBOD, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born September 3, 1808, in Knox County, Ohio. His parents, Levi and Bebecca Harrod, were natives of Penns3dvania. In 1800, they came to Ohio and settled in Knox County, where they spent the remainder of their years. Mr. Harrod died December 14, 1862, and his wife July 7, 1866. The subject of this sketch moved from Knox County, to Logan County, where he lived for twent\"-one 3^ears, then moved to McDonald Township, Hardin County. He was united in marriage, July 19, 1828, to Isabella Hull, born in Licking County, Ohio, August 16, 1810, a daughter of John and Sarah Hull, both deceased. By this union there have been nine children, six living, as follows ; John B., William T., Amanda, Hamilton, Ferguson and Bun3^an. The deceased are Levi, James B. and Harriet. Besides rearing his own family, Mr. Harrod has brought up three orphans. Mr. Harrod and his wife are members of the Disciple Church, where the former has been an Elder for thirty-five years. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, also Township Trustee. Since he first started in life, he has sold and traded a great deal of land, and at the present time is the owner of 160 acres of well-improved land, on which he and his family reside

FEKGUSON and HAMILTON HABBOD (twins), farmers, P. 0. Belle Centre, were born in Logan County, Ohio, January 16, 1842. They are the sons of James and Isabella Harrod. Ferguson was united in marriage, March 18, 1869, to Hannah Ashburn, born in Auglaize Count3', Ohio, September 23, 1845, and a daughter of Jesse and Bachel Ashburn, both deceased. This union has resulted in two children - James B. and Joseph V. Mr. Ferguson and his wife are members of the Disciple Church. The former is a member of the Masonic Order, and of the I. 0. 0. F. Hamilton was married, September 22, 1870, to Martha Zimmermann, born in Hardin Count3", Ohio, December 27, 1847, and a daughter of Elijah and Calista Zimmermann, whose biographies appear elsewhere in this histor3". To this union has been born one child - Clarence W. Mr. Hamilton Harrod enlisted August 9, 1862, in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, under Col. Solomon Kramer, and was at the siege of Kingston, Knoxville and Mossy Creek, also in several minor engagements. During the first fifteen months of his service, he was a guard ; was subsequentl3^ Chief Ward-Master in the hospital. and afterward detailed as clerk in the post office at Knoxville, Tenn., which latter position he held until June, 1865, when he was mustered out of service. Since the war, he has followed farming and stock-raising, and is the owner of 450 acres of land, 200 of which are in Ohio. Ferguson, like his twin brother, is also engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is the owner of 148 acres of land, all located in Ohio.

WILLIAM H. HATFIELD, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Maryland September 12, 1812. He is a son of John and Mary A. Hatfield, who : migrated to Ohio and located in Jefferson County, thence moved to Carroll ; County, and subsequently came to Hardin County, where they finally settled.

Mr. Hatfield died in 1855, and his wife in 1864. Our subject settled on i the home farm, where he and his family are residing. He is a farmer, and has accumulated 186 acres of land, which he has cleared of timber, and which ; is now under a good state of cultivation. In April, 1838, he was united in marriage to Catharine Hites, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 10, 1818, and a daughter of John, and Elizabeth Hites. Mrs. Hatfield belongs to I the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield have been blessed with six children, three living - George W., Amanda and Catharine. The deceased are Barbara I A., Henry H. and Minerva.

SAMUEL HATFIELD, farmer, P. 0. Belle Center, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 1, 1820, and is a son of John and Mary Hatfield. His ' parents were both natives of Maryland, and moved to Ohio, settling in Jefferi son County. They subsequently moved to Carroll County, remaining there for ; some years, and then pressed forward to Hardin County, where they spent the i remainder of their days. Mr. Hatfield died in 1855, his widow in 1864. Our subject was twice married - the first time, in 1846, to Nancy Steward, who was 1 born in 1821, and died June 4, 1851 ; subsequently, on July 20, 1853, he mar- I ried Mary A., daughter of John and Jane Watson. She was born in Allen ! County, Ohio, April 9, 1837. Her father departed this life in 1853, her mother in 1848. Our subject is the father of seven children, of whom the three sur- : viving are Solon, Olive J. (wife of Hunter Grice) and Ul3"sses S. The deceased I are Francis M., Mellicca, Ethelda E. and Abraham L. Mr. Hatfield came to i Hardin Count}^ in about 1839, and settled in McDonald Township, where he and his family reside. He has been engaged in farming, and owns ninet^'-five acres of improved land. He is well known by the neighboring residents, and ' is respected by all.

SIMON P. HELFINSTINE, farmer, P. 0. Kenton, was born January 10, 1820, in Darke CounUq Ohio, on the dividing line between Ohio and Indiana. His father, Peter Helfinstine, was born in Winchester, Ya., in 1761. He was twice married; his first wife died in 1802 in Winchester, Va.; his second wife, i Elizabeth Helfinstine, the mother of our subject, was born in Maryland in the ' year 1786. The latter departed this life in Madison County, Ohio, in 1840.

^ Mr. Helfinstine, Sr., moved to Ohio in 1805, and located in Madison County, where he lived with his family until 1816, at which time he removed to Darke County, remaining there till 1823 ; then returned to Madison County, and spent there the remainder of his days. He died in 1841. The subject of this sketch moved from Madison County, Ohio, to Clark County, Ohio, in 1844 ; lived i there with his wife and family until 1856, then came to Hardin Count}^ and settled in McDonald Township, where he has since lived. He was married, i December 17, 1843, to Elizabeth J., daughter of John A. and Willie M. (Lee) i Bateman. She was born November 23, 1826. Her mother died in 1826, her I father in 1829. Mr. Helfinstine and wife are the parents of eleven children, of I whom the six living are as follows : Minerva, John W., James Q., Louisa,

I Olive and Rhoda. The deceased are Maiy M., Lerov, Simon L., Rebecca J. and I Missouria C. Mr. Helfinstine has always followed the occupation of a farmer, j and owns eighty-five acres of land, where he and his family reside. He and j his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which the former has filled ; the office of Deacon, and is at present Secretary. He has served as Township,

His parents were Andrew and Anna Hemphill, the latter born in Ross County, Ohio, in the year 1802. The former was a native of Kenl.ucky, born March 24, 1799, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio, settling in Ross Count3^ The}" were married in the latter named county, thence moved to Highland County, and subsequently came to Hardin County, Ohio, where Mrs. Hemphill died. Mr. Hemphill then married, in Logan County, Ohio, Mary Riley, a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, and lived in Hardin County a few years ; then moved to Logan County, where his wife died. He then returned to Hardin County, where he departed this life February 11, 1879. The subject of this sketch came to Hardin County with his parents in 1833, and has been a resident here ever since. He was married, October 23, 1851, to Mary A. Derr, born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 22, 1827, and is a daughter of Davis and Martha Derr, both deceased, the former on December 6, 1866, the latter on April 30, 1875. Mr. Hemphill and his wife are the parents of seven children, viz. : Joseph S., John D., James, Martha A., Lizzie, Mary F. and William S. Mr. Hemphill first started out in life as a laborer, and, after accumulating a sufficient amount of funds, bought eighty-five acres of land, on which he is now living. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hemphill has filled the office of Township Trustee for two terms, and has been a School Director for nine years in succession.

PETER C. HESSER, farmer, P. 0. Kenton, was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, on the 10th of October, 1851. His father, Jacob Hesser, was born in Ohio in 1812 ; his mother, Elizabeth Hesser, also a native of Ohio, was born in 1816. They are still living, and reside in Wyandot County. The subject of his sketch was united in marriage, December 7, 1875, to Miranda J., daughter of Josiah L. and Rebecca Felton. She was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., May 16, 1852. Her father died October 12, 1864, in one of the rebel prisons. Her mother is still living, and is residing with her son-in-law. To Mr. and Mrs. Hesser were born two children - Maud E., born April 9, 1877, and Charles F., born January 25, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Hesser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hesser has been engaged in the occupation of a farmer, and is the owner of 100 acres of land, well improved, and with good farm buildings. He has been generally successful in life.

GrEORGrE HITES, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, July 14, 1815, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Hites. His parents were natives of Virginia and migrated to Ohio at an early day. They first lived in Jefferson County, and afterward moved to Carroll County, where they remained for some years, then pressed forward to Hardin County, where they finally settled Mrs. Hites died in 1840, and Mr. Hites subsequently married Margaret Hubbard, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred December 6, 1876. His widow resides with her son, Benjamin, on the homestead in McDonald Township. Mr. Hites, Sr., was in the war of 1812, and his widow is drawing a pension. George Hites, our subject, was united in marriage, in 1837, to Elizabeth Hatfield, born in Maryland March 20, 1815, and a daughter of John and Mary A. Hatfield. Her parents were both natives of Maryland, and moved to Ohio, locating in Hardin County. Her father died in 1855, and her mother in 1864. Our subject follows farming, and owns 120 acres of land, where he resides. He has filled the office of Township Trustee and School Director, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hites have been blessed with six children, only two living - William and Alfred. Tbe four deceased are Mary E., Katie A., Nancy J. and G-eorge. William, the eldest, served three years in the late war, and on his return home was married to Caroline Spencer January 28, 1866. Alfred married Alice Wollard.

BENJAMIN M. HITES, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born in McDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio, August 10, 1842. He is a son of John and Margaret Hites, the latter of whom was the second wife of his father. His mother was a native of Ohio. His father emigrated from his native State, Virginia, and located in Hardin County, Ohio, where he died December 6, 1876, His widow still lives, and is residing with our subject. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, October 29, 1868, to Margaret McOinnis, born in Ross County, Ohio, March 8, 1850, and a daughter of John and Catharine McGinnis, both deceased. This marriage resulted in four children, three living, viz.: Jenneatte, Sarah E. and Thomas P. Mr. and Mrs. Hites are members of the Christian Church. He has been a lifelong farmer, and owns the homestead consisting of sixty acres of improved land, where he is now residing. He has filled the office of School Director for one term.

EMxANUEL HITES, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born May 20, 1844, on the farm where Benjamin M. Hites resides, in McDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio. He is a son of John and Margaret Hites, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. Mr. Hites died December 6, 1876, his widow, who survives him, is living with her son Benjamin. Our subject was united in marriage, December 6, 1866, to Isabella, daughter of Andrew and Mary Reed. She is a native of Ireland, born December 28, 1843. Her father departed this life October 6, 1867; his widow still survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Hites are the parents of four children, viz.: Mary B., John N., Alice E. and Maggie J. Mrs. Hites is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hites has always followed farming, and is the owner of sixty-two and a half acres of improved land.

BENJAMIN HOLT, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Sandusky 'Count}", Ohio, June 5, 1841. He is a son of Jesse and Sarah Holt, natives of Maryland, who came to Ohio at an early day, settling at first in Sandusky County, thence removing to Hardin County, where, about 1844, they located in McDonald Township. His father died in 1859. After his father's death, his mother was married to Abraham Smith, who is still living, and, since the death of his first wife, remarried, and is now living in Allen County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, April 12, 1866, to Sarah McClurg, born February 27, 1846, in Hardin County, a daughter of Alexander and Martha McClurg, both deceased. Her mother died in 1873. Of the two children born, one is living, Perry 0., born February 25, 1869 ; Celesta, born January 6, 1876, died September 3, 1881. Mr. Holt is still residing on the old homestead. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

GEORGE HOON, farmer, P. 0. Kenton, was born in Pennsylvania, in March, 1817 ; his parents, George and Mary Hoon, natives of Pennsylvania, to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Portage County, where they remained until the death of Mr. Hoon, which occurred in 1848. Mrs. Hoon then removed to Hardin County, where she departed this life July, 1866. The subject of this sketch moved with his wife and family to Hardin County, settling in Mc- Donald Township, where he has since lived ; he has followed the occupation of farmer, and owns a good farm of sixty-eight acres of land ; he was married November 21, 1848, to Sarah Davis, born in Wales September 29, 1828, and a daughter of Evan and Anna Davis, both deceased, the former in 1835, the latter in 1829. Seven children have been born to them, three living - Mary J., James P. and Martha E. The deceased are Daniel E., William E., Wallace W. and Lewis. Mrs. Hoon is a member of tlie Christian Church.

WILLIAM J. HOON, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born December 23, 1840, in Portage County, Ohio ; he is a son of John and Ellen Hoon, natives of Pennsylvania, and who moved to Ohio, locating in Portage County, where they remained until the death of Mrs. Hoon. Mr. Hoon then remarried, and in 1853 moved to Hardin County, Ohio, where he still resides ; his second wife is Elizabeth Weaver ; he is the father of ten children, all living. The subject of this sketch is a farmer by occupation, and is the owner of 154 acres of cultivated land in McDonald Township ; he is residing with his uncle, Daniel Deemer, who was married in 1831 to Margaret Hoon ; Mr. Deemer was born in Pennsylvania August 12, 1800, and his wife on August 5, 1808. Their parents are deceased. They have had six children, only one, Margaret, surviving.

ELIAS S. LAYTON, farmer and merchant, P. 0. Kenton, was born in Monmouth County, N. J., May 5, 1804 ; he is a son of Joseph and Mary Layton, both natives of New Jersey. His parents moved to Pennsylvania, where they settled and spent the remainder of their days ; his father died in 1843, his mother in 1853. Our subject was united in marriage in 1824 to Mary Street, who departed this life November 14, 1832. On September 29, 1833, Mr. Layton was again married, this time to Eliza A. Caster, born in Pennsylvania November 3, 1812, a daughter of William and Hannah Caster, the former deceased in 1847, the latter in 1863. Of the thirteen children born, only three survive - Henry S., Francis S. and Isabella, the wife of William McNellie. Francis was in the late rebellion, a member of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D. In 1854, Mr. Layton came with his family to Hardin County, and located at his present place of residence ; he has been engaged in farming, and owns a well-improved farm ; he is also occupied in keeping a store, of which he is the proprietor ; he keeps a fine assortment of goods and is well patronized.

DANIEL R. McARTHUR, farmer, P. 0. Round Head, was born on December 11, 1849, on the farm where the family resides, in this township. He is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of Hardin County. His father, John McArthur, was born in the year 1817, died in 1863; his mother, Margaret McArthur was born in Ohio in 1819, died in 1873. Our subject was united in marriage, December 28, 1875. to Elizabeth Clark, born August 8, 1855, a daughter of James H. and Catherine Clark, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. McArthur has been engaged, for twelve years, in piking, also in working his farm. His farm consists of 600 4cres of land, mostly improved, containing fine farm buildings. He is the parent of two children, one living - Mary L., born on October 9, 1876. Mr. Mc- Arthur is a well-known business man, and is a useful citizen of McDonald Township.

ALLEN C. McGinnis, farmer, P. 0. Belle Centre, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 13, 1821. His father, xAlexander McGinnis, was born in 1800 in Pennsylvania, and died in Ross County, Ohio, 1875 ; his mother was a native of Kentucky, born in 1798, died in 1849, in Ross County. They were married in Ross County December 14, 1820. Mr. McGinnis moved to Ohio with his parents in 1803, locating in Ross County. He remarried after the death of his wife Margaret ; his second wife was Mary Erwin, also deceased. The subject of this sketch came to Hardin County in 1847, and settled in Mc- Donald Township. His farm, consisting of fifty-five acres, was covered with timber which he has since cleared. The country at that early day was all a forest, and our subject has passed through all the hardships incidental to a new country. He was united in marriage, December, 1841, to Jemima Nelson, born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1824, and who was a daughter of Samuel and Ellen Nelson, both deceased. Jemima departed this life September 7, 1864, and our subject subsequently re-married November 6, 1867. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel Decker, born in 1826, died July 27, 1876. Mr. McGinnis formed a third union March 7, 1880, with Eliza J. Sirks, who was born on July 31, 1849. Mr. McGinnis is the father of six children, four living - Eliza J., Rachel E., John and James. The two deceased are Thomas W., born

December 13, 1844, died in 1850, and Alexander Y., born May 6, 1858, died April 27, 1879. Mr. McGinnis and his two deceased wives were members of the P. M. Church.