Washington Township (part 2 of 2)

THOMAS HATFIELD, farmer, was born October 1, 1821, in a log cabin which stood near the site of his present home. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Hatfield, was a native of Delaware, of Welsh descent, served as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war, and ever afterward was a stanch hater of the English flag and government, which he believed was symbolical of tyranny and oppression. His brothers, John and Samuel, were killed in that struggle for liberty, one at the battle of the Cowpens and the other at Greenbrier C. H. Thomas married Sarah Allen, a native of Culpeper County, Va., but a resident of Kentucky at the time of her marriage. After the Revolutionary war closed with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Thomas traveled through Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Tennesee and into Kentucky, where he was married and lived until 1801, when he and family came to Montgomery County, Ohio, and entered the land now owned by his grandson, Thomas. By his union with Sarah Allen our subject's grandfather became the father of nine children, of whom John, the father of Thomas, Jr., the second child, was born in Mason County, Ky., in November, 1793. When John was eighteen years of age, he was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, but having imbibed his father's spirit of liberty and freedom he could not brook the idea of going into his country's service as a drafted man, and therefore enlisted in Capt. Perry's Rangers. His father, fired with that spirit of hatred against the same old foe he had helped to humiliate in 1776, enlisted in the same company and did excellent service as scout and guide, and being of a fearless nature was ever the first man to ford any stream that lay in their pathway. After serving one year, he and his son were honorably discharged at Vincennes, Ind. John was married about 1817 to Nancy Hatfield, a distant relative, who bore him six children, viz. : Ann L. (the wife of William Dodds), Lydia C. (the wife of Daniel Crosley), Thomas, Allen, Ambrose B. (deceased) and Maria (the wife of John C. Martin). John Hatfield was a stone-mason by trade, but after the war of 1812 turned his attention chiefly to farming. He died May 11, 1829, and his wife survived him until August, 1852. They were members of the Baptist Church and highly respected by all who knew them, he being a hard-working, generous and kind-hearted man, who was always careful to be right before acting. Our subject has never lived away from his birthplace, and was married August 15, 1845, to Mary Elizabeth Stansell, daughter of William and Sarah (Myover) Stansell, her parents having come from Kentucky to this county about the year 1801. Mrs. Hatfield was born in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, August 12, 1827, and has had the following children ; Louisa J. (deceased), Albert P. (deceased), Laura E. (deceased), Mason W. and Alice S. Mr. Hatfield and wife have been members of the Baptist Church since 1859, and he is looked upon as an honorable, upright and worthy citizen.

THOMAS B. HOLMES, farmer, P. 0. Bellbrook, Greene Co.; was born in Greene County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1827. His parents were John and Hannah (Bigger) Holmes, natives, the father of Newville, Cumberland County, Penn., born September 17, 1792, and the mother of the State of Kentucky, born November 12, 1797. Mr. Holmes came to Ohio with his parents prior to the war of 1812, and settled in Greene County. He was a soldier in that war and for service rendered therein drew a pension from the United States Government. His death occurred October 31, 1878, aud the mother's August 23, 1869. They were married in Montgomery County on the 24th of September; 1818, and soon thereafter purchased land in Section 14 of that county. Their children were Hugh, Mary, Martha, John, Rebecca, Hannah J., Thomas B. and Martha Ann. Our subject was reared on a farm, which occupation he has ever since followed. He now resides on the homestead and is in comfortable circumstances. He is a kind neighbor, good citizen, and has the esteem of his many acquaintances.

JOHN S. KINDLE, blacksmith, Centerville. John S. Kindle, son of Joseph and Margaret Kindle, was born in Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 10, 1845. Commenced going to school at about the age of five years, and continued up to the age of twelve, receiving a pretty fair district school education. Then went to work in the shop with his father, occasionally assisting the neighboring farmers when they were in a pinch for labor, up to August, 1862, when he volunteered in the army, Ninety -third Regiment, Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was gotten up and commanded by Col. Charles Anderson and Lieut. Col. Hiram Strong ; first engagement was on the Kentucky River, between Lexington and Richmond, during Nelson's retreat to Louisville. Was also at the battle of Stone River, and there taken prisoner by the Texan Rangers, but recaptured by the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Then followed numerous skirmishes, in which he participated. Next in order came the battle of Chickamauga, in which he was severely wounded by a musket ball in the leg; the ball was extracted, and is now in his possession, being kept as a relic. He is crippled for life. Was placed in the hospital, staying there about four months ; then came home on furlough, and remained thirteen months ; then returned to the army, and remained there three or four months, when he was given a final discharge May 80, 1865. He married, February 8, 1877, Miss Elizabeth Simpson. From this uniou are three children, all boys, two of whom are now living. Has some political aspirations ; has been elected Township Clerk and Constable, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace. He was elected in 1876. When not officially employed, he works at his trade. His father was born in Burlington County, N. J., and came to Ohio in 1833. His mother was born in Half-Moon Valley, Center County, Penn.

CORNELIA A. (MESLER) KELSEY, farmer, P. 0. Waynesville, Warren Co ; born in New Jersey Nov. 24, 1813, and came to Ohio in 1832. She married Mr. JohnS. Kelsey, November 2, 1837. From this union were seven children, six of whom are living. Names and birth of the children as follows: Hester E., born August 17,

1838; George Washington, born August 14, 1840 ; Wilhelmina, born February 19, 1842; Eliza Melissa, born December 14, 1843; John Albert, born January 10, 1846; Jonathan Meeker, born January 14, 1848 ; Charles Edward, born November 5, 1851; George Washington, died September 18. 1846; John S., died October 22, 1875. John S., son of Jessey and Hettie (Marsh) Kelsey, was born January 13, 1816. His mother j was a native of New Jersey, and his father of Pennsylvania. Emigrated to Kentucky, thence to Ohio, in an early day. He married at the early age of twenty-eight; his wife at twenty. Previous to his marriage, he followed school teaching in a log house on his own land. After that his principal occupation was farming, and a very .successful one, owning at one time in Washington Township 760 acres of land. He commenced life here with about $100. He was the father of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, three sons and one daughter now living (July, 1881). Mrs. Cornelia Kelsey, with two daughters and the assistance of the youngest son, continues to farm the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey were both members of the Sugar Creek Old School Baptist Church. Mr. Kelsey united with the church January 26, 1858, Mrs. Keisey about one year afterward. The daughter, Eliza Melissa, is also a member of the same church. A request of Mr. John S. Kelsey on his death bed was that his widow purchase and give to each one of the children (except Charles), a family Bible as near like the present one as she can procure, and after her death Charles to have the present one.

JAMES MILTON KELSEY, farmer. This well-known gentleman was born ir Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, June 11, 1831, and is the son o! Jesse and Hettie (Marsh) Kelsey, early settlers of this county. His father was borr in 1783, and died in 1857. His mother was born in 1791 and died in 1845.

James M. grew to manhood in his native township, receiving a limited education lrj the school of his neighborhood, and January 26, 1853, he was married to Mary Wilson daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Allen) Wilson, also a native of Washington, born Mai 19, 1833. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, but her parent.'

were born in this county. William Kelsey has had five children, viz. : Sarah E. (the wife of Richard Hatfield), Flora J. (wife of George Mull), Mary E. (wife of David Eagle), Effie J. and Nannie. Mr. Kelsey was raised a Baptist but in 1858 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Trustee some six years, and is one of the Stewards at the present time. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He purchased and moved to his present beautiful home in 1858, where he owns 138 acres of finely improved land, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers, of this portions of Montgomery County.

WILLIAM MARSH KELSEY, farmer, P. 0. Centerville. William Marsh Kelsey son of Jesse and Heotie (Marsh) Kelsey, was born January 5, 1814, in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. His father being a farmer the sou was also trained to it from early boyhood. His education was received in the pioneer log schoolhouse, to which place he was guided through the dense forests by the blazed trees (a blazed tree is one from which the bark is chipped off of on opposite sides). David Watkins was the name of his first teacher. The branches then taught were reading, writing, arithmetic and geography. A scholar's copy-book was made by sewing a few sheets of plain fools-cap paper together, and the copies set by the teachers. The scholar was expected to provide himself or herself with a lead pencil and ruler for lining the copy-book, and manufacture his own ink. Gold and steel pens were not then in use, but the scholars provided themselves with goose-quills, out of which the teacher manufactured the pens. Mr. Kelsey received his last schooling the year he attained his majority. Being the eldest son it fell to his lot to assist his father in clearing up his land ready for farming. He remembers his first plowing was done with the wooden mold-board plow and followed up for a series of years. The wearing apparel in his boyish days was principally of home manufacture, flax-linen for summer and linsey for winter wear. At that time it frequently fell to his lot to assist in pulling and dressing the flax, shearing of the sheep, and in fact almost everything appertaining to a farmer's life, which he has followed or has carried on to this time. ( He is now the owner of three farms in this township). Milling he did then on horseback, going as far as the Little Miami River. Frequently he would go with his father to Cincinnati market^, trading their produce for all kinds of groceries and other articles needed for family use. Wheat was then cut entirely with the sickle ; after a while came the grain cradle; which was looked upon as a great improvement over the sickle, being more expeditious ; next came the McCormick Reaper, when it was thought all the improvements had come for the cutting of grain, but since that Mr. Kelsey has seen many very decided improvements in the machines, and now sees I he self-binder. He also remembers when thrashed grain was cleaned with a sheet being operated by a man at each end and jerking vigorously, created the wind which cleaned their grain, poured out by the third man from a measure or scoop shovel. The first horse-power thrashing machine was a stationary one, operated by four horses, only doing the thrashing, the cleaning done afterward with the wind-mill. His parents were both members of the regular Baptist Church, and attended at the pioneer log meeting-house; one-half mile north of Centerville. There he has heard John Mason and other pioneer preachers. Phebe Carver, born January 30, 1832, married to William Marsh Kelsey, December 14, 1852. From this union were three children, the two eldest living - Mary Elizabeth, born September 29, 1853, married to Perry Hatfield, February 3, 1876; Annie Kelsey, born January 12,1857, married March 12, 1876, to B. F. Yaughn; Mabel Lucasta Kelsey, born February 6, 1863, died September 11, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey are both members of the Regular Baptist Church , of Centerville.

Mrs. Phebe Kelsey was born January 30, 1832, and died of consumption January 31, 1882. at 6:15 A. M., aged fifty years. She was married to William M. Kelsey, December 14, 1852. To this union was given three daughters the youngest of whom (Mabel Lucasta) preceded the mother to the eternal world September 11, 1880. Mother Kelsey united with the Primitive Baptist Church, at Centerville, Ohio, about 1855.

She was baptized and received into said church by Elder Samuel Williams. Her last sickness was attended with much severe pain and prolonged suffering; but she was resigned to the will of God, and her condition, and hence, bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude. During the last few days of her sickness, she experienced the fact that she was being " made perfect through suffering." Yet while she was being thus tried in the furnace of the Lord, she did not cease to pray, but repeatedly asked the Lord to give her dying grace. When she first began to enter " the valley of the shadow of death," about nine days before she passed over the Jordan of death, she told the writer that it looked dark, that her pathway was not all light. But he directed her to some of the promises of God's word, and told her to lean on Christ, and light would be given her for each step. The former proved to her a rod, and the latter a staff, for soon after the valley was lighted up, and she could sing with us, and we knelt by her bedside, in the dark morning hour, and prayed with her. But for nine long days she continued to travel through the valley, in the midst of severe sufferings, yet supported by the strong arm of her Savior. She had a longing desire to depart and be at rest, and many times did she repeat the invitation of Jesus " Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Often was she heard to say " Let me go ; let me go." She has at last entered into that "rest that remaineth for the people of God." Doubtless she will be missed by those who knew her best in the community in which she lived ; missed by the church to which she belonged ; missed by her pastor ; missed by the large circle of friends and acquanitances, who had often shared of her hospitalities in her home, and received her charities ; but missed, most of all, by her husband, her remaining children and her aged mother, but we hope to all meet again bye and bye.

WILLIAM J. LAMME, miller and farmer, P. 0. Carrolton. William Lamme and family emigrated from Kentucky to the Miami Valley, Montgomery Co., and with- Ji in the original limits of Washington Township, Ohio, in the fall of 1802, with a family of wife and five children, settling on the land he had previously purchased, and erected his cabin. David, the eldest son, then aged about eighteen years, was put to clearing up the land, while his father, quite early, proceded to erect a grist-mill on Hole's Creek ; the building was made of round logs and covered witli clapboards put on with wood pins, a square of this roof was in a pretty good state of preservation but a few years ago, also portions of the old water wheel. This was the first mill built in Washington ! Township ; here the pioneers had their grinding done for many years, and David, the boy, afterward the prominent man, was educated to the milling business. He was married August 7, 1804, to Miss Margaret Dodds, daughter of Gen. William Dodds. From this union there were ten children, two sons and eight daughters ; two only are now (August, 1881) living, viz., William J. and Katie Eliza Lamme. Mrs. Lamme was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated with her parents to Ohio about the time the Lammes did. Her bridal dress was an embroidered muslin, and the groom's coat, calico. They commenced housekeeping in a cabin situated in the woods, where they remained for some years, when an exchange of property was made and they moved a little south where their days were ended. In 1842, he took down the old mill on the farm, to make room for a more commodious building to meet the requirements of the trade. The grinding was principally done for toll, and when a sufficient quantity bad accumulated, it was ground and wagoned to Cincinnati, until the Miami Canal was ficised from Cincinnati to Middletown ; from there it would go on the canal to Cincinnati. David Lamme was a Justice of the Peace many years, and in 1840 was elected a Representative to the Legislature from Montgomery County. He was also one of the County Commissioners, under whose directions the present court house in Dayton was erected. He was prosperous in his business and always kept things around him up to the times. David Lamme, better known throughout the country as Squire Lamme, was emphatically " a gentleman of the old school, " as the phrase goes. Born in Ken- tucky, and a mere boy when his family came to Ohio, he seems to have had the characteristic Kentucky hospitality inborn, for there was not a private residence in southern Montgomery more celebrated for social and friendly gatherings of the very elite, so to speak, of the country than Squire Lamme's. He was a large man, dignified, but very agreeable and genial in his manners. No one felt the least trepidation in his presence, he was equally benevolent, and the poor of the sections of country about the " old mill" will never forget the many acts of charity done to their families by Squire Lamme and his estimable wife ; she was just suited to him, a fit companion. Long may the memory of these grand old pioneers of Ohio, be kept green in the minds of the generations to come. What has been said of the parents applies also to the family ; of whom most were daughters, only two sons, one of whom died in youth ; the other, the Major and one sister, Miss Katy, are the only surviving members of the once populous family ; all the girls were possessed of more than ordinary personal attractions and were, besides very lively and intelligent, which, as a matter of course, attracted a large retinue of young gentlemen, but the tax on Squire Lamme's resources, by the amount of company entertained by him at his residence never made him grumble nor find fault with his children; he was above littleness in any form. David Lamme died August 22, 1855; his wife, Margaret died December 28, 1868.

HORACE McEWEN, farmer, P. 0. Centerville. Horace McEwen, son of Robert G. and Elizabeth McEwen, was born March 7, 1840, on a farm three quarters of a mile south of Centerville; has always lived on a farm and in his native township. His boyhood was all spent with his parents on the farm which was carried on extensively by his father. Horace was married March, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth E. Norris; from this union have been born two sons and one daughter. Mrs. McEwen was born in Centerville, Ohio, February 14, 1848. After marriage, they moved onto the McEwen homestead, and have continued to reside there ever since. Horace is now the owner of ninety-three acres of that farm as a legacy, with the exception of about $2,000. Received his education in the common district school. Robert G. McEwen, born in Williamsport, Penn., January 25, 1806; came with his parents to Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, about the fall of 1817; he then had more of an education than the majority of boys at that time, yet he was kept in the neighborhood schools as long as it was thought he could be advanced any. About this time Noah and Ann Leeds, of Philadelphia, moved to Springboro, Warren Co., Ohio, and opened a select school. The principals being fine scholars, they prepared their pupils for college. Robert was one of their scholars, and, after attending the school awhile, was sent to Oxford College, where he finished up his education. Losing his father about this time, he went into the harness and saddle shop with his brother, William, who also died pretty soon. The family was then reduced to three in number, viz., the mother, one sister and Robert. Notwithstanding he had received a liberal education, more than was then given boys, unless they were intended for some of the learned professions, he made choice of manual labor for his profession, or, as he used to call himself, a plow boy. He pretty soon started a team on the road, doing considerable amount of hauling; it proving more profitable than the shop, he closed it up, purchased another team and went driving it himself; he was prosperous. His first trade for real estate he turned two calves in as part payment. In his real estate transactions, was very successful; he used to say it was his intention to leave a farm to each of his children; at his death, he owned 440 acres of land. In his farming operations he kept things moving; his boys were not allowed to go fishing every Saturday. He delighted in dealing in stock, always had some on hand for sale or trade, and, if a bargain was offered, he was prepared to buy. He served some time as Township Clerk. In 1838, was elected County Assessor; filled that office one term. In 1859, was elected to the Legislature, served one term, and declined a re-nomination. In the Military Peace Establishment, he rose from the ranks to a Lieutenancy, then Captain, then Adjutant of the regiment, which office he held at the final break-up of militia training. In early life he took quite an interest in debating societies, which were formed in almost every school district; this early habit lasted him through life. In manhood after doing a bard day's work teamiug, he would ride any reasonable distance to participate in a debate. Blessed with a good memory, he retained his reading. Was a Jacksonian Democrat and quite a politician. Married February 28, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Morris. Died September 3, 1877.

JAMES H. MUNGER, farmer, P. 0. Centerville. Jonathan Munger, with hb brother Edmund, and Benjamin Maltbie, with their families, left Middlebury, Vt., for the territory northwest of the Ohio River in 1797 ; came to Marietta, Ohio, and from there to Belpre; at Marietta they raised a crop of corn, 1799. In 1800, they reached what is now known as "Yankee street" in this township. Their nearest neighbors were then from two to seven miles distant. Jonathan Munger was a pensioned Revolutionary soldier; like all of that profession, he had personal incidents to relate. He has often been heard to say that the sweetest night's sleep he ever had was on a pile, cf cannon balls with his feet in water up to his ankles ; at another time, he and half a dozen comrades called at a house for a night's lodging; it proved to be the dwelling of a Tory ; the woman had just scrubbed the floor, but said it was good enough for them and they might thank God and her for it ; the soldiers said they thanked no one, but they were going to stay all night. Harvey Munger, son of above-named, Jonathan and Elizabeth Munger, was born in Addison County, Vt., October 2, 1790; came West with his parents and assisted in raising the crop of corn at Marietta as above referred to. Married, February 8, 1812, to Miss Catharine Gray; from this union were thirteen children, of which five are now living (July, 1881). In the war of 1812, he was a teamster, hauling flour to the army lying at St. Mary's. In stature, he was five feet ten inches; small bone inclined to corpulency. Died July 22, 1859. His wife, Catharine Gray, was born May 10, 1791, and died in 1836. She was the daughter of Daniel and Phebe Gray. In stature, she was below the medium size. Socially, it was said that wherever Katy Munger was there was good company. Her father was a pensioned Revolutionary soldier. James H. Munger, subject of this sketch, and son of Harvey and Catharine Munger, was born in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, February 12, 1816; his school privileges were not extensive, as he says his last summer's schooling was in the second story of a weaver's shop in 1825 ; after that, would get from two to three weeks' duriug the winter season, depending upon the weather and work to be done. The first religious meetings he recollects of attending were held in Gen. Munger's barn ; everything about the building was in perfect order corresponding with the occasion ; rakes and forks were all hung up out of the way. Raised a farmer, he has always adhered to it. With no political ambition, has lived at his present residence, on Section 28, since 1849. Married, March 15, 1840, to Miss Lydia A. Wright, who died July 9, 1865. Second marriage, January 1, 1870, to Mrs. Anna R. Chambers, whose maiden name was Linton. She was born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1824, her parents, William and Hannah Linton, natives of Pennsylvania, settling in that county in 1814. Mr. Munger is one of the leading farmers of his township.

JOSEPH NUTT, farmer, P. O. Centerville. The eldest of the two children ( Joseph and John) of Aaron and Martha Nutt, was born in Centerville, Ohio, December 11, 1818. Parents both natives of New Jersey ; his father was the son of Levi Nutt, and he the son of Adam Nutt, a native of Wales, who landed in New Jersey early in the last century. Aaron, on his mother's side, was the grandson of Barzilla Ivens, a noted merchant of his day; he was also a noted man for the size of his family ; he was married three times and was the father of twenty-one children, who were all able at one and the same time to set at the table and help themselves to a square meal. Joseph's mother was the daughter of Isaac and Hannah Pedriek, of Pedricktown, N. J.; she emigrated with them to Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio, in 18(16, remaining there a briet period ; her father purchased a farm near the present village of Clio, Greene Co., Ohio, and removed to it. The, family were all worthy members of the Society of Orthodox Friends. The subject of this sketch can't quite claim to be anything more than the sou of pioneers (for date of father's arrival see brother's biography) ; never had any land to clear or brush to pick ; never assisted in buildiug the pioneer cabin with its cat and clay chimney, clapboard-roof held on with weight poles, or in laying down the solid puncheon floor ; or in erecting the sweep at the well for the " old oaken bucket; " but have worn buckskin pantaloons, leather-crown hat and thread shirt-buttons. His father was a tailor by trade, and was an experienced hand in manufacturing buckskin into wearing apparel. The last pair of buckskin pants he made was in the summer he was eighty-one years of age. Mr. N. V. Maxwell, one of our present worthy citizens, was then carrying on tailoring, and took in the job conditionally, viz., if he could get ''Uncle Aaron" Nutt (by which familiar title he was well known) to make them he would do so, as for himself he frankly admitted he could not make them ; they were made and all parties satisfied with the job. Mr. Maxwell, to this day, takes delight in referring to that job, and saying " Uncle Aaron " was the oldest journeyman he ever employed. He was also a good hand with a sickle in a harvest field ; the summer he was eighty years old, he lead the reapers once through in his son Aaron's wheat field. He was also an excellent auctioneer, if not the first, he certainly was among the first ; had quite a patronage in Montgomery, Warren and Greene Counties. Before the subject of this sketch was large enough to put a collar on the horse, he commenced driving the cart and doing small jobs about town and working on the small farm. When in his twelfth year, he hauled in the cart all the stone making a complete pavement from the schoolhouse, one-fourth mile north of town, to the Baptist Church on the west side of town. His father and Joseph Beck laid the walk, which did good service many years. For its protection, the Town Council made it a finable offence to ride or drive on it. So carefully was it guarded that the school teacher has been known to leave his school on seeing a traveler on the walk, and hurry up to town and have a warrant in the hands of the Marshal by the time the ; offending party would reach the village. The 28th of April, 1834, he went as an ap- 'perntice to the chair-making; served three years faithfully ; made the trade his principal business up to the spring of 1844; then went to New Burlington, Clinton Co., Ohio, and sold goods for Israel Harris, Jr., and Samuel Lemar, nearly six years. In January, 1850, went into the employ of John Grant, Esq., the principal merchant then in New Burlington ; remained with him until April, 1857. Mr. Nutt was married, January 29, 1856, to Miss E. A. Weaver, of New Burlington. May, 1857, moved to Chicago ; remained there until August, 1858, returning to New Burlington, and remained there until the spring of 1861 ; then removed to Centerville on the old homestead, where he now lives, becoming the owner thereof by half purchase and half legacy, and one of the few men in the township owning the land originally purchased by the father from John C. Symmes, but the deed was made by James Madison, President of the United States. There are other tracts in the township deeded by the President to the heads of some of the families now living thereon, but they are mostly second-hand purchases.

When Aaron Nutt with other men were in consultation with Judge Symmes, organizing a pioneer company, one of them said to the Judge, " You will not take that maD, will you ? " pointing to Aaron Nutt. " Why not? " said the Judge. " Why," said the man, " he is a Quaker, and will not fight the Indians." "Just the man I want," said the Judge ; " I want, a peaceable colony." Aaron Nutt was never a member of any religious society, but his religious sentiments were in full accord with the Orhodox Friends, wore the garb and used the plain language of that society. The followng incident shows the respect the Indians have for the name of William Penn. Someime after Aaron Nutt had settled here and Dayton something of a place, he was going ip there one morning, when he met a company of Indians. After passing them, he bund a sack of roots and herbs in the road and readily concluded it belonged to the mdians just passed. So he would carry the sack into town and leave it at the store of 3. G. Philips, who told him he knew the Indians, they had been in the store that mornng, and on their next visit he would hand over the sack, and did so, saying to the Inilian that - " It was a William Penn man that had found it." " Ugh," said the Indian, he good man ; he good man." The subject of this sketch is now the oldest native born ltizen on the town plat ; never loaded a gun, pistol or firearm of any description, have mlled the trigger a few times making one shot that would be creditable to any sportsman. Mr. Nutt is the father of five children, as follows : Anna, Laura, Samuel Veaver, William Pedrick, Clarence Emory Nutt, of whom' only two are living, viz., iarauel W. and Clarence E.

JOHN NUTT, M. D., Chicago, 111. John Nutt was the younger of two sons, Joseph and John, and only children of Aaron and Martha (Craig, formerly Pedrick) Nutt, and was born on the old homstead in Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 3, 1823. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and were respectively widower and widow; at the time of their marriage, January 11, 1818, by James Russell, Esq., of Centerville. Aaron Nutt was left fatherless at an early age. His mother marrying again, the boy, Aaron, was apprenticed to John Lippencott, a tailor of 1776, for a term of seven years, serving his employer nearly that time on the tailor-board. At about this period, the armies of the Revolution, under the command of Gen. Washington, were very active in the State of New Jersey, and as these were indeed trying times for our country, and soldiers were much needed, both old and young were earnestly solicited to join the American forces. It was at this juncture that Lipoincot.t was drafted into the military service, and Aaron Nutt's apprenticeship about to expire, that Lippencott made this proposition to him, that if he would enter the array and serve his, Lippencott's time out, he would in turn set him free. The proposition was accepted, and Nutt joined a military company commanded by his cousin, Capt. Israel Shreve. The evening before the battle of Monmouth, the company had a little skirmish with a company of English light horse, and came off victorious. Nutt was quite near the English Captain, and saw the American soldier shoot him in the breast. He fell from his horse aud jumped a fence and fell dead by the side of it. Nutt, in looking at him after death, pronounced him the handsomest man he ever saw. Next day the main battle was fought, the day, an excessively hot one, the Americans threw off their coats and knapsacks, as they marched into the field, forty-eight abreast. After the battle, twelve wagons loaded with bread and drawn by oxen were brought on the ground for the Americans. After this, Nutt's military service was in riding as a scout and driving team ; of the latter, he did a large amount. He never asked for or received any pension, but assisted many others in procuring theirs. On Tuesday, the 4th day of May, 1779, he was married to Mary Archer, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Archer, of New Jersey. From this union there were nine children, of whom none are now 'living. Three died in early life, the remaining six lived to be heads of families. The father used to take great pleasure in standiug on his owa premises and look at the smoke ! curling out of the chimneys of five of his children - the sixth one lived some four, miles distant. In 1786, he removed with his family from New Jersey to Pennsylvania,! where he remained only a few years, and then moved to Kentucky, living at different points, among which the following places are rememberd : On the Dry Ridge he lived a long time, keeping a tavern there; did the same in the town of Versailles ; from Kentucky he removed to what is now Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1798, having previously been there with the surveyors in February, 1796, and selected his land. Here he settled in a wilderness of woods, and where in his new abode he remained with only a slight change of habitation during the balance of his life. Surrounded with a large circle of truly worthy friends and relatives who were always interested in his presence, as he so often gladdened the hours with earnest recitals of events of which he had not infrequently been an active participant.

He was a man of eminently correct habits of life, possessing a very superior con stitution, temperate, industrious and of a cheerful disposition, even marked to the end and when warned of approaching dissolution seemed ready and willing to meet tin change. The disease of which he died was, though notof frequent occurrence, inciden to old age, and in this case, as was pronounced by his skillful and ever attentive physi cian. Dr. A. B. Price, one of the most extraordinary cases of the kind ever known ti the profession. The pain, which was very severe, was first manifested in the left eye which after awhile completely destroyed that organ. The pain then passed to the hee and great toe of the right foot, then successively until all the toes were in a like manne involved, then the foot mortified, was drawn up and dried until all seemed as hard an* lifeless as stone, and blackened with the deadly progress of the disease, which continue' for a period of many months, at the closing of which time a distinct point or line of de, markation appeared within four inches of the knee. Death of the foot and leg below harin; already occurred and here separation of not only the living from the dead flesh, but also the larger bone was already manifest, so that earnest hopes were strongly entertained that an arrest was probable, and that an improved condition might be looked for ; but at the close of about the ninth month the powers of the constitution could stand the pressure no longer, and gradually yielding, death kindly terminated this protracted struggle June 2, 1842, and thus passed the life of a man aged eighty-three years ten months and sixteen days, who had never known what real sickness was, and even used his tobacco up to within a few days of the last. His remains are buried in the old cemetery one-half mile north of Centerville, between the graves of his two wives. " Peace to their remains."

John, after the death of his father, remained at home with his bereaved mother, working the little farm and attending and teaching school, and so continued until the last of August, 1845, when, on solicitation of Hr. John Evans, then of Indianapolis, Ind., he accepted a kiud invitation to study medicine with him. So, bidding adieu to his old home and all of its surroundings, he embarked on board the Yoress line of stage coaches for what then seemed to be the far-distant West. Here he commenced his medical studies, spending the winters, however, at Chicago, attending Rush Medical College, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1848. Returning to Indianapolis, he made application to the commissioners of the hospital for the insane for the place of assistant physician, and being successful in due time received the desired appointment, and early thereafter entered upon the duties of the office in this then new State institution, and soon had the satisfaction of assisting in the reception of the first patients ever admitted to treatment in that place. In October, 1851, he severed his connection with the hospital and, marrying Annie, the youngest daughter of David and Rachael Evans, of Waynesville, Ohio, moved within a few days thereafter to the city of Chicago, 111., where, with a devoted wife and four comely boys, he now remains comfortably living in Glencoe, one of the city's most beautiful suburbs, overlooking both far and wide the cooling waters of Lake Michigan.

ABRAHAM PRUGH, carpenter, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 30, 1830, of parents, Abner and Martha (Easey) Prugh, natives of Frederick County, Md., the former born in the year 1790 and the latter in 1791. Father Prugh is of German descent, his mother having been born in Germany. He was one of the early settlers in Montgomery County, to which he, as a single man, emigrated, settling in the vicinity of Beavertown, in the year 1812, driving thither a team for Laurence Shell, a brother-in-law. During the war of 1812, Mr. Prugh was at Urbana, and there saw Gen. Hull and army ; he remained but a short time and then returned to Maryland, and again, in 1817, came back to Ohio and purchased land in the vicinity of Winchester, which he disposed of in about one year, when he removed to the vicinity of Beavertown, on a tract of eighty-four acres, which he bought and upon which he lived until ten years ago, at which time he lost his companion, her death occurring January 27, 1872, and since which he has made his home with our subject, who is the sixth of a family of eleven children. Until eighteen years of age, our subject lived on the homestead, then learned the carpenter's trade, which vocation he ha3 in main followed ever since, his farm being carried on by his sons. On the 6th of April, 1854, Mr. Prugh was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John G. and Jacobena (Fullmer) Sebold, natives of Germany. The parents were married in the State of New York, and in 1820 emigrated to Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. The father died in 1865, and the mother is now residing near Dayton. Mary, the wife of our iSubject, was borne in Harrison Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, September 17, 1836, and has borne Mr. Prugh the following named children : John A., William H., James E., Martha, Abram, Anna M., Sarah G., Charles (died March 9, 1876), Ira and Herbert. Our subject belongs to a family who have done much toward clearing away the wilderness of the early day and making possible the high state of cultivation now attained. His father still lives to rehearse to his children and children's children pe happenings of nearly a century ago, and though close on to the goal of ninetytwo years, is almost in the full possession of his mental faculties.

B ROOKY B. RUSSELL, Centerville. James Russell, born August 27, 1769 in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. Nancy McKee, born November 22, 1771, and mar ried to James Russell, 1791. From this union were ten children, born as follows Elizabeth, February 9, 1792; Robert, May 28, 1794; Wdliam, December 26, 1795 John, October 6, 1797 ; Abraham, June 24, 1799 ; James, December 6, 1800 ; Mary M., December 28, 1802; Brooky B., February 22, 1804; Ann, July 15, 1807 Mariam, June 27, 1810. Of the above children three only are now (July, 1881 living. Mr. Russell's early boyhood and manhood were spent principally in boat-building on the Allegheny River, Penn. When about seventeen years old he moved with his parents to Mercer County, Penn., where he continued boat-building, one of which he and a brother loaded with produce and made a trip to New Orleans. Returning home, he concluded after awhile he would like to see the Northwest. Accordingly he started on the perilous trip in 1798. The Indians being troublesome, he procured the assistance of a guide, who traveled about 200 miles with him from the Pee Dee River. Finally reaching his destination in safety, he made his selection and purchase of land. He found a boarding-place with Dr. Hole, a pioneer, living about two miles distant. He immediately went to work and erected his round-log cabin, with a cat and clay chimney and puncheon floor. The pioneers that could be found within a reasonable distance by request assembled at a given time and assisted him in the erection of hie cabin. During the day, one of the pioneers asked Mr. Russell where he was from He replied by saying he was from Cork, the North of Ireland, sir. The pioneei1 turned around and said to another : I wish to God he had stayed there, for they are th< meanest people on earth. For some time after that Mr. Russell went by the name oi Cork. Cabin finished, he returned to his family after an absence of ten weeks, built ; boat in which he and his family came down the river to Cincinnati, in the spring o 1799. and moved immediately into the neighborhood of Redding and raised that season as much of a crop as he could; then in the following February or March started fo: his future home in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, reaching it otj the 12th day of March, 1800. Mrs. Russell has been heard to say that the sweetes i night's sleep she ever had was the first one spent in that rude cabin. Family then con sisted of parents and five children. Now settled, the next thing in order was the clear-; ing of a farm, which to one not having will or nerve would be a serious undertaking but Mr. Russell possessed both, and in due course of time a farm was to be seen in stead of the dense forest. To supply the table (made of puncheons) with meats wa an easy matter ; it was wild but in abundance and very easily secured. When Mr Russell wished to take a day for a hunt he would put on a scarlet cloak with a hood ti it, of his wife's, and thus equipped would start out and would return, if he wanted s many, with one dozen deer in a day. Bread was for a long time made exclusive! { of corn ; grinding done at Mr. Ripley's mill, one mile south of Ridgeville, Warrei County, Ohio. For the wearing apparel, of home manufacture; dressed deer skins wei used extensively. Boots and shoes were made of untanned hides. When Mr. Russelji went to the land office to make his payment, it was ascertained he had a surplus of set eral acres. He was then at a loss to know what to do. When Gen. Findley, the Re ceiver, said to him, my dear fellow, you take all the land you can get up there or will. Mr. Russell took the advice, went out and borrowed from a friend enough to con plete the payment. Mr. Russell served one term in the Legislature, the session c 1828 and 1829. Was County Commissioner some years. It is said that at one sej tlement with the County Treasurer there was such a quantity of silver that in order t expedite their work, the Commissioners weighed the cash instead of counting it. H served as Justice of the Peace from 1810 to 1834, being a period of twenty-four year which is conclusive evidence he was a man standing high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. Beloved by his family and highly respected by acquaintances, he died Marc 12, 1845, having lived just forty-five years in the township. His wife, Nancy Russelj died November 19, 1849. j

ISAAC STANSELL, farmer, P. O. Centerville. Isaac Stansell, son of Henry an Elizabeth, was born December 27, 1810, in Washington Township, Montgomery Count"

Ohio, where has always resided ; received his education in his boyhood in the pioneer log schoolhouse ; schools then taught by subscription ; teacher boarding with his patrons ; branches most commonly taught were reading, writing and arithmetic ; wearing apparel manufactured at home, very plain, as the material was not very fine ; homemade flax linen for shirts and pants ; thread shire-buttons almost exclusively. For winter wear, linsey and fulled clpth the linsey was of many colors. Instead of coats, a garment called a wampus was worn, that was most generally made out of red flannel ; women wore same materials, but sometimes striped or barred. A boy generally received one pair shoes yearly ; living was just as plain as the wearing apparel. At the breakfast table was generally coffee made from corn, wheat, rye and flour; it was called flour chocolate ; tea from spice, sassafras or sage ; wheat bread occasionally; corn bread was the standand, that made different ways ; there was the dodger, the johnny-cake, and for extra a pone would be made, one that would last a family many days ; wild meats abundant, and obtained with little labor; going to mill is generally done on horseback. The first mill Mr. Stansell patronized was one on Sugar Creek, near the county line. Sugar was made every spring in large quantities, and used freely ; wood was no object. Mr. Stansell's parents emigrated from Kentucky ; his father came here in 1801, built his cabin, returned to Kentucky, and moved his family out on horseback to their future home in 1802, right in the woods; neighbors two to three miles distant. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church, and regular attendants at the log meeting-house, half-mile north of Centerville, being the first one built in the township. John Mason was among the first of the preachers at this house. A minister's pay then was just what the members felt like giving freely. Henry Stansell and wife died in 1833. The way of attending church at this time was on foot or horseback, the rider taking two or three children on with him. Mr. Stansell being raised on a farm, he has work at everything to be done there, even to plowing with the wood mold-board plow drawn by oxen. Mr. Stansell was married February 4, 1834, to Miss Eleanor Shehan. From this union were eleven children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Stansell died February 22, 1866. The father of the subject of this .sketch was born October 1, 1765 ; married to Elizabeth Allen April, 1793. From this union were eleven children, four of whom are now iving (July, 1881). Henry Stansell, at the age of thirteen, was captured by the Indians n the State of New York, with whom he remained five years, undergoing all the hardships of a captive's life. So far as a separation from home and friends are eonlerned, a portion of the time the Indians tried to make his life agreeable, but was an ndian's life after all. His release was brought about in this way. The Indian who iaimedhim as his property, while they were encamped in the neighborhood of a British ?ort on Lake Ontario, when drunk, sold him for a trifle to a British officer, received lis pay and departed, but soon as he became sober, returned to the fort, and demanded he return of Henry, but the officers secreted him, and told the Indian that Henry was ;one. Young Stansell was soon exchanged and sent home to his parents. He was so hanged in appearance that (although dressed in civilized clothing), none of the family except his mother) knew him, having given him up as dead ; the mother, so long bereft f him, instantly recognized him by a scar on his face. A few years after peace was eclared, Henry Stansell married and removed to Kentucky, and then to Ohio as above ated.

LEWIS TAYLOR, farmer, P. 0. Centerville, son of John and Rosanna ( Alexaner) Taylor, was born June 5, 1813, in Washington Township, Montgomery County, flfio. With the exception of a few years, has resided in his native township. In boyood, attended school in the log cabin where greased paper was used instead of glass for indows. The branches taught were reading, writing and arithmetic. Teachers were ten paid by subscription and board, dividing their time with the patrons. Books >ed were the spelling book and Bible. For copy books the scholar had, what would )w be considered, a very poor article of unruled foolscap, and the scholars provided lemselves with a lead pencil and rule to do the lining required in the copy book. The acher set all the copies, made and repaired the pens from goose quills, as steel and 'Id pens were not in use. Ink was manufactured at home, from maple bark and cop- peras. Lewis' occupation is that of a farmer, and is now one of the few men in this township owning and occupying the land purchased by their fathers from the United States. The above tract was deeded by James Madison, President of the United States, to John Taylor, December 15, 1810. Lewis has never had any political aspirations, and never was on a jury. The amusements in his early days were corn huskings, log-rollings, and raising the log cabin for the new settler, which would be accomplished in one day, ready for the family accupancy at night. Huskings and rollings always ended with a dauce at night. Lewis claims that the frame house he now occupies was about the first, if not the first one built in the township in 1808. It is a two-story ; in the second story religious meetings used to be held by the Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian Churches. His parents were both natives of Mifflin County, Penn., and were married February 19, 1801. From this union were eight sons and one daughter, of whom four sons only are now living. The parents, with three children, eame to Montgomery County, Ohio, in September, 1806, and purchased above-named tract of land soon after their arrival, on which was a double log cabin, with a puncheon floor, and about one acre of land, about half cleared ; balance, heavily timbered. Some years afterward, Mr. Taylor made another purchase of 410 acres of land, on the Miami Great Bend, and laid out the town of Alexandersville, the name being suggested by Mrs. Taylor, as a compliment to their eldest son, Alexander. Dr. David Bailey did the surveying and platting of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor donated one of the lots to the Christian; Church ; Mr. Taylor was one of the largest stockholders in the Woodbourn Cotton Factory, in which speculation he lost not less than $20,000, which, at that time, was al heavy loss. Mr. Taylor was drafted in the war of 1812 ; marched to Greenville under! Capt. Richard Sunderland ; his stay, however, was short ; sickness called him home | He soon procured a substitute, Samuel Mattocks, paying him $60 cash and an outfit, Mr. Taylor died November 29, 1843, aged sixty-five years nine months and eleven days Mrs. Taylor died August 17, 1878, aged ninety-four years four months and two days

JOSEPH THOMAS, farmer, son of Edward P. and Abigal (Benham) Thomas was born in Washington Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, August 19, 1834, and baft followed farming as his life occupation. He was married, January 1, 1861, to Char lotte Ramsey, daughter of Bloomfield and Matilda A. (Reeder) Ramsey, who was ak born in this township April 23, 1844. They have had the following children; -Josepl B , Edward P. (deceased), Mary E., Olive A., Melissa L., William IT. L., Eve M. an< Charles P. Our subject was but four years old when his father died, and at twelv< years of age, began working out by the month to help his mother support th family. In 1855, he and his brother Benjamin rented a farm, and by hard constant toil, and steady, economical habits, saved sufficient to purchase 100 acre of land, upon which Benjamin now lives. In 1865, Joseph sold his interest i the above farm to his brother, and purchased his present homestead of 131 acres, which is the legitimate result of his earnest efforts to succeed in life. Mr. Thoma is regarded as one of the progressive farmers of his native township, and his motto ha even been to be just and honest with all men.

JOHN WELLER, farmer, P. O. Centerville, son of John and Elizabeth Weller, w; born April 15, 1818, in Washington Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, and, with th exception of eleven years, has always resided there. Of the eleven years, seven wei spent in Warren County, Ohio, and four in Miami County, Ohio. By occupation, is firmer ; was raised one. Married, September 29, 1841, to Miss Mary Ann Anderso; From this union were ten children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Weller's schoolit acquired, as all farmer boys did at that time, work on the farm during farming seasojj and attend school in the winter, and yet, frequently, not all that time was allowed - heir if there was any grain to thrash, which the boys had to attend to by tramping it off < the bare floor with several horses. Their wearing apparel was altogether of bome-ma material, flax tow for pants, flax linen for shirts, and bettermost pants ; thre;; shirt-buttons in general use ; for winter wear, home-made cloth and jeans. R flannel wamusses were very fashionable. Boys were always delighted wh presented with a new one. Limited to one pair shoes a year, and when men ing was required, it frequently fell to the boy's lot to repair his own shoes. Among the vivid scenes and well recollected ones of Mr. Weller's boyhood, are, that when his father could put seven sons with their plows in the field at one time, and once in the spring of 1842, eight or nine were at work in the same field ; then, he says, what a sight at turning-out times, noon and night, to them file out of the field into a long lane, and march for dinner. The father's rule was that the horses must be fed first. His orders to the boys were to always be careful and take good care of them. Mr. Weller remembers selling produce at the following prices : Wheat, at 50 cents per bushel; oats, at 15 cents per bushel; corn, at the same. Has hauled flour for his father to Cincinnati, and sold it for $2.50 per barrel ; it would require four days to make the trip. Has sold pork at $2.50 per 100, net ; then the other extreme has sold pork for $13 per 100, net. Mr. Weller was a renter for nine years, but is now the owner of 248 acres of fine land, about 220 of which is under a good state of cultivation. His first plowing was done with the wooden mold-board plow. Now he uses all the modern farming utensils. Mrs. Weller is the daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Anderson; was born in Washington Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, September 18, 1821. There were eleven brothers and sisters, nine of whom are now living. Mrs. Weller has spent all her life on a farm, and in her early marriage life thought nothing hard of it to carry butter and eggs two and a half miles to market of a morning, returning in time for her children to go to school ; has been quite a spinner of flax and wool in her young days, out of which material the wearing apparel was manufactured for the family.

WILLIAM WELLER, farmer, P. O. Centerville. William Weller, son of John ;and Elizabeth Weller, was born April 30, 1816, in the State of New Jersey. When about two years old, he came with his parents to Washington Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio. When the family landed here, 50 cents was all the cash the father possessed, but being a blacksmith, just the man needed in a new settlement, the neighbors gathered together and soon had a house and shop ready for occupancy by the new-comer. He went to work ; the neighbors patronized him ; soon he began to receive help from his boys ; this enabled him to turn out more work, and he began to turn his attention to farming. About theyear 1827, he moved on a largefarm asarenter; fortune smiled on him, and inthe course of a few years he became the owner instead of the renter. At his death, he was quite wealthy, leaving a large estate for division among his children. William's privileges for schooling were only on a par with other farm boys. When old enough to work, he was introduced to it ; he says his first plowing was done with the wooden mold-board plow. He never had any desire to mingle in politics. He was married, March 19, 1840,