Winchester Township (part 28 of 30)

At diflferent times durinj^ the years covering and immediately following these periodsi he edited the Western Star at Lebanon, the Clernumt Courier at Batavia, and the Ne7v Era at West Union. In i88S, he became part owner and editor of the Daily Citisen, of Urbana, which gained a reputation under his management extending beyond the confines of the State. The Citizen was the first newspaper to advocate the selection of Wiliam McKinlev as the Gubematorisfl candidate of the Republican party, and his name was kept at the head of its editorial columns from the day following Major McKinley's defeat for Congress in the famous gerrymandered district, in 1890, until his triumphant election for Governor of Ohio, in 1891. A number of the campaign documents used by the Republican State Committee that year (as were a number in subsequent years and also in the National campaign of 1896) v/ere prepared by Joseph P. Smith. Throughout the period of his control of the Citizen its editorials were widely quoted.

In 1891, the late John A. Cockerill, then editor-in-chief of the New York Worlds tendered Mr. Smith a position on the editorial staff of that paper; but the flattering offer, while appreciated as a gracious compliment, was declined, as he did not want to leave the State. A tender of the editorship of the Toledo, Ohio, Daily Commercial was accepted in Dec, of that year. While serving on the latter paper (in 1892), Governor McKinley appointed him State Librarian. Many useful, rare and valuable works were added to the library during his incumbency of the office. Especially is this true as to works of reference. In May, 1896, he resigned the librarianship to take a confidential position with Major McKinJey, remaining with him throughout the Presidential campaign and until after the latter*s inaguration as President of the United States, March 4, 1897.

It is a fact, which none acquainted with the circumstances will dispute, that no other individual in the State did more to bring about the nomination of Major McKinley to the Presidency than Joseph P. Smith. Such was his love and esteem for the man that his every energy was exerted to the end that his friend might become the head of the Nation. His private papers, covering the years 1893, ^894, 1895 and 1896, now in possession of Mrs. Smith's executor and held as a legacy for his children, show that he was in correspondence and close touch with leading Republicans in every State and Territory in the Union during these years. No young man had a more extensive acquaintance,and none ever made more strenuous eflforts to redeem all political promises. He was a thorough organizer and could see further into the effects of a political move than almost any other person engaged therein. And yet no one ever heard him boast of his influence, or personally claim to have done anything superior to that of the ordinary party worker. His mind was a veritable encylopedia of political information and a magazine of reminis'Micos of the politics and the politicians of the past and present.

friendships among them, spoke only in praise of Joseph P. Smith. Of the expressions used, no more candid and truthful portrayal of his life and character can be found than is contained in this extract from the Canton, Ohio Repository, of February 5, 1898:

"Supremely faithful and loving to his family, combined with his beautiful qualities of heart and brighest of bright intellects, his greatest virtue was his unfaltering loyalty to the cause of which were enshrined his brightest earthly hopes and ambitions.

"Had his physical body possessed the strength to support his indomitable energy in the assiduous application of his remarkable intellect, few men would have equalled him in possibilities of attainment.

'*His fertile head was a vertiable store house. History, ancient and modern, were constant and living pictures in his always lively memory. His brain seemed incandescent with the knowlcdjg^e almost of the world, when ripe occasion made its demands on his resourceful mind. When v/orking in the cause he loved the most, he knew no night or day. Sleep could only come when utter physical exhaustion forced tired nature to assert herself. *****

"He was firm in the faith of Everlasting Peace to come. In Canton, in his tribute to a friend who had gone from earth, he wrote in paraphrase : {

"And yet, many is the heart that grieves, and myriad are the eyes that glisten today upon receiving the news from Florida at the taking away of an intellect so bright and a character so lovely, just as fame and fortune were at his feet in recognition of eminently patriotic service."

was (lie second son of Robert Stivers, and Jane Meharry. Until his eightcrnth year, he lived on his father's farm. Here under the prayeriul guidance of his pious mother, many lessons of patience and economy were learned ; and the foundation for his future successful business career was laid. In 1836, he removed to Ripley, where his faithfulness and uprightness of character soon established for him a permanent place as a business man and a citizen. In 1847, ^^^ began his long and successful career as a hanker : at that time the first bank in Ripley was founded, and for almost fifty years he was intimately associated with the Farmers' National Rank and Citizens* National Bank.

Mr. Stivers was married in 1845 to Miss Harriet Newall McCIain. After six years of married life, Mrs. Stivers died in August, 1851. Mr. Stivers was united in marriage a second time, December 13, 1859, ^^ ^^^^ Catherine Maddox, who proved a faithful and loving wife through years of innisiial happiness and prosperity, and who still survives him. ' The mantle of RTr. Stivers' unselfishness and prosperity has fallen upK>n his two snniving <;ons. John Robert and Frank Alexander Stivers, who are substantial business men of Ripley, Ohio, the latter being now President of tiic Citizens* National Bank, wnth which his father was connected for so many years. As a loving and devoted husband, a kind and generous father, a broad and honest business man and a loyal Christian gentleman, no words of eulogy are sufficient to express the nobility of character off Andrew Jackson Stivers, the subject of this sketch.

Andrew Jackson Stivers came from a long line of Virginia patriots and sturdy Irish ancestors. His grandfather, John Stivers, a native of Virginia, was born in 1764. He served his country in the Revolutionary War, as a member of the Virginia Militia, before he was sixteen years of age. Robert Stivers, father of A. J. Stivers, was bom March 26, 1789, in Westmoreland County, Pa. He served as a Volunteer in the War of 1812, as an Ensign of Lieutenant Daniel Coe's Company, First Regiment, Col. Edward's Ohio Militia, on a general call to Sandusky.

At the time of enlistment, he was a resident of Adams County, having come with his parents from Virginia to Brownsville (then Redstone), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and settled near Manchester. It was here that Robert Stivers met Jane Meharry, and in 1815 they were married in Liberty Township.

Jane Meharry was a native of Ireland, born February 3, 1790, and came to this country in May, 1794, with her father, Alexander Meharry, and her stepmother, Jane Meharry. The family settled al Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in July, 1794, and in April, 1799, removed to Kentucky and shortly afterwards to Adams County, Ohio.

To Robert and Jane Stivers were born four sons and four daughters. Robert Stivers died July 12, 1855, and Jane Stivers died April 10, 1870. Both are buried in Briar Ridge cemetery, this county.

was born August 4, 1825, the youngest son of Willian and Esther Smalley, near Jaybird, in Adams County, on the same farm on which he died, December 21, 1899. He was a farmer all his life and had no ambition for public office. He was a prominent Free Mason. He was married January 24, 1848, to Miss Hannah Parks, who survived him. She was a daughter of John and Eliza Parks, both of Hillsboro, Highland County. He and his wife lived on the same farm for fifty-two years.

They had four children, three daughters and a son, Ora, who resides with his mother. As a farmer, Mr. Smalley was very successful and accumulated a competence. He was very fond of rearing live stock and especially horses. He was an excellent judge of horseflesh. He never held any office except that of Trustee of his Township. He was conservative in all his views and actions.

He was strong in his feelings of either love or hate, but was highly respected in the entire circle of his acquaintances. He could have had a summer resort and village on his home farm on account of its remarkable medicinal and pure water springs, located on it, but preferred to dispense with those improvements and to be undisturbed on his farm surrounded by some of the finest scenery in Adams County.

Alexander Boyd Steen, the fourth son and seventh child of Alexander and Agnes Nancy Steen, a twin brother of John W. Steen, was bom near Flemingsburg, Ky., May 5, 1813. He was brought by his parents to Ohio in

1820, and resided in the same locality, three miles northeast of Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, almost seventy-five years. He was a child of the Covenant, descended from a long line of staunch Scotch-Irish Presbyterian ancestors, who had endured persecution and suffered imprisonment for their religious faith. He was a most saintly man, greatly beloved by all who knew him, and his gentle manner, sweet devotion and absorbing zeal reminded one of the Apostle Saint John. He occupied comparatively a humble sphere in life, but no man in all that region extended a wider religious influence than he. In private conversation, his spiritual insight and heavenly-mindedness was elevating to the soul. His faith in God's Word was unbounded, and the Divine promises were to him, living realities. He was no mere dreamer, thinking of future glory, but insisted upon the faithful performance of the practical duties of every day. He was not a learned man, but was more familiar with the English Bible than many professors of theology. He would quote from memory the verse and chapter of the Bible to substantiate his position upon any subject of conversation. By a fall, some years before his death, he was severely injured in the hips, which largely confined him to the house. He spoke of this afterwards as a special blessing, inasmuch as it gave him a better opportunity to study the Scriptures. He brought up his family of eight children in the fear of the Lord and all became members of the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church with which he was connected for more than fifty years. He died at his home near Winchester, Ohio, March 8, 1895, aged eighty-one years, ten months and three days. His body rests in the cemetery at Mt. Leigh. Alexander B. Steen was married by the Rev. Robert Stewart, March 29, 1838, to Miss Nancy Jane McClure, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth McClure. She was bom in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, September 11, 1821, and died March 18, 1893, aged seventy-one years, five months and seven days.

of Grimes Postoffice, was born March 11, 1838, in the old double log cabin at the mouth of Bayou Manyoupper, below the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, the last bayou on the trip from New Orleans to Pittsburgh. His father was Richard Stevenson, a son of John Stevenson, a native of Donegal, Ireland, who made his escape to America at the time of the Emmett Rebellion, and built the double log cabin on the site of the old stone house at Pleasant Bottoms, at mouth of Ohio Brush Creek. Richard Stevenson was bom October it, 1798. in the old cabin above mentioned on the old Stevenson farm. He married Sarah Cummings, a daughter of Captain Samuel Cummings, of Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the Stevenson home on the Ohio. He was a boat carpenter, and for years built flatboats at the mouth of Brush Creek and cordelled them to Kenhawah Licks, where thev were loaded with salt for New Orleans. He lived at the mouth of the bayou till 1838, when he built the present brick residence, now the home of the subject of this sketch. He died Julv 7, i8;s.

Samnel C. Stevenson, the subject of this sketch, followed steamboating on the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and was a captain of vessels for many years. He first married Miss Maggie Lovell, of Lewis County,

Biographical Skktche8 881

Kentucky, January 31, 1866. She died September 2, 1871, and afterwards, (October 15, 1873, he married Miss Joanna B. Shumaker, daughter of the late Captain J. H. Shumaker, of Mason City, W. Va., who was killed by an explosion on the steamer Brilliant, at Gallipolis Island, August 22, 1878. Captain Stevenson has "hove anchor" from Pittsburgh to the Gulf of Mexico, experiencing thrilling adventures that would fill a volume. He is now retired from tlie river, and enjoys life at his home on the beautiful Ohio at Pleasant Bottoms. He is the owner of Wilson's or Brush Creek Island, where persons from the surrounding towns and villages spend the heated season outing and fishing under the direction of the genial Captain.

A few years ago, a party of young men from Winchester camped at Brush Creek Island to spend some time fishing in Brush Creek and the Ohio River. Nicholas Ivockwood, a member of the party, was drowned in the Ohio while bathing, and his companions made futile efforts to recover the body. Captain Stevenson was called on to assist in the search and he discovered the body of young Lockwood rolling on the bottom of the river in several feet of water - the river being low and the water clear. He dived and secured a hold on the body and by almost superhuman efforts conveyed it to the shore unassisted.

The Captain is one of the best known citizens of the county and numbers his friends by the score. In politics, he is a Democrat of the Jefferson type.

of Manchester, was born August 21, 1843, c^n Eagle Creek, in Union Township. Brown County, Ohio. When one year of age, his parents, Spencer Spear and Harriet Coburn, moved to Huntington Township in that county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He was imr years engaged in the white hurley leaf tobacco trade and was one of the most prominent dealers in the Ohio white hurley district. In 1893, he removed to Manchester, where he purchases and handles white hurley leaf. Since residing there he has been elected Trustee of Manchester Township and Mayor of the town of Manchester. While serving as Mayor, he instituted and maintained a rigid warfare against the evil doers of that town with the result of a decided change in favor of morality and good order. Some of his decisions and rulings caused much comment at the time but he was sustained in the higher courts.

In politics, Mr. Spear is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, in 1864. He served in the 26th O. V. C, and took part in the pursuit and capture of the famous raider, General John Morgan, in his invasion of the North in 1863, an account of which is in this volume. While not a member of any church, Mr. Spear leans toward the Disciples organization, and is a firm supporter of the principles of morality and temperance.

is a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Manchester. He was bom near Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, August 11, 1838, and coracs of a family of Irish origin, which was established in America about 1750, its representatives settling in Sussex County, Delaware. Captain John Stq)henson, the great-grandfather of our subject, commanded a sailing vessel which made trips between the Emerald Isle and Atlantic ports in the United States. His family lived in this country, and his son William, when a youth of seventeen years, ran away from home to avoid going on a sea voyage with his father.

William Stephenson afterwards settled in Pennsylvania, near the town of York, where he married. At the breaking out of the Revolution, he joined the Colonial army and served until American independence was achieved, after which he removed with his family to Fort Duquesne. now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. About 1793, he joined a party of emigrants destined for Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. Among the number was a Mr. Kilpatrick with his two motherless little girls. During the trip Kilpatrick was killed by an attacking party of Indians, and William Stephenson took charge of and cared for the orphans. One of them afterwards became the wife of his son, Colonel Mills Stephenson. The party proceeded to the town of Washington, founded by the noted Indian scout of that day, Simon Kenton. William Stephenson remained in Kentucky until 1798, when he crossed the Ohio and located his land warrant for services in the Revolution, on Eagle Creek, in Adams, now Brown County, where he erected a cabin and passed the remainder of his eventful career.

On reaching manhood. Colonel Mills Stephenson married Miss Kilpatrick, as above stated, and settled on a farm near his father. He was a leading spirit in Southern Ohio in affairs of business and politics, and in the second war with England served with the rank of Colonel, and built old Fort Stephenson, named in his honor, the post so heroically defended afterwards by young Croghan, where now stands the town of Fremont, Ohio. Colonel Stephenson was one of the early Sheriffs of Adams County before the formation of Brown County. He afterwards became interested in the milling business near Ripley, and built and ran tiatlx>ats from that p<:)int to Xew Orleans. On one of these trips he contracted a fever and died at \ icksburg, Mississippi, in 1823. Colonel Stephenson and his first wife had born to them the following children ; Ephriam, who died in childhood ; lilizabeth, who married Thomas Wallace, of Ottawa, Illinois ; Charlotte, who died at the age of twenty years ; Young, who became a steamboat captain on the ( )hio, and who, during the Mexican War. was in the employ of the (xovernment. transporting supplies from New Orleans to Matanioras, Mexico, where he died in 1847: and Lemuel, a steamboat engineer, who followed the river for years. In 1857. he quit the river and o])ene(l a hotel in Catlettslmrg, Kentucky, where he died in

Robert I'rettynian Stephenson, the father of our subject, was born in Ri])ley, ( )liio, June 22, 1801. and died February 2^, 1884. His wife ifice Mary A\*allace ) })assed away August 13, 1883. They were married September 23, iSk;, and had seven children.

Robert A. v^tephenson, whose name heads this record, spent his child- IkhkI (lays at the old homestead, and in September. i86r. entered the Unitcij States Arniv as a medical cadet. He was then stationed at Georgetown. I). C, where he remained until Sc])tember, 1862, when he entered Jefferson Medical College. IMiiladelphia, graduating from that institution in iH(>3. He soon after was made Assistant Surgeon^ and was assigned to duty with the Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, then at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He thus served, until May, 1865, when he was commissioned Surgeon and almost immediately afterwards appointed Brigadier Surgeon by General George P. Buell. At the close of the war, he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 25, 1865. While in front of Atlanta, on the twelfth of August, 1864, he was severely wounded in the head by a piece of shell, and yet suflfcrs from the injury. He was present at all the engagements in which the Sixty-ninth Regiment participated after April 20, 1863, and did much good service in healing the wounds and allaying the pains of those that rebel lead had injured. At the close of the war, Dr. Stephenson returned to the private practice of his profession, locating in Bentonville, Adams County, where he remained until 1873. In that year he removed to Manchester, where he has resided ever since, engaged in the successful labors of his chosen profession.

In politics the Doctor has always been a Jeffersonian DemcKrat, and when Cleveland became President, was appointed by him United States Examining Surgeon on the r>oard of Pension Examiners for Adams County, serving until 1889. He was again appointed to the position in 1893, during President Cleveland's second administration. On November 7, 1899, he was elected Auditor of Adams County on the Democratic ticket, and now holds that responsible position.

The Doctor was married October 27, 1867, to Miss Arcada Hopkins, daughter of William E. and Eliza (Brittingham) Hopkins. . They had bom to them William Prettyman, July 31, 1868; Mary, August 26, 1872; Robert Ellison, July 17, 1879, who was accidentally killed while duck hunting on Brush Creek Island, December 29, 1897; and Ralph, born Mav 16, 1884.

The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of George Collings Post, No. 432. G. A. R. He is a close student of his profession, an untiring worker, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have placed him in the front rank among his professional nrethren in Adams County. In stature, he is alxwe the medium, strongly knit frame, inclined to corpulency, of vital-sanguine temiH*rament, a rather strong face, and withal good i)ersonal appearance. He is sociable and courteous in his daily intercourse with his fellow men, and active and earnest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the conmiunity in which he resides.

was lx)rn in P*rown County, Ohio, August 29, 1842. He is the son of William Shelton. At the age of three years, his father moved into Adams County. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the District school.

On the sixteenth of October, i8(:)i, he enlisted in Company F, 70th O. \. I. He was aj)i>ointed Coqx)ral, October 31, 1862, and Sergeant, April 30, 1864. He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was mustered out of the service August 14, 1865. He was wounded in the left shoulder at the battle of Shiloh. April 6, 1862. He was first duty Sergeant after his appointment, and in the last year of the war often had command of the company. He was with Major William B. Brown when he was killed, August

He has always l>een a Republican. He cast his first vote, while in the service, for John Brough for Governor of Ohio. He connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865. He was elected Recording Secretary of his Quarterly Conference, and has held that office ever since. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township on the Republican ticket in 1895, and served two years.

On (JctolKT 28, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucinda Lawrence, daughter of Jacob G. Lawrence. He has four children. His eldest daughter, Mary, is at home. His second daughter, Edith, is the wife of Henry Scott. His third daughter, Rertha, is the wife of Charles Little. His son, William L.. married a Miss Games, and is a farmer. Both his sons-in-law arc farmers. Mr. Shelton is one of the best farmers in the county, stands well in the estimation of all who know him, and is a citizen of the highest standing.

was lx)rn at Marshal. Highland County, Ohio, July 19, 1854, the son of Alfred and Catherine (Elliot) Spargur. His grandfather, Henry W. Spargur, was from North Carolina. He came to Ohio in 1833, locating near Spargur's Mills in Highland County. He married Susan Roberts. Alfred Spargur, their third son, is the father of our subject. He had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Law^- rence \V., above, is the eldest. He was reared on a farm and received a conmion school education. He labored on the fann and taught school until he was twenty-four years of age. Then he married Miss Ella E. Pulse. There were three children of this manage, Jane C. Inez and Fred. ]ncz is deceased. The wife died October 16, 1889. From 1878 to 1889. he was engaged in farming. At the latter date, he sold his farm and located at vSeanian. Ohio, when there were but nine dwellings in the place. At Seaman, he entered into partnership in the mercantile business with John 1. Rhoads, and this continued until 1893, when he purchased Mr. Khoad's interest and since has been conducting the business alone.

On May 19, 1892, he was married to Miss Nettie Foster, daughter of Rolx'rt and Susan (^irigg Foster, of Irvington, Since July i, 1897, he has been conducting the "Spargur House," hotel and livery stable in comu'Clion tlierewith. In L'ebruar}', 1898, he engaged in the saw-mill and hnulxT business in partnership with William Crissman under the name of S|)argur & Crissman. He was elected a Justice of the Peace in Scott Township in i8(;8. In politics, he is a Republican. He is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Seaman and is a steward and trustee. He is Sui)erintendent of the Sunday School of the church.

He is a man full of industry, energy' and pluck. In everything for the g(HHl of the community, he is at the front. His traits of character are all the very best. He is a valuable man in the church, in business, and as a citizen, and moreover, every man who knows him, regards him just as wc have stated.

Biographical Skktches 865

was born in West Union, Ohio, June lo, 1868. His father was Salathiel Sparks, born November 20. 1S29, and his mother was Clara Post, born Jime 6, 1849. His ^grandfather, (ieor^e Sparks, was born in Virginia, May lO, 1794, and died at West Union, Decemljer 30. T839. His greatgrandfather, Salathiel Sparks', was born in 1756, and died at West Unions July 20, 1823. The latter located at West Union in 1804 and purchasad from Robert W(K)d one hundred acres of land, now known as "Byrd's Addition to West I'nion." Salathiel Sparks had a son John, the well known banker of West Union in its early days. This John, who has a sketch elsewhere, married Sarah Sinton, sister of David Sinton, of Cincinnati.

Our subject was educated in the Public schools in West Union and graduated there in 1888. In the Summer of that year and of 1889, he attended Xormal sch(X)l at West Union. In the Summer of 1889, he began the study of law in the office of Cai)tain David Thomas, and in the Winters of 1888 and 1889, attended the law school of Cincinnati and graduated on May 28, 1890. The next day he was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He located in Cincinnati for the practice of law, June 20, 1890. He has served as Acting Prosecutor in the Police Court and as Acting Judge of the same court.

In i)olitics, Mr. Sparks is a strong and active Republican. He has been a speaker in the State and National campaigns and has been a delegate to the State Convention of his party for f\y{.' years in succession. He is a member of the I Maine Club of Cincinnati an(l of the Stamina League of the same city, and was at one time President of the Board of Directors in the latter.

On November 21, i8<X>. 1^<? ^vas married to Miss Klizabeth l>arclay, of Brooklyn, New ^'<)rk. She was lx)rn December 17, 1879, ^" ^^^* ^^^Y ^^ Oldham, England. They have one child, a daughter. Dorothy (irace, bom April 15, i8(;8. His wife's great-uncles were members of the House of Lords of the British Parliament.

He is a man of high mental capacity, self-educated. 'He is studious, generous, and pronounced in his likes and dislikes. As a citizen, he is broadminded and liberal, ever regardful of the rights of others and prompt in the perfonTiance of all duties. As a lawyer, he is quick, persevering, bold, aggressive, and makes the interest ,of his clients his own. He is well read in the law. eloquent, and sometimes sarcastic. Without friends, influence or social advantages, he attempted to practice law in Cincinnati, and by his own [)ersonality has built up a good practice.

of Benton ville, Ohio, was born January 5, i8()3. near Dunkinsville, Ohio, on the farm now (Kcupied by his parents, Robert C. and Sarah (Thoroman) Sprouli.

William Sprouli. great-grandfather of our subject, was a Scotchman by birth, but emigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland, from whence he embarked for America, August 1, 1793, on the Brig "Cunningham," sailing for North Carolina. The brig was twice overhauled on the voyage by 66a.

pirates sailing under the colors of French Men-of-War. The passengers lost all of their helongings except a few pieces of gold that Mrs. SprouII had concealed in her hat. One of these ''pirate" vessels proved to be an American privateersman from Baltimore, where the Sproulls and their confiscated f^cxxh were brought to instead of North Carolina, the destination of the "Cunningham." Mr. Sproull, being a Free Mason and finding friends in Baltimore, was enabled to recover that part of his property, consisting of Irish linen. They landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, and settled at Klliot's Mills, near Baltimore, where they remained a fewyears, and then moved to Wythe County, Virginia. Their family were Hazlet, who married Elizabeth Fergus, and after his death, she married Joseph Montgomery, Jr., brother of Robert's wife; Robert, grandfather of our subject; Rosa, married William Russell; Margaret, married a Hines ; Mary, married William Crissman.

Ro!)crt Sproull, grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 17, 1777, and came to America with his parents. He married Anna Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr., and Rachel (Ramsey) Montgomer>% of Wythe County, Virginia. Rhoda Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery', Sr.. married William Glasgow, and removed to George's Creek, Adams County, Ohio. Some time prior to 1822, the Sproull family came and settled in the same neighborhood in order to be near their relatives. Robert Sproull resided there until 1826, when he removed to Brush Creek on the farm where Robert C. Sproull, his son, and father of our subject, still resides.

Robert C. Sproull was born on George's Creek, in 1824. He married Sarah Thoroman and both are still living on the old Sproull farm near Dunkinsville, Ohio.

Dr. Sproull, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the fanii. receiving a common school education until the age of eighteen. He attended the Normal school of West Union, ( )hio, and the National Xornial University at Kchanon, Ohio. lie began teaching in 1881 and continued for tlurce years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Dan Ellison. of I )nnkinsville, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at f Baltimore, Maryland, graduating March 15, 1886. After practicing with Dr. IClli.son, at Dunkinsville, until September of the same year, he located at r.entonvillc, (.)hi(>. where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.

lie was married .\ugust 22, 1888, to .\gnes B., daughter of William anil Melissa (Thoroman) Traher, of the Traber Tavern on Lick Fork. Tluy have two children living. Clarence Traher, aged seven years, and Hazel, a hahe.

The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and wields considerable intluence in icK'al ])olitical affairs. He was elected Clerk of Sprigg Township in i8i)(). and again elected in i8c;8. As a physician, he is rapidly rising in his |)rofessi(>n. being an earnest student and tireless worker, while his inti\^rit\ and moral ])rinciples make him a valued citizen.

was iK^rn July 25, 1840, on ?^agle Creek, in Brown County, where Spencer Spears now resides. He is a son of William and Betsy (Cochran"! Shelton. His mother was a daughter of Gen. John Cochran.

Ho.V. Jiiskph A. Shriver Biographical Sketches 867

whose sketch appears elsewhere. Thomas Shelton, his grandfather, was a native of Maryland, and when a young man, eloped with a neighbor giri, Sarah Kline, whom he married and brought to Charleston Bottom, Kentucky, where there was already a settlement of Maryland people. The entire journey was made on horseback. After remaining in Kentucky a few years, they removed just across the river into Ohio, in Adams County. William, their only son and father of our subject, was but five years of age at this time, and as he grew to manhood, he began to develop at once the successful business man he became. He engaged in flatboating on the Ohio River, and in this way getting a start in business and saved enough money to provide his parents a home, buying the Ben Sowers farm above Ripley, and afterward the Spears farm on Eagle Creek, and in 1845, ^^ purchased the farm in Sprigg Township, where our subject now resides. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-three. The children of William and Betsy (Cochran) Shelton are Tamer, wife of Samuel Brookovcr, of Eureka, Kansas ; Thomas J., our subject ; William J., of Bradyville, Ohio ; Sarah E.. wife of George Dragoo, of Philipsay, Mo. ; Margaret, wife of Samuel Evans, of Hiett, Ohio ; Joseph \\ ., of Catlin. IH. ; Lillie, wife of Charles Griffith, of Paola, Kansas, and Hetlie, wife of Samuel Glaso, of Manchester. Ohio.

Thomas J. Shelton, our subject, was reared on the farm and obtained a common school education. He married Mary S. Dragoo, daughter of Samuel Dragoo. Their children are Samuel, married to Fannie Gilbert : William ; Cora, wife of Robert Roush ; Grace, wife of Asbury Mains ; Ernst, married Mary Lang ; Thomas J., married Icy Gray : Hanson P., married Mary Powers ; Amenda, married Charles Lang ; Richard, Chase, Robert and Fay. The last four are at home. Our subject, like his father, has been a successful business man. He is engaged extensively in farming and gives considerable attention to political and public affairs. He is a Republican and has served as Commissioner of Adams County for two terms, from 1885 to 1888, and from 1891 to 1894. He was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1892. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Manchester, and also a member of the Masonic order at the same place.

belongs t(^ an old German family which can be traced to 1688 at Altenlx)m, Germany. The family came to America prior to the Revolution : and David Shriver, an ancestor, before the opening of that war and for a period of thirty years, was a member of the Legislature. As such he rendered distinguished services in behalf of the patriots. Admiral Schlpy is identified with the 'amily in the female line. Joseph Mitchell Shriver. father of cnir subject, was born June [8. 18 16. His mother, Catherine Cuppel. daughter of Daniel Cuppel, was horn April 30, 1815, at Decatur, C)hic). His grandfather, Fetter Shris'er, was born March 6. 1766. in Pennsylvania. His grandfather. Lading Shriver, was born October 14. I70<^, at Altenbom. Germany. There have been many distinguished members of the family in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

years of aj^e, when he began to learn the tinner's tr^de ^ith his father. He followed that nntil 1898, when he sold out to Charles Prather. Since then he has l)een a dealer in real estate. On May 9, 1876, he married Miss Mary I. V'am'eventer, of Versailles, Ills. He has one child, a dauj^liter Minnie, wife of Granville Boyer, telegraph operator at Manchester. They have one child, Knrnace Boyer, a son, aged fifteen months.

If tiiere is any one thing Mr. Shriver is noted for, it is for his devotion to the principles and success of the Republican party. For more than twenty years he has been one of the leaders of the countv. He has been a Coniinitteenian of his township for many years, and has often been County Coinniitteeinan. He has many times been delegate to the County and District crmventions of his party, and in these has been conspicuous ft»i his work. He conducted the campaign in his county when President McKinley was first elected Governor of ()hio. and his party was successful in the county. In i8c>6, he was Scrgeant-at-arms of the National Kepublican Convention at St. Louis. On April 18, 1900, Mr. Shriver was nominated by the Republican Congressional Convention of the Tenth Congressional District for presidential elector.

in business, Mr. Shriver was noted for his industry, honesty of purpose, and strict integrity. He is regarded as progressive and energetic. He has been President of the Manchester Stove Works and Treasurer of the .Manchester Fair Association. He is well esteemed bv his neighbors, and is regarded as reliable in all the undertakes. He has done as much for his party as any member of it in the county.

Moses Duncan Alexander Steen, the fifth son of Aaron F. Steen. :\ sketch ot whom appears elsewhere, was born at the homestead of his maternal grandfather, Michael Freeman, ten miles east of West Union, April J4. 1841, where he spent his childhood. In 1848, his parents moved to Mt. Keigli. He united with the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church. June S. 1858. and that h^ill became a student at the Xorth Liberty Academy, with the ministry in view. He spent three years at the South Salem Academv under the late Rev. j. A. L Lowes, D. D.. and one year in lhnu)ver Colletje, Indiana. He graduated at Miami L'niversity in i8t>6. In the Autunm of the same year, he took up the study of theology at the I'. P. Seminary at Xenia. and remained one term. He continued the study of theology at the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, until April 8. 1868. when he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Cliillicothe, and in the Summer preached at Mt. Sterling and Sharpsburg. Ky. In the Fall of 1868, he spent one term at the theological seminary at Princeton. X. J., and April i, 1869. was gfraduated fn>m the Northwest Seminary at Chicago.

Directly after his graduation, in 1861). he took charge of the Presbyterian Church at Worthington. (^hio, where he was married on June 2 J. 1S70. to Marv I'oster. On September 8, 1870, he was ordained by the Presbytery oi Xew Albany. Indiana, having previously accepteti a call to \ evay. Indiana. In 1872. he was called to Solon, near Cleveland: thence xo Ci>nneatville and Waterford. Pennsvlvania : thence he was called to Ludlow, Kentucky, where he remained seven years ; thence to Pleasant Ridge, Ohio. He was afterwards located at Troy and Edwardsville. III., Gunnison and Black Hawk, Col., and Snohomish. Washington. At Conneatville, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1873, his only child. Lulu Grace, was born, and she died July 3. 1876. On September i, 1886, he located at Woodbridge, Cal., where he still remains as pastor. He made a tour of Europe in 1877 and has travelled in every State and Territory in the United States, in Canada and Mexico. His degree of Doctor of Divinity was given him by the San Joaquin Valley College, California, in 1888, and in 1889. Wooster University conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. Since 1893, he has been stated Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery of Stockton, a district as large as Ohio. He was a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1880, 1887 and 1894. In 1895, ^^e General Assembly sent him as delegate to '*Tlie Council of the Reformed Churches throughout the world, holding to the Presbyterian system," which met in Glasgow, Scotland, June, 1896. He attended this with his wife and made a tour of British and Continental Europe. He is the author of the following works: "Scriptural Sanctification," "How to be Saved," "The Human Soul," and numerous magazine articles.

His wife is a true helpmate in his sacred profession, cultivated, amiable, and devout. Since 1887, she has been the Presbvterial Secretary of the Woman's Occidental Hoard of Foreign Missions. Dr. Steen is a man of fine culture, deep scholarship, and unusual ability. His Christianity is profound. In many particulars, he has been like John Elliot or Jonathan Edwards, in that he has lavished upon his congregations, in 1 emote places, an amount of learning that would shame many a metroi)oliian pulpit. He has a warmth of religious affection that world satihfy a Baxter. He cheers the sorrowing, and the poor are heli>ed by his tender con.solation. He has lived a noble and useful life and holds the aflection of all his people, men, women and children. He is true to all obligations. He believes in, and cultivates in himself and others, those virtues which make true Christian manhood and womanhood. His life is a true exemplitkation of his teachings.

was born in Bentonville, Adams County, on July 25, 1839. His father was William Stivers, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Downey. She was born at East Liberty, Pennsylvania. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and killed at Sandusky, Ohio. She was brought to Adams County, Ohio, when she was but two years old, in a flatboat on the Ohio River, in a party with the Rev. John Meek, the celebrated Methodist minister. The party landed at Manchester, Ohio, and Aaron Pence reared her. She made her home with him until she was married. She died in 1878 and her husband in 1884. Our subject received a common school education.

He was married September 10. 1861, to Mary I. Fitch, daughter of the Hon. E. M. Fitch, of Brown County, who was a member of the Legislature from that county for four years. Mrs. Fitch was a daughter of Col. Mills Stephenson, of Brown County, Ohio. He was killed in the

War of 1812 at Fort Stephenson, which was named for him. Our subject iH the father of five children, four daughters and one son. His daughter, Ida B. Stivers, bom September 17, 1862, is the widow of Prank Gaflhi. Cora B. Stivers, his second daughter, was bom and died in 1868. Icie W. Stivers, his third daughter, bom November 13, 1866, is the wife of E. W. Erdbrink, formerly of Baltimore, Md., now a resident of Manchester, Ohio. Our subject's son, Joseph Randolph Stivers, bom July 23, 1874, who received his Christian names in honor of the late Col. Joseph Cockerill, graduated in the Manchester schools, and is now a traveling salesman.

His daughter, Sallie B. Stivers, was bom October 6, 1878. She is married to Samuel A. Walker, formerly of Point Pleasant, W. Va., but now foreman of the Ohio Valley Furniture Company at Manchester. Our subject was reared at Bentotiville, Ohio. When quite young he engaged in the mercantile business at that place, where he remained till he was elected Sheriff in 1871. He served as Sheriff one term after which he moved back to Bentonville, where he kept hotel till 1880. He then removed to Manchester, Oliio, and engaged as agent tor buggies and farm implements. He has been the salesman for the S. P. Tucker Buggy Co., of Manchester, Ohio, for several years and is at present employed by the Piano Manufacturing Company of Pullman, Illinois.

Vice-President and Acting President of the Cincinnati Savings Society, located at Nos. 43 and 45 East Fifth Street, in the city of Cincinnati, was bom in Greene Township, Adams County, April 5, 1834. His mother was a daugliter of Jonathan Wait, and was lx)rn on Blue Creek in the same county, in 1811. His father, William Stout, was bom on Stout's Run, in Greene Township, in 1806. He was the founder of the villag^e of Rome and sold jifoods there until his death in 1859. He was the first Postmaster at v^tout. the name of the p)ostoffice of the village of Rome. Our subject received such education as the common schools afforded and in 1854 went West. He went to Fort Riley. Kansas, but left there when the Border Ruffian troubles began. He went to Council Bluffs, Towa. in Octo])er. 1834. and took part in locating and establishing the city of Omaha. In 185O. he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature of Nebraska, and t(x)k his seat therein lanuarv i, 18^7.

One Winter's legislative experience was sufficient and in the Fall of i8t;8. like ]o. in "Bleak House." he ''moved on" with six others to Pike's Peak, on the discovery of gold there, and with them laid out and started the city of Denver. Tn t86t. he returned to Ohio. From the organization oi the <>ist ( ). \'. I., he was Sutler of that regiment during its service.

In 1 86 q. he entered into the manufacture of fine cut tobacco in Cincinnati, as one of the firm of Barber & Stout, and caried on an extensive business until 1882. when he retired from active business. In 1887. he l>ecame interested in the manufacture of linseed oil, but gave but little personal attention to the business. He still owns the plant located at Winton Junction. He was also interested in the manufacture of woodenware in Paulding County. Ohio, with offices in Cincinnati. The business was conducted under the name of T. P. Gav & Co. Mr. Stout estab- lished a reputation in Cincinnati, and wherever his business relations extended, for integrity and ability. For this reason he was invited to become a Trustee of the Cincinnati Savings Society in 1892. For two years, though nominally its Vice-President, on account of the sickness and absence of the President, he has been its head and chief executive (rfficer. No one could have been found to have managed it with greater ability and success. Mr. Stout has a high sense of honor and is strictly correct in all his dealings. He has great administrative and executive ability and has been successful in all his undertakings. He would succeed in any financial enterprise, because he would not undertake anywhere he could not command the conditions of success. He is a man of forceful character, and would lead in any vocation he might adopt. He has sound judgment, is discreet and prudent, and is unswerving in any course his judgment approves. He investigates any subject he considers, thoroughly, and when his mind is once made up to a course, he is fearless in its execution. He has no guide in politics or business, but his high sense of duty. When he has once determined on a course in any matter, no one can turn him from it, an4 this is true of him in every relation of life, in banking, in commercial business, or in politics. He was one of the Trustees who built the waterworks of Wyoming, and is a Director of the Electric Lighting Company, which lights Wyoming and several of the surrounding villages. Whenever anything was required to be done for the public, and he was called upon to do it, his services have been eminently successful and satisfactory to his constituents. He is respected and honored by all who know him.

In November 22, 1859. he was married to Miss Margaret Kirk, daughter of A. D. Kirk, of North Liberty, Adams County. He has four daughters, Mrs. William S. Steams, whose husband is one of the firm of Stearns, Foster & Co., cotton manufactures of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, another daughter, Mrs. E. E. Moore, whose husband is a cotton broker in New York City, but who resides in Hackensack, New Jersey. He has two daughters at home. Misses Edna and Florence. He lost his only son at the age of fourteen, some six years since. He resides in the most attractive home in Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati, having thirty acres of ground attached to it in which trees and flowers do their best to make it like the original Eden.

In politics, Mr. Stout has always been a Republican, but has never hesitated to be independent when he thought a duty to the public required it. Enjo)dng that high position in business life which his talents have commanded, with an interesting family, and surrounded by the most delightful social relations, it is the hearty wish of his friends that his health and life may be spared many years to enjoy these conditions.

of West Union, was born on Elk Run, in what is now Winchester Township, April 2, 1839. His parents, Denton and Nancy Waldron ToUe, were well known residents of Adams County for many years. Stephen Tolle, the grandparent, was a Virginian by birth and was a pioneer of Adams County. He was a miller by trade and built one of ihe first mills on FJk Run. The Tolle familv is of Welsh descent, and

Judge Tolle was reared in Adams County, and lived from boyhood until about his fortieth year at Bentonville. Here he attended the Pubjic schools and later became a pupil in the select school of Prof. Miller, an Eastern educator, who made Bentonville an educational center for several years. Prof. Bums, the author of Burns* Bnglish Grammar, was a teacher in this school. Samuel McKinley, a relative of the ancestors of President McKinley, was one of the eminent tutors of our subject So that upon attaining his majority, Judge Tolle was equipped with a good common school education supplemented with a knowledge of the sciences, that enabled him to take a position among the foremost educators of his portion of the State. He was engaged in his chosen profession from 1862 till his election as Probate Judge, in 1881, and during a good deal of that time he was a member of the Board of School Examiners of the county. On the twelfth day of June, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Esther A. Edgington, daughter of William L. and Mary A. Payne Edgington. Her grandparents were Virginians and came to Adams County in pioneer days. The grandfather, William Edgington, was a cousin of Asahel and John Edgington, whose biographies appear in this volume, and who were celebrated pioneers of Adams County.

Wliile engaged in the profession of teaching. Judge Tolle read law under the gijidarice of Hon. Thomas J. Mullen, an eminent lawyer of Adams County for many years. But after some experience in the courts, he took an aversion to the practice-of law as observed by him, and laid aside his Chittv forever.

The Judge has been a prominent factor in Adams County politics for over forty ye?rs, never having missed voting at but one election, April. 1863. when very sick, in all that time. He was elected Clerk of Spn\t^^ Township iti 1861 and re-elected in 1862. Refused the nonn'nation in 1863, but in 1864 the Democratic parly, of which he lias always been an active member, took liini up and elected him Clerk of the Township the two succeeding years. In 1871, he was appointed School Examiner by Judge Coryell, and he served continuously in that capacity until 1881, when he was elected on the Democratic ticket Probate Judge of Adams County. He was re-elected three times in succession to this office, so that he served in the office a term of twelve years. He was nominated for a fifth term and defeated by a plurality of twenty-nine votes. His defeat w^as caused mainly from the fact that being Chairman of the Democratic County Executive Committee the first year of President Cleveland's second term, the disappointed applicants for postmasterships put the blame on the Tud<:^e, while in reality Senator Brice controlled this patronage. The Judge has been a member of the West Union School Board, City Council, Trustee of Wilson Children's Home, County Board of Elections, and of the Democratic State Central Committee. He has ahvays been feared from his safe counsel to his party, more than any Democrat of the county, by Republican politicians. He has but one child, Hallani \'., who was his Deputy while Probate Judge, and who made most of the records of the office except the journal, which records are not excelled in anv Probate office of the State. Hallam married Mary Robuck, a daughter of Thomas Robuck, of West Union, and is now the business associate of his father.

Judge ToUe is a member of West Union Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., and of Manchester Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M. Also, of West Union Lodge, No. 570, L O. O. F., and of West Union Encampment, No. 219. He and his wife were members of the Disciples Church at Bentonville until it ceased to exist in 1880. Mrs. Tolle is now a consistent member of the Baptist Church, of West Union.

was born on the David Stevenson farm in Monroe Township, Adams County, Ohio, on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1875, the son of Isaac Tharp. He showed a taste for learning and books at the age of five years, and acquired knowledge from them as rapidly as his circumstances and surroundings would permit. His nwther died when he was eighteen years of age. He determined to qualify himself as a teacher, and did so at a great sacrifice. He sold his last horse in 1898 to obtain money to attend a Nonnal school at West Union. In 1899, he obtained a certificate to teach in the Public schools in Adams County ; and was so favorably known in the district of his own home that he was employed to teach the Public school there. He began it in the Fall, and continued it until the ninth of January, 1900, when he was taken sick with what proved to be typhoid pneumonia. His disease baffled all medical skill, and he died on the seventeenth of January, 1900. On the day following, he was buried beside his mother in the Nesbit cemetery.

He had subscribed for this work at the first opportunity, and looked forward with great pleasure to its forthcoming. He was one of the eight subscribers to the work who were called away after ordering it and before its publication. He was a model young man in every respect, and it seems a great pity that he could not have been spared to complete what promised to be a most useful life. He left a precious memory to liis friends and a bright example to the world.

of Dunkinsville. was born at the old Treber Tavern, on Lick Fork, in which he now resides, August 10, 1825. He is a son of Jacob Treber, whose father, John Treber. was a pioneer of Adams County, and opened the old tavern on Lick Fork in 1798. Jacob Treber married Jane Thoroman.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and after reaching man's estate, married Miss Melissa Thoroman, daughter of Samuel Thoroman and Rachel Florea, January 10. 1856. His children are Anna: Agnes, married to Doctor O. T. Sproull : Sallie, Lizzie, Clara, married to Cameron Tucker ; Jacob, who married Margaret Chapman : Lucy, married to Ola Thoroman ; Stella, married to Dr. Treber Crawford, and Lyman, who married Lulu Gaffin.

Democrat of the Jackson school and has often been honored by his party with official recognition. He served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and was on the Board of Trustees of Tiffin Township for fifteen years. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather, was a soldier, in the Revolution from the State of New York.

of Wheat, was born on Wheat Ridge, February 15, 1844. He is a son of John Thoroman and his wife, Rosanna Hamilton. He was brought up on his father's farm working in Summer and attending the District school in Winter, in which he received a good common school education. He enlisted as a Private in Company G, i82d O. V. I., and was mustered into service at Cincinnati, September 28, 1864, and honorably discharged at Nashville, July 7, 1865. This regiment belonged to the Engineering Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864. Returning to Adams County after the war, he married Miss Harriet C. Elliott, Feburary 29, 1872, daughter of John Elliott, who married Mary Collier, a daughter of Colonel Daniel Collier, whose sketch appears elsewhere. The children of William T. Thoroman and wife are: Ola C, Lloyd A., and Laura B., deceased. Mr. Thoroman is a Republican and was Census Enumerator for Oliver Township in 1890. He is a member of the M. E. Church at Dunkinsville.

The Thoromans came originally from Delaware. There were two brothers. Thomas and Samuel, who married sisters. Thomas married Hester Crawford and Samuel her sister Anna, in the State of Pennsvlvania. From there they came to Ohio.

son of Oliver Thoroman. was born March 21, 1828, on the old homestead farm one mile north of Dunkinsville, Ohio. He was reared on the farm, and followed that occupation through life. He attained a good common school education, and was well qualified to fill any position in the ordinary affairs of life. March 3, 1853, ^^^ married Almira Mason, a daughter of Squire Samuel S. Mason, of Tiffin Township, Adams County. To this union there were born Lyman O., Theodore M., Sallie j., Wesley H., Anna, and I. J., the fourth son, now residing on the old home farm. The subject of this sketch was a man very highly esteemed in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity in good standing at the time of his decease, November 28, 1890. In politics, he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type.

pharmacist, of West Union, was born on Island Creek, Adams County, January 10, 1871. His father was John Thompson^ and his mother, Dorcas Jane Vance. He was educated in the common schools, Manchester High school and the Normal University, Lebannon, Ohio. He taught in the Public schools of Adams County from 1891 to 1893, ^^^ then took a course in pharmacy at Ada, Ohio, where he graduated in that science. February 19, 1895, he married Eva Prather, and they have one interesting little daughter, Anna Thelma, as fruit of that unioo. Mr. Thompson is a successful business man and is repected in the community where he resides. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men, and belongs to the uniformed rank of each of these orders. He was left an orphan at the age of nine years and by energy and economy, under the watchful care of his mother, acquired a good education and has now a good business and a pleasant home.

of Cherry Fork, is recognized as one of the most accomplished physicians and surgeons of Adams County. He acquired a good Bnglish education including a course in the sciences, a thorough knowledge of which is so necessary to the successful practitioner. In his seventeenth year, he began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. L. C. Laycock, then of Decatur, Ohio, and after a preparatory course, entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, for the term 1886-7. 1° 1887-^, he was a student in the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which he graduated with high honors in March, 1888. After graduation, he opened an office in Youngsville, this county, and in October of that year married Miss Mary E. Williams, daughter of W. P. Williams, a descendant of an old and respected family of Adams County.

In 1890. Dr. Stevenson removed to Aberdeen, Ohio, where he had a large and lucrative practice till 1893, when at the solicitation of friends and old patrons who recognized his great ability and skill as a physician and surgeon, he was induced to return to Adams County, and located in the beautiful and thriving little village of Cherry Fork. Here he enjoys not only a lucrative practice, but the esteem and friendship of all who come in contact with him.

Dr. Stevenson comes of good old Scotch ancestry, his paternal great-grandfather. Col. Mills W. Stephenson, being a direct descendant of one of the four "Stinson" or Stevenson brothers, who came to America from Scotland in the Seventeenth Century. His maternal grandmother was a descendant of Governor General Joseph Waters, of the West Indies, under British rule.

Dr. Stevenson is a son of John M. Stevenson, of Decatur, Ohio, who married Mary Jane Geeslin, daughter of Acklass Geeslin, of Brown County. The Doctor is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of North Liberty Lodge, No. 613. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, he is a believer in the teachings of Jefferson, Jackson and Bryan.

The family of Dr. Stevenson consists of Miss L. Grace, Augustus D., Guy A., and L. Preston. The Doctor and his family are connected with the M. E. Church, he having been reared in that faith.

of West Union, Ohio, was bom in Harrisburgh, Pa., September 22, 1837. His father was Jos. H. Shumaker and mother, Susan Shumaker, whose maiden name was Susan Walton. He emigrated to Fairfield

County, Ohio, with his father's family at the age of eight years, where he attended the common schools, and at the age of seventeen was granted a one year certificate by the Board of School Examiners of Fairfield G>unty, Ohio. At about this time he, with his parents, moved and settled on a farm in Morrow County, Ohio, where his time was occupied on nis father's farm during the Summer and teaching during the Winter months.

At the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted July, 1862. in the 4Sth (). V. I., but was not mustered into the service on account of being disabled by sickness. On July 20, 1864, he re-eiJisted in the 178th O. V. I., and served as First Sergeant of Company K, until the regiment was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C, July i, 1865.

He then returned to his father's farm and was engaged in farming, teaching, and clerking. He was connected with the Adams Express Company from 1877 to 1880, as Express Messenger between Pittsburgh and Chicago, on the P.. F. W. & C. R. R. From 1 881 to 1883, he was engaged in teaching in Scott County, Ills. He returned to Ohio and was engaged in various occupations until May, 1893, when he settled in West I'nion anH condiirted a restaurant in the Mullen Building. September 21, 1893, he married Miss Cedora F. Caraway, of Adams County. At the November election, 1894, he was elected a Justice of the Peace of Tiffin Township. At the April election, 1896, he was elected Mayor of the incorporated village of West Union. April, 1897, he was reelected as Justice of the Peace, and in April, 1898, was re-elected Mavor, which offices he now holds.

William Jacob Shuster is the son of Frederick and Jacobina Shustcr. His mother's maiden name was Jacobina Kohler. They came fioni Germany in the year 1831. William Jacob Shuster was born May 5. iHs^). and married Anna MahafFey. March 9, 1881.

Tic is a nieniber of the Presbyterian Church, and a Republican. He was elected Assessor of Liberty Township three time, and is at present vSnperinlendent of the Adams County Infirmary.

liveryman, of riketon, Pike County, Ohio, was born August 12, 1870, the son of vSalathiel and Clara Sparks, in West Union, Ohio, and resided tliere until May 4, 1894, when he removed to Peebles, where he resided and was enj^ag^ed in the livery business until 1899, when he removed to riketon. where he conducts a first-class livery.

Mr. vSparks was married December 3, 1896, to Elsie Williamson, and they have one child, Salathiel, born February 4, 1898. He is a member of the Order of Red Men, of Peebles, Ohio, and is also a member of the Volunteer Fire Company at Piketon. Mr. Sparks is a Republican, and as such is a leader in local politics.

was b(^rn Ausrust iQ. 1866, in Fincastle. Brown County, Ohio. His father was v^anuiel T^. Swain, now a resident of West Union. His mother was .Agiies X. C. Heberling. He attended the District schools of his home until he was thirteen years of age, when his father moved to West Union. There he attended the Public schools three years. Then he attended the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, from 1883 to 1886. He begim his career as a teacher of Public schools in 1886, when he taught a Summer school at Harshaville, and in the Fall he taught one term at Island Creek and two terms in the Ellison district in Monroe Township. In 1889 and 1890, he taught in the Whippoorwill district, east of West Union. From i8qo to 1892, he had charge of the schools at Peebles. He taught a Summer school at Locust Grove in 1891. He was a County School Examiner from 1889 to 1893, when he resigned. He was President of the Teachers' Institute of Adams County from 1890 to 1892, and in that period there was a larger attendance than ever before or since. Mr. Swain distinguished himself and made quite a reputation a*? an educator in Adams County from 1886 to 1892. He became a law student in 1890 under George W. Pettit, of West Union. In the Fall of 1892. he entered the Cincmnati Law School and attended there that Fall and Winter. On March 30, 1893, he was admitted to the bar. He began ])ractice in West T.'nion and remained there eighteen months. He located in Cincinnati as a practicing lawyer on September 4, 1894, and has been there ever since. His office is No. 57 Atlas Bank Building. In 1897, he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature. In 1898, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candidate for Congress in the Second District of Ohio and defeated by Jacob H. Eromwell, the Republican candidate, by five thousand majority, the normal Republican majority being twice that number. He was married August 2^, 1894, to Miss Anna X. Burkett, of Hartwell, Ohio. He is a member of the Fifth Presbyterian Church.

A gentleman who has l)een acquainted with Mr. Swain for a number of years says that he is remarkable for his sound judgment of men and affairs. He is honest, energetic, enterprising and useful : he was an excellent teacher. He is quite a reader, a fair talker, and always ready to make a speech. He has a good opinion of himself and one of those men who seem to be destined to gain great distinction. He keeps himself well informed on the current events of the dav. He is alwavs a very pleasant and agreeable companion. He has been re-elected to a second term in the Legislature from Hamilton County.

the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Leigh, Ohio, March 26, 1841. He was the second child of Alexander B. Steen and Nancy J. Steen. whose maiden name was Nancy J. McClure. She was born in Hillsl)oro. Highland County. Ohio. October 16. 1820. Alexander B. Steen was born at Flemingsburg, Kentucky, May 5, 1813. Our subject was reared on his father's farm on Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio, working, in the Summer time and attending school in the Winter, where he obtained a common school education.

August II. 1862, he enlisted in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company 1, and served until June 24, 1863. At the battle of Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864, he was severely wounded through the throat and arm, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Phil- adelphia, where he remained for ten months. He subsequently returned to the field at Winchester to look after the remains of his brodier. James F. Steen, and his uncle, Ira T. Hayes, who were kOled in actioo September 19. 1864. He identified their remains and saw their honored brxiics laid to rest in the Winchester Cemeter}- having helped to di^ their graves himself. At the close of the war, he was mustered out with his regiment at Cumberland, Maryland, and returned to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where they were paid off.

On return to peaceful pursuits, he attended school in the Fall and Winter of 1865 in his home district; and in the following Spring entered the dental office of Dr. J. N. McClung, at Cincinnati, Ohio, \rfio afterwards moved to North Liberty, Ohio, and with whom he studied eighteen months. He formed a partnership with his preceptor which was maintained for some time. In the Fall of 1868. he removed to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. In the Winter of 1869, Dr. McClung giving up the practice of dentistry, he removed back to North Liberty and resumed his former practice.

On December 30, i86g, he was married at Eckmansville. Adams County, to Miss Jane M. Reighley, a native of Lockes Mills. Mifflin County, Pa., and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Reighley, whose family settled in Adams County. Of this union there were four children. Minnie M., the wife of Mr. Howard C. Green, residing at No. 6745 Emerald Avenue, Englewood, Illinois; Lulu E., the wife of Mr. Espy Higgins, residing at No. 3391 Hayward Place. Denver, Colorado ; and Harry W. and Merta who are still at home. Harry W. studied dentistry with his father and attended dental college at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in igoo. In 1875, our subject removed to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, where he still rt'sidos and enjoys a lucrative practice in his profession.

His wife (lied January 13, 1894. and is buried in Maplewood cemetery at Ripley, Ohio. On March 17. 1896. he was married to Miss Sadie T. T^'iwwill. Of this union there is one child, John A.. Junior.

Dr. Steen ha.*- served on the Board of Education at Ripley, Ohio. His political views are Republican, and his first vote was for U. S. Grant for President for his first term. His religions views are Presbyterian, and he joined that denomination when a boy. He has served as elder of the churcli. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ripley, well known and hij^bly respected for his sterling virtues.

was born in the County of Beaver. Pennsylvania, March 27. 1844. The place of bis birth is now in Lawrence County, near New Castle. His father. Henry Stroman. was born in Philadelphia, in 1804. His mother's maiden name was Staple, born in .Allentown. Lehig-h Countv. Pa., in 1S05 ^^^^ lirandfather, John Stroman, was born in Switzerland. His wife, whose maiden name was Snider, was also from Switzerland. On coming to this country, they located in the city of Philadelphia. Henn*

Stroman kad four sons and four daughters, all of them living at the writing of this sketch. The eldest is Sarah, now the widow of John Teets, of Douglass County, Kansas; the second daughter is Elizabeth, wife erf Philip Teets, of Hebron, Indiana; the third daughter is Mary, wife of David Foreman, of West Union; the fourth daughter is Caroline, widow of Wilson S. Burbage, of West Union. The eldest son is Levi B. Stroman ; Joseph A., the second son, Henry C, the third, and the fourth is our subject, all of West Union.

Sidney R. Stroman attended school in Butler County, Pennsylvania, until 1856, when his father removed to Venango County, where his father followed his trade, that of a carpenter. In March, 1861, the entire family, excepting Henry C, located in Adams County. The father bought the farm where his widowed daughter, Mrs. Burbage, resides, and remained there until his death in 1886. Sidney R. worked on his father's farm one year. On August 9, 1862, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in Company E, Qist O. V. I., for the period of three years and served till June 24, 1865. In this same company were his brother, Joseph A., and his brother-in-law, Wilson S. Burbage. He was wounded June 17, 1864, at the battle of Lynchburg, Virginia, in the left groin and thigh, and was laid up a month and three days. With the exception of this period, he was never disabled from duty a single day. He was in every skirmish, or battle, in which his regiment participated, and was always in the front rank if he could get there. He never missed his rations, or a fight, except while disabled by a wound.

Soon after his return from the war in February, 1866, he returned to Venango County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in work as a carpenter. He returned to Adams County in September, 1868, to be married to Miss Elizabeth McColm. They were married September 8, 1868, and he took his bride to Venango County, Pennsylvania. He remained in Pennsylvania till 187.4, when he returned to Adams County and purchased one hundred acres of land, part of his present jgrm. He began north of West Union in the poorest part of Adams ftunty, with a stout heart, good health, an abundanuce of ener^ and determination to succeed. By hard work, economy, prudent and careful management, he has now a body of land of three hundred and fifty-two arcres, all paid for, has good buildings and barns, has all the implements and tools he needs and has his farm well stocked. His buildings are all in good order and well kept ; his fences are all well built and kept in perfect repair ; no weeds or briars arc allowed to grow, and his entire farm has an appearance of neatness and care. He always has good crojis and he knows how to pro<luce them. His hay and corn are just a shade better than the average, and he knows it and is proud of it. The writer knew his farm long before Mr. Stroman purchased it and has seen it just before writing this sketch. The change is but little short of a miracle. The desert of forty years ago has been changed into fertile fields, pleasing to the eye. Most men would starve to death where our subject has prospered. What Aladdin could do with his lamp is not a circumstance to what Sid Stroman has done for the land he purchased. Beginning with nothing, he has a fine, large farm, highly improved, completely stocked, with everything on it in perfect order and repair ; with all the horses, cattle and hogs he could wish, all well cared for. and money beside. But in addition to this. Sidney R. Stroman has done something more creditable, he has reared six children to be honest and honorable men and women and to occupy important stations in life. His eldest daughter, Mary A., is the wife of NI. 1). Shoemaker, Principal of the schools of North Liberty; his second daue^hter. Flora R., is the wife of E. L. Haggerty, a farmer ri^ar Eckmansville ; his third daughter, Anna M., is the wife of Brice McClellan, a farmer residing near Cherry Fork; his son, Wilson C, has charge of the farm of his aunt, Mrs. Burbage; Charles D., aged twenty years, and his youngest daughter, Nettie E., reside at home.

It is just such men as Mr. Stroman that makes our country great and powerful. \\'hen the call to arms came, he went cheerfully and quickly, just as he would have performed the most usual duty. He gave three of the best vears of his life to his country and has the spirit to do it again on a moment's notice. When he returned to Adams County, he determined to succeed in farming in the least attractive part of the county. In twentv-six vears, he has made his home and his lands a delight to look upon. He has been a public benefactor. The lesson of his life and career has been a most excellent one. He has, of course, had more than ordinary good, common, hard sense, and has had a talent for accumulation. He is a model farmer. He has natural business ability superior to the average : he has energy and thrift. Our national wealth counts not in dollars and cents, but in just such citizense as Sidney R. Stroman. When we find one like him who has made a success in life, it is a pleasure to recount the fact and hand him down to posterity w4th all that immortality a work like this can give him. Histories seldom record failures. Tt is best we should forget them and remember only those whose activities entire them to remembrance. Historians have many unpleasant tasks. l)ut of Jjieir pleasures, one is the contemplation of a character like our subject liiid the recording of his life and career.

wall horn in lUUler County. Pennsylvania, December 9, 1836. His father and niotlier are mentioned in the sketch of Sidney A. Stroman herein and reference to that sketch is hereby made for any information as to them and his remote ancestors. His father removed to Venangt) Cour.t, Pennsvlvania. in i8^i, and to Adams Countv in March 1861. As a bov, Joseph A. Stroman was educated in the essentials of reading, writing and artithmetic, but was taught hard work. As a youth, in Summer he worked on his father's farm and in the Winters he drove team from Franklin to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. In the Spring of the year he would be engaged in rafting timber on the Allegheny River, llefore he came to Adams County, he learned the carpenter trade. ( )n coming to .\dams County, he determined to take up the life of a farmer. He worked on his father's farm from that time until the war brol e out. ilo purchased sixiy-six acres of land of his brother. \^\\ Stroman ji. 1H88, he purchased seventy-two acres of William Greenley north of \Vest I'nion. He purchased seventy-five acres of Samuel

Biographical Sketches 881

Wright in 1875. He purchased twenty-two acres more, in 1897, of William R. Mehaffey. He boui^t one hundred and ten acres in 1899, known as the James Demint farm. He had but just got to Adams County, when the call to arms caq»e. He did not respond at first, but in the Summer of 1862, when thcwar had became a serious business and the real condition of the country was understood, he enlisted in Company £, 91st O. V. I. He went from a sense of duty and from purely patriotic motives. He served as a Private until February 25, 1863, when he was fhade a Corporal. He was wounded September 19, 1864, in the head, by a piece of shell, at the battle of Opecquan, Va., and was stot to the Brick Hospital at Winchester, Va. This wound has disabled him up to the present time. He was mustered out June 25, 1865. The Government had value received in all the service it had from our subject. He served his country with his soul and spirit. He also gave it his bodily strength. Except for the time disabled by his wound, he never missed a ration or a duty. He was with his company all the time, on every march, in every skirmish, and in every battle. He was earnest m every duty as a soldier and when he had laid his arms aside for the quiet walks of peace, he took up life as earnestly as he had begun it before his military service. He has studied ecomony, frugality and the acquisition of property to a good advantage. Now he is the owner of 330 acres of well improved land in Adams County, all in one body. He was married September 28, 1873, to Miss Sarah McDaniel, daughter of Hiram and Caroline McDaniel, of Brown County, Ohio. His land is all well cultivated and farmed, with suitable buildings, is well stocked with animals and improvements, and it shows that it has been handled so as to produce the best results. His farm is as clean and neat as a well kept garden and is a delight to look upon. It is a pleasure to drive along the road and look at it as it declares that its owner is active and energetic and keeping everything in order. He owes no man anything but good will.

Joseph A. Stroman believes that every duty is sacred and should be well done. He believes in continuance in well doing. He became a member of the Oak Grove Christian Church, February 28, 1869, and has continued in its faith and practice ever since. In October, 1898, he attended the Quadrennial Convention of that church at New Market in the District of Ontario as a lay delegate.

of Ridgeway, Hardin County, Ohio, was born August 13, 1842, near Hamilton, in Butler County, Ohio. His father was Charles R. Spring, born in Pennsylvania. His mother, Nancy P., was born in Ohio. They had four sons and two daughters. Our subject was the eldest. When he was about three years of age, his parents moved to Brown County, Ohio, where they resided for five years. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved on a farm near West Union. At the age of ten, he went to work for himself on a carding machine in West Union. He worked there in Summers for nine years, and attended the District schools for a few months each Winter. 5t>a

On the Fourlh of July, t86i, at the ag^c of nineteen, he enlisted in Company I, 39th O. V. L, as a Private. This was the cdebrated Grosbeck Reg:inient He was made a Corporal soon after his enlistment, and mad#? a Sergeant November 16, 1861. He was in all the battles in which his regiment participated: and for further information on that point, reference is had to the article on "Adams County in the Civil War," in this work. It is sufficient to say here that no Ohio regiment saw more active service or participated in more engagements tjian the 39th O. V. I. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted and obtained his veteran furfough. At this time, he married Miss Carmillie Kendall. He returned tr) the war, and on March 8, 1865, was discharged to accept the captaincy of Company D, 191st O. V. I. For this position he was recommended by his Colonel, Edward F. Noyes, afterwards brevetted Brigadier General. This is what Colonel Noyes said of him in recommending him to the Adjutant General of Ohio:

"Sergeant Spring has been three years and a half in the service, and is one of the best soldiers in the regiment. He is competent for ahiujst any position in the regiment, and is a man of spotless character. It was my intention to have him promoted in my command had I remained on the field. I most earnestly and heartily endorse him."

For this position he was also recommended by Edward P. Evans, then Chairman of the Militarv Committee of Adams County. Here is what Mr. Evans .said for the Committee:

\<s Ca])tain o{ the loist O. V. I., our subject was Provost Marshal at Wincluster. Viri^inia, in May, June, and July, 1865. He served until Anj^ust 27, 1S65, when Ik* was discharjj^ed. The Government never had ai.y more faithful sohher or officer than he. nor did it ever have any from whom it ohtc-^.ined more service, nor did it have a more patriotic soul in its ^K lul armv. John \V. vSprin|nr serv^ed his country on his conscience. He i^ave it all he had to i^ive. and g"ave it with all his soul. In the four \e:irs. (Mie month, ard twenty-three days he was in the service, the Goveunnent never lost a day's service from him.

In v^op^« mher, 1865, he became a minister of the Methodist Protestant Chnrch, and lias been enp^ai^ed in that work ever since. From the armv of his countrv he wa>^ transferred to the army of the Lord, and has been a faithful soldier all his life. He has been President of his Conference, and has been stationed at Cincinnati, Bainbrido^e. West Middleburi:. v'^prinirfield, Sabina. i^Fanchester, Waynesfield. Dayton. Middlet nvn l\iclnP(Mid. Forest, and Ridsfeway. He served as a missionarv in K i:isas from September, 1883. to August, 1890. His wfe died June J5. 1SS3: and while in Kansas, on Jime i. 1893, he was married to Mrs. liarriti Moore, and returned 10 Ohio. He has one son. Charles Alva was born November 26, 1877, at Dunbarton, Adams County. His father is John W. TillotJion, and his mother, Lucinda D. Jobe. He attended the District school in Dunbarton. He began teaching at the age of sixteen, and attended the Normal school at Peebles in 1893, conducted by Prof. J. E. Collins, now of Batavia, Ohio, and James S. Thomas of Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1894, he attended Normal school at Manchester, conducted by Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer of 1895 and 1896, he attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and took a scientific course. His first year of teaching, 1894 and 1895, was at Colon, in Meigs To\vnship. His second school, 1895 and 1896, was at Stenm Furnace. In 1896 and 1897, he taught at Sugar Grove, in Washington Township, Scioto County. In 1897 and 1898, he taught at Hyjoficiie in the same township. In i8<;8 and 1899. he taught at Lower Carey's Run, and at the time of writing this sketch, he is engaged in teaching at the same place. He holds a three years' certificate in Scioto County and a five years' certificate in Adams County.

He has been very successful as a teacher and has always given the most perfect satisfaction to the school boards and patrons of the several schools wheie he has taught. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has but few oauals of his age in scholarship. He is true to every trust confided in him, and thorough in every duty or work he assumes.

In 1760, three brothers of the name of Truitt emigrated from England to America. Benjamin, the voungest of these and great-grandfather of our subject, located on the eastern shore of Maryland, where he married Margaret Kellum and settled on a farm near Snow Hill, in Worcester Countv. They were parents of four sons : Benjamin, Samuel, John K., and William. The latter was born in 1778. He married Elizabeth (lOotee, of Accomack County, Virginia, on March 17, 1817, anr! was the grandfather of our subject.

Vv'illiam Truitt, with five other families, left their native State to seek a new home in the West and arrived at Manchester, April 24, 1817. They settled near Clayti^n. in Sprigg Township, where he lived until his death in 1847. They reared a family of five children, viz., James, Henry P., the father of our subject, Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth. Henry W 'IViiitt. the father of Samuel B. Truitt, was born November 16, iJkx). He was married to Caroline BloomhufT, daughter of Abraham BlooniliufT and sister of Tie\. John P. BloomhufT, January 24, 1832. She was horn October 26, 1808. Henry P. Truitt died October 18, 1847, and was buried in the Ebenezer cemetery in Brown County, Ohio. Caroline, his w'fe, died Xoveniber 9, 1878, and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at New Haven, Ind.

Samuel B. Trnitt was three years of age when his parents removed to Bradyville. At the age of eight, he went to Forth Wayne, Indiana, and lived on the farm of his uncle, Sidney C. BloomhufI, for six years. He then returned to his native county and worked on the farm till his marriage. Mr. Truitt enlisted in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, September 8, 1862, and was made Commissary Sergeant of tiie company. He was promoted to Regimental Commissacy Serg^eant, May 18, 1865, and mustered out on July 4, 1865. He was with the regiment in all its battles and campaigns. For further information as to his 8crvice in Company F, of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, reference is had to the sketch of that company. On returning from the army, he bought a farm in Sprigg Township, on which he lived from 1867 to 1883. He was known as a model farmer and handled fine stock on a large scale.

In 1888, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of Commissioner of Adams County in which he served one term with much honor to himself and credit to his constituents. He was one of the Trustees of Brittingham Camp Meeting, which was conducted for several years. He was married December 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Starrett, a daughter of John and Emily (Hudson) Starrett. Mr. and Mrs. Truitt have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since their marriage. He has been trustee and steward in the Manchester Church for many years.

He is a member of Manchester Lodge, No. 254, Knights of Pythias, and also a member of the Hawkeye Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Adams County Agricultural Association, and one- of the most prominent Democrats of the county.

He removed to Manchester in 1883, and in 1895 engaged in the grocery business in partnership with I. T. Foster. He is now engaged in the buggy and carriage trade.

Major Truitt is well known and universally respected throughout Adams County, where most of his life has been spent and where he ranks as one of her foremost citizens. By industry and good judgment he has acquired plenty of this world's goods for comfort and he and his good wife contribute liberally of their influence and means to the cause of Christianity and humanity.

was horn in jNIeigs Township. Adams County, one of the youngest sons of George A. Thomas and Sarah J. Wittenmeyer, his wife. He has a twin brother. Prof. Stephen S. Thomas, of Bloomfield, Mo. He attended school in the district of his home and labored on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he attended North Liberty Academy for one year. In 1889 and 1890. he attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he graduated in the Scientific course in i8(X). Kroir. the Fall of 1890 until Spring of 1892, he taught school at Otway. Ohio. From the Fall of 1892 until the Spring of 1894, he had charge of the schools at Sciotoville. In 1893, he taught a Summer school at Wheelcrsbnrg. He began the study of the law with the Hon. Ulric Sloane at Winchester in the Summer of 1892, and kept it up until the Fall of 1894, when he entered the Cincinnati Law School, and attended that during the Fall, Winter and Spring of 1894 and 1895. He stood fifth in a class of one hundred and fifteen in his studies. He was admitted to the bar, May 31, 1895, on his twenty-fifth birthday. On July I, 1895, he began the practice of law in the city of Portsmouth, where he has since resided. In politics, he is and always has been a Democrat, and has taken an active interest in his party. In 1895, he was the candidate of his party for State Senator in the Seventh Senatorial District, but was defeated by Elias Crandall, the Republican candidate. He canvassed the district in the interest of his party.

In the Spring of 1899, there was a special election to vote on the adoption of a new charter for the city of Portsmouth. This occurred about three weeks before the regular municipal election. He took strong grounds against the charter, and spoke against it in public meetings. The charter was defeated and its defeat resulted in his election to the office of City Solicitor in the strong Republican city of Portsmouth, where a Democratic City Solicitor had not been elected since 1875. He defeated one of the very best young Republicans of the city - Harry W. Miller, who was a candidate for re-election.

As a lawyer, Mr. Thomas is very active and industrious. He is careful and painstaking, and bids fair to make his mark high up in his profession.

was born November 25, 1832, at Jacksonville. Ohio. He is the son of William and Margaret Mitchell Thomas. His grandfather, William Thomas, was a native of Pennsylvania. His wife was a Miss Randolph. He settled in Adams County in 1797. He located land where Jacksonville now stands and laid out the town. He was a great admirer of General Jackson and named the town for him. He afterward entertained General Jackson over one Sunday on his way to Washington. When the public highway was laid out on Todd's Trace, he assisted in opening and olearmg that part of it between Brush Creek and Locust Grove. The stage route established on this road, about 1820, was continued until 1842. William Thomas.. Senior, removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died. His children were Isaac, Phillip, Samuel, who died of the cholera in 1840, William. George W., and John. The children of William Thomas, father of our subject, were John, George A., Susan, who married William Green; Mary, married to N. McKinney; Nancy, died in womanhood ; Margaret, married John McMillen ; Samuel married Sarah McCoy, and Josephine. William, father of our subject, was born February, 1803, at Jacksonville, Ohio, and died there in 1894.

George A., our subject, married Sarah Jane Wittenmeyer, March 27, 1863, the daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Thoroman) Wittenmeyer. Their children are Isaac W., married to Levica C. Thoroman ; George F., a physician at Peebles, married to Agnes Reynolds ; John R., married to Ellen Mathias: Daniel B., a farrrter residing on the home farm, and married to Ida Jackman : Perry Odle, residing in California, who was a soldier in the Philippines in the late Spanish War, and who married Lucy

Hildebrand ; Stq>hen S., a teacher at Bloomfield, Mo., married to Christina Chloe ; Tilla B., residing at home, and James S., a lawyer in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Geor^f* A. Thomas enlisted in Company i, i82d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on September 28, 1864. and served until July 7, 1865 He took part in the battles of Franklin and Na.shville, Tennessee.

Mr. Thomas is a successful farmer. He owns four hundred acres of land at Did Steam Furnace. He is noted for his sterling honesty and integrity. He has reared seven sons, all of whom are active factors in the world and doing well for themselves. They are all men of the highest integrity.