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Though raised on a large farm the amount of a day's plowing was not done. Because of the sequel of a severe attack of scarlet fever in the fourth year, the boy was permitted to ride and hunt at will, and that will was not bad. Without a playmate near, a habit of reading and studying at home was formed that resulted in a love for books, which chiefly included Shakespeare, Milton, Pope, Goldsmith, Addison, Burns, Byron, Scott, Moore, Irving, Hawthorne and the American poets. Everything in the old Ohio School Library was read from the Swiss Family Robinson to the Stones of Venice. In this way the winter of 1859-6o was passed into a summer of squirrel hunting over the father's land in Sterling township. In September, 1860, the classical course was commenced in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and followed there or at home to the last page, except the much disliked metaphysical part. A much coveted share in the Union army was hindered by the persistent fever trouble. The unsought charge of the "Union Schools" of Williamsburg for 1865-66-67 was tendered and accepted. Then, for eleven years, needed assistance was given in the extensive business of the aging father. For some five years after 1872, considerable profit was gained in a partnership with John Park for the manufacture of the American Pruner. . In 1875-76 much time was used in administering upon the estate of the maternal grandfather, John Glancy In 1876-77 time, energy and money were freely spent in securing the Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad. Much time was occupied in 1876-77-78 as the executor of his father's estate. His time was still farther employed in 1878-79-80-81 as superintendent of the Williamsburg schools.


In 1879 a partnership was formed with Oscar Snell for the manufacture of novelty goods in wood, for which an eighty- horse power engine and saw mill were placed on Lot No. 59, with an iron roofed and sided building 4ox130 feet, well stocked with machinery. But, in the financial stringency of that period, manufacturing interests suffered most of all, and so the promising but ill-timed firm of Snell and Williams was closed in 1885, and all the debts were paid by Williams, who yuit manufacturing with some loss and much experience.


In November, 1884, the unsought appointment as school examiner for Clermont county was accepted from Judge James B. Swing, to be in a board with James Hulick and the justly celebrated educator Dr. Frank B. Dyer. That association was a turning point to a more definite concentration of effort for a


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better purpose than a chase for coin. In September, 1885, the duty of superintending the Williamsburg schools was taken for two years, during which the high school at that place was established and the first class of ten students was graduated April 21, 1886. The duties of the president of the Clermont County Teachers' Institute during the sessions of 1886 and 1887 at New Richmond were done when and where the greatest expansion of that institution was attained. In September, ,887, the duty of superintending the Milford schools was undertaken and performed for three years. A purpose to undertake work on the public platform was delayed by urgings to go on the front line in the original effort to introduce and established graduation from the common schools as a prime factor of our educational system. The success of that effort has been mentioned on another page. If Byron Williams had done nothing else for mankind, the work of that year gratuitously given is worth to his memory all that it cost him. For, in that result, his work as a public school teacher, in the pleasant words of Dr. Dyer, "closed in a blaze of glory." With that and nine years as a school examiner, the best at home, for a teacher, had been attained. The village had been served three terms in the council, and, when not teaching, ten years in the board of education. Clermont Social Lodge of the Masonic fraternity had had nineteen years of official service, of which ten were in the master's chair.


Chances to teach larger schools abroad were not considered but, instead, several trips were made to our navy yards, government shops and military posts, where much study was given from the civil point of view to our naval strength. After other lecture work, the lecture on "Our New Navy" was placed on the professional platform for the season of 1892-3, and won immediate favor. A lecture on "Our Young Defenders," or Cadet Life at West Point and Annapolis ; and another named, "From the Ohio to the Hudson via Vicksburg and Appomattox," or From the Cradle to the Tomb of Grant, were added with fine public approval. This work was continued through twenty-five States and until 1900, with a gratifying mass of press clippings. Then a history was prepared for Thirey and Mitchell's Encyclopedic Work on Clermont County.


The time between February, 1907, and May, 1908, was intensely occupied with the composition and imposition of the Centennial History of Tuscarawas County, Ohic, which is rated by librarians as the most profusely and elegantly illus-


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trated county work yet published. The preparation of a fitting text for the beautiful pages, while a grateful was also a most exacting task. Besides other prose and metrical work, both published and unprinted, much of a history of Cincinnati and Hamilton county was written for an unfinished work. Much of the year 1912 and 1913 has been employed with the historical part of these volumes.


Except for temporary absence, Byron Williams has lived since December 9, 1862, in the ancestral home, still more endeared by the presence of the wife he married, June 14, 1866, and as the birthplace of their children. Mrs. Williams, once known as Katherine Park, is the third daughter of John and Elizabeth Park, as told on other pages of this work, in which their son, Maj. Dion Williams, is also sketched. Their daughters, Ella and Louise, are graduates of the Williamsburg High School. Louise married Charles R. Kain, for six years a clerk in the Cincinnati postoffice, and the eldest child of Albion T. and Elizabeth Kain, mentioned in the sketch of the Kain family. The children of Charles R. and Louise Kain are Eldon Williams and Katherine Eloise.


Though trained, believing and efficient in home making, as the best of woman's life, Katherine Park Williams has shared in the trend of the time. While in Milford, in 1887 to 1800, she was one of the Beechhurst Circle that developed into the Progress Club. On returning to Williamsburg, in 1890, at her home was organized the Friendship Circle that was followed, in 1807, by the Vesta Club. In these societies for woman's sake every call was faithfully answered. In 1886 she was a charter member of the largely successful J. H. Jenkins Woman's Relief Corps, of which she was secretary and president four or five years each. She was secretary of the association that erected the beautiful Soldiers' Monument in Williamsburg. She was all but unanimously elected a member of the Williamsburg- board of education, of which she was chosen clerk, and then president, for one year each. As the daughter of a Mason and the wife of another, she is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which her daughter, Ella, is also a member, and has served numerous years as secretary of Celestine chapter. Ella Williams has been closely associated with club affairs, in which she has been secretary and president, with much work on executive committees. But her chief concern has been to secure for the community a public li-

brary, of which she has freely and continuously served as the librarian.


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JOHN MEEK.


Mr. John Meek is the owner and operator of one of the best improved farms of eighty acres in Clermont county, Ohio, it being situated in the southeastern part of Batavia township. He carries on a general farming and fruit growing business, and along these lines he has met with great success.


Mr. Meek was born in Stonelick township, May 8, 1849, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (McFarland) Meek, the latter of whom died some years ago, at the age of eighty-three years.

John Meek, Sr., was a native of Germany and came to America with his parents when he was a boy. They settled in Stone-lick township, but later removed to Batavia township. He spent over three years in the Civil war, in Company E, Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, as a non-commissioned officer. Both he and his estimable wife were active members of the Methodist church, helping to build the church at Afton, Ohio.


From early boyhood, our subject has resided in Batavia township, and here he received his education. He is one of six children, the others being:

Truman, died at the age of sixteen years.

Maria, is the widow of Perry Wharton, of Sidney, Ohio.

George, a resident of Kansas.

Thomas, of Afton, Ohio, is the owner of a one hundred acre farm in Williamsburg township, Clermont county.

Belle. is the wife of Mr. East, of Washington, D. C., who holds a government position at that place.


Mr. John Meek married Miss Ella Harrison, daughter of Charles and Ann (Parker) Harrison, the former a native of Canada, who is a resident of Bethel, where he is living in retirement. He was school examiner and county auditor of Clermont county, Ohio, for a number of years.


Mrs. Meek passed from this life when a young woman, leaving four children:


Sidney, died in 1908, leaving a wife (nee Miss Tina Slade), daughter of George W. Slade, of Williamsburg, and one child, Lottie.


Eunice, who is now Mrs. John Hughes, Williamsburg township, Clermont county. They have two children, Harold and Grace.


Ethel T., of Clermont county, Ohio.


Marie D., who is the wife of Harry Haskell, of Clover, Ohio. They have one child, Lucille.


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The second marriage of John Meek took place September 15, 1901, to Mrs. Mary (Johnson) Lever, who has the following children :


Dr. W. E. Lever, of Owensville, Ohio.


Charles Lever, of Cincinnati, a lawyer of that place. was formerly a teacher.


Lizzie, who is Mrs. Shoemaker, of Hillsboro, Ohio.


Etta, married D. Lamkin, of Mannsville, Okla., who is in the mercantile business.


Mr. Meek votes the Republican ticket, and is a member of the Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, of Williamsburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meek are devoted members of the Methodist church.


PEARL C. HARBER.


Mr. Pearl C. Harber, the junior member of the thriving and enterprising mercantile firm of Eveland & Harber, of Miamiville, Ohio, is a native of Bracken county, Kentucky, his birth having occurred there February 2, 1878.


On Christmas day, 1881, Pearl C. Harber came from Kentucky to Miamiville with his parents, John N. and Ida J. (Poe) Harber, who shortly after located on a farm in Miami township.


Mr. Harber acquired his early education in the schools of the district, spending his boyhood days on the farm. Later, he attended the high school at Milford, Ohio, and following his graduation from there learned the machinist's trade at Cincinnati, which occupation he pursued for six years, but desiring to be nearer home returned here and in 1907 Mr. Harber entered into partnership with Mr. W. B. Eveland in his general store. The company is conducting an up-to-date, prosperous business, and enjoys a large patronage.


Mr. Pearl C. Harber has one sister, Margaret, who is the wife of James Moorhead, of an old Clermont county family. His mother passed away in April, 1911, in her fifty-second year. His father, John Harber, resides in Miamiville, and has been the sexton of the cemetery for the past twelve years. He is a Republican, and has served his party as assessor of the township.

In political views, Mr. Harber favors the principles of the Republican party. He has served as school director for sev-


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eral years. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Miamiville.


Mr. Harber is a strong, vigorous man, with a keen mind and indomitable energy, conducting his duties in such a manner as to be free from all unpleasant comment.


THE MEFFORD BROTHERS.


The Mefford Brothers may be classed among Ripley's most progressive and public-spirited young business men, whose intense business activity and energy have been the salient features in their successful career. They were born one mile from Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, Harry L., December 12, 1881, and Thomas L., December 12, 1883. They are sons of Samuel B. and Albertine (Loudon) Mefford, both residing near Ripley.


The paternal ancestors of the Mefford Brothers were natives of Germany, and tradition gives us the name of Andrew Conrad Mefford, whose birthplace was Frankfort, Germany, as being the first of the family to leave the Fatherland for America, and who located in or near Pittsburgh, Pa. He was the great-great-great-grandfather of the gentlemen whose names form the title of this review.


John Mefford, son of Andrew Conrad Mefford, was a large land owner and wealthy man of Virginia, who came down the Ohio river in 1787 to Limestone (now Marysville), Ky., where he remained for a few years, after which he removed to what is now Brown county, near the present site of Ripley, Ohio. Here he erected a log house near the place on the top of the hill. now owned by Mrs. Racbel Meyers, who resides there, and it is known as the old Mefford homestead. Shortly after his locating in Brown county, John Mefford purchased five hundred acres of eland below Ripley, which he put into a high state of cultivation. During the frontier period he served as lieutenant of militia in the district located between Elk river (known as Eagle creek) and Straight creek. John was twice married, having seven children of the first union, the oldest being George, who was born in Pennsylvania, November 22, 1786, and who died October 3o, 1872.


George Mefford was united in marriage on November 7, 1811, to Polly Ellis, a daughter of Samuel Ellis, a pioneer


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resident of near Higginsport, Ohio. He was a brother of Nathan Ellis, who founded Aberdeen, Ohio. George and Polly (Ellis) Mefford became the parents of seven children.


John W. Mefford, eldest son of George and Polly (Ellis) Mefford, was married in 1834 to Anna, daughter of Lines and Rebecca (Applegate) Pangburn, who was born August 31, 1817, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and whose death took place May 3o, 1890. They had fifteen children born to their union, one of whom was Samuel B., who was born on Pisgah Ridge, Brown county, Ohio, December 6, 1854. He was united in marriage to Albertine Loudon, daughter of W. P. and Eliza J. Loudon, April 2, 1879. To this union four children were born, Bertha, who died in infancy, Harry L., Thomas L. and Earl L. Earl L. Mefford is a member of the Masonic lodge at Ripley, having obtained the Royal Arch degree. He is a very successful traveling salesman, having for several years represented the American Tobacco Company in Southern Ohio.


Samuel B. Mefford is a prominent agriculturist of Brown county, and owns and operates a finely cultivated farm of two hundred and forty acres of land near Ripley, Ohio. He has devoted his entire life to farming and is classed among the successful citizens of the county, and served nine years as trustee of Union township, and also assessor for six years.


Harry L. Mefford was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lang, a native of Dayton, Ohio, her parents being from Germany, and both are deceased. They have one daughter, Dorothy Lang Mefford. Harry Mefford is a member of the Masonic lodge, including the Royal Arch Masons, of Ripley, Ohio.


Thomas L. Mefford is a member of the Union Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Ripley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He has membership also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America.


Politically, they are in favor of the men and measures of the Republican party, although independent in local affairs.


Religiously, reared in the Christian church, Mr. Thomas L. and Earl L. continue to be members of that denomination, while their brother Harry L. embraces the faith of the Presbyterian church. The Mefford Brothers are highly esteemed in their native town as honest and industrious men, and are considered admirable citizens in every particular.


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MAJOR CHAMBERS BAIRD.


Of the men who have passed from this life, whose record for good citizenship entitles them to honorable mention in these volumes, is numbered Major Chambers Baird, of Ripley, Ohio. He was a man of affairs and one who wielded a wide influence, his opinions doing much to mold public thought and action. In all his public work Major Baird was actuated by a spirit of direct and immediate serviceableness and his labors in behalf of his town and county were far-reaching and beneficial. The birth of Chambers Baird occurred at Sandy Springs, Adams county, Ohio, July 25, 1811, and his death at Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, March 20, 1887. He was a son of Judge Moses Baird, an Ohio pioneer of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock who came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled at Sandy Springs in 1790.


Chambers Baird was reared on the home farm on the Ohio river, opposite Vanceburg, Ky., his home until he reached the age of nineteen years, when, in 1830, he became a student in the Ripley College, with his cousin, Stephen R. Riggs, afterward a noted minister and missionary among the Dakota Indians, as classmate. This college closing in 1832, they entered Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institution of learning in the year of 1834.


After his graduation, Mr. Baird read law at Ripley with the Hon. Archibald Leggett and Col. Francis Taylor, formerly of Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1836. He became widely known as a general practitioner, as a keen business man, and prominent citizen.


In 1837 Major Baird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Campbell, of Ripley, who passed from this life in 1844. On May 6, 1845, Maj. Chambers Baird was united in marriage to Miss Judith Anne Leggett, only daughter of Mr. A. Leggett, who had married two daughters of Colonel Taylor. Mrs. Baird still resides (1913) at Ripley and is the mother of five children who were born to her union with Major Baird. Of the five children, three died in infancy, and those living are : Florence C., now Mrs. J. J. McCardy, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Chambers Baird, a prominent lawyer of Ripley.


It is almost impossible for a man of Major Baird's character and ability to avoid prominence in politics and he took an active part in political life, first as a Whig, and later as a strong Republican and anti-slavery man. In 1855 he was


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elected State Senator from Brown and Clermont counties ; in 1856 he was a delegate to the first National Republican convention which nominated Fremont. Later, he was a delegate to many other conventions, and was a trusted leader of the Republican party in his State and county.


In 186o he took a prominent part in the election of President Lincoln and at the outbreak of the Civil war was among the foremost speakers for the Union. He was an intimate friend of Senator Sherman, Secretary Chase, Governor Dennison and other prominent men. His age, fifty years, prevented him from entering active military service, but he was appointed provost marshal by the Governor and was intrusted with the responsible duty of organizing a defense of the Ohio border. With his accustomed energy Major Baird at once set about organizing minute men and military companies, and later, in 1863, accepted an appointment as paymaster in the United States army, with the rank of major, being first assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, with headyuarters at Louisville, Ky. He was later removed to Washington, where he was a resident when Lincoln was assassinated. He paid the Union troops returned from southern prisons, at Annapolis, and was mustered out July 1, 1866, after three years of service. During the period in which he was paymaster, Major Baird handled many millions of money without the loss of

one cent


Community affairs were ever of deep interest to Major Baird and his services could always be secured to further any movement for the public good. He was a director of the First National Bank of Ripley and later was president of the Farmers' National Bank and also of its successor, the Citizens' National Bank. He was president of the Ripley Gas Company from its organization in 186o until his death. For years he was an active member of the Ripley Fair Company and also of the Ripley Saw Mill and Lumber Company. He was an investor in various other local and outside enterprises. He declined a number of nominations and appointments to honorable offices, among them a judgeship in the Supreme Court of Ohio, not wishing to leave his home and profession.

Major Baird possessed one of the largest libraries of law books and miscellaneous works in southern Ohio. His home was one of culture and refinement and beauty. In religious matters he was an active member, trustee and elder of the Presbyterian church, and for many years was a teacher of the


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Bible class and a delegate to the Presbytery and Synod. He always give liberally to all branches of church work, contributing not only financially, but taking a personal interest and rendering active, faithful service.


While Maj. Chambers Baird was of the highest type of professional man and enterprising man of business, he was first of all a good citizen. His championship of the right and his settled convictions, from which he could not be swerved, made him a leader of no little power. In his professional life as a lawyer and in business he was conscientious, kind hearted and generous, careful and accurate ; in public life he possessed the sterling qualities which command respect, while in the seclusion of home and in the social circle he displayed those winning traits which make human affection little less than divine.


CHARLES ROBB.


Mr. Charles Robb, uncle of Mrs. E. J. Hutchinson, of Jackson township, was born at Twelve Mile Creek, three miles back of New Richmond, Ohio, January 5, 1826, in a house built of brick, which was made on the home farm.


Mr. Robb was a man of meager education, but was self- taught, and one numbered among the friends of education who inaugurated the teachers' institute in Clermont county, at Amelia, in 1848. For the first year, Mr. Robb was secretary of this teachers’ association. He was a man of more than ordinary mental endowment, and was well pasted on all yuestions of current interest.

Few farmers of Southern Ohio spent more time and labor in the pursuit of practical agricultural knowledge, than Mr. Robb.


Mr. Charles Robb was one of a number of literary characters of Clermont and Brown counties who organized a poets' union, each bringing their offerings at stated periods to their conventions to be criticized or approved as the case might demand.


Mr. Robb was a member of Company C, First regiment, Kentucky volunteer infantry, and served for four years or more as commissary sergeant. He wrote a fine collection of Poems, relating to the war, and his name is inscribed on the "Roll of Honor" as the poet of the regiment. He was a good


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lecturer and always had appreciative listeners and his social nature was endowed with poetical temperament to a high degree. Mr. Robb was fluent as a speaker, persuasive as a writer and a man of exceptional moral character.


The collection of poems which Mr. Robb wrote includes poems of battles, friends, one beautiful one called, "The Mother's Blessing," legends, one especially interesting one entitled, "Reunion of Clermont Academy."


In 1857, Mr. Robb ran on the Republican ticket for Senator for the counties of Brown and Clermont. He was well posted on all political yuestions.


Mr. Robb passed to his eternal reward September 20, 1872.


Mrs. Hutchinson edited a little book called, "Robb's Poems," in which is an interesting biography of Mr. Robb, which reflects great credit on herself as a literary genius. This little book was published in 1910 and is intended as a souvenir to the younger members of the family. Mrs. Hutchinson is a woman of bright intellect, and her literary work is of great interest to her many friends.


HON. BENJAMIN E. GARDNER.


One of the best known of Ohio politicians for native intellect, honesty of purpose, and stern, unyielding devotion to principle, is the Hon. Benjamin E. Gardner. There is, perhaps, no one who is more closely connected with the affairs of Clermont county, Ohio, or who takes a greater interest in the welfare of the community of which he is a part. That he is serving his second term as State representative from Clermont county, is proof that he has been faithful to the interests of the people who elected him.


Benjamin E. Gardner is a native of Clermont county, his birth having occurred in Monroe township, June 20, 1851; His father, W. W. Gardner, was a native of Brown county, Ohio, being born near Ripley, May 19, 1826. He was reared and educated in Brown county, coming to Clermont county in 1840, locating first in Franklin township, where he remained but a short time. He then settled in Monroe township, permanently. He married Miss Margaret Kratzer, August 23, 1846, her death taking place five years later, when the subject of this review was an infant. W. W. Gardner followed the oc-




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cupation of mill wright for the greater part of his active life. He was a Democrat in politics and served as township trustee for ten years or more in succession, during the Civil war times. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and a consistent member of the Christian church. He was successful in life and at his death, which took place May t, 1897, he owned a finely improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres.


The grandfather of the Hon. Benjamin E. Gardner, for whom our subject was named, settled in Brown county, Ohio, early in the Nineteenth century, where he engaged in the business of farmer and millwright. He was prospered to a large measure and in the year of 185o, he and his good wife went West, where they remained until their deaths. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased.


Mr. Gardner was enabled to acyuire a good common schooling in Monroe township, and the schools of the county, following which he entered upon his business career as farmer, in connection with which he carried on threshing, and conducted a saw mill.


On May 1, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gardner to Miss Mary Swope, who was a daughter of John and Eliza (Keithler) Swope, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Clermont county. John Swope died in 1878, in the seventy-second year of his age, and his wife, Eliza, died May 1, 1897, in her seventy-eighth year.


To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner four children were given:


Lora, is the wife of C. C. Barkley, a prosperous farmer of Monroe township. They have two children : Elbert and Merrill.


Charles N., married Miss Ada Nichols, a daughter of Joseph Nichols. They are residents of Cincinnati and are the parents of one son, Joseph.


John W., a farmer living near Felicity, married Miss Etta, daughter of George Lanham, and they have one daughter. Florence.


Frank, who is operating the home farm, married Miss Carrie, a daughter of Louis Snider. One son blesses this union, Leonard.


Mrs. Gardner passed from this life August 12, 1889, at the age of thirty-seven years.


Mr. Gardner was married a second time in 1890 to a sister of his first wife, Miss Harriet Swope, and they reside at Nicholsville, where they have a comfortable home.


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For the past twelve. years, Mr. Gardner has been a member of the County Agricultural Board and takes an active interest in stock betterment. He handled thoroughbred Aberdeen-Angus cattle, and was the owner of the second herd of these cattle in the county. Mr. Gardner always takes a great interest in politics and is well informed on all of the important issues of the day, which has led him to favor the principles of the Democratic party and has held the office of township clerk for one term, and resigned from the office of township trustee to accept the office of representative from Clermont county, in 1908. Socially, Mr. Gardner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Nicholsville, and both he and his estimable wife are devoted members of the Christian church.


The close application which Mr. Gardner has always given to the business he had to do, the unfaltering perseverance for the completion of any task undertaken, constitutes the secret of his unvarying and unbounded success, and classes him with the foremost of substantial citizens of the county.


EDWARD PATCHELL.


Mr. Edward Patchell, the father of Edward C. Patchell, mentioned elsewhere in these volumes, was born on Oil creek, Venango county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1801. His paternal ancestors were French Huguenots, who immigrated to the northern part of Ireland in 1568, four years before the massacre of St. Bartholomew. The doctrines of Calvin had gained an entrance to that portion of France bordering on Switzerland, and were embraced by the Patchells, a numerous and influential family living near Vassey. The fifth great- grandfather of our subject was one of the gallant few who served under that famous Protestant clergyman, George Walker, in the heroic defense of Derby against King James. For bravery in the battle of Boyne he was presented with a gold medal, dated 1690, now in the possession of E. C. Patchell of Stonelick.


Edward Patchell, the progenitotr of the family in America, and the grandfather of our subject, was keeper of the forest under Lord Fitzgerald. This nobleman was killed by the Catholic tenantry in the insurrection of 1788 in Derry county.


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He also owned a large farm five miles from Londonderry, and would have shared the fate of his lordship had he not been released by a man named Dunbar, whom he had pre- secretly viously befriended several times. In 1792 he immigrated to America and in 1800 purchased a farm on Oil creek, in Pennsylvania, on which he settled; on this farm are some of the largest oil wells of the United States. He died in 1814, aged ninety-seven years.


James Patchell, next youngest in a family of two sons and three daughters, was born in County Derry, Ireland, 1772 ; married Elizabeth Cannon in 1800, she being born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 1783. They had eight children: William, Mary, Jane, Eliza, Jemima, James and Joseph, all of whom are deceased. In the War of 1812 he was a major in the Pennsylvania militia and was stationed at Erie during the winter of 1814. His brother, Edward, was a brigadier-general in the Pennsylvania line during the War of 1812, and was appointed by President Jackson, issuing commissary general of the army of the Southwest, with headquarters at New Orleans. He held this position for three years, resigning on account of ill health. At the time of his death he was one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Pittsburgh. In the spring of 1816, James Patchell, in company with several other families, descended the Alleghany and Ohio rivers to Neville, Clermont county, Ohio, in a keel boat ; later purchased a farm on India creek in Monroe township, where he lived until 1832, removing then to Butler county, Ohio, his home until his death, 1844, and where his wife passed away in 1846. He was a man of great energy and strong will power, combined with excellent judgment, thus making for more than ordinary


November 2, 1826, Edward Patchell married Sarah Ann Brown, born in Nashville, Tenn., February 7, 1803, and the following children were born to them : William W., born November 7, 1827 ; Elizabeth J.. born July 16, 1830 ; James , born July 11, 1832; Sarah Ellen, born August 6, 1834 ; Angeline, born May 15, 1837 ; Mary E., born March 22, 1844, and Martha E., born June 23, 1847. Sarah E. is the widow of Ambrose Roudebush, of Stonelick township. Angeline, is the wife of Uriah Haworth, and lives on the East Fork of the Little Miami river, near Batavia. James M., never married, was a pupil of Prof. Stevens, of Milford, for several years, and graduated from Nelson's Mercantile College, of Cincinnti, in 1854.


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In 1857 he went to California, where he spent two years and in 1863 he was unanimously chosen captain of a company of Ohio home guards, and in September of the same year, was commissioned major of the same company by Governor Todd. His discharge of the duties was most dignified, popular and efficient. Edward C., another son, is mentioned on other pages of this work.


Mrs. Patchell passed away January 17, 1866. She was one of those wives and mothers who made life what it should be— a home what it is intended to be—the most attractive place on earth. In 1866, Mr. Patchell married Anna J. McDonald, who survived him and later became the wife of Roland Boyd. She is also deceased.


Mr. Patchell died suddenly of heart trouble, while visiting a neighbor, February 11, 1876. He was austere in manner, well balanced of mind, with temperate habits ; his heart was ever tender toward suffering humanity : he was a patron of colleges, though possessed of little education, altogether combining the fire of the French, the sympathy of the Irish, the exactness of the Scotch—united in perfect harmony.


FRANK ALEXANDER STIVERS.


Mr. Frank Alexander Stivers, of Ripley, Ohio, is a representative of the best pioneer blood of which Brown or Adams counties can boast. His birth occurred at Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1865. He is a son of Andrew Jackson and Katherine (Maddox) Stivers.


His paternal great-grandfather, John Stivers, who was born in Virginia in 1764, was of an old Colonial family resident of Virginia. He intermarried with Martha Neel, of that State. During the Revolutionary war, he enlisted as a private in Captain Robert Daniel's company, it being a part of a regiment of the line commanded by Colonel Spencer. Serving this term, he again enlisted in a company raised by Captain Harris. At the time of this enlistment he was a resident of Spottsylvania county. After the war, he removed first, to Pennsylvania, and from thence to Adams county, Ohio, and located near Manchester. In 1832, he applied for and received a pension, in recognition of his services in the War of the Revolution ; he died in Sprigg township, Adams

county, Ohio,


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at the age of sixty-four, and is buried at Decatur, Brown county, Ohio.


Robert Stivers, a son of John and Martha (Neel) Stivers, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came al at with maturity, in December, 1815, married Jane Meharry, a native of Ireland, her birth having taken place in County Tryone, February 3, 1790. She had been brought by her father and step-mother to the United States at the age of four years. Alexander and Jane Meharry, her father and step-mother, were natives of Ireland, who immigrated to America in May, 1794, and had settled in Connellsville, Pa. In 1798, they removed to Kentucky and shortly afterwards to Adams county, Ohio, where Mr. Meharry met his death in Auguts, 1813, being killed by a falling tree, while returning from a camp meeting held near New Market, Highland county, Ohio. The maiden name of the mother of Jane Mcharry was Gillespie, and she died in Ireland, and left two children, John and Jane.


Jane (Meharry) Stivers was a woman of great force of character and natural ability, raised in a God-fearing and God- serving family, she never lost the effects of her early training. Throughout the strenuous life of that day, she was ever an active and consistent Christian. She accepted            t membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and died triumph in that faith. Her precept and example was so forcefully impressed upon her family that a reflex of her character is clearly of mark displayed in this generation. Her brothers were and substance, one, Alexander Meharry, a gifted and devout evangelist, became eminent in the Methodist Episcopal church, the others remained farmers, and moving to Indiana, were prominent in the well known settlement around Shawnee Mound in that State. The children of Robert and Jane (Meharry) Stivers consisted of four sons and four


Andrew Jackson Stivers, second son of Robert and Jane (Meharry) Stivers, and father of the subject of this mention, was born in Sprigg township, Adams county,Ohio, September 6, 1818. He became more generally known and more closely identified with Brown county than the others. A a young man, not yet of age, he came to Ripley, Ohio, and gan that career of trade and finance that made his name a household word, and his life a high mark m of ambition to th rose

who wished to excel. His first employment was with Archh-


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ibald Leggett, and he remained with him until the organization of the farmers' branch of the State Bank of Ohio in 1847, with Mr. Leggett as president, Mr. Daniel P. Evans as cashier, and he as teller. This was the beginning of his lifelong occupation—that of banking. Yet, he did not confine himself entirely to this pursuit, he also traded in tobacco, wheat and pork, and other interests. In a long life of activity coupled with economy and rare foresight, he became possessed of abundant means. His life was pure and simple ; sharing his mother's love for the Methodist church, he became identified with that organization in Ripley and for many years was its chief supporter.


Mr. Andrew Jackson Stivers was twice married, September 20, 1845, to Miss Harriet Newel McClain, a union that lasted but six years. She died August 19, 1851; Again he was united in marriage, after a long interval, to Miss Katherine Maddox, December 13, 1859, who proved a helpmeet indeed, through years of unusual happiness and prosperity. Four children were born to this union, two dying in infancy, and two surviving, namely, Robert, born April 20, 1862, and Frank Alexander, born April 15, 1865. They have kept his business intact, and pursued the same benevolent and generous line of action in both church and civic affairs. Mr. A. J. Stivers died in Ripley, Ohio, March 18, 1894, being survived by his wife and two sons.


Mrs. Stivers was a daughter of John T. Maddox, a pioneer of Adams county, a substantial citizen of Ripley at the time of his death. Mrs. Stivers was a woman of more than ordinary breadth of mind and heart. Her activities were both along social and church lines. She espoused the cause of temperance and with well known zeal, became a leader in that movement. She died March 2, 1904, at the home of her son, Frank Alexander, leaving a name and memory of rare fragrance.


John Robert Stivers, who married Miss Belle Tyler, a great- granddaughter of Col. John Poage, the founder of Ripley, is living in Ripley, engaged in banking, farming and stock trading, conjointly with his brother.


Frank Alexander Stivers, being of a studious trend of mind, attended Ripley school and was a student of the high school of Ripley, while yet in his "teens," after which he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, during the years of 1884 to 1886, in the class of 1888. Desiring a business education, he attended Nelson's Business College in Cin-


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cinnati. He chose the law as a vocation, entered the Cincinnati Law School as a student, and was graduated therefrom May 28, 1890, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The next day, May 29, 1890, he was licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio to the full practice of the law in all the courts of that State. On October 9, of that same year, he was admitted to practice in the United States court for the Sixth circuit, and Southern district of Ohio On returning to Ripley, he formed a

partnership with W. D. Young, Esq., and entered into practice.

 

The failing health of his father and the exacting demands of the large estate, compelled Mr. Stivers to relinquish the pursuit of the law and give his attention entirely to the business of looking after it ; he then entered the bank as an officer and has so remained.


In 1889, February 20, Mr. Stivers married Miss Zua Johnston, of Bucyrus, Ohio. She was the daughter of Henry Drinker Ellis Johnston and his wife, Jane Ludwigd Johnston. She graduated from Bucyrus schools in 1884 and from the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in 1888. It was while fellow students, the acquaintance began which led to marriage. Mrs. Stivers' family was quite as distinctly identified with the northern portion of Ohio as was that of her husband's with the southern portion. Her father was the eldest son of Thomas F. and Martha (Walton) Johnston (they were second cousins), old residents of Crawford and Marion counties. They were Quakers in religion and Republicans in politics. The Johnston family, originally, were from Ireland, although Thomas F. was born in Lycoming c ounty, Pennsylvania, in 1800; he was a cabinet maker by trade. The family moved to Bucyrus in 1825. Henry Drinker Ellis Johnston became a farmer and stock raiser, owning a large landed estate, which he cultivated and grazed as his pursuit required. He as familiarly known as "Major," the title acquired from his connection in early life with the militia of Marion county.


Henry Drinker Ellis Johnston was married to Miss Jane Ludwig, daughter of Samuel Ludwig. She was born November 20, 1831, while the family were on the way from Pennsylvania to Ohio. Her father was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born January 25, 1788, and died December 20,

1876. The family were originally from Alsace, France, and the Brothers Ludwig, the earliest known of the family, being staunch Huguenots and Protestats, were driven from France


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by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. They took refuge later in America, having turned their estate into money and secreted it in the lining of their clothing. Mrs. Stivers has much of the same spirit in religious matters, and is yuite devoted to the Methodist church, in which she was reared.


The family of Frank Alexander and Zua (Johnston) Stivers consists of themselves and three children : Andrew Jackson, named in honor of his grandfather ; Richard Johnston, and Mary Effie. Andrew Jackson, the eldest son, is known as "Jack" and was born November 24, 1889, at Ripley, Ohio. After passing three years and graduating at the Culver Military Academy, of Indiana, he is now attending his father's alma mater, the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. The second son, Richard Johnston, was born February 6, 1893, at Ripley. After preparation at Exeter Academy, Massachusetts, he has matriculated as a student at the University of Yale, at New Haven, Connecticut. He also spent one and a half years at the Culver Military Academy before entering Exeter. Mary Effie was born October 6, 1900, at Ripley, Ohio, and is attending the home school at Ripley.


Since his marriage, with the exception of the time passed in the study and practice of law, about three and one-half years in all, Mr. Stivers has devoted himself to banking. In connection with his brother, Robert, he has acquired a controlling interest in the Citizens' National Bank of Ripley, and has been in turn its assistant cashier, president and cashier, the latter office he now holds. He has held this connection for about twenty-seven years. In banking, Mr. Stivers has always been conservative, yet free enough to promote any movement in trade, looking to the betterment of the business interests of his native town and county. He is not a speculator in any view, but has invested in many branches of business other than in his own bank. He is a large holder of real estate, both city and country, and his holdings are looked after with the same intelligent and careful insight that marks his banking career. He and his brother also own a controlling interest in the Ripley Gas & Electric Plant, and gives it his personal attention.


Mr. Stivers has taken his father's place in the Methodist church, and extends to it the same generous financial help that has characterized the family for so long.


While looking after financial affairs, he by no means neglects civic duty, for seven years he was a member of the city


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council, and gave to that service the same interested attention of r    actions. He is now in middle life, full of energy and pushing forward every movement for the good of his community. In politics, he is a Republican, and a close observer of the history and actions of his party, proud of its liberal and benevolent, open to espouse every good move in his community.


THE DeVORE FAMILY.


Three brothers of Huguenot heroic blood came early to America, one settling in New Jersey, one in Virginia, and one in Pennsylvania. From the last ancestry n David DeVore, son of Nicholas and Sarah DeVore, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1774, and moved to Mason county, Kentucky. He married Alice Mann, of the same family as Horace Mann, who was born in New Jersey, April 15, 1777. They removed to the farm near Red Oak, Ohio, where they died, Alice DeVore, June 25, 1860, an Od David DeVore January 26, 1861; Their children were:


Anna, born February 13, 1797. married to Joseph Horn, January 17, 1816.


Sarah, born December 5, 1798, married to John Carnahan, May 14, 1818.


Polly, born February 17, 1801, married to John Wills, September 12, 1829.


Peter Mann, born April 3, 1802, married to Sally Day, October 3, 1821.


Abner, born November 25, 1803.


Nicholas F., born May 16, 1806, married to Hetty West, October 18, 1832.


David G. DeVore, born March 31, 1808, married Rebecca Murray, near McConnellsville, Ohio,

May 24, 1837.


Elhanan, born February 25, 1810, married Martha B. Stayton, October 22, 1835.


Newton S., born May 24, 1812, married Lucinda Melvin, June 10, 1836.


Emily, born June 25, 1819, mar ried John Beasley, February 25, 1836.


Excepting Abner, who died young, all reared large families, and all lived in Brown county. Emily DeVore Beasley moved


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with her family to Champaign, Ill., where her husband acquired wealth and occupied a position of importance in the community. Newton DeVore, when in the prime of manhood, moved to Mt. Vernon, Ind., where he died. The other members of this large family lived and died in the county of their birth. David DeVore, the founder of the Ohio family, was a man of sturdy virtues, intelligence and of lovableness. He became a man of wealth and was connected with the first bank of Ripley. David G. DeVore, his son, resembled him in appearance, and in disposition.


David G. DeVore, attended the University at Athens, Ohio, when the trip was made on horseback. He ranked high in scholarship, being especially noted in mathematics. After graduation, he studied law with Archibald Leggitt, of Ripley. Thomas Corwin was one of the examiners when he was admitted to the bar. He entered a law firm with Thomas L. Hamer, and steadily rose in his profession, until he was second to none in the courts in which he practiced. He lacked the eloyuence of Hamer, but he surpassed him in scholarship and knowledge of the law. Early in his practice, he was made prosecuting attorney. David G. DeVore was a great reader and a profound student of history, for which his remarkable memory aided him. Shortly before his death, he quoted from memory fifty psalms and said, "I can give the rest." He loved his home and his friends with him in it. He amassed a large fortune, which in his old age was lost him, yet it never lost him his sweetness of temper. He was public-spirited, ever ready to advance the public good. He was interested in young men, and aided many to a successful career. He died November 26, 1894. Rebecca Murray DeVore, his wife, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and possessed the virtues of those people. She died April 12, 1866.


Of their children, Alice and Emily died in childhood. Peter Mann, a remarkable youth, when eleven years old, Lucy Mary Taylor, who married William Snedeker, in Los Angeles, June 29, 1909, James Mann, who was a long time county commissioner, died September, 1911; Three are still living : David DeVore, connected with H. S. Pogue & Company ; Sarah Phillips, living in Cincinnati, and Rebecca Jane DeVore, who enjoys the distinction of being the only "Brown Countian" in the recent "Who's Who." She has been a teacher and educator of distinction for many years, holding the presidency of Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, for six years,


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from which she resigned for extensive foreign travel. She has been president of Glendale College, Glendale, Ohio, since 1901; She is widely known as a ready writer, an able speaker and a thorough teacher.


JUDGE G. BAMBACH.


Judge G. Bambach, a man of remarkable personality and of signal achievement in both business and political life, is one of the citizens of Brown county, Ohio, whose useful and eventful career has been of such character as to bring this section into prominence. Judge G. Bambach has filled the office of judge of the common pleas court of the first subdivision of the Fifth judicial district, composed of the counties of Brown and Clermont, since 1907, the term expiring in February. , 1913. The birth of Judge G. Bambach occurred December 21, 1840, in the capital of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, then an independent State, but now a part of the German empire. His parents were G. and Barbara (Bortzmeyer) Bambach.


G. Bambach, Senior, was born in 1812 in Gross Gerau, Germany, near the city of Darmstadt, in which city he located later in life. He was in the Revolution of 1849, which caused him to become a refugee and to fly, with his family, to America in August of that same year. He located at Levanna, Brown county, Ohio, where he engaged in the vineyard business. His demise occurred at the home of his son, Judge G. Bambach, near Ripley, Ohio, in May, 1890. His business career was one of honesty and integrity and successful endeavor. His burial took place at Ripley, Ohio.

Barbara (Bortzmeyer) Bambach was born in 1807, in Alsace, one of the French provinces, and passed away in February, 1871; She became the mother of two children :

G. Bambach, the future judge and the subject of this mention.


Barbara, who was born in 1844, became the wife of George Hanstein and died at Levanna, Ohio, in 1869.


The future judge attended the schools in the land of his nativity until his parents immigrated to America, when he became a student of the public schools in Brown county. Later he entered a private school at Cincinnati and, following his graduation from this institution, began the study of medicine,


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graduating from the Ohio Medical College in 186o. Pursuing his education further and along different lines, our subject entered upon the study of law, graduating from the Cincinnati Law School in the class of 1862, being immediately admitted to the bar.


The marriage of Mr. Bambach to Miss Margaret Hanstein occurred September 18, 1862. She was born in 1830 at Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, a daughter of Frederick and Margaret Hanstein, both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. They came to America in 1856, locating at Cincinnati. Mr. Hanstein was in the civil service of the State of Darmstadt and after coming to America he retired because of being afflicted with rheumatism. In the family of Frederick Hanstein and wife were five children, two of whom are living :


Margaret, the wife of Judge Bambach.

George, who married Barbara Bambach, sister of Judge Bambach.

Judge G. and Mrs. Bambach are the parents of the following children :

Anna M., who became the wife of Dr. George B. Twitchell, of Cincinnati, is interested in woman suffrage and has lectured in Wisconsin on the subject.

G. G., cashier of the First National Bank of Bethel, Ohio.

Olga is the wife of Albert H. Caine, of Cincinnati.

Ida is a resident of Cincinnati.

Elizabeth B. is Mrs. Louis Reniert, of Columbus, Ohio.

Ernest E., of Cincinnati, Ohio, is associated with the E. D. Woodward Company. He married Inez Thompson.

Julia, a teacher of music, is at home with her parents.


Mr. and Mrs. Bambach raised the little daughter of their sister and brother, Mr. and Mrs. Hanstein, the latter having passed from this life when the little girl, Helen, was very small. She is now the wife of C. H. Twitchell and resides in Cincinnati.


All of the children are graduates of the Ripley High School, including the niece.


In the fall of 1862 Mr. Bambach was appointed assistant surgeon of the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer infantry and served in that regiment until the fall of Vicksburg, after which he returned to his home in Brown county, Ohio. He entered at once upon the practice of his profession and, with the exception of one year spent at work on account of his health, he has practiced continuously in Ohio. He rapidly made friends


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and gained clients and successfully followed his profession for-so many years that he gained the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens, which resulted in his election to the

bench. Well versed in the law, he has given as complete satisfaction on the bench as at the bar, and was his party's choice for re-election as judge of the common pleas court, but he declined the candidacy because of the time necessary to be away from home in filling the office and as he has passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, he desires to live a more yuiet life. The Republican party, whose principles he advocates, has once nominated Judge Bambach for State Senator and once as Representative, and also nominated him judge of the probate court. He has served his party in the local office of township trustee and, being interested in all educational affairs, has served on the board of directors. The first vote cast for President of the United States, by our subject, was for President Lincoln in his second term.


Judge G. Bambach has been financially interested in many of the business enterprises of Brown county, one of these being the Ripley National Bank, of which he has filled the office of vice president. He also assisted in the organization the piano factory of Ripley, being its president during its existence, and of the shoe factory, of which he was also president.


In fraternal circles Judge Bambach is a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Grand Army of the Republic.


Since the year of 1881 Judge Bambach has resided on his farm near Ripley, and his home has ever been a place of social gathering for the friends and acquaintances of the family. He is considered a gentleman among gentlemen and is recognized as one of southern Ohio's best citizens. He is broad in his views and liberal to all with whom he is associated. He will inconvenience himself to do a kindly act to one deserving of his consideration. Such citizens as Judge Bambach and his family are a great credit and blessing to any community.


EDWARD C. PATCHELL.


Mr. Edward C. Patchell, of Stonelick township, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Clermont county, Ohio, is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of years of indus-


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try and frugality. Mr. Patchell was born in a log cabin on the Batavia pike, Stonelick township, October I, 1830, and is a son of Edward and Sarah (Brown) Patchell, mentioned on another page of this work.


Mr. Patchell was educated in the common schools of Stone- lick township, and also attended the Owensville school, having two and one-half miles to walk during the time of attendance. He remained at the parental home until his marriage.


On February 7, 1861, Mr. Patchell was united in marriage to Miss Susan Haworth, who was born in 1841 in Clinton county, Ohio, a daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (West) Haworth. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth, both natives of Ohio, the former of whom served for nine years as commissioner of Clinton county, riding horseback to Columbus for settlement with the State auditor. He was in later years a farmer and raised a family of fifteen children, AIrs. Patchell being the youngest. There are three of this family now living:


Uriah, of near Batavia, Ohio.


Phoebe, who is the widow of William Hunt, of Clinton county, Ohio, is eighty-five years of age.


Isaiah, of Lynchburg, is about seventy years of age.


Mrs. Patchell passed away April 7, 1871, and was laid to rest in the Owensville cemetery. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church and left five children :


Eva, who was born in 1862, married Dr. J. B. Cleckner and died October 12, 1938, leaving three children, one of whom, Ralph, is a prominent physician of Mattoon, Ill. He spent the winter of 1912-13 in Germany finishing in surgery.


Owen W., born December 23, 1863, married Lillian, daughter of Dr. J. B. Cline, of Perintown, and they reside in Paul's Valley, Okla. They have three children, Jewel, Helen and Edward C. Owen Patchell is a graduate of the Ohio State University and his wife is also finely educated. Owen is now a prominent lawyer. He has served two years as Representative of Garon county. Oklahoma. and is largely interested in farming, owning several hundred acres.


Edward W. was born September 1, 1865, and married Miss Cora Brown, a daughter of James L. Brown, of Batavia. They are resident farmers of Clermont county. In their family are three children, Harry. Lloyd and Maude, all married.


Charles M., born March 20, 1867, married Mollie Burgett, and both are deceased, his death occurring March 20, 1802.


Albert J., born January 1, 1860, married Miss Jerusa Combs


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and, with his brother, Edward W., operates their father's large farm. He has two daughters, Roberta and Mabel.


April 4, 1878, Edward C. Patchell married Miss Belle, daughter of James R. and Martha J. (Hunter) Deniston. Mrs. Patchell was born at Lynchburg, Highland county, Ohio. Her father was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1802 and died in 1867, while Mrs. Deniston was born in Jackson township, Clermont county, Ohio, in 1827 and died in 1905. Mr. Deniston was for years bookkeeper at the stillhouse at Perin.. town, but had previously resided in New Jersey, where he served as probate judge and sheriff. He was also occupied

in teaching school for several years.


Mrs. Patchell is the fourth of eight children, the others in order of age being:


Lott H., who entered the army at the age of fourteen years, serving two years and, being captured, was incarcerated for a time in Libby prison. He was later engaged in the painting business and died at Los Angeles, Cal.


Ella, the next younger than Mrs. Patchell, is the widow of

Joseph Shannon, of Williamsburg, Ohio.


Perly.


Mrs. Patchell has three half brothers :


Dr. A. F. Deniston, who was a captain in the Civil war, is a practicing physician at Westboro, Clinton county, Ohio.


Josiah, who served as a lieutenant in the Civil war, now deceased.


To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Patchell have been born three

children :


Lottie Louisa, who was born October 23, 188o, is the wife of Dr. James K. Ashburn, mentioned elsewhere on these pages.


Pauline, died at the age of seven years.


James, who was born July 27, 1807, is attending the Madisonville, high school.


Mr. Patchell owns a finely improved farm of four hundred acres in Stonelick township, besides some Oklahoma holdings, although he was born, reared and began housekeeping in log cabins. The home built by his father in 1851 was destroyed by fire in 1934 and Mr. Patchell has replaced it with a : concrete structure, the first and finest of the kind in the county, being modern in every respect. Another illustration of Mr. Patchell's progressive spirit is his purchase of the first

self-binder used in Clermont county.


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May 10, 1864, Mr. Patchell enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Ohio Volunteer infantry, serving three months as sergeant. His brother, William, also served in the same company.


Mr. Patchell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and since 1868 has held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


In politics Mr. Patchell is a Republican and has been active in the interests of his party for many years.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Patchell are members of the Baptist church, of which he is trustee, and has served for twenty years as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a most zealous worker in the Sunday school and also for the cause of education and charity.


Mr. Patchell has in his possession a silver snuff box and two volumes of the Bible issued in 1703, which belonged to his paternal grandfather, besides many other interesting relics.


RICHARD HAWKINS.


Richard Hawkins is a well known fruit grower, residing on his fifty-three acre farm in Ohio township. He also owns a fine forty-five and one-half acre farm in Monroe township. He is a fine business man and has made a successful fruit grower, about forty acres of his fifty-three acres being devoted to all kinds of fruit. He is well thought of and respected among the well-to-do farmers of Ohio township.


Richard Hawkins was born to William and Mary Ann (Lindsey) Hawkins, on December 1, 1841, in Mt. Pisgah.


William Hawkins was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, March 26, 181o. He was a son of Richard Hawkins, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and lived until his death during the Civil war. William was a farmer and came to Clermont county, about 184o, and resided in Ohio township the rest of his life. He served as county commissioner for one term, after which the people who elected him regretted to give him up. He was a Methodist and a great worker in the church. He was a Republican and wide awake in political life.


Mary Ann Lindsey was a daughter of Edmond and Barbara (Fisher) Lindsey. She was born in Clermont county.


Edmond Lindsey came to Clermont county from Georgia




CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 177


and settled in Ohio township, where he lived until his death prior to the Civil war.


Richard is one of fourteen children, of whom but eleven grew to maturity, and seven are living, including, Elisha, of New Richmond; John, on Twelve Mile creek, near Lindale ; Thomas, of Pike county, Illinois ; Rezin, of Ohio township, Clermont county ; Amanda, a widow, of Springfield, Ohio ; and Emma (Lewis), of Amelia, Ohio.


Of the brothers there were five who served in the Civil war : Elisha, Edmond (deceased), Richard, Thomas and Rezin.


Richard served in Company G, Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, as did his brother, Elisha. The others were in the Thirty-fourth Ohio volunteers.


Richard served a little over three years. He was in the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many engagements, including Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Chickamauga, Stone River, march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Missionary Ridge and others.


He was under General "Pap" Thomas. He underwent many hardships, but was never wounded. He served faithfully, and in October, 1864, received an honorable discharge at Nashville.


After his discharge Mr. Hawkins returned home and engaged in the fruit raising, which has been mentioned.


He married Miss Frances Nesbitt, who was born in Ohio township. She was a daughter of William Nesbitt, a farmer and cattleman, and well thought of by all who know him.


Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hawkins have had eight children, five sons and three daughters. The sons are : Grant, who died at the age of thirty-nine years, a few years since. He left a wife and family in Monroe township ; William, who is a farmer in Ohio township ; Richard, Jr., who resides at Amelia ; Harry, of Newport, Ky., and Fred, of Monroe township.


The daughters are : Florence, wife of Albert Turner, of Cincinnati; Lizzie, who is at home, and Mary, wife of Cliff Marsh, of Ohio township.


Richard is a strong Republican. He was formerly a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is liked by all the brothers of that order.


Like his father he is a member of the Methodist church, and a good worker thereof. He is a man of good character and is a good citizen. The people of Ohio township are glad to claim him as a citizen of their township.


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HON. ROBERT EVANS CAMPBELL.


In the prosperity of every community may be traced the controlling influence of a limited number of its citizens, who, by reason of peculiar business yualifications and high personal characteristics, become unmistakably identified with its public and private life. The city of Georgetown has had such citizens, and perhaps few are better known than the Hon. Robert Evans Campbell, an able attorney and a high type of American citizen. He is a son of William and Fanny (Evans) Campbell, both of whom were representatives of early prominent families of Brown county, Ohio. His birth occurred on Eagle creek, near Mt. Olive Church, his natal day being March

23, 1854.


Robert Campbell, great-grandfather of the subject of this mention, was a native of Scotland, his birth taking place at Argyleshire. He came to America previous to the American Revolution, but returned to his native country before the beginning of the war. Shortly after his return he married Miss Belle and they at once settled in County Tyrone, Ireland, near the town of O'Magh. The family were weavers by trade and in this occupation they were prospered..


Mathew Campbell, grandfather of Mr. Robert E. Campbell, was born on the old Campbell estate in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1773. He wedded Miss Martha McCutchen in County Tyrone, Ireland, about 1798. They came to America about 1800, landing at Wilmington, New Castle county, Delaware. He settled opposite Philadelphia, in New Jersey, and remained there until 1803, when he brought his family of wife and two children to Ohio, where he settled near Bentonville, Adams county. He became a soldier in the War of 1812, serving in the Northwest under General Harrison, as orderly sergeant in Capt. William Kerr's company. After the close of the war, Mr. Campbell purchased land on Eagle creek, Brown county, Ohio, northeast of where Mt. Olive Church is now located. Here he carried on general farming for many years, and was very successful. His death occurred on the old Campbell homestead, December 25, 1859, and is buried in what is known as Rickey cemetery.


William Campbell was born near Bentonville, Adams county, Ohio, February 6, 1815, and after a useful and prosperous life passed away near Carlisle, Brown county, Ohio, September 1, 1896, his burial was in the Ash Ridge cemetery, in Jack-


CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 179


son township. He chose general farming for his life occupation, and was one of the best men and citizens of Brown county. He was a devout member of the Christian church, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of the entire community in which he lived.


Mrs. Fannie (Evans) Campbell was born near Carlisle, Brown county, Ohio, on the old Evans homestead, January 10, 182o, and died January 2o, 1888. She is laid to rest by the side of her life's companion in Ash Ridge cemetery. She also was a devoted member of the Christian church.


Mr. Robert E. Campbell enjoyed the educational privileges of the schools of Brown county, and later the North Liberty Academy. Having finished the academy course, he became a student of the Dennison University. For two years following the completion of his school days, he engaged in teaching in Brown county. He then read law and was admitted to the bar in 1879, and since that time he has devoted his attention to

the practice of his chosen profession.


On September 5, 1879, Mr. R. E. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lizzie Gilbert, the ceremony taking place at the Gilbert residence five miles north of Aberdeen, Ohio. Her birth took place February 2o, 1862, her parents being Dyas and Harriet (Pence) Gilbert.


Dyas Gilbert was born in Huntington township, Brown county, Ohio, October 9, 183o, and died November 12, 1903. He followed the occupation of general farming and was very well educated. His great-grandfather, William Gilbert, came to Ohio from Virginia in 1807 and purchased two hundred and two acres of land near Aberdeen, Ohio, at two dollars per acre. His wife was born in December, 1777, and died in 1822. They reared a family of twelve children, all of wbom are now deceased. He died October 28, 1836.


Alexander Brooks Gilbert, son of William Gilbert and wife, was born near Aberdeen, Ohio, on the farm of his parents, October 28, 1910, and died in February, 1889. He was a farmer and expert saw mill operator and he had two sons, John and Dyas, both of whom are deceased. His wife, Katherine Housh, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1802, and came to Ohio at a very early date, her death occurring in February, 1892.


Harriet (Pence) Gilbert was born February 21, 1832, and resides near Decatur, Ohio, with a daughter, Mrs. Holton. She is a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Moore) Pence, natives


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of Adams county, Ohio, who came from Virginia in the early clays. Michall Pence, great-grandfather of Mrs. Harriet (Pence) Gilbert, was one of the first settlers of Adams county, Ohio, coming there in 1795.


To the union of Dyas and Harriet (Pence) Gilbert were born nine children.


Albertine, wife of Samuel Dragoo, residents of Elpaso, Tex.

Sarah Katherine, married William Hook and they live in Brown county, Ohio.

Hillis R., resides in Dayton, Ohio.

Mrs. Campbell, wife of our subject.

Homer Grant, of New Mexico.

Minnie J., who became the wife of James S. Wilson, resides near Decatur, Ohio.

Effie Belle, wife of William B. Holton, resides near Decatur, Brown county, Ohio.


In the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Campbell four children have come to bless and brighten. Their names follow in order of birth:


William Dyas, born February 25, 1881, married Georgia Walker, of Paris, Tex., and lives at Amorilla, Tex., where he is a railway engineer. They have one child, Mary Francis, born November 1o, 1906, in Texas.


Ruth, born February 6, 1884, a graduate of the Georgetown High School, married Charles P. Noggle, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Katherine, born March 4, 1910.


Lucy, born February 6, 1887, also a graduate of the Georgetown High School, is the wife of Elbert F. Schweickart, of Fremont, Ohio, where Mr. Schweickart is engaged in teaching in the high school. They have one daughter, Ruth Louise, born December 25, 1911.


Kate Copple, born July 28, 189o, is a graduate of the high school of Georgetown, and attended the Miami university. For the past four years she has been a valued teacher at the old Soldiers' and Sailors’ Orphans' Home at Xenia, Ohio. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution from ancestry on her father's side.


Mr. Robert Evans Campbell served five years as captain of Company H, Third infantry, Ohio National Guards, beginning in August of 1888. He later became major of the First battalion, Third infantry, Ohio National Guards, commanding the battalion in the war with Spain. He is a member of Cincinnatus Camp No. 74, United Spanish War Veterans, which has


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headquarters at Memorial Hall, Elm and Grant streets, Cincinnati.


In politics, Hon. R. E. Campbell is a staunch Democrat, and was twice elected probate judge of Brown county on that ticket, serving two terms of three years each, his first term beginning February 9, 1900, and the second term beginning in 1903.


Honorable and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist church, to which they contribute liberally.


Fraternally, Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. Campbell is president of the Research Club. Both of these worthy people are active in literary and social life of Georgetown, Ohio.


Robert Evans Campbell is a great reader and lover of good books, possessing one of the finest libraries in Georgetown. He is also a historian of no small ability, and is now preparing a history of his family ancestors, for the benefit of his descendants. He is highly respected by all who know him, and warmly esteemed by a host of friends who recognize his sterling virtues.


Maj. Robert Evans Campbell is descended on his mother's side from George Wilson, who served as an officer in the French and Indian war, under the Governor of Virginia, from 1755 to 1764. He came from Scotland, in 175o, and settled near Staunton, Va. In, 1769 he moved to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and settled on George's creek. He was commissioned by the Continental Congress, July 20, 1776, lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth regiment. Pennsylvania Line. The regiment was ordered to march to Brunswick, N. J., or to General Washington, wherever he might be in the field. He died from exposures of the march the last of February, 1777. He was-said to have been one of the finest military men of his time. On his mother's side Major Campbell is descended also from Edward Evans, a Revolutionary soldier, who belonged to the Virginia Rifles.


DR. F. P. WITHAM.


Dr. Franklin Pierce Witham, a prominent physician of Withamsville. Clermont county, Ohio, who is identified with the various interests of the village, was born in Withamsville April 14, 1853. He is a son of Dr. James M.


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and Caroline (Duckwall) Witham. Dr. James Witham practiced medicine many years in the vicinity of the village of Withamsville, which was named in honor of his father, Maurice Witham.


The boyhood days of Franklin Pierce Witham were spent in his native village, where he received a good common school education. At the early age of fourteen years he began to aid his father by driving for him and looking after his collections. When eighteen years of age he commenced reading medicine with his father, later entering the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Following his graduation he at once entered upon the career of physician in his native village, practicing with Dr. James Witham as senior partner. For eighteen years this association continued, being severed by the death of the elder gentleman.


On January 18, 1874, Dr. Witham was married to Miss Lenora Laycock, of New Richmond, the ceremony taking place at Mt. Washington, Ohio. She is a daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Medaris) Laycock. Her parents were successful farmers living near Mt. Pisgah, Ohio, where she received a good education.


Dr. Franklin P. Witham is the oldest of three children, the others being:


George W., who was a graduate of the Lebanon, Ohio, Normal School, after which he received a State life certificate to teach. He followed the vocation for fourteen years at Milford, Ohio. He was married to Miss Nannie E. Ellis, daughter of Rev. John Ellis, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., and to their union were born three children, two of whom are residents of Los Angeles, Cal. George W. died September 22, 1907, and his widow resides at Los Angeles.


Olive K., who is Mrs. Frank P. Higdon, of Hyde Park, Cincinnati, has one daughter, Mabel.


Dr. F. P. Witham is a life-long Democrat and, though not an office seeker, he was appointed pension examiner by Grover Cleveland, in which capacity he served through President McKinley's administration. He has served his party in the local offices of township committeeman and chairman of the county central committee. In addition to these offices he has been a member of the school board for a number of years.


When the Amelia State Bank was organized, in moo, Dr. Witham was made a director and became a large stockholder in the organization. He held the office of secretary of the


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banking concern until in 1911, when he was elected president.


There is, perhaps, no one in Clermont county who is more widely known in fraternal circles than our subject, he being affiliated with the Eureka Lodge, No. 447, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Withamsville, of which he has held all the various offices. He has been the representative of the fourteen lodges of his district at the grand lodge of the State. He is also a member of the J. B. Covert lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Tobasco, and is now serving his fourth term as worshipful master and has represented his lodge at the grand lodge. He is a member of the Royal Arch Masons, No. 112, of Batavia, Ohio. In addition he also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Mt. Washington, Ohio, and of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics at Withamsville, and is treasurer of the building committee to raise money for the hall at Withamsville.


Dr. F. P. Witham is a trustee and a devoted member of the Baptist church, as is also his wife. He is a member of the Baptist Association of Clermont county.


In his busy life Dr. Witham finds time to give each of his varied interests proper attention, even in detail, and it is due to his unusual capacity and ability that he has been able to accomplish so much.


LOUIS MISCHLER.


Louis Mischler, son of Wendell and Caroline (Dietz) Mischler, was born in Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, May 4, 1863. His father, Wendell Mischler, was born in Bavaria in 1829, and after receiving his education served three years in the German army and traveled extensively in Germany and France and was located for a number of years in the city of Lyons. The mother of our subject was born in Belgium in 1825. They came to America about 1856 and located in Canada, where they remained for several years and then removed to Cincinnati, where they remained but a short time, and then moved to Ripley, where Mr. Mischler died, April 3, 1872, and was buried in Maplewood cemetery. During the Civil war he served in the Forty-third Illinois regiment and was discharged at Corinth, Miss. The mother died August 22 at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is buried in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery. To them five children were born : Alexander, Carrie, Louisa, Louis and Wendell W. Alexander died in infancy.


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Carrie became the wife of Charles C. Zeller, who for many years and until his death was the manager of the piano department of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Music Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. To them were born six children : Louis, Charles, Ada, Albert, Lorena and Clarence. The first two named died in infancy. Ada is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of music, having for her teacher Albino Gorno, and is a pianist and teacher of considerable note. She has a studio at Seventh and Elm streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. Albert is also musical and is at present in charge of a music store in Los Angeles, Cal. Lorena is a graduate of the Foley School of Voice and is a singer of rare talent. She is also a pianist and teacher. Clarence is connected with the brokerage firm of Weil, Roth & Company, Cincinnati, and is at present in charge of their Chicago branch. Louisa, the third child, died at the age of six years.


Louis, the subject of our sketch, was born in Ripley, Ohio, May 4, 1863. He attended the public and Catholic schools of Ripley, after which he worked for three years in the Valley Gem Piano factory. He then accepted a clerkship, which position he held until 1807, when he was elected treasurer of Brown county on the Democratic ticket, in which capacity he served for two terms. After his term of office he associated with W. J. Jacobs in business, purchasing what is known as the Georgetown Coal and Lumber Company, in which business he is still engaged. While at Ripley he was a member of Gen. Jacob Ammon Camp, No. 410, Sons of Veterans. He was united in marriage to Miss Tressa Jolly February 28, 1807. They have two sons : Louis Harland, born January 1, 1808, who is in the third year of high school, and is very talented in music, playing the piano and cornet. Tames Jolly. born January 24, 1902, attends the public school and is also a pianist and talented in music.


Wendell W., fifth child, was born in Ripley, Ohio, November 5, 1865. He graduated from the Ripley high school and latter attended Nelson's Business College, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a stenographer for a number of years in the employ of the Car Service Bureau, Cincinnati, and in 1806 he successfully passed a civil service examination and was appointed to a position in the yuartermaster general's office in the war department. He remained here until the Spanish- American war broke out, when he was taken into the office of the Secretary of War and remained there during the terms


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of Secretaries Alger, Root and Mr. Taft. When Mr. Taft was elected President he appointed him one of his aids. He has accompanied him in all his travels and has taken in shorthand every public speech Mr. Taft has made from the time he entered the war department until his retirement from the presidency. He is now Mr. Taft's private secretary at Yale. His wife was Miss Marie Moore, of Hot Springs, Ark. Their only child died in infancy.


Thomas and Mary Jolly, great-grandparents of Mrs. Louis Mischler, came to Ohio from Maryland. They had four children, viz.: Samuel, John, Susan and Mary. John married Cassandra Smith, Susan married John Savage, Mary married John J. Newman. All lived in Cincinnati and are buried there. Samuel Jolly, son of Thomas, was born in Maryland March 8, 1704. He served in the War of 1812. He built the elegant home, now known as the Wiles homestead, in East Ripley. He was among the first members of the Methodist church. He died January t, 1864, and is buried in Ripley. He was married to Susanna Creekbaum July 3o, 1816. To them were born five children, viz.: Alexander, Mary, Catharine, Ellen Marie and Samuel Francis. Mary and Catharine died in infancy. Ellen Marie married Benjamin F. Johnson and lived in and near Ripley all her life. They are both buried in Ripley. Alexander married Martha Culter. He was for many years a prominent merchant in Ripley. Later he removed to Champaign, Ill., where he died and is buried there. Samuel Francis, the father of the wife of our sketch, was born in Ripley, Ohio, July 24, 1824. He lived in Ripley all his life. In his early years he was connected with the river traffic and his father and he made many trips to New Orleans, trading extensively along the towns and plantations of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, as was the custom in those early days. Many thrilling experiences did they have in their journeys down these rivers. Later father and son engaged in the glass and queensware business and for many years were among Ripley's most prosperous merchants. In his later years Samuel Francis engaged in the sugar business at St. Paul, Minn. He died July 7, 1933, and is buried in Ripley. He was married July 20, 1854, to Harriet Anna Glasscoe, daughter of Alfred and Lorenda Glasscoe and granddaughter of John and Susan (Bennett) Glasscoe. They were farmers and came to Clermont county at an early date. Lorenda Glasscoe was the daughter of John and Mary Bennett West and granddaughters of Thomas and Elizabeth


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West. John West was a farmer. Thomas West came from Virginia to Tate township, Clermont county, soon after 1801, and bought a large tract of land southwest of Bethel which he divided among his children. He died an old man. He had five sons and two daughters : George, Hugh, William, John and James. The daughters married Samuel Bennett and Stephen Burke. The West family was highly respected. They were Methodists.


To Mr. and Mrs. Jolly were born twelve children, viz.: Charles, Susanna, Ellen, Ida Lulu, Bacha, Monarch, Lelia, Anna Lorenda, Hattie, Tressa, and John. Only four of the James was a tobacco merchant and a talented musician, twelve children are living. Susa became the wife of Dr. Samuel Spees, a prominent physician of Decatur, Ill. To them one son was born, Clifford, who is at present in the editorial department of the Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune. Hattie, the wife of H. R. Maris. They have two sons, John and Harland. They are both graduates of the Decatur, Ill., high school. John, of Decatur, Ill., married Mrs. Pollie Snell and is engaged in the insurance business. Tressa, the wife of our sketch, was born in Ripley, Ohio, October 13, 1869, attended the public schools of Ripley and remained in her native city until she became the wife of our sketch and with him removed to Georgetown after his election as county treasurer, where they still reside with their two sons in their comfortable home on West State street.


The Jolly family are of French Huguenot descent and trace their ancestry back to 1541; After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes part of the family left France, going to Scotland and England. They were early identified with the Presbyterian church of England. Rev. Thomas Jolly was pastor of a church at Altham and after his death a chapel was erected to his memory. The English branch of the family immigrated to America in 1749 and settled in Maryland. A few years later they branched into Virginia and Pennsylvania. Three of the family were soldiers in the war of the Revolution. In 1796 they were among the first settlers of Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1805 they left Chillicothe and branched into Highland, Hamilton and Brown counties. David, James. William and Mary, with their families, moved into Hillsboro. David helped to build the first Presbyterian church and was elected elder. John W. Jolly moved to Cincinnati with his family. Thomas and Alexander Jolly, with their


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families, were among the first settlers at Ripley, Ohio. By reading the following histories the Jolly family can be easily traced, viz.: New England History, Volume 6o ; History of Early Settlement and Indian Wars of Western Virginia, by William De Hass ; Historical Collections of Pennsylvania : History of Panhandle.


JOSEPH G. HEIZER.


Joseph G. Heizer, a successful farmer and stock raiser, of Pleasant township, Brown county, Ohio, belongs to one of the oldest and most respected families of the county. He was born in that township, March 31, 1863, and is a son of John and Mary (Frost) Heizer. His father was born in Union township, Brown county, Ohio, in 1838, and his mother in Pleasant township in 1837. John Heizer, now retired from active life and residing on his farm in Pleasant township, is a son of Edward and Iva (Dugan) Heizer, and a grandson of John Heizer, Sr., a native of Virginia, who immigrated to Brown county, Ohio, in December, 1807, and settled on a track of land on Strait creek, near the Ohio river. In keeping the custom of his Dutch ancestors, he was taught the trade of carpentering, which he followed until he immigrated to Ohio. He raised a large family and he became an influential man in the new community, and his home was the scene of many public meetings in the early days. His creek was often used as a baptismal fount, and he was always ready to do anything he could for the promotion of the welfare and progress of the community. His great-grandson, the subject of this sketch, prizes very highly two of the original tools used by him in his carpentering work, one of which, the foot adze, still has the same wooden handle it had over one hundred years ago. He lived to a good old age.


Edward Heizer was born on the old homestead in Union township, in 1808, some fifty yards from the place he died, in 1899, and his wife, Iva Dugan, was born in Pleasant township, and died in middle life. They were the parents of five children, Joseph, Louis, John, Deborah and William, all of whom are dead except John, who resides on his farm three miles south of Georgetown, Ohio.

John Heizer, father of Joseph G. Heizer, was educated in Union and Pleasant townships, mostly in the latter, and re-


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mained on the home farm until his marriage, November 3, 1858, to Mary A. Frost, daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Armstrong) Frost, farmers of Brown county. Mr. and Mrs. Frost had 'five children, Jane, James, Mary A., Ellis and Cynthiana, all deceased except Mary A., the mother of this sketch. Josiah Frost was one of the original tobacco and pork merchants of Brown county. John Heizer and wife located on the farm which has been divided into two farms, and has resided in his present location over fifty years. He engaged in general farming, and was largely successful. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife belong to the Christian church, he being one of the promoters and builders of Olive chapel, which stands near his home. They had four children, all born in Brown county: Cora B., at home with her parents; Joseph G., whose name stands at the head of this sketch ; William E., of Texas, and a daughter who died in infancy. The father and mother are well preserved for their years. They are held in high regard by all, and have worked hard for their success in life. They have erected a pretty home on one of his farms.


Joseph G. attended the local schools, and engaged in commercial traveling for a short time. Since then he has devoted his time to farming, in which he has been successful. Since his marriage he located on Home Lawn Farm, two miles south of Georgetown, which farm now contains two hundred and sixty-five acres. He is self-made, having earned his own way in the world from young manhood, and is industrious and enterprising. He is very fond of reading and keeps well abreast of the times. He is held in general respect and has a large number of friends, among whom he is popular. He is a Republican in politics and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.


On December 21, 1899, Mr. Heizer was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. McConaughy, who was born in Union township, in 1863, daughter of John C. and Ellen Jane (Hodgkins) McConaughy, the parents also natives of that township. Mr. McConaughy was born in 1837 and lives in Clermont county, and the mother in 1840. They are both well preserved for their age. He was a successful farmer and operated farms in Illinois and Ohio, retiring from active life some five years since, and moving to his present farm. They had seven children, namely: Laura, lives at home; Mary, Mrs. J. G. Heizer; W. 0., of Clermont county; J. A., of Dayton ;


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W. M., of Cincinnati ; F. E., of near Milford, Ohio ; the fourth child, Rhoda, died in infancy.

The old homestead on Strait creek has changed hands only three times since 1807, from John, Sr., to Edward ; from Edward to Deborah; thence that part in Union township to Clara, daughter of Joseph, and that part in Pleasant township to Joseph G., the subject of this sketch.


J. W. DeVORE.


J. W. DeVore, a well known general farmer and stock raiser of Franklin township, Clermont county, belongs to an old Ohio family, and is a good example of a successful self-made man. He was born in Pleasant township, Brown county, Ohio, February 14, 1850, son of Abner and Louisa Maria (Gardner) DeVore, both of whose fathers were preachers of the Christian church. Abner DeVore was born in the same township in June, 1825, and resides in Lewis township, Brown county. Mrs. Louisa Maria DeVore was born in Union township, Brown county, about 1827, and died in 1862. She was a daughter of Rev. Mathew Gardner, who founded, most of the Christian churches in Southern Ohio, besides a great many in Indiana and Kentucky. He preached for over sixty years and labored faithfully in the vineyard. He was an able and convincing speaker and debated with all the leaders of the Campbellite church, when those two denominations were greatly at variance. He was an earnest speaker, droll and witty, with a dry humor that greatly appealed to most people. He was a good business man and a good manager, and came to Ohio when the country was new, so that he had good opportunities to make profitable investments. He prospered in his undertakings and left an estate of some $80,000. He was especially well known for the promptness with which he began all services at the appointed hour, even if there were no congregation to hear. On one occasion, when he began services before the arrival of any of the congregation, they came in and saw he was alone and said, "We have got here at last." Rev. Gardner replied dryly, "I think it is at last." This was considered a great rebuke as coming from him, for he was of a gentle nature. He wrote a most interesting autobiography, which was published, and which was very instructive along the line


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of the teachings and doctrines of the New Light religion. There has never been a stronger or abler preacher of this faith in Ohio than Rev. Gardner, and he was very well known for the forecful manner in which he met the arguments of the preachers of the Campbellite church, for he invariably won in his debates with them. His face, and especially his forehead, showed him to have a strong intellect, and he was a very deep thinker. Although he had strong convictions, he had a tender, loving heart, and in his preaching and labors touched the heart strings of thousands. He was born in New York, and died in Union township, and his wife, whose maiden name was Beasly, was born in Ohio, in Union township, and died at her home.


The children born to Abner DeVore and wife were as follows: B .F., who died in August, 1910; Julia B., widow of Rev. Godfry Godfrey, of Indiana ; J. W., of this sketch ; L. G., of Georgetown, Brown county ; G. W., who died in Kansas; C. M., of Kentucky ; Charles Peter, deceased. All were born in Brown county. A brother of Abner DeVore, Peter DeVore, served in the Civil war from Ohio, and lives in Illinois.


J. W. DeVore was educated in the country schools of his native county and remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, then went west with a prospecting motive. He returned to Ohio and carried on his Grandfather DeVore's farm, and the following year his father's farm. On March 28, 1872, he married Miss Lucity Dean, a native of Brown county, Ohio, born in 1849, daughter of William and Sarah (Wiles) Dean. Mr. Dean was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1827, and died in 1904, and Mrs. Dean was born in 1840 and died in 1902, both being buried near Bethel. There were ten children in the family, namely : Slathiel lives in Clermont county ; Mary E. died about thirty-five years ago, at the age of nineteen years; Marcellus married Jane Kellum, and they live in Brown county ; Thomas married Miss 011ie Gravit and resides in Clermont county ; Sullivan, also a resident of Clermont county, married Belle Bear ; Andy married Miss Hun Shinkle; Dora lives near Bethel with her sister, Jennie Brooks ; Jennie, wife of 'William Brooks, lives near Bethel ; Albert married Myrta Ellis and lives in Bethel.


After marriage Mr. and Mrs. DeVore located near Georgetown, Brown county, and remained on this farm thirty-four years. They were successful in their operations and in 1906 were able to better their prospects, purchasing a pretty place


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of one hundred and sixty-three acres of good farm land in Franklin township, Clermont county. Mr. DeVore has a large number of hogs, sheep, cattle and horses, and ships his stock to the Cincinnati market. He is an energetic and ambitious farmer and conducts his affairs in an part able and intelligent manner. He is very proud of the part       taken by grandfathers in the early history of the region, as s who he has reason to be, and also respects the worthy parent reared him to an honorable manhood, fitting him for the duties and responsibilities of life. His father has favored the Republican party since its inception, but our subject is a strong Democrat in politics, believing the principles of this party especially favor the needs of the common people, and the interest of the

majority of our country's citizens. He has served as school director and has always taken great interest in local affairs. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church. They had six children, all born in Brown county : Eva Lou, born September 6, 1873, married James Neal, of Brown county,

and they have one son, Roland, born October 1, 1904 ; William Edgar, born December 28, 1874, married Miss Mattie Cahall, lives in Brown county, and has one daughter, Louise, born December 25, 1897 ; Cora Belle, born September 16, 1876, wife of Harry Hatfield, of Georgetown, has two children, Glen, born in October, 1899, and a daughter, Roberta, born June 15, 1912 ; Samuel J., born July 5. 1878, married Miss Anna Smith and resides in Clermont county ; Addie Lizzie, born February 7, 1880, wife of Jessie Utter, of Brown county, has two daughters, Mildred and Ruth, aged eight and seven years, and one son, William Earl, born October 11, 1912 ; Lewis Abner, born April 28, 1884, married Stella Shaw, lives in Clermont county, and has one child, Herbert, born March 17, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. DeVore have worked together for the promotion of their interests, and are much respected for their many good quali- ties. They have a large number of friends and are active in various circles in the community. They are genial and hospitable, refined and intelligent, and those who enter their home are well entertained.


FRANK M. DUDLEY.


Mr. Frank M. Dudley, vice-president and secretary of the J. H. Day Company, of 1144 Harrison avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of Clermont county, Ohio, his birth having


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occurred at Williamsburg, June 22, 1867. He is a son of Mr. Otis Dudley, of whom mention is made elsewhere on these pages.


Frank M. Dudley enjoyed the educational privileges of the public schools of Clermont county, and was reared to farm life. His business career began May 1, 1888, as office boy for the firm with which he has been associated continuously since. He has filled the various position of the company, becoming vice-president at the time of the incorporation of the company, in 1902, and since 1910 has served as secretary also.


The company was founded by the late Mr. J. H. Day, about 1887, starting with six men employees, which has now a pay roll of about five hundred men. The plant was first at Court and Broadway streets, and the present fine plant was erected in 1807, and has a floor space of five acres. The building is of brick and is fully equipped with all modern machinery. The company manufactures special machinery and the development of the business has been rapid and steady. Mr. Dudley is one of the principal owners of the stock of the company, and devotes his entire attention to the business.


Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Clara Peterson, a daughter of D. K. Peterson, of Williamsburg, Ohio, and to their union has been born two daughters :


Miss Helen K., who is proficient in elocution, being a graduate of the Schusten School.


Miss Grace E. is a student of Oakhurst Collegiate School, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.


Mr. and Mrs. Dudley are members of the Mt. Auburn Methodist Church, and are active in all of the affairs of that denomination. The residence of Mr. Dudley is on Burnett avenue, Mt. Auburn, Ohio.


SAMUEL POTTS.


Samuel Potts, now deceased, was for many years a worthy and respected citizen of Clermont county, where he devoted his energies to general farming and fruit growing with signal success. He was the owner of a valuable and well improved farm near Guinea, Miami township, which had been in the family for the past ninety-two years, and was owned by his father and himself only. Mr. Potts was born in a log house




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on the 18th of March, 1834, his parents being Samuel and Mary (Riggs) Potts.


Samuel Potts, Sr., was a native of New Jersey, being born in 1791, and his wife, also a native of New Jersey, was born in 1797. After their marriage this worthy couple came to Ohio, settling in Miami township, Clermont county, in 1820, remaining on the one farm until their deaths. Samuel passed away in 1863, and his wife followed him to the great beyond on January 23, 1881; They were devoted members of the Methodist church.


Samuel Potts, our subject, was one of eight children, all now deceased, Those who grew to maturity were, Elizabeth, Sallie, Electa, Charles and Samuel, who was educated in the schools of the county and became experienced in the management of a productive farm, which he made his life occupation.


Miss Ellen Kerr became the wife of Samuel Potts, on November 17, 1859, at Symmes, Hamilton county, Ohio, where she was born on February 14, 1839, her parents being John and Agnes (Pagan) Kerr. They were natives of Scotland, who came to Cincinnati in their youth, where they were married. John Kerr was born in 1813 and died October 3, 1807. Agnes (Pagan) Kerr was born in 1818 and died May 26, 1872. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity and beside Mrs. Potts there is one brother, George, still living, at Mason, Ohio. Mrs. Potts was reared and educated at Symmes, Ohio, her parents being successful farmers of that locality.


Mr. and Mrs. Potts became the parents of the following children:


John, who was born September 7, 1860, died July 1, 1808, leaving a widow (nee Anna Harrison) and three children.


Mary A., was born March 13, 1863, is the wife of William Thompson, of Branch Hill, and has one daughter, Miss Ethel, twenty years of age.


Eva, a twin, was born May 13, 1868, and is the wife of John Turney, of Branch Hill, and they have four daughters.


Elizabeth, died in 1880, at the age of twenty-three years.


Charles, was born September 2, 1880, and married Alice Doll, a daughter of John and Josephine (Lindecker) Doll. They are residents of Branch Hill and have two children, Clyde C. and Mary E., both in school. He is operating the home farm.


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In politics, Mr. Potts was an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, as is his son, Charles, and was a director of the school board. He attended the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Potts is a consistent member and active worker.


Mr. Potts had a wide acyuaintance, having spent his entire life in the community, and the fact that many of his staunchest friends were those who knew him from his boyhood days, is an indication that his life was characterized by the yualities and principles which make for upright manhood, good citizenship and faithful friendship. His death took place November 26, 1907.


Mrs. Potts is kind, benevolent and friendly to all and has many warm personal friends. She has the esteem and respect of every one and to know her is to love her.


JOSEPH HARVEY SMITH.


The sixth child and second son of Joseph and Melinda Medaris Smith is Joseph Harvey, born February 4, 1854. As the family did not move from the farm to the village home until his eighteenth year, most of his schooling was obtained in the country. With a natural inclination toward metal work, and a favorable opportunity, he chose blacksmithing for a trade, when most young men were not so inclined. But that choice eventually was the first step in a pleasing success. On December 23, 1875, he married Adellah Smith, born October 8, 1856. She was the youngest child of Thompson Smith, whose wife's maiden name was Holly Ann Snell. Thompson was 2 son of Andrew, born July 7, 1789, and Elizabeth Anderson Smith. Elizabeth Anderson, born in 1794, was a daughter of John Anderson, who was born in Maryland in 1773, and came to what is Sterling township in Brown county about 1800. Holly Ann was the daughter of Daniel and Edna Malott Snell, and thus Mrs. Smith is a cousin of the poet, Warren Malott, and of the inventor, Oscar Snell, mentioned in the historical part of this work. Her elder brother, Artemas, served in Company K of the Twenty-seventh Ohio and the other, Randolph, was a member of the regimental band of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, and his daughter, Margaret, married Dennis Smith, the fourth son of Joseph and Melinda Smith. Georgia B., Cora D. and Howard H., the children of Dennis and Margaret, have been almost adopted by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smith.


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In 1881 and for twelve years following, Joseph Harvey took personal charge of his father's old home farm. In 1893 he bought, and for two years managed, a farm near Henning's Mills. After that, he returned to Williamsburg, bought the attractive home at the foot of Main street, and now conducts a blacksmith and general repair shop from which


"He looks the whole world in the face,

For he owes not any man."


Mr. Smith is an earnest member of old Clermont Social Lodge of the Masonic fraternity, and of the order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is one of the lights, while she also finds time to do a full share in the work of the Woman's Relief Corps, as is fitting for the sister of two soldiers. Although industrious, to a degree almost disturbing, in a leisurely neighborhood, Joseph Harvey Smith is master of a choice between a calm view from a cosy corner or a bird-like glimpse from his automobile.


JOHN S. OLMSTED.


John S. Olmsted is descended from several families who have long been prominent in the history of Ohio. He was born in the family home in Franklin township, where he now resides, March 15, 1878, son of Thomas B. and Irvenia Porter Olmsted.


Thomas Bingham Olmsted was born at Cadiz, Harrison county. Ohio, in 1833, and died in 189o, being buried in the Odd Fellow's cemetery at Chilo, Ohio. He was a nephew of Hon. John A. Bingham, at one time minister to Japan and owner of one of the finest law libraries in the State.


Thomas Olmsted bought the present family home when he was twenty-five years of age and carried on farming there until his death. He was a Republican in politics, and actively inter ested in public affairs. He was one of four children, of whom but one survives, Henry, of Brooklyn, N. Y.


The mother of Mr. Olmsted was born in Brown county, Ohio, June 15, 184o, and died December 23, 1911, being also buried at Odd Fellow's cemetery. She- came to the present home of her children as a bride, having lived in the neighborhood some sixty-three years at the time of her death. She


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was a daughter of Robert and Harriet N. (Logan) Porter. Her father was born near Utopia, Brown county, June 2, 1815, and her mother was born near Clark's Mills, in the same county, July 1, 1816. He died May 15, 1878, and her mother passed away January 23, 1903. Both are buried in Woods cemetery. They had four children, two of whom survive: Irvenia, deceased, was Mrs. Olmsted; John L. was killed at Tunnel Hill, Ga., during the Civil war ; Robert D., living on the home farm, and Althea, wife of Fletcher McKinney.


Thomas B. and Irvenia Olmsted had seven children, namely : Robert, a lawyer, of Omaha, Neb., married Miss Beatrice Birkhauser ; they have two children, Florence and Robert. Thomas D., of Dillon, Mont., married Miss Alice Chambers, and have one son, Thomas D. Harriet, widow of Guy T. Kenyon, Omaha, Neb., has two sons, Ralph and Guy. Eloise and Mary, living on the home farm, Fred Howard, who died in infancy, and John S.


Mrs. Irvenia Olmsted presided over her home with rare grace and efficiency and showed a tact and wisdom that endeared her to the hearts of all. She was a woman of culture and refinement, and a valuable addition to the social life of the neighborhood.


The Olmsted family have in their possession a large black marble top center table, which formerly stood in the parlor of the Olmsted estate, "Sunnyside," Covington, Ky. At one time the soldiers made the house their headquarters, and broke the marble in several places.


Although Thomas B. Olmsted came from a family of comparative affluence, his success in life was chiefly of his own making. He was a good business manager and prospered well. He was upright and industrious, and respected by all. He was a natural artist and left a picture or sketch to each one of his children as a remembrance. His daughter, Harriet, Mrs. Kenyon, has inherited this talent, and has given expression to her gift in several beautiful pictures, which she has painted, and which have stood well the examination of art critics.


Mr. Olmsted, subject of this sketch, was educated in the country schools of Franklin township, and has always resided on the home farm. He is a Republican in politics and follows the example of his ancestors in his public spirit and good citizenship. He married Miss Irene Denniston, December 11, 1907. They have one child, John S., born December 7, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted are members of the Presbyterian church.


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The Olmsted home is located on a natural building site, one of the finest locations for a country home to be found in the county. Part of the residence and many of the outbuildings were on the farm when he bought it, but they have been remodeled or rebuilt, and in 1876 the house assumed its present dimensions. It is conceded to be one of the handsomest places in the county and is kept in beautiful condition. The house is tastefully furnished, showing good taste and refinement, the interior presenting very much the appearance of some old colonial mansion of the South. The fields and orchards are pleasant to look upon, and reflect great credit on Mr. Olmsted, showing him to be a substantial and energetic farmer. He is broad in his opinions and he and his sisters are worthy representatives of an old and honorable family.


CAPT. JOHN EMERY EDGINGTON.


One of the most highly respected men of Washington township, Clermont county, is Capt. John Emery Edgington, in the government employ as captain of the "Guyandot," on the Ohio river. He has been on the river several years, and has steadily progressed by reason of his steadfast attention to duty and his reliability. He was born in Manchester, Ohio, March 18, 187o, and is a son of George E. and Nannie (Scott) Edging- ton, the father always a river man. George E. Edgington was born in Manchester, Ohio, December 22, 1851, and lives in Augusta. He has filled every position on a boat, from that of deck hand up, and is one of the best known captains on the Ohio. He owns and conducts a ferryboat at Augusta, as he has passed the age when he can keep in any other service. He takes very good care of his ferryboat, which is known as the "Whisper." The mother, who is a second cousin of President Harrison's wife, was born near Aberdeen, Ohio, in 185o.


They had eight children, all born in Adams county, Ohio, except the two youngest sons, who were born in Kentucky : John Emery, of this sketch ; Archibald, a pilot on a Cincinnati and Chilo packet and a resident of the latter place ; Robert Winifred is moving from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and will be a captain on the steamer, "Steel City"; Morris Andrew is a resident of Chilo, and captain of a steamer ; Roy is a pilot on his father's ferryboat ; Ernest, greatly gifted in vocal and in-


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strumental music, with a fine voice and able to play any instrument, died in 1900, at the age of ten years; Edna, wife of Dr. Smith, of Augusta ; Estle, wife of Robert Hedges, died in 1902. Both parents are members of the Methodist church and are highly regarded by all.


Mr. Edgington began his education at Manchester, Ohio, and attended business college in Wichita, Kan. His first work in his profession was as purser on a steam boat, and he learned

the duties of the various men aboard ship, from deck hand up, through the direction of his father, who reyuired him to fire in the engine room, learn cooking, act as mate, deck hand, and in other capacities, so that he is one of the most thorough steam boat men on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, receiving his license when he was twenty-one years old. He is one of the most popular men on the river and counts his friends by the hundreds. He is thorough-going and conscientious and has always taken an active interest in his work. He thoroughly deserves the honor of an appointment to a government position and performs his duties with a methodical thoroughness that insures their being satifactory in every way. He has the respect of the men employed under his charge and is considerate in their interest. He was employed by such large boats as the "Tacoma," and was for six years captain of the "Courier," and also worked on the "Princess," a Coney Island boat, and a tow boat known as the "Douglas Hall." He is held in affectionate regard by one and all, and when he left the tow boat to accept the honor of his present position, his employees much regretted losing his company. He is well liked by the government and has made rapid progress in his chosen field of fields. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow. He is a member of the Christian church, and for several years, while living at Chilo, was super-

intendent of the Sunday school.


On November 19, 1889, Mr. Edgington was united in marriage with Miss Jessie E. Forsythe, who was born in Vanceburg, Ky., on June 18, 1870, daughter of John A. and Mary B. (Adams) Forsythe. Mr. Forsythe was born in Adams county, Ohio, December 19, 1840, is retired from active life and lives in Moscow, Ohio, and Mrs. Forsythe was born in the same county, June 12, 1844. Her great-grandfather, John Adams, was the first settler of Adams county, was of Irish descent, and secured land from the government, and this land is still in the possession of the Adams family, the house he built being still standing, the oldest house in the entire county. He mar-


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ried Nancy Ford, of Ford's Ferry, Va. Mrs. Edgington's grandfather, Moses Adams, was born in Virginia, of Irish descent, and came to Adams county, Ohio, from Virginia. He was a farmer and married Sarah Stockup, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, of Scotch parents, and immigrated first to Redburn, Pa., afterward coming to Kentucky. John A. Forsythe farmed two years in Kansas, and had a cab and transfer business in Wichita, that State, for a time. While a resident of Vance- burg, before going west, he was chief of police for nine successive years, and was well known in that part of Kentucky. He was a Republican in politics and was city revenue collector for some time. He held office much of his life and was town marshal of Moscow. He located in Clermont county in 1907. He and his wife had seven children : Mrs. Edgington, born in Vanceburg, Ky.; John M., born in Adams county, Ohio, is unmarried and lives in Mexico ; Edith M., born in Lewis county, Ky., is the wife of Edward Raike, of Covington, that State ; Katherine, born in Seward county, Kansas, lives with Mrs. Edgington, who reared her. Mr. and Mrs. Edgington have one son, John Clyde, born in Wichita, Kan., who attends school in Moscow.


Mrs. Edgington's father was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, also fought in the battles of Chickamauga and Atlanta, serving in Company K, Ohio volunteer infantry, Seventieth regiment, and one of his uncles served in the Revolution. Mrs. Edgington's paternal ancestors were furnace blowers of Kentucky, and one of her ancestors, Abraham Forsythe, married a girl who was born at Pensacola, Wales, and came to the United States at the age of six months, growing to beautiful womanhood. He saw her when he was a youth of sixteen, and she but an infant, and was so impressed with her beauty that he kissed her and vowed he would some day

return and marry her, which he did when he was thirty-two years old. At her death he was nearly broken-hearted and never looked again on the face of a woman. He reared his family in Adams county, Ohio, and his sons joined the Union army. His wife died when she was thirty-five years of age. The grandfather of Mrs. Edgington's mother, Lewis Calvin, was one of the earliest white men in Kentucky and became a noted Indian fighter. He carried mail from Gallipolis to Maysville, Ky., in a bark canoe, and killed the last Indian in the State of Ohio.


John A. Forsythe had a coal yard in Vanceburg, Ky., and lost it in the flood of 1883-84.