(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 700 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: farm, and by successive purchases has added to it until he is now the owner of more than 300 acres of land ; through his enterprise, aided by that of his two brothers, the Troy Hydraulic was established ; this enterprise will at no distant day be of vast importance to the business interests of the city ; the brothers were also the moving spirits in the Miami Co. Agricultural Board, and the first meeting was held on their grounds ; rain falling, the exhibition was continued in their barn. David A. McClung was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth T. Harker Jan. 4, 1853, Rev. David Rice officiating ; they have four children living-Mary Q., the eldest daughter, is now wife of Henry Davis, of Kokomo, Ind. ; the other three, John C. and his two sisters, Emma and Louisa, live with their parents ; John C., has finished his studies, and the two daughters are advancing rapidly ; Emma now having been two years in the high school ; the whole family are great readers, and have access to a fine library ; the children are rapidly becoming accomplished musicians, being good vocalists as well. Mr. McClung votes a straight Republican ticket, and has the satisfaction of living in a splendid house, surrounded by every comfort. JOHN M. McCAMPBELL, proprietor of boarding-house, Troy ; born in Staunton Township Nov. 21, 1809 ; is the son of William M. McCampbell, who was born in Rockbridge Co., W. Va., in 1772 ; his mother, Elizabeth Orbison, was born in the same State, and was several years her husband’s junior ; they were married about 1806, and immediately afterward settled in the county in which they lived till their death, he dying Feb. 27, 1847, and she in 1821 ; they were the parents of eight children, three living ; his father’s second marriage was celebrated with Judith Luce, nee Gerard, who bore him four children, one living ; she died in 1868. When 17 years of age, our subject came to Troy, and, with James Hanna, learned the tanner and currier,s trade, then took a trip through the Western States ; in 1834, he purchased his first employer,s business, which he carried on till 1868, when he sold out and purchased where he now resides. May 29, 1836, he was married to Lucinda Fuller, who bore him two children-Mary H. and Edward N., the latter deceased, aged 25 years ; the former was married to Charles C. Newall (deceased), by whom she had one child, viz., Edward N. ; Mrs. McCampbell’s parents, Obadiah and Lucy Fuller, were natives of Virginia, and afterward residents of New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, where both died of cholera Sept. 5, 1834, and almost in the same hour, the father aged 54 years, the mother 45 ; they were parents of seven children, six of whom were living at their parents, death, feeling the double affliction with great severity. Mrs. McCampbell was born in Clark Co. in 1820 ; they are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected since 1827 ; she was formerly of the Baptist Church, but joined the Presbyterians in 1865 ; both take an interest in their church and a pleasure in rearing high their Christian standard ; their deceased son was an exemplary young man, and a member of the Presbyterian Church ; he left a young wife to mourn his untimely death. JOHN GEORGE MAYER, dealer in wines, liquors and beer, also bottled beer, and makes a specialty of charging soda fountains, Troy ; was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 21, 1837, where he received instruction in the German schools until 15 years of age; then came to America, arriving in New York City July 2, 1852 ; thence he came West to Hamilton Co., Ohio, and worked on a farm until 1854 ; afterward he located in Cincinnati, and followed the occupation of a barber for a number of years ; came to Troy in 1861, and followed his trade until 1867, when, he engaged in the confectionery business ; and in 1869, changed to a grocer ; was connected for several years with Joseph Kenney in the Troy Brewery ; in 1878, commenced his present business, now bottling from four to seven barrels of beer per week ; he also makes a specialty of charging soda fountains, being the only one in Troy doing that business. Is a Republican in politics, and connected with the Fire Department, of which he is a very prominent member, being now Assistant Chief of the Fire Department of Troy, in which capacity he has served for some years, always taking an active part in its management. Married Anna Eitel CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 701 July 26, 1859, who was born in Germany and came to America in 1852 ; are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living. ISAAC S. MEEKS, M. D., physician and surgeon, Troy ; David Meeks, the father of our subject, was born in Washington Co., Penn., April 23, 1776, and was there married, in the fall of 1797, to Diana Evans, who was born in the same county, Jan. 18, 1779. They had nine children, to wit : Mary, born Feb. 4, 1799 ; Jesse, born Nov. 18, 1800 ; John, born July 22, 1804 ; David, born Oct. 30, 1807 ; Nancy, born Oct. 27, 1809 ; Sarah, born Oct. 31, 1811 ; Eli, born Jan. 14, 1814 ; Isaac S. born Oct. 25, 1816, and Stephen, born Nov. 25, 1818. In the spring of 1804, they removed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield Co., Ohio, where they remained about two years and then moved to Franklin Co., Ohio, near the city of Columbus, where they resided some eight years ; in the fall of 1814, they removed to Miami Co., Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days ; their married life extending over a period of about sixty-six years, fifty of which they spent in old Miami. David Meeks died Oct. 2, 1863, aged 87 years 5 months and 9 days ; and five months later, on the 10th day of March, 1864, his aged wife followed him, at the age of 85 years 1 month and 21 days. They left, living, six children, twenty-two grand-children, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Father Meeks was of English parentage, and Mother Meeks of Welsh. They were devoted members of the Regular Baptist Church. Father Meeks served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and in politics was always a strict Democrat. Isaac S. Meeks, the subject of our sketch, was born as above stated, on the old homestead in Bethel Township, Miami Co., Ohio, and was brought up as a farmer,s boy. On the 24th of March, 1833, he became a member of the Staunton Baptist Church, Elder Willis Hance, Pastor, which church has since become extinct, after which he joined the Casstown Baptist Church. Having obtained a common-school education, he resolved to advance still higher, accordingly, on the 31st of March, 1834, he entered school at Piqua, Ohio, where he continued about a year, working mornings, evenings and Saturdays to pay his board, in the family of the Elder Charles Hilliard. He then took board in Piqua, but, in February, 1835, left Piqua and returned to the home farm, where he, with the kindly aid- of his father, soon earned enough money to pay his delinquent board bill. Oct. 19, 1835, he began teaching school, which occupation, together with study and travel, occupied his time until Sept. 20, 1837, at which time he entered Granville College, where he pursued a select course for about a year ; on the 24th of April, 1839, he began studying medicine with Dr. R. Sabin, of Troy, and continued his studies, with slight interruptions, until Oct. 27, 1841, when he entered upon a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati ; during the vacation he traveled some in Indiana, seeking a favorable location, but, not finding what he desired, he resumed teaching until in the fall of 1844, when he returned to Miami Co.; here, on the 6th of December of that year, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Bethel Township, where he continued until May 26, 1847, at which time he removed to Casstown, and practiced until the fall of 1849; he then returned to Cincinnati, and completed his course at the Ohio Medical College, obtaining the decree of Doctor of Medicine, March 4, 1850 ; returning to Casstown, he entered extensively into practice. He was married Dec. 11, 1851, to Alice, daughter of William C. Knight, but she subsequently died without issue. He was again married Sept. 11, 1853, to his present wife, Ensebia, daughter of Rev. John Blodgett. In November of 1859, he removed to Troy, Ohio, and has remained there ever since, actively engaged in the duties of his profession. MRS. ROSENA MILLER, Troy. Mrs. Rosena Miller is now in her 72d year, and retains her memory in a remarkable degree ; her grandparents, names were John and Rhoda Carmichael, and her father was Alexander McCollom. Her marriage with Mr. Cornelius Miller was solemnized in 1826, and the next year they came to Miami Co. Mr. Miller was born in Warren Co., September, 1804, and from his 4th birthday has been a resident of Miami. Both himself and wife, residents of this township forty-five years, have, by their good deeds, greatly endeared themselves to those living in their neighborhood. The privations of the pioneer’s 702 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: early life were a familiar picture to them ; but they looked upon the bright side of things, and, in the end, came off victorious. During their married life, eleven children were born-Isaac, July 12,1827 ; Mary, Dec. 14,1829 ; Abigail, Nov. 26, 1831 ; Hetty, Nov. 21, 1833 ; John N., Jan. 11, 1837; Sarah, June 25, 1839; Jasper, Oct. 8, 1841 ; James M., Nov. 25, 1843 ; Winfield S., Jan. 14, 1846; Amanda, June 20,1848,.,and Martha W., April 28, 1853. Of these, only three are now living-Hetty, Sarah and Amanda ; Sarah is the wife of Joshua Harrett, and lives in Nebraska ; Amanda was married to William B. Hammond, who superintends the farm and lives near the old home ; Hetty lives with her mother-the comfort of her declining years-having ever been a kind and affectionate daughter. Her father, Cornelius Miller, died in 1879, and left behind many friends, who will ever deplore his loss. He joined the Baptist Church, in his 73d year, and, except when confined to his room by sickness, was never absent from his place. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian Church, and is a devout Christian. She is left well provided for, having a nice farm near Troy, and two of her children near her ; Martha W. was, for several years, a teacher in the public schools, and as an instructress gave great' satisfaction. Her demise occurred Oct. 15, 1879 ; she was a true. Christian, and always led a pure and upright life. H. H. MILLER, farmer; P. O. Troy was born in Miami Co., his parents being John V. and Rebecca Miller ; John V. emigrated to Miami Co. from Virginia in 1833, and was wedded to Miss Rebecca Kessler in 1834 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living. Henry H. married Miss Hester R. Enyeart March 17,1867 ; their three children were born in the following order : Edwin M., Oct. 6,1869 ; Josie, Nov. 24, 1872 ; and Bertha, May 19, 1877. Mr. Miller and his brother Isaiah own the steam saw-mill that is located midway between their respective residences ; this is an industry that has been of great service to the people living in their neighborhood. H. H. Miller purchased his farm prior to his marriage, and last year erected a splendid residence. The farm comprises 279 acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. Although from choice a farmer, being highly educated in both Latin and Greek, his intention was to follow the profession of teaching ; he did for a time teach in Iowa, and was an efficient member of the Educational Board. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He may be classed among the conservative Democracy of the county. His library is composed of miscellaneous works, being continually supplied with books of merit ; his education was obtained at Delaware College, during the sessions of 1861-62-63 and '64. This is the finest educational college west of the mountains. His specialty in stock-raising is breeding fine sheep, of which his flock equals any in the county ; his farm is an elegant one, and the view obtained from the residence is equal to any afforded in this neighborhood. FRED MILLER, manufacturer of harness and saddles, Troy ; was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827 ; his trade was learned in his native country, and in 1850, emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans, this voyage occupying 100 clays. In St. Louis, he worked one year at his trade, then went to California with the intent of digging gold, but six months' experience taught him the value of his trade, which he applied himself to for two years ; returning to New York, he wandered nearly over the States. In 1859, he located in Troy, and since has given his attention to supplying the increasing demands of his many customers. He usually gives employment to half a dozen first-class workmen, and it is safe to say he commands fully 75 per cent of the trade at this point. In, 1858, he was married to Maggie Honeyfeugle, who . bore him two children-Lusetta and Maggie. Mrs. Miller died in 1862, aged 25 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Rosalia Schnell, by whom he has had five children, four living-Charley, Willie, Clara and Walter. He and his wife are life-long members of the Lutheran Church. He has accumulated a nice property, consisting of .two large salesrooms and two dwelling houses, all well situated. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 703 WILLIAM MILLER, grocer and dealer in refined liquors, Troy; born in Vir- ginia in the year 1814 ; was the son of John Miller, who was born in Virginia Feb. 19, 1770. Jane, mother of William, was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 26, 1784. Their marriage was consummated in Pennsylvania, and in 1832 they removed to this county and located in West Milton, where they resided one year, then went to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and in the spring of 1834 settled on land in Monroe Township, this county, on which they lived till their death. His father died May 3, 1857, aged 87 years 2 months and 14 days ; Jane, his wife, died Aug. 3,1852, aged 67 years 8 months and 7 days. They were the parents of twelve children, five living-William' Levi, Sarah, now Mrs. Bear ; Jane, now Mrs. Brock, and Isaiah ; the deceased are Zachariah, aged 79 years 1 month and 14 days ; Jacob R., Samuel, Mary Simonds, nee Miller ; James, Elizabeth Butler, nee Miller, and John V. Our subject was reared on the farm in Virginia, ana after his arrival in Ohio engaged in different pursuits, but gave his attention chiefly to farming, which he followed till his removal to Troy, May 22,1853 ; there he engaged in the grocery business in the same house he now occupies, carries a good stock of the choice brands of family groceries and the purest liquors in the market. Dec. 1, 1857, he was married to Mary E. McKnight, nee Louthan, by whom he had four children, two living, viz., Samuel J. and Lina E. ; the deceased are Laura L., aged 4 months, and Tully H., aged 14 months and 24 days. Mrs. Miller died Oct 15, 1873, was born Oct. 6,1821. John McKnight, her first husband, was born Nov. 10,1812, died Dec. 31,1854 ; to them five children were born, three living-John K., William Q., Joseph R.; the deceased are Henry C. and Elias H. Mary, sister of our subject and wife of B. F. Simonds, died Sept. 3,1854, aged 41 years 4 months and 18 days ; Elizabeth, wife of S. M. Butler, died Dec. 3,1855, aged 34 years 11 months and 19 days. W. H. NORTHCUTT, County Commissioner, Troy ; was born in Lost Creek Township in 1828 ; his parents, George and Judith (Hance) Northcutt, ranking among the first settlers of the county. George Northcutt was born in 1805, and his wife in 1804-she in Kentucky, and he in Warren Co., Ohio. He is now living in Iowa, and is a hale and hearty man. While W. H. Northcutt was still a lad, he evinced a great love for the carpenter's trade, which he afterward learned, devoting a number of years to contracting and building. Many monuments of his skill are to be seen in this as well as other townships in the county. He now resides on his farm, near Troy, attending to his official duties as County Commissioner, which position he has held five years. His official life has extended over a period of nineteen years. We have no wish to flatter Mr. Northcutt, knowing his aversion to being spoken of, even in complimentary terms, but the reputation of a man cannot fail to be genuine who so fully enjoys the confidence of those who have known him from boyhood. During the month of January, 1851, his marriage with Miss Lydia A. Earnhart was celebrated, and their married life was a happy one. They had no children, but were parents in truth to Lizzie (Westfall) Northcutt and Moses B. Earnhart, who both received an excellent education while living with them. Mrs. Northcutt was called from earth in April, 1877, since which time her adopted daughter, now Mrs. Otto Kerr, has superintended the management of the household affairs. Mrs. Northcutt was a lady of lovely disposition, with great attractiveness of manner, and her death was a sad blow to her husband. She left a sorrowing multitude to mourn her loss. Mr. N. is a prominent member of Coleman Commandery, and a valuable acquisition to society. JAMES T. ORBISON, carriage-blacksmith, Troy. One of the most interesting biographical sketches that appears in the Concord Township series is that of James T. Orbison, the eldest son of Henry and Mary A. Orbison, who were among the early settlers in this county. They came from Lexington, Va., in 1807, and settled on the quarter-section upon which now stands part of the town of Piqua, and the D. & M. depot. His father was one of the first distillers in the Miami Valley, and the first still was capable of making only one barrel of whisky per 704 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: week. He afterward became one of the strongest temperance advocates, and would not allow his team to haul logs to make staves for a whisky barrel. He was in the war of 1812, and did his whole duty at his own expense, loading a sled with flour, whisky and provisions for the soldiers on the frontier. James T. Orbison the subject of this sketch, was born in Spring Creek Township Sept. 18, 1810. When about 2 years old, some Indians passing by, while he was playing in the yard, picked him up and carried him away. His mother hastily informed her husband, who mounted his horse and pursued them. When they were overtaken, he demanded the child, which was reluctantly given up. Soon afterward, his father purchased the farm, now owned by John Peterson, in Staunton Township. Young Orbison attended the district school near his father's farm, and received a good education for those early days. His teachers were James Concannon, Joseph Rollins, Sallie Tucker, David Blue, Jonathan Gerard, John Carey, Dr. Stewart and 0. C. Evans. He worked for his father until the age of 19, when he concluded to learn the blacksmith trade ; went to Cincinnati and became an apprentice of Henry Valette, for whom he worked two and a half years. He was so apt at his business, and obliging withal, that his employer gave him the last six months of his time, with full pay (this, at that time, was only $40 per year and board). After leaving Mr. Valette, he went to Louisville, Ky., and worked there eight months ; but, liking the society of Cincinnati better, he returned, and engaged with William Holyoke at $1.25 per day and board. The shop was located where the National Theatre building now stands, and Cincinnati was then only a small place. After eighteen months' work for Mr. Holyoke, he returned to Troy, and in September, 1834, opened a forge on his own account. Having now spent thirty-five years as a single man, he became engaged to, and soon after married, Miss' Elizabeth J. Adams, second daughter of David Adams. They at once commenced housekeeping, in the good old-fashioned way, and their honeymoon was spent under their own roof. They lived on the corner of Main and Oxford streets, and here their first child was born, on April 2, 1847 ; her name was Mary E. and she after- ward became the wife of James C. Robb, and is now living at Ft. Bennett, Dakota Territory; the next child, Julia E., was born Jan. 21, 1849, and is now the wife of Ringgold W. Melly, of Lima, Ohio; James L. was born Sept. 21, 1851, and is now married to Miss Eva Vankirk, of Cincinnati, in which city they now reside ; Alice J. was born Jan. 5, 1855, and is now the comfort of her father, and the pet of the family. But trials come to us all, and, after a long illness, the loved wife was tenderly laid to rest by the side of her kindred in Rose Hill Cemetery, March 28, 1862. For more than a half-century, James T. Orbison has been an active mechanic, and still makes a full hand at the forge. He has, in his possession, the funnel through which the whisky was' drawn at his father,s still seventy-four years ago, and also a plowshare that his father brought from Virginia in 1806. He is an excellent talker, possessed of a very retentive memory, and we are indebted to him for many things of interest that appear in this work. He belongs to no church, but attends Presbyterian services. He is now comfortably located in a neat, substantial cottage at 419 Walnut street, between Franklin and Canal streets, and his latch-string is always out for his friends. MRS. ANNA B. PAUL, hotel-keeper, Troy. Mrs. Paul was born in Germany May 4, 1832 ; she is the daughter of Michael and Amelia M. (Schauer) Lischler both natives of Germany ; he was one of the German revolutionists, serving as driver ; he emigrated to this country. in 1838, and settled in Springfield, Ohio, where he resided till the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1876 ; he followed the occupation of farmer during this entire period. Mrs. Paul,s first marriage was with Jacob Braunschweiger, in May, 1856, with whom she lived happily for seven years, and by whom she had three children, viz., Emma L., born May 2, 1857 ; Gusta E., July 20, 1858 ; and George, Nov. 12, 1859 ; her second marriage was celebrated with Louis Paul March 4, 1867 ; four children were the result of this union, viz., Charles, born Feb. 13, 1868 ; Louis, Jan. 10, 1870 ; Anna, Nov. 27, 1871.; and Edward, March 21, 1873; Mr. Paul was born in Baden, Germany, Aug. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 705 23, 1829, and passed from this life Jan. 14, 1876, after keeping the Galt House, in Troy, for five years ; Mrs. Paul continues keeping hotel since the decease of her husband, and, by dint of good management and hard labor, has kept everything in good repair, and has an extensive custom. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church, with which she has been connected since she was 14 years of age. W. L. PEARSON, dealer in groceries, Troy. He was born in Troy Sept. 10; 1836, and was the son of Joseph Pearson, who was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Jan. 23, 1809, and with his parents came to Ohio, settling in Staunton Township ; his father learned the saddler's trade with a brother-in-law, Mr. Skinner, which he followed some years ; he also attained considerable prominence in official life, discharging the duties of Sheriff two terms, was Probate Judge a similar length of time, was Justice of the Peace many years, and Postmaster during two Presidential administrations ; he was an eminent lawyer, and a man of large mental caliber. Politically, he was Democratic, and a leader of that party, whose worth was recognized by all political factions ; Mr. Pearson was a self-made man, in the fullest sense which the term implies. The early life of our subject was spent in Troy, where he received the rudiments of an education, which has been developed by his large experience in business life ; in 1856, in this place, he embarked in the grocery business, which he operated in some years ; in partnership with his brother J. E. Pearson, he engaged in the dry-goods business, in which they continued eight years, until J. E. Pearson's death, when the stock in trade was disposed of ; for a time, Mr. Pearson rested from the turmoil of an active business life to recruit his failing health; after which he engaged in his present business, carrying one of the finest stocks in Troy ; his long acquaintance with the people, in conjunction with his popular business habits, commands for him a large and increasing trade. June 9, 1864, he was married to Lorena A. Conrey, who bore him one child, Lorena M., deceased ; Mrs. P., is a daughter of Peter Conrey, one of the pioneers of Butler Co., who died in Centerville, Ind., and was connected with the prominent Methodist divines of his name ; her mother is living and resides with our subject ; he and his amiable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are exemplary, Christian people. Maria Ludlow, mother of W. L., was born Sept. 19, 1816. She was married to Joseph Pearson Nov. 8, 1835, who died May 31, 1871. GEORGE H. PEARSON, proprietor livery, feed and sale stable, Troy. The above gentleman is one of the representative business men in Troy ; was born in the above place May 3, 1845 ; is the fourth child of Joseph Pearson, whose biography appears in this work, receiving in -the village schools his education ; when 14 years of age he entered mercantile life, and, with the exception of a year passed in learning the tinner's trade, was engaged in the first-mentioned business till 1875 ; Jan. 1, 1876, he took charge of his large barn, which is filled to overflowing with the best rigs in the city ; his horses, sixteen in number, are well kept, and show more ability than the average livery horse. ISAAC PECK, JR., farmer and stock trader; P. 0. Troy ; Isaac Peck, Jr., one of the substantial farmers of this township, is rapidly accumulating a competency; he is the third son of Joshua and Mary Peck, who were connected with the early settlement of Ohio ; they had five children, of whom three are now living ; John and Joseph, the two eldest, are both dead. Aseph B. the fourth son, is now living on the old homestead ; the daughter, Elizabeth B., is the wife of Edgar E. Bailey, and her mother, Mrs. Peck, makes her home with them. Isaac Peck, Jr., was born June 22, 1841 ; his early life was spent on the farm, but his education was not neglected, as he attended district school when young, and afterward the graded school at Troy ; during the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. C, 94th 0. V. I., served during the remainder of the war with fidelity ; participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., and that of Stone River, Tennessee ; he was Corporal of Co. C, and discharged well his duties ; he was mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., June 29, 1865, and returned to his home near Troy. On the 26th of October following, he was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Simons, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Simons, and at once commenced housekeeping on the farm 706 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: which is now part of the magnificent tract owned by him ; Aug. 26, 1868, a daughter came to bless their union, and was named Myrtie Dean she was left, motherless on the 22d of July, 1869 ; this was a sad blow to Mr. Peck, who lavished a wealth of love upon his wife and darling baby ; but death will sever the tenderest ties, and she was tenderly laid in Riverside Cemetery. Mr. Peck sold his stock, and purchased Coleman's interest in the drug firm of Coleman & Co , continuing the business four years ; he then sold his interest to Dr. Sterriti. During his residence in Troy, he became engaged to, and afterward married, Miss Rebecca J. Flinn, on Nov. 14, 1873, Rev. J. P. Watson officiating ; in the spring of 1875, he again re-stocked his farm and moved upon it ; October 21, 1876, So_ phronia G. came to gladden their hearts, and is, as she should be, the pet of the household. The view from Mr. Peck's residence is a beautiful one ; his well-filled granaries and nicely tilled fields give evidence of his prosperity; Mr. Peck is a prince of good fellows, and his wife is an excellent cook, as the writer of this sketch can truthfully testify. JOHN PEIRCE, farmer ; P. O. Troy. John Peirce was born within sight of his present home Oct. 18, 1828; he is the son of Samuel and Milly (Iddings) Peirce, who were the parents of a large family of children. During his early life, he acquired a good education, and was for a number of years a teacher in the public schools in both Concord and Union Townships ; he also contracted for and built the bridges on the Troy and Stillwater Pike. His marriage to Miss Mary Eleman was solemnized June 21, 1848. Their children were nine in number, the first one being born July 13, 1849 ; Margaret A., July 2, 1850, her demise occurred Aug. 3, 1851 ; Lillie was born Nov. 25, 1851 ; William E. Aug. 31, 1854 ; Mary E., April 16, 1857 ; Charles H., April 28, 1860 ; Amanda A., Nov. 8, 1864 ; Flora M., April 12, 1868, she died Aug. 16, 1876 ; Walter C. was born Oct. 26, 1872, and the mother, Mary Iddings, Oct. 12, 1830 ; three sons and three daughters are now living. Lillie is the wife of W. R. Kerr, and William E. is married to Miss Minnie Brown. Mr. Peirce has always been a prosperous man, and is one of the wealthy farmers of this township. He is well versed in his genealogy, tracing his ancestry to the time of William Penn. Mr. Peirce- was for seven years connected with the School Board, and has held that position a number of times since. During three terms, he assessed this township, and gave general satisfaction. The home farm contains a quarter-section of splendid land, and an orchard of a select variety of fruit, which has taken many premiums at the different fairs At which they were shown. The comfortable house and necessary outbuildings make a very attractive appearance. Both John and his estimable wife are members of the Society of Friends, enjoying the respect of the community in which they reside, and their children, living near, present an almost unbroken family circle. He is one of the influential citizens, well worthy of the name he bears. JOSIAH REED, physician and surgeon, Troy. Samuel C. Reed and Catharine (Browning) Reed, the parents of Dr. J. Reed, were natives of New Jersey, and married March 19, 1812 ; they had eight children, as follows : Louisa and Benjamin B., born in New Jersey ; Israel M., George Browning, Samuel F., Catharine, Egbert S. and Josiah, the latter six born in Ohio. Samuel C. Reed, with his wife and two children, emigrated from Burlington Co., N. J., to Warren Co., about 1816, where they settled on a farm near Springboro, and resided there until the other six children were born ; from there they moved to Franklin, same county, and about 1834, to a farm near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, where they lived until their decease. Samuel C. Reed died March 6, 1848, aged 68 years ; Catharine (Browning) Reed died Jan. 28, 1862, aged 71 years. Previous to his marriage to Miss Catharine Browning, Samuel C. Reed was married to Miss Mary Stokes, Sept. 6, 1803, also of Burlington, Co., N. J. ; the issue of this marriage was three children, viz., Sarah Ann, Abigail and William Stokes, making Mr. Reed the father of eleven children, all of whom grew up to vigorous adult age. Of the above children, William Stokes, Catharine, Benjamin B. and George Browning are at this writing (July 7, 1880) deceased ; the balance all living, as far as known to the writer. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 707 Josiah Reed was born Sept. 8, 1831, as above stated, in Warren Co., Ohio ; from childhood up to 18 years of age, he was reared on the farm near Greenville, Ohio, and until that time received such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. Being of studious habits and having a desire for a better education, his winters were occupied in 'attending the higher schools, and in teaching, from 18 to 31 years of age ; the summer months were spent at the mason's trade. Soon after his mother's death, he enlisted in Co. I, 94th O. V. I., to help put down the rebellion ; toward the latter part of August (enlisted Aug. 15), 1862, he had his first introduction into the realities of war, in a skirmish at Tate's Ferry, Ky., in which two of his comrades were killed. The next engagement was at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, and the last battle was Stone River, Dec. 30, 1862, in which he was wounded in the right arm ; he was ordered back with the provision train to Nashville, Tenn., where he entered Hospital No. 2 ; here he was put on light duty in the dispensary, instead of occupying a bed in the ward, and, by diligence and perseverance, soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the duties of that department. Having some leisure, and the opportunities for studying medicine and surgery being excellent, he devoted all his spare time to a systematic course of study. He remained on duty in this hospital two and a half years, during which time he took the usual course of reading, besides attending one full course and part of another course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Nashville. May 15, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service, and on returning home, continued his studies until September, when he went to New York and took a six-months course in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and graduated with honors March 5, 1866. In April, he commenced practice at Woodington, Darke Co., Ohio, and continued until March 1, 1868, when he formed a co-partnership with Dr. J. H. Green, Troy, Ohio. This partnership was continued until April 10, 1878, since which time he has been in active practice at his present location, corner of Cherry and Canal streets, Troy, Ohio. On Oct. 24, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Freeman) Woodard, the eldest daughter of Robert Freeman; of Bethel Township, whose sketch appears in this work ; the first child, Gertrude Woodard, was born Oct. 21, 1868 ; the second, Mary Blanche, Feb. 20, 1870 ; the third, Minnie Pearl, March 12, 1872 ; and the fourth, Robert Browning, March 9, 1874. Dr. J. Reed is the inventor of an improved gas machine to make illuminting gas from the lighter products of petroleum ; the invention consists in a carburetter of such a shape as to combine a large amount of carburetting surface, with the greatest possible amount of surface of contact with the surrounding earth, in which it is buried in order to utilize the heat. There are many of these machines in successful operation, one of which lights the Knoop Children's Home, Miami Co., Ohio. SAMUEL L. ROBBINS, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Samuel L. Robbins has lived in this county for more than half a century, and is now ranked among the early settlers ; he was born in 1829, and was the youngest son of Lydia and Richard Robbins, who were among the first settlers, and settled in Staunton Township. Samuel, until his father's death, had never attended school, but had grown up a vigorous man; the family was a large one, and all had to work, boys being considered good for nothing else. In 1853, Samuel concluded to leave the paternal roof and seek a fortune in California ; but, after trying it three years, came back to his old home ; it was his bad fortune to take passage on the ill-fated steamer Independence, that caught fire near the island of Margaretta, and she, together with the cargo, was entirely consumed ; the scene, as Mr. Robbins describes it, was truly heart-rending, and 150 dead bodies were washed ashore . Mr. R., being a good swimmer, reached the land, and was of great, assistance in helping- save others. His return, in 1855, was marked by no incident worthy of mention, but he was glad to again get back to this wooded country. He loved and married Miss Martha J. Denman, Jan. 17, 1856, Rev. S. M. Brown tying the knot that bound them together ; their married life has been a congenial one ; nine children were born, of whom eight are now living-Leander M., Marietta and Margaretta (twins), Serelda A., Olive, Richard S., Laura A., Rhoda A. (now deceased) and James Edgar.. 708 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Marietta is the wife of Oscar P. Stafford, and resides in Piqua ; all the other children live at home and are a charming family. Mr. Robbins has seen the transformation of the wooded, into that of an agricultural country, and, where was once the abode of the wolf and the Indian, magnificent houses and bards are seen ; his strong arm has done its share toward developing this land, and he can now justly claim the reward of being financially comfortable during his old age. Politically, he is a Republican, and himself and wife are both members of the Baptist Church. JOSEPH ROLLINS, proprietor of livery, Troy ; was born in Staunton Township, March 1, 1812 ; his father, Jonathan Rollins, was born in Virginia, his mother, Amy, in New Jersey; they were probably married in this county, and the farm they called home in 1803, was their dwelling-place till death ; he died in 1854, she in 1835 ; they were parents of seventeen children, four living-Mehitable, Anna, Jane and Joseph. Until he was 16 years old, our subject remained with his parents on the farm, after which his lot was cast among strangers, and he must needs buffet the storms which beat with such fury upon the lives of some ; his experience has been varied, and, to use his own words, " I have never been an occupant in any house but what I- could return to and be welcome." Sept.4 12, 1841, he married Sarah A. Yount, by whom he had one child-Cynthia J. Mrs. R. died Jan. 31, 1844. He was again married to Mary J. Orr, Feb. 26, 1854, whose father, James Orr, was born Sept. 18, 1774, and married Elizabeth Kyle, who was born Jan. 1, 1776, and died Aug. 31, 1818 ; Ann Cassaday, his second wife, was born Sept. 2, 1797, and married to Mr. Orr Dec. 2, 1819 ; James Orr died Nov. 21, 1859. Mary J. wife of our subject, was born Feb. 6, 1826. Until 1867, Joseph resided on the J., at which time he came to Troy, and engaged in the livery business, in which he is now engaged. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of many years' standing ; he is, and always has been, an advocate of the temperance cause, and for twenty-seven years not a drop of the poison has passed his lips-and further, no man, woman, or child in Troy ever saw him partake of liquor. JOHN J. ROSS, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. John J. Ross is, perhaps, as well posted in the business affairs of the county as any man in the community in which he lives. Had we space, it would afford us much pleasure in interviewing him at length, but we will condense the most important facts, knowing that each " man's mickle makes the muckle." He was born Dec. 2, 1825, in Franklin Co., Penn, and was a son of James and Elizabeth Ross. Mrs. Ross died in July, 1872, her husband, James, still survives, and is still able to be about ; be is one of our patriarchs, being now 88 years of age. John Ross, the subject of our sketch, received his education in Fairfield, Greene Co., and was, during his younger days, engaged in teaching. His marriage to Miss Sarah Hurley was consummated June 16, 1853, the Rev. William Eaton officiating. The next day the young couple commenced housekeeping ; John had a light heart and a still lighter pocket, as it contained only 15 cents in currency, but what did he care for money ; the young folks valiantly bared their arms and commenced the battle of life ; they have surely come off victorious, judging from the appearance of their nice farm, that at the time of- their marriage was all woods, excepting 10 acres that were deadened. They have been the parents of ten children, of whom six girls and one son are now living-Elizabeth A. was born Jan. 27, 1856 ; Martha B., Oct. 11, 1857 ; John J., Jr., April 27, 1861 ; Margaret E., Nov. 6, 1862 ; Harriet, Oct. 18, 1864 ; Mary F., Oct. 18, 1866, and Sarah E., Oct. 19, 1868. The children have all received a good education, and to date are living with their parents. We are glad to chronicle Mr. Ross among our list of Jacksonian Democrats, and hope he may ever prove true to his trust. The family are all great readers, and their library is supplied with works of our leading authors. The children are also vocalists of no mean pretensions. WILSON ROSS, deceased, Troy ; born in Zanesville, this State, in 1820; removed with his parents, at the age of 12 years, to Carlisle, Clark Co., where he learned the tailoring trade, which occupation he pursued for eighteen years, during CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 709 which time he was also engaged in farming ; he located in Troy, in 1866, and engaged in the nursery business, under the firm name of J. W. Ross & Co., continuing in the same until his death, in July, 1877. Mr. Ross was a very kind, generous and affable man, beloved by all who knew him ; his business was such that he gave employment to a large number of men, all of whom held him in high esteem ; was a leading .spirit in public affairs ; a man of great energy and enterprise, and was ever active in pushing forward all public improvements ; his name stands identified with every step taken, looking to the beauty and improvement of Troy, since his advent into the town. In politics, he was an ardent Democrat, and labored hard for the success of his party ; was an attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and was among the most liberal of its support. In 1846, he married Francis E. Louthan of Troy, who was born in Virginia, and came to Miami Co., with her parents when 10 years old. This union was blessed with five children, all of whom are now living in Troy. SAMUEL RUSSELL, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Samuel Russell is a prominent farmer, born and raised in Monroe Township. His father, Isaac Russell, came to the county in 1806, and his mother in 1802. The maiden name of Samuel,s mother was Tamar Mendenhall, a native of North Carolina. Although a farmer, Mr. Russell has done considerable carpenter work ; he married Miss Harriet Franklin in 1843 ; they were the parents of Louisa, Margaret A., John, Jane, Isaac, Samuel L. and Jesse M. Louisa and John are not living. Margaret is the wife of Jacob Cane ; Mary J. wedded James H. Snavely ; John married Miss Elizabeth Cane ; Isaac married Miss Joselia Curtis. The home farm comprises 50 acres, which was improved by Mr. Russell; he is a Republican in politics; both himself and wife are members of Monroe Grange. Should we be asked where true happiness reigned, the answer would be, in the home of Samuel Russell and his worthy lady. C. R. SABIN, dentist, Troy ; was born in Troy Sept. 9, 1847 ; is the second son of Roswell and Caroline A. Sabin, who were of New England birth. They located here about 1823, making a permanent home till their decease ; his father died in March, 1873, aged 75 years ; his mother departed this life three days after her husband, at the age of 68 years. They had four children, three of whom are living. His father’s first marriage was celebrated with Mary H. Robinson, of Virginia, by whom he had four children, three living ; Mrs. S. died, July 23, 1843, aged 44 years. Our subject received the rudiments of his education in the schools of Troy, after which, during the years 1866-67, he took a full course of study in the Dental College in Cincinnati, which institution conferred on him their diploma, of graduation ; he afterward entered on the practice of his profession in Lima where he remained four years. In 1872, he came to Troy, where he has built up a large and constantly increasing practice ; he is a gentleman well educated to his business and to be measured by his success, and the satisfaction given to those who have experienced his skillful treatment. In 1873, he was married to Clara Reed, who has borne him one child-Nellie. Mrs. S. is a daughter of G. B. Reed, a former resident of Troy, in which she (Mrs. S.) was born in 1855. JOHN SCHAUER, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Mr. John Schauer came from Greene to Miami Co. in 1865, and we find him living on a fine farm three and a half miles west of Troy, on the Newtc n Pike ; he is a practical farmer, the neatness of his surroundings giving evidence of his prosperity ; he was born in Greene Co., Ohio, July 21, 1821, being the eldest son of Samuel and Catharine Schauer ; in his 17th year, he commenced clerking in his father’s store, in Byron, Ohio, and continued with him until, in 1846, he purchased the stock and carried on the business (associated part of the time with a partner) for fifteen years. He made a visit to the home of Rev. John Lehman, his former Pastor, who had removed to Lancaster, Penn. ; one evening, while taking a drive over the country, they stopped at the home of Mr. Jacob Bope for the purpose of resting and having a chat with the minister's friends ; Mr. Bope had a very interesting family, and John became infatuated with the eldest daughter, Maria ; their friendship ripened into love, and, after 710 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : a limited correspondence, they were married June 14, 1849, at the residence of the bride's parents ; his beloved Pastor, Rev. John Lehman, pronounced the magic words that linked together two loving hearts, whose after life gave evidence of their adaptation for each other ; they made their home in Byron until Mr. Schauer disposed of his goods ; the close confinement of the mercantile business telling rapidly upon his health, he was obliged to seek some other occupation ; in 1855, he commenced tilling his father's farm, and continued doing so three years, when he purchased 80 acres west of Stillwater, which was his residence for seven years; this farm was then disposed of, and Pearson’s farm rented for five. years purchas ing the fine farm of 130 acres upon which he now resides ; he has erected a splendid house and otherwise improved it, until it ranks among the most attractive places in the township. Mr. Schauer is a self-made man, having but $500 when he came to Miami Co., owing to the dishonesty of those with whom he was associated in business ; seven children were the result of their union, of whom five are now living-Virgil C., Claudius F., Augusta C., Edwin M., Samuel J., Esta H. and Clara E. ; the children have had the benefits of a liberal education, and are all very fair musicians ; Mrs. Schauer, who was called to the spirit-land July 7, 1877, was a kind wife, a loving mother, and her loss was keenly felt ; since her death, the household affairs have been superintended by Miss Clara, who is a model housekeeper. Mr. Schauer has a very good family library, and is a great reader ; he is especially well posted upon agricultural topics, and is withal a pleasant and social gentleman. R. Y. SHARP, manufacturer of carriages, Troy ; was born near Fredericksburg, Va., in 1821 ; his parents, Thomas and Sarah Sharp, were natives of the same State, his father dying before his birth, his mother when R. Y. was 5 years of age ; for three years after her death, he resided with a sister, then began the struggle of life for a support, laboring on the farm till he attained his 15th year, when he became an apprentice to his trade, in which he labored six years ; in 1841, he came to Troy, for the following eighteen years performing the work of a master mechanic ; in 1859, he embarked in his business with a partner, with whom he did business until 1868, at which time their shop and contents were burned to the ground ; his insurance enabled him to build another, since when he has been sole owner ; he employs a number of hands, skilled workmen, who, under his management and supervision, turn out the best work in the city, combining neatness and durability. In 1841, he was married to Emily Tullis, who has borne him six children, three living-Charles W., Ada and Rolla Y.; the deceased are Clara, Emma and William ; Mrs. S. was born in this county in 1821, and is a relative of the well-known Tullis family, who occupy prominent places on the pages of this work. He is a member of the Methodist Church, she of the Christian, both having been identified with their respective churches many years ; he is also a member of the Encampment and subordinate Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. ECKERT SHEAFER, dealer in agricultural implements, 303 Walnut street, Troy ; is a man widely known and universally respected ; his life has been one of toil, but, nevertheless, he has maintained a great degree of good humor, is full of jokes, and courteous as a man can be who has fought a long and hard battle from boyhood ; he was the second son of Emanuel Sheafer, born Jan..3, 1824, at Lancaster, Penn., and, at the age of 6 years, went to his grandfather’s to live, who gave him the opportunity of obtaining an education such as the common schools afforded ; at the age of 21, he obtained a position in his uncle's store, and continued in his employ three years ; but, the close confinement being detrimental to) his health, he severed his connection with the firm, coming to Staunton Township in 1848 ; he engaged with his uncle Eckert on a farm, working for him two years;: a partnership was then formed with George Skinner, and they engaged in farming and raising stock until 1853, on the McDowell farm. His marriage with Miss Josephine Winans, a daughter of Judge J. C. Winans, was celebrated Oct. 9, 1851. The partnership with Mr. Skinner was dissolved by mutual consent in 1853, when Mr. Sheafer moved to the Barbee farm, now the property of Mrs. John L. Meredith CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 711 he took a trip through the Western States this year, and purchased 160 acres of land in Nebraska, but instead of emigrating, afterward disposed of it. Six children have been born during their married life, of whom five are living, the first son, Charles D., dying in infancy ; Rose, the eldest child now living, was born July 11, 1854; George 0., Nov. 20, 1856 ; J. Winans, March 8, 1858 ; Eckert, Jr., Jan. 15,1'866 ; Harry H., Feb. 9, 1868. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 100-days service, and was elected First Lieutenant of Co. D, 141st U. S. I ; he made an efficient officer, and was honorably discharged from the service at the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted. He continued farming until March, 1879, when he sold his stock and removed to Troy, forming a partnership with J. E. Nysewander in the agricultural implement business; the firm are prospering well, and are building up a good trade. His children have received a liberal education, and are all fond of literary pursuits ; the daughter, Rose, is a creditable musician and good vocalist ; their home is a pleasant one, Eckert and his wife most affable neighbors, enjoying the esteem of all who know them. JESSE SHILLING, engineer of the fire department, Troy ; was born in Maryland in 1825, his parents, William and Hannah Shilling, being natives of the same State ; when only 2 years of age they removed to Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. S. received his education, and, when old enough, was employed in a foundry, in which he acquired the skill of engineering ; in 1854, he came to Troy, and soon after agitated the question of providing a fire department for the town, which was accomplished, he being employed as engineer of the department. In 1846, he married Alice Carlton, who has borne him seven children-Townsend, Olive, Mary, Jesse, Jr., Clara, Frank and Nellie. As City Marshal he has served two terms, and during the war was Provost Marshal of the county, acting under Capt. A. C. Deul : as member of the Council and Constable of the township he has acted in each capacity a term. JOHN W. SHOUPP, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. John W. Shoupp is a descendant of one of the worthy families of this county ; he is of German origin, was born it Pennsylvania July 13, 1846, and was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Shoupp they immigrated from Pennsylvania in 1850, and settled in Montgomery Co. ; it 1852, they moved into Miami Co., near the line, and lived there five years ; they disposed of their property and came to Concord Township ; the farm was purchasec upon which John W. now resides ; they had four children, of whom two sons anc one daughter were born in Pennsylvania; the second daughter, Annie E., was bon in this county ; the death of the father, Henry, occurred Feb. 16, 1869 ; he was most worthy .man, and his death was deeply deplored ; Mrs. Shoupp afterward married Tobias Barnhart, but died Sept. 13, 1879. The engagement of John W Shoupp and Miss Susie Wilson terminated in marriage Oct. 29, 1868 ; two children now brighten their home-William Alberta and Ida May ; Ida was born Sept. 29 1870, and William the same date, 1872; one other daughter, Mary, was born Aug 5, 1869, dying July 24, 1870. John W. purchased the farm of his mother, who held it in her own right ; the residence is a comfortable one, the improvement being of a substantial character. This couple are happily mated, are both social and well-informed people ; Mrs. S. excels in the culinary line, and the edibles furnished by her skillful hand are fit for a king ; they are both members of the Christian Church, and are universally respected by all who know them. Politically, h votes the Democratic ticket " straight." L. F. SINGER, proprietor of livery, sale and feed stable, Troy ; was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1837 ; his father, Frederick Singer, and his mother, Elizabeth Switzer, were born in Maryland, and removed to Tiffin, Ohio, when L. was but 3 years old, where his father still resides, his mother being dead ; they were parent of four children-three living. Our subject's early boyhood was spent in Tiffin where he received the rudiments of an education, which was developed by a course of study in the Antioch College, he being one of the first students enrolled on the books; here he prosecuted his study two years.; then entered Bartlett's Commercial School in Cincinnati, taking the regular course and graduating ; after which he 712 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : entered the Cincinnati Gazette office, in the role of Assistant Bookkeeper for seven years; received a position in the United States Express office, in which he remained several years. In 1860, he married Miss Laura L., daughter of W. H. H. Dye, whose sketch appears among these memoirs ; after the celebration of his nuptials, he kept books for Dye & Culbertson several months, then was assigned charge of the business for one year, after which he purchased an interest, when the firm became known as Dye, Singer & Harter, and as such did business till the close of the war ; in 1866, he removed to Tiffin, and for nearly one year was engaged in milling ; the following year he removed to Montgomery, Ala., where he purchased a plantation, raising a crop of cotton, but the enterprise resulted disastrously to him financially ; returning to Troy, he refitted an old distillery, which he operated till 1869, when the financial crash of that year drove him to the " wall," and he found a position in the express office, which he had hitherto held ; his health failing he repaired to New York-engaged with Babcock & Co., for whom he sold goods throughout the West for three years ; they failing, he started a livery, which is stocked with the best turnouts in the city. MRS. M. J. SKINNER, gardener ; P. 0. Troy. Mrs. Skinner was the daughter of Henry and Mary A. Orbison, and was born, reared and married upon the home farm, of which mention has been previously made. Her marriage with Elias Skinner was consummated March 1, 1848, the Rev. Daniel Rice officiating ; eight children were the result of this union, of whom five still survive ; their names are J. Henry, born Sept. 12, 1851 ; George C., June 13, 1857 ; Kate E., March 7, 1862 ; Charles W., July 12, 1864 ; and James E., Dec. 21, 1867. Mr. Skinner was engaged in business near Troy until 1852, when he purchased an interest in the ice business at Louisville, Ky.; he removed thither and continued in business for two and a half years he then sold his interest and came back to Troy, and, together with W. D. B. Webb, purchased a stock of goods ; he afterward sold his interest and removed to a farm he had purchased near Troy ; his health failing, he came back to Troy the next season and engaged as Secretary of an insurance firm; in 1865, purchased 10 acres of land on Ridge avenue, and erected a comfortable residence, but that remorseless enemy of mankind, consumption, wound him more tightly in its toils, and he was laid by the side of his children in Rose Hill Cemetery, Jan. 14, 1873 ; Mr. Skinner was a kind and affectionate father, an exemplary Christian ; for many years the Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath school ; he and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Henry, the eldest son, has, since the death of his father, kindly cared for his mother and the children, acquitting himself as becomes a dutiful son, well worthy of the name he bears. George C. is now chief operator of the American Union Telegraph Company at Troy. Henry was married to Miss Lizzie Leaf, of Troy, in December, 1876 ; the children all live at home with their mother, to whom they are very attentive. Miss Kate is a good vocalist, and a creditable performer on the piano ; the children are fond of literature, and are rapidly acquiring good educations. Henry is engaged in market gardening, and furnishes a full line of early vegetables for the Troy markets ; the family residence overlooks the city, and the picturesque Landscape beheld from that point is one of great beauty. FRANK M. STERRETT, Postmaster, Troy. The above gentleman was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 18, 1845. Samuel W., father of Frank, was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1810. Washington, father of Samuel, was a native of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of Ohio. Samuel W. was formerly a resident of this county, but now of Clark Co., to which he removed in 1842, and where he now resides. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Tillery, in 1835, who bore him ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Eliza, Lucinda, William H. H., Frank M,, John A. Catherine and Ellen. The deceased are Jacob R., Benjamin G. and Lavina B. A., 16, 1861, Jacob enlisted in Co. D of the 11th 0. V. I., being the first man from Pike Township, Clark Co., to enroll his name on the scroll of fame. The services this noble old regiment did for its country are so well engraven on the minds of tile people, that in this work a reiteration of its. rCONCORD CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 713 valor is unnecessary ; suffice it to say, Jacob R. Sterrett was always found at the post of duty, and in the sanguinary and ever memorable battle of Chickamauga, in which our forces suffered the extremity of severity, Jacob R. fell, badly wounded, pierced by enemy's bullets, on the 14th of September, 1863 ; he fell into the hands of the enemy, with whom he remained nine days before being exchanged, and during the latter part of the following month (October) died from the effects of his wounds, in the 22d year of his age ; his remains were secured, after several ineffectual attempts, brought home and interred in the McKendree Cemetery, where a beautiful monument has been erected to his memory. On Aug. 28, 1863, our subject enlisted in Co. D, of the 5th Ind. Bat. of 0. C. which was commanded by Maj. Ijams. Saw much active service in Southeastern C., contending with the many guerrillas that infested that region ; promoted to Commissary Sergeant Sept. 25, 1863; at the expiration of his term of service, he was mustered out in Cincinnati, Feb. 15, 1864 ; May 2, 1864, he re-enlisted in Co. I, of the 147th 0. V. I., and was soon after detailed, with seven others from his battalion, to the Coast Survey force, and laid out the National Cemetery on an estate of Gen. R. E. Lee, which formerly belonged to the Washingtons ; after these duties were completed, he was appointed Clerk to the Adjutant General, a position he held until mustered out, Aug. 30, 1864 ; upon his return 'home, he entered the Delaware Wesleyan University, in which he remained during the school years of 1864-65 ; in June of the latter year, to recruit his failing energies and bodily health, took a trip to Europe, visiting England, Ireland, Germany, France and Holland, returning in the same year, decidedly improved in health and strength ; upon his return, he read law one year with Shellabarger, Good & Bowman; when, on account of failing health, he was again obliged to relinquish his designs ; after traveling for S. K. ?tarter & Co., ten months, he taught school in Tippecanoe City, Miami Co., Ohio, one year, after which he traveled extensively for ten years, as a commercial salesman ; Feb. 22, 1879, he was commissioned by President R. B. Hayes as Postmaster of Troy ; the duties of the office have been so efficiently discharged that this takes the lead among the best conducted and well regulated offices of the State, an honor the patrons are proud of, and a distinction Mr: S. is well able to retain. Sept. 19, 1,872, he was married to Mabel, an accomplished daughter of Charles A. and Mary C. Hinkley, residents of Troy ; she was born in the above place Oct. 20, 1854. LEVI SWITZER, farmer ; P. 0. Pleasant Hill. Mr. Switzer, one of the prominent farmers in this locality, now in the prime of life, is possessed of many sterling qualities ; he was born Oct. 22, 1837, in York Co., Penn., and is a son of Elizabeth and William Switzer ; they emigrated to Clark Co., when Levi was 14 years of age ; . his occupation has always been that of a farmer, and in it he finds both pleasure and profit. Miss Sallie E. Sigler and Levi Switzer were married Jan. 21, 1869, in Cumberland Co., Penn. ; their wedding tour was immediately from the home of the bride, to a farm in Miami Co. ; no time being spent in preliminaries, housekeeping was commenced in Newton Township, and neither have ever had cause to regret the day they plighted their troth to each other. Two children have thus far blessed their union-Jesse M. and Edward L. ; they were born in Newton Township, and are both promising lads and are now attending school. Politically, Mr. Switzer is a Republican ; both himself and wife are members of the German Reformed Church, and are respected by all who know them. Mr. Switzer is a great lover of literature, and is especially well posted upon agricultural topics ; he 'is withal a pleasant, social gentleman, and upon the general topics of the day is much better posted than most farmers. MURRAY TELFORD, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Murray Telford is a grandson of Alexander Telford, one of the first settlers of this township. Much will be said of Alexander in this history, as he came to Troy in 1802 and erected a log hut somewhere in the neighborhood in which he passed the winter ; Indians were then virtual owners of these beautiful lands, many were the depredations committed, and often would the early settlers hurry their families off to some of their neighbors, the better ' to protect them from the prowling bands of savages. Judge 714 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Barbee and Alexander Telford entered the section upon which Murry now resides ; afterward dividing it; Alexander taking the south half. Murray, the subject of this sketch, is the second son of James and Mary Telford, born May 24, 1827 ; he obtained a practical educatibn at the district schools, even at that early day, which, together with his well-known honesty and energy, have made him what he is to-day. April 5, 1866, his nuptials were celebrated, he leading to the marriage altar Miss Jane A. Scott, the second daughter of John and Elizabeth Scott, of Miami Co. ; the wedding ceremonies were conducted by the Revs. R. T. Drake and James McIntyre. After a brief wedding tour, they commenced married life on the Telford homestead ; their first child, Mary Elizabeth, was born May 29, 1867 ; twin boys came to gladden their home Jan. 25, 1871, who were named Wilber H. and Walter S. Mr. Telford enlisted in Co. H, 147th O. N. G., during the late rebellion, and served until honorably discharged ; he was attacked by typhoid fever while in the service,,and since that time has not enjoyed very good health. He still superintends his farm, and by energy and industry, has accumulated a colnpetency. The library is well stocked with books, and all the family are lovers of literature. His grandfather, Alexander, was a great accession to this neighbor hood and made nearly all the wooden mold-board plows for his neighbors ; they driving his team while hedid their work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Telford are members of the Presbyterian Church, their piety and good example being worthy of emulation. Mr. Telford has in his possession the gun which his grandfather carried during the Revolutionary war. WASHINGTON I. TENNEY, farmer ; P. O. Troy. Washington I. Tenney was the eldest son of Dr. Elias and Margaret (Hatcher) Tenney ; born in Charlestown, Montgomery Co., in 1833 ; as his father was his teacher for many years, Washington received a liberal education ; his parents removed to Milton, Ohio, in 1848, and Washington commenced teaching school in 1850, Dr. Tenney being a teacher for twenty years, and his son, W. I. Tenney, a public instructor for twenty-three consecutive years ; during this time, all his work was confined to Milton and the three school districts contiguous to it ; the son was appointed by the Commissioners, in 1873, to fill the unexpired term that was occasioned by his father's death, as Auditor of Miami Co. ; at the expiration of the term, he was nominated and elected by the Republican party to the same office, and the universal satisfaction given during his term of office caused his re-election to the same office for the second term, by over 800 majority. He purchased a splendid farm of 166 acres, one and a half miles west of Troy, in 1878, and, at the expiration of his official term, moved upon it, and has since followed the occupation of farming. He wedded Miss Jennie K. Kelly, daughter of Samuel and Mahala (Yount) Kelly, in 1858 ; their married life has been one of happiness and prosperity ; they have reared a family of eight children, who give evidence of following in the footsteps of their parents ; their names are Ida Belle, Francis Walter, Charles Elmer, Alice Bertha, Mary Estella, William Harold, George Lee and Horace Kelly ; they are rapidly acquiring an education, and are developing a great love for music, without doubt being the equals, if not the peers, of any family of the same number of children in the township, as musicians ; the eldest daughter, Ida, is a graduate of the high school of Troy, and delivered the valedictory at the commencement of the term in which she graduated. Mr. Tenney is a man of culture, and is very fond of books ; his library is well stocked with choice volumes, and he is lavish in his purchase, of literature for his children ; Mr. and Mrs. Tenney lived one and a half years in Champaign, Ill ; while there, her father gave them a tract of land near Lawrence, Kan.; they took possession of it in 1860, but the excessive-drought of that year made light crops ; Mr. Tenney concluded that Kansas, as an agricultural country, was not just what he wanted ; he sold his entire crop for $25, on a year's time, and came back to Miami Co. ; he is now a fixture of the county, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. WILLIAM I. THOMAS, deceased ; was born in Philadelphia July 4, 1796, and removed,with his parents to Lancaster Co., Ohio, in 1808 , he received his edu- CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 715 cation in the Ohi9 University, of Athens, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1817 ; then read law with the Hon. Thomas Ewing, Sr.; was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Troy, in 1819. In 1822, he was appointed Postmaster, and in 1825 was elected Justice of the Peace ; he served six years as Prosecuting Attorney, and was Colonel of one of the militia regiments of the State. In 1836, he was elected to represent his district in the State Senate, which honor was conferred on him three consecutive terms, during which time he very zealously supported his former preceptor, Mr. Ewing, in his race for senatorial honors ; it is recorded of him that during his term of office he made the most remarkable speech ever made on the floor of the House, in opposition to the passage of a bill that was obnoxious to the masses ; the time occupied was from 4 o'clock P. M. till 8 A. M., sixteen hours, when his cOnstituents arrived in sufficient force to defeat the bill. He was a Whig in politics until the death of that party, when he joined his old foes, the Democrats, and stumped the State for Buchanan in 1856 ; as a lawyer, he stood high in the profession ; was a convincing speaker and a very formidable adversary in debate. In 1869, while enjoying a tour through the Western States, recruiting his failing energies and bodily health, he was stricken down in Lawrence City, Kan., from congestion of the lungs, dying suddenly Nov. 6, 1869. He was married to Lucinda M. Neal Sept. 29, 1828 ; eleven children was the result of their union, five of ,whom are living, viz., Stanley Owen, born Nov. 24, 1835 ; Walter Scott, born April 8, 1838 ; Llewellyn, born March 2, 1843 ; Eugene B., born Jan. 1, 1846 ; Gilmer T., born Jan. 8, 1851. The deceased are Stanley, born July 11, 1829, died July 27, 1831 ; Owen, born March 28, 1831, died Sept. 3, 1833 ; Harriet H., born Aug. 20, 1832, died Aug. 31, 1833 ; Owen Stanley, born Aug. 14, 1834, died March 27, 1850 ; William I., born Dec. 14, 1839, died April 12,1867 ; Arthur H. born April 28, 1852, died July 27, 1853. Lucinda M. (Neal) Thomas was born in H., Virginia Sept. 7, 1809 ; died April 19, 1856. WALTER S. THOMAS, attorney at law, Troy. Walter Scott Thomas was born at Troy, Ohio, April 8, 1838 ; he is the son of William I. and Lucinda M. Thomas, being the sixth child in a family of eleven children ; in 1852, he entered the Troy High School, and graduated in 1856, as the valedictorian of his class ; in 1857, he entered the Sophomore class at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1860 ; while at college, Mr. Thomas was distinguished for his clear perception and untiring industry, qualities that have since gained him a great measure of his success in his chosen profession. Although a good student in mathematics and the sciences, yet classical studies were his delight, and so proficient did he become in Latin and Greek that at his graduation he was crowned with the classical honor of his class ; after receiving his degree, he began at once the study of law, under the instruction of his father, and during the years 1861-62 he.attended the Harvard. Law School ; in the latter year he was admitted to the Miami County bar, and began the practice of law in Troy. But the country was then in the midst of the great struggle for national life, and laying aside his law-books and dreams of professional distinction, Mr. Thomas enlisted in the navy of the United States, where he served his country honorably, till the close of the war as a Master's Mate, in the Mississippi Squadron, under Admiral Porter. In the fall of 1865, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Miami Co., and at the expiration of his first term, he was renominated by acclamation, and re-elected by an increased majority. His administration of the Prosecutor's office was characterized by great vigor and efficiency. It was impossible to pick a flaw in any of Mr. T.'s indictments, and perhaps there has never been a larger proportion of convictions under the criminal code in Miami Co. than during his incumbency of the Prosecutor's office. Upon retiring from his official duties, he continued the practice of law, and by faithful attention to business, has built up a large and lucrative practice. As an attorney, Mr. T. is not of the bombastic sort, dealing in "sound and fury, signifying nothing," but he seizes the salient points in a case, and presents them with a clearness and force 716 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : that produces conviction--and a favorable decision. Mr. Thomas stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He has enemies, as all•positive and independent men have, but to name them where they are known is to pay Mr. Thomas a high compliment. Mr. T. is a conspicuous instance of a boy's growing right up in his own town into positions of rust and honor. In 1877, he was elected member of the Troy Board of EduCation, for which position he is well fitted by taste and education, and so ably did he discharge his trust that he was re-elected to the same position with only a feeble opposition, in 1880. Mr. T. is yet a young , man, and what he has accomplished in the past is only an indication of what may be expected of him in the future. His ripe experience, sterling integrity and indefatigable industry commend him to the confidence and esteem of all to whom his genuine worth is known. L. A. THOMAS, florist, Troy ; is the fifth son of William I. Thomas, an old and prominent settler, whose sketch appears in this work ; he was born in Trey in 1842 ; his education was received in the schools of the place, and though his father And brothers were ambitious in professional aspirations, L. A. expressed a fondness for agriculture, and the study of plants and flowers, a talent and taste which are perfectly natural, and, which have been cultivated until he is a proficient in the art. In 1875, he constructed the ground-work of his now almost perfect establishment, which is rapidly approaching completion; already having more room and a greater variety of plants and flowers than the combined houses in the county. He is a gentleman well versed in his business, his experience and knowledge, being fully recognized by the lovers of plants and flowers, who give him, a hearty support. Feb. 15, 1866, he was married to Kate Lee, a lady of culture and refinement, whose exquisite taste makes their beautiful home a pleasant place ; to them five children have been born, three of whom are living—William W., Guy L. and Llewellyn ; the deceased were Stanley 0. and one dying in infancy. Mrs. Thomas was born in Hancock Co., Ind., in 1848, and when quite young came to Troy. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected several years. JOEL T. THOMSON, undertaker, Troy ; another of the old and well-known citizens of Miami Co. ; born in Troy, Sept. 8, 1819 ; was a son of Andrew and Catharine (Tullis) Thomson. His father was born in Virginia, and with his parents came to this county soon after the beginning of the present century ; he served during the war of 1812, leaving his wife and two children in Troy ; after his return he removed to Indiana, where he entered the land on which Muncie now stands, he being the first settler in that locality. After remaining three years in the above place he returned to Troy in 1824, only to meet the summons of death the night after his arrival. They were parents of six children, of whom the two youngest alone survive—John F. and our subject ; the deceased are Jane, Sarah, Eliza, David and Aaron. The latter was killed by a cow the spring following his father's decease. His mother died in 1861, aged 67 years ; his father dying when he was yet young, the care and comfort of his mother depended on him as he grew older ; he was bound to a gentleman for five years to learn the cabinet trade, and after serving two and a half years, bought his time, went to Cincinnati, where he completed his trade after three years' labor, doing work in various towns. Returning to Troy in 1840, he purchased an interest in an establishment, which he soon sold and invested in another, and since has been identified with the interests of Troy. In 1861, he ordered his hands to close up shop, that his country needed him, and must go to her defense. The boys, aroused by his patriotism, suggested that he remain and care for those who depended on them, and they would go, which they did, causing the abandonment of the cabinet business, and the founding of an undertaking establishment. Of the soldiers from this county who died in service and were buried here, he has carried seventy-eight out of eighty-one to their last resting-place. In the broad acceptation of the term, he is no political aspirant, yet he has held many of the petty offices of the township. In 1841, he was mar-lied to Mahala Gilkerson, who has borne him eight children, six living—Emma, CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 717 Charles E., Walter, Mary, Elmer E. and Nettie ; the deceased—Frances and Wilbur ; the latter, was robbed and murdered in Hartford, Cbnn., when 21 years of age. Mrs. T. was born in Kentucky in 1824. JOHN T. TULLIS; born in Georgetown, Franklin Co., Ky., July 14, 1794 ; at the age of 10 he came with his father, Aaron Tullis, to Lebanon, Ohio, and in the succeeding year, 1805, the family pushed on toward Miami by way of Dayton ; leaving their father, mother and sister at the cabin of Cal. Patterson, our subject, with the other boys, drove on with the wagons, cows and calves, to the farm now owned by Mr. Turner, which then was all a forest ; the cows and horses were belled and turned loose, and the calves were tied up with ropes ; the boys woke up next morning to find the horses gone, and the calves calling loudly for their dams, which were not there ; Mr. T.'s father, having married a second time, left the farm to him ; after remaining here some time, during which he was, elected Justice of the Peace, he disposed of his real estate and moved to Troy, where he entered into the dry-goods business ; subsequently elected Surveyor, he served for some time, and in 1841 was appointed Postmaster of Troy ; previous to this, however, he, in partnership with a Mr. Drake, published the Troy Times ; from this, he started a book-bindery and store, which, in those early days, was not very lucrative ; at this juncture; when Mr T. was anxiously looking for a more lucrative business, Mr. Malin Morris came into the store one day and asked him how he would trade his store for his farm ; terms were agreed upon at once, and Mr. T. once more became a farmer, the new purchase being located two miles west of Troy, on the Covington pike; he put up a neat little cottage and prepared to end his days here, but, his health failing, he was compelled a second time to remove to Troy, where, Aug. 25, 1877, he died ; Mr. T. was one of the early pioneers of this county, and for a number of years the last survivor of a family of ten. Aug. 5, 1816, he married Margaret Murray, born Jan. 6, 1796, who bore him a numerous family, only one of whom, Mary, survives ; after living together nearly three-score years, his wife left him alone while she joined " the immortal caravan. Of the nine children born to them, Sarah, the oldest, died at 6 ; James Watson studied, medicine, married a daughter of Dr. Lindsey, had five children, and died- of consumption at 40 ; Gilbert died of consumption at 23 ; Henry Gilmore and Charles Bayless, born 1830—the former died in his 5th year, the latter in his 20th ; Mary Tullis, the only survivor, through severe sickness in early youth, became permanently afflicted in mind and body, but was preserved to be the comfort of her parents in their declining years, a charge which she most nobly and unselfishly fulfilled. Though a most devout Christian, eschewing the very appearance of evil and yielding not to temptation, Mr. Tullis was naturally disposed to look upon the gloomy side of life, so much so that the cheerful voice of his wife and the studious care of his devoted daughter could scarce remove his sadness. MRS. MARY WASSERMAN, Troy. Mrs. Wasserman and her husband have a place, not only in the hearts of the citizens of Troy, but also in the record of their county. John Wasserman was born in Bavaria, and Mary Croner, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and were both young when they came from Germany ; when John came to New Orleans, he had no money, and his passage was paid in work „- he started West, working until he could get money enough to pay his way still further. He was 22 years of age when he reached Piqua, and soon after formed a partnership with Louis Schnyer, in the brewing business, which prospered greatly. In 1848, he came to Troy, engaging in the same business for a year. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary Croner, of Piqua ; they were the parents of thirteen children, eleven survive—Cardine, Charlotta, Charles, Edward, Henrietta, Amelia, William, George, Louis, Ida and Catharine ; Amelia married Mr. Charles Diehl, a druggist of Cincinnati ; Caroline is the wife of John W. Oblinger ; Edward married Miss Bertha Lehman ; Henrietta is the wife of George F. Norton, of Garrettsville, Ohio ; Charlotta was wedded to William Leidel, of Troy. Soon after coming to Troy, Mr. Wasserman engaged in the grocery business, and continued it for forty-six years at the same stand. He was worth, at the time of his death, in 1878, 718 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : about $34,000. He was an honorable business man, enjoying the confidence of all with whom he associated in business. His sons, Charles and Edward, continue the business at the old stand, and are doing well. Christopher Croner, the father of Mrs. Wasserman, was the first German in Piqua. lie was a baker by trade, and, during their early life in that city, he furnished bread for 300 Indians, who were encamped on the farm of Joseph Johnston. There were only a few log huts built on each side of the road, which is now Main street. Many changes have been made since then ; the log cabins being replaced by endless blocks of brick and business houses. Mrs. Wasserman lives in the house which is rendered doubly dear to her by the birth of her children and her long residence in it. She is well provided for ; the children near by are doing well, and a source of great comfort. REV. J. P. WATSON, Pastor of the First Christian Church, Troy. Mr. Watson is descended from Welsh and English ancestry on the paternal, and from English stock on the maternal, side ; his father, Elijah Watson, was the son of Rev. Elijah Watson, of East Andover, N. H., a Baptist minister, whose father, Nathan, the third of his name, was born in Wales in 1729 ; he emigrated to New Hampshire in 1759, where, in 1819, aged 90 years, he died ; Mr. Watson’s paternal great-grandfather, Josiah Sawyer, came from England to New Hampshire early in the eighteenth century, and died, aged 90 years, in 1819 ; his mother was Eliza Palmer, whose grandparents emigrated from England early in the eighteenth century, but -of whom he has little. knowledge ; his ancestry served with distinction in the Revolutionary war. Josiah P. Watson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lempster, N. H., June 29, 1838, and is, therefore, 42 years of age ; he is the fifth of eight children ; when a babe of 3 months, his parents removed to Nashua, N. H., in the schools of which city he received his education ; at 15 years of age, his parents removed to a farm near East Andover, N. H. ; at 16, he was converted, was baptized in Highland Lake, and entered the Christian Church of the village ; he at once felt seriously impressed that his life-work was to be that of the ministry ; before him, his grandfather and four uncles had been honored ministers ; he was very active in general church-work during the winter, both in his home church and in the schoolhouses around ; his strong natural sympathies led him much, also, to the Township Infirmary, where he conducted worship ; in the spring of 1855, he held meetings in the adjoining town of Wilmot, visiting from house to house and witnessing a limited work of grace ; singularly, the first person baptized by him was a convert of this meeting ; July 1, the same year, and two days following his 17th birthday, he preached two sermons (his first) in the adjoining township of Hill ; he now gave himself wholly to the ministry, and soon had much work on his hands ; a revival began in Hill, which extended to another part of the township, the adjoining townships of Danbury and Wilmot, and continued through the fall and winter ; June 13, 1856, in Wilmot, he was ordained to the ministry, Revs. P. M. Hershey, W. H. Nason and John Burden officiating—the latter preaching the sermon; the Sabbath following, two weeks to a day before he was 18 years old, he organized a church in Wilmot and baptized seven adult persons ; the following winter he taught, and, in the spring, attended one session of the Andover Institute, meanwhile preaching to three churches ; in the spring of 1857, he settled with the Christian Church of Bradford, Vt., but, health failing, he resigned at the end .of three months and went to Illinois, where, in Ogle Co., he taught the following winter and spring, having, meantime, no regular charge, yet preaching irregularly, and seeing the most of his adult scholars converted; he resumed ministerial work in the same county, in April, 1858, and in May, 1859. became Pastor of the Christian Church of Belvidere, the county seat of Boone Co., Ill.; with this church he remained nearly two years, and here, Oct. 13, 1859, he married Miss L. E. Witwer, the daughter of John Witwer, Esq., of Rockford, Ill. ; Jan. 1, 1861, Mr. Watson became the Pastor of the Christian Church of Marion, Grant Co., Ind., and in October following, with leave of absence from his church, he accepted; the chaplaincy of the 12th Ind. V. I., holding the position until they were mustered out in May, 1862, being, in their first enlistment, one-year men ; re-organizing, Mr. Wat- CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 719 son was re-appointed chaplain, but, the regiment being immediately captured in the battle of Richmond, Ky., he resigned, and returned to his church in Marion, where he remained one year. Until 1871, he preached in Iowa and Illinois, nearly five years of the time with the Christian Church at Blackberry Station, in Kane Co. ; Jan. 1, 1871, he entered upon his duties as Pastor of the Troy Christian Church, which office he still holds ; during this pastorate, he has witnessed eighteen distinct revivals his church in town and in schoolhouses about, and has received into fellowship more than 450 members—the present membership of his church ; in addition to his pastoral work, he has done much general work ; for two years he was Secretary of the Miami Co. Sunday-School Union ; for ten years he has been Secretary of the Denominational Assurance Association, and for eight years Secretary of the General Mission Work of his denomination; meantime, in addition to numerous addresses on anniversary occasions, Odd Fellowship, Temperance, etc., he has published " A Manual for the Christian Pulpit," and edited the biography of Rev. A. J. Smith, a Baptist minister of this county ; this last work has had an extensive sale, and is well received ; Mr. Watson, for nearly twenty years, has been a constant writer for the press, contributing to various papers and magazines East and West ; for the last twenty months, has averaged one column and a half of matter for his weekly paper in Dayton, without a single omission ; he enjoys and gratefully appreciates the general favor of the public, and has been honored with ten annual and unanimous settlements with his church, between whom and himself there ever has been a most harmonious feeling. His family consists of three sons—George Milton, Frank Elijah, Charles Evans—and one daughter—Jennie Palmer Watson. Though he has seen more than a quarter of a century in pulpit service, yet Mr. Watson is comparatively young, more vigorous than ever, easily preaches three times on the Sabbath, and does more general work than ever before ; withal, he does not esteem his labor hard ; would not willingly lessen it ; prefers rather that, in the right direction, it should continue to expand on his hands, and has a hearty relish for it ; his ambition is to honor his office and prove himself helpful to his fellows ; the reward he seeks is above. W. H. WEDDLE, lumber-dealer, Pleasant Hill. W. H. 'Weddle, is, perhaps, as well known as any man in the township ; he is sole proprietor of the steam sawmill four miles west of Troy, on the Newton Pike; was born in Newton Town- ship April 29, 1838, and was the son of Isaac and argaret Weddle ; his early life was passed in a grist-mill owned by his father, and he had educational advantages that afforded him a practical education ; immediately after the war, he erected the mill which has been of such service to the farmers in this neighborhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in May, 1865; he is the hero of twelve of the hardest-fought battles of the war, viz., Winchester, Mine Run, Locust Grove, Battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Monocacy, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar and Sailor's Creeks ; this was the last battle fought by the Army of the Potomac ; a wound was received at Winchester, but he was not seriously disabled ; he was a gallant soldier, and as such deserves a place in the history of Miami County's gallant sons. C. C. WEILAND, of the firm of Weiland & Lawton, dealers and manufacturers of furniture, Troy ; was born in Wayne Co., Ind., in 1847, his boyhood days being spent in the place of his nativity ; in 1856, he removed with his parents to Hardin Co., Iowa, where he received his education, and was afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits for ten years in Iowa Falls ; he then came to Troy, and for four years was engaged in the dry-goods business, which he abandoned, and, in partnership with another gentleman, engaged in the manufacture and sale of furniture ; his partner dying August, 1878, his interest was purchased by a Mr. Lawton, his present partner; give employment to several skillful workmen, who manufacture a variety of plain, fancy and ornamental furniture, which no house in the city can compete with, and as honorable gentlemen, we commend them to the public. In 1870, Mr. W. was married to Mary J. Kelly, who has borne him three 720 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : children, viz., Elizabeth, John H. and Bertha ; he and his estimable lady are rnemberr of the Baptist Church, of which he is Clerk, and also Superintendent of the Sabbath school. G. K. WESTLAKE, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Mr. G. K. Westlake, a life-time resident of this county, is a son of Josias and Sally Westlake, and was born in Monroe Township. He has always followed the occupation of farming, prospering in a substantial manner. He was married to Miss Mary I. Pearson, daughter of Eli and Rebecca Pearson, Aug. 3, 1864, Rev. William Jay tying the matrimonial knot. Her grandfather, Samuel Pearson, was among the earliest settlers in Miami Co. Both Mr. and Mrs. Westlake are descendants of early pioneers, and justly feel proud of their ancestry. They commenced housekeeping upon the spot they now live ; the old log house (a souvenir of early times) still stands, and was one of the first houses built in this neighborhood ; they have four children—Dora, Della, Viola and Eva, all of whom are intellectual and beautiful daughters, rapidly acquiring an education. Mr. Westlake has erected a splendid brick residence upon his farm, surrounding his family with many comforts. The farm is neatly kept, and the revenue derived from it is a substantial one. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, as are also their two eldest daughters, Dora and Della. Politically, he is a Democrat, and one of the stanch kind. The family are fond of literature, well supplied with books and periodicals. His father, Josias Westlake, has lived in Monroe Township, and is probably as well known as any man in the county, possessed of great erudition, and was formerly engaged in teaching. He, also, by his continued prosperity, became very wealthy, and after helping his children to obtain a good start in life, has nearly 200 acres left, which brings him a fine income. He was elected Colonel of the 0. V. L. I., in 1836. Mr. Westlake and his wife will celebrate their fiftieth marriage anniversary this fall should they live, and as the old people are still hale and hearty, there is every prospect of the event being celebrated. He was for five years School Examiner of this county, and as such gave general satisfaction. Is a true Jacksonian Democrat ; reared a family of stalwart sons, who are also strong in the faith. MARTIN A. WHITEMAN, retired, Troy; in the city of Philadelphia in 1828, there attending the public schools until the year 1838, when he, with his parents, emigrated to Auglaize Co., Ohio, and, from this date, followed farming until 15 years of age. In 1843, he commenced the carpenter's trade at Piqua, serving four years. after which he followed various pursuits for several years, when he moved to Toledo, and about the year 1850 located in Troy, where, until 1876, has been engaged in restaurant, grocery business, etc. At the above date he sold his establishment, and retired from active business. Married Jane Sherrer in Troy Dec. 27, 1863. ELIHU S. WILLIAMS, lawyer, Troy. Elihu Stephen Williams was born Jan. 24, 1835, near New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, and is the son of Elder Henry Williams and Elizabeth Williams, formerly Elizabeth Pettigrew. His parents were born in Virginia, where his mother remained until she was of age, fiis father being brought to Ohio in 1807, when a child, and the family settled near New Carlisle, where Elder H. Williams now lives. The subject of our sketch worked on a farm until 16 years of age, getting what education he could in the winter schools of the country district in which his parents resided. Not satisfied with that outlook, he demanded of his father that he should be sent regularly to school ; his father told him if he wanted a better education thah he was getting at home, to get it himself ; the boy took him at his word, and with $1.50 in his pocket, started out in life for himself.; he worked among the farmers until he got money enough to pay his board for a few months, then, under the tuition of Mr. Arnott, of Troy, he fitted himself to pass examination for a teacher's certificate, which he obtained, and taught school the following winter in Brandt, Miami Co.;by working in the summer and teaching in the winter, he struggled on until he Obtained a fair education. In_ 1858, he commenced reading law in the office of F. P. Cuppy, Esq., of Dayton, Ohio, and by working in the summer and teaching school he supported himself CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 721 until February, 1861, at which time he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. After closing a school in which he was then engaged, he went to Southern Illinois to select a location to follow his profession ; while there, Fort Sumter was fired upon, and the nation had need of her young men ; he took the first train north for the purpose of enlisting, but, before he reached home, Ohio's quota was full ; he then -went to Mercer Co., Ohio, and hung out his shingle in Celina, but, in a few weeks, the second call for troops was made, whereupon he took the stump for volunteers, in Mercer Co. (then, as now, one of the strongholds of Democracy), and raising a company of fifty-six men, conducted them to Camp Todd, at Troy, Ohio, and went into the ranks as a private ; here the 71st 0. V. I. was organized, and on. Oct. 5, 1861, he was elected First Lieutenant of Company A ; he was commissioned Feb. 14, 1862, and promoted to Captain Feb. 10, 1863 ; he was in the battle of Shiloh, leaving a sick-bed to fight with the boys he enlisted ; the Captain being slightly wounded in the morning, Mr. Williams had command of the company during the bloody battle of Sunday, holding his men in the front of the fight until night closed the contest ; he was with the four companies of this regiment stationed at Ft. Donelson, and was in the fight at Donelson, where their four companies defeated Col. Woodward's regiment, who had captured Col. Rodney Mason and the other six companies of this regiment at Clarksville, Tenn.; he was promoted to the command of Co. H, and was with the regiment in all its marches and skirmishes until September, 1863, when,, although the fifth Captain in the line of his command, he was given charge of three companies and a section of artillery, sent by the General commanding to take charge of the Post, at Carthage, Tenn., one hundred and fifty miles by river above Nashville ; this post was established by Gen. Crook, with a division, and afterward held by Gen. Spears with a brigade ; there was a large amount of Government stores accumulated at this point, for the use of the army, which could not be removed on account of the low stage of water in the Cumberland River ; this post was thirty-six miles from any support, and the confederate commands of Col. Hughes and Col. 'Hamilton, estimated from 1,000 to 1, 500 men$ were in striking distance of Carthage ; Gen. Payne afterward told Capt. Williams that he did not expect the post to be held a week, but.he could not spare any more troops, and, from what he had heard of him, he knew the rebels would not get the place without a hard fight ; Capt. Williams not only held the post until the river raised and the stores were removed, but kept his troops vigilant and active, and, with the aid of captured horses, mounted part of his command, driving the guerrillas from the country ; before Christmas he had captured or killed a rebel soldier for every' man in his command, and, by the spring of 1864, had recruited a regiment of loyal renaissance, which, under the command of Col. Garrett, did effective service for the Federal cause ; Carthage was then made a recruiting station, and, by the petition of Union citizens, and the request of Andrew Johnson, then Military Governor of Tennessee, Capt. Williams was detailed for service in organizing Tennessee troops, and remained in Carthage until the close of the war, participating in every movement against the enemy in that part of Tennessee, and rendering effective service against the forces of the rebel Gen. Wheeler in his famous raid through Middle Tennessee. After the war closed, Capt. Williams remained in Smith Co., Tenn., and engaged in the practice of law, taking an active part in the reconstruction of Tennessee, being a member of the first convention held for that purpose in Nashville. In April, 1865, he was commissioned District Attorney for the Sixth 'Judicial District of Tennessee, and held that position until the summer of 1867, when he resigned, to accept the nomination as Republican candidate for the Legislature, to represent the district of Sumner, Smith and Macon Cos.; after an exciting and dangerous canvass, he was elected by a handsome majority, receiving the largest vote ever polled for the Republican party in those counties ; he served for two years in what is known as the Radical Legislature of Tennessee, taking an active part in all the leading measures, retiring at the close of the term with the confidence of his party and respect of his opponents. He was married May 31, 1866, to Alice Gordon, daughter of Dr. Wiley B. and Virginia Gordon (the daughter 722 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: of Gen. Russwum). In 1869, Capt. Williams refused to be a candidate for any political office, and remained on his farm until the year 1875, taking an active share, however, in the battles of the Republican party. all the more earnest because that party was here proscribed and persecuted, and hopelessly in the minority. In January, 1875, he entered into a partnership with his brother H. H. Williams, at Troy, Ohio, and moved' his family to that place, where he now resides, busily engaged in the practice of his profession. HENRY H. WILLIAMS, Judge of County Court, Troy. Judge H. H. Williams was born in New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1840 ; his grandfather, Henry Williams, was one of the pioneers of Clark Co., having emigrated from Virginia with his family, and settled near New Carlisle in 1806 ; his parents were Henry Williams and Elizabeth Pettigrew, who were the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the third ; his youth was passed upon the farm, after which he attended a brief academic course at Linden Hill Academy, under the tuition of Prof. Thomas Harrison ; after a term spent in teaching, he entered the law office of Messrs. Conklin & Matthews, at Sidney, Ohio. At the beginning of the war, he enlisted as a private in the 15th 0. V. I., and served through the following summer ; in December, 1861, he again enlisted in the 71st 0. V. I., and served as a private until discharged in 1863 ; was engaged in the battle of Philippi, in the McClellan campaign, of 1861 ; also the battles of Columbus, Miss., and Shiloh, in which last engagement he was wounded in the right hip and disabled for life ; be was taken prisoner by the rebels, but after a 'four months, confinement paroled and exchanged, receiving his discharge on account of disability, in 1863. Resuming the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in Sidney in September, 1864, and soon after opened an office in Troy ; his health failing, business was discontinued until 1870 ; in the fall of 1871 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and re-elected in 1873, thus making his term of office four years ; in December, 1877, he was appointed by Gov. Young, Common Pleas Judge of the Second Judicial District of Ohio, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Geo. D. Burgess ; and was, in October, 1878, elected to the same position without opposition, which office he still holds. His rank as a lawyer is second to none in the district, and his administrations as Judge give almost universal satisfaction ; is held in high regard by the legal fraternity for his high sense of duty, his splendid social acquirements and his sterling integrity. His marriage was celebrated Feb. 25, 1864, wedding Miss Eloise J. Anderson, of Miami Co., Ohio ; four children now brighten their home-Maggie, Minnie, Gracie and Harry Lloyd. Judge Williams is a stanch Republican, and the embodiment of honor, truth and justice. ROBERT M. WILSON, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Robert M. Wilson, one of the popular young farmers whom we are pleased to notice, is a direct descendant of one of the first families of this township, his father, John Wilson, having lived here for the past thirty-five years ; Robert was born March 6, 1848, upon the farm where his father now resides, and his occupation from choice has been that of a farmer ; he is now comfortably located on a nice farm of his own, in full view of the homestead, surrounded by relatives and friends. Sept. 17, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie D. Brown, the Rev. I. L. Griffith performing the marriage ceremony, at the Bethel Christian Church, fully 1,000 persons witnessing the marriage of two of their popular young friends ; they are now the parents of two lovely children--Clarence Wilford, was born Oct. 9, 1875, and Viona May, May 28, 1879 ; they are the sunshine of their parents' home, and give promise of great intellectuality ; Mrs. Wilson was born June 17, 1853, and is the daughter of George M. and Annie Brown, who have also been for many years residents of the county ; they were the parents of four children-Alonzo, Estella, Mollie and Allie (now the wife of Robert Wilson). They are both members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Wilson is a prominent member of the I. 0. 0. F., and of Concord Grange. We predict for the young couple a long and happy life, surrounded by friends and everything necessary to secure their happiness. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 723 ABNER R. WINANS, carriage manufacturer, Troy. Abner R. Winans is a manufacturer of carriages and spring wagons, and is otherwise known by his political and religious influence in the city ; he was born at Rahway, N. J., and his parents emigrated thence to Miami Co. in 1849. His marriage to Miss Mary Holliday was celebrated July- 22, 1859, and their children are named respectively Nellie V., Charles A., Lulu M., Gertie and Warren. Mr. Winans' parents, Abner and Mary (Brant) Winans, were both born in Essex Co., N. J. The wife of the subject of this sketch is an Illinois lady ; her mother was born in South Carolina, and her father in Virginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Abner Winans are members of the Presbyterian Church ; their home is a model of neatness, taste and skill being everywhere displayed. C. D. WRIGHT, attorney at law, Troy ; born in Miami Co. (of English ancestry) January 1, 1842 ; is a son of Jefferson and grandson of Nathan Wright, a native of Maryland, and one of the early pioneers of Miami Co., locating here about 1806. Jefferson Wright was born on the farm upon which Nathan entered, and upon this passed his days in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring Oct. 31, 1876. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Davis, a native of Troy, by which union five children were born, of whom one son and three daughters are living. Our subject obtained the advantage of the common schools of his district, and, after attending one winter in Troy, entered the National Normal School at Lebanon,, Ohio, April 1, 1862, graduating in August, 1864 ; served as musician for a period in the 87th 0. V. I. ; on leaving college, for some time followed farming, and taught school during the winters ; later he devoted his time to reading law through the summer until May 1, 1870 ; he was admitted to the bar, and has ever since followed his profession ; has been successful to that extent that he now enjoys an, extensive and lucrative practice ; in 1870, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, served three years, was re-elected and after serving two years resigned ; in 1868, he was the Assessor of the east precinct of Concord Township, and, in 1875, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, serving two years, was re-elected and served until January 1, 1880, serving four terms. Mr. Wright has been twice married, first in 1869 to Minnie, daughter of Robert Freeman, of Bethel Township ; she dying the same year. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of Joseph Stuart, who was born in Troy; by which union they have one son and one daughter-William B. and Laura M. In ending this sketch, we cannot refrain from adding that Mr. Wright is truly one of the self-made and self-educated men, having obtained his education by his own toil and exertion, working and teaching and thereby obtaining the necessary means to equip him well for life's battle. GEORGE. H. ZIEGLER, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. We are pleased to notice the name of Mr. George H. Ziegler among the many who are mentioned in this work, connected as he is with one of the most worthy families in the county ; his residence in this neighborhood dates back more than a quarter of a century ; he was formerly connected in Troy with business interests, but, for the past twenty-two years, has from choice followed the occupation of farming , he is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Adams Co. Aug. 10, 1830, and his parents, Jacob and Hannah Ziegler, living in town, he had the opportunity of procuring a good education. He was married to Miss Eleanor Green Jan. 1, 1857, who is a daughter of William and Cassie Green, true pioneers, both born in this county in 1808. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler has been a happy one, and neither of them has ever had cause to regret the day upon which their troth was plighted ; they have been the parents of five children-Addie, was born Jan. 19, 1858 ; Emma, Oct. 25, 1860 ; William S., Jan. 6, 1863 ; Joseph G., Oct. 24, 1867 ; Laura Dell, Sept. 14, 1872; three of these children are now living-Emma E., William S. and Joseph G. ; they all reside at this time with their parents, and are such children, both mentally and morally, as do credit to the parents, who, by both precept and example, gave them instruction. Mr. Ziegler resides on the farm of his wife,s brother, Dr. J. H. Green, Land the excellent taste everywhere visible, ranks both himself and wife among our model farmers and housekeepers ; they are both members of the Troy Baptist 724 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : Church, and are also connected with Concord Grange ; Mr. Ziegler is also connected officially with the public schools in his district, and, as an official, cannot fail of giving satisfaction ; both himself and wife are public-spirited, honorable persons, enjoying the confidence of all who know them. GEORGE ZIEGENFELDER, merchant, Troy ; born in Saxony, Germany, in the year 1820 ; is a son of Simon P. and Gertrude Ziegenfelder, who were born in the same State. In 1835, his father and one brother came to America and located in Cincinnati ; in 1836, our subject, his mother and other members of the family came, and for awhile resided in the above place ; in 1840, Mr. Ziegenfelder located in Troy, and the year following was joined by the balance of the family, who made Troy a permanent home ; his father died in 1858, aged 62 years ; his mother departed this life in Piqua, in 1846, aged 46 years ; they were parents of eleven children, three living. Our subject received his education in the common schools in his native country, and there a common-school education implies more than it does in our own country. In 1841, Mr. Z. embarked in the grocery business, which he successfully carried on till 1859 after which he engaged in milling, a business he followed until 1877, and again embarked in a general merchandising business, in which he is now engaged, in partnership with Mr. Stein. The above gentlemen constitute one of the most successful and enterprising business firms in Troy. In 1842 Mr. Z. was married to Catherine Bucka, who has borne him eleven children, eight living—Charles, George, Lewis, Walter, Maggie, Clara, Christy and Estella ; the deceased are Simon P., John P., and one dying in infancy, viz., Lizzie. He and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church, of which they have been members since childhood, and are exemplary Christian people. Mr. Ziegenfelder is President of the church organization in Troy, and one of the Directors of the First National Bank of Miami Co. He sustains the reputation of being liberal and generous to a fault, having donated nearly one-half the money that built the beautiful little church that adorns the town. NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP. CLARK ADAMS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; a son of Philip and Phoebe (Travis) Adams, natives of New York State, who were married there in 1808 ; came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; removed to Miami Co. in 1831, where he purchased a number of tracts of land east of Covington, nearly a section being in Washington Township. Mr. Adams resided in the Harrison’s Creek neighborhood two or three years, during which time he built on his land, and then removed to Washington Township, and remained a resident of that township until his decease, which occurred in 1874, he being in the 91st year of his age. His wife survived him about six years, and died quite recently at the age of 89. They had a family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and nine are now living, seven of whom are residents of this county. Mr. Adams, Sr., was an industrious, useful citizen ; he improved about half of his original purchase and sold the balance unimproved he took an active part in politics. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and he of the war of 1812, and there were three sons and seven grandsons in the war of the rebellion. Mother Adams was an active member of the Methodist Church, and both were very much respected; Clarke was next to the youngest child ; was born in 1827, and remained on the farm with his parents during his minority. He was married in 1854 to Miss Mary E., daughter of Marshall and Elizabeth (Boggs) Morgan. Her father was a native of Kentucky, her mother was born and raised in Miami Co. Their decease occurred in Iowa after the daughter’s marriage. Mr. Adams remained at the old homestead, and had the care of his aged parents; in 1862, he built a fine residence on the old homestead. During the war, he left his farms to the care of his wife, NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 725 and served in the Ohio National Guards, of which he was a member five years. In 1878, he built his present neat and commodious residence, which is situated on the North Piqua Pike, near the eastern limits of the corporation of Covington ; he still owns the old homestead in Washington Township, and also a 58-acre tract in same neighborhood ; is now occupied in looking after his property and such money speculations as may offer the best opportunity for profit. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and respected, useful members of society. They have three children living—Annie, now Mrs. Andrew Orr, of Illinois ; Luella, now Mrs. Andrew Frank, of Washington Township, and Clara, a young lady at home. B. F. ALBAUGH, farmer, etc.; P. 0. Covington. B. F. Albaugh is a son of Samuel Albaugh, a native of North Carolina, who came to Ohio in 1829, and entered land in Union Township, this county, and lived upon it until his decease ; he was magistrate in that township a great many years. B. F. was born May 22, 1836, in this county ; was raised upon a farm and received a common-school education ; has been engaged in teaching school for twenty-seven years, and was Superintendent of the West Milton school ; he is now occupied in farming, and in connection with it, he owns one of the finest and best arranged floral gardens in the county ; they contain all the choicest and rarest flowers and fruits that are kept in any first-class garden in the country ; he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of molasses, making from eight to ten thousand gallons per year ; since he began the business, he has manufactured over one hundred thousand gallons. 11e married Miss Priscilla, a daughter of Thaddeus and Eliza Mendenhall ; her father was a native of South Carolina, her mother of Virginia. They have eight children—Emma A., married to Dr. Morr, of Troy ; Clarence M., Dora A., Lillian, Edwin S., Herbert, Ellis and Ray. Mr. Albaugh contributes many useful and interesting articles that are published in the Cincinnati Gazette. R. M. ALBERY, saw-milling, Covington. R. M. Albery was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 1842 ; his father, John M. Albery, a native of Licking Co., Ohio, died in Iowa, in the year 1871. R. M. was raised and educated upon the farm ; in 1862, he learned the house carpenter trade ; served two years as an apprentice in Ohio, then went to California and served one year there ; he worked three years as journeyman, then contracted jobs, and carried on the business for six years ; returned to Ohio and married Miss Hannah, a daughter of Hezekiah Fowler, of Randolph Co., Ind. Their marriage occurred Dec. 22, 1872. In the year 1873, he located in Miami Co., and purchased the saw-mill and privileges, about one mile south of Covington, on the Dayton & Covington Pike ; he has a No. 1 water-power mill, and all the custom work he can do. Mr. Albery has since added more land and a residence, making 37 acres of valuable property. They had three children—Martin S., Morris W. and Richard F. BAER BROTHERS, millers, proprietors of Falls Mills, Covington. This mill is one of the early industries of the vicinity of Covington ; it was built by George W. Smith, of Dayton, in 1838 ; Mr. S. came here in 1837 with skilled help (he never resided here, but did business here several years), and first built a saw-mill, which he used to prepare the material for a flour-mill and distillery, both of which he completed and operated ; the present firm, Baer Brothers, came into possession in 1875 ; H. H. Baer, the senior member, began milling here in 1869, first learned the business, then operated the mill on shares, and, in 1875, the brother, B. F., became associated with him ; they have improved the mill by placing in new machinery, including the patent process," and they now have capacity to grind 200 bushels of grain per day ; the power is supplied by Greenville Creek, and the whole machinery driven by a thirty-inch wheel, which is of the famous " Ross Patent " pattern ; the mill is situated on the pike, just below the beautiful Greenville Falls, which gives them twenty-eight feet head and fall ; Baer Brothers are young men of ability, possessed of the experience and knowledge to make a success, which is already proven by the large patronage they are receiving. 726 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HAMILTON BARTMESS, dealer in harness, etc., Covington. Mr. Bartmess, a native of Washington Co., Md., was born in 1816 ; his parents came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1820; and there Hamilton grew to manhood ; in 1836, he came to Covington to learn the harness-maker's trade, and when he had completed his apprenticeship, bought out his boss, and has continued the business here ever since ; his shop and salesroom are located on High street, the demands of his trade keeping four hands constantly employed ; Mr. Bartmess is one of the oldest continuous resident business men in Covington. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Jane T., daughter of John Barber, who was one of the early residents of Newberry Township ; they commenced housekeeping soon after their marriage, in the house in which they now reside, having never moved during the forty years of their married life ; the issue of this marriage has been eight children, six of whom survive. MICHAEL BASHORE, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; born in Juniata Co., Penn. ; emigrated to Ohio about the year 1835, and located first in Greene Co.; was in such limited circumstances that the end-gate of the wagon-bed was used for a table for several years ; the union of industry and economy has rewarded him with success, as he is to-day one of the most reliable and highly respected citizens of the township ; he has lately given $60,000 to his children in lands and property. While living in Greene Co., he followed teaming for seven years ; then removed to Darke Co., purchased some land, and was engaged in farming until the year 1872, when he had a stroke of paralysis, which prevented him from laboring ; he remained in Darke Co. until 1859, then removed to this county, and is now residing in Covington. He married Miss Henrietta Senseman, of his native county ; they had six children, of whom five are living—William H., Benjamin F., Charles, Jacob S. and Susan B. R. F. BENNETT, Superintendent Preparatory School, Covington. Mr. Bennett is a native of Miami Co. ; was born in Washington Township, in 1836 ; was raised on the farm ; received the benefit of the common district and Piqua public schools, and a partial course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and has made teaching his profession ; he came to Covington in 1863, when he took charge of the public school, and has continued its Principal ever since ; the record of the school is the best compliment we can give to his ability as instructor and Superintendent ; when he took charge, the school was in a chaotic state, with about 250 pupils, and four teachers ; since then, the school has been graded, system and efficiency have taken the place of chaos ; a new building has been erected, and there are now eight teachers and nearly 500 pupils, and the school ranks with the best public schools for efficiency. Mr. Bennett is a successful teacher and Superintendent, and a useful, respected citizen. He was married in 1867 to Miss Fanny, daughter of Dr. David Jordan, deceased, lately of Piqua. As Mr. Bennett comes of pioneer stock, it will not be out of place here to trace, somewhat, his ancestry. He is the son of Enoch and Margaret (Withgott) Bennett, who came to Miami Co. in 1834, and located in Washington Township, and are now residing on a farm near Piqua, to which they removed in 1840 ; each is now 80 years of age ; the parents of each were pioneers in the vicinity of Chillicothe, his parents having removed from Pennsylvania and hers from Maryland, as early as 1800. The Bennetts were pioneers in America, having accompanied William Penn, and were Quakers. The Withgotts were Welsh, and Episcopalians ; the first of these who came to America was forced into service on board a British vessel which sailed to America ; when leaving port, he jumped overboard and swam safely to shore. A. E. BILLINGSLEY, farmer ; P. O. Covington. A. E. Billingsley, born in Fayette Co., Penn., in the year 1819, is a brother of Thomas Billingsley, whose biography appears in this work. He was raised upon a farm, and in early life learned the carpenter’s trade, following the business for twenty years. In 1862, he enlisted in 83d 0. V. I. ; was commissioned First Lieutenant ; was in the battle of Vicksburg, anti in several other engagements. In 1863, he resigned on account of ill health contracted in the service ; since that time, has been engaged in farm- NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP -727 ing He married Miss M. E., a daughter of Amos Tucker, a native of New Jersey. They had eight children, five living—Jennie, Hattie M., Mary A., John A. and Lida A. THOMAS BILLINGSLEY, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is a son of James Billingsley, a native of Maryland ; he came to Ohio about 1816, and located in Warren Co. then moved to Hamilton Co. In 1832, he came to this township and entered the farm where Thomas now lives ; he lived upon it until his decease, which occurred at the ripe old age of 97 years. Thomas Billingsley was born Jan. 7, 1823 ; came here with his parents, and helped to clear off the farm where he now resides. He married Miss Mary E., daughter of George Luckey, a native of this State ; they had three children, of whom one is living—John E. MRS. L. G. BLACK, widow, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. Mrs. L. G. Black is the widow of Rev. F. G. Black. In speaking of those who are gone, we feel that this history would not be complete, without a personal mention of Mr. Black. He was a native of Jefferson Co., Ky., born March 9, 1808 ; educated in the Old School Presbyterian Church, and professed religion when 17 years of age. Three years later, he left the Old School Church, connected himself with the Cumberland .Presbyterian Church, and was ordained minister in that church. In 1840, he moved to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, and was Pastor of the church in that place for thirteen years ; in April, 1853, he moved to Centerville, Ind.,. was Pastor there for thirteen years ; and in April, 1866, he came to. Covington, where he was Pastor of the church until his death, March 5, 1871; he died while holding a revival in his church ; when he fell, he said they should let him die, for he had the harness on, and was ready to go ; he was a faithful servant, always serving the Master. His death was a great loss to the church and community. Mr. Black,s marriage with Miss Kate Frederic, of his native place, was celebrated Dec. 11, 1851 ; they had nine children, of whom five are living—P. William H., Pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Penn., Chauncey, Ida K. and Mattie Bell. GEORGE BOEHRINGER, Covington. Among the business enterprises of Covington, the manufacturing firm, composed of Daniel Face, George Boehringer and Henry Dress, doing business under the firm name of Dodd, Face & Co., deserve a more than passing notice., This enterprise was first started in 1871. The present firm took possession in 1878. The factory now is a two-story frame structure 96x36 feet, and is supplied with the necessary machinery for the work in which they are engaged. They employ fifteen to twenty hands constantly, and are turning out and shipping an average of one carload of stock every week. Mr. Boehringer is the superintendent and manager, and has been connected with the enterprise from its infancy to the present time. He was born in Germany in 1828 ; came to America in 1851; spent about four years in Philadelphia working at his trade (house carpenter), then came to Covington and began working at, ;his trade here. Many of the houses in Covington and vicinity are the products of his labor and supervision. Hit; business gradually developed—to his shop was added a. saw-mill, then a planing mill, and finally the necessary machinery for the manufacture of hubs, spokes, rims, etc. Finally the saw-mill was sold, and his shop became a hub, spoke and binding factory, which has developed a quite extensive business. Mr. Boehringer has not only been directly connected with the growth and development of this factory, but also of that of the town and vicinity, and he is still an active, enterprising citizen. He was married in Philadelphia in 1852 to Miss Cathrena Haller ; they have had nine children, seven of whom are living. EZEKIEL BOGGS, farmer and carpenter ; P. 0. Covington. Ezekiel Boggs, farmer and carpenter, is a son of Aaron Boggs, a native of this county, who, when 18 years of age, went to Kentucky and lived there seven years, he then moved back to Ohio and located in Shelby Co. ; lived there three years, then came to this county and purchased a farm about one mile north of Covington, and lived upon it until his death. Ezekiel Boggs was born in Kentucky in the year 1838 ; 728 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: raised a farmer, and has followed the occupation most of his life. Mr. B., being naturally handy with tools, about twelve years ago contracted to build a house, and since that time has worked mostly at carpentering. He has twice been married—first with Eve, a daughter of Henry Etter ; she died Nov. 8, 1866, leaving two children—H enry L. and Ida Alice ; his second marriage was with Esther C, Coats, Dec. 27, 1869 ; they Shave five children—Mary A., Anna May, James Q Aaron and Elizabeth. Q., DAVID C. BOSSERMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Bradford. David, a son of Isaac Bosserman, a native of Adams Co., Penn., came to Ohio about the year 1833, and located first in Darke Co., living there abont twenty-six years ; in 1860, he moved into this county and purchased a farm about one mile north of Bradford, where he now resides. He married Miss Lydia, a daughter of Jacob Warner, an old soldier of the Indian war ; they had four children, three living—Solomon W., David C. and Emma F.; David C. was born in Darke Co. Aug. 30, 1859 ; was raised upon a farm ; he has lately been to Michigan, where be expects to make his home. REV. RICHARD BRANDON, farmer and preacher ; P. 0. and residence, Covington. Although not an old resident of Covington, he has been identified with the growth of this vicinity, having been born near Versailles in 1820 ; his father died when he was a baby, and when 8 years of age, Richard was driven from home by a step-father, battling with the world from that time ; when 19 years of age, he taught school. He was married, Jan. 2, 1841, to Hannah Bayman, also of Darke Co.; soon after his marriage, he was ordained a minister of the Christian denomination, and has continued an honored and useful minister of the Gospel ever since, his field of labor embracing churches in Darke, Montgomery and Miami Cos., but he has been preaching more or less in this county for the past forty years ; he is the present Pastor of the Union Church, located about two/miles south of Troy, and also of the Greenville Creek Church, located about four miles west of Covington ; in 1863, he purchased a farm two miles west of Covington, which he still owns, and where he resided until 1876, when he removed to his residence in Covington, which is a neat, commodious brick structure, located at the junction of the Troy pike and High street. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon, although quite advanced in years, are still active, reliable members of the church ; they have four children living—Minerva (now Mrs. Jeremiah Thompson, of Darke Co.), Thomas A., Alexander B. and William H., all residents of this county, and all members of the Christian Church. D. C. BRANSON, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. D. C. Branson, farmer, is a son of Moses N. Branson, who was a native of New Jersey ; came to Ohio in the year 1820, located in Lost Creek Township, in this county, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1877 ; D. C. is a native of this county, was educated a farmer, had a common-school education, taught school in his younger days several years, and since has been engaged in farming ; Mr. Branson is highly respected by the citizens of Miami Co.; he has held several public offices ; was Magistrate three terms, County Commissioner one term, and is one of the present Trustees of this township. He married Miss Charlotte D., a daughter of George Suber, of this county ; they had eight children—Willis, John, Franklin, Harriet, Caroline, Sarah, Lydia and Angeline. WILLIAM A. BROWNE, publisher, Covington. Among the business enterprises of Covington none are of more general interest than the home paper. The first attempt to publish a paper here was made by S. W. Eley, and the first issue of the Stillwater Valley Gazette was brought out by him in July, 1870, the enterprise being quite liberally supported by the citizens of this vicinity, but, for some reason, the editor did not succeed in building it up, but on the contrary, the patronage declined until the present editor, Mr. Wm. A. Browne, took it in charge in 1874 ; he changed its style from a four to an eight column sheet, its name to the Covington Gazette, and otherwise improved it, receiving an increased patronage as his reward; in March, 1879, Mr. Browne bought out the company which had previously owned it, becoming proprietor as well as editor, and is now doing a very satisfactory business. The NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 729 press upon which the Gazette is printed is an old-style double-end Adams, and is said to be the first press used on State work in Columbus ; what offices it may have graced since, we are unable to state, but it now turns off very good work. Mr. Browne, born in Pennsylvania in 1842, is a son of the Rev. W. A. Browne (deceased), who was a Member of the Maryland M. E. Conference, also brother to Miss Emma Alice Browne, known as a contributor to the New York Ledger and other periodicals ; when he was 12 years of age, he entered the office of the Cecil County Whig, and has been an occupant of a printing office ever since, during which time be has worked in many different offices in different parts of the United States ; was an employe in the office of the St. Louis Republican, and several years also of the Cincinnati Times, Commercial and Enquirer. It will be seen from the foregoing that Mr. B. is a self-made editor ; the printing office furnished both means and opportunity for his education, making it intensely practical, and eminently fitting him for the position which he now occupies ; through his energy, the Covington Gazette has come to be an established and successful fact, a credit to the town and a great benefit to this part of Miami Co.; his lively editorials will be long and gratefully remembered by the pioneers of the Dayton, Covington & Toledo Narrow Gauge Railroad. He was married in 1864 to Miss Sadie Hawkins, of St. Louis ; they have five children. D. J. BUCHANAN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; one of the old residents of Newberry Township ; is a son of Geo. Buchanan, who was a native of Rockingham Co.' Va., and married Nancy Cassady, a native of Rockbridge Co., Va.; they came to Ohio in 1803, and located at Deerfield, Warren Co.; removed to Milton, Miami Co., in the fall of 1807 or spring of 1808, where he remained until the war of 1812, in which he was a soldier, being Captain of a company of " frontier guards," and in charge of the supply depot at the junction of Greenville Creek and the Stillwater—then called Fort Rowdy, now Covington ; in the beginning of the war, he removed his family to the east side of Stillwater, just over the county line, into Montgomery Co., which place continued to be his home until 1830, when he removed to a farm in Sec. 6, Newberry Township, where he spent the remainder of his days ; he was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by tract% and the son now has some articles of furniture that were both designed and made by him, which indicate originality of genius as well as a good degree of workmanship, valuable relics of olden times ; he was promoted Colonel of militia after the war in "training days," andwas an active and respected citizen ; both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church, and he was identified with the interests of Miami Co. from its formation until his decease, which occurred in 1862, he being in his 83d year ; his widow survived him nine years, and died in her 88th year ; they had a family of two sons and six. daughters, four of whom became residents of this county and three of them still reside here. D. J., one of the younger children, was born in 1817, and grew to manhood during the formation period of Miami Co.; was raised on a farm, and has been actively engaged in farming all his life until about four years since, when he retired from active labor and removed to his residence in Covington, which is a substantial, commodious structure, handsomely located at the intersection of Wall street and the Piqua pike ; he has also been an active and respected, though unassuming, citizen ; was Trustee three years, and has repeatedly refused offers of office ; is now living a quiet, retired life; farm is now carried on by his oldest son. Mr. Buchanan married, in 1846, inerva, daughter of John Hershbarger, who was also a native of Virginia ; came to Ohio in 1824, to Miami Co. in 1833, and located in the north part of Newberry Township, entering a tract of canal land ; Minerva was born in Augusta Co., Va.. in 1818 ; they have raised a family of five sons, two of whom are living on his farm—one being a carpenter and the other farming the place ; one is a music teacher, another a school teacher, and the younger is now engaged in an art establishment in Cleveland. JOHN A. BUCHANAN, carpenter, Covington. John A. Buchanan is a son of D. J. Buchanan, whose biography appears in this work ; John A. was born Dec. 16, 1851, upon his father's farm in Sec. 6, Newberry Township ; was raised 730 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : and educated a farmer ; when 19 years old he learned the carpenter's trade, and has followed the business ever since; he is a first-class carpenter and builder; he built a great many of the beautiful farm buildings we see in this part of the county. He married Margaret J., a daughter of Henry Falkner, of Newberry Township ; they had two children—Otto Loy and Homer Willis. AMOS BUTTERFIELD, hotel, Covington. Mr. Butterfield was born in Dayton in 1838 ; his father, a carpenter and builder, built the court house in Dayton ; he removed to Miami Co. in 1847, and built the present County Infirmary building. and many other large buildings, both public and private ; as a stair builder, he had few equals and no superiors ; his decease occurred in Troy in 1860 ; Amos grew to manhood here, and, in 1861, was married to Rosanna Fetters, whose people resided in Union Township ; Mr. Butterfield has been a resident of Covington since his marriage, being engaged successively in carpentering, undertaking and furniture, and other mercantile pursuits ; in March, 1880, he became " mine host " of, the Leondis House, where he is winning favor with the traveling public. R. E. CABLE, M. D., physician and surgeon, Covington. Dr. R. E. Cable is a son of Elder John Cable, who was a native of Bedford Co., Penn. ; married Miss Nancy A. Ellis, a native of Virginia ; came to Miami Co. in 1812, and located in Newberry Township, on Harrison's Creek, about two miles northwest of Covington ; they had a family of eleven children, of whom only four are now living ; three of these are residents of this county, and one resides in Kansas ; Mr. and Mrs. Cable, after passing through the privations, dangers and toils incident to the early settlers, lived to enjoy much of the fruits of their labor ; his death occurred in 1864, hers in 1874. The subject of this sketch was born in Newberry Township Feb. 26, 1827 ; his youth was spent on a farm until about 18 years of age, when he commenced teaching school and studying medicine ; graduated at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849, and began the practice of medicine at Pleasant Hill the same year, receiving his initiation in practice during the memorable cholera scourge ; he continued to practice at Pleasant Hill until the fall of 1859, when he removed to Covington, and has remained ever since, enjoying a very satisfactory practice. Dr. Cable is one of the few medical men who take an active interest in the general public, is a public-spirited citizen, always contributing liberally to any and every enterprise which has for its object the better condition of his fellow-citizens or the general public, while his extensive practice ranks him among the leading physicians of the county ; his office is conveniently located on Pearl street, adjoining his residence, which is a fine brick structure of modern design, elegantly furnished and pleasantly located on the corner of Wright and Pearl streets. JACOB CABLE, farmer, carpenter and undertaker ; P. 0. Covington. Jacob Cable is a son of John and a brother of R. E. Cable, whose biography appears in this history ; Jacob was born Aug. 7, 1824, upon his father's farm in Sec. 19, Newberry Township ; his young days were spent in assisting his parents and attending the district school ; when 18 years of age, he learned the carpenter's trade ; he has worked at his trade most of the time since, and is also engaged in the nndertaking business ; he has a beautiful farm of 60 acres, with good farm buildings upon it. He married Miss Susanna, daughter of Thomas Wenrich, a native of Pennsylvania ; they had ten children, eight living—Cynthia Ann (living in Missouri), Frances, Esther, Thomas B., Clinton, Alice, Nancy A. and Arte F. T. B. CABLE, teacher, Covington. T. B. Cable is a son of Jacob Cable, whose biography appears in this work. T. B. was born Feb. 2, 1857 ; was raised and educated a farmer ; for several years attended the Covington Graded School, and graduated there in 1877 ; since then he has been engaged in teaching school ; has been very successful, and is highly respected. A. L. CABLE, telegraphy, Covington. Is a son of John Cable, a native of_ Montgomery Co., Ohio, who came to this county in 1829, and located on Harrison Creek. A. L. Cable was born March 13, 1861, upon the farm where James Seas now lives ; he was educated as a farmer, attended the Covington High School for several years, and graduated in the spring of 1878 in a short time he intends NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 731 teaming telegraphing, and making it his business ; he is a young man with a good reputation, and promises something honorable for the future. JOHN G. CARSON, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua. John G. Carson, a son of William Carson, deceased, who was 'born in the State of Delaware ; emigrated from that State to Ohio in the year 1815, and located in this township. John G. was born Sept. 12, 1834, upon the farm where he now resides ; was brought up to heavy farm labor ; received a common-school education, and is living a single life ; he has a beautiful farm of 173 acres, well improved ; upon this farm he has a field that was cleared by the. Indians, and to this day it is known as the " Indian field.” B. E. CASSEL, farmer ; P. 0. North Clayton. B. E. Cassel was born in Miami Co., near Troy ; his early life was spent upon a farm, until he was 19 years of age ; he then enlisted in the 147th 0. V I., for four months, afterward enlisted in the 194th 0. V. I., for one year, and went forward to battle for his country ; he was not engaged in any battle, but had to do a great deal of hard marching. He was twice married, first with Miss Martha, a daughter of George Howard, whose biography appears in this work ; they had one child, Mizpah. His second marriage was with a daughter of Emmanuel Blickenstaff, deceased ; Mr. Cassel has a nice farm of 26 acres, with good improvements, a short distance north of North Clayton. WILLIAM COUFFER, retired merchant, Covington ; he is a native of Franklin. Co., Penn., and was born in 1814; he came to Miami Co. in 1850 ; he first purchased a farm about two miles northeast of Covington, and engaged in farming about four years, then sold and removed to Covington, where he has been engaged in merchandising in some form, until within the past few years ; having accumulated sufficient to enable him to retire from active business pursuits, he has lived a quiet, retired life, respected by all ; his residence is a two-story brick, pleasantly situated on Rock avenue, near' the Stillwater. He was married in 1841, to Miss Maria J. Elder, by whom he had three sons, two of whom survive—Christian N., now dealer in boots and shoes, at Urbana, Ohio ; and William E., now chief clerk in freight office of the Pan Handle R. R. Co. at Chicago ; Mrs. Conifer's decease occurred Dec. 11, 1861. His marriage with Co., Sarah A. Dubois was celebrated Oct. 4, 1864 ; she was born in Warren Co. in 1833, and resided in Darke Co. at the time of her marriage, and is an intelligent lady. J. C. DOWLER, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. J. C. Dowler was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1819, and is a son of William Dowler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio at an early day, and first located in Butler Co. ; in the year 1824, he moved to this county and entered the land where J. C. now lives ; J. C. was reared a farmer, and, when 19 years old, he began teaching school, following the occupation for thirteen years ; since then he has been farming. His marriage with Susan, a daughter of John Rike, deceased, was celebrated Aug. 14, 1856 ; they had one child—John W., an engineer and surveyor. GEORGE H. DRAKE, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. George H. Drake, son of Daniel Drake, a native of New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio about the year 1838, and located southwest- of Piqua, on the farm where he now resides ; George H. was born upon his father's farm, and was reared and educated a farmer, and is highly respected by all who know him. He married Miss Mary E., a daughter of George Buckles, of this county ; they have two children—Theodore and Thomas F. HENRY DREES, merchant, Covington. Among the business men of Covington who deserve special mention is Mr. Henry Drees, the senior member of the firm of Drees, Miller & Neith, dealers in dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries and queensware ; he is a native of Prussia ; was born in 1833 ; came to the United States in 1854, and located in Covington the same year, where he commenced working at his trade (tailoring); ambitious to get a start, and business being scarce, he workat anything he could get to do, from ditching to shop work ; in the fall of 1862, he purchased a small stock of goods, which included a general stock, and, in the following spring, Mr. D. Face became a partner, and they enlarged the stock gradually as their trade increased ; in 1866, Mr. Drees sold his 732 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES interest to T. C. Leonard, but re-purchased it about six months later, and has continued in the business ever since, being associated with different parties as partners ; in 1876, the present firm was formed ; they now occupy two rooms which adjoin each other; in one is kept a general stock of groceries, queensware, etc., in the other a large stock of, staple and fancy dry goods, boots, shoes and clothing, while the upper story is used for a tailor shop where suits are made to order. Mr. Drees came to Covington in 1854, a young man with nothing but his natural abilities and a knowledge of tailoring, but by energy and hard work, soon established himself in business here ; his long and successful business career is the best tribute we can give to ability, industry and wise management ; for he has been the business man of the different firms with which he has been connected ; he is also now one of the firm of Dodd, Face & Co., who operate the hub, spoke and bending factory here. He was married in 1855 to Miss Agnes Neith, who is a sister of one of his present partners ; they have eight children. CHRISTIAN DUNKEL, miller ; P. 0. Covington. Mr. Dunkel, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Dauphin Co., in 1812 ; his father died when he was but a child, and his youth was spent in various occupations ; was errand boy in a store two years or more, then worked on a farm for a time, then went into a woolen factory ; teamed some, and worked at the carpenter’s trade, and when about 20. years of age began milling, which he has followed most of the time since ; he came from Lancaster Co., Penn., to Miami Co., Ohio, in 1835, and has been milling in the vicinity of Covington ever since ; the mill now known as Dunkel’s, of which he is the manager, has a quite interesting history in connection with the business development of Covington ; the site was first utilized by Jacob Ullery, who removed a saw-mill from near Fort Greenville, using the then abandoned fort for quarters while tearing down and removing it ; rafted it down Greenville Creek and put it up here, a little west of where the present flour-mill stands ; afterward Benj. Lehman bought it, together with the grounds, and erected a flour-mill ; he sold to. John Brumbaugh, he to Patty Bros., they to - McCampbell, who in turn disposed of it to Swisher & Hartzell, and they to Ullery & Mikesell ; this Ullery was a son of the first owner, and Mikesell the John Mikesell whose biography appears in this work ; a brother of Ullery's bought ont Mikesell, Lewis Kensinger bought out one of the Ullerys, and in 1877 Dunkel & Miller bought out Ullery & Kensinger. As Mr. Miller is a farmer of Newton Township, and quite aged, the business and management is left entirely to Mr. Dunkel, a position which his experience, both as a miller and business man, eminently fits him, and which he is successfully filling. The mill is operated for custom and merchant business, and has a capacity of 300 barrels of flour per day; it is situated near the mouth of Greenville Creek, from which its-power is supplied, and is on the Painter's Creek pike, near the bridge across Stillwater, at the south part of Covington. Mr. Dunkel has been identified with one of the important industries in the vicinity of Covington for nearly a half-century, is still an active man of business and a respected citizen. He was married in 1840, to Miss Mary Eresman, of Darke Co., but she only lived about one year ; he was again married in 1834, to Miss Mary, daughter of John Falknor, deceased, who was an early resident of Newberry Township. L. D. FALKNOR, farmer and dairy ; P. 0. Covington; L. D., son of David Falknor, a native of this county, was born near West Milton in 1816 ; was raised near Covington, upon his father,s farm, afterward belonging to him ; he put all the improvements upon the farm ; during the thirty years of his married life, there were only three seasons that he did not put up a building of some kind. He died Feb. 19, 188b, a, highly respected citizen. L. D. was born June 9, 1851, near Covington ; he was raised and educated upon the farm where he lives ; besides farming he has been engaged in the dairy business for about four years ; he supplies Covington with milk that gives general satisfaction. He married Miss Ellen, a daughter of James Kelsey, deceased, Oct. 14, 1872 ; they had three children Gracey Alma, Pearl and James William. NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 733 JACOB FETTER, farmer ; P. 0. Bradford. Jacob Fetter, a son of Samuel Fetter, a native of Huntingdon Co., Penn., emigrated to Ohio in the year 1811, and located in Newton Township, Miami Co.; lived there until 1816 ; moved into Newberry Township, and purchased a farm known as the Yount farm. The subject of this sketch was born -upon the Yount farm April 13, 1818 ; his early life was spent in assisting his father upon the farm ; he knows something of the hardships that the early pioneers had to endure ; he has always lived in the same school district, but not on the same farm; owns a good farm lying west of the one mentioned, and west of Stillwater. Mr. Fetter has twice been married-first, Dec. 18, 1838, with Miss Maria, a daughter of John Hagan. Mrs. Fetter died May 29, 1848, leaving four children, viz., Nancy, Catharine, Hannah and John H. His second marriage was celebrated Dec. 19, 1850, with Miss Catharine, a daughter of Jacob Brumbaugh. From this union they had three children-Emma V., Mary F. and Samuel A. M. Mr. Fetter has held several public offices ; was Trustee, Land Appraiser and Assessor for several terms each. His father was either the first or second Justice of the Peace of Newberry Township. G. H. FINFROCK, farmer and plasterer, Bloomertown. G. H. Finfrock, born in Carroll Co., Md., Feb. 25, 1826, is a son of G. H. Finfrock, Sr., a native of Maryland ; came to Ohio in the year 1832, and entered the farm where Uriah Valentine lives ; he opened the farm and lived upon it until death. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer, lived with his parents until 22 years of age ; he then learned the trade of a plasterer, has worked at it most of his time since, but latterly has given more attention to farming. He has three times been married, first, with Miss Mary Umholtz, his second wife was Miss Elizabeth Routson. They had four children-Milton A., Josephine, David C. and Israel C.; his third union was with Miss Maria E. Black. From this union they had five children, of whom four are living-Edith May, Harriet E., Cora M. and Fannie F. WILLIAM FRESHOUR, lawyer and broker, Covington. Mr. Freshour, the only member of the bar at Covington, is a life-resident of Miami Co. ; was born in Newton Township in 1841; his early youth was spent on the farm and at school. In 1861, when the first call was made for troops, he was the first man to sign the roll in Covington, and served in the 11th 0. V. I. until mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service in August. Soon after, enlisted for three years, and was assigned to the 44th 0. V. I., in which he served until the spring of 1864, when they " veteranized " and he remained until November, when by reason of a wound which he received during Hunter,s retreat from Lynchburg, he was discharged. He started in the 44th a private, was promoted to First Sergeant, and on the re- organization was elected First Lieutenant, and a little later was promoted to Captain. His wound in the right ankle was caused by a minie ball, declared by the Surgeon in charge so serious as to require amputation of the limb, but the Captain could not see it that way, and went to Cincinnati, where, under the treatment of Dr. Groesbeck, he so far recovered as to be able to use his limb for ordinary locomotive purposes. After returning, he was at, to and from, Covington, until 1867, when he went to Washington, where he remained in the employ of the Treasury Department six years. In the fall of 1873, he went to California, and on his return, stopped two years in Minneapolis, and returned to Covington in 1876 ; since which time he has been engaged in different enterprises, latterly being President of the Stillwater Valley Bank, from which he withdrew in June, 1879, and has since been engaged as broker and lawyer, and is doing a very satisfactory business. He was married in 1873 to Miss Emma, daughter of Jacob E. Shellenbarger ; they have two children. JACOB FURNAS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Versailles. Jacob Furnas is a son of William Furnas, born May 29, 1775, in South Carolina, who moved to Ohio in 1803, and located in Warren Co.; lived there two years ; then moved to Miami Co. and located in Newton Township, and lived there until death. Jacob Furnas was born Nov. 28, 1807, upon his father's farm in Newton Township; raised and educated a farmer ; his educational advantages were very limited he is one 731 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES of the oldest citizens living, born in Miami Co.; has sees the full development of the county, having resided upon his farm for forty-seven years. He has twice been married-first, with Miss Abby Large ; she died in 1862, leaving two children-Joshua and Rachel. His second marriage was celebrated March 16, 1868, with Mrs. Margaret McDonald, whose maiden name was Dowler ; she had twice been married ; first with Samuel Mitchell ; from that union she had two children-Fernando W. and Joseph T. Mitchell. JOSHUA FURNAS, farmer ; P. 0. Versailles. Joshua Furnas, is a son of Jacob Furnas, whose biography appears in this work. Joshua was born upon his father's farm Aug. 18, 1839 ; when young, he assisted his father on the farm and attended school. At the age of 20 years, he attended a select school controlled by the Quakers in Newton Township ; he then taught school for ten or twelve years. In the year 1861, he went to Iowa ; when there, enlisted in the 28th Iowa V. I ; was discharged three months later on account of prairie sore eyes ; he then came back to his native place ; in October 1862, he enlisted in the 110th 0. V. I. and went to battle for his country ; he was in the battle of the Wilderness, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor's Run, and many other lesser engagements. After his return from service, he married Miss Eliza Dowler, Oct. 6, 1869 ; they had one child-Emma Bell. S. B. GIFFIN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington. S. B. Giffin, born about six miles south of Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1804, is a son of William Giffin, a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Ohio, about the year 1800, and located near Cincinnati ; lived there awhile, then moved to Montgomery Co. ; from there to Warren; in the year 1835, he moved to Miami Co. and located southwest of Piqua, and lived there until death. S. B. was raised, until 16 years old, upon a farm ; he then learned the trade of a blacksmith ; he worked eleven y ears southwest of Piqua, and twelve years in Covington ; he had to quit his trade on account of his eyesight failing him ; he purchased a farm near Covington, now known as the Tobias farm ; traded this for the James Etter farm ; sold it and bought the old Souder farm, which he exchanged for the farm where he now resides ; his farm is situated half a mile west of Covington, containing 81 acres of rolling land. Near his residence is one of these valuable springs that are quite numerous in Miami Co. He has twice been married ; first, with Miss Martha Vanhorn, of Hamilton Co., Ohio, in April, 1828. They had nine children, of whom four are living-William, John V., Robert and Martha A. His second marriage was with Miss Martha Scott. J. V. GIFFIN, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. J. V. Giffin, a son of S. R. Giffin, whose biography appears in this work, was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1831 ; when 16 years of age, he learned the trade of a wagon-maker, and has worked at the business for over thirty years; in 1852, he moved to Logansport, Ind., lived there nine years, then removed to Miami Co., Ohio ; he has been engaged in farm- ing for the last three years ; has a small farm about one mile southwest of Covington, and also a residence in Covington. He married Miss Annie N., a daughter of Joseph Young, March 10, 1858. They had five children-Samuel J., Schuyler 0., Ida May, Mattie B. and George E. Mr. Giffin has served as Mayor of Covington for three years and seven months. CHARLES M. GROSS, carriage manufacturer, Covington. Mr. Gross is an old resident of Covington, and has been identified with the business interests of the town for many years ; he was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1823, and came to Miami Co. with his parents, in 1837 ; in 1841, he went to Dayton and learned the carriage maker's trade, and, in 1845, started a little shop here, which he continued until 1862, when he enlisted in the 110th 0. V. I., in which he served until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox ; after the war, he again engaged in the manufacture of carriages in Covington, and has continued the business ever since ; the shop now located on High street, is a two-story structure, the upper part being used for trimming and finishing, and the lower for storage and salesroom, where the most fastidious taste can be gratified with a satisfactory equipage; the expe- rience and reduced expenses of the firm (now Charles Gross & Son) enable them to NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 735 sell as low as the lowest who furnish first-class work. Mr. Gross entered the army in 1862 as First Lieutenant, and returned in 1865 a Captain ; he was a prisoner nearly two years, eleven months of which were spent in the infamous Libby ; he was also one of the 600 officers who were placed under the fire of the Government guns at Charleston ; he is now an active business man and respected citizen. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Mary A. Alloways, of Preble Co.; they have three sons and two daughters ; the oldest son, W. H., is associated with his father in the factory. J. B. HAMILTON, livery, Covington. Mr. Hamilton is a Buckeye, born in Lebanon, Warren Co., in 1852 ; he is a son of Russell C. Hamilton, an early resident of Warren Co., who removed to Shelby Co. in 1869. J. B. was married in Shelby Co. to Clarissa Sims, daughter of J. C. Sims, an early resident of Shelby Co.; soon after his marriage, he removed to Miami Co., and farmed in the vicinity of Fletcher until 1877, when he engaged in the livery business in Fletcher ; he removed to Covington in October, 1878, where he succeeded Lewis Face in the livery business, and has lately associated Mr. McGinnis with him, in order to meet the increased demands of his growing business. JOHN HARRISON, physician, Covington. Among the professional men of Covington, none are more worthy of special mention than Dr. Harrison ; he was born in Montgomery Co. in 1821 ; when 15 years of age, went to Middletown, taking an academic course, after which he engaged in mercantile pursuits ; in 1841, he began to read medicine ; in 1842, his father, Isaac Harrison, died, leaving him dependent on his own resources, but, being determined to pursue his studies, he resorted to different means of raising funds, sometimes teaching, at others clerking, and ran a woolen-mill, during night time, one year, sandwiching his studies with his work ; finally, by a little help from his brother-in-law, he was enabled to finish his professional studies, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College in 1844; commenced practice in Tippecanoe the same year ; came to Covington in 1846, where he has continued practice ever since; during his residence here, he has also contributed to the business interests of Covington, having been associated with Mr. Routson in 1858, when the business now conducted by A. Routson & Son was inaugurated ; in the spring of 1869, he, in company with J. B. Latchford, established a drug store, from which, in 1872, Mr. Latchford retired ; L. S. Harrison, son of Dr. Harrison, took charge, and continued the business until 1876, when the son, who was a graduate of pharmacy, desiring a larger place, and the Doctor haying his time entirely occupied in taking care of his large practice, they sold out ; Dr. Harrison is now one of the oldest practicing physicians in Miami Co., and a leading and influential citizen ; his office is located at the corner of High and Ullery streets, and is a part of his large, substantial residence. He was married Jan. 19, 1849, to Miss H. M. Dunham, of Piqua ; they have had five children-three sons and two daughters-of whom the first-born died in infancy, three are residents of this county, and one of Terre Haute, Ind. JACOB A. N. HARRY, farmer ; P. O. Covington. Jacob A. N. Harry, a son of John, and grandson of Jacob Harry, Sr., a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to Ohio September, 1811 ; located in Montgomery Co. ; served in the war of 1812 ; was detailed to sled provisions from below Dayton to Forts Larimor and Defiance ; John Harry was born in Guilford Co., N. C., March 27, 1810 ; came to Ohio with his parents when quite small, and had a pioneer's education ; in the year 1848, he located in Tippecanoe, in this county ; remained there five years, then moved to Darke Co., and was engaged in making brick ; in 1858, he removed to this county, and located in this township. Jacob A. born Oct. 17, 1856, in Darke Co., Ohio, is a young man that is well respected, and promises something for the future. SAMUEL HARTLE, retired farmer ; P. O. Bradford. Samuel Hartle is a son of Frederick Hartle, a native of Blair Co., Penn., who emigrated to Ohio in 1829, and located upon the farm where his son Samuel resides. The subject of this sketch was born in Blair Co., Penn., Sept. 22, 1825 ; came to Ohio with his parents when 736 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: quite small ; was reared and educated as a farmer ; soon after his father's death, which occurred in 1861, he rented his farm, and has since lived a retired life ; he is living a single life, on a-No. 1 farm, lying in the northwest part of Newberry Township, and is highly respected by the citizens of his neighborhood. A. J. HARTLE, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. A. J. Hartle was born July 5, 1841, upon the farm where he now lives ; his early life was spent helping his father and attending the district school ; he is a son of John Hartle, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in the year 1820, and located in Newberry Township. When the subject of this sketch was 19 years old, he enlisted in the 44th 0. V. I. ; was in the engagements at Lewisburg, Dutton Hill, Lynchburg (lasting twenty-two days), Liberty, Beverly, and a great many others ; was discharged in August, 1865. He married Miss Catharine, a daughter of John Lindsay, deceased ; they had fire children, of whom four are living, viz., Carrie B., Rosa A., Ottie May and Luedna. JAMES HARTLE, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. James Hartle is a son of Frederick Hartle, deceased, and brother of Samuel, whose biography will be found in this work ; was born in Blair Co., Penn., Jan. 28, 1828, and came to Ohio with his parents when 1 year old ; he was raised a farmer, and has always been engaged in the business. His marriage with Miss Catharine, a daughter of Peter Lehman, deceased, of Parke Co., was celebrated Dec. 18, 1851 ; they had nine children, viz., Elizabeth, Lavina T., Columbus, Frederick, La Fayette, Albert, Calvin, Ora and Dr. Franklin. PHILIP HARTZELL, carpenter and millwright ; P. 0. Covington. Mr. Hartzell, one of the old residents, is a son of Philip Hartzell, Sr., who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a young man with his father, Adam Hartzell. Adam located in Montgomery Co., about 1800, and resided in that county until his decease. Philip, Sr., married Elizabeth Miller, came to this county and settled on Greenville Creek, either just before or immediately after the war of 1812 ; his decease occurred in Covington, he being in the 68th year of his age. The subject of this sketch was born in 1824, and grew to manhood here in the pioneer days of Newberry Township; went to school in the first house built for school purposes, on Greenville Creek ; Mr. Hartzell's life has been varied with success and reverses ; he remained on the farm with his father until he arrived at his majority, worked at millwrighting about one year, then worked at bridge building, first as a hand, and later he became a contractor ; for several years was the principal contractor in the county, and built nearly all the bridges in Miami Co.; while repairing an old bridge, the old timbers suddenly gave way,and he fell on the stony ground some twenty feet beneath ; some of the timbers falling on him and crushing the frontal bone, required the removal of a portion and the placing of a silver plate instead, which he now carries, the only mark or reminder of his fearful accident being the ugly scar and sunken spot on his forehead, underneath which is silver plate instead of bone ; in 1860, he was an equal partner in the Covington flour-mill, and had a large investment in property in Covington, but, being some in debt, the pressure of 1861 compelled him to sacrifice heavily ; he soon recovered sufficiently to buy a mill at Casstown, but in 1868, a fire swept away the labor of years and left him with almost nothing ; he managed to trade into a coal mining company in the Hocking Valley, and in two years had an interest worth $6,500, which he exchanged for a mill at Sidney that he sold for $9,000 ; in 1872, he bought the Burket mill property, in Union Township, which he improved considerably, and when he had it nicely fixed it took fire and burned ; there being no insurance, he was unable to re-build, but still owns the site, including 60 acres of land ; since the last misfortune, Mr. Hartzell has resumed his trade. He was married in 1846, to Elizabeth Swisher, daughter of Jacob Swisher, who was an early resident. of this county, and resided in the same neighborhood with the Hartzells, but at the time of her marriage she was a resident of Parke Co ; they have seven children. ROBERT N. HARWOOD, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; his father, John Harwood, was a native of England ; came to America in 1832, located at Saratoga, N. NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 737 Y., and, in 1854, came to Meigs Co., Ohio, living there until 1862, when he removed to this county. The subject of this sketch was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1840 ; he came here with his parents ; was raised a farmer, and is now engaged in that pursuit ; Mr. Harwood is living a single life. DANIEL HAY, retired farmer ; P. 0. North Clayton. Daniel Hay, a son of John Hay, a native of Bedford Co., Penn., emigrated to Ohio in 1816 ; entered land in Newberry Township, near where North Clayton is now situated ; they had to open the road from Harrison Creek to their land themselves ; his nearest neighbors were more than a mile away, through tl woods. He, with the help of his family, began the laborious task of opening a farm in the woods, in a new country ; they endured all the hardships and disadvantages connected with the early settling of the country. Daniel Hay, born in Bedford Co., Penn., Feb. 22, 1813, came to Ohio with his parents, when only 3i years old ; was reared and educated in the woods ; his school advantages were very limited, as he did not receive ten months' schooling in all ; he remembers when he would see ten Indians to one white man ; he was the second Assessor in Newberry Township, has held several public offices, has been Township Trustee, and Justice of the Peace four years, never having a case sent to the court ; he was School Director for thirty-five years in succession. Mr. Hay married Miss Sarah J., a daughter of John Kinsinger, one of the very first settlers in the county ; their children are Mary M., Jesse A., Anna E., Daniel C. and Emma A. In the year of 1852, he went West, bought 123 head of cattle in Missouri, and drove them across the plains to California ; returned the next year. D. HECKENDORN, farmer ; P. 0. Covington. D. Heckendorn, born in Perry et Co., Penn., Aug. 6, 1818, was raised principally on a farm ; when 18 years of age, he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he worked at about twelve years. He moved to Ohio in the year 1838, and located first in Newton Township, Miami Co., remained there until 1864 ; came to this township (Newberry) and located on the farm where he now lives ; he has a farm of 88 acres, northwest of North Clayton, in Sec. 12 ; he has also 200 acres of land in Kansas. He has three times been married ; first, with Miss Anna, a daughter of William Long, of Newton Township ; she died June 2, 1849, leaving four children-Mary A., Catharine J., Esther and William J ; his second marriage was with Mary A., a daughter of Jacob Reiber, of Newton Township, who died April 10, 1858 ; they had six children by this union, two living-Levi A. and John R. ; Nov. 24, 1864, he married Barbara Aspenall (Fults), a daughter of Jacob Fults, of Indiana. Mr. Heckendorn is a member of the Christian Church in North Clayton. BENNETT HELMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Bradford. Bennett Heiman is a son of Adam Heiman, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in the year 1864 and located near Bradford, in Darke Co., where he is living at the present time. Bennett was born in Indiana Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1850 ; his early life was spent assisting his father on the farm and attending school ; after he attained his majority, he clerked in the Bradford hotel and dining hall ; he also clerked awhile in a dry-goods store ; he owned a third-interest in a flouring-mill in Gettysburg, Parke Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in the milling business for several years. In 1876, he purchased his beautiful farm of 52 acres with good improvements, located about one mile south of Bradford, on the Covington and Gettysburg Pike. His marriage was celebrated Sept. 3, 1869, with Miss Mollie, a daughter of Levi Gilbert, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn, now living in Parke Co., Ohio. H. G. HEOFFER, minister, North Clayton. H. G. Heoffer, born in Clayton, Jan. 19, 1846, was raised and educated in that town ; when 20 years old, he learned the trade of a plasterer, which he worked at thirteen years. During this tinge, he was preparing himself for the ministry ; he was licensed to preach the Gospel at Yellow Springs Sept 5, 1877, and ordained. at North Clayton Sept. 29, 1878, minister of the Christian Church. He was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Ballenger March 20, 1869. They had three children-Lizzie Hortense, Maggie Capitola and Charles D. C. H. G. is a son of John Heoffer, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., who came to Ohio in 1845 and located at Clayton. 738 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HENRY HILL, dealer in farm implements, stock, etc., Covington. Henry, son of John Hill, a native of Maryland, emigrated to' Ohio about the year 1803, and located on Stillwater, south of Pleasant Hill, Newton Township, Miami Co, He served in the war of 1812; was Captain in Ft. Greenville. Henry was born in Newton Township Jude 17, 1823 ; his early life was spent in helping his father upon the farm ; his schooling was very limited. When in his 19th year, he married Miss Amelia, a daughter of Zachariah Green, of Newton Township. From this union they had eight children, of whom five are living. Mrs. Hill died about the year 1860. Mr. Hill was again united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1861, with Mary (Dunham) Mowry. When he began life for himself, he received $300 from his father's estate, and his father-in-law gave him 70 acres of timber land south of Pleasant Hill ; he lived there twenty-two years, and during that time added to his 70 acres, 132 acres more ; he opened or cleared 125 acres himself ; in 1865, he sold his farm for $9,065, and purchased a farm of 80 acres a short distance west of Covington, where he now resides ; he has since added 16 acres to this farm ; by industry and economy he has accumulated considerable property ; he has a tract of land east Of Covington, a lot and ware rooms in Covington, and a beautiful residence in Versailles, Darke Co., Ohio. He is dealing extensively in farm implements, machinery of all kinds, etc. MARTIN HIMES, grain dealer, Covington. Among the important business enterprises of Covington is the grain warehouse operated by the firm of Shuman & limes, of which Mr. Himes is the active man ; he is a " Buckeye " by birth, in Montgomery Co., in 1823 removed to Greene Co. in 1848, and came to Miami Co. in 1865 ; he first purchased a farm about one mile east of Covington, where he resided, being occupied in farming until 1873, when he came to Covington and engaged in grain buying in connection with J. R. Shuman, whose biography also appears in this work ; their business has gradually increased and is now quite extensive ; they have lately erected a large crib and fitted it with the necessary machinery for shelling, cleaning and handling corn ; they are also handling a large quantity of tobacco, besides their usual quantity of grain. Mr. Himes was married in 1846 to Miss Anna Vancleave, also of Montgomery Co.. Her father was a nephew of John Vancleave (Old Johnny, as he was called), who laid out the city of Dayton. Mr. limes has two children living-Robert W., Assistant Superintendent and teacher in the Covington school, and Chas. M., R. R. agent and dealer in agricultural implements, Covington. EMANUEL HOOVER, farmer ; P. 0. Bradford. Emanuel Hoover, a son of Isaac Hoover, a native of Blair Co., Penn., came to Ohio in the year 1818 and located in Newberry Township upon land entered by John Brumbaugh ; Mr. Hoover went into the woods and opened his farm Jan. 1, 1828, but was crippled for life at a raising. Emanuel was born in Blair Co., Penn., Sept. 9, 1817 ; he came with his parents to Ohio when quite small ; was raised and educated in the neighborhood where he lives ; he never learned a trade, but is naturally a carpenter, and has worked a good deal at the business. He has twice been married-first with Miss Lydia Weaver, April 14, 1842 ; she died June 1, 1844, leaving one child-Elizabeth. His second marriage occurred Oct. 9, 1848, with Rachel Boocher ; from this union they had ten children, seven living, viz., Catharine, John B., Lydia B., Levi, Sarah A., Isaac and Nancy. Mr. Hoover was elected first degree minister in the German Baptist Chnrch Aug. 5, 1863, and was promoted to the second degree in 1868 ; Jan. 25, 1878, he was elected Bishop or Elder of the Upper District Church, and is a man that is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. GEORGE HOWARD, farmer; P. 0. North Clayton. George Howard was born in York Co., Penn., Jan. 26, 1800 ; he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1822, and located first in Montgomery Co.; lived there six years, then moved to Wayne Co., Ind.; he remained there about a year, came back to Ohio and located in this county ; lived here several years, then moved to Darke Co., where he lived twenty years ; he then came back to this county and located near North Clayton. Mr. Howard has clone a great deal of hard labor. He is now over 80 years old, being NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 739 educated and raised .to manhood in Pennsylvania. He has twice been married ; first with Miss Mary Blickensalve, of his native place who died in 1855, leaving five children ; his second marriage was with Mary Hughes (Edington), a native of Virginia, who had three children with her first husband ; from this union they had one child-Quintila. He' has a farm of 170 acres near Clayton. T. HUBBARD, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua. Timothy Hubbard, born in Tipperary Co., Ireland, came to America about the year 1848, and located in Piqua, Ohio. He was raised as a farmer, and has always been engaged in that pursuit. He married Martha, a daughter of Samuel E. Burns, a native of Pennsylvania (she was John Carson's widow) ; she had one child, Edwin Carson of this union they had seven children, three living-James H., Michael W. and Martha J. A. J. JOHNSTON. farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; son of Frederick ti., a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1806, and located in Greene Co., Ohio ; he entered land and lived upon it until his death, which occurred two years ago, at the age of 104 years and 3 months. A. J. Johnston was born on the sea Dec. 25, 1806; he was 'reared a farmer, and helped his father to clear the farm ; Jan. 1, 1837, he came to this county and located in Covington, where he kept hotel for two years ; then moved to the Greenville Falls, and followed coopering for ten years ; in 1850, he purchased a quarter-section of woodland, about half way between Covington and Piqua, for $700 ; in 1864, he sold it for $11,000, and purchased the farm where he now resides for $6,000. Mr. J. has twice been married, first to Eliza, a daughter of J. W. Maxwell, of Preble Co., Ohio ; from this union they had one child, Eliza, who married Richard Adams, now residing in Wisconsin ; his second marriage occurred in 1836, to Mary A., a daughter of Giles Thompson, of Greene Co., Ohio ; they had six children, five of whom are living-Louisa J., James A., Frederick W., John K. and Edward. A. H. JONES, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; son of Joseph Jones, a native of North Carolina emigrated to Ohio about the year 1829 with his mother, and located in Newton Township, Miami Co.; when 14 years old, he was bound to Henry Knoop for $5 per year ; while living with Mr. Knoop he learned the wagon-making trade ; after he obtained his freedom, he worked at his trade about seventeen years ; he then began buying and selling, until he had accumu- lated a great deal of property ; he died in the year 877. A. H. was born Oct. 28, 1852, about one and a half miles west of Covington, on the Covington and Gettysburg pike ; he was raised and educated as a farmer, and has always been engaged in that pursuit. His marriage was celebrated Feb. 22, 1877, to Miss Martha, a daughter of David Ingle, a native of this county, now living in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they had one child, Edward Forest. J. M. KENDALL, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; was born, Nov. 14, 1836, in this township ; was reared a farmer, but has been engaged in several other different pursuits ; he is now attending his farm, which lies in the north part of this township, and has everything tidy about the farm and premises. He married Miss Jerusha, a daughter of James Patterson, deceased ; they have three children-Olive B., Joseph L. and Matellus. His father, William Kendall, a native of Penn- sylvania, was left an orphan, and, when 8 years old, he came to Ohio with an incle about the year 1813 ; in early life, he learned the carpenter's trade, and fol- owed the business for ten or twelve years ; he purchased a farm in the northeast part of this township, and lived there until his decease. JACOB KENDELL, M. D., druggist and physician, Covington. Dr. Kendell, a life-resident of Miami Co., was born in Newton Township Dec. 16, 1845 ; his parents, Jerry and Mary (Boggs) Kendell, were early residents of Newton Township. His father's death occurred there in 1850, and his mother's in 1853. Jacob, being an orphan at 8 years of age, was cared for by an uncle until he was 12 years of age, during which the uncle made him pay more attention to work than schooling. He then became the ward of Dr. Weaver, whose biography also appears in this work, and who not only gave him opportunity for education, but also encouraged him. When he arrived at 18, he began teaching, and reading medicine. 740 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: He graduated at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, in 1869, and in the same year began practice in connection with Dr. Weaver, in which he has remained eve' since. Weaver & Kendell are druggists as well as practitioners (see Dr. Weaver's biography). The Doctor is the present Township Clerk, and highly respected both as a citizen and physician. His residence is a neat brick, situated on High street. LEWIS KENSINGER, grain dealer, Covington. Mr. Kensinger is the present representative of one of the first pioneer families of Newberry Township, and is a life resident of Miami Co. His father, John Kensinger, born in Maryland in 1796 ; married Mary Hulings ; came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1805, and to Miami Co. in 1808. He was a millwright by trade, and resided near Covington. During his early residence here he was employed a great part of his time aiding in surveying and locating land for settlers. His patriotism was a marked characteristic. During the war of 1812 he was a member of the " Frontier Guards," and when troops were being enlisted during the late war, he, although nearly three-score and ten, uselessly, but honestly, offered his services. In 1820, he entered a tract of land about a mile north of Covington, where he resided about ten years, then sold it and purchased the farm also north of Covington, where he resided the balance of his days. Mr. Kensinger, Sr. was of the desirable kind of pioneer. He was a member of the Masonic order, lso of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a man universally respected and estemed, and regarded as an excellent Christian citizen. His decease occurred in 1872. The subject of this sketch was born- in 1832. His youth was spent on the farm, receiving such education as the common school afforded, until about 18 years of age. He then worked three years at mill wrighting, but soon after learning the trade engaged in farming, at which he continued about ten years, then engaged in milling, grain buying, etc., and has been occupied in merchandising in some form ever since. He is now engaged in grain buying, in connection with Mr. Flockemmer, under the firm style of Flockemmer & Kensinger. They are among the most reliable and extensive business men of Covington. Mr. Bensinger was married in 1852 to Alice Hitchin, only daughter of William Hitchin, who was a native of England, Alice was born in Ohio in 1834 ; they have five children. JACOB LINK, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; is a son of David Link, of Montgomery Co., Ohio, who came to his death by cramp while bathing in the Miami River. Jacob Link was born in Montgomery Co. Jan. 30, 1831 ; grew to manhood upon a farm, and, when 20 years old, began the business of running a thrashing machine ; he ran the first machine- in Montgomery Co., and has followed the business most every season up to the present time. He served as Trustee in Montgomery Co. during the whole time of the late war, and has held the same office in this township. His marriage with Miss Sarah D., daughter of Jacob Darner, of Maryland, was celebrated Feb. 23, 1853 they had eleven children, eight living—Calvin, Charles E., D. B., Francis D., William H., Oscar H., Emma May and Samuel J. Mr. Link has 157 acres of land. C. E. LINK, farmer; P. 0. Covington is a son of Jacob Link ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1856. Was united in marriage Jan. 30, 1879, with Miss Eliza, daughter of Mathias Ingle, of this township, and grand-daughter of Philip Ingle, and great-granddaughter of Michael Ingle, one of the first settlers in this township, who entered the farm now owned by her father ; Mrs. Link's father was born Feb. 8, 1823, on the farm entered by his grandfather, and has done his share in improvement. He was married to Miss Lindsay, a daughter of John Rike, deceased, and has one child—Mathias J. J. H. LONG & BROTHER, milling, North Clayton. J. H. Long was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Aug. 31, 1840, and William H. Long was born in the same county, Jan. 2, 1842 ; are sons of Peter Long, a native of Pennsylvania, now living in Elk Co., Kart. ; they were raised and educated upon a farm ; J. H. learned the milling business when young, in which he is still engaged ; he worked eleven years in Darke Co., in the Bear's, Hoover and Foster mills ; two years in Preble Co., near New Paris, and one year in the Greenville Falls mills, in this county. W. H., when NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 741 young, learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed four or five years. In 1875, they purchased the Clayton Mills, and have been doing a good custom business; they make a good grade of flour, that will compete with any made in the county. W. H. is the patentee of the White Lily or improved Providence Washing Machine, one of the Most complete washers ever put before the public. J. H. married Miss Sarah, a daughter of William Hess, of Darke April 2, 1862 ; they have had five children, four living—Mary E., Laura E., John Co.,. and Cora E. JAMES McCLARY, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is one of the old residents of Miami Co., having been born Feb. 18, 1821, on a farm about two miles north of Covington, where he has resided almost continuously for more than a half-century. His father, John McClary, was a native of Kentucky ; came to Miami Co. as early as 1812 was a soldier in the latter part of the last struggle with the red men here. Married Miss Eliza Brandon ; she was a native of South Carolina her father, Benjamin Brandon, a soldier in the Revolution, emigrated with his family to Miami Co. about 1812, and located near Piqua ; Mr. McClary, Sr., located near Covington, soon after his Marriage, where he remained until his decease ; James remembers going to school, when a small boy, by a path his father had cut through the woods ; books being scarce and money scarcer, an alphabet was pasted on a sort of paddle which served for a primer ; when a little older, he was often sent to mill ; mounted upon the sack of wheat, which was thrown across the back of a trusty horse, he would strike out by the bridle path for the mill, which was on the Miami, near Piqua ; he usually went to the mill and got his grist the first day, returning as far as Grandpa Brandon's, where he would stay all night, have a good time with the children, and return home with his flour the next day ; such were some of the disadvantages experienced by the youth of those days ; as he grew older, there was, of course, gradual improvement and increased facilities. In 1842, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, daughter of George Buchanan, who was among the first settlers of Newberry Township ; after his marriage, he built a house on a small tract, a part of the old homestead which his father had given him a few years later, his parents having died, he sold out and went to Piqua, where he resided about eighteen months, in the ' meantime purchasing several shares in his father's estate ; then returned to the old homestead, bought out the other heirs, becoming the owner of the farm upon which he was born, where his youth and early manhood were spent ; his son, George D., lives on and cultivates it, Mr. McClary having removed to his residence in the north part of Covington about six years ago ; Mr. McClary has grown with the county, and his associations and history are inseparably interwoven with the history of Newberry Township ; he has served it as Assessor, and is now one of the Board of Trustees ; he has a family of three children living, and one dead. T. S. McGINNIS, liveryman, Covington. Mr. McGinnis was a native of Ohio, born in Champaign Co. in 1845 ; his parents removed to Shelby Co. the year of his birth, and he there grew to manhood ; was married to Miss Bell Woodard and resided there, being occupied in farming ; recently he moved to Covington, where he is now engaged in the livery business in connection with Mr. J. B. Hamilton, whose biography also appears in this work ; 'Mr. McGinnis comes of pioneer stock, his ancestors on both sides being Virginians and early emigrants to Kentucky ; his great-grandfather was scalped by the Indians in his own dooryard, near Maysville, Ky. ; his grandfather removed from Kentucky to Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1812, and served in the army during the war ; Mr. McGinnis is now in the prime of life, and is an active, energetic man, just embarking in a new business venture, in which there seems to be a good prospect of success. O. M. McGOWEN, liveryman, Covington. Mr. McGowen, a native of Virginia, was born in 1817 ; came to Ohio when a child, and lived in the vicinity of Dayton until about 1845, during which time he learned the bricklayer's trade ; he then came to Miami Co., first located near Piqua, and was engaged in farming until 1864, when he engaged in the livery business in Piqua ; in August, 1865, he removed his stock to Covington, and has continued the business here ever since. 742 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : Mr. McGowe.n is now doing a very satisfactory business here ; his stable is located on the north side of the. C., C. ee I. C. R. R., near the depot, where he keeps livery equipments fully equal to the demands of the place ; his residence, situated on the same lot and near the stable, is a very neat and comfortable home. GEORGE W. McMAKEN; farmer-and stock-dealer ; P. O. Covington. George W. McMaken, farmer and stock-dealer, is a son of John McMaken, Sr., a native of Kentucky, who came to this county when the howling of the wolves was as familiar as the barking of dogs is now ; he located on the farm where George W. now lives ; he brought a fine lot of cattle from Butler Co., Ohio, and lost all of them with milk-sickness ; he lived to the good old age of 78 years ; his wife still survives, is 80 years old and enjoys good health. George W. was born in this county July 13, 1836, on the farm where he now lives ; he married Miss Hannah E. Aspinall, a native of England ; they had three children, of whom two are living—. Frank L. and John Ellsworth. MICHAEL MAIER, wagon and carriage manufacturer ; P. O. and residence Covington. Mr. Maier was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1835 ; received the usual schooling until 14 years of age, when he began work at his trade, which he has followed ever since. He came to America in 1853 ; first worked in Hartford, Conn. about four years, then came West and located in Covington, where he worked a few months for C. M. Gross, then bought a shop on the Troy pike and carried on business until 1864, when he bought out Gross, and has continued the business at Gross' old stand ever since. The shop, located on Spring street, between High and Pearl streets, is a two-story structure, the upper part being used for finishing and trimming. This long experience enables him to turn out first-class work of all kinds, at low prices. His residence is situated at the corner of Pearl and Spring streets, adjoining the shop. He was married in 1859, to Agnes M., daughter of George Neth ; they have had seven children, five sons and two daughters. Mr. Maier has been a member of the Town Council several years ; has also been both Town and Township Treasurer the past four years, and is one of the substantial citizens of Covington. DAVID J. MARTIN, P. O. and residence Covington ; is a son of Jacob Martin, and grandson of John Martin ; his grandfather came from " Monison's Cove,"Penn., through Cincinnati, Ohio, and located in Warren Co., when there was but one frame building in Cincinnati. Jacob grew to manhood in Warren Co., and was married first to Abigail Thomas, who was of a Quaker family, and the mother of David J. ; they removed to this county in 1830, and located in this township, near Clayton. Mr. Martin was a millwright, and built a great many mills in this vicinity ; he laid out the town of Clayton, and was a useful and respected citizen ; he removed to Iowa in 1852, and died there in 1856, at the age of 68. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren Co. in 1829, but grew up in Miami Co. ; he learned the blacksmith's trade in a machine shop in Piqua, and followed his trade here and in Piqua, until 1862. He enlisted in the United States Army, was mustered with the 110th O. V. I., and remained in the service until after he witnessed the surrender of Lee, at Appomattox ; since his return he has invented, or rather perfected the invention of, a " tweer " for blacksmith's forges, for which he has a patent, and which is now in very general use ; he also invented an automatic car-coupler, which ought to be in general use, \and would be, but for the parsimoniousness of railroad corporations, who place more value on a few dollars than upon the lives and limbs of their servants ; he has also patented an animal-trap, which has been quite extensively introduced, and is meeting with general favor. He organized the Covington Silver Mining Company, who purchased a mine near Rosita, in Custer Co., Colo., which is now being successfully operated by a Philadelphia company that have it leased. In 1873, he organized what is known as the Covington Stone Company, of which he is the only resident member, and of which he as had the sole charge. The company now employ from five to fifteen hands, and are shipping stone to all points within reasonable distance, their sales amounting to about $8,000 per year. Mr. Martin is an active, wide-awake business man, and an old, NEW BERRY TOWNSHIP - 743 respected citizen of Covington. His residence is situated on the Piqua pike, near the eastern corporate limits. He was married in 1851 to Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel Thompson, whose biography also appears in this work. A. F. MIKESELL, farmer ; P. O. Covington. A. F. Mikesell, a son of John Mikesell, whose biography appears in this work ; was born in this county, Newton Township, July 3, 1842 ; he was raised in the mercantile and milling business, but when 20 years of age, began farming, and has been engaged in that occupation ever since ; he has a beautiful farm north of Covington, where he resides ; his barn, built in the form of an octagon, is novel, odd and beautiful. Mr. Mikesell's marriage with Miss Jane Beery was celebrated Jan. 1, 1867 ; she was a daughter of Levi Beery, a native of this State, now residing in Henry Co., Iowa. They had six children—Arthur, Anna, Elnora, Vinnia, Maurice and John L. JOHN MIKESELL, retired, Covington. Mr. Mikesell, a native of Pennsylvania, is a son of William Mikesell, who came from Bedford Co., Penn., to this county in 1822, and settled in Newton Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1856. The subject of this sketch was born in Bedford Co. in 1817, and grew to manhood on the farm in Newton Township ; when 20 years of age, he began to learn wagon-making, which he followed until 1847, when, on account of ill health, he sold out and engaged in merchandising in Covington, which he continued about seven years ; after which he purchased the " Sugar Grove Mill " in Newton Township, and afterward the Covington, now called Dunkel's, Mill, and operated it from 1859 to 1865, Mr. J. C. Ullery being associated with him ; after he sold out his milling interest, he engaged in the " tree " trade, in which he continued until the fall of 1879, when he retired ; he is now occupied in looking after his lands and other affairs, and attending to such public business as the people choose to place upon him. Mr. Mikesell is the present Land Appraiser, a useful, respected citizen, having grown up in Miami Co., and identified with some of its important industries which have helped to develop the county. He owns, besides his residence, a nice property on High street, in the south part of town ; 150 acres north of and adjoining the corporation ; also 140 acres about two miles northeast. He has been twice married ; his first marriage, with Susan Fridley, of Pennsylvania, was celebrated at her home in Franklin Co. in 1841 ; her death occurred in this county in 1845. His second marriage was with Betty Thompson, daughter of Capt. John Thompson, and was celebrated in 1846. They are both worthy members of the German Baptist Church, and useful, respected members of the community. He had three children by his first wife—A. F., Mary M. Rapp, of Montgomery Co., and. Elizabeth Mohler. By his second wife he had three children—Catherine B., now Mrs. William V. Swisher, of Union City ; Mellie and Jennie. ADAM MINNICH, Justice, Covington ; is one of the oldest residents of Miami Co. now living in Covington ; he was born in Pennsylvania in 1810 ; his youth was spent on a farm, and he had the privilege of attending school in winter ; in 1832, he came to Montgomery Co., Ohio ; in the following year came to Covington, where he has resided continuously ever since. There were not, when he arrived, over half a dozen houses in the town, not one of which is now standing, except as a part of some remodeled building. Mr. Minich has been identified with the interests of Miami Co., and particularly of Covington, nearly a half-century, having been engaged in merchandising almost continuously until 1860, since which he has occupied some of the local offices, being the present Justice at Covington. He was married in 183S to Miss Mary A. Shade, daughter of Jeremiah Shade, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Miami Co. about the same time Mr. Minnich did. Mary was born in 1818, and was the mother of fourteen children, ten of whom are living. RICHARD MORROW, farmer ; P. O. Covington. Richard Morrow is a son of Allen Morrow, a native of Pennsylvania ; emigrated to Ohio in the year 1812 ; located first in Hamilton Co., afterward moved to Montgomery Co., and in 1837 arrived in this county and located in Washington Township, where he lived until death. The subject of this sketch was born in Armstrong Co., Penn.; after he attained his manhood he farmed eight years, then kept a hotel in Waynesville, 744 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Warren Co., Ohio, for fourteen years ; came to the conclusion that it was not a good place for his children, sold out and bought a farm in this township, where he now lives. He married Miss Ruth Beck, of Greene Co., August, 1837. They had eight children of whom five are living, all married. JAMES MOTT, retired farmer ; P. 0. Bloomertown ; son of Zachariah Mott, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in the year 1818, and located in Darke Co., about two miles east of Gettysburg ; lived there about six years, then moved to Tippecanoe Co., Ind., and from there to White Co. where he lived until death. James Mott, born in Darke Co., Ohio, April 22, 181:9, lived with his parents until he was 10 years old, the time of his father's death ; he came back to Ohio, and lived with an older brother for seven years, then began doing for himself. June 12, 1845, he married Miss Annie, a daughter of Joseph Elmore a native of South Carolina. They had two children, one living-Nancy F., married John Etter, who is tending the farm. Mr. Mott has a splendid farm of 160 acres, with first-class buildings upon it, situated south of the Mott pike. SAMUEL MURRAY, farmer and preacher, Covington ; is a son of David Murray, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and, came when a boy with his parents to Montgomery Co., where he married Hannah Kimmel, and resided on Wolf Creek until about 1832 or 1833, then removed with his family to Miami Co., having purchased the northeast quarter of Sec. 32, which he improved and lived on until in 1856, he sold out and returned to Montgomery Co., where he still resides. The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery Co. in 1828, and grew to manhood here on the farm in the days of hard labor and limited facilities ; he has always followed farming, first commencing for himself in Sec. 28 ; his farm is the north half of two 80-acre tracts, one being in Sec. 32, and the other adjoining in Sec. 33, it being the unimproved portion of each tract at the time he purchased ; he has cleared most of it, erected the present neat and substantial buildings, and the farm now compares favorably with others in this well-improved neighborhood. He was married Jan. 23, 1851, to Mary Shellaberger, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Mohler) Shellaberger, who also came from Pennsylvania, and settled in Sec. 33 of this township. She also grew up here, and both Mr. and Mrs. Murray went to school in a log schoolhouse that stood on the same ground where the present neat brick house is situated, in which their children are now being educated under much more favorable circumstances than their parents enjoyed. Mr. Murray is a useful, respected citizen, and both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, of which he was elected Deacon in 1860, and since 1864 has been the chosen and useful minister. They have five children, all of whom are as yet members of the family household. DAVID M. MURRAY, physician, Covington. Among the professional men of Covington, of deserved reputation, is Dr. Murray ; he is the son of D. M. Murray, Sr., whose biography appears in connection with that of Rev. Samuel Murray. The subject of this sketch was born on the farm near Covington in 1835 ; he began practice in Clark Co. in 1862, and in 1863 entered the army, where he served as Acting Assistant Surgeon until the latter part of 1864, when he returned and practiced at Pleasant Hill about two years, then purchased a drug store in Indiana, but soon sold out and returned to Miami Co. where he practiced a short time with Dr. Cable at Covington, then bought a drug store in Dayton, which he conducted about four years, practicing there at the same time ; he afterward returned to Miami Co. and practiced again at Pleasant Hill about two years ; he again came to Covington in 1877, and has practiced here since in connection with Dr. Cable ; 'he is a respected member of his profession and a worthy Christian citizen. P. L. C. MUTZ, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; he is a son of George Mutz, a native of Germany, who was a soldier in the German army and deserted and came to America about the year 1816 ; he first located in Pennsylvania and remained there until 1830, when he moved to Ohio, and located in Montgomery Co., where he lived twenty-one years ; he then moved into Miami Co. and purchased a farm in Newberry Township, about three miles north of Covington ; the subject of this NBWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 745 sketch was born in Montgomery Co., Sept. 13, 1831 ; he was raised and educated upon a farm and has always been engaged in that avocation. He married Miss Ann C. Senepp March 6, 1857; they had four children-Mary M., Huldah M., William E. and George W. ; Mr. Mutz has a number one farm of 160 acres, which was the, first one entered in this part of the county. JOHN NICHOLSON, farmer ; P. 0. Piqua ; he is a son of Samuel Nicholson, a native of Kentucky, who, in 1815, emigrated to Ohio, and located in Piqua ; he worked at the carpenter's trade, and helped build the first schoolhouse in the town ; about the year 1820, he entered a quarter-section of land in the north part of Newberry Township, and began the labor of opening a farm. The subject of this sketch was born in December, 1820, upon the Trotter farm ; his principal occupation has been farming. His marriage with Henrietta, a daughter of Harvey Buchanan, was celebrated April 1, 1851 ; they had three children, two of whom are living-William P. and Emma. SAMUEL NIXON, retired, Covington. Among the industries of Covington and vicinity, which deserve mention, is the woolen mill of Nixon & Lewis, situated on Greenville Creek, about three-quarters of a mile west of town. Mr. Nixon, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Bucks Co. in 1805 ; came to Ohio in 1826, resided first in Warren Co., then in Preble, where his father owned and operated a carding machine. He removed to Richmond in 1833, where he remained until 1866, being engaged in a woolen mill ; owned and operated a saw-mill about eleven years, by which he lost the use of his limbs to some extent. He removed to Covington in 1866, at the solicitation of his step-son, Mr. Lewis. His present neat and commodious residence, situated on High street, he erected in 1868, and it was then the most elegant and modern in Covington. Mr. Nixon is the son of William and Martha (Roberts) Nixon, whose deaths occurred at Richmond, Ind., he being 94 and she 85. They were married in 1801, and lived together sixty-six years ; had twelve children, seven of whom are now living, the youngest being 59 and the oldest 79 ; Samuel was the fourth child. He learned his trade while a boy, and has been an active, successful business man ; is still vigorous in mind, although Crippled in body. He was married in 1841 to Mrs. Barbara (Garber) Lewis, the mother of Alfred Lewis, who is the junior member of the firm of Nixon & Lewis. Her death occurred here in 1875 ; they had one child, a daughter-Mattie, who now presides at his home. WILKINSON PEARSON, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is a son of Benjamin Pearson, a native of South Carolina, who came to this county in 1805 ; entered land in Newton Township, and lived upon it until his death. The subject of this sketch was born in South Carolina June 30, 1803, and came to this county with his parents at 2 years of age, when it was quite in its infancy in respect to improvement. He was raised a farmer, and has followed that occupation all his life, until within two years, when he rented his farm, and now lives retired from business cares. Mr. P. has undergone all the hardships of early pioneer life, and has seen the \full development of the county. In 1826, he was married to Eleanor, a daughter of Robert Leavell, a native of South Carolina ; they had eight children, three of whom are living. Mr. P. has given a farm to each of his children, and has a beautiful home east of Covington, where he now lives. SILAS PERRY, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is a son of Amos Perry, a native of Newberry District, S. C., who came to Ohio and located in this county in 1814 ; he at first taught school several years, then entered land and began the laborious work of opening a farm ; he was the first Representative sent from this township, and is supposed to be the one that suggested the name given to the township ; he also secured the charter of the Dayton & Covington pike. The subject of this sketch was born July 12, 1827, in this township ; was raised a farmer, and has been always engaged in that occupation. He has been twice married ; first, Nov. 24, 1857, with Miss Maria, a daughter of Fielding and Sarah Dye, natives of New Jersey ; Maria died June 15, 1868; leaving two children-Luella and Arthur ; his 746 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: second marriage was celebrated Nov. 24, 1869, with Miss Jennie Deweese, a daughter of David D.; they had three children—Chas. E., Oran L. and Wilson A. W. L. PERRY, fruit culturist ; P. 0. Covington. W. L. Perry is a son of J. W. Perry, a native of this township, born in the year 1817 ; he lived with his father until his majority, then taught school during winter seasons, and during the summer worked for his father ; he continued to do so for nine years, then bought land, and has been engaged in farming ever since ; he is a brother of Silas Perry, whose biography appears in this work. W. L. is an accomplished young man, is living with his parents, and is extensively engaged in raising small fruit, which is his chief delight. MARTIN A. PETERSEINE, farmer, etc. ; P. 0. Bloomertown ; is a son of John A. Peterseine, a native of Prussia, who came to America about the year 1830 and located in Newberry Township upon the farm where Martin lives, and, with the help of his children, cleared and cultivated it. The subject of this sketch, born upon this farm Sept. 8, 1844, was reared and educated a farmer ; he has a farm of 110 acres under good cultivation, with excellent buildings ; Mr. Peterseine has one of the largest cane-mills in this county, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of molasses, averaging about ten gallons per hour. His marriage with Miss Mary, a daughter of Wm. Keiser, of Darke Co., was celebrated Sept. 30, 1869 ; they had two children—Semantha and Edith May. JAMES L. PURDY ; P 0. Covington ; is one of the oldest residents Of Miami Co. ; he was born in Perry Co. in 1816 ; his father removed to this county in 1825, located in Washington Township and remained a resident of that township all the remainder of his life. James L. began teaching in Washington Township when quite young, and taught more or less until after his marriage. Then he permanently located in Covington, and was directly connected with the business of Covington for a period of twenty years, since which, on account of old age and deafness, he has retired from active business. From a mere financial point of view, Mr. Purdy's life has not been a great success, but, nevertheless, he has been a very useful citizen, and deserving of much more credit than is generally accorded him ; naturally modest, his claims upon the public were never pressed, but being possessed of a philosophical mind and a philanthropic heart, his labors have been not so much for himself as for others. As a teacher, he was always in advance with text-books and improved methods ; was first to introduce McGuffey's readers into the schools of Newberry Township ; also first to introduce the blackboard, in which he was very strongly opposed by some of his patrons ; as a citizen of Covington, he has served in some capacity on the Board of Education almost continuously, until within a few years, and has always been the friend and advocate of the advanced methods which have given us the present systematic and efficient schools. A Presbyterian in faith, his practice has done honor to his profession ; he has been a student all his life, and the friend and patron of standard historical works ; on account of deafness, an affliction which began troubling him when young, and which has grown upon him, interfering with his plans and prospects, books have been his chief companions, and the writers of this work are indebted to him for many facts connected with the early history of the county. He was married in 1843 to Prudence Billingsley ; they have had two children—Emma D. and Thomas L. ELIAS RATCLIFF, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is a son of Elias Ratcliff, Sr., a native of Surry Co., N. C., who, in 1816, came to Ohio and located in Montgomery Co. There the subject of this sketch was born March 12, 1824, and 'received his early education ; during early life, he learned the trade of a blacksmith, in which business he continued some seven years. He has been twice married ; first on Oct. 26, 1846, with Miss Mary Shaffer, a daughter of John Shaffer, a native of North Carolina ; Mary Ratcliff died, leaving five children—Davis, Alonzo, Elizabeth S., Perry and Anna A. His second marriage was with Miss Susan, daughter of Joel Hutchens, a native of North Carolina ; they had two children—Etta B. NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 747 and Willie A. W. Mr. Ratcliff has a beautiful farm, with good improvements, and takes a great interest in raising fruit, especially small fruit. GEORGE W. RAUCH, tanner ; P. 0. Covington; was born in Fairfield Co. in 1831, and grew to manhood there ; in 1850, he went to Montgomery Co., where he learned tanning and conducted business there until 1860, when he came to Covington and purchased the, Covington tannery, which was built by James Ross in 1832, but then owned by James Campbell ; Mr. Rauch rebuilt it and has operated it ever since ; he came to Covington just before the C., C. & I. C. R. R. was put in operation, and there was even then but a small beginning of a town ; in the im- provements which have followed, he has done his full share, having erected a fine residence, in which he now resides ; it is situated on an elevated ridge on the left bank of the Stillwater, opposite the mouth of Greenville Creek, and is divided from the remainder of the town by the Little Branch, which enters the Stillwater just below the house, the residence has a suburban appearance, which is not only attract- ive to the eye, but a source of pleasure and comfort to the family. He was married in 1853, to Sarah J. Moss, whose death occurred in 1865 ; they had six children, four of whom are now living—John Wesley, now a respected resident of Dayton, W. T. ; James B., a resident of Cowley Co., Kan.; Urilla J. and Elsworth M.; the latter two are members of the family household. Mr. Rauch's second marriage was with Miss A. M. E. Beck, and was celebrated Feb. 6, 1807 ; she is a daughter of David Beck, of Darke Co. ; by her he has had five children, three of whom are living—Nettie L., Osta A. and Carrie E. S. W. REIN, teacher ; P. 0. Bloomertown; is a son of Nicholas Rem, a native of Germany. S. W. was born in Darke Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1859, and is a 'young man of talent, promising something honorable for the future ; he is now pre-pairing himself for a schoolteacher. SAMUEL REISH, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; a native of Pennsylvania was born in Berks Co. in 1785 ; married Rachel Coppas and came to this county from Union Co., Penn., in 1834 ; he purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 33, which was then a wild, heavily timbered tract ; after building a cabin, he removed his family into it, and has resided on this place ever since ; having witnessed the work of clearing and improving, m which he took an active part, he is one' of the few early settlers left living to tell the history of their toils, privations and difficulties ; he has raised a family of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are married ; for the past twenty years or more, he has not attempted to farm himself, but has remained on the place, and although now past four score (85), is still in possession of all his faculties. JOHN RHOADES, farmer ; P. 0. Bloomerthwn ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, June 24, 1820 ; was reared upon a farm near Farmersville ; when 20 years old, he came to Miami Co. and located in the northern part of Newberry Township, where he is living at the present time. He has twice been married ; first, on Dec. 26, 1840, with Miss Barbara Apple, of his native place; she died June 1, 1860 leaving three children—Uriah V., Noah and Amanda ; by his second marriage, which occurred Dec: 15, 1861, he has had five children, four living—William F., George C., Emma J. and Charles D. By industry and economy, Mr. Rhoades has accumulated a respectable fortune ; he has 352 acres, all in one tract, with ,three sets of farm buildings upon it. NOAH RHOADES, farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; was born Nov. 29, 1851, upon his father's farm in this township; he was educated a farmer, and is engaged in tilling his farm, which lies in Sec. 31. His marriage with Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Emmanuel Sherrer, a native of Shelby Co., Ohio, was celebrated Oct. 7, 1876 ; they had three children, two living—Clement Orness and Bessie Florence. A. S. ROSENBERGER, physician, Covington ; is the only " straight-out " homeopathist practicing in Covington ; he was born in Hancock Co., Ohio, in 1848 ; his father being a farmer, his early youth was spent on a farm, attending school during the winter ; when about 5 years of age, he was the victim of paralysis, his whole left side being affected, but he afterward partially recovered from its effects, 748 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and his father determined on giving him an education ; accordingly, when 15 years of age, he was sent to the Academy at Berea ; afterward attended the Findlay High School, and took a regular scientific course at Oberlin College ; commenced the study of medicine in Findlay in 1846-47, reading under the direction and tutorship of Drs. Austin and Detwiler, graduated at the Homceopathic College at Cleveland in 1870, and commenced practice the same year in Carey, Ohio, afterward practiced several years in Leipsic, and came to this county in 1878. During the past winter, he attended a course of lectures at New York. His increasing practice shows his value as a physician, while the general high esteem in which he is held by the citizens of this vicinity indicates his character as a citizen. He has recently been chosen minister in the German Baptist Church, of which he is a member, and is universally esteemed by the people of his acquaintance. He was married in 1871 to Miss Sabina E. Workman, of Holmes Co. ; they have two children. A. ROUTSON, TSON, merchant ; P. 0. and residence, Covington. Among the old reliable business enterprises of Covington is that known as " Routson's Store.' Mr. Routson is "a native of Maryland, was born in 1825 ; his youth was spent on a farm ; his parents resided in Pennsylvania, and later, in Shelby Co., Ohio. When 15 years of age he came to Covington, first learned the tailor's trade, then carried on a tailoring establishment, gradually accumulating a little stock. In 1844, Dr. Harrison became a partner, and they added a stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., thus establishing a store of general merchandise, which Mr. R. has continued to operate ever since. Mr. Routson came to Covington in 1840, a poor boy, learned a trade and gradually worked his way up, until the firm, now consisting of A. Rout-son and W. 0. Routson, under the style of A. Routson & Son, are doing the largest business in Covington, aggregating about $60,000 per annum, which speaks more praise for his enterprise and business ability than pen can express. He has also been identified with other business enterprises, having been connected with a warehouse for a time, and was one of the new company which re-organized the Stillwater Valley Bank in 1879 ; is now one of its Board of Directors, and also Vice President. Nor is the business of Covington the only matter of public importance in which he has taken interest, and with which he has been identified.; he has united the qualities of a business man and those of a Christian ,citizen ; has been connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church here for upward of twenty years, and is now one of its main supporters. His residence, situated on High street, is a large two-story brick, elegantly furnished and pleasantly located. He was married in 1846 to Miss Martha Clarke, a native of Virginia, but at that time a' resident of Covington ; her death occurred June 2, 1868 ; they had seven children, four of whom are now living—Mary Bell (now the wife of J. T. Bartmass, Superintendent of the Tippecanoe High School), William 0. (now associated with his father), H. W. B. (now assisting in the store), and Miss Mattie E. Mr. Routson's second marriage was with Miss S. M. Bierly, daughter of Joseph Bierly, who is also a resident of Covington. REUBEN ROUTSON, farmer ; P. 0. Bloomertown ; is a son of George Routson, a native of Maryland, who came to Ohio in the year 1832, and entered the farm upon which Reuben now resides. The subject of this sketch was born upon the farm entered by his father, Aug. 5, 1833 ; was educated a farmer, and, when young, learned the trade of a carpenter, which he worked at eleven years ; since has been engaged in farming He has held the office of Trustee three terms. He married Miss Catharine, a daughter of David Rodehaffer, deceased ; they had ten children, nine living—George W., Margaret A., David J., Angeline.B., Mary J., Sarah A., Ida May, Wesley S. and Suvilla J. DAVID ROUTSON, retired farmer ; P. 0. Covington ; is a native of Maryland, born in Carroll Co. in 1816 ; came with his parents to Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1833, where he grew to manhood, and was married, March 9, 1841, to Catharine, daughter of George Snow, deceased, who then resided about one mile west of Covington ; Mr. Routson was raised a farmer, and followed that occupation until failing health compelled him to relinquish it ; for a number of years, the farming NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP - 749 was done by his sons, under his supervision, but, in the fall of 1878, he rented the farm to two sons, and removed to Covington, hoping to better his health by releasing himself entirely from care ; he now has, besides his residence on High street, the old farm in Shelby Co., containing 130 acres, which is well improved, and 126 acres in Montgomery Co., also in a good state of cultivation with good buildings ; he has been a useful, industrious citizen, and it is hoped he may be spared to reside in Covington many years ; Mr. and Mrs. Routson are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living—Elias W., Henry A., George W., Dor- othea Ann (now Mrs. Uriah Rhoades, of this township), John G., Sarah M. and Albert L. ; Elias W. was a member of the 110th 0. V. I., and one of the two who returned, of seven that went out together ; he is now a resident of Montgomery Co. HENRY A. ROUTSON, farmer ; P. 0. Bloomertown ; a son of David Rout-son ; was born Dec. 13, 1844, in Shelby Co., Ohio, and lived with his parents until he attained his manhood. He married Miss Susan, a daughter of George Schaefer ; they had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A„ Fernandez 0., Laura D., Catharine E. and Olive R. Mr. Routson has a beautiful farm, with good buildings ; he is a prosperous farmer and respected citizen. WILLIAM ROUTSON, farmer ; P. 0. Bloomertown. William Routson, born Dec. 29, 1853, in Shelby Co., Ohio, is a son of Jacob E. Routson, a native of Pennsylvania, living now in Shelby Co. ; William moved into this county in the year 1874, and located on the farm where he now lives. He married, March 22, 1873, Miss Sarah E., a daughter of George Shaefer, and sister of J. G., whose biography appears in this work ; they have four children, viz., Lartha Eldora, Jacob E. M., Maria E. A. and Harry W. J. W. RUHL, dealer in stone and lime, Covington. Among the business enterprises of Covington, the quarrying of stone is the most extensive, and Mr. Ruhl is one of the leading men in this line ; he was born at Galion, Ohio, in 1837purchasedhis parents removed to Springfield in 1848, his father having purchased a tract of land which then adjoined the corporation, but which was soon after taken into the corporation ; here J. W. grew to manhood ; in 1861, he came to Covington, and engaged at farming until the fall of 1868, when he purchased the stone quarry which he is now operating ; his quarry is at the south end of town, along the bluff of the left bank of Stillwater, and has a perpendicular wall of twenty to thirty-five feet solid stone, the upper half being porous limestone, from which a very good article of white lime is made ; the lower half is solid stone, in layers from four to thirty inches in thickness, from which all kinds of building stone, from common wall to the neatest caps and sills, are procured ; Mr. Ruhl has erected a Pelton patent kiln, with a capacity of 300 bushels per day of twenty-four hours ; to quarry, dress and shape the different kinds of stone and burn the lime requires, in the season, from ten to twenty-five workmen, according to the demands of his trade ; it will thus be seen that Mr. Ruhl has been identified with one of the important industries of Covington for the past eleven years, and is now prepared, by reason of his experience and improved facilities, to do a still larger business when the new railroad, now being constructed, shall give a new outlet for the riches that here lie in mother earth ; Mr. Ruhl's residence is a neat, commodious frame, situated at the extreme south end of High street, in the rear of which is his quarry and limekiln. He was married, in 1876, to Mrs. Zipporah DeVault, daughter of Charles Lindsay, one of the early settlers of Newberry Township. JOHN G. SCHAEFER, minister, Piqua ; born in Maryland ; is a son of George Schaefer, deceased. J. G. was raised upon a farm, and when 19 years of age went to attend the Capitol University at Columbus, to prepare for the ministry ; he received a thorough course and maslhred all the principal languages except Hebrew. Immediately after he received his degree, he was ordained minister of the Lutheran Church, and has always been engaged in the cause. He has had charge of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, near Webster, for the last twenty years. He married Miss Elizabeth Shick, of Logan Co., Ohio. They had six children—Mary C., living in Toledo, Ohio ; H. N., living in Shelby Co.; John W., Martin L., Matilda and Maria L.