200 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF and was a director of the county infirmary for a period of six years. He is a man of broad mentality and has naturally wielded a marked influence in the community, contributing in many ways to its advancement and stable prosperity. His interest in educational work has been unflagging, and he has served as School Director. On the whole, Mr. Vaughan is one of the honored men of the county. W. M. LOWTHER, deceased.—He to whom this memoir is dedicated was for many years one of the leading and most prosperous farmers of Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, and was such a man as is particularly worthy of biographic honors. Mr. Lowther was born in Athens county, Ohio, May 14, 1822, the son of William Lowther, who was one of the pioneers of the Buckeye State. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Magdalena Foust, and she was a mere child when her father, Jacob Foust, came to Morrow county and settled in the immediate vicinity of Cardington. By her marriage to Mr. Lowther she had two children: W. M., the immediate subject of this review; and Samuel. After the death of our subject's father, his mother consummated a second marriage, being united to Jesse Foust, who is now deceased. Our subject, while still but a mere lad, was compelled to devote himself to consecutive and arduous labor in order to aid in supporting his mother and her family of children by the second marriage. He remained at home until the time of his marriage, November 5, 1845, when he was united to Lucinda Bowyer. They became the parents of three children, namely: Henry B., Greenville J., and Madison W. After the death of his first wife Mr. Lowther married Sarah J. Shaw, who became the mother of two children: Loren S., and Laura E. Sarah J. Lowther died in January, 1879, and February 12, 1880, our subject consummated a third marriage, being then united to Mary A. Peak, who was born in Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, February 21, 1842, the daughter of Ziba Peak, who was a native of the State of Vermont, and the son of John Peak, who was also born in the old Green Mountain State, being of English extraction. He and two of his sons were active participants in the war of 1812. The mother of Mrs. Mary A. Lowther was a native of Vermont and was there reared to womanhood, her maiden name having been Amanda Torry. Her father, Ezra Torry, was born in Vermont and was of English descent. The parents of Mrs. Lowther were married in 'estfield township, before the same had been separated from Delaware county and included in the present county of Morrow. They both came to the county when young and after their marriage continued their residence in the same township. The father died in his seventy-ninth year, and the mother still survives at the venerable age of ninety years. They were the parents of five children, concerning whom we offer the following record: the eldest died in infancy; Eliza M. is the wife of A. W. Bartlett, of Brown township, Delaware county, Ohio; Julia C. is the wife of J. 'W. Mosher, of Edison, Morrow county; Mary A. is the widow of the subject of this review; and William T. is a resident of Westfield, Morrow county, Ohio. DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 201 Mrs. Lowther received her preliminary education in the district schools of Westfield township, and later attended the public schools of Ashley and Cardington. By his last marriage Mr. Lowther had no children. His death occurred June 15, 1892, and in his passing away the community lost one of its most honored citizens and one of its most conscientious and able men,—one whose life had been true to high ideals and one whose character was above reproach. In politics Mr. Lowther originally lent his influence and support to the Democratic party, but in later years he was a stanch advocate of the principles and policies advanced by the Republican party. He was essentially one of those courageous and indomitable men who achieve success as the result of their own efforts and intelligence, and he left a competency to his heirs. In the will of her late husband Mrs. Lowther was named as executrix of the estate, and she now retains control of 284 acres of land, representing the fine farming tract accumulated by the subject of this memoir. She is a woman of much intellectual force and rare discrimination in regard to affairs of business, and the estate could not have been placed in control of one who would administer its affairs more carefully and conscientiously. MAHLON GANO, who is one of the venerable and honored citizens of Cardington, Morrow county, and who has devoted the major portion of his days to the noble art of husbandry, is now living in that peaceful retirement which is his due after the long years of toil and endeavor. His father, David Gano, was a native of Hampshire county, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he was born August 24, 1775, living there until he had attained man's estate, devoting himself to work on the farm of his father, who was of Irish extraction. David Gano was called out for service in the war of 1812. He married Elizabeth Schanck, who was born in Virginia, April 15, 1782, a daughter of Steven Schanck, of Holland-Dutch descent. The marriage of our subject's parents was consummated in their native State, and they emigrated to Ohio prior to 1806, settling in Palmyra township, Portage county, at a time when it was still a forest wild, with Indians, wolves, bears, etc., much in evidence. Here they developed a fine farm, remaining there for the residue of their days. The father died in 1861 or '62, and the mother survived until August 6, 1875. They became the parents of fourteen children, of which number twelve grew to maturity, but all of whom are now deceased except our subject and his sister Elizabeth, who lives in Michigan. One brother, Elisha, was an officer in an Illinois regiment during the late war of the Rebellion. The mother of our subject was a devoted member of the Disciple Church. Mahlon Gano, to whom this review is dedicated, was born on the old parental homestead, in Portage county, this State, December 16, 1817, and there remained until he had attained mature years. He had been enabled to attend the subscription schools for a few weeks, but his educational discipline was cut very short, inasmuch as while he was still a mere boy his services were called into demand in the work of grubbing out brush on the farm and in other duties incidental to the reclaiming and improvement of the pioneer farm. 202 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF He remained at home until the time of his marriage, which event was celebrated December 30, 1841, when he was united to Miss Mary Ann Case, who was a native of Hampshire county, Virginia, and a daughter of Jacob and Penelope (West) Case, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion State,—the former October 25, 1794, and the latter March 2, 1802. Their marriage was one of romantic order, since they compassed an elopement and were wedded in Maryland. They settled in their native State. and there remained until 1836, when they came to Ohio and took up their residence in Portage county, where they remained until the death of the husband and father, October 20, 1869. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His widow survived until April 11, 1880, passing away at a venerable age. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten grew to maturity and six still survive. The date of Mrs. Gano's birth was May 7, 1822. In 1842 our subject and his wife came to Morrow (then Delaware) county, and took up their abode on a heavily timbered farm of too acres, in Lincoln township, there being no roads cut through at that time, and settlers being few and far between. Mr. Gano's worldly possessions at that time were summed up in his farm and $300 in cash. He built a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet in dimensions and one story in height, the roof being covered with rough, split clapboards, and here he and his wife lived during the first summer, without the conveniences of doors, windows or chimney. In the broad, fertile acres of his present farm one can see but slight resemblance to what it must have been in those early days. He effected the clearing of the entire place, with the exception of five acres, and all the improvements on the farm were made by him. They lived on the old place about thirty years, and then, in 1871, came to Cardington. In Cardington township he owned a piece of land, and on this he erected a large dwelling house, but his present fine brick residence he purchased, the same being one of the most attractive homes in the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Gano became the parents of twelve children, of whom only four are living at the present time, namely: Minerva A., born October 14, 1842, is the widow of Spencer Wheeler, resides in Cardington and has two children, Annie Richardson and Elba Ernest; Betsey, born December 12, 1845; Martha Ellen, born March 8, 1856, is the wife of Smith Yant, of Richland county, and has two children, Alfred Mahlon and Clyde S. ; and Lois Belle, born July 31, 186r, is the wife of James Slicer, of Cardington, and has one child, Blanche. Our subject and his wife have been prominently identified with the Christian Church for forty years, and the former was a Deacon in the same for a number of years. He has served as School Director, has been ever interested in educational matters and gave his children the advantages of those opportunities which he had been denied in his youth. Politically Mr. Gano was originally a Democrat, but he soon severed his allegiance to that party and has ever since supported the Republican party. He has invariably refused to accept anything in the line of political office. He was bereaved in the loss of his wife October 7, 1894, they having lived together contentedly and happily for a period of nearly fifty-three years. She always per- formed her share in the struggle of their pioneer days and together they enjoyed their DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 203 prosperity. She was a kind and indulgent mother and a devoted and economical wife. A man of marked intelligence and one whose days have ever left the impress of his honorable and upright character, he is held in the highest esteem in the community where he has lived for so many years, being unlike the prophet, and not without honor in his own country. JAMES M. PRINGLE, a farmer of Cardington township, Morrow county, was born in Delaware county, one and a half miles from Sunbury, August 6, 1820, a son of Daniel Pringle, a native of Pennsylvania. The latter's father, James Pringle, was a native of Connecticut, where his father located in an early day. The mother of our subject, nee Deliverance Rogers, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joel Rogers, a native of Connecticut, who was taken a prisoner in, the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pringle were married in Pennsylvania, and remained on a farm in that State until coming to Delaware county, Ohio, in 1820. They purchased a farm near Sunbury, paying $1.25 per acre, and remained there until 1829, then moved to Westfield township, the father dying in his eighty-second year, and the mother in her fifty-fifth year. James M. Pringle, one of twelve children, and the only one surviving, was reared in Delaware county. He now owns 106 acres of fine farming land in Cardington township, Morrow county, where he is engaged in general farming. He has been a life-long Republican, his first Presidential vote having been cast for William Henry Harrison. He has served many years as School Director. In his religious views Mr. Pringle has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since fifteen years of age, in which he has served as class leader and steward for thirty-five years, has always been a liberal contributor to the cause, and has helped build many of the present church buildings. June 12, 1842, Mr. Pringle was united in marriage with Mary Ann White, a native of Morrow, then Marion county, Ohio, a daughter of Noah and Fanny (Newton) White, natives of New York. They came to this county at an early day. Mrs. Pringle died May 17, 1881. In 1883 our subject married Margaret J. Carter, a native of Belmont county, this State, and a daughter of Joel and Harriet Carter, natives respectively of Harford county, Maryland, and Virginia. They were among the early settlers of Belmont county, but in 1865 removed to Morrow county. SILAS W. FOWLER, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Delaware, was born on the 22d of October, 1847, in Greene county, New York, which was also the birthplace of his father, Charles M. Fowler. During his infancy his parents removed to New Philadelphia, where his mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Gray, was born. After a short time they went to Delaware county, locating in Porter township. The Doctor spent the days of his boyhood and youth at farm work and in attendance on the district schools of the neighborhood until fourteen years of age, when he entered Central College, of Franklin county, Ohio. There he completed an academic course of study, but ere that work was ac- 204 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF complished he had to leave school and engage in teaching in order to secure the means to continue his education. When a youth of only sixteen he was employed as the teacher of one of the largest schools in the northern part of Franklin county, and remained in charge for two years. He their refused to teach longer even at an advanced salary, although earnestly solicited by the school directors to do so. Obtaining the consent of his father, in 1864, the Doctor, then a young man of seventeen years, entered the army as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio National Guards. On his return home in the succeeding autumn he entered the college at Oberlin, Ohio, and in the spring of 1868, he took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John W. Russell, of Mount Vernon. There he began fitting himself for his life work, and thorough preparation has made him an able practitioner. In 1869-'70 he was a student in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1871 vas graduated at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Fowler came to Delaware, where in the meantime his father had located, and since has engaged in practice at this place. He has been a frequent contributor during his professional career to various medical and scientific journals, writing many able articles. He belongs to the Delaware County Medical Society, the Central Ohio Medical Association, the Ohio Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the International Medical Congress. To the last named he was sent as delegate from the American Medical Association in 1887, the convention being held at Washington, District of Columbia, and again he was made a delegate from the same association to the congress which met in Rome, Italy, in 1893. He was a member of United States Board of Pension Examiners, under President Harrison. In 1886, Dr. Fowler led to the marriage altar Miss Iza May Vail, the only daughter of Judge I. C. Vail. She is a highly educated and accomplished lady, who was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University in the class of t 888. The Doctor and his wife are prominent people of the community and hold an enviable position in social circles. ANSON S. WOOD, a farmer of Peru township, and familiarly known as " Uncle Anson,” was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 20, 1825. His father, Ebenezer Wood, a native of Vermont, came to Delaware (now Morrow) county in 1831, locating on the farm where our subject now resides, then in the dense woods. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county. Our subject's mother, nee Jerusha Agnes Halsted, was a native of Rhode Island, and of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Wood were married in New York, and died in Morrow county, Ohio, the former at the age of eighty years, and the latter at the age of ninety-one years. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, all but one of whom reached maturity, namely: Reuben, Almira and Nancy, deceased; Almon, of Worthington, Ohio; Enos, deceased; and Anson S., the subject of this sketch. The last was six years of age when he came to Morrow county, and was reared on the farm where he now resides, receiving his education in the log school-house. He has eighty-one acres of fine farming land. DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 205 When his father lived on the place it contained a log cabin, I0 x 12 feet, with no doors or windows. July 4, 1847, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Isabel Morehouse, who was born in New Jersey in 1829, and came to Delaware county with her parents at the age of six years. Her parents were Daniel and Polly (Force) Morehouse, natives respectively of New Jersey and New York. Our subject and wife have had the following children: Melville, of Hardin county; Almira, wife of W. M. Waters, of Ashley, Ohio; Ocean, wife of Michael Fox, of Eden Station; Ebenezer; Albert, deceased; Sarah, wife of Charles Shoemaker, of Ashley, this State; Eunice, deceased; Cora, wife of Alexander Coomer, of Delaware county; Minnie, deceased; W. F. married Vine Denis, and lives at Marengo, Morrow county; and Vestia, who married Roscoe Welch, is also living in Marengo. HENRY V. SPICER, a prominent lawyer and well-known citizen of Richwood, was born in York township, this county, January 10, 1863, a son of David W. and Keziah (Ross) Spicer. The father was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 13, 1822, and was a son of Jonathan and Levinah Spicer, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers in Muskingum county. Jonathan Spicer's father served through the Revolutionary war, in which he received three wounds. David W. Spicer was raised on a farm. receiving a liberal common-school education. June 22, 1848, in Muskingum county, he was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Ross, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 20, 1825. He died on his farm in York township, July 26, 1892. She is still living on the home place in York township. Jane Spicer, a sister of David W. Spicer, married Levi Whaley, of this county. Catherine Spicer, the second sister, married William Howell. They moved to La Salle county, Illinois, where their children now reside. Adeline, another sister, married John Harriman, of Muskingum county, Ohio. The brothers of David W. Spicer were: Ellison, William, and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. David W. Spicer had nine children, namely: Jane E., Emily C., Joseph L., Franklin D., Henry V., Alexander J., Minnie D., William and Isabella. Jane E. is the wife of O. E. McAllister, a farmer of Taylor township. They have one child, Mertie V., aged twenty years, who recently married Allen Laughrey, also a resident of Taylor township. Emily C. married A. J. Middlesworth, a farmer near Byhalia, Wash ington township; Joseph L. resides on the home place in York township; Franklin D. is a teacher by occupation, and a resident of Richwood; Alexander J. is engaged in the fire-insurance and real-estate business in West Mansfield, Logan county, Ohio; Minnie, wife of J. S. McGinnis, of York township, was married June 20, 1894; William and Isabella, deceased in youth. Dr. Joseph N. Ross, the maternal grand. father of our subject, was a native of Holmes county, Ohio. He was one of the early settlers in Claiborne township, and was the second physician to locate in Richwood. His death occurred December 25, 1869, aged eighty-two years. He was a Democrat in his political views. The Doctor was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was three times wounded. An ounce ball which had passed through his right lung remained in his body until his death. He was 206 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF twice married. His first wife, nee’ Mary E. Long, died near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, when thirty-nine years of age, from the effects of a bite of a spider. His second wife, Eliza Murphy, aged seventy-two years, is a resident of Richwood. Dr. Ross was a prominent Mason, being a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, the oldest Masonic lodge in Richwood, organized in 1858, in the log house of Mr. Ross. He came from Zanesville to Richwood in 1840. Dr. Joseph Ross had seven children by his first wife: Emily Manchester, William Ross, Phoebe Balsley, Hiram Ross, Elizabeth Wynegar, Keziah Spicer and James A. Ross. James A. Ross, a son of Dr. Ross, was born in Holmes county, November 9, 1829, and resides on a farm east of Richwood. October 27, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Headley, born January 4, 1833. Her parents, Isaac and Sarah Headley, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Ross have had three children,—Laura, wife of L. O. Slemmins; Lawrence, who was accidently shot and killed December 18, 1878; and Imogene, at home. Henry V. Spicer, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm in York township. During his boyhood he shared in the farm work, attending the country schools a portion of each year. In 1881 he became a student of the Oberlin College, remaining there one year, and during the years 1885-6 he attended the Wesleyan University, at Delaware. He taught school and ably edited the Educational Sun for six years, from 1887 to 1893. Mr. Spicer has traveled through all the northern and northwestern States to the Pacific ocean. Having read law for nearly a year, he then entered the law department of the Cincinnati College, at which he graduated May 31, 1893, and was admitted to the bar on the following day. Soon after his admission he began the practice of his profession in Richwood. Being a native of Union county, Mr. Spicer enjoys a wide acquaintance among the people, which has contributed greatly to his success, and has given him a good and growing practice. He has every reason to look forward to a bright and prosperous future. Mr. Spicer was married January 18, 1894, in the Grace Methodist Protestant Church, at Cincinnati, to Miss Lillian Kohl, burn February 28, 1869, in Glendale, a suburb of that city, a daughter of Charles C. and Julia A. Kohl. The ceremony, which was an impressive one. was performed in the presence of five hundred witnesses, who were friends of the contracting parties. Her father was a real-estate and bond broker for a number of years. He died about twenty years ago at his home in Glendale. Her mother. who is a first cousin of Mrs. Murat Halstead, is living with her SOIL. the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Kohl was the first pupil who ever entered the Cincinnati high school. Her father was the leading book publisher of Cincinnati (Mr. Conk-ling). Mrs. Spicer is a lady of culture and refinement, and a graduate of the Cincinnati high school. She is associated with all social matters of Richwood and is a member of the Ladies' Literary Society, which is composed of the elite ladies of the town. She has two brothers, Charles N. and Edwin C. The former is a bookkeeper in Chicago. Being a widower, he then married a second time, and his only child, Gladys, nine years of age. makes her home with Mr. Spicer. Edwin served for several years as shipswriter in the United States Navy, and DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 207 now resides in Erie, Pennsylvania. While the home of his son, the father of our subin the navy he traveled in all the countries of Europe, Asia and Africa, visiting Palestine and the Bible countries. Mr. Spicer is a member of York Lodge, No. 672, I. O. O. F., at Summerville, also of Encampment No. 182, and of Rising Sun Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Richwood. He is a Democrat in political matters, but is liberal in his views on all questions of the day. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Richwood, to which church he has belonged for eleven years. Mrs. Spicer, who has been a member of Grace Church, at Cincinnati, for years, united with the church of her husband, when she came to Richwood. SAMUEL BENNETT, who is one of the old and honored residents of Cardington township, Morrow county, and whose fine farm home is located on section No. 11, stands as the representative of families early settled in the Buckeye State, and as one particularly eligible for biographic honors. His father was James Bennett, who was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he was ushered into the world February 16, 1784, being the son of Isaac Bennett, who likewise was a native son of the old Keystone State, Bucks county, born November 7, 1762. He married Edith Leffert, born April 19, 1759. He was too young to be accepted for service at the time of the precipitation of the great Revolutionary conflict, but he was on his way to join the Colonial army at the time the war closed. Isaac Bennett came to Ohio, first locating in Jefferson county, then in Coshocton county, and subsequently coming to the home of his son, the father of our subject, where he died November 20, 1849. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lydia Hardenbrook, and she was the daughter of Ludwig Hardenbrook, who came to Ohio in 1816, and settled in what is now Franklin township, Morrow county, then Knox, remaining in the county until the hour of his death. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and four or five of his sons bore arms in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia, near the northwestern State line, the date of her birth having been June 19, 1789. James Bennett and Lydia Hardenbrook were married in Jefferson county, Ohio, and there remained until 1823, when they removed to what is now Morrow county and settled in Gilead township, where the father of our subject entered claim to eighty acres of land, and, in addition to this, purchased fifty acres of his father-in-law, there being at the time but few settlers in this locality. This farm now comprises 244 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation, it being one of the first places settled in this part of the county, and the fine residence and buildings have been erected by our subject, who, in his early life, assisted in clearing and improving the old homestead where he was reared. The father remained on this farm until he died, January 27, 1856, his widow passing away July 10, 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity and five of whom are living at the present time, namely: Louis is a resident of North Dakota; Ann is the wife of M. L. Pinkley, of Rockford, Illinois; Magdalene H. is the widow of George Johnson, and is a resident of Warren county, Iowa; Lydia is the widow of Russell Hyde, and resides in Michigan; and Samuel is the subject 208 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD OF of this review. The parents were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and were people of intelligence and spotless character. Samuel Bennett was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, March 2, 1822, and was but an infant when his parents removed to what is now Morrow county, and here he has virtually passed his entire life. He grew to man's estate on the old farm in the forest, while the red men yet found abode in the forest wilds of this section. Our subject had but little opportunity for acquiring an education, beginning to do hard manual labor while but a boy of seven or eight years. With devoted filial solicitude he remained on the old farm until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, caring for his parents in their declining days. In the meantime he had valiantly faced the problems of life and had assumed the responsibilities of the marital state. In the spring of 1845 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bovey, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Jacob Bovey. After his marriage Mr. Bennett settled on his present farm, which he afterward purchased of Peleg and Robert Mosier. The farm was formerly the property of his father-in-law, and here he has continued to abide for a full half century, his loved and devoted wife being his constant companion and his earnest helpmeet until April 22, 1890, when she was called into eternal rest, after having played well her part in life. Mrs. Bennett was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. They became the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, namely: John Clark Bennett, who married Sarah E. Crawford, and who lives in this township; Hiram Clinton, who married Henrietta Pugh, and who has six children; Walter, who married Belle Reed, has six children and resides at Iberia, this county; and Amanda O. Fraternally our subject is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, retaining a membership in both lodge and encampment. Politically he has been a stalwart Democrat from the time of attaining his majority. He has been a member of the School Board for twelve or more years, and has been ever interested in educational matters, giving his children the advantages which he was denied in his youth. JASPER N. GOSNELL, who occupies the important office as County Clerk of Union county, Ohio, is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Licking county, July 26, 1843, the son of Abraham and Margaret (Armstrong) Gosnell. Abraham Gosnell was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and in the year 1808 he came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Licking county, where he remained until 1858, when he removed to Union county, having purchased a farm of 306 acres, lying in Taylor and Leesburg townships. The year after his arrival in this county he met his death as the result of an accident, having been killed by the explosion of a boiler in a sawmill. His widow is still living and retains her residence on the homestead farm in this county. Abraham Gosnell had been actively identified with the Whig party from the time of its organization and was not an inconspicuous worker in its cause. Religiously he was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He left a family of seven children, touching whose lives we are enabled to offer the following brief record: Ruth became the wife DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 209 of Nathaniel Armstrong, of Wichita, Kansas, and is now deceased; Miranda is the wife of A. W. McCaney, of Taylor township, this county; Jasper N. is the immediate subject of this review; George W. is a resident of Carroll, Iowa, where he is engaged in the implement business; Franklin D. and Fletcher C. (twins) are both residents of Columbus, Ohio, the former being a member of the police force of the city and the latter devoting his attention to his trade, that of brick mason; John A. is a resident of Marysville, and acts as a deputy in the office of his brother, our subject. Jasper N. Gosnell received sturdy discipline in his youthful days, haying been reared upon the farm and having received his preliminary educational training in the district schools. He continued amid such environment until the late civil war was precipitated upon a divided nation, when he promptly made ready to contribute his quota toward the defense of the stars and stripes. He enlisted. August 6, 1862, as a member of Company K, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his service continued until December 8, 1864, when he was mustered out at Camp Chase. He participated in a number of important engagements, among which may be noted the battles of Arkansas Post, Chickasaw, Vicksburg, Jackson (Mississippi), Grand Coteau, and Sabine Crossroads. At the last named place he received a severe gun-shot wound in his right hip, and for some five months was confined in St. James hospital, at New Orleans, after which he returned to Ohio and received his discharge, as noted, at Camp Chase. His war service finished, he resumed his educational work, entering the high school at Marysville, where he continued his studies for some time and then returned to the parental farm, where he remained about two years. The first business enterprise with which Mr. Gosnell became concerned was the conducting of a general store at a little crossroads town, but he continued in this line of mercantile trade only a short time, removing then to Peoria, this county, where he opened a general store, which he conducted successfully until 1881, when he retired from the mercantile trade. He has since devoted his attention to the duties devolving upon him in the official capacities which he has been called upon to fill. He was elected Justice of the Peace and served in this office for a full decade; he also held the preferment as Postmaster of Peoria for a term of eight years, proving a most capable and popular executive. In 1880 he was elected Land Appraiser and held this office one year. At the fall election of 1893 Mr. Gosnell became the Republican candidate for the office of County Clerk of Union county, was elected by a large majority and entered into the discharge of his official duties in August of the present year (1894). His record as a painstaking and efficient executive in other capacities stands as sufficient voucher that his work in the present imporant office will come fully up to the high standard which has hitherto been maintained, and such is his capacity for details and systematic routine that the service can scarcely fail to be improved in many particulars. Our subject has always been stanchly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles and has been an active worker in the ranks. Fraternally he retains a membership in Ranson Reed Post, No. 113, G. A. R., and in Broadway Lodge, No. 704, I. 0. 0. F., of Broadway, this 210 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF county, haying been the first incumbent as Noble Grand of the same, and having been a member of the order for a full quarter of a century. Mr. Gosnell was married, March 11, 1868, to Miss Amanda Hartrum, a native of Franklin county, this State, and a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Hartrum. Mr. and Mrs. Gosnell are the parents of three children: Nettie, widow of the late Weldon Hill, of Marysville; Howard married Miss Mary Reed and is engaged in public work in various points of the county; Otto is at home. Our subject and wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. BENJAMIN MARTIN, a Baptist minister, of Oxford township, Delaware county, Ohio, bears the name of one of his ancestors, who was among the earliest settlers of this county. The elder Benjamin Martin came, with his large family, to Delaware county, Ohio, about the year 1813. He was a native of one of the Eastern States, and came to Ohio from Virginia, first settling in Ross county, and two years later removing to Delaware county, and taking up his abode in the woods of Troy township, where he and his sons improved a farm, and where he made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1852, when he was well advanced in years. He was an ordained minister of the Baptist Church, and gave most of his time to the work of the ministry. During the war of 1812 he went to the front and did valiant service. Financially he was successful, and he left his family in good circumstances. He married Margaret White, a native of Virginia, and the following are the names of their children: James, deceased; Neamiah, a Baptist minister, deceased; Welcome, deceased; David, deceased; Jefferson; Polly; Hannah; Lydia; Grace; Elijah, deceased; and Ludlow, deceased. James, the oldest of the family, was the father of our subject. He followed fanning in Troy township, this county, where he accumulated and improved a large amount of property. He was married in 1823, in Troy township, to Dorcas Main, and they had a family of seven children, five of whom are living, viz.: Benjamin; Eleazer, who is engaged in farming in Kansas; Neamiah, a resident of Troy township; Saburs, of Oxford township, this county; Valentine, deceased; James, of Troy township; and Margaret, deceased. Five of these brothers, Eleazer, Neamiah, Saburs, Valentine and James, served in the late war, and the last four were in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving 115 days. Benjamin Martin was born in Troy township, this county, June 23, 1825. He was reared to farm life, and was educated in the public schools, remaining at home until he reached his majority. To the 100 acres of land his father gave him he added forty acres more, and from the time he was twenty-one he devoted his energies to the improvement of this tract. At the time he came into possession of it only about seven acres of it were cleared. This clearing was probably the first that was made in the township. Here he erected a small frame residence and began life for himself. He was married, in 1848, to Caroline Main, a daughter of James and Eurana Main, and they settled in the little home he had prepared. As the years rolled by, and prosperity attended his efforts, he increased his DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 211 landed estate until it amounted to 350 acres. Of late years, however, he has disposed of some of this property, and now retains only 260 acres. His farming operations have been characterized by good management and have been attended with success. He is a stanch Republican, and has held various local offices, such as Township Trustee, Assessor, etc. For several years he served as Justice of the Peace, and in the spring of 1894 he was again elected to that office. His first wife died in 1864, leaving three children.—Rosett, deceased wife of Peter Schoof; Eneas, a farmer of this county; and Byron, deceased. Mr. Martin married again, in 186;, Miss Mary A. Clifton, a native of Perry county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Miller) Clifton. She was born at Thornville, and, when about eleven years of age, came with her parents to Delaware. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. Martin and his present wife have three sons, Welcome C., Walter B., and Joseph C. Mr. Martin has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1839, and since 1876 has been an ordained minister. Twice a month he preaches in his home church, and the other Sabbaths of the month he fills a charge in Fayette county. His sterling qualities an his true Christian character commend him to the people among whom he labors, and who entertain for him the highest esteem. HENRY AMRIN. —It is our privilege at this point to revert to the life history of one whose days have been filled with " ceaseless toil and endeavor,” who has attained to marked suc cess as a result of such effort, and yet who has had the mental scope to determine that the maximum of life is not rounded up in mere temporal possession, and has accordingly given of his hard-earned accumulations to a cause whose benefits he had himself been denied,—a magnificent benefaction whose dignity and worth shall be to him a memorial more lasting than "sculptured urn or animated bust." Henry Amrin is a plain, true, honest man who has not attained to massive deeds and great, but who has lived a simple life and gained success by the sweat of his brow, but who has had a prescience of the value of endowments which fit one for a wider sphere than that in which he has moved, and whose recognition of this truth has been in his giving far more than a tithe for an object whose rewards shall be reaped when he has been long gathered to his fathers. Such a life is one that offers the most lucid justification' for the compilation of a work of this nature. The first representative of the Amrin family in Union county, Ohio, was Abraham Amrin, who came hither from Belmont county, this State. He was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and was the son of a father who bore the same Christian name. The senior Abraham came from Switzerland to America in a very early day, located in Pennsylvania and there reared a large family and there died having been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The son Abraham grew to maturity in his native State, having been born about 1763, and there was consummated his marriage to Mary Woolford, who also was born in Pennsylvania, and whose death occurred about 1830. Subsequently Mr. Amrin married Nancy Cook, who survived him a number of years, his death having occurred in this county in 1845, 212 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF at which time he had attained the venerable age of eighty-two years. He reared a family of eight children. He was an active and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which denomination his grandson, our subject, has given so munificently of his means. When he came to Union county he effected the purchase of a tract of 1,000 acres of land, and this he divided into such parts as to give to each of his seven sons 100 acres, the residue being retained by himself. The entire tract was entirely unreclaimed, was heavily timbered, and was situated in Paris township. The land was improved by the family, but at the present time all has passed out of the possession of either the sons or their descendants, with the exception of ninety acres retained by Monroe Amrin. Holding so large an acreage it was but natural that the Amrin family should ultimately become a prime factor in securing the development and furthering the higher interests of the township, and incidentally of the county and State. They contributed largely toward the establishment and maintenance of churches and schools, and gave their influence and support to all measures conserving the welfare of the community, the work being continued by one generation from the point where the preceding left the same. We are able to give but a brief record concerning the history of the children of Abraham Amrin, but even this meagre record can not fail of interest. They were as follows: John; Henry, father of our subject; Susan, who married Joseph Worley, and passed the remainder of her life in Wheeling, West Virginia; Andrew, Frederick, Jeremiah, Abraham, Moses, and one who died in early childhood. All these sons lived and married and reared families in this county, and all save three retained their residence here until called upon to obey death's inexorable summons. Frederick, Jeremiah and Abraham removed to the far West after they had surrounded themselves with families. All were devoted to the religion of their father, and all were zealous workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Andrew being specially prominent in this work, as was he also in local politics; he held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, and his counsel was held in high esteem. Henry, the second son, was the father of our subject, and he was born in Pennsylvania in 1789, coming with his parents to the Buckeye State at the age of eleven years, and growing to maturity on the farm, with whose manifold duties he became early familiar. After he had commenced operations on his own responsibility he erected a sawmill, and later on a gristmill, —two establishments which proved of inestimable benefit to the community in which he lived, inasmuch as development was slow and improvements made very conservatively. His brothers had taken up their residence in Union county in 1817, but he did not come until three years subsequent to that date. He conducted his farm and his flouring mill consecutively until the time of his death, his sons proving most efficient coadjutors in both lines of enterprise. In his political adherency he was an old-line Whig, and was tenacious of his beliefs, being a man of distinct individuality and strong character. His death occurred in 1864. Henry Amrin married Mary Powers, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who died in this county in 1851, at the age of sixty-five years. They reared a family of nine children, of whom we offer the following record: DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 213 John was engaged in gardening at Piqua, this State, where he died; Betsy married Elijah Woolford, of this county, and is now deceased; Josiah, deceased, was a farmer in this county; Susan, deceased, was the wife of Samuel Reed, of this county; Abraham was engaged in farming in this county and is now deceased; Mercy married Henry Bell, and died in Logan county, this State; Henry is the immediate subject of this review; Smith M. was a farmer in this county, where he died; Andrew is engaged in farming in this county. Henry Amrin, to whom this sketch is mainly devoted, is a native of the county in which he still retains his residence as a prosperous and honored pioneer, the date of his birth having been November 21, 1821. His boyhood days were passed amid the sturdy discipline and plain fare of the parental homestead, and he early became familiar with the arduous duties incidental to clearing and cultivating a farm. His educational advantages were confined to those afforded by the subscription schools of the period, but as maturity approached he found himself ably fortified for fighting the battle of life, and making for himself a place in the world,—honesty, integrity and industry coming to him as a legitimate heritage. April 26, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Irven, daughter of 'William and Amelia (Evans) Irven. She was born near London, Madison county, Ohio, April 14, 1820. After their marriage our subject and his wife settled on a tract of 100 acres, which had been given to them by the former's father, the tract being timber land, upon which practically no improvements had been made. Upon this primitive farmstead in Paris township they erected a modest domicile of hewed logs and began to encroach upon the domain of the forest, whose monarchs fell before the sturdy axe of our subject. The devoted wife contributed of her strength, both physical and mental, toward aiding her husband in his efforts; like his did also her hand become roughened with toil, but mutually sustained and comforted they struggled along with a determination to succeed, and finally success gratefully took up its abode with them. As the years passed by the evidence of their labors became more palpable, for they found themselves the possessors of 700 acres of land, prosperity withheld not its hand and the bountiful harvest, for whose securing they had labored so long and patiently, was not denied them in its due season. They continued to reside on their home farm from 1842 until 1888, their little cottage having been replaced after some twenty years by a substantial and commodious dwelling in keeping with their position and their pros: perity. In the latter building they made their home until 1888, when they removed to their present attractive home, one mile and a quarter west of the county seat, Marysville. Mr. Amrin is over all and above all a self made man and his success comes as the legitimate recompense of his efforts. He has been a close observer, a keen, shrewd business man, but has never abated by one jot or tittle his sturdy rectitude of character nor swerved from the straight path which justice defines. His life has been devoted to the noble art of husbandry, which he has honored as it has also honored and enriched him. He was for many years extensively engaged in stock-raising and his operations 1 in this line were ably directed as to return him good profits. In the fall of 1887 marked that event in 214 - MEMIRIAL A ND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF his life which showed most clearly the character of the man and his gratitude for the good gifts that had come to his portion. A spirit of genuine philanthropic was that which must have animated him when he determined to award a princely benefaction to the noble work of education, for he arranged his affairs and gave the sum of $25,000 to the Ohio Wesleyan University, which is located at Delaware, the donation being held by the institution as endowment fund. Mr. Amrin has been strongly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles from his early manhood, has taken an active interest in local affairs of public nature and has held certain of the township offices. He and his wife have always been prominent workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and that to advance its cause they have done much, none can doubt, for, in addition to his gift to the church institution noted, Mr. Amrin has always contributed liberally to the support of the church, giving not grudgingly or of necessity," but with that cheerfulness which is acceptable to the One in whose hands rest the destinies of men. Our subject still retains upward of 470 acres of land in the county, and is still actively concerned in supervising its cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Amrin are the parents of two children: Alfred and Mary A. The former, who resides on the paternal farm, was born February 7, 1843, and grew to manhood at home. In the fall of I861 he enlisted for service in the late war as a member of Company F, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the ranks until the close of the conflict. 'Within the final year of the war he was taken prisoner and was held in captivity at Andersonville for seven and one-half months, his release coming only when victory had crowned the efforts of the Union forces. He married Miss Lucy Edsam and they have two children, Curtis and Nellie. Mary A., daughter of our subject, is the wife of Hilas Whelpley, a resident of Washington Court House, Fayette county, this State, where he is in the employ of the Pan Handle Railroad Company. They have two children, Edward and James H. WILLIAM MILLIGAN, general merchant, Raymond's, Union county, Ohio, forms the subject of this article. Mr. Milligan is a son of William Milligan, deceased, one of the early settlers of Ohio. The senior William Milligan was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and remained there until 1826, when he came to Ohio. Upon his arrival here he located in Allen township, Union county, where he purchased 200 acres of timber land and where he made his home for four or five years. During his residence at this place he was elected the second Justice of the Peace in the township. About 1833 he moved to Lewisburg. Ohio, and started a tannery. He had learned the trade of tanner before coming to Ohio and had worked at that business for some years in Pennsylvania, and he continued to run his tannery at Lewisburg up to the time of his death, which occurred hi 1849, at the age of fifty-eight years. Politically he was a Whig., and, religiously a member of the Christian Church. Of his wife and family we make record as follows: Mrs. Milligan was before her marriage Miss Eliza Palack. She was born in what is now West Virginia, in 1807, and died in Taylorsville, Illinois, at the home DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 215 of her son William, November 6, 1870. They had seven children, namely: Samuel, who died in Christian county, Illinois; William, whose name heads this sketch; James R., a lumber dealer of Mississippi; Jesse, deceased; Rachael, wife of Charles Powell, resides in Tennessee; Morgan B., a resident of Taylorsville, Illinois; Amos, deceased. William was born in Allen township, Union county, Ohio, January 10, 1833. Until he was fifteen he spent most of his time assisting his father in the tannery, his school advantages being meagre. Then he served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter, under Samuel V. Caston, in whose employ he remained two years, after which he worked at the trade in different places for some years. In 1866 he moved to Taylorsville, Illinois, where he was for some time engaged in the grocery business. He purchased, in 1876, 200 acres of land in Liberty township, this county, to which place he removed and where he resided two years. Then he sold out and engaged in the mercantile business at Raymond's, where he has since remained, with the exception of four years he spent at East Liberty, Ohio, in the same business. He carries a full stock of all kinds of general merchandise and has a large trade that extends for miles into the surrounding country. Mr. Milligan has been twice married. In 1854 he wedded Miss Hope Ann Inskip, daughter of Rev. William Inskip, a Methodist minister. She died about a year after their marriage, and in 1859 Mr. Milligan married Sarah Ann Hemminger, daughter of George Hemminger, of Liberty township, this county. Their family is composed of the following members: Ida Belle, wife of Jacob Orahood, Logan county, Ohio; Franklin E., a merchant and miller of East Liberty, Ohio; and Fannie, Kittie, Sadie, Jessie and Samuel, at home. Mr. Milligan is a stanch Republican. He has held the office of Township Trustee for several years and is its present incumbent. He has also served as a member of the School Board. Socially he is identified with the K. of P. and the F. & A. M., having been a Mason for forty years. He and his family are members of the Disciple Church. G. D. MITCHELL, one of the prominent men of Union township, Union county, Ohio, was born in Milford Centre, this county, October 15, 1834, son of John Mitchell, one of the well-known early settlers of the township. John Mitchell was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 180o. His father, also named John, died when the younger John was a small boy. The Mitchells are of Irish descent. Our subject's father spent the first eighteen years of his life on a farm in his native county. Then he came to Highland county, Ohio, where he was subsequently married to Susanna Kingery, a native of Virginia and a descendant of German ancestors. Some time after their marriage, they came to Union county and located at Milford Centre. Later they removed to a farm near the one now owned and occupied by G. D. Mitchell, where they resided until 1882, when they sold out and removed to Marysville, Ohio. There they spent the residue of their lives and died, Mr. Mitchell being eighty-two at the time of death and Mrs. Mitchell eighty-five. By trade he was a hatter, which he followed in early life, but later gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. Religiously they were 216 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Presbyterians; politically he was a Democrat. Of their eight children record is made as follows: Ross, an ex-Postmaster and farmer in Illinois; John, of Anderson county, Kansas; William B., a member of the Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed at Peach Orchard; Mary Ellen King, of Marysville, Ohio; James, of Marysville; G. D., whose name heads this article; Isabelle, of Marysville, and Susan Ivy Goff, also of Marysville. All had good educational advantages, and two of the sons—Ross and John—were teachers. G. D. Mitchell was reared on his father's farm, and, with the exception of six months, has spent the whole of his life in Union township. He owns a good farm of 124 acres, well improved with good buildings, and everything kept up in first-class order. Mr. Mitchell was married October 28, 1857, at Unionville Centre, this county, to Sarah C. Converse, who was born near Plain City, Madison county, Ohio, and who, previous to her marriage, was a popular and successful teacher. Her father, Caleb H. Converse, a native of Vermont, was for many years engaged in teaching in this county, where he is well known and highly respected. He is now a resident of Unionville and is eighty-four years of age. His wife, net' Levisa Ketch, was born in Madison county, Ohio, and died at the age of seventy years. They had eleven children, eight of whom reached maturity, namely: Lewis, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Nathan, of Delaware county, Ohio; Obel, of Allen township, this county; Sarah C. ; Orson P., an attorney of London, Ohio; J. O., of Plain City, Ohio; B. W., of Unionville, Ohio, and Jennie Smith, of Marysville, Ohio. Those who died in childhood were: Martha, Emma and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have five children: Elsie J. , wife of Simon Boyd, of Marysville, Ohio; James W., married Ella Predniore and now resides at Broadway, Ohio: William B., married 011ie Blake, and is now an artist at La Rue, Ohio; George K.. married Etta McCliment and settled on the home place, and Guy D. , at hone. Mr. Mitchell affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. JEROME RITCHIE, who resides on a farm near Marysville, in Leesburg township, Union county, Ohio, is ranked with the representative men of the county. Mr. Ritchie was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1839, son of Joseph and Susan Ann (Stoolfire) Ritchie, the father of Scotch descent and both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. They resided in the Keystone State until 1843, when they came to Ohio and settled in Licking county, near Columbia Center, where they still reside, both having passed their three-score years and ten. They have had a family of eight children, namely: Jerome, Louisa White, William B., Lucius, Mary Lee (a music and school teacher), Nathan B., Charles and Joseph, Jr. Lucius died while in the service of his country. Two of the sons, Nathan B. and Charles, are teachers. The father learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at it in early life, but later turned his attention to farming. Politically he is a Republican; religiously a member of the United Brethren Church. Both he and his DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 217 wife are active in church work. For many years he has been a class-leader. Jerome Ritchie was four years old at the time he came with his parents to Licking county, and on the farm he spent his boyhood days, receiving his education in the common schools. A year after his marriage, which event occurred when he was twenty-three, he removed to Union county. Since 1870 he has resided on his present farm, 126 acres of fine land, well improved with modern two-story residence, nice barn and other substantial farm building's, and all arranged with regard to taste and convenience. In short, everything about the premises points to the fact that the owner is a man of enterprise and good management, and that he is making a success in life. Mr. Ritchie was married January 15, 1863, at Reynoldsburg, Franklin county, Ohio, to Sarah Jane Gardener, who has proved herself a worthy helpmate in the truest sense of the word. She was born in Licking county, September 18, 1841, daughter of William and Grace (Aris) Gardener, natives of Virginia, the father of Scotch-Irish extraction; both are now deceased, their death occurring in Union county, the mother at the age of seventy-one years, and the father at seventy-eight. He was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics was a Democrat. They had twelve children, viz: William, Barbara, Mary Jane, Phillip, James E., Asbury, Sarah Jane, Martha, Willson, Mary Rinehart, Albert and Caroline. Four of the sons, William, Phillip, Willson and Asbury, were in the late war. 'Willson was afterward killed in a railroad accident. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie have four children, as follows: Etta May, wife of Cassius McAlister, has two children, Ivy May and Anna Jane; Herbert Sheridan married Retta Scott and has one child, Jerome B. ; Joseph W. has just attained his majority, and is still at home; and Nannie Blanche, also at home. She is not yet thirteen years old, and has been organist in the church over two years. In his political views Mr. Ritchie is in harmony with the Republican party. He has served the public as a member of the School Board. Both he and his wife are identified with the Christian Church, and are among its most active workers. He has served as Treasurer, Clerk and Deacon, and also as Sabbath-school Superintendent. At this writing Mrs. Ritchie is Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. They are among the leading and influential people of the community and are as highly respected as they are well known. HIRAM DE WITT follows farming in Delaware county, where he owns and operates a valuable tract of land, which has been his home for the long period of forty consecutive years. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, on the 22d of April, 1827, and is a son of Amos and Rachel (Harris) De Witt, both of whom were natives of Virginia. When a lad of fourteen years, the father came to the Buckeye State and a few years later began farming, which he followed throughout his life. He was called to the home beyond in June, 1876, and his wife, who survived him about ten years, passed away in 1886. In their family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely: Simon; Hiram; Martha; Jane, wife of George Deets; John U., who resides in Knox county, Ohio; Abram, deceased; Mason, who is living in 218 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF Nebraska; Maria, wife of William Huston; and Charles, who also makes his home in Nebraska. Hiram De Witt received but limited school privileges. The building in which he conned his studies was a rude structure with clapboard roof, and the training therein accorded with the exterior. At farm labor, however, he had ample drill, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow, he began work in the fields, and from an early age he earned his own livelihood by working as a farm hand for the agriculturists of the neighborhood. For his labors he received the munificent sum of $10 per month, and out of this he saved the capital with which he made his first purchase of land, —an eighty-acre tract in Michigan. He bought, in 1854, his present farm, then a tract of wild land covered with timber. This he at once began to clear away, and in course of time the once raw tract was converted into rich and fertile fields. The farm comprises seventy-three and a fourth acres, and yields to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. On the 5th of February, 1852, Mr. De Witt was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Huston, daughter of William and Sarah (Kelly) Huston, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. Seven children have been born to our subject and his wife, who in order of birth are as follows: Eva, wife of Irvin Davy: Maria Caroline, now deceased; Charles M., who is engaged in business in Columbus, Ohio; John W., who also resides in that city; Fletcher A., who is now serving as Recorder of Morrow county, Ohio; Hettie A., wife of Warren W. Field, a resident of Summit county; and Josephine, who is still at home with her parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are members of the Methodist Church. Their home is noted for its hospitality, and the worthy couple have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in this community, where they have so long resided. In his political views Mr. De Witt is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He has led a busy and useful life, and his career has also been one of straightforward and honorable dealing. E. L. MATHER, M. D., a practicing physician of Byhalia, was born in Union county, December 1, 1868, and is a son of J. D. and Ruth (Tallman) Mather, who are residents of York township. The father carries on agricultural pursuits, and upon the borne farm the Doctor spent the days of his childhood. The family lived for a time in Jackson township and then removed to York township. He early became familiar with all the duties of farm life, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields. His primary education was obtained in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen he began teaching, which profession he followed for five years altogether. In this way he secured the funds to further pursue his studies, and entered the Ohio Normal, at Ada, Ohio, where he took a thorough course. His education was completed in the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio, and soon after he began fitting himself for the medical profession. Our subject was a young man of eighteen years when he entered the office of Dr. George Miller, of Marysville, Ohio. Later he attended the Starling Medical College, of DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 219 Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1892. He immediately entered upon the work of his chosen profession, locating in Byhalia, where he has since made his home. His talents and ability soon won recognition and he is now receiving a liberal and constantly increasing patronage, of which he is well deserving, for he is a close student and careful practitioner whose duties are never neglected. On the 18th of August, 1892, Dr. Mather was united in marriage with Miss Luella Lingrel, an accomplished young lady of Byhalia and a daughter of Henry and Cynthia Ann (Thoriiston) Their home is made bright and happy by the pres:nce of a little daughter, Ethylene. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Mather are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is now serving as Class Leader, and in the work of the society they take a deep and commendable interest. In social circles they rank high, and the Mather household is noted for its hospitality. The Doctor is a warm friend of the cause of education and is now president of the School Board in Washington township. His entire life has been passed in Union county and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which speaks well for him. GEORGE H. RUHLMAN, one of the representative business men and honored citizens of the thriving village of Cardington, Morrow county, is a native son of said county, having been born in Troy township, July 20, 1857. His father, William Ruhlman, was a native of the old Keystone State, but came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Ma-honing county, Ohio, when but a child. His father was Lewis Ruhlman, who was born in Pennsylvania arid there reared and educated, being of German extraction. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Elizabeth Koch, and she was a native of Richland county, Ohio, where she grew to maturity, her parents having been natives of Germany. The marriage of William Ruhlman and Elizabeth Koch was celebrated in Richland (now Morrow) county, and soon after they took up their abode on a farm in Troy township, where they remained for many years. They now reside on a farm in Claridon township, Marion county. They became the parents of four sons, all of whom are living at the present time, namely: George H., subject of this review; Lewis O., a mechanic, of Marion, Ohio: Eli E., a resident of the same city; and Charles E., a farmer in Claridon township, Marion county. Our subject was reared on the paternal homestead in Troy township, this county, until he had attained the age of ten years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Marion county. He had attended the district schools of Troy township, and after the removal to Marion county, he continued his educational discipline, completing his education in the graded  schools of Claridon township. His first business venture was in the saw-milling enterprise, and for four years he was concerned in this line, in Marion county, owning one-fourth interest in a mill. He then sold out and, coming to Cardington, engaged as a clerk in the hardware establishment of T. H. Ensign. Out of a very diminutive salary he saved $3 per month for six months, and at the end of 220 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF three years he had accumulated quite a sum by his industry and economical habits, and was enabled to purchase a half interest in the hardware business here conducted by J. W. Shaw, the firm name of Shaw & Ruhlman being retained for three years, after which Mr. Shaw disposed of his interests in the enterprise, his successor being F. C. Stanley, and the business was conducted under the title of Ruhlman & Stanley for a period of three years. Mr. Stanley was then succeeded by G. C. Miller and this association has remained intact since that time, the firm name being Ruhlman & Miller. They have commodious and convenient salesrooms, with all essential equipments, and carry a large stock, the establishment being one of the finest in the line that the county can boast. In politics Mr. Ruhlman lends his support and influence to the Republican party, and he has held official preferments of trust, being now the incumbent as Township Clerk, and having hitherto served for six years as Clerk of the city corporation. He was also a member of the local Board of Education for some time. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Cardington Lodge, No. 384, and of the Royal Arcanum. In connection with his business enterprise he manufactures all the sheet-iron work utilized in the George S. Singer Olentangy incubators and brooders, which business involves several thousand dollars per annum. February 6, 1881, Mr. Ruhlman was united in marriage to Miss Louvina Miller, daughter of Elias and Mary (Gable) Miller, and the issue of this union has been three children, namely: Myrtle B., Hartley M., and Ethel G. JOHN H. OSBORN, a farmer of Bloomfield township, Morrow county, was born in New London, Connecticut, October 7, 1816, a son. of Thomas Osborn. His father was supposed to have been killed, and Thomas was bound out to a sea captain and taken on board ship at the age of seven years following the sea until he married and located on a farm in Connecticut. He came to Knox county in 1816, purchased Government land, erected a log cabin, improved his farm, and died there at the age of sixty-eight years. The mother of our subject, nee Olive Manning, was born and reared in Connecticut, a daughter of Gilcrist Manning, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Osborn were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Abigail (deceased), Amanda (deceased), John H., James M., William N., Sarah Ann, Rilla and George (deceased). John H., the third child and eldest son, was brought to Knox, now Morrow county, when an infant. At the age of sixteen years he left home to work at the cabinetmaker's trade at Mount Vernon, but six months later returned home and assisted in building a sawmill on a branch of Dry creek. He was next apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner's trade, continuing that occupation four years, and erected many of the houses, barns and other buildings throughout Morrow and adjoining counties. After his marriage, Mr. Osborn located on his present farm, in South Bloomfield township, which he has put under a fine state of cultivation, and erected a good residence. October 7, 1838, he was united in marriage with Nancy Sevare, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jesse Sevare, one of the early pioneers of Knox DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 221 county. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn had seven children, viz: Douglas B., deceased; Clarinda, deceased; Thomas E., of Mount Gilead; Laduskey E., widow of Orange Holister and a resident of Mount Vernon; Byron H., of Bloomfield township; Mary J., at home; Rose L., wife of Thomas Scott, of Bloomfield township. The wife and mother is deceased. Mr. Osborn is a Deacon in the Christian Church, and is identified with the Republican party. S. A. McNEIL, one of the representative and highly respected farmers of York township, Union county, was born in a log cabin in Claiborne township on the 13th day of April, 1844. His great-great-grandfather, Samuel McNeil, and his wife, formerly Sarah Skillen, came from Ireland to Chester county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1740. His great-grandfather, Alexander McNeil, was married to Ann Porter, in 1770, and served in General Washington's army through the Revolution. His grandfather, Andrew McNeil, Sr., was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1777, and was married to Margery Young in 1799. His father, Andrew McNeil, Jr., the seventh child of Andrew and Margery, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1811. During his younger years he came to Ohio and is numbered among the early settlers of Union county. He was married February 28, 1833, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, to Mary Criswell, who was born in that county, November 11, 1809. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church at Faggs Manor, and both belonged to old Presbyterian families, very prominent in church circles. The young couple began their domestic life in the Keystone State, but five years later, in 1838, emigrated to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, making the journey by team. The following year they came to Union county. November 9, 1839, they, with thirteen other persons, organized the York Presbyterian Church, and Mr. McNeil was chosen as one of the Ruling Elders, which office he held until his death. His worth and ability soon made him one of the leading citizens of this community and he was frequently called upon to serve in positions of public trust. For two terms he served as Auditor of the county and two terms as County Commissioner. He also served as Trustee of Claiborne township and Clerk of York township. He was a robust Christian, tenacious in what he thought was truth and duty, and was unflinching in his loyalty to his country during the Civil war. His wife died on the 6th day of October. 1861, leaving three children: Miriam R., who was married to James D. Stanley: Amanda, who was married to Hugh Ross, and Samuel A. The father was afterwards again married, his second union being with Catherine McCrea Patterson. The ill-fated Jane McCrea, massacred by the Indians near Saratoga, New York. whose tragic story is celebrated in the annals of the Revolution, was her great-aunt. Mr. McNeil died December 31, 1889. Catherine McCrea McNeil died October 27, 1893. Union county was to a great degree a frontier settlement during the boyhood clays of S. A. McNeil, and with the family he went through the experience of pioneer life. He acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood, and through the summer months worked on the farm, aiding his father in the development and cultivation of 222 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF the old homestead. Early in 1861 his father arranged to send him away to school, but the great war cloud had gathered and hung over the land, and young McNeil, stirred with patriotic impulses, felt that his country needed the services of all her able-bodied sons. In consequence, on the 17th day of August, 1861, although only seventeen years of age, with his father's permission, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, for three years. He was with his regiment and took part in almost every important battle in which the Army of the Cumberland was engaged from Mill Springs, Kentucky, to Missionary Ridge, Georgia. In the last named he was severely wounded by a minie ball which passed through his neck. In January, he re-enlisted as a veteran and was promoted to Sergeant. He was —present for duty every day from the opening of the Atlanta campaign to Johnston's surrender to Sherman in April, 1865, and until he was honorably discharged, July 26, 1865.   A. H. KOLLEFRATH, an honored and representative citizen of Marysville, Union county, Ohio, and one who, at the present time, holds the marked preferment as Mayor of the city, must consistently come forward for specific attention and recognition in a work which purports to take up the life history of the leading residents of the county. A native of the “Old Dominion," our subject was born at Charleston, now West Virginia, August 11, I850, the son of August and Magdaline (Neun) Kollefrath, the former of whom was a native of Baden, Germany; the latter of Bavaria. At the age of thirteen years the father was appren ticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, and with this line of industry he continued to be identified for the extended period of sixty-three years. He did not confine his field of operations to the fatherland, but became cosmopolitan in his methods, working at his trade through Spain, Switzerland, France and England. He emigrated to America, having determined to try his fortunes in the United States. He landed at New Orleans, where he remained but a short time, after which he proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, thence on to Cincinnati, and finally to Charleston, West Virginia. Here was consummated his marriage, and here he remained until 1851, when, with his family, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they continued to reside for some four years. Then, the migratory spirit carried them to Dubuque, Iowa, where they remained one year, after which they returned to Ohio, locating at Springfield, Clarke county. where the death of the honored father occurred August 1, 1893, at which time he had attained the advanced age of seventy-six years. His widow is still a resident of Springfield. They were the parents of eight children, touching whose individuality we are permitted to offer the following data: August H., the eldest, is the immediate subject of this review; Amelia is the wife of Julius Grahs, of Springfield; Louisa, who resides at Springfield, Ohio; Mary. wife of Henry Deitrich, of Springfield; Albert, who is engaged in the butcher business at Springfield; Alice, wife of Richard Lodenhortz, of the same city; Anna, of Springfield; and Edward, who occupies a clerical position at Cleveland, Ohio. August H. Kollefrath passed his boyhood days in Springfield, Ohio, receiving DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 223 his education in the public schools of that city, and completing the course of study in the Gundry & Hollingsworth Commercial College. Following in the footsteps of his father, and under the direction of the latter, who was a skilled workman, he learned the shoemaker's trade, thus doubly equipping himself for meeting the exigencies of life, and giving evidence of his practical belief in the old and true business axiom, that it is the duty of every young man to learn some trade. He worked with his father for some time, and while thus devoting himself to honest manual labor he showed the innate democracy of his principles by other and mental labor, undertaken with a view to fitting himself for a wider sphere of usefulness in life. He simultaneously read law with Judge F. M. Hagen, of Springfield, and secured admission to the bar August 13, 1876, the Centennial year. The same year he was a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney on the Democratic ticket in Clarke county. Soon after this he engaged in practice at Springfield for one year, and there celebrated an important event in his life, April 26, 1877, when he was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. Noelp, of Union county, Ohio. August 29th of the same year he came to Marysville, and here opened an office for the practice of his profession, associating himself with Andrew Stevenson, which alliance continued for one year, since which time our subject has maintained his practice alone. He has established a reputation for marked professional ability, a thorough and discriminating knowledge of legal matters, and a capacity for successfully handling all cases and other business in which his efforts are enlisted. Logical in his deductions, dignified in his methods, and not lacking in forensic ability, it has come in natural sequence that he has retained a large and representative clientele, the respect and high estimation in which he is held in the community having been shown in divers ways, as will be duly noted farther on in this connection. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Kollefrath has for some years been associated with Mr. J. M. Kennedy in the successful conduct of a pension agency. After having been for many years an uncompromising Democrat, he finally became convinced that the policies and principles advocated by the Republican party were best intended to conserve the interests of the people, and, true to such convictions, he arrayed himself with the latter organization, with whose local interests he has been closely identified since 1889. In the spring of 1894 he was elected Justice of the Peace on the Republican ticket, and also won a marked victory at the polls in his election to the Mayoralty of the city of Marysville. He has made important changes in the administration of the municipal government, his inaugural address being a clear-cut, incisive and fearless document, in which his policies were ably defined, and in accordance with which he has administered the affairs of the city with sound and judicious methods. In the hours when there has come severe criticism from various sources, the Mayor has not flinched, nor lacked the courage of his convictions, and his decisive, fearless, and straightforward maintenance of a position once assumed as expedient, and justified by the facts and circumstances involved, has gained to him both confidence and respect, which will not be lost him by reason of certain fanatical protests. Mr. Kollefrat his the ex-officio president 224 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF of the Board of Health, and in the duties of this office his interest is something more than nominal. A stalwart Republican, bright and daring when principles are at stake, opposed to all rings and cliques in a political way and zealous in fostering whatever tends to the public good, the Mayor holds a winning card in the matter of official preferments. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Kollefrath is identified with the Knights of Pythias, :Marysville Lodge, No. too. While a resident of Springfield he was a member of the Ohio National Guards. Our subject is essentially a self-made man, is full of pluck, enterprise and determination, honest in his convictions, loyal to his friends and unflinching in the face of ill-advised opposition. In religious belief he is a Lutheran of the liberal order. Mr. and Mrs. Kollefrath are the parents of five children: Alice, Frank, Leonard, Julius and Howard. The family home is located in the south part of the city. GEORGE R. DENTON, who is one of the well-known and substantial agriculturists of Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, finds the place of his nativity in merrie old England, having been born in Lincolnshire, on the 12th of September, 1831. His father was Jonathan Denton, who. was a native of the same English shire and who was a farmer by occupation. He died at the age of sixty-six years, having never left his native land. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Frances Swabey and she likewise was born on English soil, coming to America when well advanced in years and dying in the State of Kansas, at the venerable age of about eighty-five years. George R. Denton was the eldest of ten children and he passed his boyhood on the paternal farm, receiving his educational training in the common schools. At the age of thirteen he hired out by the year, working almost thirteen years for different armers. In the fall of 1854 he got into trouble by shooting a hare, sometimes called jack rabbit in America, the game-keeper claiming his gun or a lawsuit. He gave up the gun in preference to entering into a lawsuit. Soon after this he went to London, where he spent the winter months. working most of the time for the Great Northern Railroad Company. In the spring of 1855, he bade adieu to relatives and friends, also to the crown of Great Britain. He remained in his native land until he had attained the age of twenty-seven years, when he emigrated to America, coming direct to Marion county, Ohio, and thence to Morrow county. For two summers he worked by the month, then by day piece work on shares, etc., keeping bachelor's hall two years, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Eliza Jane (Trickle) Yagala, widow of Gorge Yagala, thereupon locating upon his present farm of eighty-four acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. Mr. and Mrs. Denton are the parents of three children, namely: Rachel F., wife of Albert Goorley, of Mount Gilead, this county; Samuel J., a resident of Dentonville, Kansas; and Benjamin E., who remains on the parental homestead part of the time. In the spring of 1877, his first wife died, at the age of forty-seven years. For his second wife he married Mrs. Christina Mitchell, a native of Scotland, born in the city of Dundee and reared by friends, her parents hav-