350 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for twenty years. In his political tendencies, he was a Democrat. His son, our subject, was born May 11, 1843, in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, and had his education at home in the district schools. After concluding his studies, he worked for his father upon the farm about a year and a half before he was married, and then removed to the farm where he now lives, which was purchased for him by his father. On the 17th of August, 1872, he was united in marriage with Hulda Wright, daughter of a prominent farmer of this county, Allen Wright. The young couple after marriage went home to the farm, and it has been their home ever since. In this farm• there are now two hundred and forty-one acres, all well improved and in a good state of cultivation. Grain is the principal product raised upon the farm, but Mr. Parrett pays some attention to stock. Mrs. Parrett is a lady of more than ordinary amiability and strength of character, and is esteemed most highly in her neighborhood. Mr. Parrett is an excellent manager, and has the respect and good-will of the community. His political views bring him into harmony with the Democratic party, but in local politics he always votes for the man whom his judgment endorses as best for the position. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker therein, and his fellow-members have made him one of the Trustees, for his business reputation and integrity give him the confidence of that body. GEORGE H. PONTIUS. It is a trite observation that "there is no royal road to fortune," and this just statement is fully verified by a study of the lives of the successful 'business men of Ohio. When such a man as George H. Pontius starts out for himself, as he did, with no pecuniary help and with no fortune except good health and robust strength, and yet succeeds in securing a fine property and that degree of confidence which allows him to live in the enjoyment. of the good things of life, we can surely realize that the old saying has not outgrown its lease of life. The original of this sketch is President of the School Board of Circleville, was Clerk of Pickaway County, and is now engaged in the active practice of law, being a member of the firm of Folsun & Pontius.. He is truly a self-made man, as he began at the bottom round of the ladder of life and has worked his way up to his present high position in business circles. He was born in, Washington Township, just two and one-half miles east of Circleville, August 6, 1856, which was the birthplace of Amos Pontius, his father. The grandfather of our subject, Daniel Pontius was a native of Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers in this State, where he became the, proprietor of a large estate, numbering sixteen hundred acres. He was an active worker in the United Brethren Church, to the support of which body he was a liberal contributor. The father our subject was reared to man's estate in this county and received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse. When starting out in lit for himself, he became the proprietor of a guar section of land, which he improved and opera until his removal to Circleville. He was ye prominent in township affairs, holding many the minor offices, the duties of which he discharged in. a creditable manner. The United Brethren Church, of which the family were members, w located on a part of the old homestead. The maiden name of our subject's mother w Catherine Earnhort; she was a native of, this county, her birth occurring in Washington Township. Mrs. Pontius was a daughter of William Earnhort, a native of Maryland, and an early settler on Pickaway Plains, where he became the propriety of a large tract of land. He later located in Washington Township, where he made his ho until his decease. He was a conscientious member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Pontius departed this life in 1889, after having h the mother of six children, five of whom are living. The original of this sketch is the third eldest in the family and remained under the parental roof attending the common schools, until reaching his eighteenth year. He then began teaching PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 351 school, thus paying his own way through college, being a graduate of the National Normal School at Lebanon, finishing with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1879. He then returned to Circleville, where his father was residing, and engaged in teaching school. In the fall of 1884, he was elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket with an increased majority. He was reelected to that position in 1887, and thus has many friends throughout the county. Immediately on the close of his college career, Mr. Pontius chose the profession of law, and while a teacher studied under Judge Winstead, and in March, 1888, was admitted to the Ohio Bar by the Supreme Court. February 9, 1891, he formed his present partnership with H. P. Folson, and is engaged in the regular practice of law. December 8, 1887, Mr. Pontius was married to Miss Ora Hall, who was born in Logansport, Ind., but was reared and educated in Circleville. She was orphaned at an early age by the death of her parents, and was then taken into the home of her uncle, Stephen Miller, and given a good education at Ladoga, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Pontius has been born one son, Miller H. He of whom we write is President of the County Board of Elections and was the first President in this county under the Australian Law. He is also a member and Director of the Opera House Company and a member and Director of the Board of Trade, of which organization he has been Secretary. Socially, he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and Knights of Pythias. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination he is one of the Trustees. His political views led him to identify himself with the Democratic party, and in 1890 he served as Chairman of the County Central Committee. Mr. Pontius resides in a comfortable home on East Main Street, in the city of Circleville. Mr. Pontius has been very successful in all his undertakings and at the present time is a member of the Circleville Land Improvement Company. He has traveled perhaps more than any other man of his age in the county, in 1879 spending two weeks in Canada and sailing on the Lakes. In 1886, he crossed the Western plains and the Rocky Mountains, visiting the various places of interest in Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington, and spent several days in the beautiful and picturesque National Park. In 1887, he took a trip East, visiting the large cities, but returned thoroughly satisfied with his Western home. In 1891, he took a trip to New Orleans, and thus has visited the various States, North, South, East and West. Mr. Pontius has ever taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the locality and State, and is an enterprising business man, of broad and intelligent views. He is deservedly very popular, as he has always proved honest and true to the trusts reposed in him. H CLAY JOHNSON, a grocer of Mt. Sterling, is a successful business man and a prominent citizen of the community. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, January 16, 1857, and is a son of William and Malinda (Hunter) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, and were of English descent. The father lost his life by the caving in of a gravel bank and, at the age of two, our subject went to live with his maternal grandfather, Andrew Hunter, a farmer of Fairfield County, with whom he remained until he was about ten years of age. He then went to live with his mother, who had married again. She still survives, and makes her home in Rich Valley, Ind. Mr. Johnson remained with his mother until about seventeen years of age, when he started out in life for himself and has since been dependent upon his own resources. For a time he operated his stepfather's farm in the summer months, and in winter attended school at Lancaster and Royalton, in Fairfield County, thus acquiring a good education. He was married on the 20th of December, 1876, to Miss Anna Williamson, a native of Fairfield County, born September 10, 1856, and a daughter of Isaac N. and Elizabeth (Peters) Will- 352 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. damson. Unto them have been born live children, three sons and two daughters: Lillie P., born in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, January 25, 1878; Glenn H., born in Royalton, August 28, 1880; Emma Belle, born in Royalton, November 21, 1882; James Blaine, born June 1, 1885, and died December 8, 1886; and Clay, born in Mt. Sterling, on the 23d of April, 1891. After his marriage, Mr. Johnson bought a house and lot in Royalton and seven and a half acres of land one mile from the town, where he made his home while engaged in farming. He continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he abandoned that work and engaged in general merchandising in Royalton. Two years later, he sold out at that place and established a store in Mt. Sterling. Purchasing a lot, he built his store upon it and opened its doors to the general public in May, 1890. He now has a good trade, and by honest dealing has _secured the confidence and good-will of the people. His courteous treatment has won him a liberal patronage, of which he is well deserving. Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, his first vote being cast for Gen. J. A. Garfield in 1880. Socially, he is a member of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. Himself, wife and daughter are all members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Johnson is Clerk of the Board of Trustees. He is a self-made man, financially, and deserves great credit for his success in life, which has been won by industry, perseverance and good management. Mr. Johnson was elected a City Councilman at the spring election of 1892, receiving the largest number of votes of any of the nine candidates. GEORGE R. FITZGERALD, well known as one of the most enterprising farmers in Fairfield Township, is a fine representative of the class that has done so much toward the up-building of Madison County, and establishing its prosperity on a firm foundation. He is a son of the late Hon. Edward Fitzgerald, who was born Hampshire County, Va., August 26, 1806. Th lady to whom he was married October 15, 1827 was Miss Lacy Ann Taylor, also a native of Virginia, her birth occurring in February, 1810. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald started for this State, and, stopping in Newark, there remained until the following spring, when they removed to Lancaster, which place was their home until April, 1829. After that date, they resided In this township until their decease, the father dying September 25, 1890, and the mother on February 5, 1888. The father of our subject was a very prominent man in his day, and was a member of the Ohio Legislature during the session of 1846-47. He was also Associate Judge for two years, and was truly one of Madison County's leading citizens. Our subject was the youngest in the parental family of eleven children, his birth occurring in Fairfield Township, September 11, 1851. He here grew to manhood, and received a fair education, remaining under the parental roof until his marriage. He was associated with his father in farming and stock-raising until the death of the latter, since which time he has operated his estate, which comprises two hundred and fourteen acres. November 17, 1875, Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Emma L, daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Phillips) Crookham, were united in marriage. The mother of Mrs. Fitzgerald died in Pickaway County in January, 1881, and the father, who is a well-to-do farmer, is still living in this county. They seared a family of five children, of whom Emma L. was the fourth in order of birth, and was born September 1, 1852. She was given a good education, and has been of great assistance to her husband in attaining his present high standing in the agricultural community. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have two children; Warnie T. and Seisel P. The wife and mother departed this life at her residence in Fairfield Township December 4, 1891, greatly mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. In his political relations, our subject votes with the Republican party, and in social matters is a member of Darby Lodge 770, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Fitzgerald was PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 353 an intelligent and courteous lady, devoted to her family and friends. ' But it was within her home, however, that her deepest love found expression and her noblest qualities were best appreciated ; she was a devoted helpmate and loving wife, and was one whose friends were as numerous as her acquaintances. CHARLES BRADLEY is an intelligent, wide-awake young farmer, a native of Madison County, who has contributed to its growth by improving a good farm that is located in Monroe Township, nine miles southwest of Plain City. This township is his birthplace, and he was born August 15, 1855. He is descended from the early pioneer stock of the county, his grandfather, Jonah Bradley, a Virginian, coming here when the country was a wilderness, with hut few white settlers. The father. of our subject, John Bradley, was born amid the pioneer scenes of Monroe Township, and here, in due time, he was married to Sarah A. Jones, who waw born in Deer Creek Township, this county, seventy years ago, and is living in the enjoyment of a pleasant old age. After marriage, the parents of our subject located in Monroe Township, and here the father spent his entire life, and when he died, at the age of sixty-five, he was greatly missed in the community where of he had been a useful and valued citizen and where he was held in genuine respect. Our subject is the sixth child and fourth son of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom four are living. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm in performing the labors that fell to his share, and in attending the district school. He continued to live with his parents until his marriage, in the autumn of 1878, and was engaged in working the old homestead on shares. After his marriage, he still continued to reside on the farm for about three years, and then hired from his father's estate his present farm, Chic} comprises two hundred and twenty-four acres of land that is exceedingly fertile, and under Mr. Bradley's skillful cultivation yields abundant harvests. He has made all the improvements, which are of a substantial order, the property being covered with woods when it came into his possession. He has put up a good class of buildings, and in 1882 erected a neat and well-built two-story frame house, at a cost of *1,500. He does a general farming business and has his farm well stocked. Mr. Bradley has proved himself an honor to the citizenship of his native township and county, and is looked upon with favor by all who have known him as boy and man, and have watched his career as an intelligent, hard-working .agriculturist. Politically, he is a Republican of the true stamp ; socially, he is a member of London Lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F. Our subject was married September 26, 1878, to Miss Maggie, the fifth child and fourth daughter of William and Alice (Wilson) Daley. She, too, is a native of Ohio, born in Logan County May 4, 1851. She was reared in Champaign, Union and Madison Counties. She is a true wife to her husband, a helpmate and companion, and their wedded life has brought them two children, Marion C. and Raymond D. WALTER C. DARST. The Democratic Daily and Weekly Herald, which is published in the city of Circleville, is owned by Messrs. Murphy & Darst. The paper was established in 1870, by McCollister & Wolfly. In 1876, the sister of our subject, Miss Lillie C. Darst, took charge. of the paper, and managed it successfully until 1883, in April of which year she died. The above-named firm then purchased the plant, and have successfully operated it from that date. The original of this sketch was born August 9, 1858, and is the son of Jacob and Anna B. (Brower) Darst. The father was born in West Jefferson, this State, where he was a prominent dry-goods merchant, and there remained until his decease, which occurred in 1883. Walter C. Darst received a good education in the Everts school, and in 1876 entered the print- 354 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ing, office to learn the trade. A few years later, he purchased the plant of his employer, and in June, 1884, started the daily. He was married, in Norfolk, Va., in 1888, to Miss Daisy Bates, a. native of Kentucky. Socially, Mr. Darst is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in politics, votes the straight Democratic ticket. He is a consistent member of the Episcopal Church, to the support of, which body he contributes liberally and cheerfully. JOHN G. LOOFBOURROW, Cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Mt. Sterling, was born in Fayette County, Ill., on the 27th of October, 1845. His parents, Lemuel P. and Elizabeth (Graham) Loofbourrow, were both natives of the Buckeye State, being born and reared in the vicinity of Mt. Sterling. For a time, the father engaged in farming and merchandising in Illinois, but the year 1857 witnessed his return to Fayette County, Ohio. Our subject was then a lad of twelve years. He remained upon the farm. and aided in its cultivation until 1867, and during that time acquired a good education, his early advantages being supplemented by a course at Holbrook's Normal School, of Lebanon, where he remained a year and a half. He began teaching at the age of nineteen and followed that profession for a year and a half. In the fall of 1867, he came to Mt. Sterling and secured a position as clerk in a drug store, where he remained for three years. He then purchased the stock of drugs and embarked in business in that line for himself, carrying on the store for three years. He next became interested in the banking business, securing the position of Cashier in the Farmers' Bank in 1874. He has been its cashier from the organization, a fact which indicates his fidelity and faithfulness. Previous to this, in the fall of 1873, after selling out his drug store, he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and took a course in Eastman's Business College, from which he was graduated with honor in 1874. He then returned and accepted his present position. He is one of ten partners who are equal stockholders in the bank. On the 19th of May, 1874, Mr. Loofbourrow was united in marriage with Miss Hulda Kauffelt, of Mt. Sterling. Unto them have been born three sons and one daughter: Ross K., who was born in March, 1876; Lemuel G., John R. and Delle K The parents are both members of the Presbyterian Church, take an active part in its work, and our subject has served as Elder since 1888. He was reared in the Democratic party, but thinks that politics consists mostly of a struggle between the old parties for the spoils. He has served as Township Clerk, but has never been an office-seeker. Mr. Loofbourrow is recognized, as an honorable, upright business man, and the success of the Farmers' Bank is due largely to his untiring efforts and his popularity. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, who takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and has given his support to all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. WILLIAM D. GIBSON. The subject of this sketch is engaged in the tobacco and cigar business at Washington C. H., where he is building up a lucrative trade, carrying the best grade of goods to be found in the city. He is a very pleasant and genial gentleman, whose friends are as numerous as his acquaintances. He is the son of William Gibson, who was born in South Carolina, his parents being respectively Scotch and Welsh. The elder Mr. Gibson later removed to this State, locating in Greene County in 1832. He was married to Miss Margaret Dougherty, who was of Welsh descent, and who bore him six children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but only one of whom is living at the present time. They bore the respective names of Eliza, James, Jane, Joseph, Rebecca and William D, The father of our subject, when first locating in Greene County, purchased a tract of one hundred and three acres, upon which he resided until his death. In politics, he was a Republican, and in PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.- 357 religious matters was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which denomination he held the office of Elder. He was an active worker and liberal contributor to the support of his denomination, and passed from this life firm in his faith. William D. Gibson was born November 4, 1820, in York, S. C., being educated in the schools of that district and in his new home in this State. When fourteen years of age, he began clerking in a dry-goods store, holding that position for about three months, when he started in that -line of business for himself, being backed by a wealthy gentleman, who furnished him with a capital of $3,000. He opened his store at Jamestown, and at the early age of fourteen, had the responsibility of running a large establishment, employing two clerks. A year later, he went to New York City and bought a fresh stock of ,goods, and continued to have the support of his wealthy friend for six years. In 1848, the original of this sketch removed to Bloomingburgh, where he continued in the dry-goods business until 1871. At that date, he came to Washington C. H. and clerked in the store of J. L. Van Deman & Co., and for other firms, until 1888, when, after a rest of two years, he started out' in the retail cigar and tobacco trade. Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Strong November 23, 1842. Mrs. Gibson was a native of Ohio, and passed from this life March 12, 1848. September 12, 1849, he married Miss Sarah A. Sheets, by whom he became the father of four children, all deceased : Ella B., Ada, Frank and James. She died September 10, 1857. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married August 9, 1858, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Pinkerton. They are the parents of the following-named children : William A., who is a music teacher in the city ; Walter, a telegraph operator at Musselman ; Lyda M., married J. M. Minturn, who is a book-keeper for Dahl & Baer, at Washington C. H.; Joe M. is a broker, in business' at Richmond, Ind. ; Lena Louise, at home; Harry E., residing in Mobile, Ala.; Roy S., at home, and Lucy Irene, who died May 22, 1870, and also James, who died December 27, 1870. In his political relations, our subject is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all local af- 17 fairs. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination his wife also belongs. He has made a success of his business, and ranks among the well-to-do and progressive citizens of the place. Mr. Gibson was a strong Unionist during the war, and was only prevented from offering his services to defend his country's honor on account of physical disability. He was very patriotic, however, and hired a substitute for $600. He is the possessor of considerable real estate in this city, and is in fair circumstances. JOHN MORRIS. This gentleman, who holds the responsible position of Superintendent of the Pickaway County Infirmary, is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county, where he is favorably and widely known, and where his friends are as numerous as his acquaintances. Mr. Morris, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is a native of Washington Township, his birth occurring October 7, 1831. He is the son of Ezekiel Morris, who was born in 1801 in Virginia. His father, also named John Morris, hailed from the Dominion and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, where he was among the pioneers of Walnut Township. He entered land from the Government, which he cleared and placed under the best of cultivation. In that early day, when going to market, he was obliged to blaze the trees in order to find his way home through the dense forests. He was a patriot in the War of 1812 and passed from this life in 1840. The father of our subject was one in a family of eleven children, four of whom are living. When starting out on his own account, he followed the occupation of a farmer in Walnut Township. Later, however, he removed to Washington Township, where he purchased a farm and continued to reside until his death, which occurred June 27, 1891, when in his ninetieth year. He was greatly respected in his community and was the incumbent of many positions of responsibility and trust, serving two terms as Commissioner of Pickaway County and 358 - PORTRAIT SAND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Justice of the Peace many years: He possessed the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens and was often called upon to settle estates, which he always did in a most satisfactory manner. He was a gentleman who made the most of his opportunities and possessed a good understanding of law, which thus qualified him to occupy positions of responsibility. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Catherine Bowman. She was born in Virginia in 1809 and emigrated to this State in an early day with her parents, who settled in Washington Township, Pickaway County. She passed from this life in 1883, in the seventy-fourth year of her age, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. The six children of the parental family included four daughters and two sons, all of whom are living with one exception. The educational advantages of our subject, like those of most pioneer youths, were limited, but he acquired enough to give him an impetus to go on by himself, and ranks to-day among the intelligent and well-to-do citizens of the county. The temples of learning in that early day in this State were rude indeed, being built of logs, with puncheon floor and slab seats. Our subject began to battle with life on his own account when twenty-five years of age and operated a sawmill in Ashville for about twelve years. He then abandoned that line of work and, locating in Walnut Township, followed the occupation of a farmer for five years. In 1871, Mr. Morris engaged in the distilling business at Circleville, the firm name being Morris, Steele & Co., they operating thus for five years. In 1872, he was appointed to his present position of Superintendent of the Pickaway County Infirmary, which office he fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was the first to occupy the large handsome brick asylum which had just been completed at the time of his appointment, and where he has charge of sixty-five inmates. He has also been given the supervision of the Children's Home, which is located on the same farm and is the home of thirty children. This farm contains two hundred and fifty-nine acres on sections 11 and 14, all of which is carried on under the direct supervision of Mr. Morris, in whom the people have complete confidence. In 1866, Miss Elizabeth Gibson became the wife of our subject. She was born in Pennsylvania and is the daughter of Thomas Gibson, who emigrated to this State when she was a child. Her parents died in Van Wert County, where they were residents Mr. and Mrs., Morris have had a family of eight children, viz.: William (deceased), Mary, Edward, Minnie, Bertie and Alice (deceased), Nettie, and one that died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Morris is a Democrat, believing that party to be in the right. Mrs. Morris is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church and is active in all good works. Our subject is the proprietor of one hundred and fifty-three and one-half acres of valuable land on section 4, Washington Township, which bears all the improvements of a first-class estate. BRANSOM DAVIS. The persistent industry and good judgment of Mr. Davis have been rewarded and he is to-day residing on a beautiful farm situated in Greene Township, Fayette County. His estate bears all the improvements which will be found on a first-clan farm, and the soil is so cultivated as to bring ha owner handsome returns. The original of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Crawford County December 15, 1811. He is the son of David and Hannah (Gelden) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and fought in the War of 1812. He came West to Ohio in 1813, and, locating in Pike County, remained there for a twelvemonth, when he removed to Highland County. In 1816, he came to Fayette County and made his home on Rattlesnake Creek in Greene Township. This section was little more than a wilderness in that early day, but Mr. Davis, like many of the other pioneers, set about subduing nature, building cabins, and clearing and cultivating his fields. Wild game was plentiful, thus the family   PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 359 did not suffer for fresh meat, as animals of every description could be had for the shooting. The settlers were very few, there being only three houses between that occupied by Mr. Davis and Washington C. H., a distance of nine miles. The father of our subject disposed of the above named purchase and bought a tract on Lee's Creek, same township, where he was residing at the time of his decease, in 1855. His good wife survived him a short time, her death taking place the following year. The parental family of our subject included eight children, only two of whom are living. Bransom was reared on the home farm, and received but a limited education in the district school. He has been an important factor in helping to develop this portion of the county, and has watched with interest the gradual evolution of the land from its original wildness into cultivated and productive fields and thriving towns. When twenty-one years of age, Bransom Davis started out to make his own way in the world, and, choosing an occupation, became a farmer, to which calling he had been reared. In 1834, he was married to Jane, daughter of John and Polly (Rowe) Draper, natives of Virginia. where they were married and whence they came to the Buckeye State in an early day, being among the early settlers of Greene Township, Fayette County. Mrs. Davis was born in 1806 and died in 1868. By her union with our subject were born four children, two of whom are living: Maria, Mrs. Benjamin Tudor, resides in Indiana and has two children, and Jane, the wife of Ferrill Patton. The latter make their home in Greene Township, and are the parents of four children. June 17, 1870, Mr. Davis was the second time married, the lady of his choice being Sidney Ann (Clapps) Draper, the widow of Richard Draper, the brother of our subject's first wife. Of the nine children born to her parents four are now living: James Harvey, Elijah Eddy, Margaret Ann, and Mary Ellen. After his marriage, he of whom we write settled on his father's farm, where he resided for seven years, at the end of which time he rented property until purchasing a farm of his own, which he did in 1846. Ten years later, he removed to his present abiding-place, which includes two hundred and eight acres of valuable land. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members in good standing of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which body our subject has been Steward. In politics, he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, and has served his fellow-townsmen acceptably as Supervisor of Roads. Our subject and his estimable wife are widely and favorably known in this locality, where they are held in high esteem. JAMES A. GIBSON. We have here one of the oldest residents of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, who has made his home here since 1832. He is of an excellent and highly intelligent family, being a distant relative of William Gibson, the silver-tongued orator of Ohio, and is himself recognized as being one of the best-informed men in the township, having throughout life carried on a course of extensive and judicious reading. Our subject was born in Dayton, this State, January 9,1823, and his father, Robert Gibson, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 17, 1787, was a son of James Gibson, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man, and settled in Pennsylvania. In his early experience in this country, while going on horseback to look up some land, he was taken from his horse and robbed by a highwayman. He- bought a farm in Fulton County, Pa., which lay along the creek, and there he made a specialty of hay. His son, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and learned the trade of a tanner. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, and served under William Henry Harrison in the Northwest campaign, and while in service helped to erect Ft. Meigs. Robert Gibson settled in Dayton, Ohio, in 1816, and there opened a tannery and carried it on for some years. It was in 1832 that he settled in this township and began the double operation of a tannery and a farm. He was married at Eaton, 360 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Preble County, Ohio, to Ruhama Williamson, a native of Pennsylvania, who reared to maturity six children, namely: Eleazer W., James A., Martha, Mary J., Rebecca M. and Sarah M. She died in her seventy-sixth year, and had been from girlhood a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which her husband was an Elder at the time of his death, and of which they were both active members. Mrs. Gibson's father, Eleazer Williamson, was a native of Washington County, Pa., and served through the entire period of the Revolutionary War. He had the rank of a Captain, and until his death he drew a pension of $480 per year. He came to Ohio in 1808, journeying on flatboats down the Ohio River and up the Scioto. He located below Chillicothe, and a short time later came to this township, thus being one of the very first to settle here, if not the very first. He erected a log cabin and lived among the Indians and wolves, completing here his eighty-four years of useful and hardy life. He was a man of fine physical development and unusual natural ability, having the best characteristics of the Scotch-Irish blood, from which he was descended. He was a noted huntsman, and kept the neighborhood supplied with venison. He of whom we write was in his tenth year when he settled in this township, and through his boyhood he studied in the old log cabin schoolhouse, furnished with slab benches, slab writing-desks on the wall, and large open fireplace. When the family came here, there was only one man in the township who owned a wagon. Deer were numerous in those days, and wild turkeys had to be shot to keep them from destroying the corn. At the age of twenty-six, the young man began life for himself, having helped his father up to that time. He learned the boot and shoe trade, and for some time carried on a store. Our subject was married February 14, 1856, to Esther A. Crabs, who was born near London, Madison County, Ohio, October 26, 1833. Her parents, Thomas and Sarah (Satchel) Crabb, were both born in Ohio, in Ross County, of which her grandfather, Osman Crabb, was one of the first settlers. Mrs. Gibson's father was a farmer, and owned one hundred and fifty acres in Ross County, which he sold in 1853, and, coming to Pickaway County, here bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived until his death, at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Gibson's mother died at the age of forty-one, and as there were seven children in the family, and most of them were small at the time of the mother's death, much responsibility fell upon the daughter Esther. Our subject and his worthy wife have had born to them three children, namely: Sarah R., who is married to Littleton Gochenour, and resides on a farm in this township, and Martha A. and Mary J., who reside at home with their parents. When our subject settled here in the woods after marriage, 'he could not see out to the road, the forest was so dense. They lived in a log cabin, and worked hard to clear up the farm, and make the improvements which appear here to-day. Upon this farm of one hundred and ninety and one-half acres, he carries on mixed farming, raising both grain and stock. From his large flock of sheep he makes an excellent profit. Mr. Gibson was a very hard worker up to the year 1881, but since that time he has been an invalid, on account of rheumatism, and for five years has not been able to bear his weight upon his feet. He is independent in politics, and uses excellent judgment in his choice of candidates and policy of government. He has a remarkable memory, and has thus laid up in his mind much of value, which he has gained from his broad and extensive reading. His wife is an earnest and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gibson has been Trustee of the township for one or two terms, and has frequently declined other official positions which have been offered him. JOHN M. DEER. We herewith present the sketch of a prominent and wealthy farmer, whose beautiful estate is pleasantly situated in Concord Township, Fayette County, where he devotes his entire time and attention to its cultivation. He is the son of Absalom and PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 361 Elizabeth (Wilson) Deer, natives of Madison County, Va., where they were married, shortly after which event they came to Ohio. and located on Rattlesnake Creek, Highland County. There the father cleared and improved a wild tract of land, continuing to make that place his home for about twenty years, when he came in 1854 to this county, settling upon the old McLean farm in Union Township. There the elder Mr. Deer died in 1865, his good wife surviving until 1888, when she too passed away. Of the parental family of eight children, two are now living, our subject and Mrs. Amy A. Patch. He of whom we write was born November 22, 1837, in Highland County, this State, where be was given a fair education in the common schools of his district. He has always followed the occupation of an agriculturist, being thoroughly trained to the duties of that calling on the home estate. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, at which time he was married, December 23, 1858, to Ann Eliza McClellan, daughter of William McClellan, a native of Maine and an early settler in Concord Township. Mrs. Deer was born March 9, 1832, in Fayette County, the birth of her parents occurring respectively August 7, 1797, and September 5, 1809. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Deer rented a farm for two years in Union Township, after which he removed to another portion of the township, making a stay of a like period. He made another removal where he remained for ten years, and then occupied the farm of Levi Rowe for five years. In 1878, our subject purchased his present estate, upon which he located the following year. It contains one hundred and thirty acres, and is known as the home farm. He is also the possessor of one hundred and twenty-two and one-half acres north of Concord Township and one hundred and thirty acres in Union Township, making an aggregate of three hundred and eighty-two and one-half acres of valuable land, which his industry has placed under cultivation. He has erected substantial and suitable buildings on his estate, having all the improvements which best subserve the interests of a first-class agriculturist. His property is thoroughly tiled and is so operated as to bring its owner handsome returns. Mr. and Mrs. Deer have had born to them a family of six children, two of whom are deceased: James W. is a traveling salesman; Edward L. married Carrie Cline, resides in Union Township and has one child; Rufus L. took for his wife Miss Carrie Reed and makes his home in Chicago, Ill.; Cary O. is at home. They have all been given excellent educational advantages, James W. and Rufus L. being graduates of the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School. The youngest, Cary, is a student at Ada, Ohio. Mrs. Deer departed this life August 24, 1886, firm in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church and greatly mourned by her numerous friends and acquaintances. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and has served as a member of the School Board for a number of terms. At the present time he is an incumbent of the office of Township Trustee and is widely and favorably known throughout this section as a man of principles and upright and honest life. His son, James W., while a resident of Washington C. H., was Postmaster of that city. ABEL H. JANES. The beautiful home of this gentleman is one of the pleasant sights which is seen by the traveler along the highways of Jasper Township, Fayette County. His industry and perseverance have made a success of farming, as he is at present the proprietor of one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, located in Jasper Township. It is well cultivated, Mr. Janes believing that the best methods and latest improvements in agriculture bring him in the largest returns. William P. Janes, the father of our subject, was born in 1809, in Pendleton County, Va., and ten years later accompanied his father's family to Fayette County, locating for a year in Paint Township, later going to Jefferson Township. The present site of the village of Jefferson occupies a portion of that farm which, at the time they located 362 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. upon it, was in its original wildness; it has been in the possession of the family ever since. The elder Mr. Janes was very prominent in township affairs, and for a number of years served in, the capacity of Justice of the Peace. In politics; he always cast his vote and influence in favor of Democratic principles and candidates, believing that party to be in the right. William P. departed this life in 1866, greatly mourned by all who know him. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Mock; she was born in Greene County, this State, in 181,4, and was the daughter of John Mock, a native of North Carolina. The 'latter was a patriot in the War of 1812, and located in Greene County in an early day. He later removed to Jefferson Township, Fayette County, where he passed his last days. Mrs. Janes died in 1883, after having become the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are living. Two sons participated in the Civil War, Evan L. and he of whom we write. Mrs. Janes was a member in good standing of the Methodist Protestant Church, and died firm in the faith of that body. The original of this sketch was born February 11, 1839, on the old Janes homestead, where he grew to manhood and received a district-school education. He did much hard pioneer work in the early days and, when old enough, began life for himself on the old homestead. On the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company H, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, joining his regiment in the Shenandoah Valley. He participated in the engagement at ,Harper's Ferry, where he was taken prisoner, but was soon paroled. He was then sent to Annapolis, going on foot from Harper's Ferry, and from that city to Baltimore, and thence to Chicago, where he was mustered out. In 1864, Mr. ,Janes again enlisted in defense of his country. and became a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry, being mustered in as First Lieutenant. He participated in the Morgan raid, and received his honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment. His soldiers were known as the "Squirrel Hunters." They were State' militia. While a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment, our subject was again taken prisoner, June 11,1864, at Cynthiana, Ky., while on the Morgan raid, and he received very cruel treatment; he was afterward paroled near Claysville, that State. Miss Almeda Hays was married in January, 1867, to our subject. She was the daughter of Morgan Hays, a resident of Paint Township. Fayette County, where he has attained to the ripe old age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Janes was born April 2, 1845, in Fayette County, where she was given a good education and received a certificate to teach. He of whom we write moved on his present farm in 1868, where he has his entire acreage under cultivation, with the exception of fifty acres. He is engaged in general farming, and his success in That line has placed him in the foremost rank among the agriculturists in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Janes have become the parents o five children, four of whom are living, namely: William M., Cass G., Jennie P. and Chester H. They have all been given good educations, and are well fitted to become useful and progressive citizens. Mr. Janes has served on the School Board, and socially is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Milledgeville, having been through all the chairs of that organization. He is a member of the I. Gilbert Grand Army Post, of Jeffersonville, and in politics is a Republican, with which party he has always cast his vote. He stands high among his fellow-men, who regard him as a man whose word is as good as his bond, and in public life he has represented them as Trustee of Jasper Township. MORGAN J. JENKINS, M. D. Among the British-American citizens of Plain City none is more worthy of respect and notice than he whose name appears at the head of this brief narrative, as his private life in our midst and his professional standing place him in the front rank. He was born in South Wales, November 15, 1853. His father, Thomas Jenkins, was a Congregationalist minister of Wales and PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 363 was located at Merthyr Tydvil. After his emigration to this country, he made his home in Pennsylvania, and is now in charge of a congregation in Wilkesbarre. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ann Jones, and is also a native of Wales. She is still living and is the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters. All have lived to the of years of maturity, with the exception of one who died in childhood, and he of whom we write is the second child and second son of this household. It was when he was only ten years old that his parents moved to this county, and this son had his early training and education at Johnstown, where he remained until he reached the of age of seventeen. There he received his first schooling, and afterward became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, after which he went to Richwood, Ohio, and there began the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. P. H. Bauer. During the three years of his tutorship under this able physician, he also attended lectures at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, spending his winters in that city. His diploma was granted him there in March, 1878, and during the same year he took up his residence in Plain City. The political tendencies of Dr. Jenkins have brought him into active sympathy and co-operation with the Republican party, and his intelligence and professional standing have made him a leader among his fellow-citizens. He is now filling the position of Health Officer, and was for some time a member of the Board of Education. In the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to Urania Lodge No. 311, and is also a Knight Templar and a member of the Mt. Vernon Commandery. As an Odd Fellow, he is a member of Lodge No. 193, of Plain City, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, being ,a charter member of the Plain City Lodge' No. 159. He was elected Grand Outer Guard in 1890, and the following year was made' Grand Inner Guard of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The professional standing of the Doctor is evinced by his membership in the State Medical Society of Ohio, also in the Central Ohio Medical Society and in the Madison and Union Counties Medical Society, and he was at one time the President of the last-named body. The marriage of Dr. Jenkins took place in Richwood, Ohio, December 24, 1879, and he was then united with May, the eldest daughter of Oren and Ellen Beem, of that place. Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins have become the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, to whom they gave the names of Thomas and Rose. The latter was taken' from them by death at the age of three years, and in her loss they feel deeply bereaved. MAURICE BRADFIELD owns and occupies a farm of goodly size in Jefferson Township, Madison County, where the work of his hands is plainly indicated by its present condition. The property consists of one hundred and ninety-five acres and bears the usual improvements made by a man of enterprising spirit and good judgment, and presents an appearance of home comfort attractive to the passer-by. Abner Bradfield, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Georgesville, Franklin County, this State, in 1870, where also the mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Luckens, departed this life. Like her husband, she was a native of the Keystone State and reared a family of seven children, of whom Maurice was the fifth in order of birth. He was born in Franklin County, January 19, 1839, and, being reared to farm pursuits, has made that calling, his life occupation. March 13, 1862, he of whom we write and Miss Jane, daughter of . Robert and Ann (Stump) Worthington, were united in marriage. The parents of Mrs. Bradfield were natives of Pennsylvania and died in Pleasant Township, Franklin County, this State. They reared a family of six children, of whom Miss Jane was the eldest, her birth occurring in the above-named county, September 20, 1842. After his marriage, our subject located on a farm in Pleasant Township, Franklin County, 364 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. where he made his home until December, 1878, when he took up his abode in this county and located on a farm in Jefferson Township, of which he is the present owner. Our subject enlisted in the one hundred days' service of 1864, and re-enlisted for twelve months, or to the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge in September, 1865. The six children comprised in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bradfield bear the respective names of Albert W., Hermann E., Sarah A., Robert M., Bayard T. and May. Albert married Miss Rosa Lilly, Herman married Ella Summers, and Sarah is the wife of William Durflinger. In politics, Mr. Bradfield votes with the Republican party, and, religiously, his good wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body she has many friends. NELSON FAMULENER was born on the old Famulener homestead in the southeastern corner of Pickaway Township, April 25, 1835, and has always lived amid the pleasant scenes of his birth. He is a representative of one of the old families that came to Ohio in the early years of its settlement, and ever since he attained manhood has identified himself with the agricultural interests of Pickaway, his native county. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob Famulener, and his father, Jonathan Famulener, were natives of New Jersey. The grandfather came to Ohio with his family in a very early day of its settlement and was a pioneer of Ross County, where he reclaimed a farm from the primeval wilderness. There is not one of the original family now living. The father of our subject was one of the eldest of the children, and, coming to this county in early manhood to cast in his lot with its pioneers, he became a prosperous farmer of Pickaway Township, where he spent the remainder of his life, which was brought to a close in 1875, in his seventy-seventh year. It is supposed that the Famuleners are descended from the old Quaker stock of New Jersey. The mother of our subject, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 21, 1803, and emigrated to Ohio with her parents, is still living at a venerable age. Her maiden name was Anna Long. She is the mother of five children, as follows: William, a farmer, who is married and lives in Knox County, Ill.; Jacob, a farmer, who is married and lives in Warren County, Ill.; John, deceased; Nelson; and Rachel, wife of Thomas Brundige. He to whom these lines refer grew up on the old farm amid pioneer surroundings, gaining his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of the times, which was furnished with slab seats, and had none of the conveniences of the modern school He has always lived on the homestead that belonged to his father, and since it came into his possession, has kept it up to the 'same high standard of cultivation and improvement that it had attained while he was assisting his father in its management in the years that followed his majority. The farm, which contains two hundred and thirty-nine acres of fine, alluvial soil, and is situated on section 36, Pickaway Township, is well watered by Kinnickinnick Creek, which runs through it, and is remarkably productive. On another page will be noticed a view of the place. It is amply supplied with buildings of a good class and with modern machinery, and is well adapted to general farming purposes, to which Mr. Famulener devotes it, raising and feeding cattle, and shipping a load or two each year with good profit. Our subject is not only of large physical proportions, tipping the scales at four hundred and fifteen pounds, but he is a whole man in other directions, well balanced in mind, big-hearted, open-handed, a true friend at all times, and one to be thoroughly trusted in all things. In his political views, he is a pronounced Republican. Mr. Famulener was married, in 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Goodman, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Weaver) Goodman, who were natives of Pennsylvania and had come to Ohio with their parents when young. Her father became a prosperous farmer and rounded out a long life of seventy-six years in 1876. His wife survived him until 1889, and then she passed away at the age of eighty-three PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 367 years. She was a Lutheran in religion, while her daughter of whom we write is a Presbyterian, and an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom ten are living. Mr. and Mrs. Famulener have had four children, of whom two are living, Samuel and Jesse. Those deceased are William, who died October 29, 1890, and Ida. GEORGE G. BLAIR, Postmaster of West Jefferson, is worthy of honor as a veteran of the late war and enjoys the full confidence and esteem of his community. He was eighteen years of age when he entered the army, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company K, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry, and during his campaign life took part in a number of the most famous battles of the war and others less well known but equally hazardous to those who participated. The list includes Richmond (Ky.), Jackson (Miss.), siege of Vicksburg and Gunstown, Miss. In the last-named engagement, Mr. Blair was slightly wounded, and June 10,1864, was taken prisoner, but was paroled the following December arid exchanged April 5, 1865. He was confined in Andersonville, Millen, Ga., and Savannah, weighing at the time of his capture one hundred and sixty-one pounds; nine days after his release he weighed only one hundred and three pounds. After being exchanged, Mr. Blair returned to his regiment and took pat in the siege of Mobile, and when mustered out returned to his old home in Jefferson Township. Among the early pioneers of Madison County was Alex Blair, the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Virginia of Scotch parents. He died in this country in 1825, having become the father of eleven children, of whom John Blair, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the younger members. He was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., in 1788 and was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1814, he located in London, this county, where he was engaged In the hatter's trade and remained at home until forty-five years of age, then removed to Jefferson Township, where the mother died in 1868 and the father two years later. They were the parents of seven children, of whom George W., the father of our subject, was the eldest. He was born in London, this State, May 20, 1817, and, when reaching mature years, was married to Miss Rachael C. Goodson. Two years later, the young couple located in Jefferson Township, where the mother died November 13, 1883, and the father, March 29, 1886. The elder Mr. Blair was engaged in the building of the Blair Pike from 1868 to 1870, and operated the first steam thresher in Madison County, where also he introduced the first reaping-machine. Our subject was the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, and was born in this county and township, March 2, 1844. He was reared on the old homestead, and, as before stated, entered the army when eighteen years old. When he could not longer serve his country on the fields of battle, Mr. Blair returned home and with his father engaged in building the Blair Pike. He later was employed as foreman for Smith & Woodward, who were under contract to the Little Miami Railroad Company from 1869 to 1874. Our subject afterward engaged in the sawmill and lumber business on his own account for several years, and then selling out, rented about eight hundred acres of land in Jefferson Township, which he operated, together with the estate belonging to Samuel Woodward. He was thus employed for some three years and then began farming on the old homestead. On removing to West Jefferson, he of whom we ,write was appointed Justice of the Peace and in addition to performing the duties of that office, carried on a thriving insurance business. He was appointed Postmaster of West Jefferson, in May, 1889, under. Postmaster-General Wanamaker, and by the satisfactory manner in which he discharged the duties imposed upon him, has become very popular with the people in this community. Mr. Blair, of this sketch, and Miss Esther A., daughter of William and Mary J. Clark, were united in marriage in 1866. Her parents were natives of Ireland and the father departed this life in Springfield, this State. Mrs. Blair was born in Springfield, October 15, 1839, and by her union 368 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. with our subject 'has become, the mother of three children: Clara M., the wife of A. L. Hayes; Albert C. and Edith J. In social matters, our subject is Senior Past Grand of West Jefferson Lodge No. 412, I. O. O. F.,and is connected with Post No. 389, G.A. R.. He has also served his fellow-townsmen in the position of School Director, and has always been unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party. HARVY D. LOMBARD, We are pleased to represent in this volume this veteran farmer of Madison County, who has long been closely identified with its agricultural interests, and has placed under improvement one of the many fine farms for which this section of the country is noted, his homestead lying in Darby Township, six miles west of Plain City. Our subject is a native of Kentucky, and was born on the 15th of August, 1822, a son of Jesse Lombard. His father was born in Windsor County; Vt., in the year 1793, and was reared to the life of a farmer among the breezy hills of his birthplace. His father, David Lombard, was also a native of the Green Mountain State. He came to Ohio after his son had lived here several years, but he returned to Vermont to die. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Olive Carleton, and she too was a native of Vermont. She died at the age of sixty-six years. She was a daughter of Freeman Carleton, who was born in Vermont, and died there in the fulness of years. The parents of our subject had six children, three daughters and three sons: Jesse Harrison, who was born in Vermont in 1816; Laura was born in Kentucky in 1820; Harvy D.; David Ransom was born in Kentucky in 1824; Anna was born in Kentucky in 1826; and Olive was born in Ohio in 1828. The father of our subject came to Ohio on foot, with an ax on his shoulder, and as he passed through New York, he took jobs chopping wood on the way. He stopped first, after his arrival in this State, near the present site of Columbus. Sub sequently, he and another man ran a flat-boat on the Ohio River to gather up stones when the water was low. He had left his family in Vermont while he sought a suitable place for settlement, and later his father brought them on with him in a wagon, and they located on a rented farm near Covington, Ky., where they remained until they came to Madison County, in 1828. For three years after coming here, they lived in Pike Township, and then the father bought land in Darby Township, six miles west of Plain City, and lived thereon for many years, transforming it in the meantime into a goodly farm, which he finally sold, and passed his last days in Plain City, dying there at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. He was prosperous in his calling, and accumulated a comfortable Property. He paid $1.25 an acre for his land, and after many years sold it at $40 an acre, having made many valuable improvements. He began life here as a pioneer, first building a log house, which in after years he replaced by a large frame house. Our subject is the third child and second son of the family, and he was six years old when they came to Ohio. The first school that he attended, was held in a log house in Darby Township, and his education was completed in a brick schoolhouse in the same township. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years old, and when he began farming on his own account, he rented a farm in Jefferson Township. Since that time, he has lived on his present farm in Darby Township, and is very pleasantly situated. He has one hundred acres in the home place, and two hundred and twenty acres elsewhere in the same township. His father gave him fifty acres to start with, and the remainder of the three hundred and twenty acres of which he is possessed he has acquired unaided, and its development from a tract of wild timber land is the work entirely of his own hand. His original dwelling was a comfortable log house which he replaced by one still better, and in 1889 he built his present substantial and roomy residence at a cost of $1,500. He has his farm stocked, and does a good general farming business, conducting his affairs with sound wisdom and with shrewdness, forethought and prudence that hay won him an enviable reputation as a good far PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 369 He is likewise a good citizen, and has been of much service in the public life of Darby Township, of which he was Trustee one year, and for the long period of thirty years he acted as School Director. When he was a young man, he was s Whig, and he cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. In later years he has been a true follower of the Republican party. Mr. Lombard was married in Darby Township, in 1844, to Miss Samantha McCumber, who was also born near Covington, Ky., the date of her birth being October 15, 1820. To her ready and cheerful helpfulness he was much indebted, not only for all that goes to make a home comfortable and cozy, but for the success that has followed his labors, and her death, February 4, 1885, closed a long wedded life that had been one of true happiness. It was blessed with four daughters and four sons, namely: Phoebe, widow of Harvy Bradley, and a resident of Canaan Township; D. Lamar, an agent, teacher and trader, of Plain City; Alice, wife of Henry Riddle, of Darby Township; Lucina, wife of J. H. Stewart, of Plain City; Millard F., Frank E., William A. and Ora I., the latter four residing at home with their father. THOMAS E. BRADEN. The valuable farming and stock interests of Fayette County are in the hands of men who are gifted with push, business acumen and far-seeing enterprise, and are among the prime factors in the steady and substantial growth of this section of the State. Thomas E. Braden belongs to this class, and his farm in Wayne Township is well kept up, compares with the best in the locality in its appointments, and is admirably adapted to stock-raising, in which our subject is largely engaged. Mr. Braden was born in Ross County in 1831 in the home of William and Jane Braden, who were natives of Ireland. The father was born in the northern part of that country, near Dublin, in 1803. His father was a 'farmer and land-owner there and was a man of considerable importance is neighborhood, and was a strict Presbyterian in his religious belief. He lived to the great age of one hundred and three years. William Braden grew to a vigorous, independent manhood on his native island, receiving a good common-school education and a thorough drilling as a farmer. In 1826, in the opening years of a promising manhood, he set sail for his old home to the shores of America, and after he landed he made his way to this State, and in Ross County established himself in the hotel business with his brother at Chillicothe. He was thus engaged for thirty years, and he then came to this county, and, at Good Hope, in Wayne Township, followed gardening from 1849 until 1870. The last years of his life were spent in the home of our subject, and in 1881 he passed away at a ripe age. In politics, he was first a Democrat, but in the latter part of his life he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party. The subject of this sketch is one of five children, the others being John, Mary (wife of Jacob Overly), Andrew and Eliza. He began life for himself at the age of thirteen, being a stout, active, manly lad, and for some seventeen years he was engaged as a farm hand by the month, mostly in Fayette County. In 1861, he was happily married to Nancy, daughter of Jacob and Anna Areheart, and a native of Fayette County. Her parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Indiana. To her and our subject have been born seven children, who have been carefully trained and are well educated. They are named respectively, Louis, Anna, Jennie, Edith, Thomas R., Mary E. and Ralph. Miss Jennie occupies a responsible position as book-keeper for a business firm at Washington C. H. Mr. Braden lived on rented farms after his marriage until 1868, when he bought his present farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Wayne Township. He at once set about the hard pioneer task of clearing and redeeming the land after it came into his possession, and has brought it to a fine condition, both as to cultivation and improvements in the way of fencing, tiling and putting up good buildings for every needed purpose. The first dwelling that he erected, which was a neatly built and commodious structure, was destroyed by 370 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. fire, and he replaced it. by another equally substantial, and well arranged. He is quite extensively engaged in raising stock in connection With other farming- operations, and he handles a good grade of Short-horn cattle. Mr. Braden is an uncompromising Republican, with au intelligent comprehension of politics. He has a good record as a public official who has done good service in various capacities, and is incorruptible. He has been Trustee of Wayne Township nine years and School Director in one district for twenty-one years. He is at present one of the Directors of the County Infirmary, which position he has held six years. JOHN STEVENSON. In Circleville Township, Pickaway County, may be seen a beautiful farm, which is adorned by a handsome residence and first-class farm buildings. This is is the property of the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph and who is one of the successful agriculturists of the county. He was born in County Down, Ireland, November 13, 1823, and is the son of Alexander and Mary Stevenson, both also natives of the Emerald Isle; where the father was a farmer and where the parents passed their entire life. John Stevenson was the fourth in order of birth of the eight children born to his parents, only three of whom came to the New World. He was given a common-school education, and, making the best of his limited advantages, is to-day an intelligent and well-informed gentleman. He remained on the home farm, aiding his father in its cultivation, until 1847, when, being in his twenty-fourth year, he emigrated to America, the voyage hither consuming four weeks and four days. On landing in New York, our young hero sought and found work on a farm in Orange County, receiving as compensation for his labor $7 per month. Thinking to better his condition, our subject after a few months came West to Ohio, and locating in Circleville Township, Pickaway County, worked on a farm, receiving the first summer *10 per month. He soon, however, abandoned farming, and, removing into the village of Circleville, began working at the cooper's trade. In 1853, he returned to his native land, making the voyage in a sailing- vessel in nineteen days. In 1853, the original of this sketch was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of John and Martha (Patterson) Moorehead, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Stevenson was born in County Down, November 11, 1823, and was the third child of the parental family of fourteen, seven of whom are living. Two remain in Ireland, and the remainder of the family are in Australia. Soon after his marriage, our subject went to Melbourne, Australia, where he worked by the day on the docks for some time. He then engaged to work in the gold mines, one hundred miles distant from that city, spending about six months in that line of work, and during that time mining about £350 worth of gold. He later purchased teams, and hauled goods and provisions from Melbourne to the mines, cooking his own meals and sleeping under the wagon. He owned five horses, each of which cost him $500. The country was full of natives, who were very fond of kangaroos and whisky. In 1858, Mr. Stevenson thought to try his fortunes again in America, and set sail on the "Royal Charter," being fourteen weeks on the voyage. During a part of that time the eight hundred passengers were put upon one-fourth rations. Our subject and his wife had three small children, who were almost starved on reaching Liverpool. They spent one week in that city, and then set sail for Quebec, Canada, where they boarded a train on the Grand Trunk Railroad and crossed into the United States. Mr. Stevenson made his way directly to Ohio, and after spending a short time in Columbus, came to Circleville, making the journey hither in a canoe. Purchasing a small farm of seventy-nine acres in Circleville Township, our subject was engaged successfully in its cultivation. He later added to his possessions, until he had two hundred acres of valuable land. He put his property under the best of cultivation, and erected a large barn which cost $1,200, and a residence valued at $3,500. Mr. Stevenson bought his present farm in 1880, and here PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 371 he has since made his home. The farm spoken of above is occupied by one of his sons. The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are Alexander, whose birth occurred in Australia, as did also that of Martha and Hamilton; Maggie, deceased; John, Jane, and Lizzie. Republican in politics, our subject takes an active part in local affairs, and is held in high esteem by the friends and neighbors. Mrs. Stevenson and four . of the children are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is the proprietor of four farms, aggregating the magnificent sum of six hundred and fifty-five acres. In addition to raising the cereals, devotes a great deal of attention to breeding horn cattle and draft horses. Mr. Stevenson is deservedly proud of his present high standing in the agricultural community, as he started out in life poor in pocket, and what he has is the direct result of his economy and good management. Miss Martha Stevenson, the eldest daughter of subject, is an artist of rare taste and ability, and has adorned the home with many excellent paintings. CAY R. GREEN. To those who have given the matter a thoughtful attention, it would almost seem that the two most important factors in the success which has attended those who are prominent in business circles have been early experiences on a farm and a limited education. Few of the practical men of this age have ever received classical training; the old adage, that it is necessity which makes successful men, is true in the closing years of the nineteenth century as it was hundreds of years ago. Among the number of influential business men whose experience has been as above stated, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch. He is a dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods at No 103 West Main Street, in Washington C. H., where he has been engaged as a clerk or in the business for fifteen years. As already indicated, he is the son of a farmer. He was born near Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, March 10, 1858, the son of Marcus and Sarah (Morris) Green. His paternal grandfather, Smith Green, emigrated to the United States from the Isle of Wight, of which his maternal grandfather, James Morris, was also a native. After gaining his education in the public schools near his home, and at Barlow Academy, our subject, in 1876, removed to Washington C.H., where for two years he worked at the lumber business. Later, he was for eleven years employed as clerk in the clothing establishment of Bing, Bruel & Co., and then embarked in business for himself, the firm name being Green, Tharp & Co. After the connection had continued one year, our subject purchased Mr. Tharp's interest, and for two years the establishment was conducted under the firm title of Green & Flee. February 1, 1892, Mr. Green bought out his partner's interest and is now managing the establishment alone. For excellence of location, his establishment is unsurpassed, and he carries a complete stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods. He is known as one of the leading business. men of the city, and his success is the result of his individual efforts. February 2, 1885, Mr. Green was united in marriage with Miss Hattie, daughter of George and Loraine Saxton, of Washington C. H., and they are the parents of one child, Minnie Frances. In his social affiliations, Mr. Green is a Knight of Pythias, and is noted no less for his public spirit than for his superior business attainments. JOHN P. BOWERS is a native of Madison County, born in the village of Unity, Canaan Township, August 12, 1820, and for more than half a century he has owned and occupied the same farm in Darby Township, situated four miles southwest of Plain City, and has developed it into a valuable piece of property. He is a son of Daniel Bowers, a native of New York, and one of the early settlers of Madison County, coming here in 1815. He was a miller by 372 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. trade, and repaired and put. in operation a mill on the Darby, known as the Sager Mill. He also did carpentering for a living, and was an important agent in the upbuilding of this region, until his untimely death in Darby Township, on the farm now owned by bur subject, deprived the county of a very useful citizen. He always took a keen. interest in politics, had Voted for Jefferson and Adam, and was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. He was a faithful Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Daniel Bowers, is thought to have been a native Of New York, and his last days were spent in Franklin County, this State. The mother of our subject was Diadama Phinney, and she was born and reared in Vermont. She was about eighteen years old when she came to Ohio with the Beach family. After the death of her first husband, Mr. Bowers, she married Sylus Converse, by whom she had one son, Sanford, now deceased. She had three children by her first marriage, namely: John P., Samuel W., and Sarah N., wife of Levi Hager, of Union County. The mother of oar subject lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five years. He of whom we write is the eldest child and son of his parents. He was reared to the life of a farmer in his native county. The first school that he attended was taught in a log house. He completed his education in the district schools. At the age of. nineteen, well fitted to cope with the struggles before him, he started out in life for himself, facing the world single-handed with good courage. He worked out by the day at anything that he could find to do to turn an honest penny, and was often engaged in chopping cordwood. After his marriage, in the fall of 1841, he immediately located on the land in Darby Township, which by down-right hard labor he has since transformed into a fruitful farm. He and his bride began housekeeping in a little log cabin. Since then, he has made many substantial improvements in the way of commodious buildings, and everything needful on a well-regulated farm. He has here one hundred acres of excellent farming land, which is under the best of cultivation. A man of good mental endowments and a ready tact in handling affairs, our subject has played no unimportant part in local politics, and in the official life of his township. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party of the State, at Columbus, in the Towns Street Methodist Church, in 1854, and ever since that time he has stood firmly by his party in all its triumphs and defeats. The first office that he held was that of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1842, and of which he was an incumbent about thirty years. He was Trustee of the township many years, and he was Assessor twenty years. He was real-estate Assessor two terms, was County Commissioner four and a half years, and has been School Director almost for a life-time. Socially, he is a member of Urania Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M., at Plain City; of the Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 193, A. F. & A. M.; of the Encampment of Odd Fellows No. 251; and of the Daughters of Rebecca Lodge, No. 132. Mrs. Bowers is also prominent in the membership of this lodge, and has been through all the chairs. She is also a member of the Eastern Star, and is one of its State officers, besides holding an office in Lorainne Chapter No. 1, O. E. S., of the State, and the Grand Chapter, and being a member of Lodge No. 119, W. R. C., at Plain City. Mr. Bowers is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star No. 9. He is a Methodist in his religious sentiments, and a liberal contributor to all good causes, having the interests of his native county deeply at heart. Mr. Bowers was first married, September 2,1841, in Darby Township, to Miss Ruhama Guy, who was born in Perry Township, Franklin County, near the Scioto River, September 2, 1819, and died about fifty years later, her death occurring September 6, 1871. She was the mother of eight children: Silphina, deceased; Betsy L., wife of James Pyers, of Holton, Ran.; Hannah B., deceased; Daniel E., a resident of Texas; Alwilda A., who died at the age of nineteen; Ruhama A., deceased; John P., deceased; and Adda May, wife of Leroy Turner, of Cleveland. Mr. Bowers was married a second time, November 17, 1872, Miss Alvira Newton becoming his wife. She, too, is a native of Madison County, born in Darby Township, November 9, 1839, a daughter PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 373 of Abner and Sarah (Sharp) Newton, who were early settlers of Darby Township, coming hither in 1815, and spending their remaining years here on a farm. The mother died in her seventy-fourth year. The father was killed while crossing a railway track in a buggy, in 1890. That worthy couple were the parents of three daughters, namely: Clarissa, wife of Charles P. Perkins; Mrs. Bowers, the next in order of birth; and the youngest, Eltha, wife of James F. Chapman, of Darby Township. ELAM A. BLAUGHER is engaged in general merchandising At Walnut Run, Madison County, where he has a good store and carries a stock valued at $3,000. He is well known to the general public and receives a liberal patronage, resulting from his courteous treatment and fair and honest dealing. Our subject was born in Paint Township, this county, March 4, 1840, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Mote) Blaugher. They removed to Kosciusko County, Ind., but after several years returned to Madison County. The father is still living in Huntington County, Ind., at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. Blaugher lost his mother when about seventeen years of age and then began earning his own livelihood, making his home with Amos Gragg, of Union Township. Prompted by patriotic impulses, he enlisted for the late war in 1862, as a member of Company B, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry, and re-mined at Camp Chase for some months, but was not mustered in. He then returned to Madison County, and in February, 1863, joined Company M, Tenth Ohio Cavalry. He was in the battles of Buzzard's Roost and Resaca, in the Atlanta Campaign, and marched with' Sherman to the sea. For six weeks he lay in the hospital in Nashville with lung fever. When the war was over, he was mustered out in Columbus, in May, 1865, and returned to Madison County. On the 28th of September following, Mr. Blaugher wedded Elizabeth Strain, who was born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, August 4, 1838, and is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Strain. Four children graced their union, but Alpheus died at the age of four years; Eddie Ulysses, born in Pulaski County, Ind., February 8, 1868, resides with his wife and one child in Newport; Minnie Florence was born April 13, 1870, and Ordie was born January 11, 1882. After renting a farm for one year, Mr. Blaugher removed to Pulaski County, Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land, engaging in its cultivation for two years. He then returned to his native township and engaged in various pursuits. He drove a peddler's wagon, gathering up country produce and selling a few goods. This probably led him to embark in merchandising and he opened a small store in Newport. He is doing a good business in this line and is a popular merchant. He also owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Paint Township, and his possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts. He cast his vote while in the army for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart Republican. He has frequently served as a delegate to the county and congressional conventions, and has filled the offices of Constable, Clerk and Treasurer, holding the last-named for about ten years. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army Post, and has attended the National Re-unions in Columbus. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows' society and is a Master Mason. Mr. Blaugher is well liked in this community and stands high in the esteem of all who know him. DAVID BRANDT WAGNER enjoys the distinction of having been engaged in the grocery business for a longer period than any other resident of Circleville. He conducts a flourishing wholesale and retail business, and has established an enviable reputation throughout Pickaway County as a reliable dealer, courteous gentleman and public-spirited citizen. He has occupied his present establishment since 1862, when he purchased and re-modeled the building 374 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and rented the upper floors as offices. The block is three stories above a basement and is furnished with a complete stock of groceries adapted to the wants of the people. In one room will be noticed a patent coffee roaster run by a gas engine, which also operates the Van Cleaf printing press; one room is rented and used as a dry-goods store. Mr. Wagner claims Ohio as his birthplace, having been born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, November 14, 1822. He traces his ancestry to Germany, whence his grandfather, Adam Wagner, emigrated to the United States and engaged in farming in Pennsylvania. Early in the nineteenth century, he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and afterward bought a tract of Government land in Hancock County, where his death occurred, when he was about four-score years of age. The father of our subject, Jacob Wagner, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., and in early manhood located in Greenfield Township, where he operated one hundred and sixty acres. In 1860, he removed to Hancock County, Ohio, where he improved a farm near Findlay, and spent his remaining years. He was a man of the utmost probity and was prominent in the Evangelical Association, with which he was identified for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Brandt, was .born in Pennsylvania and died in Hancock County at the age of eighty-six years. Her father, David Brandt, was a member of an old Pennsylvania family and served as a .soldier in the War of 1812. He followed the occupations of saddler and farmer, both in the Keystone State and in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he died when about seventy years old. The family of which our subject is a member consisted of eleven children, namely: David B., of this sketch; Catherine, who married Jacob Dresbach and resides in Missouri; Julia A., Mrs. Whisler, of Hancock County; Adam, a resident of Litchfield, Mich.; Mary, who is the wife of Christian Fogler, of Hancock County; Esther, who became the wife of Rev. C. M. Rhenholdt and died in Circleville; Jacob, of Findlay, Ohio; Samuel, who died in childhood; Caroline, Mrs. Dresbach, of Hancock County; John, who enlisted in 1862, as a member of an Ohio Regiment and died at a hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Daniel resides in Carey, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was about twelve years old when he accompanied the family to Perry Township, Fairfield County, and he early began to assist in the pioneer work of developing a farm. He attended school in a log house, where he studied the three "Rs" in the primitive text-books then in vogue. When twenty-two years old, he -bought his father's saw-mill and operated it until 1849, when he bought a farm in Pickaway Township, this county. The place consisted of one hundred and sixty acres and was advantageously located six miles southeast of Circleville. In 1854, Mr. Wagner discontinued his farming operations and, locating in Circleville, embarked in business under the firm name of Einsel, Wagner & Co. After carrying on operations in that way for four years, the firm name was changed to Wagner & Dresbach. In 1860, the business was sold out, and the firm commenced to operate as grocers, but after conducting the enterprise for one year, sold their stock, and our subject then engaged in business alone. He is known throughout this section of the State as one of the most reliable and energetic grocers of Circleville, and, undoubtedly, no other business man of the city has met with more unvarying success than he. January 19, 1845, Mr. Wagner and Miss Leah Dreisbach were united in marriage. Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of the Rev. John Dreisbach, of whom extended mention is made in the biography of M. E. Dreisbach. She was a lady of noble character and lovely disposition, and her death, which occurred March 23, 1891, was widely mourned. Three children had been born of the union, as follows: John, who resides near Frankfort, S, Dak.; Jacob, who died at Circleville, July 23, 1890; and Jennie, who was graduated at the new school at Circleville and finished her musical course at Naperville (Ill.) College; she married Dr. C. Naumann, a prominent physician of Circleville. Socially, Mr. Wagner is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. Prior to PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 377 1852, he was a Democrat, but since that year has been identified with the Republican party. He served as Justice of the Peace in Perry Township, and has also been an Assessor for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of the Evangelical Association, and at the time of the erection of their church, was chosen Chairman of the Building Committee. He has served for many years as a Trustee and has been Class-leader since 1869. He aided in organizing the Sunday-school in 1868, and has served efficiently as Superintendent for' twenty years. Not only has he contributed liberally of his time to the Sunday-school work, but he has also been generous with his means, having donated a splendid library to the school and in other ways promoted the welfare of the children. He is one of the most substantial and favorably-known citizens of Circleville, and occupies a prominent place in the regard of the people among whom he has lived for many years. MRS. JANE (CREIGHTON) HEDGES, widow of Cyrus Hedges, and affectionately known in. the community where so many years of her life have been passed as"Aunt Jane Hedges," is a daughter of one of the first settlers of Pickaway County, and is one of the few left within its precincts who were born in its early pioneer homes. It is with pleasure therefore that we present her portrait and the following sketch of her life: She was born in Harrison Township, May 22, 1808. Her parents, Hugh and Nancy (Hunter) Creighton, were natives of Ireland. Her father's birthplace was in County Tyrone, and he was nineteen years old when he looked his last on the familiar scenes of his boyhood and set forth for America to found a new home. For a time, Mr. Creighton resided in Pennsylvania, but a short time previous to the birth of the daughter of whom we write he came to Ohio with his family, and at first located in Harrison Township. When she was a small girl, he removed to Walnut Township, and from that time 18 until his death was closely identified with its interests. He and his wife and children took up their abode in the woods in a log cabin, where he industriously labored to develop the farm now occupied by Mrs. Gerhart and her family. He was a well-educated man, and had been a teacher and surveyor. In religious work, he was active as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was the first Sunday-school teacher in the community. A very skillful. mechanic, he could turn his hand to anything, and his talent in that line was very helpful to him as a farmer. Both he and his wife, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, led good Christian lives, and were very highly thought of by all the people around them. Both lived to be old, his death occurring at the age of eighty-five and hers at the age of eighty-seven. They were the parents of seven children, of whom these three survive: our subject, Samuel, and the Rev. Joseph Creighton. Aunt Jane Hedges was reared amid pioneer scenes and in her girlhood experienced all the hardships and privations incidental to pioneer life. She went to school in a log cabin that was furnished with slab seats, a board on pegs driven into the wall between the logs serving as a writing desk, and greased paper taking the place of glass in the openings for windows, She was carefully trained in the various household duties that occupied the time of housewives of that day, blossomed into a wholesome, capable womanhood, and was fully equal to presiding over a home when she gave her hand and heart in marriage to Cyrus Hedges in November, 1825. Although she was but seventeen years old when that important event in her life occurred, she bravely shouldered her share of the labors necessary in the development of a new farm and the upbuilding of a dwelling-place, and well might her husband have attributed to her zealous assistance no mean share of the prosperity that followed their united toil. She was likewise active in promoting the religious growth of the community as a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which she has been identified since she joined it at the age of sixteen years, her husband also being prominent in its upbuilding, as the donor of the 378 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD land upon which: the first Methodist Church of Walnut Township was erected. By her marriage she is the mother of two children, Cynthia L. and Ann B., the latter the wife of Albert K. Smith, who conducts the home farm. Cyrus Hedges was born in Berkeley County, Va., March 29, 1799, a son of Joshua and Mary Hedges. When he was about four years old, his parents came from Virginia to Pickaway County and settled among the early pioneers of Walnut Township on the very farm now occupied by Mrs. Hedges, nearly ninety years later. Their home was a log cabin in the woods, where they were often disturbed by the -howls of the wolves at night, and deer and wild turkeys were numerous, as well as other game. There were but very few settlers in the region at that time, and they saw the country almost in its virgin wildness. Mr. Hedges acquired his education in the rude log schoolhouse typical of pioneer times, which did not afford him many advantages, so that he had to depend mostly on his own resources for his learning. He read what books and papers he could get hold of, and became very well informed; he also had a natural talent for music, which he cultivated to some extent. He did well as a farmer and left a valuable estate of four hundred acres of as fine land as can be found throughout the length and breadth of Walnut Township. In early life he was a Democrat, but was in full sympathy with the doctrines of the Republican party and joined its ranks after its organization. He was a man of good parts, with a mind evenly balanced, was possessed of excellent business habits, and his character was without a stain. A kind and loving husband and father, a friendly and obliging neighbor, and a citizen who had the interests of the township and county at heart, he was greatly missed when death closed his life, March 26, 1866. He left a great vacancy in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was an earnest working member for many years. Albert K. Smith, sun-in-law of our subject, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., September 4, 1829, and is a son of Peter and Delia A. (Johnson) Smith, who were natives respectively of St. Lawrence and Oneida Counties, N. Y. His grandfather, Peter Smith, was in the English army that was sent to America to fight against the Colonists during the Revolution. After he arrived, becoming convinced that the cause of the Colonists was just, he, with several others, deserted the British standard and, joining the Continental army, did good service 'in helping his new friends to obtain their freedom, remaining faithful to the Colonists throughout the Revolution. Albert Smith was reared on a farm in his native county and obtained his education in the common schools. He came to Pickaway County in the year 1866, and has since resided in this county. In 1846, he began to learn the trade of a machinist, at which he became an expert, and was profitably engaged at that calling for about a quarter of a century. During the Civil War, he was employed in a branch of the celebrated Remington Armory, then located at Utica, N. Y., his business being to keep gun machinery in repair. He now has charge of his mother-in-law's farm, and shows himself to be a capable farmer. In politics, he is a true Republican, and a prominent citizen of Walnut Township. JAMES H. VALENTINE. Personal popularity, it cannot be denied, results largely from industry, perseverance and the close attention to business which a person displays in the management of any particular branch of trade; and in the ease of Mr. Valentine this is certainly true, for he has adhered so closely to farming, and helped in so many ways to advance all worthy enterprises in this community, that although young in years, he is classed among the representative men of the county. He was born in Circleville, Ohio, where his birth occurred on the 12th of October, 1853, and is a son of Israel and Caroline (Stout) Valentine, both natives of Maryland. The mother is now deceased, but the father is living and makes his home in Circleville, Ohio. He is now seventy-three years of age but is comparatively strong and active. He has followed agricultural pursuits all PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 379 life and is well known as a successful tiller of soil. The original of this notice was reared to maturity in Pickaway County, Ohio, and assisted his father in work on the farm until he started out in life for himself. He very naturally preferred the occupation to which he had been reared, rather to branch out into something altogether for, and in agricultural pursuits he has continued to the present time. That he has been successful can not be questioned for a moment, when a glance is cast over his broad acres. Careful and painstaking in the cultivation of his land, and thorough in everything connected with its management, it is, perhaps, not to be wondered at that he is meeting with success. He divided his time in youth between attending the district school and working on the farm, and is well informed on the general topics of the day. His marriage occurred February 12,1880, at which time Miss Priscilla Cromley became his wife. This union has resulted in the birth of two children: William, born November 24, 1880, and James L., born March 20, 1884. In 1881, Mr. Valentine settled on his present farm in Harrison Township, this county, and is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Everything about the place is kept in good condition, all necessary buildings forming a prominent feature of the improvements. Mr. Valentine is a loyal Democrat through and through. He and Mrs. Valentine are members of the Lutheran Church. THOMAS R. ROBISON. Robison is a name that has been familiarly known in Pickaway County since the early years of its settle-John R. Robison, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this biographical review, was one of its distinguished pioneers, and the son of whom we write holds a prominent position among its leading farmers and stockmen to-day. He is one of the oldest residents of Monroe Township as regards the time of his coming here, which was sixty-four years ago. He is a man of wide experience in transactions connected with farming and is one of the best of financiers. Mr. Robison was born in Clarke County, March 8, 1823. His father is supposed to have been a native of Georgia, while his mother, who bore the name of Mary Edmiston, was born in Tennessee. The elder Mr. Robison was reared on a farm, and when a young man came to Ohio to seek his fortune in the virgin wilderness. he at first took up his abode in Madison County, but he soon removed to Clarke County, where he married. He only lived there a short time, however, when he came to Madison County and cast in his lot with its pioneers. He was poor at that time, his father and mother having died when he was young and left the family in his care, so that he worked out by the day for a time after coming here. He was shrewd, far-sighted, and a capable business man, and he did so well in his undertakings that he became one of the wealthy men of the township. At one time, he owned five hundred acres of choice land in this and Madison Counties, and he farmed extensively. He was widely known, and was prominent in public life as Justice of the Peace, which office he held twenty-four years. He tried many cases, and so wise and just were his decisions he. never had one reversed by a higher court. He was a Democrat until Jackson vetoed the United States Bank Bill, and he then became a Whig, when he naturally gravitated to the Republican party. 'In his religious affiliations, he was connected with the Christian Church as one of its most consistent members. In ).882, his long and honored life was brought to a peaceful close by his death. His wife, who died at the age of fifty-seven years, was also a member of the Christian Church: They were the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity and married; two are deceased: James W. and Mary D. The others are Elizabeth, John S., David E., Thomas R., Samuel S., Rachel, and Joseph H. Our subject was only five years old when the family came to this place and made their home in a log cabin in the woods. He was reared under pioneer influences, arid can remember well when this part of the country was scarcely more than an 380 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD., unbroken wilderness, there being but one house between the humble pioneer dwelling of his parents and Five Points, four miles distant. He has seen as many as fourteen deer in a drove on this farm, and hundreds of wild turkeys, of which he has killed many, besides shooting an occasional deer. He was educated in the primitive pioneer schools of early times, which were conducted on the subscription plan, and were held in log houses that were heated by means of a fireplace, and were furnished with rude slab benches that were held up by wooden pins. His schooling was confined to the winter seasons, as at other times he was obliged to work on the farm as soon as he was large enough to make himself useful. He began life on his own account at the age of twenty-one, living in the parental home until his marriage, cultivating the soil and raising and fattening cattle for the markets in partnership with his father and brothers. Our subject was married March 22, 1849, to Miss Ellen Sawyer, who was born in Fayette County, February 8, 1829. The fruit of their marriage is nine children, of whom seven are living: Mary E., William H., Alice, Thomas C., Albert L., Maggie, and Henry F. John F. and George are the names of the ones that died. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Robison kept house for his father one year, and in 1850, settled on this farm, of which but little had then been cleared, an old log cabin and a log stable being the only evidences of improvement. Of their children the following are married: Mary E. married John T. Walters, and lives in Madison County; they have eight children; John F. married Hester Willoughby, and at his death, May 9,1892, left four children; William H. married Clara Dennis, and' they live in Monroe Township, and have five children; Alice married Henry Hosier, and they have two children. The other children are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have six great-grandchildren. When he started out for himself, Mr. Robison had but little means, a team of horses being his only property, but he had health, strength, ambition to succeed, and the natural talents to do so, together with an amiable, helpful wife to assist him in the upbuilding of a home. He worked hard to put his land under good cultivation, became prosperous, and now has a landed estate of over six hundred acres of finely improved land, of which two hundred and twenty-five acres are in Madison County, and the remainder in this township. He has engaged in mixed farming, and besides raising large quantities of corn, wheat and oats, has raised a great deal of stock, from which he has made the most of his money. He has fifty head of cattle now besides other stock.. One year he lost one hundred and fifty hogs from cholera; He farms a part of his land with the assistance of his sons at home, but his other sons manage the most of it. Our subject and his wife are Methodists in religion, having been members of the church for many years, and they truly live up to their faith in all that concerns their daily life and their relations with others. In polities, he is a true Republican, and during the war he rendered valuable assistance to the Government by using his time and influence in securing recruits for the army. He has been Trustee of the township eight times, and in 1860 was Assessor. HARNESS RENICK. No family has been more prominently identified with the history of the Scioto Valley than that of which our subject was a member. He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, September 29, 1810, and was a son of George Renick. His father, with two brothers, Felix and William, emigrated from Hardy County, Va., to Ohio almost a century ago, and were among the most sturdy farmers and pioneers of this locality, who have done so much for the upbuilding and advancement of the State. They were men of sterling worth, who believed in law and order and in the power of public officials They were possessed of large estates but claimed no superiority on this account. Their lives were commendable examples of industry and frugality. Their sons and daughters were instructed in every branch of rural industry and were required to aid in all the labor of the farm and household. They were proud of their calling and the honored, up. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 381 right lives of the Renick brothers exerted an influence which has not ceased to have its effect upon the community. Further mention is made of the father of our subject in the sketch of William Renick on another page of this work. Harness was the last surviving son of the brothers, and his noble life of four-score years was like those of his brothers in its virtue and enterprising public spirit. He was reared as a farmer lad and acquired his education in the public schools. He was married in La Fayette, Ind., October 18,1836, to Miss Elizabeth S. Seymour, who was born near Moorefield, Hardy County, Va., as was her father, Garrett Seymour. The grandfather, Abel Seymour, was a Virginian farmer and belonged to the first families of Virginia. Her father enlisted in the War of 1812. In 1836, he emigrated Westward, and after six months spent in Ohio, removed to LaFayette, Ind., where he engaged in farming for a few years. He then retired and came to Bainbridge with his son, R. Seymour, at whose home he died. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah McNeil. Mrs. Renick was the youngest daughter and fourth child in the family of six children who grew to mature years. After their marriage, our subject and his wife located upon a farm in Muhlenburg Township, Pickaway County, and began house-keeping in a log cabin. This was afterward replaced by a comfortable frame residence, which continued to be their home until 1856, when they removed to Circleville, where Mr. Renick resided until his death. His father and his uncles were the pioneers in the great business of breeding and grading cattle in this locality and our subject was the last survivor of the shareholders of that company. He continued in that business until Isis death. For many years he was among the most conspicuous of American breeders of registered Short-horns. In 1855, he had a large sale on his fine estate on Darby Creek. The stock were driven from the pastures into the sale yard without any preparation, very few of the cattle having been sheltered even in winter; however, they would compare with any herd in any country, and for hardness of constitution could hardly be Surpassed. About 1840, Mr. Renick joined the Presbyterian Church of Genoa and after his removal to Circleville joined the Old-school Presbyterians. He was a man of profound convictions and had the greatest contempt for a mean thing. His life was characterized by charity and benevolence.. The poor and needy found in him a true friend, yet there was no of ostentation about his giving. He did not let his left hand know the good deeds of his right. If in reading the religious papers he saw an appeal for help for some poor missionary or needy institution, he would meet it with a ready response. He was very fond of the study of nature, and for nearly forty years he had a meteorological record, which had commanded the attention of the department at Washington, D. C. He also kept a diary, in which he recorded all important events as they occurred. He was a clear, forcible and ready writer and contributed many interesting articles to leading papers con subjects with which he was well acquainted, such as agriculture, stock-raising, forestry, in which he took great interest, and on scientific subjects. Mr. Renick was a man of taste and skill and his home abounded with beautiful specimens of his handiwork. He was a great Bible student and spent much of his time in the study of the Holy Scriptures, which he believed revealed the will of God and the plan of salvation. He passed away January 2, 1891. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." HON. ACE GREGG, ex-Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Third Sub-division of the Fifth Judicial District, comprising Ross, Highland and Fayette Counties, was born on Rattlesnake Creek, Jefferson Township, Fayette County, October 4, 1845, and was a son of John F. and Mary (Liggett) Gregg. The father was one of the early settlers in this locality, having come here at the time of his marriage, one-half century ago. He was a native of Clermont County, this State, and was a farmer by occupation, departing this life at the old homestead, in November, 1890. 382 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. The children included in the parental family were our _Subject; Nye, the present County Prosecutor; Polk, an attorney at Jeffersonville; Mary and May, the latter of whom is the wife of William R. Plyly, of Ross County, this State. The parents of our subject were members of the Universalist Church of Jeffersonville, and were active contributors toward its support. Ace Gregg, of this sketch, received his early education in the country schools of his district, which was later supplemented by attendance at the Normal School at Lebanon. After completing his studies, he taught school for a time, and then returning home, took a course in the business college and subsequently went into the office of M. J. Williams, the present Supreme. Justice of the Supreme Bench, to study law. Mr. Gregg, in 1871, was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, with the degree of LL. B., and, locating in Washington C. H., formed a partnership with A. R. Creamer, which connection lasted until he was elected to the bench. These gentlemen bad known each other from boyhood, having gone through college together, and were connected in business for ten years, when one was elected Judge, and the other to the State Senate. Judge Gregg acted as County Prosecutor for three successive terms, from 1872 to 1878, and following that, was elected to the Bench in 1880, for a term of five years, fulfilling the duties of that office with satisfaction to the people and honor to himself. He would undoubtedly have served on the Bench for many more years, had there not been a special law under which he was elected, and which law expired with his term. In 1885, he began the practice of his profession, being one of the prominent members of the Bar in this county, and having a large practice. Judge Gregg was one of the charter members of the Fayette County Fair Company, of which association, he has held all the different positions, and he devotes a great deal of attention to the interests of the same. Politically, our subject is a Republican, and is Chairman of the Republican Central and Executive Committees. He owns two good farms in Paint Township, Fayette County, the operations of which he superintends himself. The estates are well stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and hogs, in which branch of agriculture Judge Gregg reaps a handsome income. Amelia J., daughter of Reuben and Matilda Jones, became the wife of our subject November 27, 1871. In social matters the Judge is a member of the Odd Fellows' Encampment, and also the Knights of Pythias, of which he was at one time a member of the Uniform Rank. He has been a delegate to the different judicial and congressional, and State conventions, and, all in all, is ranked among the most prominent and wealthy citizens of Fayette County. JOHN W. MARCHANT. This highly-respected resident of Jasper Township, Fayette County, is at present residing on a beautiful farm. He is the son of William Marchant, who was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., June 13, 1800, and was a son of Abraham and Sarah (Bull) Marchant, the mother a native of Wales. The latter couple were married in the Old Dominion and emigrated to this State in 1814, making their first home in Highland County, where the father passed away. The mother removed to Illinois, where she died. William Marchant was reared on the home farm, prosecuting the duties thereon until sixteen years of age, when he went to Greenfield, to learn the trade of a blacksmith. In 1821, he opened a shop for himself in Good Hope, Wayne Township, being the pioneer blacksmith in that locality. He soon moved upon a small farm in the same township, and later purchased a tract of land in Perry Township, where he continued to make his home for six years. Later he removed to the place which is the present residence of his widow, and where his decease occurred, December 27, 1878. The parents of our subject were married May 18, 1822, the mother's maiden name being Elizabeth Smith. She was the daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Wilson) Smith, natives of West Virginia, where their marriage was celebrated, and where they resided until, removing to Ohio in 1804, PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 383 They located upon the banks of a river then called White, Woman, at a time when the Indians were very troublesome indeed, so much so that they returned to West Virginia. In 1806, Mr. and Mrs. Smith again came to the Buckeye State, and for six, years made their home in Fairfield County. In 1812, they came to Fayette County, settling upon a wild tract of land in Wayne Township, and after a short time removed to an improved farm one mile north of Good Hope, where they made their permanent home. Mr. Smith was an extensive landholder and departed this life March 3, 1853, when in his seventy-third year; his, good wife survived him a number of years, dying March 3, 1870, aged eighty seven. They were the. parents of a large family of ten children, only three of whom are living. Mrs. William Marchant was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., September 16, 1805. She attended the subscription schools of her district, where she acquired a good fund of general knowledge. By her marriage with her subject's father, ten children were born, three of whom are deceased. Two sons, Abraham and Nahum, served in the Second California Cavalry during the late Civil War, the latter being mustered out at San Francisco after a service of three years. Abraham died while in the army, December 2, 1861, and his remains he buried in Lone Mountain Cemetery, in California. Mr. and Mrs. Marchant were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been connected with that denomination for sixty years, Mr. Marchant at different times holding the positions of Trustee, Steward and Class-leader. He was very liberal in contributing to the support of the same, and was regarded by 'all who knew him as an upright and moral gentleman. He was successful as a farmer and blacksmith, his persistent industry being rewarded in a most substantial man. Mrs. Marchant has forty-seven grandchildren and ninety-seven great-grandchildren. She one son, one grandson, one brother and four nephews during the Civil War. May 16, 1889, she fell and fractured her right hip, and has been confined to her bed ever since. The original of this sketch was the third child of the parental family, his birth occurring in Perry Township, Fayette County, July 1, 1827. He, like many of the sons of pioneers, attended the subscription school held in the old log schoolhouse, with slab seats and greased paper for windows. He was a very bright and apt pupil, and supplemented the meagre knowledge gained therein by wise reading in later years. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until reaching his twentieth year, when he embarked on the sea of life on his own responsibility. August 16, 1846, he of whom we write was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Brakefield, natives of Berkeley County, W. Va., where they were married and whence they came to Ohio in 1822, and located on a wild tract of land in Perry Township. This Mr. Brakefield improved and resided upon until his death, which was caused by a tree falling upon him about 1856; the mother passed away in 1874. To them was born a large family of ten children, of whom Mrs. Marchant was the fifth. Her birth occurred February 3, 1831, in Fayette County, and as she was in very poor health when young, she received, but a limited education. After his marriage, our subject located upon a farm in Jasper Township, and in 1859 removed to what is his present home, and which was then little more than a wilderness. Eight of their ten children who are living are named respectively: Robert W., Sarah E., Trustin John, Mary Ellen, Eliza Alice, Ida May, Grant and Sherman. The eldest son has four children by his marriage with Sarah J. Coffman, and resides in Jasper Township; Sarah E. became the wife of John Allen, has one child, and also makes her home in this township; Trustin John married Augusta B. Thompson, and lives in Iowa; they have seven children; Mary Ellen married Charles Shonk, has two children, and resides in Chicago; Eliza Alice became Mrs. Charles E. Ford, is the mother of three children and makes her home in Shelby County, Ill.; Ida May lives at home; Grant is a physician and took for his wife Mary Ellen Latham, by whom he has one child; Sherman married Mary A. White, has one child and lives in this township. They have all been given good educations, the Doctor being a graduate of the Columbus Medi- 384 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. cal College and the Bellevue College in New York City. John W. Marchant has been the owner of a magnificent tract of twelve hundred acres, eight hundred of which he has divided among his children. He carries on general farming, which industry he has always followed, and keeps upon his place good grades of stock. With his wife, he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body they are liberal and influential contributors. In his political belief, he is a strong Republican, and has served his district as a member of the School Board for a number of years. Mr. Marchant furnished three substitutes during the late war. He was one of the "Squirrel Hunters" and was First Lieutenant in the militia during the Morgan raid. He has been Trustee of Jasper Township for many years, also serving in the capacity of Supervisor. While out with the, "Squirrel Hunters," his company burned the bridge at Chillicothe, when the Scioto River was only one and one-half feet deep. Our subject has aided very materially in the upbuilding of this section, and was one of the incorporators of the Dayton & Southeastern Railroad, now known as the Dayton & Ironton Railroad. JOHN M. LUCAS. No more highly respected and esteemed citizen lives in Madison County than the, one of whom we now write, and who is engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser in Stokes Township. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, February 18,1823, and is the son of Thomas and Lydia (Mock) Lucas, natives respectively of Warren County, Ohio, and North Carolina, the father being born October 18, 1799, and the mother November 17, 1801. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Caleb Lucas, came in an early day to Warren County, Ohio, where his son Thomas grew to mature years. The latter gentleman was married October 4, 1821, and when our subject was a lad of six years moved to Indiana and located about nine miles from Indianapolis on the National Road. Four years later, the parents returned to Ohio, and located in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, where Mr. Lucas purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, the greater portion of which he cleared and cultivated. Our subject is what may be properly termed a self-made man, as he was enabled to attend school but six months. The schools in the neighborhood were conducted on the subscription plan, and as his parents were in limited circumstances, it was impossible for him to enjoy even their meagre advantages. October 23, 1843, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Killgore, who was born in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, August 19, 1824. She was the daughter of John C. and Jane (Hutson) Killgore, also natives of Ohio; her father met his death by a stroke of lightning July 11, 1842, and her mother departed this life in 1873. After his marriage, Mr. Lucas contracted to clear forty acres of land for the use of the property for five years. After clearing about thirty-five acres, he sold the lease and purchased one hundred and ten acres in Jefferson Township, where he made his home for the following ten years. he then sold the land which he had purchased for $6 an acre for $40 an acre, and next bought one hundred and fifty acres, which is his present home, and which his enterprise and thrift have placed in excellent condition. Mr. Lucas has expended over $1,200 in tiling his estate, and has further embellished it by a substantial set of buildings necessary for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. He of whom we write is the eldest in a family of eight children, three of whom are still living. By his marriage with Miss Killgore have been born ten children, viz, Isadore, now Mrs. Thomas S. Cooper; Paris, who died when six years of age; Mary C., Mrs. William O Shaughnessy, departed this life in October, 1882, her husband dying a few years later; their son Louis makes his home with our subject. Hezekiah married Miss McHenry, and is the father of two children; William married Miss McHenry, and has five children; Alice became the wife of James M. Boyer; Ann PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 387 married John W. Sheeley and died January 3, 1885; Sophronia, who became the wife of Zeno Thomas, passed to the land beyond October 3, 1889; Willis married Miss Fent, and has three children, and Douglas married Miss Snodgrass and has one child. In his political relations, Mr. Lucas is a Democrat, as were his ancestors on both sides, as far as is known. In an early day, Grandfather Caleb Lucas, in company with two brothers, cast the only votes in their township for Andrew Jackson. He of whom we write has been Township Trustee, Clerk, Treasurer, and was elected County Commissioner two terms, declining to serve, however, the second term until 1879, when he was prevailed upon to again accept the office. He occupied the position of justice of the Peace of Jefferson Township, Fayette County, for one term, and when elected County Commissioner was serving in that capacity in Stokes Township, Madison County. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows, and has ever taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. WILLIAM SNIDER. Throughout Southern Ohio, few names are better or more widely known than that of the venerable gentleman whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. Although not a native of Fayette County, almost his entire life has been passed in its midst, and he occupies a prominent position among the citizens of Washington Court House. With deep interest, he has witnessed the development of this city from a mere hamlet, almost unknown outside the county, to a city of commercial standing among other important places of Ohio. Through his unwearied exertions, he has contributed to the prosperity of the community, and now in his old age lives in tranquil enjoyment of the comforts the labor of former years has accumulated. The father of our subject, Jacob Snider, was born in Loudoun County, Va., where he was married to Mary Caylor, of whose family but little is known, excepting that her two brothers removed many years ago from Virginia to Ohio, and here died. About 1805, Jacob Snider and his wife, accompanied by their only child, started from the Old Dominion to Ohio, and en route hither stopped at Redstone, Pa., where our subject was born, March 29, 1805. A few weeks later, they concluded their journey to the Buckeye State, where they settled in Ross County, not far from Frankfort. Two brothers of Mr. Snyder, Henry and William, accompanied him to this State. Four years after locating in Ross County, Mr. Snider, Sr.,sold his property there and removed to Fayette County, where he bought one hundred and fifty acres four miles south of Washington Court House. The land was in the midst of dense woods and was in the primeval condition of nature, settlers being few and far distant. The only neighbors of this pioneer family were his two brothers, and John King and William Rust. The succeeding years, however, witnessed a decided transformation in the aspect of affairs, and at the time of the death of Mr. Snyder, in 1865, the country was well settled and improved. Two of the six children of the parental family are still living, our subject and his sister Sarah, who is now the widow of William H. Boggs and lives in Kansas. The father was a Whig in his early days and afterward a Republican, and in his youth he served in the War of 1812. For a number of years, he held the office of Commissioner of Fayette County, but was not anxious for official position, preferring the quietude of domestic life. During the early part of this century, the schools were meagerly equipped in the line of drill and curriculum, and the education of our subject has been largely obtained by experience and observation. At the age of twenty-five, he married Margaret, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth Hopkins, early settlers of Fayette County who came here from Kentucky about the year 1815. After marriage, our subject bought a farm on Paint Creek, consisting of about one hundred and forty acres. The land was partly cleared, and upon it he resided for about forty years. He followed the calling of a drover for some fifty-five years, carrying on an extensive business and transporting great numbers of cattle across the mountains. He 388 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. made many trips to New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and continued thus engaged until the railroads were built, when he transferred his business to them and' shipped the first steers that ever went by railroad from Cumberland, Md., to Baltimore. He is considered a very old pioneer in the stock business, and even up to the present is still shipping stock. His old-time herds were one thousand sheep in a drove, one hundred stock cattle in a drove and from five hundred to eight hundred hogs in a drove. He also did business in Richmond, Va., retailing cattle and hogs to the farmers along the James River. Four of the six children of our subject are still living, namely: Hugh; Sarah, who married Mr. Davis, is now a widow in Missouri; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Mr. Taylor, lives in Kansas, and Henry A., who was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, now lives at the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, and has a family of five children. The political convictions of Mr. Snyder have made him for many years a stanch member of the Republican party. He has been a very busy man during all his lifetime and is the oldest drover now living wino has carried on business in this part of the country. In December, 1883, he was bereaved by the death of his wife, who was an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist Church and a lady of noble character, whose husband and children were ever uppermost in her affection and care. ALBERT J. GRIGSBY. Among the prominent and influential citizens of Pickaway Li County, Ohio, we take pleasure in introducing to our readers Mr. Albert J. Grigsby, ex-Auditor of the county, whose measures and tactics adopted in a public capacity were so satisfactory, not only to his constituents, but to the people at large whom he represented, that he held the above mentioned position for seven years. Mr. Grigsby was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, September 24, 1853, and is a son of E. L. and Nancy (Cummings) Grigsby, natives of Loudoun County, Va. The grandfather, Lewis Grigsby, was also a native of Virginia and a successful planter of Loudoun County, that State. At an early date, about 1830, he came to the Buckeye State, and located in Zanesville, where he passed the closing scenes of his life. He was of an old English family. His son, the father of our subject, after reaching man's estate, engaged in flatboating flour and produce down the Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, and continued this for a number of years. He finally drifted into the notion business, and had a large store in Zanesville which he carried on for a number of years. After this, he engaged in the wholesale manufacture of cigars. He was elected Mayor of Zanesville, served in a very efficient and capable manner for two terms, and then retired to devote his time and attention to the cigar business. He• still lives in Zanesville, retired from business. In politics, he affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife died in 1888, when sixty-seven years of age. She was the daughter of John Cummings, who was a farmer near Zanesville. She was a member of the Methodist Church and took an interest in all religious matters. Four of the six children born to this worthy couple are now living. The subject of this sketch, who was the youngest of the above-mentioned children, attended the High Schools of Zanesville, and completed his course in 1870, when seventeen years of age. He started out on the road with notions and cigars, and traveled through Perry, Morgan and Guernsey, Logan and Coshocton Counties. He continued this business for some time, and in 1871 was employed in the water-works office, his father being Secretary of the water-works and interested in building the new works. Our subject was his assistant and clerk until 1875, when politics changed the office-holders, and he then came to Circleville and began the study of law under Abernathy & Grigsby. After reading law for some time, he turned his attention to real estate, but was soon appointed to assist the Deputy Clerk when Mr. R C. Peebles died. Mr. F. E. Dyas was appointed Clerk, and our subject Deputy Clerk of Courts in November, 1878. Later, he held the same position under P. W. Brown until November, 1881, when PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 389 he was elected County Auditor on the Democratic ticket. He is a typical man of his locality, advanced in line of thought, progressive and enterprising, and a worthy man for almost any position. He was re-elected in 1881 and in 1884, and in November, 1887, was appointed by the County Commissioners, owing to a change in the law, and nerved until September 10, 1888. He has held that position longer than any other man in the county. During his term of office he built six new turnpikes. In 1888 he again studied law with his brother, S. L. Grigsby, and in 1890, after the death of Mr. McGregor, he was appointed Assistant Clerk in the House of Representatives to serve the balance of the year. He also held this position la 1891, in the Sixty-ninth General Assembly. Since then he has been engaged in the real-estate business with Mr. C. W. Murphy. Mr. Grigsby was married in Circleville, in 1879, to Miss Mary Schwarz, a native of this city, and the daughter of W. C. Schwarz. They have three interesting children: Lloyd A., Harry and George W. Socially, Mr. Grigsby is a member of Masonic fraternity, and is a Knight Templar this order; is also a member of the Elks, and the Knights of Honor, Mystic Circle. In his political preference, he is a Democrat; is Secretary of e Democratic Executive Committee, and President at of the Pickaway Democratic Club. DAVID McCUNE,. We are pleased to here present the life narrative of one of the highly esteemed residents of Plain City, who has now retired from the active duties of farm life, and is spending his later years in tranquillity, enjoying the esteem and respect which are so justly his as the reward of a well-spent life. He was born in Darby Township, Madison County, August 20, 1824, and is a son of John McCune, a Kentuckian by birth, who, after spending his youth in his native State, came to Ohio at a very early day. He was a prominent man in his community, and for many years was Class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was highly esteemed for his worth and intelligence and deeply mourned when called from earth at the age of forty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Hager, was a native of Vermont, her birthplace being near Brattleboro, that State. She lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-one years.. The family into which our subject was born consisted of three sons and two daughters, and all of these grew to become men and women, but at this date our subject and his brother, Dr. J. E. McCune, are the only survivors. The first school which young David attended was in a little log schoolhouse where Plain City now stands, and his last years in the schoolroom were spent in Jerome Township, Ingham County. It was in this county that his father died, and the young man remained with his mother until his marriage; which took. place June 17, 1847. His bride, Harriet Kent, was a native of Jerome Township, and the eldest child of Daniel and Polly (Allen) Kent, early settlers in Union County. After marriage, this young couple settled on Sugar Run, in Jerome Township, and there engaged in a general farming business, remaining there until 1874, when they removed to Plain City, at the time that Mr. McCune retired from the activities of life. Their home has never been blessed with children. Our subject and his brother together own fully four hundred acres of well-improved land in Jerome Township, Union County, most of which was placed under cultivation by themselves. They still supervise the work of the farm, which is attended to by a faithful and capable man whom they have hired to carry it on. David McCune is an earnest Republican in his political views and stands well not only with the men of his party but with all who were for so many years his neighbors. He was Trustee of the Township for one year and has also served as School Director and Supervisor of Roads. In religious matters; he is connected with the Methodist pis-copal Church and for many years has been active in the work of that body. He has ever taken an active interest in the business affairs of Plain City, and is one of the heaviest stockholders in the Farmers' Bank. He and his brother own much property 390 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in the city and have been liberal helpers in making the town what it is. They were instrumental in building many miles of gravel road and have shown themselves public-spirited in every way. The war record of Mr. McCune is one of the most interesting portions of his history. In 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, and upon returning from his four months' term of service, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, becoming a member of Company K. His regiment was stationed for some time in forts on the Potomac River, and he was at the hotel at Alexandria soon. after Col. Ellsworth was shot. Later the company was stationed as a part of the guard at the seat of Government. His honorable discharge was received at Camp Chase, after which he returned home to resume the avocations of peace. JOHN W. FARINGER. The Merchants' & Farmers' Bank was organized in Washington C. H. under that name, and its first certificate issued November 1, 1872. At the time of organization, its capital was $100,000, of which $50,000 was paid up, and the bank afterward conducted extensive financial transactions with that capital and a contingent fund of $40,000. The stockholders' liabilities were over $1,000,000, and each individual stockholder was liable. The first President was M. Pavey and the first Cashier, M. Sharp; while the officers at the close of its career were. M. Pavey, President, and J. W. Faringer, Cashier. Its affairs are now being wound up by the Midland National Bank. The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Montgomery County, February 27, 1832. His parents, Philip and Sarah (Singlewood) Faringer, were born in Montgomery County, Pa., and the father was an active and prominent business man of Philadelphia during the early years of this century. When his son, our subject, was Still quite young, he removed to Ohio and made settlement in Pike County, where the remaining years of his useful life were passed. In the excellent schools of Philadelphia our subject gained the rudiments of his education, which he later carried on in the common schools of Pike County. He was compelled to cease his studies and engage in business for himself, but feeling dissatisfied with his mental acquirements, he studied under a private teacher, and through experience and observation, together with an extensive and well-selected course of reading, has become a man of broad knowledge and information, with whom it is a pleasure to meet and converse. The first occupation in which Mr. Faringer engaged was as a dry-goods merchant in Pike County, and afterward he carried on the same business in Kentucky and Iowa, remaining in the last-named State for two years. He finally located in Philadelphia, where he was a salesman. At the time of his father's final sickness he was called home, and for two years following engaged in merchandising in Waverly, Ohio. During the ensuing seven years, he turned his attention to a somewhat different line of work, and, entering the employ of the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville Railroad, was for three years Ticket and Freight Agent at Lancaster, Ohio, and for four years was general utility man. The first connection of Mr. Faringer with the banking business was in 1867, when he became Cashier of the Hocking Valley National Bank at Lancaster, retaining that important and responsible position for fourteen years, until the time of his coming to Washington C. H., in 1883, to accept the position of Cashier of the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank. His interest in public affairs has always been earnest and deep, although the demands of his private business are such as to preclude the acceptance of public honors. While a resident of Lancaster, he served as the Representative of his district in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' Encampment for a period of eleven years, during which time he was efficient in promoting the welfare and interests of the order, which ever reposed the utmost confidence in his ability and honor. The cultured lady who became the wife of Mr, Faringer December 25,, 1866, was Miss Samantha J., daughter of John C. Flood, of Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Faringer are the parents of two PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 391 dren: John W., Jr., and Maude, both of whom are at home. The religious home of the family is in the Methodist Church at Washington C. H., and they are active in Christian work. Mr. Faringer is identified, socially, with the Fayette Lodge and Garfield Commandery, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The high standing to which he has attained in Fayette County is the result of his persistent industry, good judgment and keen discrimination, and his place is among the public-spirited and successful citizens of Washington C. H. JAMES R. CLARK, a retired farmer of Circleville, was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 26, 1820. His father, John Clark, was born in Monongalia County, Va., and came to Ohio when twelve years of age. His grandfather was of Scotch-Irish descent and was probably born on the borders of Scotland. He became a farmer and removed to Ohio in the year 1804. His first home was a log cabin and in the midst of the forest he improved two farms. He served as Colonel in the War of 1812, and represented his district in the State Legislature for one term. His death occurred in Hamilton at the age of eighty-eight years. John Clark was the second in a family of nine children. He remained at home until May, 1818, when he located in Monroe, Ohio, where he built and carried on a tavern for ten years. He then traded his property for one hundred acres of land, but soon sold it and bought a farm in Warren County, Ohio, where he made his home for twelve years. On again selling, he bought a farm in Monroe, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a fine writer, a good accountant, and served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years. In politics, he was a Whig and afterwards a stanch Republican. He possessed an excellent physique, was six feet, four inches tall, straight, strong and active. His death occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He married Maria Williamson, who was born near Gettysburg, Pa., and is a daughter of Peter Williamson, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. He came to Ohio in 1815, and afterwards established a store in Monroe, where his death occurred. Mrs. Clark passed away in 1862. Six children were born of their union and, with one exception, all are living. Our subject is the eldest; Peter W. resides in Dayton; William H. is a house-furnisher of Coffeyville, Kan., and for three years, was a soldier in the Eleventh Ohio Battery during the late war; Hannah resides in Butler County; Catherine is the wife of Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Mr. Clark, of this sketch, acquired his education in a log schoolhouse and remained at home until twenty-four years of age. On the 27th of February, 1844, in Warren County, he married Miss Sarah J. Todhunter, who was born in Lebanon, Warren County, in June, 1820, and was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Johns) Todhunter, natives of Loudoun County, Va., who came to Ohio in 1878, and resided upon a farm adjoining the grounds of the old Shakers' Society. The father served in the War of 1812. His death occurred at the age of eighty-two years. Mr.. Clark bought a farm on the county line of Butler County, which he operated eight years. He then sold and bought one hundred and fifty acres in Lemon Township, on which he made many valuable improvements. He erected a fine residence at a cost of $6,000, and the pleasant walks and drives and other improvements made the place one of the most attractive of the community. In the fall of 1880, he sold for over $150 per acre and came to Circleville, where he has since lived a retired life, his home being on Scioto Street. He still owns a farm in Jackson Township of one hundred acres of improved land, which he rents. While on the farm, he made a specialty of stock- raising, including Devonshire cattle arid Poland-China hogs. For forty years he was a member and Look an active interest in the Butler County Agricultural Association. In the Clark family were two children: Hudson D., who was educated in Wittenburg College of Springfield, became Superintendent of the street car lines of that city. He died in Springfield, leaving one son, Robert, who is twenty years 392 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of age. Our subject's only daughter is Mrs. Bauder. She was educated in the Springfield Female College, and is a most estimable lady. Mr. Clark has the highest confidence and regard of all with whom he has come in contact. JACOB CARR, President of the Fayette County Infirmary Board of Directors, has many times through a long, honorable life held positions of public trust in his native county. He is spending his declining years on the farm in Union Township, upon which he has passed the most of his days, and which his father redeemed from the wilderness in the early years of the settlement of this section of the State. Mr. Carr was born October 7, 1817, in Paint Township, and he was about a year old when the family moved to the place where he now resides in Union Township. His father, who bore the name of Joab Carr, was born in Virginia, November 4, 1790, and in the opening years of his manhood took part in the War of 1812. His parents were Germans by birth, and after coming to this country they settled in Virginia. Joab Carr married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Pendleton County, Va., and a daughter of William Miller, a farmer of that county. After marriage, the Carrs came to Ohio, in 1813, coming the whole distance over the mountains and through the forests and wild intervening country on horseback, conveying their household effects on horses also. They first lived in Paint Township, and subsequently came to the place where their son lives. The land upon which they settled was part of the United States military lands and was open to settlement by the soldiers of the War of 1812. Mr. Carr took one hundred and twenty-six and one-half acres, and industriously set about the hard work of hewing out a farm from the wilderness. The surrounding country was almost a trackless forest, with the exception of bridle paths, there being no roads. There was an Indian path across Mr. Carr's land called the Xenia Trail. Mr. Carr was one of the first to settle in this place, and he was doing good pioneer work when his career terminated with his untimely death in 1824, while yet in the prime of life, and thus this township lost one of its most useful citizens, who would, undoubtedly, have done valuable service in its upbuilding had he lived. He was a Whig and was interested in politics and in all that concerned the welfare of his country, for which he had fought when it was assailed by foreign aggression. His wife departed this life in 1833. They had four children: Susanna, who died in January, 1833; our subject; George, who died in Clinton County in January, 1890; and Joab, a resident of Sumner County, Kan. After his father's death, our subject remained with his mother on the old homestead until her death, which occurred when he was sixteen years old. After that sad event in his life; he went to work for a farmer in the neighborhood, and was with him a year. Going then to Madison County, he worked for several years for and with Dave Saltzer, going into the cattle business with bin, and from 1837 until 1842 he traded in stock, driving cattle from Illinois to Lancaster, Pa.,where he found a good market for them. In that way, he accumulated considerable property. January 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Polly, daughter of Col. Samuel Harrod, an early pioneer farmer of Stokes Township, Madison County, who came here from Kentucky. The latter was quite a conspicuous figure in the public life of the county, holding the office of Justice of the Peace and other offices. Ile served in the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, and rose to the rank of Colonel. He died in 1856 and his wife in 1868. They had six children, of whom Mrs. Carr is the youngest and the only survivor. She is a most exemplary woman and the best of wives and mothers. Her marriage with our subject has been hallowed to them by the birth of nine children, all of whom are living. The eldest is Matilda Ann, wife of William Thornton, of Madison County. Salathiel, who lives on his father's farm, and who took part in the war as a volunteer in the expedition against Morgan, the rebel raider; he enrolled in Union Township when the draft was made in 1864. Elijah S., who. is in the grocery business at Millidgeville; Ellen, wife of Elan Thornton, who lives in this PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 393 township; David, a resident of Union Township, residing near his father's farm; Amanda, wife of Henry Worrel, a blacksmith at Bloomsburgh; May, the wife of Noah Baughn, a farmer of Greene County, and Susanna and Jesse Sherman, who make their home with their parents. After his marriage, Mr. Carr returned to his old home, taking possession of it March 13, 1842, and has lived here ever since, making many fine improvements that have greatly increased the value of the place since it came into his hands. The buildings are of a substantial order, and the one hundred and thirty-one acres of land comprising its area ate under a good state of cultivation, and well drained by tiles, of which there are several miles on the farm. He has dealt-in cattle, and in 1847 drove a herd of cattle over the mountains to dispose of them at Lancaster, Pa., and again in 1850 he made the same trip for the same purpose. He has often been called to take an active part in the administration of public affairs, and throughout his career as an office-holder has preserved an incorruptible name, and has ever acted for the best interests of township or county. In 1856, he was elected Assessor and held that office for the long period of twenty years. He was Coroner of the county for one term and was Trustee. fora number of years, and is now serving his second term as Director of the Fayette County Infirmary and is President of the Board. He has been prominent in local politics, and was a Whig in the olden days, casting his first vote for Gen. Harrison, of Tippecanoe fame, while his last vote was cast for that old hero's grandson, the Gen. Harrison of to-day. The Republican party has found in him a faithful member since he joined its ranks. JACOB J. STOUT was born in Washington Township, Pickaway County, September 24, 1827, and in after years was one of its most valued citizens, taking an active part in the development of its rich agricultural resources, and through the influence of an exemplary life helping to elevate its moral and religious status. His father, who was also named Jacob, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he came in a very early day of the settlement of Pickaway County, and was one of the original pioneers of Washington Township, where he cleared and improved a farm, on which he dwelt in peace and comfort until his death in 1840. Ile was the father of fourteen children, of whom seven are living. The subject of this brief biographical notice was reared to the life of a farmer on the old homestead, and adopted that vocation when he arrived at years of discretion for his life work. After his marriage, when he was twenty-two years old, he and his bride took up their abode on the farm in his native township, which he afterward purchased, and where their entire wedded life was passed, and upon which his wife is still living. He had one hundred and eighty-six acres of good land, which under his care and excellent management became one of the best farms in the vicinity. He erected a substantial set of buildings, including a fine brick house, and had every desirable modern improvement. Our subject died July 21, 1891, and a busy and honored life was brought to a close, and a good man passed to his reward. He was greatly missed, not only by the members of his own household, by whom he was beloved as a devoted husband and tender father, but by the entire community, among whom he had always lived in the most friendly relations. He was a truly religious man, and a highly esteemed member of the German Reformed Church, of which he was at one time Deacon. In politics, he adhered to the Democratic party. The marriage of Mr. Stout with Miss Elizabeth Wanamacher was solemnized July 14, 1849, and for more than forty years they walked hand in hand iii a true union, in which they were abundantly blessed with children, seven in number, as follows: Samuel, deceased; Catherine, William, Susannah, Noah, Emanuel, and Jacob A., the latter a physician at Columbus. Mrs. Stout was born in Berks County, Pa., March 9, 1830, to Jacob and Catherine (Steine) Wanamacher, who were also Pennsylvanians. They came to Ohio in 1830, when their daughter, of whom we write, was but a few mouths old, and they be- 394 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. came pioneers of Pickaway County, locating first in Salt Creek Township, and after a year's time coming to Washington Township, where he followed farming the rest of his days, dying here at the age of seventy years, while his wife was sixty-three years old when she died. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and she of the Lutheran, both being sincere Christians. Three of their five children are yet living. Mrs. Stout is a very pleasant, intelligent lady, who is deservedly held in high esteem. She belongs to the German Reformed Church, and, her name is associated with its good works. GEORGE MICHEL, who is engaged in the manufacture of tile and also has a harness store in Mt. Sterling, is an enterprising and successful business man, who by his own efforts has worked his way upward to a position of prosperity. He was born in York County, Pa., April 24, 1851, and is a son of John George and Helena (Stine) Michel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America at the age of eighteen, and the mother crossed, the Atlantic in her maidenhood. They were united in marriage in York County, Pa., and when our subject was two years old removed to Franklin County, Ohio. The father followed farming. In the family were thirteen children, and six sons and six daughters are still living, and all reside in Ohio. The eldest child died at the age of eighteen. George Michel spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. His educational advantages were, limited. At the age of sixteen, he began to work in a tile factory in Franklin County, and was in the employ of one man for seven years. He then had charge of a tile factory for a year, after which he returned to his father's farm and started one of his own. After operating it for a year, he sold out to his father and spent the succeeding year in burning tile in four different yards. He became an expert in this line and during that season made considerable money. He then went to Spring Hill, Madison County, and purchased a half-interest in a tile factory, but at that place lost all he had. Coming to Mt. Sterling, he entered into partnership with two men, and again embarked in business for himself. This connection continued for one year, when our subject sold out and established another factory within the corporation limits. That was in 1881. He has since carried on business alone, and has met with excellent success. His-annual sales now amount to $3,000. On the 3d of October, 1878, Mr. Michel married Miss Zilpha Kramer, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio. Their union has been blessed with five children, four of whom are still living, three sons and a daughter: Clara was born January 3, 1880; Albert, January 14, 1885; George, January 31, 1890; and Howard, April 21, 1892, Leona, born June 3, 1883, died November18, 1888. Mr. Michel and his wife are well and favor. ably known in this community. He is independent in politics, preferring to vote for the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party affiliations. He held the office of Councilman for two years, and is a straight. forward business man, enterprising and progressive, and his efforts have been crowned with success. Mrs. Michel's father was W. R. Kraner, born June 10, 1830, in Franklin County, Ohio. He was married, August 14, 1851, to Susan N. Stevenson, who was born November 8, 1829. She died November 6, 1886. There were thirteen children in the family, of whom six are living.   ALFRED CARTMILL. This name will be at once recognized as that of one of the leading and influential citizens of Madison County. He is at present residing on a pleasant estate in Fairfield Township, and during his residence here has filled various official positions, and in each, by his ready tact and sound common sense, has shown his capability and fitness for the trust reposed in him. William and Isabel (Ferguson) Cartmill, the parents of our subject, were natives of Virginia, PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 399 and on coming to Madison County about 1825, located in what is now Oak Run Township. They became the parents of seven children, and departed this life in Pike Township. He of whom we write was born in Franklin County, this State, July 9, 1819, and has made his home in this county since a small boy. The lady to whom he was married bore the maiden name of Catherine Keller; she departed this life in the fall of 1861. February 22, 1865, Mr. Cartmill was again married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Margaret Freeman,' who was born September 9, 1837, also in Franklin County. To them were granted the following children: Willie, Clyde, Rosa, Marcia, Gaile F., M. Dell, and Alfred P. Willie and Rosa died in infancy, and Clyde is the wife of William Neff. The original of this sketch received his education in the schools, that afforded very good opportunities for all who were studiously inclined, and when ready to adopt his vocation, he chose the life of a teacher, and among that class in his community he earnestly pursued his work as one of the best for nineteen years. Later, he engaged in the mercantile business in Franklin and Pickaway Counties for two years, and then became an agriculturist, in which calling he has been more than ordinarily successful. His farm is a goodly tract of land, which by means of intelligent cultivation produces excellent crops, and his residence, which is a fine brick structure, is supplied with every comfort and many of the conveniences which belong to modern farm life. As before stated, Mr. Cartmill has been the incumbent of the positions of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk, and has always taken an active part in local affairs, voting with the Republican party. He owns at the present time seven hundred acres of land, and we think that too much praise can scarcely be given to him who, after years of toil, is at last enabled to rest secure from want in his pleasant home and blessed by the love of a devoted wife and children. The parents of Mrs. Cartmill were Reuben and Emza Chaffin, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cartmill is a most estimable lady and in her own personality there are shown strength of character and nobility of purpose, such as stamp her as a superior 19 woman. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Big Plain. Marcia is a graduate of the Grandville Female Academy. Gaile is at tending the same school, where she expects to graduate. JOSEPH STEELE. In the untimely death of Joseph Steele, Pickaway County lost one of her well-known and valued citizens, whose force of character and enterprise were potent agents in building up the stock business and extending the agricultural interests of this section, where he owned and operated a large and well-equipped farm, located in Pickaway Township, and dealt extensively in stock of all kinds. Mr. Steele was born in Fairfield County, August 7, 1823, a son of John and Sarah (Smith) Steele, who were Pennsylvanians by birth, and had come to Ohio in an early day of its settlement and reclaimed a farm from the forests. His father died in 1851 near Perry, in Hocking County, and his mother in February, 1865. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six grew to maturity, and one is still living. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Steele, who was of Irish extraction, was a prominent lawyer at Carlisle, Pa. Our subject's educational advantages were limited, but he attended school whenever opportunity offered. He remained with his parents until he became of age, and under wholesome pioneer influences grew to a strong, self-reliant manhood. When his father and mother became old, he cared for them and looked after their interests. Soon after his marriage, he moved to Ross County, where he rented land and farmed for several years. He finally purchased a farm in Perry Township, that county, and began dealing in stock, gradually working up an extensive and lucrative business. In 1866, having sold his property in Ross County, Mr. Steele came to Pickaway County, and after renting for a short time in Pickaway Township, bought the farm now owned by his widow. He continued to deal in stock, enlarging his business and becoming one of the