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JOHN ALLISON, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O., Bloomfield; is the oldest son of 0. Allison, whose family history is in this work. He was horn in Columbiana Co., Ohio, June 29, 1834. John remained with his parents until he reached his majority, and then, in connection with his father, engaged in stockdealing until he was 28 years of age. He was united in marriage May 4,1862, with Mary A., daughter of B. F. Vail, by whom he had five children--Franklin M., born May 5, 1863, died April 24, 1866; Fred, born July 25, 1867; Carrie A., born April 17, 1870, and died Jan. 23, 1872; Howard, born Dec. 28, 1872; Ralph H., born Sept. 16, 1879. The mother was born Oct. 17, 1842, and was one in a family of twelve. Mr. Allison is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Bloomfield. He enlisted for three months in Co. A., 20th Reg., in the war of Secession. He owns 115 acres of excellent land, which he farms in connection with dealing in stock. Mr. Allison is one of the nine men who have charge of' the beautiful cemetery north of Bloomfield. Mr. Allison is one of the most intelligent and influential men in Bennington Tp. He is enterprising and public spirited, and is a highly honorable citizen.

BURTON J. ASHLEY, Marengo, was born in Bennington Tp., Morrow Co., O., March 17, 1857. He began going to school at the remarkably early age of three and one half years, and continued this winter and summer until he was eleven years old. His father then requiring his services on the farm, kept him at home summers, but continued to send him to school during the winter months until he was 16, when he was employed by an organ agent for $20 per month to show the excellencies of the instruments. In the fall of 1973 he attended the Cardington Union Schools, but came home to attend school during the winter. The following summer he sold sheet music and musical periodicals, farming while not thus engaged. In the fall of 1874 he went to Mt. Gilead to school, and the following winter taught his first term. He was then 17 years old. This school was a difficult one and had a hard name, but after some preliminary skirmishing, during which some of the worst characters received prompt and summary correction, it was easily governed. The next summer he taught his home school, and in the following fall started for Oberly, where he remained two and a half years, completing the scientific course of that college. During his last term he taught two classes in bookkeeping in the college. During the vacations he would teach to get means to continue his college course. On Nov. 24th, 1877, he was married to Addie L., daughter of Abner and Abbey A. (Morris) Sherman. Mr. Ashley's parents are Harrison E. and Adaline (Benson) Ashley, Harrison being the grandson of the illustrious Elder William H. Ashley, who figured so prominently in the early history of this and neighboring Townships. He taught in Harmony township the winter of 1877-8, and the succeeding fall and winter. the fall term being a select school. The following spring and summer he worked with his father. In the spring of 1879 he moved to Marengo, and lived there during the summer, fitting himself for teaching. The following fall he began in the graded school at Sparta, teaching there the fall, winter and spring terms. The Board

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of Education, highly pleased with his school, has employed him for the coming year. Mr. Ashley has shown more than ordinary talent for music and in the acquirement of knowledge; he began to play the violin when eight years old, and when 14 purchased an organ, paying for it by his own labors and giving a colt he owned as part payment. Since then he has been connected with many musical entertainments and concerts throughout the southeastern part of the county. Mr. Ashley has shown a perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge worthy of imitation. He made his way at Oberlin by his own endeavors, teaching and economizing, and the result is that he has a fine education. He is a Republican and is a member of the Christian church at Sparta. He is also a surveyor and civil engineer, and is a commissioned notary public, his office being in Sparta. He owns forty acres of nice land in Bennington Tp., which is clear of all encumbrances.

JOSIAH BENNETT, farmer, stock-dealer, wool-grower and bee-keeper; P. O., Bloomfield. In about 1825 Josiah S. and Lydia (Cook) Bennett, natives of New York and New Jersey, emigrated to Bennington Tp., Morrow Co., O., locating in the vicinity of what is now known as Vail's cross roads. After enduring much hardship and privation incident to pioneer life, they secured a comfortable home. Here they raised a family of nine children-Daniel C., Phoebe C., Jonathan, Josiah, Charlotte, A. D., Townzend B., Seaner E. and Andrew L. -Andrew, Charlotte and Daniel are dead; the others are living and married. Josiah was born in Bennington Tp., Sept. 16, 1829. He lived with his parents until he was 19. He was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1853, to Eunice Greene, daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Sherman) Greene, by whom he has a family of three sons and two daughters-Rozilla, born July 9, 1857; Douglass, Aug. 29, 1860; Royal T., March 12, 1866; Clara, June 10, 1870. The fifth child died in infancy. Those living are yet at home. Mr. Bennett owns 171 1/2 acres of well improved land, upon which he has just erected the finest house in Bennington Tp. The house is very handy and commodious, and is built of the finest materials that could be secured. The wood-work, for artistic finish and design, will rival many a house of greater pretensions in the larger cities. It was planned by Mr. Bennett himself, who proves to be an excellent architectural designer. Mr. Bennett is built like Hercules, and weighs 268 lbs.; he is the largest and strongest man in Bennington Tp. He is a strong Jackson Democrat, and is the Voltaire of the neighborhood, having been an infidel for many years. His wife is a Universalist. Mr. Bennett is a prominent and successful farmer, and manages his large farm with consummate sagacity and skill. The family is intimately connected with the history of Bennington Tp., and much will be, found of them in the body of this work.

ELIZABETH CULVER, farmer and stockraiser; P. O., Bloomfield; is the daughter of Jonathan and Millison (Jennings) Bennett, who had twelve children-Sally, Robert, Josiah, Susan, Berthsheba, Mary, Martha, Matilda, Mariah, Elizabeth, William and Mima; Matilda and Elizabeth are the only ones now living of this large family; Elizabeth was born in New York, in 1810, and moved to Ohio in 1824; she was married May 10, 1827, to William Culver, and by him had nine children-James, born in Sept, 1828, married Elizabeth Decker, and lives in. Bennington Tp., as does all the family ;Harriet, born May 7, 1830, is the widow of John A. Taylor; Martha was born in September, 1833, and is the wife of Stephen Gage,, Aaron, born May 19, 1836, and married Melvina Powell; Asel, born June 7, 1842, and was drowned in a river in New Mexico July 18, 1875; Mary, born April 19, 1838, and died August 30, 1859; Jonathan was born in March, 184-1, and is the husband of Harriet Dunham; Sarah M., born March 26, 1848, is the wife of Thomas Chase; Jesse B., born July 15, 1846, and was married September 17, 1878, to Nettie Boner, and by her had one child, Daisy, born March 16, 1880; Jesse has always made his home with his parents; he has eighty acres of land, while the parents have 190 acres; they came to Bennington Tp. in 1830, and have lived there ever since; two of the boys were in the war of Secession; Asel was a private, and Jonathan was second lieutenant; they, generally speaking, are Republicans, and are large land owners in Bennington.

WILLIAM DAVIS, Marengo; Son of Nathaniel and Martha (Doty) Davis; was born in

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Knox Co., Ohio, Sept. 30,1822; he remained with his father until he died, which was Aug. 6, 1839. His schooling was very limited, consisting of but two or three terms of winter school; the school house he remembers as a log cabin, with a portion of one of the logs sawed out for a window, and oiled paper served in the stead of window glass. In this poorly constructed concern he received only the rudiments of an education; since. that time and out of school he has acquired quite a good knowledge of books and sufficient to pass a teacher's examination. When Mr. Davis first attended school, children that could read, write and cipher were considered graduates. William remained with his mother after his father's death, until she married John Lash. On the 30th of Nov., 184-4, he was married to Lovina Vining, daughter of John and Abigail (Ganong) Vining. No family has ever been born to this union. They have raised two orphan children from infancy and partly raised two others. James Rice and Juliet Davis were brought up by Mr. and Mrs. Davis. These children now are married and occupy responsible positions in the neighborhood in which they live. Mr. Davis started in life. with scarcely a shilling, but by industry, frugality and hard labor, he has amassed quite a fortune. His place is nicely situated on the Mt. Vernon road, one mile east of Marengo, and consists of 269 acres' of good land. He has acquired this by farming and stock-dealing, and is said to be one of the most extensive stock-dealers in Morrow Co. Though successful in business, Mr. Davis has been unfortunate in having met with severe accidents by flood and field. Once, when only a child, he fell in a deep spring, and was only rescued from drowning by the timely arrival of his sister. At another time he was on a steamboat in Lake Erie when it collided with a lumber laden brig, and only escaped drowning by a miracle. He was also in the great railroad horror that occurred in Iowa in 1877. In this wreck there was over thirty killed and a great number wounded. In this accident Mr. Davis received severe injuries, the Iowa State Register to the contrary. His last accident occurred the latter part of June, 1880. While riding in his carriage the horse took fright and ran away, throwing Mr. Davis out and kicking him on the hip so severely that the thigh bone was broken about two inches from the hip-socket. Though an old man, the vigorous constitution he possesses will carry him through, so that he may again assume his usual prominent position in society. He is a staunch Republican in politics, but has steadily declined positions of honor and trust tendered him. He is one of the most prominent and upright men in Bennington Tp. and south-eastern Morrow Co.

ELIZABETH R. HESS; Marengo. Phillip and Deborah (Flood) Gage were natives of Woodbridge, N.J., the former being born in 1791, and the latter in 1793; they were united in marriage in June, 1813, and to this union was born the following family-Mary E., born April, 1814; Martha in March, 1816; Clarkson, in Aug., 1818; Bloomfield, in Aug., 1822; Sarah A., July, 1825; Stephen, May, 1828; Elizabeth, Jan'y, 1831, and George in 1835. Mary, Martha, Sarah and Bloomfield are dead. Mary married G. W. Hess; she is now dead. After Mary's death, Elizabeth married G. W. Hess, and had one son, Madison C., born Dec. 12,1873; died Aug. 14, 1874. Mr. Hess is dead, but his widow survives him, and is living with her parents. Clarkson is single, and still lives with his parents; Stephen is married, and lives in Bennington Tp.; Phillip, though 89 years of age, is yet almost as lively as a boy, being remarkably vigorous and active for a man, almost four-score-and-ten. His wife is almost as lively as he, and both are singularly well preserved, for persons who have suffered the hardships of pioneer life. Phillip owns nearly 325 acres of well improved land. His sons now living our farmers. He is a Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion. The Gages are old settlers, and are well known and highly respected in Bennington Tp.

AARON B. KEES, farmer and stock-dealer; P. 0., Bloomfield. Samuel Kees, the son of Russel Kees, was born in Ohio, in Oct. 1811. He was married to Margaret, daughter of John and Sophia (Luce) Hadley, June 20, 1833. To this union was born a family of ten children-Samantha M., born Nov. 20, 1834; Minerva J., March 23, 1837; Thomas J., Sept. 3, 1839; Aaron B., Oct. 13, 1841; Sophia E., July 6, 1844; Angeline, Oct. 23, 1847; Mary and Martha, twins, March 23, 1851; Margaret A., Jan. 15,1854, and Kate A., March 19,1857.

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Thomas died May 20,1874; Samantha married Osgood Duston, the first blacksmith in Sparta; Minerva married Mathias McKinstry, and lives in Hardin Co., Ohio; Sophia married James Carson, and lives in Sandusky Co., Ohio; Angeline married James Gage, and lives in Iowa; Martha married Henry Keller, and lives in Morrow Co.; Margaret married Jacob Berry, and lives in Illinois; Mary and Katie are single, and live at home with their mother; the mother was born Sept. 2, 1816; the father died July 27, 1875; his son, Aaron B., passed his youth and early manhood at' home with his parents. When twenty years of age, he enlisted in Co. B., 43 Reg. O. V. I. This was Nov. 22, 1861; he first went into camp at Mt. Vernon, where he staid until February the following year; he was then sent to Missouri; he was, until the battle of Vicksburg, in "Fuller's Brigade," and after that time was with Sherman on his March to the Sea. He was in the battles of New Madrid, Island Number 10, Iuka, Kenasaw, Corinth, Resacca, Atlanta, Dallas, etc. He was discharged July 13, 1865, having served all through the war, without being wounded. The latter part of the war he held the rank of corporal. He was united in marriage Dec. 21, 1865, to Miss Huldah Sprague, daughter of Alpheus and Jane (Courtright). Sprague, and by her has the following family: Flora B., born Nov. 4, 1866; in D., born March 6, 1868; Charley C., March 12, 1870; Carrie D., July 26, 1876, and Maggie M., August 1, 1879. All of these are living at home with their parents. Mr. Kees's folks owns 220 acres of nice land; and Mr. Kees himself own forty-nine acres adjoining the old homestead. He is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Bloomfield.

WILLIAM KING, Bennington; was born in Franklin Co., O., in 1872. His parents were Samuel and Martha (McElvain) King, the former being born in 1777 and the latter in 1782. They were united in marriage in 1801, and to this union, were born, the following family: Elizabeth, born 1801; Magdalena 1803; Thurzza, 1805; Samuel McElvain, 1807, Robert, 1809; William, 1812. The girls in this family are dead. Samuel lives in Franklin Co.; he married Nancy Daugherty, and has a family of nine children, two of whom are dead. Robert lives in Missouri; he married Sarah Anderson, and has four children, one of whom is dead. The father of this family had two wives, the latter being Adaline Vincent, by whom he had one child. William, the subject of this sketch, passed his early years at Columbus, receiving scarcely no education. When twelve years of age he served an apprenticeship at the baking business, finishing at the end of two years; he worked at his trade for a short time, and the balance of time before his marriage was spent upon his father's farm. On the 28th of June, 1831, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac and Millicent (Harris) Eastwood, by whom he has a family of fourteen children; Martha Jane, born in 1832; George P., 1834; Susan H., 1837; John Wesley, 1839; Millicent E., 1841; Harriet E., 1843; William C., 1845; Joseph McE., 1847; Mary Frances, 1852; Emma C., 1853; Charles W., 1855, and Samuel W. 1859; The other two died in infancy; Martha married Joseph Goetschins, and lives in Illinois. George has been in California for many years; Susan married Theodore Benedict; John, Harriet and Millicent, are dead; William married Sophia Lucas, and lives in Kansas; Joseph married Emma Cooley and lives in Kansas; Mary married W. T. Armstrong, and lives in Columbus; Emma is at home, single. Charles married Ella Lane, and lives in Franklin Co.; Samuel is at home, single. Mr. King is a local minister in the M. E. Church. He is a strong and prominent Republican. In September, 1862, he en listed, in the 81st Reg. O. V. I At the end of eighteen months he was discharged for promotion, and was appointed, by Gen. Dodge, Chaplain of the 110th U. S, Colored Infantry, in which capacity he served steadily, until nine months after the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Athens by General Forest, and after being kept about five weeks at Meridian, and Enterprise, Mississippi, was sent North, where, after some trouble, he rejoined his regiment. His father came to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Franklington, and was the first white man to cut timber on "High Banks," near Columbus.

JOHN C. MEAD, Marengo; was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1824, His parents were Martin and Mary (Travis) Mead, the former being a native of Connecticut, and the latter of New York. Their children were

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-Alva H., Amaziah, John C., A. J. and Abel; Alva was united in marriage with Harriet Devi who bore, him one child, but the father is now dead; Amaziah married Sarah Courtwright, and by her has a family of seven children, two of whom are dead; he lives in Delaware; A. J. resides in Indiana; he married Elizabeth Rinehart, and by her has two children; Abel died when a boy; John C. passed the first ten years of his life hi New York; in 18-54 he came to Ohio, and settled near Mt. Vernon, but, at the expiration of about one year, located in Bennington Tp., Morrow Co., near Vail's Cross Roads; in 1863 he moved to Delaware Co., but at the end of nine years returned to Bennington Tp., and bought the place he now occupies. Mr. Mead remained with his father until the age of 21; then, after working for himself for about two years, away from home, he returned and lived with his father, who was sick, for four years; after this the proceeds of his labor went to himself. While in Delaware Co. he owned 96 acres of land, but prior to this time he had owned 50 acres near Vail's Cross Roads; these two farms were disposed of, and Mr. Mead at present owns 115 acres of nice land close to the village of Marengo. On the 18th of January, 1849, he married Margaret J. Vining, who bore him the following children-Alva, Frank, Henry, Wesley and Joseph; Alva married Martha Vananken-has one child, and lives in Iowa; Frank married Flora Bronson, and lives at Boone, Iowa; Henry is at Boone, single; Wesley is on the C. & N. W. R. R., in Iowa; Joseph is at Belle Plain, Iowa. Mr. Mead's first wife died in June, 1869, and in January, 1870, he married Mary Noe, daughter of George Noe, and by her has three children-Fred, Gertrude and Nellie; these children are all living. Mr. Mead is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church at Marengo. He is nicely located near a growing town, and the proximity of the new railroad will increase the value of his property. He is one of the most prominent men in Bennington Tp.

ROBERT L. NOE, Marengo; was born in Madison Co., New Jersey, October 16, 1819. His parents were Robert Noe and Mary (Tappin) Noe, who came to Bennington Tp. and settled a half mile north of Marengo in 1822. The Noes are descended from three brothers of that name who came from France five or six generations ago to escape the terrors of some of the French revolutions. Grandfather Noe's name was John, who had among others the following children-Marsh, Jonathan, Elias and Robert. Robert married as above and had the following family-Susan, Elias, Samuel, Mary Ann, William, Margaret, James H., George T. and Robert L. Susan died in infancy, Elias died early in life, Samuel died in early manhood; Mary Ann married Calvin Vining and lived in Bennington Tp. and has a numerous family; William married Albacinda Crane, and has a family of nine children and lives near Marengo;' Margaret married William Johnson, has a numerous family and lives in Illinois; James 11. married Caroline Page and moved to Tipton, Iowa. He has a large family. George T. married Sarah Doty; has seven children and lives in Bennington Tp. Robert L. received but a common school education in youth, and as he was the youngest son he remained with his father managing the old farm until the death of the father in 1861. On the 4th of July, 1849, he married Fannie E. Morris, daughter of. Joseph P. and Ann (Voorhies) Morris, and by her has four children-Joseph Augustus and Ann Augusta, twins, born 1852, Mary E. born 1856, and Bell, born 1860. Joseph married Bida Osborne, daughter of Abraham Osborne, in 1875; they have one child, Maud, born 1878. Ann married James C. Evans, son of Thomas Evans, in 1868, and has two children - Charles and Gracie. Mary married Dr. J. W. Pratt in 1878 and has one child, Edna. Bell married Alexander Ramsey, son of Samuel Ramsey, of Delaware Co. Joseph P. Morris had the following family - Augustus, Abby Ann and Fannie E. The son died in Mt. Vernon in 1843. Abby married Abner Sherman, has four children and lives in Bennington Tp. Fannie E. is the wife of our subject. Robert L. Noe is a radical Republican, and himself and family are members of the M. E. Church. He has occupied many positions of trust in the township; he Was for eight consecutive years township assessor. He was projector of the town of Marengo, and his land now surrounds the whole town. He is one of the most prominent men in the township.

SAMUEL B. PAGE, M. D., retired phys-

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ician, farmer and wool grower; P. O., Pagetown; was born in New York, Jan. 15, 1818. His parents were Isaac and Polly (Bennett) Page; prior to his marriage with Polly Bennett, Isaac had married Betsey Page, but after death. was married to Polly Bennett. Isaac by his first wife had six children-Tyrus, Betsey, John-who was deaf and dumb - Harmon, Alva and Isaac; ail in this family are dead. By his second wife Mr. Page had the following family-Irena, who died when young; Lewis, Samuel, Irena, William, Wesley, James and Solon; Samuel and Solon are the only ones living. The mother died in 1864, and the father in 1848. When Samuel was about 16 years old he conceived the idea of studying medicine; he read under Dr. Griffiths of New York-an alopathic physician and completed a thorough course of medical lectures at Fairfield, New York, in 1837. He soon afterwards moved to the neighborhood in which he now lives, and commenced the practice of medicine at the. age of 19. He continued the work there for ten years, and then moved to Mt. Gilead, where he practiced medicine and engaged in the dry goods business with brother, as a partner. He was a popular physician, and the first one in Pagetown. Dr. Page was often called to go fifteen and twenty miles away to see the sick. At present he is not practicing medicine, having retired a number of years ago. He is now engaged in wool growing, and has been at in that business for a number of years. In 1839 he was married to Eliza Marvin, daughter of Stephen Marvin, and has by her one child - Frederick M., born May 24, 1865. Mr. Page's grandfather Bennett was a soldier in the war of 1812, while the doctor himself served with distinction in the celebrated "Squirrel Campaign" at Cincinnati. Dr. Page is one of the most prominent men in southern Bennington, and is closely identified with its history. He has shown sufficient business sagacity during life to accumulate several hundred acres of nice land.

JOHN PIERCE, Marengo; was born in Benton Tp., in 1843. He is the son of John and Eunice (Turney) Pierce, who were parents of the following family-Clark, Wesley, John, and Elizabeth. Clark was a member of the 121st Regiment, Co. C, O. V. I, and was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while valiantly fighting in defense of his country. Wesley married Samantha Beard, and lives in Hardin Co.; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert DeGood, whose biography appears in the history of Delaware Co. John lived with his parents on the farm, going to school until he was of age. On the 4th of June, 1870, he married Berintha Morhouse, and by her has three children-Frank, born in 1871; Ernest, 1873, and Elsie, 1877. Mr. Pierce owns 100 acres of good land in Bennington Tp., upon which he resides. This farm is noted for being plentifully supplied with springs of pure water. Mr. Pierce is a Democrat, and is said to be an excellent farmer.

LYDIA A. (DWINNELL) ROGERS, farmer; P. O., Pagetown. This lady is the daughter of Allen and Lydia (Harris) Dwinnell, who were among the earliest settlers in the township. Father Allen was the projector of Bennington Tp., and the one who named it. He was born in 1785, and his wife in 1783; and they were married in 1804. To them was born the following family-Sally, 1809; Clark H., 1812; Phillip P., 1814; Hannah 0., 1.815, and Lydia Ann, 1821. The father died in 1836, and the mother in 1855. Much of Mr. Dwinnell's life will be found in the history of Bennington Tp. He was a Frenchman, with the native suavity and politeness that characterize those people. Lydia received the best education that the common schools afforded, and finished at the Female Seminary, at Granville in two years. In 1840 she married Seal S. Rogers, son of William and Elizabeth (Wyant) Rogers, who had the following family-Mary and Sarah, who were twins; Uriah, Robert, Hannah, James, Charlotte, Seal, John and Caroline. Lydia and husband have had the following family - Clark D., born 1842, and Mary Eugenie, 1844; Mary E., died in 1862; Clark was married in 1865 to Polly, daughter of Elias Wilson; he has no family. Allen Dwinnell was an old line Whim, and gloried in that cognomen. Seal Rogers was the same. Lydia Rogers is a Universalist, while her husband was a "New Light." The Dwinnells were Methodists. Lydia owns 125 acres of fine land, and her son Clark owns 65. The son lives- with his mother in the old Rogers place. The mother received a much better education than children usually obtained, in those early days.

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Her father owned large bodies of land, and for the backwoods, was considered a wealthy man. He was a justice of the peace, a lawyer, and was a man of distinction in that section.

WILLIAM A. STERRITT, farmer; P. O., Marengo was born in Pennsylvania, May 24, 1830; his father was born in 1794, and mother in 1799; they were married about 1820, their names being, respectively, Alexander Sterritt and Margaret Montgomery; there were six children in their family, as follows: -Rebecca, born Oct. 1822; John, July, 1824, Robert, Jan'y, 1827; William A., Matthew D., Feb., 1833; Thomas, Nov., 1835; his first wife, Margaret, having died, he married Margaret Davidson, and had by her James P., born Feb., 1840, Martha Jane, Nov., 1841, and Mary Anti, June, 1874; his first wife died Feb. 3, 1838, and the father died in 1844, Nov. 2.4; Rebecca married William Simpson, John married Emily Oakley, Robert married Mary Carnes, Matthew married Ellen Anderson, James married Catharine Burton, Martha married a Mr. Donaldson, and after his death in the army married again; Mary is single, and all these children live in Pennsylvania; William lived with his father until he was about 14 years old, and then hired out by the month on neighboring farms, and worked thus until in his 17th year, when himself and brother Robert leased a farm and began to improve it; he continued thus working on the farm during the summer season, and chopping in the lumber country during the winters, for seven years; In 1854 he came to Ohio and began working at the carpenter trade in Bennington Tp.; in 1860 he purchased seventy five acres of land, where he now lives, and has since added to it at divers times, until he now owns 167 acres of well improved land; in 1858 he married Sarah, daughter of William Noe, and by her had three children - William B., born 1859, Theresa S., 1861,. and Ora B., 1865; Sarah, his wife, died July, 1865, and in September, 1866, he married Ellen Doty, and by her has five children -Elza, born Dec., 1867, Marv E., Jan., 1868, Alfred, Aug., 1871, Mattie, born Sept., 1874, and Robert, April, 1876; all these children are living, and are yet at home; Mr. Sterritt is a staunch Republican, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church; his father was In the war of 1812, and his grandfather was in the Revolutionary war; the Montgomerys settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, in 1801, and the Sterritts settled at what is now called "Sterritt's Gap," in eastern Penn., before the Revolution; the Sterritts are of English descent, and the Montgomerys of Irish; Mr. Sterritt's brother Matthew enlisted in the celebrated 121st 0. V. I., and served with it in all its movements of daring and death, until mustered out of service at the close of the war; Mr. Sterritt is one of the most prominent men in Bennington.

EZRA C. STEWART, Pagetown; is a native of Ohio; he is the son of Solomon and Nancy White) Stewart, who had the following family-Polly, Charlotte, Ezra C., Ruth, Harvey and Emily-Charlotte and Emily being dead. Polly is the widow of David Babcock, and lives in Porter Tp., Delaware Co.; Charlotte married Marcus Van Sickle, and died without issue, Oct. 1856; Ruth married Ira Van Sickle, and lives in Wood Co., 0.; Harvey married Mary 0. Andrews, and resides in Wood Co.; Emily became the wife, of George Page, and died, leaving a family of four children. The father was one of the earliest settlers in the Tp., as well as one of the most prominent, and died in June 1849. The mother is yet living with her daughter, Polly. Our subject was born Dec. 8, 1820. He remained with his father until the age of twenty-eight, and for a few years after that date taught school, and worked at the carpenter trade. On the 15th, of Sept. 1853, he was united in marriage with Lavina M., daughter of Nehemiah and Mary (Austin) Barnhard, and by her had the following children - George E., Martha A., Mirah, Emma A., Charles E., Elnora, Mary A., William C., Edwin O., James L., Harry, a girl baby, and a child that died in infancy. Mr. Stewart moved to Pagetown in April 1875. He owns four acres in Pagetown, and sixty acres in Kingston Tp., Delaware Co.; he has-been honored with different township offices, serving as Justice of the Peace ten years, and was commissioned Notary Public for three years. He is at present Collection Agent, and Notary Public; himself and family are members of the Wesleyan Church at Morton's Corners. The father of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather served in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 759

the War of Independence, and was also honored in New York, by being elected to the State Legislature. Our subject is one of the most prominent and intelligent men in the township.

TOBIAS STILLEY, Marengo. The subject of this sketch is a grand-nephew of the celebrated pioneer and hunter, John Stilley, who settled in Knox Co. the latter part of the last century. The family have become historical, their deeds in the forest becoming traditional and absorbingly interesting. They located on Owl Creek, and Were the means of leading the tide of emigration into that fertile region. Tobias was born in Pennsylvania in 1814, his parents being John Stilley, a nephew of the elder Stilley, and Mary (Caykendall) Stilley. These parents had a large family, as follows-Tobias, Eliza, Jeremiah, Ruth, James, Nancy, Rebecca, Mary, Sampson and Joel, all of whom are living except Jeremiah and Joel. Tobias' youth was spent in Chester Tp. When 19 years old he began for himself; and after many years of toil and hardship finally has a pleasant home. In 1832 he married Susan Bowles, daughter of Thomas Bowles, of Chester Tp.; they have four children: Rachel, Jeremiah, Ann and Luvila, all of whom are married and have families. His wife, Susan, died in 1845, and in a few years afterwards he married Eliza Ann Price, daughter of John Price, of Bennington Tp. He has one child by his second wife-Samuel M., born in 1852. The Stilley family are of German descent, and the father and son are enthusiastic. Republicans. Tobias' father came to Ohio in 1818, and located on Owl Creek. In 1878 he died, aged 86. Samuel was born in Franklin Tp., and owns at present 125 acres of land, his father owning fifty adjoining that of the son. The family are good citizens and neighbors, and are prominent in all affairs of benefit to the community.

EDWARD R. SHOTWELL, Marengo, was born in Rahway, New Jersey, Aug. 19, 1811, and came to Bennington Tp. in 1845. His father was Peter Shotwell, who was descended from Abraham Shotwell, a settler in the Province of New Jersey in 1665, or earlier. His mother was a descendant of the old Fitz Randolph families of the East.

MARGARET TRAVIS ; Pagetown; daughter of John and Sarah (Test) Morris; was born in Green Co., Pa., Jan. 18,1819. When Margaret was eleven years old her mother died leaving the care and responsibility of the family upon her; she remained at home one and a half years, and then hired out to do housework for the neighbors. On the 10th of June 1840, she was united in marriage with Isaac B. Travis, son of David and Deborah (Smith) Travis. Isaac was born Feb. 21, 1818; his father dying -when he was a small child; he lived with his mother helping her, until he was married. After this the mother lived with her son until her death, which occurred in 1.846; she was a kind, God-fearing mother and reared her son under the light of the Gospel of Christ. Isaac learned the shoemaking trade when quite young and worked at that in connection with his farm until his death, which occurred Aug. 6th, 1877. He came with his mother to Ohio in 1820, and became one of the influential men of his neighborhood; he was often consulted by his neighbors on questions of agriculture and stock raising, and when he died his death was greatly deplored by his neighborhood, and especially by his devoted wife and family; his body was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery between Sparta and Bloomfield. Isaac and Margaret, as the fruit of their union,. had the following family-Sarah Jane, born March 10, 1841, and died March 15, 1851; Adaline born Nov., 18, 1846, and died March 12 1851; Mary, born Dec. 27,1851, and dec'd; and David S., born Jan. 26, 1858; David is still living. Sarah and Adaline died within three days of each other, the former on her death-bed consoled with religion, shouting praises to God. The mother and her son David, live together on the old place in Bennington Tp. December, 1877, David was united in marriage with Ella Mellinger daughter of Jacob Mellinger, of Bennington Tp. The Travises own 165 acres of excellent land, and are promising citizens in southern Bennington; all are earnest workers in the Methodist Church, and all are well known and universally respected throughout the neighborhood.

SEMANTHA WELLS; Pagetown; was born July 18, 1808. Her parents, Isaac Davis and Betsey Vining, were married in March 1805, and had a family of three children

760 - BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP

Simeon, born June 21, 1806; Semantha and Milton, born in 1811. The oldest and youngest are both dead. Semantha passed her early years in the woods. Her father came into Bennington Tp. when she was ten years old, and was among the first settlers in the township. He was the first man in the township to introduce sheep, and during his life figured prominently in the early affairs of his locality. Semantha received but a meager education. Her life has been one unceasing round of toil, and though 72 years old, she is yet blessed with a clear mind and with good health. In 1825 she married Abraham Wells, and by him had the following family: Roslinda, born 1826; James M., 1828; Betsey Jane, 1830; Milton, 1832; Isaac, 1835, and Wilbur, 1838. James and Betsey are dead; Milton lives with his mother; Isaac lives just north of Morton's Corners, and Wilbur is in Illinois. Roslinda married Edmund Morton in 1844, and by him had the following family: Corydon B., born 1846; Caroline, 1848 ; Carintha, 1849; Cora Estelle, 1850; Charles Fremont, 1856, and Clemence Isora, 1859. Corydon married Sarah J. Vansickle, 1878, and lives at Morton's Corners. Caroline married James M. Roberts; has one- child, and lives in Delaware Co. Carintha married Henry E. Sherman, and has three children; Cora E. is yet single. and is a dressmaker in Olive Green ; Charles is at home, single; Clemence is a milliner in Delaware, O. Mrs. Morton was left a widow in 1866, and in 1872 she married Harvey Chambers., She has lived all her life at Morton's Corners. Semantha is the oldest living settler at the Corners, and has a distinct recollection when her father came into the township, and of the hardships he endured with his family in preparing the backwoods for succeeding generations.

LORINDA (JOHNSON) WEAVER, Marengo. This lady was born in Ohio in 1820. She came with her widowed mother and grandparents to South Bloomfield Tp., in 1826, and after remaining there eight years, moved to Bennington Tp., where she has since resided. Her mother died in 1832, leaving Lorinda to battle with the realities of life at the age of twelve. She passed many years at hard work, suffering all the degradation that motherless girls are compelled to undergo. Arriving at womanhood she had acquired a fair education, through trials and discomforts, and during early womanhood taught six terms of school. In 1846 she was united in marriage with Wright, son of Wanton Weaver, but no children were born of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have devoted their married life to the rearing of orphan children, raising from infancy five or six, which almost at birth were thrown helpless upon the charity of the world; Mrs. Weaver remembering too well the hard struggle she had in early years for a livelihood, resolved that some poor orphans should escape the trials she suffered. She has taken children from want and destitution, sending them at mature years out into the world, fitted for the battle of life. Not content with merely rearing, them to man or womanhood, she has adopted two--one, Hannah L., the present wife of Lafayette Dudley, and the other, Ida May Weaver, a successful school teacher in Bennington Tp. These adopted children, at Mrs. Weaver's death, will inherit her property, which consists of 150 acres of fine land. If they die without heirs the property is to be devoted to the maintenance of orphan children in Bennington Tp., which will stand a monument to Mrs. Weaver's memory, more lasting than marble. On the 22nd of February) 1860, Mr. Weaver died of pulmonary consumption. He lingered many months, suffering great agony, dying with Christian fortitude and faith. He was a man of affectionate disposition-kind and sympathizing, and his death was a great loss to the neighborhood. Mrs. Weaver's brother,, Henry Johnson, served in the Mexican war as a private, and also in the last war, entering as captain and coming out as major. The life of Mrs. Weaver is a lesson well worth reading.