HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 875 in Barenville, County of Langdenburg, Switzerland. He married Sarah Mohlerin, February 15, 1728, and had nine children, the four oldest born in Switzerland. He sailed for America, July 23, 1736. His passport read as follows: "The Burgomaster and Council of the City of Basil testify, herewith, that in our city and region of country there is no contagious disease, but by the grace of God we enjoy a pure air, free from all infection, and we therefore manfully request that our former citizen, Hans Yacob Bidert, who, together with his wife and four children, intend to travel first by water to Rotterdam and thence per ship to the Island of Pennsylvania, be permitted to pass and repass at all places, safely and without hinderance. Such favors we are ready, promptly to return according to our government custom. " Given under the printed and smaller seal of our city, this twenty-third day of April, 1736." The family record, written by the pastor in "Old High German," tells of the marriage of Hans Yacob Bidert and Sara Mohlerin, also of the names and dates of baptism of their children, with names of witnesses. " These dates are given under the hand and seal of the pastor of the Reformed Church, John Frederick Weston." The following certificate and address was given by the same minister to Hans Yacob or John Jacob, on his leaving Switzerland. It is still preserved in the original. "Langenburg, April 21, 1736. This is to certify that Jacob Peterson has been an acceptable member of our church, and a citizen of Langenburg. He with his beloved wife and family of four children are moving from this place. After he may have found a pleasant home to dwell in, we pray that the Lord will be merciful to him through our Lord Jesus Christ. May he always rely on the strong arm of the Lord, then it will be well with him and his children, and may all his future conduct be such that whenever his friends in Langenburg shall hear from him, they may have the comforting assurance that the Christian life and character, which he bore while among them, shall still continue to control his life and character in the New World, where by the will of the Lord, he hopes soon to make his future home, and where he shall bid adieu to friends most dear and to his native land, and he with his dear companion and little children shall embark on the mighty ocean, we pray the Lord to grant them a safe voyage to the land they hope soon to dwell in. May the Lord, in His infinite goodness and mercy, lead them in paths of righteousness, so that when life's voyage is past, they, with us, shall land on the shore of a blessed immortality, is the prayer of your pastor, John Frederick Weston." John Jacob Peterson landed in Philadelphia, and then went to Augusta County, Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life. John Martin, second son of John Jacob Peterson, was baptized, October 20, A. D. 1730. He was a famous hunter and frontiersman. He and his three younger step-sisters were captured by Indians. He was a prison- 876 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY er six months when he made his escape. He served as a private in various organizations of Virginia troops in service during the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Murray's grandfather, Martin Peterson, bought a tract of choice land on the north side of Paint Creek in Concord Township. He was somewhat of a genius and a man of original enterprise. On his land he established a factory for the making of farm implements and wagons, and while 'conducting the factory he also superintended the clearing of a large tract of land. For many years he and his family lived in a log house, but in 1832 he erected a substantial brick building which with some enlargement and modifications is still standing. Martin Peterson lived there surrounded with the various activities which he had encouraged and created until his death. He married Elizabeth Coyner, who was born in Augusta County, Virginia, July 2, 1796. Her mother's maiden name was Hannah Lawwell. After the death of Martin Peterson the old homestead descended to the ownership of his son Albert C. Peterson, Mrs. Murray's father. The latter spent all his life there. He married Phebe Hopkins, who was born, September 20, 1841, in Wayne Township, Fayette County, a daughter of Jeremiah Hopkins, who was born in Concord Township, June 15, 1805, and spent the greater part of his life on a farm near Fairview Church, Fayette County. He died, May 3, 1875, at his home in Washington Court House, Fayette County, where he had lived a number of years. On December 15, 1827, Jeremiah Hopkins married Nancy Claypool, who was born May 17, 1807, and died July 31, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have a daughter Anna Margaret. The family are active members of the Presbyterian Church at Frankfort. HON. LEWIS G. DILL. Applying the tests of ability, fitness and experience, no better choice for the responsible position of judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in Pike County, could have been made than when Hon. Lewis G. Dill was elevated to the bench in 1914. For many years an able lawyer, and for several terms judge of the Probate Court, he had already an established reputation, and to this he has continually added by his wise, impartial and dignified course in his present high office. Lewis G. Dill was born May 26, 1863, at Dill's Station, in Paxton Township, Ross County, Ohio. His parents were William and Mary (Kelly) Dill, who reared a family of eight children : Elisha, who is a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Frank, who is deceased ; William B., who is a resident of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Robert, who resides near Jeffersonville; Edward, who resides at Bainbridge, Ohio ; Maggie, who resides at Bainbridge ; and Ella (Dill) Poston, who is a resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana. In boyhood, Lewis G. Dill attended the public schools at Bainbridge and later had academic advantages at South Salem, Ohio. He became superintendent of his father's farm after his school days were over and continued as such until 1890, when he purchased a farm situated in the celebrated blue grass region near Cynthiana, Pike County, and there en- HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 877 gaged in farming and raising fine stock until 1896. He had become somewhat interested in politics and his friends in the republican party determined to show their appreciation of his sterling character and the unanimous nomination for judge of the Probate Court was tendered him. Although the county was largely democratic, Mr. Dill was elected by a majority of 141 votes, this being rather remarkable for he was the first republican ever elected to that position in the county. In 1899, he was re-elected and by a majority more than double his former one. It was during his second term on the Probate bench that Judge Dill refiled all the pleadings and papers in this office from the time of the organization of this court in 1852, completing the same until the close of his official term. The law authorizing this work required only an index to files, but Judge Dill, with care and accuracy made the index include journals, dockets and all records, this being a work of inestimable value to Pike County. At the expiration of his second term on the Probate bench, the democrats as well as the republicans urged him to stand for a third term but this honor he declined. In the meanwhile he had been pursuing the study of law, under the direction of Hon. F. E. Dougherty, of Waverly, Ohio, and had taken the bar examination and was commissioned by the Supreme Court to practice in any of the courts of the state. He opened an office and continued in the active practice of his profession until 1914, when the republicans selected him at the primaries for judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to which position he was elected and in which he has since served with the highest efficiency. In his entire public career, Judge Dill has proved a painstaking official and he has ever shown an earnest intention to perform his duties in such a manner as to insure justice to all who come within his jurisdiction. He has given time and attention to educational matters and has served as president of the board of education at Waverly, Ohio. Judge Dill was married, October 8, 1890, to Miss Nannie P. Seymour, of Champaign County, Illinois, and they have three children : Mary Catherine, who resides at home ; Seymour G., who is a senior in the law department of the Ohio State University; and Lewis W., who is a student in the high school at Waverly. Judge Dill is fraternally identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Huntington Valley branch of the Swedenborgian Church. Judge Dill is the author of the interesting article in this volume, entitled, "The Horse Shoe Bend of Paint Creek." HORSE SHOE BEND OF PAINT. CREEK The Horse Shoe Bend of Paint Creek is located two miles east of Bainbridge, in Paxton. Township, Ross County, Ohio, and commences at a point where the Seymour Bridge on the Chillicothe and Milford turnpike crosses the same, thence running south for more than a mile where it strikes the little Copperas mountain, which turns the stream east in a slight curve for more than a mile where it strikes the large Copperas 878 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY mountain, which turns it north for more than a mile to the Chillicothe and Milford pike; forming a horse shoe with the calks of the shoe at the pike, this bend in the creek contains about 1,200 acres of as fertile farm land as there is in Paxton Township. Before the settlement of this land it was heavily timbered with large black walnut, yellow poplar, white oak and other valuable timber and abounded in wild game such as bear, wolves, deer and wild turkeys and other lesser game, and was a favorite hunting ground of the Indian, as is evidenced by a number of Indian mounds found in this bend of the creek; the Copperas mountain contains a red keel in its formation and the Indians made frequent trips to the place to secure this red keel or paint to decorate themselves with, and from which red paint found here and along the banks of the creek the stream gets its name of Paint Creek. The early settlement and history of the Horse Shoe Bend of Paint Creek is so identified with the life of Robert Dill and his brother, Thomas Dill, that a history of the life of Robert Dill, Sr., and his family is the history of this section of Paxton Township. Robert Dill, Sr., was of Irish descent. The writer has no knowledge of him prior to his emigrating to Paxton Township, Ross County, Ohio, from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which he did in the year 1800, taking up all the land embraced in the horse shoe bend of Paint Creek. This land purchased by him was that located under the warrant of Valentine Peyton. After this purchase, Mr. Dill went on horseback to the State of Pennsylvania to obtain the money to make the first payment on his land of wilderness. He started on his homeward ride with $1,500.00 in gold in his saddle bags, when by some mischance his horse escaped and made off through the woods. After a hard chase, the horse was captured and the money recovered. After erecting a cabin, which was one among the first erected in this vicinity, he commenced the arduous task of clearing and improving this land, to enable him to raise a crop of corn and wheat, which was so much needed by the pioneers of Paint Creek Valley at that time. Returning to Pennsylvania, he married Anna Gregory, a Scotch lady, a native of the Keystone State, whom he brought back with him. To this union were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, Robert, Jr., Walter, William, Richard, James, John, Armstrong, Jane, Margaret, and Nancy Dill, who all grew to manhood and womanhood. The clearing of this land, cutting the timber, rolling the trees together and burning them, burning the brush and getting the stumps out of the land, and making it ready to cultivate required many years of hard labor. The axe and the gun were the ever-ready companions of the pioneers. Robert Dill, Sr., was a successful hunter and a daring man. During one of his hunting expeditions he was attacked by about fifteen hungry wolves, and had a desperate fight for his life, but succeeded in beating off his ravenous assailants and making his escape. Mr. Dill was one of the first Trustees of Paxton Township. By an act to incorporate townships passed at the second session of the First General Assembly of the State of Ohio on the second day of HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 879 April, 1804, the inhabitants (or electors) having met at the house of Christian Platter for the purpose of electing township officers, the following were chosen, namely : William Kent, clerk and treasurer, Robert Dill, Christian Platter, Jared Irvin, trustees ; Zuri Combs, John Torbet, overseers of the poor; Thomas Edminston, Elisha Kelly, fence viewers; Samuel Jordan, Thomas Massie, listers of taxable property and house appraisers; Robert Edminston, Thomas Dill, John Swan, Spencer Records, Enoch B. Smith, supervisors of highway ; Joshua Davis, Benjamin McClure, John White, constables. The records of Paxton Township show that Mr. Dill was elected several times afterwards to various township offices. Mr. Dill's large family of boys and girls were a great help to him in clearing up this land and cultivating it. He later built a stone house, which at that time was considered a fine residence. He died at his home on this place in 1839. The death of his wife preceded his. He lived to see his farm of wilderness transformed to fertile fields, the Indian trail through the wilderness give way to the wagon trails, the wagon trail to good substantial roads, the cumbersome traveling wagon give way to the equally unwieldy but more elegant and more comfortable stage coach. It can be well said of him that he rounded out a life with all its hardships, joys and pleasures of the early pioneers of the Paint Creek Valley. His family inherited this land, the boys buying out the girls' interest, paying each one of them the sum of $5,000.00 therefor. His sons continue to improve this land, some selling out and locating elsewhere, until all had sold out and moved away but Robert, Jr., and William. His son, Robert Dill, Jr., inherited and purchased the east portion of this land and continued to improve the same, built onto the old homestead, bought some land adjoining the same and was a progressive and up-to-date farmer and his farm was one among the best along the creek. He married Rebecca Somerville and reared a family. Of this family now living is Mary Brown, Louisville, Kentucky ; Miss Emma B. Dill, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Alice Beath, Washington Court House, Ohio ; Mrs. Ida Beath, near London, Ohio. Robert Dill, Jr., lived here with his family till the time of the death of himself and wife. This farm is now owned by Mrs. Anna Wallace, of Chillicothe, Ohio. His son, James Dill, sold out and moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business. He married Emily Jones, to which union there were born six children, all of whom are now deceased, except Miss Ella Dill of Hillsboro, and George Dill of Chicago, Illinois. Richard Dill sold out and went to the State of Missouri. He married Anna Wells, to which union there was born one son, Robert Dill, now deceased. Walter Dill married Marian Jones, to this union were born two sons, Milton and Byron Dill. He sold out his portion of the Horse Shoe and moved to another part of Paxton Township. This family are all deceased. 880 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY Armstrong sold out and moved to the State of California. He was never married and is now deceased. John Dill sold out and moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, and engaged in the grain business. He married and raised a family. Later he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he died. J. T. Dill, Miss Anna Dill and Charley Dill are survivors of this family. His daughter, Jane Dill, married Rennick Seymour, of Champaign County, Illinois. To this union were born eight children, Abe, Ab, Phil, Jim, Robert, William Seymour, Sallie and Anna Seymour. Margaret Dill married Daniel Kelly, to this union were born two children, Robert Kelly, of Chicago, Illinois ; Emily Kelly, late of Urbana, Illinois, now deceased. His daughter, Nancy Dill, married Richard Parker, to this union were born two daughters, Catharine and Maggie, who grew to womanhood and reared families, but are now deceased. His son, William Dill, inherited and purchased that portion of this land west of his brother, Robert, and later purchased from Walter, his share of his father's estate. He was married, March 6, 1850, to Mary W. Kelly, a native of Bainbridge, Ohio. Her father, Elisha Kelly, was one of the first settlers in Bainbridge, and one of the first officers of the township. He was a blacksmith by trade and at that time an important industry as a great many things in the iron business were hammered out on the anvil, and he employed as many as eight to ten men at his shop to supply the demands of the pioneers. To this union were born eight children, Elisha Dill, of Columbus, Ohio; Frank Dill, near Jeffersonville, Ohio, now deceased ; William Dill, of Jeffersonville; Lewis G. Dill, of Waverly, Ohio ; Robert Dill, of Fayette County, Ohio; Edward Dill, Bainbridge, Ohio; Maggie Dill, Bainbridge, Ohio ; and Ella Dill Poston, Crawfordsville, Indiana. William Dill continued to improve this land he purchased and inherited and built a residence. The brick used in building this residence came from the Indian mound located on the farm and was burned by John Wroten, of Bainbridge, Ohio. He purchased other land to the north of this farm until at the time of his death he owned 700 acres of land. He was a stock raiser in connection with his farming and owned, at one time, a flock of 500 head of sheep, which he grazed on the upland adjoining the Paint Creek land and wintered them on the bottom land. He was also engaged in the fruit business and from his orchards on this upland he sent thousands of bushels of fine peaches and apples to the market each year. He was a stockholder in the Springfield and Jackson Railroad and furnished teams to help construct the same, and with other pioneers and stockholders helped to drive the last spike when the road was finished and connected up on his farm. There was an excursion run from both ends of the road and William Dill, John Storms, Robert Dill, Jr., Thomas Blackstone and James Emmitt, drove the last spike. William Dill gave the right of way for this road on consideration that the road put in a switch for loading grain and freight at this point and that they stop all passenger trains on flag to take on passengers, which station they named Dill's Station. HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 881 This was a great convenience for the farmers of this neighborhood and grain and stock, for ten miles down the valley, are loaded at this point. He was a progressive farmer and owned one of the first reapers in this section, purchased one of the first binders when they were invented, which was the No. 9 wire binder, but this was discarded for the reason that the wire killed the cattle that ran to the straw after it was threshed. The twine binder was soon after invented and he purchased this machine. He lived through the progress and invention of the nineteenth century, which to enumerate here would make this article too lengthy. I have heard him say that he had helped to cut, roll together and burn large black walnut, yellow poplar and white oak logs, that if he had at this time would be worth many times more than the land that they were cut from but at that time there was no market for, and this land is very valuable. This Horse Shoe Bend of Paint Creek probably contains as productive and fertile a body of land as there is in the valley, or in the state. The writer, after a period of twenty-five years, visiting this farm witnessed the hauling to the corn crib as fine a quality of corn as he had hauled from this farm twenty-five years before. There seemed to be no exhaustion of the productive quality of this land. William Dill and wife retired from the farm in 1890, and moved to Bainbridge, Ohio, where they lived until their death. He died in the year 1906, his wife preceded his death. This farm is owned by Edward and Maggie Dill, of Bainbridge, Ohio. INDIAN MOUNDS OF HORSE SHOE BEND OF PAINT CREEK There are a number of Indian Mounds in this bend of Paint Creek, three mounds on the William Dill homestead, two in their original state of preservation with the exception of the wear of time. The third and largest was cut into and a kiln of brick burned from the clay from which it is composed, by John Wroten, of Bainbridge, Ohio. This was done at the instance of William Dill for the brick used in the building of the home now standing on this Dill homestead. In this mound were found skeletons of supposed Indian chiefs or notables among the tribes at the time of their burial. There was also found a copper box and other copper trinkets. These findings were given to the Smithsonian Institute. The peculiarity about these mounds is that they were built out of clay, while the surrounding territory is a black loam. There is a twin to this mound on the Richard Dill farm, now owned by the heirs of Joseph Smith, who have plowed and scraped this mound down so they could farm over it, but there is a visible elevation yet where it stood. These two mounds were the most perfect of any found in the Horse Shoe. The largest mound in the valley is found on the Blackstone farm, now owned by the Seip heirs at Chillicothe, Ohio. This mound is 240 feet long and 160 feet wide, and was, a few years ago, by actual measurement, 35 feet high. This mound is enclosed by a circular earthen wall embracing seventeen acres, but this wall is almost erased 882 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY by the continual farming over it till it is now hardly visible. There were several deer licks in this bend of the creek, and it was, no .doubt, a favorite hunting ground for the Indians as there were found numbers of arrow points of flint. Some of the most perfect specimens are to be found there yet and by the farmer in plowing this land, some very good points that are turned up by the plow. There is a division of opinion about these mounds. Some believe they were erected by the Pre-historic race, but the prevailing belief is that they were built by the Indians to mark the resting place of some notable chief as a hunter or warrior. This belief is confirmed by the fact that when they are opened there are found in them skeletons of the human type. COPPERAS MOUNTAIN The large Copperas Mountain has been formed by the continual wear of the creek against a hill about 300 feet high, wearing it away until it is almost perpendicular, and faces about due west against the stream. This mountain serves as an excellent sun-dial for the farmers that are within view of it when the sun is shining, and anyone used to it can tell with accuracy within ten minutes of the time of day from the shadow on the face of the mountain. South of the Horse Shoe Bend of this creek, the country is hilly and mountainous, and was settled up by a good class of citizens, but illiterate, as the school advantages were not very good 100 years ago. They were hunters and did not all avail themselves of the advantages they had, and many is the hunting story told by the inhabitants of this region back of the mountain when they came down in the bottoms in the fall of the year to help cut and gather the corn crop. One old fellow in particular who invariably got his dates mixed with seasons, would relate the deer chase up to and over this mountain, where the dogs got the deer cornered and chased it over the face of the mountain, and it landed at the bottom, where the water flows by, and broke its neck on the ice in July, and the farmers were all plowing corn down in the bottoms. And at another time when he was out hunting wild turkey, he killed such a large gobbler that when he threw it over his back to take it home it was so large its head trailed along in the snow in August. I refrain from giving this name on account of the embarrassment it might cause some of his descendants, who are excellent, good citizens and educated, one son being a minister of the gospel. Out of the face of this mountain can be found round boulders, which are collected by the near residents for ornaments to decorate the side of the walks to their residences, placing them on either side of the walk, about ten feet apart. This mountain looms up so that it can be seen for three miles or more coming east from Bainbridge, on the Chillicothe and Milford pike, and it derives its name from the copperas found along the face of it. It is visited by a great many people for the fine view from the top of it, of the surrounding country. Some youngsters attempted to climb up the face without going around the side and ascend- HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 883 ing gradually, after climbing up some 150 feet they came to a point where they could not get any farther, and when trying to descend found they could not get down nor up, and it was necessary for their companions to search the neighborhood for ropes to let down to them from the top to get them out of their adventure. SEYMOUR BRIDGE This bridge was built in 1840, by R. R. Seymour, the contractor. It is a double track covered bridge and the only one of its kind known by the writer. It was built before the age of concrete and steel, and therefore is built entirely with stone and wood, the wood being mortised together and pinned with wooden pins. The stone used in the abutments of this bridge came from the William Dill stone quarries at the top of a large hill about one mile east of the bridge. The stone was quarried out at the top of the hill and a double track laid up and down the hill. Large posts were planted in the ground at the top of the hill and a windlass placed thereon. The stone were loaded on the car, and let down the hill to the pike, the down-going car pulling the empty car up to the top to be loaded, and vice versa, the loaded car going down pulling the empty up, and the empty helping to brake the loaded car going down, when the stone were loaded on wagons and hauled to the bridge. This bridge is planked up the sides to keep the rain from injuring the timber, and of a dark night it was surely dark in there. There have been two robberies reported to have occurred in this bridge, but the parties robbed always escaped uninjured. The writer remembers that when he was sent on shopping expedition to Bainbridge or for the mail when he was a boy, that he was told of the robberies, and ghost stories, to bring him home before dark, and it worked well for a time, but one time he was sent for the mail so late it was not possible to get back through this bridge till darkness fell, and how he approached this bridge with all these ghost stories and robberies fresh in his mind; and expecting any time after entering the bridge to be nabbed, but passed safely through. After that time the ghost story did not work any more, and he stayed in town without any horror of passing through the bridge. R. R. Seymour, the contractor, came from Moorefield, Hardy County, Virginia, in the early part of 1800. He did his work well, for now, seventy-six years since the building of the bridge, it is still standing in a good state of preservation without much repairs, except roofing, and is the equal of the later day steel structures. He afterward became a director in the Milford and Chillicothe Turnpike Company. INDIAN HISTORY The last fight the white settlers had with the Indians was at Reeves Crossing, a short distance below the Seymour bridge, with the Shawnee Tribe. In 1795, an exploring party came on to a camp of Indians at this point and were apprized of their location by hearing the tinkling 884 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY of the bells on the ponies of the Indians' band. In this exploring party was General Massie, Robert W. Finley, and about thirty other men. After a sharp fight of a few moments, the Indians broke and fled in confusion, across the stream, leaving their camp and its contents to the mercy of the whites. The Shawnees lost several killed and wounded, and of the explorers, one, a Mr, Robinson, who was shot and instantly killed. Massie and his company, being left masters of the situation, gathered together the horses, skins and other valuables of the camp, and with a white man, John Wilcoxon, who had been held a prisoner by the Shawnees and had escaped during the confusion of the battle, commenced a retreat to Manchester, from whence they had set out. This was the last collision which ever occurred between the red men and the whites in the Paint Creek Valley. General Wayne's treaty, shortly after made, ended the hostilities between the Shawnees and the whites, and began a peace which endured until the year 1812. From the date of the Reeves Crossing encounter, the Indians do not appear in the history of Paxton, save as peaceful traveler or hunter within its limits. E. C. LUNBECK is one of a very prominent old family of Ross County. The Lunbecks were here before Chillicothe was a town and long before Ohio was a state. Mr. Lunbeck has had a long and active career, chiefly identified with what is in the nature of a family industry, the management of the old mill at South Salem. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 20, 1858, a son of Daniel H. and Mary E. (Nixon) Lunbeck. Daniel H. Lunbeck was born on the old homestead in Highland County in 1835, and his wife was born in 1839. The Lunbeck family ancestry is traced back to Sweden. In 1685 two brothers of the name left Sweden, perhaps as sailors, and when their ship was along the coast of the United States it was wrecked and the brothers, on landing, took up permanent settlement and thus started the family history in this country. The family is next heard of in Kentucky, and from Crab Orchard of that state they came into Ohio in 1796. They came through Portsmouth and located near what is now Chillicothe in 1796. There they met some trouble with the Indians, and they finally built two cabins on the site of Chillicothe. One of their companions was Alexander McCoy, maternal grandfather of E. C. Lunbeck. The Lunbecks remained at Chillicothe until 1801, when they removed to Highland County and there established a homestead which was the home of four generations of the family. In the early days the Lunbecks were particular friends of the Indians, were always on good terms with them and carried on an extensive trade. Daniel Lunbeck, Mr. E. C, Lunbeck's grandfather, came to Ohio in 1801. After serving in the Mexican war he came to Highland County, Ohio, and founded the old "Lunbeck Homestead." He built one of the first water-power sawmills on Paint Creek. He married Rachel McCoy. Mr. E. C. Lunbeck's father and mother were married in 1857, and in 1859 moved to Ross County, locating in South Salem. Daniel Lunbeok bought the old mill in 1860, operated it with a partner until about 1884, and he then became sole proprietor. He conducted it until HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 885 his death, and after that it was under the firm name of D. H. Lunbeck & Sons until 1908. In that year Mr. E. C. Lunbeck and his brother Ralph bought the mill from the estate and still direct its operations. E. C. Lunbeck was reared and educated in Ross County, attended the public schools and the old South Salem Academy, and ever since graduating has been identified with the mill, which is one of the important institutions in this part of the county. Mr. Lunbeck is a member of the Presbyterian Church and for many years has been a consistent Christian. He has served as mayor of South Salem and also as town trustee. Politically he is a republican. MICHAEL KRAMER. A man of broad capabilities, energetic, and ever quick to utilize offered opportunities, Michael Kramer achieved distinction in the business circles of Chillicothe, for many years being prominently associated with its mercantile and financial interests, and his death while yet comparatively young was a distinct loss not only to his immediate family and friends, but to the community' in which he lived. A native of Germany, he was born November 23, 1849, in Rheinbach, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. His parents, Leonard and Elizabeth Kramer, left the fatherland in 1831, and with their family came to America in a sailing vessel, after a voyage of sixty-five days landing in New York. Coming thence to Ohio, they located in Chillicothe, where both spent their remaining years, dying at a good old age. But two years old when brought to Chillicothe by his parents, Michael Kramer was educated, in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen years, being a bright and capable lad, he secured a position in the establishment of Smart & Kilvert, wholesale grocers. A keen observer, industrious and alert, he became thoroughly acquainted with the details of the business, and in 1879, having by prudent thrift accumulated considerable money, he formed a partnership with George Vaughters, and as junior member of the firm of Vaughters & Kramer embarked in the wholesale grocery business, later becoming actively identified with the banking interests of this part of the county, the partnership continuing until the death of Mr. Kramer. Mr. Kramer was one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank, of which he was a director, and the firm of Vaughters & Kramer owned a controlling interest in the Chillicothe Electric Railroad, Light and Power Company, of which Mr. Kramer became treasurer. In addition to these holdings, Mr. Kramer was an extensive land owner, having title to several valuable farms, which he managed through tenants. Mr. Kramer married, August 3, 1898, Miss Lucy E. Treiber, who was born in Chillicothe, of German parentage. Mrs. Kramer and her three children, William, Grace, and Walter, have a very pleasant and attractive home on Paint Street, and there give glad welcome to their many friends. Religiously Mr. Kramer belonged to the German Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Kramer is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mr. Kramer died in Jacksonville, Florida, March 1, 1914. Vol. II-26 886 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY J. E. WILTSHIRE. The sales manager of the Ohio Kiln Company, which operates the improved Hook, patent up-and-down kiln, located at Vigo, Ohio, J. E. Wiltshire is widely and favorably known in business circles of Ross County, where he has been identified with a number of enterprises. With his coming to Vigo, about twenty years ago, there was added an element of strength and purpose to the upbuilding of what was a promising and prosperous community, and while he has been busily engaged in building up his own fortunes, he has not lost sight of the needs of the locality where his business activities are centered. Mr. Wiltshire was born December 29, 1875, at Gillespieville, Ross County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. J. M. and Mary (Sutherland) Wiltshire. Both the Wiltshire and Sutherland families have long been well known in Ross County, Mr. Wiltshire's grandparents on both sides having come here at an early day. His paternal grandfather was William Wiltshire, who, with his wife, came from Virginia and settled in Scioto Township on a farm, while his maternal grandparents were natives of Scotland. Dr. J. M. Wiltshire was born at Waller Postoffice, Massieville, Ross County, Ohio, and has for many years been a successful physician and surgeon. He and Mrs. Wiltshire, also a native of Ross County, have been the parents of four children, namely : William H., who is engaged in fanning in the vicinity of Gillespieville ; J. S., a graduate of Starling Medical College, and a post-graduate of Cincinnati Medical School, and now engaged in successful practice at Londonderry ; Mary F., who is the wife of Frank Counts, of Richmond Dale, Ohio; and J. E., of this review. J. E. Wiltshire received his education in the public schools of Londonderry, and was brought up on his father's farm, on which he remained until he was twenty years of age. At that time he began his connection with mercantile pursuits, accepting a position as clerk in the general store at Vigo which was conducted by W. B. Francis, in whose employ Mr. Wiltshire remained during a period of six years. He then went to Chillicothe, where for a short time he was employed by J. Charles Shaffer as a road salesman, but soon returned to Vigo, and in 1902 organized the general store business that was conducted as J. E. Wiltshire. This business he built up to excellent proportions, supplying a trade that extended all over the countryside, and displaying abilities of a fine order, which not only attracted patronage to his establishment but also gave him an excellent reputation. On October 15, 1915, Mr. Wiltshire disposed of his interests in this business and took charge as sales manager of the Ohio Kiln Company. This is an important industry, and, as before stated, operates the improved Hook patent up-and-down kiln, located at Vigo. Under Mr. Wiltshire's capable and energetic management, the sales of this concern have already shown a pleasing increase, and the details of the enterprise are being handled in an efficient and highly systematic manner. Mr. Wiltshire is a popular member of Scioto Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons; Chillicothe Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Chil- HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 887 licothe Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters; and Chillicothe Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar. With his family, he belongs to the Vigo Baptist Church, of which he is one of the trustees, and his political belief makes him a republican. His support is accounted decidedly important in the advancement of movements for the welfare of his community, and this support, financial and personal, is freely given. On March 29, 1896, Mr. Wiltshire was married to Miss Althea M. Lacey, daughter of Isaiah C. and Margaret (Stevens) Lacey. Mrs. Wiltshire was born at Eagle Mills, Vinton County, Ohio, where she grew up and was educated in the public schools, and was teaching in the Glade School at the time of her marriage. To. Mr. and Mrs. Wiltshire there have been born two sons: James Orville, a graduate of Doane Academy at Greenville, and now associated with his uncle, at Richmond Dale; and Eldred, who is now pursuing a business course at Chillicothe. AUGUSTUS NORTON. The career of Augustus Norton has been a long, useful and successful one, in which he has been engaged in a variety of pursuits, including merchandising, banking, farming, and hotel keeping. Also, this veteran of the Civil war has occupied positions of trust• in the communities in which he has resided, and at the present time is postmaster at Vigo, an office which he has held since May, 1912. Mr. Norton was born at Athens, Ohio, December 19, 1837, and is a son of Joseph H. and Rosanna J. (Johnson) Norton. His father was born in Cortland County, New York, near the Town of Homer, in January, 1808, and was twenty years of age when he made his way to Athens, Ohio, here settling among the pioneer residents. Here Mr. Norton met and married Rosanna J. Johnson, who was born and reared at that place. Mr. Norton secured employment as a clerk in the general store kept at Athens, and after gaining sufficient experience and some small capital, founded with his brother the firm of Isaac & J. H. Norton, establishing a general store at Athens. Mr. Norton's brother died in 1837, and in 1841 he became sole owner of the 'business, which he continued to be connected with until the time of his death. Augustus Norton received his education in the public schools of Athens and at an early age began to learn the business methods in the store of his uncle and father. In the spring. of 1859 he was admitted to partnership in the firm of J. H. Norton & Son, and continued in business activities until 1861. In that year he enlisted in Company F, First Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry, and at the organization of the regiment was elected first lieutenant. After one year he resigned his commission and returned to his Ohio home, where he organized and recruited Company I, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, of which he was made captain. With this command he served until January, 1864, when, owing to an injury, he was obliged to again resign from his military command and return to his home. At this time Captain Norton re-entered business with his father, with whom he was associated until about 1867, then purchasing the elder man's interests. He continued 888 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY in business until 1869, when he was compelled to undergo an operation on one of his limbs, owing to an injury received while in the army, and thus he was unable to stand the confinement of mercantile life. Accordingly, he sold his business and purchased a farm in Athens County, on which he resided for something more than ten years. In 1880 he was solicited by the First National Bank to become its vice president and take active charge of its affairs, and after a short period was made president of the insitution and continued so for thirteen years, during which time the bank enjoyed the greatest prosperity and established an excellent reputation in banking circles of the state. In 1893 Mr. Norton disposed of his interests at Athens and went to Virginia, where he bought the old Joseph A. Seddon estate, known as Sabot Hill, on which he lived for ten years, then trading it for a hotel at Stanton, Virginia. His experience as a hotel proprietor covered a period of five years, and in 1908 he came back to Ohio, and located at Vigo two years later. In May, 1912, he was appointed postmaster, and this office he has continued to fill to the present time with the greatest ability and to the entire satisfaction of the people. Mr. Norton married Sarah Westcott Putnam, a daughter of George Putnam and a descendant of General Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. and Mrs. Norton were married in March, 1866, and are the parents of four sons and four daughters, all living, as follows: J. A.; William H., a physician and surgeon, of Portland, Oregon, a graduate of Ohio University, at Athens, and of Johns Hopkins Institute, and now assistant dean of the University of Oregon; Earl L., who is a traveling salesman for the big packing firm of Swift & Company ; Douglas P., connected with the Ford Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Michigan; Frances J., widow of the late C. S. Price, with whom she went to the Ohio University, at Athens, as a classmate, now editor of the Daily Leader, at Mount Clemens, Michigan, of which she was also formerly publisher; Alberta, who is the wife of James M. Rittebur, of Jefferson Township, Ross County ; Adele B., who is the wife of Paul W. Schauber, a druggist of Mount Clemens, Michigan ; and Alice C., who is the wife of Allen G. Straight, of Mount Clemens. Mr. Norton and the members of his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Mason and a republican. In whatever business he has centered his activities and in whatever community he has resided, he has always borne the reputation of an honorable business man and a public-spirited citizen, worthy of the confidence and respect of the people among whom he lived and with whom he labored. LEWIS FRANKLIN MARINE. Under modern conditions, farm management is taking more and more the character of a profession. It requires expert ability, experience, sound judgment, as well as industry to manage profitably and wisely a large landed estate. That is the business by which Lewis Franklin Marine has found his secure place in the community of Ross County. He is one of the most progressive men of that profession in Deerfield Township. In that rich and fertile part of HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 889 Ross County he directs and controls the operations of some 300 or more acres. He was born on a farm near Allentown, in Fayette County, Ohio, August 14, 1872. His father, William Marine, was also born in Fayette County, April 26, 1845. The grandfather, Robert Marine, was a native of the State of Delaware and that state was also the birthplace of the great-grandfather, who subsequently became one of the pioneer settlers of Fayette County, Ohio. Robert Marine improved a good farm in Paint Creek Valley of Wayne Township, Fayette County, and both he and his wife, Serepta, died there. William Marine, who was reared on a farm, made that the choice of his vocation in life, and subsequently bought a place near Leesburg, which he operated for many years. He is now living retired at Leesburg. He married Nora J. Ross, who was born in Fayette County, a daughter of Anthony Ross. They became the parents of six children, named Robert, Serepta, Lewis F., Arthur E., Nellie, and Charles. One of this family, Lewis Franklin Marine grew up on his father's farm, attended district school, and became acquainted with all the details and phases of farm life as a youth. On starting out independently he worked by the month for a time, then rented a small place near Greenfield three years, and with experience he began getting further ahead in the matter of prosperity every season. He afterwards rented the John McLean farm of 200 acres, in Fayette County, and after seven years there went to the Prof. John Shupe farm for two years. In 1908 Mr. Marine came to Deerfield Township, in Ross County, locating on the farm where he now resides. This farm comprises more than 200 acres of land, and he also leases another farm of 100 acres. He has all this land under thorough cultivation, and well deserves a place among the most successful agriculturists of Ross County. On August 29, 1893, Lewis Marine married Lutheria May. Mrs. Marine was born in Vinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Moses and Sarah May. To their marriage have been born five children: Ralph, Owen, Blanche, Roy and Mary V. Mrs. Marine and the children are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Marine is a republican voter, and is affiliated with Magenta Springs Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. SCHUYLER SLAGER represents a younger generation of progressive farmers in Ross County. His active career covers about a quarter of a century and in that time he has managed his business affairs so energetically and with so much enterprise as to constitute a success that might well be envied by the prosperous merchant or manufacturer. He has not neglected his relations to the public at the same time, and has filled a number of local offices. His birth occurred on a farm in the North Precinct of Union Township July 1, 1870. Most of his own lifetime has been spent within the same township. His father was Jacob Slager, who was born on the River Rhine in Germany. His Grandfather Andy Slager was also a native of 890 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY Germany, where he was reared and married. Many years ago he brought his family to America, being accompanied by his wife and five children. The sailing vessel on which they came met with adverse winds and was nearly three months in crossing the ocean. The family came direct to Ross County, the grandfather locating in Deerfield Township, and buying a tract of timbered land. There he erected a double log house and that served as the habitation of the Slager family for a number of years. Settlers in a new and largely undeveloped country, they had the courage and industry that enabled them to cope with all the difficulties and trials. Andy Slager began clearing up his farm, and lived on the place until his death. Both lie and his wife lived to a good old age and are buried on the old homestead. Jacob Slager, who was seven years of age when the family came to this country, continued his education in the pioneer schools of Deerfield Township. When only a boy he did such work as his strength allowed on the home farm, and after his marriage his father gave him a tract of land in Deerfield Township. That was his home until 1870, the year that Schuyler was born, and he then moved to the northern part of Union Township, buying a farm of ninety-eight acres. He busied himself with its general cultivation and lived there until his death. Jacob Slager married Martha Jane Shasteen, a daughter of William Shasteen, one of the early settlers of Union Township. Schuyler Slager was reared to habits of industry. Attending the district schools a portion of each year he spent the rest of the time on his father's farm, and when ready to start out for himself it was as a renter. Prosperity smiled upon him from the start, and in 1899 he bought a farm of 175 acres in Wayne Township of Pickaway County. After renting that farm for two years he then moved on it himself in 1901, and is still its owner. He then bought the Norman Lutz farm of 253 acres in North Union Township. His home place now comprises 260 acres, is a well improved farm, with excellent buildings, and well fitted for Mr. Slager's enterprise as a general farmer and stock raiser. In June, 1916, he bought 365 acres of well improved land in North Union Township. Mr. Slager is vice president and stockholder in Ramy Company of Chillicothe ; owns a half interest in a tract of 20,000 acres of timberland in Old Virginia; while he and his wife have a sixth interest in 330 acres of valuable land in Green and Deerfield townships of Ross County. In 1900 he married Verbena Gartner, youngest daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Gartner, natives of Germany. Mr. Gartner was a prominent and influential farmer of Springfield Township, and a man the community could be proud of ; kind but firm ; his word was as good as his bond. He took active part in everything that he thought would improve the community. Mr. Gartner died in 1913 in his ninetieth year and up to his death he was as active as a man at forty and successfully conducted his large affairs. A more loving father could not be found than he was to his family. He was never spoken of except in praise. Mr. and Mrs. Slager are the parents of two children Elizabeth Martha Gartner and one HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 891 son Schuyler Philip G., who died at the age of two years and four months. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and workers in the Sunday School. Mr. Slager for a number of years has interested himself in local affairs and has filled with ability such offices as school director, road supervisor, and for six years was a member of the board of county commissioners. JOHN ROCKWELL ENTREKIN. Many interesting distinctions surround the name of Entrekin, not only in Ross but in adjoining counties. It is a family that was established in Northwest Territory several years before Ohio was admitted to the Union. The various members of the family have played a worthy part in laying the foundations of civilization and in maintaining the various activities and institutions of their respective communities for more than a century. John Rockwell Entrekin, who represents the third successive generation of the family in this part of Ohio, is now living retired at his home in Frankfort. He was born in Pickaway Township of Pickaway County October 1, 1844. The Entrekins were Scotch Covenanters. They lived in Dumfriesshire, their seat being located on Entrekin Water, a branch of Nith River, near the pass in the mountains known as Entrekin Pass. A description of this piece of rugged Scotch scenery is given in Crockett's "Men of Moss Haigs." Leaving Scotland on account of religious prosecution, some of the family went to the North of Ireland, and from there came to America, settling in Pennsylvania. William Entrekin, great-grandfather of John R. Entrekin, was a son of Scotch parents. He married Elizabeth Hall, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and in 1796 came to the Northwest Territory, being one of the first settlers in Ross County. He located in Hopetown, where his wife died in 1800. At that time Ohio was a complete wilderness, with only a few scattered settlements north of the river. Indians roamed at will and claimed the largest part of the state as their hunting grounds. The pioneers like the Entrekins subsisted as frontiersmen, living on meat obtained from wild game, and practically without conveniences or facilities for transportation or any of the items of modern comforts. One of the very distinguished characters in the early life of this section of Ohio was Col. John Entrekin, grandfather of John R. Col. John Entrekin was born in 1777, on the Hall farm on Willoughby Creek and the Cashtown Road. On that farm nearly a century later, on the morning of July 1, 1863, the great battle of Gettysburg opened. When he was thirteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and from there, in 1796, came to the Northwest Territory. He distinguished himself as a gallant soldier in the Ohio militia during the days when Indian fighting was common, and especially during the second war with Great Britain, in 1812. He was a colonel in that war, and for many years was active in the state military circles. In 1819-20 he served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and afterwards was associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas of 892 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY Pickaway County. His first home in the wilderness of Ohio was a double log house, heated by fireplace, and his wife did all her cooking by the open fire. Colonel Entrekin bought a tract of timbered land in Pick-away Township, on the road leading from Portsmouth to Columbus. For years after he settled here there were no railroads or canals, and transportation was largely by flatboat down the streams or by stages which ran out of Columbus in every direction. Colonel Entrekin directed the clearing of a large amount of land in this section of Ohio. From the modern standpoint, the method of clearing was extremely wasteful of valuable timber. Logs of splendid black walnut and oak were rolled together in piles and burned, in order that the ground might be cleared for cultivation. Colonel Entrekin served for several years as justice of the peace. He was a model justice. Wherever possible he settled cases that came before him without trial or recourse to the law. This he did by giving good advice to the litigants, and oftentimes he sent the parties away friends when otherwise they might have been confirmed enemies. A great many experiences might be described in which the Entrekins shared during their early years in Ohio. All grain was cut from the fields with a sickle and trampled out with horses. Later came the cradle as an improvement over the old sickle, and finally threshing machines operated by horse power. The first threshing machines were extremely crude, and the grain, straw and chaff, all came out together, the straw being shaken out and the wheat and chaff put through a fanning mill operated by hand. John R. Entrekin worked with the first thresh. ing machine of this county. He also helped drive the horses tramping out wheat ready to be cleaned by fanning mills. Col. John Entrekin married Nancy Crouse. That introduces another pioneer family in these annals. Her father, John Crouse, was born in what is now Carroll County, Maryland, January 13, 1759. He learned the trade of tailor. In June, 1776, he enlisted as a private at Fredericksburg for six months in a company of the Flying Corps enrolled by Capt. Jacob Good, of -Col. Charles G. Griffith's regiment, attached to Gen. Rezen Beal's brigade. After his return from the war he lived near Sam's Creek, in Frederick County, Maryland. On May 14, 1782, he had conveyed to him five acres of land on the east side of Dollarhide Creek, on the road from Fredericktown to Baltimore. In 1788 John Crouse removed to Orange County, North Carolina, but in a few years returned to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and in 1798 came with his wife and six children to the Northwest Territory. During the same year he bought from William McCoy and John De Rush a corn cracking mill on the Kinnikinnick Creek in what is now Green Township of Ross' County. There he erected the first flour mill in the valley. That was a splendid convenience to the early settlers and he did a large business and made money rapidly. This money he invested in lands until he was the owner of more than 5,000 acres in Ross, Pickaway and Delaware counties. He was as liberal as he was successful. He donated land in Kingston for the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Both he and his wife were among the first members of the Methodist Church at Kingston. John Crouse married Catherine Umstead, a daughter of HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 893 Nicholas and Ann (Davis) Umstead. John Crouse died in Kingston September 5, 1847, and his wife died August 5, 1850. William Entrekin, son of Col. John Entrekin, was born in Pickaway Township of Pickaway County, March 12, 1812, a short time before the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain. As a young man he had many of the pioneer and frontier experiences. In 1832, at the age of twenty, he accompanied his father on a trip to what was then known as the Northwest, passing through the states of Indiana and Illinois and the territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. Much of Illinois and Indiana were still government land, and very few settlements indeed had been made in Wisconsin or Iowa. On the prairies of Iowa they witnessed almost countless buffalo. Chicago was a village when they passed through it, and apparently without promise for the future. While there, some parties offered to trade them a tract of land now included in the city for their horses. William Entrekin, father of John R. Entrekin, became a prominent farmer and stock raiser. He raised mules, cattle and sheep, and eventually succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead in Pickaway Township, where he and his father erected a commodious brick house, then an important landmark in the country. At that home he lived until his death on June 1, 1892. William Entrekin married Jane Bell. She was born March 7, 1820, a daughter of William Bell, one of the pioneer merchants of Circleville. Her death occurred May 28, 1910. Her four children were John R.,Tacyatin, Flora Belle, and Taey Crouse. John Rockwell Entrekin, being the son of prosperous parents, was given an unusually liberal education for his time and generation. He graduated from the Kingston High School, spent one year in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and three years in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After completing his college course he returned home and took up farming as his regular vocation. For a number of years he was associated with his father, and his life's efforts have been judiciously bestowed and correspondingly rewarded. He remained on the old homestead, until 1907, when he removed to Frankfort to occupy the old Anderson home there. Mr. Entrekin married Laura Anderson, a daughter of David C. and Sarah (Tulleys) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Entrekin have reared one son, named Carl Anderson. Carl Anderson, who was educated in the South Salem Academy, is now an electrician at Columbus. He married Margaret C. Coughman, of Washington Court House. For their wedding his they went abroad with hi's Grandfather Anderson, and during thd three months' tour visited the Holy Land and many of the principal points of interest in Europe. Carl Entrekin is an active member of Magnolia Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons; Ohio Chapter, No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; Columbus Council, No. 8, Royal and Select Masters; Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, and Aladdin Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. and Mrs. Entrekin are active members of the Presbyterian Church and he is one of the regular attendants of the Bible Class of Sunday school at Frankfort. Fraternally he is also an active Mason, 894 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY being affiliated with Frankfort Lodge, No. 309, Free and Accepted Masons; Chillicothe Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Chillicothe Council, Royal and Select Masters; Chillicothe Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar, and has been a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 419, of the Knights of Pythias since 1890. ALONZO T. SWEPSTONE. A man of prominence among the county officials, Alonzo T. Swepstone, of Chillicothe, sheriff of Ross County, possesses in a marked degree the discretion, trustworthiness, and force of character requisite for the responsible position he is so acceptably filling. He was born December 28, 1856, in a hewed log house in Richland Township, Vinton County, Ohio, on the same farm that the birth of his father, Charles Swepstone, occurred in 1833. John Swepstone, his paternal grandfather, a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in pioneer days, accompanied by his wife and three children, making the journey with a horse and cart, bringing his household goods, and camping and cooking by the wayside. Purchasing from the Government a tract of forest-covered land in Richland Township, he made a small clearing, on which he first built from round logs ,a cabin, with an earth and stick chimney, 'but no floor. He subsequently built three other log houses, each one more pretentious than the previous one. The last that he built was a substantial hewed log house, the boards of which were sawed at the old water-power mill, dressed 'by hand, and held in place by wooden pins, no nails having been used in its construction. The roof was covered with boards rived by hand, and held in place by weight poles. John Swepstone was a, man of versatile talents, a natural mechanic, and could make a wagon, shoe a horse, or repair a clock, and was skilled as *a millwright. For many years he served as justice of the peace, and the book in which he kept the record of his docket shows that the fines assessed were sometimes paid in coon skins, and very frequently in agricultural products. Redeeming a farm from the wilderness, he occupied it until his death, at the age of four score and four years. He married Sarah Brewster, and to them seven sons and an equal number of daughters were born, as follows: Jack, William, Edward, Samuel, Thomas, Charles, George, Jane, Cynthia, Tabitha, Temperance, Sarah, one whose name is not recorded, and Minnie. Charles Swepstone was early taught to work, as a boy assisting in the work incidental to life on a farm, and later serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. He succeeded to the ownership of a portion of the parental homestead, and in addition to farming operated a smithy on his farm for many years. Selling his farming property, he lived for awhile in Columbus, but now makes his home with a daughter, near Frankfort. The maiden name of his wife was Mariam Ramey. She was born in Vinton County, a daughter of Elias and Sarah Ramey, and a granddaughter of Hiram and Mary Jane Ramey. She died in 1905, leaving eight children, namely : Alonzo T., the special subject of this brief sketch; Robert S.; Winnie Lidora and Sarah Leora, twins; Minnie Jane; Ella ; Emma ; and Annie. As a boy Alonzo T. Swepstone became interested in agriculture, and HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 895 at the age of fourteen years assumed the management of the home farm. Going to Dawson County, Nebraska, in 1879, he was in the employ of the Nebraskan Hay Company a year, and then returned home. In 1884 Mr. Swepstone located on the John Cline Farm, near Frankfort, where he was busily employed for six years. In December, 1890, he came to Chillicothe to accept the position of deputy sheriff, and for four years filled that office most satisfactorily. In 1895 Mr. Swepstone entered the employ of the McCormick Harvester Company as traveling salesman, continuing with that firm a year, and the ensuing year filling a similar position with the Deering Company. The democratic candidate for sheriff in 1896, Mr. Swepstone was elected, polling over a thousand more votes than his republican opponent. From 1890 until 1894, while then serving as deputy sheriff, Mr. Swepstone was extensively engaged in the hotel business, operating four different ones in the city, including the Swepstone ; the Haynes, which is now the New Nelson; the Phoenix; and the Adena. He has also had an interest in seven different livery stables, in Chillicothe and Columbus. In 1910 he was once more called upon to fill the position of deputy sheriff, and in 1914 was elected to his present position as sheriff. Mr. Swepstone is very widely known in his official capacity, but many are more intimately acquainted with him as an auctioneer, a profession in which he is specially. proficient, having followed it to a more or less extent since eighteen years of age. Mr. Swepstone married, in 1879, Mary L. Cozad, who was born in Allenville, Vinton County, a daughter of Abraham and Anna Cozad. Mr. and Mrs. Swepstone have five children living, namely : Algie Ethel, who married Lane Gudgeon, and has two children, Mildred and Mary; Robert Earl, who married Osie Smith; Mattie Cline, wife of Albert Saul, has two children, Mildred and Barton Alonzo; Donald Blacker; Gladys; and Elizabeth. Mrs. Swepstone is a member of the Christian Church. JOSEPH H. NEELY, of South Salem is an interesting personality and a man of varied accomplishments. In his time he has followed the trades of blacksmith, carriage maker, painter and decorator, and musician. Everything he has ever undertaken has been well done and he has made himself one of the most useful members of any community where he has had his home. Mr. Neely was born in Springfield, Ohio, November 30, 1851, a son of James J. and Elizabeth (Souders) Neely. His father was born in Newark, New Jersey, grew up there and learned his trade as blacksmith after a thorough apprenticeship. He became a skilled workman and as a journeyman he arrived in Springfield, Ohio, where he met and married Elizabeth Souders. She was also a native of New Jersey and had come with her parents when a young girl to Dayton, Ohio, making the journey by wagon. From Dayton she went to Springfield, and after her marriage Mr. and Mrs. James Neely continued to live in that city -until about 1866-67. They then came to Lyndon in Ross County, where the father bought a shop. After two years he sold out and took a wagon trip to 896 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY Kansas, going by way of Jefferson City, Missouri. He did not remain there long, and on returning to Ohio again located in Springfield for a year. About 1870 the family located in Salem of Ross County, where the father rented a shop from Henry Moomaw and followed his trade for several years. He was considered one of the best blacksmiths in Ross County, and was especially skillful as a worker in steel. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was affiliated with Springfield Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He had first enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, with which organization he received an injury that gave him an honorable discharge. On recovering he enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Battery and served for two years as blacksmith. James J. Neely and wife had four children, all of whom grew up, but the only one now surviving is Joseph H. James was a blacksmith and died at Springfield. Elizabeth died unmarried at Salem. Peter, also a blacksmith, died in New York City. Joseph H. Neely acquired his early education in the common schools of Springfield. As a boy he studied blacksmithing in his father's shop, and served a complete apprenticeship, acquiring not only the fundamentals of blacksmithing but also carriage trimming, painting and everything connected with those trades. On August 3, 1871, Mr. Neely married Virginia G. Gregory, a daughter of Aaron Gregory. After his marriage Mr. Neely followed painting in Greenfield for a year, spent another year at Good Hope, the following year at Springfield, and then returned to Lyndon in Ross County, where he remained three years. Changing his location to Salem, his health broke down there, and after a time he was associated with his father in the blacksmith shop. Since then he has followed his trade successfully for many years at South Salem, and everyone in that community knows his ability as a blacksmith and painter. For some three or four years he was associated with two of his sons at Greenfield under the name Neely & Riley Knife and Saw Company. They built a factory and manufactured cutlery and saws of all kinds. Mr. Neely is widely known for his musical talent. He began the study of music at the age of eighteen, and his specialty is the E flat cornet, which he has played in many organizations and on many occasions through a period of thirty-five years. He played the alto with the band at Salem, and he organized the band and led it for many years. Afterwards for ten years he was leader of the Sixth Regiment band at Chillicothe, and was then bandmaster of the Seventeenth Regiment band under Colonel Hamilton for three years. Since then he has been leader of the Neely Cadet Band at South Salem. This band was first organized in 1903 and reorganized in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Neely have three talented children : Herbert G., who graduated from the Cincinnati Musical College, is a talented musician who has continued his studies abroad, and has filled some very responsible positions in the musical field. Emil G., who is an expert trombone player, is postmaster and general merchant at South Salem. Maggie G. is the wife of Dr. Marson of Anderson, Indiana, and she is a proficient HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 897 instrumentalist on the piano. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church and politically Mr. Neely is a republican. For some years he has served on the village council at South Salem. THEODORE RUSSELL CLARKE. One of the very prominent old families of Ross County is represented by Theodore Russell Clarke, whose chief business in life has been farming. Farming is a real business with him, and he has pursued it with energy, intelligence and thorough adaptability to the pursuit, and consequently his success has followed as a matter of course. He now operates one of the finest farms in Deerfield Township. His birth occurred on a farm in Twin Township of Ross County May 14, 1864. He is a grandson of James Clarke, who for many years conducted one of the early wholesale grocery houses in Chillicothe, where he died in 1869. This honored old merchant married Sarah Quinn. Her father, Rev. James Quinn, was a pioneer Methodist preacher, who, in the words of a former historian, "was a man of ability and wielded great influence." He was in 1814 presiding elder of the district including Ross County and adjacent counties. Mrs. James Clarke died in 1873. Her three sons were named William, James and Matthew. The son William became a merchant of Cincinnati, while James settled in Sandusky. Matthew Clarke, father of Theodore Russell, was born in Chillicothe December 9, 1840. He was given a good education, and about the time he reached manhood held the position of head bookkeeper in his father's mercantile house. He gave up business to become a soldier. October 26, 1863, he enlisted in Company H of the Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, went with his command to the front and was in nearly all of its marches, campaigns and battles until the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge on May 10, 1865. On returning to Ross County he took up farming in Twin Township, having located on a farm there only a short time before his enlistment. Farming was his business until 1870, and he then set up a store at Salem, but in 1876 sold out and bought a farm in Deerfield Township. Thereafter he was engaged in farming during the rest of his active life. His death occurred April 10, 1914. Matthew Clarke married Martha Core. She was born in Twin Township January 17, 1837, a daughter of Col. David and Polly (McDonald) Core, and her maternal grandfather, Col. John McDonald, was the noted pioneer, soldier and author. Her Grandfather Core improved a farm in Ross County in the early days, and he and his wife spent their last years there. Mrs. Clara Clarke died April 27, 1900. The children were named David Elsworth, Theodore Russell, Lewis Greenwood, Allison McClintock and Sarah Ella. Reared on a farm Theodore Russell Clarke found a congenial pursuit in rural life, and almost as soon as his education was completed he took a responsible place on his father's farm. He operated the old homestead until 1912 and in that year leased the Samuel Dunlap farm in Deerfield Township, and has since conducted general farming and stock raising operations there. 898 - HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY In October, 1900, Mr. Clarke married Emma Allemang. She was born near New Holland in Pickaway County, Ohio. Her father, Caruthers Allemang, was born in Concord Township of Ross County, and her grandfather, George Allemang, was a native of West Virginia, whence he came to Ohio and settled near the present site of Harper's Station. He was a blacksmith by trade, and for many years .conducted a shop on his home ,farm. His last years were spent in peace and comfort on the farm, where he died when well upwards of eighty years. George Allemang married Jane Clark, who was born in Pennsylvania and survived her husband, spending her last years in Greenfield. Caruthers Allemang, father of Mrs. Clarke, married Abitha Clowser, whose father, George Clowser, was born near Harper's Station, Ohio, and spent his life as a farmer there. George Clowser married Jane Bell, who was born at London, Ohio, and her last days were also spent in Greenfield, where she died at the age of seventy-three. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have reared three children : Mathew Quinn, William Caruthers and Evelyn Merle. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are members of the Clarksburg Methodist Church. Besides his operations as a farmer he takes an intelligent part in local affairs and is at present a member of the board of township trustees. He is affiliated with Clarksburg Lodge No. 721 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with Williamsport Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. WILLIAM RUDELL has his farm home and his interests in Deerfield Township, where he has been a resident for the past twenty years. His ancestry is German, but the Rudells have lived in this country for many years and the family have been an industrious and worthy contribution to any community which they have honored by their residence. Born at Westfall in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 29, 1866, William Rudell is a son of John Rudell, who was born in Germany. The grandparents brought their family from Germany to America, locating in Ross County, where Grandfather and Grandmother Rudell spent their last days. John Rudell was but a boy when he came to America but remembered well the long and stormy voyage of ninety days. It was a sailing vessel on which they came to this country and during the long voyage provisions ran short and many deaths occurred among the passengers. John Rudell grew up on a farm, adopted farming as his regular vocation, and after his marriage rented a place in the western part of Pickaway County, later moved to Madison County, where he rented a farm near London. He was successfully engaged in farming there until his death in 1906, when eighty-two years of age. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Dotter, who was born in. Germany and came to America with her parents. Her death occurred at the age of seventy-two, in 1908. The seven children who grew up in her household were Lizzie, William, Catherine, Frank, Mary, Edward, and Annie. It was with a common school education and with such practical experience as could be obtained on a home farm that William Rudell began life for himself. For several years he worked by the month, and after- HISTORY OF ROSS COUNTY - 899 wards rented a farm in Madison County.. He remained in that county until 1895 and then came to Deerfield Township to live on the Peter Wilkins homestead. This he has since successfully conducted as a stock raising and general farming proposition, has made many improvements and has secured ample provision for his own family. In 1889 he married Mary Wilkins, who was born on the farm where she now resides, a daughter of Peter and Eliza J. (Shanton) Mrs. Rudell is descended from two of the oldest families in Deerfield Township. Their marriage has been blessed by three children, Elsie, Mabel and George. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rudell are members of the Presbyterian Church and fraternally he is affiliated with Clarksburg Lodge No. 721, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Encampment of that order, and also with Williamsport Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. GEORGE HAMMAN. A resident of Ross County during most of his active years, George Hamman has found success through the avenues of hard work, concentrated attention to his business, and by honorable and straightforward methods he has enjoyed the best elements of success, has acquired a good home, has given his family the comforts of living and education and is still a man of active affairs. His residence is in Deerfield township. His birth occurred in Beaver Township of Pike County, Ohio, October 18, 1859. His grandparents Peter and Laura Hamman spent their early lives in Germany and after their marriage lived in the old country until 1834. Setting out for America, they embarked on one of the sailing vessels which then were almost the only means of transport across the Atlantic, and were forty days from port to port. Coming west to Ohio they located in Pike County in Seal Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. They arrived in Seal Township in the month of May, and Grandfather Peter Hamman died in the following September. His widow survived him many years, and was eighty-two when she died. Her four sons were named Henry, George, Peter and Philip, and she also had a daughter named Elizabeth. Philip Hamman, father of George, was born on the River Rhine in Germany March 15, 1815. He was about nineteen years of age when his parents came to America and his education was that supplied by the German schools. He was a man of intelligence, of thrift and sound judgment, and was able to take a man's part in life when he arrived in America. He afterwards bought land in Beaver Township of Pike County, and was successfully engaged in general farming there. Gradually his means increased and he purchased other tracts of land until his ownership covered nearly three hundred acres. With the exception of three years in Seal Township his home was in Beaver Township until his death in his eighty-second year. Philip Hamman married Martha Bumgarner, who was born in Beaver Township of Pike County, October 5, 1821. Her parents, Reuben and Martha (Carson) Bunagarner, were among the pioneers of Pike County, having come to that locality from Pennsylvania,