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200 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Mr. Edgington's ancestors on his father's side, the Hunts and Jacobses, were of English birth and became early settlers of Maryland. They leased land along the Baltimore river for a period of ninety-nine years, and their contract was written on parchment, with the first seal of Maryland. This land was for the purpose of business buildings on the water front of the Baltimore. Mr. and Mrs. Edgington were playmates in childhood, in the age when he delighted in pulling her curls, and were separated at the time her parents moved to Wichita. After her return their acyuaintance was renewed, and their friendship ripened to a warmer feeling. They are devoted to one another and work for a common interest. Mrs. Edgington is as much of a business woman as her husband is a business man. Both are proud of the part taken by their ancestors in the earlier history of the State and Nation, and both are intelligent and ambitious. They moved to their present beautiful home on the hill on March 7, 1907, and have one hundred and seventeen acres of choice land, most of it devoted to fruit. They have twenty acres of apple orchard and twenty-five hundred choice peach trees, besides pears, plums, cherries and berries, theirs being considered one of the finest orchards in Southern Ohio. They also have a dairy and creamery business, which yields a good income, and all this is managed by Mrs. Edging-ton while her husband is away. She gets the highest prices for her product, which finds a market in Cincinnati. She is an excellent manager, and although she came to the place heavily in debt, she and her family now have every comfort. She is a reader and student and profits by the advice freely given by the government in the management of her place. There is probably not an abler business woman in the county and she is justly proud of her husband and his achievements. She has a very good memory and is able to make good use of her knowledge in every day life. She is a woman of culture and good judgment, and is charitable and public-spirited in her thought and deed. She iS a member of the Christian church. WILLIAM B. ADAMS (Deceased). In the death of the late William B. Adams Clermont county lost a valuable citizen. He was well known as a business man and belonged to one of the best families of the region. He CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 201 won a high reputation for upright living and public spirit, and was known to be a model son, a kind husband and a loving father to his own children. Mr. Adams was born in Cynthiana, Ky., on May 9, 1865, son of Robert S. and Mary Antoinette (Batson) Adams. Robert S. Adams was born at Millersburg, Ky., May 23, 1823, and the mother at Colemans- ville, Ky., October 27, 1828, and both died in Clermont county, Ohio, he May 29, 1900, and she October 27, 1909. Both are buried in the cemetery at Felicity. He carried on farming in Kentucky and after coming to Ohio continued that occupation. He and his father owned slaves in Kentucky, but later, Robert S. Adams, who was a great temperance worker, moved to Ohio, where he and his wife became well known as active members of the Christian church. The Adams family was an old one in Kentucky, and prominent in the early history of that region. Robert S. Adams and wife had but one child, William B. William B. Adams was reared in a Christian family and early learned the most important lessons of life. He was surrounded by good influences in his home, which showed their effect in his after life. He was educated in Millersburg and Lexington, Ky. He began the study of law, but his eyes failed and he later turned his attention to bookkeeping, graduating from a business course in a Lexington school. He was first employed in the office of Costall & Price, who had an extensive business, and later went to work for Watkins & Company, who conducted a large shoe business in Lexington, the same company that became Watkins & Spencer Company. Mr. Adams became a traveling salesman for Smith & Nixon, with whom he remained for some time, and at the time of his death had been with John Church & Company (piano dealers), of Cincinnati, for some years. He was a salesman of extraordinary ability and made a good record wherever his interestg were centered. He was a valued employee of every firm with which he was identified and was greatly missed by them. He was a Democrat in politics and for years was a member of the United Commercial Travelers. After the death of his father he moved to Felicity, so his wife would look after his mother. He passed away in March, 1909, mourned by the entire community. On October 15, 1889, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Beulah Virginia Smith, who was born in Lex- 202 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIEs ington, Ky., March 22, 1860, daughter of I. Y. and Ruth Antoinette (Adams) Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Lexington in 1844. and died in August, 1911, and Mrs. Smith was born at Bethany, W. Va., in 1846, and died in March, 1912. They are buried in the family burying ground at Lexington, Ky. He was for many years a prominent shoe merchant in Lexington, and later spent many years in coal business there. He served as city councilman and trustee of Hamilton College and Kentucky University. Being a man of education and superior gifts, he filled well every position of trust with which he was identified, and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. The Smiths were members of the Christian church, and active in public measures for the good of their community. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had six children : Eugene Adams Smith, M. D., of Cleveland, Ohio, a graduate of Bellevue College, of New York City, was for two years chief physician of Harlem Hospital, and later appointed by Governor Brown at Lakeview Anchorage ; Mrs. William B. Adams was a graduate of Hamilton College of Lexington, Ky., where she had the advantage of a fine musical training, one of her teachers being Prof. DeRhode, one of the best masters in the country; Bessie Belle, at home ; Frank Preston held a position in a freight depot in Lexington, later held a position in Indiana of the same kind, and now is chief clerk in a freight depot in Chicago, Ill.; Clarence died at the age of two years ; Earl Russell, a traveling salesman, makes his home at Kansas City, Mo.; Miss Bessie was a bookkeeper for sixteen years, and during that time was in the employ of but two firms. Mrs. Smith was a Virginian and her father, Richard Adams, had three brothers. They ca me from England and were distantly related to John Quincy Adams. Her great-grandfather, her mother's grandfather, was Richard (Kant) McCamment, of English or Irish extraction. Of the Adams brothers, one settled in Ohio, one in Pennsylvania, and one, as already mentioned (Richard), in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Adams had four children, all born in Lexington, Ky. : Robert Smith Adams, born in 1800, a graduate of the high school at Felicity, Ohio, is head bookkeeper for the American Tobacco Company at Lexington ; William Harold, born July 27, 1801, died November 12, 1900, and is buried beside his father ; Ruth Marie, born December 0, 1804, is a graduate of the high school at Felicity, and of the Midway CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 203 College, of Midway, Ky.; Virginia Belle, born in 1808, at- tends Felicity High School. Mrs. Adams has given her chil- dren excellent education and has carefully reared them to honorable and useful manhood and womanhood. Mrs. Adams is a music teacher of high standing and is believed to be the ablest member of the profession in Clermont county. She has some thirty pupils in Felicity, and teaches in other villages in that part of the county. She is a woman of culture and refinement, and is well liked for her pleasant manner. She owns a farm of seventy-five acres near Felicity, which she rents. She has shown excellent judgment and intelligence in managing her affairs. CHARLES A. FAGLEY. Charles A. Fagley is the most extensive land owner of Tate township, Clermont county, and has been very successful as a farmer and stock raiser. He is a native of the county, born at Bethel, in 1855, son of Lewis and Mary (Fox) Fagley. His father was born in Germany in 1802, and died in 1882, and his wife, a native of Ohio, was born in 1812, and died in 1876, both being buried at Bethel. He was but two years old when brought to America by his parents, who located in Cincinnati, where there were but two brick houses in the town, and when the Indians were frequently to be seen on Vine street. He came to Clermont county in 1851 and engaged in farming in Tate township. He and his wife had twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and seven of whom now survive : W. H., deceased ; M. W., of Bethel ; Sallie, wife of R. B. Simpson, of Walnut Hills, Cincinnati ; Keziah, wife of P. D. Milner, of Tate township ; W. C. is deceased ; Harriet Ann, wife of J. R. Barns, of Forestville ; Charles A.; E. J. lives at Reading, Hamilton county, and the eldest, Mrs. Eva McHenry, lives at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Fagley was educated in Bethel school, remained on his father's farm until he reached his majority, then went to Nebraska and remained six years. He then returned to his father's farm and remained until the latter's death. In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Iden Stone, who was born in the house that is now the Fagley, home, in 1855. She is a daughter of Herman and Julia (Iden) Stone. Mr. 204 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Stone was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1828, and died in 1875, and Mrs. Stone was born in Tate township, Clermont county, in 1833, and died in 1897. They had the following four children : Mrs. Fagley, who was the eldest; William H., of Minnesota ; Mary, wife of E. L. Harmon, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; one child died in infancy. Mr. Harmon is a member of the Harmon Real Estate Company. Mr. Fag- ley purchased the Iden farm in 1899 and sold a portion of it later, at a good profit. This farm had been in the Iden family for nearly one hundred years and its original owners were very early settlers of the township. The Stones were also early comers to Clermont county, and both families were prominent in its early history. The Fagleys came to Clermont county at a somewhat later date, but all three families have al- ways stood high in public opinion and their members have been well liked. Mr. Fagley came to his present farm of three hundred acres in Tate township in 1898 and is regarded as a progressive citizen and an industrious farmer. He has fine grounds, his house is located on a beautiful building site, and he has very substantial barns and other farm buildings. He has recently erected a new barn. He is popular with his neighbors and has many friends, who appreciate his sterling yualities. His estimable wife has helped greatly in building up the family fortunes, and is much respected by all. Mr. Fagley was reared a Republican, but is now a Progressive, for he believes in reform and other principals of the new party. He served five years as a member of the school board and for some time was turnpike superintendent. His wife is a member of the Christian church, and he formerly belonged to the Wesleyan denomination. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fagley : Walter, twenty-three years of age, born February 16, 1889, attends Moore's Hill College in Indiana, from which he expects to graduate in 1913 ; Robert, born November 27, 1890, being now twenty-one years of age, is a graduate of Bethel High School, and is now in the employ of the Globe-Wernicke Company, of Cincinnati ; Albert, born January 31, 1893, is a graduate of Bethel High School ; Herman, born December 11, 1898 ; Candace Louise died at the age of ten years, and is buried in Bethel cemetery. Although but thirteen years of age, the youngest son, Herman, is in the junior year at Bethel High School. CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 205 Mr. Fagley's brothers, Will and Millard Fagley, served in the Civil war from i, the first as a captain and the sec- ond as a private. His borothers-in-law, T. B. Miller and Robert Simpson, also served in that war. ROBB FAMILY. Alexander Robb and his wife, Barbara (Light) Robb, came to Clermont county, Ohio, in 1804, from Pennsylvania. They settled three miles north of what is now New Richmond. Mrs. Robb had been previously married to a Mr. Williamson, who had been killed in Pennsylvania by the Indians. By this marriage there were four children, of whom there are a number of descendants Ohio. The present sheriff of Clermont county, Charles Williams, is a great-grandson. The Robb's children who grew to maturity and married were six in number—four sons and two daughters : James Robb, the oldest, was born near Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1788. He died in Highland county, Ohio, July 5, 1863. He had married Catherine Husong, by whom there were seven children who grew to years of maturity. Of these all married except Louisa, the youngest, who died at nineteen years of age. Andrew, the oldest, was a physician in Ohio for fifty years. The second son, Isaac, was both a farmer and amateur lawyer, who was ready at any time to come to the defense of anyone he thought was about to be wronged. Charles, the third, is mentioned in another part of this work. Lucian B., a son by a second marriage of James Robb, is a resident of East Cincinnati, where he has been identified with the drug business for the last fifty years. He has also been in the real estate and building and loan associations many years. He married Miss Clara Carver. No children. They have cared for several of other people's children in a parental way. Andrew Robb is survived by an only daughter, Mrs. Clara R. Smith, who, with her family, now resides at Montrose, Colo. Isaac, the second son, died August 14, 1893. He left a widow and five children. The oldest daughter, Mrs. M. L. R. Hutchinson, with her family, four in all, is a resident of Clermont county. The second daughter, Georgia R. Brachman, with three of her family, lives at San Diego, Cal. 206 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES The third daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth J. R. Selph, died November 19, 1905. She left a husband and six children, two sons and four daughters. The youngest daughter, Mrs. Dollie M. R. White, resides on Price Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband, and an only daughter. Lucian B. Robb (before mentioned) is the only one of the third generation now bearing the name of James Robb's branch of the family, and the youngest member of the family, Dr. Isaac Robb, who lives in Tacoma, Wash., is the only one of the fourth generation to bear the name of the same branch. The founder of the family was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and in religion a Presbyterian. There were two authors among the descendants, one of the third generation and one of the fourth, the latter being the late Eliza Archard Conner. EDWARD H. PATTISON. Prof. Edward H. Pattison, superintendent of the public schools at Owensville, Ohio, is a man of broad literary attainment and the impress of his individuality is felt in all the departments of the school. A portion of his time is devoted to the supervision of the schools and the remainder of the time is given to teaching. The birth of Edward H. Pattison occurred in 1877, near Bethel, Ohio, his parents being John S. and Mary (Manning) Pattison, the former of whom was born near Point Isabel in 1847, and died September 23, 1906. He was a successful farmer of Tate township, practically all of his active life. His wife was born near Bethel in 1849, and is now making her home with her son, Edward H. Mr. Pattison is one of seven children, all born in Clermont county, Ohio, and are as follows : Clarence, is a teacher of Van Wert, Ohio. Myrtle, who is the wife of William Reinhardt, is a resident of Branch Hill, Ohio. John Ross, of Covington, Ky., is a wood carver by occupation. Walter Clifton is a resident of Cincinnati. Dale is employed in Cincinnati. Frank is a teacher of Stonelick township, Clermont county. Prof. Pattison obtained his education in the various smaller CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 207 schools of the county, later becoming a student of the Bethel High School. He continued his studies at the Amelia High School, from which he graduated, remaining under the parental roof until he had reached his majority. Mr. Pattison entered the Spanish-American war at the age of twenty-one years and gave five months' service to his country in her time of need. After his return from the war, it became necessary for him to spend a year in Colorado to recuperate his health, which had become impaired by the exposure and hardship during his service. Returning to Clermont county after his western trip, Mr. Pattison was united in marriage, in 1900, to Miss Irene McKibben, who was born at Flags Springs, Ky., April 18, 1883, a daughter of Albert and Theresa (Ross) McKibben. The father was born in 1857, in Clermont county, Ohio, and the mother was born near Laurel, Ohio, in Clermont county. They are residents of Moscow, Washington township, Clermont county. In their family were six children, all natives of Clermont county. Mary is the wife of Thomas Peterson, ©f Point Pleasant, Ohio. Emma became the wife of Charles Hirsh, and is deceased. The parents of Mr. Hirsh purchased the old Grant home at Point Pleasant, and Mr. Charles Hirsh was born in the same room in which General Grant first saw the light of day. Albert is a resident of Point Pleasant, Ohio. Pearl, who has never married, is at home. Irene, is Mrs. Pattison. John, at home. Mrs. Pattison's mother was a playmate of General Corbin, and her Grandfather Ross was a native of Germany. who came to this country when yuite young. Her grandfather, George McKibben, and his four sons, J. W. McKibben, Frank McKibben, W. T. McKibben, and David McKibben, all served as soldiers in the Fifty-ninth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry in the Civil war. In the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Pattison are two children: Stanley E., who was born March 17, 1902, at Lindale, Clermont county; Ohio. Thelma M., born in Clermontville, Ohio, July 21, 1903. The Pattison family were originally from the east and settled in Clermont county, Ohio, when it was very thinly settled. 208 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIEs The late Governor John M. Pattison was a distant relative of Mr. E. H. Pattison, and was one of the first of the family to change the spelling of the name from Patterson to the present Pattison. Since his return from Colorado, Prof. Pattison has followed the profession of teaching in Clermont county, and in 1910 was elected to take charge of the schools at Owensville, as superintendent of schools. He has a contract to fill this position for three years, from 1912 to 1915, and is perhaps the youngest superintendent in the county. He also enjoys the distinction of being the only teacher in the county who is drawing a pension for services in the Spanish-American war. It is also a matter of some note that four of the family of seven children born to the parents of Mr. Pattison are, or have been, teachers in the county. Mr. Pattison now holds both common and high school State certificates, granted by the State of Ohio. Mr. Pattison purchased his pleasant home on Broadway in 1912, and all that he has accumulated has been through his own efforts. He has become a factor in educational circles of the county and has discharged the duties of his present position with a promptness and fidelity that has left no question as to his ability and personal worth. In politics, Prof, Pattison gives his support to the Democratic party, and while he does not seek office, he takes a great interest in all questions that affect the public good of the community in which he lives. Mr. Pattison attends the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Pattison is an active member. HENRY O. PURKHISER. Mr. Henry O. Purkhiser owns and operates his finely improved farm of seventy-five acres, which is located on the Lin- dale Pike in Monroe township, Clermont county, Ohio. His progressive ideas and earnest industry are indicated by his beautiful and substantial home. His life has been one of continuous and well directed activity, and he is classed among the leading agriculturists of the county. Mr. Purkhiser was born in Monroe township, south of Nicholsville, Clermont county, Ohio, March 8, 1852, and is a son of Lorenzo Dow and Eliza (Brannen) Purkhiser, the lat- CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 209 ter of whom was a native of Clermont county, having been born in Washington township in 1816 and died in Monroe township in 1891; She was one of nine children, including : Newton, John, Harvey, Milton, Sarah, Mary, Dorcas and Martha. Lorenzo Dow Purkhiser, the father of our subject, was born in Washington township, Clermont county, June 16, 1815, and passed away November 15, 1887, after spending his entire life in the county of his nativity. He was a farmer and stock raiser of great business ability, being thoroughly familiar with all the details of general farming. He served in school and local offices of the county, doing his duty by all. He was a captain of the militia in the early days. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Purkhiser, who were married November 23, 1812, were probably both born in Clermont county, their home being in Washington township. Elizabeth was a daughter of Michael Gilbert, a Clermont county farmer. They were the parents of six children : Lorenzo Dow, the father of our subject, John, Gilbert, Collins, Nancy, and Catherine. Mr. Purkhiser acquired a good common school education, deciding early in life to follow the occupation of farming and to this end learned from his father all that is essential to success in that line. On November 27, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Henry 0. Purkhiser to Miss Laura C. Hanna, who was born February 14, 1856, in Illinois, and is a daughter of Charles and Elmina L. (Bread well) Hanna, who were residents of Tate township, Clermont county, Ohio, for many years. El- mina L. (Breadwell) Hanna was one of eight sisters, all of whom lived to an advanced age, and three brothers, one of whom died recently, while the other two are living. The oldest now living is over ninety years of age and the youngest is over eighty years of age. Mrs. Hanna died in 1908, in the eighty-first year of her age. Charles Hanna was a captain of militia in the early days and served through the greater part of the Civil war, being killed in battle. Mrs, Purkhiser is one of nine children : David's death took place when he was sixteen years of age. Mary, married John Porter, of Tennessee. Saphronia, is the wife of Charles Calkins, of Tennessee. Lydia, is Mrs. Marion Davis, residing in Illinois. Mrs. H. O. Purkhiser. 210 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Thomas B., of Peoria, Ill., is in the grocery business, and is secretary of the Retail Grocers' Association, of that place. Clara, married John Barrett, of Indianapolis, Ind. Charles, a resident of New York City, is inspector of the glucose factories for a large corporation. Belle, is Mrs. John Hill, of Peoria, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Purkhiser have had seven children born to their union, of whom two died in infancy. The others are : Allen C., born December 10, 1882, and died September 7, 1885. Howard Guy, whose birth occurred June 8, 1887, is a resident of Idaho. Roy C., born February 25, 1889, is attending the Ohio State University, studying civil engineering. Miss Louise, who was born February 12, 1894, is a graduate of the Batavia High School. Miss Mary D., born December 16, 1895, attending Batavia High School. Mr. Purkhiser has one brother and two sisters living: Martha, who is the widow of Dr. George L. Zugg, is a resident of Hyde Park, Cincinnati. Annie, who was the wife of Dr. J. P. Richardson, died at Chicago in 1907. Emma Caroline and Mary D. died in infancy. Lorenzo B. resides in Idaho. Arabella was Mrs. Dr. Charles L. Kennedy, of Laurel, Ohio. Her death occurred in January, 1912. Miss Ella B., of Hyde Park, Cincinnati. Mr. Purkhiser votes for the principles of the Democratic party, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He keeps well informed on all the questions and issues of the day and is loyal to the principles in which he believes. He is interested in the schools of his vicinity and has served on the school board. He holds membership in Amelia Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and both he and Mrs. Purkhiser are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, giving liberally to all worthy causes. It is hardly necessary to state that Mr. Purkhiser has many warm friends and admirers in the county, owing to his rare insight into human nature, and his just dealings with all. His natural adaptability and constant attention to the details of his agricultural business have made of him a pronounced suc- CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 211 cess. He has been aided by his estimable and efficient wife, who has devoted her life to the best interests of her husband and children. WILLIAM H. EVANS, M. D. William H. Evans, M. D., who for nearly a half of a century has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Hiett, in Huntington township, Brown county, Ohio, is a man of remarkable personality and signal achievement and the life of one so closely connected with professional, religious and literary movements of any community is generally invested with much interest ; and a short sketch of such a life cannot but prove instructive to the careful reader of history. For the past fifty-two years Dr. Evans has been a contributor to the "Ripley Bee," writing under the nom de plume of "Barlow." His war record brought him into honorable prominence also, for with that spirit of bravery and duty which has ever characterized him, he offered himself to his country, for service, early in the siege of the Civil war. The birth of Dr. William H. Evans occurred on the land settled by his grandfather, in 1800, in Huntington township, Brown county, his natal day being October 8, 1835, having a twin brother, Abraham F., who in later years was also an eminent physician, who died in 1862. The parents of William H. Evans were Hon. Andrew and Mary (Hiett) Evans. Hon. Andrew Evans was born at the old home, two miles below Hiett, on the East Fork of Eagle creek, December 12, 1809, and passed from this life at the same home, on September 12, 1879. He was a successful farmer and skilled mechanic, having a shop on the farm, near the mill which his father built and operated, as did Andrew and others of the family. He was a Democrat until 1862. He was elected to the Ohio legislature from Brown county, serving one term. He was recognized as a leading politician and as a strictly honorable and able citizen. He was a son of John and Mary (Housh) Evans. John Evans was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, November 17, 1770, and his death took place in Brown county, Ohio, April 27, 1862. In the year of 1792, John Evans left the State of his nativity and settled near Blue Lick Springs in Kentucky, where he had a residence for some eight years. In 1800, he came to Brown county, Ohio, where he purchased 212 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES five hundred and thirty-five acres in the central part of Huntington township. Later, in 1826, Mr. Evans erected a grist mill on the Little East Fork of Eagle creek, which was in operation for many years. He was a staunch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and was one of the first county commissioners of Brown county. He was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and served in the ranks of the privates. In religious faith, he was of the Quaker persuasion, while his wife was of the Episcopalian belief. She was born in Pennsylvania, where they were married and her mother was of German birth. John Evans was a son of John, Sr., and Hannah (Griffith) Evans, both of whom died in Maryland. John Evans, Sr., was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Evans, of Welsh descent ; they settled in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, near New North Wales. Mary (Hiett) Evans was born in Huntington township, Brown county, Ohio, April 21, 1815, and departed this life August Jo, 1892. She was a daughter of William and Mary (Daniels) Hiett, both of Fairfax county, Virginia, who came to Brown county after their marriage, about 1806. Two of their children, Nellie and Samuel, were born in Virginia, and the others were born in Brown county. Mary Hiett was the youngest of eight children, including John, James, Lettie, Isabella and Elizabeth. A brother of William, John Hiett, came to Brown county in 1812, and it was his son, John K., who was the largest contributor to the building of John K. Hiett's chapel, that building being named in honor of him. This chapel was erected in 187o, and is located in the western part of Huntington township, on Eagle creek, on the North Pole pike, leading to Ripley. William and John Hiett were sons of Simeon and Polly (Providence) Hiett, both of whom were born in Fairfax county, Virginia, where they also died. Dr. William H. Evans is one of eleven children, of whom one brother and three sisters are living : Samuel, born April 18, 1834, and died May 27, 1910, at his home on the old home place, in Huntington township. William H., and his twin brother, Abraham F., born October 8, 1835, the latter of whom died on May 4, 1862, at his home at Aberdeen, Ohio. He was also a physician and had practiced some years before his death at Pleasant Hill, Ind. Indiana, born November 3, 1837, married Mr. George W. Early, September 3, 1857, and her residence is at Columbus, CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 213 Ohio. Her son, Dr. Louis Mortimer, died in the spring of 1912 and Mr. Early is also deceased. John B., born March 12, 1841, died May 27, 1863. He was a member of Company F, Seventieth Ohio volunteer infantry. His death was the result of an illness, contracted in the service. Amos A., born April 2, 1843, and died November 24, 1864, at home. He was a clerk in war department for some time. Mary, born September 30, 1845, married February 6, 1873, to Mr. Walter Grierson, and they reside at Hiett, where they own a store, which they have conducted for some time. Isabella E., born March 25, 1849, married on March 28, 1872, to John F. Hawk, of near Ripley, on the Russellville Pike. Her son conducts a livery at Ripley. Ann Delia, born October 24, 1851, died January 25, 1866. Joseph H., born February 15, 1854, and married Louisa B. Dragoo. His death occurred August 1, 1892, and his widow lives in Union township. Lee Andrew, born October 16, 1858, is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., where for the past six years he has been engaged as a veterinary surgeon. in both professional and business life have grown up on farms, and such was the case of Dr. Evans. When he had reached school age, he also assisted his father on the farm, and in the mill, and after completing the district schools. he entered a local grammar school, in company with his twin brother, Abraham F. In this way he acquired a good common school education, which in later life enabled him to broaden his knowledge along other more congenial lines. On the 23d of September, 1857, William H. Evans was united in marriage to Amanda, daughter of Robert and Johanna (Cooper) Scott, of Brown county. Mrs. Evans died November 1, 1860, at the age of twenty-two years, five months and thirteen days, leaving two children : Samuel Walter, who was born July 12, 1858, died October 6, 1861, and Andrew, It has often been remarked that most of the successful men who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, October 19, 1860, and died September 19, 1861; In 1860, Mr. Evans removed from Huntington township, Brown county, to near West Point, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming for one season, and also read medicine with his twin brother, who had graduated from 214 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. After the death of Mrs. Evans he returned to his parents' home with the babes. He then studied medicine with Dr. Denham S. Guthrie, at Aberdeen, until his enlistment in the army of the Civil war. On April 12, 1862, Dr. William Evans entered the army in Company E, Eighty-ninth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was appointed duty sergeant in the organization of the regiment. He was sent to the front and was active in numerous engagements up to August 14, 1863, when he was commissioned hospital steward of the regiment. He participated in thirty-one battles and skirmishes, his regiment being organized with the First brigade, Third division, Fourteenth army corps, under Generals Thomas and Sherman. Dr. Evans engaged in the famous "March to the Sea," and the engagements included Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face, Tunnell Hill, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and others. He was never injured seriously nor suffered from any illness to interfere with his duties. On December 24, 1864, he was detailed hospital steward of the Fourteenth corps, remaining in Savanah until the following March, then rejoined the regiment at Goldsboro, N. C., remaining there until Johnson's surrender. The regiment then marched to Washington City, where, on June 7, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. He participated in the Grand Review at the capital, after which he returned to his home. Returning to Aberdeen, Ohio, after the close of the war, Mr. Evans resumed his medical study with Dr. John W. Guthrie, continuing until the October following, when he entered the Charity Hospital Medical College, of Cleveland, Ohio, and attended the lectureS of Prof. R. N. Barr, then surgeon-general of Ohio. On February 21, 1866, he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine and at once began the practice of his profession in Huntington township, removing to Hiett, on September 30, 1868. The marriage of Dr. William H. Evans to Maria Power Games occurred on December 5, 1867. She was born in Huntington township, Brown county, Ohio, February 25, 1853, a daughter of Hon. John F. and Amanda (Earley) Games. Seven children have been added to the family of Dr. and Mrs. Evans, two of whom are deceased, Wylie and Nellie H., the latter of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows : W. T. Sherman and P. H. Sheridan, twins, who were born October 1, 1868. The former resides at- CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 215 tache of the State hospital at Dayton, Ohio, which position he has filled for the past seven years. The latter is an attache of the hospital of Columbus, Ohio. He married Miss Agnes Shewmaker. Shewmaker. Esther Early, born August 22, 1874, is the wife of William N. Campbell, of Union township, near Ripley, Ohio. He is a grandson of the late Dr. and United States Senator Campbell, of Ripley. They are the parents of five children—Nellie B., Leora N., William Richard, Edwin A. and Evelyn E. Minnie Myrtle, born February 16, 1876, is the wife of Edwin B. Kinkead, a farmer of Union township. They have two children, Esther Marie and William Glenn. Wylie Weber, born November 3o, 1878, died at Ripley, Ohio, June 24, 1894. Edwin Glenn was born January 21, 1894. He is at home with his parents. Dr. and Mrs. Evans reside at their comfortable home at Hiett. Dr. Evans joined the Christian church at Bethlehem, in 1856, being the first of the family to become a member. He was licentiate minister of the Ohio Christian conference for twelve years, when he resigned. Mrs. Evans is also a member of that denomination. In politics, Dr. Evans has always been an advocate of the principles of the Republican party and has always taken an intelligent interest in all public affairs. He was Republican n0minee for sheriff in 1870, and was also nominee for State Senator in the the Fourth district, but was defeated owing to the heavy Democratic plurality. For a period of four years, Dr. Evans was chairman of the United States board of pension examiners, with headquarters at Maysville, Ky.. under President Harrison. Socially, Dr. Evans is a member of W. Wirt Liggett Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Ripley, Ohio. He served as chaplain and also a surgeon. He served as an officer of the Ohio State organization, department of Ohio. Dr. Evans has successfully practiced his profession for forty- five years at Hiett, Ohio, and is most highly esteemed as a Physician and as a citizen by a very large circle of relatives, friends and acquaintances. He is also widely known as a well informed authority on matters historical. Benjamin Evans, an uncle of our subject, was justice of the peace for many years, and also served in the capacity of county auditor of Brown county, and later served as State Sena- 216 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES tor. A son of his, Andrew Evans, has served as representative of Atchinson county, Kansas. Dr. William H. Evans is always in touch with the progress of the times in business life, in political thought, in religious sentiment, and in the general movement of the world toward a higher civilization. He is a useful and forceful factor in molding public thought and opinion, leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon many lines of thought and activity. In purity and strength of character, whether as a private citizen or a public servant, he has few equals. THE JOHN JENKINS FAMILY. John Jenkins, a native of England, immigrated to New Jersey and settled near Little Egg Harbor, where Tuckerton now stands. Here, he reared a large family, among whom were the sons, Uriah, Isaac, and John, men of sterling worth. Isaac and his wife, Hannah, were noble types of New Jersey Methodism. Isaac was for many years mail contractor and stage owner on the route between Tuckerton and Philadelphia. This couple lived to a good old age, leaving a large property, for that day, his nephew, John Jenkins, of Ohio, being one of the beneficiaries of his will. One daughter of the emigrant John Jenkins married Joseph Adams, a son of whom came to Clermont county. Another married a Mr. Penn. Her life was the tragedy of the family, for becoming insane, in one of her frenzies, she killed her husband. The youngest daughter, Rebecca, married George Peterson. Their bodies lie in Williamsburg cemetery. John Jenkins, son of the English emigrant, who was born November 20, 1764, and died July 12, 1830, was married to Catherine Vaughan, of Philadelphia. She was of French descent, beautiful in feature, graceful in form, sweet-spirited and gentle, possessed of energy and courage fitting for pioneer times, and a strict Methodist, always wearing the "Methodist bonnet." In 1805 John and Catherine Jenkins came with their eight children to find a new home in the far west, traveling in wagons over the Alleghany mountains, shooting game and catching fish for much of their subsistence, by the way. Sometimes the wagons were separated for days, and even weeks, causing delays and anxiety. Reaching the Ohio river they CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 217 floated down on a flat boat, sheltered by a tent for cooking their food, and to furnish their sleeping arrangements. Land- ing at the mouth of Bullskin creek, they journeyed northward to Bantam, near Ulrey's Run, where they were ,entertained at the home of David and Nancy White, the latter being aisle of Catherine Jenkins, until their own cabin was pred. Here, with marvelous energy, they began home making. By their strenuous efforts, they soon became independent, getting their farm in order and, later, building a substantial two-story frame house, which was the pride of the neighborhood. Here their nine children, one born in their new home, grew to lives of usefulness and honor. They were devout Methodists, and were largely instrumental in building the society and the church home called Collin's Chapel, in honor of the pioneer preacher, Rev. John Collins. The name was later changed to Bethel, then to Old Bethel. The old cemetery there contains a monument which marks the burial place of Rev. John Collins. John and Catherine Jenkins are buried there, he dy- ing July 12, 1830, and she July 15, 1840, aged seventy-two years. The children of John and Catherine Jenkins were : Zephaniah, Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, Susanna, John, Joseph, Rhoda, and Nancy. Zephaniah's first marriage was to Nancy Burnett, and second to Perine Guinup. Mary married Robert Cazel. Elizabeth's husband was Benjamin Barton. Thomas married Permelia Anderson. Susanna's first husband was Robert Wright and second, George Peterson. Joseph married Susan Fisher, niece of Hon. David Fisher. Rhoda married Samuel Cordry, and Nancy married John Harvey. John Jenkins, third son of John and Catherine Jenkins, was born March 9, 1800, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1805. He made fair proficiency in the meager schools of the time, and, by capability and integrity was, through life, called to fill many places of trust. He lived for a time in the family of the noted Rev. John Collins, for whom and his excellent wife, he ever held the highest esteem, as friends and counselors. On August 23, 1825, he was married to Eliza Homan. They bought a farm near Williamsburg, where they reared their family. He was a true patriot, and was noted as a champion for the abolition of slavery, and for temperance. He died July 15, 1873. Eliza Jenkins, the daughter of David and Rachel Davis Homan, was born in Camden, N. J., November 17, 1805. When not more than six years old, she lost her mother, and then 218 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES lived for a short time with an aunt in Philadelphia, then came west with her father, who died soon after, leaving her dependent upon her own exertions. Her schooling was a term of six weeks, the "yuarter" of a subscription school being divided between her and a step-brother. In this time she learned to read and write, all other knowledge of books being acyuired alone while working bravely for her own support, and helping a younger brother. She was of modest and retiring nature, possessing strong common sense, was earnest and forceful in her purposes of right and duty. She died November 7, 1879. Their children were four. George Peterson, born May 22, 1826, after leaving district school, was a student in Rev. Gaines' Select School, in Williamsburg. He began teaching early, and later conducted May Seminary, in Bantam, where he met and married Caroline, daughter of John and Nancy Simmons Hitch. After teaching a high school for sometime in Connersville, Ind., he entered the Southeast Indiana Conference, as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Here he labored many years, rising to a first class place in the conference, was given the title of Doctor of Divinity, served as pastor of circuits and stations, as presiding elder and delegate to general conference. The last three years of his active life he was president of Moore's Hill College. Broken in health he retired to his home in Greencastle, where he died, April 1, 1897. The older son of George P. and Caroline Jenkins, Oliver Peebles Jenkins, born November 3, 185o, is a graduate of Moore's Hill College, a post-graduate of Northwestern University and of Johns Hopkins University. He for a time conducted the Indiana State Normal, was a professor in DePauw University, and he entered Stanford University, California, at its institution, as professor of natural sciences, which chair he still fills. He is the author of two text books on physiology, which were adopted in the Indiana public schools, and is an authority on other scientific subjects. Clara, only daughter of George P. and Caroline Jenkins, was born January 26, 1853, and is the wife of Rev. Alfred Kummer, D. D., of Oakland, Cal. Wilbur Olin, younger son of George P. and Caroline Jenkins, born December 28, 1861, is now a leading physician in Terre Haute, Ind. Joseph, second son of John and Eliza Jenkins, born February 26, 183o, attended May Seminary, taught a number of years, and was married, April 23, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Orson and Hannah Burnett Young, and bought a farm CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 219 near Williamsburg, to which he added until it became so large as to claim his whole attention the balance of his life. He pos- sessed more than ordinary mental power, with keen insight, good judgment, and unflinching integrity, he filled many posi- tions of trust. He served as justice of the peace for many years, and was a valued advisor in law and other matters. He died July 28, 189o. Of his children, Mary was born September 26, 1859, and is married to James, son of Joseph and Jane Glancy, and lives at Afton, Ohio. Harvey Edgar, born June 8, 1865, at present owns and conducts a feed mill and store in Williamsburg. Albertine, born April 14, 1873, married Wilbur, son of Frank and Sarah Slade Duckwall, of Batavia, and died at their home in Salina, Kan., April 25, 1912. Anna, daughter of John and Eliza Jenkins, born January 14, 1834, after leaving public school, attended May Seminary and the Spofford Select School of Williamsburg, taught in Clermont, Brown and Montgomery counties, filling at different times every department in the Williamsburg schools, including superintendent, the only woman who has filled that duty in Clermont county. This life work has included more than forty years of successful labor. Late in life, she was married to Dr. Charles Parker Dennis, son of James and Sarah Parker Dennis, formerly of Batavia. He was born April 8, 1833, at Batavia, Ohio, and died August 5, 1998, at Portsmouth, Ohio. His principal education, after leaving common schools, was at Miami University. While there, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, as a private, and was promoted to second lieutenant, Company D, December, 1861, and first lieutenant, Company B, December, 1862, and to captain, November 26, 1864, but was not mustered. He was discharged by expiration of term of service, November 18, 1864. He served as assistant inspector on the staff of General Ewing, and in division headquarters on the staff of Gen. M. L. Smith. He was in a number of battles, and was wounded four times. He was graduated from the Ohio Dental College and finally located in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was a member of Bailey Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion of the United States. At the time of his death, he was serving on the city board of review of Portsmouth. The home of Anna Jenkins Dennis is now in Williamsburg, Ohio. John Harvey, third son of John and Eliza Jenkins, born July 30, 1839, was a student in May Seminary. He taught two years, and was looking forward to education for the ministry, 220 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES when the shock of the Civil war came. He answered Lincoln's first call for volunteers, on the fall of Fort Sumter, enlisting in Company E, Twenty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. After that service of three months, he enlisted for three years, in Company B, Eighty-ninth Ohio regiment. He had served half that time, when he received his death wound in the battle at Tunnel Hill, just after passing through the conflict of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He enlisted as a private and was promoted, a lieutenant's commission coming to him on his deathbed. He died in Chattanooga Hospital, March 16, 1864. His remains rest in Concord cemetery. He was tried and true. His now aged comrades in arms still speak of him with tears of love and sorrow. In honor of his name, the Williamsburg Post, No. 242, Grand Army of the Republic, bears his name. HUGH L. NICHOLS. Hugh L. Nichols, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, was born at New Richmond, Clermont county, March 25, 1865. He is the eldest son of the late Judge Perry J. and Mrs. Jeannette (Gilmore) Nichols, and through his father a descendant of Col. Jonathan Donham, a man prominent in the early days of the county. His great-uncle, P. J. Donham, was for years recognized as one of the leading and most successful lawyers in Cincinnati, and other members of the family achieved distinction in other lines. Up to his fourteenth year the subject of this sketch lived with his parents in New Richmond, and began his schooling there and even at that early age by proficiency in his studies, gave evidence of his possession of that strong mentality which has been so fully manifested in his later career. Removing with his family to Batavia in 1879, where his father went to assume the duties of the office of probate judge, he completed his common school course in that village, graduating from the high school in the class of 1883. The year after his graduation he matriculated as a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for a year, but desiring to complete the study of the law, which he had already taken up, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, and in due course was admitted to the bar, in 1886. Entering into a partnership with his father, under the firm name of Nichols CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 221 & Nichols, he soon demonstrated his ability in the hard contests of actual practice, taking up almost from the beginning, the trial of the cases of his firm. He has perhaps tried more cases in court in the past twenty-five years than any contemporary member of the local bar. About 1900 his brother, Allen B. Nichols, was admitted to the partnership, which continued until dissolved by the death of Judge Nichols, in 1908. The firm which enjoys a large and lucrative practice, is made up of the two brothers, Hugh L. and Allen B. Nichols. Few cases of great importance have been tried in the Clermont courts for years in which Governor Nichols did not appear as one of the leading counsel. Adhesion to the Democratic faith in politics is a tradition in that branch of the Nichols family to which the Governor belongs, and his interest in public affairs and in politics was early manifested. The qualities of his mind especially fitted him for political management and leadership, and his abilities in that direction first had scope in the campaign of 1890, in which year the Clermont Democracy achieved one of its greatest victories. A result which was justly largely attributed to the efforts of the young leader. Never seeking office for himself, he was nominated and elected as a member of the Ohio State Senate in 1897, and served with distinction, but declined a re-election. His service and abilities then attracted to him the notice of men of affairs, and in 1898, when only thirty-three years of age, he was made the nominee of his party for supreme judge of Ohio. After this campaign he devoted his attention for several years to the practice of his profession, until called upon by Governor Harmon, in 191o, to take charge of his campaign for re-election. His work in that campaign, when he marshaled the Democratic force of Ohio to their greatest victory, is now a matter of history. On the election of Lieutenant-Governor Pomerene to the United States Senate, Governor Harmon's tender of the appointment to the vacancy to Governor Nichols, was a graceful acknowlegment of the debt which he felt he owed his manager. During the session of the legislature which followed, he presided over the deliberations of the Senate and showed not only his skill in guiding a turbulent assembly, but also his devotion to those progressive principles to which his party is now so completely committed. When Governor Harmon cast about for a manager for his 222 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES presidential campaign the splendid service rendered by Governor Nichols in the campaign of 1910, pointed to him as a fitting man. His work in that contest from the opening of headyuarters until the last ballot was taken at Baltimore, displayed the energy, ability and loyalty to his obligations which are marked features of Governor Nichols's character. While he did not win in the sense of nominating his candidate, he showed those yualities which deserve success. When the Ohio Democratic State convention met, in 1912, Governor Nichols, yielding to the persistent demand by his party associates in the State, consented to accept the nomination for lieutenant governor, as the running mate of Governor Cox. At the ensuing election, he ran third on a ticket containing ten names, and his majority was over one hundred and fifty thousand. As these lines are written, he is presiding over the State Senate at Columbus. Governor Nichols was a delegate from the Sixth district to the Democratic National convention in 1900, and in 1912 a delegate at large from the State of Ohio to the Baltimore convention, where he appeared as the personal representative of Governor Harmon on the floor. His political career has been a brilliant one, and those who know the man and his ability and have watched his career, do not doubt that the future holds greater honors in store for him. The true estimate of a man is made by those who for years have come in contact with him in his daily life and judged by this test, Hugh L. Nichols comes up fully to the highest conception of citizenship and manhood. The esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and the wide popularity which he enjoys is based not only upon pride in his recognized ability, but in the feeling akin to affection born of a knowledge of his kindly impulses, his yuick and sympathetic heart and his generous and unostentatious charities, which are limited by neither creed, condition, nor color. Governor Nichols has been a member of the Presbyterian church since boyhood, and is prominent in its work and faithful in his attendance on its services. His discharge of every duty, public and private, which has devolved upon him has born the impress of that high-mindedness which is a distinguishing feature of his character. Governor Nichols was married in 1887 to Miss Louise Dean Stirling, a daughter of the late W. B. C. Stirling, an amiable and accomplished woman, and their beautiful home on Wood street in Batavia is a center of social activities and the seat of a refined and generous hospitality. CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 223 LEONIDAS S. FRIDMAN. The name which appears at the head of this biographical mention is worthy of a place in these volumes as a representative of a family widely known in connection with the im- portant business interests of Clermont county, Ohio, a family which in its history illustrates those qualities of enterprise, sound judgment and unwavering integrity, which has won recognition in the county of their nativity because of the business acumen of many who have borne the name. One of the most versatile of the sons of Franklin Fridman, Sr., is Leonidas S. Fridman, whose varied interests have made him an important figure in the business circles of this locality. He is secretary and treasurer of the Fridman Lumber Company, vice-president of the First National Bank, of New Richmond, succeeding his father as director in 1895, secretary and treasurer of the Fridman Seating Company, and is a director of four other incorporated companies, being president of two of them and vice-president of another. Leonidas S. Fridman was born at Clermontville, Ohio, August 11, 1868, and was reared and educated in the schools of Monroe township, after which he became a student of the noted Parker's Academy. In 1888, he took a business course at the Eastman Business College, of Poughkeepsie, New York, graduating in March, 1889. At the age of eleven years, Mr. Fridman displayed great ambition toward a business career, which he began by clerking in his father's store at Clermontville. At the age of sixteen years he turned his attention to agricultural matters and assisted in the operation of the home farm, following this line of business until 1888. After his return from business college, he accepted a position with the Fridman-Roberts Company, which he held for six months, resigning to become second clerk on the steamer "Tacoma," which plied the Ohio river from Cincinnati to Chilo. In November, 1891, Mr. Fridman resigned this position to accept a clerkship on the steamer "Bonanza," which was owned by the Cincinnati, Portsmouth, Big Sandy & Pomeroy Packet Company, continuing until June, 1892. He then became associated with the FridmanRoberts Company, and in March, 1893, purchased the interest of Mr. Roberts, the corporation becoming the Fridman Lumber Company, with our subject as treasurer, which position he held to January, 1896, when he was elected secretary and treasurer, which position he has held continuously since. 224 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES From 1901 to 1911, Mr. L. S. Fridman owned and operated a store at Wyatt, Mo., in Mississippi county, and together with his brother, William M. Fridman, bought small tracts of land, adding to until they owned several hundred acres of the best Missouri land, which they finally sold out at a handsome profit, in December, 191o. Mr. L. S. Fridman sold his store and stock in November, 1911, and has since been interested in other and larger enterprises. On June 30, 1806, occurred the marriage of Mr. L. S. Fridman to Miss Lina Linn, a Brown county lady, a daughter of Carl and Louisa (Hensel) Linn, early residents of near Ripley. Mr. and Mrs. Fridman have had one child to bless their union, Leonidas Linn, who was born June 9, 1902. In political matters Mr. Fridman is an active Democrat, but has refused public office because of his many private interests. He was appointed by the mayor of New Richmond as trustee of the Electric Light & Water Works Building Company, and served until the plant was completed, when he resigned on account of pressing business affairs. Mr. Fridman is a member and a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and has been a member of the board of education for several years past. Conscientious in all his business dealings, he has won the respect of all with whom he has been associated. WILBUR S. STRICKLAND. Wilbur S. Strickland, a well known educator in Cincinnati, who has been connected with the system of public education in the city for the past twenty-one years, has, since 1901, held the responsible position of principal of the Sherman Public School. The Sherman School is one of the largest schools in Cincinnati, having at times an enrollment of upwards of 1,400 pupils, with a corps of about twenty-five teachers. This school has a number of special features, including the pioneer Mothers' and Teachers' Club, of Cincinnati, introduced by Mr. Strickland, and a movement which is spreading rapidly. The subject of this review represents a pioneer family in Clermont county, although his birth occurred at St. Louis, Mo., January 16, 1850. His parents were Paul M. and Isabella (Spargo) Strickland, the latter of whom was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1828, and passed to her eternal reward in the year 1871; She was a devout member of the Episcopal CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 225 church and was a lady of very refined and artistic nature. During her active life she did some excellent pencil drawing. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was Michael Strickland, a native of England, who settled first at Cape May, New Jersey, and came to Clermont county in 1800, where he secured six hundred acres of land in Tate township and erected the first brick house on Poplar creek, in 1811; Michael Strickland was a fine mechanic and could construct almost any article made with tools. A fine stone sundial made by him is still in existence. He was also an extensive farmer and stockman and took great pleasure in transforming the wilderness of his possessions into a valuable property. He spent the remaining years of his life in Clermont county, where his death occurred March 8, 1851, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife, Eleanor (Cullen) Strickland, was a member of the original "Bible Society," whose function was the distribution of religious literature, giving Bibles to her sons, Mark, Paul, Daniel, Hope; and her daughters, Sarah (Light), Betsy (Ogden), Maria (Mason), Harriet (McCall), and Hannah (Edwards) ; and many grandchildren. She was a native of Ireland, and her death also occurred in Clermont county, June 15, 1860, at the age of eighty-five. Mark Strickland, the grandfather of Wilbur S. Strickland, and a son of Michael Strickland, was born at Cape May, New Jersey, in 1792, and was among the pioneers of Clermont county. He was a noted Abolitionist and his home was a station on the "Underground Railroad," many slaves being assisted to freedom by his help. By occupation, he was a blacksmith at New Richmond, where he had a very lucrative business. He responded to the call of his country for defense at the time of the War of 1812, and won much honor by his brave and courageous conduct. Being possessed of the pioneering spirit, he sold his property in Clermont county and became one of the early settlers of Louisiana, where he owned two hundred acres of land in Caddo Parish. On account of the slavery existing in Louisiana, he returned to Clermont county, where he remained until his death, in 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. He was a most interesting character, very active and high-minded, and upright in all his conduct. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, very strict in his beliefs and always ready to assist in all worthy enterprises. He was trustee of New Richmond from 1831 to 1833, and of Ohio township from 1835 to 1836. Mr. Strickland was 226 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES three times married, the first union being with Tryphosa Newton, daughter of Ebenezer Newton, a Clermont pioneer, and author of a text book on spelling. To this union were born two sons and two daughters. His second marriage was with Margaret Quinlan and his third wife was Elizabeth Snider, who bore him two daughters, Belle, who married Mel Patchell, of Middletown, Ohio, and Emma, who married Arthur Grant, of Mt. Washington, Ohio. He survived all three wives. Paul McGrew Strickland, son of Mark and Tryphosa (Newton) Strickland, was born at Monroe, La., in 1821, and passed away in Clermont county at his father's farm, near Owensville, in 1874. He was one of a family of four children ; Francis B., his brother, was widely known and prominent as a writer and scholar prior to the Civil war ; he published the "New Richmond Advertiser," 1854, was editor of the "New Richmond Weekly Dispatch" for some years, and his death took place at New Richmond in early manhood. One of the sisters, Alice, married first, John Swem, and second, John McDonald, who died recently at Louisville, Ill., at the age of ninety-one years. Two daughters, one of each union, are living : Mrs. Julia (Swem) Swift, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Laura (McDonald) Barbee, of Louisville, Ill. The second sister, Eleanor, married John Graham. Paul M. Strickland was for many years chief engineer on steamboats plying western rivers. During part of the Civil war, he was chief engineer on the gunboat, "Juliet," under Admiral Porter, making a record for skill and bravery. He married Isabella Spargo at Upper St. Clair, near Pittsburgh, July 5, 1855, and their home was at various places, owing to his profession, and to their union were born five children : A. Newton was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1856, and became well known as an instructor, having taught schools at Forestville, Maple Grove and Clover, all of which are in Clermont county. His death occurred while teaching at Clover, in 1883, in his twenty-eighth year. He was of an artistic temperament and had he been spared would have developed into an artist of some note. He left a number of fine drawings, showing rare artistic talent, and highly prized by their owners. Wilbur S., the subject of this mention. Worden E. was born in Newport, Ky., February 16, 1861, and is a locomotive engineer, of Cleveland, Ohio, and married Irene Quirk in 1905. Mary died at the age of ten years, in 1876. CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 227 Joseph C. was born at St. Louis, Mo., April 13, 1868, and is a graduate of the University of Indiana. He is a Spanish scholar and has held important customs agent positions abroad, in the West Indies and Mexico. He was ac special a of gent ill health, of the Mexican Central railway at Tampico. On count he has retired to his ranch near Tucson, Ariz. He is artistic and highly educated. His sketches, drawings and water colors are admired by critics of art work. He married, in 1899, Helen Endres, daughter of a well known family of St. Louis, Mo. Wilbur S. Strickland acquired his education in the schools of St. Louis, Mo., Clermont county, Ohio, and at the National was Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he graduated in the Scientific Class of 1887. He began his career as a teacher in 1879, near Bethel, Ohio, where he taught for a period of four years in rural schools. He then became the superintendent of schools at Amelia, Ohio, where he remained for three years, following which he filled the position of su- perintendent of schools at Bethel, Ohio, from 1888 to 1890. The next change was to take charge of the schools at Cheviot, now a part of Cincinnati. From 1892 to 1895, Mr. Strickland was first assistant of the Twenty-second district of Cincinnati and from 1895 to 1901 filled the position of principal of Whittier School, and from 1901 to the present time has held the position of principal of the Sherman Public School. The extremely satisfactory manner in which he has filled these va- rious positions has placed him among the foremost instructors in this section of the State. The progressive measures which he has instituted in bringing mothers and teachers together for the common good of the children have proved to be a great benefit to all. Mr. W. S. Strickland was united in marriage on August 20, 1890, to Miss Georgie Girardey, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Light) Girardey. The Light family is a pioneer family of the county and the members have always been prom- inent in the progress and growth of all its enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland now own the David Light estate, "Spring home. in Williamsburg township, making it their Mrs. Strickland's father was George Girardey, Jr., born in 1835, and dying in 1912. He was the only child of George, Sr., and Mary Girardey, both natives of France. George, Sr., was a skilled confectioner and author of a valuable book on confectionery and baking. Losing both parents while very young, 228 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES George, Jr., made his home with the family of David Light in 1847, and on the departure of the young men of the family for California, took charge of the estate. He married, in 1864, Elizabeth F. Light, daughter of David and Sarah (Strickland) 'Light. His great fund of anecdotes and love of fishing made him the "Izaak Walton" of Clover. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Girardey, born in 1828, and dying in 1907, had the remarkable record of having her birth, marriage and death all occur upon the same farm. She had fine literary tastes, and during the Civil war made and embroidered many flags for the Union army, one rare and remarkably beautiful embroidered banner being still preserved by Mrs. Strickland. Through her mother, Mrs. Strickland is descended from the noted Light family, pioneers of Clermont county. John 'Light served in the Pennsylvania line three years in the War of 1776, and was the father of Jacob, Daniel and Peter Light, among Clermont's first pioneers, while it was not yet organized. Jacob Light, a Revolutionary soldier, was with the noted 0. M. Spencer when the latter was captured by the Indians, as related in Spencer's "Indian Captivity," and later founded New Richmond, in 1814. An account of these early settlers is found elsewhere in this volume and also in Rockey and Bancroft's "History of Clermont County" (1880). Before 1800, Peter Light, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Strickland, settled on five hundred acres of land north of Clover creek. He was county surveyor for ten years. His three children were, George C., David and Susanna. George C. Light was county surveyor for five years, and representative in 1812-1813, and later became a celebrated minister and pulpit orator. He died at Vicksburg, Miss., on his seventy-fifth birthday, February 27, 1860. David Light, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Strickland, died in 1845, his wife, Sarah S., in 1888, at the age of ninety-two years. The children who survived the parents were, George S., William Wayland, Harriet and Elizabeth F. (Girardey). George S. Light became a pharmacist, and originated several excellent remedies. He owned a fine estate, "Light Hills," now in Covington, Ky. Dr. William Wayland Light, who was born in 1817 and died in 1805, became a pioneer of California, and a noted character of Sacramento City. A graphic account of his heroic struggle with a war party of Yayui Indians, in 1868, after they had slain his brother, Andrew Hopkins Light, and his nephew, Julian M. Light, is found elsewhere in this volume, under the story of the CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 220 "Gold Rush." Mrs. Strickland has many interesting relics, collected by her uncle, Dr. W. W. Light. The late R. J. Bancroft said, "The Light family has been one of the most notable in Clermont, and none that ever settled in it has a more famous pioneer record antedated by a splendid history in the Revolutionary and Indian times that tried men's souls." Two children have come to bless and cheer the union of Mr. and Mrs. Strickland : Elizabeth Girardey, born in 1892, a graduate of the Walnut Hills High School, has considerable artistic talent, being proficient in pen and ink work, water colors and also in china painting. David Light, born in 1896, a student of the Walnut Hills High School. The city residence of Mr. and Mrs. Strickland is at 2005 Hudson avenue, Norwood, Ohio. Socially, Mr. Strickland has membership in Norwood Lodge, No. 576, Free and Accepted Masons. He is particularly interested in the "Home and School League" movement, humane work, forestry and agricultural work, orcharding and the general improvement of rural life. His interest in these matters is evidenced by frequent addresses before parents and teachers and public meetings. He has given his life to a profession which is of eminent service to his fellow men, and his zeal and enthusiasm in his chosen calling, supplementing a naturally strong mind, have made him an educator whose ability is recognized. He is an active member of the National Education Association, also of the Schoolmasters' Club and Principals' Association of Cincinnati, and was president of the latter organization in 1911-1912. HARVEY HAWLEY. Mr. Harvey Hawley, one of the prosperous and substantial farmers and stock raisers of Clermont county, Ohio, has been a resident of Goshen township since 1830, when he was eight years of age. He recalls without difficulty the development and progress of the county and the present generation knows but little of and can hardly appreciate the suffering and labor and privation that brought about the present delightful condition of the hills and valleys of Clermont from the wild untamed forests of "The Northwest Territory." Mr. Hawley 230 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES owns and operates his finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres in Goshen township. He was born near Mason, Warren county, Ohio, October 9, 1830, and is a son of Joel and Mary (Dill) Hawley. Joel Hawley was a native of Connecticut, a son of John Hawley, who brought the family to Ohio about 1812, settling near Oxford, Ohio. Joel and John, his sons, settled later in Warren county, Ohio, where the former remained until 1839, when he removed to Goshen township, Clermont county, and became a successful and greatly respected farmer. His birth occurred June 12, 1795, and his death took place in the year of 1855. He was a Whig in politics and later a Republican. Mary (Dill) Hawley was born August 8, 1792, and departed this life in 1842. Her marriage to Mr. Joel Hawley occurred September 9, 1818. They were both members of the Methodist church, he being very active in church and Sabbath school work, and a local preacher. Their union was blessed with five sons, namely : Hiram W., deceased. Dr. Albert, a resident of Preble county, Ohio, where for many years, he was a prominent physician, is now in his ninety-second year of life. Andrew D. was also a physician, and is now deceased. Joel Franklin, deceased. Harvey, the subject of this mention. After the death of his wife, Mr. Joel Hawley chose for his second wife, Mrs. Sarah Lewis, nee Brown, and they became the parents of two children : Charles E., residing at Ramona, Hamilton county, Ohio. Julia, who married J. M. Vandervort, and who died in the spring of 1913. Mr. Harvey Hawley was reared on his father's farm and enjoyed the educational privileges of a school at Milford, Ohio, for two years. He then continued his studies at Antioch College, under Horace Mann, until he was called home on account of the death of his father. Since that time he has managed the home farm, and he is justly proud of the great changes which have been effected on this property through the industry and good management of his father and himself. The marriage of Mr. Harvey Hawley to Miss Mary E. Lewis occurred in 1859. Mrs. Hawley was born at Lebanon, Ohio, May 16, 1833, and died April 21, 1899. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Brown) Lewis, the former a manufacturer CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 231 of carriages. The Lewises were of Welsh descent and the Brown family were from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley became the parents of five children : Evelyn Sarah, Albert Lewis, who died at the age of eleven months, Lavina Blanche, Cora Mary and Lura Merdith, who is the wife of O. P. Bodley, of Loveland, Ohio. They have two children, Harvey Hawley and Virginia Meredith. Politically, Mr. Hawley is a staunch Republican, and has refused to accept all proffered public offices. He has, however, served for many years on the school board. Mr. Hawley is an active member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Hawley also belonged. For a number of years, Mr. Hawley was president of the First National Bank of Loveland. As a first class citizen he has cast his influence in the directions of those movements which, in his opinion, have been for the best interest of the township and county, and is considered one of its representative men. JOHN C. FUHR. John C. Fuhr, dealer in general hardware, ranges, plumbers' supplies, etc., in Williamsburg, was born in Dieburg, Starkenburg, Hessen, Germany, February 25, 1863, the son of John and Katherine (Deuter) Fuhr. After three and one-half years, his parents moved to Homberg, where John later attended public school, which ends there at fourteen years, when arrangements were made for him to serve an apprenticeship in the tinner's trade for three years, during the first two of which he attended night school for mechanical instruction. During the third year he received wages from his employer, William Kuhl, as he had become a skilled workman. At the same time he learned the work in the other two departments, that of bookkeeping and buying. He set out for America from Bremer-Hafen by the steamer "General Werder," and landed at New York on July 3, 1881, in the midst of the excitement over the assassination of President Garfield. Soon after he went to Piyua, Miami county, Ohio, where he was employed for a year and a half at more per day than his weekly wages would have been in his native land. He learned the language of his adopted country very rapidly, and later worked at his trade in various other shops in Cincinnati, with the idea of increasing his mechanical knowledge. 232 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES In 1883 Mr. Fuhr came to Williamsburg, and for a time was employed in a tin and stove business, but in 1886 he bought out his employer, D. R. Rees, and added a stock of hardware, putting in the savings from his earnings, but by efficient business methods he has gradually prospered until he has a large stock and a paying business. On December 28, 1886, John C. Fuhr was married to Cora B. Walker, of Williamsburg. She was born in Newtonville, Clermont county, Ohio, and is the only child of Ludwell G. and Nancy J. (Smith) Walker. Her father, a veteran of the Union army, is the only living son of William and Mary (Smith) Walker. William Walker was the sixth son among the sixteen children of Hillary and Elizabeth (Snell) Walker. Elizabeth (Snell) Walker was the eighth child of Adam Snell. Adam Snell and Hillary Walker came to Clermont county in 1806, from Pennsylvania. More than a score of their descendants were Union soldiers. Mary (Smith) Walker was a daughter of Captain Stephen Smith, who commanded a noted company from "Old Clermont" in the War of 1812. Captain Smith's wife was Sarah Kain, a daughter of James Kain, the first settler in the East Fork valley of the Little Miami river. Nancy J. (Smith) Walker, on the maternal side, is a granddaughter of Adam Snell, and on the paternal side is descended from Jadiah and Millicent Smith, pioneers in Clermont county from Trenton, N. J. The Kains, Walkers and Snells are elsewhere mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Fuhr have six living children . John Roy, born December 23, 1887, was graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1905, and from Mechanic's Institute, in Cincinnati, in 1907. He was married August 28, 1909, to Edna B. Davidson, also a native of Clermont county, and a daughter of Joseph M. and Carrie (Knauer) Davidson, and a granddaughter of James Davidson, elsewhere sketched. Stanley W., born April 15, 1889, carries on a job printing establishment at Williamsburg. He married Carrie L. Nichols, of Batavia, Ohio. She is a daughter of Clayton B. and Maude (Hitch) Nichols, of Batavia. Pauline died in infancy. Lida S. graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1913. Ralph D., Mary K. and Helen L. are students in the public school. John C. Fuhr has been a leading factor in many successful business enterprises. When the Williamsburg Furniture Company was organized he was one of the promoters and stock holders, has served as one of its directors, and at present is vice-president of the company. He was also one of the pro- CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 233 moters of the original brick company, and the present brick company is the result of that organization. When the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank was organized, he was one of the original stockholders and is one of the six directors. He was one of the first of the community to start a movement for a telephone, and was the first president of the Williamsburg Home Telephone Company. He has built and owns several properties in Williamsburg. In 1908 he bought ninety-six acres of land in Williamsburg township, which he is developing into a fine farm. Besides being interested in many business ventures, Mr. Fuhr has been honored by his fellow citizens with many positions of trust, which he has creditably filled. He became a Republican and has served as a delegate to State conventions, helping nominate several governors. He has served on the school board and in city council several times. His son, Roy, is village clerk, and Stanley one of the council. Mr. Fuhr is a director of the Clermont Publishing Company, the Republican organ of the county. He takes an active part in both religious and fraternal life of his community. Although born and baptized in the Catholic church, his mother being a Catholic, he was confirmed a Lutheran, the faith of his father. After his marriage, he became a member of the Presbyterian church, as his wife was thus reared, and has served as assistant Sunday school superintendent. He was one of the prime movers and chairman of the building committee which erected the new modern edifice of that denomination. He became a vice-president of the Clermont County Sunday School Association, and served a number of times as delegate to their State conventions, also a delegate to International conventions at Toronto, Canada, Louisville and San Francisco. Mr. Fuhr became a member of the Angola Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1886. He has filled all the offices except secretary, and is past grand. He was a promoter and a charter member of the encampment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fuhr are members of the Rebecca order, of which Mrs. Fuhr has passed through all the chairs. He is a member of Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, in which he has served as junior warden. He has taken the Royal Arch degree at Batavia, and is a member of Hanselman Commandery, No. 16, of Cincinnati. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Mr. Fuhr has been an ardent worker in the cause of temperance, and has long been in the front rank in the battles that 234 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES have been fought for that cause. He was chairman of the county local option committee prior to the election of 1908, which resulted in a victory for the "drys." Mr. Fuhr came to this country with no means except his talent, but by patient industry and honest dealings with his fellow men, he has built an enviable position in both the financial and social world. By his public spirit and contribution of time, talent and money he has been a prime factor in the upbuilding of the community. He has been abundantly blessed with this world's goods. His name and his works will be treasured and respected by his children and many friends. WILLIAM H. MILLER. William H. Miller owns one of the most up-to-date farms in Clermont county, which consists of two hundred and thirty- two acres of productive land on the Bantam turnpike. Mr. Miller has employed the most progressive and still practical methods, for the operating of his farm with fine success. He was among the first in the county to build a silo and his good substantial buildings are indicative of a keen business mind, as well as a justifiable pride in his possessions. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Mt. Washington, July 9, 1855, his parents being William L. and Elizabeth (De Bolt) Miller, who were married January 27, 1851; William L. Miller was born May 2, 1827, and died May 15, 1896. He was a son of David M. Miller, who was a son of Ichabod Miller. Ichabod Miller, from Pennsylvania, was a notable surveyor, much employed on the eastern side of Hamilton county, where he located many roads still existing. He married a daughter of Capt. Aaron Mercer, a relative of Gen. Hugh Mercer, who was killed at the Battle of Princeton. Captain Mercer came from Virginia, and reached Columbia just as the troops returned from the scenes of General Harmar's defeats. Captain Mercer and Capt. Ignatius Ross met James Newell going with corn to Covalt's Mill, at Round Bottom, just before the latter was killed by Indians, in September, 1791; Notwithstanding the great danger of the times, Captain Mercer and Miller in 1792 went three miles up on the eastern side of the Little Miami from Gerard's Station, and there, where fine springs gushed from the gravel bank, they built a palisade CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 235 or block house, and laid out a town that was called Mercersburg, until changed some eight years later to Newtown. Another daughter of Captain Mercer married Thomas Brown, Jr., a store keeper, who was a son of Thomas Brown, Sr., who laid out Brownsville, on the site of the historic old Fort Red Stone, on the Monogahela. William L., was well educated and taught in the schools of Hamilton county, Ohio, for a number of years. He was also a surveyor and in/ 1863 bought two hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Williamsburg township from Gen. David Bone. Mr. William L. Miller followed farming until within a few years of his death, when he purchased a handsome residence in Williamsburg, but returned to the farm before his death. He was a Democrat and was for years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had membership in the Williamsburg Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he gave largely of his means. Elizabeth (De Bolt) Miller was born in ay, 1831, at New- town, Ohio, and died December 15, 19o2. S She was a daughter of Michael and Martha De Bolt, of near Newtown, where they were successful farmers. In early life Mrs. Miller joined the Baptist church, of which her mother was a member, but later joined the Methodist church at Williamsburg. William H. Miller is the eldest of six children : Mrs. Eva Moore, of Williamsburg. Leonard E., of Williamsburg. Frank M., deceased. Rev. Idelbert B., of New York State, is in the Methodist ministry. Mattie M., deceased. Since the age of eight years, Clermont county has been the home of William H. Miller, and here he received his education in the common schools. He chose the occupation of farming, which he has followed continuously, with the exception of six years, when he was engaged in the insurance business. On December 25, 1878, at Afton, Ohio, he married Miss Deborah Lukemire, who was born in Clermont county, her parents, William and Hannah Lukemire, being early resident farmers of this section of the county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been born one son: William L., who was born November 23, 1879, and is now engaged in mining at Cripple Creek, Colo. He married Irene Burke, of near Bethel, Ohio, and they have two children: 236 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Marie Grace, born August 27, 1904, and George William, born September 20, 1905. In politics, Mr. Miller is always a Democrat, and served as infirmary director for some six years. He was also a member of the county fair board. In fraternal circles, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. His farming interests indicate the diligence and judgment which he has employed in the management of his affairs. He is well known as a reliable business man, who is public-spirited in citizenship and loyal in friendship. JOSEPH AND MELINDA MEDARIS SMITH. After joining a company, of which he was elected captain, Dennis Smith served in the Revolutionary army, and was granted a land warrant for five hundred acres in the Virginia miiltary district. He lived in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and raised a family, of which the sons were : Peter, Joseph, Dennis, Jr., David, Christopher and Abe ; and the daughters were : Elizabeth married Jacob Johns, Polly married James Enis, Susan married James Clark, Hannah married James Huffman, Catherine married James Seals, Rachel married Francis Foster, and Sarah married Jacob Meek. Capt. Dennis Smith's bounty land was laid in Clermont county by his sons, Joseph, David and Christopher, and his son-in-law, James Seals. David Smith lived and died in Clermont county, and so did Christopher Smith, whose children, except Francis, Paulina and Amanda, moved to Shawneetown, Ill. The children of Catherine Seals went to Adams county, Illinois. Joseph, born August 16, 1779, the second son of Capt. Dennis Smith, came to near Cincinnati in about 1800, and then, on account of sickly conditions, to Clermont county, in 1805, and settled for life in Stonelick township, about midway between what is now Boston and Monterey. In 1818 he built the first brick house in the township and died there September 13, 1824. He married Hannah, a daughter of John Hair, whose wife was Nancy Torbett, of Kennedy Jigg. They came from Greene county, Pennsylvania. Hannah was born September 26, 1783, and died January 10, 1839. The other children of John and Nancy Hair were, as some married, Betsy Burns, Elizabeth, Annie Gibson, James, John, Sarah Ross of Knox county, Amelia Clark, William, Cynthia Clark and Samuel. John Hairls family was prominent and highly esteemed. The ten CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 237 children of Joseph and Hannah Hair Smith were : John, born February 2o, 1806; Dennis, January 10, 1808 ; Elizabeth, August 21, 1800; Annie, August 21, 1811 ; Sarah, September 6, 1813 ; Joseph, June 22, 1815 ; Hannah, August 24, 1817 ; Amanda, September 29, 1819; Martha, October 20, 1820 ; James Harvey, January 24, 1824. John married Adaline Moore and moved to ten miles south of Lafayette, Ind., where he and his wife died in January, 1856. Dennis married Elizabeth Bigam, lived on the home farm and was prosecuting attorney of Clermont county during 1841-44. One of his sons, Frederick, was the historian of the family. Elizabeth married James Moore and Annie married John Moore, a brother, and both families lived on lower Stonelick with much fraternal pleasure. Sarah married Liel Boyd and both died early. Hannah married Daniel Cover. Amanda married Richard Roudebush, of Goshen. Martha Ann married A. Quinlivin, in California. James Harvey and his wife, Maria, lived in Blanchester, Ohio. The descendants of these people are numerous and widely scattered. Joseph Smith, Jr., the sixth child and third son, married Mary Fletcher, who died leaving Phoebe and Hannah Louisa. Phoebe married Tolcot and moved to Iowa, where she died, leaving two children. Hannah Louisa, living in Quincy, Ill., married William Wires, who was unfortunately killed in 1897. On September 18, 1844, Joseph Smith, Jr., was married to Melinda G. Medaris, born July 5, 1822, a daughter of Charles and Lydia Gest Medaris. Charles was a son of Malachi Medaris, who was born in Maryland in 1777, of Irish parentage. He married in 1797 and moved to North Carolina the next year, where Charles and Shadrach were born. In 1803 he joined a colony for Ohio, crossing the mountains to Pittsburgh and thence with the cattle by Zane's and Donnell's Traces, and the women and children, on arkls down the river. Their settlement, made near Olive Branch, was the home till 1818, when another was taken below Batavia. Lydia Gest, born February 27, 1801, near Batavia, was a daughter of Enoch and Ida Gest, among the earliest of the early pioneers from Kentucky to that vicinity. The children of Charles and Lydia Gest Medaris were : Melinda ; Elliot ; Paulina, married to James Roudebush ; Enoch, married to Sarah, a sister of Governor John M. Pattison ; Emma ; and Dr. Leonidas H., married to Ella Roudebush. After the death of Lydia, May 28, 1860, Charles married Phoebe Hill, whose two children were 238 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Elmer, and Louisa married to Edwin T. Ely. On the partition of his father's estate, the farm was bought by David Meek and Joseph, Jr., the latter taking the northern part, which he sold in 1844, and then bought the fine tract on the east bank of the East Fork and south of the Jackson pike. On that farm all the children of his wife, Melinda, were born and lived until the home for well earned retirement was fixed in 1871 on Front street in Williamsburg, from which the large farm was directed, while another was bought on lower Crane Run. Joseph Smith, Jr., died September 30, 1891, and Melinda G. Smith, September 28, 1894. They were excellent examples of an energetic, industrious and successful farm life that gained fine respect. They had thirteen children. Charles Elliott, born June 9, 1845, married Ruth Moorehead, a sister of E. S. Moorehead, elsewhere sketched. Francina Isabel, born August 2, 1847, married Thomas W. Moorehead, a soldier for the Union in Company K, Twenty-seventh Ohio. He was a brother of E. S. Moorehead above mentioned. Mrs. Moorehead died April 9, 1902. Lydia M., born December 18, 1848, died in infancy. Mary Emma, born March 15, 185o, married John Leir. They live in Williamsburg. Amanda, born January 28, 1852, died in infancy. Joseph Harvey. Oizella, born November 20, 1855, married Francis T. Weaver, and died May 8, 1910, leaving four children. Ida Gest, born August 25, 1857, married Al K. Peterson, and died January 31, 1881. Their children died young. Cora, born April 9, 1859, married Robert L. Kain. Lillette May, born April 3, 1861, married Millard F. Peterson, and, after his death, married Francis T. Weaver. They live in Williamsburg. Leonidas Byron. Dennis Howard, born February 14, 1865, married Margaret M. Smith, a niece of Mrs. Joseph Harvey Smith. They live in his parents' old home in Williamsburg. Theodosia, born May 20, 1869, married George Kain. Robert L. and George Kain are sons of Henry C. Kain, elsewhere mentioned, and they live in Long Beach, Cal. PHILIP G. ARMSTRONG. Mr. Philip G. Armstrong was a notable representative of an old Clermont county family, and in his business life as general contractor and builder made an excellent reputation for activity, enterprise and reliability. He was a son of Jacob and CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 239 Anna (Collins) Armstrong, and was born in Miami town- ship, Clermont county, Ohio, January 27, 1843, and died March 17, 1913, at his home near Milford. Jacob Armstrong was born in Miami township, 1806, and was a son of John Armstrong and wife, nee Schley, who came to Clermont county early in the Nineteenth century, from Virginia, locating some three and one-half miles east of Milford. In politics, Mr. Armstrong was a Whig and later a Democrat, although not active. His death occurred December 5, 1875, at his fine home farm. Anna (Collins) Armstrong was a native of New Hampshire, and at the age of seven years, came with her parents, John and Elizabeth Collins, to Clermont county, where they located on a farm in Miami township. John Collins was a prominent Methodist and was a friend of the Rev. Philip Gatch. His death took place at his home and his wife spent her declining years in Clinton county, Ohio. Anna (Collins) Armstrong passed from this life in Clermont county, January 5, 1876, aged about sixty years. Philip G. Armstrong was one of nine children, of whom three are living: Mrs. Hill, who is the wife of the Rev. Hezekiah Hill, of Stonelick township. Miss Anna, residing on the old home farm. Benjamin, a plasterer by occupation, resides on Woodburn avenue, Cincinnati. Reared and educated under the parental roof, Philip G. Armstrong took up the carpenter's trade at Cincinnati, at the age of twenty years, and in his business erected many fine residences in Milford, Madisonville and elsewhere. Mr. P. G. Armstrong chose for his life's companion, Miss Elvira Stuart, who was born at Perintown, Clermont county, a daughter of William and Mary (James) Stuart, early families of the county, the James family coming to this section from Pennsylvania. In religious views, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong believe in the faith of the Baptist church, of which she is an active member. He was active in church work for many years. Mr. Armstrong was an independent Republican. During the active years of Mr. Armstrong's life he accumulated several nice properties in Milford and Cincinnati, and was counted among the substantial men of Clermont county, where he was held in high esteem. 240 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES ERASTUS S. MOORHEAD. Erastus S. Moorhead, who resides on Front street, near Main, has been a prominent citizen of Williamsburg since 19o1, at which time he retired from his finely developed farm not far from Williamsburg. Mr. Moorhead was the sixth child of Fergus and Lorinda Jane (Walker) Moorhead, being born October 10, 1841, in Jackson township, Clermont county. His father, Fergus Moorhead, was born December 7, 1800, in Pennsylvania, but near the town of Hagerstown, Md., and when but seven or eight years of age accompanied his father, Samuel, to Clermont county, Ohio. His father died soon after, but not until he had accumulated some land and other property. Fergus continued in the business and stock raising, being very successful. In politics he voted the Democratic ticket. After spending some time in the West he returned to his old home in Clermont county. He died January 9, 1867, in Brown county, Ohio, a man sincerely mourned by a wide range of friends and associates. Lorinda Jane Walker, who became the wife of Fergus Mo0rhead, April II, 1832, in Clermont county, was born August. 12, 1816, in Old Clermont, now Brown county. She was a daughter of Hilary Walker and wife, who also moved from Pennsylvania in the second decade of the Nineenth century. Nine children were born to Fergus and Lorinda J. Moorhead: Darwin D., was born April 1o, 1833, married Grace Sweet, and died in the West in 1873, leaving a widow and six children, all of whom are living-J. L., Gertrude (Matter), and Charlina (Schultz), all of Kansas ; Elizabeth (Murphy), of Highland county, Ohio; Maskal C., of old Mexico, and Miss Zoo- line, now in the Panama canal zone, but a resident of Old Mexico. Elizabeth, the second child of Fergus M., was born October 15, 1835, and died in Missouri, September 3, 1840. Margaret, born May 5, 1837, married Cornelius Holmes, of Williamsburg. They have had two children—Jessie, who died in infancy, and Flavius W., who is married and is a prosperous farmer in Williamsburg township. Emma Jane, died in infancy. Mary Jane, who was born March 5, 1840, married D. W. Atchley, in 1863, and died leaving four children-Minnie P. CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 241 of Brown county, Ohio, and Corintha (Newton) Davidson, (Terhuna), Maggie P. (White), Charles, and Daisy (McAdams), all of Williamsburg. Erastus S., our subject. Ruth W., who was born July 20, 1843, married C. E. Smith, brother of J. H. Smith, mentioned elsewhere in this work. From this union two children were born—Rosa, deceased, and Luna (Marsh), of Williamsburg. Thomas W., born February 18, 1845, of Williamsburg, who has retired from active business life. As a soldier he was a member of the same regiment and company of his brother, Erastus. He was married to Isabella F. Smith, sister of J. H. Smith. They were the parents of five children—J. E., deceased, Mrs. Alma (Patterson), Jessie (Ashton), deceased, leaving three sons, Chloe (Sentman), now of Williamsburg, and Simeon E., student in the Cincinnati Dental College, class of 1913. Sarah, the ninth child, was born January 16, 1847, but died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Fergus Moorhead was again married, to Mary Jane Arthur. Four children were born to them: Malinda, who died in infancy ; Joseph G., who operates the farm of E. S. Moorhead, in Brown county, is married and has a family ; Miss V. Belle, who resided with Mr. E. S. Moorhead and wife until her decease, December 23, 1912 ; and Hester M. (Shough), who, with her husband and family, resides in Missouri. Mr. E. S. Moorhead, our subject, was reared and has resided practically all his life in Clermont and Brown counties, though he farmed in Hamilton county eight years. He still owns a fine farm of two hundred acres in Brown county. For a time he was interested in the canning business, but has since sold out. He is now a member of the board of directors of the Farmer's and Merchant's Bank of Williamsburg. In 1861 he left his home to fight for his country. He enlisted in Company K, Twenty-seventh Ohio volunteers, and during the three years, eleven months and fifteen days which he served in the Western army, though his clothing was often cut by bullets, he was never injured. He participated in a great many important engagements, was with "Sherman to the Sea," and was also in the Grand Review at Washington. Sometime after being mustered out he was married, on October 11, 1866, to Miss Nancy N. Davidson. 242 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES Miss Davidson, who was born January 14, 1845, in Highland county, Ohio, was the second child of Greenwood K., a native of Kentucky. The family moved to Brown county in 1864, and one year later to Hamilton county, where Mr. Davidson died, in 1869, at the age of fifty years. The mother spent some of her declining days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead, where, in 1894, at the age of seventy-one years, she passed to her reward. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are still living: Talitha Cunie (Goetz), of Indiana, who was born August 14, 1842; Mrs. Moorhead, wife of our subject; Isaac, born October 5, 1847, died April 14, 1883 ; Alvin, born September 15, 185o, who with his family resides on Price Hill, Cincinnati, is a contractor and builder; Mary (Fox), born September 17, 1853, lives in Iowa, near Danville. She has one son, a young man. Lovina (Walker) was born April 12, 1856, and died December 23, 1891; Her husband and their only son are also dead. Miss Cynthia, for ten years, a teacher in Cincinnati, was born January 24, 1859, and died in November, 1893 ; Kiles, who was born in February, 1862, died in infancy ; Lincoln Ellsworth was born November 4, 1863, and died at the age of eighteen months. After his marriage, Mr. Moorhead located near Williamsburg, but in Brown county. In 1877 he moved to the farm he still owns and lived there until he came to town. He has greatly improved the place until now it is one of the finest farms of this section. His success at farming and stock raising and later in active business life is the result of a life where common sense and good judgment were combined with honesty of purpose. Mr. Moorhead is one of that class of people known as self-made men. Though known as a business man his influence is wider than his business acyuaintanceship. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and take an active part, he filling the position of deacon. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member. He belongs to the chapter at Batavia, and has filled all the offices of the Masonic order, except that of worshipful master. For over thirty years he has been a faithful member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, the Republicans claim his vote. His honesty, fairness and sociability have won for him a wide circle of friends. CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 243 LEONIDAS BYRON SMITH. The third son of Joseph and Melinda Medaris Smith, sketched on other pages of this work, is Leonidas Byron, born March to, 1863, on his father's fine farm in Clermont county, Ohio, just east and south of where the Jackson township pike bridges the East Fork of the Little Miami. Eight years later, he went with the family whena his father retired with ample means to enjoy village life in a most comfortable and hospitable home, while the house full of children obtained the benefits of the excellent schools of Wiiamsburg. Yet it was not all school and play for "Lon," as evllerybody g called cheerful lad, who was trained in physical culture by the judicious father and kept too busy for much mischief, by many errands to the farms, where he thoroughly practiced the horses, the care of crops and the management of stock. In the meantime, he was kept steadily in school, until the "Call of the West" was followed in 1883 to Adel, Dallas county, Iowa. He there began active employment as a clerk in the grocery business of J. W.siBly, with whom he continued eight years. He then formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Robert L. Kain, also from Williamsburg, Ohio. That partnership, with the name of Smith and Kain, continued four years, when Kain's interest was purchased. Since then the business has been the property of Mr. Smith, who owns the large and con- spicuous block that he built in 1900 to accord with his gratifying prosperity. In 1888 he was married to Emma, a daughter of Isaac J J. and Ellen Bringham Farlow. I. J. Farlow was born April II, 1827, in Rush county, Indiana, and was a son of ReuCbearolin Fna, ar- low, who was born in February, 1785, in North whence he came, in 18II, to be one of the pioneers of Indiana, where he married Elizabeth Odell, who was born in 1795 in North Carolina. Ellen Bringham was born July 18, 1837, in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, then the pioneer home of her parents, Jesse and Rachel Bringham, whence they came to be pioneers of Cedar county, Iowa. Isaac Farlow attained excellent success in Adel, where he came when there were but two houses on the road to the present city of Des Moines, some thirty miles away. With such long pioneer record on all lines of his family, Lon B. Smith has been pleased with a chance to present his record in Clermont county to his sons, Byron and Lowell, who will thus be taught a fine pride in their honorable ancestry. 244 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES ANDREW McGREW. A name that was to be familiar in northern Clermont and about Cincinnati was brought from the city of Baltimore in September, 1806, to the vicinity of Milford by Andrew McGrew. He had served in the Revolution according to one account, he had married Hannah Rust, and they had a family of seven sons and two daughters. He also had some means for that time, for he bought a large tract of land, stretching toward Newberry, from the house by Matson's Hill, looking upon what is East Milford, but then was McCormick's, the birthplace of Methodistic faith north of the Ohio. He had means to keep one of the early stores. The name soon appeared in the early records. On May 14, 1807, Philip Gatch, M. G., meaning minister of the gospel, married Jonathan McGrew to Ruth Crawford. At the term of the common pleas court, beginning February 21, 1809, the first held in the new stone court house in Williamsburg, Andrew McGrew appeared as one of the grand jurors. Other members of that grand jury were, Capt. Daniel Feagans, the pioneer of the vicinity now called Georgetown ; Lieut. Cornelius McCollum, from the John Collins "Jersey Settlement" by the mouth of Clover ; Jasper Shotwell, promoted to be an ensign when his captain, Jacob Boerstler, was killed at the battle of Brownstown, in the War of 1812; Henry Zumatt, soon to be a colonel in the War of 1812 ; Houton Clarke, the tavern keeper from Bethel, and the father of Congressman R. W. Clarke ; Jacob Ulrey, the mighty hunter from Ulrey's Run ; Isaac Higbee, who came with Rev. John Collins, when he preached the first Methodist sermon in Cincinnati ; and Capt . Andrew Harry. from Maryland, who was making hats in Williamsburg. Several wolf scalps were presented at that term for the bounty money paid. Authority to solemnize marriage was conferred for the first time on the wonderfully eloquent Rev. George C. Light, for whom his nephew, Judge George L. Swing, was named. As a thousand times longer has been reyuired to find than to read the items, we hope that some will appreciate the associations of the pioneer McGrew, who was also a Methodist, and no doubt rode to court over the Round Bottom and Deerfield road with his neighbors and brothers in the church, Judge Philip Gatch and Judge Ambrose Ransom, who sat on the judicial bench at that court. Two years later, Andrew "Megrue," who had made a good impression, was certified for a commission as a justice of the peace for old Clermont from Miami township, which, though on the side of the big county, was getting her share. At the June term of the court in 1812, Andrew "Megrue" made application to alter the road from Milford passing through Ransom's, and the road leading from Harner's Run to Stonelick, near Captain Slone's. He was perparing the ways and straightening the paths through the large tract that was to be partitioned among his children. The children had most of their schooling in Maryland, but a school house on Harner's Run is mentioned in a road description in 1809, on the same line that "Megrue" wanted to change in 1812. The spelling of the name also changed then, and some have never got right since. Yet, the name does not easily take a French style, and no art can change the fine Scotch-Irish cast of the people who should be proud to keep the Gaelic form. Jonathan, married in 1807, was one of Andrew's seven sons, but William, the eldest, waited longer and then married Rachel, a daughter of Ebenezer Newton, who had come from Cape May to Milford about the same time. Newton had taught along the Ohio river and then in the South, where he gained strong views of slavery. He was the author of a work on simplified spelling, that met the usual fate of such effort. The third brother among the six sons and one daughter of William and Rachel McGrew, was born on a farm near Mt. Repose, March 3, 1817, and named Andrew after his pioneer grandfather. Soon after, his father kept a store at Newberry, but later moved to Mill creek valley and farmed on what is now a part of Spring Grove cemetery. He learned his trade as an apprentice with Cassett, the edge tool maker on Main street. With fine intelligence and characteristic determination he mastered the machinery and learned the engineering of the establishment. At one time and another he installed machinery on Sugar plantations, and was an engineer on the river. In this way he had a large chance to ponder the force of a never forgotten remark heard in boyhood and made to his father, William, by his grandfather, teacher Ebenezer Newton : "Slavery is a National evil and will bring a National curse. It may not come in my day or your day, but I should not be surprised if these children lived to see it." Andrew McGrew lived to see it, and was only surprised that it did not come sooner—so heinous was slavery in his sight. He left the river to take the management of John Kugler's 246 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES extensive enterprise at "Tippecanoe," which was the facetious name given during and after the "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign" for General Harrison in 1840. The name was suggested by the local preponderance of such sentiment. Before experiment had proved the stability of an earthbed, the Little Miami railway track was a structure of long sleepers and cross ties, and more sills and ties, until a sill held a flat strap of iron that was nailed down, and sometimes curled up at the ends into and through the floor of the cars above with injury to freight and terror to passengers. And, all the while, the wood work below rotted in wet, or caught fire in dry weather. In the lack of better ways, millions of feet of the finest oak were required in the square, which John Kugler contracted largely to furnish. Before the invention of little saw mills that can be taken to the logs, Kugler built a huge steam saw mill, where Glancy's Run is crossed by the Deerfield or Lebanon road, a half-mile north of Williams' Corners. Even the ashes are effaced. But among the multitude of choppers, loggers and mill men, with scores of yokes and teams to haul the logs and deliver the timber, when roads had to be made, the young, large, strong, capable and great-hearted Andrew McGrew went as Kugler's factotum of mechanical and executive detail. Kugler was the successor of Samuel Perin as the commercial master, each in his turn, of his region and time. Their endorsement stands as a prime certificate of the ability and worth of their assistants. The business at Tippecanoe developed the quality of leadership that marked Andrew McGrew for attention and respect wherever he mingled. A youthful mind cannot at once grasp the progress spanned by his activities. While an apprentice he helped to make the iron work that joined the wooden tubes for the early water works of Cincinnati, and the iron mountings for the cannon sent by that city to aid the independence of Texas. But he lived to the end in full sympathy with true improvement. He lived for awhile at Westboro, and at Columbus, always busy, energetic and useful. In 1869 he returned to Milford, and in 1873 bought the fine residence of the late Gen. Thomas Gatch, that is still the family home. While withdrawn from the excessive activity of youth, he continued a care for the common good. He helped organize the first building association in Milford. He was many terms a member of the council. He was thoroughly interested in education and served twelve years in the board of CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 247 education, and generally as the president. In that time he was earnest in starting and promoting the Milford High School. He was a member of the Odd Fellows. He served almost continuously during his last residence as president of the official board of the Milford Methodist church, and shared in all the activities of that, the oldest of all the Methodist churches north and west of the Ohio river. He was twice married. He died January 24, 1899. The children of Andrew and Sarah Bailey McGrew are Clyde Bailey McGrew, living at Milford, and his three sisters, Mary, Anna N. and Lilla, living with their mother in the family home at Milford. The writer of this sketch knowing him well admired the excellence and dignity of his worth and esteemed him one of the truest of friends. JUDGE JAMES BLACK SWING and THE SWING FAMILY. Unaware of the future interest and earnest in their struggles for a place in the social scheme, the pioneer Swings did not record what would now be highly prized. Hence, a few words about them must suffice. Two brothers, Abraham and Michael Swing, were born in Alsace and when grown went to the south of France. Thence, after some stay, and about the time of our Revolution, they came to America and settled in New Jersey. A son, most probably of the latter, came soon after 1800 to Clermont county and settled in Tate township, on a considerable tract of land west of Bethel. His children, born in New Jersey, were Samuel, Lawrence. Michael, Wesley and Mary. The father and numerous descendants were buried on his land in the Swing cemetery. After Samuel's death, his family went farther west. Wesley married Nancy Crane and left a posterity still represented in the vicinity. Mary married Zachariah Riley, whence another family of wide extent. Lawrence Swing married a daughter of David Light, who was a son of the pioneer Peter Light, of Williamsburg township, mentioned in the general history of this work. The sons of Lawrence Swing were George Light, William L., Johnston and Charles W., father of F. E. Swing, elsewhere sketched. Many descendants of Lawrence live about Bethel. George Light Swing went to Hanover College for two years, 248 - CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES and then, while studying law, taught school in Williamsburg, where one of his pupils was a relative, David Swing. After teaching, he went to Batavia, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He was appointed with N. M. Preble, and H. V. Kerr, then teaching in Williamsburg, and afterwards State librarian, on the first board of school examiners, charged with the introduction of the great school reform of 1853. In discharging that duty, he obtained a scholarship for David Swing in the Miami University, which resulted in the young man's elevation to a Greek professorship, whence he went to his greater work at Chicago, and became famous, thus justifying the judgment that gave the opportunity. In 1854 the position of school examiner was resigned to take the bench as probate judge for three years. After that he held no other office. He practiced law for fifty years in an honest, able, efficient manner, that was feared by those who had a truth to conceal, and honored by all who had rights to defend. In full sense, he was a strong lawyer, and a good man. He married Elizabeth Naylor, at Montgomery, Hamilton county, where her Scotch-Irish parents had immigrated many years ago. Judge Swing's daughter, Mrs. Mary J. McDonald, lives in Norwood. His son, Albert, for many years, has been employed in a responsible position in the office of the clerk of the courts in Hamilton county, and has performed the duties of the position with unusual ability and entire fidelity, and he has the respect and esteem of all the members of the legal profession. James Black Swing, the other son of Judge George L., was born May 15, 1854, in Batavia, whence he passed from the public schools to Hanover College, where he graduated in June, 1876, and where he has received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in Batavia in September, 1877, and in 1881 was elected judge of the probate court of Clermont county, and, in 1884, re-elected for the same duty, which began February 9, 1882, and closed February 9, 1888. He then went to Cincinnati to practice law and, for that purpose, formed a partnership with Judge Howard Ferris, under the name of Ferris & Swing. In 1903 he was elected a judge of the court of common pleas in Hamilton county, and took the office February 9, 1904, for a term of five years. As that term closed, he was re-elected for a term of six years, the term having been lengthened by law. After serving nine of the eleven years for CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES - 249 which he had been elected, he resigned the judgeship, to take effect January I, 1913, in order to enter a partnership in the practice of law with L. C. Black and his son, Robert L. Black, under the firm name of Black, Swing & Black. When that intention was made public, the Hamilton county bar with one voice, and the citizens, without party division, protested and petitioned against the resignation. On Saturday, December 7, 1912, the bar association and many leading people gathered in Judge J. B. Swing's court, in a meeting without precedent in the annals of Cincinnati, and presented their petition for his continuance. Judges had resigned before and the occasion had passed as a matter of course. Now the eloquence of political critics combined with the pleas of personal friends for a recall of the resignation. But prudent regard for days to come required that the chance of a life time for fine financial advantages should not be sacrificed for an extension of an already accomplished service of fifteen years on the bench. The Cincinnati papers of that date contain full details of the affair. While averse to the practice of politics, he was a delegate from the Sixth Ohio Congressional District in 1888 to the National convention at Chicago, that nominated President Benjamin Harrison. After coming to Ohio with his father, Michael was attracted to the Gatch Settlement, where, on December 6, 1806, he married Ruth, the youngest daughter of the Apostolic Philip Gatch. One son of Michael and Ruth Swing was George S., who married Clarissa, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Metcalf Glancy, and passed his life on a farm about a mile and a half below Perintown. The other son, Philip Bergen Swing, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Dayton, Ohio. In 1847 he is credited with one year's service as prosecuting attorney, with a residence at Batavia, where he lived to the end. He married Mary Hafer, a daughter of Judge Owen T. and Caroline Huber Fishback, a couple that traces back to Colonial days. Judge Owen T. was the son of Judge John Fishback, who enlisted under Colonel William Washington in General Daniel Morgan's command, fought in the battle of the Cowpens, married Martha Pickett, November 24, 1785, and died in Bracken county, Kentucky, January 22, 1810. Martha Pickett, born in 176o, was the daughter of Capt. William Pickett, who married Elizabeth Metcalf, of Long Branch, Fauquier county, Virginia, served that county as a member of the House of Burgesses, and was under Col. Thomas Mar-