486 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

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LIBERTY.

THE highly cultivated farms, the good houses, the many pikes and other improvements in this township speak favorably of the thrift and enterprise of its citizens and the character of its agriculture.

Of the early settlers in this section of the county may be mentioned the names of John Nelson, John Beatty, David Williamson, Ephraim Baker, Thomas Hunt, John Morrow, Duran Whittlesey, Thomas Kyle, David Griffis, Cornelius Murphy, the Elliotts, Hugheses, Voorheeses, Lowerys, Kains, Howards, and others.

The principal towns are Princeton, Bethany, Jericho, and Huntsville ; none having attained much size, nor being in importance what they were years ago.

When all was a wilderness, and before any of the sturdy oaks had been felled, John Nelson moved into the township, and cleared the first farm. This was where Jasper Rose lives now, and prior to 1796. John Beatty came in 1797, and found him snugly fixed in his pole cabin. He had come with his father David Beatty to Port Union, in 1795. The father died soon after this event, a very old man, and was buried at Tylersville, the second burial in the township. A child of McMahon's was buried here prior to that time, and was the first event of that kind. John Beatty had two sons, John R. and James, and one daughter, afterwards Mrs. Stewart. John R. Beatty married Miss Nancy Stewart, and raised a family of seven children, all of whom are dead now but Mrs. Squire McLean.

Mr. John Beatty settled just above where Bethany is now, and his house was probably the second in the township. He subsequently started the " Beatty Tavern," which was also the, first house of that kind in the township. This tavern was carried on for a long period of time ; first before his death by Mr. Beatty himself, then by his widow, and subsequently by his son, John R. Beatty. David 'Williamson next came to this part of the township and settled on a farm adjoining that of John Beatty, building .his house where 'Squire McLean's house stands. This was in 1798, and was the first house built in what was afterwards Bethany. His brother, Peter Williamson, had come just previous to this time, and settled in the north-east part of the township. Peter and David Voorhees came this year also, but settled in Huntsville. William Lowery came prior to 1800. His

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brother, Samuel Lowery, dug the grave for John Beatty in 1816.      .

The first marriage in the township occurred December 25, 1798. The parties contracting were Miss Mary Howard, of New Jersey, and Samuel Kain. Mr. Kain bought land just above Bethany, where Drake now lives.

John Morrow was settled on land now owned by David Swearingen, before 1803. His brother, Jeremiah Morrow, was governor of Ohio. John Morrow was the first justice of the peace in Liberty Township, and served in that capacity for eighteen years. He was followed by 'Squire McLean, who held the office twenty- four years, and follo-wing him was Silas -Williamson, who is, and has been, 'squire for fifteen years. Each of these three men have been peace-makers in the strict sense of that term.

Silas Williamson's grandfather, David Williamson, married Mary Vandyke in 1787, emigrated from Pennsylvania to'Kentucky in June, 1797,•and from Kentucky to Ohio, settling on Section 14, of this township, in 1798. He had four sons: George, born 1788; John, father of Silas, born 1790 ; David V., born 1795, and Peter, born in 1801. 'Squire Williamson has also been township clerk,.elected in 1865, and held the office many years. He was married to Christiana White in 1843.

John McLean was born in 1810. In 1843 he married Miss Sarah Clayton. She died in 1847. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Ann Beatty, daughter of John R. Beatty.

Bethany was laid off into lots, four by eight rods, in 1822, by Samuel Lowery. Five of these lots were surveyed by Nesbit, and were on the east side of the street. A man by the name of Crawford built a house just opposite where 'Squire McLean lives now, and kept a grocery ; it was a small affair at first, there not being ten dollars' worth of goods in his house. The first blacksmith's shop was in the woods at that time, and just opposite where Mr. Legg now lives. It was kept by Mr. Busby. He was followed by Mr. Garrett, and he in turn by Peter C. Dilley. This was before 1822.. John McLean, of Bethany, is descended from the McLeans of Scotland. After the rebellion of 1715, a portion of that clan emigrated to Ireland, and after a. considerable sojourn, to America. They settled in York, now Adams County, in Pennsylvania. The McLean who was the ancestor of John McLean, of Bethany, had seven sons, all surveyors. Their names were Archibald, Moses, William, Samuel, John, James, and Alexander. Each and all of them took an active part in our Revolutionary struggle. Archibald and Moses were both members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and Moses was also a captain in the Eleventh Regiment of the Pennsylvania line. Samuel McLean, the grandfather of John McLean, of Bethany, moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and left two sons, William and John. The latter remained in Fayette County, while the former removed to Butler County, in 1808. He was a farmer, and had six sons and three daughters. His sons were Samuel, born December 24, 1799; Elisha P., born March 3, 1802; Stephen, January 7, 1804; -William, December 21, 1805; Elizabeth, September 25, 1807, the widow of William Goudy; John, born February 13, 1810; James, born September 25, 1811; Sophia, born December 8, 1813 ; and Sarah Ann, April 13, 1816. Samuel, Elisha P., Stephen, William, James, and Sophia are dead.

Mr. McLean came to Butler County in 1808, and settled on Seven-Mile, Wayne Township, where he purchased a hundred acres of land. He came down the Ohio River in a flat-boat. He traded his farm in Pennsylvania for castings and sold them in Cincinnati, and with their proceeds purchased here. He died in Union Township, September 12, 1824, and his wife died September 27, 1834, in Springfield Township, Hamilton County. His son,, John McLean, was born February 13, 1810, in Wayne Township, and married first, January 3, 1843, Sarah R. Clayton, born in Liberty May 5, 1813, and died September 19, 1847. They had one child, Anna Isabella, born November 3, 1844. She died June 3, 1846. He married second, November 20, 1850, Mary Ann Beatty, daughter of John R. Beatty and Nancy (Stewart) Beatty. She was born in Liberty, December 29, 1814. By her he had three children, one being now alive, Lewis. He was born October 18, 1852, and is married. John A., born January 7, 1855, died an infant; and William C , born March 6, 1860, died August 5, 1881.

Mr. McLean is one of the most prominent citizens of Liberty Township. He has held several township positions, and, in fact, has always held some township office. He was appointed assistant revenue assessor in 1865, an office he has held two terms; has been justice of the peace for eight terms, omitting one term, or a total of twenty-four years, from 1836 till 1864. He was also postmaster at Huntsville, and is at present notary public, serving his sixth term. He has acted from 1864 till the present time without interruption. He is a Mason and Odd Fellow both, but of late years has not attended. He held the office of recording secretary in the Odd Fellows. His uncle, Colonel Alexander McLean, was out in the Revolutionary War, being a colonel of frontier rangers. He also served in McIntosh's campaign of 1780. He was also one of the surveyors engaged with Mason and Dixon in running the division line between Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, in 1766 and 1767, and in 1782 and 1783 he, in connection with Joseph Neville, carried out the southern boundary from where Mason and Dixon stopped at the Indian warpath.

Mr. Samuel Kain carried on wagon-making for many years, beginning as early as 1823 or 1824. We read of the Kain wagons receiving the first premiums in the Butler County Agricultural Society. On October 13, 1836, Mr. Kain received three dollars premium on the

488 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

best wagon manufactured. The shop was afterwards turned into a buggy and carriage factory, and was such for many years, and is now a factory for the manufacturing of the Kain harrows.

Doctors Stephens, Samuel Withrow (a steam doctor), Casley, and Armstrong were the first physicians.

The first brick house in Bethany was built by Peter Williamson, in 1839. It stood near where the Presbyterian Church now is.. The next brick structuie was the first brick house erected for David Lee, in 1841, in Jericho. The brick was burned and the building erected by Squire McLean. Squire McLean carried on brick- making for a period of five years, and during that time burned a million of brick. He became the proprietor of the first saw-mill in Jericho, in 1850, and conducted it for eight years. He sold the mill to Benjamin Boyd, who finally transferred it to other parties, and it was by them taken down and removed to Lebanon;

The Beatty Tavern was the principal stopping-place for travelers, but there were other houses, also, subsequently. Mr. Williamson had a good tavern for many years, as also did Robert Carter. The amount of travel was enormous. Old residents say that it was not uncommon to see four and six horse teams, a dozen at a time, stopping over night in this place. Houses of entertain- ment were along the highways every few miles, and necessarily so, to accommodate the traveling public. As soon as. the railroads sprang up the hotels went down.

The mail wars carried, prior to 1834, by Dr. Stephens, on horseback, from Brookville to Lebanon. Abner Ross had the contract also, and sometimes went with his oxen, making the round-trip in one week. He went by the way of Lasourdsville and Hamilton, to Brookville, Indiana, and would return by the way of Hamilton, Princeton, and Huntsville to Lebanon. Dr. Stephens had the office up to 1834, 'Squire McLean to 1841, at which time it was moved to Bethany. Peter Williamson then took it and kept it a long time.

The Methodist people of this place formerly worsled at private houses, and frequently met at the Beatty Tav ern, where they were always welcomed. The Rev. Samuel Parker was presiding elder when the popular and youthful Rev. John Strange served as their first minister, in 1809. The first Methodist Episcopal Church building was a. frame, erected in 1849, and is standing yet, doing duty as a: town hall. The present brick was erected in 1876. The Bethany people attended the Huntsville Methodist Episcopal Church from 1817 up to 1849, at which time this Church was removed to Bethany. The Cumberland Presbyterians built here in 1875. The society has forty members.

HUNTSVILLE.

Among the early settlers of this vicinity were the Hunts, Voorheeses, Wm. Elliott, Elijah Hughes, John Harden, John Holden, John Malally, Charles Legg, and others. The place was named from Thomas Hunt, who died June 25, 1814, aged sixty-eight years, nine months, and twenty-eight days. He came here prior to 1800. His wife, Anna Hunt, lies by his side in the old private grave-yard. Duran Whittlesey and his wife, Ruth, also lie in this yard; he was buried September 26, 1823, and was forty-eight years old. She died September 24, 1855, at seventy-five years of age.

Prominent among the early events of this place was the building of the Spring meeting-house, the first Methodist Church in the county. The Elliotts especially were greatly interested in this work. The Rev. Arthur Elliott, the pioneer Methodist preacher,;took the matter in hand, and his brother, Joshua Elliott, gave the ground for both the building and the grave-yard.

The country was then under heavy timber, and when a daughter of Charles Legg died in 1816, the trees and brush had to be cut away to make room for the digging of a grave. She was the first person buried in that yard. The next year the hewed log-house owned by Joshua Elliott, a half mile distant, was moved bodily through the woods to the allotted place, and was known as the Spring meeting-house. The building stood some twelve years, when a brick church was built.

This last Church building was used as such until 1849, when the society moved to Bethany, since which time there has been no Church in the place.

Mr. Charles Legg was the first class-leader in this Church; he came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and settled first between Huntsville and Bethany. The Rev. John Waterman was the first preae'."er. Samuel West, Mr. Goddard, and Mr. Matthews were also early missionaries in this field.

The New Lights were numerous in this place at this time, and had a building of their own where the old graveyard is now. It was made of brick, and erected about 1831 or 1832. Ira Hunt at that time burned brick, and had the first brick-yard in the township. He and his sister, Phoebe, were leading spirits of the Church. The Rev. Mr. Simonton was one of their principal pioneer preachers, and the Church society was very large. It was not then thought far for the beaux and their girls to walk two or three miles to attend one of those night meetings, and usually a large congregation would assemble. Nor was it an unusual thing to have a noisy time of it. The sight of a hundred new converts, clapping hands, shouting, singing, praying, yelling, confusing noise itself with deafening cries, was not uncommon, and was often witnessed there.

Ira Hunt moved West, finally, and the Church gradually went down. He did much for the town with his brick-yard and mill. Nicholas Curtis had a distillery in the place, and Joseph Curtis the pioneer store. This house was just opposite where Alexander Dykes now keeps one. Zebedee Akers has been a blacksmith in this town for forty years or more. The Voorheeses were set-

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tiers here prior to 1800, and this is where Daniel Voorhees, of Indiana, was born.

Daniel W. Voorhees, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Senator from that State, was born in Liberty Township, not far from the old' Spring meeting-house, September 26, 1827, and was only two months old when his parents removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where they now reside. His father,. Stephen Voorhees, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, 1798, and emigrated when quite young to Butler County, and in December, 1827, moved to the farm in Fountain County, Indiana, which he now occupies. His grandfather, Peter Voorhees, was born in New Jersey, and soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, emigrated to Kentucky. Peter Voorhees's wife, whose maiden name was Van Arsdale, was born at Brant's Station, then a fort. Her father, Luke Van Arsdale, fought at the battle of Blue Licks, and distinguished himself there and elsewhere against the Indians under Daniel Boone. His other grandfather, Stephen Voorhees, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and 'fought at Princeton, Monmouth, and other celebrated historic fields. His paternal ancestors came from Holland, the original name being Van Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees's mother, Rachel Elliott, born in Maryland, of Irish ancestry, was married • in 1821, and still survives. Daniel W. is the third child, and was brought up on a farm about ten miles from Covington, Indiana, remaining there until 1845. In 1845 he enfered Asbury University, whence he graduated in 1849.

Soon after graduating he entered the law office of Lane & Willson, at Crawfordsville, and the following Spring settled to practice at Covington, the com.by seat of Fountain County. Here E. A. Hannegan, formerly United States Senator, having heard him deliver a " Fourth of July " oration, made proposals for a law partnership, taking effect in April, 1852. In June, 1853, Mr. Voorhees was appointed by Governor Wright prosecuting attorney of the Circuit Court, in which position he soon established a fine reputation as a criminal lawyer, and broke up a nest of desperadoes whose headquarters were at Lafayette. In 1856 he was nominated by acclamation Democratic candidate for Congress, but was defeated by two hundred and thirty majority in a district previously Republican by 2,600. In November, 1857, he removed to Terre Haute, the county seat of Vigo County, and the ensuing April, 1858, was appointed United States District Attorney for the State of Indiana, by President Buchanan, in which position he increased his reputation as an orator and lawyer. He was elected to Congress in 1860 and 1862, and in 1864 was again a successful candidate, but in this last election his majority was contested by his opponent, Henry D. Washburne, who obtained the seat. In 1866 Mr. Voorhees refused the nomination, but in 1868 he was elected, and again in 1870. In 1872 he was defeated by Morton C. Hunter.

As a precursor of the late war the insurrection at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in which John Brown and others were concerned, and for which they were convicted and hung in 1859, will always stand prominent in the history of the country. At that time the gifted A. P. Willard was governor of Indiana, and the champion of the Indiana Democracy, and it was with sorrow and dismay that his friends learned that Colonel J. E. Cook, arrested with " Ossawatomie Brown," was a. brother of Governor Willard's wife. Governor Willard was not the man to turn his back upon a brother or a friend. His first thought was of " Dan Voorhees," who was then at Vincennes arguing a case before Judge Michael F. Burke. Governor Willard sent a message to Vincennes, and Judge Burke continued. the case while Mr. Voorhees immediately started to consult with Governor Willard. Several gentlemen advised him not to undertake the defense, but he emphatically declared his resolution to defend his friend's brother regardless of consequences. He went and took part in that celebrated trial. The result is known. John Brown was' convicted of murder and treason, but Mr. Voorhees succeeded in having a Virginia jury convict Cook of murder only, thus bringing him within the pardoning power of the governor. Governor Wise, however, refused to pardon, and Cook was executed with the others. This was, however, the beginning of Mr. Voorhees's national reputation. His speech was listened to by the vast audience with rapt attention, and met with unequaled approbation. He was the recipient of enthusiastic congratulations, and his speech was published all over the country and in Europe. From this time forward he has occupied a conspicuous place in the eyes of the public. At the bar, on the stump, and in the halls of Congress, he has been a man of mark. Mr. Voorhees's political career and principles, his powers as a parliamentary orator and a statesman, are now a portion of the history of the nation.

From the sobriquet of " the tall Sycamore of the Wdbash," so often and familiarly applied to Mr. Voorhees, it will be inferred that he is of tall stature. He stands six feet and one inch in height, and weighs over two hundred pounds.

In 1850 he married Miss Anna Hardesty, of Greencastle, Indiana, and they have four children.

Mr. Voorhees was appointed November 6, 1877, to succeed Governor Morton in the United States Senate. The issue in the election of 1878 in Indiana was whether he should be elected by the Legislature to succeed his appointment. On this issue the Legislature pledged to his support was elected by a majority of over thirty thousand over all opposition. During his term of service in the Senate he has been assiduous in his attentions to the public needs. He is always present, and allows no measure of his political opponents to pass without8he severestikscrutiny. With Min Vigilance is the price of liberty. He has recently shown his power of breaking

490 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

old shackles by speaking for protection to American industry.

JERICHO.

Jericho is virtually a suburb of Bethany, and nigh unto it, hence its name. It has but four or five families, the oldest resident being Vincent Wyle, who came there twenty-four years ago. 'Squire McLean built the most of this town, the first house being David Lee's, just opposite Mr. Wyle's. This house was erected in 1841. Mr. Wyle was born in Maryland in 1815, came here in 1838, and married Miss Jane Curtis in 1843. She died in 1851, when he married Mrs. Jane Perrine, of New Jersey, formerly Miss Kyle. daughter of James Kyle, who came in 1803.

KYLE'S STATION.

Kyle's Station is on the Short Line Railroad, and is the place where Thomas Kyle settled in 1803. He came from near Cookstown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, bringing his wife and son, James, who was then thirteen years old, with him. And here he lived until his death. He 4,t ruck an ax into the first tree ever felled in this neighborhood by a white man, and endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life. James Kyle became a subscriber to Liberty Hall, now the Cincinnati Gazette, fifty years ago. He married Esther Clarke, April 16, 1816, and by this union had six children, all of whom are dead, except Mrs. Wyle, of Jericho. His wife died in 1832, and in 1834 he was married to Elizabeth Conover, by whom he had three children. He died April 19; 1879. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 17, 1791, and was never sick save during the few days of his last illness which ended his days. B. F. Kyle lives on the homestead at Kyle's Station.

HUGHES'S STATION.

Hughes's Station is also on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis Railroad, and was named after Joshua Hughes, who owns the laud on which the town is built, and was the first postmaster of the place. He was born there June 6, 1822, and on December 6, 1847, married Miss Mary Ann Legg. He owns a good farm, on which is a fine country residence, and is a representative citizen.

Early among the first arrivals in this part of the township was Cornelius Murphy, the father of Peter Murphy. He settled near here as early as 1800, and lived till a comparatively recent period.

Among the oldest settlers of the county now living is Daniel Griffis. His father, David Griffis, who was a Revolutionary soldier, subsequently moved to the banks of Shady River, Virginia, where, after clearing up a farm, he found, the title to his lands worthless and left, going first to the Ohio River, where he took passage on a flat-boat for Cincinnati. He here bought a dumpling of a pony, a small pair of oxen, and a rickety two-wheeled vehicle, and after loading up all his effects made out for the wilderness.

After reaching a point about a mile north of Princeton his cart broke down. He then made his way alone to Lasourdsville—leaving his wife and infant son, Daniel Griffis (born August 9, 1800,) then but nine months old, where he stopped. At Lasourdsville he. found Abram Freeman, who persuaded him to settle where he broke down. He then went to Cincinnati, and made arrangements with Judge Symmes for land that is now a part of Daniel Griffis's farm, and here it was he settled and opened up the first blacksmith shop in the township. Mr. Griffis had but few neighbors. Peter Murphy lived near, as also did Brice Virgin. James McLean then lived where Luman Griffis now resides.

David Griffis erected a pole cabin, and in this house Daniel Griffis lived to manhood. He went to school when not large enough to pick brush. This was a mile and a half south-east of Princeton, the first log school-house in the township. There being no roads at that time, the trees were blazed to indicate the direction to and from 'school. The second school-house cabin was built near Lewis Murphy's, on the hill, and was made .pf buckeye logs. John Holden then lived on the west. side of Gregory's Creek, one mile and a half south of the old Lebanon road. He came prior to 1797. Thomas Fisher was the second teacher in the township. Mr. Griffis had two sons who were preachers, one of them now being dead ; one who is a dentist in Hamilton, and two farmers.

Peter Murphy is the son of Cornelius Murphy and Eleanora Windsor, now both dead. His parents' were early settlers of Liberty Township, and move there when Cincinnati was but a mere village, and the pike now leading from Cincinnati to Dayton was nothing but an Indian trail. Mr. Murphy volunteered in the War of 1812, but was wounded in the knee with a tomahawk while drilling, and was discharged. Peter Murphy was born in Liberty Township, on the 1st of October, 1820, and was married in 1844, to Cyrena Van Gorden, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Van Gorden. She was born in March, 1820. They have six children. Sallie Maria, the eldest, was born in 1845; Lewis D. was born in 1847; Cora E., in 1851; Willie E., in 1857; Harry, in 1859; and Clarence, in 1862. Sallie Maria, Cora E., and Willie E. live in Preble County, and the rest in Liberty Township. He was sheriff of Butler County from 1851 to 1855, four years, and was State senator from 1871 to 1873, in the Butler and Warren district.

PRINCETON.

Princeton, now known as Clawson Post-office, was laid out by Samuel Enyart, in 1812. Benjamin Enyart built in this town prior to 1820, and his house is still standing. He kept tavern up to about 1830, and subsequently this house was occupied by Dr. Hitchcock

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Dr. Opdike was here previous to Hitchcock. There are two physicians now in the place.

Princeton was a lively business center in early times. Mr. Cummins owned a tanyard that brought its quota of custom. A carding-machine was in full blast before 1820. Here were some distinguished personages. Benjamin Van Gorden came here in 1810, served as justice of the peace full forty years, and represented the county two terms in the State Legislature. He was also county collector for several years. Christopher Hughes represented the county in the Lower House of the Legislature at the same time Peter Murphy did the Senate. Benjamin Van Gorden and Daniel Woodmansee represented the county in the Legislature as early as 1825.

The first brick house was built as early as 1830. It was erected by William Carroll, who burned the brick, laid them into walls, and did the carpenter work himself. James Clawson, now in the eighty-seventh year of his age, was the first shoemaker in the town. He was also a weaver. His son Stephen lives in the town, and is in the sixty-third year of his age. The Russells were also early settlers in Princeton. Baldwin and Gowdy packed pork here in former times, and then sent it off in wagons to Cincinnati. Whisky was also a large product of the township.

The Princeton Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1835, Samuel Bayliss being the grantor to Benjamin Van Gorden, Thompson L. Bring, Alexander McDonal, Robert Doty, Solomon Flenner, William B. Peck, and James Bullion, trustees. In 1848 a revival brought into the society about seventy-five additional members. The new brick was erected in 1859. The lot for this building was formerly owned by Pearson Carl, who sought it from the county when sold for taxes.

The Universalist Church in Princeton was built in 1851. Uriah Walter donated the ground. The trustees are Richard Sewell, Christopher Hughes, and Elias Stickle ; David Bascom is pastor. The membership is small, and during the war the services in this church were suspended.

Auburn Church was built on Rudolph Flenner's land after the erection of the Methodist Episcopal building in Princeton, but owing to some dissensions it is now abandoned, and there has not been a Sabbath-school in the place for twenty years. A successful revival was held there last Winter.

The list of the justices of the peace of Liberty Township does not include all who were elected from that township, as prior to 1823 the justices of Liberty were also those of Union, as both townships were then one. We have given, in the list of Union Township, those who were then residents there.

Isaac Swearingen, William Hays, Peter Williamson, John Ayers, Michael Ayers, Benjamin Van Gorden, James Cummins, John Morrow, Joseph Worth, John McLean, Linus Parkhurst, John Gibson, David Pearce, Stephen B. Squier, Richard Sewell, Joseph Breaden, Silas Williamson.

Below will be found a list of the postmasters of the township:

Huntsville.—John Hunt, ,April 1, 1817; Eliphalet Stevens, April 3, 1826; John McLean, August 12, 1837; Elijah Elliott, October 4, 1841. Changed to Bethany June 24, 1844.

Bethany.—Peter Williamson, June 24, 1844; Elisha G. Lesourd, May 10, 1870 ; John Lesourd, March 8, 1880 ; Isaac P. Clark, December 28, 1881.

Fontana. —James R. Kyle, August 22, 1872; B. F. Kyle, August 18, 1879. Changed to Kyle's, August 29, 1879.

Kyle's.—Jesse P. Little, August 29, 1879 ; Stacy B. Brant, May 30, 1881.

Princeton.—Samuel Bayliss, December 27, 1816 ; Benjamin Van Gorden, April 24, 1826 ; Cyrus Osborn, January 8, 1830 ; Samuel Hitchcock, April 17, 1832; Benjamin Van Gorden, October 27, 1848 ; Stephen B. Squier, November 25, 1854 ; Joseph Breaden, May -25, 1857 ; Charles S. Drake, May 16, 1860 ; James H. Kronmiller, 1864. Changed to Hughes's Station, December 9, 1872.

Hughes's Station.—Elmore T. Anderson, December 9, 1872 ; Joshua E. Hughes, April 22, 1873 ; Augustus E. Williamson, June 9, 1875 ; Samuel W. Stewart, April 30, 1877; Augustus E. Williamson, January 26, 1880. Changed to Hughes, September 19, 1881.

Hughes.—Augustus E. Williamson, September 19, 1881.

Clawson. —John W. Cornell, December 20, 1881.

Jericho.—Robert Steele, March 8, 1852. Discontinued December 28, 1855.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

John Anderson was born in Kent County, Delaware, and was married in Butler County, about 1811, to Maria Hagerman, who was born in New Jersey. They had ten children. One died an infant, seven reached maturity, and two died at seven and nine years. George lives in Indiana ; William is in Liberty Township, and Adrian lived in Miami County. Jane, the widow of Daniel Brewer, is in Missouri ; Simon is in Miami County ; Sarah Anne is the wife of David Staats, and lives in Miami County. Mr. Anderson came to Ohio from Delaware about 1809, and settled in Liberty Township on ninety-two acres belonging to his wife in Section 7, where he resided until his children were all grown up. He had very little means when he came here, and the land was in the woods. There was not a stick cut. He was a man of•good common sense, and for the time had a very good education. He was a school director for many years. He was also very quiet and unobtrusive, and consequently did not push himself forward, but worked hard to clear his farm and rear his large family respect-

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ably. All the clothes worn by the family for many years, were grown and- spun or even on the premises by his wife. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. Anderson was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His son William was born in Liberty Township, February 10, 1816, and married February 6, 1839, Maria Elliott, born in Liberty, in October, 1817. They had five children ; one died in infancy and four are living. Elmore S. was born in July, 1841; the others are John, Elliott, William, and Caroline. The latter is the wife of Louis C. McLean. Mr. Anderson learned the carpenter's trade in Bethany under Charles C. Legg, being bound an apprentice to him and serving for five years, from sixteen to twenty-one. He then launched out for himself, and carried on his trade for about fouiteen years. He then bought sixty acres and went to farming, also working more or less at his trade. He has held the office of township trustee for about twenty-five years, with the exception of two years ; also serving on the school board. He has been connected with educational interests since 1840. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for some years, and passed some of the chairs, but drew out during the war.

Ephraim Baker was born in New Jersey, in Essex County, on the 4th of March, 1779, and died September 9, 1845. He married, in 1801, Nancy Easton, born in New Jersey, February 28, 1786, who died May 21, 1831. They had nine children, of whom one is living, Clark Baker. Ephraim Baker came to Butler County in 1802, and settled in Liberty Township. His father had purchased two hundred and seventy acres of John Cleves Symmes, and gave ninety acres of it to him, and ninety acres each. to Matthias Brant and John C. Long, his sons- in-law. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His father was a soldier of the Revolution, and his brother David was pressed with his team. He was only fourteen years of age, and was taken to drive the horses. His son, Clark Baker, was born in Liberty Township, August 8, 1807, and married in Shelby County, Ohio, to Sarah Lawrence, a native of Liberty Township, where she was born, March 12, 1812. He had seven children, of whom four are living. Ephraim V., Clark L., and Moses E. are married and live in Liberty Township. Margaret is the wife of Clark A. Baker. He received -a little property from his father, but he has since acquired two hundred and twenty-eight acres in Butler County. He now resides on the farm his father settled.

John Baker was born in Essex County, New Jersey, March 14, 1774. He was married in that State, on the 22d of March, 1795, to Jeannette Hand, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Morgan) Hand. She was born in Essex County, June 5, 1772. They had six children, of whom only one is living, Rachel, wife of William Van Scoyk. He moved from New Jersey to Maryland in 1795, and remained there about eight years, coming, in 1803, to Butler County. He settled on Elk Creek, in Madison Township. In the Fall of 1805 he removed to Liberty, and settled on the farm where his , daughter Rachel still lives. He had means when he came here, and purchased a quarter of Section 22. He was a member of the regular Baptists for many years, and was repeatedly a delegate to their yearly associations. He died January 4, 1852, and his wife died November 27, 1851. He came overland to Pittsburg, and floated down the river to Gallipolis on a flat-boat.

John Peter Becker was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 6, 1826, and was married in the city of Hamburg in April, 1856, to Henrietta (Arnhold) Miller, widow of Armand Miller. She was born in Beckow, Prussia, April 8, 1824. She had two children by her first husband, one of whom is deceased. William is married and lives in Mississippi. She had three children by Mr. Becker, two of whom are living. Henrietta, born September 6, 1858, is dead ; Matilda, born June 11, 1863, and John R., born August 6, 1865. Mr. Becker emigrated to America in 1.856, and came to Hamilton, where he remained about two months, working a few weeks at wagon-making. He then moved to Furmandale, Fairfield Township, where he worked as a hand in wagon-making and blacksmithing for three months. He then began business for himself in the same line, and remained there about three years. He then removed to Woodsdale, and carried on a cooper's shop, saw-mill, and wagon-maker's shop. He also went into the canal business, owning boats, and buying cord-wood and shipping it to Cincinnati. He stayed there two years, and in 1863 he rented of William B. Smalley the farm he now owns, and which he purchased in 1865. There were one hundred and sixty acres to the tract then, but it is now enlarged to two hundred and forty acres. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Adam Bender was born in Nassau, Germany, on the 8th of March, 1821. He was the oldest son of Anthony Bender and Margaret App. He was educated in the public schools in Germany, receiving a fair education. At fifteen he commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the baker's trade, which he thoroughly learned, afterwards being employed as a journeyman in various places in Germany for some twelve years. He was married on the 3d of November, 1848, to Katrina Ernst, born May 23, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Bender were the parents of four children, of whom but one is 'living, Katie, who was born April 18, 1874. After marriage he remained in Germany for four years, and came to America in October, 1852. He arrived in this county in January, 1853, having come here from Cincinnati. He conducted the farm then owned by David Girard for one year, then buying a horse and wagon and 'engaging in huckstering for some six months. He carried on the David Shepherd farm for four years, and then occupied the James

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Becket farm for eight years. In the Spring of 1867 he purchased the plaCe where he still lives, the Sharp farm. He has on this a handsome family residence and ample farm buildings. He owns one hundred and thirteen acres of finely improved land. He had some start in life, but has been industrious and economical. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Hamilton.

William Curryer was born in Maryland, July 24, 1778, and was married January 24, 1804, in Maryland, to Sarah Pocock, also of that State, where she was born June 6, 1787. They had six children, only two of whom are living. Edward F. was born December 15, 1805 ; Elizabeth S., December 10, 1806, marrying Stephen Scudder ; Charity, December 28, 1808, marrying William Lincoln ; Rachel, January 31, 1811, marrying William Smith ; Daniel, June 25, 1813 ; and Sarah, October 2, 1814, widow of Stephen Scudder. The four former are dead. Mr. Curryer came to Ohio in the Fall of 1812, and settled in Liberty Township, where he purchased a quarter of Section 22. His son, Daniel, has just purchased a part of the old homestead. He volunteered for the War of 1812, but was not called out, as the war ended soon after. He died in Liberty Township, April 8, 1814, and his widow died September 17, 1857. His father, William Curryer, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was an Englishman, coming over with the British troops, and stayed in America after the close of the war.

Daniel, the son of the second William, was married November 10, 1836, to Phoebe D. Hunt, born in Huntsville, .Liberty Township, August 9, 1817. She died in Shelby County, Ohio, July 3.1, 1848. She had five children, three of whom are living. Joseph C. was born November 7, 1857, in Shelby County, Ohio. He is a dentist, and lives in Minnesota. Ira H. was born August 23, 1842, and William F. was born June 5, 1845, and lives in Thorntown, Indiana. He is a dentist. Mr. Curryer was married the second time March 22, 1849. His wife was Rachel Squier, who was born in Lemon Township, May 14, 1817. She died July 2, 1855, having had two children, of whom one died an infant. The other, Mary C., who was born September .12, 1852, is the wife of George C. Smith, and lives in Liberty Township. Mr. Curryer was married for the third time to Rachel J. Carl, widow of Samuel Simpson, who was born in Butler County, August 22, 1826. They had six children, four of them living, and two of them dying in infancy. John S. was born September 6, 1856 ; George W., July 10, 1859 ; Annie B., December 11, 1861 ; Charles V., January 13, 1865.

Daniel Curryer's father died leaving his business unsettled, and his widow lost considerable money by the bank breaking. She had to sell the original purchase, and bought sixty-two acres, on which she reared her family of six children, so that Mr. Curryer was obliged to begin for himself pretty early. He received only a common-school education. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade when he was about seventeen years of age, and stayed at it four years. In 1834 he began cabinetmaking in Huntsville for himself, being thus engaged for two years. Then he removed to Shelby County, following the cabinet business till 1842. He purchased eighty acres while in Shelby County, and on his return to Butler County bought a portion of his mother's farm, which he owned till her death. He then sold it and divided the proceeds among the heirs. He has traveled over a large portion of the United States, and has been to the Pacific slope. He has held the office of township trustee, and been school director for seventeen years. He is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Curryer is a strong believer in spiritualism, although in early life he was a skeptic.. His daughter, Mary C., in 1866, developed signs of a medium, which convinced him of its truth. She is one of the principal test mediums, and has given many extraordinary manifestations in Cincinnati, Hamilton, and other places. Other members of the family have also become mediums. His son John, when twelve years old, was a medium, and also George W.

Abijah Cheeseman was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, August 1, 1798, and was married in that State to Hannah Parker, daughter of William and Sarah (Shepherd) Parker, on February 5, 1821. She was born November 24, 1803. They had eight children. Sarah was born May 13, 1823, and is the wife of William Kyle, who lives in Lemon ; Anna, born October 8, 1825, is the wife of Stacey Brant, and lives in Liberty ; Lewis, born October 13, 1827 ; Elizabeth, born September 16, 1830, is the wife of Peter Shafor, and lives in Liberty ; John, born February 15, 1833, is married and lives in Lemon ; Lydia, born November 7, 1836, died March 31, 1849 ; William, born December 13, 1841, is married and lives in Lemon ; Mary Jane, born February 18, 1845, wife of Samuel Mulford, lives in Lemon. Mr. Cheeseman left New Jersey in 1835, forming a party of his mother, brothers, and sisters, and his wife's mother, brothers, and sisters, fourteen in all, in four wagons, and came overland the whole way, taking four weeks on the road. They spent that Winter near Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. In the Spring of 1836 he purchased one hundred and two acres in Liberty, where he has resided ever since. He had a farm of two hundred acres in New Jersey which had belonged to his father, which he sold to divide among the other heirs, and with his share, amounting to about two thousand dollars, settled in Liberty. He has been a school director for many years, and also township supervisor. His father, William Cheese- man, was born September 24, 1753, in New Jersey, and was married April 11, 1781, to Lydia Dey, also born in that State, September 20, 1863, and had eight children: Lawrence, Margaret, Reuben, Mary, Enoch, Sarah, Abijab, and Joseph, all now dead but Abijah. Enoch came

494 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

to this county and returned to New Jersey, and Sarah died here. William Cheeseman died in New Jersey, July 6, 1834, and his wife died in Liberty Township, November 5, 1844. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was promoted to lieutenant. His wife received a pension till her death.

Andrew Clawson, the son of Cornelius Clawson, father of James, and grandfather of Stephen, was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1766, and removed to this county in 1802. His wife was Mary Russell, who was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1776. They were married in the latter State in 1794, and were the parents of nine children. James is still living in Fairfield Township; Rachel died in Indiana ; John died in Missouri; Joseph lives in Morgan Township; Elizabeth died in Lafayette, Indiana; Nancy lives in Liberty Township ; Martha and Mary died in this county; and George is living in Hamilton County. The first three were born in Pennsylvania, and the others in Butler County. When he first came here he settled in Madison Township. He died in Liberty Township in 1852, at the residence of his son James, at the age of eighty-six.

Almon Davis was born in Vermont, September 4, 1814, and was brought hither by his parents in 1816. They were Moody and Rebecca Morgan Davis. Almon Davis was married on the 7th of April 1841, in Westchester, to Maria Harr, daughter of Henry Harr, born in Lancaster County in 1802, and Elizabeth Brewer, born in Maryland in 1819. They came to Butler County in 1826. Mrs. Almon Davis's grandfather (John Brewer) was a captain in the War of 1812. Moody Davis was at Lake Champlain, but too late for the engagement, as he was delayed in returning by the illness of his mother. A brothet of his was in the battle, being on Commodore McDonough's vessel.

Mr. Davis, in 1819, built the mill known as the John Allen mill, and in 1821 was given the use of it for two years for building it. Within that time he loaded a boat with flour, and started for New Orleans. It had only gone a small distance when it struck a snag in the middle of the river, about half-way between the mill and Hamilton. John Line and David Vinnedge were the pilots. After getting it off, they ran it near the bank, all jumping off except Moody Davis and Seneca Sweet. Going a little further, when nearly opposite Millikin's Island, now known as Campbell's Island, the craft struck a stone in the river and broke one of the gunwales in two, filling with water to the edge. All control of it was loh. When it was within half a mile of the Hamilton milldam, Mr. Davis swam off, Mr. Sweet remaining. It went over the dam and they pulled it ashore with ropes. The flour was repacked in a warehouse, where J. Morgenthaler's carriage shop now stands. Mr. Davis built a new boat, or rather finished one already begun, loaded it with new flour, and again set forth on his voyage. The flour was sold in Natchez at four dollars per barrel, affording a good profit, as the four hundred bushels of wheat had been purchased from Nicholas Curtis for twenty-five cents a bushel. This was all thrashed out with a flail. Major William Elliott, of Westchester, now living, hauled this grain to the mill. Every barrel of the damaged flour had to be emptied, and was sold to a starch manufactory. After drying the barrels, the other flour was packed in them. While the repacking and reloading was going on, Joseph Hough boarded the men at his own house as an act of friendship and accommodation.

Joshua Elliott was the first member of this family that settled in Butler County. He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, January 24, 1782, and was married in that State in September, 1807, to Betsy Hughes, who was born March 3, 1786, in the same county. They had eight children. Elijah was born in 1810, and died in 1877 ; William, in 1812, and died in 1848 ; Sarah, in 1814, and died in 1816 ; Arthur, March 2, 1817 ; Betsy Ann, in 1819, and died in 1878 ; Joshua, born in 1822, and died in 1826 ; John Taylor, March 26, 1835 ; and Daniel, in 1827, and died in 1858. Mr. Elliott was induced, by representations made by his brother, the Rev. Arthur Elliott, to move to Ohio, and about 1810 he and his family, consisting of a wife and one child, together with his father and mother and five brothers and three sisters, came out here, and settled in Liberty Township, near where the old Spring Church has since stood. At this time there was not a stick of timber cut, so he began by clearing the land sufficiently to build a house. He first purchased about one hundred acres, finally acquiring upwards of five hundred acres in all in this county, and four hundred in Indiana. He was for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and his house was always a stopping-place for the Methodist ministers. He brought out with him a slave and a copper still. The slave, after serving out his time of two years, was freed, and went to Liberia. The still he never put up, being a strong temperance man.

Of his children Arthur is the only one living in the county. He was married January 15, 1840, to Emmeline Van Gorden, who was a native of the township. She was born February 7, 1819. They had seven children: James Corwin, born in 1841, is married ; Joshua, born in 1843, died in 1846 ; Newton, born in 1847, died the same year ; Benjamin F., born in 1848, is married; Elmore T., born in 1852, is married ; Arthur E., born in 1858, died in 1859, and Mollie, born in 1861, died in 1867. Mr. Elliott has been a township trustee, and a member of the school board for several years. He is a farmer and stock breeder, and owns over four hundred acres, which his sons farm.

David Flenner came to Ohio before any of the other members of the family. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, 1769, and was there married to Susannah Brewer, also of that county, where she was

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born about 1772. They had nine children, four of whom are living. Daniel, Solomon, and Betsy are dead. Susan, the wife of Jonas P. Clark, resides in Indiana ; David is dead ; Rudolph was born November 20, 1809 ; Polly is the widow of Peter Brewer ; Cynthia is dead; and John is married and lives in Liberty Township.

Mr. Flenner left Maryland about 1801, and went 'overland to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and down the Ohio River in a fiat-boat, to where Maysville now is, in Kentucky. In 1803 he came to Ohio and settled in Liberty Township. He purchased three hundred and five acres of land and went to farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1811 he and his wife started overland on horseback to Maryland, accomplishing the entire distance, seven hundred miles, in that manner, changing horses every other day. They bought a carriage in Maryland, and drove back in that in 1812.

His father, Rudolph Flenner, also came to Butler County, bringing his wife and seven children, the remainder of his family. He settled in St. Clair Township, where he purchased a large tract of laud and gave each of his children a farm. They were a prominent and wealthy family in Maryland. He died about 1810, and his wife survived him about ten years.

Rudolph Flenner was born in Liberty Township, November 20, 1809, and was married the first time in 1833, to Mary Miley, born in that township May 3, 1818, who died July 21, 1875. By her he had thirteen children, eight of whom are living. Harriet is the wife of William Scudder ; Martha, of William M. Rooke ; Emma, of J. Davis ; Mary, of Samuel Thompson. Dustin is married ; Laura is the wife of Whittemore Hughaii Marion is married, and David is single at home. Mr. Flenner was married the second time on the 3d of May, 1877. His wife was Ada Meighan, who was born in Warren County, January 21, 1837. He has been a member of the school board for sixteen years, township supervisor, captain of the first company, first cavalry squadron, first brigade, State militia, .under Governor Vance. His commission was dated November 10, 1837. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has held the office of steward for forty years. He is also a class leader. .

Robert Fitzgerald was born in Ireland, December 14, 1770, and married Letitia Roby, born in Virginia, October 9, 1772. They had six children, three now being alive. Sarah was born May 21, 1803, and is the widow of Ledstone Roby ; Nancy was born October 22, 1809, and is the widow of William Dorn ; Prior, born December 22, 1810 ; William, born August 26, 1801; Samuel, June 13, 1807 ; and Edward, February 26, 1812. The last three are dead. Prior Fitzgerald was born December 22, 1810, in Clermont County, and was married April 7, 1822, to Catherine Van Scoyk, born in Lemon Township, November 21, 1822. They had seven children, of whom five are now living. Taylor W. was born May 8, 1843 ; Emily, February 1, 1846 ; Bruce, February 3, 1848 ; Charles, March 13, 1858 ; and Clement L. Vallandigham, June 9, 1863. Mr. Fitzgerald came to Butler County with his father, and when he was fourteen years old he commenced to earn his own living, working by the month on a farm for ten or twelve years. He then farmed on shares and traded stock until he had accumulated some capital, and in 1840 he purchased eighty-nine acres in Liberty Township. He now owns about one hundred and ten acres in the county, and considerable personal property.

Peter L. Gorsuch, sou of Thomas Gorsuch, was born in Liberty Township, March 23, 1841, and was married February 4, 1864, to Hannah Williamson, daughter of David Williamson, who was born April 30,1842. He had seven children. Mary Hattie was born May 30, 1865; Lerna Loretta, September 15, 1867 ; Ida Myrtle, October 5, 1869 ;` Ellison Lee, January 3, 1873 ; Ethel Laura, April 11, 1876; Bertha Jane, May 1, 1878, and one unnamed, January 17, 1881. He worked his first year after he was twenty-one for his father for $100, and that was his first start. He then rented twenty acres, and farmed, planting corn, and when he had time worked by the day. In the Winter he cut cord-wood. He continued to rent different farms, among others his father's, till the Spring of 1872. In that year he purchased ninety-five acres of George Smith, part of the old Anderson farm, paying $8,217 for it. There is another deed for the same farm now in his possession, which shows when it sold for only $250. Mr. Gorsuch is a self- made man. He contributes much to the support of the churches in his neighborhood. He gave largely to the one in Bethany, and is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church of that place. He now owns 153 acres, and considerable personal property. He was drafted three times during the war, and sent a substitute. He is a Democrat.

Thomas Gorsuch was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, October 14, 1816, and was married in Pennsylvania, August 18, 1836, to Mary Lesourd, also of Baltimore County. She was born January 17, 1814, and had ten children. Nicholas was born July 12, 1837 ; Susannah, June 27, 1839 ; Peter L., March 23, 1841 ; Sarah A., January 11, 1843 ; Elisha, June 1, 1846 ; Edmund, July 18, 1847 ; Charles W., March 6, 1849; Mary E., December 20, 1850 ; Thomas B., September 30, 1853; Rebecca, August 4, 1855. Nicholas, Susannah, Elisha, Edmund, and Rebecca are dead. Sarah A. is the wife of William G. Lesourd, and Mary E. is the wife of Alfred Lowe. Mr. Gorsuch came to Ohio in 1836, settling on Slade's farm, in *Liberty Township. He brought some capital, and in 1839 began business with his wife's uncle, Benjamin Lesourd, at Lesourdsville, where he remained about eighteen months, losing all his money. He then rented a farm and tilled it for several years, and about 1846 he purchased thirty-

496 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

six acres. From that -he has steadily improved, until he now owns two hundred and ten acres, part in Butler and part in Warren Counties. He has considerable personal property, and two town lots in Bethany. He has held the office of township treasurer for six years. He

Alf was elected in 1873 and took the office in 1874, remaining in till 1880. He has been a member of the school board for ten years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined while a boy in Maryland. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for General Jackson.

Samuel and Sarah Gregory were born in Virginia. They had ten children. James, John, William, and Samuel are dead; Elizabeth married Josiah Carr; Martha married William Hartley ; Mary married Fergus Mitchell ; Sarah married William McClure; Charlotte married Lewis Clarkson; and Annie married William Kincaid. Mr. Gregory came to Ohio about the same time as the Woodmansee family, and purchased a section of land. Samuel Gregory, son of the above, was born in Liberty Township, September 20, 1813. He was married December 25, 1834, to Dolly Torbett, born November 29, 1812, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They had seven children. Sarah J. was born August 20, 1835, and is the widow of Joshua Chambers; Joseph, born June 30, 1837, is married, and lives in Texas; Thomas, born May 10, 1839; Catherine, born April 24, 1841, is dead ; Elizabeth A.,. born February 5, 1843, is the wife of Samuel H. Smith,

and lives in Cincinnati; George W. was born February 11, 1845. Mr. Gregory received one hundred and fifty- two acres of land from his father, and spent his time improving ft. He was one of the prominent citizens of Liberty Township. He died June 28, 1848, leaving a widow and six children.

Charles Gorsuch was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, June 13, 1789. He was married for the first time in that State, and had five children. He .was married again on the 24th of December, 1840, to Hannah Gorsuch, born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 1, 1799. They had one child. Elisha was born September 26, 1832, and died February 16, 1874. He was married March 29, 1855, to Sarah E. Stubler, a native of Maryland, Where she was born August 6, 1831. He had four children. Raper D. was born May 1, 1856, and Edgar B. was a twin with him. Charles W. was born August 3, 1867, and Ella, March 5, 1861. Mr. Gorsuch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding the offices of steward, trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. His widow lives in Liberty Township.

John Griffis was born in Liberty Township April 22, 1804, and married first, December 27, 1827, Anna Smalley, born in Liberty Township, July 6, 1811, who died September 17, 1832, leaving one child, Lovina, born May 18, 1829, who died January 22, 1866. He married second, May 30, 1833, Nancy Clawson, born in Madison Township, April 14, 1808. They had six children. Sarah Ann was born October 18, 1834; Martin and Marcus were born December 22, 1836 ; Milton, born July 30, 1839, is married, and lives in Liberty Township ; David, born August 28, 1841; and Martha, born January 26, 1844, the wife of Robert Louthan, who lives in Liberty Township. Only the latter and Milton are now living. Mr. Griffis was a member of the Baptist Church. He died July 26, 1855, in Liberty Township. Milton Griffis, son of the above, was born July 30, 1839, and married December 22, 1863, to Eliza Sheard, daughter of Elisha Sheard and Eliza (Booth) Sheard, who was born in Hanover Township, May 22, 1842. They have three children. George W. was born October 17, 1864 ; Mary E. was born July 28, 1867, and Emma A. was born March 26, 1864. He is a farmer, and owns and farms 136 acres, inherited from his father. '

John Harper, the ancestor of the Harper family in Liberty Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1786, and was married three times. Mary Rees, his first wife, was born in Westmoreland County, November 8, 1785, and died about 1841, in Liberty. She had seven children. James was born January 14, 1807, in Liberty Township, where he still lives ; Elizabeth was born February 16, 1809 ; David, February 16, 1812 ; William, June 5, 1814 ; Mary, May 10, 1817 ; Hannah, November 5, 1819 ; Ruth, August 5, 1825. Hannah is living, but the others are dead. His second marriage was to Hannah Blue, who was born in Ohio. She had one child, which is dead. In his third marriage he was united to Milly Brundridge. He came to Ohio in 1810 and settled in Liberty Township. About 1825 he purchased forty-seven acres, previous to which he had worked out and rented. He was a self-made man, and had nothing when he came here, but acquired considerable property in the course of time. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but was prevented from going by sickness. His first wife's father was a soldier of the Revolution and served in all the war. Mr. Harper was a member of the Campbellite denomination, and the church was built on his farm. He was one of its liberal supporters. He died about 1861, in Wayne Township. His son, James, was born January 14, 1807, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was married March 10, 1830, to Hannah Moore, born in Butler County, November 14, 1805, and died in 1843, in Liberty, leaving no children. He then married, December 11, 1844, Ruth Peake, who was born in this county, March 19, 1814. She died January 23, 1873, having had one child, Elizabeth Ann, who was born January 3, 1848. She is the wife of Clinton Clawson, who lives in Liberty Township. Mr. Harper has held the office of township trustee, supervisor, and constable. He was elected a justice of the peace, but would not accept the position. In politics he is a Democrat.

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Joshua E. Hughes, retired farmer, was born in Liberty Township; on the 6th of January; 1823. He is the youngest child of Elijah Hughes and Sarah Muchner, the former of whom was born in Maryland, November 4, 1777, and the latter May 5, 1780. They were married in Maryland about 1800, and had as children. Eliza, born October 9, 1803 ; Daniel, June 27, 1805; Micajah, January 25, 1807 ; James, June 3, 1808, dying when small ; Mary, February 18, 1810 ; Elijah, March 15, 1812, died when little ; Christopher, December 12, 1813 ; Rachel, October 9, 1815 ; Elizabeth, June 3, 1817 ; Philip, October 19, 1820, and Joshua. The latter was married to Mary Ann Legg, in December, 1848, and. has two children. Frank M. was born May 22, 1849, and Charles L., born May 23, 1851. Mrs. Hughes was born May 18, 1828. Frank was married to Christiana Swearingen, who died, and then he married Hannah Shafor, the daughter of Peter Shafor. He had two children by his first wife, Mary Mabel, and the other is dead. Charles married Florence Deneen, and has one child, Lola May. Mr. Hughes has always lived in this neighborhood; has been a supervisor for fifteen years, and school director. Mr. Hughes's father was of Welsh descent, and his mother of German. He subscribed liberally during the war for the relief of those who had been drafted, and none went from the township who did not desire to.

Few of the citizens of Butler were better known than Christopher Hughes. He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, December 12, 1813, being the sixth child in a family of eleven children of Elijah Hughes and Sarah Muchner. As will be seen elsewhere, the family came to Ohio at the close of the second war with Great Britain, and settled in Liberty Township. Christopher Hughes was married to Eliza A. Young on the 6th of February, 1838. He speedily became noted as a political leader, and fought strenuously for his party, the Democratic, from the time of his majority till his death. He was endowed with more than ordinary natural abilities. Clear in his judgment, and decidedly firm in his convictions, enterprising and public-spirited, he acquired great influence, and for many years occupied a prominent place in social and political circles. He was of the Jacksonian type. He was four times elected to the Legislature, serving eight years. During the civil war he was a staunch opponent of the policy of the administration, yielding nothing to popular clamor. He took especial delight in agricultural pursuits, and for many years was connected with the county agricultural society, and for a long time was a county commissioner. He took an active part in securing the location of the Short Line Railroad from Dayton to Cincinnati. He possessed high principles of honor, and, though strong in his likes and dislikes, was by no means revengeful. He was very determined in his efforts to accomplish any object which he believed to be right, but whenever unsuccessful he took his defeat like a philosopher. He was a sincere and steadfast friend, and a very highly esteemed citizen.

Elijah Hughes was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, about 1777, and died about 1838. Before leaving Maryland he married Sarah Muchner, born in the same county about 1780, and dying about 1831. Mr. Hughes learned the trade of blacksmith, serving his full time in Maryland, and carrying on the business for about ten years. In 1816 he purchased a tract of one hundred and seventy acres in Liberty, this county, from Peter Lesourd, moving on it in 1817 with his family. He came overland on wagons, and immediately on his arrival went to work as a blacksmith, laboring at this occupation for about seven years. He also farmed a little, and at the expiration of the period just mentioned, gave up his forge, and turned his attention entirely to farming and stock dealing. He was a prominent man and well liked by his neighbors, very industrious and of good judgment. He was a pioneer member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Philip Hughes was born in Liberty Township, October 19, 1820, and was married on the 5th of May, 1847, to Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Isaac Rose and Charity (Garwood) Rose, who was born in Liberty Township, February 26, 1827. They have had two children. Rosa was born September 4, 1845, and is the wife of Linus P. Clawson; Emma was born May 12, 1852, and is at home. Mr. Hughes is one of the prominent citizens of Liberty, has held the office of township clerk two terms; and township trustee reveral years. He is a member of the school board in Fairfield Township, and also in Liberty Township. He began life as a farmer, and remained so until his marriage, since which time, although owning farnis, he has never conducted them himself, but has devoted his time to breeding stock. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and at present owns enough stock to act as director, an office he now holds. He was one of the organizers of the Butler County Fire Insurance Company, and served as a director until it closed up. He was a stockholder and director for some time in the Union Central Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati.

Michael Iutzi was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, August 14, 1777, and married there Maria Holly, born April 23, 1783. They had three children and came to America with them. "John was born in Hesse Cassel, November 13, 1803, and died in June, 1868, in Liberty Township. Elizabeth, born about 1805, died in 1879, in Illinois. She was the wife of Daniel Brennerman. Jacobina was born June 19, 1807, became the wife of Leonard Allendorf, and died December 30, 1853. John Iutzi married Elizabeth Schantz, who was born February 20, 1809, in Nassau, near Wiesbaden, Germany, on the 26th of October, 1828, in Hesse Cassel. They had ten children. Christiana was born October 29, 1829; George, August 11, 1831 ; Helen, September 25, 1832; Freder-

498 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ick, December 22, 1834 ; William, April 27, 1837 ; Mary, September 19, 1839 ; Elizabeth, February 18, 1842 ; Jacobina, September 8, 1844 ; Joshua B., June 14, 1847; John, July 14, 1853. Christiana and George died in Germany. Helen is the wife of Killian Kennel. Elizabeth is the wife of Simon Tweedel. Mr. Michael Iutzi came to America in 1832, and in April, 1833, removed to Liberty Township, settling on the farm where the family now reside. He was a farmer in Germany, and his son, John, brought some means when he came to this country. He purchased two hundred and three acres where he settled. He died December 5, 1840, and his wife died April 29, 1853.

Benjamin Franklin Kyle was born in this township in 1837. His father was James Kyle, who was born September 17, 1791, and died April 19, 1879. His mother was Elizabeth Kyle. She was born February 22, 1796, and died September 24, 1865. They came here in 1803, from Pennsylvania. Benjamin F. Kyle was married, in 1868, to Helen Leighter, daughter of Samuel K. Leighter and Henrietta Caroline King. The former was born in Maryland, and the latter in Stark County, Ohio. Their daughter was born in Stark County in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle have had three children. Henry Leighter was born July 5, 1870; Blanche, June 29, 1873; and Walter Smedley, June 28, 1875. Mr. Kyle is a member of, the school board. James D. Kyle was born on the 27th of September, 1839. He is the son of James Kyle, who had by his first wife, Esther Clark, one child, Sarah, wife of Vincent Wyle. By his second wife, Elizabeth Deardoff, he had three children : Maria Ann, born April 11, 1835, the wife of A. C. Martin, of Hamilton ; James D., and Benjamin F. Mrs. Elizabeth Kyle was one that formed the first Methodist Society in Monroe. James D. Kyle married, February 16, 1869, Mary M., daughter of Alexander Carr. She was born in Clermont County, February 27, 1843. They have four children, as follows : Julia Irene, Elizabeth Olive, Clarence J. A., and Mary Lenetha. He was a member of Bethany Grange, and is a member of the Methodist Church, as is also his wife.

Adam Linn was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, about 1740. He married a Miss Dickerson, and had nine children. John, James, and Adam were the first three ; Sarah married James Gilbreth ; Isabel married Jeremiah Wakefield ; Margaret married 'William Patterson ; Nancy married Jacob Powers; Mary married Enoch Thompson ; and Jane married John Patterson. He came to Ohio in 1804, and settled in Liberty Township. By occupation he was a farmer, and served in the Revolutionary War. He died about 1810, his wife dying about 1815. Of his children, Adam was born in 1785, in Westmoreland County, and married Jane Patterson, born in the same county about 1790. They had eight children, three of whom are living. Anne, deceased, was born in 1806, and Samuel, born in 1808, is dead; William was born in 1810; Mary, deceased, was born in 1812; Margaret, born in 1814, is the wife of Louis Roff, and lives in Sidney; Nancy was born in 1817, and is the widow of Joseph Boggs, living at Rialto, in Union Township; Jane, born in 1819, is dead ; Charlotte was born about 1824. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a soldier of 1812, under Captain Shaw, volunteering in place of a drafted man. He died in 1846, and his wife died about 1847. Of his children, William, born in 1810, married Jane Davison, who was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1819. They had one child, Dr. William D. Linn, who was bOrn in 1840, and is now deceased. At his second union, William Linn married Rebecca Jones, who was born in Warren County in 1824. They had six children : Henry G. ; Jane, wife of Joseph Lesourd ; Mary, wife of Dr. C. W. Stedom ; Aletha A., James F., and Joseph M. Mr. Linn owns and farms one hundred and two acres. He is a self- made man. He originally learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for thirty years, but upon the failure of his eyesight he purchased the farm.

Charles Legg was born iu 1767, in Montgomery County, Maryland. He married, in 1787, Rachel Wilcoxon, born about 1764 in the same county, and had eleven children, three living. Elizabeth was born about 1788, and is dead. Polly, born December 18, 1789, the widow of Aaron Burdsall, lives in Liberty Township., John, born in 1791; Rebecca, in 1793 ; William, in 1794; Walter, in 1796 ; Nancy, in 1797 ; Sarah, in 1799, 'are dead. Charles C., born July 12, 1801, is living ; Arthur, born 1803, is dead ; Amos, born September, 1805, is married and lives in Union Township. Mr. Legg moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1800, where he resided about five years, and in 1805 he came down the Ohio on a flat-boat, and landed at Cincinnati. He moved at once to Butler County, where he settled in the present limits of Union Township, and entered eighty acres of land in Madison Township. He afterwards moved to Liberty, on the farm now owned by Simeon Rosencranz, and in 1811 he leased the ministerial section, to which he moved Christmas-day, where he stayed ten years. He then bought eighty-eight acres in Union Township, where Amos now lives, and where he remained until his death, which occurred September 4, 1864 ; that of his wife happening about 1857. His son, William, was a soldier in 1812. He went to Detroit, Michigan, and returned after a brief service, sending a substitute. Mr. Legg was a member of the Methodist Church, which both he and his wife joined early in life. His wife's brother, Amos Wilcoxon, and his brother, Arthur Legg, were out in the Revolution. Charles C. Legg was born in Washington County, July 12, 1801, and married Sarah Kain, born in New Jersey in 1801. They have had one child, Mary Ann, born May 18, 1828, the wife. of Joshua Hughes. . Mr. Legg has been school director and township supervisor. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Robert McClellan, who was the son of Daniel, was born in Lemon Township, in 1809, and married Eleanor Sutphin, also a native of that township, where she was born in 1811. He had two children. Daniel was born in 1836, is married, and lives in Liberty. Maria was born in 1834, and died in 1852. Mr. McClellan died about 1859, his widow afterwards marrying John Webster. They had four children, three.still living. Letitia, wife of Charles Bedell, lives in Dayton. She was born in 1849. John and Robert, twins, were born about 1855. They are married. John lives in Newport, Kentucky, and Robert lives in Shakertown, Warren County. The mother died in May, 1874. Daniel McClellan came to Liberty Township when he was about ten years old, and lived with his mother on the old Webster farm, and farmed for her until 1862, when he purchased his present place of 105 acres, the Reuben Davis farm.

Peter W. Shepherd, banker and farmer, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, January 28, 1804, being one of twelve children, six boys and six girls. He is the son of Joseph Shepherd, a native of New Jersey. His ancestors were wealthy people, down to and including his grandfather, who lost his property through bad management and the treachery of other people. That left his father in a bad condition to make any thing. At that time and in that country it was a hard matter for a poor man to acquire property, and he consequently left his children much in the same position in which he began life.

When Peter W. Shepherd was between seventeen and eighteen years of age he went as an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade, at which he soon attained a good proficiency. After the completion of his term he worked in various parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio. To this State he came in December, 1829, crossing the mountains in a farm wagon. Arrived at Wheeling, he found the roads almost impassable, and took passage for Cincinnati in a steamer. From that place he went to Middletown, in this county. He still remembers the muddy appearance of the roads. From Middletown he went to the neighborhood of Jackson- burg, remaining there the rest of the Winter, but in the Spring going to Franklin, Warren County, where he entered into an agreement with Lemuel Moss, a contractor on the public works, to go with him to Portsmouth, and there to take charge of a smith's shop. Mr. Moss was engaged in the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and needed just such a man as Mr. Shepherd with him. There the latter wrought for three or four years, receiving the highest pay ever given in that portion of the country for similar work, one dollar twelve and a half cents per day. There was then no ten hours' or eight hours' rule, and no strikes or organized trades-unions. Men began work soon after daylight and continued till dark. One of the years which he was there he only lost one half day, in which he went to a circus. When the account came to be settled up at the end of the year Mr. Moss declared that he would make no deduction ; a man who worked as close to a whole year as that should be allowed the full twelve-month. When the contract was finished Mr. Moss erected a large flouring-mill at the locks, a short distance from town. In the basement machinery was put up for sawing stone, of which there was a splendid quarry close at hand.

Mr. Shepherd was offered a partnership in an edge-tool factory to be conducted there as soon as the canal contract was finished, but declined. He went to Cincinnati, beginning work for Adonijah Peacock, who was carrying on the plow business, and remaining there until the cholera year, when he left the city, going to Franklin. There he bought some property, put up a shop, and began business on his own account. He then purchased the farm upon which he now lives, and came to Butler County, sealing his property in Franklin. This was in 1836. His farm was of one hundred and fifty- three acres, and he succeeded in getting good crops from it. But he did not neglect his trade. He put up a shop and carried on business for six or seven years, when he sold out to one of his journeymen.

A little while before his removal to Butler County his father died in New Jersey. He was eighty-three years old. The mother and two single sisters came out heie about the year 1840, with his brother-in-law, Addi Chamberlin. Mrs. Shepherd made her home with Mr. Chamberlin until her death, which took place April 1, 1848, being then eighty-four years old. Three brothers and one sister died in New Jersey, aged respectively eighty- one, eighty-two, eighty-two, and sixty-one. Those who died in Ohio were respectively aged seventy-six, eighty- four, sixty-two, seventy-four, and seventy-one, an,d in Indiana, sixty-four, and sixty-one. Mr. Shepherd is now the sole survivor of his family.

Mr. Shepherd continued farming until 1872, then selling out his stock and farming implements, and since has been engaged in various enterprises. He now owns two farms in the Miami Valley, containing two hundred and sixty acres, and a half interest in eleven hundred acres of first-rate cotton land in Bolivar County, Mississippi, adjoining the Mississippi River. Mr. Shepherd has been an active and industrious man his ,whole life. He began with no advantages, and by his own hard knocks has wrested success from fortune. He formerly owned a half interest in the Hamilton woolen-mills, in connection with Israel Williams, and sustained a heavy loss when the mills were burned down. He has a third interest in the Hamilton Bank, in partnership with Joseph and A. D. Curtis. He has been a township supervisor and school director. He is now, in spite of his advanced age, hale and hearty.

Peter Shafor was born February 5, 1825, in Lemon Township, and was married in Liberty Township, on the 6th of December, 1849, to Elizabeth Cheeseman, daughter

500 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

of Abijah Cheeseman. She was born in New Jersey, September 16, 1830. They have six children. John P. was born February 23, 1851, and is married to Hattie B. McClure ; William was born January 25, 1855, and lives in Lemon Township; Hannah J. was born December 18, 1856, and is the wife of Frank W. Hughes ; Mary E. was born January 30, 1860; Ira R., September 2, 1861; and Lewis C., October 10, 1863. Mr. Shafor commenced life for himself. He is the son of an old soldier of the War of 1812, who lived to near a century, and of whom a full account is given Linder Lemon Township. Peter Shafor went to farming in 1846 for Mrs. Lydia Rogers, and remained there for nearly four years, and in 1850 he rented the farm of John Hankins for nearly two years. He then purchased seven acres in Lemon Township, part of the John Gregory farm, where he remained four years, and then bought the old Randolph farm, in Fairfield, of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, where he resided about nine years. During his residence there he served as township trustee for about seven years. He then sold out, and about 1865 moved to his father's old farm, which he rented for two years. He then purchased his present farm of Peter W. Shepherd. It consisted of one hundred and fifty acres, to which he has since added another hundred. He now owns two hundred and fifty acres in Liberty. He has held the office of township trustee for thirteen years, and is one of the directors of the county infirmary, an office he has held for twelve years. He has also been a member of the agricultural board for six years. Mr. Shafor is a self-made man. He received nothing from his father until his death, and the estate is not yet divided. He is one of the leading citizens of this township.

Benjamin Scudder came from Elizabeth, New Jersey, about 1814, and purchased a section of land in Liberty Township, which he gave to his four grandsons, the children of his son Jesse. He also bought fifty acres besides, which he gave to his granddaughter, also the daughter of Jesse. She married Aaron Simpson. He then returned to New Jersey, where he died. Jesse, his son, accompanied his children, and lived and died in Butler County. He was married to Keziah Marsh. They had five children: Benjamin, Hezekiah, Enoch, Stephen, and Jeniima, wife of Aaron Simpson. Hezekiah Scudder was born in New Jersey in 1790, and died August 29, 1842. He married, in New Jersey, Jane Wade, born in that State about 1796, dying in Liberty Township about 1873. They had nine children, six of whom are living. Hannah, the widow of Pearson Carl, lives in Milford Township. Hetty, married to Stephen Squires, died, leaving two children in Illinois. Harrison is married and lives in Shelby County, Indiana ; William, born August 20, 1824, is married, and lives in Liberty Township ; Charity Jane is the wife of Wilson Rosencranz, and lives in Shelby County, Indiana; Hezekiah is married, and lives in Shelby County, Indiana ; Eli is married, and lives in Liberty Township ; Harriet was married to Stacey Hunt, who is now dead ; Enos was killed in the late war. Mr. Scudder came to Ohio about 1816 and settled on the quarter section given to him by his grandfather. He was a prominent citizen of Liberty Township for many. years. He was a farmer, and spent his time in improving l is land. He was an old-time Whig, but objected to holding office. The party came overland from New York in wagons, three in number. When they arrived they built log-cabins, with puncheon (split slab) floors, and having no boards, used quilts for doors and windows. They were often disturbed by the wolves. His son William was born in Liberty Township, August 23, 1824, add was married March 19, 1851, to Harriet Flenner, who was born December 25, 1833, in Liberty Township. They had three children. Louisa M. was born January 26, 1852, and is the wife of Charles Wadsworth, who was -.married November 12, 1874. They have one child, Alice, born January 14, 1876. Flora May was born August 2, 1859, and died October 24, 1862. Eddie F. was born November 30, 1864, and died January 6, 1865. Mr. Scudder has been a member of the school board and school director in the district, He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife also. He is a farmer and owns and farms ̊Tie hundred and ten acres in Liberty Township. In politics he is a Republican.

Isaac Vail was born in Pennsylvania, where he was married and had six children. William was born about 1803. He is married and lives in Indiana. Moses was born February 10, 1807, and died July 31, 1876. Na. than was born about 1810, and is dead. Desire married Aaron Clawson ; Parmelia married James Rupple ; Huldah married Benjamin Murphy. The three latter are all dead. He came to Ohio about 1803, and settled in Cincinnati, and about 1808 moved to Butler County, settling in Union Township, where he rented. He moved to Darke County afterwards and purchased, dying there in September, 1860. His wife died about 1850. Moses Vail, his son, was born February 10, 1807, in Cincinnati, and married, about 1828, Elizabeth Vail, daughter of Henry Vail and Parmelia (Bridge) Vail. She was born in Madison Township, February 24, 1813, and had eight children. Franklin was born July 31, 1829; Ellen, who was born September 23, 1831, is the wife of Elias Smalley; Sarah, born December 19, 1833, is the wife of Nelson Murphy ; Linus, born July 12, 1836, is married, and lives in Liberty Township ; Fanny M., born March 25, 1839, is the wife of Samuel Enyart; Martha B., born February 12, 1842, is the widows,of Joseph Kinikin ; Henry L., born February 22, 1845, is married, and lives in Illinois; Eliza Jane, born May 7, 1849, is the wife of Thomas Peak. Mr. Vail settled after his marriage in Liberty Township, where he purchased forty acres. His son Linus now lives on the old homestead. He acquired a large property of two hundred and ten acres in this

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county, seven hundred and fifty acres in Illinois, and two hundred and forty acres in Indiana, and considerable personal property. He filled the office of township trustee and school director. He and his wife were both members of the Baptist Church. He died July 31, 1876. Linus was married January 1, 1857, to Emmeline Jeffries, daughter of Thomas Jeffries and Sarah (Mervis) Jeffries, who was born in Union Township, November 6, 1835. They had five children. Rosa was born August 3, 1858; Ella, February 27, 1860; Jessie, October 20, 1863; Charlie, November 6, 1865 ; and Hubert S., September 73 1873. Rosa and Jessie are dead. Mr. Vail is a school director, and owns and farms one hundred and sixty acres.

John Van Scoyk was born in Redstone, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1780, and after coming to this vicinity married, in Lemon Township, Elizabeth Freeman, daughter of John Freeman, who came to this county before 1800. She was born May 13, 1789. They had nine children, three' of whom are living. William is married, and lives in Liberty; James is married, and lives in Hamilton ; Catherine is the wife of Prior Fitzgerald, and lives in Liberty. Mr. Van Scoyk came to Ohio in 1806, with his widowed mother, and the remainder of the family, consisting of seven children, five boys and two girls. He settled in lemon Township, near Amanda, and went to work at his occupation, that of a cooper, continuing at this till his death. He brought no means with him, but accumulated a large property, which he was unfortunate enough to lose, chiefly by bailing his brother-in-law. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but hired a substitute. He died March 4, 1829. His son William was born in Lemon Township, October 27, 1817, and was married September 6, 1853, to Rachel Baker, daughter of John Baker and Jeannette (Hand) Baker, who was born January 21, 1811. They have had no children. He is a self-made man, and was a carpenter by trade, working at it eight years, but when he married he settled down on the farm where he now lives, which was formerly owned by his wife's father, John Baker. Mrs. Van Scoyk has never moved but once in her life, and that was from the old house she was born in to the one she now lives in, which was built after her marriage, and which is about one hundred and fifty yards from the old one. John Freeman, Mr. Van Scoyk's grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and served under Washington during the entire contest. He died in Miami County at the age of 96.

Brice Virgin was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and after a long service in the Indian wars, during which he distinguished himself, settled in Union Township, at the beginning of 1796. He came to Liberty Township in 1804. He had eleven children, of whom- he reared ten. Cassandra,' Thomas, Mary, Jeremiah, William, Rezin, Matthew, John, Priscilla, and Hiram are dead. Elizabeth was born April 9, 1800, in Hamilton County, where she still lives. She is single. He was a farmer, and owned about one hundred acres of land. He died about 1821, and his wife about 1814. His sons, Thomas, William, and Rezin were in the War of 1812. He was a Freemason.

Silas Williamson's father, John, was born in 1790, and was eight years old when he came out here with his father, David. They were of Holland descent. David Williamson, the grandfather, married Mary Van Dyke in 1787, and emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky in June, 1797, and from Kentucky to Ohio in November, 1798, and settled in Liberty Township, in Section 14. He had four sons: George, born 1788; John, father of Silas, born 1790; David V., born 1795, and Peter, born 1801. In 1797 there was a settlement formed on Beatty's place. Beatty was the first, and Voorhees the next. It is said this township owed its name of Liberty to old 'Squire John Morrow, who had formerly lived in Liberty, Pennsylvania, and that he went to Hamilton expressly to have the name given. There was a hand-mill at Mr. Beatty's place, and the stone was afterwards put under the corner-stone of a barn. Mr. Williamson was born in 1819, on the farm where he now lives, in Section 15. He was married to Christiana White in 1843, and has two children, Cordelia, born in 1849, and Milton, born in 1810. The latter was married to Ada Beatty in 1878. Mr. Williamson's mother's name was Christina Brewer. She was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, in 1798, married in 1817, and died in 1843. She had seven children: David, Silas, Mary Ann, Jane, John T., George W., and Margaret. Silas Williamson was elected township clerk in 1865, and has held the office ever since, with the exception of two years. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1865, and has held that office ever since. He has been for: many years a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, as were his father and grandfather before him.

Augustine E. Williamson, son of David B. Williamson and Betsy (Elliott) 'Williamson, was born January 29, 1842, in this township, and was married in 1865 to Eliza Ann Swearingen, born October 12, 1846, in Warren County. They have three children : Mineola, born October 8, 1866 ; Bertha, February 13, 1870, and Grace, January 18, 1875. He is engaged in the purchase of grain and stock, under the firm name of Kyle & Williamson. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of fine land, and has been an important and influential man in this community.

The first of the Woodmansees who came to Butler County was Daniel. He was born September 22, 1777, in New Jersey, and was married in 1801, in Pennsylvania, to Rachel Cushman, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 18, 1778. They had seven children. Hannah was born March 3, 1802; Asa, July 12, 1804; Lorenzo Dow, November 16, 1806; Julia, March 25, 1809 ; Sarah, December 18, 1811; James, April 20, 1814, and Mary,

502 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

March 15, 1818. The last is the wife of the Rev. Charles Ferguson, and lives in Clinton County. Lorenzo D. is married, and lives in Minnesota ; Julia is the widow of Hiram Jones, and lives in Illinois, and Asa is dead.

Mr. Woodmansee came to Butler County in 1809, and settled in Liberty Township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he lived till the time of his decease, and which his son, James, now owns. He and his wife were both very prominent members of the Methodist Church, and, in fact, during its early years in their neighborhoods were its chief support. Their house was used as a meeting-house, and also for entertaining the ministers and congregations afterwards. He was a very hospitable man, and a prominent man in political circles. He represented the county both in the lower house and the Senate for a period of ten years. He was also a very prominent man in his own district, acting as law adviser for all the neighborhood, and doing the work of a justice of the peace, although refusing to be elected. He also held several other important offices in the county and township, and, in fact, held office all his life long. He came down the river to Cincinnati in a flat-boat, which he loaded with iron castings, sugar- kettles, etc., which he disported of in Cincinnati. His father, James Woodmansee, and mother, Hannah Worden, came with him, and in a few years he sent for his brothers and sister to come. They were Samuel, James, Thomas, and Hannah, with her husband, John Gray, and their, children. They all came and settled in this county, except the Grays, who went to Preble County.

James Woodmansee, the father, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He went out with the first hostilities and was soon made a. corporal. He was afterwards promoted to lieutenant, serving all through the war. Daniel, the son, died in 1842. His last vote was cast for Harrison. His wife died September 7, 1875, and is buried in the Woodmansee Cemetery, in Sugar Valley.

James Woodmansee, the poet, was born April 20, 1814, and was married in October, 1874, to Fanny Sampson McGowan, born in Urbana, Ohio, February 24, 1844. They have three children: Cicero, Pauline, and Lethe Lois. Mr. Woodmansee received a good education, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits. He early developed a fondness for verse, and has written two epic poems: "The Closing Scene, a Poem in Twelve Books," and " Religion, a Poem in Twelve Books." The subject of the first poem is the great war between Gog and Magog, ending " with the wreck of matter and the crash of worlds." The second shows religion from the time the " spirit brooded o'er the water's face" to the millennium. Besides these poems he has written " Wrinkles from the Brow of Experience ;" " Poetry of the Seasons, a Poem in Four Books, Descriptive of Every Month in the Year," and "The Prodigal Son, a Drama in Five Acts." " The Closing Scene" and " Wrinkles " are already published, and have received the highest praise, both in Europe and America. A previous writer says: "Thomas Noon Talfourd, the great critic and judge of Westminster, said : " The Closing Scene" rivals the " Divina Commedia " of Dante ;' and Samuel Rogers, the author of Pleasures of Memory,' says : I call " The Closing Scene " the " Paradise Lost" of America." Mr. Woodmansee has traveled in Europe and America, but now pays the most of his attention to study and literary composition. He is at present living in Hamilton.