551 - ST. CLAIR

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ST. CLAIR.

This township at the time of its organization in 1803 embraced all of the north-western part of the county. It included the present townships of Oxford, Milford, Wayne, Reily, and Hanover, and was bounded, when it was organized, on the north by Preble County, on the east by Lemon Township, on the south by the Miami River and Ross Township, and on the west by the State of Indiana. Its name comes from General St. Clair. Wayne and Milford Townships were struck off of its territory in 1805, the latter at that time including also what is now the township of Oxford. Reily Township was set off in 1807, and embraced all what is now Hanover. These divisions reduced the size of St. Clair considerably, but possessing, as it did, the town of Rossville, its history is extended and interesting, and a large portion of it will be found treated under the head of Hamilton. In 1810, its population was eleven hundred and eighty; in 1820, thirteen hundred and seven ; in 1830, eighteen hundred and thirty-four. There are in the township seventeen thousand, three hundred and thirty acres.

St. Clair, as it now exists, is bounded on the north by the township of Wayne, on the east by the Miami River and the lower end of Madison Township, on the south by the river, and on the west by Hanover and Ross Townships. The township is irregular on the south side, resulting from the fact that the Miami meanders through the very fine bottoms along its course, a large portion of which are in St. Clair.

TOPOGRAPHY.

All the country lying east of Seven-Mile Creek is level, and approaches as near perfection as any land in the county. The soil is rather sandy, producing the finest crops of corn, barley, wheat, and other grains ; and garden vegetables also grow in great abundance, when cared for properly. A range of low hills extend from Wayne Township down into St. Clair, half a mile east of the village of Seven-Mile. They are not so elevated but what they can be tilled profitably.

West of Seven-Mile Creek the township is hilly, and in some places so much so as to render the cultivation of the soil extremely laborious. This range of hills begins to assume proportions about two miles south of the north line of the township, and continues almost unbroken down the west side of the Miami to its mouth. They vary in height, but are of the same general nature. This range of hills in some places approaches very near the river ; then again it leaves a wide and fertile bottom between the stream and their base.

Fine dwelling-houses, with all their necessary outbuildings, dot the township. On the pike leading to Seven-Mile village, and on the Hamilton Road to Trenton, this is especially true.

The original forest here was very dense and fine. The country between the river and the hills was covered by a splendid growth of oak, sugar tree, walnut, buttonwood or sycamore, hackberry, blue and white ash, and buckeye. Pea-vines covered the whole face of the country from the Miami to the foot of the hills, and extended as far north as Somerville. They, however, only lasted for a few years after the settlements became established. Constant pasturage by the cattle soon destroyed them. They were very nutritious, and during the Fall stock lived without the least care from their owners.

The original forests furnished but little income to the settlers. A fiat-boat which would now be worth fifty dollars for wood alone, would sell in New Orleans for three and five dollars. Nothing but the finest timber

552 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

could be used to good advantage, and in cutting no pains were taken to preserve the noblest of the trees. An unsparing hand cut them down. Walnut trees as straight as a die, that would reach up seventy-five feet without a limb, and from three to five feet in diameter at the butt, were rolled into log-heaps, and consumed by fire, because the settlers needed the land on which they stood.

Aside from the pea-vines, spice-bushes, and some sassafras sprouts, there was no great growth, of saplings or briers. After the first clearings were made, very little trouble was experienced on account of sprouts, bushes, and young briers springing up to harass the husbandman.

The hills of which we have spoken, in the early history of the township, were sprinkled with log shanties, rather below the average, turnip patches, and blackberry bushes. The sink holes and hollow trees furnished the opossum a favorite place of hiding, and gave this body of land a name which is now almost forgotten, though always remembered by the old people with a smile, `'Possum Hill."

Four-Mile is the principal stream of the township. It takes its head in Preble County, and has many tributaries. From the north-west corner of the township, where it enters, it flows with many windings until it empties into the Miami. Its first tributary on the west, above Hamilton, is St. Clair's Run. Scott's old mill stands just above its mouth. Near the old Fear-not grist-mill a creek of considerable size, flowing mainly from Hanover Township; joins with Four-Mile.

Seven-Mile (quite, if not altogether, as large as Four- Mile) unites with the above stream near the middle and on the north side of Section 8. Its current is somewhat rapid, and during a greater portion of the year, supplies an abundance of water for milling purposes. Along its bed are thousands of perches of gravel, which furnish material for making fine roads. •

Cotton Run heads altogether in the township of Wayne, flows almost directly south, and empties into Four-Mile about one mile and a half below the mouth of Seven-Mile.

Five-Mile Run flows between Cotton Run and Seven- Mile, and is fed principally by a spring near the center of Section 4. This spring was known to the army on its way north to chastise the Indians, and is still used by the family who reside on the farm.

In the north-eastern part of the township two streams flow southward until they reach the centers of Sections 1 and 2 respectively ; here they sink into the sand and are lost to view.

Two-Mile Creek empties into the Miami opposite what might be called the mouth of Old River. Its prongs extend out into Hanover for a considerable distance. South of Rossville there are a few little streams, but of no consequence.

ROADS AND MILLS.

It was quite natural, after the county seat had become a reality, for roads to diverge from it to all parts of the county. The old road to Eaton ran by the way of the Fear-not Mills, much in the same way that it does now. The old trace road from Seven-Mile takes the course of General Wayne when on his march to the . Northwest. The State road, as it was commonly called; took the direction of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and. for a number of years the mails were received over this route from North Bend, on the Ohio, in Hamilton County.

Among the early roads was one known as Augspurger's, which branched off from the Seven-Mile road, where it crossed Four-Mile, and took almost a true easterly course to the Miami, near the mouth of Gregory's Creek in Liberty Township. There was also another highway (which shot off from the road to Seven-Mile) to Jacksonburg in Wayne Township. TA. similar improvement led to Trenton.

That part of St. Clair Township lying south of Hamilton was settled principally by Germans from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, between the years 1802 and 1810. The island below the city was at an early day separated by a slough or bayou from the main land, and was owned by men whose deeds called for property adjacent on the west. There was about seventy-five acres between the slough and the river.

Watson's mill, one mile below the suspension bridge, was built by the Traber brothers, who were millwrights from the East. The first house was a frame, and had three sets of buhrs ; the gearing was made of wood. The mill was two stories high, with a garret, and was when erected one of the best in the country. It continued until the hydraulic was built, and in 1852 or 1853 the frame and machinery were removed, and used in the construction of a manufacturing establishment in the Second Ward of Hamilton, on Crawford's Run. The Traber brothers were the second proprietors; and Matthias, Resew & Co., the third. In order to get the mill where it was built, the settlers allowed Watson to run the water through the bayou. Matthias & Co. were the fourth owners, selling to William Reily, and he to a German clergyman named Richter, the latter of whom erected the establishment in the city of Hamilton, mentioned elsewhere. There was a saw-mill attached to the grinding department. The grist-mill was run by three large tub-wheels. Both of these establishments went down at the same time. The common belief was that the press ence of the dam so near Hamilton affected the health of the city, and hence the mills were condemned by the health authorities. In high water the Miami takes the course of the old mill-race. Opposite Watson's mill was one then owned by the Traber brothers, both of them being run by the same dam.

The Fear-not Mill on Four-Mile was built in 1816 by Joseph Watson, a bachelor from Pennsylvania. Watson

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was a lithe young man, full of energy, and when his pioneer establishment was erected in the wilderness, the neighbors predicted a Llure in business within a short time. Watson gave his mill a name which always reminded his friends of his character—" Fear-not." It is probable that Mr. Watson was the same man who erected the mill below Hamilton described above, which bore his name. The first building at the Fear-not site was a frame, two stories high, undershot wheel, and two sets of buhrs. Watson in due course of time sold out, and about twenty years after the first mill was built, a second was erected. It was also a two story frame, with an undershot wheel and two sets of buhrs. While Watson was in possession of the mill, he also did a large amount of sawing in an establishment "near by. A carding-mill was also in active operation for some time.

Flenner's grist-mill, at the junction of Four-Mile and Seven-Mile Creeks, was erected forty-odd years ago. It is a two story frame, with wings, and has for the propelling power an undershot water-wheel, twelve feet in diameter. There are three sets of buhrs. The water was taken from Seven-Mile and emptied into Four-Mile by the tail-race.

About two years ago this mill ceased to run. At one time, about 1830, there was a still-house in operation at this point. The old mill can yet be seen.

The second of a number of mills in St. Clair Township, on Four-Mile, below the celebrated Fear-not Mill of Watson's, was owned by Samuel Scott, and stood a few rods above the mouth of St. Clair's Run. A good sawmill was attached to the grinding department. The gristmill was a two-story frame building run by an undershot wheel. Scott was in this neighborhood at an early day, and is said to have entered Section 16, on which his mill stood. He was a man of much force of character ; in the various walks of life he played an important part. There were three flat-boats built at Scott's Mill ; one by Mr. Scott, and two by his neighbors. They were floated to Hamilton empty and there loaded for New Orleans. Their owners-returned by land.

George Flenner had a distillery in 1833 in a log- house in the eastern part of the township on the Gephert farm. Ile died' not long since. Still-houses in the first settlement of this valley were considered a necessity ; and many of the best people in the country were found engaged in the manufacture of whisky.

Philip Sowers had a still-house some time in the '30s in a log-house near Busenbark's on James Cummings's farm. David and James Chevalier bought out Mr. Sowers and continued the business for some time. This distillery has disappeared.

Henry Kerns had another one mile south of Seven- Mile village at an early day, on what is now the pike to Hamilton. He also had an insignificant grist-mill on Seven-Mile Creek, near the still-house, in 1836. Frederic Bubenmyer had a still-house on Section 4 about 1830,

located, no doubt, near the famous spring in the center of this section.

Jacob Wehr owned and carried on a distillery in the eastern part of St. Clair fifty years ago, near where Enos Wehr now lives. This establishment ran for seventeen years. It was a log building one and a half stories high. On the Warwick farm, one-fourth of a mile east of Overpeck's, Michael Earhart had a still-house in 1825. His place of business was in a log-house.

Isaac Overpeck had a large distillery, which he carried on for twenty years, where Richard Hines now lives. Joseph Hershey had a distillery at the Flenner gristmills forty years ago (which he owned in 1836), in a log-house. His corn was ground in his mill.

Uncle Samuel P. Withrow, as he is familiarly known in the northern part of St. Clair, who was born in 1798, says when he was twenty-five years of age he could, on getting up early in the morning, see the smoke from thirteen still-houses while doing his morning's work. He at that time lived in Wayne Township on Section 27. The capacity of these manufactories was about one barrel per day. Whisky was sold from fifteen to eighteen cents per gallon. Many of these still-houses continued for only five or seven years.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

The St. Peter's Lutheran Church, one and a half miles south-west of Hamilton, was organized as early as 1806 by Germans, who had settled in this part of the township, from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. Among the early members were the Garvers, Fishers, Lingles, Castators, Troutmans, Mitchells, Kyles, and Shellhouses. The first house was a log building, about sixteen by eighteen feet. The furniture was plain and simple. The fire-place was eight feet in width and five feet deep.

As there was no regularly-built school-house, at an early day the church was used for educational purposes also. It continued to fill both these requirements for about thirty-five years.

Among the early preachers was the Rev. Mr. Mining, a German Lutheran from Pennsylvania, but who at that time lived in Montgomery County, Ohio ; and the Rev. Mr. Descombes, a German Reformed, who preached here with considerable regularity for some time. He was a citizen of St. Clair Township. The Presbyterians had an organized Church in this end of St. Clair in 1820. Many of the congregation came from the east side of the Miami.

The second or present building was built about forty years ago, and in 1858 was remodeled at a considerable cost. This house is about forty by fifty feet. The land occupied by these houses was given for this purpose by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Crust, and comprises about one and

a half acres, used for both Church and burial purposes. South of the St. Peter's Church and grave-yard, about

554 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

three-quarters of a mile, Peter Garver began a private burying-ground. It has all the appearances at present of age and dilapidation. Many of the first members of the Church are buried near the house in which they worshiped.

James Hill, of Millville, now dead, was a school teacher in the old church, in 1832. He was followed by Captain William Giffin. Jonas Ball came soon afterward.

Justice Troutman, who attended school here when a boy, says the " teachers always had a stock of iron-wood switches on hand, stuck above the joist, to be used in cases where the youngsters • needed trimming." These men were not very conscientious about the application of the whip. When there were six scholars in the classes they were thought to be large. Among those who attended school here were James Garver, now a distinguished physician of Minnesota ; William Garver, a prominent lawyer, and Henry Garver, now acting surgeon at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio. Jacob Troutman, well known in Hamilton and elsewhere throughout the county, and a man who has filled nearly all the municipal offices in the gift of the people and the city, was another pupil.

The second school-house, or really the first especially erected for educational purposes, was put up about 1840. It was a frame, and stood one mile south of the old church on the Lawrenceburg Road. The present house was built in 1856 or thereabouts, and is a brick.

North-western St. Clair was settled at first by people mainly from the South. They were generally industrious, and many of them brought a considerable amount of furniture, farming utensils, implements for wood-working and such like, with them. The second set of settlers was from Pennsylvania. They added much to the general wealth and prosperity of the community. At last there came a third class, mostly Germans, who did not assimilate well with their neighbors.

Among the early settlers in north-western St. Clair were the Brookses, Irvings, Wallaces, McClellans, Eatons, Cornells, Browns, Caldwells, Robinsons, Longfellows, Grays, and Harrises. One of the oldest men in the township, William Brooks, owns nearly four hundred acres in Section 7. His fund of pioneer incidents is complete, and in many cases appears somewhat romantic. His age is nearly eighty-six. The Blue Grass Church, which stood near the Fear-not Mill, was one of the earliest of a large and flourishing set of similar institutions in the county. It was so named because about the time of its organization blue grass spread out over the bottoms in this section of country, furnishing the best of pasture for all kinds of stock. This grass began to appear in considerable quantities as soon as the dense growth of pea-vines had disappeared. For the first appointments the Methodists met at the barn of John Gray, which stood three-quarters of a mile north-west of the present church. This barn is now standing, owned by William McKee, but has greatly changed in appearances since first it was put up. Its original size was thirty by forty feet, and it was then considered a large building of its kind.

The first church, a brick, was erected more than sixty years ago, and stood half a mile east of Four-Mile. It served for both school and religious purposes. John Gray gave the land on which the house stood. After the death of Mr. Gray, the Church began to lose its hold upon the people. On account of deaths and removals, it has now ceased to have an organization at all. Among those who united with the Church here, and who have since become somewhat noted, are the Rev. Joseph Brooks, who died in Kansas some eight years ago, and the Rev. James Gray, son of John Gray, now a circuit preacher in Indiana. John Gray was buried in a family yard on his farm, but which, in due course of time, was used by the public. Many of those who were buried here have since been taken up by their friends and removed to grave-yards of a more public nature.

About the time the Methodists ceased to exist, the Old School Presbyterians began to hold services in the church. A Church was consequently organized, which used the Methodist church for about eighteen years. A new church was then erected, yet standing and in use. Chambers Stewart gave the land on which this house stands. Mr. Stewart, with William Brooks and Mr. McKee, were early Presbyterians. The early ministers came mostly from Hamilton.

At the close of the Methodist Church, fifty-two years ago, a large camp-meeting was held three-fourths of a mile south of the old church, across the creek in a little sugar-tree grove which bordered on the bank of Four-Mile. These meetings were held for two successive seasons, and continued for one week. There were canvas tents of a temporary nature scattered throughout the grove to shelter the worshipers. The Rev. Joshua Holland, the Rev., or Captain, Joseph Gasner, and the Rev. Moses Crume were among the preachers.

OVERPECK'S.

Overpeck's takes its name from Isaac Overpeck, one of the first settlers in this part of St. Clair. The country which Mr. Overpeck selected for a home had all the natural requisites which tend to make life prosperous and happy. There soon gathered, therefore, in this section a busy class of people. Among the settlers and land-owners in this immediate neighborhood in 1836 were Isaac Overpeck, Henry Jacoby, Joseph Kelley, Michael Earhart, Peter Conrad, John Wehr, Daniel Smith, and Abner Torbet.

Overpeck's is now a station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, very nearly four miles from the court-house in Hamilton. There are simply a few houses built, something after the manner of other little villages which have from fifty to two hundred inhabit-

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ants. One of the most noticeable features of the station is a fine brick building., used for the waiting•room of the railroad, for the post-offrce, and a store, and for the various purposes of township business. There are three separate rooms, all well-kept and substantial. The building looks quite new, and was built about eight years ago.

For the first store-keepers this village had Isaac and John Overpeck. They were here soon after the railroad was built. Their place of business was in a frame house, near the center of the village, since destroyed by fire. The Overpecks were followed by William Iutzi, who is also the present merchant.

Before the present township house was built, making it a part of the station, waiting-room, and post-office and store, the voters of St. Clair cast their ballots on the farm where William Caldwell now lives. In the course of time West. Hamilton was made the voting precinct, and continued to be so used until about 1876.

Henry Sellers was probably the first blacksmith in the eastern part of the township. His shop was near Busenbark's, on the farm now owned by Robert Richter.

The German Reformed Church at Overpeck's was organized sixty years ago. Jacob Wehr and wife Catharine; Henry, Charles, and John Jacoby and their wives ; Henry Kerns and wife ; Mr. Wykel, who lived near Trenton; Mr. Miller, and Jacob Descombes were among the early members. The Rev. Messrs. Hininger, Grover, Hinkle, and Descombes were among the first preachers. At the time of the organization of this Church it was composed almost entirely of Pennsylvania Germans, but was subsequently strengthened by additions from American families. After a period of varying success the present and very respectable Church of both Lutherans and Presbyterians came into existence. The early Presbyterian members were also known as " Pennsylvania Dutch."

The first meeting-house at this point was a hewed log building ; it stood in the south-east corner of the yard. Jacob Wehr sold two acres of land at one dollar per acre to the Church authorities for burial purposes and for a building site. The old house has long since passed away. For the second place of worship there was a large brick building capable of seating five hundred people. There was a large gallery above, and underneath were ample accommodations for many more. The old pulpit of this house is now in the possession of Joseph Landis, kept as a venerable relic.

The present brick building, which will seat comfortably two hundred and fifty people, was erected a few years before the late war. Charles Barger, a leading man of Seven-Mile village, organized a Sunday-school here twelve or fifteen years ago.

The first person buried in the grave-yard was Henry Jacoby, more than sixty years ago. There are about two hundred interments in the yard. Every thing about is clean and neat.

About twenty years ago the Mennonite Church at Overpeck's was organized. = An acre of ground, upon part of which the church stands, was given to this denomination by Christian Slonacker, an early member. The membership is composed mainly of Germans. Among those who were instrumental in the organization were Dr. John Borker, the Augspurgers, and Peter Imhof. The Rev. Nicholas Augspurger was an early preacher. The first meetings of this society were held in private houses. In the neighborhood where this society is known best it goes by the name of the " Hook-and-Eye" Church.

The Apostles' Church, in this same neighborhood, sprang from the other Mennonite Church, and was composed principally of the younger members. The division was caused on account of some disagreement in discipline. The outside people call the Apostle the "Button" Church, in order to note the improvement over hooks-and-eyes.

For the first school-house in the eastern part of St. Clair there was an old log-house, which stood on the south-east corner of the old Conrad farm. It was here in 1812, and was built after the pattern of all log schoolhouses of those days.

For the first school-house in the neighborhood of Overpeck's, a building was erected on the same lot occupied by the present house. It was here in 1820, and for a portion of its furniture had the familiar slab seats, with legs for supports. Mr. Wilson was one of the early teachers.

A stone house took the place of the above log building. It was supplanted by the present brick, a commodious structure capable of seating a very large number of school children.

The following have been the justices of the peace:

John Hamilton, Matthew Winton, James Smith, James Mills, Robert Taylor, Lewis Laing, Daniel Flenner, William Cornell, George Burnap, Sampson Huffman, Samuel Fleming, John Nelson, Samuel Gray, Isaac P. Van Hagen, William Warwick, Russell Burrows, Mark Boatman, Andrew Lister, John W. Robison, Michael Bowerman, Joseph McCloskey, Samuel Landis, Andrew Curtis, Gary Longfellow, John Hunt, William C. Harper, Levi Richmond, William M. Beall, ,James B. Gray, Martin Flenner, Orrin Line, Eli Stickle, Clement Clifton, William H. Layman, Oliver Traber, Albert G. Clark, Robert Hargitt, Evan Davies, Jacob Troutman, John K. Wilson, David S. Bennett, Mason S. Hamilton, Jeremiah Warwick, David Farlow, John A. Overpeck, John W. Wilson, Jacob Steek, Charles Schneider, John S. Garver, Conrad Getz, R. B. Davidson, I. M. Warwick, James A. Walker, David A. Warwick, Walter A. Trowbridge, Andrew Flenner.

There is only one post-office in the township, Over- peck's. The south part supplies itself from Hamilton, and the north part from Seven-Mile, on the border of Wayne Township, and Trenton, in Madison Town-

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ship. The postmasters at Overpeck's have been John A. Overpeck, February 25, 1860; Isaac E. Overpeck, March 27, 1865; Joseph A. Kennell, April 4, 1881;' William Iutzi, April 18, 1882. The office was discontinued from July 10, 1879, to February 27, 1880.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

John Betz, the son of Jacob Betz and Lena Smith, was born in Streitberg, Germany, November 14, 1840. His father was born in Hanau, Germany, June 18, 1807, dying March 28, 1880. His mother died August 28, 1861. They came to this county in November, 1854. John Betz was married in Hamilton, Maroh 26, 1862, to Kate Anne Stroh, born in Markbel, Germany, September 20, 1841. Her parents were Henry Stroh and Dora Shaffer, both being born in Germany, in 1822, and coming to this country in June, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Betz have had one child, John Curran, born November 20, 1873. During the war Martin Betz was the quartermaster-sergeant of the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Henry was a private in the Sixty-ninth. John Betz had four brothers, one in the hardware, one in the grocery business, one a farmer, and the other died in the army in 1861 of camp diarrhea. John went to Nashville to bring back the body, but was unable to effect his purpose.

William Brooks, retired farmer, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1797, and is consequently one of the oldest men in the county. His father, James Brooks, was in the Revolutionary War. He has been a resident of this county for over sixty years. He has been twice married ; first, to Emily Wallace, who died at the age of forty. The fruits of this union were four children. Ellen Jane was born December 20, 1826.; James, July 4, 1829 ; Mary Ann, January 28, 1830 ; and William W., October 25, 1832. All are now living but James, who died at the age of fifteen. Mr. Brooks's second wife was Jane 'Wallace, who bore him one daughter, Emma Eliza, October 3, 1855. Mrs. Brooks died March 26, 1881, aged seventy-five years. She was a constant attendant of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member, and a devoted wife and beloved mother. Mary Ann Brooks married James McMechan November 11, 1863, her husband dying May 14, 1880, aged fifty-nine years. He was born in Milford Township. They have had three children. William D. was born August 26, 1865, and James E., February 23, 1867. The third one died in infancy.

John M. Buhl, fanner, was born in this county, in the township he now lives in, on the 4th of September, 1852. He was married in Hamilton on the 23d of October, 1877, to Anna B. Sutler, daughter of Conrad and Catherine Sutler, who became residents of Butler County in 1839. They have one child, Elizabeth, born October 4, 1878. The parents of Mr. Buhl are Elias and Sarah Buhl, the maiden name of the latter being Houseleth. Elias Buhl was out in the war of the Rebellion for two and a half years.

Colonel George F. Elliott was born on the 8th of April, 1826, in Liberty Township, a quarter of .a mile from the old Spring Meeting-house. He is the youngest of seven sons of the Rev. Arthur W. Elliott and Mary Pierce, both of Baltimore County, Maryland. They had also four daughters, of whom one was younger than George. At fourteen years of age he went to St. Clair, where he worked on the farm, and going to school occasionally. The last place of that kind which he attended was in the basement of the Episcopal Church in Hamilton, kept by Mr. Wade. He was married in September, 1852, to Miss Eleanor Hueston, daughter of Thomas Hueston, who had been out with Wayne as captain of pack-horses, and was also a soldier of the War of 1812. He was a brother of Matthew Hueston. Mrs. Elliott's mother's name was Mary Hardin. She was the daughter of Samuel Hardin, an early settler of Colerain Township. Colonel Elliott, upon his marriage, received from his father two hundred acres of land, upon which he now lives, and which he cultivated until 1857. He then went into the firm of Long, Black & Alstatter, traveling and working for them. four years, in the sale of reapers and mowers.

When the war broke out he raised a company to defend our imperiled Union. It was Company C, Sixty-ninth Ohio, and went out in September, 1861, continuing in the service until March, 1863. He was appointed major, August 9, 1862, and lieutenant-colonel, October 24, 1862. He refused higher appointments. At the battle of Stone River he had command of the regiment from the beginning to the end of that conflict, a period of six days, having scarcely any thing to eat, and couching upon the hard ground without a blanket. He came home on account of the health of his wife, which had been seriously affected by the loss of one of her children by a railroad accident. On his return, he continued farming till 1866. He then went into the distilling business, remaining in that until December, 1869. During the last two years he ran distilleries No. 1 and No. 2, but on the, date just mentioned made an assignment. He refused to go into bankruptcy, and finally nearly all of his indebtedness was settled up. The establishment had paid the government over two millions of dollars as a tax on distilled spirits during the time in which he had connection with it. Out of the wreck was saved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which the colonel now lives. He continued in the same business until September, 1873.

The first office he was elected to was that of member of the decennial State board of equalization, in October, 1880. This is a very important position. In 1881 he was a candidate for State senator, being nominated by acclamation for the services he had rendered in the board of equalization. He was defeated by twenty-seven votes.

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He has had four children. Charles was born in 1858, and Frank in 1864. Thomas Arthur was the one who was killed by the railroad. He was three years old at' that time. Colonel Elliott is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is universally liked. After a long life in this county, there is no one to whom he can not go up and shake hands, whether he is white or black, rich or poor. He is never idle.

James J. Everson, the son of James Everson and Rachael Mills, was born March 7, 1836, in Reily Township. His parents were early settlers. He was married in September, 1857, to Mary Ann Garver, born in Reily Township, February 16, 1638. Her parents were Samuel Garver and Elizabeth Keiver. They have had three children: Addie L. was born August 1, 1860 ; Eva May, October, 1862, and Samuel A. Curtiss, July, 1864. Mr: Everson is a farmer, and has been supervisor for four years.

John W. Eaton is a native of Rowan County, North Carolina, and came to this county in 1814. He is the son of Ebenezer Eaton and Nancy King. The former came to this county in 1809, but the mother never did. He was married in Hamilton, Ohio, February 13, 1861, to Jane Stewart, a native of County Down, Ireland, and daughter of William and Mary Stewart, who came to this county thirty years ago, and are still living at Oxford. They have seven children. Nancy Jane was born November, 28, 1861; Mary Phebe, August 20, 1863 ; Martha Ann, April 11, 1865 ; Robert Chambers Stewart, February 13, 1868 ; Emily Eliza, July 27, 1870, and William Ebenezer, May 30, 1873. Mr. Eaton is a farmer, and has now been a resident of the county sixty-seven years. At the age of fourteen, while cutting down some trees, his left leg was broken by a tree falling on it, and has since been lame. He was kept on a straw bed for twelve weeks, and since then, from time to time, he has been afflicted with rheumatism.

James R. Foster was born in St. Clair Township, and married Nancy Wilcox, April 18, 1860. He was the son of Sullivan Foster, and followed the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. Foster was born January 16, 1836, and is the daughter of Edward Wilcox, and Margaret Evans, being the fourth of seven children. The mother is still living. She came to this county in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Foster had four children. Sarah A. was born July 6, 1862 ; Billie M., December 16, 1865 ; Gracie E„ August 13, 1868, and John E., January 13, 1871. Mr. Foster died May 11, 1871.

George Garbet, the son of Joseph Garbet and Barbara Hill, was born in Yorkshire, England, January 3, 1832, and came to this county in 1853. He married December 12, 1860, in St. Clair, Butler County, Caroline Young, born in Buoks County, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1830. Her parents were Matthias and Susan Young, the former being born March 21, 1792. They came to this county in June, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Garbet have had four children. John Wilson was born May 18, 1861; George Grant, March 11, 1863 ; Charles Elsworth, October 28, 1866, and Gemirah, September 8, 1868. Mr. Garbet was among the hundred days' men in 1865, but did not go out, furnishing a substitute, who went to the State of Virginia, staying some three weeks over time.

Mrs. Barbara Geyer was born in Germany, April 9, 1838, settling in this county in 1852. Her parents were Philip Spareberger and Catherine Young. She has been twice married. Hers first husband was Peter Werner, who died in 1869. On the 2d of June, 1875, she was again married. Her husband is Robert Geyer, who was then a widower. Her children were Catherine, born May 27, 1856; Elizabeth, born March 2, 1861, dying the same Fall.

Samuel B. Garver, born in St. Clair Township, September 7, 1843, is the son of Joseph L. Garver and Hannah Beeler. He was married February 15, 1866, in St. Clair Township, to Sarah C. Riley, daughter of Henry C. Riley and Mary Timberman. She was born March 24, 1845. They have had four children. Mary E. was born March 22, 1867; Joseph L., February 16, 1870; Susan J., November 1, 1875; and Henry R., December 25, 1879. Mr. Garver owns a farm, but in the season runs a threshing machine.

Barton S. James was born in Hanover Township, September 3, 1831. His parents were Barton and Wilhelmina James, who are now both dead. He was married November 30, 1854, in Hamilton, to Mary Jane Longfellow, daughter of John Longfellow, who came to this county in 1804, and Elizabeth Stephen. Mrs. James was born in St. Clair Township, May 11, 1832. They have had seven children. Charles E. was born November 1, 1856; Harry, December 12, 1859 ; Eveline W. E., November 28, 1860; Benjamin F., Jr., September 25, 1862; William B., August 26, 1865; Olive May, December 10, 1867; and Olive L. V., April 28, 1871. Mr. James was a farmer, but at the time of his death held the appointment of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. He died December 2, 1879, aged forty-nine years, two months, and twenty-nine days. Three children are also dead. Henry S. died January 3, 1860, aged one year and twenty-three days ; Olive May died November 12, 1875, aged seven years, eleven months, and two days; and Charles E. died July 1, 1878, aged twenty-one years, seven months, and twenty-four days.

Jacob Kumler was born in Pennsylvania, August 31, 1811. His father was Henry Kumler, and his mother Susanna Kumler. The former was an eminent minister of the United Brethren Church, in which he served as a bishop for twelve years, dying at the age of seventy-nine. The mother lived to the great age of ninety-five. They came to this State in 1819. Jacob Kumler was married at Dayton,. Ohio, to his first wife while still very young, he being a little less than twenty years old. She was

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Fanny Burtner, the child of George and Catherine Burt! ner. She had the following children : George B. Kumler, born May 29, 1832 ; Abraham, born October 30, 1833, now living in Clinton County, Ohio ; Margaret, December 31, 1835, now living at Millville; Henry J., born February 27,' 1838, now living at Jacksonburg; John M., born August 31, 1840; Simon, born June 21, 1842 ; Francis M., born December 24, 1845, now living in Cumberland, Ohio ; Benjamin F., born January 22, 1849, now living at Millville ; Fernandez B. 0., born October 3, 1852, now living at Millville ; and Louis A., born May 21, 1856, now living at Hamilton.

He was married July 7, 1859, to Martha A. Shields, daughter of James Shields, an eminent pioneer, who represented his county twenty-one years in the Legislature, and was also a member of Congress. A sketch of him will be found elsewhere. Mrs. Kumler's mother was Jane Wright. She was a native of Virginia. Mr. Kumler has followed the business of farmer nearly all his life, and is now retired. He was township trustee for the years 1874 and 1875. Of the children, George B. Kumler was a member of the Ninety-third Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862 ; Simon Kumler was a member of Company C, Thirty-fifth Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; John M. Kumler was a member of the Fifteenth Regiment United States Army, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. He was left on the field, taken prisoner, and never heard of afterwards ; Abraham and Francis M. Kumler were in the hundred days' service, in Colonel Thomas Moore's regiment. The latter is now a minister of the Presbyterian Church. No family can show a more noble record than this, and none are better known in the State.

William McKee was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, at Huyckston Creek, July 16, 1805. ,His father was John McKee, and his mother, Elizabeth McClintock. He settled in this county in October, 1844. He was married February 21, 1828, to Louisa Stipp, also a native of Bourbon County, where she was born December 10, 1811. They have had eleven children, the first six being born in Bourbon County, and the others in this county. John McKee was born February 26, 1829; William M., January 17, 1832 ; Mary L., June 3, 1834; Samuel A. and Eliza J., August 6, 1837; Jane E., October 2, 1839; George H., January 31, 1842; Ann E., January 14, 1845 ; Thomas D., January 22, 1847; Sarah, May 28, 1849 ; Joseph C., November 14, 1851; James R., June 21, 1854, and Edward S., January 6, 1858. Four of his sons were in the late war. John, late postmaster in Hamilton, was a captain ; William was in Texas, and was impressed into the Confederate service ; Samuel entered the service, but was soon discharged on account of being blind in one eye; and George H. went out on the last call and remained till the close of the war. Mr. McKee is a farmer. His wife is the daughter of George Stipp and Sidney Miles.

Adam Plannett was born in New York City, June 2, 1838. He is the son of Adam and Charlotte L. Plannett, and settled in this county in 1873. Previous to this he had been in almost every State and Territory in the United States, following different occupations. In 1863 and 1864 he was probate judge of Benton County, Oregon. His wife, Christiana M. Grau, was born in Germany, February 3, 1846. Her parents are Frederick and Dorretta Graft. She was married in Hamilton, September 6, 1875, and to their union one child has been granted-Charlotte L., born August 15, 1877. Mr. Plannett is now a tanner and currier.

Joseph Poppel was born in Germany, November 12, 1830. His parents were John Poppel and Theresa Touler. He came to this country in 1859, having previously married, on the 12th of March, 1855, Magdalena Plumb, daughter of Matthew Plumb. She was born in Germany, December 26, 1829. The fruits of this union have been as follows: Charles was born March 12, 1856; Mary, November 23, 1857; Agnes, May 5, 1860 ; Joseph, April 26, 1862 ; Anna C., June 8, 1865 ; John, September 13, 1867 ; Frank, April 28, 1869, and William, September 29, 1875. Mr. Poppel is a farmer and fruit raiser, having on the place he now owns about eighteen acres of fine fruit trees of different varieties, all in good bearing order. He is also a stonemason. His daughter married John Weise, April 13, 1881.

Henry C. Riley, son of James Riley and Nancy Yercus, was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, October 10, 1802. His parents came to this county in 1809, and he in 1833. He was married December 27, 1827, in Ross Township, to Mary Timberman, daughter of George Timberman and Anna Stephenson. She was born in Tennessee, October 11, 1812, and after being a faithful wife for forty-five years, died September 25, 1872. She bore him fourteen children, Nancy, William, George W., James M., Mary Jane, Thomas Jefferson, Rebecca Ann, David T., Eliza E., Sarah C., Annie T., Susan L., Martha C., and Margaret A. Seven are living and seven are dead. The latter are Nancy, William, George W., James M., Mary Jane, Martha C., and Margaret A. Rebecca Ann married Joseph Straub, Sarah C. married Samuel B. Garver, and David T. married Mary Morris. He has living fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He has always been a farmer, and has several times been supervisor. His brother Joshua was in the War of 1812.

James Smith, once sheriff of Hamilton County, lived for a great portion of his life in St. Clair Township. He was born December 22, 1763, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to .the West in the year 1792, in conjunction with General James Findlay, with whom he formed a partnership after his arrival, which

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lasted more than ten years, under the firm name of Smith St Findlay. Their store was near the foot of Broadway, on Front Street. A short time after his arrival he was appointed sheriff of the county, and on the formation of the State of Ohio, he was elected to that office by the people, being the first one thus honored. So long did he hold the shrievalty that he was commonly known as " Sheriff Smith." During a portion of this time he was collector of the revenue of the government of the United States for the Northwestern Territory and of the taxes for the county. Few men in the Northwest had more influence in the affairs of the community than he, and none exercised it more wisely. He acted for a time as the private secretary of General St. Clair, who was governor of the Territory, and enjoyed his confidence and esteem.. He was captain of the first light infantry company raised in Cincinnati, and when the second war with Great Britain broke out, went to the front as paymaster of the First Regiment, third detachment of the Ohio Militia, and was in Fort Meigs when it was besieged by the British and Indians during that war. About the year 1805 he came to Butler County, settling on the place in Section 21, St. Clair Township, at the mouth of Four-Mile Creek. Here he remained until his death, which occurred in 1834. He was a man of much capacity, benevolence, and public spirit, and gave his children the advantage of good educations. His widow and they (except two of the younger ones, who died in infancy) survived him. The late Charles K. Smith and John C. Smith, a public man of Wayne Township, were his sons, and James Smith, who married a sister of Almon Davis, of this county. They are now all dead.

William Sipp, son of William Henry Sipp and Appalonia Brown, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1818, and settled in this county in July, 1840. His mother followed him to this country in 1846, dying the same year. His father died' in 1842. In March, 1845, he was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, to Catherina Bahn, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Bahn, her birth occurring in Germany, August 15, 1822. The parents never came to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Sipp have had ten children. Louisa was born December 29, 1845 ; Wilhelmina, February 12, 1848 ; Adam, January 2, 1849 ; William, January 14, 1850; John, February 14, 1852 ; Elizabeth M., June 9, 1853; Christian, September 9, 1855; Jacob, September 5, 1857; Valentine, October 12, 1860 ; and Jacob, November 24, 1862. Louisa, Adam, Elizabeth M., and Jacob are dead. Mr. Sipp has been supervisor of St. Clair Township for three years. His occupation is that of a farmer.

David Chamberlain Scott was born in Milford Township, Butler County, August 3, 1848, being the son of John Scott, who was also born in Milford Township, and Jane C. Gaston, who was born in Hamilton County. He married on the 14th of January, 1874, Agnes Mary McKee, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, September 15, 1849. She is the daughter of Samuel McKee and Margaret Ann Marshall. They came to live in this county in 1854, and the father is now dead. They have one child, Harry McKee, born April 22, 1877. John Scott was born in this county in 1810, and still resides on the same farm on which he was born. David C. Scott has always lived in this county, wit* the exception of about one year he spent in Danville, Vermillion County, Indiana. He had one brother, Alexander J., in the army for three months. David C. Scott also enlisted, but was discharged, on account of his age.

John P. Troutman was born in St. Clair Township, October 30, 1851. He is the son of John Troutman and Margaret Petry. They came to this county in 1819. The father died in 1856, but the mother is still living. On the 14th of September, 1871, he was married, in Hanover Township, to Mary L. Engel, daughter of George Engel and Appolonia Gaze, who are still living in Lemon Township. Mrs. Troutman was born in Auburn, Butler County, August 20, 1854. She has two children. Anna Emma Louise was born December 19, 1873, and John Jacob, June 5, 1876. Mr. Troutman has been supervisor two terms, constable one term, and is now school director, as well as supervisor. His grandfather, Peter Troutman, was in the War of 1812. John Troutman is a farmer, and has been through life. At present he makes a specialty of raising fine blooded stock. He has some of the finest Poland China hogs in America. Durbin Ward, one of these, weighs three hundred and fifty pounds, at eleven months old, and Forest Ranger, one year old, exceeds him in weight. He has full- blooded sows to match them. He makes a specialty of raising fine horses for roadsters-George, St. Clair, and Melbrina Whip.

Jeremiah Warwick, farmer, was born August 6, 1811, in St. Clair Township, being the fourth child of J. W. and Genesee S. Warwick, the entire family consisting of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. He was brought up at the place of his birth, receiving but a limited education, and early became accustomed to labor upon his father's farm. In the year 1805 his father (whose name was also Jeremiah) and Wilkins Warwick patented one hundred and sixty-four acres of land on Section 17 of St. Clair Township. The brothers joined forces, uniting their money in one sum for the purpose of making the purchase, and afterwards dividing the land in proportion to the money which each had advanced. Wilkins received one hundred acres, and Jeremiah sixty-four. On these tracts of land the old-fashioned cabins were erected, the floor at first being the naked ground, and afterwards split logs. The land was entirely covered with timber, chiefly white oak, blue ash, sugar maple, and other deciduous trees, and there was a large growth of underbrush.

In those days there were no facilities for education. There were no public schools, and private schools were

560 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

not numerous. The pioneer children were behind every those of the towns. J,eremiah Warwick, the younger, attended a school kept by Jonas Ball, who taught in the Winters. He was unable to go more than two or three weeks each season, until he had reached the age of fifteen. Nevertheless, he learned to read, write, and go forward in Pike's Arithmetic as far as the single rule of three. After leaving school he, by his own exertions, learned how to keep books, and from time to time added to his literary information, but his principal occupation in his youth was in assisting his father in clearing the farm.

When he was about nine years old a somewhat noted teacher of vocal music, John Hall, came into the neighborhood and introduced the patent note system. He organized schools in various localities by subscription, charging each scholar fifty cents for thirteen afternoons or evenings. There was then no definite length of lesson known to music masters. He traveled from school to school as a sort of musical circuit rider, and was thus engaged every day, the schools being conducted in the dwellings. One was held in the cabin of Jeremiah Warwick, Sen., and the subject of this sketch was accustomed to stand on the outside of the house as a listener. He soon became infatuated with music, and developed in this line much talent. At the age of eighteen he began singing in public, and afterwards followed teaching for some time as a profession. The book then used was called the "Masonic Harmony," which subsequently was supplanted by the " Union Harmony." He obtained his musical education without any assistance, pursuing his studies in the evening and during leisure hours. While engaged in giving instruction he had usually six schools, one for each evening during the week. His compensation was thirty dollars per term of thirteen evenings. He also sung from a work called Mason's " Harp," and a book composed and published by a noted preacher by the name of Rineheart. His earliest recollections of music teachers are of John Hall and William Kirkwood. He recollects many of the early settlers of the county, those who made the first beginnings in the county.

He was married at the age of twenty-seven, on the 27th of September, 1838, to Miss Lydia Smith, the daughter of Daniel Smith, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1818. About the date of his marriage he purchased a farm in Section 8 of St. Clair Township, on which he has since resided. He became a member of the United Brethren Church in 1852. He has led a life remarkable for sobriety, honesty, and integrity of purpose, and is now reaping the reward of his industry.

Genesee Warwick, one of the pioneer mothers of Butler County, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, on the first day of November, A. D. 1783. Her father was Allen Short, and her mother was Rachel Messick, both of whom were highly respectable citizens of Sussex County. Allen Short was born in England, from which country his father emigrated while he was yet a child. The Messick family was one of the oldest in Delaware. The parents of Genesee -were the owners of a farm of about three hundred acres in Sussex County, upon which they lived. There was a large settlement of the Short family in Sussex County, consisting of the brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts of Allen Short. Mr. Allen Short, after his marriage, lived near his father's residence until Genesee was about three years of age. When at the age of thirty years he died, leaving his wife and five daughters, the youngest being Genesee. Mrs. Short, who was a woman of wonderful energy and industry, carried on the farm for three years, assisted by her daughters, whom she taught to knit and spin when but six years of age. Mrs. Short then married Mr. Joseph Brooks, by whom she had one son, Finley Brooks, the father of Rev. Joseph Brooks, who, a short time before his death, in 1875, was elected governor of Arkansas, but in the contest with Baxter, his opponent, as to who should be inaugurated, was forced to relinquish his office to prevent civil war.

In the Fall of 1790, when Genesee was but seven years of age, Mr. Brooks with his family removed from Delaware to the State of Kentucky. At that time there was great excitement in Delaware over the new-found homes in the West. Mr. Allen Short's brothers, Eli, Jacob, Topham, and Obadiah all previously emigrated to Kentucky, while Thomas and Adam and several sisters remained in Delaware. The journey of Mr. Brooks and family, among them Genesee, from Delaware to Kentucky is strange to those used to modern methods of travel. They started with all their household goods and themselves in one wagon drawn by two horses. After traveling a day or two, one of the horses gave out, and it and the wagon were sold, and the remaining horse was loaded with such articles as they could get on it, while Mr. Brooks and his family walked, each carrying some article. Mr. Brooks carried his ax and gun, the two great instruments that were so essential to pioneer existence, while Mrs. Brooks bore the rim of her spinning-wheel.

Thus the family traveled many hundred miles across the State of Pennsylvania, and arrived at Pittsburg, where they embarked upon a flat-boat and floated down the Ohio River to Limestone, Kentucky, now the city of Maysville. Leaving his family at Limestone, Mr. Brooks walked sixty miles through the woods alone into the interior of Kentucky, to Eli Short's, got a wagon and came after his family and effects. After staying three or four weeks at Mr. Short's, he went to Scott County and settled within four miles of Georgetown, clearing land and farming it. After six years he removed to Fayette County, near Lexington. He lived here a few years and then resolved to go to Ohio, having heard of the fine lands in the Miami Valley. Accordingly, in the year 1804, Mr. Brooks came to Ohio, settling on the

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south bank of Four-Mile Creek, purchasing and clearing a part of the farm now owned by Jeremiah Warwick. On this track Mr. Brooks built a hewed log-cabin, the first house built in that locality, and for many years thought to be wonderfully fine. Here Mr. Brooks lived for many years, being familiarly known as " Granddaddy Brooks," and died honored and respected by all who knew him.

Genesee did not come with her father to Ohio, but remained with her sister Sallie in Kentucky, and met and married, in Woodford County, Jeremiah Warwick, who had previously emigrated from Maryland. The father of Jeremiah Warwick was William Warwick, who came from England in colonial times, and was a descendant of that family in Europe. William had a brother named Arthur, whose two sons were killed in the war of the Revolution, on the side of the Americans.

William Warwick, the progenitor of the Warwick family in America, was the father of five sons-William, Jr., Wilson, Wilkins, Wagemon, and Jeremiah—and five daughters—Elizabeth, Mary, Sallie, Ann, and Drusie. William resided in Maryland until his death, the date of which is not known. His son William married in Maryland and removed to Genesee County, New York, after which all knowledge of his family is wanting. Wagemon was highly educated, became a teacher, was noted for his excellent qualities, but died while a young man. Wilson was also married in Maryland, removed to Scott County, Kentucky, and afterward to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in boat builing. He also sailed upon the Ohio River. His death was in Cincinnati. His two sons, Louis and William, afterward removed to Patriot, Indiana, where some of that branch of the family yet reside.

Wilkins and Jeremiah were married in Kentucky— Wilkins marrying Sallie Short, and Jeremiah her sister, Genesee, the subject of this sketch. These young men and their wives immigrated to Ohio in the year 1806, arriving at Hamilton on the day before Christmas of that year. They were obliged to stay over night in Hamilton, and to put up with an open shed as their only shelter, every other room in the village being occupied. At that time there were only a few log cabins in Rossville, and no stores of any kind, while on the east side of the river there were but two stores, Blair's and Sutherland's. They. crossed the Miami River on a flat-boat moved by oars, swimming their horses after them. The Warwick brothers purchased adjoining farms, and at once set about clearing the land, which was covered with heavy timber. In all the trials and hardships incident to life in the then unsettled West, Genesee was an active partaker with her husband, and among the women of her times was one of the most remarkable in the county.

Genesee was the mother of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. The sons were named Josiah, Greenup, Jeremiah, Tinley, William, Allen, Isaac, John, and James. The daughters were Cynthia, who married Mark M. Boatman ; Rachel, who married David Overpeck ; and Martha Ann, who died while a young lady. The Boatman and Overpeck families, thus originated, are well known in Butler County. The oldest son, Josiah, married Clarissa Woods, and after a number of years' residence in Butler County removed to Warren County, Ohio, where they and their children and grandchildren now reside. Greenup married Delilah Stevens, and raised a family of six children. He and his wife are both dead.

Tinley is married and living in Butler County. William was married to Nancy Longfellow, and with their family they are living in Wisconsin. Allen married Miss Sallie Smith, of this county, and he and his family are now living in Iowa. Isaac married Harriet Buckingham, of Hamilton County, Ohio, and with his family is living in Southern Illinois. John was married to Margaret Cornthwait, a daughter of Edward Cornthwait, who lived near Trenton at that time. John, in company with his brother James, who was unmarried, in the excitement of 1848 over gold discoveries in California, went to that State by the overland route. After moderate success in mining, they returned by way of the Isthmus, contracting on their way the Asiatic cholera, and both died shortly after their return, together with their father and Martha Ann, who also died with that malady. Martha Ann had just previous to her death graduated from the seminary at College Hill, and was noted for her beauty and musical accomplishments.

Genesee always felt a great interest in all her children, even when in advanced age. After the death of her husband, which occurred in 1851, Genesee made her home with her children in Butler County, chiefly with her daughter Rachel and her son Jeremiah, at whose home Genesee died of old age, on the 16th of August, A. D. 1881, aged ninety-seven years, nine months, and sixteen days. Genesee was for many years previous to her death the oldest woman in Butler County, and up until her death retained entire possession of all her senses and faculties. Her remains rest in Greenwood Cemetery, at Hamilton. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for upward of seventy years, and was a firm believer in that faith and the promises of the Bible.

Edward Wilcox, now deceased, son of Edward and Lydia Wilcox, was born in England about the beginning of the century. He settled in this county about 1818, and was married July 19, 1827, in Ross Township, to Margaret Evans, born in Pennsylvania, February 27, 1804. Her father was William Evans, and mother Martha Ellison, who came to this country in 1812. Mr. and

Mrs. Wilcox had eight children. Lydia was born September 11, 1828 ; Martha, June 23, 1831 ; Anna, October 26, 1833 ; Nancy, June 16, 1836 ; Rebecca, August 29, 1838 ; Edward, July 17, 1842; and John,

562 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

December 30, 1847. Lydia died September 15, 1828 ; Martha, August 10, 1831; and Rebecca, September 11, 1845. Anna was married to Henry L. Hitchcock, October 7, 1852 ; and Nancy, to James R. Foster, April 18, 1860. Mrs. Wilcox had two uncles in the War of 1812, James ,Evans and Stephen Cumming. Stephen Evans, her brother, was in the war with Mexico, and her son-in-law, Henry L. Hitchcock, was in the hundred days' service in the last war. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox moved on the farm now occupied by the family, August 7, 1830. All the children were born here, except the first, .who was born at Millville. The two sons carry on the farm. Anna has eight children : Maria R., Caroline E., Margaret E., Samuel E., Eva J., Kalista M., Edgar B., and Cora P. One died, named John Edward. Mrs. Foster's children are given elsewhere. Mrs. Wilcox has five great-grandchildren. Her husband died December 1, 1847.

Peter Weber was born in Germany, July 19, 1842, coming to this county in 1856, with his parents, Valentine Weber and Sophia Rausch. Both are now living in Hamilton. He was married in Hamilton on the 16th of April, 1862, to Catherine Werner, daughter of Abraham and Catherine Werner, both of whom are now dead. Mrs. Weber was born in St. Clair Township, April 11, 1843, dying at the age of thirty-six, in August, 1879. They had eight children. Peter was born June 15, 1862 ; Jacob, August 1, 1864 ; Elizabeth, October 1, 1866; Catherine, September 20, 1868; Mary, April 5, 1871; Sophia, April 13, 1874; Lewis, May 3, 1876, and Henry, November 1, 1878. Mr. Weber is a farmer. He served one term as supervisor.

John Washington Wilson, deceased, was born in Butler County, July 4, 1820. His parents were Thomas and Isabel Wilson. Mrs. Wilson's maiden name was Smith ; she died April 15, 1856, aged fifty-seven years, two months, and twenty-seven days. He was married November 9, 1849, at Hamilton, to Miss Rebecca Saunders. She was the daughter of Isaac T. Saunders, an old and well-known citizen, and Rebecca Page. The latter died November 2, 1871, aged seventy-three years. The father is also dead.

Mr. Wilson was an attorney and counselor-at-law, and was prosecuting attorney for the county at the time of his death. He was in the late war in several regiments, coming home with the rank of captain. He was among the first who enlisted in Butler County. Mr. Thomas Wilson, his father, was born in England, September 18, 1793, and came to this county in 1797. His oldest child was John W. Wilson, who early entered upon the study of law, and after being admitted to the bar, devoted his time almost entirely to it, with the exception of about ten years, when he paid his attention to farming and contracting. There is a fine quarry of blue limestone on the place, and he dealt very heavily in lime and stone. He furnished all of these materials for the railroad bridge and also the free bridge, and for nearly all the churches and public buildings of the town, together with many private dwellings. Mr. Wilson was engaged in the prosecution of the celebrated McGehean case, and he paid so much attention to it, working night and day, that it finally brought him down.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had nine children. George was born April 25, 1849 ; Edward and John, September 30, 1850; Isaac T., January 26, 1853; Thomas, July 31, 1854; Benjamin F., July 4, 1857; Rebecca S., July 14, 1859 ; Jonathan J., June 30, 1860, and Clara, May 24, 1865. Isaac T. died September 17, 1853, and Rebecca S., August 14, 1859. The oldest son, George, now carries on the farm, and makes a specialty of raising peaches and small fruit. He is also a school director, and has been for about seven years.