611 - WAYNE

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WAYNE.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP is a rich, fertile portion of the county, from rolling to hilly, well watered, and the farms are in a highly cultivated condition. The stream of Seven-Mile cuts off the south-east corner of the township, Elk Creek the north-eastern corner, and also draining the northern portion, running near its northern boundary- line. Ten-Mile and Nine-Mile are in the western section. This leaves the interior as a water-shed, and some portions very high. Phares's Hill and some others are points from which delightful views can be taken.

Matthew Winton came very early, and settled near Seven-Mile. He built a one-story stone house where the depot is now, and so pitched his foundation that one could escape from St. Clair to Wayne Township by simply going through the house. It was built just on the line. He was an eccentric Irishman, and held the office of chief magistrate for his township for a number of years. Among other possessions of his was a " corn-cracker," just south of where the town is now. It was then the first and only mill of that vicinity, and answered the purpose of a grist-mill, but instead of grinding it simply cracked the grain. The citizens from the Withrow settlements, tired of making the circuitous route by his house to get to the mill, cut a road through. It was shorter and better, but nevertheless displeased the Hibernian, who felled the trees across the highway to prevent people from passing. The citizens would assemble at night and remove them, and the same thing was repeated the next night, but as often were the trees and logs removed.

Among the early settlers was James Withrow, from Nelson County, Kentucky. He came to the wilderness as early as 1800, and settled on Section 33. His wife was a Mrs. Robins, and he had five children,—Samuel, John, James, Nettie, and Susie; all are now dead. He built for himself a hewed-log house, which was then considered more than ordinarily fine. He was a lover of stock, and raised horses and cattle in large numbers. He would sometimes have thirty or forty horses and a large herd of cows. Samuel, his son, lived to be eighty-four years old. John Withrow, his brother, followed James in November of that same year. His wife was Miss Ann Pottenger. It is a large family now and a very prominent one. His children were James, Samuel P. (then two-and-a-half years old, and still living), John, Robert, James, and Dennis. He settled on Section 34, where James Withrow now lives. The Withrows were originally from the Carolinas, and went to Kentucky, partly in love of adventure, it being in the days of Daniel Boone, when all was wild and the country full of Indians.

Captain Samuel Pottenger came from Maryland to Kentucky, where he built a " fort" on Pottenger Creek, in Nelson County, six miles from Bardstown. It was here that tge Withrows and Pottengers met. Mrs. Ann Withrow, whose maiden name was Pottenger, had three brothers— Dennis, John, and Robert—who came two years afterwards to Ohio, but subsequently settled in Preble County. There are now many of this family in Wayne Township. Robert Gilke and family, the Paddocks, the Buchanans, the Cornthwaites, were also early settlers. Edward Cornthwaite settled near Seven-Mile, and built a mill just below the town. His frame house still stands. The mill and house were in St. Clair Township.

The township was organized in 1805, and was taken from St. Clair. The population of the township in 1820 was 1,552; in 1830, was 1,513, and in 1840 was 1,562. The early settlers of the township were the Andrews, Brelsfords, Bairds, Burnses, Brookses; Corneliuses, Craigs, Conarroes, Carters, Duffields, Daifises, Foxes, Forts, Greens, Grafts, Hutchinses, Hawkinses, Joneses, Kelleys, Kirkpatricks, Mattixes, Phares, Pottengers, Pages, Robbinses, Rheas, Stubbses, Smiths, Squiers, Wilsons, Weavers, Withrows, and others.

The following have been the justices of the peace :

612 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Charles Swearingen, Nathan Stubbs, 1806 ; the same, 1809 ; Charles Swearingen, Samuel Hunt, 1812 ; Charles Swearingen, Nathan Stubbs, 1815; Charles Swearingen, Samuel Davis, 1818; Charles Swearingen, Henry Baker, 1821 ; Samuel Davis, Henry Baker, 1824 ; John K. Wilson, Samuel Davis, 1827 ; John K. Wilson, Samuel Davis, 1830 ; Anthony Burns, John K. Wilson, 1832 ; Anthony Burks, William J. Henry, 1835 ; Henry An- drews, John Weaver, 184I; James George, 1843; John L. Ritler, Amos Hursh, 1844.

The following have been the postmasters :

Jacksonburg-William Phares, June 29, 1818 ; John Crane, May 26, 1825; John K. Wilson, March 3, 1828 ; John H. Thomas, March 23, 1833 ; John Sherwood, October 15, 1851; William Miller, November 5, 1851; James M. Stokes, November W, 1854; John M., Shaeffer, October 1, 1855; Andrew J. Dine, October 29, 1855 ; Benjamin Margerim, June 16, 1858 ; John S. Higgins, May 25, 1859 ; Benjamin Margerim, December 21, 1859 ; Obed Spencer, January 7, 1861; Samuel H. Martin, October 4, 1861; William W Miller, January 31, 1862; Joseph S. Bennett, July 3, 1863; Johnson I. Phares, March 7, 1864; Simon Shaffer, January 24, 1867 ; Henry Karr, March 20, 1871 ; William W. ,Miller, April 29, 1872; John W. Wolverton, April 28, 1873 ; William B. Thomas, March 4, 1879 ; Hiram

Gudgeon, May 8, 1879. Discontinued June 29, 1881. Re-established July 19, 188I. Asa Edwards, July 19, 1881.

Seven-Mile.-John Bolyard, May 11, 1838 ; Squire L. Hittell, July 21, 1840 ; David Jacoby, April 13, 1842; George Jacoby, May 17, 1844; David Jacoby, January 28, 1846 ; Jonathan Sorber, March 27, 1848 ; Martin Kock, December 28, 1848; Frederick B. Landis, April 16, 1850; Reuben M. Wilder, August 8, 1853; Thomas Breaden, November 14, 1854; David M. Wieder, April 24, 1855; James D. Gary, June 9, 1858; William A. Lightsinger, January 11, 1870.

One railroad passes through a small portion of the township, the Cincinnati, Richmond, and Chicago ; and there are two villages, Jacksonburg and Seven-Mile, the latter lying also partly in St. Clair. The township is named after General Wayne, who marched up to the north in 1794, through its western portion, traversing Sections 32, 29, 19, 17, I8, 7, and 6, then entering Preble County.

JACKSONBURG.

Jacksonburg is The oldest town in the township. It lies near the highest ground in the township, and was once the most important town for miles on that side of the Miami in the county. Prior to the building of the bridge at Middletown, it enjoyed the trade of a large section of country. It was on the main thoroughfare from Cincinnati to Darke and Preble Counties, and had at one time two hotels, four stores, a pork-packing house, four tailors, and other industries to match.

Benjamin Vancleve, the brother-in-law of John Baird, John Craig, and Henry Weaver, came early and purchased the land in and about Jacksonburg. He settled where Mr. Bruenbeaher now lives. He bought for the proprietors of the town, Craig, Weaver and Baird, who laid the village out, February 19, 1816. John Baird took fifty acres, running up to the • south-east corner of the square, on which corner he built the tavern which he conducted for full thirty years thereafter, and which made for him a fortune. The tavern is now owned by H. Haitzman, who came in possession of the property some eighteen years ago. He has considerably increased the size, and made some improvements in the property. Baird built the present bar-room portion of logs, and it has since been weather-boarded. Dr. Miller built the west end projection. John Baird kept the first hotel and his brother-in-law, David Runyan, kept the second,

Henry Weaves took the land, one hundred and twenty acres, on the south-east of the public square, and built the house now occupied by W. F. Shearard. John Craig took the land on the north side of the town, one hundred and sixty acres. The second house built in Jacksonburg was on the north-east corner, being now owned by William Miller. William W. Phares kept the first store in the town, in this house. He came to Butler County in 1805, and clerked a while for John Sutherland, of Hamilton. He became an honorary member of the Miami Commandery, at Lebanon, No. 22. He died January 16, 1875. Following Phares in the store were John Crane, Hiram Potter, William Emery, James Gary, and Jacob Rush. Mr. Miller bought this property in 1879. It was the first frame building in the town. The house that Mr. Weaver built on the south-east corner of the square was kept, first by Henry Earhart and his partner Captain John Crane, then by Snyder & Wells, and then by John H. Thomas: The building is still standing, but is used as a billiard-saloon.

The house on the north-west corner of the square was built still later, by George W. Rodgers, who came to the town with some money, but failed. The house was built of brick, in 1832, and in 1833 was used for a hotel by Runnells, and afterward by William Shaffer. It is now owned by the son of the latter, the lower part being kept as a store. George Bankers, a German, kept hotel here when Martin Van Buren was President, in 1836. William Shaffer kept hotel after this, nine years. Matthias Miller moved near the village in 1840. Henry S. Ear- hart, now living in Hamilton, was in business here nearly sixty years ago. He came with a stock of goods, furnished by John L. C. Schenck, from Warren County. Here he did a flourishing business for four years, then removing to Hamilton.

In 1824 the town was probably in the most thriving period of its existence. At that time, Mr. John Thomas, Potter & Phares, David Patton, and Isaac Souther were keeping store, Hiram Potter was packing pork, and

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there were also three tailors in the town. These and other enterprises were carried on, and in all a good business was done. The travel at that time was also good. The four and six-horse teams, with their tinkling bells and old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagons, would fill the town at bight. The old Baird tavern could not accommodate the crowd unless they used the floor. The stables did not pretend to furnish the teams with stalls, and the teamsters tred their horses to their wagons. Those who remember those times state that frequently there were as many as fifty teams at a time putting up for the night in the town. As soon as the canals and railroads were built, of course this mode of traveling was abandoned.

Dr. J. B. Owsley is a practicing physician, having an experience of some eighteen years in this locality. J. H. Yager is a wagon-maker, as is also Mr. Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer's son deals in groceries. The council consists of slx members : Benjamin Margerim, Isaac Peterman, James M. Shaffer, Samuel Miller, George W. Speer, and W. B. Thomas. There has Always been some manufacturing done in Jacksonburg. Charles Wells kept the first blacksmith's shop, and remained in the business probably thirty years. Mr. Benjamin Margerim owns the lot on ,which the shop stands. Thomas Hartley had the next shop. This was on the place where William Shaffer & Sons carry on wagon-making. These latter men have been in the business for a number of years, and have much to do.

John H. Yager -bought his lot and built his shops- blacksmith, paint, and wood shops—in 1870. He manufactures wagons, buggies, his patent harrow, and rollers, and does custom work. He is also agent for the " Champion" harvester. His patent adjustable harrow is coming into general use, and also his patent section rollers.

The Union Church of Jacksonhurg was built by John Thomas and James Craig, in 1843. It was Methodist in point of doctrine with the builders, but free to other denominations. These noble men received some aid from outsiders, but the burden of the debt rested upon themselves. It is a building thirty-five by forty feet, which cost about fifteen hundred dollars. In 1865 Jacob Emrick and his followers purchased the Craig interest, and in 1876 the United Brethren (virtually the only congregation that now assembles there) purchased the Thomas interest. The first pastor of the new Church was Frank Kumler, who is still the minister to this flock of about sixty souls. Gilbert Cox, Joseph Kumler, and Henry J. Knmler are, and have been, the trustees of the Church. Gilbert Cox is superintendent of a large Sabbath-school of this Church.

The Presbyterian Church of Jacksonburg was established in 1872. Theodore Marston and James M. Stokes were elders. The deacons were Martin Beaver and Samuel Kepler. There were but sixteen members of the new Church, but accessions have since been made to the

number of fifty in all. The pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Swiggett, Kendall, and Caleb E. Jones. The building was erected during the Summer of 1879, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and was dedicated in March, 1880, the Rev. Mr. Cooper, of Cincinnati, preaching the sermon. The present elders are James Stokes, H. H. Long, Calvin Hunter, and W. W. Miller. The deacons are Eli Marks and Francis Cornthwait. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has a good Sabbath-school.

Shiloh Church was built very early. It was at first a log structure, and later was changed into a schoolhouse as well, with services occasionally. The Shiloh Church is near the famous camping-grounds of the noted Killbuck, the Indian chief, who kept his clan at the "-mouth of the stream which empties into Elk Creek here. At the burial grounds of this place, Dame Rumor states, the Indians once surprised a party while interring one of their number, and scalped one or two. Killbuck was about half-civilized, and when his warriors left refused to go with them. He afterward went to Indiana.

The grave-yards of this township are numerous; there being as yet no township cemetery. Among those whose names should be perpetuated in remembrance, and whose inscriptions are fast becoming obliterated in consequence of many years of exposure to the weather, are:

John Thomas, who died April 4, 1856; aged 56. Eleanor, his wife, died March 24, 1873, aged 75. Gilbert Cox, died November 22, --; aged 85. Anna Cox, died October 28, 1862 ; aged 76. James Craig, died March 31, 1872 ; aged 71. John Craig, died December 4, 1840; aged 78. Craig was a Revolutionary soldier. James Todd, one of the first blacksmiths in Jacksonburg, died February 27, 1850 ; aged 61. John Baird, died September 3, 1855 ; aged 69. Nancy Baird, died December 3, 1862; aged 74. Samuel Stokes, died October 11, 1860 ; aged 66.

The foregoing were buried at the old yard of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Jacksonburg.

In the Shiloh burying-ground are:

George Kelley, died March 25, 1830; aged 61. Elizabeth Kelley, died October 16, 1850 ; aged 49. Isaac Allen, died August 1, 1849i aged 85. Elizabeth Allen, died December 4, 1848; aged 77. Isaao Wolverton, died February 25, 1859; aged 71. Catherine Wolverton, died August 30, 1849i aged 56. Joseph Kelley, died July 9, 1857 ; aged 88. Elizabeth, his wife, died July 9, 1857 ; aged 75. John Leslie, died May 5, 1855 ; aged 81. Rumor says that the last was the first white man married in Cincinnati.

The old Brelsford grave-yard contains :

John Brelsford, died October 13, 1833; aged 42. Pierson Brelsford, died October 5, 1848; aged 65. William Hutchnns, died March 18, 1822 ; aged 63. Catherine Hutchins, died August 2, 1823 i aged 77. Chloe Bates, a young lady, who committed suicnde, died February 17, 1833; aged 15.

Rickus Huffman had one of the first still-houses in the township. He was required to go to Cincinnati on foot for his yeast, which he usually brought in a jug.

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On one of these trips home he was crossing the last hill, just in sight of his home, when, by accident, the jug fell and was broken. He, nothing daunted, turned, on his heel once more, reached Cincinnati, and then returned to his own home, performing the whole journey and making the two trips in an incredibly short space of time. It is probably safe to say, from what old citizens state, that Wayne Township had at least one still-house for every section of land in the township.

SEVEN-MILE.

Samuel Brand, original proprietor of Seven-Mile, cantle early to Wayne Township and bought five hundred acres of land Where Seven-Mile town is now: His children were Samuel, George, Michael, and Mrs. John R. Ritter and Mrs. Susan Watkins. He built a mill near the present depot, and also a distillery, which he ran himself until 1835, when a division of the property was made among the children, Mrs. Ritter falling heir to the'mill. This property was successfully kept up until 1855 by Mr. Ritter, when it went down. Mr. John Walter bought forty acres of this land in 1838, upon which the town of Seven-Mile was laid out.

John Cornthwait also built a saw-mill and grist-mill half a mile south of town in a very early day, perhaps 1820. Franklin, his son, came into possession of the property. His brothers John and Edward each received farms. Franklin sold this mill to Kenry Karns, who carried on the business extensively. He sold it out in 1849, to John K. Flickinger, who still owns it.

The town of Seven-Mile was not laid out until in the year 1841. At that time John Walter laid out Walnut and High Streets, and one twelve-foot alley. The first lot was sold to F. B. Landis in 1847. Half an acre was given to the United Brethren Society in 1844; and after 1851, additions were laid out by F. B. Landis, Surber, Bobbenmeyer & Surber, and Weider.

In the Spring of 1838 there were but two houses in Seven-Mile. They were the frame part of the old store tavern, part of which is now still standing, and is used as an •ice-house, and a blacksmith's shop that 'stood just opposite.

John Boliard at that time owned the store and shop. He bought the store of Stephen Emerick, the first merchant of the town. John Boliard was the first blacksmith in the town. He sold the tavern to Henry Jacoby, and built the present brick in 1840. Henry Jacoby came early and bought a large tract of land from the Pottengers. His son David fell heir to the hotel. It is now owned by Adam Heiland. John Walter bought the blacksmith's shop in 1838, and added to it a wagon-shop, where Jacobs's shop is now. Jacobs has owned this property since 1850, and the shop still does a good business. The property of Fred Berke was built in 1851 by Nathan Heller. Henry Jacoby, a son-in-law of Peter Helwig, it is supposed, built the old tavern sixty-five or seventy years ago. He was a cabinet-maker. A Mr. Kramer, another son-in-law, ran the new hotel awhile.

The town of Seven-Mile was incorporated in the Spring of 1875. The officers of the first organization were W. E. Kumler, mayor ; John C. Richardson, clerk ; E. Samuels, treasurer. The councilmen were David Edwards, W. F. Gransfield, John Walter, J. A. Yager, and Dr. R. E. Prior.

The liquor traffrc question has been the one principal absorbing theme of the magnates, and some considerable good has been accomplished. The present executive officers are Dr. M. H. Haynes, mayor; J. C. Richardson, clerk ; E. Samuels, treasurer.

An academy was established in 1858, and was a stock affair, William K. Walter being president ; Dr. E. C. Wooley, treasurer ; D. M. Wieder, secretary of the company. I. N. Hughes, with an assistant or two, opened up that same yew with an attendance of about sixty pupils, and for a couple of years the institution was very successful. Mr. R. B. Hanby, author of " Nellie Gray," succeeded Mr. Hughes. B. Starr had the last school in 1866, when the building was bought by the school district of Seven-Mile for $3,500. The building cost $7,000, and the four acres of ground bought of Jacob Speer cost $600. The house contains four rooms, and is two stories high.

The Presbyterians of Seven-Mile organized their society in 1878. There were then about fifty members of this Church in the town and vicinity. Burns Wilson, Dr. R. E. Prior, David Scott, John Smith, Wilson B. Smith, and Samuel Flickinger were the principal men who secured the organization. The church building was not erected until in 1881. They worshiped prior to this time in the German Reformed church. It is a handsome structure, thirty-six by fifty-six feet, two stories high, having a basement of three rooms. The Church service is now held in this part. The first supply to the pulpit was the Rev. Mr. Kendall. Following him were Mr. Swiggett and C. E. Jones. It is now vacated. The elders of the Church are Burns Wilson, Dr. Prior, J. D. Smith, David Scott, John Williamson, and Samuel Flickinger.

The United Brethren Church was built in 1844. Jacob and Samuel Flickinger and John Price were the trustees. The building was of brick, one story, thirty by forty-five, and cost about $1,500. The first pastors were the Rev. Theophilus Rork and his assistant. It was then a circuit. The membership of the Church at that time consisted of the Flickingers, Prices, Flenards, Adamses, Breubargers, and Fellers. In 1847 an extensive revival took place, when the Walters, Shaffers, and Lucases and others joined. The old church was taken down and a new one erected in 1859. It was dedicated January 1, 1860, by Bishop Edwards. It is thirty-seven b7 sixty feet, one story high and twenty-two feet in the clear, and cost $5,000. The Rev. William Lanthern was

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the first pastor, and served two years. The Rev. John Walters preached from 1865 to 1870, and the Rev. John Kilbourn is the present pastor. The membership is thirty.

Dr. Joseph, Hippart was the first physician that settled in He came here in 1848, and died of the cholera in 1849. He was a brother of Dr. James Hippart, of Richmond, Indiana. He was a young man of the regular school of practice. Following Hippart came Haldeman, Berchard, John Irwin, E. C. Wooley; D. H. Kumler, William Davies, Haynes, and Prior. Dr. Kumler practiced here a number of years. He died in December, 1881. Dr. Davis was a United Brethren preacher also. He went to Iowa and became president of a college, dying in 1880. Dr. N. E. Broombaugh, an eclectic physician, came in 1861. He went as lieutenant in the Eighty-second Regiment, and was here after the war. Dr. Prior, a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, came in 1875. Dr. Haynes came in 1859, and is here yet. He graduated in the Ohio Medical College, and also in the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The turnpike running through Seven-Mile, from Eaton to Hamilton, was built in 1833 and 1834. The pike was made wide enough for three teams to pass, and was sixty feet from one side of the road to the other. The building of it was unnecessarily expensive," so much so that it has always been a poor investment. The first officers were John Woods, president, and David Barnett, James Barnett, Albert Haynes, Stephen Ingersoll, and Andrew McCleary, directors. It was not an unusual sight to see forty teams stopping in Seven-Mile over night at a time, so great was the travel.

A select school was established by Prof. B. Starr in 1870. He came to Seven-Mile four years previous to this time and took charge of the academy. He is a graduate of Middletown, Connecticut, and taught in the Wesleyan Female College, Cincinnati, and Hamilton, prior to his coming to this place. His school is for boys only.

The first hotel was built by Peter Helwig, as early as 1810 or 1812. He was a son-in-law of Henry Jacoby, and was wealthy. He and Jacoby came from Pennsylvania. He also built a mill in St. Clair Township, war the line, but sold it to a man by the name of Flickinger. He was a carpenter, and sold out the hotel to his father-in-law. Henry Jacoby built the brick hotel just a few years before the pike was constructed. John Bolliard, a Pennsylvania German, kept the first store in the town. It was a small affair, and of a general character. It was established before the first hotel was built, and, after the coming of Henry Jacoby, the store was bought by him and considerably enlarged. He only remained a few years. Wilson Clarke and William Lightsinger each have good stores in the place now.

The first school was taught by William Garrison, a lame man. The school-house was half a mile east of Seven-Mile. The building stood on the farm now owned by Robert Withrow, and was one that had been lived in a few years. The first building was very early. The second building was erected in 1830, and the third house was put up in 1878.

Bethel is a church building erected about the year 1852, by both the German Reformed and Lutheran societies. Jacob Bartch, Nathan, George, and Henry Jacoby, Jr., Charles Wieder (who donated the ground), Reuben Wieder, and Jonathan Sorber, were the leaders in the movement. Each society contributed its share towards the enterprise, and both together control the Church. The building is a one-story brick, and is sixty- two by forty feet. The Rev. John Vogt was the first pastor, and remained four or five years. He was succeeded by a man who stayed but a short time. The present pastor, the Rev. Joshua Meckling, has had the pastoral care twenty-five years. The society consisted first of over a hundred members. It is now quite small.

The Cotton Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Seven-Mile in a very early day, but no house of worship save the cabins of the settlers existed previous to the year 1831, when the leading members took the matter in hand and built a church. Prominent among these few was Samuel P. Withrow. He was not then a Church-member, but with a heart in the work shouldered the chief responsibility, and through his efforts mainly the house of worship was built. He burned the brick, hired help, and did most of it himself. His father, John Withrow, donated the lot of an acre of ground, on the corner of his farm, now where James Withrow lives. Daniel Short and Reuben Kerchival were also prominent in this movement. The Rev. Joshua Holland was the first pastor. Samuel P. Withrow soon after joined the Church, and was made leader of a class immediately, which position he has held ever since that time. He has also helped to build other churches. The. Rev. Mr. Brecount is the present pastor, and the Church has a membership of seventy.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

John Brelsford was born in Wayne Township, August 9, 1822, being the son of John Brelsford and Nancy Ann Page, who came to this county in 1803. He was married on the 5th of January, 1845, to Jane Wolverton, who was born in Hamilton County, January 1, 1825, and by her had three children. John C. Brelsford was born January 19, 1853 ; Catherine Ann Brelsford was born February 7, 1856, and (lied October 17, 1857, and Elizabeth J. Phares was born January 16, 1858. Mrs. Brelsford died January 16, 1882. Mr. Brelsford was brought up on a farm, and has always followed the business. He was quarter-master of a rifle regiment for six years, while he lived in Preble County, Governor Bartlett giving him the appointment.

Pierson Brelsford, son of John, was born Jnne 24, 1831, and was married, in 1859, to Sarah Anne Anns-

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paugh, born April 3, 1840, in St. Paul, Indiana. Eight children were born to bless this union, seven of whom survive. William S. was born January 29, 1861 p James A. was born October 17, 1862; Ida L., August 13, 1864; Elmer F., October 30, 1866; Samuel L., September 3, 1868; John H., January 25, 1871; Frances M., March 21, 1873; and Clara M., May 4, 1875. Samuel L. died July 2, 1870. William S. was married July 3, 188I, to Anna Haizman, born April 20, 1860, in Hamilton. He is living at home. Mr. Pierson Brelsford owns and farms two hundred and forty-five acres, and has also managed a threshing-machine for about sixteen years. He has been township trustee for seven years, and still holds the office. He was one of the party mustered and sent to Hamilton during the Morgan raid. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Allison B. Crist was born in Franklin County, Indiana, in 1826, and was married, in 1848, to Mary Davis, who was born in the same county and State in 1824. By her he had four children. Elbert is married and lives in Illinois; Arbell is single, and lives in Preble County ; Perry is married, and lives in Wayne Township; and Mary is the wife of James Merrill, who lives in Huntington County, Indiana. Mrs. Crist died in 1852, and Mr. Crist was married, in 1855, to Annie Smart, born in Franklin County, Indiana, in 1835, by whom he had one child, Marion, who is married, and lives in Middletown. His wife died in 1858, andhe was married, in 1838, to Phoebe Maddock, who was born in Butler County in 1837. By her he has had nine children. They are John, Luella, Francis, Ellwood, Retta, Mattie, Emma, Allison, and Eva.

Mr. Crist has held the various township offices-township supervisor, school director, and clerk of the schools. He emigrated from Indiana to Ohio in 1855, settling in Wayne Township on his present farm. He was in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio, the hundred-days' service, and was first corporal of Company D. They were stationed in the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia. He owns and farms six hundred and seventy acres in Wayne Township. He and his wife are Orthodox Quakers. He has always followed farming and stock dealing, and is one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He had but about a thousand dollars when he commenced, and lost all that when he began farming in Ohio in 1855. He was then worse off than nothing, being in debt about three thousand dollars.

Hiram Gudgeon, the son of William and Nancy Gudgeon, was born in Tyler County, West Virginia, October 12, 1821. He came to this county in 1869. On the 21st of December, 1851, he was married to Christine E. McDonald, born in Canada East, October 12, 1826, and the daughter of Patrick and Bridget McDonald. The parents of both are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Gudgeon have had the following children : Charles W., Caroline E. Peterman, John F., William H., Effie C., Hiram W. S., and Thomas J. He was postmaster in Jacksonburg for two years, beginning May 8, 1879, and served until July 1, 188I. He was also mayor at the same place, beginning April 1, 1879, and served until April 1, 1881. His grandfather, and also father, served in the War of 1812. His brothers, James D. Gndgeon, William H. Gudgeon, Charles W. Gudgeon, and Franklin B. Gudgeon, were all in the war, and were all so fortunate as to come home without any serious wounds, excepting Charles W., who had his shoulder dislocated by a horse falling on him. William H. had his shonlder dislocated in the State service, at the time of the capture of John Morgan. He was also injured at the battle of Vicksburg, while he was in the gunboat service, being at that time on the Pittsburgh.

George W. Haslett is the son of John Haslett and Ann Cummins. He is a farmer. He was born the 4th of November, 1840, in this county. He was married on the 8th of November, 1864, to Catherine Cooper, daughter of John Cooper and Phenner Dill, who are now both dead. She was born on the 19th of January, 1842. They have had seven children. Ida May was born Jnly 26, 1865 ; George M., July 10, 1867 ; Charles G., November 18, 1869 ; Maggie I., October 4, 1872 ; Mary J., April 30, 1875 ; Rosa Ann, March 28, 1877 ; and John E., October 22, 1879.

Jacob Inman was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 1779, and married Rachel Harriton, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 1779. They had nine children, of whom only two survive. Jacob L., who is married, lives in Decatur County, Indiana, and Barzillai lives in Wayne. He emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Preble County, where he died in 1823. His wife survived him for many years, dying in 1863. e was a school-teacher and surveyor, and during his brief residence in Preble County was a prominent man. At the time of his settlement he purchased upwards of four hundred acres of land.

Barzillai Inman was born in 1820, in Preble County, and was married in 1843 to Rebecoa Jones, daughter of William Jones and his wife Elizabeth, who was born in 1823, in Wayne Township. They have had six children, four of whom are now living. Andrew C. Inman, born in 1844, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Elizabeth, born in 1846, died in 1849. Jacob J., born in 1849, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Mary Ann, born 1852, died in 1871. Harriet, born 1855, is the wife of Andrew Wilson, and lives in Wayne Township. William J., born in 1859, is married, and lives in St. Clair. Mr. Inman has held the office of real estate appraiser. He was drafted in the war, sending a substitute. He owns and farms five hundred and fifty acres, and his wife owns five hundred acres, part of the old homestead of the Jones family.

William Jones was the first member of the Jones family that settled in Wayne Township. He came in

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1802, at the same time with his father, Henry Jones, who settled in Curtis Township, Preble County. William Jones was born in 1774, and died in 1851. He owned at one time twenty-three hundred acres of land. His wife was Elizabeth Culbertson. She was born about 1775, and died in 1846. They were both natives of North Carolina, and were buried together in Preble County. They had eight children, five of whom, all girls, survived them. Andrew Jones, his son, was born in North Carolina, in 1799, and was a mere infant when brought to Butler County. Susan was born in 1794, dying in Indiana; Keziah, in 1797 ; Amy, widow of John Fox, 1802, lives in Preble County ; Jemima, 1805; John, 1808; Mary, 1810; Elizabeth, 1813; Sarah, 1820; and Rebecca, 1823. The last, the wife of Barzillai Inman, lives in Wayne Township.

Andrew Jones married, in 1822, Harriet Smith, who was born in this county in 1803. They had six children, three of whom survive: John C., who is married, and lives in Seven-Mile ; Andrew, living in Chi cago ; and Isabel, wife of John Ray, who lives in Arcola, Illinois. Mr. Jones died in 1833, and his wife died in 1877. John C. Jones, son of the above, was born in 1828, and is married to Susan Gregg. She was born in 1839. They have had four children. James, Anna Maud, and William live at home ; Charles is dead. Mr. Jones is a large landed proprietor, owning two hundred and twelve acres of land in Indiana and some in his own township. He does not himself farm, but devotes his attention to dealing in stock and grain, being one of the largest stock dealers in the county. He is one of the leading citizens of the township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Johns family, an important and wealthy one in this township, were originally Quakers, coming to Pennsylvania about the year 1700, under the auspices of William Penn. They engaged largely in commerce, and were extensive ship owners. The War of the Revolution, however, ruined them. James Johns, the grandfather, came to this country about 1805, settling in Warren County, where he died. Five of his children settled in Ohio : Ellis, Isaac, Thomas, John, and Ruth. Thomas Johns was the first member of this family that came out. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 1776, and died in 1864, in Union Township. About the year 1801 he married Elizabeth Barnes, who was born about 1783, near Hagerstown, Maryland, and died in 1834 in Union Township. They had eleven children, of whom six are still living. Hannah, widow of Thomas Cox, who lives in Warren County ; Jemima, wife of James Steele, now living in Darke County; Uriah, now living in Miami County; Nancy, wife of John Dawson, living in Clarke County, Missouri; John, in Wayne Township, and Thomas B., who is married, and lives in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Mr. Johns first came to Ohio in 1800, buying land in Union Township, and in 1802 moved his family and settled there. He was drafted during the War of 1812, but owing to the sickness of his wife, he sent a substitute. He was a farmer, but did a good deal of carpenter work, building houses, barns, etc. John Johns was born in 18I5, and married in 1837 Mary Hess, born in 1821. in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They have had eleven children, of whom nine are still living. Franklin is married, and lives in Illinois; SusanIis at home; Daniel i is dead ; Theodore is married, and lives in Kansas ; John and William are married, and live in Butler County ; Alvadore lives in Terre Haute ; Alpheus and Horace are married, and live in Bntler County ; Mary lives at home, and Ada is dead.

Mr. Johns has been a school director for more than twenty years. For over two years he owned a general store at Miltonville, which did a business of from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars per year. Ill health, however, interfered with his continuance in this business, and he abandoned it and took up farming. He now owns about seven hundred acres of land in the county, which he and his sons farm. Mr. Johns is one of the leading citizens of Wayne Township.

Henry Jacoby was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, about 1785. He was married to Sarah Kerr, a native of Lehigh County, by whom he had three children. Charles is married, and lives in St. Clair Township ; Susannah, widow of Charles Wetzel, lives in Hamilton ; and Elizabeth is deceased. He married for his second wife Salome Macan, born in Lehigh County, who died in 1837. He owned and farmed one hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Wayne, and one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Lemon.

Henry Jacoby, his son, was born in 1824, in Wayne, and was married in 1846 to Caroline Bartch, born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in 1828. They had ten children, of whom two died young. Barbara E. is the wife of Isaac Boatman. He was born in 1848, and lives in Seven-Mile. Jacob, born in 1850, lives in Lemon Township ; Francis, born 1852, is married, living in Monroe; Melinda, born in 1854, is the wife of Albert Yuengling ; Mary Alice, born in 1856, died in 1859; Edwin, born in 1859, is single, and lives at home ; Henry and Charles are twins, and were born in 1862, and David A. was born in 1864. One died an infant. Mr. Jacoby led an upright and virtuous Christian life, and was an elder of the Reformed Church. He died in 1866.

Nathan Jacoby, born in 1812, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, was married in 1838 to Sarah Barger, born in 1821, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Barger. They had four children. Mary Ann, born in 1840, the wife of George Y. Mechlin, lives in Hamilton. Emma, born in 1841, is the widow of Reuben Fiddler, and lives in Hamilton.

David Albert was born in 1852, and died in 1861, when

618 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

but nine years old. Maria Alice, born in 1855, the wife of George N. Clapp, lives in Wayne Township. Mr. Jacoby came to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Wayne Township where his father had bought three hundred and twenty acres, and he owns and farms one hundred and fifty acres, part of the old homestead. Mr. Jacoby and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, of which he is an elder.

The Kumler family is one of the largest and best known in the county. Henry Kumler, the ancestor of the family, was a bishop 9f the Church of the United Brethren. He was born January 3, 1775, in Lancaster, Penn., and died January 8, 1854, in Hanover Township. He was a man of great religious gifts, and for more than half a century labored as a servant of the Lord. He was married September 7, 1797, to Susannah Wingart, born October 1, 1779, in Lancaster County, Penn. She died in 1874, on the 30th of November, in Hanover.

They had eleven children, who grew to maturity, and one that was drowned in a spring when five years old. Hannah, the widow of the Rev. Jacob Flickinger, born in 1798, lives in Seven-Mile. Henry Kumler, born January 10, 1801, lives in Dayton, Ohio. He is an ex- bishop of the United Brethren Church, an office he held for twenty years. Susannah, the wife of the Rev. John Zeller, born January 3, 1804, died in 1875. Elizabeth, the widow of the Rev. A. Hess, born July 5, 1805, lives in Brazil, Indiana. Daniel C., born September 30, 1807, lives in Seven-Mile. Elias, born October 21, 1809, died in 1873. Jacob and 'Michael, twins, were born August 31, 1811, and are each married, and live near Millville, in this county. Joseph, born February 23, 1813, is

married, and, lives in Wayne Township, at Jacksonburg. John, born December 24, 1814, is married, and lives in Dayton. Catherine, widow of Henry Welty, born April 6, 1817, lives in Oxford. Mary, born 1819, was drowned.

Bishop Kumler settled in Wayne Township when he first came to Ohio. He was a wealthy man for the times, and when he came to Ohio he purchased land in Wayne Township, increasing the quantity gradually until he owned about eleven hundred acres, besides other property. This was distributed among his children, the boys each getting a farm of about one hundred and fifty acres, and the girls receiving money. He was a very prominent man during his lifementime. He frequently crossed the Alleghanies upon Church business. He was noted for hospitality, keeping an open house for the ministry.

Of his sons, Daniel C. was born September 30, 1807, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was married, in 1827, to Catherine Walter, also born in Lancaster County, February 11, 1807. She died June 27, 1876, in Seven-Mile. They had ten children, of whom nine are living. William E., born May 17, 1828, is married, and lives in St. Clair. Amos D., born May 22, 1830, lives in Seven- Mile. Mary K., wife of Dr. A. H Landis, lived in Logansport, Indiana. She was born August 27, 1832. Elizabeth R., widow of John Miller, born February 1, 1835, lives in Seven-Mile. Jacob Henry, married, born April 14, 1838, lives in St. Clair. Charles J. S., born January 15, 1843, lives in Peru, Indiana. Hannah C., wife of B. F. Ozias, lives in Arcanum, Darke County. She was' born July 20, 1840. 'Susan M., wife of Professor George A. Funkhouser, D. D., born October 26, 1845, lives in Dayton. Eunice, born about 1847, died while an infant. Luther M., born August, 1849, lives in Berwick, Pennsylvania, being a minister of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Kumler was for some years minister of the United Brethren Church, and went to Africa as a missionary in 1854, but had to return after a few months, on account of illness. He studied medicine at Millville, and practiced for about forty years, beginning about 1829, and at one time had a very large business. He also owned a great deal of land, which was attended to by his children. He has distributed it among them. Four of his sons were out in the war, in the hundred-days' service, being members of the One hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment Ohio National Guard. Charles was sergeant- major ; William, a private ; Amos, a corporal ; and Jacob H., a private in Company C. They were stationed in the Kanawha Valley.

Joseph Kumler, son of the bishop, was born in 1813, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and married in 1835 to Margaret Zeller, born in 1816 1n Montgomery County, this State. They have had seven children. Mary Ann is the wife of Simon Emerick, and lives in Montgomery County ; Melinda E. is now dead ; Juan R. lives at home; Myra F., wife of Samuel Baird, lives in St. Clair Township ; Belle J., Joseph. Edwin, and Franklin A. Z., all live at home. Mr. Kumler held the office of justice of the peace from 1853 to 1856, and has also been a member of the school board for nine years. He is the clerk of that body. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a trustee, holding this position for twenty-five years. He is also a class-leader, and has been superintendent for several terms of the Sunday-school. By occupation he is a farmer, and has owned at one time three hundred and ten acres, part of which he has given to his children. At present he owns and farms one hundred and sixty acres. He is the president of the recently incorporated society for taking charge of a new cemetery at Miltonville, in Madison Township.

John Leslie was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and his wife, Hannah Davis, was born in Pennsylvania, the former in 1774, and the latter in 1779. The were united in 1799. Ten children were given to them, four of whom survive. Joseph, born in 1803, is married, and lives in Preble County. Reazin, born in 1813, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. John, born in 1815, and Hannah, born in 1817, live in Wayne. Mr. Leslie went to Pennsylvania about 1797, and emigrated

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to Ohio in 1805, settling in Preble County. He died in 1853 and his wife in 1855. By successive purchases he finally owned about one thousand two hundred acres of land, which he divided among his children. He first entered five quarters, his entire capital being $500. He served as a teamster in the War of 1812, hauling flour from Middletown to Fort Meigs, Fort Defiance, and Fort Recovery. His father, Patrick Leslie, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving in the commissary department during the entire struggle. John, the son of John, moved to Butler County in 1854. He has been road commissioner.

John Moore, farmer, was born in Kildare County, Ireland, in 1850. His father, John J. Moore, lives in Ireland,, and is a farmer. His mother, whose maiden name was Kelley, is dead. Mr. Moore was supervisor of Wayne Township for one term, being elected in 1862. He was one of the home guards that went out to capture John Morgan. Mr. Moore has been an extensive traveler in South America, Texas, Alabama, and elsewhere.

George W. Oberfell was born in Butler County, April 18, 1858, being the son of Gottlieb Oberfell and Catherine Brooks. He came to this county in 1833, and she in 1849. George W. Oberfell was married September 15, 1878, to Louisa L. Howe, daughter of Junius A. Howe and Sarah A. Sherard. The former came from New York, but the latter was a native of the county. Mrs. Oberfell was born September 5' 1859, and has borne her husband three children. Harry and Clara Oberfell were born September 6, 1879, and (lrarles A., November 24, 1881. In the last war Gottlieb Oberfell served three years.

William C. Phares was born in Butler County, May 11, 1829. He is the son of William W. and Anna C. Phares. His father was a colonel of militia in 1812, and went up to Fort Meigs to the assistance of our troops. The fighting, however, was over, and he returned. He came to this county in 1805, and his wife in 1809. William C. Phares was married on the 29th of December, 1862, to Eliza M. Phares, who was born in Evansville, Indiana, and the daughter of Joseph and Lucinda Phares. She was born June 30, 1838. They have, as fruits of their union, Susan, born January 16, 1869, and Joseph, born December 23, 1866. Mr. Phares was out in the war, serving under Colonel Thomas Moore, in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment. He follows the occupation of a farmer.

Samuel A. Phares, farmer, was born in this township December 20, I830. His father was W. W. Phares, the first postmaster of Jacksonburg, and his mother was Anna Caroline Phares. They came to this county in 1805. Samuel A. Phares was a member of the One Hundred and. Sixty-seventh Regiment, Colonel Thomas Moore, in the rebellion, during the year 1864, serving in Company D, Captain Bookwalter. He was married August 15, 1878, in Hamilton, to Phebe A. Page, daughter of Benjamin A. and Sarah A. Page. To this union there has been born Grace C. Phares, December 27, 1879, and they have adopted Edna M. Phares, born October 31, 1867.

W. D. Phares is a farmer. He is the son of George W. Phares, who was born November 20, 1801, and Jane W. Phares, who was born January 14, 1800. They came to this county in 1805. W. D. Phares was born in Wayne Township the 16th of December, 1837, and was married November 23, 1860, to Hester F. Potchner. Her father and mother were Dennis and Elizabeth Potchner. She came to this county in 1810, but Mr. Potchner was born in Preble County. Their daughter Hester was born in Preble County, July 18, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Phares have two children,-Mary D., born July 29, I866, and Harry C., September 28, 1872. He served in the Sixty-third Ohio Regiment three years, from 1862 to 1864, and was honorably discharged.

James R. C. Phares, one of the sons of W. W. Phares, is a farmer. He was born in Wayne Township, January 13, 1819, and was married on the 19th of May, at Keokuk, Iowa, to Maria Oldenburg, daughter of Louis Oldenburg and Mary Church. She was born in Pennsylvania, April 10, 1807. Mr. Oldenburg was a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Phares have had eight children,-Edmund, born August 19, 1848 ; Andrew B., March 16, 1850; Lawrence T., • March 30, 1853; Louis A., March 24, 1856; Samuel I., January 10, 1859; Bellamy S., September 22, 1860; Hubert A., October 8, 1864; Tessie May, July 29, 1872. Mr. Phares was assessor in 1854, and member of the board of education from 1860 to 1877.

Jeremiah Paulin, son of Jeremiah Paulin and Elizabeth Hagerman, natives of New Jersey, was born in Wayne Township in 1808, and was married for the first time in 1843 to Elizabeth Leslie, born in Butler County about 1817. She died in 1853. She had five children, now all dead. For his second marriage he took Sarah W. Hagan, born in Butler County in 1829. The union was in 1863. They have had three children, two now living. Thomas was born in 1866, and Elizabeth in 1867. Mr. Paulin is a self-made man, beginning life with nothing. He owns about six hundred acres of land, of which he farms about fifty acres, letting out the rest. He votes the Republican ticket.

Ezekiel Samuels was born in North Carolina in 1823, and moved from there with his parents to Indiana, when he was about ten years old. There he remained until the death of his father, which occurred in 1838, when his mother and family removed to Tennessee, where they remained until 1840, then coming to Ohio and settling in Butler County. Afterwards Mr. Samuels lived for several years in Preble County, but since 1857 he has lived permanently in Wayne Township. He married first, in 1844, Susan Kinsey, born in Preble County in 1821, who died in 1856. By her he had five children.

620 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Mary Catherine, wife of Thomas Samuels; lives in Seven- Mile; Martha Jane, wife of Reed Boatman, lives in Hamilton ; Winnie, wife of Daniel W. Perry, lives in Preble County; James, who is married, lives in Seven- Mile; Joel Reeds married, lives in Preble County.

By his second marriage he had one child, which died an infant. His wife is Elizabeth Pugh, widow of Washington 1:1t arcs. She was born in this county in 1818. Mr. Samuels was one of a family of thirteen, who were left, by their father's death, in poor circumstances. He was early thrown upon his own resources, with no means, —and a very limited education. By assiduous industry, however, he succeeded in educating himself in after life. He volunteered in the One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio National Guard during the late war, and was sent to West Virginia. He has held several offices in his township, among others those of justice of the peace for six years, treasurer of the corporation ever since it existed, and also township assessor, constable, etc. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, joining it in his eighteenth year. He was for several years a member of the Odd Fellows. His father was out in the War of 1812, captain of a company under General Pinkton, seeing considerable service, and remaining during the whole term. By industry and perseverance Mr. Samuels has succeeded in accumulating a good competency, now owning considerable property. He at present follows butchering.

Samuel Stokes was born in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1794, and in 18I4 married Amy Middleton, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1794. They had three children. Elizabeth and Sarah are deceased. James M. is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Samuel Stokes came to Warren County, Ohio, in 1823, and resided there two years, when he moved to Butler County, first settling in Trenton. He lived there about four years, when he removed to Jacksonburg, staying there until the day of his death, which was the 10th of October, 1860. His wife survived him fourteen years, and died October 12, 1874.

Mr. Stokes held the office of township treasurer for two years. He was elected, about 1827, a lieutenant of the local rifle company, then organized in Trenton. He was a self-made man, for although he received some assistance from his father, he was unfortunate, and lost it all before he came West, so that when he arrived in this neighborhood he had to commence life afresh. He gave his children good educations, and was able to leave considerable means behind him. He was reared a Quaker, but married outside of that Church and never applied for readmission. He was a man of genial habits and temper, awl. a favorite with his friends and neighbors. He followed the occupation of a blacksmith, both in New Jersey and in Butler County.

His only son, James Middleton Stokes, is now a resident of the township. He was born in 18I5, in Burlington, New Jersey, and was married in 1842 to Maria S. Cox. She was born in 1817 in Wayne Township. They Prave had three children. Samuel is married and lives in Wayne Township. James lives at home, and William, the eldest, is dead. He volunteered when the three years' men were called for, August 31, 1861, in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, and served till the battle of Mission Ridge, where he was killed. He was in Company C at the time of his death, being third sergeant, and if he had lived would shortly have been promoted. His captain was John Earhart, and he had been in several engagements previously, including among others those of Perryville and Chickamauga. He was killed by a rifle- ball through the head.

Mr. Stokes has held several township offices. He was township clerk in 1838, and again in 1842 was elected to the same position, holding it for twenty-one years, or until 1863. In 1865, 1866, and 1867 he was township trustee, and in 1873 was again elected clerk, which position he now holds. He followed the occupation of a blacksmith, in Jacksonburg, for twenty-two years, learning his trade under his fattier, and remaining with him until 1855, when he moved to his present residence, going into farming. He is one of the leading citizens of this township, and owns and farms three hundred acres, which were bought by his father and himself.

Clemente Shafer, son of Emanuel and Eliza Shafer, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where both of his parents are now living, in 1830. He came permanently to reside in this county in 1875. He was married to Sarah Jane Fox, daughter of Thomas T. and Hannah Fox, on the 18th of March, 1858. She was born in Butler County in 1836, her parents coming here in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have had ten children : Charles D., Thomas E., Cala M., Flora A., Emanuel H., Hannah R., George W., Bertha C., Clara E., and Roland C. Mr. Shafer is a farmer. He was out four months in the War of the Rebellion, and three of the other members of his family also served. B. F. Shafer was out three years, Dillar Shafer one year, and E. Card Shafer four months.

William B. Thomas was born in Hamilton, October 3, 1826, and is the son of John H. Thomas and Eleanor C. Craig. The father came here in 1800, and the mother in I801. He has been twice married. His first wife was Catherine Andrews, who was born in Wayne Township, February 9, 1829, and he was joined to her in marriage in 1848. By her he had three children. Mary E. Sarim, born October 28, 1848, and Alfred A., October 7, 1850. He was married afterwards to Sarah A. Shafer, daughter of Peter Shafer and Lydia A. Mills. She was born in Ohio, July 28, 1840. They have three children. Jackson P. Thomas was born April 1, 186I; William I., August 22, 1871, and John J., May 2, 1877. Mr. Thomas has been an assessor of Wayne Township one term, trustee of Jacksonbnrg several

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terms, clerk several terms, and school director six years. His grandfather Craig was all through the Revolutionary War, and Ms father, when a small boy, was a drummer. Mr. Thomas was a leading merchant of this place for thirty years. At one time, when about forty years of age, he rode a horse from Cincinnati to Jacksonburg in two hours and fifteen minutes. He is a member of the Patriotic order of America.

J. B. Tapscott was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 28, 1838, and came to live in this county in 1843. He is the son of William Tapscott and Margaret Baird, and is a manufacturer and dealer in post-augers. Mr. Tapscott has been twice married. His first union was to Eliza J. Carter, daughter of Albert Carter and Mary Shannon, and had by her the following children: Elizabeth Fletcher, Mary M. Bultz, and William. The last is dead. He was married for his second wife to Sarah Ann Sarber, daughter of Thomas Sarber and Elizabeth Long. By her he had issue Ellsworth, Samuel and Harry (now dead). Mr. Tapscott was brought up on a farm, and followed that occupation until he was twenty-five. In March, 1860, he moved to Indiana, where he remained until the Spring of 1864, when he moved back to Jacksonburg, where he still remains. His grandfather, John Baird, was in the War of 18I2, and did good service.

William Wolverton, treasurer of Wayne Township, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1820. He came to this county in 1827. He is the son of Isaac and Catherine Wolverton, who came to Hamilton County very early. Mr. Wolverton was married in Marion County, Indiana, on the 29th of May, 1851, to Melinda Allen, a native of Wayne Township. Her father was David Allen and her mother Susannah Overpeck. Mr. and Mrs. Wolverton have had the following children : David, born March 14, 1852 ; Isaiah, October 20, 1853 ; Elizabeth Ann, November 29, 1855; Sarah C., August 14, 1858 ; Susannah, March 27, 1865; Mary J., May 9, 1861, and Edna, January 5, I868. Isaiah died June 13, 1869, and Susannah died April 9, 1864. Mr. Wolverton is a farmer, and has been the treasurer of his township since the Ist of March, 1854.

Isaac Wolverton was an old settler, coming here in the beginning of the settlement of the country. He was a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Colonel Thomas Wolverton, who went out as a private in the Revolutionary War at the age of seventeen, and retired at the close of the contest as a colonel. Isaac Wolverton came to Hamilton County in 1812, settling in Wayne Township, in Butler County, in 1827. During his sojourn in Hamilton County he was married to Miss Catherine Frazee, a native of that county, by whom he had nine children, five of whom survive. All of them are married. William lives in Wayne Township; Thomas lives in Redwood County, Minnesota ; Isaac, in Richland County, Illinois; Jane, wife of John Brelsford, lives in Wayne Township, and Elizabeth, wife of Jesse West, lives' in Richland County, Illinois.

Mr. Wolverton was in the War of 1812, holding the rank of major under General Webb, in General Harrison's army, and serving during the entire war. By industry he accumulated a large property, owning at the end five hundred and eighty acres, which he divided among his children. He and his wife are both dead.

William, the son, was born in Hamilton County in 1820, coming to Butler County with his father and mother in 1827. He married Melinda Allen in 1850. She was born in the township where she now lives in 1829. By her he has had seven children, five of them now living. Sarah is married to George Paullin, but the other children—David, Anne E., Mary Jane, and Etna— live at home. Mr. Wolverton has held several offices. He has been treasurer of Wayne 'Township for twenty- six years, from 1854 to the present time. He had some help from his father when he began, but his present fortunate pecuniary condition is mainly the result of his own exertions. He now owns about three hundred and seventy acres, and devotes-his time chiefly to farming and stock-raising.

John Withrow was born in North Carolina in 1768, and was married in 1794 to Anna Pottenger, born in I773 in Maryland. He came to Butler County in 1799, and was in the War of 1812, in one of the engagements being wounded by one of his own men. He was afterwards engaged in fighting with the Indians. His father, John Withrow, was all through the Revolutionary War.

James B. Withrow, son of John Withrow first mentioned, was born in Wayne Township in 1812, and in 1837 married Margaretta Phares, who was also born in the same township in 1816. They had ten children. Mary Jane, the eldest, was born in 1838. She is the wife of Thomas Sater, and they live in Keokuk, Iowa. Dennis P. was born in 1839. Anna P. was born in 1841. She is the wife of Dr. Ben. Hardin, and lives in Keokuk, Iowa. Caroline A. was born in 1843. She is the wife of Samuel Stokes, and lives in Wayne Township. William P. was born in 1845; John S., in 1848; Georgetta, in 1850; and Winfield S., in 1852. Robert C., born in 1855, is married, and lives in Wayne Township. Arthur B. was born in 1861.

Mr. Withrow has been township trustee for eleven years, also school director for twelve years. His son Dennis P. Withrow was in the war. He enlisted August 20, 1861, and entered the field September 20, of the same year. He was at the siege of Corinth, and the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Mission Ridge, and Chickamauga, and was wounded at the last place. He was mustered out September 24, 1864. Mr. Withrow, Sen., owns and farms two hundred and forty acres of land in Wayne Township, where his wife also owns thirty acres.

William Withrow is a native of Wayne Township,

622 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

where he was born, January 5, 1822. His parents, John and Sarah Withrow, came to this county among the earliest settlers. The former arrived here in 1800. John Mark, the grandfather of William Withrow, served in the second was with Great Britain. Mr. Withrow follows the calling of a farmer. He was married, January 21, 1849, to Anna Hoofman, daughter of Jothan and Anna Hoofman. He came to this county in 1807, and she was born here, May 17, 1805. Mrs. Withrow was born August 3, 1827, and they have been blessed with three children. James F. was born August 5, 1850. John D. was born May 20, 1856, and died October 4, 1877 ; and Mary P. Withrow was born January 21, 1862. Mr. Withrow has held the position of supervisor for two terms.

Burns Wilson was born in Wayne Township, August 11, 1823. His parents were Brown Wilson, who was born in England in 1774, and Mary Burns, who was born in Pennsylvania., February 7, 1789. They came to this county about 1800, where Mr. Wilson immediately began improving some ground, of which he left a sixteenth interest to his son upon his death, September 26, 1823. He has completed the improvements until it is now one of the finest farms in the county, comprising four hundred and twenty-seven acres, much having been added to it. It now embraces the old homestead. He was married in Milford, March 24, 1853, to Melinda Young, born in that township, February 3, 1830. Their children are Richmond, William Edward, Mary Ann, Ella Irene, Samuel Brown, George Burns, Ada Melinda, and George Alvin.

Mrs. Wilson's father was Samuel Young, born in Pennsylvania, October 9, 1792, and Ruhamah McKane, who was born in 'Warren County. Several of the family have been in the service of the United States. John 'Wilson, his uncle, and Thomas Burns were in the War of 1812, and Samuel Edgar, his brother, was one of the hundred-days' men in the last war. Mr. Wilson himself furnished a substitute. His mother died June 22, 1865.

The Weaver family came to Ohio ,in 1808, settling in Wayne Township. Philip Weaver was the head of the family, and he had three children that arrived at maturity. He died at a very early date. His children were Henry, Catherine, and John. Catherine married Samuel Snider. They are now all dead. Henry was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of February, 1790. He married Sarah Aunspach about 1814. She was also born in his native county in 1792, and died in Wayne Township in 1818, leaving two children, who are both dead. He then married, in 1819, Margaret Sarver, born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and dying in Wayne Township in 1845, leaving ten children, six of whom are living. Margaret, widow of Edward Lingle, was born March 16, 1824, and lives in Henry County; Elizabeth, wife of Owen Ecker, was born March 19, 1822, and lives in Whiteside County, Illinois ; Magdalen, wife of Samuel Krohn, was born July 22, 1837, and lives in Putnam County ; Daniel, born August 1, 1825, is married, and lives in Minnesota ; Thomas, born July 3, 183I, is married, and lives in Iowa ; Henry, born September 23, 1835, is married, and lives in Jacksonburg.

Mr. Weaver was married a third time in 1850. His . wife was Catherine Emerick, born in Ohio in 1813, and dying in 1864. By her he had one child, a girl, who is now dead. He received about one hundred and twenty acres of land from his father, and being a skillful and persevering farmer, accumulated considerable property, finally owning about a thousand acres of land, which he divided among his children. He was a member of the Germans Lutheran Chnrch, and held office as elder. He died in 1875.

After the surrender of Hull the whole country was in commotion, and the necessary troops to keep up the defenses of the Western frontier were drafted. Among them was Henry Weaver. His time was to be sixty days, but he was only out twenty-six days, when he was relieved. He went to Dayton, and was followed by his father to six miles above that place, where he overtook him. The father gave Henry six dollars in hard cash, a tin cup, and a few other little things. The money, however, was of little use, as there were no stores and no inhabitants beyond there, and he could buy nothing, and he so told his father. Then they went on to Piqua, Troy, and Wapakoneta, and from that to the Little and then the Grand Auglaize.

General Winchester was in command of the army. Soon after arriving they were sent as a body on detached duty some distance, and through the negligence of the quarter-master they soon ran out of food. The officers had none to give them, and they were soon reduced to extremities. In this juncture they thought of any edible roots that might be there, and for seven days they were reduced to live on the roots of the white hickory. This soon raised a spirit of insubordination, and no duty could be expected of them. An order came on for the detachment, sixty strong, to march on to another place, where there was provisions, but just about the time that this order came they had discovered a number of raccoons, and they determined to get them. When their order was delivered they refused to go, and said they might as well die there as anywhere else; they must have their raccoons. It was a necessity of the case.

It was a lieutenant who brought the first order, and he went back and reported they would not move. A captain came next, and they refused obedience to him. Finally the major came, and, being a sensible man, and finding the troops obstinate, he yielded to necessity, and waited till the raccoons were all caught. There were a number of them, and enough of them were finally caught to give each a part of one of the animals.

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Having got them, they were more tractable; and marched off, each with a quarter of the beast in his hand. Their route was to" Ottawa, leaving for that place about noon, and arriving about night. Here were large corn-fields standing, full of ears at their best eating oondition. But as their orders forbid a fire to be built, they went into the fields and began eating them raw. Some men ate so many to induce colic and death, and nearly all of them ate too much. One or two dropped dead on the field. Henry Weaver devoured eight ears. When undergoing starvation he had buckled up his belt from time to time; but after getting at the corn he began unbuckling, one hole for each ear. So muoh had he eaten of this unwholesome food that both his captain and colonel remonstrated with him. He afterwards never could bear the taste of corn. After this they camped in Defiance, and after a few days returned home, being relieved by other levies.

Henry Weaver, his son, was born September 23, 1835, and was married in 1860 to Sarah Walters, born in Middletown in 1839, and dying in 1863. He was married in 1865 to' Martha Harkrader, born in Ohio in 1839. They have two children,—Joseph Henry, born October 1, 1869, and Thomas, born November 1, 1873. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, in which he is a deacon, and owns and farms one hundred and seventeen acres.

Robert B. Withrow, farmer, was born in the township in which he lives, January 27, 1824. His father was Samuel P. Withrow and his mother Mary Withrow. He was married to Angelina Morfe, daughter of Cornelius and Eleanora Morfe, April 12, 1853. She was born in Liberty Township, March 29, 1831. He has had the following children: Mary E., January 29, 1854; Eva Ann, April 28, 1855 ; Henrietta, November 19, I856; Ida Marie, June 26, 1858; Roberta, December 23, 1859; Samuel B., December 26, 1860; Laura Kate, June 15, 1862 ; Cornelius, January 7, 1864; Peter M., December 20, 1864; Robert C., September 14, 1865; Laura, Maroh 12, 1868 ; Walter C., August 30, 1864. Mr. Withrow has been a member of the school board.

Henry A. Yost, farmer, was born in Morgan County, now West Virginia, January 18, 1848. His father, George Benjamin Yost, was for many years a captain of the militia, and his mother was Mary C. Swain. Henry A. Yost was married February 28, 1877, at Warfordsburg, Fulton County, Pennsylvania, to May H. Whisner, daughter of Peter Whisner and Rebecca M. Fleece. She was born December 23, 1853. They have one child, Arthur Benjamin Yost, born July 1, 1878. Mr. Yost came to this county on the 10th of July, 1874, and is a farmer. His brother, John H. Yost, was in the service about three years in the last war. His brother-in-law, G. W. Whisner, was in the Southern army one year.