(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 875 furniture business at Sabina until his death, June 30, 1914. At the time of his death he owned a half interest in the Clinton Manufacturing Company. To Dr. Aaron J. and Celia A. (Johnson) Gaskins three children were born, namely: James F., the subject of this sketch; Lillie M., who married M. E. McGuire, of Sabina, and Essie E., who married Henry L. Lewellen, of Sabina. The family were members of the Friends church and Doctor Gaskins was a Democrat in politics. James F. Gaskins was educated in the common schools of Sabina and in the Sabina high school, having been the first graduate of the latter institution, finishing the course in 1883. On April 15, 1885, two years later, he began his newspaper experience with a half interest in the Sabina News. Four years later, in December, 1889, he sold his interest in the Sabina News and a month later started the Sabina Record. In 1893 Mr. Gaskins purchased the older paper and consolidated it with the Record, since which time the paper has been known as the Sabina News-Record. Mr. Gaskins now has the latest equipment and machinery for publishing his newspaper and long has been recognized as a distinct force in newspaper circles hereabout. In July, 1886, James F. Gaskins was married to Almeda Bryant, daughter of W. D. and Sarah J. (Allen) Bryant, who died on October 4, 1910, leaving two children: Ralph A., who married Donna Pumphrey, is engaged in business with his father, and has three children, Rebecca Emily, Esther Louise and Donna L.; Louise, the second born, married J. D. Adams, a stenographer, of Columbus, Ohio. James F. Gaskins is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Friends church, and for the past twenty-five years has been superintendent of the Bible school of that church. For fifteen years he has been the financial clerk of the meeting. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as secretary of his home lodge for fifteen or twenty years. He has also been clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America for some fifteen years. James F. Gaskins is one of the leading and most highly respected citizens of Sabina, one who takes a great interest in church affairs and in public movements. His newspaper well reflects the opinion of the large public among whom it circulates and is a welcome visitor in many homes thereabout. LUCIUS D. SHANK. A man's reputation among his neighbors in the community in which he has spent the greater part of his life is a pretty certain index of his worth. We either influence, or are influenced by others, according to our temperament and its reaction upon our environment, and when successful in life's battle, if that success has been won honorably, a study of the individual and the causes' which have entered into his success, not only becomes profitable, but becomes likewise an inspiration to similar endeavor on the part of others. In this connection, it is highly appropriate that the life of Lucius D. Shank, whose career in this county has given him prestige as a farmer and stock-raiser, be given consideration here. Mr. Shank. who was born in Marion township, Clinton county, on March 12, 1854, is the son of James H. and Margaret (Crossen) Shank, the former a native of the same township, born on April 20, 1829. James H. Shank was a son of Henry Shank, mentioned elsewhere in this publication. The maternal grandparents, George and Charlotte (Morrison) Crossen, braved the drivers of pioneer life when they came to this county, in which they spent the remainder of their days. James H. Shank was a farmer, but when the fires of rebellion were raging in the South he was among the first to offer up his life, if need be, to save the Union. And fate decreed that this should be his, sacrifice, for, having been taken prisoner by the enemy, he died of starvation in a Confederate prison pen in February, 1865. He was a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church at Pleasant 876 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. Grove. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Lucius D., George Henry. Samuel A., Martin Elsworth (who died in infancy), and Florence May. The mother of these children died on March 21, 1006. Mr. Shank was. reared a farmer's boy, receiving his education in the country schools near his home. By hard work and personal sacrifice, he has acquired one hundred and ninety-two acres of land, being ably assisted by the co-operation of his devoted wife. It was on the 8th of February, 1877, that he married Mary Elizabeth Urton, who was born in this county on January 24, 1854, the daughter of Daniel and Nancy Ann (Brown) Urton, pioneers of this county. To this union five children have beeen born, namely : Otis J., Elva May, Veda Maud (deceased), Clarence D., and an infant son, who died. Mr. Shank is a Republican and served his community well as a member of the school board for four years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Grange. While Mr. Shank's life has been comparatively free from stirring adventure, having been spent in the quiet devotion to duty, it has been a life well spent, and its influence has been decidedly for good. LEWIS C. WILSON. Among the successful young farmers of Richland township, this county, Lewis C. Wilson, who owns a highly productive farm of one hundred and five acres in that township, should be mentioned. Lewis C. Wilson was born on August 31, 1880, in the township where he still lives, a son of Martin A. and Mary (Custis) Wilson, the former of whom was born in Martinsburg, Ohio, and the latter of whom was the daughter of Littleton and Amelia Ann (Arnold) Custis. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Wilson, James Wilson, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and who afterward became a well-known farmer in Clinton) county, married Margaret Plymire, and they were the parents of the following children : Susannah, Catherine, Martin A., James, Ellen, Samuel, Lovina, Lewis and Julia. The great-grandfather, Joshua Wilson, a native of Ohio, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Martin A. Wilson received some education in the common schools of Clinton county, but had few opportunities for schooling and most of his education was obtained by home study. When a young man he began farming in Clinton county and was engaged in this occupation practically all of his life. He owned one hundred and five acres of land in Richland township. Martin A. and Mary (Custis) Wilson were the parents of three children, of whom Lewis C. was the second in order of birth. The eldest child, Zella, became the wife of Elmer Anderson, and the youngest, Frank E., married Maud Chancelor. The late Martin A. Wilson, a Republican in politics, was a director in the county infirmary at the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist church and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. Lewis C. Wilson also received his education in the public schools of Richland township, principally at Sabina. He began life on his own account on a farm in Richland township. In 1008 he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for two years he was engaged in the ice business. In 1910 he returned to the farm in Clinton county, and has since been continuously engaged in farming. He owns a farm of one hundred and five acres, where he is carrying on a general system of farming and stock raising. In 1902, at the age of twenty-two years, Lewis C. Wilson was married to Leta Pavey, daughter of G. A. and Elizabeth (Burris) Pavey, and to this union three children have been born, of whom one, Dorothy, the second born, died at the age of five years. The first born is Ralph A. and the youngest is Fred M. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist church. Like his father before him, Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 877 GEORGE H. BENLEHR. It is the progressive, wideawake man of affairs who makes the real history of a community. His influence as a potent factor in the civic life of the community is hard to estimate. The example which such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrates what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a large measure of satisfaction in referring, even in a casual way, to their achievements. Such a man is George H. Benlehr, one of the prominent business men and quarrymen of Clinton county, and it is entirely fitting that a review of his life work be accorded a place in this volume. George H. Benlehr was born on October 16, 1846, in Union township, Clinton county, Ohio, the son of Frederick and Lavina Jane (Hawes) Benlehr, the former of whom. born near Berlin, Germany, in 1804, died on December 25, 1890, and the latter, born on April 23, 1824, in Union township, this county, died on April 10, 1849. George H. Benlehr's paternal grandparents were natives of Germany, his grandfather having died in that country and his grandmother, Catherine, having died .en route to America on a sailing vessel while on her way here to join her son. They were members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Benlehr's maternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Gibson) Hawes, the former of whom died on November 11, 1826, when he was a young man. His widow married, secondly, George Hartman, who died in 1852. She died in 1867, at the age of eighty years, three months and twenty-two days. Sarah Gibson was of Irish descent and her husband, John Hawes, was one of the first settlers in Starbucktown, in Union township. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Frederick Benlehr grew up in Germany, where his father owned a flour-mill. Frederick learned the butcher's trade and in 1S20 left Germany and came to America. He worked for one year at six dollars a month in an eastern Pennsylvania orchard. As the result of a frost that year, the orchard yielded but one apple. Frederick Benlehr then drove six and eight-horse teams with merchandise over the National road for several years. About 1835 he bought a farm in Union township, this county, and was engaged in butchering on the farm, selling his product on the streets of Wilmington three days in the week. Later he operated a butcher shop in Wilmington, but always lived on the farm, continuing in the business until incapacitated by old age. He was an ardent Democrat. To Frederick and Lavina Jane (Hawes) Benlehr were born three children, of whom George H. is the youngest, the other two being Louisa, who was born on February 8, 1840, and who married William E. Parker, of Independence, Iowa, ex-superintendent of the Lee county schools, and Sarah, November 5, 1841, who married Jacob Schiotter, florist at Keokuk, Iowa. George H. Benlehr attended the public schools of Union township. His mother having died when he was three years old, his father married, secondly. Elizabeth Lynn, to which latter union there were born three children. From the time of his infancy, George H. Benlehr made his home with his Uncle James and Aunt Sarah Hawes and with his Grandmother Hawes, while she .lived. On December 15. 1863, George H. Benlehr enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out at the end of the war, July 15, 1865, receiving an honorable discharge. His regiment was stationed in Ohio, guarding prisoners of war. After the war, Mr. Benlehr assisted his father in butchering and farming until his father's death, in 1890. Before his father's death, however, George H. purchased the home place of one hundred and twenty-four acres and added fifty-two acres to the farm. He then bought the Probasco farm of seventy-one acres and sold the old farm. In 1913 Mr. Benlehr moved to Wilmington and now lives in that city. In 1898 he bought the 878 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO, Babb quarry at Todd's fork and has quarried crushed stone and building stone ever since. Ordinarily he employs from seven to ten men. On March 15, 1866, George H. Benlehr was married to Hannah Bowermaster, who was born and reared in Greene county, Ohio. She is the daughter of R. A. and Ann (V enard) Bowermaster and was born on March 8, 1846. Her father was born in Cookstown, Pennsylvania, and her mother in this county. Her father came with his parents to Clinton county in 1831, and later moved to Bowersville, Greene county, Ohio, where his father built the first house in that town. He was a carpenter and charter member of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. George H. Benlehr are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Cleo Lavina, born on May 5, 1868, who married Ed Bean and lives in Highland county; Cora, September 4, 1871, who married Seymour Murphy, deceased, and now lives with her parents; Charles E., February 6, 1874, who is a missionary in India for the Christian church; Sarah L., December 21, 1876, who is the wife of Thomas Pond, of Muncie, Indiana; Catherine, June 26, 1879, who became the wife of John Fleming, a farmer in Mercer county, Ohio; Grace E., May 24, 1882, who married Ralph Duffy and lives at Urbana, Ohio; George A., December 18, 1884, who lives in Lancaster, Ohio, where he is a railroad engineer ; Fred A., July 4, 1887, who is quarryman and lives at home, and Earl W., April 13, 1890, who lives on his father's farm in Union township. Although Mr. Benlehr is actively identified with the Democratic party, he has never been prominent in its councils and takes no especial interest in politics except to cast his vote, the duty of every American citizen. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to Morris McMillan Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Benlehr has been pre-eminent in the agricultural and civic life of this county as an industrious and conscientious citizen. He gave a portion of the best years of his life to the service of his country and he has been no less faithful in the peaceful pursuits of life than he was when he responded to his country's call for service. WILLIAM DRAKE. When men succeed, their lives are instructive as guides and incentives to others. They furnish splendid examples of patient purpose and successful endeavor and these examples strongly illustrate what every man may achieve. William Drake, of Richland township, this county, is one of the hustling farmers of Clinton county, an example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a large measure of success in agriculture. the special sphere to which his talents have been devoted. William Drake was born on September 25, 1865, in Union township, this county, the son of Charles and Frances (Wade) Drake, the former, born in 1834, on Staten Island, New York, died in April, 1907, and the latter, born in 1843, the daughter of George and Mary Wade. Charles Drake was the son of Randolph Drake, a native of Staten Island, New York, who came to Clinton county from New York in 1848, and the family has been established in this county since that date, a period of nearly seventy years. Randolph Drake located on the farm in Richland township, where his grandson now lives, and where he owned seventy-five acres. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and was identified with the Whig party ,until the formation of the Republican party, when he identified himself with the latter. He was the father of eight children: David M., Charles, Caroline, who married William H. Sprague; Daniel, Elizabeth, who married Samuel Bogue; Henry and Cornelius who died early in life, and John S. Charles, the second in the family, was the father of William Drake, the subject of this sketch. Educated in the common schools of Clinton county, Charles Drake learned the CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 879 carpenter trade when he was a young man and was engaged in contract building in connection with farming for a period of about fourteen years. Eventually, however, he quit carpentering and spent the remainder of his life in farming. In 1867 he purchased the interest of the heirs of his father's farm and spent the remainder of his life on the estate. He made most of the improvements now on the farm and shortly before his death was arranging to erect a new house, which was completed by the family after his death. He was a Republican and served for many years as school director in this township. Charles and Frances (Wade) Drake were the parents of four children, namely,: William, the subject of this sketch; George, who married Ella Atley ; Ella, who married A. E. Tysor, and Thomas A., who married Grace McChesney. William Drake and his brother, Thomas A. Drake, have owned the Richland township farm of two hundred and fifty acres since 1912, and are engaged in general farming and stock raising. They are extensive breeders of the big type Poland China and DurocJersey hogs and both are members of the Duroc-Jersey Association. William and Thomas A. Drake have a beautiful and well improved farm in Richland township. Both were educated in the public schools of Richland township, and both are well informed• and intelligent citizens. They are both members of the Modern Woodmen of America. William Drake, who is an ardent Republican, served as trustee of Richland township from 1909 to 1911. He gave to the people of Richland township a most efficient and able administration. The office is one which has to do with the intimate affairs of a rural community and necessitates a rather complete understanding of the farm and its problems, as well as the problems of education. Mr. Drake gave practically universal satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of this office. He is well known in Richland township and popular among his neighbors. THOMAS WILLIAM CONNER. Thomas William Conner needs no introduction to the people of Clinton county, since he is a man whom everyoody knows and likes. His life has been devoted not only to promoting his own interests, but also to the welfare of the community in which he has lived for more than a decade. He is an honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of this section, a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions; a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American, one of Clinton county's most successful farmers and business men. As a citizen he is progressive in the fullest sense of the word. Thomas William Conner was born on September 5, 1882, at Buena Vista, in Fayette county, Ohio, the son of William T. and Catherine Jane (Moore) Conner. The father was born in Fayette county, Ohio, August 29, 1844, and the mother was born in Pike county, the daughter of Salisbury and Mary (Eager) Moore. William T. Conner was the son of Thomas William Conner, a large landowner in Fayette county. Grandfather Conner and his wife were the parents of seven children : Melissa, Eli, William T., Clarissa, Jane, Mary and Cinderella. William T. Conner was educated in the common schools .of Fayette county and spent all of his life on the farm. He was very successful as a farmer and owned about twelve hundred acres of land. In addition to- farming he bought and sold livestock. To William T. and Catherine Jane Conner six children were born, namely : Loren E., who married Mary Martin; George E., who died while a young man; Iva M., who is the wife of Victor M. Harper ; Clarissa J., who became the wife of .John B. Tener ; Anise, who died young, and Thomas W., the subject of this sketch. William T. Conner and wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church. He was a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Educated in the public schools at Buena. Vista, Fayette county, Thomas W. Conner began farming early in life and in 1904 came to Clinton county and was engaged in 880 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. farming in Richland and Wayne townships. He lived on the farm until 1909, when he rented it out. He and his wife now own four hundred and sixty acres in Richland and Wayne townships. The farm is the old William Pavey homestead and was improved a short time ago by the remodeling of the house. In 1901 Thomas W. Conner was married to Carrie E. Pavey, the daughter of William and Mary A. (Kirby) Pavey, of Sabina, this county, and to this union two children have been born, William Owen, born on April 21. 1903, and George E., April 21, 1910. Mr. Conner is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. There is no man living in the Sabina section of Clinton county who is better known or who holds a warmer place in the affections of the people than Thomas W. Conner. He is a hale fellow, well-met and, being well situated financially, is in a position to enjoy life, which he does to the utmost degree. JOHN C. McFADDEN. John C. McFadden, now a well-known and a, well-to-do farmer of Wayne township, this county, was born on August 18, 1846, in Green township, this county, the son of John and Elizabeth (Newcomb) McFadden, the former a native of Mason county, Kentucky, born in 1808, who died in 1901, and the latter a native of Brown county, Ohio, daughter of William and Anna (Pangburn) Newcomb. The paternal grandparents of John C. McFadden were John and Sophia (Kelly) McFadden, both natives of Ireland. John McFadden, the father of John C., received very little education, his father having died when he was a mere lad. When a young man, he worked on the Ohio river and a few years after his marriage, moved to a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres in Green township, this county, which he subsequently owned. He cleared most of this land and became quite well-to-do. Earlier in his life, he had been a pumpmaker and was very successful at that trade. John and Elizabeth (Newcomb) McFadden were the parents of ten children, Jehu, Mary Ann, Charles, Harrison W., Rebecca Jane, William N., John C., Sophia, Thomas and Hannah. Of these children, Charles was wounded 'during the last charge at Lookout Mountain and died as a result of his wound. Harrison W. and William N. were also Union soldiers during the Civil War. John McFadden and wife were members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. He voted the Republican ticket and served as trustee of his township for about twenty years. John C. McFadden was educated in the common schools of Green township and began life on the farm. After farming in Green township for six years, he moved, in 1880, to the farm which he now occupies in Wayne township. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, adjoining the little village of Centerville in Wayne township, and erected all of the buildings now standing on the farm. He has also done a great deal of clearing and ditching. On October 28, 1870, John C. McFadden was married to Lydia Alice Hodson, who was born on February 22, 1855, and who died on August 18, 1912. She was the daughter of Cyrus and Phoebe (Davis) Hodson. To Mr. and Mrs. McFadden one child was born, Eva, born on September 25, 1872, who married Philip Morton, to which union five children have been born, namely : Albert, who died at the age of two years; Frank, who died at the age of fourteen; Alice; Elizabeth, who died on March 20, 1908, and John. It is doubtful if there are any instances of a more ardent and devoted affection between father and daughter in all Clinton county, than the affection between the venerable John C. McFadden and his daughter, Mrs. Eva Morton. The McFadden family are members of the Christian church and John C. McFadden has served as a trustee of that church for a number of years. Mr. McFadden votes the Republican ticket. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 881 EMERSON B. WEST. Emerson B. West, a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, was born in Clinton county, June 16, 1861, a son of George and Matilda A. (Radcliffe) West, the former of whom was born in Clinton county on April 10, 1815, and the latter, in Highland county, August 18, 1828. The paternal grandparents of Mr. West were Henry and Nancy (Terrell) West, both natives of Virginia, and pioneers in Clinton county, where both spent the most of their lives, their last days having been spent in Clark township. Mr. West's maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Garner) Radcliffe, early settlers in Highland county, Ohio, who located in that county when Mrs. George West, the mother of Emerson B., was an infant six months old. Mrs. West's mother had come to Clinton county with her parents, James Garner and wife, who had previously lived in North Carolina. In 1811 they left that state and settled near Snow Hill, in this county. The late George West was a carpenter by trade, but owned a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, including that where his son, Emerson B., now lives. He died on this farm, October 21, 1888, and his widow survived him a few years, her death occurring on October 30, 1892. He had been an adherent of the Republican party, but during the later years of his life had become independent in his political views. Of the five children born to George and Matilda West, three—Sarah Elizabeth, Mary Jane and Stella May, are deceased. The living children are Emerson B. and Florence Emma. George West had been previously married to Samantha McMain, and to that union there were born three children, two of whom died in infancy, Hortense and an infant son. The third child was a daughter, Annetta. Emerson B. West spent his boyhood days on the old homestead farm. He attended the public schools of his home neighborhood, and assisted his father with the work of the farm. After leaving school he took up farming on the old home place and there he has lived ever since. Mr. West and his only living sister, Florence, make their home on the old farm. They opened their home to a twelve-year-old child from the children's home, Bessie Kidd, whom they have reared to womanhood. Mr. West has an excellent farm of ninety-two acres where he lives, and where he carries on a general system of farming and stock raising. He is a Republican in politics, and while living in Clark township, served as trustee of that township for four years. Fraternally, he is a member of Martinsville Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. PATRICK REGAN. Patrick Regan, a pleasant and successful farmer of Wayne township, this county, is recognized as one of the well-known men of that township. By his enterprise and his progressive methods he has contributed in a material way to the general advancement of the locality where he lives. In the course of an honorable career, he has been successful in many lines, and enjoys a peculiar prestige among the representative men of his community. Born on March 13, 1848, in County Kerry, Ireland, Patrick Regan is the son of Bartholomew and Julia (Dowling) Regan, both natives of the Emerald Isle. His paternal grandparents were John and Catherine (Cain) Regan, also natives of Ireland, who were the parents of five children, Timothy, Catherine, John, Bartholomew and Honora. Of Mr. Regan's father it may be said that Bartholomew Regan received his education in the schools of his native land, and was married there, and after coming to America when a young man, located in the little town of Waynesville, in Warren county, Ohio. Fifteen years later he came to Clinton county, locating on a farm in Liberty township, where he lived for four years. He then moved to Wayne township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Bartholomew Regan and wife were the par- (56) 882 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. ents of eight children, of whom six are living, as follow: Patrick, the subject of this sketch; Johanna, Thomas, referred to elsewhere in this volume; Catherine, Timothy C. and Mary. The deceased children were John and William. Bartholomew Regan and family were devout members of the Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Regan voted the Democratic ticket. Patrick Regan attended school one year in Ireland, and after coming to America with his parents, pursued his education in the common schools of Warren county, Ohio. He began life on his own responsibility as a farmer in Warren county, but in 1864, went to Cincinnati, where he worked for a transfer company, remaining in that city until 1870. In that year he returned to Wayne township, this county, and after living at home for two years, removed to the farm where he is now living, comprising one hundred and forty-three acres. The house in which Mr. Regan and family are now living was built in 1903, while the barn was erected in 1911. Mr. Regan has a beautiful country home and a splendid and well kept farm. Mrs. Regan, before her marriage, was Mary Reardon, the daughter of Michael and Mary Reardon. She died in 1880, leaving two children, Thomas N. and Matthew. Thomas N. Regan was graduated from the Indianapolis Law School and is now engaged in managing his father's farm. Matthew is a graduate is Wilmington College, and is now professor of science in the schools at Helena, Montana. The Regan family are all members of the Catholic church, and politically, Mr. Regan is an adherent of the Democratic party. ELIJAH VAN PELT. Reserved and unassuming, Elijah Van Pelt is one of the splendid farmers and pleasant citizens of Wayne township, this county, He not only rents five hundred and forty acres of land, but he 'owns a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Wayne township and personally supervises the work of all this land. As a member of the board of education of Wayne township, no man has done more than he to raise the standard of the public schools and to provide educational advantages for the children of that township second to none in the state. Elijah Van Pelt, the son of Ryan and Rebecca (Milner) Van Pelt, was born on March 10, 1858, in the township where he lives. His father was born on August 28, 1822, at Richmond, Indiana, and his mother was born on March 7, 1825, in Highland county, Ohio. His paternal grandparents were Moses and Sallie (Slaughter) Milner, the former a native of Halifax county, Virginia, who immigrated to Highland county, this state, from the old Dominion state, when a young man. A few years later he returned to Virginia, married and then came back to live permanently in Highland county. Moses Milner was the son of Beverly Milner. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Van Pelt were Elijah and Lucy (Bethel) Van Pelt, the former a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born on September 19, 1794, and the latter, May 14, 1798. In 1849 Elijah Van Pelt came to Clinton county and in time came to own one hundred acres of land. Elijah Van Pelt and wife were the parents of four children : Ryan, the father of Elijah; John, born on June 20, 1829; Lydia, June 14, 1843, and Abigail, August 1, 1825, who died in infancy. The parents of Elijah Van Pelt were Jacob and Sarah (Ryan) Van Pelt, the former of whom, born on August 12, 1759, died on August 3, 1831, and the latter, born on September 22, 1761, died on August 29, 1831. Ryan and Rebecca (Milner) Van Pelt were the parents of five children, of whom Elijah was the fourth, in order of birth. The others were Albert, born on January 31, 1851; Lydia Ann, April 17, 1853. who died on March 16, 1881; Milner, March 6. 1855, and Lucinda, December 3, 1864, who is unmarried. Elijah Van Pelt began his education in the common schools of Wayne township and CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 883 later attended the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. After finishing his education, he taught school for two years and then spent two years in Kansas in the office of a county surveyor. He then returned to Ohio and began farming in Wayne township, this county, where he has become a well-known farmer and stock raiser. In 1900 he moved to the farm known as the 0. B. Savage farm, comprising five hundred and forty acres, which he rents. Besides renting this land, where he lives, he owns one hundred and seventy-five acres in Wayne township. He keeps a tenant upon the farm, but manages it himself. Mr. Van Pelt is not married. He has always been interested in public affairs and worthy public enterprises. He has taken a special interest in educational matters. The people of Wayne township owe much to Elijah Van Pelt and are very ready to acknowledge their indebtedness to him. H. B. ELLIS. Among the prosperous farmers of Liberty township, this county, and among the young men who are most widely known in this township is H. B. Ellis, who has a well-kept, fertile and highly productive farm of three hundred and sixty-four acres, and is engaged in general farming. H. B. Ellis was born in Greene county, Ohio, on February 7, 1871, son of Joshua and Rachel A. (Murphy) Ellis, both natives of Greene county, the former born in Jefferson township on September 28, 1847, and the latter, in 1848. Reared on his father's farm, and educated in the country schools, H. B. Ellis was married, in 1896, to Katie A. Link-hart, who was born in Clinton county, daughter of George W. and Mary C. Linkhart, and to this union one child has been born, Orville C., who is now sixteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are prominent members of the Friends church at Dover and are regular attendants at services. George W. Linkhart, father of Mrs. Ellis, was born in Greene county, this state, on April 5, 1843. At the age of four years he came to Clinton county with his parents and here he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on September 1, 1908. He was a son of Thomas and Eleanor Linkhart and was the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom are now dead. His widow is still living on the old home place, at the age of seventy-four years, her only son, Charles Linkhart, only brother of Mrs. Ellis, also making his home there. Reverting to Mr. Ellis's ancestry, it may be said that his father, Joshua Ellis, was a son of Samuel and Keziah (Woolman) Ellis, the former of whom was born in Winchester, Virginia, October 4, 1800, and the latter, June 17, 1817, in Greene county, Ohio. Joshua Ellis was educated in the common schools and at the age of thirteen, in 1859, left home and went to Bowersville, where he entered the employment of J. C. Early. He remained there until 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the time he was only fourteen years old, and his father objected to his enlistment and succeeded in having it cancelled. He again enlisted, in 1863, under Captain Ary of the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., and received his honorable discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, August 7, 1865. He owns one hundred and nine acres of land in Greene county and seventy acres in Clinton county. He was married on September 23, 1867, to Rachel A. Murphy, who was born in Greene county, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Davis) Murphy, farmers. Jacob Murphy was also a blacksmith by trade. He and his wife were prominent members of the Methodist church and very active in church work. They were the parents of five children, namely : William A., born on February 2 1840; Harvey C., June 18, 1841; Israel A., 1845; Rachel A., 1848, and James L., August 3, 1857. Joshua and Rachel A. (Murphy) Ellis had two children, Harley B., the subject of this sketch and Veturrah, who was born on August 25, 1873. She was married on November 25, 1896, to George Lee Linkhart, who' was born on December 5, 884 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. 1870, and who died on August 28, 1908, leaving one child, Nora A., born on October 31, 1897. Mrs. Veturrah Linkhart lives at home with her parents. Joshua Ellis is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Fort William, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For some time he has been operating a motion-picture house at Port William. Mr. Ellis's paternal grandfather, Samuel Ellis, who died on December 11, 1880, at the age of eighty years, two months and seven days, was married three times, first to Elizabeth Oglesbee, a native of Greene county; Ohio, by whom he had the following children: Mary Ann, Silas, Joseph, Almira and Isaiah. By his second wife, Keziah Woolman, Mr. Ellis's father's mother, there were born seven children, as follow : Susan, born on September 1, 1837; Eli, December 19, 1841, was a member of Company B, Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was fatally wounded in Georgia ; Sarah J., January 19, 1843; Simon P., March 15, 1845, was a soldier in Company F, Sixtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was held eleven months as a prisoner in Libby Prison; Samuel N., a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served one hundred days; Joshua, H. B. Ellis's father, already referred to, and Martha, who died at the age of thirteen days. The third wife of Samuel Ellis was a Mrs. Providence, of Greene county. The great grandfather of H. B. Ellis was Christopher Ellis, who was born on January 11, 1763, a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation, who came to Ohio in 1807, settling in Greene county, where he entered eight hundred acres of land. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. After his marriage in Pennsylvania, he moved to Frederick county, Virginia, and after a few years came to Greene county, this state, where he died in 1836. He had a brother, Abron, who came to Clinton county, in 1806, settling on the Anderson farm. Christopher Ellis married Eliza Carvery, who was born on September 5, 1769, and who died on September 5, 1822. The land owned in Greene county by Joshua Ellis is a part of the land originally owned by Christopher Ellis. By his first wife, Christopher Ellis had the following children : Catherine, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, John, Samuel, William, George, James. Mary, Joseph, Christopher and Elizabeth. By his second wife, who was Nancy Overly, there were four children, Martha. Tilden, Angeline and Daniel. Christopher Ellis's father was John Ellis, a native of Germany who immigrated from his native land to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1726. WILLIAM B. STEELE. William B. Steele, a well-to-do farmer and unassuming Christian gentleman of Wayne township, this county, was born on the farm where he still lives on July 9, 1860, the son of Absalom C. and Mary J. (Moorman) Steele, the former of whom was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, December 28, 1826, and the latter, the daughter of Thomas E. and Sabina Moorman, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Absalom C. Steele was the son of Jehu and Jane (Brown) Steele, natives of North Carolina. The maternal grandparents of Absalom Steel were James and Hannah (Clark) Brown, also natives of North Carolina. James Brown died in that state and his widow subsequently became a resident of Clinton county, where she died. William B. Steele's great-grandfather, John Brown, was a native of Scotland and his great-grandparents, Clark, were natives of England, who came to America in pre-Revolutionary days. Mrs. Clark was a witness of the battle of Guilford Court House during the war of the Revolution when sixteen years of age. Jehu Steele died in his native state when his son, Absalom, was but a child. Subsequently, about 1832, Mrs. Steele and several of the ,uncles of Absalom Steele, with others, immigrated to Ohio in wagons and located in :Highland county about two miles from New Vienna, there being at that time but one CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 885 house on the present site of that town. It was in that house that Absalom Steele grew to manhood. About 1846 he and his mother moved to New Vienna, where she died on May 25, 1869. Absalom C. Steele was married on January 9, 1851, to Mary J. Moorman, who was born in this county on February 15, 1833, one of eight children born to her parents. Her mother died in August, 1852, and her father died on October 11, 1866. To Absalom C. Steele and wife were born thirteen children, namely: Sabina Jane, on October 17, 1851; Thomas E., October 5, 1854; Jehu, January 14, 1856; Martha A., February 13, 1858; William B., July 9, 1860; John C., January 9, 1862; Alice E., March 15, 1864; Absalom C., Jr., April 27, 1866; Rosa B., May 5, 1868; Nettie D., May 4, 1870; Frank B., May 9, 1874; Anthon F., January 10, 1877, and one who died as an infant. Mr. Steele was a stone and brick mason by trade. He located in Wayne township on January 9, 1853, and there spent the rest of his life. William B. Steele was educated in the public schools of Wayne township and when a young man, began farming on land adjoining the home farm. In 1912 he moved to the farm where he now lives. He owns eighty-five acres of land altogether. To Mr. and Mrs. William B. Steele have been born six children: Harry D., who married Mary L. Rouse; Elijah M., who married Ann Lawrence; Samuel L., who married Edith Rouse; William R., who married Hattie Morris; Mary E. and Fred A., both of whom are at home. Mrs. Steele, before her marriage, was Rachel A. Mathew, the daughter of E. H. Mathew. Mr. and Mrs. Steele are members of the church of Christ and are devout in the faith of that church. Politically, Mr. Steele is a Democrat and has filled several positions of public trust, including the offices of justice of the peace, road supervisor and member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America. MARK CLARK. Among the successful farmers of Green township, this county, is Mark Clark, who owns one hundred and thirteen acres of land in that township, two miles from New Vienna. Mark Clark was born on September 22, 1858, in Union township, Highland county, Ohio, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hildebrant) Clark, the former born in Green township, this county, on May 11, 1830, and the latter born near Snow Hill, in this county, October 28, 1837. Isaac Clark was reared in Green township and was educated in the public schools. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres in Union township, Highland county, and also a farm in Green township of one hundred and sixteen acres and a small farm of seventy-five acres, which he bought about two years before his death and which was located near Snow Hill. He also owned property in New Vienna. He was married on March 18, 1855, to Elizabeth Hildebrant, who was the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Crifessteen) Hildebrant, the former born on February 16, 1794, and the latter on March 27, 1796, in New Jersey, who came to this county in pioneer times. Christopher Hildebrant died on August 6, 1868, and his widow on November 1, 1882. He was a farmer by occupation and he and his wife were the parents of eleven children, namely : Ralph, born on December 28, 1816; Catherine, December 2, 1818, who died on July 21, 1858; Margaret, February 25, 1821, who died on May 12, 1868; Jesse, March 3, 1823, who died on August 15, 1905; Hezekiah, December 11, 1824, who died on September 18, 1898; Elisha, March 16, 1827, who died on January 8, 1906; Isaiah, April 15, 1829, who died on September 18, 1884; Jefferson, February 10, 1831, who died on August 9, 1910; Rebecca Jane, May 8, 1833, who died in 1910; Austin W., August 2, 1835, who died on December 24, 1863 ; and Elizabeth, October 28, 1837, who died on March 15, 1915. Of these children, Austin W. was a soldier in the Civil War. He was appointed sergeant on April 10, 886 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. 1862, in Company G, Eleventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, by Captain P. P. Lane, at Summersville, To Isaac Clark and wife were born nine children, as follows: Columbus H., born on April 21, 1856; Mark, September 22, 1858; Mary Frances, December 24, 1859; Samantha, April 15, 1862, who died on April 30, 1862; Grant, August 23, 1863, who died on May 3, 1889; Marley, November 22, 1865, who died on August 14, 1878; Louie, December 12, 1867, who died on July 14, 1883; Hannah, March 27, 1871, and Austin, October 28, 1878, who died on January 19, 1890. Of these children, Grant was appointed postmaster of New Vienna in November, 1897, and began serving on January 1, 1898. He served in this position until his death on May 3, 1899. His sister, Hannah, was appointed postmistress on May 16, 1899, and held the office until February 28, 1905. The father of these children, Isaac Clark, was a Republican in politics and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was a member of the Christian church. He died on February 25, 1903, and his widow on March 15, 1915. Isaac Clark was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Miller) Clark, who were early settlers in Green township, where both died. Elizabeth Miller was the daughter of Isaac and Polly (Stewart) Miller, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the former born on February 5, 1777, and the latter in 1787. Isaac Miller was the son of Peter Miller, who married Catherine Rhodes. He was born in Wales in 1740 and his wife in the United States. They were the parents of five children, John, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac and Elizabeth. Peter Miller came to the United States when a young man, and was married near Philadelphia. He and his wife moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and he served in the Revolutionary War. Although he died in the war, the place of his burial is not known nor is the place of his wife's burial known. Isaac Miller was bound out to John McKibben and, when ten years old, went to Kentucky. In 1801 he came to Clinton county with a son of Mr. McKibben and they kept a bachelor's house. John McKibben was the owner of one thousand acres in Clinton county and he gave one hundred acres to Isaac Miller, who bought one hundred acres from Mr. McKib, Den. Isaac Miller cleared most of the land and John Fletcher Miller, his son, now owns a part of it. He was a Democrat in politics and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, joining the first church in the county, at Snow Hill. He married in Warren county, near Morrowtown, about 1803, and lived in Clinton county until his death on January 5, 1857. His widow survived him but twenty-one days, her death occurring on January 26, 1857. They were the parents of eleven children, William, Elizabeth, Polly, Isaac, Jane, Catherine, Hannah, James, John Fletcher, Milton and Margaret. Polly Stewart, the wife of Isaac Miller, was the daughter of William and Jane (Armstrong) Stewart, the former of whom was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1757. He attended the public schools in Dublin, Ireland, and, when a young man, came to America, locating at Philadelphia. He was pressed into the service during the Revolutionary War and was wounded by a bayonet. He was taken to the hospital at Philadelphia, where he met Jane Armstrong, who was his nurse, and whom he later married. They proceeded in a wagon to Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later to Columbia, a suburb of Cincinnati, in Hamilton county. He bought a farm in Warren county near Morrow and there they both spent their last days. To them were born eight children, Samuel, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Anna, Jane and Hannah. William Stewart's wife, soon after their marriage, was captured by the Indians. She was taken to Detroit, Michigan, and there exchanged and returned to her husband after being gone one year. Mark Clark, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools of Union township, this county. He worked in a stone quarry for some time, but his principal business has always been farming. Mr. Clark owns one CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 887 hundred and thirteen acres in Green township, two miles from New Vienna, and is a general farmer and stock raiser. On July 30, 1899, Mark Clark was married to Minnie Trenery, who was born in Green township, this county, on May 1, 1867, daughter of Thomas Benton and Emily (Smithson) Trenery, both natives of Clinton county. Thomas Benton Trenery was the son of John and Isabel (Cashatt) Trenery and John Trenery was the son of Thomas and Susie (Achor) Trenery, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Clark's maternal grandfather was William Smithson, who married Millie Murle. They were early settlers in Clinton county, having come here from old Virginia. Thomas Benton and Emily (Smithson) Trenery were the parents of seven children, Sarah Frances, Minnie Isabel, William Emerson, John Milton, Eva Jane, Homer Clayton and Arena, the latter of whom died at the age of three years. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Christian church. Her father died in 1889 and her mother in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have no children. He votes the Republican ticket. J. M. SNIDER. J. M. Snider, who owns a beautiful farm of one hundred and forty-four acres two miles east of Sabina, and who is one of the most capable farmers in that section of Clinton county, was born on December 3, 1853, near Martinsburg, in Fayette county, Ohio, son of A. L. and Sarah (Kneddler) Snider, the former of whom, a native of Highland county, was the son of William Snider, a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter, a native of Fayette county, was the daughter of George Kneddler, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1808, settling in Fayette county. George Kneddler was the son of Peter Kneddler, a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. Like so many of the early settlers of Ohio, William Snider, the grandfather of J. M., was a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Highland county in an early day and who engaged in farming and carpentry. He owned a farm in Highland county, but about 1850 he moved to Iowa, where he lived on a farm the remainder of his life. A. L. Snider was educated in the common schools of Highland county and learned the shoemaker's trade early in life, a trade in which he was engaged in Highland and Fayette counties. He died in the latter county. A. L. and Sarah Snider had seven children: George, who died at the age of about six years ; Elizabeth, who married C. Edward Jenkins; J. M., the subject of this sketch ; Robert, who married Anna Zimmerman; Ellis, who married Anna Higgins; Charles, who married Anna Clark ; and Harrison, who died young. The family of A. L. Snider were members of the Methodist church and he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Educated in the common schools of Fayette county, Ohio, J. M. Snider began farming when a young man in that county, but in 1881 came to Clinton county, where he bought a farm of eighty-two acres in Richland township. He has since added to this farm and now owns altogether one hundred and forty-four acres, upon which he has erected the beautiful house in which he lives, besides two barns and other proper buildings. The house was erected in 1898. Mr. Snider is an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs and Jersey cattle and does general farming. J. M. Snider was married to Keturah Pavey, daughter of William and Jerdena (Conner) Pavey, and to this union three children have been born: Vernia, who became the wife of Howard Curtis; William H., employed in the National Bank at Sabina, who married Hazel Moore and has one daughter, Rosalie, and C. H., who married Lena McVey and lives with Mr. Snider on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Snider and family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. He is a prosperous and highly respected citizen in Richland township and enjoys the esteem of all who know him. 888 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. HORACE G. McMILLAN. The McMillan family in Clinton county is descended from William and Deborah McMillan, residents of York county, Pennsylvania, whose descendants immigrated to the state of Ohio at an early day in the settlement of this section of the state. William McMillan was a native of Scotland and his wife of Wales, and they were the parents of eight children, of whom David, the fifth, married Hannah Huzzey. He settled on a farm later owned by his son, Thomas McMillan, comprising two hundred and fifty acres, situated in Chester township, this county. Jonathan McMillan, Sr., a brother of David, made a trip to Ohio about 1805, but later returned and brought back with him to Clinton county his parents, William and Deborah McMillan. David McMillan was born on March 2, 1772, in Pennsylvania. By his marriage to Hannah Huzzey, there were ten children, five born in Pennsylvania and five in Ohio, of whom Thomas and Jonathan were the last two to pass away. After coming to Clinton county, in 1805, with his family, David McMillan settled on Turkey Run creek, in what is now known as Chester township. He erected a log cabin and, endowed with considerable mechanical skill, made all sorts of farm implements and furniture for his own use. He was a member of the Society of Friends and died in December, 1844, his widow surviving him but two years, her death occurring on September 18, 1846. David and Hannah (Huzzey) McMillan were the parents of Thomas McMillan, who was the father of Horace G., the subject of this sketch. The entire life of Thomas McMillan was spent on the farm. He owned about two hundred and fifty acres and was a general farmer and stock raiser. He was one of the organizers of the Clinton County Bank at Wilmington and, from the time of the organization of that bank until his death, was a director of the institution. Thomas McMillan married Elizabeth N. Adsit, a native of Union township, this county, to which union there were born six children, namely : Isabel, who died in infancy; Mary Ann (deceased), who married Henry Spray; Deborah T. (deceased), who married John Hawkins; Eliza Jane (deceased), who became the wife of Daniel McKay; Horace G., the subject of this sketch, and Palmer, who died at the age of seventeen. Upon the death of his first wife, Thomas McMillan married Mrs. Nancy McMillan, widow of Isaac McMillan and daughter of Seth and Sarah Ann (Moore) Linton, to which second marriage there was born one child, Thomas Henry, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume. Thomas McMillan was a Republican in politics and a member of the Society of Friends. Horace G. McMillan was born on December 25, 1853, on the old McMillan farm in Chester township, his father, Thomas McMillan, having been born on the same farm. About 1885 he purchased one hundred and nineteen and three-fourths acres and built a house on the farm. Subsequently he made additional purchases, increasing the farm to two hundred and thirty-three acres. Mr. McMillan succeeded his father as a director in the Clinton County Bank at Wilmington and now holds that position. On September 11, 1884, Horace G. McMillan was married to Alice M. Peterson, daughter of Jacob S. and Catherine (Ellis) Peterson, to which union have been born three children, Esper J., Thomas W. and Carl P., all of whom are still at home. Jacob S. Peterson was a native of Clinton county, his father, Jacob Peterson, Sr., having been an early settler in this county. He remained at home during his minority, during which period he attended the log school house of the township. He later supplemented his elementary education by extensive reading and also cultivated a talent for music, in which art he became quite proficient. Following his early religious training, Mr. Peterson united with the German Reformed church at Xenia, still later with the Reformed organization at Caesar's Creek, and subsequently, in 1874, with the Mount Pisgah congregation. On November 23, 1848, Jacob S. Peterson was united in marriage CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 889  to Sarah Catherine Ellis, a native of Greene county, Ohio, granddaughter of Abraham Ellis, one of the earliest settlers of that section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson began housekeeping on a portion of the former's father's farm, where they lived for ten years, at the end of which time Mr. Peterson purchased adjoining land comprising two hundred acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born the following children: Emma Clare, born on December 22, 1849, who married James W. Middleton; Ida Irene, July 23, 1852, who married George A. McKay ; Orville Ellis, November 21, 1854, who married Luella B. Oglesbee, after whose death he married Evelyn Green; Alice Maria, August 16, 1860, who married Horace G. McMillan; Jacob Elmer, September 20, 1862, who married Viola Farquhar, and Eva Grace, February 4, 1869, who married Frank S. Colvin. The McMillan family are members of the Friends church and for a number of years Horace G. McMillan has been an officer in the church. In politics, Mr. McMillan has always been identified with the Republican party. OSCAR E. CLINE. Among those persons who have, by virtue of their strong individual qualities, earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency accumulated a competency in life and obtained prominence in the community where they live, Oscar E. Cline, of Sabina, this county, is entitled to special mention. He owns a good farm of a hundred and twenty-one acres in Wayne and Richland townships, which he was actively engaged in operating until 1908, when he moved to the thriving town of Sabina. Oscar E. Cline was born on May 31, 1874, in Fayette county, Ohio, the son of William S. and Naomi (Glasgow) Cline, the former of whom was born in February, 1837, in Fayette county, Ohio, and the latter, in January, 1836, in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Andrew Glasgow. William S. Cline was the son of George Washington and Catherine (Feagins) Cline, the former a native of Virginia and the latter a native of Fayette county, Ohio. George W. Cline was a farmer who owned about three hundred and fifty acres in Fayette county and was one of the pioneer citizens there. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Edward, Mary, William, Andrew, Philip and John, the last named of whom died early in life. Educated in the common schools of Fayette county, this state, William S. Cline began farming in Fayette county when a young man. During the early years of his married life he also was engaged in farming in Clinton county for some three or four years, but returned to Fayette county and there spent the rest of his life. He owned three hundred and thirty acres comprising a magnificent farm. The last six or seven years of his life he lived retired at Washington C. H. To William S. and Naomi (Glasgow) Cline were born seven children, namely : Wills A., who married Ella Rice; Emma, who married H. W. Wilson; Arminta, who married J. F. Adams; Mary, unmarried; George W., who married Dora Washington; Oscar E., the subject of this sketch, and Frederick 0., who married Viola Darbyshire. Politically, William S. Cline was a Democrat. Oscar E. Cline was educated in the public schools of Fayette county and while still a young man began working on the farm. The first few years of his active life he was engaged with his father, but later began farming for himself in Fayette county. He came to Clinton county in 1901 and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres in Wayne and Richland townships, and from 1901 to 1908 was actively engaged in its cultivation. In the latter year he removed to Sabina and now operates the farm with hired men. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and is an extensive breeder of Shire horses. Mr. Cline married Minnie J. Pavey, daughter of William and Mary A. (Kirby) Pavey, 890 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. of Sabina, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Howard, born in 1900. Mrs. Cline is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have a beautiful home in Sabina and are held in high regard by their many friends throughout that part of the county. Educational progress and development have always been very near to Mr. Cline's heart and for some time he has served as a member of the board of education. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He votes the Democratic ticket and takes a warm interest in the county's political affairs. FRANK R. BAILEY. Frank R. Bailey was born on February 25, 1877, in Chester township, Clinton county, Ohio, the son of Wilson and Ida L. (Lemar) Bailey, both born in the same township, the former on January 25, 1849, and the latter, January 1, 1855, the daughter of Samuel Lemar, a well known farmer of that township. Samuel Lemar was born on January 1, 1813, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Lemar, the former of whom was born on April 12, 1786, in Virginia, son of Charles and Elizabeth Leman. When about fourteen years of age, his mother died. In 1802, his father, with the remainder of the family, emigrated to Fairfield county, Ohio, and settled in what is now known as Hocking township, where they remained until 1833. He was reared on a farm, and received the rudiments of an education in a neighborhood school. In 1812 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rose, by whom he had thirteen children. In 1834, he removed to Chester township, this county, where he lived several years. He died in Greene county in February, 1865. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1847. Samuel Lemar was reared to farming and received a good education in the schools of his time. When he was about eighteen years old, he began work on the canal, which at that time was in the process of construction from Cincinnati to Cleveland, and for his services received thirteen dollars per month. Later he worked in a brickyard for ten dollars per month. In 1841 he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Chester township, where he lived until 1849. On January 1, 1835, he was married to Electa Barnes, the daughter of Samantha Barnes. The Barnes family emigrated from Dutchess county, New York, to Clinton county, about 1813. Two children were born to this union, both of whom died early in life. Mrs. Samuel Lemar died in December, 1837, and on August 29, 1844, Samuel Lemar married, secondly, Julia Ann Stingley, daughter of John and Elizabeth Stingley, to which union the following children were born : John S., Oliver W., Emma, Alice, Ida, Eva, Ella, Tinna and Samuel. Samuel Lemar served as clerk of Chester township; as trustee for twenty years and as justice of the peace for nearly forty years. He also served six years as county commissioner, having been elected to all of these offices as a Republican or Whig. He owned about five hundred acres of land in Clinton county. Frank R. Bailey's paternal grandparents were William H. and Rachel Bailey of Chester township, this county. His father was a farmer in Chester township and owned one hundred acres of land. He and his wife had three children, James M., Frank R., the subject of this sketch, and Samuel K. Of these children, James R. married Jessie Murray and lives in Cincinnati; Samuel married Luella Fowler. and lives in Athens, Ohio. Frank R. Bailey was reared to manhood on his father's farm. His father died on April 14, 1897, and his mother, who later married E. B. Howland, is now living in Wilmington. Mr. Bailey married Katie Smith, who was horn in Adams township, this county, the daughter of J. H. Smith, a well-known farmer of that township, and to this union three children have been born, Russell W., Bernice May and Carl J. In 1907 Mr. Bailey and family moved to the farm of sixty-nine acres in Adams township, which they now occupy. They are members of the Friends church, at Springfield, in Adams township, and are held in high esteem by all who know them. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 891 JOHN T. GANG. Among the successful farmers of Liberty township, this county, is John T. Gano, who owns one hundred and twenty acres of land comprising a productive and highly profitable farm. Mr. Gano was born in Washington county, Iowa, on September 1, 1856, the son of John S. and Rhoda (Beech) Gano, the former of whom was born probably in Virginia. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church: John S. Gano died when his son, John T., was an infant. After the father's death, the mother came with her family to Clinton county, locating near what was then the home of her brother. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gano, only one, John T., the subject of this sketch, is now living, Margaret and Martha, his sisters, being deceased. Mrs. John S. Gano never married again. Educated in the district schools of Clinton county, John T. Gano engaged in farming as soon as he was old enough to be employed in such work. On August 9, 1877, he was united in marriage to Louisa Garman, who was born on the farm where she and Mr. Gano now live, the daughter of Samuel and Alice Garman, farmers of Liberty township and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gano located on their present farm. To their union four children have been born, namely : Blanche, who married Frank Shrack, of Melvin, this county, and has four children, Wilbur, Charles, Mary L. and Frank; Ethel, who married Wilbur Cline of Greene county, Ohio, and has one child, Carl; Granville, who married Emma Stobis and has three children, John L., Ellen and Beulah M., and Earl, who died at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Gano are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lumberton and attend the Sunday school. Mr. Gano is trustee of the church and has served in that capacity for ten years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Daughters of Rebekah. In 1905, he built a commodious house on his farm and now enjoys all the modern conveniences of country life. No residents of Liberty township are more highly respected than Mr. and Mrs. Gano and their many friends hold them in the highest esteem. JAMES W. CUSTIS. James W. Custis, who has been a dry-goods salesman in Sabina, this county, for fourteen years, but who also owns two hundred and fifty acres of land in Fayette and Clinton counties, besides property in Sabina, was born on September 3, 1865, at New Antioch, this county, the son of William and Susan (Drake) Custis, the former of whom was born on September 8, 1837, in Clinton county, and the latter, April 26, 1839, in New York state, daughter of Daniel and Ann (Mersereau) Drake, natives of the Empire state. Daniel Drake came to Ohio about 1850 and purchased eighty acres of land in Clinton county, near Starbuck. William Custis, father of James W., was engaged in the hardware business for ten years, but the rest of his life he was engaged in the dry goods business. He was a man active in local affairs, especially in religious circles, having been a prominent member of the Methodist church. His death occurred on October 12, 1906, and his widow is still living in Sabina. They were the parents of the following hildren : C. W., who married Flora Johnson, and lives in Sabina ; Frank, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, where he is engaged in the grocery business; Ida B., the wife of S. R. McGuire, of Dayton; Anna, the wife of L. A. Wysong of Wilmington; James W., the immediate subject of this review; Levi, a resident of Akron, Ohio; Lula, the wife of Doctor Leightner, of Sabina, and Grace, who is the wife of Marion Kuhn, of Crooksville, Ohio. James W. Custis was educated in the district school and the Sabina high school, from which latter he was graduated. Early in life he engaged in the dry-goods business as a clerk, and has been continuously engaged in this business since that time. 892 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. On June 9, 1891, James W. Custis was married to Rebecca J. Perrell, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on January 16, 1867, daughter of John and Margaret (Sparks) Perrell, the former of whom owned about fourteen hundred acres of land in Fayette county, and who was active in the banking business at Washington C. H., Ohio. Although John Perrell is now deceased, the family still retains the interest in the Commercial Bank at Washington C. H, After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Custis located in Sabina. They have no children. They are active and earnest members of the Methodist Protestant church, and Mr. Custis has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past eight years. CLARENCE TRIMBLE TELFAIR. Clarence Trimble Telfair, son of Charles and Ann (Barry) Telfair, was born on September 13, 1873, in Madisoh county, Ohio, but later removed with his father's family to near Hillsboro, Ohio. Charles Telfair, the father of Clarence, was born in Virginia. He was married to Ann Barry, daughter of John and Helena (Woodrow) Barry, of Hillsboro, who owned quite a large tract of land in Highland county. Charles Telfair was a member of the Masonic lodge and rose to the rank of a Scottish Rite Mason. The children of Charles and Ann Telfair were Jean, George, Clarence, Helen and Elizabeth. Jean resides with her mother in Pittsburgh; George, who is in the wholesale hardware business in Pittsburgh married Edna Correll, of Concord, North Carolina; Helen died in 1912, and Elizabeth married Hugh V. Andrews, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio. Clarence Telfair is a progressive, public-spirited citizen and enterprising farmer of Wilson township, his land forming a part of a survey of three thousand acres inherited by his grandfather, Dr. Isaac Telfair, from his maternal grandfather, Gen. George Mathews, of Georgia. This survey of three thousand acres, along with several other thousand acres of land, was granted to General Mathews by President John Adams for his services and heroism during the Revolution. Clarence Telfair is a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was married on September 28, 1911, to Florence L. Haines, a native of Greene county, Ohio, and a daughter of Zimri D. and Sarah Alice (McKay) Haines. The children of Clarence and Florence Telfair are Edward Haines, born on August 15, 1912, and Roderick Trimble, February 27, 1914, at "Idyl-Wilde," their home near Bloomington, this county. Florence H. Telfair was born on April 1, 1884, and was the third in the family of eight children, the others being Glennora E., Tilghman, Isadora, Eber, Russell, Elton and Reva Mary. Glennora married Louis Weihe, of Belleview, Florida. Tilghman is superintendent of the schools at Rockland, Massachusetts. Isadora married John B. Telfair, of Wilmington, this county. Eber married Edna 0. Peele, of near Sabina. Russell is a graduate pharmacist in Charleston, West Virginia. Elton and Reva Mary are at home. Mrs. Telfair was graduated from the Charlotte Sanatorium, Charlotte, North Carolina, and was a registered nurse of the state of North Carolina, receiving first honor. After her graduation she was superintendent of the sanatorium from which she was graduated. Before entering the profession of nursing, Mrs. Telfair was a teacher of public-school music in Caesars Creek and Chester township. Her maternal grandparents were Tilghman and Sarah (Medsker) McKay, and her paternal grandparents were the Rev. Eber and Mary (Mendenhall) Haines. Reverend Haines was a minister of the denomination of Friends. The Telfairs trace their ancestry back to Dr. David Telfair, who was born in Monteith, Scotland, in 1722, on Lake Monteith, Perthshire, and died in Philadelphia in 1789. He was the founder of the first Scots Presbyterian church in Philadelphia. He was married to Elizabeth Duncan, daughter of Isaac and Margaret Duncan, who owned a vast estate around Philadelphia. David and Elizabeth Telfair's children were Isaac, CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 893 Anne. William and Margaret. Isaac Telfair married Jane Mathews, daughter of Gen. George Mathews, of Georgia, who was a Colonial soldier, commanding a company that assisted in defeating Corn-Stalk, the Indian chief, at the famous battle of "The Point," on the Ohio, and afterward served under General Washington in the Revolutionary War, entering the service as a colonel of a Virginia regiment. Colonel Mathews is referred to in Withers' "Chronicle of Border Warfare" as a distinguished officer, the hero of Brandywine, Germantown and Guilford. Afterward he was severely wounded, taken prisoner by the British and imprisoned on a prison-ship in New York harbor until the close of the Revolution. He was governor of Georgia for three successive terms and a Senator from that state in the Congress of the United States. For his heroism and services during the Revolution he was awarded several thousand acres of land by President John Adams. The son of Isaac and Jane Mathews Telfair was Dr. Isaac Telfair, grandfather of Clarence Telfair. He was born on October 1, 1798, in Danville, Kentucky. After the death of his father, Doctor Telfair removed with his mother to Staunton, Virginia, where he enlisted in the navy and served as midshipman on the Algerine expedition. He afterward took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Medicine. Doctor Telfair was married to Jane A. Boys, daughter of Dr. William Boys, of Staunton, Virginia. After practicing his profession in Staunton, Virginia, and Hillsboro, Ohio, he finally retired to his lands in Clinton county. The principal part of the survey as originally patented, has been owned by the family ever since the patent was issued. Here Doctor Telfair and wife lived until their death, at the old home, "Oak-Ridge." They were the parents of ten children, Charles, William, Jane, Martha, Maria, Virginia, Rose, Margaret, Timothy and Doctor George. William married Elizabeth Payton, of Staunton, Virginia ; Jane married William H. Creighton, of Chillicothe, Ohio; Martha, Maria, Virginia and Margaret died unmarried; Rose married Harrison Denver, of Wilmington; Timothy married Doctor Wilkerson, and Doctor George married Harriet Brown, of Dayton, Ohio. The Telfairs as a family have always been stanch Presbyterians, while the Haines family, to which Mrs. Telfair belongs, can trace their generations of Quaker ancestry back to England, from whence they came. ROBERT C. LAWHEAD. The Lawhead family have been residents of Clinton county for eighty years and during this long period have been prominently identified with every phase of the county's development. Robert C. Lawhead has been in public life in various capacities since 1887 and has always performed his every duty in such a way as to win the commendation of his fellow citizens. He started in public life as a school teacher and later became interested in politics. Serving first as deputy clerk of the Clinton county courts, he was subsequently elected clerk and filled that office three terms. At the present time he is teller in the Clinton County Bank, a position he has filled since 1910. Robert C. Lawhead, the son of John W. and Cynthia A. (Canny) Lawhead, was born near New Antioch, this county, on August 29, 1860. His parents were both born near the same village and lived there all of their lives. John W. Lawhead and wife were the parents of five children: Robert C., of Wilmington; James W., of Wilmington; Rachael Ann, deceased; Mary Elizabeth, the deceased wife of L. M. Bowman; Aithan, the wife of Frank Bashore, a farmer living near Cuba, this county. Robert C. Lawhead received his elementary education in the schools of New Antioch and Wilmington, and later attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and Wilmington College. After leaving college he lived on the farm until 1887, when he became principal of the New Antioch schools, a position which he held until 894 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. 1891. In the meantime he had become interested in politics and this led to his appointment as deputy clerk in 1891. He served in this capacity under Charles 0. Hildebrant until 1900. In December of that year he entered the Clinton County Bank as bookkeeper and has retained his connection with the bank since that year. However, he found time during this interim to serve three terms as clerk of the county courts. He was first elected to this latter position in 1903 and held the office continuously until 1911. He had no opposition for the office when he made the race the third time, a fact which shows how well his service was appreciated by his fellow citizens. During all the time he was in the clerk's office he retained his position in the bank, doing his public work in the evenings. In 1910 he became the teller of the bank and then employed a deputy in the clerk's office until the expiration of his term in the spring of 1911. From 1891 to 1902 Mr. Lawhead was deputy state supervisor of elections and for three years was chief deputy. Since 1903 he has been a member of the Wilmington school board and has been president of the board every year except one since he became a member of the board. For many years Mr. Lawhead has been a member of the Republican county, central and executive committees. On March 20, 1898, Robert C. Lawhead was married to Nancy P. Fleming, who was born in Illinois on July 11, 1861, daughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Duskins) Fleming, and to this union has been born one child, a daughter, Harriet, who was born on August 19, 1903. ALVA C. HENRY. Alva C. Henry, a splendid young farmer, of Wayne township, this county, was born near Blanchester in Clinton county, on January 6, 1886, the son of William M. and Sarah I. (Martin) Henry, the former of whom was born in Warren county Ohio, and the latter, near Blanchester, Clinton county, the daughter of James Martin. Michael and Catherine (Doctor) Henry, the paternal grandparents of Alva C. Henry, were natives of the Old Dominion state and came from that state to Ohio about 1831, locating in Harlin township, Warren county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eleven children: Eliza, John Newton, William M., Amelia, Jane, Marcus, James M., Mahala, Alfred, Charles and Samantha. Michael Henry voted the Democratic ticket and was a prominent figure of the community in which he lived. William M. Henry was educated in the common schools of Warren county, and after reaching maturity engaged in farming in Highland township, that county, where he lived until 1886. At that time he moved to the farm in Wayne township, this county, now owned by his sons, Alva C. and William M., a fine tract consisting of two hundred and sixty-five acres of fertile land which will produce almost any crop grown in the temperate zone. He erected the buildings now standing on the farm and was a well-known stockman during his career. William M. and Sarah I. (Martin) Henry had three children: Clara, who married Weldon Smith; Alva C., the subject of this sketch, and William M., a veterinary surgeon at New Vienna, this county, who married Myrtle Hoskins. Alva C. Henry obtained a good common-school education in the schools of Wayne township and, after quitting school, began farming where he now lives. Since 1903 he and his brother, William M., have owned the old home farm and it is managed very much after the same plan followed by their father. Alva C. Henry married Jennie Kincaid, daughter of H. E. Kincaid, and to this union has been born one child, Willard M., who was born on March 29, 1914. Mr. Henry is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Memphis. Politically, he is a Democrat and fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 895 One would have to search diligently in Clinton county to find a farm in a better state of repair than the Henry farm in Wayne township. Alva C. built the barn in 1910 and many other incidental improvements have been added during the last few years. The Henrys are highly respected people in this community and enjoy the esteem of all who know them. C. A. GOODWIN. C. A. Goodwin, a well-to-do farmer of Jefferson township, this county, was born in Warren county, Ohio, May 18, 1867, a son of Levi and Hannah (Runyon) Goodwin, both natives of that county. Hannah Runyon was a daughter of David Runyon. The late Levi Goodwin was educated in the common schools of Warren county and was reared to the life of a farmer, which occupation he followed in that county. He rented land there most of his life, but in later years moved to Clinton county, and his death occurred at Second Creek, in this county, his wife having passed away previously in Warren county before his removal to this county. The family were all members of the United Brethren church. C. A. Goodwin is one of ten children born to his parents, eight sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living, the other children being Edward, Belle, William, Ora, Hermie, Lewis, Burt, Robert and Edith. C. A. Goodwin received his education in the public schools of Warren county, and in 1891 moved to Clinton county, and engaged in farming in the Pansy neighborhood. He rented land there until 1909, in which year he purchased one hundred and four acres. Two years later he purchased fifty acres additional, all of which is located in Jefferson township. Mr. Goodwin is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has made a success of his ventures. In 1890 C. A. Goodwin was married to Iva Schooley, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, daughter of Charles Schooley, and to this union two children have been born: Verna, born in 1891, and Artemus, in 1897, the former of whom, a Jefferson township farmer, married Olive Jones, and has one son, Virgil, born on November 30, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the Christian church, and take an active interest in the affairs of the local congregation. Fraternally, Mr. Goodwin is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin and their son, Artemus, are members of the local grange, in which organization they are deeply interested. Mr. Goodwin takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs and has served his township as assessor. JOSEPH WILLIAM ROBINSON. Joseph W. Robinson, formerly a well-known teacher of Clinton county, and for many years connected actively with the political life of this county and especially of Green township, where he lives, was born on November 5, 1868, son of Dr. Robert K. and Isabel (Van Dervort) Robinson, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born in Richland township, and the latter, in Green township. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Robinson were Joseph and Margaret (Killen) Robinson, natives of Virginia, and Clinton county, respectively, Mrs. Joseph Robin-son's parents having been pioneers of this county. The maternal grandparents were Nicholas Van Dervort and wife, also pioneers of this county. Dr. Robert K. Robinson was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War and after the close of the war practiced his profession at Converse, Indiana, where his wife died in 1876. He later married Frances Darby, and moved to Prescott, Arizona, where he spent the remainder of his active life, his death, however, occurring at Kokomo, Indiana, while on a visit to that place in September, 1891. By his first marriage, Dr. Robert K. Robinson had 896 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. two children, Joseph William and Gertrude. To his second marriage were also born two children, Beryl and Fern. After leaving the common schools Joseph W. Robinson was a student in the schools of Wilmington, completing his education in Wilmington College and at the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, Indiana. He then took up the vocation of teaching and taught five years in the schools of Clinton county. Since leaving the school room he has engaged in farming. From the time he was seven and one-half years old, he was reared in the family of Jonah Scott Van Dervort, a maternal uncle, whose wife was Angela J. Walker before her marriage to Mr. Van Dervort. Jonah S. Van Dervort died on August 25, 1911, and his widow passed away on April 6, 1915. He was the owner of the farm upon which Mr. Robinson now lives, a tract of forty-one acres, which is owned jointly by Mr. Robinson and his sister. Mr. Robinson is a Republican in politics, and has served his party as assessor of Green township, and was a member of the school board for several years. He is unmarried, and a faithful and regular attendant of the Christian church at New Antioch. His sister, Gertrude (Robinson) Oglesbee, lies in Dayton, Ohio, where she has resided almost continuously for the past twelve years. Her husband, E. E. Ogles-bee, is the proprietor of a feed store. She has two daughters, Isabel and Eloise, born in 1902 and 1909, respectively. HON. OLIVER JOSEPH THATCHER. Even before Clinton county was organized as a civil unit, the Thatcher family had established itself in this section of Ohio, Thomas Thatcher, a Pennsylvania Quaker, having located in this region in the year 1806 or 1807 and here he spent the remainder of his life. Thomas Thatcher was one of the foremost factors in the early development of Clinton county and was a man of large influence in bringing about proper social and civil conditions in the formative period of this now well-established community. The Thatchers are of English ancestry and the family has been established in America since the year 1640, when two brothers of that name left their home near Bristol, England, and came to this country. From this parent stock the family has extended to many parts of the country, the name being represented in widely separated points throughout the United States. Thomas Thatcher, the first of the name to locate in this county, was a member of a substantial Quaker family in Pennsylvania and pushed on into the wilds of this section of Ohio, actuated by the true pioneer instinct. He was a man of much force of character and early became recognized as one of the leading citizens of his time in this section. For years he operated a tannery at Wilmington and laid out what still is known as Thatchers addition to the county seat town. He died in 1824. Thomas Thatcher, the pioneer, married Susannah Stratton, a member of one of the pioneer families of this county, and to this union were born six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now deceased, namely : Joseph, Jesse, Theodocia, Ruth, David and Thomas. Joseph Thatcher, second son of Thomas and Susannah (Stratton) Thatcher, was born in the old Thatcher home in Wilmington, this county, and there grew to manhood. Upon reaching manhood he applied himself to the trade of blacksmith and became known as one of the best artificers in that line in this part of the state. Joseph Thatcher married Deborah Hadley, who also was born in this county, a member of one of the old and influential families, and to this union eight children were born, as follow : Mary, who died at the age of twenty-one years; William, who died at the age of twenty ; Mrs. Susan Brown, of Hillsboro, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah McDonald, of Wilmington; Lydia, wife of S. L. Statler, of Wilmington; Annie, who married Peter Osborn and is now deceased; Emma, deceased wife of David Jenke, and Oliver Joseph, the immediate subject of CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 897 this biographical sketch. Joseph Thatcher, father of the above children, died in 1857 and his widow survived him but five years, her death occurring in 1826. They both were devoted and influential members of the Friends church at Beech Grove and their children were reared in that faith, the family being active in all good works in the community. Oliver Joseph Thatcher, last born of the eight children of Joseph and Deborah (Hadley) Thatcher, was born in the Beech Grove neighborhood, three miles from Wilmington, this county, on November 10, 1857, and with the exception of ten years spent in foreign travel and in study in the capitals of Europe and fourteen years as a professor in the University of Chicago, has passed his life here. He received his elementary education in the common schools of this county, supplementing the same by a course in Wilmington College. from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1878. Thus equipped, he entered the active ranks of the Clinton county teaching force and for two years was engaged as a teacher in the eighth grade of the Wilmington city schools. Following this term of public service he was for a year engaged as the superintendent of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, this state. after which for one year he devoted himself to private study and reading and in 1882 entered Union Seminary (affiliated with Columbia University), New York, devoting himself to the study of Semitic languages and Greek. He was graduated from Union Seminary in 1885 as honor student, having stood at the head of his class for the entire course, there being conferred upon him in recognition of this distinction, a traveling fellowship and twelve hundred dollars with which to prosecute his studies abroad. Thus honorably armed Mr. Thatcher sailed for Europe and for three years diligently applied himself to further study in universities at Berlin, Marburg, Geneva and in the American School for Classical Studies at Athens. Upon returning to America, Doctor Thatcher was given the chair of Church History at Allegheny Seminary and for four years occupied that position, filling in his summer vacations with further research work in the University of Berlin, Germany. In 1802 Doctor Thatcher was given the chair of Medieval History in the University of Chicago, which he occupied until 1906, devoting much of his time meanwhile to the history of the papacy and religious orders. Resigning his position at the University of Chicago in 1906, Doctor Thatcher retired from teaching and returned to Wilmington. Ever interested in public affairs in Clinton county, Doctor Thatcher, in 1908, acquired a controlling interest in the Clinton Republican and gave that excellent paper his editorial direction for three years, at the end of which time he sold his interest and since then has occupied his spare time in literary and historical work. He has served also as an instructor in Wilmington College. In 1912 Doctor Thatcher was elected to the Ohio state Legislature from this district and was re-elected in 1914. Upon the creation of the Ohio state school survey commission in 1913, Doctor Thatcher was made chairman of that important body. This commission made a survey of the rural schools of Ohio and the report based upon this survey actuated the governor to call a special session of the General Assembly, at which the recommendations made by the commission were enacted into law, this new law being generally regarded as having given to Ohio the best code for the conduct of rural schools possessed by any state in the Union. Since 1912 Doctor Thatcher has occupied himself chiefly in his extensive literary labors, the preparation of the manuscript of his numerous books having been an arduous labor, yet, withal, a labor of love, for in these books he has given to students the full fruit of his years of diligent research. During these years of research. Doctor Thatcher spent one year in close study in the wonderful library of the Vatican at Rome and the titles of several of his books suggest the particular character of his studies. Among these books, which are well known to students the world over, may properly be (57) 898 - CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. mentioned, "A Sketch of the History of the Apostolic Church," "Europe in the Middle Ages," "A Short History of Medieval Europe," "Studies Concerning Adrian IV," and a general history of Europe, as a high-school text-book, the latter work having been prepared in conjunction with another professor. He also has collaborated with Professor McNeal, of the Ohio State University, in the compilation and preparation of "A Source Book for Medieval History," and was editor-in-chief of that monumental work in eight volumes, "A Library of Original Sources," known to all students. Doctor Thatcher occupies a very high place in literary and scholastic circles and is held in the highest esteem by both the faculty and student body of Wilmington College, as well, as throughout this entire section. Distinguished as a scholar and a statesman, no man in the state of Ohio commands a higher degree of respect and confidence- on the part of the public than he and it is but fitting that there should be included in this volume of history relating to Clinton county, this modest biographical mention of the man whose unselfish services have contributed so much to the advancement of the cultural life of the community in which the most of his life has been spent. LAWRENCE W. BRANDENBURG. The Brandenburg family came to Ohio from Frederick county, Virginia, William Brandenburg having settled in the great Buckeye state some time before America's second War of Independence in 1812. It was he who built the first steam grist-mill ever constructed in Clinton county, a mill which was erected and operated at Blanchester. William Brandenburg was a soldier in the Mexican War. Lawrence W. Brandenburg, formerly a well-known school teacher of this county and now a prosperous farmer of Washington township; a grandson of Brandenburg, was born in Clinton county on February 11, 1857, son of Moses D. and Rebecca A. (Gallaher) Brandenburg, the former of whom was. born, February' 1, 1834, near Blanchester, and the latter, in Washington township, the daughter of Harvey and Anna (Williams) Gallaher. Harvey Gallaher was a native of Warren county, Ohio, born in 1800, who, in 1840, moved to Clinton county and located in Washington township, where he lived the remainder of his life. The paternal grandparents of Lawrence W. Brandenburg were William and Mary (Pearson) Brandenburg, who were residents of this county for many years. William Brandenburg had come to Ohio when a small boy, some time before the War of 1812. His parents settled near Aurora, Indiana, but later located in Warren county, this state. William Brandenburg operated a steam grist-mill near Blanchester in connection with his farm, but in the later years of his life abandoned the milling business and devoted all of his time 'to the farm, being the owner of about one hundred and fifty acres of land in Washington township. William and Mary Brandenburg were the parents of six children, of whom Moses D., the father of Lawrence W., was the fourth, the other children being Delilah, Susannah, Aaron, Caroline and Nancy. The late Moses D. Brandenburg received the rudiments of an education at Second Creek school in Marion township, and, when a young man, began farming in the township in 'partnership with his father. Later he moved to Washington township, and, after a couple of years, moved to McLean county, Illinois, where he farmed for four years, at the' end of which time he returned to Washington township, and there spent the remainder of his life. Upon his return, he bought fifty acres of land in Washington township; and later added forty acres to his farm. Moses D. and Rebecca A. Brandenburg were the parents of seven children, of- whom Lawrence W., the subject of this sketch, 'was the eldest, the other children being- Laura, Templin, Rodney, Catherine, Mary and Frank. Moses D. Brandenburg and family were members of the Friends church at Beech Grove and he was identified with- the Republican party. Lawrence W. Brandenburg was educated in the common schools of Washington CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO - 899 township and later attended school at Martinsville. Upon leaving school, he taught for thirteen years in Clermont and Clinton counties. Subsequently he took up farming as a vocation and has since devoted all of his time to it. Mr. Brandenburg owns one hundred and twelve and one-half acres in Washington township near Cuba, where he lives. In 1913 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Marion township and he oversees the farming of both tracts of land, being interested considerably in stock raising. On April 3, 1884, Lawrence W. Brandenburg was married to Mary E. Moore, daughter of John W. and Martha H. (Haines) Moore, and to this union have been born four children, Maude, John, Ralph and Earl. Maude, the eldest, married Earl Harris and has one daughter, Lois. As a Republican, Mr. Brandenburg served a period of six years as trustee of Washington township and has to his credit an efficient and honorable record of public service. He is treasurer of the burial fund of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist church. The Brandenburg family are members of the Friends church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. WILLIAM N. REYNOLDS. William N. Reynolds, the proprietor of one hundred and fifty acres of land in Green township and a successful farmer of Clinton county, was born in Highland county, Ohio, January 16, 1864, the son of Charles P. and Callie (Grice) Reynolds, natives, respectively, of Illinois and Brown county, Ohio, the former of whom was born! in 1835. Callie Grice was the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Cooper) Grice, early settlers in Brown county, Ohio, who later came to Clinton county, where Charles Grice passed away, his widow spending her last days at Middletown, Ohio. Charles P. Reynolds, the father of William N. Reynolds, emigrated from Illinois to Brown county, Ohio, about 1865. He later removed to Green township, this county, where he died in 1911. His widow died many years previously, in 1871. They were the parents of two children, William N., the subject of this sketch, and Joseph M. Charles P. Reynolds was a Democrat in politics. William N. Reynolds, who was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of Martinsville and Wilmington, has been engaged in farming all his life. Until 1907 he rented land, sharing the profits. In 1907 he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Green township. On September 7, 1884, William N. Reynolds was married to Cynthia Jane Brown, who was born in Union township, this county, December 18, 1865, daughter of John S. and Charlotte (Routh) Brown, the former of whom was born in Kentucky in 1817 and the latter in Clinton county, in 1825. The paternal grandparents were Elisha and Polly (Alexander) Brown, who settled in Green township, this county, in 1829, but who, after reaching advanced years, removed to Indiana, their last days being spent in Huntington county, in that state. Mrs. Reynolds' maternal grandparents were John and Jennie (Moon) Routh, both natives of Tennessee, who were married in that state. After their marriage, they came to Ohio, settling in Clinton county, some time before 1825, locating, on a farm in Clark township. They died near Martinsville. Mrs. Reynolds' father owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Union township. He died in 1900, • and his widow died in 1910. They were the parents of five children, Francis Marion (deceased), Daniel R., Polly, Jessie and Cynthia Jane. To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds eight children have been born, as follow : Anna Bell, who married Charles A. Ward and has two children, Marjorie and Donald R.; Cora Bessie, who married Ray Murphy and has three children, Fred, Maxine and Glen R.; Oscar B., deceased ; Orville N., who married Rose Slacker of Union township, and has one child, Herbert ; Charlotte, John P., Georgia Opal and David H. are at home. Mr.