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MARION TOWNSHIP.


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JOHN W. ANSHUTZ, dentist, Blanchester, son of Andrew and Sarah (Lever) Anshutz, was born in Goshen Township, Clermont County, September 7, 1837. He was reared on a farm till twenty years of age, when he learned the dentist's profession in Goshen. In 1860, he came to Blanchester and began his practice on the northeast corner Broadway and Main streets, where he remained fifteen years, and then moved to his present office over Rice's store. He is the only dentist that ever located here; began without anything, and, by steady application to business, has built up a splendid practice, besides accumulating his share of this world's goods. Keeps one assistant. He was married, December 24, 1878, in Cincinnati, to Mary Gregg. They have one daughter, Ruthello, born in Blanchester October 7, 1880. Mr. A. is a member of the Masonic fraternity; owns his residence and four lots corner Main and Mill streets; residence and two lots adjoining, fronting on Railroad street; residence and two lots on Main street between Broadway and Church streets; one lot near corner Broadway and Main streets, and one-half interest in 25 lots in Anshutz and Patterson's Addition.

BENJAMIN BALDWIN, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Jonathan and


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Harriet (Blancett) Baldwin, was the first white child born in Marion Township, born October 17, 1815. His father was the first settler in this township. Benjamin remained at home till twenty-one years old, when he purchased ninety-one acres of land of his father at 89 per acre. He now owns one hundred and twenty-two acres, fifty of which he has cleared up and in a good state of cultivation, on which he has built a fine brick residence. He was married, February 9, 1837, in Marion Township, near his birthplace, to Susanna, daughter of William and Sarah (Houck) Hite. They had three children, one living-Harriet P., deceased; Sarah L., living, and William J., deceased. His first wife died in March, 1849, and he again married, near Middleboro, Warren Co., Ohio, January 1, 1851, to Martha E., daughter of William and Nancy (Doctor) Henry, born near Middleboro January 4, 1829. They have three children-Lucius H., Nettie N. and Marion A. Mr. B. has been Justice of the Peace one term, Supervisor several years. He was Superintendent of Construction on the Marietta Railroad when it was built. In 1840, he built the second saw-mill in the township (water power), which he kept in operation till 1847. He now has a fine steam portable mill near his residence, where he does considerable custom work.

SAMUEL BALDWIN, merchant, Blanchester, is the oldest merchant in the county, is son of Jonathan and Harriet (Blancett) Baldwin, born in Marion Township, one-fourth mile north of Blanchester, January 27, 1819. His father was the first settler in this township. Samuel was reared on farm, attending school winters till twenty years of age. He then entered his brothers store as clerk, corner Broadway and Center streets. He remained in that capacity four years, when he bought one-half interest, and remained four years longer. He then opened a store of his own directly opposite his brother. In June, 1851, he removed to Lot No. 2, Main street, adjoining his present place of business, where he remained till 1865, and then opened out where he is at present. Carries the largest stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, queensware, hardware, etc., in the village; also deals in lumber; carries a stock altogether of $10,000 to $15,000, and does an. annual business of about $40,000; employs three hands. He was married, at Mainville, Warren Co., Ohio, in November, 1843, to Rebecca Whitney. They had five children, three now living Alvah W., Jonathan B. and Rebecca J.; deceased-Emma and. Samuel O. Himself and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. B. owns his place of business, residence and three lots corner Broadway and Center, where the old store stood ; three dwellings which he rents; four lots and two and one-half acres of land; also Block 48, fifty feet on Lot 3, Baldwin's Hall overhead-all inside corporation; also 348 acres of land in this township, and 217 1/2 in Jefferson Township, adjoining Clinton Valley. Mr. B. has been Postmaster and Township Treasurer twenty-two years.

JONATHAN B. BALDWIN, agricultural implement dealer and farmer, P. 0. Manchester, son of Jonathan and Harriet (Blancett) Baldwin, was born near Blanchester August 30, 1821. He was reared on a farm till twenty-two years of age, attending schools winters. He then engaged a3 clerk several years for his brother, W. H. Baldwin. In 1850, he built his present residence, corner Main and Wright streets, in part of which he opened a general store and carried on business a few years; then rented the basement part of the Universalist Church, where he now sells agricultural implements, such as reapers, mowers, threshing machines, &c. He was married in Brown County, O., in 1846, to Clorinda, daughter of Isaac and Isabelle Covalt, born in Brown County, O. They had seven children, four living Maria M., Lida C., Stephen D. and Frank G. The deceased were John A. Q., William J. W. and Mary I. Mr. Baldwin owns his residence and ten and one-half lots on same square, and 128 acres of fine land one mile northeast of Blanchester.

FRANK M. BALDWIN, druggist, P. O. Blanchester, in Carnahan's Block, Broadway street, and son of Joseph and Valeria A. (Shank) Baldwin ; was born in Blanchester September 6, 1842, where he attended school till 1861, and taught school also about fifteen months. He then entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, where he attended one term during the winter of 1863-4. In June, 1864, he started in the drug business in his present place of business, where he has quite an extensive


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trade, carries a choice stock of drugs, paints, oils, window glass, jewelry, and overhead a stock of wall paper ; stock valued at $3,000, and does an annual business of about $6,000. He has been married twice, first near Middleboro, Warren County, Ohio, October 19, 1864, to Elmira, daughter of J. H. and Mary (Erwin) Ferguson, born in Hamilton County, Ohio. They had five children, two living--Sherman and Carrie ; deceased, Sheridan, Gladdest M. and Stanley B.His wife died February 22, 1879, and he again married in Newport, Ky., to Anna, daughter of Ezra and Anna Vanduzen, born in Newport in 1855. Mr. Baldwin owns a fine brick residence and four lots on Main street. He is Master of the Masonic Lodge of Blanchester, member of the fire department six years, Village District Clerk eleven years, Councilman several times, and member of the Universalist Church.

JOSEPH BRANDENBURG, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, was born near Lebanon, Warren County, 0., June 15, 18'20. He was reared on a farm, and married near Morrowtown, Warren County, Ohio, in January, 1844, to Nancy, daughter of Hugh Hines, born in Warren County. They have six children-Henry, Cynthia, John, George, Elvira and Clara. In the spring of 1853, he came to this township and bought seventy-one acres of land on the pike between Blanchester and Woodville, where he now has 100 acres, sixty under cultivation. He also has a house and lot in Blanchester. His son John ran away from home when seventeen and enlisted at Camp Dennison, and served over two ears.

JOIN BRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of James and Judy Bright, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, February 11, 1821. He was reared on a farm. In 1857, he came to the United States and settled in Brown County, O., where he remained. till 1869, when he came to Martinsville, this county, where he resided till 1879. He then bought 100 acres oŁ land in Marion Township, eighty-eight of which are under cultivation. He was married in Cambridgeshire in 1844 to Amy Wiltshire, also a native of England and born in London. They have eight children-Sarah, Martha, Rosina, Jane, Charlotte, Edward, Arness and William. Mr. Bright and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

J. L. BRUSH, Postmaster, P. O. Blanchester, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bradley) Brush, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., July 15, 1839. His parents were of English ancestry. He was reared in the country till twenty-one years of age, attending school winters. He then learned the photographer's trade, and traveled ten or twelve years. In 1871, he came to Blanchester and opened a general store under the Universalist Church, where he remained a short time, and moved to where Moon's drug store now is and remained two or three years, during which time he admitted Harvey Rice as a partner, and was also appointed Postmaster. They removed to where Mr. Rice now keeps, and remained several years, when he bought Mr. R.'s interest, and in January, 1880, he moved to his present place of business, where-he still keeps the post office, and a fine selection of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, queensware, etc., valued at $5,000 to $6,000, and does an annual trade to the amount of $12,000 to $15,000. Mr. B. was married near Lynchburg, Ohio, November 27, 1870, to Martha E., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Pulse) Stroup, born near Marshall, Highland Co., Ohio. They have had five children, two living-Jesse L., and Lulu E. The deceased were named as follows: William, Myrtie and Charles. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies. He owns a fine brick residence and three lots corner Main and Grove streets, and two other lots in the village.

JOSEPH BURTON, miller, P. O. Blanchester, son of Peyton and Martha (Johnson) Burton, was born at Burtonville, Clinton Co., Ohio, September 22, 1844. His parents came to this county about 1841 or 1842. His father was a miller, and is considered the first man that introduced steam power into Highland County, Ohio. Joseph was reared in a mill, and has followed the occupation of a miller all his life. In 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Hancock County, Ohio, in Company A, Fifty - seventh Ohio Volunteer infantry, under Capt. Rice, and served one year. He entered the navy several months later, and served on board the gunboat Moose one year, and then returned to Leesburg, Highland Co., Ohio, in 1864, and the following spring he


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came to Blanchester, and bought one-half interest in the Blanchester Flouring Mills, and was married in Wilmington, March 23, 1865, to Martha A., daughter of William and Priscilla Spencer, born in Clinton County. They have seven children-Clara M., Cora L., Nora, Joseph H., Martha. Lucy and George W. In 1874, Mr. Burton sold his interest in the flouring mill and returned to Leesburg, Highland County, where he remained till the spring of 1879, when he returned to Blanchester and built what is known as the Marion Flouring Mills, where he does merchant and custom work. He has a four-run mill, and is grinding by the new process. Mr. Burton has the leading flouring mill of Blanchester, and is regarded as one of the leading influential citizens of that place. January 23, 1882, he admitted H. T. Scott as a partner; firm known as Joseph Burton & Co.

JOHN BURTON, miller, P. O. Blanchester, son of Jesse and Ruth (Achor) Burton, was born in. Lynchburg. Highland Co., Ohio, March 16, 1847. His father was a miller. He attended school till sixteen years old; his father dying about that time, himself and brother took charge of the mill for a while, and then renting it to a cousin John, being employed by him to learn the business ; he remained about three years, and then came to Blanchester and worked in a mill two years, owned by his cousin and uncle. John then purchased one-half interest of his uncle, and himself and cousin continued the business till 1876, when he bought his cousin's share, and has since been alone. His mill is situated in the southeast part of the village; he has three run of stones, two for wheat, and one for corn; does considerable custom work, also buying considerable grain and shipping the flour. He was married in Blanchester in 1871, to Mary E., daughter of William and Priscilla (Stackhouse) Spencer. They have two children-Jesse W. and Harvey A. Mr. B. is a member of the Odd Fellow and -Masonic societies. Himself and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

DAVID C. CARNAHAN, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Aaron and Elvira Carnahan, was born in Somerest County, Ky., October 23, 1812, and reared on a farm. When one year old, his parents removed to Washington Township, this county, where they bought 140 acres of timber land and built a log cabin in the woods and struggled through the hardships and privations of those early times. They had four sons. After laboring there a number of years clearing up land and making improvements, they were suddenly deprived of their land through a flaw in the title, and were compelled to leave; fortunately they recovered the payment they had made. They then removed to another part of the township on the East Fork of Todd's Fork, where they purchased fifty acres and cleared it nearly all of timber. David C. remained at home till December 31, 1835, when he was married to Deborah, daughter of Barnett and Ruth (Jones) Thornhill. They have had ten children, eight living John and Ruth (deceased); Fergus, Barnett, Aaron, Harvey, William, James. Mary E. and Louisa E. After his marriage, Mr. Carnahan took a lease on twenty-five acres of land, ten of which he cleared. After remaining six years, he returned to the homestead. At the death of his father, he bought out the other heirs and exchanged the homestead for fifty acres of his present farm. He now has 104 1/2 acres, eighty acres under cultivation, sixty of which he has cleared himself. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Universalist Church of Blanchester.

DAVID M. CROSSON, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of George and Charlotte (Morrison) Crosson, was born in Marion Township, one mile north of Blanchester, in 1836. His grandparents came here at an early period, from Edwardsville, Warren Co., Ohio. George, the third child, and father of our subject, was born in this town.ship, and at the time of his death owned 113 acres of land. David M. was reared on the old homestead until twenty-one years of age, when he bought ten and three-fourths acres of land on which he began farming for himself. He was married, in 1856, to Sarah L., daughter of Benjamin and Susanna (Hite) Baldwin, born in this township. They have five children-Lewis A., Emerson E., Iva, Josie and Franklin. In 1866, himself and brother, Alexander, bought the homestead, David receiving fifty-one acres. In 1879, he bought forty-six acres adjoining;, now owning 108 acres, 105 under cultivation. Mr. C. is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.


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ALEXANDER CROSSON, manufacturer of fine lumber, sash, doors and building material, Blanchester, is a son of George 'and Charlotte (Morrison) Crosson, and was born about one mile west of Blanchester July 14, 1844. His parents were among the early settlers of this township. He was reared on a farm till 1871, when he came to Blanchester and engaged in the meat business about eighteen months. In 1877, he bought one-half of an acre of land on Main street, south of the railroad, where he dealt in lumber and agricultural implements. He shortly after built his shop, where he is now carrying on a flourishing business. In August, 1879, his business increasing, he built a large warehouse back of the main building, and in April, 1881, found it necessary to erect another building, on the south side. He employs usually four or five hands, although he sometimes has as many as ten. Mr. Crosson was married before he left the farm in January, 1866, to Mary J., daughter of Cyrus Liggett. They had three children, two still living Emma and Linna. In the summer of 1871, his wife died, and he again married, to Mary J. Supinger, daughter of Robert Supinger, of Blanchester. They have one child-Lore. Mr. C. is a member of the Odd Fellows society, has a fine brick residence and four lots on Main street.

JOHN E. CROSSON, blacksmith, Blanchester, son of William and Catherine Crosson, was born in this township in 1840. He was reared on a farm till eighteen years old, when he learned the blacksmith trade in Blanchester with Larkin Clelland. He remained with him two years, and the war breaking out shortly after, he enlisted in 1861, in Company C, Fifty-fourth Ohio Zouaves, and was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and a number of others. He was taken prisoner at Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864, and was thrown into Andersonville Prison. There were 2,000 prisoners taken the same day, numbers of them died around him. He was finally exchanged, and being sick and disabled, was discharged and returned to Blanchester. In 1866, he opened a blacksmith shop opposite his present stand, where he remained three years, and then moved to his present building, where he is doing a good business, shoeing, repairing and general blacksmithing. He was married, in Cincinnati, March 8, 1866, to Mary E., daughter of John and Amanda Barry, born near Blanchester. They have had two children, one living Della. The deceased was Stanley, who died in infancy.

FRED A. GOULDING, editor and publisher, Blanchester, Ohio, was born at Falmouth, Pendleton Co., Ky., July 13; 1845. His parents were George P. and Aurelia M. (Bennett) Goulding, natives, the former of Branstow, England, and the latter of Auburn, New York, born March 20, 1809, and May 3, 1813, respectively. The father came to America in 1832, and on the 6th of December, 1836, the couple were married at Seneca Falls, New York, and in the spring of 1837 removed to Wisconsin, and there be laid out the city of Milwaukee, and built the first house on land where now stands that city, the pride of Wisconsin. From there they went to Falmouth, Kentucky, and in 1866 came to Clinton County, this State, and soon thereafter removed to Crown Point, Ind., where the father died September 26, 1876, and the mother June 20, 1874. Mr. Goulding was a miller by trade and occupation. Our subject is the third son of a family of seven boys, and received his early schooling in the manner customary among Southern families namely, by private instructions at home. He attended Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, and the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, and in 1863 left the latter institution, and on the 6th of August, of that year, enlisted in Company " K," Seventh Regiment Kentucky Cavalry, and before the war closed became Captain of Company " F," of the same regiment, and, as such, served until the fall of 1865. During his military service Captain Goulding received a gunshot wound in the right leg, and he still carries the ball, it having at various times changed its position in the limb. In General McCook's raid, south of Atlanta, he was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville Prison. At the close of the war, the Captain again turned his attention to his books, entering Center College, at Danville, Ky., where he graduated. On the 19th of February, 1872, he was united in marriage with Maggie Sniff, of the vicinity of Blanchester, this county, and to them have been born the following children: Charles, Della, Lona and Edna. Since June


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27, 1881, Capt. Goulding has been the editor and publisher of the Blanchester Star, an independent paper, which he has ably and successfully managed. He is a courteous and affable gentleman, and in politics a Republican.

JAMES M. GUSTIN, merchant, Blanchester, son of John B. and Elleanor (Marshall) Gustin, was born at Red Lion, Warren Co., Ohio, January 26, 1826. His parents were among the early settlers of that county. In 1793, his grandparents came from Pennsylvania and settled at the mouth of the Little Miami River, where they remained three years, and then moved to Red Lion, where some of their descendants yet live. James was reared on a farm till seventeen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade. He was engaged ten years rafting lumber down the Yazoo and Mississippi Rivers. He then returned to Highland County, Ohio, where he was married August 30, 1948, to Esther A., daughter of John and Jane (Wilson) Barr, born near Hillsboro. They had eight children, five living-Joseph H., graduated from West Point, in 1875, and assigned to the Fourteenth United States Infantry, as Second Lieutenant, now in Colorado; Fannie L., George W., Julia and Samuel. The deceased were Elleanor J., John W. and Addie. In 1836, his parents came to this county and settled about two miles east of Blanchester, where they remained three years, and then moved to Brown County. Mr. Gustin has been engaged in a variety of occupations carpenter, millwright, on the railroad, etc. In 1861, he opened a general store, on what is known as Gustin's Corner, Blanchester, where he has carried on business ever since. Has a fine assortment of dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, ready-made clothing, queensware, hardware, groceries, etc., stock of from $3,000 to $5,000, and is doing a flourishing business. He owns a fine brick residence and five acres of land on Main street, two houses and lots on Main street near his store, also two farms, one of 126 acres one and one-half miles north of Blanchester, the other 106 3/4 one and one-half miles south of Blanchester, with dwellings, outbuildings, orchards, etc. Mr. Gustin has also served in defense of his country; enlisted in fall of 1864, at Hillsboro, as Second Sergeant in the One Hundred and Seventy-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wolf; served nine months; was in several engagements, and was discharged on account of disability at Camp Dennison. Mr. Gustin is a member of the Odd Fellows and Freemasons; himself and wife of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

MORDECAI R. HAINES, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Isaac and Keziah (Woolman) Haines, was born in Burlington County, N. J., May 25, 1809. In the fall of 1811, his parents came to this county and settled about six miles north of Wilmington, where they bought 256 acres of land. They cleared about forty acres and made a number of improvements. In the fall of 1828, they lost their place, after having it nearly paid for. The following year, they removed to Marion Township, and bought 497 acres, giving in part payment 160 acres they owned in Greene County. Of this estate, our subject received 129 acres, and was married May 24, 1834, to Susanna, daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Greer) Rowan, born in Hamilton County, Ohio. They had twelve children, seven living-Zimri, Amanda, Jeremiah, Salathiel, Grandville, Robert and Sylvester; deceased were named Abigail, Hannah A., Merrill, Martha A. and Keziah. After his marriage, Mr. Haines settled on his land given him by his father, which was principally covered with timber. He built a log but in the woods. At the end of four years, he had twenty-five acres cleared and fenced. He then sold, and bought 126 acres where his family now live. They now have 225 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation. He has cleared 170 acres himself. In 1876, be sold the farm to his two sons, Salathiel and Grandville, but he still lives on the home stead. His wife died in 1875. Zimri H., his eldest son, was born in this township February 26, 1837, and remained at home till twenty-four years of age, when he was married to Emeline A., daughter of Cyrus and Fanny Dudley, born in Woodville, Clermont Co., Ohio, January 28, 1842. They bad six children-Charlie, Ida, Fanny, Florence, Dudley and Maggie. Mr. Haines purchased sixty acres of land in Jefferson Township, part of the old homestead, where he resided till 1865, when he sold and moved to Perry Township, Brown County, where he bought ninety-six acres, which he still owns, eighty under cultivation. Mr. H. enlisted at Camp Dennison in the one hun-


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dred-day service in the spring of 1863. He re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Wolf At the end of three months, he was discharged on account of disability, and returned home. He is a member of the Grange. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

MRS. PRISCILLA HALL, Blanchester, wife of James Hall and daughter of Samuel and Mary Stateller, was born in Vernon Township, this county, November T5. 1825. Her parents were among the early settlers of this county. Her father, at his death, left her 200 acres of land three miles northeast of Blanchester. She now has nearly four hundred acres, about three hundred under cultivation. She was married, August 14, 1845, to James Hall. They have two children-Mary L., wife of Lewis B. Whitacre, and Samuel J.

WILLIAM R. HUDSON, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Selby and Elizabeth Hudson, was born in Maryland in 1817. He was reared on a farm. When one year old, his parents came to Cincinnati, where his father, a ship carpenter, followed his trade a short time and then removed to Brown County, where they lived nine years. They then came to this township. When seventeen years of age, our subject bought fifty-two acres of land, which forms part of his present farm of 107 acres, ninety of which is under cultivation. Forty-two acres of Mr. Hudson's farm is across the line in Brown County. He was married, in 1843, in Jefferson County, Ind., near Madison, to Mary Short. They had five children, three living - Andelia E., Richard, John (deceased), Elisha and Hendrick (deceased). Mr. Hudson is a member of the Grange.



SAMUEL IRVIN, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Andrew and Sarah A. (Shepler) Irvin, was born in Ross County March 9, 1821; was reared on a farm. In 1830, his parents moved to Hamilton County, and in 1831 they removed to Hopkinsville, Hamilton Township, Warren County, where they bought twenty-five acres of land, and kept hotel sixteen or seventeen years. Our subject was married in 1845 to Martha Crosley, daughter of Isaac and Rachael (Cook) Crosley, born near Lebanon, Warren County. They have seven children-Nathan, James, Caroline, George, Abram, Emma and Dora. In 1850, himself and brother bought 160 acres of land in Washington Township, Warren County, where he resided two years and then moved to Mather's Mills, on the Little Miami River, where he farmed and worked in a saw-mill till the spring of 1856, when he moved to Marion Township and bought sixty acres which he kept a short time. He bought and sold several pieces. In December, 1866, he settled on his present farm where he owns nearly 400 acres of land, 300 under cultivation. He has a fine brick residence and other improvements. Mr. Irvin is a member of the Grange.

JAMES IRVIN, grain dealer, Blanchester, of the firm of Irvin & Losh, is son of Samuel and Martha (Crosley) Irvin. Was born near Deerfield, Warren Co., Ohio, May 18, 1849. He was reared on a farm. In 1877, he bought 100 acres of land in Washington Township, Clinton County, which he kept one year and exchanged for 100 acres in Marion Township, about three miles northeast of Blanchester. He moved on it in the spring of 1878. He cleared up forty acres and made other improvements. In March, 1881, he came to Blanchester and formed a partnership with Francis K. Losh, buying and shipping grain. In January, 1882, they bought a grocery store on Broadway street, in Trickey's Block, where they carry a choice stock of staple and fancy groceries in connection with their grain trade, doing a flourishing business. He was married, in Marion Township, January 1, 1871, to Alice S., daughter of James A. and Martha (Kennedy) Losh, born on Indian Hill, Hamilton Co., Ohio. They have had four children, three living-Irena F., Estella J. and Samuel J. (deceased), Georgina.

ALFRED JAMES, farmer. P. O. Blanchester, son of Joseph and Catherine (Kelley) James, was born near Loveland, Warren County. in 1827. Reared on a farm. His parents emigrated from Virginia to Cincinnati about 1817. When four years of age they moved to this township and bought 344 acres of land, 148 of which our subject now owns, eighty under cultivation. His father died in March, 1862, his mother in November, 1872. Mr. James served nearly ten months in the war of the rebellion. Enlisted at Hillsboro, in 1864, in Company G, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,


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under Capt. Wolf. He was in the battle of Franklin, Tenn. The remainder of the time he was on guard duty.

JASPER N. LAZURE, butcher, Blanchester, son of Edward and Angeline (Deep) was born in Wirt County, Va., in 1840. His father was a machinist. Jasper has engaged in various occupations, chiefly as sawyer. June 15, 1861, he enlisted at Camp Dennison in Company G, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Served four years five months and fourteen days, during which time he had some remarkably narrow escapes with his life, and endured untold privations. He veteranized at Cincinnati, joining Company F, Fifth Regiment Regular Army. He was twice wounded, first at Scarey Creek, W. Va., in the left leg, below the knee. He suffered considerable pain, but did not leave the ranks. He was again wounded, at South Mountain, Md., first man wounded in the engagement, receiving a ball in the right leg close to the groin. He was sent to the hospital at Middletown, Md., where he lay a short time, and was then sent to Frederick Station, where he lay forty-eight hours in the hot sun and suffered intensely. His limb was swollen dreadfully and was full of maggots. Five physicians who were attending the wounded wanted to remove the limb at the socket, but he said he would lose his life rather than the limb, and it is really a miracle be lived. Numbers of his companions around him died of exposure, the days being so very hot and no protection from the rays of the sun nor the chilling atmosphere of night to be procured. He was then sent to Washington, where he remained in the hospital some time, and then to Fort Schuyler, where he remained some time. He was finally offered his discharge, a sixty days' furlough, or to return to his regiment, and although not yet well, he accepted the latter, and remained with his regiment till November 29, 1865, when he was discharged at Hartford, Conn., and came to Blanchester, where he rented his father's saw-mill fifteen months, and then engaged in buying and exchanging horses, hay, grain, etc. In the spring of 1876, he engaged in the butchering business on Broadway street, with his present partner, A. Hettisiner. They continued in business two years, and then sold out, but in April, 1881, they again opened out, established themselves where they are now on Broadway street, near Main, where they are having quite an extensive trade. Mr. Lazure was married in Blanchester, in 1867, to Jane, daughter of John and Maria Hitesman, born in Harlan Township, Warren County, Ohio. They have two children -Joseph R. and Maria. He owes a fine brick residence and five acres of land fronting on Lazenby street, one house and two lots on Fancy street, one lot and building corner Broadway street and Railroad, and two lots corner Church and Bourbon streets.

LEVI LEVER, deceased, was son of Joseph and Patience Lever, and was born in New Jersey July 5, 1799. He was reared on a farm. In 1810, his parents came to Warren County, Ohio, where they purchased a farm. Levi was married to Rebecca, daughter of Richard and Eve Templin. They had nine children, five still living Lewis, Jacob, Isaac, Thomas and Maranda. About 1837, they came to Marion Township and purchased 114 1/2 acres of timber land about one and a half miles northeast of Blanchester. They have cleared about eighty-six acres. Levi Lever departed this life May 21, 1866, and his wife July 12, 1881. The homestead is now occupied by Jacob and Maranda, both members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Their brother, Thomas, enlisted in the Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He received a shock by a cannon-ball by which his hearing was impaired.

ORRIN J. LYON, farmer, P. O. Woodville, son of John and Abigail (Weatherby), was born in Erie County, Penn., in 1828. When two years old, his parents came to Warren County, Ohio, and two years later they bought 225 acres of timber land. They cleared about 125 acres, and built a fine brick residence. Orrin has lived on the old homestead ever since, '100 acres of which he still owns, having sold the remainder, thirty-eight acres, situated in the southwest corner of Marion Township, the remainder in Harlan Township, Warren County. His father died March 21, 1879, and his mother January 25, 1867.

CHARLES F. McCORMICK, blacksmith, Blanchester, of the firm of Snider & McCormick, was born in Clermont County, in 1858. Reared on a farm till seventeen years of age, when he learned the blacksmith trade with David Hill, of New Bos-


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ton, Clermont County, serving three years. He then went to Milford, where he remained about fifteen months, and then came to Blanchester and worked for L. H. Johnson in his present shop. In the spring of 1881, himself and George W. Snider bought the shop, Mr. McCormick being the practical man and taking charge of the wood department. They employ from three to five hands and make wagons, sleighs, etc., besides horseshoeing, repairing, etc.

THOMAS McKINNEY, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of David and Maria McKinney, was born in Simms Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, June 27, 1836. In 1858, be came to Blanchester and engaged in the carriage shop of Amos Collins a few months. He worked at that trade in different localities till December 12, 1861, when be was married in this township to Phoebe, daughter of Joseph and Ann Leech, who was born in this township. They have four children-Sylvanus, Wilson, Adella and James S. They have a nice farm of 1031 acres of land ou-the pike between Blanchester and Woodville, seventy acres under cultivation. Joseph Leech emigrated from York County, Penn., in 1840, and settled near Wilmington, where he remained two years, and then moved to this township and bought the farm where Mr. and Mrs. McKinney now live.

DARIUS H. MOON, druggist and hardware merchant, Blanchester, corner Broadway and Main streets, son of Henry H. and Mary A. (Paxton) Moon, was born in Martinsville, Clinton County, September 5, 1837. His parents were among the early settlers of this county. His father is still living in Dayton, Ohio ; mother died July 3, 1880. He was reared on a farm, attending schools winters till eighteen years of age when he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it four years. He then enlisted in Arcanum, Darke Co., Ohio, in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteers, under Capt. Young, and was in a number of prominent battles, among others the battles of Winchester, Wilderness and Cedar Creek. He enlisted as private, and was promoted first to Orderly Sergeant, then Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant. He served two years and six months, and resigned near Winchester, Va., on account of ill health, and again returned to Martinsville and worked at his trade one year. He then opened a drug store at Westboro, which be kept two years, and then sold and came to Blanchester and opened his present place of business where he carries a choice stock of drugs and also hardware; carries a stock of about $2,500, and does an annual business of about $8,000. He was married, February 22, 1870, in Blanchester, to Osee F., daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Widiams) Strawn, born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. They have one eon-Alders M., born in Blanchester September 1, 1872. Mr. Moon owns a fine residence on Main street, and a dwelling, which he rents, on Center street. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows associations.



EZEKIEL M. MULFORD, merchant, P. O. Blanchester, son of Joseph and Rhoda (Smith) Mulford, was born near Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, October 14, 1818. Reared on a farm till fifteen years of age when he began clerking. He was married near Lebanon to Elizabeth Graham. This union was blessed with one daughter, Anna M., now wife of Phillip Surface. Mr. Mulford's wife died in 1850 at Westboro, Clinton Co., Ohio. He again married to Rachel Seal, of Westboro, by whom he had three children-Martha E., Lucius H. and Jehu R. In 1856, Mr. Mulford again became a widower. In 1858, he again married in Blanchester to a widow lady, Louisa Cast. They have one child, Hattie L. In 1860, he opened a general store in Cuba,. this county, and in 1864 he opened his present place of business on Broadway street, Blanchester, where he carries a choice stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., and does an annual business of $8,000 to $10,000. Mr. Mulford is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In Jefferson Township, he held numerous offices of trust; has been Township Treasurer eight years, and Justice of Peace six years. He owns his residence and two lots, corner of Main and Wright streets, also thirty-three and one-third acres of fine land within a half mile of the corporation.

BENJAMIN F. OLIVER, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Russell and Sarah.


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(Hudson) Oliver, was born in Jefferson Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1834, He was reared on a farm, and when nineteen years of age left home and went to Blanchester and worked at blacksmithing one year. He was married in 1855 to Eliza J., daughter of James and Phoebe Clelland. They have six children-Sarah A., Mary E., Emma, Annis. Harriet and Eldon. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Oliver bought sixty acres of land in Marion Township, close to the Jefferson Township line. He has since purchased thirty acres adjoining, seventy-eight under cultivation. He enlisted in Hillsboro in September, 1864, in Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. McCoy, and served one year. During Hood's raid he was on duty at one time at Columbia, Tenn., and while at his post the Union troops retreated across Dutch River toward Nashville; without notifying the guards, they took up their bridges after the troops were across. The enemy advanced and the pickets retreated to the river, where they could not cross and our subject with several others were captured and sent to Corinth, Miss., where he remained confined a short time and was sent to two or three other prisons, but was finally exchanged in February, 1865, and was ordered to report to his regiment. Was discharged at Camp Dennison and returned to Blanchester. Mr. Oliver has a nice farm, and has erected a fine brick residence, outbuildings, orchards, etc. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Grange societies, and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.

W. F. RANDOLPH, merchant, Blanchester, of the firm of Whitacre & Randolph, and son of Joel and Elizabeth (Williams) Randolph, was born in Tyler County, W. Va., April 2, 1830. His father was a merchant in Monroe County, Ohio, and our subject was reared near the Ohio River, and having a liking for the water he was apprenticed to learn to be a pilot; served three years on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, where he has piloted thirty years, also on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. He was married in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1856, to Margaret J., daughter of John and Julia Smith, born in Greene County, Penn. They have seven children-Elizabeth. Edward, Julia, Frank, Florence, Clara and Annie. Mr. Randolph still follows his business on the river. In 1862. he was appointed pilot by the Government during three years of the war and was in a number of engagements. He is a member of the Pilots Benevolent Association. He has a fine farm close to Blanchester.

RICHARD M. RILEA, Justice of Peace, Blanchester, son of John and Frances (Wisby) Rilea, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 18, 1839. He was reared on a farm till seventeen years of age, when he worked in saw-mills till the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted at Fincastle, Brown Co., Ohio, under Capt. Seewright ; the company was an independent company of cavalry. They were not accepted by the Government. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Stevenson, and was in a number of prominent battles, among others Second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam. Served two years, and re-enlisted at Fayetteville, W. Va., in same company. At the battle of Cloyd Mountain, he was wounded below the knee, the ball split, part going through the limb; the other piece was extracted fully nine inches below where it entered. After receiving the wound, he was taken prisoner, and sent to the Emery and Henry College Hospital where he lay over two months and was then sent to Lynchburg, thence to Richmond, where he remained one month. He was then paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., thence to McClelland Hospital, Philadelphia, when he was discharged July 12, 1865, and came to this county and kept a sample room three months. He has been a strong advocate of the temperance cause ever since. He came to Blanchester in 1866, and worked in a wagon shop till 1868. He was then elected Constable and Assessor of this township three years. In the spring of 1873, he was elected Justice of the Pence, which office he has held ever since. He has been Mayor of Blanchester two terms, and at present acting Councilman, Marshal and Street Commissioner. He was married, November 18, 1866, to Rebecca M., daughter of Jacob and Jane (Higgins ) Smith, born in this county. They have four children, Linnetta, Leonidas, Pearl and Sarah. Mr. R. is a member of the Odd Fellows society. He owns his residence and two Iots, corner Center and Clark streets.


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ANDREW ROBB, M. D., physician, Blanchester. Alexander Robb, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of Irish ancestry, and a protestant by faith. He was educated for a professional school teacher. He emigrated to this country from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled in Brownsville, Penn., on the Allegheny River. A few years later, he was married to Miss Barbara Light, and they in company with her three brothers Jacob; Peter and George C. and families, in the year 1793, floated down the Ohio River in a flat-boat, landing at Cincinnati. In 1794, they settled twenty miles above that city. Jacob laid out New Richmond, Clermont County, and lived to see it a thriving little village. Peter was among the first surveyors of that county, and George C. became a prominent Methodist minister of Southern Ohio. Alexander Robb, with his little family, settled on a small farm three miles back of New Richmond, on the banks of Twelve Mile Creek, in a wild wooden country inhabited only by wild animals and a few scattered Indiana. Alexander, not being very strongly constituted, James the eldest son. undertook the hardest work, and finally his father died and he found himself, at the age of sixteen years, with a farm to clear up, and a mother and six small children to provide for. At the age of twenty-six, he married Catherine, daughter of Christian and Catherine Husong, who was born at Columbia, Hamilton Co., Ohio, where her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, were taking refuge in Jarred's Station, fearing the depredations of the Indiana After his marriage, James remained on the old homestead near New Richmond. He bought 300 acres of land, for which he paid by freighting salt in a keel-boat from Kanawha River, West Virginia, to New Madrid, Tenn., there being no steamboats on the river at that early date. Christian Husong, settled on the east fork of the Little Miami River, four miles east of Batavia, where he lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and three years. Himself and wife were Germans, as also were the Light family. Andrew Robb, M. D., was the son of James and Catherine Robb, and was born ca the old homestead, near New Richmond, February 6, 1816. He worked on the farm with his father summers, attending school winters till sixteen years of age, when he attended the New Richmond Academy eighteen months. The distance from his home to the Academy was three miles, which he walked night and morn, although the road was rough and hilly. He then taught school in that vicinity, studying medicine at the same time with Dr. Alfred Noble, of Goshen. While teaching his first school in Franklin District, Clermont County, he became interested in four bright little pupils, who took their primary lessons in the same class, but have since grown to manhood and taken their stations high up in the ranks of life. They were Perry Denham, a prominent attorney of Cincinnati ; Prof. John Hancock, one of Ohio's ablest teachers and for a number of years Principal of the Cincinnati schools, and the two Browning brothers, Frank, deceased, the editor and proprietor of the Clermont Courier, and Charles N., the genial and talented editor of the Clinton Republican. After teaching two years, he turned his whole attention to the reading of medicine till November, 1837, when he commenced the practice with his preceptor. He attended lectures in 1840 and 1841, and graduated in the tall of the latter year, from the old Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. He located in Anderson, Ind., and November 28, 1843, was married to Miss Clara, daughter of Duncan and Catherine Carmichael, of Rush County, Ind., a worthy pioneer family of Southern Indiana. In the fall of 1847, he returned to Goshen, and purchased the interests of his former preceptor. He came to Blanchester in 1860, where he has practiced successfully twenty two years, and is now, in company with his worthy companion through life, enjoying the reward of a long and laborious professional life. They had three children born to them-William E., born September 12, 1848, and died at the age of two and a half years, of malignant diphtheria; James D., born May 20, 1850, and died December 5, 1864, of cerebro-spinal meningitis and Clara B., born December 11, 1854; she attended the common schools of Blanchester till sixteen, when she commenced a collegiate course at the Ohio Female College, at Oxford, Ohio, and graduated with high honors. She delivered the valedictory address before nineteen years of age, and the following year accepted the invitation to deliver the literary address and the literary diplomas. In August, 1875, she was married to Eberle D.


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Smith, a graduate of the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, and at present banker of Blanchester.



WILLIAM RUDE, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Peter and Nancy, (Abbott) Rude, was born on the farm where he now lives, August 31, 1836. He was reared on the farm, and was married in August, 1857, to Esther A., daughter of Asahel and Eliza J. Shull, born in this township, near their present home. They have five children-Peter, Felix, Emeline, Nancy and Mattie. In 1864, Mr. Rude enlisted at Hillsboro in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Wolf, of Wilmington, and served eleven months. He was wounded at the battle of Franklin, while conducting prisoners from the field. He was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., and returned to Marion Township. In 1875, he bought the homestead of 150 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation.

NICHOLAS RUDE, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Peter and Nancy Rude, was born in this township in 1839. He was reared on a farm. In 1860, he was mar ried to Elizabeth Smith. They have seven children-Nancy, Phoebe, John, Franklin, Mary, Alice and Estella. Mr. Rude served two years and nine months in defense of his country; enlisted at Blanchester August 18, 1862, in Company E, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Thomas. He was in a number of prominent engagements, among others the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson and Chattanooga. He was captured July 22, 1864, near Atlanta, Ga., was sent to Andersonville Prison, where he lay till September 22, when he was exchanged and returned to his regiment, and was discharged at Washington and returned to Blanchester. He received fifty acres of land from his father, and has since bought fifty-eight; has sixty-five under cultivation. Mr. Rude has been Supervisor one year.

BENJAMIN S. SAXTON, tailor, P. O. Blanchester, place of business situated over the post office, the son of Orene H. and Miriam (Eldridge) Saxton, was born in Dover County, Me., on the banks of the Piscataqua River, November 16, 1823. He was reared on a farm till eight years of age, when his mother and step-father moved to Cincinnati, his own father havipg died three months previous to the birth of our subject. While in Cincinnati, his step-father followed the business of a tanner and currier. In 1834, his mother also died, and Benjamin was apprenticed to John Martin on Fifth st., near where the Indiana House now stands, to learn the tailor's trade; here he remained till 1842, when he went to Springdale, Hamilton County, where he was married in 1845 to Elizabeth, daughter of Furman and Ann Hunt. They had eight children, one still living, Cordelia M. On March 15, 1873, his wife died at Reading, Hamilton County, and he was again married to Rebecca F. Baldwin, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Villars) Baldwin, first settlers of this township. She was born in Blanchester December 21, 1937. In 1875, he engaged in tailoring for Brush & Rice for several months, and was then employed several months by the railroad company to watch bridges near Loveland. He again returned to Blanchester and opened a tailor shop on Main street, near Broadway, where he remained nearly one year, and then bought twenty-eight acres of land in Marion Township, about one mile north of Blanchester, where he resided, also working at his trade till November, 1881, when he returned to Blanchester, and opened his present place of business, where he does a considerable business, making and repairing. Mr. Saxton still owns his farm, north of town, also eight acres one-fourth mile northwest of the village.

B. D. SCOTT was born id Harlan Township, Warren Co., Ohio, on the 31st day of March, 1843, and at the age of eighteen months became cripple for life from a fall whilst learning to walk, dislocating the hip joint of the left leg. His father's name was Charles, and his mother's name Elizabeth Scott (formerly Elizabeth Norman), the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Virginia, but of Scotch descent. He received his early education at Woodville, Ohio, and at the age of sixteen years, he, together with his brother, M. L. Scott, entered school at Farmers' College near Cincinnati, where he remained until the fall of Fort Sumter in 1861, which so demoralized both teachers and students that the school was entirely broken up. Whilst there, however, there was an incident worthy of record. Two of his warmest friends and


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fellow-students rooming next door to him were of opposite political persuasion, and at the breaking-out of the war quarreled incessantly, until it almost culminated in blood shedding, and after quarreling nearly all night, one expressed a determination to join the rebel forces, the other replying he would meet him upon the battle-field. Both parties shook hands and commenced packing up their trunks for a trip to the Sunny South. At. early dawn of day, each gave a parting salute to the old school and many friends, each thoroughly determined to kill the other if they should ever meet upon the battle-field. Mr. Scott then returned to his father, upon the farm in Clermont County, where he remained until 1863, when taken down. by a scrofulous eruption of his limb, and was confined to the house most of the time until November 22, 1867, when he had the same amputated at the hip joint by Prof. Thomas Wood, of Cincinnati, assisted by Dr. Andrew Robb, of Blanchester, and eight other associate surgeons. During the whole of four years, he suffered 10,000 deaths, and at no time was free from the influence of morphine or some other powerful narcotic, and never remained in bed more than three nights during this whole time. In 1866, finding life a burden and death certain, Dr. Robb proposed amputation as an experiment, Dr. Wood was sent for but refused, for the reason as he alleged, it would be an outright murder, and he would not be an accomplice to the crime. In about a year afterward, Mr. Scott being endowed with an uncontrollable disposition to do or die, informed the Doctor that if he did not perform the operation some one else would. This was sternly protested against by his father, mother and friends, his father making the excuse that he had not the necessary funds. Whereupon Mr. Scott borrowed the money, sent for the Doctor, and had the operation successfully performed, and is to-day a hale, hearty man. When laid upon the scaffold, he was interrogated by the Doctor if he had anything to say to his friends, as it would in all probability be his only chance upon this earth, as statistics only showed one successful operation of the kind in a thousand, and if he recovered it would probably be the only case in the United States. Mr. Scott replied, "I have nothing to say. Pour on the chloroform. I will take that one chance." In the spring of 1868, he engaged in teaching school in the Lacy District, near Wilmington, and taught three. months; he then taught at No. 3, near Blanchester, for nine months. When he engaged this school, he was informed by the Directors that he would in all probability be carried out, as they had some desperate boys, who had whipped out several teachers. Mr. Scott merely replied that he would never call upon the Directors. Sure enough all things went smoothly for some time. A young man weighing about one hundred and seventy-five pounds then proposed to run the school according to his own notion. The fight then commenced, The first move made by big boy was to snatch one of Scott's crutches and attempt to strike him with it, but the blow was warded off with the other crutch in the hands of Mr. Scott with much dexterity, and down went Mr. big boy so quickly that none of the pupils could tell how it was done, and no doubt would have been seriously hurt had it not been for the timely interference of other large boys. It is useless to say there has never been further trouble in that district to the present day. The boy was afterward arrested and fined for assault and battery, costing him some $30. In the summer of 1869, he commenced reading law under the instruction of Judge W. W. Wilson, at Lebanon, Ohio, and in April, 1871, was admitted to the bar by the District Court, and entered into the practice of that profession, but shortly obtained a position as Clerk of the Probate Court, under Judge Thomas Thatcher, which position he held until September, 1872. He then removed to Blanchester and engaged in the practice of law, where he has held the office of Mayor of the village for two years; as Justice of the Peace for three years, and Township Clerk for seven years, and still holds that position. November 25, 1874, he was married to Basic E. Beard, daughter of Jacob and Permelia Beard, of Wilmington, Ohio, two daughters being the fruits of the marriage, to wit: Ezella Pearl and Edna Beard. By energy and perseverance, he has acquired a comfortable home, a large law library, and quite a lucrative practice ; has always voted the Republican ticket; is strictly temperate, and a nephew of Hon. I. W. Quinby, of local option fame. He is not a member of any religious society. His wife, however, is a member of the Quaker Church at Wilmington.


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MARTIN SHANK, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Henry and Mary (Mann) Shank, was born in Virginia in 1820. His parents came to Marion Township when he was quite young, and bought 250 acres of land in the northwestern part of the town ship. Martin remained at home till twenty-seven years of age, when he was married to Rebecoa Bandy. They have had four children, three living-William H., Charlie B. and Harry. In 1853, he bought 100 acres of land of his father, and at the death of the latter he received thirty-two and one-quarter more, eighty-five acres now under cultivation. He enlisted in 1862 in Clarksville, this county, in Company I, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Stillwell, and served nearly three years.

JACOB D. SHANK, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Henry and Mary (Mann) Shank, was born in Marion Township in 1839. His parents came here about 1830 and bought 250 acres of land in the northern part of township, where he was raised, being the youngest of fourteen children. They cleared about 190 acres. His father died in 1864; mother still lives with him at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Jacob D. was married March 17, 1867, to Sarah E., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Flesher) Higgins, born in Butlerville, Warren County, Ohio, June 5, 1849. They had five children, three living Horace, Stanley and Leroy ; deceased, Ettie and Lanny. He had 155 acres of land of the homestead. In February, 1881, he exchanged fifty-five acres of it for thirty acres, with fine brick residence, adjoining Blanchester on the north. He is a member of the Grange; also of the Friends' Church. Mr. Shank also served in defense of his country, enlisting at Clarksville, this county; August 22, 1862, in Company I, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. J. R. Stillwell, and served till January 19, 1863.



HARVEY I. SHANK, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Henry and Mary (Mann) Shank, was born in this township, three miles north of Blanchester. His parents were among the early settlers of this township. He was reared on a farm and remained at home till twenty-seven years of age. He was married in 1863 to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Mary Reeder, born in Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio. They had one child-Addis E. His wife died in 1870, and he again married in 1871 to Lydia Stansbury, widow of Spencer Stansbury. They have two children-Vests and Pearl. Mrs. Shank had one son by her former husband-William by name. In 1864. the father of our subject died and left him fifty acres of the homestead. He afterward purchased sixty-five acres adjoining and sold twenty-five; now has ninety, sixty-five under cultivation. He is a member of the Presbyterian and his wife of the M. E. Church.

ADRIAN A. SHIELDS, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of John and Sarah (Walker) Shields, was born in this township June 18, 1840. His parents and grandparents came here from Warren County, Ohio, about 1838. They were natives of Pennsylvania. Adrian was reared on the farm, and remained at home till the breaking-out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted in Westboro in the Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Bundy. He was in several severe engagements, and was wounded in the right arm at the battle of Vicksburg by a piece of shell. , His arm proved so troublesome he received his discharge at Mound City, Ill., after serving two years and six months. He was married a abort time before enlisting at Blanchester to Mary L., daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Whitaker. They have six children-Alice, Florence, Laura, Emmett, Sarah and Bertha. After returning from the war, Mr. Shields rented land of his father three years; also lived in Allen County three years and one year near Westboro. He then came to this township and purchased seventy acres of land near Kansas Mills, which hich he kept a short time and sold and bought 37.95 acres of land where he now lives; he sold a small piece; now has thirty-six and a half acres, all under cultivation. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

JOHN SIMONTON, liveryman on Broadway street, Blanchester, son of Theophilus and Mary (Sale) Simonton, was born in Hamilton Township, Warren County, Ohio, February 8, 18i3. His father was a farmer, and had five sons and three daughters besides John, who remained at home till twenty-seven years of age, when he rented a farm in Brown County one year. He then came to Marion Township and bought 101


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acres of land, about three miles south of Blanchester. In 1854, he came to the village and opened a hotel, northeast corner Broadway and Main streets, where he remained one year and then removed to the southwest corner, where he continued in the hotel business till 1863. He still owns the building, his son occupying it as a harness shop. He then bought Lots No. 1 and 18, Broadway street, where he opened a livery stable. In the fall of 1881, he built a fine lame stable at a cost of $1,200; he keeps seven horses and carriages, boarding, sale and feed stables. He was married near Loveland, Warren County, in 1837, to Catherine Hess. They bad three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Franklin, was mortally wounded at the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, fell into the hands of the enemy and was never heard of after. He held the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served nearly three years. The remaining four children are living and married, born in the order which they are named Melissa, Lyman, William and Lulu. His residence is situated corner Main and Broadway; he also owns one lot in W. H. Baldwin's Addition to Blanchester, and eighty-five acres of land three-fourths of a mile east of Blanchester.

JAMES SKILLMAN, contractor and builder, Blanchester, son of Abraham and Hannah (Wainwright) Skillman, was born at Princeton, N. J., December 23, 1837. His father was of English, his mother of Scotch ancestry. When eighteen months old, his parents moved to Mainville, Warren Co., Ohio. When five years of age, his mother died, and he was left in care of his eldest brother, Jacob, his father returning East. When sixteen, he went to Cincinnati and learned the brick-layer's trade. He was foreman for Jones & Evans two years, then took contracts and erected buildings himself three years. He came to Blanchester in 1865, where be has contracted and erected several brick buildings. The same year, he bought eighty acres of land in this township, one mile east of Blanchester, on the M. & C. R. R. He was married, December 24, 1877, to Ellen, daughter of Dr. Arnold, of Penn Yan, N. Y., born in Kentucky. They have two children-Ethel and Eddie. He owns his residence and fifteen acres of land on Broadway street, south part of village. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity.



CHARLES BARNARD SLATER, Blanchester, third son of James and Charlotte (Cullen) Stater, was born in Sheffield, Eng., on the 22d day of May, 1836 ; learned the milling trade and emigrated to the United States in 1857 ; going to McMinnville, Tenn., by way of Charleston, S. C., he engaged in the milling business for about a year, but having a desire to obtain a general knowledge of the country, and a spirit of adventure, he associated himself with William Groves and went South with a drove of mules; disposing of the stock not far south of Jackson, Miss., and having offers of remunerative situations, he accepted a position with Joseph Panky, and engaged in putting up cotton gins and grist mills till the winter of 1859-60. His desire to see the Father of Waters led him to Vicksburg, Miss., arriving at which place he could not resist the temptation to take a steamboat ride upon the mighty river, which was at that time on a big boom, and would naturally attract a stranger by its wonderful proportions. Taking the river to Memphis, Tenn., he found employment in the mill-furnishing establishment of W. C. Bradford, where he remained till the fall of 1860, when he went to Brownsville, Ark., to engage in the saw-mill business; remaining there till the spirit of secession raged too high for parties who desired to be non-combatants, he had to flee for personal safety. Returning to Tennessee, he found the same state of excitement, and feeling that there was no safety for a young man outside of the army, he entered the service as a butcher, but having a smattering of military knowledge gained in England, and being a good penman and accountant, it was not long till his comrades discovered his ability, and as a reward for his services in the way of Drill-Master and Assistant Quartermaster, made him Captain of Company K, Twenty-fifth Tennessee Volunteers, which, however, was only volunteer in name, at this time the conscript act having been put in force. Fearing that the consequence of a refusal to serve might not result pleasantly, he accepted the commission, but there seeming to be a demand for his services in many directions, he was detailed by Gen. Marmaduke to superintend the operation of mills then under the control of the army, for the purpose


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of supplying the army with flour. This occupation ceasing with the retreat of the confederate army from Corinth, he was made Judge Advocate of the division. Being convinced after the battle of Perryville, Ky., that the cause of the confederacy was lost, and ascertaining authoritatively that the rebels who surrendered themselves to the Government in good faith would not be tried for treason, he tendered his resignation, which being accepted (very reluctantly, however), he came through the lines as a private citizen ; was arrested at Scottsville, Ky., sent thence to Louisville, and after a three months' confinement in a military prison, was sent across the Ohio River in July, 1863 ; he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, with the expectation of finding parties he had heard his sister talk about; he thought they might assist him in getting employment, but not finding them he wandered eastward, along the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, till, arriving at Blanchester, he found work in a saw mill belonging to Harrison Hudson, in which business he continued till the spring of 1866, when he again commenced to work at mill building, building that year two mills in Tennessee. February 27. 1868, he married Scyrena Jane Hudson, only daughter of Thomas Hudson, who bore him one daughter and five sons, as follows: Elvaretta, December 19, 1868; Thomas Cullen, December 30, 1870; James Parker, March 1, 1873; Harvey Harrison, December 8, 1875; Felix, February 28, 1878; Ralph, March 4, 1880. Elvaretta departed this life March 19, 1874, after a short but severe attack of spinal fever. In 1872, he obtained a patent for an improved flour bolting reel, and commenced the manufacture of the same in connection with his business, which has steadily increased. January 1, 1881, for the purpose of further developing the business, he associated with himself W. S. McClelland, under the firm name of C. B. Slater & Co., and built a shop which now gives employment to fourteen then, with a fair prospect of a rapid increase. In 1866, he joined the I.O.O.F. at Edenton, Ohio, and became a charter member of Fithian Lodge, No. 373, instituted at Blanchester, attaining the highest degree. He also became a member of Excelsior Encampment, No. 106, attaining the highest degree in this branch of the order. In January, 1868, he united himself with the Baptist Church. In 1878, he was elected a member of the Village Council, and again re-elected in 1880. In politics, he espoused the cause of the Republican party from the time of his naturalization; was a great admirer of Senator Morton, of Indiana, who he thought deserved the nomination for the Presidency in 1876, having, in his opinion, done more for the country in her struggle against secession than any single individual in it. Very proud of his adopted State, and deeply interested in national affairs, he advocated the claims of Gen. Garfield to the Presidency as early as 1878, and adhered to it persistently that he would be the nominee in 1880. His arrival at Blanchester was so shortly after the raid of the notorious John Morgan, of the Confederate army, through Ohio, that many of the citizens of Blanchester supposed he was a deserter from that command, and some of the more zealous thought he was a spy. or an emissary of the confederacy, sent here for the purpose of burning the town, and a strict surveillance was kept over his movements.



GEORGE W. SLUSHER, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Alfred and Nancy (Skidmore) Slumber, was born in Hardy County, Va., July 2, 1838. When quite young he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, at which he has worked nearly all his life. He was married, in Pendleton County, Va., September 7, 1858, to Susan. daughter of Adam and Mary (Kimble) Judy, born in Pendleton County, July 23, 1841. They have five children-Enoch W., George W., Virginia R., Melcena M. and Dessie G. Mrs. S. owned 350 acres of land in Virginia, where they lived at the time the war broke out. Mr. S. was drafted in the Southern service against his will, and at the end of six months deserted and joined the Union army near Moorfield, Va. He acted as an independent scout under Col. Durfey. He acted as a spy nine months. during which time he had a number of narrow escapes from death. In September. 1862, he was captured near Petersburg, Va., while inside the rebel lines. He was sent to Staunton, Va, and imprisoned in the third story of the court house, awaiting court martial as a spy. He remained there about two weeks, well guarded by two soldiers at his door and one under his window. The guards changed every evening about dusk,


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and there was sometimes a short interval when there was no guard under the window. Watching his opportunity one evening when it was getting dark, and the guard had not arrived under his window, he swung out and succeeded in grasping, the lightning rod which ran to the ground; he quickly descended and made good his escape. The other four times he was captured each time while in the ranks, be escaped by the enemy being driven rapidly back ; he was captured this way three times one day. He at one time ran across an open field about two hundred yards, exposed to the fire of 5,000 cavalry, and escaped without a scratch. After serving nine months, he came to Greene County, Ohio, where his family had moved and remained over three years, and, in 1868, he moved to this township and bought seventeen acres of land and resided four years, and then moved to his present location, where he owns fifty-five acres of land, forty-one of which are under cultivation. He also owns three lots in Blanchester with a dwelling on one. Mr. S. is a member of the Odd Fellow society and himself and wife are members of the Christian Union Church.

HARVEY SMITH, M. D., physician, Blanchester, son of Joseph and Hannah (Hair) Smith, was born in Clermont County, one mile east of New Boston, January 14, 1824; was reared on a farm till sixteen years of age, attending the old log schoolhouses of those primitive times, during the winters. He then learned the house painting trade, at which he worked two years. He then attended a seminary at Batavia, Clermont County, two years; then taught school one year, and studied medicine with Columbus Spencer, of Perrin's Mills. In 1843, he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and attended one course ; then came to Cuba and practiced two years. In 1856, he came to Blanchester, and in 1859 he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and returned to Blanchester, where he has remained ever since, enjoying quite an extensive practice. In February, 1847, he was married to Maria M., daughter of John and Margaret Mitchell; born in this county. They have one son, Eberle D., present banker of Blanchester. He owns a fine residence and five and a quarter acres of land on Lazenby street; also three farms containing 400 acres of choice land, with dwellings and outbuildings.

DAVID SMITH, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of John and Elizabeth (Butt) Smith, was born in this township within three hundred yards of his present residence, April 1, 1838. His father was a native of this State, and came from Scioto County to this township at quite an early date, and at the time of his death, which occurred December 20, 1863, he owned 1271 acres of land, which David L. received and now resides on. He now has 1581 acres, 140 under cultivation. He was married in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, February 4, 1864, to Martha W., daughter of William and Sarah Friend, born at Mainville, April 30, 1843. They have ten children-Eva, Sally, Julia, William, Nettie, Herbert, Minnie, Louise, David and Bessie. Mr. Smith is a member of the Grange society; himself and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

EBERLE D. SMITH, banker, P. O. Blanchester, situated on Main street, below Broadway, known as the Blanchester Bank. He is a son of Dr. Harvey and Maria M. (Mitchell) Smith, and was born in Cuba, Clinton County, October 25, 1848. He attended the common schools at Blanchester till 1864, when he entered Miami University at Oxford, where he attended six years and graduated with high honors in 1871. He received the mathematical honor. He then returned to Blanchester, and was engaged as Principal of the Union Schools one year. He then went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and studied law one year, returning in 1873. He then went as Indian trader to Fort Sill, Indian Ty., where he opened a store, and traded quite extensively with the Indians, taking furs of all kinds. He again returned to Blanchester and opened the bank, where he is at present operating, February 2, 1877. He also owns what is known as Broadway Livery Stable, conducted by C. B. Riley. Mr. Smith also has two fine farms, one on the State road of 179 3/4 acres, known as the Nathaniel Montgomery farm; the other is situated on the road running from the State road to Westboro, and consists of 114 acres; both farms are under a high state of cultivation, dwellings and outbuildings on each. He also owns a fine residence on Lazenby street, with four acres of land. He was married in Blanchester, August 25, 1875, to Miss Clara B. Robb, daughter of Dr.


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A. Robb, of this place also; who was born in Highland County, Ohio. They have three children-Rowena D., Stanley R. and Ralph H. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also, of the Greek Society, a college society, Delta Kappa Epsilon; also a member of the Universalist Church.

GEORGE W. SNIDER, manufacturer, P. O. Blanchester, of the firm of Snider & McCormick, blacksmiths, on Broadway, above Main street, is the son of James and Margaret (Spaulding) Snider, was born in Harlan Township, Warren Co., Ohio, in 1849. He was reared on a farm till twenty-one, then commenced to travel in the lighting rod business, in which he has been engaged ever since. He was married in Butlerville, Warren County, in 1876, to Ella, daughter of John and Emily Johnson. He came to Blanchester in 1879, and purchased a lot on Broadway street, where he has built a fine residence. In April, 1881, he bought one-half interest in the blacksmith shop on Broadway, where they do all kinds of repairing and general blacksmithing; they employ from three to five hands.

ELISHA SPENCER, fireman, P. O. Blanchester, in the flouring mill of his brother-in-law, John Burton, is a son of William and Priscilla (Stackhouse) Spencer, and was born in Union Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, September 10, 1843. He was reared on a farm, his father owning 100 acres of land in Union Township. When eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio, in the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. David H. Miller, served three years and twelve days, and was in quite a number of prominent battles, among others, Chickamauga, Resaca and Jonesboro, besides a number of skirmishes. He was mustered out at Fayetteville, N. C., and returned to the old homestead, where he made considerable im provements, and remained two years. He was then employed by his brother, six years, part of the time in a distillery near Wilmington, where he also farmed several years, and then came to Blanchester and has since been employed as fireman in his brother-in-law's flouring mills. He was married in Greene Couny, Ohio, to Sarah J., daughter of Arthur and Druilla Ellison, born in Adams County. They have five children-Cora D., William R., Catherine A., Minnie and Harry A. Himself and wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

ROBERT SUPINGER, carpenter, Blanchester, son of Jacob and Mary (Oglesby) Supinger, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1809. He was reared on on a farm till eighteen years old, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has worked nearly ever since. In 1839, he came to Salem Township, Warren County, Ohio, where he remained seven years, during which time he was married, in 1840, to Sarah Conner, a native of Delaware. In 1846, they moved to Blanchester, where they have since resided. They had eight children, four now living-Jacob, Mary E., Lucinda and Grandville. His wife died July 26, 1878. Mr. S. owns a residence and one acre of land on Main street, above Grove street, twenty acres of land partly in corporation, and two lots in Anshutz & Patterson's Addition. In 1866, he was elected Township Trustee, which office he has filled ever since.

JON K. TRICKEY, contractor, Blanchester, son of William and Sarah (Osborn) Trickey, was born in Harlan Township, Warren County, Ohio, January 7, 1824. He was reared on a farm. When twenty-one years of age, he was married to Theodosia daughter of John and Nancy (Henry) Clippard, born in Harlan Township. His father gave him ninety acres of land in that township, and he built a small cabin and began life in the woods. He cleared about fifty acres. In 1854, he bought 164 acres in Marion Township, Clinton County, and again settled in the woods and cleared about 100 acres. In 1880, he sold it and moved to Blanchester, where he has resided ever since. He has been contracting on roads and buildings the last five years. He owns and rents three store buildings on Broadway. He also keeps the Sherman House, has ten acres in the village known as Trickey's Addition. Mr. Trickey has been a very enterprising man. Any enterprise for the good of Blanchester and its people is sure to find an able advocate and assistant in him. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and Universalist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Trickey have seven children, all but one married-Sarah F., William H., Emma L., Thomas R., George W., Estelle and Alta.


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THOMAS TROVILLO, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Jonathan and Martha (McKee) Trovillo, was born in Center County, Penn., in 1807. He was reared on a farm. In 1812, his parents came to Cincinnati, where his father taught school a short time. He taught in a number of places, being a cripple and not able to do anything else. When twenty years of age, Thomas left home and began the world for himself. To 1831, he was married to Maria, daughter of William and Ellen Vandervort, a native of Virginia. They had nine children, eight living Paul J. enlisted in Westboro in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; was out six months and died at Camp Dennison. The remainder were Joseph E., Martha E., James, Sarah, William, Ephraim K., Samuel H. and Mary E. Mr. T. rented land several years after his marriage, and then bought sixty-seven acres of land in Simms Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, where he cleared fifteen acres and made numerous other improvements. In the spring of 1864, he sold and purchased 125 1/2 acres in Jefferson Township, this county, where he remained till 1869, when he came to this township and bought seventy-five and three-fourths acres of land two and one-half miles northeast of Blanchester. He has sixty-eight acres under cultivation. Mr. Trovillo's wife died in April, 1880. His son Ephraim and wife are now living with him.

WILLIAM TUFTS, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Henry and Margaret (Gillis) Tufts, was born near Mainville, Warren Co., Ohio, September 5, 1836. He was reared on a farm. His parents came to this township about 1852, and bought 132 acres of land. He was married, September 27, 1867, to Lucinda M., widow of John B. Hall, who died in the army from the effects of a gunshot wound. They have one child-Harvey E. Mrs: T. has two children by her former marriage-Flora R. and James E. After he was married, Mr. T. bought fifty acres of land three miles northeast of Blanchester. In January, 1880, he also purchased forty-one and a third acres of land where he now lives, seventy-five acres under cultivation. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

REDDING N. WAINRIGHT (deceased), was a son of James Wainright. He was born in Monmouth County, N. J., January 2, 1811. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, and served four years. He followed his trade in Hightstown till 1835, when he came to Warren County, Ohio. He remained a short time and returned to New Jersey, and in the autumn of 1836, with his father, three sisters, and a brother-in-law, Abram Skillman, came to Hopkinsville, Warren County. His father died in Goshen. The year after his settlement, he purchased a farm of 130 acres in Marion Township, Clinton County. In 1843, he located on the farm where his death occurred. He was a farmer by occupation, and always followed its pursuits. September 13, 1837, he was united in marriage with Eliza Leever, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Leever, and a native of Clermont County, where she was born June 5, 1816. Of their six children, three sons and two daughters are living -Susan A., born June 13, 1838, wife of George Bontell ; Caroline, born May 16, 1844, wife of Oliver Dungan, she died July 8, 1878; Mary E., born August 21, 1847, a teacher in the blind asylum at Columbus; Charles C., born January 7, 1850; Henry C., born March 5, 1852 ; and Robert L., born January 2, 1856. Mr. Wain right departed this life November 25, 1878, aged nearly sixty-eight years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a good many years. His political opinions were based on Republicanism. He was highly esteemed as a citizen and neighbor, and his death occasioned an irreparable loss both to the church and community.

JAMES M. WATKINS, farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Henry and Ruth (Thomas) Watkins, was born in Harlan Township, Warren Co., Ohio, July 5, 1825. His parents came from Harrison County, Va.; about 1821, and bought 400 acres of land where James was born. He remained at home till twenty-four years old, then came to Blanchester, and engaged in buying and selling stock, and butchering two years. He was married, August 31, 1854, in Blanchester, to Ruth C., daughter of Mitchell and Penelope Wright, born near Blanchester March 15, 1836. They have five children-Albert, Warren, Mitchell, Lorrin and Isabelle. After marrying, he rented part of his father-in-law's land, where he remained eighteen months. He con-


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tinned renting till 1864, when he purchased sixty-four and one-half acres of land one and one-half miles northeast of Blanchester. In August, 1872, he bought fifty acres adjoining; now has about ninety acres under cultivation. His wife died where he now lives August 27, 1868. He again married September 17, 1871, to Sarah J., widow of Gideon Sears, by whom she has one son living Charles M. Sears.



JONAS WATKINS, M. D., physician, P. O. Blanchester, son of Wilford and Maria (Whitacre) Watkins, was born in Harlan Township, Warren County, February 17, 1831, and reared on farm till nineteen years of age, attending school about three months each winter. He then engaged in the study of medicine under Wilford Cusick M. D., three years. In 1851, he entered the Sterling Medical College of Columbus, graduating in 1853. He practiced with his former instructor two years, and then came to Blanchester and practiced six years. He then opened a general store, and bought grain, etc.; at the end of two years he failed, loss $5,000. He then went to Clark County , near Springfield, where he practiced medicine eighteen months, and then re turned to Blanchester, where he has again built up an extensive practice. In the fall of 1851, he was married in Jefferson Township, Clinton County, to Annie, daughter of Jesse and Mary Hockett. They have had five children, one living at present, Lyman, graduate of the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and at present attending the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. The deceased were named as follows: Zimri, Luella, Geneva and Charley. His wife died in October, 1863, and he again married in Vernon Township, Clinton County, to Mary J., daughter of William R. and Elizabeth (Darby) Austin, born in Vernon Township. Her parents were the first settlers of that township. They have had seven children, four still living-Lutie, Lizzie, Clay and Lulu. In 1873, they bought four lots on Broadway street, and the following year built a fine brick residence. They also have two lots and one and one-half acres adjoining, and one hundred and eighty-seven and one-half acres in Harlan Township, Warren County, one hundred and sixty of which are in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Watkins if; a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders, of the Town Council, Director of the Building Association, President of the Cemetery Association, and himself and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist Church.

HARRISON C. WATKINS, physician, Blanchester, son of Harrison P. and Mary (Collins) Watkins, was born in Clinton County, one mile west of Blanchester, February 26, 1838. When six months old, his parents moved one-half mile farther west into Warren County, still retaining the old homestead. They owned about 310 acres of choice land, of which his father cleared considerable during his life. He died on the old homestead November 30, 1869, in his seventy-third year. His worthy partner in his joys and sorrows is still living on the old homestead, with one of her daughters, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Watkins was raised on the farm till twenty-one years of age, attending school a few months each winter. He then entered the Normal School at Lebanon; also attended the Martinsville School six years, teaching winters. The last two years he read medicine, and in October, 1864, he entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, where he graduated February 15, 1866, and immediately returned to the old homestead, and was married, on the 22d day of the same month, to Miss Sarah T., daughter of John W. and Martha (Trickey) Rice. They had five children, three still living-George W., Howard R. and an infant not yet named. The deceased were named Hattie and Pearls. After his marriage, Mr. W. settled in Blanchester and commenced the practice of medicine, where he has since remained, and is now enjoying quite an extensive practice. In 1875, he was commissioned by the Government Examining Surgeon for Pensions, which he still holds. He has been a member of the Masonic lodge eighteen years, of which he has been Master several terms; also a member of the State Eclectic Medical Association. Mr. Watkins owns a fine brick residence and four lots corner Main and Grove streets; also two fine farms of ninety acres in Harlan Township, Warren County.

JOSEPH WHITAKER, retired farmer, P. O. Blanchester, son of Oliver and Elisabeth (Kibbey) Whitaker, was born in Washington Township, this county, February 2 24, 1818. His parents emigrated from New Jersey at an early period. He was


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reared on a farm. He was married, in Washington Township, in 1841, to Rebecca, daughter of William and Ann McBryant. They have five children-William O., Mary L. Ephraim K., Elizabeth A. and George N. In 1854, Mr. W. came to this township and bought 140 acres of land, nearly three miles east of Blanchester, on the State road. He now has 160i acres of land there, 130 under cultivation. He erected a nice house, barns and made numerous improvements. In February, 1878, he came to Blanchester, and in 1880 he purchased a residence and two lots extending from Main to Center street. His family are all members of the United Brethren Church.


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