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CHARLES ADAMS, farmer, P. O. New Lexington, born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 16, 1815, is a son of Peter and Mary (Adams) Adams, natives of the State of Delaware. The grandfather was Absalom Adams, also a native of Delaware, and lived and died in his native State. Peter Adams grew to manhood and married in his native State. About the year 1813, he emigrated to Ohio and located in Clinton County, on a farm now owned by Thomas Geffs ; there he opened out right in the woods, and had his full share of pioneer work, clearing up the farm of 100 acres right from the green timber. Becoming advanced in years, he retired from his farm and located near Lexington, where he died, aged seventy-three years ; his wife survived him till 1871, aged seventy-nine years. They had eleven children ; seven now survive Daniel, Charles, Betsey.(married Robert Montgomery, and resides in Indiana), Man. love, Absalom, Elias and James. Mr. Adams commenced in the woods a poor man, and by his own industry and good management, became possessor of 850 acres of land, and was able to give his children a good start in life. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood fully inured to pioneer and log cabin life; was married, October 18, 1846,
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to Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of James and Ann Adams, natives of Delaware. By this union they have five children-Francis Marion, born September 10, 1849; Elias, June 27, 1856 ; Absalom, October 20, 1858; Charles, May 17, 1360, and William, born September 21, 1862. Mr. Adams, after his marriage, located on the place where he now lives, and has since resided, with the exception of four years, during which he resided in Lexington. Upon this place he has erected good substantial buildings, and has good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and farmer's residence.
JOHN P. BEGONVILLE, farmer, P. O. New Antioch, born in Belgium, August 17, 1817, is a' son of John and Catharine Begonville, natives of Belgium, and who lived and died in their native country. They had seven children; three now sur vive-John P., Mary Josepha (married Mr. Talbo and resides in Belgium) and Mary Jean. The subject of this sketch, in 1837, emigrated to America, when about twenty years of age, and first settled in Kentucky ; thence, in 151, he removed to Clinton County, Ohio, and bought fifty acres of land, where he now lives and has since resided; since which, from time to time, he has added more land by purchase, till now he owns three hundred and five acres of good land, upon which he has erected good buildings and has good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. When Mr. Begonville landed in America, he was a poor man, and by his own management and economy has accumulated a good competency, becoming one of the substantial farmers and land-holders of Wayne Township, whose character and integrity are undoubted throughout this community, where he has now lived for thirty years.
PHILIP CLINE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, born in Clinton County, Ohio, May 27, 1816, is a son of Philip and Mary (Turner) Cline, natives of Virginia. The grandfather was also Philip Cline, native of Germany, but when young, in an early day emigrated to America and located in Virginia, where he died. Philip, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia March 16, 1781 ; his wife, Mary Turner, was born May 18, 1778. They resided in Virginia till about 1813, when they emigrated to Ohio, and located near Wilmington, in Clinton County, where they lived till 1818. They removed to near Sabina, locating on the place now owned by Peter Kelso. There he opened out right in the woods, not a stick amiss, and there endured all the hardships of pioneer life ; settlers were then few and fa: between ; then there was but one house, a log cabin, where Sabina now stands, and that was where a Mr. Love lived and kept a tavern. Mr. Cline remained on that farm till the death of his wife, June 24, 1863, aged eighty-five years. He died at his son Philip's house, January 21, 1865, aged nearly eighty-five years. They bad three sons and four daughters; four now survive-John, George, Elizabeth (married Thomas Antrim (now deceased) and resides in Iowa), and Philip. Mr. Cline was truly one of the pioneers of Clinton County, and one who did a great work in bringing out from the woods these now fine farms with all their present comforts and conveniences, which the present and future generations will continue to enjoy for ages to come. He was a man of very firm character, whose integrity was undoubted, and whose life was filled up with good works; a devoted Christian, and worthy member of the Christian Church to which he belonged for many years, and in his death the Church lost a devoted man and the community a worthy citizen. Our subject was the youngest child of his father, and grew to manhood fully acquainted with the trials and hardships of the early settlers ; was married July 14, 1836, to Delilah, daughter of Aden and Mary Antrim, who was born October 3, 1820. By her he had seven sons and five daughters, eight now living-John, born August 6, 1838; Alfred, December 10, 1840 ; Mary, May 19, 1843, married Amos Rooks; Thomas, April 1, 1 846 ; Anna Jane, July 30, 1848, married James Pavey ; Sarah E., July 9, 1853, married Norman F. Martin; Philip A., December 14, 1855, and Martha A., born November 9, 1859, married Sanford West. Of those deceased, George J. settled in Marion County, Iowa, November 5, 1879, where he resided till his death, November 12, 1881. On that day, in attempting to ford the South Cedar Creek with his team, he and team were swept down the stream by the current, and both he and his horses were drowned. He was a man of great integrity of character, a devoted Christian, and also a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. Though
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thus early and suddenly taken away in the prime of life, yet his life and character will remain as a bright and shining example, and one whose merits and hopes reached beyond the shores of time, and were anchored in the harbor of eternal bliss. Our subject lost his wife by death, December 8, 1875. She was a woman of excellent Christian character, a very worthy companion and mother, seeming to possess those qualities of mind which remarkably fitted her to fill all the duties of a wife, a mother and a Christian. On May 2, 1879, Mr. Cline married for his second wife, Mrs. Eliza A. Tener, a daughter of Jonathan H. and Lavina (Donahue) Boyd, natives of Ohio. Eliza A. was born in Scioto County, October 22, 1836. She was first married to Dr. Jacob M. Tener, practicing physician of Sinking Springs, Highland Co., Ohio, where he spent most of his life; he died March 2, 1877, aged forty-seven years. By him she had three children, one only now living Sampson Milton, born September 13, 1856. Mr. Cline has been a resident of Clinton County from his birth ; has always followed farming as a business. He located where he now lives, about 1845, where he has since resided. He is a man of undoubted integrity of character, a member of the Christian Church, and as a man and a Christian is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
JOHN W. DAILY, farmer, P. O. Reesville, born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 11, 1827, is a son of Thomas and Frances D. (Woolard) Daily, natives of Loudoun County, Va. The paternal grandfather, Aaron Daily, was of Irish descent, and died in Virginia. The maternal grandfather, John Woolard, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio, and located in Clinton County about 1820, on the place now owned by Harriet Morrison, and there he died about 1832. Thomas Daily was married in his native State, and at above date 1820, came with Mr. Woolard to Ohio, and located with him on above-mentioned place; there they opened out right in the woods, and endured all the many hardships of those early settlers, and there they remained through life. His wife died about 1836. Subsequently be married for his second wife Harriet Anders. By his first wife he had ten children, five now survive-Sarah now married to John Dull, resides in Indiana), Elizabeth (married Isaac Woolard), John W., Aaron J. and Thomas G. By his second wife he had five children, two now living Eliza and George. Mr. Daily died in March, 1858, aged seventy-five years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, served thirteen months. His life was spent as a pioneer farmer, although a blacksmith by trade in his earls life, and still following his trade more or less for twenty years after his locating in Clinton County. He was a thorough going, industrious man, and became owner of 700 acres of land; was a man of character and integrity, and died a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject grew to manhood acquainted with log-cabin life and the hardships of those days; was married March 28, 1850, to Miss Mary, daughter of Benoni and Jane Clifton, he a native of the State of Delaware, and she of Virginia. By this union they have had four children, two now survive-Sylvester, born May 27, 1853, and Austin, born December 18, 1858. Mr. Daily has devoted his life to farming, and all in Clinton County except seven years, during which he resided in Fayette County, Ohio. He bought and located where he now lives in spring of 1858. This place he purchased of C. Rhonemus ; it consists of sixty acres of good land, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence.
GEORGE DUN, farmer, P. O. Sabina, born in Ross County, Ohio, December 21, 1846, is a son of George and Frances Louisa (Duon) Dun, he a native of Scotland, and she of Philadelphia. Mr. Dun while a young single man, emigrated to America, where be was married, and settled in Philadelphia, where be engaged in mercantile trade, and continued in that business about twenty-five years. During this business career he accumulated quite an amount of property. About 1836 or 1837, he come to Ohio, and settled at Chillicothe, where he spent the remainder of his life dealing in real estate, in which business he was remarkably successful, becoming one of the wealthiest men of Ross County, being at the time of his death worth about $500,000, most of which he made by his own energy and business tact. He died February 5, 1865, aged seventy-nine years. His wife still survives, and resides with her daughter near Chillicothe.
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They had eight children, six now survive-James, Ellen (now Mrs. Smart), John, Jean (now Mrs. Blackford), William and George, the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest child of his father's family, and was raised and grew to manhood in Ross County; was married April 25, 1870, to Hiss Viola, daughter of James and Mary Gudgeon, residents of Athens County, Ohio. Mr. Dun after his marriage resided in Ross County three years ; thence removed to Clinton County, and located on the farm where he now lives and has since resided. He is one of the substantial farmers of Wayne Township.
JUDGE STEPHEN EVANS (deceased). He was one of the early settlers, and a prominent and leading citizen of Wayne Township, was Judge Stephen Evans, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 37, 1803; was a son of avid and Nancy (Greer) Evans, who became early settlers of Kentucky, where they resided till, in 1802, they removed to Ohio and settled in Highland County; thence, in 1810, they removed to Clinton County, locating near Centerville, where they passed the balance of their lives. He died March 6, 1846, in his seventy-first year; his wife survived till December 30, 18611, aged eighty-four years. They were devoted members of the Disciple Church from the earliest recollection of their children. They had three sons and seven daughters, three daughters now survive-Maria, now Mrs. Stephen Pierce; Louisa, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Daugherty. Judge Stephen Evans was the second child and eldest son of his father's family. He grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life, this entire county being then almost an unbroken wilderness the red man and wild beasts roaming at large through these wild domains, one of the Indian camping-grounds being located near his boyhood home; and on that portion of Wayne Township known as '° Prairie," he often plied the oar of his canoe, lighted by a torch, in search of deer. He never attended school till seventeen years of age, having received from his parents what little instruction he received prior to that age. When he arrived at his majority, he started out pump-making. This occupation he followed, using some of his means thus acquired in gaining a further education, till, becoming qualified, he began teaching school ; this occupation, together with pump-making, he followed several years. In the meantime, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth, he was married to Miss Mary Wilson. He finally, with the money he had earned by his own labor, purchased a small farm; this he subsequently sold and purchased the farm where he lived and died, and where his children still reside, in 1835, paying 88 per acre ; and ten years later built the large brick house which still adorns the place. Subsequently, he purchased the old home place upon which he was brought up. Soon after his marriage, he was elected Justice of the Peace of what is now three or four townships, which office he honorably filled for eighteen years, thence declining to serve longer. In 1841, he was elected to the House of Representatives. It was then unlike the present day. After selecting his best horse, and putting a change of clothing in a pair of saddle-bags, he started for his post of duty. In 1845, he was again elected to fill the same position, and again, in 1863, he was elected by a large majority. In 1851, he was elected Associate Judge of Clinton County, which office he filled till the office was abolished by the new constitution. In 1863, he was appointed Draft Commissioner, in which office he acquitted himself with honor. The Judge also had confided to his care many of the public trusts of his own neighborhood and township, and settled a great many estates in his county. He commenced in life without means, and by diligence and industry he became. possessed of an ample competency. Judge Evans, in all his official career, manifested a straight forward course, marked by a strict integrity of conduct in all his public trusts, as well as in his private transactions with his own neighbors. In 1828, he became a member of the Christian Church at Antioch. During the last twenty years of his life, he was a member and an Elder of the church at Sabina. At the time of his death he had served in the church over half a century. He died of paralysis May 14, 1879, aged seventy-six years ; his wife died September 1, 1876, aged sixty-three years. They had twelve children-eight now survive: Emily, Allen, Martha, Sarah, Mary (married Benjamin Rankin), Margaret, Catharine (married William J. Tolle), and Sophia (who married Daniel H. Hall). This
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is a brief sketch of one of Clinton County's early settlers, and who filled most faithfully the many positions of public trust in both church and State, and whose memory is fondly cherished by his large circle of friends and acquaintances, and whose record upon the pages of this history will stand a more lasting monument to his memory than the marble which adorns his last resting-place.
CHARLES R. GABRIEL, farmer. P. O. New Antioch, born in Athens County, Ohio, July 2, 185'3, is a son of William and Mary (Griffeth) Gabriel, natives of same county. The grandparents were Abraham and Mary Gabriel, natives of New Jersey, who came to Ohio about 1812, and settled in Athens County, where they remained till their death. He was a soldier and a Captain in the war of 1812. His life was that of a farmer and a hunter, taking great delight in the latter, as game was plenty in that early day. William grew to manhood, married, and spent his entire life in his native county, engaged in farming. They had nine children, six now survive - Elizabeth, Catharine (married James Dodd), Martha (married William Dean), Mary (married Charles Cole), Eber and Charles R.; Elizabeth, Martha and Eber are still residents of Athens County, Ohio : Catharine, in Brooke County, Va., and Mary resides in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Gabriel died in November, 1854, aged forty-one years. Mr. Gabriel died in April, 1864, aged fifty-one years. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Athens County. In 1870, he came to Clinton County and married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Nancy Cashman, who became residents of Clinton County, Ohio, where they lived and died. Mr. Cashman died June 4, 1860, aged sixty-eight years ; his wife died October 28, 1863, aged thirty-six years. They had two children, Mary, born November 21, 1853, and James William, born September 20, 1855. Mr. Gabriel and wife have four children : Leona F., born May 7, 1873 ; Ella A., born January 29, 1876; Clara, born April 7, 1879, and William F., born October 21, 1880. Mr. Gabriel first located in New Antioch. In February, 1881, he located on the farm where he now lives and has since resided. This place he bought of Daniel Slaight ; it consists of sixty-five acres of good land, with good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence.
HON. THOMAS GEFFS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Memphis, born in Virginia June 13, 1820, is a son of John and Tamar Geffs, he a native of Ireland, and she of Pennsylvania; John Geffs, with his parents, James and Elizabeth Geffs, emigrated to America when John was but a child, and located in Virginia, where his father died, and where he grew to manhood and married. He learned the tanner's trade in Hagerstown, Md., which business he followed, till in the fall of 1830, he, with his family, emigrated to Ohio, and passed the winter near Chillicothe ; thence, in the spring of 1831, came to Clinton County, and purchased and located upon the farm where our subject now lives, and here remained till his death, in May, 1840, in his fifty-first year. His mother also became a resident of Clinton County, and died, living with her son, aged eighty-six years. Mrs. Geffs remained upon the home place with her children, till her death, March 25, 1881, in her ninety-second year of age. They had thirteen children, four now survive-Jacob, Thomas, James and Nancy, now widow Haines. Jacob and James now reside in Illinois. Robert, the eleventh child, and next younger than our subject, was a soldier in the Mexican war, and died in the service, near Jalapa, Mexico, aged twenty years. The subject of this sketch was ten years of age when their family came to Ohio, and here grew to manhood ; received his education in the schools at home and at Lexington, Highland County. Re has devoted his life to farming and dealing and raising of stock, and as such has become an active, leading farmer of his community. He is an active politician and has given his main energies to the best good of his community, and the prosperity of his county, and is probably one of the beat informed politicians upon the general issues before the people in Wayne Township. He has held many local offices; has been Township Trustee and County Commissioner. In 1870-71 he represented his county in the Ohio Legislature, and was active in procuring the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. In all his political life he has been a fearless, independent thinker and actor, voting for such measures and means as his judgment dictated, as for the best good of his country. On
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February 9, 1843, Mr. Geffs married Miss Mary, daughter of Harrison and Jane West, who came from Virginia to Ohio in an early day. By this union they have had seven children, four now survive-Tamar Morris, Foster; Elmira, married Dr. Houseworth, and Irvin, who resides in Parsons, Kan.
JACOB J. HARRIS, blacksmith, Memphis, born in Vinton County, Ohio, June 3, 1847, is a son of Andrew and Sarah E. (Stout) Harris, natives of Tioga County, Penn. The grandfather, Jacob Harris, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1815, and located in Pennsylvania, and lived and died in that State. Andrew Harris grew to manhood, and was married in Pennsylvania, where they continued to reside till, about 1842, they came to Ohio and settled in Hocking County, in that portion which is now embraced in Vinton County, and there he resided several years; thence came to Ross County, and thence to Clinton County, and finally removed to Pickaway County, where he still resides. His wife died about 1851, aged about thirty-four years. They had eight children, five now survive-William, Amos T., John W., Jacob J. and Sarah E. (now Mrs. Van Skey). Mr. Harris, when young, was in the regular army of the United States for a few years; thence he learned the blacksmith trade, which business he has since followed. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the First Ohio Infantry Sharpshooters. He married for his second wife, Miss Hannah Lot, by whom he had one child-Thomas. Our subject was about five years of age when his mother died, and was then placed among strangers here and there, an he could find a home, being principally raised in Ross County. During the war of the rebellion, on June 13,1863, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; thence they were re-organized and became the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served till the close of the war. Subsequently, Mr. Harris learned the blacksmith trade, which business he has since followed. He was married January 15, 1868, to Miss Hannah E., daughter of David and Mary Grove, natives of Virginia, but who came to Ohio about 1832, and located in Clinton County. By this union they have had one child-died in infancy. Mr. Harris located where he now lives, at Memphis, in 1874, where he has bought property, and has siren carried on his trade; has a good business, and is known as one of the best workmen in this portion of the county. He is also giving especial attention to the study of the horse and his diseases, and is considered an excellent veterinary surgeon.
REV. WILLIAM HOLMES, farmer, P. O. Memphis. Of the Holmes family, of which we now write, we begin with the Rev. Obadiah Holmes, so favorably known in the annals of the Baptist Church in America. He was born at Manchester, in Lancashire, England in 1606; married, in 1636, to Catharine, and came to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1639. For his zeal in preaching Baptist doctrines, he was sentenced by the Puritans of New England to pay a fine of thirty pounds, or be publicly whipped. Although abundantly able to pay the fine, he refused to do so, as he deemed it would be an acknowledgment of error, and he choose rather to suffer than to "deny his Lord." In September, 1651, he was publicly and severely whipped at Boston, " with a three-corded whip-thirty strokes."Rev. Holmes was one of the original patentees of Old Monmouth County, N. J., although it is believed he never resided there. He died at Newport, R. I., in 1682. His son, Jonathan Holmes, became a resident, and in 1668 was a member of the General Assembly. Subsequently, he returned to the family homestead, in Middletown, R. I., having settled his two sons, Jonathan and Obadiah, upon his lands in Middletown, N. J., which he bequeathed to them in 1713. These two sons were among the pioneers of the Baptist faith in New Jersey. Obadiah had a son named Jonathan, who died about 1766. Of his children, John Holmes was the grandfather of Rev. William Holmes, our subject. He lived at the Upper Mill, on Forked River, N. J., during the Revolutionary war. He suffered great loss of property and goods, taken by . the Tories, during this war. He married Catharine Potter, by whom he had six children-William, John; Huldah, Katie, Polly and Sally. John, the second son, was the father of our subject, and married Catharine Lane, by whom he had eight children; five now survive-Stephen, now a resident of Illinois; Jacob, William, Gilbert and Maria, now Widow Raleigh. Mr. Holmes lived and died in his native
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State; he died in 1832, aged sixty-two years. His widow subsequently came to Ohio with our subject, and lived with her son, Gilbert, at Hillsboro, where she died in 1869, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Holmes was a miller by trade, which business he followed through life. The subject of this sketch was born in New Jersey, September 8, 1808, and grew to manhood; was married to Catharine Stout August 6, 18'29, by whom he had four children -Matilda, born October 24, 1831, now Widow Wolary, residing in Missouri; Daniel S., born October 5, 1833 ; Charles P., born December 2, 1836, and Hannah E., born January 13, 1839; married John Luttrell. Mrs. Holmes died November 8, 1840, aged thirty-eight years. On September 7, 1841, Mr. Holmes married for his second wife Elizabeth Cowgill, by whom he had six children, four now survive Priscilla, born January 17, 1843, married Alfred McVay, now a practicing lawyer in Toledo, Ohio; Zachariah H., June 16, 1844; James W., April 29, 1845, and Webster H., born June 7, 1856. His second wife died March 10, 1877. On September 12, 1878, he married for his third wife Mrs. Sarah T. Wright, widow of Rev. John T. Wright. She is a daughter of Absalom and Mary A. (Ballard) Roush, he a native of Virginia, she of Pennsylvania. They had nine children, five now survive-Lucinda, now Mrs. Roash ; Sarah T., Nathan B., Cloys B. and Minerva, now Mrs. Lovingfoss. Mrs. Holmes was born in Adams County, Ohio, November 28,1823. By her first husband, Rev. John T. Wright, she had two children, one now living Mary A., the wife of Rev. John H. Middleton. Mr. Holmes, our subject, emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1832, and the following year he located in Clinton County, where he has since resided, a period of nearly half a century. He bought and located on the place where he now lives in the spring of 1849. This place he purchased of Woodmansee, Cooper and Morris; it consists of 212 acres of good land with good improvements. Rev. Holmes is now one of the oldest settlers living in this vicinity ; is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church to which he has belonged for over half a century; he has held nearly all the offices of his church, and has been a licensed preacher for forty-one years; has probably married more people and preached more funeral sermons, than any other minister now residing in the county.
JOSHUA W. JOHNSON, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Memphis. Among the prominent farmers and stick dealers in Wayne Township is Joshua W. Johnson, born in Highland County, Ohio, February 13, 1828; a son of Christopher and Anna (Johnson) Johnson. He, it is believed, was a native of Virginia, and she of Ohio. The maternal grandparents were Micajah and Rachel Johnson, he a native of Virginia and she of North Carolina, but became among the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio, where they endured their full share of hardships and trials of pioneer life, and there lived and died. The great- grandfather, James Johnson, also came to Ohio and died here. Christopher Johnson and family resided in Highland County till his death in the spring of 1831, aged about forty-four years. They had two children-Joshua W. and William P. The latter died at two years of age. Mrs. Johnson married for her second husband John W. Brock, by whom she had several children, of whom three now survive-Rachel Euphemia, now Mrs. Miller; John L. and Levi M. Mr. and Mrs. Brock now reside at Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio. The subject of this sketch was but three years of age when his father died, but was raised by his mother and step-father till he grew to manhood; was married February 15, 1849, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Edward and Leah Adams, residents of Clinton County. By this union they had two children-Christopher C., born February 14, 1850, married Mary Graham, have three children living-Andrew Cowper, Joshua Henson and Maynard-and Edward J., born August 19, 1854, married Phebe Elizabeth Davis, of Lexington, Highland Co., Ohio. Mrs. Johnson died April 23, 1877, aged fifty years. Mr. Johnson resided in Highland County till spring of 1853, when he bought and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. This place he purchased of Edward Jennings, which then consisted of 177 acres, to which from time to time he has added by purchase more land, till he became owner of 400 acres of good land, constituting three farms, two of which have good buildings and improvements ; and the most of this property Mr. Johnson and family have made by their own industry and good management. Mr. Johnson
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is one of the best farmers in his neighborhood ; is a quiet, unpretending man, never seeking office or public notoriety ; has served as Township Trustee, but generally refuses all offices ; is a man whose character stands above reproach, and is one of Wayne Township's best citizens.
SAMUEL L LAWSON, farmer, P. O. Sabina, born in the State of New York September 5, 1818, is a son of John and Maria (Cope) Lawson, natives of New York. The grandparents were Peter and Jane Lawson, also residents of New York State, but who subsequently removed to Ohio and settled near Columbus, where they died. John Lawson was raised and married in his native State, and about the year 1821 came to Ohio and located near Columbus, and retrained in that vicinity till his death, about 1827, being then only in the prime of life. He was the father of five children ; two now survive-Samuel and Peter, the latter a resident of Westmoreland County, Penn. His widow married for her second husband James Cochren by whom she had four sons, of whom only one survives-Joseph. Mrs. Cochren died about 1866. Mr. Lawson, our subject, was but nine years of age when his father died; thence he was cared for by his mother and grandfather Lawson till old enough to work his own way through life, when he started out in the world and worked here and there as he could find opportunity. In 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine, daughter of Stanue and Catharine Miles, natives of Maryland, but who removed to Ohio about 1836 and located in Madison County, where they died. They had nine children ; three now survive-Ellen, Mary and Catharine. The latter was born in Maryland October 20, 1826. Mr. Lawson and wife have had ten children, eight now living-Sallie, now widow Manlove ; Charles; Mary, now Mrs. Taylor, living in Ross County, Ohio; John; Frank ; Jennie, now Mrs. Abams ; Kate and James. Mr. Lawson has spent his business life in Ross and Clinton Counties. He came to the latter county in the spring of 1869. He located upon the place where he now lives in the fall of 1876. Mr. Lawson started in life a poor boy, and by his own industry and good management has acquired a good competency. He now owns 230 acres of good land with good improvements, and as an example of success in life through his own efforts, is worthy of imitation by all young men who have to depend upon their own energies.
WILLIAM W. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Lee's Creak Wayne Tp., was born in Wayne Township, March 24, 1833. He was the third son of William and Susan Moore. He attended the district schools of this township, and remained on the farm with his father until April 3, 1856, when he married Lydia Van Pelt, a daughter of Elijah and Lucinda Bethel) VanPelt, of Belmont County. They have had eight children, viz., Lavinia, deceased, Cassius M., Samuel B., deceased, Jessie, Horace J., deceased, America, Elwood A. and an infant now deceased. Mr. Moore is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Society of the Friends. He is a fancier and raiser of fine sheep of many varieties. He has a beautiful residence on the Lexington pike, three miles from Centerville, on which he has a deer park with a fine herd of these graceful creatures, browsing among the majestic forest trees of the park. He is a man of enterprise, of sterling integrity and ready business tact.
JOHN T. MOORE, farmer and tile manufacturer, Sabina, born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 2, 1842, is a son of William and Nancy (Johnson) Moore, he is a native of Ohio, and she, of the State of Delaware. The maternal grandfather, George Johnson, was a native of Delaware, but emigrated to Ohio, in an early day, probably about 1820, and located about twenty miles from Cincinnati, where he lived and died. William Moore, the father of our subject, was raised in Scioto County, Ohio; thence came to Fayette County, where he married and settled in life, and where they still reside. They have had seven children, five now survive-George; John T.; Elizabeth, married Raymond Brinkly ; Mary Jane, married Charles Groves; and William. Mr. Moore has made farming a business through life; has been a very industrious, hard working man ; he started in life with no means, first working out at $8 per month. Now he is well situated, owning 270 acres of good land with good improvements, and some money besides. He has also given his children a good start in life, all of which he has accomplished by his own labor, industry and economy, and is now one of the substan-
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tial farmers of Fayette County. The subject of this sketch was raised to farm labor on his father's farm. In the spring of 1871, he came to Clinton County, and located where he now lives ; was married September 10, 1874, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Alexander and Catharine Haynes, natives of Virginia, but who came to Ohio, and were among the early settlers of Clinton County, where they have since resided. They are now quite aged and have retired from labor and are making their home with our subject. They have had eleven children, six now living-Melethe, married Joseph Hixson; Susan, married Edmond Myers; Eliza, married Isaac Haynes; Francis; Granville and Catharine, the latter born in Clinton County June 6, 1850. Mr. Moore and wife have had two children, one now living-Alexander B., born June ti, 1879. In 1875, Mr. Moore commenced the manufacture of tile, which business he has continued in connection with farming to the present time; his trade in tile is increasing from year to year, and he intends to increase his supply in accordance with the demand and to make his tile as good as any in the county. He is a man of character and integrity, and, although in the prime of life, has a good start in life and is highly esteemed in the community where he lives; is a worthy member of the I. 0. 0. F., also of the W Wayne Grange, No. 470.
ENOS MORRIS, farmer, Centerville, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, October 22, 1841, is a son of James and Elizabeth (Haines) Morris, he a native of Virginia, and she of Ohio. James came to Ohio when a single man, and married in Highland County ; thence he settled in Clinton County, where be resided till his death. His wife died about 1860. They had eleven children, eight now living - Mary, wife of C. A. Pavey; Enos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mahlon, James; Lydia, wife of William Smith; and Martha, wife of Charles Woodmansee. Mr. Morris, married for his second wife Hannah Whinnery, by whom he bad two children-Charles and Wilson. His second wife died, and he married for his third wife, Mrs. Hannah Ladd, by whom he had one child-Walter. Mr. Morris died May 8, 1878, aged about 74 years. Mr. Morris devoted his life to farming. He started in life poor, but by industry and economy, he acquired a good competency, and gave his children a good start in life. He was a quiet, unassuming man, never. held an office or desired notoriety, but was a worthy member of the Society of Friends. Enos, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood brought up to farm labor; was married in February, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of John W. and Jane Morrison, natives of Virginia. By this union, they have had eight children, seven now living-Emma, Martha, Alonzo, Harrison, Florence, Trustin and Nettie. Farming has been Mr. Morris' business through life. He settled upon the place where now lives when he was married, and here has since resided. This place he purchased of Rachel A. McFadden; it consists of 113 acres of fine land, with good buildings and improvements, and constitutes a pleasant home and residence. He also belongs to the Society of Friends, and is one of the good and substantial farmers of Wayne Township.
MASON C. PAGE, farmer, P. O. Reesville, Clinton County, Ohio, April 30, 1835, is a son of Wesley and Matilda Page, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wesley Page grew to manhood in his native State, and married Matilda Crispin, and, about 1834, emigrated to Ohio and remained in Highland County till the Spring of 1835, when they settled in Clinton County, where they resided till his death in October, 1843. His wife survived him till June, 1877, aged seventy years. They had six children-Mason C., Silas and Thomas (twins), Lucinda and William (twins) and Wesley. Lucinda married John West, who died in the army in the war of the rebellion. She subsequently married a Mr. Troutman, and now resides in Illinois. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of his father's family, was but eight years of age when his father died and was raised by his mother, who managed to keep her family together till they grew to maturity. On January 15, 1856, Mr. Page was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Lavina Rhonemus, he a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. He came to Ohio with his parents when young, and located at Centerville, where he grew to manhood and married Laving Hansel, by whom be has had six children, five now living Christian, Elizabeth, Andrew, Susanna (married John Butter
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field) and John. Mr. Rhonemus started out in life a poor man, and in that early day worked many a day for twenty-five cents per day. By earnest and continued efforts he succeeded in obtaining sufficient education to teach school, for which services he was paid $12 per month. These were times that "tried men's souls." But energy, industry and economy carried them through. Subsequently Mr. Rhonemus entered upon a peddling and huckstering business, which he followed thirteen years, by which he supplied the settlers with groceries and articles they needed for immediate consumption, and in payment took their butter, eggs, etc., and these he would haul to Cincinnati over the then terrible mud roads, and sell them in that market. Thence he entered upon the mercantile trade in Centerville, where he continued business about twenty years. During this time he was carefully investing all his means as he accumulated it in land, as he well understood the safety of such investments and the sure rise and increase in value of farms in this then new country. Mr. Rhonemus was also quite a trading man, buying and selling land as he sawan opportunity to make a profit. Thus he has continued to the present time, and by the help of his family he has carried on farming extensively, and merchandising and trading as his energy and good judgment would direct, till he is now possessed of a large competency. He now owns nearly one thousand acres of land and a good property in Reesville, where he now resides. He has served his community in several of the public offices; was Justice of the Peace for many years, and Treasurer of the township twelve to fifteen years. He is truly a selfmade man, arising from a poor boy to a man of wealth, and commanding the respect, esteem and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Page and wife have had ten children -Christian L., Elvina (wife of P. Cline, Jr.), John W., William A., Marion, Martha Ann, Sophronia, Henry, Elizabeth and Charles. Mr. Page has made farming his occupation through life. He first located in Greene Township, and resided there thirteen years, thence located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. Mr. Page is one of the reliable and prominent farmers of Wayne Township and has been Trustee of the township several years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly esteemed and respected citizens.
JOSEPH K. PARKER, druggist, Centerville, born in Highland County, Ohio, May 10, 1855, is a son of Samuel and Mary Parker; he, it is believed, was born in Virginia, and she in Highland County, Ohio. The grandfather, Jonathan Parker, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio with his family about 1817, and located in Highland County, where he lived till his death. He came through from Virginia on foot, with his wife and children on horseback. He was one the founders and a constituent member of the Fall Creek German Baptist Church, and purchased and gave the lot upon which the church was erected, and remained an active and devoted mem. ber of the same till his death. They were truly pioneers, and Mrs. Parker was a woman for the times; she was an expert with the sickle, and was accustomed to work in the harvest field, and could lead all the men in reaping. Samuel, the father of our subject, was a child of four years when the family came to Ohio, and here grew to manhood, and married Mary Kinzer, and settled on the old home place of his father, where he remained through life engaged in farming. He was also a member of the German Baptist Church, and a Deacon of the same, a very upright man, of undoubted integrity, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen, and in business a prosperous farmer. Mrs. Parker died in January, 1862, and Mr. Parker in August, 1863. They had seven children-William H., Adam B., Martha (wife of Andrew J. Pennington), John M., Rebecca Ellen (wife of Jonathan Cowgill), Charlotte (wife of J. F. Barkley), and Joseph K., our subject, who was left an orphan by the death of his parents when eight years of age, and was then taken by his uncle, Joseph L. Parker, who in 1865 removed to Preble County, Ohio; with him he lived till his death in 1871. . Thence our subject returned to Highland County, and lived with his brother, Adam B., till 1873 ; thence he went to New Vienna, and was with his brother, John M., till 1875, when he went West to Iowa. In 1877, he returned to New Vienna, and engaged in the livery business. In March, 1880, be entered as Clerk in the drugstore of Hussey & Lindley, in whose employ he has continued to the present time. In April, 1881, Messrs. Hus-
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soy & Lindley established a branch store in Centerville. and placed Mr. Parker in charge of the same, which he has shove conducted with good success. Mr. Parker is a young man of temperate habits, energetic and of undoubted character, and has the confidence of his employers and the people of his community.
WILLIAM PAVEY, farmer and stock dealer, P.O. Sabina, born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 4, 1833, is a son of William and Anna (Johnson) Pavey, he a native of Highland County, and she of Fayette County, Ohio. The. grandfather, Isaac Pavey, was a native of the State of Delaware, but became an early settler of Kentucky ; thence he made an effort to settle in Ohio, but the Indians were so trouhlesome and dangerous that he returned to Kentucky and remained there three years longer; thence he brought his family to Highland County, Ohio, where he permanently settled, and resided till his death, which was caused by being thrown from a horse. He was one of the true pioneers of Highland County, and experienced the real hardships of those early times. William, the father of our subject, was born in 1803, and grew to manhood inured to the hardships of log cabin life, thence he came to Fayette County, where he married and settled. He was twice married, and was the father of fourteen children, thirteen now survive-Isaac, William, Mary, George, John, Sophia, Henry, James E., Eliza, Charles, Thomas, Kittora and Gilbert A. After the death of Mrs. Anna Pavey, Mr. Pavey married Jordena Kirby, with whom he lived till his death in June, 186'3, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Pavey was a man of great energy and perseverance. kind-hearted and accommodating to his neighbors, even to his own injury, as he failed in business twice by going surety for others; still by his great energy and industry, at the time of his death he had again accumulated a good competency. He was a Methodist in faith and doctrine, and was one of the best of neighbors, and a useful and worthy citizen. Our subject grew to manhood and married in Fayette County ; has been twice married; first, December 17, 1857, to Serilda Conner, by whom he lead one child (deceased). His wife died in August, 1858. In August, 1859, he married Mary A., daughter of William and Jordena Kirby, by whom he had twelve children, ten now living-Gilbert A., Anna Olive, Jennie, Frederick, William, Louetta, Minnie, Mary, Lovida and Lida. Agricultural pursuits and dealing in stock have been Mr. Pavey's business through life, by which he has been very successful; he bought and located where he now lives in September, 1863 ; here he has 700 acres of excellent land, all in one body, with fine buildings and improvements. As a farmer and a business man, he is truly a model ill his community. He attends strictly to his business affairs; desires no office or public notoriety, but in character and integrity is one of Clinton County's best and most worthy citizens.
GRANVILLE H. SNOW, farmer and Justice of the Peace, P. O. Lee's Creek, born in North Carolina January 8, 1827, is a son of Ice A. and Mary (Haynes) Snow, he a native of Albemarle County, Va., and she of Patrick County; Va. The grandparents, Frost and Mary Snow, were also natives of Virginia, who lived and died in their native State. Mr. Snow was a very large, portly mall, and at the time of his death weighed 400 pounds. He died aged sixty-eight years. Mr. Ice A. Snow was principally raised in Virginia, thence moved into North Carolina, where he married and settled, and resided till the year 1833; he with his family emigrated to Ohio, and located in Wayne Township, where they resided till their death. He died April 29, 1860, aged eighty years ; his wife died July 8, 1864, aged seventy-four years. They had nine children, six now survive -Catherine (married Alexander Haynes), Thomas, Robert, Frost, Fielding and Granville H. Mr. Snow was a farmer through life; was an industrious, hard-working man, strong and robust, whose character and integrity were undoubted, and a very worthy citizen. The subject of this sketch was six years of age when his father and family came to Clinton County, Ohio; here he grew to manhood, inured to the hardships of those early settlers ; was married January 11, 1857, to Rebecca Runnells, who was born in Tennessee September 10, 1835; her father died in Tennessee ; she had one sister, Nancy, and one brother; Samuel. Her mother, Sarah Runnells, subsequently moved to Clinton County, and married Elicum Ayers, by whom she had three children, Joseph, Lydia and Henry. Squire Snow and
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wife have had two children-Maggie J., born October 1, 18:18, married William Moore, of Fayette County, Ohio, whose ancestral history is given in sketch of John T. Moore; and George W., born April 17, 1870, died December 4, 1877. Esq. Snow was raised to farm labor, obtaining but a limited education in his youthful days, but with his energy, industry and personal application, he acquired a lair amount of knowledge to fit him for the business of life. H married and settled in Wayne Township, where he has spent his entire business life , has ]told many offices of the township; served as Assessor eighteen consecutive years ; has been a Justice of the Peace thirteen years, which office he still holds. These offices he has filled to the general satisfaction of his people, and in character and integrity is held in high esteem by the people of his county, where he is so well known.
ABSALOM C. STEELE, farmer, P. O. Lee's Creek, born in Guilford County, N. C., December 28, 1826, is a son of Jehu and Jane (Brown) Steele. natives of the same State. The maternal grandparents, James and Hannah (Clark) Brown, were also natives of North Carolina. ale died in his native State, but she subsequently became a resident of Clinton County, where she died. The great-grandfather, John Brown, was a native of Scotland, sad the great-grandparents Clark, were natives of England, Mrs. Clark being a witness of the battle of Guilford Courthouse during the war of the Revolution, when sixteen years of age. Mr. Jehu Steele died in his native State, when Absalom, his son, was but a child, he being his only child. Subsequently, shout 1832, Mrs. Steele and several of the uncles of our subject, with others, emigrated to Ohio in wagons, through the then wilderness, and located in Highland County, about two miles from New Vienna, there being at that time but one house in Vienna, and here our subject grew to manhood. About 1846, he and his mother moved to New Vienna, where she died May 25, 1869. Mr. Steele married, January 9, 1851, Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Thomas E. and Sabina Moorman ; he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky. They were married in Clinton County, Ohio, in the house where our subject now lives. They had eight children-four now living-Alfred J., Sarah Ann (married James Cochran), Mary Jane and Martha E. (who married Isaac Coates). Mrs. Moorman died in August, 1852; Mr. Moorman died October 11, 1866. Mary Jane was born in Clinton County February 15,1833. Mr. Steele and wife have had thirteen children - twelve now survive-Sabina Jane, born 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., April 37, 1866 ; Rosa B., May 5, 1868 ; Nettie D., May 4, 1870; Frank B., May 9, 1874, and Anson F., born January 10, 1877. Mr. Steele was a stone and brick mason by trade, which business he followed about eleven years. On January 9, 1853, he located on the place where he now lives and has since resided, giving his attention to farming and stock-dealing. He has been a very active, stirring, business man ; has held nearly all the offices of his township, from time to time, and is one of the prominent farmers of Wayne Township, and highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
GEORGE H. SYFERD, farmer, P. O. Memphis, born in Clark County, Ohio, March 20, 1835, is a son of Willison and Frances Mary (Hardesty) Syferd, natives of Virginia. The grandparents were Philip and Jemima Syferd, he a native of Germany, and she of Virginia. He emigrated to America, with his parents, about 1800, when five years of age, and located in Virginia, where he grew to manhood and married, and resided till, in 1834, they came to Ohio and located in Fayette County, where he remained till his death, in the fall of 1869; his wife died many years previous-March 4, 1852. They had three sons and two daughters-four now living-Willison, John W., Elizabeth (now Widow Rowe), and Rebecca (now Widow Wilson). Willison, the eldest child and father of our subject, was born in Virginia May 14, 1811, and there grew to manhood and married, and resided there till the above date (1834), when they came to Ohio and located in Clark County, where they remained one year; thence, removed to Fayette County, where they resided till about 1875 ; thence, removed to Leesburg, Highland County, where they still reside. They had seven children : Jemima (now Mrs. Milburn), George H., Philip, James, John, William and Lewis C. Mr.
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Syferd was a farmer by occupation, and a prominent, leading man of his township, holding many of the offices, which he filled to the satisfaction of his people; was a Justice of the Peace for over twenty year,, awl in hi, decision; wag remarkably correct and just. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Fayette County ; was married October 30, 1856, to Eliza A., daughter of Elisha and Nancy Sexton, natives of Virginia. By her he had three children-Lewis M., born October 10, 1857 ; Elbert A., May 3, 1861, and Fredson C., born November 18, 1870. Mrs. Syferd died January 13, 1876, aged thirty-nine years. On May 30, 1877, he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Pierce, a daughter of James and Melethe McKay ; he a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and she of Virginia. She came from Virginia to Ohio with her parents, lee and Mary Snow, when four years of age, and here grew to womanhood and married, and had one son and three daughters-:Mary, born December 12, 1852; Eliza Jane (now Mrs. McKay) ; Susan (now Mrs. Chrissenberry), and William K. Mr. McKay died September 28, 1874 ; his wife died February 13, 1880. Mr. Syferd has always followed agricultural pursuits; he bought and located where he now lives in the spring of 1864, where he ha since reii led. He has held the office of Township Trustee seven years, and is a man of firm character and integrity, and a most worthy citizen.
THOMAS C. TUTTLE, farmer, P. O. New Antioch, born in Cincinnati January 1, 1844, is a son of Thomas C. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Tattle, he a native of the State of Maine, and she of Ohio. Mr. Tattle, when a young man of about twenty years of age, came to Ohio and located in Cincinnati ; was married and became the father of eight children: Cordelia, William Henry, Martha Ann, Thomas C., Oliver, Winfield, Mary and India. Mr. Tattle followed the river as a mate for nearly eighteen years. About 1853, he, with his family, removed to Indiana, about twelve miles from Indianapolis, where he bought land and entered upon farming; also built a saw-mill; these he run till his death, which occurred about 1873 or 1874, being killed by his team running away and fracturing his skull. His widow still survives, residing at the home place. Mr. Tuttle was a very active business man. During the war of the rebellion, he was an active Union man, and politically a Democrat. He organized a home company, of which he was elected Captain, and subsequently several companies were organized into a regiment, of which he was made Major. Although they were not called into active service, except in the Morgan raid, yet he was very active in preserving peace and quiet home, as at that time they were having much trouble with the Knights of the Golden Circle. The services of a few men like Mr. 'rattle were of great value in Indiana at that time, and their services have since been duly appreciated. The subject of this sketch, when eighteen years of age, enlisted in the war of the rebellion, in the Fifteenth Indiana Battery, and served through the war, being first in the army of the East; thence sent into Georgia, under Gen. Sherman, and thence under Gen. Thomas in Tennessee, and again under Gen. Sherman, doing much active work under both of the last-mentioned Generals. Two of Mr. Turtle's brothers, William Henry and Oliver, were also in the service. In 1867, March 7, Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage with Mrs. Emily Eaton, daughter of Amos and Sarah Underwood, natives of Greene County, Ohio. They had but one child, Emily, who was born April 12, 1848. Mr. Underwood died about 1850; subsequently, his widow married William Harris, by whom she had three children; two now survive, Sylvester and Lewis Allen. Mr. Tuttle and wife have had seven children : Hattie, born February 14, 1868; Charles H., July 12, 1870 ; Fannie, July 4, 1872; Jesse Clinton, March 16, 1874; Jennie, December 2, 1875; William Stanley, January 14, 1879, and one infant son, born April 8,1881. Mrs. Tattle by her first husband had one child, Cyrus (deceased). Mr. Tattle, after his marriage, resided one year in Indiana; thence, in the fall of 1868, they moved to Ohio and located upon the place where they now live and have since resided. This is the old home-place of Mr. Underwood, and the birth-place of Mrs. Tattle. They have a fine farm of 108 acres, with good improvements. Mr. Tuttle is one of the prominent farmers of Wayne Township ; a man of undoubted character and integrity, and is highly esteemed by the people of his community.
JOHN M. WOUDMANSEE, farmer, P. O. Sabina, born in Greene Township,
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Clinton Co., Ohio, April 13, 1835, is a son of Reuben and Malissa (Noble), Woodmansee, he a native of New Jersey, and she, it is believed, of Ohio; Reuben, when a child of six years, emigrated with his parents, Isaac and Abigail Woodmansee, of Ohio, and located in Highland County in 18'32. A few years later, they removed to Clinton County; thence returned to Lexington, Highland County, where, is May, 1871, Isaac Woodmansee died, aged eighty-two years; his wife had previously died in Clinton County, about 1866. They had four sons and two daughters, all now deceased-of whom Amos, the youngest child, enlisted in the late war of the rebellion, and died in the service at Danville, Va., being a prisoner, captured by the rebels at the battle of Monocacy Junction, Md. He was captured July 9, 1864, and died in August of same year. Reuben Woodmansee married and became the father of four children, John M., Wilson S., Susanna, now Mrs. Strickle, residing in Illinois, and Joseph. Mrs. Woodmansee died in August, 1844. Mr. Woodmansee married, for his second wife, in 1847, Mrs. Mary Ann Mason, daughter of John and Huldah Noble, by whom he had seven children, five now survive-Mary M. (married David Green), Sarah Alice, Frank D., Callie and Clark. His second wife died April 27, 1863 ; he died July 25, 1864. Mr. Woodmansee was a plain, substantial farmer, never seeking office or public notoriety, but whose character and integrity was of the highest order, and as a man and a citizen was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for many years. The subject of this sketch was married September 29, 1859, to Miss Hannah A., daughter of David and Elizabeth Cantrill, he a native of Kentucky and she of Ohio; they had three children, two now survive--Hannah A., born in Clinton County, May 7,1838, and William. Mrs. Cantrill was born April 27, 1814, and died about 1841. Mr. Cantrill was thrice married; first to a Miss Brown; his third wife was Susan Potter, with whom he lived till his death, September 12, 1874. Mr. Woodmansee and wife have had eight children, seven now survive-Arrena Luella, born October 18, 1860; R. M. Elva, August 14, 1864; Abigail W., March 10, 1867; Charles E., January 12, 1869; Lizzie E., June 24, 1871; Inez A, April 27, 1874, and John, born May 8, 1880. Mr. Woodmansee, during the war of the rebellion, enlisted in the one hundred days' service in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards, May 2, 1864, and served through his term of enlistment. He has made farming his business through life; has served the people two terms as a Justice of the Peace, a period of six years; is now Township Trustee, and is serving on his third term as such ; is one of the prominent leading men of his community, in whom the people have implicit confidence, and is a much esteemed and respected citizens, and a worthy member of the order of F. and A. M.
SAMUEL ZURFACE, farmer, P. O. Memphis, born in Virginia August 12, 1806, is a son of John and Mary (Garlick) Zurface, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, John Zurface, was also a native of Virginia, his father being a native of Germany. Mr. John Zurface, with his family, emigrated to Ohio and settled on the Scioto about 1807, and in the fall of the same year several of the family were taken sick and died ; thence the grandfather moved to Montgomery County, where he died soon after. The country was then all a wilderness, and was very sickly. John, the father, who moved his father to Montgomery County, then returned to the Scioto to move his family to the new location, but during his journey, being greatly exposed, was taken sick and soon after died. Thus, in this wilderness, in about three months time, nine of the family lead died with sickness. About the year 1810, the mother, with her two sons, Samuel and Jacob, removed to Warren County, Ohio, where Mrs. Zurface married Francis Oyer, by whom she had several children, and then she died, aged about forty-eight years. Samuel, our subject, grew to manhood in Warren County, and married Lydia Zurface. About two years after his marriage he moved to Clinton County, where he has since resided. His wife died, leaving him with the care of eight children; subsequently he married Martha Mayberry, by whom he had four children. His second wife died, and he married for his third wife Elizabeth Rogers, by whom he has three sons, John, George W. and Charles. There are three children now living by his first wife-Katy (married to Mr. Montgomery), Lucinda (married Townsend
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Myers) and Sarah, who married William Knott. There are now two children living by his second wife-Samuel and Eliza Jane 1 who married Benjamin Husky. Mr. Zurface has now been it resident of Clinton County half a century, and is one among tile oldest settlers now living in Wayne township. When Mr. Zurface started in life, he had forty-seven acres of land, all in the woods, which was left him by his grandfather, and which had been sold for taxes, until it cost almost all it was worth to redeem it. Now he owns 306 acres of good land, and mostly in cultivation; also, 520 acres in Indiana, some of which he has given to his children. All this property 11r. Zurface has made by his own labor and management, and now stands among the most reliable farmers of Wayne Township, and is a worthy example of success-rising from poverty to a man of wealth and prominence.