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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

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ANSON ALDRICH. farmer ; P. O. Laura, Miami Co. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the front ranks of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Rhode Island Oct. 16, 1820, and is a son of Varnum and Martha Aldrich, natives of the same place, who settled in this township in 1834. and were among the first settlers in the township, locating on land in Sec. 33, where they have resided continuously for forty-seven years. They are the parents of eight children, of whom five are living, viz. : Anson, Robert. Betsy, Waldo and Orin

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the deceased are Amanda, Sarah and Lydia: Our subject's early days were spent on the farm, and he has had his full share of hardships and privations to undergo : he informs us he has cleared up over 400 acres of heavily-timbered land : he staved at home till he was 30 years of age. and then settled. in 1850. on the place where he now resides : he owned 80 acres at the time, and has since added by purchase. till his present farm contains 158 acres of highly cultivated land, and his improvements are No. 1 in every particular. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown. Nov.. 7. 1850: three children were riven to this union. viz. : Lucy. born May 29. 1853. and departed this life Aug. 14. 1856 : Erwin. born Dec. 20, 1851. and died Aug, 22, 1871 : Martha E.. born Nov. 27, 1855. nee Mrs. Dr. Brandon. who resides in Laura. Mrs. Aldrich departed this life Sept. 28, 1873 : she was a member of the M. E. Church. and died as she had lived. trusting in the promises of the Savior. Mr. Aldrich was :wain united in marriage with Mary B. (Morrison) Dorwin, daughter of A. and Nancy Morrison. June 10. 1875 her parents are natives of Franklin Co.. P,.nn.. and were among the early pioneers of Ohio : her father departed this life in 1840 : her mother is still flyby!. and resides in Piqua : they were the parents of six children. all living. viz., Jane, John, Nancy. Belle. Robert, and Margaret. Mrs. Aldrich had two children by her former marriage with Mr. Dorwin. viz. : Cora. now Mrs. G. W. Homer. and resides in Olney, Ill.: Jennie. who resides with her mother Mrs. A. has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for twenty years. and is a consistent Christian woman.

SAMUEL BILLHIMER. farmer P. 0. Painter Creek. The subject of this memoir was born in Augusta Co., Va., Jan. 3. 1824. and is a son of Jacob and Susannah (Erbaugh) Billhimer. natives of the same place : they removed to Montgomery Co.. Ohio, in 1835 ; Mr. Billhimer. Sr.. was born Jan. 22, 1781. and departed this life April 9. 1840: Mrs. Billhimer was born April 12, 1789. and died Jan. 7, 1870: they were the parents of twelve children. of whom only two are living, viz.. Solomon and our subject : the rest all lived to manhood and womanhood. then quietly passed away. Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted his father in the duties of the same till his decease. and he then labored for his widowed mother's support till his 19th year, when he began life for himself and worked for his brother. doing carpenter work by the month for one year : he then followed various pursuits. anything and everything that was honorable. to gain a livelihood. His marriage with Esther Miller was celebrated Sept. 13, 1846. Her father, Henry Miller. was killed by accident when yet a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Billhimer are the parents of ten children. of whom eight are living. viz.. George M.. John. Levi. Susannah. Mary C.. Esther. Henrietta and Rachael the deceased are Alta E. and Samuel. Mr. Billhimer is one of our self-made men. as he began life without capital, but energy and good management, combined with the assistance rendered by his amiable wife. have made them a good home in which to enjoy their remaining years he owns 60 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved. They have been members of the German Baptist Church for thirty years, and are every-day Christian people, and take a lively interest in the church.

MOSES COATE, farmer : P. 0. Red River. To the subject of this memoir we are pleased to accord a place in the front ranks of the early pioneers : he was born in Miami County the 9th day of the twelfth month. 1815 ; his father. Moses Coate, was born in South Carolina in the fifth mouth. 1767 his mother. Elizabeth Coate, was born in South Carolina the 9th day of the eleventh month. 1776 : they were the parents of twelve children, viz. : Jane. born the 19th day of the seventh month. 1795 ; Mary, born the 15th day of the eleventh month. 1797 ; Thomas. born the 7th day of the fifth month, 1799 ; Esther, born the 1st day of the second month, 1801 ; Joseph. born the 22d day of the tenth month, 1802 ; William. born the 6th day of the fifth month, 1805 : Margaret, born the 16th day of the fourth month. 1807 ; Samuel, born the 29th day of the twelfth month, 1808 Benjamin.

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born the 23d day of the ninth month, 1810 ; Elizabeth, born the 10th day of the ninth month, 1812 ; Moses, born the 9th day of the twelfth month. 1815 ; Jesse. born the 1st day of the third month, 1818. Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 23d year, when he began life for himself and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brown in 1839. Her parents were natives of South Carolina, and emigrated to Darke Co. in 1822, and settled on Ludlow Creek, in Monroe Township. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom only six are now living. Mr. Brown was born in 1797, and died at the age of 82 years ; Mrs. Brown was born in 1800, and departed this life at the age of 66 years. In 1844, our subject settled in Darke Co., in Adams Township. where he remained for three years, and then removed to the place where he now resides, in 1848. Just after his marriage, they removed to the vicinity of Terre Haute, Ind., where they remained over three years, when, becoming dissatisfied. they returned to their native State, where they have resided ever since. The land where he now lives was a howling wilderness when he first came on it, but. through hard work and good management, coupled with frugality, they have made a beautiful home and are surrounded by all the comforts of life. They are the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Ezra, Esther, Bethana. Nancy J., Samuel, Elwood, Susannah, Emma E., Martha O.: the deceased are Job. Calvin, Edmund and Jesse : Ezra was a member of Co. B, of the 44th O. V. I., and on account of sickness received his discharge and returned home till health and vigor were restored, when he again returned to the front and nobly did his duty. Edmund was killed by accident when he was in his 13th year : he was covering corn in the field, and, while passing near a large tree, that had become detached from the roots and loosened, it fell as he was passing by, and striking him, he was crushed to the earth ; he lingered a few hours in an unconscious state, and then passed quietly into the arms of his Savior. Mr. Coate was raised a Friend. but has been a member of the Christian Church for forty years—laboring long and earnestly in the cause he loves so well. Mrs. Coate is a member of the German Baptist Church of eighteen years' standing. and is an exemplary Christian woman. Their daughters, Susannah and Emma, are members of the church, the former belonging to the German Baptist and the latter to the Christian Church: both are excellent young ladies and are co-workers with their parents in their respective churches. Bethana married Noah Arnett in March, 1866 ; Esther married Z. Boggs in 1871 ; Nancy J. married Samuel. Hall ; Ezra married Melissa Thomas in April, 1866 ; Samuel was married to Mary Engall in June. 1876.

ISAAC B. COOL, farmer ; P. O. Laura, Miami Co. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., April 5, 1842 his parents, John and Elizabeth Cool, were natives of the same place—lived, died. and are buried in the place of their nativity. To them five children were given. three of whom are living, viz., Henry, Samuel and our subject. Jacob was among the slain at the battle of Chancellorsville ; Mrs. Cool died in May, 1846 ; Mr. Cool departed this life in August, 1854. Mr. Cool was married the second time, and by this union had two children, viz.. Mary and Margaret, the latter deceased. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, having been bound out to a Rey. John Thomas, of Virginia, with whom he remained until he was 18 years of age— the stipulated time—and for two years after, which brought him to that period in our national existence when our country was struggling in the throes of civil war, when he was drafted into the army. His religious belief had inculcated an aversion and abhorrence to war, and he could not conscientiously take a part in the great struggle then pending, and, by making an intentional mistake, he boarded the wrong train and came to Ohio, where his religious belief was respected and tolerated. He first purchased 92 acres of land in this Township, on which he lived for two years, when he sold out and bought 40 acres adjoining, which he soon exchanged for the farm where he now resides. Mr. Cool is another of our self-made men; a refugee in a strange land, among strangers, and $3 in

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debt, were the embarrassing circumstances under which he began life. His first marriage was consummated with Harriet Kinsey. in February, 1863. and to their union two children were given. viz.: Noah, born in February, 1864 : Susannah, born in May. 1871. Mrs. Cool daparted this life in July, 1878 ; she was a member of the German Baptist Church, and died trusting in the promises of her Savior. His marriage with Malinda Hinegardner was celebrated in December. 1879. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and are exemplary Christian people he being one of the Deacons of the church.

MARTIN DWYRE farmer ; P.O. Red River. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in County Limerick. Ireland. in February. 1822. and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Dwyre, natives of Ireland : his fattier was a farmer by occupation and died when our subject was but 6 months old ; at the age of 13, he began life for himself, and engaged in farming ; he has many vivid recollections of the great famine in Ireland. in 1845-46. and says the County Limerick was better supplied than many other counties. and the miseries and horrors of starvation did not bear so heavily upon them ; among the counties that suffered the extreme pangs of hunger and want. M. Dwyre mentions those of Donegan, Leitrim, Westmeath, Tyrone. Queens. Kings, Cork and Galway ; he says the suffering in some of these counties was severe, and many people suffered the excruciating tortures of hunger, and the intensity of the famine swept the whole land. Our subject was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Nicholas Hartley, March 17, 1847 ; they were the parents of eleven children. of whom four are supposed to be living—two in Ireland, if living, and a sister of Mrs. Dwyre, living in this country. Our subject left Ireland for America May 8. 1847, and landed in Quebec, his voyage occupying five weeks and three days ; from Quebec he visited Montreal, St. John's, Whitehall, West Troy, thence to New York, where he remained one week, from there to Honsdale, from there to Lewisborough. N. Y., where he worked on the Erie R. R. for about three months, from there to Binghamton,where he took passage on the Erie Canal and went to Buffalo. where he remained five months ; thence by steamboat he came to Sandusky. Ohio. from which point he came by rail to Springfield, Ohio ; here he labored one year on the Mad River R. R.. the second road that entered Springfield ; from there to Mechanicsburg, where he labored two months on a turnpike ; thence to Bellefontaine for a short time ; thence to Quincy, where he labored on the Little Miami R. R. for a full year ; thence to Brinton and worked on the road for five or six months ; from there to Westville, where he labored on the railroad for nearly one year ; thence to West Milton, where he labored on a road but it was never finished ; he also labored on the D. & U. R. R., then back to the Stillwater, where he laid down the shovel and bid farewell to railroading, and we believe Mr. Dwyre has helped build more miles of railroad than any other man in Darke Co., and, although his labors in this direction have occupied several years, and constantly underwent the exposure and the hardships incident to such work, he is yet hale and hearty, and none enjoy a joke or can tell a better story than Uncle Martin ; after he abandoned the railroad, he settled in West Milton, where he followed farming, ditching, stone quarrying, chopping, and in fact did anything for several years that would bring an honest dollar to his coffer ; in 1860, he removed to Darke Co. and leased 20 acres of Darke Co.'s woods. which he had the use of for eight years for the clearing, which he accomplished the third season, and without any assistance ; in 1863. he removed to the north part of the township, and rented a farm for cash rent, but dnly remained one year. when he pulled up stakes and returned to Miami Co., where he carried on a. farm for two years ; then back to Darke Co. again and purchased 63 acres of land, where he now resides, for which he paid $45 per acre, and soon after sold part back for $55 per acre ; the balance is all in a good state of cultivation ; they are the parents of eight children, .six of whom are living, viz.. Thomas, Michael, Daniel, Francis, Elizabeth and Kate ; The deceased are Nicholas and William.

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JOHN K. FLORY, farmer ; P. 0. Painter Creek. The gentleman whose name heads this memoir is one of Darke Co.'s successful and most enterprising farmers ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Dec. 8. 1834, and is a son of John and Barbara Flory, natives of Pennsylvania, and were among the early pioneers of Montgomery Co. ; his father departed this life in the county of his adoption, his mother in this county, both dying at advanced ages ; they were the parents of thirteen children. of whom eight are living. Our subject's youthful days were spent in rural life, and until he was 20 years of age aid he labor on his father's farm. at which age he began life for himself, and followed the occupation his father had chosen before him ; in 1859. he removed to Darke Co. and settled on 1611 acres of land. where he now resides ; hard work and the divine rulings of Providence, have made Mr. Flory a successful thriller. and his beautiful farm of well-tilled land, containing 240 acres, is ornamented with large. tasty and convenient buildings, which give his premises an imposing aspect. Mr. Flory was united in marriage with Elizabeth Stoner, daughter of Abraham Stoner. March 14, 1858 ; they were natives of Pennsylvania One child was given to this union. viz., Henry, born Dec. 12, 1859 ; Mrs. Flory died Sept. 6. 1860. and was born Aug. 23, 1838. He was again united in the holy bonds of matrimony, with Catherine ( Stauffer ) Landis. June 16. 1861 ; her father is a native of Pennsylvania. her mother of Virginia ; they were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living; Mr. and Mrs. Flory are the parents of ten children, viz.: Sarah. born April IS, 1862 ; Elias. born June 30. 1863: Marv, born Aug. 11. 1865: Annie. born July 4, 1867 : Daniel. born May 27. 1869 ; Martha. born March 14, 1871: John. born March 26. 1873 ; Catherine. born Feb. 17. 1875 ; Jesse, born Mar. 14, 1877 : Ira, born June 24. 1879 ; Mrs. Flory was married to Benjamin Landis. Aug. 311. 1854 ; one child was given to this union, viz., Benjamin. born Aug. 24. 1855 Mr. Landis departed this life June 28. 1855 ; Mrs. Flory was born Aug. 16. 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Flory are members of the German Baptist Church of twenty years standing, and are every-day Christian people.

PETER GRISE, farmer ; P. O. Gettysburg. Ohio ; was born in Washington Co.. Md., in 1834 ; is a son of Jacob Grise. also born in Washington Co.. Md.. in 1800, and who, in 1828, united in marriage with Elizabeth Myers. and afterward moved to Montgomery Co.. Ohio, he being deceased and she still living. Our subject lived at home in Montgomery Co. until 1855. when he married Malinda Wysong, and shortly after their marriage they came to Darke Co- where he now resides ; on coming here, he had a little money and a team of horses ; he commenced buying and selling land, and now owns 288 acres of well-improved land in this and adjoining townships, valued at about $10,000 or $12.000. Mr. Grise is the father of seventeen children, twelve by his first wife, and five by his present companion.

JOSEPH GROFF, minister and farmer ; P. 0. Painter Creek, Ohio. The subject of this memoir was born in Pennsylvania in October,1836, and is a son of Abraham and Nancy Groff, who are natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio in 1849 ; his father died in 1870, aged 67 years ; his mother is living and resides in Miami Co. Our subject was raised on the farm, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, and in the mean time learned the carpenter trade ; he came to Darke Co. in 1873 ; he owns 80 acres of land in Wabash Township, where he contemplates making his future home. His marriage with Miss Catherine Remh was consummated June 27, 1858 ; she departed this life September 10 of the same year ; he celebrated his second marriage, with Mary Shoo in November, 1859 : they are the parents of six children, of whom all are living, viz.: Allie C.. William H., Charles. Burton, Katie J. and Anna B.; he has been connected with the German Baptist Church for twenty-one years, and he has labored in the ministry for six years.

JESSE R. HYER, carriage and wagon manufacturer.. P. 0. Painter Creek the subject of this memoir was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 1, 1840, and

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is a son of Absalom and Elizabeth liver. natives of the same county ; his father was born in _August. 1814, and died in September. 1878 ; his mother was born in March. 1818. and departed this life in September, 1859 ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are now living. viz.. Martha, Jesse, Serena, Noah, Mar,,aret, Joshua. Abner and Susanna : the deceased are Rachel and Maria M. Mr. liver. Sr.. was a miller. and. in consequence. our subject learned the business, which he followed till his 19th year. when he engaged in farm labor till 1862, when he volunteered in Co. B of the 110th O. V. I., Aug. 13, 1862 ; in the battle of Winchester. he received a severe wound in the left thigh, the last day of the tight. which laid him in the hospital for sixteen months. and at the expiration of this time he was placed on detached duty in the barracks at Columbus for three months. and then returned to his regiment. which was stationed in the vicinity of Petershurg, and afterward followed the fortunes of the regiment in the finishing campaigns. and was honorably discharged June 25. 1865 ; he returned to his home. and began business in his present location in 1866 ; he has good working facilities. and can turn out any kind of a vehicle or sleigh with neatness and dispatch, for Jesse is a strong rival of his contemporaries. He was married to Sarata Shuff March 14. 1869 : her parents were among the early settlers in the township : to their union two children have been given, viz.. Martha L., born Oct. 3. 1871 : Walter Scott. born Oct. IS, 1877 he has served two terms in the Justice's office. and three terms as Clerk of the township.

DAVID D. LANDIS, farmer ; P. O. Gettysburg. The subject of this sketch was born in Miami Co. in 1858. and is a son of Daniel and Susana Landis his father was born in Miami Co., where he still resides ; they were the parents of fourteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Hannah, Barbara, Henry, David, Lydia. Sarah, Catherine, Susan and Teller : the deceased are Johnny, Abraham and Mariah ; two died in infancy. Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted in the labors thereof till he was 20 years of age. He then united in marriage with Susanna Eliker. Feb. 10. 1878 ; her parents are natives of Miami Co.; now residents of Darke

they are the parents of five children, viz., Sarah, Isabelle. Catherine, Simon and Amanda. Mrs. Landis is a member of the German Baptist Church, and a worthy Christian lady : they are the parents of two children, viz., Charles E., born Dec. 20. 1878. and an infant not yet named ; Mrs. Landis was born July 31, 1857.

CHRISTIAN LANDIS. farmer ; P. O. Painter Creek. One of the old settlers of Darke Co., who was born near Canton, Ohio. in September, 1822 ; his parents, David and Barbara Landis, were born in Pennsylvania, where they resided till after their marriage, when they removed to near Canton, where our subject was born ; his father died in Shelby Co. at the age of 71 years ; his mother departed this life in Miami Co. at the age of 64 ; they were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, viz.: Catherine, now Mrs. Shively ; Barbara, now Mrs. Shaffer ; Moses. Daniel. Samuel and our subject ; the deceased are John, Elizabeth, David and Jacob. Mr. L. was reared a farmer's boy, and in that capacity labored on his father's farm till his 23d year, when he began life for himself and followed the occupation of his father ; he removed to Darke Co., in Adams Township, in 1848, where he purchased 39 acres of land, on which he resided for three years, when he sold out ana‘removed to the place where he now resides ; in 1851, he first purchased SO acres. on Which he erected buildings, and labored faithfully for several years in removing the obstructions on his land ; becoming crippled with rheumatism, he was obliged to sell 10 acres from the west end, in order to make ends meet ; then the ditch fever raged in his vicinity, which necessitated a sale of 3 acres more, to enable hint to perform his portion of the work ; he started in life with no capital, and, with only slight assistance, he has made a good home, in which to enjoy his declining years. His marriage with Catherine Minnich was celebrated Sept. 9, 1845 ; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but became residents of Ohio ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom four are. now living, viz.: Jacob, Catherine, David and Abraham. Mr. and Mrs. Landis are the parents of nine

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children, viz.: Anna, born Oct. 24, 1846 ; Barbara, born Feb. 14. 1848 ; Mary, born July 14, 1849 ; George, born June 14. 1851 ; Elizabeth, born Feb. 4. 1854 Malinda, born Sept. 4, 1856: David, born July 4. 1858 ; Daniel. born Dec. 24. 1860 ; John, born Sept. 6, 1865 ; George died Nov. 20, 1853. They have been members of the German Baptist Church for thirty-three years. and are worthy Christian people.

JAMES Y. McCOOL, farmer. P. 0. Gettysburg. William C. McCool. father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1803 ; his wife. Mary. was born in Tennessee in 1808 ; they were among the early pioneers of Ohio ; his mother died in 1853. and his father is still living and resides in Delisle ; they were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls. of whom three sons and a daughter are deceased; the living are Charity, now Mrs. Shear ; Harriet. now Mrs. Young : Esther. now Mrs. Kress ; Eliza, now Mrs. Shear ; William H., and James V. Our subject was born Oct. 24. 1828. and was reared a farmer's boy and followed agricultural pursuits till 1864, when he removed to Delisle and engaged in the mercantile trade and also dealt in grain for four years, and. while engaged in the business, paid as high as $3.05 cents a bushel for wheat. which we believe is the highest figure wheat ever reached in Darke Co., as an article of commodity ; in 1868, he closed out his business in Delisle and removed to Miami Co.. and engaged in farming till September, 1871, when he removed to the place where he now resides ; he has 240 acres of fine land. all in a good state of cultivation. with good improvements ; more than this, everything he possesses is the fruit of his own 'hard labor, as he began life without a dollar. and to-day he is among the larger landholders in the township, thus showing to the rising generation what thrift and good management, coupled with frugality, will accomplish. He celebrated his marriage with Mary A., daughter of William Long, April 1, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Long were the parents of ten children—eight daughters and two sons ; one daughter departed this life Dec. 20. 1879 ; the rest are living and comfortably situated in life. Mr and Mrs. McCool are the parents of seven children, viz.: Amanda A. (deceased), William H. (deceased), Emma J.. Sarah A., Rosey B., Harrison M. and Mary E. They are members of the Christian Church of twenty-three years. standing, and good Christian people ; they take a lively interest in the church, and are among the faithful ones.

JOSEPH NEFF, farmer ; P. 0. Gettysburg ; was born in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, Jan. 11, 1838, and is a son of Michael and Barbara Neff ; his father was born in Kentucky in 1800, and his mother in Montgomery County ; they were the parents of five children, of whom four are living, viz.. Sarah. Eva, Jonathan and our subject ; Aaron; deceased ; Mrs. Neff departed this life in 1840 ; Mr. Neff was previously married to a Miss Weaver. and had four children, viz., Abraham, Michael, Elizabeth and Margaret ; and by a third wife he had two children, viz. : George and Susannah ; Mr. Neff departed this life in 1851. Our subject was reared on the farm, and he was deprived of a mother's love and tender care when only 2 years old, and at the age of 13 he lost his father ; thus young Joseph was thrown almost entirely on his own resources ; he remained on the old home place with his brother Abraham till his 18th year, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith for three years, but only served nine months, on account of dissatisfaction, when he left, and afterward finished his apprenticeship with a man by the name of Heckahorn ; after this, in 1859, he went to his brother-in-law, George Hepner. and worked for three years on the farm as laborer. At the expiration of this time, he united his destiny and fortune at the marriage altar with Elizabeth Frantz, March 16, 1862 ; her father was born in Virginia Feb. 5, 1800 ; her mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and departed this life April 3. 1876 ; they were the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living, viz., Mary A., Catherine, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, Henry, Jonas and William ; the deceased are Levi, Daniel and Lydia. After our subject's marriage, he resumed his trade in Montgomery County, which he followed for nine years, and was very successful ; in 1871, he removed

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to Darke County. and on the place where he now resides. he purchased 63 acres of improved land. and at present it is in a good state of cultivation, and well improved ; he is another of Darke County's self-made men, having began life with small capital. yet. by energy and good management. combined with the assistance rendered by his amiable and industrious wife. has overcome the difficulties of life and has a good home and is surrounded by the comforts of life : they are the parents of six children. of whom five are living. viz.: Francis W., born April 2, 1863, and departed this life Aug. 1, 1870 Jonathan P., Sept. 8. 1864 : Abraham Nov. 12. 1866 : Barbara A.. May 15. 1869: Eva M., May 6. 1875. Mrs. Neff was born April 28. 1835 ; he and his good wife have been members of the German Baptist Church for twelve years. and are greatly interested in their church.

NATHAN S. PARSON. merchant and Postmaster. Red River. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Pennsylvania in 1843, and is a son of Jonathan and Euphemia Parson, also natives of Pennsylvania : his father died at the advanced are of 70 years. and his mother when yet in the prime of life, aged 30 : they were the parents of four children. three boys and one girl : William was a member of the 45th Penn. V. I.. and was killed in the battle of South Mountain, while the regiment was making a desperate charge on the strongholds of the enemy : our subject was a member of Co. F, 55th Penn. V. I., haying enlisted in October. 1861 ; this regiment was attached to the 10th Corps. afterward transferred to the 18th Corps. when the 18th and 10th were consolidated and became the 24th Corps. and was commanded by Gen. Ord : the regiment was engaged at Pocataligo, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg. Cemetery Hill. Appomattox Court House, and in fact all the sharp. decisive battles that gave the death-blow to the great rebellion ; our subject served three years and eleven months, and never received a scratch. but his physical health was considerably impaired by his exposure to army life ; he was discharged in September. 1865. and returned to his home in Pennsylvania. where he engaged in farm labor for four years, and in 1869 came to Darke County. near Gettysburg. where he followed various pursuits till 1876, when he engaged in the grocery business in New Harrison for three years, thence to the place where he now is doing business : he was commissioned Postmaster of the Red River Post Office in October. 1879. at the establishment of the office ; he carries a good stock of rroceries and household supplies. and is receiving his share of the public patronage. He celebrated his marriage with Mary E.. daughter of Eli Wolf. Feb. 23. 1872 : her father is living : her mother departed this life in 1874 ; they were the parents of six children. of whom four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Parson are the parents of one child. viz., Mary P.. born May 21, 1873. Mrs. P. is a member of the M. E. Church. and is an exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Parson made loan of $700 after his return from the war, and was defrauded of nearly the entire amount as he only succeeded in collecting $20, which brought him to Ohio.

WILKINS RECK. farmer ; P. O. Gettysburg. The subject of this sketch is one of the permanent settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Adams Township. near Gettysburg, Nov. 14, 1841 ; he is a son of Michael and Mary Reek, whose life histories appear on the pages of this work. Our subject was raised in Gettysburg. and attended school, after he had attained a proper age, till he was 15 years old. when his father removed to the farm, and young Wilkins was installed there as an assistant at performing the labors of the farm. He assisted in agricultural pursuits till his 24th year. when he volunteered in the 152d Ohio V. I.. one hundred-day men ; the regiment was stationed in the Shenandoah Valley and took an active part in the Lynchburg raid. as the regiment marched 475 miles in thirty days time ; they were " bushwhacked by the notorious Mosby twice, and, in the last scratch. one man was killed in Co. H.; here many of the boys'. lives were saved by the inaccurate aim of Mosby's men—by shooting too high. He was honorably discharged from his country's service Sept 14. 1864, and returned to his home and engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Emma B., an accomplished daughter of Absalom and Sarah Hoover. Aug. 10, 1865 ; they

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were natives of Miami Co., and the parents of six children. of whom five are liv ing, viz., Noah, Eunice, Charles, Celia and Albert ; Mary A., deceased. Mr. Hoover was killed by a falling tree in May. 1858 ; he went into the woods one morning before breakfast for the purpose of cutting down a tree, and, as supposed, started for the house as the tree began to sway, calculating it would fall in an opposite direction, but, swinging around. he was caught by the branches and instantly killed. The accident happened on the farm where our subject now resides. Mr. Reck followed the farm till 1872. when he engaged in the butcher business in Gettysburg, which he followed four years. and was very successful, handling over $4,000 worth of stock in the first five months of his business : in 1876, he dealt exclusively in stock, and previous to this -winter he has been engaged in butchering, and prosecuting his labors on the farm in the summer time. He only received the advantage, of a common-school education. such as the county afforded in his day, but by studious habits has acquired a good understanding of things in general, and his correct business habits predict a successful career. He has been identified with the offices of the township. and also in the church. and is taking considerable pains in educating his children, and, with the aptness they display, we predict the full realization of their parents' desires. He has 80 acres of land where he resides, all in a good state of cultivation, and well improved ; he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nineteen years ; they are observant, Christian people, and take a lively interest in their church, and are laboring for the advancement of Christianity. They are the parents of six children. of whom five are living, viz.: Harvey S., born Oct. 8. 1866 ; Harry G., born March 17. 1868 ; Lova P.. born Oct. 7, 1870 ; Forrest. born Aug. 20, 1874, and died May 5. 1875 ; Berta F., born April 13, 1577 ; Celia M., born May 9, 1879. Mrs. Reck was born March 8, 1847.

HIRAM ROADS, farmer : P. 0. Painter Creek. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in July. 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara Roads, natives of Ohio ; his father is yet living ; his mother departed this life in 1846 ; they were the parents of sixteen children, fourteen of whom are living. Our subjects boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, and not until he was 25 years of age did he leave the parental roof to become an actor on the stage in the great drama of life : in 1864, he began his career by locating in this township on 75 acres of land, where he still resides ; prosperity has crowned his efforts, and he is one of the largest landholders in the township, having about 300 acres under his control, all of which is in a good state of cultivation and highly improved. He was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of John Hittle, Feb. 8, 1863 ; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, afterward resi- dents of Ohio. Mr. Hittle resides in Dayton ; Mrs. Hittle is dead ; they were the parents of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Roads are the parents of six children, viz., Mary C., John, Jacob, George, Jonas and Franklin. Mrs. Roads is a member of the German Baptist Church, and a consistent Christian woman.

DANIEL SCHAURER, farmer ; P. 0. Laura, Miami Co. The subject of thi, sketch was born in Germany Jan. 10, 1833, and is a son of Frederick and Eve Schaurer, natives of the same place, who lived, died and are buried in their native place. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and assisted in the labors of the same till his 21st year, when he emigrated to America, leaving Germany Oct. 2 ; he landed in New York, his voyage occupying thirty-four days ; he came directly to Cincinnati, where he remained two years, and was employed in the iron works, and mills ; from there he went to Montgomery Co. and followed farming and milling for ten years, thence to the place where he now resides. He first purchased 80 acres of land, partly improved, and by his own enterprise has erected splendid buildings, and, with the cheerful surroundings, his home is a very pleasant one ; he is one of our self-made men, having began life with only a small capital, but energy and persevering industry have overcome the obstacles in life's pathway, and their beautiful home is the reward of their toil. His marriage was consummated

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with Elizabeth. daughter of Peter and Barbara Shanck. March 10, 1864 ; their life's history also appears in this work ; to their union two children have been given, viz. : Henry. born March22,1865 ; Andrew J., born Oct. 2. 1866. He was a member of the 29th O. V. l.. Co. C. commanded by Capt. R. L. Jones, and was enrolled Sept. 23, 1864 ; he joined the regiment at Atlanta. Ga.. but was soon after stricken down with sickness. and laid in the hospitals of Nashville. Chattanooga and Atlanta. for about one month, then he was sent to Madison, Ind., and soon after to Jeffersonville. of the same State. where he remained some four weeks, from there to Camp Dennison for a short time. thence to Columbus. Ohio. and from there to Governor's Island. S. V.. where he remained one month. thence by steamer to New jersey. from there to Goldsboro. N. C., and then to various other points, till the war closed. when the regiment was ordered to Washington, where they took a part in the grand review, and were immediately after sent to Camp Dennison, where he was mustered out on the 5th day ofJ tine, 1A65. He has four brothers and two sisters viz.. Jacob. Peter. George. Michael, Anna M. and Kate ; the four latter live in Germany.

JOHN SPIDEL. farmer. P. O. Painter Creek.

URIAS WEAVER, farmer ; P. O. Red River. Another of the old settlers of Ohio ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 18, 1833, and is a son of John and Catherine Weaver ; his father was born in Pennsylvania. and emigrated to Montgomery Co. with his parents when 7 years of age ; his mother was born in Virginia and came to Ohio when quite young ; both are living and reside in Jackson Township. Montgomery Co.; they are the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. viz.. Mary M.. Catherine, our subject, John D. and William A.; the deceased are Sarah and Malinda. Urias was raised on the farm and assisted his father in the duties of the same until he was 26 years of age, when he began life for himself and celebrated his marriage with Hester, a daughter of Henry and Mary Bowser. Jan. 1, 1860 they are natives of Montgomery Co., where Mr. Bowser continues to reside Mrs. Bowser departed this life in 1859 ; they were the parents of four children. of whom two are living, viz. : Hester and Elizabeth ; the deceased are Susannah and Allen ; the latter was a member of the 91st O. V. I., and was among the slain on the bloody field of Franklin. Tenn. After his marriage. our subject began life in good earnest by engaging in firming, which pursuit he followed for four years, when he closed out and purchased a steam saw-mill, which he operated very successfully for ten years, when he disposed of the mill and appurtenances and purchased 102 acres of land ; his home farm contains 82 acres of choice land and is well improved ; he is another of the self-made men of Darke Co., he having begun life heavily encumbered, but by strict business integrity, coupled with good management, he has kept ahead of the hounds, and has a good home as the reward of his perseverance and industry. They are the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, Romancey A., William C.. John H., Oscar O., Bertha L., Maryetta C. and Fernandis G.; the deceased are Franklin H.. Clarence L. and Edgar E. Our subject has had his full share of township offices. having served as Trustee one term, Assessor three terms, and at present is one of the Land Appraisers, thus showing the good people of the township have confidence in the executive ability- of our subject. He and his amiable wife are life-long members of the Lutheran Church, and warmly espouse the cause. This organization is presided over by the Rev. P. C. Schmogrow, and has a membership in the district of about twenty-five. Mrs. Weaver was born in Indiana. Feb. 27, 1842.

SOLOMON WEILLS. retired; Painter Creek. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Preston Co.. Va., Feb. 12, 1318, and is a son of William and Sarah Weills ; his father was born in Maryland in 1775, and died in 1848 ; his mother was born in 1781, and departed this life in 1818 ; they are the parents of sixteen children, of whom all are living, so far as is known, except four. Our subject was reared on the farm. where he labored till he began his

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labors in the schoolroom, which he followed till he was 23 years of age. He received his preparatory education in Washington. and studied theology under his brother, who was a very eminent minister of the Lutheran Church ; he frequently filled his brother's appointments, during his studies. thus gaining a practical and theoretical experience at the same time ; he was ordained a minister of the Gospel in 1847, his first regular charge being in Washington Co., Penn.; here he labored for ten years, and frequently preached to other congregations : at the expiration of this time, he removed to Union Co.. Ind., and was placed in charge of the Lutheran Church in Liberty, also St. Paul's Church, in an adjoining county ; here he labored for seven years, and was then called to Tippecanoe. where he labored for four years, filling two regular appointments, and, he informs us, while on this charge, he preached more funeral sermons than in all his previous life in the ministry ; in 1866, he went to live near Greenville, and was actively engaged for awhile ; thence to Adams Township, where he remained one year ; thence to the place where he now resides ; he owns 163 acres of improved land, which is in a high state of cultivation. He celebrated his marriage with Lydia. a daughter of John and Hannah Shaffer, May 2, 1844 ; to this union six children were given, viz.: Alpheus. born Feb. 6, 1846 ; Mosheim, born March 4. 1848 ; Henrietta, born March 9, 1850 ; Herman J., born May 23, 1851; Agnes H., born Aug. 21. 1854, died Jan, 13. 1868; Hazelius, born March 3, 1858; Mrs. Weills died in 1865 ; he was again united in marriage with Martha J., a daughter of Elisha and Eliza Penny, March 5. 1873.

JOHN N. WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. 0. Pleasant Hill ; the subject of this memoir was born in Miami Co., Ohio. in 1839, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah Williams • his father was born- in Miami Co.: lived, died and is buried in the county of nativity ; his grandfather. John Williams, was born in Virginia, and settled on the farm where our subject's father spent a lifetime, where his eyes first beheld the light of day, and where he met the summons of death ; on the land where his grandfather located was a place held sacred by the Indians, was a place of general rendezvous for all neighboring tribes, and on the same spot the early pioneers erected four block-houses, foaming a square. which gave the settlers a place of protection and security from the many attacks of the Indians in those troublesome times. Isaac Williams was born in 1810 ; his wife. Sarah, was born in Montgomery Co., in 1820, and is still living ; the land entered by his grandfather remained in the family name for nearly three-quarters of a century. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted in the labor of the same till his 21st year, when he united his destiny at the marriage altar with that of Sarah, a daughter of S. C. Miles, in 1861. In 1864, he volunteered in the 147th 0. V. I., one hundred-day men ; served his time and was honorably discharged ; he afterward emigrated to Kansas, where he remained one year to a day, and then returned and settled on 117 acres of land in Darke Co., where he resided for six years, and then disposed of this land and removed to where he now resides ; his brother Daniel was Adjutant of the 61st 0. V. I., and was among the slain at the battle of Gettysburg, Penn, Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Christian Church, and are exemplary Christian people ; they are the

parents of four children, viz., Floy, Perry L., Daniel W. and Allen.

GEORGE W. WRIGHT, minister, merchant and Postmaster, Painter Creek. The subject of this memoir was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio. Dec. 3, 1835. and is a son of Robert Wright, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio in a very early day ; he is still living. and resides in Miami County. his wife departing this life when in the bloom of womanhood; they were the parents of six children. three of whom are living, viz. : John. George and Susannah ; the deceased are Elizabeth, Barbara and Catherine. Our subject assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till he was of age, when he began life for himself, and chose farming as his occupation, which he followed till 1867, when he came to Painter Creek and entered a partnership with his father-in-law, John Hayworth, in a general mercantile business, which they successfully followed for a period, and at his father-in-

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law's death he assumed individual control of the business. and is still to be found at the old stand, read to cater to the wants of the buying public ; he was appointed Postmaster Nov. 14. 1879 ; he received his education in the common schools. which he only had the privilege of attending at certain times, but, by making; good use of his time and being studious in his habits, he acquired a fair understanding. and is well fitted to discharge the many responsibilities incident to his ministerial duties : he began his labors in the ministry in 1874, and was regularly ordained a minister of the Br men in Christ Church Nov. 14, 1877. when he received a regular charge: in 1878. he was chosen a delegate to a convention, held in Pennsylvania in November of the same year, to revise the constitution of the church: in 1879. he filled three regular appointments ; this year, he fills only two. He celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Halworth. May 13. 1858 : her parents were among the first settlers of Darke County. both deceased : Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz.. Aaron, Eliza A., Angeline, John, Simon, Clara M. and Forrest ; the deceased are Delmont and Ivens ; Mr. Wright has filled the Treasurer's office of the township for two terms, and is the present incumbent; he has also filled the office of School Director for three terms ; his grandfather was born in Ireland. and emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married. and afterward removed to Montgomery County ; the D. & U. R. R. passed between his house and barn, and, while attempting to pass from the barn to the house, he was caught by a passing train and thrown some seventy feet from the point of collision and instantly killed, aged 70 years ; his grandmother survived a few years, and departed this life at the age of 95.