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NOAH ARNOLD. farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; another of the few remaining early settlers of Darke Co.; is the son of William Arnold, who was a brother of Moses, and was born in South Carolina, and came to Darke Co. in 1816 ; entered 332 acres in Secs. 11 and 32, of Greenville Township, which he" improved and resided on for sixty years, and it is now the property of his children and still undivided. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren Co. Feb. 6, 1816, about six weeks before his parents came to Darke Co., and he has resided in this county ever since he first entered it, living op the farm continuously until he was 23 years of age ; then tried merchandising a short time, but not being pleased with the business, resumed farming, which he has continued ever since ; has been an enterprising and useful citizen ; was Justice of the Peace nine years, and has been a Notary Public for the past twenty years ; is still active in both public and private enterprises ; was one of the charter members of the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville. and is one of the present Board of Directors ; has charge of his father's old homestead, besides superintending his own homestead, which contains 240 acres in an advanced state of cultivation, with 'fine improvements ; he has acted on the maxim, " If a man would have a good home, let him have a good wife, for it is certain he has both. He was married ip 1839 to Emily Stingley, daughter of George and Barbara Stingley, who were early settlers of German Township ; her death occurred in 1848 ; they had four children—Isaac

Mary J., Effie A. and George ; Isaac was a soldier in the late war, and lost an arm at Atlanta ; has been in the employment of the Treasury Department at Washington for several years ; Mary J. is now the wife of H. N. Arnold, of Greenville ; Effie A. is now Mrs. L. E. Chenoweth, of Greenville, and George is married and a resident of Nebraska. Mr. Arnold was again married, April 11, 1850, to Martha (Larimore-Banfield) Bierly, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Martin) Larimore, who came from Pennsylvania in 1817, and settled in the Arnold neighborhood, and are now both deceased ; Martha was twice previously married ; her first husband, Jahn Banfield, was killed by a falling tree, while both were passing through the wood* by a bridle-path during storm ; she escaped unhurt, although the horse uptel which she was mounted was quite severely injured. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have one child—Margaret E., now Mrs. William H. H. McCool, railroad agent and merchant at Jaysville.

GEORGE ARNOLD, retired farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; one of the oldest residents of Neave Township now living ; he was born in South Carolina in 1800, and was eighty years of age on the 1st day of March ; his father's name was Moses, and he was a native of North Carolina, and a resident of South Carolina from the time of the Revolution until 1807 ; was married there to Rachel Lynch, and removed to Ohio, settling in Warren Co. ; in the fall of 1815 or spring of 1816, he came to Darke Co., prospecting, and selected a quarter-section in Sec. 13, which he entered, and in the fall of 1816, George. then a young lad, in company with his brothers Aaron and David, and in company with their oldest sister Lydia, who afterward became the wife of James Townsend, came to this land and erected three cabins, one for the father and one for each of the two older boys, who were both then married ; this tract was divided between the father and two sons ; in the following spring, the father and David removed their families into the cabins,

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and began the work of making a home in this then wilderness, there being no house nearer than two miles, but plenty of Indians, and more wolves and bears and a few panthers ; deer were then more plentiful and easier found than are squirrels now ; there was no road excepting the Milton road, via which they came, cutting their own road from that to their cabins ; it is difficult to imagine that such was the condition of this section within the life of one generation, and very few people have lived to see so great improvements as have been made within the lifetime of this venerable resident. George was married in Warren Co.. Feb. 26, 1820, to Mary Dines, daughter of Chambers and Millie (Cole) Dines ; she was born in Kentucky Nov. 4, 1800, and her parents removed to Warren Co. when she was quite young. Mr. and Mrs. George Arnold came to Darke Co. soon after their Marriage, and began life here in pioneer style ; they now reside in a brick dwelling, which stands in the same yard in which stood the in which they first kept house ; they having passed through the hardships, toils and privations of pioneer life, and taken part in the improvements of the past half-century, during the latter half of which there has been a remarkably rapid development and improvement of the county, both public and private". They have raised a family of five children, one son and four daughters, viz., Amelia (who is now Mrs. Michael Floyd, and resides in Kansas), Lydia (who is now Mrs. Henry Houk, and resides in Missouri), Rachel (now deceased, was Mrs. Jacob Shiverdecker, and resided in Darke Co.), Mary (also deceased, was the wife of Samuel Schlechty), John C. is the only son ; was born in 1826, and grew to manhood here, during the days of:.hard work and little education. He was married in 1847. to Mary E., daughter of William and Maria (Heath) Shepherd ; her mother, now a widow, resides in Twin Township. Mr. J. C. Arnold, with the exception of about five years, has always resided on the farm where he was born and now resides, and is now an old resident of Darke Co. ; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Arnold have a family of nine children—George W., Mary M., John H., Rachel J., Millie S., Winfield, Amanda E , Martha and Charles M. His aged parents also reside with them, and having served the world in their day and generation, now quietly await the call to the spirit land.

W. N. BROWN, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle. Another life resident of Darke Co. ; is a son of Caleb, and grandson of Phillip Brown ; Phillip was a native of Tennessee, and married into a family by the name of Schleigar, and was one of the first settlers of this neighborhood ; Caleb was then a boy ; after he grew up he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Neal) Miller, residents of Union Co., Ind ; Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in Sec. 36 ; he was a leading and useful citizen ; his house, which was a hewn-log structure, was considered above the average, and was used for several years for church services ; he and his wife both lived to be nearly 90 years of age ; Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in the same section adjoining his father's ; his death occurred in 1876, he being 70 years of age ; his widow, now about 70, lives with her son at the old homestead. The subject of this sketch was born in 1839, on the farm where he now resides and has resided all his life ; he now has about 200 acres in Sec. 36, including both the tracts owned by his father and grandfather ; thus the memories and labors of two generations past cluster around this homestead. Mr. Brown was married in 1863, to Sarah Judy, daughter of David Judy ; her death occurred in 1873 ; they had two children, one living, Frank. Mr. Brown's marriage with Miss Elnora Bell Byers. was celebrated Dec. 6, 1879.

W. S. DUNN, farmer ; P. 0. Jaysville ; is the son of Isaac and Julia A. (McGrew) Dunn ; he was a native of Kentucky, and of French descent ; she was of Irish descent, and a native of Virginia ; they were married in Butler Co., Ohio, and came to Darke Co. soon after the treaty of Fort Greenville, and were the first ikmily that ventured into the wilderness west of Greenville after the war. Here the subject of this sketch was born in 1817, and here he lived until he was 16 years of age ; then his parents removed to Randolph Co., Ind. ; he remained with

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his parents until 21, then returned to Darke Co.. and worked in the vicinity of Coal Town about three years and partially learned the wagon-maker's trade. About this time, a little incident occurred which was the occasion of his changing his home. He was somewhat of a horse-trader, and made a trade with a Methodist preacher, in which he was badly cheated, and the youngsters of the neighborhood bored him so over being worsted by a preacher, that he straddled the horse and left that neighborhood. and never resided there afterward. He finished his apprenticeship at wagon-making in Palestine, and then went to Butler Co., and was married there in 1855 to Matilda, daughter of Isaac and Mary Watson. After his marriage. Mr. Dunn resumed farming, and has continued farming ever since. first renting. and, after five years he purchased a farm in Butler Co., where he remained until I 876. when he sold out in Butler Co. and purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 13. Neave Township, where he now resides with his only son, who has charge of the farm. Mr. Dunn was one of a family of twelve children ; his parents came into the wilderness of Darke Co. poor, and he had to depend upon himself entirely, and has made his property by his own exertions and management, never having received any legacy, except about $800, which his wife received from her parents. Her decease occurred in Butler Co. Nov. 16, 1874. They had two children—one still-born, and the other a son, Henry H. He was married to Susannah Young, of Preble Co., and now has charge of the home and farm. He has one child—Matilda.

HENRY GEBHART, farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; is a son of Daniel and Margaret Gebhart, whose biography appears in connection with J. Reickers. The subject of this sketch was born in 1837, on the farm, a part of which is his present home : he remained on the farm with his parents until about 25 years of age ; while visiting a cousin in Fountain Co., Ind., they took a notion to see the "West," and went first to Kansas. then to the Black Hills region ; also visited different parts of Utah. Idaho, Oregon. Montana, and returned to Darke Co. after an eventful absence of nearly four years, well satisfied to live in Darke Co. He was married. in 1869, to Catherine Hillman. daughter of John Elliman, whose biography appears in the Harrison Township list ; after their marriage, they resided at his old home, his father's death having occurred the same year ; after the farm was divided, he built on his portion, where he now resides ; he has 63 acres which he is improving and rapidly making into a pleasant home.

C. B. HARTMAN, farmer ; P. O. Weaver's Station; a native of Pennsylvania ; was born in Lancaster Co. in 1816 ; is the son of Christian and Ann Hartman ; a descendant of the Hares, Brubakers and Kreiders, who were among the very earliest settlers of that part of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm in Pennsylvania ; when about 22 years of age, he, in company with four other young men, went West on a trip of adventure and sight-seeing ; they traveled over a large portion of the then Western country, saw the Indians in their native wilds, came near starvation on the sand plains, but returned to Pennsylvania after three years' wanderings, satisfied to live 'in the civilized portions of our country ; he came to Ohio in 1856 ; settled first in Montgomery Co.; came to Darke Co. in 1865, just in time to take part in the public improvements which so suddenly brought this county from the last to the first in the State, in point of improved highways. Mr. Hartman, though not a very old resident, takes a very active interest in public matters, especially politics ; he is an active and reliable Democrat and useful citizen. He was married in 1845, to Catherine Immel, a native of Pennsylvania ; they had three children—J. A., whose biography appears in the Harrison Township list, Franklin, of Montgomery Co., and Louisa, slow Mrs. D. Aucamp. of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Catherine Hartman's death occurred in 1851 : his marriage with Catherine O'Donnel was celebrated in 1854 ; she was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States when quite young ; they have nine children—William, Caroline, Ella, Allen D., Clement L. V., Kate, Christian B., George W. and Andrew J.

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DAVID HEFFNER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Berks Co. in 1817 ; his father was a farmer, but David was made teamster as soon as he was old enough to hold the lines, and teamed, from the time he was 15 years of age, seventeen years. Jacob Heffner came to Darke Co., with his family, in 1849 ; David was then single, some called him a bachelor, and came with the family ; they settled in Neave Township on the farm where George D. Miller now resides. In 1850, David was united in marriage with Miss Ann, daughter of Jonathan, and sister of John Niswonger, whose biography appears in this work she was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822, and came with her parents to Darke Co., in 1829, and grew to womanhood here. in the days when

“Girls mode no great show

In order to catch a beau,

But were learned to work tow,

Spin it and weave in row."

As a sample of woman's occupations in those days. Mrs. Heffner, while a girl at home, spun 1,500 cuts of yarn and wove 300 yards of cloth, from spring to winter, besides helping about the housework. Mr. and Mrs. Heffner have resided in this township ever since they first began housekeeping came to their present place, just north of Fort Jefferson, in 1872 ; they have two children. one son and one daughter —Jonathan and Sarah C., now Mrs. L. Wilt, of Butler Township.

JOHN KECKLER. farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; is a Buckeye by birth ; was born in Fairfield Co. in 1826 ; was raised on a farm and learned the blacksmith's trade when grown, and worked at it several years ; came to Darke Co. in 1861 ; resided in Neave Township ; purchased the farm where he no'w resides in 1871. Nearly all the public improvements made in Darke Co. have been done since his residence here. Mr. Keckler is one of the substantial citizens, and has occupied several public positions of responsibility. His marriage with Catherine Friesner was celebrated in 1851 in Fairfieli Co. ; they had three children—all now married ; two—Ephraim and Elizabeth—are residents of Darke Co. Mrs. Keckler's decease occurred in 1856. Mr. Keckler and Mrs. Julia A. (Dunaway) Reynolds were married in Allen Co., Ohio, May 26, 1859 ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1828 ; her marriage with Geo. Reynolds was celebrated in Wells Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1851 ; his death occurred in Allen Co., Ohio, in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Keckler have five children—Simon B., William H., John W., Emma and James W. ; all are still members of the family household.

JOHN LANDIS, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle ; an old resident of' Darke Co. ; son of Jacob Landis, who settled in Darke Co. in 1828, on the farm where Joshua Townsend, whose biography appears in this work, now resides ; the old block-house. built there during the Indian difficulties, was still there in good condition, and John remembers sleeping in it repeatedly ; his father used it for a loom-house during the days of " home-spun " clothing. The subject of this sketch was born in Pickaway Co. in 1818 ; was married to Elizabeth Stutsman. of Montgomery Co., in 1844 ; after their marriage, he lived on his father's place, in Neave Township, until, in 1849, he purchased, and they removed to, the farm in See. 26, where they now reside ; thus it will be seen Mr. Landis has been a resident of Neave Township more than a half-century ; has witnessed and contributed his full share toward the improvement, public and private, moral as well as physical. Both he and his estimable wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church ; also two of their grown children. They have eight children—David, a resident of Michigan ; Andrew, a resident of Greenville ; Lydia, now Mrs. A. Rodgers ; Abraham; Mary, now Mrs. Harvey Shover ; Jacob ; Frances, now Mrs. Lewis Price, and John, Jr.

J. N. LOWRY, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; is a son of Reuben Lowry, who was one of the early settlers of Neave Township ; Reuben was always very fond of hunting, and, when game became scarce here, he became restless and went to Kansas, in 1861, and in 1865, removed there, and has resided

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there ever since. The subject of this sketch was born in 1843, and grew to manhood on the farm, and. when his father went to Kansas, he farmed the place, and, when his parents moved to Kansas, he purchased a portion of his father's land, including the homestead, and has resided here all his life ; he now has 190 acres in the northeast part of the township, the undivided half of 150 acres near Ft. Jefferson, and 72 acres in Sec. 30, besides the homestead, which is in Sec. 31, and contains 96 acres ; besides superintending these farms, Mr. Lowry deals quite extensively in stock, and is the foremost man of his age in Neave Township, if not in the county ; he was married in 1865 to Miss Louisa, daughter of David Studabaker ; they have two children—Minnie and Harry E.

SAMUEL LUDY, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; one of the old residents of Darke County : was born in Pennsylvania in 1811 ; he remained at home on the farm during his minority, then came to Ohio, first stopping in Montgomery County, where he remained several years working by the job or month ;.in the mean time visited Darke County, and entered an 80-acre tract of land in Butler Township. He was married to Elizabeth Miller in 1836 ; she was born in Pennsylvania ; is the daughter of William and Susannah Miller, who came from Franklin County, Penn., to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1829, and to Darke County in 1839 ; Mr. and Mrs. Ludy began domestic life in the spring of 1836, on the land he had entered in Butler Township, with very limited means. and had to struggle amid the difficulties common to the early settlers in this region ; after a residence of twenty-six years. they reluctantly parted with this home and removed to a farm in Sec. 4, which he purchased from her father ; they came to their present pleasant home in 1869 ; having been identified with the county from the days of pioneer life, through the tedious and toilsome days of progress and the burdensome period of modern improvements, which have brought this county so rapidly forward to the front rank in points of public enterprise and general productiveness ; they may justly feel a pride in enjoying. as they evidently do, the present comforts of a pleasant home, with pleasant surroundings ; they have been active, useful and respected people ; have raised a family of eleven children—Susan, William, Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel, Nicholas. Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Judy ; Maria, now Mrs. Daniel Burket ; Sarah, now Mrs. Jacob Nyswonger, a resident of Iowa ; James and Silas ; the last two and first are single, all the others are respected heads of families. The five oldest sons—William. Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel and Nicholas—were soldiers in the late war, Jacob being a veteran," having served four years, William three, and the others different shorter periods.

WILLIAM MILLER. farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Delisle. Mr. Miller belongs to a pioneer family ; was born Nov. 29, 1837, on the farm upon which he now resides ; he is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Howell) Miller, and grandson of David and Catherine (Studabaker) Miller ; David Miller was a native of Bedford County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio at an early day, locating for a short time in Clinton County. afterward in Miami County, and finally came to Darke County and located in Neave Township soon after the war of 1812. Samuel Miller was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 25, 1805 ; was a youth when his parents came to Darke County, and grew to manhood here in pioneer days ; married Miss Nancy, daughter of Joshua and Christena (Mikesell) Howell ; Joshua was a native of Virginia, and Nancy was born in Maryland ; they came to Darke County about the year 1821. and he became a leading and influential citizen ; was Sheriff and also Commissioner during his residence here ; both he and his wife lived to fourscore years, and resided in Michigan at the time of their decease ; after his marriage, Mr. Miller rented four years, then entered one quarter of Sec. 24, Neave Township, which was then all woods, and upon which he hurriedly built a cabin, into which he moved his family before it was " chinked," not waiting even to place a floor or hang a door ; the first night after their arrival, there was an addition of several kittens to their supply of domestic animals, but, it being a cold March night, they all froze, to the great grief of the children ; by perseverance and toil,

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amid privations and difficulties known only to the pioneer, he succeeded, by the assistance of his family in securing a home and adding 154 acres to the original tract ; in his later years, he retired from active labor, and the farm was carried on by his sons, under his supervision, he having raised a family of eleven children, seven of whom are still living ; his death occurred Nov. 1. 1856 ; his widow is now the wife of William McCool, and resides in Delisle. William Miller remained on the old homestead until 1864, renting of his mother after his marriage with Miss Margaret N. Frye, which occurred Aug. 1, 1861 ; she is a daughter of Andrew and Rachael (Wilson) Frye, who resided near Fort Jefferson, and had a family of eleven children. only three of whom are now living. (See biography of H. W. Frye.) In the spring of 1864, Mr. Miller purchased 80 acres in Greenville Township. upon which he resided about four years, then sold it and removed to her father's place near Fort Jefferson ; six months later, he purchased 120 acres of the old homestead, including the residence, and again took up his abode on the spot where he was born and spent his youthful days. Mr. Miller has been School Director five years and Trustee ten years, a compliment to his judgment and to the interest he takes in education and the general welfare ; his home is a pleasant place, and his hospitality unbounded ; Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and a conscientious Christian woman. They are the parents of three children—Ollie R., born Sep. 1, 1863, now an interesting miss ; Charles A., May 4, 1866 ; and one who died in infancy. May both Mr. and Mrs. Miller live long and enjoy much of the fruits of their labors, and hereafter reap a rich reward for their disinterested kindness and hospitality, conferred alike on friends and strangers, is the wish of the writer.

GEORGE D. MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Greenville. Among the early pioneers of Darke Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is accorded a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1818, and is a son of George Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and to Darke Co., in 1824, locating in Harrison Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred September. 1866, at the advanced age of 75 years. The subject of our sketch came to Darke Co. with his parents and is consequently among the oldest continued residents of the county ; he remained with his parents and assisted in agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority, when on account of ill health he abandoned farming, and the following fourteen years he devoted his attention to school teaching and studying ; in 1851, he resumed farming in Harrison Township, and on Dec. 22, 1865, he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived ; he has 250 acres of good land, under a good state of cultivation, with buildings second to none in the county ; of township and county offices, he has had his full share, having held the office of Township Assessor eight years, Township Clerk six years, Justice of the Peace nine years ; he was elected to the Constitutional Convention to represent the interest of Darke Co. in 1873, and in 1877 was elected County Commissioner. which office he now holds ; he has been continually in office since 1845—which fact is a sufficient guarantee that his services have been alike satisfactory to the' people and creditable to himself. His marriage with Elizabeth Rush was celebrated August, 1850 ; she was born in Darke Co. in 1825 ; they are the parents of four children now living, having lost one by death. The living are Emily, Minerva Jane, Henry D. and Volney ; Mrs. Miller was a daughter of Asa Rush, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co.

LYDIA MEYERS, Delisle ; widow of William H. Meyers (deceased) ; Mrs. Meyers was born in Darke Co. in 1844 ; is the daughter of Henry and Rachel Tillman ; was married to William H. Meyers in 1865 ; he was the son of Joseph and Lavina Meyers ; was born in Butler Co. in 1844 ; he began domestic life here the widow now resides, and has resided ever since, except about one year's residence in Twin Township. Mr. Meyers, during his short residence, contributed much toward the general improvement of the neighborhood, besides bearing his

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share of the burden of graveling the road : he had just completed a neat and commodious dwelling when his death occurred. in 1877 ; he was Township Trustee several years. and was a respected. useful citizen ; they had two children—Edwin and Sylvester A.

JOHN E. NORTH. farmer and teacher : P. 0. Weaver’s Station ; one of the rising young men of Neave Township ; is a son of Allen and Mary A. (Fry) North ; Allen North (deceased) was a resident of Neave Township for many years, and was a very active and successful citizen ; his father at one time owned a tract of land upon which a part of the city of Indianapolis now stands ; here Allen was born : his father died while he was yet a boy, and his mother married again ; through the intemperance of his stepfather. the family was made poor, and Allen, though a youth. was the main support of his mother for several years. At the time of his marriage, an old horse constituted his capital, at the time of his death he had accumulated about $20,000 worth of property, mostly real estate, besides a policy of $10.000 on his life ; the widow now resides at the old homestead, in Sec. 26. The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township, in 1851, and grew to manhood on the farm. receiving an ordinary common-school education ; 'has taught district school winters for the past eight years, farming, thrashing, etc., during the remainder of the year ; has been Township Assessor, and is the present Township Clerk. He was married in 1876 to Mary C., daughter of George Howes; they have one child—George Allen.

JOHN NYSWONGER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; is a son of Jonathan Nyswonger, who was born in Pennsylvania July 9, 1790 ; 'resided in Pennsylvania. and came to Darke Co. at an early day ; both Jonathan and his father were soldiers in the war of 1812 ; John's mother, Elizabeth (Clarke) Nyswonger, was a sister to the mother of J. N. Lowry, whose biography appears in this work, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene Co.. Penn., Oct. 3. 1817: his father emigrated to Darke Co. in 1829, and John grew to manhood here during the early days of Neave Township ; he remembers well when he went to Noffsinger's and waited his turn at the crank to bolt the tainiiv grist. He was married in 1843, to Susannah Ault, a daughter of John Ault. who was a native of Pennsylvania. and an early settler of Darke Co. Mr. Nyswonger had purchased 40 acres of the farm where he now resides, made an opening, and built a log house previous to his marriage ; here they began domestic life. and by perseverance. amid discouraging circumstances, they now have a pleasant home. around which cluster the memories of half a century ; he now has 101 acres in the home farm. 26 adjoining Ft. Jefferson, 90 in Iowa, and 160 in Missouri. and, although he is quite advanced in years, is still vigorous, and ctively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Nyswonger are the parents of eleven children three are deceased ; three sons, Hiram H., William H. and Elijah, are in Calitbrnia Jacobis a resident of Iowa ; Rebecca is now Mrs. William Eubank, of Harrison Township ; three--Alfred. Addie and Susan E. are members of the family household.

N. L. C. PHILLIPS. farmer ; P. 0. Jaysville ; the son of Joseph Phillips, who is one of the few men who lived to see their fourscore years ; he is the son of John. Phillips. who was born in Hamilton Co.. and was a soldier in .the wars of 1791, 1793 and 1812 : he was one of those who was left behind to escort the provision supply. and so escaped that terrible battle, Sinclair's defeat, in which all his comrades were slain. except two, and they were wounded. Joseph was raised on a farm, and. when about 19 years of age, went to the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he served the usual three years' apprenticeship. but never followed the business or did much at it afterward ; he now has a clock. the case of which he made and took in payment for his work ; he worked at carpentering at Cincinnati, Ohio, one year, and then commenced farming ; he first rented, and when he was able, bought 80 acres in the woods of Hamilton Co.; he owned a mill property which he operated several years ; they came to Darke Co., in the spring of 1857, and settled in

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Sec. 13, where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1822 to Nancy Con. rey ; she was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1801 ; they are now one of the few couples who have lived to pass their golden wedding anniversary, he being in his 83d year, and still in possession of all his faculties, and she being in her 79th year and more feeble than her husband, having had a paralytic stroke, but is still vigorous in mind. The son, N. L. C., was born in Hamilton Co., in 1839 ; he assisted his father in the mill until they came to Darke Co.. and then assisted on the farm until about 20 years of age, and then engaged in a daguerrean room to learn the art ; after about one years' experience. finding that it affected his health. he quit and resumed farming ; he spent about two years here on his father's place, and then removed to Miami Co.. where he owned 40 acres of land. and remained there until 1879, when he returned to his father's place. and now has charge of the homestead and care of his aged parents. He was married in 1864 to Rachael H. Coppock, daughter of William Coppock, deceased, who was an early resident ot Miami Co.; they have six children, Ida O., W. Z. D.. James A.. Nancy Rosetta Wesley J. and Clara A.

JACOB RIEKER. farmer , P. O. Arcanum ; a son of George M. and Catherine Rieker, natives of Germany and early residents of Butler Township ; Jacob is a brother-in-law to Joseph Hittle whose biography appears in the Butler Township list ; he was born in Germany in 1829. and was only 2 years old when his parents brought him to the United States ; they settled in Butler Township in ; he grew to manhood on the farm and has continued to farm ever since. residing part of the time in Butler and part in Neave Townships ; he came to his present farm about seven years ago ; he has just completed a very neat and commodious residence, which is well finished, and is the most elegant residence in the neighborhood. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth. daughter of Daniel and Margaret Gebhart, who were married in Montgomery Co. and came to Darke Co. about the same time that Mr. Rieker's parents did. Mr. and Mrs. Rieker are worthy members of the Reformed Church, and useful, respected members of society ; they have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

ALFRED ROBESON, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; the subject of this sketch is th, son of Andrew Robeson, and grandson of John Robeson, who were early settlers of Butler Township ; Alfred was born in Butler Township, in 1841. and has always lived in the neighborhood of his birth ; he remained on the farm with his parents during his youth, and began teaching in winter when about 18 years of age, and continued winter, teaching and cropping, etc., during the summer, for about ten years ; he purchased his present farm which contains 120 acres. He was married in 1868 to Nancy Clarke ; she is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Clarke, formerly residents of Butler Township but now of Arcanum ; they began domestic life,. soon after their marriage, on the farm, in Sec. 35, where they now reside ; Mr. Robeson is a life-resident of Darke Co., and, although a young man, is already one of its substantial citizens ; he is a worthy member of the Masonic Order, and she is a worthy member of the Reformed Church, and both are respected members of society.

GEORGE SCHLECHTY, farmer and Justice of the Peace ; P. O. Weaver's Station ; a son of Christian Schlechty, who was a native of Berks Co., Penn., and came with his parents, Christian, Sr., and Barbara-Schlechty, to Darke Co. ; he was married here to Susannah Noggle, and resided on the farm in Sec. 33, which the son George now owns. The subject of this sketch• was born in Neave Township, in 1824, and grew to manhood here amid the difficulties and limited opportunities of the early residents ; his father had a tan-yard, an& George came in for his share of work at that trade, but, when he became a man, preferred farming, and has farmed ever since; he now has the farm upon which his grandfather settled, about the year 1815 ; he also owns the tract upon which his father first resided after his marriage. Mr. Schlechty is the present Justice of the Peace for Neave Township and is a leading and useful citizen ; he was married on March 10, 1859, to Arebecca

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Winders. a native of Indiana they have six children—Willis M., Edson V., Levi D., Charles A.. Jasper N. and John F., all of whom are members of the present household.

AARON SWANK, farmer: P. O. Weaver's Station ; a " Buckeye" by birth ; was born in Montgomery County in 1834 ; is a son of George and Susanna Swank ; when about 10 years of age, he became fatherless, and was cared for by his mother and older brothers : after he became of he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it several years. He was married in 1858 to Mahaia Baker, and they removed to Indiana, but soon returned to Montgomery County, where Mrs. Swank's death occurred in 1866 they had no children ; in 1869, he married Mrs. Martha (Neely) )(Wool. a daughter of William Neely, who was an early settler of Neave Township ; he has since resided in Darke County ; came to his present residence, in Sec. 34, in 1872 : they have live children—William Jacob. Lilly May, Hester, Emma and Julia Ann : Mr. and Mrs. Swank are worthy members of church, and useful, respected members of the community.

DAVID THOMPSON. farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.: is the son of Thomas Thompson, who was a native of Virginia and canine to Darke Co. with his father. David Thompson, in 1814, who entered the land in Greenville Township. now owned by David Studabaker ; Thomas, who was a voting man when his parents came here, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abram Studabaker. and they resided near Hill Grove, in Washington Township, several years ; he then traded his property for a property in Randolph Co., Ind., and removed there and remained until his death ; his wife's death occurred near Hill Grove. The subject of this sketch was born near Hill Grove, in 1832, and when about 16 years of age, having lost his mother. he struck out for himself and worked at farming. teaming, or anything he could get to do, until his marriage with Eva Neal, which was celebrated Aug. 21, 1853, after which he rented and farmed several years, one year in Illinois, but not liking it out there returned and farmed the Hunt place four years ; was Superintendent of the County Infirmary six years ; then purchased his present farm and removed to it in 1866; his wife's death occurred Dec. 26. 1874, after which he sold off his personal property, rented his farm, and resided in Greenville ; his marriage with Catherine E. Lot was celebrated Jan. 9, 1877 ; they remained in Greenville until the following November, when he had completed his present neat and commodious residence, they removed here and have remained ever since ; Mr. T. has seen the rough of Darke Co.; began here a boy, poor. and gradually worked his way up, until he accumulated enough to purchase his farm, which he has improved considerably, although his health has been quite delicate for several years past.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.; is a brother of David Thompson, whose biography appears also in this township list ; William was born in Washington Township, in 1836 ; was brought up a farmer. and commenced farming with a brother in 1855, and continued to rent and farm until 1866, when he took charge of the County Infirmary, remaining five years ; then came to the farm in Secs. 15 and 16, which he had purchased previous to his superintendency of the Infirmary, and upon which he has continued to reside ever since, uniting stock-raising with farming ; he now has 122 acres of improved land, well supplied with stock, etc.; he also has a business property on Broadway, in Greenville, which he rents. Mr. Thompson was married in 1857 to Miss Amanda. daughter of Caleb Neal, who was an early resident of Neave Township ; the fruit of this union was two children—Alice and Vinora.

JOSHUA TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; is the son of William Townsend, who was a native of North Carolina, and was married to Mary Edwards, a native of Tennessee ; they came to Darke Co., at an early day. The subject of this sketch was born in Darke Co. in 1824 ; he was left fatherless at the age of 4 years ; his mother had two other sons, both younger than Joshua, but she managed to keep the family together, and by hard labor and some assistance

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from her father, Eli Edwards, she managed to live until Joshua had grown up ; when he was about 20 years of age, they went on to a farm which the father had purchased, but had not cleared, and Joshua and his two younger brothers undertook and did make a living by leasing cleared land close by, until they got their own under cultivation ; the next brother younger got married first, and then Joshua and his younger brother bought the other out ; afterward Joshua bought the whole place and continued to farm there until 1855 ; having been elected Sheriff of Darke Co., he removed to Greenville, and held the office two terms ; afterward he removed to Jaysville and engaged in the stock trade ; in 1864, he purchased a farm and commenced farming again, but continued the stock-dealing, until, within a few years past, he has turned his attention entirely to farming ; he now has over 1,000 acres of improved land, all in Neave Township. Mr. Townsend was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, in 1860, and is a leading and highly respected citizen. He was married in 1852 to Mary A. Bierly ; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and resided at the time of her marriage with her stepmother. who married Noah Arnold, a resident of Neave Township ; they have had eight children—J. H., now married and a resident of Neave Township ; William H.. Frank B.. Miranda B.. Charles E., Mary M., Ellen J. and Lillie May.

ABIJAH H. VANDYKE, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville : was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; is the son of Andrew E. Vandyke, who came from Pennsylvania to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where his death occurred in 1840. The subject of this sketch, when about 17 years of age, began to learn the wagon and carriage maker's trade, at which he worked several years, then engaged in different occupations until 1860, when he became a resident of Darke Co. and rented the Hunt farm three years, then purchased the farm in Sec. 14, which is new his homestead. In 1868, he was elected Sheriff of Darke Co., and re-elected in 1870 ; after serving the two terms asSheriff, he returned to his farm, and has resided on it ever since , he has been an active, useful citizen, and most of the modern improvements of Darke Co. have been made since he became a resident here. He was married in Hamilton Co., to Sylvia Lawrence, daughter of Levi Lawrence, deceased, who was then a resident of Michigan, and formerly of Glendale, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke are the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters.

NATHANIEL W. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Greenville. Among the old settlers of Darke Co., the gentleman who heads this sketch takes a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, May 18, 1832 ; he was a son of Andrew P. Wilson, born in Kentucky July 2, 1801, and, with his parents, came to Butler Co. when 4 years of age. He was married, in the same county, to Sarah Allen, June 10, 1828 ; she was born in the Territory of Indiana April 10, 1808 ; in 1834, they came to Darke Co. and located in Harrison Township, and followed farming until the decease of Mr. Wilson, which occurred Sept. 6, 1852. Mrs. Wilson is now living upon the old farm, where she has lived for a period of forty- five years. The subject of this memoir remained upon the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until Dec 27, 1854, when he was united in marriage with Mary E. Rush ; she was born in Harrison Township, Darke Co., Oct. 11, 1836 ; they have seven children now living, having lost three by death ; the living are Margaret M., John K., William G., Sarah E., Charles A., Nathaniel Elmer and Andrew P.; upon the marriage of Mr. Wilson, he commenced farming for himself in Harrison Township, until the fall of 1871. He has served the county as its Sheriff for four years in succession, being first elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1873, and in 1875, he purchased a farm two miles south of Greenville, upon which he lived until February, 1878, when he sold and purchased his present place, where he has since lived ; he now has 270 acres, with a good farm, located three miles from Greenville, on the Ft. Jefferson and Greenville pike, valued at some $15,000, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own exertions. Mrs. Wilson was a daughter of Asa Rush, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April

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25, 1799, and came to Darke Co., in 1812, and was among the first settlers of Darke Co.; he married Margaret Hill she was born in South Carolina June 16, 1801, and died June 1856. Mr. Rush died May, 1874.