FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 475 and now owns one-hundred and sixty-eight acres of fine farming land about three miles from Jeffersonville, his farm being known as the Oak Grove farm. He has substantial and attractive buildings and has always taken pride in keeping his farm in an attractive manner.: Mr. Mock was married September 1o, 1867, to Aseneath McKillip, the daughter of Tally and Nancy (Walthall) McKillip. Mr. Mock is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of E. L. Jones Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Jeffersonville. THOMAS H. CLOVER. A retired grain merchant of' Jeffersonville, Ohio, is Thomas H. Clover, who has long been past the allotted three score and ten years of age. As a young man he Began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and later engaged in the grain business; which occupation he followed the remainder of his active life. He is a man of high character and during a long career in the business world, extending over a period of half a century, he managed his affairs in such a way as to win and keep the esteem of his fellow citizens. Thomas H. Clover was born April 11, 1835, in Franklin county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Sarah (Graham) Clover. His father was a native of Pickaway county, this state, and after his marriage moved to Franklin county, where he resided during the remainder of his life. William Clover and wife reared a family of five children, Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Rose, Charles and Thomas H. The education of Thomas H. Clover was received in the schools of Franklin county, Ohio, and after his marriage he began to work for himself as an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He remained with this company. for several years and then started in as grain merchant, buying and selling grain in various towns around Columbus, Ohio. He was strictly honest in all of his financial dealings, and earned the high regard of all who had any transactions with him or the company with which he was connected. Several years ago he 'retired' from active life and built a fine modern home in Jeffersonville, this county, where he is now living. Mr. Clover has been twice married, his first marriage being to Lona Ogilvie the daughter of. Johnson and Margaret (Norman) Ogilvie: She died and left no children. Her father was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and 476 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. late in life moved to Tennessee, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Johnson Ogilvie and wife reared a family of seven children, Mrs. Clover being the second child born to them. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Clover married Martha Brown. Politically, Mr. Clover is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has been prominent in all the affairs of his town and has given his unreserved support to all public-spirited measures. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. HARLAN T. THOMPSON. Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who believe in following twentieth-century methods in agriculture is Harlan T. Thompson, of Paint township. He comes from a splendid family, one that has always stood for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Born in this county, he has spent his whole career of nearly a half century within its limits, and has always so conducted himself as to win the high esteem of his fellow Citizens. He has never been seized with the roaming desire, which has led other Fayette county men to distant fields of endeavor, but has devoted his life to agriculture in his native county and has succeeded to a marked degree. Harlan T. Thompson, proprietor of Maplehurst farm in Paint township, was born in this county May 14, 1864. His parents, John and Presocie (Sheley) Thompson, were natives of this county also. John Thompson, the son of James and Rhoda (Boyd) Thompson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Fayette county about 1815. Consequently the family has been identified with the history of this county for nearly a century. John Thompson and wife reared a family of nine children, Mrs. Esther Harper, Harlan T., Clayton, Mrs. Addie Healy, Charles, Frank, James, Daniel and Lovie. Of these children the following are deceased : Esther, Addie, Daniel and Lovie. Harlan T. Thompson was educated in the schools of Jasper township in the rude log school house built in the woods. All of his life has been spent on the farm, and since reaching the age of twenty-one years he has been working for himself. At the age of thirty-five he bought his first farm in Logan county, this state, but later he disposed of this farm and bought FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 477 his present farm of one hundred acres, two miles west of Bloomingburg on the Lewis pike, and he has a well improved and highly productive farm and keeps well abreast of the latest advances in agriculture. Mr. Thompson was married February 24, 1892, to Etta Hidy, the daughter of William and Lucinda (West) Hidy. Mrs. Thompson's father was a native of this county, being the son of George and Barbara (Sanderson) Hidy. Eleven children were born to William Hidy and wife : Etta, Albert, Arthur, Carey, Frank, Hayes, Charles, Harley, Mrs. Gertrude Flax, Mrs. Ethel Allen, and Mrs. Elba Smith. All of these children are still living except Hayes. Mr. Thompson and wife are the parents of three children, Nona, Carrie, and Edith, deceased. Fraternally, Mr. Thompson is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiously, he and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. JAMES PERRILL. One of the men of Fayette county of a past generation who has long since gone to his reward is James Perrill, who lived the life of a farmer for many years in Jasper township. He was a man of kindly impulses and gentleness of heart and so lived as to endear himself to a large circle of .friends and acquaintances. He was scrupulously honest in all of his dealings and a man who was sincerely mourned by everyone who knew him. He performed many acts of charity, about which the public knew nothing, as he never let his many acts of kindness .become known. He was always glad to succor those less fortunate than himself, yet in this, as in everything else, he was unostentatious. Such a man is a blessing to the community in which he lives, and thus did Mr. Perrill live and die. James Perrin, the son of Hugh and Margaret (Caldwell) Perrill, was born in Virginia in 1821, and died in Fayette county on the 22d day of November, 1898. He was only a small boy when his father, who was a millwright in old Virginia, was drowned. Hugh Perrill and wife reared a family of five children, Margaret, Mrs. Mary Brown, John, Nathan and James. James Perrill was a very small child when his mother moved from Virginia to Ohio and located in Highland county. Here he received his educa which was very meager, owing to the limited educational advantages 478 - FAYETTE COUNTY OHIO to be found in his county, and when a very young lad began to work for himself. Several years before his marriage he bought his first piece of land in Jasper township, starting in as land owner in 1850. He gradually added to his land holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner fourteen hundred acres of fine land in the county and was one of its largest land owners. James Perrill was married in September 1862, to Rebecca Cheneworth the daughter of.Abraham and Jemina (Blackstone) Cheneworth, Mrs. Perrill's family came from England arid settled in Berkley county, Virginia, Abraham Cheneworth being the son of Thomas and Mary Cheneworth. To Thomas. and Mary Cheneworth were born twelve children, Martha, Sarah, Mary, John, . Thomas, .Arthur, Richard, William, Elijah, Ann, Hannah and Abraham. Abraharn and Rebecca (Kerr) Cheneworth were the parents of fourteen children, Mrs. Martha . Hackney, William, Jacob, Mrs. Anna Moore, John, Mrs. Susannah Turner, Mrs. Mary Hibbins, Noah, Mrs. Sarah Moore, Mrs, Hannah Blackstone, Abraham, Mrs. Rebecca Talbert, Joel and Gideon. Abraham and Jemina (Blackstone) Cheneworth were married in 1835, at the foot of Cooper's Mountain, in Ross county, Ohio, and reared a family of thirteen children: John. born in 1836; William born in 1837: Anna; born in 1838; Rebecca, .who is Mr. Perrin's wile, born in 1840; Elizabeth, deceased; Thomas B. born March 28, 1844; Mary, born in 1846; James; Sarah, : born in 1851; Margaret; Gideon, born in 1853; Mrs. Susan Armsey, born in 1855, and Addie M, born in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Perrill reared a family of .seven children : Jesse, (died in infancy); Jennie,. James, John, Mary M.; Carrie and Gilbert. Jesse is the only one of the family who is deceased; Jennie married John B. Shoop, the assistant superintendent of the Chicago schools,: and they have two sons, Arnold and Edwin; James married Naomi Henkle ; John. married Grace Burnett and. has two children, Helen and Eugene; Carrie is the wife of C. W. Beard and has three .sons John P., Boyd and Charles. N. Gilbert married Anna Slagle and has two sons, Jante H: and Charles H. Mr. Perrill vas .a strong Republican and always took an active interest in political matters. For years-he was a school director in Jasper township and still later served as trustee of the township. In whatever official capacity he was found he always did his work faithfully and well, and no more conscientious public servant ever served the people of his township than did 'My,. 'Perrin. He was a Who was always' busy, vet in the FAYETTE COUNTY OHIO - 479 of his labors he was never too busy to lend a helping hand to anyone stress. He was a man whom everyone trusted, and .because of his character and clean and wholesome life he left name which will long be remembered by his friends and acquaintances and ,always cherished by his family. JACOB A. WISSLER. One of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Fayette County is Jacob A. Wissler, of Paint township. His whole life has been spent on arm where he is now living and, consequently, he is well known in the unity. That he. is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is due to the clean and wholesome life he has lived and the interest he has always manifested in the general welfare of the locality where he has lived so many years. By good management and well-laid plans he has attained a success commensurate with his efforts and has earned the right to be classed with the progressive farmers of his township. Jacob A. the son of Simon and Anna (Seychrist) Wissler, was born January 2, 1876, on his present farm of fifty acres, which lies six miles north of Bloomingburg. Simon Wissler, the son of Henry Wissler, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; and came to Fayette county with his parents in 1856. Eight children were born to Simon Wissler and wife; Mrs. Susan Yates, Mrs. Alice. Dixon, „Mrs. Elmira Watts, Ulysess G., Jesse, Jacob A., John, and Clarence. Mr. Wissler. was educated in the schools of his home neighborhood and remained at home until he was married at the age of twenty. He then rented a farm from, his father-in-law, Luther Irwin, and, with commendable zeal, he and his wife started in to save so that they might have a home of their own. Mr. Wissler made all the improvements on part of. the old home place where he lives, it being a bare field when he took possession of it. This farm is known as Maple. Lodge farm. Mr. Wissler has placed some extensive improvements on the . farm since acquiring, it and always keeps the farm in such a condition as to get the best results from his efforts. He has made a specialty of the raising of Duroc hogs and has been very successful in this feature of his farming. Mr. Wissler was married on the first' day of January; 1896, Lelia Irwin, the daughter of Luther and Mary Jane (Jones) Irwin. Mr. Irwin is a native of Paint township and is one of the most successful farmers of 480 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. the township. He and his wife have reared a family of five children Lelia, the wife of Mr. Wissler; one who died in infancy : William H., deceased ; Ethel, the wife of Carl Culbertson ; Mary J., the wife of J. A. Hill, of Jeffersonville, Ohio. The one son born to Mr. and Mrs. Wissler is deceased. Fraternally, Mr. Wissler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are both members of the Daughters of Rebekah. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare they have always been greatly interested. WILLIAM JOHNSON SELSOR. To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected, even from childhood, deserves special commendation. The late William Johnson Selsor was such a man and was honored and well known throughout this county as a highly respected and esteemed citizen not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will: and commendation of both his associates and the general public. Ile r' tamed his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent and he will long be missed from the various circles in which lie moved and over which his influence was like a beneficent ray of sunshine. The late William Johnson Selsor was born in Madison county, Ohio. August 20, 1834, and died in Fayette county, May 6, 1908. He was one of six children born to Frederick and Mary (Rankin) Selsor who grew to maturity, the other children being Elizabeth, Margaret, Susanna, John and Mary. Frederick Selsor and his wife were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they lived -until the death of Mrs. Selsor, when Frederick Selsor came to Fayette county, and bought a farm in Paint township, where he lived until his death at the age, of eighty-six, in 1886, his birth having occurred on the 1st day of January, 1800. At the FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 481 time of his death he was the owner of one thousand acres of land in Fayette county and nine hundred acres in Madison county, this state, and was probably the wealthiest farmer of the county. Before his death he divided his large estate among his children. William J. Selsor was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, and came with his parents to Fayette county in 1862, where he lived until his death. Upon reaching his majority he began farming for himself and became recognized as one of the most extensive cattle breeders of the county, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. He exhibited his stock frequently at the fairs and was a winner of numerous prizes. From time to time he added to the farm which was given him by his father until at one time he owned about one thousand acres of land in this country. The farm on which h elived was located on the Danville pike, and here he erected a fine country home and other buildings to correspond, making the farm one of the most attractive in this section of the state. Mr. Selsor was married April 21, 1870, to Electa J. Morris, the daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union four daughters were born, Idella, Edna Dean, Florence Ethel and Ercell Morris. Idella married W. W. Fenner and lives in Washington C. H. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner have four children, Edna Lucile, Gladys Dean, William Selsor and Jane Louise. Dean died at the age of eighteen, Florence Ethel married Harrison F. Brown and has two children, Mary Elizabeth and William Selsor; Ercell Morris, deceased, was the wife of Forrest W. Cline and the mother of two children. Helen Lucile and Ercell Marie. The mother died at the birth of the last daughter. Mrs. Selsor was born in Paint township, near the Madison county line, March 13, 1841. She lived in that neighborhood for sixty-seven years and for the past six years has lived in Washington C. H. on East Court street. Mrs. Selsor's father, Samuel Morris, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and her mother in Jackson county, this state. Samuel Morris and wife were early settlers of Fayette county, where they lived all their lives, his death in occurring in 1868 at the age of sixty-three, and she in 1890, at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of eight children, Daniel G., Samuel R., John E., Electa J., William W.,. Martin W., Amanda E. and Elma E. Samuel Morris was an extensive farmer and sheep grower, and during one year of the Civil War he sheared two thousand sheep and sold the wool for a dollar a pound. Samuel Morris was the son of John and Elizabeth (Tway) Morris, natives of New Jersey and early pioneers of Madison and later (31) 482 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Fayette counties, Ohio, both dying in the latter county. John Morris, and wife reared a large family of children, William, Cynthia, Calvin, Jane, Elizabeth, Samuel, Letha, Caroline and Sarah. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Selsor were William and Elizabeth (Stinson) Groves, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Jackson county, where they lived for some years. Later they removed to Indiana and located near Warsaw, where they died. William Groves and wife were the parents of eight children, Daniel, Melinda. Mary, Lydia, Dorcas, Phoebe, Elizabeth and Eliza. Mr. Selsor was a lifetulong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and in the welfare of their favorite church they were always deeply interested. Mr. Selsor filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. That he did his part nobly and well. cannot be gain-said and though he has passed away he yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, will always prize as a grateful heritage. JARED W. HOWARD The whole career of Jared W. Howard has been spent in Jeffersonville, Fayette county, Ohio, where he was born nearly sixty years ago. He has been engaged in business in the town of his birth most of this time, although he has a fine farm of one hundred acres near Jeffersonville to which he has always given careful attention. As a public spirited citizen he has always been deeply interested in everything which pertains to the welfare of his community and has given his unreserved support to all enterprises which he felt would benefit the locality where he has spent so many years. Jared W. Howard, the son of William T. and Elton (Sexton) Howard, was born in the town of Jeffersonville on July 22, 1855. His father was born in Warren county, Ohio, October 15, 1821, the son of George and ____ (Crone) Howard. His mother was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, May 22, 1816. The marriage of William T. Howard and Elton Sexton occurred October 30, 1841, and to their union were born five children, Sexton, Sarepta, Jared W., and two who died in infancy. At the age pf fourteen William T. Howard went to Vrginia, but returned a year later FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 483 and in 1838 located in Washington C. H., where he learned the harnessmaker's trade. In 1840 he permanently settled in Jeffersonville, where he lived until his death in 1899. In 1850 he went to California with the gold seekers, but returned two years later with nothing but his experiences. Jared W. Howard is the only one of the five children born to his who is now living, the others having passed away more than thirty years ago. He received the best education which was afforded by the schools of Jeffersonville, and early in life started to learn the harness trade in his father's shop. He married at the age of nineteen and at once began to work in his father's shop and two years later his father turned the shop over to him and retired to his farm near the town. He has been in business in Jeffersonville since 1876 and at the same time had the management of his farm. He has been very successful and has laid aside a very comfortable sum for his declining years. Mr. Howard has been twice married. He was married in August, 1874, to Mary Johnson and to this first union was born one child, Floy S. His second marriage was to Anna L. Johnson in October, 1892. She was the daughter of Simon B. and Catharine (Maddux) Johnson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mrs. Howard was reared and educated. Politically, Mr. Howard has been a loyal supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party since reaching his majority. He has served as a member of the council of Jeffersonville and has always been interested in every measure which was promoted for the benefit of his home town. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. ALBERT HAIGLER. Nearly half a century ago there Was born in a rude log cabin in Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, a lad who was christened by his parents as Albert Haigler. They were descended from sturdy pioneers of this country and the son has inherited those sterling characteristics which marked his worthy ancestors. The rude cabin of his boyhood days has given place to a fine home with all the modern conveniences and he is now enjoying life to its fullest extent. Albert Haigler, the son of Elijah M. and Letitia (Hays) Haigler, was born December 23, 1867, on the farm where he is now living. His father 484 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. was a native of West Virginia and came to this county when a young man. His parents were John and Phoebe (Skidmore) Haigler. Five children were born to Elijah Haigler and wife : John W., Mrs. Julia Kennedu, Albert. Charles E., and Jennie, the wife of Tod Hunter. The father and mother were both loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are buried in the cemetery at Bloomingburg. The education of Mr. Haigler was received in the Robuck and Rogers.schools in Paint township. He worked on the farm during the summers while in attendance at school during the winter seasons, and has never left the farm where he was born. He has never married and is now living with his tenant on his farm. Mr. Haigler gives his support to the Republican party, but has never been active in political matters, preferring to give his time and attention to his agricultural interests. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres is five miles east of Jeffersonville on the old State road. CLIMPSON L. LAFOLLETTE. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of France. When a young man he came to America and settled in this state about the year 1800, about two years before this portion of the country was admitted to the Union. At that time the state was practically a wilderness and the Indians were here in large numbers and were still fierce from their participation in the Revolution on the side of the British. Isaac LaFollette, the French emigrant in question, secured a tract of government land in what is now Perry county and began to clear off the timber. More than once he and his good wife, Libby Secrist, were in imminent peril from the savages and for many years after taking up their abode here they endured the hardships and privations of the early pioneers. Wild were animals frequently met with and no little danger was encountered from some of them, particularly in the night time, but rapidly advancing civilization in time disposed of such annoyances and Isaac lived to see a better day dawn for his children. He was the father of John LaFollette, who was born on the homestead in Perry county, and John was the father of the immediate subject, who was born on July 26, 1865, in Brown township, Vinton county. The subject's mother was Martha Craig, a native of that vicinity. C. L. LaFollette, who resides on his farm of thirty acres on the Danville pike, LAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 485 about one mile and a half from Bloomingburg, was one of a family of six children, being the second child of the family. W. E., the oldest, lives in Madison township, this county, while Robert and Hugh are both residents of Paint township. Eliza, the only daughter of the family, is the wife of Doctor Murphy and resides in Vinton county, while Charles, the youngest of the family, is dead. C. L. LaFollette in his early boyhood attended the schools of Delaware county, later attending those of Vinton county, where he finished his school When quite a young boy he began assisting with the work of the find early knew the meaning of hard work. At the age of twenty e began life on his own resources, coming to Fayette county where ed out among various farmers, receiving eighteen dollars per month services. After a few years passed in this manner, he purchased the farm whick is his present home and where he has made all of the improvements. Mr. LaFollette has been twice married. His first wife was Nettie Dunlap, with whom he was joined in holy wedlock on February 6, 1889, and who was called to the higher life in 1901. She was an excellent woman, much liked and admired by friends and neighbors. She was a devout member of the United Brethren church, being active in the work of her local organization, and she was buried in Vinton county, near her home. She was the mother of two children, Blanche and Howard, who married Blanche Reynolds. Mr. LaFollette was wedded the second time on March 20, 1902, to Ellen Dunlap, younger sister of his first wife, this marriage being without issue. Mr. LaFollette is a man who has worked hard, who possesses a commendable degree of energy and ambition and is well deserving of the success he has attained. He gives particular attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds a most lucrative line of business and in which he is highly successful. While not a member of any church society, Mr. LaFollette is interested in the work of all and contributes to the best of his ability from time to time to time to various deserving benevolences. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican. although not devoting much time to public issues. However, for seven years he has been a member of the school board of Paint township and in this and other ways shows the keen interest he feels in the educational and other phases of community life. Mr. LaFollette has a host of warm friends in all walks of life, which is ample testimony as to the value of his citizenship and the usefulness of his life. 486 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. DAVID ALLEN. A substantial and progressive farmer of Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, is David Allen, who was born in this township sixty-five years ago. He is strictly a selftumade man, and by his own hard labor has been his possessions grow from a paltry ten acres to an extensive farm of three hundred and sixty acres. Not only has he gained material prosperity for himself and family, but he has also been very much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community. For twenty-five years he performed unselfish service as a member of the school board of his township, and in this capacity did everything he could for the benefit of the children of his township. He and his wife have rearing a family of six child lives of usefulness and honor, all of whom are married and are rearing families of their own. A greater thing than this can no man do, and for this reason, if for no other, David Allen should be classed among the representative men of his township and county. David Allen, the son of Ethan and Susan (Straley) Allen, was born in 1849 in the township where he has always lived. His father was a native of West Virginia, a son of Adam and Nancy Allen. Ethan Allen and wife reared a family of fifteen children, Elizabeth, Nancy, Adam, Joseph, Charles, Eliza, Harvey, David, James H., William; Orville, Arthur, Susan, Alice and one who died in infancy. Adam Allen was in the War of 1812, and to him and his wife were horn five children, Aaron, Adam, William, Elijah and Ethan. David Allen attended the schools of his home neighborhood and early in life began working for himself. He married at the early age of twenty, and he and his young wife took a horse, cow and one hog, rented a farm and started in to make their fortune. They worked and planned together, and as they prospered they added to their land holdings until they now own about three hundred and sixty acres of fine land in Jefferson township. To the original ten acres which they bought. was first added forty three acres, then one hundred and twenty-seven, then fifty-nine, then sixty-four. and finally, seventy-two. As he has enlarged his land holdings he has improved his farm until now he has probably one of the largest farm of the township, and one of the most attractive as well. Mr. Allen was married in 1869 to Isabel West, the daughter of Edmond and Mary (Edge) West. Edmond West came from Virginia and in settled Jefferson township, where Mrs. Allen was horn. Six children have been FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 487 born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, all of whom are married : Edgar, Oscar, Clyde, Ernest, Lena and Mary. Edgar married Bertha Coin and has three children, Mabel, Donald and Marion ; Oscar married Mata Patch and has three children, Annabelle, Harold and Florence ; Clyde married Jennie Janes; Ernest married Edith Baughn and has two children, Lester and Pauline; Lena is the wife of N. W. Lemon and has two daughters, Ruth and Marjorie; Mary became the wife of Chester Janes and has four children, Lucile, Carl, Helen and Janice. Fraternally, Mr. Allen is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellowes, while he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Polictically he is a Republican, and while never taking an active part in politics, he has always shown his hearty support of all measures which he felt would benefit his community in any way. He has always stood for clean living and high thinking and is one of the substantial men of his township. JOHN G. COUCH One of the representative farmers and stock growers of Fayette county, Ohio, is John G. Couch, who is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the Buckeye state. In his labors on the farm he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind way, but has studied and experimented and thus secures the maximum returns from his efforts. He has so ordered his course at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of his community, being a man of honorable business methods and upright principles of life. John G. Couch, who is now living near the town of Bloomingburg, in Paint township, was born August 12, 1857, near Bourneville, this state. He is a son of John and Margaret (Gregg) Couch, his father being a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Ross county, Ohio. John Couch, Sr., enlisted in Company D, Seventy-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years before dying with the typhoid fever in Maryland. He is. buried at Frederickstown, in that state. His brother, Asa F. Couch, was the captain of the company to which John Couch belonged. John G. Couch attended the public schools of Pike county, Ohio, and also was a student in the Waverly high school, in that county, for two years. 488 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. At the age of twenty he began renting land and continued to live on rented land until 1899, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and ten acres, which is located in Paint; Union and Marion townships. Since acquiring this farm he has placed many improvements upon it and has the satisfaction of seeing his farm yield handsome returns in response to his efforts. Mr. Couch was married in April. 1882, to Anna E. Mark, the daughter of Alfred H. and Mary (Harris) Mark, and to this union have been born four. children, Maud, Edna, Harry and Martha. Maud married F. E. Eichelberger ; Edna married Earl Speaks; and has two children, Kennth and Juanita ; Harry and Martha are still single and residing with their father. Mrs. Couch, the mother of these four children. died June 22, 1902. In politics, .Mr. Couch has long been identified with the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and in its welfare he: always been very much interested. MICHAEL C. CREAMER. The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished. In enumeration of the men of the past generation in Fayette county, Ohio, who have succeeded in their special vocation we find that Michael C. Creamer occupies a very important place. The splendid success which came to him was the direct result of the salient points in his character, for with a mind capabe of laying judicious plans and a will strong enough to carry them into execution, his energy, foresight and perseverance carried him forward to a position in the front ranks of the successful men of his community. To accumulate a farm of eleven hundred acres is sufficient evidence that he was a man of keen business ability. At the time of his death he was one of the largest farmers in the county, and one of the four men who owned more than one thousand acres of land. The Creamer family has been identified with the history of Fayette county for more than one hundred years. The family trace their ancestry back to Germany, where George Creamer was born in 1746. His wife, Barbara Clover, was also a native of Germany and after their marriage in 1774 they came to this country and located in Pennsylvania. Later they FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 489 went to Virginia, and from that state migrated with their four sons, Michael, Joseph, David and George, to Fayette county, Ohio. This county was organized in 1810 and in the summer of that year George Creamer, the great-grandfather of Michael C. Creamer, with whom this narrative deals, arrived in this county with his four sons, two of whom were already married and had families of their own. The two married sons were George and Michael, the latter being the grandfather of the present Michael C. Creamer. The whole family settled on Sugar creek, in Jefferson township, and in that township the descendants of the family have now been living for morethan a century. After the surrender of General Hull. at Detroit in 1812, Joseph, Michael and David joined the United States regular army and helped to drive the British out of this country. One of the several children of Michael Creamer was Simeon, the father of Michael C. Creamer. Simeon married Elizabeth Connor and reared a family of ten children, William, Michael, Rosanna, George, Polly, Jacob, Philip, Christian, Wesley and Isaac. Michael Connor Creamer, the second of the ten children born to Simeon ,Creamer and wife, was born March 20, 1830, in this county and died April 19, 1911, on his homestead in Jefferson township. He was born in a rude log cabin which stood on the site where the present substantial dwelling. of the Creamer family now stands. As a youth he was very studious and, although his education was very limited, yet he was an omnivorous reader and was practically self-educated. He started to teach school in his early manhood and taught for several years, and during this time he farmed in the summer seasons. He finally left the school room and devoted all of his attention to his agricultural pursuits and with a success which was indeed remarkable. Mr. Creamer was married October 14, 1862. to Ruhama Scott, the daughter of Charles C. and Jane (Porter) Scott, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Harding county, Ohio. To this union were born seven children : Ethel, deceased ; U. G., unmarried, a farmer and stockman ; C. L., who farms one hundred acres of the home place; S. C., who married Anna Mertz and has two children, Forrest and Dwight ; Gertrude, who married James Coin and has two children, Tully and Lasca, deceased ; Celeste, the wife of Frank Zimmerman and the mother of three children, Brenton, Fay and Ruth: Maude, the wife of Lewis B. Creamer, and Ethel, deceased. Mr. Creamer enlisted for the one-hundred-day service in the Civil War and was mustered in as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty- 490 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. eighth Regiment Ohio. Volunteer Infantry, on May 2, 1864. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Jeffersonville, while, religiously, he and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, yet Mr. Creamer contributed much to teh material, civic and moral advancement of his community. His admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life won for him the admiration, esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship was inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rectitude and honor. WILLIAM CLAY BOSTWICK. Farmer, soldier and public spirited citizen, William Clay Bostwick has lived his life of seventy years within this county in such a way as to make him one of the most highly respected and honored. citizens of the county. Enlisting for service in the Civil War when but a mere youth, he served gallantly and well, participating in a large number of the severest engagements of that memorable struggle. Upon the close of the war he returned to peaceful pursuits and by good management, close economy and strict attention to his interests, lie has accumulated an estate of one thousand one hundred and seventeen acres in Madison township, this making him one of the four men in the county who owns more than one thousand acres of land. The Bostwick family has been identified with the history of this county for more than a century, and during all of these years the family has occupied a prominent place in the various phases of the county's development. William Clay Bostwick, the son of Oliver and Malinda (Thomas) Bostwick, was horn on the farm where he is now living, May 28, 1844. His father was born in this same township in October, 1816, and died April 29, 1867. Malinda Thomas was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 25, 1816, and died at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, July 14, 1885. Oliver and Malinda Bostwick reared a family of eight children : Morton, deceased: Frances, who married Sarah Smith; Annette, the wife of James Jones, deceased Eliza, the wife of S. F. Terry, deceased; William Clay, whose history is here presented Melvina, the wife of C. H. Strawbridge: Sarah, deceased FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 491 who was the    wife of Charles Miller, and Jane, who was the wife of William Green. Oliver Bostwick was the son of William and Sallie (Carter) Bostwick, natives of Vermont and early settlers in this county, where they reared a family of eight children, all of whom are deceased, Adoniram, Sarah, Joseph, Frederick C., William, Lucy Ann, Oliver and Adley. William Bostwick came from Vermont to Fayette county, Ohio, about 180, and settled on land in the vicinity of Yankeetown. William was the son of Joseph Bostwick, a native of Vermont, who, in turn, was a descendant of Arthur Bostwick, the first member of the family to come to America. William C. Bostwick attended the rude district schools of his neighborhood, and when eighteen years of age answered the call of his country for volunteers and served for nearly three years at the front. He enlisted August 13, 1862, at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, in Company G, One Hundred and Thriteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment, under the command of Col. James A. Wilcox, was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and finally participated in the Grand Review at the nation's capital at the close of the war. Among the battles in which this regiment participated may be mentioned the following : Chickamauga, Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Keenest Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Savannah, Averasboro and Bentonville. Mr. Bostwick was with Sherman on his famous march through Georgia Co the sea, and thence northward through the Carolinas into North Carolina. He was finally discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 6, 1865, lacking but a month of being in the service three years. Mr. Bostwick is a loyal member of the J. C. Bostwick Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Bostwick returned to Fayette county and started farming on a farm of one hundred acres. To this as a nucleus he has gradually added to his land holdings. until he now owns one thousand one hundred and seventeen acres of fine farming land in Madison township. In the accumulation of this splendid estate Mr. Bostwick has found a true helpmate in his wife, who has ably assisted him and who is entitled to a due share of the credit. Mr. Bostwick was married November 6, 1873, to Clara Beatty, the daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Hidy) Beatty, of Pickaway county, this state. She was born October 22, 1852, and was one of three children, having a brother, Scott, and a sister who died in infancy. Mrs. Bostwick's grand- 492 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. father came to Fayette county, Ohio, from Virginia in 1818. James Beatty was a soldier in the. War of 1812, and about the year 1847 served as as associate judge of Fayette county. He died in 1879, at an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick are the parents of two children, Harley Oscar, born October 10, 1875, and Oliver Newton, born May 6, 1880. Harley 0. married Maude S. Welton, and has two children, Medrith and Welton ; Oliver Newton married Love A. Julian, and has one daughter, Willa Jean. Politically, Mr. Bostwick has long been identified with the Republican party, and while always taking a deep interest in the current issues of day, yet has never been an aspirant for public Office. He retired from active work several years ago, hut still maintains his interest in the breeding of pure-bred Shire horses. He is an extensive stockholder, a director and vice-president of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. The management of his farm has been entirely turned over to his two sons, Harley Oscar and Oliver Newton. In 1884 Mr. Bostwick organized a military company in Mt. Sterling, of which he was elected captain and served the state in that capacity for more than eight years. PHILIP F. ORTMAN. The invention of the automobile and its subsequent development has created several industries in the United States in which there are several millions of dollars invested. When Elwood Haines displayed his first little gasoline motor in the streets of Kokomo in 1891, he probably little realized that within the course of a few years the automobile would he the highly developed machine it is today. Automobiles have been built which have traveled faster than any engine which was ever placed on a railroad track, and the makers of automobiles say that the limit has not yet been reached. The automobile and its manufacture has given employment to thousands of men, while other thousands ,are engaged in automobile repairing. There is scarcely a city of any size in the United States but has a garage of some kind with facilities for the repair of automobiles. Washington C. H. boasts of one well equipped garage and repair shop and Philip F. Ortman, the manager of the P. F. Ortman Motor Company, is recognized as one of the most expert machinists of this section of the state. Philip F. Ortman, the son of Charles Louis and Elizabeth (Yeoman) Ortman, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 21, 1868. His father. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 493 was born in Prussia, Germany, and came to this country when a young man, settling first in Ross county, Ohio, and later in Fayette county. After coming to this country he married Elizabeth Yeoman, who was born in this county, she being his second wife. His first wife was a Miss Compton, and to his first union four children were born, George, John,. Albert and Charles. To the second union there were four children born also: Enos, a farmer of Union township, this county; Amy, the wife of M. L. Johnson, of Columbus, Ohio ; Philip F., with whom this history deals, and Milton C., of Washington C. H. Charles Louis Ortman was a soldier in the regular army in Germany and served three years, as was required by the law of that country. He died in Fayette county in 1875, being about sixty years of age at the time of his death. The parents of his second wife, Elizabeth Yeoman, were Enos and Amy (Baughn) Yeoman, natives of Fayette county. Enos Yeoman and wife were the parents of thirteen children, Elizabeth, Lucy, Bethiah, Sarah, Allen J., Walter, Milton, Newton, Albert and four who died in early childhood. Philip F. Ortman was reared in Fayette and Ross counties, Ohio, on the farm and received a good common school education in the public schools and remained with his parents until he was grown. He then opened a general repair shop in Lattisville, Ohio, and a year later moved to Fayette county, where he opened a shop in Eber, and lived there for several years. In 1908 he came to Washington C. H. and opened the first automobile agency in the city, since when he has sold several hundred machines in the city and the surrounding community, handling several different kinds of automobiles. He also has a large garage and a machine shop equipped with all the latest and most approved machinery for any kind of automobile repairing. Being an expert mechanic it was easy for him to become acquainted with the mechanism of the automobile, and he has built up a reputation as an expert in this new line of business. Mr. Ortman was married August 16, 1891, to Vianna Davis, the daughter of Ira and ____ (Bryan) Davis, and to this union has been born one daughter, Lela Grace. Mrs. Ortman is a native of this county, as were her parents. Her mother died several years ago and her father is still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of several children, Amaljah, Vianna and several who died in childhood. Fraternally, Mr. Ortman is a member of Confidence Lodge No. 265, Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is not affiliated with any particular party, but casts his vote, especially in local elections, for the best men, and 494 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO not because they happen to be on some party ticketwi While living in Union township, in this county, he served as school director, filling that position in an acceptable manner for fifteen years. He is a popular business man and as manager of and stockholder in the P. F. Ortman Motor Company, has built up a business which is second to none in the countywi He has a large acquaintance throughout the county and is well known and highly esteemed as a reliable and straightforward business man and good citizen. DAVID H. WISSLER. The fifty years which David H. Wissler has spent in Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, has given his neighbors a chance to know him in every phase of his character, and that they respect him and hold him in high reguard is due to the fact that he has led a life free from blame and censure. He is one of the successful farmers of his township, and has succeeded in his chosen vocation through his own courage, persistency and good management. He is a man who believes in lending what aid he can to his neighbors and to the general public, while at the same time advancing his individual interests. He has always been identified with the civic life of community, giving his fellow citizens conscientious and efficient service. David H. Wissler, the son of Christian and Eliza (Core) Wissler, was born January 1o, 1864, on the farm where he is now living, about six miles from Bloomingburg. His farm of one hundred sixty-one acres, known as the Spring Brook farm, is on the Danville pike and is one of the most attractive farms of the township. His father, Christian Wissler, was the son of Henry and Susan (Neff) Wissler, both father and son being born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Christian Wissler located in Madison county, this state, in 1855. In 1856 Henry Wissler came to Ohio and he and his son, Christian, both came to Fayette county and bought farms in Paint township. Christian Wissler and wife reared a family of five children. Charles, David H., Mrs. Evelyn Hosier, Emma and Howard, the last two named being deceased. David H. Wissler attended the Wissler school in his home township, and then spent three years, 1881-4, in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the commercial and civil engineering courses. After the death of his mother, in 1886, he returned home and took over the management of the paternal estate, and at the death of his father, in FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 495 1907, he inherited the old homestead. He has never married and has always devoted himself to farming and stock raising, paying particular attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Berkshire hogs. His brother, Howard. who is now deceased, was educated at Ada, Ohio, and married Catherine Kellough, leaving his widow with two children, Wayne and Grace, who are attending school at Bloomingburg. Mr. Wissler is a Republican in politics, and has been one of his party's leaders for many years. He is a man of high character, and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and. esteem of those with whom he has been associated. A man of broad education, he is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community, . and for years has been recoganized as one of the progressive and representative men of his township and county. He is a man whom to know is to respect and admire, because of is sterling qualities of character and upright life. ELMER McCOY From the earliest ages agriculture has been an honored vocation and men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of. mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood, and no greater blessing can befall a youth than to be reared on the farm. One of the most prosperous of the younger farmers of Fayette county is Elmer McCoy, who is now managing the McCoy estate of one hundred and seventy acres on the Hayes road about three and one-half miles from Bloomingburg. Elmer McCoy, the son of James R. and Martha J. (Hays) McCoy, was born July 10, 1884, in Paint township, three and one-half miles west of Bloomingburg, on the farm where he now resides. James R. McCoy was married November 4, 188o, to Martha J. Hays, and to this union were born two children, Elmer, and Laura, the wife of James Collett. Elmer McCoy attended the district school of his home neighborhood for the first three years of his school life, finishing his education in the Bloomingburg school, graduating from the high school at that place. At age of twenty-one he began the management of the McCoy estate and has been successfully operating this farm ever since. This is one of the best improved and most highly productive farms of the county and, under 496 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. the skillful management of Mr. McCoy, is bringing good returns each year. He raises a, large amount of live stock, giving particular attention to the cattle industry and the raising of Duroc-Jersey swine, in which he has been very successful. Mr. McCoy was married June 26, 1907, to Forest M. McCoy, the daughter of Allison and Francenia (Bonham): McCoy. Although his wife has the same family name, they are no relation. To this union has been born one child, Almer Lynn, who is deceased. Fraternally, Mr. McCoy belongs to the Knights of Pythias, while, po-. litically, he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, but his extensive agricultural interests have prevented him from being actively identified with his party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are all the members of the McCoy family. They are prominent in church work and deeply interested in everything which pertains to its welfare. Mr. McCoy is still a young man and the success which he has attained thus far indicates that he will become one of the substantial men of his county in the course of time. WALLACE CREAMER. To attain the age of ninety-five is an unusual thing and yet Wallace Creamer reached that remarkable age on the 16th day of April, 1914. He was a babe in arms when James Monroe was President of the United States, voted for William Henry Harrison in the fall. of 1840 and had been married twenty years when the battle of Gettysburg was fought. The Creamer family was one of the first to settle in this county and its members have been prominently identified with its history for more than a hundred years. Wallace. Creamer was born on the farm where he is now living and has spent all of his life in Jefferson township. He is the son of David and Elizabeth (Smith) Creamer, natives of Berkeley county, Virginia, and early settlers of Fayette county, Ohio. David Creamer was a soldier of the War of 1812 and was living in this county at the time the war opened. David Creamer was the son of George Creamer, who was the first of the family to come from Virginia to this county. George Creamer had a family of six children, Michael, George, Joseph, David, Mrs. Rosana Christy and one who died in infancy. David Creamer and wife were the parents FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 497 of eight children, Sarah, Wallace, Jaxon, Nancy; Cynthia, Caroline, Kate and Washington  David Creamer took an important part in the early history of the county and served as surveyor of the county for many years. Wallace Creamer went to the Creamer school, a little log cabin in the woods, and learned to read, write and cipher in the manner of all the boys of that time. He is the only living person who attended this school and can relate many interesting stories of his school boy days.. The home farm was largely in woods and his first labor found him swinging the axe, burning logs, splitting rails and doing all of that heavy work which was the lot of the pioneers of this county.  Mr. Creamer was married in 1843 to Elizabeth Gray and consequently has been married more than seventy-one years. He started in with a farm of one hundred acres,. all of which was covered with woods, and now has a finely cultivated farm of two hundred and fifty acres acres in Jefferson township. He has lived to see farming methods completely revolutionized and as new machinery has come into use he has added it to his equipment, and to the end of his active life was fully abreast of the times along agricultural lines. Mr. Creamer voted for the Whig candidates from 1840 until the organization of the Republican party in 1854, and has since cast his vote for the party which elected Lincoln in 186o. He has . been a life long member of the Methodist Protestant church and interested in its welfare. It is no small honor to be known as the oldest man, in his county, and when to this is added the fact that his life has been one of usefulness and honor it can readily be seen why Mr. Creamer is called "The Grand Old Man of Fayette County." GEORGE ELBA ZIMMERMAN To make a success of agriculture it is necessary to be something more than merely a hard worker. In these days when modern machinery has made it possible for the farmer to dispense with laborious efforts in order to get a good crop there is demanded a technical knowledge which it. was not considered necessary to know fifty years ago. There are fields in Fayette county which fifty years ago would even produce twice as much corn as the same fields will yield today for the reason that the soil has lost much of its former fertility. Continuous cropping,. without proper rotation of (32) 498 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO crops or scientific fertilizing, has depleted the plant food in the soil. The wise farmer of today realizes that a knowledge of the constituent elements of the soil is necessary if he wishes to secure the maximum results from his efforts. One of the progressive farmers of Fayette county who keeps well abreast of the latest advances in agriculture is George E. Zimmerman; a prominent farmer and stock raiser of: Jefferson township. George Elba Zimmerman was born 1869, in Greene county, Ohio. and is the son of Fletcher and Lucy (Preddy) Zimmerman. His father was born in this county and was` a son of Obadiah Zimmerman, a native of Virginia and an early settler in Union township, this county. Fletcher -Zimmerman and wife were the parents of eleven children, Alvin Osman T., Frank R., Trustin, George Elba, Dean, John, Mrs. Anna Ellis; Samuel, Mrs. Flora Haas and Mrs. Edith Neal. Fletcher Zimmerman is still living and is the owner of about two hundred acres of land, part of which lies in Fayette county. George E. Zimmerman attended 'the Hargrove school in Jefferson township and later went to the Luttrell school, where he completed his education. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and began fanning on the shares, after which he rented a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, on which he lived for three years, when he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres about three and one-half miles north of Jeffersonville. His farm, known as the Poplar farm, is one of the most attractive in the county and he has always taken great pride in keeping it in good repair. He is an extensive raiser of Duroc hogs and high grade cattle and derives the major portion of his income from the sale of his live stock. Mr, Zimmerman was married December 27, 1893, to Maude Perkins, the daughter of Absalom and Jennie (Hitchcock) Gordon. Mrs. Zimmerman's mother died when she was fifteen months old and she was then adopted by David and Elizabeth (Ervin) Perkins and by them reared to womanhood. David was born in Washington county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Perkins and is living with the subject. Nine children were born to Samuel Perkins and wife : Weston, Willard, Mrs. Matilda Durken, Walter, David, Mrs. Sarah Thomas, Mrs. Columbia Ervin, Esther and Abbie. All of these children are deceased except Matilda and Columbia. Mr. Zimmerman and his wife are the parents of five children, Harold W., Donald R.; Amos V., Ala L. and Theron A. Harold is a graduate of the Jeffersonville high school,' while the other four children are still students FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 499. in the common schools. Their parents are firm believers in the great value of a good education, and they are giving their children the benefit of the best educational training that can be had in the county. The family are all loyal members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are interested and to whose support they are liberal contributors. Fraternally, Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Genial and unassuming in manner, he easily wins friends and always retains them because of his high personal qualities. PERRY C. MOWERY. The career of any man who wins a definite goal in life always presents certain features which should be of interest to the rising generation. The farmer who starts in with seventy-seven and one-half acres and accumulates enough to make a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, as has Perry C. Mowery, of Paint township, this county, deserves a great deal of credit. In these days a man cannot live the life of a hermit, but must be a part of the community in which he lives; therefore, the most valuable citizens to any community are the men who not only are able to manage their own affairs successfully, but also to take an intelligent part in the affairs of the community. Mr. Mowery has not only been successful in his own private affairs, but has, when called upon by his fellow citizens, contributed his share to the welfare of the community in which he resides. Perry C. Mowery, the son of John and Margaret E. (Smith) Mowery, was born October 7, 1868, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio. His was father a native of Pendleton county, Virginia, and when a young man came to Fayette county, Ohio, and worked upon farms in Jefferson township for some time. He worked for the Haigler and Parrett families and shortly after coming to the county married and located in Jefferson township, where he acquired a very comfortable farm. Six children were born to John Mowery and wife : Perry C., Albert R., Seymour, Bertha,. Minnie M. and Myrta M. The education of Mr. Mowery was received in the Hidy district school and was confined to a few months during the winters of his. boyhood days. At the age of twenty-one he began working out by the month, and upon his marriage. at the age of twenty-four years, his wife inherited seventy-seven and one-half acres of his present farm. To this he has since added an equal amount, so that he has one hundred and fifty-five acres of excellent farming