550 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. good education and, after leaving school, assisted his father in carpentering. However, he wished to become a printer and entered one of the newspaper offices of Washington C. H. and learned the trade of a printer. By the time he was twenty years of age he was a practical printer and for the past twenty-two years has been actively identified with the printing business in this city.: On August 6, 1910, he was made the secretary-treasurer of the company in recognition of his ability and integrity. This company publishes two papers.; the Daily Herald, which is independent in politics, and the Weekly Ohio' State Register, which is Democratic. In addition to the publication of these two newspapers, the company does a large amount of job printing and derives no small part of its annual income from this source. Mr. Parrett was married August 28, 1894, to Daisy Lininger, the adopted daughter of John and Catherine (Popejoy) Lininger, and to this union have been born three children, Ruth Margaret, Bessie Pearl and Alice Enid. Mrs. Parrett was horn near Danville, Indiana, and when a small girl, was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Lininger, who gave her all the care and attention possible and educated her so that she is a fitting helpmate for her his. band. Mr. and Mrs. Parrett are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are their daughters. 1 CHARLES WISSLER. One of the prosperous farmers of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio,: is Charles Wissler, who, without being favored by inherited wealth or t assistance of influential friends, has attained a comfortable place in life an is well and favorably known throughout the county where he was born. has reached his success by the observance of those qualities of industry a economy which always characterize the successful man. As a result of his industrious life he is regarded by all who know him as a man of the best type of American citizenship, straightforward, genial and obliging, who, whilei advancing his individual interests, has never neglected his general duties as a citizen of the commonwealth. Charles Wissler, the son of Christian and Eliza (Core) Wissler, was horn July 8, 1868, on the old Wissler homestead in Paint township. He attended the schools of his home neighborhood during the winter seasons a assisted his father with the work on the farm during his summer vacations. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of a FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 551 and then began working for himself. At the of twenty-five he was married and at once located on his present farm of one hundred, and thirty acres about five miles from Bloomingburg. He carries on a general system of farming, paying particular attention to the breeding. and raising of hogs. His farm is well improved and under his skillful management is yielding a handsome return each year. Mr. Wissler was married October 27, 1893, to Mary Shotts, the. daughter of Rufus C. and Magdalene (Sailer) Shotts, and to this union has been born one son, Harry. C.,. who is now attending school. Mrs. Wissler's father was a native of Ross county and now lives in Sedalia, this state. Five chil dren were born to Rufus C. Shotts and wife : Mary, William F., Edward S., Florence B. and Rufus. Politically, Mr. Wissler is a Republican and, although taking an. intelligent interest in the great political issues of the day, yet he has confined his energies to the development of his agricultural interests. He and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal contributors to the support of their favored denomination. JOHN H. PETERS. Among the earnest men: whose enterprise and depth of character have gained for them a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens, there is no one more worthy of mention in this volume than John H. Peters, of Paint township. .A leading farmer and stock raiser of the township in which he resides, and a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has always been exerted for the benefit of his. fellow citizens and the general wefare of his community. With few opportunities except those which his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made. an exceptional success in life and in his old age has the. gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and counsel. John H. Peters, .the son of Daniel and Mary C. (Hawkins) Peters, was born April 3o, 1844, in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia. Daniel Peters was the son of Daniel and Christina (Fansler) Peters, natives also of Virginia. Daniel Peters, Sr., came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1823, where he lived the remainder of his life. Daniel Peters, Jr., and wife were the parents of 552 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO seven children; Ellen, Sarah F John A., Reuben A., Amanda,: Austin S. and William. Ellen died unmarried Sarah F. became the wife of Abraham Mowery, abd has four children, Charles, Amanda, Bess and Ida; Reuben A. married Kate Sheets. and has three children, Charles, Daniel R., and Minnie: Amanda married Noah Zirkle and has four, children, Charles, Fannie, Clara and Jane; Austin S. married Frances Sheets and has three children, Hugh, Rose and Gertrude ; William. married Martha Saum, and has two children. John Peters was educated- in Virginia and, although he was only seventeen years of age when the Civil War broke out; he enlisted in, the Confederate army and served three years. He- was mustered in as a member Company K, Twelfth Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and served under Gen J. E. B. Stewart, his. colonel being Asher W. Harmon. He was captured Culpeper, Virginia, and was held a prisoner of war at Point Lookout, Mar; land, and Elmira, New York, but was exchanged and rejoined his regiment, being finally discharged at Richmond, Virginia. After the close of the war Mr. Peters went to Licking county, Ohio, and for the first three years worked by the month. He saved his earnin bought a team and began farming f Or himself. After his marriage he came to Fayette county and located in Paint township, where he bought a small farm. As he prospered he added to his land holdings until he is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land on the Bloomingburg and Sedalia pike. He has so managed his -farm as to secure maximum results from his efforts, and by dividing his attention between the raising of crops and live stock he has attained a very comfortable competen for his declining years. Mr. Peters was married March 8, 1877, to Nancy J. Green, the daug ter of Louis and Elizabeth (Alkire) Green. -.Her father. was a minister o the Christian church and was a native of Greene county, Ohio. Louis Green and wife were the parents of six children, Mary, Nancy J., Thomas, J. \V., Lucinda and George. Mary became the wife of John Salmon; Thomas married Sarah Hidy, now deceased, and has two children, Emma and Ernest; J. W. married Jennie Bostwick, and has two sons, George W. and Ross; Lucinda became the wife of W. R. Thomas and has four children, Harry, Evan, Bessie and 'William, deceased; George married Mary Brock and has three children, Jessie, Leslie and Margaret. Politically, Mr. Peters has been a life-long Democrat in politics, but has never felt inclined to take an active part in political matters. He and his 'family are consistent members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they have long been. interested. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 553 WILLIAM S. PARKER. The name Of William S. Parker is one familiar to the residents of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, as that of a hard-working, neighborly and commodating farmer, whose time and toil spent in the cultivation of his rtile farm have brought him prosperity and a competence. He lives on his excellent farm of four hundred and sixty-five acres located on the Midway road, about three miles from Bloomingburg, and on this farm he has passed his entire life, having been born on August 28, 1860 in one of the log and ame houses now standing. He is the only child of Robert and Margaret (Selsor) Parker, the former of whom was born on November 28, 1828, on estate land near Bloomingburg. He was a son of. John and Mary (White-an) Parker. John was a native of. Virginia and when a young man came from his home in Hampshire, that state, to this locality. He had left his family Virginia, to remain there until he found a suitable location. This he ound in the tract where Robert, father of the immediate subject, .was born. He was there for a short time, when he purchased the land and brought his family on from the East. John Parker was one of the best educated and ost influential men of his day in this section and to the pioneer life of this calitv brought many of the finer customs of life as found in that older section of our country and which added a much needed charm to: the almost sordid life of the pioneer. William S. Parker received his elementary education in the Larimer pool of Paint township, taking the more advanced grades at the Bloomgburg high school. From his earliest boyhood he assisted. the father in he duties of the homestead and when quite a young man was skilled in the fence of agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Parker's farm is considered ne of the best managed in this section and in every department it testifies y appearances to the thought and care expended on it. Aside from general farming, Mr. Parker gives considerable time to live stock, and in this line of gricultural work he is eminently successful. On January 8, 1891, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Eva Creath, daughter of William A. and Mary E. (McCafferty) Creath, and in view of the fact that he was the only child of his parents he brought his ride to his father's house, where the four lived happily until separated by eath. The father (lied in T(0 and the mother in r892, both being laid to est in Bloomingburg cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born three children, the eldest of whom, Robert C., is now eighteen years old and 554 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. a graduate of Washington high school. Selsor graduated from Bloomingburg burg high school and Kathleen, the youngest of the family, is now attending school at the. latter place. All are promising young people, much admired and respected by the ..circles in which they move. Mr. and Mrs. Parker and their children are consistent members of .the Presbyterian church and giv earnest attention to the spiritual verities of life, contributing liberally of the means to the support of all religious and benevolent movements. In fa they are regarded as among the leading citizens of this section, whose support can be counted on for anything which tends to upbuild the moral, social or educational life of their fellow men. Mr. Parker's political affiliation is with the Republican party, although he has never been active in such circle CHARLES YORE. Among those in this part of the state who have built up a highly creditable reputation and have distinguished themselves by right and honorable living, is the subject of this brief sketch. His prominence •in the affairs of the community is conceded and his deeds will speak for themselves. .1 tried and true old saying is "Actions speak louder than words" and with this thought in mind it can be safely said that the life of the subject of this sketc proclaims to the world what manner of man he is. Charles Yore, one of the most thorough and painstaking farmers of this section, residing on a rented farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres in Paint township, not far from Bloomingburg, was born on January 26, 1855, at Dover Plains in the state of New York, being a son of Bernard and Charlotte (Thompson) Yore. Bernard was a native of England an both in his native country and after locating in the eastern part of our country he followed agriculture as a vocation. In search of better opportunities than the East afforded, he emigrated. westward about sixty years ago, settling in Paint township. His death occurred in 1862 and he lies buried in the old cemetery at Bloomingburg. He was the father of fou children, the immediate subject being the third child of the family. Thon was the eldest, James, the second, and John W., the fourth. When a you boy, the subject attended. what is now known as the Willis school, an o educational landmark known in those days as the Larrimer school. Here he acquired such education as the schools of that time afforded, and assisted in the work of .thehome farm during all of his spare time. Early becam- FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 555 ing interested in the work about a farm, he decided upon agriculture as his life vocation and has been a prominent farmer of this section ever since. He possesses energy and executive ability to a marked degree and this, coupled with his honesty and integrity, has placed him amongst the foremost citizens of this community. He engages in general farming, paying particular attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds the most lucrative line of his vocation and in which he is markedly successful. On December 27, 1888, Mr. Yore was united in marriage with Emma Hutson, a daughter of George and Amanda (Varner) Hutson, the former of whom was horn in Columbiana county, this state. The latter years of his life were spent in Modoc, Indiana, where his death occurred and where he was buried, while his widow makes her home in Muncie, that state. They were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Yore being the third child of the family. The others are John, Ella, George (deceased), Charles, Maggie, Oscar and Lula. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Yore is without issue and in the kindness of their hearts they have taken a little child to rear. Although not legally adopted, this little child, Viola Coe, is being carefully reared and trained in all that makes for a life of useful womanhood. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yore are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent in the affairs of that society, being well known to a large circle of friends and highly ,respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Mr. Yore fully appreciates the value of good citizenship and gladly does all within his power to raise still higher the standard of community exellence in every phase. JACOB WRIGHT. A prominent farmer of Fayette county, who passed away more than half a century ago, was Jacob Wright, whose daughter is still living in this county at the advanced age of seventy-six. Jacob Wright was a typical pioneer and a man who exerted much influence in the community where he lived for so many years. Jacob Wright was born on October 2, 1808, and died in Fayette county, Ohio, April 12, 1862. His father, Jacob Wright, was a native of Frederick county, Virginia, and, first settled in Ohio on Sugar creek in this county. Later Jacob Wright, Sr., moved to the old Herr farm in Jefferson township, and bought this farm of one hundred acres on which he lived until his death. 556 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Jacob Wright,, Sr., was educated in Frederick county,. Virginia, and was a life-long farmer, although he carried on blacksmithing to some extent in connection with his farm work. Jacob .Wright, Jr.,. was married to Susannah Mason, who was born in 1797, and tothis.union two children were born, Joseph and Mary J. Joseph was born April 6, 1836, and. married Martha Sherritt, and they were the parents of five children, John, Ella, Mary J., Martha and Esther. Mary J. Wright was born March 28, 1838, and was first married to Joseph Maxwell, and by this union has one son, Joseph B. Joseph B. was married to Louisa Berry, .and had a family of five children, John, George, Clarence, Chester and 'Forrest. Joseph B. Maxwell was educated in the schools of Fayette county, and is now a prominent farmer in Arkansas. The first husband of Mary J. Wright died in 1862, and :some time later she was married to Jacob Everett, who died March 12, 1881. There were no children by her second marriage. Since the death of her husband in 1881, Mrs. Everett has been managing her farm and has shown marked ability in operating it. She and her . father were consistent members of the Baptist church, and she has always taken an active interest in the affairs of her denomination. Her father was a member of the first county survey of Fayette county. She has seventy-five acres of land, which is well improved and which she rents. JAMES HOMER HUTSON. One of the most successful of the younger farmers of Fayette county is J. H. Hutson, of Paint township, who started in at the foot of the ladder and by his own indomitable energy and good management has accumulated a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-two acres. He is entitled to great credit for the success to which he has attained, since it is due solely to his own efforts. The self-made man always appreciates his wealth more than the man who gets his wealth by inheritance and is usually more careful in taking care of it. While Mr. Hutson has been laying up a comfortable competence for himself and family he has not neglected to take his full share of the burdens of community life, and thus well merits a place among the representative men of his county. James H.. Hutson, the son of Rufus and Emma (Vesey) Hutson. was born on the old Vesey farm in .Paint township, February .15, 1880. His father was_ born in the same township and was the son of Trenton R. and FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 557 Mary (Blessing) Hutson. T. R. Hutson was also a native of this county, his father coming to this county from England. Rufus Hutson and wife were the parents of three sons, James H., Edward and Frank. J. H. Hutson attended the Larrimer school, now known as the. Willis school, the Klever school and finally attended one year at the high school at. Jeffersonville. He remained at home until his marriage in 1904 and then. began farming for himself on his mother's farm. Shortly after his marriage he bought a farm of fifty-one and a fourth acres and, with this as a nucleus,. has become one of the substantial farmers of his township. He was soon in a position to add eighty acres to his original holding and one hundred acres which was inherited by Mrs. Hutson, making two hundred and thirty-two acres. He understands crop rotation and is thus able to keep his farm to the highest state of productivity. He raises good crops every year and has been equally successful as a breeder of high class live stock. Mr. Hutson was married October 12, 1904, to Lola Smith, the daughter of Eli and Minerva (Parrett) Smith. Eli Smith was born in Paint township and is now living a retired life after accumulating a farm of seven hunred acres. Three daughters and one son were born to Eli Smith and wife: Rella, the wife of George Straley ; Alberta, the wife of Abraham Blessing; Herman, and Lola, the wife of Mr. Hutson. Politically, Mr. Hutson is an independent voter, preferring to cast his vote for the best men irrespective of their political affiliation. There are large numbers of our best citizens who are breaking away from the old parties and voting for men rather than for eagles, roosters and moose. The Methodist Episcopal church claims the hearty support of Mr. Hutson and his wife. JEPTHA H. GOSSARD. There are many excellent farmers in Paint township, but none more deserving of mention in this volume than Jeptha H. Gossard, one of the gallant old veterans of the Civil War and a man who has been faithful to every trust which has been imposed upon him. Although, he was only thirteen years of age when the war opened, he enlisted as soon as he was old enough and the county sent no braver soldier to the front. When this sixteen-year-old lad shouldered his musket and marched into battle, as he did several times, he never wavered, hut pressed forward with his regiment and bore his share of 558 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. the fighting. We can not pay too much honor to these men who fought for the emancipation of the black man and at the same time for the preservation of the Union. Jeptha H. Gossard, the son of James and Catherine (Messmore) Gossard, was born July 5, 1847, in Madison county, Ohio. His father was the son of James and Catherine (Miller) Gossard and was born in Ross county, Ohio, his parents coming to this state from Greenbrier county, Virginia. The grandparents of Jeptha are buried at London, Ohio. The father of Jeptha H. Gossard located in Madison county, Ohio, when a young man and learned the shoemaker's trade in Midway and Danville. He farmed in addition to following his trade as a shoemaker and owned a good farm in Madison county. Eleven children were . bor to James and Catherine (Messmore) Gossard: George, Jeptha, Samuel, Marion, William, James, Earl, Theodore, Ida and two who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in Champaign county, Illinois. The education of Jeptha H. Gossard was acquired in the schools of Midway and Newport, Ohio. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his father and followed that until he enlisted in the Civil War. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and served until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and saw hard service in the South. He was mustered out at Camp Bradford, Maryland, and at once returned home. He worked out by the month until he was married and then bought his present farm in Paint township, where he has since resided. Mr. Gossard has been married three times. His first wife was Josephine Slinker and she and two children born to the marriage are deceased. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gossard married Della Homey and to this second union three children were born, Pearl (deceased), Ida (deceased), and Thaddie, who married Charles Lowrey and has three children, Harry (deceased), Margaret and Dorothy. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Gossard married Elizabeth Vesey, the daughter of Burton and Rachel (Bushong) Vesey, and to the third marriage three children were born, Catherine, Verne and Burton. Fraternally, Mr. Gossard is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He has been a life-long Republican and served on the school board of his township for several years. Such; in brief, is the interesting career of a man who is held in high esteem by every one who knows him. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 559 SAMUEL VAN PELT. The farming profession has been revolutionized within the last fifty years, and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmers of. Ohio. Scores of inventions have been put on market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared with arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in ference to seeking their fortunes in the city. Ohio is known throughout length and breadth of this country as one of the best agricultural states le Union, and Fayette county ranks with the best farming sections of the Samuel Van Pelt, a prosperous farmer of Paint township, was born May 28, 1848, in Highland county, Ohio, and is a son of Ellis and Nancy (Holliday) Van Pelt. Ellis Van Pelt was a son of Isaac and Sarah Van while Isaac Van Pelt was the son of Jacob and Sarah (Ryan) Van The father of Jacob Van Pelt came from the Netherlands and landed New York, later settling in Loudoun county, Virginia, where Jacob was born. The Van Pelts went from Virginia to Pennsylvania, and Isaac Van was born in the latter state, later settling in Belmont county, Ohio, where Ellis, the.father of Samuel, was born. Ellis Van Pelt came from Belmont county, Ohio, to Fayette county in 1860, and settled in Paint township. Van Pelt and wife were the parents of nine children, Sarah, John, Sam. Amos, Mary Jane, Joseph, Elizabeth, Charles and Hettie. All of these dren are deceased except Samuel, Joseph, Hettie and John. Samuel Van Pelt received part of his education in Highland county and since he was only twelve years of age when his parents moved to Fayette county, he completed his education in this county. After finishing the e in the Bloomingburg schools, he attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, for one year, and then went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he in school for a time. After leaving college he returned to Fayette county began farming with his father. Upon his marriage, in 1872, he moved to his present farm of fifty-five acres in Paint township, where he has since resided. Mr. Van Pelt was married on September 4, 1872, to Amanda Morris, (laughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union were born five children, Stella, Lula (died in infancy), Verna, Zeda and Ethel. Stella, who died in January, 1906, was the wife of Joseph Allemeng and left 560 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. two children, Bernice and Mary ; Verna is the wife of Dr. A. R. Core and has one daughter, Ercell ; Zeda married David Whiteside and has one son, Robert, Ethel, is the wife of Alva Skinner and has one daughter, Aileen. Mr. Van Pelt is a Republican in politics and has always been inter., in local affairs. He was a trustee in his township for several years and been a, member of the school board for the past thirty-two years, having this position .longer than any man in the township. He and his family a loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare take a deep interest and to whose support they are liberal contributors. SAMUEL MORGAN CORBITT. Though more than a score of years have elapsed since Samuel Morgan Corbitt was transferred from the life militant to the life triumphant, his personality still remains fresh in the memory of his many friends in Fayette county, where for many years he was regarded as one of the leading He was well known throughout this county and was a man respected honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, b cause of his daily life. He set an excellent example to the younger p, tion, for he was a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its upbuilding and in a conservative manner did what good he could in all lines as he labored for his own advancement and that of his family. While advancing his individual interests he never lost sight of his obligations to the munity in general and during his entire life held a high place in the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. The late Samuel Morgan Corbitt was born in Fayette count), Ohio, April 5, 1844, and died on the farm where he was born, August 30, 1891. He the son of Samuel K. and Catherine (Jenkins) Corbitt. Samuel Corbitt, Sr., was seventeen years of age when he came to Fayette county, his partner having died when he was a mere child. He grew to manhood in this co married and reared a family of five children, William Hickling, Mrs. Ruth A. Calhoun, Mattison W., Oliver K., and Samuel Morgan, with whom v, narrative deals. Samuel Morgan Corbitt received his education in the schools of J., son, township and finished at the high school at Jeffersonville, after which he took a business course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio when he returned to this county and took up the occupation of farming, FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 561 he followed until his death. He was a man of fine business ability, keenly ested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, and justly regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of the county. the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and sixty-four of fine land, on which he had modern buildings of all kinds. Mr. Corbitt was married, November 13, 1866, to Mary E. Rowand, the daughter of Benijah and Martha (Correll) Rowand, and to this union were born five children : Jessie Mildred, the wife of P. L. Rodgers ; Laura Vivian, is married to Lewis Bates and has two children, Mary Lucile and Morgan Willard; Minnie Kee, the deceased wife of Charles Wilt ; Lola B., dead, and Roxa LeClare, who is still living with her mother. Politically, Mr. Corbitt was a Democrat and, while never taking an active part in political matters, always took an intelligent interest in the civic of his community. For many years he served on the school board of his township and in that capacity always cast his influence for every measure which he felt would benefit the schools in any way. He built up a reputation an honest, upright and fearless business man and left a record which ps him as a man of. high ideals and sound moral principles. Though er animated by great ambitions for public honors, yet he always gave his to the furtherance of the general interests of his community. His life a busy one and his every-day affairs made, heavy demands upon his time, he never shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his hors and friends. ENNIS STEVENS. For many years Ennis Stevens has been the manager of the Willis estate of six hundred acres, known as the Maplewood Stock Farm, and in this capacity has demonstrated his right to be classed among the most progressive farmers of the county. His whole life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and, being a man of good business ability and boundless energy, he has made a pronounced success of the work to which he has devoted his life thus far. Ennis Stevens, the son of John and Louisa (Landes) Stevens, was born June 9, 1870, in Highland county, Ohio. His father was a native of Pennniasylvania and moved when a small boy with his parents to Highland county, Ohio. In that county John Stevens grew to manhood, married and reared a (36)   562 - FAYETTE COUNTY; OHIO. large family of children, Temperance, Scott, Levi, Steward, Caroline (deceased), Mock, Mary, Alfred, Jennie, Minta (deceased), and Ennis, with whom this narrative deals. The father of these eleven children died years ago and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight. The education- of Ennis Stevens was received in the schools of Hi land county. Before he reached his majority he started to work out by the month and, being a man who made a study of farming, gradually bec thoroughly acquainted with every detail of agriculture. After his marri he began farming in Fayette county and assumed charge of the Maplewood Stock Farm, where he has since remained. He is one of the most extensi stock raisers of the county and markets several car loads each year. Mr. Stevens was married December 26, 1892, to Flora Roush, the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Lemons) Roush. The mother of Mrs. Stevens died when Mrs. Stevens was only six days old and she was then taken a reared by her grandmother, Mrs. Lucinda (Shaffer) Roush. Joshua Roush is still living in Highland county. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents four children, Ethel (deceased), Leland, Gerald and Orin. Fraternally, Mr. Stevens belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America Politically, he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, but has been engrossed with his heavy agricultural interests that he has not had the ti to take an active part in political affairs. He and his wife are consist members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are interested and whose support they are liberal contributors. URBAN W. CANNON. One of the most interesting things about the United States census of 1910 is the statistical history of agriculture. Here may he found a wide variety of information regarding every phase of farming. For instance, it is shown that the value of the 1,846 farms in Fayette county averages $14,494 per farm, with an average value for each acre of $84.93. The average acreage per farm is 135 acres, with 112 farms having from three to nine acre and forty-three farms having more than 500 acres. The interesting fact is set forth that 1,080 farmers operate their own farms, while others than the owners manage the remaining 746. An insight into the financial standing of the farmers operating their own farms is disclosed by the statement that 718 farms are free from mortgage, 354 are encumbered with mortgages, while FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 563 eight made no report. It would pay every farmer to get hold of these valuable statistics and make a careful study of them since he would thus get into touch with the growth of. his county's .agricultural property. One of wide awake and successful farmers, of. Fayette county is Urban W. Cannon, of Paint township, whose interesting career is here briefly set forth. Urban W. Cannon, the son of Levin M. and Jane (Cockerill) Cannon, was born April 30, 1850, in Adams county, Ohio. The Cannon family were one of the most prominent families in Adams county, Curtis Cannon, the grandfather of Urban W., being a hotel proprietor. A brother of Jane Cockerill, Col. J. R. Cockerill, had a national .reputation as a representative Adams county and a prominent attorney and soldier. Colonel Cockerill had a son, John, who was one of the leading newspaper men of Ohio for many and died in Egypt while doing newspaper work in that country.. There six children born to Levin M. Cannon and wife : Annabel .(deceased). Esther (deceased), Urban W., Mrs. Anna Hamilton, Daniel C. and Mrs. Florence Hughes. The education of Urban W. Cannon was received in the schools of Locust Grove, Ohio. He remained at home until his marriage at the age of tiny and then began to rent land in Adams county. He came to Fayette county in 1880 as manager of an estate of six hundred acres and proved to be a very successful farmer. In the nineties he bought his present farm of one red and eight acres about three and a half miles east of Jeffersonville in Paint township. He keeps his farm to a high state of productivity by scientific crop rotation and raises all of the crops of the section of the state. He always keeps as much live stock on his farm as he can feed from his own d adds not a little to his annual income from the sale of live stock. Mr. Cannon was married December 26, 1870, to Amanda McNeil, the daughter of Joseph and Susan (Morrow) McNeil. Both of Mrs. Cannon's parents are deceased and buried in the Fall Creek cemetery in Highland county, Ohio. To this union there were born five children, Curtis, Susan, John C., Harry, and Joseph, deceased. The first wife of Mr. Cannon died and in December, 1912, he married Mrs. Bertha (Holmes) Mergler, the widow of Joseph Mergler. Mrs. Cannon had one son by her first marriage, Rowe, a resident of Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Cannon is a Democrat of decided progressive inclinations and had always taken a deep interest in political affairs. He has served on the school board of his township. The whole career of Mr. Cannon has been such that he has won the hearty approbation of his fellow citizens and is held in high esteem by all who know him. 564 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. JACOB A. WEYER. It requires something more than mere labor to make a success of agriculture at the present time. A farmer might work from dawn to twilight in the year and yet fail to accomplish much. There must he sound judgement and discretion exercised at the same time, and the farmer must have a km edge of his soils, grains, live stock and many other things if he wishes to a success of general farming. Fifty years ago the idea of putting a course farming in our public schools and colleges would have been laughed at, derided even, but at the present time agriculture is being taught in all of states of the Union. Farming has risen in dignity and the man who acccomplishes much as a tiller of the soil today should be accorded a place along the men who succeed in other walks of life. It actually requires as technical an education for a man to be a successful farmer today as for a man to be successful physician or lawyer, and the sooner the farmers of the country find this fact out, the better for the agricultural interests. Jacob A. Weyer, one of the most prosperous farmers of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, was born December 5, 185o, in Highland county, this state. He is a son of William Henry Harrison and Huldah (West) Weyer. the father from Pennsylvania and the mother from Highland county, 0hio. Mrs. William Henry Harrison Weyer was the daughter of John and Barbara (Platter) West, and located in Highland. county, Ohio, where she was born. The subject's father was a life-long farmer and at the time of his death was the owner of five hundred acres of fine land in Highland county. William H. H. Weyer and wife were the parents of nine children, James. William, Mrs. Mary Epperson, Anna R. Hill, Jacob A., Daniel, Ella, Isabella and Albert. All of these children are still living except Mary and Albert. Jacob A. Weyer was educated in the schools of Highland county and completed his educational training at Hillsboro, the county seat of that county. He worked on the farm in Highland county until twenty-eight years old and then came to Fayette county, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of one hundred and ninety-three acres of land along the Danville pike about two miles north of Bloomingburg, where he has been living many years. As a farmer he ranks with the most progressive of the county and has always kept pace with the latest developments in agriculture, adding new machinery as it was brought into the market and otherwise increasing the efficiency of his work. Mr. Weyer was married in 1877 to Frankie Buntain, the daughter of FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 565 James and Melissa (Evans) Buntain, and to this union have been born six children: Maud, the wife of Dr. E. O. Irvin, who has two children, Dorothy and Starling; Jane, unmarried ; Minnie, the wife of Charles McClimans, who has one daughter, Cornelia; Mrs. Nina Junk, who has one son, Ralph; Frank, unmarried, and Mary. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are greatly interested in the welfare of their denomination. Politically, Mr. Weyer is a number of the Progressive party, having become identified with that party in upon its organization in 1912. He was for several years a member of the school board of his township, and in that capacity did everything he could for the benefit of the schools of his township. LEWIS HAMILTON PARRETT. There is no life so free and independent as that which the farmer leads. It is one of the gratifying signs of the times that there are so many of our colleges teaching agriculture and preparing our young men for scientific agriculture. Fayette county has some of the most progressive farmers of the state and few counties have a larger acreage under cultivation. Lewis H. Parrett, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Aarper) Parrett, was born December 1, 1847, in Jefferson township, Fayette county. Joseph was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and was the son of Isaac Parrett. The first of the family to settle in Ohio. Isaac had four children, John, Henry, Joseph and Christine. Joseph Parrett was eleven years of age when his parents settled in Ross county, Ohio, and about fifteen when they permanently located in Fayette county. He grew to manhood in this county and married Elizabeth Harper. Five children were born to Joseph Parrett and wife : Mrs. Emily T. Saum, James M., Joseph M., Christine K. and Lewis Hamilton, with whom this narrative deals. All of these children except Christine and Lewis H. are deceased. Lewis H. Parrett attended the Black Oak school house in Jefferson township and early in life began to help with the work on his father's farm. When he married in 1873 he moved to one of his father's farms, three miles south of Washington C. H. and remained there for three years. He then bought part of his present farm, to which he later added until now he has three hundred and forty acres in Paint township which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. 566 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.. Mr. Parrett was married February 27, 1873, to Mattie Kerr. the daughter of Robert R. and Margaret (McElroy) Kerr. Robert Kerr was born in Ross county, Ohio, near Greenfield, where he lived all his life. Mr. Kerr and wife reared a family of five children, Elizabeth, James. Emma, Mattie, Chalmers, and three others died in infancy. There have been four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Parrett, Inez, Bessie, Harry D. and Ailee. Inez married Ford Irvin and has two daughters, Louise and Martha, Bessie is the wife of Professor Westhafer, of Amherst College Massachusetts. and has one son, Robert L. ; Harry married Alice Tway, Ailee is still in college. All the children have had the best of educational advantages and are filling useful places in society. Politically, Mr. Parrett is a member of the Republican party and always takes an intelligent interest in the civic life of his community. In the he has served as school director of his township and gave his hearty support to all measures proposed for the benefit of the schools. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and active workers in all church and Sabbath school work. Mr. Parrett has been the superintendent of the Sabbath school for the past seventeen years and his wife is a teacher. The whole life of Mr. Parrett has been that of a high minded and public spirited citizen and all of his actions have been such as to bring him the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens. FRANK E. WHITESIDE. For many years an instructor of youth in Fayette county, Ohio, and the present postmaster of Bloomingburg, Frank E. Whiteside has made his influence for good apparent in the lives of many of the younger generation throughout the county and has long been regarded as a public spirited citizen whose influence could be counted on for whatever venture had as its ultimate object the betterment of the moral, social or educational status of the community. Frank E. Whiteside is a native son of the old Buckeye state. having born in Madison county, near Mount Sterling, on August 21, 1876, the son of James and Catherine (Quay) Whiteside. James was also a native of this state, born in Pickaway county near Darbyville, where he received his education and grew to maturity. He has always followed the vocation of farming prospering therein and becoming a considerable land owner. He at one time owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Paint township. this county, FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 567 which he has disposed of and now lives in quiet retirement in Bloomingburg. Special honor is due James Whiteside in that he was one of those loyal sons of the Union who went to the front during the dark days of the Civil War and was one of that victorious army which preserved the integrity of the nation. He enlisted for service in August, 1862, with a number of other men in and about Circleville, becoming a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was immediately marched to the front, where his regiment saw three years of service. A peculiar incident is that he was wounded on the last day of his service, having been in many engagements previously without receiving a single scratch. After receiving honorable discharge, he returned to Fayette county, being employed by the month in work on various farms. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Catherine Quay, their union being blessed with seven children, Allen, John, James, Creighton, Clara, Frank E., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Charles. Frank E. Whiteside received his elementary education in the schools of Paint township, near his home, first entering in 1883. After advancing as far in his studies as was at that time possible in that neighborhood, he attended high school in Bloomingburg for two years. He received his higher education and special training in teaching at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada,. And the Wooster University. After completing his studies in these various halls of learning, he was well equipped for imparting instruction to the young and for thirteen years was connected with various schools of Fayette county. He served two terms, or six years, as school examiner of his county. The successful school teacher needs to possess far more than merely a good educacution. There must be a full understanding and sympathy with youth and its various problems, a natural leadership and a never failing, but unostentatious, influence in the direction of high and worthy motives. The influence of such a teacher is far-reaching in its effects and he can point with pride to useful young lives which have developed under his care and tutelage. The esteem in which Mr. Whiteside is held throughout the county marks him as one who has done well in his chosen vocation. On January 16, 1911, Mr. Whiteside received from President Taft the appointment to the postmastership of Bloomingburg and is retaining same under the rules of the civil service commission. On April 27, 1910, Mr. Whiteside was united in marriage with Inez Pinkerton, daughter of H. A. and Mary E. (Rodgers) Pinkerton, being their only child. H. A. Pinkerton was born and raised in Paint township, receiving 568 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. his education in this locality and has the enviable record of having taught school for thirty-five consecutive years. To Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside has been born one child, Margaret Eloise, who is now two years old and a promising little daughter. Mr. Whiteside's fraternal affiliations are with the time honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, the woman's auxiliary of Masonry. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. While not directly associated with any particular church, both Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside are interested in the work of all and give such assistance as they find possible. He is a man of genial temperament who makes friends readily, his relations with his acquaintances being of a most congenial order. He is well known all over Fayette county and enjoys a well-deserved popularity among his fellow citizens. L. ERVIN PARRETT. The respect which should always be accorded to the brave sons of North who left their homes and peaceful pursuits to give their services their lives, if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American -Union, is tainly due to L. Ervin Parrett, to a brief review of whose life the histo now addresses himself. Although a mere lad of eighteen at the time of enlistment, yet he was not to be daunted and on the long and tiresome ma in all kinds of situations, he proved his love and loyalty to his government. Too much honor cannot be given to those boys in blue who were expo the summer's withering sun and the winter's freezing cold, who walked, the lonely picket line, a target for the unseen foe, and fought on the field of without a thought of their own dangers. L. Ervin Parrett, the son of A. F. and Caroline (Hess) Parrett, was born in Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, August 22, 1844. His father was the son of John and Catherine (Windle) Parrett, and was born in Jefferson township. John Parrett came to Fayette county about the year 1811, the year after the county was organized. John Parrett and his wife are on buried the farm where he first located on the banks of Paint creek. A. F. Parrett was one of the most substantial farmers of the county during his day reared a family of four children, Melissa, Ella, Mrs. Indey Van Pelt, and L. Ervin, with whom this narrative deals. L. Ervin Parrett was reared on the farm in Paint township, attended FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 569 the district schools of his neighborhood during the short winter sessions and spent his summer vacations on his father's farm, assisting with the farm work. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served during the remainder of the Civil War. His regiment, commanded by Col. Conrad Garris, participated in many of the hard-fought battles of that memorable struggle and won a gallant name for itself. Immediately after the close of the war he returned to peaceful pursuits in his home county. He at once took up agricultural purits and for nearly half a century has been engaged in farming in Paint township. His farm of four hundred acres, known as the Wildwood farm, is well improved and is one of the most attractive farms of the county. Mr. Parrett was married to Jennie Hays on the 25th day of March, 1888, and to this union has been born one daughter, Faith, who married Homer Miller, and has two children, Irvin and Marjorie. Mr. Parrett's fraternal associations are confined to John Bell Post, Grand 'Army of the Republic, at Washington. C. H., to which he has belonged for many years. JAMES W. DUFFEE. It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. James W. Duffee is distinctively one of the representative business men of Washington C. H., where for forty-five years he has been recognized as a merchant whose dealngs were ever "on the square" and who has always enjoyed to a notable degree the respect and confidence of all who have had dealings with him. James W. Duffee was born in Hocking county, Ohio, on January 17, 1845. His .parents were Charles and Lucinda (Tumbleson) Duffee, natives, respectively, of . Meigs county, Ohio, and Virginia. They were the parents of one child besides the subject, George W., who came to his death by murder in 1913. Charles Duffee was the son of Daniel and Margaret (Donahoe) Duffee, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Meigs county, Ohio, their deaths occurring in Hocking Valley when about sixty-four years old. They had eight children, Barney, Jackson, Edward, Leander, Wesley, 570 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Charles, Margaret and Mary. Charles Duffee followed the vocation of farming until thirty-two years of age, when he engaged in the shoe business at Washington C. H., and a few years later retired from that line and eng in the grocery business, which commanded his attention until his death, w occurred in 1895, when about seventy-three years of age. His wife had di at the early age of twentytfive years. They were Methodists in their religious belief and were Godtfearing and earnest people. Charles Duffee was a vete of the Civil War, having enlisted early in the conflict in the First Legit Ohio Cavalry, with which he served about seventeen months. It was he w as orderly for General Smith, carried the order to General Porter to move troops from the second battle field of Bull Run. He was marshal of W ington C. H. for two or three terms when it was a village. The subje maternal grandparents, William and 'Lucinda (Campbell) Tumbleson, we natives of Virginia. They became early settlers in Hocking county, Oh and died there. Their children were six in number, John, Thomas. Lucin Maria, Lucretia, Mary. James W. Duffee was brought by his parents to Washington C. H. when but thirteen years of age and in the public schools of, this city he secured a good practical education. At the outbreak of the Civil War, though he was not yet sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a member of Company C, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. George B. Gardner. After serving about one year, he was captured at Harper's Ferry, but was soon paroled and was later discharged from the service at Chicago. Mr. Duffee then returned to Washington C. H. and applied himself to the trade of shoemaking, which vocation he followed about ten years. He then entered into-a partnership with his father and opened a shoe store, which they ran for about seven years, but at the end of that time they disposed of the shoe ht ness and engaged in the grocery business. This enterprise met with suc from the start and Mr. Duffee has continued uninterruptedly to the present time, having conducted business in one room for thirty-eight years. He during all this time enjoyed his full share of the local patronage, due to courteous treatment of his customers and his earnest efforts to please all who enter his store. He is a good manager, thoroughly understands the demands of his trade and caters carefully thereto, with the result that he is numbered among the most successful of Washington's business men. On the 16th day of May, 1868, Mr. Duffee was married to Francis Wendle, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Rupright) Wendle. To this union have been born three children FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 571 Gracie, Margaretta and a son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Duffee's parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany, who emigrated to the United States and became early settlers of Columbus, Ohio, though later they moved to Washington C. H., where they both died. They had seven children, Frances, Peter, William, Daniel, Theodore, Allie and Clara. In their religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Duffee are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he belongs to Fayette Lodge No. 107, Free and Accepted Masons; to Fayette Chapter No. 103 Royal Arch Masons, and to John M. Bell Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a Democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs, having served for nine years as a member of the school board and doing much effective work in the cause of education. He is also a trustee of the Memorial Hall and was for some years a member of the board of tax commissioners and one of the sinking fund trustees. He has at all times had the welfare of the community at heart and has given his support to many movements for the general uplift. He has also helped in a material way and is a heavy stockholder in the Fayette Canning Company, of which he is president. Next to the oldest merchant in Washington C. H., in point of continuous service, Mr. Duffee has, by an active, public-spirited and progressive attitude, long been numbered among the influential men of his community and he is eminently deserving of the high standing which he enjoys wide reader and keen observer of men and events, he is keenly alive to the great issues of the day and his opinions and advice are held in high regard by those who are close to him. Of genial and kindly disposition he has won a host of warm and loyal friends. O. WADE CREATH. The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their families and of the community, and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other vocations and profesions. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the leading citizens of the township in which he lives, -and as such has made his influence felt among his fellowmen and earned a name for enterprise, integrity 572 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume. O. Wade Creath, present mayor of the village of Bloomingburg, Ohio, and :manager of the Home Telephone Company of that place, was born on November 18, 1870, in Madison county, near Mount Sterling, on the old Creath homestead, where his father also was born and raised. He is the son of William. Allen Creath, a short sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere in this volume. His mother was Mary E. McCafferty, who is deceased. William Allen Creath, who is a life-long farmer, is now living in retirement. The subject is one of a family of four children, being the third child in order 'of birth'. Eva, the oldest of the family, is Mrs. William Parker and resides near Bloomingburg. Minnie is the wife of Dr. J. E. Holmes, of Columbus. while Clarence, the youngest of the family, practices dentistry in St. Paul, Minnesota. His wife before her 'marriage was Alene Schrader and they have 'one child, Willard. Mr. Creath received his elementary education in the schools of Bloomingburg, later receivingthe the more advanced grades at Wooster, this state. After completing his studies at that point, he for a time attended the university at Ann Arbor, Michigan. He returned to Bloomingburg, where for a time he was connected with a general store and then at the outbreak of hostilities between our nation and Spain he enlisted for service with Company D, Eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going from Wooster. He saw active service and was at Santiago, Cuba, at its fall. After the close of the war he returned here and some time later became interested in telephone service. He was instrumental largely in bringing the telephone service of the county up to its present high state of efficiency and for some time has been manager of the Aome Telephone Company. Mr. Creath's political affiliation is with the Republican party and on that ticket he was,, in November, 1911, elected to the office of mayor of Bloomingburg, and again elected in November, 1913, which position he fills with efficiency at the present time. He has for many years taken an active part in the politics of this locality and is regarded as one of the best workers of his party. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, to which he gives loyal support. Mr. Creath is a man of energy and laudable ambitions, as witnessed by the fact that he is at present reading law with a view to completing his studies begun at Ann Arbor some years back. In this endeavor he bids fair to attain a gratifying degree of success for, aside from his unswerving integrity and courteous manner, he possesses a quiet firmness which will serve him well in his chosen vocation. Practically Mr. Creath's entire life has been passed in this locality FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 573 and throughout the years he has been true to every trust imposed in him of whatsoever nature. He possesses a kindly and genial disposition, is a pleas, log companion and readily makes friends. He is well informed on a wide :age of topics and with his native ability and the determination he has to rise-till further on the ladder of success, he bids fair in the years to come to place himself still further in the forefront of Fayette county's leading citizens. FRANK L. PARRETT. Among the citizens of Fayette county, Ohio, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with valuable personal property few have atttained a greater degree of success than Frank L. Parrett, the owner of one thousand acres of land in this county. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering, and with many diffitculties and discouragements to overcome, he has achieved an exceptional success in life and is one of the four farmers of this county who own one thousand or more acre§ of land. He has always been regarded as a good business man, an excellent manager and a man who was thoroughly in touch with all of the latest agricultural methods. He has always enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who knew him for his friendly manner, his interest in public affairs and his upright mode of• life, and is regarded by those who know him as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the county, in whose advancement and growth he has always taken a prominent part. Frank L. Parrett, son of Capt. T. F. and. Mary (Greenlee) Parrett, was born November 2, 1864, on the Sugar. Creek farm in Jefferson township, this county. As a boy he attended the public schools of his township during the winter seasons and worked on his father's farm during the summers. At the age of eighteen he commenced farming for himself by renting land and later bought one hundred acres, which formed the nucleus of his present ex-the tensive land holdings. He has always been an extensive stock raiser and particularly successful in the raising of Belgian horses and Shorthorn cattle. As he has prospered he has added to his original acreage until he is now the owner of one thousand acres in this county located about six miles north of Washington C. H. on the Prairie pike. Mr. Parrett was married March 25, 1886, to Stella Briggs, the daughter f Abner and Catherine ( Johnson) Briggs, and to this union has been born one child, who died in infancy. the 574 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Politically, Mr. Parrett is a Republican, the and has always beenthe interested particularly in local politics. He has served on the school board of Paint township and in this capacity favored every measure which he felt would benefit the schools of the township in any way. JOSIAH HOPKINS. The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. The late Josiah Hopkins, one of the best known and most highly esteemed men. of Fayette county, resided here practically all his life, and his career was most commendable one in every respect, well deserving of being perpetuated:,. in the annals of his county. Like his sterling father before him, he was a man of well defined purpose and never failed to carry to successful completion any work or enterprise to which he addressed himself and during his lifetime contributed in a definite way to the general growth of Fayette county. Josiah Hopkins was a native of Fayette county, having been born near the present Fairview church, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad. on the 7th day of October, 1832, and died at his home in Washington C. H., April 14, 1914. His parents, Jeremiah and Nancy (Claypool) Hopkins.' were natives of Pennsylvania and, with the desire to benefit their financial con-: dition, they, in an early day, moved with the title of emigration westward and became pioneer setlers of Fayette county, Ohio, wheer they spent the rest of their days. Jeremiah Hopkins followed the vocation of farming, in which he was successful, and was a strong and sturdy figure in the early days of the community. His death occurred at Washington C. H. in 1875, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was survived a number of years by his widow, who died 1 1113/.31, 1891, having been born May 17, 1807. They were faithful and earnest members of the Wesleyan Methodist church and, because of their consistent and upright lives, they enjoyed the esteem of the entire community. They were the parents of thirteen children, of which number eleven grew to maturity, namely : Mary Jane. deceased, was the wife of Cyrus Hegler; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Julius Bicknell ; Washington, who lives near Eldorado Springs, Missouri : Josiah, the immediate subject of this review; David, of Washington C. H. : Elijah, of Hot Springs, Arkansas: Nancy wife of Joseph Beatty, of Washington C. H. ; Phoebe, wife of Albert Peter son, of Frankfort, Ros county, Ohio; Harriett Ann, wife of George Hamilton, of Florida ; Orange Scott, who was a soldier in the Civil War and