BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHN L. BARNES. John L. Barnes, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Pickaway County, and a son of David and Margaret (Shannon) Barnes. He was born September 14, 3, and was reared and educated in Pickaway County, and came to Fayette in September, 1857, where he married Miss Sarah L. Ford, daughter of E. L. Ford, whose biography appears in this work, May 7, 1867. Seven children are the result of this union: Estella, Roscoe, Clara, Pearl, John L. (deceased), Harry, and an infant yet unnamed. Mr. Barnes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, situated on the south of Milledgeville, on which he lives, and farms to both grain and stock. He is a member of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M. He served in the one hundred days' service during the late war. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has served as trustee of this township since 1879. Some years since he was engaged in shipping live stock to New York and Philadelphia, but of late has done comparatively, little shipping. 726 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. JAMES COIL. James Coil, farmer, was born in Union Township, this county, December 1, 1840. When about two years of age, his parents—Elias and Mahala Coil—came to this township, where the father died, in August, 1878, and the mother still lives. They had a family of ten children, three of whom are living. James, the eldest, was married, May 31, 1866, to Miss Sallie M. Sanderson, who has borne him five children : Emily J., John, Elias, Sarah E., and Russie E.; all living save Elias, who died January 27, 1876. Mr. Coil has a farm of two hundred and forty-nine acres, where he lives, and sixty and one-fourth acres four miles east. He has bought seventy-one acres of this by his own industry and economy. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. They are good neighbors and respected citizens. ELIAS COIL. Elias Coil, deceased, was born in 1814, on Sugar Creek, in Union Township, and was married, September 20, 1839, to Mahala Rankin, daughter of Thomas Rankin, who was born February 18, 1818, in Jasper Township. Her mother was Barbara Foltz; her husband's mother Mary House, born November 15, 1789, and died February 17, 1866. They were both natives of Virginia. The union was blessed by ten children : James, Simon, Mary, Susan, Samuel, Amos, Emily, Elizabeth J., Sarah, and Christina. Elizabeth J., James, and Sarah, are living; the others have passed to the other shore. The family is connected with the Protestant Methodist Church, and attend services at the Sugar Creek Chapel. He was an exemplary Christian, and died in the faith very triumphantly, August 5, 1878. His wife and children follow in his footsteps. His son Simon enlisted in Company A, 54th O. V. I., and was out nearly three years. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and upon recovering returned to the field, but lost his health, and departed this life three weeks after his return home. He was but nineteen years of age when he went out, but was brave and patriotic, and deserves mention as being one of the many who gave up their lives that the country might live. JASPER TOWNSHIP - 727 The heirs of our subject own one thousand acres of land, a portion of which is in Union Township. Mrs. Coil resides in a neat residence on the Palmer pike, four and a half miles from Washington. Mr. Coil was a Republican, and the family still indorse his sentiments. Of the children, Mary, wife of Jacob Warner, is now deceased; James is married to Sallie M. Sanderson; Emily, wife of Thomas Garlinger, is also deceased; Sarah is now Mrs. Martin A. Plymire. JONES COONS. Jones Coons, deceased, is a son of John Coons, who was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and whose ancestors were from Germany. Prior to his marriage he came to this county, selected a location, and lived there till his death. Our subject was born October 5, 1824, on Indian Creek, Fayette County, and was principally reared on the place, in this township, now owned by his heirs, and was a farmer by occupation. He was married, May 3, 1871, to Rosa Gannan, daughter of John and Anna Gannan, who were born and married in Ireland. Mrs. Coons was born on the "briny deep," September 26, 1842. Her mother died about two years after her birth. Her father lived in New York, where he died in 1862, or 1863. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Coons was blessed by two children : Jacob and Mary M. He went out during the late war, being a member of the Home Guard, and assisted in driving the rebel forces from our borders. He was a Republican, but did not seek office. He was an honest and upright citizen, and departed this life May 12, 1874. His wife and children occupy the old homestead, located near Milledgeville, on the Washington and Jamestown pike, the total number of acres owned by the heirs being four hundred and sixteen. He farmed to grain and stock with good success. The father of our subject died June 6, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The heirs of father and son endeavor to perpetuate the good name. JAMES W. FICHTHORN. James W. Fichthorn, farmer, is a son of Samuel, who was a son of Philip Fichthorn, whose ancestry came from Germany, and who 728 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. was born in 1763, and married Magdalene Harpole, who bore him five children, of whom Samuel, the third, was born in 1808, December 29th, in Pendleton County, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1813, settled in Ross County, and came to the farm he now occupies in 1833. In 1836 he married Anna Maria Hogue, who bore him six children : John P., James, Robert, Samuel, Eliza, and Melinda. Both parents are living. The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm, May 30, 1842, where he was reared, educated, and married, December 13, 1866, to Sarah Shafer, daughter of John Shafer. She was born in Clifton, Greene County, Ohio. The union was blessed by four children : Clara, Elsie, and twins; who died in infancy. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 90th O. V. I., and remained in the service till the regiment was mustered out, participating in all the battles. He received a slight wound at Chickamauga, but continued in the service. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and contracted poor health, from which he still suers. He cleared seventy-three acres on his father's farm, near Milledgeville, and improved and ditched the same, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and farms to grain and stuck. SAMUEL W. FICHTHORN. Samuel W. Fichthorn, is a son of Samuel and Ann Fichthorn, and was born in this county, March 31, 1850, where he was reared, educated, and married Miss Mary A. Ford, daughter of E. L. Ford, whose biography appears in this work. They have two surviving children: Charles R. and Leila M., and one elide M. who died, November 21, 1880, aged thirteen months. Mr. Fichthorn has a farm of thirty-one acres, also has control of one hundred acres of his father-in-law's farm. He farms to both grain and stock. Ile is not an aspirant to office, consequently has held none of the county offices. He is a Republican, and a highly respected citizen who has many friends. E. L. FORD. E. L. Ford, merchant, farmer and stock dealer, Milledgeville, was born in Cumberland County, Maine, September 20, 1819, where he was educated in the common schools and neighboring seminaries JASPER TOWNSHIP - 729 till fourteen years of age, when he began teaching, and continued until 1841, and then came to Hamilton County, this state, and taught till 1843. He married Miss Martha M. Snider, daughter of General John Snider, of Hamilton County, June 4, 1843. Mrs. Ford was born September 16, 1825. Seven children are the result of this marriage ; four sons and three daughters. Soon after marriage, Mr. Ford engaged in the mercantile business for two years, and shortly after followed stock trading. He took two droves of horses to Boston, Massachusetts, riding the whole distance on horseback. In 1846, he came to South Plymouth, where he now lives, and drove team for a time, buying country produce, hauling it to Cincinnati, seventy miles, and purchasing a load of staple goods for a back load. The first land he bought was one hundred acres, at $18.00 per acre. He has since bought at prices ranging from $18.00 to $70.00 per acre. He now has a farm of more than fourteen hundred acres, all in a good state of cultivation, well fenced, well watered and well stocked. He deals largely in sheep, cattle and hogs, and has held the office of township trustee for years. In 1872, he was elected commissioner of this county and served one term. He served several years as director of the Merchants and Farmers Bank of Washington, and is liberal to the support of churches, schools and other public improvements. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church. WILLIAMSON FURGISON. Williamson Furgison, farmer, Milledgeville, is a native of Virginia, born March 10, 1812, and came to this state, in 1832, located in Clinton County, where he was married, September 5, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Tharp, who bore him four sons and four daughters, all living except Joshua, who died in the service of the late war, 54th Regiment, under Captain Yeoman. He was wounded by a bursting shell, which resulted in his death. Calip, Joseph and Zacariah (younger sons), also served in the war. Joseph enlisted at the beginning of the war and served till its close. Mrs. Furgison died, October, 1849. He then married Jemimah Rankin, November, 1858, who has borne him three daughters and two sons, all 730 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. living; and all of the family of thirteen children are married except five. Mr. Furgison has a farm of three hundred and seventy-two acres well improved; an account of which, with date of settlement, appears in another part of the work. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith his first wife died. He is a highly respected citizen, and has a reputable family. JOHN GROVE. John Grove, miller, Milledgeville, is a son of John and Anna Grove, and was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 14, 1840, where he was reared. In 1862 be went to Clinton County, and remained until 1872, which time was spent in farming and milling. He was married, in December, 1862, to Miss Jennie Baschore, of Clinton County, who has borne him four children : Sarah E., Oliver, Henry, and Zella, all living. On coming to this place, Mr. Grove engaged in milling, and continues in the business successfully. Mrs. Grove is a member of the Disciple Church. This is one of Jasper Township's most highly respected families, who have many warm friends. ABEL H. JANES. Abel H. Janes, farmer, is a son of William and Mary Janes, and was born February 11, 1839. He was married, February 7, 1867, to Miss Almeda Hays, daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint Township, this county. Three children, William M., Cass G., and Jennie P., are the result of this union. Mr. Janes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, one mile south of West Lancaster, on the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He enlisted in Company H, 60th 0. V. I., August 9, 1862, and served until the entire company was captured at Harper's Ferry, from which place they went to Chicago, where they were mustered out. He was first sergeant of Company D, 168th 0. N. G., from May, 1863, until September 10, 1864, when an honorable discharge was duly granted. He is a stalwart Republican, and a highly respected citizen. JASPER TOWNSHIP - 731 JOHN MERCHANT. John Merchant, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Fayette County. He was born July 18, 1827, and reared and educated in the same county. August 16, 1846, he was married to Miss Ellen Breakfield, and has lived here thus far through life. He and his wife were educated in the same school, and reared in the same neighborhood. They had a family of ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters survive. Mr. Merchant has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, where he lives, situated south of Allentown. This fine farm, two hundred acres given to the children, and at least five thousand dollars' worth of stock and implements, are the result of his own industry and good management, except less than one thousand dollars, given him by his and his wife's father, three years after their marriage. Mrs. Merchant and the two older daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Merchant is one of the corporators of the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He is a public-spirited man, and contributes largely to churches, schools, etc. He has paid $5,600 for the pikes of this township. He is a highly respected citizen, a good business man, and a respected neighbor. DAVID M. OSBORN. David M. Osborn, farmer, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and a son of David and Prisocia (Gatch) Osborn. His father was born in Kentucky, about 1786, and his mother was born in 1779. They were married in Clermont County. Four sons and one daughter were the result of this union. Our subject, the third, was born May 2, 1819, and came to Greene County, April 5, 1833, where he remained until January 2, 1862, when he came to Fayette County, and located where he now lives. He was married four times; first, to Miss Cynthia Jackson, February 22, 1838, who bore him three sons and three daughters, and died April 4, 1852, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then married Mrs. Narcissa (Steward) Carpenter, March 17, 1853. There was one child by this marriage. Mrs. Osborn died May 19, 1854, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married to Miss Charlotte A. Furguson, October 4, 1855, who bore him two children, and died March 28, 1859, a member of the same church. He was married 732 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. to Susanna Christy June 18, 1861. They have one child. Mr. Osborn joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when eighteen years of age, and has held church offices since he was twenty-two, from steward to the ministry. He was licensed to preach in 1860, and has since preached and practiced the teachings of the Bible. Ile served as justice of the peace of this township, and was lieutenant of a militia company several years, ending about 1850. His son Elihu served as sergeant in Company I, 31st O. V. V. I., during the late war, and was killed by the Indians in Kansas, August 25, 1873. Nathaniel C. enlisted in the 25th 0. V. V. I., which later formed the 12th Ohio Battery, and served till the close of the war. Our subject's grandfather (Gatch) was a member of the first Methodist Episcopal conference, held in Baltimore. The family is one of repute, which has been reared and educated in the Methodist Episcopal Church. MARK PEARSON. Mark Pearson, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and was born February 24, 1807. His parents were on their way West, when they stopped temporarily on the Blue Ridge, where our subject was born. They arrived at Highland County, Ohio, in 1810; removed to Clinton County, then to Greene, where the parents died. Our subject came to Fayette County in 1836, and located on the farm where he now lives, and has well improved, then an unbroken forest, wet, heavily timbered, and in many respects uninviting. The woods were then filled with wild game—turkey, squirrels, etc., and some deer. The nearest church was about three miles, a log building, used for religious and school purposes. He now has a fine farm of two hundred acres, through which the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad passes, located on the west line of the county. e was married, September 7, 1828, to Miss Phoebe Chaney, of Greene County, who has borne him five children, two of whom survive. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. This is a Democratic family, of good repute, and are well and favorably known. ELIAS H. PEELLE. Elias H. Peelle, farmer, is a son of Reuben and Emily (Wilson) JASPER TOWNSHIP - 733 Peelle. He was born in Clinton County, April 10, 1843, where he was reared and educated. He was married, May 10, 1867, to Miss Aramathea Creamer, daughter of Simeon Creamer, who has borne him five children: Frank A., Carrie (deceased), Dalton C., Adda M., and Florence. Mr. Peelle located in this county immediately after marriage, where he has since lived, and has a well-improved farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, situated on the west line of the county. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. He is a Republican, and a highly respected citizen. JOHN L. PERSINGER. John L. Persinger, farmer, Milledgeville, a son of David Persinger, of this county, was born July 22, 1837. Was married, March 14, 1861, to Jane Peebles, daughter of Andrew and Helen Peebles. Ten children are the result of this union, five sons and five daughters. Two of the sous are deceased. Mr. Persinger has a farm of nine hundred and eighty-seven acres, well improved, situated one mile south of Milledgeville, where he lives, and seven hundred and ninety-five acres in the southwestern part of the township; also four hundred acres in Concord Township, formerly owned by Governor Trimble. He is one of the largest real estate owners in the county, a public spirited man, who contributes largely to the support of churches, schools, railroads, and general public improvements. Was a director of the Dayton & Southeastern Railroad four years, and contributed liberally to the building of it. He deals largely in cattle and hogs; also' has some sheep. Has at present more than two hundred head of cattle. He is a highly respected citizen, and has many friends. JOHN PERRILL. John Perrill, farmer, Milledgeville, a son of Hugh Perrin, was born June 17, 1823, in Highland County, where he was reared till fourteen years of age, when he went with his grandparents to Pike County. Here he remained until he attained his majority. He bought and drove stock from Ohio to Pennsylvania and New York markets, until twenty-nine years of age, when he came to Fayette County. Here, November 14, 1855, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Sparks, daughter of Elias M. Sparks. Eleven 734 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. children are the result of this union, six sons and five daughters. Two are deceased. Our subject's mother died in Highland County, in 1835; his father in Kentucky, about 1847. Mr. Perrill has a farm of three hundred and forty acres, well improved, where he lives; and two hundred and fourteen acres one mile west. This property is the result of his industry and good management. Ile is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared, yet is not a member of any church. Is well and favorably known, and has a reputable family. SMITH RANKIN. Smith Rankin, retired farmer, Milledgeville, was born in this township, June 6, 1822, and was educated in the log school house. February 13, 1844, he was married to Miss Parthenia Wood, and has since lived here, and reared a family of five children, who are, or have been school teachers. All are married except the youngest, who is at home with her parents. Mr. Rankin has a farm of three hundred acres, situated at the west side of Milledgeville, which he leased when he came here, having no money to buy with. Now he has it well improved, and in good cultivation. Has been very liberal to public enterprises, and contributed largely to the churches. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rankin served about five months in Company H, 168th O. V. I., and was captured at Cynthiana, Kentucky. Though not an office seeker, he was elected justice of the peace of this township in 1858, and served until 1879. He is one of Fayette County's self-made men; all that he has being the result of his own good management. MRS. MARY RANKIN. Mrs. Mary Rankin, farmer, West Lancaster, is a daughter of John Coons, mentioned elsewhere, and was born on the farm now owned by Jones Coons' heirs. She has resided in this township since, except four years that she resided in Jefferson Township. In 1851 she married James, son of Thomas Rankin, the union resulting in six children: John, Charlotte, Leroy (deceased), Ulysses Grant, Albertus Jones, Almeda Blanche (deceased). Leroy died at the age of four years; Almeda at thirteen months of age. JASPER TOWNSHIP - 735 John is married to Rebecca J. Sanderson, and lives at Allentown. In 1864 Mr. Rankin went out in the one hundred days' service, in Company G, (of which his brother Thomas was captain) 168th 0. N. G., and engaged with the regiment in the battle of Cynthiana, etc., and was a brave and noble soldier. He and his parents were members of the Baptist Church, in which faith he died, June 12, 1880. His widow lives on his land, which embraces four hundred and seventy acres, in a good state of cultivation, farmed to grain and stock. She has charge of the farm, and endeavors to educate her children in agriculture as well as the classics. She is an estimable lady, beloved and esteemed by all who know her. The sons, though small, display an unusual interest in all matters pertaining to the farm. FRANKLIN SMITH. Franklin Smith, shoemaker, Milledgeville, a native of Virginia, was born August 5, 1827. On the 15th of March, 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Swisher, of Virginia. Ten children are the result of this union : Emily J., Philip B., Jacob M., Martha A., Virginia, Alonzo O., Margaret A., Miranda, E. 0., Ida May, and one who died and the early age of four. Mr. Smith came to this county in 1863, and engaged in the boot and shoe business, in which he has been successful. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Have been in the village of Milledgeville fourteen years, and are a couple of its most highly respected citizens. SILAS SPARKS. Silas Sparks, farmer, Pearson's Station, is a son of Elias M. Sparks, a native of Harrison County, Kentucky, who emigrated to this state in 1837, and settled on Rattlesnake Creek, three miles south of South Plymouth. He was married in Kentucky to Elizabeth Hall, a native of the same county, who bore him seven children—Silas being the second. Silas was born in this state, January 16, 1839, and has resided in this county all his life, devoting himself to farming. May 24, 1860, he was united to Christina, daughter of Jacob A. Rankin, an 736 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. early pioneer, mentioned elsewhere. The union has been blessed with ten children : Mary E., Elizabeth A., Jacob S., Ada J., Elias, John, Silas, William, Christina, and Albert, all living, and enjoying good health. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks are consistent members of the Edgefield Christian Church, he holding the important trust of elder. Is a Democrat; a notary public, and is frequently employed in settling up estates. He owns two hundred acres of land, located in the northwestern part of the county, on the Merchant pike, thirteen miles from Washington. The farm is well improved, and cultivated to grain and stock with success. When Mr. Sparks assumed control of the land it was in a wild and chaotic state; by good management, however, he has made it a model farm. He has always been ready and willing to assist in making public improvements; is a moral and public-spirited citizen, hospitable and entertaining to all; has lived a Christian life, and enjoys fully the confidence and esteem of all who know him.