ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 475 return home. Prices were very high in those days. Brooms sold for twenty-four dollars a dozen; nails at fifty dollars a keg; sirup at five dollars a gallon, and sugar at forty cents a pound, and all these were the wholesale rates. After twenty-five years' residence on the Pacific coast Mr. Galloway returned to Xenia and has since lived a retired life, although he was at one time a director in the First National Bank of this city. He has made several trips to California, going at different times by way of Nicaragua, the Panama route and Mexico, and in other parts of the country he has also traveled extensively. He is connected with the Beta Theta Pi, a Greek letter fraternity. In politics he was originally a Whig, and afterward became a Republican, and although he )vas very active in political circles at an ear-. ly day, he always refused to hold office, save that of state senator. His life history, if written in detail, would furnish many a chapter of thrilling interest. His has been an eventful career in which many experiences have relieved his history from monotony. Reared amid the scenes of frontier life in Ohio, connected with the' early development of the Pacific coast, he is now enjoying a well merited rest and is accounted one of the honored and respected residents of Greene county. ALBERT M. STARK For many years Albert M. Stark was a well known figure in mercantile circles in Xenia and was so widely and honorably known that no history of this county would be complete without the record of his life. His father, William T. Stark, came to Greene county from Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1814, and almost immediately became a factor in the business life of Xenia. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and was a son of John Stark, who subsequently removed to Lexington, Kentucky. It was there that William T. Stark completed his education and learned the trade of a silversmith, which he followed during the greater part of his life. In 1829 he was appointed postmaster of Xenia and served in that capacity continuously until 1841, his first appointment coming from President Jackson. He held various official positions of trust and was an honored and influential resident of the community. In 1814 he married Miss Lydia Miley, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Cincinnati. Her parents settled in Columbia, Hamilton county, Ohio, immediately after leaving the Keystone state, and subsequently Mrs. Stark became a resident of Greene county. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children. William T. Stark departed this life in 1858 and his wife suryived him until 1872, having lived with her children in Xenia after her husband's death. They were among the early and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the family has ever been noted for industry, integrity and honor. Albert M. Stark, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia June 4, 1822, and acquired his education under the direction of Thomas Steele, one of the most popular and efficient teachers of the city. When a .boy he was employed in the store of Canby & Walton, where he received his first business training. He there remained 476 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. until 1838, when his services were sought by J. C. McMillen, with whom he remained as a salesman for some time and finally was admitted to a partnership in the business, this relation being maintained for twenty years. He was also one of the founders of what became one of the largest mercantile houses of Xenia, that of Stark, Lytle & Cooper. In 1862, however, Mr. Stark put aside business cares and enlisted as a Union soldier in the One Hundredth and Tenth. Ohio Infantry, and owing to his business qualifications he was immediately made quartermaster, the appointment coming from Governor Tod. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and operated in West Virginia with the Sixth Corps. On the 12th of January, 1863, Mr. Stark was captured by the rebels at Winchester and experienced all the horrors of life in Libby prison, where he was confined for fifteen months. He was the only prisoner who. survived the tortures of that loathsome den for so long a time. Of the three who were captured at the same time, his two companions died in the hospital and Mr. Stark was paroled from the hospital, September 12, 1864. In the following January he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg and had great satisfaction in witnessing the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, knowing that it practically ended the war for the preservation of the Union. His regiment was then sent to Danville, Virginia, on to Richmond, and a few clays later was ordered to Washington, where it participated in the most celebrated military pageant perhaps of the century, known as the grand review. On the 1st of July, 1865, Mr. Stark was mustered out of service at Columbus and immediately thereafter returned to Xenia, where he resumed business relations. He was one of the oldest, grocery merchants of Xenia at the time of his death and enjoyed an extensive and profitable patronage. He was also for a number of years the president of the 'building and loan association, and for fourteen years he was president of the school board. Through a long period he also acted as a member of the city council, and in each public position which he was called upon to fill he discharged his duties with marked loyalty and capability. By Governor Hayes he was appointed a trustee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, in which capacity he remained for six years. Governor Bishop reappointed him to that position and for a third term he was appointed by Governor Foster. He was elected appraiser of real estate of the west half of Xenia in the spring of 1889 by a large majority. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and took a very deep and helpful interest in the latter order. He was also a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Xenia and enjoyed the distinction of 'being its first. presiding officer. On the 19th of February, 1851, Mr. Stark had been united in marriage to Miss Mary Ward, who was born May 2, 1832, a daughter of James H. Ward, one of the highly respected pioneers and merchants of Middletown. This union was blessed with two living children, William and Walter C., who are residents of Xenia. Mrs. Stark still survives her husband and resides at No. 134 'West Main street. It was on the 8th of February, 1895 that Albert M. Stark was called to his final rest, his remains being in- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 477 terred in the Woodland cemetery. He was long a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a distinguished and worthy citizen of Xenia. JOHN S. TURNER. Almost thirty years have passed since John S. Turner became a factor in mercantile circles in Bellbrook, where he began business on a small scale. He has steadily increased his stock to meet the growing demands Of 'his trade and now has a store which would be a credit to a place of much: greater size. His business reputation, too, is unassailable,. for his enterprise and honorable methods have commended him, to all. Mr. Turner was born in this village November 5, 1850,. his parents being James and Nancy, (Snodgrass) Turner. His boyhood days were passed in this village, where his father had located when yet a young man. The latter was married in Sugarcreek township and engaged in real-estate dealing. In the common schools our subject acquired a fair education, fitting him. for life's practical duties. For a few years he clerked in Bellbrook and thus gained a knowledge of mercantile methods which have proved of value to him in the control of his business enterprise. Soon after marriage he began business on his own account, and he now owns not only a large stock of general merchandise, but the building in which he is carrying on business. He also has an excellent residence in the town and a farm of one hundred and ninety acres of valuable land west of Bellbrook, situated on the trolley line. These investments have been made as the result of his success as a merchant. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertaking, for the people have reliance in his business methods and also patronizes him because of his reasonable prices. On the .5th of June, 1874, Mr. Turner was united in marriage in Sugarcreek township, to. Miss Martha J. Cunningham, a daughter of James and Sarah (Stratton) Cunningham. Four children have been born to this union : James, who is a graduate of Wittenberg College of Springfield, Ohio, and is employed by the Foos Gas Company, of Springfield, was married to Miss Maude Butt, of that city, and there they make their home. John, who is a farmer of Sugarcreek township, married Miss Helen Pease, of Bellbrook, and they have three children. Harry M., who on the 1st of January, 1902, was admitted in his father's business, married Ethel Barnett, of Spring Valley. Grace, the only daughter, is yet a student in school. Mr. Turner is a leading and active representative of the Democratic patty and since 1881 has continuously filled the office of township clerk, while since 1878 he has been village clerk. He has also been treas user of the school district since 1884 and is a 'citizen whose. devotion to the best interests of the community is above question. He co-operates in every movement and measure for the general good and his labors have not been without result in promoting the progress and prosperity of Bellbrook. ANTHONY VARNER. Anthony Varner, now deceased, was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, and later removed to Washington county, Maryland. In early manhood he married 478 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Catherine Kline, a native of. Washington county and the year 1857 witnessed their arrival in Greene county, Ohio: The work of progress and improvement was in its incipiency, much of the land was still uncultivated and there was little promise of rapid development, but the family cast in their lot with the early settlers and Mr. Varner took an important part in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity. There were thirteen in the party that made the trip to the west, Mr. Varner and his family being accompanied by his two brothers 'and their families'. Three weeks had passed ere they reached, their destination. They first located in Dayton, where they remained for about a year and a half. On the expiration of that period they took up -their abode in Beavercreek township, Greene county. Here Mr. Varner purchased ninety acres of land which is still owned by his daughter. With the exception of a small tract of four acres the entire farm was covered with timber. There was an old log cabin upon the place, but no other improvements, and with characteristic energy our subject began to clear away the trees' and place the field under cultivation. He built a larger and more substantial log house and :also built barns, but all these are now a thing of the past, save the mere shell of one of the old buildings. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Varner were born six children: Mira, who became the wife of William Burrous; Elizabeth and Eleanor, who were next in order of birth; John, who lived all his life upon the old home. stead and died in 1892 at the age of seventy-nine years., his remains being interred in Mount Zion cemetery ; Andrew C. ; and Susanna. Andrew C. was born in Maryland, October 21, 1819, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. in 1827. He remained a resident of this state until 1849. when he went to Piatt -county, Illinois, Where he has .since lived_ upon the !farm which he purchased at the time of his removal there, it having been his home now for more than a half a century. His education was acquired in the common schools of Beavercreek .township and in Xenia. While pursuing his studies in the latter place he walked each day back and forth to the school, a distance of six miles. He afterward engaged in teaching school, being employed in nearly every school in his township and Continuing in some of them .as many as' five terms. He was married to Miss Iva Paxton, and unto them was born one son, George D. The mother died and he afterward married Miss Emily Painter, of the well known Painter family of this county. It was soon after that they removed to Illinois. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Ella Dubson, Clara M., William, Jeremiah, Mary, Andrew C. and Richard. Of this number William was born April 12, 1863,. in Monticello township, Piatt county, Illinois, where he- was reared and educated, but in 1893 came to Beavercreek township Greene county, Ohio, where he engaged in the operation of the old Varner homestead. He is still living there. and is one of the enterprising, wide-awake and progressive farmers of the community. On the 21st. of February, 1899, be was married in Xenia to Miss Sarah Jane Hartsock, who was born in Douglas county, Illinois, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Jane (Rice) Hartsock, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have been born of this marriage,—Charles William, Frank Arlie and Irene. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 479 Susanna, the sixth member of the family, became the wife of Smith Fithian, a native of New Jersey, who came to this county when a small child. After he had attained years of maturity he removed to Illinois, where he married Miss Varner. His death occurred January 17, 1890. Anthony Varner, whose name introduces this review, served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was ever a loyal and patriotic citizen, interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his community. He died in 1859 in his seventy-fourth year, after more than thirty years' residence in this county, and is yet remembered by some of the oldest settlers. His wife passed away twenty, years prior to his death. Both were loyal and devoted members of the Lutheran church and enjoyed the high regard of many friends. Their remains were interred upon the farm which Mr, Varner had purchased and improved. He was a Democrat in his political views and was always true and faithful to his honest convictions,. and well does he deserve to be mentioned among the honored pioneer settlers of Greene county. MATHEW ALEXANDER BICKETT. Mathew Alexander Bickett, who resides about two miles east of Xenia, was born in Xenia township, January 19, 1831, and is a son of William R. and Isabella (Alexander) Bickett. His father was born in the Coa quilla Valley, Pennsylvania, about 1796 and was a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Reed) Bickett. The grandfather was born in the northern part of Ireland where he spent the most of his life and where all but two of his children were born. On coming to America the family settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring ..a few years later. In the year 1818 William R. Bickett started with the remainder of the' family, of whom he was the Youngest, for Ohio. They made the trip with a six-horse team and passed the first winter with Robert Harrell, a brother-in-law, who had come to Ohio the previous year as a teacher. In the' spring of 1819 the Bickett family purchased one hundred and fifty acres of timber land and in connection with his brother John, the father of our subject built a log cabin, which was the family home for many years, the sons living with their mother. It was a productive district in which they located, the work of progress and civilization being scarcely begun. Wild game of all kind was plentiful, including deer, as well as turkeys and other smaller game. Mr. Bickett bore all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, but was at length enabled to overcome all obstacles and secure for himself a comfortable home. In 1827 he was united in marriage to Isabella Alexander, and Unto them were born six children:. Adam R., a resident of' this county; Mathew A.; Mary Jane, who became the wife of Solomon Foust, who died a: few months later, leaving her with a son, Edward; 'Elizabeth Isabella; Lydia Ann, who died at the age of twenty years; and W. Harvey. The father of this 'family passed away in 1865 and. the mother died in April, 1885, at the .age of eighty-three years, their remains being interred in Xenia, Ohio. They were the members of the Second United Presbyterian church and people of the highest. respectability. Mr. Bickett bore an important part in clearing and developing the land and thus largely promoted the progress of the county. 480 - ROBINSON'S' HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. In the common schools near his home Mathew A. Bickett pursued his education and to the development of the home farm he contributed his share of labor until about the time of his father's death. On the 30th of May, 1865, he married Miss Caroline E. Kendall, who was born in Xenia township', a daughter of William and Eleanor (Jackson) Kendall. Her father was a native of Kentucky and a son of Robert Kendall, while her mother was born in this state and was married in Xenia township: The Kendall family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and unto the parents of Mrs. Bickett were born six children, of whom four are living: Robert, a resident of Xenia; Henry, of Xenia township; Eliza, the widow of Wilson Dallas, who resides near Dayton; and Mt s. Bickett. The deceased were: Mary Ann, the wife of James Galloway ; and Rev. Clark Kendall, a minister of the United Presbyterian church, who died at Xenia. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812 and both he and his wife were consistent Christian people, who held membership in the United Presbyterian church.. The marriage of our subject and his. wife has been blessed with seven children. Clark K., of Xenia township, married Margaret. Turnbull and has two children, Mary Eleanor and Joseph Turnbull. Charles A. is at home. William Albert, married Margaret Harper and resides in Xenia township. Annie M. and Eleanor I. are with their parents. John W. is a minister of the United Presbyterian church, located at Greenfield, Ohio. David Cameron, at home, completes the family. The family home is an attractive one, noted for its hospitality. All the buildings upon the farm have been erected by Mr. Bickett and stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift. He has a large barn, forty by sixty feet, and a corn crib, forty by nineteen feet. He makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and finds this a profitable source of income. His efforts return to him golden harvests and the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. Beginning life without means he has added to his possessions till he owns about two hundred acres at present. He is a Republican in politics, but not an aspirant for office. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bickett are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and are worthy representatives of honored pioneer families. Their own records reflect credit upon the untarnished family names and they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community who esteem them for their genuine worth, genial manner and kindliness. As a business man Mr. Bickett sustains an unassailable reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. HALLIE Q. BROWN. There are perhaps few ladies in all this land who have as wide a reputation or more extensive acquaintance than Miss Hallie Q. Brown, whose career has been one of marked benefit to her fellow .men. Her activity has always been along lines of improvement and of benefit for those with whom she has come in contact. The highest and, the lowliest in this land and in Great Britain have acknowledged her power as an elocutionist, while many have reason to feel grateful to her for what she has accomplished. Wilberforce College, of Greene county, Ohio, owes much of its success to her efforts in its behalf and through her in- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 483 fluence its labors have extended to a wider scope, assisting many in the development of their talents and capabilities and thus enabling them to become men and women of strong force of character and helpful lives. Perhaps the account of Miss Brown's early life can not be better given than in the words of a contemporary historian who has said : "A traveler passing by a country farmhouse a few miles from Chatham, Canada, not many years ago, might have seen a little girl of eight or nine summers mounted on a colt, without girth. or bridle, her hair given to the winds, clashing up a lane to pasture. There he would have seen her dismount and hastily perform the duties of dairy-maid, first calling each cow by name and playfully inquiring as to the health of each. The milking finished, he would have seen her jump upon a tree stump or felled log and deliver an address to the cows, the sheep and the birds. She had a separate speech for the larger animals and special addresses for the lambs, the ducklings and the other auditors that happened to be present. Having exhausted her own vocabulary she began a conversation in the language of the cow, the horse, the sheep, the goose, the rooster, until each was imitated, and then, bidding adieu to the "congregation," she remounted her steed and cantered home again. That was her daily morning program, secret and unobserved. It. was for this that she rose earlier than the others of the household until one morning a 'farm hand saw her by chance, himself unobserved, and her secret was a secret no longer. This little girl was Hallie Q. Brown. Who can say but that propitious fate had her then in training to develop her powers :,which have since carried her east and west, upon her mission, of amusement, instruction and beneficence to tens of thousands in two hemispheres'" Miss Brown was the youngest of six .children. Her father died at the age of eighty years, in 1882, but her mother lives with her at Wilberforce; at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Jere A., their eldest child, is now living in Cleveland, Ohio. He has served in the state. legislature of Ohio, and now holds a position in the government service at Washington, D. C. Mrs. Bell Newman, th.e next younger, is now deceased. Mrs. Annie E. Weaver resides at Farmland, Indiana. Mary Frances is deceased. John G., also deceased, was a graduate of Wilberforce University and gave great promise of being a noted lecturer and speaker, but death terminated his career in his early manhood. Hallie Quinn Brown was born in Pittsburg and during her early girlhood accompanied her parents. to Chatham, Canada, where she acquired her preliminary education, later continuing her studies in Wilberforce, College, of Ohio, where she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science with the class of 1873. Among her were Mrs. Mary F. Lee, wife of Bishop B. F. Lee; and Samuel T. Mitchell, afterward president of Wilberforce University. Her broad mind and earnest thought had grasped the situation in the south, and realiing that there was a mighty field of labor, she entered upon educational work in that portion of the country. Her first school was on a plantation in South Carolina, where she endured the hardships and rough life uncomplainingly, and continued her work of teaching the children of various plantations and also instructing the aged ones to read their Bibles, thus bringing into many a life the great comfort which the reading of the 484 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. word brings to all the true followers of Christianity. Later she was in charge of a school on the Sonora plantation in Mississippi, where she found that her .labors were largely hampered by two vices—the use of whisky and tobacco—and since that time she has. labored earnestly to abolish those two evils. Her fame as an instructor spread and her services were secured as a teacher in Yazoo City, but on account of the unsettled state of affairs in the south in 1874-5, she was compelled to return to the north. Later a successful teacher. in Dayton, Ohio; for four years, she was then obliged to give up educational work on account of her health, and has since devoted her attention largely to lecturing and public` reading. She started out upon a lecture tour in behalf of her .alma mater, Wilberforce College, and the first year's service proved her ability in that direction. Then in order to .better present her work from the platform she took a course in elocution and again started out upon her travels, meeting with still greater success. For several years she traveled with the Wilberforce Grand Concert Company, an organization for the benefit of Wilberforce College. She has lectured and. read throughout the length and breadth of this land in all the leading cities, and every place has been favorably and enthusiastically received. In 1894 Miss Brown went abroad and lectured in England for six years: Among the different lecture courses on which she appeared was that of the renowned West-bourne Park Institute. She has lectured and recited in all the leading cities of "Great Britain, and was connected for some time with Lady Henry Somerset in temperance .Work. She was entertained by .Queen Vic toria, July 7, 1899, tea being served in St. George's Hall, the hall of the Garter, Windsor Castle. She appeared and spoke at the entertainment of the Princess of Wales, the present Queen of England, this entertainment being given for the poor of London at the time of the celebration of the Queen's diamond jubilee. She has. been entertained and dined by the most noted ladies and families of England and Scotland, and during Queen Victoria's jubilee year she was the guest of the Lord Mayor of London and his wife, and later by the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, and journeyed with them- in a private car to London, where special seats near Westminster Abbey were reserved for them from which .to view the procession and ceremonies. She was also in attendance at the funeral of Gladstone, the ticket of admission being furnished to her by a member of parliament. Miss Brown belongs to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society of Edinburgh, to the. British Women's Temperance Society, to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to' the King's Daughters, and was a member of the International Congress, of Women. Miss Brown went .to, England in behalf of the Douglass Memorial Hall, which was required for the accommodation of the large and increasing library of the university. She lectured also on temperance and various other subjects, and gave many readings, her splendid and exceptional gifts as an elocutionist winning the highest praise. Hers has been a life permeated by the true missionary spirit, carrying 'truth and help into many districts where it has been so greatly needed, and presenting facts iii such a clear, understandable. way that her auditors have gone away convinced. It is impossible to give any correct estimate of ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 485 her work, the influence of mind upon mind, .and of soul upon soul being an incalculable .force, the worth of ,which is only recognized in eternity, but in this land and in Great Britain thousands have .reason to be grateful to her and to speak of her in words of loving praise. SILAS O. HALE. Among those who in public office have :advanced the general welfare through faithful performance of duty is numbered Silas Opdyke Hale, who is clerk of the court of pleas in Greene county. He was born in Bellbrook, Sugarcreek township, this county, March 9, 1858, his parents being Silas .and Miriam (Opdyke) Hale. who were also natives of Greene county. The father was born near Bellbrook, August 26, 1803, and was a son of John and Sarah (Bowen) Hale, natives of Maryland, removed to Kentucky and in 1802 removed to Ohio, locating in what is now Sugarcreek township, Greene county, where the grandfather successfully carried on business, being engaged in both farming and tanning. He was one of the honored pioneers of this portion of the state and took an active part in the early development and progress of Greene county. In 1838, however, he removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he died in 1845. By two marriages he had twelve children. Silas Hale, the father of our subject, obtained a common-school education, and when old enough began work in his father's tanyard, where he was employed until seventeen years of age. He was then apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade in Wilmington, Ohio, and after mastering that business returned to Bellbrook, where he engaged in cabinet-making for ten years. Later. he established a general store, which he conducted almost up to the time of his death, being one of the enterprising, wide-awake and reliable merchants of the town. For more than forty years he was township treasurer and was appointed postmaster by Franklin Pierce, in which Office he served continuously until Grover Cleveland's first administration, a period of over thirty years. No public official of the county has ever enjoyed to a higher degree the confidence and good-will of the public or more truly deserves the respect accorded him'. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hale were born ten children,, who in order of birth were as follows : Dorinda, John, Henry and Frank, twins, Angeline, Mary, Bowen, James, Melancthon and Silas O. Four of the sons, John, Henry, Frank and Bowen, were in the Civil war and Bowen died at Camp Chase in April, 1862. The parents were both members of the Methodist Protestant church and were people of genuine worth, true to every principle which tends to the development of an upright character. Mr. Hale died in 1889 at the age of eighty-six years, but his widow, a lovely Christian lady, still surviand ism at the age of eighty-eight years and-is lying with her son, Henry H. Hale, in Xenia. In the schools of Bellbrook Silas O. Hale acquired his early education, which was later supplemented by study in the National Normal University at Lebanon, where he pursued a scientific course. He prosecuted his studies during the summer months while in winter he engaged in teaching. Entering upon 'his business career he first learned the carpenter's trade in Bellbrook under the direction of Harman Brothers, 486 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. but followed this only a short time, when he began teaching in Sugarcreek township. He was very successful as a teacher, haying the ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired. On the organization of Sugarcreek township high school Mr. Hale was selected as the first principal and was also made superintendent of the township schools, which, position he held from 1892 until he entered .upon the duties of the office of clerk of the common pleas court of Greene county, Ohio; in 1900. He was one of the organizers of the Ohio State Township Superintendents' Association, and wa.s its first president. Afterward he was secretary and treasurer for several terms, !resigning the position when elected clerk of the courts. He served on the executive committee of the Greene County Teachers' Association for one year and presided over the Teachers' Summer institute. He was then elected president of the Teachers' Association and as such again conducted the Teachers' Summer Institute, which was declared one of the most popular ever held in Xenia. On the 29th of November, 1881, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Gibbons, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Thomas Gibbons, of Bell-brook. Her father was a native of Ireland, but for many years resided. in Bell-brook, where he spent his last days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hale have been born one child, Minnie Miriam, now a student in the high school of Xenia. Socially Mr. Hale is connected with Spring Valley Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F.; and with Xenia Lodge; No. 668, B. R E., and of the latter he is a trustee. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican; deeply interested in the welfare and growth of his party. He has held different official positions, having been treasurer of Sugarcreek township for ten years. and also treasurer of the village of Bellbrook several terms, as well as a. member of the city council of Bellbrook. In 1899 he was elected clerk of the courts on the Republican ticket and in 1902 is again the candidate of his party for that office, his second nomination being a public acknowledgment of his capability during the first term of service. For several years he was an active member of the county central committee and was on the executive committee for one year. Mr. Hale attained to a. prominent position in educational circles and is now accounted one of the most faithful and skillful officers of the county. In all life's relations he has been found true to the trust reposed in him and has well merited the good name which h.e enjoys. GEORGE CONFER. George Confer, a retired farmer residing in Yellow Springs, is a. native of Washington county, Maryland, his birth having occurred near Hagerstown, on the. 8th of February, 1827, but since the age of seven years he has lived in Ohio, coming at that time to this state with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer. The father was born in Maryland and followed the occupation of farming as a means of providing for his family. In 1834 he came to Ohio, locating in Greene county, his farm comprising one hundred and fifty .acres of land in Miami township, a small part of which had been improved. He erected some new buildings, making many excellent improvements upon the farm,. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 487 which is still in possession of the family. There he lived and died, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. He was a member of the German Reformed church and in early life gave his political support to the .Whig party and on its dissolution became a Republican, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. As the years passed his diligence and -business ability brought to him success, so that he was enabled to give to each of his 'children a good home. His widow survived him twelve years and died in the city of Xenia. She was also born in Maryland and was a member of the Lutheran church. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, three of whom, are still living: Hannah, who resides near Spring Valley; William G., now deceased; George; Susan, who died a,t the age of twenty-seven years; and Elizabeth, who is the widow of Richard Partington and has one son, Edward. Her home is near Spring Valley, Greene county. To the district school system of Miami township George Confer is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He assisted his father upon the home place and after the death of his parent, in 1857, he and his brother began farming for themselves and were thus engaged for two or three years. The partnership was then dissolved 'and George Confer purchased more land adjoining the farm which his father had given him in Miami township. There he engaged in the tilling of the soil and stock-raising for thirty-three years and in 1891 he removed to the village of Yellow Springs, where he has since lived a retired life. On .May 2, 1861, George Confer was married in Miami township to Ann Johnson, whose birth occurred on the 15th of April, 1841, in Greene county. She is a daughter of James and Catherine (Ehrler) Johnson. The father was a native of Kentucky and at an early date came to Ohio. The mother vas born in France, but when a young girl was brought to the United States, settling with her father in Clark county, Ohio, and with him she remained until her marriage. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled upon a farm in Miami. township, Greene county, where the mother died in 1849. Mr. Johnson afterward married again and his death occurred in 1890, both passing away in Miami township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Confer were born six children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Mary Etta, is the wife of Joseph Vernanda Shoemaker, who resided. at Goes Station, in Xenia township, where he is conducting a grocery store. They have one child, Cora May, who is the wife of George Hall, of Dayton, by whom she has a daughter, Dorothy. George Albert, the second member of the Confer family, resides upon his father's farm: on, the Dayton pike, in Miami township, where he is engaged in the cultivation of the fields and in the raising, purchasing and sale of stock. He married Miss Anna Fogle and they have five children : Vernanda, Earle, Raymond, Verna and Georgia. Arthur U. resides upon the home farm in Miami township. He married Miss Clara Miller and they have three children,. Florence, Chester 'and Harry. William W., who is also living upon the home farm, wedded Miss Leila Fogle and they have two children, Edith and Esther. Howard T., a blacksmith at Goes Station, married Nora Ginneman and their children were Harold, Mildred and two that died in 488 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. infancy. Susie, the youngest member of the Confer family, is the wife of John Conrad, a grocer of Springfield, Ohio, and they have one son, Herman. In his political views Mr. Confer is a Republican and for one term he served as supervisor of his township, while for eight or nine years he was a director of the public schools. He belongs to the Reformed church and take a deep and active interest in everything tending to promote the general welfare, along all lines of substantial progress and improvement. NOAH SIPE. Noah Sipe is the oldest resident of Bath township, having lived here for more than eighty years. He has witnessed great changes as time has passed and man has Wrought for the upbuilding and improvement of this portion of the state. The forests which stood in their primeval strength during his boyhood days have been cut down to be replaced by fields of waving grain, while here and there homes have been builded and are now occupied by a prosperous and .contented people. Towns and villages have also had their era of prosperity and improvement and to-day Greene county in its splendid development is the work of many enterprising pioneers among whom is numbered Noah Sipe, who resides on a farm on the Fairfield and .Yellow Springs pike in the eastern part of Bath township, where his birth occurred in a. little log cabin, December 28, 1820. His parents were Christian and Catherine (Carpenter) Sipe. The father was born in Rockingham. county, Virginia., and was a son of Henry Sipe, a native of Ger many, who, on crossing the Atlantic to the new world, settled in the Old Dominion, where he spent his remaining days. In the' county of his nativity the father of our .sub ject was reared and educated and served as a private in the war of 1812. For two years thereafter he remained. in Virginia,. and about 1814 came to Ohio, settling first: in Clark county, where his brother Francis had earlier made his home. When two years. had passed he. went to Cincinnati to see a man who had entered a half section of land. This he purchased, paying about: nine hundred dollars out of the sum of one-thousand dollars which he had accumulated. while in the east. This land was all heavily wooded, but soon the sturdy strokes of his ax removed trees upon the place and the land was cultivated. In the latter part of his life he purchased a fine farm near Yellow Springs where he lived retired upon the place where both the father and mother of: our subject died. The latter was born in: Virginia and came to Greene county . in 1812. She was -a 'daughter of John Carpenter, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, and on coming- to Greene county with his family settled about one mile west of the present home of our subject. Christian Sipe died in 1855, at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife passed away in 186o, when about sixty-five years of age,. both being interred in Yellow Springs cemetery. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political views the father was a Jacksonian Democrat. Of this marriage were born seven .Children: Amy, the wife of Eli: Routzong, who is now deceased; Noah, our subject, being the second in order of birth;: John, who died in early youth ; Manuel, who is also deceased; Sarah, the wife of Lewis,. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 489 Cosler; Elizabeth, deceased; and Mary Y., who has also passed away. As the years passed the father cultivated a very good home for his family. He became the owner of four hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuable land. He was a tanner by traded in early life followed that pursuit, but during the greater part of his business career devoted his energies to farming. Noah Sipe pursued his education in the township schools but his advantages in that direction were somewhat limited. The. building was a log structure and the school was conducted after the subscription plan, the tuition being one dollar and fifty cents for three months. The spelling book and the arithmetic were about all the books required 'and the methods of teaching were very primitive compared with those of the present day. At the age of eleven years Mr. Sipe began to. follow the plow and throughout his active business life he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. His practical experience in youth enabled him to successfully carry on farm work after he had .attained to man's estate. In the year 1848 Noah Sipe was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Wiant, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. In 1856 Mr. Sipe erected a brick house upon the old home farm, where he now resides. There was but one other house anywhere in, the locality at the time the old home had been erected. The first structure. was a log cabin, which was succeeded by a fine log house built when Mr. Sipe was a young lad, and is still standing, one of the mute reminders of pioneer days. and an indication of the present progress and improvement of the county. By the marriage of Mr. and. Mrs. Sipe have been born seven children: John, who now resides upon the old home farm with our subject, married Mary Jane Wilson and unto them: four children born Edgar W., Emmet Clifford, Ida. May, and John, Jr. Artemis, who is the wife of William Strasburg, is residing in Springfield, Ohio, and they have three children: Ota and Reta, twins, and Maude. Jasper is the .next younger. Walter, who lives on the old home farm with his father, which is also the place of his birth, married Johanna Hern, and unto. them six children have been born: William, Walter, Mary, 'Frank, Charles and Catherine. He assists his father in the operation of the home farm. Ida, who married George Finfrock, resides in Boise City, Ida, ho. Joseph. Douglas is now deceased. He married May Woodall and they made their home in Yellow Springs township. Their children were—Noah, Charles, Myrtle and Lizzie. Mertie, the seventh member of the family, married Ephraim Harshman and resides in Clark county. Their children are—Harry, Gladys, and Elmer, deceased. In 1881 Mr. Sipe was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who in that year passed away and was laid to rest in the. Yellow Springs cemetery. At the age of thirteen years she ha.d become a member of the Baptist Church and was ever a consistent Christian woman. For his second wife Mr. Sipe chose Sarah C. Scudder, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey. His landed possessions now comprise three hundred and seventy and one-half acres and he also owns a lot in the village of Osborn. In his political views Mr. Sipe is a Democrat, but has, never accepted office save some minor positions. For thirty years he has been school director and for twelve years was clerk of the school board. His son John has for three years been township trustee, elected on the Democratic ticket. 490 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Mr. Sipe has devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising, and as the years have passed has met with creditable and gratifying success so that in the evening of life he is provided with all the comforts that go to make life worth the living as the result of his former toil. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a steward of the church at Yellow Springs. He takes a very deep and active interest in religious affairs and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his profession. He has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and now receives the veneration and respect which: should ever be accorded those who have advanced thus far. His history contains many elements well worthy of emulation, for he has ever lived an honorable and upright life, having been true in all his relations to his fellow men. HON. ANDREW JACKSON. The list of the leading citizens of Greene county contains the name of the Hon. Andrew Jackson; one of the representative and honored citizens of Cedarville. His record as a soldier, as an official and a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom, he has been brought in contact. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of his duties and his appreciation of the .responsibilities that have rested upon him have been such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent in the office of assemblyman and in that of sergeant-at-arms in the house. He is filling the latter position at the present time and is one of the most popular men ever called to the office. Mr. Jackson has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. Many representatives of the family have attained state and some national importance in business affairs, in military life and in statesmanship. His great-grandfather was .a brother of Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans and later the president. of the United States. Robert Jackson, the father of our subject, became prominent in public affairs of Greene county. He was commander of the militia forces of this county and in 1834 he represented this district in the state legislature. It was in the year 1805 that General Robert Jackson removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling on Clark's Run, near a good spring, for in those days it was a valuable addition to a farm if there Was a spring upon it. His place was three 'miles west of Cedarville on the Jackson pike and is now known as the Stevenson farm. He was a man of soldierly bearing and commanding appearance. His commission as general bears date 183f. He filled local offices, including that of county commissioner of Greene county, and Was long a recognized .leader in public thought and action. His death. Occurred. when he was eighty-years of age near Xenia. He was married, in, December, 1819, to Miss Minerva J., a daughter of Philip Eddy, of Warren county and on horseback the bridal pair made their way to their new home in Greene county. An old bureau of cherry wood, which was a bridal present from her parents, is still in possession of our subject. Seven of the twelve children born of this marriage are still living. Upon the home farm Andrew Jackson, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 493 of this review, spent his early boyhood days. He was born on Christmas day of 1845 and received his .education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he. went to Xenia and accepted a position in the dry-goods store of Merrick & Company and while living in Xenia he attended school. For two years he held a position as bookkeeper and served in that capacity until the fall of 1861 when he enlisted in the Union army, aroused by a patriotic desire to aid in the preservation of the Union. He was then a boy not yet sixteen years of age and the only son at .home. Because of this his mother would not consent to his departure and got a writ restraining him from going to the front. He then Went with his brother-in-law to Michigan and entering his school there took up" the study of civil engineering, in which his brother-in-law was very proficient. While carrying. on his studies Mr. Jackson formed a company from his class, composed of boys all larger than himself, and drilled them in Hardie's tactics. From ...that company several commissioned officers were drawn later in the war. Returning to his home the following spring Mr. Jackson again became connected with commercial circles of Xenia, but the fires of patriotism burned strongly within him and once more he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company H, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer infantry, August 8, 1862, the regiment being Organized at Piqua. He took part in a number of engagements, among them being that of Tate's Ferry, in which the regiment lost over three hundred men. He was struck by a. bullet in the left arm at the battle of Perryville but he never left his company and afterward participated in the engagements at Stone River, Buzzard's Roost and those of the Atlanta campaign, including Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Marietta. Peach Tree Creek and the siege at Atlanta. While at Murfreesboro, in 1863, Mr. Jackson was detailed as chief clerk in the office of the brigade inspector, acting in that capacity .until he was granted a furlough in 1864. He was at home .but fifteen days when he endeavored to rejoin his. regiment but could get no farther than Nashville, Tennessee. There he reported for duty and was made chief clerk in the inspector's office there. He handled and issued all the ammunition to the troops, placed the pickets at their stations and performed other very important duties. When the war closed he was mustered out June 5, 1865, and returned to Xenia. Not long after this Mr. Jackson accepted the position of assistant engineer with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, with headquarters at Dayton, and among other work which he did for that road was the supervision of the building of the bridge at Lima, Ohio, of which he had full charge, and which is a piece of splendid mechanical. engineering. Soon after he was made general ticket agent of the Cincinnati & Zanesville Railroad, with offices in Cincinnati, and for six years held that responsible position, also acting as paymaster and engineer. In the meantime he had married and his wife's people desired that they should return and make their home in Cedarville, for the lady's parents were reaching an advanced age and wished. to have their daughter near them, and desired Mr. Jackson to assist her father in the care of his property interests. Accordingly they became residents of this 494 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. town. Mr. Jackson spent three years in Mr. Dunlap's lumber camp in Michigan, where he, had charge of the entire force of one hundred, men and at the same time superintended the operation of his farm in this county. The lumber firm of which Mr. Dunlap was the senior member did the largest business in that line in Cincinnati and continued in existence for more than half a century. For Some time the charge of the company's business in Cincinnati devolved upon our subject and he had full supervision of its immense trade in all its departments. Mr. Jackson is now interested in the breeding of stock, an industry which has claimed his attention for many years and is secretary of the building and loan association of Cedarville, which he organized six years ago. On the 17th of. March, 1868, Mr. Jackson was married in Cedarville to Miss Mary J. Dunlap, a daughter of James Dunlap, who came from Cincinnati to this county at an early day, settling in Cedarville township. He was in the lumber business in the former city, but lived retired here. He died at Cedarville, January 25, 1890, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away shortly after the marriage of our subject. Mrs. Jackson is a member of the United Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children : Pearl, who is the wife of R. G. George, the cashier and paymaster of the Chicago Belt Railroad, by whom she has one child, Marion; Frank, who is township clerk of Cedarville township and manager of the opera house in Cedarville; Clara, a teacher in the public schools of Cedarville; and Fanny, at home. All Were born on the home place in Cedarville township. Mr Jackson is a recognized leader of the Republican party in this county and his opinions carry weight in the councils of the organization. He was elected to represent his district in the sixty-eighth general assembly and filled the position so creditably that he was re-elected. He was chosen sergeant-at-arms in the seventieth, seventy- first, seventy-second, seventy-fourth and seventy-fifth assemblies. At the last election in 1902 he was the Republican caucus nominee by acclamation and received the entire vote of the assembly, both Democrats and Republicans,—a case unparalleled in the history of the state legislature. He is hold ing some local offices, has been a member of the school board for twenty-one years, is now serving as its clerk, and is also filling the position of justice of the peace of Cedarville. He was a member of the Ohio: Chickamauga commission that erected monuments on the battlefield. This appointment was made under the act of May 4, 1891, by the Ohio assembly, whereby eight commissioners were appointed by Governor J. E. Campbell, these being : Generals John Beatty, Ferdinand Vanderveer, C. H. Grosvenor and Aquilla Wiley, Hon. J. S. Gill, Hon. Andrew Jackson, Private Frederick Wendall and Captain J. C. McElroy. This commission was the first in the field and erected fifty-two monuments which were dedicated September 19, 1895, at the time of the na, tional dedication on the anniversary of the battle. The commission spent four years in its' labors. Mr. Jackson has a wide acquaintance among the public men of the state, as well as in Greene county and enjoys in high measure the warm regard of all and the friendship of many of the distinguished citizens of Ohio. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 495 FREDERICK CHRISTIAN TREBEIN. Frederick Christian Trebein, now deceased, was an influential and respected citizen of Greene county. The greater part of his life was spent in the vicinity of Xenia. His birth occurred in Dayton, Ohio, October 24, 1833. His parents were William and Christina Trebein, who had two children, a daughter, Mary, born in Germany, and Frederick, born in this country. The parents were natives of Germany, but came to Dayton early in the history of that city. William Trebein was, one of the first four Germans who settled in Dayton. There Frederick C. Trebein spent his childhood and early manhood, and for his native city he always retained the greatest affection. Mr. Trebein was self-educated and self-made. From chore-boy in a dry goods store he rose to be a partner in the business, and later owned and conducted a large dry goods store on Third street. His health failed after some time and it was necessary for him to give up 'a business that confined him so closely indoors. In the early part of 1868 he came to Greene county, settling at what is now called Trebein's Station, where he engaged in the milling and distilling business. Mr. Trebein's interests were broad and he was regarded as one of the 'foremost business men of the county. He was industrious, resolute and persevering, and these qualities brought him success. He was a considerable property owner in Xenia. and was identified with several of Xenia.'s largest industries. He was always a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and was a. man who had the courage to stand up for his convictions. Simplicity and straightforwardness characterized his entire life. On the 16th of November, 1869, Mr. Trebein was married to Miss Joan Ankeney, daughter of Samuel Ankeney, long an honored citizen of Greene county. There were two children: Bertha E., who resides with her mother; and Mrs. P. H. Flynn, whose. husband manages and is: a, large stockholder' in the Xenia and Buckeye Shoe factories. The family is identified with the Reformed church, to which Mr. Trebein was a liberal-contributor. He also gave his support to many other measures for the public good, but always in a quiet way. At his death, which occurred June 4, 1900, he left many warm friends who sincerely mourn his loss. He had become recognized as an active and valued factor in business :circles, and was also highly esteemed for his genuine personal worth. Since his death the family have removed to Xenia and now reside at: No. 125 North Detroit street. WILLIAM McCLELLAND. William McClelland, now deceased, was a well known representative of Sugarcreek township, who in a high measure enjoyed. the esteem of his fellow men because his life was upright and honorable. He was born January 3, 1825, on the farm in Sugarcreek township, which is now the home of his widow. His parents were Captain Robert and Martha (McConnell) McClelland. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was very prominent in political circles. He. came to Greene county in 1802 and in 1806 purchased the old home farm comprising-nearly three hundred acres of rich land, which he developed and improved until it was a very valuable farm. His death occurred in the year 1846. 496 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. McClelland, whose name introduces this review, assisted his father in the work of the home farm during the period of his youth, also pursued his education in the district schools and enjoyed the pleasures such as were common to boys of that period. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Miss Jane Watt,. of Beavercreek township. She died about 1881, and on the 3d of July, 1883, Mr. McClelland was .again married, his second union being with Miss Hannah M. Naughton, of Xenia. She was born in Hamilton county near Cincinnati, and was a daughter of James and Mary (Welch) Naughton. Her mother died during the infancy of Mrs. McClelland, who was then reared by a family living in Greene county, near Jamestown. After his marriage Mr. McClelland devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and his fields were always well tilled, showing his careful supervision and his thorough knowledge of farming methods. At the time of the Civil. war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by becoming a member of a company known as the Squirrel Hunters. He afterward joined Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. When the regiment took part in the battle of New Creek, his company was engaged in guarding Piedmont and thus was not in the engagement. Mr. McClelland remained at the front for about four months and during the service was ill with the measles. He never :afterward fully recovered his health and died on the l0th of March, 1901, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He voted with the Republican party, and although never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day. In 1890 he was land appraiser and also school director. For eight years he was director of the Greene county agricultural board and then resigned because the board determined to have horse racing at the county fairs. He did not ob jest to speeding horses, in fact was very fond of a good horse and loved to test its speed, his objection to the racing at the fairs being on the ground of the gambling which was connected with it. Mr. McClelland long held membership in the Second United Presbyterian church and for thirty years served as elder, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of. Christianity and promote the growth of the church. His life was one that was in harmony with principles of upright manhood and in which he had due regard for all his obligations to his fellow men. He was honorable, courteous, kindly and possessed a genial and friendly disposition, and thus his death was sincerely and deeply mourned throughout the community. Mrs. McClelland has long been identified with the United Presbyterian church. EDMUND HARRIS MUNGER. Judge E. H. Munger is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Ohio; whose representatives have for a century been connected with the development and progress of this state, but further back can he trace his ancestry, for in an early epoch in the colonization of America his ancestors came to the new world. The Mun ger family is of English lineage and from the county of Kent in the year 1639 came one of the name, establishing his home in New England, where his descendants became active factors in the substantial up- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 497 building and improvement of that section of the country. Edmund Munger, the grandfather of our subject, was a general in the war of 1812 and for a time was in charge of the Ohio army, but after was superseded by General Hull, who took the troops to Detroit where he afterward surrendered them. General Munger was a farmer by occupation and was a man of marked ability along many lines. He had considerable. mechanical talent, could shoe his own horse and repair his farm machinery and at the same time his mental talents and broad knowledge made him a leader of public thought and opinion. On coming to Ohio, he spent one summer on wild land near Belpre., in Washington county, where he cleared some of his land and planted a crop. Afterward he purchased an entire section-six hundred and forty acres—of what was known as the Simms purchase, south. of Dayton in Montgomery. county; in 1798. His new tract of land General Munger cleared and for many years made his home thereon. At first he lived in true pioneer style, his home being a log cabin, but as the years . passed and he on prosperity, he added. to his place all modern equipments and conveniences :and erected a large brick residence.. He was a man deeply interested in all that pertains to the promotion of the general welfare, was a leader in public thought and action, and was called to represent his- district in the state legislature. In fact, he was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of. his portion of the state. He would hold church meetings, singing societies and meetings of a similar character which tended to promote sociability as .well as culture and. morality among. the people of the community He donated the ground upon which a school was built and was an active factor in advancing general progress. He died at his home on the old Simms purchase. at the age of eighty-six years, while his Wife reached the. very advance age of one hundred years and four months. Reuben Munger, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood on the old family homestead in Ohio, although he was born, in New England. He was the fifth in order Of birth in a family of twelve children, ten. Of whom reached years of maturity and reared families of their own.. He received. the ordinary common. school advantages, offered at that time and became a well informed man. His father established a circulating library and the children therefore had the opportunity of acquiring much. knowledge in that way. He learned the trade of a builder and for many years was extensively and successfully engaged in. contracting and carpentering. Like his father he possessed much mechanical ability and ingenuity, and could not only engage in carpentering, but could make carriages and wagons and even constructed threshing machines in that early day. He married Laura Harris, also a native of Montgomery county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bingham) Harris, who were New. England people; and removed to Ohio at an early period in the settlement of this state. Unto Reuben and Laura Munger were born three children, the eldest being the Judge, while the second son was John, who died at the age of nineteen years: The third child was. Amanda, who died at the age of four years. John passed away in New Orleans, to which city he had been taken on .account of his health, but he died the evening after his arrival. Although he always resided upon a. farm, Reuben Munger never actively en- 498 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. gaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived to .a very ripe old age, passing away in his ninety-sixth year, while his wife died at the .age of seventy-four, at the old home on Montgomery county. Following her death, the father came to Greene county and spent his last days in the home of the Judge in Xenia. Like most boys of the period, Judge Munger began his education in the common schools such as existed during his. boyhood and was also instructed by a neighbor, the Rev. Mr. Hall, who taught him to read Latin. He took up the study of algebra and surveying independently and made for himself a set of surveying instruments. He also made a set of blocks to illustrate the law of cube root. After he had mastered the branches of learning taught in the neighborhood schools, he began teaching, in the common schools and followed that profession for a number of years, alternating his educational work, however,, by attendance at the .Xenia Academy and the academy conducted by Mr. Barney in Dayton. Subsequently he .pursued a collegiate course in Miami University at Oxford, and when in the senior year, together with sixteen of his classmates, be left that institution and went to Danville, Kentucky, completing his course of study there by his graduation in the class of 1848. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him and he was chosen to deliver the graduating address, taking as his subject The Ideal. Judge Munger earned the sum necessary to defray his expenses throughout the period in which he was obtaining his education, with the exception of the sum necessary for the last term of three months. After his graduation Judge Munger returned to his home, and established a school for young men and women at Bellbrook, Greene county, conducting the same for nine months. He then began reading law with Joseph G. Gest, of Xenia, with whom he read for two years, after which he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Columbus, in 1851. He then went into partnership .with his preceptor, a connection that was maintained for two or three years, when Mr. Gest retired from practice and judge Munger purchased his library and admitted R. F. Howard to a partnership in the business. On the expiration of two years, this relation was discontinued and since that time Judge Munger has been alone in practice. For years he maintained a very prominent position at the bar of Ohio. His standing at the bar was a merited tribute to his ability. He threw himself easily and naturally into the argument with a self-possession and a deliberation in which there was no straining after effect, but with a precision and clearness in his statements and an accuracy and strength in his arguments which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investigation and in which the closest reasoning was habitual and easy. He has now, largely retired from practice, for the years have brought him success and he is today the possessor of a, handsome competence. On the 3d of October, 1861, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Mather, of Suffield, Connecticut. The ancestry can be traced back to Richard Mather, the distinguished minister who was one of the first to proclaim the gospel in the new world. Charles and Mary Mather, the parents of Mrs. Munger, were natives of Connecticut .and never came to Ohio. Her ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 499 mother is still living at the age; of ninety-two years. Unto the Judge and his wife were born six children : Clara, the wife of Joseph Littell, of Indianapolis, who is a minister of the United Presbyterian church, by whom she has four sons; John C., who. married Flora Barnes and is now, a practitioner of law in Toledo; Laura, the wife of H. W. Ninde, a lawyer of Fort Wayne, Indiana, by whom she has four children; Edmund, who is .a graduate of Brown University and is a musician of note, now studying music in the city of Vienna, Austria;. Mary, who completed her musical education in Berlin; and Charles, at home. Judge Munger served for three, and one-half years upon the bench of the common pleas court. He was first appointed by Governor Hayes to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Winans, and later was elected to the same office. He never held other official positions save that of prosecuting attorney, in which capacity he served for seven years prior to the time when he went upon the bench. In politics he was originally a Whig, but joined the Republican party upon its organization. As the years have passed he has made judicious investments and is today the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Greene county. He is also a stockholder in the Xenia National; the Citizens' National, and the Dayton National Banks. His scholarly attainments, his statesmanship and reliable judgment, and his charming powers of conversation have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position however exalted, but he did not seek preferment in that direction, desiring rather, to give his undivided attention to the practice of law during the many years of his active connection therewith, and as has been truly said, "No political preferment, no mere place can add to the power or increase the honor which belongs to the pure and educated lawyer." WILLIAM G. CONFER. Among the honored residents of Yellow Springs was numbered William G. Confer, now deceased. He was born at Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, December 29, 1823, and was a representative of an excellent family, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Bowman) Confer, the former a native of France and the latter of Hagerstown, Maryland. George Confer emigrated to the United States with his father, who settled in Maryland, and in 1802 came to Greene county, Ohio, locating on the land which 'was for so many years the home of our subject. This farm of two hundred acres was secured from the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The farm labors of the grandfather were at one time interrupted by his enlistment for service in the war of. 1812, but with the exception of this period he followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. The parents of our subject were married in Hagerstown, Maryland, and after residing in Ohio for a time they returned to the former state, which was their place of abode until 1834. In that year they again came to Ohio, where they spent their remaining days, the former dying in 1857, and the latter passing away in 1870. They were the parents of five children and were most highly respected people. William G. Confer was a lad of fourteen years when he left his boyhood home in Maryland and accompanied his parents on their second removal to this state. Here he entered the public schools, pursuing his