704 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. D. B. ALLEN, physician; West Liberty. In all professions, and more especially the medicate we find men of different qualifications. There are those who claim the title of M. D. upon the fact. of a diploma having been granted them, and others who have earned the title by years of hard, comprehensive study. Included in the latter class is Dr. D. B. Allen, who is a thoroughly educated gentleman in literary lore as well as in the science of medicine. He is a native of Union Co., this State, and was born Dec. 1, 1823. He attended school in the county until he was 17, afterwards entering at Norwalk Seminary, where he remained three years, making a specialty of mathematics. He then taught school at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and during the time. he was reading medicine with Dr. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 705 Sapp-continuing three years-he then attended the Willoughby College in 1845-46, and afterwards began practicing at Millville, Delaware Co., where he remained one year; transferring thence to Sunbury, in the same county, and then engaged with Dr. Sapp until 1849, when he came to this place and remained until 1856; he then went to Montezuma, Iowa, and practiced there and at Winterset until 1861, at which time he applied to the professors of College at Keokuk for an examination, and was granted a diploma by paying a matriculation fee; was soon commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the First Iowa Cavalry, in which position he remained eighteen months, and was then commissioner surgeon of the 30th I. V. I., where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he resigned his commission, returned home, and soon after settles again in West Liberty where he has since resided, and has a lucrative practice. He was married in 1848 to Sarah, daughter of Wilber and Hannah (Lewis) Caswell, by whom he has had three children, two of whom are living- Miller S. assistant editor on the New York Star, and Charles W. B. Dr. Allen has been an active member of the School Board at this place, and is now a member of the town council. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at this place. He is member of the State and County Medical Societies, and is an active Republican. SAMUEL ARMSTRONG, miller; West Liberty; was born Dec. 24, 1821, in Charnpaign Co., O. His father, Andrew, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Mary, in Kentucky; they settled in Champaign Co., in 1818, and finally in Shelby Co., 1828. The had five children: William, lives now in Indana; Samuel; Sarah J., married Wm. K. Helvey, and is living in Delaware Co., Ind.; Lewis, died when young; Elizabeth, living in Memphis, Tenn. His parents were both member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1843 (the father having died in 1840) our subject and his mother moved back to Clark Co where they had formerly lived. In a short time, Sarah J. was married, and the mother went to live with her in Indiana, and there died in 1846. Samuel was married, March 1845, to Catharine, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Roller, who was born, 1823, in Virginia; by her he had six children-Joseph, deceased, Melissa J., George H., William, James E. and John R. They lived but a short time in Clark Co., and then moved to Shelby Co., where he farmed and worked as a blacksmith for some time. In 1850 he built a mill in Ft. Jefferson, that county, in which he engaged for two years and then traded the same for a farm in said county. He farmed it for two years, afterwards trading for a grist-mill costing $14,500, known as the " Maxwell Mill;" here he remained for ten years. He again traded for a farm, and entered rural life for another period of two years. In 1876 he came to West Liberty, and bought the present mill, which has been here over sixty years. He has been engaged here ever since. He runs four sets of buhrs by Turbine water-power wheels, having plenty of water during the year; he does mostly custom work, and ships quite an amount to New York. He is identified with the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential vote for Jackson. Mr. Armstrong is the architect of his own fortune. GEORGE F. BAILEY, cooper; West Liberty; is the son of James and Catharine (Vandegrift) Bailey; his father was born in Harford Co., Md., Feb. 10, 1795, and his mother in the same county July 7, 1797; they came to Ohio in 1840, settling at Cambridge, Guernsey Co., and in 1844 came to Licking Co., settling in Alexandria, where the father is still living, the mother having died June 24, 1865; she was the mother of Mary E., George F., Edwin and Sarah A.; the father was again married; his parents were Presbyterians. George F. was born Jan. 13, 1826, in Harford Co., Md., where he spent his boyhood days attending school. At the age of 15 he began learning the cooper's trade with his father, which he continued until he was 21 years old; he then started on his own resources, having a few tools, only, to begin with. He situated himself at Roscoe, Coshocton, Co., where he remained until Nov. 2, 1849, when he went to California, there engaging, during the summer of 1851, in the gold mines, and at his trade in Sacramento City. In September, 1851, he returned by water, and again worked at his trade at Roscoe. July 1, 1852, he went to Licking Co. to visit his parents, and on Aug. 20, 1852, he came to West Liberty, where he has since 706 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. remained. He was married June 28,1853, at Alexandria, Licking Co., to Susan Van Buskirk, by whom he had four children, two of whom survive-Oleeta and Donn C.; his wife died June 12,1859; was again married July 22, 1860, to Ann M. VanBuskirk; by her he has one child-Van Buskirk. He enlisted in Co. G, 132 O. V. I., and ranked as Sergeant; was elected to the town council for nine years, and is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He was early identified with the Whig party, having voted first for President Taylor, and at the organization of the Republican party he entered its ranks, and has been a valiant soldier in the cause ever since. He is now a member of the Republican Central Committee, and is now a local member of this township. Mr. Bailey has a remarkably good memory, and has been for the past few years writing up his trip to California, which is a very fine production. He was one of the sufferers of the great fire during the summer of 1880, but he is not given to despair,' and is now rebuilding some magnificent buildings. ENOS BALDWIN, hardware and grocery; ; West Liberty ; was born July 22, 1818, in Champaign Co., O. He obtained a limited education-as much as was afforded in the log cabin of those days. At the age of 11 his parents moved to Logan Co., settling in Monroe Tp., where our subject engaged in rural. pursuits, His father, Daniel, was born in 1793, in Tennessee, and came to Highland Co., this State, when a mere boy. His mother, Hannah (Williams) was a native of Virginia and emigrated to Logan Co. at an early day. The parents of Mr. Baldwin remained in Monroe Tp. for seven year,. transferring then to Hardin Co., where the mother died m 1848. The father was again married, to Sallie Stewart, and removed to Logan Co. in 1858 or 1859. By his former marriage he had eleven children, nine of whom survive-Enos, Mary (deceased); John, who was four years in the 82 O. V. I. during the Civil War; Uriah (was also out in the war), Frances J. (deceased), William H. (was in the 100 days' service), Philander R. (was in the service from Iowa), Richard C. (stock-dealer in Merrick Co., N Nebraska), Jesse (was in an Iowa regiment), Nicholas W. (was in the 13th O. V. I), and Eliza A. The boys who served in the war returned uninjured, save one slight wound, received by Nicholas W., at the battle of Chickamauga. The father served in the war of 1812; was once Associate Judge of Hardin Co., and some time Justice of the Peace, which positions he filled with credit to himself and to those who chose him; he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church; their parents were raised Quakers. Enos remained on. the farm until he was about 19 years of age, at which time he began teaching school, which he continued but a short time. In April, 1843, he sought a helpmate in the person of Sarah J., a daughter of Henry and Abigail (Brown) Buckmister, natives of New Hampshire, who came to Wyandot Co., O., in 1828, and afterward to Hardin Co., where the mother died and the father is still living. Mr. Baldwin had by this Union two children; only one survives - Enos L. His wife died in 1868, and he was again married, December, 1870, to Margaret Jane, daughter of James and Mary Jones, by whom he' had two children-James H. only living. His present wife was born in 1837. His life was spent in rural pursuits until 1861, when he entered into the hardware and grocery business at this place, which he continued alone until 1866, when he enlarged by taking in Mr. Elliott as a partner, and since that time has merchandised under the firm name of Baldwin & Elliott, having now a full line of all kinds of hardware and groceries. He has served as Township Trustee, Councilman and Cemetery Trustee, and has held office in the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination himself and wife are active members, as was also his first consort. He has always been identified with the Republican party, having cast his first vote for W. H. Harrison. In all the varied experiences of the above hastily sketched life, its possessor has been particularly fortunate. He started life with $500, given him by his father, with whom he had remained five years after attaining his majority. He now possesses, outside of his present large business, 125 acres of well improved land in Logan Co., and 80 acres in Iowa.. Though now his years are nearly three score and ten, he retains the appearance and activity of those LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 707 twenty ,years his junior. The hand of time has touched him lightly. J. R. CROCKETT, tanner; West Liberty; was born Feb. 28, 1841, in Logan Co., in the same building he now occupies, His younger days were spent somewhat in attending school. His father being a tanner, it was natural for him to turn his attention in that direction, and, at the age of 17, he devoted his entire time to the business, under the instruction of his father. In 1864, he formed a partnership with his father, which continued until 1874, when our subject took the whole control, and has since been extremely successful. He was married, in 1872, to Hattie R. Secord, a native of Michigan. She died in 1874, having blessed him with two children, both deceased. He was again married, in 1879, to Belle, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Walker) Thatcher, now residents of De Graff, this county. By his last marriage he has one child, Mary Louisa. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. His father, Houston, was born at Manchester, Clark Co., Ky., and came to Liberty Tp. about the year 18l6, having emigrated, when 12 years old, to said locality. His mother, Louisa Turner, was born in Champaign Co., this State, in 1815, and had, by her union with Mr. Crockett, eight children, five of whom are living - Lucy now Mrs. Kelley; James A., a physician at Elkhart, Ind.; J. R.; Eleanora, married to William Petty and Esta, married to Samuel Taylor. The father died Jan. 20, 1880, in the faith of the Christian Church. The mother is still enjoying life's pilgrimage here. His grandfather, Black, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Turner, emigrated from England, and served the Colonies all through the Revolutionary war. The Crockett family are descendants of old David Crockett, the noted hunter, of Virginia. We may mention Houston Crockett as one of the early singing school teachers of this county, and an early and prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of this place. He was also an active element in the Republican party. We mention elsewhere in the township history many important reminiscences connected with the Crockett family, and wall, therefore, desist from further mention here, otherwise than to say they have constituted one of the most interesting and enterprising families it has been our pleasure to record. A. D. CULBERTSON, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born Sept. 4, 1817, in Champaign Co., O.; his father, John, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Susan Douglas, in Virginia. They emigrated to Ohio by means of a flat boat which the father had built; they landed at Cincinnati, and were there met by his brother-in-law, Zephaniah Loose, who brought them by team to Champaign Co., where the father entered 160 acres of land, getting his patent from Thomas Jefferson. Here this old pioneer began in the woods in a log cabin with scarcely anything save a team which he brought down by boat. One of these horses was sold at his sale, at the age of thirty. The father died in 1835, and the mother five nears prior, They had three children- Caroline, who married James Black, and A. D. survive; Lucy is deceased. Our subject attended the old pioneer schoolhouses, many of which are described in this work. He was a witness of all the hardships that were allotted the pioneers, but the busy wing of time wafted him to a ripe old age, where he now enjoys the fruits of his early days' industry. At the death of his father he made a home with his brother-in-law, Alexander Black, who had married Lucy (deceased), and there remained until he was married, on Feb. 25, 1847, to Sarah, a daughter of John and Lucretia-Boyd Hurd, natives of Virginia, who came among the earliest of the settlers of this section of the county. His wife was born January 6, 1829, in Logan Co.; by her he has had three children - James M., born Feb. 2, 1848; died Jan. 18, 1856; Samuel, born April 21, 1852, and died Nov. 16, 1853; Mary E., born Feb. 13, 1850, married H. A. Hill, and lives with her father. His wife died, and he was again married to Lucinda J. Bond, who was born March 30, 1815, and died Jan. 30, 1879. He now owns 103 acres of well improved land, which he has attained by his own labors. He is a member of the McKee's Creek Christian Church. He has been afflicted with light spasms for forty year, yet he attains a remarkably good memory, and the hand of time has touched him gently. He has retired from the active pursuits of life, having rented his farm to a Mr. Whitmore. I. N. DILLE, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; 708 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. was born Sept. 10, 1827, in Richland Co., O. His father, Amos, was born in Washington Co. Pa. and his mother Anna De Camp, in New Jersey. They came to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Richland Co., where the father entered 160 acres of land, getting his patent from Thomas Jefferson. In the fall of 1834, they sold out and removed to Hardin Co., and there bought 100 acres. In 1836, they came to Logan Co., and settled where our subject now lives. Here they bought 160 acres. The father died in 1845, and was buried in this township; the mother has remained single since, and is now 89 years old. She has had eight children-John M., Martha, Sarah, Hannah; I. N., Josephus, Emma J. and Zenas. She is a member of the Christian Church. I. N. traveled along with the family in the hardships that the pioneers had to encounter. He was married Feb. 17, 1853, to Rachel, a daughter of Daniel and Amelia (Holliday) Williams, natives of Berkeley Co., Va. They came to Champaign Co. in 1830, and to Logan Co. in 1836, on the hill where Robert Parks now live, buying first 160 acre, and afterwards another tract of 124 acres. The father died in 1844, and the mother six years prior to him. They had nine children, four of whom are living-Rachel, David, James, and Mary. Her father was Township Trustee for many years before his decease. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dille settled on their present farm of 101 acres immediately after marriage, and have since remained. He was elected Township Trustee in 1874, and is the present incumbent; he has also served in other minor offices, His amiable companion holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had nine children, six of whom are living--Gilbert B., Martha, Mary A.., Laura, Ida and Belle. Those deceased are Ara F., Lucy J. and Carrie M. He has always been identified with the Republican party. BENJAMIN ELLIOTT, hardware; West Liberty; was born Feb. 4, 1825, in Chester Co., Penn. His father, John, was born Nov. 2, 1795, and died Sept. 8, 1828, in the same county, as was also his mother, Mary Brogan Elliott, her birthday being Feb. 28, 1796; she died March 22, 1831. The father died when Benjamin was three years old, and in two years the mother, too, "followed that beckoning hand to the shore" of that cold, dark river, leaving five children to fight life's battle alone-Mifflin, born Feb. 6, 18I5; Wilson, April 14, 1817 ; Hannah, Sept. 7,1819; Eliza, June 17, 1822; Benjamin and Sarah died April 26,1828. Benjamin lived with his uncle, Daniel Elliott, for two years, and then made a home with George Hoopes until 16 years old; during this time he took advantage of the cabin schools; he began then to learn the carpenters' trade with Charles Sloane, with whom he continued for three years, getting board and clothing for his labor, and two weeks during harvest, transferring thence to the employ of James B. Gibson for one year, at the expiration of which he worked at the same for John Davis, a brother-in-law; at the age, of 21 he went to work at his trade at Mingo with his uncle, William Elliott, for eighteen months; he then, in company with Job Salkeld, took a steamer at Cincinnati, O., after having worked at that place a short time. They landed first at Vicksburg, and worked a short time at carpentering, and thence to Natchez, Miss., and there witnessed the reception of Gens. Taylor and Quitman, who were just returning from the Mexican war; they then went to New Orleans, and in a short time took ship for Galveston, Texas, where they stopped but a short time, and, finding business dull, they soon sailed for Port Lavaco, which then contained about thirty log house, but they did not unload their baggage, but returned to New Orleans, and thence to Natchez, where they resumed their trade, afterward engaging at Vicksburg; from there they transferred to Greenville, Miss., where they worked until the spring of 1849; they then took steamer for St. Louis, Mo., there engaging a short time, and then returned to Ohio, finally stopping at Urbana, where our subject continued his trade, making his home with William Thomas, in Logan Co. He soon after sought a companion in the person of Rebecca Wierman, the marriage taking place May 27, 1852. Her parent, John and Jane Moorehead Wierman, were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Champaign n Co., O., in 1835. They had nine children, of whom six survive. Mr. Elliott farmed for sometime in Champaign Co. after his marriage, and then went to Kansas, but in six months returned LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 709 to West Liberty, and engaged at carpentering, which he continued until 1868, when he abandoned it, and has since devoted his attention to his partnership business with Enos Baldwin, His marriage blessed him with six children-Addle, Willis, Eva, Nellie, Maud and Benjamin. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Liberty, When Mr. Elliott was 21 years old he started to Ohio, taking the cars at Penningtonville, Penn., and at Holliday's Ferry took a stage, and about midnight they run into a big snow-drift, and the passengers were compelled to wade the deep snow to a tavern a mile off. In the morning the stage came up and they started on for Pittsburg. There he took a steamboat for Cincinnati, O., and from there took a stage for Dayton. The next morning after arriving, he started on foot for Mingo Valley, a distance of fifty miles. At the end of the second day he landed at his Uncle William Elliott's, with a $5 gold piece. It is the privilege of but few to witness the varied scenes that have made up the life of Benjamin Elliott. The disadvantages of his youth made him energetic and a close thinker, of vigorous frame and an active, investigating turn of mind. His varied experiences have been treasured up for future profit. He has always keen active, and is honored for his unwavering adhesion to principle, and for his zeal and liberality in the promotion, of all worthy objects, Benjamin's father was one of seven children-Mary, born May 13, 1795; Martha, June 16, 1797; Daniel, Jan. 15, 1795; Benjamin, May 16, 1802; Ann, Dec. 13, 1804, and Robert, Feb. 1, 1807. W. R. FISHER, banker and grain dealer; West Liberty; was born June 26, 1826, in Hunterdon Co.. N. J.; during early life, his educational advantages were limited, but by study, observation and experience, he has acquired a good business education; at the age of sixteen he began the trade of carriage -making, which he followed at Rosenburg for four years: he then mined in California for three year, at which he was somewhat successful. In 1851 he returned to New Jersey, and there remained until 1853, when he came to West Liberty and engaged in buying grain under the firm name of Runkle & Co., continuing about two years; he then merchandised under the firm name of Fisher & Kelly, continuing one year, when Kelly withdrew, and the firm changed to Fisher & Greer, continuing four years. They then sold, and Mr. Fisher engaged in his present business, under the firm name of Taylor, Fisher & Co., and is doing a fine business in banking and grain, etc. He was married in 1854 to Eliza - Elizabeth M. Sieg, a native of Virginia; they have one child-Kate, who graduated at the Female Seminary at Staunton, Virginia, in 1880. Mr. Fisher has been a member of the School Board, and is now a member of the Town Council. He is a member of Liberty Lodges, Nos. 161, F., & A. M., and 96, I. O. O. F., and has been treasurer of the latter since 1862. He takes an active interest in all improvements, and his sterling worth as a friend and neighbor, and as a successful business man, is recognized by his friends and acquaintances. His father, John, and mother, Susan (Runkle) Fisher, were born m New Jersey. They had three children, but two survive-Jacob and W. R. The father died I832, and the mother was again married, this time to Archibald Kennedy. She died in 1876, a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also her husband. Mrs. Fisher's grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. She has a fork that was used by him during that struggle, Mr. Fisher started life with nothing. While he was serving his apprentice ship he worked for $25 per year, and at the termination of his four years he had only $30 left. This little treasure has been improved, and he now ranks amongst the wealthy. CHARLES F. FOX, hardware, West Liberty; is the son of Julias and Paulina Dietzel Fox; the former was born in 1823 and died July 17, 1859; he latter was born March 17, 1829, both in German; they emigrated to America in 1853 or 1854, and settled at Springfield, Ohio, where the father engaged in cabinet-making, in which he continued until his death; he was buried by the Rover, No. 4, Fire Company, of Springfield, and was; the first one to depart that organization, and was borne to his silent resting-place on a hose wagon by his faithful comrade, who deeply mourned his loss; he was the father of Charles F. and Ernest E. (deceased). The mother was again married, March 7, 1865, to George J. Walker, who was born Jan. 21, 1828, by whom she had three children, two of whom 710 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. survive-Anna and George. Charles F. was born July 14, 1856, in Springfield, Ohio, where he attended the pay school; at the age of 14 years he began learning the tinner's trade with his uncle, Edwin Dietzel, at his native city, which he continued three years, and then engaged to a man by the name of Otto for two years, transferring then to the employ of Humphrey & Carter for two years. In 1878, he began business at West Liberty, and is running a full line of stoves, tinware and house-furnishing goods. He was married, Sept. 10, 1878, to Maggie Hax, of Springfield, who was born June 21, 1856, and has blessed her husband with one child-Theodore F. Her parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Gorman Hax, were natives of Germany, and had nine children; her father is a laborer in the Old Champion Reaper Manufactory at Springfield; her parents are both members of the Lutheran Church, as were also his parents. Our subject and wife are active members of the Lutheran Church at this place, in which he has been Trustee. He has always been an active Republican. He is comparatively young, yet he has, by careful management, accumulated a nice little fortune to make himself and family comfortable the rest of their days. His gentlemanly appearance has won for him a trade merited by but few in Logan Co. BENJAMIN GINN, hotel; West Liberty; was born, Jan. 13, 1809, in Mason Co., Kentucky. His school-days were spent in a log cabin; at the age of fifteen he began learning tailoring, at Washington, in his native county, his preceptor being the Rev. William Vaughn, with whom he continued until he was eighteen years old, at which period he came by a four horse team to West Liberty, and soon after engaged at. his trade at this place, and was the first to work at that business here.In 1814 he embarked his financial means in a wider field of labor, going into the grocery business with Mr. Clement, to which he devoted his entire attention; in three years he withdrew from the firm of Ginn & Clement, and engaged in the hotel business at this place, in which he continued with success until 1852, when he withdrew, and engaged in merchandising at Ridgeway, Hardin Co., this State, continuing the same for six years. In 1862; he returned to this place, and again entered the grocery business, continuing until 1864, when he began in his present business, that of hotel-keeping, which vocation he intends to follow until time wafts him away. He was married July 29, 1829, to Jane Newell, by whom he had nine children, all of whom are living. Elizabeth, married P. W. Colvin, and living in Kentucky; Martha; William, now a salesman in Des Moines City, Iowa; Carries John A., printer on the Chicago Times; Hugh, now of Urbana; Ettie, Julia and Benann. Mr. Ginn has been Mayor of this town for eight years, and Justice of the Peace twelve years; was once a member of the I. O. O. F., and is, now, of the F. and A. M., at. this place. His amiable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He cast his first vote for President for Henry Clay, and has mostly voted the Republican ticket. The evil effects of intemperance that have come under his observation, likewise those that he has experienced, have made him one of the strongest of Prohibitionists. His parents, Benjamin and Lucy Triplett Ginn, were natives of Culpepper County, Va., and emigrated to Kentucky, where they died; they had eight children, of which two only survive, Benjamin and Thomas; the father was always an old "Jeffersonian School"Democrat. The grandfather, Triplett, was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and was of English descent; the grandmother Triplett was of Scotch-Irish descent. MRS. SUSAN GLOVER, West Liberty; is a daughter of James and Letitia (Randall) Stafford, natives of Baltimore, Md. They emigrated to Pennsylvania, and there the father died. The mother and three children came, in 1835, to Springfield, Ohio, and, in 1836, she came to West Liberty, and here she died, in 1839. She had by Mr. Stafford thirteen children. The three that came with her were-Eliza, Julia and Susan. At the death of the mother, Susan went to live with Mr. Glover, whom she afterwards married. John M. Glover, her deceased husband, was born in 1811, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and moved with his parents, Nathan and Mary, to Piketon. There the parents died, when he was about 10 years old, leaving him with neither brothers nor sisters. He came to West Liberty with Thomas P. Miller, at the age of 21, LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 711 for whom he clerked in a dry-goods store. In 1834, he married Isabel, a daughter of Mr. Miller. She journeyed with him until 1855, when she died, being the mother of four children, two of whom are living and two de ceased. Mary I. married John E. Smith ; Hester A., deceased ; Thomas W. had his name changed to Miller, in honor of his grandfather, Miller; and Fanny S. Mrs. Glover; deceased, was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Glover was again married to the present Mrs. Susan Glover, by whom he had two children-John M. and Almena K. He died March 26, 1880. He was the oldest Elder of the Presbyterian Church at this place, and was one of the leading elements of the town, and became very wealthy, but ere his allotted time had elapsed he became financially embarrassed. The Glover family are of English and Welsh descent. Mrs. Glover's mother was of English, and her father of Scotch descent. She is now located in a magnificent dwelling, which was built by her husband at a cost of about $40,000. The family are in possession of an orchard, the trees for which were carried from Kentucky years ago. This is, perhaps, the oldest orchard in this part of the country. Her deceased husband was for many years President of the Pioneer Association. JOHN T. GRIBBLE, book-keeper; West Liberty; was born Nov. 9, 1836, in Logan Co., in what is now West Liberty, where he attended school as much as he could considering the circumstances of the lo; cabin and the limited means of his parents. He early embarked in the mill of Mr. Glover at packing flour. In 1854, he graduated at Bacon's Commercial College, at Cincinnati, O., and then entered the warehouse of Mr. Glover, as book-keeper, with whom he continued until it burnt. He then en transferred to the employ of Cornell & Co., dry-goods merchants, with whom he continued ode year, and then, in partnership with J. E. Smith, rented the Glover mill for two years. He then withdrew and took a position as book-keeper for Taylor, Fisher & Co., in which he still continues. He has charge of the accounts of the warehouse business, also the railroad and express business (Fisher and Taylor being agents for those companies). He was married Feb. 21, 1860, to Margaret Kelley, who was born in 1831, by whom he has six children-Elmer R., Howard, Clark, Atta, Lester and Lois. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Gribble has always voted the Republican ticket. His father, Abner, and his mother, Catharine (Bombaugh) Gribble, were natives of Cumberland Co., Pa. The former was born April 7, 1797, and died May 11, 1867, the latter was born June 16, 1804, and still survives. They were married and came to Champaign Co. and settled on a farm in the "green woods," which was improved but little, the father having soon after taken a position in the Miller mill, and there he continued until his death. He was the father of Hiram, now a grocer in California; .lane, married J. T. Ricks and is living in Florida; Harriet, married Francis Seaman, now living in Elkhart, Ind.; Maria, married John Elcook; Rufus, is deceased; John T., William, publisher of the Daily News at Urbana, Champaign Co.; Isabel, married Henry Dorn, and Joseph, grocer at this place. The father is deceased, the mother still living and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HARRY W. HAMILTON, editor Gazette; West Liberty; was born at Xenia, O., on the 18th day of June, 1347; youngest son of Henry A: and Sarah A. Hamilton. At the age of 12 years his father died, leaving the subject of our sketch dependent upon two older brothers for support, and from that time forward he was deprived of the benefits of even a common school education, but in a very short time thereafter he commenced the conflict of life. At 14 years he went to Springfield, O., and there obtained a situation as clerk in a boot and shoe establishment, belonging to J. H. Phillips, and, by honesty and close attention to business, soon ingratiated himself into the good graces of a large patronage. Being endowed by nature with a skillful use of the pen, at the age of 17, this accomplishment found him an excellent position in the Auditor's office, Fayette Co., which was tendered him, unsolicited, by Abel McCandless, the Auditor. There young Hamilton developed the fact that he had inborn qualifications for the intricate work of this office, and those who knew him best inform the writer that he appeared to grasp all the arduous duties of the Auditor with the greatest ease, and that he performed the same with eminent ability, foresight and care; that his 712 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. work was always reliable, and that the utmost confidence was imposed in his skill as an accurate accountant by everybody having business with the county. Mr. Hamilton was soon deputized by the Auditor and vested with the full power of Auditor. We not only find such leading citizens as Hon. Mills Gardner, Hon. William Millikan-the able editor of the Fay Fayette County Herald Judges Priddy and Gray, and others from Washington C. H., O., speaking highly of this young gentleman, but in his possession we find flattering encomiums of his talent as an accountant from such distinguished men as Hon. William Lawrence, Hon. .J. Warren Keifer, Hon. James Williams, ex-Auditor of State, Hon. Milton Barnes, present Secretary of State, Dr. Henry S. Babbitt, present Cashier of the State Treasury, Mr. C. MI. Nichols, editor of the Springfield Lady Republic, and others of equally high authority. In the Auditor's office in Fayette Co. Mr. Hamilton served eight years, during which time he did considerable local correspondence for the Cincinnati Gazette and Cincinnati Chronicle, afterwards the Times, and during the vigorous political campaign of 1870-71, he supplied these papers with many stirring reports. Leaving the Auditor's office in 1872, Mr. H. went to Cincinnati, but returned to Washington C. H. again, and then removing to Springfield, O., remained there until January, 1878. On the 9th of January, 1878, he came to West Liberty, and on the 11th day of that mouth he purchased the office of the West Liberty Press-owned by E. T. Davis, and published by W. P. Marion and Charles Davis. The office was taken under discouraging circumstances, and with meagre hopes of success, but on the 16th day of that month the West Liberty Gazette, a neat, twenty-eight column paper, trade its first bow to an astonished multitude. Some said it could not survive thirty days; others more generously fixed upon six months as the probable limit of its existence. A less determined man would have given up the ship amidst so many discouraging prophecies of its inevitable wreck; few would have cared to brave the storm, but Mr. Hamilton was of different mettle. The sea might be turbulent, but the man at the rudder was resolute, and success could only follow. On the 30th of January, 1878, D. C. Bailey purchased an interest in the Gazette, and the two young men clung to the ship tenaciously and pulled it through the rapids. On the 27th day of June, 1879, Prof. P. W. Search, Superintendent of the West Liberty Union Schools, a gentleman of high literary attainments, purchased the Gazette office, and immediately re-associated with himself Mr. Hamilton, placing him at the head of the paper as editor, and completing such arrangements as rendered them equal partners in its publication and control. The Gazette now ranks as one of the leading papers of the county, and its success, week after week, is a glowing tribute to the energy, talent and enterprise of Mr. H. W. Hamilton, who is honored by the business men and citizens generally for the noble work he has so ably and well done. He was married to Miss Erie E. Eckmann, of Greenfield, Highland Co., O., daughter of Judge John Eckman, on the 15th of November, 1870; two little daughters being the issue of the union. STEPHEN HANNUM, saw mill; West Liberty ; was born April 8, 1811, in Chester Co., Pa. He spent his younger days attending school in the old log cabin, that was used by a tenant. At the age of 16, he began milling with Elisha Phipps, with whom he continued for six years. He then went to the State of Delaware and worked on the Brandywine mills for one year, afterwards engaging as a millwright with William Stamp, with whom he continued for about two years, transferring then to the employ of a man by the name of Harvey, continuing some time, and then attended a boarding-school at West Bradford, Pa., for eighteen months. In 1836 he came across the mountains, with one horse hitched to an old Dearborn wagon, and settled in Champaign Co., O. Here Mr. Hannum taught school for about six months, and afterward. erected a combined saw and grist mill at Zanesfield, Logan Co., Mr John Pinn. He continued building mills or many years. In 1852 he erected on the pr sent site of his mill a foundry, machine-shop, and a saw and planing mill. In 1856 this property was destroyed by fire. He has since replaced the saw and planing mills and repairing shoe; J W. Wright is his partner in the latter, and devotes his time, to the superintendency of the LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 713 same. Mr. Hannurn was married in 1840, to Ann Harlan, of Champaign Co., by whom he had one child-deceased. His wife died in 1841, and he was again married, in 1845, to Magdalena Wagner, a native of Philadelphia being born within a few miles of that city in 1827. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Switzerland. By his last marriage he has had seven children, four of whom survive-Hannah, Eugene, Mary and Ben. Mr. Hannum is one of the pioneers of this place, having lived here while yet remained many wild animals. He has served the township as Trustee. He early identified himself with the Friends' Church. He owns fifty-four acres of finely improved land adjoining town, and the present milling property, which is in a flourishing condition. His parents, Obediah and Hannah (Taylor) Hannum, were natives of Chester Co., Pa. They had seven children-Dinah, Thomas, Stephen and Joseph only survive. Though Mr. and Mrs. Hannurn have almost reached the allotted span of life, yet they bid fair to enjoy a few more years of usefulness. P. E. HARNER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born March 18, 1834, in Lancaster Co., Pa.; his father, J. A., was born Jan. 25, 1795, in Chester Co., and his mother, Elizabeth Emery, in the same county. They emigrated to Ohio in 1846, stopping for a few days in Champaign Co., and then on the farm now owned by Daniel Yoder. In 1858 they moved to West Liberty, where the father died in 1869, and the mother in 1875. They were early members of the Presbyterian Church at this place. The father was for some time director of this county's Infirmary. The Creator gave to them eleven children, four of whom are living- A. R., Maria, Jacob C. and P. E. The latter attended school as much as convenient until 22 years old, about which time he began learning the carpenter's trade, which lie continued some time. He was married Dec. 28, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Diana (Huber) Miller, natives of Rockingham Co., Va. They came early to Logan Co., and settled near De Graff, where the mother is still living, the father being deceased. Her parents had seven children - Margaret, Elizabeth, Polly, Barbara, Susan, Martin and Abeduego. Her parents early identified themselves with the German Baptist Church. Mrs. Harner was born Feb. 7, 1832, in Logan Co. She has blessed her husband with four children-Marion C., Charles B., John A., and Jacob M. Mr. Harner settled, when first married, where Daniel Yoder now lives, renting the same of his father for eleven years; he then bought his present farm of 217 acres of C. Yoder, and has since remained, and has made many valuable improvements. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of West Liberty, in which society Ire has served in all offices. Himself' and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He votes the Republican ticket, and paid off a portion of this township's draft. His brother, George S., was in Co. L, 96th O. V. I.; he was front this township, and died near Young's Point. Mr. Harner is making a specialty of the Poland China hogs, and has some of the finest stock. He has always taken a deep interest in education, believing that a well improved mind always finds occupation. C. R. HILDEBRAND, farmer; P. O., West Liberty. The somewhat eventful history of the present subject compels more than the usual brevity. We can truthfully call him a pioneer here, as well as many other places. It seems that he has been on the frontier the greater part of the severity-two years he has sojourned through this country. He was born in Leboeuf, Erie Co., Pa., on April 8, 1808. His father, Jacob, was a native of Westmoreland Co., same State, and his mother, Emily Miller, of Baltimore, Md. They were married in Leboeuf, where they remained until 1813, when they went to Erie, where the father was engaged at building the fleets then being fitted out for Commodore Perry. The mother was also engaged for the troops in making flags and flannel sacks in which to charge their cannons. The father belonged to the militia under Captain Morrison, and was called into service, during which he contracted a disease, and in 181 died. The mother got a land warrant For his services, which she afterward sold to a Mr. Crockett, wlro located 160 acres in Iowa. The mother remained with her two sons, C. R. and Edward, in Erie, and maintained herself and them by plying her needle at whatever she could get to sew. Her brother, Thomas P. Miller, who was living there, had lost his wife, leaving him with two children, 714 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. and he made a proposition that he would sell out, and himself and children, and Mrs. Hildebrand and sons, would come to Ohio and there make a home together; this she accepted, and a flat boat was constructed by which they were transported to Portsmouth. The time of landing was 1817. They did not remain at Portsmouth very long, but moved on a farm in a settlement called French Grant. In about 1830 Mr. Miller came to Urbana, O., and Mrs. Hildebrand remained there until 1831, when she came with her sons to West Liberty, where she died in 1868. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place. Our subject's hardships were more than usual, such as going to mill on horseback, etc. When at Portsmouth a man by the name of Hopkins came from New Jersey and started a paper called the Scioto Telegraph,, and Mr. Hildebrand was then about 20 years old, and worked for this editor. During two days each week he would deliver the papers over the country on horseback. Ho and his brother Edward learned tailoring at Portsmouth, and afterward worked at Franklin Furnace at their trade. He was married in May, 1831, a short time prior to their moving to this county, and when they settled here he engaged for some time at his trade in a small frame house which stood on the southwest corner of the public square, where is now the present site of George Gorton's jewelry store. This building is now being used by Mr. Grier for a kitchen. In 1839 he withdrew from this business, and engaged in a grocery in a brick building that was consumed in the fire, but is now being rebuilt by Dr. Ordway. This he continued for three years, and afterward bought l50 acres of land in Hardin Co., unimproved, and moved on the same. In 1844, he returned and farmed a short time in Liberty Tp., and then bought a tract of laud in Champaign Co., where he farmed until 1851, when he traded for 200 acres where he now resides, getting the amount from T. P. Miller at $15 per acre. Here he has remained ever since, and has still kept rolling the wheel of improvement. Sept. 11, 1879, his wife, who had beets the companion of his sorrows and joys for over forty-eight years, was stricken from life's roll and gathered into the life eternal. She had blessed him with eight children, seven of whom are now living - Isabella, has taught school at. West Liberty for many years; Jacob, married Rebecca Burnside, native of this county, now of Morris Co., Kan.; Charles, married Kate Beemer, of Kenton, residents of this county; Emily; Lucy; Gwenn: Thomas, married Charlotte Mason, of this county; Milton, died 1864. Mr. Hildebrand has served as Township Trustee, and other small offices; cast his first vote. for J. Q. Adams, and has always been a Whig and Republican. His grandparents Hildebrand were of German descent, their ancestors coming to America about 1732. His descendants by his mother (Miller and Pym) were of Irish descent, and belonged to the Quaker denomination. Their ancestors probably came over with William Penn. His brother Edward was married and died in West Liberty, leaving a widow and six living children. She yet resides in this place.Mr. Hildebrand is now seventy-two years of age, and enjoys uniform health, saying with Job of old, " All the days of my appointed tithe will wait till my change come." He remembers almost everything that happened since he was three years old. Many of his leisure moments he has spent in catching deer in the rivers, by means of a canoe. These animals were driven in there for that purpose. He has in his possession a small dictionary that was given him by Lieutenant Packett, of Perry's crew, of Lake Erie, as a Christmas gift. He had but little chance of education, but moat fortunate has he been in rearing a pleasant, intelligent. family, educated and refined. D. B. HALE, M. D.; West Liberty. Every city has its representative men in all professions; of the great number who represent some profession, and more especially that of the medical, there are comparatively few who, by hard study, almost constant practice and time devoted wholly to their profession, have reached a degree of eminence placing them, its the mind of the public and by the verdict of their medical brethren, among the first. This position has been attained and earned by Dr. D. B. Hale, of West Liberty. He is a native of Champaign Co., and was born April 9, 1844. His younger days were spent on the farm and in attending school in the log cabin. At the age of 13, he began attending school at Urbana; remained nearly three LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 715 years, and afterward taught one year; he then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he remained about one year; he then enlisted in Co. G, 94th O. V. I., in which he ranked as high private; in three years he returned from the war, having witnessed many hard-fought engagements, of which we mention Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Sherman's Atlantic campaign; he was slightly wounded at Resaca, Ga., and was confined in the hospital at Chattanooga until able for service; his return from war was in 1865, when he began reading medicine with Dr. J. M. Butcher, at North Lewisburg, Champaign Co., continuing the same for two years, and then entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating in May, 1869, and at once began practice at Greenfield, Highland Co.; remained there about one year, and then went to Indianapolis, Ind., and practiced and read the homoeopathic system. He graduated at the Hahnemann College, Chicago. In 1875, he began his practice at Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., and in 1877 came to West Liberty, Logan Co., where he has since been, and is enjoying a very fine practice. He was married in 1871 to Marietta Bonesteel, a native of Urbana; she was born July 23, 1852, and by her he has two children-G. B. and I. G. He is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 161, A., F. & A. M., in which he is S. W. His father, John, was a native of Clinton Co., Ohio, and his mother, Irena (Lewis), of the State of New York. They had a family of six children; three only survive - Joshua A., D. B. and Thomas P. (practicing medicine at Spring Hill, Champaign Co.; graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College). The father died in 1852, and was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The early death of the father threw the young sons out on their own resources, a position which they sincerely realized, and soon found that then was the tune for them to prepare for the world's riper ages. The mother was, however, married to a Mr. Smith, with whom they had a home. Dr. Hall has, by careful management, attained some nice property in West Liberty. He bears the reputation of being one of the most substantial and reliable of the inhabitants of the pleasant little village in which he resides. He is fast demonstrating to the community that homoeopathy is the true system of treatment. J. M. HUNTER, dealer in farming implements, West Liberty; was born March 22, 1838, in Champaign Co., where he attended school in the old pioneer log cabin. He also attended for a while at this place, by riding on horseback. He was very apt at his studies, and, at the age of 20 years, he taught one term, and then began farming, renting of his father. He was married Nov. 19, 1862, to Sallie Baldwin, and soon after bought 60 acres of his father, on which he remained two years. He then went to Urbana, and there engaged under the firm name of Gearheart & Hunter, in the grocery business, continuing at it two years. While thus engaged he was unsuccessful-however, not through his own financiering. He then returned to his farm, which had been reduced somewhat by the failure previously mentioned, and remained on the same until 1872, when he sold out and purchased 30 acres in Liberty Tp., this county, and has since remained on the same. In 1878, he began dealing in agricultural implements, which he still continues, making a specialty of buggies and wagons, as well as threshing machines, engines, saw-mills, etc. He is honest and upright, and merits the patronage of the community where he resides. He has been no office-seeker, hence has not trifled away his useful moments in aspiring for petty offices. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been class-leader and Superintendent of Sunday Schools. Both positions he is now holding. His Creator has given him three children by his union-Frank E., Nellie M. and Ralph W. He has always been an enthusiastic Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He takes deep interest in all temperance movements, and every thing that tends to promote morality. STEPHEN JACKSON, boots and shoes; West Liberty; is a son of Amos and Rachel Goodenough Jackson. His father was born in Vermont, March 5, 1796; and his mother in the same State in 1797; they were married at Darby Plains, Union Co.; moved to Buck Creek, Champaign Co., and remained there until 1841, when they came to West Liberty, where the father engaged in blacksmithing, 716 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. which he continued until 1864. He is the father of six children, three of whom are dead; the three that survive are Henry, Clarinda and Stephen. The father served as drummer in the war of 1812, and was captured, at Lake Champlain, by Col. Clark, and was held a prisoner for three months; the father yet survives, but the mother is deceased; they early united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Stephen was born Sept. 14, 1825, in Champaign Co., where he spent his boyhood days attending school, and working in the shop with his father, with whom he completed his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, which avocation he followed in connection with his father and brother Henry; he was in partnership with the latter but two years, and with the former all the rest of his time until 1864, when he then engaged for himself and continued until 1879, when he began in the boot and shoe business, which he still continues under the firm name of Ziegler & Jackson; carrying on a full line of custom-made boots and shoes, also running a regular repair and manufacturing department. He was married, Nov. 10, 1847, to Elmina, a daughter of Isaac and Jane Austin Sharp, of Logan Co. Her parents were natives of New Jersey, and emigrated to their present abode in an early day; she was born in 1825, and died Sept. 1, 1849; one child, Robert H., was given them by the Creator. He was main married March 10, 1853, to Delilah J. Hayes, by whom he has one daughter living-Mary, who married Henry Jones; and three died in infancy. He has been Councilman two terms; is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 165, F. and A. M, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife. He has taught music, and occasionally amuses the community by selecting a choir and rendering a number of the old style songs; in this mode of instruction he is pronounced very efficient. By careful management he has accumulated some good prop erty on Newell street, and is also in possession of a good smithing trade, conducted by Charles Overdorff. MARVIN JEWELL, farmer; P. O., Bellefontaine; was born June 3, 1822, in Lake Co. O. His father was born in Connecticut and his mother, Sallie Miller, in Pennsylvania (her father was one of the early settlers of the Western Reserve). His parents came to Logan Co., and settled near Rushsylvania in 1837, and in May, 1870, the father died on the farm where Marvin now lives. His amiable consort, who had been the witness of his sorrowssows and joys, left him years before, to reap her reward in another sphere; she had four children-two of whom are now living Marvin and Miranda. The father was married again to Abigail Fenton, by whom he had one child-David H. She died prior to her husband. Mr. Jewell left his father's home, near Rushsylvania, when 18, without one cent in his possession, and but one suit of clothes, and sought employment with a man in Belmont Co., on the farm, at $7 per month. For seven years he was teaming with six horses, hauling wheat, corn and tobacco to market. He was married Jan. 9, 1845, to Catharine De Ford, of Pennsylvania, and continued his labors in Belmont Co. until 1861, when he returned to Logan Co., and rented for some time. He then bought 85 acres, where he now lives, and has since added until he possesses 171 1/2 acres of well unproved land, attained entirely by his own labors, and has lately erected a fine dwelling; on the same. He has eight children living-Sarah E., Elwood, Alonzo, St. Clair, Alice, Sidney Brady, Ida and Ada (twins), and one deceased, Mary. Himself and wife have been members of the Disciples Church for thirty-five years. He has always been identified with the Whig and Republican party, and has made all he has by his own labors and business management, coupled with that of his industrious wife. J. A. JONES farmer; P. O., West Liberty. This industrious old farmer was born Jan. 20, 1811, on his father's farm in New Jersey. His father, Thomas, was a native of Hunterdon Co., same State, and always lived there. His mother, Grace Anderson, was also a native of the same county His grandfather Jones emigrated from Wales in an early day, and served as a Captain during the revolutionary struggle. His grandmother (paternal) was a Bray, and the descendants by his mother were Irish-making the Jones family of to-day of those two distinguished nationalities-Welsh and Irish. Mr. Jones' parents had five children, four of whom are living-Mary, married to Joshua Lance; Rebecca A., married to George Probasco; Eliza, LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 717 married to Isaac Manning, and our subject, J. A. The mother died in about 1813 or 1814, and in about 1815 the father again married, Elizabeth Henry, and had by her seven children- George (deceased), Clarissa, Thomas, David M., Ann, Sallie and Margaret. When our subject's mother died, he was left in the care of his grandparents (Anderson), and there remained until his father's remarriage, when he was again taken home. At the age of 13 he had finished his education, which was obtained in an academy conducted in one end of his father's dwelling. This building had been built especially for school purposes, by Johnson and Taylor, to educate their own children. Mr. Jones' father afterward bought this property and had the school continued. He at the time mentioned left the school-room and sought employment in a blacksmith-shop with John Greece, of Clinton, N. J., with whom he continued for seven years, getting only his clothes and board. At the expiration of said time Mr. Greene hired him for three years, at from $136 to $192 per year. During this period, or in 1834, he was married to Mary A. Metler, a native of Hunterdon Co., N. .J. His first transfer from the employ of Mr. Greene was to Bloomsbury, same State, where he followed smithing on his own account for some time, afterward transferring to Asbury, a neighboring town. He next came to West Liberty, by means of a team, bringing his family and his wife's sister, Margaret Metler. He remained during the winter of 1850 in West Liberty, and in the following spring bought 102 acres-a part of his fine farm of 213 acres-lying in Logan and Champaign Counties. This was then mostly unimproved, and by his strong and willing hand the forests were felled and the necessary accompaniments secured, until it now presents the appearance of one of the finest farms in the county. He has erected a magnificent dwelling on a beautiful hillside, amidst a natural grove of various kinds of bushes. Other necessary buildings accompany the same. Considering the abundance of living water and every modern improvement, we think one could nut be otherwise than happy. But these are not all that make his home happy; the Creator gave to him trine children, eight of whom have grown up to bless and honor him-Levi M., married to Eva Sieg, graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College, and practiced for some time at West Liberty, and is now a confined invalid; Margaret, wife of Enos Baldwin; Ann; Jane; Mary, married to Wilson Craft; Emma., married to A. J. Serfus; Sallie; W. H., married to a daughter of Stephen Jackson; Thomas, deceased. Mr. Jones once joined the Sons of Temperance in order to get others to enlist, yet he has always been a strong temperance man, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-seven years, and votes the Democratic ticket; has faithfully sewed in some township offices, but has always shrunk from office; was Captain of a militia company for four years in New Jersey, which gives rise to the appellation of "Captain," by which he is familiarly known. W. C. KAVANAGH, dentist and Mayor, West Liberty; was born July 20, 1823, in Champaign Co. He there received as good education as the log cabin times afforded, having attended about twelve weeks during the year. At the age of 24 he began reading medicine with Dr. Fuller, at this place, continuing two years, and then retired, on ac count of illness. He was married, in 1854, to Evaline Hanger, a native of Augusta Co., Va. In 1858, he began clerking for Cornell, at this place, and was elected Mayor of this village in 1870, which position he held for eight years. In 1880, he was again chosen for that position. He has always taken a deep interest in the schools; has been Clerk of the School Board for many years, and is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, at this place. They have one child, Mary, at home. He read dentistry with Dr. Gill, at this place, and enlists his time and talent at that business. His father, James, was born about 1791, in Kentucky, and his mother, Rachel (Coyington), in Ohio. They settled in Champaign Co., where they died-the mother first, after which he again married. By his first wife he had six children, three of whom survive-John, Sarah and W. C., and by his last marriage had four children. He was in the war of 1812, serving under Captain Black. The doctor and parents were members of the Christian Church. JACOB C. KISER, deceased; West Liberty. The subject of the following sketch 718 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. descended from a long line of distinguished ancestors, all tillers of the soil. Mr. Kiser spent nearly the whole of his active life as a farmer, and always enjoyed the respect, confidence and affection of his fellow-citizens, which a useful life alone car. permanently secure. But this aged and respected citizen has departed to "that bourne from whence no traveler returneth." He was born March 25, 1824, in Rockingham Co., Va., and was the son of John and Mary (Cline) Kiser. The Kiser family are descendants from the early settlers of Virginia. The father of our subject came to Montgomery Co., O., about the year 1832 and bought a tract of land, where is now the present site of the Soldier's Home, and, on his return home, died May 18, 1832, at Springfield, O. His widow and seven children came within a short time and located on this farm, where they remained until 1839, when they sold the same and bought 277 acres where they now live. Here the mother died June 1, 1877, at the ripe old age of 80. She was the first of the Kiser family who had died for forty years. Her marriage with John Kiser occurred Oct. 9, 1817. Her mother, Mary Cline, was born April 2, 1767, and died on the farm where the deceased's widow now lives, July 8, 1848. Her father was born Sept. 7, 1765, and died Oct. 8, 1831, in Virgina. Mr. Kiser, deceased, was one of seven children, and is the only one that is dead. Joseph C., born July 26, 1818, is now living on what is know as the Oakland Farm, near Oregon, Wis.; Daniel C., born Jan. 14, 1820, living at Bonsack's, Va.; George W., born April 14, 1822, now a resident of Washington, Ia..; Jacob G.; John Q., born Oct. 13, 1826, resident of Reading, Lyon Co., Kan.; William C., born July 17, 1828, resident of Dane Co., Wis.; Mary A. E., born April 29, 1830, married Samuel Whitmore, living at Mt. Crawford, Rockingham Co., Va. Mr. Kiser had but little advantage outside of home for obtaining an education; however, he received, as did all the test of the pioneers, a few months schooling within the walls of the old log cabins. No time was wasted in truancy, but his business was the improvement of his mind and the farm. He worked two years at tanning at West Liberty, with the firm of Riddle & Rutan; afterward, about one year at photography at Bellefontaine; was married April 13, 1854, to Sarah A., a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Black) McIIvain, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of Champaign Co., O. She died Dec. 7, 1857, and was the mother of two children by this union. John F., born Feb. 19, 1855, and Ida J., Sept. 20, 1856. He was again married Dec. 1, 1864, to Amanda Newell, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (McNay) Newell. She was born Sept. 18, 1833; by her he has three children-William N., born Sept. 2, 1865; Hugh N., May 5, 1867; and Jacob Oliver, Dec. 13, 1870. Mr. Kiser settled on the present farm at his first marriage, and in 1870 he bought the same of his mother for $20,000. He retired from labors, mostly, in 1876, on account of ill health. On Aug. 26, 1880, he was stricken from life's roll on earth, and gathered into the life eternal, leaving behind his happy family, the companions of his joys and sorrows, for many years. He was prominently identified with the I. O. O. F. and A., F. and A. M: at West Liberty, the Chapter of Bellefontaine, and Knights Templar of Urbana. He was the first man ever buried in Logan Co. under the order of the Knights Templar, and was one of the first three ever initiated in the order in this county. He is now no more, but has left his mourning family plenty of this world's goods to make them pleasant through life. It was on the lips of everybody, that Mr. Kiser was respected and loved by everyone. In this connection we clip the following from the Bellefontaine Examiner:" Mr. Kiser was about 57 or 58 years of age, and the possessor of one of the best improved and the best stock farms in Logan Co. He was a man of unblemished character, honest, honorable and upright, and, as such, respected and honored by all who knew him. His death is a loss to the community in which he dwelt, while to his family it is one that no lapse of time or circumstances can repair. He leases a wife, three or four sons acid one daughter, who will cherish through their lives the memory of his goodness and of his devotion to them with tender and loving regret" He was not, by any means, indifferent to the claims of religion, but for some time past was deeply interested about his spiritual condition. H. J. MILLER, merchant ; West Liberty. Among the early settlers, the gentleman LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 719 named above was conspicuous, and the Miller family have held no second position in their influence on the community from then to the present time. H. .J. was born June 4, 1821, in Pennsylvania, and came to Sandusky by steamboat. He received such education as the old log cabin afforded him. He began early learning the harness trade with Riddle & Rutan, with whom he continued four years, and then engaged in the same, at Urbana, during one year ; afterward carried on the same business, on his own resources, at Kenton, for twelve years, and then returned to West Liberty, where he engaged in buying grain and merchandising, under. the firm name of Taylor & Miller, for six years ; they then engaged under the firm name of Runkle, Taylor & Co. since, the firm of Taylor, Fisher & Co ; in 1867, he entered the dry-goods business, in which he continues, and is doing an excellent trade in all kinds of dry-goods, notions, groceries, etc. He was married, in 1844, to Margaret Gordon, a daughter of John P. and Mary (Ryan) (Gordon, natives of Pennsylvania, Mr. Miller had by this union seven children, six of whom survive- Mary, Eliza, Henry, Clara, Margaret and Alfred. His amiable companion, in 1876, was stricken from life's roll on earth, and gathered into life eternal, having gained her faith through the Presbyterian Church, having been in close and active connection for twenty years. He owns 600 acres of well improved land, which is the fruit of his own labors. While learning his trade at harness-making, he got from $30 to $40 per year ; he can now walk out upon his own broad acres, and boasts no worldly treasure save that attained by his own industry. In all the varied experiences of the above hastily sketched life, its possessor has been peculiarly fortunate. He has been fortunate in the possession of a well balanced mind of great vigor ; fortunate in the possession of a fine physical organization and excellent health ; also, in being able to befriend all, and having all for his friends. He is identified with the Republican party, and has often represented the same in county conventions. THEODORE F. MILLER, West Liberty, is of the firm of O. S. Miller & Co., wholesale jobbers in notions, hosiery and gents' furnishing goods, and manufacturers of the Nonesuch overalls, jackets and shirts. He was born on Aug. 26,1844, in Fredericksburg, Wayne Co., O. He took advantage of the common schools until 14 years of age, when he began merchandising, which he has since continued. He was married Sept. 12, 1872, to Anna B. Goodwin, who was born May 16, 1851, by whom he has two children-Bessie G., born Aug. 27, 1877, and Albert T., born May 8,1880. John Goodwin, the father of Mrs. Miller, was a native of Virginia and emigrated to Clark Co., O., when young; he was born in 1822, and died in 1867; was married in 1847 to Mary Scheller (the mother of Mrs. Miller), who was born Nov. 6, 1829, in Clark Co., and is a daughter of Adam and Mary (Heastand) Scheller. The father was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1789, and her mother in Hagerstown, Md.; she was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom are living-Emanuel M., Adam, Daniel, Elizabeth, Henry, Anna N., John, Mary and Lydia. She died in 1875, and the father is now living in Green Co., this State. Mrs. Miller is one of six children, three of whom survive-Orrin, Anna B. and Willetta. The grandfather Scheller came from Germany when 4 years old. The father of Mrs. Miller was a dry-goods merchant for many years, and during his latter days he owned a nursery, and finally he kept the noted Goodwin Hotel at Dayton, where he was killed by falling out of a buggy. DR. J. ORDWAY, retired physician; West Liberty. The data that we have been able to obtain of Dr. Ordway is of exceeding brevity, but his early residence and identification with the early history of Logan Co. scatters his name on many pages of this book. He was born in New Hampshire, .June 22, 1800. His father, John, died when he was three years old, and he was thrown out on life's current without the care of a father; hence, his school days were limited, as he must care for the necessaries of life. He remained with his mother until the age of 8. and then went to live with his grandfather Ordway, who sent him to one of the old pioneer log cabins, where he learned his A, B. C: s; at the expiration of two years he returned to his mother, she having, in the meantime, married Robert Christie; he remained at home until 16, during which time he was engaged on the farm, but his active mind 720 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. sought other labors, and he left the parental roof and began attending school at Springfield, O. (the family having moved to Clark Co. some time prior to that time). Extreme poverty brought this young student to want, and he readily sought night employment in a cooper shop, and during the day would attend his recitations; his labor at night would bring him enough means to pay his board; this he continued for two years; he became very apt in his classes, and found some moments for extra labors, which he improved by reading medicine; at the age of 18 he began teaching school in the country at $20 per mouth, and during his spare time was reading medicine with Dr. Lawrence, of Springfield; the latter he continued for three years, which was the requirement of the law; he then went before a board of censors at Dayton, Ohio, and was examined, and got an excellent grade; he at once began practice with his preceptor for a short tithe, and then, May 28, 1828, began at West Liberty, being then the first and only practitioner at this place; he soon gained a wide practice, and made himself known as a skilled and efficient physician; during a period of three months, he rode down three horses, and enjoyed only nine nights sleep during that time; his extensive practice began to injure his health, and he began to withdraw about 1844 or '45, and finally booked the last account in 1849, and devoted his entire time to merchandising, which he had entered prior to that time. In this vocation he was successful, and accumulated quite a little fortune; he retired from business in 1862, on account of ill health, and since that time has turned his attention to farming 250 acres of land in Logan and Champaign Co.s; he owns three lots 50x150, 1 1/2 acre lot in the north part of town, two other lots and buildings, all in West Liberty, making in all, together with his Lands, a valuation of $40,000 to $50,000, all of which is the fruit of his own labors. He was married, Jan. 7, 1830, to Sabrina E. McGruder; she died in 1848; he was again married, March 8, 1849, to Mandane S. Fish; she is still living, and has been of great. assistance in accumulating their fortune. Dr. U. was always eager to witness anything of interest, and one time he walked twelve miles to see an elephant, perhaps the first that ever came through this country in a show. He has served in some small township offices, as Treasurer and Town Councilman. The present Mrs. Ordway was born in 1822, in Randolph, Orange Co., Vt. Her father, James Fish, died when she was nine months old, and her mother, Achsah (Lamson) Fish, was married again in 1835, to Washington. Granger, a local Methodist Episcopal minister. She had by her former marriage six children, four of whom survive. Her mother died in 1868, and was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Ordway carve in Oct., 1845 to Urbana, with William Harbach (an uncle). She there taught school until married; she was educated at the academy at Randolph Corners, in Vermont; she early took an interest in singing, and became a very efficient alto singer; she was often selected as an alto representative to musical conventions in the East; at her ripe old age, now, she has a very distinct and sweet voice, and is the leading alto singer in the Methodist choir at this place. She and the doctor have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church for two score or more years, the financial interest of which denomination has been benefitted by their relationship, as well as their connection morally and otherwise. The doctor cast his first vote for John Q. Adams, for President, and has always taken an interest in the official selections, yet, during all this, he has never sought office. In Dr. Ordway we find a marked instance of a self-made man, talented, energetic and careful; educated by his own energies and perseverance; sociable and affable in his intercourse with all, of good legal abilities, fine physical organization. The hand of time has touched him gently. J. B. McGruder, the father-in-law of our subject, came to Clarke Co.; O., in 1827, was transferred soon after to Champaign Co., and thence to Logan Co., in 1830; he was a large shareholder in the east., and brought with him Maria Hawkins (one of his old slaves) and three children-Windsor, Margaret and Stacy; her husband was taken south. She now lives in Washington, D. C. Father McGruder was an early merchant at this place, and had his business room where is now the present site of Woodward's boot and shoe store. We clip the following from a Logan Co. paper: " We have the melancholy duty of announcing the death, by suicide, on the night of LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 721 Tuesday last, 1850, of the Rev. J. B. McGruder, of West Liberty, in this county. The deceased was an elderly man, but had, enjoyed remarkably good health until within a comparatively short period, when he sank into deep melancholy, and in a fit of derangement put an end to his existence by hanging. No event, we presume, has ever produced so deep a sensation among the citizens in the vicinity in which he lived, and where he had resided for more than twenty years. He was universally respected and beloved. He has been, we know not for how long, but we presume for the greater part of his life, a member. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and adorned its doctrines by his daily walk and conversation. He was one of the most earnest and most devoted Christians that we have ever known. Whenever good was to be effected, whenever anything was to be done, promotive of the temporal and eternal welfare of his fellow man, father McGruder was found among the most earnest, efficient and unwearying laborers. But his earthly career is now ended, and he is gone to his reward. He leaves many sad hearts to mourn his unfortunate and melancholy death." A. J. SCOTT, livery; West Liberty; was born Aug. 9, 1829, in Champaign Co., O. His father, Zachariah, was born Nov. 18, 1800, in the same county, as was also his mother, Maria (Lake) Scott, her birthday being Oct. 22, 1805. These parents began life in the green woods; wild game was then plenty, and the father obtained the greater part of their meat by hunting. During this time the Indians were plenty, yet the father had some dislike for them, and never traded with them, as did many of the pioneers. His grudge against them was caused by a combat between his brother Joseph and some red men in Wisconsin, during which engagement Joseph killed one of them, and had to flee for his life, and was only saved by being placed in a block house, and kept there through the entire winter. In the spring was let out, at which time he sought the wilds of Ohio, working the way on foot. Mr. Scott's father and mother had five children-Jane, deceased; Eliza, Margaret, A. J. and Thomas J. The mother died in 1832. The father was again married to Mary Lake, a sister of his former wife, by whom he had-David, John, Maria, Matilda, Lovena, George, Charlie, Chloe, Zachariah and Belle. The father died in 1862; his widow survives and is living at Heyworth, Ill. A. J. remained with his parents until 22 years old, during which period he shared with his brothers in laboring on the farm and attending school in the log cabin; also going to mill on horseback, following along the snake paths. He was married March 20, 1850, to Martha J. Saltkill, a native of Pennsylvania; by her he has five children, all living-Maria E., Laura, Mary, Zachariah and Addie B. He devoted his life to farming until March 7, 1880, when he formed a co-partnership with John Steelman in the livery, sale and feed business at which he is doing first-class; and as he and Mr. Steelman give their entire personal attention to the same, of course merit the patronage they receive. He owns a nice residence in this little village, votes the Democratic ticket, and has always voted for the party, save one vote, which was cast for Abraham Lincoln. PRESTON W. SEARCH, Superintendent of West Liberty School, and Associate Editor Gazette; is a son of Thomas and Matilda Search; was born at Marion, O., April 10, 1853. At this writing he is the Superintendent of Schools at West Liberty, O. The early education of Prof. Search was obtained in the Marion Union Schools. At the age of 16 years he entered Dr. H. A. True's Private Classical School, under whose instruction he continued three years, and afterward attended the University at Wooster, where he completed his school life, extending over a period of fifteen years. Talented, enthusiastic his success in college is an earnest for his future life. P. W. Search was not the man to leave the future to the direction of impulse, but with a definiteness that at once revealed his maturity of character. With a singularly rare appreciation of the value of commencing life with positive aims, he condensed his convictions into this beautiful maxim; "To thine own self be true," and this he hors faithfully observed. It moulded his character, exercised a restraining influence on his daily life, and lent it the beauty of moral strength, the peace of contentment, unfailing courtesy, steady, conscientious industry, unostentatious charities, genial habits, and the sincere politeness of a Christian gentleman. Ever since 722 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. leaving college Prof. Search has been a close student; he is a self-made man, and a self-educated man. He supported himself in college by teaching three winter schools, and hearing private classes. He has spent several summers, also, in teaching, writing, commercial, and music schools in different parts of the State. On the 4th of March, 1874, he made a favorable response to an application made by the citizens of Millersburg, O., to the faculty of the University of Wooster, urging him to take charge of the Millersburg Academy, as its Principal. In this important position he was assisted by the talented Mrs. D. W. Van Evera, Lady Principal, and Mrs. O. J. French, who, for eighteen years, was President of the Female Seminary at Cannonsburg, Penn., and other distinguished instructors. We learn much of the popularity of Prof. Search as an instructor at Millersburg, from the citizens and the public press thereof, as well as the catalogues of the Institution; we also learn that the Academy was supported by a liberal attendance of students. From this position the subject of our sketch retired to open a music store at Marion, O., in which business he continued nearly three years. During this time, with that indomitable perseverence that characterizes the man, he prepared students for college, and at the same time he was ably filling the position of Principal of the Marion Commercial School, being a skillful bookkeeper, as well as a master of the beautiful art of penmanship. Prof. Search has a fine reputation as a director and composer of music, and is to-day largely engaged in the publication of his own compositions, as well as that of other music directors, the copyright of which he owns. He was born to instruct, to charm, to elevate the human soul, to furnish his fellow mortals with some of the instrumentalities of a pure, high enjoyment. Upon several occasions he has conducted musical conventions in neighboring places. On the first Monday of September, 1877, Prof. Search took charge of the West Liberty Union Schools, which needed a thorough re-organization badly, and it required the services of just such an one as he to place it upon a solid foundation. Being a teacher of the highest order, practical in education and in the esthetic, he sought, by natural gravitation of his faculties, to blend the two elements, thus making him capable of rendering the task attractive to himself as well as pleasing to the pupil, and this happy combination, together with his ability as a methodizer, planner and organizer, rendered him peculiarly the "right man in the right place." That he has proven himself preeminently ".master of the situation " is a notorious fact, and we base his success not only on the accomplishments we have already mentioned, but also upon his remarkable executive ability, his earnestness, his power to command the respect and affection of his pupils, his singular facility of rapidly imparting what he knows to others, his faculty for bringing order out of chaos, and the peculiar ability which he has of causing the pupil to feel that the spirit of his instructor pervades the whole school-room. He is never boisterous, never displays anger in the presence of his pupils, but when he speaks he is promptly obeyed. He is autocratic in the school-room, yet his pupils take pleasure in obeying him. They love and do not fear him, and they 'are made to feel that he is their denoted friend, and yearns for their growth in mental strength. Endowed with these superior graces, what else might the people of West Liberty expect but such eminent success as has attended the labors of Prof. Search among them? His work has been so highly appreciated that, in the summer of 1880, the Board of Education re-elected him to the Superintendency for a term of three years at a salary of $1,200 per year, the highest amount paid by any place of equal size in Ohio, and the maximum of Logan Co. Prof. Search has spent several months of his vacations in traveling to refresh his historical and geographical knowledge of this country, and the many readers of the West Liberty Gazette, with which he is associated as publisher, have enjoyed largely the benefit of his observations and power as a descriptive writer. His pen is facile, gifted and eloquent, capable even of soaring into the beautiful realms beyond. . Prof. Search is a gentleman of sterling worth, high moral endowments, an esteemed citizen of West Liberty, and being, comparatively, a young man y et, he gives promise of enlarged usefulness. GEORGE SECRIST, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born Dec. 4, 1814, in Rockingham LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 723 Co., Va. His father, Henry, was born in the same county, in 1782, and his mother, Dorothy Coon, in Botetourt Co., in 1785. The parents came to Ohio in 1816 with five children- Jacob, John, Michael, George and Maria and in this county were born-Sarah, Dorothy, Samuel, Nathan, Rebecca, Henry and Rose Ann. The parents rented for a few years in this township after settling here, and then bought where Henry Secrist and Walter Howell now reside, and there remained until the death of the father in 1868. This claim was entered from the government by John Watts, who received the patent from J. Q. Adams. The father paid $5 per acre for the same. Here the old pioneer began life with scarcely anything save two horses and two cows; the former caught the glanders and both died, and the latter became foundered on chopped feed and also died which left him with nothing. He managed to trade a rifle gun for an old gray horse., which served them in going to the mill, etc., and in a short time two calves grew up, which they yoked and with them plowed the soil. Our subject remained with his father until 21 years old, when he-bean working for himself, by renting ground of the neighbors, and made his home with his father until he was married, in 1839, to Hannah, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Collies. She was born Oct. 10, 1821, in Lancaster Co., Pa., and by her he had eleven children, eight of whom are now living - Margaret, Maria, Eliza J., Dorothy .f. (dead), Savina E., Adolphus M., Sarah E. (dead), John L., Mary E., Henry and Frances R. (dead). Mr. Secrist settled after marriage on the farm now owned by D. D. Yoder, for one summer, and then rented of John Smith for some time. He then bought 128 acres where he now lives, going in debt for the greater part of it, which was a source of great anxiety to him until liquidated, but, by careful management and strict economy, he has made himself a happy house. He has held the office of Township Trustee. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church in Liberty Tp., called the McKee's Creek Church. He votes the Republican ticket. AUGUSTUS B. SIEG, merchant; West Liberty. The gentleman whose name is at the head of this article is not an old resident of this place, but one whose talents and abilities have prominently identified him in the literary and business interests of the town. He was born July 14, 1837, in Augusta Co., Va.; he early manifested an interest in education, and attended the academy of that county until 18, when he entered Roanoke College, where he completed a course in 1857; he then returned to his parents, and, in 1859, went to Marshall, Saline Co., Mo., and there merchandised under the firm name of Gorham & Sieg, continuing about three years; during the war, they lost almost all they had, and Mr. Sieg came to West Liberty and entered the dry goods business as a silent partner in the firm of Pennock & Cruzen. In three years, he withdrew, and entered his present business with H. J. Miller, whose daughter, Mary, he had married, Oct. 3, 1865, by whom he had one child-Paul M. Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church at this place, of which denomination he has been deacon since his connection therewith, in 1865. While in Virginia, he was Captain of au infantry regiment from 1858 to 1859. Paul, the father of our subject, was born in Augusta Co., Va., and them married, in 1816, Elizabeth Haines, also a native of the same county; she blessed him with twelve children, eight of whom survive-Henry, Julia, Elizabeth, Carrie, Kate, Eva, Angie and Augustus B. Our subject's great-grandfather, Paul Sieg, was born in Germany, and at the age of 20 years he published an article severely criticizing the government, and emigrated to this country for safety, settling in Lancaster Co., Penn. Here he married, and raised two Boys-Henry and Paul; the latter was horn in 1753, and married Susannah Fauber, in 1781; in 1788, they moved to Shenandoah Co., Va., with their children-Susannah, John, Jacob and Paul. They here bought a fine farm, and lived upon it for nineteen years. Here Valentine and David were born. In 1807, he moved with his family to Churchville, Augusta Co., and bought the "Rose Isle" farm; he died Sept. 22, 1817. Paul, the father of our subject, came into possession of this last-named farm, partly by inheritance and partly by purchase. He died Sept. 17, 1846, of typhoid fever, at 59 years of age, being born July 13, 1787. He was a wise and prudent man of business, and soon added a number of valuable farms to his possessions, 724 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. and also owned at one time the noted "Oakland Hotel" property, of Augusta Co. He was a great advocate of liberal education, and did a great deal toward establishing Roanoke College, and was the leading spirit in establishing a classical school in his own neighborhood. When Augustus went to Roanoke College, Dr. Bittle, President of the institution, greeted him very warmly, and said: "Your father was the best man I ever saw, and the best friend I ever had, and I promised him before his death that I would see you liberally educated." Elizabeth, the wife of Paul, was born in Virginia, Oct. 28, 1790, and died, his widow, Aug. 4, 1864, in her 74th year. STRATTON BROTHERS, merchants; West Liberty. Prominently identified with the leading merchants of West Liberty are the Stanton brothers, whose firm name heads this sketch. James, the eldest, engaged in teaching school for four winters, and afterwards was engineer at the Phoenix Iron Works in Chicago, and then kept books for some time for Jones & Co., job printers, at the same place. In 1877, he, in partnership with his brother William, engaged in the present business, having a- full line of dry goods and notions. They devote their entire attention to the business, and employ one steady clerk. They make a specialty of maple sweet, having handled during last season over 75,000 pounds of sugar and molasses. Their father, Daniel, was born Aug. 30, 1808, and was the son of James and Ann (Newby) Stanton-the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. He was married in 1832 to the present Mrs. Angeline Stanton, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Watkins; the father was boar in Sussex Co., Va., June 1, 1781, and the mother in Isle of Wight Co., Va. Her father taught school in his younger days, and was elected County Surveyor, in which position he served for over twenty years. Her parents then came to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., O., in 1831, and for some time engaged in the mercantile business. He was soon after chosen President of the Bank at that place, retaining that position for many years, and also served as a director of the same; he had ten children, five of whom survive-Lambert, Angeline, William, Elizabeth and Lydia. Both of the parents were members of the Friends' Church. The parents of our subjects came to Logan Co., O., in 1832, and began life with only willing hands and stoat hearts. They settled in the green woods in a "squatter's" cabin, made of round logs, stick chimney, puncheon floor, and doors hung on wooden hinges. Here they enjoyed many happy hours among the thick forests and wild animals, but no time was lost, and soon the timber began to fall, and ere many years had elapsed they had prepared a beautiful farm of 75 acres, and ere the father died they possessed 191 acres. They sold wheat at 30 cents per bushel and butter at 6 cents per pound, to pay off their debts and to obtain the necessaries of life. They once sold a large fatted calf for $4, with which they liquidated their tax, it being that. amount. On Dec. 16, 1870, the father was stricken from life's roll on earth, and gathered into life eternal, leaving behind him the companion of his joy s and sorrows, with whom he had shared for over thirty-eight years. They had been during all of their lives members of the Friends' Church. Mrs. Stanton is now pleasantly located in West Liberty with a part of her pleasant and intelligent family of eight children, who grew up to call her blessed. A short time ago she was struck with paralysis, which may, ere long, waft her from the shores of time, but she will leave a record of having been a faithful Christian and a kind and loving mother and companion. Her surviving children are-Elizabeth (married Isaac James); John, now in Rice Co., Kan.; James; Deborah (married E. Brown); William and Lydia. The great-grandfather, James Stanton, was the son of Samson, born Aug. 7, 1836, and Ruth. They had James, John, Sarah and Daniel. The grandmother, Ann (Newby) Stanton, deceased Sept. 17, 1854, and was the last of the Newby family. Her father, Thomas, was the son of Thomas and Mary Newby, and was the grandson of Thomas and Rebecca Pretlow. Mary Newby was a daughter of John and Martha Lawrence, and was born Oct. 9, 1745. H. S. TAYLOR & CO., grocers; West Liberty. Prominently identified among the leading business men of West Liberty is the firm heading this article; they were born in this place, Frank P., the elder, in 1854; he attended college at Oxford, Ohio, in 1868 and LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 725 1869; in 1870, began keeping books in the bank at this place; continued until 1873, when the cashier, Mr. Runkle, died, and he succeeded him in the position, which he still merits. Was married, October, 1878, to Hattie Johnson, native of Pennsylvania; by her he has one child-Ralph. He is a member of Mad River Lodge, No. 191, A., F. & A. M., at this place, in which he is now J. W.; also, member of Lafayette Chapter, Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Roper Commandery, No. 19, Urbana, Ohio. Harry S., the younger member, assumes entire control of the grocery, and, by close attention to business, they have learned that, coupled with buying lay the chief point in selling. They have always had the satisfaction of seeing their business increase, until they are now running a capital stock of $7,000. They are erecting a fine two-story brick, ?1x30 feet, in which they purpose running a wholesale and retail line of the best qualities of all kinds of groceries. I. C. TAYLOR, physician; West Liberty. In the practice of medicine in all cities and towns there are those physicians who, by long practice, have become so well known to the people that the compliments of the press are unneeded on their hart. Among this class of physicians we find Dr. I. C. Taylor, who has been a resident of this village s since Jan. 1, 1841; he is a native of Champaign Co., and was born Oct. 10, 1820, in Urbana; his early days were spent in a log schoolhouse; at the age of 13, he went to the Ohio University at Athens, where be remained until 15 years old, when he then entered school at Oxford, remaining there two years; he then returned to his native heath, and began reading medicine with Dr. J. E. Carter, with whom he continued for three years; he then attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati; he at once began practicing with Dr. Marshall at Addison. Champaign Co. In one year his partner died, and the doctor then went to Marysville, Union Co., where he remained two veers; he then came to West Liberty, where he has since been; he came here young in his profession and somewhat a stranger, and, being naturally of a despondent nature, the future sometimes looked dark; but, being a gentleman as well as a thoroughly well-read physician, his practice gradually increased, as did also his circle of friends, until now, by his close attention to business, he has a fine practice and a host of warm friends, some being of the poorer class, to whom he has been a friend in many cases of need. In 1856 he was sent by the government to the plains of Colorado, for the purpose of effecting some compromise with the Indians, on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. He gained the desired object only verbally, the Indians promising to go south, which they did, but would not sign any writing. Dr. Taylor returned in about fifteen mouths, and again entered on his professional duties. He was married in 1841 to Jane D. Arden, a native of New Jersey. Her parents were Moses and Ann E. Arden, who emigrated to this county at an early day. He has had by this union nine children, six of whom are living-Moses, Eudora, Robroy, I. C. (practicing medicine in Butler, Ky.), Alonzo and Jesse P. He has been Township Clerk and member of the Town Council, also a member of Liberty Lode, No. 161, F. & A. M. His amiable consort died March 19, 1880. His father, Samuel, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Sarah (Philips) of Kentucky. The father was a miller, and his father built the first grist-mill in the State of Ohio. The mother of our subject died about 1824, and was the mother of four children, all deceased but the doctor. The father was married twice since, and became sick June 1, 1878. The doctor brought him to his home and treated him until June 10, 1880, when he died at the ripe old age of 85 years. Dr. Taylor makes a specialty of lung and throat diseases, and is fast gaining a world-wide reputation on these two almost incurable diseases. He has treated some cases where men has been seventeen years deaf, and has restored them to perfect hearing. For a verification of this statement we refer the reader to S. S. Hartzler and James or Charles Houger; the latter two were treated for consumption, having been given up by many eminent physicians as incurable. We would thus commend Dr. Taylor to the public as one of the most efficient physicians of the State. He is somewhat diseased, and may, ere long, enter a new sphere, but will leave a lasting remembrance of having acted a life of usefulness without ostentation. 726 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. DAMARIS A. WILLIAMS (widow), farmer; Liberty Tp.; is a daughter of Morgan Eddy, who was born April 6, 1804, in Frederick Co., Va. Married, in 1827, to Sophia McConnell; came to Logan Co., Ohio, in 1828; died Jan. 23, 1879, of lung fever. He was noted for his social qualities and hospitality. His wife died in 1872; he made his settlement on what is the residence of Levi King, and in 1853 bought (where the subject now lives) of the Williams heirs; here the parents died, and had ten children, four of whom survive-Catharine, married Henry Kelley, of Bellefontaine; Damaris A.; Martha E., married Thomas Pinkerton, farmer, in Colby Co., Kan.; James W., married Abbie Frantz, and has one child-Addie. The names of those deceased-.John, Mary, Nancy, and three infants. Mrs. Williams was born July 13, 1831, and was married, in 1852, to George A. Williams, a brother of Mrs. I. N. Dille, mentioned elsewhere. Her husband was born July 20, 1824, in Berkeley-Co., Va.; he devoted about twenty-seven years of his life to the saw-mill business. He finally became insane from unknown causes, and, July 24, 1875, hung himself in his own shed. He was always kind to his family, and the last few weeks prior to his suicide he had been uncommonly good, and very devoted to them. No adverse winds or threatening storms seemed to obstruct their passage. It is probable that dyspepsia was partially the cause of his insanity. He was the father of three children, two of whom survive-Temple S. A., Carrie E. and James M., who died in 1853 at the age of 6 months. Mrs. Williams owns 91 acres of well-improved land, a portion of the old homestead; she and her two daughters remain thereon, and rent the farm for sufficient means for their support. She is an active member of the McKee's Creek Christian Church. J. W. WOODWARD, merchant; West Liberty; was born Jan 8, 1829, in Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio; his father, Jacob L., was born in Chester Co., Penn., and his mother, Sarah Christie, was born in New Boston, N. H., in 1808; they came to Springfield when young; there the father engaged in carding, fulling and general merchandising until death, which occurred in 1831. They had two boys-J. W. and R. C.; the latter is now Librarian of the Public Library of Springfield. The mother was again married, to John Nicols, by whom she had four children -William G., Jesse C., Isabella and Laura M. Jesse C. was Captain of the 66th O. V. I., and is now engaged in the drug business in California. William G. was in the war, and is now traveling salesman for William Mann & Co., of Philadelphia, wholesale stationery. The parents of our subject were members of the Congregational Church. When J. W. was 7 years old, he came to live with Dr. Ordway, and has mostly been with him since; he was engaged as cashier of the bank at this place from 1857 to 1866, at which time he went West, and engaged in raising cattle, and in two years he returned, and again entered the bank, where he remained until 1874, when he entered his present business- that of boots and shoes-and is having an excellent trade. In 1876, he built a fine two-story brick building, at a cost of $3,600, which was consumed by the great fire of 1880. Was married in 1853 to Lucy Stevens, by whom he had Lizzie. and Christie L.; both survive. His wife died in 1866, and was a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was again married in October, 1868, to Laura E. Hitchcox, by whom he had two children-Richard O. and Katie T. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been Township Trustee and Town Clerk a number of times, and has been willing to serve his share of other small offices, where it is all labor and no pay. He cast his first vote for Scott on the Whig ticket, and has since been a strong supporter of the Whig and Republican parties. Socially, we know Mr. Woodward as a genial, pleasant gentleman; enjoying good health, be bids fair for a long life of usefulness in his labors among the community. The Christies came from Ireland, and the Goodrich descendants came from the borders of Wales. A letter from Hiram P. Goodrich says: "I have the coat of arms, and also a family motto, which was, ' None of the name were ever punished for crime'; and another in Latin, being translated, says: ' The way to be good is the way to be rich"' Of the name, more than forty were patriots in the Revolutionary war, eight members of Congress, three doctors of divinity, five doctors of laws. The old castle and manor house is still standing on the Welsh borders: LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 727 J. W. WRIGHT, millwright; West Liberty; was born April 12, 1831, in Allegheny Co., Md.; his younger days were occupied somewhat in attending school in the old log cabins; at the age of 21, he hired on a farm at $4 per month; this he continued for several years; he then began learning mill-wrighting with Stephen Hannum, which he has continued since with the exception of two years, during which he was engaged in a saw mill at Quinsy, O., with E. Bailey; he was married in 1861 to Margaret Secrrst, whose parents are mentioned elsewhere; she was born Sept. 20, 1840, in this county; by her he had four children-Esta Florence, Anna Frances, Clara Gertrude and Walter J, E.; they settled in West Liberty soon after marriage, where they have since remained; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., at this place; his amiable wife is a member of the Christian Church; he cast his first vote for the Whig party, and has been identified with the Republican party since its organization; Mr. Wright has always been an active worker in the temperance movement; he is now in partnership with Stephen Hannum in repairing engines, threshers, reapers, mowers, wagons, and all kinds of farming implements, and is also running a double-press cider mill; he has, by strict economy, attained some property adjoining the village of West Liberty. His parents, James and Louisa, were natives of Maryland-the former of Baltimore and the latter of Cumberland, Allegheny Co; they emigrated to Champaign Co., O., early; there the father engaged in farming and milling; they came to Logan Co. in 1838; the father died in 1843, and the mother in 1873; were a ion; time members of the Presbyterian Church; they had eight children-John, Mary, J. W., Henry, Thomas, Rachel, Calvin and Maria. MRS. BARBARA YODER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born Sept. 2, 1820, in Huntingdon Co., Pa. Her father, Daniel Yoder, was born in Mifflin Co., Pa., and her mother, Nancy King, in Lancaster Co., same State. They had seven children, six of whom are now living-John, Martha, Anist, Daniel, Barbara, Benjamin and Nancy. Our subject attended school but little, and that was in the log cabin. Her younger days were spent at the spinning-wheel or the loom, the potato patch or the garden. She was married Feb. 14, 1843, to John Yoder (no relation). He was the son of David and Magdalena Yoder and a brother of D. D. Yoder. She and her husband settled after marriage in Mifflin Co., Pa., until 1844, when they came to Logan Co., O., she by water and stage, and he by a five-horse team, in company with her brother and Christ Kauffman. They settled where she now lives, on Sec. 4; they improved it, and now she possesses 175 acres of fine, arable land, the attainment of their own energies. They had seven children, four of whom survive - Nancy (married John Fett), John (manages the farm), Elizabeth and Arnod. She is also raising a little girl, Ida Dillon. The husband, John, is now deceased and was a I member of the Ormish Mennonite Church, to which she also belongs. DANIEL C. YODER, farmer, P. O., West Liberty, is another of the pioneers of Logan Co. and was born May 13, 1825, in Huntingdon Co., Pa. He is a brother of Jonathan Yoder whose sketch appears elsewhere . His younger days were spent like those of all the rest of the young boys of this county, in attending school in the pioneer cabins, going to mill on horseback, reaping wheat with the sickle, going to church barefooted, roaming the woods in search of raccoons and opossums, rolling lots, picking brush, and relishing many meals of corn bread and milk. He was married in 1853 to Judith, a daughter of David Byler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Fairfield Co., O., 1840. By her Mr. Yoder had five children, two of whom are living-Ezra B., and David B. His wife died in 1862. He was again married in 1864 to Martha Byler (some connection of his first wife); by her he had four children, two of whom are living-Christ, and John. His second wife died in 1870, and was a member of the Ormish Mennonite Church, as was also his former consort. His third and last marriage occurred in 1872 with Nancy Hartzler; she is a daughter of John and L. Zook Hartzler. By her he has five children - Rebecca H., Daniel H., Nancy M. (dead), Levi and Fannie. Mrs. Yoder was born in 1843, in Mifflin Co., Pa. When Mr. Yoder first married, he began on a farm in Monroe Tp., renting it for three years -afterwards buying a farm now owned by Troyer & Smoker, and remained on this 728 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. farm in Liberty Tp. until 1876, where he bought the present farm of 140 acres of John P. King; it is among the best farms in the township, being well watered by living springs; he has served in some of the minor township offices, and has paid twice to clear the township draft; he has been a member of the Ormish Mennonite Church for thirty-five years, and has assisted in building a fine church; he cast his first vote for the Whig party, and since the formation of the Republican party he has been an active member. On his farm once stood an old log cabin school-house, 18x20 feet, with slab seats, puncheon floor, clapboard roof and writing desks made by fastening slabs on pins inserted in augur holes in the logs; the light was obtained by fastening greased paper over openings made in the wall. D. D. YODER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born June 12,1830, in Huntingdon Co., Penn.; his father, David C., was born in 1800 in Mifflin Co., same State, and his mother, Magdalena (Hooly), was born in 1803 in the same county. The parents came to Ohio in 1845, settling on the farm where our subject now lives, and buying 320 acres, afterward selling 160 of the same to John Yoder. The father was killed by a team running away in 1849; the mother died in 1850 with the dropsy. They were members of the Ormish Mennonite Church. The children born to them were -John, Jonathan, Lydia, Elizabeth, Christ, Mary and Jacob. Our representative remained on the farm with his parents until their decease, and witnessed all the hardships that were allotted w the pioneers. In 1851, he had both legs broken by the bent of a barn, and he was compelled to lie on his back on a table for six weeks ere he could go to bed; in about three months he became able to get around, and worked for Jacob Yoder at butchering during the year 1852. They had market at Bellefontaine and De Graff; he then returned to the farm, and has since devoted his life to the same, and is successful, making a specialty of stocking on his fine farm of 160 acres, which is the old homestead of his father. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Yoder (no connection); she was born in 1835 in Huntingdon Co., Penn., and carne with her parents to Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1840; she had, by her union with Mr. Yoder, eight children, four of whom are living- Uriel, Nancy, David and Rudy; the four deceased are-John, Malinda, Andrew and an infant. Mr. Yoder and wife are members of the Ormish Mennonite Church, which building stands on his farm; he donated one acre of land for the same, and it was built in 1875, at a cost of $1,753; he also gave $140 in cash to the building fund. He has always been identified with the Republican panty since its organization. Mr. Yoder is the architect of his own fortune, and in everything he has undertaken he has been successful- in the ten years during which he dealt in farming implements, as well as in other vocations. He possesses 251 acres of fine land, and connected with every industrial enterprise you find the name of D. D. Yoder. JONATHAN YODER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born Feb. 26, 1829, in Mifflin Co., Penn. His father, Christopher, was born in the same county in 1793, and his mother, Mary, in Berks Co., same State, in 1786. They were married in Mifflin Co.; came to Ohio in 1845 and made their settlement in Champaign Co., renting of J. Ordway for two years. They then bought 160 acres in Monroe Tp., and remained there thirteen years, at which time, or in 1860, the father died; the mother, however, made her home on the farm until 1865, when she, too, ended her pilgrimage here. The Creator gave to them twelve children; eleven of whom survive -David, Jonas, Martha, Rebecca, Benjamin and Phebe (twins), Christopher and Mary (deceased), Daniel, Noah, Jonathan and Saloma. They were members of the Ormish Mennonite Church. Our subject attended school about five years in the old log cabin, and the rest of his boyhood's days were spent at farming. At the death of his parents he began working by the month for J. B. Yoder at $10, clearing, ditching, etc., on the farm. He was married Dec. 23, 1852, to Anna Sharp, a daughter of Samuel and Martha (Hostettler) Sharp, who were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa. They came to Logan Co. in 1852, and, after several changes, they finally settled on J. Yoder's farm in Monroe Tp., and there the father engaged in weaving woolen and linen goods, which he continued some time. They had quite a family of children, five of whom are living - Lydia, Christopher, BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 729 Anna, Joseph and Jacob. Mrs. Yoder was horn in November, 1826. She and our subject settled at their marriage on what is now known as the Coyington Farm, buying 30 acres in partnership with his brother Daniel. In 1872 he bought his present farm, near West Liberty, of Samuel Chamberlain; it contains 182 1/2 acres of well improved laud, and is the fruit of his and his wife's own labors. Their union blessed theta with eight children, seven of whom now survive-Israel, married Elizabeth King; Rachael, married Daniel Grabill; Rudolph, married Fannie Smoker; Arie E., married Levi King; Martha E., Artie and Oliver. JIr. Yoder has been no oflice-seeker, }art has always taken deep interest in the selection of upright men to till the various positions, and has always been identified with the Republican party since its organization. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)