MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 625 and Mrs. Holway are members of the Methodist Episcopal church as are also Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. The maternal grandparents of Mr's. Johnson were Thomas and Susan Roberta, well-known pioneers of this county, who lived. Where. the widow of John Roberts now lives. Mrs. Johnson's patern.al grandparents were John and Margaret Biggert, pioneer residents of the Big Darby creek neighborhood in Franklin county. Mr. Johnson's maternal grandparents were Joseph and Jane 'Gardner, early residents of Ross county, who later came to Madison' county where they, spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Johnson's beautiful home, which is located on Rural Route No. 1, out of West Jefferson, was erected in 1906, at a cost of three thousand dollars. It is of modern style of architecture, containing nine rooms and is heated with natural gas. Mr. Johnson made all the extensive improvements on his well-kept place and has what generally is regarded as a model farm. Though still giving attention to the general details of the management of his farm, he has lived practically retired from the active labors of the farm for some years and is in a position to enjoy thoroughly the later years of his life. ROBERT C. BEATH. Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio, may well be proud of the high standard of its. citizenship for within her limits she numbers many. men who not only possess the attributes of true manhood but who also are successful in a material way, and have attained to their various pleasing degrees of success solely by their own efforts. Prominent among the citizens of that. township, who may be so designated, is Robert C. Beath, owner and proprietor of the "Bonnie. View" farm, consisting of practically one hundred and eighty-four acres, located seven miles south of Mechanicsburg and ten miles from London. Mr. Beath receives his mail at London, rural route No. 7 passing his home. Robert C. Beath is a native of Ohio, born in Ross county on April 2, 1881, one of the family of twelve children of Aaron and Catherine (Meyers) Beath. Mr. Beath's parents were both born in Ross county, passing their entire lives within its borders and their deaths have occurred only within the last few years. While they were well-known citizens of that county and highly respected by all who knew them, they were never owners of land, the elder Beath passing his active years in employment by others. Out of their family of twelve, there are now seven living. These are John who resides in Ross county; Blanche, remaining single at home; Elizabeth, wife of E. M. Gregory, of Ross county ; James; Dudley ; Ethel, wife of Thomas Parker; and Robert a the immediate subject of this sketch. Those deceased are Florence, Ida, Trillia, Thomas; and a child who died in early infancy. Mr. Beath received his elementary education in the common schools of Ross county, being graduated therefrom, and for the following two years he was a student in high school. He left his studies to engage in farm work, but later went back to his books for a year, being a student at Salem Academy. On February 14, 1993, Robert C. Beath was united in marriage to Ida Dill, a daughter of Robert Dill, of Ross county. Their marriage was the culmination of a high school romance which had lasted throughout several years, and directly after marriage Mr.. Beath brought his bride to Madison County. They were young and possessed of high ambition, so although without funds, they bargained for the farm which has since been their home and which they have brought to such an excellent state of care arid cultivation. Mrs. Beath has proven herself a. most excellent helpmeet and is her husband's confidential adviser in all his plan's and undertakings and has discharged most efficiently those duties which have fallen to her lot. They have a beautiful home whose (40) 626 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. attractiveness is due equally to master and mistress in their respective places and as the , center of this home are two charming children. The elder is a daughter, Phyllis Roberta, who is eight years old and is attending the district schools near her home. The younger is the son of the house, Richard Lloyd, who is scarcely out of babyhood, being but four years of age; Both parents are full of plans and ambitions for the proper rearing and education of these promising little children,who will surely be well fitted for their places in the world by the time. they come to years of Maturity. Mr. Beath is a man who stands “four square to every wind that blows," for during the years of his residence here he has proven himself true in every relation of life. As a natural result, he is held. in high esteem by all who know him and is most worthy of this pleasing regard. He is a man .of deeply religious trend, a devoted member of the Swedenborgian chtirch, and his life is ordered along the lines of its teachings. He has held kst in his Mature years to the excellent training given him by his parents in his boyhood and is in turn passing on to his children those precepts which make for right and proper living. In politics Mr. Beath votes the Republican ticket, although taking but scant interest in matters of. that nature. He is of that class of citizens which constitute the "salt of the earth" and any community which can count a few such men as its own, is a place where life will be found on a higher plane and where much will be done for the needy in moral or material thing. JOHN H. KENNEDY. John H. Kennedy, a prosperous farmer of Deer Creek township, Madison county, Ohio; is the manager of the upper Gwynne farm of six hundred and twenty acres, which is a part of the twenty-two-hundred-acre Gwynne estate, located six miles north of London, in Deer Creek township. This farm comprises the old homestead, and the old house which stands on the farm was used as a hostelry in stage-coach days on the Marysville pike. The old Gwynne homestead is one of the oldest brick residences in Madison, county: John H. Kennedy was born in December, 1863, on Long Island, New York, and came to Fayette county, Ohio, when a child with his parents, Philip and Winifred Kennedy. His father is still living on the West Jefferson pike, one mile east of London, having coming to Madison county about 1883. He is a farmer and has lived for twelve years near London for some years he operated the six-hundred-acre Hicks. farm and, during that time, John H.; his son, received his ideas of big farming. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Kennedy began farming for himself on a part of the Hicks farm, later taking charge of the Robert Ray farm of four hundred and sixty acres in Oak Run township. There he went into debt for tools and stock. By progressive farming and careful management he soon had a good start. He has always preferred cash rent rather than crop rent. He owns his own stock and has always done a large busiriess. He employs several men on the farm and requires from sixteen to twenty head of work horses. Mr. Kennedy has been in charge of the upper Gwynne farm for three years. He feeds two or three carloads of beeves and about two hundred head of hogs every year. He Specializes in Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. Ordinarily, he raises from one hundred and fifty to .three hundred and twenty acres of corn, but a part of the land on .which this corn is raised is rented outside of the Gwynne farm. He raises one hundred and seventy-five acres of corn on the Gwynne farm proper. In 115 he has two hundred acres of wheat. There are two silos on the farm which furnish ensilage for the stock. On February 6, 1889, John H.; Kennedy was married to Mary E. Slattery, the daughter of Edward and Julia (Callahan) Slattery, of Madison county, Ohio, the former of whom was a well-known farmer and died in 1892. ins wife, Julia Callahan, was MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 627 born in Ireland, and after coming to the United States was married in Madison county. She died in 1902. They were the parents of five children:, Mrs. Kennedy was born in Madison county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have been born seven children, all of whom are at home, Gertrude, Bernard, William, John, Raymond,, Ella and Robert. Raymond is a student in the London high school, and Ella and Robert attend the parochial school London. Mr. Kennedy's sons are engaged in helping .him..to operate the farm. A Democrat in politics, John H. Kennedy has always. been, active in the councils of his party.. He was a nominee of the Democratic party for county commissioner 1914. but was defeated. He served for two years as treasurer of Oak Run township. The Kennedy family are members of the St. Patrick. Catholic church and Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Knights of Columbus.    . . HENRY L. HILDINGER. Henry L. Hildinger, who is one of the best-known trap-shooters in Ohio and possibly in America, has won many valued trophies and today is considered one of the finest shots and cleanest sportsmen in the Middle West. By occupation he is: a farmer and lives on the Mrs. Jam Lohr farm of three hundred and ten acres in Deer Creek township, Madison county, Ohio. Henry L. Hildinger was born in. Fairfield county, Ohio, near Greencastle, January 10, 1869, and is the son of Jacob and Naomi, (Morehart) Hildinger, the former of whom died in Fairfield c.ounty, Ohio, and the latter afterward, in company with her son, Henry L., brought the family to Madison county, Ohio, in. March, 1894. The mother was born near Lancaster, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and, was married, in 1867, to the late Jacob Hildinger, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany and who at the age of twelve years, came to America with his parents, Casper and Christiana Hildinger. Mr. Hildinger was a shoemaker by trade, but, after his marriage took up farming. They lived in Fairfield county until his death, at the age of thirty-eight years. He died on April 6, 1884, leaving six children: Henry Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Jesse C., who lives near London; A., who was a farmer and who died at the age of thirty-seven, July 2, 1909; Anna Christiana married John L. Wheeler a farmer of Madison county; Grace Etta is the wife of John H. Roth, of Madison county; Jacob Vernon is a farmer near London and, he and his brother, Jesse, each own one hundred and forty-one and one-half acres of land. Mrs. Hildinger and the three youngest children purchased the present farm home of Jesse and Jacob Vernon. Jesse, and Jacob Vernon had four hundred and thirty-five acres, but, at the latter's death, part was sold and therenpon Jesse and Jacob Vernon divided the remainder. Jacob Vernon married Rose Adams, and they had one child, William Herbert: Jesse Married Etta Sands. They have no children. Henry L. Hildinger, who is the eldest child in the family was fifteen years old at his father's death. He remained with his mother until his marriage, December 25, 1898, to Laura Wheeler; the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lewis) Wheeler, the former of whom died in 1898; and the latter is now living in London. Mrs. Nancy (Lewis) Wheeler was born in Madison county in 1840, and is the daughter of Tilman. and Mary Ann (Bettis) Lewis. Mary Ann Bettis was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Dellulia Bettis. Nancy (Lewis) Wheeler was born in Oak Run township. Her father was of French descent, and the son of Henry Lewis and Catherine (Boroff) Lewis. Tilman Lewis removed from. Madison county to near Lilly Chapel, in Fairfield township, and there died about twenty years ago. Mrs. Hildinger's father was a farmer of Oak Run township, and died in March, 1898. He served in the Civil War as a member of the First Maryland Cavalry. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were the parents of eight sons and two daughters. The Other daughter, Mary Ellen, is the widow a George 628 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Robey, of London. The sons are W. S., living in Mechanicsburg; John L., of Oak Run township ; ThoMas H., of West Mansfield ; Franklin D., of Columbus; George W., of London ; Jesse C., of Columbus; Leonard L., of near Newport, Madison county ; Lewis died in infancy. Mr. Hildinger is a general farmer and stockman. He is an extensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Hildinger have no children. Mr. Hildinger is a Republican and served eight years as treasurer of his township. He is a member of the board of directors of Madison county, a member of the county fair board, and a stockholder in the Central Bank, of London. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of London. He is vice-president of the Central Ohio Trap Shooters' League and also member of the American Indian Fraternity, a gun club at Cedar Point, Ohio. Hildinger has a farm in Logan county, Ohio, of one hundred acres. DELILAH J. TRUITT. While the life of the faithful wife and mother of an earlier generation was full to overflowing with her many varied duties, there is not much to record concerning ber activities which would attract public interest. However, only one who can appreciate what it means to have faithfully fulfilled the duties of her position is able to realize the benefit it would convey to posterity if a faithful record of the victories and successes of the average mother could be transferred to print. Woman today is striving for the "larger sphere" and in the years to come a work such as the one in hand may find it possible to record the careers of women who have competed with their brothers in the professions and other fields heretofore occupied by men only. But however ambitious woman may be to succeed by the side of her brothers, and however well she may perform her chosen way in life, there is one field of endeavor Which is hers alone and the highest praise which can come to any woman is that which marks her as a good wife and a wise and faithful mother. Such praise truly belongs to Mrs. Truitt, widow of JoShua Truitt, the esteemed subject of this brief biographical sketch. Delilah J. Durflinger was born in Jefferson township, this county, on August 30, 1846, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Anderson) Durflinger, the former born near Frankfort, in Ross county, this state, and the latter a native of the state of Virginia. Daniel Durflinger was brought to Madison county by his father when twelve years old, the mother having died in Ross county, and the father passed the balance of his life here. Daniel Durflinger may well be called a successful man, for he started out in life for himself on the lowest rung of the ladder of success, and through his own efforts not only became possessed of considerable property, but also so ordered his life that he was held in the highest regard by all with who'll he came in contact. While never uniting with' any church society; he was a firm believer in all for which the church standS and 'was a liberal supporter of the local religious societies: Mrs. Truitt is the eldest child in her family, the others being Elizabeth; widow of George Burnham; Anderson; Ella, wife of Henry Goodson, of Jefferson township; this county ; John W., a farmer of the same township; Mary, widow of Henry Faxon; Matilda, wife of Henry Wolfersberger and Susanna, who died when a babe of eighteen months: Delilah, Durflinger attended the public schools near her home in her girlhood and remained with her parents until the time of her marriage on April 17, 1866, to Joshua Truitt. Mr. Truitt was a native of this county, having been born in Fairfield township on February 9, 1845; and in that township he received education.. He was a most excellent man, held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, and the loss at his death MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 629 on September 3, 1894, was keenly felt by a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Truitt was a faithful member for years of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lilly Chapea, and he held his fraternal affiliation in the. Independent Order of Odd Fellows through the local lodge in. Broadway, Union county, of which society he was a past noble grand. Mrs. Truitt also is a member of the church above named and for years has been a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. She has been active in the work of that society and has the honor of being a past worthy matron. To Mr. and Mrs. Truitt were born six children, five of whom are living Luella is the widow of William Case; Edward is married and lives in Marion, this state; Daniel is married and makes his home on the farm with his mother; James is married and with his family lives at Lilly Chapel and at the same place Albert also resides. Mrs. Truitt makes her honie on her farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, which was originally part of her parental home. She is of that excellent type of woman who has lived and labored to worthy ends and is in every Sense deserving of the high esteem in which she is held by all. CHARLES KLEVER. Charles Klever, a prosperous up-to-date farmer of Union township, who has had a wide and varied experience in many vocations, but who finally engaged in farming in January, 1914, on a farm of eighty-one acres, two and one-quarter miles north of London on the Marysville pike,: was born in Paint township, Madison county, nine miles sonth of London, March 7, 1869. He is the son of Henry S. and Mary Martha (Yates) Klever, both of whom were born in Paint township, Fayette county, near Yatesville, a village named by Mrs. Henry S. Klever's family. The Klever family came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Chris Cleber, the great-grandfather of Charles Klever, settled near Bloomingsburg, and his remains, at tbe time of his death were buried in the village cemetery. It was his son, Michael Klever, and his other children who changed the spelling of the name to its present form, "Klever." Harry S. and Mary Martha (Yates) Klever were raarried in 1864 and immediately came to Madison county, Ohio, where Charles, the subject of this sketch, was born. Henry S. Klever literally carved a farm of three hundred and eighty acres out of the wilderness, and of this tract, two hundred acres were highly developed. He erected good buildings on the farm, and was known as one of the most skillful agriculturists in his neighborhood. His brother, Mkhael Klever, is still living in Madison county, Ohio, on the Danville road, near Newport. He is an extensive stockman, and makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs. Henry S. Klever died on his farm, in February, 1912, in his seventy-first year. His wife had died two years previously. They had a family of five children, of whom four grew to maturity. Three were living in 1915. Mrs. Letta Barrett is a resident of near Medway, Clark county, Ohio. Ella is the wife of Ed Shuck, of London. Charles is the subject of this sketch. The old home farm has been sold. Charles Klever engaged in farming until he was twenty-two years old. In the meantime he attended the district schools and obtained a good common-school education. After reaching the age of twenty-two, he engaged for two years in the livery business at London, but about all Mr. Klever got out of these two years was considerable experience. In the meantime he learned the undertaking business at Columbus, and received a license as an embalmer. For a few months afterwards he was engaged in the undertaking business at Sedalia and later worked two years in Columbus as an undertaker. The next two years he was employed in Indianapolis and Chicago. He then spent one year on the old farm. Afterward he worked at the car- 630 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. penter trade, and, in January, 1914, purchased his present farm, the James Self farm, comprising eighty-one acres, for twelve thousand dollars. The farm has exceptionally good buildings, including a fine brick house. Mr. Klever specializes in red hogs, and feeds practically all the grain he produces to live stock. In November, 1909, Charles Kleirer was married to Bessie Gossard, a native of Madison county, Ohio, and the daughter of Marcellus Gossard, of London. Mr. and Mrs. Klever have had two children, Marz Martha and Charles Marcellus. Mrs. Klever is active in the Presbyterian church in London. Mr. Klever votes the Republican ticket. THOMAS WHEELER. The late Thomas Wheeler, a soldier in the Civil War and a well-known and highly-respected citizen of Madison county, was born in Carroll county, Maryland, June 17, 1841, and died on March 26, 1.898, at his home in Oak Run township, on Big Plains, six miles southeast of London. Having enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War, Thomas Wheeler served in the First Maryland Cavalry until the close of the war, .having in the meantime been veteranized and having become a corporal. He was wounded three times; first, by a gun shot on the left side ; second by a bayonet thrust in the right side ; and the third time by a saber cut on the head at the first battle of Bull Run. These injuries resulted in many years of inactivity. He was taken prisoner in a charge, was taken care of in a private house, and after his parole was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. After returning to his regiment he was veteranized and served in Maryland and Virginia in the great cavalry campaigns of those states. He served in nearly all of the noted battles in these two states, :and participated in many severe charges, suffering all of the privations of army life. In the meantime, the late Thomas Wheeler's parents .had come froth Maryland to Madison county, Ohio. After his discharge, he also came to this county. In the fall of 1865 he met his future wife, Nancy Lewis, the daughter of Tilman and Mary Ann (Bettis) Lewis, who were living in Oak Runt township. Mr. Wheeler's parents lived in Union township, just across the 'township line, and the families had become neighbors. Tilman Lewis was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and his Wife of Madison county, having been born near London. Her parents were John and Mary Bettis, both of French origin. Tilman and Mary Ann (Bettis) Lewis lived in Oak Run and Union townships. Both died in the county, both at the age of about seventy-five. Thomas Lewis's father, Henry Lewis, was born in Germany, and Henry tewis's wife, Catherine Boroff, was a native of Redstone, Virginia. She died in Oak Run township at the age of one hundred Years, where the latter part of her life had been spent. Tilman and Mary Ann (Bettis) .Lewis had ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom nine reached maturity. Only two daughters, Nancy and;. Mary, are living at the present time Mary is the widow of Frank. Palmer, of Clark county, Ohio. Of the sons, four are living. William is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church at Columbus. He served as presiding elder and as superintendent, of the Protestant hospital for fifteen years. He is a well-known minister, especially in Madison county. George lives in London; John, at Medway, Ohio ; and Joseph, at Lilly Chapel, where he is a well-known mechanic. Mrs. Nancy Wheeler was the eldest child. Catherine, who was the wife of Frank Summers, died three years ago: Margaret married Wilson Rice, and both are deceased. Mrs. Sarah Woods died in Columbus. Thomas and Nancy (Lewis) Wheeler were married on October 18, 1866, and shortly afterwards moved to a home in Oak Run township, where he died. Since his death, Mrs. Wheeler has Purchased a small house in London, Where she is new living alone Mr. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 631 and Mrs. Wheeler had a family of several children, as follow : Mary Ellen is the widow of George Robey, of London ; Laura is the wife of H. L. Hildinger, who is a farmer living near London; Scott lives at Mechanicsburg; John operates the old farm; Thomas is a merchant at. West Mansfield, Ohio; Frank lives in Columbus; George lives in London; Jesse is a resident of Columbus; Leonard is a farmer in Range township; and Lewis died in infancy. Nearly all of the Wheeler children are members, of the Methodist Episcopal church. All are prominent citizens of the respective communities where they live. FRANK NELSON The lives of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they furnish of faith and purpose and of persistent endeavor only go to prove what is within the power of everyone to accomplish . in the world. Frank Nelson, whose life story is herein briefly set forth, is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to, good purpose, in several different vocations, and who has achieved a definite measure of .success in the latest sphere to which his talents and energies . have been directed, A machinist by trade, but subsequently employed in railroad work, he turned his attention to the ministry, and having been .compelled to abandon it just before his confirmation, has made commendable success of agriculture. Frank Nelson, who is the proprietor of ."The Glen,” a fine farm situated seven miles north of London and, seven miles west of West Jefferson, at the .intersection of the Wilson, Wingage and. Urbana pikes, in Monroe township, Madison county, owns more. than five hundred. acres in one tract. Mr. Nelson was born on September 3, 1861, in historic old Vincennes, the seat of one of the very earliest settlements in the. Northwest Territory. His maternal grandmother was Adeline. Allen, the daughter of Gen. Peter B. Allen, one of the pioneer settlers of Terre Haute, Indiana, whose large pioneer farm covered most of what is now the city of Terre Haute. Gen. Peter B. Allen was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and one of. the heroes of that memorable struggle. . Adeline Allen married Bert M. Harrison, the first mayor of. Terre Haute and a prominent man in the early life of that well-known Indiana city. Mr. Nelson grew to manhood in Indiana and Texas, having been taken to the latter state as a boy of seventeen. Charles B. Peddle, of Terre Haute, a builder of the Vandalia railroad, was an old friend of Mr. Nelson's father and was very anxious to have the son complete the course given at Rose Polytechnic Institute, which was then about to open. In the meantime, however, Mr. Nelson entered the railroad shops at Terre Haute, and began his apprenticeship as a machinist. Later, Frank finished his trade as a machinist at Denison, Texas, where his father was located as superintendent of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad. Previously, his father, who was an old railroad man and a passenger conductor for many years, was secretary of the first Railroad Men's; Insurance Association of the, United States, an organization which later became the Order of Railroad Conductors. Having, been deprived of the opportunity. to enter, Rose Polytechnic, Mr. Nelson became a fireman and engineer and freight and ticket. agent; of the International railroad, at Swan, Texas. While connected with the Denver & Rio Grande railroad as a machinist, he began the study with the Rev. C. H: B. Turner, for holy orders,. and was admitted as a candidate for holy orders, in the Episcopal church. Later he attended the Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee, Tennessee, to prepare for the ministry, and while a resident of Tennessee met his future wife, Anne Louise Smith, a graduate of the institute at Columbia,. Tennessee, and the granddaughter of the, late John G. Dun. Frank Nelson and Anne Louise Smith, daughter of Mrs. H. Bacon Smith, were married on January 20, 1892, at the old Dun home in Deer Creek township, Madison county, 632 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Ohio. The failure of Mr. Nelson's eye-sight compelled him to leave the seminary when about ready for ordination. His bishop insisted upon ordination, but the oculist decided that he must take a different course. This changed the whole plan of Mr. Nelson's career. Soon after his marriage he engaged in fruit and truck gardening in Swan, Texas, and while living there became director of the State Fruit and Truck Growers' Association. When Mrs. Nelson's grandmothers health failed, she desired her granddaughter and husband to return to Ohio. In 1899 they sold out in order to return to Ohio to assume charge of Mrs. Nelson's inheritance. She received the Dun estate, more than five hundred acres of land. Mr. Nelson is extensively engaged in raising live stock, including hogs and cattle, and breeds Red Polled cattle. He started in this business twelve years ago and now keeps a herd of from fifty to sixty head of registered cattle. The greater number of them are raised for breeding purposes, and are marketed in the state of Ohio. Yearling bulls average one hundred dollars each. Mr. Nelson produces on the farm great quantities of milk, selling the butter-fat and feeding the milk to the pigs. In 1914 an average of fourteen and one-half cows netted him ninety dollars per cow, not including profit from the sale of calves. A balance for the year showed an expense of twelve hundred forty-four dollars and twenty-five cents and an income of twenty-five hundred seventy-five dollars and eighty-one cents. He has a fourteen by fifty-foot silo with a capacity of more than two hundred tons. In fact, Mr. Nelson is a pioneer in the use of silos in Madison county. He is also a pioneer in the growing of alfalfa, having at the present time sixty acres. The Nelson family consists of four sons and six daughters. Henry Turner is a student at the United States Naval Training School at Newport. Graham Smith, George Starr and Dun Harrison are all at home. The daughters include Elizabeth James, Cora Louise, Gertrude Dun, Anne, Mary and Frances. During the past five years, Mr. Nelson has read the services in the Trinity churcb at London; having been licensed by Bishop Vincent. He is president of the school board and has served in this capacity for a number of years, very much to the satisfaction of the people of this township. Mrs. Nelson and all the children are confirmed as members of the Episcopal church. One might go far and look long before finding a better farmer and a better citizen of Deer Creek township than Frank Nelson. JOHN WILLIAM DURFLINGER. The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is within the power of each to accomplish. That man Who puts the best of himself into whatever duties and opportunities life holds out for him is bound to win success. This success may not lay along material lines or be of such character as will win the plaudits of a multitude, but may lay in other realms which are still more enduring than . any material thing may be. A great philosopher has said, "An honest man is the noblest work of God," and that man who can truly deserve the title of "good and honest man" is one well worthy of the very highest esteem of his fellow men. One citizen of Jefferson township, this county, who is thus held in high esteem is John W. Durflinger, the immediate subject of this sketch. Mr. Durfiinger's farm of one hundred acres is located about two and one-half miles southwest of West Jefferson, on Rural Route No. 1, out of Lilly Chapel, and is known as "Shady-side Farm." John Durflinger is a native of Madison county, having been born on October 4, 1853, in Fairfield township, son of Daniel and Margaret (Anderson) Durflinger. Daniel Durflinger was. born in Ross county, this state, son of Thomas Durflinger, who came to this state early in the settlement of this section, from his home MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 633 in Virginia, and settled for a time in Ross county. When his son Daniel was twelve years old, the family removed to Madison county and has been closely associated with the history of this section ever since. Daniel received his education in the early schools of this county and when a young man married Margaret Anderson, who, while still young, was brought to Franklin county by her parents. Daniel Durflinger passed the balance of his life within this county and was known as one of its leading citizen’s and most Successful, farmers. He was' about, ninety years of age at the time of his death. At that time he having been possessed of six hundred acres of land, all of which he had accumulated through his own efforts. There were eight children in his fanaily, seven of whom are living at the present time. The eldest of these is Delilah, widow, of Joshua Truitt, who resides in Jefferson township; Elizabeth resides in Kansas, the widow of . G. E. Burnham; Anderson is a successful farmer and stockraiser in Texas and the next child in order of birth is John W., the immediate subject of this sketch. Matilda is the wife of Henry Wolfersberger and lives in Florida ; Ella is Mrs. H. W. Goodson of Jefferson township, this county, and Mary is the widow of Charles Paxon of Ross county, this state. Susanna died in infancy. John W. Durflinger was retired on the paternal farm in Jefferson township, attending the district school near his home in winter, and from an early age assisting the father in the work of the farm during all his vacation6 periods. He remained on the homestead and, with his brother Anderson, farmed there and continued to live there for four years after his marriage. On August 10, 1892, John W. Durflinger was united in marriage to Olive E. Smith, who was born in Columbus, this state, on January 13, 1864, daughter of Nathaniel and Amanda (Kiner) Smith. Nathaniel Smith first saw the light of day in Athens, Ohio, and when a young man went to Columbus, where he met and married Amanda Kiner, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith is still hale. and hearty, at the age of eighty-eight. He makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Durflinger and enjoys the esteem of all who know him. Mrs. John W. Durflinger is one of a family of six children, four of whom are still living, and passed the years of her young girlhood at Galloway, Franklin county, this state. She received her elementary education in the common schools near her home and also attended the normal course at the London (Ohio) school. For ten years she taught in the schools of Franklin and Madison counties and is held in the highest regard by many of the citizens of those counties who were once children under her charge. Four years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Durflinger moved to Columbus, the state capital, where they remained for seventeen years, during which time Mr. Durflinger was engaged in the mercantile business. They then returned to the farm in this county, which had been bequeathed to Mr. Durflinger by his father and there. they have prospered, having been able to make many substantial improvements on the place, the chief of which was the erection of their splendid, modern brick dwelling house, which is regarded .as one of the best in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Durflinger one son has been born, Glenn W., born on August 25, 1893, on his father's farm, who, at the age of three, went with his parents to Columbus, receiving his earlier education in die schools of that city. He passed through the grades, was graduated from the West high school and received advanced education in the Ohio State University, where he took a course in the liberal arts, being graduated therefrom. He is at the present contemplating continuing In that institution as a student in the law course, it being his ambition to become a useful member of the bar. Young Durflinger is active in college affairs being a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and well liked by his fellows. He is now principal of the high school in 634 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Guernsey county, Ohio. After completing his course he will have the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Laws. . Mr. and Mrs. Durflinger are numbered among the leading people of their community, both being more than usually interested in all that makes for the upbuilding of their community life. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, through the West Park Avenue church in Columbus, and Mr. Durflinger endorses the platform of the Republican party, although evincing no particular interest in political matters. Mrs.. Durflinger is a member of the. Woman's Christian Temperance Union and of the Foreign Missionary Society, in the works of both of which organizations she takes an active interest, she being regarded as among the leaders in that form of social endeavor in the community in which she lives. ANDREW ELTON SHERWOOD. In Canaan township,, Madison county, Ohio, situated five miles south of Plain City, Ohio, on the East pike, lies "Spring Hill Farm," a beautiful tract of land comprising one hundred and eighty acres of which Andrew Elton Sherwood, a well-known citizen of Madison county, is the proprietor. About one-half mile away and south of "Spring Hill Farm," lies a tract of one hundred and fifty acres, also situated in Canaan township, and of which Mr.. Sherwood is likewise the owner. The Sherwood home, however, is situated on "Spring Hill Farm," and here they have lived for about twelve. years. Andrew Elton Sherwood, who is one of the best-known, most enterprising and prosperous farmers of Madison county, Ohio, was born in the township where he resides on May 23, 1866. He is the son of Andrew and Emily (Kilbury). Sherwood, the former of whom was born near Plain City and who died when his son, Andrew Elton, was a babe, and the latter was also born in Canaan township and who also is deceased. They had two children, both of whom were sons. Webster E. married Viola Beyer but is now deceased. His widow lives in Canaan township. Andrew Elton Sherwood was reared. on his father's farm, in Canaan township and received a liberal education in the district schools and in select schools. His education was finished in Ohio State University, where for some time he was a student. On May 25, 1.892, Andrew Elton Sherwood was married to Della Millikin, the daughter of Robert Millikin, deceased, of Madison. county. After their. marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood lived in Columbus, Ohio, for five. years and there Mr. Sherwood was engaged in the bicycle business. Subsequently, however, he sold out and removed to a. farm in Brown township, Franklin county, Ohio, where he lived for two years, or until 1899, when he came to Canaan township. After renting land for two or three years, Mr. and Mrs.: Sherwood moved to the farm they now occupy and where. they. now live, located on rural route No. 2, out of Plain City. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have had three children. Edith, the eldest is a graduate of the Plain City high school and now a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus. Harold. M. is a student in the Plain City high school at the present time. Robert is only four years old. Mr. Sherwood is an extensive stock breeder and makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, which he raises in great numbers. He is a member of the National Shropshire Sheep Association. He also raises a high grade. of horses and pure. bred Chester White hogs, which are registered. During late years he has been interested in the cattle business, and raises Polled Durham cattle. Andrew Elton Sherwood is one of the foremost citizens of Madison county, and one of its foremost farmers. The Sherwood family are all members of the Big Darby Baptist church, and Mr. Sherwood is ane of the trustees of the church and has been for some years. He is a member of Plain City Lodge No. 159 Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor and member of the grand lodge. He votes the Republican ticket. He has served as trustee MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 635 in Canaan township and as a member of the school board, and has filled other minor offices within the gift of the people. He has discharged faithfully and well the duties of an enterprising, it and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Sherwood's family are popular in Canaan township, where they have lived for many years. Robert Millikin, grandfather Of Mrs. Della (Millikin) Sherwood, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1832, a son of John Millikin, also a native of that county, born on the banks of Ten Mile Creek, August 15, 1807. He was a driver and stock dealer. He married Rachael Bane, of Pennsylvania, who was born on December 21, 1811. Her father, James Bane, was also of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Robert Milliki married in 1828 and located on a farm in Pennsylvania, where his wife died in July, 1854. He married, secondly, Camelia Dodd, a widow of Lemuel Dodd. In 1856 he came to Ohio and settled in Canaan township, Madison county, where he farmed to within five years of his death. He retired and removed to Plain City. He died on Februaiy 23, 1881. He was a prominent Democrat and member of the Presbyterian church. Robert Millikin and his first wife were the parents of the following children: James B:, Robert Annie E., and John L. Robert Millikin was educated in the common schools and lived in Canaan township. He had one hundred and fifty acres of land. He was married on Deceinber 10, 1867, to ]toga M. Vanschoyck, of Franklin county, Ohio, who was born on April 30, 1836, a daughter of David and Esther (Bailey) Vanschoyck. Her father was a native of Franklin county, Ohio. Mrs. died on January 28, 1884. They had two daughters: Cora, who died at the age of thirty years, and Della J.,wife of A. E. Sherwood. Robert Millikin was a Democrat and held township office and was a man well known in this county. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN T. BALLINGER. The gentleman whose life is here briefly outlined is not an old man but he has made his imprint upon the community which has been his place of abode all his life, and to the community in and surrounding Plain City he owes all he possesses. In return it may well be proud to claiin him as one of its public-spirited and honored citizens. John T. Ballinger, of Plain City, Ohio, was born on July 20, 1859, in the city which is still his home. Helis a son of Dr. W. I. Ballinger. His father was reared and educated. at Plain City, and about. 1876 was graduated from the Delaware College, and later studied medicine at Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Ballinger was associated with his father in the milling business for a number of years, and was later engaged in the cement business at St. Louis, Missouri, with his brother, who was a contractor, remaining with him until his death, when he retired from the business and went into the general merchandise business at Morral, Marion county, Ohio, but at the end of the first year he discontinued the business and moved to Plain City, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has been very successful. He has been justice of the peace for the past few tears. Mr. Ballinger is a Republican. He is a member of Titania Lodge No 311, Free and Accepted Masons; Pleasant .Valley Lodge No 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; member of Johan Encampment and past chief patriarch and meinber of the Patriatchs Militant of Coltim, The sketch of Dr. W. I. Ballinger is presented elsewhere in this volume. He was the father of five children, two of whom died in irifancy. One son, J. L.; was born on January 30, 1866, and died on May 21, 1908. Eva became the wife of Rev. A. L. Rogers, of Plain City, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Milford, Cincinnati, Ohio. John T., of Plain City. 636 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. John T. Ballinger was united in marriage, July 28, 1881, with Almada Linn, a native of Hocking county, Ohio. She was a daughter of Fernando and Hannah Linn. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger had an adopted daughter, Jen-Eva, who is the wife of P. J. Ingle. Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger enjoy a wide acquaintance at Plain City, where they represent the worthy and substantial citizenship. Mr. Ballinger is quiet and unassuming in disposition, and is well liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. JAMES MILLIKIN. Few sections of Ohio are as favored with prosperous, industrious and successful farmers as Madison county. Much credit is due to those men who, by persistent endeavor, endless toil, judicious management and remarkable foresight, have so developed the natural resources of their several communities as to make Madison county the veritable garden spot of the Buckeye state.. In Canaan township, James Millikin, who owns a splendid farm on the East pike, six miles south of Plain City and six miles north of West Jefferson, on rural route No. 2, out of Plain City, unquestionably falls within the number of those men who have contributed so materially to the prosperity of Madison county.. James Millikin, who represents the fifth generation of a pre-Revolutionary family, each of whom has possessed a member by the name of James, was ,born on the farm where he now lives, August 25, 1860, the son of James and Rachel (Cary) Millikin, the former of whom, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1816, and who was the son of James and Elizabeth (Cook) Millikin. James Millikin, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the son of James and Dolly (McFarland) Millikin, the original ancestors of the Millikin family in Madison county. James, the original ancestor, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 5, 1752, and Dolly McFarland, his wife, was borb. in 1762. They emigrated to the United States in 1771 and located in Washington county, Pennsylvania. James Millikin, the second ancestor and paternal grandfather, spent his early life in Washington county, Pennsylvania, but in 1830 removed with his family to Madison county, settling on the Darby Plains on the .farm now owned by Roy Wilson. He married Elizabeth Cook, who was born on March 4, 1777, in Washington county. After his wife's death on February 26, 1853, James Millikin removed. from his farm and lived with his son-in-law until his death in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Millikin had nine children, six sons and three daughters, as follow Samuel, Daniel, John, Jacob, James, Andrew, Mary, Anna and Elizabeth. All the children were born in Washington. county, Pennsylvania. James Millikin, the father of the subject of this sketch, emigrated to Madison county with his parents early in the history of the county, in 1830. The, family located on the Darby Plains, and here James Millikin grew to manhood, and in the meantime received his elementary education in the old log school house of Canaan township. On August 20, 1840, he was married to Rachel Cary. To this happy union eight children were born, three of whom, are living. John, who married Martha E. Flenniken, lived in Peabody, Marion county, Kansas, died on October 1, 1915; Jane is the widow of Marshall C. Guy, and lives in Plain City ; Mary D. is the wife of George Clevenger of Vaughnsville, Ohio; James is the subject of this sketch. The father of these children died on September 21, 1896, and his wife died four years later, in 1900. . Reared to manhood on the farm in Canaan township, educated in the district schools of that township and having attended high school one year at West Jefferson, James Millikin, the subject of this sketch, took up farming on his father's farm. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 637 Subsequently, from 1882 .6 1887, he and his father conducted a hardware business in West Jefferson. They sold out the business, however; and returned to the farm. On December 31, 1890, James Millikin was married to Kittle Huddle, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, August 29, 1867. Mrs. Millikin Was reared on a farm, received her elementary education in the common schools and attended high school. She taught school for a period of five years in Madison county. Her success as a teacher was marked, and her influence of a helpful and beneficial character, and her personality of such a nature as won for her the respect of her scholars. To Mr. and Mrs. Millikin there have. been born four children. Helen, born on March 4, 1893, was graduated froln the North high school at Columbus, became a teacher and taught for twenty-three months, and is now a student in the Lamar, Ohio, Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. James, born on November 15, 1895, was graduated from the Plain City high school in 1913. Lucile, born on October 14, 1897, was graduated from Plain City high school in 1914, and is now a student at the State Normal at Plain City. Frances Elizabeth was born on May 29, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Millikin and family are devoted members of the Big Darby Baptist church, and .are actively engaged in the various activities of the church. Mr. Millikin is a menther of lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons at West Jefferson. He is art ardent Democrat, and, although never aspiring to office, is interested, as every loyal American citizen should be, in the political development of his community. On their farm, situated midway between Plain City and West Jefferson, Mr. and Mrs. Millikin enjoy the pleasures and comforts of life, and are representative of the prosperity and happiness that pervades Madison county. WILLIAM J. CHANDLER. William J. Chandler, a prosperous farmer Of Canaan township, is the proprietor of "Oak Grove Farm" of sixty-six acres, situated seven miles south of Plain City on the M. V. High road. Mr. Chandler was born in Fluvanna county, Virginia, March 24, 1844, and is the son of Samuel and Martha (King) Chandler, the former of whom was a son of Carter and Elsie Chandler, both of whom lived in Fluvanna county, Virginia; until their removal to North Carolina; where they died. They had seven children, Howell, Samuel, James C., Robert, Rachel, Caroline and Sarah. Samuel Chandler, father of William J., was reared in Fluvanna county, Virginia, and grew to manhood. He was married in that section of the state. Samuel and Martha (King) Chandler had seven children, one of whom died in infancy: William J. was the eldest; John H. was a soldier. in the Confederate army ; Mary E.. died at the age of fourteen years; Sainuel, Jr., is a retired farmer living in the state of Illinois; Pemley was the Wife ok Norman MitChell, but is now deceased; AndreW is a farmer in Virginia. The late Samuel Chandler, father of these children, was a miller by trade; and was employed in different parts of the country. He died in North Carolina in 1861, and his wife two years later. William J. Chandler, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Virginia and. North Carolina and attended the common schools in these states, abd obtained a common-school education. He worked in the mill with his father until he was twenty years old, and then was drafted for service in the Confederate army, serving. Until 1864 a period of three months. He then came to Ohio in 1865, and settled Franklin county where he worked, on a farm by the Month. On March 21, 1870, William J. Chandler was married to Nancy J. Fogle, who was the daughter of B. F. and Jane (Lisk) Fogle. Mrs. Chandler's father was born in Pennsylvania and their mother county, Ohio. The former came to Ohio when he was a young man and here married, B. F. and Jane (Lisk) Fogle were the parents 638 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. of eleven children, seven of whom are now living, namely: Nancy J. married, William J. Chandler; Ella married William Arthur ; Minnie, Married, Chris, Poland Katie, married Stephen Carey; John a farmer of Union county, Ohio; married Nancy Wagner; William; single, a farmer of Monroe township. Jacob, single, a farmer of Canaan township. Those deceased are Orlo H., who died at the age of forty-five; Maggie, and two who died in infancy: Mrs. Chandler.,was reared on the farm, and received a common-school education. She has borne her husband four children, three of whom are now living.. S. W. married Dora Reece, of Canaan township; J. F. married. Jessie Erwin, of Canaan township; W. E. married Glenn Beach; who is in, the lumber business at Plain City, Mr. and Mrs, Chandler are members of the Dig Darby Baptist church. Mr. Chandler votes the Democratic ticket. WILSON H. REECE To be born and reared on the farm which one's father had owned before him and which in the period of nearly one hundred years has been held, in one family and owned only by two persons, .should be the source of no small pride. The venerable Wilson H. Reece, a veteran of the great Civil War and a resident of Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, owns and lives, on the farm his father purchased in 1829. In all the relations of life the Reece family have stood foremost in Madison. county. Three generations. of the family who have lived in this section of the state have enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the public. In war and, peace the Reece family has performed well its every duty, and discharged faithfully its obligations. Of this patriotic stock the venerable Wilson B. Reece, a farmer and pioneer citizen of Madison county, living on rural route, No. 1, out of Hilliard, Ohio, was born on June 7, 1845, his parents being Abram and Therisa (King) Reece. Abram Reece was, born in the Old Dominion state and came to Ohio at the age of fourteen years with his parents, growing to manhood in Madison county, Ohio, where subsequently he married Therisa King, who was born in this state. About the time of his marriage he bought the Reece farm in Canaan township, and having established himself on this farm, lived here the remainder of his life. Abram Reece was born on October 7, 1804, and died on May 5, 1874. His wife was born on March 21, 1805, and died on September 2, 1860, just before the breakout of the Civil War. Mrs. Abram Reece was the first person to be buried in the Baptist cemetery. She did not live to see her children, the sons, she had nurtured lay aside the instruments of peace and take up, at the beginning of our great civil conflict, the weapons of war. Three of her sons served in that great war. They were Robert K., David and Wilson H., the subject of this sketch. Robert K. enlisted in Company K, First Ohio Cavalry, and served four years, having been mustered. into service in 1861, and mustered out of the service in 1865. He is still living, and is a highly-honored and respected citizen of Brown township. David enlisted in the Union army and, served, in, different regiments. He. was, however,. one year and one-half in one company. He is now deceased. Wilson H. Reece enlisted in Company F, One . Hundred and Eighty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In February 1865. He was just past eighteen years old and served until September 27, 1865, at the close of the war. Mr, Reece draws a substantial pension. The other children born to the late Abram and Therisa (King) Reece were Charles E„ a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, and the youngest in the family; Lavona, the eldest child, now deceased; George W.; William K.; Sophrona; Edwin W., and Lena M. After the war, Wilson H. Reece returned to his farm in Madison county, and here he has lived ever since. Three years after the close of the war; on October 8, 1868, he MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 639 was married to, Mary J. Walker, the daughter of Nathan and Clara (Amentrout) Walker, who was born in Centerville, Iowa, in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Reece are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now, living. One died in infancy, and Ray R., born on October 5, 1885, died on September 11, 1914. The living children are: Dora R., the wife of Willard Chandler, Nora, the wife of Martin Nunanaker; Clarence, who married Bertha Biglow; Walker who, married Nellie Lendle; Maud, the wife of John Scofield; Clara E., the wife of Rodney Bidwell; Anna M., who is unmarried and. lives at home and Hazie, who was gradnated from, the Plain City, high school and is a teacher in Brown township, Mr. and. Mrs. Reece have one hundred and thirty-two acres of land. ninety-eight, acres of .Which are in Canaan township, and thirty-five acres are in Brown township. They are quiet and unassuming citizens. Mr. and. Mrs. Reece are members of the Big Darby Baptist church. Mr. Reece has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and votes the Democratic ticket. WEBSTER E. SHERWOOD. The late Webster E. Sherwood, who was. a prosperous farmer of. Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, until his death, on December 29, 1909, was a son of Andrew and Emily Sherwood, and was born in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio May 30, 1863. He was reared by his grandparents on the farm and received a common-school, education in the, public schools of his native township. On June 1, 1892, Webster E. Sherwood was married to Viola M. Beyer, who was reared on a farm in Brown township. She received her early educational training in the public schools, and later became a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood were the parents of four children: Rollin B., born on July 17, 1893, is unmarried and Jives with his mother; Neal A., February 12, 1895, a graduate of the Plain City high schools, also lives at home with his mother; Mary E., December also graduate of the Plain City, high school and Virginia M. January 17, 1899, who is living at home with her mother, is a graduate of the Plain City high school. Mrs. Webster. E. Sherwood was born in Franklin county, Ohio, March 30, 1866, and is a daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Hamilton) Beyer, the former of whom was born in the Keystone state, October 30 1836, the eldest of ten children; Cornelius Beyer was descended from Abraham Beyer who came from Austria to this country, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1736. Cornelius Beyer, belonged to the fourth generation of the Beyer family in America. He came with his parents to Ohio in 1844. They located near Columbus in 1853, and nine years later they came on to Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, and settled on the Big Darby creek. At the outbreak of the Civil War Cornelius Beyer enlisted in the First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was made a corporal and later he was promoted, to the rank of sergeant. He was wounded and captured on October 1, 1863. After being taken prisoner he was confined in Libby prison and at Danville until his parole on October 1, 1864 was discharged from the service on October 1, 1864. Cornelius Beyer, and wife were members of the Baptist Church, and took an active and interested part in the church work, he being superintendent of the Sunday school of the Big Darby Baptist. church for many years. By his marriage to Mary J. Hamilton on March 16, 1865, there were four children born: Viola, the eldest, is now the. widow of Webster E. Sherwood; Willia.m NI. married Della Heiser; Harriet. R., the wife of Riley Wilcok and Margaret the Wife of Harry Wilkins. Cornelius Beyer was a member of the Grand Army Post at Hilliard, Ohio. He 640 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. was a Republican in politics, and took an active and interested part in local public matters. He died at his home on April 27, 1907. His widow is still living. The late Webster E. Sherwood was a member of the Big Darby Baptist church, and was very active in the work of this church, serving as treasurer for some time. All of the members of the Sherwood family are connected with the Big Darby Baptist church and are active in the various societies and organizations of that church. Mr. Sherwood was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He voted the Republican ticket. Mrs. Sherwood is a lady of quiet refinement and culture, a very highly respected woman in the neighborhood where she lives, and where she owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land. Her farm is located six miles south of Plain City, Ohio. RICHARD PEARD Many years ago there came to America with his widowed mother, a poor Irish lad, who in time was to become one of the influential citizens, financiers and property owners of London, this county a man whose broad charity was to influence the lives and conduct of hundreds of people; who came under his benign influence. This poor Irish lad was the late Richard Peard, who died at a hospital in Cincinnati, on March 2, 1911. Richard Peard was born on February 26, 1841, in the village of Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland. After the death of his father, his brother, John, went to Australia and is still living at Albury, New South Wales. When he was sixteen years old, in 1857, Richard Peard came to America with his mother and after landing in this country, came direct to Madison county, where, after living a few years, in the Bailey woods, he obtained a farm. Later Richard Peard moved to London, the county seat, and entered the grocery business on the site of the James Dwyer block on south Main street. Later he bought a brick building, where he remained in business until his retirement some fourteen years before his death. In the meantime, he had carried on farming on three different farms, which'he owned in this. county, during which period he was in partnership with his tenants, who owned with him his stock and farm equipments. He made a practice of buying up run-down farms, and iMproving them by the erection of new buildings, the building of fences and the installation of drainage. Likewise in town, he was accustomed to buy run-down properties and to build them up for the market or for rentals. He not only built dwellings, but he built business houses as well and the city of London owes a great deal to his enterprise, his foresight and his good management. He was one of the original advocates of good roads and good streets and, as long as twenty-five years ago, was engaged almost single-handed in an effort to obtain the paving of Main, street, which work, however, was not finished until 1914.  The late Richard Peard preferred to attend to his own business, rather than to engage in public enterprises or to seek a public career, However, he had served as a member of the London council. Much of his success in life undoubtedly was due to his ability to forecast future developments and this fact has been deeply realized since his death. Reared in the Catholic church, Richard Peard affiliated with St. Patrick's parish and was interested in all of its various activities, including especially the school, where the early education of his children was received. He was very fond of music and took considerable pride in giving the very best advantages to his daughter,. Caroline, who was possessed of a fine lyric soprano voice and who during her life filled many musical engagements, and at tithes was heard with great fayor in the great music hall at Cincinnati. Richard Peard's head was full of music; especially the old airs of Ireland and Scotland. He was ever clean in his life and was never known to use foal lan- MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 641 guage. He enjoyed his companions and his old friends, especially those who, became dependent upon his charities. His charity was one of the noteworthy features of his life. On February 12, 1878, Richard Peard was married to Mary Fogarty, of London, this county, daughter of John and Ellen Fogarty. She was born in London and was about fifteen years her husband's junior. The London home of the Peards was for many years one of the attractive and well-known social centers of the county. This was especially true during. the time the two elder Peard, daughters were at home. Mr. and Mrs. Peard were the parents of-seven children, of whom six are living. Caroline and Delphine were educated in the London high school and at St. Mary's , of the Springs Academy, an institution maintained by the Dominican Sisters at _Columbus, Ohio. -At the latter place, she was well started on her musical career and even before her graduation from St. Mary's, she had been praised very highly on account of her beautiful voice. Later she pursued vocal training under Professor Hosea, of Cincinnati, and her voice attracted considerable attention in the Queen City. In her home town she was well known, not only in musical circles, but in religious work. Her death, on April 20, 1910, at the age of twenty-eight years, was keenly felt by the people of that city. During the later years of her life, she was permitted to travel a great deal, which, no doubt, prolonged her life to a considerable extent. Another daughter, Delphine, is now Mrs. J. J. Lucik, whose husband is a furniture manufacturer of New Albany, Indiana. Mrs. Lucik also enjoyed educational advantages quite similar to those of her sister, Caroline, and is a graduate of the Hayward School of Elocution and Acting at Cincinnati. John, one of the sons. who still lives at home, attended Niagara University, at Niagara Falls and is the administrator of the Peard estate. He is special agent for his mother and has pursued the policy of his father in building houses and. improving vacant lots owned by the . father at the time of his death. The other Peard children are Mary, Walter, Helen and Henry, who live at home. LEONARD LANE. Few of the younger farmers of Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, have accomplished more than Leonard Lane, a prosperous young farmer who owns the old Lane homestead in Canaan township, located five miles south of Plain City, and sixty acres in another farm in Canaan township. Mr. Lane lives on rural route No. 2, out of Plain City, and on the farm. which is a part of the old Lane farm. Leonard Lane was born on"February 2, 1879, in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio. He is the son of Luther, Jr., and Josephine (Kees) Lane, the former of whom was born on the farm now owned and occupied by his son. He was reared on the old Lane homestead and died about 1889. The history of the Lane family is contained elsewhere- in this volunie under the sketch of Luther Lane, Sr. To Luther and Josephine (Kees) Lane were born two children.: Leonard, the subject of this sketch; and Lillian, who is the wife of Vernon Barlow, of Los Angeles, California. Leonard Lane was reared in Canaan to`wnship but lived subsequently in Plain City, where he attended the Plain City schools. He was graduated from the Plain City high school with the class of 1900. For some time thereafter he lived in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Lane was married, in 1901, to Mattie E. Davis, who is the daughter of. John and Sarah (Thomas) Davis. Mrs. Lane was educated in the public schools of Brown township, Franklin county, Ohio. She has borne her husband one daughter, Lucile, who was born in September, 1902. (41) 642 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are members of the Big Darby Baptist church.. Mr. Lane votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are honorable citizens of Canaan township, highly respected. in the community where they live and popular among their neighbors. REV. F. MARION MYERS. There is no earthly, station higher than the ministry of the gospel and no life can be more. uplifting and grander than that which is devoted to the amelioration .of the human race, a life devoted to the betterment of human conditions. A man who is willing to cast aside all earthly crown and laurels of fame in order to follow the foot steps of the lowly Nazarene, deserves the highest praise and commendation for his sacrifices. It is not possible to measure adequately the breadth of. such .a life, for its influence permeates the lives of succeeding generations, and the power and influence goes on unceasingly. One of the self-sacrificing, ardent and loyal spirits of the Christian religion is Rev. F. Marion Myers, pastor of the Big Darby Baptist church, which is located five miles south of Plain City, Ohio, on the Plain City and West Jefferson pikes. F. Marion Myers was born in Harrison, county, Kentucky, September 1, 1855, and is the son of Elijah and Rebecca (Evans) Myers, the former of whom was the son of Solomon and Mildred (Hunt) Myers, Rebecca (Evans) Myers was the daughter of David and Jane (McFarland) Evans. Solomon Myers was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky. He was a farmer by occupation and an active worker, in the Baptist church in which he served as deacon for many years. Subsequently, he removed to Harrison county, Kentucky, and farmed there until his death. He had three sons and one daughter, James, Robert, Julia A. and Elijah. The paternal great-grandparents were Henry and Hannah Meyers. He died in 1824 and she died in 1836. Both came from Virginia, and located near Mt.. Sterling, Kentucky, where they lived until their death. Elijah Myers grew to manhood in Harrison county, Kentucky, and, having received a common-school education and being a man of more than average native ability, he became, a leading farmer in his community. He was an active worker in the Baptist church. By his first marriage, the following children were born, Mary E., James R., Harriett M., John G., Luther H., F. Marion, Emma J., and David W. By his marriage, secondly, to Sarah Poynter, there were three children, Lew Edgar and Joseph L. F. Marion Myers was reared on a farm in Harrison county, Kentucky, and when old enough entered the district schools and continued his education in the public schools until about seventeen. Later he taught in the public schools of Montgomery county, Kentucky, but finally entered Bethel College, at Russellville, Kentucky. He took a partial course. Still later he, entered the southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, an institution that was organized in 1859 and of which Dr. E. Y. Mullins is now president, and was graduated in the .class of 1884. After his graduation Mr. Myers was appointed a; missionary to Saltillo, Mexico, where he served for about one year. Upon returning to .Kentucky; he became pastor of the Baptist church at. Augusta. After being there for three years, he came to Ohio. During 1892. Mr. Myers was pastor of the Big Darby, church. Mr. Myers then went to Sidney, Ohio, where he remained for six years. From Sidney he removed to Galion, where he was pastor for three years, and from Galion to Sunbury, Ohio, where heWas pastor for another three years. From Sunbury he removed to Pomeroy, Ohio, where he served six years, returning to Big Darby in 1911. Since 1911, Mr. Myers has had charge of the church at Big Darby. The Rev. F. Marion Myers was first married to Mary S. Thompson of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, who bore him one child. Mrs. Myers died in 1885 and the child in infancy. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 643 In 1892 Mr. Myers was married to Lottie M.. Coe, of Union county, Ohio. She was born in Allen township, Union county, and was educated in the common schools and in the Marysville high school. Later, she attended the University at WooSter, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Myers had no children. Although Mr. Myers was born a Democrat, he has never taken any. considerable interest in Politics. He has devoted himself, rather, to the ministry of the Christian religion; which is his chosen field, the work he loves and the work wherein he can and does perform the greatest service. ANDREW J. TORBERT Some of the best citizens and some of the best farmers now living in the great Buckeye state have come here frona Pennsylvania, but few of them have enjoyed the same or approximate measure of success as Andrew J. Torbert, a prosperous farther of Darby. township, Madison county, Ohio, and the proprietor of "Fairview Stock Farm," a magnificent tract of land comprising two hundred acres, which is situated two miles east of Plain City. Mr. Torbert was one of nine children, and having been born of a large family, found it necessary in life to shift for himself. If there is any one reason greater than another for his present affluence, it is because he acquired the habit early in life of saying a part of his earnings, no naatter how small they might be. Starting with a small tract of land in Darby township, he has added to it from year to year until he now owns a large farm and is comfortably situated. Andrew J. Torbert was born in York county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1863, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Clark) Torbert, both of whom are now deceased. They had nine children, of whom only five are living at the present time. Andrew J. Torbert was reared on his father's farm in York county, Pennsylvania, and lived with them until he was fifteen years old, attending the public schools in the meantime so far as he as able to do this. After he was fifteen years old he began working `on neighboring farms and out of his meager earnings saved a little every month and: every year. He continued in this was for a period of seven year's, until he was about twenty-two years old, and had been able to save rather an attractive sum of money. At the age of twenty-two, in 1885, Andrew J. Torbert was married to Anna Mottler, and after his marriage rented land for a period of about seventeen years. He then purchased fifty-one acres. of la:nd, and has added to this tract until he now owns his splendid farm in Darby township. The important phase of Mr. Torbert's career is not that he owns two hundred acres of land, not that he has been suCcessful, but that he has been able, to build his own fortune unaided and unfavored. From the time he was a boy Ite has been interested in good horses, and on his farm today has a great many purebred and registered Percheron horses. He also keeps high grades of other live stock, espcially Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Torbert have a family of seven living Children, as follow: Ina graduated from the Plain City high school, and is the wife of Ellis Means, of California; Emma is also a graduate of the Plain City high school, married Eugene Delson and resides in Plain City; Flora is unmarried; and lives at home with her parents; Samuel and William are also at home; Alice is a student in the Plain City high school, and Phyllis is just beginning school, being only seven years. old. Mr. and Mrs. Torbert are meinbers of the Presbyterian church at Plain City. Mr. Torbert usually 'votes the Democratic ticket but is independent both in thought and action, and is not definitely attached, to any party, choosing among the candidates for public office as he would choose in any other responsibility of life, with wisdom, foresight and good judgment. 644 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO THOMAS C. GREGG However great may be the contribution which the professional man makes to his community, it should be remembered that the business man who conducts his affairs with due regard to the principles of honor also becomes a benefactor. Few residents of this county are as well known as the man whose history is here recorded briefly. He is representative not only of the business interests but of a type of manhood which always deserves and wins the admiration of friends and the esteem and confidence of the public. Thomas C. Gregg, vice-president of the West Jefferson Commercial Bank, has done much to advance the material welfare of the community in which he and his family have lived. He is a native of Jefferson township, having been born here on July 13, 1866. Thomas C. Gregg is the son of Ashton A. and Mary M. (Pierce) Gregg, the former of whom was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, his parents being John and Margaret Gregg. After the death of John Gregg, which occurred in his native state, his widow and her three sons,, Ashton A., Thomas and Carlton, all of whom are deceased, located in Jefferson township where Ashton was reared and attended school. When a young man, Ashton A. Gregg began the enterprises which later resulted in a successful career, but he lived with his devoted mother until his twenty-first year. He first bought and cleared land, selling lumber to the railroad'; at the same time giving some attention to the subject of stock raising. So successful was he that he acquired two thousand . acres of valuable land. He was much interested in politics, and was regarded as a man of considerable political influence. He contributed' liberally to the church, and both he and his wife saw to it that their children all had careful religious training. He died on March 11, 1911. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. All of the sons have the qualifications which go to make the successful business man. John, retired from business, lives in Columbus, Ohio ; Pierce M. has large farming interests, is commissioner of Madison county, and president of the West Jefferson Commercial Bank; a daughter is the wife of J. R. Engle, a retired business man of West Jefferson; Arabella, the youngest daughter, also a resident of this city, has never married. The early environment of Thomas C. Gregg was that of the country, and his schooling that which was offered by local schools. He . had ambitions for a career which farm life failed to satisfy, and soon after his twentieth birthday, he was bookkeeper in the bank of which he later became vice-president. His mental alertness and fidelity to every trust, attracting the attention of his employers, he was afterward promoted to the position of cashier, serving in that capacity until January, 1915, when he was elected vice-president of the bank, his former position being filled by his nephew, A. A. Gregg. Mr. Gregg has never entirely relinquished his farming interests, and owns three hundred acres of land in this township. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg has been happy, and many friends have been attracted to their hospitable fireside. Mrs. Gregg was formerly Ellen Recob, her marriage taking place in 1892. A daughter of Val Recob, she was born and reared in this county, and attended its schools. One child, a son named McClellan, was born in this home in September, 1894. After graduating from the Jefferson high school, he entered upon a business career, and is now one of the owners of the Ember Department Store Company. His wife is Mary Hummell, daughter of M. E. Hummell. The Commercial Bank of West Jefferson has figured conspicuously in the lives of three generations of this family, and three out of its four chief officials bear the name of Gregg. The bank was organized in 1885 as a private business concern, and was owned by Ashton A. Gregg, who was its first president. Its present officers are: MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 645 President, Pierce M. Gregg; vice-president, T. C. Gregg; cashier, A. A. Gregg; assistant cashier, Howard Johnson. Mr. Gregg and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons, lodge No. 221. A Republican in doctrine, he has been active in local politics. While Mr. Gregg is quiet and unassuming in manner, he is at the same time, forceful in personality. He has the rare ability of deciding on a course of action, and having. done this; to concentrate his efforts until. the goal has been reached. But he is always considerate of others, a man of strong convictions and the moral courage to stand by them, and one who not only commands respect, but having won, retains it. Mr. Gregg is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county. EMILIUS M. KILBURY It is difficult to estimate what those farmers have accomplished toward increasing the yield of corn who have given their attention to the development of specific varieties. Emilius M. Kilbury, the proprietor of "Yellow Corn Farm," of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and the producer and grower of "Kilbury Yellow Hybrid" corn, is a most successful farmer and a leading citizen of this township. Interested in education, he has had a prominent part in the movement for consolidated schools, having served as president of the Jerome township board of education. He has also been one of the organizers of the farmers' institute at Plain City and twice has served as president; one of the organizers of the Plain City Corn Carnival and a member of the executive committee; a member of the Plain City Matinee and for some time official starter; also prominent in the membership of the Grange; and, at present, one of the lecturers of the latter organization. Emilius M. Kilbury, who is descended from an old and honorable family, now living at Kileville, was born in Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, March 15, 1858. He is the son of T. T. and Darthula (Perkins) Kilbury, the former of whom was born in Canaan township, June 6, 1830. He was the son of Thomas Kilbury, who was the son of Richard Kilbury. Richard Kilbury came to Madison county and settled on Darby Plains in 1813, where he lived until his death. He was 'born in 1797. Richard Kilbury had several children, among them being Thomas, who was the grandfather of Emilius M. Kilbury. Thomas Kilbury was the father of thirteen children by his first marriage, among whom were Ira. Orson; Armenus, T. T., Sarah, John, and James. After the death of his first wife, he married Polly Clark and to them were born five children; Isaac, Emily, Harrison, Levi and Nina. Few educational opportunities were available during the boyhood and youth of T. T. Kilbury. He grew to manhood in Madison county, Ohio, and in 1860 moved to Union county, north of Plain City, where he remained until the time of his death. He was a devoutly religious man, public spirited as a citizen, a leading stockman of his community during his day and generation and his judgment was widely sought by his neighbors and highly valued. He raised the first Merino sheep in this section of 'the state, paying eleven hundred dollars for ten ewes and a buck lamb. He was accustomed to raise his sheep. and-then drive them over the mountains to Philadelphia and was known as the first man who drove cattle from Darby Plains to the East. T. T. and Darthula (Perkins) Kilbury were the parents of seven children, Elmore S., who is deceased; Amanda, who is the wife of Ed Powell,. of Madison county; Emilius M., the subject of this sketch; Ulysses G., who lives in New York state; Clark R., who is a farmer of Union county; Emma S., who is deceased ; Thomas E., who is a: farmer of Union county and lives at Plain City. Emilius M. Kilbury was reared on a farm and, at the age of two years, was taken 646 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO by his parents to Union county, where he attended the public schools of Jerome township in the winter and as,sisted with the work on the farm in the summer. After remaining at honie until twenty-five years of age, Emilius M. Kilbury was married on December 13, 1883, to Ida Tway, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, January 5, 1861, and who was educated in the common schools. Mrs. Kilbury is the (laughter of Nelson and .Philoma (Frazeli) Tway, the former of whom served in the Seventh Regiment Ohio Independent Cavalry, and acted as the body guard for President Lincoln during the Civil War. He carried orders from the President to the officers in the field. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury bought the farm of sixty-six acres now known as "Yellow Corn Farm." They have been the parents of two children, Bertha L., who married Walter Lathon. Before her marriage, she was graduated from the Plain City high school. Clinton S., the other child, is a graduate of the Plain City schools and was the honor man of his class. He is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Kilbury is a stanch Democrat and has twice been the nominee of his party for representative from Madison county. BURR E. CARPENTER. On the West Jefferson and Plain City pikes, four miles south of Plain City, Ohio, is situated "Spring Run, Farm," comprising two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, of which Burr E. Carpenter is the proprietor. He is one of the most successful larmers of Canaan township, and one of the best-known men in the community in which he lives. Burr E. Carpenter was born on July 14, 1850, and is the son of Wesley and Sarah (Smith) Carpenter, the former of whom was born in Galena, Delaware county, Ohio, and the latter was born in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Carpenter's father came to Madison county, Ohio, at the age of twenty-seven years, and after his marriage located on the farm where Burr E. now lives and here spent the remainder of his life. He was a Republican in politics. Three children were born to Wesley and Sarah (Smith) Carpenter, as follow: Irene is the wife of John Stolbert of Canaan township; Mary is the wife of Benjamin Johnson of Madison county, Ohio, Burr E. is the subject of this sketch. Burr E. Carpenter was reared oh the farm he owns in Madison county, and was educated in the district school of Canaan township. He attended school in the winter and worked at home on the farm during the summer. When Mr. Carpenter had reached his majority he began life on his own responsibility but worked at home for his father and with his father until his marriage. On September 16, 1876, Burr E. Carpenter was mo.rried to Amelia Porter, who was born. in Canaan township, and is the daughter of Silas and Cynthia (Beetley) Porter. She was educated in the common schools of the township, and attended the same school as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of two children. Stanley P. married Laura Wright. He was educated in the common schools and in the ;high school. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley P. Carpenter live on Mr., Carpenter's farm and have one child, Helen, Laura is a graduate of the Plain City high school. She is unmarried and lives at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are quiet, unassuming people, and have a host of friends in this county. He is public spirited in the large meaning.of the term, and has done much in behalf, of the prosperity of .Canaan township. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members of the Big Darby BaptiSt church, and Mr. Carpenter is one of the trustees. He IS a Republican and has served several .terms as trustee of Canaan township. MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 647 HOWARD' D. BOWMAN. Howard D. Bowman is an excellent young farmer of Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, who has charge of one hundred and ninety-one acres of land belonging to his father. Mr. Bowman was born in Morgan county, Ohio, October 3, 1885, and is the son of Henry and Rachael Bowman, the latter of whom was born in Morgan county, Ohio, and the former was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1847. Mrs. Rachael Bowman died on February 4, 1909. Since this time Henry Bowman has been married to Fldra Latimore. They live in Plain City, Ohio. Henry and Rachael Bownian were the parents of four children, as folloW : Joseph, . who. is agraduate of the Chesterhill high school and spent two years in Ohio State University, is a farmer in Morgan county, Ohio, and his wife before her marriage was Nannie Smith; Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the Chesterhill high school, is the wife of Thomas Lovell, and they live in Montana; Edith is a graduate of the high school, and the wife of Emmitt Watson; Howard D. is the subject of this sketch. Howard D. Bowman, who was reared in Morgan county, Ohio, and educated in the public schools of that county and in the high school, at Chesterhill, came to Madison county in 1904, and five years later was married to May D. O'Harra, the daughter of Harry and Della (Kilburi) O'Harra. The marriage was solemnized on' November 13, 1909. Mrs. Bowman's' father was born in Madison county, Ohio, and her mother in Union county, Ohio. She died on May 17, 1913. Harry and Della (Kilbury) O'Harra were the parents of four children, namely: Fay is the wife of J. B. McCune; Laura is the wife of Pearl Harper; May, who was born in Madison county, May 1, 1886, is now Mrs. Bowman ; Bessie is the wife of F. C. Berg. Mr. and Mrs. Howard D. Bowman have one child, William H., born on February 26, 1915. Mr. Bowman is a Republican in politics but is a young man and has never been active in the councils of his party. He is devoting his whole energy to the various aspects of farming and already has accomplished a great deal in mastering the intricacies of present day farming. Mr. and Mrs. BOwinan are popular and Well knoWn in Darby township. FRED KILE. Fred Kile, the proprietor of the grain elevator at Kileville, Ohio, as an enterprising farmer of Union, Madison and Franklin counties, Ohio, has long been prominent in the political life of this section of the state. As an active Republican and one whose counsel is widely sought by the rank and file of his party, he is a member of the county central committee, and formerly a delegate to county, congressional, judicial and state conventions of the "Grand Old Party." Although prominent in politics all of his life. Mr. Kile has never held office. Besides the elevator at Kileville, he owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of land and divides his attention between the farm and the elevator. Fred Kile was born in Madison county, Ohio, January 5, 1863, the son of J. A. and Mary (Martin) Kile, the former of whom was a native of Licking county, Ohio and the latter was born in Franklin county, Ohio. They were married, however, in Madison county and made this county their home until their deaths. J. A. Kile passed away at his home on September 19, 1899, and his wife about three years later in May 1902. He was a prominent farther and stock dealer, a Republican in politics and a charter Member and Past grand of Pleasant Valley Lodge No 193, Independent Order of Odd Feliows. He and his' wife were memberS of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in the affairs of the church until their deaths.. They were the parents of five Children, three of who are living, R. P., who is a farmer at Lander, Fremont 648 - MADISON COUNTY, OHIO county, Wyoming; Fred, who is.the subject of this sketch ; and Clark, who is a farmer in Union county, Ohio. Born and reared on a farm in Madison county, Ohio, Fred Kile was educated in the district schools, attending school in the winter and working at home on the farm during the summer. On April 2, 1885, Mr. Kile was married to Elizabeth Purdum, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in November, 1862, and who received a common-school education in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Kile have only one living child at this time, Elton M. Kile, a prominent lawyer and farmer. of this community. Another son, . W. T. S., was a successful grain dealer. He died on November 5, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Kile are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City and Mr. Kile, as a member of the official board, is active in the work of the church. Prominent as he is in the religious and political life of this community, he is naturally well known, not only in Madison county; but in Franklin and Union counties as well. He is an honorable citizen, an upright man, one who does his full duty, private or public. MICHAEL E. DWYER. The successful business men in nearly every line have begun life on the farm, their sturdy youth having been just the material necessary for a solid foundation of achievement. Michael E. Dwyer, a prominent merchant of London, this county, is no exception to the rule. Born on March 9, 1864, on the farm of his father, Michael Dwyer, he early developed the thrift which was characteristic of his parents, both of whom were natives of Ireland, and soon made the name of Dwyer a synonym for, efficiency and worth. Michael and Johanna (Hourigan) Dwyer, soon after their arrival in America settled first in: Greene county, Ohio, later moving to Madison county. Not quite satisfied with this location as a permanent home, they finally removed to Clark county, Where they reared and educated their children as progressive, Christian citizens and where Michael Dwyer, in 1867, passed to his eternal rest, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss. In 1880, just thirteen years later, death claimed the wife and mother who had proved herself, not only a wise and loyal helpmeet, but a kind. and loving mother, whose training and example were to make those she left behind, a power for good among all who know them. When Michael E. Dwyer was fourteen years of age, his mother and her children moved to London, his father having previously died. His brother, Thomas J., and a sister, Mrs. Mary E. Corbett, now reside in London. Mrs. T. F. Ryan, another sister, now reside in Columbus, Ohio. Michael E. Dwyer was educated in the public schools of London, where at the age of eighteen, he learned the tinner's trade which he followed for ten years. His ambition and thrift during these ten years, brought him such a measure of success that before he was twenty-one, he had purchased the business of James. J. Welsh, bis former employer. For four years he conducted that business unaided after which the firm of Dwyer Brothers was formed, his brother; Thomas J., becoming a partner. Together they bought, April 9, 1888, the lot upon which the building they now occupy . was erected in 1892. This building is sixty by ninety feet and consists of two floors, but in addition to this they also use the upper floor space, fifty by eighty, in another building. When Mr. Dwyer first became a merchant, he sold hardware exclusively, but his affability and honesty soon increased the demands of the trade to such an extent that a full line of high-grade furniture was added. On August 17, 1899, after winning success and proving .his ability to become the head of a household, Michael E. Dwyer was united in marriage to Margaret Bindon, MADISON COUNTY, OHIO - 649 of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, and to them was born one child, Paul, who is now attending high school. Mr. Dwyer's sterling worth won him the distinction of election as the first president of the London Board of Trade and he .has served as a member of .the board of public works for two terms. He is an honored member of the Knights of Columbus and an active worker, in the Catholic church. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Dwyer is probably the largest individual property holder in London and, aside from the twenty-five or more pieces of rental property. in .town, he owns a farm in Union township, . located two and one-half miles east of London, on which flows a magnetic spring whose water, analysis shows, a favorable comparison with the best mineral springs of the world. This energetic man has achieved a most remarkable success in life, not because of so called luck, but because of his real ability and the desire not only to grasp his opportunity but to make it. This is the secret of true success, but so few have the courage necessary to real achievement. Opportunity and luck are but the products of diligent application and the daily wisdom, absorbed from the experience of solving each problem by conscientious endeavor. Such have been the tools Mr. Dwyer has used in his garden of life and the brilliant flowers grown therein will not fade, but spread, a lasting fragrance to be inhaled by future generations. ROBERT SLYH In Canaan township, Madison county, Ohio, is a fertile, highly productive, beautiful and well kept farm owned by Robert Slyh, a pioneer of Canaan township and one of the most highly-respected citizens of this community. Mr. Slyh's farm comprises two hundred and fourteen acres and not only is a beautiful tract of land but is conveniently situated with reference to schools and markets. Robert Slyh was born in Canaan township, November 19, 1843, the son of Mathias and Sarah (Patterson) Slyh, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion state. Before his marriage to Sarah Patterson, Mathias Slyh had been. previously married, but his first wife died leaving four children. He then came to Ohio, where he was married to Sarah Patterson.. They had a family of seven children, as follow : Isabelle. married Daniel Walker ; Elizabeth married William Milliken; Mary married William Wilson; Ann is the wife of Robert Reece; Ruth is the wife of Isaac Beach; Robert is the subject of this sketch; Charles married. Eliza Kilgore. Robert Slyh was reared on a farm in Canaan township, and attended the country schools of Madison county. He remained at home until a year after having reached his majority, and then began life on his own account, about which time he was married to Sarah Smith, a native of Canaan township, and the daughter of Alva and Catherine (Moore) Smith. Mrs. Slyh was reared on a farm in Canaan township. She died on November 15, 1914, after having borne seven children, six of whom are. now living. Alva married Anna Baily and lives in Franklin county, Ohio. They have three children, Robert. B., Frank F., and Catherine. . Sarah L. is unmarried and lives at home. Matthew married Maud Wright and has three children, Louise, Geraldine and Geneva. twins. Walter is unmarried and lives at home with his father: Fronk married Imogene Steele and is a resident of Springfield, Ohio. He was graduated from the Plain City high school. They have one daughter, Maxine L., Forest, married Maude. Ray and is' a. resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he is a street car conductor. Mr. Slyh, besides his farm in Canaan township, has other minor interests. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a man of quiet and unassuming manner, and is popular in the community where he lives. He is a man well known in this section of the county, being one of the oldest settlers in this section of the county.