1016 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP.

DR. WILLIAM MORROW BEACH, youngest child of Uri and Hannah (Noble) Beach, was born in Amity, Madison Co., Ohio. May 10, 1831. He lived in Amity until he was four years old, and afterward on a farm in Darby Township, until he was about twelve, when his mother returned to Amity. where he lived until he was fifteen, when he went as a dry goods clerk for Holcomb Tuller, in Dublin, Franklin Co., Ohio, and in the same year in another store, in the same village, for Orange Davis. In the fall he returned to Amity, ill, and was not again able to labor until the following year, when, on the 23d of September, 1847, when in his sixteenth year, he entered the store of George A. Hill & Co., of Pleasant Valley, for the astonishing salary of $36 a year, or about eleven cents a day and board. His second year with them brought him $84, and for the third year was offered $800 in the main establishment-Pinney & Lamson, of Columbus, Ohio. This offer he declined, as the sedentary life, with no leisure for books, was distasteful to him; and at the commencement of the fall term he was a matriculant at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, after the close of which he taught a school in the Crabb District. Brown Township, Franklin Co., Ohio. In the spring of 1850, he commenced the study of medicine at Amity, with Dr. James F. Boal, but suspended through the summer and traveled on foot over nearly all of the counties in Central Ohio. as an agent for the Ohio State Journal Company, of Columbus, Ohio. In the fall of that year (1851), he entered the office of Prof. Samuel Mitchell Smith, of Columbus, as a student; and during that winter attended a course of medical lectures at Starling Medical College the first course delivered in the new building on State street. He attended his second course there at the session following; and in February, 1853. was graduated as M. D. He located at Unionville Centre, Union Co.. Ohio, where he remained two years, when he sold out his property and location to Isaac N. Hamilton, a brother to Prof. John W. Hamilton. of Columbus, after which he spent about four months in the West. prospecting for Congress lands, and upon his return he settled, in September. 1855. in La Fayette, Madison County. Ohio, where he remained until he was commissioned by the Governor of Ohio-David Tod-Assistant Surgeon in the Volunteer forces of Ohio, in the service of the United States, April 3, 1862, when he joined the army at Shiloh. Tenn., April 12, 1862, the Sunday morning after the battle: he was assigned to duty. temporarily, at the Brigade Headquarters of Gen. William B. Hazen; and afterward to the Twentieth Ohio Regiment. On the 3d of May. 1802. he was further commissioned by Gov. Tod as Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-eighth Regiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers. to rank as such from April 20, 1862. which position he held until commissioned by Gov. John Brough as Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Ohio, Infantry Volunteers. May 19, 1864, which commission reached him at Ackworth, Ga., on the Atlanta campaign. on the 9th day of June. 1864. when he was mustered in and entered at once upon duty with his new command. This position he held until the close of the war, and until his muster out at Saulsbury, N. C.. in June, 1563. He was with Grant when Holly Springs was sold out; was at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson,

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1017

Champion Hills. and during the siege of Vicksburg, and his brigade had the honor of being the first to march within its lines on the morning of July 4, 1863. During the Vicksburg campaign he was Division Hospital Director of Logan's Division: and after the surrender, was in charge of the convalescent camp, and also of all the confederate sick and wounded within the lines. He was with Blair on the Yazoo raid, with Sherman on the Meridian raid, and on the raid of Shreveport, La. He re-enlisted or veteranized with his command for the remainder of the war, in the spring of 1864. when the term of the Seventy-eighth Regiment expired. He was in he Army of the Tennessee under Grant, Sherman, McPherson. Logan and Blair until the commencement of the Atlanta campaign, when he was transferred, by promotion. into the Second Division. Twenty-third Army Corps. under Schofield. He followed the fortunes of that army up until the end of that campaign, and when Sherman started off on that long picnic " to the sea," he came North with Schofield. and was at Columbia. Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville; and after the ruin of Hood's brave and magnificent army, was transferred with the Twenty-third Army Corps to Fortress Monroe, thence by sea to Smithville, at the mouth of Cape Fear River. and directly to the four days' siege of Fort Anderson; and then to Town Creek, and then across the Cape Fear at night to the siege of Wilmington. where we forced an evacuation of the works, and entered that long and bloodily disputed stronghold on Washington's birthday anniversary, February 22, 1865. On his way to Raleigh, after the junction with Sherman's " bummers " at Jonesboro, he heard of Lee's surrender. and Johnson's capitulation soon followed. At the close of the war, he was Division Hospital Director of the Second Division. Twenty-third Army Corps. and one of the three surgeons of that Division that constituted the " Operating Board. " He had campaigned for three years and three months in six different States: had been a witness to about one hundred and fifty days of carnage: and had traveled, whilst campaigning in the army, more than nine thousand miles. He is a member of the society of the Army of the Tennessee. After the close of the war, he settled on this farm. two miles north of London. Madison County, Ohio, but has continued in the practice of his profession up to this date. In the fall of 1869 he was elected by the Republican party of Madison County to the State Legislature: and, in the fall of 1811 was elected to the State Senate by the counties of Madison. Clark and Champaign. He is a member of the Madison County Medical Society. and has been its President: of the Central Ohio Medical Society: of the State Medical Society. and in the year 1,881 was elected its First Vice President: and is also a member of the American Medical Association. On the 12th day of April. 1860 he was married to Miss Lucy E. Wilson. of La Fayette, Madison County. Ohio. only daughter of dames and Elenor (Smith) Wilson. born in Somerford Township, Madison County, Ohio, March 28, 1844. Mary, only child, born July 9, 1862, at La Fayette, Madison County, Ohio, and graduated as A. B. at Rutger's Female College 489, 490 and 491 Fifth avenue. Now York City-the Valedictorian of the class in Jane. 1882.

WILLIAM H. BIERBAUGH, farmer, P. O. London, a native of Madison County, Ohio. born June 4, 1846, is a son of Christopher and Catherine Bierbaugh. he a native of Russia and she of Strasburg, France. They emigrated to America when young and single. Mrs. Bierbaugh came in 1831 to her brother in Columbus: he came in 1841. They were married in 1844, and settled in La Fayette, Madison County. and have resided in the county

1018 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

ever since, with the exception of one year's residence in Iowa. In 1862, they located upon the place where they. with their son William now lives and have since resided. They have now been residents of this county over forty years. They have had four children. one only living-William H., our subject, who was born and grew to manhood in Madison County. He was married. March 25, 1880, to Martha A. Headly, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 2, 1857, a daughter of James and Sarah Headly, he a native of Greene County. Penn.. born May 28, 1817 and his wife, Sarah Johnson. a native of Pennsylvania. The grandparents, Elizabeth and Isaac Headly were natives of New Jersey. The great. grandfather was Ephraim Headly. who removed from New Jersey to Greene County. Penn., where he lived and died. Isaac Headly and wife spent their lives and died in Greene County. They had three sons and six daughters. James, the second son of his father, grew to manhood in his native State and married Sarah Johnson: they settled in Greene County. Penn.. where they resided till the fall of 1867, when they removed to Ohio and settled in Licking County, and resided there till the fall of 1872 when they came to Madison County and bought and located on the place where they now live. They have had ten children, seven now survive-Nicholas I.. Malinda (married David Lemley), Benson F.. Lewis, Martha Ann. William Henry and Credola. In 1862, the eldest son enlisted in the war of the rebellion in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served three years to the close of the war. He was taken prisoner and suffered almost starvation in Libby Prison, where he was kept for many weeks. but was finally exchanged, and then served in the army till the close of the war. and returned home, having received but one slight wound in the arm from a stroke of a saber by one of the rebels. Mr. Headly and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. to which they have belonged for over forty years. Mr. Bierbaugh and wife have one child-Imo C., born January 14, 1881. He has devoted his "life to farming, except three years' clerkship in a store in London during the war. Mr. Bierbaugh has a good farm of forty acres. with good improvements. He has served the township as Trustee for three terms, and is one of the reliable and prosperous farmers of Deer Creek Township.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. farmer. P. O. La Fayette, a native of Madison County, born May 6, 1836, is a son of William E. and Sarah Campbell, whose history is given in the sketch of Eli G. Campbell. The subject of this sketch was raised and grew to manhood in Madison County, where he was married, November 21, 1878 to Louisa Dillow, who is a native of this county, born September 9, 1844, and whose ancestors are given in sketch of William Dillow. Mr. Campbell and wife have one child, born September 13, 1879-Harley Clarence. Mr. Campbell is a carpenter by trade, which business he followed until the spring of 1878, when he located where he now lives, and has since resided. engaged in the honorable occupation of farming. This farm he purchased of his brother Eli; it embraces fifty-one acres of good land, all in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, and pleasantly situated about one quarter of a mile north of La Fayette.

ELI G. CAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. La Fayette, was born in Deer Creek Township February 16, 1838. He is a son of William E. and Sarah Campbell, he a native of Maryland and she of Virginia. The grandparents were Hugh and Margaret Campbell. The maternal grandfather was John Moore, who came to Ohio and settled in Madison County, near Londonamong the first settlers-where he remained till his death, November 10,

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1019

1839, aged seventy-seven years. William Campbell, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland. August 17, 1801, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Madison County in quite an early day, while a young, single man, and here he was married to Sarah Moore. October 20, 1831, by whom he had eight children--seven now surviving-Laura (married John Lucy), James J., William, Alexander. Eli G., Benjamin M., Sarah. John W. (deceased), and Creighton E. (now a resident of Montana). Of these sons all but the youngest served in the war of the rebellion. James, Alexander and John enlisted in the spring of 1861 in the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war. James was taken prisoner and was confined in the Libby and Andersonville Prisons, and suffered untold hardships in those terrible places during a period of eighteen months' confinement: was almost starved to death, and when released was but a living skeleton. Alexander and John saw hard service and had many narrow escapes. John, after serving nearly one year. was taken sick with camp fever, and returned home on furlough, where, after lingering about three months, on May 19 1862 died, and his remains now rest in Oak Hill Cemetery. at London. Eli was in the three months' service, but was out about four months. Benjamin enlisted in a company of cavalry in the spring of 1865, and was with Sherman through the South till the close of the war. Mr. Campbell followed farming through life in Union and Deer Creek Townships. In his early life, he was Captain of a rifle company, which was m mustered at appointed times, when they would camp out for several days and perform regular drill service; this practice was followed for several years. Mr. Campbell died December 17, 1857, aged fifty-six years. His wife died March 27. 1882. aged seventy-four years. Eli G., the subject of this sketch, was born raised and grew to manhood in Deer Creek Township, and has passed the most of his life on the Gwynne farm, where he now resides. This farm consists of 3,300 acres, one of the largest and best stock farms in the county. It is the estate of E. W. Gwynne (deceased), one of the early settlers which is inherited by two grandchildren-Edmiston and Marie Gwynne. Mr. Campbell has had the entire superintendence of this large farm since the death of Mr. Gwynne-a period of fifteen years. Mr. Campbell married Eliza J. Buntin. March 6, 1867: she is a daughter of James and Catharine Buntin, natives of Ireland. Eliza was born in Deer Creek Township, in February. 1842, and died February 15, 1870, aged twenty-eight years. By her he had twins (deceased). The large brick residence on this farm. an important tavern stand in an early day, where all the stages and passengers used to stop on their journey from Columbus to Springfield, prior to the building of the National road, or the day of railroads, and on a pane of glass still in one of the windows, is engraved the name "George E. Kummer, New York. September, 1830." a passenger, engraved by himself. where it has remained over half a century. Mr. Campbell is one of the active business men of the community, and the position he holds, in charge of this large stock farm, imposes upon him a great responsibility, he having 400 head of cattle to attend to. and 400 acres in cultivation, principally in corn.

WILLIAM DILLOW, farmer, P. O. La Fayette. was born in Madison County January 11, 1833, he is a son of John and Margaret B. Dillow, natives of Virginia. where they were married. Ahout 1825 to 1828, they removed to Ohio and settled in Monroe Township, Madison County, where they resided the greater portion of the balance of their lives. He died in Pike Township, in November 1879, aged seventy-two years: and she died

1020 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

in June, 1880, aged seventy years. They had eleven children seven now survive-Susan, now Mrs. Bayberry; Margaret P., now Mrs. Scranton; Nancy Ann. now Mrs. Campbell; Mary. Hugh, William and James. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farm labor. and was married to Rebecca Chambers, who was born in New Jersey January 6, 1835, a daughter of Samuel and Ann (Simon) Chambers, natives of New Jersey. who came to Ohio and settled in Madison County about 1850, where they have since resided; they are now residents of Jefferson. They have had eight children. four now surviving-James, Samuel, William H. and Rebecca. Mr. Dillow and wife have five children, William B., born December 20, 1856; Winfield Scott, born November 9, 1860; Mary Jane, born May 27, 1863; Katie Ann, born February 28, 1866 and Margaret Elta, born November 16, 1869. Mr. Dillow has made farming his business through life, and all in Monroe and Deer Creek Townships. In the spring of 1881, he purchased his present property in La Fayette, to which he moved and where he has since resided. He is one of the reliable and respected farmers of Deer Creek Township, where he has the general confidence of the people. He served as Township Treasurer in 1881. He is a worthy member of Lodge No. 70. I. O. O. F., of London. to which he has belonged eight years.

A. N. FOX, farmer. P. O. La Fayette, was a native of Madison County, Ohio, born November 7, 1838. and is a son of John and Elizabeth Fox, he a native of New York, and she of Champaign County, Ohio. The grandfather. Daniel Fox. was. a native of Germany. who emigrated to America about 1876. and married Abigail Allen. a native of New York. They settled in that State. where they resided till 1813, when they removed to Ohio and settled in Champaign County; they afterward removed to Madison County, where he remained till his death. John. the father of our subject. was born in 1801, and was twelve years of age when they settled in Champaign County. and there grew to manhood, and married Elizabeth Jones, a native of that county, born in 1805. In 1836. then removed to Madison County and settled in Pike Township, where they lived till their ; death; she died May 11, 1846, and he July 28. 1868. They had eight children. six now survive--Rudolph. William R., John N.. A. N.. Alma (wife of Thomas Cantrall), and Henry C. Rudolph (resides in Marion County, Ohio) and the others all reside in Kansas but our subject. Mr. John Fox, after locating; in Madison County, entered upon the mercantile trade at Rosedale, where he continued several years, also serving as Postmaster during this time. He then sold out his store and purchased a farm, and for twenty-five years devoted his attention to farming. Then he again entered upon mercantile trade at Liverpool, where he continued business till his death. He was also Postmaster while in business in Liverpool. Mr. Fox was an enterprising, thoroughgoing, business man. He started in life without capital and by his own industry and good business management he accumulated a good property. At his death he owned 430 acres of land. besides quite an amount of personal and other property at Liverpool. His character and integrity were undoubted; he was a member and an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church from his early manhood. and was a Steward and Elder in the church for many years. Our subject was raised to farm labor, and in his early life taught school for several years. He was married, November 27, 1862. to Clarinda J. Baker. who was born in Delaware County. Ohio. November 30. 1843. and was a daughter of Hiram E. and Margaret J. (Wilson) Baker, he a native of New York. and she of Ohio. They had nine children-eight now survive-Clarinda J.. Ellen M. (wife of

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1021

L. G. Huff), Lester, Oscar, Sallie (wife of Christian Kaufman), Eugene, Etta and Edgar. Mr. Baker and wife now reside in Morrow County, Ohio, where he is engaged in farming, a business which he has followed the greater part of his life, and is one of the prominent leading men of that county. Mr. Fox and wife have five children-Edgar B., born October 2,1863; Gertrude, born December 30, 1865; Grace, born January 13, 1869; Eva, born October 19, 1870; and Ross, born December 3, 1878. Mr. Fox, after his marriage, settled on the old home place near Liverpool, where he lived two years; then he purchased a farm on Barron Run, where he resided till 1873, when, in February of that year, he located on the farm where he now resides. He served Pike Township as Clerk several years.

JAMES B. GARRETT, farmer, P. O. London, a native of Madison County, born January 15, 1830, is a son of Alfred and Jane Garrett, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, Benjamin Garrett, also a native of Virginia. married in that State, and soon after, probably about 1805-6, removed to Kentucky. remaining there but a short time, when he moved with his family to Chillicothe. Ohio, which was about 1806-8. He there left his family for safety from the Indians, which were then very troublesome, and came to what is now Madison County. selected his location, and for protection erected a block-house on Coniac Run, after which he brought his family here. Subsequently he moved their house a short distance south of the London & Jefferson pike, where he remained till his death. He was buried on his farm, in a lot set off for a family burying-ground, and it is believed he was the first person buried there. Alfred Garrett, the father of our subject, was about ten years old when brought to this county by his parents, and hero grew to manhood, fully inured to the trials and dangers of those early days. He was married to Jane Boggs. a native of Virginia, and settled and spent his whole life in Deer Creek Township, with the exception of one year's residence in Somerford Township, and nearly his whole life, to the time of his death. was spent on the old farm of his father, where they first located in 1808-a period of about seventy years. He was one of the true pioneers. and with his father, ranks among the first settlers of the Township. He died December 14, 1878, aged seventy-nine years. His wife died in March, 1858. aged forty-five years. They had eleven children. three now survive James B., our subject. Alfred, Edward and Solomon. The subject of this sketch was born, raised and grew to manhood in sight of where he now lives. He was married, February 26, 1852, to Elizabeth Flight, who was born in Pennsylvania October 7, 1832. a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Flight, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio in the fall of 1836 and settled in London, and then located in this township. where he died October 11, 1862, aged sixty-five years. His wife died November 14. 1869. aged seventy-seven years. They had but one child-Elizabeth. Mr. Garrett and wife have had ten children-Mary C., born December 16, 1852, and died October 2, 1862; James Manuel, born December 12, 1854, died November 14, 1876: Barbara Jane. born May 6, 1857: William Henry, born October 11, 1859, died September 29, 1862; Edward Smith. born May 28, 1862, died October 8, 1862; John Marrion, born March 21,1864; Benjamin Wilson. born December 1, 1866. died February 21, 1868: Earnest Linwood, born July 31, 1869, died February 24, 1870; Pearl Wilbert. born January , 1871: and Harrison Jefferson, born December 13, 1873 and died April 18, 1878. Mr. Garrett after his marriage. located in the north part of Deer Creek Township, on the Wahoo Plains. where they lived about five

1022 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

years, when he purchased a part of the old home farm, upon which he located, and has since resided.

ALFRED KILGORE, farmer. P. O. La Fayette. a native of Madison County, born October 24, 1824, is a son of James and Sarah Kilgore, natives of Kentucky. The grandparents were John and Lydia Kilgore. who were very early settlers of Kentucky. and endured terrible hardships and run many risks and narrow escapes from the hostile savages. They finally removed to Ohio and were among the first settlers of that county. He was in the war of 1812, and died while in the army. The maternal grandfather was Skinner Hutson. a native of England. who became an early settler of Kentucky. Sarah Kilgore. the mother of our subject, was born in Bourbon County. Ky.. in 1789. She married Jonathan Denton in 1806. Their lives were full of suffering and danger. They settled near Vincennes, Ind., and were often driven to take refuge in the fort by savage Indians. Their eventful lives were continued but a few ears together as Mr. Denton fell in the war with the savages, under Gen. Hull, and she was left alone with three small children to care for. Her circumstances were such that she was compelled to return to her parental roof in Kentucky. But in her eventful career during the few years she lived in Indiana. she proved herself to be a brave woman. While her husband was in the war, she would leave the fort every day at the risk of her life to attend to the stock they left on their farm. On one of these occasions, in company with her sister-in-law, they saw, on approaching their cabin, that Indians had taken possession of thee house. They came out and demanded the horse they were riding. and finding them inexorable, they told the Indians if they must give up the horse they must first feed him, as he bad not been fed that day; so on pretense of feeding the horse, the Indians left them and returned into the house: then they turned their horse and made for the fort as rapidly as possible. Subsequently. Mrs. Denton's sister-in-law and all their family were murdered by the Indians, it was believed in revenge for not obtaining that horse. Such brave. Christian patriots deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance. In 1814, she married, for her second husband, James Kilgore, the father of our subject, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1791. They settled in Fayette County, Ohio, on the home place with his mother and her family and there resided till 1824, when they removed to Madison County and settled near Midway. Subsequently, they became residents of the James Rankin farm near London. He and his wife lived very happily together for nearly fifty-eight years, and until death removed her from all earthly relations, November 3, 1872. She left eight children, thirty-eight grandchildren, forty-nine great-grandchildren. and one of the fifth generation. She had consecrated herself to Christ at the age of sixteen, a few years after the beginning of the present century, when the war-whoop was common. Many good sermons and many class meetings did she enjoy in the primitive houses. She was an active class-meeting Methodist Christian, having for a long time performed the duties of an assistant class-leader. Mr. Kilgore survived her till April 10, 1876, and his remains were interred in the Paint Township Cemetery, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and acquaintances. In his earlier life, for ten years he was Captain of a company of militia, and was ever afterward known as Capt. James Kilgore. He was Justice of the Peace for many years; an excellent neighbor and a most worthy citizen. Five children now survive-Deborah, Isaac. Alfred. Henry and Martha The subject of this sketch married Margaret Dougherty, September 10, 1849. She was born

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1023

in Fayette County, Ohio, February 3, 1828, and a daughter of James and Susanna Dougherty, natives of Virginia, who came among the early settlers of Highland County, Ohio, when young, and were married there. Subsequently, they removed to Fayette County, where she died October 1, 1852. aged sixty-six years. They had fourteen children, four now living-Andrew, Henry, Mary Jane (wife of Jacob Young), and Margaret. Subsequently Mr. Daugherty removed to Indiana and married Mrs. Scott. Afterward they removed to Minnesota, where he died. Mr. Kilgore and wife have had four sons and four daughters. seven now surviving-John C., born July 3, 1850; Amanda Jane. August 12, 1854 (wife of William Corson); Ella. February 26, 1859; James S.. Nov. 19, 1864; Edith B., November 24, 1868; Minnie. January 21, 1872, and Bruce, born January 16. 1876. Mr. Kilgore has devoted his life to farming, and all in Madison County. He and wife were raised to pioneer life. They started out in life with no means, and although Mr. Kilgore, at one time suffered much from an affection of his hip, yet, by their combined industry and economy, they have accumulated a good competency; have a good farm of 112 acres, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and farmer's residence.

JOHN LOHR. farmer, P. O. London. was born in Shenandoah County. Va.. April 1, 1816; be is a son of Michael and Mary Catherine Lohr. natives of Virginia. The grandfather was Michael Lohr, who, it is believed, was born in Virginia, where he lived and died. He was one of the early settlers of that State, and a farmer by occupation. It is believed he was the father of six children, of whom two yet survive-Catharine, who was never married, and resides on the old home place in Virginia, now aged ninety years; and what is remarkable in her history has never paid but $1.50 in doctor bills during her whole life, and Henry, the other child, who resides in Madison County, Va., past eighty years of age. Michael Lohr, father of our subject, the second child of his father, grew to manhood and married Mary Catharine Miller. a native of Virginia. They settled in his native county. where they resided till his death, February 26, 1819, aged thirty-two years. He was the father of four children-Margaret Ann. born May 7,1812 (now widow Chapel): George W., born December 4, 1813: John, our subject; and Mary born March 27, 1813 (now Widow Carr). Mrs. Lohr married for her second husband Samuel Messmore, a native of Virginia, born August 18, 1798; by him she had three children-Elizabeth. born April 9, 1821: James 3L, born November 17, 1823. and Isabel, born October 29, 1830, Mr. Messmore died September 18, 1852: his wife survived till December 29, 1864. John Lohr, the subject of this sketch. was but three years of age when his father died: when four years of age, he was brought by his mother and step-father to Ohio in the fall of 1820. and here he grew to manhood. On December 12,1844, he married Ann Noteman, who was born in Madison County, Ohio. August 1, 1823 a daughter of William and Ann Noteman; he was born on the ocean and she in Virginia. He was principally raised in Madison County, and was married September 28, 1817 . He was the father of four children, all now deceased but Ann. Mr. Noteman died January 14, 1827: his wife died July 12, 1826. Mr. Noteman was one of the earliest settlers of Madison County. and owned the farm where Mr. Lohr now lives. Mr. Lohr first located in London. and there followed his trade as a saddler till the spring of 1848. when he removed to the farm where he now lives and has since resided-a period of thirty four years. They first lived in a primitive log cabin. since which they have

1024 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

erected all the buildings and made improvements. till now he has a pleasant home with all necessary comforts. and a good farm of 300 acres, more than 200 of which are in pasture and cultivation. Mr. Lohr and wife have had ten children eight now living-Thorressa, born December 19, 1845 (married Robert Moore): Berthier, born November 13, 1847: Clara. born March 22, 1851 (now Widow Pierce): Angenette, horn October 10. 1853; Smith, born November 29. 1856: Ella. born October 4, 1859; Charlie S., born January 29. 1862; Flora. born -November 30. 1868. Mr. Lohr is one of the prominent and reliable farmers of Deer Creek Township. He has held the office of Township Trustee several years. and that of School Director for many years. He and family are members of the Presbyterian Church of London, to which he has belonged many years. and in which he has been Elder more than twenty years.

ALEXANDER B. McMURRAY, farmer, P. O. La Fayette. was born in Westmoreland County. Penn.. August 3, 1820. He is a son of Alexander and Ellen McMurray: he was born in Cumberland County. and she in Allegheny County, Penn. The grandfather, John McMurray, was a native of Scotland, and when a young single man emigrated to America about 1774, and served in the war of the Revolution, after which he married and located in Pennsylvania. and finally died in Westmoreland County. Alexander, the father of our subject. married Ellen Simpson and located in Westmoreland County, where they lived till 1826. when they emigrated to Ohio and located in Highland County. where they lived two years: after which they lived two years in Ross County. and in January, 1830 they removed to Madison County and located in Deer Creek Township: here his wife died May 9, 1854 aged seventy-three years. He died October 5,1867, aged ninety-six years. They had eight children. six now survive-John, James. Ellen. Isabel, Sarah and Alexander, our subject, who was ten years of age when they came to Madison County. and here grew to manhood, fully acquainted with the early pioneers and the hardships and trials of those days. He was married to Mary Houser. who was horn in Fairfield County, Ohio. October 16, 1838: she was a daughter of George and Barbara (Miner) Houser. he a native of Virginia and she of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated July 4, 1854. Mr. Houser and wife had five children. four now living---Dorotha. Jane, Elizabeth, Mary and Ann Maria. Mrs. Houser died in 1840; he still survives and resides in Indiana. aged seventy years. Mr. McMurray and wife have had ten children; seven now survive-Alexander, born March 18, 1855; Louisa, April 16, 1859: George November 17. 1863: Ella, July 17, 1868; Robert. February 4, 1870; Sallie. March 22, 1877; and Florence, born June 26, 1879, Mr. McMurray has made farming his occupation through life, and all in this township. but three years. from the fall of 1855 to the fall of 1858. during which he lived in Iowa. In September 1861, he bought and located on the place where he now lives and has since resided.. This farm consists of fifty-two and a half acres, which he purchased of Mrs. Rogers. Mr. McMurray has served his Township as Trustee. and is one of the early settlers of this county.

JOHN MINTER. farmer. P. O. La Layette, was born in Harrison County, Va., October 12, 1804: he is a son of William and Mary Minter, natives of Virginia. The grandparents were John and Elizabeth Minter, also natives of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky. and were among the early settlers of that State; they located on military lands, which, from the uncertain and imperfect titles which then existed, he subsequently lost. About 1802, they removed to Ohio. and were among the pioneers of Dela-

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1025

ware County, where they lived and died. William Minter married Mary Stevenson, and resided in Kentucky till the spring of 1829, when they removed to this county and located in Deer Creek Township, on the tract of land still owned by his son John, our subject, at a point about one mile north of La Fayette. This tract of land he obtained on a military claim, which called for 6.(366;=', acres, of which he obtained about one-third; the balance being absorbed by fraud and expenses of surveys, and in locating the lands. This land was then all in its natural state, with no improvements, and here Mr. Minter spent the active portion of his life; thence he removed to the town of La Fayette. where he passed the last years of his life. He died in August. 1858. aged eighty-two years; his wife died in February. 1868, aged eighty-seven years. Mr. Minter was one of the active, leading men of this community, and held many offices of trust in the township, and as stated in the history of Deer Creek Township. he was the founder of the town of La Fayette. He was always ready with his means and influence to aid in all public improvements for the general good of the community: and many of his neighbors and acquaintances were the recipients of his kindness and financial aid, even to the great injury of himself. and in his death the community lost one of her kindest and best citizens. He was the father of nine children--four now surviving-John, Sallie (now Widow Quinn). William, Crawford and Ann (now Widow Rogers). Our subject grew to manhood in Kentucky, and was in his twenty-fifth year when he came to Madison County with his father. He was married. September 7, 1837, to Mary Delaney, who was born in Urbana, Ohio, November 18,1818, a daughter of David and Sarah Delaney, a native of Champaign County, Ohio. They had but one child Mary. Mr. Delaney died ----: his wife died January 22, 1868. Mr. Minter and wife have had six children-Salome and Saline (twins) born April 12, 1839: the former died January 12, 1857; the latter June 2, 1857; Walter, born April 12, 1842, died June 15, 1844: Sallie Ann, born October 11, 1846, married W. H. Jones; Lewis K., born June 25, 1852; and Benjamin Franklin. born April 9, 1855. Mr. Minter resided upon the old home place of his father till about 1857, when he moved to La Fayette for the purpose of convenience to school, to educate his children. He has now lived fifty-three years in Deer Creek Township.

REV. SETH NOBLE.* deceased. Respecting the question of the early ministers of the Gospel in the county. I believe my grandfather-my mother's father-Rev. Seth Noble. was the first Presbyterian. I have in my possession a book of " notes " of his sermons, in his own handwriting. together with the dates and places where some of his sermons were delivered -about fifty in all-during the years of 1806-07. He was born in Westfield. Mass.. April 15, 1743, and died in Frankhnton-now embraced in the corporation of Columbus. Ohio-September 15, 1807, aged sixty-four years. His genealogy, as far as known, is as follows: Thomas Noble was admitted an inhabitant of Boston. Mass.. on the 5th day of January 1653. He was probably a native of England. In the year 1653 he moved to Springfield, Mass., and in about 1669, to Westfield. Mass. He married, November 1, 1660, Hannah Warriner. born in Springfield, Mass., August 17, 1643, only daughter of William and Joanna (Scant) Warriner. To them were born eleven children, the third one of whom was Thomas Noble ("Deacon" Thomas). born in Springfield, Mass.. January 14, 1666, and died in Westfield. Mass. July 29, 1750, aged eighty-four years. He married, December 19, 1695. Elizabeth Dewey, born in Westfield, Mass., January 10, 1677, daughter

*By William Morrow Beach M D.

1026 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of Thomas and Constant (Hawes) Dewey. and was ordained as Deacon in the Congregational Church May 25, 1712. They had eleven children. the first of whom was Thomas Noble, born in Westfield. Mass.. September 10, 1696, and there died February 18, 1775, aged seventy-eight years. He married (first). , September 1, 1722, Sarah Root, born in Westfield, Mass., March 9, 1702, daughter of John and Sarah (Stebbins) Root. To them were born ten children, the youngest of whom being Rev. Seth Noble.

REV. SETH NOBLE. was born in Westfield. Mass., April 15, 1743. He married (first), November 30, 1775. Hannah Barker, who was born in Rowley. Mass., February 19, 1759. the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Palmer) Barker, of Rowley, Mass., and Maugerville. N. S. She died in " Kenduskeag Meadow," (Bangor) Province of Maine, June hi. 1790. He married (second). April 11, 1793. Mrs. Ruhama Emery. of Bangor, Maine, who died in Montgomery. Mass., in October or November, 1805. He married (third), Mrs. Mary Riddle. in June, 1807. He joined the Congregational Church at Westfield. Mass., May 5, 1770. His first settlement in the ministry was on the 15th day of June, 1774 over the Congregational Church in Maugerville, N. S., and the descendants of that society say that he was ordained at Newburyport, Mass. In 1784, New Brunswick was separated from Nova Scotia, and in 1789 the meeting house in which " Parson " Noble had preached was removed to that part of the town which is now Sheffield. and on the 13th day of July, 1876, Rev. Joseph Barker, a grandnephew of Mrs. Noble's, was settled as their pastor. Rev. Seth Noble's ministry at Maugerville continued until 1777, when upon the arrival of an armed British schooner, which had come to enforce the oath of allegiance to King George, he fled, narrowly escaping with his life, as he was an ardent advocate of the cause of the Colonists. He became, for awhile at least, a soldier in the Revolutionary army. On the 7th day of June, 1786, he was engaged as the first settled religious teacher and preacher by the citizens of Kenduskeag Meadow (Bangor) at an annual salary of £70. He was inducted into office September 10, 17S'). He was not only the first settled minister, but in 1790 he was deputized to go to Boston and procure from the General Assembly an act of incorporation, under the name of Sunfield; but being a teacher of sacred music and passionately fond of the solid old minor tune of " Bangor," he erased " Sunfield " and inserted Bangor in the petition. The field over which Mr. Noble presided included Bangor, Brewer, Eddington. Hampden, Holden and Orrinbgton. He added to these duties the instruction of youth in English branches, and also in singing. Deacon William Boyd. of Bangor, says he was a good singer and had a clear and pleasant voice. He taught those who were natural vocalists to sing by note and was the first teacher of sacred music in the place." During the Centennial exercises at Bangor in 1876, a brother of Vice President Hannibal Hamlin's was the orator. In his oration, he presents the foregoing facts. dwelling upon them at length. In 1797 he left Bangor and returned to New Market, N. H., where he had previously ministered to some now extinct Presbyterian congregations. and in 1799 went to Westfield, Mass., the place of his activity, where for two years he supplied vacant pulpits in Becket, Blanford, Feeding Hills, Ireland, Montgomery, Russell and Springfield. From the 4th of -November. 181)1. he was the first settled pastor of the church at Montgomery. Mass . up until his removal to Ohio in the spring of 1806.

The only printed productions known. from the pen of Mr. Noble. is a nineteen page pamphlet of two sermons preached at Westhampton, Mass..

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1027

June 26, 1802, and published by T. M. Pomeroy, of Northampton, in 1804. I have in my possession a lengthy letter written me in 1876, by Rev. Elisha D. Barrett, of Assumption, Ill., who was, at that time,- the oldest living Alumnus of Williams College, in which he says: " I well remember Rev. Seth Noble as the first pastor at Montgomery. He was tall and slim, but very active and energetic. His step was quick and firm, and his gait graceful. He wore a white wig, which he used to powder. His complexion was ruddy." " As a preacher he was sound and able; and his sermons were scholarly, unique, systematic and evangelical. On one occasion. a child by the name of Bartholomew was killed by a falling tree, and Mr. Noble preached the funeral discourse over the open grave from Ecclesiastes ix. 12. The effect was electrical, and proved the most dramatic scene I have ever witnessed." The Congress of the United States gave public lands to the Nova Scotia refugees. The refugee lands extend from the Scioto, at Columbus, Ohio, to the Muskingum, at Zanesville. Mr. Noble's share320 acres-fell where Columbus now stands. In the spring of 1806, he came to Ohio and settled in Franklinton. He built a house on his land. which Mr. Albert Bartholomew, now of Detroit, Mich., a grandchild, revisited and recognized about thirty years ago. His first recorded sermon preached in Ohio was at J. Andrus at Worthington, April 9, 1806. He preached at Granville. Licking County, August 17, 1806; at Franklinton, August 24,1806; " Derby " (Big Darby) September 22, 1806; Bixby's (Delaware), April 11, 1807, and at Berkshire. Delaware County, May 24 and 27,1807. In 1847, whilst I was a dry goods clerk in the store of George A. Hill & Co., in Plain City (then Pleasant Valley). James Ewing, the first white settler of what is now Union County. told me that Mr. Noble had frequently been a guest at his house, and had preached there a number of times. There were a number of Presbyterians along Bin Darby, north of Ewing's, and among his other preaching places were the houses of the Mitchells and Woods, the father of the late banker. William Wood. of Marysville, Ohio, and also at a point or points on Little Darby, over about the Fullington settlement. Mr. Wood was himself ordained in 1807 or 1808, as is shown by letters now in my possession. Mr. Noble had not infrequently ministered to Presbyterian congregations in New Hampshire, in and around New Market, both before and after his settlement at Bangor, Maine; and it is presumable that he fell into the Presbyterian ways of his congregations in Ohio with but little embarrassment. History is history; and Mr. Noble was not only the first pastor at Maugerville; at Bangor, and at Montgomery, but he was doubtless the first preacher to the Presbyterians at Franklinton, where he was on a salary and preached regularly, twice on each alternate Sunday, in 1807 where he had a church organization of fourteen members, of which Mrs. Lucas Sullivant was one. I saw, when a boy, among my mother's papers, the list of names of these fourteen members; and these fourteen persons were undoubtedly the persons who, in 1808, composed the " First Presbyterian Church," at the time of the ordination of the Rev. James Hoge.

Mr. Noble's last recorded sermon was preached in Franklinton, August 9, 1807, from Matthew. xi. 28-"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He died on the 15th day of the following month (September). and was buried in the old Franklinton Burying ground: but the " march of empire." sweeping over and beyond, has left no token or sign of the exact spot where his body was laid to rest. His children by his first wife were as follows: Seth. born August 5, 1777, at Maugerville, N. S., was lost at sea off the New England coast. October 20, 1798, aged

1028 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

twenty-one; Joseph. born at New Market, N. H., June 13, 1783, died about 1869, at Brighton. N. B.. aged about eighty-six; Sarah. born June 1, 1785, and died in Montgomery, Mass., November 15, 1830. aged fifty-one; Benjamin, born June 25, 1787, died in Brighton. N. B., April 12, 1860, aged seventy-three: Hannah (my mother). born in Kenduskeag Meadow (Bangor). Maine, September 11, 1789. died in Amity, Madison County, Ohio, November 17, 1854, aged sixty-five. The children by the second marriage were Betsey, Thomas, Polly and John Adams. all of whom are now dead.

WILLIAM CLARK SIDNER, farmer. P. O. West Jefferson. was born on the place where he now lives January 5, 1845; he is a son of Jacob and Margaret R. Sidner, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Licking County, Ohio. The grandfather, Philip Sidner, was a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky with ten of his brothers, and settled there in an early day. Some of them were extensive slave owners, but manumitted their slaves prior to the war About 1802, Mr. Philip Sidner. with his family, removed to Ohio and settled about four miles south of Columbus, on the Scioto River: thence he went back to Kentucky, but returned to Ohio in 1806, and here remained till his death. He was buried at Jefferson. Jacob was born in Kentucky in 1799. and was raised in Ohio. When about twelve years old. he. with his sister. settled on the old " Ewing" farm, now owned by G. G. McDonald. In 1818, they settled on the place where his son, our subject, now lives. He married Margaret R. Irvin. by whom he had seven children. five now survive-Irvin, Wesley, Angeline, William Clark and Theotis. Mr. Sidner was twice married; by his first wife, Miss Ewing, he had five children, three now living-Samuel. Philip and Elizabeth Jane. Mr. Sidner died in February, 1880 and his wife in August, 1890. He experienced his full share of the trials and dangers of pioneer life, having been one among the earliest settlers, and he had lived in Deer Creek Township nearly seventy years. He was an energetic, industrious farmer, and be. came owner of about 900 acres of land; he was a man of undoubted honor and integrity, and an earnest member and worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the organizers of the Upper Glade Church, a Steward in the same and a Trustee for many years. The subject of this sketch was married, February 24, 1870, to Sarah J. Jones. a native of this county, by whom he has two children-Ernest L. and Earl Anson. Mr. Sidner located on the home place, where he still resides and where he has lived from his birth. Here he has a fine farm and good improvements, constituting a pleasant home.

JOHN SNIDER, farmer. P. O. La Fayette. was born in Germany September l9, 1821; he is a son of Henry and Catharine Snider, natives of Germany, who lived and died in their native country. They had three children, two of whom. George and Sophia, remained in Germany. where they were residing when last known of them. The other child was John. our subject, who. when about eighteen years of age, emigrated to America and came to his uncle, .Jacob Snider, who had previously come to this country, and was residing at La Fayette. this county. He arrived here in the fall of 1839. In 1846, he was married to Martha Verner. a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had one child-Henry-now a resident of Iowa. His wife died July 16, 1849, of that terrible scourge-cholera. On April 22, 1851, he married for his second wife Drucilla Ellsworth, a native of Clark County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Ellsworth. By this union they have four children-Alpharetta E. (now wife of Dr. J. W. Chance, of

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 1029

London), Minnie L., Ida L. and Annetta E. Mr. Snider, after he came to La Fayette, learned the blacksmith trade, which business he followed about three years, when he entered upon the grocery trade, and finally extended his business into a general stock of goods. such as a country trade demands. In this he continued until the spring of 1864, when he purchased and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. He now owns 600 acres of good land with goad buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. Snider is strictly self-made; starting in life poor, he has by his industry and good business tact, accumulated a good competency, and is now one of the most reliable and respected farmers of Deer Creek Township.

CHRISTIAN VOLKA, merchant, P. O. La Fayette, was born in St. Louis, Mo., November 25, 1837; he is a son of John and Catharine Volka, natives of France, who emigrated to America while young; they grew to maturity and were married in Columbus, Ohio. He was a shoe-maker by trade, which business he followed in Columbus, Cincinnati and St. Louis. He died of small-pox in Cincinnati. They had three children, two now surviving-Catharine (wife of David M. Bradley), and Christian, the subject of this sketch, who was principally raised in Madison County, brought up to farm labor and was married, January 8, 1863, to Lucetta Bell, a native of this county, where she was born May 12, 1844, and a daughter of Daniel Bell, a native of Virginia, and his wife Rebecca (Wagoner) Bell, a native of Ohio. Dr. Bell was a practicing physician for many years, commencing his profession in Coshocton County, Ohio; thence coming to Madison County and practicing in Somerford Township. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and nave freely of his means for the erection of the church edifice, and also for the schoolhouse that was built near it, in honor of which the place was called Belleville He purchased a farm in that township, upon which he resided a short time; then he removed to Champaign County, and there bought a farm, where he resided about twenty years: then he removed to London. this county, and entered upon the mercantile trade, but after a few months he removed to La Fayette, where he died December 8, 1869 aged sixty-nine years. His wife died November 29. 1858, aged thirty-nine years. dying on her thirty-ninth birthday. They had thirteen children, five now surviving-Lucy, Rachel, Lucetta, Laura Ellen and Charles. Mr. Volka and wife have had five children, two now survive-Nettie. born October 3, 1805, and John C., born August 14, 1878. Mr. Volka first located in La Fayette, and has spent most of his life in London and La Fayette. and the greater portion of it has been devoted to the mercantile trade. He was employed as a clerk in London for several years; then he entered as an assistant with Dr. Bell to the time of his death, when he took possession of the store and as since continued the business, conducting a general grocery and drug trade. and has a good established business.

ALFRED WILLETT. farmer. P. O. La Fayette, was born in the State of New York May 31, 1842; he is a sun of John and Jane Willett, natives of England, who, shortly after their marriage, emigrated to America and settled in Livingston County, N. Y., where they resided several years, but finally became residents of Ohio. He died at La Fayette in August, 1876. Mrs. Willett is still living and now resides at Rockford, Ill. They bad three children-Alfred. Nellie (deceased), and Reuben. The subject of this sketch came to Madison County and located at La Fayette in the spring of 1858. Mr. Willett enlisted in the spring of 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served

1030 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

till the close of the war-nearly three years. He was in the Fourteenth Army Corps under Davis, Stedman and others, and was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga. Kenesaw Mountain, Savannah, Atlanta, Jonesboro and others; but passed through all without a wound. and was discharged in July and mustered out of service in August, 1865. On November 5, 1865, Mr. Willett was united in marriage with Sophia Snyder who was born in La Fayette September 25, 1843, a daughter of Jacob and Christena Snyder, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America and became residents of La Fayette, Madison County, Ohio; and thence removed to Mercer County, Ohio, where they died. They had seven children-Elizabeth (married James Millens), La Fayette (the first child born in the town of La Fayette), Margaret (married James Simpson), Sophia, Mary (married Morris Agler), Martha Jane (married William Shaffer), and Anna (married Lewis Minter). Mr. Willett and wife have had four children. three now survive-Clarence, Morris and Clara. Mr. Willett settled in La Fayette and engaged in mercantile business, carrying on a trade in dry goods and general merchandise, in which he continued till January, 1882, when he closed out his stock, sold his residence. and is now giving his attention to farming. During his sixteen years of mercantile trade, he did a large and prosperous business, and was Postmaster during several of the last years in which he was in business. He is one of the leading, active citizens of this community, and possesses the confidence and respect of the people, and is now serving his third year as Treasurer of Deer Creek Township.