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FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

JOSEPH BENJAMIN, farmer. P. O. Big Plain, a native of this county and township, was born January 31, 1832, and is a son of William and Clarrissa Benjamin, he a native of Maryland, and she of the State of New York. The grandparents were Jonathan and Elizabeth Benjamin. He was born in New Jersey. but became a resident of Maryland, where he married Elizabeth Barnes, and about 1803 removed to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe; thence about 1807 he became one of the pioneer settlers of Madison County, locating on the land now owned by D. D. Downing, where he purchased a large tract of land, and had it nearly paid for, when another owner presented himself with a bonafide title to the land, and Mr. Benjamin was compelled to leave it; he, however, remained a resident on the land till his death. William, the father of our subject and the eldest child of his father, was born March 4, 1790, being thirteen years of age when their family came to Ohio. Here he grew to manhood, and was seventeen years of age when they became settlers of Madison County. After he arrived at manhood, and after his father had lost his land by a defective title, he purchased 150 acres where Joseph. our subject, now lives, and here cleared up his farm. and made a home right from the woods; and here he resided till his death, May 28, 1877. He married Clarissa Waldo, with whom he lived till his death. She survived hint till in November, 1881. She died from being burned by her clothes taking tire in front of their fire-place, in her eighty-first year. They had two children-Herrick (deceased) and Joseph. The former grew to manhood and enlisted in the war of the rebellion, in the Twenty-sixth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, (Company K), and died of camp diarrhoea at Gallipolis, Ohio. November 12, 1861. in his thirty-second year. The subject of this sketch was raised and grew to manhood on the old home place, where he still resides. On August 13, 1856, he was united in marriage with Margaret Perigo. a native of this county, who was horn February 22, 1835. By this union they had five children. William H.. born October 27, 1858: Alfred H.. born May 23, 1860; Herrick J.. born August 1, 1863; Thomas J. T., born April 22, 1865; and Clarissa, born September 3, 1868. Mrs. Benjamin died November 27, 1880. Mr. Benjamin has heeded the old motto. "A rolling stone

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gathers no moss" and has spent his life upon the old home place of his father, which has now been in possession of the family forty-seven years-nearly half a century.

JOEL M. BYERS. Farmer. P. O. Lilly Chapel. was born in this county May 26, 1841, and is a son of John W. and Sarah J. Byers, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather James Byers, a native of Pennsylvania emigrated to Ohio with his family and settled in Ross County, in 1806. In 1826 he removed to Madison County and located in the north part of Fairfield Township, where he died being one of the first settlers of that neighborhood. His house was one of the first places where preaching and worship was had, long before any church existed in this vicinity. His "latch string^," was ever out to the ministers of the Gospel. Among the first preachers were Rev. Dr. Hogue, of Columbus. a Presbyterian and Rev. William Dickey. John W., the father of our subject was twenty-six years of age when they settled in Madison County and here he married Matilda Hunter a native of Franklin County. Ohio. by whom he had three children. one now living Matilda wife of Samuel Truitt. His wife died and he married for his second wife Sarah J. Painter. by whom he had four sons and six daughters. Eight now survive. viz.: Rosanna. wife of N. P. Gardner, resides in Iowa: Jane, wife of T. J. Price. resides in Emporia. Kan.: Flora, Kate. Joel M. and James M. (twins), John C., and Andrew T., now a practicing lawyer of Springfield. Ohio. Mr. Byers was a very successful farmer. He commenced life here when the country was in its wild. primitive state: when the stock roamed at will over the prairies and through the woods: and often he would early in the morning start out on horseback and ride over prairies with the wild sedge grass higher than his head, to bring up their horses for work, a picture which call now only be seen in imagination. Mr. Byers became owner of more than 61>0 acres of excellent land. with good improvements. The last years of his life he spent in London. having retired from the active labors of the farm to pass in quiet and rest the declining years of his life. He died February 2. 1881, aged nearly eighty-one years. He had lived a devoted Christian life, having been a member of the Presbyterian church more than half a century. and an Elder in the same many years. In business he was prompt and reliable, and filled the offices of trustee and Treasurer of his township many years. His widow still survives and resides in London. The subject of this sketch was married November 23, 1864 to Louisa M. Fitzgerald, a native of this county, where she was born June 6, 1841, and a daughter of Judge Edward O. and Lacy Ann Fitzgerald. By this union they have three children: Luella, born September 18, 1865; John E., born March 20, 1872, and William G., born January 24, 1878. In the spring of 1865. Mr. Byers located on the farm where he now lives and has since resided. The farm contains 152 acres of excellent land with good improvements. Mr. Byers is a very congenial and agreeable gentleman, and inherits many of the excellent qualities of his father, and is highly esteemed and respected throughout his circle of acquaintances.

JOHN C. BYERS. farmer. P. O. Lilly Chapel. is a native of Madison County, where he was born January 18, 1845; he is a son of John W. and Sarah J. Byers, whose history is given in the sketch of Joel Byers. The subject of this biography was raised in this county. On November 2, 1871, he was united in marriage with Josephine Rickabaugh who was born in Ross County July 10, 1849, and was a daughter of William and Sophia Rickabaugh, natives of Gallia County, Ohio, where they were married and soon after removed to Ross County, Ohio. In the spring of 1869, they removed to Madison County and located in Fairfield Township. where they have since resided. They have three children: Mary. wife of Thomas McFarland; Francis M., and Josephine. Mr. Byers and wife have one child, Jessie. born September 14,

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1872. Mr. Byers located on the old home place where they lived six years. and then in the fall of 1877 they located at their present place of residence. This was known as the Joel Painter farm. In the summer of 1877 Mr. Byers erected his present large frame house. and now has a pleasant home and farmer's residence. He is one of the Township Trustees and one of the prominent and reliable farmers of Fairfield Township.

ALFRED CARTMILL. farmer. P. O. Big Plain, was born in Franklin County. Ohio, February 9. 1819, and is a son of William and Isabel Cartmill, natives of Virginia, who, when quite young with their parents emigrated to Kentucky among the early settlers of that State. when they had to be protected in block-houses from the savages. Under those trying ordeals, they grew to maturity were married, and, about 1813 in the spring, removed to Ohio and located on the Darby, near Georgesville in Franklin County. About 1824 or 1323. they removed to Madison County and settled on land now owned by Elijah Chenoweth. where they remained through life and where Mrs. Cartmill died after which Mr. Cartmill made his home with his children till his death in November 1875. in his ninety-seventh year. They had five sons and two daughters. of whom six now survive: Thomas; Fidelia. wife of N. Y. Patrick: John, Alfred. William F., and Margaret, wife of Daniel Rhodabaugh. The subject of this sketch was raised and grew to manhood in Madison County, end at nineteen years of age commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed about nineteen years. when he purchased a tract of land just below where he now lives and entered upon farming which he has since followed. Mr. Cartmill has been twice married; first to Catharine Keller, a daughter of Peter and Rebecca Keller, natives of Pennsylvania: this union was of but brief duration, as in the fall of 1861 she died. On February 22, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Freeman who was born in Franklin County, Ohio. September 9. 1837. and was a slaughter of Reuben and Emza Chaffin, natives of Pennsylvania. By her he has had eight children. six now surviving: Grace, born May 31, 1867; Clyde, born -November 20, 1865; Marcia, born March 1, 1872; Gale Forest. born April 8, 1874; M. Dell. born April 5, 1877, and Alfred Pearl, born December 14, 1881. Since the first tract of land which Mr. Cartmill bought. he has added more by purchase till he now owns 400 acres of good land. In 1880, he erected a large brick house and has made various improvements in buildings. ditching and draining, till he now has an excellent farm and a fine home. He never desired public office, although he has served as Township Clerk and a Justice of the Peace. He commenced in life without means, and by his own industry has acquired a comfortable competency, and is now one of the prominent farmers of Fairfield Township.

JOHN R. CHAMBERLAIN. farmer. P. O. Big Plain, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, May 3, 1842, and is a son of Nicholas H. and Susan Chamberlain, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. The maternal grandparents (Bishops) were natives of Virginia. but became early settlers of Gallia County; Ohio, where they lived and died. Nicholas H., the father of our subject. came from Pennsylvania to Ohio when a young single man, and married Susan Bishop in Gallia County, where they located and lived till about 1850, when they removed to Jackson County, where they resided till the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in the army and served till the close of the war, after which they lived about two years in Madison County. They then removed to Clark County, where on June 10. 1870. Mrs. Chamberlain died, after which Mr. Chamberlain spent the balance of his life with his children in Clark and Jackson Counties, and died in the latter county March 23, 1880. They had a large family of children of whom five now survive-William H.; John R.; Mary Ann, wife of Moses Rider, of Clark County: Martha. wife of John Betts, of Jackson County; and Sarah. wife of John Jones. Mr. Chamberlain was a shoe-

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maker by trade, which business he followed through life. John R., the subject of this sketch, was raised in Jackson County, and when about eighteen years of age came to `Madison County. and on February 13, 1867, married Martha F. Gill, who was born in this county January 2, 1850. She was a daughter of Henry and Sarah Ellen Gill, natives of Ohio. By this union they have had nine children-eight of whom now survive-James, born August 12, 1867: Sarah E., December 27, 1S70; Lucetta, December 10, 1872; Alphretta, December 27, 1874; Minnie. February 6. 1877; Kinnie and Lena (twins), March 4, 1879, and John H., July 17, 1881. Mr. Chamberlain has devoted his life to farming, and all within this county but two years, during which he lived in Franklin County. He started out in life at eighteen years of age depending upon his own industry and economy to make a livelihood, and has fought his way through life, step by step. till now he owns a good farm of eighty-three acres, with improvements.

ELIJAH CHENOWETH, farmer and stock-dealer, P. 0. Big Plains, was born in this county March 15, 1831, and is a son of John F. Chenoweth, whose sketch appears in the biographies of London City. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, December 16, 1853, to Susan A. Pringle, whose ancestors are given in the sketch of William D. Pringle, in this work. By this union they have three children-William D., born November 5, 1859; Elmer J., born October 3, 1861, and Mary C., born May 6, 1876. Mr. Chenoweth has devoted his life principally to farming, and raising and dealing in stock, the latter receiving his main attention. From 1864 to 1869, he resided near West Jefferson, and engaged in a general trading business-dealing in fruit and wool, and buying and shipping stock; thence he returned to his farm in Oak Run Township, and thence in the fall of 1875, having previously erected his present fine brick house where he now lives, he moved into it where he has since resided. He is one of the extensive farmers and stock-dealers of Madison County. In April, 1882. he purchased the old home place, where he was born and raised. He now owns 1,150 acres of land, all in one body, and has over 3,000 head of sheep. During the season, he usually buys and sells several thousand sheep and several hundred cattle. He has held but few offices of his county or township, as his whole interest, taste and energy are devoted to his business, and in this he ranks among the leading men of Madison County.

THOMAS COX. farmer. P. O. Big Plain, was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1831, and is a son of Noah and Mary Cox, he a native of Maryland and she of Delaware. He was about three years of age when his father died, and was brought to Ohio by his mother, who settled in Ross County. where she married again, and became an early settler of Madison County, where she died. They settled in Ross County about 1803, and there Noah grew to manhood and married Mary Cook. They settled in Ross County, where they resided till 1850, in the fall. when they removed to this county. and located on the place where our subject now lives, and here remained till his death. September 15, 1881, aged eighty-one years. His wife still survives, and resides on the old home place with her son, now about seventy-seven years of age. They had five sons and three daughters. four of whom now survive-Sarah. wife of Wiley Creath: William, Thomas, and Maria, wife of William V. Cook. Mr. Cox was one of Ohio's pioneers. settling early in Ross County, where he helped to clear up two farms; then he came to Madison County and cleared up his farm here, mostly from its wild, unimproved state. Notwithstanding his upright, moral life, he had lived to the faith of Universalism. and a few days before his death he felt dissatisfied with his faith, and told his family that Universalism would do very well to live hr. but did not reach far enough, and he then and there accepted Christ as his only salvation, and died with a full hope of a blessed immortality. The subject of this sketch was mar-

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died, February 25, 1853. to Nancy Ann Robey, who was born in this county in June, 1829, and who was a daughter of Michael and Matilda Robey, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky, who became early settlers of Madison County, where they resided till his death in the fall of 1880; his wife still survives and resides near Mechanicsburg. They had eight children, six now surviving Thomas, Nancy Ann, John, David, Mary Jane (wife of William Diehl), and Michael. Mr. Cox and wife have had six children, four now surviving Courtney, Malissa Jane, Austin R. and Debbie Ulaly. Mr. Cox has made farming his occupation during life. and mostly on rented places within this county, till in January, 1882, he located on the old home place of his father, where he expects to remain through life. Here he has fifty-three acres of land with good improvements. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, to which they have belonged ten years.

WILEY CREATH, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in this township September 4, 1825, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Creath. The former was born in Bourbon County, Ky., September 11, 1797, and the latter in Virginia September 13, 1794. The grandparents were William and Margaret Creath he was of Irish descent and became an early settler in Kentucky. In 1811, they removed to Ohio and settled in Madison County, near Mount Sterling, where they died. John was about fourteen years of age when his parents came to Madison County. On March 25, 1823, he married Elizabeth Robey, a daughter of Notly Robey, by whom he had seven children, five now surviving Wiley, Samuel, Margaret (wife of Thomas Hume, residing in Kearney, Neb.), Elijah (living in Logan County, Ohio), and George (living in London). Mr. Creath lived several years near Mount Sterling, thence he moved to the Dun farm, thence about 1838 he bought and located on the tract of land in Fairfield Township, now owned by his son Samuel, where he remained till his death. This land was then nearly all in its wild, unimproved state, and here he lived about forty-three years. He died January 15, 1881, at the ripe age of eighty-three years. He served as a Captain of the militia seven years. He was raised a Presbyterian, but at the age of sixty years he united with the United Brethren Church. in which he remained a devoted member till his death. He was one of the honored and reliable citizens of Madison County, served as Township Trustee several years, and died esteemed and respected by his many friends. His wife died in December. 1873. The subject of this sketch has been thrice married; first on February 22, 1855. to Susan Alkire, a daughter of John and Susan Alkire, by whom he had two children-Laura Jane, born January 10, 1856. and Susan, born February 18, 1862. Mrs. Creath died February 21, 1862 and on November 29, 1863, he married Elizabeth Alkire, a sister of his first wife; by her he had four children-Charles, born May 5, 1864; Mary E., born April 1, 1866; Armilda, born December 13. 1868, and Josie, born March 1, 1870. His second wife died November 29, 1874, and on April 14, 1877, he married Mrs. Sarah Collins, daughter of Noah and Mary Cox. Mrs. Creath had by her first husband, Noah Collins, three children, who now survive-Albert, John Wesley and Ransom. During the war of the rebellion, in August, 1862, Mr. Creath enlisted in the defense of his country in Company G, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till June 24, 1863, when he received his discharge on account of sickness and disability. He has made farming his occupation through life; he first located near Mount Sterling where he resided seven years, till his enlistment in the war. After his return, he located upon the old home place, where he has since resided. a period of eighteen years. He and wife are worthy members of the United Brethren Church at Dennison Chapel, to which they have belonged many years.

DAVID D. DOWNING. farmer, P. O. Bid Plain, was born on the Lower Glade, Madison County. Ohio. June 17, 1853 and is a son of Albert and Frances

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Downing, he a native of Franklin County. Ohio. and she of London, this county. The grandparents were Timothy and Elizabeth Downing of Scotch descent, and among the first settlers on the Little Darby, a part of their purchase of land being located in what is now Madison County. and a part in Franklin County, their residence being in the latter county. The exact date of their settling there is not known but it is believed to have been prior to 1800, as that section was then all a vast wilderness, with but four or five other families in that region of country. One of these families was Jonathan Alder, of pioneer farmer and there Mr. Downing resided until his death. Subsequently his wife married for her second husband Mr. Rathburn who is also now deceased. Mrs. Rathburn still survives and resides on the old home place, now about seventy-five years of age. Albert, the father of our subject was the eldest child of his father and has one brother. Isaac H. who has been a resident of California for thirty years. Albert Downing was raised to farm labor. and after arriving at his majority he went to London and entered upon the mercantile trade in partnership with Mr. Shanklin, and continued in this business in London and Plain City for several years. During the war of the rebellion, he served in the army and after his return entered as check clerk in the railroad office at Columbus. But at the last call of the President for troops he again enlisted in the army. After the close of the war, he located in Columbus and was book-keeper there till 1871. when he moved on to the farm of our subject, and there resided till the spring of 1879, when he returned to Columbus where he has since resided being engaged in book-keeping. Mr. Downing has been twice married, first to Frances Dunkin. a daughter of David Dunkin. She died during his residence at London. By her he had two children David D. and Timothy Lawson-the latter deceased. His second wife was Ann E. Philips, daughter of Milford Philips. of London. Of Mr. Downing's career his greatest fault in life has been being too lenient and kind in business, trying to accommodate his friends, greatly to his own injury; being kind-hearted and honest himself. he tried to believe others to be the same, and in consequence has met with many losses. Our subject grew to manhood, receiving a good education at the public schools of Columbus. and at nineteen years of age entered upon farming, which has been his principal occupation since. Mr. Downing is now Clerk of Fairfield Township, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1882.

GEORGE DURFLINGER. blacksmith. Lilly Chapel, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 16, 1845, and is a son of William and Clara Durflinger, whose history is given in the sketch of William Durflinger. The subject of this sketch was raised in this county and brought up to farm labor, which occupation he followed till in January, 1881, when he purchased the interest of S. A. Sidner, of the firm of Wilson & Sidner, blacksmiths and wagon-makers at Lilly Chapel. Thence, in February, 1882, he bought out Mr. Wilson's interest, since which he has conducted the entire business in his own name, has a good trade and a prosperous business, and being located in a growing and thriving village, his prospect for an increasing business is good. On July 21, 1864, he married Miss Jennie George, who was born in Hardy County, Va., July 20, 1847; she was a daughter of Thomas R. and Sarah (Rumer) George, natives of Virginia. The grandparents were Jeremiah and Ann (Wood) George, also natives of Virginia, who lived and died in that State. Thomas R. grew to manhood and married and resided in Virginia till in November, 1857, when he removed to Ohio and located in Madison County, where he has since resided, with the exception of six years-from 1860 to 1866 during which he lived in Franklin County. Mr. George has always made farming his principal business, and has now resided in Ohio twenty-five years. His wife died in Virginia in 1856. She bore him four children-Jennie, Nata-

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lia C.. wife of Nathan Reed ; Hannah S.. wife of Stephen Summers ; and Isaac P. Mr. George married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Thomas. a daughter of . Levi Hann. Mr. Durflinger and wife have three children-Thomas W.. born July 23, 1867; Sarah A., July 18, 1875 (deceased) ; and Pierce Beach. born July 24, 1880.

SAMUEL H. EDWARDS, grain merchant. Lilly Chapel, was born in Camden County, N. J., May 21, 1840 and is a son of Job H. and Eleanor P. Edwards. natives of New Jersey. The grandparents were Richard H. and Deborah Edwards, also natives of New Jersey, their ancestors being of German and Irish descent ; they lived and died in New Jersey. The maternal grandparents, Samuel B. and Susan Hunt. were also natives of New Jersey. where he died ; she subsequently died at La Fayette, Ind. Mr. Hunt was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. They were of Irish descent. Job H.. the rather of our subject, was brought up to the carpenter trade, which he followed through life. He married Miss Eleanor P. Hunt. of New Jersey, and settled in that State. where they resided till the spring of 1844 when they emigrated to Ohio, and located at South Charleston, Clark County, where they lived about two years. Thence they moved over the line into this county thence they moved into Fairfield Township, where his wife died March 3, 1877. Mr. Edwards still survives, and now resides with one of his sons at California. aged sixty-eight years. He is now totally blind, and has been thus for three years. He is the father of eleven children, of whom nine now survive-Thomas. Susan (wife of F. M. Thomas), Samuel H.. Richard, Isaiah. William, Ellen (wife of Andrew Bell), and Charles. Four of these sons were in the late war of the rebellion. Samuel H. and Isaiah enlisted in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. in July, 1862 ; the former was taken prisoner at Richmond, Ky., on August 30 of the same year, by Kirby Smith, was paroled, about six months after was exchanged. and then entered the Sixtieth Regiment Second Battalion Veteran Reserves ind served till the close of the war, receiving his discharge in August, 1865. Isaiah was soon stricken down with the measles, from the effects of which he became unfit for duty and was discharged in 1863, after a few months' service. Richard enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of the war. Jacob enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till near the close of the war; when at the battle of Guntown, Tenn, he was severely wounded in the thigh. from which cause he was discharged, and has since drawn a pension. The subject of this sketch the fourth child of his rather. was about four years of ate when brought to Ohio and here was raised to manhood. brought up to farm labor. and received a good common school education. He attended Gundries' Commercial College at Cincinnati and then taught school during winters for ten years in succession. and in all has taught seventeen terms. On March 10, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Hume, who was born in Madison County October 7, 1830. She was a daughter of George and Ann Hume, natives of Virginia. George was a son of William and Ann Flume, natives of Ireland who became early setters of Virginia. where they lived and died. Ann wife of George Hume. was a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Owens) Scott. native of Ireland. Mrs. Hume was but four years of age when brought to Ohio in 1798 and settled in Pike County, where she grew to womanhood and married Mr. Home. They settled in Pike County, where they resided till 1826, when they removed to Madison County, and here resided till his death, March 20, 1856. Mrs. Hume still survives and resides with her daughter. Mrs. Edwards, at Lilly Chapel. now eighty-eight years of age. She is truly a pioneer and is Ogle of the oldest surviving early settlers of Madison County. She has now resided in Ohio eighty-four years and in Madison County, eighty-six years. She

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is the mother of thirteen children, six now surviving-Thomas, George, James, Mary (wife of Richard Jones), Sarah A. and Francis Marion. Mr. Edwards and wife have two children-Oscar H., born December 25, 1870, and Anna E., born March 8, 1872. Mr. Edwards followed farming and teaching till in October, 1880, when he entered upon his present business, that of buying and shipping grain, in which he is doing a profitable and flourishing business. He is a member of Lilly Chapel Grange, No. 583, and is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged for twenty-nine years.

EDWARD FITZGERALD, farmer, P. O. Big Plains, was born in Hampshire County, Va., August 26, 1806, and is a son of Thomas and Mary Fitzgerald. The former, it is said, was born on the ocean, and the latter in Virginia. The grandfather, Thomas Fitzgerald, was a native of the northern part of Ireland, and married Eleanor O'Farrel. with whom he emigrated to America in 1778, and settled in Virginia, where they lived and died. Thomas, the father of our subject, and the eldest child of his father, was born on the ocean in 1778, while they were sailing for America. He was raised and grew to manhood in Virginia, and on September 13. 1799, married Mary Buffington, who was born January 13, 1750. She was a daughter of William and Mary Buffington, natives of England. who emigrated to America about the same time as the Fitzgerald family. and located in the same town, Romney, Va., where they remained till death. By this marriage, Mr. Fitzgerald and wife had eight children, of whom four now survive William B., born March 4, 1804; Edward; Eliza, born January 8, 1809, now Widow Taylor, and has been a widow since 1831-over half a century; and Mary, born November 28, 1814, wife of John W. Kennedy. Mr. Fitzgerald died March 28, 1815; subsequently his widow married, for her second husband, Jonathan Black, and in 1827 they came to Ohio and settled in Madison County, where Mrs. Black died in 1873, aged ninety-three years. By Mr. Black she had two daughters-Rebecca and Sarah Ann-both deceased. The subject of this sketch was the fourth child and second son of his father ; he grew to manhood in his native State, and on October 15, 1827 married Lacy Ann Taylor, a native of Virginia, born February 18, 1810, and a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Means) Taylor, natives of Virginia, who lived and died in their native State, he in 1839. and she in 1854 or 1855. In November, 1827, Mr. Fitzgerald, with his bride. started for the wilds of Ohio. They came first to Newark, Ohio, and remained there till April 1, 1828, when they removed to Lancaster, Ohio. and resided one year, and in April. 1829, came to Madison County and settled where he now lives and has since resided a period of fifty-three years. He first purchased 140 acres of land of Gen. McArthur ; to this he has since added by purchase till he became owner of over 900 acres of excellent land. He commenced in a log house with shingle roof, which was then one of the best houses in the neighborhood. Over half a century has passed with its great changes and improvements, and the Judge has kept pace with the general advance and progress of the country; he has good improvements, a well-stocked farm and a pleasant home. He is the father of eleven children, of whom eight now survive-Mary E.. horn July 23, 1830, wife of W. L. Morgan ; Harriet, born June 14, 1832. wife of Robert Alkire ; William H., born February 15, 1834; Sarah Ann, horn April 15, 1836. wife of Alfred Pringle ; Warner T., born November 2, 1838 ; Louisa, born June 15, 1841, wife of Joel W. Byers ; Lydia, born March 23, 1849, wife of Elias Florence; and George, born September 11, 1851 ; all are married and settled in life, and doing well. Margaret E., their eldest child, was born September 11, 1828, married Samuel Robinson September, 1849 and died December 9, 1879, having had three children, of whom two. Edward J. and Mary E., survive. Mr. Fitzgerald held the office of Justice of the Peace for twenty years ; served as

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a member of the Legislature in the session of 1846 and 1847. and served as Associate Judge two years, in addition to various township offices. The Judge is now one of the oldest surviving pioneers, and one of Madison County's most esteemed and worthy citizens. Though now in his seventy-sixth year, his mind is clear and bright, his recollections of the early settlers and scenes of pioneer life are vivid, and his narration of those reminiscences, lucid and comprehensive. He has given us much valuable information for this history of Madison County, and we may hope that his last days may be as full of peace and happiness as his life has been of labor and usefulness.

WILLIAM H. FITZGERALD. farmer, P. O. Big Plain, is a native of Fairfield Township, born February 15, 1834. and is a son of Edward O. and Lacy Ann Fitzgerald, whose history is given in the sketch of E. Fitzgerald. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm of his father, Judge Fitzgerald, and was married in September, 1855, to Matilda Biggart, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1837, and who was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Biggart, natives of Franklin County. By her he had three children, of whom two now survive-Mary S., born June 22, 1857, now the wife of Charles L. Bales ; and Frank P.. born February 28, 1859. Mrs. Fitzgerald died February 23, 1863. On November 17, 1863, he married for his second wife Margaret A. Booker, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, February 22, 1841 ; she was a daughter of William and Rachel (Biggart) Booker, he a native of Virginia, and she of Franklin County, Ohio. Mr. Booker came to Ohio from Virginia. when a young single mail. and was married in Franklin County. In 1843, he with his family moved to Illinois, where he died about 1845, aged twenty-seven years. After his death, Mrs. Booker with her three children-George. Margaret A. and James-returned to Ohio ; the two sons are now both deceased. Mrs. Booker married for her second husband David Clark, by whom she has two children, John and Matilda. Mrs. Clark now resides at Lilly Chapel. Mr. Fitzgerald, by his second wife, has had five children, four of whom now survive Harry A., born September 9. 1864 ; Sallie K.. born August 8, 1866 : Edward O., born August 20, 1868, and Laura H.. born June 17, 1878. Mr. Fitzgerald has made farming and stock-raising his business through life ; he lived five years oil his father's farm. and in 1S60 bought and located where he now lives and has since resided. His first purchase was 214 acres from Moses Bales, to which he has since added by purchase, till he now owns 320 acres of excellent land with good improvements. He has been Trustee of the township and was School Director for fifteen years. He is a prominent and reliable farmer, a kind neighbor, and a worthy citizen.

ROBERT FULLERTON. farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel. was born in Clark County, Ohio, October 27. 1827, and is a son of James and Mary Fullerton, he a native of Pennsylvania. and she of Virginia. He came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and settled in Clinton County about 1815. He served in the latter part of the war of 1812 as a teamster. In Clinton County, he married Mary, McQuerter, and about 1822 removed to Clark County and located near Lisbon. afterward he removed to Madison County, and located west of London, and in that neighborhood and east of London he resided till the death of his wife, after which he removed to Fairfield. Township and lived the remainder of his life with his son, our subject ; he died March 2, 1851, in his eighty-seventh year. He was the father of seven children, five now living-Hugh, John, Robert, James, and Charity, wife of John Rankins, of South Charleston. Mr. Fullerton followed teaming for many years and then he entered upon farming. He was an early pioneer, and experienced the hardships of that day. The subject of this sketch, the fifth child of his father, was six years of age when brought to Madison County, and here grew to manhood. He was married, October 25, 1855, to Ruth Johnson. a native of Madison County, and

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a daughter of John and Elizabeth Johnson. who were married in this county. and were among its early settlers. By this union Mr. Fullerton and wife have had twelve children. eleven now survive-Laura, wife of W. Sidner : Elizabeth. wife of J. Sidner : Jennie, Ellen, John, Anna (deceased), Robert, James, Humphrey Lee. Harry and Maud. Hr. Fullerton has made farming his business through life. He bought and located where he now lives, in 1853, where he has resided twenty-seven Years. This farm he purchased of W. Alkire. it contained one hundred and ten acres to which he has added by purchase till t now embraces one hundred and fifth-five acres. with good improvements. ll:' is a reliable farmer. and a much respected citizen. He served several years as Township Trustee, is a worthy member of the Methodist Church, and also a member of the Lilly Chapel Grange. No 583.

JOHN H. GARDNER. Justice of the Peace. P. O. Big Plain. was born in Ross County, Ohio. April 5; 1819. and is a son of Edward P. and Sarah Gardner. The grandparents were Joseph and Margaret Gardner, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of England. He removed to Virginia, where he married ; thence, prior to the war of 1812. he removed to Ohio and settled in Ross County; where he lived till his death. He was one of the early settlers of Ross County, and a leading man in the political affairs of the county. He served several years as Judge of the Court. His wife was a sister of Gov. Tiffin, the first Governor of Ohio. Edward P., the gather of our subject was born in Virginia in 1797 and was but a young lad when brought to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Sarah Hall. who was also born in Virgina and a daughter of John and Mary (Haves) Hall. who became settlers of Ross County soon after the war of 1812. and lived :rod died there. About 1828, Mr. Gardner, with his family moved to Franklin County, Ohio and there settled and resided till his death in 1863. His wife survived him several year,. They had ten children, six now surviving-John H.. James P., Mary Ann, Margaret (wife of William Coberly): Sarah Jane (wife of George Switzer) and Nancy (wife of James Whitten). Mr. Gardner was a miller by trade, a good millwright, an excellent workman, and at this and the carpenter trade worked the most of his active life Mr. Gardner our subject was raised in Franklin and Madison Counties. He learned the carpenter trade. which he followed several years, and then he entered upon farming in 1864 he bought and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. On January 9, 1845. he was united in marriage with Mary Bradford, who was born in this county March 20, 1826 ; she was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bradford. he a native of Maryland. and she of Virginia. By this union they have had three children, two living-Thomas Edward. born December 20, 1848. and Maggie J., born July 16, 1852. Mr Gardner also has an adopted child Newton Webster. born December 20, 1858, whom he has raised f'rom an infant three months old. Mr. Gardner has not been a resident of this township for thirty years, and is one of its reliable all much respected citizens. He served the township as Clerk seventeen years and is now serving his eighth term which will make twenty-four consecutive years, and is a Justice of the Peace, a period of time equaled by but few.

JOSEPH H. GARDNER. farmer. P. O. Lilly Chapel was born in Jefferson Township this county, August 25, 1836, is a son of William and Aner Gardner: he is a native of Virginia and she of Maryland. The grandparents, James and Mary Gardner, were natives of Virginia, from near Harpers Ferry, they emigrated to Ohio in 1813, making the entire journey on horseback. He and his son William riding one horse and his wife and her little daughter the other, with all the effects they had carried in saddlebags on their horses. They located in Ross County, being among the early settlers of that county. There his wife died. Subsequently, he married for this second wife Susanna

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Beaver. and about 1816 he removed to Franklin County and settled in the forks of the Big and Little Darbys, where they lived till their death, the old home place being now occupied by his grandchild, Mrs. Dyer. William, the father of our subject. was born in 1906. and was about seven years of age when brought to Ohio. and here grew to manhood. He married Aner Marett and settled near the home place. About 1834, he removed to Madison County and settled on the Little Darby. in Jefferson Township. In 1842, he purchased a farm in Fairfield Township, where they lived till death, his wife April 11, 1870, and he April 15, 1879. They had six children, four now surviving-Abel M., Samuel C. and Nathaniel P.. residents of Washington County, Iowa. and Joseph H.. our subject. Mr. Gardner was au active and prosperous farmer, and (luring his life held most of the offices of his township. He was a devoted. active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years. The subject of this sketch, with his twin brother (John S., deceased), were the youngest of his fathers family. John S. grew to manhood, graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware. and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Ohio Conference. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the one hundred days service in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner at North Mountain, Virginia, and imprisoned at Florence, S. C., where he died November 1864. Joseph H. Was raised to the occupation of a farmer, which he has followed through life. On September 22, 1859, he was united in marriage with Susan E. Biggert, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, May 20, 1839 she was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Biggert, also natives of Franklin County. By this union they have three children-Mary A., born November 2. 1861, now the wife of W. P. Coberly ; Matilda M., born September 29, 1865, and Lottie J., born October '36, 1868. Mr. Gardner first located on what is known as the Shueler McDonald farm near the old home place, and has spent all his life since in Fairfield Township, except five years' residence in Iowa. and three years in Pickway County, Ohio. In April, 1881, he purchased the property where he now lives. and has since resided, being a very pleasant home in the village of Lilly Chapel. He has never desired office although he has served as Township Trustee, and in other minor offices. He is a member of Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, I. O. O. F., and also a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged twelve years.

LOUIS GIERICH. farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel. was horn in Germany May 4, 1828, and is a son of John F. and Barbara Gierich, who lived and died in their native laud. Germany. They had eighteen children, all now deceased but two. Magdalena. now widow Gearhart, resides in Columbus, Ohio, and Louis the subject of this sketch. Who was the youngest child of his father, and who in 1849 emigrated to America, and landed in New York on May 4 that year, being just twenty-one years of age on that day. He first located in Beaver County, Penn., and worked one summer ; thence he came to West Jefferson, this county. and there. and in Kentucky, Indiana, and various other places he lived and worked till April 13, 1853. when he was married to Barbara Kuhner, and settled in Nest Jefferson. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Gierich made a visit to his native land and returned to America, and to his family in October of the same year. In November. he bought the farm where he now lives. and has since resided. a period of twenty-eight years. He now has a farm of sixty-seven acres of land with good improvements, which he has principally made by his own labor and industry. He has had born to him five children, of whom four now survive-John Christian. horn January 25, 1857 ; Mary, born November 19, 1860 now the wife of Guess Bennett ; Jacob born May 4, 1863; and Emma. born November 13, 1866. Mr. Gierich and family are worthy members of the Lutheran Church.

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HENRY GILROY. retired farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, was born near Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, December 10, 1815, and is a son of John and Mary (Knight) Gilroy, natives of County Firmanagh, Ireland, who emigrated to America about 1815 and located near Lebanon. being among the pioneers of that county. Thence they removed to Clark County, and subsequently to Madison County about 1830, or possibly a little earlier. Here they resided till their death. They had seven children. of whom three now survive-James, Henry and George. The subject of this sketch was raised in Clark and Madison Counties, and was married in 1841 to Patience Hunt, who was born near South Charleston. Clark Co., Ohio. in April, 1826; she was a daughter of Isaiah and Rebecca Hunt, natives of New York. Mr. Gilroy first located in Allen County. Ohio, but in the fall of 1848 he removed to Madison County and purchased the land where he now lives, a part of which is now occupied by the village of Lilly Chapel. Here he has resided thirty-four years. and has been one of the leading men of this community. In 1874, he and H envy Lilly laid off the town which was called "Gilroy" in honor of our worthy subject and pioneer. He has lived to see this country greatly improved.

DR. CHARLES W. HIGGINS. physician, Big Plain, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 1, 1838 and is a son of Charles and Druzilla Higgins. he a native of Maryland anti she of Pennsylvania. The grandfather was Charles Higgins. a native of Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio and settled in Franklin County in 1812, ranking as a pioneer of that county. At that date there was but one house in Columbus, and that was a primitive log cabin. Mr. Higgins remained in that county till his death, aged sixty years. Charles, the father of our subject, was about six years of age when brought to Ohio, and here he grew to manhood fully accustomed to pioneer life. He married Druzilla Ball, a daughter of William Ball. a native of Pennsylvania. and settled on a part of the home place, where he remained through life. having devoted his entire life to farming, and he was a very successful and prosperous farmer. He and his wife both departed this life in the year 1853. They had eight children; seven grew to maturity, and three now survive-Lorretta. wife of A. J. Richey; Jane, wife of Calvin Beatty. and Dr. Charles W.. our subject Mr. Higgins was a very industrious, active man, and as a farmer was very successful. The Doctor our subject, was brought up to the healthful and honorable employment of the farm till sixteen years of age. when he entered the public schools of Columbus, where he attended one year. He then entered the Commercial School and completed their course of study. Then he attended the Capital University two years. and then after a short time of teaching he attended the Granville College two years. He then engaged several years in the work of teaching, and during this time entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. L. Woodruff, of Alton, Ohio. Then he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which he graduated in the spring of 1865. He then entered upon the practice of his profession with Dr. Richey at Martinsville, Ind. In October, 1865. he returned to Ohio and located at California. where he has continued the practice of his profession to the present time. He has thoroughly established himself in the confidence of the people of this community. and has a large and growing practice. In addition to the practice of medicine, in 1868 he entered upon the drug business. In 1869, he purchased the stock of groceries of Harvey & Bro., and in 1876 he moved into his present building and entered upon a general merchandise trade in which he has continued to the present time. On December 31, 1865, was celebrated his marriage with Jane A. Say, a daughter of James and Matilda Say, he a native of England and she of the State of New York. By this union they have had eleven children. eight of whom now survive-Minnie B., Laura. Carrie, Walter, Florence. James N., Rettie and Mary. During the war of the rebellion the Doctor enlisted in

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July 1862, in Company C, Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served six months, when, from sickness and disability he was discharged, having been engaged in one battle-Richmond, Ky.

WILLIAM H. HILL, merchant. Big Plain, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, July 16, 1837, and was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, receiving a good common school education. Then he learned the trade of a plasterer, which business he followed about three years. In June, 1859, he entered as a clerk in the store of O. T. Curry, at Harrisburg, Franklin County, Ohio, where he continued three years. In the fall of 1862, he located in California, Madison County, Ohio. and entered upon the mercantile trade on his own account, in which he has continued to the present time a period of twenty years. Mr. Hill started in life without capital. depending upon his own strength. intellect and integrity of character to win him success. He has succeeded, and now has a good property and a good stock of general merchandise. such as is needed in a village like California. He has a good trade, and has thoroughly established himself in the confidence of his community. On May 24, 1863, he was united in marriage with Nancy Ellen Snider, who was born in Pickaway County, January 7, 1842 and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Snider, of Pickaway County. By this union they have four children -Alma Lillian, born August 19, 1868 ; Lorena May, born June 16, 1871 ; Etta Imo, born July 28, 1873, and William Henry, born May 17, 1880. Mr. Hill united with the Methodist Church in 1850, when in his fourteenth year, and has remained a consistent and worthy member for thirty-two years. His wife is also a member of the same church to which- she has belonged twenty-two years. Their eldest child united with the church in the winter of 1882.

THOMAS HORN, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 26. 1836 and is a son of John M. and Elizabeth Horn, natives of Berkeley County, Va. The grandfather, Jacob Horn, also a native of Virginia, lived and died in his native State. John M., the father of our subject, grew to manhood, and married a lady in Virginia by name of Millhoff. who died in Virginia. having borne him two children-both deceased. About 1817, he removed to Ohio and settled to Ross County, at that time there being but one shingle-roofed house in the town of Chillicothe. He married for his second wife, Elizabeth Recob, whose history is given in the sketches of Frederick and Valentine Recob. They settled in Ross County, where they resided till the fall of 1851, when they removed to Madison County and settled three miles west of California. He remained a resident of Fairfield Township till his death. March 4. 1861. aged seventy-four years. His wife subsequently removed to McLean County, Ill., where she resided with her daughter till her death in the fall of 1872. They had seven children, six now living-William ; James. a resident of Kansas ; John ; Valentine, a resident of Nebraska ; Elijah, a resident of Illinois, and Thomas, our subject. Mr. Horn was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation he followed through life. While a young, single man, living in Virginia, in the time of slavery, he was an overseer, having charge of a number of slaves owned by Maj. Bedinger. He was an industrious, hard-working man, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Thomas Horn, our subject, married Sarah J. Courtright, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 1, 1839 ; she was a daughter of Jesse and Mary A. (Brown) Courtright, also natives of Franklin County, where he died in April. 1874, aged fifty-eight years. Mr. Courtright was a farmer by occupation, and held the office of County Surveyor two terms, or six years, and was a prominent, leading man of that county, who held quite a number of minor offices. `Mrs. Courtright still survives, and resides on the old homestead, aged sixty-four years. They had ten children nine still living-Sarah J., Martha A., John. William. Jesse. Edward. Samuel and

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Milton and Newton (twins). Mr. Horn and wife have had seven children, six now surviving-Walter. born April 21, 1868; Edward, born February 10, 1871; Josephine. born .January 19, 1873; Samuel, born August 21, 1875; Mary, born August 18. 1877, and Emma, born February 26, 1880. Mrs. Horn while young obtained a good common school education, after which she attended the college at Worthington two years. and then entered upon the useful yet arduous work of teaching, which occupation she followed seven years prior to her marriage. She is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which she has belonged twenty-four years. Mr. Horn, after his marriage, entered upon the mercantile trade at Georgesville, Franklin County, and continued there till 1872, when he came to Madison County and purchased the farm where he now lives. He built the first house in Lilly Chapel, after the town was laid out, and there entered upon the mercantile trade ; was the first Postmaster of the place and became the first local agent for the railroad company after the road was completed. He continued in business there until 1878. when he retired to his farm, where he has since resided, and to which he has devoted his attention. On March 24. 1862. he answered his country's call, and enlisted in her defense in Company H, Second Battalion Eighteenth United States Infantry. and was taken prisoner at the battle of Mumfordsville, Ky., and paroled the same day, after which he engaged in the battle of Hoover's Gap, at Chickamauga and others. He has eighty acres of good land just north of Lilly Chapel, where he has a pleasant home. He is a member of the Lilly Chapel Grange, No. 5S3. of which he was a charter member ; and he is also a member of Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, I. O. O. F., at Lilly Chapel.

ANDREW JACKSON. farmer. P. O. Lilly Chapel, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., December 28, 1816, and is a son of William and Nancy Jackson : he is a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. The grandfather, William Jackson, was a native of Ireland, who, with six brothers. emigrated to America about the time of the war of the Revolution, and all of them espoused the cause of this country and fought for its independence. After the war, Mr. Jackson never heard of any of his six brothers ; subsequently he married and located in Pennsylvania. and from there removed to Virginia, where he died ill 1826 or 1827, at a very advanced age. He was the father of one son and four daughters, all now deceased. William, the father of our subject, an only soil, grew to manhood in his native State and there married Nancy Rea. In 1828, they removed to Ohio and located in Madison County near London, and in Union Township he spent the balance of his life. He was a weaver by trade. but after he came to Ohio he engaged in farming, which he followed till his death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife died in 1850 or 1851. he in 1858. He was the father of five children, who grew to maturity, of whom four now survive-Andrew, William, Evaline (now Widow Armstrong). and Sarah (now Widow Parker, residing in Iowa). Mr. A. Jackson, the subject of this sketch, was twelve years of acre when with his father's family he came to Madison County ; here he grew to maturity and was married, September 12, 1844, to Eliza Armstrong, a native of this county. born April 13, 1821 and a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Armstrong, natives of Pennsylvania. John F., when a small child. with his parents. James and Nancy (Fulton) Armstrong, removed to Kentucky. and thence to Chillicothe, Ohio, in a very early day, before there was a town at Chillicothe ; subsequently he bought a farm about three miles from the town, where they lived till their death. There John F. grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Warren, after which he located in Madison County, where they lived and died. He also served in the war of 1812. He died August 12, 1864, aged seventy-two years ; his wife survived till September 2. 1867, aged seventy-two years. They had twelve children. of whom nine grew to maturity and six

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now survive-Eliza, Warren, Samuel, Frances, William H. and John F. Mr. Jackson and wife have had four children, all deceased. They first located in Southern Illinois. In the spring of 1850, at the time of the great gold excitement in California, Mr. J.. with many others. made the laborious anti tedious journey across the plains to seek his fortune in the land of gold." He arrived there in August of the same year, and remained nearly four years. starting for home in June, 1854. and coning by water and across the Isthmus, he arrived in the last of June. The experiences of Mr. Jackson on this trip were too extensive and varied to admit of giving anything of a detailed description in this sketch. His hardships were of the severest kind, and the associations and society of the roughest character ; there was no law, no courts, no jury ; but vigilants and lynch law were the regulators. At one time, on a trip over the mountains in mid-winter, in a terribly deep snow, they were out of provisions and lived for eight days on sugar. of which they had a supply. In his search for wealth, at times he was very successful ; at other times he lost heavily. During his four years' stay, he knew what it was to be without a dollar, and, again, at one time, he had $315,000. But suffice it to say, he succeeded in bringing home some money and a large amount of experience. He then settled with his family in Madison County, till in December, 1857, when he again embarked on a vessel from New York for California. taking his family with him. They remained four mouths and returned to Ohio, and entered upon farming. He purchased the place where he now lives, in 1866, of James Lilly. It contains ninety acres, upon which he has good buildings and improvements, and is pleasantly situated just north of the village of Lilly Chapel.

RICHARD M. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in Montgomery County, Md., February 13, 1824, and is a son of Thomas W. and Aletha Johnson. natives of Maryland. The grandparents were Reason and Elizabeth Johnson, of English descent, who lived and died in Maryland. Thomas W., the father of our subject. was raised and grew to manhood in his native State, where he married Aletha Reed. In 1835. he emigrated with his family to Ohio and settled in Madison County. about five miles southeast of London. He died in 1842, His wife survived till September 9. 1863. They had nine children, of whom three now survive-Richard M.. Ann M. (wife of William Douglass, residing in Kansas), and Martha. Mr. Johnson served as a soldier in the war of 1812. and was a farmer through life. The subject of the sketch was in his eleventh year when they settled in Madison County, and in his eighteenth year his father died. From this time he had the principal care of his mother, who lived with him till her death. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage, November 1, 1860. with Sarah Jane Griffin. a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Griffin. he a native of Ohio and she of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and settled on the county line between Champaign and Madison Counties, where she died August 31, 1864. Subsequently he removed to Illinois, where he died August 10, 1880. They had ten children, seven now surviving Ann, wife of John Caldwell ; Lydia, wife of R. B. Rogers ; Sarah Jane ; William Robert; Henry Clay ; and Vary, wife of Granville Lewis. Mr. Johnson has devoted his life to farming and the stock business. He started in life with no capital, and by his own industry, economy and good management has arisen to wealth and affluence. He now owns 900 acres of land in Madison County and eighty acres in the State of Indiana. At the home place, he has erected a fine residence. and made other improvements. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-two years, and served his township as Trustee three years.

WILLIAM B. LEVER (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born near Providence, R. I., February 18. 1822. and was a son of John and Sarah (Slater) Lever. natives of England, who emigrated to America during the war of 1812,

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he coming first to select a location, after which he sent for his family, who, as soon as peace was declared, or as soon as they were permitted to sail and land in this country, came across the waters, landing in Canada, from whence they went to Rhode Island, where they resided till their death, he March 5, 1842. aged sixty-seven years, and she June 11, 1845, aged sixty-two years. They had a family of eleven children, of whom three now survive-Henry, who mar. ried and is a farmer near Northboro, Mass.; Mary, wife of Samuel Hodgson, a native of England, and residing at Fall River. Mass.: and Martha, wife of John Marsh, of Union Township, this county. Mr. William B. Lever was the youngest child of his father's family. He grew to manhood in his native State. and in the spring of 1857 emigrated West, making a prospective tour through Missouri and Kansas, but returning to Ohio in June of the same year, he located in Madison County. In February. 1859, he bought the farm where his widow still resides, and located upon the same in the spring following. Although a machinist by trade, having no practical knowledge of farming, yet he concluded to enter upon farming, the leading occupation of this Western country. On November 11, 1859, he was united in marriage with Margaret Arnett, a native of this county, born October 12, 1836, and a daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Acton) Arnett, natives of Ross County, Ohio. who settled in this county about 1832; he died in August, 1837, aged thirty years. He was the father of one son and three daughters-Elizabeth (deceased); Sarah. wife of William Harvey: James, a resident of Columbus, and Margaret. Mrs. Arnett subsequently married for her second husband, Mr. Mitchel Lane, of Union Township. She died in May, 1872, aged sixty-three years. By her second husband she had two children, now living-Mary E., wife of Marion Harvey, and Richard. Mr. Lever and wife by their union had three children-Edward E., born August 21, 1860; Laura E., born September 22. 1862. and Ada L., born September 25. 1865. Mr. Lever died October 5, 1879. He was a man of high moral character, not a member of any church, yet he held to the Universalist faith. He was a man of undoubted integrity, a kind husband and a much esteemed neighbor.

HENRY LILLY, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel. is a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and was born September 14, 1840; he is a son of Wesley and Mary Lilly, natives of Virginia; the former was born in Fluvanna County, Va., March 30, 1803. and in 1808, when five years of age. emigrated with his parents. Thomas and Theodosia Lilly, to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, where Thomas Lilly died in the fall of 1823. In 1830, his wife Theodosia, and her family removed to Madison County. where she died about 1838. In 1829. Wesley married Mary Durflinger, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Durflinger, natives of Virginia. who settled in Madison County about 1827. In 1830, when Mr. Lilly came to this county, he purchased land, all in the woods and prairie, in its primitive, wild state. for which he paid $1.50 per acre; this was a tract of land north of Lilly Chapel where Thomas Horn and Philip Sidner now live. There Mr. Lilly commenced in a rude log cabin with no means and in debt for his land. He remained there eight years, but the laud was so wet with no drainage that it was difficult to do much with it; he therefore sold out and removed into Franklin County, where he remained till 1850. when he main bought laud in Madison County, where he located and has since resided. From his early commencement here as a pioneer. right in the wood and wet prairie, he has by his industry, hard labor and economy become owner of 336 acres of good land, with good buildings and improvements, and is one of the most respected and prominent farmers of Madison County. and a man of undoubted moral and Christian character. He united with the Methodist Church in Ross County when about twenty-five years of age. In building the church at Lilly Chapel, he gave freely of his means. and has now been an earnest worker in the church for more than half a century. and a class leader and

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a trustee for many years. They have had seven sons and one daughter, of whom three sons now survive-Henry, James and Albert. During the war of the rebellion. this family furnished five of her sons in defense of our liberties. Thomas and Daniel enlisted in August, 1861, in Company A, Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which Thomas became Second Lieutenant and at their first battle-at Prestonburg, Ky., Thomas had his left arm shot off, which disabled him from further duty, and in June, 1863, he was discharged, and returned home. Having but one arm, he could be of little service on the farm, anti in 1864, under a commission from the Governor, he entered upon the work of recruiting, and raised three companies that were organized into the Seventy-sixth Battalion, of which he was made a Major. In consolidating their regiments. Thomas became Captain of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment. which entered the one hundred days' service. Thomas was taken sick and died at Bermuda Hundreds, Va., in July, 1864. One incident of his military life, showing his undaunted courage and bravery, should here be placed on record to commemorate his noble services, and of which his descendants may justly feel proud. After he had so far recovered from his wound as to attempt to return to his regiment, he took boat up the Ohio River to the Big Sandy, and there had one and one-half days' walk to reach his regiment, and through a rough, bushwhacking" country. He met some citizens-Union men, who informed him of a man living near there, a bushwhacker, who gave them much trouble by frequently shooting down Union men, and they desired him to take the man as a prisoner to his regiment. He agreed to attempt it, and with but one arm and no weapon but his sword, he started for the hazardous undertaking, approached the house and entered with drawn sword, and commanded him as his prisoner to march before him, which he did, and he hurried him away as fast as possible. They had to stop overnight at a stranger's house. not knowing whether he was friend or foe. He placed his prisoner in bed, while he lay down by the door and thus guarded him all night. The next day he marched him on and delivered him over to their commander. Such service and deeds of bravery deserve to be placed upon the pages of history, where they may remain and be read and known by future generations long after the tombstone which marks his quiet resting-place shall have become obliterated and effaced by the destroying elements of time. Daniel continued in the service until at the battle of Chickamauga he was killed, September 19, 1863, James, Philip and Henry enlisted in the spring of 1864, and went into the Seventy-sixth Battalion under their brother, Capt. Thomas Lilly. Henry was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company A, in the Seventy-sixth Battalion Ohio National Guards Philip soon after entering the service took the measles. from the effects of which he died November 23, 1867, about two years after the close of the war. James served till discharged at the close of the war. In forming the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the three companies of the Seventy-sixth Battalion Ohio National Guards which had been recruited by Capt. Thomas Lilly, were taken to fill up that regiment and from a surplus of commissioned officers thus obtained, the older officers in the service took the precedence, and Lieut. Henry Lilly was not called into active service. The subject of this sketch was principally raised in Madison County, where he was married, January 16, 1862. to Martha Ann Hartsook, who was born in Franklin County. Ohio. May 1, 1841. and was a daughter of Noah and Mary Hartsook. natives of Maryland. who had three children-Mary and Martha Ann (twins) and Lemuel all now deceased but Martha -kiln. Lemuel. when seventeen years of age. enlisted in the war of the rebellion and served nearly three years, when sickness and death took him away. He enlisted in Company A Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Lilly and wife have four children-Frank S.. born September 20. 1863: Wesley.

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March 18, 1866: Rosie. November 23, 1869, and Wallace H., born Mar 15, 1877. Mr. Lilly has devoted his life to farming; he bought and located upon the place where he now lives in the spring of 1868. This place he purchases of his uncle. James Lilly; it consists of 225 acres of excellent laud with good improvements, situated just west of the village of Lilly Chapel, a part of the town being located upon lots taken off of this farm. Mr. Lilly was Township trustee five years. and is now one of the Commissioners of Madison County. As a farmer and a citizen. he is held in high esteem throughout this community.

RICHARD O'BRIEN. farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel. was born in Ireland in 1815, and in 1537 emigrated to America and landed at St. John, New Brunswick; thence he came to Boston, remaining in Massachusetts and other New England States till about 1845, when he came to Ohio and settled on the farm where he now lives and has since resided-a period of thirty-seven years. This tract of land he purchased of John Chenoweth : it consists of 160 acres. He first lived in a small log cabin, and after about one year's residence, he made some repairs and an addition to another lop, cabin on the place. into which he moved and lived till 1861. when he erected his present two-story frame house; he has also erected a barn and made other improvements till he now has a very pleasant and comfortable home. In the fall of 1839, he married Mary Chatham, a native of England, by whom he has eight children-John t.. horn July 6, 1842; Caroline M.. born April 15, 1845. wife of Harvey Clarridge; Christopher P. W.. born August 26, 1847; Henry S.. born June 23, 1849; Maggie A., born November 15, 1852. wife of Frank Bayliss: Joseph W. born April 5, 1857; Ellen M., born October 4, 1859, and Jennie L.. born October 24, 1862. Mrs. O'Brien died August 7. 1879, aged fifty-seven years. Mr. O'Brien came to this country a poor man, and by his own labor and industry. and that of his family, he has accumulated a good competency.

ELIJAH W. OGILVIE. retired. Lilly Chapel. This esteemed and well-known citizen was born in Fairfield Township July 12,1824; he is a son of William and Nancy Ogilvie. The former was born in Hardin County, Va., December 30, 1781; his parents were natives of Scotland. Mr. Ogilvie was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was twice married; first to Margaret Godfrey. by whom he had one child, Jane. who married Patrick Davidson of this county, where she resided till her death. She raised a large family of children, two of whom are still residents of this county. Mrs. Ogilvie died and he married for his second wife Nancy Robey, who was born in Moorfield, Va., June 16. 1796. About 1822, he emigrated with his family to Ohio, and settled in Fairfield Township, Madison County. on land now owned by R. M. Johnson, where he resided till death. Mr. Ogilvie came here possessed of but little means. He first purchased eighty acres of land at $2 per acre, after which he made additional purchases. but never became an extensive land-holder, as at that early day he did not consider land of much value. most of it being very flat and wet and not at all inviting in its appearance. He followed farming and stock-raising through life, giving especial attention to the latter business in which he was very successful. and before his death he became possessed of a good competency. In his life and character, he was well known for probity, honesty and reliability. He held many offices of his township, and possessed the entire confidence of his community. He was a worthy member of the United Brethren Church, to which he belonged during nearly his entire residence in this county, and he filled most of the offices of the church. He died December 25, 1857, and the church lost a faithful and devout supporter, and the community a worthy and valued citizen. His wife died February 14, 1862, having been a faithful wife, a devoted mother and an earnest and devout Christian. They had six children-Elizabeth, married Rev. Isaac Pretzinger, and now resides at Galesburg, Ill.: Hannah, married Thomas Timmons; Elijah W.,

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the subject of this sketch; Mary, married Benjamin Price and resides in Franklin County, Ohio; Nathan. married Angeline Lane; Julia Ann, married Daniel Thompson, but is now a widow and resides in Franklin County. The subject of this sketch, on December 5, 1844. married Charlotte Thompson, a native of this county, born September 20, 1826. They located in this township, where they have spent their lives, with the exception of four years, during which they resided in the adjoining county of Franklin. Mr. Ogilvie made farming and stock-raising his business till 1858. when he entered upon the mercantile business in the village of California. which he carried on very successfully for fifteen years. since which he has lived retired from any active or regular line of business, devoting his attention to promiscuous trading and the proper care and use of his land and capital. Mr. Ogilvie and wife have had six children William, married Margaret Ann Hunter, and resides in Kansas; Daniel F., deceased; Jane, married W. A. Florence. and resides in Bates County, Mo.; Lucretia. married E. N. Miller, and is now removing to Missouri; Charles L., married Carrie Shepherd, and resides in Kansas. and John F., who died in infancy. Mr. Ogilvie is a worthy member of the Methodist Church; has held most of the offices of his township, a man whose character and integrity are above reproach, and a much esteemed and respected citizen.

WILLIAM D. PRINGLE, farmer. P. O. Big Plain, was born near South Charleston, Clark Co., Ohio, January 14, 1813, and is a son of James and Sarah Pringle, he a native of Loudoun County, Va., and she of Kentucky. The grandfather, Thomas Pringle, was a native of England, and, when young, he entered the British Army, and it is believed fought under the crown in the war of the Revolution, was captured by the American Army, and after peace was declared became a settler of Virginia, where he married ; subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, thence to Kentucky, and became one of the early settlers of Bourbon County. In 1810. with his family, he settled near South Charleston, and was one of the pioneers of that township, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. James Pringle, the father of our subject, was the eldest of three brothers. Robert and William. the two younger, served in the war of 1812 ; the latter married in Kentucky, where he lived several years, but finally died near Urbana, Ohio. Robert married and settled near South Charleston, but about 1828 removed to Indiana, and from there to Washington County. Iowa. being one of the pioneer settlers of that county. About 1850, he started to visit his brother James. in Ohio, and while journeying down the river on a boat, was taken sick and died with what was supposed to be cholera. James, the father of our subject, married Sarah Vance, of Kentucky, and about 1810 removed to Ohio, and settled near South Charleston, they being among the pioneers of that section. There Mr. Pringle resided till his death. During the few last years of his life, he resided in South Charleston, having retired from the farm and all active labor. He died August 18, 1867, in his eighty-fifth year. His wife died April 21, 1876, in her eighty-eighth year. They had six children, of whom four grew to maturity-Thomas, David V., William D. and James. Thomas married Cynthia Herrod, and settled in Champaign County, Ohio. where he was a practicing physician for twenty-five years ; thence he came back to Clark County and resided at South Charleston till the death of his wife, after which he lived with his father till his death, September 17, 1859. aged fifty years. David V. married Margaret Davidson and settled near his father, and resided in the same neighborhood till his death. At the age of twelve years, long before there was any church edifice in the place, he was awakened by Spiritual grace at a prayer-meeting in a private house, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which ire continued for thirty-six years. In 1859, to gratify the wishes of his parents. who were members of the Presbyterian Church, with his wife,

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transferred their connection to that church. In March, 1860. he was chosen and ordained an Elder, and served acceptably as such till 1875 when by his own request, from the infirmities of advancing years. he was excused from serving longer. He died March 10, 1882. aged seventy- one years. James. the youngest son, married Susan Bales, and also settled near his father. He became an extensive farmer and stock-dealer, and a leading business man of that community ; he was a stockholder and one of the organizers of the National Bank of South Charleston, and also an active member of the Presbyterian Church. He died April 12, 1881, aged sixty-six years. Mr. James Pringle, the father of the sons above mentioned, set for them the noble example of early Christian work. In 1822, he was one of the constituent members and organizers of the Presbyterian Church of South Charleston. in which he was a Ruling Elder for forty years. Although he possessed the entire confidence of his community, and held from time to time many of his neighborhood and township offices, yet he never sought office. In his death, the church and the community lost one of their most useful members and a bright and shining light. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Clark County. and on November 5, 1835, was married to Catharine Bales, who was born in Frederick County. Va., April 2, 1813 ; she was a daughter of Thomas and Jane Bales, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. They were married in Virginia, where they settled and lived till the fall of 1832, when they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Madison County. where they lived till the death of his wife, in February, 1842. Subsequently he removed to South Charleston, where he died in March. 1861. aged eighty-four years. Mr. Bales was a very reserved and unpretentious man, devoting his life to farming, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years. They had five sons and five daughters, of whom seven grew to maturity, and four now survive-Mary, wife of Thomas Chappell, residing in Illinois : Moses; Catharine, and Susan Ann. now Widow Pringle. Mr. Pringle and wife have had seven children, of whom five now surviveJames A.. born November 24. 1836: Thomas J., born March 18, 1838: Susan A., born August 18, 1841 : Mary E. Q., born August 18. 1843, and Charles 1V.. born September 6, 1850. The second son, Thomas J., is now a practicing lawyer in Springfield, Ohio. Mary E. Q., in 1867, married James C. Lyons, by whom she had three children, two now surviving-Anna C. and Leila M. Mr. Lyons died November 2. 1876, aged thirty-four years. Since his death, Mrs. Lyons, with her children, has lived with her parents. Charles W., the youngest son. who is unmarried. resides at home and is engaged in farming and stockraising. and in buying and shipping grain at Lilly Chapel. under the firm name of Pringle & Bro. Mr. William D. Pringle. after his marriage. resided in Clark County, near South Charleston, till the spring of 1848. when he purchased and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. with the exception of two years. from 1865 to 1867. during which he lived near West Jefferson. His first purchase was 300 acres. since which he has added, by purchase. till he owned 850 acres of excellent laud, from which he has apportioned a large amount to his children. On the home place he has erected fine, large buildings. and made other improvements. He is now one of the oldest living early settlers of this township, and has been one of the leading active men in all matters of public interest and improvement throughout his community : he has held the various offices of his township. and commands the esteem and respect of his large circle of friends and acquaintances. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. to which they have belonged forty-five years.

JAMES ALFRED PRINGLE. grain merchant and farmer. P. O. Big lain, was born near South Charleston. Clark County. Ohio. November 24,1836, his ancestral history is given in the sketch of his father, William D. Pringle

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Mr. Pringle was raised in Madison County, being about twelve years of age when his father's family moved from Clark to Madison County. On February 7, 1861, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Fitzgerald, whose ancestral history is given in the sketch of her father, Judge Edward Fitzgerald. By this union they have four children-Elta C., born January 18, 1862; William Edward, born April 28, 1867; Lydia Mary, born February 17, 1872, and Anna Laura, born September 15, 1874. Mr. Pringle, after marriage, located on the place where he now lives and has since resided. For several years he gave his attention to raising and dealing in stock, carrying on an extensive and profitable business. During the last five years he has given more attention to farming and the raising of grain. In the fall of 1877, in company with his brother Charles, he entered upon the business of buying and shipping grain at Lilly Chapel, buying property there and erecting machinery for shelling corn, elevating grain, etc., since which they have done a large business, which forms a leading enterprise of this community. r. Pringle is one of the live, active business men of this community. He has a fine farm of 250 acres, well improved, besides some town property in Columbus and Westerville. In the summer of 1881, he erected his present fine brick house, which is one of the best in the township.

VALENTINE RECOB, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, is a native of Madison County, where he was born July 25, 1844; he is a son of Valentine and Lydia Recob. The former was born in Ross. County, Ohio, June 15, 1806, and was a son of Daniel and Catharine Recob, natives of Pennsylvania, who became early settlers of Ross County, Ohio, and thence removed to Clinton County, where Mrs. Recob died, after which he removed to Madison County, where he died. Valentine, the father of our subject, was raised to manhood in Ross County, and on April 1, 1829, married Lydia Toops, who was born in Ross County November 3, 1808. and was a daughter of Henry and Sarah Toops, natives of Pennsylvania, by which union they had eight children, four now surviving William H.. Valentine, Margaret (wife of Joseph Gardner) and Ellen (wife of Hamilton Badgley). Mr. Recob settled in Ross County; in 1840, he removed to Madison County and located on the Dun farm in Range Township. In 1846, he purchased the Melvin farm in Fairfield Township, where he lived till his death. December 15, 1877. He was a very industrious, hard-working man, of undoubted honor and integrity. He started out in life a poor man, and by his own industry and good management became possessed of a comfortable competency. including 480 acres of land with good improvements. During the last twelve years of his life. he was an earnest worker in the Methodist Church, and died esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. His wife still survives and resides on the home farm with her son-in-law. Hamilton Badgley, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 11, 1848, and was a son of Moses and Elizabeth Badgley, he a native of Preble County, Ohio, and she of Maryland. Moses was a son of Benjamin Badgley, a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Hull, and one among the number surrendered to the British; he died in Preble County. Moses, who followed boating on the river for several years. finally married and settled in Greene County, and resided near Cedarville about nineteen years. His wife died in June, 1864. About 1867, he removed to near South Charleston. and there and near London spent the balance of his life; he died in August, 1879. He was the father of nine children, six now surviving-Henrietta. wife of Harvey Q. Downer. Hamilton, Harvey, Granville, Simeon and Alfred (twins). Mr. Hamilton Badgley was married to Ellen Recob October 19, 1876; they have one child-Warner, born March 8, 1878. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Recob, the subject of this sketch, was married, December 25, 1866, to Miss Alice McClellan. who was born in Ross County July 25. 1847. and was a

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daughter of William and Rachel McClellan. he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Ohio. He came to Ohio in 1843, married here, and had one child Alice. Mr. McClellan was twice married; by his first marriage he had one child who, with its mother. died in Pennsylvania. Mrs. McClellan. the second wife, was also twice married: by her first husband, Samuel Cooper, she had two children-Emma (wife of John Horn), and Mary Ann (wife of James Pierce). Mr. McClellan died in October, 1867. Mr. Recob and wife have two children -Ella May, born September 26, 1868:Nora Etta, born July 9, 1876. Mr. Recob first located where his mother and Mr. Badgley now live, and in March, 1879, they removed to their present location. He has 166 acres of land, with good buildings and improvements. He is a member of Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, I. O. O. F.. at Lilly Chapel, to which he has belonged since its institution.

WILLIAM H. RECOB. farmer. P. O. Lilly Chapel. was horn in Ross County. Ohio. September 7, 1831, and is a son of Valentine anti Lydia Recob, whose history is given in the sketch of Valentine Recob. Our subject was about nine years of age when his father with his family removed to Madison County, and here he grew to manhood, and was married, September 25, 1862, to Anna Sothoron, who was born in this county October 21. 1840; she was a daughter of Henry G. and Ann Sothoron, natives of Maryland. The grandfather, Sothoron, was of Scotch descent, and lived and died in the State of Maryland. The maternal grandfather, Henry Clark, came from Maryland to Ohio and was an early settler of Madison County, where he lived till his death. Henry G., who was born and raised in Maryland, married in that State, and about 1836 removed to Ohio and settled in Guernsey County. They afterward removed to Madison County, and resided at Somerford and La Fayette, and in 1844 became residents of London, where they remained till their death, he February 6, 1858 and she January 14, 1882. They had seven children, of whom two died in Maryland. and five now survive-Margaret A.. wife of J. M. Winchester; Mary E., wife of L. P. Wildman; John C.; Minerva, wife of Philip Sidner; and Anna, wife of William C. Recob, our subject. Mr. Sothoron was a plasterer by trade, which business he followed through life. He was an industrious man, of firm principles good morals and temperate habits, and was an active member of the society of Good Templars. Mr. Recob and wife have six children-Lydia, horn March 28. 1864; John S., born October 25, 1865; Harriet, born February 27, 1868: Stephen D., born July 31, 1870: Maud. born February 20, 1873, and Harry, born February 1, 1881. Mr. Recob first settled on the old home place, where Mr. Badgley and Mrs. Lydia Recob now reside. In 1870, he removed to where he now lives. In 1868 he erected his present large frame house. He owns 190 acres of good land, and with the improvements he has made, has a pleasant home and farmer's residence. He has made farming his business through life, and is one of the leading and respected farmers of Fairfield Township. He is a member of Lilly Chapel Grange, No. 583. to which he has belonged since its institution. John C. Recob, a cousin of our subject, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 13, 1829, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah Recob, of Ross County. He grew to manhood in Clinton County, Ohio, and about 1856 became a resident of Madison County. He has lived with our subject on his farm for twenty-five years, having never married.

FREDERICK RECOB, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 13. 1819, and was a son of Daniel and Barbara Recob, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Ross County, Ohio. The grandparents are given in the sketch of Valentine Recob. Daniel was a lad of nine years when his parents settled in Ross County, and there he grew to manhood and married Barbara Toops. They then located in Clinton County, where they lived four or five years, and then returned to Ross County and resided till his

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death, September 29, 1857, aged sixty-one years. His wife survived him till in November, 1874, when she died at Williamsport, Pickaway County, Ohio. aged seventy-three years. They had ten children, six now surviving-Mary Ann, wife of Henry Roberson, living in Highland County; Frederick; John; George; Effie Ann, wife of Peter Snider, residing in Kansas; and Eliza, wife of Clinton Lee. Mr. Recob, the subject of this sketch, was raised in Ross County. On April 16, 1848, he married Susanna Grubb, who was born in Ross County April 26, 1826; she was a daughter of Daniel and Barbara Grubb. natives of Pennsylvania. who became early settlers of Ross County, Ohio. where they lived and died. They had sixteen children, eight now living-Jacob; Margaret, now Widow Strouse; Joseph; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Lallier: Christina, wife of J, Recob; Susanna; George; and Lucinda, wife of William Rube. Mr. Recob and wife have had ten children, nine now surviving-James M., born February 1849, resides in Kansas; Josephus, September 3, 1850: Thomas. J., October 16, 1851; Lucinda E., February 23, 1853, wife of Calvin Durflinger; Eliza J., March 10, 1855; Hester Ann, January 13. 1857, wife of Roswell Hume, Cornelius, September 28, 1858; Jamison, April 30, 1860; John B. February 9, 1863; and Mary E., born July 17, 1867. In the fall of 1853, Mr. Recob removed to Madison' County and settled on the place where he now lives and has since resided-a period of twenty-nine years. This farm he purchased of Amos Morris; it then consisted of 405 acres, from which he soon after sold a portion, reserving 196 acres which he still owns. Mr. Recob started out in life a poor man, and when he purchased his farm he went in debt for it; but by his own industry and labor and that of his family, his fine farm and pleasant home is now his own, and he owes no man. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they have belonged many years.

JOHN C. STRAIN, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in Highland County, Ohio, January 18, 1812, and is a son of John and Jane Strain, natives of South Carolina. who removed to Ohio and settled in Highland County about 1810. being among the early settlers of that county, where they remained till their death. Mr. Strain was a cooper by trade in his younger years, but after his arrival in Ohio he gave his principal attention to farming. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and died esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was the father of four children, of whom two died unmarried. Thomas married and subsequently removed to Iowa. where he died in the spring of 1881, aged about seventy-five years ; and John C., the subject of this sketch, being now the only surviving one of his father's family ; he grew to manhood in Highland County, and on December 26, 1833, was married to Delilah Powers, a native of Ohio, born September 11, 1814. By her he has had ten children, four now surviving-Mardella, horn April 21, 1843; William, born August 25. 1847 ; Nancy G., born August 31, 1850, wife of W. Scott Roberson; and Isaac, born January 28, 1856. Mr. Strain, after their marriage. raised one crop of grain in Highland County, and in the fall of 1834, removed to Madison County, where he has since resided, a period of nearly half a century. He first located on and opened out the farm where Henry Luse now lives, which is now owned by Charles Warner. In 1869. having sold the above farm, he bought and located where he now lives, and has since resided. He is now one among the oldest residents of Fairfield Township. and has been one of her most prominent and useful citizens. About 1841, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he filled to the satisfaction of the people for twenty-one consecutive years, when he refused all solicitations to again accept the office. In 1869, he was elected Treasurer of Fairfield Township, to which office he has ever since been re-elected, a period of thirteen years. He was Postmaster in California from 1869 to 1874.

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ROBERT THOMAS, farmer. P. O. Big Plain, a native of Madison County, was born March 2, 1872, and is a son of Elijah and Margaret Thomas, natives of Virginia. The grandparents, Robert and Mary Thomas. were natives of Virginia, his ancestors being from Wales and hers from England. They emigrated from Virginia to Ohio and settled on the Scioto. in Franklin County, about 1810. They had, however, made a short stop in Muskingum County, prior to settling in Franklin County. At that time there was no town where the city of Columbus now is, and Mr. Thomas hunted through the woods on the very ground where the city now stands. About 1815, he, with his family, removed to Madison County, and settled on a tract of land just east of California, in fact, the east part of the town is built on his land, and here he remained till his death. August 9, 1831, aged sixty-five years. His wife died August 28, 1844, aged seventy-two years. They were truly pioneers of Ohio, experiencing all that was wild and rough in this then vast wilderness. Of their children, Elijah, the father of our subject. was but a youth when they came to Ohio, and at the time of the war of 1812, he was about sixteen years of age and desired to enlist in the war as a soldier. but being so young was prevented from doing so by his friends. He grew to manhood. and married Margaret Godfrey, and about 1824 they removed to Kentucky to take care of his wife's mother, who resided there, and who was old and feeble. After her death, they returned to this county, where they resided till their death. he, July 4. 1860, aged sixty-five years, and she in August, 1857 aged sixty-three years. They had seven children, of whom six grew to maturity, and four now survive Robert; Eleanor F., wife of Charles B. Johnson ; Margaret, now Widow Rea, residing in Nebraska, and Charles C. The subject of this sketch is now one of the oldest settlers who was born and raised in this county. He was married, January 1, 1854, to Lacy Ann Bell. born in this county January 7, 1839, and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bell, he a native of England and she of Ross County, Ohio. They were quite early settlers of Madison County, where his wife died September 23, 1542. They had ten children. of whom seven grew to maturity, four now survive-Sarah Ann (wife of Thomas Douglas). John (both reside in Iowa), Elizabeth and Lacy Ann. Subsequently Mr. Bell married for his second wife Susan Montgomery, by whom he had four children, three now surviving-Celinda C. (wife of John Martin), Andrew S. and Eva (wife of Caleb Lucas). Mr. Bell died February 3, 1875, aged eighty years. Mr. Thomas and wife have had eleven children, eight now surviving-Charles Nelson, born December 29, 1859; John W., May 1, 1862 : Rebecca Ellen, October 9, 1864 ; William, July 6, 1867 ; James Elmer, April 3, 1870 ; Eva C., May 6, 1872 ; Cyrus Milton, November 2, 1878: and Alice G.. horn August 23, 1880. Mr. Thomas has made farming his occupation through life. and from his birth he has resided in sight of where he now lives, a period of threescore years. Although in his youthful clays, from the meager advantages then existing, he obtained but little schooling, yet his life has been filled with usefulness, he having been an energetic, active member of the community, aiding in the general public improvements. He was one of the men who laid out the town of California, and has given freely of his means and influence in supporting schools, and in building and supporting the Methodist Episcopal Church at California, of which he and wife have been members for a score of years.

SAMUEL TRUITT, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel. was born in Madison County, Ohio, March 8, 1838, and is a son of James D. and Anna Truitt, he a native of Maryland and she of Warren County, Ohio. The grandparents were George and Martha Truitt, natives of Maryland, where he died about 1804. About 1811, his widow with her family removed to Ohio, and settled in Madison County, on land now owned by Augustus Bonner. Here she was one among the early settlers. She died at South Charleston about 1850. James

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D., the father of our subject, was about eleven years of age when brought to this county by his mother, and here he grew to manhood and married Anna Thomas, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Thomas. He settled on the old home place of his mother, where he lived till about 1836 when he sold that farm and purchased in the north part of Fairfield Township, where he resided till the spring of 1875, when he removed to London, where he died October 15, 1875. His wife died in February, 1862. They had twelve children, nine now surviving-Mary, wife of James Hume; Martha, wife of William Anderson; Margaret, wife of David Rupert; George W.; Samuel; Joshua; Prudence, wife of John Baber; Ellen Amanda, wife of Rudolph Durflinger; and Thomas T. Mr. Truitt was raised in the days when schools were scarce, poor and far between; hence he obtained but little education, and that he received by going three miles to the nearest school. He made farming his occupation through life; was an industrious, hard-working man, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than Half a century. The subject of our sketch, the fifth child of his father, was brought up to farm labor, and on February 4, 1862, married Matilda H. Byers, who was born in this county, and whose ancestors are given in the sketch of Joel M. Byers. By this union Mr. Truitt has had seven children, six of whom now survive-Alma E.. born September 11, 1864; John B. and James T. (twins), born September 8, 1866; Rosa A.. born September 7, 1868; Flora J., born January 23, 1872; and Charles K., born February 24, 1876. Mr. Truitt has devoted his life to farming within Fairfield Township. He has resided on the place where he now lives since December, 1871. He now owns over 300 acres of good land, and has a pleasant home, and is one of the reliable farmers of Fairfield Township. He is a member of the Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, I. O. O. F., at Lilly Chapel.

CHARLES R. WARNER, farmer, P. O. Big Plain. was born in Madison County January S, 1820; and is a son of Joseph and Sarah Warner; he is a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. The grandparents. Joseph and Ruth Warner, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio with their family about 1804. and settled in Madison County; subsequently they removed to near Cincinnati, where his wife died, aged ninety years. Thence be returned to Madison County and lived several years with his son Joseph. and while on a visit to one of his daughters in Indiana, he was taken sick and died at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. He bad been a man of powerful constitution, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. While a resident of Madison County, and at the advanced age of one hundred years, he rode on horseback to Washington, D. C.. and back again, to see about obtaining a pension. This was a remarkable feat for one of his age, such as was perhaps never known in history before or since. And again, after his return from Washington. and when one hundred and three years of age. he rode the same horse to Indiana to see his daughter. and while there died as above stated. Joseph. the father of our subject, was a young single man when he came to Madison County. He received but little education in his native State, and after his arrival here he contracted to build a schoolhouse, for which he was to receive a year's schooling. After this he continued working at his trade-that of a carpenter. He erected the first house in London, and then built and lived in the second house in the town. This was when lumber and nails were unattainable, and these were hewed-log houses, with puncheon floor and slab doors. He continued to follow his trade through life, combining with it more or less of farming. About 1813, he married Miss Sarah Atchison, by whom he had eight children who grew to maturity, and five now survive-John A., Eli G., Charles R., Rebecca A., and Rachel C.. wife of James Scarf. Mr. Warner was a man of weakly constitution. but of good morals and temperate habits, and lived to quite an advanced age. He and wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal

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Church. to which he belonged forty-five years. He died August 30, 1865, in his eighty-first year; his wife died in April, 1850, aged fifty-four years. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the home farm, and has spent his entire life in this county. He was married, December 3. 1846, to Isabel Jane Chenoweth, whose ancestors are given in the sketch of Elijah Chenoweth. By this union they have had twelve children, eleven now surviving-Sarah Jane. born October 17, 1847, wife of Henry Luse; Frances M., born May 4, 1849; Thomas S., born June 1, 1851; John S., born October 21, 1853; Joseph H.. born May 20, 1855; Milton C., born June 4. 1857; Charles S., born March 21, 1859; Belle M., born April 27. 1861: Minnie A., born July 21. 1863: William Grant, born May 19, 1865: and Olin E., born February 8, 1868. In the fall of 1847, Mr. Warner settled on the place where he now lives, and has since resided-a period of thirty-five years. He owns 490 acres of land, consisting of two good farms, and is one of the substantial and reliable farmers of Fairfield Township. He and his wife are worthy and life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he haying joined the church in 1837, and she in 1840. He has held the offices of Steward. Trustee and Class Leader for over a quarter of a century.

BENJAMIN F. WELCH. M. D.. Big Plains. was born in Kentucky November 7, 1835. His father. Thomas Bennett Welch. was born in Virginia. and at an early acre emigrated to Kentucky, where he married Druzilla Drummond, a native of that State, by whom he had but one child-the subject of this sketch. Mr. Welch remained in Kentucky some years after his marriage, and then moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising. He afterward went South to some relatives in Tennessee. and since the rebellion nothing has been heard of him. Our subject's grandfather, with his wife, who was a sister of Gov. Worthington. moved from Virginia to Chillicothe, where they both died. Dr. Welch, when ten or twelve years of age. went to Cincinnati, where he was raised by his uncle, Prof. A. H. Baker of the Cincinnati School of Medicine. He read medicine under Mr. Baker and attended a full course of lectures at the school, graduating in 1854. He then located at West Jefferson, where he remained two or three years. after which he located at California (Big Plain P. O.), in this county, where he is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. On October 7, 1871 he married Mrs. Isabella (Pelton) McClimons. a native of New Hampshire, and widow of Edward McClimons. deceased. By her he had one child-J. Leete, born August 8, 1872. Mrs. Welch died June 2. 1875, and on December 14, 1877, the Doctor married Lottie McHenry, a native of Chillicothe, who still survives. Dr. Welch is a firm advocate of Democracy and of the principles of State Sovereignty. In 1865, he received the nomination for Secretary of State on the State Rights ticket, but was defeated by the Republicans, who then held all the reins of power. He is a prominent and active member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and also of the Madison County Medical Society.

FREDERICK L. YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in Germany. September 10, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Martha Young, natives of Germany, who still reside in their native country. Two of Jacob's brothers, Adam and Frederick, came to America in quite an early day. and settled near Mount Sterling, Madison Co., Ohio, where Frederick died soon after the war of the rebellion. Adam still resides there now, about seventy years of age. Jacob and Martha Young had four sons and four daughters-Frederick L. (our subject), Adam. Jacob, Julius, Catharine, Laura, Martha and Mary, all of whom still remain in their native country. Frederick, the subject of this sketch, emigrated to America, and to Madison County, Ohio, June 1. 1854, and here has since resided, a period of twenty-eight years. On December 19. 1859, he married Alvira Ann Young, born in this county August 28, 1842. and a daughter

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of Frederick and Lucinda M. Young; by this union they have had nine children, six now surviving-Charles F., born June 1, 1864; Willis J., born March 22, 1867; Eliza L., born December 26, 1869; Perry L., born January 7, 1873; John W., born August 22, 1875; and Milton P., horn February 17, 1880. Mr. Young came to this county a poor man, but, with a strong physical constitution, and energy and determination of character. he went to work with industry, married a frugal and an industrious wife, and about 1867 bought and located on the place where he now lives. This place he purchased of Nelson Timmons, to which he has added more land by purchase, till he owns 148 acres of excellent land, and is now one of the reliable and well-to-do farmers of Fairfield Township. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church at Dennison Chapel. to which they have belonged twelve years.