(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 450 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. making spade, hoe and fork handles, which are immediately shipped to various points in the East and West. During the present year, these gentlemen expect to add to their works machinery for the manufacture of ax-helves, and short handles for hammers, etc., which will also consume a large amount of hickory timber. At the, north end of Downing street, and in the immediate vicinity of the last-named works, is found the foundry and machine shops of Messrs. Bowdle Bros, These enterprising gentlemen, who have been long established in the same locality. manufacture steam engines of various patterns, as well as make castings for many kinds of machinery, and are noted throughout this section of the country for their excellent work. Three extensive carriage and buggy factories are also located here. The largest is that of R. P. Spiker, on Wayne, near High street, which employs about forty hands, and turns out a large amount of very fine work. Mr. Spiker is now merging his factory in a large stock company, known as the Spiker Wagon Works. This company is incorporated by the State, with a capital of $40,000, and has purchased extensive grounds on the west end of High street, extending north two squares to Green street, and embracing seven acres, on which they are erecting buildings for their works, and to which the Wayne Street Works will be ultimately removed. This bids fair, from the well-known character of the gentlemen engaged in it, to become one of the most important industries of the city. The carriage factory of Curtis & Reed, on Water street, near Wayne, is also a flourishing establishment, and is rapidly growing in favor with the community. The factory of W. R. Crosier & Son, the oldest in the city, is located on Downing street, between North and Green, and has, for many years, done a large and lucrative business. These three establishments all manufacture the finest car• riages and buggies, which have repeatedly taken prizes at the fairs in our own and many of the adjoining counties. The Spiker Company will continue the manufacture of carriages and buggies, but will add to this the making of road wagons of a superior quality, somewhat after the style of the 'celebrated Studebaker wagon, so largely manufactured at South Bend, in Indiana. There are already in the city several establishments manufacturing large wagons on a limited scale, but doing a very good business, among which may be named the works of John Reedy, William Keese and Joseph Clouse. One paper-mill is already in operation on the hydraulic, at the west end of North street. This establishment, belonging to the heirs of Loomis, does a good business in the manufacture of coarse wrapping paper, and consumes a large amount of straw for this purpose. Another mill, on the south end of the hydraulic, near the Rocky Branch, is now being erected by a joint-stock company, the leading men being Messrs. Jarvis, Orr, Leonard, Ziegenfelder and Clark. These enterprising gentlemen will invest a large amount of capital,in this work, which, it is understood, will be devoted to the manufacture, principally, if not entirely, of what is known as straw board. A large number of hands will be employed here. Three large breweries are carried on in the city. That of J. L. Schneyer, at the south end of Spring street, is a model of completeness and excellence in the way of manufacturing beer. The malting-room, cooling-room ice house, and every department connected with the business are most completely furnished, and the product of the establishment is said to be of superior quality. The building is about 60x80 feet, three stories in height, and is pronounced by judges to combine all the requisites for the manufacture, while extensive cellars are provided, where the beer is laid down until it attains the peculiar qualities which entitle it to the name of lager. The Messrs.Schmidlapp, have also a very good establishment immediately across the street from Schneyer, and on the south side of Water street, immediately east of Gray's Woolen Mill. A third brewery is operated by Messrs. Butcher & Freyer, and is situated near the north end of Spring street. This is the oldest establishment for brewing in the city, manufactures largely and has extensive cellars on the eastern bank of the Miami River near the east end of the middle HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 451 bridge, for the production of lager beer. There is now in course of construction at the corner of Downing and Sycamore streets, an extensive building for man- ufacturing malt. Messrs. Schmidlapp & Bro., of Cincinnati, and Leopold Keifer, of Piqua, are the proprietors. In addition to all these active manufacturers are to be noticed the flouring-mill of Kinsell & Co., ,on the river bank, nearly opposite the south end of Harrison street ; the large liquor house of J. D. Holtzermann & Son, on the corner of Main and Water streets, where are also manufactured the celebrated Holtzermann Bitters, which are very extensively sold through Western Ohio, Indiana and Illinois ; the gas machine factory of John Stafford, on the west side of the public square, and the truss hoop factory of Messrs. Butterfield, at the north end of Wayne street, on the Miami & Erie Canal. Coopering is not so extensively carried on here as was done several years since, when we were nearer to large supplies of timber, but the shops of Vogel and of Stein and several others still produce large numbers of barrels every year. Messrs. Hardesty & Speelman have a large steam planing-mill and factory for building material at the west end of Water street, and are doing a good business as manufacturers and builders. The planing-mill and factory of Isaac Whitlock is at the corner of Broadway and Broome streets. The proprietor is actively engaged as a manufacturer and contractor. The extensive and elegant marble works of J. F. Hummel are on the corner of Spring and Ash streets, east of the canal. No fairer monuments are produced in the State than those gotten up by Mr. Hummel, and his work is found in the cemeteries of Columbus, Springfield, Detroit and Cincinnati. The best of Italian and American marbles are used, and large quantities of Scotch granite are also imported for these works. The marble works of McKee & Son are on the corner of Ash and Wayne streets, where much good work is found. MERCHANTS. Trade is the natural heritage of the Yankee nation, and that part located at the early site of Piqua was not found wanting in the common characteristic of the race. The Ewings were among the early traders with Indians and with whites, and the first goods sold in the village were trafficked by members of this family. In the old Ewing tavern, located on Main street, on that portion now south of the railroad, and about where Benkert,s saddler's shop is now standing, was the first trading-point in the bounds of the village. This was early in 1809 ; but, in 1812, Nicholas Greenham, an Irishman by birth and a trader by profession, arrived in town, and, renting a room from Ewing, opened a regular country store. Furs and all kinds of country produce were bought, and goods exchanged for them, and the whisky bottle and pitcher of water, with a glass tumbler or tin cup at their side, invited every customer to partake of the liberality of the storekeeper and sharpen his intellect for the barter which was to come off. This was the universal custom ; every one drank, and almost every one kept sober ; drunkenness was a rare fault, and was regarded with peculiar dislike. About five years later, John McCorkle commenced the business of selling goods and buying whatever was to be sold from the surrounding country. He and Greenham were both successful traders, accumulated money and property, and were soon known as the leading business men of the county. McCorkle represented the county in the Lower House of the General Assembly, and was known as an ardent advocate of the canal then located, since 1824, from Cincinnati to Dayton, and which he was very desirous of seeing extended further toward the North. He unfortunately died in 1829, without seeing his hopes realized. William Scott was the next of the early merchants or traders of the rising town. Then John M. Cheevers, Jacob and Abel Furrow, Byram Dayton, James Defrees, Young & Sons, David J. Jordan (afterward Jordan & Kitchen), William Keyt, L. R. Brownell (afterward of the firm of Brownell & Carncross), Demas Adams, William and Lewis Kirk, gradually came in, about in the order of their names here given, and kept up the trade of the village to 1833. Shortly after this time, the various branches of trade began to divide themselves. 452 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. The earliest liquor store was opened by John M. Cheevers, at the north end of Main street ; the first iron store, by S. H. Brown, on the southwest corner of the public square ; the second, by John Morrow, at the place now occupied by James Scott in the same line of business. The earliest distinct grocery house was that of Sawyer & Davis, on Main street, just north of the corner now occupied by the Citizens' National Bank. The first drug store was kept by M. G. Mitchell, on Main street, a little south of the present Spencer's store ; the second, by Daniel Ashton, afterward merged into the firm of Ashton & Ewing. The establishments in the early days were small, increasing, however, in capacity, with the demands of trade and the filling up of the country, and we see a few of the older men who still survive, so as at least to look on at the increasing business of the town, and to compare the present with the former days of com- mercial affairs J. M. Cheevers and William Scott* still walk the streets, as they have done for more than half a century, and, though not actively engaged in trade, still feel a lively interest in everything connected with the financial or commercial pursuits and changes of the day. William Scott* is the oldest of the dry-goods merchants in the city, indeed, no business man in the place has been so long and steadily engaged in trade. For for fifty-seven years Mr. Scott continued closely and personally to attend to his business as a merchant. The house is now carried on in the name of John M. Scott & Co., but the original head of the house is always seen about when not engaged in the bank, and looks actively after the interests of the establishment. For more than half a century Mr. Scott has done business on the same square on Main street, where he is now found. Other prominent dry-goods houses are C. S. Parker & Co.; F. W. Reiter ; D. Spencer & Co.; C. Gross ; Stein & Co. and A. Berting. The large clothing houses are Henry Flesh, A. Friedlich, J. F. Hemsteger, P. I. Gates & Co., M. Friedlich, M. Newhoff, D. Urbansky and C. W Bachelor. The prominent grocery houses are John Zollinger & Son ; Sawyer & Co.; G. N. Ziegenfelder ; P. A. Williamson ; John Harbaugh & Co.; D. Louis ; Charles Lebolt ; M. Ziegenfelder and M. Belier, etc. In iron, hardware. stoves, etc., the principal dealers are R. E. Reynolds ; George Lee and James Scott. In boots and shoes—William Ward, George Pfistner, Amos Abele, and J. V. Bartel. There are two well-filled book-stores I. N. Todd and J. Merring. Jewelers—A. Wendel, Aug. Thoma & Sons, Richey and M. Ryan. Tobacconists—John Lang, Leopold Kiefer and Christ & Wiltheiss. Druggists—A. C. Wilson, Ashton Bros., Brandriff & Hedges, P. Graef, Jr., and Hunzinger. Two large establishments engaged as tanners, curriers and leather dealers—J. M. Brown and T. J. Wiley. The daguerrean gallery of I. Thorne will very well repay a visit to any lover of art. Mr. Thorne keeps a handsome collection of pictures at his rooms; on Main street, and his photographs, both plain and colored, are finished in the best style. The rooms of Mr. F. Gale are in the third story, over the large grocery house of D. Louis, on Main street. Mr. Gale is said to be very successful in his pictures of young children, and he has, himself, made some improvements in the art of photography, which are considered valuable. The heavy grain dealers are Messrs. Farrington & Slauson, on the public square and at their storehouse below the railroad, on Main street, and Messrs. Orr & Leonard, also on the east side of the public square and on the canal. Both these houses are large buyers, and employ an amount of capital in the grain trade not exceeded by any dealers in the county. There are two large hotels, the City, kept by A. J. Roe and Harry Morse, on the corner of Main and Ash streets, and the Leland, by Mr. C. May,. at the south * Since this wilting, William Scott passed away, having been stricken with paralysis. HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 453 end of the opera house block. Both are excellent houses. ,A large number of smaller houses of entertainment are found in various parts of the city. LAWYERS. The need of legal learning and advice is not felt early, as a general rule, in a Western community, and our pioneer fathers were no exception to the rule. The ordinary magistrate was the, depository of the law, and what legal lore he failed to possess was not considered worth having. Increase of population and trade, however, with the complications of business necessarily following in the train, soon ade gentlemen of the legal profession welcome members of the community. William cLean, brother of Judge John McLean, of the United States Supreme Court, and so Postmaster General of the United States, was the first regular professional lawyer who settled in the village. He came to Piqua about the year 1820, and represented the Miami District, which comprehended nearly all Western Ohio north of Warren County, in the Congress of the United States, from 1823 to 1829 inclusive. He was a man of decided ability, honest and upright, and possessed great influence in the community in which he lived. He was a prominent member of the . Methodist Church, as was also his excellent wife, and their house was for many years the well-known resting-place for ministers and itinerants of this denomination. Shortly after his last term in Congress, Mr. McLean removed from Piqua to Cincinnati, and was for several years extensively .engaged in mercantile pursuits, but, his health failing, he retired from buSiness, spent several months in the Island of Cuba hoping to derive benefit for his pulmonary disease from the change of climate, but failing in this he returned to Cincinnati, spent some time in revisit- ing several points in his old Congressional district, Piqua among others, returning, finally, to his Cincinnati home, where he ended his long and useful life in 1839. The second member of the legal profession in Piqua was Gen. Robert Young, a student of McLean's, and who soon succeeded to his business during his absence in Congress, and after his removal from the county. Gen. Young was for many years the leading lawyer of the northern part of the county, terminating a long life of labor and usefulness at Piqua in the year 1855. Among other early lawyers of the town may be mentioned the names' of Samuel E. Browne, Gorden N. Mott, afterward for many years a Judge of the Courts in California, Samuel R. Mott, Samuel Stover, Hon. R. L. P. Baber, now of Columbus ; Joseph Ewing, now residing in La Fayette, Ind. ; N. F. Wilbur and Judson Miller, now deceased. Among those still remaining ..)in the town, the earliest members of the bar were S. S. McKinney, M. H. Jones and Stephen Johnston ; while the later members of the profession are Hon. J. F. McKinney, William C. Johnston, Walter B. Jones, Theodore Brooks, N. Wagner, A. C. Buchanan, J. R. Hatch and J. McDonald. PHYSICIANS. As in the profession of law, so too in that of the healing art, the actual wants of the early settlers were easily satisfied. The diseases of the pioneers were few and simple, a knowledge of the powers of " roots and herbs " acquired from the aboriginal inhabitants, or from whites who had sojourned among them, was usually adequate to the relief of ordinary maladies, and in more serious cases the aid of a distant physician was sometimes invoked. In ordinary surgical cases, as of fractures or dislocation of limbs, some intelligent man was usually found whose skill was sufficient for the emergency. Col. John Johnston, the well-known Indian agent, of Upper Piqua, a man of general information, abundant resources, and cool, deliberate judgment, was well known for miles around the country as a skillful manipulator of broken bones, and used frequently to say that he rarely failed to make a good cure even in the worst fractures, with splints of green hickory bark, in which he carefully inclosed the injured limbs, and which soon hardened sufficiently to retain the parts in proper position and so held them until the bones were firmly united, and in connection therewith, he used what was commonly called by the people a " Shocking Machine," being the old-fashioned electrifying machine ; it was one of 454 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. the great wonders of science, introduced at that early day into our sparsely settled country, and used by him as a remedial agent in nervous complaints. About the close of the war of 1812, Henry Chapeze, of Kentucky, a well-educated physician, located at Piqua. His office and residence were on the southwest corner of Wayne and Water streets, on the lot now occupied by the house of Hiram Brooks, Esq. A brick office erected on this lot was the first building of that material within the village limits, and is well remembered to-day by many of the older inhabitants. Dr. John O'Ferrall settled in Piqua about 1820, and these two gentlemen have the honor of being the pioneer physicians of the town and of the northern part of the county. Both continued in the practice of their profession for many years, riding over large extents of forest country, sometimes without roads, at other times over ways almost impassable, where the worst mud-holes and deepest marshes were bridged over by rows of round logs, making no very secure causeway for 'either horse or man. The rude cabins and rough fare of the early settlers were their resting-place and their refreshment; a scanty remuneration, and very frequently none at all, was the reward rendered for services; but these faithful men toiled on, waited and hoped for better days, and lived to see at least their dawn if not their full development. Dr. Chapeze died about 1828; but O'Ferrall, a younger and more vigorous man, survived until 1850, living to see the country which he entered as a wilderness blooming with improvements and filled with the elements of wealth and progress. Among the other early physicians, are found the names of Dr. Jackson, afterward a prominent Democratic politician of Indiana; Dr. I. T. Teller, Dr. David Jordan (eclectic), Dr. Isaac Hendershot, Dr. Worrall, all of whom are now passed away. Dr. Dorsey, who read medicine for a portion of his time in the office of Dr. O'Ferrall, commenced practice as a partner of O'Ferrall in the year 1836, and the firm continued until January 1, 1842, when it was dissolved ; but Dr. Dorsey has continued the practice from that time until the present, with the exception of four years, from 1862 to 1865 inclusive, when he acted as State Treasurer, residing in Columbus. In 1842, Dr. John O'Ferrall, Jr., commenced practice with his father, and has continued in business, with some interruptions, to the present time. The other prominent physicians of the city are Dr. J. A. Smith, Dr. V. Dorsey Brownell, Dr. Stumm (homoeopathic), all now deceased ; and Drs. C. S. Parker, W. S. Parker, J. F. Gabriel, S. S. Gray, H. Smiley, A. Ashton, B Lehman, G. S. Hyde. F. W. Walton (eclectic), T. F. Spittle and C. Clemmer (homoeopathists), and E. A. Kitzmiller, all now in active practice. STONE QUARRIES. No account of Washington Township can be complete without a notice of the extensive quarries of limestone which add so much to its wealth, and, by the facility they afford for building, contribute, also, very largely to the prosperity and progress of the township and the town. These quarries are all found on the west side of the Miami, and commence immediately south of the Rocky Branch, lying on the south border of the city, and coming out on the west side of the turnpike leading from Piqua to Troy, on the west side of the river. Stone also abounds on the east bank of the river, though the quarries on that side have never been extensively opened or worked. The first quarry below the branch is that of Mr Harvey Clark, who carries it on actively. The second is that of Henry. Kitchen, now operated by Mr. J. Mitchell. The third is the well-known Hamilton Quarry, now owned by Dr. Dorsey, and carried on by James Hamilton, as agent. The fourth, is the very large and extensive quarry of Mr. David Statler, two miles south of the city, which has been for years worked by that gentleman with great success. Until the last twenty years, the great value of these quarries was scarcely thought of; but, as the country has progressed in improvement, the demand for building material has caused them to be carefully explored and operated, and a HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 455 source of wealth has been developed, which, in the early settlement of the country, was never taken into account. A well-managed stone quarry has come to be re- garded as a treasure little inferior to the mines of the precious metals in the Far West. PRIMITIVE COMMERCE. After the development of the country about Piqua, when exportation became a necessity in order to get the sight of a little money, flatboats were constructed, and loaded with flour, bacon, corn in the ear, cherry lumber, furniture, and other products. The boats were built here, on the bank of the Miami River, with two parallel gunwales, from sixty to seventy-five feet in length, and the boat about twelve feet wide. They were built bottom side up, the plank in the bottom running crosswise and spiked to the gunwales, with the ends imbedded in a rabbet cut into the gunwales deeper than the thickness of the, boards, so as to secure the bottom from catching while floating over shoal places. When the hull or bottom was calked and completed, it was then turned over by raising up one side and letting it fall over upon brush piled up in sufficient quantity to save the hull from injury by the fall ; it was then launched into the river, and the siding and deck completed, forming complete protection to the cargo and the boatmen. Some of the men engaged in this commerce were Joseph Bennett, a cabinet-maker ; — Tinkham, a cabinet-maker, who would ship, by this means, bedsteads in large quantities, and coast along the Mississippi River, retailing out to the people along the river whatever was in demand. The risk in navigating the Miami River required great skill and presence of mind, especially in passing over mill-dams and following the channel of the river through the " Ninetv-nine Islands," as they were called, located a few miles below Troy. The pilot of notoriety was Robert Logan, a very large man, and when in command of one of these boats about to start on its journey, and standing upon the deck disciplining his boatmen to the use of the oars, was looked upon with as much consideration as the greatest admiral who ever commanded a fleet. To see one of these boats pass through the channel of the river at these islands, was indeed a most thrilling sight, and required the most consummate skill and quickness of action to wind this unwieldy craft through its tortuous route to a safe passage. After passing into the Ohio River, the pilot and other men not wanted to coast were discharged, but some of the dangers of boating were still incident to the voyage. Along the banks of the Mississippi are frequently found eddies, or whirlpools, into which the boat is liable to be drawn, and when once fairly in the circuit, ii was difficult to cross the circuit and reach the straight current. An anecdote is told of one of these eddies in the Mississippi. The crew are each required al night to take his turn on the watch, and in case of an approaching steamboat, to swing a torch or light to prevent collision. On one occasion, a green hand was called on watch in the darkness of the night, and, shortly after taking his position on deck, the boat, without his observation, was drawn into one of these eddies opposite to which, on the bank of the river, stood a brick church, and the boat continued making a circuit during the whole time of his watch. When his turn was up, he awoke the man to take his place on deck, and, upon being asked how h( got along, replied, "First rate," but added that "it was the darnedest place for brick churches he had ever seen in his life." In connection with this history of flat boating, it was common for boatmen returning from New Orleans to walk all the way home again, passing, through wilderness north of New Orleans and through what was then called the Indian Nations, Choctaws and Chickasaws. Jacob Lands, Esq., and David Hunter, both of whom deceased at Piqua after a long residence, made this journey on foot, am have frequently related incidents connected with the journey through the Indian country. Another fact in connection with this primitive commerce was the building of a large keel-boat by John Chatham on the public square in Piqua, directly west 456 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. of Orr & Leonard's warehouse. This boat was built (the hull) and hauled to St. Mary's, the bow resting on the wheels of a wagon, and the stern on sled-runners, with eight horses, two teams belonging to James Johnston and John Campbell. It was then launched into the St. Mary's River, and was used on that stream to freight to Fort Wayne and on the.Maumee River. It was about eight feet wide by fifty-five or sixty feet in length. COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. The Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, now called the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company, was chartered by the Legislature February 23, 1849. The charter was drawn by Stephen Johnston, Esq., while working at a saddler's bench, with his sleeves rolled up. He had had some legislative experience, and was called upon to prepare the charter. The original or rough draft is now among the papers belonging to the estate of M. G. Mitchell, deceased, who was elected President of the company, and for many years during the building of the road was the principal manager of the enterprise. The road was completed from Columbus to Piqua in 1856, and gave to the northern part of Miami County facilities for an Eastern market. This road is now the great central railway, through fare from the East to the West, with branches and connecting lines reaching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Dayton & Michigan Railroad was chartered by the Legislature, March 5, 1851, and was completed to Piqua in 1856, so that Piqua was given a southern outlet by rail, and, with its present history, embraces tie commercial facilities commencing about 1820, and being completed within the lapse of thirty-six years. This time, compared with the development of the West now, would seem to be at a snail's gait, but to the retrospect of the pioneer of Miami County, to him is indeed marvelous. WATER-WORKS AND HYDRAULIC CANAL. The subject of creating an hydraulic power, to be displayed at Piqua, was an enterprise discussed by the citizens of Piqua for nearly forty years, and, on the 7th day of April, 1856, the General Assembly passed a bill, authorizing M. C. Ryan, James G. Haley, T. L. P. Defrees & Co., to enlarge the Lewistown reservoir, and in consideration to receive all surplus water on the line of canal created by them, for the use of hydraulic power, and these parties became an incorporated com- pany under the name of the " Miami Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company," and were for some time actively engaged in trying to induce the citizens of Piqua to co-operate with them, but the enterprise failed, and they surrendered their con- tract to the State, and abandoned the enterprise. The next step was the incorporation of the " Piqua Hydraulic Company," drawn up by Stephen Johnston, and signed December 12, 1865. After the organization of the company, further legislature was deemed necessary, and, on the 6th day of April, 1866, a bill was passed by the Legislature of Ohio, authorizing the use of the surplus water of the canal for hydraulic purposes. Under the provisions of this act this company was enabled to contract with the State for the surplus water. Dr. G. V. Dorsey was elected President, and continued as such until January, 1868, when he resigned, and Stephen Johnston, Esq., was elected President of the Board of Directors, and immediately entered upon the discharge of his duty, which was a general supervision of the work in obtaining the rights of way and raising money to carry on the work after the work was put under contract. The enterprise at the time—in view of the stringent money market and magnitude of the work, was regarded by the citizens, with scarcely a single exception, as an impossible undertaking, but Mr. Johnston conceived the plan of the water works in connection with the hydraulic enterprise, and by that means secured $50,000 in bonds from the city. HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 459 He also conceived the plan of obtaining an appropriation from the city, the sum of $15,000, to pay for drainage, which would result by a proper construction of the canal. This fund, together with other assets of stock subscribed, etc., induced the letting of the work, on the 16th day of March, 1869, to Messrs. Boyle & Roach, who, after completion of a large portion of the work, assigned their contract to Messrs. Burns & Gallager, who proved to be most efficient contractors. A. G. Conover, Esq., was the Engineer-in-charge of the work, and Jacob D. Holtzemin, Esq., Treasurer. During the progress of the work two serious accidents occurred, by the breaking away, during high water, of the embankment at Swift Run, which occasioned a loss of $40,000. The canal is over six miles in length, and contains within its prism and reservoirs therewith connected, at least 150 acres of water-line, at an elevation of thirty-eight feet over the city, and three falls aggregating fifty-two feet six inches, for hydraulic power. The water-works, in point of efficiency in every particular, are not exceeded by any other water-works of the kind in the United States, and have already saved one-half their cost by the extinguishment of fires haiing most alarming outbreaks at the start. They were finally completed, and duly opened for test and display on the 14th day of June, 1876. The plan of the work as completed was written out and foreshadowed by Stephen Johnston, and published in the preface of the City Directory in 1870. FORTIFICATIONS IN PIQUA. On the bank of the Miami River, near where the extensive woolen mills of F. Gray now stands, was a block-house and stockade therewith connected. The stockade remained as one of the relics of 'Indian warfare, and is still in the memory of some of the pioneers now living. Its north line, running east and west, was not far from the north line of Water street, extending west to the present site the Leland Livery Stable. THE FIRST USE OF DYNAMITE IN PIQUA. The Piqua Straw Board and Paper Company located its mills, which are now under roof; at the intersection of Main street and the Rocky Branch. The foundation required the blasting of sh,elly rock, which does not yield to powder, in consequence of the seams through the rock. Knowing this, the com- pany determined to try dynamite, a very dangerous material to handle. They found a man recently become a citizen, H. F. Ernest, who was well skilled in its use, and our people were amazed at the explosions and results of this powerful agency in blasting. Some of the blasts included as high as twenty different drilled holes, and each connected with a wire was ignited by the use of a battery, all exploding at the same moment, and at a single blast would heave up more than one hundred tons of rock. The work was a complete success, and is another step in the progress of science just introduced in April, 1880. Nobody was injured during work of about one month. NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP. This township is situated on the northwest corner of the county, and is bounded on the west by Darke County, on the north by Shelby County, on the east by Washington Township, and on the south by Newton Township ; is seven miles from north to south, and six from east to west, containing forty-two square miles, and is composed of portions of four original surveyed townships. While it does not appear when it was organized, it would seem to be about the same date as Newton-1810. 460 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. The lends in the western and northwestern part of bhis township are the most elevated in the county ; general surface undulating, inclining to southeast, being traversed, from west to south, by the Stillwater River and Greenville Creek, with their numerous tributaries. A small portion is slightly broken, but few declivities occur. As was the entire county, this township, in an early day, was covered with an unbroken sheet of forest, of various species of timber, too well known to be here described. The noble oak and the valuable sugar maple are, however, fast disappearing, and, ere many years have passed away, will have entirely disappeared. So, also, are growing scarce the ironwood, witch-hazel, box-elder, white thorn, plum and black haw, juneberry, papaw and spicewood, densely blooming in the early spring ; ginseng, yellow and red puccoon•root, wild onion, swamp cabbage and spikenard abounded, that forest pest called " ramps," which, when eaten by cows, imparted to the milk and butter a taste and flavor resembling a mixture of garlic, jimson, etc. In the number of its venomous reptiles, Newberry stood without a rival. During the early settlements, the yellow rattlesnake seems to have made the limestone ledges along the Stillwater and Greenville Creek his favorite home, for, on. prying up the rocks, they could be seen, s Jmetimes by the dozen, and, even now, large quantities of bones are frequently discovered in the clefts of the rocks, thus attesting their former abundance. DRAINAGE. Stillwater River enters Miami County near the northwest corner of this township, and, after pursuing a southeast direction, it suddenly turns northeast, then, forming a curve, it runs nearly south, past Covington, and passes out of the township about two miles west of the southeast corner. Near the center of the township,, it cuts a channel through the limestone, at the southern terminus of which were, in early days (called) the Falls of Stillwater, descending about twelve feet in a mile. The banks of the river are bold and high. Limestone bluffs, skirting either bank afford excellent quarries of stone, which also makes good lime. Greenville Creek enters the county in the southwestern corner of Newberry, flows first northeast, then bending, runs southeast ; resuming its original course, empties into the Stillwater near Covington. Greenville Falls, a short distance froni Covington, is a beautiful display of nature and a place of much resort. Harrison's Creek, on the west, and Trotter's Creek, on the north and east, both tributaries of the Stillwater, are streams of much value, and early drew the hardy pioneer to their banks. Springs of-excellent ever-living water abound in this township, some of them, not far from Covington, supposed to possess excellent medicinal virtues. Summing up : Newberry, with her two lines of railroad, passing through at four points of the compass, her numerous pikes, exhaustless stone and lime, her rich soil, unexceled natural drainage, water-power, and, in fact, all the natural resources that conduce toward the advancement and development of any country, as materials—and a thrifty, intelligent and energetic community, as agents—we need not wonder that she stands foremost in wealth and agricultural prosperity. EARLY SETTLEMENT. According to tradition, the first location made and cabin built-in this township was by a South Carolinian named McDonald, on what is since known as Harrison's Creek, about two and a half miles northwest of Covington, near the year 1806. In 1807, John Harrison came to Ludlow's Creek, Union Township, remained one season, and returned to South Carolina, accompanied by McDonald, both leaving their lands and cabins. In 1807, Michael Ingle, having heard of a beautiful little prairie on Stillwater (Michael Williams' Prairie, now Pleasant Hill), prospected up the river, and, finding it occupied, pushed further on to the mouth of Trotter's Creek and made a selection of excellent farming land, in Sections 17 and 20. Mr. Ingle was, prior to, HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 461 this, a resident of Montgomery County, and by occupation a tanner. Mr. I. immediately began clearing up and improving his purchase, on which he resided until his death, in 1838. Cotemporaneously with Ingle, Samuel Brown purchased and built on the quarter-section west of Ingle. Priority of settlement vibrates between these two men, but Brown soon left, and the honor is awarded Ingle as being the first permanent white settler in Newberry Township. The next were William and John Coats, with one or more sons-in-law of the former, who settled on the northeast quarter of Section 30, cornering with Ingle's purchase on the southwest. William Coats' cabin stood about fifty rods northwest of the present Pan-Handle depot, while his son's cabin was near the spring running from the cellar of the Leonidas House, and his son-in-law, Daniel Wright's, cabin stood near and south of the corner of Main and Wright streets, Covington. Another settler, whose name cannot be ascertained, cleared a few acres and erected a cabin on the southeast quarter of Section 30 prior to 1810. Of all these early settlers, none but Ingle remained upon the original location. He added another quarter-section to it, raised it to a high state of cultivation, brought a family, of seven sons and four daughters, dividing among his sons a portion of their patrimony, four of whom lived and died upon the same, three sold out and removed to newer States, and to=day less than eighty acres out of eight hundred purchased by the father remain in the hands of his posterity. Michael Ingle was honorable, industrious and energetic. He established and conducted the first tannery in the township, and from his customers bore the reputation of turning a good article of leather. He also built one of the first houses in Covington, and dug through the solid rock the first well in the town, which had no companion for a dozen years or more. His energy sometimes resulted in loss, as on one occasion, in 1825, he harvested a fine crop of wheat, which he had partly hauled in by Saturday evening. " My wheat," said he, " was the first in the ground on Stillwater, and I will have all in the barn before any of my neighbors." It was all housed, and on Monday the barn was struck by lightning and, with its contents, burned. At the opening of the year 1810, many purchases had been made and several clearings begun, and little cabins dotted the forests with life and animation. During this year, Jacob Ullery purchased the southeast quarter of Section 30, but did not occupy it until the spring of 1811. This tract of land proved to be the most valuable property in the township. On it is located the splendid waterpower that operates the Covington Mills, the stone quarry of the Covington Stone Company, the extensive quarry and limekiln of J. M. Rahl, and a large portion of all the valuable stone quarried at Covington in the past fifty years has been taken from the ledges in this tract, and the supply, to all appearances, is still inexhaust- ible. In the spring of 1812, on the breaking-out of the war, the settlers here all left their clearings for a temporary place of safety during an apprehended invasion by hostile Indians. Some went to Montgomery County, some to their Quaker friends in the Ludlow settlement. Ingle stopped at Williams' stockade, in Newton Township, while Ullery removed his family to Lost Creek, where he resided until the spring of 1814, when he took up his permanent residence on, and began the improvement of, his property. NEWBERRY IN THE WAR OF 1812. In the spring or early summer of 1812, a company of volunteer militia, to serve four months, was organized principally west of the Miami Rivera George Buchanan, of Milton was elected Captain, James C. Caldwell, of Piqua, First Lieutenant, and Gardner Bobo, of Spring Creek, a Revolutionary veteran, Ensign. The company was mustered into service May 5, 1812, as First Company, Second Regiment, Fifth Brigade and First Division Ohio Militia, commanded by Jerome Holt, Colonel. The field of duty assigned Capt. Buchanan was the Stillwater Valley and adjoining territory. 462 - HISTORY OF MIAMI: COUNTY. With his company he began as soon as practicable the erection of a blockhouse, as headquarters, military defense and protection to the settlers within reach. This block-house stood a few rods west of the Pan-Handle depot, in Covington, also about thirty rods north of Wayne's camp, or breastworks of brush and logs thrown up in 1794, and christened " Fort Rowdy." We believe Capt. B. and his company—we say company because in those days epaulets did not mean absolute authority as now—assumed to call their works "Fort Buchanan." Lieut. Col. Holt, under whose orders Capt. B. was acting, knowing that the point selected for the block-house was on or near the spot selected by that old Indian fighter, " Mad Anthony," and through deference to the old veteran, ignored Fort B. and, June 18, officially addressed Capt. B. as follows : JUNE, 18, 1812. Capt. George Buchanan : SIR—You will make a return of your company to me by the 25th, stating the number of men, and their equipments, and of your camp, equipage, so that I may be able to make a general return, as I have received (orders) for that purpose. I am, sir, yours JEROME HOLT, Colonel To Capt. George Buchanan, Fort Rowdy.      . This address, however faithfully the orders were obeyed, was neither accepted nor relished by Capt. B. and his command as a proper appellation for the important post, in the erection of which they had so faithfully labored. In addition to this, they had not encroached upon the ground occupied by Wayne, and therefore had no desire to.be known to posterity as rowdies. Therefore, When the report was made out in due form and returned to Col. Holt, he learned that he was commanding Fort Buchanan instead of Rowdy ; and in his next communication he accepts the name in part, but addresses Capt. B. at " Buchanan Block-House," ignoring"the dignified name of fort. Following this is an order, dated at Greenville, July 20, 1812, from Col. Holt, transmitting an order from, the Governor through Gen. Munger, dismissing all the men stationed on the frontiers west of the Miami toward the Wabash, including Capt. Nesbit's and Capt. Vancleve's companies, unless hostile movements of the Indians required their services. Intelligence is also conveyed in the order that the Great Council with the Indians is postponed until the 15th of August, 1812, and requiring Capt. B. to notify his company to rendezvous at Troy on the 13th, join the other companies, march to Piqua and there remain until the council is over. They are enjoined to be punctual, and attend the council fully equipped at Troy by 10 o'clock. After the date of this order we have no further intimation of the occupancy of Buchanan's block-house as a military post, although it was used by the families in its vicinity as a place of refuge during emergencies. The line of defense was extended further west in Darke County ; consequently, no further record of interest occurs in regard to this post, after the following from Col. John Johnston, Indian agent at Upper Piqua, viz. : That certain hostile Indians had been seen in the vicinity of Fort Recovery, which intelligence had been communicated to him by Francis Duchequet, a French interpreter and trader. The same notice requested Capt. B. to send a detail of men to Upper Piqua to protect certain public property in Col. Johnston's care, which he considered exposed to capture and destruction ; also, that his wheat in the field was dead ripe, and the detail to serve two purposes—guard the property and reap his wheat. The records do not show whether the men were furnished on this occasion, but tradition says that a part of the active duty performed by this garrison was cutting four acres of wheat with the sickle, and stacking it on Jacob Teller's farm, across Stillwater, where it remained in safety till he returned to his cabin in 1814. At the breaking-out of the war, it is said there were nine families living in this township, viz. : Michael Ingle, and perhaps his son John, Jacob Ullery, Samuel Brown, William Coats and his son and son-in-law, Daniel Wright, and a brother, John Coats ; the balance unknown to us. The settlers were located near each other for mutual support and protection. North of Greenville Creek and west of Stillwater were but two improve- HISTORY OF MIAMI. COUNTY - 463 ments ; north of Trotter's Creek and east of Stillwater 'were none ; west of Stillwater and south of Greenville Creek, two ; three or four small clearings east of Stillwater, and south of Trotter's Creek ; all the rest was one unbroken forest, though great quantities had been purchased for speculation. There is no evidence tending to show that this township was tilt, favorite resort of the Indians, or of their occupancy of it. From the absence of Indian names for the streams, or prominent natural objects, we infer that it was not permanently inhabited by them ; some pre-historic specimens, however, exist. Since the advent of the whites, none but hunting parties, and encampments during the war of 1812, near Trotter's Creek, on the farm now owned by H. Mohler, three miles north of Covington, consisting principally of Delawares. In only one instance is it known that they injured the whites, which was the killing of some cattle. MOUND BUILDERS. These peculiar people have left numerous evidences in this township of their mechanical enterprise. The most noted was located near Greenville Falls, was about forty feet in diameter at the base, and built about twenty feet high,,material used being loose gravel, apparently from the bed of Greenville Creek. The upper interior contained many human bones. Two or three other mounds and pits exist, but none of peculiar interest.sufficient to note. The principal mound has been dug away, and the stone converted into lime, the owners caring little for the sacredness of the bodies resting there. All apprehension of danger having been removed by the treaty of peace, the settlers returned to their cabins and clearings, and early in 1814, before the treaty with England, we find the number of immigrants augmenting and the clearings increasing. John Cable, west of Stillwater; John Hay, north of him ; John Harrison and his sons Richard and Bargitto, on the creek that bears their name, above Cable ; John Trotter on the creek named for him, and the Templeton brothers, Samuel, William and David, adjoining Trotter ; John Carson and Samuel Nicholson in the same neighborhood ; Sylvester Thompson, Joshua Falknor, south of Ullery, on both sides of the river ; and, in 1816, Amos Perry, nearly opposite the falls of Greenville Creek ; William Knox on Trotter's Creek. We cannot mention all who came, but only such as became prominent and permanent citizens in those early times Whose descendants are with us now. John Barbour, in 1817, joined the Trotter's Creek settlement. COVINGTON. Early in 1816, Daniel Wright, in partnership with Jacob Ullery, laid out thirty-six town lots in Section 30, Wright's portion covering the site of Wayne's encampment, the timber having been cut off by Wayne's army. These thirty-six lots lay between the St. Mary's road, then established, and the east bank of Stillwater. Three streets were laid out, and named, running north and south ; first, Water, next the river, on the bluff; Main, at the foot of the hill, and High, being the St. Mary's road, and section line between 29 and 30. Three streets crossing at right angles were : First, on the north, Wright, next, Ullery, for the proprietors, then Spring, for the beautiful spring that burst from the rocks, beneath the shade of a white oak grove that grew upon the bluff. The lots were numbered from east to west, beginning at the northwest corner of the plat. Benjamin Cox was surveyor, and duly recorded his work so far as he was concerned, but, from ignorance of what was required of them, neither of the proprietors ever acknowledged the plat, which has in late years caused a loss of several thousand dollars to the corporation of Covington. This town plat was given a name, which seemed both amphibious and ambiguous, viz. : " Friendship," or " Newberry." The citizens, not understanding, gave it the name Gen. Wayne had so appropriately dubbed this point immediately following a drunken carouse of his officers here. and which it had ever since retained —Rowdy. When a post office was established here, it was known as Stillwater. When the town was laid out; there was but one habitation on the spot, namely, 464 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. Daniel Wright's, who lived just west of Miami and south of Wright street, near a spring that flowed from the bluff at the termination of the latter street. Elijah Reagan built the first house on the lot now owned by H. E. Routson, west of his stable. Michael Ingle built a double log cabin where the elegant mansion of H. E. Routson now stands ; his son John built a hewed-log cabin on the northwest corner of Main and Wright streets. A small log house was built on the southeast corner of Main and Wright streets, and on the opposite corner some one built a two story hewed-log house, but it never was covered, and remained uninhabited until it rotted down. Noah Hanks built a small frame for a storeroom on the corner of High and Wright streets, where Routson & Son's store is, which was the first frame building in the township, and in it Hanks kept the first store in the township. At the end of ten years, after the platting and survey of this town, it had but three families living in it, two vacant houses ; one house, Daniel Wright's, had been burnt, and twelve years elapsed after the town was laid out before a new house was built. In 1828, Singer and Hilliard, of Piqua, built a frame yet standing—the oldest in the place—for a storeroom. In 1815 or 1816, Jacob Ullery erected a saw-mill at the mouth of Greenville Creek, which was the first utilizing of water in propelling machinery in the township. With his saw-mill he began preparing material for a grist-mill. In April, 1816 or 1817, occurred a destructive tornado, seeming to arise in the clearing of Daniel Burns, one mile northeast of Covington, now H. Hickman's farm, unroofing his stable. Entering the timber from the northeast, it leveled the heavy forest, piling the trees upon each other in all directions, along a track about eighty rods in width. Where the land is not cleared, its path can be easily traced at the present, by the beautiful growth of young timber. Shortly after Ullery got the saw-mill in running order, an enterprising settler; Noah Davenport, and his brother-in-law, Wagner, purchased a few acres at the mouth of Harrison's Creek, and erected a rival saw-mill, and near it a very primitive grist-mill. The shaft was a hickory log with the bark on, and the stones were made of bowlders dressed into shape. The mill was used for grinding corn, had a good run of custom, and was the first in the township, and commanded patronage within a radius of from six to nine miles. From some unknown cause it ceased operations, and when- seen in 1826, both saw and grist mill were abandoned, and the ruins lay bleaching in the sun, and the stream had resumed its original channel, unmindful of the days when it rippled by the old mill. As near as can be ascertained, Benjamin Lehman purchased Jacob Ullery's mill property in the fall of 1818, and immediately began the erection of a substantial frame building for a flouring-mill, which he put into active operation about 1820. It is said that Lehman paid $4,000 for the Ullery property, built a grist-mill, and, in 1822, sold to John Brumbaugh, the mills and all the land west of the river, for $3,500. Brumbaugh increased the capacity, which made it one of the best mills in the county, and of inestimable benefit to the ever-increasing population for many miles around, as it was located in the Upper Stillwater Valley, with no other for miles north of it. For years it stood without a rival. During Lehman's occupancy of this property, previous to this, a wool-carding machine had been erected on the tail-race of the mill, the remains of which may still be seen just below the corn-crib, at the present Covington Mills. It cannot be ascertained who were the first operators, but we do know that one Riley operated it at one time, and subsequently, in 1827, one Thomas Bolles, of Piqua, who added a fulling machine, which, in those days was highly essential, when the wheel and the loom, in the hands of the housewife, clothed the family in home-spun. It has been stated that Michael Ingle tanned the first leather, and his reputation as a superior workman lived after him. His son continued the business after the old man retired, but not with so good results. The Hanks brothers established a tannery in 1820, which is now known as the Covington Tannery. They were not successful. In 1824, it had nearly ceased, and in 1825, was rebuilt by Benjamin HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 465 Lehman, and operated by John Ross, who, about the .year 1830, purchased the property. Between 1816 and 1817, Philip Hartzell settled west of the Greenville Falls, and was the first to manufacture pumps. Before this innovation, the windlass, the fork and pole, and the old oaken bucket which hung in the well," disappeared. Having now given the names of the earliest settlers, provided- them with mills, houses and manufactories, and seen them on thriving little farms, we now turn to another branch of manufacture, which sprang out of the making of bread-stuffs, viz., the Arabian art of distilling spirituous liquors. The furnaces of no less than four have been seen in this township, and, though they have disappeared, their evil influence can be easily traced in the posterity of those who, in early days, indulged in the use of their productions. These were resorted to as the best method of getting money out of grain in a condensed form, in order to obviate hauling it in bulk over the almost impassable roads, and when there were no railroads, and nothing but the flat-boat floated during high water to New Orleans, with its cargo of flour, whisky, pork, etc. This method of commerce was carried on for some time, the mouth of Greenville Creek being the head of navigation on Stillwater. Fort Wayne was also a good market, as well as Cincinnati, when they could .be reached by wagons, where the flour and whisky would be exchanged for a return load of salt and merchandise. We now see our hardy settlers fairly established in agriculture and the mechanical arts, and surrounded by all the necessary comforts that tend to make life enjoyable. The vast forests have given place to fields of grain, and cattle, sheep and horses quietly roam where the wolf and the deer were wont to claim primeval sway. Yet, in the language of one of the earlier times, " We had no meeting, no school, no Sunday, no Squire or Constable, we was just like the Injuns," and certainly a community devoid of all the safeguards of temporal and spiritual liberty would rapidly degenerate into a dangerous state of heathenism, notwithstanding the moral worth of its ancestry. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES. Children were growing up in ignorance and required the instruction necessary to make them useful men and women, therefore schools were needed, arid, the people feeling this necessity, a schoolhouse was projected, and built of round logs cut from the surrounding forest, clapboard roof with knees, ribs and weight-poles, wooden or stick chimney, well plastered with tough clay, stone back-wall for fireplace—a log cut out nearly the length or breadth of the building, in which were set perpendicular sticks about a foot apart for sash, on which was pasted wrapping paper, leaves of old copy-books, or letters from friends in the old settlements, well greased with lard, possum grease or coon oil, to render it semi-transparent—this was the educational window, and this the pioneer schoolhouse of the early settlers of all the Northwest Territory. The first house of this kind erected for school purposes, stood near the north end of High street, Covington, west of the road, and near the present residence of Mrs. Catharine Shellenberger. Uncle John Ullery says he knows well the location and distinctly remembers the old house as the first place he ever went to school. It appears not to have remained long, and must have been built about 1815 or 1816, as no one living save Mr. U. remembers it. The next was built about a half-mile further north, on the opposite side- of the St. Mary's road, and is remembered by a number of persons who obtained the rudiments of their education within its rude unclassical walls. Andrew Ballard is the only person who is remembered as having taught in this house. It remained long the seat of learning in this township, and looked well on the exterior so long as it was new. It was built in 1819 or 1820, and was finally burned down, as was supposed, to prevent its occupancy during the long vacations by a disreputable family. The rubbish from its chimney, and the pit from which the mud was taken to plaster its walls, can, after a lapse of sixty years, be seer to-day. The contrast between the privileges of the youth of to-day and the 466 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. boy of pioneer times is truly wonderful. While the light of day struggled through greased paper, the light of knowledge was as dimly shed through the facilities afforded by the time to enlighten the chambers of the intellect, and to obtain a knowledge, through letters .of language, men, and things in general. In the Trot- ter's Creek neighborhood, Barbour, who joined that settlement in 1817, initiated schools, by teaching one term in part of William Knox's dwelling about 1817 or 1820. Benjamin Dunham was the next to take up the birch and spelling-book on Trotter's Creek. Dunham's term of teaching was held in a vacant cabin one mile north of Knox's, in about 1820 or 1821. We learn of several other terms of teaching in the neighborhood, as a teacher or vacant house gave an opportunity, up to 1824, when a hewed-log schoolhouse was built on an acre of ground deeded by Moses Mitchell to Newberry Township, for a graveyard and other purposes. This house was a step in advance, although it, too, had greased- paper windows.. William Dowler, who located in the neighborhood in 1823, was the first teacher in this house and for some years subsequent. James Perry was the first teacher in the village of Newberry, Covington, in a house previously mentioned, built for a dwelling by John Ingle. Date of this term unknown. Amos Perry and James Hanks are spoken of as having taught in the village subsequently. We would here remark, by way of explanation, that, while Covington existed under the name of Newberry, it never had a schoolhouse. When the first lots were laid out, No. 34 was sold by Jacob Ullery, at a nominal price, and deeded for a school lot, but the official who held the deed never had it recorded, and in course of time moved away, taking it with him ; the lot was taxed, sold for the same, and never redeemed. The earlier school teachers who are remembered are Amos Perry and his brother James, James Hanks, Joshua Sanders, David Brumbaugh, Anderson Ballard, John Barbour, Benjamin Dunham, Aaron Carson, Connelly, William Dowler and David Ross. A large majority of these persons were personally known by men now living, to be men of good and influential standing, but none of them. had what would now be termed a liberal common-school education. OFFICERS. No records show the beginning or existence of civil government in this township. It is said that Amos Perry was the first Justice of the Peace, and John Thompson the first Constable, but when they held office, tradition does not inform us. It was since 1816, however, because Perry did not become a resident until that date. Tradition also informs us that both Newberry and Newton Townships were organized under the former name, and, when the population increased, Newton was organized separately, and Newberry retained the original name. Newberry has nest for hungry or greedy politicians, but has had an occasional representative outside her own organization. She has four times represented Miami County in the Ohio Legislature, viz. Amos Perry, in 1832 ; Washington N. Weston, in 1844 ; Col. J. C. Ullery, in 1870-71, and the same in 1876-77. One of her citizens has filled the County Recorder's office. Two terms of County Commissioners have been filled from her borders, and the present Clerk of the Court is one of her native citizens. In the late war of the rebellion, her sons gave themselves freely to support the Union. CHURCHES. Dunkards.—The Dunkards, or, as they now style themselves, German Baptists, were the first to take the field in proclaiming the Gospel. It can hardly be said that they had a regular organization in this township previous to 1845, notwithstanding they held meetings under the leadership of Michael Etter, a resident of Newton Township, at the time of the organization of the Upper Stillwater Congregation, as early as 1818. HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY - 467 About 1845, they had a church organization, and, in the absence of any house of worship, they held meetings in private dwellings and barns. As their numbers increased, they were obliged to seek for more suitable accommodations. Theis first building was a substantial brick, known as the Upper Stillwater Church, capable of seating eight ,hundred persons, and containing all the appendages neces- sary for the usages of their communion services. In 1869, they built a neat and comfortable structure in Covington, but this is not strictly the headquarters of the Covington Church. In the last thirty years, this denomination has largely increased, and is nom the strongest in numbers and wealth of any other in the township, its members being principally composed of the agricultural population. Christians.—The next in the order of organization was the Christian, or New Light Church, in 1820. This church did not have a house of worship, but helc service in private dwellings and barns, and the most convenient schoolhouse ; was organized near Trotter's Creek and known as the Trotter's Creek Church. The preacher's name who organized it was Stackhouse, and the organizing members, so nearly as can be remembered, were William Knox and wife, William and Lemue Templeton and their wives, John McClurg and wife, Samuel Nicholson and wife and Mrs. David Templeton. In 1824, Caleb Worley became its Pastor, and con tinued so for many years, when, finally, dissensions arose and its organization ceased. Methodists.—Following the Christians in chronology, were the Methodists who organized about 1832 or 1835 ; built a church in Covington in 1836, which was blown down May 5,1837. This was the first church building in the town ship. The Methodists, though noted for planting beside " all waters," and rare': failing to build up and maintain a church when once started, ,yet, in Covingtor after three or four attempts at organization and a lapse of thirty-five or thirty-six years, have now no church organization here. Baptists.—In 1835, the Regular Baptists organized a church and proposed t erect a building ; a lot was purchased and the framework put together on the sit early in the spring of 1838, only waiting for a proper foundation to be laid whereon to rear the frame. The work was delayed, when, finally, the lot was lease by the school district, a schoolhouse was put up on it, the first in Covington, serving also the purpose of a meeting-house until 1844, and remained a schoolhouse until 1848. It appears that when the workmen began work on the foundation, the fram had suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, although having, up to that time, lai in full view. The theory was, that some evil-minded persons had thrown it into the river during the then existing freshet, as some portions of it were found amon the drift, and subsequently one participant confessed it. Thus discouraged, the Baptists ceased to exist as an organization. The present Baptist Church was organized in 1848, and built their house i 1849. The Christian Church of Covington was organized by Rev. Caleb Worley with seven members, in 1837, and its sturdy growth enabled its members to build a comfortable brick structure in 1846, which was the first church erected by the denomination in the township, and which subserved the wants of its member until 1870, when it was torn down and the present structure erected on the sari spot: the best church building in the township. Previous to 1840, the German Reformed and Lutherans had organizations the northern part of the township, and in the year named they also had a building for worship. The first organization of the Cumberland Presbyterians was made in January 1838. While being accomplished in this township, it passed beyond its horde The present church, organized in 1842, subsequently built a church, and ran about third in strength and wealth in the township. The Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1842, at Covington, and. In conjunction with the Cumberland Presbyterians, built the church now owned by 468 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY the society. The building was finished in 1844, and used bny byh organizations for a number of years, until the Cumberlands sold out to the Methodists and built for themselves. Summing up, we have the following places of worship in Newberry : Dunkards, 2 ; Christians, 3 ; ,Cumberland Presbyterians, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; Baptists, 2 ; Lutherans, 3 ; German Reformed, 2 ; Union, 1 ; Methodists, 1 ; total, 16. Six of these are in the village of Covington, three in Bradford, two in North Clayton, the others in the country. ROADS AND BRIDGES. There are but few things that add more to the general comfort and convenience of a community than good roads, or an easy method of social and commercial intercommunication: Some time previous to 1816, the exact date we cannot ascertain, a road was established and, we presume, cut out through Newberry. The Piqua & Greenville was located, perhaps some years later, crossing the northern part of the township from east to west. The Troy & Greenville, crossing the town plat on Wright street, was still later. In 1826, however, these roads were not yet all opened through the forest ; now they are either all covered by free pikes or vacated in favor of pikes constructed on more eligible localities near by. In 1836, a project was set on foot to connect Springfield with Greenville by constructing a pike between the two places, passing through Try and Covington. A company was formed, stock taken, the State subscribing perhaps half. In 1837, the clearing and grubbing were commenced, and perhaps some grading in Newberry, which was the first actual work on turnpikes in the township. In 1838, the capitalists and business men of Dayton, seeing the importance of holding the rapidly increasing trade of the Stillwater Valley, which they had heretofore enjoyed, and foreseeing the danger of its being diverted to points along the Miami Canal, then just completed to Piqua, organized the Dayton & Covington Turnpike Company, secured the necessary stock and began the' work of construction in 1839. When the success of this enterprise was fully secured and under 'way, our neighbors of Piqua moved to connect that city with the Dayton & Covington pike in order to secure a large prospective trade from the rich farm products of the Stillwater Valley and Darke County, and, forming a company, bridged the six miles of black swamp lying between the Miami and Stillwater with the old Covington pike. In 1841, the Dayton & Covington pike was completed, and in 1843 the Piqua & Covington pike was completed between the two places, making Newberry the first in the county having two turnpikes terminating within her borders, Covington, a turnpike .center, and giving it a daily mail and stage route to the north and west. The Springfield, Troy & Greenville Company having failed, and most if not all the grading having been done, a new company was formed west of Covington, along the road to complete it from Covington to New Harrison, Darke County, which was soon accomplished, and proved a good investment to the stockholders, and beneficial to the citizens along the line. These road enterprises were well supported by the citizens of Covington, which was the first town in the county within whose limits three pikes terminated. At present there are fifty miles of free pike within the bounds of this township, and not one mile of toll road. These roads have all been paid for within the last ten years by the farmers living along the respective lines, The different streams that are crossed by these roads are spanned by twenty-three structures that may be properly termed bridges, not including small bridges and culverts. Six of the former are common wooden bridges ; eight or nine are late improved iron bridges, and not many years hence every road will be graveled and every stream spanned. HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. - 469 Bradford, or Bradford Junction, as the station is .called, is situated in New berry and Adams Townships, Miami and Darke Counties—Miami County having greater portion of inhabitants by a small majority, the whole population at pre ent being nearly 1,400. The town only dates back to 1868, when the Cincinna Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad Company commenced building the roun house at the junction of their roads, which is in Miami County, and this was the starting-point of the town. It was formerly called Richmond, and Union Ci Junction, but, in 1868, it received its name of Bradford from Torn Bradford, mail agent on the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, who call it after himself, there being no other town in Ohio of that name. At this time, Charles Rapp lived on the Miami County side, and the del consisted of an old box car, the mail being generally carried around in Charlie pockets. Early in 1868 the Railroad Company commenced their buildings, al soon after a boarding-house was built by Charles Dearworth, and called t "Locust House." In this same year, William Romans, master mechanic of t Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, laid out some lots on Miami County side, and Dan Rice, who was foreman of the roundhouse, boug some land and laid out lots, which he sold, this being also in Miami County. Le were afterward laid out by the Railroad Company, Christian Sears, Moses Wi Wade Steel and .Long. On the Darke County side, the first lots were laid out Solomon Routzong. In August, 1868, W. H. Sowers came and put up a wa house at the junction, engaging in the grain trade under the name of J. Sowers & Son. About this time, there was a small store on Routzong's land, in Davis County, which was afterward burned. In the same year was built the Hoover' House, by a man named Hoover, and another hotel was built a little east of Hoover House, by Rice, and called the Bradford House. Among the first house built in West Bradford, was one put up by John S. Moore, the same year. 1869, J. Sowers & Son engaged in the general merchandise business, in addition to their grain trade, and, in 1869, the depot was built at the junction. In 1870, Nathan Iddings also engaged in the general merchandise business in East Br ford ; this he continued until he was forced to give it up on account of a s stroke, and has since been engaged in a general Notary and real estate business having had more houses erected in Bradford than any other one man. J. Sowers & Son continued their business for some time, till in 1875, W. Sowers purchased the Hoover House, when the firm continued under the Bs name, another son taking his place, and they are still engaged in the grain bush at the Junction. W. H. Sowers is, at present, Postmaster of Bradford. The R road Company at first completed twelve stalls of their roundhouse, afterward creasing number to twenty-four, and there is a probability that the entire ci may be filled out, which would give forty-eight stalls for engines. Bradford, after commencement, continued to improve quite rapidly, numerous houses and store being put up on both sides of the county line. In 1870, the first schoolhouse erected, on the Miami County side, which was used until the completion of present fine school-building in 1876, on the West Side. The contractors were I nis Dwyer and George Manix. The cost of the structure was about $28,000. is four stories high, including the basement. Its ground dimensions are 75 feet, with two towers additional, twenty-two feet square base and seventy altitude. The building is finished in fine style, and is an ornament to the to A hall in the fourth story is well furnished, and will seat 600 persons. There good school-bell, and heating is done by steam. The school enumeration is 410. The present School Board are Solomon Routzong, D. J. Smith, William We N. Iddings, Valentine Staley and R. T. Hughes. D. S. Meyers has been Supe tendent from the first, a fact creditable to all parties. The other teachers I taught the same period. They are M. J. Hunter, Mrs. D. S. Meyers, Miss Mi Garber, Miss Clara Gulick and Miss Jennie Baumgardner. The old school-building is at present used as an agricultural store by Henry Klinger. The first hardware and tin store was opened by John Clark, who came in 1870, and was the first 470 - HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY. Justice in Bradford. He is still in the hardware trade, his store being in Darke, and his house in Miami County. At present, Bradford does considerable business, principally or to a large extent with the railroad and its employes, but there are a number of firms who do a considerable businesse with farmers living in the vicinity. Among the most prominent business houses and men on the east side or in Miami County we would mention : Fink & Bro., general merchandise ; W. H. Sowers, Postmaster and stationer Solomon Urbansky ; J. M. Little & Co., drugs ; E. Baker & Co., grocery ; E. B. Maurer, grocer, and Henry Klinger, agricultural implements. The Hoover House is now kept by Ogden & Co. ; the Bradford House by C. M. Yost. The corporation is a unit ; that is, there are not two sets of civil officers, and there is but the one post office. Moore was Postmaster in 1869 ; then W. H. Sowers held the office, which was then removed to the East Side, where it has since remained. The first Mayor of Bradford was Peter H. Smith ; Clerk, Ed Davidson ; Marshal, George Doll. The present officers of Bradford are J. A. W. Smith, Mayor ; M. J. Williamson, Clerk ; Ht W. Smith, Marshal ; and the members of the Council are D. J. Smith, John Gettz, and Messrs. Beck, Kinney and J. M. Fink. There are four church edifices in Bradford—three in Miami County, and one in Darke County. The first church building was put up in Miami County by the Baptists in 1870, who organized a society that year. Their first preacher was Northrop, from New Madison. Their first regular pastor was a 'young man named Tuttle ; afterward, J. R. Deckard, Abrams, Gardner, Smith and the present Pastor, Matthews. Next in Miami County the " Reform Church " erected a church. Among their first Pastors were John Stuck and Mr. Gough ; their present Pastor is J. E. Dingledine. After them came the Methodists, who built their church in 1872, which is also in Miami County. Their first preacher was Bradley ; then Pilcher, Staley, Powel, Oldfield, and Matthews, the present Pastor. The Cumberland Presbyterians have a society, organized on June 3, 1876, by James Best, assisted by II. D. Onyett: Previous to this, they had had occasional services by F. G. Black and H. D. Onyett, of Covington. Their present Pastor is James Best, and they rent the Reform Church, where they hold service one-half the time. The Catholics erected a church in 1875, in the Darke County portion, and their first services were held by Father Shelhamer. They have no resident priest. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. BROWN TOWNSHIP. JOHN ADLARD, retired silversmith ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in England March, 1823, and is a son of John and Mary (Norton) Adlard ; his father was born about 1776, in Louth, Lincolnshire, England, died in 1828 ; his mother was 15 years his junior, and died August, 1848. Our subject was raised to town and city life ; in early life, in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, he learned watch-making, which remained his occupation during his life in England. In 1845, he married Elizabeth Colton, who was born at Marhan-on-the-hill, near Horncastle, England, eight days his junior ; she is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Colton. John, Jr., and wife, in 1847, embarked for the United States ; after their arrival, they located in Waterford, N. Y., where they remained one year ; thence removed to Canal Dover, Ohio, where they remained about twenty years ; there he engaged in his former trade a portion of the time ; the remainder was spent in various pursuits ; after which a change or two was made, and about 1869 he located in Fletcher, Brown Township, where Elizabeth (his wife) died in 1875. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living ; Mr. Adlard married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza Looker, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1830, and emigrated to Ohio in 1852, and in the same year married Gipson R. Looker ; Mrs. Adlard is a daughter of John and Eliza (Harvey) Johnson, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. SYLVANUS ALLEN, retired farmer ; was born in Mason Co.. Ky., Feb. 10, 1797 ; when 8 years of age, he with his parents emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, settling ten miles south of Dayton, on what is now the Dayton and Lebanon pike, where they lived and died, the father, Jeremiah Allen, in the 82d year of his age, and the mother in her 62d year ; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are now living, our subject being the second ; in 1830, lie emigrated to Miami Co. and bought his present farm, the southwest quarter of Sec. 1, Brown Township ; for this he paid $700, and was soon located thereon, where he has since resided ; the farm was but little improved when he settled here, contrasting greatly with the well-cultivated fields and substantial buildings of to-day, which change has been brought about by hard work and industry, and the assistance of his noble family. In the early part of Mr. Allen’s life in Miami Co., they had no post office conveniences nearer than Piqua or Urbana, a distance on either side of from twelve to fifteen miles ; the mail at that time was carried past his house, on horseback or otherwise ; owing to the inconvenience of mail facilities for him and his neighbors, he made application to have an office established at his residence, which was granted, and was a great accommodation, this office being the first one of its kind in Brown Township ; he held it for several years until the village of Lena was laid out and a small business established, when he of course was willing to have it moved to a more public place, which was done ; in honor of Mr. Allen the office took its name ; thus, Mr. Allen has passed through the frontier and pioneer 472 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES life of Miami Co. In November, 1821, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, he married Miss Hannah Beckhorn, who was born in New Jersey April 11, 1803 ; by this union they had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Mrs. Allen's death occurred Jan. 31, 1875. Mr. Allen now resides with his son, A. J., who was born May 17, 1846, and June 3, 1873, married Miss Nora Brecount, who was born in this county Jan. 23, 1847; they have one son, Edward H., born June 15, 1874. R. B. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; son of John and Nancy Anderson ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1825. John Anderson died in 1826. Our subject being left fatherless when almost an infant, he was placed in the care of his grandfather, David Anderson, upon whom the duty devolved of raising him ; in 1829, he with his grand-parents emigrated to Ohio, locating in Warren Co.; and the following winter they pressed onward to Miami Co.; there David Anderson entered a large tract of land, of which 80 acres was entered for R. B., which is his present farm in Sec. 15, Brown Township ; he remained with David Anderson until 1843, at which time he took a trip East to see his mother, whom he had not seen since 1829 ; there he devoted his time to his mother's society for a few weeks, when he returned and soon after engaged in coopering in Warren Co.; farming was taken in connection with his trade, which was followed in Warren and Montgomery Cos., Ohio, until 1851, when he settled on his farm; here he has since resided and made 'e great changes in the general appearance of the same now there are 70 acres under cultivation. Aug. 27, 1850, he married Miss Marim Dickensheets, who was born in Bellbrook, Greene Co., Ohio, in 1826 ; they by this union have five children, of whom three are now living, viz. : Clara 1, born June 17, 1851, now Mrs. M. Kemp ; Emma E., Dec. 15, 1852, now Mrs. G. Friling ; and A. Caroline, Aug. 14, 1854, now Mrs. Joseph Cyphers. The deceased are Charlie R., died Aug. 3, 1858, and Fannie C., born Dec. 3, 1858, died Aug. 4, 1879. WILLIAM G. APPLEGETT, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1826, and is a son of W. H. Applegett. who was born in Kentucky about the close of the eighteenth century ; received a limited education and followed carpentering for a number of years ; emigrated to Hamilton Co., Ohio, about 1817. Three years later, married Miss Atlantic Goff, who was born at Cape May, N. J.; after marriage, resided chiefly in this county, where she died with cholera. about 1834 ; he afterward went to Tennessee, where he died about 1840_ They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, of whom Mr. Applegett is the oldest; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; after his majority, he entered upon the trade of carpentry, which he followed twenty-five years ; in 1868, he bought a farm in Sec. 8, Town 2, Range 12, and the next year located on it. In 1851, he married Miss H. A. Davis; they have eight children viz. : Sarah M., deceased ; Mary H., John W.; Melissa J., Arthur E., Charles, Clara E. and Kate. Mrs. Applegett was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1834, and is a daughter of Benjamin B. and Mary (Graham) Davis. J. B. BEAMER, M. D. Fletcher. Of the medical profession of the village of Fletcher, who has established a reputation as a thorough-read man in the sci- ence of medicine, is Dr. Beamer, who is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio ; when but a boy of 4 years, his father (being also a physician) located in Fletcher, and was favorably known for nearly thirty years, under whom J. B. read ; in the 19th year of his age, he commenced the practice of his profession in Fletcher ; two years later, he entered the United States Army as a private volunteer of Co. E, 71st 0. V. I ; soon after the organization of the company, he was appointed as Sergeant ; he entered service, and remained ten months, when he was dis- charged, having received a wound in the right lower limb by a cannon ball, at the battle of Shiloh ; he was disabled from active duty in his profession for a period of eighteen months, when he again started in the practice of medicine, which he has successfully followed ; in the year of 1867, he graduated from the Philadelphia Medical University ; the Doctor is now well situated in the south part of Fletcher, where he has a fine little floral garden which he takes particular pride in caring BROWN TOWNSHIP - 473 for. The nuptials of Dr. Beamer and Martha F. A. Keller, a native of Maryland, were celebrated Dec. 16, 1869; they have one daughter, Lulu A., born May 24, 1873. GEORGE H. BENHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Brown Township Feb. 12, 1855, and is a son of Richard Benham, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, March 15, 1791, and was one of the patriots of the war of 1812 ; he was at the surrender of Gen. .Hull, where he took the life of an Indian chief ; in 1813, he married Mary Nutt, who was a native of Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, and died about 1846 ; he afterward married Mrs. Abigail (Underwood) Baltzell, who was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1813; they had two children ; the death of Richard Benham occurred March 1, 1870. George Benham was raised on the farm of which he now owns a portion, in Sec. 3, Brown Township ; in early life he received a fair education. His marriage with Millie Pence was celebrated in 1874 ; their children were three in number, of whom only one is now living, viz., Len Etta ; Mrs. Benham is a daughter of William F. and Emmeline Pence, natives of this State. A. M. BERRYHILL, farmer, dealer in and shipper of stock ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, April 15, 1828, and brought up on his father's farm, where he assisted in clearing it. A. M. B. in his boyhood days obtained no education, but since by continual practice and close application of mind to his business, he has now a fair business education ; in 1853, he came to Miami Co. and purchased 80 acres of his present farm in Sec. 14, Brown Township, where he took it all from its wild state to a fine degree of cultivation, and erected a fine house, barn and other improvements. Mr. Berryhill has by talent and industry made gradual financial changes until he now owns about 700 acres of land in this and Shelby Cos., with sufficient capital to successfully carry on his business ; he has since 1860 devoted his time to his present business, but in connection with it oversees a large amount of farming. Mr. Berryhill has, while residing in Brown Township, always been willing to aid and encourage all public interest to the welfare of the county or the vicinity in which he resides. His marriage with Sarah Brelsford was celebrated Oct. 13, 1853 ; she was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Dec. 16, 1832, and died June 9, 1857 ; she was the mother of two children, one living, Theresa, now Mrs. J. D. Caven. Mr. Berryhill married for his second wife, Catharine Brelsford ; she was born May 31, 1828 ; they have seven children, viz.: Sarah S. S. F., H. R., R. E., Mary M., Jennie B., deceased ; and John L. Berryhill. F. M. BERRYHILL, farmer, and dealer in stock ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, June 17, 1838, and is a son of Archibald Berryhill, who was born in Virginia Oct. 2, 1801 ; his entire life was devoted to farming in 1812 or 1813, he emigrated to Greene Co., Ohio, settling near Bellbrook ; he buried two wives, and married a third, with whom he lived until July 7, 1877, when he passed from the stage of life ; he was the father of nine children, of whom four are now living. F. M. was raised on the farm and taught the principles of farming by his father, and was given a limited education ; upon March 29, 1864, he emigrated tc Miami Co., and settled on his present farm in Sec. 7, which consists of 160 acres when coming here, there were but 50 acres under cultivation ; he has since increased the tillable acres to 95, and manifests great interest in his farm pursuits ; since his residence in Brown Township, he has held the office of Assessor and others in the vicinity and township. F. M. Berryhill is a descendant of Charles Thompson, one o: the first Secretaries of the United States. Upon June 17, 1878, Mr. Berryhill (being from home) was visited by a large concourse of relatives, friends and neighbors from far and near, accompanied by the band of Piqua. Soon after the arrival of the parties, a table 225 feet long was erected, and plentifully filled. At the proper hour for refreshments, the band marched around the table, followed by the guests, numbering 517. Rev. F. Berryhill returned appropriate thanks, after which all enjoyed the bountiful repast ; after dinner, others arrived, and swelled the number to 635, who made it a day long to be remembered. Feb. 27, 1879, F. M. Berryhill married Miss Mary J. Hill, who was born in this county. They by this union have one son, born Feb. 29, 1880. Mrs. Berryhill is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza J. Hill 474 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES BRECOUNT & SONS, grain dealers, Conover. During the summer. of 1855, S. G. Brecount and brother cleared away the unbroken forest, where the village of Conover is now located, and erected a warehouse on the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, which is now known as the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, a through line from east to west. The structure and 'capacity of the building was based upon' the expected patronage of the energetic farmers of the surrounding vicinity. On Oct. 11, of the same fall, they purchased their first load of grain from John Wolcott, Jr. S. G. Brecount & Bro. carried on their business with some inconvenience and pecuniary disadvantages for a few years, but with a liberal patronage. Their partnership continued until 1858, when S. G. Brecount retired from its duties and turned it to his son, A. L. Brecount (the firm now being J. D. & A. L. Brecount). During this partnership, gradual improvements were made in the manner of handling grain. In 1859 or 1860, the third member, J. C. White, engaged in the business, forming the firm of Brecount & White. They also opened the first store in Conover, stocking it with general merchandise, where they soon built up a healthy trade in connection with the grain business. This firm transacted business until 1861 or 1862, when a third change took place, and the business was managed by J. D. Brecount alone until 1864, when E. R. Doup, with the above, formed the firm of Brecount & Doup, which lasted one year only, after which J. D. Brecount transacted the business alone until 1871. During this time the grain had been weighed on small scales in the house. At the last date, G. W. Brecount formed the firm of Brecount & Son, andlarge Fairbank scales were added to their facilities of weighing grain. In June, 1877, the last change took place by E. A. Brecount forming the firm of Brecount & Sons. Durthe past all the grain was handled in the original building. In the fall of 1877, their corn-house was erected, with a capacity sufficient to store 8,000 bushels of corn. Their dump for unloading corn is one of the best in the county. Their advantages for loading on the side track are such that a car has been loaded in the small space of ten minutes. In the summer of 1879, they remodeled their first structure, erected in 1855. To this extra facilities were added to those previously connected with the building, and the following winter an office and scale-house were fitted up. They are now well situated and are doing a business second to none in the township. The first yearly shipments of the firm were small compared to those of 1879, which were 525,000 bushels of wheat ; corn, 33,500 ; oats, 27,000 and flax, 2,500. J. D. Brecount has, during the past transactions, held the leading position of the firm. He now entrusts the business, principally, to the junior members of the firm, who are intelligent, bright and thorough-going young men. They are making an excellent reputation as good business men. J. D. Brecount was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, April 16, 1827, and is a son of John and Sarah (Williams) Brecount. In childhood, with their parents, they emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio on fiat-boats, locating where now the limits of Cincinnati extend. Here John Brecount, when a lad of 14 years of age, engaged in blacksmithing, serving as apprentice until he was 21, when his trade was completed. He did but little at this business during life ; he was otherwise variously engaged, passing through the pioneer days of Hamilton Co., sharing many of the difficulties connected with the war of 1812, of which he was a participant ; in 1837, he and family became residents of Champaign Co., where John and Sarah remained until in a feeble state of health, they came to Miami Co. to receive the care of their children, where they both passed away. Their children were twelve in number, of whom three are now living ; J. D., the only son, was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and, in his early life, had limited school privileges ; he came to Miami Co. in the same year the grain business was opened ; locating, with his brother, where the village is now built ; at that time it was all in the woods ; there he has since made and seen many changes, and his finances have much improved. Outside of his grain business, he owns 170 acres in Sec. 12, Brown Township, Miami Co. which is under good cultivation and is well improved. March 27, 1849, he married Esther BROWN TOWNSHIP - 477 A. White, who was born in Pennsylvania March 26, 1828 ; three sons are the fruits of their union, viz., George W., Asa S. and Edgar A. WILLIAM H. BRELSFORD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fletcher ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., in 1846, and is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Hand) Brelsford, and a grandson of Daniel, Sr., and Mary (Townsond) Brelsford, both natives of Pennsylvania ; in after years, they emigrated West and located in Brown Township, Miami Co., where they both died, she in 1840, and he in 1852. William h. was raised on the farm, where he assisted his father in opening out the same until his majority ; soon after (in 1868), he married Hannah Staats, who was born in Clinton Co., Ohio and was four years his junior ; in the following fall, they emigrated to Cedar Co., Iowa, where he commenced farming, and resided one year, when Hannah died, and he had her brought back to Miami Co. and interred ; he also remained there, and has since been engaged in farming in Ohio. One child was the fruit of the above union-Frank, born in September, 1868. In the fall of 1876, William H. Brelsford married Sarah Jones, who was born in Indiana in 1855 ; they had two children-Tessie (deceased in infancy) and Carrie. William H., in September, 1878, purchased his present farm of 40 acres, in Sec. 21, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he located the following spring. MRS. DANIEL BRELSFORD ; P. 0. Fletcher ; Daniel Brelsford was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 2, 1823, and was brought up to farm life, receiving a common education; in 1840, he came to Miami Co., where he engaged in carpentering. Jan. 8, 1846, he married Nancy Hand ; she was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1825 ; they had eleven children, viz., William H., Martha A., Melissa F., Mary E., Alonzo T. (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), George W., Arthur J., Charley L., Maude D. and Claudie M. F. Daniel Brelsford, in 1850, commenced purchasing the farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 20, Brown Township, Miami Co., which he afterward completed, and cultivated until his death, July 2, 1874. Mrs. Brelsford is a daughter of Benjamin Hand, who was born in New Jersey, where he came when but a boy, with his parents. William and Phebe (Jennings) Hand came tc Ohio and settled in Greene Co. permanently. Benjamin Hand married Sarah Sackett, who was a native of Kentucky, and, in 1835, they came from Greene Co. to Miami Co., and bought 80 acres of Sec. 20, Brown Township ; Mr. Hand died there Aug. 1, 1841, and Mrs. Hand Jan. 8, 1872. Mrs. Brelsford is a granddaughter of Cyrus Sackett, a native of Connecticut, who, at the age of 21, emigrated to Kentucky; in 1791, he was under the command of Gov. St. Clair, at the Wabash River, in Mercer Co., Ohio, where St. Clair was defeated and suffered s heavy loss ; but Cyrus, being among the survivors, returned to Kentucky, where he married Nancy Stableton, who was a native of Maryland ; when but a child, she was taken to North Carolina, where she remained during the war of Independence and afterward rode on horseback to Kentucky ; she and Cyrus afterward emigrated to Greene Co., Ohio, where they both died at an advanced age. H. S. CARMONY, farmer, and manufacturer of drain tile ; P. 0. Conover was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 15, 1815, and is a son of Jacob Car mony, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 6, 1790 ; he was raised to farm labor and distilling ; early in the nineteenth century emigrated with his parents to Ohio and settled near Centerville, Montgomery Co., where his parents died at at advanced age. Jacob Carmony, during the war of 1812, was engaged in manu facturing liquors to supply the army; in 1813, he married Mary Stansell, who was a native of Kentucky, born in 1796, and emigrated to Ohio about 1810 ; the, both died in Montgomery Co., he in 1872, and she three years later. Mr. H. S Carmony was brought up to farm pursuits ; at the age of 22, he began coopering which trade he followed five years ; in 1842, he came to Miami Co., located on hi present farm in Sec. 7, Township 2, Range 12, where he has since resided ; in 1871 he erected his tile factory and engaged in operating the same, which has produce• an annual income of about $2,000. March 20, 1842, he married Miss S. E. Mur ger, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, July 3, 1823 ; they have had twelve 478 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES children, of whom six are living. Mr. Carmony has recently been elected Township Trustee, which office he also held in 1861. JAMES CARTER, retired farmer; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1813, and is a son of James Carter, Sr., who was born in New Jersey. During the war'of independence, and when but 5 years of age, he came with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he matured, and married Sarah Freel, a native of that State ; they emigrated to Ohio, passing through where Cincinnati now stands, when it consisted of three log cabins. They onward pressed to Warren Co., where they entered 100 acres of land, four miles north of Lebanon ; here they settled in the wilds, and at once began to open out a farm, which was olone in a reasonable time there they died, after having passed through the pioneer days of Warren Co., he in 1832 and she in 1827 ; their children were eleven in number. of which all grew to maturity ; the above family have possessed an extraordinary degree of health, and boast of never having a physician called to their assistance, not even in the illness of their father, as his disease was what they regarded as incurable (consumption) ; the family all possess a mediu degree of health. James was brought up to farm labor, and obtained a common education ; in 1839, he emigrated to Miami Co., purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 6, Brown Township ; this he has since improved and cultivated, and now is one of the finest farms in Brown Township. James Carter, in 1834, united in matrimony with Catherine Williams ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1816 ; they have trod the path of connubial life for nearly half a century, and are the parents of nine children, of whom one, Jasper, was lost in battling for his country, in 1864 ; the remaining eight are now living, viz., William S., Maria, Joel, Eunice A., Cerelda, George, Jeannette and Charles G. G. B. CAVEN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born March 18, 1828, on the farm he now owns in Sec. 31 ; he is a son of John A. Caven, one of the early settlers of this county, who was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., in 1789, where he grew to manhood, and in 1811, emigrated to Miami Co.; he entered the farm now owned by George B., which was in a very wild state. In .1821, he married Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Mason Co., Ky., in 1801 ; they both lived and died in this township. The grandparents of George B. were of Irish birth, and died in Spring Creek Township, she about 1828-30, their son following in 1838. G. B. remained at home and nobly assisted to clear and improve the farm ; he received as good an education as could be obtained in his boyhood days. In 1849, be began life for himself; and has since by habits of industry and good management bought and hired lands, until he now owns 250 acres of fine land in this county, of which 160 lie in and above said section, whereon he has erected good, substantial farm buildings. His attention for the past few years has been partially directed to the culture of bees. Oct. 14, 1852, his marriage with Catherine Simmons was celebrated ; she was born in this county, in 1829 their children were five in number, of whom all are now living, viz.: Alice, now Mrs. W. Hill ; John F.; Melissa J., now Mrs. R. C. Morrow; Mary E., now Mrs. G. W. Sanders ; and Ruth I. Mrs. Caven is a descendant of the Simmons family, whose biography will appear in some other part of this volume. J. H. CODDINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover; was born on his present farm Sept. 6, 1849, and is a son of David Coddington, who was born in Hamilton Co.' Ohio, in 1818, and in 1847, came to Miami Co., settling on See. 2, Brown Township ; two years later, he purchased 80 acres of land, improved and cultivated the same until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1860, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss ; his widow, Mary (Hill) Coddington, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, February, 1832 ; she married Thomas Roberts ; they now reside in her native county. Our subject was raised to the life of a farmer's son, and obtained a common-school education ; since 1873, he has been gradually purchasing the shares of the home farm, of which he now owns all but the mother's interest, and is engaged in cultivating his property. Sept. 5, 1867, his marriage was celebrated with Jane Morris, who was born in BROWN TOWNSHIP - 479 Campaign Co., Ohio, and is two years her husband's junior. Their children are Edwin F., born June 24, 1870 ; Alva T., July 5, 1873 ; and Calvin H., March 6, 1877, Mrs. Coddington is a daughter of Calvin and Lydia Morris, who were both natives of Hamilton Co., Ohio, and were the parents of nine children, of whom eight are now living. J. P. COFFIELD, grain and grocery dealer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is located on the C. C. & I. C. R., where he has been favorably known for the past six years ; in connection with the above business, he has the care and management of the freight, ticket and express office, being also a telegraph operator ; he was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1845, where he grew to manhood on a farm ; in his boyhood days, he acquired a common education, which was afterward cultivated and improved in schools of higher grade ; his attention during life has been directed to the profession of teaching, which he followed ten years in Clark, Greene and Miami Cos. ; since 1874, he has been permanently located in this county. He was married to Corilla McAllister Feb. 18, 1879 ; she was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, June 14, 1856. J. F. COLVIN, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, etc.; P. 0. Allen's. Although the firm of Colvin & Frazier have only been engaged in their present business in Lena since 1871, they have succeeded in building up an extended and healthy trade ; owing to their experience in the line of dry goods, their judgment is well exercised in adjusting their stock to the demands of the trade ; buying such quantities and of such goods as their customers are likely to demand, they have few remnants left on their shelves, and their stock, in consequence, represents an unexceptionally neat and attractive appearance ; they keep a full line of dry and fancy goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc.; they are of the most successful and sub- stantial business men of the place. J. F. Colvin was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1841 ; he is a son of L. W. Colvin, who was born in Kentucky, Sept. 13, 1798 ; in 1820, he emigrated to Ohio, and located in Warren Co., where he, in 1824, married Mary Proud ; she was six years his junior ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living. Our subject is the grandson of Henry and Catherine (Williams) Colvin ; their decease occurred in Kentucky ; J. F. was brought up to farm labor, and received an academical course of education ; in 1860, he emigrated to Illinois, stopping in Champaign Co., where he engaged with Mr. Pratt in the grain trade ; he remained until fall of the same year, when he unfortunately had a limb broken, which disabled him from active service ; as soon after as possible he moved his quarters to Douglas Co., of the same State, where he began teaching public school, which he continued at intervals for a few years afterward ; he engaged a second time with Pratt, where he remained a short time, thence to Delaware, Ohio, and attended a course of study and reviewed its branches ; in 1864, he returned home, took charge of his father's farm and cared for his parents until he entered into his present business ; since in business in Lena, he has been elected as Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Mary P. Vanhorn, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was three years his junior ; her death occurred Nov. 17, 1876 ; two children were born to them, of whom one is now living, Carrie May, born July 28, 1871. J. W. COPPOCK & BRO., Fletcher, dealers in grain and flour. J. W. was born in this county July 26, 1848, and is a son of Samuel Coppock, who was born in Monroe Township, Miami Co., Sept. 23, 1817; in 1839, he married Delany Blickenstaff ; she was born in Monroe Township, Miami Co., July 29, 1822 ; six children were the fruits of this union, of whom all are now living and are now married ; Mrs. Delany Coppock is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Crull) Blickenstaff ; they are now both dead. J. W. Coppock was brought up to farm labor and received a medium education ; he followed farming until the spring of 1872, when he engaged in the grain business in Tippecanoe, where he remained until July 1, 1879 ; at this time he came to Fletcher and engaged in his present business, in company with his younger brother, the firm being J. W. Coppock & Bro., where they have had good success, and quite recently (in connection with their previous 480 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES business) have fitted their building for a flouring-mill. an enterprise that Fletcher and the surrounding vicinity has long needed ; Coppock & Bro. are thoroughgoing young men, and only time is needed to establish a trade in their business. Sept. 25, 1873, J. W. married MiSs Mary C. Heiker ; she was born in this county Feb. 17, 1853 ; they have had two children, viz., Blanche, deceased, and Ira D., now living ; Mrs. Coppock is a daughter of William and Anna (Keller) Heikes. ISAIAH D. COUNTS, retired farmer ; P. O. Conover. He was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Nov. 3, 1815, and is a son of Elijah Counts, who was born in Virginia in 1787, and was of German and Welsh parentage ; Elijah was brought up on the farm, and, in his earlier years, learned the harness and saddler's trade, which he followed until 1818. He married Margaret Wiley, of South Carolina, and, soon after their marriage, they emigrated to Kentucky, where they remained until 1819 ; they again removed and settled in Staunton Township, Miami Co„ where he entered a farm of 80 aeres near Casstown ; there they remained, clearing up their farm, until 1863, when they sold out and settled in Fletcher, where Margaret died Sept. 2 of the same year ; Elijah spent his remaining years in various places until Aug. 29, 1879, when he, too, passed away ; they had twelve children, of whom six are now living, our subject being the third son ; he shared all the pioneer difficulties of Staunton Township, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up the farm. The generations of the nineteenth century can look back over the pages of this history and see what their ancestors have passed through. In 1836, Isaiah began life for himself, and his time has chiefly been devoted to farming since ; in 1855, he moved from Staunton Township to what is now his farm of 120 acres, in Sec. 13, Brown Township ; this he rented one year and then bought an adjoining farm, where he remained until 1865, when he bought and located where he now is ; the above property has been accumulated by the energy and industry of himself and family. Nov. 12, 1843, he married Letitia Wilson, who was born April 13, 1820, and died Dec. 29, 1851, leaving her husband with three children. Isaiah, Sept. 8, 1855, married Elsie Anna Ayers. The children of I. D. Counts are L. F., W. T. and J. W., now deceased. L. F., in the late rebellion, seeing the need of defending his native country, enlisted in Company E, 110th O. V. I., where he participated in two severe engagements and others of minor importance ; after serving three years, he, was mustered out of service and returned home uninjured. W. S. COX, practical physician ; Allen's P. O. Dr. Cox was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1828, and is a son of George Cox, who was born in Virginia near the close of the eighteenth century. Early in the nineteenth century, he with his parents emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton Co. About 1824, he married Elizabeth Shotwell, she being a native of Clermont Co., Ohio, and ten years his junior ; they in 1826 emigrated to Miami Co. and located on Sec. 4, Lost Creek Township, where they spent many years. In the fall of 1862, the death of George Cox occurred, from injuries received from a runaway team of horses ; his wife survived until 1873, when she, too, passed away ; their children were ten in number, of whom all reached maturity, and seven are now living, viz. : John S., now a druggist in Ogden, Ill.; S. W., also a druggist in Bement ; Van B., now a farmer in Champaign Co., Ohio ; Paul V., now a resident of Fletcher; Elmira C., now Mrs. James Bradley ; Caroline, now Mrs. Samuel Davis, of Fairmount, Ill. W. S. being the oldest, was raised on the farm and assisted in performing the labor connected therewith ; early in life he received an education sufficient for teaqhing, which occupation he followed several terms. During this time, he began the study of medicine, and in 1852, graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute ; in September of the same year, located in Plattsville, Shelby Co., Ohio, and began the practice of medicine, building up a good practice, and, as a young practitioner, was much liked ; here he remained until April, 1858, when he saw fit to change his location to that of his present one, where he has since resided, having lived in the village of Lena twenty-two years, and is the oldest physician of the place. The Doctor is located a short distance north of Lena, with all the conveniences necessary, and at present is in possession of 100 acres of land in Secs. 1 BROWN TOWNSHIP - 481 and 6, Brown Township ; he has for a number of years been a member of the Masonic fraternity. May 19, 1853, he married Nancy S. Duncan, who was born iia Brown Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1830 ; they have six children, of whom five are now living, viz.: Ariminta O. J., now Mrs. Isaac Wolcott ; Amanda E., now Mrs. A. J. Brantner, of Illinois ; R. Lorelly, now Mrs. Joseph Johnson ; Edward S. and George S. Mrs. Cox is a daughter of John and Deborah Duncan, whose names will be seen under T. P. Duncan's sketch in some other part of this work. H. B. DENMAN, physician ; Allen's P. 0 ; was born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1843, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret A. (Stickle) Denman, whose death occurred in 1855 ; Abraham married, for his second wife, Catherine Lee, and now resides in Miami Co. H. B. was raised on his father's farm, assisting in all the duties connected with agricultural pursuits until his majority ; his early education was obtained in the district schools ; in 1864. he entered the schools of Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until March 4 of the following spring ; at this time commenced the study of medicine under Prof. D. D. Bramble, of Cincinnati ; H. B. applied his time closely and allowed no thought on other occupations to trouble his mind ; in 1866, he attended his first course of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated in 1869 ; on June 1, 1870, he commenced the practice of his profession in Lena, Brown Township, where he has since been located, attending closely to all duties of the medical profession. Sept. 24, 1874, his nuptial was celebrated with Rose H. Brecount, she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 30, 1846 ; one child was born to them July 9, 1875, Mattie B. Mrs. Denman is a daughter of S. G. and Tamer (White) Brecount. JOHN W. DILL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fletcher ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, March 18, 1830, and is a son of Burton and Elizabeth (Davis) Dill ; they are both natives of Delaware ; their marriage was celebrated soon after the war of 1812, through which Burton Dill passed, enduring many hardships. About 1819, they emigrated West, locating in Sugar Creek Township, Greene Co., Ohio, where they both died, he in the 47th year of his age, and she in her 66th year. Their children were seven in number, of whom four are now living. John W. was raised on the farm, and secured a common-school education in his native county ; after his majority, he engaged in carpentering, which was his steady occupation for four years ; afterward he followed it in connection with farming. In 1869, he purchased his present farm of 50 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, Miami Co. ; he located on his farm in 1872, and many changes have been made since; present his farm is all under cultivation and well improved. He married Mary Worthington, of Montgomery Co., April 28, 1855 ; her death occurred June 8, 1873, at the age of 33 years 1 month and 8 days ; she was the mother of three children-George A. Daniel and Sarah E., deceased. Mr. Dill married for his second wife, Jane Snodgrass, born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., who is a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Snodgrass. J. A. DUER, retired farmer ; P. O. Fletcher. Another of the pioneers of Miami Co. is J. A. Duer, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1809, and is a son of William and Charlotte (Anderson) Duer. J. A. was raised to farm life until 17 years of age, during which time he procured a common education., In 1826, he engaged in the blacksmith trade, which he completed in 1830 ; the same spring he emigrated West, first stopping in Warren Co., Ohio, as a journeyman ; in the fall of 1830, he came to Miami Co., and bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 8, Brown Township, where be opened up a shop in the wilds, to do such smithing as the pioneers might need. Remaining a few years, he located in Fletcher, and continued his trade until the purchase of his present farm of 160 acres in Sec. 13, Brown Township, and afterward worked at his trade in Montgomery Co., Ohio, a quarter of a century ; from that time thence to 1874, his entire time was devoted to the farm ; he then turned it to his son, and now lives retired on the same. Mr. Duer came to Miami Co., when wilds abounded, and since then, he with other pioneers, 482 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : has made many changes. In 1833, married Sarah Frvback, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1814 ; ten children have been *born to them, of whom five sons are living, viz., George W., William A., John, Elias F. and James T. Mr. and Mrs. Duer have been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church of Fletcher for nearly twoscore years. WILLIAM H. DYER, fanner ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., July 15, 1836, and PI a son of George S. Duer, whose name can be seen under the sketch of Joseph S. Duer ; received a common education, and was brought up to farm labors ; after coming West he continued at home, and assisted in all the duties connected with farm life until his majority, after which, he entered the path of life for himself, and by diligence and forethought, financially progressed until 1866 ; he then purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 14, Brown Township, where he is well situated. Upon November, 1859, his marriage with Susannah Moore was celebrated ;, she was a daughter of William Moore, who was born September, 1831, and died in 1874, leaVing husband and two children, viz., Mary S., born Nov. 16, 1860, and James L., born Oct. 3, 1866. Mr. Duermarried, for his second companion, Sarah E. Worthington, March, 1876 ; they have one son, George F., born Oct. 18, 1877. JOSEPH S. DUER, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Sept. 9, 1838, and is a son of George S., who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 1, 1796, and was raised on a farm. About 1823, he married Sarah Titus, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1804 ; they were the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy; the mother, in 1829, was called away ; George S. afterward married, for his second wife, Mary Slack, who was a native of Pennsylvania ; they, in 1852, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., where her decease occurred Dec. 12, 1876 ; three children were born to them, of whom Joseph S. is the youngest ; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a common education. Sept. 9, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th I. V. I., to defend his country ; while in the service he participated in one severe battle ; was mustered out of service Sept. 9, 1864, and •returned home, where he again engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation. He has since his majority been elected to and filled the office of Township Trustee. Upon Nov. 12, 1867, his marriage with Jane N. White was celebrated ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1845 ; their children are four in number, of whom all are now living, viz-, Claire R. George 0., Anna M. and Charlie S. ; the parents of Mrs. Duer, George and R., J. (Anderson) White, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1831, and removed to Miami Co. in 1851, where their decease occurred, his in 1869 and Mrs. White's in 1878. T. P. DUNCAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher is a son of John Duncan, who was born in Ireland Aug. 16, 1797, and received a medium education under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church ; in 1817, he emigrated to New Brunswick where, Aug. 18, 1819, he married Deborah Knoop ; she was born in New Brunswick March 22, 1796 ; in 1822, they emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., where they remained five years ; they then removed to Brown Township and located on Sec. 24, where they spent many happy days ; they were consistent members of the Baptist Church ; Jan. 15, 1870, Mrs. Duncan died ; Mr. Duncan still survives, and resides in the village of Fletcher ; he was the father of eleven children, of whom seven are now living, two being ministers of the Baptist denomination. T. P.. Duncan was born on what is his present farm in 1832, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits ; his education was that of a common-school course. In the rebellion of 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 147th 0. V. I., to defend his native country. After his return, he continued his farm pursuits. Sept. 14, 1854, he married Abigail Branson, who was born in this county Feb. 26, 1836, and died March 19, 1876, leaving four children ; four had passed away previous to her death. T. P. married for his second wife Mary E. BROWN TOWNSHIP - 483 Hottle, who was born in Virginia March 11, 1842, Sand is the mother of two living children. MICHAEL DUNCAN, Justice of the Peace ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born April 8, 1822, near the St. John River, New Brunswick, a few miles from Fredericton. Mr. Duncan is a son of John Duncan, whose name will be seen under the sketch of T. P. Duncan in some part of this volume. Michael is one of twelve brothers and sisters, of whom seven are now living, of which he is the oldest ; he was raised to agricultural pursuits and obtained a medium education ; his farm duties were continued until 1840, at which time he engaged in saw-milling ; ten years later, he commenced to clear a farm of 40 acres in Brown Township ; this work was continued until 1852, when he engaged in general merchandising in Fletcher, Miami Co.; this was continued until four years ago ; during this time his attention was directed to the buying and handling of grain. Mr. Duncan, since 1876, has been called upon by his friends to fill many of the public offices in his township. The marriage of Mr. Duncan and Lydia C. Howland was celebrated Dec. 25, 1845 ; Lydia was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1825 ; the children of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are Caroline H., now Mrs. John Robbins ; John, and Hannah J., now Mrs. William W. Hobart. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have for over one and a half score of years been consistent members of the Baptist Church. The father and mother of Mrs. Duncan were both natives of New Jersey they emigrated to Ohio soon after the war of 1812, locating in Warren Co.; afterward came to Brown Township, Miami Co., where they both passed away, Mrs. Howland Jan. 20, 1860, in the 56th year of her age ; Mr. Howland May 3, 1873, in his 76th year. ANDREW DUNN, carpenter ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Simeon and Sophia (Read) Dunn, who was a native of New Jersey, his wife of Ohio ; their marriage was celebrated in Greene Co., Ohio, where they both passed from the stage of' life; ten children were born to them, Andrew being the fifth one he was born in Greene Co., June 22, 1816, and brought up on the farm to the age Of 15 years ; in the mean time, he procured a moderate education ; in 1831, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, under Samuel C. Michell ; he located in Fletcher in 1838, where he has since resided ; soon after his arrival he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law ; they at once commenced contracting and building ; this partnership has since been dissolved, but Mr. Dunn has been favorably known as a carpenter. May 10, 1840, he married Belinda Earhart ; she was a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; her death occurred the same year in which she was married. Mr. Dunn married, for his second wife, Mrs. Juliana (Earhart) McQuillen ; she is also a native of Butler Co. Ohio, born in 1821 ; their children are four in number-Franklin, Simeon H., Wilson S. and David T. D. B. EARHART, teacher, Fletcher, was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Feb 16, 1841 ; he was raised to agricultural pursuits, and his early education was acquired in the district school ; he attended the high schools of Troy and Piqua, thereby amply preparing himself for the profession of teaching ; thi.9 has been his entire occupation for several years ; he is now located in the village of Fletcher, where he has charge of the schools of that place. His nuptials with Elizabeth Weatherhead were celebrated in 1867 the issue of the union are Effie E., Myrtle C., deceased, Clara M., deceased, and Wilber S. ; Mrs. Earhart was borr in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., and is a daughter of James and Elinore (Sayers).Weatherhead. J. N. FRAZIER, general merchant, Conover. Mr. Frazier was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Aug. 27, 1818, where he was brought up to farm labor ; in 1828 he came to this county and continued farm pursuits until 1836 ; in the mean tim he received a moderate education ; about 1836-37, he engaged in the carpenter' trade, which he continued until 1859, when he changed his pursuit to his presen business, locating in Fletcher, Brown Township, where he carried a stock simila to that which he now carries in Conover ; he continued his business in Fletche until 1862, when he removed to where he now is, having an investment, in good 484 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and property, of about $5,000 ; Mr. Frazier, since his majority, has held the most prominent offices of Brown Township. Aug. 29, 1841, he married Rhoda V. Brecount, who was born in \Hamilton Co., Ohio, and is two years his, junior ; their children are four in uumber of whom all are living, viz., Sarah P., Solomon G., Anna A. and Franklin B., of whom all, save the youngest, are now married. The father of J. N., Benjamin Frazier, was born in Burlington Co., N. J., about 1788, where he was brought up to the blacksmith's trade, which was his chief occupa- tion during life. During the war of 1812, he married Beulah Norcross, who was a native of New Jersey, and six years his junior ; in 1814, they emigrated to Ohio, and located in Centerville, Washington Township, Montgomery Co., where they remained a number of years ; they afterward removed to Shelby Co., Ohio, where they died, Mr. Frazier at the age of 70 years, and Mrs. Frazier attaining 88 years ; eight children were born to them, of whom all are now living ; seven are married and have families. S. G. FRAZIER, general merchant, Allen's, was born in Fletcher, Brown Township, Miami Co., Jan. 20, 1847 ; he is the junior member of the firm of Colvin & Frazier, and spent his earlier days on the farm, receiving a common education ; in the year 1867 or 1868, he began life for himself, and has been variously engaged until entering upon his present business, which is described in the sketch of J. F. Colvin. Mr. Frazier's marriage with Belle Robinson was celebrated Aug. 20, 1878 ; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio. D. W. GEARHART, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher is a son of Daniel and Mary (Baty) Gearhart, now both deceased ; the children of this union were eight in number, of whom six are now living. D. W. was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1837, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and obtained a limited education ; shortly before the late rebellion, he started in life for himself by engaging in farming in various places, being only five years out of this county, in Shelby Co., Ohio ; in 1875, he purchased a part of his present farm of 76 acres, in Sec. 36, and, the following year, added to it the remainder ; his farm is well located and has good improvements. The marriage of D. W. Gearhart and Mary A. Deweese was celebrated in December, 1859 ; she was a native of Miami Co. ; they lived together twelve years, when death seized her and separated them ; they had three children, one of whom, Thomas, preceded his mother to the silent tomb ; two are now living, viz. James and Iska. Mr. Gearhart married, for his second wife, Melissa Simons, who was born in 1839; on the farm now owned by D. W. ; one child has been born to them-Laura A. Gearhart. WILLIAM L. GRAHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; Allen's P. 0. ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., July 19, 1834, and is a son of William Graham, Sr. ; he was born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 7, 1802, where he received a limited education, and worked on the farm with his father until 16 years of age, when he engaged in blacksmithing ; this he followed twenty years ; Feb. 17, 1825, he married Clementina Middleton, who was born in New Jersey in 1804 ; they, in 1832, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Miami, where the village of Lena is now located ; there he set up a blacksmith shop, but, soon after, he bought a farm in Sec. 1, Brown Township, on which he moved in 1840, felling the timber and clearing the land ; he reduced the land to a good degree of cultivation, and continued farming for many years ; Jan. 21, 1875, he passed from the stage of life, leaving a wife 'and five children to mourn his loss, and share his estate, which consisted of about 300 acres of good land. William L. is the oldest child and only son ; he was brought up on his father's farm and taught the principles of managing the same ; in his boyhood days, he received a limited education ; in 1870, he had his present farm, in Sec. 1, deeded to him by his father, where he has erected good farm buildings and is well situated. April 12, 1855, he married Lucinda M. Merritt ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 28, 1831 ; they, by this union, have three children, viz. Arthur E., born March 9, 1859, died Oct. 3, 1861 ; Clara E. and Ella M., born Feb. 7, 1863. The parents of Mrs. Graham were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio early in the nineteenth century, locating in Warren Co. ; BROWN TOWNSHIP - 485  of which, the father served as a patriot of the war of 1812, under Capt. Curtis ; returned home near the close of the war, and remained until 1832 in Warren Co., when they removed to Miami Co., settling about two miles southwest of Lena, where they lived and died, Mr. Graham Dec. 9, 1847, and Mrs. Graham Nov. 15, 1870. JAMES GRIFFIS (deceased), was born in Springboro, Ohio, Aug. 2, 1802, and was of Welsh parentage ; he purchased his first land in Indiana, consisting of SO acres, which he sold, and came to Miami Co. in 1852, locating on his farm of 70 acres in Sec. 24, Brown Township. March 26, 1835, he married Miss Susan Wharton, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they had by this union nine children-Samuel W., Mary, Harrison, Deborah, James, Catherine (deceased) Albert, Oliver F. (deceased), and William S.; Mr. Griffis passed from the stage of life May 22,1866. Mrs. Griffis is a daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Davis) Wharton, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they married, and emigrated West early in the nineteenth century, locating in Warren Co., Ohio, where Samuel died Feb. 5, 1855, at the age of 69 years 7 months and 2 days ; Deborah survived until Aug. 16, 1866, when she, too, passed away at the age of 80 years 6 months and 11 days. May this history be handed down to our future posterity, that they may look back over the pages of a valuable and interesting enterprise. ALFRED HANCE, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born Feb. 2, 1823 and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Frizell) Hance, both natives of Kentucky where they married ; in 1815, they emigrated to Miami Co., Ohio, locating in Los Creek Township, where they both died-Mrs. Hance in 1866, he surviving until April 3, 1877 ; in the prime of life, he passed through the war of 1812-15, enduring many hardships ; they had four sons and three daughters, of whom two an now deceased. Alfred was raised to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education, remaining at home until 21 years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself in Lost Creek Township ; in 1856, he purchased 160 acres in Elizabet Township, Miami Co., on which he located and improved ; this he sold in 1865 and purchased 200 acres in Sec. 30, Brown Township, which was partly improved and has since undergone a great change. His marriage with Miss Elizabeth Milk was celebrated August, 1844 ; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Joanna (Smith) Miller, she being a native of Ohio, and he of Vii ginia ; his death occurred in Clark Co. in 1862. Mr. Hance and wife are th parents of ten children-Margaret M. (now Mrs. J. E. Bradley), Melissa A. (th deceased wife of W. A. Lewis), Laura (now Mrs. John C. Duncan, of Dayton Ohio), Milton M., John P. (both of Urbana), Amanda (now Mrs. G. H. Rundle Ida B., Mary M., Elmer E. (also resides in Urbana), and Allen D. Hance. A. P. HIGGINS, retired farmer; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Hamilton Co Ohio, July, 1819, and is a son of John V. and Ann (Pendrey) Higgins ; he was native of New Jersey, and she of Virginia ; now both are deceased. A. P. assisted his father on the farm. and attended the common school ; at the age of 11 yea he, with his parents, moved from Hamilton to Shelby Co., where he continued farming until 16 years of age, at which time he engaged in the cabinet-maker trade, which remained his occupation until 1848, when he purchased a farm of I acres in Shelby Co.; he located there, and remained seven years, then sold out and purchased 90 acres in Spring Creek Township, where he remained until the spring 1866, when he sold it ; he purchased his present farm of 117 acres in Sec. 1 Brown Township, Miami Co., where he now resides, and is well situated ; he owns good, substantial buildings, located on the Piqua and Urbana pike. His marria with Priscilla Mendenhall was celebrated Nov. 15, 1843 ; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio, July, 1825 ; they have seven children-Josephine and Joseph (twit the latter died at the age of 9 months), John, William (who died in infant Charley W. (died at the age of 26, in 1878), Ellen R. (died in 1877) and Wilber who is now occupied in teaching school, which profession he has been engaged since 14 years of age. 486 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES E. B. HOWELL, farmer; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Hunterdon Co., NI J., May 20, 1816, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Biles) Howell, who were both natives of New Jersey ; Daniel was born Jan. 4, 1781, and Hannah Sept. 25, 1773 ; their marriage was celebrated Dec. 13, 1814 ; Hannah passed away June 12, 1828, leaving two children ; the following fall Daniel and his family came West, locating in Montgomery Co., where he married Alice Cavender ; she was a native of that county; in the fall of 1838 they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 14, Brown Township, where they both died-Alice in 1840, and Daniel in 1852. Our subject, when a boy in his native State, had the privilege of the common schools, which was no longer enjoyed after coming West. From 1838, he was duly engaged in opening out the farm now owned by Joshua A. Duer, for which the compensation was the products for a limited number of years ; there he remained until 1843, when he engaged in farming rented land ; and various changes were made until he purchased his present farm of 30 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, where he located in the spring of 1853 ; in 1856, he left his farm and engaged in keeping a toll-gate on the Piqua and Urbana turnpike, which he held thirteen years ; at this time he emigrated West to Hancock Co., Ill. ; not liking the country, he returned, in two and one-half years, and located on his farm, where he now resides. Dec. 3, 1846, he married Elizabeth Brelsford ; they are the parents of five children, of whom two died in early life, and three are now living, viz.; James A., George W. and Gilbert L., who has spent the last five years book-keeping in various places. He graduated at the Buckeye Business College, of Sandusky, Ohio, under Prof, Seele. W. SCOTT JACKSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; Allen's P. 0.; was born in Ocean Co., N. J., July 11, 1845, and is a son of Edwin Jackson, who was born in Monmouth Co., N. J., April 26, 1790, and has, during life, been an industrious farmer. Soon after the war of 1812, he married Miss Irons, she was a native of N. J.; in 1820, she died, leaving a husband and three children to mourn her loss. He (Edwin) married for his second wife Mary C. Wilbur, who was born five years previous to the death of his first wife ; five children have been born to them, of whom three are now living. Our subject labored on the farm to the age of 19 years ; during his earlier years, he attended school about eight months each year, thereby receiving a good education and a thorough knowledge of book-keeping ; in 1864, he engaged as book-keeper with Messrs. Covert & Tallman, wholesale commission merchants, of New York City, where he remained five years ; after this he was variously engaged until 1875, when he began farming on his present farm, located on Sec. 1, Brown Township. June 16, 1872, his marriage with Mrs. Almira Brecount was celebrated ; she was born in Brown Township Dec. 6, 1837 ; she is a daughter of William, Sr., and Clementina Graham, whose biography will be seen under William L. Graham's memoir, in some part of this volume. WILLIS H. JOHNSON, carpenter and farmer, Conover ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Sept. 12, 1828, and is a son of Giles and Airy (Parson) Johnson, whose history will be seen under the sketch of H. P. Johnson, in some part of this work. The early days of our subject were spent in farm labor, and his education secured in common schools ; since his majority he has been engaged in self duties, and has, by industry, accumulated a small farm of 25 acres in Sec. 5, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he is now situated ; he has, since 1849, done considerable carpentering, which occupation he is now engaged in. Dec. 25, 1855, he married Mary A., daughter of Isaac and Margaret Merritt. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have lived together almost a quarter of a century. HIRAM P. JOHNSON, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., near where Casstown is now located ; his birth Occurred Sept. 12, 1817, and he is a son of Giles Johnson, who was born in Southampton Co., Va., July 12, 1787, and during life was a devoted farmer. Shortly before the war of 1812, emigrated West, stopping temporarily in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he pressed onward to Lost Creek Township, where he entered one-fourth of Sec. 30 ; soon after he enlisted as a patriot of that war under Capt. Buchanan; he was in service three months and ten days, and while out he was engaged mostly at BROWN TOWNSHIP - 487 Greenville, Ohio. After his return, he married Airy Parson, who was a native of Ohio and several years his junior ; they settled on the farm in Lost Creek Township in pioneer style, and at once commenced to improve it ; there they remained until 1819, when he 'traded it for a quarter of Sec. 6, Brown Township, after which several changes were made ; Airy died in Brown Township March 10, 1859, and Giles in St. Paris, Champaign Co., in 1876 ; the fruits of their union were eight children, of whom live are now living. Our subject being the eldest, he was raised to farm labor, and obtained such 'education as could be secured in the public schools of pioneer days. In 1840, he began life for himself, and, on June 11 of the same year, his nuptials were celebrated with Hannah, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Lane. Hannah was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, December, 1816 ; they, by this union, have five children, of whom one is now living. Mr. Johnson is now located on his farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township, Miami Co., Ohio. CHARLES C. JONES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Miami Co:, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1837, and is a son of Solomon and Mary (Tuley) Jones ; she is a native of New Jersey and Solomon of Shelby Co., Ky. ; they had born to them four children, of whom three are now living. Charles is the eldest ; he was brought up to the duties of farm life ; his education was procured in the district school ; in 1854, he entered the path of life for himself by cultivating his father's farm of 154 acres, in Secs. 23 and• 24, Brown Township, which he now owns. Here he continued until Aug. 22, 1862, at which time he enlisted in Co. E, 110th 0. V. I. to battle for his native country, passing through the battles of the Wilderness, I., Locust Grove, Kelley's Ford, and others of less importance ; he served three years, lacking one month, when he returned home. He has since been farming, and has one of the best farms in the township. May 28, 1874, he married Jeannette Reynolds, who was born in Urbana Sept. 27, 1856 ; they have three children, viz., Fred, Edith C. and Thomas E. Jones. CHARLES H. KELLER, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Adam and Maria L. (Beckenbaugh) Keller, both natives of Maryland, where Maria passed from the stage of life ; she was the mother of ten children, of whom seven are now living ; Adam married for his second wife Mary A. Duvall, of, Annapolis, Md. Our subject was born in Frederick Co., Md., March 28, 1832, where he had the advantages of town and city life ; early in life he acquired a liberal education ; when he was a boy of 14, he commenced the printer's trade, which ill health afterward necessitated him to forsake ; he then engaged in the carpenter's trade, but this he followed but a short time only. In the fall of 1852, he came to Miami Co., and the following winter was engaged in teaching here ; in the spring of 1863 he returned to Maryland ; one year later, he started for California by the Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, and up the Missouri River to Independence, from where they traveled in private conveyance to the intended destination ; this was at last reached, and he was there engaged six years as a gold miner ; not deeming it prudent to remain longer in the far West, he returned to his native State. It November, of 1860, he came to Miami County and married Ann S. Dour,, native of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Keller has, since his marriage devoted some time to travel ing, of which one trip was directed to his former mining region ; since 1865, 114 has been a permanent resident of Brown, Township, Miami Co., where he owns 8, acres of land in Sec. 30. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Keller are Ella M., Loro C., Henry D., Mary E. and Ann M. ISAAC KISER, farmer ; P. O. Fletcher. Peter and Catherine (Young Kiser were both natives of Virginia, and immigrated to Ohio in 1806, and locate where the village of Fletcher now is situated ; they passed many days of the earl: part of the nineteenth century there, but in after years removed to Shelby Co Ohio, where they both passed from the stage of life. John Kiser, the father of Isaac, was born in Virginia, in 1785, and came with his parents to Ohio, where he nobly assisted in clearing away the forest and opening up a farm, which only time and health were needed to complete ; about 1809, he married Barbara Simmon after which they began life in the pioneer-time manner ; he was in the Indian 488 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: struggle of 1812, under Capt. Hilliard, and after his return settled down with his family ; they ever after their marriage were residents of Brown Township until their decease. Their children were ten in number, one of whom, Isaac, was born November, 1810, and raised on the farm, which was cultivated with comparatively rude implements ; school advantages in his boyhood days were very imperfect, therefore the education obtained was limited ; he has, since his majority, through his straightforward business habits. been elected to, and held, some of the most important offices of the township, which he has filled with benefit to the community where he lived ; he now resides in the west end of Fletcher on his farm, which is nicely located and well improved. In June, 1832, he married Sarah Luce, who was born .in this county in June, 1813, and departed this life August, 1866 ; they were parents of six children, of whom two died in infancy, and four are now living. In April, 1867, Isaac K. married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Cory, widow of Joseph Cory ; on3 son has been born to them, viz., Harrison N. Kiser. ALBERT H. LANE, teacher, Fletcher ; is a grandson of Peter Lane, who was born in New Jersey, June 7, 1795, where he grew to maturity, and learned cabinetmaking. He was one of the patriots of the war of 1812, passing through many of its privations for nearly two years. On conversing with him to-day, the scenes seem fresh in his memory, though in the 85th year of his age ; he came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and in 1835 removed to Miami Co. Albert H. is a son of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Smalley) Lane. Their children are Mary A , Lucinda, Ada, Albert H., and John F. Our subject was born Oct. 24, 1857, was raised mostly to farm life, and enjoyed the advantages of the schoolroom most of his boyhood days ; his education has been improved at the Holbrook's National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio ; in the summer of 1879, he commenced teaching, in which profession he is a promising young man. JACOB LONG, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Pike Township, Clark Co., Ohio, April 13, 1839, and is a son of Joseph Long, a native cif Maryland, who married Miss Lettitia Clyne ; she was a native of Ohio, now deceased Joseph still lives at the ripe old age of 77 years. Jacob was raised to, farm labor, which has always been his occupation, and thereby has accumulated some wealth ; he now resides on Sec. 5, Brown Township. In 1865, he married Lettitia Clyne, who was born in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., on July 23, 1840, and departed this life, Feb. 19, 1875, leaving a hnsband and three children, viz., Elizabeth A., born Dec. 10, 1865, who, like her father before her, is a devoted member of the Baptist Church Roberta E., born Feb. 24, 1873 ; and William Albert, the second son, was born May 28, 1869. Of him we record the following interesting facts on the pages of this history, that the future generations may look back over the same and read the history of the family. Even though he is what we may term a dwarf, his height twenty-seven inches and weight twenty-seven pounds at the age of 11 years, he is of good human form, of pleasant countenance and appearance, playful and cheerful; is an ornament to the family, where he is kindly cared for by his step-mother. She was formerly Mrs. Frances Mathews, whose marriage with Mr. Long was celebrated April 6, 1876. Mrs. Frances Long was born in Miami Co., Ohio, March 27,1836, and is a daughter of Nezer S. and Priscilla (Sayers) Yates. Nezer S. was born at Cape May, Nov. 20, 1801, and his wife in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1807 ; their marriage was celebrated April 24, 1825 ; their children were eleven in number ; she passed from the stage of life, May 31, 1847. Mr. Yates married for his second wife, Pamilla Reed, who was born in Ohio, Dec. 13, 1825, and died Dec. 6, 1864, he dying in 1874. The last named were of the early pioneers of Miami County. Nezer S. Yates' parents, Thomas and Phebe (Smith) Yates, were also of the first settlers of this county. Mrs. Long, in her childhood days, received such education as could be obtained in that day and age ; she remained at home with her parents until March 24, 1853, when her mar riage was celebrated with Rev. William Mathews ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio,. in 1827 ; he was baptised under the auspices of the Baptist Church about 1850, and underwent the ordination for the work of the Christian ministry of the same at BROWN TOWNSHIP - 489 Honey Creek, Ohio, seven years after, to the day. Previous to his death, which occurred May 17, 1862, he labored as a pious and devoted Pastor in Lena and Covington Churches, rendering entire satisfaction to his congregations ; none doubting his pious consecration to the cause of Christ. In 1860, he began to suffer from affected lungs ; this bodily suffering he patiently endured for two years ; then be died in a full hope of a happy immortality beyond the grave, leaving a widowed mother, wife, four fatherless children, affectionate sisters, and a large circle of friends ; at his request, he was buried with the usual ceremonies of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member ; the funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. E. Thomas, of Piqua, who is now deceased ; the sermon was an interesting and an appropriate one ; the funeral of the deceased was attended by a large concourse of his relatives, members and friends. Thus ended the earthly career of one of the best of men, peaceable, loyal and consecrated to the welfare of his race. Of the children left are John, William C., Ora, Alice, and Nezer Y., of whom all are members of the church of their father and mother, and the last named has received a good education and is now engaged in the ministerial profession of the Baptist Church. JEREMIAH McKEE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, October, 1811, and is a son of William and Elizabeth McKee, whose decease occurred in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co.; his father now survives in Illinois, at the prime old age of 97 years ; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are now living, of whom Jeremiah is the fourth. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits and received a limited education ; a short time previous to his majority he engaged in the brick-mason's trade, which he followed many years in connection with farming. In 1829, he emigrated to Miami Co., locating on what is now known as the Elnathan farm, in Lost Creek Township, where he remained until the spring of 1840, when he removed to his present farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township. The farm at that time consisted of 50 acres, but he has since added to it by purchase, until he now owns 110 acres in Secs. 5 and 11 ; when coming here his farm was uncleared, but he. has since, by great industry, converted it into a well-improved farm. In 1834, he married Miss Hannah Hayhurst, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1813 ; their children were four in number, of whom two are now living, viz.: Nancy A., now Mrs. John S. Myers, and Miriam, now Mrs. George H. Wiland. Mrs. McKee's first husband was John Cromer ; two children were the fruits of that union. CLARKSON MANNING, retired farmer ; Allen's P. O. ; was born in Warren Township, Somerset Co., N. J., Aug. 15, 1794, and was raised to farm labor ; their school being two miles distant ; he received a limited education. In September, 1814, he was drafted, served as a private under Capt. John Logan, and remained in service until December of the same year, when he was discharged in Jersey City ; he has since obtained land warrant 13,337 for 40 acres, and also 28,839 for 120 acres, obtained by Squire Duncan, of Fletcher. Upon March 18, 1818, Mr. Manning married Phebe Cory, who-was born in New Jersey, Jan. 7, 1791 ; June 2, 1818, they started in a two-horse wagon for Ohio, when time and perseverance were needed to reach their destination, which was Lebanon, Warren Co. ; there they stopped for a short time, and then went to Middletown, where they remained until April, 1819, when they emigrated to Miami Co., and entered land in Sec. 3, Brown Township ; leaving his family and goods at his nearest neighbor's, a distance of four miles, he commenced the task of opening a road to his newly entered farm; this he completed and looked up a suitable place to erect a hut, where he cleared away the timber, and built a log cabin 18x20 ; this was finished in eight days they took possession, storing away their household goods, which were all comprised in one small wagon load ; for a few days their cooking was done by a large stump until they could prepare a place in their but for such work ; they soon began tc fell the trees, cut and clear a spot on which to raise a few vegetables and other necessaries of life , thus they continued for several years, and at that time had but two neighbors within a distance of two miles ; after many years' hard and toilsome BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 490 labor; they opened out a good farm. In 1824, there was a prospect of having a county road laid out, which would pass by Mr. Manning'§ farm ; upon the hope of this, he erected a hewed-log house on the supposed line, which road was granted as soon as they could produce a sufficient number of petitioners ; the log house NU said to be the second best hi the territory Of what is now Brown Township ; this was their residence until 1833. when Mr. Manning erected his present house (brick), on what is now the Lena Pike. Mr. and Mrs. Manning are the parents of seven children, viz., Parkhurst, Elsyanna, Isaac A., Johanna, Mary J., John C. and David ; of the above, three are now living. Mr. Manning has nobly assisted his children in acquiring property. Our subject and wife have trod the path of married life three score and two years, and now both enjoy good health. April 22, 1878, on looking from their window they beheld carriages, buggies, etc., concentrated at their gate, filled with friends and relatives from far and near ; all coming with baskets well filled ; this was for the sixtieth wedding day, brit, owing to the bad weather in March, the celebration had been deferred until now ; the parties entered the house and the tables were soon spread with the many substantial viands and delicacies, which kind hands had brought ; when everything was in readiness, all surrounded the table and Rev. Lippincott offered appropriate thanks ; after which the repast was abundantly enjoyed, and the balance of the day was spent in social entertainment. DAVID C. MANNING, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher; who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co. Ohio Feb. 3, 1835, is a son of Maj. Manning, whose biography will occupy a space in this enterprise. David was raised to farm labor, and obtained his education in the common schools of Brown Township ; near the age of 20, he took a trip through Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, Central Illinois, and Iowa, looking for a location on which to settle ; he purchased some land in Benton Co., Iowa; but, not seeing fit to move on, sold it some time after during the late rebellion he took another trip East, overseeing a few loads of stock, and also vnsited some friends who reside in Plainfield, N. J., after which he engaged in farming, and at present owns 77+ acres, in Sec. 23, Brown Township, where he now resides and is well situated. In 1856, he married Miss Caroline Throckmorton, who was born in this township in 1838 ; they have two children, viz., George D. and Charlie E. ; Mrs. Manning is a daughter of George Throckmorton, whose sketch also appears in this volume. DAVID S. MANSON, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born on the farm he now owns in Sec. 23, Brown Township, July 2, 1817 ; -his father was born in Pennsylvania, June 5,1782; and emigrated to Ohio early in the nineteenth century ; he was one of the patriots of the war of 1812 ; at the surrender of Gen. Hull he was taken prisoner by the Indians, who took him to Canada, where he afterward was released ; he then returned to Miami Co., and in after years became the owner of a farm in Sec. 23 ; in 1816, his marriage occurred ; when David was but 10 years of age, his father died, and the care of the family devolved exclusively upon the mother, who now survives at the advanced age of 83. David S. was brought up on the farm in the pioneer days, when log huts were called houses, and rude log cabins were the only schoolhouses ; the term of school was very much limited, as were the branches and modes of teaching. Mr. Manson is the oldest man living in the township who has never made a permanent change in his place of residence. Jan. 23, 1840, he married Bathsheba Robbins, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1821, and died April 24, 1845, leaving two children, of whom both are now living, viz., Phebe, born March 26, 1841 ; William, born Nov. 26; 1842. M. W. MATHERS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover ; was born on his present farm in March, 1832, and is a son of David and Margaret (Williams) Mathers ; he is a native of Ohio, and his wife of New York. They were married in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1821, and, in 1826, came to this county, settling on the southeast quarter of Sec. 9, which had been entered by his father a short time previous ; here they cultivated and improved the farm ; the father died in 1850 or BROWN TOWNSHIP - 491 1851, in the 53d year of his age, his wife surviving until 1875, when she, too, passed away, in the 77th year of her age. Our subject Was raised to agricultural pursuits, and nobly assisted his father in clearing and improving his present farm, which he began to purchase about 1860 ; at intervals, he has added to it, until he now owns the full quarter in Sec. 9. In 1859, he married Miss Catharine Moore, who is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio, and is nearly six years his junior ; by this union they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Luella, William C. and John H. C. F. MEDARIS, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Feb. 20. 1851, and is a son of Washington Medaris, who was born in South Carolina in the year 1796 ; his boyhood days were spent on the farm, receiving only a limited education ; at the age of 14 years, he, with his parents, emigrated West, locating in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio ; at 22 he engaged in blacksmithing, which he con- tinued working at during life ; in 1833, he removed to Shelby Co., purchasing a farm of 80 acres in Perry Township, where he now resides, at the advanced age of 84. Near 1821, he married Elizabeth .Psalter, who was a native of Clermont. Co., Ohio, and died in Shelby. Co. about 1840 or 1841. He married, for his second wife, Matilda A. McDavitt, of Miami Co. Mr. Medaris was raised on the farm, and received an ordinary education ; he came to this county in December, 1868, where he has since resided. Jan. 23, 1875, his nuptials with -Miss America J. Harcourt were celebrated ; she was born on the farm where she now resides , • they have one child-Percy H., born Feb. 15, 1876. Mrs. Medaris is a daughter of Fran- cis A. and Martha S. (McDavitt) Harcourt ; Francis A. is a native of England, and immigrated to America about the middle of the nineteenth century ; Mrs. Harcourt was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1825, and immigrated to Miami Co. about 1832, where she has since resided. ISAAC J. MERRITT, farmer ; Allen's P. 0. ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Dec. 19, 1851, and is a son of Joseph and Ann (Munger) Merritt, who was born in Virginia Jan. 18, 1812, and Joseph in Warren Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1815. Their marriage was celebrated May 26, 1836, and they have. since 1834, been residents of Brown Township, Miami Co. ; their children were nine in number; of whom two were stricken with diphtheria in 1860-61 and passed away ; seven are now living, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. W. Vanzant ; Margaret J., now Mrs. J. Maxwell ; Martha A., now Mrs. D. Spencer ; Amanda, now Mrs. George Leise Henry H., Isaac J. and Della, now Mrs. John Manning. Our subject was raised on the farm and received the privileges of the common schools, thereby obtaining a medium, education, and is now cultivating the old farm, in Sec. 5, Brown Township. Jan. 27, 1878, he married Miss Josephine Vaughn, who was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1856 ; she is a daughter of John and Emily Vaughn, who were both natives of the same county ; Isaac and Josephine have one child-Lawrence E The grandparents of Isaac J. were Isaac, Sr., and Margaret (Carter) Merritt, whc were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Warren Co., Ohio, where the3 married, and, in 1834, removed to Miami Co., where their decease occurred. S. L. MIOVER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fletcher, was born in Green( Township, Shelby Co., Jan. 7, 1835 ; in his boyhood days he assisted in fare duties in the summer season and in winter enjoyed the privilege of the schools which he improved at home until obtaining a knowledge sufficient for teaching, ft which he engaged at the age of twenty ; soon' after, he commenced the study o medicine, in connection with the task' of teaching ; in the winter of 1857-58, hi attended a full term of lectures under the instructions given at the Eclectic Medics Institute, and the following year located in Cridersville, Auglaize Co., Ohio, as practicing physician ; there he labored until 1864, when he retired from the pro fession and took up farming on his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, Miami Co., which he purchased six years later ; previous to this, hi purchased 40 acres in Sec. 13 of the same township, which he has since sold June 12, 1859, his marriage took place with Mary J. Darling, who was born ii Allen Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1842. Their niece, Emma Earnhart, lives with them. 492 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES T. S. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Allen ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 29, 1832, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in the memoir of J. M. Moore. T. S. was brought up to farm labor; and, receiving a limited education, remained at home until his majority ; then he began life for himself, engaging in the carpenter's trade, which he followed six years ; he then tried farming in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., remaining there until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Miami Co. ; he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 2, where he has since resided. His marriage with Miss Caroline H. Mathews was celebrated Oct. 26, 1855, she was born in this county in 1835 ; they have an adopted son-William C. (Mathews) Moore, a nephew of Mrs. Moore. Her parents, John and Ann M. Mathews, were both natives of New Jersey, born early in the nineteenth century, and emigrated to this county, where they both died ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living. JOHN W. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Feb. 18, 1830, and is a son of Isaac Moore, whose biography will appear in this work. John, when about 6 months old, with his parents, emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, remaining there about two years ; in 1833, they removed to Miami Co., where they have since resided ; here John W. received a limited education, and assisted his father on the farm until 18 years of age, when he began the trade of a wheelwright ' - he carried on business seven years in Lena ; then engaged in farming upon rented land six years ; in 1860, he bought 80 acres of good land in Sec. 8, where he has since resided, and, is nicely situated for life, with comfortable buildings, adding by purchase 40 acres more in Sec. 1. Oct. 26, 1853, he united in marriage with Hannah Howland, who was born in Miami Co. Aug. 4, 1833 ; they have two children viz., Albert H. and Faran I. Mrs. Moore is a daughter of Albert and Caroline Howland, whose genealogy will appear under M. Duncan's sketch in this work. J. M. MOORE, farmer ; P. 0. Allen's ; is a son of Isaac Moore, who was born in Wooster Co., Md., July 18, 1804, where he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; in 1818, he, with his parents, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Dearborn Co., where the parents lived many years and died at an advanced age ; Isaac remained at home until 1825, when he came to Dayton, Ohio, working on the canal for several years. In January, 1829, he married Mary Watkins, of Montgomery Co., Ohio, born Dec. 15, 1811 ; in 1833, they emigrated to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 2, Brown Township, where he bought his present farm and was duly engaged in cultivating it until 1868, since then living a retired life. His wife departed this life Aug. 28, 1878 ; they had eight children, of whom five are living. J. M. was born on his father's present farm July 25, 1842 ; he was raised to farm labor; which he is still engaged in on the home farm ; in his younger days, he received a limited education. Feb. 9, 1864, his marriage with Frances A. Slack was celebrated, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1843 ; they have two children of whom both are now living, viz., Charley and Clara. TIMOTHY MORTON, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Howell Township, Monmouth Co., N. J., Feb. 22, 1799, and is a son of John and Mary (Long-street) Morton, who were both natives of New Jersey ; they had eleven children, of whom Timothy is the only one now living ; John Morton was one of the patriots of the war of Independence, where he served a period of six months ; he and his wife both died at-advanced ages. Our subject was left very early in life to battle for himself; and spent his boyhood days farming with various people until 16 years of age ; then he commenced work in a manufactory of all kinds of cloth, which he followed until 1831, ; at this time, he emigrated to Ohio and bought his present farm of 60 acres, in Sec. 11, Brown Township, Miami Co. ; this he has changed from its primeval state to a good degree of cultivation. Mr. Morton has held the office of Supervisor in Brown Township eight years, and feels interested in forwarding all public improvements. In New Jersey, in 1820, he married Mary Gurney, who was a native of that State, and died in Brown Township, Miami Co., in 1858 ; by this union there were six children, of whom five are now living. In BROWN TOWNSHIP - 495 December; 1859, Timothy Morton married for his second companion Mary J. Ayers, of New Jersey, who was born in Burlington Co. May 9, 1808, and is a daughter of Zadock and Mary (Smith) Green ; she has buried two husbands and is now living with the third one. JOHN PARTINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1838, and is a son of Joseph Partington, who was born in England, Aug. 7, 1800, and in early life obtained a common education ; he remained in his native country until 10 years of age, when, with his parents, he embarked at Liverpool, England, on the vessel Aldebaran ; after reaching the United States they settled near Baltimore, Md., where they remained until 1831, when they emigrated West and located in Shelby Co.; the parents both died in Ohio, Mrs. Partington in Dayton, and Mr. Partington in Shelby Co.; Joseph, now in the 80th year of his age, resides with his son, our subject, who was brought up on the farm and procured his education in the common schools of Shelby Co. In 1857, he commenced in life for himself; by farming on rented land, which he continued until 1868, when he and his father purchased their present farm of 105 acres, in Sec. 15, Brown Township, Miami Co. where they now reside. June 17, 1869, his marriage with Eleanor Search was celebrated ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1849, and emigrated West with her parents when but a child, locating on Sec. 15, Brown Township; Miami Co., where they now reside ; the children of Mr. and Mrs. Partington are three sons-Elba, Joseph R. and Charles Partington. THOMAS J. PENCE, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Feb. 24, 1847, and is a son of James T. and Nancy (Shidler) Pence ; James was a native of Lost Creek Township, and Nancy of Pennsylvania ; they had by this union seven children, all of whom are now living. Our subject was raised on the farm, where he assisted his father in the agricultural duties connected therewith, and in his boyhood days enjoyed the privileges of the district schools, where he obtained a common education, and since his majority he has improved the same by self-study, particularly in the science of mathematics ; in 1868, he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., which is under good cultivation, and since has- also purchased 80 acres in Wells Co., Ind. Dec.18,1848, he married Mary E. Blackford, who is a daughter of David and Sarah A. Blackford. JOHN S. REEDER, deceased, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1819, where he grew to manhood on the farm, and obtained a common-school education. In 1842, he married Letitia P. Pownall, also a native of Bucks Co., born in 1821 ; after their marriage, John was variously engaged until 1851, when they emigrated West, locating in Fletcher; Miami Co.; remaining there but two years, they removed to Sec. 21, Brown Township, where they afterward purchased 80 acres ; this John cultivated till his death, which occurred Feb. 19, 1875 he was the father of ten children-Margery A., Esther P., Martha R., Ellen K. (deceased), Miles P., Eliza J., William H., Mary E., John E. (deceased) and George W. Letitia is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Anderson) Pownall, both natives of Pennsylvania, where John died ; Elizabeth afterward came West, and died in Miami Co. Miles P., whose name is above given, was born in the same county and State as his father; in 1851 ; was raised on the farm where he now resides, and manifests an enterprising interest in its cultivation. His marriage with Rhoda A. Covault was celebrated in 1871 ; two years later she departed this life, Feb. 28, 1873 ; Sept. 16, 1875, he married Sarah J. Frazier; a native of Shelby Co., born Aug. 16, 1853 ; one child, Lou E., has been given to them. G. H. RUNDLE, manufacturer of patent medicines, and more particularly of Porter's Pain King, known far and wide, and which has given satisfaction wherever it has been tried ; P. 0. Fletcher. The manufacturer of this valuable article is G. H. Rundle, who was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1847 ; he led the usual life of a farmer's son, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native State ; in 1871, he emigrated West, locating in Lima, Ohio, where he purchased the right of W. L. Porter to manufacture the Pain King ; he was soon duly engaged 496 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : in the chemical compounds, where he remained until five years ago, when he located in the above village, and now is filling large demands for his medicine,. he has erected a complete laboratory, where he engages considerable assistance. The nuptials of G. H. Rundle and Amanda Hance were celebrated Nov. 3, 1874 ; she is a daughter of Alfred Hance, whose biography will be seen in this volume. SAMUEL SAYERS, deceased, was born in Staunton Township, Miami Co., in 1810 ; he was raised to the life of a farmer's son. In 1832, he married Jane Sims, who was born in Virginia, in 1809; soon after their marriage they settled in Springcreek Township ; remaining there one year, they removed to Brown Township, locating on Sec. 35, which they cleared and greatly improved ; of the buildings we make particular mention; they are large, commodious and the best fire proof secured buildings in the township of Brown. During his-life Mr. Sayers purchased several farms, of which he was the owner when his decease occurred, May 29, 1877 ; during life he assisted each of his children, who were seven in number, to nearly $4,000 worth of real estate. His family are Martha J., the wife of John H. Mathers, in Mason Co., Ill.; S. F., Francis D., now Mrs. James M. Moore, of Champaign Co.. Ill.; Margaret A., wife of Paul W. S. Pence ; Sarah E., now Mrs. Alexander M. Deweese ; Annette S., wife of James M. Caven, of Shelby Co., Ohio, and Harriette E. the widow of John R. McKinney. Mrs. Sayers is a daughter of James, Sr., and E., Sims, both natives of Virginia ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1830, locating on Sec. 35, Brown Township, where he accumulated considerable wealth, and passed from the stage of life in 1862, Margaret, his daughter, preceding him seventeen years. PETER SHANKS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher. Peter Shanks was born in whit is now the incorporated city of Cincinnati. Aug. 15, 1795, and is a son of Joseph Shanks, who was born in Delaware, and of German descent. He married Mary .Clawson, of Holland birth and Welch parentage; she emigrated to. America in her youthful days, and the marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania about the time of the war of independence ; they afterward came West as far as Hamilton Co., Ohio ; there they remained a few years ; they then located in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where Mary died, and was interred in the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery of Washington Township, and Joseph afterward went to Indiana, and died in Delaware Co., near Muncie, at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 9 days; the children by the above marriage were ten in number, of whom Peter is the only one now living. He was raised to farm labor, in Montgomery Co. ; here he, when but a boy of 17, entered the service of 1812, under Capt. Richard Sunderland and Maj. Price, and secondly he was under Capt. Lemon, of Clark Co., Ohio ; they were at Detroit, Mich., when peace was. declared ; Mr. Shanks is now one of three patriots of that war living in Brown Township. About 1817, he entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 29, Brown Township, where he at once commenced to open out a farm from the unbroken forest, and erected a hewed-log house ; the roof was of shingles (which in that day were a rarity) ; in this he spent many days ; at present he has his farm well improved, but has diminished it to 80 acres, from the fact that he, during life, has nobly assisted his children. May 10, 1821, he married Leah C. Schenks, and the following August located on the above-described farm. Their children were eight in number, two died in infancy, and four are now living ; Mrs. Shanks died May 13, '1839, in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which she was a member for twelve 'years. Nineteen years later, Mr. Shanks married for his second wife Martha J. (McCarr) Neff; she died April 27, 1861, leaving two children, of whom one died in infancy, and the other is now living. Mr. S. has been a devoted member of the Lost Creek Baptist Church, since 1827, in which faith he firmly stands in 1880. Since the election of Gen. Jackson for President, he has been a decided Democrat, at which time he cast his first vote. B. F. SIMMONS, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Spring Creek Township, July 24, 1848, and is a son of Peter J. and Elizabeth (Denman) Simmons ; about the middle of the nineteenth century they moved to Indiana, locating in Clinton County, where Peter passed from the stage of life ; he and Elizabeth were BROWN TOWNSHIP - 497 the parents of four children, of whom two died previous to the death of Peter, and the two surviving ones were left in their mother's care for a short time. B. F. soon found a home with his uncle L. R. Simmons, of Brown Township ; there he grew to manhood and was taught farming ; in his earlier days he enjoyed school privileges, obtaining a common education ; he now owns 165+ acres of land in Sees. 32 and 33, Brown Township, and is well situated for life.. Sept. 19, 1870, he married Miss R. J. Sanders, born in Springfield Township, Miami Co., Jan. 17, 1846 ; four children are the fruits of this union, viz., Elmer E., Effie M., Judson W. and Harry ; Mrs. Simmons is a daughter of E. and M. Sanders, now both deceased. CHARLES SIMMONS, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Peter Simmons, who was born in Pennsylvania, 1795, and, when a boy 12 years old, with his parents, emigrated to Ohio, and located in Brown Township, where they lived and died. Peter was a devoted farmer in the pioneer days, and during life accumulated a good farm in Sec. 36, Brown Township. About 1827, his marriage with Elizabeth Bowersox was celebrated, who was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1802, and died in Brown Township. 1875, Peter dying six years previous ; they were the parents of ten children, of whom five reached maturity, Charles being the third son. His great-grandfather, Philip Simmons was of German birth, and in, 1763, embarked for the Western Continent. Charles Simmons was born in Brown Township, January, 1831, and was brought up to farm labor, and received a common education in the pioneer days ; he entered the path of life for himself in 1852, and has, by hard labor and good management, accumulated 135 acres of land in Secs.. 31 and 36, which is well improved. He has recently been elected to the office of Township Trustee, which office he now holds. In 1856, he married Phebia Reader, who was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1838 ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine are now living, viz., Emma E. William H., Mary C., George 0., Nannie, Rosa E., Theresa J., Albert and Alice. E., Simmons is a daughter of Simeon and Nancy (Howell) Reader ; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1813, and she in Pennsylvania, in 1818. LEVI R. SIMMONS, farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Jacob Simmons. who was born in Pennsylvania about the close of the eighteenth century, and came with his parents to Ohio the first year of the nineteenth century ; they settled near Dayton, Ohio, where they remained until six years following, when they removed to Miami Co.; there they lived and died, but Jacob in after years married Mehitable Rollins, who was a native of Vermont, and five years his junior they both died in Brown Township, he at the age of 61, she at 82. The subject of this memoir is a first cousin to Charles Simmons, under whose sketch a history of the ancestry will appear. L. R. was born in Brown Township, Jan. 25, 1825 his boyhood days were spent on the farm in summer, and in winter at school thereby receiving a limited education ; about 1843, he began teaching, whici remained his winter occupation until 1863, and devoted his attention mostly 6 farm labor ; he has during life, by good business habits and industry, accumulatee considerable property, of which a portion is nearly a full quarter of land in Sec 33, Brown Township, which is well improved. He has been elected to, and held various offices of the township. Oct. 27, 1848, he married Sarah Eyer, who wa born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 24, 1824 ; her parents were both natives of the sam State. J. W. T. SUBER, farmer and thrasher; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Brow] Township, October, 1841, and is a son of George Suber, whose biography will b seen under the memoir of W. D. Suber, in some part of this history. J. W. T. was raised on his present farm, and obtained a common education ; he entered upon self duties in 1861, and has since hired his interest in his present farm of 11 acres in Sec. 8, purchasing of the other heirs until he now owns the full farm ; b has as fine a location as any in that vicinity. Mr. Suber, when but a boy, was taught by his father the principles of the thrashing machine ; he has devotee almost exclusively, the thrashing season to that occupation, which is one of the 498 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   necessary features of every well-tilled country ; in the fall of 1869, M. Suber thrashed 52,000 bushels of grain, and, on the same separator, hulled 600 bushels of clover seed in the winter of 1879-80 ; he has shown himself capable of following that line of business with credit to himself and benefit to his customers. Oct. 20, 1864, he married Elizabeth Verdier, who was born in Green Township, Shelby Co., Ohio, Sept. '2,1844 ; they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz., Lucinda J., Laura L., Edwin T., and Roy F., deceased.   W. D. SUBER, farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 31,1825. His father, George Suber, was also a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov. 12,1796, and was of German descent he grew to manhood in his native State. March 1,1821, he married Elizabeth H. Duer, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 18, 1800, and was of Irish descent they immigrated to Ohio in 1829, locating temporarily near Dayton, Ohio ; in 1830, he entered the northwest quarter of Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., where they permanently located, and, taking it from its wilds; made it their future home, where he (George) passed away in September, 1860, and Elizabeth in August, 1872 ; they were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. W. D. was brought up on the farm, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up a farm ; owing to the scarcity of school privileges that William had in his boyhood days, his education is limited ; in 1850, he started in the world to battle for himself as a farm laborer, with no means ; he continued working, and gradually laid by some of his earnings ; in 1853, he purchased 160 acres of prairie land in Illinois ; this he held until 1865, when he sold the same and purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 7, Brown Township, Miami Co., and has since bought 86 acres in Champaign Co. March 30,1854, his marriage took place with Mary A. Caven, who was born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., Oct. 26,1834 ; by this union they had five children-Sarah J., born Feb. 28,1855 ; James W., born March 27, 1857; John C., born Nov. 19,1858 ; George W., born Sept. 9,1870, and Orel M., born July 21,1877. Mrs. Suber is a daughter of John and Aseneth (Ross) Caven ; they were, for many years, residents of Spring Creek Township, where Mr. Caven died in 1872. Mrs. Caven still survives.   JOHN M. STITH, teacher ; P. O. Allen's, was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Oct. 23,1852, and lived on a farm until 16 years of age, receiving a limited education ; during the summers, from 1868 to 1871, he attended the Fairfield Union Academy, also a short course at the Ohio Wesleyan University ; in the winter of 1869-70, he taught his first school, in Fairfield Co., where he continued three winters ; in the fall of 1875, he located in Shelby Co. and taught in Miami Co. ; in 1878, he removed to Lena, this county, where he has since resided. The marriage of John M. and Chloe Hutcher was celebrated in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 13,1874 ; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1855 ; one child-Mande, was born to them May 19,1876 ; died May 17, 1879. Mrs. Stith, in early youth, obtained a common education, and afterward improved the same at the Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and is now engaged in teaching, with her husband, in the combined schools of Lena and Conover, where they have held their positions for the past two years, and are engaged for the ensuing year. They have, since residing in Lena, purchased their present property, which consists of 8 acres in Sec. 1, Brown Township, also a quarter-section near Carrolton, Greene Co., Ill.   GEORGE THROCKMORTON, retired farmer ; P. O. Conover ; was born in New Jersey, March 12,1809, and is a son of Job and Jane (Woolley) Throckmorton, both natives of New Jersey, who emigrated West in 1816, locating in Warren Co., Ohio, where Job died about 1825 ; Jane married for her second husband James Brelsford, of Greene Co., where they located and both died, she at the age of 89, and he at 93 years. George was reared on the farm, and procured his education in the common schools of the pioneer days, in Warren Co., Ohio ; at the age of 18 he engaged in carpentering, which was his occupation for fifteen years, when he retired from its duties ; in 1832, he purchased 160 acres of land in Sec. 12, Brown Township, aud in 1836 moved from Warren Co. to Miami, locating in   BROWN TOWNSHIP - 499   Piqua, where he lived until 1838, when he located on the above farm he clearer the forest, and to-day fine buildings have taken the place of his rude huts am barns ; during the late rebellion, he sold his former and purchased his present farm, which consists of the, southeast quarter of Sec. 18, Brown Township, Miam Co., where he is now well situated and has 130 acres under cultivation. Mr Throckmorton was married April 21,1830, to Miss Sarah Lafferty, who was native of Warren Co., Ohio, and died in Miami Co. in 1853, leaving a husband an nine children, of whom eight are now living. Mr. Throckmorton married for hi second wife Miss Sarah D. Hendley ; she is also a native of Warren Co., an came to Miami when about the age of 12 years.   WILSON VANZANT, farmer, stone and brick mason, plain and ornament plasterer, and manufacturer of artificial stone ; P. O. Allen's; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Nov. 20,1834, and is a son of John and Frances (Rooks) Vai zant, both natives of New Jersey ; they emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio i 1838, locating in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where John passed from tl stage of life. Frances married for her second husband James H. George ; sine 18' ' they have been located in Lena, where she was left a widow the second tim in 1-18, and still resides, at the age of 69 ; the children of John and Frances Vanzant were three in number, viz., Catherine (now deceased), George W. (now practical physician in Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill.), and our subject, who is the youngest. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limit, education ; at the age of 18 he learned the trade of plasterer, which he has followed for several years, and is known far and wide as a reliable and successful mechanic ; in connection with the plastering, he is a known stone and brick mason also a manufacturer of artificial stone, which is made by a chemical process, a] has been shown by service and chemists to be far superior to any sandstone 3 found ; this chemical stone is found very useful in trimming brick buildings a walks ; flower Vases of any designs are made by W. Vanzant ; since 1868, he has been the owner of 80 acres of land in Sec. 6, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he resides. September, 1863, he married Miss Mary Merritt, who was born Brown Township, Miami Co.; they have three children, viz., William A., Ehr E. and Minnie H. Mrs. Vanzant is a daughter of Joseph and Anna Merritt.   OLIVER WHARTON, retired wagon-maker, Fletcher ; was born in Bur Co., Penn., May 17, 1807 when he was but 4 years of age his parents e grated West, locating in Warren Co., Ohio. Oliver was raised in Warren Ohio and in his boyhood days obtained a common education ; at the age of years he learned the trade of wagon-making, at which he served seven years, um instructions ; soon after the completion of his trade, he opened out a shop for h self in the same county, where he, in a short time, had a healthy patronage 1836, he concluded to change locations, and did so, by removing to Fletcher, Mi Co., continuing his trade until 1865, when he retired from its duties ; thirl years after locating in Fletcher, he purchased his present farm of 72 acres, in 25, Brown Township ; on this he now resides, in a retired state. In 1830, he x ried Jane Duer, a native of Pennsylvania ; their marriage was celebrated in M gomery Co., Ohio, where she resided at the time; they passed nearly half a tury in connubial life, when she died, Aug. 11, 1877 ; their children were I iam (deceased in early life), Samuel (now a resident of Indianapolis, engage grocer), Phebe A. and Rebecca J. (now Mrs. Scott, of Brown Township, county).   GEORGE W. WHITE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Allen's; was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 22,1834, and is a son of George and Mary (Andes White ; George was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and was educated in district schools ; in 1855, he started in life for himself by engaging in the saw business, which remained his occupation for fourteen or fifteen years, during time he was favored with the general patronage in the vicinity where he lab and many bills of lumber were filled ; soon after retiring from the milling busi he purchased his present farm, of 217 acres, in Secs. 2 and 3 Brown Township,