(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 650 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: " wheel works " of Tippecanoe. He is a Republican in politics; and finds his relig ions creed in the M. E. Church. He was married in 1859, to Angeline Mann, of Miami Co., and a descendent of early pioneers. JOHN K. HERR, miller and grain-dealer, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Washington Co., Md., in 1824, and is the son of Rudolph and Mollie Herr ; Rudolph was a farmer by occupation ; his death occurred in 1860. He had a family of twelve children, of whom our subject is the eleventh ; he was raised and schooled in his native State, and emigrated to Ohio in 1841, making the trip here in a two-horse wagon ; worked one year near Xenia, and then went to Warren Co., where he remained about five years ; subsequently milled in Dayton, Ohio, and Knightstown, Ind., and in 1852 came to Tippecanoe and engaged in the milling business with his brother, first renting and afterward purchasing his present mill property, which he has since operated with eminent success ; he also deals largely in grain ; is a careful and reliable business man, and a much-respected citizen, taking an active part in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. ELI W. HONEYMAN, farmer ; P. O. Troy ; is a prominent farmer ; his parents, John and Mary Honeyman, of Virginia, were pioneers, who emigrated to Miami County early in, its settlement. John was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; we regret that so little can he learned of them. Eli was born in Miami Co., May 14, 1834. Sept. 29, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie, daughter of John and Mary Miller. They were also pioneers, and should have a place in this history ; their children were ten in number, four only survive—Albert, whose sketch appears in connection with other noted men of Monroe Township, Thomas J., Rhoda Z. and Annie, the wife of Eli Honeyman. They have been the parents of seven children, of whom Oliver M., Willis R., Mattie and Ory, survive ; Oliver was born March 7, 1863 ; Willis, Dec. 11, 1865 ; Mattie, May 27, 1872 ; Ory, Jan. 4, 1874. They are all attending school and learning rapidly. Mr. Honeyman has always been prosperous in business, and owns a nice farm of 119 acres ; he has been connected with the public schools in capacity of Director. He is a conservative Republican and a good neighbor. J. H. HORTON, editor ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1834, and comes of English ancestors ; he came to this county with his father, Joseph C., in 1839, and located in Piqua ; his father was a smith by trade, and still lives in Piqua, retired from active work. Col. Joshua H. is the oldest of a family of five children ; he was reared and schooled in Piqua, and early learned the printer's art, which he has followed principally through life ; after serving an apprenticeship he worked at journey-work till 1860, when he started the Piqua Democrat, which he conducted till the outbreak of the war, when he responded to the first call for troops and enlisted in the 11th O. V. I. as 2d Lieutenant of Co. F. At the expiration of three-months term of service, he re-enlisted as private, and was soon promoted to the same rank which he held before. In this regiment he served two years, and was promoted from 2d to 1st Lieutenant, and to Adjutant of the regiment, which office he filled one year ; he then went into the 84th O. V. I., which he assisted in organizing, and was appointed Adjutant, and was discharged at the end of one year on account of physical disability ; while with the 11th O. V. I. he was in West Virginia, and engaged in numerous severe skirmishes, the most important of which were Tyler Shoals, Mill Creek (2 days), Hawk's Nest (2 days), Sewell Mt., Gauley Mt., Cotton Hill (6 days), and over twenty road and brush fights with rebel forces from 200 to 4,000 ; with the 84th O. V. I., he engaged in fight at Tate's Ford, retreated with the army to Louisville, Ky., and after fight at Perryville was taken prisoner by Morgan's forces, but was soon paroled ; after his discharge he returned home and remained an invalid for the following year ; went to Dayton, Ohio, and superintended the U. B. printing establishment for four years, when he came to Tippecanoe in 1869 and founded the Tippecanoe City Herald, which he continued to operate successfully till quite recently, when poor health required him to abandon the office ; has the appointment for census taker for Monroe Township, and is Lieutenant Col. of 3d O. N. G. During the railroad riots of July, 1873, his MONROE TOWNSHIP - 651   regiment was called into service to suppress the mob in various places in Ohio. Col. H. was highly complimented for services during this time. He finds expression for his political views in the Republican party ; is a member of the A., F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and is a representative, from this district, of the Grand Lodge Encampment. He was married in December, 1855, to Miss Rebecca M. Hannan, of Piqua. Six children have been the issue of this union.   FRED HUBER, butcher, Tippecanoe City; one of the oldest business men in Tippecanoe ; was born in Switzerland in 1830, and is the son of John and Anna (Suter) Huber, the former a miller by trade, which he learned from his father ; he died when our subject was quite young. The subject of this memoir is the only child of the family, and emigrated to America in 1853, landing, after a voyage of sixty-eight days, at Quebec, Canada, thence to Cleveland, and thence to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked two years ; he finally came to Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the butchering business ; his shop is the oldest established in the place, and wholly reliable ; his long experience in and careful attention to his business commands the patronage of the public (see his card in directory). He married Elizabeth Rupp, of Switzerland, in 1857 ; they have two daughters.   DAVIS T. JESTER, farmer ; P.O. Ginghamsburg ; is one of the sons of William S. and Ann Jester, who take front rank among the pioneers, William being born in 1801 ; his wife, Ann Pearson, was Benjamin Pearson's daughter, and was born in 1800 ; they came from South Carolina, and their family history may be traced to the coming of William Penn ; their marriage was in 1824, as nearly as can be ascertained, and they were the parents of ten children—Davis, Mary, Harry, Magdalena, Lavina A. and Lucinda are living, and all married except Mary ; Davis was married to Miss Keren H. Evans in 1868, she was the daughter of Robert and May Evans, who were married in 1835, and had six children—Mary L., Aaron, Jesse J., Keren H., Robert M. and Elizabeth ; all are living except the two eldest. Davis and his wife are the parents of two children—Davis L. and Ira ; Mr. Jester was previously married to Miss Jane Coate, in 1862 ; they had two children—Della S. and Charles W.; their mother died in 1864 ; they live on a nice farm of 85 acres ; his father lives with Henry Harshman, the husband of Lucinda. William Jester is next to the oldest man now living in this township.   MRS. SALLY KERR is the mother of numerous sons and daughters, whose biographies appear in this work, and we venture the assertion that no sketch of any person will be of more interest than even this condensed report of only a few incidents in her life ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1800 ; is a daughter of Jonathan and Olive Thompson. Her parents had ten children, and, as they grew rapidly, Mr. Thompson wishing to purchase land enough for them when he had the means, sold his farm in Pennsylvania, himself and eldest son went to Canada and purchased 1,000 acres. They removed thither in 1810, and were getting comfortably settled when the Indian war of 1812 broke out in all its fury. Mr. Thompson refused to take the oath of allegiance to the British Crown, and was therefore forced to flee for his life. He came to Cleveland, and from there sent a letter to his wife bidding her come at once and bring with her such things as she could carry. The Indians were by this time very troublesome, and numerous outrages had been committed, and the news that they were to leave the settlement was hailed with joy. They started in midwinter when the snow lay deep upon the ground. Their route was through an almost trackless forest, but they started, nevertheless, with one ox and one two-horse team, hitched to sleds loaded with all they could conveniently carry. Sally was then 11 years old, and went in front, driving the team of horses while her mother drove the oxen. Owing to the stumpy character of the road, the oxen broke the tongue out of, the sled to which they were hitched, the first night, and they were forced to stop in the dense woods and stay during the night, with no light, no fire, and the wolves howling on every side. During the long hours of the night, the mother and little Sally had to pace back and forth through the snow to hold the wolves at bay and keep themselves   652 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   from freezing. The other children were as well protected from the cold as was possible with blankets, etc., but Mrs. Thompson’s feet were so badly frozen that she was unable to walk for weeks afterward. At daybreak, they left the oxen and the disabled sled and started with the other team. After traveling four or five miles they came to a cabin, where they hired a man to go back, repair damages, and bring the team to his house. The next day's journey brought them to the home of a brother of Mr. Thompson, where they had to stop, as the suffering endured by Mrs. Thompson with her frozen feet, forbade them continuing the journey. They stayed there three weeks, perhaps, when three men with whom her husband was acquainted stopped at the house, and told Mrs. Thompson if she would put herself and little ones under their protection they would see her safely to Cleveland. Mr. Thompson, Sally’s uncle prevailed upon her to stay a short time with him, as he also intended leaving the country. She consented, and the mother and children took an affectionate leave of Sally, expecting soon to meet her again. But that parting was destined to be forever, and the daughter, who is now an aged woman, has seen nothing of either parents, brothers or sisters, from that time to this day, neither has any tidings been heard from any of them, and if any of the family are to-day living, they mourn Aunt Sally, the subject of this sketch, as dead. The parting was one never to be forgotten, and, though parents and children may never meet again on earth, we trust that in Heaven above, where no sorrow nor parting is known, their union may be complete. Sally's uncle was also obliged to make his escape, as he was drafted into the British Army, and she was again left with her aunt as an only friend, Shortly after, she was placed in charge of a man and his wife who said they were also going to Cleveland, and again she started to join her parents. The people with whom she found herself afterward proved to be ballet dancers, and, after wandering about the country awhile, came to Ft. Meigs. Disregarding their promise, they left, her here among a lot of French and Indians, while she was the only American in the place. Their food was hominy and fish without salt, and she frequently prayed for death instead of this semi-captivity and disgusting food. But as there is always a silver lining to the darkest cloud, so were God's mercies to be extended to our little Sally. Some time during August, a band of 400 savage warriors, painted for battle, and commanded by Col. Cromer, stopped at the fort. The Colonel, noticing her, asked her why she was there, and after hearing the story, told her if she could ride a horse to Fort Piqua, he would carry her that far. She joyfully consented, as the hope of again seeing her friends was still paramount in her bosom. Accordingly, she was mounted on a man,s saddle, and the journey of 200 miles commenced. Their route was through an unbroken wilderness, with only a bridle path marking the way, and they rode single file, she being next her protector, the Colonel. She recognized many articles that the Indians had with them as trophies, as belonging to people whom she had known in Canada ; but she was not molested in the least by them, the Colonel always having a tent stretched for her accommodation, and placing guards about it. Upon their arrival at Wapakoneta, Ohio, the savages were halted, as they were here allowed their ration of rum. Sally was placed in charge of an Indian squaw, who could talk some English. She, fearing that danger might happen (as the Indians when drunk were always dangerous), told her, as she had a pony of her own, she would take her to Fort Laramie, distant twenty miles. They started to a neighboring cabin to borrow a sidesaddle, when they met two drunken Indians. One of them spoke to Sally (remarking about her beauty), when the squaw told her to run and hide ; this she did and reached the hut she had just quitted, the Indian giving chase ; she climbed into the loft and covered herself with a lot of skins that had been placed there. The Indian climbed up, but seeing no one, departed with a malicious grunt of dissatisfaction. The squaw soon returned, leading her pony, bridled and saddled, and assisted her to mount. By this time it was dark ; they started and arrived at Fort Laramie before daylight, the squaw walking all the way. After taking leave of Sally in an affectionate way, she at once started back to her cabin, not waiting for daylight. Upon her arrival at   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 653   Wapakoneta, she informed Col. Cromer, who, upon his arrival at Laramie, again took charge of her, and delivered her in safety to John Johnston, Indian Agent at Fort Piqua, remarking to him that he wanted him to be a father to the girl. He then resumed his march, as he was taking the Indians to some point in Kentucky. She lived with Mr. Johnston's family a year, perhaps, and as she was an adept in spinning, manufactured 130 pounds of wool into stocking-yarn, during three months of her stay. She then went to Mrs. Ewing’s to live, and finally made her permanent home with Mr. Jesse Miller, with whom she lived until her marriage to James Kerr, in 1818 ; she first came to Fort Piqua in August, 1812. During their married life they had eleven children—Hanford, Hamilton, George, Margaret, Jonathan, Rebecca, William, James, John, Perry and Sally A. ; seven of these children are now living, and are all persons of prominence in the community in which they live.' Her husband, James Kerr, was very prosperous and accumulated quite an extensive tract of land. He died July 11, 1863, his widow (the Aunt Sally of our sketch), lives now on the old homestead.   CAPT. NEWELL KERR (deceased), was, during his lifetime, a prominent man, not only as an agriculturist, but a local politician as well ; he was the only one of the name in Miami Co. that espoused the Republican cause, but his motive for doing so was no doubt a pure one. His marriage to Mrs. Martha J. Kerr was celebrated Sept. 21, 1851, and for three years they resided on the farm now owned by Joseph Conrey, on the Dayton Pike ; from there they came to the beautiful farm upon which Mrs. Kerr now lives, which is appropriately named Glen Forest. Mrs. Martha Kerr is a daughter of John D. and Nancy Fowler, who came to this country in 1821, and were always prominent citizens. The death of Newell Kerr occurred July 16, 1876 ; in his lifetime he was a prominent Magistrate, and, during a nine-years official career, never had one of his decisions reversed ; he held a commission as Captain in the Home Guards, but, when the war broke out, resigned his captaincy and enlisted in Co. L, 8th U. S. C.; he was in Hunter,s memorable raid through the Shenandoah Valley, and endured many hardships and privations ; he was captured by the rebels at Beverly, W. Va., and thrown into Libby Prison, the horrors of which are graphically described in the history of the civil war in America; he was exchanged after forty days, confinement, weighing 180 pounds upon entering the prison, and only ninety-eight pounds when released ; this was caused by starvation alone, and the blood-curdling tales related by those who were confined in that prison pen are truly appalling ; he was discharged in April, 1874, having given his life almost in the defense of his country ; all their children were born before his enlistment—John F., Edward V., Rhoda, Hamilton, Lulu M., Carey F. and Carrie Evalyn ; Mrs. Kerr,s son, by her first husband, also enlisted, and died during his term of service ; four of the children are married ; Hamilton married. Miss Eva Martin, of Xenia, Ohio, and manages the farm, which is beyond question the best arranged farm in Monroe Township ; the elegant residence is luxuriously furnished ; everything that wealth can procure is lavishly supplied ; books, music, works of art, etc., are everywhere seen in profusion; the style in which they live is not equaled, perhaps, by any family in the county. Mr. Kerr was one of the leading spirits in the Kentucky Home Grange, which was organized under his management, and he was a number of terms Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, A., F. & A. M. ; he was an honorable, conscientious man, and did his whole duty as a husband and father, a neighbor and a soldier:   JAMES KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; is the first one of his name to give us information of his family history, and Monroe Township furnishes a list of family reminiscences equal perhaps to any in the county. A long historical sketch appears of Sally Kerr, the wife of James Kerr, and the parents of Hanford, Hamilton, George, Margaret, Jonathan, Rebecca, William, James, John, Perry and Sally A. Kerr. To avoid repetition, we here state that her children are nearly all represented in the biography of this work, and Aunt Sally's sketch will explain where and when they settled in the county. James was born in 1834 ; his education is a good one. In 1858, his marriage to Miss Mary E. McPherson was celebrated, and they purchased   654 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES   the farm upon which they now reside, in 1860. Their four sons were born and named in the following order : James M., born Jan. 15, 1859 ; William M., born Dec. 8, 1860 ; Wesley S., Nov. 13, 1865 ; and Albert B., born Dec. 30, 1867. Under the able management of Mr. Kerr, assisted by his sons, the farm is a source of great revenue. The boys promise to make men of substantial character and Intelligence. James Kerr is an honorable and upright Mason, is now Master of Franklin Lodge, No. 14, A., F. & A. M., and also is Master of Concord Grange, No. 144 ; both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat in whom there is no guile ; for many years he has been connected with the public schools, and is also Pike Superintendent in this district. He is a generous, hospitable host, and enjoys the confidence of every man who knows him.   PERRY KERR, farmer ; P. 0., Troy ; is Mrs. Sally Kerr's youngest son, and has managed the home farm for many years, and the general appearance of the buildings and farm are indicative of his care and adaptation for his business ; the brick residence, is the first one of the kind erected in the neighborhood. Perry was married to Miss Susannah E. Kessler March 28, 1876 ; her father was wounded at the battle of Lexington, Ky. and died from effects of the injury. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of Hanford Ky., born Feb. 8, 1867 ; Cora A., Jan. 29, 1869 ; Susannah E., Nov. 26, 1876 ; Alva M., Feb. 23, 1874 ; Sarah E., Dec. 24, 1876 ; and Martha A., Feb. 13, 1879. They are a splendid family of children. Through the efforts of Perry and James Kerr, the Nashville and Troy (Branch) Pike was built, which is one of the best in the township. Perry Kerr is owner of 220 acres of elegant land, which was mostly purchased by himself, and contains the principal part of the homestead ; the site of the old home has never been disturbed by the plow, and is revered as " consecrated ground." Many things dear to childhood's memories are yet to be seen ; the rock upon which they cracked their hickory nuts, the remains of the walnut stump that stood at the end of the porch, and three tree; that were budded by different ones of the family, and since have been called by their names ; the old hearth-stones, and the old chimney-place are still visible, and are the dearest objects to the family, who revere the memory of the man who did so much for them in childhood's happy hour. Aunt Sally makes her home with Perry and his amiable wife, and is now 81 years of age. Perry, like his father, is a lavish provider of the good things of earth, and follows in his political footsteps, Democratic, first, last and always.   J. A. KERR, attorney, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Chambersburg, Montgomery Co., July 7, 1853, and is the son of J. T. Kerr, and a direct descendant of George Kerr, the pioneer ; J. T. is a farmer by occupation ; born in this township March 11, 1828, and married Feb. 10, 1851, to Matilda, daughter of Col. Westlake, an early settler ; by this union he had a family of five sons and one daughter ; one son died in infancy. He is the son of James and the grandson of George Kerr, who was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, near the Lake of Killarney and the Eagle's Nest ; he married Martha Newel, of the same place, and came to America with his parents just previous to the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he took a part ; was one of the first settlers in Marietta, Ohio, and, in 1813 or 1814, moved to Lebanon ; his father was brutally murdered by the Indians ; he had six sons and one daughter. Our subject is the second child of the family ; he passed his early life on the farm, attending the common school till 16, when he entered the National Normal, of Lebanon, Ohio, and attended it for two subsequent winters, where he learned the science of surveying, which he has since practiced ; as early as 1868, he turned his attention to the study of law, and, in 1873, was admitted to practice in the State, and, at the age of 23, was admitted to the United States Courts ; in the fall of 1873, he located in Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law ; he has, by careful attention to business, won the confidence and esteem of the public, and is one of the promising and energetic young attorneys of Miami Co. ; in politics,. he is a Democrat, and a member of the City Council. He was married, at the age of 20, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lemuel Coat, a descendant of Samuel Pearson, a pioneer ; one daughter has been the issue of this union.   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 655   GEORGE KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. The last man of the Kerr family to place on our list is as well known in this county as any man now living in it; he was a brother to Newell, John and Furnace Kerr, and it may be proper to remark that the Kerr and Miller families are the best represented in this work, and the most wealthy farmers in Monroe Township. George was born July 16, 1831 ; he married Miss Nancy J. Culbertson in 1853 ; they are the parents of Samuel H., Otto and Otho (twins) ; Samuel was born Oct. 18, 1856 ; Otto and Otho, Jan. 17, 1858 ; the other child died in infancy; Samuel is the husband of Miss Minnie E. Stewart, and Otto married Miss Elizabeth Northcutt. Mrs. Nancy Kerr was born March 8, 1836. Mr. Kerr owns 500 acres in this county, part of which is in Concord Township ; the extreme neatness of this farm must be seen to be appreciated ; evidences of wealth abound everywhere. For the past twenty-one years, he has been connected with our public schools, and his long continuance in this capacity is evidence of his good judgment ; he has also been Master of Monroe Grange for the last seven years, and is one of the charter members of Coleman Commandery, K. T., No. 17 ; these are honors of which his children may well be proud, and gladly are these laurels incorporated in the family biography ; himself and brothers are acknowledged leaders of the Democratic party in their neighborhood, and better men cannot be chosen as standard-bearers.   FURNACE KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City. Furnace Kerr ranks high in the estimation of our people, and we are pleased to note that his father, Hamilton Kerr, came to this county in 1806, before any settlements worthy of mention were made, the wild deer, the panther and the Indian having full sway in the trackless forest, which has given way to the march of progress, until our beautiful land ranks second to none. Furnace is the youngest child of Hamilton and Rhoda Kerr, and was born on Sec. 18, Feb. 22, 1836 ; there were three other sons ; the Pearson and Newell Kerr farms were the first ones settled upon in this township. Furnace was wedded to Miss Anna, daughter of David and Annie Skiller, of Shelby Co., Jan. 6, 1870 ; he was an almost confirmed bachelor, but now makes a model husband ; they are the parents of Enona and Hamilton, two lovely children. The buildings upon this farm are the finest in Monroe Township, and are second to none in the county ; the house is luxuriantly furnished, and everything necessary for pleasure or comfort has been procured ; to say that we feel a just pride in the sons of Miami Co. would be a feeble expression compared to their industry and prosperity ; the Co., Valley against the world for wealth and productiveness. Mr. Kerr is a Jacksonian Democrat, an honest man, and a member of Tippecanoe Lodge of A., F. & A. M.   MRS. ANNA KESSLER, P. 0. Troy ; Mr. and Mrs. Kessler were both born in this county-he Nov. 13, 1816, she March 10, 1819 ; she is a daughter of Solomon and Barbara Hoover, who were also born in the county-he in 1795, she in 1800 ; Mrs. Kessler has one brother and two sisters living-Sarah Leighton, Nancy Blue and Henry Hoover. Her marriage to Martin Kessler was celebrated on April 3, 1838, Esquire David Jenkins performing the ceremony. They had eleven children-William H. H., born Jan. 13, 1839 ; Susannah E., born Sept. 7, 1840: David S., born June 18, 1842 ; John 0.. born July 31, 1844 ; Samuel C., born March 24, 1847 ; Solomon W., born April 8, 1849 ; Sarah M., born March 7, 1851 ; Martha A., born Sept. 17, 1854 ; Martin W., born June 2, 1857 ; Webster P., born June 19, 1859, and Elizabeth B., born Sept. 20, 1862 ; all are living, and five are married. Mr. Kessler was a gallant soldier during the war of the rebellion, but died during his term of service ; he was a good man, and highly respected by all who knew him ; his death occurred July 23, 1863; the remains were brought home in October following, and were interred in the Wheelock Cemetery. The widow and six of the children live on the farm, which is superintended by the sons, and furnishes a good income. John, William and Samuel were also soldiers during the war of the rebellion, and were brave and daring volunteers. We remember with pride our gallant men who filled the ranks, from Miami Co., and are ever ready to do them honor.   656 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   ERNST KOETITZ, carpenter, Tippecanoe City ; ,was born in Germany in 1830 ; his father, Nicholas, was a carpenter by trade, and married Mary Scholl, by whom he had thirteen children ; eight still survive. Our subject, the second child of the family, was reared and schooled in his native country ; at the age of 15, he learned the carpenter's trade, and has since followed it ; he emigrated to America in 1859, landing in New York City, whence he came to Tippecanoe ; here he engaged at once at his trade, and, in the early part of 1868, formed a partnership with the firm. of Trupp, Weakley & Co. ; Mr. K. is one of the industrious and enterprising citizens of Tippecanoe City, and is always found interested in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He is a member of the H. 0. D., and of the German Lutheran Church. He has been married twice, first, in 1859, to Mary Roehling, of Germany, and, second, to Mary Schoch, of the same place, in 1876.   H. L. LEHMAN, farmer ; P. 0. West Milton. Henry L. Lehman is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Miami in June, 1852 ; in 1854, his wedding was celebrated, he leading to the marriage altar Miss Catharine Kellar ; his trade is that of a miller, and, during his early residence in this country, he followed this business ; in 1856, be purchased the fine farm upon which he now resides, since which time his attention has been devoted to agriculture ; they have sever: children living—Daniel, Mary E., Samuel C. John, Annie, Emma and David; Henry is not living; David is the husband of Miss Alga Haines, and resides in Marshall Co., Ind. ; Mr. Lehman owns 135 acres of land, and upon it is a splendid orchard, small fruits, etc., of every variety known in this climate ; he has the finest sorghum mill in the county, and the best and latest improved machinery ; both himself and wife belong to the " Church of God ; " three terms he has held the office of School Director in his district; sons cultivate the farm, and Mr. Lehman lives at his ease ; they are surrouned with comforts on every hand, and are both good and useful members of society ; he is also considered one of the best theologians belonging to his church, and is also well posted on the current topics of the day.   T. C. LEONARD, superintendent wheel-works, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Covington, Miami Co., in 1850, and is the son of Joseph and Margaret Leonard; Joseph followed merchandising most of his life, his death occurring when our subject was quite small ; he had four children, two of whom have died; T. C. is the youngest of the family ; his boyhood and youth were passed in his native place, attending school ; his business career, in Covington was passed as a clerk in a dry-goods store, where he obtained that practical education which has secured him success since ; he came to this place in the fall of 1876, and at once took stock in the wheel-works known as the "Ford & Co. Wheel-Works," where he has since been engaged ; he has lately been made superintendent of the establishment ; it is one of the most extensive factories in the county, and employs continually from seventy-five to one hundred hands, turning out from fifty to sixty sets of wheels per day ; the establishment has gained a wide reputation for manufacturing the best quality of work, which is evidenced by the demand for their work being much larger than the supply ; Mr. Leonard is one of the most enterprising young men of Tippecanoe, with good business sagacity. Politically, he is a Democrat ; personally, affable and pleasant. He is a member of the Town Council. He was married, in 1875, to Mary, daughter of Jacob Rohrer ; one son and one daughter have been the issue of this union.   YOUNG G. McCOOL, shoemaker, Fidelity ; has a history of interest, and, although 75 years of age, does good work at the bench, and has followed this business for fifty-five consecutive years ; he was born in 1804, in Newberry District, S. C.; his parents moved first to Savannah, Ga., thence to North Carolina, thence to Virginia, and lastly to Miami Co.; his father, James D. B. McCool, was born in 1777, and Charity Chapman, his wife, in 1781 ; three of his children—Young G., William and Grace Mehaffy, are now living. Young was married to his first wife, Miss Margaret Cloyde, in January, 1828 ; they were the parents of six-   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 657   teen children, eight of whom are living—Esther Stanfield, William, Caroline Houser, Eliza Cress, Thomas A., John A., Hannah Zimmerman and Jesse ; all live in this county except Alfred and Caroline ; Mrs. McCool died in 1862. During the late war, Young enlisted in Co. L, 8th 0. V. C., and was honorably discharged in 1864. His marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Hepher was consummated July 20, 1867 ; they had no children ; her death occurred in 1876, since which time Mr. McCool has been his own housekeeper ; he is a jolly fellow, and dispenses his charity with a liberal hand ; many a needy person has, been the recipient of his bounty ; he is still as sprightly as a lad of 20, and has worked in the harvest field for fifty-five consecutive years his library is large, and he is a great reader ; and last, but not least, he is a Republican, and reveres the grand principles of his party.   SAMUEL McGIFFIN, physician and surgeon, Tippecanoe City ; prominent among the physicians of Tippecanoe ; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1824, and is the son of David and Nancy (Hudson) McGiffin, both of the same county. David was a farmer, and followed the pursuit of agriculture and stock-dealing throughout his active life ; he still survives at the advanced age of 86 years ; he had nine children, of whom the Doctor is the fifth child ; he was brought up on the farm, and received his early education in the characteristic pioneer log cabin, under the usual difficulties of his day. At the age of 14, he moved with his parents to Jackson Co., and here began the study of medicine at the age of 17, under the tutorship of Dr. Kenan; he continued his studies here a few years, and then entered the practice in Berlin, and at the end of two years established himself in Allensville for ten years, and then returned to Berlin in 1860, and went to Waverly, Pike Co.,where he remained till the breaking-out of the war, when he repaired to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and became surgeon of the 15th Veteran Reserve Corps, but subsequently, was placed in charge of the " Rebel Prison Ward Hospital," at the same place, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he returned to Ohio, practicing a short time in Zanesville, and then went to Perry Co., where he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; his eminent success in this field is attested by the fact that he took charge of a circuit in great disorder and confusion from political factions, and by much earnest labor brought it to a good condition, and added 186 members to the church. At the end of the year, he resumed his practice, and came to this county in April, 1871, where he has since successfully practiced. The Doctor feels the responsibility which his profession imposes upon him, and is conscientious and careful in the discharge of his duty. He finds his religious creed in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, with his wife, is a faith-fill member of the same. He was married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Jackson Co., Ohio. One child, who died in infancy, has been the issue of this union.   ROBERT MARTINDALE, farmer ; P. 0. Ginghamsburg. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, has spent more than a half-century within sight of his present home ; he was born in 1827, and his parents, John and Amy Martindale, were well known ; he was born in South Carolina in 1798, and settled on Mill Creek, near Frederickstown, in 1808. Amy was born in Pennsylvania in 1806, and came to Montgomery Co. in 1818. They were married in 1823 ; the children were twelve in number, and eleven of them are yet living—Jesse, Elizabeth, Robert, Mary, Samuel, John, William, Stewart, Martin, Rebecca, Cynthia A. and Martha. All the children were living at the time of their parents' death. The father died in . March, 1859, the mother, April 28, 1865 ; they were among the noted pioneers, and reared a family that are an honor to the county. Their eyes beheld the beauty of the country they loved, and their lives were the better for helping in its development. Their son Robert, was wedded to Miss Alvina Waymire in 1849. Her father is the oldest man living that was born in Butler Township, Montgomery Co. Her mother, Mary Gallihan, was born in that county, and her ancestry were from North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Martindale are parents of one child, only —Alexander G. ; he was born Jan. 14, 1851, and married Miss Mary Coppock, a daughter of one of the pioneers, in 1871 ; they are the parents of Dora, Charles   658 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   and Samuel, bright and splendid-looking children. Mr. Robert Martindale lives like a prince ; his house is a neat one, his barns and other buildings large and commodious ; he owns 110 acres of land, equaling any in his neighborhood. He was a volunteer in Co. O, 147th O. V. I. during the war, having rank of 3d Sergeant. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is also a member of Coleman Commandery. As a host, he cannot be equaled in this or any other county, and his name, for honor and veracity, is without a stain.   F. C. MERKLE, harnessmaker and saddler, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Auglaize Co. April, 1851; is the son of Charles T., a native of Germany, and a wagon-maker by trade ; he married Ann E. Cottenberger, of Germany, by whom he had nine children, five of whom still survive. Our subject is the third child of the family, and was reared and schooled in the town of Wapakoneta, his native place ; began an apprenticeship at the harness trade at the age of 14, and served some three years ; he then engaged at butchering for three years, and then at railroading for three years, when in 1874 he came to Tippecanoe and began the manufacture of harness, and, by his enterprise and careful attention to business, has established a gratifying trade ; he is located on North Main street, between First and Second streets, where he keeps on hand a full line of first-class stock. He took a course in the Commercial College of Dayton, Ohio, in 1871, thus acquiring a thorough business education. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and M. R. A., of Tippecanoe. He married Elizabeth Pohlkotte, of Montgomery Co., in 1873 ; they have a family of three children.   A. W. MILES, confectioner, grocer and Postmaster, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Newton Township, this county, Nov. 27, 1839, and is the son of Wade and grandson of Jonathan Miles, one of Newton Township's first settlers. Wade was a native of same' place, and a farmer by occupation ; he was married twice, first to Mary Tucker, of this county, and second to Malinda Hayes, nee Thomas ; eight children were born of the first, and one child of the second marriage a son and two daughters are dead. The subject of this sketch is the second child of the family, he was brought up on the farm, and educated in the common school. He assisted in the duties of the farm till his father's death, and one year after this, began the profession of teaching, which he continued till 1858 ; in the fall of 1858, he entered a dry-goods store as clerk, and continued here till the outbreak of the late rebellion, when, at the first call for troops, he responded, and entered the army as a member of the 11th 0. V. I., Co. H, in which he served till the close of the war, a period of four years three months and five days ; enlisted as a private and was promoted to Corps Commissary, which office he held when mustered out ; participated in the hard-fought battles of second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, around Chattanooga, Atlanta campaign, besides numerous skirmishes ; was with Sherman to the sea, in the campaign of South Carolina, at close of the war, and from latter place went to Washington City, and then to Louisville Ky., where he was mustered out ; he returned to Tippecanoe and engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store till May, 1868, when he became clerk in the post office, and in March, 1869, received appointment as Postmaster, which position he has since filled with fidelity and satisfaction to the public. In connection with the post office, he keeps a full line of fancy groceries and confectionery. His motto is excellence in quality, integrity in transactions, low prices and quick sales. He finds his political views in the Republican party, and has frequently held the office of Township Trustee. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and M. R. A. of this place, and also a member and clerk of the Baptist Church of this place. He was married in January, 1867, to Mary C. Wesler, of this county, who died last Febuary, leaving four sons, a son and a daughter having previously died.   JOHN MILLER, grocer, Tippecanoe City ; one of the well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; was born in Baden, Germany, in 1834 ; his father, Philip, was a farmer by occupation and raised four sons and, two daughters, of whom our subject was the youngest son ; he was reared on a farm and schooled in his native country. He immigrated to America in 1854, landing in New York from which place he came to this, where he shortly engaged in the coopering busi-   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 659   ness; this he followed two years and then embarked in the occupation of a baker, which, with hotel-keeping, he continued till 1875, when he engaged in the grocery trade. He is located on North Main, between First and Second streets, where he keeps on hand a full line of groceries and queensware, which he sells at lowest prices ; he is reliable and, honest in all his dealings. In politics, he is a Democrat, but no politician. He has been member of the Council, and for five years of the fire department, of which he is now Treasurer, and in 1861 carried the mail from Charleston to Brandt. He married Catharine Steck, of Alsace, Germany, in 1858. Of the five children born to this union, one has died.   ALBERT MILLER, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Albert Miller was born and reared in the township in which he resides, his parents, John R. and Mary Miller, then being residents of the county. He was 20 years of age when wedded to Miss Amanda Honeyman, which event was celebrated March 25, 1852, Squire David Jenkins tying the nuptial knot; his parents gave him one horse, a cow and a feather bed ; after farming with his father one year, he began business for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Miller were the parents of nine children, of whom five are now living—Matilda J., Calista Belle, Ella D., Cora E. and Lulu M. Matilda married Lewis Schafer ; none of the others are yet married ; they are eminently fitted to adorn any position in society. Mr. Miller is a Democrat of the conservative stamp ; his wife is an excellent housekeeper ; their residence is neatly furnished, and Mr. Miller provides liberally for his family. The splendid farm of 60 acres, with the neat residence and substantial outbuildings, surrounded by forest trees, is a home as cozy as any in the township.   J. W. MILLER, farmer ; P. 0. Troy; is the eldest son of John V. and Rebecca Miller ; was born April 22, 1838. Miss Sarah A. Shoemaker, of Dayton, became his wife in 1865 ; their children were born in the following order : William A., Sept. 20, 1867 ; Asbury W., Feb. 22,1870 ; Isaac N., Jan. 20, 1872 ; Belle, Aug. 27, 1875; and Jeannette R., March 17, 1878 ; they are a most interesting family of children ; Mrs. Miller is a native of Pennsylvania, and was raised in a city, but, as a farmer's wife, she can scarcely have an equal ; Mr. Miller proposes to move to Kansas in the spring of 1881, and engage with his brothers in the stock business ; Miami Co. will thus lose one of her best men, who can illy be spared ; they are both influential members of the M. E. Church, and here will their loss be felt. Mr. Miller sold his elegant farm last year, and intends investing a large part of his money in lands in Kansas. He carries with him the kindest wishes of every family in Monroe Township.   ISAIAH K. MILLER, stock-breeder ; P. 0. Troy. His mother, Rebecca Kessler, was born in this county in 1813, and his father, John V. Miller, in Berkeley Co.,Va., in 1803 ; he came to this county in 1832, and was married at the residence of the bride’s parents, in 1834 ; David Jenkins, Esq., conducted the marriage ceremonies ; an old log cabin was the birthplace of their first children ; six of eight children born now survive— John W., Henry H., Levi S., Isaiah K., Susannah E. and Elizabeth J. ; almost the entire tract of country was then covered with heavy timber, and the pioneer was used to rough fare, and the howling of the wolves; every year found them prospering, and Mr. Miller, at the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1878, was owner of nearly 900 acres ; Isaiah has had practical control of the farm since the age of 16, and his experience in breeding thoroughbred stock has made him famous throughout the country ; his herd has produced the finest Durhams in the county ; himself and Levi S. Miller have purchased a large tract of land in Kansas, upon which Levi resides ; they are now conducting the breeding of thoroughbred cattle on a large scale ; J. K. Miller is also partner in the steam saw-mill near his residence. His marriage to Miss Lizzie Cron was celebrated Feb. 5, 1874, in Cincinnati, Ohio ; her parents were natives of Jefferson Co., Va., but now live in this county. They are, at this time, the parents of two children—Samuel C. and Minnie V. ; Mrs. Rebecca Miller makes her home with her son Isaiah, and they have everything necessary for the promotion of comfort. The tidy house, the neatly trimmed orchard, substantial barns, etc., etc.,   660 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   give evidence of the best of management, both indoor and out ; theirs is a happy and pleasant lot in life.   JOHN MILLS, farmer; P. O. Ginghamsburg ; the subject of one of our most wonderful biographies, is well known in this neighborhood ; his grandfather, Elias Mills, was born in 1683, and married Miss Martha Stiles ; he weighed 485 pounds, and was considered not only the strongest but also the fleetest man in the world ; he challenged England to produce a mail who could compete with him as an athlete ; a man came, and they started in a race, Elias easily coming out ahead and running backward all the while; was killed by a kick from a ,horse, at the remarkable age of 140 years. Jon Mills was born in 1812, and was the youngest son of Richard and Martha Mills ; they emigrated to Montgomery Co., in 1800 ; he was a blacksmith, and was of great service to the early settlers ; they were the parents of Jonathan, Lydia, Rachel, Lutitia, Ira, Henry, John and Gideon ; John is the only one now living of this large family. He married Miss Elizabeth Watkins, in 1836 ; they were the parents of twelve children, three of whom are deceased ; Cerelda, Richard, Carletta, Joanna, Mahala, Sarah, David, Henry and Joseph C. are living ; five are married, and live in this county ; John and his wife are grandparents of twenty-one children ; his farm consists of 80* acres of land, which is cultivated by his sons ; he is a Democrat, and has reared a family of sons who are all strong in the faith ; his descendants can hereby trace their relationship to their great-grandfather, who was supposed to be the strongest man living in his time.   JACOB W. MYERS ; farmer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City ; is a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., and was born in 1822 ; parents were named Daniel and Hester Myers ; his mother died when Jacob was one year old ; as he grew to manhood, he learned the trade of weaving, and, in 1842, in company with some friends, emigrated to Clark Co. He engaged in weaving near Carlisle, previous to his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shuman, which event occurred in 1850 ; one and a half years after the marriage, Mrs. Myers died, also their infant daughter, Magdalena. He continued weaving in winter and farming in summer, until his marriage to Miss Sarah Mott, in 1855 ; they are the parents of ten children, of whom Mary J. and Lilly F. are deceased. Daniel is the husband of Miss Mary Gottschall, and has two children—George Arthur and Bertha Estella ; William, Eunice L., Otho P., Calista E., Jacob W., Sarah E. and Charles are now living with their parents, and form an interesting family. Jacob is a prosperous farmer and generous provider ; has always voted the Republican ticket ; his wife and daughters are excellent housekeepers.   LUCINDA NEAL ; P. 0. Fidelity ; is the widow of a man well known in this county, and their names are worthy of remembrance ; they were born in Monroe Township in 1808, and have always lived near their birth-place ; Mrs. Neal's parents were married in Tennessee, and emigrated to Miami Co. in 1807 ; their names were Francis and Jemima Million; were the parents of five children, of whom William Jester and the worthy lay whose name heads this sketch are yet living ; they are among the eldest settlers now living in the county. Lucinda was wedded to William Neal in 1828, and they were blest with seven children—Melinda, Phoebe, Matilda, Annie, Israel, Francis and Henry; four of these are married; Mr. Neal was 66 years of age at the time of his death, and left a large estate ; he was a very prominent man, being Township Trustee and School Director a number of times ; he was a cordial supporter of everything that tended toward advancement, both morally and socially. Mrs. Neal owns 120 acres in her own right, and all her children have nice farms ; the home place is a lovely spot, and is carefully looked after ; the neat house near the old homestead belongs to one of the sons, and is one of the most tasteful residences in that part of the township. Mrs. Neal leaves her children a birthright of honesty and sociability.   GEORGE P. NISWONGER, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. George P. Niswonger was born in Preble Co., Ohio, June 25, 1845 ; his father, John Niswonger, being a native of Ohio, and his wife, Lydia Rhinehart, of Virginia ; their marriage was celebrated in 1838, and they were the parents of eight children—William, Amanda, John M.,   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 661   David A., George P. (was born June 25, 1845), next came Joseph E., Christian 8, and Melinda A., born Oct. 8, 1852 ; she is the wife of Franklin Slack, and mother of three children John, Ida and Lydia. George and Melinda are the only children now living of the numerous family of _John and Lydia Niswonger. George married Miss Margaret Clawson, Feb. 4, 1875 ; they are the parents of two bright little girls—Lydia J. and Clara E. The old folks reside with them, and the old gentleman is a jolly Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and his son has the principles of the party deeply instilled in his nature. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, under command of Admiral Porter, of the Mississippi Squadron. He participated in several bloody engagements, was never wounded while on duty, and was honorably discharged in December, 1864. As a farmer he is very successful. The family library is large and well read. This family is highly respected, and lives in good style on a farm near Troy.   SAMUEL PEARSON, farmer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City ; is a representative of that branch of the Pearson family who can trace their ancestry to the landing of the Mayflower, three brothers coming on that vessel, one going to South Carolina, one stopping in New Jersey, the other in Pennsylvania. Samuel is a descendant of the South Carolina branch, and was born in 1820, within a half-mile of where he now lives. His parents, Enoch and Rosanah Pearson, were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are now living, Samuel, Margery Mahala, Ruth, Hirzah, Pemberton and Enoch. All live in this county except Mahala and Ruth. Samuel was married to Miss Sarah Enyeart, Oct. 28, 1849 ; they are the parents of three sons—Silas G., Leroy and Webster. Silas was married to Miss Matilda B. Patterson. Mr. Pearson is comfortably located on a nice farm of 60 acres, is a member of the Christian Church, an ardent temperance man, a good Republican, and also a member of Tippecanoe Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and Franklin Chapter. No. 24, R. A. M. He is well acquainted with all the facts and incidents detailed in full in this history.   MISS MARY PEARSON, Tippecanoe City. Miss Mary Pearson is a daughter of Benjamin and Ruth Pearson; they were among the first settlers, Samuel, the father of Benjamin, coming to Monroe Township in 1804 ; he was born Aug. 27, 1796, and his wife, Ruth Pegg, Dec. 9, 1795 ; he died May 26, 1875, and his wife in June of the same year ; they were, at that time, the oldest living couple in the township, and, during their long wedded life, were separated only five weeks ; hand in hand, they journeyed down the hillside of life, always loving and encouraging each other ; they reared a family of four children—Sarah, Esther, Valentine and Mary ; the two latter are still living. Mary is the owner of the home farm, which she has rightly named " Wilderness Home ; " she has reared, from infancy, her sister Sarah's only daughter ; she is an intelligent lady, and, in her neighborhood, there are none more universally respected than Mary Byrkett ; she was born in 1856. Miss Pearson lives very comfortably, and the home she loves is hers by birthright ; she is an estimable lady, and we are glad to give her the place she deserves in the biography of her township. Benjamin Pearson was a native of South Carolina, and his wife,s grandfather was one of the first settlers in that State, com- ing as early as 1680. There are few families that can trace their genealogy further back than those of the Pearson name.   JOHN M. PEARSON, apiarist ; P. 0. Troy ; the eldest son of Rachel (Moore) and Aaron Pearson, was born Oct. 21, 1831 ; he had three brothers and one sister—George W., Eli W., Christopher C. and Sarah A. ; John, Eli and Christopher are yet living ; George was for eight years a soldier in the United States Regular Army, and fought during the war of the rebellion, and was in several of the hardest-fought battles of the war ; he died in December, 1872, and his name is recorded among those of our gallant soldiers who defended the cause they loved. John's parents came from South Carolina in 1804 and settled near where Frederickstown now stands. John M. was married to Miss Harriet Russell Feb. 19, 1857 ; she was a daughter of Tamar and Isaac Russell, and was born March 16, 1835 ; they have no children. John M. Pearson purchased the farm upon which he now resides in 1873 ; it is in a high   662 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   state of cultivation ; for the past year he has been engaged in getting under way an apiary, which promises to be a lucrative business ; he has facilities for manufacturing his own hives, and has a large number filled with bees ; he is a Repub lican of the radical sort ; he and his wife belong to the Christian Church, and are also members of Monroe Grange. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. G, 147th 0. V. I., and acquitted himself with honor.   ELI PEARSON, SR., farmer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City ; is well known in the county, and perhaps there is no one who is so well skilled in all branches of mechanism as himself, who never served an apprenticeship ; his parents were Samuel and Mary Pearson, whose maiden name was Coats; her parents were among the first settlers in this township, and are mentioned in this history ; they were the parents of eleven children, four are living—Henry; aged 82 ; Hiram, 80 ; Sampson, 70 and Eli, 62, their united ages amounting to 294 years. Eli was married to Miss. Rebecca Mooney, daughter of Sarah and John J. Mooney, Oct. 15, 1837 ; they were the parents of Joseph j., Mary J., Benjamin S., Martha A. and William H. ; Mary is the wife of G. K. Westlake, and Joseph married Miss Phoebe Stewart ; Mrs. Pearson died Jan. 14, 1854. His marriage, to Hannah Julien, was celebrated April 15, 1856 ; they have two sons, Sylvanus E. and Warren J. Among the relics of olden times, in possession of Mr. Pearson, are a wooden clamp to catch wild hogs, made by his father in 1804, which is now as strong and efficient as ever ; a, mirror, that was made in 1680, and has been in the possession of his ancestry two centuries ; and a wagon, built by his father in South Carolina, in 1799, that carried them to this county from that State, was used in transportation of supplies for the army in 1812, and was driven by his brother Benjamin ; it has been used by every son of his father,s family until he could buy himself one, and is now used for heavy work on the farm. His son Joseph enlisted during the war in Co. A, 11th 0. V. C., under command of Maj. O'Farrell ; his battalion was ordered to the frontier, and guarded the United States mail during the war ; he was honorably discharged in 1865, having passed through the whole campaign without a wound. Mr. Pearson is one of the most social men in the county, and, with his wife as hostess, there cannot be a more inviting place to visit. The products of her dairy cannot be excelled in the State of Ohio. The finest spring in the county bubbles from a fissure in the rocks; and, passing through the dairy room, furnishes water enough to supply all the stock bred in the State. The beautiful spring-house was planned and built by Mr. Pearson, the stones of which were squared and laid with his own hands ; the tasteful appearance of everything shows his skill and energy. He, is a member of Coleman Commandery, No. 17. They are both professed Christians, he being a member of the Christian, and she of the Baptist, Church. His farm of 160 acres is a beautiful one, and is well tilled. His son, Benjamin, was also a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Co. G, 147th 0. V. I. ; he died in 1867. Mr. Pearson was a member of the Board of Education for thirty-nine consecutive years.   ELI PEARSON, JR., farmer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City ; represents one of the oldest men in Monroe Township,. his grandfather, Samuel Pearson, emigrating to this township in 1806 ; Hiram, the father of Eli, Jr.,was born in 1800, and was married to Elizabeth Jenkins in 1824, according to the forms of the Quaker Church, and their marriage certificate is now in possession of his son ; they are 'quaint old documents, and are signed by all the wedding guests ; three of that large number are yet living, and are the oldest persons living in the county; their children were seven in number, four of whom are living—Jesse, Rosanna, Eli and Elizabeth ; Jesse is living in Indiana ; Hiram's wife died in 1857, and his home is made with his son Eli, who lives on the home farm. Eli was married, in 1852, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Noah and Florentine Pearson, whose maiden name was Siddons ; their children number five, and are all living ; their names are Mary E., Alva Y., George W., Luetta F. and Jennie ; the eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of James Counts. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson are members of the Christian Church, and of Kentucky Home Grange. Mr. Pearson is a member of Franklin Chapter, No. 24, and is also   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 663   Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 174, A., F. & A. M. There are 80 acres in the home farm, which is highly cultivated ; himself and lady are a genial couple, and enjoy a large acquaintance in the county ; his father is still living, is hale and hearty, and is now absent, having taken a trip to Indiana.   ROSANNA PEARSON ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City. Every one in this vicinity is well acquainted with the lady named, and will read this brief sketch with interest ; aside from the fact of her being the eldest pioneer now living in the township, she is mentally well gifted, and can tell of incidents that happened long ago ; Rosanna. Pearson has furnished considerable material for the Monroe Township history ; she is the oldest lady now living in the township, and has a remarkable memory ; she was born in South Carolina in 1797, and is now 82 years of age ; she has a sister, Mrs. Margaret Ingle, who lives in Indiana, and is 93 years of age. Her father, Robert McClure, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war ; his wife,s maiden name was Mary Buffington ; they emigrated to Ohio in 1806. Rosanna was married to Enoch Pearson in 1815 ; they have six children living—Samuel, Enoch (the youngest child), Mahala Gates, Ruth Reisensaign, Tirzah Pemberton and Mrs. Margery Jenkins, who has given a great deal of information for this work ; Rosanna,s husband died in 1860. When Robert McClure first settled in Shelby Co., there were no neighbors but Indians, and during the war of 1812, they moved to Fort Piqua ; Rosanna gave the Indians who murdered Gerard, Dilbone and his wife, their dinner, the next day after the murder was committed ; they had scarcely finished their meal when their pursuers arrived, hunting them ; during one winter, Rosanna killed twenty-two coon, six wolves, two deer and one panther, with her rifle ; she was a woman of much energy, and deserves to live long in the minds of the settlers of Miami Co.: Miss Alice Brown is her housekeeper, and makes her home with the old lady, whom we leave in excellent health.   WILLIAM L. PENCE, farmer ; P. 0. Ginghamsburg ; is a man of much influence in his neighborhood ; his farm, adjoining the pleasant little village of Ginghamsburg, is highly improved, and is a cozy, homelike place. William was born in Champaign Co. in 1821; his parents, Reuben and Annie Pence, coming to this county in 1835 ; they settled first in Champaign Co. in 1804 ; they had six children—Ocey, Phoebe, Mary, Annie, Rhoda J. and William L. ; his grandparents both lived to the extraordinary age of 104 years. William was married to Miss Harriet Rudy in 1848. They were the parents of one son, Joseph B. Mrs. Pence died in 1849, and Joseph in 1863. In 1851, Mr. Pence was married to Miss Barbara Rudy ; they are the parents of five children—Harriet T., Alfred F., Mary Annetta, William, H. and Daisy P. Harriet is the wife of J. F. Kerr, and is the mother of Guy and William Newell Kerr. Alfred married Miss Ella Stoher, and Mary is the wife of John F. Eidemiller. The children are all well educated, and Alfred has been engaged in teaching. W. L. Pence was elected Justice of the Peace in 1867, and served two terms ; for twenty-three years, he has been connected with the School Board, which is a good record in itself. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church He has been Township Trustee for four years ; he votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the most genial of men ; he has also been connected with the ministry for fourteen years, and has done much for the cause he loves.   JOHN H. REICHEL, grocer, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Germany, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, Sept. 23, 1828, and is the son of J. G. and Mary E. (Weil) Reichel, the former a practical farmer, who had a family of eight children, six of whom he reared ; he is still living at the age of 74 years. Our subject was the oldest child, and the only one who emigrated to America ; he was inured to farm labor, and educated in the common schools ; in 1852, he came to this country, making his first permanent location at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he engaged in farm work over one year ; in the fall of 1853, took a trip to New Orleans as a steward on a boat, and, while in the latter city, he fell sick, and, after recovering, returned to Cincinnati, where he had a relapse and lay in the hospital for some time ; after recovering, he found himself unable to go at hard labor, and almost   664 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   penniless ; with his little money he purchased some notions and embarked in the peddling business, which he continued six years with eminent success ; he then located at Foster's Crossing, Warren. Co. Ohio, and engaged with marked success for five years, when he went to Springboro, and in 1876, came to Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the grocery trade ; he keeps on hand gents, furnishing' goods also ; Mr. Reichel is thoroughly acquainted with his business, and reliable ; honesty and integrity are his ruling principles in all actions. He has been married twice ; first in September, 1859, to Ethlinda Miller, who died in 1866, and again to Hannah A. Cartwright. He had one child, now dead, by his first wife, and four children by the second union.   B. F. RHODEHAMEL, manufacturer, Tippecanoe ; one of the enterprising and well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; was born near Sydney, Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1848, and is the son of Jacob and Julia R., the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Dayton, Ohio. Jacob was a farmer by occupation, and came to this State when a young man ; his death occurred about twenty-seven years ago, and that of his devoted wife, August, 1878. They had a family of four sons and four daughters, all growing up to maturity ; one son and two daughters have died ; the son died in the service of late civil war ; was a member of the 57th 0. V. I. Our subject was the youngest son, and was reared and schooled in his native county ; followed farming till 18 years old, when he came to this county, locating in Piqua, where he embarked in the wholesale notion business. This he continued with gratifying results for fifteen years, and then moved to Tippecanoe, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil and flour. With his brother he holds the largest stock interest in the " Grape Sugar Co.," lately organized in Tippecanoe. Mr. R. is a successful and reliable business man, and has the confidence and esteem of the public. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic Order, Royal Arcanum and M. E. Church. He was married, June 11, 1873, to Angie, daughter of Dr. Harrison, of Covington, Ohio.   JACOB ROHRER, farmer, etc. ; P. 0. Tippecanoe City. Of the citizens of Miami County, none are more worthy of notice than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1815, and is the son of Christian Rohrer, who was born on the same farm that our subject was, as was his grandfather, Christian. A brother died on the same farm, November, 1878, at the age of 86, which ended a family ownership in the land that had been existing over 150 years, the place having been deeded to a member of the family by one of Wm. Penn’s agents. The father of our subject passed his entire life on his farm, his death occurring June 22, 1825, the first to die in a family of eleven. He had nine children, all reared to maturity. He was married to Maria Farrer, who lived to the advanced age of 83 years. Our subject was raised on a farm, and early taught the art and dignity of farm labor ; the pursuit of agriculture has been his chief occupation, in which he has taken a great interest and been eminently successful. In May, 1835, he immigrated to Ohio, locating four miles east of Dayton, where the remained seven years, and then moved to his present place, near Tippecanoe City, which place he had purchased June 23, 1837, of Joseph Jones, who had entered it. On this farm he moved March 1, 1842. Besides farming, he is largely identified with various manufacturing interests of the county ; he owns a controlling interest in the " Wheel Works " of Tippecanoe ; has an interest in the " Grape Sugar Co.," recently organized in the same place, and also the " Troy Spring Wagon and Wheel Works," and the "Spiker Wagon Works," at Piqua. Formerly an Old Line Whig, he became identified with the Republican party at its organization, and has ardently supported it since. Although no politician, but few persons have filled so many positions of honor and trust as Mr. R. In 1857 or 1858, he was elected County Commissioner, and subsequently re-elected, serving six years. He is now filling his third term as Land Appraiser of Monroe Township ; was fifteen years a Director in Troy Bank, and for four or five years has been Vice President. He is a Director in the Fireman's Insurance Co., of Dayton, Ohio, and a Trustee of the Knoop Children’s Home, of Elizabeth Township. The duties of all these posi-   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 665   tions he has discharged with fidelity and satisfaction to the public. He has perhaps, settled more estates than any man in the county. He is one of the most enterprising of men, and is found identified with whatever promotes the welfare of the community ; careful in all business affairs, strictly honest, and possessing more than an ordinary foresight, he is one whose judgment in public matters is highly respected. He was married, Dec. 25, 1838, to Elizabeth Kendig, of Lancaster Co., Penn. One son and two daughters have been the issue of this union.   SAMUEL RUSSELL, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; is the son of Isaac Russell, who was born in 1799, and came to Miami Co. as early as .1806. He was married in 1822, to Tamar Mendenhall, whose parents were natives of North Carolina, in which State she was also born ; they settled on the farm now owned by John West- lake, and entered a quarter-section adjoining ; they had nine children, seven are living-Samuel, our subject, Joseph, Rachel, Rosanna, Oliver, Harriet and Tamar; Ruth and Isaac are dead. Samuel grew up on the farm, and was ever an honest, vigorous lad. At the age of 21, he was wedded to Miss Harriet Franklin ; they commenced housekeeping, and have always lived on part of the land originally entered by his father ; their children are named Louisa, Margaret A., John F., Mary J., Isaac N., Samuel L. and Jesse M. ; Louisa and John are not living ; Mary J. is the wife of James H. Snavely ; Margaret wedded Jacob A. Cain. Mr. Russell is one of our substantial men, and lives in a style commensurate with his means ; his wife died Aug. 1, 1880 ; she was a noble woman, whose loss will be deeply felt, not only by her husband and children, but by the entire neighborhood. Isaac Russell was wedded to Miss Frances J. Curtis ; Mr. Russell was born Nov. 17, 1822, and his wife Jan. 30, 1824, in Warren Co., Ohio ; they were a model pair and the children should ever feel a just pride in having an ancestry who were eves foremost in promoting all that pertained to honesty and morality.   JAMES S. SAYLOR, retired farmer ; P. O. Tippecanoe City ; an early settler of the county, was born in Bethel Township Jan. 15, 1827 ; his parents were Jacob and Rachel (McPherson) Saylor, the former born in Virginia, near Harper,s Ferry, and the latter in this State. Jacob died in January, 1859, at the age of 80 ; his father, Jacob, was of German birth, and was brought to this country when only 4 years old ; he moved to Ohio with his family in 1800, or previous, and halted for a short time in Montgomery Co., and then moved on up the Miami to Bethel Township, where his death occurred at the advanced age of 94 years ; two of his children, Jacob and Philip, in the fall of 1800, in their early manhood, pioneered their way up the Miami and entered one-half section of land in Bethel Township, aid moved on it the following spring with their father ; here Jacob began with an unyielding determination to hew out a home in the wilderness, bearing with fortitude the privations and hardships of pioneer life ; he had six sons and six daughters, only four of whom still survive. Our subject was the eleventh child, and his life has been that of a farmer ; the experiences of his boyhood and youth were those of most any farmer boy at that time ; his education was obtained in the characteristic pioneer log schoolhouse, and consequently was much limited ; he lived on his birthplace till 8 years ago, when he moved to Tippecanoe City ; he now owns and operates one-half the homestead ; he finds his political views in the Republican party, and, although no political aspirant, he was elected in October, 1871, to the office of County Commissioner, the duties of which he faithfully and satisfactorily discharged. He was married, March 31, 1853, to Jealy Dye, of this county, a descendant of early settlers, her grandfather, Stephen Dye, being among the first settlers of the county ; one daughter, Lillie, has been born to this union, who became.- the wife of Dr. Sterrett, of Troy, and died Feb. 9, 1875.   GEORGE SMITH, farmer and manufacturer ; P. 0. Tippecanoe ; is one of the prominent citizens and well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; born in England, in Lincolnshire, in 1816 ; he is the son of William and Mildred Smith, who subsequently emigrated to America ; they had seven children. George received no education but what he acquired by his own exertions and close observation throughout life. In 1838, he emigrated to this country, landing in New York City,,   666 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   then, went to Dayton, Ohio, by steamer, canal-boat and wagon ; he worked as a laborer at Greenville Falls a short time, and then entered a distillery east of Dayton ; he engaged at this in the vicinity of Dayton, as a laborer, for about five years, and then at merchandising at Fairfield, Ohio, for sixteen months, when he, with his brother-in-law, leased and operated for three years the distillery, flouring and saw-mill at Greenville Falls ; subsequently for two years they operated a distillery at Casstown, where, in 1852, they erected the first one in this place ; then built a flour and oil mill, which he operated for some eight or nine years ; be then turned his attention to farming, which he has since engaged in ; he is now President of and a stockholder in the " Grape Sugar Company," of this place, which was recently organized, with a capital stock of $50,000 ; he has frequently held offices of trust in township and town, as Corporation and Township Treasurer for many years, member of School Board, City School Treasurer, etc. He is a self-made man. When he arrived at Dayton, in 1838, he had only a sixpence in his pocket, but his energy, industry and business sagacity have won for him a place among the foremost business men of the county. He has done much for the improvement of the city, and is identified with all measures of public interest. He is a Republican in politics, and, with his, wife, a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the A., F. & A. M. fraternity. He has been married twice, first to Miss Jane Smith, in 1839, who died Oct. 14, 1877. His second wife was Sarah E. Galloway née Bennett. One child, now dead, was the issue of this latter union.   JOHN SMITH, farmer ; P. 0. Ginghamsburg ; is a prominent farmer of Monroe Township, whose father was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and came to this county in 1835. Elizabeth Whitehead, his wife, was born in Montgomery Co., about 1805, and they were married in 1821 ; they were the parents of Susannah, Jacob, Mary, Esther, John, Solomon, Samuel, Elizabeth and Elvira. John was born in Montgomery Co., in 1827, and he has always followed the occupation of farming, He was wedded to Eve Yount, in 1847 ; they had two children-Catharine E. and Ira Y. Smith. His second marriage was celebrated in 1855, Miss Mary Eidemiller being the lady of his choice ; their children are George J., John H., Alexander D., Elizabeth, Peter E., Mary J., Ida, Esther and Lillie M., and Jacob, Catharine and Ira are married and reside in Montgomery Co. Mr. Smith is a prominent local politician, and is a thoroughbred Democrat. He commenced life with a small capital, and by honesty and industry owns a farm of 264 acres of elegant land. His home and its surroundings are of the substantial kind, characteristic of democracy, and stamp him as one of our most practical men.   ROBERT TEN RICK, farmer, Tippecanoe City ; he is a son of Henry Ten Eick, and was born in Bethel Township in 1843 ; he was raised on the farm, and passed his youth and boyhood in the country ; he came with his parents to Tippecanoe City, in 1865, where he has since lived ; he moved to his present fine residence, April 1, 1880, where he has a neat home, surrounded with all the comforts of life ; he is physically disabled, but superintends a farm in Bethel Township. He was married November, 1877, to Lizzie Smith, a native of Montgomery Co.   WILLIAM B. TEN EICK, farmer P. O. Tippecanoe City ; the son of Henry Ten Eick, was born, in this county in 1834 ; he was brought up on the farm and educated in the common school ; he lived at home till the age of 20, when he went to Wyandot Co., and took charge of his father's stock-farm, which he operated for four years, he then returned to the homestead, where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits till last December, when he moved to his present fine residence in Tippecanoe. In 1864, he enlisted in the United States service, and served as a Sergeant in the 147th 0. N. G. ;Ile is a Republican, in politics, and finds his religious creed in the Baptist Church ; he is also a member of the patrons of Husbandry. He married, in 1858, Louisa Kiser, of Indiana ; of the five children born to this union, only one, a son, still survives.   HENRY TEN EICK, retired farmer; P. 0. Tippecanoe City ; one of the earliest settlers and prominent citizens of Miami Co. ; he comes from a vigorous and long-lived family ; his paternal grandparents were Hollanders ; he was born in   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 667   Somerset Co., N. J., Aug. 14, 1802, and is the son of Matthew and Cornelia (Post) Ten Eick; the former born May 4, 1764, in the same county as our subject his father, Henry, came from Holland in an early day, and settled in New Jersey ; he served as a Captain under Gen. Washington, in the struggle for American Independence, and was a brave man ; he participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and others ; he survived to the advanced age of 86 years, and had seven sons and one daughter ; the daughter married Benjamin J. Hayes, the celebrated New York detective ; Matthew was the seventh son, and, according to the old superstitious belief that the seventh son was endowed with extraordinary curative powers, he was educated for the medical profession, and practiced medicine to some extent through life ; though quite young, he participated in the war of 1776, and was 1st Lieutenant of a New Jersey company. He married Cornelia Post April 9, 1796, who was born Jan. 4, 1771, in New Jersey ; Matthew emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1812, making the trip by team ; he located in Montgomery Co., near the present site of Miamisburg ; here he erected his rude log cabin, and began pioneer life ; he soon purchased a farm, and, with unflagging industry and perseverance, established a permanent home, where he passed the remainder of his active life, the latter eight years of his life being passed in Bethel Township, Miami Co., with our subject ; he died at the age of nearly 90 years, April, 1853, and his wife in May, 1849 ; he had four sons and one daughter ; Matthew, his youngest son, went to Iowa early, and with Gov. Lucas, laid out Iowa City, and his oldest daughter was the first child born in the place. Our subject was the third son, and his early life was that of a pioneer ; the hardships and privations of which developed a vigorous constitution and a fine physique ; in the fall of 1821, he teamed to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he first met and made the acquaintance of Col. Johnston, with whom he was an intimate friend ever after ; in the spring of 1822, he moved to Shelby Co., on a farm, where he began a career as a farmer, land and stock-dealer, and which has been marked with signal success, due to his unusual foresight as a business man, his industry and economy ; he remained six years in Shelby Co., and then removed to Bethel Township, Miami Co., and in 1865, came to his present place in Tippecanoe City ; while in Shelby Co., he lived a neighbor to Col. Johnston ; he began life with small financial means, and, by his unflagging industry and business sagacity, has amassed a large fortune ; he has 1,440 acres of land in one tract, lying in the horseshoe bend of Honey Creek, Bethel Township, all under the best of improvement ; he also owns " the model " farm of Central Ohio, of 1,000 acres, for which he has been offered $60,000, and a few years ago paid the largest real estate tax in the county • when the Wyandot reservation of Ohio was sold, he purchased 2,700 acres of the land, and afterward disposed of it in two tracts at a great profit ; he has been equally successful in stock-dealing, and has' establisheda wide reputation as a dealer in fine horses, his judgment in the selection of horses being regarded as par excellence ; while buying horses in Kentucky, he became acquainted with Henry Clay, at whose house he frequently' dined, and one time, to convince Clay that the farming implements of the Miami Valley were far ahead of those of Kentucky, expressed him a patent Wilmington plow, which he much appreciated, and afterward sold him what he said was the finest horse he ever owned ; during the late war, he took large Government contracts to furnish mules, and among the many hundreds which he supplied, so well had he selected them, not one was rejected by the Government Inspector ; he is now 78 years old, with his mental and physical powers remarkably well preserved ; coming from a stock of " Old-Line Whigs, he naturally became a Republican at the organization of the party. He was married, May 30, 1821, to Eleanor, daughter of William P. and Mary Barkalow ; she was born Nov. 19, 1803 ; their golden wedding was celebrated May 30, 1871, with many guests and valuable gifts ; of the six sons and four daughters born to them, three sons and three daughters have died.   AARON F. THOMAS, farmer ; P. 0. Troy ; is one of our prominent men, and was born in Concord Township June 12, 1836 ; his vocation mainly being that of a farmer, he has for the past sixteen years (during the winter months) been   668 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   engaged in teaching vocal music. His father, Samuel Thomas, was born in Kentucky, Feb. 24, 1790, and came to this 'county in 1805 ; his neighbors were Indians, of whom the nearest was the noted chief, Kilbuck, who figured prominently in the war of 1812. At one time his father sold this chief some whisky, and Samuel carried it to him. Kilbuck became intoxicated ; his son and Samuel were wrestling, and, as Samuel appeared to be getting the better of him, the chief became very angry, attempting to kill him ; Samuel's life was saved only by his fleetness of foot. During the war of 1812, he helped capture both this noted chief and his son, which was a great degradation in their estimation. His wife, Elizabeth Gearheart, was born in Virginia May 15, 1796 ; she came this county in 1812, and they were married Dec. 26, 1815, and settled near Troy. Their outfit consisted of two knives and forks, two plates, and tin cups to match ; their furniture consisted of two puncheon stools, a board being mortised in one for a back, which was used by Mrs. Thomas in spinning ; all their clothing was manufactured by her skillful fingers. They were the parents of Silas A., Maria, John M., Charlotte, Charles and Aaron F. Thomas, all of whom are living. Samuel was a plasterer by trade, and worked at the business for more than a half-century, plastering the first house in Troy, and also the first one in the county. He owned 160 acres of land, and was 6n the pension list of the old veterans of the war of 1812 ; his death occurred in July, 1878, at the advanced age of 88 years. Aaron F. Thomas was first married to Miss Belle McCain ; they had three children—Harry E., Edgar S. and Frankie, who died in infancy. Mr. Thomas enlisted in the navy, during the war of the rebellion, under Commodore Farragut ; he was discharged in June, 1864 ; soon after his return, his wife died ; his health was much injured in the service, but he is now nearly recovered. His marriage with Miss Susan Patty was celebrated November, 1865 ; he resided on the Thomas home farm until 1879, when he purchased a farm of his father-in-law, Enoch Patty. Mr. Thomas has built a fine residence and barn upon it, and now lives at his ease. They have four children living, viz., Lizzie, Lucella, Omer and Mary. His wife's father, Enoch Patty, was born in 1815 ; he was married to Miss Catharine Kessler in March, 1841 ; her parents, John B. and Susan Kessler, also being pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Patty were the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living. His first wife was Miss Curtis, by whom one son, William H. Patty, was born. Enoch is one of the wealthy farmers of this county, and his honorable dealings for a long period of years, have greatly endeared him to the people. Since his wife's death, in 1875, his daughters have kept house for him. We cannot hope to have him long with ,us, as he is afflicted with an incurable disease, but we wish to put his name on record among the first families of the county.   CHARLES TRUPP, contractor, builder and manufacturer, Tippecanoe City ; one of the well-established business men of Tippecanoe ; was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1833, and is the son of George and Caroline Trupp, both now deceased. George was a contractor and builder, and carried on the business quite extensively. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native country; and from the age of 16 to 18 he took a thorough course in architecture, having, outside of this obtained valuable experience and instruction in his profession, under the direction of his father ; at the age of 18, he immigrated to this country, landing in New York City, April 7, 1851, where he engaged at carpentering for one year ; he then came direct to Tippecanoe, and followed his occupation for four years, and the three subsequent years had charge of the machinery in Chaffee's distillery ; he then began contracting and building, which he continued until the outbreak of the late rebellion, when he responded to Lincoln's first call for troops, enlisting in the 10th-0. V. I., and in 1862 in the 94th 0. V. I., in which regiment he served till the close of the war, participating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign and with Sherman in his march to the sea, sharing in all the hardships of that Journey. After his discharge, he returned to Tippecanoe and purchased a one-third interest in the sash and blind factory with which he has been connected, and since 1867 as   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 669   the principal member of the firm. Since 1877, the firm has been known under the style of Trupp, Weakley & Co. (see card in directory).' Their firm is the largest of the kind on the D. & M. R. R. from Dayton to Toledo, and by, their integrity and careful attention to business, they have built up a large and increasing trade, and enjoy the reputation df being first-class workmen. Mr. Trupp is the largest established manufacture of Tippecanoe, and one of its most enterprising men ; he is found identified with whatever pertains to the welfare of the community. Ile is a Republican in politics, and has had his share of offices of honor and trust ; has been a member of the Town Council for twelve years, was Township Trustee for five years, has been for five years a member of City School Board, a member of band since its organization in 1858, and is Chief of the Fire Department. He is a member of the following orders : A., F. & A. M., I. 0. 0. F. and D. 0. H. Mr. Trupp has been twice married, first, in 1853, to Caroline Barth, of Germany, who died in 1864, leaving two sons and one daughter—one son, Herman, died after reaching manhood. His second marriage was with Clara Falke, of Montgomery Co., in 1865, to whom have been born one son and two daughters.   ROBERT WEAVER, wagon manufacturer, Tippecanoe City ; was born in 1818 in Bethel Township, where he passed half his life, and with the exception of a five-years residence in Dayton, Ohio, he has liyed a life-time in this county ; Peter Weaver, his father, was a native of Maryland, and one of the pioneers of Miami Co., locating in Bethel Township several years previous to the present century ; his mother, Jane Ross, a native of Pennsylvania, came down the Ohio with her parents, by flat-boat, soon after the Northwest Territory was opened up to civilization; they pioneered their way up to the present site of Franklin Co., where they entered land under Symmes' purchase ; the Rosses were pioneers of this county, and are noted for their adventures with the Indians, one Taff being a captive among them for twenty-seven years. Peter Weaver was married twice, and had three sons and one &lighter by the first, and two sons and one daughter by the second union ; our subject was the oldest child of the second marriage ; at the age of 11, he was apprenticed to the trade of coverlet weaver, and served a term of seven and one-half years ; then he learned the trade of wagon and cradle maker, which he has since continued, a period of forty-one years ; he is now located on Second, between Main and Dow streets, Tippecanoe City, where he has been for three years. He enjays the reputation of a first-class workman, and is a mush-respected citizen. His political inclinations are with the Republican party, with which he has been identified since its organization. He was married Jan. 9, 1843, to Antimus Fitton, of English descent, and a native of Cincinnati ; of the four sons and six daughters born to this union, three sons and one daughter are dead. We find the spirit of patriotism strongly manifested in the Weaver family. Peter, the father, was a Revolutionary soldier, and two of his sons, by first marriage, John and Peter, were soldiers in the war of 1812 ; Milton, a son of our subject, enlisted when quite a boy in the late war, as a member of the 74th O. V. I. ; he enlisted in October, 1861 ; in September, 1864, he fell dead, pierced by the enemy's bullet, while at his post of duty as color-bearer of regiment, in the battle of Jonesboro, Tenn.   S. S. WELLS, farmer ; P. 0. Ginghamsburg. S. S. Wells is quite a noted man in this county, and his ancestry dates back early in the county's history ; his grandparents emigrated to this county in 1816, and settled near Ginghamsburg ; they had six children—William, Levi, Silas, Martha, Willie and John W. ; none are now living ; Silas was the father of the man whose name heads this sketch, and married Miss Alesa Skinner in North Carolina ; afterward moved to Virginia, and finally came, together with all the Wells family, to this county. They were the parents of the following children—Thomas, Richard, William, Samuel S., John, Daniel,Robert, Levi, and two other sons who died in infancy ; their daughters were Martha J. and Sarah Isabella ; all are living except Richard and Daniel ; the farm where Hitzman now lives was the one settled by the Wells family in 1816. Samuel S. Wells married Miss Caroline Lavy, in 1842 ; their children are Harriet, Matilda, Emily, Margaret,   670 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   Evaline and Martha E. ; all except Emily are living ; Mr. Wells is a very prominent man, and is quite a local politician, being an ardent Democrat, a Granger, and Township Trustee. Both himself and wife are members of the Disciples Church ; for fifty-nine years he has been a resident of Miami Co., and the vast improvements to him seem almost magical ; very few of the pioneers are now living who first settled the Miami Valley, but Mrs. Sarah Brooks, an aunt of Mr. Wells, can almost claim that distinction, as she is past 81 years of age, and is hale and vigorous ; she was born in North Carolina in 1799, and her memory is as bright as though she was only 20 ; many things of interest can be learned from her concerning early times in Ohio; she was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Skinner, and was married to John W. Wells in 1818, they being the parents of the following children —John W., Elbert, William H. H., Kitty F., Martha, Isabella and Elizabeth. Mrs. Skinner,s father died in 1862, and her mother in 1842. She was married to Isaiah Brooks in 1843 ; they had no children ; he died in 1872. The family is a large one, and they-are good and honest people.   A. H. WESLER, Justice of the Peace and Mayor, Tippecanoe City ; was born in Chester Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1826 ; his father, John G., was also a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation ; he died in November, 1876, at the advanced age of nearly 97 years. He was married to Maria, daughter of Hezekiah Davis, of Revolutionary note ; he was taken prisoner while engaged in the struggle for American liberty, and confined in a prison on Long Island, and while here wrote his name on a pane of glass in the window of his cell, which pane was secured a few years ago by a grand-daughter. John G. was Captain of a company in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Philadelphia, Penn. ; he had four sons and three daughters, all still living. Our subject is the sixth child, and was brought up on a farm till he was 17, when he went to the city of Philadelphia and entered an apprenticeship as a joiner and carpenter ; he was engaged here about three years, and, in the spring of 1850, came to this State, locating temporarily in Lost Creek Township till the following spring, when he located in Tippecanoe, where he now lives ; since coming here, he has been variously engaged at carpentering, surveying, etc. ; he has surveyed a larger part of the lots of Tippecanoe City; he is a Democrat in politics, and, although no office-seeker, has held his share of public offices ; he has been a number of times elected to the offices of Justice of the Peace and Mayor, and this is a town which gives from 200 to 300 Republican majority, a mark of the confidence and esteem which he has won from the community ; he is at present Justice of the Peace and Mayor. He was married in January, 1853, to Mary, daughter of Henry Krise, an early settler ; five sons and three daughters have been the issue of this union.   JOHN B. WESTLAKE, farmer ; P. 0. Troy; is a son of Josias Westlake, of whom mention is made in the biography of G. K. Westlake ; from the Colonel, we have many items of interest, which will appear in the history of Monroe Township. John Westlake first married Miss Lucinda Earnhart ; she died July 4, 1868, leaving William J., less than 1 month old. The second marriage, to Miss Mary J. Robbins, was celebrated Oct. 24, 1873, at the residence of the bride's parents, Rev. F. Griffith officiating ; they are the parents of two children—Samuel C., born May 16, 1876, and Blanche P. Nov. 17, 1878. The neatness everywhere visible, betokens the good taste and industry of both parties, and we know Mr. Westlake to be an excellent farmer ; he is the owner of 50 acres of land, upon which he resides. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. G, 147th 0. V. I., and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service ; he is now Township Trustee, and fills the position with credit. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and John is one of the stanch Democrats of this county ; his tuition, politically, was engrafted upon his mind at an early age, as his father is one of the leaders of that party in Monroe Township ; his character is above reproach, and his daily life harmonizes well with his profession.   FREDERICK YOUNT, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fidelity ; is perhaps the oldest living resident of Monroe Township ; he was born July 30, 1799 ; and his parents,   MONROE TOWNSHIP - 671   John and Mary Yount, emigrated from North Carolina to Miami Co. in 1802 ; they were the parents of five children—Henry, Delilah, Solomon, Frederick and Rebecca ; the two latter are still living. With the Younts also came the Hoovers, Masts and others from North Carolina, and settled in different parts of the county. The land was entered by them at 0 per acre. They had to cut a wagon-road through the woods, from Dayton to the place which they had selected as their future home, and they were probably the first white men that trod the native forests. Frederick,s father settled among the Indians, who were quite numerous ; they were not molested in the least by them, and their relations were always of the most friendly character. Game abounded everywhere bears, wolves, panthers, deer, turkeys etc., furnished the early settlers with food, and jerked venison was a staple diet. Their moccasins were made of deer-skins, with soles of leather sewed on with " whang strings." Their corn was pounded on a stump until it could be made into bread, and this, with a few potatoes, was their usual diet. The Indians about Covington were disposed' to be treacherous, and the men did their work with their guns in their hands, or else under the surveillance of a guard, and nearly all of them slept in "Williams" block-house at night for better protection. Frederick married Miss Catharine Ingle Feb. 1, 1821. Their children were fourteen in number, only five of whom are living—Clark, Eli, Emily Smith, Elizabeth Eidemiller and Rebecca Martindale. Mrs. Yount was born in 1802, and died Oct. 11, 1873 ; from long acquaintance with the Indians, she spoke their language fluently. The stories told by Mr. Yount are of the greatest interest, and would fill a volume had we time to write them. Both himself and wife belonged to the Society of Friends, and have ever lived noble and upright lives. He has been very prosperous, and now lives at his ease. His farm consists of 151 acres, pleasantly located. Since the death of his wife, his grand-daughter, Catharine Yount, acts as housekeeper. He can hardly realize this to be the wooden country of his boyhood. He is one of the most pleasant gentlemen in the country, and will, we hope, live to see his centennial birthday celebrated.   GEORGE K. YOUART, engineer, Tippecanoe City; one of the enterprising, citizens of Tippecanoe, was born in Concord Township, this county, in 1841, and is the son of James and Mary (Kerr) Youart ; the latter, a daughter of George Kerr, who died in 1861. James was born in 1804, in the county of Antrim, North of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1819, and at once found his way to Miami co.; worked from 1820 to 1827 in the Kanawha salt works of Virginia ; was a carpenter by trade and a farmer by occupation. He had a family of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, and two of whom still survive ; he died in 1874. Our subject lived on a. farm till the age of 13, attending the common school, and in 1855, attended the Troy school, thus obtaining a fair practical education. In 1856, Feb. 7, he came to Tippecanoe City with his parents, and in the following July took charge of an engine, and has since been following engineering with eminent success. By careful attention to, and adaptation for, his profession, he enjoys the reputation of being a first-class engineer. He is a Republican in politics, and is first engineer of the "Fire Department." He was married Dec. 7, 1862, to Candace Kerr of this county, and a descendant of early settlers. They have a family of four children.   672 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :   CONCORD TOWNSHIP.   DAVID M. ADAMS, farmer ; P. O. Troy. David Adams is one of the practical farmers in this township, and has lived here long enough to give many facts of interest to the listener ; he was born in Troy in September, 1836 ; his first teacher was Mrs. Fairfield, the mother of the President of Lincoln University, Nebraska. When a boy, going to school, there was a pond holding water all the year round, where our nice school building now stands. His parents were David and Ellen Adams, who was a daughter of John and Martha Dougan. David, Jr., was mar- ried to Miss Mary Cory, March 11, 1875 ; their two sons are named Andrew C. and Louis A. Andrew was born Feb. 1, 1877; Louis, Jan. 18, 1879, and both are promising lads. Mr. Adams emigrated from North Carolina in 1817, and settled in Washington -Township ; they were the parents of eight children who arrived ?.t the age of maturity. Emeline, Louis, Elizabeth, Mary and Manlius were, children of his first wife. His marriage to Miss Dougan was celebrated Dec. 27, 1827 ; their children were named John D., Andrew J., Finley, David M., Martha D. and Sarah E. Only four of the children are now living. As the ancestry of Mr. and Mrs. Adams were all Presbyterians, it is natural for them to follow in their footsteps : they are recorded among the first families in this neighborhood. In 1855, David,s parents moved to Minnesota for the benefit of his wife's health. The climate being still more unfavorable there than this, they soon returned ; with the exception of four years, David M. Adams has always lived in Miami Co.   W. H. ALEXANDER, farmer ; P. O. Troy. W. H. Alexander is a direct descendant of one of our early settlers, and was born in Troy Aug. 6, 1843 ; he was the second son of his father,s second wife, Margaret Stonaker ; his early life was spent upon the farm, near Troy, and he acquired a taste for agricultural pursuits. He obtained a good education during his younger days, of which he may well be proud. At the first call for troops, on the breaking-out of the rebellion, he was one of the first to respond, and enlisted as a private in Co. H, 11th 0. V. I., Capt. Drury commanding ; three years and three months were spent in the service, during which time he participated in the battles of Cotton Mountain, Big Sewell, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Snake Gap, Rocky Face and Resaca. He was wounded only once during these engagements, which was at the battle of Chickamauga. Mr. Alexander was an excellent soldier, served his country well in her hour of need, and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison June 20, 1864. An attachment had previously existed between himself and Miss Eliza Boone, and, during a visit home on furlough, he was married March 16, 1862 ; seven children were born to them, six daughters and one son; the two first, Allie and Lillie May, were twins, born May 6, 1865 ; Isaac G., born Dec. 16, 1868; Carrie, born Sept. 4, 1869 ; Mary, March 4, 1872; Luella, born Aug. 4, 1874 ; and Eva Irene, born Dec. 8, 1876 ; all are living. Mr. A. resides upon the " John Peck " farm, the property of his father-in-law, Mr. Boone ; he has always been a successful farmer, has prospered greatly, and will surely become one of our wealthy farmers. His wife died May 5, 1879 ; this was a sad blow to Mr. A., but, as death comes to all, we should be ever ready. He is a generous provider, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life.   HENRY WARE ALLEN, President of First National Bank, Troy, is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Pembroke, that State, April 6, 1822 ; the family originally came from England the first quarter of the seventeenth century ; Rev. Morrill Allen, the father of our subject, received a finished education, and became a minister of the Unitarian Church at the age of 22, with which denomination he labored faithfully for nearly four score years, preaching a sermon on his 90th birthday. Mr. Allen, after attending the common school near his father,s farm, finished his education by studying a short time at the Academy of Hanover and the Normal School at Bridgewater, in Massachusetts ; he settled in Troy, Ohio, in the fall   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 673   of 1848, when he purchased mill property, with which business he has been connected ever since ; he was a prime mover in the organization of the bank of which he is President, and has always taken a prominent part in all the leading and laudable undertakings of his town and county ; at an early day, he identified himself with the manufacturing interests of Troy, and the best and most imposing business block in the town was built by him in 1855. Mr. Allen has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party, while in religious belief he acknowledges the Unitarian creed ; as a philanthropist, he enjoys an enviable reputation, while for magnanimity, business ability and unwearying industry, he stands second to none in the community. He married Mrs. Mary D. Hastings Smith in January, 1851 ; she died the same year ; in. July, 1853, he married Pemela Hale, daughter of Dr.. Asa Coleman, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are living.   LOURY BARBOUR, farmer and stock-breeder ; P. 0. Troy. A very interesting biographical sketch is that of Loury Barbour, who has passed a long lifetime in Miami Co., and has probably witnessed as closely as any one its growth and development ; as we interview him he is plowing in his garden, with the old-fashioned harness and single line, that is common in the Eastern States, but scarcely seen in Illinois ; he was the eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth Barbour, whose maiden name was Macky ; she came, together with the Barbees and Orrs and Colwells, from near Lexington, Ky., in 1804, and Thomas Barbour arrived soon after as near as can be ascertained, they were married in 1810, and settled in a dense forest, in a small log cabin in the northern part of this township ; the first year, enough land was cleared to plant some corn and potatoes, which consti- tuted the chief part of their living ; the sturdy arm of Thomas had left its mark during the next twelve months, and the mighty monarchs of the forest lay thick about him ; the Indians were quite troublesome, and many a poor man,s larder was rendered lighter by their thieving propensities ; their home was brightened, Oct. 28, 1810, by the advent of their first-born, Margaret A., and the happy parents were congratulated by the few neighbors that then lived in their vicinity ; Aug. 3, 1814, Loury was born, and he, together with the other sons and daughters, has quite a part in the Miami CO. history ; they were all born in this township, and will be mentioned in another part of this work. Loury Barbour, to whom this sketch is dedicated, commenced his studies at an early age, but twenty-eight months would include his whole scholarship ; Loury worked for his father until 23 or 24 years of age, and, ere he left the paternal roof, a nice farm of 130 acres was cleared, and their father left in very good circumstances for those days. Young Loury courted and afterward married Miss Hettie Delzell, Jan. 1, 1839, at the residence of J. B. Rumsey, Rev. Fancher tying the nuptial knot ; they lost no time in preliminaries, but commenced housekeeping in an old log cabin, with only one window, one door, and a " stick " chimney ; nothing daunted, they went to work, and erelong a comfortable log cabin was built, and covered with a clapboard roof; two children were born in the old house-Mildred L. and Elizabeth (who is now the wife of George B. McKay, and resides in Greencastle, Ind.) ; Mary J. was born Oct. 13, 1843, and is now the wife of Daniel Rench, of Newton Township ; Charles V. was born Feb. 17, 1848, and lived only two years ; Laura H. was born Aug. 18, 1851 ; Thomas was born Feb. 22, 1854 ; John E. was born Nov. 1, 1857 ; Robert A. was born April 10, 1861 ; the paternal roof now resembled a country inn more than a plain farmer,s home ; they were generally robust and healthy, and physicians, services were scarcely needed ; with all his expense of rearing and educating his large family, Mr. Barbour has prospered greatly, and owns a farm of 90 acres, which has been improved until few farms in the Miami Valley equal it ; two children remain at home, and the aged couple still step about nearly as lively as any of our young folks. Mr. B. has twice assessed the citizens of this township, and has given general satisfaction ; he is a great reader, and is well posted in political matters, and under no circumstances does he scratch the Republican ticket ; he has been a member of the Miami County Agricultural Board for ten or   674 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   fifteen years, and was one of the committee who purchased the Troy fair grounds ; we presume there is not a man in Concord Township who is not familiar with " Uncle Loury."   ASA T. BEEDLE, Troy, of the firm of Beedle & Kelly, founders and machinists, manufacturers of Troy Champion Corn-planter, plows, etc., one of the most important manufacturing interests in Troy. Mr. Beedle was born in Miami Co., Ohio, on the 28th of January, 1832. His father, Daniel Beedle, was from Kentucky, and was among the early settlers of Miami Co., locating in Staunton Township. He died in Troy, August, 1877, at the advanced age of 86 years. Asa T. was raised to agricultural pursuits, obtaining a common-school course, until at 21 years of age he completed his education by a course of study at Antioch college ; returning from college, he followed farming until 1866, at which time he removed to Troy and engaged in the manufacture of plows. In the spring of 1870, he associated with him in the business, John Kelly, under the firm name as above, conducting a business that increased very rapidly. A card of their business will be found in this work, also a history of their great manufacturing establishment ; their sales extend throughout the Western States as well as in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. Beedle was married in November 1858, to Calista J. Peck, who was also a native of Miami Co., her parents being among the early settlers. By this union they have two sons and two daughters.   MRS. E. A. BEEDLE, Troy. Mrs. E. A. Beedle, widow of Abram Beedle, was born at Sharpsburg, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1822. Her parents moved to Dayton in 1824, and she attended school until her education was completed ; her parents moved to Concord,Township in 1842. and settled two miles south of Piqua. Her marriage with Abram Beedle was solemnized June 9, 1847, and they commenced housekeeping on a farm then owned by Mr. Beedle, three-quarters of mile west of Troy, on the Covington Pike. Their first daughter, Belle, was born June 9, 1848, and is now the wife of J. J. Mitchell, of Yellow Springs, Greene Co. Ohio Fran- ces, the second daughter, was born Aug. 14, 1853, and is now the wife of William Martin, they reside in Leroy, Coffee Co., Kan.; Emma R., the third daughter, was born June 9, 1854, and became the wife of George S. Heiman June 12, 1877. Two short years of a happy married life were enjoyed, when she, together with her influit son, Harry Orton, were buried in one grave, and the gentle autumn winds sang the last sad requiem over the grave made doubly sacred by its double offering. Horace M., the first son, was born May 4, 1864, and is now the comfort of his mother; he lives with her and is completing his education at the Troy schools. Abram Beedle, the husband and father, died April 14, 1876, and his remains repose by the side of his daughter Emma and her first-born, in a lovely spot in Riverside Cemetery. The entire family, except the son, are conscientious members of the Presbyterian Church, and their daily life gives evidence of that Power which is a " light unto their path." Mrs. Beedle is 58 years of age, has been a resident of this township forty years, and may therefore be classed among the old settlers. Their farm is neatly kept, a roomy brick house containing everything necessary for comfort and convenience.   CHARLES A. BINKLEY, Troy ; special insurance agent for Penn Mutual of Philadelphia ; born in Perry Co., Ohio, June 7, 1828 ; in 1843, came to Troy, and learned the trade of sign and ornamental painter, which he followed twenty years. After giving up this business, he engaged in various pursuits until 1879, when he associated with the above firm as special agent, with headquarters at Troy. In 1851, was united in marriage with Mary C. Case, who was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1830. They have two children-Mabel, wife of Frank M. Starrett, and Otho. Mr. Binkley is a Republican in politics, and labors for the success of his party. The whole family are members of the M. E. Church.   S. O. BINKLEY, fire insurance agent, Troy ; was born in Maryland Feb. 3, 1800 ; is a son of Jacob and Maria C. Binkley ; the former was born in Pennsylvania ; both are deceased, and were parents of three sons, of whom only our subject remains. He was reared in Maryland, where he received his educa-   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 675   tion in the common schools, which was afterward more fully developed in seminary training ; has been in active business life since he..attained his maturity in early life was engaged in chair-making and ornamental painting, from which he entered fully upon the agency business in which he is now engaged, representing the well-known and reliable Cooper Company of Dayton ; came to Troy in 1843, and has ever since resided there. In 1822, he married Julia A. Ream, who bore him six children, three of whom are now living, two dying in infancy. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church, with which they have been connected for more than half a century.   ISAAC BOONE, inventor ; P. O. Troy. Isaac Boone is one of our wealthy farmers, who has lived long enough in this county to obtain a place in her history. Ile is a native of Virginia, born April 15, 1816 ; Abram and Mary (Areman) Boone were his parents ; emigrated from Virginia and settled near Dayton in 1824. Isaac was married to Miss Mary A. Holderman, May 2, 1839, by Squire John Burnett ; they had seven children, five of whom are now living ; 424 acres are now in his possession. In 1859, Mr. Boone exchanged his property for the farm where he now resides ; the orchard furnishes an abundance of fruit a large ice house on the farm is a prominent feature in its revenue, and this alone pays a handsome profit. Mr. Boone is worth from $35,000 to $40,000. Only one of his children (Mary A.) lives at home, and she is a lady of culture and energy. The children were born in the following order : Eliza, April 23, 1840; Jacob H., March 30, 1843 ; William H., Dec. 2, 1847 ; David H., Sept. 8, 1849 ; Daniel F., June 16, 1853; Mary A. Aug. 30, 1856 ; Malinda E., July 3, 1858. Mr. Boone can clearly trace his relationship to Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentucky. Of late years, he has devoted his especial attention to inventing a number of machines that seem destined to make him truly famous. His trade (that of a millwright) has been of much service to him in his work. We cannot pass by these meritorious articles without giving each one a brief notice. First in order comes his steam road-wagon, upon the feasibility of which much of the value of his inventions depends. It is surely a practical method of drawing heavy loads. It guides very easily, and can draw or push equally well. What seems to be the most important invention is a machine for picking cotton, and, should it do what its inventor claims, it will surely revolutionize the cotton-picking business. Another invention is an ice-cutting machine, that, driven by the engine, which is now almost perfected, will do the work of one hundred saws per day. He also has a machine with which he expects to scald and scrape from 2,000 to 2,500 hogs' of all ages and sizes, per day, with the help of three men. The greatest of all his inventions is yet to come, and is supposed to be a life-saving apparatus, whereby patients who have been given over, by the physicians, to die, are placed in it. It regulates and purifies the air, by furnishing the necessary amount of either hydrogen, nitrogen or oxygen, that the patient needs to sustain life. We sincerely hope, for the good of humanity, that the perfection of this machine shall be a success. The inventive genius of this man is wonderful, and, should his machines prove equal to his expectations, he cannot fall short of becoming the wealthiest man in Miami County.   J. BOWER, physician and surgeon, Troy ; was born in Adams Co., Penn., in 1815 ; his parents, Peter and Priscilla Bower, were natives of the same State, and removed to Warren Co., Ohio, in which the latter part of their lives was passed. Our subject's boyhood was spent in Pennsylvania, on the farm, receiving the rudiments of his education in the common schools ; at the age of 18, he began reading medicine, under the guidance of Dr. McCowan, a prominent physician of Harrisburg, who was his preceptor for nearly two years, after which he entered and graduated from the Physio-Medical College, and received a certificate of membership from the Eclectic School of Medicine in Cincinnati. He afterward entered the Institute of Medicine and Surgery, from which he also graduated ; he attended lectures in various places, and is thoroughly educated in his profession; began the practice of medicine in Harrisburg, in which he practiced till 1844, at which   676 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   time he came to Troy, where he has since discharged the duties of a large practice which he still gives his attention. He has been thrice married ; first, with Ellen Williamson, who bore him two children, one living. His second marriage was with Louisa Louthan, by whom be had three children, two living. His third and last marriage was celebrated with Kate Wells, who bore him two children, deceased. The Doctor has a beautiful home, in which he is enjoying the declining years of a well-spent life.   MARTIN C. BROOKS, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Martin S. Brooks is one of the prosperous farmers of Miami Co., and, during his lifetime of more than half a century, he has accomplished his share of developing the county which is now an honor to the State ; the whole county was, during his boyhood, one vast forest, through which the wild deer and the Indian roamed at will. Generations have passed and gone, and still some of the early settlers are left to tell the story of their hardships. Such are now seen in the persons of Martin and Elvira, his wife. He was born in Miami Co. in 1818, and his wife in 1820. Their marriage occurred March22, 1842 ; Elmira was a daughter of Samuel and Milly Pierce, and a sister of John Pierce, whose biography appears in another place. Educational facilities were limited in their early days; a log cabin, with a hole left in the side, covered with greased paper to afford sufficient light, was the kind of schoolhouse in which their education was received ; Martin,s father emigrated to Ohio in 1805, and endured all the privations of a frontier life. Martin was born to be lucky, for with an inheritance of nothing but a good physical constitution, he has now a splendid farm, well improved, and an income that keeps himself and wife comfortable without hard work ; during his younger days, he cleared the heavy timber from his present farm, and cut the second ditch that now drains so nicely the land in his neighborhood. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom three are now living—Thomas L., the eldest, born July 27, 1843 ; Mary J., born April 2, 1845, and Rhoda T., born June 25, 1849. Thomas was married to Miss Mary A. Richardson, and lives in Iowa ; Mary J. is the wife of Benjamin Allred, and resides in Indiana ; Rhoda T. was wedded to Frank M. Perry, and they live with her parents on the home farm. Martin and his wife both belong to the Society of Friends ; they have ever been noted for their uprightness and exemplary conduct ; Mrs. Brooks. loves her Bible, and devotes much of her time to the perusal of its sacred pages ; we leave them enjoying the comforts of home and friends, and happy in their consciousness of being good and true Christians.   GEORGE C. CLYDE, Clerk of the Probate Court, Troy. The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 13, 1819, in Delaware Co., Penn. ; his father's name was Peter Clyde, and his mother's maiden name was Helen Breese ; they emigrated from Glasgow, on the River Clyde, in Scotland, in 1818, and moved to Ohio, then the "far West," in 1821 ; the journey across the mountains was made in a one-horse wagon to Wheeling, Va., and from there on the Ohio, in a flat-boat, to Cincinnati; they landed in Troy in September, 1821, lived here one year, and then moved to Lost Creek Township, remaining there until the spring of 1825 ; Mr. Clyde's occupation was that of a weaver during his stay ; in the spring of 1825, he moved to Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1833, when he returned to Lost Creek Township and purchased 50 acres of heavy timber, 3 acres cleared, and a cabin built of round logs, the spaces between the logs filled with mud ; 'in this cabin he lived with his family until a commodious house was completed; his death occurred in June, 1852, at the ripe old age of 83. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools in Xenia from the age of 6 until 11, and, for two years preceding their removal, attended a private academy, taught by Rev. Hugh McMillan, the common schools not affording such instruction, at that time, as he required ; he then entered upon a course of toil incident to the clearing of a farm in the woods. His marriage was celebrated, at the age of 21, with Miss Priscilla Knight, April 2, 1841 ; they lived happily together for nearly thirty years, rearing a family of seven children—three sons and four daughters—six of whom are still living, one daughter dying at the age of womanhood ; the   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 677   wife and mother died Nov. 6, 1870. At the very beginning of his political life, impressed with the dignity of labor and entertaining strong convictions in favor of human freedom, he entered earnestly into the great Anti-slavery struggle, both in church and state, drawing upon himself all the obloquy and odium that then attached to the term " Abolitionist," zealously advocating, in many small discussions and on- all occasions, the cause of the downtrodden and oppressed, voting steadily for fifteen years with a small minority in opposition to slave rule in this country ; he severed his connection with the church on account of its refusal Lb bear testimony against human slavery ; he entered enthusiastically into the campaign of 1856, on the platform of opposition to the further extension of slavery, and in favor of consecrating all our soil to free labor ; during the great Kansas struggle and the exciting contest of 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Presidency, he was an effectual stump-speaker, and did much to secure the triumph so justly due his party ; although from manhood to the age of 40 years, he confined himself closely to work on the farm and labored hard, yet he filled many other responsible and important positions, as executor, administrator and guardian ; during this time, he also taught school for five terms, of three months each, during the winter season, receiving $15 per month ; in connection with this, he also taught the art of penmanship, at night, in the neighborhood ; he was a member of the County Board of School Examiners for six years. under the appointment of Joseph Pearson, Probate Judge, and was elected Treasurer of Lost Creek Township for nineteen consecutive years, declining that position for a longer term to take charge of the County Treasurer,s office, to which position he was elected in 1859 ; he removed, with his family and his mother (who was then living), to Troy, where he continues to reside ; his mother died in 1862 ; he served four years as County Treasurer, and, in 1866, was elected County Auditor, which position he filled for two terms and eight months ; Jan. 2, 1872, he took his seat as a member of the Sixtieth General Assembly of Ohio, having been elected as a Representative to that body from Miami Co. ; was a candidate for renomination, but was defeated through certain influences that were arrayed against him, and was therefore not a candidate at the next succeeding election ; at the Sixty-first session of the General Assembly, Miami Co. was represented by a Democrat, the first Representative that party has had for forty years. He entered into the marriage relation the second time by being joined in wedlock to Mrs. Nellie M. Patterson, who resided in Cincinnati, on the 24th of June, 1874 ; through the failure of several business enterprises, in, which he was induced to venture by others, he has suffered some financial reversest and the hard earnings of a lifetime have been almost swept away ; but. animated with the firm hope and trust that he has a treasure laid up where " moth and rust do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal," he continues life’s active duties as best he can, awaiting the end in hope.   H. R. COATE, of the firm of Coate & Caw, merchants, Troy ; the senior member of this firm was born in Union Township, this county, in 1850, and is a son of John H. Coate, whose sketch appears in this work. J. M. Caw, the junior member, was born in the same township in the same year ; his father, George Caw, was born in Virginia and when a boy came to this county, in which he yet lives ; the members of this firm received collegiate educations, after which Mr. Coate spent two years in Cincinnati and one in Philadelphia, in mercantile pursuits ; Mr. Caw received a like experience in Toledo ; in 1878, the above gentlemen took the reins of this establishment in their own hands and are driving to success ; their ability, fair dealing and popular business habits are fully recognized by the buying public, who give them high rank among the oldest business houses in Troy. Mr. Coate was married to Miss M. C. Williams in 1870, by whom he has had one child, viz., Orlestus Durant (deceased).   ASA COLEMAN (deceased), physician and surgeon ; was born in Glastonbury, Conn., July 2, 1788, and died in Troy, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1870 ; he was a descendant of Thomas Coleman, an English emigrant to the pilgrim colony in 1630, and was one to whom land was set off by original survey in 1639 and 1640 ; for six   678 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :   generations the name of Coleman has been identified with local and general positions in the various relations of church, state, masonry, medicine and surgery ; the same patriotic spirit which led their ancestors to enroll themselves under the Continental flag moved the descendants in later wars to lead the charging column, or alleviate distress in the field or the crowded hospital ; the line of descent of our subject from this American ancestor, is Noah Coleman first, second and third. Noah Coleman third was born in Hatfield, Mass., in 1704, married Mary Wright, of Colchester, and had a family of seven children, viz., Mary, Sibyl, Noah, Ozias, Daniel, Asaph and Zenas. Asaph, the fourth son, was born in Massachusetts in 1747 ; married Eunice Hollister, of Glastonbury, Conn., by whom he had six children-Julius, Eunice, Asa, Pamelia, Clarissa and Maria.; he was a prominent physician and surgeon in the Continental army. Asa Coleman, after receiving an academic education in his native town, turned his attention to medicine and surgery, pursuing . his studies mainly under the instruction of his father ; May 23, 1810, he received a diploma from the Connecticut State Medical Society; having made a prospecting tour to the new State of Ohio, in the fall of 1807, he resolved to make that his future home, and, in May, 1811, left his native State and located in Troy ; in November of same year, he received a diploma from the Ohio Board of Medical Examiners, and established himself in the town just named, in the practice of medicine and surgery, which he followed for more than half a century, with constant success till the close of his career ; an enterprising pioneer, he took an active and leading part in all the early improvements of this now beautiful county seat. On Sept. 24, 1808, he had been commissioned Surgeon ,of the 6th Connecticut Militia, and, on the same date of 1811, was made Surgeon of the Ohio Militia ; was constantly on the round of duty, visiting the sick and wounded at the blockhouses and posts along the northern boundary of Miami Co.' then the frontier settlement ; other commissions followed-as Surgeon, as Major, May 20, 1816, and Lieutenant Colonel July 27, 1818, from Gov. Worthington ; in October, 1816, was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and served in the first session ever held in Columbus, December, 1816 ; he was re-elected in the following year, and served a second term, declining a third, though strongly urged to become a candidate ; elected Associate Judge, he was commissioned Feb. 4, 1827, by Gov. Trimble for a period of seven years ; chosen as a Director of the Miami Co. Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, at its organization in 1846, he served as an officer till its close in 1866 ; he was instrumental in the organization of the First National Bank of Troy ; was elected its first President, served nearly two years and resigned through failing health ; he was made a Freemason in 1809 ; was a charter member of Franklin Lodge, Troy, in June, 1812, and was first Master of the same ; at the time of his death, in his 82d year, he was the last surviving charter member ; he was also a charter member of Franklin R. A. Chapter, Franklin Council R. & S. M., and Coleman Commandery, K. T.; the last mentioned bearing his name in honor of his Masonic worth ; for six years he served as Director and Physician of the County Infirmary, and submitted the plan for the present building ; he was prominent in establishing the Protestant Episcopal Church in Troy, was elected first Senior Warden of Trinity Church in 1830, and annually re-elected up to the time of his death-a continued period of forty years ; fond of agricultural pursuits, he gave much of his time to operations on his farm, and retired thither during the last few years of his life ; he was above medium height, straight and well proportioned, and as erect in his advanced years as in his youthful manhood ; his bearing was dignified, his step firm, and his hair silver white as the snow ; he lived a long, active, useful and blameless life, and died as one, who, wearied with his labors, " wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." He was thrice married ; his third wife was Mary Keifer, whom he married Oct. 24, 1822 ; she was born in Sharpsburg, Md., and came with her parents to Clark Ohio, in 1812 ; she survived her husband but a few months, dying Dec. 5, 1870 ; Co.,by the last marriage they reared six children-Horace, Pamelia Hale, Augustus Henry,   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 679   Asa, George Edwin and Julius Adams ; all the above named sons served in the Union ranks in the war of the rebellion.   AUGUSTUS H. COLEMAN (deceased), a son of Dr. Asa Coleman, whose biography appears in this work, was born in Troy Oct. 29, 1829. He received his elementary education in the schools of Troy; was remarkably quiet and orderly in his deportment, always perfect in his recitations and accomplished thoroughly whatever he undertook ; he exhibited, even in his youthful days, that spirit of manliness and energy of character which so distinguished his life in after years. In June, 1847, he entered the Military Academy at West Point, where he pursued his studies for four years. At the close of his course, he returned home and engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted as a private soldier, and recruited a company of over 100 men, in forty-eight hours, with whom he proceeded to Columbus April 26, 1861; he was chosen Captain of the company, and upon the organization of the 1lth O. V. I., was elected Major of the same, and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 9, 1862. The fine discipline and great proficiency in drill of this regiment was obtained through him as Drill-Master. It has been said that he could manuver a regiment in less space than most officers required for company drill ; he was always vigilant and watchful against danger, but brave to a fault. Being in. Washington on business for the regiment, he knew nothing of the movement of the brigade to Bull Run, Aug. 27, 1862, till his return to camp. With all possible haste, he joined his regiment, finding the men in considerable confusion. His arrival was hailed with a hearty cheer from his men, who were more rejoiced at his presence than if re-enforced by a thousand strangers. At South Mountain, he displayed the ability and bravery of a successful commander, and his prospects for advancement to a high position brightened every day. But his career was destined to an early close. At the battle of Antietam, on the ever-memorable 17th of September, 1862, at the superior command, " Forward ! Assault the bridge and carry it at all hazards," forward they moved, with Col. Coleman in advance of his men, cheering them on, and, closing up their broken ranks, he fell with his face to the foe, mortally wounded, And now " He sleeps his last sleep he has fought his last battle, He ne'er shall awaken to glory again." Peace be to his memory ! He fills the honored grave of a patriot soldier, and his noblest monument is the affectionate remembrance of brave men. He was married to Miss Clara, daughter of Eckert Shafer ; two children were the result of this union-Rachel Augusta and George Edwin.   HORACE COLEMAN, physician and surgeon, Troy ; eldest son of Asa Coleman, whose biography appears in this work, was born in Troy Dec. 27, 1824 ; was educated at Gambier, Ohio ; studied medicine under his father, and graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, in 1849. After a few months' practice in Troy, he located in Logansport, Ind., in the spring of 1850, where he remained thirteen years, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, three of which he was a partner of Dr. G. N. Fitch. In October, 1861, he entered the army as surgeon of the 46th Ind. V. I., and served nearly three years, either as medical director or surgeon-in-chief of his division. In May, 1864, he became surgeon of the 147th O. V. I. His services in the army were distinguished throughout for efficiency, fidelity and signal devotion to the needs of the sick and wounded. At the close of the war, he returned to Troy and engaged in practice ; he was subsequently appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Fourth District of Ohio, and filled the office during its continuance. In 1868, he was a Republican delegate to the Chicago Presidential Convention that nominated Grant and Colfax. Among the local positions which he has filled, are those of Director in the First National Bank ; a member of the City Council and President of the Board of Education. For a third of a century; he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, and has occupied high positions of honor and trust therein ; he is a gentleman of reserved, yet affable manners, fine social qualities, and is highly esteemed by the community   680 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   for his sterling personal worth. On Nov. 9, 1847, he married Mary L., daughter of C. Aldrich, an early settler of Troy, Ohio ; but a native of Rhode Island ; seven children resulted from this union ; five are living—Horace, Jessie L., Edward, Mary Rebecca and Warren. On the 8th of January, 1880, he moved to the old Coleman homestead, Prospect Hill, Staunton Township, with a view of making this his future and permanent home.   S. A. COLLINS, clothier, Troy. Maj. Collins, as he is familiarly and properly termed by his hosts of friends both far and near, is a native of the Hoosier State, and was born in Pulaski Co., Ind., on the 11th of September, 1840, but, at the early age of two years, was transplanted to Buckeye soil, where he was brought up on the farm until 17 years of age ; he then began the business of a contractor and builder, which he pursued quite successfully until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion ; in September, 1862, he enlisted in the famous 11 th 0. V. I., and, taking naturally to the business of a soldier, he steadily and rapidly advanced in promotion ; after the second battle of Bull Run, in which engagement he participated, he was promoted on the field, by Col. Coleman, to the office of 2d Lieutenant, as a reward for gallant services ; following the varied fortunes of this gallant regiment, he participated in the actions of Frederick City and Antietam, after which the regiment was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland ; here he was placed on detailed duty at Gallatin, Tenn., until he resigned his commission in September, 1863 ; in May, 1864, by the advice and direction of the State Military Examining Board, he accepted a Lieutenant's commission in the 147th 0. N. G., and served about four months with this regiment at Washington, D. C., and was mustered out with the regiment ; since the war, Mr. Collins has been engaged mostly in the lumber trade, exporting lumber to foreign markets, and as a dealer in building lumber ; in 1875, he took a prominent part in the organization of the Pearson Guards, Company C, of the 3d 0. N. G., and was elected First Captain of the company, which position he held, making it one of the best military companies Miami Co. boasted ; subsequently, in December, 1876, he was elected and commissioned Major of the Third Regiment, and ably assisted in suppressing the railroad riots in this State in 1877 ; Maj. Collins is now the proprietor of the Eagle Clothing House, in Troy, and does an extensive and increasing business in that line. He was married to Hannah Earnheart May 7, 1864 ; she was a native of Miami Co., Ohio, and born in Brown Township in 1840 ; they have a family of three children—Effie, Arthur and Alva. The Major is ranked among Troy,s best and most enterprising young business men, and will yet win a position and competence, if personal popularity, joined to honest and earnest effort is any assurance.   JOHN H. CONKLIN, City and Township Clerk, Troy ; was born in this township April 17, 1815 ; his parents, David and Mary J. (House) Conklin, were natives of Ohio, and in about 1814 settled in Piqua, where they made a permanent home ; his father met his death in Illinois by the hand of a murderous assassin, in the summer of 1837, aged 45 years ; his mother died in Missouri in 1861, aged 63 years ; they were parents of ten children, four of whom are living. Mr. C.'s boyhood was passed in Piqua, where he received the rudiments of an education, which was more fully developed by attending a school in Spring Creek Township ; in 1835, he came to Troy and was employed as salesman by Harker, Finer & Singer, with whom he remained four years ; since then he his been employed by many of the business houses here ; he served as Deputy Sheriff with Stephen Johnston one term. His marriage was celebrated with Mary J. Parsell, who has borne him ten children, eight of whom are living—Alfred L., Geraldine, Emma, Henry, Benjamin L., Bargoon, Lauren F. and John H. ; the deceased are David P. and Edmund ; Mrs. C. is a daughter of Bargoon and Susanna Parsell, who wore residents of Clinton Co., Ohio. He has filled the office of Township Clerk 4 twenty-one years in succession, been Deputy Treasurer for two years, and filled other positions of honor and trust--in all, discharging every duty, and by so doing won the confidence of his townsmen. He and his, estimable wife have been members of the M. E. Church since 1850.   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 681   JOSEPH S. CRAY, farmer; P. 0. Troy. We herewith present to the readers of the Miami Co. History, a sketch of the life of Joseph S. Cray, eldest son of Richard and Mary A. Cray ; he was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., Nov. 25, 1827 ; his parents emigrated to, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1838, and removed to Miami Co. in 1851. J. S. Cray was married to Miss Elizabeth Stine Aug. 30, 1854, and they commenced their married life on the Richard Morrow farm, in Washington Township ; their marriage was a happy one, but they toiled early and late, and were content with their lot as they saw their wealth gradually increasing ; their children—three boys and one girl—grew up around them, thus giving them greater stimulus for exertion ; J. Albert was born Nov. 20, 1855 ; Mary A. L., July 20, 1857 ; she is now the wife of Daniel Favorite; Charles R. was born June 30, 1860 ; and William A., May 7, 1863 ; the daughter married into an old and wealthy family of this township ; she was married to Mr. Favorite, in Troy, by Rev. J. P. Watson, and an elegant reception was given them by, the parents of the bride ; their first child was born March 24, 1878, and was named Joseph W. Mr. Cray is the owner of a fine farm of 102 acres ; his barns and outbuildings are first-class, and his orchard is a large one ; the farm is in a high state of cultivation, showing the prosperity of the owner. Typhoid fever made its appearance for the first time in the history of the county during his younger days, and two sisters and one brother fell victims to the disease ; he persistently refused to take the doctor,s drugs, and was the only one who was attacked that recovered. He has held the office of School Director twelve years, and was elected Township Trustee, but resigned, as the office was forced upon him against his will ; he is well posted upon the current topics of the day, and votes his sentiments irrespective of party lines ; his home is one of comfort, and he is a kind and obliging neighbor, an excellent husband, and an indulgent father.   CHARLES H. CULBERTSON, attorney at law, Troy. Our subject was born in Troy Nov. 7, 1831, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Hedges) Culbertson ; the ancestors of this family originally came from Scotland and settled in Cumberland Co., Penn., early in the eighteenth century, where they established and built up what has since been known as Culbertson,s Row ; five brothers, viz., Joseph, Robert H., Henry W., Samuel and John, immigrated to this county in 1807, and located in Troy ; they were a family of merchants, and did the chief part of the business in Troy during a period of several years ; they were all prominent business men, and put up most of the early buildings of Troy, prominent among which are Culbertson’s Mills, and Cairn’s warehouse ; they were extensive boat-owners, and were buyers of pork, grain etc., furnishing a market for the produce of the country. and doing much to build up the commercial wealth of the county ; two of the brothers were soldiers in the war of 1812. Samuel and Mary (Hedges) Culbertson, were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood ; the eldest daughter, Catherine E. Moore, was one of the twenty-seven organizers of the Christian Church in Troy ; she was an exemplary Christian woman of extraordinary ability and much force of character, having the mind to plan and the decision to execute. John W., the eldest son, is an oculist and aurist of considerable celebrity ; he is at the head of the eye and ear infirmary of Culbertson & Eaton, located at Indianapolis. Charles H. is a prominent lawyer and a self-made man ; as a jurist, he stands high in the profession, and has a most extensive practice, which his urbanity of manners and strict attention to business have justly merited ; he has made himself one of the solid men of the county, being a large real-estate owner. On the 1st of February, 1855, he was married to Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Andrew Stewart, a wealthy farmer ; the nuptials were performed at the house on the northwest corner of Market and Water streets, on the morning the brick building on the opposite corner was destroyed by fire ; Mr. C. soon after came in possession of the same property, where he has since erected one of the finest dwellings in Troy, in which Mr. and Mrs. C. have resided ever since, enjoying the blessings of good health and congenial society ; their minds being of a similar cast, they have partaken of the same joys and pleasures ; he is a member of the Masonic   682 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   Order. The third son, Col. Samuel S., volunteered in the regular army, in September, 1861, as a private, but was soon after appointed 2d Lieutenant, upon the recommendation of Gov. 0. P. Morton ; he afterward rose, by his own efforts, to the rank of Major, and was brevetted Colonel for meritorious conduct ; he is now in charge of mines near Leadville. He married Miss Hill, daughter of John Hill, of Indianapolis. Asenath E., deceased wife of James Kerr, since removed to Illinois, and left a large family of children ; the fifth child of Samuel and Mary, was Nancy D., Mrs. Kerr. Joseph and Charlotte H., were twins ; Joseph was a soldier in the rebellion, a member of the 11th 0. V. I. ; he served, for more than a year, and was discharged for wounds, for which he draws a full pension. He has since married the only daughter of Jonathan Drake, and reared a very interesting family of six children ; he is a prominent advocate of the cause of temperance. Charlotte H. married Augustus D. Grosvenor, son of Daniel Grosvenor, one of the oldest lawyers in the State, and resides at Clarinda, Iowa.   MRS. ELIZA (WRIGHT) CULBERTSON, retired, Troy ; the lady of the above name was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1811. Her parents, Porter and Louise Wright, were born in Vermont, and removed to the above county at an early day, during one of the terrible Indian wars that infested that country; there they lived a number of years ; her mother dying, her father came West, and in the State of Indiana departed this life. She has been thrice married, first with Nathaniel Heywood. in 1830, by whom she had five children, two living, viz., William H. and Alexander M.; Mr. H. died in 1840, aged 41 years. Her second marriage was with Daniel Bates, in 1843, by whom she had two children-Harriet L. and Eliza A.; Mr. B. died in 1850, aged 38 years. Her third and last marriage was celebrated with Samuel Culbertson in 1857 ; he departed this life in April, 1876, aged 77 years. She has lived in Troy twenty-seven years. Death has been a frequent visitant to her family, but with true Christian fortitude she awaits the call that will again unite the ties that have been severed.   WILLIAM CURTIS, farmer ; P. O. Troy; Mr. Curtis is a man to whom we gladly give space in our biographical department. He is a self-made man, having started in life with very limited capital ; he is now reckoned as one of the wealthy men of the township ; and his farm is perhaps the equal of any for beauty and fertility. He was born in 1824 in this county. His parents' names were Hiram and Jane Curtis. Hiram was born in North Carolina, and came to Ohio when 7 years of age. Jane Sheets, the mother of William, was a native of Pennsylvania. During the war of 1812, Hiram helped supply the army with provisions. This lovely land was then the home of the Indian, wild deer and wolf. To-day it is the model of civilization and prosperity ; the heavy woodland has given way to the ax of the pioneer and, in its stead, a heavy harvest is being gathered. William was married to Miss Sally Freese June 24, 1849 ; her parents were natives of North Carolina and were of German descent. William and Sally Curtis have had thirteen children, of whom twelve are now living-Sarah A. was born in 1850 ; Mary J. in 1851 ; Francis Z., July 25, 1853 ; William D., April 17, 1854 ; Martin A., April 5, 1856 ; Elwood J., Jan. 3, 1859 ; Peter H., Oct. 3, 1860 ; Calvin D., June 11, 1862 ; Lydia B., Nov. 5, 1863 ; Nannie E. Sept. 3, 1865 ; Minnie M. May 13, 1867 ; Burnette, Feb. 9, 1869, and Charles July 10, 1871. Calvin is the only member of the family that is not living. Sarah A. is the wife of David Stahl; and resides in Darke Co. All the other children live in this county, and have married well, Mr. Curtis has always been noted for his integrity, and has for several years been connected with the public schools in an official capacity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Christian Church, and live in accordance with its teachings. They have an elegant residence and live well, as Mr. Curtis is a generous provider. He never voted any other than the Republican ticket, but takes very little part in politics.   JOHN W. DEFREES, editor of the Miami Union, Troy ; son of John and Mary Defrees, was born Nov. 4, 1809, in Rockbridge Co., Va. ; came with his parents to Piqua, Ohio, in December. 1814 ; remained with his   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 683   father, who settled in the woods, two and one-half miles south of Piqua, until the fall of 1836, having aided, from the time he was large enough to do even the lightest work, in clearing up and cultivating the new farm ; left home in October, 1836,i going to Goshen, Ind., where he took a position with the late John L. Meredith, in a store belonging to Mr. Wm. Barbee, of Troy ; returned home in 1837, and, in March, 1838, accepted a clerkship in the store of the late Wm. Scott, where he remained three consecutive years ; left the store in April, 1841, and, in the succeeding fall, purchased the office of the Piqua Intelligencer, remodeled it, and commenced the publication of the Piqua Register, which he continued to publish uninterruptedly until January, 1857, when he sold out ; during the latter part of the time, the paper was published three years semi-weekly, and then changed to a tri-weekly, and as tri-weekly and weekly ran four years ; after selling the Register office he spent one year on a farm, when he was nominated and elected County Auditor, serving two terms, retiring in 1863 ; at the close of 1864, at the solicitation of a number of prominent men of Troy, he brought on a new office, and commenced the publication, Jan. 1, 1865, of the Miami Union, with which he is still connected ; through the usual trials and tribulations attending the building up of a new paper (including the total loss by fire of an office, with all the materials, books, papers, stock and a good library), by dint of much hard work and assiduous attention to business, he has brought the Miami Union up to the position it now occupies.   JOHN B. DEWEESE, engineer, Troy. The subject of this sketch was born in this county in the year 1832 ; he is a son of Joshua and Mary (Gerard) Deweese ; Joshua was the son of Samuel, the first Baptist preacher in the Miami Valley ; Mary Gerard Deweese was the daughter of Henry Gerard, who came to this county in an early day, in company with Jacob and John Knoop, who made the first settlement in Staunton Township, where he lived to see the county change from a wilderness to one of the banner counties of the State ; he was the father of twenty-two children Mary, the mother of our subject, was, it is claimed, the first white woman born in Miami Co., in the year 1800, in which place she lived till her decease, in 1878 ; she was the mother of fourteen children, thirteen of whom reached maturity. Mr. Deweese has always lived near Troy ; his early education was very limited, and, although he never attended school more than six months in his life, by close application and natural genius combined, he has educated himself as a successful business man ; he has mechanical genius, by which he has constructed a patent grain dump, now in successful operation ; for the past twenty-five years he has followed his trade, except during the war. Sept. 5, 1861, he enlisted in the 42d 0. V. I. under Col. James A. Garfield, in whose command he remained about one year ; he was afterward under Cols. Sheldon and Pardee ; was in the fight at Paintsville, and was penned in with his comrades at Cumberland Gap ; the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, and twice assisted in the taking of Jackson, Miss., and other battles of the Department of the Gulf ; he was discharged, after three years and three months' service, at Columbus, Ohio. Oct. 13, 1852, he celebrated his marriage with Caroline A. Hosier ; they are parents of four children-Jason R., born Aug. 10, 1853 ; Charles W., born Oct. 21, 1856 ; Callie B., born Oct. 8, 1858 ; and Nancy J., born Dec. 25, 1860-all of whom are with their parents except Jason R., who died in his 3d year.   J. D. DEWEESE, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. J. D. Deweese was born in Staunton Township, May 5, 1823 ; he was the eldest son of Thomas and Ruth Deweese, to whom were born seven children ; of this family, three of the boys, and one girl are yet living. Samuel Deweese was his first teacher and Mr. Bates the next ; Gen. Webb was also a pedagogue in those days, and wielded the birch with great dignity. The education young Deweese received was a very good one, considering the advantages he had. He was married to Miss Martha L. Ruth on the 27th of June, 1844, by Rev. Stephenson. Miss Ruth was born on the 15th of September, 1822, in Lancaster Co., Penn., and resided there until a short time before her marriage. They spent no time " seeing the sights " and spending money that could in those   684 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   times be used to such good advantage in other ways, but at once commenced housekeeping on the old home farm, where Mr. Deweese was born. Oct. 2, 1845, William T. was born ; Matthias D. was born Dec. 18, 1847 ; he died March 13, 1870, after a lingering illness ; Andrew G., the third son, was born Jan. 9, and now lives near Sedalia, Mo. He wedded Miss Clara Counts, of Staunton Township, Jan. 28, 1874. Harry L. was born Sept. 27, 1852, and is now living with his brother Andrew on their farm, near Sedalia, Mo. On the 12th day of September, 1859, little Ruth E. first saw the light ; the joy of the parents knew no bounds, but in two short years she was laid beneath the sod, and the soft September winds sang their gentle requiem over her grave ; her demise occurred Sept. 22, 1861. Mr. Deweese purchased his present home in 1859 ; before his removal thither, he erected the finest residence between Troy and Piqua, on the old Piqua Pike ; the view from this residence is the equal of any in this neighborhood, and overlooks the city of Troy, the Miami River and canal, as well as the magnificent Infirmary Building, which is a credit to Miami Co. The farm, of 117 acres, is in a high state of cultivation. They removed to this farm Dec. 17, 1873, and its nearness to Troy renders it convenient to trade, church privileges, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Deweese are both members of the. Episcopal Church, and have lived in accordance with its rules for the past thirty-six years. They are surrounded by comforts, and their old age will surely be one of happiness and plenty.   W. H. H. DYE, proprietor of Dye's 0i1 Mill, Troy. Mr. Dye, being among the oldest as well as the most influential settlers of Miami Co., naturally occupies a prominent position in the biographical department of his county,s history. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Evans) Dye, and was born Dec. 26, 1813 ; the father, William, was a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he emigrated to Miami Co., and located in Staunton Township in the beginning of the present century, where his death occurred Jan. 28, 1823 ; the mother, Elizabeth, was born in Maryland, but immigrated with her parents to Kentucky in her infancy, where she resided until her marriage; having reached a good old age, she died in 1850, at the residence of her son, W. H. H. Dye. William, as well as the grandfather, Andrew, with whom he emigrated here, figured conspicuously among the early pioneers of the county, and in another department of our work has received a more extended mention ; Andrew Dye died at the advanced age of 93 years. W. H. H. Dye, our subject, remained with his father upon the home farm, where he obtained a practical but limited education, till his 16th year, when he accepted a clerkship in Troy, which position he occupied about four years ; in 1832, he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he prospered, and in 1838, he began the distillery and milling business, by purchasing the property now known as Dye's mills, and continued this uninterruptedly until 1865, part of the time in connection with the mercantile trade ; he abandoned the distillery in 1865, and in 1877, he converted the same into an oil-mill, of which mention is made in the history of Troy. In 1871, he organized the banking house of W. H. H. Dye & Son, now known as the Miami Co. Bank. Mr. D. has prominently identified himself as a generous citizen, as well as a man of great ability in business. In 1839, he married Martha Culbertson, who has borne him seven children, six daughters and one son.   MRS. MARIA H. DYE, Troy. We are pleased to give Mrs. Dye a record in this history, as she represents a worthy family ; she was born Aug. 14, 1820 ; and was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gerhart) Thomas ; they are mentioned at length in the sketch of Aaron Thomas, as are also their children. Mrs. Dye,s grandparents were Abraham and Susannah (Smith) Thomas, who were natives of Kentucky. The wedding of Miss Maria H. Thomas and Minor L. Dye was celebrated Oct. 27, 1840, Rev. Richard Brandriff performing the ceremony ; their children were born in the following order : Orlando W., Sept. 9, 1841 ; Sarah C., Nov. 1, 1842 ; Thomas S., Feb. 15, 1844 ; Miranda L., March 3, 1845 ; Eva, Aug. 9, 1854, and Laura B., Jan. 25, 1858. Eva,s demise occurred Oct. 11, 1855. Mr. Dye was a prosperous man, and left to his widow a lovely farm near Troy ; his death occurred July 19, 1879, and of him may truthfully be said, that for   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 685   honesty and generosity he was ever noted. He was a life-long Christian, a loving father and a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. His descendants, for all time, may look back with pride upon the pure record of their ancestry. Mr. Dye was interred in the ..Thomas Cemetery. Their eldest daughter, Miranda L., wedded Charles B. Palmer, Dec. 25, 1866 ; their children were born in the following order : Minor J., April 13, 1868 ; Clinton E., April 11, 1870 ; L. T., Feb. 22, 1872 ; Charlie B., Jr. July 23, 1874 ; Wilbur G., June 19, 1876, and Hugh D., Oct. 6, 1878. .Orlando W. Dye wedded Miss Jennie Brandenbury Sept. 4, 1867, and their daughter, Effie G., was born Nov. 2, 1868. Thomas S. Dye married Miss Sallie Krise Nov. 12, 1874 ; he manages the farm, and resides with his mother ; his wife is a musician of merit, having been organist of the Lutheran Church, of which she has been a member since childhood ; they have two children -.Leila W. and Walter E. ; Leila was born May 19, 1876, and Walter Sept. 6, 1878. The family are very intelligent, and are much engaged in intellectual culture.   JOHN C. DYE, retired farmer ; P. 0. Troy. John C. Dye is one of the pioneers of Miami Co.; born in Greene Co., Penn., Oct. 16, 1807 ; he accompanied his father to Miami Co. in 1810 at 3 years of age, and settled in Elizabeth Township, where his father entered a section of rich farming land and spent the remainder of his days. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Clyne, a native also of Pennsylvania, and she had fourteen children, ten of whom lived to mature age. Two of his sisters still remain, one, Sarah, married to Mr. Stattler, still lives upon the old farm, and the other, Elizabeth, was married to Mr. James Dye. The subject of our sketch was raised on the home farm until he was 23 years of age, when he began life for himself as a farmer. He was married May 20, 1829, to Elizabeth Green, daughter of George W. Green, his wife being a native of Miami Co. She died March 30, 1879. They had eleven children, four of whom have died, there remaining the following : Jane, Benjamin H., Joseph G., Sidney, Elizabeth, Eleanor and William G. Mr. Dye followed farming ever since his marriage, and also learned the trade of a miller ; his farm increased to 300 acres, and he there resided until he removed to Troy in March, 1880, having disposed of his land. Politically, Mr. Dye is a Republican, and has always been a prominent worker in the party,s ranks in his township. He served as Justice of the Peace for nine years in Elizabeth Township. He has been a member of the Baptist denomination for over fifteen years. His venerable father died in 1842, and his mother followed in 1855. He now expects to spend the remainder of his ripe old age in ease and comfort in Troy, surrounded by his children and the comforts of a life well spent, a duty well performed and a promise of the future happiness that awaits the humble Christian man.   MOSES B. EARNHART, lawyer, Troy. Mr. Earnhart is a young man of about 30 years ; he was born near Fletcher, this county, and is the only son of Jacob and Philena (Branson) Earnhart. His father is a Christian minister, and his mother a daughter of Moses N. Branson. He received his early education in the common schools, and in the high school of Troy, of which he is a graduate, after which he took a course at the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and the Michigan University Law School, where he graduated in 1874. His mother dying in his boyhood, he afterward made his home with his uncle, Commissioner Northcut, until 1875, when he removed to Troy and began the practice of his profession. He has served two terms in the office of Mayor, discharging the duties satisfactorily. In the fall of 1879, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county. He is an active worker in the affairs of the community, being Captain of Troy Guards at this time. As a practitioner, he is successful and entirely self made ; is a reticent, non-obtrusive gentleman, preferring that modest worth should win him the respect and confidence of the people ; his progress since his admission to the bar has been steady, and he bids fair to become one of the leading lawyers of the place. As a lecturer, he has a record not unworthy of mention ; he has made several successful efforts in that line, among which was " The Trial of Christ from a Legal Standpoint." On the 30th of July, .1876, he was joined in wedlock to Lizzie, daughter   686 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :   of David McCampbell. Mr. Earnhart is an active member in the Christian Church.   MRS. LYDIA ENYEART, Troy. Mrs. Lydia Enyeart is a worthy representative of one of our oldest and best families ; she is a daughter of one of the first families in the county, and the name of Martindale is one ever associated with honor and gentility. Her husband, John L. Enyeart, came to this county in 1830, with $10 in his pocket ; he was married in 1840, to the lady who still survives and bears his name. The children were ten in number, eight survive—Sarah J. (wife of David Coppock), Hester R. (the wife of H. H. Miller), Thomas J. (married Elizabeth Pearson), Elizabeth (married Leander McDonald), Martha C. (is the wife of Philip White), Rebecca (married Daniel Elliot,) John (is the husband of Maggie Connor), and Mary (is Johnston Garvey’s wife). Mr. Enyeart died in 1867. By industry and frugality, he was then owner of 358 acres of land, equaling any in the township, worth not less than $29,000. Thomas now lives with his mother and manages the farm. Mrs. Enyeart is now grandmother of twenty-three children. For more than a half-century, she has been a consistent member of the Christian Church ; her home is a pleasant one, near Troy, and her declining years will surely be passed in comfort.   WILLIAM A. EVANS, grocer, Troy. The subject of this sketch was born near Piqua, Ohio, in the year 1839 ; he is a son of Luke, a native of New Hampshire, and Rebekah (Adams) Evans, a native of New Jersey, who came to this county about forty-two years ago, and settled on a farm four miles northeast of Piqua, where he remained till the year 1869, when he removed to Piqua, and retired from active life. William A. lived with his parents on the farm, till the year 1861, when he went to Illinois, intending to try his fortune in the West. In August, 1862, at the call of his country, enlisted under Col. A. C. Harding, in the 83d I. V. I. On the 3d day of February, 1863, he was wounded at Ft. Donelson, after which, he remained in the hospital for twelve months, being removed from one place to another, and suffering the effects of transportation on his already impaired health. On the 3rd of February, 1864, he was honorably discharged on account of his wounds. After' remaining in Monmouth, Ill., for a few months, he returned to the home of his boyhood, where he remained with his parents till their removal to Piqua, being unable to perform manual labor, his health and constitution being broken down by army life. In the fall of 1869, the people, in appreciation of his character and services to his country, elected him Sheriff, which office he held for two successive terms. Sept. 16, 1873, while the incumbent of the office of Sheriff, he was joined in wedlock to Sarah B. Clyde, a daughter of George C. Clyde, one of Miami's oldest citizens. After retiring from office, Mr. A. spent his time in overseeing the farm, and other private affairs. In April, 1878, he opened a grocery in Troy, in connection with John C. Rogers, under the firm name of Evans & Rogers, where he continues to carry on a large trade, supported by his many friends.   CAREY A. FOWLER, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Carey A. Fowler is one of our prosperous farmers, and his standing in the community gives him a place in the front rank. His parents, John D. and Nancy Fowler, emigrated from Wabash, Indiana, and settled upon the quarter section now occupied by Carey, in 1835. John was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Brown County, Ohio, in 1804; Nancy Fowler was born in Brown County, and they were married, probably, in 1821, and afterward moved to Kentucky ; again removed to Wabash, Indiana. He was rather peripatetic, but nevertheless managed to keep about all he ever owned. Game was plenty in those days, and many of the settlers depended upon the supplies derived from this source for sustenance. The Temperance Crusade was then a thing unthought of, and whisky was almost as common as water ; Carey was the exceptional boy who never partook of the beverage, and the old men really feared that his constitution would give way, did he not drink ; but nearly all of those are gone that indulged so freely ; Carey is as ardently opposed to tippling, as during his youthful days. Athletic sports were much indulged in during the early settlement of the country, and prowess, rather than intellect, was   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 687   in favor. His first school teacher was Col. Westlake, and his first writing desk, a slab laid upon pegs driven into the logs. Teachers all knew how to handle the birch to perfection. Carey was wedded to Miss Mary E. Murphy, Sept. 21, 1851. After a brief wedding tour, they settled on the farm upon which they now live, and where their children were born. Two sons—Frederick W. and Ulysses S. Grant ; two daughters; Viola E. and Eldora M. Frederick is the husband of Miss Sarah E. Frazier. and resides on the Fowler homestead. Eldora M. is the wife of Charles Throckmorton, and, resides in Brown Township. Ulysses S. is still continuing his studies, developing into a promising man. John D. Fowler was elected Justice in 1851, and removed to Troy. Carey purchased the land of him, and subsequently another 80 adjoining. He also owns property in Troy. His farm is one of the finest in the neighborhood, and has two of the finest orchards upon it, perhaps, in the township. His residence is a commanding one, and the barns and out-buildings large and well kept. He superintends his farm ; works, or not, as he pleases ; but devotes much of his time to reading. His library is a very good one, and constantly increasing. He is a Liberal Theologian and a sound Republican, and for years has been Master of Troy Grange, and sets great store by this order, in which he has enjoyed great distinction. He has great faith in its moral, social, and intellectual development. John D., the father of Carey, died in March, 1871, and his mother, in 1876 ; they are lying side by side in Rosehill Cemetery.   NATHAN FRAZIER, farmer ; P. 0. 'Troy. Nathan Frazier was born Feb. 22, 1831, and was the son of Israel and Sarah (Smith) Frazier ; his father died when Nathan was 18 months old, and his mother married John Deweese, in 1835 ; they moved to Darke Co., and Mr. Deweese bought a piece of woods, which, at that time, was called a farm. Deweese was a great hunter, and his time was spent in the chase with his dog and gun ; while the boys (Deweese had three sons) did the clearing, and, in fact, all that was done. Game of all kinds was abundant, and deer and turkeys were often shot from the cabin window. His life was an oppressive one, and his mother persuaded him to return to his native county, ,which he did in the spring of 1845. His education had been wholly neglected until this time. He engaged with his brother-in-law, Solomon Kerns, and worked for him .4 until the age of 21, when he was furnished a suit of clothes, and $100 in cash. In 1852, his brother John urged him to go with him to California, to which he consented, and they started, very soon after, for New York. Upon their arrival there, it was ascertained that they would have to stay ninety days before they could obtain passage, all the berths in out-going vessels having been taken. They stopped in New York one week, and, finally, concluded to return home, which was at once acted upon. Nathan's ready cash was almost spent by the time of his arrival, and he again commenced work for Mr. Kerns. Afterward, he hired to another man, for $12.50 per month. A strong attachment had been formed by Nathan for Miss Eleanor Robbins, and they were subsequently married, on the 21st of April, 1850. They had neither home, cow, horse nor sheep, and only $75 in money ; but in a small log cabin, which Nathan had built on his brother’s land, they commenced their married life. In 1857, he began farming and buying stock. Year by year he prospered, and, in 1865, he purchased the handsome farm upon which he now resides, and all the substantial improvements were made by him. The fine orchard, together with the large barns and granaries, make this one of the most desirable farms in the neighborhood. Five of the six children born to them are now living—Sarah E., Mary F., Emma B., Martha J., Charles W. and James E. ; Sarah is the wife of Frederick W. Fowler, and resides on the Fowler farm ; the other children are rapidly advancing in their studies, and are developing fine musical abilities. Their home is surrounded with comforts, and the courtesy shown to friends is' a fitting tribute to the teaching of their estimable parents. From a wilderness, Mr. Frazier now beholds the fields of grain, where the forests once stood. His energy may be tinderstood, when, for his tuition, he chopped   688 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   wood for 25 cents per cord, during the noon time, and 'corded it after night, when he had finished his work for other men.   MICHAEL FRONTZ, retired, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Mr. Michael Frontz is one of the prominent farmers, having lived forty-one years in the township. He was born in Germany, and came to Ohio in 1834, settling in Miamisburg. His earthly possessions consisted of only a few dollars, but fortune smiled on him from the first, and he has steadily prospered. He courted, and afterward married, Miss Mary Eberd, of Montgomery Co., May 4, 1836, Rev. Daniel Winters officiating. Their wedding tour was taken from Dayton to their home in a two-horse wagon. Housekeeping was commenced on a farm owned by the father of the bride, where they lived very happily together. The second year Mr. Frontz purchased four acres of land and erected a weaving establishment. He made a specialty of coverlets, and to say that they were genuine would be only the truth. The children each have a specimen of his work, looking almost as good as new, that was woven in 1837. Seven children were born, and three are now living-Sarah J. is the wife of Rev. George Tenney ; William, the only son, married Miss Sarah J. Honeyman ; Mary A. is the wife of William Sager, who now looks after the farming interests. Mr. Frontz had an attack of paralysis in October, 1879, since which time he has been confined to the house: His wife died April 12, 1868, since which time Mrs. Sager, his daughter, has superintended household matters, and is a splendid housekeeper. The orchard and buildings are all in good shape, and the farm is a nice one. They are comfortably situated and everything presents an appearance of neatness and prosperity. Mr. Frontz is 72 years old, and was born in Gutenberg, Germany, in 1807. He has witnessed much of the growth of this country, and his life has been a financial success. He views the situation politically from a Democratic standpoint, and is the first Democratic supporter of the Miami Co. history in this township. For fifty-eight years he has been an active member in the Lutheran Church, and has lived strictly in accordance with its teachings.   W. H. H. GAHAGAN (deceased) ; born in Miami Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1835 ; was a son of W. H. Gahagan, a prominent agriculturist ; he was the chief organizer of the Miami Co. Agricultural Society, and served as its Secretary for seventeen years ; died April 14, 1870 ; his wife, whose maiden name was Hester L. Culbertson, died Sept. 9, 1874 ; they were the parents of nine children, four daughters now living. William Gahagan, the grandfather of our subject, was among the early pioneers of Miami Co., and, in 1809, entered a part of the land now within the corporation limits of Troy ; a few years later, he purchased a large part of the land upon which the business portion of Troy now stands, donating to the city for a cemetery the lot where now stands the first school. Our subject being the only son, followed the occupation of his father, succeeded him on the farm, which he greatly improved, exhibiting taste in beautifying and tact in managing the same ; he was a Republican in politics, and, while he had no aspirations for office, labored hard for the success of the party ; was patriotic and manifested great interest in military affairs ; on the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, enlisted in the three months' service, then re-enlisted for three years in the 11th 0. V. I., and was appointed Second Lieutenant Co. D, which position he resigned on account of ill health ; in the fall of 1861, he returned home, and, never regaining his health, died Dec. 4. 1877. He was married to Hannah M. Smith April 2, 1863; who was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1838 ; they have three children, viz., Walter H., Mary E. and Bessie, all now residing with their mother, who is a daughter of David J. Smith, one of the early pioneers of Clark Co. ; was a native of Scotland ; came to America when an infant ; died in Clark Co., Sept. 13, 1878.   ELBERT P. GALBRAITH, proprietor Riverside Hotel, Troy ; was born in Jackson, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., March 22, 1844, and is a son of Samuel Galbraith, born in February, 1808, now residing in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. When an infant, our subject was taken by his parents to the city of St. Louis, where he remained in school until he attained his 10th year, at which time his parents removed to Ashtabula Co., where they now reside, and where our subject gave his   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 689   whole attention to his education, receiving instruction in the academy ; when the war of the rebellion broke out, he was a student in the Normal School at West Kingsville; leaving school, he enlisted Aug. 8, 1861, in the three months' service, 19th 0. V. I., in which organization he served out his time, and, in the following August, 1862, re-enlisted in the 105th 0. V. I., and was at once sent to the front ; he participated in several engagements prior to Oct. 8, 1862, at which date he was severely wounded, having two balls pass through his left arm, disabling him so that he was unfit for further service ; and on the 13th day of December, was mustered out of service ; he again entered the Normal School to finish his education ; commenced teaching school in 1865, and while teaching read medicine ; then he went to Kentucky, and was engaged for several years in dealing in stock, after which he was in mercantile business in Scioto Co. ; in 1876 he located in Miami Co., and has since been occupied as hotel keeper ; in 1878, he opened the Riverside House in Troy, of which he is now the proprietor, and has built up a business to the fullest capacity of the house. The writer of this article having been a guest of the hotel in question for several months, does not hesitate to state that during his travels of fifteen years, he has never found a better home nor a place where the comforts of travelers are more carefully cared for. Mr. Galbraith was married to Sarah A. Pierce Feb. 16, 1870 ; she was born in Greene Co., Ohio, in 1843; the result of this union are four children, viz., Elbert, Harry, Jessie and an infant ; Mrs. Pierce had been previously married to. William E. Stubbs, a Methodist minister, who was born in Delaware, and died in October, 1863, by which union were two children-Charles E. and Rosa Bell ; her second husband, Wiley T. Pierce, was also a Methodist minister, a native of Tennessee ; died in Adams Co., Ohio, in 1869.   HARRISON GALE, restaurant and saloon keeper, Troy. Harrison Gale was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1822 ; his boyhood was spent on the farm, and his education received in the common schools ; at the age of 15, he engaged on the Ohio Canal, with a half-brother, working for the State ; when about 18, he started for himself, running a boat, on the same canal, which he continued to do till 1849, at which time he brought his boat down the Ohio through the locks at Cincinnati into the Miami Canal, where he continued the boating business for a period of seven years, running on that and the Wabash Canal ; afterward he located in Troy and was elected Constable and Marshal for four successive years, performing his duties in a business-like and satisfactory manner ; in 1860, he opened a restaurant in Troy (see directory), where he continues business, keeping everything in the line of eatables, and a supply of billiard tables, where his many friends can while away a pleasant hour. He has a wife and four children-Laura, Belle, William H. Courtney, and Harrison (deceased) ; he is surrounded by his children, and spending his mature years quietly and pleasantly ; his marriage occurred in 1863 with Miss Emily Ravenscraft.   D. C. GIDEON, physician and surgeon, Troy. A short genealogy will be first in order. Alfred L. Gideon was born in 1826 ; Elizabeth Clark Gideon, Dec. 15, 1820 ; their only child, David C. Gideon, Nov. 27, 1848 ; Jacob Row was born in 1810, and his wife, Sarah Bost, in 1811 ; they were parents of John, George, Jacob, Mary, Carrie, Lydia and Sarah ; D. C. Gideon and Sarah Row were married in 1868 ; their sons were born-Alfred L., June 4, 1868, and Clark McKenzie, April 6, 1873 ; Dr. Gideon,s grandfather, Rev. David Clark, married Miss Sally Winans, daughter of Samuel and Sally Winans, in 1806 ; they emigrated to Miami Co., from New Jersey, in 1809 ; he had previously been here and purchased land, coming from Kentucky, in 1804 ; in 1805, he burned and delivered brick for the first brick house built in Cincinnati ; he was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers in this county ; they were parents of Winans, John, Carman, Sally H. and Elizabeth Clark ; his father, David Clark, Sr., was a native of Scotland ; Rev. David Clark was originally owner of the land Tippecanoe is now built upon, donating the lot for the Hyattsville M. E. Church ; he sold his possessions to Robert Evans, in 1830, and emigrated to Sangamon Co., Ill. ; for forty years he was an   690 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :   ordained minister; D. C. Gideon began the study of, medicine in 1865, and graduated at the Eclutic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in February, 1873; he formed a partnership with his preceptor, Dr. John Clark ; during his stay in Danvers, McLean Co., Ill., Dr. Gideon was editor and proprietor of the Danvers Independent, one of the spiciest local papers in the State ; he emigrated East instead of West, March 1, 1880, and settled in Troy, the home of his ancestry.   PETER GRAY, farmer ; P. O. Troy. This gentleman deserves a place in history, as he is a prominent farmer, and his influence in his neighborhood is considerable ; he is a native of Virginia, and was born in Morgan Co. in 1837 when he came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1858, his worldly possessions amounted to $50 ; he stopped among strangers, and commenced work at $13 per month ; the next year, he was employed in farming the land of his former employer, and for his share received one-third of all he raised; he continued on this farm for nine years, and by economy had managed to lay by a nice little sum ; he then came to Troy and commenced work for Reuben Michaels, receiving 80 cents per day when he worked, and his board when he did nothing ; during this time, he formed an acquaintance with, and afterward married, Miss Josephine Byrkett, daughter of Solomon and Catharine Byrkett ; in January following, they commenced housekeeping in an old washhouse on the Favorite farm ; in March, he rented and moved upon a farm in the immediate vicinity ; after working this place one year, he purchased the farm where he now resides, paying for the same $75 per acre ; he now owns 100 acres of nice land, of which 90 acres are in cultivation ; all this was accumulated by his own hard labor. Their children are named respectively James P., John H. and Maggie E.; James P. was born March 19, 1871 ; John H. April 11, 1873, and Maggie H. Sept. 15, 1877 ; the schoolhouse across the way affords them an excellent opportunity for obtaining an education. Mrs. G. is a member of the Christian Church, and will surely rear her children in accordance with its teachings. Politically, Mr. Gray is a Republican, and his business integrity has made him one of our solid men ; from $50 in 1858, to $10,000 in 1880, is a fitting exhibit of his industry.   DANIEL GROSVENOR (deceased). Daniel Grosvenor, who was ranked among the earliest inhabitants of Troy, was born in Fairfax Vt., May 8, 1795, and was directly descended from an old English family of that name ; his boyhood was spent on a farm, where he acquired his education mainly by his own exertions, studying such books as he could procure, by the light of a pine knot or the brush-heap fires. When 19 years of age, he belonged to a militia company of Green Mountain Boys, and went, with his squirrel rifle over his shoulder, to join the army and assist in repelling the British attack on Plattsburg, N. Y.; he here participated in the battle of Plattsburg, lasting about three days, in September, 1814, and was a witness to Commodore McDonough's victory over the British fleet on Lake Champlain. He came to Ohio in 1819, settling at Troy. where he supported himself by teaching school while pursuing his legal studies : he was duly admitted to practice April 12, 1822, and served as Auditor of Miami Co. from 1822 to 1829. Dec. 1, 1829, he married Frances Barber ; she was born at Colerain, Mass., July 29, 1804, and, while yet a child, removed to Truxton. Cortland Co., N. Y.; in 1821, she came to Ohio with her relatives and settled in Troy ; they had seven, children, all but one of whom arrived at mature age ; three were boys and four girls, and of these the eldest son and two daughters are deceased, and two sons and two daughters are yet living. The subject of our sketch continued in the practice of his profession at Troy many years, and also engaged in mercantile pursuits, until failing health compelled him to quit the law office ; he was prominent in political life as an original and out-spoken Abolitionist in the times when danger attended such an avowal, but he lived to see the fulfillment of his prophecies and hopes during the late civil war. He was long connected with the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Troy until the time of his death, which event occurred in the month of August, 1867, at the advanced age of 72 years ; his aged widow survives, and still resides at the old family place in Troy.   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 691   WILLIAM B. HAMMOND, farmer ; P. O. Troy. W. B. Hammond has lived in Miami Co. since 1844, and is therefore entitled to. representation ; his education has been of a practical sort, and previous to his marriage to Miss Amanda Miller, which was celebrated Jan. $, 1869, he was engaged in teaching in Allen Co., since which he has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of three children-John, George and Orpha ; John, the eldest, was born Nov. 5, 1869 ; George Jana 3, 1873, and Orpha June 22, 1876 ; they are all attending school, and are children of much promise. Mr. Hammond was for a number of years connected with the Board of Education ; he is a prominent member of Franklin Lodge, No. 14, A., F. & A. M.. and also of Monroe Grange, No. 132 ; politically, he is a " straight Democrat." His wife's parents, Cornelius and Rosena Miller, were pioneers, and their biographies appear in this work.   CHARLES J. HARR, dealer in groceries, queensware, etc., Troy. Chas. J. Harr is junior member of the firm of Weatherhead & Co., the leading grocery establishment in Troy, Ohio ; Mr. Harr was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1845 ; his parents immigrated to Ohio probably in 1830 ; they were natives of Virginia ; they reared a family of six children ; two only are living, Charles and Julius ; the father and youngest son are now doing business in Troy. Charles learned the tinner's trade with Young & Smithers, commencing in 1861 ; he continued at that business for fourteen years ; in 1875, he formed a partnership with Henry P. Weatherhead, in the business in which he is now engaged ; their trade is large and rapidly increasing, and the reputation of the firm is beyond question. Mr. Harr was wedded to Miss Martha Worthington September, 1869 ; they are the parents of two children -Willie D. and Gracie ; Willie was born May 12, 1874, and Gracie Oct. 14, 1876. Mr. Harr owns a nice residence on Plum street, and is one of our most enterprising young men ; he is a charter member of Trojan Lodge, No. 100, K. P., and is also a member of the Brass Band of Troy, of which he is Treasurer ; he is a self-made man, having accumulated what he has by his own industry and fair dealing.   LEWIS HAYNER, manufacturer of fine whiskies, proprietary medicines, etc., Troy. Lewis Hayner is one of Troy's most enterprising men, and has probably done more to advance its business interests than any man who ever lived in the city ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1822 ; his parents, John and Sarah Meeker) Hayner, were the parents of ten children-William, Henry, Lewis, Clark, John M., Enoch, Nicholas, Maria, Sarah and Jane. The father was born in New York and the mother in New Jersey. Lewis Hayner has been principally engaged during his business life in the manufacture of liquors ; he built the distillery now owned by E. Farrington in 1856 ; he erected his present distillery in 1866, the capacity of which is 100 bushels of grain per day ; he purchased the Troy Hydraulic of Knoop's heirs in 1879 ; it was built by a company, but until this time it had profited nothing ; Mr. Hayner proposes now to erect a paper-mill and turn this fine water-power to a good use ; he has, by a long series of experiments, perfected a « Lung Medicine," and Catarrh Specific," from pure pine tar, and this promises to be a boon, not only to sufferers from disease, but, also, to the manufacturer ; he has made arrangements to manufacture these medicines on a large scale, and it will be a source of pride to the people of Troy to know that so valuable a remedy had its origin in their city. His marriage to Miss Eliza J. Leland was celebrated in 1848 ; they were parents of Sarah, Elizabeth, Jane and Clark Rayner ; Mrs. Hayner died in 1860, and his second marriage, to Miss Jane Dye, was consummated in 1862 ; they have no children ; their residence, on West Franklin street, is tastily furnished, and, with Mrs. Hayner as matron, is well presided over ; in spite of his many losses, Mr. Hayner is one of our wealthiest men, and has more enterprise, perhaps, than any other of our citizens. The principle he has solved in relation to his preparations of tar, has been vainly sought after for more than a century ; his simple appliances for the treatment of nasal catarrh and lung diseases are perfected, and will prove of much benefit to those afflicted with such diseases.   692 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   HON. M. W. HAYS, physician and statesman, Troy. We take great pride in writing the biography of Hon. M. W. Hays, whose portrait appears in this work ; he is, in every way, worthy of the position he now occupies, and does, not only himself but the county, honor ; he was born in Brown Co., Ohio, in 1840, and his parents were Gabriel and Elizabeth Hays ; they were the parents of the following named children : William, Thirza, Hamer R., Martin L., James, M. W., Thenia, Ellsberry, Mary P., and Eli M. To the sons we shall have occasion to again refer. The parents were natives of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio at an early date. M. W. Hays did good service during his boyhood on the farm, driving an ox team, and doing heavy work ; his leisure hours were few, but these were highly improved ; his mind received impressions easily, and ere his parents were aware of the change of their boy from a lad, to the stature of a man, he stood before them, possessed of a splendid education, bearing in his hand a diploma honestly earned from one of the best colleges in the State of Ohio. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Foster’s Company of Independent Cavalry, who, during the war, were assigned to duty at the headquarters of Gens. Fremont, McKinstrey, Halleck and McPherson, and were afterward with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. In December, 18617 he, together with ten others, was captured by a detachment of Gen. Poindexter,s men, under command of Capt. Walker. The Doctor had made the assertion that he would never be put inside a rebel prison, and in this case it seemed as if his resolve would not hold good. With one of his comrades, he managed to escape the first night, owing to the extreme darkness, and reached the Union lines in safety the next afternoon. In June, 1863, on account of disability, he was discharged and returned home ; careful nursing soon effected a radical cure, and, full of patriotism for the cause which he espoused, he again enlisted, in the United States Navy, under Capt. Charles Litherberry, on board the United States receiving ship, " Grampus." He was at once detailed as Assistant Surgeon, by J. J. McElhenny, Surgeon in charge. In this capacity, he served with distinction during the remainder of the wan Returning to Russellville, Brown Co., he commenced the practice of his chosen profession in the fall of 1865. In 1869, he was wedded to Miss Sarah S. daughter of Joseph H. and Jane A. Stafford, since which time the beautiful city of Troy been their home ; they are the parents of two children—William S. and Ollie E. In the spring of 1878, without opposition, Dr. Hays was elected Mayor of Troy, and, in the fall of the same year, President of the Miami County Agricultural Board ; re-elected in 1879, again in 1880, and is still a member of the board. In 1879, he was elected a member of the Sixty-fourth General Assembly, by the Republican Party, whose cause he has espoused from its beginning, and has never swerved from its solid principles. He resigned his official position as Mayor, and entered upon his duties as Representative of this district. To his honor be it said, that he was the author of the bill providing for the maintenance of the soldiers, and sailors, orphans, by the State instead of the county, which bill successfully passed both Houses. This law had previously been in force, but had been repealed by the Sixty-third General Assembly. As a citizen, a soldier, and a statesman, his record is without a stain. His brother William was the second man in Brown Co. to enlist under the Union banner during the war of the rebellion, and was elected Captain of Co. I, 12th 0. V. I. ; re-enlisting at the expiration of his term of service, he was commissioned Major of the 89th 0. V. I. Hamer was elected Captain of Co. B, 8th Cavalry, and served during the war in the Rocky Mountains. Gabriel and Elizabeth Hays reared six stalwart sons, who did battle for the Union, and all were noble soldiers. Two of their children, William and Mary, are not living ; the mother of these gallant sons is also deceased ; the father still survives, is straight as an arrow, full of energy and pluck. Dr. M. W. Hays has a nice residence in Troy, furnished in style commensurate with his means, which are ample. His wife's mother, Mrs. Stafford, and her daughter Agnes, find a pleasant home beneath his roof. His courteous demeanor has made him our most popular man, and he never fails as a candidate to run far ahead of his ticket.   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 693   A. P. IDDINGS, farmer and stock-breeder ; P. 0. Tiff. Mr. Alfred P. Iddings, one of the prosperous farmers of Concord Township, is the eldest son of Harrison and Eunice Iddings, who were among the early settlers of Union Township. They were married forty-six years ago ; Harrison, the father of Alfred, has been princi- pally engaged in the mercantile business during his life, and now resides at Indianapolis, Ind. His son Alfred, the subject of this sketch, was born in March, 1835, in Union Township, Miami Co., Ohio ; when lie was 4 years of age, his parents moved to Peru, Ind.; Alfred still remembers the journey, and the large bands of Indians they passed ; when he was 7 years old, his mother died, and he, together with his younger brother, John, came back to Miami Co., and made their homes, John with his uncle, and Alfred with his grandmother ; at the expiration of a year, Alfred, also, went to his Uncle David Patty's to live. The boys were hard-worked, and but little attention was paid to their education. On the 27th day of March, 1855, Alfred was married to Miss Sarah A. Johnson, eldest daughter of John C. and Julia A. Johnson, of this township, Rev. T. P. Childs, of Troy, Ohio, conducting the ceremonies. They have resided in this township ever since ; commenced at the bottom of the financial ladder, but are now numbered with those at the top ; Mr. Iddings owning 220 acres of excellent land, of which he has 190 acres under cultivation, the other 40 being heavy timber. He pays especial attention to breeding fine horses, and has some of the best Clydesdale colts in the township ; the other stock—hogs, sheep and cattle—bear evidence of good care. Their children are five in number, three sons and two daughters ; the first child, John H., was born November 10, 1858, but died in infancy ; Joseph H. was born Jan. 9, 1860 ; Samuel P. Dec. 7, 1862 ; Rosa B., Aug. 28, 1865 ; Sarah A., March 31, 1870. Joseph H. will continue his studies until graduation, as, by an accident, he is incapacitated from farm work. The children are all lovers of literature, and the girls are especially interested in music. Mr. and Mrs. Iddings belong to the Christian Church, and are exemplary. members. Politically, Mr. Iddings is a Conservative Republican, but in national affairs votes the sentiments of his party. His income is sufficient to supply every need ; he is a generous liver, and friends are always welcome. .   MARVIN B. JAMES, photographer, Troy ; was horn in Troy Dec. 11, 1855, and is a son of Benjamin and Ann E. James , his father was born in Maryland in 1819, and his mother in Michigan in 1835 ; both are living, and have been residents of Troy for many years ; they have three children—Marvin B., Franklin R. and Lotta. Our subject was reared in Troy, and received his education in the village schools ; at the age of 16, he entered the photograph gallery, and, with A. C. Miller, made himself a proficient in the art ; he afterward contracted a partnership with a gentleman with whom he remained but a short time, when he assumed full proprietorship ; his pleasant rooms are located in Kessler,s Block, in the southeast corner of the public square ; the walls are adorned with the finest works of art, and furnished in a neat and artistic manner. In 1878, he consummated a matrimonial alliance with Alice Looney, who has borne him one child, viz., Eugene, deceased. (See card in Directory.)   MRS. MARGERY JENKINS, Troy. We present to our readers a sketch of Mrs. Margery Jenkins ; she is the eldest daughter of Enoch and Rosannah Pearson, who were natives of South Carolina, and emigrated from Newberry Court House to Monroe Township. Margery was born March 7, 1818 ; during her girlhood, she received a liberal education, which was very beneficial to her ; when her father had his first cabin erected, he had no material to make doors of so a blanket was substituted, and served its purpose well ; Margery’s father was her first schoolteacher, and the log schoolhouse was only partly floored ; one log removed from the side gave light, and the benches were hewed logs, with pegs driven in holes for legs ; the fire-place nearly filled one end of the room, and would hold half a cord of wood ; this hardly served to keep them warm on a cold day ; the scholars would often bring their dinner in their pockets, consisting of raw potatoes, and these, roasted in the ashes, were considered quite a luxury ; " salt pork and lye hominy "   694 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   were staple articles of diet. She was married to Jesse Jenkins March 29, 1835, Esquire David Jenkins tying the nuptial knot ; her wedding dress was of silk, which was considered rather stylish ; she began teaching " select school " in April, d 1836, in her kitchen, superintending, in the meanwhile, her cooking, which was at that time all done by the fire-place ; Elizabeth, their first child, was born Feb. 20, 1837 ; she is now the wife of Benjamin Blackmore ; Enoch P. was born Sept. 24, 1839 ; Rosannah, June 24, 1842 ; Rebecca E., April 18, 1845 ; she is the wife of John Herr ; Ruth A. was born Feb. 25, 1848, and is now the wife of Sherman Le Blonde ; they live with Mrs. Jenkins, and Mrs. Le Blonde is a very fine housekeeper and an " ardent supporter " of the Miami Co. History ; Mahala was born Feb. 9, 1850, and is now deceased ; Margaret J., May 5, 1853 ; Silas L., Sept. 24, 1855 ; Sarah B., June 27, 1858, also deceased; Silas L. was married to Rebecca Fogle. David Jenkins, the father and husband, died Oct. 9, 1870. Mrs. Jenkins is well provided for, and is a consistent member of the Christian Church.   WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON, Judge of the Probate Court, Troy ; son of Stephen 4 and Uretta Johnston, was born July 24, 1842, at Troy, in the old Sheriff's residence, his father being Sheriff of the county at that time, subsequently removed to Piqua. At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted as a private soldier in the 11th 0: V. I., and afterward was assigned to the staff of Gen. 0. W. Mitchell, with the rank of Lieutenant ; but a lingering fever, contracted while in service in Western Virginia, prevented him from entering upon the duties of that office ; he again served in the 147th 0. N. G., until near the close of the war'; fora time previous to November, 1865, was Deputy Collector United States Internal Revenue ; in December, 1867, was admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio to the practice of law ; for about a year, was Chief Clerk in the Assessor,s Office United States Internal Revenue, Fourth District, Ohio. In the spring of 1869, was elected City Solicitor or Attorney for the city of Piqua, which position he held, with the exception of a portion of one term, until February, 1879, when he became Judge of the Probate Court, which position he now holds.   M. C. KAUFFMAN, of the firm of Kauffman & Ellis, merchant tailors, and dealers in ready-made clothing, Troy, was born in Lebanon Co., Penn. ; his father, Jacob Kauffman, was born in the same State Feb. 21, 1804; died Jan. 31, 1840 ; his grandfather, Abraham, was born in 1771 ; died in 1826 ; his great-grandfather, Abraham, was born in 1741 ; died in 1802his great-great-grandfather, Frederick, was born in Switzerland, in 1709 ; came to the United States in 1734 ; at the age of 25 years, was a Bishop of the Church ; he settled in Anville Township, Lebanon Co., and died in 1789, aged 80 years ; Sarah, mother of M. C., and wife of Jacob Kauffman, was born Jan. 9, 1810 ; died Sept. 6, 1863, aged 53 years and 7 months. Our subject began learning the tailoring trade when only 12 years of age, in Lebanon, which was finished in the city of Philadelphia ; his education was mostly received in the latter place, by attending night schools. After completing his trade, he was employed as cutter in an establishment in the above city for some time, then came West, locating in Greenville, Ohio, where he did a, general merchant tailoring and ready-made clothing business ; then afterward came to this place, and was employed as cutter. In 1868, he went to Omaha, where he was engaged as cutter and general overseer of all work for six months ; returned to Troy; established himself in business, giving employment to a number of skilled workmen. He is a professional cutter, in the strongest sense which the term implies, and is testified too by all who have been so fortunate as to have their dimensions encircled by his tape. This firm, from their fair-dealing; and popular business habits, command what they deserve, the leading trade in Troy.   GEORGE KEIFER, physician and surgeon, Troy ; is a son of Margaret and George Keifer, and was born in Washington Co., Md., July 4, 1806 ; his father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Maryland, in which State they were married ; they removed to Bethel Township, in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1812, the overland trip to Springfield occupying thirty-one days ; his father died Aug. 31, 1845, she in 1822 ; they were parents of five children, two living-Mrs. Catherine Hum-   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 695   phrys and our subject ; Mr. K., Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and had much knowledge of the science of medicine, and, withal, was a very useful man. At the age of 12 years, our subject entered the Findlay Seminary, a Methodist institution, pr in which he obtained a preparatory education, which was afterward fully developed in the same institution ; in 1826, he began the study of medicine in Troy, under the guidance of the late Dr. Asa Coleman, who was his preceptor for three years ; be then entered the Ohio Medical College, which conferred on him their diploma of medicine and surgery. Returning to Troy, he entered on the duties of his profession, and for three years practiced with his former preceptor ; since then, with the exception of a short time, he has practiced independent of assisting physicians. lie has been twice married ; first to Eliza Cushman, of Providence, R. I., Oct. 27, 1833, who bore him seven children, four living-Mary E., Asa C., Sarah J. and Henrietta ; the deceased are Charles L., George D. and Eliza. Mrs. K. died Dec. 12, 1845, aged 36 years. His second marriage was celebrated May 8, 1849, with Elizabeth Hazard, of New London, Conn.; she died May 5, 1880, aged 76 years. With one exception, the Doctor is the oldest practitioner in the county, and has built up a large practice.. July 9, 1862, he was commissioned Surgeon of the 50th 0. V. I., and had charge of General Hospital No. 19, in Louisville, Ky. ; he was honorably discharged Dec. 26, 1863 ; during Gov. Allen's administration, he became one of the managers of the Soldiers and Sailors, Orphan Home for three years, and was afterward appointed by the trustees as Superintendent of the same institution, receiving many compliments for his able management. In 1838, he was commissioned Brigadier General, by Gov. Vance, which position he held ten years. In extracts from the press during his term, we learn that the Doctor was a very gallant officer. At home he has always been a representative man, discharging the duties of Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, Mayor three years, President and member of the Board of Education three years, which speaks much for the. Doctor,s official capacity. He has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1830, and has held positions of honor and trust ; is also a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Order, in which he served as District Deputy Grand Master three years.   ELI KELLY, dealer in books, music, etc., Troy. Seth Kelly, the father of our subject, emigrated from Massachusetts, about 1820, to West Milton, and was identified with his brother Samuel, for a number of years, in the building of saw-mills, factories, oil-mills, etc. ; he was the manufacturer of the celebrated " Kelly's Scythe " that earned a justly deserved reputation long before reaping machines were thought of. His wife's maiden name was Mary A. Coppock, a native of Ohio ; he was born near Ludlow Falls ; her death occurred in August, 1852, and her husband’s in November, 1852. Eli, our subject, was born Nov. 4, 1839, near West Milton, and was 14 years of age when his parents died ; he saw but little of the sunny side of life during his boyhood, having to work at any kind of a job. that offered itself ; on the farm in the summer, he attended the common schools in the winter, and obtained such an education as they then afforded ; at the beginning of the war he was 21 years of age, and enlisted as a private in Co. A, 44th 0. V. I. ; served as such until the re-enlistment of regular veterans in 1864 ; when the 44th Regiment was re-organized with the 8th 0. V. C., he received a commission as 2d Lieutenant, and was afterward appointed Adjutant of the regiment, and served until his resignation, June, 1865, which was accepted by the Governor of the State, for reason of wounds received in battle Jan. 11, 1865. Upon his return, he commenced the book and stationery business in Troy, which has been continued to the present time, and has been largely increased, until his establishment is now the best one of the kind in the county ; lately has been added the music and sewing machine branch of the business. His marriage to Miss Hattie L. Bates occurred May 4, 1867 ; she was a graduate of Adrian College, Mich., Class of 1866 ; they have had three children-Edward Bates was born Feb. 21, 1869 ; Harry, Feb. 21, 1870, and Robert, July 1, 1875 ; Harry died in his 4th year, Jan. 15, 1874, and his body was interred in a lovely spot in Rosehill Cemetery. Mr. Kelly is one of our most accommodating business men, and has hosts of friends.   696 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES   JOHN KELLY, Troy, of the firm of Beedle & Kelly, manufacturers of the Champion corn-planter, plow, automatic gates, Monitor wind engines, etc.; he was born in Union Township, Miami Co.. Ohio, Oct. 8, 1823, and is a son of Samuel Kelly, a man of great public spirit and enterprise, who was born in Massachusetts, and came to Miami Co., at the beginning of the present century, and located in Union Township ; he was a machinist by trade, and at an early day purchased several water privileges on the Stillwater, and erected the first and only cotton factory in the county ; he also erected other factories and mills ; he was liberal and did much to develop the Stillwater region ; in 1866, he emigrated to Iovira, where he died in 1874 ; our subject was raised and educated in the different manufacturing business in which his father was engaged, until 1844, at which date he went to Providence, and served as an apprentice, until he had completed the trade of machinist, when he went to West Milton and built the machinery for his father's factory ; he remained at West Milton and followed his occupation as machinist until 1868, during which time he built 'the machinery for several factories and mills then he came to Troy, continuing at his trade in its different branches until 1873, when he. became associated with his present partner in the above business, since which time their business has been on an increase and is now quite extensive having in their employ from forty-five to seventy-five hands ; the implements of their manufacture find a market in all the Western States ; Mr. Kelly manufactures the two-horse corn-planter, and in the past six years has taken six patents, all improvements on this machine ; the whole manufacturing department is under the supervision of our subject. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. Miller in 1849, who was a daughter of Zachariah Miller, of West Milton, born in Virginia, of which union sprung four children, viz., Carrie, Mary, J. M. and George C. ; the two sons being foremen of the machine-shops and foundry of the firm.   SOLOMON KERNS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Among the early settlers of this township we are pleased to notice Mr. Solomon Kerns, who has lived the longest, perhaps, of any man in the county in one township ; he was born within one mile of his present home, sixty-seven years ago, and his entire life, with but short intermissions, has been spent in this county ; he is a son of Henry Kerns, who was born in North Carolina, in 1784, and emigrated from Rowan Co., N. C., and settled in Concord Township, in 1809 ; a few years later, he purchased the place now occupied by our subject, upon which he resided until his decease, which occurred in May, 1861, at the advanced age of 77 years. He married Mary Summey, also a native of the above State, who died in Concord Township, about the year 1875, at the remarkable old age of 93 years ; they were the parents of sixteen children, of whom seven now survive ; Solomon Kerns was born May 13, 1813, upon the farm where he has always lived ; he has witnessed the transformation of the vast wilderness into well-cultivated farms, fine residences, take the place of the rude log cabins, and the wild savage become entirely extinct. The marriage nuptials-of Solomon Kerns with Diana Frazier were celebrated in Concord Township in 1839 ; she was born March 22, 1822, and died March 5, 1879 ; they were the parents of three children, of whom Philadelphia and Harriet Frances now survive ; Mr. Kerns has devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits, and was also extensively engaged in stock-dealing ; he owns 203 acres in his home farm, with good buildings, under a fine state of cultivation, and some timber land in other parts of the county, all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and correct business habits ; he is now retired from active labor, having his farm rented out to good tenants. He is a Republican in politics, and, while he has no aspirations for political honors, he bss held the office of Township Trustee for a period of twenty years in succession.   DAVID KERNS, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. Mr. Kerns was born May 31, 1823, and has alWays followed the occupation of farming ; when he was 6 years of age, his parents immigrated to Indiana, near Muncie two years afterward his father died very suddenly, and the widow and her children removed to Darke Co., Ohio, settling near Greenville ; after living with his mother nine years, David came to   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 697   this township and worked two and a half years for Solomon Kerns. During this time he became engaged to and afterward married Miss Amanda Kerns, Aug. 29, 1845, the Rev. John Stephenson officiating ; they went to Indiana, where Mrs. Kerns contracted the ague ; they left Indiana on that account and came back to Concord Township, where Mr. Kerns purchased a part of the land upon which they now reside ; they moved into an old log cabin, 16x18, comprising parlor, dining and sleeping rooms in one room ; he built a cabin the next year that was the envy of the neighbors, it being plastered overhead and having a fine porch attached. Six children are now living, one deceased, three married ; one son and the daughter Olive still live with their parents ; their names are Salista J., now the wife of John Strong ; Luther J. is the husband of Miss Mary A. Brown.; Alonzo R. married Miss Sarah J. Blackmore ; Winfield S., William H. and Olive E. are still single. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns are in comfortable circumstances, and enjoy life, in their quiet way, in a high degree ; their farm is in a fine state of cultivation, superintended by Mr. Kerns, and paying him a nice profit ; the buildings and orchard are neatly kept, contentment reigning around the fireside.   WILLIAM KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. William Kerr was born in this county ; his parents were Harvey and Sabra, who were also born in the county, and may be classed among the old settlers ; William was born Dec. 11, 1834, and, from choice, he has followed farming ; work was too plenty in his younger days for boys to get a very extensive knowledge of books, but William managed to obtain enough education to aid him materially in his business ; at 18, he commenced working for himself, at the rate of $10 per month, and continued working on the same wages for six years. March 10, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Mahala, eldest daughter of William awailes ; she was born in October, 1830, on the farm where they now reside, and never has nor ever wishes to know any other home ; two daughters thus far have gladdened their home-Naomi and Effie, whose education is fast approaching completion ; Naomi was born Feb. 1, 1865, and Effie May 7, 1868. Mr. Kerr is owner of 80 acres of splendid land, with substantial improvements ; an air of neatness is everywhere apparent, his farm paying him a large revenue ; much of the change that has taken place in this county has been closely observed by him, and his arm has done much toward its improvement ; he is Democratic in politics, and never misses an opportunity of voting ; is fond of company and very agreeable.   WM. R. KERR, farmer P. 0. Troy. Wm. R. Kerr is a direct descendant of one of our early pioneers ; he is a son of William and Rachel Kerr, both of whom were born in Monroe Township. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survive-George G., Sarah P., Susannah, Margaret E., Edward E., and William R., to whom this sketch is dedicated. He was born on the home farm March 30, 1852, and his occupation, from choice, has been that of a farmer. Since the death of his father, he has been the manager of the whole estate of 332 acres, and the general aspect of things betokens his ability. He was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Pence, Dec. 22, 1873, by the Rev. Wm. Jay. Thus far, two bright little children have blest their union-Ercy C. and Mary E. Mr. Kerr is now engaged in rearing blooded stock, and will, no doubt, make it a success. He is himself a worker, and under his auspices the farming is done in a systematic manner. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and we are also pleased to note him a thoroughbred Democrat. He possesses the characteristics of the Kerr family in a high degree, and will, no doubt, attain a prominent position among our best farmers.   S. H. KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Troy. S. H. Kerr justly takes a place in the history among the legal representatives of the pioneers. His grandfather, Hamilton Kerr, came to the county in 1804, and afterward married Miss Rhoda Furnace. Their four sons are all represented in this history, except John, and the Kerr family has a record equal to that of any in the county. George Kerr is the father of the subject of this sketch, and is one of the wealthiest men in Monroe Township. Samuel H. Kerr was married to Miss Minnie E. Stewart, of Clark Co.,   698 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:   April 2, 1874, at the residence of the bride's parents. The first year after his marriage was spent at the home of his wife's parents, and the next spring they took possession of the fine farm upon which he now resides, everything betokening his practical knowledge of agriculture. Thus far they are the parents of two children, both beautiful girls—Blanche and Daisy. Blanche was born in 1874, and Daisy in 1878. Mr. Kerr was born a Democrat, and adheres strictly to its Jacksonian principles. He is one of our most courteous and affable young men, and is especially well posted upon topics of the day. Mr. Kerr's education is first-class, his leisure being spent in storing his mind with useful knowledge.   CHARLES KESSLER, dealer in wines and liquors, Troy ; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1847 ; received his education in his native country ; at 13 years of age, he commenced the occupation of rope-making, continuing the same until 1867, at which date he emigrated to America, and for ten years followed the occupation of harness-making ; in 1877, he engaged in his present business, in which he has been quite successful. Married in 1875 to Margaret Pfister ; one child was born to them, Augusta, now deceased.   CHRISTIAN LEIDIGH, carriage blacksmith, Troy. Christian Leidigh was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 13, 1845 ; he is a son of Michael and Louisa (Schwartz) Leidigh, both natives of Penn.; his parents moved to this State in the year 1853, and settled in Clark Co., where they lived till the death of his mother, in the autumn of 1863 ; his father is still living in Medway, Clark Co. The boyhood of our subject was spent on the farm, and his education was received in the common schools. In the fall of 1862, when the flag which we all love was in danger, and rebellion was rife in the Southern States, he, although only a boy of 17, bade farewell to home and friends, and enlisted in the 83d O. V. I., under Col. F. W. Moore. of Cincinnati, and started for the seat of war ; he served his country for three years, most of the time in the 3d Division, 13th Army Corps, Department of the Gulf ; he was in the fight of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post and Vicksburg, also the Red River campaign, the Battle of Champion Hills ; assisted in the taking of Jackson twice ; he was in numerous other battles in the Gulf States, some of which, though of little note in history, were as hard-earned as any of the more prominent ones ; he served faithfully till the 24th of August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Galveston, Texas, and was finally discharged at Camp Dennison. After coming home, he learned the trade of blacksmith, worked as journeyman in several counties, and finally located at Troy, where he now carries on business, working chiefly on buggies, carriages and spring-wagons. He married Miss Candace Heckerman on the 17th of November, 1870. One child, Cora, has been born to them, Oct. 29, 1871. Mr. Leidigh is a genial, jovial gentleman, and has many friends, both in the fraternity of I. O. O. F., of which he is a member, and in the community at large. His wife is an exemplary lady, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.   WILLIAM LIEDEL, barber, Troy. William Liedel is the most popular barber in Troy ; he was born and reared in Cincinnati, his father. Peter Liedel, being the first white barber in that city ; he was married to Miss Julia Leitz, in Baden-Baden, Germany ; they emigrated to Cincinnati in 1831 ; their children were seven in number—Peter, William, Frank, Julia, Louisa, Amelia and John ; of the whole family, there are none living except the subject of this sketch ; he has for more than a quarter of a century been engaged in the tonsorial business, and is, `without doubt, the finest barber in the county ; his parlors are on Market street, near the public square, Troy, Ohio ; he employs four skilled workmen, and does the, business of the city. His marriage to Miss Charlotta Wasserman was celebrated in 1867; her parents, John and Mary Wasserman, were among the old settlers of Troy ; Mr. W. left a large estate at the time of his death. William Liedel and wife have no children, but have lately adopted a son, who is named after his foster father. Mr. Liedel was one of the first to respond to his country's call for troops during the late civil war ; he enlisted in Co. C, 6th O. V. I., and at the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted in the same company and regiment ;   CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 699   participated in the battles of Stone River, Shiloh, Perryville and Rich Mountain ; was also with Sherman on his march to the sea ; he was twice wounded at Stone River and Shiloh ; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and is entitled to a place among the heroes of our country.   MARTIN H. LONG, grocer, Troy. The subject of this sketch was born in Troy Nov. 8, 1853 ; is a on of Adam and Mary (Dick) Long, who came to this county at an early day, and located in Troy ; he was engaged in the butchering business until the time of his death, in 1863. Martin spent his boyhood here, and was educated in the Troy schools ; he entered the grocery business soon after having attained his majority, where he has continued the business, keeping a full line of groceries and everything pertaining to a general grocery trade. March 4, 1875, he was joined in wedlock to Mary Streuble, by whom he has one child, Cora, born May 18, 1876. He and his wife are both members of the German Lutheran Church, with which they have been connected for several years.   JOHN A. LONG, butcher, Troy ; is a native of Miami Co., and was born in Troy May 31, 1842, his father being Adam Long, a native of Germany, who came to Miami Co. about the year 1824, where he followed butchering until his death in 1861 ; his widow still survives, residing in Troy. Our subject was educated in the schools of Troy, and has devoted his whole life to his present business, learning the trade of his father when quite young, and has successfully followed the same for a period of nineteen years, his present place of business being on the corner of Main and Chestnut streets. His marriage with Lucinda Layton was celebrated in March, 1864 ; they have two sons, Walter and Eugene.   DAVID A. McCLUNG, retired farmer ; P. O. Troy. David A. McClung is a thoroughbred son of Miami Co., having been born upon the spot upon which he now resides, Aug. 15, 1826, and with the exception of three years, has never left the loved spot ; he was the youngest son of David and Nancy McClung, who were married in Kentucky April 12, 1808 ; their wedding tour was a horseback ride from Lexington to Troy ; it was during the spring freshets, and the creeks and rivers were swollen with the heavy rains ; upon their arrival opposite the site of Troy, they found the river running high, and, as there was no bridge, they were obliged to swim their horses across at a point now called " Coe's Ford.;" Indians were then very plentiful, and not very friendly. During the month of July, 1812, a Mr. Gerard, Mr. Dilbone and wife were murdered. Previous to this time, there had been hostilities brewing, and nearly all the able-bodied men were on the frontier under arms ; it so happened that Mr. McClung was then away ; his wife with three small children and a neighbor girl, Nancy Telford, were left alone. Aaron Tullis brought word in the evening that the Indians were killing and scalping everybody, and that they must get to the block-house in Troy as soon, and in the best way they could, while he went to warn other settlers ; they started at once, Mrs. McClung, with a 3-weeks old babe in her arms, leading another child 2 years old by-the hand, with Nancy and Cloyd, 7 years old, carrying the trusty rifle, they proceeded on their way ; fearing to take the bridle path that led direct to Troy, they made a detour to the right through the woods, and after wandering about for some time with out reaching their destination, sat down upon a log to await the moon's rising ; as they were expected at the block-house, but came not, three men were sent out to hunt them ; Mrs. McClung could hear them halloo, but, fearing they were Indians, gave no answer ; finally her name was called, when she replied, help came, and they arrived at the block-house at almost day break. We can hardly conceive that the beautiful plain between Ridge avenue and Troy, ever could have been such a mass of tangled brush that persons would get lost in coming such a short distance ; there were in the block-house about eighty persons that had fled there for protection ; the next day, Mrs. McClung and her babies went to Judge Barbee's house and stayed a few days, or until the supposed danger was past ; three children are nowliving of the McClung family ; the father dying in 1841, and the mother in 1862 ; she was 80 years old, and her husband 65. By the death of his father, David the subject of this sketch, became heir of a portion of the home