DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 225 ing died while she was yet a child. She obtained her education by attending school half of each day, working in the factories the other half. Her first husband died a short time after their marriage, in 1873. She came to America, locating in Brooklyn; from there she went to Marion, Ohio, then came to her present home. Mrs. Denton visited friends in her native isle in 1890. She is a woman of perseverance, and has many true friends. In politics Mr. Denton is identified with the Republican party, and he has taken a somewhat active part in forwarding its interests in a local sense. He has never sought political preferment, but for one term he served as Road Supervisor in his township, proving a most capable official. Strictly in opposition to our present style of making smooth tracks by the ditch, he prefers filling ruts, giving a smooth track in the center of the public roads at all seasons. Religiously, he is prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a steward of the local organization and contributing liberally to the support and advancement of the same. A man of deep integrity and unswerving honor, he has gained and held the respect and esteem of the community, and in him is reposed the most perfect confidence. JOSEPH GROVES, of Cardington, Ohio, was born in this city April 22, 1837, and his ancestors were originally from Holland. His father, Benjamin Groves, was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio in a very early day, locating in what is now Canaan township, Morrow county, and was a miller by occupation. About 1835 he located in Cardington, and operated the old Bunker Mill near the dam, having been the first miller in the old water mill here. Three years afterward he moved to Lima, Ohio, and his death occurred there in 1847. Mr. Groves married Ann Haight, a native of Guernsey county, this State. They had four sons and two daughters, four now living, namely: Joseph, Augustus, William and Martha Jane. The father had been previously married to a Miss Hight, and their son, Samuel S., is now living in Canaan township, Morrow county. Joseph Groves, the subject of this sketch, learned and followed the blacksmith's trade in Jasper county, Missouri. In 1860 he went to Kansas, and in the following fall located in Pekin, Illinois. April 25, 1861, he enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company F, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the first regiment sent out by the State of Illinois into the Rebellion. They were drilled at Cairo, and were discharged at the close of the three months' service. Immediately re-enlisting in the same regiment, Mr. Groves was promoted to Corporal, and served as such until after the battle of Fort Donelson, when he became Sergeant. He took part in the capture of the Rebel flag at Columbus, Kentucky, December 22, 1861; participated in a midnight skirmish at Norfolk, Missouri, and served in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Holly Springs, Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, Black River, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and took part in the entire siege of Vicksburg, lasting forty-seven days. 'While there his gun was struck by a piece of shell and knocked him down, and, although disabled, he remained at his post. 226 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF In July, 1863, Mr. Groves participated in the battles of Clinton, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. He was detailed by General Canby to place the stars and stripes on the battle house in Mobile, Alabama, on its surrender, and successfully accomplished the task. He was veteranized January 5, 1864, and was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. He carried the regimental colors through the later battles of the war. August 28, 1865, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company F, Eighth Illinois Volunteers, and January 20, 1866, was made First Lieutenant of the same company. both having been issued by R. J. Oglesby. Mr. Groves was ordered for duty in Texas, and served there until finally discharged at Springfield, Illinois, in June, 1866, after a continuous service of five years and one month. Just before the battle of Shiloh our subject went outside the lines to get squirrels for a sick comrade, and, while hunting, a rebel ordered him to drop his gun and proceeded to march him to Corinth. On the way Mr. Groves put his hand in his pocket for tobacco, where he also had a loaded revolver, which he drew upon the rebel and turned the tables, marching him to General Leggett's headquarters. He then went back after the squirrels. Mr. Groves took part in twenty-three battles in all, and was never wounded. In the fall of 1866 he went to Wisconsin, but two years afterward removed to Michigan, and in 1874 came to Cardington, Ohio In his political relations, he affiliates with the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Encampment and Rebekahs, is Commander of the James St. John Post, No. 82, G. A. R., and is a member of the U. V. L., No. 89, of Mount Gilead. Mr. Groves was married, in 1868, to Alvira Benson, who was born in Lincoln township, Morrow county, March 29, 1847, a daughter of Darius and Eliza A. (Warner) Benson. Our subject and wife have four sons,—Otto J., Arden B., George F. and Charles S. J. P. MORSE.--It now becomes our privilege to touch briefly upon the life history of one who stands forth as one of the representative farmers of Union township, Union county, and one who enjoys a most marked popularity by reason of his genial and sympathetic nature. He was one of the valiant boys who went forth in his nation's defense al the time of the late civil war, and his military record is one that remains to his perpetual honor. He was born on the farm where he now lives,—the old paternal homestead,—December 28, 1839, the son of the late Ray G. Morse, who was one of Union county's prosperous, influential and popular citizens for many years. Ray G. Morse was a native of Coventry township, Kent county, Rhode Island, his birthplace being in the vicinity of the city of Providence. The date of his nativity was November 16, 1808, and he was a son of Joseph Morse, who was also a native of the Union's most diminutive State, and a descendent of one of the most prominent old families of that commonwealth. When Ray G. had attained the age of ten years his parents determined to seek their fortunes and establish a new home in the West, and accordingly they set forth with an ox wagon to traverse the long stretch of wild country lying between their Eastern home and the State of Ohio. With this primitive and unpretentious equipage DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 227 the journey was made in the dead of wintre and was not completed until forty-nine days had elapsed, when they reached their destination at Rice City, a little settlement in the vicinity of the present thriving village of Milford Center, this county. Here they established their home and here passed the residue of their days, both parents having been laid to rest in the section which marked the scene of their early endeavors in clearing away the forests and aiding in the development of the county to its present position of prosperity. Though their son, the father of our subject, was but a mere child at the time the eventful overland journey from the East was accomplished, vet he remembered almost every detail of the same until the hour of his dissolution. Ray G. passed his youthful days at the parental home in this county, and finally engaged himself to serve an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, serving five years under Colonel Fairfield, who was one of the prominent men of Milford Center in that early day. He became an expert artisan in working iron and steel and by sturdy efforts at the forge he acquired the funds with which to purchase his farm, that which our subject now cultivates. April 17, 1838, he took up his residence on his place, settling in the woods, where he built a log cabin and made a home for his family, and then set himself the arduous task of felling the forest monarchs and preparing the soil for the plow. This place was his home until the time of his demise, and he lived there for more than an half century, being thus permitted to enjoy the full recompense for the indefatigable toil which had been his in reclaiming the farm. His death occurred December 0, 1893, at which time he had attained the venerable age of eighty-five years and twenty-four days. In the fulness of years was thus gathered to his fathers one whose life had been one of activity and usefulness and one whose name will be held in lasting honor by all to whom remains the knowledge of his sturdy rectitude and noble character. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Parthemor, and to whom he was united December 20, 1830, died July to, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-four years and eleven months. They reared a family of six children, of whom we make record as follows: William A., a resident of Madison county, Ohio; George Nelson, who died in this township, in 1874; Clara J. , wife of David McCloud, of this township; Joseph, a retired farmer living at Marysville, the county seat, was an active participant in the late war of the Rebellion; John P., subject of this review; Ray G., a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the war, now resides at Marysville. John P. Morse was reared to maturity on the old homestead and contributed his share toward its reclamation and improvement, learning the trade of blacksmith at home under the capable direction of his honored father, and securing his educational discipline in the district schools. Like his father, he is an expert workman at the blacksmith trade, to which he devoted his attention for a number of years. During the war of the Rebellion he rendered his quota toward the defending of his country's honor, serving loyally and valiantly. On the 22d of June, 1863, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until February, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Within this time he had re-enlisted as a member of the 228 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF First Ohio Heavy Artillery, but was forthwith returned to his old regiment. At the age of thirty-one years Mr. Morse joined hand and heart with Miss Mary J. Mitchell, who was born in Darby township, this county, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Mitchell, honored and prominent residents of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were the parents of eight children, to wit: Arvilla, wife of J. D. Morse; Preston, deceased; Fanny, wife of Dalton Peters; Alice, wife of F. A. Andrews; Martha; Alexander Scott; Rosa, wife of Hubert Worthington; and Mary J., wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have five children : George Nelson; Renua Alice, who graduated from the Milford Center high school in 1893 and who is now a popular and successful teacher; John M.; Ruby A.; and Cassius William. One child, Sarah E , the second born, died in infancy. Mr. Morse has always been firmly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles, and has been an active worker in the local organization of the same, having held preferment as Constable for a term of five years. He has been a member of the School Board for more than a score of years, and has ever maintained a lively interest in educational work. Fraternally, he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, retaining a membership in Silas Kimball Post, No. 570, of Milford Center. Our subject's farm, the old family homestead, comprises 200 acres and is thoroughly well improved and under most effective cultivation. The residence is a substantial and commodious frame structure, pleasantly located, and other permanent improvements include a good barn, a modern wind-engine for supplying water for farm and domestic uses, and all necessary outbuildings, while in all quarters is there unmistakable evidence of the discriminating attention given to the operation of a fine farmstead. In his personality our subject is jovial and filled with good humor and hospitality. He has a keen relish for the funny side of life and the neighborhood abounds in tales of his humorous sayings and doings. Frank and courteous and never denying a true sympathy, it is doubtful whether any man can dispute for the palm of popularity in the community with J. P. Morse. ROBERT WILCOX, a farmer of Porter township, Delaware county, was born at Homer, Licking county, Ohio, October 22, 1839, a son of Barnum and Julia (Claflin) Wilcox, the former a native of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Crawford county, that State. Robert was left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He received his education in the common schools, and has made his own way in the world. After reaching a suitable age he followed any occupation that presented itself until the opening of the late war, when, August 26, 1864, he entered the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. The regiment was discharged at Goldsboro, North Carolina. During his service Mr. Wilcox contracted lung trouble and other chronic diseases, from which he has never recovered. Since the close of the struggle he has devoted his time to farming, stock-raising and the lumber business. August 19, 1860 at Reynoldsburg, Franklin county, Ohio, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage with Eveline Spangler, who was born August 17, 1839, and reared DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 229 in St. Albert's township, that county, a daughter of John (deceased) and Abigail Spangler. The latter resides in Porter township, Delaware county. Our subject and wife have seven children, namely: Cloie Carter, of Kingston township, this county; Laura Needles, of Columbus, Ohio; Carrie Carpenter, of Porter township; Ellsworth, also of this township; Elethco Kaspar and Willford Arthur. Mr. Wilcox affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs. Wilcox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. DR. ALONZO E. MAIN, physician and surgeon, Delaware, Ohio, dates his birth in Troy township, Delaware county, this State, September 2, 1855, his parents being Madison and Jane (Black) Main. Dr. Main was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools. When he was twenty he began the study of medicine under the instructions of Dr. McCann, Delaware, and in 1877 he entered the Columbus Medical College, where he graduated February 28, 1879. The last year of his college life he spent much of his time in the office of Dr. D. T. Gilliem, of Columbus. After his graduation he at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, and there remained five years. His next move was to Delaware, where he has since conducted a general practice, and where he has met with eminent success. With the exception of one year, when he was in partnership with Dr. Welch, of this city, he has practiced alone. Dr. Main was married December 30, 1879, to Miss Christina Schaub, who was born in Switzerland, but who has been a resident of America since she was quite young. They have two sons, Wilber J. and Earnest F. Their residence is at No. 99 Williams street. WARREN S. JEWELL.—Among the representative farmers of Porter township, Delaware county, Ohio, the subject of this review is particularly prominent, conducting one of the finest and most prolific farms in the county, and having been honored with numerous official preferments in the gift of the people of the community. To such men we turn with peculiar satisfaction as offering in their life histories justification for works of this nature,—not that their lives have been such as to gain them wide reputation or the admiring plaudits of men, but that they have been true to the trusts imposed, have shown such attributes of character as entitle them to the regard of all, and have been useful in their sphere of action. The father of our subject was Harrison Jewell, who was a native of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and of Welsh-Scotch and French extraction. He was a brick-mason and a general mechanic by trade; was a Republican in his political views, and was a member of the Disciple Church. In 1830 he came from his native State to Licking county, Ohio, where he was shortly afterward united in marriage to Mary Miller, who was born in Knox county, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, Rachel, Sarah, Laura, deceased, Warren S., David L. and Mary and Almira, (twins), both of whom are now deceased. David was an active participant in the late war. The father of our subject died at Utica, Ohio, in 1879, having attained the 230 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF age of seventy years. His widow still resides near that city, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. Warren S. Jewell was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 17, 1841, and he passed his youth in his native county, attending the district schools and supplementing his rudimentary discipline by a one year's course of study in the university at Granville. After leaving college he engaged in business at Rich Hill, Knox county, where he remained for one year. In 1864 he came to Delaware county and took up his residence upon his present farm, comprising 317 acres, all of which has been brought into a high state of cultivation, and which bears evidence of the prosperity which has attended the persevering efforts of our subject in the way of the many substantial improvements made. The place is known as Summit Farm and is a beautiful rural home. Mr. Jewell is an active member of the Republican party, and occupies a high position in the local councils of the organization. His popularity and the recognition of his ability are shown in the fact that he has been called upon to serve as incumbent in the offices of Assessor, Trustee, and as a member of the Board of Education of Porter township for fifteen years. In his fraternal affiliations he is identified with Porter Lodge, No. 640, Knights of Pythias, said lodge maintaining its organization at East Liberty. In conclusion we turn to the domestic life of our subject, learning that, on New Year's day, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura, a daughter of Rev. William Moody, a well-known divine of the Disciple Church in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have five children, of whom we offer the following epitomized record: Eva M. is the wife of Levi Blackledge, of Porter township; Harry W. is a student in Hiram college, at Hiram, Ohio; and Walter M., Mamie J., and Clifford W. are at home. One child, the second-born, died in infancy. Mr. Jewell is an Elder in the Disciple Church of Centerburg, and with the same organization his wife is actively identified as a zealous and devoted member. SQUIRE MARCUS PHILLIPS, one of the representative citizens of Morrow county, was born in Windham county, Vermont, January 16, 1806. His father. Asa Phillips, was born in the town of Bellingham, Massachusetts, March 12, 1771, but when a young man located in Windham county, Vermont. He was there married to Rhoda Hazelton, who was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts, January 26, 1771. From 1814 to 1817 they resided on a farm near New Salem, Franklin county, Massachusetts, and in the latter year removed to Niagara, now Erie, county, New York, where Mr. Phillips died November 13, 1842. He was a Whig in his political views, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Asa Phillips and wife had ten children, namely: Mrs. Rhoda Herrick, Mrs. Mary Chase, Arba and Mrs. Susanna Chase, deceased; Marcus, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Hannah Twitchell, deceased; Asa, a resident of California; Amos, deceased; and Mrs. Sarah Stevens, a widow lady. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Massachusetts, and of Welsh descent. Marcus Phillips remained with his father mtil twenty-two years of age. In 1828 he same to Ohio, and next, via the Alleghany DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 231 river, rafted to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he worked for $1 per day. From there he come, via Zanesville, to Marion county, Ohio, where he worked on a farm for $8.33 per month. From 1830 to 1834 he resided in New York, but in the latter year returned to this State and located on a farm of sixty acres near Norton, Medina county, for which he paid $800. Three Years afterward Mr. Phillips sold that place for $1,300 and bought 100 acres of unimproved land in the woods of Peru township, Delaware, now Morrow, county, where he built a log cabin 12 X 24 feet, the roof being of boards and all slanted the same way. He improved and added 100 acres to his original purchase, and remained there until 1880. From that year until 1891 he owned and resided on forty acres in Bennington township, and since that time has resided in the town of Marengo, Morrow county. In 1832, in Erie county, New York, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Asenath Herrick, a native of that State. She died September 26, 1846, leaving four children, — Alvin C.. who married Sarah J. Lott, deceased, and they had four children; Joseph H., deceased, as is also his wife, and they had one child; Mary Emma and Marietta, twins; the former married Ira Benedict and has three children ; and the latter married Henry Osborn, and they are the parents of four children. December 29, 1847, Mr. Phillips married Fidelia Potter, who was born in Harrison township, Franklin county, Ohio, May 12, 1818, a daughter of Asahel Potter, an early pioneer of Delaware county. Her mother, formerly Anna Benton, was a native of Connecticut. Mrs. Phil. lips was the seventh of their eight children. Our subject and wife have two sons. The eldest, Francis P., married Ollie Long, de ceased, and they had one child. For his second wife he married Ada Long, deceased, and they also had one child. Charles S. married Alice McDonald and has one child. The family are members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Phillips has served as an official for many years. In political matters he is a stanch Republican, and has served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years, County Commissioner nine years, has been delegate to many Republican conventions, and held the office of Notary Public sixteen years, receiving the appointment from many different Governors of the State. LEWIS H. EVANS, a farmer of Peru township, was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 21, 1834. His father, Owen Evans, was born in Pennsylvania, June 20, 1802, a son of William Evans, a native of Wales. After the latter came to America, he located in Pennsylvania, and thence came to Knox county, Ohio, where he subsequently died. Owen Evans was married in Knox county, to Mary George, a native of Chester township, Morrow county, and a daughter of Henry George. His father, Rev. Henry George, was born in Wales, was a Baptist minister, and became one of the pioneers of Knox county. After their marriage Owen Evans and wife located on a farm in Knox county, where they remained until death, the mother dying at the age of eighty years and the father at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of twelve children; ten grew to years of maturity, namely: William G., of Clarke county, Iowa; L. H., the subject of this sketch; E. J., also of Clarke county; Maria, widow of Stephen West, and a resident of Bennington township, Morrow 232 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF county; Elizabeth, wife of Norton Moore, also of that township; Rachel, wife of Royal Moore, of Marengo, Ohio; Henry, of Bennington township; Naomia, wife of Robert Taylor, of Chester township, this county; LaFayette M., of Clarke county, Iowa, and Jane, who married Stephen Uillery, now deceased. Lewis H. Evans, the second child in order of birth, was reared and educated in his native place. He began for himself at the age of nineteen years, empty-handed, and worked on a farm for from $12 to $16 per month. He has resided on his present place since 1858, which consists of 150 acres of fine farming land, and has made all he now owns by hard labor and economy. In 1874 his house and half its contents were destroyed by fire. In political matters Mr. Evans affiliates with the Democratic party, and has served as Township Assessor two years and as Trustee three terms. He was nominated for County Commissioner in 1892, but, owing to the fact that his county is strongly Republican, he was defeated. Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Caroline Ullery, May 24, 1857; she was a native of Morrow county, Ohio. Four children were born to that union, viz.: Flora E., wife of E. D. Lloyd, of Peru township, and Arthur, George W. and Verdie, deceased. Our subject was afterward married to Catherine Sherwood, a native of Pennsylvania, who when a child came to Richland, now Morrow county. The family are members of the Baptist Church. LEWIS WHIPPLE, a prominent farmer of Peru township, Morrow county, was born on the farm where he now lives, August 25, 1839. His father, Barton Whipple, a native of Rhode Hand, came with his parents to Delaware. now Morrow county, when eighteen years of age, his father, Reuben Whipple, also a native of Rhode Island, having been one of the early settlers of that county, and died here in his seventy-second year. The Whipple family are descended from four brothers who came from England and located at Providence, Rhode Island. Our subject's mother, Eliza Van Duzer, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her father, Abram Van Duzer, was also born in that State, of Dutch descent. He became one of the early settlers of Morrow county, and lived to the age of seventy-two years. The parents of our subject were married in Delaware county, but shortly afterward located in the woods of Peru township, now Morrow county, where they unproved a farm. They afterward sold that place and bought the farm where our subject now resides. The mother died here at the age of seventy-eight years. mid the father at the age of eighty-nine years. They were members respectively of the Christian and Universalist Churches. Mr. Whipple was one of the leading men in his county, having served as County Commissioner twenty years in both Delaware and Morrow counties; was also Justice of the Peace the same length of time, and at one time conducted a tavern. They were the parents of nine children, five daughters and four sons, all of whom grew to years of maturity but one, viz. : Jefferson. of Fulton county, Ohio; Caroline, widow of Levi Wood; Phoebe, wife of Israel Potter, of Edon, Ohio; Amanda, wife of Henry Christ, of Peru township; Mary Ann, widow of John Rue, and a resident of Westerville, Ohio; Mrs. Eliza Jane Earl, deceased; Steuben, of Peru township; Lewis, our subject; and Jefferson, deceased. DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 233 Lewis Whipple was reared in this township, and received his education in a Quaker school. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served eighteen months, took part in the battle of Perryville, followed Morgan through Kentucky, and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in 1864. Returning home, he located on the old homestead, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. In political matters Mr. Whipple affiliates with the Republican party, and socially is a member of Ashley Post, G. A. R. He was married after the close of the war to Marietta Coomer, a native of Morrow county, and a daughter of Ira and Mary Coomer, early settlers of Delaware county, this State. Four children have been born to this union, namely: Harry, who married. Alinda Aldrich, and lives in Delaware county; Charles, deceased at the age of seventeen years; Burton; and Rose, wife of Edward Waters, of Delaware county: she has two children,—Florence and Bertha.M MRS. MINERVA KINIKIN is a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of Delaware county, and the eldest child of John and Elizabeth Edwards, who in a very early day located in this community. Soon they were recognized as leading citizens and were prominently identified with the social and business interests of the community. At the time of their marriage Mr. Edwards had a capital of only $25. In the midst of the forest he erected a log cabin and with characteristic energy began to clear the land and develop a farm. He was ably assisted by his wife, who proved to him an able helpmeet, and as the result of his industry, economy, perseverance and good management he became one of the wealthiest men in the county. For many years he was also one of its most extensive stock dealers and in that line of business became widely known throughout the West. He was a fine looking man, in manner was pleasant and genial, and wherever he went he made friends He was devoted to his family, whose happiness and welfare ever lay near his heart, and his home relations were of a most pleasant character. In poli-¬ tics he was a Republican, and both he and his wife were faithful Christian people, their membership being with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in 1894, and Mrs. Edwards was called to her final rest March 7, 1864. Their daughter, Minerva, was born in Harlem township, Delaware county. She was their eldest child and became not only her father's companion, but his counsellor as well, and looked after many of his business interests, for his education was quite limited. There was a rare affection between them and they were almost inseparable. She often traveled with him on his stock-buying trips and together they journeyed over much of the West. When a young lady of twenty-three, Miss Edwards became the wife of Daniel Henry Kinikin, who is a native of Licking county, Ohio, but is of English descent. He acquired an excellent education and graduated from Granville College. In 1861 he joined the Union army and was assigned to Company C, Seventy-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. After two years of faithful service he became mentally and physically disabled and has not yet recovered from 234 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF his infirmities. He was a member of the Christian Church and took an active part in church work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kinikin were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, namely: Elizabeth, Ellen, John, Jane, Sherman and Sarah Ann, all of whom are yet living; Eli, Henry and an infant, now deceased. Mrs. Kinikin makes her home in Sunbury. She is the owner of a beautiful farm of eighty-eight acres in Harlem township, highly improved with all modern accessories and conveniences, and also some desirable property in this vicinity. She is possessed of most excellent business and executive ability, is a lady of culture and refinement who moves in the best circles of society and has many friends. DR. L. S. LUPTON, one of the leading young physicians of Delaware, Ohio, has been a resident of this city since September, 1880. He was born in Jerusalem, Monroe county, Ohio, May 19, 1862, son of Levi and Elizabeth (Minor) Lupton, his father a descendant of an old English family who were Quakers, and his mother tracing her ancestry to the Scotch. Levi Lupton died in Libby prison during the civil war. He was a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and had been confined in prison fifteen months when he died. His widow is now a resident of Delaware, Ohio. They had a family of seven children, only two of whom are living,—the subject of this sketch and his brother, William O., a druggist of Delaware. After graduating in the public schools of Woodfield, in 1880, Dr. Lupton came to Delaware and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he graduated in the class of 1884. He then began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Kious, then of Delaware and now of Columbus, and subsequently took a medical course in the Columbus Medical College, graduating in 1887. Immediately after his graduation he entered upon the practice of his profession at Delaware, and has since successfully conducted a general practice. In 1892 he was elected City Physician, which position he still holds. Fraternally, he is an I. O. O. F., being a member of Olentangy Lodge, No. 53. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. Dr. Lupton was married in Clarksburg, Ross county, Ohio, August 9, 1883, to Miss Della Bush, daughter of W. H. Bush, proprietor of the Brown Palace Hotel of Denver, Colorado. Their two children are Marguerite and Elizabeth. Their residence is 126 West Winter street, and both the Doctor and his wife are members of the William Street Methodist Episcopal Church. HORATIO COX HAMILTON was born near Irville, Muskingum county, Ohio, September 24, 1830, and was named after Judge Horatio Cox, who was then a merchant of Irville, but who now lives in Columbus, Ohio. He came with the rest of his father's family to Union county, and landed in Richwood on the evening of the 3d day of April, 1838. The family lived that summer in town, while the father and older boys were employed in building a house and arranging for the future. Horatio, with his two brothers,— Newton, who was older, and George, who DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 235 was younger,—were sent to school to Matildy Manson, who taught in the old log school house on the lot now occupied by C. W. Huffman as a residence; they were also required to carry dinner to those who were at work clearing the farm, etc., so that each forenoon, after intermission, they went home and got a good-sized market-basket full, and made the trip from town to the point where the men were at work, which is the same as where the house of G. B. Hamilton now stands, and after delivering their load of provisions, they would return to the school for the afternoon. When one thinks that it was then an unbroken forest with only a path, and that the average age of the three was only seven and a half years, it savors of real romance. Horatio remained with his father and worked, as all farmer boys did in those days, for nine or ten months of the year, going to school from forty to sixty days each winter, until the winter of f 848-9, when he taught school in the Lenox district. The following winter he taught in Richwood, and had to assume the relationship of teacher to the same children and scholars with whom he formerly went to school, and with whom he had played and frolicked. Some idea of the labor performed may be had when it is remembered that the school averaged fifty-six for the term, and for the last two months perhaps seventy or more, and that every one brought whatever book or books they could find about the house or borrow of a neighbor, so that it was impossible to classify the school. In the fall of 1851, and after he was of age, Horatio concluded that he would add somewhat to his educational advantages, and for this purpose he went to Delaware and matriculated, and entered upon a college life; but it was of short duration, and amounted to two terms of six or eight days each, so that he is what he himself calls a two-term graduate. In the spring of 1853 he left his father and went to Cleveland, and employed himself to H. G. O. Carey, to travel and sell his medicines, the main article of which was Borrell's Indian Liniment. The first six months were spent in canassing eastern and southern Ohio. In the fall of the same year he was sent to west Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. For four years he continued to travel from place to place, loading at Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Galena, Rock Island, Peoria, La Fayette and Indianapolis. This gave him a very extensive knowledge of the West, and enabled him to direct others to such places as they could get good land at Congress price. The result is that very many families are now in the West and have homes to which they were directed by him. He also took advantage of his knowledge of the West, and invested the first thousand dollars he ever earned in land in Black Hawk county, Iowa, getting for $1,000, 859 acres of as good land as a bird ever flew over, and from which he realized a comfortable fortune. It may be well to go back and say that in the summer of 1853, while at his uncle's, Irenias Springer's, he chanced to meet a little school-girl who was destined to be a partner in his successes and failures. Her name was Edmonia Dawson, a daughter of Dr. Nelson Dawson (deceased), of Putnam, Ohio. Horatio C. Hamilton and Edmonia Dawson were married in Davenport, Iowa, June 3, 1856. In the spring of 1857 they settled on their land in Black Hawk county, Iowa, and during the summer built a house and broke 120 acres of land. In the fall of the same year the panic struck Iowa, 236 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF and its wild-cat money went down and became worthless, and with it came ruin to almost everybody and everything in Iowa. Corn, wheat, oats and potatoes fell in price from $1.25 to a mere nominal price. This, with other things, caused them to leave Iowa and return to Ohio. In the fall of 1861 they came to live with his father, — Monia to take care of the house and Horatio the farm. When the second call for volunteers was made in 1862, he was appointed by Governor Tod to recruit the quota of Union county under said call. His commission was dated July 21, 1862, and on the 6th day of August he had one full company, and quite a number who were assigned to other companies, principally to Captain Lawrence's company of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 7th of August he was elected Captain of the company that was organized, and as such was assigned to the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sent to Kentucky, and assigned to the command of Brigadier General S. G. Burbridge, and the brigade was attached to Major General A. J. Smith's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. The regiment reached Kentucky on the 1st day of September, 1862. It will be remembered that at this time there was a sentiment among the new recruits that slaves and slave property were being wrongfully protected by the army, and that it was no part of a soldier's duty to protect rebel property and catch and return slaves to their masters. It began to be noticed that negroes were turned out of our lines with an ever-increasing degree of reluctance; also that Captain Hamilton was the friend of the oppressed, and that he did not always obey an order to do so inhuman a thing as to turn a fellow-man over to his rebel master, even in obedience to a positive command of a senior officer. Finally a boy, some fourteen years of age, came into the camp of the Ninety-sixth Ohio, at Nicholasville, Kentucky, calling himself 'illiam Clay, and reporting that his master was a rebel, and that he had thrown an ax at him (Billy), and that he wanted protection. He found a friend in Captain Hamilton and remained with him, as a servant, for some time, until the army was ordered to move to Louisville. On the way, and as it passed through Versailles, a person dressed in the uniform of a Union soldier came, representing himself as being on Major General A. J. Smith's staff, and as such he ordered Captain Hamilton to deliver the boy Billy to him to be turned over to the jailer as an escaped slave. This he refused to do unless the order came in writing from General Smith in the ordinary way, being countersigned by General Burbridge and Colonel I. W. Vance of the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This the fellow refused to get, but notified him that he would be back in fifteen minutes with a detachment of soldiers, and that he would take the boy by force. Upon this the Captain turned to his company and told them that if it was going to be a question of force, they might load their guns and prepare for the affray. That order the company made haste to execute, and as they did so one company after another did the same, until, as far as one could see, the road seemed to glisten with the light of the sun as it was reflected by several thousand ramrods which were being used to send home the ball that was intended to perforate the hide of any man who would attempt to take Billy by force. The effect of this preparation was that the staff officer gave up his notion of taking the boy by force DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 237 at that time, but notified the Captain that the affair would he deferred till evening, at which time the boy would be taken by force and the Captain put under arrest for disobedience of orders. This kept the matter brewing in the minds of the soldiers. As soon as the army was encamped for the night the soldiers held an impromptu meeting at which speeches were made and resolutions passed approving the course of Captain Hamilton, and resolving that they would stand by him to the death. A committee was appointed to inform him of their purpose, and he was soon waited on by a soldier, who made known their action to him and requested that if any move should be made to take the boy by force, immediate notice should be given to the officers and soldiers whose names were found on a card, which was handed to the Captain. This uprising of the soldiers, occasioned by the refusal of Captain Hamilton to give up the boy Billy, had the effect to stop all effort in the Army of Kentucky to arrest or return slaves to their masters. On reaching Louisville the army was ordered to go to Memphis and Vicksburg. The boy could not be taken, and the only thing that could be done was either to let him loose in Kentucky, to be seized upon and returned to slavery, or to send him home to Ohio. The latter the Captain chose to do, but had to force his way across the river for fear of arrest; but he finally reached New Albany, Indiana, and bought a railroad ticket to Marysville for the boy, paying for it all the money he had and going $1.25 in debt. When the boy reached Richwood it set everything in commotion. Some approved of the course of the Captain, others condemned. The party in opposition called a meeting, and resolved that the “nigger" should not be permitted to stay, and that they would return him to his master, etc. They also resolved that Captain Hamilton should not be permitted to return to Richwood. The matter got into all the papers of the State and of other States as well. Letters came to the Captain from every quarter, some approving and some disapproving his course. One man, who was given to understanding the force of what he said, wrote him that it was supposed that an effort would be made to take the boy by force and send him back to Kentucky, but he said that the Captain need not be alarmed, for that many thousands of men were armed and ready for any move that might be made to return the boy. Billy Clay and H. C. Hamilton both live in Richwood at this time, and this story would not have been told if it had not been for the fact of its having had so important a part in the war in overthrowing the slave power, and in developing liberal and Christian sentiment at home. During the winter of 1862-3, while with Sherman's army, Captain Hamilton contracted a nervous disease, the external evidence of which appeared as a cutaneous disease called lepra, from the effects of which he became as spotted as a leopard. In August following, he resigned his office of Captain and came home, since which time he has been a resident of Union county. He was prospered in business, and bought and paid for the Hamilton homestead, and was supposed to be a man of wealth until the panic of 1873, when, by bad management and security debts, he became involved and sold his property at a low figure and paid his debts. His wife, Edmonia, was taken from him by death on January 29, 1877. On March 4, 1879, he was married to Miss Molly Ken- 238 - MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF dall, and they now live together in the village of Richwood In the meantime he partially regained his health as well as property, and bids fair for long life and future usefulness. In religious matters he is somewhat peculiar, and cares nothing- for the religion that one feels, but goes his last dollar on the religion that one does. —From Howe's History of Ohio. HENRY FLECKNER, of Sunbury, Ohio, occupies a prominent position in business circles. He is proprietor of a stone quarry near by, which adds not a little to his income. He was born June 28, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Catherine Fleckner. When quite young, Henry Fleckner started out in life for himself, spending his boyhood in work in the ore mines of Maryland. At the age of eighteen he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for three years' service as a member of Company A, Eighteenth Regiment of United States Regulars. After leaving Lebanon, Kentucky, he was continuously in active service and participated in some of the most important engagements of the civil war, including the battle of Perryville, siege of Corinth, Hoover's Gap, Stone River (where he was wounded in the right eve), Chickamauga (where he was wounded in the right leg), charge on Missionary Ridge, Resaca and during Sherman's march, was wounded in the right arm at Dallas, Georgia, or near New Hope Church. Mr. Fleckner had taken up his residence in Delaware in 1858, and was engaged in farm work until he joined the boys in blue. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services he returned to his home in Delaware, and for a time was engaged in teaming and contracting, making and grading streets. In 1877 he became a resident of Sunbury, where he has since made his home and established a stone quarry, which he is vet successfully conducting. He also owns thirty-two acres of land which yield a fine quality of freestone and he there has a good quarry. In 1866 Mr. Fleckner was united in marriage with Miss Louisa C. Burrer, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Burrer. They became the parents of four children, but Charles Robert and Julia K. are now deceased; Harry and Carrie being the only ones living. Mr. Fleckner is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Delaware and belongs also to Galena Lodge, No. 404, I. 0. 0. F., and Sparr Lodge, No. 400, A. F. & A. M. His business success has been achieved through careful management and well-directed efforts, and is therefore justly merited. DR. E. LUELLEN, one of the representative and popular physicians and surgeons of Morrow county, Ohio, retains his residence and base of professional operations in Westfield township, and controls a large practice throughout this portion of the county. His father, Philip Luellen, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation, being a son of Samuel Luellen, who was born in the same county, as was also his father, Philip. The family is of pure Welsh descent, and was represented in the early pioneer history of the old Keystone State. The mother of our subject was Hannah (Chase) Luellen, a DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 239 native of the State of New York, and a daughter of Lewis Chase, who was born in the same State, being of English extraction, and a descendant of one of three brothers, who simultaneously emigrated to the New World. The parents of our subject's mother moved to Meigs county, Ohio, after their marriage,—this being about eighty years ago. They were the parents of three sons. The mother of Dr. Luellen had been previously married to a Mr. Birch, and they had four children, namely: Electa, deceased, was the wife of Jonas Foust, and was the mother of five children; Herman is a resident of Delaware county, this State; Almira, deceased, was the wife of Jacob Van Brimmer, and left four children; Melinda is the wife of Elijah Bishop, of Delaware county, and they are the parents of three sons and three daughters. The parents of our subject were married in Meigs county about 1822, and they soon removed to Delaware county, where they remained two years, after which they located in Marlborough township, which was later annexed to Marion county, and which now constitutes Waldo township, Marion county. There the father died in 1833, his widow passing away, at a venerable age, in 1891. Our subject was the only child of this marriage. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but after the death of her husband, the mother united with the Baptist Church. When they took up their residence in this section they settled in the woods, their abiding place being one of the little log houses common to the place and period, and their nearest neighbors being a mile distant. Dr. E. Luellen, the subject of this sketch, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, February 21, 1824. He was three years of age when he came to Delaware county, where he was reared to farm life until sixteen years of age, and attended a log schoolhouse. He then came to Westfield village to learn the tanners' trade, which he followed for four years. His health becoming impaired, Mr. Luellen began the study of medicine with Dr. George Granger, of Westfield, and later graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. For the following five years he practiced with Dr. Granger in this village, when the latter retired from the firm, and our subject has since continued the practice of medicine alone. He has been a practitioner here for forty-two years, excepting an interval of four years. during which time he conducted a drug store in Delaware. In addition to this practice, the Doctor has also operated a farm of 130 acres of well-improved land. He was married December 14, 1853, to Nancy Trindle, born April 2, 1824, in Westfield township, Morrow (then Delaware) county, a daughter of James and Anna (Brundage) Trindle. Doctor and Mrs. Luellen became the parents of two children: Clara Estella, born April 1, 1857, died August 30, 1880, and James C., born in 'Westfield, August 11, 1858. He received his education in this village and at Union Institute, Delaware. He attends to the farm of 330 acres belonging to him and his father, 250 acres of which is general farming land, and is also extensively engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus thoroughbred cattle, which have taken premiums at the Delaware and Morrow county fairs. He also has registered Jersey cows. The Doctor and his son are stanch Republicans, and in an early day the former was a member of the Whig party. Socially he is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society. The 240 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the Doctor is Steward, and the son Trustee. The latter has also served as secretary and treasurer of the Sunday-school. C. L. VAN BRIMMER, ex-Recorder of Morrow county, Ohio, is now a retired citizen of Mount Gilead. We take pleasure in presenting the following sketch of his life in this work: The Van Brimmer family was of Dutch origin, and Jacob Van Brimmer, the father of C. L., is supposed to have been born in Holland. He was married in Ohio to Miss Almira Birch, a native of the Buckeye State, and after their marriage they settled in Delaware county, Ohio, from whence they shortly afterward removed to Indiana and located at Napoleon, Ripley county, where he died in 1842. The mother, with her little family, in the following autumn returned to Marion (now Morrow) county, Ohio, and settled on a place owned by her brother, Herman Birch, until her second marriage, which was to Nehemiah Smith. The family then removed to Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, where some time later she died, and was buried in the Coles cemetery, Baptist, Delaware county, Ohio. She had five children by her first marriage, of whom four are living, namely: Delight, wife of Amasa Holt, Delaware county, Ohio; C. L., the subject of this article; Amanda, wife of John McCannon, of Westerville, Delaware county, Ohio; and Martha, wife of Edwin M. Conklin, Westfield township, Morrow county. John, a member of Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died of disease in 1862, the week following his return home from the army. His remains repose in the Coles cemetery, Baptist, in Delaware county, Ohio. C. L. Van Brimmer was born at Napoleon, Indiana, November 8, 1841, and grew to manhood in the county in which he now lives, receiving only a limited education, and early in life being thrown upon his own resources. He first worked out as a farm hand and later was engaged in house painting. He was in the employ of Josephus McLaid when the civil war broke out, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the three months' service, being placed in Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving his time in camp in this State. At the expiration of that time the Third Ohio was reorganized and was sent to Virginia, and some time later to Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, Mr. Van Brimmer remaining with it and taking part in all the battles and skirmishes in which it was engaged. At Perryville, about 3 o'clock p. m., October 8, 1862, he was struck by a fragment of a shell and had his right arm nearly torn off at the elbow. It was amputated in the field hospital. He was then moved to Antioch Church, three miles in the rear, thence to a sheep shed, remaining two days, and from there to Perryville, where he remained about a month. He was afterward in hospital at Louisville, and from there was sent to Camp Dennison, Ohio. April 1, 1863, he was discharged and returned home. He then began painting, making his home at Westfield. After his marriage, which occurred in 1867, he continued to reside in Westfield for two years, from there removing to Cardington. this county, and in 1881 coming to Mount Gilead, where he has since made his home. While in Cardington he was employed as painter in a carriage shop and DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 241 furniture factory, being in the furniture factory of J. S. Peck for about thirteen years. Mr. Van Brimmer was married in 1867 to Miss Lorinda M. Bishop, a native. of Westfield township, this county, and a daughter of Joseph and Sally M. (Place) Bishop, both deceased. Her father, also a native of this township, was a son of Elisha Bishop, who was born in Virginia and who was one of the pioneers of the Western Reserve; her mother a native of Onondaga county, New York, was a daughter of John F. Place, also of the Empire State and an early settler of this part of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop had five children, three of whom are living: Anson W., of Henry county, Ohio; Loretta A. Williams, Van Wert, Ohio: and Mrs. Van Brimmer. Two sons are deceased, Henry and Brazilla. The former was Sergeant in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry and after taking part in the battles of Perrysville and Chickamauga died while in the service, in 1863. Mr. Van Brim-met went South and brought home his body, and his remains repose in the Baptist cemetery at Westfield, Ohio. Brazilla W. was a soldier in the same regiment. He also took part in the battle of Perrysville and died after the war, of disease contracted while in the service; he was also buried in the Baptist cemetery at Westfield, Ohio. Both were married and left widows. Mr. and Mrs. Van Brimmer have two children: Curtis L. and Clarence J. Curtis L, married Minnie B. Hall: they have one child, Martha Louise: they live in Toledo, Ohio. After a service of five years with the T. & O. C. R. R. he accepted a more lucrative position with the C. H. D. R. R., some two years since. Clarence J. also has a position in the C. H. & D. office at Toledo. Mr. Van Brimmer is a member of the G. A. R. ; the U. V. L., of which he is a Color Bearer; and the Royal Arcanum at Mount Gilead, being its Vice Regent. Politically, he is a Republican and has always taken an active part in public affairs, frequently serving as delegate to conventions. In 1882 he was elected Recorder of Morrow county, and served in that capacity six years. After his term of office expired he was for a time employed in a railroad office in Toledo, but he is now, as stated at the beginning of this sketch, living retired.R REV. JOHN G. VENNEMAN, priest in charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Marysville, Ohio, a man of ripe scholarship and marked executive ability, whose life has been consecrated to the cause of his Master and the uplifting of men, must of a surety be accorded mention in this connection. Father Venneman is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born at Cincinnati, February 17, 1835. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were J. G. Venneman and Catherine (Washford) Venneman, who were of Holland descent, and who were for many years residents of Evansville, Indiana, where the father was a man of prominence, having been engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He was a pioneer in this line of enterprise at Evansville. Our subject is one of seven children, four of whom are living. He passed his childhood clays at Evansville, and upon attaining the age of eleven years he was placed at St. Xavier College, Cincinnati, where he took the preliminary course of in- 242 - MEMORIAL AMD BlOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF struction, after which he entered St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; where he graduated at the early age of seventeen years. Soon after his graduation, our subject went to Boston for the purpose of taking up a course of theological study, with a view to preparing himself for holy orders. He completed his divinity course in 1867, was duly graduated, and after a time proceeded to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was presented and ordained to the order of priesthood by the Bishop of Kansas, Rt. Rev. J. B. Meige. In the interim between his graduation and ordination Father Venneman had not been idle. In 1855 he became a teacher in the Jesuit college at Spring Hill, Alabama, where he remained for two years, at the expiration of which time he was transferred to St. Xavier College, Cincinnati, and subsequently to St. Joseph's College, Kentucky. After his ordination he continued in the educational field for a time, becoming a professor at St. Ignatius College, Chicago, and holding the office as director of the institution for two years. After this he was retained in charge of the department of poetry at St. Louis University for a period of four years, thereafter entering upon the more specific exercise of his priestly functions by going as missionary to Alabama, visiting the rude settlements in the great pine forests of that State, encountering many vicissitudes and enduring many hardships and inconveniences. He continued his work for three years, and then came North and conducted missions in several of the Eastern cities, after which he went to Helena, Montana, and took charge of all the missions and stations between that point and Miles City, covering a distance of nearly 600 miles. This heavy burden he bore for about four years; being on the road more than 30o days in each year, in all kinds of weather and with the mercury ranging at times between thirty and fifty degrees below zero. He also did missionary duty in Wyoming Territory for somewhat more than a year, after which he came to Marysville, where he has since resided, not resting from arduous toil, but laboring in a more quiet, peaceful field, not marked for so great a physical tension as superinduced to that of the mind. While in Montana Father Venneman erected two churches, one at Miles City and one at Boulder City, also beginning the erection of a third. The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes was established in Marysville about thirty years ago, being for a number of years in charge of the priests from Columbus, Delaware, and Urbana, Ohio. About 1870, the first resident pastor, Father Paul, was secured, and since that time the charge has had regular incumbents. viz.: Fathers Keffmeyer, Menke. Mazuret, Murphy, Dexter, and Hickey. Our subject was assigned to this parish in 1891, and he also has charge of the church organizations at Milford Center, Mechanicsburg, Woodstock, North Lewisburg, and Irwin. the total membership in the churches under his charge aggregating nearly one hundred families. The church in Marysville has now a membership of about twenty families, and its affairs are in a prosperous condition. The church building, which is merely a chapel, was erected many years ago, and has proved inadequate for the accommodation of the parishioners, who look forward to the erection of a modern and commodious edifice in the near future. Father Venneman has been quite an extensive traveler, having visited Mexico, California, and the European continent. He DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 243 attended the great International Exposition at Paris, and subsequently made an extended tour through the southern part of the continent. A man of courteous bearing, genial in manner, and a fluent and interesting conversationalist, he bears his years lightly, appearing a full score of years younger than he really is. He is still an assiduous student, and maintains a high interest in literature, having devoted his time, while in educational work, principally to teaching the languages and literature. His private library is one which shows his fine literary tastes, and is very comprehensive and admirably selected. A man who is true to his faith and charitable in all his dealings with his fellow men, Father Venneman holds not only the love of his own parishioners, but has the respect and esteem of all who know him. EDGAR E. NEAL, editor and proprietor of the Morrow County Independent Cardington, Ohio, is a son of one of the early settlers of this State. Mr. Neal's grandfather Neal came from the Emerald Isle to this country at an early day and settled in Maine, where he married a native of England. Their son, Daniel B., the father of Edgar E., was born in Maine, February 15, 1815. He came West to Ohio and here, in 1849, married Mary L. Bingham, a native of New York State, born March 1, 1830, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Hagar) Bingham. Her parents moved to this State in 1836 and settled one mile north of Mount Gilead, where they passed the rest of their lives and died, he being- eighty-six at the time of death and she seventy-three. Four of their children are now living, viz. : Mrs. Freeman Tabor, of Kendallville, Indiana; D. C. Bingham, of Gilead township, this county; Mrs. C. W. Carpenter, of Gilead township; and Mrs. Neal, of Mount Gilead. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Neal settled on a farm in Canaan township, this county, and two years later removed to Mount Gilead, where he carried on the business of gunsmith for a number of years. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, and in politics was a Republican. He died in the West, in 1878. Of their five children, we record that Johnson B. married Libbie Smith, nee Work, and was in partnership with our subject until December 7, 1892, when he died, leaving a widow and child, Harold; Edgar E. was the second born; Dr. C. H. is given personal mention elsewhere in this work; C. C., of Cardington, married Sadie Campbell and has two children, Edna L. and Howard Kent; and Inez, who resides with mother at Mount Gilead. Edgar E. Neal was born April 23, 1852, at Mount Gilead, and was reared and educated here, being a graduate of the high school with the class of 1869. He served an apprenticeship in the printing business at Mount Gilead, and afterward worked for six years in various places, principally Cleveland, St. Louis and Kansas City. Then for three years he had charge of his mother's farm. In 1882 he came to Cardington and took control of the Independent, which he is still conducting successfully, his home, however, being at Mount Gilead. Mr. Neal was married December 24, 1889, to Mrs. Emma (Bunker) Doty, a native of Cardington township, Morrow county, born August 17, 1853, and educated at Cardington and Ada. For some years she was a popular and successful teacher. She has two children, both by her first marriage, 244 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF namely: Frances and Harley Doty. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while he is a Universalist. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order at Cardington and the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias at Mount Gilead. In politics, he has been a Republican all his life, and he has always taken an active interest in political affairs, this year, 1894, serving as Secretary of the Republican County Convention. JOHN McCRACKEN. a farmer of Morrow county, is a son of Joseph McCracken, born in Bengal township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1800, a son of John and Hester McCracken. The father, of Scotch-Irish descent, was one of the early pioneers of Pennsylvania, and remained there until his death. Joseph McCracken was a harness-maker by trade, and remained in his native place until 1836, when he came to Ohio, locating on a farm in Holmes county. From 1840 to 1850 he lived on a rented farm in Chester township, now Morrow county, spent the following ten years on a farm in Harmony township, and then returned to Chesterville. His wife died there in 1874, and since that time he has made his home with his daughter one mile south of Chesterville, aged ninety-four years. Mr. McCracken was married in Pennsylvania to Elizabeth Weirich, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah Weirich, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Joseph McCracken and wife had ten children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : John, the subject of this sketch; Christopher, of Chesterville; Sarah, deceased; Samuel, a resident of Michigan; Wilson, deceased; Simon, of Centerburg, Ohio; Isaac, of Newark, Ohio; George, also of Centerburg; Hettie, wife of Sampel Stilly, of Chester township; and Charlotte, wife of Benjamin Wilson, of Centerburg, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken were members of the Methodist "Church. John McCracken, the subject of this sketch, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1 824. When twelve years of age he came to Ohio, attending school two winters, and worked on his father's farm until seventeen years of age. He learned and followed the blacksmith's trade in Chesterville until 1873, and since that time has followed agricultural pursuits. He now owns 300 acres of the best farming land in the county. In April, 1861, Mr. McCracken enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company G, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was appointed Corporal, and served until the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment. In May, 1864, he entered Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was appointed Sergeant, and served his term of enlistment at Alexandria, Virginia. In 1846 our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth Meredith, born in what is now Morrow county in 1825, a daughter of William and Mary (Farmer) Meredith, early pioneers of this locality, but both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken had two children : Weirich, deceased; and Mary, wife of Phineas Squires, of Chester-vine, and they have four children. Mrs. McCracken departed this life in 1890. In the following year our subject married Sarah J. (Blakeley) Meredith, born in Bel- DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 245 mont county, Ohio, March 4, 1829, and educated at Mount Gilead. She is the daughter of John and Jane (Talbot) Blake-ley, natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, the former born in 1801, and the latter in i800. They came to Ohio at the age of seventy years. The paternal grandparents, William and Letitia !Russell) Blakeley, were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grandparents, Thomas and Ruth (Ferguson) Talbot, were also natives of Virginia. John Blakeley and wife had six children, viz : Ruth, wife of John Newson; Letitia, widow of Nathan Coe; Sarah J., wife of John McCracken; Nancy Livenspire, of Mount Gilead; Mary Miller, deceased; and Susan Corwin, also of Mount Gilead. Mrs. McCracken is a member of the Baptist Church. John McCracken is a member of the Masonic order at Chesterville, having been the first to take the third degree in Chester Lodge, No. 236, and is at present the oldest in membership in the lodge. He has served as Junior Warden, Treasurer and Trustee of the order. In political matters he affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Trustee of Chester township six years; in 1886 was elected County Commissioner for three years, and refused to serve longer. He has been constantly a delegate to conventions, in which he has always taken an active and leading part. He has settled several estates, having been assignee of two large firms, which were settled satisfactorily to all parties concerned. One of the old-time blacksmiths of Chesterville was Sanford Modie, now deceased. He and Mr. McCracken were partners in the business here for thirteen years, they never having had a word of disagreement during the entire time. WILLIAM H. CURL, of Cardington township, Morrow county, is a son of William Curl, who was born in Clarke county, Ohio, August 9, 1807. His father, Jerry Curl, was one of the early pioneers of that county, and died there in 1826. William Curl, Sr., was married in Clarke county, March 1, 1827, to Margaret Arbagast, born on the banks of the Potomac, in Virginia, January 14, 1808, a daughter of Peter Arbagast, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, who moved to Clarke county, Ohio, about 1816. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1835 William Curl and wife came to what is now Cardington township, Morrow county, locating on a heavily timbered farm three miles west of Cardington, which he cleared and improved. Mr. Curl was first a Whig, later a Republican, and died a Prohibitionist. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Curl had five children, namely: Jane, wife of John Sellars, of Cardington township; Henry W., of Cardington city; Emily, who has been married three times, and is now the wife of Reuben Aldrich; William H., the subject of this sketch; and Mary, widow of Enos Welch, of Cardington. The father departed this life in April, 1887, and his wife survived until September 9, 1889. William H. Curl was born in Clarke county, Ohio, August 20, 1834, and was only one year old when brought to Morrow county. He has followed agricultural pursuits here a number of years, but since 1882 he has been practically retired from active labor. He is a director of the First National Bank of Cardington, is a member of the City Board of Education, has been a member of the City Council, and has served 246 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF as Supervisor and School Director. In political matters he is identified with the Republican party, but also works with the Prohibitionists. April 27, 1854, Mr. Curl was united in marriage with Rebecca Johnson, born in Cardington township, Morrow county, February 2, 1832, a daughter of William Johnson, deceased, a prominent pioneer of this county. To this union were born three children, —P. N., born January 30, 1855, and a graduate of Sharp's Business College, married Mollie McKibben, resides in New Albany, Indiana, and has two sons and two daughters; Sarah Lusena, born September 11,1856, was the wife of Charles F. Ossing, and died October 27, 1887, leaving two daughters; Lemuel Otho, born May' to, 1858, married Eva Beatty, resides in Cardington township, and has two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Curl departed this life May 9, 1864. September 14, of that year, our subject married Susannah Shaw, born in what was then Marvin township, Delaware county, Ohio, February 21, 1841, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Barry) Shaw. Mrs. Curl was reared and educated in Westfield township. She taught school one term in Marion county and eight terms in Morrow county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curl, as follows: Jonathan, born March 22, 1866, was killed by a team, attached to a mower, running away September 8, 1877; William H.,. born May 29, 1868, resides in Forest, Ohio; Margaret 0., born March 25, 1873, is the wife of C. W. Myers, of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have one son, Gilbert H. ; Ellis Ray, born November 26, 1879; Troy Walters, September 3, 1881, and Stella Flossie, born March 21, 1885. Mrs. Curl is a member of the .Ladies' Aid Society, and the Lady Maccabees, Mr. Curl is a Class-leader and teacher of the Bible class in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife is also a member of the same church. The Curl family reunion for this year was held at the residence of our subject, on South Marion street. There were present four generations of the family, about too in all. Tile yard was beautifully decorated, tables groaning beneath the load of good things to eat were spread, and the appetites of those present were ample testimony of the excellence of the viands and the cookery. William H. Curl was master of ceremonies, and presided with grace and ease. Henry Curl made an address of welcome which was full of good thoughts. Revs. Hinton, Struggles and Brown made short speeches appropriate to the occasion. All present enjoyed the day and pronounced the occasion a delightful one. HENRY EDWARDS was born in Harlem township, Delaware county, Ohio, on the 27th day of February, 1859, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Cockerell) Edwards. He was reared under the parental roof and to his father gave the benefit of his services until twenty years of age. At that time he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Emily Love, of Harlem township, daughter of John and Clarsie Love, and by their union were born two daughters and a son, Jessie and Gracie, and the son not named. The mother died after the birth of the last child in 1882, and on the loth day of September, 1885, Mr. Edwards was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Catherine Chandler, daughter of William S. and Mayleaf D. (Brown) Chandler. On DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 247 attaining his majority, Henry Edwards rented his father's farm and successfully managed and operated the same until 1894, when by inheritance he came into possession of his present farm, comprising 131 acres of good land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles. DR. C. H. NEAL, a prominent physician of Cardington, Ohio, forms the subject of this article. Dr. Neal dates his birth in Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, July 10, 1854. His father, Dr. Daniel B. Neal, was born in Oldtown, Maine, where he spent the first thirty years of his age. He then came to Ohio and settled in Knox county, from whence he subsequently removed to Mount Gilead, where he carried On the business of gunsmith for many years. During the latter part of his life he was a practicing physician. He died in Joplin, Missouri, at an advanced age. The Nulls are of Irish origin, Dr. Daniel B. Neal married Miss Mary Bingham, a native of New York State, who came with her parents to Mount Gilead, Ohio, when she was seven years of age, where she was reared and educated and where she still resides. She is of English and German descent. They had a family of five children, namely: Johnson B., deceased: Edgar E., an editor of Cardington; Dr. Charles H., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Clinton C., and Inez R. Dr, C. H. Neal was reared and educated in his native town. For ten years he was engaged as a printer, four years of which time were spent at Cleveland, to which place he went in 1877. He began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. W. J. Scott and Dr. J. H. Lee, of Cleveland, and attended lectures at the medical college of that city. For one year he was in the Charitable Hospital, and he also spent one year at the Lying-in Hospital in Cleveland. In 1885 he came to Cardington and entered upon the active practice of his profession, and here his efforts have been attended with success, now having a large and lucrative practice, Dr. Neal was married April 11, 1889, to Elma Sharp, a native of Morrow county, and a daughter of Addison Sharp, who was reared in this county and who is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Morrow county. They have one child, Carl, Dr, Neal is a member of the Cuyahoga County Medical Association and of the Mystic Circle of Cardington. His political views are in harmony with the principles advocated by the Republican party, and to this party he gives his support. At this writing he is a member of the Board of Health. Both as a physician and citizen, he stands high in the estimation of the people of Cardington. THEADORE REYNER, one of the respected citizens of Liberty township, Union county, Ohio, was born in a log cabin on the farm where he now lives, and has spent all his life in this county. The date of his birth was August 1, 1839. Mr. Reyner's father, David Reyner, deceased, was a pioneer of this township and for many years was one of its most prominent citizens. He was born near Philadel- 248 - MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF phia, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1803, the youngest of the six children of John Reyner and his wife. John Reyner was one of the brave soldiers of the war of 1812. He died in 1819, his wife in 1814.   David spent the first sixteen years of life on his father's farm. Then he learned the trade of wagonmaker, at which trade he worked for six years, becoming an expert workman in wood. In 1834 he came to Ohio, first stopping in Columbiana county, and the following year coming to Union county and settling on the farm on which his son Theadore now lives, where he spent the residue of his life. He owned 108 acres at the home place, eighty-three acres a mile and a half southeast of here, and fifty-nine acres in York township, and in all his farm- ing operations he met with prosperity. He was married in 1825 to Eliza Mann, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Mann, who came to this country from England and who are honest and industrious people; they resided in Pennsylvania previous to their removal to Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. David Reyner had six children, four of whom are living, namely: John, a resident of Peoria, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Isaac Skidmore, of Liberty township; Theadore, whose name heads this article; and Vianna, who resides with her sister, Mrs. Skidmore. The mother was born in February, 1799, and died March 15, 1879. The father died March 2T, 1889, aged eighty-seven years, He was a man of the highest integrity and was as much respected as he was well known. Theadore Reyner spent his early life very much as did other farmer boys in Ohio at that time. All the schooling he ever received was in his home district. There he acquired a love for books, has always been a great reader, and in home study and read. ing has gained a broad and general information. Books are still his favorite companions. For several years he lived a mile and a half south of the old home and has resided there since !38(J. This farm comprises 108 acres of choice land, is well watered by Mill creek, and has nice improvements, in the way of buildings, fences, etc. The frame residence is built on the Southern plan and is located back from the highway, an avenue bordered with hedge leading up to it. The old house in which Mr. Reyner was born is now used as a repair shop. He was married March 29, 1879, to Sarah Grubbs, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, April 7, 1851, daughter of Atwell and Polina (Wheeler) Grubbs, her father a resident of Logan county, her mother deceased, Sarah being her mother's only child. Mr. and Mrs. Reyner have five children, namely: Mary Edna, born January 1, 1880; Charles A., June 27, 1882; Jessie Eliza, December 8, 1884; William C.., April 14, 1887; and Polina Carrie, September 26, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Reyner are members of the Disciple Church. Politically, Mr. Reyner is a Democrat. HON. HUGH G. ROGERS, a farmer of Morrow county, also proprietor of Rogers Lake, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1833, His father, George Rogers, was born in Wales, and came to America with his parents when a boy, locating in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where his father died. Our subject's mother, nee Catherine Rees, was a native of South Wales, and came to DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO - 249 America with her parents in 1801, locating in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where her, father, Hugh Rees, also a native of that country, subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers were married in Pennsylvania, where the former remained until his death. The mother departed this life in Ohio, and was buried in Chester cemetery. Hugh G. Rogers, the tenth of eleven children, was six years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio. On reaching his sixteenth year he returned to Pennsylvania, where he attended the Ebensburgh high school, and from there he went to Philadelphia and learned stair building and joiner work. At the age of twenty years he went to Altoona, Blair county, and worked on the first building in the town, for the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company; spent three months in Davenport, Iowa; was engaged in contracting and building with David Randolph, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, three years, and then came to Morrow county. Mr. Rogers' first work here was on the residence of Benjamin Evans, and next he finished the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chesterville, but lost money on that venture. In 1862 our subject enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company C, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was soon promoted to Sergeant. He was with General Sherman at Vicksburg and at Arkansas Post, and on account of sickness was then sent to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, and honorably discharged. Returning to Morrow county, Mr. Rogers located on fifty acres of land in Harmony township, to which he afterward added fifty acres more. He then sold that property and purchased and located on 112 1/2 acres in Chester township, remaining there seventeen years, and in the meantime purchased the William McCracken farm in the same township, where he now resides. The place contains 236 acres. On that property is located the Rogers Lake, comprising seven acres, and is well improved and fitted for a summer resort. Mr. Rogers was elected to represent Morrow and Marion counties in the Legislature of 189J. In his social relations, he is a member of the G. A. R., in which he has served two years as Post Commander. He was married July 4, 1835, to Rachel Evans, of Welsh descent. They had three children: George, Thomas (deceased in young manhood) and Olive. The latter was the wife of Cassius Brown, and at her death left two children, Daniel H. and Grace M. The wife and mother died November 1870. For his second wife Mr. Rogers married Eliza Bruce, a native of Morrow county, a daughter of Joel Bruce, a native of Virginia, but an early settler of this county. No children have been born to this union. CEPTER STARK is a native of Kingston township, Delaware county, and one of its representative farmers. He was born April 14, 1830, and is a son of Oliver and Eliza (Patrick) Stark. His mother was the first white child born in Kingston township, and now resides on a farm adjoining our subject, at the age of eighty-four years. Oliver Stark claims Pennsylvania as the State of his nativity, and there he remained until he had attained his majority, when he came to Ohio, locating at what is known as Stark's Corners. He made his first purchase of land in Porter township. Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs.