HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1075 emergency calls. He continued a resident farmer until his death. Reed Alexander McElhaney, the father, was educated in the public schools of Scioto County, was employed as a clerk and accountant, and after the death of his wife moved from Clay Township to Springfield, Ohio, where he was bookkeeper in a bank. At the opening of the Oklahoma Territory to white settlement in 1889, he participated in that movement and 'spent his last days in the Oklahoma country. Reed A. McElhaney married Emma Alice Stevens, who was born in Portsmouth. Her mother, Angeline Ripley, was born near Madison, Indiana, November 20, 1826, and for eighty-two years has lived in the City of Portsmouth. Her father, a great-grandfather of Roy McElhaney, was William Plum Ripley, a native, of New York State and a son of Pyram Ripley, who was born in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, November 22, 1762, at the age of thirteen began service on the Frigate Oliver Cromwell, and soon after participated in a sea fight. From Massachusetts he moved to New York State, was a pioneer of Cattarauguas County, and spent his last years there, passing away March 23, 1842. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Plum, and they reared a large family. Their son, William Plum Ripley, was reared and educated in New York State and about 1816 moved to Indiana accompanied by his wife and two children. They journeyed with teams to Pittsburg and came down the river in a keel boat. William P. Ripley bought some timbered land about seven miles from Madison, Indiana, built a two-story hewed loghouse, and that was for the* time the best residence in that section. Ile improved quite a tract of land and lived there until 1842, when he sold out and came to Portsmouth, taking a team as far as Lawrenceburg, and thence by river passage on the steamer Preston. Portsmouth was only a 'small settlement at the time, and the greater portion of the. land included in the present city limits was covered with timber and brush. His work in early' Portsmouth was as clerk, and after the death of his wife he returned to Indiana and taught -school. His' last years, however, were spent in Portsmouth and he died at the home of a daughter. The maiden name of his wife was Cynthia Spencer, who was born in New York State and died in 1834, having reared seven children. Calvin Jefferson Stevens, who married Angeline Ripley, and was the grandfather on the maternal side of Roy McElhaney, was born in Tennessee, and was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied his widowed mother to Portsmouth. Having learned the trade of brickmaker, his work for some years was as foreman of a brick plant, and he then engaged in manufacturing brick on his own -account and conducted a successful business until his death. in 1876 at the age of fifty-one. It was in 1844 that he married Angeline Ripley. She is Vol. II-28 1076 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION still living in Portsmouth, hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-nine. She reared five children : Emma Alice, Anthony Wayne, Calvin Jefferson, Jr., Clara Belle and William Plum. After the death of his mother. Roy McElhaney lived with his paternal grandparents at Portsmouth and was educated in the city schools. His first work and means of self-support was as a newsboy. Subsequently he was engaged in various occupations until his entry into public affairs. His first position was as city appraiser, and in 1910 he was elected clerk of courts on the republican ticket, and re-elected in 1912. At the second term he was elected by a large majority when in most counties throughout the country the democrats were in the ascendency. In 1914 Mr. McElhaney was candidate at the primary elections for Congress and carried Scioto County by a large majority. One of the leaders in the Scioto County party, he has served as chairman of the republican city committee in 1913, and is now a member of the county executive committee. Mr. McElhaney is affiliated with Massie Lodge No. 115, Knights of Pythias; with Seneca Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men ; with River City Camp No. 129, Woodmen of the World ; Peerless Hurd, Loyal Order of Moose ; and Royal Nest No. 1316 of the Owls. His church is the First Presbyterian in Portsmouth. Through his efficiency in the management of his office, his influential position in public affairs, Mr. McElhaney undoubtedly has a large career of usefulness before him, since he is one of the younger men in politics. FRANK D. CAMPBELL, M. D. To no profession do greater opportunities for quiet and effective social service come than to the medical fraternity, and a physician and surgeon who has well utilized and accepted his privileges for faithful performance and skillful work is Dr. Frank D. Campbell, who has spent over twenty years in his profession in the Hanging Rock Iron Region, and is now located at Coal Grove in Lawrence County. Frank D. Campbell was born in Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, October 17, 1867. His parents were William A. and Rebecca (Dillon) Campbell. Grandfather Dillon was a prominent early citizen of Lawrence County, and for many years administered the duties of justice of the peace, and during that time was a terror to evildoers, through his strict and stern administration of justice and the law. William A. Campbell was born in Fayette Township of Lawrence Comity in 1839, served as county clerk for one term, has been an active farmer during many years, and now lives at Burlington, Lawrence County. The mother was born at Burlington in 1841. Their children are : Frank D., Fannie M.; Edward E. and George H. HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1077 Dr. Frank D. Campbell was educated in the Fayette Township schools until eighteen years of age, then spent three years as a teacher, and with the means thus supplied entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati and was graduated M. D. in 1894. His practice began the same year at Rock Camp, in Lawrence County, and continued there until he removed to Coal Grove on October 1, 1912. Doctor Campbell has a large general practice in medicine and minor surgery. He has membership in the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association. Doctor Campbell married Mary A. Williams of Burlington, Ohio. They have one child, Dorothy M. Doctor Campbell is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Coal Grove. Ile is the owner of a comfortable residence in that city and other real estate. Outside of the profession to which he has given his best energies for twenty years, Doctor Campbell acknowledges as his principal hobby the art of photography, in which he is exceedingly skillful. FRANCIS B. STEELE. In the social, religious and general communal activities of Swan Township, Vinton County, Mr. Steele and his wife have a place of prominence and influence, and that .they represent the best element of citizenship needs hot be said, for their kindliness and their other gracious attributes of character have made their influence in all respects benignant and have given them impregnable vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem. Mr. Steele is one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of Vinton County, and this is the more pleasing to note by reason of his being a native son of this county and a scion of one of its sterling pioneer families. Francis Benydict Steele was born in Swan Township, Vinton County, Ohio, .on the 2d of May, 1859, and is a son of James and Nancy (Brown) Steele, who' were born and reared in Muskingum County, Ohio, where their marriage was solemnized and where the father continued his activities as an agriculturist until after the birth of their first three children—Tamyson, Henry and Hamilton. About the year 1840 the family removed to Vinton County, and here James Steele purchased a farm in Swan Township. He put forth energy and good judgment in the developing and improving of his homestead and made .the same one of the excellent farms of the county. He and his wife here passed the remainder of their long and useful lives, secure in the high regard of all who knew them. Mr. Steele, who passed away somewhat more than a quarter of a century ago, was seventy-three years of age when he died, and his widow attained to the age of eighty-eight years, the remains of 1078 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION both resting in the Ebenezer Cemetery, in Swan Township. They were most earnest and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which they contributed liberally and in which Mr. Steele gave effective service in the offices of trustee and class reader. He was a loyal and intelligent supporter of the principles of the republican party, with which he united at the time of its organization, and all of his sons and sons-in-law likewise became active in the ranks of this political party. Of the six children born after the family removal to Vinton County Francis B., of this review, is the youngest, and the names of the others are here entered in the respective order of birth : Reasoner, Sallie A., William, John and Priscilla. All of the nine children married and became the parents of children and all of the number are still living except Reasoner and Tamyson. None of the sons or daughters left Vinton County and the record of each denotes close and effective association with agricultural pursuits, all of the surviving children being still residents of Vinton County farms of the best class. He whose name initiates this review, received, as did the other children, the advantages of the common schools of Vinton County, where his early experiences were those gained in connection with the home farm, to the work of which he began to contribute his quota while he was still, a boys so that, with his application in the school-room, he waxed strong in both mind and body. He' continued to reside beneath the parental roof until he was twenty-two years of age, when he initiated his independent career as a farmer and stockraiser in his native township. The year 1882 recorded his purchase of his present fine homestead farm, which comprises eighty acres and nearly all of which is maintained under cultivation. The place is eligibly situated in sections 33 and 34 of Swan Township and one-fourth of a mile distant to the south of the Village of Creola, which village was named by his wife, to whom this distinction was accorded by the Hocking Valley Railroad Company' when its station at that place was established. Progressiveness and thrift have significantly marked the operations of Mr. Steele as a farmer and stockgrower and his place is one of the model farms of this section of the state, with good improvements of a permanent order, including the substantial and attractive eight-room house, which was erected by him more than a decade ago and which is modern in its appointments and facilities. .Mr. Steele has not only been successful in the propagation of the various grains and other products best adapted to the soil and climate but has also shown marked circumspection and enterprise in the raising of live stock of excellent grades, particular attention having been given by him to the raising of sheep, in which he has been very successful. He and his family are active and HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1079 valued members of the Christian Church at Creola, in which he has served for a long term of years in the offices of deacon and trustee, besides which he was a member of the committee that had supervision of the erection of the present attractive and consistent. church edifice. He has shown a lively and helpful interest in all community affairs and though he has had naught of ambition for public office he has shown his civic loyalty by serving most efficiently in the position of township treasurer, of which he was the incumbent for four terms. He and his sons are found arrayed as staunch advocates and supporters of the cause of the republican party. In the spring of 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Steele to Miss Tabitha D. Johnston; who was born on the old Johnston homestead farm near New Plymouth, Vinton County, on the 10th of June, 1863, and who was reared and educated in Swan Township, where her circle of friends is limited only by that of her acquaintances. She is a daughter of Thomas and Jane G. (Fee) Johnston, the former of whom was born in Perry County, this state, and the latter of whom was born and reared in Vinton County, her father, the late John Fee, having been one of the honored pioneers of this county, where he and his wife continued to reside until their death. Thomas Johnston long held prestige as one of the Most prosperous farmers and honored_ and influential citizens of Swan Township, where he accumulated a valuable landed estate of 300 acres; his old homestead, near Creola, being one of the landmarks of Vinton, County. He and his wife there continued to reside in peace and prosperity until the close of their lives, he having been a republican in his political proclivities and she having been an earnest member of the Christian' Church. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, the first born was Ella A.;. who died about one month prior to her eleventh birthday anniversary; Carl is one of the progressive farmers and popular citizens of Swan Township; the maiden name of his wife having been Eva Mitchell and their one child being a son, Floyd; Alma M. was a member of the class of 1916 in the high school at McArthur and remains at the parental home, one of the gifted and popular young women of her native county ; and Nancy Jane is' still a student in the public schools. DON A. MARTINDILL. The family name borne by the subject of this review has been worthily and closely linked With the history of Vinton County for nearly a century and has stood exponent of loyal and progressive Citizenship as one generation has followed another on to the stage of life's mortal endeavors. Representatives of the family played a large part in the early development and progress of the county along both 1080 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION civic and industrial lines, and he whose name initiates this paragraph' is fully upholding the prestige of the honored name which he bears. He maintains his residence at McArthur, the judicial center of his native county, and he is now known as one of the most extensive buyers and shippers of live stock to be found engaged in this important line of industrial enterprise in Southern Ohio. None has a higher place in popular confidence and esteem in Vinton County, and his business relations have given him a broad acquaintanceship and gained him many staunch friends throughout the Hanging Rock Iron Region, to which this publication is devoted. He has served as county treasurer and has otherwise been given distinctive preferment that shows that he is not like the prophet of old and "not without honor save in his own country." He is a broad-minded, liberal and progressive citizen and representative business man who is specially entitled in a personal sense and through ancestral record to recognition in this history of the Hanging Rock Iron Region and its people. The founder of the Martindill family in what is now Vinton County was Joseph Martindill, grandfather of him to whom this sketch is dedicated. This sterling pioneer was a native of Virginia and a scion of a family that was founded in the historic Old Dominion in the early colonial era of our national history. Joseph Martindill was born in what is now Greenbriar County, West Virginia, nearly a century and a quarter ago, and the family lineage traces back to staunch Scotch-Irish origin. As a young man Joseph Martindill came to Gallia County, Ohio, about the time of the War of 1812, and there he met and married Miss Ellen Claypool, who likewise was born in the Ohio River region of what is now West Virginia, both the Martindill and Claypool families having early become prominent and influential in the Greenbriar District of Virginia, long before the erection of the State of West Virginia. After the birth of their first child Joseph Martindill and his wife came to what is now Richland Township, Vinton County, where they established their pioneer home in the year 1820. Mr. Martindill obtained a tract of Government land and set to himself the herculean task of reclaiming a farm from the forest wilderness. In a little log cabin of most primitive order was established the family home, and he and his devoted wife loyally and bravely bore their full share of the hardships and arduous labors that ever fall to the lot of the pioneers in a new and sparsely settled region. Peace and' happiness found abiding place in the little home, and with the passing years increasing prosperity was not denied, so that the household affairs were ordered in such a way as to make ample provision for the parents and the increasing brood of sturdy children. Joseph Martindill brought an appreciable part of his land HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1081 under effective cultivation and continued to reside on his old homestead until his, death, when he was about forty-five years of age, his widow living to attain the venerable age of somewhat more than ninety years and the names of both meriting enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers who contributed to the initial development and upbuilding of Vinton County. Both were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were closely identified with the organizing of the first church of this denomination in Richland Township. Mr. Martindill was a man of probity and strong individuality, and his character and mentality well fitted him, for leadership in popular thought and action in the pioneer community, his political allegiance having been given to the whig party. In the following paragraph it is possible to offer brief data concerning the children of Joseph and Ellen (Claypool) Martindill. James became a pioneer farmer in the State of Iowa, where both he and his wife passed the closing period of their lives and where they reared their children to years of maturity. David was a prosperous farmer and carpenter in Vinton County, Ohio, for many years, and here he and his wife died when well advanced in years, being survived by a number of children. Mrs. Margaret Jolly and her husband both died in Vinton County when well advanced in years and their one surviving son is now residing in one of the western states. William was the father of the. subject of this review and concerning him specific mention will be made in later paragraphs. Mary, who is the widow of Anthony Cassill, resides in the immediate vicinity of the place of her birth, in Richland Township, Vinton County, and in 1915 she celebrated her eighty-sixth birthday anniversary. Of her children the only one surviving is a daughter, and she resides with her mother. Harriet is the widow of Lemuel Talbott and resides near Wellston, Jackson County, where her two surviving children, both sons, likewise maintain their home. William Martindill was born on the old pioneer homestead in Richland Township, Vinton County, in the year 1822, was reared to manhood under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days and eventually succeeded to the ownership of a considerable portion of the landed estate that had been accumulated by his father. He continued there after to be one, of the representative agriculturists and stockgrowers of Vinton County until his death, which occurred in December, 1870. He was one of the honored and influential citizens of Richland Township, was a supporter of the cause of the republican party from the time of its organization until the close of his life, and he served many years in the office of justice of the peace. Both he and his wife were originally members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but as there was no church of 1082 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION this denomination in their neighborhood they provided themselves with religious privileges by uniting with the United Brethren Church. While McArthur, the county seat of Vinton County, was still an unpretentious hamlet, it figured as the stage on which was solemnized the marriage of William Martindill to Miss Harriet Dowd, in the year 1854. Mrs. Martindill was born in this state in the year 1830 and was reared and educated in Vinton County. She died at the old home in Richland Township in the year 1861, her parents, Owen and Hannah (Wescott) Dowd, having immigrated from Virginia to Ohio and having become pioneer settlers of Vinton County, where they lived to attain venerable age and were held in high regard by all who knew them, both having been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Dowd having been an old-line Whig in his political proclivities. Concerning the children of William and Harriet (Dowd) Martindill the following record is entered : Winfield Scott was for many years successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Hamden, Vinton County, where he died in 1914, at the age of sixty years. He wedded Miss Ella Huhn, who still maintains her home in that village and their surviving children are Ernest, Ralph, Clara, George and May. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his widow, and his political support was given to the republican party. Don A., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Ella is the wife of Dr: William F. Wescott, who is now living retired in the City of Columbus, and they have one son, Dr. Roscoe C., who is there engaged in the practice of dentistry. Don A. Martindill was born on the ancestral homestead farm in Richland Township, and the date of his nativity was January 29, 1856. In connection with the work of the farm he early learned the lessons of practical. industry and gained knowledge that has proved of inestimable value to him in later years, his. educational advantages in the meanwhile having been those afforded in the public schools of the locality and period. At the age of eighteen years he became teacher in a district school in his native township, and he continued for several years his effective services as a representative of the pedagogic profession. Thereafter he was engaged in independent operations as a farmer and stock-grower in Richland Township until 1896, when he was elected county treasurer, his removal to McArthur, the county seat, occurring in January, 1897, when he assumed his official duties. He gave a most careful administration of the fiscal affairs of the county and the popular estimate placed upon his service was shown by his re-election in the autumn of 1898, so that he served two consecutive terms as county treasurer. Since his retirement from this position he has been called upon to serve as a member of the city council of McArthur and also as a member of HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1083 the board of education. From the time of attaining to his legal majority Mr. Martindill has been unswerving in his allegiance to the republican party and he has been one of its active and influential representatives in his native county, which he has represented in the state, the senatorial and the county conventions of his party for many years. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church in their home city, where also he is affiliated with the lodge and chapter of the Masonic Fraternity and with the lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed the various official chairs. Since his retirement from public office Mr. Martindill has given virtually his entire time and attention to the buying and shipping of live stock, in which his extensive operations cover a broad field and give him prestige as one of the leading exponents of this line of enterprise in this section of the state. The year 1876 bore record of the marriage of Mr. Martindill to Miss Mary L. Hudson, who likewise was born and reared in Richland Township, the date of her nativity having been May 24, 1856. Prior to her marriage she had been an efficient and popular teacher in the district schools. Mrs. Martindill is a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Atkinson) Hudson, who were born and reared in Monroe County, this state, and who were pioneer settlers of Richland Township, Vinton County, where they passed the remainder of their lives and developed an excellent farm, each having been about -seventy-five years of age at the time of death Mid both having been zealous members of the Methodist Church. Of the children of this honored pioneer couple two sons and two daughters are now living, and of the number Mrs. Martindill is the youngest. In conclusion of this article is given record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Martindill : Cora E. is the widow of Dr. Frank Macklin, who was graduated in Starling Medical College, at Columbus, and who was engaged in the practice of his profession at Torlton, Pick-away County, at the time of his death, in 1910, when but twenty-five years of age. His widow and little son now reside in the home of the former's parents, at McArthur. Dr. William C. was graduated in the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Greenfield, Ohio. He wedded Miss Ethel C. Ratcliff, of Londonderry, Ross County, and they have two sons, Howard E. and Kenneth. Edward H. was graduated in the McArthur High School and is now one of the extensive and representative farmers of Ross County, here he has a farm of 400 acres under his active supervision. He married Miss Flossie Sockel, of McArthur, and they have one daughter, Mary M. Gertrude is the wife of Perry V. Gorsuch, of McArthur, and they have two children,—William and Helen Virginia. Don R., the youngest of the children, is a student in the academic or literary depart- 1084 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION anent of the Ohio State University of Columbus, Ohio, and is a membe of the class of 1917. JOHN F. MCLAUGHLIN. A resident of Wellston for thirty-eight years and now living a retired life, John F. McLaughlin was for twenty years well known to the people of this city as the proprietor of a successful cafe business, which he founded and built up to large proportions through his own efforts. Mr. McLaughlin was born near Washington Furnace, Lawrence County, Ohio, September 14, 1854, and is a son of James M. and Mary (Reynolds) McLaughlin. His father was a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, but for many years was interested in the coal business in Ohio, in which state Were born his three children. Alice J., of Vinton County, Ohio, the widow of Isaac C. Wortman ; John F.; and Jessie F., of Wellston, the widow of James F. Toumine. John F. McLaughlin comes of Scotch stock, being a grandson of James McLaughlin, who emigrated from Scotland to the United States many years ago. He inherited his grandfather's sterling traits of industry and thrift, and after securing his education in the public schools of Lawrence County started upon his business career as a driver of teams around the charcoal furnaces. In this occupation lie continued to be engaged until 1877 when, having accumulated some small capital, he came to Wellston, Jackson County, and established himself in business as the proprietor of a small cafe. Under his close application and good business management, this venture grew and developed, becoming one of the successful enterprises of its kind at Wellston, and about the year 1895 Mr. McLaughlin was able to retire with a competence. His means have been invested in city realty, and among other holdings he is the owner of the building in which the postoffice is located. In 1891 Mr: McLaughlin was married to Miss Emma Hutchinson, who died eight months later without issue. Mr. McLaughlin is a good and public-spirited citizen, a man of strict integrity and a supporter of beneficial and progressive movements, and during his long residence at Wellston has gained a wide acquaintance, in which he has many sincere and appreciative friends. ALLEN D. WARD. One of the most important branches of the municipal service, under modern conditions and organization, is the police department, and its management requires rare abilities of an executive character, tact in the handling of the men, courage of no small order, and a broad and comprehensive knowledge of humanity and human affairs. It was the possession of these traits that led to the appointment of Allen D. Ward as chief of police of the City of Wellston, Ohio, Jan- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1085 uary 1, 1910, and it has also been because of these characteristics that he has continued to fill this office with excellent ability and to the general satisfaction of the property owners and tax payers. Chief Ward was born at Center Furnace, Lawrence County, Ohio, June 11, 1856, and is a son of John. P. and Catherine (Stuart) Ward. His grandfather, Jonathan Ward, was a native of Virginia, where he Passed. his. entire career, as did also the grandmother, Mrs. Annie Ward, and they were parents of the following children : Daniel, Robert, Benjamin, Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Christopher, Peter, Anna, Betsy, Harriet, Lydia; Francis and Rebecca. John P. Ward was born in Virginia, and as a young man "moved to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where he married Catherine Stuart, who was born .in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of the following children : Eliza, Jonathan, Celia, Allen D., Elizabeth, Isaac, Flora, Nana, George; Alice . and Grant... Allen D. Ward was reared in Lawrence and Scioto counties and received his education in the public schools. He early became interested in police work, and for a ,number of years was a detective with various railroad companies, finally. entering the detective service of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, with which lie was connected at the time or his appointment, January 1, 1910, as chief of police of Wellston. This appointment came as a result of his fearlessness as an officer, his executive ability and his faculties of detection, combined with a pleasing end courteous personality, .and during the term of his incumbency as chief, Wellston has been singularly free from crime. Chief Ward belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in both of which he has many friends, as he has also in business and professional circles. With his family he attends the Methodist Church. In 1878 Chief Ward was married to Miss Senie Campbell, who was born May 12, 1863, and they have had seven children, as follows : John, William,. Ivery and Carl, all of .whom are deceased ; and Grant, Alice and Ada, who survive. LEANDER W. FRENCH. One of the founders of the well known wholesale grocery house at Jackson of French, Chesnut & Robbins, Leander W. French until his retirement was for many years foremost in business affairs in Jackson County, and has the distinction of having assisted in the establishment of Wellston. Leander W. French was born on a farm two miles southwest of, Jackson Courthouse on the .Portsmouth Road January 26, 1839. His father was John French, who was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, May 1086 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION 1, 1818. The grandfather was probably also a native of Maryland, and from that state emigrated to Ohio and was one of the pioneers in Jackson County, which was his home until his death. John French was reared on a farm, followed that vocation for several years after his marriage, but finally removed to Jackson, in 1854 bought a hotel and was also engaged in the mercantile business. After that he obtained a farm in Jackson Township, and spent the rest of his career in general farming and stock raising. He died August 3, 1881, at the age of sixty-three. John French married Joanna Branchcomb, who was born in Virginia near the Maryland line August 10, 1819, a daughter of Benjamin and Tabitha Branchcomb. She died January 10, 1896, having reared eleven children whose names are Rachel, Leander, Anderson H., Thomas J., Lewis C., James M., John M., B. Harry, Joanna M., Joel S. and George W. Leander W. French grew up chiefly in the country in Jackson County, obtained an education in the public schools and found his first practical employment in assisting his father around the hotel until 1856. In that year he went south to Nashville, Tennessee, worked as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house until 1861, and at the beginning of the war returned to Jackson and for one year was station agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The next ten months were spent as clerk and bookkeeper in a hotel at Zaleski, and he then returned to Jackson and became a clerk in his father's store. It was nearly half a century ago that Mr. French first became an independent business man. In 1866 he bought the mercantile business formerly conducted by his father and about six months later took in as partner his brother-in-law, Samuel Barber. Together they increased the stock and built up a good business as general merchants. Mr. Barber died in 1869 and Mr. French continued the business alone until 1873. He then sold out and turned his capital and enterprise to a new line of industry, becoming one of the organizers of the Milton Furnace & Coal Company. At that time the site of the present flourishing little City of Wellston was an open field, and one of the first dwelling houses erected there was put up by Mr. French. He continued to give his principal time to the management of the affairs of the company until 1875, and then sold out and returned to Jackson. Here he resumed his connection with the mercantile trade, and had a general store until 1888. In 1890 Mr. French formed a partnership with James Chesnut and H. A. Robbins under the firm name of French, Chesnut & Robbins, and they began the wholesale grocery business which added such an important enterprise to the general business interests of Jackson. Mr. French was actively identified with this concern until 1903, but since that year has lived retired and much of his time is spent in travel in company with his wife.\ HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1087 December 31, 1861, Mr. French married Sally A. Yeager. Mrs. French was horn at Hamden, Vinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Christian Yeager, who was born in the same county, and a granddaughter of John Yeager, who was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the pioneers in Vinton County, where he improved a farm and lived there until his death. Mrs. French's father was reared on a farm, bought land near Hamden, and pursued a very successful career as a general farmer and stock raiser. He died in the prime of life in 1853. Christian Yeager married Rebecca Colvin, who was born in Vinton County, where her parents were among the early settlers. She died at the age of forty-seven, leaving nine children named Mary E., Eliza A., Pearley, Allen A., Sally A., Carrie, Margaret, Dora and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. French are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN P. COLEMAN. The mineral and industrial resources of the Hanging Rock Iron Region have brought to this section men of ability from. all parts of the Union, and these men at once assume positions of leadership in the affairs, not only through their respective lines of expert ability, but also as citizens of broad experience and progressive ideals. The general foreman at the Superior Portland Cement Company in Lawrence County is John P. Coleman, who has had an interesting career as an industrial worker and has been identified with his business in a number of states and as many different localities. John P. Coleman was born at LaSalle, Illinois, September 9, 1873, a son of John and Alice (Heffernam) Coleman. His parents were both born in Ireland, the father in 1832 and the mother in 1845, and the former came to America at the age of twenty-five, located first in Pennsylvania and then to Illinois, and was a coal miner by trade. He died in 1902. The mother died in 1907. Four of their eight children are living, the three daughters, Alice, Margaret and Nora being residents of Chicago. John P. Coleman grew up in LaSalle, Illinois, was educated in the parochial and public schools until sixteen years of age. His work was as a teamster for his father until twenty years of age, and he then spent five years with the M. & H. Zinc Factory in the machine shop at LaSalle. This was followed by twelve years of service as foreman and master mechanic of the Marquette Cement Company's plant at LaSalle, then two years as master mechanic at the Portland Cement Company in Sandusky, Ohio, for a year and a half Mr. Coleman was foreman for a steamfitting company in Chicago and then went to the Northwest and was master mechanic with the Vancouver Portland Cement Company in British Columbia until 1913. In that year he came to Superior, Ohio, as general foreman of the Superior Portland Cement Company. 1088 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION Mr. Coleman is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, is a membe of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a republican. Outside of busn ness, he finds his greatest pleasure in travel and has been over man sections of the United States and Canada. Mr. Coleman was marrie November 26, 1904, in Chicago to Louisa Crimmin, a daughter of Timoth Crimmin, formerly of LaSalle, Illinois. Their four children are Alice Margaret, Jane and John, Jr. LUTHER MALCOLM COCKE. The Superior Portland Cement Compan is. an industry of large proportions, and employ's a staff of expert officials each 'one a master in his particular line. Luther M. Cocke is at th present time superintendent of mines for the company, and a man whose experience and natural qualifications make him a valuable factoi in the company's enterprise. Luther Malcolm Cocke was born in Bedford County, Virginia, Feb ruary 6, 1881. His parents were James R. and Dinatia Ann (Murphy Cocke, both natives of Bedford County, where they still reside. The father was born in 1857 and the mother in 1854. James R. Cocke has spent his career as a farmer: The eight children 'are : Luther Malcolm, Emily Frances, James Esmond, Lula Viola, Gaury McKinnie, Gilla Idella, Henry Clay and Roy Webster. Luther Cocke was educated in the schools of Bedford County Virginia, until eighteen, then spent three gears on the farm with his father. His career in his .own interest began at the age of twenty-one, first as bridge carpenter, and he was connected with that line in th railroad service for four years. Mr. Cocke in 1908 began. construction work in the mines and also performed the duties of track man for the Superior Portland Cement Company at Superior, and on January 1913, was advanced to the position of superintendent of mines. Mr. Cocke was married November 5, 1906, at Bristol, Tennessee, to Zulie Florence Murphy, .daughter of Joseph Murphy, a farmer of Bed ford, County, Virginia. They have three Children, Opal May, Verl Marinda and Zulie Ann. Mr. Cocke owns a residence at Roanoke, Virginia. He is a democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Church. ELMER SIMS. Of the three men now entrusted with the management and administration of the fiscal affairs of Vinton County, one of the commissioners is Elmer Sims, who has spent most of his life in Vinton County, is wellknown among the people, and is esteemed both for his civic integrity and forthe ability which he has employed in the management of his farm interests in Elk Township. He was elected a member of the County HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1089 Board of Commissioners in the fall of 1914. His associates in that office are Daniel P. Camp of Swan Township, and I. N. Bay of Clinton Township. Though Mr. Sims has spent all his active years in Vinton County, he was born near Kingston in Ross County, Ohio, June 9, 1866. He comes of old Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, Nathan Sims, was born in that state and married there a Miss Sill. They afterwards moved to Vinton County, Ohio, and were settlers on a farm and did their share toward the early development. Among their children were : John; George ; Malinda ; and Mary, all of whom grew up, married and are all now deceased. Nathan Sims, the grandfather, married for his second wife a Miss Kline, whose parents were German people. Nathan Sims spent the rest of his days on the old homestead in Vinton County and died in Swan Township when past sixty years of age. There were three children by the second marriage : Elijah, Barbara E. and Sarah, all of whom are living and married. John Sims, the father, was born in Jackson Township of Vinton County in 1842. After being reared to manhood he married in Swan Township Jane C. Turner, who was born in Vinton County about 1844. Her parents were Craven C. and Mary (Crow) Turner, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Vinton County. Craven Turner came . to Ohio and to Vinton County when a boy, a stranger and without a home, and eventually married and lived in Swan Township for a number of years. He finally went out to Kansas and died there when in his ninetieth year, while his wife was about seventy-five when she passed away. In the earlier generations of the Sims family the United Brethren Church was the common faith of them all, while the Turners were active Methodists. In politics the members of the different families have been first whigs and then republicans. After the marriage of John Sims he located in Ross County, and while he lived there four children were born, George William, Mary E., Elmer and Homer. The subject of this review was about eighteen years of age when the family in 1882 returned to Vinton County and located in Swan Township, where the father became a farmer and spent the rest of his days. He died in 1887 when .past forty-six years of age, and his wife passed away in September, 1900. She was a member of the Methodist Church and in politics he was an independent republican, and rarely voted or took any part in elections. Elmer Sims received most of his education while living in Ross County, and has lived in the atmosphere and environment of a farm and its interests nearly all his life. After reaching manhood he married in Swan Township Martha A. Vest. She was born in that township in 1869 and received her education there. Her parents were Alfred and Delilah 1090 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION (Phillips) Vest, both natives of Ohio. They were married in Swan Township, and were substantial farming people of that section. After the death of her mother Mrs. Sims' father lived in her home until his death about four years ago. The Vest family were members of the United Brethren Church and Mrs. Sims', father was a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Sims started housekeeping in Swan Township, and lived there seven or eight years. They then bought a place in Elk Township near Vinton Station on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where Mr. Sims now owns a fine farm of 195 acres, most of it in cultivation and well stocked with cattle, horses, hogs and mules. He has proved a thrifty farmer and a stock dealer of exceptional judgment. His prosperity is well represented in the improvements on the farm, which comprise a substantial eight-room brick house and a barn on a foundation 30x44 feet. He has a good deal of experience in public affairs, and prior to his election as a county commissioner served as township trustee four years, and as assessor three years. He is in politics a republican, and he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church in their neighborhood. Alma, the oldest of their children, now twenty-six, is the wife of Wilber A. Smith and lives in Chillicothe, Ohio, and their children are named Alma, Blanche and Irean. Isa M., aged twenty-four and unmarried, completed a business course and is now a stenographer and bookkeeper with the International Paint Company of Cleveland. Harley E., sixteen years of age, is assisting his father on the farm. Ilena is fourteen years old and is still in school. HERBERT BECKLEY. When Mr. Beckley was a boy about sixteen years of age he volunteered his youthful services to the defense of the Union in the great Civil war. He did his part as a gallant soldier in that struggle, and it will be with satisfaction that he regards this participation, and his family and descendants will always honor his memory for his military career as well as for his quiet and industrious life as a farmer and citizen. He is one of the best known men of Elk Township in Vinton County. He was born at Albany, Athens County, Ohio, July 4, 1846, a son of Walter Beckley, who was also a native of Ohio, and was born about 100 years ago. His parents were New England people who came early to Ohio, and Grandfather Beckley died when about seventy and his widow married for her second husband Samuel Blake. Walter Beckley grew up as a carpenter and mechanic, and married for his first wife Hannah Connor. She was born in Ohio and was probably also of New HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1091 England stock. After marriage Walter Beckley and wife established their home in Albany, Athens County, and there he followed his trade for a number of years. His first wife died in 1852, when quite young. He afterwards married a second time, and as the conditions of the home were not pleasant to the first children they were set adrift and had to depend upon their own exertions to earn a livelihood. Walter Beckley died at the age of sixty-three in Knox Township, Vinton County. By his second marriage he had one son and four daughters. The four children by the first marriage were : Wallace, who is now seventy-three years of age, served four years in the Fourth Regiment of Infantry during the Civil war, and is now living in Meigs County, Ohio, having two sons living, Walter and Albert, and two daughters deceased. Samuel spent about two years in the Civil war in the Seventy-third Ohio Regiment, and owing to weak eyesight was discharged, then returned to Ohio and after his marriage located in Vinton County on &farm, where he died in the. Raccoon Creek neighborhood when past middle age, leaving a. widow who with several of their children is still living; Herbert, who is the third of the family ; and Edwin, who died at his home on Raccoon Creek in Vinton County when in the prime of life, and his widow and only daughter now live in Athens, Ohio. When Herbert Beckley was a very small boy he left home and started to make his own way in the world. He was not yet fifteen years old when he enlisted at Albany, Athens County, in 1861, in the seventy-fifth regiment in Company E, under Captain Foster and Colonel Harrison. He remained with that regiment for more than four years, all the time as a private.. Though only a boy in years he had all the courage and fortitude of the mature soldier, and endured without a murmur the many hardships and privations which are a part of the soldier's life. He fought at the second engagement at Bull Run, at Chancellorsville, and in the great Battle of Gettysburg was taken prisoner and spent some time in the notorious Libby Prison. After forty-five days there he was exchanged and then rejoined his regiment. He was in various other campaigns, and fought at Fort Wagner and at Gainesville. At Gainesville he- and his comrades were surrounded by the enemy, but they cut their way through and though being pursued for many miles finally escaped. Altogether Mr. Beckley was' present in twenty-two battles and skirmishes and there are few of the old veterans still living who can tell from personal experience more of the real history of the war. He was discharged at Jacksonville, 'Florida, in April, 1865, soon after Lee's surrender and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. With this record as a soldier and when still under twenty years of age, he returned to his native town and county, and not long afterwards Vol. II-29 1092 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION he married Margaret Hamrick. She was born in Zanesville, Ohio, about 1850, and grew up for the most part in Vinton County. She was still a child when she lost her mother and she grew up partly among strangers and had very limited advantages. She was a woman of fine natural endowments and possessed a keen intelligence. She died at her home in Elk Township nineteen years ago when still in the prime of life. There are two sons by this marriage. John L. Beckley is a well known merchant of McArther and Athens and resides in McArther, Vinton County. Samuel F. Beckley was for a number of years a teacher and is now probate judge for Vinton County, and is married and has two children named John B. and Mary E. After the death of his first wife Mr. Beckley married Miss Ella A. Salts, who was born in Elk Township October 2, 1872, a daughter of George and Mary J. (McKibben) Salts. Her father was born in Ohio and her grandfather, Edward Salts, was one of the very early settlers of this state. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania of Irish stock, but was married in Vinton County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Salts started out as farmers, and he is still living in Vinton County, and was seventy years of age on October 30, 1915. His wife died in 1878 at the age of thirty. Mr. Salts was afterwards twice married. Mr. and Mrs. Beckley are members of the Methodist Church at McArthur. He is one of the prominent republicans in Vinton County, and has given a great deal of public spirited service largely in offices to which little or no remuneration is attached. For some years he served as township trustee, and for four years was a director of the county infirmary. CAPT. ALEXANDER PEARCE. Of all that stands for strong and worthy manhood the late Captain Pearce was an exemplar and his life was guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity and honor, the while he was known for his fine intellectual powers, his mature judgment, his deep patriotism and loyalty and his large achievement as one of the world's noble army of workers. He was a gallant soldier and officer of the Union in the Civil war, and in the "piping times of peace" he exemplified the same spirit of loyalty that prompted him thus to go forth in defense of the nation's integrity. He was long numbered among the most prominent and influential citizens of Vinton County and continued to maintain his home at McArthur, the county seat, until his death, in the fullness of years and well earned honors. He passed to eternal rest on the 19th of July, 1903, at the age of seventy-five years, five months and nineteen days, and the entire community signified a sense of personal loss and bereavement when he passed away,—a man HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1093 of whom a local paper spoke at the time as having been "a good soldier, and an honorable upright citizen who was loved by many and respected by all." It is both a privilege and a matter of consistency to offer in this publication a brief tribute to the memory of this honored citizen who accounted so well to the world in all the relations of life and who left to posterity a record that offers both inspiration and incentive. Captain Pearce was a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of the Buckeye State and was born on a farm near Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, on the 1st of February, 1828. He was a son of James and Rebecca (Hoover) Pearce, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ross County, Ohio, where their marriage was solemnized. James Pearce was a representative of one of the staunch old Quaker families of New Jersey and was of Holland Dutch stock,—a lineal descendant from that historic character, Anneke Jans, who became the wife of Domine Bogardus and who owned the land that is now of incalculable value in the business center of New York City, much of the property being held by the Trinity Church corporation and the estate having been brought into litigation by heirs in many generations, as the history o f the national metropolis fully records. The paternal great-grandfather of James Pearce was an earnest member of the Society of Friends, commonly designated as Quakers, and in harmony with the non-belligerant teachings of this noble religious body he refused to enlist for service as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, for which reason he was imprisoned for a term of years. James Pearce was reared and educated in his native state and as a young man he joined the course of immigration to the West and became one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio. His parents, Richard and Sarah (Rively) Pearce who were birthright members of the Society of Friends, were early settlers in Highland County, this state, where they died during the Civil war and when well advanced in years. The wife of James Pearce was born at Chillicothe, Ross County, and after their marriage they continued their residence in that county until their removal to Highland County, where the subject of this memoir was born, all of the other children having been born in Ross County, where the parents passed the closing years of their lives, their residence in Highland County having been of comparatively brief duration. The names of the -children are here entered in the respective order of birth : Alexander, Sarah, William H., George W., Ann, Richard, James and Alice. The father and all of. the sons served as valiant soldiers of the Union throughout the climacteric period of the Civil war, and all lived to see the restoration of peace and to return home, though William H. 1094 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION died about ten years later, as the direct result of wounds received in battle. Richard met his death while traveling in Kansas, where he was foully murdered, though n.o cause for the crime was ever discovered or the assassin apprehended. Capt. Alexander Pearce was a child at the time when his parent returned to Ross County, and there he was reared to adult age unde the rigorous discipline of the pioneer farm. The advantages of th somewhat primitive schools of the locality and period enabled him to la a substantial foundation for the broad superstructure of knowledg which he later acquired through association with the practical affair of life, .besides which he was one of those favored in obtaining the train ing of a newspaper office,—a discipline that has been pronounced a virtual equivalent of a liberal education. In newspaper offices in Chilli cothe and Portsmouth he learned the printer's trade, and after gaining due familiarity with the "art preservative of all arts" he was activel identified with the publication of a paper at Portsmouth for seven years this having been one of the first daily papers in that now important city. In 1856 Captain Pearce established his residence at McArthur, Vinto County, where he became editor and publisher of the McArthur Demo 'crat, which he made an effective exponent of local interests and also o the principles and policies of the democratic party, which ever held hi loyal allegiance and of which he became an influential representativ in this section of his native state. In 1859 he was elected represents tive of the Vinton and Jackson County District in the Ohio Legislature and he served a number of terms, with characteristic ability and loyalty When the cloud of Civil war cast its pall over the national horizo Captain Pearce promptly responded to.President Lincoln's first call to volunteers, having been the first man to volunteer in Vinton Count and he became a member of the first company that went forth fro Vinton County to do service in defense of the Union. On the 18th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer I fantry, in which he was made second lieutenant and later promoted to the office of adjutant.. He proceeded with his command to the front an when, after the expiration of its three months' term of enlistment, he became captain of Company D, an office in which he continued to sery until the expiration of his term of enlistment. The history of this regiment virtually constitutes the record of the gallant and faithful service of Captain Pearce as one of the valiant soldiers of the Union, and h lived up to the full tension of the great conflict, as a participant arduous campaigns and many important battles, besides numerous en gagements of minor order. The captain received his honorable dis- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1095 charge on the 9th of November, 1864, and his record as a soldier is one that shall reflect lasting honor upon his name and memory. In later years he vitalized his interest in his old comrades by his active affiliation with the Grand .Army of the Republic, and he was also identified with the Masonic Fraternity, in which he received the Knights Templars degrees. After the close of the war Captain Pearce became one of the representative business men of McArthur, where for a number of years lie conducted a successful enterprise as a dealer in hardware and farm implements. Eventually, however, he resumed his association with newspaper. work, to which he continued to devote his attention until impaired health compelled his retirement. On the 28th of October, 1857, was solemnized the marriage of Captain Pearce to Miss Amanda Ward, who was born at what is now the Village of Gilson, Knox County, Illinois, the date of her nativity having been May 6, 1842. She is the only daughter of Benjamin and Samantha (Pilcher) Ward, both of whom were born and reared in Vinton County, Ohio, Mrs. Ward having been a member of a family of eighteen children born to James and Nancy (Sage) Pilcher, who were sterling pioneers of Vinton County, where they continued to reside until their death. Within a short time after their marriage Benjamin Ward and his wife removed to Knox County, Illinois, where all of their children were born except the youngest, William J., concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this publication. The family finally returned to Vinton County, and here the father died in 1856, his wife surviving him by forty years and having been summoned to eternal rest in February, 1896, venerable in years and a devoted adherent of the Christian Church. Of the children the. first two were James and Robert, twins, both of .Whom are deceased ; Columbus P., died in October., 1915, at McArthur, and was seventy-eight years of age, his wife having passed away in the preceding May and their surviving child being a son. Mrs. Pearce and her brother, William J., are the only surviving children and further data concerning the Ward family will be found in the sketch dedicated to the brother, who is one of the representative business men of McArthur. Captain and Mrs. Pearce became the parents of seven children, of whom four are now living, and Mrs. Pearce still resides in the old homestead that is endeared to her by many hallowed memories and associations. The firstborn of the children was Lewis A., who died at the age of two years. Rev. George W. Pearce, the second son, died in March, 1914, his wife having preceded him to eternal rest and two sons and one daughter surviving them. He was a clergyman of the Christian Church, 1096 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION in the faith of which all of the children were reared, and he served for six years as mayor of McArthur. Minnie C. is the wife of James W. Darby, concerning whom specific mention is made elsewhere in this work. James B. went to Colorado and established his home at La Junta, where he served sixteen years as clerk of courts. He has been an influential figure in democratic state politics in that commonwealth, where he has recently completed his third term of service as secretary of state. He maintains his home at Denver. He and his wife have one son, James W. Anna D. Pearce died at the age of eighteen years, a gracious and beautiful young woman whose life was thus cut short in its very fullness of blossom. Rev. Charles A. Pearce is an able and honored member of the clergy of the Christian Church, was for three years engaged in ministerial service in the City of Chicago, and is now pastor of an important church in the City of Marion, Ohio. His children are Margaret G., Charles A., Jr., Grace E. and Robert H. Milton L. Pearce, the youngest of the children of the honored subject of this memoir, is married and maintains his home at McArthur. He devoted his attention to the study of law for some time, but is now supervisor of roads of Vinton County. Mrs. Amanda (Ward) Pearce is a zealous member of the Christian Church, has been active in religious affairs and all good deeds, and is held in affectionate regard in the community that has represented her home during virtually her entire life thus far. Thus in the gracious twilight of her life she is signally favored in being surrounded by friends who are tried and true. JAMES CHESNUT. One of the names most honored in business affairs at Jackson for the past fifty years is that of James Chesnut, who has at different times been a retail merchant, manufacturer, banker, and wholesale merchant, and has been actively identified with this part of the Hanging Rock Iron Region upwards of fifty years. James Chesnut was born on a farm in Ross County, Ohio, November 22, 1834. His father was Lemuel Chesnut, who was born in the same locality August 29, 1805, only a few years after Ohio became a state. The grandfather, Charles Chesnut, was born either in Scotland or Ireland and of Scotch stock, and was one of three brothers who brought the name to America. He became one of the pioneers in Ross County, Ohio, securing a tract of timbered land 4 1/2 miles south of Chillicothe, where he hewed a farm from the midst of the wilderness and lived there until his death at a good old age. Lemuel Chesnut spent his youth in a district only a little removed from wilderness conditions, attended one of the old pioneer schools, and subsequently learned the trade of car- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1097 penter and millwright. For a time he owned and operated a saw mill on Indian Creek, but in 1839 sold that property and moved into Chillicothe, where he worked at his trade until his death on June 24, 1863. Lemuel Chesnut married Sarah Chambers, who was born in Pennsylvania June 3, 1809, and when a young woman was brought to Ohio by her parents. She was one of the old fashioned housewives, learned the art of carding and spinning, and during the early years of her married life did her cooking at a fireplace. Her .death occurred June 24, 1886. The seven children reared by her were named John, James, Sara J., Mary A., Isabel, Charlotte and Margaret. James Chesnut spent his youth partly in the country of Ross County and partly in Chillicothe, attending a rural school first and later, the city schools of Chillicothe. He was early trained for practical life, beginning at the age of twelve an apprenticeship with a baker, a trade which he learned and at which he was employed for some years in Frankfort and Greenfield. In 1854 Mr. Chesnut came to Jackson, which at that time was the terminus of the railroad. His business there was that of baker until 1858, in which year he branched out into the grocery business and subsequently added a stock of general merchandise. Selling out his mercantile interests in 1865 he and other men organized the Star Furnace Company. After two years he resumed the merchandise business, and in 1873 was one of the organizers of the Iron Bank at Jackson, of which he was made director, and with which institution he has been identified more or less actively ever since. For two years Mr. Chesnut was away from Ohio and engaged in business in the Northwest, having gone to Minneapolis in 1884 and for two years was in the hat business. After selling out at Minneapolis he returned to Jackson and identified himself with the wholesale grocery business as a member of the firm of French, Chesnut & Robbins. This was the work which occupied him during the last ten years of his active business career, and since selling out he has lived retired. James Chesnut was first married in 1857 to Almira Price. She was born near Zanesville, a daughter of A. B. and Malinda Price. Her death ocourred in 1864. In 1865 Mr. Chesnut married Pauline Johnson, who was born in Jackson, daughter of Elihu Johnson. The three children by the first marriage were Frank L., Clara and James H. There are four children of the second union : Nettie L., Catherine, Charles S.. and Earl E. Mr. and Mrs. Chesnut are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics he is a republican. CHARLES GUSTIN. Storekeeper for the Superior Portland Cement Company, Charles Gustin is a native son of Lawrence County, has grown 1098 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION up in this industrial region, and has worked in the iron. and in the cement industries practically all his active career. Charles Gustin was born at Heela,. Lawrence .County, August 19, 1.882, a son of James and Maria (Dean) Gustin. His father was born at Ashland, Kentucky, in 1842, was a young soldier in the Union Army -during the Civil war, spending four years in the Fourteenth Kentucky Infantry, and afterwards followed an active career as a farmer in Lawrence County until his death in 1910. The mother, who was born at Hecla, Ohio: in 1844, still lives in that vicinity. Their twelve children are named as follows : Anna, deceased ; William ; George.; Fred, deceased ; James ;. Phillip ; Charles ; Ida ; 'Vinton; Mary ; Lydia, deceased ; and Harry. Charles Gustin acquired his education up to the age of eighteen at Ueda, then worked in a furnace as a laborer for three years, spent one year in the employ of the Ironton Portland Cement Company, and began his duties at Superior in the cement plant as assistant manager of the company's store. After three years, in 1910, he was made manager of the store, and has looked after the mercantile interests of the company ever since. He is a man thoroughly trained in mercantile lines, and is popular with all classes of people. Mr. Gustin was married May 24, 1912, at Ironton to Daisy Rowe, daughter of "William Rowe, of Steece, Lawrence County. They have two children, Fred and Phillip. The family attend the Methodist Church and Mr. Gustin is a republican. Outside of business he gets much pleasure from his driving horses, and he has three fine specimens. He is also fond of hunting. WILLIAM U. ELLIOTT. Residing in the attractive little City of McArthur, the judicial center of Vinton County, Mr. Elliott is one of the substantial, progressive and highly -esteemed citizens of this county, where he is the owner of a large landed estate, in Elk Township, and where since 1904 he has been actively associated with the agricultural and live stock industries. He is acting as a member of the board of educatnon and also occupies his time largely in serving as an engineer for the McArthur Brick Company, a position which he has retained since 1908. Mr. Elliott is one of the vigorous and public-spirited citizens of the county that has represented his home for many years and is a scion of the third generation of the Elliott family in America. Mr. Elliott's grandfather, Thomas Elliott, was born in the Borough of Cockermouth, Cumberland County, England, the date of his nativity having been October 10, 1786, and he having been the youngest of the HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 1099 thirteen children of Henry Elliott, his parents having passed their entire lives in England and he himself having been the only one of the immediate family to come to the United States. The grandfather of Mr. Elliott was reared and educated in his native land, where he learned the trade of weaver and where he continued his residence until he was thirty years of age, when, on the 24th of April, 1816, he embarked on a sailing vessel and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. The protracted and weary voyage covered a period of more than two months, and he landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 12th of July, 1816. From Canada he soon came into the United States and after remaining for a time in Boston he made his way to the City of Baltimore, Maryland, where he found employment at his trade,—in the. Thistle Mills, one of the pioneer manufacturing concerns of that place. There he continued his residence for many years and there was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary Biggert, who was born in Ireland, on the 12th of July, 1794, and after the birth of their nine children they came with all of their children to Ohio, in 1840. Mr. Elliott purchased a farm in Muskingum County, and there he continued to work at his trade and as an agriculturist until he had attained to advanced age, when he removed to Zanesville, the county seat, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred March 6, 1854. His widow survived him by a decade and a half and passed to eternal rest on her seventy-sixth birthday anniversary,—July 12, 1870, both having been devoted Calvanistic Presbyterians in their religious faith and affiliation. They became the parents of six sons and three daughters, all but one of whom attained to maturity and most of whom married and reared children, the last of the number to pass away having been John, who died recently, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. Joseph Elliott, father of the subject of this revives, was born in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, on the 6th of December, 1836, and thus was a child of about four years at the time of the family removal to Ohio, in 1840. Here he was reared to manhood in Muskingum County, and the major part of his boyhood and youth was passed at Zanesville, where he gained his early education and where also he served a thorough apprenticeship to the trade of machinist. In 1862 he went to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he found employment at his trade. While thus engaged he made a return trip to his old home in Zanesville, where, on the 11th of April, 1864, he wedded Miss Mary Harris, who was born in Wales, in the year 1839, and who was a child when she accompanied her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Harris, on their immigration to the United States, her father having followed his trade of iron-worker and puddler, at Zanesville, Ohio, until his death. His wife, who lived for