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ALFRED N. ATKINSON, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born in Maryland April 19, 1826, is a son of John and Catharine (Warvel) Atkinson, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland. The maternal grandfather, John Warvel, was a native of Maryland, but emigrated to Ohio and located in Perry Township, this county, in 1833, and bore his full share of the hardships of pioneer life, most of this country being still an unbroken wilderness with but few roads, and those the worst kind of mud roads. His wife died in Perry Township, aged seventy years, after which he came into Jackson Township and spent the rest of his life with his grandson, our subject; he died in 1844. aged seventy-one years. John and Catharine Atkinson had one child, Alfred N., and he, when about seven years of age, with his mother and grandfather Warvel and his family, came to Ohio at the date above mentioned. A few years after their arrival here, his mother was married to Daniel Del rush, with whom she lived till his death. which occurred in 1856, since which time she has lived with our subject. She is now quite old and feeble, being in her eighty-second year. Our subject was raised to farm labor, growing up to manhood familiar with all the hardships of those early days, and upon the same farm where he now resides, being the old home place of his stepfather; and, as he had no children of his own, Mr. Atkinson at his death became heir to his property and here he has resided to the present time--a continued residence of nearly a half-century. Mr. Atkinson was married, April 17, 1873, to Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Magdalene (Gross) Orth, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who emigrated to America about 1836 and located in Jackson Township, this county, on the farm now owned by John Kiger. He died in Mad River Township in 1852 ; his wife is still living, now residing in Dayton. They had three children--Adam Leo, Catharine and Mary B. Mr. Atkinson has a good farm of seventy-six acres, upon which he has erected good. substantial buildings, and has good improvements, with everything comfortable and convenient around him. He and wife are worthy members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
JOHN BOWMAN, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, one of the oldest residents now living in Jackson Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 3, 1797 ; is a son of David and Barbara ( Bowser) Bowman, he a native of Maryland and she of Pennsylvania. The first knowledge we have of the grandfather, John Bowman, he was a resident of Maryland; thence. of Pennsylvania; thence, he became a resident of Montgomery County, Ohio, on Bear Creek; thence, he moved into Indiana, near Hagerstown, where he lived till his death, dying at a ripe old age, having passed through his share of the labors of pioneer life. David, the father of our subject, came to Ohio and located in Warren County about 1795, remaining there only a few years; he located in this county near the mouth of Bear Creek ; thence, in the west part of Jefferson Township, on the farm now owned by John Brumbaugh ; there he resided till his death. which occurred about 1859, aged eighty-five years ; his wife lived several years, and died aged ninety-three years. They had six children ; two now survive--John and Catharine. These were truly pioneers of the county. All was then an unbroken forest, with Indians and wild beasts in plentiful numbers. Our subject, the second son of his father, was born after the arrival of his parents in this new and wild country, and here he was raised and grew to manhood, inured to all that pertains to a rough pioneer life. He was married in November, 1829, to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter L. and Magdalene Bright. natives of Virginia, but became residents of this county and township about 1828 and lived and died here. Mr. Bowman and wife have had nine children; eight now survive--David, Joseph, John, Samuel, Isaac, Mary Ann, Daniel and Peter. His wife died May 17, 1879, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Bowman is now in his eighty-fifth year, and has resided on the place where he now lives fifty-two years--over half a century. He bought this place of Jacob Lesher, taking it right in
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the woods, with not a stick amiss; now he has a fine farm, with good buildings and improvements, with all the comforts and conveniences of modern life. But what toils, deprivations and rigid economy it took to bring about this result ! Ask the rising generations? They realize it not. They know nothing of it, only as they hear it handed down by their ancestors, or read it from the pages of history, and they cannot give too much honor to these worthy old pioneers for their great work, the fruits of which they may enjoy for ages to come. Joseph, the second son, is now carrying on the farm. He was married, June 16, 1878, to Mary E., daughter of Stephen and Mary Wright, natives of Rockingham County, Virginia, by whom he has had three children--one only living, Seth Thomas.
DAVID R. BOWMAN, farmer; P. O. New Lebanon; born in this township on the old home place of his father September 4, 1830 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth Bowman, whose history is given in sketch of John Bowman in this work. Our subject lived with his father, and was brought up to farm labor till twenty-five years of age; was married April 17, 1856, to Mary, daughter of' Michael and Sarah (Flory) Priser, he a native of Maryland, but became an early settler of this county and lived and died here. His wife died in 1834; they had five children--Barbara, Samuel, John, Mary and Joseph. Mr. Prizer married for his second wife Margaret Ann Shepler, by whom he had one child--William; his second wife died and he was married the third time to Catharine Fiant, by whom he had four children--Elizabeth, Daniel, Jonas and Noah. Mr. Prizer died January 6, 1875, aged seventy-five years; his widow is still living, now seventy-five years of age. Mary Prizer was born February 12, 1832. Mr. Bowman and wife have six children--Barbara A., born February 14, 1857 ; Minnie E., January 20, 1859; Joseph P., September 30. 1861; Amanda L., January 14, 1864; Emma K., May 24, 1866, and Eliza C., born January 13, 1869. Mr. Bowman has always followed farming as an occupation, and has always resided in the immediate neighborhood of his birthplace, never living over one mile from the old home place; he bought and located upon the place where he now lives, in March, 1874. Mr. Bowman and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, to which they have belonged about six years.
GEORGE W. BRIGHT, retired, New Lebanon ; born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 1, 1809; is a son of George and Francis (Bowman) Bright, natives of Virginia. The grandfather was Peter Bright, whose birthplace is not now known. but he lived and died in Virginia. George Bright and family emigrated to Ohio and located in Fairfield County in 1804; here he lived till quite aged and feeble, when he took up his residence with some of his children in Hocking County, and died there in August, 1864, aged eighty years; his wife died in July, 1876, aged ninety-two years. They were parents of thirteen children; three now survive--George W., Joseph and John G. Mr. Bright was a man of good education and taught school many seasons; was a good penman and did a great deal of public business in making deeds and other legal papers; he served for some time as Clerk of the County and other local offices, being a prominent and useful man in his day and community. Our subject was married June 21, 1832, to Mary Beery, by whom he had five children, all now deceased. His wife died May 31, 1850, aged thirty-four years. On February 23, 1851, he was married to Mrs. Mary Culp, daughter of Solomon and Margaret Hufford, he a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania; by this union they have three children--Mary, born August 22, 1853; Catharine, born April 7, 1855; Effie, born January 23, 1862. Mr. Bright first located in Hocking County, Ohio, where he resided several years; he resided in Hocking and Fairfield Counties, till in November, 1865, when he removed to Montgomery County and bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. This farm consists of fifty acres, which he purchased of William Clayton ; has good buildings and improvements, and constitutes a very pleasant home and residence; he also owns eighty acres in Mercer County. Mr. Bright has filled several offices; was one of the Board of Examiners of teachers for many years, also Township Trustee and Clerk of the township; is now living retired from all active labor or business. He and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, also four of his children became members of the same church.
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EZRA COOK, farmer; P. O. Farmersville; born in this county and township September 7, 1840; is a son of Frederick and Catharine Cook, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Christian Cook, was a native of Pennsylvania, but the great-grandfather was a native of Germany, who emigrated to America in an early day. Christian Cook emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, locating in this township upon the farm where Isaac Musselman now lives, in 1806, when the country for miles around was almost an unbroken wilderness, the Indians and wild beasts roaming the forests at will; here he opened out right in the woods to make a home and a farm, and here he labored and endured the many trials and hardships of those pioneer days, until, in 1814, he was called away by death from works to rewards at the early age of forty-four years, and there, upon the same term where he lived and labored, he was buried, and there his remains rest to the present day; his wife died in 1863, aged eighty-nine years. They were parents of eleven children ; five now survive--Margaret, Frederick, Christina, Sarah and Michael. Frederick was seven years of age when his father died, but his mother managed to keep her family together and raise them by her own hard labor. Mr. Cook arrived at manhood; was married in 1829, to Catharine, daughter of Henry and Eve Apple, natives of Pennsylvania; issue, seven children; six now survive--Rebecca, Henry, Catharine, Ezra, Aaron and Mary Ann. Mr. Cook, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now lives, and has ever since resided, a period of fifty-one years; he has cleared up the greater portion of the farm now in cultivation; erected all the buibdings on the place, and did a great amount of hard labor, and is now seventy-four years of age. Our subject lived with his father till after his majority. Was married February 26, 1863, to Sarah, daughter of Henry and Sophia Stayer, whose history is given in sketch of Henry Stayer; by this union, they have eight children--Izora Jane, Tilitha Florence, Cordie Alice, Ida Effie, Daisie B., Robert A., Christian A. and Daniel W. Mr. Cook, after his marriage, located upon the place where he now lives, and has resided for seventeen years.
GILBERT DAVIS, farmer ; P. O. Johnsville ; born in Washington County, Md., December 10, 1837, is a son of Zacharias and Eva (Heller) Davis, natives of Maryland. The paternal grandfather, Gilbert Davis, was a native of' Wales, emigrating co America in an early day. He lived and died in Maryland. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Heller, was a native of Germany, but was brought to America when about four years of age, and also lived and died in Maryland. Zachariah and wife were born and raised and spent their entire lives in their native State, Maryland. They were parents of twelve children, eight now survive--George, Daniel, Mary, Joseph, Sarah, Gilbert, John and Lucy. Our subject, at twelve years of age, started out into the world to earn what he could, working here and there as he could find work, and thus continued till his majority, obtaining but a limited education. In August, 1859, Mr. Davis emigrated to Ohio, and located in Johnsville, this county, and entered upon farming, which business he followed till the fall of 1874, when he entered upon mercantile trade, which he followed about four years, having a good trade ; thence, he sold out and located upon the farm where he now lives, and has since resided. On February 4, 1864, was celebrated his marriage with Eliza Jane, daughter of Henry and Mattie C. Toby, natives of Maryland, but who became residents of Preble County, Ohio, in quite an early day. They were parents of ten children; eight now survive -- Elizabeth, David, Millie, Richard, Eliza Jane, Orion, Perry and William. Eliza Jane was born in this county September 14, 1847 ; by this union they have had nine children ; six now survive--William P., Rolandus, Edward, Arvel, Charles and Harry. In the war of the rebellion, Mr. Davis volunteered in his country's defense, by enlisting in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was afterward consolidated with the Sixty-third Regiment. in which he served till the close of the war ; was with Gen. Sherman in his entire raid through the South, escaped without a wound, received his discharge and returned home.
DANIEL S. DRAYER, farmer; P. O. Farmersville; was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 24, 1840, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gantz) Drayer, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland. The grandfather, Peter Drayer, was also prob-
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ably a native of Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio in 1818, locating in Jackson Township, on the farm where our subject now resides, and there he lived and died. This farm he purchased of Robert Harding, taking the place when it was mostly in the woods, and here he bore his share of pioneer life and died, aged seventy-six years. Daniel was born in Pennsylvania, August 27. 1809, being about Hine years of age when brought to this county, and here was raised, and grew to manhood, accustomed to all the hardships and scenes of pioneer life; was married, March 28, 1833, to Elizabeth Gantz. born in Maryland, September 19, 1808. They had thirteen chibdren, nine now living --Susanna C., Eliza Ann, Mary E.. Elizabeth R., Daniel S., Simon P., Malissa K., John H. and Valentine. Mr. Drayer located in Preble County; resided there till 1848 ; thence bought the farm where Mr. Lowman now lives, in Jackson Township ; thence, two years later, bought the old homestead place. where our subject uow lives, and there resided till his death, March 3, 1876, aged sixty-six years and six months his wife is still living now seventy-three years of age. In the fall of 1853, Mr. Drayer fell from his wagon in crossing a ditch, and so injured his spine that he was a cripple the balance of' his life. Our subject was married, October 13, 1867, to Joan, daughter of Lloyd and Margaret Templin ; he was barn in Maryland ; married in Warren County, Ohio, where he located, and are still residents of that county. They had five children, four now living Utilla, Joan, Elizabeth and Albert. Joan was born August 29, 1843. She has borne Mr. Drayer six children; five now survive--Valentine J, born August 19, 1808; Mary Olive, October 11, 1870; Jessie, April 11, 1877; Bell, November 18, 1879, and Minnie, born November 18, 1879. Mr. Drayer and wife have resided all their married life where they now live, except from 1870 to 1875. during which they resided in Indiana, returning to the home farm by the urgent request of his father, where they have since resided. This farm has been in the Drayer family since its first purchase, in 1818, a period of sixty-three years. Mr. Drayer now holds no office ; was Justice of the Peace while living in Indiana. He and with are members of' the Reformed Church.
OSCAR F. EDWARDS, M. D., physician, New Lebanon. Among the professional men of New Lebanon, and one of its most prominent citizen. we here present Dr. Oscar F. Edwards, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 13, 1836; is a son of William C. and Nancy (Hall) Edwards, he a native of New Jersey, and she of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, Mr. Edwards. was also, a native of New Jersey. but who emigrated to Ohio with his family and located in Butler County in 1805, where he resided till his death. William C. was about two years of' age when brought to Butler County by his father, and there he grew to manhood accustomed to the hardships and trials of pioneer life. Was married and became the father of nine children ; seven now survive -- Benjamin, Angeline, Oscar F., Harriet, Julius, Bryant H. and Wilbur J. Mr. Edwards has followed farming as an occupation, and resided in Butler County till the spring of 1865, when he became a resident of Shelby County, where he has since resided. He is a prominent and prosperous farmer, and while in Butler County held the office of Justice of the Peace for nine years. Our subject remained with his hither brought up to farm labor till eighteen years of age, receiving a good common-school education ; thence he was in a printing-office in Hamilton one or two years; thence entered upon teaching, which occupation he followed five winters ; in the winter of 1859-60. he attended Bacon's Commercial College at Cincinnati, but in the meantime, he had devoted much time to the reading of medicine, having determined to make the practice of medicine his profession. In October. 1862, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and, on the 18th of February, 1864, he graduated and received his diploma; on April 9, of the same year, he located in New Lebanon and commenced the practice of his profession, where he still resides, and where he has built up a good and lucrative practice, and has won the esteem and confidence of his community ; was elected Justice of the Peace in fall of 1875, and re-elected in 1878. In April, 1879. was elected Mayor of the town, and re-elected in April, 1881 ; has been Notary Public and held various other offices as placed upon him by the votes of his community. On February 26, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan, daughter of John and
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Eliza Martin, natives of Pennsylvania; they were parents of eight children--Sarah, Mary, Reuben, Catharine, William, Susan, Henry awl Sophia ; he died September 19, 1879; his widow is still living, now seventy-four years of age. Dr. Edwards and wife by their union have had six children; five now survive Blanche, John W., Omar K., Hortense E. and Monica E.
HENRY GABLE, farmer; P.O. Farmersville; born in Butler County, Ohio, January 23, 1837; is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Long) Gable, natives of Reading, Penn. The paternal grandfather, Lewis Gable, was a native of England, but who emigrated to America about 1788, being about twenty years of age; he served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and resided in Pennsylvania till his death. Lewis, the eldest son of his father, was born in 1794, and grew to manhood in his native State, Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio about 1819; was married and became the father of six children; three now survive--William, Susan and Henry. Mr. Gable became a resident of Montgomery County about 1840; was a farmer by occupation, and passed the remainder of his life in this county, dying in Jackson Township on the farm where Henry now lives, July 26, 1870, aged seventy-six years. Our subject remained with his father till his death; was married November 15, 1860, to Mary Jane, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Eagle, he a native of Maryland, and she of Pennsylvania; issue, seven children ; five now survive Amanda Catharine, Amelia Jane, Emma Cenora, Jesse Allen and Bessie. Mr. Gable, since his majority, has lived upon the same farm where he now resides, a period of twenty-five years; his firm consists of 111 acres with good buildings and improvements, looted about one mile east of Farmersville, and is a very pleasant home and residence; he also owns eighty acres of land three miles north of Farmersville. Mr. Gable has been School Director eleven years, and Township Treasurer four years; is a worthy member of the German Reformed Church, to which he has belonged twenty-six years.
ABRAHAM GAUVEY, merchant, New Lebanon ; born in Jefferson Township, this county. ,January 6, 1850 ; is a son of' Martin and Susanna (Miller) Gauvey, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of' this county ; the paternal grandfather, Martin Gauvey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and bived and died in his native State. He was a preacher in the Orman Baptist Church. The maternal grandfather, Abraham Miller, was a native of Virginia, but became a resident of this county probably about 1820, and here married and lived till his death. The father of our subject emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county about 1827, when about twenty-one years of' age ; was married to Anna Rollman, by whom he had two children--one only now living--Sarah, who is a resident of' Dayton. His wife died about 1830. On April 18, 1841, he was again united in marriage to Susanna Miller, daughter of Abraham and Christina Miller, natives of Virginia, by whom he had six children. Five now survive--George B., Martin V., Daniel, John G. and Abraham. Mr. Gauvey was a miller by trade, which business he followed through life. He died March 30, 1854, aged forty-eight years. On February 20, 1856, his widow was married to Daniel Brumbaugh, a native of Miami County, but who was raised and grew to manhood in this county ; issue, four children, three now living--Mary E., Sarah .lane and Alvin J.
Our subject was four years of age when his father died, but was cared for by his mother till old enough to work, when he was placed out to work on a farm, and thus continued tibl fourteen years of age ; from this time till twenty years of age, he raised tobacco on shares, but in the meantime he had obtained a good common school education; thence he taught school several winters. In November, 1878, he purchased a general stock of' merchandise and entered upon the mercantile trade, which business he has successfully carried on since ; has a good and increasing trade, and has the confidence of his community ; has served as Clerk of the town since its first incorporation. Was married March 26. 1874, to Miss Virginia S., daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Stoner, natives of Virginia ; issue, three children--Sadie Isabel, born December 27, 1874 ; Hattie Jane, born April 14, 1877, and Jesse S., born March 20, 1879.
CYRUS H. GILBERT, farmer ; P. O. Germantown ; born in this county, May 17, 1832, is a son of James and Sarah (Zeller) Gilbert, he a native of Maryland and
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she of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Gilbert, was a native of England, who emigrated to America at quite an early day, and located in Maryland, where he lived till his death. The maternal grandfather, John Zeller, was a native of Pennsylvania, but became one of the early settlers of German Township, this county, where he lived and died. James, while quite a young man, emigrated to Ohio. locating in this county, in Jefferson Township ; was married and became the father of ten children ; seven now survive--Cyrus H., Lovina. John A., Sarah, Candace, James M. and Oliver F. Mr. Gilbert was a wagon maker by trade, which business he followed for several years : thence gave his attention to farming, which occupation he has since followed. Mr. Gilbert commenced in life a poor man, and by his own industry and good management became possessed of a large amount of property and has given each of his children a farm, enabling them to have a good start in life. He is now eighty-one years of age and quite robust and active for one of his age. He and wife are now residing in Germantown, retired from the active labors of life. Our subject remained with his father till twenty-three years of age ; was married January 11, 1855, to Mary , daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Myers, he a native of Maryland and she of Virginia. Mr. Myers was brought to this county, Jefferson Township, in 1803, and grew to manhood inured to the scenes and trials of those early days. He was here when they ground their meal by hand on a crank mill ; when grain sold for 6 1/4 per bushel, the only market being to supply the immigrants who arrived as new settlers of the neighborhood. There was then no market for anything at Dayton, and very little at Cincinnati. These were time, when it took great physical and mental strength, great powers of endurance and stamina of character to carry them through ; but they were true to their purpose, and well and faithfully did they perform their labors, and the present and future generations will reap the benefits of their labors. Cyrus Gilbert and wife by their union have had eight children--Lizzie Jane. Charles I., F. Ida Sallie Anti, Laura A., Rosa E., Abraham L. and James Edmond. Mr. Gilbert, after his marriage, bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, a period of twenty-six years ; his farm is in the southeast corner of the township, and consists of 136 acres of' land, with good buildings and improvements. constituting a very pleasant home and farmer's residence. He also owns a farm of 121 acres in Preble County, Ohio. Mr. Gilbert is one of the prominent farmers of Jackson Township and stands high in his community as a man of ability and integrity of character; is one of the Trustees of the township. He and wife are active and consistent members of the United Brethren Church, to which he has belonged since eighteen years of age, a period of thirty-one years.
ABRAHAM HARP, farmer ; P. O. Farmersville: born in Jefferson Township. this county, October 31, 1816, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowman) Harp, natives of Berks County, Penn. The grandfather, Frederick Harp, was probably born in Pennsylvania, where he spent all his life till, two weeks before his death, he came to this county and died and was buried here. Jacob. who was raised and grew to manhood in his native State, emigrated to Ohio in the spring of 1816, coming through by team, and was six weeks on the road ; he located in Jefferson Township, where he resided till April, 1857, when he moved to Germantown and resided till his death, which occurred in August following the same year, aged seventy-seven years; his wife died about 1875, aged ninety-four years. They were parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom four now survive--Catharine, Fanny, Abraham and Christina. Mr. Harp was a soldier in the war of 1812; was one of' the pioneers of the county, and bore his full share of the hardships and deprivations of those early days. Our subject was born and raised in this county and inured to the scenes and events of those times ; remained with his father till thirty-three years of age ; was married December 7, 1844, to Polly, daughter of Jacob and Mary Peters, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became residents of this county, locating on the farm where Mr. Harp now lives. in 1831 ; by this union they have had seven children, six now living--Jeremiah, Marian, Leah, Henry, Sarah and David. Mr. Harp has always followed farming as an occupation; he bought and located upon his present farm
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in the spring of 1868, where he has since resided. Mr. Harp started out in life a poor man, but by his own labor, industry and good management has accumulated a good amount of property ; he owns three farms, embracing 350 acres of good land, with good buildings and improvements. also another twenty-acre tract of land. Mr. Harp and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, to which they have belonged twenty-five years, and he has been Treasurer of' the Sabbath school for twenty years.
SAMUEL M. HECK, farmer; P. O. Farmersville; born in Virginia, July 13, 1813 ; is a son of David and Magdalena (Spitler) Heck ; he is a native of Maryland and she of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, David Heck, was a native of Maryland, but his father was born in Germany. David, the grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was one of the most active and devoted patriots of the country ; he lived and died in his native State, Maryland. David, the father, was the eldest of a family of three sons and two daughters, and when but a boy left his home to battle with the world, and to make his own livelihood ; he learned the trades of blacksmithing and wagon making, which business he followed during his life. He left his native State and became a resident of Virginia, where he resided till the tall of 1819, when he came to Ohio and located in Madison Township, this county, where he resided till his death; he died January 13, 1878, aged ninety-tour years ; his wife died about 1858. They were parents of seven children; six now survive--Samuel M , John, David, Elizabeth, Susan and Polly Ann. Mr. Heck was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; he became one of the early pioneers of this county and bore his full share of the hardships and deprivations of this then new country, opened out right in the woods, clearing a good farm ; was one of the prominent and active men in all public enterprises of his day ; was a Justice of the Peace six years. and was a Director and the Treasurer of the Dayton & Eaton Pike, from its completion till his feebleness from old age forbade his acting in that capacity longer and in his death passed away one of our most worthy pioneers and useful citizens. Our subject, who was the eldest of his father's family, and consequently took a leading part in clearing up and opening out the farm, and being one of that active nature who loved hard work, found at the age of sixteen that he was liable to break down his health, turned his attention to acquire an education ; he attended school eighteen months, then began teaching, and taught six years ; thence took instruction from a celebrated teacher from Connecticut about six months ; thence renewed his profession of teaching, which he followed fifteen years more. when his health failing him, he turned his attention to farming ; was married December 25, 1839, to Catharine, daughter of' Abraham and Elizabeth Warner, natives of Pennsylvania ; issue nine children, eight now survive--Mary Ann, Amanda, James F., Melissa, David B., Altha L., Minnie A. and Laura A. Mr. Heck, after his marriage, resided on his farm near Johnsville, till the fall of 1873, when he sold this farm and in the spring of 1874, bought and located upon the place where he now resides. This farm he purchased of Peter Buzzard, agent for the estate of Samuel Buzzard. deceased ; it consists of ninety-five acres with good buildings and improvements, and cost $10,000. Mr. Heck having obtained a good education, and being naturally of an active spirit has filled most all the positions and offices of trust in his township, being finally compelled by his advancing years to refuse further official trusts. In the spring of 18S0, Mr. Heck was foreman on a special jury in trying the " Huffman will case," one of the most important cases ever tried in this county, in which was involved $1,500,000, and upon which the jury sat nineteen days, rendering a verdict in favor of the plaintiff--the Seely heirs. He has done a great amount of surveying in his neighborhood, and has been one of the most active and useful, as he is now most respected, citizens of this township.
DAVID E. HEISEY, merchant and Postmaster, Farmersville, born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 12, 1835, is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Engle) Heisey, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, John Heisey, was also a native of Pennsylvania, who lived and died in his native State. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Engle, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and lived and died in Lancaster County, Penn. Mr. Martin Heisey emigrated to Ohio in May, 1850, coming through in wagons, and were twenty-one days making the journey. He located in Miami County and remained there
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till in September; thence located in Butler Township, this county, where he has since resided. He always followed farming as an occupation, till advancing years forbade his further active labor, and, having obtained a good competency, has lived retired, principally from hard, active labor, for many years. Mr. Heisey was married and became the father of eleven children; five now survive--John, Barbara, Martha. Susan and David E. His wife died in January, 1875, aged seventy-two years; he is still residing on the old home place, now about eighty-six years of age. Our subject remained with his father till near his majority, brought up to farm labor, receiving a good common school education; then for some years engaged in various business as agent, when. on the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served through the war, being. during this time, veteranized by re-enlistment. He was first under Rosecrans and afterward with Gen. Sherman on his celebrated raid through the South ; was wounded at the battle of Atlanta and disabled for a time, but at the close of the war returned safely home. Mr. Heisey enlisted as a private, was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, thence to First Lieutenant, in which capacity he served to the end of the war. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Heisey entered into the general merchandise trade with D. W. Sinks, in Farmersville. and thus continued till the summer of' 1867, when they sold out. In the spring of' 1868, he entered in partnership with John Flory in the mercantile trade, in Winchester, Preble Co., Ohio, and continued till in the fall of the same year, when he sold out his interest to Mr. Flory. In the spring of 1869, he bought out a harness and trimming shop in Farmersville and put in a stock of groceries. and continued in this combination of business about three years; thence sold out the harness and trimming department. continued the grocery business combined with hardware and notions to the present time ; was appointed Postmaster in 1870, which office he has since held. Mr. Heisey was united in marriage, March 19, 1868, to Anna, daughter of Edward and Ellen Livingood, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became residents of Ohio, where he died. They were parents of seven children ; three now survive--Anna, Samuel Peter and Zephaniah. Mr. Heisey and wife by their union have had five children, three now living, Edward M.. Herbert S. and Glenna B.
DANIEL HOOPS, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in this township August 24, 1817, is a son of Evan and Susanna (Sheets) Hoops, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia, he becoming a resident of Virginia when quite young. He was twice married ; first, to Catharine Kinsey, y whom he had seven children, three now living--Jane, John and Christian. In 1811, Mr. Hoops, with his family. emigrated to Ohio and located in Jackson Township on the place now owned y W. Kennedy. This place he took right in the woods, with not a stick amiss, and commenced in true log-cabin life. Being one of the earliest settlers, he experienced all the roughness and hardships of true pioneer life. He was a tailor by trade, and applied nearly all his time to that business, hiring the clearing-up of his farm done by others. It is said that the had so much work pressed upon him, that for weeks he never went to bed to sleep except on Saturday nights, taking what little rest he could, when he became tired, y laying his head on a bolt of' cloth, taking a short sleep. then going to work again. and thus he labored on. He lost his wife by death December 25, 1814. In the summer of 1816, he married fur his second wife Susanna Sheets, by whom he had seven children, five now living--Daniel, Sarah, Minerva, Henry and Solomon. Mr. Hoops died in June, 1862, aged eighty-two years ; his wife is still living. now residing in Wells County, Ind., at eighty-nine years of age, and is still a spry and hearty old lady. Our subject, born and raised here, grew to manhood inured to the scenes and hardships of those early days; was married, May 26, 1842, to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Ann De Lawter, natives of Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio in 1820, located in Jackson Township. and were among the early settlers. opening out in the woods without a stick amiss, and here he lived till his death. July 17, 1877. aged eighty-three years, having a continued residence on the place where the first located of fifty-seven years. H is wife died in Farmersville December 29, 1880, aged eighty-three years. Their children numbered eleven, six now living--Rebecca, Mary Ann,
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Catharine, David, Lewis and Elizabeth. Mr. Hoops and wife have four children--Sarah. Susanna. Jacob and Rebecca Jane. Mr. Hoops, after his marriage, located near the old home place ; is now on the third place he ever owned, and all have been within one mile of the old homestead. The farm upon which he now lives he purchased of the administrator of Jacob Smith, deceased. in the fall of' 1863, and located on the same in March, 1864 has one hundred acres of land, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Hoops has served as Constable and Township Trustee, but now refuses all public offices, believing them unprofitable.
DAVID KINSEY, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, was born on the farm where he now resides, February 25, 1815, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mullendore) Kinsey, natives of Virginia. The maternal grandfather. Jacob Mullendore, was also a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio and located in this county where Gettersburg now stands in 1801 or 1802, here he carried on the tanning business for many years till his death. He was a very active, industrious man, and carried quite an extensive business for those pioneer days. During the war of 1812, he hauled flour to Greenville for the army, and they tried to press his team into the service, but by hard driving he escaped, and returned home. John Kinsey came to this county with Mr. Mullendore, was as drafted in the war of' 1812, but hired a substitute. He entered the land from the Government upon which our subject now lives in 1817, and here he lived till his death. He opened out right in the woods, cutting out the first stick of timber, built a log house and commenced in rough pioneer style, roofed his house with boards without any nails, and every severe storm would blow off his roof, and again he would re-roof it ; aud thus he lived and endured all the many hardships and deprivations of those early days. But before he died he had erected the present large barn that still stands on the place, which was at that time one of the best in the township. He died in March, 1819. He was the father of eight children. three now living--Mary, David and Jonas. His widow married for her second husband, Jacob Meyers. by whom she had five children, two now survive--Lydia and John. She died in 1855. Our subject was raised and grew to manhood on the old home place, where he now lives; was married October 18, 1839, to Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Mullendore, he a native of Virginia, and she of' Pennsylvania. They were parents of nine children, seven now living--Jacob, Elizabeth. Catharine, George, Aaron, Susanna and Joseph two deceased--Daniel and Noah. Mr. Kinsey and wife have eleven children, all living --Joseph, Elizabeth, Nancy Jane, John W., Susan, George A., Aaron, Noah M., Perry D., Catharine and Charles Franklin. Mr. Kinsey after their marriage located in German Township, where he lived eleven years, thence moved on to the old home farm, where he has since resided. This farm has always remained in the family name ever since its first entry from the Government. Mr. Kinsey has from time to time purchased more land till at one time he was owner of over 1,000 acres of land, constituting him one of' the largest land-owners in this vicinity. He has since given some to his children and sold a portion, and still owns 550 acres; has erected a good brick house upon the home place, and made other improvements till he has a fine home and residence. Mr. Kinsey has been one of the most active business farmers of this township, and has ac-cumulated a large amount of property by his own industry and good management, and his history and that of his ancestors is of' more than ordinary interest, and deserves a special place in the history and records of this county.
GEORGE P. MICHAEL, farmer. P. O. Germantown, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 9, 1834, is a son of John and Charlotte (Dull) Michael, natives of Maryland. The paternal grandfather, Peter Michael, was also a native of Maryland, but became a resident of Montgomery County in the spring of 1836, and located in German Township, where he lived till his death. John, about six months after their arrival in this county, located in Jefferson Township, where he has since resided. He is the father of eight children--Cornelius, Rhuanna, George P.. John H., Jacob, Mary M., Wesley and Enos. Mr. Michael lost his wife by death, since which his eldest daughter has been his housekeeper. He is now seventy-six years of age, and still resides upon the same place where he first located, having made a continued resi-
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dence here of forty-four years. Our subject lived with his father till his majority ; was married February 24, 1856, to Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and Lydia Myers, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became among the pioneers of` this county, locating here about 1803, when all was a wilderness, filled with wild beasts and Indians. Mr. Myers is now a resident of Germantown, and has reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. He endured his full share of the trials and hardships of the pioneer days, but he has lived to see the great transformation of this once wild country into one of the most beautiful and wealthy counties of the State. And to him and all other co-workers of those early days is due great praise and honor for the work they accomplished. Mr. Michael, by this union, became the father of eight children, seven now living Ellen, Mary Ann, Lucinda, Emma, Amanda, Perry and Charles E. His wife died January 29, 1874. On December 7, 1876, he was married to Miss Mollie, daughter of Peter and Anna (Bowen) Rauch, he a native of Ohio and she of Pennsylvania; by this union they have two children--Jesse P. and George Oscar. Mr. Michael bought and located upon the farm where he now lives in the winter of 1872 ; it consists of 103 acres of land with good buildings and improvements. constituting a pleasant home and residence.
CHRISTIAN MUSSELMAN, tobacco dealer, New Lebanon, born in Germany, April 12, 1823, is a son of David and Elizabeth Musselman, natives of Germany, who lived and died in their native country. They were parents of nine children ; eight now survive--David, Henry, Christian, Jacob, John, Barbara, Magdalena and Christina. The sons are all residents of this country, but the daughters are still residents of Germany. Mr. Musselman was a farmer in his native country, and carried on quite an extensive business, also carried on quite an extensive business in distilling, and in raising stock. and was a leading man in his community. Our subject was only nine years of age when his father died ; he then lived with his uncle till fourteen years of age, when he learned the cabinet-making business, which he followed till the spring of 1846, when he emigrated to America, and landed at New Orleans June 10, 1846, thence came direct to this place, where he had a brother who had preceded him ; here he located, and has since resided, with the exception of about two years' residence in Dayton ; was married, September 25, 1848, to Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Mary Myers, natives of Maryland, now residents of Preble County. They had seven daughters and six sons, nine now survive--Emanuel, Margaret, Mary, Eliza, Catharine, Julia Ann, Elizabeth, John P. and Sanford N. Eliza was born in Maryland, January 22, 1831, and came with her parents to this county in 1833. Mr. Musselman and wife, by this union. have had six children, five now survive--John H., Mary C., David J., Elizabeth Ellen. and Clara N. Mr. Musselman, after his marriage, located in New Lebanon, where he carried on his trade till about 1860, when he entered upon the business of buying leaf tobacco, which business he has ever since successfully followed. Mr. Musselman is an active and prominent man in his community; was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1857 and served three terms, after which he refused to serve longer, though earnestly urged to do so by a confiding public. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NUSHAWG. carpenter, Farmersville, was born in Wayne Township, this county, January 4, 1853 ; is a son of Israel B. and Elizabeth (Fields) Nushawg, natives of Berks County, Penn. The grandparents were John and Catharine Nushawg, natives of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather, Michael Nushawg. was a native of Germany, but who, when one and a half years of age, was brought to America somewhere from 1750 to 1760, and spent his entire life, and died in Pennsylvania in 1823. John, the grandfather, raised in Pennsylvania, grew to manhood, was married, and became the father of' two children, one only now living Israel B. In June, 1840, he came with his family to Ohio, and located in Madison Township, this county, where he resided till his death, August 22, 1852, aged nearly seventy-two years. His wife died in October, 1853, aged seventy-two years. Israel B. was born in Berks County, Penn., May 12, 1821, being about nineteen years of age when he came to this county, and lived with his father till his death ; was mar-
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ried, March 14, 1853, to Mary Elizabeth. daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fields, natives of Pennsylvania, but became residents of this county in 1833. They had nine children ; six now survive--Mary Elizabeth, Catharine, Edward J.. Arabel and George and Jacob (twins). Mr. Fields died March 11, 1859 ; his widow is still living, now seventy-five years of age. Mary Elizabeth was born in Madison Township, October 14. 1833. Mr. Nushawg and wife have eleven children, all living--Benjamin F., Mary C.. George W.. Edward J., Israel W.. Amanda E., William L , Oliver C., Ella Nora F., Jonathan P. and Harriet Luella. In the fall of 1853, Mr. Nushawg bought and located upon the place where he now lives, and has since resided. Our subject remained with his father till twenty-three years of age, since which time he has followed the carpenter trade. Was married, January 6, 1876, to Lydia A. Ellen. daughter of George and Magdalena Cupp, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania They are parents of five children; three now survive--Nancy. Lydia A. Ellen and Emma. Mr. Nushawg and wife, by their union. have one child--Warnan Luther. Mr. Nushawg, after his marriage, located in Farmersville, where he has since resided and followed his trade, as contractor and buibder, and, although comparatively a young man, he has all the work he can do, and is doing quite a large business in his line.
JOHN N. PRINTZ, general merchant, Farmersville. born in Butler County, Ohio, March 7. 1828, is a son of John and Hannah (Julie) Printz, he a native of Pennsylvania. and she of New Jersey. The maternal grandfather, Henry Julie, was also a native of New Jersey. Mr. John Printz, the father, emigrated to Ohio when a young, single man and settled in Warren County ; was married and became the father of six children; four new survive--Edwin R.. Dianthe, John N. and Edward R. Mr. Printz, after residing for awhile in Butler County. returned to Warren County. where he resided till hie death: his wife lived till May 13, 1873, when she departed this life. Our subject was about ten years of age when his father died. and he was then thrown upon the world and raised among strangers, and received a limited education, and was brought upon the stage of action, as he arrived to manhood, to launch out for himself the best he could. Having, at fifteen years of age, commenced to learn the tailoring business, which, in due time, he mastered. and followed that business twenty-eight years. Was married. March 7. 1850, to Miss Mary L., who was born in Vermont August 3, 1832 ; a daughter of Earl and Frances (Bushnell ) Smith, natives of Vermont. They were parents four children ; three now survive--Cylena F.. Lucy A. and Mary L. The second child and only son, Joyce C.. grew to manhood. and, when about thirty-two years of age, was Captain of the steamer Phoenix on Lake Michigan, and, on November 21, 1847. his boat took fire and was entirely consumed, and all on board lost 130 passengers a except the Clerk. Mr. Jackson, who was saved by clinging to a mast. Mr. Smith's wife died November 21, 1830. He married for his second wife Miss Mary Pearson. by whom he had one child--Emma F. On the 10th of August, 1842, he was called to mourn the death of his second wife. On July 4, 1843. he was again married to Mrs. Sallie Jackson, by whom he had one child--Nathan C. Mr. Smith and family emigrated to Ohio in 1838 and located in Lake County, where he resided till his death, which occurred September 21, 1872. aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Printz and with by their union have ten children--Mary E., Hannah G., Abraham E., Francis F., Edward C., Emma F.. David E., Lurenda Candace, Orlando C. and Zamia May. Mr. Printz became a resident of this county. locating at Farmersville in September, 1854, where he has since resided. Here he followed his trade till the fall of 1866, when he entered upon the mercantile trade, in which he continued, till, in 1869, he sold out. In the spring of 1872, he again opened out a general store, in which he has continued to the present time, and is now the leading merchant in Farmersville, doing a good trade, having the confidence and respect of his community; and, we may justly say, much credit is due Mr. Printz for the success he has made in business life; starting as he did a poor boy and cast upon the world among strangers to choose his own course of life, his posterity may well feel proud of and fondly cherish his memory for ages to come.
JACOB PULSE, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in Lebanon County, Penn.,
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February 10, 1816; is a son of Jacob and Polly (Nouse) Pulse, natives of Pennsylvania, but who emigrated to Ohio and located in Butler County in 1821, where they lived about eight or ten years, thence located in this county in Jackson Township, where he lived till his death, which occurred about 1857, being about seventy-two years of are, and had been a resident of this township many years ; his with died many years previous, or about 1831. This was his first with, and by her he had eight children ; three now survive--Solomon, Jacob and Daniel. He married for his second with Polly Mengle, by whom he had one child, Julia Ann. In little more than a year, he was called to mourn the death of his second with. He was married the third time to Mrs. Elizabeth Mabee, by whom he had one son, now deceased, and one daughter, Elizabeth. With his third and last wife he lived till his death. Mr. Pulse was a carpenter and joiner y trade, which business he followed abl his life. Our subject lived with his father till about fifteen years of age, when he left home to learn the carpenter and joiner trade, which business he afterward followed about eighteen years ; thence he entered upon farming. He bought and located upon the farm now owned by David Stoner, where he resided till the spring of' 1869, when. hiving sold that farm, he bought and located upon his present farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Pulse was married April 15. 1841, to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam and Mary Basore, native of Pennsylvania but who became residents of' this county in 18:15. They were parents of' five children ; two now living--David and Daniel. Mr. Pulse and with by their union have had six children ; four now survive--William M., Joseph, Charles Allen, and Mary Ann. His with died August 12, 1880, aged sixty-three years and seven months.. Mr. .Pulse started in life a poor boy, and by labor and industry has acquired a good competency ; owns a farm of 168 acres, with good improvements. constituting a hood home and residence.
PHILIP ROADES, farmer, P.O. Farmersville, born in this county and township October 14. 1828, is a son of Jacob T. and Sarah (Siler) Roades, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. The paternal grandfather. Philip Roades, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and located in Montgomery County about 1804, being one among the early settlers, locating here when there were only a few cabins where the large city of Dayton now stands. and witnessed and experienced a full share of the hardships of pioneer life, and the trials and dangers of the war of 1812. Jacob was about nine years of age when brought to this county. and here was raised and inured to the scenes of pioneer life; was married and became the father of nine children by his first wife : six now survive--Magdalena. Philip, Philemon, Amos. Thomas and Elizabeth. His wife died and he was married to Josephine Fullmore, by whom he had four children ; three now survive--Amanda, William and John. Mr. Roades died in March, 1872, aged seventy-seven years. Our subject lived with his father till twenty-seven years of age ; was married August, 1852, to Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Mary Weldy, by whom he had five children ; two onby now survive--Eliza Jane and Jacob D. Mr. Roades soon after his marriage bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided--a period of twenty-eight years. He has a fine farm of eighty-two acres. with good buildings and improvements, and constitute a very pleasant home and residence. located about one mile southeast of' Farmersville.
JOHN RUMBARGER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 2, 1796 ; is a son of George and Margaret Rumbarger, natives of' Pennsylvania, but who emigrated to Ohio and located the farm where John now lives, in the summer of 1806, being among the first pioneers of this township. Here he labored and toiled clearing up his farm, enduring the many hardships of that early day, and lived and died on the same farm upon which he first located. He was the father of two children. one only now living--John--who still resides upon the old home place ; is now nearly eighty-five years of age and has made a continued residence here of seventy-five years, a period of time almost unprecedented.
Mr. Rumbarger was married August 24, 1816, to Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Kentucky, August 14, 1799 ; issue, eleven children ; nine now survive-- Michael, Katharine, Mary, Eli. Elizabeth, Anna, Christiana, Hiram and Henry. His wife
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departed this life March 23, 1874. Mr. Rumbarger has seen the rough side of pioneer life, living for several years a close neighbor of the Indians and wild beasts, the settlers being few and far between ; when they had to go ten miles to get their grists ground, no schools and no churches. But he has lived to see great changes take place under the progressive hand of civilization. The mighty forests have disappeared and waving fields of grain appear in their stead ; fine churches and schools dot the land, and comfort and plenty prevail. These changes are so great that could those venerable ancestors be here and behold these beautiful homes and fields of this county, they could scarcely believe that it was the same country where they once lived and endured so many trials and hardships ; and our present and future generations cannot give too much praise and honor to their memory for the first hard strokes they gave toward bringing this country to its present flourishing condition. Henry now has charge of the old home place, with whom his aged father now lives ; he was born here July 10, 1839 ; was married October 31, 1871, to Mrs. Eliza J. Leias. Mrs. Leias, by her first husband, had two children, Louisa Ann and Sarah Catharine.
ELI RUMBARGER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born June 19, 1823, on the old home place, where his father, John Rumbarger, now lives, and whose history appears in sketch of Henry Rumbarger; our subject remained with his father till twenty-seven years of age ; was married June 3, 1850, to Miss Harriet, daughter of John and Sallie Shell. natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Henry Shell, was also a native of Pennsylvania, but became an early settler of this county, locating near Miamisburg probably between 1820 and 1825, where he lived and died. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Kercher. was a native of Pennsylvania, and became one of the early settlers of Miami Township, locating there early in the nineteenth century, when there were only a few houses in Cincinnati, and resided in that township till his death. John Shell was but a young man when he came to this county with his father; was married here and became the father of three children. Two now survive--Matilda and Harriet. His wife died in the fall of 1829. He married for his second wife Catharine Gebhart, by whom he had four children, three now living--Henry, Emiline and Andrew Cass. Mr. Shell died in October, 1866, aged sixty-two years. Harriett was born near Miamisburg, March 2, 1830. Mr. Rumbarger and wife by this union have had three children, two now living--Rebecca and Sarah Jane. After their marriage, they d with his father on the home: farm eight years, then lived on a rented farm two years. below Dayton ; thence, in spring of 1860, bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, with the exception of two or three years. between 1872 and 1875. during which they lived in Miamisburg. This farm he purchased of' David Troup ; it consists of 100 acres, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Rumbarger and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, to which they have belonged for forty years. and he has been Elder in the same for several years.
JOSEPH RODEHEFFER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville. born in this county and township February 27, 1816. is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Ruby) Rodeheffer, natives of Virginia, but who emigrated to Ohio and located in Jackson Township in 1813, and some after his arrival was drafted and served a short time in the war of 1812. His first location was on the farm now owned by David Bowman, and here he lived till his death. This place he took right in the woods, and commenced to make a home and a farm, cutting out the first stick ever taken from the land, and here he toiled and labored for many years, enduring the hardships and deprivations of those early days ; but he lived to clear up one hundred and twenty acres of land, erected a good brick house and other buildings, making a very comfortable home and a good farm; but this was accomplished by a great amount of labor and close economy, such as the present and future generations know and realize very little. They were parents of nine children ; six now survive--Catharine, John, Joseph, Samuel. Abraham and Mary. Our subject, being born and raised in this township, grew to manhood familiar with the scenes and hardships of those early days; was married, December 10, 1830, to Sarah. daughter of Peter and Margaret Souders, he a native of New Jersey and she of Pennsylvania; issue, nine children ; five now survive--John A., Mary, Altha, Lucinda and Ira. His wife
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died in July, 1860. On May 18, 1864, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick and Catharine Stiver, natives of Pennsylvania; issue, two children; one only living--William Henry. Mr. Rodeheffer, after his marriage located on the farm where he now lives, and has since resided with the exception of five years, during which he lived in Jefferson Township. This farm was the old home place of the Souders family, and was purchased of the heirs ; it consists of one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Rodeheffer and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, to which he has belonged for forty-seven years.
SAMUEL SHANK, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Perry Township January 15, 1819, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Noffsinger) Shank, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania. He was born in February, 1784, was raised and grew to manhood in his native State, and in the fall of 1808 he emigrated to Ohio and located in Montgomery County, where he married in 1810 and located on the farm where he still resides, and has made a continued residence of seventy-two years. and all since his marriage, which is probably unprecedented in the history of any other man in the county. His wife died January 10, 1862, since which he has remained a widower and has resided with his son. They had twelve children ; seven now survive--Daniel, Samuel, Susanna, Henry, Eliza, Catharine and Elizabeth. This is a sketch of' one of the true pioneers of the county, opening out right in the woods, living the real log cabin life. The neighbors were few and far between, when they had to go several miles to assist each other in raising their cabins, and Mr. Shank was always sent for, from tar and near, to act as a "corner man," he being one of the most experienced and muscular men of that day. He is now past ninety-eight years of age ; has lived to see vast changes take place in this county ; has seen the vast forests disappear and fine fields of waving grain grow in their stead ; the rude and primitive log cabins supplanted by large and commodious brick and frame houses ; the old wooden mold-board plows and other clumsy and imperfect implements to pass from use, and fine steel and sulky plows and machinery of the most improved kinds brought into use to do the work of the farmers with ease and comfort; in fact, has seen nearly all of his contemporaries pass away from the stage of action to that world "from whose bourne no traveler ever returns," and still he is here, and, should the Reaper Death " spare his life two or three years longer, will have seen one hundred summers come and go ; but whether he be summoned away sooner or later, the records of his long, upright and useful He can never be effaced from the pages of history or the kind remembrance of his posterity. Our subject was married, September 14, 1843, to Miss Anna Heck, by whom he had three children--David, Samuel N. and John A. His wife died November 6, 1862. On May 31, 1863, he was married to Mary C. Young, by whom he had three children, two now living--William T. and Susan Flora. His second wife died February 8, 1872. On March 30, 1873, he was married to Sarah C., daughter of Abraham and Mary F. Brandenburg, natives of Maryland ; issue, three children -- Althea B., Mary Elizabeth and Jacob A. Mr. Shank spent the first five years of his married life at home with his father; thence, in the fall of 1848, bought and located where he now lives and has since resided--a period of thirty-two years. This farm he purchased of David Leslie. It now consists of seventy-six acres, upon which he has erected all the buildings ; has good improvements, a good farm and a pleasant home. Mr. Shank and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
HARVEY B. SPITLER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born on the farm where he now resides, July 18, 1849, is a son of John and Lydia (Baker) Spider. he a native of Pennsylvania, she of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Spider, was also a native of Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio in 1832, and located in Perry Township, where he lived till his death. The maternal grandfather, John Baker, was also born in Pennsylvania, but lived the greater portion of his life in this county, but a few last years of his life were spent in Preble County, Ohio. His boyhood days were amid the scenes and hardships of the earliest pioneers of our county, while the Indians and wild beasts roamed at will through the forests. John Spitler was a boy about thirteen years of age when brought to this county by his parents, and here raised to
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manhood, was married, and became the father of three children-- Ephraim, Harvey and Samuel. Mr. Spitler, after his marriage, lived a few years on his father's farm, thence bought and located upon the farm where he now lives, in Preble County ; here he has since resided, a period of about thirty-five years. Our subject lived with his father till after his majority ; was married, October 10, 1869, to Mary Ellen, daughter of John and Margaret Wieland, he a native of Maryland and she of Preble, Ohio. They were parents of eight children ; five now survive--George, Mary E., Etura, Dora and Perry J. Mr. Spitler and wife, by their union, have two children--Birtus and John Alvin. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Spitler located upon the farm where he now lives, and has since resided. This farm was purchased from Mr. Yost, and consists of 159 acres, which is now divided into two farms, occupied by our subject and his youngest brother. Mr. Spitler has large, fine buildings, and good improvements, which constitute a fine home and farmer's residence.
HENRY STAVER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in Dauphin County, Penn., March 27, 1795, is a son of Adam and Fanny (Dupes) Stayer, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Jasper Stayer, was also a native of Pennsylvania, but the great-grandfather, Jasper Stayer, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America early in the seventeenth century; he was a Lutheran minister, and is said to be the third minister who came from Germany to this country. The grandfather, Jasper, and one of his sons came over the mountains from Pennsylvania on horseback to Ohio to see the country and prospect for a home in 1805. and while here bought two farms, one on Twin Creek and one on Bear Creek, the former in German and the latter in Jefferson Township. They returned home to Pennsylvania, and the next spring, in 1806, they took their families and moved to this county ; coming to Pittsburgh, thence by flatboat to Cincinnati, six of them coming by land on horseback, and met the others at Cincinnati, when the boat arrived, and there, with their horses and wagons, started for their new homes, and were four days making the distance, about fifty miles, an average of twelve and a half miles per day, so bad were the roads in that early day. Adam was born in 1767, and his wife was five years older than he. Here they lived and struggled together, battling with the many hardships of pioneer life. But they were solaced through all their many trials with the encouraging thought that their children and descendants shall reap the benefits and fruits of all their labors, and thus they continued to good old age. She died July 15, 1854, aged ninety-one years six months nine days ; he died August 25, 1854, aged eighty-seven years two months three days. They were parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter, three now survive--Barbara, now widow Vance, living in Elkhart County, Ind., now in her ninetieth year, Henry and Valentine. Our subject was eleven years of age when brought to this county, and here he was raised accustomed to the scenes and hardships of those early days, grew to manhood and was married, October 7, 1820, to Anna Swartzley, by whom he had three son and two daughters, three now living--Samuel, Jonathan and Elizabeth. His wife died June 12, 1828. In the fall of 1830, he married for his second wife, Sophia Bickel, by whom he had eleven children ; seven survive--Rebecca, Lydia A., Israel, Sarah, Matilda, John Henry and Lucinda. Mr. Stayer, after his marriage, located upon the place where he now lives, and has since resided, a period of sixty years. Mr. Stayer started in life a poor man, and by good, honest labor, a constant industry and economy, he has accumulated a large amount of property; is now owner of nearly 700 acres of land. In this sketch of family history, we hand down to posterity examples of true pioneer history of good works, crowned with a success in life, worthy of imitation, and worthy to be cherished and honored by genera ions yet unborn.
BENJAMIN M. STIVER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in German Township, this county July 17, 1842 ; is a son of Samuel and Catharine (Emerick) Stiver, both natives of German Township. The paternal grandfather, John Stiver, was a native of Berks County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio and located upon the farm where Samuel Stiver now lives, in April, 1806, where he lived till his death, April 25, 1860 ; he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, and was one of the early pioneers of that township, and had borne his full share of the hardships of those early
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days. He was a Captain in the army in the war of 1812. Samuel was born on the farm where he now resides Feb. 21, 1817 ; was raised and grew to manhood, married, and became the father of six children--Benjamin, William, Samuel, Mary, John and Sarah. After his marriage, he lived with his father seven years, thence bought a farm, upon which he lived seven years; thence bought the home farm of his father and moved upon it, where he still resides, now sixty-four years of age. This farm was entered from the Government by John Stiver, and has ever since remained in possession of the Stiver family, a period of three-fourths of a century. Our subject lived with his father till in his twenty-fourth year of age; was married, January 28, 1866, to Christina, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Stiver, he a native of' this county and she of Pennsylvania. By this union they have had four children. one only now living--Sarah. After their marriage, he resided in German Township seven years, thence located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. And here we would relate that our subject, Benjamin Stiver, is the identical person whose house in German Township was visited with such strange demonstrations in July. 1871, the full account of which was published in the Cincinnati Commercial July 28, 1871. These demonstrations were not only strange, but very destructive. Household goods and utensils were promiscuously thrown around. and many dollars' worth broken and destroyed, and no visible hand touched them. and in philosophical solution of the phenomenon has ever been reached ; but the facts in the case as set forth in the paper above stated is fully vouched for by credible witnesses, and the writer of this has received the facts directly from Mr. Stiver and his wile as they occurred, the truth of which cannot be disputed, and. as far as the writer can judge. can only be accounted for as a wonderful miraculous occurrence of modern times.
DANIEL A. STOCKSLAGER, farmer. P. O. Farmersville, born in Maryland April 6, 1830 ; is a son of' Philip and Sarah (Smutz) Stockslager, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland. The paternal grandfather. John Stockslager, was burn in Germany, but emigrated to America, and located in Pennsylvania, and there married and lived several years ; thence became a rcsident of Washington County, Md.. where he lived till his death. The maternal grandfather, Abraham Smutz, was also born in Germany, but emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, thence in Maryland, and, about 1833, came to Ohio and located in Jackson Township, on the place now owned by Frank Cotterman, where he resided till his death. Philip was born in Pennsylvania in 1802 ; was about nine years of age when they moved into Maryland ; there he was raised to manhood, married and resided till in 1834, when he came with his family to Montgomery County. and located on the farm where Joseph Bell now lives, and there resided till about 1862, when he bought and located upon the farm where his son Philip now lives, and there resided ten years, thence located in Farmersville, where he died April 11, 1880, aged nearly seventy-nine years. They were parents of' five children ; four now survive--Daniel A., Elizabeth, Barbara and Philip P. Mr. Stockslager was a man of great integrity of character, and of more than ordinary business capacity ; when he came to this county, he was possessed of' about $1,300 ; by careful investment, honest labor and industry, he became quite wealthy. owning 300 acres of good land, besides his town property in Farmersville ; was a useful member in society; served as Justice of the Peace three years, and died respected by all who knew him. Our subject was about four years of age when brought to this county ; here was raised and grew to manhood ; was married, Sept. 15, 1832, to Rebecca, daughter of Adam Stayer, by whom he had six children--Sarah Emma, Catharine Anna Bell. Martha Alice, John, Eliza Jane and Lewis. His wife died March 18. 1866. agcd nearly thirty-five years. On October 16, 1866, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth. daughter of .John and Margaret A. Minderman, natives of' Germany, but who emigrated to America and located in this county about 1840. near Dayton ; thence located in Preble County, where they lived till his death, April 22, 1880, aged seventy-seven years ; his wife is still living. now residing in Missouri with two of her children ; they had six children, four now living--Henry, Elizabeth, Frederick and Sarah Ann. Mr. Stockslager, y this union, has seven children--Calvesta Izora, Filena, Ida, George
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and Charles (twins), Nora and Walter. After their marriage, Mr. Stockslager located upon the farm where he now lives. and has since resided ; this place he bought of his father, upon which he has erected all the buildings upon the place except the house, and has now everything comfortable and convenient around him. Mr. Stockslager is a prominent man of his community ; has been Township Trustee many years.
ABRAHAM F. SWARTZEL, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born on the farm where he now lives, February 8, 1839 ; is a son of Abraham and Sarah Swartzel. The grandfather, Abraham Swartzel, was a native of Pennsylvania; the great grandfather, Mathias Swartzel, was a native of Germany, but emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and became a soldier in the defense of our colonies during that sanguinary struggle for their independence. He finally became a resident of this county about 1803, where he lived and died, departing this life about 1820. He was the father of four sons and five daughters. Abraham, the grandfather above mentioned, was the third son of his father's, and emigrated to Warren County about 1799; there he lived about two years, thence in 1801 he moved into Montgomery County, Jackson Township, being one of the first settlers ; he entered a section of land, put up a log cabin and commenced right in the woods to make a home and a farm; and here he endured all the trials and hardships of those early days--such as the present and future generations can know nothing of only as they read of them from the pages of history ; he was drafted in the war of 1812, but hired a substitute ; he departed this life in 1840. Mr. Swartzel was a prominent man of his community, and held the office of Township Trustee for many years, was also Treasurer of the township ; was the father of thirteen children ; two now survive--John A. and Joshua. When he came to this county, he was a poor man ; but by his own industry and good management, he became possessed of a large amount of property ; at onetime he owned eleven farms, and thus was enabled to give each of his children a good start in life. Abraham, the father, was born and raised on the old Swartzel place, now owned by Philip Stockslager ; here he grew to manhood ; was married and became the father of four children, three now living Sarah Ann, Jeremiah and Abraham F. After his marriage, he bought and located upon the farm where our subject now lives ; this farm he bought of his father, which was then mostly in the woods, and here he commenced to make a home and a farm ; and here he resided till his death, February 6, 1839 ; his wife is still living, now sixty-eight years of age ; she was born in Lebanon County. Penn., February 13, 1813. Our subject, born a short time after the death of his father, was raised and grew to maturity under the care of his mother, who was a woman of great energy and fortitude, and possessed of more than ordinary judgment and skill to manage the affairs of business, and her example is worthy to be handed down to posterity and receive clue honor for the many trials and hardships she endured. Mr. Swartzel was married May 10, 1863, to Sarah, daughter of James and Sarah Gilbert, he a native of Maryland and she of this county, whose history is fully given in sketch of Cyrus H. Gilbert ; issue six children--Salmon James, Samuel C., Charles E., George W., Winter Z. and Horace. Mr. Swartzel is still living upon the old home place, where he was born, and has made a continued residence to the present time ; here he has a fine farm and improvements. He is a member of the Reformed Church and his wife of the United Brethren Church.
HARVEY VENUS, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in this county in Perry Township, August 19, 1824 ; is a son of John and Susannah (Cox) Venus, natives of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, John Venus, was also a native of Virginia and lived and died in his native State. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Cox, was a native of Virginia, who lived and died there. John Venus emigrated to Ohio and located in Perry Township, where he was one of the early pioneers of that township, locating there early in the century, where he bore his full share of the trials and hardships of those days ; he was the father of nine children ; six now survive--Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah, Susan, Harvey and Lavina. Mr. Venus died September 6, 1862, aged nearly eighty-one years ; his wife in May, 1862, aged seventy-nine years. Our subject, who was born and raised and grew to manhood in this county, was married in October, 1855,
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to Julia Ann, daughter of John and Matilda Mause, natives of Pennsylvania ; by this union they have had six children ; three now survive--John Albert, Jonathan and David K. Mr. Venus, after his marriage, lived one year with his father on the home place ; thence three years in Madison Township ; thence in spring of 1850, he bought and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. The farm was purchased in two tracts, 100 acres of Isaac Kilmer and 50 acres of Thomas Leslie, a great portion of which he has cleared up from the woods, and has erected all the buildings and made all the improvements, which are all No. 1, and constitutes one of the best and finest farms and residences in Jackson Township. He has since purchased more land, till now he owns 216 acres, and all of which he has made and accumulated by his own industry and economy. He is also a man holding the confidence of his community, and is now Township Trustee, which office he has filled one term in previous years. Mr. Venus and wife are members of the Reformed Church.
W. A. WEAVER, Postmaster and general store, New Lebanon, born in this township, June 18, 1845, is a son of John I. and Catharine (Pence) Weaver, he was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., August 4, 1799 ; she was born in Shenandoah County, V a. John I. was brought to this county by his parents in 1805, locating in Jefferson Township, where he was raised and grew to manhood inured to the scenes and hardships of those early days ; was married and became the father of seven children; five now survive--Mary M., Catharine, Urias, John D. and W. A. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, located in the southeast part of Jackson Township, where he resided ten years, engaged in the distilling business ; thence, in spring of 1832, he bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, a period of nearly half a century ; he is a prominent man and farmer in this community and well and respectably known ; has been Township Treasurer and Township Trustee ; was one of the Directors in the building of the Dayton and Western turnpike, which office he filled twelve or fourteen years. He is now eighty-two years of age, and of course has retired from all active business, and lives honored and respected y a large circle of friends. Our subject was brought up to farm labor till he arrived at his majority : was married January 28, 1866, to Miss Mattie M., daughter of George and Susan Tobias, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of this county ; they had ten children ; four now survive--Rebecca, Sarah M., Mattie and Mary. Mr. Weaver and wife have had four children, three now living--Vernon A., Franklin J. and Elsie Ardella. Mr. Weaver farmed about five years after his marriage ; thence, in fall of 1872, entered upon mercantile trade in New Lebanon; in partnership with his brother, John D., which partnership continued till November, 1875. when they dissolved and divided the stock. and William A. continued business at the old stand, where he has. by close attention to business, his affableness of manners and accommodation to his customers, won the confidence of the people and has established a good trade, which is yearly increasing ; is now serving on his second term as Treasurer of the corporation of New Lebanon. and has been Postmaster since his commencement in mercantile business.
LEWIS A. WEAVER, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in Germantown, this county, September 28. 1853, is a son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Heincke) Weaver, also natives of this county. The maternal grandfather, Christian Henry Daniel Heincke, was born at Cuxhaven, Hanover, December 15, 1793 ; emigrated to America in 1817, and landed at Baltimore September 14, and soon after came to Ohio. He acquired a liberal education in the schools of his native land, and here he devoted himself to the study of theology. But at that time, there was no theological seminary of' the Lutheran Church in this Western country, and he was necessitated to pursue his studies privately, under the direction of Pastors Dechant, Dill and others. In the fall of 1820, he applied to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of' Ohio for authority to preach the Gospel ; and sustaining a creditable examination, he was unanimously received into the ranks of the ministry of that church. On January 1, 1826, Rev. Mr. Heincke accepted a call from the Lutheran Church of Miamisburg and became the second pastor of that church after its organization. He served this congregation to the end of his laborious life, July 10, 1859, a terns of thirty-three years. Rev. Mr. Heincke was a
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more than ordinary theologian, stocked with useful knowledge ; well posted in the doctrines of his church, possessing a clear head and an honest heart, and able to present his views in few words, clearly and with great force ; was modest and a friend of peace. Possessing such amiable qualities, his labors were sought eagerly by those who knew him, and were highly appreciated. Daniel Weaver was born May 13, 1822; was married and became the father of three children ; was thrice married ; first, to Sarah Replogle, by whom he had one child--Philip ; his wife died, after which he married Mary Ann Heincke, by whom he had two children--Lewis Alfred and Samuel H. His second wife died November 5, 1862, aged thirty-nine years. His third wife was Sarah Anu Geiger, with whom he lived till his death, which occurred March 26, 1878, aged fifty-six years; his widow is still living on the old home place in this town-ship. Mr. Weaver was a wagon-maker by trade, which business he followed seventeen years thence he gave his attention to farming, which he followed the remainder of his life. He took great delight in hunting, and about the holidays of each year it was his custom to make a hunting tour in Paulding and other northern counties for deer and other game, and as a marksman it was said his aim was sure and never missed its mark. He was a very industrious person from his boyhood up, economical and saved every penny. Starting in life with no capital, he became possessed of eighty acres of land and quite an amount of money, being financially well situated before his death. Our subject grew to maturity, receiving a good common school education ; thence he attended the Normal School at Lebanon six months; thence he taught school one year; thence entered upon farming, which occupation he has since followed ; was married September 16. 1875, to Mary K. daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Apple, both natives of this township ; by this union they have two children--Charles Henry and Walter Edmund. Mr. Weaver bought and located upon the farm where he now resides in the spring of 1879 ; the farm he purchased of Jacob Apple ; it consists of fifty acres of land with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Weaver and wife are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a very active and popular teacher in the Sabbath school.
GEORGE WIELAND, farmer, P. O. Farmersville, born in Maryland, November 4, 1824. is a son of Burnhard and Elizabeth Wieland, he a native of Maryland and she of Virginia. The grandfather, Burnhard Wieland, was a native of Germany, but who emigrated to America and settled in Maryland, where he lived and died ; his son, Burnhard. was born and raised in Maryland ; was married, and became the father of nine children six survive--Susan, John. Jacob, Samuel, George and Elizabeth. Mr. Wieland resided in his native State tibl his death, which occurred about 1831 ; his widow came to this State and lived in this county till her death, which occurred about 1865. Our subject was about seven years of age when his father died, after whieh he remained with his mother till her oldest son was of age and married, and settled in life, when George lived with him tilt his majority ; was married, October 4, 1850, to Susan, daughter of Frederick and Susan Rudy. natives of Maryland, who lived and died in their native State. They were parents of eight children; six now survive--Hanson, Daniel, Joshua, Lucretia, Rebecca and Susan. Mr. Wieland emigrated to Ohio in 1839, remaining here a few years, thence returned to Maryland ; thence, after three or four years, he came to this county again, thence returned to Maryland, married and brought his with here and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, a period of thirty years. This farm he purchased of' William Zehring ; it consists of' 169 acres of land, upon which he has erected all the buildings on the place, which are large and commodious, with good improvements, constituting a good home and farm residence.
MARTIN WOGAMAN, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Madison Township, February 25, 1825, is a son of John and Mary (Bucket) Wogaman, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of North Carolina. The grandfather, John Wogaman, a native of Pennsylvania. came to Ohio and located in Perry Township, on the farm now owned by S. Crull, in 1805, and was with Christian Wogaman, among the first settlers of Perry Township. Here Mr. Wogaman resided till the death of his wife, about 1835, after which he lived with his son John, in Madison Township, till his death, about 1844 or 1845. John, the father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1797 ; was eight years
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of age when they settled in this county, and here he was raised, and grew to manhood, accustomed to the hardships and roughness of pioneer life; was married to Mary Burket August 13, 1818, with whom he lived till March 2, 1881, when death took her from him ; she was eighty-seven years of age, and they had shared the toils and hardships, as well as the joys of life, for nearly sixty-three years. They had seven children ; six now survive--George, Anna, Martin, Sarah, Moses and Mary. He is still living, now eighty-four years of age. Our subject was married, October 15, 1848, to Hannah E., daughter of John H. and Mary (Suman) Brandenburg, natives of Maryland, who came with their parents to this county when about eight years of age, being among the early settlers of Van Buren Township, and here they were raised and grew to maturity ; were married and had nine children, eight now living--William H., Catharine, John, Hannah E., Elizabeth, Anna, Peter and Isaac. They lived in Van Buren Township till about 1836, when they moved into Dayton, where they lived till their death ; he died in 1837 and his wife in 1849. Mr. Wogaman and wife have the following children--John Webster, Arminda, Willis E. and Harry H. After their marriage, they located in Madison Township, where they resided till February, 1875, thence located upon the farm where they now live. This farm he purchased of Jacob Baker ; it consists of 142 acres, with large, commodious buildings and good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. This is a brief sketch of one of the oldest pioneer families, whose lives and labors make up a prominent part of the histories of the communities and townships in which they lived. They were men of undoubted integrity, and of intellectual and moral worth. John Wogaman held the office of Township Trustee several years, and is a devoted Christian man. Martin, our subject, held the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor for many years. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, to which they have belonged for eighteen years.
JONATHAN P. WOOD, physician and surgeon, P. O. New Lebanon, born in Warren, R. I., Jan. 2, 1817 ; a descendant of Dr. Thomas Wood, who emigrated to North America in 1642, and settled in Newport, R. I. J. P. Wood came to Ohio in October 1828, where he remained, living in Dayton until 1834, when he returned to Rhode Island ; was two years in Brown University, after which read medicine with Dr. Alfred Wood, of Taunton, Mass., and completed preparatory studies at Berkshire Medieal School, Pittsfield, Mass., settled in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, the fall of in 1845, where he now resides.