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GEORGE BIXLER, farmer, P. O. Brookville, born in Maryland, December 18, 1820 ; is a son of Samuel and Leah ( Maus) Bixler, natives of Maryland, emigrating to Ohio in August, 1827. locating in Preble County, residing there till the spring of 1829. when they removed into Montgomery County, locating on Wolf Creek, about ten miles from Dayton, where they resided till their death. e died May 16, 1859. She died December 31, 1866. They were parents of seven children ; five now survive--George, Eliza Ann, Catharine, Anna Mary and David. Mr. Bixler was a miller by trade, which business he followed about ten years, till the time of locating on his farm in Montgomery County. When he came to Ohio to look for a location, he and his brother-in-law came through on horseback, with only one horse, riding alternately while the other walked ; thus making the entire distance of over 500 miles. This was during the pioneer days before railroads existed. He made three trips back and forth from his native State in this manner, when traveling was in that day through the then thinly settled country, attended with many dangers. On his second trip, he brought with him $800 in silver, in his saddlebags across his horse. This was in the time of the so-called " wild cat " money, when nothing but gold and silver were of any certain value at any distance from its place of issue. This silver he deposited with the landlords at the various taverns where he put up over night on his journey, for safety. At one stopping place, on the mountains, he had some fears of robbery, from suspicious appearances, but he came through safely, and invested his money in the firm above-mentioned, on Wolf Creek, purchasing 160 acres of land at $5 per acre. Shortly after their death, this same land was sold at $80 per acre, thus showing what his improvements and the advance in the value of land in this vicinity had accomplished. He was a man of industrious habits; never went in debt; always paid as he went. What he did he did safely, and ran no risks. Our subject remained with his brother till twenty-six years of age ; was married February 18, 18 17 to Rachel Ann, daughter of John and Phebe Clemmer, natives of Virginia, but became pioneer settlers of this county, locating here just after the war of 1812, he having been a soldier in that war. Mr. Bixler and wife have had seven children ; six now survive--Samuel J., Mary E., John A. H., David M., William I. B. and Jessie Fremont. Mr. Bixler has always followed farming. He bought and located where he now lives in the spring of 1849, where he has since resided--a period of thirty-two years. Has a good farm of 185 acres, with large, fine buildings and good improvements; also owns 255 acres in Darke County. Mr. Bixler is one of the most prosperous and prominent farmers of Perry Township, holding the confidence of his people and community. Politically, a Republican, he has been Township Treasurer two terms ; is a man of integrity and honor, whose life, like his father's, has been such as is worthy of imitation by the rising generations. e and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN W. BOWMAN, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in this county, Jackson

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Township, March 7, 1833; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Bright) Bowman ; he is a native of Warren County, Ohio, and she of Virginia. The grandfather, David Bowman, was born in Maryland, but emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren County about 1795, where he resided for a few years, when he moved into this county, and located in Madison Township, where he was one of the early pioneers; and here he lived and died. The grandfather, Peter L. Bright, was born in Virginia, but became a resident of Jackson Township, this county, where he lived till his death. John Bowman :vas born in 1797. ere he was raised and grew to maturity, inured to the trials and hardships in those early days in this then almost entire wilderness was married and became the father of nine children, eight now living: David R., Joseph, John W. Samuel, Isaac, Mary Ann, Daniel, Peter L. Mr. Bowman, after his marriage, bought and located in Jackson Township, and opened out right in the woods ; has remained there to the present time ; has over 100 acres cleared and in good cultivation ; erected good buildings, and brought the farm into its present state of improvement, with all the conveniences, making a fine farmer's residence. He lost his wife in the spring of 1877. He is still living on the home place, where he has now made a continuous residence of over half a century, and has reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. Our subject remained with his father till thirty-three years of age; was married April 7, 1867, to Catharine, daughter of John and Mary Keener. Natives of Pennsylvania, but became settlers of Madison Township, this county, December 1, 1831, where they still reside. They are parents of seven children--Sebastian. Abraham, John. Elizabeth, Catherine, Jacob and David (twins). Mr. Bowman and wife have three children--Mary Elizabeth, John D. and Jeremiah A. Mr. Bowman commenced his business life on twenty acres of land, which he bought, adjoining his father's farm, where he resided till the spring of 1873, when he bought and located on the place where he now lives and has since resided. Their farm consists of seventy-six acres, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, located just on the outskirts of Johnsville, convenient to schools, church and post office, and is a very pleasant home.

DR. J. BROWER, physician and surgeon, Johnsvi!le. born in West Alexandria, Preble County, Ohio, February 14, 1841 ; is a son of Joseph and Maria (Spatty) Brower, he a native of this county, and she of Switzerland. The grandfather, Abraham Brower, was a native of Virginia ; he emigrated to Ohio and located near Germantown about 1805, being one of the early pioneers ; he resided there a short time, thence he moved into Preble County, where he resided till his death. Joseph, who was born about 1809, or about four years after his father came to this county, was rocked in the pioneer cradle, and grew up to manhood inured to the scenes and hardships of those primitive times, receiving but a meager education, such as those days afforded ; but he possessed a natural ability and became a very popular man of his day ; was elected Justice of the Peace when only eighteen years of age ; held many of the offices of his township and county ; was County Treasurer for four years, and became a man of wealth and influence, and is still residing near West Alexandria, now over three score years and ten," loved and respected by all who know him. Our subject, who was born and raised in Preble County, and educated in the common schools, conceived the idea in his youthful days of becoming a physician, and early commenced to prepare for that profession by entering upon a course of study under Dr. O. E. Tillson, of West Alexandria, with whom he remained several years, thence in the winter of 1875 entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati ; went through their complete course on the practice of medicine and surgery, and graduated in 1878, receiving his diploma with honors. e immediately located in Johnsville, and commenced the practice of his profession ; has now been located here four years ; has a good, lucrative practice, and from his affableness of manners and social qualities, his thorough course and preparation for his profession, with his natural ability and love for the same, we may safely predict for him a growing practice and a success in his profession second to but few in the county.

JOSEPH BROWN, farmer, P. O. Brookville, born in this county March 20,1837, is a on of Joseph and Marilla Elizabeth (Michael ) Brown, natives of Maryland, who

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emigrated to Ohio, locating first in Butler County about 1830, remaining one year, thence to Montgomery County, where they resided till their death; he died August 17, 1839, aged about forty years; his wife died August. 30, 1880, aged eighty years. They were parents of eight children, three now living Caroline. Amanda and Joseph. Mr. Brown was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed while living in Maryland, hut after coming to Ohio he gave his attention to farming till his death. Two of his sons, Josiah and Solomon, were in the war of the rebellion ; the former died of sickness in a hospital and never returned home ; the latter contracted disease, of which he never recovered, and died some four years after his return. Our subject was in his third year when his father died, but his mother, who was a woman of courage and resolution, kept her family together and raised them all till they grew to maturity. Joseph married. January 20, 1859, to Sarah M., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hubler) Wright, natives of' Ohio ; they were parents of seven children, five now living--Sarah M., George W., Oliver Perry, Jane and Samuel Michael. Mr. Brown and wife by their marriage have four children--Cerella R., Perry A., Mary Elizabeth and Emma J. Mr. Brown has always followed farming during his life, and all in this county except about five years, during which he lived in Shelby County; he has bought and sold and lived on several different farms during his life. e bought and located upon his present farm in March, 1880 ; this farm consists of eighty acres, fifty of which are in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, and is very pleasantly situated about one-half mile southwest of Brookville.

SAMUEL BRUMBAUGH, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born on the farm where he now lives February 4, 1823, is a son of George and Elizabeth (Vaniman) Brumbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Conrad Brumbaugh, was born in Germany, and came to America probably prior to the Revolutionary war, and experienced many of the troubles with the Indians; he lived and died in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, John Vaniman, was born in England, but came over to America in a very early day and lived for many years in Pennsylvania; thence, in 1805, he came to Montgomery County and located in Madison Township, and entered his land from the Government. He was truly a pioneer of the county, and experienced the very roughest and wildest of pioneer life, and there he lived and died. The first winter they lived on corn, turnips and wild game, getting their corn ground up on Mad River, carrying it on horseback through blazed paths several miles to mill. These were times that tried men's souls, and much praise is due them for the great work they done in opening out this wilderness, which now has become such a beautiful country filled with a plenty of all the comforts of life. George Brumbaugh emigrated to Ohio when a young man, about 1807-08. Was married in 1815, and located on the land where Samuel now lives; this farm then had about six acres cleared, and here he spent his life's labors, passing through the scenes and hardships of those early settlers ; he died in March, 1848, aged fifty-eight years ; his wife died in January, 1871, aged eighty-two years. They were parents of two children--Samuel and Catharine. Mr. Brumbaugh served in the war of 1812. Our subject, who was born and raised on the farm where he now lives, was married, September 11, 1845, to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Rife, natives of Virginia, but who became residents of this county about 1837. They were parents of five children, three now living--Jacob, Elizabeth and Mary. Mary was born in Virginia February 11, 1823, and was about thirteen years of age when brought to this county. Mr. Brumbaugh and wife have had seven children--George, Jacob R., Emanuel, Catharine A., Elizabeth E., Sarah J. and Isaac C. After their marriage they located on the old home place with his father, and here he has spent his entire life ; has now been a resident of this farm fifty-eight years ; has a good farm of 185 acres, with good buildings and improvements, and expects to pass the remainder of his days upon the place where his eyes first saw the light of day. Mr. Brumbaugh and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, to which they have belonged for thirty years.

PHILIP CRAWFORD, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Frederick County, Md., September 16, 1818; is a son of' Joseph and Margaret (Mort) Crawford, natives

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of Pennsylvania, but who emigrated to Ohio and located in Montgomery County in 1829, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1832 ; his wife died in 1854. They were parents of four children--Catharine, Philip, Elizabeth and Lydia. The grandfather, Crawford, was a native of' England, and lived but a few years after coming to America, and bat little is now known of his life. Our subject was about eleven years of age when brought to this county by his parents, and about fourteen when his father died, after which he was raised by his mother till he grew to manhood ; was married December 28, 1843, to .Jane, daughter of George and Mary Purcell, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became early settlers of Preble County and later of Warren County. They were parents of six children ; four now living--Foster, Jane, Thomas and Harvey. Jane was born in Warren County. Mr. Crawford and wife have had ten children; seven now survive--John, Mary, Leander, Daniel and Isabell (twins). Agnes and Alice. Mr. Crawford's entire life has been spent in this township since eleven years of age, and has followed the trade of bricklayer until 1875, since which he has given his attention to farming ; he bought the farm upon which he now lives in 184S. purchasing the same of Jacob Harry, and in the spring of 1849, located upon the farm with his family, where he has since resided, a period of thirty-two years. Mr. Crawford commenced in life a poor man, and by his own labor, industry and good management has accumulated a good competency ; he now owns 150 acres of land. constituting three farms, the greater part of which is in good cultivation with good improvements. Mr. Crawford, as a citizen and neighbor, is held in high esteem ; has been Assessor of his township fifteen years. This is an example of success, obtained purely by his own labor and industry, which is worthy of imitation, and which, placed upon the pages of this history, we trust may be read by and produce its salutary effect upon the rising generations.

JACOB DIEHL, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born on the adjoining farm where his brother John now lives, February 24, 1816, whose ancestral history is given in his brother Eli's sketch in this work. Our subject was married September 20, 1842, to Catharine, daughter of David and Catharine Brumbaugh, whose history and ancestors are given in sketch of Samuel Brumbaugh. Mr. Diehl and wife have four children--John W., born July 18, 1843 ; Catharine A., June 20, 1846 ; George L., May 31, 1850, and Samuel P., born July 27, 1856. In the spring of 1814, Mr. Diehl bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. a period of' thirty-seven years. It consists of a quarter-section of good land upon which he has erected good buildings, large and commodious, with everything comfortable and convenient around him, constituting a very pleasant home and farmer's residence. Mr. Diehl, in early life, obtained a good common-school education and taught school several winters. He is a man of' undoubted integrity, commanding the confidence and respect of his community ; has always avoided lawsuits, desiring peace and good will to all. e and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist, Church, having been such for thirty-five years.

JOHN DIEHL, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born on the farm where he now lives, October 31, 1826, is a son of John and Susanna Diehl, whose history is given in sketch of Eli Diehl. The subject of this biography was born, raised and grew to manhood where he now lives ; was married October 2, 1851, to Susanna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Erisman, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became residents of' this county about 1832, where they still reside ; they had nine children ; six now survive--Susanna, Jacob R., John, Matilda, Sarah A. and Andrew. Mr. Diehl and wife have four children--Aaron, Nathaniel, John Q. and Sarah A. Mr. Diehl has passed all his life upon the old home place, except about seven years' residence in the edge of Jackson Township on the farm now owned by William Clayton, and from which he moved back to the old place and scenes of his childhood, which as time advances grow more dear to him, and from which he will probably never part while life remains. Mr. Diehl and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church.

ELI DIEHL, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born in this county and township March 16, 1829, is a son of John and Susanna (Miller) Diehl ; he a native of Penn-

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sylvania, and she of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Diehl, was a native of Bedford County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio and located in Jefferson Township in 1806, residing there many years; thence became a resident of Perry Township, where he lived till his death. He was by trade a cabinet-maker, and followed his trade in connection with farming for many years, being one among the early settlers of this county. When there was no regular undertakers as in our present day, he was often called upon to make coffins, and often delivered them on horseback at a distance of several miles. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Miller, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio and located in Jefferson Township in 1805, where he lived till his death ; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. These were true pioneers of the county, and bore their share of the hardships and deprivations of those early days, and they deserve great credit and a kind remembrance from the present and future generations for the great work they did in bringing to its present condition this beautiful and rich county, with all its productiveness and conveniences. John was about seventeen years of age when brought to this county here he arrived at his majority ; was married and became the father of ten children; seven now survive--Aaron, Jacob, Samuel, Abraham, John, Eli and Noah. Mr. Diehl located on the farm where John now lives ; this land was entered from the Government by his father, and here he commenced right in the woods to make a home and a farm, and of course experienced true log cabin life with all its concomitants ; here he spent his entire life ; he died August 26, 1874, aged nearly eighty-five years. e lived in the times when it took hard labor and industry to win ; when the principal market was Cincinnati, and Mr. Diehl did a great deal of teaming to that place over the then almost impassable mud roads. Our subject was married in October, 1861, to Mary Wilson, a native of this county, by whom he had two children, both deceased. His wife died in February, 1864. On February 22, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Mary A. Bates, daughter of Johnsey and Nancy Randall, natives of' Maryland ; by this union they have had four children ; two now survive--Edwin R. S. and Nellie E. Mr. Diehl, after his marriage, located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided, which joins on the east the old homestead farm where he was born and raised, having lived from childhood to the present time on the same quarter section of land. His place is situated adjoining the village of New Lebanon on the north ; has erected all good buildings upon his farm, and has a very pleasant home convenient to school, church, stores and post office. Mr. Diehl is well and favorably known ; is a man of good education, and in his younger years taught school eight or nine years ; has served as Justice of the Peace ; is a kind neighbor and an excellent citizen.

SAMUEL ERBAUGH, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born in Rockingham County, Va., February 3, 1830, is a son of' Abraham and Susanna Erbaugh, and brother of George, whose sketch appears in this work, in which appears the ancestral history. Samuel was in his fifth year when brought to this county; here he was raised and grew up to manhood. Was married August 22. 1850, to Hester, daughter of Michael and Christina Hay (see sketch of George Erbaugh), by which union they have the following children--Mary, Amy. Rachel, Sus tnna, Michael, Christina, Samuel, John, Harvey and Uriah. Mr. Erbaugh, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now lives, and has since resided; this farm he bought of his father, being a part of the old homestead place, upon which he has erected most of the buildings on the place and made other improvements. and now has a very pleasant home and residence. e and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, to which they have belonged about twenty five years.

GEORGE ERBAUGH, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born on the place where he now lives March 20, 1841, is a son of Abraham and Susanna (Coffman) Erbaugh, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, Jacob Erbaugh, was a native (,f Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather, Abraham Erbaugh, was born in Germany and emigrated to this country about the middle of the eighteenth century, and located in Pennsylvania, where he lived till his death ; he had two sons, Jacob and Abraham, the former growing to manhood and from whom have descended all the families by the name of Erbaugh now

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in America, as far as is known; the latter was a very intelligent. promising youth, but was killed when fourteen years of age, by his team becoming frightened. throwing him from his wagon, which ran over him, killing him almost instantly. The grandfather, Jacob, moved from Pennsylvania to Rockingham County, Va., where he raised his family and resided till the fall of 1834, when he. with his son Abraham and his family, came to Ohio and located in Perry Township on the farm where our subject now lives; here the grandfather lived only about four weeks. when the messenger, Death, called him from works to rewards. He lived just long enough to see the future home of his son and his descendants, when he passed away, aged about seventy-eight years. Abraham, the father, remained upon the place where they first located tilt his death, which occurred October 26, 1871, aged seventy-two years; his widow is still living and resides upon the old home place with her son, George, now eighty-one years of age. They had eleven children; eight now survive--Anna, Sarah, John. Samuel, Abraham. Susanna, Hettie and George. Mr. Erbaugh was a man of firm principles, and very upright in his life and business transactions. Was a worthy and earnest member of the German Baptist Church; was elected Deacon in the church while living in Virginia and afterward became a minister in the same, and finally was ordained to the Eldership. Our subject, who was born, raised and grew to manhood on the farm where he now lives, was married September 27, 1863, to Mary Ann. daughter of Michael and Christina Hay he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio, who were parents of seven children--John, Hester, Salome, Joseph, Michael, Abraham and Mary Ann. By this union Mr. Erbaugh and wife have had ten children ; five now survive-- Laura Bell. Amy K.. Meeda A, George Alger and Ivan Leroy. Mr. Erbaugh has now made a continued residence upon the old home place for forty yews, and anticipates spending the balance of his life upon the place whore his eyes finst saw the light of day. and where are s many hallowed scenes and associations of his early childhood.

JOSIAH A. FOSTER, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont. born in this county and township. November 1831, is a son of Isaac P. and Rebecca (Ware) Foster. he a native of Pennsylvania and she of New Jersey, emigrating to Ohio, locating in Warren County in 1828. The ancestors were of English and Scotch descent, who came to America with the "Pilgrims" in the Mayflower." landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. and were firm in their support of the colonies in gaining their independence. being active in service during the Revolutionary war, and again in the war of 1812. Mr. Isaac Foster, when young, was a drummer boy in gathering recruits for the army. Mr. Foster, after a short residence in Varren County. located in Cincinnati. where he followed his trade--that of' a carpenter--for two years. erecting several buildings far Mr. Longworth, who filled so active a part in the early history of Cincinnati. Thence he moved to Montgomery County, two and one-half miles south of' Pyrmont, where, in a primitive log cabin, our subject was born. Here he resided twenty-three years. Thence removed to Darke County, north of Greenville, and afterward located in Greenville. where he died in January, 1875. He was married in 1821 ; issue. eleven children. seven now living--Kesiah, Josiah A., Henry S., Rebecca W., John \V., Ezekiel L. and Francis M. His wife is living with her son, Henry, at Union City. now seventy-seven years of age. Mr. Foster was a man of great energy. good ability and great moral worth ; one who held the confidence of the people. a Justice of the Peace for many years, an earnest politician and public spirited, leading in all enterprises for the general public good. In the war of the rebellion, he, with nearly all his sons, enlisted in the service of their country. Even his daughter. Kesiah, entered as a nurse in the hospital. One son sacrificed his life, being severely wounded in the battle of Stone River, and died at Nashville. Our subject grew to maturity under his father's care ; was married April 15, 1856, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Joanna Riley, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of New Jersey, their ancestors being among the earliest settlers in this county. John Van Cleve, of the maternal ancestry, is said to be the first male child born in Dayton The grandfather. Tunis Van Cleve, was a soldier in the revolution and died at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Our subject and wife have had eight children: six now survive--Florence E.. Henry C.. Jesse A.,

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Joseph M., Homer M. and Vernon. Mr. Foster for a time was engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloths, thence turned his attention to farming, which business he has since followed. e was in the war, enlisting in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863, serving four months. The record of this family exhibits their ancestors as among the first pioneers of this county and taking prominent and leading positions, active in all the interests of this, then, growing county, and patriotic almost to a fault, giving their lives and their means to the defense of their country. And the same patriotic spirit of the ancestors seems to pervade the Fosters of to-day, and their record is one of which their descendants may delight to read and see recorded upon the pages of history.

JESSE D. HARRY, farmer. P. O. Pyrmont, born in Preble County, April 12, 1819, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Davis) Harry, natives of North Carolina. The grandfather, Sampson Harry, was a native of Wales, emigrating to America prior to the Revolutionary war, serving in that war in defense of the colonies to gain their independence, and was killed in the battle of King's Mountain, in North Carolina. The grandfather, enry Davis, was born in England, emigrated to New Jersey, thence to North Carolina, where he lived and died. e served for a long time as Surveyor, and became Judge of the court at Salisbury, N. C., in which capacity he acted as long as his health and age would permit. Jacob and family emigrated to Ohio, locating in this county in the fall of 1812, residing here several years ; thence he removed into Preble County and resided till spring of 1827 ; thence back to this county, where he resided till his death. which occurred in the fall of 1850. His wife died April 8, 1861. They were parents of seven children ; three now survive--John, Jacob and Jesse D. Mr. Harry was one of the pioneers, coming here about the time of the war of 1812, and, though not in the army as a soldier, yet he did some government service by hauling grain and provisions to St. Mary's, for the army. He was raised with few privileges for an education, but was an upright and industrious man, very robust and muscular, and endured many remarkable hardships. Our subject grew to manhood, was married September 10, 1840, to Delila, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Black) Moore, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia, and who were early settlers in Preble County, locating there about 1812. Mrs. Moore is now eighty-eight years of age and living with our subject, remarkably robust for one of her age, has done a great deal of hard labor in her day and is able now to walk three or four miles with ease. Mr. Harny and wife have had nine children. seven now living--Mary C., Jacob, Perry, Garland, Sarah M., Mantilla and Olive A. Samuel, the eldest son, enlisted in the war of the rebellion, and died of camp diarrhoea, in the Oberlin Hospital, at Memphis, October 18, 1862. In the fall of 1841, Mr. Harry located in Preble County and resided there till the fall of 1850, when he moved back into Montgomery County, where he has since resided ; has been an active, prominent man of Perry Township. Has served as Assessor five years, Township Trustee one year, Justice of the Peace two terms, and was Deputy Marshal for Clay, Perry and Jackson Townships, and County Commissioner for six years. This sketch embraces the history of a family and their ancestors who were among the early pioneers of the county, and whose lives are so fully identified with the progress and events of our county's growth and prosperity, that its record placed here upon the pages of this history will be read by their descendants in grateful remembrance for the great part they have taken in its development.

THOMAS HECATHORN, farmer, P. O. Brookville, born in Pennsylvania, February 1, 1826, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Boyd) Hecathorn, he a native of Pennsylvania and she probably of Virginia. They emigrated to Ohio and located in this county, near where Trotwood is now located, in the summer of 1827. Here they lived on rented farms for a time, thence bought and located on the place now owned by Jacob Comer, where they resided till their death. They were parents of ten children; five now survive--James, Martin, Thomas. Catharine and Abigail. He was a soldier in the war of' 1812. Our subject remained with his father till about twenty-five years of' age ; was married in December, 1850, to Delila, daughter of John and Elizabeth Cox. By this union they had three children--Ellen, David and Eliza. His wife died

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December 18. 1855, aged twenty-six years. On April 2, 1857, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Richard Clayton, a native of Virginia. By this union they have had six children ; three now survive--Almedia, Maud and James. Mr. Hecathorn has always been a farmer by occupation and has spent his married life in Perry Township. He bought the farm upon which he now lives in December, 1835, and located upon the same in the spring following, where he has since continued his residence. The farm consists of about eighty acres, mostly in cultivation with good improvements. e was drafted in the late war of the rebellion, but hired a substitute. He has been Township Trustee several years, besides several other minor offices. e and wife are members of the New School Lutherans, to which they have belonged some eighteen years.

DAVID H. HEETER, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Madison Township, this county, December 3, 1825, is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Kreitzer) Heeter, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Sebastian Heeter, was a native of Huntingdon County, Penn., but became a settler of this county about 1815, locating in Madison Township, and lived and died there. The grandfather, Andrew Kreitzer, a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Ohio and settled in Jefferson Township about 1805, being among the early pioneers. Frederick was about sixteen years of age when brought to this county by his father, Sebastian ; here he grew to manhood inured to the hardships of those early settlers; was married and became the father of twelve children, and, what is remarkable, all are now living, and the youngest of whom is now thirty-eight years of age, viz., Diana. Elizabenh, David, Catharine, Absolom. Daniel, Hannah, Mary, Sarah Ann, John, Lucinda and Eli. Mr. fleeter was a farmer throughout his life, and spent, his days in Madison and Perry Townships. e died in August, 1862, aged sixty-two years. His wife is still living on the old home place, now seventy-nine years of age. Mr. Heeter commenced in life a poor man, but by his industry and economy he acquired a good competency, and when he died left his family very comfortably situated. Our subject remained with his father till nearly twenty-four years of age; was married March 11, 1849, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Clayton, he a native of New Jersey and she of Pennsylvania. By this union they have had seven children ; four now survive--Alfred, Elizabeth. Allen and Ephraim. Mr. Heeter has been a resident of this township during all his married life. He bought and located upon the farm where he now lives in the spring of 1851, having made a continued residence of thirty years. He owns about two hundred acres of land, and on the home place has erected a large brick house and other buildings, having all good improvements, constituting a good home and fine farmer's residence. Politically a Democrat, he has been Township Trustee one term. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, to which he has belonged about thirty-seven years.

JACOB A. HEPNER, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born on Section 34, Perry Township, May 24, 1828, is a son of' John and Elizabeth (Diehl) Hepner. he a native of Rockingham County, Va., and she of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Henry Hepner, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1762 ; the great-grandfather, George Hepner, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1735 ; emigrated to America in 1757, locating in Lancaster County, Penn. In 1760 was married to Utilla Kline ; issue one son and one daughter--Henry and Catharine. Henry Hepner was married to Mary Hyser and soon after moved to Rockingham County, Va. In 1806, emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, and located in Jackson Township, entering land from the Government, a part of which was in Jefferson and a part in Jackson Townships, and here he passed his entire life. e began right in the woods in true pioneer style. carefully selecting a spot where there was a very large oak tree, which he felled to the ground, and around the stump erected a lag cabin, and carefully dressed off the oak stump," which was utilized as a table for a long time. He died, aged seventy-three years His wife lived to the advanced age of nearly ninety-seven years. They had six children--George and Polly (twins). John. Sophia. Lydia and Diana (twins). The four first mentioned were born in Virginia. and he last two in Ohio. John Hepner was born in 1797, being about eight years of age when brought

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to this county. and here he was raised, and grew to manhood inured to the scenes and hardships of true pioneer life. and doubtless ate with good relish many a meal from the " oak stump table." He was married in 1824, and became the father of three sons and four daughters--George. Jacob A.. May. Elizabeth, Rosanna, John and Lydia. Mr. Hepner, after his marriage, located on the southeast quarter of Section 34, in Perry Township. This land he obtained from his father-in-law, Jacob Diehl, who entered it from the Government. He commenced right in the woods with not a stick amiss, and here Mr. Hepner bore his Hill share of pioneer and log-cabin life, the fruits of his labors his descendants are still enjoying ; and here he peacefully passed away from earth with all its toils and labors, in April, 1852, nearly forty-five years of age. His wife died November 29, 1849. She was born in November, 1800, being forty-nine years of age at her death. Our subject was about fourteen years of age when his father died. e remained with his mother on the home place till her death, thence Mr. Hepner and his older brother, George, took charge of the farm and provided for the minor children till they arrived at majority. On April 20, 1852, George and Jacob bought the farm and our subject resided there till August 19, 1857. e was married September 19. 1852, to Eve, daughter of Michael and Barbara Neff, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Pennsylvania. By this union they have had twelve children--Mary C., born August 22, 1853. and died March 26, 1854 ; Minerva, born September 23, 1854 ; Sarah A., April 22, 1856 ; Amanda R., October 9, 1858 ; Elizabeth, December 23, 1860 ; Emma, December 7, 1862 ; Clara, March 22, 1865 ; George W., January 4, 1867 ; Jacob A., April 12, 1870; William A., June 14, 1872 ; Maurice, January 3, 1876, and died June 18, 1876, and Omar V., born February 27, 1877. At above-mentioned date (August 19, 1857), Mr. Hepner with his family located where they now live and have since resided. This farm he purchased of enry Heistand, which at that time had about forty acres cleared ; now he has 115 acres in good cultivation ; has erected all the buildings and made other improvements, and being located just out of the village of Johnsville, it constitutes a very pleasant home and farmer's residence. These early pioneers of whom we have here made this brief sketch; whose lives and labors have produced such extensive results in bringing this then wilderness of a country into its now beautiful farms, possessed of so many comforts and conveniences of life, and whose lives were thoroughly imbued with morality, kindness and good deeds, deserve a most grateful remembrance from their descendants and all future generations who may be the partakers of the benefits of their noble lives and labors.

ANDREW HOUSE, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in Preble County, Ohio, November 29, 1820, is a son of George and Catharine House ; he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania, but who became early settlers in Preble County, probably about 1816, being among the pioneers opening out right in the woods. They were parents of ten children ; four now survive--John, Mary, Sarah and Andrew. Mr. House lived on the farm on which he first located till his death, a period of forty-eight years ; he died September 1, 1864, aged eighty-four years ; his wife died October 4, 1863. aged nearly eighty-two years. Andrew remained with his father till after his majority ; was married September 7, 1843, to Maria, daughter of Joseph and Ann Maria (Hennich) Reichard, natives of Pennsylvania. They were parents of four children ; three now survive--John J., Elizabeth and Maria. His wife died April 29, 1872, aged seventy-five years. Mr. Reichard was born December 3, 1793; is a son of Joseph and Mary Reichard, he a native of Germany and she of Pennsylvania. They lived and died in Pennsylvania; they were parents of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters--Joseph being the only son now surviving, and two daughters--Margaret and Anna. Mr. Joseph Reichard came to Ohio and located in Montgomery County, in what is now Perry Township, in May, 1819, and settled on a piece of land which his brother John had previously entered, and commenced right in the woods to clear up the land and put up a log cabin ; was married January 9, 1816, to Ann Maria Hennich. Mr. Reichard saw much of pioneer life ; he lived in this township till in 1866, a period of forty-six years, when he moved on to a small piece of land just in the edge of Preble County, which he owned, and here he resided till the death of his wife, after which

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he lived with his son-in-law. Mr. House lived in this township for two years, when Mr. House and family, with Mr. Reichard, moved on to the place where they now live and where Mr. Reichard was living at the time of the death of his wife ; here they have since resided. Mr. Reichard has been a very industrious, hard-working man, whose integrity was undoubted, and who has always held the confidence of his community; has held many of the public offices--as Trustee, Constable, Overseer of the Poor, etc. e was in the war of 1812, being one of the few who now survive who were in that war. He is now past eighty-eight years of age, enjoys quite good health, but is blind, having been so about four years. He is very pleasantly situated, living with his daughter, Maria, and her husband, Mr. Andrew House. Mr. House and wife are parents of four children--Joseph, Elizabeth, George and Sarah, all arrived at maturity, married and settled in life, except George, who is still single, and is now a practicing physician at Salem, this county.

HENRY HULL, SR., farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Virginia November 2, 1806, is a son of John and Mary (Rinehart) Hull, natives of Virginia, their ancestors being from Germany. John, with his family, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1820, locating at a place called Old Town, where they lived about two years, thence located in Montgomery County, Perry Township, where they resided till their death. They were parents of five children, who are now living--Henry, David, Elizabeth, Mary and Adam. Henry was about eighteen years of age when he came to this county with his parents, being the oldest child of the family, here they were raised and grew to maturity, inured to the scenes and hardships of this then new country. enry was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Salome Crull, to whom ten children were born, all now living--John, Josiah. Samuel, Henry, David, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Salome, Noah and Edward. He lost his wile by death March 4, 1877. Mr. Hull after his marriage, located on the farm where he now lives, and has since resided, a period of nearly half a century. He started in life with eighty acres of land, which was in the woods, and by his own labors and industry cleared it up and accumulated more means and purchased more land from time to time till he became owner of over 800 acres of land. This is an example of success from holiest labor and economy and good management, which has but few if any equals. and is a record of which his descendants may well feel proud, and from which example the poorest man may take courage and feel that he can succeed it' he only practices the same industry and economy. He has since divided the greater share among his children, thus giving them a good start in life. e is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age. is very deaf, and has been thus afflicted for many years. His farm is now carried on by his two sons--Samuel and Henry--who are unmarried, and make their home with him. Mr. Hull has been a member of the German Baptist Church for many years.

NOTE.--Since the above was written, Henry Hull, Sr., died. his death occurring March 30, 1881.

JESSE D. LEHMAN, farmer and leaf-tobacco-dealer, P. O. Johnsville, was born in this county and township December 6, 1839 ; is a son of Henry and Catharine (Crawford) Lehman, he a native of Ohio and she of Maryland. The grandfather. Henry Lehman, was a native of Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio, locating at New Lancaster, where he resided till about 1825, when he removed to Montgomery County. and here lived till his death. e was the father of eight children, four now survive--Elizabeth, now Mrs. Sharp, living in Indiana ; Henry ; Hannah, now Mrs. Hosier, residing in Dayton ; and David. The grandfather, Joseph Crawford, was born in Frederick County, Md., but became a resident of this county about 1829, where he lived till his death. Henry was eleven years of age when brought to this county by his father ; was raised and grew to maturity inured to the hardships of a new settlement; was married and became the father of' five children--four now survive: Jesse D., Philip, Noah and Margaret, now Mrs. Hull. Mr. Lehman was a cooper by trade, which business he followed about forty years, generally renting his farm, but during his later years has lived mostly retired from all active business. He has been a hard-working, industrious man, who devoted himself closely to his business, never desiring, or holding office ; commenc-

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ing in life a poor man, has, by his own efforts, accumulated a good competency, and now in his advanced years is able to live in comfort, free from the general anxieties of life. Our subject remained with his father, raised to his trade till about twenty-four years of age ; was married December 17, 1863, to Amanda, daughter of John and Mary King, whose history is given in sketch of Eli Wogamon, in this work. Mr. Lehman and wife have three children : Webster Corwin, John Henry and Oliver Warren. Mr. Lehman, after his marriage, gave his attention to farming for about ten years ; thence he entered upon mercantile trade, also in connection with that business engaged largely as dealer in leaf tobacco, and thus continued till May 2, 1880, when he sold out in the mercantile business, and since gives his exclusive attention to buying tobacco, and the superintending of his farm. The farm upon which he resides, he bought in the spring of 1876, and moved onto it in the spring of 1878. Mr. Lehman, from his youth up, has exhibited a general business tact; by his own industry and good management, before he had reached twenty-one years of age, he had saved money enough and bought twenty-four acres of land, giving him a fine start in life ; since which he has improved his means and talents ; kept himself active and accumulating, till now he has a good farm and ample means to live comfortably, and conduct an active trade in leaf tobacco. Although not seeking nor holding offices, as the nature of his business and inclination forbid it. yet a confiding community have pressed him into service as School Director for sixteen years. and a member of the Board of Education during the same period of time.

NOTE.--Since the above was written, Mr. Lehman died ; his death occurring January 21, 1,882.

JOHN W. LONG, farmer, P. O. Brookville, born in this county February 17, 1831, is a son of Isaac and Esther (Miller) Long, natives of Ohio. The grandfather, Michael Long, was native of Pennsylvania, but became one of' the early pioneers of this county, settling here soon after 1800 ; was here through all the Indian troubles, and all the hardships of those early days. Daniel Miller, the maternal grandfather, was also a native of Pennsylvania, emigrating to this county about the same time of the Longs, and were truly pioneers of the country, enduring the trials and dangers which only those early settlers knew and realized. Isaac, being born here, amidst these scenes and dangers, grew up to manhood inured to all the many hardships ; was married, and became father of' ten children--Daniel, John W., Elizabeth, Susanna, Samuel, Isaac. Mary, Henry, Joseph and Harriet. Mr. Long and wife have passed their entire life in this county ; have always followed farming, and were an industrious and prosperous family ; he is now one who has the confidence of his community ; was Township Trustee for several years. Our subject remained with his father till his marriage with Sarah, slaughter of Samuel and Lydia Basore ; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and she of this county. This marriage was celebrated December 22, 1853; by this union they have had seven children, six now survive--Mary E., Samuel H., John E., Elmer I., Susie A., Sadie Ida. After their marriage, they located upon the place where he now lives, and has since resided, a period of twenty-eight years ; he has cleared up a great portion of his farm, and erected all the buildings on the place which, with all the improvements, are good, and constitute a fine home and farmer's residence.

GEORGE MELLINGER, farmer, P. O., Brookville, born in Pennsylvania April 5. 1844, is a son of Joseph and Lydia ( Kissinger) Mellinger, natives of Pennsylvania. Joseph spent his life at farming in Pennsylvania, until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when in the draft made for soldiers he hired as a substitute, but being quite advanced in years and not able to stand the .hardships of a soldier's life, he was discharged from the service and shortly afterward came to Ohio to this county, where he died. His with located near Salem. this county, where she was married to Jackson McNally. with whom she lived till her death, which occurred August 16, 1863. Joseph and Lydia were parents of four children, three now living--William, George and Nancy Bell. Our subject was thrown upon the world at twelve years of age, to work his own way through life. He went here and there, wherever he could find work and a home, and thus continued till seventeen years of age, when in October, 1861, he enlist-

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ed in the defense of his country, in the Seventy-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Mason ; served out his time and re-enlisted as a veteran, and served till the close of the war. His regiment was in the Army of the Cumberland, and he saw and participated in twenty-two different battles, some of the hardest fought battles being those at Shiloh, Franklin, and that at Atlanta, Ga. At the close of the war, he received an honorable discharge and returned home. He was married, May 26, 1868. to Malinda, daughter of David and Nancy Lana (McCormack) Spittler; by this union they have had five children--Ambrose, Edna Irene, Flora Bell, Clara Viola and Lottie Fidella. Mr. Mellinger, after his marriage, lived on rented farms till March. 1880. when he bought and located upon the place where he now lives ; he has twenty acres of good land, with good buildings, constituting a pleasant and comfortable home. Mr. Mellinger has had a "rough-and-tumble'' life, being thrown upon the world when only twelve years of age, and enlisting in the war at seventeen years of age. having e n much of the rough side of' life. Ile is now quite pleasantly located, and we may trust and hope that the balance of his life may be as pleasant and profitable as his past has been rough and unpleasant.

SIMON MIKESELL. general merchant. .Johnsville, born in Bedford County, Penn., April 7, 1839 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Richey Mikesell. natives of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Richey. was probably a native of Pennsylvania, and lived and died in his native State ; he married Mary Whetstone t hey had four sons and four daughters. Mr. Richey was a man of good education, and followed teaching as a profession for several years ; was a devoted brother in the German Baptist Church, and became a minister and a bishop in the same; was one of the most strenuous and exacting kind ; would not enter a house that was carpeted. or ride in a carriage with springs, believing these things tended to evil. John Mikesell was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in Pennsylvania. He died in August, 1839, aged forty-four years. His wife died in the fall of 1857, aged fifty-nine years. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters ; four of whom are living --Mary. Susanna, Samuel and Simon. Our subject was only six months old when his father died. and the whole care and responsibility of' raising and educating Simon. devolved upon his mother, and faithfully did she perform her work. bringing him up to the honorable and healthy labor of firming, with a good, common school education. When he arrived at nineteen years of age death deprived him of his mother. In the fall of 1860. Mr. Mikesell went West, and in the spring of' 1861, on the breaking-out of the rebellion. he volunteered in the defense of his country, and enlisted in the Eighth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served three years ; was engaged in many of the hardest fought battles of the West--at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, etc.. and fortunately, escaped without a wound, and in the summer of 1864, his time of service having expired, be received his discharge at Louisville, Ky. ; thence he entered the employ of the Royer Wheel Company, at Cincinnati, in the turning business ; this business he followed at Cincinnati, Tippecanoe, Harrisburg and Troy about twelve years. Thence, entered as traveling salesman for Studabaker, manufacturer of woolen cloths, for four years. Thence rented the Studabaker factory and ran it one year. Thence entered the mercantile trade in Johnsville, in partnership with Lee Thompson, in September, 1880, in which business he still continues, and is having a good and prosperous trade. Was married, December 25, 1861), to Elizabeth, daughter of' Daniel and Elizabeth Shuss, natives of' Pennsylvania. Mr. Shuss still resides in his native State ; Mrs. Shuss is deceased. They were parents of nine children ; seven now survive--John, Jacob, Daniel, Adam, Mary Ann, Rebecca and Elizabeth. Mr. Mikesell and wife have had, by their union, eight children ; four now living--Freemont, Harvey, Daniel and Edward. Mr. Mikesell and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, in which he has been elected as a minister.

ROBERT MILLIKIN, farmer. P.O. Amity, born in this county Nov. 8, 1833 ; is a son of Mathew and Anna (Hecathorn) Millikin, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Robert Millikin, was a native of' Ireland. who emigrated to America some time in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and was the father of five children. The grand-

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father, Daniel Hecathorn, was a native of Virginia, but became a settler in this county about 1828, where he lived and died. Mathew emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county about 1830, and was the father of seven children ; six now survive--Margaret, Daniel, Robert. Anna, Andrew and Martha. Mr. Millikin was a farmer by occupation, and resided in this county till his death. He died in May, 1848 ; his wife died in June, 1860. Our subject was fifteen years of age at the time of the death of his father, but remained with his mother till after his majority; was married, August 25, 1859, to Barbara, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Garber, natives of Virginia, but who emigrated to this county about 1828, where they lived till her death in April, 1870. He is still living in this township, now over eighty-four years of age. They were parents of nine children ; eight now survive--James, Henry, Josiah, Washington, John, Susanna, Rebecca and Barbara. Mr. Millikin and wife have had seven children ; five now survive--Daniel, George W., Rebecca J., James M. and John R. Mr. Millikin has always resided in this township and followed farming as a business. He bought and located upon the place where he now lives in the spring of 1865. This farm consists of sixty acres of land, mostly in cultivation, with good improvements.

JOHN G. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, was born in Dayton, Ohio, July 4, 1837 ; is a son of John and Sallie Ann (Gest) Mills, natives of New Jersey. Moses Mills, the grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, but removed to Ohio in 1806, beating in Greene County. At this time John was about one year old, and was raised and grew to maturity in Greene and Clark Counties. He became a resident of Dayton about 1834 or 1835, and engaged in mercantile trade for several years. In 1840, he was elected Auditor of the county, and re-elected five times in succession, thus serving in this office twelve consecutive years. In 1852, he bought three quarter sections of school land in Perry Township, and moved on to it in 1853. In 1854, he returned to Dayton and was elected Secretary of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad, which position he held for a short time, and was then appointed Cashier of the Dayton Bank, which position he held till 1857 ; thence removed to his farm and resided on it one year; in 1858, was nominated by the Republican party as a candidate for Sheriff of the county ; was elected and served two years. Soon after the expiration of his office, the war of the rebellion having commenced, he received an appointment from the Government as Provost Marshal for this district, and first located in Hamilton, and thence in Dayton, holding said office until the close of the war, or till the office was abolished, since which time he has lived mostly retired from any active office or business. Having served a long and active life, ever possessing the confidence of the people, and having held many offices of trust, which were filled to the universal satisfaction of the people, and of whose record his descendants may ever feel proud, and which will ever stand on the pages of history as a monument to his memory. e was the father of six children ; three now survive--John G., Charles and Truman B. Our subject was raised in Dayton and remained with his father till his majority, receiving a good education and became a graduate of the Dayton High School ; thence he engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed three years ; thence he entered upon the business of farming, locating upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. Mr. Mills having a thorough education, is capable of filling positions of trust, and of being a great benefit to his neighborhood and community. e has been a member of the school board for twelve years or more. He was married, December 27, 1860, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Daniel and Mary Mundhenk, he a native of Philadelphia and she of New Jersey ; issue, five children--Sallie, Sherman, Daniel C., Rosa and John.

TRUMAN B. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, was born in Montgomery County, June 27, 1847 ; is a son of John and Sallie Ann Mills, whose history appears in the sketch of John G. Mills, in this work. Mr. Mills was raised in Dayton, receiving a good education in the common schools and high school of Dayton. On the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the one-hundred-day service in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Ohio National Guards, under Col. John Lowe, and served through his time of enlistment and returned home ; thence entered as clerk under his father, who was then Provost Marshal, where he remained about one year; thence

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attended the Commercial College of Dayton, after which he became assistant bookkeeper for the wholesale dry goods house of Darst, Herchelrode & Co.. where he remained a few months, thence became bookkeeper for A. B. Darst, thence Deputy Clerk in the Clerk's office at Dayton. But such business proving too confining for his health, he turned his attention to farming. On November 6, 1873, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of Hiram and Jane C. (Williams) Lewis. he a native of New York State and she of Dayton. Mr. Lewis became a resident of Dayton about 1846 ; was married and resided there about five years, thence removed to Painesville, Ohio, and lived till 1855, when he returned to Dayton, where he has since resided. He has been quite a prominent and active man; was engaged in the nursery business for several years, and latterly in the insurance business, and in the manufacture of fruit tree labels. Mr. Mills and wife by their union have three children--Olive B.. born December 5, 1875: Nellie C., born June 14, 1877, and Jennie W., born February 6, 1879. In 1873, Mr. Mills located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, which farm is a part of the school lands bought by his father in an early day. as mentioned in sketch of John G. Mills. The farm consists of 177 acres of land, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence.

JOSHUA V. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this township and county August 31, 1839, is a son of William and Jane Mills, whose history appears in sketches of G. M. Mills in this work. Our subject lived at home with his father till his majority. Was married, November 1, 1866, to Anna, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Myers, whose history appears in sketch of Jacob Myers in this work. Mr. Mills and wife have had six children--Emma, Flora, John, Mattie. Cora C. and Eva Jane. Mr. Mills. after his marriage, located on the farm, where he now lives and has since resided. His farm consists of eighty acres, sixty of which are in cultivation, with good brick house, a good barn and large tobacco shed, which he has erected since he came upon the place, the whole improvements in excellent condition, constituting a fine home and residence. Mr. Mills and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, to which they have belonged twelve years. After the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, Mr Mills answered the call of' his country by enlisting October 28, 1861, in the Seventy-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Mason and served through the war in the army of the Cumberland, and was engaged in many of the hard-fought battles and skirmishes of that army; some of the principal of which were the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Franklin, Nashville, Atlanta, etc., and escaped with but one wound which was obtained at the battle of Nashville; was discharged from the army on the 6th of January, 1866. and returned safely home.

GEORGE M. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in Montgomery County. August 1, 1850, is a son of William and Jane (Campbell) Mills. The grandparents Joshua and Lucy (Curless) Mills, natives of New Jersey; emigrated to Ohio in 1819, living in Warren and Preble Counties for a short time, when, in 1820, moved into the woods in Montgomery County, Perry Township, opening out by cutting the first stick of timber, clearing up a small patch, putting up a log cabin, the wild beasts and deer being very plentiful. Here they made their start in life and endured all the hardships of those early days. They were parents of' nine children; six now survive--Jane. John, Rebecca, William, Sarah and Mary. Mr. Mills was a very industrious, hardworking man, one who was physically and mentally strong, and, during his life, accomplished a great deal of work. He cleared up a good farm and erected good buildings, and enjoyed in his last days the conveniences and comforts of a good farm and home. He died about 1850 or 1851, his wife having died a few years previous to his death. William remained with his father till his majority. Was married, February 10, 1827, to Jane Campbell, a native of Warren County : by her he had seven children ; five now living--Bethany, Samuel, Naomi, Joshua and William. His with died October 17 , 1848. On October 18, 1849, was celebrated his marriage with Jane Smith, daughter of John and Phebe Clemmer, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia; by this second marriage, they had five children--George, Charles Edgar, Eliza Jane, Josiah and Hiram. Mr. Mills followed farming as an occupation, and has always

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resided in Perry Township ; has labored industriously in his younger days, and was reasonably prosperous in his life, accumulated a good competency, and, as old age and infirmity came upon him, he retired to Pyrmont, and, in 1879, gave up all active labor, where he hopes to pass the remainder of his days free from the toils of life. Mr. Mills and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and have been Christian workers for many years. Our subject grew up to maturity under his father's care, brought up to farm labor ; receiving a good education, and, at eighteen years of age, became a teacher and taught school four winters, since which he has given his attention to farming. Was married, October 24, 1878, to Martha Dell, daughter of Levi W. and Sarah E. (Sodders) Mundhenk, he a native of this county, and she of Greene County; they are parents of three children--Clarence Willie, Lizzie Forest and Martha Dell.

CHARLES E. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this county December 9, 1851, is a son of William and Eliza Mills, whose history appears in sketch of G. M. Mills in this work. Our subject lived with his father till about nineteen years of age. Was married August 7, 1870, to Anna, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Dustin) Wysong, he a native of Virginia and she of' Ohio. They were parents of twelve children; ten now living--Hannah, Harrison, Mina, Stephen, Lydia, Elizabeth, Rachel, Jacob, Margaret and Anna. Mr. Wysong became an early settler of Montgomery County, locating here about 1826, and is now living in Preble County, seventy-nine years of age. Mr. Mills and wife have four children--Charles W., Stephen Elva, Hurly O. and Maggie E. Mr. Mills lived in Preble County two years after his marriage, then in fall of 1872 located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. The farm consists of thirty-one acres, mostly in cultivation with good improvements.

DANIEL MUNDHENK (deceased), born in Philadelphia January 18, 1814, is a son of Daniel and Anna Maria Mundhenk, whose history is given in sketch of Charles Mundhenk in this work. Daniel (deceased) came to this county with his father and grew to maturity, inured to the hardships of pioneer life. Was married November 27, 1834, to Mary, daughter of Joshua and Lucy Mills, whose history appears in sketch of George M. Mills in this work; by this union they had eleven children; six now survive--Mary Ann, Rebecca, Eleanor, Daniel, Perry and Charles H. Mr. Mundhenk died October 9, 1875. He was a quiet, unassuming man, who attended closely to his own business; a man of strict integrity; a kind husband and father, providing well for his family; living honored and respected by all who knew him, and died mourned by a large circle of friends, and regretted by a confiding people. He and wife were members of the United Brethren Church to which they belonged for forty years. His widow is still living on a part of the home farm, where she has a good brick house constituting a fine home and residence.

FREDERICK MUNDHENK, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, a native of this county. born July 4, 1818, is a son of Daniel and Anna Maria Mundhenk, whose history appears in a sketch of Charles Mundhenk. in this work. Mr. Mundhenk remained with his hither till twenty-six years of age. He was married, November 30, 1843, to Catharine, daughter of John Hook, a native of' Virginia, who became a resident of Montgomery County about 1830 to 1832. By this union they had five children, three of whom survive--James, William, and Minnie Etta--and two deceased, Mary Elizabeth and Luella. His wife died June 4. 187 0. On June 6, 1872, was celebrated his marriage with Martha, daughter of Charles and Catharine (Share) Fiet, he a native of Germany and she of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fiet emigrated to America in 1805, locating in Pennsylvania, where he was married and resided till 1823, when he removed to Ohio, locating in Warren County, where he resided two years; thence to Preble County, and resided one year; thence into Montgomery County, where he resided till his death, which occurred January 16, 1850. They were parents of ten children, five of whom now survive--Mary, Catharine, Barbara, Martha and Emma. His widow is still living, and is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. Mundhenk. Mr. Mundhenk by his second wife has one child, Frederick. Mr. Mundhenk's entire life has been spent in this county, and in the immediate vicinity of Pyrmont. e has been an active

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and industrious man, and, like his father before him, has done much for the interests and benefit of his community. He ran a steam sawmill for twenty-seven years, seven-teen years of which was on the mill built by his father, and was the first sawmill built in Perry Township. He and his brothers, Augustus and Henry, built the first grist will and the only one ever erected in Perry Township, which mill they ran about sixteen years, when they sold it, and it was removed to Baltimore, on the border of Parke County. Since that time Mr. Mundhenk has lived retired from all active business. We feel justified in saying that his life has been one of activity, honor and usefulness, which can detract nothing from, but rather add further laurels to the history of the Mundhenk family.

JOHN MUNDHENK, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this county and township October 14, 1820, is a son of Daniel and Anna Maria Mundhenk, whose history appears in a sketch of Charles Mundhenk in this work. Our subject maintained his home with his father till twenty-seven years of age He was married in 1847 (the exact date being lost through fire) to Mary, daughter of John and Margaret (May) Levingston, natives of Virginia, by whom he had one child, Samantha, now Mrs. Joseph Shaffer. With her he only lived about two years, when the reaper, Death, took her away. On May 10, 1855, was celebrated his second marriage, with Mary Jane, daughter of William and Martha Sodders, he a native of Pennsylvania. and she of Warren County, Ohio, by whom he has had five children--Ida M., Clarence J., Cora, Howard, and Charles. Mr. Mundhenk, after his marriage, located in Pyrmont, where he entered upon mercantile trade in partnership with George Reid, and about one year after they were burned out, losing their entire stock, when Mr. Mundhenk found himself $1,600 in debt. But their creditors requested them to go on with business again, and they would furnish them with goods. They did so, and continued about eight or nine years, when Mr. Mundhenk, having paid up his indebtedness, bought out his partner, Mr. Reid, and continued the business about three years. He then sold out, and entered upon farming, purchasing the place where he now lives, being a part of the old Mundhenk farm, and here he has since resided. Mr. Mundhenk is a man who has held the confidence of his community. e has been Township Clerk eight years, and a Justice of the Peace six years. Politically, Mr. Mundhenk is a stanch Republican.

CHARLES MUNDHENK, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, a native of Montgomery County, born October 7, 1832, is a son of Daniel and Anna Maria Hagerman) Mundhenk : natives of Germany. Daniel was born at Pyrmont; Germany, December 28, 1777. He lived with his father till he grew to manhood, and at about twenty years of age, being of an enterprising spirit, he gained the idea that there might be a better country for a poor man than that in which he was raised. and he went to Hamburg, and from there, after a residence of over a year, he shipped on board a whaling vessel, and on his voyage reached Greenland ; returned to Hamburg, and finally arrived home to his parents in September, 1800. Was married, in 1803, to Sophia Louisa Sprengel, a native of Holzhausen, by whom he had five children, all now deceased. In 1807, Mr. Mundhenk, with his family and brother Henry, his sister Dorothy, and his uncle, Christian Heydon, after a journey of twenty-eight days, through Prussia and Holland, arrived at Texel, and shipped on board the vessel William P. Johnson," under Capt. Moses Wells, bound for America, and set sail August 22. 1807. After an extremely stormy voyage, during which more than once they gave themselves up as lost and resigned themselves to the care of a merciful God, they arrived safely upon the American coast, and on the 2d of December of the above year landed at Philadelphia. ere he lived till September 9, 1808, when he went with his family to New York, thence to Hartford, Conn., where he entered upon farming, remaining only one or two years ; returned to Philadelphia. and here, on November 11, 1811, was called to mourn the death of his beloved wife. On July 30, 1812, he married Anna Maria Hagerman, by whom he had eight children ; four now survive--Henry, Frederick, John and Charles. From Philadelphia, about 1815, he removed to Lancaster County, Penn., and early in 1817 came to Ohio, and shortly after located in Montgomery County. ere he became a pioneer in Perry Township, entering one-fourth section of land, entered upon

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the arduous task of clearing up the land from its primeval growth of forest timber to make a farm and a home. He toiled on from year to year, and in a short time became owner of more land, and finally became possessor of 600 acres, embracing the very ground upon which the village of Pyrmont now stands. He laid out the town, gave it its name after the name of his native place in Germany, and in honor and memory of which stands engraved upon his tombstone his name as proprietor of Pyrmont. On July 4, 1835, he was called to mourn the death of his second wife. On August 3, 1841, he married Mrs. Margaret Hubler, by whom he had one child, Caroline. He died in March, 1859, honored and beloved by a large circle of friends, and by all who knew him--a man of undaunted integrity--one who had seen the rough side and endured the many trials and hardships of pioneer life, having seen this country in its wildest state; but through his and others sturdy strokes lived to see the forests disappear, and waving fields of grain to take their place ; the rude and primitive log-cabin and schoolhouses supplanted by fine frame and brick houses, and the comforts and conveniences which labor and wealth are sure to bring to prevail. His life was one of success and usefulness ; having the unbounded confidence of the people, he was elected to and served in nearly all the offices of his township. A man of great heart, kind, and given to all just and benevolent purposes, truly public spirited, always first and foremost in all public enterprises ; and in his death his family lost a kind father and husband, and the public a great benefactor. Our subject, the youngest son of his father, remained with him till after his majority. was married, November 23, 1854, to Rachel, daughter of George and Rachel Ivens, natives of New Jersey, but who became early settlers of this county, probably locating here about 1825. Rachel was born November 19, 1835, in this county and township. By this union they have had five children ; four now survive--Elizabeth F., Carrie, Mary and Berdie. Mattie, the second child, died April 11, 1874, nearly sixteen years of age, just budding into womanhood. Mr. Mundhenk has always remained upon the old home place; has a beautiful home, with good buildings and improvements, and all the conveniences, constituting a pleasant home and residence, and which are doubly endeared to him by the fond recollections of his childhood, and the many works in sight the handiwork of his noble father. Mr. Mundhenk. though holding no offices of public trust, is such from choice, having refused repeatedly to accept them, which have often been pressed upon him by a confiding people, as he is a man of good literary attainments, great moral worth and undoubted integrity. This brief sketch is of a family whose life's labors form such a part of the history of this township, and are held in such high esteem by all who know them, that we feel we have been incompetent in the space we have to devote to this subject to do them the justice they deserve ; but trust we have so far portrayed the general character of their useful lives as to carry their memory down to future generations, who shall cherish and honor them long after their forms shall lay moldering in the dust.

L. WILLIAM MUNDHENK, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, is the youngest son of Mary Ann Mundhenk, who was born in Germany, February 13, 1790, and is a daughter of' John enry and Anna Maria Felt, natives of Germany. In the fall of 1806 they determined to emigrate to America, their country then being engaged in war, it was expected that all their sons old enough to do military duty would be forced into the army, it was arranged that the mother and her children should proceed to America and Mr. Feit should follow the next year, or as soon as possible By strategy and careful management, the family eluded the sentries, and arrived at Amsterdam, where they obtained passes to America and set sail on the ship Cornelia," under Capt. Delmore. But before reaching the ocean, while passing through the English Channel, the mother was taken sick and died, and by the kindness of the Captain they were permitted to take her body on shore where it was buried. Then the children were left alone, without father or mother, and continued their journey, and in due time landed safely at Philadelphia where the children were " sold" or bound out to pay their passage. The father. who remained in Germany, tried to follow his family, but as he was aged and no friends with him. he was refused passage, and before an opportunity came for him to get away he was taken sick and died. Mary Ann, the mother of our subject, after

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serving three years in Philadelphia to pay her passage, continued to work out till June 4, 1812, when she married Lewis Mundhenk. a native of Germany, and on the next day they departed for Yew York, where they resided four years ; thence removed to Ohio, locating in Montgomery County, near Germantown, and a few years after located on the place where she now lives and has since resided ; being the first and only settler at that time between Lewisburg and Brookville. Here they opened out in the woods in an open log cabin in November in the midst of a deep snow ; here they toiled and labored year after year to make a farm and a home, Aunt Mary" proving a true helpmeet, being robust and healthy. She would chop wood. grub. make fence, etc., would do more work than half the men. They knew no such word as " fail," and they did not, but cleared up and became owners of a large farm, erected large and commodious buildings, and now have a beautiful home and farmer's residence. But for twenty-one years before the death of Mr. Mundhenk, his mind became affected from religious excitement, so that he was unfitted for business ; and during this time especially appeared the great powers, mentally and physically, of Aunt Mary," who, with her children, took charge of and kept the business of the farm moving right along ; and we may safely say that not one woman in a thousand has gone through or could go through the hardships and trials she has endured. She has been the mother of' eleven children, seven grew to maturity; five now survive--Anna Maria, Philip, Lewis, Daniel E. and L. William. Mr. Mundhenk departed this life April 10, 1859. Since his death his wife has resided with our subject on the old home farm. William was married September 11, 1857, to Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. William and Martha Sodders, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. William and wife have three children--Martha Dell, Clarence W. and Lizzie Forest. We have here a brief sketch of one of the early pioneers, and whose labors and hardships are but partially portrayed, yet we trust we have placed enough on these pages of history to carry her in grateful remembrance to the descendants of future generations, who shall have to sow and reap much from the benefits of her many labors.

JACOB MYERS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 17, 1818, is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Harnish) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania, and who lived and died in their native State. They were parents of twelve children, ten growing to maturity, and nine now living--Ann, Rudolph. Barbara, Mary. Jacob, Fannie, Elizabeth, Mattie and Abraham. Our subject remained with his father till his majority; was married in 1813 to Catharine, daughter of John and Anna Hiller, natives of Pennsylvania ; issue nine children ; eight now survive--Anna, John, Jacob, Allen, Mary E., Emma, Amanda and Ida. Mr. Myers came from his native State to Ohio in the spring of 1845, and bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, a period of thirty-six years. His first purchase was 160 acres from John W. Harris, from which he has since sold sixty acres, leaving him 100 acres, which is of excellent quality, and mostly in cultivation. with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine home and farmer's residence. Mr. Myers has been one of the industrious farmers of Perry Township, a man of integrity and honor, and who has been very successful in life ; has the confidence of the people and his community ; has held several offices of trust in the township ; was Township Treasurer for several years, and has been a man whose life and history form quite an integral part of the history of' this township, and as such we take pleasure in placing it upon the pages of this book for the benefit of' his descendants and of future generations.

ABRAHAM NEFF, farmer, P. O. New Lebanon, born in Jefferson Township, this county, June 7, 1818 ; is a son of Michael and Hester ( Weaver) Neff ; he a native of Kentucky and she of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Leonard Neff, was probably a native of Virginia, and afterward a resident of Pennsylvania, thence became a settler in Kentucky. near Boonsboro. about 1793 or 1794, and lived and died there, being one among the early settlers, and shared fully in the dangers and trials with the Indians and the war of 1812. He died about 1844 or 1845, aged eighty years. Michael Neff was born, raised and grew to manhood in Kentucky, under the sturdy in-

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fluences of pioneer life, and about 1815 emigrated to Montgomery County, locating in Jefferson Township, where he resided till the spring of 1828, when he came into Perry Township and located on the farm where our subject now resides, and here he lived till his health failing he resolved to visit the White Sulphur Springs of Virginia and try to recuperate his health, but he failed to reach there, dying in Charleston, Va., in July, 1851, aged fifty-seven years. His wife died many years previous, probably about 1825. They were parents of four children ; three now survive--Abraham, Michael, now a resident of Texas, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Friedline, living in Indiana. Mr. Neff was thrice married; his second wife was Barbara Flory, by whom he had six children ; four now living--Sarah, Joseph, Eve and Jonathan. His third wife was Mrs. Lydia Flory, by whom he had two children ; one now surviving--Susan; one deceased--George; was killed in the army at the battle of Chickamauga. The maternal grandfather, Peter Weaver, was born in Baden, Germany, emigrating to America when a young man, locating in Pennsylvania, where he married and lived several years; thence became one of the early settlers of Montgomery County about 1806, residing here several years ; thence locating in Darke County, and finally in Northern Indiana, where he and his wife died. Our subject remained with his father till after his majority, and being born here, was familiar in childhood with the roughness of pioneer life, and obtained his limited education in the primitive log schoolhouse; was married January 9, 1840, to Tracey, daughter of Gabriel and Margaret Billmyer, natives of Maryland, who became residents of this county in 1827, where they resided many years ; thence, about 1848, moved to Illinois. where they lived till their death. They had thirteen children ; nine now survive--Margaret, Susan, Tracy, Charity, Martin, Harrison, Caroline, Ruan and Thornton. Mr. Neff and wife have had fifteen children ; ten survive--John, Maranda, Allen, Mary, Maggie, Amelia and Althea (twins), Peter, ettie and Minnie. Mr. Neff has passed all his married life on his present farm, except the three first years spent in Defiance County, Ohio, having made a continued residence here of thirty-eight years. His farm consists of 157 acres of land, with good buildings and improvements, which are of his own erection, and has everything comfortable and convenient around him. Ile is a man well and respectably known in his community ; has held the office of Township Trustee three years, and other local offices. He and his wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church.

NOAH RHOADS, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont. About 1810, Jacob and Catharine Rhoads emigrated from Bedford County, Penn., to Ohio, and located in Montgomery County, where they resided till their deatb. They came here in indigent circumstances, but by industry and economy, became possessed of an ample competency, owning a good farm and home with the comforts of life. They were parents of eight children ; six now living--Betsey, Jacob, Nancy, Abraham, John and David. Jacob, the second child and the father of our subject, was born in Bedford County, Penn., August 22, 1 S05, and consequently, when brought to this county by his father was about five years of age. ere he was raised and inured to the hardships of pioneer life ; they being strictly pioneers--the settlers at that time being few and far between--the country mostly a dense forest, inhabited by wild beasts and Indians. Mr. Rhoads has been twice married. First to Barbara Souders, by whom he had ten children ; eight now living--Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Jonas, Hiram, Catharine and Malinda. His second wife was Maria, daughter of Nicholas and Margaret Shade, natives or Pennsylvania. By her he had five children ; four now survive--Margaret, David, Henry and Amanda. Mr. Rhoads, like his father, has been a hard-working, industrious man, and has prospered and accumulated a good property. e purchased the farm upon which he now lives about thirty-four years ago and has since resided there. He is now in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and has been a resident of Montgomery County seventy-one years, and his life and labors made up quite an integral part of the early history of this country. Our subject, the eldest son of Jacob and Barbara Rhoads, was born October 27, 1830, in Montgomery County, was raised here, remaining with his father till his majority ; was married, April 3, 1856, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Rachel Thompson, natives of Ohio, and whose lives have been mostly identified with Montgomery

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County. By this union they have had seven children ; six now survive--Levi, Allen, Lawrence, Abner, Charles and Luella. e lost his wife by death January 5, 1878. Mr. Rhoads started out in life, working out by the month for wages ; then rented farms for a time, and thus by industry and economy saved money, by which he purchased a farm. He became owner of the farm where he now lives in March, 1873, where he has since resided. Has erected nearly all the fine buildings upon the place. Has a good improved farm, and every convenience for the comforts of life. Is now one among the most prominent farmers of Perry Township, and has accumulated most of his property by his own industry, economy and good management.

PETER RHOADS, farmer, P. O. Brookville, born in this county and township January 13, 1835, is a son of Jacob and Barbara Rhoads, whose history appears in sketch of' Noah Rhoads in this work. Our subject remained at home till after his majority Was married, November 4, 1858, to Many Magdalene, daughter of David and Grizza Ann Spittler, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. They were parents of five children, four now living--William. Mary M., Catharine and Grizza Ann. Mr. Rhoads and wife by their marriage have six children, five now survive--William H., born August. 18. 1859; Ida Isabel, January 31, 1862 ; Minerva Adele. July 9, 1863 ; Simon Peter, January 30, 1870; and Althea Orilla, January 27, 1876. Mr. Rhoads has made farming his occupation throughout his life. In the spring of' 1867, he bought and located upon the place where he now lives and has since resided. He started out in life with but little means and a very limited education, having in his childhood days enjoyed but few advantages of schools ; but his life has been one of remarkable success, showing a natural ability and energy which, when coupled with industry and close application to business, has procured him a good competency. He has an excellent farm, with fine large buildings, which he has erected by his moans and labor, and has brought everything into convenient and comfortable condition, constituting a very pleasant home and farmer's residence. He now owns 165 acres of land, the greater portion of which is in good cultivation. He is an example of success in business life by his own industry and good management, without the aid and help of education, which is worthy of imitation and encouragement. by others, and which is rarely seen under like circumstances.

STEPHEN SWIHART, farmer, P. O. West Alexandria. Preble Co., born in this county May 18, 1827, is a son of Jonathan and Sophia , (Cloyd) Swihart, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia. The grandfather, Adam Swihart, was born in Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Ohio and located in Jackson Township in 1805. Here he participated in the pioneer work of opening out the country, which was then mostly a dense forest, and filled with wild beasts and Indians. Here he spent most of his life. till in his later years he moved into Preble County, where he died. The grandfather Cloyd was among the first settlers of' Preble County, entering his land right from the Government, which he held till his death, after which the estate was divided among the heirs, and Jonathan Swihart took that portion of the property lying in Jackson Township, this county, to whom the court made a deed, being the first sale of' the land wade alter its entry from the Government. Here Jonathan resided till his death. over half a century. e died September 19, 1876, aged seventy-four years his wife is still living on the home place, seventy-six years of age. They were parents of eight children, six now survive--James, Stephen, Jonathan, Catharine, Eliza and Anna. Our subject remained with his father till after his majority. Was married January 17, 1850, to Hannah, daughter of Andrew and Salome Clemmer, natives of Virginia, but who were among the first settlers of Perry Township, this county. They had eleven children, six now living--George L., David H., Andrew, Sallie, Mahala and Hannah. Mr. Swihart and wife have had twelve children, eight now survive--Francis M., William enry, James Oliver, Alva Walter. Mahala F.. Eliza Jane, Lovina Alice and Sarah Ann. Mr. Swihart, after his marriage, lived a few years in Indiana, thence located in this county, and in 1859 bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. This sketch gives a brief' history of two pioneer families of this county, who went through all the many dangers, trials and hardships of that

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early day which only those who endured them fully knew and realized. Their first productions only found a market at Cincinnati, a distance of fifty miles. They hauled flour to Cincinnati over mud roads almost impassable, and sold it for $1.25 per barrel. These were times that " tried men's souls," and too much praise and honor cannot be given them by the present and future generations for the great labors they performed, the benefits of which they are enjoying and will continue to enjoy for ages to come.

CHRISTIAN VOGE, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Germany, March 21, 1840, is a son of Henry and Margaret Voge, also natives of Germany, but in September, 1847, they emigrated with their family to America, and landed at New Orleans, thence by steamboat to Cincinnati, thence by canal they came to Dayton, thence by two-horse wagon to West Alexandria, Preble County, where they soon located on a farm and resided till the spring of 1872, when Christian, our subject, bought and located upon the farm where he now lives ; then his father and mother came here and lived with him till Henry's death, which occurred October 22, 1874. The mother is still living with our subject, now in the sixty-seventh year of her age. They were parents of nine children, seven now living Harmon, born December 17, 1837 ; Christian ; John, November 22, 1842 ; Detrick, December 9, 1848 ; enry, April 7, 1851 ; Anna Margaret, June 28, 1855, and Charles, June 24, 1858. Our subject was in his eighth year when brought to this country. ere he was raised and grew to manhood ; was married April 13, 1880, to Lena, daughter of Frederick and Mary Sandman, natives of Germany, and who arc still residing there. They are parents of seven children, six now living - Henry, Sophia, Anna, Dora, Lena and Frederick. The two sons snill live in Germany, the oldest living on the home farm, and the youngest is a teacher ; the four daughters having emigrated to this country. Three of them, Sophia, Anna and Dora reside in Cincinnati, all married and settled in life. Mr. Voge's farm consists of 188 acres, the greater portion of which is in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. This family, of whom we have written this sketch, came to this country with but little means, but by their own industry and labor, have become possessed of a good competency, Mr. Voge now owning a large farm with good improvements, which is one of the best in his neighborhood, and cost him over $13,000, and which he has nearly all paid for. This is an example of industry and prosperity worthy of imitation by all future generations.

GEORGE W. WARVEL, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in this county and township, November 7, 1839, is a son of' George and Elizabeth (Haynes) Warvel, natives of Rockingham County. Va. The grandfather, Christopher Warvel, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Virginia, where he died. The grandfather, Jonas Haynes, was probably a native of Maryland, but removed to Virginia, where he lived and died. George and family emigrated to Ohio, locating in Warren County, in the summer of 1823, residing there about six years, when they came to Montgomery County, locating in Perry Township, where they resided until their death. He died in May, 1864. and his wife in December, 1863. They were parents of five children. Three now survive --Jonas, Christina and George W. Mr. Warvel was a farmer through life, a hardworking, industrious man, and religiously of the United Brethren faith.. Our subject lived with his father till his death ; was married August 23, 1863, to Lydia, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Wogamon (see sketch of' Eli Wogamon). Mr. Warvel and wife by this union have had four children; two now survive--Ephraim and Elizabeth. Mr. Warvel has spent his entire life in Perry Township ; has given his attention to various kinds of business as circumstances seemed to justify; has followed the carpenter trade considerably, erecting a great many buildings in his neighborhood ; has run a threshing machine three seasons, and has been one season in the sawmill business. He is a large, muscular man, industrious and economical, and one who believes in " wearing, and not rusting, out ;" has the confidence and respect of his community ; has been Township Trustee. is a kind neighbor and a good citizen.

DAVID WEAVER, farmer. P. O. Brookville, born in Greene County, Ohio, January 18, 1823, is a son of Martin and Susanna (Jordon) Weaver, natives of Virginia, the ancestors being written up in the sketch of W. A. Weaver, in this work.

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Martin emigrated from Virginia to Ohio while a young man, about 1815. and located in Greene County, where he was married and lived about six years; thence moved to Montgomery County, near Gettersburg, and lived there a few yeans ; thence moved into Madison Township, on Wolf Creek, where he lived till his death. His with lived till March 19, 1875, when she too passed away nearly seventy-seven years of age. They were parents of fourteen children ; nine now survive--David, Eliza, Sarah, Jemima, Martin, John, Adeline, Susanna and Catharine. Mr. Weaver was one of the early pioneers of this county, who endured the many hardships of that early day. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. H e and wife were both active and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, he for many years and she for a period of thirty years, and raised her large family under her watchful care and earnest prayers. Our subject remained with his father till January 4, 1844, when he was united in marriage with Anna Mary, daughter of Richard and Margaret McSherry, natives of Adams County, Penn., who emigrated to Ohio and settled in this county in 1834, where he resided till his death, which occurred December 4, 1874, aged seventy-four years. e was an honest and industrious citizen, respected and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. From a small beginning he had accumulated a good competency, and in his later years enjoyed the comforts of his labors. In 1872, was celebrated their golden wed-ding, the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, at which time there was a pleasant reunion of relatives and friends. His venerable wife is still living at Germantown. now seventy-nine years of age. Mr. Wearer and wife have four children, Sarah Jane, Margaret S., Daniel R. and Mary J. C. Mr. Weaver's life has been that of a farmer. He bought and located upon the place where he new lives, in February, 1848 ; has resided there thirty-three years ; is highly esteemed and respected ; has been Township Trustee several years. He and with are earnest au d consistent members of the Lutheran Church, to which they have belonged over forty years.

PETER S. WEAVER. farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this county, Jefferson Township, January 29, 18411, is a son of Peter and Cassidiana ( Fisher) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Michael Weaver, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio with his family and located in Jefferson Township in .June, 1804, being one of the early pioneers, locating on Little Bear Creek, three miles north of Miamisburg. Here he opened out right in the woods, and experienced all the wildness and hardships of those pioneer days, and here he lived and died. The maternal grandfather Frederick Fisher, was also an early settler here a few years later than the Weaver family. Peter Weaver was in his eleventh year when his father brought them to this new country ; was raised and inured to the many hardships of pioneer life ; grew to maturity ; was married and became the father of four children, three now living--John. Henry P. and Peter S. Mr. Weaver was twice married, and the first two children mentioned above were by his first with, and the last mentioned by his last wife ; he died July 20, 1879, aged nearly eighty-six years ; his with is still living, now eighty-one years of age. Mr. Weaver was a carpenter by trade and a natural mechanic. being able to make and construct almost anything made from wood. He made quite a leading business of manufacturing wind mills for many years ; he made and put up the first one ever erected in Ohio, and at the time was only nineteen years of age. e was a remarkably hard-working, industrious man, of undoubted integrity of character, an active church member, being a member of the Lutheran Church sixty years or more, and holding all the prominent offices in the church--Trustee, Deacon and Elder ; one who gave freely of his labor and means to build churches and support the Gospel, and in his death the community lost a worthy citizen and the church an earnest worker. Our subject lived with his father till his majority. Was married, March 1, 1860. to Huldah Anna, daughter of James and Sarah Sharits, he a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania, becoming residents of this county about 1830 ; by this union they have had nine children, six now survive--Adelia M., Martha M., Sarah C., Adam C., Margaret A. and Amanda E. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, resided with his father and carried on his farm eight years ; thence bought and located in Jackson Township till in 1876 he sold out, and in the fall of 1878 bought and located upon his present

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farm, which consists of sixty-five acres, fifty of which are in cultivation with good buildings and improvements, constituting a very pleasant home. Mr. Weaver, by his industry, acquired a good competency, but has met several losses--had his barn burned, lost quite heavily by a severe storm, and some by bad debts; estimating all his losses since his marriage from above causes to reach at least $4,000. Notwithstanding, he still lives comfortably fixed, and has the right faith and courage to go on and take life agreeably. Mr. Weaver follows the footsteps of his father in his devotion to Christianity ; became a member of the Lutheran Church when seventeen years of age, and was taken into the church by one of the first preachers of this denomination in this county, Rev. Henry Heinaker ; since living at his present location, he is a great distance from any Lutheran Church, and for convenience he and his wife have joined the United Brethren Church.

WARREN A. WEAVER, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this county March 20, 1850, is a son of Martin V. and Eliza (Zehring) Weaver, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. The great-grandfather, Michael Weaver, emigrated from Germany and settled in Virginia, where he lived and died ; also the great-grandfather, Joseph Jordon, was from Germany. and came to Virginia, where he died. The grandfather, Jacob Weaver, and wife, Anna Catharine, came from Virginia to Ohio and located in Greene County in 1817, where they resided till 1830, thence moved into Montgomery and lived here till their death; he died in the fall of 1854, and she in June, 1874 ; issue, eight children ; six now survive--John J., George, Martin V., Levi. Jacob and Sophia. Mr. Weaver was a man of limited education, possessing in his boyhood days but meager advantages of schools, and being among the early pioneers endured the hardships and deprivations of those times, was a very industrious hardworking man, and whose character and integrity was undoubted. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Martin V. was a carpenter by trade. Was married, April 26, 1849, to Eliza, daughter of' David and Christine Zehring, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became residents of Warren County, Ohio, about 1820, where they resided till about 1831, thence moved into Perry Township, Montgomery County, where they resided till his death in June, 1863 ; his wife is still living with her daughter, now nearly eighty years of' age. Martin V. was born December 16, 1823 ; Eliza was born May 25, 1826 ; by their union they have had eight children, five now living--Warren A., Alvin C., Alma M., Charles E. and Arthur G. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, located at Liberty, Jefferson Township, where he followed his trade in connection with the undertaking business till 1864, when, after the death of his father-in-law, he moved on to his old home place, where he continued his former business till 1873, when he sold out everything connected with that business, since which he has engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and buying leaf tobacco. e owns seventy-five acres of land, fifty-one acres constituting the home place just at the outskirts of Johnsville, upon which he has remodeled the house and erected other buildings, and now has everything in good condition constituting a beautiful home and residence. Mr. Weaver is one of those active, stirring men who never " rusts out," and one who holds the confidence of his community ; has been Township Trustee two years and School Director for many years ; has given all his children a good education, who have nearly all become school teachers, and filling positions of trust and usefulness. Our subject remained with his father till nearly twenty-one years of age. Was married, January 1, 1874, to Elizabeth, daughter of David and Elizabeth fleeter, natives of this county ; by this union they have four children--Florence V., Perry W., Lulu C. and one infant. Mr. Weaver received a good education, and taught school two winters; thence bought and located upon the place where he now resides; the farm consists of thirty-six acres, all in cultivation, with good improvements, and is a very pleasant home. Mr. Weaver has served one term as Township Clerk.

DAVID W. WOGAMON, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born in Madison Township, this county, October 3, 1823, is a son of John and Sarah (Weidner) Wogamon, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. Christian Wogamon, the grandfather of

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our subject, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and settled in the southeast part of Perry Township in 1805, and was one of the first settlers of this township ; here he entered his land and commenced right in the woods, and lived and died here. John, who was in his eighth year when his father first located here, grew to manhood, inured to the hardships of pioneer life ; was married, still residing with his father for a short time, then bought and located on a farm just in the edge of Madison Township, where he lived till about 1850, when he sold out and bought a piece of land which included the farm upon which our subject now lives, and also the farm adjoining it on the south ; here he lived till about 1871, thence moved into Jefferson Township, where he still resides, now in his eighty-fifth year. His wife died about 1842. They had nine children--Joel, David W., Christian. Hannah, Margaret, John, Jacob, Sarah and Manassa. He married for his second wife Mrs. Susanna Bilheimer, with whom he lived several years, when she died; for his third wife he married Mrs. Catharine Barks, with whom he now lives. Mr. Wogamon started in life a poor man ; saw many hardships of those early days, while the wild beasts and Indians were plentiful throughout this section. But by constant labor and a frugal and upright life, he gained a good competency. and can now rest from his labors in his later years. e was throughout his life a worthy member of the German Baptist Church. The maternal grandparents, David and Mary Weidner, were also early settlers of this county. locating here shortly after Christian Wogamon ; they lived and died here at the advanced age of eighty years. Our subject lived with his father and made that his home till twenty-five years of age ; was married in the spring of 1851 to Barbara Wogamon, by whom he had three children, two now living --John Henry and Barbara Ellen. His wife died September 29, 1855. On September 7, 1856, he married Mrs. Patience Clemmer, by whom he had two children, one now living--George W. His second wife died March 12, 1862. For his third wife he married Mrs. Grace Mundhenk, daughter of William and Jane Garwood, by whom he has had four children ; three now survive--Sarah J., Emma May and Lucy M. His wife has one child living by her first husband, Anna M. Mr. Wogamon bought and located upon his present farm, where he has now resided twenty-nine years ; has a good farm of fifty acres ; has cleared up thirty-five acres of' it : has erected a good brick house and other buildings, and has a pleasant home and residence. This sketch is of one of the first pioneer families of this township. whose lives have been made up of hardships and usefulness, and whose character for honor. integrity and moral worth is undoubted ; and of such lives their descendants in years to come can read, and feel to praise them for their many labors and good works.

ELI WOGAMON, farmer, P. O. Johnsville, born in Montgomery County, March 14, 1840, is a son of Joel and Elizabeth (Overholzer) Wogamon, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather is fully written of in the sketch of D. W. Wogamon, in this work. The maternal grandfather, Philip Overholzer, was a native of Pennsylvania. who became one of the early settlers of this county. Joel was but a child when brought to this county by his parents, was raised and grew to manhood inured to the scenes and hardships of that early pioneer life; was married and became the father of thirteen children, eleven now survive--David, John, Mary, Susanna, Benjamin, Christian, Elizabeth, Eli, Lydia, Joel and Michael ; was a farmer by occupation. and spent his entire life in Perry Township ; was a very industrious man, and acquired a good competency, becoming owner of 240 acres of land before his death, and all obtained by his own labor and industry. Our subject lived with his father till after his majority ; was married, in the fall of 1861, to Eliza Jane, daughter of John and Mary King, natives of Virginia, who became pioneers of this county, locating on Section 20, Perry Township, in 1815 ; they were parents of' six children, four now survive--Eliza Jane, Sarah, Lucinda and Amanda. Mr. Wogamon and wife have five children--Philip, Nettie Jane, Ephraim, Elmer and Arthur. Mr. Wogamon has always resided in this township, and has followed farming as an occupation, and ever since his marriage has lived on the farm where he now resides, except five years, during' which he lived on David Hull's farm. His farm consists of fifty-five acres, mostly in cultivation, situated on the northwest quarter of Section 21. this township.

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ABRAHAM WOMBOLD, merchant and Justice of the Peace, Johnsville. a native of Montgomery County, born January 24, 1838. is a son of John and Susan ( Williams) Wombold, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Andrew Wombold, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and lived and died there. He was the father of eight children, four now survive--Tobias, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Henry Brown) John and Peter. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Williams, was born in Pennsylvania and lived and died there. John with his family emigrated to Ohio, locating in the eastern part of the State, where they resided several years, thence moved to Montgomery County, where he still resides. His wife departed this life September 10, 1874. They had fourteen children, six now survive--Abraham, John, Mathias, Eliza (now Mrs. Newsock), Mary Ann (now Mrs. Heistand) and Lydia Ann (now Mrs. Keafaurer). Mr. Wombold is a boot and shoemaker by trade, which business he followed several years, thence entered upon farming, which he followed about twenty-five years, during which time he raised his large family to the healthy and honest labor of farming. About 1868, he located in Johnsville, and again took up his former trade, which he has since followed. e is now seventy-two years of age, but looks much younger, being very robust and active for one of his age. Our subject, at eighteen years of age, left home to learn the carpenter trade, and followed that business till 1874, with the exception of three years' service in the army. e enlisted August 22, 1862, in the One Hundredth and Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was afterward consolidated with the Sixty-third Regiment, in which he served till the close of the war. He served in the Army of the Cumberland and was favored in passing through the war without a wound. He had five brothers in the service--all volunteers--two of whom, George and Henry, never returned, but died of disease contracted from hardship and exposure, Henry in the hospital at Corinth, Miss., and George at Charleston, Va. After 1874, Mr. Wombold followed farming three years. In February, 1878, he bought of Gilbert Davis his stock of merchandise in Johnsville and entered upon the mercantile trade, in which business he has since continued. Mr. Wombold started in life with no capital but a good physical constitution and willing hands. With these he went to work and with his firmness of character and integrity he has won the confidence of the people, has a good stock of merchandise with a good trade, which is yearly increasing. He was Township Clerk three terms and is now Justice of the Peace, which office he has held for six years. On June 19, 1859, Mr. Wombold was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of William and Marger Ann Wallace, natives of Virginia, by whom he has had six children--Erven Leroy, Elmer, Lizzie Vinnettie, Charles W., Maud and Ruthie Bell.

JOSEPH R. WRIGHT, farmer and mail carrier, P. O. Pyrmont, born in this county and township, February 12, 1837, is a son of Aaron and Ruth C. (Hackett) Wright, natives of New Jersey. The maternal grandparents, Aaron and Ruth (Maxwell) Hackett, were natives of New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren County, in the spring of 1805, at Waynesville. There they resided till 1829, when they removed to Illinois. The great-grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Jones) Maxwell. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Jones. They had six children--Usher, born September 24, 1733; Elizabeth, born September 5, 1744 ; Ruth, born November 9, 1745 ; Thomas, September 24, 1750 ; Mary, September 4, 1753 ; Sarah, born March 28, 1756. John and Elizabeth Maxwell were parents of Ruth, born March 4, 1770 ; Mary, born February 20, 1772 ; Elizabeth, December 7, 1773; Sarah, October 14, 1777 ; Jones, March 28, 1780; Rebecca, January 18, 1782 ; and Armella, born February 2, 1786. Sarah, the fourth daughter, was married to Samuel Test, at Salem, N. J., May 19, 1796. He was of English descent. It is said three brothers by the name of Test came to America with William Penn, and from these have originated all of that name. Samuel and Sarah Test's family are as follows : Elizabeth, born March 31, 1797, and died August 9, 1836 ; Samuel, born August 6, 1798, united in marriage with Hannah Jones, February 23, 1826, and died August 10, 1849 ; Rachel, born May 14, 1800, and died November 24, 1802 ; John,

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born February 25, 1802, married Mary Andrew, September 25, 1823; Rachel, the second, born September 19, 1804, married to Mark Test, November 20, 1833, and died March 8, 1845 ; Zaccheus, born November 10, 1806, and died March 7, 1816 ; Mary, born June 25, 1808, and married James Doyle, May 14, 1824 ; Sarah, born May 23, 1811, and married Israel Kirk, July 1, 1833 ; Lydia, born March 12, 1813, and married Benjamin Bond, March 28, 1832 ; Ruth, born April 16, 1818, and married Silas Bundrant, May 31, 1843, and Alpheus, born February 6, 1821, and married Elizabeth Moffitt, January 2, 1850. The mother, Sarah Test, died March 10, 1846 ; Samuel, the father, died September 18, 1856. John Maxwell, the great-grandfather above mentioned. was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving faithfully through the entire struggle. Aaron Wright and family came from Warren County, and located in Montgomery County, in 1829, and resided in Perry Township. His wife died in May, 1839. By her he had ten children, three now survive--Sarah T. (now Widow Birk), living in Darke County, Ohio, Jesse J. and Joseph R. In the fall of 1840, he was again married to Mary Monford, by whom he had two children--Cornelius M. and Mary. now Mrs. Albert, of Brookville. Mr. Wright remained a resident of Perry Township till in 1868, he located in Brookville, and lived retired from all active business till his death. e died May 20, 1879, aged nearly eighty-one years. Mr. Wright was among the early settlers of' this county. an industrious. energetic man, and by his labor and economy gained a good competency. His integrity was undoubted, and lived a temperate, moral and Christian life. e became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church when quite young, was a Classleader and Circuit Steward for many years, and in his death the community lost a good citizen and the church an earnest worker. Our subject was married October 18, 1858, and in three months after was called to mourn her early death. On April 19, 1861. he enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the three months service. under Capt. Nolan, and went forward to battle for his country. On June 25, 1861, he re-enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Lowe : served about two and one-half years, thence entered as a veteran, and was transferred to the Twenty-third Regiment, in June, 1864, in which he served till severely wounded in battle, near Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864, and placed in the hospital at Winchester. Thence from Cumberland, Md., received a furlough, and on February 21, 1865, at Camp Dennison: was discharged from further service on account of disability. He was in many hard fought battles, one of the severest of' which was that of Antietam. During his entire service, he was under fire of the enemy, in the aggregate a period of forty days, and in consideration of his services and disability he receives a quarterly pension. In. April, 1866, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Caroline, daughter of John H. and Sophia Oelslager, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America and became residents of this county about 1837. By this union they have three children-- Henrietta, Ruth E. and Charles Henry. After the war, Mr. Wright followed farming about six years, thence, in spring of 1871, he purchased his present property in Pyrmont, erected good and substantial buildings and in the fall of the same year located here with his family, where he has since resided, and for five years past has had the contract of carrying the mail between Pyrmont and Brookville.

WILLIAM WYRICK, merchant, Johnsville, As a representative of the mercantile trade in Johnsville, we here have the pleasure to present the name of William Wyrick, who was born in this county May 22, 1845, a son of David and Mary ( Furry) Wyrick, he a native of the county, and she of Maryland. The grandfather, William Wyrick, was a native of North Carolina, but emigrated to Ohio about 1817, and located in Jackson Township, where he lived till his death. David, who was born in this county in 1820, was raised and grew to manhood, inured to the scenes and hardships of those early days. e was married and became the father of two children, William and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. Wyrick was a farmer by occupation throughout his life. He was a very industrious, hard-working wan, one whose character was undoubted, and was esteemed and respected by all who knew him. e became possessed of a good competency, owning 200 acres of land, upon which he had good

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improvements. ere he lived till his death, March 18, 1872. His wife is still living, being now fifty-six years of age, and resides in Johnsville. Our subject remained at home upon the farm till the spring of 1872, when he and his father purchased the stock of general merchandise of J. K. Campbell, in Johnsville, and commenced upon mercantile trade, which continued only a short time, in consequence of the death of his father. Since then he has continued the business alone, or in partnership with others, the last partnership being dissolved in the spring of 1880. He is now carrying on the business by himself. Mr. Wyrick, as a business man, has been very successful. He has established a good trade--a trade second to none in Johnsville. He is very social and affable in his manners, kind and accommodating in business, and possesses the confidence of his community. Mr. Wyrick has been twice married; first, in July, 1867, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Jesse D. and Delila Harry, whose history is given in sketch of Jesse D. Harry, in this work. By this union they had four children, three of whom are now living--Olive M., Mary D., and Bertha T. His wife died March 6, 1875. On February 21, 1876, he was married to Mary, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Morrisson, natives of Maryland ; issue, two children--Myrtle M. and Daisie C.

TILMAN WYSONG, farmer, P. O. Pyrmont, born on the farm where he now resides March 27, 1840, is a son of Valentine and Lydia (Barnhart) Wysong, he a native of this county, and she of Preble county. The grandfather, Jacob Wysong, was a native of Virginia, but became a resident of Montgomery County prior to the war of 1812, and lived and died here. The grandfather, David Barnhart, was a native of Maryland, and also an early pioneer, coming here about the same time as the Wysongs. Valentine was born about the time of the war of 1812, and was raised and grew to manhood. inured to the scenes and hardships of those early and troublesome days. He was married, and became the father of seven children, five of whom are now living--Huldah, Tilman, Amanda, Sarah and Matilda Ann. Mr. Wysong followed farming and bricklaying during his life, which was all spent in this township except the last four years of his life, during which he lived in Covington, Miami County. He cleared up one farm in this township almost entirely, and did a great amount of hard work. e finally moved to Covington, having obtained a good competency, and intending to retire from all active labor ; but there he still worked more or less at his trade, and was elected a member of the City Council. He died in March, 1876, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him, and in his death the community lost a worthy man and valued citizen. His wife is still living, and is now in Shelby County, Ohio. Our subject lived with his father till twenty-three years of' age. e was married February 24, 1863, to Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Susan Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, early settlers of' this county, locating here about 1833, and who were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living--Susan, Isaac, Sarah, Elizabeth, John and Jacob. Mr. Wysong and wife have had two children, one of whom is now living, Edward. Their lives have been passed in this township, and engaged in farming, and they reside upon the old home farm, which consists of forty acres, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. He has been Constable one term. Mr. Wysong and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, having been such for ten years.