was born in County Down, Ireland (the native place of St. Patrick), in 1814. His parents were John and Ellen McCracken. They were Protestants, and in good circumstances, and gave their children a fair education. James lived at home with his father until grown to manhood. In 1848 he married Miss Mary A. Donaldson. After marriage he was persuaded by his wife to sell his interest in his father's estate, and cross the ocean to America, and seek a home. So he sold his part of the estate to one of his brothers for .£65 ($325) per acre, and immediately sailed for New York. After reaching this country they soon found their way' to Warren County, Ohio, where he superintended a farm for a few years, waiting to learn something of the country before purchasing a home. In 1851 he came to Shelby County, and bought his present home on section 11. Mr. McCracken has made a model farm of this place. In 1878 he bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken have two children, Henry S. and James N. In 1873 Mr. M. went back to his native Green Isle to visit the place of his birth, and thinking perhaps they would sell their home here and return to Ireland. But after going back he was not long in deciding to remain in the land where there were no landed aristocrats, but where all were equal, "the land of the free and. the home of the brave."

Maurice Millhouse, the grandfather of the above, was a Swiss. He followed the sea, and was a captain of a merchant vessel that traded between France and the American colonies. He married a French lady by the name of De Verne, whom he brought with him to America,, and settled in Maryland about 1740. It was here in the year 1755 they were both massacred by the Indians, leaving three children. John Millhouse, one of these three children; was the direct ancestor of the Ohio Mill-houses. About 1776 he married Margaret Wrench, and came to Ohio in 1804, and located in Montgomery County, where they lived four years, then removed to Miami County in 1808. They raised a family of six children. David Millhouse, one of the six, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1801 ; was the youngest of the family. Catharine, one of these children, afterward became the wife of William Richardson, one of the early settlers of Shelby County. Barbary, another of these children, became the wife of Henry Dilbone, who, together with her husband, was killed by the Indians August 18, 1813, a sketch of which is given in another place in this work. Elizabeth was another of these six children. She married Henry C. Line, the father of David M. Line, of Shelby County. Susan, another of the same family, married John Simmons, who enlisted in the regular army. While in the army, in August, 1812, he was stationed at fort Chicago. The fort was destroyed by the Indians, and he with the other soldiers were all massacred. His wife, who was with him at the time, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and was kept about one year, when she was restored to her friends, and afterward married Redenbaugh, of Shelby County. David Millhouse married Eliza Gearhart. They raised a family of eight children. Dr. Jacob J., a son of David Millhouse, was born in Miami County in 1836, lived with his father until he became of age. He then went to school, and taught school until 1864, when he entered the army. After returning from the army in 1864 he commenced the study of medicine in Piqua under the instruction of Drs. O’Ferril and Ashton, and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1869. He then located in Kirkwood, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and still continues its practice. In 1865 he married Miss Georgia A. Estabrook. By this union they have two children, Edward D. and Charlie E.

Richard Proctor was born in Ireland, came to the United States in 1792, and located in York County, Pennsylvania, where the same year he married Rebecca Stringer. They raised a family of eight children, only one of whom is now living, viz., William Proctor, the subject of this sketch, who was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1796. In the year 1817 he came to Ohio and located in Butler County, where in 1822 he married Ruth Tannehill, with whom he had seven children. In 1831 he moved to Logan County, and settled in the woods where he had previously entered land. This land he cleared himself, then sold it, and bought a place in Shelby. County, to which he moved in 1854. Here his wife died in 1863. In 1866 he married Mary Trahern, his present wife. Mrs. Proctor was the daughter of Eliacurn Staples, who was of Scotch descent. Her mother was Nancy Neal, of English descent, who came to America early in the eighteenth century, and located in the State of Maine. Mrs. Proctor was born in New Hampshire in 1816. When quite young she was taken to Philadelphia, where in about 1832 she married Thomas. Lloyd, with whom she had one child, Henri. Mr. Lloyd died in 1839. She afterward married Asa Trahern, with whom she lived until 1860, when he died:, She then in 1866 married Mr. Proctor.

was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1807. He was the eldest son of George Wirt and Anna Spiker Wirt. George Wirt was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1784, and married in 1806. The Wirts emigrated to Ohio in 1825, and located in Montgomery County. It was here that Benjamin formed the acquaintance of Mary Walburn, to whom he was married in 1829. In 1835 they removed to Franklin Township, Shelby County, on a piece of land that he had previously entered. Mr. Wirt, like most other new-corners in that early day, commenced without any means, and lived, as all pioneers did, on the common fare of hog and hominy. Mr. Wirt, after clearing his farm sold it, and bought one in Orange Township, where he now lives. They have raised a family of three children, Sarah A., Catharine, and David. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt have lived to see their family of children grow up and become settled in life. Now these veteran pioneers are left as they began in life, all alone in the world. But they have a competence to live on for the rest of their days. They are both enfeebled with old age, and broken down by hard work. It is to be hoped that their last days may be peaceful and pleasant as their first were full of hard toil and unpleasant.

To trace the ancestors of the McKees we go to Ireland, but the date of their emigration to America is not definitely known, but perhaps during the last half of the eighteenth century. They first located in Pennsylvania. It was here that James McKee was born in the year 1803. About the year 1825 he came to Shelby County, where in 1833 he married Sarah McKnight, and raised a family of five children. John L. is the youngest of this family; he was born in 1845. He lived on the home place in Orange Township until he grew up to manhood. In 1868 he married Miss Mariah Diltz, but still remained on the homestead until, in the spring of 1881, he bought a stock of goods at Kirkwood, and has been engaged in trade since that time. They have a family of four children, whose names and date of birth are as follows: James E., 1869; Albertes L., 1872; Willie F:, 1874; and J. Clifford, 1876.

a son of John and Rebecca Walkup Simes, was born in Champaign County in 1814. In 1844 he married .Amanda A. Hendley. By this union they have raised a family of seven children ; their names are as follows : William H., Mary A., Clarissa R., Florence S., Delphine C., George C., and Denton J. Mr. Simes, while he lived, had the esteem and respect of his neighbors, who elected him for a number of years to fill the office of treasurer of his township. He died February, 1878.

The O'Hendleys, or Hendleys as they are now called, were from Ireland, came to the American colonies long before the Revolution, and married in America a lady from Holland. Win. Hendley was a descendant of this couple: he was a resident of Boston, and was one of the party who made that large pot of tea in Boston Harbor. He served as a soldier throughout the Revolutionary War. We have no knowledge when or to whom he was married, but he raised a family of ten children.

John D. was the youngest' Of these; he was born in Boston in 1792, married Clarissa Harrington in 1816, and raised a family of five children. Mrs. Simes was one of these five; she was born in Clinton County, O.; in 1821, removed to Miami County in 1829, married John C. Simes in 1844, and came to Shelby County in 1850.

was born in Ireland in 1748; he lived on his native isle until he grew to. manhood, and married Margaret Henderson, by whom he had four chid., dren—two sons and two daughters. She then died. He remained single for several years, then married Jane Miller about 1800, and immediately sailed for the United States with his wife. and two daughters (leaving his sons to inherit his estate), and shortly afterward located in Harrison County, O. They remained in this county until 1826, when they came to Shelby County and located in Orange Township on land that had been settled on by Abram Minnear. Mr. Holmes died in 1831.

THOMAS HOLMES, Jr., a son of the above, was born in Harrison County, 0., in 1814. When twelve years of age he came with his parents to Orange Township. At the death of his father, in 1831, he left home and worked by the month until 1834, when he married Dorcas -.Blue, with whom he has raised a family of ten children, with names as follows.: Jane, Jemima, Elizabeth, Catharine,. Mary E. Louisa B., Raper, Alice, Celia, and William. In 1835 he returned with his wife to Orange and located on the old homestead of his father, where he has lived to the present time.

RAPER HOLMES was born in Shelby County in 1853. He is a son of Thomas Holmes. In 1873 he married. Sarah Lane, a daughter of William and Eliza Lane. They have raised a family of four children—Floyd M., Allie G., Fawnce P., and John V.. They are located on section 7.

a son of George N. and Chloe (Hanel) Cornell, was born in Warren County, 0., in 1830. His father was born in Canada in 1798, came with his parents to the United States, and located in Warren County, Ohio, where he married and raised a family of sixtecn children. Of the sixteen children, six of them were boys. It is said. of these six boys—and has never been disputed—that not one of them ever tasted liquor, beer, or wine, or used tobacco. in any form, or used any profane language in their lives. Such an example is seldom known, and is worthy of record.

HARVEY M. was the second son ; he lived with his parents till he was twenty-seven years of age. He received a fair common school education. In 1858 he came to Greene Township, Shelby County, and bought 160 acres of land., The same year he married Sarah E. Dorsey, but within free months after their marriage she was burned to death by her clothes taking fire while washing some bedding. In 1859 he married Rosanna Christman. By this union they have six children, viz., Chloe A., born 1863; Leana M., born 1865; Ancil E., born 1867; Ulysses G., born 1869; Harvey 0., born 1871; and Jesse A., born 1874. When Mr. Cornell first came to the county and bought land he had but $500. He gave a mortgage on this land' for $35,00. His land was nearly all in the woods. He cleared it and paid off his indebtedness within twelve years, and had saved $3000 beside, which he paid on his present home, for which he agreed to pay $9000. He has since paid off this indebtedness, and has several thousand dollars beside—all made by farming since he came to the county.

was born in Miami County in 1817. His father was Robert Kiggens, who was born in Maryland in 1789, and came to Miami County when a young man. Here he enlisted in the army and served under Gen. Harrison in Northwest Ohio. In 1814 he married Mary Boyer and moved to Orange Township in 1818; consequently John F. was but one year of age at the time of their settlement in this county. In 1838 he married Sarah M. McClosky. He has had six children, five of whom are now living, viz., Maggie, William M., Emma T., Laura B., and John C. F. The great-grandmother of Mr. K., — Kerns, died in Orange Township at the age of 113 years.

was born in Germany in 1813. He, with his parcnts, started to come to the United States in 1832, but Jacob Mott, the father, died on the way and was buried on the coast of France. The widow, with her children, continued their journey and landed in New York. They immediately started for Ohio, and located in Richland County. Mr. Mott while yet in Germany had received a fair education, and had studied civil engineering. In 1835; hearing of the building of the Miami Canal, he came to Shelby County and engaged with the engineer corps, and remained with it until the completion of The canal. In 1839 he was married to Susan Sims, with whom he raised six children : Mary, John, Sarah, James, William, and Caine.. In 1865 his wife died. In 1870 he married Missouri A. Funk, widow of Wm. Funk, deceased, whose maiden name was Stanley.

WILLIAM MOTT, son of John Mott, was born in Miami County, O., in 1855, and married Eva Platt in 1878. They have one child, Luella F. Mrs. Mott is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Atterson Platt. She was born in New Jersey in 1854. Her parents came to Shelby County in 1856.

was born in Fairfield Comity in 1821, and was taken by his parents to Seneca County the same year, where they located in the woods without even a cabin. They at first sheltered themselves beside a log, and covered themselves with bark to protect themselves from the weather. The parents of Mr. Rhinehart—Jacob Rhinehart and Susanna Leslie—were married in Fairfield County, O., in 1820. After their removal to Seneca County they had just made a start in the woods, and had only been living there a few months when Mr.. Rhinehart went to assist a neighbor to raise a mill. He was instantly killed by the falling of a timber. Mrs. Rhinehart then returned with her son Noah to Fairfield County, where he was put out among strangers, and never learned to know but little about his parents, not having seen his mother but a few times in his life. He was raised on a farm in Fairfield County until 1843, when he went to Seneca County and worked by the month for about one year, then married Rebecca Huddle in 1845, and moved on to a piece of wild land, where he built a cabin and commenced life in the woods without help. He cleared this farm himself and lived there until 1864, when he bought his present place in Shelby County, where he now resides. They have raised three children, viz., Lydia, Amanda, and Jacob.

JACOB, the son of the above, was born in Seneca County in 1852, and came with his parents to Shelby. County in 1864. In 1876 he married Frances A. Butler. By this union they have two children, viz., Alvin D. and David F. Mr. R. has received a liberal education, having received the advantage of the common schools and one year at Heidelberg College.

father of Mrs. Noah Rhinehart, was born in Virginia in 1804. In 1816 he came with his father, Daniel Huddle, to Fairfield County, where he. married Anna Sites in 1823. Mrs. Rhinehart was the first child and was born in 1824. She was the first of eighteen children by the same parents. They located in Seneca County in 1828. When Mr. Huddle first located in Seneca he owned eighty acres that he had entered. On this wild land he took his wife and four small children. Afterward there were born to them fourteen others. Of these eighteen children, fourteen lived to become men and women. To each of these children he left at his death eighteen hundred dollars, all gotten by industry and economy.

was born in Seneca County, 0., in 1845, and married Lydia Rhinehart, a daughter of Noah Rhinehart, in 1876. They have had born to them two children, viz., Edwin F. and Melvina A.

GEORGE CAVEN, with his wife and part of his family, emigrated from Scotland to the United States. just at the close of the Revolutionary war,- and settled in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was here, in the year 1790, that John A. Caven was born. When quite young, perhaps early in the present century, he came with his father's family to Miami County, and settled. on Spring Creek, close to the Shelby County line. In 1823 he married Elizabeth Scott: The result of this union was nine children. He lived here to raise his family, and make for them a comfortable home. He died. in. 1850. Mrs. Caven died in 1869. Of this family seven are still living. James, the sixth of the family, was born in 1836. He lived at home with his father until he died ; then remained, with his mother until 1855, when he went to Illinois, where he lived until 1864. Then he went to try his luck in the gold mines of Idaho. In 1866 he returned to Miami County, when in 1868 he married Miss Annetta Sayers. They have raised a family of four children, whose names and date of birth are as follows : William, born 1871 ; James, born 1873 ; Samuel, born 1875 ; and Harley, born 1877. In 1874 they settled in Shelby County, on land entered by John Morrow in the year 1819. The patent has the signature of James Monroe, President of the United States.

Of the ancestors of Mrs. Caven we know nothing, except of her father and mother. Her father, Samuel Sayers, was born in Miami County in 1810. In his father's family there were seventeen children, and all grew up to man and womanhood, and all married, except one daughter, who died at the age of 17 years. Mr. Sayers was killed in 1877 by the running away of a team of horses. Mrs. Sayers still survives, and is living on the old homestead in Miami County.

was born in Pennsylvania in 1793. He was a son of John Redenbaugh, the early pioneer of Shelby County. In 1799 they removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. Previous to the War of 1812 did Redenbaughs came to the present limits of Orange Township, but remained but a short time, when, on account of Indian troubles, they returned to Hamilton County, where they remained until the year 1818, when they returned to this county.. In 1817 Jeremiah married Margaret Shanklin, whoM he brought. with him to his backwoods home. They lived to raise a family of thirteen children. In 1866 Mr. R. returned to Illinois, where he died in 1872. His wife only survived him about ten days.

Aaron Redenbaugh, a son of Jeremiah Redenbaugh, was born in Shelby County in 1829.• In 1862 he married Elizabeth Voorhees, a daughter of Reuben Voorhees. She was born in Montgomery County in 1841. They moved to Illinois the same year that his father did. They remained there until. 1880, when they returned to Orange Township, and are now located on part of the old homestead of Reuben Voorhees. They have raised four children, viz., Annie B., .Charles 0., Saml. R., and Clarinda. The first two only are living.

The father of the above (Robert Wend) was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1781. His father was born in Ireland. Robert Wead married Mary Gibson in 1814. They raised a family of eight children, of which Joseph was the youngest. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1831. His father having settled. there in 1806, and died in the same place in 1873 at the age of 92 years. His wife died in 1871, aged 84 years.. In 1853 Joseph Wead married Mary Wiley, of Miami .County, with whom he lived until 1860, when she died. He then, in 1861, married Margaret B. McKnight. They by this union have eight children, viz., Samuel M., Mary L., Ella J„ Wiliam A., Lizzie E., Hattie B., Joseph G., and Harry G. They came to Shelby County in 1664, and bought the old Minnear farm, on section 1, where they now reside.

THOMAS SHAW, the grandfather of the above, was born in Ireland in 1741 ; came to America in 1750, and located in Kentucky, and became a neighbor and intimate acquaintance of Daniel Boone, the noted hunter and Indian scout. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son, Alexander Shaw, was born in Kentucky in 1792, and married Martha Culbertson, and came to Green County, Ohio, in 1816, where they lived until 18.29, when they came to Shelby County and located in Sidney. He lived in Sidney but a few months when he bought a farm, one mile south of Sidney ; moved on to his land, and made his home there until he died in 1849. Mrs. Shaw died in 1871. Samuel M. was born in Green County in 1818 ; came with his father to Sidney in 1829 ; was raised on the farm. After the death of his father he still remained at home, and maintained the family and paid off the indebtedness on the farm. fn 1858 he married Catharine Burtgess, by whom he has three children—Charles, Belle, and Sarah. Mr. Shaw has given his time and attention to the farm and the burning of lime, with the exception of some ten years that he lived in Sidney to give his children the advantage of schools.

As early as the middle "of the eighteenth century Fergus, with his son Francis, came from Ireland to America, and located in Virginia. Francis remained in Virginia, and married there. When he married, or to whom he was married, or the number of his family, to us is not known ; but we find that he had one son, John Fergus, born in 1794. He remained in Virginia until he grew to manhood, when he was married to Nancy Guthrie, with whom he lived less than a year, when she died. The time of his marriage and death of his wife is not known. In 1819 he came to Miami County, Ohio, where, in 1820, he married Margaret Stafford. Through misfortune Mr. F. lost all his property, and in 1823 he removed to Shelby County, and bought land in Washington Township. Here he stuck some stakes in the ground, put up some poles, and covered it with his wagon cover. This was in July. In August, Joseph Fergus, the subject of this sketch, was born in this cloth tent. He lived at home until the death of his father in 1837, not having the advantage of a single day's schooling. In 1839 he went to learn the carpenter trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. During this apprenticeship he received five months' schooling, all he ever got in his life. In 1847 he married Barbary Ullery. By this marriage they raised a family of eleven children, viz., Caroline E., Richard H., Sarah C., John S., Wm. A., Mary Joseph L., Winfield S., Charles E., Wealthy E., and Laura A. Mr. F. worked at his trade until 1855, when he bought a farm and sawmill in Orange Township, where he now lives.

Thompson Snodgrass, the father of Alexander, was born in Montgomery County in 1804. He lived there to marry Margaret Holmes. They remained in Montgomery until they removed to Shelby County in 1836. The family at that time consisted of three children, Alexander, Elizabeth J., and James. Alexander was born in Montgomery County in 1832. They located in Clinton Township, where he made his home until he married. In 1860 he married Clemena Boyer, a daughter of Jacob Boyer, who settled on the place where Mr. Snodgrass now lives in 1810. They have raised a family of five children, viz., Thompson L., Elizabeth F., Laura E., Ledora, and Sevella B.

The above was one of five children of Garret Lefferson, who was born in the State of New Jersey about 1795, and came to Ohio in the early part of the present century, and located in Hamilton County. Here in 1816 he married Sarah Barkalow, and remained in Hamilton County until he died in 1828. His widow lived to the age of seventy-seven years, when she died in Butler County, Ohio, in 1875. William Leiferson, le one of whom we write, was born in Hamilton County in 1823, and was but five years of age at the death of his father. He then went to live with his grandfather Barkalow, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1848 he came to Shelby County, and bought the land owned by his mother given to her by her father, William P. Barkalow. Shortly after coming to the county he formed the acquaintance of Isabel J. Reynolds, to whom he was married in 1850. They have raised five children, as follows: David F., born 1852; James B., born 1853; Sarah B., born 1857; Chas. G., born 1858; and Edward C., born 1862. Mr. Lefferson is now located on the old homestead of William Berry, near the site of the old red mill, built prior to the war of 1812. David Reynolds, father of Mrs. Lefferson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1786, married Sarah Stewart in 1813. When they first came to Ohio they located in Warren County, but removed to Shelby County in 1830 when Mrs. Lefferson was four years of age. Mr. Reynolds lived in Orange till he died in 1868.

Jacob Hetzler was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and married there near the close of the eighteenth century, and shortly afterwards started for the West. At Pittsburgh they put their effects on a flat boat, and floated down the Ohio River, and landed at Cincinnati. The city at that time only contained a few houses. When Mr. H. started for the West, he took with him a barrel of apples. From the seeds of these apples some of the first orchards in Ohio were started. Some of the trees grown from these seeds are still standing and bearing fruit. Mr. Hetzler raised a family of nine children, seven boys and two girls. They located on a farm in Hamilton County, where they spent the rest of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Hetzler both died here about the same time, aged ninety-three years, and were buried on the farm on which they first settled.

About the year 1811 or 1812 Mr. Hetzler had come to the territory of Miami and Shelby counties and entered five eighty-acre lots of land adjoining each other. Three of them were in Shelby and two in Miami. These lands he gave to his five sons, John, Peter, Jacob, George, and Baltzer. Jacob, George, and Baltzer located in Shelby, the other two in Miami. John, the eldest of these 'boys, served in the war of 1812, and was a soldier under Gen. Harrison. George, the fourth son, was born in Hamilton County in 1800. He lived at home with his parents until 1823, when he married Nancy Freeman. In 1827 he came with his wife and two children to Shelby County. Like all the early settlers they had nothing to commence with, except strong and willing hands, but by devoting his whole time and attention to the improvement of his land, he soon made of it a model farm, beside adding to it until he had nearly five hundred acres. They raised a family of six children, viz., Moses, Christopher, John F., Hannah, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Mr. Hetzler died in 1875. His widow is still living on the old homestead with her daughter, Mrs. She'll.

Robert Packman was born in Canada in 1857, came to Shelby County in 1878, married Margaret B. Hetzler, a daughter of Moses Hetzler, in 1879. They have born to them one child, Charles F. They reside on the home with Mrs. George Hetzler, the grandmother of Mrs. Packman.

The father of the above—Joseph Green—was born in Massachusetts in 1790. In 1814 he married Rebecca A. Cottle, and the same year they moved to Ohio, and settled in Cincinnati, working for several years at the carpenter trade. Afterward he bought land in the western part of Hamilton County, on to which he moved and remained until 1824, when they removed to Warren County, Ohio, where they remained until 1832,. then came to Shelby County, and located in Dinsmore Township, or what is now Dinsmore, as the township was not organized at that time. The first election held in the township was held at his house in the spring of 1833. At the time Mr. Green first came to the county, his family consisted of his wife and six children. That portion of the county was entirely unimproved; their cows had to run in the woods for pasture. It was not long before they discovered that the milk sickness was in the neighborhood. Their cattle and hogs died from the effects of it. Several persons also died of the same. among them were Mrs. Green and two of their daughters. Mr. Green became discouraged, and determined to leave the country. So he returned with the balance of his family to Hamilton County in 1833, where he died in 1834.

WILLIAM GREEN, a son of the above, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1820, consequently was twelve years of age at the time of their settlement in Shelby County. He returned with his father to Hamilton County, and remained there and in Cincinnati about one year. He then went to Warren County, where he worked by the day and month, getting work as best he could, part of the time getting four dollars per month. In 1842 he married Miss Phebe Elwell, and immediately returned to Shelby County, where they landed in the fall of 1842, with just one dollar in cash left to commence life with. With this cash capital they made their start, he working by days' work for provision to live on until they could raise some corn and potatoes. From this beginning Mr. Green has made for himself and family a comfortable home. Every dollar of it made by their own hands, except forty acres of wild land. They have raised a family of eleven children, viz., Joseph, Martha, John, William, Charley, Emerson, Albert, George, Dora, Clarence, and Justice. In 1874 Mr. Green sold his farm in Dinsmore, and bought one in Orange, where he now lives rather a retired life, in the enjoyment of the fruit of his past labor. Beside this home farm he owns one of one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin.

Malen Elwell and his wife Martha Bevins, the parents of Mrs. Green, came from Pennsylvania to Highland County, Ohio, in 1825. The Elwells are of German descent; the Bevins of Welsh and Swiss extraction. Mrs. Green was born in Pennsylvania in 1822.

The Laymans are of German extraction. The first we learn of them was in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1795, where George Layman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born, October, 1795: He was

the eldest of the family. He received a liberal education, and followed teaching for many years. In 1825 he came to Shelby County, and entered eighty acres of land in Orange Township ; and the same year married Mary McKnight, who had come to Shelby County in 1823. Mr. Layman raised a family of four children,—John M. was the eldest. He was born in Orange Township in 1826. He was raiscd on the farm. After arriving at manhood he entered Miami University at Oxford, where he graduated in 1851. He then entered the Cincinnati Theological Seminary, where he remained two years, when the school was removed to Danville, Kentucky. He then went to Princeton Theological Seminary ; completing his studies in 1854. He then entered the regular ministry in northwestern Ohio, where he remained until 1867, when he returned to Shelby County, the place of his nativity, to care for his parents in their old days. His mother died in 1868; his father in 1870. In 1872 Mr. Layman married Mrs. Mary Long, the widow of Rev. Adam Long, a Lutheran minister, who died in India while a missionary in that country. His wife was with him at the time, and was left a widow in that distant country with two children, viz., John D. and Carrie E. Mr. and Mrs. Layman have two children—George M. and Archibald E. The Rev. Mr. Layman at the present time is devoting the most of his time to his farm, but still finds time for his studies and clerical duties.

The Browns are—as far back as we can learn—natives of Virginia. From there they removed to Kentucky, thence to the territory of Ohio, years before it became a State. They located within the present limits of Clermont County. This pioneer was Joseph Brown and his wife, Mary Parker Brown. They settled here soon after their marriage. They raised a family of twelve children. John was the fourth of the family; he was born in Clermont County in 1z- 06. He lived to manhood on the farm, and worked with his father at the wheelwright trade. At intervals, when not engaged on the farm or otherwise, he would follow boating down the river. They would load a flatboat with grain or provisions, and take it down to Natchez or New Orleans—those being their principal, points of trade. In 1829 he married Miss Mary Fitzwater, and the following year (1830) came to Shelby County, and settled on 160 acres of land that his father had entered several years, prior. This land was all in the timber. From this wild, unbroken forest, he made a well-improved farm. Here he lived to raise a family of six children, viz., Mariah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Lavina, John P., and F. Ward. Mr. Brown died June 17, 1879.

The Fitzwaters are of English descent. Their first location in America was in Pennsylvania. Thomas Fitzwater, the father of Mrs. Brown, came to Clermont County, Ohio, at the close of the last century. They lived in block-houses, and were among the first settlers of that county. It was here that Mrs. Brown was born in the year 1809.

was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1830. When about two years of age his mother died. His father, just prior to this time, had left home on some buSiness, and had gone to Cincinnati. From this time he was never heard from. It was supposed that he was on board of a steamboat that was blown up on the river about that time so he never knew father, mother, brother, or sister. When six years of age he was indentured to a man by the name of John Matthews, with whom he learned the tanning trade. At the completion of his indenture he left and engaged in the lime trade, which business he has followed since that time. In 1855 be married Miss Almira Crane. In 1859 he moved to Shelby County and burned lime, and shipped the first car of lime on the D. and M. Railroad that went north from Sidney to Wapakoneta. After remaining here about eighteen months he returned to Montgomery County, and remained until 1865, when he returned to Shelby County and bought part of the old Berry farm, on the river, where he built a limekiln, from which he ships from thirty to sixty tons each season, beside retailing about one-half that amount. They have raised three children—Susan P., Benjamin F., and William 0. Their second child, Benjamin F., was killed by accident in 1877. In 1879 Mr. Cofield was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1882.

was born in Prussia in 1822; lived there to marry Caroline Poppe in 1848. In 1853 they emigrated to the United States, and located in Cincinnati, where they remained one year, then came to Sidney, where he worked at the tailor trade about six years, then removed in 1860 to the place he now lives. They have had six children, only three of whom are now living, viz., Frederick, Emma, and John. The place on which Mr. L. now lives formerly belonged to John Barber, who was born in New Jersey in 1782. He was married to Louisa Bolgus in 1819. She was a native of Germany, and born in 1795, and came to the United States in 1815. Mr. Barber came to Shelby County in 1830, and entered 160 acres of land, and had made partial improvements on it. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Barber, becoming enfeebled by age, and having no children to care for them in their old age, they persuaded Mr. Lilienkamp to move on to their place and care for them the rest of their days, which he did, giving them every comfort he could, and supplying their every want to their entire satisfaction. Previous to Mr. Barbcr's death he made a clear deed to Mr. L. of all his lands and personal property, to compensate him for his labor and kindness to himself and his wife. Mr. Barber died June, 1864; his wife died in 1861.

The name Morrow is a modification of the Scotch name of Murray. The great-grandfather of James Morrow emigrated to America from Londonderry about 1730. John Morrow, the father of James, was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about the time of the Revolutionary war. He was a brother of Jeremiah Morrow, who was the first Representative in Congress from Ohio; and also was Governor of Ohio from 1822 to 1826. Governor Morrow came to the territory of Ohio in 1795. He was a member of the first convention that framed the Constitution of the State, John Morrow, a younger brother of the Governor, came to Ohio at the beginning of the present century, and located in Butler County. Here he married Mary Robinson about 1805. James was the second son of this marriage. He was born in Butler County in 1810. In 1818 his father entered three-quarter sections of land in what is now Shelby County. This land he gave to his children.. In 1838 James married Miss Mary Clark, and thc same year moved to his present home in section 34, Orange Township. They have raised a family of six children, viz., Mary A., Margaret J., Rebecca, Sarah, Robert C., and Elijah J. Mrs. Morrow died in 1860, since which time Mr. M. has lived with his children.

came from Virginia to Shelby County in the fall of 1809, and settled on the bank of the Miami River, within the present limits of Orange Township, in section 14. His home was hcrc (luring the war of 1812. He built a block-house on his place for the protection of his family and neighbors against the invasion of hostile Indians. He left his family here while he joined Harrison's army in his march through northwestern Ohio. It was during this time, while he was absent, his horses and cattle were stolen by the. Indians. Mr. Jackson lived to return to his home and clear his land, and was the first man to build a brick house in the township, which still stands as a monument to his memory.

Green Township occupies the southeastern corner of Shelby County, and contains twenty-five sections, or is five miles square. It is bounded. on the north by Perry Township, on the east by Champaign County, on the south by Miami County, and on the west by Orange Township.

March 7, 1820. Ordered that all of that part of Orange Township that is east of the west tier of sections in the 2d township of both 12 and 13 ranges, be erected into a new township by the name of Green Township, and that the qualified electors of said township meet at the house of John R. Medaris, on the first Monday in April next, to elect township officers.

The above order is taken from the journal of the County Commissioners. In 1825 the township was described as below by the Board of Commissioners, and the metes and bounds established as set forth.

The first family who attempted to establish a home. in the dense forest of Green Township were Henry Sturm and family, who came from Clark County, Ohio, some time during the year 1814, and made a settlement on the S. W. quarter of section 1. They had a family of twelve children, viz., Matthias, Margaret, Nicholas, Henry, Peter, William, Jacob, Frederick, Ephraim, Elizabeth, George, and John, all of whom are now deceased except George, who resides in Perry TownShip, Shelby County, and John, who owns and is residing on the old home farm where the family first settled. The next settlement was made by Samuel Robinson, a son-in-law of Henry Storm's, who came from Champaign County, Ohio, with wife and two or three small children in March, 1815, and settled on the N. W. quarter of section 19, where he made improvements and lived many years. The farm is now owned by George Ginn. In the year 1817 John R. and Abraham Medaris found. their way to Green and made improvements on section 19. The two brothers purchased or entered the south part of the section.. Abraham Medaris settled on the S. W. quarter and John Medaris on the S. E. quarter of the section. It was at the house. of John R. Medaris that the first election in Green Township was held, in April, 1820.

John Ellsworth came from Clarke County,. Ohio, in February, 1817, with wife and family, and settled on the N. W. quarter of section 18. Thaddeus Tuttle settled on a part of section la in 1818. Peter Princehouse came to the township about 1817 or '18. William Richardson was an early settler in the township.

Joseph Park made the first improvements on a part of the S. W. guar, ter of section 19, on which he resided several years and then moved out of the neighborhood. Edward Conroy, with wife and family, arrived in the township some time during the year 1818, and built his house on the N. E. quarter of section 10, where he lived many years. The farm is now owned by his son, Edward Conroy. Ezekiel Sargeant came from Clarke County, Ohio, to Shelby, in 1816; and located on a part of the S. W. quarter of section 6, Green Township. In 1816 William Bothel, a native of Pennsylvania, made a settlement on a part of the S. E. quarter of section 6. John Dorsey, a single man, came to Green Township some time-between the years 1815-17, entered and made improvements on the N. W. quarter of section 4. He received his patent for the land, signed by President Adams, in 1818. Apart of the land is now owned by his son, Isaac C. Dorsey. In 1818 David Larue came from Champaign County and settled on a part of the S. E. quarter of section 10. Robert C. Cunningham settled the S. E. quarter of section 7 in September, 1819. Samuel Redenbo moved from Orange Township, this county, in 1819 or '20, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Quinlish in section 25. In 1824 Silas Dorsey settled on a. part of the S. W. quarter of section 4. Jacob Kizer was an early settler in the. township.- George W. Frazier and Daniel Apples were among the early settlers in the township, but the exact date of their coming has not been ascertained. Also, John Botkin can be numbered among the pioneers of the township.

Others came in later and settled in Green, viz., Peter V. and David S. Sherwood in 1831 ; Samuel Bird and William Niswanger in 1832; John Platt and William B. Williams in 1833; Elias Barbee in 1834; Timothy Conover and John Dickinsheets in 1835; Herman R. Hunt in 1836 ; Matthias Gray in 1837; Paul F. Verdier and Samuel Woodward in 1839; Mahlon Moon in 1840 ; Dr. John C. Leedom in 1842 ; and many others whose names are not mentioned were among- those who endured the hardships of a pioneer life, and assisted in clearing up and improving the township for the present generation to enjoy the benefits of their hard labor. -

The northeastern part of Green Township is drained by the Tawawa, or more commonly known as Mosquito Creek, and its branches, which takes its source at a small lake in Champaign County, flows in a northwesterly direction, entering Green Township a short distance southeast of New Palestine, on section 1, crossing sections 1, 7, 8, 14, and 20, and from thence it flows into Perry Township.

The central part of the township is drained by Leatherwood Creek and its branches, which enters the township from the south on section 10, flowing in a northwesterly direction across the township, and connects with Mosquito Creek in Perry Township, a short distance from the Green Township line. The township .is also. drained by a number of large ditches, which have been cut through the level or flat portion of the township.

The surface of the township is level, except along or near the streams, where it is slightly broken or undulating.

In about 1820 or 1821 Dr. Pratt came into Green Township and re- mained about one year. The next was Dr. Little, who remained several years. Dr. Leedom has been a practising physician in the vicinity of New Palestine since 1842, and at this time has a large and extensive practice. Dr. Hunt, a homoeopathic, is located a short distance south of New Palestine, and has a good practice. Drs. Shaw and Beamer are located in Plattsville, Green Township, and both are good men in the profession.

The first justices of the peace in Green were Henry Sturm and Chas. Johnston, elected in April, 1820. The present justices were Esq. Simes and Bowersock until December, 1881, when Mr. Bowersock resigned, which leaves only one in the township at this writing.

Charles Dorsey was the first clerk of. the township, and Mr. Needles is the present one.

in Green Township is the one known as the Urbana and Sidney road, which passes through New Palestine.

was erected by John Medaris in. about 1824, near where Plattsville is now located. It was a small structure and remained standing as a land mark many years.

The first mill was erected by John Medaris. It was a corn cracker, located near where Plattsville now stands, on which he ground corn for the early settlers of the township, or any others that would come to his mill. In 1826 or 1827 William Ellsworth erected a water power saw-mill on Leatherwood Creek near Plattsville, which was the first saw-mill in Green Township. Abraham Medaris also erected a saw-mill, a few years later, a short distance below where Ellsworth mill stood on Leatherwood Creek. Samuel Robinson built a saw-mill on the same stream, near where Henry Robinson bow lives, several years after the Medaris mill was erected. In 1854 the Hageman Brothers erected a steam saw-mill one mile south of Plattsville, which is now owned and operated by J. P. Hageman. In 1865 John Sargeant and John Neal built a steam saw-mill on the John Sturm farm near New Palestine. In 1879 Gabriel Harbaugh came into the township with a portable steam saw-mill, which he located at the four corners, on the southwest corner of section 11, where it is now standing, and is operated by Harbaugh and McClain, who are doing an extensive business in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of hard wood lumber, also poplar and linn lumber. In the fall of 1881 they supplied their mill with new machinery, and a new forty-horse power engine, which gives them the power or capacity to cut from 8000 to 10,000 feet of lumber in ten hours.

Justices of the Peace : Henry Sturm, April, 1820. Charles Johnston, April, 1820. Philip Jackson, April 4, 1835. Thompson Vaughn, Dec. 8, 1836. Elias Barbee, Dec. 31, 1836. Elias Barbee, Dec. 6, 1839. Thompson Vaughn, Dec. 6, 1839. N. Sherieff, April 15, 1842. Thompson Vaughn, Jan. 1842. N. Sherieff, April 25, 1845. Thompson 'Vaughn. Nov. 15, 1845; resigned Aug. 7, 1846. N. Sherieff, April 22, 1848. Samuel Lewis, Sept. 22, 1849. Ira F. Hunt, May 1, 1851. John Hume, Sept. 18, 1852. Alexander E. Carey, April 14, 1854. Wm. Beezley, Sept: 17,1855. Samuel Lewis, Feb. 29, 1860. A. L. Smith, Feb. 21, 1863. David. Bowersock, April 14, 1865. L. G. Simes, April 11, 1866: David Bowersock, April 27, 1868. L. G. Simes, April 12, 1869. David Bowersock, April 11, 1871. L. G. Simes, April 5, 1872. David Bowersock, April 10,1874. G. L. Simes, April 21,1875. Samuel Lewis, April 17, 1877. G. L. Simes, April 8, 1878. David Bowersock, April 14, 1880. L. G. Simes, April 13, 1881.

Trustees : 1830, J ohn Dorsey, Thaddeus Tuttle, Ezekiel Sargeant. 1831, the same. 1832, same. 1833, Sergeant, Dorsey, and John Botkin. 1834, same. 1835, same. 1836, Dorsey, Botkin, and Elias Barbee. 1837, Dorsey, Barbee, and Ira Hunt. 1838, Dorsey, R. C. Cunningham, and Thompson Vaughn. 1839, Hunt, Vaughn, and W. F. Stevans. 1840, Vaughn, Hunt, and John Dorsey, Jonathan Townley, and W. R. Persinger. 1843, Dorsey,. Jonathan Townley, ana. W. R. Persinger. 1844, same. 1845, Dorsey, Henry Woolley, and. P. V. Sherwood. 1846, same. 1847, Dorsey, Sherwood, and G. R. Looken. 1848, Dorsey, Sherwood,. and James Ralfe. 1849, Dorsey, J. C. Simes, and 3. C. Applegate. 1850, Dorsey, Win, Beezley, and W. C. Ayers. 1851, Beezley; Tunks, and Silas Dorsey. 1852, Dorsey, R. A. Denman, and R. C.. Cunningham. 1853, W. R. Persinger, T. S. McGinnis, and C. Arbogast. 1854, T. C. Woolley, G. W. Tunks, and Samuel Neiswanger, 1855, Wm. Beezley,. H. H. Hunt, and Samuel Bird. 1856, same. 1857, Bird, Hunt, and Samuel Woodward. 1858, Bird, Woodward, and G. W. Tunks. 1859, Woodward, Bird, and G. W. Conroy. 1860, Conroy, R. L. Atkinson, Jeremiah Apple. 1861, same. 1862, same. 1863, Apple, G. W. Frazier, C. B. Leedom. 1864, Frazier, J. B. Howe, T. S. McGinnis. 1865, Frazier, Howe, and S. R. Woodward. 1866, same. 1867, Frazier, Woodward, and R. S. Atkinson. 1868, Woodward, Lewis Arbogast, Samuel Bird. 1869, Woodward, R. S. Atkinson, and J. T. Princehouse. 1870; Princehouse, Cornelius Arbogast, and Samuel Bird. 1871, Princehouse, J. C. C. Laughlin, and I. C. Dorsey. 1872, Dorsey, Laughlin, and S. R. Woodward. 1873, Woodward, Laughlin, and Samuel Bird. 1874, Woodward, Bird, and J. F. Applegate. 1875, G. W. Bothel, I. C. Dorsey, and Andrew Redenbo. 1876, same. 1877, Redenbo, Dorsey, S. R. Woodward. 1878, Dorsey, Woodward, Samuel Bird. 1879; Dorsey, Woodward, and G. W. Bothel. 1880, Bottle', Dorsey, and Samuel Bird. 1881, Bothel, Bird, and S. J. Voorhees. 1882, Oliver Hancock, G. W. Bothel, and Peter Princehouse.

Clerks:. 1830 to 1833, Silas Dorsey. 1833 to 1837, Isaac Botkin. 1837, Joseph Knott. 1838, Silas Dorsey. 1839, J. C. Ferris. 1840 to 1844, Silas Dorsey. 1844 to 1849, Samuel Lewis. 1850 and 1851, Charles Dorsey. 1852,. Samuel Lewis. 1853, M. Pepper. 1854 to 1862,

Charles Dorsey. 1863 to 1865, L. G. Simes. 1866, J. S. Laughlin. 1867, L. G. Simes. 1868 to 1874, G. W. Proctor. 1875 to 1880, John Duer. 1881 and 1882, Emanuel Needles.

Treasurers: 1830 to 1839, Thaddeus Tuttle. 1840, Wm. Niswanger. 1841 to 1843, John Botkin. 1844, Ira Hunt. 1845 to 1849, J. B. Howe. 1850 to 1855, John Hume. 1856 to 1862, John Wodmancy. 1863, G. W. Frazier. 1864 to 1866, Paul F. Verdier. 1867, S. 1'. Dorsey. 1868, H. R. Hunt. 1869 to 1874, David Bowersock. 1875 and 1876, Nathan F. Ralfe. 1877 and 1878, Fred. H. Sleeter. 1879, D. N. Prince. 1880 to 1882 inclusive, George W. Proctor.

The first school in Green Township was taught by Charles Dorsey about 1818 or 1819, in a log cabin that stood on the Larne farm in the southeast quarter of section 10. The term of school consisted of seven days, and Mr. Dorsey received fifty cents per day, or three dollars and fifty cents as a compensation for his services as teacher. The money with which he was paid belonged to the public funds of the township, but how or by what means the township came in possession of it cannot now be ascertained.

The first house for school purposes in the township was erected about 1820, near where the graveyard is now located at Plattsville. It was a round log structure, eighteen by twenty feet, with puncheon seats, and greased paper was used for windows instead of glass. Miss Lucy Wilson taught the first term of school in this house. Patrick Armstrong, Patrick Goods and. Isaac Botkin were also among the early, teachers in that part of the township. In 1821 there was a log cabin house erected for school purposes, near where the Sturm graveyard is now located, a short distance from the Champaign County line. was built of round logs, with a fireplace at one end about seven feet in length, with a stick chimney extending a little above the top of the house. The floor was laid with puncheon, the flat side being turned up and dressed down smooth and level. The seats were made by splitting a small log in half, dressing the flat side smooth, and then putting legs or pins in the other side to elevate the seat the proper height. The windows were made by cutting out a log, and pasting ̊Teased paper over the space or opening made by taking out the log. 'D7. Pratt taught the first term of school in this house during the winter of 1821-22, and received ten dollars per month for his services as teacher and board with the scholars, which was paid by each person sending scholars paying a certain amount per scholar for the term. This house was used for school .purposes for a number of years.

The teachers in the township were all paid by subscription until June 18, 1853, when the township was divided into six school districts, and a tax levied on the township for school purposes. The first brick house erected for school purposes in the township was built in 1853 in now District No. 4. The first frame house was in District No. 5, built in 1854. A few years later District No. 6 was also supplied with a good brick house. The remaining districts were all supplied with good frame houses, which were used for school purposes for many years, or until 1875, when the township was redistricted, and one more district added, known as No. 7.

The districts were then supplied with good comfortable brick houses at a cost of about $1400 each, or $10,000 was the cost of erecting the seven houses in the township. The average wages of the teachers at this time is about $2.00 per day for winter terms, and $1.60 per day for the summer terms.

In 1867 the board of education appointed Austin Heath as school examiner for Green Township ; his duty being to visit the different schools at least three times during each term of school, and be present at the beginning and close of each term, to hold an examination, and grade the scholars according to their qualifications or advancement.

Mr. Heath was allowed two dollars per day as a compensation for the time he was employed at the school. He filled the position three years, or until 1870, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. George Proctor, who acted as township examiner of the schools about one year, or until 1871, when the project was abandoned, and the schools of the township have since been without an examiner.

was organized March 15, 1851, by J. T. Hunt and James Skillen in a log school-house on Cephas T. Sanders's farm with sixty-one members, viz., Cephas Sanders, Nancy Sanders, Cephas T. Sanders, Rachel Sanders, David Sherwood, Cloe Sherwood, Martha Sanders, John Luseney, Martha Luseney, David Wiles, Catharine 'Wiles, William Williams, Rachel Williams, Jackson Cramer, Mary Cramer, John Henman, Almira Henman, David Hall, Matilda Hall, Catharine Sanders, and a number of others whose names have not been ascertained. Cephas Sanders and C. T. Sanders were elected to fill the office of deacons in the church, and Elder J. T. Hunt was chosen as their pastor. The society has been prosperous, and the number enrolled on the church books from the date of its organization up to this time is five hundred and eighty-seven members. The following names are the elders who have been their regular pastors since the society was organized : Elder J. T. Hunt, twelve years; Elijah Baird, one year; A. Watkins, six years; C. T. Emmons, four years; E. M. Rapp, two years; Joel Thomas, two years; and A. Long, who is their present pastor. The number of ministers that have occupied the pulpit, sixty-four; number of deaths, fifty-four; number dismissed from the church by letter, forty-three; present number on roll, one hundred and twenty-five; number of original members now living is only fourteen. They held their meetings in the log school house until 1852, when they erected a frame church building, thirty-six by thirty feet, near the line between Shelby and Miami counties, on the southeast corner of section 28, Green Township, which was commenced in 1852, but not completed until some time in 1853, when it was dedicated by the Rev. Griffin. This served the society for a place to meet until 1868, when they erected their present church edifice, which is a frame building fifty by forty feet, and was erected at a cost of about $2500. It was dedicated in November, 1868, by the Rev. James Linn, and is located near where the old church building stood.

This society was organized about 1825 by Rev. Simes or Rev. Westlake; it is not known now which of the two ministers conducted the meeting. Silas Dorsey and wife, David Larne and wife, Mrs. Jemima Conroy, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained, connected themselves with the organization. Revs. Smith and Davidson were among their early pastors who preached for them. The society erected a hewed log church building on section 4, Green Township, which served them for church purposes for a number of years, or until about 1840, when they ceased to be an organization, by a part of the members withdrawing from the church, and forming another church society known as the Methodist Protestant Church organization. Of the remaining members some removed from the neighborhood, and connected with other church societies, while a portion of the members remained firm in the belief of the principles of the M. E. Church, and died in that belief.

Their church building remained standing as a monument, although it had not been used for church purposes for many years, to mark the place where they had once met and worshipped, until a few years since, when it was torn down, and nothing now remains to mark the spot.

was organized about 1840 with twelve or fifteen members, with Silas Dorsey the leader of the organization. But little can now be learned regarding the society, as it has long since gone out of existence, and another church organization has taken its place. They met and held their meetings in Silas Dorsey's house for several years; when they erected a frame building on section 4, Green Township; the main .part of the cost of the building being paid by Mr. Silas Dorsey. In this church building the society met and worshipped for a number of years, or until 1864 or 1865, when they had become weak in numbers, and as it might be said that it was almost impossible for them to exist longer. as an organization, some of their members connected themselves with the Christian Church society, which was organized in the neighborhood about that time, while others of the members remained firm in their belief of the principles of the Methodist Protestant Church until death called them away, and not one of its members is now living in Green Township to tell the history of their society.

This society was organized in the Methodist Protestant Church building in 1864 or 1865 by Elder Asbery Watkins, with William Benham and wife, Thomas Stith and wife, Matthias Gray and wife, and a few other members. William Benham and Thomas Stith were appointed as deacons of the church. Their membership soon increased to thirty in numbers. They held their, meetings in the M. P. Church for several years, or until they erected their present frame church, fifty by thirty-six feet, at a cost of about $1200, which was dedicated December 27, 1878, by Elder E. M. Rapp. Their building is located on the Rolfe Pike, near the centre of section 4, Green Township. The society has been very prosperous, and their present membership numbers about two hundred, with William Benham and John Moore, deacons, Oliver Hancock, clerk, and William Benham, James Moore, and Thomas Moore, trustees.

Pastors: Elder Asbery Watkins was their minister about four years; Elder Richard Brandon, two years; and Elder E. M. Rapp has been their pastor since 1871, and is at this date, December 21, 1881, holding the position of minister for the organization.

is located near the centre of section 1, about a half mile from the Champaign County line, and a short distance north of Tawawa Creek. Owing to the fact that there is another town in the State bearing the same name the post-office is called Tawawa. The town was laid out on the 27th day of September, 1832, by Ephraim Davidson, who owned the

land on which the village was located. The southwest corner of the town plat, being the corner of lot number 1, is the place of beginning. This corner is witnessed by a box elder bearing north 34̊ west 21 links; also a black haw bush south 24̊ east 55 links.

The lines are all run at right angles, precisely east and west and north and south; the lots are all four rods wide and eight rods long; the streets are ninety-two links, or about sixty feet wide, and the alleys are twenty-three links, or about fifteen feet wide.

I do hereby certify the above to be a true plat of the town of New Palestine as surveyed by me September 27, 1832.

It is also stipulated that the proprietor of the aforementioned town of New Palestine—Ephraim Davidson—is to give for the use of streets around the said town plat on the north and east of said plat sixty feet of ground, extending the whole length of said plat each way, and on the south and west thirty feet extending the whole length.

The first settler in the village was George Swiger and family. The first store was kept by John Stephen in a log house on lot now owned by Jacob Princehouse. The first hotel was kept by Joseph Knot, near where the present hotel is now located.

The present post-master is Joshua Develvis. The village now contains about twenty-five dwelling houses, with a population of about one hundred inhabitants, one general store, one grocery store and post-office, one hotel with grocery annexed, one church of the Christian denomination, one physician, three blacksmith shops, with only one occupied, and one repair shop. The town is located in a good farming community , and is surrounded by well-to-do and enterprising farmers.

In about 1820 there was an M. E. Society organized in the vicinity where New Palestine is now located, by Rev. Finley, with Philip Locker and wife, William Bathel and wife, Jacob Kizer and wife, Ezekiel Sargeant and wife, and several others whose names cannot be ascertained, as members of the organization. They had no regular place of meeting, but met and worshipped at the homes of its different members, sometimes at the house of one member and sometimes at another. The same ministers that were on the Plattsville circuit preached for the Society. They remained as an organization until about the time the Christian Church organized their society in New Palestine, when it gave way to that church society, and a part of the members of the M. E. Church connected themselves with the Christian Church, and have since been active members and earnest workers for the cause of Christianity, and by their help the Christian Church is now a strong organization in New Palestine.

This society was organized in September, 1837, at the residence of Daniel Neal, in Champaign County, by Elders Jeremiah Fusion and John T. Robertson, with seventeen members, viz., Ira Hunt, Anna Hunt, Justus T. Hunt and wife, David Bever and wife, Daniel Neal and wife, Joseph Basey and wife, David Greeley and wife, Ira F. Hunt and wife, Eleanor Woolley, Mary A. Flemmon, and Daniel Currier.

Justus T. Hunt acted as clerk of the society three years, or until 1840, when he was succeeded by James Rolfe, who filled the position several years. Their first regular pastor was Elder John Robertson, who remained with them two years, or until 1839, when he was succeeded by Elder Jacob G. Reader, who preached for them two years, or until 1841, when Elder Samuel Fusion took charge of the society as pastor and remained until 1842, when Justus T. Hunt was called to the pastorate and remained with them three years, or until 1845, when Elder Thomas Wells became their minister one year, and in 1846 Elder Justus T. Hunt again became their pastor and remained as such until 1851, when he was succeeded by Elder Mark D. Briney, who remained one year. Elder Mark Kurby was minister one year, Elder Samuel Penrod for a short time, when Justus T. Hunt returned and preached for them two years, and was followed by Elder E. M. Rapp five years. For several years the society was without a regular minister, and only had preaching occasionally by Justus T. Hunt, or when some minister of their denomination would happen to be in the neighborhood and favor them with a sermon. Elder C. T. Emmons is their present pastor, and has been with them two years.

The society held their meetings at the residence of Daniel Neal one year, or until May, 1838, when they erected seats in a vacant house that stood on the farm then owned by Ira Hunt, but now owned by Heman R. Hunt, in Green Township, Shelby County, which they used for church purposes for several years, or until they erected a frame church building 26 X 40 feet, at a cost of about $600, in New Palestine, which was dedicated in June, 1851, by Elder Samuel Fusion, assisted by Elder Justus T. Hunt. In this building they met and worshipped for many years, or until 1881, when they erected their present frame church edifice, 36 X 54 feet, in New Palestine, near where the old church building stood, at a cost of about $1500, including the bell, which was purchased at a cost of about $125. The dedicatorial sermon of this church building was delivered January 1st, 1882, by Elder A. L. McKinney, of Troy, Ohio, assisted by Elders Emmons, Rapp, Hunt, and Fuller. After the erection of their church building in New Palestine, James Rolfe, Heman R. Hunt, and John Barbee, were elected trustees of the church, and served as such many years.

Present officers of the church are, Robert N. Shaw, clerk ; Samuel Shidaker, deacon ; Nathan Rolfe, W. F. Bothel, Samuel Shidaker, trustees.

Elder Justus T. Hunt is at this date, December 20, 1881, the only one of the original members of the organization now living. He is residing in Careysville, Champaign County, Ohio, at the age of seventy-three years, hale and hearty, and is living a retired life after many years of faithful and earnest work as a minister of the gospel, honored, esteemed, and respected by all that know of him, possessing the entire confidence of the people whom he has been among for the past forty-eight or fifty years.

Plattsville is a small village near the central part of Green Township, on the southeast quarter of section 19, where are located two stores, one general and one grocery store; two churches—M. E. and Universalist - post-office; two physicians; blacksmith shop; wagon shop; I. O. O. F. hall ; township house, where the votes of the township are polled and other township business transacted. The census of 1880 gave the population of the village as one hundred, which has increased some in numbers since that date.

In about 1817 John R. Medaris settled on the quarter section on which the village is located, who caused the survey of lots to be made by Jonathan Counts September 21, 1844. The town is situated in the southeast quarter of section 19, township 2, range 13 east, of the Great Miami River survey. Lots are all two by eight rod's except fractional lots, which are more or less. Leatherwood Street, located on the county road, bears north 30̊ west, and is ninety-one links wide. All other streets, lanes, and alleys, are either parallel or at right angles to Leatherwood Street. Church Street is seventy-five links wide; Green and West Streets are each fifty links wide. All alleys are one rod wide. Lines are run and returned at their true bearings, the magnetic variation being 3 1/4 ̊ east of north.

Surveyed Sept. 21, 1844, by Jonathan Counts, Sur. S. Co., for John R. Medaris, proprietor.

We, the undersigned proprietors of the town of Plattsville, do hereby give, grant, and donate all the streets, lanes, and alleys designated on the plat of the town of Plattsville as public highways for the good and benefit of said town.

Acknowledged before Thompson Vaughn, J. P., Sept. 25, 1844, and recorded Sept. 26, 1844.

The first addition to the town was surveyed May 17, 1849, for J. R. Medaris, and consisted of lots 27 to 42 inclusive. This was recorded July 4, 1849.

Soon after the survey was made lots were purchased and buildings erected, and the village has since gradually progressed. The first business establishment was an ashery and a general store, owned and conducted by Thomas Farshee, who remained in the business several years. The next was a general store, conducted by Robinson and Peppers, who continued in business six years. Thomas Buchanan, and some others whose names are not mentioned, have been engaged in business in the village of Plattsville. At this date, December, 1881, Perry L. Frazier and Samuel Vohres are engaged in the mercantile business.

formerly known as the Antioch M. E. Church Society, was organized about 1819 or 1820, with Thaddeus Tuttle and wife, John R. Medaris and wife, Samuel Robinson and wife, Abraham Medaris and wife, William Ellsworth and wife, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained, members of the organization. Among their first ministers were the Revs. Arthur Elliott, William White, Daniel D. Davidson, James Smith, William Raper, James B. Finley, George Gatch, William Sutton, William Morrow, George Walker, David Whitmer, P. G. Good. Revs. Kemper, Wolfe, Clark, Lowery, and others of later date, whose names are not mentioned. The society met and worshipped in the

private residences of its members, sometimes at the house at Thaddeus Tuttle's, and other times at another member's house, until 1828 or 1829, when they erected a hewed log church building, twenty-four by twenty feet, on a part of the ground now occupied by the cemetery near Platts- ville. The land was donated to the society by 'Thaddeus Tuttle fur church purposes and a burying ground, in which many of the early members of the church are now sleeping. The log , church served them for church purposes for many years, or until 1849, when they purchased a lot in Plattsville of John R. Medaris, on which they erected their present church building, which is a frame structure, forty-five by forty feet, and was built at a cost of about $1000.

It was not until 1850 that the building was completed and dedicated. The name was then changed from the Antioch M. E. Church to the Plattsville M. E. Church Society, and now bears that name. The society has been very prosperous, and since its organization has enrolled its members by the hundreds, but many of them have been taken away by death, others have removed from the neighborhood, and are now members of other church organizations. The membership at this date, December 5, 1881, is about ninety in number, with Rev. Markwith their pastor; Horace Brelsford and Amos Botkin class-leaders; J. P. Hageman and Amos Botkin stewards; Silas Johnston, Samuel Bird, J. P. Hageman, Henry Robinson, and Amos Botkin are the present trustees.

is located in Plattsville, and was erected in 1877 at a cost of $1500. It is a frame structure, fifty by thirty-eight feet, and was dedicated July 29, 1877, by 1'. S. Guthrie, assisted by their pastor, J. D. Lawer. The society was organized September 30, 1877, by J. D. Lawer with thirty-six members. The organization has been very prosperous, and at this time numbers one hundred members. The Rev. J. D. Lamer is their present pastor, and has been the minister for the society since its organization, and preached in the village of Plattsville for one year prior to the organization of the church. The officers of the church are as follows: Moderator, Lewis Arbogast; Treasurer, F. H. Sleeter; Clerk, P. L. Frazier; Trustees are R. L. Atkinson, J. I. C. Applegate, and Allen Arbogast.

located in Plattsville, was instituted by Nathan Jones, Grand Master of Ohio, on the 12th day of July, 1876, with the following charter members, viz., L. P. Redenbo, B. F. Johnson, P. R. Hunt, G. W. Frazier, W. H. Bulle, J. T. Princehouse, W. L. Woolley, D. Bowersock, Jas. Williams,

and Samuel Griffis. In 1879 the order built a frame building two stories high, and finished the upper story. The dedicatory services were conducted by A. C. Duvel, of Urbana, in July, 1879, since which time the order occupy said building. They at present have a membership of thirty-eight, with the following officers: J. F. Applegate, N. G.; A. Hand, V. a; J. Knoop, Sec.; B. F. Johnson, Per. Sec.; and J. Williams, Treasurer.

It is with pleasure that we present the following sketch of the life of the above-named, who is one of Shelby County's pioneers, and one among the leading farmers of Green Township. He is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born, near Dayton, on the 18th day of December, 1818. He was brought to Shelby County in the spring of 1821 by his parents, William and Sarah Johnston, who located in Orange Township about two and a half miles south of Sidney, remained two years, then in 1823 they removed and settled on the farm now owned by their son William Johnston, near Sidney, where the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days. On the 27th day of March,1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Jane Doren. Miss Doren was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 15, 1826, and came to this county in 1832, and located in Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston moved on the farm in section 20, Green Township, shortly after their marriage, where they have since resided. They had a family of ten children : Jane, William T., Ellen (deceased), Caroline, Olive, Edgar, Anna, Kate deceased), Grant, and Nettie. When Mr. Johnston moved on the farm there were only a few acres cleared. He has now one among the best improved farms in Green Township, which is principally the result of his own labor. He has made farming and stock growing his avocation through life.

The subject of this sketch was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 22d day of October, 1797. He is a son of William and Elizabeth Beezley, who moved from Hamilton to Clermont County, Ohio, remained until 1812, when they removed to Clarke County, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. In October, 1816, he married Miss Elizabeth Ellsworth, of Clarke County, daughter of John and Mary Ellsworth, who were among the pioneers of Green Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Beezley settled in Clarke County, remained until the spring of 1826, when they came to this county and settled in Green Township, where he has since resided and made farming his vocation. They reared a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living—William, Paul, Silence, Jane, and Rachel. William and Paul are now in Iowa ; Silence and Jane are living in Missouri, and Rachel is living in Illinois. All are married and have families. William Beezley served three years in the war of 1861, as captain of a company in an Illinois regiment. Paul Beezley served four years during the late war, as a private in the 20th 0. V. I., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

Mr. Minniear was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1804. On the 11th day of April, 1811, he was brought to Shelby County by his parents, William and Elizabeth Minniear, who settled in Orange Township, where young Minniear grew to manhood. On the 26th day of Au- gust, 1830, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Edward and Margaret John. They settled in Orange Township, this county, remained a short time, then moved on a farm in Loramie Township, this county. They lived in Loramie Township until 1855 or 6, when they purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township, section 20, where they are now living. They reared a family of five children, viz.: William, Denitia, Margaret E., Mary C., and Thomas C. Margaret is deceased ; the other four are married and are now living in Green Township.

Mr. Woodmancy is a native of New Jersey, where he was born on the 16th day of February, 1804. When at the age of fourteen years he went on a ship on the Atlantic as a hand, remained as such until 1821, when he was appointed captain of the schooner Industry, and held the position of captain of different vessels until 1842, when he retired from the coasting trade and turned his attention to farming, which he made his avocation until 1878, when he retired from business, and is now living a retired life, honored and esteemed by all that know him.

On the 20th day of June, 1832, he married Miss Harriet Platt, of Ocean County, New Jersey, born May 9, 1811. They settled in Ocean County, New Jersey, remained until 1843, when he, with wife and family, emigrated to Ohio, purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township, Shelby County, where they are now living. They reared a family of six children, viz.: Lorenzo D., Reuben, John N., Louisa E., Martha E., and Lydia M.

Reuben served in the three months' service in the war of 1861, and after the expiration of his time he re-enlisted in Company F of the 20th 0. V. I. for three years or during the war. He was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and served as such until wounded, July 22, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, and on account of which he was honorably discharged from the service.

John N. enlisted in Company F, 20th O. V. I., in the fall of 1861, and served as a private until the close of the war.

this a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Bucks County, March 3d, 1780. He came to Ohio when a young man, with his mother, his father being dead, and located in Clarke County, near Springfield, remained a few years, then moved to Champaign county, where he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Sturm, then of Shelby County, born March 11, 1793. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson settled in Champaign County, remained until March, 1815, when he entered and moved his family on the land in Green Township, Shelby County, now owned by George Ginn, in section 19, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Robinson died Nov. 4, 1875, aged 82 years. Mr. Robinson died March 31, 1876, aged 96 years. They reared a family of eight children, viz.: Henry, Rebecca, Eliza, John, Mary, Rossiter, Elizabeth, and Lydia, all of whom are yet living except Eliza, who died in August, 1881. All married and had families. Mrs. Robinson is said to have been the second settler in what is now Green Township, the first being Henry Sturm, the father-in-law of Mr. Robinson. His first improvement on his land was the erection of a log cabin, 14 by 16, one story high, which served them as a dwelling about ten years. Then, about 1825-6, he erected a hewed-log residence. He made clearing land and farming his avocation through life. Shortly after Mr. Robinson settled on his land, one day while walking around in the woods he saw a black bear sitting in the forks of a large tree. In order to kill the bear he returned to his house to get the gun, but unfortunately there were no bullets run; so, while Mrs. R. made the bullets, he went back to the tree to watch the hear. In a short time Mrs. R. came with the bullets. He loaded his gun and fired. The bear fell backwards; but instead of coming to the ground, it fell in the hollow of the tree, out of sight, and presently a young cub ran up the forks where the old bear sat, and looked down at Mr. R. He thought he had killed the old bear sure. He then cut the tree down, and found the old bear and all of her cubs were dead. But on examination he found his bullet

In about 1830 a severe storm passed over the settlement, blew the roof off of Mr. R.'s house, and did other damage in the neighborhood. In 1834 another storm came along. and moved the upper part of Mr. R.'s house, down as low as the tops of the doors and windows, about six feet out of its place, but, fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

The eldest son of Samuel Robinson, deceased, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 19, 1814, and was brought to this county by his parents March, 1815, settled in Green Township as aforesaid, where young Robinson grew to manhood. On the 7th day of September, 1837, he married Miss Ann Neal, of Champaign County, Ohio, born Nov. 29, 1817. They settled in Green Township, where they have since resided. They reared a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters, all of whom are yet living. Mr. Robinson is the oldest settler now living in Green Township, and has been a member of the M. E. Church at Plattsville since 1829.

Mr. Sleeter was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, on the 23d day of October, 1836. He is a carpenter by trade, and followed that business as his vocation twenty years. He then turned his attention to farming, and has since that time conducted farming and stock-raising successfully. September 25,1858, he married Miss Mary, daughter of David and Mary Buchanan, of Orange Township, Shelby County. Mr. and Mrs. Sleeter settled in Green Township, on the farm in section 31, where they now reside. They have a family of three children, all daughters. He filled the office of treasurer of Green Township two years.

A native of Shelby County, and son of John and Margaret Martin, was born in Orange Township Sept. 4,1842. When at the age of twenty-one years he began working at the blacksmith trade, which he has since made his principal vocation. On the 23d day of August, 1866, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of John Rogers, of Orange Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Martin settled in Orange Township, remained until March, 1869, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township where they now reside. They have a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. Since Mr. Martin's settlement on his farm he has been conducting the business of farming in connection with his business of blacksmithing and repairing farm implements, wagons, buggies, etc. etc.

Mr. Dickinsheets was born near Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County, September 30,1819, and came to Shelby County in 1836 with his parents, Henry and Mary Dickensheets, who settled in Green Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Dickinsheets died in February, 1861. Mr. Dickinsheets died in September, 1869. They reared a family of five children, viz., John, Margaret, Rachel, Thomas, and Nancy. All are yet living except Thomas, who was killed during the late war.

John Dickensheets, subject of this sketch, married Miss Martha Bird March 9, 1815. They settled on the farm where he is now living in Green Township. By this union he had five children, two of whom are yet living, one son and one daughter. His companion died. He then married Mrs. Sarah A. Williams, née Lewis, May 4, 1854, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are now living.

Mr. Duer was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 1, 1845, and was brought to Miami County by his parents, Joshua A. and Sarah Duer, in the spring of 1845. He was educated in the high school of Piqua. In December, 1845, he began teaching school, and after teaching several terms he turned his attention to farming, which he has since made his vocation. June 18, 1868, he married Miss Mary E. Worthington, of Miami County, Ohio. Their first settlement was on his father's farm, where they remained until in March, 1872, when they moved on the farm in Green Township, Shelby County, where they are now living. They have two children, sons. Mr. Duer filled the office of clerk for Green Township for six years.

Mr. Hageman was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 5th day of July, 1830. In 1850 he moved to Shelby County, and located in Green Township, making his home with his brothers William and Simon for several years. On the 17th day of February, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Robinson, of Green Township. Miss Robinson was born in Green Township, Shelby County, September 4, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman settled near Hagman sawmill, where he is now residing: They reared a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. In 1854 Mr. Hageman, in company with two of his brothers, William and George, erected a steam sawmill on the northwest corner of section 17, Green Township. one and a half miles south of Plattsville. The building was fifty by thirty-six feet, and contained a thirty-two horse power engine, with an upright or sash saw, with a capacity for sawing about twenty-five hundred feet per day. The business of manufacturing all kinds of hard wood lumber, including poplar and Linn, working under the firm name of Hageman Brothers until 1865, when William sold his interest to J. P., and the firm was then styled Hageman and Brother, and remained as such two years. Then in 1867 George Hageman sold to C. W. Dorsey, and the firm name was Hageman and Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey remained a partner one year, and in 1868 he sold his interest in the mill to Mr. Hageman, who has since that time operated it successfully alone. In 1880 he enlarged his mill to seventy-eight by thirty-six feet, and put in a forty-horse-power engine and a set of circular saws, and it now has the capacity for cutting eight thousand feet of lumber per day by putting on a sufficient force of men to run it steadily. He also manufactures lath, picket palings, etc. etc. He keeps constantly on hand for sale a large stock of lumber, including poplar, lien, all kinds of hard wood lumber, plastering lath, pickets, wagon and buggy materials.

Mr.. Maloney was born in Ireland June 20, 1819. In 1854 he came to America, and located in Summit County, Ohio, remained a few years, then in 1858 or 1859 he moved to Miami County, where he married Miss Elizabeth Ryan in 1856. They settled in Miami County, remained until in 1870, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township where they are now living. They have a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Maloney has made farming his vocation. At present he owns several farms in Green Township, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the township.

a native of Ohio, was born in Miami County on the 26th day of February, 1830, where he passed his minority. November 20,1852, he married Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of Thomas and Margaret Long, of Miami County. Mr. and Mrs. Branson settled in Miami County, and remained a few years. In 1858 they emigrated to Iowa, where they remained until in 1864, when they returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 1865 they came to Shelby County, and located in Green Township, where they now reside. They have a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Branson gave all of his attention to farming until 1875, when he engaged in nursery business, which now occupies the most of his time.

At this date, 1881, he has about fifteen hundred trees, of all kinds and varieties of fruits, ready for market, about thirty-two thousand trees one year old, which he has grown since the freeze and destruction of fruit trees during the winter of 1880-81, and intends from this year on to make the raising of fruit trees his entire business. His varieties consist of about one hundred and three different kinds of apples, thirty of pears, fifteen of cherries, also a nice variety of plums, peaches, currants, gooseberries, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, quinces, and, in fact, everything in the nursery line. They employ no agents, but give their commission to the men who buy and plant their trees. They can sell at half the price of travelling agents, furnishing better trees, fresh from the nursery suited to our climate and soil.

Mr. Denman is a native of Miami County, Ohio, where he was born on the 5th day of January, 1823. He has made farming his avocation, and at present owns two good farms in Green Township. September 12, 1844, he married Miss Barbara E. Houser, of Miami County, Ohio, born September 20, 1826, and daughter of John and Margaret Houser.

Mr. and Mrs. Denman came to Shelby County on the 24th day of September, 1844, and settled in Green Township, where they are now residing. They reared a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. Mr. Denman is a son of Joseph and Phebe Denman, and is of a family of ten children, he being the only one of the number that is now living.

deceased, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1799, and was brought to Ohio by his parents, John and Christina Redenbo, May, 1799, who located in Hamilton County, remained a few years, then, in 1810 or 1811, came to Shelby County, and located in Orange Township. John Redenbo and his son Jeremiah went from this county, and served about six months in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Robbins, born in Shelby County, Turtle Creek Township, April 1, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Redenbo settled in Green Township in 1819 or 1820, where they made improve-

ments, and remained a few years, and in 1827 or 1828 he sold his land, and purchased quarter of section 26, Green Township, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He died June 17, 1878. His companion is still living on the home farm at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of seven Children, viz., Catharine, Harriet, Andrew, Alfred, Sylvester, Robert J., and Lewis P. Robert J. and Catharine are now deceased.

deceased, was born in New Jersey on the 6th day of May, 1875. He was of English descent. He married Miss Alice Vorhess, a native of New Jersey, born April 9, 1793. They settled in their native State, remained until 1832, when they migrated to Ohio, and located in Shelby County, Green Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Bird died August 6, 1847. Mrs. Bird died September 9, 1853. They reared a family of nine children, viz., John, Charity, Gilbert, Samuel, Anngeleta, Martha, James, Joseph, and Margaret. John, James, and Martha are deceased. The other six are all living in Shelby County except Margaret, who lives in Champaign County.

A son of the above-named Samuel Bird, deceased, was born in Ocean County, New Jersey, December 10, 1822, and came with his parents to Shelby County in 1832, as aforesaid. He married Miss Susannah Blakely, born in Franklin Township, Shelby County, Ohio, August 6, 1825, daughter of Robert and Eliza Blakely, who were among the early settlers of Franklin Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bird settled on his father's home farm, which he purchased shortly after the death of his father. He has filled the office of trustee of Green Township nearly all the time since 1852, and still holds the position. They reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter; all are now living except one son, Levi J., who enlisted in Company K of the 12th O. V. C., October, 1 63, was taken prisoner on Clinch River, Virginia, December, 1864, and died in Libby prison February, 1865.

Mr. Randolph was born in Clarke County, Ohio, July 13, 1826, and came with his parents, James B. F. and Rachel Randolph, to Miami County in 1838, who settled near Piqua, where young Randolph grew to manhood. November 27,1850, he married Miss Sarah E. Bull, daughter of John and Eliza Bull. Miss Bull was born in Greene County, September 3, 1829, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1832, who settled in Orange Township, where they now reside. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Randolph settled on the farm in Green Township in section 29, where they are now living. They reared a family of eight sons, five of whom are yet at home with their parents. Mr. Randolph's first purchase of land was the northwest quarter of section 29, Green Township. He has made other purchases of land at different times, until he now owns about two hundred and eighty acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation. He has one of the finest brick dwellings in the township, which he erected in 1875, and is one among the leading farmers in Green Township.

His parents, James B. F. and Rachel Randolph, came to Shelby County in 1853, and settled in Turtle Creek Township, where Mr. Randolph died August 9, 1874, aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Randolph is still living in that township at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and enjoying good health for one of her age.

deceased, a soldier of the Revolution, was born in Virginia on the 11th day of January, 1760. When but yet a boy of sixteen years he entered the army in the war of 1776, under the command of Gen. Greene, and was actively engaged in the battle of Guilford, and several other hard-contested battles. He also took an active part in several Indian raids after the close of the Revolution. Several years after the close of the war he moved to Greene County, Ohio, with his wife and family, where his companion died. He was then married to Miss Sarah Roberts, by whom he had three children, viz., Rachel, Samuel R., and Eliza A In 1839 Mr. Woodward came with his family to Shelby County, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 13, Greene Township, where he died September 25, 1852, at the age of ninety-two years, eight months, and fourteen days. His companion died September 1, 1879, aged eighty-nine years, four. months, and two days.

deceased, was born in Virginia in November, 1798, and came to Ohio with his father when a small boy, and settled in Warren County, where young Botkin grew to manhood. He married Miss Elizabeth Locker, then of Clarke County, Ohio. In 1827 or 1828 Mr. and Mrs. Botkin came to Shelby County, and settled in section 18, Green Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Botkin died in 1862.

Mr. Botkin died December 10, 1875. They reared a family of nine children, viz., Sarah, Eliza, Nancy, Lydia, Elizabeth, Amos, Emeline, Jemima, and Mary E. Sarah and Nancy are now dead. Mr. Botkin filled the office of treasurer of Green Township for several years, and also township trustee for a few years.

Mr. Sanders was born in Miami County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1817. He is a son of Benjamin and Martha Sanders, who moved to Shelby County in 1819, located near Hardin, remained a few years, then removed to Miami County, where they both died. Young Sanders was placed by his father as an apprentice at the tailor trade, with Gabriel Hubbell, of Sidney, with whom he remained about five years. He then began working at the trade as a journeyman, and followed tailoring as his vocation, working in differnt cities and villages until 1848, when he retired from the business and has since made farming his avocation. March 18, 1847, he married Miss Rachel Rossell, of Miami County, Ohio, born in Piqua October 1, 1822, daughter of Elias and Mary Rossell. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders settled in Monroe, Butler County, Ohio, remained until 1848, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and located in Green Township, where they are now living. Mr. Sanders has been a successful farmer, and at this date, Dec. 5, 1881, owns a farm of 214 acres, a part of which is in sec. 28, and the remainder is in sec. 22, which is principally the result of his own hard labor and good business tact. They reared two children, viz.: Volney B. and Orrilla F. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have been members of the Spring Creek Christian Church since the time of its organization in 1851. Mr. Sanders has been a member of Taylor Lodge, No. 322, I. O. O. F., twenty years.

Mr. Haney is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born on the 16th day of December, 1811. He was brought to Miami County in 1816 by his parents, George and Elizabeth Haney, who located in the north part of Miami County, near the Shelby County line. Joseph Haney, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest of a family of twenty children, fourteen of whom are yet living. He is a carpenter by trade. In 1845 he turned his attention to farming, which he has since made his prinicipal avocation, but worked some at his trade. June 1.3, 1833, he married Miss Eva Livengood, of Montgomery County, Ohio, born Nov. 19, 1810. They settled in Miami County. In 1855 they came to Shelby County and setted on a part of the N. W. quarter of section 28, Green Township, where they are now living. They reared a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Two of the sons and one daughter are now dead. Their son, Peter L. Haney, served as a private in Company E, 71st O V. I., from Oct. 27, 1861, until Oct. 10, 1863, when he was killed at Hartsville, Tenn. His body was brought home for burial. Another son, Isaac R. Haney, enlisted in Company E, 110th O. V. I., Sept. 1862, and served until June 13, 1863, when he was wounded at Winchester, Va., and died June 27, 1863, from the effects of the wound. His body was also brought home for interment.

deceased, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Nov. 15, 1794. He spent several years on the Atlantic as a sailor while a single man. In 1833 he turned his attention to farming, which he made his vocation during the remainder of his life. He died May 9, 1872. He was twice married; first, to Miss Mary O'Neal,. of New Jersey, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living, viz., James and Elizabeth. His companion died. His second marriage was to Miss Rachel Clevenger, in 1826, of Monmouth County, N. J., born Sept. 11, 1806. They remained in New Jersey until 1833, when they moved to Shelby County, Ohio, and settled in Green Township, where he made improvements and passed the remainder of his days. His companion, Mrs. Williams, is still living the home farm. By his second marriage he had eight children, viz., Joseph, Harriet, Hannah, Emmor, Sarah J., William H., Mary E., and Thomas F. Joseph, Hannah, and Mary E. are now dead.

son of the above-named William B. Williams, deceased, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1841. On the 7th day of April, 1864, he married Miss Mary A. Wiles, daughter of David and Catharine Wiles, born Jan. 31, 1842, in Green Township, Shelby County. Mr. and' Mrs. Williams settled on a part of section 28, Green Township, remained until 1874, when they moved on his father's home farm, where they now reside. They have a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. He now owns his father's home farm, having purchased it a few years since.

Mr. Sturm was born in Clarke County, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1813, and was brought to Shelby County by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Sturm, in 1814, who settled in what is now Green Township, where they made

improvements, and passed the remainder of their days. They were, as near as can be ascertained, the first settlers in Green Township, their nearest neighbors being six miles distant, and their home was what we can justly call a home in the woods, with no one except the Indians near them, and they were everyday visitors, calling to ask some favor of the white man. They reared a family of twelve children, viz., Matthias, Margaret, Nicholas, Henry, Peter, William, Jacob, Frederick, Ephraim, Elizabeth, George, and John. Matthias, Nicholas, and Henry served in the war of 1812. All of the above-named children are now dead, except George and John, twin brothers. George is now riving in Perry Township, Shelby County, and John is living on the home farm in Green Township. Mr. Sturm died June 14, 1832, aged seventy-five years. His companion departed this life April 3, 1840, aged eighty-five years. He had a wide reputation as an expert with his rifle, and was a successful hunter. Mr. John Sturm, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, and spent his minority days on the farm, clearing, grubbing, and preparing the soil for cultivation. On the 30th day of July, 1834, he married Miss Rachel M. Barbee, by whom he reared six children, viz., Elias B., Julia A., John F., David I., Mary E., and Eliza J. Mr. and Mrs. Sturm settled on his father's home farm where they have since resided.

Miss Barbee, wife of Mr. Sturm, was born in Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1817, and came to Shelby County with her parents, Elias and Mary Barbee, in 1834, who settled on the N. W. quarter of section 2, Green Township, where Mr. Barbee died Feb. 1, 1842. His companion died Oct. 17, 1871.

Mr. Prince, son of William and Sarah Prince, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 25, 1831, where he spent his boyhood days. May 1859, he married Miss Mary Jones, of Champaign County, daughter of William H. and Rachel Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Prince settled in their native county, remained until March 13, 1865, when they came to Shelby County and settled in Green Township, where they are now residing. They have a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. He filled the office of treasurer for Green Township one year. September 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 42d O. V. I., as a private, and served as such one year ; then, Oct. 19, 1862, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and on the 1st day of January, 1863, he was promoted to the office of Captain of Company I, 42d O. V. I., until Dec. 2, 1864, when he was mustered out of the service.

Mr. Hunt is a native of Butler County,, Ohio, where he was born on the 26th day of September, 1819, and came to Shelby County in 1836 with his parents, Ira and Mary Hunt, who settled in this township, where Ira Hunt died September 28, 1845. His companion survived him until August, 1855. Mr. Ira Hunt reared a family of eight children, viz., Justus T., Ira F., Phebe D., Heman R., Eliza J., Nancy W., Mary E., and Rachel A.; four of whom are yet living, Justus T., Heman R., Nancy W., and Rachel A.

He was appointed by Treasurer McGrew as deputy treasurer of Shelby County. His duty was to visit each and every township in the county and collect the taxes, except Clinton Township, which office he filled one year. Heman R. Hunt, subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and has made farming his avocation through life. At this date he owns two good farms in Green 'township. On the 26th day of September, 1844, he married Miss Ann Conover, of Warren County, Ohio, born November 13, 1819, and came to Shelby County with her parents, Timothy and Mary Conover, in 1835, who settled on a part of section 1, Green Township, where Dr. Leedom now lives, near New Palestine. Mr. II. settled on his father's farm in Green Township, where they are now residing. They reared two children, viz., Preston R. and Bruce S. Mr. Hunt filled the office of trustee of Green Township for three years and treasurer one year.

Mr. Wiles was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 23, 1815. He came to Miami County in 1828 with his parents, James and Anna Wiles, who located in Spring Creek Township, where the subject of this sketch, David Wiles, passed his boyhood days. On the 15th day of March, 1838, he married Miss Catharine Bolsell, born in Miami County, Ohio, February 20, 1820, daughter of Samuel and Mary Bolsell.

Mr. and Mrs. Wiles settled in Miami County, remained until in 1844, when they came to Shelby ,County, made improvements, and settled on a part of the southeast quarter of section 29, Green Township, in 1845, where they now reside. They reared a family of six children, viz., James, Mary A., Celina J., Thomas B., John A., and Elvira E. Elvira E. died June 27, 1881. Mr. Wiles served as a member of the board of education of Green Township ten years, and constable of the township three years.

Mr. Randolph was born in Clarke County, Ohio, May 19, 1833. He came to Shelby County in 1853, and made his home with his brother William Randolph, for several years. December 25, 1860, he married Miss Mary M. Platt, daughter of John and Dorcas Platt, born in Shelby County, Green Township, June 11, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph settled on her father's home farm, where they are now residing. They have a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.

deceased, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, September 20, 1796, where he passed his minority days. In 1831 he came to Ohio with his family, and located in Shelby County on the farm now owned by Silas Johnston, in section 20, Green Township, remained several years, and then moved on the farm in same section now owned by his son, Robert N. Shaw, where he died December 12, 1864. Mr. Shaw was twice married, first to Miss Mary McKee, of Kentucky, by whom he had five children, viz., Mary, Elizabeth Margaret, Robert N., and Thomas A. His companion died in 1832. his second marriage was with Sarah Parkes, née Wair, in 1833, by whom he had seven children, John S., Sarah A., Martha M., William H., Louisa E., Frances H., and one died in infancy. Two of his sons, John S. and William H., served in the war of 1861.

Mr. Frazier, a son of George W. and Mary Frazier, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, June 16, 1837. The early part of his life was spent as a workman at ;he stone and brick mason trade until in 1858, when he began teaching school, which he followed a few years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, 99th O.V. I., and served as a private until March 24, 1865, when he was discharged from the service, and returned home. In February, 1873, he engaged in the mercantile business in Plattsville, which he has since been conducting successfully. November 23, 1865, he married Miss Louisa Woodmancy, daughter of John Woodmancy, by whom he has five children, two sons and three daughters.

Mr. S. was born in Clarke County, Ohio, October 15, 1825. He is what we can call a self-educated man, acquiring the principal part of his education at home. On the first day of December, 1845, he came to. Shelby County, and began teaching school in Green Township, which he followed as his profession seventeen years, and has since that time given his attention to farming. In 1866 he was elected justice of the peace for Green Township, and has since that date filled the office satisfactorily to the citizens of the township. He has been re-elected six times, and his present term of office expires in 1883. He also filled the office of township clerk, his term of office beginning in 1859, and was re-elected until he served them as clerk seven years. The last year of his clerkship covered the first year of his term as justice of the peace. He discharged the duties of both one year. In 1850 he was assessor of Green Township. In 1880 he acted as land appraiser of the township. March 8, 1859, he married Miss Mary Brelsford, then of Miami County, Ohio. Miss Brelsford was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 14, 1826, and came to Miami County with her father, Samuel Brelsford, in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Simes settled in the village of Plattsville, remained until March, 1862, when they moved on the farm where they are now residing. They

retired farmer, was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, September 29, 1799, and came to Shelby County in March, 1831, purchased land in this township, and moved his family August 29, 1831, where he is now residing. March 29, 1826, he married Clarissa Meighen, born in Butler County, Ohio, October 9, 1806. By this union he reared a family of seven children, viz., Mary A., William M., Abigail, David, Lucinda, Leah, and Eliza P. Lucinda and Eliza I'. are now dead.

retired farmer, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, March 27, 1807. He was reared on a farm. In 1877 he retired from business, and is now living a: retired life. October 8, 1835, he married Miss Nancy C. Middleton, of Hamilton County, Ohio, born March 25, 1817, daughter of William and Rachel Middleton. In 1847 Mr. Hagman moved to Shelby County with his family, and settled in this township, where they are now residing. They reared a family of five children, viz., John H., Rachel, David, William H., and George W. David is now dead. The other four are married, and living in Green Township.

deceased, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, April 15, 1807, where he grew to manhood. In 1831 he moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, remained two years, then, in 1833, he came to Shelby County, and located in Green Township, on section 29, where he made improvements, and passed the remainder of his life. He died August 19, 1880, aged seventy-three years, four months, and four days. On the 6th day of March, 1834, he married Miss Dorcas Tuttle; who was born

in Clarke County, Ohio, October 7, 1817, and was brought to Shelby County by her parents, Thaddeus and Mary Tuttle, in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Platt moved on his land in Green Township, where she is now residing. They reared two children, Thomas T. and Mary M.

Mr. Platt was a citizen highly esteemed, possessing the confidence and respect of all his neighbors. He was a kind and indulgent parent and an affectionate husband, and greatly beloved by his family. He had been a member of the M. E. Church for forty years.

a son of the above-named John and Dorcas Platt, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, on the farm where he is now living, February 2d, 1836. On the 30th day of April, 1860, he married Miss Margaret Francis, of Shelby County, born in Sidney, December 5, 1837, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Francis. By this union he has four children, two sons and two daughters.

deceased, a pioneer of Green Township, was born in Virginia November 8, 1790. He moved to Ohio in 1811, and located in Clarke County, where he married Miss Mary Ellsworth ; who was born in Virginia September 3, 1792, and came to Clarke County, Ohio, with her parents.

In 1818 Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle came to Shelby County, and settled in Green Township, where they made improvements, and lived many years. Mr. Tuttle 'died August 1, 1852. His companion survived him until October, 1852. They reared a family of nine children, viz., Thomas, Charity, Dorcas, Polly, J. B., John E., Phebe C., David S., and Sylvanus. Only four of the number are how living, Thomas, Polly, David, and Dorcas. Mr. Tuttle was a soldier of the war of 1812. He filled the office of treasurer of Green Township about five years.

deceased, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, October 1,‘ 1811. He migrated to Miami County, where he married Mary A. Robbins September 1, 1831. They settled in Miami County, remained until September, 1846, when they came to Shelby County, where Mr. Covault died December 18, 1867. Mrs. Covault is living on the home farm. They reared a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters.. One of the sons, Elsbery G., served about three years in the war of 1861.

Mr. Verdier was born in Clarke County, Ohio, October 2, 1808. His education is what could be obtained in the common schools of his youth, and by close application to his studies at home. In 1828 he began teaching school, which he made a profession about ten years. April 25, 1839, he married Miss Lucinda Leffel, of Clarke County, Ohio, born in 1821. Shortly after marriage they came to Shelby County, and settled on the farm in Green Township, where he is now living. They reared four children, William I., Elizabeth K., George W., and Pauline J. William I. served in the war of 1861. Mrs. Verdier died in 1852.

Mr. Verdier then married Miss Sarah E. Hand in 1869, of Miami County, born November 17, 1843, by whom he has six children. one son and five daughters.

After his settlement in this county he gave his attention to farming, and now owns a farm of 240 acres in Green Township. He taught two terms of school in Green Township soon after coming to the county. He also taught vocal music at different school-houses for several years. He filled the office of treasurer of Green Township three years. He is esteemed and respected by all who know him.

Mr. Johnson, a son of John and Eliza Johnson, was born in Bucks County, Pa., September 10, 1820. His education is what could be obtained in the common schools of his youth. October 17, 1844, he married Miss Catharine Green, of New Jersey, born April 7, 1824, daughter of James B. and Catharine Green.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled in his native county, remained four years, then in 1848 they moved to Mercer, New Jersey, and from thence they moved to Ohio in 1851, and located in Shelby County, where they now reside.

Mr. Suber, a son of George and Elizabeth Suber, was born in Miami County, Ohio, July 9, 1832. He received a common school education. March 26, 1866, he married Miss Sarah A. Earhart, of Miami County, born June 19, 1839, daughter of David and Catharine Earhart. Mr. and Mrs. Suber settled in their native county, remained seven years, then in March, 1873, they came to Shelby County, purchased and moved on the farm in section 11, Green Township, where they are now living. They have a family of three children, one son and two daughters.

Mr. Conroy was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, May 21, 1802. He is a son of Edward and Jemima Conroy, who moved from Virginia to Ohio ih or about 1805, and located in Pickaway County, remained until 1817, when they moved to Champaign County, located one year, or long enough to raise one crop, and from there they came to Shelby County in the fall of 1818, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 10, Green Township, on which they made improvements, and passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Conroy died February 8, 1842. His companion died October 6, 1851. They reared a family of six children, viz., Isaac, Catharine, Nancy, Edward, Elizabeth, and Samuel. All are now dead except Edward, the subject of this sketch, who is now living on the old home farm in Green Township. December 23, 1835, he married Miss Rebecca Scorf, of Greene County, Ohio, by whom he had four children, Isaac N., Mary C., George W., and Martha E. His companion died in 1851. He then married Mrs. Frances Rock, née McFarland, December 24, 1853, who lived with him until November 10, 1881, when she was taken from him by death, leaving him to fight the battles of life alone in his old days. He is enjoying good health for one of his years, honored and esteemed by all of his acquaintances, and commonly known as Uncle Ed Conroy.

In Berkeley County, West Va., on the 30th day of Nov. 1824, Mr. Crouse was born. His parents were Michael and Elizabeth Crouse, who came to Shelby County in 1850, and settled in Green Township, where they died several years since. Joseph H. Crouse is of German descent on his father's side, and of English extraction on his mother's. He received a common school education. In 1845 he came to Ohio and located in Greene County, remained until 1847, when he came to Shelby County and stopped in Green Township. Feb. 22, 1851, he married Miss Mary J. Chrisman, daughter of David and Leanah Chrisman. Miss Chrisman was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Feb. 29, 1828, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1844, who settled in Green Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Crouse settled on a farm in Green Township after living on rented farms for several years, or until 1860, when he purchased a part of the N. W. quarter of section 17, on which they moved in 1861, and remained three years. Then in 1864 he sold his land in section 17, purchased and moved on the farm in section 24, near Plattsville, where they are now residing. He has made farming his principal occupation, and at present owns a farm of 624,- acres of good land and under a good state of cultivation.

son of T. C. and Rachel Woolley, was born in Shelby County, Green Township, Jan. 9, 1854. In 1861 he began making his home with Edward Conroy, with whom he has since been living. Jan. 13, 1878, he married Miss Lizzie R. Neal, daughter of Daniel D. and Eliza Neal. They moved into the house with Mr. Conroy, where they are now living.

Mr. Middleton, a son of William and Rachel Middleton, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1814. He is a blacksmith by trade, and followed that business for eight years. In 1845 he turned hiS attention to farming, and has since that date .made farming his avocation, and now owns a farm of 133 acres. December 5, 1838, he married Miss Lydia Graham, daughter of James and Mary E. Graham. Miss Graham was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Aug. 14, 1818, and moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, with her father in 1823, her mother being dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Middleton settled in Hamilton County, remained until April 3, 1853, when they came to Shelby County and settled on the farm in Green Township, where they have since resided. They reared a family of eight children, viz., Lucinda H., James B., Mary J., David, Elizabeth, Lewis N., Alice B., and William L., all of whom are now living.

deceased, was born in Virginia Feb. 28, 1792. He migrated to Ohio with his father and located in Hamilton County, where he married Miss Leanah Stoneshaffer. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman came to Shelby County and settled on section 13, where they made improvements and passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Chrisman died July 24, 1866. His companion survived him until Dec. 5, 1870. They reared a family of ten children, viz., Martha A., Alfred, Emeline, Mary A., Eliza, Anna M., Rosanna, Sarah M., Harriet, and David A., four of whom are now dead—Emeline, Sarah M., Martha A., and Anna M.

On the 29th day of July, 1811, in Frederick County, Maryland, Mr. Shank was born. In 1825 he, in company with his father, Christian Shank, migrated to Ohio and located in Montgomery County, where the subject of this sketch married Miss Catharine Woolet March 8, 1832,

daughter of Philip and Mary Woolet. Miss Woolet was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb. 12, 1808, and migrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, with her brother in 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Shank settled in Montgomery County, remained until 1856, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and moved on the farm in section 4, Green Township, now owned by his widow, Mrs. Shank, and their two sons, Joseph M. and Henry M., where Mr. Shank died September 3, 1881.

was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 24, 1835. He came to Shelby County in 1861, and made his home with Jeremiah Layman, of Orange Township, two years, Aug. 18, 1863. He married Mrs. Aimee H. Silver, nee Layman, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Layman, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Dec. 1, 1831, who came to Shelby County with her parents in 1839 and located in Orange Township. Mr. and Mrs. Brelsford settled in Green Township on a part of the south half of section 23, where they are now residing. They have a family of five children, tour sons and one daughter.

was born in Clarke County, Ohio, Nov. 8,1838. He went to Greene County, Ohio, when yet a small boy, and made his home with Jonathan S. Cost. In 1850 Mr. Cost removed to Champaign County, Ohio, taking young Ulrick with him, where he grew to manhood. He received his education at the Westerville College, where he attended about three years. Aug. 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 95th 0. V. I., and served until the war closed, and was discharged from the service at Louisville, Ky., Aug. 14, 1865, and returned home. He was engaged in the following named battles : Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863 ; Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., from May 18 to June 22, 1863 ; Siege of Jackson, Miss., from July 10 until the 18th, 1863, and passed through these hard contested battles without receiving a wound. In the fall of 1865 he engaged in teaching school, which he followed as his profession about five years, and then turned his attention to farming, and since 1870 he has made farming his principal business. Jan. 1, 1867, he married Miss Susannah Wilkison, of Champaign County, Ohio, daughter of Asahel and Mary Wilkison. Mr. and Mrs. Ulrick settled on her father's home farm in Champaign County, remained until 1869, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township, t.helby County, where they are now residing. They have one child, a daughter.

deceased, was born in Maryland July 27, 1807. He migrated to Greene County, Ohio, when yet a small boy, where he grew to manhood He married Miss Julia A. Snider, of Greene County, Ohio, born Jan. 9, 1808. They settled in Greene County, remained until 1832, when they came to Shelby County and settled on section 17, Green Township, where he followed farming as his avocation and passed the remainder of his days. His companion died .Jan. 15, 1880, and he died Jan. 20, 1880. They reared a family of thirteen children, viz., John, Elizabeth, Gasper, Jonathan, Jacob, Sarah E., Rebecca, Mary, Theresa F., William, Almeria, Julia A., and Laura B., eight of whom are yet living, three sons and five daughters.

son of the above named William, was born in Greene County, Ohio, July 13, 1832, and was brought to Shelby County by his parents when a small child, where he passed his minority days. May 17, 1857, he married Miss Samantha Bodle, born Jan. 15, 1830, (laughter of William and Mary Bodle. Mr. and Mrs. Niswanger have resided in Shelby County since their marriage, excepting about two years, during which time they were in Miami County, Ohio, and Madison County, Indiana. They have five children, two sons and three daughters. He served three years in the war of 1861. He enlisted in Company K, 20th 0. V. I., Aug. 28, 1862, and was discharged at Washington May 30, 1865.

deceased, was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 11, 1811. He made farming his avocation through life. In 1835 or 1836 he came to Shelby County, and entered the northwest quarter of section 11, Green Township. In 1837 he married Miss Nancy Garbry, then of Miami County, Ohio. Miss Garbry was born in Pennsylvania, October 14, 1812, and came to Miami County with her parents when a small girl.

Mr. and Mrs. Gray settled on his land in Green Township, on which he made improvements, and lived until 1859, when he purchased land in section 12, same township, where he died March 11, 1875. His companion is still surviving him, and is now residing in Miami County. They reared a family of five children, three of whom are now living. One of his sons, William G., served three years in the war of 1861.

deceased, a son of John H. and Catharine Dorsey, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, November 21, 1837. He received a common school education. He was reared on a farm, and made farming and dealing in stock his avocation through life. On the 5th day of April, 1860, he married Miss Anna E. Seely, of Miami County, Ohio, who was born February 1, 1844, and came with her parents, Rockwell II. and Salinda Seely, to Shelby County, and located in New Palestine.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey settled on a part of his father's home farm in section 4, Green Township, remained until 1867, when he sold his interest in the home farm, and purchased a farm in section 13, Green Township, on which he moved with his family, and passed the remainder of his days. He died July 17, 1873. The farm is now owned by his heirs-- his widow and children. He was considered one of Green Township's wide-awake and leading business men.

was born in what is now Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, September 28, 1817. He is a son of Ezekiel Sargeant, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1800, and located in Adams County, where he married Miss Jane Lochard, of that county.

Mr. and Mrs. Sargeant settled in Adams County, remained a few years, then moved to Clarke County, located a short time, and from thence they came to Shelby County in 1816, and settled in a part of section 6, Green Township, on which they made improvements, and lived about seventeen years, or until 1833, when they removed to Champaign County, where they passed the remainder of their days. They reared a family of eleven children, Elizabeth, Margaret, Martha, Eli, John, Philip, Richard, Ezekiel, William, Jane, and Andrew J. Only four of the above named children are now living, viz., John, Ezekiel, William, and Andrew J. John Sargeant, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the family that is now living in Ohio; the others are in the Western States. He is a carpenter by trade, and that in connection with farming has been his vocation through life. He has owned several farms in Shelby and Champaign counties, and at this time he owns a good farm of 140 acres in Champaign County. He has been twice married; first, on the 12th day of September, 1840, to Miss Mary A. Woolley, by whom he reared two children, Ezekiel and Ellie. His companion died in August, 1864. He then married Mrs. Hannah Manning, née Graham, in December, 1865, by whom he had three children, two of whom are now living, One son and one daughter. Mr. Sargeant settled in Champaign County after marriage, remained until the spring of 1873, when he moved to New Palestine, where he is now residing, respected and honored by all that know him. All his life has been spent in the vicinity of New Palestine.

Mr. Leedom was born in Bucks County, Pa., November 13, 1817. He was educated in the Philadelphia schools. In 1837 he began the study of medicine in his native county. He attended the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and in 1839 he moved to Ohio, and located in Champaign County, where he commenced the practice of medicine under the direction of and with Dr. A. K. Roots, of St. Paris, with whom he remained about two years, or until 1841, when he associated himself with his brother, Dr. S. K. Leedom, of Quincy, Logan County, Ohio, for one year. Then in 1842 he came to Shelby County, and located near New Palestine, where he has since been engaged in the profession of medicine, and is known for many miles around as a successful practitioner. On the 4th day of February, 1839, he married Miss Mary Johnson, of Bucks County, Pa., born April 23, 1819, daughter of John and Eliza Johnson. By this union he has five children, viz., Caroline E., John J., Mary J., Samuel K., and Elwood G. Mr. Leedom owns a good farm in Green Township near New Palestine, on which he is residing, and conducting the business of farming in connection with his profession, and is considered as among Green Township's most enterprising and leading business men, always in favor of any improvement that is beneficial to the community at large in which he lives.

deceased, was born near Elkhart Mills, Maryland, February 3, 1786. Be was taken to Virginia in 1790 by his parents, Charles and Elizabeth Dorsey, where he passed his minority days. In 1810 he came to Ohio with his parents, and located in Champaign County. He served his country in the war of 1812, and was discharged from the service after the war closed near Columbus, Ohio, and returned to his home in Champaign County. In 1861 he received a warrant, calling for 160 acres of land, from the Government, as a recompense for his service during that war. About 1816 or 1817 he came to Shelby County yet a single man, entered, made improvements, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 4, Green Township, a part of which is now owned by his son, Isaac C. Dorsey, where he spent the remainder of his days as a farmer. In 1822 he married Miss Catharine Conroy, daughter of Edward and Jemima Conroy. Miss Conroy was born in Virginia May 14, 1799, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1818, who settled in Green Township. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey settled on his land, where they lived many years, and reared a family of eight children, viz., Eliza-

beth A., Snowden T., John W., Jemima, Isaac C., Sarah E., Charles M., and Catharine. Charles M. and Sarah E. are now dead.

Mr. Dorsey served as justice of the peace of Green Township several years. He also filled the office of township trustee for Green Township about twenty-six years. He always took an active part in the advancement of education, and was one among the leaders in pushing forward the educational interest of the township. He was also an active member of church, and his house was a home for all the ministers of the Gospel that chanced to pass through the neighborhood. He was a good citizen, having the confidence and esteem of all that knew him, a kind and indulgent parent, and an affectionate husband. He died November 11, 1867, aged eighty-one years, nine months, and eight days. His companion survived him until October 11, 1878, when she died at the age of seventy-nine years, four months, and twenty-nine days.

son of the above, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, July. 17, 1833. On the 2d day of May, 1858, he married Miss Isabella, daughter of Jacob Evelsisor, of Champaign County. They settled on a part of his father's home farm, where they have since resided. They have a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. He has filled the office of trustee for Green Township about twelve years; also acted as township assessor one year.

eldest son of the above-named John and Catharine Dorsey, was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Qhio, Jan. 11, 1825. He was reared on a farm, and has made farming his principal avocation. May 20, 1849, he married Miss Margaret J. Dodson, of Champaign County, born Sept. 2, 1826, daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Dodson. By this marriage he had two children, Edward C. and John E. Mrs. Dorsey died Oct. 25, 1862. He then married Miss Sarah A. Shaw, March 28, 1863, daughter of William and Sarah Shaw, born June, 1839, with whom he lived until May 9, 1864, when she died. On the 28th day of July, 1864, he married Anna M., daughter of Samuel and Hannah R. lathers, born in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, July 6, 1836, by whom he has two children, Samuel M. and Charles M. March 28, 1854, Mr. Dorsey settled on a farm in section 5, Green Township, where he has since resided. He filled the office of trustee of Green Township one term.

Mr. Princehouse was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1831. His father, Henry Princehouse, was born in Virginia about 1797. He married Miss Winaford Griffin. In 1819 he came to Shelby County and located in Green Township. His first permanent settlement in the township was on the N. E. quarter of section 7, now known as the Van Demark farm. In 1833 he purchased of R. C. Cunningham a part of the S. E. quarter of section 7, on which he made improvements, moved his family, and passed the remainder of his days. His companion died in 1869. He died Nov. 1, 1869. He reared a family of twelve children, only four of whom are now living, viz., John T., Peter, Jacob, and Samuel. Peter Princehouse, the subject of this sketch, married Mary A. Harvey Feb. 20. 1850. They settled on his father's home farm, where they are now living. They have three children, viz., Henry N., Samuel, and Harvey G. Mr. Princehouse has made farming his avocation through life.

Mr. Cunningham was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 16, 1798. He was taken to Greene County, Ohio, by his parents about 1800, where be passed his boyhood days. Sept. 4,1817, he married Miss Margaret A. Berryhill, of Greene County. They settled in Greene County, remained two years or until September, 1819, when they came to Shelby County, made improvements, and settled on the S. E. quarter of section 7, Green Township, on which he has since resided, having lived on We one farm sixty-two years. His companion died Aug. 3, 1878, aged 81 years, 3 mos. and 4 days. He is still living, and enjoying good health for one of his years. They reared a family of ten children, viz., James, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Margaret A., Martha, Mary, Ellen, Nancy, and Andrew. Four of the number are now dead, viz., Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, and Andrew. Andrew Cunningham served about six months in the war of 1861. Ellen is still at home, taking care of her aged father in his feeble days.

was born in Butler County, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1809. He was brought up on a farm, and followed farming as his avocation through life. In Jan. 1830 he married Miss Zilpha A. Hunt, daughter of Nathan and Zilpha Hunt, born in New York State April 20, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe settled in Butler County, remained eight years or until Dec. 1838, when they migrated to Shelby County and located on the land which now comprises the well improved farm owned by their son Nathan F. Rolfe, in the N. E. quarter of section 12, Green Township. They reared two children, Nathan F. and Rachel A. Rachel A. is now dead. Mrs. Rolfe died March 27, 1869. Mr. Rolfe died Dec. 27, 1869.

Nathan F. Rolfe, the subject of this sketch, is now living on the home farm and following farming as his vocation. May 27, 1862, he married Miss Eliza J. Woolley, daughter of Thomas C. and Mary Woolley, by whom he has seven children, five sons and two daughters.

was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 2, 1830, and came to Shelby County with his parents, Robert and Isabella Laughlin, in the fall of 1839, and settled near New Palestine. In 1840 Mr. R. Laughlin purchased and moved on a farm near Plattsville, where he passed the remainder of his days. He reared a family of eleven children, six of whom are yet living, viz., William, John C. C., David, Joseph S., Elizabeth, and Nancy A. John C. C. Laughlin has made farming his vocation, and at this date owns a farm of 120 acres in Champaign County, near the Shelby County line. Dec. 3, 1854, he married Miss Sarah A. Clark, daughter of William and Jemima Clark. Miss Clark was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Oct. 2,1834, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1838 and settled in Green Township. By this union he had two children, viz., William R. and Jemima I. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are now residing in New Palestine. They have lived on five different farms since their marriage, all of which were in Shelby County. He filled the office of trustee of Green Township about four years.

a son of Henry and Matilda Develvis, was born in Warren County, Ohio, April 15, 1839. He received a common school education. In 1848 he came to Shelby County with his father and located near New Palestine, where his father died in 1851. In 1853 young Develvis went to Miami County, remained a few years or until 1858, when he returned to Shelby County and located in Orange Township, remained about ten years, until 1868, when he moved out of the. township. He lived in several different places until March, 1876, when he moved to New Palestine and engaged in the mercantile business, dealing in groceries, provisions, boots, shoes, etc. etc., which he has since been conducting successfully. In March, 1878, he received the appointment of post-master, which position he is now filling. January 1, 1865, he married Miss Martha Nagle, of Greene County, Ohio, daughter of George and Jane Nagle, by whom he has two children, one son and one daughter.

son of Jacob and Sarah Bowersock, was born in Brown Township, Miami County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1829. He received his education at Delaware, Ohio, where he attended school several years. In i 849 he engaged as clerk in the mercantile business with Samuel Bowersock, of St. Paris, Ohio, with whom he remained several years. In 1865 he came to New Palestine, Shelby County, where he engaged in the mercantile trade, and has since been conducting the business successfully, dealing in all kinds of general merchandise necessary to keep in stock in a country village. In 1865 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace of Green Township, and has since filled the office (excepting one term) until Dec. 5, 1881, when he resigned his position as justice of the peace to accept the office of probate judge of Shelby County, to which he was elected in the fall of 1881 by the democracy of Shelby County. Jan. 8, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth H. Woolley, by whom he has one son and one daughter.

was born in Bucks County, Pa., Sept. 12, 1818. He came to Ohio with his parents, Thomas and Rachel Anderson, who located near Centerville for a short time or until 1837, when they came to Shelby County and settled on the S. W. quarter of section 5, Green Township, on which they made improvements and lived many years. William B. Anderson, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm and made farming his avocation through life. Nov.18, 1841, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Dorsey, born in Green Township, Shelby County, May 9, 1823, daughter of John and Catharine Dorsey. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson settled on the farm in section 5, Green Township, where she is now living. Mr. Anderson died June 21, 1861. They reared a family of seven children, viz., Elvira, John D., Clara, Thomas J., William H., Charles A., and George D. Of these all are living, except Clara.

was born in England Aug. 7, 1800, and immigrated to America with his parents, Richard and Ellen Pardington, in 1810, who located in Maryland, where he, Joseph Pardington, married Miss Tabitha Clark. They remained in Maryland until 1831, when they in company with his father's family moved to Ohio and located in Green Township, Shelby County, remained about one year, when they all returned to Maryland. In 1837 Mr. Joseph Pardington returned to Green Township with his family and

made a permanent settlement on a tract of land between Palestine and Plattsville, on which he made improvements and lived until 1868, wheh he moved to Miami County, where he died June 19, 1881. His companion died Sept. 3, 1844. He reared a family of five children, Ann, Jemima, Ellen, John, and Mary. He was considered one of the best historians that has ever lived in Green Township, and was esteemed and respected by all who knew him.

Mr. Dormire was born in France Nov. 20, 1808. He is a weaver by trade, and made weaving his principal vocation while in his native country. In 1830 he emigrated to America and located in Baltimore, remained a short time; from there he went to Philadelphia, Pa., stopped a few months, and from thence to Chambersburg, Pa., where he married Miss Dorothea Piper May 15, 1834. Miss Piper was born in Germany June 28, 1808, and emigrated to America in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Dormire settled near Chambersburg, Pa., remained until 1836, when they moved to Ohio and located in Montgomery County one year or until in the spring of 1837, when they came to Shelby County and settled on a tract of land in Perry Township, on which he made improvements and `lived until 1850, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 2, Green Township, where he has since resided. He erected his present brick residence on his farm in 1857. He reared a family of three children, Jacob, Margaret, and George. Margaret is now deceased.

son of the above named Nicholas Dormire, was born in Shelby County Oct. 5, 1838. He was reared on a farm. Sept. 21, 1865, he married Miss Catharine C. Foster, of Shelby County, born Feb. 12, 1849, daughter of John and Catharine Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Dormire settled on the farm in section 8; Green Township, where they are now living. They have a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.

Mr. Dormire was born in France Jan. 18, 1806. He is a weaver by trade, which he followed in his native country. In 1829 he married Miss Magdalene Balloon, born in France Jan. 18, 1806. In 1840 Mr. and Mrs: Dormire emigrated. to America and settled in Shelby County, Ohio, on a tract of land in Perry Township, near where his brother Nicholas Dormire was then living, on which he made improvements and lived about nine years. In 1849 he purchased and moved on the farm in section 1, Green Township, near New Palestine, where he now resides with his son, David Dormire, surrounded by the many comforts of life, enjoying good health for one of his years.. His companion died March 6, 1880. He reared a family of four children, viz., Caroline, Margaret,, John, and David, all of whom are now married and have families. He erected his present brick residence on his farm in 1859.

Mr. Lovett was born in Bucks County, Pa., February 20, 1823, and carne to Ohio with his parents, Joshua and Hepzibah Lovett, who settled Champaign County, near the Shelby .County line, August .28, 1835, where young Lovett passed the remainder of his boyhood days on a farm. May 26, 1842, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Speece, born in Virginia ;May 16, 1818, and came to Champaign County, Ohio, with her parents in 1823 or 1824.

Mr. and Mrs. Lovett settled in Champaign County, remained until 1857, when they purchased and moved on the farm in section 2, Green Township, Shelby County, where they are now living. They reared a family of four children, viz., Joshua, William S., Nicholas S., and George H., all of whom are now married, and have families. Joshua and Nicholas served about four months each in the late war in Company H, 132d O. N. G.

Mr. Arbogast was born in. Greenbrier County, Va., in October, 1801. When he had attained the age of ten years or in 1811, his parents came to Ohio and located in Clarke County, Where he grew to manhood. April 12, 1821, he married Miss Sarah Davidson, then of Clarke County, hut a native of Franklin County, Ohio, where she was born in December, 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast settled on a farm in Clarke County, remained until 1851, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and settled on the northwest quarter of section seven, Green Township, remained until 1858, when he purchased and moved on a farm in Clinton Township.. In 1865 he sold his farm in Clinton, returned to Green Township, purchased the farm which is now owned by his son, Allen Arbogast. In 1865 he made a division of a part of his property among his nine children, giving to each child one thousand dollars, and still retaining for himself his farm in section thirty, on which he resided until March, 1880, when he sold his farm, and has since made his home among his children alternately. His companion died October 19, 1881. He reared a family of nine children, viz.,Adaline, Margaret, John H., Elizabeth, Lewis, Allen, Ruth, Lydia A., and Cornelius. Lydia A. is now dead. Allen Arbogast served three years in Company F, 20th a V. I. during the war of 1861. John H. Arbogast served nearly. two years in the war of 1861.

third son of Cornelius and Sarah Arbogast, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, March 11, 1837. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1851, and located in Green Township as aforesaid. He received a common school education, also attended several terms of school at Sidney and Troy. When at the age of sixteen years he taught his first term of school. He attended school during the summer, and taught from four to five months each winter for two years. Then for six years he followed. farming during the summer months, and teaching in the winter. Then for two years he gave all of his time to teaching winter and summer—in all making eleven years. A part of which time he was employed at teaching. In 1.866 he retired from teaching, .and has since given his attention to farming and stockraising, which he has conducted with success, and now owns a farm of 161 acres, on which he now resides. September 3, 1857, he married Miss -Lydia Schobey, of Miami County, Ohio, where she was born March 2, 1839, daughter of John and Margaret Schobey. By this. union he has a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters.

On the 16th of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 20th 0. V. I., and served three years as first sergeant of his company, and was discharged from the service October 1, 1864. He was actively engaged in the. battles of Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, the Atlanta Campaign, and other minor engagements. He received a slight wound in the leg at the battle of Vicksburg, but not serious enough to render him unfit for duty.

Mr. Cory was borne in Tyrone, Schuyler County, New York, November 27, 1831, and was brought to Ohio by his parents, Joseph Ii. and Abigail Cory, who settled on a farm near the northeast corner of Brown Township, Miami County, in 1832, where they remained several years, or until 1840, when they moved to New Palestine, Shelby County, and remained one year. In 1841 they moved on their farm in Miami County where Mr. Joseph L. Cory died June 8, 1865. He was a bricklayer and plasterer by trade, having learned his trade in New York, which he fol- lowed as his principal avocation through life. His companion, Mrs. Cory, died at the residence of her son, Albert J. Cory, October 18,.1869. They reared a family of two children, Albert J. and Sarah C. ,W. Sarah C. W. married Jasper Scott December 11,1856; and died March 23, 1869.

In 1847 Albert J. Cory, subject of this sketch, went to Spring Water, New York, for the purpose of learning the tanner and currier trade with his cousin, where he remained about one year, or until August 23, 1848, when he returned to his home in Ohio, and began working with his father at the bricklaying and plastering trade, which he has since made his principal vocation, having designed as well as built some of the best dwellings in the vicinity in which he resides. October 14, 1852, he married Miss Hannah Woolley, by whom he had two children, Oscar F. and Clarence W. Oscar F. died April 13, 1861.

Mr. and Mrs. Cory settled in New Palestine, where they have since. resided, with the exception of six years, during which time they lived one year on a farm in Van Buren Township, Shelby County, and from the spring of 1865 until the fall of 1869 they were living in Indianapolis, Ind., where he was engaged at his trade. November 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 42d 0. V. I., and served his country faithfully for over three years, and was honorably discharged from the service at Columbus, Ohio, December 3, 1864. He served under Colonel, now General, Garfield, and was at the battle of Tazwell, Tenn., August 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1862. He was taken prisoner at Cumberland Gap, September 17, 1862, and was in the rebels' hands as a prisoner one month and thirteen days, when he was paroled and sent to the Union lines, and again returned to his company. He was with his regiment in the battle of Arkansas Post in 1863. He witnessed the gunboat fight on Grand Gulf, April 29, 1863. He was engaged in the battle Of Thompson's Hills, May 1, 1863, Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, Big Black River, May 17, 1863, the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-seven days, the siege of Jackson, Miss., which lasted seven days. Also in other engagements not here mentioned. A part of his time he was in thee regimental hospital, acting as hospital steward.

In September, 1855, he connected himself with the Tawawa Lodge, No. 253, I. O. O. F., by initiation, and passed the chairs while a member of that lodge. He received a withdrawal card February 10, 1866, from the Tawawa Lodge, and deposited it in the Philoxenian Lodge, No 44. of Indianapolis, February 21, 1866. In March, 1866, he joined the Metropolitan Encampment, No. 5, of Indianapolis, Ind. In November, 1866, he was a representative to the Grand Lodge of Indiana, and in November, 1867, he was a representative to the Grand Encampment of Indiana.

About the year 1760 or 1765 four brothers came from England to the American colonies. Upon their arrival they separated. One located in Richmond, Va.; one in Boston, Mass.; one in Trenton, N. J.; the fourth we cannot learn where he located. One of these brothers afterward became one of the original major-generals of the Revolutionary army; one became a brigadier-general, and one a captain. John Heath, one of these brothers, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He located in New Jersey. He left at his death a family of three children, two sons and one daughter. John Heath, Jr., one of these two sons, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1788, and married Mary Burruck. They reared a family of seven children. Austin, the subject of this sketch, was the third son of this family. He was born in the same county and township as that of his father. He was born June 4,1814. He remained in New Jersey until the fall of 1839, when he came to Ohio and located near Urbana, Champaign County, where, in the year 1845, he married Miss Eliza Lyon, who was born in Champaign County in 1826. In the fall of 1855 they moved to Shelby County and located where they now reside, in Green Township. They have raised a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living. Mr. Heath from the year 1834 to 1854 made school teaching a profession exclusively. From 1855 to 1872 he taught during the winter season and worked on his farm during. the summer. He has during life devoted much time and thought to the study and investigation of the science of Geology—having travelled throughout nearly every State and Territory in the Union east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Canadas; having been all along the sea-coast from Maine to the reefs of Florida. He has within his possession a very large and fine collection of specimens of corals and shells from the seashore; minerals from every State east of the Rocky Mountains, among which maybe found an aerolitic stone which he dug up in the State of Iowa within one hour after it fell. He has a large collection of fossils, representing all the formations from the lower Silurian up to the latest ; also a fine collection of archaeological specimens known as Indian relics. Among his collection are several hundred specimens gathered in Shelby County, consisting of the bones of the Orthoceros, found near Sidney ; some exceedingly fine specimens of the Pentemeris, gathered near Pontiac; also Trilobites from the same place, and numerous specimens of crinordal and coral rock, all collections from this county.

Perry Township antedates Shelby County, having been organized as a part of Miami County June 10, 1817, thus forming one of the original townships of this county. The first election was held by order of the Commissioners of Miami County, at the house of James Dingman, on the 28th of June, 1817. The officers at this election consisted of Edward Jackson, chairman ; James Dingman and John Bryan, judges ; and David Henry and John Francis, clerks, who, after being duly qualified, opened and held an election for town officers. The result of this election is shown by the official roster of the township,

On July 7, 1817, the Trustees met and were severally sworn into office. Present: Edward Jackson, Samuel Robinson, Charles Weeks, and David Henry, clerk.

Wm. Drake, constable elect, came forward, was qualified, and gave bond with John Francis as security. Daniel V. Dingman, treasurer elect, was qualified and gave bond with John Francis and James Dingman as securities. Board adjourned.

September 3, 1817. The Trustees met at the house of David Henry. Present: Edward Jackson, Samuel Robinson, and David Henry, clerk.

Ordered, that an election be held at said house to elect one justice of the peace, on the 20th inst. Adjourned.

September 20, 1817. The electors met at the house of David Henry and chose Samuel Robinson, James Dingman, and John Bryan, judges, and David Henry and Daniel V. Dingman, clerks, who being qualified, opened and held an election for one justice of the peace, when David Henry was elected.

The Trustees met. Present: Samuel Robinson, Edward Jackson, Charles Weeks, and D. Henry, clerk.

Ordered, that the annual elections for county and township, and town meetings, be held at the house of David Henry until otherwise ordered. Adjourned.

Ordered, that the old road from Piqua to Brandon and Park's mill, or so much as is in Perry Township, and the new road up Mosquito Creek from Dingmansburg to the county line from said town to the Five-mile-tree, be District No. 1, and that said new road from the Fivemile-tree to the beginning, be District No. 2, and that Wm. Drake be supervisor of District No. 1, to have all the hands along the Miami River to work under him in said township, and that Wm. Marrs be supervisor of District No. 2, and have all the hands on Musquito Creek to work under him.

March 2, 1818. The trustees met. Present: Jackson, Weeks, Robinson, and clerk, Henry. Dec. 3, 1817. Orders No. 1. David Henry, clerk, one book, $1; one quire paper, 37i- $1 31. No. 2. Wm. Drake, supervisor, for one day's service, 75 cents. No. 3. Edward Jackson, for one day's service attending this meeting, $1. No. 4. Charles Weeks, order as above, $1. No. 5. Samuel Robinson, same as above, $1. No. 6. David Henry, for one day's service as clerk of Board, $1.

Proceeded to choose as grand jurors, Enos Thompson, John Hatha- way, and Daniel Vandemark ; and as petit jurors, John Medaris, John Bryan, Rodham Talbott, and Wm. Marrs.

Ordered, that an election be held at the house of David Henry for the election of one clerk, three trustees, two overseers of the poor, two fence viewers, two appraisers, two supervisors of roads, one constable, and one treasurer. Adjourned.

April 6, 1818. This being the day of annual meeting, voters did not attend in sufficient numbers to hold an election, and the trustees proceeded to choose officers for the township with the following result : Trustees : Henry Sturm, Daniel Vandemark, and John Hathaway. Clerk : David Henry. Treasurer : Daniel V. Dingman. Supervisors : Asa Hubble, James Dingman. Overseers : James Dingman, Jr., John Medaris. Appraisers: Rodham Talbott, John Francis. Fence Viewers: James Bryan, John Hunt. Constable : Henry Sturm, Jr.

Horses

Cattle

Town

Property

Tax

Horses

Cat

t

le

Town

Property

Tax

James Bryan

John Bryan

Adam Conuts

Wm. Drake

Jas. Dingman, Jr.

Daniel V. Dingman
James Dingman
Abraham Dingman

John Francis

Caleb Goble

John Hathaway

Jesse Jackson

Wm. Johnson

2

2

2

3

1

1

4

1

2

2

1

2

2

2

2

2

3

1

3

3

3

6

2

1

$10

32

18

11

64

10

11

$0 85 96

80

1 10

69

45 ½

1 82

35

95 ½

30

1 20

50

70

Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Edward Jackson
Alex. Jackson
Elisha Kirtland
George Morrison
Elijah Montoney
Wm. Minnear
Abraham Minnear
Wm. Morris

Luke Norris
Rodham Talbott
Daniel Vandemark

2

2

2

2

1

3

2

1

2

1

2

4

8

2

1

3

4

2

2

3

4

2

$10

$ 1 00

1 40

80

10

90

35

1 l0

80

50

90

70

80

District No. 2.—Asa Hubble, supervisor.

George Chiles

Asa Hubble

John Hunt

David Henry
Charles Johnston

Wm. Marrs

John Medaris
Abraham Medaris

Peter Princehouse
Henry Princehouse

1

1

2

1

2

2
2
1
1
1

1
1
1
4

7

1

1

2

1

$10

$0 50
45

70

70

60

1 30
70

40

50

40

Wm. Robinson
Samuel Robinson
Mathias Sturm

Henry Sturm Jr.

Henry Sturm

G. Thompson

Charles Weeks
John Mathews
Peter Musselman

1

1

1

2

1

2

2

1

1

2

2

6

7

2

3

$25

$0 40

50

20

30

1 20

1 00

92 ½

90

30

March 1, 1819. The Board appointed Edward Jackson and George Chiles as grand jurors, and Abraham Medaris and James Bryan as petit jurors.

April 15, 1819. The Board met. Present: Daniel Vandemark, John Hathaway, Henry Sturm, and David Henry, clerk:

Proceeded to district the road as follows: That the road from the east, line of the county, clown Mosquito Creek to Dingmansburg, be District No. 1. That the road up Leatherwood Creek, thence south in the direction of Dayton, be District No. 2. That the Wapakoneta road, so much as is northwest of the Miami River, be District No. 3. That the Wapakoneta road, so far as is southeast of said river and the old State road, down the river to the county line, together with the road from the north east corner of section 6, town. 1, range 12, thence to Piqua, be District No. 4.

List of Officers comprising Trustees, Clerks, and Treasurers from the Organization of the Township to the Year 1882.

On the 10th of June, 1817, the Commissioners of Miami County or-. dered an election to be held in Perry Township, at the house of James Dingman, on the 28th of said month. On said date the electors assem-

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO - 195

bled as ordered; chose Edward Jackson, chairman, James Dingman and John Bryan, judges, David Henry and John Francis, clerks, who were duly qualified, and proceeded to hold an election for township officers, when the following named persons were elected to fill the respective positions:-

Trustees: Edward Jackson, Samuel Robinson, and Charles Weeks, who were qualified July 7th.

Treasurer: Daniel V. Dingman, sworn into office July 7th.

Clerk: David Henry, inducted into office June 28th.

Fence Viewers: William Drake, Jr., and John Francis, qualified June 28th.

Overseers of the Poor: John Hathaway and Henry Sturm, qualified July 14th.

Supervisors: Wm. Drake and Wm. Marrs, the former installed July 7, and the latter July 19th.

Constable: Wm. Drake, inducted into office July 7th.

The second election was held at the house of David Henry September 20, 1817, on which date David Henry was elected justice of the peace. Since that period officers have been elected from year to year, as shown by the following list:-

Dates - Tristees

Clerks

Treasurers

*1818. Henry Sturm

Daniel Vandemark

John Hathaway

1819. Do.

1820. John Hathaway

Geo. Morrison

John Matthews

1821. Do.

1822. John Hathaway

Geo. Morrison

Daniel V. Dingman.

1823. D. V. Dingman

Jno. Hathaway

Wm. Skillen.

1824. Do.

1825. Jesse Hathaway

Benj. Blankinship

Benj. Manning

1826. Jesse Hathaway.

B. Blankinship.

Wm. Skillen

Charles Johnston ‡

George Chiles ‡

1827. Benj. Blankinship

Isaac Van Cleve.

Samuel Marrs.

1828. Isaac Van Cleve.

Booth Burditt.

Wm. Marrs.

1830. Wm. Marrs.

Booth Burditt.

Benj. Manning.

1831. Wm. Robinson.

Charles Johnston.

Marcus Peck

1832. Marcus Peck.

Wm. Stump.

George Chiles

l833. Marcus Peck.

Wm. Peppers.

John Blake

1834. Wm. Pepper.

Wm. Moore

Smallwood Thompson.

David Henry.

do.

Daniel Hopkins

D. Henry.

Marcus Peck

Daniel V. Dingman

Peter Musselman.

Samuel Taylor.

John Hathaway.

do.

Wm. Pepper.

Wm. Taylor.

1835. Joseph Garver.

Joshua Cox.

Benj. Manning.

1836. Joshua Cox.

Ephraim Rockwell.

Joseph Garver.

1837. Ephraim Rockwell.

Leonard Elliott.

Joshua Cox

1838. L. Elliott.

E. Rockwell.

Benj. Wagoner .

1839. Do

1840. George Chiles.

Jno. M. DeWees.

Chas. Johnston

Charles Slagle.

* Appointed by trustees.

‡ Failed to appear and Samuel Taylor was appointed.

† Special election July 8,

Marcus Peck

C. B. McCartar

Wm. Pepper

Isaac A. Wilkinson

Abram Randall

George Chiles

Franklin Shaler

Benj. Manning.

1841. E. Rockwell.

George Chiles.

Chas. Johnston.

1842. E. Rockwell.

Joseph Garver.

Isaac Randall.

1843. Do.

1844. Do.

1845. Wm. Miller.

Eleazer Hathaw

Isaac Wilkinson

1846. Do.

1847. George Chiles.

Wm. Miller.

I. A. Wilkinson.

1848. I. A. Wilkinson.

Wm. Miller

W. R. Ried.

1849. I. A. Wilkinson.

W. R. Ried.

Bazaleel Wagoner.

1850. Do.

1851. Do.

1852. Charles Slagle.

Stephen Ludlow.

Jno. Crumbaugh

1853. Do.

1854. Jno. Crumbaugh.

S. Ludlow.

N. H. C. Monroe.

1856. B. C. Wilkinson.

J. H. Elliott

J. H. Doren.

1857. J. H. Elliott.

J. H. Doren.

Wm. Baker.

1858. J. H. Elliott

Wm. Baker.

Jno. Crumbaugh.

1859. Jos. Higenbotham.

Jno. Crumbaugh

Solomon Line.

1860. Jos. Higenbotham

Washington Medal

N. W. DeWeese.

1861. E. Hathaway

Joseph M. Elliott.

Wm. Miller.

1862. Do.

1863. Washington Medaris

J. M. Elliott

Emanuel McVay

1864. E. McVay

John Blake.

Wm. Pepper.

Richard Henry.

Wm. Pepper.

J. M. Burditt.

Wm. Pepper.

E. D. Goble.

do.

Wesley Smith.

Joseph Beeson.

A. A. Mulford.

R.. D. Coon.

Joseph Beeson

do.

John Matthias

Benj. Manning

J. A. Wilkinson

Wm. Dunlap.

Thos. Kiser.

W. R. Persinger

Charles Slagle

W. R. Reed.

1865. C. Slagle

Marshall Pepper.

James Johnston.

1866. Do.

1867. J. M. Elliott.

J. V. Wilson.

N. W. DeWeese.

1868. Do

1869. J. V. Wilson.

N. W. DeWeese.

W. R. Jackson.

1870. Do

1871. S. Y. Billingsley

A. Redinbaugh

Wm. Baker

1872. S. Y. Billingsley.

Wm. Baker

C. H. McClure.

1873. J. L. Baringer

J. W. Monroe

C. H. McClure.

1874. Do.

1875. U. M. Stiles.

J. W. Monroe

C. H. McClure.

1876. James Wilkinson.

J. L. Baringer

D. M. Line

R. D. Coon

Jos. Beeson

196 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO

1877. James Wilkinsoh.

J. B. Jackson.

1878. E. F. Henry.

J. B. Jackson.

Fielding Johnston.

1879. G. A. Murray.

F. Johnston.

S. Y. Billingsley.

1880. G. A. Murray.

F. Johnston.

P. G. Lucas.

1881. F. Johnston.

S. M. Wagoner.

B. F. Blake.

Newton Miller

W. R. Persinger

C. J. Baringer

Poll Book of the Election held June 28, 1817, being the first election in the township.

The nine votes cast at this election were given solid for the following named Presidential electors: Edward W. Tupper, Thomas Kirker, James Mills, Benjamin S. Cox, Jeremiah Morrow, Allen Trimble, Wm. H. Harrison, and James Fergus.

At the time of the organization of Shelby County (in 1819) Perry Township embraced all the territory now included within the townships of Perry, Orange, Green, Salem, Jackson, and a portion of Clinton. In September, 1819, Orange Township was struck off. In March, 1820, Green was detached from Orange. The following is a record of the Metes and bounds as established by the Commissioners in 1825, and entered by their order: Perry Township begins on the southeast corner of section 4, town. 2, range 13, east line of Shelby County; thence north with said line to the northeast corner of the county; thence west with the county line to the line between sections 29 and 30, town. 1, range 7; thence south with the line between the said sections; continued on to the Miami River, and across said river; thence with the river down to the line between sections 10 and 9, town. 1, range 13; thence with last said line east to continue on to the place of beginning. In March, 1826, a portion of the township was attached to Clinton. In June, 1826, the north tier of sections of Green Township was attached to Perry, and all that part of Perry lying north of the Miami River was created a new township under the name of Salem. In June, 1837, all of fractional township No. 1, range 14, which belonged to Perry, was attached to Salem. This included that part of said fractional township lying south of the river, which in 1854 was again attached to Perry.

The first settlement made within the present limits of this township was made by Judge David

Henry in February, 1814. He located in section 28, on the farm now owned by Wm. R. Ried, Esq., on the bank of Mosquito Creek. We cannot learn that there were any others who came that year. The following year Samuel and William Robinson, with their families, found their way to the same neighborhood. They were followed by Win. Marrs in 1816; he by George Chiles, Charles Johnston, Thomas Wilkinson, Peter Musselman, Wm. Richardson, Charles Weeks., and Benjamin Manning, all of whom were here prior to the organization of the county in 1819.

The first road laid out in the township is the one known as the Sidney and Urbana road.

The first frame barn was erected by Wm. Marrs. The same is still standing on the farm of Henry R. Miller. The lumber was sawed for it in this township, on a mill built by Peter Musselman on Mosquito Creek.

The first school-house was built on section 28, and the first school was taught by — Cannon.

The first flouring mill was built by Charles Mason, a colored man. He built a log mill on Mosquito Creek, near where the Manning & Line mill now stands. It had a corn and wheat buhr, the bolt was turned by hand.

The second flouring mill was erected by Win. Pepper, on the place now owned by E. F. Henry.

The first carding machine was owned by Peter Musselman, and was built about 1835.

The surface along the streams is somewhat broken and hilly. The balance is generally level, especially in the central and southern parts of the township, but is sufficiently rolling for ample drainage.

The soil is a rich sand, clay, and black loam, and well adapted to the raising of grass or grain. This township has the credit of being one of the best agricultural townships in the county. They can show as good crops of corn, wheat, or grass as can be shown anywhere throughout the country.

The drainage of the township is to the north, and is complete. The north boundary is formed by the Great Miami. The southwest part is crossed by Mosquito or Tawawa Creek. The central portion by Turkey Foot. The eastern part by Big and Little Indian Creek, all 'of which empty into the Miami.

The roads are the pride of the enterprising people of this township, they having more gravelled roads than any other township in the county.

Indeed, there are but few miles of mud roads in the township. The township is crossed from east to west by the O. C. C. and I. R. R., on which is situated the station of Pemberton, near the east side of the township.

There are seven school districts within the township, in each of which is a good, substantial brick school-house, furnished with all the modern furniture and fixtures of the day.

There are four churches, one M. E., one Baptist, one U. B., and one German Baptist.

Pemberton was surveyed by C. W. Wells Jan. 24, 1852, and consisted of sixty-four lots.

On this 29th day of January, 1852, before the undersigned, an acting, justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared Benjamim C. Wilkinson, John H. Elliott, Leonard T. Elliott, and George R. Forsythe, proprietors of said town of Pemberton, and acknowledged the survey and plat of said town to be their act and deed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of January, A. D. 1852. C. JOHNSTON, J. P. [SEAL.]

This thriving village is situated on the C. C. C. & I. R. R. seven miles east of Sidney. It was platted January 24, 1852, by J. H. Elliott, L. T. Elliott, B. C. 'Wilkinson, and George R. Forsyth. The first store was a grocery store, owned by Calvin Morris. The proprietors of the first dry goods store were Isaac Wilkinson and Irvin Nutt; the second were Joseph Smith & Smith Gano. The first blacksmith was Wm. Johnston. The first wagon shop was owned by David Lemon. The first hotel opened in the town was by J. V. Wilson. The first P. M. was Joseph Smith. The first physician probably was Dr. Edward Stockton. The town at the present time has one dry-goods and grocery store, two grocery stores, one grocery and drug store, one grain elevator, one sawmill and shingle factory, one blacksmith, shop, one shoe shop, one hotel, one butcher shop, one concrete stone works, two churches—Methodist and Baptist—one school-house, and two physicians.

The town was named in honor of a brother of Gen. Pemberton, of rebel fame, who at the time the town was platted was civil engineer on the railroad that was being constructed through the town.

The first Baptist society organized in Perry Township was at the house of James Wilkinson, in the year 1830, by Rev. Willis Hance, Moses Frazer, and Moses Frazer, Jr. The constituent members were Peter Kiser, Cath. Kiser, Michael Cox, Mary Jackson, Nancy Wilkinson, and Sarah Manning. First deacon was Peter Kiser. Meetings were held here for some length of time. In the year 1835 the Baptists on the border of Shelby and Logan counties built a church in Quincy, Logan County, where they continued to worship until the year 1873, when the church building was destroyed by –a tornado. Action was then taken by the society to remove their place of worship to Pemberton. The following year-1874—they erected a very neat brick church, size 36 X 60 feet, at a cost of about $4000. The church was dedicated Nov. 15, 1874. The dedicatorial sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Allen; the prayer was offered by Rev. Daniel Bryant. The membership at that time residing in the county was 17; the present membership on roll is 148. T. J. Shepherd was pastor from 1874 to 1875. From that date to the present the Rev. Z. Ross has been the pastor. The trustees of the church are Joseph Wilkinson, John S. Jordon, and N. W. DeWeese. The deacons are Jos. Wilkinson, N. W. DeWeese, and Jacob Kerns; clerk, U. M. Styles. There is a Sabbath-school connected with the church, under the supervision of Joseph Wilkinson, with an enrolment of eighty scholars and teachers.

The first M. E. society in Perry Township was organized by the Rev. — Sims at the house of Booth Burditt, half a mile north of where Pemberton now is, about the year 1833. The first class consisted of Booth Burditt and wife, George Pool -and wife, Wm. Moore and wife, Isaac Randall and wife, Marcus Peck and wife, and — McVeigh and wife. The first class-leader was Marcus Peck. The Rev. Sims was followed by Daniel D. Davidson and Jos. Smith. Meetings were held in private houses and in the school-house until the year 1843, when a small frame church was built on the cemetery ground, half a mile north of Pemberton. This church was occupied until 1857, when .the. present one was built in Pemberton. This society and church was known as the Indian Creek Church. The pastor who was over the society at the time the present 'church was built, was Rev. Lewis. The present number of members is about 100. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. S. Scoles. The first Sabbath-school in all this region of country was held by Win. McVeigh

at his own house, 11 miles south of the present site of Pemberton, and Sabbath-schools have been kept up nearly every year from that time to the present. At the present time there is a school kept up all the year round.

Of this pioneer church but little can be written, as its first members have all passed away, and no record has been kept. But we learn that back prior to 1820, the Rev. Jacob Antrim preached and formed a class at the house of Judge David Henry, Mrs. Henry being one of the first members of the society. From this time down to 1863 we can learn nothing. In that year they erected a frame church on Mosquito Creek, on land donated by Samuel Young, and is known as Tawawa U. B. Church. The church was built under the supervision of the Rev. Charles Miller. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. Kirachoff. The trustees are, John Peckham, Wm. Marrs, and John H. Pepper.

About the year 1720. Wm. Marr, a nobleman of Scotland (leaving a vast estate in Scotland, which now of right belongs to his American descendants), emigrated to America, in order to avoid being put to death or severe torture as a religious heretic. The dominant religionists had passed his sentence, which was that he be tied to the tail of a wild colt, and it be turned loose in the streets of Edinburgh. To avoid this fearful fate he fled his country, and left friends and property behind. Originally the name was spelled Marr, but he, to avoid detection, added an s, since which time it has been written Marrs. Upon his arrival in the land of religious freedom, he located at or near the town of Little York, Pennsylvania, where he reared a family of three sons, Samuel, Henry, and Barnabas. Samuel, the eldest, was born about the year 1740, and remained there to marry about the year 1759 or 1760. A few years later he removed to Rockbridge County, Va., but remained there but a short time, when he moved to what is now Tazewell County, where he remained until 1793, when he moved to Jesamine County, Kentucky. Whom he married, or when he or his wife died, we have no account, but of his family we know that. he had eleven children, viz., Henry, Phillis, Elizabeth, Christopher, Ruth, Samuel, William, John, James, Josiah, and Abigail.

Wm. Marrs, the pioneer of Perry Township, was one of the above eleven children. He was born in Virginia, October 13, 1770, and married Jane McClure November 25,1794, in the State of Kentucky. About the year 1808 they came to Champaign County, Ohio, where they remained until 1816, when they settled on the bank of the Mosquito Creek, within the present limits of Perry Township. He and two of his sons are known to have been here as early as 1814, but did not permanently locate until 1816. He entered his land in 1812 at the land office in Cincinnati. Their family consisted of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: John, 1796; Samuel, 1798; William, 1800; Betsey, 1801 ; and James, 1809. This old pioneer departed this life March 12, 1844; his wife survived him until April 6, 1847, when she, too, was taken away.

Betsey Marrs, one of the above mentioned, was married to Wm. Pepper October 23, 1817. They lived in Champaign County, Ohio, until 1820, when they settled on Mosquito Creek, four miles east of Sidney, where they lived until Wm. Pepper departed this life, December 11, 1854. His widow remained on the home place until May 5, 1876, when she was called home. Their family consisted of four children: Greenup, born 1819; Marshall, born 1822; James, born 1825; and John, born 1828. Greenup, the eldest of the family, died 1840. John, the youngest, died in 1854. James resides in Pulaski County, Indiana.

Marshall Pepper, Esq. one of the four sons of Wm. Pepper, was born and lived all his life in Perry Township, until recently he moved to the town of Sidney. While living in Perry the people of that township honored him with the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years. In March, 1845, he was married to Elizabeth Hollopeter, by Thompson Vaughn, Esq. Their children consisted of six sons and four daughters, all of whom died in childhood except one, Rudolph James, who was born in 1854. In 1875 he married Harriet E. Frazier, of Plattsville, Ohio. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living.

The grandfather of the above (Lewis Kemp) was born in Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1806, and located where Dayton now is. Here he helped to lay out the town, and build the first house. He remained in Dayton until he died at the age of ninety-six years. Jacob Kemp, the father of Joseph L., was born in Maryland; in 1788 came with his father to Ohio. Here, in 1809, he married Mary Musselman. By this marriage there were six children, who lived to become men and women. Of this family Joseph L. was the fifth. He was born in Montgomery County in 1821. He lived with his parents, and brought them to Shelby County in 1847, and located on section 11, where he now lives. The same year he married Rachel J. Elliott, with whom he lived until 1873, when she died, leaving four children, viz., Mary M., Margaret V., Martha M., and Joseph 0. The mother of Mr. Kemp was a daughter of Peter Musselman, Sen., and sister of Peter Musselman, Jr., who built the first saw-mill in Perry Township.

To give the origin of the Wilkinsons we go to Antrim, Ireland. As early as 1750 Joseph Wilkinson came to America. The place of his first location is not known. We first learn of him in Virginia, where he married Polly Hollandsworth. Thomas Wilkinson, Sen., was a son of the above, and born in Virginia in 1763, where he lived and married Jane Anderson, and raised a family of eleven children. About 1805 he removed with his family to Champaign County, Ohio, where he lived until the year 1818, when he moved to what is now Shelby County. Five of his children came with him, viz., Samuel, Rachel, Thomas, Jane, and Isaac A. Thomas Wilkinson, Jr., father of Joseph Wilkinson, was born in Virginia in 1799, consequently was nineteen years of age at the time of their settlement in this county. They located in Perry Township, on section 6, and were the first settlers in the east part of the township. In 1825 he married Anna Kirtland, and located on part of the same farm with his father, where he lived and raised a family of seven children. Joseph Wilkinson, a son of the above, was born on this farm in 1832, and lived with his father until 1856, when he married Louisa Nutt, and located on section 10. By this union he had two children, viz., Anna and Ella. Mrs. Wilkinson died in 1876. In 1878 he married Dorcas Lilly, of Columbus, Ohio. By his second marriage he had one child (Thomas), born in 1880, and died in 1881. Mr. Wilkinson has retired from the farm, and moved to the village of Pemberton. His father died in January, 1875; his mother in 1852.

a son of Isaac A. Wilkinson, was born in Perry Township in 1841. He was raised a fanner, and was taught early the habit of industry. Being of a nervous disposition, he has not been able to content himself with farming alone, but turns his attention to dealing in stock and brokerage. In 1864 he enlisted in the army, and served his time of enlistment. In 1878 he married Miss Francis L. Weaver. They have born to them one child, Anna R., born April 27, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson commenced life empty handed, but have made for themselves a comfortable home of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land, all gotten by industry and good management.

Isaac A. Wilkinson, the father of the above, was born in Virginia in 1805, came with his father, Thomas Wilkinson, to Champaign Co., 0., in 1805, from there to Perry Township, Shelby County, 0., in 1818, where in March, 1831, he married Ruth R. Persinger. They raised a family of eight children, viz., Jacob P., Thomas F., Wm. R., George P., Isaac N., Joseph E., Mary, and Laura J. Of this number five are still living. Win. R. was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; .George died in the hospital in the army. Mr. Wilkinson died April, 1862; his wife died in 1879. Jacob P., whose name is at the head of this sketch, was born in Perry Township in 1832; he resided on the farm with his father until he arrived at his majority, when he engaged in the mercantile and grain trade, which he followed about fifteen years—he, with his father, built the first grain warehouse in the town of Pemberton. After quitting the grain trade he, together with his brother Newton, bought a farm, which he afterward sold his interest in to his brother and bought where he now lives, on section 12. In 1865 he married Miss Louisa A. Dunham. By this union they have two children, viz., Nettie M. and Bertie L.

was born in Montgomery County, O., in 1800. He is a son of Peter Kiser, and was the tenth of fourteen children. In 1823 he was married to Elizabeth Baker, with whom he lived seven years, when she died, leaving four children. About two years afterward he married Mary Knoop, with whom he lived twenty-one years when she died, leaving no children. Shortly afterward he married Nancy Knoop, a sister of his second wife. By this marriage there were two children. He lived with his third wife fourteen years, when she died. He then married Rebecca Fannestock (nee Rebecca Bender), with whom he has been living some fourteen years.

Mr. Kiser was among the early settlers of Perry ; he has been an industrious and energetic man has been one of the strongest men of his day ; was a great woodman, both with the axe and gun ; has cut and split his four hundred rails in a day. He has been noted as a hunter, as also was his father before him. Mr. Kiser is now in his eighty-third year, being born in the year 1800. He has spent a long life of hard toil. For thirty years of his life he has been in the ministry of the German Baptist church, to which he is fondly attached. About six years ago Father Kiser had his thigh broken, from which he has never recovered, being compelled to walk with crutches. He now spends his time reading his

Bible and other books and papers. He has seen the same place where he used to meet the red man, become the site of the church and schoolhouse. Many were the deer and wolf that met their fate at the crack of his rifle ; also, the catamount and other wild animals.

Peter Kiser was born in Virginia in 1755, came to Montgomery Co., O., about 1799, where in 1802 Elisha Kiser was born, he being the eleventh of fourteen children. They lived in Montgomery County until 1807, when they moved to Miami Co. where he lived until 1829, when he married Amilla Corben, and the same year moved to Shelby Co. and located on sec. .7 Perry Township. The land on which he located was all in timber, without a road to or near it. It was here with his new wife he located in a rude cabin, without any means of support, except as he earned it. by days' work, having to go to Miami Co. to get work to do. He cleared his own land at intervals as fast as he could, and in a few years had a comfortable home, living happily in their self-made home until 1850, when his wife died, leaving him with seven children, viz., Susan, Thomas, Orrin, Laban, Elisha, Ann, and Matilda Jane. In 1851 he married Mary A. Wilkinson, his present wife, by whom he has five children, viz., Wm. R., Sarah E., Emma A., Mary B., and Alta M. John C. died 1880, aged twenty-four. Mr. Kiser had four sons and one son-in-law in the late war, who served their full time of enlistment. In 1878 Mr. Kiser retired from the farm, and is now living in Pemberton in the enjoyment of the fruits of his hard labor. May his last days be his happiest.

Jacob Jackson was born in Tennessee, February 8, 1793. When quite young he was taken to Kentucky, and remained there till he was seventeen years old, when he came to Miami County, O. Here, in 1821, he married Catharine Redinbaugh, of Shelby County. In 1823 they located in Perry Township, on section 27, on the land now owned by Wm. Hance. It was here the January following (in 1824) that Wm. R. was born and rocked in a sugar-trough, grew up to manhood, and received his education in the cabin school-house. In 1847 he married Miss Hannah D. Maxwell. They have had seven children, only two now living, Mary I. and George W. Mr. Jackson is located on section 34, one and one-half miles east of Sidney, where he located in 1866. Mr. Jackson has always had the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, who have elected him to fill different positions of honor and trust. He has filled the office of trustee of his township, director of county infirmary, and has just closed his second term as commissioner of the county.

the second son of Jacob Jackson, was born in Perry Township in 1825, and never has lived or voted anywhere else in his life. In 1852 he married Catharine E. Persinger, by whom he had eight children, only four now living, viz., John F., Amy C. B., Daniel H., and Alonzo E. Mrs. Jackson died in 186—. Mr. Jackson again married in 1871. His second wife was the widow of John Vaughn, deceased. Her maiden name was Mary 'Walters. By his second marriage he has two children, Walter B. and Catharine A. Mrs. Jackson had by her former husband one child,

was born in Shelby County in 1848. He is a son of Richard and Barbara Henry. Richard Henry, the father of E. F., was a son of Judge David Henry, and was the oldest of the family. In 1829 he married Barbara Jackson, a daughter of Jesse Jackson, who was among the first settlers of Shelby County, having come to the county prior to the war of 1812. They built a block-house on the land of Edward Jackson, in which they lived or resorted to during the Indian trouble. This was on the bank of the Miami River, two miles south of the site of Sidney. They lived on this place some ten years, then moved to where Port Jefferson now is ; lived there two years, then located on section 27, Perry Township. It was here that E. F. was born. In 1877 he married Miss Anna B. Fish, who was born in the county in 1856. They reside on part of the old homestead.

was born in Orange Township in 1838. His father, Peter G. Thompson, came from New York State to Huron County, Ohio, in 1834, where they lived three years; then removed to Miami County, and remained there only a few months, when they came to Shelby County in 1838, where the subject of this sketch was born on Christmas day. He has lived in the county all his life, most of the time in Perry Township. In 1862 he married Miss Maggie E. Kiggins, by whom he has had three children: Lizzie S., born 1863; Carrie F., born 1866; and Dolly B., born 1873. The Kiggins were among the early settlers of Shelby County; they located as early as 1817. The grandfathers of Mr. and Mrs. Kiggins were both revolutionary soldiers,

was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 30,1831; was brought by his parents to Shelby County in 1832. His father, John Staley, was born in North Carolina in 1799. Married Elizabeth Bolden in 1820. The date of his coming to Ohio cannot be gotten. He died in Shelby County in 1864. He was located in Salem Township. In the year 1852 David Staley married Mary Manning. From this union they have four children, viz., Hattie, born 1856 ; Emma, born 1859; Mattie, born 1864; and Nellie, born 1871.

was born in Shelby County in 1844. He married Ellen Bruce in 1867. They have two children: Elizabeth J., born 1868; and Jennie May, born 1875. Eugene Bruce, the father of Mrs. Staley, was born in Germany, and came to the United States in 1847, and first located in Cleveland, where he lived till 1858, when he came to Shelby County, where he lived, until during the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the array, and was killed at the battle of Atlanta, August 11, 1864. Mr. Staley is located in fractional section 36, on the old homestead of Benjamin Manning, settled in 1819.

was born in Clarke County, Ohio, in 1835. His parents were William and Delia (Colbert) Pence, who were among the very earliest settlers of Clarke County along the Mad River. They settled there as early as 1800. Some of the family still own and reside on the old homestead. A. I. Pence in the year 1862 married Mary J. Loudenback, by whom he has nine children, viz., Rosezella, Emma A., Noah W., Jonas W., Abraham E., Effa May, Walter Scott, Hattie L., and Susie A. They are located on fractional section 8, where they located in the year 1862.

The ancestors of the Ferrees were French and Protestant, and were banished from France on account of their religious belief, when the edict was issued for all to become Catholics, flee the country, or die. They came to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived and died, and all their descendants lived until about 1834, when Daniel Ferree came to Ohio, and located in Seneca County, where he lived one year, then removed to Miami County, thence to Shelby County in 1843, where he located on Plumb Creek, Salem Township, and built a woollen and carding mill, which he ran about thirty-five years. It was here that Jeremiah D. was born in 1845. As soon as old enough he was put in the mill to work, at which he was engaged until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in the First Ohio Cavalry, and served under Gen. Wilson as first sergeant, and participated in the capture of Jeff. Davis, and drew his share of the reward of $100,000 offered by the Government for the capture of Davis. After the close of the war he returned to Shelby County, and again engaged in the woollen mill with his father as a partner. In 1870 he married Arvista Line. By this union they have three. children: Ernest F., born 1872; Judson A., born 1874; and Clarence E., born 1877.. He is located on section 23.

Edwin A. Ferree, a son of Daniel Ferree, was born in Shelby County in 1850. In 1876 he married Miss Alice G. Steel. They have one child, Elmer, born 1877. Mr. Ferree is engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, being the proprietor of a saw-mill, on which they can cut eight thousand feet per day, having a forty-horse power engine.

In tracing back the ancestors of the above, we can only go back to David Stephenson, who was born in Kentucky, but removed to Virginia, where, in the year 1805, Charles Stephenson was born. In 1813 they emigrated to Greene County, Ohio. Shortly after their location there Mr. S. went to Champaign County, and entered a piece of land, and built a cabin upon it; then started to return to bring his family, when he was taken sick, and died before he got home, and was buried on his new home in the woods of Champaign. His widow, with her family of eight children, removed to this new home in the woods. They lived here about one year, when they traded for a place in Clarke County, where they lived until all the children grew up to majority. In 1829 Charles Stephenson was married to Miss Rachel Johnston. They remained in Clarke County until 1835, when they removed to the western part of Logan County, and settled on land he had entered there. It was here in the woods, with not even a garden spot, cleared, and with only three dollars in money, that he commenced his pioneer life. He was compelled to leave home to work by day's work to provide for his family, leaving home on Monday morning and not returning before Saturday night; his wife and her four small children remaining at home, and not seeing the face of a person during her husband's absence. They lived in this way about one year, when they became discouraged, .and sold their place, and bought a smaller one with some improvements. It was then they began to live, and from that time to the present they say have always had plenty. They had a family of twelve children, ten of whom