JEROME TOWNSHIP - 291 JEROME TOWNSHIP - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. EDWIN G. ADAMS, deceased, was born in this township, December 26, 1841, and was a son of Ammon and Betsey (Converse) Adams. He was the second son of six children, two of whom are living. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and did duty as a wagoner. After one hundred days of service, he was discharged and returned home. January 26, 1865, he was married to Dilla U., daughter of Frederick and Permilla Parthemore, of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mrs. Adams was born in Union Township, this county, November 2, 1839. One child was born to Mrs. Adams, viz., Edwin G., born December 15, 1875. Mr. Adams departed this life June 11, 1875. He left at his death, 139 3/4 acres of well-improved mud valuable land, on which his wife resides. T. B. ASBURY, M.D., P.O. Jerome, was born near Syracuse, N.Y., April 10, 1824. His father, Rev. Thomas Asbury, was a native of England, where he studied and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a self-made man and acquired through his own diligence the elements of a good scholar. In 1818, he crossed the waters to America. He was a Methodist itinerant and traveled on his mission from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, all along the Atlantic seaboard to the Gulf, and accompanied Bishop Asbury, who was his uncle, up the Mississippi River to Fort Independence, Mo. Mr. Asbury, after laboring among the people of the West and suffering the dangers of a pioneer minister's life, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1822, erected one of the first brick churches in that city. He retired from the ministry and died November 26, 1860, aged eighty-four years. His wife, Rachel B. Asbury, died April 10, 1825. Dr. Asbury was the only child. He was reared to manhood in Columbus, and received 292 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. his collegiate education in Allegheny College, of Meadville, Penn. He read medicine with Dr. Edward Ellis, of Meadville, and graduated from the Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, Mass., in March 1844. He entered upon his profession in Meadville, Penn., where he practiced five years, and came to Frankfort (Jerome P. 0.), and remained till 1861, when he removed to Columbus. In 1872, he went to Worthington, and in 1880 came back to his old field of labor, which is now presided over by twelve physicians. March 18, 1847, he was married to Margaret Snowden, and by her had two children-Bishop F. and Harry R. Mrs. Asbury departed from this world May 2, 1871, and July 4, 1872, Mr. A. was joined in marriage with Anna, daughter of Isaac N. Wells, of Worthington, and has three children-Norman G., Oliver T. and an infant son. Mr. and Mrs. Asbury are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. A. is a prominent member of the Masonic order. He is a member of the Central Ohio and State Medical Association. In the former he was Treasurer for several years. In politics, he is a stanch Republican. WILLIAM BIGGER, son of Samuel and Sarah Bigger, was born June 26, 1881 (?), in Kentucky, and when three years of age removed with his parents to Greene County, Ohio. Married Nancy Bain, daughter of James and Sarah (Fleming) Bain, June 23, 1825, and unto them were born three daughters-Sarah, who died in infancy; Rebecca, wife of James H. Roney, and Mary Elizabeth, deceased wife of John T. McCullough. Mrs. Bigger died June 14, 1834, and Mr. Bigger married his second wife, Nancy Law, April 14, 1835. In October 1836, he moved his family to Jerome Township, Union County, where his fourth and youngest child, Joanna was born. Mr. Bigger was a devout member of the Seceder, or United Presbyterian Church, in which he served for a number of years as Elder. In April 1865, he moved to Springfield, Clark County, where he resided until the time of his death, July 6, 1879, having survived his second wife eight years. LANDON BISHOP, farmer, P. O. Jerome, was born in Loudoun County, Va., April 23, 1820. When four years of age, his parents, Findley and Nancy (Jones) Bishop, who were natives of Virginia, removed to Franklin County, Ohio, and three years later to Jerome Township. Mr. Bishop purchased 116 acres of land and settled on it. He cleared and improved this land, and died February 22, 1860. Landon was reared on the homestead, and assisted his father in clearing it up. In 1845, he removed to Washington, Franklin County, and lived nine years. He returned to Jerome, and in 1855, located on the farm he now occupies. October 17, 1844, he married Miss Jane Howey, a daughter of James and Sarah Howey. Mrs. Bishop, a native of Franklin County, was born August 27, 1822. The children are as follows: McKendre, William F., Alma E. (wife of John M. Price), Charles F., Olive A. and John E. Sarah M. is deceased. Mr. Bishop owns a farm of 165 acres, and follows farming and raising thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep. HENRY BROBECK, retired, P. O. Plain City was born in Shenandoah County, Va., July 6, 1808. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Cooper) Brobeck, who were natives of the same county. His father was a soldier in the Norfolk war, and died in Virginia at an advanced age. Mr. Brobeck is the second of nine children. He was reared to manhood in his native place, and married July 20, 1830, in Frederick County, Va., to Mahal& Hottle, a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and a daughter of David Hottle. She was born March 12, 1810. Eleven children were born to this union; of these eight are living-Israel, married Jane Wooley; Susan, wife of George Arnold; Mary, wife of John Arnold; Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Frederick; Rebecca, wife of John Mitchell; Sarah A., wife of Hamilton Bishop; Abraham and John H. Mrs. Brobeck died in Steubenville, Ohio, and June 17, 1847, Mr. B. was joined in marriage to Julia A. Morrey, who bore him five children. The three living are-Joseph: Etherlinda, wife of Samuel Nunemaker, and Amanda, wife of James Wagner. Mr. Brobeck removed to Ohio in 1843, and settled near Steubenville. In 1854, he came to Jerome Township; followed farming till 1876, when he removed to Plain City, and retired. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is Democratic. Mrs. Brobeck departed this life October 2, 1880. JOSEPH BROBECK. of the firm of Brobeck & Fox, merchants, P. O. Jerome was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, March 16, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Julia A. Brobeck. When six years of age, his parents settled in this township. His early life was passed upon the farm, and in the district schools he received a practical education. He followed the avocation of farming until he engaged in his present business, which was established in December 1877. In 1879, he took in as partner, Mr. Cheater Fox. They carry a well-selected stock of general merchandise, aggregating in value about $2,000, and do an annual trade of $8,000. Mr. Brobeck was married September 4,1873, to Miss Clorinda, daughter of Henry and Sarah Fox. She was born in Jerome Township July 20, 1854. Two children have been born to them-Ivan, born February 9, 1879, and Elva Wits, July 24, 1880. Mr. Brobeck is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; was appointed Postmaster at Jerome Post Office in 1877, Politically, he is of Democratic proclivities. SAMUEL CARSON, farmer, P. O. Now California, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, August 1, 1843; is a son of James end Jane (Lorimer) Carson, of Ross County, Ohio. His father was born in 1813, and his mother in 1807. They were married in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1839, and lived in that and Guernsey County till 1859, at which time they located in JEROME TOWNSHIP, - 293 Union County. In 1864, they removed to Mahaska County, Iowa, and now live in Madison County, same State. Our subject is the third child of a family of five children, three of whom are living. He enlisted May 1, 1862, in Company C, subsequently of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment. He also did garrison duty on Johnson's Island, and June 6, 1865, was discharged and returned to his home, and afterward journeyed West through the Territories, returning in 1868, and settled, where he now resides, February 11, 1868, he was married to Jennie A., daughter of William and Eliza Taylor. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1843. They have had four children, viz., Lain, Walker, Celia and Mary. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been in Elder ten years. He owns seventy-three acres of land, and has been a member of the School Board five years. RICHARD CLARK, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, January 8, 1806, and is a son of Henry and Nancy (O'Neil) Clark, natives of Scotland and County Down, Ireland, respectively. His paternal grandparents removed to Ireland on account of religious troubles, and were Presbyterians in belief. Henry Clark died when our subject was six years old, and in 1829 or 1830, his mother removed to Manchester, England. She was preceded in 1823 by her son Richard, who found employment in the cotton factories, in which he worked twenty-three years. In June, 1849, he came to America, and bought fifty-five acres of land in this township, on which he settled and lived thereon till 1872, when he located in Plain City. He was married in Manchester, England, in December 1836, to Eliza Gilmore. daughter of Ross and Sarah (White) Gilmore. The former was born in England, the latter in Ireland, and removed to England with her parents when a child. They have three living children-Elizabeth, Margaret and Susan. James, a deceased son, enlisted November 26, 1861. in Company K, Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served under General Sherman, and fought at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and upon other fields of no lesser note. September 1, 1863, he was promoted to Sergeant Major, and served until he veteranized. January 4, 1864. Exposure brought on sickness. and after enjoying a short furlough at home, he returned to his regiment and suffered a relapse, from which he died February 25, 1864. He was a brave and valiant soldier, and died from sickness caused by exposure while fighting for the perpetuity of his country. He was commissioned Captain of a company that had been recruited by Col. Smith, but it was not received until the day of his burial. The other children died as follows: John, died February 22, 1871; Sarah, July 9, 1848; Sarah (second), December 22, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are very exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church. CHARLES S. COMSTOCK, farmer, P. O. New California, is a son of Ruggles and Elizabeth (Gilson) Comstock. His father was born in Connecticut February 18, 1807, and his mother in Massachusetts, February 9, 1809. They were married in the latter State, October 1, 1834, and in 1836 settled in Franklin County, Ohio, where they lived till 1863, when they came to this township, in which they bought 103 acres of land. His grandfather, David Comstock, was born in Connecticut, where he died; his grandmother, Nancy (Sessions) Comstock, was born in Massachusetts. His father, when a young man, worked in a factory twenty years. Since coming here he has followed farming exclusively. He is the father of three children, two of whom are living, viz., Jennie and Charles S. Our subject enlisted June 27, 1861, in Company E, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Fifteenth Army Corps under Gen. Sherman, and was in the battle of Shiloh. The exposure of army life impaired his health and he came home on furlough, and not recovering sufficiently he was honorably discharged. February 13, 1873, he was married to Amanda F. daughter of John and Margaret (Tate) McCampbell, who was born in Jerome Township June 29, 1839. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living, viz. Fay E., Emma T. and Edith S.; an infant son, deceased. He owns 25 acres and has charge of 129 acres of well-improved land. NELSON CONE, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 30, 1808. His parents, Daniel and Ruth (Rich) Cone, were natives of Middlesex County, Conn. The former was born in March 1768, and the latter in March 1771. They were married in 1790, and removed to New York in 1806, thence to Susquehanna County, Penn., in 1812, and four years later (1816) to Union Township, Union County, where they resided till 1824, and removed to Madison County. Mr. Cone died in November 1847, aged eighty years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father, Elisha Cone, and eldest son, enlisted at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, and served as private till its close. In 1837, Mr. Cone, the father of our subject, moved and settled in Whitley County, Ind., where he died. Mrs. Cones' death took place in May 1849, They had ten children, four of whom are living, viz.: Martha, widow of Chester Dodge, now of Oswego, N. Y., aged ninety; Thomas R., of Yellow Springs, Ohio, aged eighty-five; Nelsons, the subject of this sketch, and Alma, widow of David Hayden, now of Whitley County, Ind. Nelson grew to manhood on a farm. At the age of twenty, he took up the saddlery and harness-making trade, in Westville, Champaign County, and has followed it, more or less, up to the present time. In 1831, he came to Jerome Township, and, In April of the succeeding year, located on the farm where he now resides. November 22, 1831, he was married to Miss Louisa Curry, a daughter of Col. James Curry, and a native of Highland County, Ohio, where she was born July 25, 1807. Of nine children by this union, six are now living, as follows: James C., Stephenson B., Daniel R., Albert H., Thomas and Louisa. Stephenson B., 294 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Otway B. and Robert S. are deceased. Mr. Cone served on the Board of County Commissioners six years. He was the first commissioned Commissioner of Union County. He also acted in the capacity of Justice of the Peace nine years, and as Township Trustee four years. Mr. Cone owns 176 acres of land, most of which he cleared and improved. HENRY CROTINGER, farmer, P. O. New California, a native of the Keystone State, and a son of Peter and Margaret (Rhodes) Crotinger, was born February 27, 1820. His father, a native of Maryland, was born January 8, 1780; and his mother, of Pennsylvania, April 30, 1786. They married, and, in 1827, migrated and settled in Licking County, Ohio, thence to Knox County in 1829. Three years later Mr. C. and family came to Union County, and located a farm near Frankfort, where he died in October 1861. Mrs. C.'s death took place January 29, 1873. They had born to them thirteen children, six of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son. He passed his early life on the farm, and, for an education, enjoyed only the advantages of the common schools. In 1845, he went to Mason County, Ill., but remained only a short time. and returned. May 15, 1846, he was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Sarah McKittrick, and a native of Licking County, where she was born November 15, 1830. This marriage was blessed with ten children; of these, nine are now living -Sarah E., wife of Luther Hutchinson; Chester, Martha V., Albert O., Diadama, wife of William Ellison; Olive J., William H. and John E. Mary E. is deceased. Mr. Crotinger bought a small farm of sixty acres, on which he resided till 1867, when he made the purchase of his present farm of 140 acres. He has improved most of this farm since he took possession of it. Mr. Crotinger is a good farmer and respected citizen. JAMES CURRY. JAMES CURRY, the subject of this biographic sketch, was born near Belfast, Ireland, January 29, 1752. Be was the first born child of James Curry, a prosperous Irish farmer of County Antrim. His mother's maiden name was Warwick, showing an English origin on both sides of the family. Her relatives were prominent in England, during Cromwell's time, siding with the great commoner, and one of them, a Capt. Warwick, was among the number shot to death after the restoration. Very little is known, however, of the far-off lady, not even her given name. We only know that she was a Warwick; that she was of Protestant stock; that she was married to James Curry, near Belfast, about the year 1750; that before leaving Ireland she bore her husband five children, two sons and three daughters; that after reaching America and settling with her husband in Virginia, she bore him four additional children, three daughters and one son; that at the close of the Revolutionary war, she removed with her husband to the neighborhood of Paris, Ky., and there, some years after, died at the age of ninety-three. The Protestants of the North of Ireland were and are to this day an educated people, cultivated, prosperous, tolerant, and the inference (which is supported-by tradition) is that her family was a superior one. Certainly she inherited from it sterling virtues, and received a liberal education, which were in turn bestowed upon her own children. Of James Curry, her husband, the father of the subject of this sketch, we know about as little. It has been claimed that his ancestors entered Britain with the Normans, at the time of the conquest, but an excellent authority asserts that the Currys are of pure Celtic stock, and owe their origin solely to the Irish of prehistoric days. The Scotch and Welsh are of the same race, and so were the ancient Britons. Ireland is honeycombed with Currys, and while they are generally of the middle-class, plain, well to-do citizens, there are in the Counties Cavan and Fermanah, castles or their remains which were once the abode of nobles of the name, Lords Belmone and Lowry Curry, and Lord Clon Curry. Many towns bear the name, such as Tubercurry, Rathcurry, etc. From time immemorial almost, these families have had large landed possessions in the counties named, and in fact all over Ireland the name, either spelled whit a u, or an o, is as plentiful as Smith in this country. The immediate family of this James Curry, were Irish Presbyterians, thrifty, doubtless, and intelligent, for they had so educated their son that he, in turn, had before quitting Ireland began to prepare his son (the subject of this sketch) for the ministry. It is well known, indeed, that Col. James Curry had been in early childhood marked for the holy calling, had begun his studies to that end, and had, according to a custom of that place and day, his hair cropped and his head adorned with a wig, in token of the life he had been ordained to lead. But a far different career was in store for the young novitiate. When but ten years of age, his father's thoughts were turned to the New World, then as now the Land of Promise for struggling Irishmen. The family accordingly embarked at Belfast for America, on board the ship - Good Return," some time in 1762. A large colony accompanied, including several brothers with their families and other relatives. The ship was a stanch and fast sailer, which had once made the voyage in five weeks' time, but this trip she had been overloaded, so that what with head winds and counter-currents, her passage across the Atlantic was prolonged to fifteen weeks. Disease, starvation and death meanwhile made sad havoc among the passengers and crew. The greater part died and were buried at sea, among them the four youngest children of James Curry. The ship finally made Philadelphia, and the James Curry family stepped ashore with but three, where seven should have been in number. The family seems then to have at once started with other JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 295 relatives for Virginia; one of the brothers went, however, to Pennsylvania, and one, from which the famous Methodist divine, Rev. Dr. Curry, is descended, settled in New York. But it is only with James Curry's family that this sketch is concerned. Going to the neighborhood of Staunton, in Augusta, County, Va., the emigrant, James Curry, with his Warwick wife and one Bon, James, then ten years of age, settled down to a planter's life. This removal to Augusta. County is supposed to have been made very soon after landing at Philadelphia. It may have been later, however, and if so, where the family lived meanwhile is unknown. The land records at Richmond, Va , contain the name of James Curry as a patentee for a large body of land " on both sides of the North River of Shenandoah," dated April 6, 1769. If this patent was issued to James Curry, the emigrant, its date may fix the time of his settlement in Virginia, though of course he could have lived there for several years prior thereto. And then, again, it may have issued to his son, James Curry (of whom we write), who was at the time seventeen years of age. Of James Curry, Sr., we only know further, that, after settling in Virginia, there were born to him four children-Susan, Rebecca, Polly and John. That after the close of the Revolutionary war, he removed to the neighborhood of Paris, Ky., where, at an advanced age, he died and was buried. Some of his children, certainly John, accompanied him into Kentucky, others among them. James, the subject of this sketch remained in Virginia. Of the sisters and the brother of Col. Curry, it may be briefly stated that Susan married Rev. William Erwin, and removed to what is now the State of Indiana, where her descendants now live; and Rebecca married John Erwin, whose descendants now reside in the southern part of Union County; Polly, married Wallace Harmonson, whose descendants live in Iowa and Texas ; John, married Ann McConnell, and both he and his wife lived and died in Kentucky. Some time after, a daughter, who had married a Mr. Thornton, becoming widowed, removed to Hanover, Ind., having in charge a much younger sister, Anna R. (whom she had indeed missed), together with several children of her own. These children, girls, were married, one to a Rev. Mr. Rice, one to a Mr. James Gardner, one to a Mr. Andrews, and Anna R., to a Rev. Mr. Mille., They all, except Anna R. and her husband, now live in California. Returning to Col. James Curry-whose name and memory this article is intended to perpetuate it is known that, having lived and worked on a farm with his father for several years after landing at Philadelphia, he at the age of fourteen began teaching a school in the neighborhood, showing that the foundation for his intended ministerial life had been pretty well laid in the old country, since there could have been few opportunities for study opened to him after reaching America. Thus employed-summers working the farm, and winters teaching-the lad grew into manhood, strong of limb and vigorous of intellect, when a call having been made by Lord Dunmore, then Governor of Virginia, for volunteers to suppress the Indiana who were massacring the white settlers of the Ohio River frontier, at the age of twenty-two, he took his first step as a soldier, enlisting as a private at Staunton. His company was finally assigned to one of the regiments which made up the force of 1,500 men, with which Gen. Andrew Lewis made a toilsome journey across the mountains and rendezvoused, under orders to await a junction with Lord Dunmore at Point Pleasant, where the Kanawha enters the Ohio River. Here occurred the famous battle of Point Pleasant, where the whites, though at heavy loss, were victorious in battle which put an end to the conflict known in history as Cresap's War, and which led some weeks after to the noted council with the Indians near Chillicothe, in which the Mingoe chief, Logan, arraigned the whites in a burst of scathing eloquence. Of this battle Col. Curry's recollections were most vivid. The morning of October 10, 1774, as the little army lay in camp, on the point of land made by the junction of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, awaiting the coming of Lord Dunmore, an immense body of Indians under command of the chief, Cornstalk, crept upon it, and by daylight a bloody conflict was in progress. The historic account of this fight is of course familiar to all, and need not be repeated. Suffice to say that Col. Curry's often-told story of the battle, agreed in the main with the published accounts. The whites themselves adopted the Indian's tactics and took to the trees for shelter, thus reducing the battle as it were, to a sort of duel between individuals, the combatants fighting each other to the death of one, and then turning to engage another. In this manner the desperate struggle continued front daylight to sunset, until the Indians finally, under the impression that the whites were being re-enforced, fled to the north bank of the Ohio. Young Curry was closely engaged throughout the greater part of the day, using now one tree, now another for cover, and doubtless sent many a daring brave to his long home. Toward evening, however, becoming too ventursome, he was himself shot through the right elbow by an unseen foe, while in the act of leveling his gun at his immediate antagonist. Falling down amongst the roots of the large elm tree, behind which he had been fighting, he lay concealed till the close of the battle. One of his stories of the day, told in after years with much glee, was that when the surgeon came to dress his wound, he asked if it would be hurtful to drink a glass of wine? To which it was replied, "Not if he drank it with the surgeon: " This wound of course ended his fighting for the time, and threw him amongst the invalids, and to the rear and homeward, when Gen. Lewis afterward crossed the Ohio in pursuit of the Indians. Reaching home, the young soldier went again to work upon his father's farm, having sufficiently recovered from his wound, though he could never after lift a cup of water or coffee to his lips with that right arm. 296 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. But stirring times were impending. The colonists, restive and maddened under British oppression, had already in their legislative bodies inaugurated the Revolution. These Irish immigrants had no more love for England then than have the same class of men to day, and it may be well supposed that the Currys espoused the cause of the colonists, and not alone from motives of patriotism. It is remembered that the elder Curry was an untiring and powerful advocate of the patriot's cause, and when at length the blow was struck, his son James required no urging to take part in the conflict. He was then a young man of twenty-four, strong and active, and not unused to the duties of a soldier. His campaign to the Indian country, and experience at Point Pleasant two years before, had been good schooling for him, and we find that very soon after being enrolled, he was named a Lieutenant in the Eighth Virginia Regiment, Continential Establishment. It is not known exactly what time the young soldier began service, however, though we do know the date of his Lieutenant's commission. A statement of his account with the United States Government up to December 31, 1781 (hereafter shown in the facsimile), fixes the beginning of his Lieutenancy at June 24, 1777, yet he must have been for some months before a private, or non-commissioned officer; however, has served as a Lieutenant in the Eighth Virginia, until September 23, 1779, when he was commissioned as a Captain in the Fourth Virginia, and so served doubtless until the close of the war. During the greater part of this service, he was on staff duty, most of the time at the headquarters of Col. Nathaniel Gist. Winters he was usually detailed as a recruiting officer at Staunton, summers always in the field with his chief. With the scanty authority at command (and it may be stated that a great public library has been assiduously, but vainly searched), it is impossible to fix accurately the part taken by the Eighth and Fourth Virginia Regiments in the war. It is known, however, that Col. Curry himself was at the battle of Brandywine, on the 11th of September 1777, the first general engagement between the American forces under Gen. Washington's immediate command and the British. Ile was indeed with the army under Washington through the whole of the disastrous fall campaign of 1777. He participated in the famous battle of Germantown October 4, 1777, and was often heard to recite the stirring incidents of that engagement. A memorandum in the hand writing of the late Otway Curry, his son, describing evidently in Col. Curry's own words the part taken by himself in the battle, may be of interest. "After Brandywine, the two armies came in close contact at the White House, but our forces crossed the river higher up and encamped at the Eighteen Mile Stone. During our stay at this place, we distinctly heard the cannonading at Mud Fort, and heard also the explosion of the Augusta. The Commanding General having determined to attack the British forces at German town, issued a general order for the encouragement of the troops, wherein was displayed, in glowing colors, the recent success of the Northern army under Gates, at Saratoga. About dusk the whole force was in motion, moving directly on Germantown, which was situated on the main road to Philadelphia. Unavoidable delays, occasioned by the ammunition wagons and artillery, together with the fatigues of a night march, so far overcame the watchfulness of the troops that many of the files were actually dozing, and would have halted and slept upon their feet, had it not been for the impulse given them by other files immediately succeeding them. Still farther inconvenience was experienced on account of the road being in many places obstructed by shallow pools of water. The advancing platoons filed off to right and left for the purpose of passing with dry feet, a movement which could not be accomplished without considerable delay. On being acquainted with this circumstance. Gen. Washington rode hastily forward and addressed the officers personally, 'Gentlemen, Officers, I call upon you to exert yourselves. If you keep filing around every mud-puddle in this manner, when shall we reach the enemy? ' The effect of this laconic address was very salutary. Officers and privates went forward by common consent with a quicker and firmer step. There was no more going around the puddles, obstacles were unheeded, and there seemed to be no feeling but to reach the British quarters in the quickest time possible. "About daybreak the advance came upon the picket guard of the enemy at Chestnut Hill which retreated precipitately, after discharging a field piece to give the alarm to the main body. After a short but rapid pursuit, we found ourselves suddenly confronted by the British lines at Germantown, and in a few moments the random firing, which had been previously kept up, was succeeded by an almost unremitted crash of small arms and artillery, along the whole extent of the contending armies. The morning was darkened by a heavy fog, which blended with the smoke of the firing, had became so thick that we were unable to distinguish the British uniform at twenty paces, and were only assured of their locality by the streams of fire emitted from their pieces, which were leveled toward us. The enemy very soon gave way, and were unable to make a decided stand until nearly noon, when they were re-enforced by a strong detachment from Philadelphia, under the command of Lord Cornwallis. Our troops being imperfectly disciplined and flushed with success, were unfortunately in disorder at this critical juncture, and were in consequence, though not until after a hard struggle, forced literally to retreat from victory. We were pursued by the enemy a distance of two or three miles, until we attained a favorable position on some rising ground, front whence we were enabled to check their progress by a few discharges of artillery. The retreat was then continued some distance beyond the former encampment." JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 297 It is a matter of history that Washington was forced to make this-battle, which ended in defeat, by public clamor, and against his better judgment. The army of Washington engaged in no more battles that fall, and as winter approached went into camp at Valley Forge. The sufferings of this camp were often alluded to by Col. Curry, the historical descriptions of which are familiar to all. The evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, under Sir Henry Clinton, June 18, 1778, opened the campaign of that year. Washington put his army in motion, and following the retreating British, attacked them at Monmouth, N. J., June 28. It was a drawn battle, as history tells, nevertheless the British, fearing to risk a second day's engagement, stole away in the night, and by daybreak were beyond pursuit. It was here that Gen. Washington so severely arraigned Gen. Lee for the disorderly retreat of his troops. Col. Curry was within hearing, and distinctly remembering, was often heard to repeat the stinging words of the great commander. Riding up to Lee, he said: "Sir, what means this disorderly retreat?" "Sir, your raw militia cannot cope with the British regulars," replied Lee. "You have not tried them," said Washington, and wheeling his horse rallied the flying columns. Then turning to Lee, he asked, "Will you command? " "Yes," exclaimed the discomfited officer, "and I will not be the first to leave the field." Neither was he, but for the rest of the day carried his troops valiantly through the hottest of the fight. Col. Curry remained with the army in the field until the winter following, when he was detailed for the recruiting service, and stationed at Staunton. In the spring he returned to the army and was on active staff duty, following the fortunes of the army of Washington throughout the year. The winter of 1779 found him again at Staunton as a recruiting officer. Again in the spring of 1780 we find him in the field, and as active operations were this year transferred to the Carolinas, his experiences were uneventful. The following winter he was again at Staunton, recruiting men, but he seems to have returned early to the army, for he was one of the 700 veteran Virginians detached and ordered to the relief of Gen. Lincoln, who was defending Charleston, S. C. Col. Curry's story of the march to the succor of that beleaguered city is remembered as of thrilling interest. The column started from Philadelphia in February 1781. The snow was the deepest that had ever been known, and was badly drifted. It was crusted over, however, as to uphold horses and wagons, and was so deep that artillery even could be hauled over the tops of the fences. But in low places and along the streams wagons and artillery were constantly breaking through, entailing the hardest work to get them again onto solid snow. Reaching the neighborhood of Charleston. They were taken into small boats in an endeavor to enter the city by water at night; they had a sorry time, however, drifting about in the harbor, frequently losing sight of the city's lights, and were finally compelled to board a French vessel, and remain till morning. Col. Curry was never weary telling of that night's adventures in Charleston Harbor. Among other things, he used to repeat the good French Captain's words of encouragement, "The English can no possible take Charleston." But they did take it, nevertheless; the next morning, April 7, 1781, they rowed into the city, entering it just two days before the British blockading squadron closed the harbor. Two days more and they would have been spared the consequences of Gen. Lincoln's surrender, for they could not have passed the cordon of British troops which forbade a land approach. For more than a month the beleaguered Americans defended themselves, with heroic fortitude, soldiers and citizens combated every British approach, but were finally on the 12th of May compelled to succumb. The capitulation put the American troops on parole as prisoners of war, and for some months Col. Curry was compelled to a life of inactivity. During the siege, the Colonel was severely wounded in the hand by the bursting of a shell. After the surrender, the American officers were treated with much distinction by their British captors. An incident, often related by Col. Curry, exhibits the wonderful agility of the man at this time, and the dexterity to which he had arrived in the use of the sword. Out walking one day in the environs of the city, accompanied by a party of British officers, a rabbit was espied. Drawing his sword he made a plunge, and spitting the unfortunate animal, turned, and with a polite bow, extended it to the principal officer of the party. While lying at Charlestown, he figured, too, in an affair of honor, no less than a duel, between his chief, Gen. Nathaniel Gist (for whom he was a second), and Gen. Wade Hampton, ancestor of the celebrated South Carolinian, now bearing that name. But one shot was fired and the matter was settled without bloodshed. His account of the duel, as well as of another in which he was one time during the war a second, is well remembered. In the other affair, he supported a Capt. Kirkpatrick, a fiery Irish officer, who engaged a Capt. McCook. In this encounter Capt. McCook was severely wounded, and so hot was the contest that a tragedy was barely avoided. Duels in those days were, however, of frequent occurrence amongst officers, and Col. Curry seemed never to attach much importance to the part he had played in the two referred to. From the surrender of Charleston, even the principal points in the military career of Col. Curry are involved in doubt. The length of time he was on parole as a prisoner of war is uncertain, but it is a family tradition that it was for fourteen months, during which time he "was 298 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. not to cross tiny river, bay, or arm of the sea, nor to go farther than five miles into the country." On the other hand, it is claimed that the young officer wait early exchanged and was in the fall following at the siege of Yorktown, October 19, 1781. Certainly Gen. Lincoln was there, as was most of the army which had been humiliated the May before in South Carolina. But whether at Yorktown or not, he was in the service until the close of the war, and is thought to have been with Washington when the great leader made his triumphant entry into New York City, November 25, 1783. The term of Col. Curry's service is furthermore fixed beyond dispute by the wording of an old land patent, dated March 16, 1816, and signed by James Madison, President. This patent recites that " in consideration of military service performed by James Carry, a captain (sic) for six months more than six years, to the United States in the Virginia line, on Continental establishment * * * * there is granted by the United States unto the said James Curry, etc." The fall and winter of 1783 wound up the war of the Revolution, the British evacuating New York and quitting the country the day of Washington's entry. The 4th of December following, the commander-in-chief took farewell of his officers and went to Annapolis, where Congress was in session, where December 23, he resigned his commission. About this time, Col. Curry's commission must have expired, or he had been mustered out of the service, as it is known that he was in Staunton a good part of the winter of 1783-84. Ile had served his country valiantly and well through the long and bloody struggle for independence, and at the close we find him returned to the avocations of peace, among the foremost of his countrymen shaping and administering the laws of the newly unfranchised country. Concluding our necessarily imperfect and meager history of Col. Curry's military career, we are happily able to present a fee simile of a statement of his account with the United States during a portion of his service. It is on a great sheet of old-time paper, yellow with age (it must have been written in 1782), and strikingly exhibits in its careful ruling, its regular columns, and beautifully shaped characters, the methodic habits of the man, and the expertness with which he could, when required, handle the pen. It will be noticed that his calculations were in pounds, shillings and pence, and as indication of the worthless condition to which the currency of the colonies was then reduced, it should be observed that his second column of figures on each page is a showing of the true values of the moneys handled, being but two per cent of the whole. Unlike most accounting officers these times, it will be noticed, too, that Col. Curry was a creditor of the Government he had been serving, having a balance in his favor of some hundreds of pounds. At Staunton, he filled several important civil offices, amongst others, Clerk of the Court of Augusta County. He was then thirty-one years of age, in the prime of intellectual and physics vigor, and, having rendered conspicuous military services, was entitled to and received the unbounded confidence of the people of that county. The 20th day of November 1784, he was married near Staunton to the daughter of a Capt. Robert Burns (then deceased), who had been ail honored officer in the Pennsylvania line throughout the war. His home had been at Charlottesville, N. C., where this daughter was born 10th October, 1768. She was a beautiful young girl when married to Col. Curry, scarcely more than half her husband's age, but well educated and of unusual strength of character; and she was simple Mary Burns when married, but the name did not please her husband and it was agreed that it should be changed to Maria. But this did not fully satisfy the ardent man, and his young wife was finally persuaded to answer to the name of Maria Magdalene by which she was ever after known. The child had been, during the war, a great deal with her father, who, it seems, was all officer of one of the departments of supplies, stationed at many different points. She had thus, though but a mere child, been an eye witness of many of the stirring scenes of the Revolution, and, in after years, recounted with an unfailing memory the numerous thrilling incidents of her army experience. She was a great reader, especially of poetry, and, among all her favorites in the latter years of her life, none stood so high as Robert Burns, with whose family her own was understood to be connected. She was tall of person, and finely formed, her heir luxuriant and dark brown, and her eyes a beautiful blue. She had a tuneful voice of winning sweetness, and must have been withal a charming, handsome woman indeed. She had, too, an extraordinary memory, and could repeat, as she often did to her Children, her favorite poets by the hour. Then she was ever telling her children old stories and fairy tales, and the venerable Mrs. Martha, Boal Taylor, of Columbus, who lived in her childhood on an adjoining farm, remembers that it was her supreme delight to get an evening at Mrs. Curry's fireside and listen to her wonderful accounts of the land of elfs. The late Otway Curry was never weary talking of this mother of his, whose poetic heart had instilled into his own such a love of the beautiful and true. She it was who first turned his eyes to the glory of the starry heavens, and taught him the names of the constellations, and she it was who guided his early lisping tongue to put sweet thoughts and beautiful words into rhythm and rhyme. Her transition from the life of ease and comfort to which she had been accustomed in Virginia to the wilderness of Ohio must have been a sad trial, but it is in evidence that she accepted her lot, and shared with her husband and children the discomforts of a pioneer cabin cour- Page 299 Blank Page 300 James Curry Ledger JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 301 ageously and uncomplainingly. She died January 10, 1826, on the farm in Jerome Township which her husband had settled in 1811. But to resume in connected form a narrative of the life of Col. Curry. We find that after marriage he lived for a year in Staunton, and here the first child of the happy couple was born, a boy, whom they named Robert Burns, in honor of the young mother's dead father. This child was born November 2, 1785, dying when grown to manhood, December 7, 1805, at his father's home, in the new State of Ohio. The year 1785 Col. Curry moved to Rockingham C. H., afterward called Harrisonburg, county seat of the newly made county of Rockingham. He engaged in merchandising in this new home, and held the while several offices of trust, both civil and military. He was, amongst other things, Brigade Inspector of the Seventh Brigade, a salaried position of much importance. It was his duty to attend each place of muster, and "superintend the exercise" of the troops. In this connection, a very interesting paper, in the hands of W. L. Curry, signed by Brig. Gen. Isaac Zane, exists, directing "Major" James Curry to attend for the purpose of " superintending the exercises" of the regiments, the several mustering places named, Woodstock, Cunningham's Mill, Harrisonburg and Staunton. It is dated September 26, 1794. Here a half-sister of his wife, a daughter of her father's second marriage, Peggy, was married about the year 1798, to one Jewitt Gamble, to whom numerous children were born - children whose descendants are today scattered all through the South. This Jewett Gamble was a brother of Robert Gamble, one of Staunton's leading merchants of that day, a man who afterward removed to Richmond, and became one of the heaviest business men of that city and immensely wealthy. He married Letitia, a daughter of Gen. James Breckenridge, and left two sons, one of whom became Governor of Florida and the other of Missouri. One of his daughters married William Wirt, one Chancellor Harper, of South Carolina, slid one W. H. Cabill, Governor of Virginia. In Harrisonburg, Col. Curry greatly prospered, and here his second child, James A., was born, March 30, 1787, who, coming with his parents into Union County, lived to a ripe old age and died March 1. 1874. And here was born a son, Otway, March 30, 1789, who died when but three years old. Here, too, was born Harriet, their first girl child, who died an infant, in her second year. Here, too, wag born Harriet Smith, April 3, 1793, who came with her parents to Ohio, was married to James Buck, and died in Union County August 10, 1845. In the fall of 1797, Col. Carry determined to remove to the territory of Ohio, in which the State of Virginia had reserved an immense tract of land for the use of her soldiers in the war of the Revolution. It was the soldier's ultima thule, and glowing accounts of its vast reaches of forest and alluvial bottom lands having reached Virginia, thither flocked the men of war, with their families and friends, in rapidly increasing numbers. Selling his property, Col. Curry with his little family safely sheltered in a great wagon drawn by five horses, started October 5, 1797. for his long journey over the mountains of Virginia. Reaching Morganstown on the Monongahela River, he embarked on a flat-boat and made the remainder of the journey down that stream and the Ohio, and to the confines of the territory of his destination by water. This voyage was very tedious, some six months; having been consumed in making it, and very hazardous. The winter of 1797-98 was a hard one, the rivers full of ice and floating trees, so that very often the devoted family thought themselves doomed to destruction. However, the mouth of the Scioto River was finally entered, and after weeks of contest against its angry current, the wanderers at length reached what was afterward known as High Bank Prairie, Ross County, landing April 1, 1798. Here Col. Curry erected his first house, a cabin without door, floor, or window, in which he lived for two years. He then removed to the present site of Greenfield, Highland County, where, for eleven years, he lived and Cultivated the land. Here three children were born-Stephenson. December 3, 1801, who died in Union County, April 2, 1861; 0tway, March 26, 1804, who died in Marysville February 15, 1855; and Louisa, July 21, 1807, who came with her parents to Union County, where she married Nelson Cone and still lives. The settlement at Greenfield was a prosperous and healthy one, numbering some 200 souls and during the whole of Col. Curry's residence there, not a physician lived in the place. The nearest doctor was at Chillicothe, twenty miles away, and when sickness did occur, Col. Curry was always called upon for prescriptions. He was a surgeon, too, for broken limbs and fractured bones, but it is not recorded that he ever undertook to amputate an offending member. Col. Curry held but one office, we believe, while living in Highland County, that of Brigade Inspector. His service as an officer in the Revolutionary army was, of course, well known, and he had been often urged to take a part in military matters, but had steadily refuted. Duncan McArthur had been for a long time the Inspector, but had, for some reason, become unpopular, when, one general muster (1806 probably), it was decided to oust him. An officer named Christian Platter said, "Let's elect a man who has some sense," whereupon the voters, with one single exception, cast their ballots for Col. Curry (McArthur getting just one vote), who had, at once, though protesting and unwilling, to take the office. McArthur, who had before this been a frequent visitor and an industrious reader of the Colonel's ample library of books, never again entered Col. Curry's door. At the next election, Col. Curry peremptorily refused, and Gen. McArthur was again given the place. In this connection an amusing story is told. 302 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. McArthur was so elated that he broke in three barrels of whisky, inviting the boys to help themselves as they desired and be happy. A grand old carousal, worthy the time and the men, followed. Col. Curry's horse got loose, and going home, warned the family to send for its master. His son, James A., started immediately, and midway met a man named Hamilton, drunk and happy. He was sober enough, however, to declare that the "muster was over; that it had been a glorious time; that there had been a great outpouring of spirit, and that over 300 souls were down!" Col. Curry brought with him warrants for many thousand acres of land, issued for military services. He had also a warrant for 9,000 acres issued because of money paid into the treasury of the State of Virginia. The military warrants were variously laid, portions in what is now Ross and Highland and Fayette Counties, Ohio, one of a thousand acres in Southwestern stern Kentucky, and in 1807, one of a thousand acres (Survey No. 1,440) in what is now Jerome Township, Union County. Other warrants were intrusted to a man by the name of Harrod, the founder of Harrodsburg, Ky., and lost. The treasury warrant was never laid. The old Colonel had too much land, so he kept this warrant to look at, satisfied and doubtless gratified to think that some day his grandchildren could use and enjoy it. But alas for the uncertainty of human calculations, after his death, the warrant fell into the hands of Silas G. Strong, was lost and never recovered. Years after, when the matter came to be investigated, the State of Virginia was found to have no lands left upon which a warrant could be laid, and as the United States Government could never be persuaded to father the treasury land debts of the mother of States, that 9,000-acre principality was found to be eternally gone. Nevertheless, the writer was once told in Richmond that the State had doubtless a good many mountain peaks yet untaken, whereon the warrant or its re-issue might be laid. The year 1811, Col. Curry removed himself and family to the Jerome Township land. His son, James A., had, in company with a man by the name of Joseph Bell, gone up the winter be. fore and made a clearing on the place now owned by W. W. Curry, and a man named Call had cleared a portion of the present farm of John Nonemaker, and erected a cabin. In the Call cabin Col. Curry began life in a wilderness for the third time. The country was practically unsettled, only a few houses being scattered along the Darby, and Indians were everywhere. The savages were far from being peaceably disposed, and as the war with England of 1812 was impending. The most serious consequences to the family of Col. Curry were feared, as the result of his rash removal to the wilds of Madison County. Illustrative of the dangers then supposed to attend such a residence, an old letter addressed "Col. James Curry, Madison County, Ohio, to the care of Mr. Cadwallader Wallace, Chillicothey," is a point. This letter, postmarked Harrisonburg, Va., February 16, 1818, bears the following request: "Mr. Wallace will oblige Alex Herring (the writer), by forwarding this to Col. Curry, as it is probable he has moved from his residence in Madison County, for fear of the Indians." The Colonel, nevertheless, had not removed from his newly made home, where the letter finally reached him. But the family had many frights, and not a few thrilling adventures. An experience of unusual interest is narrated elsewhere, when the brave mother, arming her two children, Stephenson and Otway, made ready to defend her little home against savage assault. In this home and on this farm, now owned, as stated, by John Nonemaker, Col. James Curry lived the remainder of his days. The territory was then Madison County, and the Colonel was no sooner well located than his fellow citizens returned him to the Legislature of the State, representing the district composed of Delaware and Madison Counties. This was for the session of 1812-13, when the capital was at Chillicothe. The nomination was altogether unexpected, and of course unsolicited. As proof of this, Mr. James Cone, of Jerome, remembers reading, when a chunk of a boy, a letter, Met! at Delaware, and signed by a committee, stating that a convention of citizens had without consulting him, presumed to place his name at the head of their ticket. The letter ended by saying that they hoped he would feel free to give his influence in favor of the ticket so nominated. In wonderful contrast this to the modern way of procuring candidates for office. The succeeding winter, that of 1813-14, the Colonel was again sent to represent the district, the Legislature again meeting in Chillicothe. This session (or possibly the one before) the new capital, Columbus was projected, and the membership must have numbered very many choice spirits. The following letter in the clearly cut chirography of Samuel P. Hildreth, one of Ohio's early historians, and by him signed, shows that there was fan as well as legislation going on at Chillicothe that session: MARIETTA, January 20, 1813. My DEAR COLONEL: Your favor by hand of Col. Barber was duly received, and it is quite pleasing to me that I still retain a place in your memory. I am happy to hear that things go on smoothly in No. 6,* and I would have given all my old shoes to have been with you on that evening when "Crazy Bill" (2) was initiated in the mysteries of the Directorship of Columbus, that city which is to be the Babylon of Ohio. It must have been a lively and happy evening with you - on one side was Col. Jim's (3) pipe throwing out continued volleys of smoke, on the other Gen. Cases' (4). broad mouth throwing out continued volleys of laughter, with here and there interspersed Ludlow's chain *A room doubtless of the hotel. (2) Who was this? (3) Col.Curry. (4) Gen. Lewis Cass. JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 303 of causes and effects; and the sallies of wit and humor from the rest of the company, all combined, must have had a very happy effect, and would have relaxed the stern muscles of Diogenes had he been there. I should have highly enjoyed the scene could I have been present; but as I could not be, I can console myself with the thought that some of my friends were there and were happy. which to me is at all times a pleasing reflection. I am happy to hear that my friend Ludlow has been successful, as he is really a worthy and deserving man, and will fill the station with propriety and ability. I am also pleased that the office of Major General has fallen to the lot of Mr. Case. He will support it with dignity and show to the people of the State of Ohio that its Legislature has not mistaken their confidence. This election will probably put to sleep any further inquiries respecting the Major General of the Second Division. I have to regret that my acquaintance with Col. Curry could not have been longer, but from what few days we were acquainted I feel a growing attachment, which twice that number of years will not obliterate, and believe me, sir, when I my I shall consider that day which introduced you to my acquaintance as one of the most interesting in my calendar. However, I hope and trust that our knowledge of each other in not to end here, but that we shall yet pass many happy hours together. With sentiments of respect, I am your friend, S. P. HILDRETH. COL. J. CURRY, Member of the Legislature, Chillicothe, Ohio. Col. Curry was returned from the Delaware and Madison district, the winter of 1814-15, and in the session of .1815-16 we find him again a member from that district, the Legislature still convening at Chillicothe. The next year and the first in which the Legislature sat at Columbus, the new capital, 1816-17, the two counties were each given a representation, and Col. Curry's own county, Madison, took up a new man, one Isaac Miner. The Colonel was not retired to private life, however, for this year (1816) he was chosen one of the electors who met at Chillicothe, and cast the vote of the State for James Monroe of Virginia, for President, and Daniel D. Tompkins of New York, for Vice President. His associates were John G. Young, Abraham Shepherd, Aaron Wheeler, Othniel Looker, John Patterson, Benjamin Hough and William Skinner. The sessions of the Legislature of 1817-18 and 1818-19, Miner continued to sit for the county, but that of 1819-20, Col. Curry was returned as Madison's representative. This, the eighteenth General Assembly of the State of Ohio, the last, in which the Colonel ever sat as a member, was held at Columbus, that "modern Babylon,'' and it is to be supposed that Mr. Hildreth was there and all the genial spirits who the winter of 1813-14 had made the walls of "No. 6" at Chillicothe echo with sallies of wit and volleys of laughter. This session, a bill for the organization of Union County, was introduced into the Senate by Gen. Foos, then representing Franklin, Madison and Delaware, and passed. The bill went to the House Friday, December 24, 1819, and on motion of Col. Curry was made the order for the following Tuesday, when it was passed and became a law. June 3, 1811, Col. Curry was made the happy father of another son, his last child, and the only one ever born in Madison County. To this son the name of Robert Burns was given, a very appropriate reproduction of that borne by his first-born child. This son, now an old man - with whitened hair, but when last in Ohio as light of heart and as playful as when thirty years younger, yet lives, having years ago removed to the State of Kansas. The Colonel's only other living child, a daughter, married, as has been stated, to Mr. Nelson Cone, and yet lives in Jerome Township in eight of the spot where seventy-two years ago her parents first made their home. A venerable, intelligent, gentle woman, though sadly afflicted, she still lives, the joy of her household, respected, loved, revered by every one, kin and stranger, who comes within her sweet presence. But though Col. Curry did not again return to the duty of making laws, he was, in the years 1822-23-24-25-26-27 and 1828, one of the Associate Judges of the county who executed them. The courts were held in Milford, and from the April term of 1822 to the August term of 1823, the bench was constituted: John A. McDowell, President Judge, David Mitchell. William Gabriel, James Curry, Associates. The November term of 1823, Gustavis Swan was President Judge, some Associates. April term of 1824, Ebenezer Lane became President Judge, and the, some Associates held till the February term of 1826, when Robert Nelson was appointed in place of Col. Curry. October term of 1827, Ebenezer Lane still presiding; Col. C. returned to the bench, displacing David Mitchell. February term of 1828, Gustavis Swan again became Presiding Judge, so continuing Col. Curry, William Gabriel and Robert Nelson as Associates to and including the September term of 1828. This was the last of Col. Curry's office holding, and as he was now some seventy-six years of age, he was probably quite willing to relinquish into other and younger hands the duties of office, which in either a military or civil capacity he had been with but little cessation fulfilling continuously for fifty years. Full of honors, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence and esteem of the people of the county he had been instrumental in organizing, he at a ripe old age retired to his farm, to spend peacefully, what few days might yet remain for him. Though old in years, he was still strong and vigorous, it is remembered, in body slid mind. He succumbed, however, to an attack of apoplexy, dying July 5, 1834, at 10 o'clock A. M. Two days after, his body was laid to rest by that of his beloved wife, who had preceded him some eight years, and the two yet lay side by side in a quiet corner of the old farm, which in 1807 he had covered with Survey 1440. So ceased the life of Col. James Curry. In estimating his character, we have only to point to the fact that while as an officer, civil or military, he achieved no illustrious fame, he was steadily had persistently successful in every position he undertook to * What position was this? 304 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. fill and failed in none. As a citizen, husband, father, few men excelled him in the respect with which he was held by his neighbors and friends, and in the love and esteem borne him by his wife and children. He had been a captivating man in youth, and Mrs. Nelson Cone now declares that he was the handsomest man she ever saw; she remembers her uncle John's statement that her father and mother were the handsomest couple ever married in Staunton. Mrs. Cone mentions, too, his appearance on horseback, "the finest" she ever saw. He was of medium height, about five feet ten, weighed some two hundred pounds, was very broad across the shoulders and back, and was of wonderful strength and activity. In dress, while not particular on the farm, he was scrupulously exact and neat when going abroad to the legislature or to court. He was of very regular habits and most punctilious as to his children and other members of his household. He would never go to the table, or pay any attention to a notice that a meal was ready, unless asked, -Please come to dinner, father," and when seated the children while small were not permitted to speak aloud. He insisted on perfect obedience, yet was very kind. He kept his money in the till of a chest, and Mrs., Cone remembers that when a child she would frequently find money lying on the floor near by, as if accidently dropped, which she would always carry to her father. His reply invariably was, "Why, how careless. Well, Louise, you can keep it for yourself." As to his political creed, he was an uncompromising Jacksonian Democrat, hating the very name of Federalism. His two sons, Stephenson and Otway, came, however, in time to be anti Jacksonian, Otway particularly leading in many a wordy, excited debate with his father. These boys, the old gentlemen was accustomed to call his little tories. In religion, he was perhaps more a Baptist than anything else, though he was never a church member. Nevertheless he always said grace at the table, and up to his wife's death, possibly after, conducted family worship each and every morning. Mr. Nelson Cone remembers talking with him as to the division of the Baptist on the communion question, and that he took sides with the "open communion" faction. However, the good man himself tells us what were his religious beliefs away along back in 1782, when a young man of thirty, and it is not known that he had at all changed his sentiments in after years. An old faded, course grained, fool's-cap sheet, dated October 7, 82, and signed with a fine, flowing hand, James Curry, tells the story: Eternal God! I am Thy creature, brought into being by Thy power, and hitherto hast been the care of Thy indulgent providence. Thou midst me happy in my first parents after. Thy image, the whole man upright, disposed only to do Thy blamed will. But by the unhappy disobedience of this man I became (as well as thereat of mankind: a sinner by nature a child or wrath, am inclined to evil, to rebel against Thee, my rightful love. Am indisposed to holiness, my heart naturally at enmity with God, nor subject to His law as my choice; and Thou mightiest be glorified in my damnation without the least Imputation of injustice. I am ruined in myself, and in Thee only is my help. But in the unaccountable power of Thy grace, Thou hut devised a plan, well ordered in all things and sure, by the incarnation, obedience and death of Thine eternal Son, whereby the demands of justice are fully satisfied and a righteousness wrought out, by which sinners of mankind may have a right to eternal life upon God's own terms. The record or Thy Word is that Thou hast given to us (sinners) eternal life, and that this life is in Thy Son, declaring that there is no condemnation to them that believe in Him. Everything has been done on Thy part great God to convince me of Thy gracious purpose and rich grace. Thou offerest an eternal life in Thy Son. I desire however unworthy of the unspeakable grace, to credit Thy Word, and to believe that Jesus Christ is both able and willing Savior, and that depending on Him I shall not perish, and that He has made a sufficient satisfaction to justice for my sine, and that In Him righteousness Imputed I shall stand complete in all the Word of God. I make choice of Jesus Christ as my only Savior, in all His offices as my Teacher, Savior and Ruler, looking to be saved from sin in its dominion and consequent wrath through Him, depending on Him alone are, the foundation of all my hopes, for every blaming and grace I need. In Him do I desire to make choice of God the Father as my Heavenly Fattier, and the Holy Spirit an my guide, director and sanctifier, God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to whom I surrender myself, am my God and everlasting portion. Believing in this, I do what is the will of God. In evidence of the sincerity of my soul in this solemn transaction, I subscribe unto the Lord with my hand. JAMES CURRY. October 7, '82. This was written along toward the close of his army life, when a young, unmarried man, and must be taken as the sum of his convictions as to religion. No sect is favored, no creed proclaimed; but what a grand, though simple, expression of faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the efficacy of the Christian's plan of salvation! The unbelieving reader will hardly repress an emotion of exultation at the eloquent simplicity of this hundred-year-old piece of parchment, coming as it were from the tomb, to warn and convict. It almost surpasses belief, that the grand old soldier wait, indeed, never an acknowledged member of any one of the churches of that day. "Uncle" David Winget, who lived years in his family, says that he was reserved in manner, but a good talker when aroused and encountering a peer. He was a great reader, and had, for that day, a very large library of books, historical, religious, scientific and poetic. About every newspaper then published in America came to him as a regular subscriber, and the writer has now in possession piles of such, running back to the Revolutionary war, and beyond, carefully stitched (by his own hand, doubtless), for preservation. Few men of that day were more intelligent than Col. Carry, whose advice, on all matters (so Mr. Winget says), business and social, was sought by everybody. He was hot tempered, but ever courteous. His hair was dark and closely cut; forehead high and broad; eyes hazel: nose straight; chin as shapely as could have been molded. His face, always closely shaven, is said to have nearly resembled that of his son, James A. Such, finally, is what the writer hereof can make out of the few facts obtainable of the life JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 305 of Col. James Curry. Books have been searched, and letters written, with a diligence and labor little imagined; but it must be, after all, confessed to small purpose, The great State of Virginia is absolutely without a history in detail of the grand part taken by bar sons in the war of the Revolution. A letter written to the writer by a distinguished citizen of Augusta County, confesses that there is no history of that county in the war of the Revolution extant; and yet it was that day the principal one in wealth and population of the State. It comprised, indeed, everything west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, covering the famous valley of Virginia, between the Ridge and the Alleghenies, into which it was Washington's declared purpose to retire if defeated north of the Potomac, and with his trained army of Spartan followers defend himself and his country to the last. CAPT. JAMES A. CURRY, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Va., March 30, 1787. When eleven years of age (1798), his father, Col. James Curry, removed with his family to Ohio, and effected a settlement in Highland County, twelve miles from Chillicothe. Highland was then the border of an unexplored wilderness, extending west and north over the entire State. The red man still claimed it as his heritage, and the wild animals roamed at will over its hills and valleys. Young Curry, then a boy of twelve summers, possessing to some extent the fearlessness and spirit of Boone for hunting, longed for an adventure. He attired himself in his hunting costume, which consisted of a tow shirt and buckskin pants, and with his game-sack and rifle and a dozen dogs, five of which were his own, he started out, and after a tramp of several hours encountered a bear, which he killed. It was the largest of its species known to have been killed in Highland County. On one occasion when but a lad, he made a trip of 100 miles to get a physician to attend on a sick brother. His route lay through a densely-wooded forest, and the distance was traveled principally during nights. February 1811, in company with Joseph Bell, he came to what is now Union County. The snow was two feet deep, and with these surroundings they felled some trees and erected a "half-faced camp," which served as a shelter for them during the spring and summer. The situation of the camp was about forty rods northeast, of Sugar Run Falls. Here he cleared a field anti raised a crop of corn. The latter part of the summer he went back to Highland County, anti in the fall returned to Union County, accompanied by his parents. Early in the summer of 1812, he enlisted with a company of forty-day volunteers, and with the necessary military equipments, mounted his horse and went to Urbana, where he joined a company of horse from Highland County, and served in Col, Carr's regiment. On his way to Urbana he followed the paths and made the whole trip without seeing a single person. His steed, "old Jack," although an animal twenty-one years old, served him efficiently during his military career. In February 1813, Capt. Curry (he having been previously chosen to that rank), was ordered to report with his company for duty and join the army of the Northwest, under Gen. Harrison. He was camped at Delaware, Upper Sandusky, Wapakoneta, Falls St. Marys and Fort Meigs. After the war closed, he was offered a Captaincy in the regular army, which he declined. Capt. Curry had come to Ohio when young, and his advantages for an education were very limited, but through h is own diligence and efforts to secure learning, he acquired a good education, which was of great practical use to him in after years. The chief elements of his education, and in which he displayed a marked thoroughness, were geography, natural philosophy and history. Natural philosophy was so easily mastered by him that he gave it the version of - natural simplicity." In boyhood he formed strong tastes for reading, and his extensive knowledge was all obtained through the avenues of literature. He was a man wholly self-acquired, and no doubt the best historian in the county. A man of strong conversational powers, he was able to entertain any one in the most pleasing manner. As a mail, he was generous and hospitable, and never turned from his door the needy and distressed. he died near New California, March 1, 1874, aged eighty-seven. March 18, 1817, Ile was married to Miss Phebe Winget, a daughter of Stephen and Hannah Winget, natives of Washington County, Penn. They removed to Madison County, Ohio, in 1801. Mrs. Winget was, before her marriage. a Cary, and was a distant relative of Alice and Phebe Cary, and also of Hon. Samuel F. Cary. Mrs. Winget was left a widow in 1807, with six children. She died in 1860, aged eighty-five years, Mr. and Mrs. Curry reared a family of ten children-five sons and five daughters, viz.: John: Harriet, widow of William Baird Nancy; Mariah, widow of John Woodburn; James, deceased; Samantha, deceased; William W.; Phebe, wife of W. H. Williams; David; and James A., deceased, who died in the army. Mrs. Curry is still living on the old homestead at the advanced age of eighty-four years. She is enjoying good health and in possession of all her mental faculties. She spent two days at the "world's fair," in 1882, and there saw the improvements of the country of threescore years, which was all accomplished under her observation. John Carry, the eldest son and child, was born in Jerome, December 22, 1817. December 9, 1845, he was married to Tabitha W. Gill, daughter of Jesse Gill, by whom he has had eleven children, viz.: Allen T., Lewis C., Thomas H., Frank P., Olive C. (wife of J. D. McCampbell), Jesse G., Stephenson, Jennie, Mantie, James E. and John M. Mr. Curry owns a valuable farm of 347 acres, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Mrs. Curry is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Curry is Democratic. STEPHENSON CURRY (deceased) was born on the site of Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, December 3, 1801. He was a son of Col. James Curry, well known as one of the earliest 306 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. pioneers of Union County. Mr. Curry emigrated to Jerome Township, with his parents, in 1811, when but ten years of age, and settled in the unbroken wilderness, which was thickly infested with Indians and native animals. Here he passed his early life and received his education, which was limited to the schools held in log cabins. During the war of 1812, there was scarcely an able-bodied man left in the settlements along Darby and Sugar Run, and their families were in great danger and in constant fear of being massacred by the Indians. In 1812-13, Stephenson's father, Col. Curry, was called to Delaware, to assist in organizing a regiment of-soldiers, leaving him and his brother Otway with Mrs. Curry, hemmed in by the woods, and with no neighbors nearer than John Kent and family, who resided a mile and a half away. One day, during Col. Curry's absence, the horses were attacked by the wolves, and stampeded with such a noise as to make Mrs. Curry believe the Indians were going to attack their home. Young Stephenson, then but a boy of eleven years, but with the coolness of an old backwoodsman, took down the two rifles, and, loading one, placed his younger brother Otway as a sentinel at the fence, in rear of the cabin, and while he attempted to load the other, the charge became fastened in the barrel. The two boys stood on guard for some time, ready to meet the invasion of the red skins. When night came on, they, with their mother, went to John Kent's house and spent the night. The next morning, on tapir return with some of the neighbors, they found that the wolves had attacked the horses, badly injuring one of them, but that no Indians, or traces of them were to be found. One of t he old, flint-look rifles used on this occasion is still in possession of the family. Mr. Curry spent his early life and manhood in clearing up the old homestead, and remained on a part of it till his death. November 18, 1830, he was married to Miss Sarah D. Robinson, daughter of James and Jane (Morrison) Robinson. Mrs. Curry was born in Darby Township, April 14, 1806. In their married life they were blessed with eight children, viz.: Louisa, widow of William Thompson; Jane, wife of Taber Randall; Otway, William L., James, Mary, wife of Andrew Gill; John W., and an infant son, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Curry were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Curry united himself with that body about 1835-36, and Mrs. C. 1824-25, of which she was a devoted and consistent member for fifty years. Mr. Curry was a Ruling Elder for over twenty five years, and was an active member till his death, which occurred April 2, 1861. Mrs. Curry survived him till November 11, 1881. For half a century Mr. Curry guided the plowshare and wielded the ax in clearing up the forest. Born and bred a hardy pioneer of the West, trained to the use of the trusty rifle, yet amid all these difficulties and hardships, he found time for study and meditation. He possessed a mind richly stored with knowledge, which he was ever free to impart to all, and many were the stories of his adventures and experiences he was wont to relate, around the old family fireside. He was a man over six feet in height, straight as an Indian, and of great strength and activity, and, perhaps, did as much hard work as any other man in the county in his day. As a friend, Mr. Curry was warm and steadfast, ever ready to espouse the cause of the weak, and, in his church associations, was beloved and esteemed for his forbearance and piety. In politics, he was a Whig until the breaking up of the old Whig party, and afterward he was a Democrat. WILLIAM W. CURRY, farmer, P. O. New California, third son of Capt. James A. and Phebe Curry, was born on the old Curry homestead April 11, 1832. His youth and early manhood was passed in his native place, and his training received in the select schools of New California. He was first, married September 17, 1861, to Catharine Nonemaker, who died March 1, 1871, leaving three children-Charles E., Mary L. and Addison S. February 18, 1873, he was married to Miss Jennie Harris, daughter of Guy and Nancy Harris. Mrs. Curry was born in Wood County, Ohio, and died January 3, 1879. Two daughters were the fruits of this union, namely: Effie A. and Bertha. Mr. Curry's third marriage occurred February 10, 1880, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Bain. She was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 13, 1840. Mr. Curry's father deeded him his farm, which contained ninety acres. He pursues the avocation of farming and raising Poland-China hogs. His political opinions are Democratic. BEVERLY DEPP, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Powhatan County, Va., November 13, 1826. His father, Stephen Depp, was a slave for thirty years, and was liberated at his master's death in 1830, when he received, as his share of the estate, 143 acres of land in Jerome Township and a year's provisions. In 1836, he removed with his family and located on it. The farm was all woodland and Mr. Depp wag numbered with the early settlers. He married Lydia Knuckles, and died November 12, 1861, leaving her a widow with six children, of whom Beverly is the eldest. Ile aided his father to clear up the farm. In 1854, moved on Abraham Depp's farm, which he rented for twenty-seven years. He bought forty acres in 1865 and has made additions till he now owns a farm of 103 acres. May 2, 1850, he married to Rachel Mallory, by whom he has had ten children, Viz.: William H.. Rachel J. (wife of Alpheus Geeder), Augustus, Katie, Jerelene, Charles E., Delila E., Beverly, Rosa and Lizzie (deceased). Mrs. Depp departed this life August 9, 1869. Mr. Depp is a successful farmer and a highly respected citizen. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He has taken an active part in educational matters. JOHN K. DODGE, farmer, P. O. New California, ex-Commissioner of Union County, was born in Jerome Township November 17, 1833. He was a son of Judah Dodge, who was born in Vermont, January 23, 1796, His father, Judah Dodge, Sr., moved with his family to Union JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 307 County at the beginning of the war of 1812, and settled on the Crocker Smith farm in Darby Township. Some years later he moved to Jerome, locating on a farm of seventy acres. In 1836 he purchased a tract of 400 acres near New California. This whole farm was then covered with a dense forest, without an improvement, save a rude log shanty, which had been erected by the Indians. Mr. Dodge died on the farm in May 1856. He had filled the office of Justice of the Peace a number of terms and was otherwise officially identified with Jerome Township. He entered the county at the time of the last war with Great Britain and was familiar with its early settlement, organization, and the growth and development of it up to the date of his death. Judah Dodge, Jr., was but seventeen when his parents came to the West, and he spent the remainder of his minority in clearing up the land his father located. July 4, 1816, he was married to Elizabeth Kilgore, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 20, 1799, and by whom he had nine children, of whom our subject is the third son and seventh child. In 1867, Mr. Dodge sold his farm and removed to Marysville, where he died April 23, 1870. He was for fifteen years an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man of honor and highly respected. Mr. Dodge, the subject of this sketch, was reared and brought up on the farm and was educated in the common schools of Jerome Township. November 29, 1855, he married Miss Rebecca Rudolph, a daughter of John and Julia Rudolph. Mrs. Dodge was born in Delaware County, Ohio, July 1, 1833. Nine children were the fruits of this marriage, viz.: Andrew J. (married Flora E. Harrington), John R. (married Ella B. Boring), Glenna M. (wife of Elbert Bonnett), Thomas J., Jennie R., Tells, A., William M., Ottie J. and Frank E. In 1857, Mr. Dodge moved into Mill Creek Township, and in 1865 took up his residence on his present farm. He owns 509 acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land. His occupation is agriculture and stock-raising ; in the latter pursuit he has dealt extensively for the last twenty years. Mr. Dodge has by his energy and careful business management achieved a reasonable success in the accumulation of property. He was Trustee of Jerome Township two years and member of the Board of County Commissioners one term. His attention has been given almost entirely to his farm, and he ranks with the successful farmers of the county. ANDREW J. DODGE, farmer, P. O. New California, eldest son of John K. Dodge, was born in Mill Creek Township July 7, 1857. He was brought up on a farm and received his education in the select schools of New California and at the National Normal at Lebanon, Ohio. He taught school two terms in Jerome Township, and September 20, 1877, he was married to Miss Laura E. Harrington, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lucinda Harrington, of Plain City. Mrs. Dodge was born in Jerome Township, February 16, 1857. Mr. Dodge moved to his present farm in March 1878, and is engaged in farming and raising and dealing in stock. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. DAVID DORT, deceased, an old and respected pioneer of Jerome Township, was born in New Hampshire November 25, 1801. He was a son of Titus and Charlotte (Clark) Dort, who were natives of Massachusetts, and came to Franklinton, Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1811. They subsequently removed to Darby Plains, Madison County, where Mrs. Dort departed this life. Mr. Dort died at Frankfort, about 1840. At an early age, David was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, which he followed till 1835. In 1836, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Thomas and Barbara Gray, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Virginia. They moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1815, and in 1821 came to Darby Plains, and afterward went to Keokuk, Iowa, where they died in 1844 and 1849, respectively. Mr. Gray was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Dort was born in Loudoun County, Va., June 4, 1813. Her great-grandfather came from Europe, and was one of the first Baptist ministers in America. Mr. Dort removed with his family and settled on the farm now occupied by his widow in 1845. He purchased 125 acres of land and cleared and improved it to a good condition. He was an energetic and persevering man, and made all that he owned by his industry. In politics, he was Democratic till the war broke out, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party and was, during his subsequent life, an earnest advocate of its doctrines and principles. During the war he was active in behalf of the Union, and did much in the way of providing for the soldiers and their families. He was not a member of any church, but was inclined to the doctrine of the Congregational Church. He aided in many charitable and benevolent enterprises, and was a man of integrity. He died September 16, 1881, leaving a widow and one son. JAMES B. DORT, deceased, was born near Plain City, in Madison County, June 25, 1817. His parents, Titus and Charlotte (Clark) Dort, were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, and came West in 1811 and located near Columbus, where Mr. Dort was in the employ of the Government as a blacksmith for Gen. Harrison's army, two years. In 1814, he removed to Darby Township, Madison County, and located 364 acres of land, which he occupied till 1840, when he removed to Jerome Township and purchased a small farm of ninety acres. He died in March, 1843. He had served Madison County as Commissioner two terms, and in the office of Justice of the Peace nine years. Mr. Dort, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on a farm. In 1837, he went to Wayne County, Mich. and in 1843, located permanently in Jerome Township, which he served as Justice of the Peace and Treasurer. June 25, 1840, he was married to Martha A. Fox, daughter of Chester and Susanna Fox, by whom he 308 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. had nine children; of these four are living: Susanna, wife of S. H. Ruehlen; Deiadamia, wife of Calvin McDowell; and Horace M. Florilla, Chester T., Samuel L., Electa. B. and Martha A. an deceased. Mr. Dort was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church till his death, and was for several years an active worker in the Grange. Horace M. Dort, third child living, was born near New California, February 4, 1853. He was brought up to firming and followed that avocation till April 1879, when he engaged in merchandising. He carries a stock to the amount of $2,200, and has annual sales of $10,000. March 30, 1878, he was married to Miss Emma Morgan, a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and a daughter of C. M. and Louise Morgan. Mrs. Dort was born January 28, 1866. Two children were born to this marriage, viz.: Lyle E., born October 9, 1874, and Guy, born June 10, 1878. J. B. DOUDNA, farmer, P. O. Jerome, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, December 2. 1830. His parents, William and Lydia (Bailey) Doudna, were natives of Belmont and Guernsey Counties respectively, The former was born in 1806, and the latter in 1812. His grandfather, John Doudna, was born near Raleigh, N. C., November 9, 1778, and his wife, Anna Doudna, was a native of the same place. His great-grandfather, John Doudna, the first of the name, it is supposed, was born in England. When about four years old he was stolen by a crew of sailors who kept him till he was a young man, when he made his escape. He was distinguished as John, and afterward nicknamed "Doudna," which name he adopted. He married Sarah Knorvas, who was born May 23, 1756, and moved to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1803. He died in 1811. He was the parent of fourteen children, of whom two are now living. Our subject's maternal grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth Bailey, came from North Carolina to Ohio in 1802, and settled in Guernsey County. The great-grandfather, Jesse Bailey, was born February 1, 1781. His wife, Mary Bundy, was born June 16, 1787, and died August 31, 1847. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of eight children. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. In 1850, he came to Union County and followed the carpenter trade till 1877, when he turned his attention to the farm. March 16, 1851, he was married to Lucinda, daughter of Peter and Margaret Crotinger. Mrs. D., a native of Knox County, Ohio was born March 12, 1831. Eight children were born to this union; of these seven are now living, viz.: Manasseh W., Charles F.; Phebe R., wife of William McCarty; J. Frank, Helen O., George M. and Harry H. Ephriam M. is deceased. Mr. Doudna located on his present homestead in 1860. He owns a good farm of 111 1/4 acres, and for the last six years has been engaged in farming. He served as Township Clerk fourteen years, and is a member of the society of I. O. O. F. JOHN W. EVANS, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a native of Frederick County, Va., was born December 12, 1821. His father, William Evans, was born in Wales, and came to the United States with his parents when young. His mother, Christina Lockmiller, was a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Evans, the parents of our subject, removed with their children to Ohio in 1837, and settled near Zanesville. In 1839, they moved to Delaware County, and in 1846 to Franklin County, where Mr. Evans died. He served through the last war with Great Britain, as a private. John is the second son and fourth child of a family of thirteen children. He came to Jerome Township in 1842, and worked for nine years in the Beach Ashery. Of these years' earnings he saved enough to buy fifty-five and one-half acres of land. May 18, 1845, he was married to Miss Phebe Green, daughter of Caleb and Catharine Green, by whom he had one child-Catharine A., born August 21, 1846. She married David R. Ashbaugh, and had three children-Ida M., born November 8, 1867; John L., born February 18, 1869, and Earnest L., born July 18, 1871. - Mrs. Ashbaugh departed this life October 19, 1880. Mr. Evans owns a farm of 240 acres, and is by occupation a farmer and stock-miser. He was Trustee of Jerome seven years, and filled other local offices. ELIJAH K. FOX, retired, Plain City. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait is given in this volume, was born in Hartford County, Conn., August 10, 1821. His father, Chester Fox, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., September 22, 1796, and his mother in Manchester, Conn., February 5, 1798. His paternal grandfather, Amos Fox, of English descent, was born in 1756. He was a Revolutionary soldier under Gen. Washington, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, N. Y. He died in Hartford County, Conn., March 14, 1832. His wife was born in 1757, and died March 16, 1851. Mr. Fox's (Elijah K.) parents were married in 1817, and, in 1836, migrated to the West, settling in Jerome Township where Mr. Fox located on 350 acres of land. His death occurred July 7, 1863. Mrs. Fox survived him till October 8, 1881. Six children were the fruits of their marriage. There are three living, of whom our subject is the eldest. He spent his early life in clearing up the old homestead, and has resided in the county ever since, except 1843-44 and 1845, when he was engaged in the Eagle Manufacturing Company, in Glastonbury, Conn. He lived on his farm, near Frankfort, till November 1881, when he removed to Plain City. January 25, 1849, he was married to Susan M., daughter of Martin and Mary (Keeney) Webster. Mrs. Fox was born in Hartford County, Conn., July 25, 1824. Her parents came to this county in 1849, and afterward removed to Ostrander, where they died. Mr. Fox is one of the few real pioneers of Union County that are now living. He helped cut out and make the road from Frankfort to New California in 1837, and aided many other improvements of the township. He served Jerome as Trustee five terms, and tilled various other local offices. Page 309 - Picture of James S. Smith Page 310 Blank JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 311 HENRY FOX, farmer, P. O. Jerome, son of Chester and Susannah (Kinney) Fox, was born in Hartford County, Conn., October 19, 1823. At the age of thirteen, his parents removed and settled near Frankfort, this county. Mr. Fox purchased a farm of 300 acres one and one-half mile west of Frankfort, and, with the aid of his some, cleared a portion of it. He died July 7, 1863. Mrs. Fox departed this life October 8, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Henry is the second son of a family of six children, of whom three are living-Elijah K., Henry, and Electa J., wife of William Dunnic, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Fox spent his early life in clearing up the homestead. Two years after his marriage, he bought 180 acres of land of the It heirs of James Stone. Of this farm, he has cleared and well improved a good portion, and is engaged in farming and raising stock. March 10, 1847, he was married to Sarah Kent, daughter of Daniel and Dillie Kent, and grand-daughter of John Kent, one of the earliest pioneers of Union County. Mr. K. was born in Jerome June 23, 1822. Of the children born to this union, the following are living, viz.: Ameret O., wife of Arthur Callier; Cynthia A., wife of Samuel Taylor; Ely, married Jennie Holmes; Chester; Clarinda, wife of Joseph Brobeck; William D., Riley L., Lovina, and Altruda. Mrs. Fox died July 3, 1880. Mr. Fox owns, besides his home farm, fifty acres in Washington Township, and eighty acres in Putnam County, Ohio. He is engaged in rearing sheep and Norman French horses. As a member of an old family, we give the portrait of Mr. Fox in this work. JESSE GILL, deceased, an old and respected pioneer of Union County, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, October 30. 1804. He was a son of Andrew and Susanna (Hemphill) Gill, who were natives of West Virginia, and of Irish descent. They migrated to Ohio in 1804, and went down the Ohio River in a flat-boat, and settled where Arondale, near Cincinnati, now stands. Mrs. Gill died there, and about the time of the close of the war of 1812 Mr. Gill came to Union County, locating in Union Township, where he purchased 300 acres of land. His death occurred in 1829. Mr. Gill, the subject of this sketch, resided near Milford Center till October 8, 1837, when he moved to Jerome and purchased 194 acres of land, which is now in the possession of Andrew Gill. He was married May 10, 1827, to Miss Jane Cochran, a daughter of James and Mary Cochran. Mrs. Gill was born in Erie County, Penn., December 2, 1806. Five children were born to this union, viz.: Tabitha W., wife of John Curry; Olive A., wife of James R. Mitchell; Eliza M., wife of John M. Roney; Sarah C., wife of J. B. Robinson, and Andrew, the only son. Mr. Gill filled various offices of honor and trust in his county and township. He was once chosen to the Board of County Commissioners, when his party was largely in the minority, thus attesting the confidence which the public had in his integrity and ability, regardless of partisan prejudice. He served Jerome Township, both as Trustee and Treasurer, holding the latter office nine years. In politics he was Democratic in doctrine and principle, and was the leader of his party in local matters. He was Presbyterian in his religious views, and was identified with that church for a number of years. He was a man of honor and uprightness and died highly esteemed, May 14, 1872, as a worthy citizen and pioneer. ANDREW GILL, the youngest son of Jesse Gill, was born in Jerome Township August 19, 1843. He was reared on the farm and educated principally in the select schools of New California. July 29, 1863, he enlisted to serve six months in Company B, Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was at the surrender of' Cumberland Gap, and was employed on garrison duty at the fort, till his term of service expired, when he was mustered out and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, February 14, 1864. April 9, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Curry, daughter of Stephenson and Sarah D. Curry. Mrs. Gill was born in Jerome April 9, 1844. They have five children, viz.: Cora, Jesse, Jennie C., Lou and Bessie. Mr. Gill owns the old homestead, which contains 194 acres of well-improved land. He is engaged in farming and rearing stock; for the last ten years he has been engaged in breeding and rearing thoroughbred French horses, which he has exhibited at the annual fairs of the county. One mare "Josephine " which be reared, won the first premiums at the State Fairs of 1878-79. For the last two years he has given considerable attention to bee-raising. He has seventy stands of bees, which produced, in 1882, 2,500 pounds of honey. Mr. Gill was a charter member of the G. A. R. post at Plain City, and is still an active member. Politically he is Democratic. He filled the office of Township Treasurer one term. He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New California. CHARLES H. GORDON, farmer, P. O. Dublin, Franklin County, a native of Perry County, Ohio, was born December 6, 1817. He is a son of George and Hannah (Hammisfair) Gordon, and a grandson of Charles Gordon, who emigrated from Scotland prior to the American Revolution, and settled in Pennsylvania. He served in the war of 1812, and subsequently removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he died. George Gordon was reared principally in Perry County, where he married and brought up a family. Charles is the eldest of nine children. He was reared and brought up to farming and has pursued that avocation most of his life. He remained on the homestead till 1840, when he engaged in keeping hotel in Gratiot. In 1842, he went to Linville and carried on coopering eight years, then purchased a small farm in Jerome Township, on which he settled. He married April 22, 1841, Miss Clarissa Vandenburgh, by whom he had two children-Daniel L. and Clarissa C., wife of 'John Windle. Mrs. Gordon departed this life September 8, 1849, and Mr. G. married the second time September 21, 1851, Miss Matilda 312 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Latimer, daughter of Stephen and Dimmis Latimer. Mrs. G. was born in Franklin County, Ohio, February 1, 1830. This marriage was blessed with nine children; seven of these are living, viz.: Stephen T., George C., Nathan H., Livonia, Dimmis, Vallandingham and Ida M.; Nancy L. and Margaret A., are deceased. Mrs. Gordon's parents came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1815, and in 1840 to this township, where they both died, Mr. Litimer, February 26, 1854, and Mrs. L., September 21, 1872. Mr. Gordon owns a well improved farm of 186 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. JOHN W. GRAY, retired, Plain City, a native of Washington County, Vt., was born August 21, 1809. He is a son of Kalso and Anna. (Wilson) Gray, and a grandson of Kalso Gray, Sr., who served in both the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars. The subject of this sketch is the seventh son of a family of twelve children. At an early age he chose the shoe-maker's trade, which he learned and followed seven years. In 1836, he came to Darby Township, Union County, and five years later moved to Plain City, thence to his farm April 1, 1845. Mr. Gray has been identified with the construction of many of the improvements in the county. He was a member of the committee that assessed the land to make the first pike in the county. He served on the Board of Trustees of Jerome twelve years, and as real estate assessor one term. In December 1844, he was married to Charlotte Phillips, a daughter of Aaron and Hannah Phillips, by whom he had four children, two of these are living-Aaron K. and Clark. Mrs. Gray was taken away by disease May 12, 1852, and in November, 1854, Mr. G. married Mrs. Philp Gudtner, widow of John Gudtner. Five children born to this union are deceased. Mrs. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gray owns a valuable farm of 145 acres, ninety acres of which adjoins Plain City. CAPT. HENRY HENSEL, carpenter, New California, was born in Jerome Township June 24, 1834. His parents, George and Mary (Howell) Hensel, were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was born in 1777, and his mother in 1800; his paternal grandfather came from Germany prior to 1776, and settled in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather emigrated to the United States from England, and was a staff officer in the American Revolution. He was the first man to discover Benedict Arnold's treachery. Our subject's grandparents removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, some time after the Revolutionary war. His father came to Delaware County in 1818, and the same year made a purchase of 400 acres of land in Jerome Township. In 1819, he removed to his land near Frankfort where he died January 10, 1847. By his first wife he had three children; two, John and Mary are living. This second wife bore him six children. Of these George, Susan (wife of J. W. Wells), and Henry, are living at the present time. Mrs. Hensel died September 26, 1871. When sixteen, Henry chose the carpenter's trade, serving his apprenticeship with John McConnell, the leading architect of Columbus. He followed carpentering till August 19, 1861, when he enlisted his services in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected Second Lieutenant, and in May 1862, was promoted to First Lieutenant. He fought at Carnifex Ferry and in numerous minor battles. In 1864, he recruited Company C, for the One Hundred and Ninety first Regiment and went as First Lieutenant, in which capacity he served till March 22, when he was commissioned as Captain. His Company was in Gen. Hancock's Veteran Corps, and participated in the battle of Cedar Creek and other engagements. He served with honor and distinguished bravery, and was discharged in September, 1865. He was tendered a Second Lieutenancy in the Regular Army, but declined the honor. Mr. Hensel returned home and has since followed his trade. 1878-79 -80, he was a superintendent of carpenter work in the Ohio State Prison. May 26, 1869, be was married to Miss Martha, a daughter of Jacob and Martha Frederick, by whom he has had eight children. The following are living-Anna, Frank H., Mary, Martha and Forest; Frederick H., John F, and Carrie, are deceased. ROBERT HILL, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a prominent farmer and citizen of Jerome T6wnship, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 25, 1823. His father was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to the United States with his father, whose name was also Robert, in 1816, and for six or eight years temporarily lived in Pittsburgh, Penn. On their removal West, they settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, where Mr. Hill (the first) died. Robert, the father of our subject, was a young man when his parents came across. He resided in Guernsey and Tuscarawas Counties till 1858, when he came to Jerome Township; residing there till October 1873, he removed to Paulding County, where he died in November 1879. Mrs. Hill (nee Nancy Morris) died about 1828-29. She was a native of England, and came to America with her parents. Robert Hill, the subject of this sketch is the second son and third child of four children, of whom three are living, viz.: Ann E., widow of Jonathan McCullough, of Harrison County; Mary, wife of Hanson Merryman, of Delaware County; Robert; and James, the eldest, who died. in McConnelsville, Morgan County, August 1878. Mr. Hill's mother died in 1828, and he became a member of the household of an uncle, John G. Norris, with whom he remained till of age. He was employed by Mr. Norris in a grist-mill till 1845, when he started out to acquire his own fortune. He spent a few months working as a laborer at the mere pittance salary of $8.33 1/3 per month. In 1845, he came to Mill Creek Township, and first purchased fifty acres of land. He resided on this farm fourteen years, in the meantime making an addition of fifty acres more. On his location in Jerome Township he bought 160 acres, and has made subse- JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 313 quent purchases till he now owns 349 acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land. January 8, 1846, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Rea, a daughter of Samuel and Ruth A. (Robinson) Rea, natives of Harrison County, Ohio, and a granddaughter of Rev. John Rea, one of the early pioneer Presbyterian ministers of Ohio, of whom a sketch is appended. Samuel Hill was a member of the Coshocton County bar, and was a lawyer of considerable distinction. He was drowned in the Muskingum River February 28, 1833. His widow died February 19, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Hill was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, February 4, 1827. At her father's death, she was taken by her grandfather, Rev. John Rea, and reared to womanhood. Mr. Rea was Irish born, and crossed the Atlantic when eighteen years of age. He first settled in Westmoreland County. Penn., where he married Elizabeth Christy, a daughter of John Christy, who was an early settler in Pennsylvania, and participated in the Indian wars. On an Indian raid, two of his sons, John and William, were captured. They were returning home with the horses, when the redskins made the attack by firing upon them. John, in attempting to escape, was killed, William's horse was shot and fell upon him, and he became a victim of the savages. The first he knew of his brother's death occurred when he saw his scalp suspended to an Indian's belt, and recognized the black looks of hair. William was kept a captive three years, and released and returned to his mother and family. He was adopted by a chief, who treated him very kindly, and of whom be ever afterward spoke in terms of the highest veneration. Rev. John Rea was educated under Catholic discipline, and received a thorough classical training. He removed to Harrison County, Ohio, and was among its earliest settlers. He was pastor of a church at Beech Springs, in that county, for half a century. He was a member of the Philadelphia Synod, and went on horseback from Harrison County to Philadelphia, Penn., several times, to attend the General Assembly. He prepared and delivered an able farewell sermon to the congregation over which he had presided as minister and pastor for so many years, and retired to his home, where he died in February 1855, at a ripe age. Mi. and Mrs. Hill were blest with thirteen children; of these ten are living, viz.: Flora M., wife of Orange Cutler: Ruth A., widow of W. P. Wentz; G. Rea married Rachel Herriott; Mary I., wife of Lewis Brake; Elizabeth J., wife of Fleetwood Courtright; Samuel C., Frank S., Carrie A, John R. and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Hill started in life together pioneers, and with few advantages. Together they have shared the difficulties and pleasures, the labor and reward of life. By their combined energy and industry, they have accumulated a sufficient competence. As a representative citizen, we give the portrait of Mr. Hill on another page of this volume. REV. JOHN REA, D, D., the son of Joseph and Isabel Rea, was born in the village of Tully, Ireland, in 1772; emigrated to the United States when eighteen years of age. After remaining at Philadelphia, Penn., a short time, "left on foot," said he, "traveled mostly alone through the wilderness, sad, gloomy and dispirited, until after many days I arrived west of the Allegheny Mountains, stopping at the house of Mr. Porter, a Presbyterian minister," He now prosecuted the study of Latin, privately, which be had begun in his native land. To procure temporary means of support, he taught, first a night school, and afterward a day school In 1793, he married Miss Elizabeth Christy, of Westmoreland County, Penn, They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living, and one grandson, Rev. David Thompson, who is laboring in Jeddo, Empire of Japan, under the direction of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. Mr. Rea felt it his duty, even after marriage, to finish his education, already commenced, and if it was the will of his Divine Master, to enter the work of the Gospel ministry; for at his conversion and public profession of religion, he secretly vowed to his God that if He spared his life and gave him strength and grace, he would dedicate himself to the work of preaching the Gospel of Christ. With faith in Jesus, and his eye ever fixed upon his future calling, he labored and struggled on amid many adverse circumstances, with untiring zeal and more than ordinary industry, he worked his way through a literary course of education, teaching school, and studying alternately, until he graduated with honor at Jefferson College, when it was but a small school kept in a log cabin near Canonsburg, Penn. Mr. Rea was among the first alumni of this college, and studied theology under the direction of Dr. John McMillen; was licensed to preach by the Ohio Presbytery, June 1803, and after some three months' itinerancy in the wilderness of Central Ohio, among Indian camps Land the few white settlements, he was appointed to supply the newly organized churches of Beech Springs, Crab-apple and vicinity; for included in the letter was the Nottingham appointment, then considered on the confines of civilization, but now in the midst of a well-improved and densely populated country. After preaching for one year, as stated supply of these congregations, a united call was made out and carried up to the Presbytery, from these churches, In the spring of 1805, for each one-half of the labors of Mr. Rea, which was put into his hands and accepted. He was immediately ordained and installed pastor of said congregations by the Presbytery of Ohio. The country settled up rapidly and his charges grew as fast, so that it soon became necessary to have the relation between the two churches dissolved, that he might labor all his time at the Beech Springs, with the exception that a portion of his services, at discretion, might be occupied in fostering those vines springing up on his borders; and so untiring and devoted was this servant of Christ, that, besides ministering to the wants of so large a church, he found time to be instrumental in raising up some six or seven separate societies, that went out as col- 314 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. onies from the mother church and are now self-sustaining and prominent congregations. Dr. Rea died of decay of vital powers, February 12, 1855, at his residence near Unionville, Ohio (among the people of his charge, with whom, in part, he first settled), in the eighty-third year of his age and fifty-second of his ministry, greatly and deservedly beloved and esteemed as a citizen, Christian and faithful preacher of "Christ and Him crucified." Whatever else he omitted, he never neglected due preparation for the pulpit; his sermons evinced research, invention and original thought. It might be truly said of him that he was everywhere a living example of a Christian minister. He taught both by precept and daily walk. Mr. Rea established the Nottingham Mission, in 1806, and served it at stated times from the beginning, until 1810, when all his labors were required at Beech Springs, where his pastorate continued forty-five years, and during all this time he was much beloved and appreciated by the people. The older members of the congregation were enthusiastically attached to him, both as a preacher and spiritual adviser, and well they might be, for he was untiring in his exertions for their well-being. JAMES W. HERRIOTT, deceased, was born in Mercer County, Penn., February 3, 1830. When four years of age, his parents, Samuel and Mary T. (Corey) Berriott, removed and settled in Jerome Township. Mr. Herriott is the third of fourteen children. His early life was spent on the farm, and for an education he enjoyed only the advantages of the common schools. November 9, 1849, he joined himself in marriage with Miss Margery, a daughter of John and Margery Cunningham, who came to Delaware County in 1828. Mr. C. died September 27, 1859, and his wife October 3, 1853. Mrs. H. was born in Delaware County December 29, 1829. Of thirteen children born to this marriage, nine-are living, viz.: Jane, wife of William Cox; Mary T., wife of Girard Hughes; Hannah R., wife of R. G. Hill; Maria A., wife of R. S. Fry; Lovina S., William B., Nora R., Laura M. and Frances. Joanna, Margery A., Angeline and Sarah E. are deceased. Mr. Herriott resided in Delaware County till April 1875, when be purchased the old homestead in Jerome, where he died March 8, 1882. In connection with farming he operated an ashery for nine years. He left a farm of seventy acres, besides fifty acres in Delaware County. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he was of Republican principles. J. E. HERRIOTT, M. D., physician, Jerome, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 17, 1849. He is a son of Ebenezer C. and Elnora Herriott, the former a native of Mercer County, Penn., and the latter of Harrison County, Ohio. Ebenezer Herriott came to the county with his parents, Samuel and Mary T. Herriott, in 1834. They were natives of New Jersey, and of Scotch descent, and died in Jerome Township. In 1848, Ebenezer removed to Delaware County, where he lived till 1856, and returned to Union County. He died August 19, 1871; his wife's death occurred August 19, 1861. Our subject is the eldest of seven children. He received his literary education in the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, and in 1870 began reading medicine with Dr. James Cutler, of Richwood. He attended the Starling Medical College of Columbus, and subsequently the Medical College of Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in March, 1872. He came to Jerome Post Office, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has successfully followed. September 27, 1871, he was married to Saliema, daughter of Abraham and Bell Peters. Two children-Guersant P. and Gertrude May, were born to this union. Dr. Herriott has by close attention to his calling established a large practice. He and wife are associated as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ANDREW J. HOBERT, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born near Plain City, in Madison County, April 27, 1828. His father was born in Vermont January 3, 1802. His mother dying when he was an infant, he was taken by Samuel Stone to rear, who removed to Madison County, Ohio, in 1816. He was married August 25, 1826, to Margaret Gandy, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 7, 1811, and came with her parents to Leesburg Township in 1832. In the year 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Hobert settled in Jerome Township, where they both died ; the former October 16, 1849, and the latter July 7, 1881. Andrew, the second child, was reared to manhood on a farm, till nineteen, when he took up the cooper's trade, and followed it in Frankfort seven years. He purchased ninety-one acres, settling on it in 1858. He now owns 117 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. It has a sugar camp of 500 trees, and manufactures about 1,000 pounds of sugar annually. June 6, 1858, he was married to Miss Jane A., daughter of Chester and Emily Pool. Mrs. Hobert was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., November 6, 1838. One daughter, Josie M., is the only child. She was born September 26, 1860, and married Prof. W. S. Kennedy. Mamie and Charlie are deceased. Mr. Robert was a member of the Board of Township Trustees three terms. Politically, he is Republican. J. S. HOWLAND, M. D., physician, New California, was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 28, 1843, and is a son of Jonathan and Eliza J. (Stewart) Howland, of Brown County; his father's parents were Ichabod and Eliza (Beam) Howland, pioneers in the above county in which they and the father of our subject died ; his mother resides at Somerville, this county. He is the third child of a family of ten children, nine of whom are living. His boyhood was principally passed in the counties of Pendleton, Lewis and Mason, in Kentucky, but he received the rudiments of his education at Winchester, Ky, which was more fully developed at the Lebanon (Ohio) Normal School. October 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 315 Cavalry, and served with distinction under Gens. Gilmore, Burnside, Sherman and Thomas, and participated in the battles of Somerset, Knoxville, Bean Station, Rogersville, Blaines Cross Roads, Peach Tree Creek, Resaca, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Ebenezer Church, Selma, Ala. and Columbus, Ga. He served in succession, Corporal, Quartermaster Sergeant, Duty Sergeant, Chief Clerk in Commissary Department, and Chief Issuing Clerk in the Post Commissary Department. The latter place he filled at Atlanta from April 1, 1865, till his discharge July 11, the same year. He then came to Fayette County, where his parents had moved while in the service, and in 1868 embarked in teaching, which he followed till 1875, when he turned his attention to medicine. He read three years with Dr. A. J. Richardson of Somerville, and took a course in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. In February 1877, he located at New California, and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. January 16, 1868, he was married to Miss Louise Edgington, a daughter of Jesse Edgington, by whom he has had three children-Orlie, Irene and Jesse. Dr. Howland and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is connected with the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. THOMAS JONES, for a number of years a prominent citizen of Union County, was born in Wales July 29, 1823. When eight years of age, his parents, John and Winifred Jones, emigrated to the United States and settled down in Columbus, Ohio, where they both died. Mr. Jones spent his early life in Columbus, and was educated in the public schools of that place. In 1852-53, he came to Union County and purchased 207 acres of land, to which he added by subsequent purchase till his farm contained 300 acres. He also owned a farm of 186 acres on Darby Plains, Madison County. Mr. Jones was a leading and influential citizen, and as a fine stock-raiser was second to none in the county. He was especially engaged in keeping thoroughbred short-horned cattle and French Norman and Clydesdale horses. He was the first man to introduce French horses in the county, and owned one of the first Norman Stallions (Pleasant Valley Bill) that was imported to the United States. In 1857, he bought the Norman mare Doll-the third one of the Norman stock that was imported into America. Mr. Jones was successfully engaged in the fine stock business till he removed to his farm near Delaware, since which time his sons, Charles M. and Albert N., have succeeded him in his useful enterprise. He was married, November 10, 1847, to Mariam Newton, who was born in Madison County April 22, 1824. Their union was blessed with six children-Naniet N., wife of Dr. J. D. Jones, of Cleveland, Ohio; Charles M., Albert N., Ellsworth E. and Winifred; Ann, is deceased; Charles M., was born June 9, 1850, and Albert N., November 20, 1850. They reside on the homestead near Plain City. ARTHUR T. KENTON, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Mad River Township, Champaign County, February 16, 1824. He is a son of James Kenton, who was a nephew of the celebrated Simon Kenton, whose history is given at length elsewhere in this volume. James Kenton was the second child of nine children, viz.: Polly, James, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jane, Susan, Matilda, William and Richard. Mr. Kenton died in Mad River Township, in 1867, and his wife in Missouri in October 1872. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living, viz.: Julia, wife of George Gosley; Arthur T., the subject of this sketch; Celinda, wife of William Bates; and William H. H. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the old Kenton homestead, and educated in the common schools of his day. He resided in Roundhead Township, Hardin County, from 1848 to 1854, when he returned to Champaign County and lived on a part of the old homestead till December, 1862. when he removed to his present valuable farm. Mr. Kenton has been an unusually hard-working man, and his industry, combined with rigid economy, has made for him large property. His occupation has been farming and rearing and dealing in stock, in which he has made a marked success. He owns 183 acres of land where he resides, estimated at $70 per acre, and 214 acres in Hardin County, worth $50 per acre. September 12, 1848, Mr. Kenton was married to Rebecca L. Irwin, daughter of James and Christiana Irwin. Mrs. Kenton was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 28, 1826, and died July 27, 1872. They had eight children, viz.: Leonidas M., born June 10, 1849; Florence S., born May 17, 1852, wife of J. Ellis; Ettny, born October 17, 1858; B., born July 10, 1864; and Delia J., born August 24. 1866. James; C., Thomas and Lilly R. are deceased. JAMES KETCH, farmer, P. O. Plain City, an old and respected pioneer of Union County, was born in Canaan Township, Madison County, June 5, 1818. He is a son of Lewis and Sarah (Beach) Ketch, the former a native of York State, and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Ketch was born March 29, 1795, and Mrs. Ketch June 9, 1797. They were married March 6, 1814, and the following fall removed to Darby Township, Madison County, where Mr. Ketch died January 7, 1823. Mrs. Ketch was the mother of four children. She married for her second husband Parley Converse, and bore him five children. When but six years of age our subject was placed in the family of John Irwin, the father of Gen. William Irwin. He was reared till thirteen by Mr. Irwin, and for an education had the privileges of the common schools. In 1831, Mr. Irwin died, and young Ketch went to Madison County, and after spending one year returned to Union Township and worked at the carpenter trade with Gen. Irwin. He followed his trade up to 1844, when he purchased forty-four acres of his present farm. Of this all was woodland with no improvements except a log house, which had been partly erected. Everything dwelt in the wild dominion of nature, and deer, wolves, and other wild animals were numerous. Mr. Ketch 316 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. began the work of clearing and improving the farm, and made additions till he now owns 130 acres. Mr. Ketch was married, December 15, 1839, to Miss Rhode, Converse, daughter of Jeremiah and Melinda (Derby) Converse, natives of Vermont. Mrs. Ketch was born in Madison County, Ohio, January 31, 1817. This union was blessed with ten children ; of these seven are living-Lester W., married Sarah N. Conklin; Malinda D., wife of Isaac D. Mapes; Louisa R., formerly wife of Isaac J. Kilbury, and since of Perry Douglas; Lewis J., who was a member of Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed by a shell while in camp on the Atlanta campaign, August 6, 1864; Nancy F., wife of G. W. Stevens; Olive F., died aged two years; Harriet L., wife of C. C. Smith; Hiram G, died in infancy; Hylas R. and Dexter D. Mr. Ketch served Jerome Township as Justice of the Peace fifteen years, and as Trustee three years. Mr. Ketch is familiar with the general growth and development of the county, his acquaintance with it dating back almost to its organization, and few important events occurred within its limits of which he has no knowledge. THOMPSON T. KILBURY, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Madison County, Ohio, June 6, 1830. His parents, Thomas and Martha (Finch) Kilbury, were natives of Vermont. His father and parents removed to Madison County, Ohio, at an early day, and were among the first pioneers of Canaan Township. Mr. Kilbury, the father of our subject, took a contract of opening up and making the road from New California to Bellepoint. Thompson was reared and brought up in his native place, and received his training in the common schools. He assisted his father in clearing up the home farm and remained on it till 1853, when he married. He rented lands till 1860, when he purchased 151 1/2 acres in Jerome Township. It contained no improvements save a log cabin, which was erected by Frederick Sager, one of the oldest pioneers of the county. The building is now used as a stable. March 24, 1853, Mr. Kilbury was married to Miss Darthula, daughter of Amos Perkins. Mrs. Kilbury was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 30, 1835. They have had seven children, viz.: Elmore S., born February 12, 1854; Amanda, September 26, 1855, wives of Edgar Powell; Amylase M., March 15, 1858; Ulysses G., July 9, 1867; Emma S., November 3, 1868; Clark R., April 20, 1871, and Thomas E., February 18, 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the I. O. of O. F., and in politics is a Republican. He served as a member of the Board of Township Trustees nine years, and in other local offices. During the war he recruited an independent cavalry company. He declined the Captaincy and was given the rank of First Lieutenant. The company finally disbanded and enlisted in the three years' term of service. Mr. Kilbury subsequently became a member of the home militia. Mr. Kilbury owns a valuable farm on the Big Darby, and is engaged in the pursuits of farming. JACOB KRAMER, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Center County, Penn., December 24, 1822. September 20, 1814, his parents, Joseph and Mary (Brown) Kramer, were married, and in 1834 came to Madison County, Ohio. The following year they removed to Union Township, Union County. Mr. Kramer was a blacksmith and followed it two years at Homer, then removed to Madison County, and died at West Jefferson in August 1873. Mrs. K. had died in August 1849. Jacob is the second son of a family of eleven children. At the early age of twelve, he began and served a four years' apprenticeship at his father's trade. He then turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, except the years 1850-51 he spent in driving Cattle from Illinois to Lancaster, Penn. In 1866, he located on his present farm and has since cultivated its soil. November 1850, he was married to Miss Maria D., daughter of Daniel and Polly Kent, and a native of Jerome Township. Six children that were born to this union are as follows: Marilla J., wife of Joseph Wilson; Mary E., Charles H., Album D., John H. and Anna. Mr. Kramer is the fifth child of eleven children, viz.: Sarah, born March 25, 1815; Mary, May 5, 1816; Lewis, July 24, 1818; Eliza, July 20, 1820; Jacob, the subject of this sketch; Hannah, March 9, 1824; John, February 9, 1825; Henry, February 22, 1827; Isaac C., April 3, 1830; Sarah E., April 22, 1832, and Jerome, April 16, 1834. Mr. Kramer owns a farm of fifty one and a half acres of land. Mrs. Kramer is a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. K. is a Democrat. DAVID C. LANE, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Union Township, this county, May 12, 1820. He is a son of Luther and Lodica (Green) Lane, natives of Vermont. They came to Union Township in 1818. Mr. Lane died June 2, 1829. Mrs. L. died some four years after their settlement in the county. David was left an orphan when a boy, and without any assistance. He spent three years with James Miller of Union Township, and two years with James Pratt. He continued in the employment of the farmers till 1847, when he married and settled in Canaan Township, Madison County, where he resided till 1856, when he sought out his present location. His marriage with Elizabeth Cox was blest with five children; of these four are living: Luther S., born February 14, 1848, married Mary J. Mooney; George, born May 15, 1852, married Ella Edwards: Chloe, born July 19, 1855; Mary, born March 24, 1858, and Price born October 18, 1862. Electa, born April 18, 1850, married Ross Mooney, and died April 13, 1876, leaving two children-Walter and Ida E.; the latter is deceased. Mrs. Lane was born in Ontario, January 11, 1828. Her parents, Spencer and Elizabeth Cox, were natives of Ontario, and came to near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1834, and in 1838 to Columbus, thence to Madison County the following year, where they resided till 1850, and went to Illinois, where they both died. Mr. Lane owns a farm of sixty-seven acres. In politics, he is of Republican sentiment. JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 317 JOHN LIGGETT, farmer, P. O. New California. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 12, 1813. He is a son of John and Mary (McCormick) Liggett, and a grandson of William Liggett, a Revolutionary soldier. The parents were married in Rockbridge County, Va., and about 1806-7 removed to Rose County, Ohio; thence to Warren County; and in 1825, to Greene County, where Mr. Liggett died March 19, 1862, and Mrs. L. December 6, 1852. Mr. Liggett, our subject, is the third son and fourth child of nine children. He spent his early life on a farm near Xenia, Ohio, where he resided till 1839, when he came to Union County. He purchased 189 acres of his present farm. All of it was in its timbered state, and in 1841 he cleared a site and erected a log house. After his marriage, he removed on his new farm, which he cleared and improved. Mr. Liggett has devoted many years of bard labor in making for himself and family a competence; and his industry has been well rewarded. His farm now contains 222 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, all of which is the fruit of his own exertions. His avocation has always been that of farming and stock-raising, and he has enjoyed reasonable success. November 12, 1841, he was married to Miss Mary Lactate, a daughter of Josiah and Nancy (Carman) Leconte. Mrs. Liggett, a native of Greene County, Ohio, was born November 24, 1819. Of seven children born to this union, five are living, viz. : Lovina, wife of I. G. Stall, of Union City, Ind. ; Robert A., Clerk of Wayne County, Mich.; William M., Treasurer of Union County; John W. and Edward G.; Esma L. and Charlie F., are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Liggett are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. L., although not an office aspirant, served on the Board of Trustees of Jerome Township for ten years. Politically, he is a Republican. WILLIAM MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 18, 1827, and is a son of David and Leah (Brelsford) Martin, of Maryland. The grandfather of our subject, David Martin, settled in the above county in an early day. His maternal grandfather, Abram Brelsford, also settled there in an early day, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject came to this county in 1885, and settled in Jerome Township on the farm where William Martin now resides. He died on October 24, 1848. His mother is living, and resides in Madison County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch is the second son of nine children, five of whom are living, viz., William, George, David, Charles and Mary, William being the eldest. The care of the family devolved on his hands after the father's death, and for three years he supported them, then started out in life for himself. He rented a while, then purchased half of the homestead. February 28, 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Kile, by whom he has had four children; three are living Delilah, wife of John Warner; Laura J., wife of Robert Purdum, and David W. Mrs. Martin is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Kile. She was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 9, 1834. In 1864, Mr. Martin enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard service. He was honorably discharged in September 1864. Mr. Martin is engaged in farming and stock-raising. he was a poor boy when thrown upon the world, but by his energy and industry he has made a reasonable competence. ANDREW H. McCAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., July 1, 1821. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Porter) McCampbell, were also natives of Rockbridge County. Mr. McCampbell was born June 7, 1783. His father, William McCampbell, Sr., emigrated with his family from Ireland previous to the Revolution, and settled in Rock bridge County, Va. He served in the war that secured the independence of the States, after which he returned to his family, and died March 26, 1822, at the age of eighty-two years. His widow, Jane McCampbell, to whom he was married in 1768, died June 5, 1827, having attained to the age of eighty-three. Mrs. McCampbell nee Porter, the mother of our subject, Was born September 7, 1786. Her father was also a native of Ireland, and came to the United States in time to serve the country in the Revolutionary struggles. Mr. and Mrs. McCampbell, the parents of the subject whose name heads this sketch, were married January 19, 1806. In 1832, they removed to Greene County, Ohio, and two years later, to Jerome Township, Union County, where Mr. McCampbell died November 10, 1853. His widow survived him till May 1, 1872. They were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom they reared to maturity, viz. : Mary B., William, Robert S., John, Samuel P., James L., Joseph P., James C., Andrew H., David T., Charles, Alfred and Elizabeth. Mr. McCampbell, the subject of this biography, spent his early manhood on a farm, and received his education chiefly in the common schools of Jerome Township. His early life was given to clearing up the old homestead, which contained 400 acres. When he attained his majority, he served an apprenticeship under his brother at the cooper trade, which he pursued ten years. In 1845, he purchased a small firm of sixty acres, locating on it the succeeding year. He occupied this land till 1852, when he disposed of it and bought 108 acres of wood and, now constituting a part of his present farm. He has since given his whole attention to the pursuit of his firm and stock and has made a marked success He has as the fruits of his energy and industry a farm of 544 acres of finely improved and well-cultivated land. Mr. McCampbell is one of the most thorough and successful farmers in Union County. December 31, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Mitchell, a daughter of Jesse Mitchell now deceased. Of seven children by this union, five are now living-Tella, wife of T. B. Arnold, now of Minneapolis, Minn., James D., Jesse C., George 318 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. W. and Emma, who is at home. Aaron C. and Ross are deceased. Mr. McCampbell and family are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. McCampbell is a supporter of Republican principles. He served his township in the capacity of Land Appraiser two terms and Trustee one term; and has also filled other local offices. In the improvements of the township, he has always displayed an active part, having paid out to the construction of pikes over $3,000. As a citizen and a man, Mr. McCampbell occupies an honorable position in the community and county. DAVID McCAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. New California, seventh son of William and Elizabeth McCampbell, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., May 15, 1823. He came to the county with his parents when a boy, and remained at home till of age. His early life was spent with his brothers in clearing up the homestead. In 1864, he removed to the farm he now occupies., In 1843, be engaged in butchering, and followed it continuously till 1878, when he retired from that avocation, and turned his attention wholly to farming. For two years he kept a provision and meat store in Plain City, and enjoyed a good trade. He owns a valuable farm of 192 acres, located one mile east of New California. February 25, 1849, Mr. McCampbell was joined in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. McCullough, a daughter of Samuel McCullough, an early pioneer of Union County. Mrs. McC. was born in Jerome Township, May 1826. This marriage was blessed with five children, viz.: Achpor N.; John ff., married Miss Rose Hutchinson, and have three children-- Harry C., Frank L. and Nellie M.; Eva R., Zenas C. and Maggie M. Mr. and Mrs. McCampbell are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. MCC. is in politics a Republican. July 15, 1880, he fell from an apple tree and had his hip broken, which disabled him from active work. His sons have since conducted the farm. ALFRED McCAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. New California, second youngest child of William and Elizabeth (Porter) McCampbell, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., May 6, 1827. He came to the county with his parents when a boy of seven years. He was brought up on the farm he now occupies, and his training was received in the common schools. He aided his father to clear up the farm, and remained with him till his death. December 23, 1853, he was married to Miss Rosanna, a daughter of John and Ellen Cratty, and a native of Delaware County. where she was born April 23, 1826. Of five children by this union, four are living, viz.: Elizabeth A., born October 29, 1854, is a teacher; Mary E., born October 5, 1856, is a teacher; Ada, born September 16, 1862, and Cora burn December 8, 1866. Lucinda (deceased), born March 12, 1859, married L. C. McDowell, and died September 8, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. McCampbell are earnest members or the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. McC. is Republican. He owns 148 acres of the old homestead, And is engaged in the pursuits of his farm. DAVID McCLUNG, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was horn in Jerome Township, August 14, 1825. His parents, Joseph and Margaret (Conner) McClung, were natives of Pennsylvania, And emigrated to Union County about the time Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State. Mr. McClung served in the war of 1812, and was discharged on account of disability from a broken leg He settled on the Jesse Mitchell farm, formerly owned by his wife's parents. Patrick and Polly Conner. They were originally front Pennsylvania, and came to the county among its earliest settlers. Mr. Conner became the owner of 500 acres of land in Jerome Township, which he occupied till he removed to Amity, Madison County, where he died, July 12, 1840. Mr. McClung purchased 200 acres of land and lived on it till Iris death, August 13, 1843. His widow survived him till 1865. Our subject is the eldest son of nine children. He married Mary J. Cox, a daughter of Spencer Cox, and a native of Canada. They have the following children: Fillmore J,, Fremont, Elizabeth, Laura, Lurinda, Willie, Minnie, John and Charles. Mr. McCiting owns ninety acres of' the original homestead. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Republican. ROBERT McCRORY, farmer, P. O. Jerome, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 8, 1837, and is a son of William and Lavina McCrory, of Pennsylvania And Virginia. His father was born in 1806 and his mother in 1809. They came to this township in 1852, in which he bought 393 acres of land, on which he lived till his death, which occurred June 4, 1864. His mother died January 2, 1877. Both were consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, to which they belonged many years. Our subject is the eldest of a family of seven children. He obtained a practical education in the common And select schools, which was more fully developed by a four years' course of study at Oberlin College. At the breaking-out of the late war, he quit school and enlisted, August 6, 1861, in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was subsequently annexed to the Fifteenth Army Corps. fie participated in the battles of Carnifex Ferry, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, and a number of smaller engagements fie served with distinction, and was honorably discharged at Vicksburg September 17, 1863. Upon his return to civil lite, he resumed farming, and in April 1877, he located upon his present premises. In 1880, he established the mill, with which he has been successful. In 1882, he added a saw mill to his other manufacturing enterprise. His farm consists in thirty acres, which is a part of the old homestead. November 25, 1869, he was married to Anna M., daughter of David and Nancy Graham, by whom he has had six children, viz.: Matie L., Margaret, Anna B., Nancy M., Ella M. and William G. He and wife are connected with the United Presbyterian Church. He is a Justice of the Peace, and is a gentleman of fine executive ability. Has also served as Township Clerk. Politically, he is a Republican, Page 319 Blank Page 320 - Picture of W. M. Winget JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 321 SAMUEL McCULLOUGH (deceased) was born in Darby Township October 10, 1800. He was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Mitchell) McCullough, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in their native place, and in 1799, with one child-Alexander-came West and located near the Mitchell settlement in Darby Township, where Mr. McCullough died in June, 1800. He was the first white man that died in the county, and there being no lumber nearer than Chillicothe, his neighbors framed a coffin out of the slabs of a black walnut tree and he was interred in the old Mitchell Cemetery. His widow survived him over forty years, she dying in 1841. Samuel was the second of two sons. When five years old his mother married John Taylor and removed to Darby Township, Madison County, where she died. In 1825, Mr. McCullough returned to his native township and remained one year, then removed to Jerome Township, where he bought a farm of 100 acres; all was in woods, and he cleared a site and erected a log cabin, in which he resided till 1833, when he built a frame residence. He was married June 23, 1825, to Margaret Robinson, daughter of Samuel and Martha Robinson. Mrs. McCullough was born in Franklinton, Franklin County, March 21, 1807. Of the five children this family were blessed with, but two are living, viz.: Elizabeth M., born May 4, 1826, married David McCampbell; Nancy J., born February, 1831, married John Mitchell, and died March 7, 1873; John T, born May 11, 1833; Matilda A., born February 12, 1836, married George Coleman and died November 26, 1872, and Zenas O., born April 29, 1845, and died September 24, 1869. Mr. McCullough, by his industry and economy, acquired large and valuable property, owning at his death 500 acres of land. His death occurred April 7, 1871. He was one of the early members of the United Presbyterian Church, and died as an Elder. He had been identified with that denomination since 1826. He was a life member of the American Bible Society. As a man, he was consistent, and as neighbor and citizen he was upright and honorable. JOHN T. McCULLOUGH, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born on the old homestead in Jerome Township, May 11, 1883. He is the eldest son of Samuel McCullough, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. McCullough was reared to manhood on the farm, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native place and Marysville select schools. he remained at home and conducted the farm till his father's death. In 1862, he located on the part of the homestead he now occupies, and has since resided there. October 30, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Mary Bigger. Mrs. McCullough was born November 21, 1833, and departed this life June 25, 1878, leaving two sons Samuel B., born August 30, 1869, and Frank B., born May 14, 1871. Mr. McCullough celebrated his second marriage March 20, 1879, with Miss Vienna Robinson, a native of Darby Township, and a daughter of Samuel and Nancy Robinson. Mrs. McCullough was born August 27, 1848. May 11, 1864, Mr. McCullough volunteered his services in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and after one hundred days of garrison duty at Alexandria, Va., he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to civil life and resumed the avocation of farming. His brother, Zenice H., was a member of the same company. He resides on the old homestead. September 29, 1869, he met with an accident with a threshing machine, which resulted in his death. Mr. McCullough is a prominent citizen of Jerome Township, and is successfully engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. He owns 270 acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land. Mr. McCullough is a public-spirited man and has aided largely in the construction of numerous pikes. Asa man and citizen, he is respected and esteemed. JOHN R. McDOWELL, farmer, P. O. New California, one of Union County's early pioneers, was born in York County, Penn., March 22, 1809. His parents, John and Jane (Reed) McDowell, were natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio at the beginning of the late war with Great Britain, and settled near Milford Center. Mr. McDowell purchased a small farm in Union Township, and resided on it till his death, October 15, 1826. His widow survived him till June 8, 1861. Our subject is the only surviving son of his father. His boyhood and early manhood were passed in the primeval forests of Union Township. When of age, he engaged in !working by the mouth, and followed it some years, at wages from $7 to $9 per month. It was in this way that he secured his start. March 28, 1850, be purchased 132 acres of his present farm, which was principally woodland. He made subsequent additions to this purchase till he owned 325 acres of land, most of which he cleared and improved. Mr. McDowell has spent most of his life as a pioneer, and the principal growth and development of the county has taken place within his recollection. His first marriage occurred November 5, 1835, with Mine Mary, Porter, daughter of John Porter, by whom he had ten children, of these six are living-William G., John P., Newton L., Calvin R., Leander C. and Mary A. Mrs. McDowell was born in Erie County, Penn., January 7, 1812, and died August 1, 1877. Mr. McDowell was again married June 30, 1881, to Mrs. Sarah Katon, widow of James Eaton, and daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Brookhart. Mrs. McDowell was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 31, 1826. She is the mother of five children by her former husband. Of these, but one, Ezra, is living. Mr. McDowell had three sons-Robert N., Jesse V. and John P., who were soldiers in the Union army. Robert was a member of Company B, Thirty second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the hospital at Winchester, Va., October 4, 1862. Jesse enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Regiment, and was drowned in the Big Sandy River, February 24, 1862. John was a member of the same company as Robert. He served over four years, veteranizing in 1864. 322 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. HIRAM McKITRICK. deceased, was born in Licking County, Ohio May 9, 1828, and is a son of John and Sarah McKitrick, who came to that county and settled in Concord Township, in 1839. He was the eldest of a family of eleven children, and when a young man learned the cooper trade. February 20, 1851, be wag married to Maria I, daughter of Jelin and Keziah (Bishop) Urton, of Virginia. Mrs. McKitrick was born December 25, 1830, arid bore her husband eight children, five of whom fire living, viz.: Albert, George, John, Llewellyn arid William. The deceased were named Elma E., Olive J. and Mary M. Mr. McKitrick bought a farm of 136 acres in 1870. In 1877, he built a house at a cost of $1,800, and in 1876 a barn at a cost of $350. He died February 28, 1875. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and wife belonged to the United Presbyterian in Church. WILLIAM McKITRICK, farmer. P. O. New California, was born in Licking County, Ohio November 1, 1832. He is the third child of John and Sarah McKitrick, who were natives of Pennsylvania. When six years of age his parents moved to Delaware County, and the following year to Jerome Township, where he was reared. November 10, 1853, he was married to Miss Eliza A., daughter of Silas Bell. Mrs. McKitrick was born May 2, 1832, and departed this life, February 12, 1870, leaving five children, viz.: James A., born March 11, 1856; John S., horn January 4, 1858; Phineas D., born July 30, 1860; Cora A. and Nora I. (twins), born June 30, 1866. Mr. McKitrick married the second time, November 23, 1873, to Susan C. Robinson, daughter of James and Mary Robinson, Mrs. M. was born in Jerome Township, September 18, 1835. One son Wade, born June 2, 1877, wit, born to this marriage. March 29, 1866, Mr. McKitrick removed to his present farm, which contains 108 acres. Mrs. M. is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Plain City. Mr. M. is Democratic in his politics. JOSEPH W. MICHAEL, farmer, P O. Plain City, the only surviving child of Joseph anti Sarah (Hattan) Michael, was born in Frederick County, Md., March 6, 1830. His mother died when he was but seven years of age, and the following spring (of 1836), his father migrated to Franklin County, Ohio. He died March 1, 1882, aged seventy-eight. Years. In 1840, our subject went to live with his uncle, Gilbert Rattan, with whom he remained till of age. They removed to Union County in 1852, and resided here till their death. Mr. Hattan died November 22, 1874. Mr. Michael was married April 6, 1854, to Evaline Coon, a native of Union County, by whom he had twelve children; of these ten are living-Catharine E., wife of William Hudson; Melissa E ., Susanna, John G., Joseph H., Adam A., Ann V., William W., Albert H. and Eddie. Sarah A. and Evaline are deceased. Mrs. Michael is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Coon, and was born April 30, 1835. Mr. Michael is the owner of 184 1/2 acres of land, and is by occupation an agriculturist and stock-raiser. JAMES R. MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. New California, was born on the home farm in Jerome Township, December 6, 1830. He is the eldest son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Robinson) Mitchell, and a grandson of Judge Mitchell, an early settler of Darby Township, and a prominent pioneer of Union County. He was reared and brought up on the farm whereon he was born, and was educated in the common schools of his native place. He aided his father in clearing up the farm, which was all in woods at the time of his birth. In 1851, his father gave him 116 acres, to which be added 100 acres more. He settled on his new farm at the time of his marriage, and occupied it till the death of his brother in the late war in 1863, when he removed on the old farm and had charge of his father during his last days. In 1881, he purchased 100 acres of the farm his father left, arid now owns a tract of 769 acres. Mr.. Mitchell has spent most of his life in hewing down the forests and clearing the land, and the well-improved and finely cultivated acres of his extensive farm are mostly the result of his entiring energy and industry. Since 1867, he has directed his attention largely to rearing and dealing in stock. The summer of 1881, be erected a commodious residence, at a cost of $3,500. April 1, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Olive A. Gill, a daughter of Jesse and Jane Gill. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Allen Township, December 19, 1830. They were blessed with six children, all or whom are living, viz.: Sarah, John W., William G., James F., Aaron H. and Jennie C. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. M. has always been Democratic. JACOB MOONEY, farmer, P. O. Jerome, was born in Washington County, Penn., December 20, 1816. He is a son of John and Mary (McVey) Mooney, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and a grandson of a Mr. Mooney who came from Ireland before the Revolutionary war. Jacob's parents removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1824, and resided there till 1862, when they came to Jerome Township. Mr. Mooney died October 12, 1869. His wife died in 1836. Jacob was reared principally in Jefferson County, and in 1854 came to Jerome Township and bought eighty acres of land. October 4, 1841, he and Miss Rosanna Winters, daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth Winters, were married. Mrs. Mooney was born in Jefferson County, May 2, 1822. They have six children, viz.: Johnson, born July 26, 1842, married Susan C. Freshwater; Rhoda W., born April 20, 1844, wife of George Wollpert ; Mary J., born September 10, 1846, wife of Luther Lane ; Rosa W., born March 4, 1850, married Emily Bigelow; Catharine E., born July 3, 1857, wife of William Stewart ; and Olive E., born December 4, 1863, and died April 6, 1865. Mr. Mooney owns a farm of eighty acres, and pursues the avocation of farming and rearing fine sheep. JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 323 JOHN MOSS, farmer, P. O. New California, a native of Lancastershire, England, was born April 6, 1806. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Kelsey) Moss, were natives of the same "shire." Our subject was reared principally in Yorkshire. in 1830, he crossed the waters and settled in Chester County, Penn., and afterward removed to Allegheny County, where he lived till he came to Union County in 1853. He purchased 165 acres of land, and subsequently added thirty acres, which constitutes his present farm. His marriage. in 1836, to Miss Dorcas Huston, was blessed with three children: David, Amanda and Margaret A. Mrs. Moss is a daughter of William and Nancy Huston. She was born in Chester County, Penn., March 11, 1812. Mr. Moss owns a well-improved farm, most of which he cleared himself. He is engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. For the last twenty five years he has made a leading pursuit in keeping Spanish merino sheep, and has had fair success. DAVID MOSS, farmer, P. O. Plain City, only son of John and Dorcas Moss was born in Allegheny County, Penn., August 7, 1838. In 1853, he accompanied his parents to Union County, where he grew to manhood. His education he received in the select schools of Frankfort. The spring of 1875, he located on the farm be now occupies. He owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. The leading pursuit of his occupation is keeping Spanish merino sheep in which he does rather an extensive business. He has a flock of from 300 to 400 head, and has been successful. April 8, 1873, he was married to Margaret Neill, daughter of Samuel and Mary Neill, Mrs. Moss was born in Washington County, Penn., January 13, 1835. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Moss is Republican. ROBERT NORRIS, farmer, P. O Jerome, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 4, 1831. His father, John G. Norris, came from England in 1817, and settled in Harrison County, where he married Sarah McMillen, who died in that county September 11, 1842. In 1867, Mr. Norris came to Jerome Township, where he died May 16, 1874. He was a local minister in the Protestant Methodist Church, and subsequently of the Wesleyan Methodist, in which belief he died. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and educated in the common schools ; be was married March 9, 1856, to Phebe Armstrong, by whom he had two children; one, John W., is living. Mrs. Norris departed this life December 31, 1859, and July 4, 1861, Mr. N. was married to Susan, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hass. Two children - Edward H. and Matilda J. were born to this union. In 1860, Mr, Norris moved to this county and purchased his present farm which contains ninety acres. August 15, 1862, he entered the ranks of the Union army in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was active in the battles before Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and in all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign except Resaca. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned home. Mr. and Mrs. Norris are associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. N. is of Republican sentiment. ZACHARIAH NOTEMAN, farmer, P. O. Plain City, one of the oldest pioneers of Jerome was born on the farm where he now resides January 29, 1811. His father, Andrew Noteman, was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., June 1, 1773, and his mother, Elizabeth Brown, was born in Ireland September 13, 1773, and brought to America by her parents when a child. Mr. Noteman was first married in Maryland and became the father of one daughter-Jinsie. who married John Taylor and subsequently died. After the death of his wife, Mr. Noteman went to Ross County, Ohio, where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth McCune, nee Brown, by whom he had two children. In 1801, the year before Ohio was greeted as a State, he removed with his family to Union County and settled on the farm which is occupied by the subject of this sketch. He bought 100 acres and cleared a site for a house. He cleared his farm and among other improvenments be made was an orchard of one hundred apple trees which be planted. Of this number but three of the trees are now living, One of the trees was remarkably thrifty, and attained a circumference of nine feet, and two inches. Mr. Noteman afterward added eighty acres to the original purchase and partially cleared it. He was one of the organizers and founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, known as the Noteman Church, and wag an active worker in it till his death. Our subject was reared and brought up to the pursuits of the farm, and was educated in the common schools of the day. He well remembers seeing the Indiana who then dwelt here in roving bands. In 1818, he made a trip to Lower Sandusky with his father to procure salt and provisions. He aided his father in clearing up the farm and remained with him till his death. In January 1835, Mr. Noteman was joined in marriage with Ann G. Morrison a daughter of Samuel and Agnes, Morrison, by whom he had nine children of these but three survive Nancy E., wife of R. McCloud, Lucretia and William M. Mrs. Noteman departed this life March 18, 1858, and March 1, 1860, Mr. N. was married to Mrs. Amanda Homsher, widow of David Homsher, and daughter of William and Mary A. Sprout. Mrs. N. was born in Lancaster County, Penn., December 2, 1834. Of seven children by this marriage, five are living-John, Otway C . Eva D., Myrtle and Aaron N ; Harry and James are deceased. Mrs. Noteman had two children by her first husband-Margaret, A. (now deceased) and David W. Mr. Noteman was identified with the Whigs till the formation of the Republican party, when he united with its ranks. He acted in the capacity of Township Trustee about ten years, besides other local offices which he filled. He owns 103 acres-the old homestead-and follows the avocation of farming. 324 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. B. H. PICKETT, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a native of Moorefield Township, Harrison Co., Ohio was born May 7, 1822. His father, Peter Pickett, was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y.; he went as a sailor boy when eighteen, and followed the water for thirty years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Commodore Perry, and, participated in the battle of Lake Erie, where he was seriously wounded. He died January 13, 1854, aged seventy-four years. His mother, Elizabeth Mills, was born in Montgomery County, Md. , and moved to Harrison County, Ohio, with her parents, Elias and Nancy (Harris) Mills, when she was eighteen years old; she died October 31, 1857. Our subject is the eldest of nine children. In September 1858, he purchased and located on his present farm, where he has since resided. May 12, 1846, he was married to Eliza A., daughter of John and Sarah (McMullen) Norris, and a native of Harrison County, where she was born November 26, 1827. Of nine children by this union, seven are living - Sarah E., wife of Alexander rail; Harriet A., wife of Sylvester Kent ; John R., James F., Rhoda J., deceased, Hardin, Isabel E.. Clara M., deceased, Hollaind L. and Allie E. Mrs. Pickett died May 20,1874, and May 11, the following year, Mr. P. married Mrs. Rachael A. Beach, widow of Amos Beach, and daughter of Jacob Frederick. One daughter-Jessie L., was born to this marriage. Mrs. Pickett had five children by her former husband-Ella, wife of L. Preston, Emory, Martha, Mary, wife of Daniel Andrews, and Matilda. Mrs. P. was born in Union County February 5, 1835. Mr. Pickett owns a farm of sixty-three acres. JOHN H. PRESTON, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born October 7, 1816. His parents, Jonathan and Harriet ( Homer) Preston, were respectively natives of Washington and Fayette Counties, Penn. The former was born February 26, 1791, and the latter February 5, 1796. They married December 5, 1813, and in 1816 migrated to Licking County, Ohio, where they both died, Mr. P. September 29, 1856, and Mrs. Preston July 17, 1881, They had born to them twelve children, of whom our subject is the second child. April 7, 1847, he came and located on his present farm. May 27, 1841, he was married to Miss Eliza Wagner, daughter of John and Nancy (Cross) Wagner, and a native of Licking County, where she was born September 12, 1820. Their children are as follows: Thomas ff., born December 23, 1842; Milligan A., born March 28, 1844; Loammi R., born July 26, 1846; Harriet M., born July 22, 1852, wife of J. C. Barker; and Martha J., born January 3, 1858, wife of James Andrews. Mr. Preston owns eighty acres of land, which he cleared up. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. GEORGE M. RICKARD, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Loudoun County, Va. September 24, 1816. His parents, Simon and Mary M. (Sanbower) Rickard, were also natives of Loudoun County. The former was born June 9, 1790, and the latter April 16, 1793. His grandfather, Simon Rickard, Sr., was born in the same county, and was a soldier in the American Revolution. He died some years after in his native place. The parents of our subject were married November 20, 1813, and in 1818 removed to Culpeper County, where they resided till 1828, and migrated to Union County, Ohio, locating in what is now Darby Township. In April of the following year, Mr. Rickard treated a farm in Jerome Township, of Frederick Sager, and occupied it ten years. At the expiration of this time he purchased 120 acres of land, which was mostly in woods, He died January 5, 1844, and his widow August 5, 1862. Mr. Rickard was a private in the late war with Great Britain, having enlisted when a resident of Virginia. He served Jerome Township as Trustee for several years and filled various other local offices. He aided in founding the Lutheran Church of his township, and was prominently connected with it till his death. Mr. Rickard had three brothers-Peter, Michael and George. Peter moved to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1830, and died in 1860; Michael settled in Hancock County, Ill., and was Judge of the Common Pleas Court during the Mormon troubles, and died in 1857 ; George died in Virginia in 1880. Mr. Rickard, the subject of this notice, is the second son. He was reared to manhood on the farm his father located when he (George) was a boy, and received his education in the district schools of his native place. In early life he formed strong tastes for the farm, and has always followed that avocation on the most thoroughly scientific principles. His farm, which contains 600 acres, is one of the best improved and finely cultivated in the county. Mr. Rickard is also engaged in rearing and dealing in live stock of a good grade, and has acquired a marked success in keeping Spanish merino sheep, and Norman, Clydesdale and Belgium horses, which he has exhibited at both the Union County and Ohio State Fairs. In the pursuits of life, Mr. Rickard has been very successful and ranks second to none in the county as an agriculturist. Although not an aspirant for official honors, he has been chosen to the office of Township Trustee ten consecutive terms, and performed its duties with credit to himself. His marriage, February 11, 1845, to Miss Eliza Carey, was blest with three children ; of these two are living-John, born April 22, 1853, and Clark, born October 12, 1855. Mary F., the only daughter, was born June 9, 1851, and died September 9, 1872. Mrs. Rickard was born in Madison County January 15, 1821. She is a daughter of Abijah and Catharine (Johnson) Carey, and a granddaughter of Luther Carey (originally Cary), who emigrated from Ireland before the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Rickard are associated as members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an Elder and Trustee. JOHN M. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Darby Township, Union County, Ohio, February 29, 1820. He is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Moderwell) Robinson, the former a native of Lancaster County and the latter of York County. They were married and JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 325 emigrated to the West in 1805, settling in Darby Township, where they were among the earliest pioneers. The country was heavily wooded and populated with its original inhabitants -Indians and wild animals. Mr. Robinson located 200 acres of this woodland about three miles from the Mitchell settlement, where resided his nearest neighbors. Mr. Robinson cleared up most of this farm, and afterward added 100 acres, which were situated on the opposite side of the stream. About the same time he entered 160 acres of land in Henry County. He was for several terms Trustee of Darby Township, and was prominently connected with the United Presbyterian Darby Church for over fifty years. He died near New California. His marriage to Miss Sarah Moderwell was blessed with six children, viz.: Adam P., Sarah J., James D., Thomas, John M., the subject of this sketch, and Alexander C. Our subject was reared on the old home farm, and remained with his father till 1847, when he came to Jerome Township and bought fifty acres of land, to which he added sixty-nine acres more. In 1864, he purchased and located on his present farm. He was first married in January 1845, to Miss Mary J. Roney, a daughter of James Roney, and a native of Chester County, Penn. Of nine children by this union, seven are living: Chester L., Elvira, wife of David McKitrick, Delbert, Maria, Oscar and Olive (twins) and Anna. Mrs. Robinson died January 28, 1864, and Mr. R. was married the second time, June 8, 1865, to Miss Harriet E., daughter of William and Elizabeth Taylor. Mr.s. Robinson was born in Campaign County, Ohio, June 11, 1832. Hattie M. and Bert S. were born to this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are respectively connected with the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches. Mr. R. is an Elder. He is connected with the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican. He has served Jerome Township as Assessor thirteen years. For the past four years Mr. Robinson has been contractor in the construction of pikes, with the exception of which time, he has pursued the evocation of farming and stock-raising. SAMUEL H. RUEHLEN, farmer, P. O. New California, one of Union County's veterans, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 23, 1842. His parents, John and Christina (Brideham) Ruehlen, were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. His father was born February 28, 1802, and crossed the Atlantic in 1828, settling in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he married. Mrs. Ruehlen was born in 1810, and, in 1826, removed with her parents to Fairfield County. Mr. Ruehlen came to Union County in 1847, and, in 1871, moved to Logan County, where he died, August 28, 1878. His widow followed him to the spirit land November 5, 1881. They reared eight children, of which our subject is the third. He was reared to manhood on a. farm. In May 1861, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of the Union army, in Company K, Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served four months, and reenlisted December 1, the same year, in Company K, First Ohio Cavalry. He was engaged with the cavalry in the following leading battles: Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Rome, as., Moulton, Atlanta and Nashville, and a number of minor engagements. Mr. Ruehlen served three years with signal bravery, and was honorably discharged December 6, 1864. He returned home, and, December 31, 1865, married Susanna, daughter of James B. and Martha A. Dort. Mrs. Ruehlen was born near New California April 10, 1843. They were blessed with seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: George W., born March 1, 1867; Martha A., March 9, 1869; Frank, February 3, 1873; Dindama, April 30, 1875; Charlie, August 2, 1877, and La Motte, October 9, 1880. Mr. Rueblen located on his present farm, which now contains 171 acres, in 1869. He is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He and wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is connected with the G. A. R. of Plain City, and, in politics, is a stanch Republic". SAMUEL C. RYAN, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a native of Warren County, N. J., was born September 6, 1842. He is a son of Patrick and Martha (Cornell) Ryan, the former a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, and the latter of Warren County, N. J. His father was born March 17, 1810, and came to Quebec in 1823-25, and in 1828 came to the States. In 1842, he came to Columbus, and to Jerome Township in 1850, where he died August 2, 1868. He was married, in 1834, to Martha Cornell, by whom he had two sons and two daughters, viz.: Joanna, born March 5, 1835, died April 24, 1836; William T., born May 4, 1837, died - - -; Ellen, born June 14, 1839, died January 4, 1870, and Samuel C., the subject of this sketch. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm, and educated in the common schools. He has always occupied the homestead, and now owns 134 acres of highly cultivated land. H. B. SEELY, merchant, P. O. Jerome, was born in Monroe County, N. Y., December 5, 1835. In 1849, his parents, T. O. and Caroline Seely, removed from York State to Delaware County, Ohio. Mr. Seely was brought up on a farm, and educated in the district schools. He followed the vocation of a farmer up to 1865, when he came to Jerome Township and worked at carpentering one year. He entered the store of H. Lewis as clerk, and occupied that position till 1869, and the following year bought a stock of goods for himself, and has since been engaged in merchandising doing a successful business. His marriage with Miss Lurinda Wells, daughter of James Lovina Wells, which occurred June 24, 1862, was blessed with seven children-Sherman B., Albert L., Clifton, Anna, Jean, Mabel and Effa. Mr. Seely erected a store building in 1882, 24 feet by 70 feet in size, at a cost of $1,500. He carries a stock of goods amounting to $2,500, and enjoys an annual sale of $12,000. JOHN J. STEWART, farmer, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., July 12, 1825, and is a son of James and Wierlinda (Rutter) Stewart. His mother died when he was a year and a 326 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. half old, and in 1838 his father removed to Dublin, Franklin County, Ohio, in which he lived till 1840, when he came to this township. He was a cabinet maker, having learned his trade in Virginia, and followed the same for a livelihood until his death, which occurred in August 1849. Our subject is the youngest of eight children, three of whom are living, viz.: James M., Delaware County, Ohio; Ann R., wife of James W. Taylor, and resides in the West. Our subject was early put at his father's trade, which he followed till 1860, at which time he bought twenty-seven acres of land, to which he has added by purchase, and at present owns 141 acres of valuable land, the greater portion having been cleared off by himself, besides making all the improvements. May 15, 1849, he was married to Lucinda C., daughter of William B, and Catherine Stone, by whom he has had five children, viz.: William T., who married Katie Mooney; Candace, wife of William P. Neal; Emma M. and Amanda M., prominent and successful teachers, and Olive M. Although Mr. Stewart had only the advantage of attending school in log schoolhouse, and the instructions of incompetent teachers, he fully realizes the force and culture of education, and has accordingly spared no pains or expense in educating his children. Mr.. S. started in life with a capital not to exceed $300, and his present possessions attest undisputably his great success in life. He has always manifested public spiritedness in all worthy enterprises, having given $800 for the building of pikes. He is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Formerly he was a Democrat, but in 1856 he joined the Republican ranks. JAMES SWEENEY, farmer, P. O. Dublin, Franklin County, was born in Greene County, Penn., November 20,1829, and is a son of Hiram and Mary (Cosgay) Sweeney, of Pennsylvania, who removed to West Virginia in 1831, and settled in Tyler County, in which he died in 1870. His mother is living near the old homestead at an advanced age. Daniel Sweeney, father of Hiram, was born in Maryland, and served with a scouting party during the Revolutionary war. His maternal grandfather, Tyrenes Cosgay, was born in Ireland, and came to America and settled in Maryland after the war of 1776-1783, and subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, where he died. Our subject is the fifth child of it family of eight children, six of whom are living. He was reared upon a farm, and in the mills which his father operated, which latter he had charge of from 1846 to 1865. July 1, 1865, be located in this county, buying at the time 142 acres, to which he has since added by purchase, and now possesses 175 acres, and his son, J. C., fifty acres. February 8, 1859, he was married to Anna, daughter of Archibald and Ruth Waters, who has borne him six children. five of whom are living, viz.: Joseph C., Emma J., Mary L., Anna L. and Hiram. An infant son deceased. Mrs. S. was born in Greene County, Penn., in September 1833, and is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Sweeney is one of our self-made men, having carved out his fortune by economy and industry. He is a Democrat in political principle, and has held some of the minor offices of the township WILLIAM M. TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Jerome Township, November 8, 1805. He is the eldest son and third child of Richard and Polly (Cox) Taylor. His early life was passed upon his father's farm, and his training received in the common schools.. In 1835, his father gave him sixty acres of land, on which he located at the time of his marriage. This farm was all woodland, and by his energy and unremitting toil he cleared and improved it to a good condition. November 10, 1830, he was joined in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Burdick, a daughter of Hezekiah and Polly Burdick, and a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio,, where she was born February 28, 1810. Of six children by this marriage five are living-Polly, wife of Orson Scribner; Rachel C., deceased, formerly wife of H. Lawrence; Nancy L., wife of J. Cottran ; Cilicia, wife of George Motlar; Levi F.: Susanna, wife of H. Smith ; Rhoda, deceased, and Hezekiah deceased. Mrs. Taylor departed this life August 16, 1881. Mr. Taylor is a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics is a Republican. he owns a farm of sixty acres. JEPHTAH H. TAYLOR was born near Plain City, in Madison County, December 17, 1814. His parents, Richard and Polly (Cox) Taylor were natives of Berkeley County, Va., and Washington County, Penn., respectively. They were married in Cynthiana, Ky., in February 1800, and two years later removed and settled in Jerome Township. In 1803-4, they went back to Kentucky, where they resided till 1811, and returned to Ohio, affecting a settlement in Darby Township, Madison County, where Mr. Taylor bought a farm of 200 acres. His death occurred in July 1864. The subject of this notice is the third son and sixth of a family of seven children. At the age of thirteen he learned tailoring in Bellefontaine, and followed it in that place and Plain City for sixteen years. In 1847, his father gave him eighty acres of land, to which he made an addition of forty-seven acres. He cleared and principally improved these farms. December 19, 1839, he was married to Angeline, a daughter of Calvin and Eunice Allen, by whom he had eleven children. Of these seven are living-Richard, born October 17, 1840, died September 26, 1866 ; Edwin, born May 14, 1842 ; Benjamin, October 1.5, 1843 ; Robert, April 12, 1845; Jephtah, March 18, 1847: Fielding, January 25,1849 ; Laura A., October 16, 1851 ; Celinda E., June 7, 1853; 'Mary A., March 20, 1859; Anthony M., February 6, 1864. An infant is deceased. Mr. Taylor is of English descent on his father's side, his great-grandfather and two brothers having emigrated to America long before the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Taylor is of Scotch ancestry. JEROME TOWNSHIP. - 327 SAMUEL TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Plain City, a prominent farmer of Darby Township, Madison County, was born near Plain City August 23, 1817. He is the youngest son of Richard and Polly Taylor. His early life was passed in his native place, and his is education obtained in the common schools of the day. He aided his father in clearing the homestead, and has occupied it since his death. He has made additions to the original farm till he has 394 acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land, most of which is located in Jerome Township. He also owns a farm in Darby Township, Union County, and the old John Kent homestead in Jerome Township. The home farm is adorned with a large and commodious brick residence, erected at a cost of $2,000. For the last fifteen years, Mr. Taylor has made a leading pursuit in breeding and rearing Norman and Clydesdale horses, and has, perhaps, been one of the most successful men in Madison County, He purchased the celebrated Belgium horse in 1872, at a cost of $3,000, and retained him in his possession till he was killed in 1876. This animal he exhibited at the county and State fairs, and won for him the first and highest premiums. Mr. Taylor is a man of enterprise, and is always active in the affairs and beat interests of the county. In 1839, he was married to Miss Eunice, daughter of Calvin and Eunice Allen, by whom he had three children; two of these are living-Mary, wife of Eli Shover, and Sarah E., wife of David Brown. Mrs. Taylor died, and November 27, 1844, he again married, this time to Rosanna Kent, who bore him four children-Samuel E., married Cynthia Fox; Rachel E. and Mahala, E. are at home; Dille, is deceased. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of Daniel and Dilla (Shover) Kent. She was born on the old Kent homestead, May 5, 1821. LEVI TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Plain City, youngest child of Daniel and Mary (Brown) Taylor, was born in Jerome Township November 26, 1810. The former was born near Harper's Ferry, Md., in March 1774, and the latter in Ireland in 1781. They were married in Virginia, and in 1802 removed to Union County, Ohio, and settled in Jerome Township, where Mr. Taylor bought a farm of 152 acres, besides 32 acres on the opposite side of Big Darby, He was one of the organizers of the county, and was a juror when the court convened at Franklinton. He died February 29, 1852; his wife preceded him but twenty-two days. He wag for over half a century an active member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm, and was educated, as most pioneer boys are, in the common schools. February 18, 1831, he was married to Miss Margaret Low, a daughter of John Low. She died March 17, 1864, leaving three children-Mary (deceased), married Chauncey Barlow, and had one child, Lonson ; and Daniel and John. Mr. Taylor was married the second time to Mrs. Matilda Lard, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Taylor is Democratic. He owns a farm of 150 acres, located near Plain City. ISAAC H. WARNER, farmer, P. O. Plain City, son of Elijah and Lois (Burdick) Warner, was born in Madison County, Ohio, July 12, 1842. His father was born in York State, November 14, 1810, and came to Madison County with his parents, Samuel and Chloe Warner, in 1814. In 1845, he came to Jerome Township and bought a farm of 166 acres of land, on which he died November 13, 1876. He married Lois A. Burdick, who was born in Madison County June 10, 1820, and had ten children; the following are :living: Charles Q., Isaac H., Joshua C., Emma, Nettie, Hezekiah H., Blanch P., Ads C. and Albert E. Mr. Warner was reared to manhood on a farm. May 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and served till discharged in the following September. He remained a member of the Home Guards till the close of the war. August 23, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Martha Marsh, widow of William Marsh and daughter of Frederick and Barbara Felber. Mrs. Warner, a native of Fairfield County, was born November 15, 1840. She is the mother of one child by her former husband, William F., born July 14, 1862. Mr. Warner owns a farm of ninety-eight acres, and in engaged in farming and raising fine cattle and hogs. He and family are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he votes Prohibition. WILLIAM D. WAGNER, farmer, P. O. New California, a native of Licking County, Ohio, was born March 4, 1831. His father, a native of Washington County, Penn., was born April 8, 1787, and his grandfather, John Wagner, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. His mother, Nancy A. Cross, was born in Maryland April 1, 1788. They were married in March 1812, and in 1815 removed to Licking County, Ohio, where Mr. Wagner died July 31, 1854. He served one year in Capt. Derender's company in the war of 1812. His widow departed this life July 11, 1869. They were the parents of eight children, of whom William is the youngest. In 1851, he came to Union County and remained one year, then returned and remained with his father till his death. He then came to Jerome Township and purchased a farm. He was married April 6, 1854, to Almira, Bishop, daughter of Findley Bishop, a native of Union County, where she was born July 4, 1835. Their six children are as follows : John L.; Sarah A., wife of George Gordon; Nancy J.; William D., Jr.; James S. and Minnie. Mr. Wagner owns a farm of eighty-one acres, and in addition to farming he makes a leading pursuit of rearing Clydesdale horses. He also keeps thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. JESSE WELDON (deceased) was born in Toronto, Canada, January 6, 1830. His parents, Isaac and Nursus (Valley) Weldon, were natives of Pennsylvania and Canada, respectively. His father died when he was eleven years old. and he lived with his mother till 1845, when he went to New York, and in 1848 to Fairfield County, Ohio; thence to Logan. Hooking County, where 328 HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. he resided till December 1857, and came to Union County. May 11, 1856, he married Martha a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Wooley, by whom he had nine children ; of them eight are living-Frances; Nursus B., wife of Eugene Smith; Isaac; Martha J.; Emma V.; Frederick E.; Solomon J. and Samuel W. Sarah E., wife of Thomas Davis, is deceased. Mr. Weldon was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died July 18, 1880, aged fifty years. He started in life a poor man, but by energy and industry he made for himself a reasonable competence. He left to his family seventy-six acres of well-cultivated land. WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. New California, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 26, 1842. He is a son of Ebenezer and Mary Williams, who were natives of Wales, and emigrated to the United States with their parents when young, and settled in Columbus, where they were married. They subsequently removed to Delaware County, where Mrs. Williams died in 1849. Mr. Williams is still a resident of that county. William, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on a farm. August 3, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in the armies of the Mississippi and Gulf, and was engaged in the following battles: Yazoo Swamp, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou- and Spanish Fort siege; thence they marched to Forts Blakely and Whisler, near Mobile, where he was discharged at the close of the war. From July 7, 1864, to April 1, 1865, he was on Provost Marshal's duty. At the close of the rebellion he returned home and resumed farming. June 10, 1879, he was married to Miss Phoebe Curry, daughter of Capt James A. and Phoebe Curry, by whom he has one child-Phoebe May, born April 18, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Williams reside on the original Curry homestead with Mrs. Curry, the widow of Capt. James A. Curry, who has attained the eighty-fourth year of her age. The homestead contains 211 acres, which is cultivated by Mr. Williams. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)