German Ohio Biographies and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Families, Surnames N-Z

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

Biographies and Biographical Sketches of prominent families from the Town of German, Darke County, Ohio extracted from The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; by Beers, W. H. & co., Chicago, pub., 1880.

PARENT, I. D. Biographical Sketch

I. D. PARENT, farmer; P. 0., German. This gentleman was born March 1. 1830, on the place where he now resides; he is a descendant of one of the early pioneers of this county, Samuel Parent, Sr.; he was a native of New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio in 1814 or 1815 and settled on a farm near Franklin, Butler Co.; at the end of three years, he came to this county and settled on the farm where our subject now lives, in Sec. 13; here he passed the remnant of his days; his family constituted one of the first in the township, and not an acre of his farm. was reduced to the uses of civilization when he moved on it; the excellent turnpike which now crosses the farm was then only an Indian trail, and the " feeblesons of the bow and arrow " still lingered about; a pioneer life, with all the privations and hardships incident to it, was before him; but, nothing daunted, he launched out, and by his indomitable will and energy soon carved for himself and for future generations a beautiful home and farm out of the dense wilderness. He was united" in marriage to Miss Hackey before coming to Ohio, and was the father of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy; nine grew up to mature years., and five are still living; the sketches of three of these appear in this work. The death of Mrs. Parent occurred in 1861. and that of Mr. P. one year later, in 1862. Our subject's life has been that of a farmer; he assisted his father on the farm till he was 22 years of age, at which time he was married to Miss Lucinda Friar;. he immediately moved on an adjoining farm, where he remained three years, when he returned to the homestead, which he purchased, and took care of his parents, till their death; one child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. P. — Leander H., born September, 1857. By the appearance of Mr. Parent's buildings and the condition of his farm, he would be and is counted one of the thrifty, enterprising farmers of German Township.

PARENT, Samuel Biographical Sketch

SAMUEL PARENT, farmer; P. 0. German. Mr. Parent is another of the early settlers and prominent citizens of German Township; he was born Oct. 231818, about one mile east of the present site of Palestine; he is the son of Samuel Parent, Sr., whose biography is given under I. D. Parent's sketch. Our subject was raised a farmer, which has been his life occupation; he remained under the parental roof till his majority; his early education, as concerned books, was about what the pioneer boys usually received. At the age of 21, he commenced life on his own account; he then moved on the farm, where he now resides, which he has placed under the best of modern improvements by his industry and good management. Mr. Parent was married to Miss Mary Coble in 1840: she was a descendant of early pioneers of this county, and a native of German Township. Mrs. Parent departed this life Aug. 20, 1879; she was a noble, Christian woman, an affectionate wife, a loving mother, and a useful citizen, and died lamented by all who knew her. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parent, five of whom have been called to " that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns." Much mental anguish has fallen to the lot of MrParent to endure; six different times has the messenger of death knocked at his door and claimed a victim, having robbed him of a loving wife and five children. Mr. Parent has a benevolent heart, as his many acts of charity and humanity bear testimony; he is an active member of the Christian (New Light) Church, and his life is an exemplary one.

PUTMAN, Colonel David Biographical Sketch

COLONEL DAVID PUTMAN, attorney: P. O. German; we herewith present a sketch of Col. David Putman, whose portrait appears in this work, who is another of the early pioneers of this county; he was born Aug. 4, 8121, on the present site of New Madison, within the stockade, which formerly constituted old Fort Black; he is of Scotch descent; his maternal grandfather — David Gray — emigrated to America in 1S02 from Tyrone Co., Ireland, whither his immediate ancestors had been driven from Scotland by the Catholic persecution; he settled first in Shephardstown, Md., from which he emigrated in 1817 to Ohio, locating one mile west of the present place of New Madison, then known as Ft. Black; here he remained until his death, which occurred in 1822; he was one of the first settlers of the county, and had for his only neighbors a family of the Rushes, of whom some of the more remote descendants are still living in the same locality. Our subject is the son of Ernestus Putman, a direct descendant of John Putnam, who came over in the Mayflower. Here we mention the two different manners — interchanging the m and n — of spelling the name, a diversity which still continues in the family and which most probably arose from the early association of the family with the Low Dutch. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and took an active part for a period of seven years and eight months in that great struggle for freedom. Ernestus Putman was born in 1776, soon after his father entered the service; a brother of our subject's paternal grandfather was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was sent south with Green's Division; after the close of the war, he located in South Carolina and raised a family; during our late civil war, our subject accidentally met a rebel prisoner at Camp Chase who was captured at Fort Donelson; and learning his rank — Captain — and name, upon inquiry he found him to be a grandson of his paternal grand-uncle; early in the present century, Ernestus Putman celebrated his first marriage, and in 1809 moved to Madison, Ind.; here he erected the third log cabin built in the place; while here, he was called to mourn the loss of his wife, who died leaving an infant son; this son now resides in Richmond, Ind.; Mr. E, Putman remained here till 1811, when he went to Harper's Ferry, and entered the Government employ as a gunsmith; he remained at this till the close of the war of 1812, and then went to Washington City. We should mention here, that, while at Harper's Ferry, he celebrated his second marriage; while at Washington, he was allotted the contract for the iron work of the Capitol and White House, which were then rebuilding; in 1819, he with his family, emigrated to this county, purchasing and settling on the land on which New Madison has since been built; it was then known as Fort Black; on coming to the above place, he brought with him a stock of goods and opened a store, combining with it the gunsmith trade, which was at that time a very lucrative business; in 1831, he laid out the present town of New Madison, and the same year constructed the first flouring mill in the southern part of the county, locating it near Weaver's Station, where the present mill, known as Otwell's, stands: in 1842, he retired from active business, having been for a number of years an eminently successful merchant; he still remained at his old home in New Madison, until a few years before his death, when he ceased housekeeping, and, with his wife, went to Winchester, Ind., where they spent the remnant of their days with their eldest daughter. He departed this life, in October. 1865, surviving his devoted wife nearly two years, she having died in February, 1864. Thus two more of the early pioneers passed peacefully away, their Life's work ended, their duties done, leaving a family of loving children to mourn their departure, and revere their memory. As showing the interest which Mr. Putman took in Christianity, we mention that in 1847, he built on his own ground, and at his own expense — with the exception of $80 — the Presbyterian Church at New Madison; this church, after he left the place, became disorganized, and the house was no longer occupied by them. A few years ago, the heirs of Mr. Putman, after discovering that the original deed. executed by their father in favor of the Presbyterian Church, was not to be found, and that the property was at their disposal, gratuitously turned it over to the German Reformed Church, giving it a quit-claim deed for the same. Mr. and Mrs. Putman were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living, and all of whom grew up to mature years; their names are as follows: Jane G., bom in 1816, married to Edward Edger, and now residing in Winchester, Ind.; John G., born January, 1818, now living in Denison, Tex.; Elizabeth S., born October, 1819, married Dr. Rufus Gillpatrick, lately deceased; Col. D., our subject; Mary I, born 1824, married to Dr. Charles Jaqua; Ernestus J., born 1826, now of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Thomas C, born 1828, and deceased in his 21st year; James, born 1830, now residing in Burlington, Iowa; Nancy C, born 1833, married to Gen. J. G. Blunt, and now residing at Leavenworth, Kan.; Mr. P. was a member of the F. & A. M. Our subject, at a very early age, was sent to Eaton, Ohio, to school, being placed under the instruction of Col. George D. Hendricks, and remained there about six months, this being his first school outside his paternal roof; at the age of 13, he was placed in the flouring-mill lately built by his father, and there remained for a period of two years; then he was placed in his father's store in New Madison. The age of 13 closed his school days. He has a vivid recollection of going, with his father, when quite a snlall boy, about one mile east of New Madison, where, with the assistance of some of the neighbors, they erected a log schoolhouse, the house being completed in one day, with furniture thereto, the furniture being manufactured on the spot; thus was planted the germ of our present efficient and invaluable school system. Shortly after our subject left the mill, and while in the store, Col. Hendricks, his former instructor, called at his father's, and, while at the supper-table, remarked that he was then organizing a surveying party to go to Texas, just then recognized as an independent State, and jocosely asked Mrs. Putman if David could accompany him; to this she promised an answer next morning, which was rendered in the affirmative, and she at once set about to prepare him for his journey. Dr. Gillpatrick, who had lately located in New Madison, from Maine, undertook to instruct our subject in practical surveying prior to his setting out on the expedition. On Christmas Day, 1836, Col. Hendricks, with a party of nine, left Eaton, Ohio, for Texas, our subject being the youngest of the number; they performed almost the entire journey to Cincinnati, Ohio, on foot, accompanying the teams of Mr. Putman, the father of our subject, which were loaded with butter, lard and pork, and were about four days on the way; on the last day of the year, they embarked at Cincinnati, on the steamer George Washington, en route to New Orleans; on the next day, just before passingLouisville, they met the steamer on which Santa Anna was a passenger, on his way to Washington City; they were about two weeks on their way to New Orleans, their progress having been much impeded in the early part of the journey by floating ice. The Colonel relates an incident which occurred on the way down, as follows: Wishing to practice economy, their party took lower-deck passage, and among their number was one Parks, an excellent violinist and vocalist, who sang and played "Billy Barlow," much to the gratification of the passengers, who listened to it for the first time; this so attracted the passengers in the cabin that they made him up a purse of $25, and, after putting somewhat of an aristocratic finish on him, invited him up to the cabin to amuse them with his songs and plays the balance of the trip. As young as our subject was, he was intrusted by his father with a quantity of lard, butter and pork, to take to New Orleans, to be disposed of to the best advantage; he made a satisfactory disposal of it to the firm of James Landis & Co., and left the proceeds thereof on deposit till his return. Here four of the company left them, the rest immediately embarking on the sail-vessel. William C. Byrant for Texas; the party then consisted of the following persons, to wit: Col. George G. Hendricks, Lot Lee (who afterward became Sheriff of Preble County, and distinguished himself in the Mexican war), John Fall. William Maroney and our subject. They sailed out of New Orleans on a rough sea which had just been severely disturbed by a violent storm; this was rather a severe initiation to sea-life for their party, as it soon produced the unpleasant sensation of seasickness; after a period of eight days, they landed at Marion, the river station of Columbia, the capital of the State; this was on the Brazos River; they there learned that the land office was not open, and that there was no employment to be had in surveying; thus disappointed, they concluded to go into camp in the outskirts of Columbia. Col. Hendricks, not obtaining work as expected, pushed on to San Antonio, leaving the remaining part of the company in camp. At this time, there was a large influx of emigrants to the State, and a great demand for carpenters sprung up. This Lot Lee, who was a carpenter by profession, availed himself of, took contracts and employed Maroney and Fall to assist him; this proved very remunerative, as the demand for such labor was large and supply meager. Our subject performed the part of cook for the company, receiving for it his board and $1 per day; in addition to this, he served as clerk in the grocery store of Capt. Ives, late of Texan War, for which he received $2 per day; while here, he made the acquaintance of Samuel Houston, President of the Republic. After remaining here about three months. Fall, Maroney and our subject determined to return home, and concluded to foot it across the State to Red River; before the time for their departure arrived. Fall abandoned the pedestrian tour which they had planned, and took sail for New Orleans; this, however, did not defeat the resolution of the other two. On the 24th day of March, 1837, they called at the office of the Secretary of State, and obtained a passport, which is now before the writer, and which was given under the hand of J. Pinckney Henderson, Secretaiy of State, at the town of Columbia, the 24th day of March, 1837. After disposing of the surplus articles on hand, and packing their knapsacks, they sallied forth on their journey, on the morning of the 27th of March; on the evening of the first day, finding themselves on the bank of Cow Creek, unable to cross, they spread down their overcoats, and, using their knapsacks for pillows, lay down and slept soundly and undisturbed till morning. Early next da}7, they stopped at a farmhouse, which proved to be the home of Dr. Parrott, formerly of Ohio, who was much delighted to see the boys, and minister unto them in such a manner as to give a new impetus to their journey. After fourteen daj's' traveling, they arrived at Natchitoches, having crossed the famous Gaines' Ferry, on Sabine River, the land route into Texas; they took a steamer at Natchitoches, for New Orleans. Here our subject invested the proceeds of the goods previously stored there, in molasses, sugar and coffee for his father's store. This investment exhibited great business sagacity, as it proved to be a very profital >le expenditure for his father. From here they took steamer direct to Cincinnati, from which place they transferred the goods, by canal, to Hamilton, Ohio. taking packet themselves for same place; next day, they walked to Eaton, Ohio, where our subject remained one day with his uncle and his companion Maroney; on the subsequent day he walked home, a distance of eighteen miles; thus ended the first eventful period of his life. We narrate thus fully ihis journey as being remarkable for one of such young years to venture. In about three months after arriving at home, he was employed as clerk in the dry-goods store of D. W. Skidmore, of Hamilton, Ohio; in the following spring, his father and uncle established a new store in New Madison, and gave him charge of it as clerk; his uncle died in the fall of 1839, leaving the store entirely in his charge up to 1842: his father retired from active business in the spring of 1812. leaving him and his brother in charge of the two stores, which they consolidated and jointly managed. On the 15th of the following November, he celebrated his nuptials witli Miss Sarah Mills, daughter of Col. Mark T. Mills, and grand-daughter of Col. daiucs Mills; the latter gentleman was one of the early pioneers of this county, coming here in 181 »i and settling on land two miles north of New Madison; he was a native of New Jersey, and emigrated to Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1798, and was one of the first settlers in the county, and Colonel of the 1st Ohio .Militia, 3d Detachment, in the war of 1812; he left Hamilton, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1813, in command of the 1st 0. M.. and marched to Dayton; from there to Piqua, Loramie, St. Mary's, and finally, April 7, was ordered to Ft. Meigs, where his regiment remained on guard duty till discharged from service. We find the following entry in his regimental book:

" Col. Mills, with a portion of his command, having honorably served out the period for which they were called into the service of their country, are hereby discharged and permitted to return to their respective homes. Events not within the control of the present Commander-in-chief of this army, or of our Government, have rendered it necessary that the militia of Western States should compose a considerable portion of the Northwest army. Ohio stands conspicuous for the great zeal and promptness with which her citizens have yielded the comforts of private life for the toils and privations of the camp. In the return of this detachment of Ohio troops to their families and homes, it is due to Ohio and her sons to record their honorable service.

"To Col. Mills and his staff, and his respective commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates, whose term of service has expired, and to whose promptness in the discharge of every duty he has been an eye-witness, the Commanding General gives his sincere thanks.

"By command of Gen. Greene Clay."

Col. J. Mills served in both branches of the Ohio Legislature; he died of cholera in 1833, at Ft. Jefferson, and is buried on the land he first settled; his wife was a physician of much note in the early histoiy of this county. Col. Mark T. Mills, son of the former, was one of the early Sheriffs of this county, and while serving his second term wTas elected a member of the Legislature; he was continued a member of this body for four or five years by the suffrage of the people. He was married to Miss Lydia Burdge, March 29, 1821, who still survives him, he having died in March, 1843; she is the wife of Henry Hutton, one of the early pioneers of Butler Township. Our subject continued business in New Madison till June, 1815, when he sold out his interest in the store to his brother, purchased a stock of goods and residence in Palestine, where he moved and commenced business next day; here he engaged with success for three years in dry goods, grain and pork; in 1848, he suffered a heavy financial loss in the pork business, this being a disastrous year to pork merchants; he then exchanged his stock of goods for a farm in Preble Co., Ohio, and lived on it two years, when he disposed of it, discharged all his financial obligations, and returned to Palestine; in the two succeeding years, engaged in the insurance business, and then was proprietor of a hotel for one year; after the act of Congress granting land-warrants to the soldiers of the war of 1812, he turned his attention to this business; in the fall of 1855, he, with his wife, went to Iowa and remained there till the following spring; in the mean time, he entered about 1,000 acres of land with the land-warrants which he had purchased, traveling over the State extensively; he returned to Palestine in the spring and engaged in the groceiy business, which he continued till the spring of 1861, when he closed out his stock; in the mean time, he disposed of his Iowa lands and invested in real estate in this county. Soon after the commencement of the civil war, being an ardent supporter of Lincoln, he offered his services in defense of his country, and, on the 10th of October, 1861, was mustered into the United States Army; he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the 69th 0. V. I., with authority to recruit a company. On the last day of the month, he reported to Col. Campbell, at Hamilton, Ohio, with thirty-one men; on the next day, he returned in company with Col. Campbell to this county, to recruit more men for the company; on the 19th of December, having completed the enlistment of the company, he was elected to office of Captain; they remained at Hamilton till the 19th of February, when the regiment was ordered to Camp Chase (the 1st of March, Gen. Buckner, with entire staff of officers, was brought to camp as prisoner, from Ft. Donelson); his regiment remained here on guard duty till the 19th of April, when they received orders to report at once to Nashville, Tenn.; they arrived there on the 22d of April, and were shortly put in charge of the railroad from Nashville to Columbia, where they remained till June 8; they then accompanied an expedition under Gen. Dumont to Pikeville, by way of Nashville, Murfreesboro, McMinnville, and over the Cumberland .Mountains; returning to Nashville, Col. Campbell was appointed Provost Marshal, and the regiment detained as Provost Guard of that city. About this time, the rebel General, .Morgan, made a raid upon Gallatin, capturing Col. Boone with 4th Kentucky; the 69th 0. V. I., 11th Michigan and section of a battery, attacked Gen. Morgan and drove him out, the 69th losing one man killed, the first killed of the regiment. When Gen. Bragg made his flank movement on Louisville, the 69th was left to guard the city of Nashville, which, owing to the scarcity of troops, was regarded as rather perilous; while here, our subject was detailed as member of general court-martial, and remained on this duty 100 days; from this he was relieved on the 26th of December, and joined his regiment at Nolinsville, on its way to Murfreesboro; the regiment participated in mostof the hard fighting which immediately followed at that place. On the morning of the 31st of December, Col. Cassilly, having succeeded Col. Campbell in command, was dismissed for unbecoming conduct, when the regiment was left for a time without a commander, in the midst of a hard fight, which soon reduced it to confusion and disorder. Our subject being ranking Captain of the regiment on the field, distinguished himself by taking command of the regiment, and bringing it into line again, which position they held, till ordered to fall back by Gen. Negley— the regiment suffered severely in killed and wounded during the day; on next day they were not engaged, but on the 2d of January they took part in the brilliant charge across Stone River, our subject commanding the left wing of the regiment; this was a desperate charge, and, with some slight" skirmishing, closed the battle. The 69th had the honor of capturing the famous Washington Battery of New Orleans, the finest in the army (Sergt. Wilson, of our subject's company, deserves meritorious notice for his bravery in this charge; being disabled in the left arm. he was using a breech loading carbine, and with it succeeded in capturing a regimental flag of the Nashville Regiment, while crossing the river.) From exposure previous to and during this battle, our subject, after wading the river waist-deep, which was floating with ice, fell prostrate to the ground, and was carried to a house near by; he remained here till the 10th of January, having been prostrated on the 5th, and then was taken to Nashville, remained here till the 6th of February, and then went to Murfreesboro, where he remained till the 20th of June, with the exception of thirty days, which time he spent at home on furlough. On the 20th, the army was examined, and all who were unfit for active duty were placed in the invalid corps; our subject, being examined, was reported unfit for active duty, and was offered the command of Ft. Thomas, but, his health being poor, he thought best to resign and return home; his resignation was accepted on the 21st of June, 1863, and, after some delay, arrived home July 12. On the 24th of July, a company of O. N. G. was organized in Palestine, and our subject elected Captain; in the following August, the 28th O. N. G. was organized, and he was elected Colonel; he took an active part in the Brough-Vallandigham campaign. and also assisted Col. Browne in the recruiting service. May 2, 1864. the O. N. G. were called out. by order of the Governor, and, although his health was still much impaired, his unflagging interest for his county led him to take his place as Colonel of the 28th O. N. G.; after arriving at CampDennison, their ten companies were consolidated into eight, and two were assigned them from Springfield; they were then organized into the I52d O. N. G.. and, on the 12th of May, they were sent to New Creek. W. Va., and from there, on the 30th. to Marthisburg; they left there on the 11th of June, with a supply-train of 200 wagons, and orders to reach ( i en. Hunter, who was then somewhere in the Shenandoah Valley, at all hazards; they were joined by five companies of 161st O. N. G., 2d Md., and sixty men of 15th N. Y. Cavalry, all under the command of our subject; they overtook the rear of Hunter's army <>n the 10th, at Staunton, and his army next day at Lexington; here, under Hunter's command, the famous mills and military institutions of Lexington were destroyed by fire; at the latter institution was found a statue of George Washington, life size, erected in 1788, which was turned over to our subject with special instructions to deliver it to the Governor of West Virginia, at Wheeling; these instructions he carried out; they continued with Hunter's army till the 17th, when Gen. Hunter turned his prisoners, sick and wounded, and 200 wagons, over to theColonel and ordered him to u get out; "they marched in advance of Hunter's retreating army, arriving at Beverly on the 27th, being under fire more or less every day; arrived at Cumberland, Md., the 2d of July, and remained there till the 25th of August, participating in several skirmishes in the vicinity; they were then ordered to Camp Dennison where they were mustered out of service on the 2d of September, and on the 5th received their pa}- and final discharge. After returning home the regiment resumed its old name, of 28th 0. N. G., and our subject continued its Colonel till the close of the war; he received three honorable discharges from the United States service, one from the 69th 0. V. I., 152d 0. N. G., and 28th O. N. G. Immediately after the close of the war, he engaged in the study of law under the direction of A. 11. Calderwood of Greenville, and was admitted to practice at the May term of the District Court of Ohio. 1866; since then he has been engaged in the practice of law, giving his attention for several years particularly to the collection of soldiers' pensions. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1870 and served a term of three years; he is a member of the F. and A. M. Lodge of New Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Putman, have no children of their own, but have raised from infancy a cousin's child, by the name of M. P. Simison; his paternal grandfather was the first white settler at Ft. Recovery, then a part of Darke Co., and one of his aunts was the first settler of Jay Co., Hid.; he is now engaged in the drug business at Palestine, and is one of the promising young business men of the place.

ROSS, Elias Biographical Sketch

ELIAS ROSS, farmer; P. O. German. We herewith present the sketch of another of the early pioneers of this township in the name of Elias Ross; he was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1811; he is the son of Henry Ross, who was a native of Virginia; early in his youth, he left his parental roof and embarked on the sea of life without guide or counselor; he soon found his way to Pickaway Co., Ohio, where he entered into the occupation of farming; after dwelling here for a short time he moved to Big Darby Creek, Franklin Co.; from there he came direct to this township and located on land in northwest part of Sec. 24; this was in October, 1817, and his family constituted one of the first in the township; nothing but a vast wilderness greeted him on every hand, not even a log cabin could be found to house his family in when he landed here; in lieu of this he was obliged to improvise a temporary shed, which served as a very imperfect shelter until he could erect a more si?bstantial domicile; this he set about at once to do; gathering together what few settlers were to be found in the vicinity, they erected a " pioneer's home," the log cabin, completing the structure ready for use in one day, the first house built in one day in the township; before they got their cabin built, the weather became very rigorous, snow falling to the depth of several inches, which produced no little suffering to the family in their temporary shed; the cabin erected and the family comfortably housed, the next thing to be done was to clear the land of its forests, preparatory to cultivation; to have some land ready by spring, it was necessary to work through the winter, which was an unusually severe one; this Mr. Ross did faithfully the whole winter through, although with much exposure; thus began the sturdy pioneer, and, although these and many other difficulties confronted him, his indefatigable will conquered them all. Mr. Ross assisted in the erection of the first church built in the county. It was located in Washington Township on Sec. 36, and was built in 1819; it was a Methodist Church and is still (1880) standing, a relic of pioneer days, though not now usedMr. Ross was the father of twelve children, one of whom met with a fatal accident at the age of 14, by a falling tree; the rest grew up to mature years and ten are still living; he was a local minister of the M. E. Church and for almost a lifetime preached the Gospel and endeavored to tarn the erring ones from their way; he lived to a ripe old age, his death occurring August, 1865; his wife had preceded him to her final rest. Our subject was only 6 years old when he came to this township with his parents; pioneers:is they were, he grew up inured to the privations and hardships incident to such a life; he knows what hard work is, and what living "under difficulties" means; he remained at home contributing his labor to the subsistence of the family and clearing of the farm till he was of age; at this age,fhe entered the course of life on his own account; he first hired to David Puterbaugh for six months as a farm laborer; for the subsequent two years he was employed by Hezekiah Veitz, of Neave Township; the first one and one-half months he received $8 per month; for the next four and one-half months he got $6 per month; for the next year he received $100; at the end of eighteen months, he found that he had lost only one day. For the next three months, he received $10 per month. At the end of this time, September 4, 1834, he celebrated his first marriage with Miss Lucy Chapman. He was only permitted to live with her sixteen years and two days. when death claimed her as his victim, September 6, 1850. After his marriage he moved on the place where he now lives, having previously purchased and erected a cabin on it. In this he set out on the course of life with his companion. His first household furniture he manufactured himself with an ax and auger. Wishing to go into the manufacture of maple sugar, he purchased an auger on credit, with which to tap the trees, and paid for it by an entire night's work over his kettles, making sugar. This illustrates the extreme poverty of the early pioneers. In front of Mr. Ross' house stands an apple orchard of twenty-two trees, thrifty and productive, which he planted with his own hands, forty-five years ago. He was united in marriage the second time, October 16, 1851, to Mrs. Rebecca Furrow. Seven children were the fruits of the first union, three of whom are deceased, and six of the second union, three of whom are also deceased. He has been a consistent member of the U. B. Church for more than half a century, and lives an exemplary life. His first wife was also a member, and died in the triumphs of her faith. His present wife is also a faithful member of the same church.

ROSS, Isaac M. Biographical Sketch

ISAAC M. ROSS, farmer; P. 0. German. Ohio. Mr. Ross is one of the promising young farmers of German Township; he was born on the place where he now resides, in 1841; his early life was that of a farmer-boy, his summers being given to farm duties, and his winter months spent in the common school; in the summer of 1861, he gave his services for the preservation of the Union, enlisting in the 44th 0„ V. I.; he remained in this service until the close of the war, and participated in the following hard-fought battles, besides numerous skirmishes: Lewisburg, Va., under command of Gen. Crook; Charlestown. W. Va.; surrender of Cumberland Gap, where 1,400 regulars, with about as many militia, accomplished the remarkable feat of capturing 2,600 rebels; he next participated in the thirty days' siege of Knoxville, Term., and then at the battle of Rutledge; at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., he re-enlisted, and was transferred to the 8th O. V. C, under Hunter's command: he wras then in Hunter's campaign in the Shenandoah; participated in the two days' fight at Lynchburg, the 17 th and 18th of June, 1864. This regiment covered Hunter's retreat from Lynchburg to Liberty, at which place they were used as a "forlorn hope for Hunter's army." In this campaign his regiment suffered severely, leaving about one-fourth of their men on the field of battle, and the rest, with the exception of about fifty, being wounded more or less severely. He received two slight wounds, one In the face and one in the head; retreated to Beverly, where they remained during the winter, participating in a severe engagement on the 29th of November; on the 11th of January, his brigade was captured, he being taken and retaken five times dining the conflict, and finally escaping: he scouted around in West Virginia until August. 1865, when he was honorably discharged with his regiment, having served over four years; he returned to his present place, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming; he has a fine farm, well improved, and everything indicates thrift and industry. He celebrated his marriage March, 1867, with Miss Ida Peden, of Hollandsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of two children a^ed 8 and 10, respectively.

RUSH, A. B. Biographical Sketch

A. B. RUSH, physician; P. 0. German. Dr. Rush descended from a distinguished family of early pioneers in this country; was born in Harrison Township, on the 19th of January, 1842; his paternal ancestors were German, and his maternal, English. His father, John R., was born in Bath Co., Va., near Hot Springs, the 3d of June, 1798; his paternal grandfather, Dr. John Rush, was also a native of Virginia, and a near relative of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush under whom he received his first medical instructions, and to whose valuable library he had access. Dr. Rush emigrated to Ohio on or about the year 1800. and settled in Pickaway Co., on Big Darby Creek, where he followed successfullv his profession; in 1816, he came to this county and located in Harrison Township. just west of the present site of New Madison; an injury received from a falling limb, soon after coming here, prevented the discharge of his professional duties ever after; his first wife deceased in Pickaway Co.; he was married to his second wife after coming here. John R., father of our subject, was 18 years old when he came to this county, and knew what pioneer life was; his early life was that of a 'prentice boy, passed upon the farm; he was united in marriage, April 13 1824 to Miss Elizabeth W. Hill; she was born in York District, South Carolina, November, 1788; she emigrated to the count}r with her parents in 1817; Mr. Rush's life was spent upon a farm; his death occurred the 28th of January, 1863; his devoted wife survived him till April 4, 1871; thus we chronicle the departure of two more of the advance couriers of civilization, who pioneered their way into the untrodden wilds of this country, near the beginning of the present century. Dr. Rush, our subject, passed his early life on a farm; his early education was somewhat limited, but later he devoted himself assiduously to the acquisition of knowledge, giving his attention chiefly to the study of medicine; he quite soon in life became proficient in this department of knowledge and entered upon the duties of his profession; in the year 1878 he graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati; he located where he now resides in 1871, and by careful attention to business has a lai'ge and lucrative practice; his marriage with Miss Smelker was celebrated Dec. 7, 1866; she is a daughter of Jacob H. and Christina Smelker. both natives of Germany; Jacob H. Smelker was born in Eppingen, State of Baden Germany, Aug, 9, 1800; he emigrated to America in 1819, leaving Germany the 13th of May, and landing in Baltimore, Md., the 1st day of the following August; on arriving in Baltimore, he found himself in possession of 5 cents in Low Dutch money, and no demand for labor in his line of work; his penury would not permit him to waste much time in search of emploj-ment, so he took at once to the country and engaged himself to George Fank, a farmer, as a farm laborer; at the end of one year, he found his way to Fredericksburg, where he halted for a period of three years, engaging, in the meantime, with various parties as a farm laborer; his marriage with Miss Christina Denner was celebi-ated at this latter place; he soon took up his journey westward, landing in Cincinnati May 21, 1824, from where he plied his way direct to Germantown, Montgomery Co.; from there he moved on a farm just south of Louisburg, Preble Co.; after some years, he moved to this township and has resided here since; Mrs. Smelker's decease occurred the 15th clay of February, 1850; fourteen children, forty grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren have been born to them; his children are as follows: Born in Preble Co., George, July 17, 1824; Jacob, July 20, 1825; Sophia, April 22 1827; William, Sept. 14, 1828; Eli, Jan. 9. 1830; John. Jan. 15. 1831; Henry, Jan. 21, 1832; David, Nov. 21, 1834; born in Darke Co., Daniel, Sept. 11. 1836; Sarah, April 13, 1838; Elizabeth, Aug. 22, 1841; Catherine, May 10, 1844; Anna! Feb. 14, 1846; one deceased in Infancy; Dr. and Mrs. Rush are the parents of three children.

SATER, C. C. Biographical Sketch

C. C. SATER, physician; P. O. German; the subject of this memoir is a native of Indiana, and was born October, 1843, near Brookville; he is a son of Ephraiin S., who emigrated to Indiana in 1840; here he remained till his death, which occurred in 1854; his wife still survives him, and is in the enjoyment of good health. Our subject's early life was spent on a farm, his summer months devoted to the duties of farm life, and his winter months to the acquisition of knowledge in the common school; he thus obtained a good common-school education; in the spring of 1861, having accumulated, by his industry and economy, some money, he entered Liber College, Indiana, as a student; after spending about three months at this place, he returned home, and volunteered his services for the defense of his country. On the 25th of July, he enlisted in the 19th I. V. I. at Richmond, Ind., Col. Solomon Meredith commandant, and on the 29th was mustered into service at Indianapolis; the regiment was soon ordered to Washington, D. O, where it remained till the following spring, engaged in guard duty, constructing forts, etc.; the spring and summer of 1862 were spent between Washington and Richmond, under command of Gen. McDowell; in the fall, he participated in Pope's campaign, which terminated in the second Bull Run battle; the regiment was now transferred to the command of Gen. McClellan, and engaged in the hard-fought battles of South Mountain and Antietam; the next battle he participated in was at Fredericksburg, Va., Gen. Burnside, commander; at the beginning of this engagement, his regiment made a brilliant and successful charge in open position across the Rappahannock to dislodge the enemies on the opposite side; dating from this he was promoted to Sergeant's rank; he next participated in the hard-fought battle of Chancellorsville, under command of Gen. Joseph Hooker; on the 1st of July, 1863, he was engaged in the decisive battle of Gettysburg, Penn., and while at his post of duty was severely wounded in right arm and shoulder; this disabled him from any more active service, and he was placed in the hospital at Portsmouth Grove, R. I.; here he remained till the expiration of his term of service, which occurred on the 29th of July, 1864, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He then came to Darke County, and was soon engaged as clerk in dry-goods store at Wiley's Station, he remained here two years, and then turned his attention to the art of telegraphing; not liking this occupation, he next gave his time to the study of medicine, receiving his instructions under the directions of the Drs. Matchett; he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, graduating in the spring of 1872. He first located and engaged in the practice of his profession in Sandusky County; he next formed a partnership with Dr. Ballard, of Arcanum, which lasted one year, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Matchett, of Greenville; he was subsequently located for two years at New Paris, Preble County, from which place he came to Palestine Oct. 1, 1877, where he has been engaged in practice since, discharging his professional duties with commendable zeal and success. In 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen McCaughy, then engaged in teaching in Greenville. Dr. Sater identified himself with the Presbyterian Church of Greenville in 1878, and is a member of the Greenville Lodge, P. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Sater are the parents of two children, one deceased.

SINKS, I. Q. Biographical Sketch

I. Q. SINKS, farmer; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir was born in April, 1829, about twelve miles northwest of Dayton, in Montgomery Co.; he is the son of Andrew Sinks, a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to Ohio with his parents previous to the beginning of the present century, and settled north of Dayton, on the Stillwater; this was then on the frontier of civilization, and his family constituted one of the first in the neighborhood; he was about two years old when he arrived there; he was raised on a farm and accustomed to its duties; this occupation he followed all his life, living upon the same farm where he first located until his death, which occurred at the ripe old age of 87 vears. He was married to Miss Yount, who was also a native of North Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio in about 1806; she survived her husband about three years, when her death occurred at the ripe old age of 84 years. Mr. and Mrs. Sinks were the parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, nine of whom are still living. Our subject is next to the youngest of the family; he was brought up on a farm, and remained at home until he attained his majority; at this period he celebrated his marriage with Miss Williamson, who was also born in Montgomery Co.; her father was a native of Virginia, and her mother a native of Warren Co., Ohio. Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sinks, they moved to their present place, and have resided here ever since, a period of twenty-seven years; they are the parents of seven children — Sarah S., born Dec. 1, 1851; Oliver P., born April 29, 1853; Noah W., born April 3, 1855; Emma J., born Jan. 28, 1857, deceased Nov. 11, 1858; Leora, born March 20, 1858, deceased Oct. 6, 1879; Clarrissa, born May 13, 1860; Loretta, born April 16, 1862.

SETTLE, William H. Biographical Sketch

WILLIAM H. SETTLE, farmer, P. 0. German. Mr. Settle is a native of North Carolina, was born in Rockingham Co., Feb. 5, 1840; he is the son of Josiah and Nanc}- Settle, both natives of North Carolina; Mr. Settle was principally raised upon a farm; at the age of 6 he was taken to Mississippi by his parents; in 1855, he emigrated to Ohio with his parents, settling first in Hamilton, Butler Co. During the late civil war, he was engaged most of the time on a boat on the rivers Mississippi, Missouri and White, principally as a Government empkye; in 1866, he returned to Butler Co., and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed with marked success ever since. He was united in marriage, in Cincinnati, March 15, 1869, to Miss Josie Triplet; she was born and raised in that city. Immediately after his marriage, he moved to his present place, having previously purchased the farm, which consists of 160 acres. He is a self-made man; beginning with almost nothing, he has, by his own exertions, put himself in possession of a large fertile and well-improved farm, They are the parents of six children, two of whom have been removed from the family circle by death.

SPENCER, William Biographical Sketch

WILLIAM SPENCER, farmer; P. O. Hollandsburg. Mr. Spencer is another of the early pioneers of this county; he was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 12, 1812; he is of English descent, and is the son of Francis Spencer, who was a native of Kentucky; he emigrated to Ohio when quite young, and located in Greene Co., previous to the war of 1812; he served in this struggle for a short period as a soldier; his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was severely wounded by a shot fired by an Indian; Francis Spencer emigrated to this county in the spring of 1817, and located in the southwest quarter of Sec. 3, in Harrison Township. But few civilized men had then penetrated the untrodden wilds of our country, and Mr. Spencer constituted one of the van couriers of civilization; he moved with his family, first into a log cabin, mother earth constituting the floor; here he began carving for himself a home in the dense forests, which was soon accomplished by his unflagging industry. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Sarah Spencer, about the beginning of the present century; she was also a native of Kentucky; they were the parents of eleven children, to wit: Elizabeth, born Nov. 23, 1802. now deceased; Delilah, born Feb. 26, 1804, now deceased; Anderson, born Jan. 28, 1806; Ludlow, born Dec. 3, 1808, now deceased; Eliza, Dec. 3, 1810; William, born Oct. 12, 1812; Clark, born May 31, 1814, now deceased; Anna, born Aug. 14, 1816; Jackson, born Nov. 22, 1818; Sarah, born April 17, 1822; Mark T., Dec. 31, 1827, now deceased. Mrs. Spencer departed her life at the age of 72 years; Mr. Spencer lived to the ripe old age of 90 years, his death occurring Aug. 14, 1874; thus departed from their privations below, two more of the pioneers of this county. Our subject was only 5 years old when he came with his parents to this county; his early days were devoted to such work as the frontiersman usually finds to do; he thus became early inured to pioneer life; he remained at home on the farm till he grew up to mature years. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Irwin, in 1831; she was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to this State with her parents when quite small, locating first in Greene Co.; after the marriage of Mr. Spencer, he moved to the place where he now lives, and engaged in agricultural pursuits; Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are the parents of eleven children, lour of whom have deceased; his son, Irwin, engages during the winter months in the profession of teaching.

TEAFORD, Barney Biographical Sketch

BARNEY TEAFORD, farmer; P. 0. German. The subject of this sketch was born February 3, 1825, near the place where he now resides. He is the son of George Teaford, a history of whose life appears in Jonathan Teaford's sketch. He remained on the homestead with his parents until he was 33 years of a^e. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits up to this time, and after he arrived at maturity with his twin brother Jonathan. Beginning when the country was comparatively new, he knows what hard work is. He celebrated his marriage March 20, 1859, with Miss Margaret Stapleton. She is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne Co., November 13, 1838. At the age of about 6 years, she came to this count}- with her parents. Her paternal grandfather was an early pioneer of the county. He settled four miles below Hollandsburg, in Harrison Township, in an early day. Mr. Teaford, after his marriage, moved to the place where he now resides, and where he has ever since lived. We see, in his large, well-improved farms and fine residence, industry and frugality richly rewarded. Mr. and Mrs. Teaford are the parents of seven children, four of whom death's messenger has visited and consigned to the silent tomb. Their names are as follows: Jonathan, born March 8, 1860; departed this life October 29, 1862. Norman, born March 24, 1861. Infant son. born April 15, 1862, died the same day. Oscar, born June 30, 1864, departed this life, Sept. 25, 1866; Samuel, born July 20, 1867; Charles born Nov. 18, 1870, departed this life June 25, 1871; Flora, Alice, born May 10, 1874.

TEAFORD, Jonathan Biographical Sketch

JONATHAN TEAFORD, farmer; P. O. German. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the large farmers of German Township; he was born Feb. 3, 1825, near the place where he now resides; is the son of George Teaford, one of the early pioneers of this township. Mr. Teaford, Sr., was born in Augusta Co., Va., and when quite young emigrated to Fairfield Co., Ohio; here he remained several years, engaged as a laborer upon a farm; he emigrated to German Township with the Ketrings, who constituted one of the first families in the township; he found this country then almost untouched by the hand of civilization; the "sons of the bow and arrow" still lingered around, and wild game was abundant. April 6, 1820, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Magdalena Ketring; she was also one of the early pioneers of the township, and a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly after his marriage, he moved to the place where the subject of tnis sketch now resides, his father-in-law having previously bequeathed him the land, then all in the woods; here he erected a cabin and resided till a few years before his death, when he took up his abode with his son Barney. Mr. and Mrs. George Teaford were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Jacob, born Feb. 10, 1821, deceased September, 1826; Rebecca, born Feb. 1, 1822, deceased, October, 1825; George, born Sept. 24, 1823; Jonathan and Barney, twins, Feb. 3. 1825; Hester, July 26, 1827; Elizabeth, Oct. 23, 1828; Amelia, March 28, 1830; Sarah, Feb. 18, 1832; Susannah, born March 12, 1835, deceased, December, 1838; David, born Sept. 28, 1836, deceased Aug. 5, 1838; Aaron, born June 16, 1838, deceased June 24, 1839. Mrs. Teaford departed this life Feb. 13, 1861; her husband survived her till Jan. 29, 1874, when his death occurred. Thus we record the death of two more of the early pioneers of German Township, who passed away leaving a large circle of acquaintances and a large family to mourn their loss. Mr. Jonathan Teaford was raised a farmer, and early became accustomed to its arduous duties; he remained at home assisting on the farm till he grew up to years of maturity; he then, with his twin brother, engaged in farming on rented land; they formed a partnership thus early in life, which existed till a few years ago, when the property, consisting of several large farms, which were jointly held and managed by them, was divided. Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Smelker March 8, 1848; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, and at the age of about 6 years she came to this county with her parents. (Her parents receive notice under the sketch of A. B. Rush.) After the marriage of Mr. Teaford, he rented a farm about one mile east of where he now lives, and farmed it about six years. He then, in connection with his brother, purchased 80 acres of land just west of his present place; by their habits of industry, they added farm after farm to their possessions, till they owned a half-section of land in one body; they then made a division, each taking a quarter-section; since then, he has added other farms to his possessions, and has them all well improved; he has one of the finest brick residences in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Teaford are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living.

TENNELL, J. B. Biographical Sketch

J. B. TENNELL, physician, German; was born near the city of Lexington, Ky., Nov. 20, 1833; his paternal and maternal grandparents came from Scotland in an early day and settled in Virginia; remaining there a few years, they removed to Jessamine County, Ky., where Joseph Tennell, the Doctor's father, was born in the year 1796. Our subject, Buford, as he was called when a boy, was the youngest of a family of ten children. His mother died when he was 2 years old, and a step-mother died some eight years later. From that time on, he lived among strangers, strugged with poverty and fought the battle of life on his own hook — working on a farm for 25 cents a day during the summer and fall, and attending school through the winter. When 15 years of age, he came to Franklin, Lid., and attended a select school for one year; then entered the Franklin College, and continued his studies there for about four years, teaching a district school three terms to secure means to pay his board and expenses. He then commenced and read medicine for three years as a pupil under old Dr. Mackey. Attended medical lectures in the Allopathic Department of Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1855-56. After practicing some three years, he was persuaded to abandon medicine and enter the ministry, which he did, and spent three years as a traveling minister in the U. B. Church. Not being fully satisfied, he decided to return to the business which he had spent so much of his time in order to qualify himself to follow. Before resuming practice, he attended another course of medical lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving therefrom the degree of M. D. Since then he has been actively engaged in his profession in the counties of Union, Randolph and Howard, Ind. Five years ago, on account of good roads, he located at Palestine, in this county, where he has a nice residence, and has a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor is a large, portly man, weighing two hundred pounds, is well preserved, and has never used tobacco in any form, nor ardent spirits as a beverage. His life is a practical demonstration that any young man of mind and energy can succeed, if they determine to do so.

THOMAS, S. S. Biographical Sketch

S. S. THOMAS, farmer; P. 0. Hollandsburg, Ohio. The subject of this memoir is an early settler and prominent citizen of this township; he was born July 30, 1828, near the place where he now resides; he is of Welsh descent, and the son of Charles W. Thomas, one of the pioneers of this township; he was born in Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio when quite young (notice last of sketch); he settled first in Greene Co., where he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mercy Sackett; she was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Greene Co. with her parents about the beginning of the present century; her father, Cyrus Sackett, was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence; he celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Sackett in 1792. Mr. Charles Thomas came to this county about 1826 and located on land previously entered by his father, Daniel Thomas, Sec. 31, in German Township; he found it then covered with the mantle of nature, and the country a vast wilderness; at that time it required nerve and courage to begin life there; this, however, was not wanting with Mr. Thomas, and the wilderness was soon made to u blossom as the rose; "he lived on this place till 1864, when he disposed of it and moved into Hollandsburg; while on a visit to Greene Co., he was taken sick with fever from which he never recovered; his death occurred Sept. 1, 1872, at the age of 74 years 8 months and 4 days; his devoted wife preceded him to her final rest several years, her death occurring June 29, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. T. were faithful members of the M. E. Church, and their lives were examples of Christian piety and virtue; nine children, four sons and five daughters were born to them, all of whom are still living. Our subject's youthful days were passed upon the farm; at the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the cabinet trade," and served a term of two years; he then engaged at journey-work in Richmond, Ind., for a period of five years; at the end of this time, he purchased a cabinet-shop in Palestine, which he controlled about one }rear and disposed of it, moving to the place where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Berry April 29, 1855; she was born in Hamilton, Butler Co., Jan. 15, 1837, and came to this county with her parents in 1838, locating where she now lives, in Sec. 32; her father, Thomas Berry, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to this State when a young man; he was married to Betsey Randolph, a native of Butler Co., Ohio; his death occurred Sept. 8, 1839; his wife survived him till Aug. 4, 1851, when her death occurred; she had previously united in marriage with Mr. William Freeman; Mr. and Mrs. Berry were both zealous members of the M. E. Church, and passed peacefully to rest when their life's work was ended, lamented by all who knew them. Mr. Thomas is one of those who left the comforts of home and endured the perils of the battle-field for the preservation of the Union; he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Battery early in the spring of 1864, and participated in the battles of Black River Bridge and Yazoo City; he was honorably discharged with the regiment at Camp Dennison, Aug. 5, 1865; in politics, Mr. Thomas is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of ten children, three of whom died when quite }roung; two sons and five daughters are still living; one daughter, Ellen, was united in marriage, Nov. 8, 1877, with Gr. W. Hill, son of H. L. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Charles W. Thomas was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Fort Meigs most of the time during the period of his service.

WADE, William Biographical Sketch

WILLIAM WADE, farmer; P. 0. German, Ohio. William Wade, one of the few remaining early pioneers of this county, was born Nov. 9, 1818, on the southeast quarter of Sec. 13, in Harrison Township, where the south part of New Madison now stands; he is of English descent, and the son of William Wade, Sr., who was born in Maryland; he emigrated to Ohio previous to the war of 1812, and located first in Preble Co., and from there he went to Harrison Township in 1818, settling on the place on which our subject was born; he then constituted one of the fii-st settlers in that township; he departed this life at the age of 61 years, his wife surviving him several }rears, when her death occurred in Wayne Co., Ind. Both were buried in the cemetery at New Madison. Our subject's boyhood days did not differ much from those of most of the pioneer boys; he shared in the trials and difficulties incident to frontier life; his father being an invalid, the management of the farm early fell to his charge; this duty he discharged successfully until he reached the age of 24. The meagerness of educational advantages at that day, together with the duties of the farm, which early devolved upon him. rendered his education, so far as books were concerned, much limited; just previous to leaving the homestead, July 23, 1842, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Susannah Ross; she is the daughter of Nathaniel Ross, one of the early pioneers of the township; he settled here February, 1819, and in the following August, Mrs. Wade was born; she has witnessed all the changes in this section of country, from the thickets of the forest to the waving grain-fields of to-day. Soon after Mr. Ward's marriage, he moved to Neave Township, locating on a farm which he had previously purchased of Reuben Lowry: at the end of four years, he disposed of this farm and purchased and moved on the one on which he now resides; he has resided here ever since, a period of thirty years. Mr. Wade has risen by his own exertions to a place among the foremost farmers of his section of couniry. Mr. and Mrs. Wade are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mary, born Oct. 15, 1843; she was united in marriage to Charles W. Sentmen July 19, 1867; she departed her life Nov. 18, 1874; her life was short, though complete; her work was finished and she passed peacefully away, leaving a large circle of acquaintances, a kind father and mother, a husband and two loving daughters, to mourn her departure and revere her memory; she was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church until death, and lived in the discharge of her Christian duties; in her death, society lost a useful member. Mr. and Mrs. Wade take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the United Brethren Church, and living exemplary lives.

WARE, Jacob F. Biographical Sketch

JACOB F. WARE, farmer; P. 0. German. Mr. Ware is another of the early settlers and prominent citizens of German Township; he is paternally of German and maternally of English descent, and comes of Revolutionary stock; he was born Dec. 13, 1819, in Preble Co., Ohio, and is the son of John Ware, who was a native of Tennessee, being born there Feb. 11, 1785; he emigrated to Ohio in 1810 and located in Montgomery County, on Stillwater; from there he shortly moved to Preble County, locating near West Alexandria, in the vicinity of which he remained till his death, a period of sixty-two years; he was a soldier of the war of 1812, and shared in the privations and hardships of that struggle; he was under Gen. Harrison's command, and was present at the celebrated treaty of Ft. Greenville, in 1814; his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served for seven years in that great struggle for freedom. John Ware, by his services in the war of 1812, was entitled to a land-warrant of 160 acres, which he located where our subject now resides; this warrant was given under James Monroe. Mr. Ware, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer boy, and remained at home assisting in duties of the farm till he was 21 years of age; at this time, he engaged at the carpenter trade, which he followed about six j*ears, when he moved to the place where he now resides and turned his attention to farming; he celebrated his marriage in 1844, with Miss M. Catherine Rittenour; she was born in Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio with her parents when only 7 years old, settling near New Madison, Harrison Township; on the 16th of February, 1879, the messenger of death entered Mr. Ware's home and took from it his devoted wife; her life's work ended, her duties done, she passed peacefully away, leaving a kind and affectionate husband and four loving children to mourn her departure and revere her memory; Mrs. Ware was a faithful member of the church for twenty-two years before she died, and in her death the church lost a useful member and the community a valuable citizen. Mr. Ware is one of the self-made men of this county; when he moved to the place where he now resides, in 1848, he found it all in the woods, the underbrush so thick that he had to grub a place for the horses to lie down the first night; here he began in a log cabin, surrounded on every side b}r dense forests, on a small piece of land bequeathed him by his father; the outlook was by no means flattering, but with that indomitable energy which served him well then, and has been his guiding genius ever since, being ably assisted by his noble wife, he soon carved for himself a farm and beautiful home out of the wilderness; by habits of industry and economy he has added to the first possession till he now has a fine fertile farm of 244 acres under excellent improvement; he made and used perhaps the first jumping-shovel plow anywhere in that vicinity; with this plow he has prepared ground in the green upon which he has raised sixty bushels of corn per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Ware are the parents of five children, one of whom has died; three of the others are married, and one, a son, still remains at home. Mr. Ware is no aspirant for office; having been repeatedly tendered important offices of trust, he has always refused to accept; he lives an exemplary life, and formerly held his connections with the United Brethren denomination.

WARNER, William H. Biographical Sketch

WILLIAM H. WARNER, farmer; P. 0. German. The subject of this memoir was born in Neave Township March 8, 1849; he is of English descent, and the son of Henry W., who was born in Montgomery Co., November 1819; he was a farmer by occupation from his boyhood days till his death: he was united in marriage to Miss Lotta Williamson, in 1846; she was also a native of Montgomery County; after their marriage, Mr. W. engaged in farming in above county till 1857, with the exception of one year, when they lived in Neave township, in this county; at above date he came to German Township and located on land in Sec. 13; here he lived until his death, which occurred in April, 1874; his wife preceded him to her final rest about six years, her decease occurring in February, 1808; they had seven children born to them, to wit: Amanda, deceased in infancy: Almira, "William H., George (deceased), Lorenzo, Franklin and Emma. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and remained at home till he grew to maturity. He celebrated his nuptials with Miss Sarah Flory in October 1873; she was the daughter of Emanuel Flory, whose biography we subtend to this; after the marriage of Mr. Warner he moved on his father-in-law's place, which he has since been farming. April 8, 1878, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his devoted wife. Her life was short, but full of usefulness, and her death was lamented by all who knew her. Two children, sons, were born to them, Andrew J. and Horatio. Mr. Warner is in politics a Democrat. Emanuel Flory was an early settler of this township; he was born in Montgomery County, Jan. 12, 1810, and is the son of Emanuel F., Sr., a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1776; he emigrated to Ohio in July, 1806, locating on Wolf Creek, Montgomery County; he was a farmer b}r occupation. He was married to Miss Sarah Kaga some years before coming to Ohio; the 17th of March, 1834, he came with his family to Darke County, locating on Sec. 12, where Emanuel F., Jr., now resides; some three or four years previous to this he came out and erected a water-power saw-mill, on West Branch, the first in that locality. Mrs. Flory died in 1822. Nine children were born to this union, onby three of whom are yet living. Mr. F. consummated his second marriage with Mrs. Royer, who died in September, 1853, she having survived her husband about four years, his death occurring March 9, 1849. Emannel P., Jr., was reared on a farm, after coming to this county with his parents, he engaged on his father's saw-mill for a period of about five years; since then he has lived on and farmed, till a few years ago, the homestead which he purchased; he was married to Miss Waggerman in 1852, who was born near Brookville, Montgomery County, in 1816; she departed this life Jan. 15, 1872; during life she was a faithful member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Flory has been a consistent member of the same church for nearly half a century, and is living an exemplary life.

WILLCOX, James Biographical Sketch

JAMES WILLCOX, farmer; P. 0. German; the subject of this memoir was born in Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1817; he is the son of James VYillcox, Sr., and Elizabeth (Kester) Willcox; James Willcox, Sr., was born in the State of New York, on the Mohawk River, near the site of " Stillwater " battlefield; his father was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence and participated in the above battle; James Willcox was a shoemaker by occupation, and at one time worked in Stephen Girard's shop, in Philadelphia; while lure he made for Henry Clay the pair of boots which he wore to the " Treaty of Ghent," the boots costing $40; he emigrated to Ohio in 1815, landing at Cincinnati with 50 cents in his pocket, and all his earthly possessions tied up m a silk handkerchief; from there he pushed his way northward, and finally came to a halt in (ierniantown. Montgomery County; here he engaged at his occupation for five or six years, and then moved to Preble County, where he added to his trade farming: from there he came to this county, March 18, 1839, and located in German Township, on land which he had previously purchased near the present town of Palestine; here he engaged in farming and sawmilling. He was married soon after coming to this State, to Miss Elizabeth Kester, a native of Lancaster County, Tenn.; she came to Ohio with her parents when quite small. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom have deceased; the living are as follows: James (our subject). John, Charles, David, Phebe A.. William, Elizabeth and Elijah; the deceased are Lavina, Memlius, Levi, Jeremiah and .Mary J. Mrs. Willcox departed this life October, 1855, and Mr. Willcox the 4th of February, 1856; by their deaths the community lost useful citizens and the family affectionate parents. Our subject was raised to farm labor, assisting his father in farming till he attained his majority, attending the common schools during winter months; he emigrated to this county with his parents in 1839; at the end of one year he went to Butler County, and engaged for a time at wood-chopping; while here he accidentally discovered that he could put up a barrel about as good as an experienced cooper, and accepted a proposition from a professional cooper to engage in the business; he made 430 barrels, averaging eight barrels per day as his first work; he remained in Butler County altogether about three years, and then returned to this county, engaging in saw -milling for the next eighteen years continuously and successfully; he then purchased and moved to the place where he now resides, which consists of 160 acres, the most of which he has cleared and placed in its present highty improved condition. He has been married twice: his first marriage was consummated with Miss Sarah JClendenine in June, 1841; she died five months after their marriage; his second marriage was celebrated, June 8, 1848, with Miss Elizabeth Ketring, a sketch of whose parents occurs in the biographies of this township; she was born in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox are the parents of nine children, three of whom are married: Signorette L., born Feb. 28, 1849; Alice E., Jan. 8, 1851; Marquis L., Aug. 7, 1853; Mary F., April 5, 1855, deceased Feb. 25, 1856; Percival F., May 5, 1857; Isaac N., May 3, 1859; David M., June 15, 1862; Joseph S., Dec. 27, 1864; Charles Sumner, April 12, 1861; Martha E., June 16, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the Christian Church of Palestine.

WOODS, Jesse Biographical Sketch

JESSE WOODS, farmer; P. 0. German. The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent citizens of Darke County, and a pioneer of German Township; hewas born in Virginia in 1818, and was only 2 years old when he came to this township with his parents in 1821; he is of English descent, his father, James Woods, was born in St. James' Park, London, May 25, 1767, and died at his son's, near Palestine, on the 21st day of August, 1869, aged 102 years 2 months and 26 days; his remains were laid to rest in the beautiful Palestine Cemetery, and a marble monument is reared over his grave. At the time of his birth St. James r Park was three miles out of the city, but since then the city has grown around it; he followed sea life as a sailor for about twenty years; he emigrated to America somewhere about the beginning of the present century, and settled in Virginia; in 1821, he took up his journey westward, with his family, and settled in this county, in German Township, where his son Jesse now lives; on this place he spent the remainder of his eventful life; his marriage was celebrated in Virginia; he was the father of eight children. Jesse Woods, our subject, knows what pioneer life is; he has shared in the trials and triumphs incident to such a life: he has witnessed the changes wrought in this country for over one-half century, and has applied himself persistentby and vigorously to develop its present vast resources; his duties in his youth were those of a pioneer farmer boy; his early education, so far as book knowledge is concerned, was necessarily limited, as opportunities in this direction were meager, and his time and labor principally demanded on the farm; vivid to his recollection is the appearance of the first schoolhouse which he attended; it was a " fac-simile " of the pioneer schoolhouse — the progeny of necessity, not the sound of a nail was heard in its construction, nor a glass window seen in it after its completion; his first teacher was William R. Jones, the first pedagogue in the township; he kept the characteristic " land school " of the backwoods, and his plans of punishing unruly scholars would appear as odd to-day as his methods of teaching. Mr. Woods was married in 1844, to Miss Anna Stevens: she is the daughter of David Stevens; he was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 31, 1792. and died Jan. 8, 1879; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of a number who were detailed to carry provisions from Ft. Nesbit to the Kentucky soldiers, who were on the retreat from Muncie to Ft. Greenville; they proceeded under a forced march through the wilderness, and snow knee-deep, to the relief of the brave Kentuckians. After the marriage of our subject, he remained upon the place where he was reared, and continued agricultural pursuits; through his energy and good business habits, he has been eminently successful in life; he is no political aspirant, but a few years ago was elected to the office of County Commissioner, in which capacity he served three years, discharging its duties with fidelity and satisfaction to his constituents; he positively abhors political trickery and official corruption of all kinds, and is a strong advocate of and adherent to honesty and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living.

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