842 - HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

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Prof. Franklin Eugene Reynolds,

of Waverly, Ohio, is one of the foremost educators and one of the best teachers in Southern Ohio. He was born on the twenty-fourth of January, 1870, the sixth son and eighth child of Stephen Reynolds and Maria Moore, his wife, near where the town of Peebles is, on the old Dunbar farm. His mother was a daughter of Newton Moore, one of the most successful of the Brush Creek farmers. His father was an extensive farmer and stock raiser and was very successful in each of those occupations. Our subject attended the common schools near his home until 1887, when he attended the school at Lebanon, Ohio, and graduated in the Scientific course in 1889. He began his career as a teacher in the Fall of 1889, and few have accomplished as much as he in ten years. From 1889 until 1892, he taught. District schools in the Pall and Winter in Adams and Scioto Counties.

In the Summer of 1890 and 1891, he taught a Normal school at North Liberty, Ohio, in connection with Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer of 1892, he read medicine with Dr. George F. Thomas, at Peebles. From the Fall of 1892 until June, 1895, he was principal of the High school in Manchester. In the Summers of 1893, 1894 and 1895, he taught Summer schools at Manchester in connection with Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Fall of 1895, he was elected Superintendent of the schools at Manchester, and served until June, 1899. In the Summer of 1896, he taught A Normal school at Manchester. In the Summer of 1898; he taught a Normal school at West Union in connection with Prof. J. E. Collins. In the Summer of 1899, he attended the Summer postgraduate course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In the Fall of 1899, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the schools' at Waverly, Ohio.

In December, 1895, he was granted by the State Board of School Examiners a Common School Life Certificate. In December, 1898, the same Board granted him a High School Life Certificate.. Eighty per cent. of the teachers who taught in Adams County in the years 1898 1 and 1899 had been pupils of his in the County Normals, or Summer schools. In 1897, he was one of the County School Examiners of Adams County. Mr. Reynolds is a Free Mason. He is a member of 1 the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Manchester, and of the Commandery in Portsmouth. He is also an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Prof. Reynolds is a man of strong personality and exceptional attainments in the branches of learning he has studied. His perceptions' are quick and keen. He is a disciplinarian and an organizer of 'rare 1 ability. His influence for good, wherever he has taught, has been remarkable. His administration of the Manchester schools has been the brightest in their history. While the work in the common branches under his supervision was well carried on, he introduced new subjects of study and infused in his pupils a love of them and enthusiasm in the pursuit of them. Since his location at Waverly, he has become largely instrumental in the founding of the Riverside Tri-County Teachers' Association and is its President.

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He has tireless zeal and energy in his chosen profession. He puts his whole soul into his work, and makes the tedious pursuit of learning attractive, delightful and interesting. He possesses strong will, wonderful energy and is full of confidence in his plans and projects. He has a fine constitution and excellent health. He has a sound mind in a sound body and conserves all his mental and physical forces. His carrier as a teacher fairly begun will be one of the best and most brilliant. He is a Democrat in his political principles, believing in "government of the people, by the people and for the people."

Walter Ellsworth Roberts.

"All are architects of fate

Working in these walls of time ;

Some with massive deeds and great,

Some with ornaments of rhyme;

For the structure that we raise,

Time is with material filled;

Our to-days and yesterdays

Are the blocks with which we build."

It was upon the twenty-fourth day of February, 1870, that Walter Ellsworth Roberts received the first block from Time with which to build the structure of his life. He has not yet built with "massive deeds and great," nor with "ornaments of rhyme." Though fully as well has he

 with the high prize of life, that crowning fortune of a man, which to be born with a bias to some pursuit which ever finds him in employment and happiness.

He was the youngest son of a family of eleven children, born to Isaac and Lucinda It Roberts. His ancestry will be found in the sketch of Lincoln J. Roberts, his brother. His parents, with two children, came from Virginia to Adams County, Ohio, in 1851. They purchased land

the northern part of Winchester Township, where the subject of this sketch was born and where he still resides. His childhood days were spent much the same as those of most boys upon a farm, where many people think that what boys do on a farm is of no consequence. A careful observer would see, as Charles Dudley Warner has so well expressed in his book, "Being a Boy," that "a farm without a boy would very soon come to grief."

His education was received in the District school which he attended until seventeen years of age. He then attended the North Liberty Academy and the Garret Biblical Institute of Evanston, Illinois, where his tanding in his classes was always good, having never received a grade under ninety per cent. in any study.

He united with the Seaman Methodist Episcopal Church on February 23, 1893, and was licensed a local preacher by the Quarterly Conference of Winchester charge in January, 1894. He has twice been chosen to represent his local church in the Lay Electoral Conferences, the first in 1895, at Hamilton, Ohio, and the next in 1899, at Dayton, Ohio. He has taken an active part in the Farmers' Institutes of the county, having been elected President of one session of the Institute at North Liberty, Ohio. Since 1895, he has been prominently identified with the Sabbath School work of the county, having charge of the

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Normal Department, and was the first Normal Secretary elected in the county. In November, 1898, at Russellville, Ohio, he assisted in organizing a Normal Department in the Sabbath School work in Brown county, and enrolled the first student in that county, Mrs. Sallie Webster, a missionary to Santiago, Chili, S. A.

Mr. Roberts is actively engaged in farming, having an attractive and delightful home on a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres. He is a constant reader and a great lover of books. His library is one of the largest and best in the county, and all who call at Greenway Farm will be most hospitably received and entertained and find in Mr. Roberts a gentleman of delightful social qualities.

Joseph W. Rothrock,

of Washington C. H., Ohio, was born June 7, 1839, at Mt. Leigh, in Adams County. His father was Joseph Rothrock, and his mother, Sarah McKinney. They were from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He grew up on his father's farm, and after learning out at the District schools, attended the North Liberty Academy, and afterwards at Lebanon, Ohio.

For nine years, while a boy and a youth, he was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and helped two hundred slaves to freedom. He entered the service of his country October 6, 1861, as a Private in Company B, 6oth O. V. I., a year regiment. His brother, Philip, was Captain of the company. He was in the battle of Cross Keys and at Harper's Perry. On June 25, 1863, he enlisted in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company B, and was made a Sergeant of the company, August 5, 1863. He was promoted Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company I, December 28, 1864. He was mustered out August 23, 1865. He took up his residence at WincheSter, Ohio, and began to trade in cattle.

On the seventeenth of August, 1867, he was married to Miss Effie J. Davis. He has a son, Frank, who is married and has one child. He is conducting a steam laundry at Washington C. H. He has a daughter, Anna, who resides with her father.

In 1884, he removed from Winchester, Ohio, to Washington C. H., where he has ever since resided. He is a Republican. He was born a Presbyterian and is a member of the church at Washington C. H., and a ruling elder therein.

He is genial and cordial in his disposition, ready to make friends and able to hold them. He is always interested in young people and desirous that they shall enjoy themselves. He is a man of strong business integrity and great fairness, honest and reliable in all his dealings. Those who know him best, admire him for his strong Christian character, his devotion to 'religious convictions and to his church. He is wise in counsel, gentle in manner, devoted to duty and lived his faith every day.

James Polk Roush,

merchant, of Bentonville, was born in Sprigg Township, December 29, 1842, on the farm now occupied by Michael Smith. His grandparents, Michael and Mary Frye Roush, were married in Shenandoah County,

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Virginia, in 1794, and removed to Adams County, in 1796, settling on the above mentioned farm. Michael Roush was a millwright and he built and ran a "horse mill," common in early times. It is remarkable that then Mr. Roush came to Adams County that stone was so scarce that he drove all the way down Suck Run without finding a wagon load for pillars for his house and used locust blocks instead, some of which may be seen under the old house to this day. Robert S. Roush, the father Of our subject, was born September 6, 1814, at the old place. He married Mary Ann Hook, in 1837, the fruits of which union were Dobbins, Elizabeth, James Polk, Michael, Thomas H., John H., Franklin P., William W. and George W. Mr. Roush, the subject of this sketch, received a limited education in the common schools of the township, and has given his attention mostly to farming until the last three years since which time he has been engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in Bentonville. He was married October 15, 1863, to Caroline B. McNulty, daughter of Asa McNulty, of Brown County.

The children born to them are Ida M. married to Thos. Sinniger, of Bentonville ; Anna, married to James Sinniger, of Aberdeen, Ohio; Eliza Jane, married to W. J. Flaugher, merchant, of Bentonville; George C., married to Bertha Shipley (deceased), daughter of Milton Shipley, and Frank, married to Identie Smith. Mr. Roush is a Democrat of the old school; although he has never taken any active part in politics, preferring to give his whole attention to his business, at which he has been moderately successfully. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township in 1899 without any solicitation on his part. Mr. Roush is known far and wide as a man upright in all his dealings and is rated "good" as a merchant in Bradstreet's.

Dr. W. L. Robinson,

of Blue Creek, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1835. His mother's maiden name was Emaline Whittelsey, of the well-known family of that name in the days of Robert Bruce. In 1840, he came with his parents to the Territory of Michigan, and grew to manhood on a farm in that State. He studied at the University of Michigan, and at the beginning of the Civil War entered the Union Army with the Barry Guards of Ann Arbor. He was with McClellan in the Peninsular Campaign, and received his first wound at Malvern Hill. He had his horse shot under him at Antietam while bearing dispatches from Gen. Burnside to Griffin's Park of Artillery. He was wounded a second time at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and again under Hooker at the same place. In the Summer of 1863, he was on detached duty at Louisville, Kentucky, being no longer fit for field service on account of wounds. Was discharged in the Fall of 1863, and settled in Kenton County, Kentucky, and resumed the practice of medicine. In 1875, he came to Jefferson Township, Adams County, Ohio, where he still resides and has a large and lucrative practice in his profession. He married Mary J. Taylor, a very intelligent and estimable woman. They have no children.

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Frank B. Roush,

of Bradyville, was born September 11, 1852, and is a son of William Roush and Margaret Fdgington, his wife, of Sprigg Township.

He received a good common school education and worked on his father's farm until his marriage with Miss Ella Jackson, in 1876, a daughter of Samuel Jackson and his wife, Catherine Kirker, of Liberty Township. He has, since his marriage, been engaged in farming and stock raising and is one of the wealthy farmers of Sprigg Township, owning one of the finest farms in that region. In 1897, he was nominated as the unanimous choice of his party, on the Democratic ticket for Commissioner, and was elected in November of that year, which position he is now filling to the satisfaction of his political friends, and the tax payers of the county in general. Mr. Roush is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bradyville and is trustee and steward of that organization ; and also of Brady Lodge No. 624, Knights of Pythias. He is descended from the Roush family of the old "Dutch Settlement" in Sprigg Township, one of the pioneer families of

Adams County.

W. H. R. Rowley,

of Blue Creek, better known as "Buck" Rowley, the "Bard of Blue Creek Valley," is a native Buckeye, having been born at Syracuse, Meigs County, Ohio, May 1, 1858. He spent his boyhood days in Middleport; and when in his teens removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he took up the occupation of steamboatman on the Ohio, and later made round trips from Pittsburg to New Orleans. Here he developed that free and easy manner so characteristic of "Buck" Rowley. Here he learned to take care of himself when men became turbulent, and here he learned to love native, and to appreciate her grandeur, when all was silent, save the plashing of the wheels, as the boat cut the surface of the mighty Father of Waters. In December, 1877, he came to the beautiful Blue Creek Valley in Adams County to visit a brother residing there, and he was so impressed with the region that he determined to make it his future home. A year later he married Miss O'Ella Waters, who shared his joys and sorrows till her decease in March, 1899. She bore him four children, two boys and two girls.

While not learned in books, nor skilled in art, the stronger natural ability of "Buck" Rowley asserts itself in many ways. He has accumulated a competence, is a power in local politics, and has earned some prominence in a literary way.

He is recognized in the volume titled "National Poets of America," by giving space to some of his compositions, and terming him in a biographical sketch, "The Soldier Poet."

Lincoln Johnson Roberts,

of Seaman, Scott Township, Adams County, was born June 1, 1865, in Winchester Township. His great-grandfather, Stephen Roberts, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1762. He moved into Fairfax County, Virginia, when a child. There he married Deborah Williams, who was a member of the Society of Friends. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 847

married and reared families. John Roberts, the third child, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born August 29, 1772. On the thirteenth of April, 1813, he enlisted in Captain Loudon Osborne's Company of the fth Regiment, Virginia Militia, and served for six months in the vicinity of Norfolk, Virginia. In the general call of 1814, he was again in the service and saw the British fires in the conflagration of Washington. He staid one month in the vicinity of Baltimore, and was one of the defenders, and had he remained in that vicinity, would, no doubt, have been one of the famous Society Defenders. He came to Adams County in 1835 and died there.

Isaac Roberts, the father of our subject, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, August 16, 1818. He was taught the necessity and dignity of manual labor. As a boy, he was apprenticed to a millwright in Washington County, Maryland, for three years and learned that trade. He afterwards worked at it for years and made money.

On October 18, 1846, he was married to Lucinda F. Wince, of Loudon County, Virginia, the daughter of Philip and Catherine Shaffer Wince. Mr. Roberts came to Adams County in 1850. He had eleven children, but he lost two sons and a daughter in childhood. He died in 1885.

Our subject attended the District schools, and attended the Normal school at Lebanon in 1881, 1884 and 1885. He began his career as a teacher in Adams County, and taught, when not attending school, until 1897. He was a resident of the city of Portsmouth in 1896 and 1897 and engaged in the grocery business in the Kendall Building The business was not suited to his taste and he gave it up. From 1897 to 1899, he has been a. teacher. He owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres on Buck Run in Scott Township, where he resides, and the writer having seen it, wonders why he ever left it for the city of Portsmouth, but does not wonder that he left city life and went back to the farm. He has as fine a farm and well equipped as any one would care to look upon. He owns another farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Winchester Township.

He was married May 11, 1887, to Miss Irene Chaney, of Hillsboro, Ohio, daughter of Adam L. Chaney. He has three children, Irving, aged ten years; Ralph W., aged four years, and Virginia, aged two years. His name indicates his politics. He was named for the two Presidents, Lincoln and Johnson. He is a member of the Methodist Church at Seaman, and is surrounded by everything which could make life agreeable and happy, and if he is not happy, it is not on account of outward conditions. He is a man of the highest character and principles. He was and is a successful teacher, a loyal citizen, and a prosperous farmer.

Alexander Roush,

miller, of Manchester, Ohio, was born June 27, 1847, in Sprigg Township, Adams county, Ohio, son of William and Margaret (Fdgington) Roush. Michael Roush, great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came in 1796 with the Pence and Bowman families fo established the "Dutch Settlement," in Sprigg Township. Parmenus, son Michael Roush, married Catherine Smith and raised a family of nine

848 - HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

children ; William, Michael, John, Squire, Samuel, Rachel, Cassander, Mary Ann and Elizabeth. '

William, the eldest of these, is the father of our subject. He was born April 16, 1824, and was married to Margaret Edgington, in 1849. She was the daughter of Azariah Edgington, of Sprigg Township. William Roush has been a very prosperous farmer, and is noted for his liberality in contributing toward the support of the church. He and his wife are members at Union, near Bentonville. The children of William and Margaret Roush are: Laura Ann, wife of D. C. Beam, of Bentonville, Ohio; Nancy Jane, wife of Hiram E. Pence, of Manchester, Ohio; Mary Catherine, wife of Rev. H. Allen Gaskins, of Manchester, Ohio; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Bradyville, Ohio, Commissioner, of Adams County ; Pangburn, of Coyville, Kansas ; Aaron, of Manchester, Ohio; Robert, of Bradyville, Ohio; and Sherman, of Manchester, Ohio.

Alexander Roush, subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. He was married on November 16, 1871, to Olivine Pence, daughter of David Pence. David Pence was drowned while bathing in the Ohio River at the mouth of Crooked Creek. By this marriage were born two children : Harvey, born September 16, 1872, cashier, of the Burnet House, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lillie, who married Walter Wilson. Mr. Wilson has charge of the coal office of Mr. Roush. Mrs. Roush died July 15, 1878, and on October 21, 1879, Mr. Roush married Mrs. Caroline Ellison, widow of John Fllison, of Manchester, Ohio.

Our subject remained on the farm until 1872, when he remoyed to Manchester, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1882, he entered the milling firm of Oliver Ashenhurst & Son, and since 1888 has had the entire control of the mill. Besides the mill, he carries on an extensive business in coal and salt.

Mr. Roush is one of the most enterprising citizens of Manchester, and is always found taking an active part in any project calculated to build up the business interests of the community. He is a member of Hawkeye Tribe 117, Improved Order of Red Men, at Manchester, Ohio. Also a member of 827 I. O. O. F., Encampment, No. 203, at Manchester, Ohio. In his political views he is a Democrat.

Oscar Coleman Robuck

was born April 28, 1860, near West Union, Ohio. His father was Thomas Robuck and his mother Margaret Haines. He was educated in the common schools. He is by occupation a carpenter and undertaker.

He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics. He was married to Miss Margaret Simeral, October 30, 1884. He has been a member of the Town Council, and is at present a member of the West Union School Board. He is a young man, energetic in business and well thought of by his neighbors. He is at present engaged in the undertaking business with John F. Plummer, and has by careful and upright business methods established a reputation that reaches far beyond the limits of his native county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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Orin Werret Robe, M. D.,

was born at Berea, Kentucky, December 26, 1868. His father, William was a native of Ohio, born August 10, 1847. He enlisted in Company F, 59th 0. V. I., on the sixteenth of September, 1861, and was discharged on August 5, 1862, by an order from the War Department. He enlisted again, December 18, 1863, in Battery F, First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, and was mustered out July 27, 1865. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Burdette, born in Berea, Kentucky, in 1848. He was educated in the common schools and began the study of medicine with Dr. O. B. Kirpatrick, of Cherry Fork, Ohio, at the age of eighteen. He attended the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, in the Winters of 1889 and 189o, and at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the Winters of 1890 and 1891. He graduated from the latter in the Spring of 1891. He began the practice of medicine with Dr. F. M. Gaston, at Tranquility, on the first of April, 1891. On the first of June, 1891, he located at Youngsville, Ohio, where he remained until the first of April, 1897, and that Spring he took a post-graduate course at the Miami Medical College. He located at Peebles on the first of November, 1897, where he has remained in practice ever since. He was Coroner of Adams County, Ohio, from 1894 to 1897, and was appointed one of the Pension Examining Surgeons of the county in November, 1898, which office he still holds.

He is a member of the Baptist Church. He was married May 10, 1893, to Mary Martin. They have one child, Ada F., born May 18, 1895.

As a boy and man he possessed and possesses a love of good horses. This, taste was acquired while a resident of Kentucky. He has a high sense of honor and justice. In this he much resembles his grandfather Burdette and his kinsman, Sir Francis Burdette, of England, who preferred rather go to the Tower than to make any compromise with wrong.

What success Dr. Robe has obtained has been based upon a course of right and duty and not upon diplomacy. His motto has been "not expediency, but right," and he has lived up to it all his life.

John Kelvey Richards,

Solicitor General of the United States, son of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Kelvey) Richards, was born at Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio, March 15, 1856. His father, Samuel Richards, was born near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1814, and died at Ironton, Ohio, June 30, 1891. He was of Welsh-Quaker descent, being a great-great-grandson of Rowland Richards, who was born February 9, 1660, settled in Fredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 1686, and died in 1720. In 1824, Samuel Richards came overland with his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, and in the forties moved to Lawrence County, where he lived the rest of his life. He was one of the founders of Ironton, ,being for nearly thirty years the Secretary and General Manager of the Ohio Iron and Coal Company and the Iron Railroad Company and the two corporations which laid out and built up that town. Sarah Ann Kelvey was born in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, October 9; 1827. She married Samuel Richards at Burlington, Ohio, September 15, 1852, and

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died at Ironton, Ohio, September I, 1863. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Kelvey, who was born October 1, 1763, married ( July 18, 1785) Ann Secker, said to be a niece of Thomas Seeker, Archbishop of Canterbury, and came to America about 1801. Thomas Kelvey was of Scottish origin, the name being originally McKelvey. Thomas Kelvey was a man of education and means. Coming down the Ohio, he stopped awhile with Blennerhasset, then proceeded to Maysville. Afterwards he moved to Highland County, Ohio, then to West Union, Adams County, where his wife died (March 7, 1831,) and was buried, and finally to Burlington, where he died (April 18, 1838,) at the home of his son, John. He was a watch and clock maker. Mr. John Means, of Ashland, Kentucky, has one of Thomas Kelvey's clocks. Some interesting heirlooms are in existence. Among others a miniature painted of him, probably in France, when a young man, in the costume of that day, with powdered hair, lace, ruffles, etc. Also a parchment certificate of his membership in a French Lodge of Masons, "La Lodge de L Epperance," issued May 2, 1791. In this certificate he is described as being twenty-seven years of, age and a native of Canterbury, Kent County, England. Thomas Kelvey had four children. John Seeker, born January 21, 1796; Johanna, born November 22, 1798; Thomas, born August I, 1801, and Henry, born October 3, 1805. Johanna Kelvey married John Sparks, December 21, 1820, and died September 15, 1823, at West Union. Thomas Kelvey died June 11, 1831, unmarried, and was buried at Burlington. Henry Kelvey was married, and died May 8, 1834, leaving a son, who is still residing at Granville, Ohio. John Secker Kelvey married Kerenhappuch Hussey, in Highland County, September 7, 1825, came to West Union, where he lived for several years and where his daughter Sarah was born and then with many Adams County people, moved to Lawrence County. He was a man of superior attainments for those days, was for years the. Recorder of the county and died at Burlington, July 27, 1851. His wife, who was born July 28, 1809, survived him many years, finally passing away at Columbus, January 2, 1896. She lies by his side in the Burlington graveyard. Grandmother Kelvey was in many ways a remarkable woman. She was married at sixteen, raised a large family, endured many trials, and died at eighty-six, with mental faculties unimpaired and with scarcely a gray hair in her head. She was a direct descendent of Christopher Hussey (1598-1685), one the early settlers of New England, who with Tristram Coffin and Thomas Macey, were among the original owners of Nantucket Island. Kerrenhappuch was also a descendant of the Rev. Stephen Bachiler (1561-1600) Whittier's "The wreck of Rivermouth"), who left England for Holland, and after a short residence there, came to America in the year 1632. He went first to Lynn, Massachusetts, where his daughter, Theodate, who was married Christopher Hussey, preceded. him. From Lynn, he went to Ipwich, thence to Newbury, where he lived until 1638, when he settled at Hampton, where he was installed first pastor, of the Congregational Church there. For an interesting account of this Puritan divine, the reader is referred to the life of John G. Whittier, by Prichard. He mentions the "Bachiler eves" as being dark, deep-set and lustrous, with a tendency to repeat themselves from generation to generations. Daniel Webster and John G. Whittier, who were both descendants of Bachiler, had these eyes.

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The leading events in Solicitor General Richards' life may be thus summarized : Graduated at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, 1875: graduated at Harvard College, 1877; studied law and admitted to the bar, October, 1879; Prosecuting Attorney of Lawrence County, 1880 to 1882; City Solicitor of Ironton, 1885 to 1889; Master Commissioner in the Cincinnati and Easter Railway case, 1885 ; State Senator from the Eighth Ohio District (Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs and Vinton Counties) from 1890 to 1892; Attorney General of Ohio during McKinley's administration, 1892 to 1896; member of the Commission to Codify the Insurance Laws of Ohio, 1895 to 1896 ; of the Second General Assembly of Ohio, 1896; Special Counsel of the State Board of Appraisers and Assessors of Ohio, 1896 to 1898; General Counsel of. the. State Board of Medical Registrations and Examination of Ohio, 1896 to 1898; Solicitor General of the United States from July 1, 1897, to the present time. Mr. Richards was :harried June 12, 1890, to Anna Williard Steece, of Ironton, Ohio. Two children have blessed this union, John Kelvey, Jr., born at Ironton, April 20, 1891, and Anna Christine, born at Columbus, September 29, 1894.

"Jack" Richards is an ardent Republican and has taken an active part in politics since leaving college. He has been a member of Ward, City, District and State Committees engaged in the active organization and conduct of campaigns. He has been a delegate to City, County, District, State and National Conventions. He has spoken for the Republican party on the stump throughout Ohio and in other States. On becoming State Senator. he made a study of taxation in Ohio with special reference to constitutional limitations. The accepted opinion was then that, under the Constitution of Ohio, as it stood, nothing but property could be taxed for general revenue. Accordingly when several unsuccessful attempts, at great expense, had been made to amend the Constitution and enlarge the taxing power, he took the position that no amendment was required, that rights, privileges, franchises and occupations could be taxed under the Constitution as it stood. These views have since been embodied in our' tax laws, which have added largely to the revenues of the State and have been sustained by the highest courts. Among these are the laws levying' taxes upon foreign corporations, upon telegraph, telephone and express companies, upon railroad, street railway, electric light, gas, water, pipe line and similar corporations, upon sleeping car companies, upon freight line and equipment companies, in fact practically upon all corporations, foreign and domestic, of a quasi public nature, enjoying peculiar franchises. In addition to drafting and sustaining these laws, Mr. Richards drafted the present election law of Ohio, a modification of the Australian ballot system and sustained it in the court. He drew the present law relating to the practice of medicine in Ohio, and as the counsel of the State Medical Board maintained its validity in the courts. He sustained the constitutionality of the Compulsory Education law of Ohio in the Supreme Court, and subsequently redrafted the law, putting it in its present form. As Solicitor General, he is the representative of the Government before the Supreme Court of the United States and has argued the more important cases which have been submitted to that court during the present administration. In doing this, he has had to meet the leaders of the bar from every section of the country, but has

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been no less fortunate in the results than he was as Attorney General of Ohio. Notable among the cases now are the Joint Traffic Association case (171 U. S., 505) argued for the railroad by Mr. Carter, the leader of the New York bar, Mr. Phelps, Ex-Minister to England, and Ex- Senator Fdmunds, of Vermont; the case of Nichol v. Anns (173 U. S., 509), involving the validity of the Federal Tax on sales at exchange and board ' of trade in which Ex-Secretary Carlisle and Mr. Robbins, of Chicago, presented the opposition to the law and the Addyston pipe case in December, 1899, in which the Sherman anti-trust law was first applied to an industrial combination.

Major William Lewis Shaw,

the subject of this sketch, was born near Lexington, Ky., on the twenty-seventh day of September, 1832. His father, Joseph Russell Shaw, was a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and his mother, Rachel Corns, was a native of Pike County, Ohio. They were married in Pike County, June 20, 1830.

His boyhood and youth, to manhood, were spent mainly on a farm in Adams County, and his advantages for an education were limited to the opportunities offered in those days by the Public schools.

By special diligence and good use of the time usually allowed the farmer's boy for attending school, he prepared himself to teach in the Public schools. He received his first certificate from J. M. Wells (afterward a prominent attorney of West Union), and taught his first school in what was known as Gilbert's District, in the northwestern part of the county in the Winter of 1852 and 1853. He followed the occupation of a teacher of Public schools and in attending school until 1861. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he was a member of the junior class of Antioch College, then under the presidency of Horace Mann. He left his studies in the early Spring of 1862 and raised a company in Greene County, Ohio. The company was assigned to the I 10th O. V. I., and he was chosen the First Lieutenant of it. On August 7, 1862, he was detailed as Aide-de-camp on Gen. Elliot's Staff, Third Division, Third Army Corps, on November 14, 1863 ; he was promoted Captain of Company E, December 9, 1864. On April 2, 1865, he was brevetted Major for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field. This was Gen. J. Warren Keifer's regiment, and it was in no less than twenty-four battles and engagements, beginning with Union Mills, June 13, 1863, and ending with Appomattox, April 9, 1865. He was discharged June 26, 1865, and returned to Yellow Springs, Ohio, and received his college degree of A. B. From this time until April, 1876, he was engaged in Public school work as a teacher or superintendent till April, 1876, when he was appointed Superintendent of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, at Xenia, Ohio. He remained in this position for two years, until the Summer of 1884, when he was displaced by a change of the State administration. In the Spring of 1885, he was employed by the Commissioners of Adams County to superintend the finishing and opening of the Children's Home, which he did to their entire satisfaction. He is now and has been for some time past the lessee and manager of the Cherry Hotel at Washington C. H., one of the most popular hotels in the State. In all matters for the

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public good, he is one of the foremost of his city, and is most highly esteemed as a successful business man and an enterprising and public spirited citizen. His political views from boyhood were always very positive and unswerving. His father belonged to the anti-slavery wing of the Whig party. This fact, supplemented by personal observation of the evil effect of slavery on the social conditions of both races, the injustice to the colored man and injury to the material prosperity of the South, confirmed him in his opposition to the institution. At the disruption of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Republican party and has always strenuously advocated its principles. He never sought nor held a political office.

The theological and religious views were Unitarian, and formed along the line of the teachings of Theodore Parker, Edward Everett Hale, Horace Mann, Thomas Hill, and others of like views,

On the twelth day of August, 1852, he was married to Rachel Jane Gutridge, daughter of James Gutridge, a citizen of Concord Township, Highland County, Ohio.

The Hon. John Little, of Greene County, says of him : "There is no better citizen than Major W. L. Shaw. He served his country kithfully and well in the Civil War. As a business man, he ranks among the first."

Gen. J. Warren Keifer, with whom he served, says of him : "He was devoted to his duties as Adjutant General and Inspector General while serving on my staff in the Civil War. He was efficient, intelligent and tireless. There was no better officer of his rank in the Volunteer Army."

Hon. James Sloane

was born February 22, 1822, ih Richmond, Virginia. His parents were from near Belfast, in Ireland, and were Presbyterians. They had located in Richmond, Va., but a short time prior to the birth of their son, James. In 1827, they removed to Cincinnati, and in 1828, to a farm near Fayetteville, Brown County, Ohio.

James Sloane was raised a typical farmer's son. He worked hard all Summer and attended District school in Winter. At seventeen, he received a severe injury, caused by a log rolling on his side and fracturing his ribs, from which he never fully recovered. In 1839 and 1840, he taught school in Brown and Clinton Counties. In 1840, he began the study of law with Judge Barclay Harlan, in Wilmington, Ohio, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1844. In 1845, he located in Hillsboro and began practice. In 1845, he was married to Miss Kate White, of Ross County, who bore him two sons, one of whom is Ulric Sloane, the eloquent advocate, now a resident of the city of Columbus, but well known to all the people of Adams County. In 1856, James Sloane was elected a Common Pleas Judge in the Fifth Judicial District on the Democratic ticket, but resigned after one year's service. He felt that he was made for the bar and not for the bench, and while his fellow members of the bar were of the opinion that he made an excellent Judge, he felt that the bar suited him better. He practiced law in Highland, Ross, Fayette, Brown, Clinton and Adams Counties. When the war broke out he organized Company K, 12th 0. V. L, three months service,

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and went out as its Captain. He was wounded April 2o, 1861, and mustered out July 6, 1861, to accept appointment as Captain in Company K, 12th O. V. I., three years' service. He was severely wounded in the West Virginia campaign, at Scary Creek, July 17, 1861. His health broke down and he resigned November 25, 1861. He soon learned, after going into the army, that the injury received at the age of seventeen prevented him from performing the duty of a soldier and hence his enforced retirement. He practiced law in Hillsboro until 1868, when he opened an office in Cincinnati where he remained until 1871, when he returned to Hillsboro. He died September 17, 1873, of congestion of the brain. He possessed high degree of natural talent. His mind was always clear and he possessed great analytic power. He was capable of great and continued mental effort and seemed to take pleasure in it.

He had a remarkable memory and a fertile imagination. In his temperament he was warm and impetuous. He was an eloquent and powerful advocate. His success was brilliant, but with it all, he was a misanthrope and given to fits of melancholy. He could be a delightful companion if he chose, but did not often so choose. His last days were clouded by his fits of melancholy and he stood aloof from most of his friends. He is remembered by the bar in the counties before mentioned as a lawyer of wonderful power and application.

Hon. Emmons B. Stivers.

Emmons Buchanan Stivers, a son of Liffey Stivers and his wife, Barbara Reynolds, was born in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio, May 6, 1857. When in his fourth year his parents removed to a farm near Ash Ridge, Jackson Township, Brown County, where he was reared and where he received the rudiments of an English education in the District schools. In 1876, he began teaching school as a profession and followed it with remarkable success for fifteen years, having in the mean time taken a course in the Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio, then under the control of President Alfred Holbrook.

In 1882-3, he had charge of the academy at North Liberty, Adams County, and in the Autumn of the latter year waS elected Superintendent of Schools at West Union, receiving the highest Salary ever paid in that position. On December 27, 1883, he was married to Miss Ida McCormick, a daughter of William McCormick, near Tranquility, Adams County. While a resident of West Union, Mr. Stivers edited and published The Index, afterwards merged into The Democratic Index, a newspaper of wide circulation. He also, in 1885, published his "Outlines of United States History," and a hand-book for teachers, titled "Recreations in School Studies," which has reached its tenth edition.

Having undertaken the study of the law in the office of Hon P. D. Bayless, while residing in West Union, in the Autumn of 1887, Mr. Stivers removed to Cincinnati to complete his course, and in 1888 he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio.

In 1890, his health failing, he removed to his farm near his boyhood home in Brown County, where he now resides, looking after his farming interests, his publications, and his legal practice.

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In 1895, Mr. Stivers was elected by the Democratic party to represent Brown County in the Ohio Legislature, and he was re-elected to that position in 1897. In 1899, he was elected to the Ohio Senate from the 2d-4th District, composed of the counties of Brown, Clermont, Butler and Warren, which position he is now holding. From 1897 to 1899, he represented the Sixth Congressional District as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Stivers was placed on the most important committees such as the judiciary, Railroads and Telegraphs, Insurance, Fees and Salaries, and Municipal Affairs.

He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the K. of P. His domestic relations are most happy, and he has four bright and interesting children. His son, Ulric Stivers, was a Page in the 73rd Session of the Ohio Senate, at the age of nine years, being the younget lad ever chosen to that position. He was chosen by the unanimous vote of the Senate regardless of politics, after the customary minority party Page had been appointed by the President of the Senate.

Joseph Patterson Smith.

Among the sons of Adams County, Ohio, who attained to position of prominence, perhaps the subject of this sketch was most widely known.

Joseph Patterson Smith, son of John M. and Matilda A. (Patterson) Smith, was born in West Union, August 7, 1856, and received the principal part of his education in the Public schools of his native place. He had a retentive mind and was especially proficient in mathematics and history. From his father, he inherited a splendid memory and a love of statistics, and from his mother an energy and ambition that were characteristic of the man in later years. Like many of his companions, during the Summer months in his youth, he learned the only trade for .which an opportunity was offered in West Union—that of a printer. At about the age of sixteen, he was employed for a few months in a nail mill at Bellaire, Ohio, but his constitution was too delicate for such an occupation, and it was abandoned. For a time, he attended the University at Greencastle, Ind., supporting himself by labor at the printing case during the evening hours. Subsequently he taught for a few terms in the Ditrict schools of Ohio and Illinois.

From early boyhood, beginning with the "Reconstruction Period," Mr. Smith evinced a strong love for politics, and was noted among his townsmen for his knowledge and understanding of the questions at issue, and for his ardent Republicanism, long before he attained his majority. As an occasional local correspondent, he attracted the attention of the editor of the Cincinnati Commercial, and was employed by him as a "special" to travel over the State, in 1876, and write up the political outlook in each of the Congressional Districts. In this manner he became acquainted with the leading Ohio Republicans (of whom Major McKinley was one) and formed lasting friendships with many of those who afterwards became noted in history of the State and Nation. From that time, until the date of his death, Joseph P. Smith was a prominent factor in Ohio politics. Almost wholly through his own exertions, Mr. Smith was successful in becoming the Republican caucus nominee and

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was elected Journal Clerk of the Senate in the Sixty-fifth assembly. He was also for a time a Clerk in the Roster D State Adjutant General's Office.

At different times during the years covering and immediately following these periods, he edited the Western Star at Lebanon, the want Courier at Batavia, and the New Era at West Union. In 1888; became part owner and editor of the Daily Citizen, of Urbana, gained a reputation under his management extending beyond the fines of the State. The Citizen was the first newspaper to advocate selection of William McKinley as the Gubernatorial candidate of the publican party, and his name was kept at the head of its editorial columns from the day following Major McKinley's defeat for Congress in the famous gerrymandered district, in 1890, until his triumphant election for Governor of Ohio, in 1891. A number of the campaign documents used by the Republican State Committee that year (as were a number in subsequent years and also in the National campaign of 1896) were prepared by Joseph P. Smith. Throughout the period of his con' trol of the Citizen its editorials were widely quoted.

In 1891, the late John A. Cockerill, then editor-in-chief of the New York World, tendered Mr. Smith a position on the editorial staff of that paper; but the flattering offer, while appreciated as a gracious compliment, was declined, as he did not want to leave the State. A tender of the editorship of the Toledo, Ohio, Daily Commercial was accepted in Dec. of that year. While serving on the latter paper (in 1892), Governor McKinley appointed him State Librarian. Many useful, rare and valuable works were added to the library during his incumbency of the office. Especially is this true as to works of reference. In May, 1896, he resigned the librarianship to take a confidential position with Major McKinley, remaining with him throughout the Presidential campaign and until after the latter's inauguration as President of the United States, March 4, 1897.

It is a fact, which none acquainted with the circumstances will dispute, that no other individual in the State did more to bring about the nomination of Major McKinley to the Presidency than Joseph P. Smith. Such was his love and esteem for the man that his every energy was exerted to the end that his friend might become the head of the Nation. His private papers, covering the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896, now in possession of Mrs.. Smith's executor and held as a legacy for his children, show that he was in correspondence and close touch with leading Republicans in every State and Territory in the Union during these years. No young man had a more extensive acquaintance, and none ever made more strenuous efforts to redeem all political promises. He was a thorough organizer and could see further into the effects of a political move than almost any other person engaged therein. And yet no one ever heard him boast of his influence, or personally claim to have done anything superior to that of the ordinary party worker. His mind was a veritable encyclopedia of political information and a magazine of reminisences of the politics and the politicians of the past and present

On March 29, 1897, the President tendered Mr. Smith the position of Director of the Bureau of the American Republics, and his action

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was approved by the Executive Committee of the Bureau. As the official head of this department, he was making its influence felt throughout the nineteen Republics included in. its organization, and, had his life been spared, he undoubtedly would have been instrumental in more firmly uniting them to their mutual commercial benefit, and thus have more effectually carried out the original conception of the late James G. Blaine, as he outlined it at the Pan-American Congress in 1889-1890.

During his brief life, and aside from his other duties, Joseph P. Smith edited several works, including "The Speeches of William McKinley," which attained a wide circulation. He wrote numerous short articles of a political and historical nature, a biography of the President :or Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia for 1897, and a "History of the Republican Party of Ohio." Several contemplated works in various states of preparation were among his papers at the time of his death.

Never of the most robust health, but kept up for years by a wonderful will power, Mr. Smith was compelled to seek for rest and restoration of health in October, 1897. After battling bravely against a combination of diseases, and after seemingly having conquered them, death came suddenly on the morning of February 5, 1898, at Miami, Florida, where he had been taken by friends during the previous December.

On April 14, 1886, Joseph P. Smith and Miss Maryneal Hutches, of Galveston, Texas, were married at the home of the bride's parents. Several children were born to this union, namely, Frank Hutches, at Galveston, Texas ; Virginia Patterson, at Batavia, Ohio ; Antoinette Barker, Mary Stow, John Michell, William McKinley, and Joseph Patterson, at Urbana. The last named was but five months old when his father died.

Maryneal Hutches Smith was born at Galveston, Texas, March 1860. She was educated at Abbott Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, graduating in June, 1878. After her marriage, she resided for a time in Columbus, then in Batavia, and for the last ten years of her life in Urbana. Under the terms of her husband's will, she was left sole executrix of his estate and guardian of her children. Being a woman of brilliant mind and attainments, and endowed with a wonderful ambition, she accepted the trust, and planned to make the futures of her children all that was anticipated and contemplated by her deceased husband. In June, 1898, without solicitation on her part, President McKinley appointed Mrs. Smith to the position of Postmistress of the city of Urbana, Ohio. She was performing the duties of this office with credit and ability, as was evidenced by the improvements in the office and the increase in its receipts, when the death summons came immediately and, almost without warning. She died at her home in Urbana of apoplexy on the afternoon of September 12, 1898, or but a little more than seven months after the death of her husband. Thus, within that short space of time, the several children were deprived of the care of the parents who were generous and indulgent to a fault. Together the earthly forms of their parents are resting in a beautiful plat in lovely Oakdale cemetery at Urbana.

At the time of his death the whole press of Ohio, and all the leading newspapers of the Nation, regardless of party, for he was recognized by the Democrats as an honorable opponent, and had warm personal

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friendships among them, spoke only in praise of Joseph P. Smith. Of the expressions used, no more candid and truthful portrayal of his life and character can be found than is contained in this extract from the Canton, Ohio Repository, of February 5, 1898:

"Supremely faithful and loving to his family, combined with his beautiful qualities of heart and brighest of bright intellects, his greatest virtue was his unfaltering loyalty to the cause of which were enshrined his brightest earthly hopes and ambitions.

"Had his physical body possessed the strength to support his indomitable energy in the assiduous application of his remarkable intellect, few men would have equalled him in possibilities of attainment.

"His fertile head was a vertiable store house. History, ancient and modern, were constant and living pictures in his always lively memory. His brain seemed incandescent with the knowledge almost of the world, when ripe occasion made its demands on his resourceful mind. When working in the cause he loved the most, he knew no night or day. Sleep could only come when utter physical exhaustion forced tired nature to assert herself. * * * * *

"He was firm in the faith of Everlasting Peace to come. In Canton, in his tribute to a friend who had gone from earth, he wrote in paraphrase:

"Tears for the living.

Love for the dead."

"And yet, many is the heart that grieves, and myriad are the eyes that glisten today upon receiving the news from Florida at the taking away of an intellect so bright and a character so lovely, just as fame and fortune were at his feet in recognition of eminently patriotic service."

Andrew Jackson Stivers

was the second son of Robert Stivers, and Jane Meharry. Until his eighteenth year, he lived on his father's farm. Here under the prayerful guidance of his pious mother, many lessons of patience and economy were learned ; and the foundation for his future successful business career was laid. In 1836, he removed to Ripley, where his faithfulness and uprightness of character soon established for him a permanent place as a business man and a citizen. In 1847, he began his long and successful career as a banker ; at that time the first bank in Ripley was founded, and for almost fifty years he was intimately associated with the Farmers' National Bank and Citizens' National Bank.

Mr. Stivers was married in 1845 to Miss Harriet Newall McClain. After six years of married life, Mrs. Stivers died in August, 1851. Mr. Stivers was united in marriage a second time, December 13, 1859, to Miss Catherine Maddox, who proved a faithful and loving wife through years of unusual happiness and prosperity, and who still survives him. The mantle of Mr. Stivers' unselfishness and prosperity has fallen upon his two surviving sons, John Robert and Frank Alexander Stivers, who are substantial business men of Ripley, Ohio, the latter being now President of the Citizens' National Bank, with which his father was connected for so many years. As a loving and devoted husband, a kind and generous

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father, a broad and honest business man and a loyal Christian gentleman, no words of eulogy are sufficient to express the nobility of character of Andrew Jackson Stivers, the subject of this sketch.

Andrew Jackson Stivers came from a long line of Virginia patriots and sturdy Irish ancestors. His grandfather, John Savers, a native of Virginia, was born in 1764. He served his country in the Revolutionary War, as a member of the Virginia Militia, before he was sixteen years of age. Robert Stivers, father of A. J. Stivers, was born March 26, 1789, in Westmoreland County, Pa. He served as a Volunteer in the War of 1812, as an Ensign of Lieutenant Daniel Coe's Company, First Regiment, Col. Edward's Ohio Militia, on a general call to Sandusky.

At the time of enlistment, he was a resident of Adams County, having come with his parents from Virginia to Brownsville (then Redstone), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and settled near Manchester. It was here that Robert Stivers met Jane Meharry, and in 1815 they were married in Liberty Township.

Jane Meharry was a native of Ireland, born February 3, 1790, and came to this country in May, 1794, with her father, Alexander Meharry, and her stepmother, Jane Meharry. The family settled at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in July, 1794, and in April, 1799, removed to Kentucky and shortly afterwards to Adams County, Ohio.

To Robert and Jane Stivers were born four sons and four daughters. Robert Stivers died July 12, 1855, and Jane Stivers died April 10, 187o. Both are buried in Briar Ridge cemetery, this county.

Isaac Smalley

was born August 4, 1825, the youngest son of Willian and Esther Smalley, near Jaybird, in Adams County, on the same farm on which he died, December 21, 1899. He was a farmer all his life and had no ambition for public office. He was a prominent Free Mason. He was married January 24, 1848, to Miss Hannah Parks, who survived him. She was a daughter of John and Fliza Parks, both of Hillsboro, Highland County. He and his wife lived on the same farm for fifty-two years.

They had four children, three daughters and a son, Ora, who resides with his mother. As a farmer, Mr. Smalley was very successful and accumulated a competence. He was very fond of rearing live stock and especially horses, He was an excellent judge of horseflesh. He never held any office except that of Trustee of his Township. He was conservative in all his views and actions.

He was strong in his feelings of either love or hate, but was highly respected in the entire circle of his acquaintances. He could have had a summer resort and village on his home farm on account of its remarkable medicinal and pure water springs, located on it, but preferred to dispense with those improvements and to be undisturbed on his farm surrounded by some of the finest scenery in Adams County.

Alexander B. Steen.

Alexander Boyd Steen, the fourth son and seventh child of Alexander and Agnes Nancy Steen, a twin brother of John W. Steen, was born near Flemingsburg, Ky., May 5, 1813. He was brought by his parents to Ohio in

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1820, and resided in the same locality, three miles northeast of Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, almost seventy-five years. He was a child of the Covenant, descended from a long line of staunch Scotch-Irish Presbyterian ancestors, who had endured persecution and suffered imprisonment for their religious faith. He was a most saintly man, greatly beloved by all who knew him, and his gentle manner, sweet devotion and absorbing zeal reminded one of the Apostle Saint John. He occupied comparatively a humble sphere in life, but no man in all that region extended a wider religious influence than he. In private conversation, his spiritual insight and heavenly-mindedness was elevating to the soul. His faith in God's Word was unbounded, and the Divine promises were to him, living realities. He was no mere dreamer, thinking of future glory, but insisted upon the faithful performance of the practical duties of every day. He was not a learned man, but was more familiar with the English Bible than many professors of theology. He would quote from memory the verse and chapter of the Bible to substantiate his position upon any subject of conversation. By a fall, some years before his death, he was severely injured in the hips, which largely confined him to the house. He spoke of this afterwards as a special blessing, inasmuch as it gave him a better opportunity to study the Scriptures. He brought up his family of eight children in the fear of the Lord and all became members of the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church with which he was connected for more than fifty years. He died at his home near Winchester, Ohio, March 8, 1895, aged eighty-one years, ten months and three days. His body rests in the cemetery at Mt. Leigh. Alexander B. Steen was married by the Rev. Robert Stewart, March 29, 1838, to Miss Nancy Jane McClure, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth McClure. She was born in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, September i1, 1821, and died March 18, 1893, aged seventy-one years, five months and seven days.

Samuel Cummings Stevenson,

of Grimes Postoffice, was born March 11, 1838, in the old double log cabin at the mouth of Bayou Manyoupper, below the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, the last bayou on the trip from New Orleans to Pittsburgh. His father was Richard Stevenson, a son of John Stevenson, a native of Donegal, Ireland, who made his escape to America at the time of the Emmett Rebellion, and built the double log cabin on the site of the old stone house at Pleasant Bottoms, at mouth of Ohio Brush Creek. Richard Stevenson was born October II, 1798, in the old cabin above mentioned on the old Stevenson farm. He married Sarah Cummings, a daughter of Captain Samuel Cummings, of Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the Stevenson home on the Ohio. He was a boat carpenter, and for years built flatboats at the mouth of Brush Creek and cordelled them to Kenhawah Licks, where they were loaded with salt for New Orleans. He lived at the mouth of the bayou till 1838, when he built the present brick residence, now the home of the subject of this sketch. He died July 7, 1855.

Samuel C. Stevenson, the subject of this sketch, followed steamboating on the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and was a captain of vessels for many years. He first married MiSs Maggie Lovell, of Lewis County,

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Kentucky January 31, 1866. She died September 2, 1871, and afterwards, October 15, 1873, he married Miss Joanna B. Shumaker, daughter of the late Captain J. H. Shumaker, of Mason City, W. Va., who was "killed by an explosion on the steamer Brilliant, at Gallipolis Island, August

1878. Captain Stevenson has "hove anchor" from Pittsburgh to the Gulf of Mexico, experiencing thrilling adventures that would fill a volume. He is now retired from the river, and enjoys life at his home on the beautiful Ohio at Pleasant Bottoms. He is the owner of Wilson's or Brush Creek Island, where persons from the surrounding towns and villages spend the heated season outing and fishing under the direction of the genial Captain.

A few years ago, a party of young men from Winchester camped at `Brush Creek island to spend some time fishing in Brush Creek and the Ohio River. Nicholas Lockwood, a member of the party, was drowned in the Ohio while bathing, and his companions made futile efforts to re- 'cover the body. Captain Stevenson was called on to assist in the search and he discovered the body of young Lockwood rolling on the bottom of. the river in several feet of water—the river being low and the water clear. He dived and secured a hold on the body and by almost superhuman efforts conveyed it to the shore unassisted.

The Captain is one of the best known citizens of the county and numbers his friends by the score. In politics, he is a Democrat of the Jefferson type.

Francis M. Spear,

of Manchester, was born August 21, 1843, on Eagle Creek, in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio. When one year of age, his parents, Spencer Spear and Harriet Coburn, moved to Huntington Township in that county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He was for years engaged in the white burley leaf tobacco trade and was one of the most prominent dealers in the Ohio white burley district. in 1893, he removed to Manchester, where he purchases and handles white burley leaf. Since residing there he has been elected Trustee of Manchester Township and Mayor of the town of Manchester. While serving as Mayor, he instituted and maintained a rigid warfare against the evil doers of that town with the result of a decided change in favor of morality and good order. Some of his decisions and rulings caused much comment at the time but he was sustained in the higher courts.

In politics, Mr. Spear is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, in 1864. He served in the 26th O. V. C., and took part in the pursuit and capture of the famous raider, General John Morgan, in his invasion of the North in 1863, an account of which is in this volume. While not a member of any church, Mr. Spear leans toward the Disciples organization, and is a firm supporter of the principles of morality and temperance.

Robert Amasa Stephenson

is a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Manchester. He was born near Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, August 11, 1838, and comes of a family of Irish origin, which was established in America about 1750, its representatives settling in Sussex County, Delaware. Captain John Stephenson, the great-grandfather of our subject, commanded a sailing

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vessel which made trips between the Emerald Isle and Atlantic ports in the United States. His family lived in this country, and his son William, when a youth of seventeen, years, ran away from home to avoid going on a sea voyage with his father.

William Stephenson afterwards settled in . Pennsylvania, near the town of York, where he married. At the breaking out of the Revolution, he joined the Colonial army and served until American independence was achieved, after which he removed with his family to Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. About 1793, he joined a party of emigrants destined for Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. Among the number was a Mr. Kilpatrick with his two motherless little girls. During the trip Kilpatrick was killed by an attacking party of Indians, and William Stephenson took charge of and cared for the orphans. One of them afterwards became the wife of his son, Colonel Mills Stephenson. The party proceeded to the town of Washington, founded by the noted Indian scout of that day, Simon Kenton, William Stephenson remained in Kentucky until 1798, when he crossed the Ohio and located his land warrant for services in the Revolution, on Eagle Creek, in Adams, now Brown County, where he erected a cabin and passed the remainder of his eventful career.

On reaching manhood, Colonel Mills Stephenson married Miss Kilpatrick, as above stated, and settled on a farm near his father. He was a leading spirit in Southern Ohio in affairs of business and politics, and in the second war with England served with the rank of Colonel, and built old. Fort Stephenson, named in his honor, the post so heroically defended afterwards by young Croghan, where now stands the town of Fremont, Ohio. Colonel Stephenson was one of the early Sheriffs of Adams County before the formation of Brown County. He afterwards became interested in the milling business near Ripley, and built and ran flatboats from that point to New Orleans. On one of these trips he contracted a fever and died at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1823. Colonel Stephenson and his first wife had born to them the following children; Ephriam, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Wallace, of Ottawa, Illinois ; Charlotte, who died at the age of twenty years ; Young, who became a steamboat captain on the Ohio, and who, during the Mexican War, was in the employ of the Government, transporting supplies from New Orleans to Matamoras, Mexico, where he died in 1847 ; and Lemuel, a steamboat engineer, who followed the river for years. In 1857, he quit the river and opened a hotel in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, where he died in 1862.

Robert Prettyman Stephenson, the father of our subject, was born rn Ripley, Ohio, June 22, 1801, and died February 23, 1884. His wife (nee Mary Wallace) passed away August 13, 1883. They were married September 23, 1819, and had seven children.

Robert A. Stephenson, whose name heads this record, spent his childhood days at the old homestead, and in September, 1861, entered the United States Army as a medical cadet. He was then stationed at Georgetown, D. C., where he remained until September, 1862, when he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in 1863. He soon after was made Assistant Surgeon, and was assigned

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to duty with the Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, then at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He thus served .until May, 1865, when he. was commissioned Surgeon and almost immediately afterwards appointed Brigadier Surgeon by General George P. Buell. At the close of the war, he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 25, 1865. While in front of Atlanta, on the twelfth of August, 1864, he was severely wounded in the head by a piece of shell, and yet suffers from the injury. He was present at all the engagements in which the Sixty-ninth Regiment participated after April 20, 1863, and did much good service in healing the pounds and allaying the, pains of those that rebel lead had injured. At the close of the war, Dr.. Stephenson returned to the private practice of his profession, locating in Bentonville, Adams County, where he remained until 1873. in that year he removed to Manchester, where he has resided ever since, engaged in the successful labors of his chosen profession.

In politics the Doctor has always been a Jeffersonian Democrat, and when Cleveland becameo President, was appointed by him United States Examining Surgeon on the Board of Pension Examiners for Adams County, serving until 1889. He was again appointed to the position in 1893, during President Cleveland’s second administration. On November 7, 1899, he was elected Auditor of Adams County on the Democratic ticket, and now holds that responsible position.

The Doctor was married October 27, 1867, to Miss Arcada Hopkins, daughter of William E. and Eliza (Brittingham) Hopkins. They had born to them William Prettyman, July 31, 1868; Mary, August 26, 1872 ; Robert Ellison, July 17, 1879, who was accidentally killed while duck hunting on Brush Creek Island, December 29, 1897; and Ralph, born May 16, 1884.

The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of George Collings Post,- Np. 432, G. A. R. He is a close student of his profession, an untiring worker; and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have placed him in the front rink among his professional brethren in Adams County. In stature; he is above the medium, strongly knit frame, inclined to corpulency, of vital-sanguine temperament, a rather strong face, and withal good personal appearance. He is sociable and courteous in his daily intercourse with his fellow men, and active and earnest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the community in which he resides.

William Jeptha Shelton

was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 29, 1842. He is the son of William Shelton. At the age of three years, his father moved into Adams County. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the District school.

On the sixteenth of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 70th O. V. I. He was appointed Corporal, October 31, 1862, and Sergeant, April 3o, 1864, He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was mustered out of the service August 14, 1865. He was wounded in the left shoulder at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. He was first duty Sergeant after his appointment, and in the last year of the war often had command of the company. He was with Major William B. Brown when he was killed, August

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3, 1864, before Atlanta, Georgia. For a list of the battles in which he participated see the article on the 70th 0. V. I., in this work.

He has always been a Republican. He cast his first vote, while in the service, for John Brough for Governor of Ohio. He connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865. He was elected Recording Secretary of his Quarterly Conference, and has held that office ever since. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township on the Republican ticket in 1895, and served two years.

On October 28, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucinda Lawrence, daughter of Jacob G. Lawrence. He has four children. His eldest daughter, Mary, is at home. His second daughter, Edith, is the wife of Henry Scott. His third daughter, Bertha, is the wife of Charles Little. His son, William L., married a Miss Games, and is a farmer. Both his sons-in-law are farmers. Mr. Shelton is one of the best farmers in the county, stands well in the estimation of all who know him, and is a citizen of the highest standing.

Lawrence M Spargur

was born at Marshal, Highland County, Ohio, July 19, 1854, the son of Alfred and Catherine (Elliot) Spargur. His grandfather, Henry W. Spargur, was from North Carolina. He came to Ohio in 1833, locating near Spargur's Mills in Highland County. He married Susan Roberts. Alfred Spargur, their third son, is the father of our subject, He had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Lawrence W., above, is the eldest. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. He labored on the farm and taught school until he was twenty-four years of age. Then he married Miss Ella E. Pulse. There were three children of this marriage, Jane C., Inez and Fred, Inez is deceased. The wife died October 16, 1889. From 1878 to 1889, he was engaged in farming. At the latter date, he sold his farm and located at Seaman, Ohio, when there were but nine dwellings in the place. At Seaman, he entered into partnership in the mercantile business with John I. Rhoads, and this continued until 1893, when he purchased Mr. Rhoad's interest and since has been conducting the business alone.

On May 19, 1892, he was married to Miss Nettie Foster, daughter of Robert and Susan Grigg Foster, of Irvington, Since. July 1, 1897, he has been conducting the "Spargur House," hotel and livery stable in connection therewith. In February, 1898, he engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business in partnership with William Crissman under the name of Spargur & Crissman. He was elected a Justice of the Peace in Scott Township in 1898. In politics, he is a Republican. He is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Seaman and is a steward and trustee. He is Superintendent of the Sunday School of the church.

He is a man full of industry, energy and pluck. In everything for the good of the community, he is at the front. His traits of character are all the very best. He is a valuable man in the church, in business, and as a citizen, and moreover, every man who knows him, regards him just as we have stated.

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Charles S. Sparks

was born in West Union, Ohio, June 10, 1868. His father was Salathiel Sparks, born November 20, 1829, and his mother was Clara Post, born June 6, 1849. His grandfather, George Sparks, was born in Virginia, May 16, 1794, and died at Wet Union, December 3o, 1839. His great,. grandfather, Salathiel Sparks, was born in 1756, and died at West Union, July 20, 1823. The latter located at West Union in 1804 and purchased from Robert Wood one hundred acres of land, now known as "Byrd's Addition to West Union." Salathiel Sparks had a Son John, the well known banker of West Union in its early days. This John, who has a sketch elsewhere, married Sarah Sinton, sister of David Sinton, of Cincinnati.

Our subject was educated in the Public schools in West Union and graduated there in 1888. In the Summer of that year and of 1889, he attended Normal school at West Union. In the Summer of 1889, he began the study of law in the office of Captain David Thomas, and in the Winters of 1888 and 1889, attended the law school of Cincinnati and graduated on May 28, 1890. The next day he was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He located in Cincinnati for the practice of law, June 20, 1890. He has served as Acting Prosecutor in the Police Court and as Acting Judge of the same court.

In politics, Mr. Sparks is a strong and active Republican. He has been a speaker in the State and National campaigns and has been a delegate to the State Convention of his party for five years in succession. He is a member of the Blaine Club of Cincinnati and of the Stamina League of the same city, and was at one time President of the Board of Directors in the latter.

On November 21, 1896, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Barclay, of Brooklyn, New York. She was born December 17, 1879, in the city of Oldham, England. They have one child, a daughter, Dorothy Grace, born April 15, 1898. His wife's great-uncles were members of the House of Lords of the British Parliament.

He is a man of high mental capacity, self-educated. He is studious, generous, and pronounced in his likes and dislikes. As a citizen, he is broadminded and liberal, ever regardful of the rights of others and prompt in the performance of all duties. As a lawyer, he is quick, persevering, bold, aggressive, and makes the interest of his clients his own. He is well read in the law, eloquent, and sometimes sarcastic. Without friends, influence or social advantages, he attempted to practice law in Cincinnati, and by his own personality has built up a good practice.

Oliver Thoroman Sproull, M. D.,

of Bentonville, Ohio, was born January 5, 1863, near Dunkinsville, Ohio, on the farm now occupied by his parents, Robert C. and Sarah (Thoroman) Sprouli.

William Sproull, great-grandfather of our subject, was a Scotchman by birth, but emigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland, from whence he embarked for America, August 1, 1793, on the Brig "Cunningham," sailing for North Carolina. The brig was twice overhauled on the voyage by

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pirates sailing under the colors of French Men-of-War. The passengers lost all of their belongings except a few pieces of gold that Mrs. Sproull had-concealed in her hat. One of these "pirate" vessels proved to be an American privateersman from Baltimore, where the Sproulls and their confiscated goods were brought to instead of North Carolina, the destination of the "Cunningham." Mr. Sproull, being a Free Mason and finding friends in Baltimore, was enabled to recover that part of his property, consisting of Irish linen. They landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, and settled at Flliot's Mills, near Baltimore, where they remained a few years, and then moved to Wythe County, Virginia. Their family were Hazlet, who married Elizabeth Fergus, and after his death, she married Joseph Montgomery, Jr., brother of Robert's wife ; Robert, grandfather of our subject; Rosa, married William Russell ; Margaret, married a Hines ; Mary, married William Crissman.

Robert Sproull, grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 17, 1777, and came to America with his parents. He married Anna Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr.. and Rachel (Ramsey) Montgomery, of Wythe County, Virginia. Rhoda Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr., married William Glasgow, and removed to George's Creek, Adams County, Ohio. Some time prior to 1822, the Sproull family came and settled in the same neighborhood in order to be near their relatives. Robert Sproull resided there until r826, when he removed to Brush Creek on the farm where Robert C. Sproull, his son, and father of our subject, still resides.

Robert C. Sproull was born on George's Creek, in 1824. He married Sarah Thoroman and both are still living on the old Sproull farm near Dunkinsville, Ohio.

Dr. Sproull, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education until the age of eighteen. He attended the Normal school of West Union, Ohio, and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching in 1881 and continued or three years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Dan Ellison, of Dunkinsville, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, graduating March 15, 1886. After practicing with Dr. Ellison, at Dunkinsville, until September of the same year, he located at Bentonville, Ohio, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.

He was married August 22, 1888, to Agnes B., daughter of William and Melissa (Thoroman) Traber, of the Traber Tavern on Lick Fork. They have two children living, Clarence Traber, aged seven years, and Hazel, a babe.

The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and wields considerable influence in local political affairs. He was elected Clerk of Sprigg Township 1896, and again elected in 1898. As a physician, he is rapidly rising in his profession, being an earnest student and tireless worker, while integrity and moral principles make him a valued citizen.

Thomas S. Shelton

was born July 25, 1840, on Eagle Creek, in Brown County, w Spencer Spears now resides. He is a son of William and B (Cochran) Shelton. His mother was a daughter of Gen. John Cochran,

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whose sketch appears elsewhere. Thomas Shelton, his grandfather, was a native of Maryland, and when a young man, eloped with a neighbor girl, Sarah Kline, whom he married and brought to Charleston Bottom, Kentucky, where there was already a settlement of Maryland .people. The entire journey was made on horseback. After remaining in Kentucky a few years, they removed jut across the river into Ohio, in Adams County. William, their only son and father of our subject, was but five years of age at this time, and as he grew to manhood, he began to develop at once the successful business man he became. He engaged in flatboating on the Ohio River, and in this way getting a start in business and saved enough money to provide his parents a home, buying the Ben Sowers farm above Ripley, and afterward the Spears farm. on Eagle Creek, and in 1845, he purchased the farm in Sprigg Township, where our subject now resides. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-three. The children of William and Betsy (Cochran) Shelton are Tamer, wife of Samuel Brookover, of Eureka, Kansas; Thomas J. our subject ; William J., of Bradyville, Ohio ; Sarah F., wife of George Dragoo, of Philipsay, Mo.; Margaret, wife of Samuel Evans, of Hiett, Ohio; Joseph W., of Catlin, Ill.; Lillie, wife of Charles Griffith, of Paola, Kansas, and Hettie, wife of Samuel Glaso, of Manchester, Ohio.

Thomas J. Shelton, our subject, was reared on the farm and obtained a common school education. He married Mary S. Dragoo, daughter of Samuel Dragoo. Their children are Samuel, married to Fannie Gilbert; William; Cora, wife of Robert Roush ; Grace, wife of Asbury Mains ; Ernst, married Mary Lang; Thomas J., married Icy Gray ; Hanson P., married Mary Powers ; Amenda, married. Charles Lang ; Richard, Chase, Robert and Fay. The latter four are at home. Our subject, like his father, has been a successful business man. He is engaged extensively in farming and gives considerable attention to political and public affairs. He is a Republican and has served as Commissioner of Adams County for two terms, from 1885 to 1888, and from 1891 to 1894. He was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1892. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Manchester, and also a member of the Masonic order at the same place.

Joseph Arnold Shriver

belongs to an old German family which can be traced to 1688 at Altenbom, Germany. The family came to America prior to the Revolution; and David Shriver, an ancestor, before the opening of that war and for a period of thirty years, was a member of the Legislature. As such he rendered distinguished services in behalf of the patriots. Admiral Schley is identified with the family in the female line. Joseph Mitchell Shriver, father of our subject, was born June 18. 1816. His mother, Catherine Cuppel, daughter of Daniel Cuppel, was born April 3o, 185, at Decatur, Ohio. His grandfather, Petter Shriver, was born March 6. 1766, in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Lading Shriver, was born October 14, 1709, at Altenbom, Germany. There have been many distinguished members of the family in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Our subject was born July 27, 1853, at Manchester, Ohio. He was educated in the common schools of Adams County until he was seventeen

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years of age, when he began to learn the tinner's trade with his father. He followed that until 1898, when he sold out to Charles Prather. Since then he has been a dealer in real estate. On May 9, 1876, he married Miss Mary I. Vandeventer, of Versailles, Ills. He has one child, a daughter Minnie, wife of Granville Boyer, telegraph operator at Manchester. They have one child, Burnace Boyer, a son, aged fifteen months.

If there is any one thing Mr. Shriver is noted for, it is for his devotion to the principles and success of the Republican party. For more than twenty years he has been one of the leaders of the county. He has been a Committeeman of his township for many years, and has often been County Committeeman. He has many times been delegate to the County and. District conventions of his party, and in these has. been conspicuous for his work. He conducted the campaign in his county when President McKinley was first elected Governor of Ohio, and his party was successful in the county. In 1896, he was Sergeant-at-arms of the National Republican Convention at St. Louis. On April 18, 1900, Mr. Shriver was nominated by the Republican Congressional Convention of the Tenth Congressional District for presidential elector.

In business, Mr. Shriver was noted for his industry, honesty of purpose, and strict integrity. He is regarded as progressive and energetic. He has been President of the Manchester Stove Works and Treasurer of the Manchester Fair Association. He is well esteemed by his neighbors, and is regarded as reliable in all the undertakes. He has done as much for his party as any member of it in the county.

Rev. M. D. A. Steen, D. D.

Moses Duncan Alexander Steen, the fifth son of Aaron F. Steen, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, was born at the homestead of his maternal grandfather, Michael Freeman, ten miles east of West Union, April 24, 1841, where he spent his childhood. In 1848, his parents moved to Mt. Leigh. He united with the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church, June 8, 1858. and that Fall became a student at the North Liberty Academy, with the ministry in view. He spent three yearS at the South Salem Academy under the late Rev. J. A. I. Lowes, D. D., and one year in Hanover College, Indiana. .He graduated at Miami University in 1866. In the Autumn of the same year, he took up the study of theology at the U. P. Seminary at Xenia, and remained one term. He continued the study of theology at the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, until April 8, 1868, when he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, and in the Summer preached at Mt. Sterling and Sharpsburg, Ky. In the Fall of 1868, he spent one term at the theological seminary at Princeton, N. J., and April I, 1869, was graduated from the Northwest Seminary at Chicago.

Directly after his graduation, in 1869, he took charge of the Presbyterian Church at Worthington, Ohio, where he was married on June 22, 1870, to Mary Foster. On September 8, 187o, he was ordained by the Presbytery of New Albany, Indiana, having previously accepted a call to Vevay, Indiana. In 1872, he was called to Solon, near Cleveland ; thence to Conneatville and Waterford, Pennsylvania ; thence he

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 869

was called to Ludlow, Kentucky, where he remained seven years ; thence to Pleasant Ridge, Ohio. He was afterwards located at Troy and Edwardsville, Ill., Gunnison and Black Hawk, Col., and Snohomish, Washington. At Conneatville, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1873, his only child, Lulu Grace, was born, and she died July 3, 1876. On September 1, 1886, he located at Woodbridge, Cal., where he till remains as pastor. He made a tour of Europe in 1877 and has travelled in every State and Territory in the United States, in Canada and Mexico. His degree of Doctor of Divinity was given him by the San Joaquin Valley College, California, in 1888, and in 1889, Wooster University conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. Since 1893, he has been stated Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery of Stockton, a district as large as Ohio. He was a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 188o, 1887 and 1894. In 1895, the General Assembly sent him as delegate to "The Council of the Reformed Churches throughout the world, holding to the Presbyterian system," which met in Glasgow, Scotland. June, 1896. He attended this with his wife and made a tour of British and Continental Furope. He is the author of the following works : "Scriptural Sanctification," "How to be Saved," "The Human Soul," and numerous magazine articles.

His wife is a true helpmate in his sacred profession, cultivated, amiable, and devout. Since 1887, she has been the Presbyterian Secretary of the Woman's Occidental Board of Foreign Missions. Dr. Steen is a man of fine culture, deep scholarship, and unusual ability. His Christianity is profound. In many particulars, he has been like John Elliot or Jonathan Edwards, in that he has lavished upon his congregations, in remote places, an amount of learning that would shame many a metropolitan pulpit. He has a warmth of religious affection that would satisfy a Baxter. He cheers the sorrowing, and the poor are helped by his tender consolation. He has lived a noble and useful, life and holds the affection of all his people, men, women and children. He is true to all obligations. He believes in, and cultivates in himself and others, those virtues which make true Christian manhood and womanhood. His life is a true exemplification of his teachings.

Lyman P. Stivers

was born in Bentonville, Adams County, on July 25, 1839. His father was William Stivers, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Downey. She was born at East Liberty, Pennsylvania. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and killed at Sandusky, Ohio. She was brought to Adams County, Ohio, when she was but two years old, in a flatboat on the Ohio River, in a party with the Rev. John Meek, the celebrated Methodist minister. The party landed at Manchester, Ohio, and Aaron Pence reared her. She made her home with him until she was married. She died in 1878 and her husband in 1884. Our subject received a common school education.

He was married September 10, 1861, to Mary I. Fitch, daughter of the Hon. E. M. Fitch, of Brown County, who was a member of the Legislature from that county for four years. Mrs. Fitch was a daughter of Col. Mills Stephenson, of Brown County, Ohio. He was killed in the

870 - HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

War of 1812 at Fort Stephenson, which was named for him. Our subject is the father of five children, four daughters and one son. His daughter, Ida B. Stivers, born September 17, 1862, is the widow of Frank Gaffin. Cora B. Stivers, his second daughter, was born and died in 1868. Icie W. Stivers, his third daughter, born November 13, 1866, is the wife of E. W. Erdbrink, formerly of Baltimore, Md., now a resident of Manchester, Ohio. Our subject's son, Joseph Randolph Stivers, born July 23, 1874, who received his Christian names in honor of the late Col. Joseph Cockerill, graduated in the Manchester schools, and is now a traveling salesman.

His daughter, Sallie B. Stivers, was born October 6, 1878. She is married to Samuel A. Walker, formerly of Point Pleasant, W. Va., but now foreman of the Ohio Valley Furniture Company at Manchester. Our subject was reared at Bentonville, Ohio. When quite young he engaged in the mercantile business at that place, where he remained till he waS elected Sheriff in 1871. He served as Sheriff one term after which he moved back to Bentonville, where he kept hotel till 1880. He then removed to Manchester, Ohio, and engaged as agent for buggies and farm implements. He has been the salesman for the S. P. Tucker Buggy Co., of Manchester, Ohio, for several years and is at present employed by the Piano Manufacturing Company of Pullman, Illinois.

Elisha Pinkney Stout,

Vice-President and Acting President of the Cincinnati Savings Society, located at Nos. 43 and 45 Fast Fifth Street, in the city of Cincinnati, was born in Greene Township, Adams County, April 5, 1834. His mother was a daughter of Jonathan Wait, and was horn on Blue Creek in same county, in 1811. His father, William Stout, was born on Stout's Run, in Greene Township. in 1806. He was the founder of the village of Rome and sold goods there until his death in 1859. He was the first Postmaster at Stout, the name of the postoffice of the village of Rome. Our subject received such education as the common schools afforded and in 1854 went West.. He went to Fort Riley, Kansas, but left there when the Border Ruffian troubles began. He went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in October, 1854, and took part in locating and establishing the city of Omaha. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature of Nebraska, and took his seat therein January 3, 1857.

One Winter's legislative experience was sufficient and in the Fall of 1858, like Jo, in "Bleak House," he "moved on" with six others to Pike's Peak, on the discovery of gold there, and with them laid out and started the city of Denver. In 1861, he returned to Ohio. From the organization of the 91 st O. V. I., he was Sutler of that regiment during service.

In 1865, he entered into the manufacture of fine cut tobacco in Cincinnati, as one of the firm of Barber & Stout, and carried on an extensive business until 1882, when he retired from active business. In 1887, he became interested in the manufacture of linseed oil, but gave but little personal attention to the business. He still owns the plant located at Winton Junction. He was also interested in the manufacture of wooden-ware in Paulding County. Ohio, with offices in Cincinnati. The business was conducted under the name of J. P. Gay & Co. Mr. Stout estab-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 871

fished a reputation in Cincinnati, and wherever his business relations extended, for integrity and ability. For this reason he was invited to become a Trustee of the Cincinnati Savings Society in 1892. For two years, though nominally its Vice-President, on account of the sickness and absence of the President, he has been its head and chief executive officer. No one could have been found to have managed it with greater ability and success. Mr. Stout has a high sense of honor and is strictly correct in all his dealings. He has great administrative and executive ability and has been successful in all his undertakings. He would succeed in any financial enterprise, because he would not undertake anywhere he could not command the conditions of success. He is a man of forceful character, and would lead in any vocation he might adopt. He has sound judgment, is discreet and prudent, and is unswerving in any course his judgment ap¬proves. He investigates any subject he considers, thoroughly, and when his mind is once made up to a course, he is fearless in its execution. He his no guide in politics or business, but his high sense of duty. When he has once determined on a course in any matter, no one can turn him from it, an,d this is true of him in every relation of life, in banking, in commercial business, or in politics. He was one of the Trustees who built the waterworks of Wyoming, and is a Director of the Electric Lighting Company, which lights Wyoming and several of the surrounding villages. Whenever anything was required to be done for the public, and he was called upon to do it, his services have been eminently successful and satisfactory to his constituents. He is respected and honored by all who know him.

In November 22, 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret Kirk, daughter of A. D. Kirk, of North Liberty, Adams County; He has four daughters, Mrs. William S. Stearns, whose husband is one of the firm of Stearns, Foster & Co., cotton manufactures of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, another daughter, Mrs. E. F. Moore, whose husband is a cotton broker in New York City, but who resides in Hackensack, New Jersey. He has two daughters at home, Misses Edna and Florence. He lost his only son at the age of fourteen, some six years since. He resides in the most attractive home in Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati, having thirty acres of ground attached to it in which trees and flowers do their best to make it like the original Eden.

In politics, Mr. Stout has always been a Republican, but has never hesitated to be independent when he thought a duty to the public required it. Fnjoying that high position in business life which his talents have commanded, with an interesting family, and surrounded by the most delightful social relations, it is the hearty wish of his friends that his health and life may be spared many years to enjoy these conditions.

Judge I. N. Tolle,

of West Union, was born on Elk Run, in what is now Winchester Township, April 2, 1839. His parents, Denton and Nancy Waldron Tolle, were well known residents of Adams County for many years. Stephen Tolle, the grandparent, was a Virginian by birth and was a pioneer of Adams County. He was a miller by trade and built one of the first mills on Elk Run. The Tolle family is of Welsh descent, and

872 - HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

displays down to the present generation the strong characteristics of that race.

Judge Tolle was reared in Adams County, and lived from boyhood until about his fortieth year at Bentonville. Here he attended the Pubic schools and later became a pupil in the select school of Prof. Miller, an Eastern educator, who made Bentonville an educational center for several years. Prof. Burns, the author of Burns' English Grammar, was a teacher in this school. Samuel McKinley, a relative of the ancestors of President McKinley, was one of the eminent tutors of our subject. So that upon attaining his majority, Judge Tolle was equipped with a good common school education supplemented with a knowledge of the sciences, that. enabled him to take a position among the foremost educators of his portion of the State. He was engaged in his chosen profession from 1862 till his election as Probate Judge, in 1881, and during a good deal of that time he was a member of the Board of School Examiners of the county. On the twelfth day of June, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Esther A. Edgington, daughter of William L. and Mary A. Payne Edgington. Her grandparents were Virginians and came to Adams County in pioneer days. The grandfather, William Edgington, was a cousin of Asahel and John Edgington, whose biographies appear in this volume, and who were celebrated pioneers of Adams County.

While engaged in the profession of teaching, Judge Tolle read law under the guidance of Hon. Thomas J. Mullen, an eminent lawyer of Adams County for many years. But after some experience in the courts, he took an aversion to the practice of law as observed by him, and laid aside his Chitty forever.

The Judge has been a prominent factor in Adams County politics for over forty years, never having missed voting at but one election, April, 1863, when very sick, in all that time. He was elected Clerk of Sprigg Township in 1861 and re-elected in 1862. Refused the nomination in 1863, but in 1864 the Democratic party, of which he has always been an active member, took him up and elected him Clerk of the Township the two succeeding years. In 1871, he was appointed School Examiner by Judge Coryell, and he served continuously in that capacity until 1881, when he was elected on the Democratic ticket Probate Judge of Adams County. He was re-elected three times in succession to this office, so that he served in the office a term of twelve years. He was nominated for a fifth term and defeated by a plurality of twenty-nine votes. His defeat was caused mainly from the fact that being Chairman of the Democratic County Executive Committee the first year of President Cleveland's second term, the disappointed applicants for postmaster-ships put the blame on the Judge, while in reality Senator Brice controlled this patronage. The Judge has been a member of the West Union School Board, City Council, Trustee of Wilson Children's Home, County Board of Elections, and of the Democratic State Central Committee. He has always been feared from his safe counsel to his party, more than any Democrat of the county, by Republican politicians. He has but one child, Hallam V., who was his Deputy while Probate Judge, and who

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made most of the records of the office except the journal, which records are not excelled in any Probate office of the State. Hallam married Mary Robuck, a daughter of Thomas Robuck, of West Union, and is now the business associate of his father.

Judge Tolle is a member of West Union Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., and of Manchester Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M. Also, of West Union Lodge, No. 570, I. 0. 0. F., and of West Union Encampment, No. 219. He and his wife were members of the Disciples Church at Bentonville until it ceased to exist in 1880. Mrs. Tolle is now a consistent member of the Baptist Church, of West Union.

Isaac Frederick Tharp

was born on the David Stevenson farm in Monroe Township, Adams County, Ohio, on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1875, the son of Isaac Tharp. He showed a taste for learning and books at the age of five years, and acquired knowledge from them as rapidly as his circumstances and surroundings would permit. His mother died when he was eighteen years of age. He determined to qualify himself as a teacher,. and did so at a great sacrifice. He sold his laSt horse in 1898 to obtain money to attend a Normal school at West Union. In 1899, he obtained a certificate to teach in the Public schools in Adams County ; and was so favorably known in the district of his own home that he was employed to teach the Public school there. He began it in the Fall, and continued it until the ninth of January, 1900, when he was taken sick with what proved to be typhoid pneumonia. His disease baffled all medical skill, and he died on the seventeenth of January, 1900. On the day following, he was buried beside his mother in the Nesbit cemetery.

He had subscribed for this work at the first opportunity, and looked forward with great pleasure to its forthcoming. He waS one of the eight subscribers to the work who were called away after ordering it and before its publication. He was a model young man in every respect, and it seems a great pity that he could not have been spared to complete what promised to be a most useful life. He left a precious memory to his friends and a bright example to the world.

William Treber,

of Dunkinsville, was born at the old Treber Tavern, on Lick Fork, in which he now resides, August 10, 1825. He is a son of Jacob Treber, whose father, John Treber, was a pioneer of Adams County, and opened the old tavern on Lick Pork in 1798. Jacob Treber married Jane Thoroman.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and after reaching man's estate, married Miss Melissa Thoroman, daughter of Samuel Thoroman and Rachel Florea, January 10, 1856. His children are Anna; Agnes, married to Doctor 0. T. Sproull; Sallie, Lizzie, Clara, married to Cameron Tucker ; Jacob, who married Margaret Chapman ; Lucy, married to Ola Thoroman; Stella, married to Dr. Treber Crawford, and Lyman, who married Lulu Gaffin.

Mr. Treber is one of the most prominent citizens of Adams County, and is honored and respected by all who know him. He is a

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Democrat of the Jackson school and has often been honored by his party with official recognition. He served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and was on the Board of Trustees of Tiffin Township for fifteen years. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather, was a soldier, in the Revolution from the State of New York.

William T. Thoroman, of Wheat, was born on Wheat Ridge, February 15, 1844. He is a son of John Thoroman and his wife, Rosanna. Hamilton. He was brought up on his father's farm working in Summer and attending the District school in Winter in which he received a good common school education. He enlisted as a Private in Company G, 182d O. V. I., and was mustered into service at Cincinnati. September 28, 1864, and honorably discharged at Nashville, July 7, 1865. This regiment belonged to the Engineering Corps of the-Army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864. Returning to Adams County after the war, he married Miss Harriet C. Elliott, February 29, 1872, daughter of John Elliott, who married Mary Collier, a daughter of Colonel Daniel Collier, whose sketch appears elsewhere. The children of William T. Thoroman and wife are : Ola C., Lloyd A., and Laura B., deceased. Mr. Thoroman is a Republican and was Census Enumerator for Oliver Township in 1890. He is a member of the M. F. Church at Dunkinsville.

The. Thoromans came originally from Delaware. There were two brothers. Thomas and Samuel, who married sisters. Thomas married Hester Crawford and Samuel her sister Anna, in the State of Pennsylvania. From there they came to Ohio.

J. Wesley Thoroman, (deceased,)

son of Oliver Thoroman, was born March 21, 1828, on the old homestead farm one mile north of Dunkinsville, Ohio. He was reared on the farm, and followed that occupation through life. He attained a good common school education, and was well qualified to fill any position in the ordinary affairs of life. March 3, 1853, he married Almira Mason, a daughter of Squire Samuel S. Mason, of Tiffin Township, Adams County. To this union there were born Lyman O., Theodore M., Sallie J., Wesley H., Anna, and I. J., the fourth son, now residing on the old home farm. The subject of this sketch was a man very highly esteemed in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity in good standing at the time of his decease, November 28, 1890. In politics, he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type.

Harvey James Thompson,

pharmacist, of West Union, was born on Island Creek, Adams County, January 10, 1871. His father was John ThompSon, and his mother, Dorcas Jane Vance. He was educated in the common schools, Manchester High school and the Normal University, Lebannon, Ohio. He taught in the Public schools of Adams County from 1891 to 1893, and then took a course in pharmacy at Ada, Ohio, where he graduated in that science. February 19, 1895, he married Eva Prather, and they have

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one interesting little daughter. Anna Thelma, as fruit of that union. Mr. Thompson is a successful business man and is respected in the community where he resides. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men, and belongs to the uniformed rank of each of these orders. He was left an orphan at the age of nine years and by "Allergy and economy, under the watchful care of his mother, acquired a good education and has now a good business and a pleasant home.

Dr. Titus Stevenson,

of Cherry Fork, is recognized as one of the most accomplished physicians and surgeons of Adams County. He acquired a good English education including a course in the sciences, a thorough knowledge of which is so necessary to the successful practitioner. In his seventeenth year, he began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. L. C. Laycock, then of Decatur, Ohio, and after a preparatory course, entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, for the term 1886-7. In 1887-8, he was a student in the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which he graduated with high honors in March, 1888. After graduation, fie opened an office in Youngsville, this county, and in October of that year married Miss. Mary F. Williams, daughter of W. P. Williams, a descendant of an old and respected family of Adams County.

In 1890, Dr. Stevenson removed to Aberdeen, Ohio, where he had a large and lucrative practice till 1893, when at the solicitation of friends and old patrons who recognized his great ability and skill as a physician and surgeon, he was induced to return to Adams County, and located in the beautiful and thriving little village of Cherry Fork. Here he enjoys not only a lucrative practice, but the esteem and friendship of all who come in contact with him.

Dr. Stevenson comes of good old Scotch ancestry, his paternal great-grandfather, Col. Mills W. Stephenson, being a direct descendant of one of the four "Stinson" or Stevenson brothers, who came to America from Scotland in the Seventeenth Century. His maternal grandmother was a descendant of Governor General Joseph Waters, of the Wet Indies, under British rule.

Col. Mills W. Stevenson cleared and improved the farm now known as the W. A. Montgomery farm in Liberty township, Adams County.

Dr. Stevenson is a son of John M. Stevenson, of Decatur, Ohio, who married Mary Jane Geeslin, daughter of Acklass Geeslin, of Brown County. The Doctor is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of North Liberty Lodge, No. 613, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, he is a believer in the teachings of Jefferson, Jackson and Bryan.

The family of Dr. Stevenson consists of Miss L. Grace, Augustus D., Guy A., and L. Preston. The Doctor and his family are connected with the M. F. Church, he having been reared in that faith.

John Shumaker,

of West Union, Ohio, was born in Harrisburgh, Pa., September 22, 1837. His father was Jos. H. Shumaker and mother, Susan Shumaker, whose maiden name was Susan Walton. He emigrated to Fairfield

876 - HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

County, Ohio, with his father's family at the age of eight years, where he attended the common schools, and at the age of seventeen was granted a one year certificate by the Board of School Examiners of Fairfield County, Ohio. At about this time he, with his parents, moved and settled on a farm in Morrow County, Ohio, where his time was occupied on his father's farm during the Summer and teaching during the Winter months.

At the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted July, 1862, in the 45th O. V. I., but was not mustered into the service on account of being disabled by sickness. On July 2o, 1864, he re-enlisted in the 178th O. V. I., and served as First Sergeant of Company K, until the regiment was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., July 1, 1865.

He then returned to his father's farm and was engaged in farming, teaching, and clerking. He was connected with the Adams Express Company from 1877 to 1880, as Express Messenger between Pittsburgh and Chicago, on the P., F. W. & C. R. R. From 1881 to 1883, he vas engaged in teaching in Scott County, Ills. He returned to Ohio and was engaged in various occupations until May, 1893, when he settled in Wet Union and conducted a restaurant. in the Mullen Building. September 21, 1893, he married Miss Cedora F. Caraway, of Adams County. At the November election, 1894, he was elected a Justice of the Peace of Tiffin Township. At the April election, 1896, he was elected Mayor of the incorporated village of West Union. April, 1897, he was reelected as Justice of the Peace, and in April, 1898, was re-elected Mayor, which offices he now holds.

William Jacob Shuster

William Jacob Shuster is the son of Frederick and Jacobina Shuster. His mother's maiden name was Jacobina Kohler. They came from Germany in the year 1831. William Jacob Shuster was born May 5, 1856, and married Anna Mahaffey, March 9, 1881.

He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Republican. He was elected Assessor of Liberty Township three time, and is at present Superintendent of the Adams County Infirmary.

John Sparhs,

liveryman, of Piketon, Pike County, Ohio, was born August 12, 1870, the son of Salathiel and Clara Sparks, in West Union, Ohio, and resided there until May 4, 1894, when he removed to Peebles, where he resided and was engaged in the livery business until 1899, when he removed to Piketon, where he conducts a first-class livery.

Mr. Sparks was married December 3, 1896, to Elsie Williamson, and they have one child, Salathiel, born February 4, 1898. He is a member of the Order of Red Men, of Peebles, Ohio, and is also a member of the Volunteer Fire Company at Piketon. Mr. Sparks is a Republican, and as such is a leader in local politics.

Charles Luther Swain

was born August 19. 1866, in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio. father was Samuel L. Swain, now a resident of West Union. His moth was Agnes N. C. Heberling. He attended the District schools of

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home until he was thirteen years of age, when his father moved to West Union. There he attended the Public schools three years. Then he attended the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, from 1883 to 1886. He begun his career as a teacher of Public schools in 1886, when he taught a Summer school at Harshaville, and in the Fall he taught one term at Island Creek and two terms in the Ellison district in Monroe Township. ,in J889 and 189o, he taught in the Whippoorwill district, east of West Union. From 1890 to 1892, he had charge of the schools at Peebles. ale taught a Summer school at Locust Grove in 1891. He was a County ,School Examiner from 1889 to 1893, when he resigned. He was President of the Teachers' Institute of Adams County from 1890 to 1892, and in that period there was a larger attendance than ever before or since. Mr. Swain distinguished himself and made quite a reputation as an educator in Adams County from 1886 to 1892. He became a law student in 1890 under George W. Pettit, of West Union. In the Fall of 1892, he entered the Cincinnati Law School and attended there that Fall and Winter. On March 30, 1893, he was admitted to the bar. He began practice in West Union and remained there eighteen months. He located in Cincinnati as a practicing lawyer on September 4, 1894, and as been there ever since. His office is No. 57 Atlas Bank Building. In 1897, he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature. In 1898, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candidate for Congress in the Second District of Ohio and defeated by Jacob B. Bromwell, the Republican candidate, by five thousand majority, the normal Republican majority being twice that number. He was married August 23, 1894, to Miss Anna N. Burkett, of Hartwell, Ohio. He is a member of the Fifth Presbyterian Church.

A gentleman who has been acquainted with Mr. Swain for a number of years says that he is remarkable for his sound judgment of men and affairs. He is honest, energetic, enterprising and useful ; he was an excellent teacher. He is quite a reader, a fair talker, and always ready to make a speech. He has a good opinion of himself and one of those men who seem to be destined to gain great distinction. He keeps himself well informed on the current events of the day. He is always a very pleasant and agreeable companion. He has been re-elected to a second term in the Legislature from Hamilton County.

Dr. John Alexander Steen,

the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Leigh, Ohio, March 26, 1841. He was the second child of Alexander B. Steen and Nancy J. Steen, whose maiden name was Nancy J. McClure. She was born in Hillsboro. Highland County. Ohio, October 6, 1820. Alexander B. Steen was born at Flemingsburg, Kentucky, May 5, 1813. Our subject was reared on his father's farm on Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio, working in the Summer time and attending school in the Winter, where he obtained a common school education.

August 11, 1862, he enlisted in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served until June 24, 1865. At the battle of Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864, he was severely wounded through the throat and arm, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Phil-

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adelphia, where he remained for ten months. He subsequently returned to the field at Winchester to look after the remains of his brother, James F. Steen, and his uncle, Ira T. Hayes, who were killed in action September 19, 1864. He identified their remains and saw their honored bodies laid to rest in the Winchester Cemetery having helped to dig their graves himself. At the close of the war, he was mustered out with his regiment at Cumberland, Maryland, and returned to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where they were paid off.

On return to peaceful pursuits, he attended school in the Fall and Winter of 1865 in his home district; and in the following Spring entered the dental office of Dr. J. N. McClung, at Cincinnati, Ohio, who afterwards moved to North Liberty, Ohio, and with whom he studied eighteen months. He formed a partnership with his preceptor which was maintained for some time. In the Fall of 1868, he removed to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. In the Winter of 1869, Dr. McClung giving up the practice of dentistry, he removed back to North Liberty and resumed his former practice.

On December 30, 1869, he was married at Eckmansville, Adams County, to Miss Jane M. Reighley, a native of Lockes Mills, Mifflin County, Pa., and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Reighley, whose family settled in Adams County. Of this union there were four children, Minnie M., the wife of Mr. Howard C. Green, residing at No. 6745 Emerald Avenue, Englewood, Illinois; Lulu F., the wife of Mr. Espy Higgins, residing at No. 3391 Hayward Place, Denver, Colorado ; and Harry W. and Merta, who are still at home. Harry W. studied dentistry with his father and attended dental college at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in 1900. In 1875, our subject removed to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, where he still resides and enjoys a lucrative practice in his profession.

His wife died January 13, 1894, and is buried in Maplewood cemetery at Ripley, Ohio. On March 17, 1896, he was married to Miss Sadie J. Lawwill. Of this union there is one child, John A., Junior.

Dr. Steen has served on the Board of Education at Ripley, Ohio. His political views are Republican, and his first vote was for U. S. Grant for President for his first term. His religious views are Presbyterian, and he joined that denomination when a boy. He has served as elder of the church. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ripley, well known and highly respected for his sterling virtues.

Sidney R. Stroman

was born in the County of Beaver, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1844. The place of his birth is now in Lawrence County, near New Castle. His father, Henry Stroman, was born in Philadelphia, in 1804. His mother's maiden name was Staple. born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa., in 1805. His grandfather, John Stroman, was born in Switzerland. His wife, whose maiden name was Snider, was also from Switzerland. On coming to this country, they located in the city of Philadelphia. Henry

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Stroman had four sons and four daughters, all of them living at the writing of this sketch. The eldest is Sarah, now the widow of John Teets, of Douglass County, Kansas; the second daughter is Elizabeth, wife of Philip Teets, of Hebron, Indiana; the third daughter is Mary, wife of David Foreman, of West Union; the fourth daughter is Caroline, widow of Wilson S. Burbage, of West Union. The eldest son is Levi B. Stroman; Joseph A., the second son, Henry C., the third, and the fourth is our subject, all of West Union.

Sidney R. Stroman attended school in Butler County, Pennsylvania, until 1856, when his father removed to Venango County, where his father followed his trade, that of a carpenter. In March, 1861, the entire family, excepting Henry C., located in Adams County. The father bought the farm where his widowed daughter, Mrs. Burbage, resides, and remained there until his death in 1886. Sidney R. worked on his father's farm one year. On August 9, 1862, at the age of 'eighteen, he enlisted in Company F, 91st 0. V. I., for the period of three years and served till June 24, 1865. Jr. this same company were his brother, Joseph A., and his brother-in-law, Wilson S. Burbage. He was wounded June 17, 1864, at the battle of Lynchburg, Virginia, in the left groin and thigh, and was laid up a month and three days. With the exception of this period, he was never disabled from duty a single day. Be was in every skirmish, or battle, in which his regiment participated, and was always in the front rank if he could get there. He never missed his rations, or a fight, except while disabled by a wound.

Soon after his return from the war in February, 1866, he returned to Venango County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in work as a carpenter. He returned to Adams County in September, 1868, to be married to Miss Elizabeth McColm. They were married September 8, 1868, and he took his bride to Venango County, Pennsylvania. He remained in Pennsylvania till 1874, when he returned to Adams County and purchased one hundred acres of land, part of his present farm. He began north of West Union in the poorest part of Adams County, with a stout heart, good health, an abundance of energy and determination to succeed. By hard work, economy, prudent and careful management, he has now a body of land of three hundred and fifty-two acres, all paid for, has good buildings and barns, has all the implements and tools he needs and has his farm well stocked. His buildings are all in good order and well kept ; his fences are all well built