BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

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NATHAN AHLEFELD, Kenton, was born, December 19, 1833, and is a son of Rhinehardt and Phoebe (Young) Ahlefeld. His father was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1800, living for seven years in Baltimore, In 1808, he moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he was married, and then proceeded to Allen County in 1849. In 1859, he came to Hardin County, selecting his home in Liberty Township, where, he died in 1871. Mrs. Ahlefeld was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Young, one of the early pioneers of Richland County. She reared a family of seven children all living. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm. He and his brother, Peter, and William Cary, of Kenton, were the original founders of the Citizens' Bank of Ada, founded in the year 1873. He was engaged in this bank until 1878, when he disposed of his interest to his brother and. in the spring of 1881, took up his residence in Kenton. In 1856, he was married to Miss Celia Wiley, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, to which union there have been born five children, four living, viz., Ida (wife of John F. Andrews, Hardin County), Albert, Effie and Corena.

ABEL L. ALLEN. attorney. Kenton, was born on the homestead, two mile east of Kenton, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Abel H. and Rebecca (Mackey) Allen. Abel H. Allen was among the early pioneers of Hardin County. He was born in the year 1803, in Hardy County, W. Va., and when seven years of age came with his widowed mother and family to Ohio and settled in Coshocton County, where a portion of his boyhood was spent. He afterward moved to Pickaway County: thence to Franklin County, remaining there until 1832. He was married in 1831, and, the following year, came to Hardin County, residing for a few months on the Wheeler farm. six miles east of Kenton. In the spring of 1833, he made his permanent settlement two miles east of Kenton, on the farm now owned by Fenton Garwood. Here he lived a quiet and industrious life for nearly twenty years, assisting, by his industry and influence, to develop the resources of the county. In the spring of 1852, he removed east to the adjoining farm, where he died on the 24th of December, 1873. He had a family of six children, three boys and three girls, who still reside in the county. His widow resides with her son, A. L. Allen, our subject, in Kenton, and attained her seventy-third year in May, 1883. Abel H. Allen endured and bore patiently the hardships of pioneer life. He was small in stature, and made up in energy and activity what he lacked in physical strength. He was modest, honorable and unyielding in his convictions of duty and honesty, and was known as a man of few words but prompt action.


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The subject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of his education from the schools of Kenton, entering, in the fall of 1871, the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He graduated in 1875, and the following year began the study of law in the office of John Stillings, of Kenton. In October, 1876, he entered upon a course of studies at, the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in May, 1877. He was admitted to the bar in Hamilton County the same month, and, returning home, formed a partnership with his preceptor, with whom be is yet associated. He has been a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, since during the years of his collegiate studies. He and his partner are among the, active and influential attorney, of Hardin County.

FRANK D. BAIN, physician. Kenton, was born in Kenton, Ohio, in 1850, and is the youngest son of Judge James Bain. The latter was born near Xenia, Ohio, September 19, 1817. He first learned the cooper's track:, but abandoned it for school teaching, employing his leisure moments in the study of law. He decided on law for his profession, and after being admitted to the bar removed to Kenton in 1848, spending there the remainder of his life. His death occurred while on a visit to his son, our subject, at New Texas, Penn., May 31, 1879. He was first a partner in law with Col. Thompson, and subsequently with Col. Strong. He filled many positions of trust, discharging all with fidelity, credit and ability. He was the first Probate Judge of Hardin County under the new constitution of 1852, and, in 1859, was chosen County Auditor. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1865. He was interested in educational advancement, and took a leading part in the organization of the union schools. Four twenty-five years he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was an ardent and consistent Christian. The subject of this sketch was educated at the schools of Kenton, and entered the drug store of J. N. McCoy, preparatory to the study of medicine. He spent five years in the store, and then studied under Dr. W. H. Phillips, of Kenton. In 1872, he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and then opened his practice at Oakland Cross Roads, Westmoreland Co., Penn., and at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., Penn. He returned to his native city in 1878, where he has since remained in constant practice. For two years past, he has been Physician to the infirmary, and at the present time is the City Physician. In September, 1875, he was married to Miss Kate Purdy, of Mansfield, Ohio, who died two months after. She was a daughter of James Purdy, a prominent banker and lawyer of Mansfield. In June, 1877, Dr. Bain married Miss Ella, daughter of Wilson Armstrong, a contractor and builder of railroads, residing in Galion, Ohio. Dr. Bain is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, with which his father had been connected.

JOHN BAKER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hagerstown, Md., in 1840. He is a son of E. C. Baker and Barbara Poont, both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany. They were married in Maryland, whence they emigrated in 1847, settling in Pleasant Township, Hardin County. In 1852, Mr. Baker, Sr., occupied the farm now owned by our subject, where he died in 1862; his widow is also deceased. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of seven children, and has always lived on the home farm. He was married, in 1873. to Miss Margaret Reefer, a native of Germany, to which union there have been born two sons-George A. and Harry (deceased). Mr. Baker's father was a miller, following that occupation continuously through life. In his political sentiments, he was a ;Democrat.


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Our subject enlisted, in 1865, in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, but the war closed soon after and he was discharged. He is connected with the Protestant Evangelical Church.

EDMUND BOULTON, book-keeper, Kenton, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1853. He is a son of Richard and Jane (McCauley) Boulton, natives of Lower Canada, who moved from Buffalo to Lapeer County, Mich., where our subject was reared and educated. His father was a lumber merchant in Almont and Burnside, Mich., for many years. He, with his family, returned to Canada, where they are now residing. The subject of the sketch has been engaged in the lumber business all his life. He was employed as a lumber inspector at Saginaw for four years prior to his coming to Hardin County. In 1874, while in Saginaw he became associated with Mr. Callam. of the Michigan Lumber Yard, in Kenton, preceding the latter's coning to this city to look after his interests and to make purchases. He is the book-keeper in Mr. Callam's establishment, and has filled that position with efficiency. On December 24, 1878, he was married, in Kenton to Miss Caroline, daughter of Anthony Banning, of Kenton, which city was also her birthplace. By this union there has been one child-Kate. Mr. Boulton is Secretary of the water works in Kenton.

JOHN W. BROWN. marble dealer, Kenton, was born in Linking County, Ohio, January 11, 1831, and is a son of John anal Jemima (Beaver) Brown, natives of Shenandoah County, Va. His parents came to Ohio about 1815. They were married in Licking County, in 1818, and had a family of seven children, our subject being the only surviving member His father died in 1835, aged forty years. and was buried in the South Fork Graveyard, in Licking County, where also lie one brother and one sister. The widow died in 1855, aged fifty-five years, and was buried in Illinois, where are, two sisters of our subject. One brother is buried at New Madrid, Mo., and one sister near Fort Scott, Kan. After the death of his father the family were thrown on their own resources, and John, when a mere lad, followed the plow many a day, receiving for the work 16 2/3 cents per day: husked corn for 35 cent:, and harvested for 37 1/2 cents a day. As time passed, the burden of the family fell upon his shoulders. In the fall of 1853, he came to Hardin County, bringing with him his widowed mother, and. with one exception of a short interval spent in Union County, Ohio. has always remained here. He was married. September 26, 1853, to Margaret, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Woodard, near Granville, Ohio, and located on a farm three miles east of Kenton. Seven children were born of this union, viz., S. Emma, died October 1, 1863, aged nine years two months and twenty-five days; Maggie Luella, wife of William B. Corwin, of Hastings. Neb.; Charles W., died October 3, 1863, aged five years seven months and two days; Laura A., died September 30, 1863, aged four years and eleven days; Ovitt, died November 5, 1863, aged five years and six months; Hattie Bell, died November 18, 1869, aged three years seven months and nineteen days, and Fannie, unmarried, living at home with her parents. Of this family of seven children, four were called away in the space of six days. Mrs. Brown died April 30, 1867, and Mr. Brown again married, December 29, 1868, Miss Fannie, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Bretz, of Marion County, Ohio. Mr. Brown, being a carpenter by trade, followed that business in connection with farming until 1873, when he bought a third interest in the marble business in Kenton, the firm's name being John Howe& Co. He afterward bought out Howe, and the firm became White & Brown until 1878, when Mr. Brown went to Rich-




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wood, Union Co., Ohio, and there started a shop under the name of Brown & Deveraux; remaining there about one year, he returned to Kenton and started a shop with G. W. Steinhauer, known as Brown & Steinhauer. In 1881, M. D. Cunningham entered the partnership, and the firm is now known as Brown, Steinhaner & Co.

BENJAMIN F. BRUNSON, merchant and express agent, Kenton. was born in Patch Grove, Wis., in 1842. The Brunson family are of English origin, and are descended from two brothers, who bore the family name of Brownson, and emigrated from England, settling, one in Hartford and the other in the New Haven Colony, Connecticut. Some of their descendants retain the original spelling of the name, while others spell it Bronson or Brunson. Rev. Alfred Brunson, a Western pioneer, was born February 9, 1793, and was a son of Ira Brownson and Pamelia Cozier, the former born in Berlin, Hartford County, in 1771, and was the youngest of fourteen children; the latter born in Danbury, Conn,, in April, 1772. His grandmother Brunson was originally Abigail Beach, and was married to a Cook, who was killed in the old French war. Rev. Alfred Brunson was the eldest of six children, viz., Rev. A., Hiram, Betsy, Emily, Benjamin R. and Ira the latter the father of our subject. Ira and Benjamin, the only ones living, were twins, and were born at Sing Sing, N. Y., in 1805. After their father's death, the widow removed to Danbury, Conn., where they were apprenticed to the hatter's trade. When Ira came of age, he started westward, followed soon after (in 1826) by Benjamin, and the two opened a small hat and cap stand in Columbus, Ohio, remaining in that business five years. In 1837, Benjamin went to Galena, Ill.; thence, three years after, to Reynoldsburg, Wis., where he pursued merchandising, coming to Kenton, in May of 1845. Here he was in partnership in a general line of goods with J. M. McClaim, pursuing business for four years in Kenton and four more in Columbus, dissolving partnership in 1849. Benjamin Brunson was then railroad agent of the I., B. & W. Railroad, then called the Mad River Railroad, and for many years had the only warehouse in Kenton. He was agent from the opening of this road until October, 1866, when he commenced the erection of the Brunson Block, which yet stands a monument to his enterprising spirit. He served three years as County Commissioner, and during the war was Chairman of Military Committee, assisting in raising money and men for the army. He had the first church bell hauled by wagons from Cincinnati, but it was accidentally broken before being hung in the belfry of the Presbyterian Church, its destination. He did the grading from the square west to Leighton street at his own expense. In 1829, Benjamin Brunson was married to Miss Jane, a daughter of Jerry McLane, who for twenty-one years was Secretary of the State of Ohio. This union bore to him four children, three sons and one daughter. two of whom are living, viz., Henry and Jerry. He left Hardin County in 1875, moving to La Fayette, Ind., and subsequently to Indianapolis, where he is now residing. Ira, the father of our subject, went from Columbus, Ohio, on horseback to Patch Grove, Grant Co., Wis., where he is yet living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He married Miss Henrietta, a daughter of Henry Foster, by whom there were fourteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Alfred, Mary, B. F., Emily, Ida, Delford, Flora, Jennie and Alice. The subject of this sketch lived in his native place until twenty years of age, when he came to Hardin County in 1862, and became an assistant in his uncle's railroad office. In 1866, he became engaged as a salesman for two and a half years, and soon after conducted a saw mill


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and lumber business, in which he remained four years. In February, 1874, he was appointed agent for the United States Express Company, in which capacity he has since diligently and faithfully served. The following year he opened in the grocery trade, and has attended both branches of his business to the present time. He was married, in December, 1871, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Dr. Usher P. Leighton, a pioneer of Hardin County, where she was born. To this issue four children have been born, three whom are living, viz., Jay, Usher and one not yet christened.

CYRUS N. BUFFE, life insurance agent, Kenton, was born February 11, 1844, in Clark County, Ohio. He is a son of Sampson and Diana (Stamats) Buffe. His parents were both natives of Ohio, and of German descent. His father is a wealthy and influential farmer in Auglaize County and is now seventy-two years of age. His mother died April 20, 1856, at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving the subject of our sketch without the sweet influence of a mother's love, at the age of twelve years. Our subject is the only son of a family of four, and he was brought up on the farm until eighteen years old, receiving his schooling from the common school of Auglaize County. In 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought in fifty battles and skirmishes, that being the whole number the regiment participated in. He was always on duty, and was never sick, wounded, nor taken prisoner, although having many narrow escapes. In 1865, at Columbus, he was honorably discharged. On his return home, he remained with his parents for a year, but was not contented with farm life, and, in 1867, embarked in mercantile trade, and open a general store in company with Mr. Cline. This was continued successfully for seven years, when Mr. Buffe sold out, and soon after was on the railroad as a commercial traveler. Two years after, he bought out his former partner and resumed his previous business for two years more, when he then came to Hardin County. For a short time he was a salesman in the clothing store of Wolf Bro., and, in 1880, became engaged in his present occupation. He is special agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio; the home office is in Cincinnati, corner Fourth and Central avenue, and his headquarters are at Kenton. In 1873, Mr. Buffe was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Gullett, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Mary I.. (Pendry) Gullett. Their only child-Charles H. T. died at the age of five months. Mrs. Buffe, who was a member of the Baptist Church, died September 23, 1882. Mr. Buffe has an adopted daughter-Daisy Gertrude. In regard to religion, Mr. Buffe recognizes no creed or form, and has no sympathy with the fashionable religion of the day. He only believes in the true and undefiled religion that makes every man your brother and every woman your sister-that is, in universal brotherhood and universal salvation. In politics, Mr. Buffe is a Republican. He has been School Director, Postmaster and Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is Royal Arch Mason. He is a gentleman of good habits, courteous and polite to all. being particularly noted for his kind and genial ways.

JOHN CALLAM, manufacturer and merchant, Kenton, was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1839. His father, Peter Callam, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Toronto on his migration to the American shores. He is at this time a resident of Saginaw, Mich. The subject of this sketch came to Kenton in 1874, and established the "Michigan Lumber Yard," purchasing the old Ferney Planing Mill, a landmark


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of early times. This building he moved, using it for shed room, and erected on the same site the present building, which is 65x120 feet, and is three stories in height. The dry kiln and molding shed is 50x100 feet and two stories high. The capacity of the mill is 40,000 feet a day, employing a force of from thirty to thirty-five men. Mr. Callam manufactures shingles, lath, doors, sash, blinds, moldings, brackets, stair rails, posts and balusters, besides dealing in salt, lime, plaster, cement and all kinds of Coal. Adjoining his manufactory is an extensive tract of land connected with the purchase, a portion of which is covered with lumber of all descriptions suitable for his work, and a large number of dwellings mostly occupied by the men in his employ. Mr. Callam is a man of large experience in this business, and was for years connected with his brother in Saginaw, Mich., and his entry among the manufacturers of Kenton created one of the most extensive interests in this city. He was married, in Saginaw, Mich., in 1870, to Miss Isabella J. Reid, a native of Buffalo, to which union there have been born four children, all living, viz., Nellie J., George A., Hattie B. and Bessie. Mr. Callam is one of the Directors of the water works. and is an active, enterprising business man of Kenton.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL (deceased) was born in Frederick County, Va., September 15, 1800. He is a son of John and Elsie (Dunlap) Campbell, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., the latter of Loudoun County, Va. Mr. Campbell grew to manhood in his native county, and there married, in March, 1830, Miss Mary Moulden, a native of England. This union produced three children, viz., John, Sarah and Dorathy, the latter being the only survivor. About 1833, he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and two years later purchased a building lot on Franklin street, in Kenton, settling there in 1838. Soon after, Mrs. Campbell died-in September. 1838--and, on March 28, 1839, he was again married, to Miss Matilda Alexander. She was born March 23, 1808, and died without issue September 13, 1857. She was the mother of three children by her first marriage, all of whom survive. Mr. Campbell was again married, December 15, 1857, to Catherine Curry, who was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., January 3, 1810, and died without issue June 30, 1876. Mr. Campbell was a shoe-maker by trade, applying himself closely to it all his life. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He was prominently identified in various local offices of trust, and was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church since his twenty-first year.

CHARLES CANAAN, foreman in mill, Kenton, was born in Lynn Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1845. He is a son of Jehu and Louisa (Scott) Canaan, natives of Madison and Licking Counties, Ohio, respectively. James K. Scott, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer of Hardin County, where he lived and died. He purchased the old Kellogg farm, north of Kenton. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Canaan, came with his family and entered land in Cessna Township, where he had 400 acres of land in the tract. He afterward moved to Benton County, Ill., where he died. He and James Scott were soldiers in the war of 1812. The father of our subject is living in Big Rapids, Mich., where his wife died July 4, 1879. The subject of this sketch was the second of a family as follows: James S., residing in Mecosta County, Mich.; Charles, our subject; Electa, wife of J. E. Cunningham, of Big Rapids, Mich.; twin brothers, Usher L. and Asher L., the former deceased and the latter a resident of Big Rapids, Mich.; Emma, wife of George


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Langly, also of Big Rapids. Our subject has resided in Hardin County with the exception of seven years spent with the family in Iowa. His father moved to Buck Township; thence to Kenton, where our subject has since lived. He served in the ranks of the Union army, enlisting in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He fought in the battles of Moss Creek East Tenn., Peach Tree, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Chattahoochie, was with Thomas in the engagement at Franklin and Nashville, and a fought at Fort Fisher. He was at the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, June 11, 1865. Returning home he worked at blacksmithing for two years, and than became connected with Walker's saw and scroll mill, in which he has worked ever since, beginning with its organization. In 1870, he was married to Miss Phoebe Ducker, a native of Logan County, Ohio, by which union there have been five children, as follows: Eva, Louisa, Fannie F., Emmett and Elta Z. Mr. Canaan has filled the office of Councilman for the past five years, and is still serving in that capacity. He was also Trustee of Buck Township, and served for one term as Assessor. He is a member of both branches of the I. O. O. F.

S. H. CAROTHERS. farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., in 1819. His parents were James and Polly (Fitzsimmons) Carothers, the former a native of the Highlands of Scotland, the latter Ireland; both died in Huntingdon County, Penn. His grandfather, James Carothers, emigrated to Fort Philadelphia during the Revolution, in which war he served as one of the body guards of Gen. Washington. Our subject is the youngest if a family of eight children, he and a sister being the only survivors; the latter, Eliza, lives in Huntingdon County, Penn. M r Carothers went to Greene County, Ohio. in 1842, coming thence to Hardin County in 1846 and purchased a farm in Pleasant Township, whence he moved, in 1851, to his present farmof 160 acres. In 1840, he was married at Chambersburg, Penn., to Miss Nancy, daughter of Mitchell and Lydia Gilmore, both Pennsylvanians. To this union six children were born, viz., Alcitta, deceased; Gilmore, born April 21, 1841, residing in Indiana; Lydia B., deceased, born March 22, 1849; Florence J., born January 14, 1851; Sarah B., born April 12, 1856, and William H., born October 11, 1861. Mrs. Carothers died in 1861, and, for his second wife, Mr. Carothers married Ann E., daughter of Roland and Elizabeth (Musser) Reese. When Mrs. Carothers was two years old, her parents came to Wooster, Ohio; thence moving to Hancock County, where they both died. By his second union, Mr. Carothers has two children --Lizzie, born April 8, 1863; and Roland R., born May 16, 1865. Mr. Carothers served as Township Trustee for many years. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member for thirty-two years, and a class leader for about twenty years.

JOHN M. CARR, County Treasurer, Kenton, was born in Fayette County, Penn., November 19, 1827, and is the youngest in the family of John and Rachel (Reynolds) Carr, both natives of Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John Reynolds, an officer during the Revoluton, secured lands in Logan, Hardin and Union Counties, 2,600 acres in all. Our subject's parents settled on the land in Hardin County, having previously lived in Franklin County, where they had located in 1830, and were among the first settlers of this county. They reared a family of eight children to adult age, six of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he lived until the death of his parents. His education


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was derived from the common schools. In 1854, he was married to Maria, daughter of Charles Scott, a pioneer of Hardin County. The latter was one of the first Commissioners of Hardin County, and served as Justice of the Peace to the close of his life. Mrs. Carr was a native of Hardin County, and died in 1870, leaving a family of seven children, viz., Thornton W., Jennie B.: Maud (wife of Dr. G. Brockman, of Kenton), Scott, Carrie, Maria and John. Mr. Carr's second marriage was in 1872, with Belle, daughter of Paul K. Seig, and a native of Taylor Creek Township. To this union one child-Lydia has been born. Mr. Carr occupied various offices of trust prior to his election to his present office, which occurred in the fall of 1881, and which office he is still faithfully occupied in. He has been engaged in stock-dealing for the past twenty years and owns a farm of 170 acres in Taylor Creek Township. He is a member of the Christian Church, and numbers among the oldest and most popular citizens of Kenton.

GEORGE J. CARTER, dentist, Kenton, was born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1853. He is a son of Richard and Mary (Bolton) Carter, the former a native of Ireland the latter of Michigan. His father removed to New York State, locating in Oswego County, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of two children, both living. The subject of this sketch acquired his primary education from the common schools. He studied dentistry for three years, under Dr. Gantz, in Ligonier, Ind. In 1875 and 1876, he attended lectures at the university in Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in June, 1876. The following month he came to Kenton, and opened his present office, where he has since been succesfully engaged. He was married, in Noble County, Ind., in 1875, to Miss Pyrena, daughter of Abram and Emily Pancake, of that county. One child -Lloyd-has blessed this union. Dr. Carter is a member of the State Dental Association, and is regarded as one of the principal dentists of Kenton. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. of Kenton.

PAUL CASTOR., farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., March 13, 1813, and is the only living son of John and Eleanor (Moore) Castor, the latter of Irish descent. His father was a native of Virginia and a son of Arnold Castor, who settled in Virginia about the time of the Revolution, in which war he was a soldier. John Castor was drafted in the war of 1812, but, it being toward the close, he did no service. He, with his wife and four children, came to the West at an early time, and located in Wayne, now Holmes County, Ohio, where his wife died in 1819. He subsequently moved to Richland County; thence to Hardin County in the spring of 1834, entering three quarter-sections of land in Sections 13, 14 and 23. He was again married, in Richland County, in 1823, to Miss Anna Dilly, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom there were five children, one living-Eleanor, the widow of Harrison Looker. Mr. Castor lost his second wife by death in Hardin County in 1842, and took for his third, Elizabeth Brown, the widow of Solomon Russell, a pioneer of 1834 to Hardin County. Mr. Castor settled on Section 23 and died in December, 1881, aged ninety-three years eleven months and three days. Paul Castor, the subject of this sketch, settled on Section 14, in Pleasant Township. He was married, December 27, 1836, to Miss Eleanor Hineline, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and daughter of Redding Hineline and Nancy Burgen, pioneers, in 1834, to Hardin County. The latter died in Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Castor have had a family of ten children, but four living, viz., John W., a resident of Lancaster County, Neb.; George B., at home; William P., also at home, and Mary, wife of H. L. Holmes,


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living in Hardin County. Mr. Castor retired from active duties in 1875, moving with his life-long companion to Kenton, where be is enjoying the fruits of his well-earned labor. He was Infirmary Director for three yeas and has held various offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family number among the oldest and most esteemed connections of the pioneer families. One son-Jacob-enlisted in 1861 in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Wooster, Ohio. He was twice wounded in the hand at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was detailed in a company to guard the prisoners at Rock Island, Ill., where he was taken sick and died June 26, 1865, of brain fever.

WILLIAM P. CASTOR, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Pleasant Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1849, and is the youngest living child Paul Castor, one of the oldest and most esteemed pioneers of Hardin County . He was married in this county, in 1871, to Miss Celesta, a daughter of Henry Smith, a pioneer of this county, where she was born. Mr. Cast has filled the office of Trustee of Pleasant Township, served as Assessor for two years and is connected with the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. He numbers among the oldest residents of the county. His farm lies near the original homestead, and contains at this time 100 acres.



BENJAMIN F. CESSNA, physician, Kenton, was born near Bedford Springs, Bedford Co., Penn., in 1826. His parents, Jonathan and Catharine (Boore) Cessna, brought him the same year, to the eastern part of Ohio In 1833, they removed to Hardin County, where he resided with his parents, on a farm near Keaton, until nineteen years of age. During that time, he attended the schools of Kenton at intervals, and then matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years. Upon leaving the university, he studied medicine in Kenton, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in 1852. He then located in Van Wert, Ohio, where he practiced his profession. In 1858, he again attended lectures, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn., after which he resumed practice in Van Wert.. He continued there until 1876, when he came to Kenton and retired from active practice. In 1866, he was appointed Surgeon of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, holding the position for ten years. During the war, he was appointed by Gov. David Todd to examine the first draft of his district, and commissioned for surgical service in the army, which position circumstances prevented him from accepting. In 1867, he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the Ohio Wesleyan University, of which institution he was elected Trustee by the alumni in 1872. Dr. Cessna is an honorary member of the Fort Wayne Medical Society, and of the, Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, of which latter he was first Vice President. In 1855, he advanced to the Royal Arch degree in the Masonic order.

WILLIAM T. CESSNA, attorney, Kenton, was born near Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, August 7, 1836. His parents, Jonathan and Catherine (Boore) Cessna, were both natives of Bedford County, Penn., whence they emigrated to the West, settling in Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1831, Jonathan Cessna came to Hardin County, and entered 714 acres of land near Fort McArthur, which is still owned by his son, Benjamin, and on which he settled with his family in 1833. In 1834, he was appointed Associate Judge, to fill an unexpired term of two years, and, in 1842, was reelected by the General assembly for seven years. He was a man highly esteemed and widely known. He was the father of ten children, as follows:


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Jonathan, Helen, Benjamin F., Louisa, Oliver P., Virginia (deceased), Caroline, William F., Harriet E. and John. Mr. Jonathan Cessna died in October, 1868, and was followed by his widow in 1870. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead and received a common school education. Early in life, he determined upon a legal pursuit, and, in 1856, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1861, and, in 1864, the Law Department of Michigan University. He then entered the ranks of the Union army as a private in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He rapidly gained promotion, being; appointed Sergeant-Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He fought in the battles of Second Bull Run (where he commanded a company of skirmishers in front of Milroy's brigade), McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and five days' battles on the Rappahannock and at Chancellorsville. He left the Eastern army and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Ohio State Guards, in which rank he served till the close of the war. He is now Colonel commanding the Seventh Ohio National Guard. In 1865, he was admitted to the bar, and the following year began to practice at Kenton. He served the city as Mayor in 1865 and 1866, and again in 1881 and 1882. He was elected to the Legislature in 1869, during which tine he was prominent in introducing and securing the passage of bills beneficial to the interests of his people. In politics, be is a strong Democrat, and his whole public life has thus far proved him a thoroughly capable and upright public servant. In 1873, he was married to Miss Alice Teeters, a native of Hardin County. Mr. Cessna has nearly retired from the practice of his profession, devoting his time to other business commanding his attention.

W. M. CHESNEY, physician, Kenton. was born April 27, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mahan) Chesney, deceased, both natives of Pennsylvania. When eighteen years of age, our subject commenced the study of medicine at Jamestown, Penn., with Dr. Williams Gibson. He subsequently began the practice of his profession in Wyandot County, Ohio, where he was appointed Postmaster under President Tyler. He filled that office until his removal to Marseilles, in 1844, where he was again appointed Postmaster, under President Van Buren. The same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. George Armstrong. She died in the spring of 1847, leaving one son-James. During the winters of 1847 and 1848, Dr. Chesney attended the Medical College and the Marine Hospital at Charleston, S. C., and in the following year entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1850. The same year, he further pursued his studies in the Starling Medical College, passing graduation in 1851, and at once entered upon a course of studies in the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia. In 1851, he was married to Miss Rachel Merriman, sister of L. Merriman, of Kenton, to which union were born five children, but one living-Blanche. The eldest child-Alice -was the wife of Rev. I. G. Hall, a Presbyterian divine. They settled in Lima, Ohio, and during a visit to the home of her parents, in the winter of 1880, she was taken suddenly sick and died shortly after - January 31, 1881. She was a lady of excellent character and refinement, and her sudden demise was a bereavement deeply felt by the relatives and friends. Charles, Roscoe and Frank died in infancy. In 1863, Dr. Chesney came to Kenton, and became a member and President of the Hardin County Medical Society, continuing in the position four or five years. He is a member of the Northwestern Medical Society of Ohio, also of the


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American Medical Society. He represented the Hardin County Society as a delegate to the American Medical Society at New Orleans, La., in 1869, and was appointed, by Gov. Bruff, Examining Surgeon of Hardin County; with rank of Major. For about seven years, Dr. Chesney and Dr. Roger of Kenton, were in partnership in the drug business, after which time he devoted himself entirely to his practice until 1880, when his poor health compelled a retirement. He is now living a quiet and unostentatious life in at his home in Kenton, surrounded by his family and friends.

WILLIAM CLOSE, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1805, and is a son of Phillip and Betsy (Moore) Close. His parents are both Virginians by birth and came at an early time to Marion County, Ohio, where they both died. They reared a family of ten children, four of whom survive. The subject of this sketch left Marion County, moving to Carroll County; thence came to Hardin County in 1855, settling on his present farm of 328 acres, the greater part of which he has cleared. In 1831, he was married, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Farber, who died leaving a family of eight children. all living viz., Wesley M., residing in Dunkirk. Ohio; Isabel, wife of John Wall. Hardin County; John; Phoebe, wife of Julius Schoonover, Hardin County; Elizabeth, wife of Alice Charlton: Harriet, wife of Mr. Murphy, of Marysville, Ohio, Jane, wife of John Garlett, of Hardin County, and Arkinson, residing in Crawford County, Ohio. For his second wife, Mr. Close married Nancy Powell. a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, by which union there has been no issue. He and his family are connected with the United Brethren Church.

ELIAS COLLINS, blacksmith, Kenton, was born in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1817, and is a son of John and Sarah (Gilbert) Collins, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents moved from Lancaster to Washington County, Penn., in 1832, settling in Logan County, Ohio, where they were among the distinguished pioneers. In the spring of 1836, John Collins removed with his family to Hardin County, locating in Round Head Township, where he entered 120 acres of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, He lived to enjoy pioneer life but a short time, dying on the 9th of August, 1837.. He left a wife and nine children, one of whom was born after his decease. All of the nine children lived to maturity, and are scattered in various parts of the country. The subject of this sketch remained on the homestead until 1844, when he moved to Kenton and did work in contracting and cutting on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. He had learned the blacksmith trade in Pennsylvania and Logan County, Ohio, but engaged in farming until 1859, when he bought out a blacksmith shop. He enlarged the building, and has since been constantly and successfully engaged in his trade. In 1842, when in Round Head Township, he was married to Miss Sarah Monroe, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio. This union has resulted in nine children, six of whom are living-Isaac M., engaged with his father in the shop; Hiram F., mail agent on the I. &. B. W. Railway; Albert in the United States Regular Army, now in Texas; Sarah Ellen, wife of Daniel A. Brighton, residing in Norwalk, Ohio; Rachel A., wife of Edward E. Dean, Principal of the High School in Kenton, and Maggie M., at home. Mr. Collins is one of the sturdy and popular pioneers of Hardin County.

N. H. COLWELL, County Surveyor, Kenton, was born in Lima, Ohio. December 29, 1857, and is the youngest child of Nicholas and Evaline (Cottrell) Colwell. His parents were both natives of Ohio.


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when our subject was a child. His father was a tanner by trade, working at it in Lima, Ohio, until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted in the ranks of the Union army. He enlisted from Fremont, Ohio, in 1860, in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and held the rank of Drum Major until his death on April 23, 1863. The subject of this sketch is the only son of a family of four children, and lived in Lima, Ohio, until 1875, when he went to Fremont, Ohio, and taught school. In 1877, be entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, Ohio, graduating in 1880, and part of the time taught in the school. In the fall of 1881, he went to the Republic of Mexico, and was engaged as Civil Engineer on the Mexican National Railway, which was being constructed from Mexico City to the Pacific coast, and was represented by Palmer, Sullivan & Co. He left Mexico in March, 1882, and came to Kenton, where he was elected to the office of County Engineer and Surveyor on October 10 of the same year, and still holds that position, being regarded as an efficient officer.

WARREN F. DAMON, furniture and carpet dealer, Kenton, was born in Lowell, Mass., November 10, 1832. He is a son of Luther Damon, a native of New Hampshire, who came to the West in 1835, locating in Kenton in May of that year. He was without capital, and began by working at odd jobs in furniture repairing, having a natural taste and ability for wood work, and soon became a necessity to the small population of Kenton of those days. He erected a small house on the site now occupied by the residence of our subject, where he pursued his vocation.

GEORGE W. DARST. real estate dealer and insurance agent, Kenton, was born in Washington Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, February 8, 1840. He is a son of Harrison P. and Catherine (Teegardin) Darst, the former a native of Woodstock, W. Va., the latter of Pennsylvania. His father left home when twelve years of age, and went to his brother, Joseph Burke, in Pickaway County, Ohio, remaining with him until March, 1837, when he came to Hardin County. Here he entered, at different times, 160 acres of land, in Washington Township, near Blocktown. He became a local preacher, following that profession up to the time of his decease in 1860. He had a family of nine children, five of whom attained adult age. Mrs. Darst is now residing on the homestead, and is in the seventieth year of her age. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on the home farm. When twelve years of age, the care of the whole farm devolved on him, by reason of his father's failing health and the duties of his profession. This work he discharged faithfully until September, 1862. when he enlisted in the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was then in the field. He joined the forces at Stafford Court House, Va., and was assigned to Company A. He was tendered the rank of a noncommissioned officer, but declined and remained a private. He took part in the battles of his regiment, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1865. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he resumed his work on the home farm. He was married, October 22, 1865, to Miss Hannah E., daughter of J. P. Eulin, a pioneer of Hardin County. She was born in Washington Township, and has had a family of five children, two living-Adam F., the eldest, and Autie Custar. Mr. Darst remained on the homestead until January, 1878, having been elected Sheriff of Hardin County in the fall of 1877. He was re-elected in 1879 and served two terms. Since then, he has been engaged in his present business, and represents the Louisville Underwriters, a consolidation of the Franklin, Louisville and


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Union Insurance Companies. Mr. Darst has for many years been connected with the Christian Church of his native township. He has been a member of the Masonic order for the past ten years, and is widely known throughout the county, being regarded as an upright and respected citizen

A. J. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Woodbridgeton Fayette Co., Penn., October 12, 1833. He is the youngest child of Phil and Mary (Bary) Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a son of Philip Davis, who emigrated from Wales, settling in Pennsylvania. Philip, Jr., came to Hardin County in 1836, and entered the present farm of 180 acres, to which he brought his family, consisting of his wife and children, in the fall of 1838. His family originally numbered nine children, all born in Pennsylvania, seven of whom are now living, viz., Samuel Joseph, Elizabeth, Owen W., Philip, George W. and Andrew J. Philip Davis was widely known as Capt. Davis, the name having arisen from his career as a Captain in the militia in Pennsylvania. He died in Hardin County in 1865, aged seventy-three years, having been preceded by his wife in September of 1859. The subject of this sketch has always lived on the homestead, excepting two years he traveled in the West. He was married December 15, 1859, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of William and J; (Crooks) McCormick, both Pennsylvanians. She was born in Richland County near Mansfield, Ohio, where the family were noted pioneers. Her grandfather, John McCormick, was born under a tree in Delaware, and was the youngest of a family of four children. His f ather was a Government spy, who was shot by the Indians. John McCormick served under Gen. Washington during the Revolution. He crossed the mountains to the West on horseback and suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life. He died on the homestead in Richland County at the age of ninety years. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick also died in that county, after attaining an advanced age. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, one son and three daughters-Mary, William, Maggie and Sarah J. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had born to them three children, all living-Elmer C., Ettie and Maggie. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and number among the old and respected pioneer families of Hardin County. Their residence was erected in the fall of 1878, and is a handsome and substantial building. It is a three-story brick, with slate roof, and is said to be the best finished farm house in the county. Mr. Davis remembers when the home farm abounded with deer and wild turkeys, it being a common thing to shoot game from his house door. There were but two cabins between his and those of Kenton.

S. K. DAVIS, photographer, Kenton, was born in Marion County Ohio, January 30, 1849. and is a son of Walter and Caroline M. Davis. natives of Washington County, Ohio. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of Marion County, where his father died in 1859, and his mother in March of 1883, the latter in the seventy-third year of her age. They were the parents of eight children, two living-Serena, wife of N. Williamson, of Hardin County, and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm and married in Kenton, in 1880, to Miss Emma, daughter of George Merriman. One child has resulted from this union, Blanche S. Mr. Davis established business in Kenton in 1879, succeeding I. N. Hayes, with whom he was associated for four years previous to the purchase of his establishment, and with whom he was a student. He is a thorough artist in photography, and,having a large city and country trade, turns out satisfactory work. The establishment is furnished with cameras of the best manufact-


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ure; the operating room has a large north side and sky-light, and is fitted up with screens, back-grounds, etc., and is fully equipped with all appurtenances necessary for successful work.

W. D. DEAN, druggist, Kenton, was born near Columbus, Ohio, in November, 1835. He is a son of Albert Dean, a native of Connecticut, and Jane Dean, nee Dalzell, a native of County Down, Ireland, from which country she emigrated with her parents when nine years of age. Albert Dean is a son of Lebbius Dean, a descendant of one of the early pioneers of the New England States. He came to Ohio in 1821 and settled near Columbus. When our subject was three years of age, his parent, moved to Delaware, Ohio, and, in 1844, to Hardin County, settling on a farm in Dudley Township, removing thence in March, 1849, to Kenton, where his father died in 1859. Our subject secured an education from the common schools of Kenton, and began the drug business as a clerk, continuing until 1858. He was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Courts in 1861, serving in that capacity until 1864. He was elected Clerk of the Courts in 1863, and was re-elected in 1866, serving until 1870. He has filled the office of Deputy Clerk continuously since 1874. In 1879, he entered the drug business, which he continues at the present time. In February of 1869. he was married to Miss Anna L., daughter of Dr. Stewart, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Dean is a native of Middletown, Ohio. A family of three children are living, viz., Guy, Emmazetta and Georgina: one died in infancy.

HENRY DICKSON, merchant and proprietor of the Grand Opera House, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in the year 1837. He is the eldest son of Robert and Ann (Joseph) Dickson, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Welsh descent. They were among the early pioneers of Muskingum County, moving thence to Hardin County in 1847, and settling on a farm in Pleasant Township, coming ten years later to Kenton, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The subject of this sketch began a clerkship with Jeremiah Crowley, with whom he became a partner, and after a continuous business for some years, he became the sole proprietor. He purchased the store in the opera house building, and, in 1879, remodeled the opera house, of which he is now the sole proprietor. He was married in Pleasant Township, Hardin County, in 1857, to Miss Rachel, daughter of John and Edith Looker. She is a native of Rockingham County, Va., and her parents were among the early pioneers of Hardin County in 1839, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

WILLIAM DOUGHERTY, merchant tailor, Kenton, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, February 12, 1815, and moved to Hardin County in 1848. He commenced business soon after his arrival, and has since been continuously engaged as a merchant tailor and clothier. On December 13, 1849, he was married to Helen Cessna, oldest daughter of Jonathan Cessna, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work. To this union five children were born, viz.: Frank Cessna, born September 14, 1851; James Wallace, born April 28, 1854; Howard Perry, born July 28, 1856: Charles, born October 22, 1858, died March 18, 1859, and Kate May, born March 24, 1861. Frank Cessna Dougherty received his early education in the Kenton Union Schools, and, in 1867, went to the Ohio Wesley an University at Delaware, where he graduated in June of 1870. In September of 1870, he went to Galion, Ohio, where he was Principal of the Galion High School for the ensuing two years, during which time he was studying law. In the fall of 1872, he went to Cincinnati and attended there the law school, graduating in the spring of 1873, and was admitted to the bar by a com-




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mittee of the Legislature at Columbus. In 1873, he became a member The law firm of Cessna, Kernan & Dougherty, at Kenton, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of the same year. In September, 1873, he was elected Principal of the High School at Wooster, Ohio, and filled that position until June of 1875, when he was elected Superintendent of the Wooster Schools. Resigning the last position, he returned to Kenton in the summer of 1875, and opened here a law office. On the 15th of September 1875, he and Louella Merriman, daughter of Louis Merriman, were united in marriage. In the fall of 1875, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney Hardin County, holding that position for two years, declining a re-nomination. In 1881, he was Democratic candidate for Attorney General of Ohio He has been a member of the Board of Education in Kenton since 1880; he has also been a stockholder of the Kenton Savings Bank and of the Champion Iron Fence Company since their organization. He has been continuously engaged in the practice of law up to the present time. James Wallace Dougherty obtained his early and preparatory education from the union schools of Kenton. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in the fall of 1872, graduating in the spring of 1876. In the fall of that year he was elected Superintendent of the Union Schools at Orrville, Wayne Co., Ohio, which position he filled for two years, resigning, June of 1878, to resume the study of law, in which he had previously engaged. He was admitted to the bar on March 4, 1879, by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He immediately entered into partnership with his brother, Frank C., in the practice of law at Kenton. In this relation he has continued in active practice up to the present time

GEORGE DRUSCHEL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born May 23, 1842, in Wallroth, Hesse, Germany, where his parents, Nicholas and Catherine (Winebriner) Druschel, were born and buried. He is a member of a family of seven children, viz.: Catherine, Nicholas, Martin, Casper, George, John and George B., all of whom excepting Catherine and Casper emigrated to America. The subject of this sketch came to America, accompanied by his brother John, in the winter of 1858, and was forty-six days on the voyage., He came immediately from New York to Kenton, Ohio, arriving about Christmas time. When the rebellion broke out, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and veteranized in the same company, receiving honorable discharge July 24, 1865. He passed through many hard-fought battles, namely, Culpeper Court House, Second Bull Run (where he was badly wounded in the leg). Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Resaca (where he was wounded in the arm and side), Peach Tree Creek, Bentonville, and was under heavy fire with Sherman all through the march to the sea. His brother John was in the same company and regiment, passing through with only trifling injuries. His brother Martin was in service for about a year. Our subject was married, April 16, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Catherine (Wetman) Beltz, natives of Germany. She was born January 20. 1845, in Germany, in the same town as her husband. She had one brother, George who died in the service of this country at Strasburg, Va., during the late rebellion. Mrs. and Mr. Druschel have had a family of two children, viz., Carrie, born June 21, 1868; and William G., born March 15, 1870, died September 13, 1871. Mrs. Druschel's parents emigrated to this country in 1853, settling in Pennsylvania.

PATRICK DUGAN, proprietor of the Dugan House, Kenton, was born in the Parish of Kilear, County Donegal, Ireland March 17, 1831,


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and is a son of John and Mary (McNeelus) Dugan, natives of the same place. Patrick emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1852, and, after one year's residence in Pennsylvania, came to Delaware County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and engaged as a traveler in the sale of dry goods throughout the different States of the West. He was married in Xenia, Ohio, April 7, 1863, by Rev. Thomas Blake, to Miss Mary J. Johnson, a daughter of John and Susan (McNeelus) Johnson, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Dugan was brought to this country during infancy and reared in New York City and Mansfield, Ohio. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Dugan settled on his farm in Delaware County, where he lived for about one year, returning to Xenia, Ohio, thence back to Delaware County, and in April, 1867, locating in Kenton. He kept a boarding house until the erection of the "Dugan House" in 1872. This hotel is the largest public house in the county; it is a fine, three-storied brick building of forty room;, containing high, airy ceilings, and is well furnished throughout. The cost of the hotel with furnishings was about $25,000, and it has had a successful run of business under Mr. Dugan's management. When he came to the United States he had no capital, but by his energy has won for himself a comfortable competence. Much of his success he attributes to his wife, who, for twenty years, has been a prudent and loving helpmate. They have had ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters survive, viz.: Mary E., Katie T., John P., Daniel, James B., Francis O., Annie I, and Margaret E. The deceased were named Daniel and Hugh. Mr. Dugan and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is well known as a man of honest, upright character, whose word is considered as good as his bond.

JOHN A. ELDER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1827, and is the second son of Thomas and Margery Elder nee Anderson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Scotland, whence she emigrated when a child with her parents. The grandfather, Robert Elder, moved with his family to Clark County, where he spent the remainder of his years, being a distinguished pioneer there. Thomas raised a family of seven sons and two daughters, seven of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch was reared in Clark County, Ohio, where he was married in 1855 to Miss Sarah J., daughter of John Funston; the latter is s native of Ireland. This union has resulted in three children, all of whom are living-Thomas H., James A. and Maud. Mrs. Elder is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1854, Mr. Elder came to Hardin County, settling on a farm in Pleasant Township, where he resided until the fall of 1880, in which year he occupied his present home near the city of Kenton. He has a fine residence, and is engaged in stock dealing, principally in hogo and sheep.

WILLIAM M. ELLIS, grocer, Kenton, was born in Jackson Township, Hardin County, Ohio, in 1845. His parents, Richard Ellis, and Mary Slover, are both natives of Cayuga County, N. Y., and settled in Jackson Township, being among the pioneers of Hardin County. His father followed farming for a while, then went to the gold regions of California, prospecting, where he remained two years. He died at his brother's residence in Indiana, on his way home. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of four boys and three girls; four of the children are now living. After his father's death, he removed to Marseilles, Ohio, and in early life engaged in a woolen factory. He then followed clerking up to the time of the rebellion, when he enlisted, in 1861, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He fought


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in the battle of Winchester, June 13, 1863, where he was wounded in the breast, the ball passing through a testament. He was sent, to the hospital and next day was taken prisoner by the enemy, conveyed to Richmond and confined in the Libby Prison, from which he was sent to Belle Isle, where he remained in confinement for thirty-three days. He was amend the last squad of men that were paroled for eighteen months. He was taken to Annapolis, Md.. and there exchanged, after which ha returned home. He rejoined the regiment in October, 1863, at Martinsburg. Va., where the regiment was re-organizing. He afterward participated in the battle a! New Market, May 15, 1864; Snickersville, July 18, 1864; Opequon, September 19, 1864; Round Top Mountain, September 24, 1864; Cedar Creek October 19, 1864; Hatcher's Run, April 1 and 2, 1865, and High Bridge. April 6, 1865. The troops thence went to Appomattox Court House where the rebel army surrendered, after which our subject was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. On his return to Hardin County, he went to Dunkirk and clerked in a dry goods store for six month when he moved to Marseilles, where he remained four years, an. thence came to Kenton. In 1871, he engaged as salesman in Kenton for Merriman & Norton's dry good store, in which he remained until 1875 when he represented that firm at Forest, Ohio, pursuing a branch of business there for eighteen months. Six months after, he returned to Kenton and engaged with W. Dorathy in the clothing business, and daring the ensuing year returned to the service of L. Merriman. Ha severed connection with this firm in 1880 and went into business at Sidney, Ohio, but soon after came back to Kenton and was employed in a clothing house until January 1882. At this time he formed a copartnership with R. D. Alter in the grocery business, succeeding John Pfeiffer. This firm dissolved on November 28, 1882, and Mr. Ellis has since carried it on alone, and conducts a first-class trade. He was married in 1869, at Niles, N. Y., to Miss Margaret Keyes, by which union there have been six children, five living viz.. Viola, Minnie M., Lena A., Katie and E. F. Mead. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Knights of Pythias.



W. H. FLEMING, stock-dealer, Kenton, was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1842, and is the eldest living child of Samuel and Sarah (Lafferty) Fleeting, natives of Allegheny County, Penn. They were married in Beaver County, and came to Ohio in 1854, settling in Blanchard Township, Hardin County, where they died. Mr. Fleeting was a farmer, and reared a family of five children, four living, viz., John, who enlisted in the Sixty sixth Illinois Sharpshooters and died from exposure at Corinth; Jane, wife, of Nelson Kidney; W. H., James S. and Samuel W. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the farm. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served to the close of the war. For a few years he dealt in stock, and from 1867 to 1869, was engaged in the dry goods trade at Dunkirk, Ohio. He was married in December, 1870, to Miss Maggie, daughter of John Jones, a pioneer of this county. She is a native of Knox County, Ohio. After marriage, Mr. Flaming returned to his former business of stock-dealing, which he followed until his election to the office of Clerk of Courts in 1872. He was re-elected in 1815, and served two term. Since his retirement from public duties, he has successfully pursued his old occupation of stock dealing. He has resided in Kenton since 1873. His farms in Pleasant, Dudley and Blanchard Townships embrace over four hundred acres of land. He is the father of three children, all living viz. Olga, the eldest. Dean and Dow, twins.


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J. B. FLETCHER, merchant tailor, Kenton, was born in England November 23, 1847. When he was eight years of age, he came to Ohio with his parents, William and Sarah Fletcher, who settled in Hardin County. The latter died here September 28, 1861. 1. Mr. Fletcher is still living and is a resident of Washington Township, Hardin County. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of seven children. He first established his business in Kenton in 1873, under the firm name of Fullerton & Fletcher, continuing for two and a half years, when his partner withdraw and was succeeded by George Carey. The firm then pursued business for two and a half years longer, and than sold out to A. A. Strong & Co. But six months after, in 1878, Mr. Fletcher again opened in the business, and has since conducted it alone. He has a first-class establishment, and carries a stock of about $4,000. He was married in Kenton, in 1870, to Miss Mary A. Hoon, a native of Kenton, by which anion two children have been born, Ella and Bate. Mr. Fletcher is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and ranks among the young, enterprising business men of Kenton.

JACOB FORBING, manufacturer, Kenton. was born near Fort Wayne, Ind., September 10, 1841. Ha lived in his birthplace until the breaking out of the war, when, in September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as Sergeant and served three years, participating in the engagements at Pittsburg Landing. Shiloh, Triune, Stone River and Chickamauga, in which latter battle he was wounded and confined for six weeks in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn. After a furlough of sixty days, he rejoined his troops and was is the battles of Chattanooga, Atlanta, Resaca and all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. Returning to Indiana, he followed his trade of carpenter and builder in Fort Wayne, coming to Ada, Ohio, in 1809. The same year he became associated with the Young Brothers in the scroll and lumber business, the firm dissolving in 1873, after which he came to Kenton and built a mill, carrying it on in partnership with his brother Peter for three years. The building was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Forbing then erected his present mill, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He employs on an average a force of twenty men, the work all being sawed from black walnut, for chair stock, and shipped wholly to the Eastern markets. Mr. Forbing was married in Fort Wayne, Ind., February 14, 1865, to Miss Anna M., daughter of George J. and Anna M. Young. She was born in Allen County, Ind., and has reared a family of six children, viz. Irvin, Cecilia, Earl B. A., Guy, John W. and Leo V. Mr. Forbing has also an adopted daughter, Addie. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Forbing has filled the office of City Councilman for two terms, and is one of the progressive citizens of Kenton, thoroughly identified with the interests of Hardin County.

HENRY K. FORD, merchant tailor and clothier, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 12, 1828. His parents, Joshua and Sarah (Kelly) Ford. natives of Baltimore County, Md., emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1827. They remained there until 1830, when they removed to Hardin County, where they settled in Marion Township on a farm of 400 acres, which Mr. Ford had purchased of the Government in 1835. Joshua Ford was, politically, a Whig, and always took an active part in the elections. In 1838, he erected a horse-mill, which, although not a success financially, was a great benefit to the new settlers, many coming from Allen and Hancock Counties. This mill ran continually from Monday morning until Saturday night, never being allowed to run on the


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Sabbath Day, Mr. Ford being a man of strictly moral and quiet habits, as well as a kind neighbor and a generous citizen, often grinding toll-free for the needy. He died on his farm in 1853, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and was followed by his widow in 1875,. who died in her eighty-fifth year. Both were interred in the Maysville Cemetery. They raised a family of eight sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, viz., Thomas K., who for thirty years was a resident, of Iowa, but has recently settled in Dakota Territory on a farm of 2,000 acres; John K., a Methodist divine. formerly of Hardin and Logan Counties, now in Lockwood, Dade Co., Mo. where he preaches and farms; Micha E. Wigham, of Washington Township, living on her farm, and our subject. In 1844, at Lima, Ohio, the subject of our sketch, in his sixteenth year commenced serving an apprenticeship of four and a half years at the tailoring business. He was united in marriage October 29, 1850, to Miss Catharine Bernard, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, at which time he commenced business in Kenton, where he continues to this day. His wife died October 11, 1861, leaving four children, via., John F., now of California; Alwilda F., wife of W. H. Lippincott; Maggie B. and Jessie C., a teacher in the Dunkirk School for the past three years. Mr. Ford was again united in marriage Oct 21, 1862, to Miss Emma Riddle, of Troy, Ohio, by which union they have six children, viz Carrie B., graduate and teacher in the Kenton Union School; Mary E also a graduate; and James M, Lloyd S., Sarah L. and Elizabeth K., continuing in the same school.

ULLRICH GERLACH, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hesse, District of Sluschtern, Germany, January 21, 1812, and emigrated with hi brother Christopher in 1834. They lived in Pennsylvania for three year and come to Kenton in October of 1838, and started the first saddler's shop in Kenton. Here Mr. Gerlach was engaged for many years, and, in 1868, settled on his present farm, consisting of 120 acres. He was married in Kenton, in 1839, to Miss Mary Pfeufer, a sister of Mrs. Kneblin. To this union were born eight children, six of whom are living, viz., John, George, Adam, Christopher, William and Elizabeth. Mr. Gerlach has been identified with various township offices, and is connected with the German Reformed Church.

LUDWELL G. GLENN, physician, Kenton, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 8, 1851. His father, John A. Glenn, also a native of that county, was born December 1, 1820, and moved to Hardin County in March 1853. He resided there until 1862, when he united his fate with the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the ranks until his death, May 3, 1863. He was married, January 10, 1849, to Miss Mary J. Hall, a native of Milford, Ohio, born April 7, 1829. The subject of this sketch began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Watt, an eminent physician of Kenton, with whom he remained for some years, took a course in the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and attended lectures at the Columbus Medical College, graduating in 1877. He commenced the practice of his profession in Kenton, where he has since been successfully engaged. In the spring of 1883, he formed the present partnership with Dr. Protzman. He was married, November 4, 1878, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Martin Price, of Kenton, by which union there has been one child, Byron. The Doctor is Chief Executive in the order of the Knights of Pythias, and as a physician and citizen is highly esteemed.

NICOLAUS GLOCK, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1826, and is a son of Conrad and Barbara Glock. Nico-


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laus emigrated in 1847, his parents following him in 1848. He purchased forty acres of land north of his present place, and worked in Kenton ten or twelve years before he settled on his farm. After four years' residence on his forty acres, he purchased his present farm of 150 acres, retaining the ownership of his first farm. His parents settled in Kenton, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married in Hardin County, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Bridenbach, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany. To this union were born five children, three living, viz., John, George (married to Margaret Bloom) and Nicolaus. Ho is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is one of the oldest and most esteemed of the German citizens of Kenton.

DAVID GOODIN, retired hotel-keeper, Kenton, was born in Somerset County Penn., May 31, 1805, and is the only living son of Smith and Nancy (Skinner) Goodin. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated, settling near Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, in 1808. Smith Goodin was among the early pioneers of that county, where he died in the forty-seventh years of his age. The widow and her children, three sons and two daughters, came to Hardin County in January, 1830, and David Goodin succeeded John W. Williams in a hotel standing on the site now occupied by Bans Block, known as the Goodin Block, in Kenton. Here our subject was engaged as hotel proprietor for fifteen years, being among the first that started in this section. He afterward turned the hotel into business rooms, which were destroyed by fire in 1856, subsequent to which he erected the present structure. For the past thirty years, he has lived a quiet and unostentatious life, attending to the landed estates in this county and in Iowa, where he had a large tract of land. He was one of the founders of the Kenton Savings Bank, of which he was, for some years, one of the directors, still retaining an interest in the institution. He was elected Associate Judge in 1840, serving for seven years to the satisfaction of his constituents. He also served in the City Council several terms, and has always taken an active interest in the public welfare of his county. Judge Goodin was joined in marriage in Somerset, Ohio, in December, 1825. to Miss Sarah Kishler, a daughter of John Kishler. and a native of Pennsylvania, where her family were pioneers of Mifflin County. This union has resulted in ten children, five living, viz. : Alfred, resident of Nevada, Iowa; Elizabeth, widow of William Stanley, and resident of Des Moines City, Iowa; Isabel B., wife of Dr. John Dimmett, residing in Laramie, Wyoming; Mary J., widow of Charles Peet, residing with her parents on the homestead; and David E., at home.

H. W. GRAMLICH, cashier of the First National Bank, Kenton, was born in Cessna Township, Hardin County, Ohio, in June, 1851. He is the eldest son living of John F. and Julia (Foit) Gramlich, both natives of Wittenburg, Germany. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1838, and located the same year in Hardin County, settling on 117 acres of Government land in Cessna Township. In 1882, his father retired from business, moving with his family to Kenton, where he is now residing. He has attained his seventieth year. Of the twelve children born to him, five are living. The subject of this sketch secured an education at the Northwestern Normal School at Ada, Ohio. His early years were spent in working his father's farm in summer and teaching school during the winter months. He entered the Hardin Savings Bank, now the First National Bank, in 1878, as cashier, and is still serving in that capacity. He was one of the original founders and stockholders of the Hardin Savings Bank, organized in 1875.


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R. K. GRAVELL, carriage manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1848. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Keyes) Gravell (both deceased), natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1842, settling in Upper Sandusky. In 1864, when fifteen years of age, our subject enlisted in the ranks of the Union army as private in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the four months' service. Serving this call, he again enlisted in Company I, of the One Hundred and Ninety-first Regiment, serving to the close of the war. He participated only in the engagement at Perryville, the regiment preferring detailed service most of the time. At the close of the war, our subject learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1871, he established business in Kenton, under the firm name of Schrader & Gravell and was located on the corner of Ohio and Maine streets. This firm built up a large trade, an were the most extensive manufacturers of light work, but were obliged to succumb to the hard times of 1874, when they dissolved. Mr. Gravell, by dint of energy and perseverance, rented a fire of Magoy and began ironing some work, commencing at the forge himself. His brother O. E. came to Kenton at this time and assisted him in his work, soon becoming proprietor for of a new establishment, our subject continuing in work for him. O. E Gravell subsequently removed to Bucyrus, and R. K. Gravell succeeded him in the business. He occupied his present premises in 1875, which was then an old livery stable, occupying one-half of the present building, which was erected in 1880. The building is two stories high, the upper floor being used for painting and trimming. Here he carefully superintends all the work, and is making a specialty of spring wagons. In 1876, Mr Gravell was married to Miss Letty Rinehart, a native of Hardin County and who died in 1878, after one year and a half of wedded life. She was daughter of Adam R. Rinehart, who was a pioneer of Hardin County Mr. Gravell chose for his second wife Miss Jennie Maddux, to whom he was married June 6, 1883. She is a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and only child of the late Henry Maddux, who, in his lifetime, was a prominent attorney of Upper Sandusky, and one of the most substantial business men of that State. Mr. Gravell is among the active business men of Kenton.

JOHN McGUIGIN, liveryman, Kenton, was born in Goshen Township, Hardin County, Ohio, May 20, 1837. He is the oldest and only living son of Edward and Ellen (Tally) McGuigin, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, who emigrated to Hardin County in July of 1834, settling in Goshen Township. Edward McGuigin entered 160 acres of land, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1864. He was among the early pioneers of the county. He had two sons, our subject and Edward. The latter died in 1863. Mrs. McGuigin died in 1849. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he lived until 1875, when he sold the place and removed to Kenton. He is proprietor of the livery stable purchased from Mr. Vance, whom he succeeded in the spring of 1883. He was married in this county in 1873 to Miss Mollie A. Toner, a native of Goshen Township and a daughter of Michael and Mary Toner, pioneers of this county. To this union has been born one child-Ellen M. Mr. McGuigin is a member of the Catholic Church of Kenton, and is one of the oldest citizens here.

GEORGE H. HARRIS, Secretary of the Scioto Straw Board Company, Kenton, was born in Bellevue, Ohio, April 8, 1842, and is a son of Henry G. and Ruth (Boslow) Harris, natives of Canada. His father located in


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Bellevue at an early time, and was a civil engineer on the Mad River Railway, which penetrated the county at that time. Subsequently he removed to Hardin County and settled in Patterson, finally moving to Kenton, where he became engaged in the flour and grain trade. He erected the elevator now run by E. Lawson, and was proprietor of a distillery many years. He served the county as Treasurer, and departed this life in 1870. The subject of this sketch was for many years connected with the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway as telegraph operator, and, later, was cashier for the Cincinnati, Dayton & Sandusky Railroad. also of the Chicago, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, of the former of which he was then agent at Kenton, 1871. The same year, he engaged in the grain and wool business in Kenton. He afterward formed a copartnership with A. Letson and erected a large pork-packing house, carrying on an extensive business until 1882, at which time he became associated with the Scioto Straw Board Company, and the pork establishment gave place to the erection of a handsome edifice. He and his former partner, A. Letson, purchased at a Sheriff's sale the gas company's works, and have put it into successful operation, owning one-half interest in the same. Mr. Harris was married in January of 1867 to Miss Maggie, daughter of Judge Letson, and a native of Hardin County. Two children, Ann and Mabel born to this union, are both living.

DR. E. B. HIESTAND, of Kenton, Ohio, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 11, 1830. His father, Samuel Hiestand, was a native of Virginia, of German descent, and died while serving as Bishop of the United Brethren Church, after having officiated nearly six years. When his son E. B. was nine years old, his mother, Margrette Ann (Rodabough), a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1860. Our subject in his common school days and early life remained on the old home farm with his mother until he took a collegiate course of over two years with Prof. Samuel Weaver. During the last two years, the Doctor was a teacher of vocal music. In 1845, he entered upon his professional studies of medicine and surgery, and, in 1847-48, he attended a course of lectures at Cincinnati. In 1850-51, he attended medical lectures at Columbus, graduating there. He then entered into copartnership with Dr. George W. Edgerly, of Dayton, Ohio, at Ansonia, Ohio. He again attended Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, in 1856-57. At the close of the college, he removed to Cannonsburg, Ohio, and formed a copartnership with Dr. E. P. Leslie, of that place. In 1862-63, he again attended lectures in the last-named college, then located in Ada, Ohio. In 1868, he formed a copartnership with Dr. J. H. Williams, late Surgeon in the United States Army. Previously, in 1864-65, he had attended college at Chicago Medical College. In 1870, he took Dr. S. H. Sturgeon with him in partnership, attending lectures in 1871-72 at New York, at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He took an honorary degree in medicine and surgery from the faculty of the last named college. The same year he attended a private course in surgery under the teaching of Prof. Frank H. Hamilton, of New York. Then again in 1880-81, he attended the various medical colleges of New York City, viz., the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, the University of New York and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, hearing lectures on branches he deemed most essential to his medical knowledge, also taking a private course in gynecology and surgery of the same with Prof. M. A. Pallen, at the University, also at the Women's Hospital of New York, and a course of operations and treatment on the eye and ear, under Prof. W. F. Mittendorf. In 1874, he removed from Ada to Kenton, Ohio, where he now lives.


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He formed a partnership with Dr. William Watt, said partnership ceasing in 1876. Dr. D. C. Smith became a partner in 1879 and 1880, when Dr. Edwin Howard, his son, took his place. The Doctor was married in 1856 to Miss Haddassah Ann Harris, daughter of Col. Nehemiah and Anna Harris. Mrs. Harris' maiden name was Anna McGuffey, sister of the late Prof. Willie McGuffey, formerly of Oxford and latterly of the University of Virginia.



GEORGE HILL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born on the homestead his father in Section 25, Pleasant Township, Hardin County, Ohio, June 27, 1854. His father, Nicholas Hill, was born in Germany in 1808; emigrated to this country, landing at Baltimore in 1833. He entered the land our subject now occupies in the year 1836. The mother of our subject Elizabeth (Rosenbacher) Hill, was also a native of Germany, born in 1817. They had eight children, viz., Margaret, Daniel (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Martin (deceased), Mary, Mena (deceased). George and John. Mrs. Hill died on the home farm in February, 1876. aged fifty-seven yeas followed by her husband in April, 1883, aged seventy-five years. The latter was well known by all the pioneers of Hardin County, and was honored and respected by all. The two surviving sons, George and John, still live on the homestead, which comprises 120 acres of fine, well-cultivated land.

LESTER T. HUNT, attorney at law and real estate dealer, Kenton was born in Chaplin, Windham Co., Conn., September 10, 1832. He is the youngest child of Elisha and Almira (Bill) Hunt, both natives of Chaplin, Conn. His father a farmer, resided all his life in his native town dying of cholera in 1833. Mrs. Hunt lived to be seventy years of age. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, two living, Lester T. and Henry, the latter a resident on the homestead in Connecticut. The subject of this sketch spent his early years in teaching a school during the winter months and farming in the summer. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he started for the West, stopping at his uncle's in Hunt's Corners, N. Y. In the winter of 1853, he became connected, as an assistant, with Prof. Lewis Swift. He traveled in that capacity until the summer of 1855, when he severed his connection with Dr. Swift and came to Ohio. In the fall of 1856, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in the spring of 1857, and was admitted to the bar in April of the same year. In the summer of 1857, he commenced his practice in Kenton, where he has since remained. He was Mayor of the city in 1859, served one term, and, in 1861, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and re-elected in 1863, serving until 1865. In 1863, he was a delegate from his Congressional District to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He became editor of the Kenton Democrat in 1857, and of the Kenton Republican in 1862, of which latter sheet he purchased an interest and pursued its publication until 1869. He then sold a half interest to A. W. Millar, who finally took whole charge in the following year. Mr. Hunt retained his editorial connection with this paper until 1878, when he relinquished his position, and the paper finally passed into the hands of its present proprietors, in 1880. In 1870, Mr. Hunt became interested in the Chicago & Atlantic Railway, organizing the company on November 25, 1871, the date of its charter. The company, composed of Kenton citizens, was subsequently consolidated with the Indiana division, to connect it through to Chicago. The work of construction was stopped in 1873 by the panic of that year, but the last rail was laid in 1880. In November, 1882, Mr. Hunt resigned his position. Since 1862 he has been largely engaged in real estate transactions, and is in partnership with Gen. J. S. Robinson.


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On January 2, 1859, he was married to Miss Ellen F.. a daughter of Luther Burnham, of North Windham, Conn. Two children were the fruits of this union-Marcia, wife of Frank Martin, residing in Chaplin, Conn., and Alice, a resident of North Windham, Conn. Mrs. Hunt died February 2, 1869, at her home in Connecticut. Mr. Hunt was again married, June 14, 1878, to Miss Maggie Young, a native of Chester County, Penn., and sister to James and William Young, of Kenton. One child, Florence A., has been born. Mr. Hunt was originally a Democrat, but since the rebellion has belonged to the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, and numbers among the stanch and strictly business men of Kenton.

A. B. JOHNSON, attorney, Kenton, was born in Norwalk, Ohio, September 9, 1843. He is the only son of William P. and Betty (Bell) Johnson, both natives of Massachusetts. His parents came to the West in 1835, settling in Huron County, Ohio. His father, at the time of his death, was living in Oberlin, Ohio, where he died in the seventy-second year of his age. The widow and mother is now residing in Oberlin, and has attained her seventy-first year. The subject of this sketch secured his primary education in the common schools of Wellington. When his parents moved to Oberlin, he entered the college there, graduating in 1864. During the winters of that and the ensuing year, he was teaching school in Sharon, Ohio. In the spring of 1865, he went to Sandusky and read law in the office of Homer Goodman, coming to Kenton in October. Here he was appointed Superintendent of the Public Schools for the term of one year. In the following April, he went to Cleveland and entered the Ohio State Union Law College, and was admitted to the bar June 6, 1866, at Wooster, Ohio. He began the practice of his profession in August, 1866, in Kenton, where he has since been successfully engaged. Mr. Johnson was married. in July, 1866, to Miss Louise M., daughter of George W. Crane, a native of Medina County, Ohio. The five children born to this union are all living, viz., Cedric E., Ethel G., Burke L., Kent P. and Cecil A. Mr. Johnson served as Prosecuting Attorney for four years, being elected in 1867 and re-elected in 1869, serving until 1871. He was the Mayor of Kenton from 1874 to 1876, and for the past twelve years has been a member of the School Board. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery of the Masonic order, and also a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Johnson was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States on the 3d day of December, 1877, and to the Circuit Court at Cleveland on October 31, 1873.

CHARLES P. JONES, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of John and Sarah (Bradbury) Jones, the former of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was born in 1800 and married in Pennsylvania. He settled in Knox County, Ohio, in 1825, and was among the early pioneers there. They moved to Hardin County in 1852, settling in Washington Township, and lived there to the close of their lives. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was the youngest son, and was married in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1866, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Alexander Campbell. She is a native of Trumbull County, of which her parents were early pioneers. This union has resulted in two children, Lehr B. and Early V. Mr. Jones enlisted, in 1864, in Company F of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He established in the dairy business in Kenton in 1880, and has now a dairy of nineteen cows, with a large


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and profitable business. He lives on his farm of 132 acres, upon which he settled in 1875.

CONRAD KAHLER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, is the oldest son of Nicholas and Gala Kahler, born in Germany November 24, 1823, and came with his parents to this country and to Kenton in 1845. He began working on the railroad, but, in 1850, bought a few acres of land near Kenton and commenced the manufacture of brick, which business, with farming, he cared on successfully for a number of years. He purchased acre by acre of land until he has now a stretch, just outside the corporation, of about two miles. in length, of as fine land as can be found in the county, numbering 600 acres, all bordering on the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati Railway. His parents were born in Germany, where they were married and had three children-Conrad, Mary (wife of Henry Myers, of this county) and Henry, who died at about twenty-one years of age. The father of our subject died in 1872, aged seventy-two years; the mother still survives, hale and active, and lives with our subject. Mr. Conrad Kahler, although not an office seeker, has held the offices of Infirmary Director and Township Trustee, and for a number of years has been School Director, still serving in that capacity. He was married, in September, 1850, to Hannah, daughter of Henry and Sophia Myers. who came, in 1841, from Germany to America, locating in Kenton. The children by this marriage are as follows: Edward, born February 11, 1853; Minnie, born February 7, 1855, died December 29, 1858; William, born November 16, 1857; Henry, born October 23, 1860; Enos, born May 13, 1863, died September 15, 1872, and Emma, born October 22 , 1865.

HENRY KAISER, carriage manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1840. He emigrated with a sister in 1859, locating in Kenton. He subsequently removed to Cincinnati, but returned to Kenton and worked at his trade of carriage-making, which he had learned in Germany. He opened his present manufactory in 1873, purchasing the building he is now occupying, which was formerly a horse shoeing establishment, and to which he has added a building on the rear premises. He turns out from sixty to seventy-five carriages yearly; has a good trade, employing from ten to fourteen men. In 1862, he was married to Miss Mary Coutz, a native of Kenton. This union has resulted in nine children, all living, viz., Caroline, Albert, William, Maggie, Henry, John, Minnie, Fred and George. The family are connected with the German Lutheran Church.

H. C. KOLLER, merchant. Kenton, was born in York County, Penn. in 1841, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Cramer) Koller, both native of that county. His father died in his native place in 1854, and his mother, who is still living. is a resident there. The subject of this sketch came to the West in 1860, and located on his uncle's farm in Seneca County, Ohio. where he remained until he entered the army during the rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought at Perryville, Ky., October 6, 7 and 8, in 1863, and at Stone River, December 31, 1862. At the latter battle, he was wounded in the right hip and taken to the hospital at Murfreesboro, thence to Newport, Ky., and finally to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he recovered, and rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga. He participated in the Atlanta campaign and in the engagements at Franklin and Nashville His regiment was reviewed at Nashville by Gen. Thomas; was mustered out and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio. On his return home, Mr. Koller attended school for a time and then entered a dry goods store at Cleveland,


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and, in 1870, became a traveling agent of the same business and went to Philadelphia. He came to Hardin County in September, 1871, and was married, in same month, to Miss May, daughter of H. G. Harris, a pioneer of Hardin County, and a native of Brattleboro, Vt. In July, 1872, Mr. Koller opened a dry goods stock, and in August, 1880, occupied his present building, where he has since been occupied. He carries a stock of about $15,000 to $16,000. His sales have increased from $14,000 in the first year to $50,000 in the year 1882. Mr. Koller is among the stanch business men of Kenton, highly esteemed, and, in a political point of view, is an ardent Republican. He has been connected with the Presbyterian Church since his residence here.

SIGMUND KREIENBIHL, farmer. P. O. Kenton, was born in Switzerland in 1818, and is a son of John and Margaret (Weisbrot) Kreinebihl, both natives of the same place. His parents emigrated in 1834 and located in Allegheny County, Penn., coming thence to Hardin County in 1841. Mr. Kreinebihl purchased 190 acres of land in Dudley Township, subsequently selling the farm in -1864-and then removing to Page County. Iowa, where he died in 1878; his wife died in this county, August 1862. They raised a family of fourteen children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the third child, and has always lived in Hardin County, with the exception of a few years spent in New Orleans, La. In 1861,. he enlisted from Hardin County in Company B of the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the three years' service, but only served nine months, being discharged for physical disability. He was married, in 1848, in Hardin County, to Elizabeth Pfeiffer, a native of Hesse-Cassel to this union ten children were born, all living, viz., John, now married to Caroline Amweg; Elizabeth; Mary, wife of John Beechtold, of Marion County; Katie, wife of John Cook, Hardin County; George; William, of Buck Township, Hardin County, and married to Susan Shutte, Adam, Louis, Henry and Maggie; six living with their parents. Our subject was Trustee for four years, and has filled various offices of the township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Kenton. He occupied his present place of 100 acres in 1854, making it his permanent home, and also owns 142 acres in Buck Township, which be rents out.

G. G. LAUGHEAD, physician, Kenton, was born on a farm five miles east of Xenia, Ohio, February 28, 1847. He is a son of Joseph K. and Catherine (Galloway) Laughead, the latter a native of Oldtown, Ohio. His father was a son of David Laughead, who emigrated from his native State of Pennsylvania and located near Xenia at an early day. George Galloway, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch descent and a pioneer of Ohio, and associated with Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. He settled near Xenia, Ohio, where he died, and where the storehouse he erected near Oldtown is yet standing, a monument to his memory. Joseph Laughead, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead, near Xenia, and from his boyhood has followed farming. He purchased a farm near his birthplace and turned his attention to raising fruit, which he has followed diligently and successfully, his reputation as a fruit-grower being widely known throughout the county. At this time of writing his health is declining, he having reached his seventieth year. His wife is still living, and has reared a family of two sons and one daughter, all living. The subject of this sketch is the youngest. child. He secured his primary education in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen attended the Xenia Seminary, continuing there for three years. He then at-


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tended the sophomore year at Monmouth and the junior and senior years at the Ohio Central College, in Morrow County, graduating from the letter in 1871. He then commenced the study of medicine, under the preceptorship of William H. Reed, of Iberia, Ohio, with whom he devoted two years of study. He attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cleveland in the years 1872 and 1873, and while there served one term in the hospital as assistant, diagnosing cases and attending in the wards. In the winter of 1877 and 1878 he pursued his studies in the Miami Medical College Cincinnati, graduating in 1878. He had commenced his practice in l874, in Morea, Crawford Go., Ill., and remained there eighteen months, removing to Scotland, Ind. He there remained in continuous practice until the spring of 1881, when he took up his residence in Kenton, and has since pursued his professional calling here with great success. He was married in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1874, to Miss Nettie, daughter of Joshua Wolff. She was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and lived to raise a family four children, two living, viz., Mable E. and George Edgar. Mrs. Laughead died in Scotland, Ind., December 17, 1880. During the rebellion, the Doctor enlisted in the navy, as ship's musician, December 7, 1863. He was drafted on the gunboat Ouichita, under Capt. Wilson, having a roving commission, and was sent to Cairo, Ill., in January, 1864. He was on the vessel in Bank's expedition up the Red River, under the command of Admiral Porter, and during the engagement at Trinity Springs his vessel was made the flag-ship of the squadron. He was discharged December 6, 1864, at Donaldsonville, seventy-five miles north of New Orleans, La. Dr. Laughead is a member and Elder of the United Presbyterian Church, and in 1881, was representative of that church to the General Assembly at Allegheny, Penn.

JOSEPH LAWS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1832, and is a son of Henry and Sarah Laws. He emigrated to the United States in 1850 residing for two years in Genesee County, N. Y.; coming thence to Sandusky, Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 moved to Hardin County, locating in Kenton. In 1872, he purchased and settled on his present farm, consisting of fifty acres. In April, 1855, he was married, in Kenton. to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Celia Warmbread, natives of Germany. who emigrated to the United States in 1852, settling in Pleasant Township. Hardin County, where the former died in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Laws have had a family of six children. five of whom are living, viz., Charles, Joseph H., Mary, Viola and Sarah A. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Laws has been a class leader for many years.

DR. USHER PARSON LEIGHTON (deceased), one of the earliest pioneers and practitioners of Kenton, was born in Elliott, Me., on March 16, 1810. He was of English descent. Capt. William Leighton, his grandfather, was a ship-master, coming from Tiverton, England, about 1650. He erected Leighton's Fort, in York County, Me., and was a distinguished officer of the Revolution. His son, Gen. Samuel Leighton, the father of our subject, was born at Kittery, York Co., Me., on May 25, 1771, and was married to Frances U. Parsons in December of 1799. They moved, in 1820, to Alfred, Me., where Samuel Leighton died in October of 1848. The latter was one of the Representatives to the General Assembly at Boston in 1809; served as Justice of the Peace for thirty years, Justice of the Court in York County and was commissioned Ensign in the military in 1792, Lieutenant Colonel in 1806 and Brigadier General in 1813. A few


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years prior to his decease, he was elected Sheriff of York County. He died from a wound received during action in the war. He was the father of five sons and five daughters, of whom nine children grew to maturity. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1831; stopped at McCutchinville, where he read medicine with Dr. Sampson, and, in 1833 and 1834, attended lectures at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Me., and, in the spring of 1835, received a diploma from Brown's University, Providence, R. I. In March of 1836, he located in Kenton, commencing the practice of medicine. Hardin County was then a comparatively dense forest, without roads, churches or schoolhouses; but he applied himself closely to his profession and became successful, soon winning his way to the hearts and confidence of all the early settlers. His acquaintance was universal, and he was familiar in every household. He was elected three times County Treasurer, discharging his duties with integrity and honor. On January 19, 1840, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Jacob H. Houser, then one of the prominent citizens of the county. For more than thirty-eight years they shared together the toils and trials incident to human life, living to see Kenton start--a little village among the trees and stumps of the forest and grow to be a large-sized town. They had five children, three living, as follows: George, Anna E. (married to G. Gregg and residing in Pittsfield, N. H.), and Martha L. (the wife of B. F. Brunson. of Kenton). Dr. Leighton died at his residence August 26, 1878, in the sixty ninth year of his age. He had risen from the supper table, apparently in good health, and passing out in the entry, fell to the floor a corpse. George Leighton, the second child, was born in Hardin County April 16, 1842. He was married, April 3, 1872. to Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph Parsons, and a native of York County, Me. The four children born to this union are all living, viz., Anna P., George P., Grace H. and Edwin U. Mr. George Leighton served in the four months' call for volunteers during the late rebellion, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guard. He is chiefly occupied in looking after the landed estate of his inheritance, his father being, at the time of his demise, one of the largest land-owners in the county. He is connected with the Presbyterian Church, of which his father was a founder.

ALFRED N. LIPOLD, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Grant, was born in Germany May 18, 1853, and is a son of Albert and Anna Lipold. His mother was a daughter of John and Anna M. Lipold, the surname being the same, although no blood relationship existed between the families. The parents of our subject were both born in Germany, his father on November 22, 1822. his mother March 25, 1821. They were there married, and were blessed with five sons, of whom our subject was the only one born in Germany, the others being born in Hardin County, Ohio, viz., Andrew J., born October 5, 1856; Albert L., born May 31, 1858; George W., born February 18, 1861, and William W., born February 5, 1863. The family came to this county and to Kenton in the fall of 1853, and Mr. Lipold, after renting farms for several years, purchased one in Pleasant Township, Section 1, in the spring of 1866. The farm had only a small clearing on it and a cabin, but it is now highly cultivated, and comprises 120 acres of land. Mr. Lipold died July 2, 1880. The widow and sons still reside on the homestead, the latter becoming useful citizens of the township.

MRS. ELEANOR LOOKER. daughter of John and Anna Castor (see sketch of Paul Castor, of Kenton), was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 16, 1823.She was married, February 7, 1843, to Harrison Looker,


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who was born in Rockingham County, December 16, 1818. To this union were born nine children, their names and dates of births as follows John, April 19, 1844, and George, August 22, 1847, both deceased in infancy; Mary E., October 31, 1849; William C., July 20, 1851; James M.. August 11, 1853; Wilson, July 20, 1855; Alvin P., November 29, 1857 Sarah E., June 7, 1860: Harrison, October 3, 1863. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Looker and his wife settled in Section 24, Pleasant Township, or eighty acres of woodland, where the widow is now living. The farm is now well improved, and has been increased to 130 acres. Mr. Looker died April 2, 1881. He was a good citizen and died in the Christian faith, having been for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES E. LOWRY, Probate Judge, Kenton, was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 1, 1847. He is a son of Williamson and Drusilla (Williams) Lowry. The records of this family show them to be of Irish and Scotch origin, their first settlement being probably in Maryland, but the date is not definitely known. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Maryland and his wife a Virginian by birth. They married in Virginia, where they raised a family prior to their settlement in Richland County, which occurred in the early part of the present century. B , followed farming. His death was through an accident, his limb being poisoned by a cut from a sickle while harvesting in a wheat field. He died in the forty-seventh year of his age. His widow lived to be ninety-seven years old, dying in Adams County, Iowa. Williamson, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead in Richland County, in 1818, and was married in 1844. His wife was a native of the same county, born January 9, 1822. Before his death, he went to Wabash County, Ind., entered 160 acres of land, on which he built a rude cabin, intending to settle there; but on his return he was taken ill, and died March 31, 1850. The widow was remarried in 1851 to John Cole, by whom she had three daughters. John Cole, of German descent, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., whence he moved to Richland County, Ohio. After his marriage, he came to Forest, and, in 1869, to Ada, where he died in 1874. Mrs. Cole is now a resident of Ada, and is in her sixty-second year. The subject of this sketch is the only one living of a family of three children. He lived with his step-father until the spring of 1863, and was educated at the high schools of his native county. In 1863, he went to Mansfield, Ohio, to the home of his guardian, and entered a school for telegraphy. On December 21, 1863, he was sent to Forest, Ohio, and was appointed night operator on the Fort Wayne & Pittsburgh Railroad, working at different points in this State and Indiana. The following year, he was day operator in Forest, and from June, 1864, to November, 1867, was assistant agent. He was then agent at Ada, remaining there until December, 1869, and then abandoned the business and became special agent of the Home Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. In October of 1870, he engaged his services in the Union Central Life Company of Cincinnati, being appointed general traveling agent and manager, with headquarters at Toledo. Two year after, he became Superintendent of agencies, with headquarters at Cincinnati, occupying that position till April of 1874. He then accepted an agency for the Northern Ohio, making his headquarters at his home in Ada, but resigned in August, 1875. He then remained at home until his election to the bench. He was a candidate for Clerk of Courts in the spring of 1878. and was defeated by a majority of 147 votes out of 3,200. In the spring of 1881, he was nominated for Probate Judge, there being six


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candidates, and was elected by a majority of 335 votes over G. B. Castor. He assumed the duties of his office in February of 1882, and has since presided with satisfaction. He was married, December 10, 1868, to Miss Malinda, a daughter of Thomas Bushnell, of Haysville, Ohio. Two children have been born to this union-Daisy L. and William B. Mr. Lowry has been a member of a Masonic order since his majority, and was made a Mason, in Senate Lodge, Forest, Ohio, by Dr. J. A. Stansiell, W. M. He was also charter member of Ada Chapter, and its High Priest for two years.

EDWARD LYNCH, liveryman, Kenton, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 4, 1828. His parents, George and Hannah (Brown) Lynch, were natives of Pennsylvania, and first settled in Muskingum County, Ohio; thence moved to Coshocton County in 1817, coming to Hardin County in October of 1835. George Lynch cleared a farm of eighty acres in Washington Township, on which he lived until his decease in February, 1843. He helped to organize Washington Township, and was one of the first Trustees. He was a man of quiet, unobtrusive habits, and was highly esteemed by all his friends. His wife lived until May 28, 1871, and both are buried in the cemetery of Washington Township. They had a family of twelve children, four living, most of the others having died at an early age. The four living are Louisa, wife of Kinzie Fulks; Elizabeth, wife of John ---, of Hardin County; Hannah C., wife of Benjamin Cunan, Hardin County, and our subject. The latter was reared on the homestead farm, leaving it after his father's death, in 1843, and afterward purchased a small farm in Washington Township, settling upon it after his marriage. He married, March 9, 1853, Miss Charlotte Rush, a native of Pennsylvania, to which union nine children were born, seven of whom are living, viz., Alice (wife of D. Obenour, of Hardin County), Emma J., Laura E., George C., Retta M., Austa 1. and Myrta L. In the spring of 1858. Mr. Lynch moved onto a farm in Blanchard Township, where he resided until January of 1882, having opened, in October previous, a livery stable, which he has since carried on. He has been largely engaged in buying, raising and shipping stock, and had large shipments during the first part of the war, and immense shipments in the latter part of that memorable struggle. He still holds an interest in his farm, upon which he has some stock. His livery business has been a successful undertaking. He erected the livery stable he now occupies and his trade now demands a larger increase of stock.

JAMES B. MCCONNELL, contractor, Kenton, was born in Greene County, near Xenia, Ohio, October 5, 1832. He is the eldest son of Isaiah and Ann (Bain) McConnell, the former born near Dublin, Ireland. in 1800, the latter in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1798. His grandfather, Samuel McConnell, a native of Ireland, settled in Greene County, Ohio, when Isaiah was about nine years of age. He participated in the war of 1812, and was one of the distinguished pioneers of Ohio. Isaiah, with his wife and four children, came to Kenton in 1839, removing, three years after, to a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in Pleasant Township. This farm he sold in 1856, and removed to Kenton, where he died July 4, 1860. Of his children, three are living-David W., of Marseilles, Ohio; Sarah F., wife of J. C. Cary, of Xenia, Ohio; and Martha, residing in Kenton with her mother, who is in her eighty-fourth year. The subject of this sketch remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to Kenton and sold goods with his uncle, Adam N. McConnell. Three


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years after, he engaged as salesman in boots and shoes for the firm f whom he sold goods in Logansport, Ind. Returning to Kenton, he established himself in a drug and grocery business, which he pursued for the years. In 1856, he was married, and the same year was working as sales in hardware for G. R. Moore, with whom he was engaged until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the three years' call as Second Lieutenant. He in the battles of Cross Keys, under J. C. Fremont, Slaughter Run, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, under Gen. Hooker, and Gettysburg, where he was wounded and placed on a furlough of sixty days. He returned to his regiment in September, 1863, in Catlett's Station, and engaged at Bridgeport, Ala., Wauhatchie Valley, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain under Gen. Hooker; then went to Knoxville, to relieve Burnside, returning to Bridgeport, where the regiment veteranized and our subject came home. Thirty days after, he returned to Sherman's army at Bridgeport, and fought at Round Top Mountain and all the battles on the memorable march to the sea and at Peach Tree Creek. He was in the last battle at Bentonville, and was detailed at Savannah, Ga., on the staff Gen. Robinson, participating in the grand review. From Washington went to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out July 18, 1865. He was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, August 29, 1863, and was muster, as Captain in June, 1863. serving in that rank to the close of the war. On his return home, he resumed his old position, and, in 1868, was appointed Assistant Assessor under the revenue law, holding that office until it was abolished. Since then, he has built about forty-five miles of road in this county, and at this time is building the Kenton Scott pike, beside others, being continuously engaged in contracts for Hardin County. He married, in 1856, Martha M., daughter of James Coulter, a native of Richland County, Ohio, where the family were pioneers. This union has resulted in two children, both living-Elmer C. and Hattie R. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.



GEORGE W. McMILLEN. farmer and lumber merchant, P. O. Kenton, was born in Highland Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, October 21, 1836. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Pringle) McMillen, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania January 1, 1794, the latter in Loudoun County. Va., in 1798. They were married in this State and died in Muskingum County, the mother at the age of seventy-seven, the father when eighty-three years old. Of their fourteen children (six were boys), twelve grew up to manhood and womanhood. Mr. McMillen spent his early days on a farm. He was in the late rebellion, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and fought in many battles, among them those of Winchester, the Wilderness and Locust Grove, in which latter he acted as Orderly (pro tem.), and led the company into and through the battle, eventually receiving a promotion to a Second Lieutenancy. He was a prisoner at Andersonville for five months, escaping a mere skeleton, weighing only ninety-eight pounds, his usual weight being one hundred and ninety-eight pounds. He traveled on foot at night, and reached Knoxville some three months after his escape. He was at the surrender of Gen. Lee, and was discharged in July, 1865. On October 18, 1866, he was married to Charlotte, daughter of Nimrod and Jane (Barrett) McKnight. The names and dates of births of the children born are as follows: Elizabeth Myrtle, January 3, 1869: Flora Gertrude, August 15, 1870: James Cary, February 26, 1872;


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Della Floy, August 16, 1874, and George Washington, November 7, 1876. Mr. McMillen has a pleasant home in Section 25, Pleasant Township, and is engaged in farming and dealing in lumber.

JAMES T. McQUOWN, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 28, 1821. His parents, David and Mary (Sloan) McQuown, were both Pennsylvanians by birth, and. were married there, and had a family of eight children, viz., Margaret, Robert, David and John, born in Pennsylvania; James T., Martha A., William A. and Samuel, born in Ohio. The parents located in the southeastern part of Ohio in 1819, coming to Hardin County in the spring of 1834 and settling on Tymochtee Creek, in Section 9 of Goshen Township, where they entered 400 acres of land, on which he erected a log cabin. Here Mrs. McQuown died, in 1855, aged sixty-five years. Martha, the youngest daughter, and the youngest son also died here. Mr. McQuown subsequently took up his residence with his son John, in Van Wert County, Ohio, where he died May, 1869, aged eighty-five years. The subject of this sketch aided his father in the clearing of the farm, remaining at home until about twenty-five years of age. He was married, February 26, 1846, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Mary Spencer, both Pennsylvanians. She was born in West Virginia in 1827. The fruit of this union has been ten children, viz., William M.., Martha J. E., James M., Sarah L., David G. W., Mary M. J., Thomas S., Florence E., Elizabeth D. and an infant, deceased. After his marriage, Mr. McQuown put up a log cabin on part of the land entered by his father. In 1854, he moved with his family by team to Iowa, returning eighteen months after; the journey each way having occupied four weeks. His brother William, who accompanied him, died on the trip going out. On his return, in the fall of 1855, he bought of William Ballantine 160 acres of the land where he now lives, in Section 1, Pleasant Township. He is a strict Presbyterian in religion, and politically has always identified himself with the Democratic party. His father, being among the first settlers in Goshen Township, was probably one of the early voters.

BERNARD MATHEWS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in County Dublin, Ireland, April 15, 1801. He emigrated to the United States in 1834, coming to Hardin County, Ohio, in August of the same year, and entered here about 440 acres of land on the line between Cessna and Pleasant Townships, extending into both. He first settled on the farm now occupied by Robert Draper, in Pleasant Township. The land was covered with a forest, but in course of time, after passing through many hardships and privations, he founded a home for his family. He subsequently moved across the line into Cessna Township, where he lived until his removal, in the fall of 1882, to Kenton, where he is living a retired life in the enjoyment of a well-preserved and ripe old age. Mr. Mathews was married, in his native country, to Miss Ellen Clinton, a native of Dublin, who still survives, a solace to her husband and children. Seven sons and three daughters were born to them, all living, as follows: Mary, wife of James Garretty, residing in Des Moines, Iowa; John, a resident of Wallace, Kan.; James C.; Mathew R. and Cornelius M., residents of Elbert County, Colo.; Lucy P., Joseph C. and Clotilda, the latter wife of Daniel Flannagan, residents of Kenton; Alfred, residing in Delaware, Ohio, and Jerome, of Elbert County, Colo. Mr. Mathews and family belong to the Catholic Church, and are highly respected by all classes. Mr. Mathews is a man of good education, possessing an extensive knowledge of men and books.


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LEWIS MERRIMAN, merchant, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, May 4, 1827. His father, Charles Merriman, was a native of the State of New York, and his mother, Susan Carey, of the eastern part of Ohio. The subject of this sketch commenced the dry goods business on his own account on April 1, 1850, at Marseilles, Wyandot Co., Ohio, and continued in the business at Marseilles till April 1, 1879, but in the meantime moved to Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, April 1, 1864, and has been in the dry goods business ever since. On January 1, 1882, he and his son. Charles C., started a wholesale notion and gents' furnishing goods store, and he is still in that business, but had the sad misfortune to lose his son Charles C., by typhoid fever, March 22, 1883. He has also been in the banking business, and has been one of the largest real estate dealers in the county, and is ever ready to extend his connection.

E. L. MILLAR, editor, Kenton, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 19, 1857. He is the eldest son of John D. and Keturah (Williams) Millar, the former of whom died when our subject was but four years of age. Being left an orphan at the age of twelve years, our subject was then brought up under the guidance of his uncle, J. R. Millar, a resident of Hardin County. He was educated at the common schools, and for three years-beginning in 1873-at the High School of Kenton. In the fall of 1875, he entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School at Ada, and graduated in 1876. In the fall of 1877, he commenced to learn the printing trade, and, in 1878, he arranged with B. L. Thompson for the publication of the Ada Record, buying out the interest of the latter in the following year and remaining sole proprietor until August, 1881. He then sold that paper to Agnew Welsh, the present owner, and went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he became city editor of the Daily Courier. In May, 1882, he joined George W. Rutledge in the publication of the Kenton Republican, and has remained its editor ever since. Mr. Millar was united in marriage, in Hardin County, in June, 1881, to Miss Minnie, only daughter of John Manning, of Ada, Ohio. She is a native of Shelby County, Ohio.

JOHN C. MILLER, boot and shoe dealer, Kenton, was born on Long Island, N. Y., in 1830, and is a son of Enoch and Amy (Conkling) Miller. Enoch Miller was a boot and shoe manufacturer at East Moriches, Long Island, where he and his wife died. They raised a family of eight children, all living. Our subject was the second child, and left home for the West in 1858, coming to Kenton, where he has since remained. In the same year of his arrival, he opened a small shop in the boot and shoe business near the depot, where he only manufactured at the bench. Here he employed himself in custom work for eight or ten years, and then opened the first store with William Gilmore, with whom he was associated for five years, when he bought him out. He occupied his present quarters in 1878, his son having been admitted into partnership two years previous. The members of this firm are among the oldest merchants of Kenton, and carry a stock of from $6,000 to $7,000. Mr. Miller was married, at his native place, in 1852, to Miss Caroline Raynor, a Dative of East Moriches, Long Island. by which union there have been born two children-Henry J., associated in the store and married to Miss Emma, daughter of Anson Norton, and by whom he has had one child-Willie, and Emma W. Our subject was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guards, Company G, serving 100 days, and was discharged in September, 1864. He fought in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley and in several skirmishes. Mr. Miller is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and is a prominent citizen of Kenton.


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AUGUSTUS WILMOT MUNSON, physician, Kenton, was born in the town of Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y., November 2, 1819. The family, of English ancestry, moved from New England to New York in early times. His grandfather, Wilmot Munson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father, Wilmot Munson, is still living (1883), and is a pensioner of the Government, having served in the war of 1812. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Salisbury, a native of Vermont, died in Kenton April, 1864. In 1829, his father, with a family of four children, three boys and one girl, started in a two-horse wagon to move to Ohio, and after a tedious journey arrived in Richland County, July 4 of that year. The subject of our sketch received a liberal English education in the public schools of his native and adopted States. He closed his common school course in the spring of 1838, at Waldo, Delaware County, receiving a certificate of proficiency, which, under the laws of Ohio, authorized him to teach a common school. He taught his first school at Westfield, Delaware County, in the summer of the latter year, at $8 per month. In the autumn of that year, the family moved to the northern hart of Hardin County. then a wilderness, where they suffered all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Here he remained at home during the following winter and spring, assisting to clear and plant to corn a few acres of land. In May following, he left home without means and journeyed on foot to Westfield, Delaware County, where an uncle furnished him with a scythe with which to commence business for himself. With this implement he set out on foot to hunt employment, and engaged as a harvest hand to a farmer in Marion County, and labored in the field for 75 cents a day until fall, when he engaged to teach school, for a term of four months, at $12 per month. In April, 1840, he was married to Maria McMillen, the daughter of a widow of limited means, a native of Dauphin County, Penn., with whom he is still living. Four children, only two of whom are living-a son and daughter were the issue of this union. Of these, the daughter-Amanda M..--is the widow of Hale Salisbury, of Kenton; the son-Leroy D. single, is a graduate of Columbus, Ohio, Medical College. In the spring of 1842, he moved his family to Marseilles, Marion County, and entered the office of Dr. Orrin Ferris, as a student of medicine. Here he continued, occasionally teaching school and otherwise laboring for means to support his family while pursuing his studies, until the summer of 1844, when he entered the office of Dr. U. P. Leighton, of Kenton, who generously proposed to board him for the assistance he could render in his practice. In November of the latter year, he moved to the village of Wyandot, Wyandot County, where he taught school the following winter and in the spring opened an office and commenced the practice of medicine. Here he continued to practice with remarkable success until, in the winter of 1849-50, he attended lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, Medical College. In the spring of 1850, he moved to Kenton, and practiced in partnership with Dr. Leighton until, in the winter of 1853-54, he again attended lectures at Cleveland and graduated. In the following fall, he opened an office in Kenton on his own account, where he still continues in active practice. He has, by numerous successful operations, both in private and military practice, gained and still maintains the reputation of a s