THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO

1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

B

(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY - LETTER B)

SAMUEL BADER (Bowling Green Township) was born August 20, 1852, in Richland Township, this county, where his parents settled in 1843, and where they still reside. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Frech) Bader, are of German descent and natives of Ohio. Samuel lived with his parents until he was twenty-one, and nine years was engaged in the Saw milling business, at which he was very successful. October 6, 1876, he was married at Cardington, Ohio, to Mollie E. Lewis, a daughter of Thomas and Emily (Look) Lewis, the latter natives of Ohio and of German and English ancestry. From the above marriage there are two children-Samuel E., born March 24, 1878, and John W., born November 24, 1879. Mr. Bader is an energetic and well-to-do farmer, highly respected in the township, a member of the F. & A. M. at La Rue, and in politics a Democrat.

JOHN BAIN (Montgomery Township) was born in Dundee, Scotland, May 3, 1829, the son of Capt. John and Ann (Horn) Bain, who came to America in 1832, stopping two years in Marion, then six years in Grand Prairie Township, but finally permanently settled in Montgomery Township. They were blessed with seven children, three surviving-John, William and Francis M. Christian, John, James and Ann are deceased. The father died in 1859, aged sixty six years, the mother in 1876, aged seventy-four years. Our subject acquired his educational attainments in the very common schools of his early day, taking one academic term of John Cunningham. He then taught more or less for five years. In May 1853, he married Eliza Scribner, daughter of. Samuel and Almira (Clark) Scribner, of English descent, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Connecticut. Mr. Scribner was born February 6, 1784, served in war of 1812, and died about 1878, and his wife wits born September 30, 1791, and died November 29, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Bain has nine children, all living-Flora A., born March 16, 1854; Milton H., September 8, 1855; Addison,. May 2, 1857; Jeannette, June 5, 1861; Mary M., January 1, 1863; William F., December 25, 1864; John H., April 5, 1866; James W., January 27, 1870, and, George S. March 18, 1872. The mother, born July 12, 1833, died November 14, 1880. She was a loving mother and a devoted Christian. Mr. Bain married again, March 15, 1883, Mrs. Phoebe (Rush) Robinson, widow of Loren L. Robinson, who lost his life in 1863 in the late civil war. Mr. B. began life with limited means; he has been devoting his entire attention to agriculture and stock-raising. He owns at present 365 acres of fine arable land, and is worth at least $18,000. He is a prominent farmer, an enthusiastic Republican, and for twenty-one consecutive years, he was magistrate of the township, Trustee a number of years, and Land Appraiser in 1860. He has held a license as local preacher for fifteen years. The portrait of Mr. Bain is given on another page of this volume.

WILLIAM BAIN, (Montgomery Township) fourth son of Capt. John and Ann (Horn) Bain, is a native of Marion County, born September 5, 1837. He continues to reside upon the old homestead, where he was reared and educated. November 30, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles: McDowell ChancellorsvilIe (receiving here a slight wound), and Gettysburg; at this place he was taken a prisoner, and marched to Stanton, W. Va., receiving at one time only a pint of flour for three days, which he prepared by boiling in a tin cup, or making in dough and roasting on a stick. He was finally transferred to Belle Isle, where, after remaining, a week. He was wounded by -a ball, shot through the body of a fellow soldier crossing the "dead line" He was then removed to Libby Prison Hospital, where, after a few days, he was exchanged upon parole. He rejoined his regiment November 15, 1863, -and made that memorable march to the relief of Knoxville, Tenn. He reenlisted January 1, 1864; was with his regiment in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, going with "Sherman to the sea," engaging at Averyaboro and Bentonville; he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. During the summer of 1862, he was disabled from duty, through sickness. Returning home, he was married, November 19, 1868, to Margaret Carriher, born October 1, 1841, daughter of George and Maria (Foresman) Carriher, natives of Pennsylvania, but of German and Irish ancestry respectively. Six children have been born to this marriage, five surviving -Eva M., born January 26, 1870; Maria A., October 27, 1876, dying March 23, 1872; Mary C., July 23, 1874; Nannie B., June 26, 1876; William G., June 22, 1879, and Nellie B., September 24, 1880. Our subject is a successful farmer, owning at present (1883) 310 acres of valuable land. He is a member of the IOOF., of the G. A. R., and of the Republican Party.

CHARLES BAKER, (Marion Township) one of the oldest residents of Marion, and son of Eber Baker, was born in Lincoln County, Me. He came to Marion County with his parents in March 1821, and settled where the town now stands. He and his brother, George W. Baker, sawed lumber with a whipsaw, and with it constructed the first house on the original town plat. He resided in this rude pioneer house with his parents for seven years. The land forming the site of the present prosperous town of Marion was then covered with woods, and Mr. Baker aided in clearing a good portion of it. In 1824, he took charge of a tannery, a part of which his father had bought of A. C. Priest, and, in 1826 erected one of his own, near where J. S. Reed's residence now stands, up to 1830. Two years later, lie removed to Lima, Allen County, and engaged in the mercantile business for five years. He was appointed Postmaster of Lima, in 1833, by Postmaster General Barry, and served during Andrew Jackson's administration. In 1835, he was elected Treasurer of Allen County, and filled the office one term. By appointment, in 1839, he assumed the duties of Clerk in the office of Register of the United States Land Office, and served in that capacity two years. He laid out an addition, called "Baker's Addition," to the town of Lima, in 1848, and the following year returned to Marion and again engaged in merchandising, but retired after one year. He clerked for Ault & Gorton four years, J. Hood two years, and Reed & Johnson one year, and since that time has devoted his attention to his farm. March 20, 1828, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Anderson. She was born January 11, 1809, and died at Lima, Ohio, August 2, 1838, leaving three children, two of whom are now living-Lucetta, wife of Grimes McConahy, of Van Wert, Ohio, and Lydia A., wife of Elijah Copeland, of Lucas County, Iowa. Alonzo W. died September 9. 1878. Mr. Baker's second marriage took place January 10, 1839, with Mrs. Tacey T. Anderson, widow of James A. Anderson, and daughter of Abel Thomas. She was born November 25, 1809, and died November 5, 1882. Of four children born to this marriage, -three are living-Mary Anna, born February 29, 1840, and married E. G. Allen June 5, 1860; Sarah E., born August 11, 1842, and died February 13, 1848; Charles E., born March 15, 1845, and married November 10, 1869, Susan H. Stevenson, and now resides in Chicago; Elwood T., born July 13, 1853, and married April 7, 1880, Sallie Wilson, and resides in Evansville, Ind. In politics, Mr. Baker is a Republican, and he is an old and respected citizen of Marion.

JACOB BALDINGER (Tully Township) hails from Switzerland, Arjan City, where he was born October 22, 1824; his education is limited, but be early imbibed a love for America and American institutions; accordingly, after laboring faithfully seven long years with his uncle, he earned from him money enough to pay his way to America; he came to Galion, having $1 left, and he twenty-two years' old: he worked in Galion twenty-eight years as switchman, accumulating sufficiently during that time to pay for his present farm some $8,000; be settled upon this farm in 1874; he is an honest, straightforward man, having been a Christian all his life; be being a member of the Reformed Church, which society he has served in every official capacity his present and second wife he married March 22, 1869. She is one of the intelligent women of Tall Township. They have eight children, one dying in infancy; the names of the living are John, Louisa (wife of Jacob Lowmiller), Emma, Mary, Henry, Minnie, Caroline and Fred. Mrs. B.'s maiden name was Elizabeth Wiser, and she was a daughter of William Wiser.

GEORGE F. BARKS (Marion Township) was born in Marion Township February 25, 1855. His father, Joshua Barks, was born March 26, 1809, in Fairfield County, Ohio and his mother October 13, 1810, in Cumberland, Penn., who were married in this county in 1832. The father died June 4, 1876, and the homestead, consisting of eighty-nine acres, fell to George F., the youngest of the sons, who also received ten acres in Pleasant Township. He obtained a fair common school education, and May 9, 1878, married Emma J. Epley, who was born in Claridon Township June 22, 1860, a daughter of David and Sarah Epley. They have two children-Orlando E. and Zoa M. At present Mr. Barks owns 101 acres, and keeps a large number of farm animals. Politically, he is a Democrat.

S. H. BARTRAM, (Marion Township) (1907) attorney, was born in Marion, Ohio, December 22, 1828. He is the son of Judge John Bartram, whose history is given elsewhere in this work. He was reared to manhood in Marion, and educated in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and Washington College, of Washington, Penn. In the fall of 1846, he was compelled to quit college on account of ill health. He read law with his father until the spring of 1849, when he went to Lancaster, Ohio, and continued his legal studies with Hon. John T. Brasee. He took a course in the Cincinnati Law College, and graduated in the spring of 1850, and soon after formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of J. & S. H. Bartram. He took a reviewing course in the Cincinnati Law College in 1852-53, and in 1859-60 practiced in New York City. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Marion, and continued his profession with his father till the death of the latter, and since then has practiced alone. He served as Prosecuting Attorney of Marion County two terms. September 3, 1857, was married to Miss Harriet R. Kline, daughter of Peter D. and Esther (Randolph) Kline, and has had six children; of these, five are living, viz.: Emily, Katie, Jennie, Reune R. and John H. Mrs. Bartram is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

REV. SAMUEL D. BATES, (Marion Township) (1907) the subject of this sketch, was born near Utica, N. Y., October 13, 1828. He is a son of Daniel and Harriet N. (Hungerford) Bates, the former a native of Hartland, Conn., and the latter of Madison County, N. Y. They married in Oneida County, and in the fall of 1834 moved to Ohio, and settled in Trumbull County, where Mrs. Bates died in February 1875, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Bates removed to Wooster, and, in 1881, to Richmond, Ind. They had four children, viz.: Samuel D., Ira H.. Edward P. and Lyman M. Mr. S. D. Bates was reared on a farm, and educated in Geauga Seminary, now a part of Hillsdale College, Mich. He engaged in teaching in 1847, and in the winter of 1848-49 he had charge of a school in the " Boynton District," where Gen. Garfield's mother lived. Garfield had just returned from the towpath, and a part of that winter he attended Mr. Bates' school. The following spring Mr. Bates induced young Garfield to return with him to Geauga. This was an important crisis in the career of Garfield, for up to this time he had cherished no ambition save that of following the lakes, and from this decision he rose step by step to the brilliant scholar and statesman. During the Fitz-John Porter court-martial trial, Mr. Bates called upon Gen. Garfield, and after being introduced to his staff, Gen. Garfield said, "To this man I owe more than to any other living man for what I am today." Mr. Bates and Gen. Garfield were fellow-students at Geauga for two years, until the former completed his course in 1851, and were warm friends until his tragic death. Mr. Bates continued to teach till the spring of 1851, when he entered the ministry of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He settled in Green Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he was a pastor of a church six years, during two of which lie taught a select school. In the spring of 1857, he came to Marion, and took charge of the Free-Will Baptist Church, over which Lie presided as pastor for nineteen years. He organized the Grand Prairie Free-Will Baptist Church, February 22, 1867, and the Claridon Church in 1870; for nine years he was pastor of the Green Camp Baptist Church, and has had charge of the Claridon Free-Will Baptist Church since the formation of that society, and of the Grand Prairie Church for nine years. He has now the following appointments in his pastoral work: Claridon, Grand Prairie and Morral Churches. Mr. Bates has been President of Ridgeville College, of Ridgeville, Ind., since 1872, and was for fifteen years Trustee of Hillsdale College, of Hillsdale, Mich. In October 1851, Mr. Bates was united in marriage with Miss Lodeemy, daughter of Alanson and Maria Brockett, of Trumbull County, Ohio, where Mrs. Bates was born February 10, 1830. They had three children, two of whom are living-Elbert A. and Harley A. Harriet M. is deceased. In 1864, Mr. Bates was Chaplain of the One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio National Guards. During the years 1865 to 1867, he solicited the funds and superintended the erection of the Free-Will Baptist Church edifice in Marion, costing $16,000, more than half of which was donated outside of the society. He has also been connected with the erection of five other church edifices in the county. He taught one year in the Union Schools of Marion, and has been one of the Board of Examiners of the teachers of these schools for more than twenty years, and is such at the present time.

J. BATTENFELD, (Marion Township) late of the firm of J. Battenfeld & Co., was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 29, 1846. His parents, Lewis H. and Elizabeth Battenfeld, were natives of the Province of Hesse and Wuerttemberg respectively. They came to the United States with their parents when eighteen years of age. The subject of this paragraph is the third of a family of four children. When he was three years of age, his parents died, and he was taken by his maternal grandfather, Conrad Beber, of Crawford Count by whom he was reared till seventeen, when he went to Columbus and served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade, with Scott St. Clair. In 1865, he came to Marion, and after working a year and a half for S. & F. R. Saiter, he entered the employ of Jacob Fribley, and remained with him till August 1882, when the late firm of J. Battenfeld & Co. was formed; in September 1883, Mr. B. retired from this firm. December 5, 1861, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Morgenthaler. Mrs. Battenfeld a native of Philadelphia, Penn., was born July 26, 1848. To them were born two children-William H. and Carrie B. Mr. Battenfeld is identified with the IOOF. and K. of P.

PHILIP BAUER, (Marion Township) grocer, was born in Richland Township December 14, 1847. His father, Croft Bauer, was a native of Ellmendingen, Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America with his parents, Philip and Riga Bauer, who settled in Richland Township, where Mr. Bauer entered, ninety-six acres of land, on which he died in 1870. His wife died prior to the late War. Croft Bauer went to Crawford County, where he married Ragina Miller, and afterward settled in Richland Township, where he died from the cholera in August 1854, leaving three children-Angeline, wife of Christopher Gracely, Philip and Croft. Mrs. Bauer now resides in Big Island Township. Philip Bauer was brought up to farming, and followed that vocation in Richland till 1873, when he removed to Big Island, and in 1877 to Marion. He was employed in the Huber works till January 1, 1879, when he embarked in the grocery and provision trade. He makes a specialty of shipping butter and eggs. August 20, 1867, he married Marv, daughter of Cunrad and Catharine Neidhart. Seven children were born to them; of these six are living, viz.: Amelia L., Mary A., Adam, Philip, Frank and Willie. John Wesley is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and he also of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Bauer's father and grandfather walked all the way from Buffalo, N. Y., to Marion, to purchase land. They were among the early pioneers of Richland. His grandfather was a soldier in the French Revolution two, years, 1806-7.

JOHN BEACH (Tully Township) was born January 22, 1839, in Crawford County, Ohio. His parents, George and Mary Beach, came from Germany, settling in Whetstone Township, and entering forty-four acres of land; he was a cabinet maker by trade. Our subject received a limited education, and worked by day and month until August of 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, going with Gen. Sherman to the sea. His marriage took place March 23, 1866, to Miss Harriet A. Smith, daughter of Jefferson and Catherine Smith, of Morrow County, Ohio. Whose father owned at one time nearly all the land where Climax, Ohio, now stands. Their one child, Charles M. Beach, is being fitted for college, Mr. B. works at repairing considerably, and has invented the Eureka saw. In politics, he is neutral. and in religion he communes with the Seventh-Day Adventists, holding a membership at Pine Grove, Ohio.

FRANCISCO P. BECKLEY, (Marion Township) Deputy Sheriff, is the youngest son of Capt. George and Eliza (Miller) Beckley, born in Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, September 13, 1848. Having obtained a practical business education, he married, December 24, 1871, in Springfield, Mo.. Miss Ann Hileman, adopted daughter of J. B. and M. L. Sharp, of Marion. He commenced to learn the trade of a machinist, when aged sixteen years, and followed that successfully until 1873 - was elected the first Mayor of Caledonia, Ohio, in 1874; one year later, he resigned this office. January 1, 1880, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county, in which capacity he continues to serve acceptably. This season (1883), he is nominated for Sheriff, which position he will probably obtain. He is an energetic young man, a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Knights of Honor.

MRS. ELIZA BECKLEY (Claridon Township) (Capt. George Beckley's widow), was born in Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., February 4, 1812, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Corns) Miller. Her father was a native of England and her mother of New Jersey, and both of Irish extraction. Captain and Mrs. Beckley were joined in marriage in the winter of 1832, and four children blessed their union-John, foreman in an extensive manufacturing establishment at Springfield, Ohio; Andrew, engaged in mining in Nevada; Frank C., recently elected Sheriff for this county; and Emerline, wife of Jacob Thomas, of Springfield, Ohio. Capt. Beckley was a highly respected and very useful citizen; he was accidentally killed, May 13, 1878, on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad. His widow is an estimable lady, hate and hearty for her years. She is a member of the Universalist Church.

CHRISTIAN BECHTOLD, (Montgomery Township) proprietor of the wood-bonding works, was born in Merkenfritz, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 9, 1835; he learned the wagon-maker's trade in Germany, and came to the United States in 1852, and located at Mt. Blanchard, in Hancock County, remaining there one winter; from thence he removed to Kenton, Hardin County, where he worked at his trade until 1866. In September of the latter year, he came to La Rue Village and opened a wagon-maker's and repair shop, which he continued until 1870, when he closed that business, since which date he has given his entire time and attention to his planing mill and wood bending works, a business that he had established in 1868. In 1870, he built the large brick building in which this business is carried on. In this establishment is made the bent woodwork for buggy shafts, bows, poles, etc., and other descriptions of bent work. The present year (1883) he is building a large frame addition to his factory. He employs five men the year round, and turns out on an average $10,000 worth of goods each year, which, when his improvements now in progress are completed, will doubtless be largely increased. Mr. Bechtold was married in December 1854, in Kenton, Ohio, to Margaret --, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany. They have two children, as follows: Emma, who is the wife of William E. of La Rue, and Lillie, who is living with her parents. Mr. Bechtold is a birth right member of the Lutheran Church; has served the village in various positions, such as member, of the Board of Councilmen, etc., and is one of the most enterprising citizens in the village.

JOHN C. BECHTOLD, (Montgomery Township) sole proprietor of the wagon and carriage works at La Rue, Ohio, was born in Merkenfritz, Hessen Darmstad, Germany June 24, 1849, the son of George and Anna (Berzenser) Bechtold, who came to America in .1.863, setting where our subject now resides. They were the parents of six children-Earhart (deceased), Christian, Henry, Susan, Mary and John C. obtained a practical education, and in his fifteenth year commenced to learn his trade, finishing it at Rochester, N. Y., when aged nineteen years. April 8, 1875, he married at Kenton, Ohio, Mary Krabeill, daughter of Sigman and Lizzie (Peoffer) Krabeill, natives of Germany. Two children --were added to this family-Maggie, born March 17, 1878, and William, born January 17, 1881. Mr. Bechtold established himself in business in 1876, manufacturing both wagons and carriages at this place, giving employment at present to seven hands. His honest and faithful workmanship has given him an enviable reputation not only in this county, but in counties adjoining. Mrs. Bechtold belongs to the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the F. & A. M., No. 463. In politics he is a Republican.

PETER BEERBOWER (Marion Township) is among the living pioneers of Marion County, aged at present (1883) nearly seventy-five years, came from near the village of Marion July 22, 1834, where Hancock, Washington Co., Md. He arrived in he continues to reside. His parents, two brothers and one sister, followed about ten years later. March 12, 1835, he married Miss Eliza P. Geiger, whose widowed mother, brothers and sisters arrived in Marion in the spring of 1834. That same autumn our subject was employed as clerk in the offices of Clerk of Common Pleas and Supreme Courts and County Recorder, with Col. George H. Busby, who held those offices at the time. He continued in those offices until the fall of 1837, when he was elected County Recorder, holding the same one term, and was succeeded by Robert King. He remained in this office as Deputy until 1842, when he was elected County Auditor, which office he held for three successive terms. Most of the time thereafter he was employed in the Clerk's office under Capt. W. L. Kendrick, the son-in-law of Col. Busby, whom he succeeded. About 1851-52, he became interested in railroad enterprises with Capt. Kendrick, Hon. J. H. Godman and many other citizens. He assisted in the preliminaries, such as aiding and preparing charters, making surveys, etc, and subsequently employed as assistant in the office of the Secretary and Treasurer of the B. & I. Railroad Company, which road extended from Galion, Ohio, to Indianapolis. Be continued there some two years or more. Some time in 1858, Mr. Beerbower took charge of the Marion Post Office, John Dumble holding the same at the time, In 1859, he was appointed Postmaster and held that office until 1861. For a year or more after this, he was engaged in the management of the Marion Gas Works, at a moderate salary. He then formed a partnership with his brother Samuel in the marble business; this company was dissolved a few months later, and Mr. Beerbower continued that business until the fall of 1875, when he was elected County Treasurer. He was reelected in 1877, thus holding the office two terms. Since retiring from office, Mr. B. has been engaged in clerical and collecting business, which, has afforded only a moderate remuneration. He holds, among other trusts, the treasurership of the Marion County Bible Society, and has maintained an uninterrupted membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than fifty years. Though hale and active, he confesses with sadness that so few of his early associates survive not more than eight or ten are living. He recalls the names of a long list of his early and valued friends, among professional gentlemen and the entire citizenship of the county as well; and though nearly all are now insensible to, praise, yet he desires to record, with the warmest gratitude, his appreciation of remembered kindnesses of so many generous-hearted friends.

SAMUEL T. BEERBOWER (Marion Township) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 10, 1842. His parents, Eleazer J. and Matilda L, (McKelvey) Beerbower, were natives of Maryland and Missouri respectively. They moved to Delaware, Ohio, in 1849, then to Marion, in 1850, where he worked as a saddle and harness maker, which trade he had learned when a young man, He continued this until 1866, when he went to Indianapolis, Ind., taking his family one year later. His business there was to upholster palace cars in the C., C., C. & I. R. R. shops. He was chief of this department until within a year of his death, which took place October 24, 1882, aged sixty-six years and six months ; his widow still resides in Indianapolis. Samuel T. is the eldest of nine children. He spent his youth in Marion, and was educated in the public school. October 23, 1861, he enlisted in the civil war, in Company B, Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was nineteen years of age at the time, and served in the Army of the Cumberland, fighting at Perryville, Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge; at the storming of the latter, he was struck by a ball in the right shoulder, which came out at the right, side of the spine, near the shoulder blade. This confined him in the hospital at Chattanooga and Nashville three months; the wound caused a paralysis of his right hand and arm. He was honorably discharged March 23, 1864; he was promoted as First Sergeant of his company. Having recovered from his wound, he, in 1865, became cashier in the store of Lucas & Seffner, and occupied that position two years; he then clerked for Reed & Yake a year. In 1868, he was appointed Postmaster by Gen. Grant, reappointed by him in 1872, and also by President Hayes in 1876; having served thirteen ears in this office, he retired. January 13, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Irene L. Peters, daughter of Nathan and Mary Peters; she is a native of Marion, and was born February 19, 1846. They had two children-Wilson (died, aged one year and four days); Cornell R., survives. Mr. Beerbower owns a residence, with two acres. two other town lots, and a business room adjoining the People's Store, which he built in 1881 at a cost of $4,000. He is a respected citizen, a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the G. A. R. Lodges. Mrs. Beerbower's grandmother, Lucia Russel, resides with her, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years she came here in 1838, from the State of Connecticut; she has one great-grandchild, aged sixteen years. Mr. Russel was a Captain in the war of 1812. He died November 4, 1872. Mrs. Russel has a house and lot in the city, 160 acres of land adjoining the town, and 600 acres located in Big Island and Marion Townships.

CHRISTIAN GOTTLEIB BEHNER (Pleasant Township) was born in Horrheim, Wuerttemberg, Germany, July 17, 1835. His parents came to Marion County in 1848, settling where John Behner now resides. They added to that farm the Henry and Caleb Behner farms. His parents were Christian Gottleib "Caleb" and Rosina Barbara (Burger) Behner, who reared a family of seven children. The father died in 1850, aged fifty-two, and the mother died aged sixty. Our subject inherited eighty acres and now owns 220 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has made all the improvements, and cleared eighty acres himself. He has split 500 rails in one day; cradled three to four acres of wheat, and mowed two and a half acres of Stout grass in the same length of time. April 19, 1860, Mr. B. married Catherine Friedricke Gayer, a daughter of Johann Heinrich and Elizabeth Friederica (Mack) Gayer. This union has resulted in the birth of six children-Mary (wife of Adam Laner), Catherine, Caroline, Henry, Albert (1907) and Christian. This family holds a membership in the Lutheran Church, of which he has been Trustee and Treasurer for the past eight years.

JOHN JACOB BEHNER (Pleasant Township) was born in Horrheim, Wuerttemberg, Germany, May 14, 1843, the son of Christian Gottleib "Caleb" and Rosina(Burger) Behner. He inherited and bought his farm of 157 acres, upon which he has made all the improvements except the house. He values his farm at $90 per acre, and keeps the best grade of stock. Mr. B. has done many good days of labor. Many a day he has split 350 rails, or two cords of wood of any length. His family associate with and are members of The Lutheran Church. Our subject was first married, in 1871, to Miss Caroline Dutt, daughter of Frederick Dutt. She died April 23, 1874, in her twenty-sixth year. He married again February 9, 1875, to Miss Sarah Augenstein, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Augenstein, of Illinois. Four children have resulted from this union-Clara A. Arthur L., Frank B. and Milton M.

DAVID M. BELL (Bowling Green Township) was born in Bowling Green Township February 3, 1860, and is the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Harraman) Bell, mentioned elsewhere. David M. obtained a good practical education at the common schools, and at the "National Normal University " at Lebanon, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school, which occupation he followed at intervals for three years, He was married April 4, 1882, to May Severns, a daughter of Wilson and Sarah (Stumbaugh) Severna. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were of English and German descent. Mr. Bell resides on and is conducting a part of his father's farm in Bowling Green Township, five miles South of La Rue, giving his entire attention to agriculture and the raising of stock. He is an enterprising citizen, and politically is a Democrat.

J. L. BELL, (Marion Township) whose parents were among the early pioneers of Claridon Township, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 12, 1824. His father, Benjamin Bell, was born in Orange County, N. Y., October 22, 1786, and his mother, a native of New Jersey, was born September 14, 1787. They married and moved to Claridon Township in the fall of 1822. Mr. Benjamin Bell entered 160 acres of land, to which he made subsequent additions until he owned a large farm. He reared a family of eight children, viz., Israel C., Sarah J., John H., William J., Alexander L., Martha E., J. L., the subject of this sketch, and Kezia Martha E. is the wife of William Wyatt, of Williams County, Ohio. Of these all are deceased but the last three. Mr. Bell died October 29, 1853, and his wife October 20, 1837. Mr. Bell served as Justice of the Peace a number of years. J. L. Bell, the subject of this biography, was reared on the old homestead in Claridon Township, and educated in the common schools. He followed farming until 1853, when he engaged as clerk for S. V. Harkness, of Caledonia, and latterly with F. C. Ruehrmund, whose stock he and H. Hunter purchased in 1862. Bell & Hunter continued in mercantile business till the fall of 1875, when the former was elected Auditor, and moved to Marion; he was reelected in 1877, serving two terms. February 1, 1881, he started in the grocery business, from which he retired March 15, 1883. Mr. Bell served as Clerk of Claridon Township four years, and as Postmaster at Caledonia from 1855 to 1862. In 1867, he was elected a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors, and served one term. He was City Councilman three years, and he filled other local offices. November 18, 1847, he was joined in marriage to Miss Matilda, daughter of Adam and Samantha Hipsher. Mrs. Bell was born in Scott Township April 24, 1829, and died March 18, 1869, leaving two children-James M., who married Caroline Foster; and Charles L., who married Clara Clayton. Mr. Bell married the second time, April 5, 1871, Anna, daughter of William P. and Susan Thew. By this marriage, there were two children-Harry T. and Torn C. Mr. Bell is identified with the Masonic order and Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Democrat.

JONATHAN BELL (Marion Township) was born in Mill Creek Township November 1, 1826, the son of Jesse and Margaret (Sanders) Bell, the former of Washington County, Ohio, and the latter of Bourbon County, Ky. Jesse Bell was born August 15, 1801, and Mrs. Bell February 17, 1804. His grandparents, Daniel and Hannah (Underhill) Bell, were natives of New Jersey, coming to Washington County about 1800, or even earlier. Soon after the war of 1812, in which he was a soldier, he removed to Delaware County, thence to Holmes County, and in 1840 to Union County, where the parents died, Mrs. Bell in Jackson Township in 1840, and her husband in Mill Creek Township. Our subject's grandfather, Samuel Sanders, also participated in the war of 1812. Jesse Bell was reared principally in Washington and Delaware Counties, and was married in the spring of 1822 to Margaret Sanders, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are now living-William, Samuel, Jonathan, Nancy (wife of Job Beardsley), Hannah (widow of Wesley Hinton), Elizabeth (wife of G. S. Robertson), and Mary (wife of J. ff. Sifrit). In February 1831, they moved to Bowling Green Township, entering fifty acres, thus becoming the first landholders in that township. They remained there but one year, when they returned to Union County. In 1863, they went back to Bowling Green Township, purchasing forty-eight acres, where the father. a member of the Disciples Church, died May 5, 1873; his widow continues to reside upon the homestead. Mr. Jonathan Bell's youth was entirely passed upon the farm. He taught two terms of school, commencing in his nineteenth year. In the spring of 1848, he went to Bowling Green Township, and bought fifty acres of land, which he has increased to 210 acres he has put this in a good state of cultivation. and while living, upon it he reared good stock, such as French horses and graded cattle. In March 1882, he moved to Marion, where he continues to reside. He was joined in matrimony November 13, 1847, to Miss Sarah Harraman, who was born in Fremont, Ohio, July 2, 1823, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Harraman. Six of their nine children are living-Lewis C., La Fayette, Margaret (wife of Charles Kersey , Samuel, David and Jesse; Elizabeth, Samilda J., Charles and -Mary E. are deceased. The following record demonstrates that Mr. Bell is a worthy and influential citizen. He was the Assessor of his adopted township three years, Town Clerk four or five years, Land Appraiser in 1880, Trustee six years, and Magistrate twelve years; he has also been Director of the County Infirmary six years. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the IOOF, and, with his wife, of the Baptist Church.

LAFAYETTE BELL, (Bowling Green Township) son of Jonathan and Sarah (Harraman) Bell, was born in Bowling Green Township March 14, 1852, where he has always resided; during his minority he secured a good practical education. He is now farming the homestead of 160 acres belonging to his father. He was married December 8, 1875, to Roxey J., daughter Ephraim H. and Sarah (Cheney) Watkins. They have one chi Id--Florence born September 25, 1876. Mr. Bell is a prominent and well-known young farmer, is a member of the IOOF. at La Rue, and politically he is a Democrat.

MRS. MARGARET BELL, (Bowling Green Township) widow of Jesse Bell, was born in Kentucky, January 17, 1804; her maiden name was Margaret Sanders, and she the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Reed) Sanders; her parents were German and Irish descent, but were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively and the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, of whom Mrs. Margaret Bell is now (1883) the only surviving one. Jesse and Margaret Bell were married April 9, 1822, and battled in Bowling Green Township in 1831. They were the eighth family that had settled in the township, and Mr. Bell cut the timber from the spot where he erected a cabin. Nine children were born to them, five sons and four daughters. Bell has been a member of the Disciple Church for forty-five years, is now in her seventy-ninth year, and is a remarkably intelligent and sting woman. Jesse Bell was a son of Daniel and Hannah (Under Bell, who were natives of Now Jersey and Pennsylvania. Jesse died in 1873. (For further particulars of this family, refer to the sketch of H. Sifritt.)

SAMUEL BELL, (Marion Township) County Surveyor, the third son of Jonathan and Sarah (Harraman) Bell, was born in Bowling Green Township March 23, 1858. Having acquired a good knowledge of the common branches, he chose to gratify his love for mathematics. He accordingly sought instruction of Hon. Hylas Sabine, of Richwood, Ohio, and later of Prof. Park, of Ada, Ohio. When aged eighteen years, he commenced teaching, continuing five winters. Having obtained a knowledge of civil engineering, he was elected in 1881 Surveyor of the county, which office he still holds acceptably to the public. He is young, energetic and industrious, and consequently a man of promise. He is an official member of the K. of P., and is also a Freemason. Politically, he is a Democrat.

PHILIP BENDER, (Waldo Township) (1907) farmer and stock-raiser, P. 0. Waldo, was born in Huttengesass, Hessen-Nassau, Germany, September 16, 1826 (November 6, 1825), and is a son of Justus and Catharine (Rudel) Bender, also of Hesse, Germany. They came to this county in 1839 and settled in Waldo Township. In March 1843, Mr. Bender bought forty-seven acres of land covered with forest. This he cleared, and erected a log house, 20x30 feet in size. Here be lived most of the time until his death. He died in February 1877, aged seventy-six. Mrs. Bender resides with our subject, and is now in her eight-first year. They were the parents of two children-our subject and Margaret (deceased), who married to Daniel Augenstein. Our subject was reared on a farm arm and was educated at the common schools. He, with his parents, came, in 1877, to this farm. He bought 168 1/2 acres of laud. He also owns 210 acres near the old toll gate in Waldo Township, most of which he has cleared. He was married, in 1847, to Caroline, daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Angermeier) Benzler. She was born in Horrheim, Wuerttemberg, Germany, December 2, 1827. By this union there have been eleven children, eight living, viz., Hannah, wife of Frederick Strable; Philip; Kate, wife of Jacob Hager; William, John, George, Susannah, and Caroline. Those deceased are George, Margaret and Charlie. Mr. and, Mrs. Bender are members of the German Reformed Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

JACOB BERGER, (Montgomery Township) first son of John Peter and Anne Marie (Brun) Berger, was born in Palmbach, Baden, Germany the September 12, 1823, and came to America in 1852, stopping in Now York City six years, engaged in the grocery and provision trade. He then moved to this count, Pleasant Township, purchasing a county, farm. In 1860, he went to Now Bloomington. May 26, 1850, he married Barbara Roning, born February 14, 1830, a daughter of John Roning, and four children have been born to them, two living-Christena and Kate. Mr. Berger is an industrious citizen, having 145 acres of arable land, from which he retired in 1875, engaging in the hardware business at Now Bloomington. In 1879, he sold this stock to Benjamin Severna. He is identified with the Democratic party, and, with his wife, with the German Reformed Church.

JOHN BERINGER. (Richland Township) (1907) John Beringer is a worthy and prosperous citizen of Richland Township. He was born October 16, 1835, in Columbus County, Ohio, and is a son of Christian and Catharine Beringer, who came from Germany prior to 1820, locating in Columbus County until 1837, when they moved to Richland Township, settling where the subject of our sketch resides. They reared a family of eight children; the father died in 1867. aged sixty-eight years. The mother still survives at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. Beringer obtained a moderate education, and March 24, 1859, he married Miss Christina Rull, daughter of Christian and Magdalene Rull, of Richland Township. Their union has been blest with seven children- two dying young. The living are Samuel D., Frederick C., Franklin J., Alice M. and Amy M. For the first eight year's after marriage 1866, Mr. B. rented the home farm, which he inherited and purchased in 1866, obtaining his present residence in 1876; altogether containing 252 acres, valued at $80 per acre. His farm is well fenced and drained. His house has been renovated and added to, presenting an inviting appearance. The out buildings are good-the latest being a barn 40x6O feet, constructed in 1881 at a cost of $1,000. Mr. B. has the best of stock, and raises annually large fields of wheat. His family belong to the Lutheran Church, with which he has been officially connected many years. At present, he is a Trustee. He was Treasurer of the township three years; also Treasurer of the Richland Mutual Fire Insurance Company for some time.

SAMUEL BERRIDGE, (Claridon Township) stock-dealer, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, was born March 10, 1848. He is a son of William and Sarah Thorp) Berridge, who immigrated to America in 1854. They, settled in Claridon Township; where they resided fourteen years; then removed to Illinois, and three years and a half later to Kansas, where they now reside. They had Dine children, all of whom are living. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married, August 24, 1860, to Alcinda A. Irey, a daughter of John and Ann (Hornby) Irey, both deceased. Mrs. Berridge is the only surviving member of a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Berridge have five children-Sarah E., Flora, Abbie M., Mistie and Charles. Mr. Berridge, our subject, devoted his energies to the farm until 1873, when he moved to Caledonia and began buying and shipping stock. He is doing a thriving business, and is well known throughout the county. He is a stanch Republican and a member of the F. & A. M.

JAMES H. BERRY (Pleasant Township) is a native of Marion Township, where he was born June 16, 1833. He is a son of Abraham and Ann (De Witt) Berry. Our subject's great-grandfather, other, Alexander Berry, and grandfather emigrated to Ohio in 1822. The former, of Scotch-Irish descent, entered the south half of the cite of Marion City. James, his father, purchased sixty acres, where our subject now resides. Mr. B.'s education was obtained wholly at the common schools. He inherited twenty acres, and has since purchased forty acres more, making sixty acres of good land, valued at $100 per acre. He has made. all the improvements the barn in 1868, costing $500, and a fine house in 1878, costing $1,500. He owns good stock. April 8, 1856. he married Matilda Clark, daughter of William and Sarah Clark, of Morrow County. She was a highly respected lady, but, departed this life in 1883, aged forty-nine years, leaving two children-Martha A. and Eva E. Our subject officiated as Town Treasurer three years, Constable one year and Trustee two years.

JAMES R. BERRY, (Green Camp Township) with Matthews & Porter, was born in Green Camp, Ohio, December 8, 1856, to James C. and Eliza (Sullivan) Berry. The former was born near Abington, Va., in 1823; the latter was born in Green Camp Township February 21, 1835. James C. removed to Ohio in 1848, settling with his father near Green Camp. This father, John Berry, purchased 1,100 acres of forest land lying west of the Scioto, and at his decease this vast estate fell to his children-Catherine, Clara, Nancy, Mary, Margaret, Campbell, Robert, William, Thomas, Hugh and James C. Berry. This property has now all passed from the Berry heirs, save what is hold by James B. and his sister. His grandfather Sullivan was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father enlisted in the late war, August 21, 1864, and died at Charlotte, N. C., July 11, 1865. Mr. Berry is one of a family of five children, three deceased-David. C., Libbie J. and Susie. Ollie M., now Mrs. Duross, is also a resident of Green Camp. Our subject is a member of the I00F. and is a young man of promise.

WILLIAM A. BERRY (Green Camp Township) was born in Springfield, Ohio, August 4, 1887. His father, John F. T. Berry, of German stock, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 20, 1811; his mother, Elizabeth (Close) Berry, of English ancestry, was a native of the same county, born in 1816. They were the parents of ton children, viz., Martin, Robert, Joshua, William A., Samuel, Minerva, Catherine, Ellen, Coonrad and an infant; the last three are deceased. Their mother dying, Mr. Berry again married, in 1849, Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, a widowed daughter of Daniel Reed. She bore him five heirs -John F. T., Jr., James C., Albert E. and Mary, living; Alma died. Mr. Berry also died in Marion County January 8, 1859. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood on the farm and in the common schools of Marion Township. He enlisted, April 20, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers; be reenlisted, June 6, 1861, in Company K. Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years, and did gallant service at Rich Mountain, Romney, Winchester, Port Republic, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristol, St. Mine Run and Norton's Ford, where he was wounded. His discharge was granted at Columbus, Ohio, June 22, 1864. His matrimonial union with Miss Nancy A. Snyder occurred February 16, 1865; she was the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Jones) Snyder, who had seven children, two other's living-Samuel J. and Orpha R. The deceased were Euphema, Catherine J., Mary E. and an infant daughter. Mrs. Berry was born in Pleasant Township March 16, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Berry's children are as follows: Sheridan C., born December 4, 1865; Samuel E., May 11, 1867; Ella F., December 9, 1869; Adeline A., February 6, 1872; Milton W., December 15, 1873; Jetta V., June 7, 1876; Harley W., July 11, 1882; and Ulysses E., August 19, 1868, dying January 7, 1869. Our subject has been a farmer all these years, and now owns 104 acres of arable land. He is an exemplary neighbor, a strong Republican and a faithful member, with his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRIEND BIGGERSTAFF, (Prospect Township) farmer, died November 17, 1874, aged seventy-four years. He was an early settler in Marion County, and entered and settled upon eigthy acres of land in Prospect Township in 1821. He was a native of Hampshire County, Va., born March 20, 1700, a son of William and Phoebe Biggerstaff. He was married to Phoebe Harlan, and they had the following children: Rebecca, born November 18, 1817, in Allegheny County, Md.; Mary, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 17, 1820, Rachel, same county, August 23, 1822; Nancy, March 28, 1824, and William, August 19, 1826. Friend Biggerstaff lost his wife by death, find he was again married, in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 26, 1829, to the widow of John Cool, whose maiden name was Hannah Rice, a daughter of Michael and Rachel (Kester) Rice, all natives of Pennsylvania, where she was born December 13, 1796. By her marriage with Friend Biggerstaff, there were the following children: Phoebe, born December 31, 1829; Michael R., born November 11, 1832; and Elizabeth, July 31, 1836. The mother died December 23. 1878. By her marriage with John Cool there were the following children: Sophia, born April 25, 1822; Elsie, January 18, 1824; and George, June 17, 1826. Michael R. Biggerstaff, farmer, a son of the preceding, has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and now resides on his farm of 150 acres, one and a half miles north Prospect Village, on the east side of the Scioto River. He was married, June 14, 3855, to Lavina Welch, daughter of Solomon and Lavina, (Smith) Welch, the former a native of Vermont and an early settler in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Biggerstaff have had a family of five children-Rachel, born July 13, 1856; George, March 29, 1858; Elizabeth, January 3, 1861; Hanna R., August 18, 1867; Martha L., January 10, 1880, Politically, Mr. Biggerstaff is a Democrat.

DAVID BIRCH, (Montgomery Township) third son of Martin J. and Christian (Bain) Birch (see next sketch), was born July 18, 1853. He was married in his twenty-fifth year to Emily A. Miller, daughter of Green and Caroline (Frederick) Miller. Two children have crowned this union-Vay W. (born September 3, 1878) and Bertha V. (born January 9, 1880). Mr. Birch obtained a good education, going one term to Delaware College, three to Lebanon Normal School and one to Valparaiso, Ind. He has established for himself quite a reputation as a teacher having taught in all twenty terms. He commenced in life with limited resources. but has inherited a small amount, and owns at present 120 acres. He is an energetic and well-to-do farmer; still teaches during the winter months, and is an enthusiastic Democrat.

MARTIN JACKSON BIRCH, (Montgomery Township) born October 17, 1824, is in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He came into this (Montgomery) township, with his parents on the 15th day of February 1835. Although a boy of ten years, he began his experience as a pioneer in the "big woods," as at that time there was scarcely a tree cut in the township. They were the ninth family to come in as "settlers." The first thing, then, in order (the household effects being unloaded by the roots of a beech tree), was to prepare a shanty to sleep in, which was done by cutting some poles and fixing them up beside a big log. No sooner was the shanty completed and all comfortably seated within, than nature tendered them a hearty welcome, in the form of a rain, which continued to pour down in torrents during the night. About a week later, they were ready to build a "cabin." They had cut small logo, and cleared away a small patch of brush, and now they procured a few men from around Scott Town, and carried the logs together, built a hut, and covered it with clapboards. During the winter season, they would clear as much ground as they could, and in the spring dig around among the roots with a hoe, plant a little corn, and attend it with the same implement. For the first year or two, they would go to the "plains" to work for corn, getting two bushels for a day's labor, and "tote" it home on their backs. Those who were wealthy enough to afford an old horse could take their corn to Big Island to the horse mill and got it ground for bread; those who had no horse, after carrying their bard earned grist home, must dig a hole out of a log, and pound the corn with a pestle until they could sift out some of the finest for meal, and use the rest for hominy. For meat they would take the gun and kill a deer, which was readily found at no great distance. The first thing to market was maple sugar and mo. lasses. After sugar-making was over, the father and sons would each take a sack of sugar upon his back, walk to Marion, "sell out" for 6 to 9 cents per pound, and take pay in merchandise, at the merchant's own price, walk home again with another back-load, feeling thankful that they had done so well. Every man had free access to the woods for his stock, and as a natural consequence, every man had some stock that was more or less wild. In autumn, a buyer would come to some central point and give out word that he would pay from 1 to 1 1/2 cents a pound for hogs on foot. Each man would deliver his hogs at some named point on the road, where they were weighed in the following manner: A pole about ton feet long was used as a pry over some object as a fulcrum. At the short end of the pole was tied a rope, in which were hooked a pair of large steelyards; at the other end was a man to "swing up" the hog and handle the pole. The breeching was then taken off the harness, the hogs were caught by two or three men, who would hook them up in the breeching and in this manner the whole drove was weighed, one hog at a time. The weights were taken down when called out by the weigh man, by a man with a pencil and paper. After all were weighed and paid for, it was the duty of every man (except those well on in years), to help take the drove to Scott Town, whence they made their final start for Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. In those days, to be an expert at driving hogs one must be strong, athletic and long-winded. When a hog got his bristles up," and would not go in the right direction, he was caught and hold by dogs, while a man sewed his eyes shut. After this, he was led back to the drove, and could not again be forced away. Cattle were driven over the mountains in large droves, wheat was hauled to Sandusky City in wagons, and sold at 55 to 75 cents per bushel. A man who had two wagon loads of wheat to sell was considered a big farmer. Schools were then unknown, consequently Mr. Birch, like others of his day, had but small opportunity of acquiring an education. However, he improved what little chance he had, by studying at night, after working hard all day in the clearing. He would carry home a load of shell bark hickory for light and fuel by which to study. By this means, in connection with a few terms of subscription school in after years, he obtained a sufficient education to teach a common school and to conduct business in after life. February 15, 1847, Mr. Birch was married to Christina Bain, who was born in Dundee, Scotland, May 3, 1822, and emigrated to Marion County with her parents, John and Anna Bain, in 1837, and died July 2, 1866, aged thirty-four years one month and twenty-nine days. By this union were George Mills Birch (born November 26, 1848, and died September 17, 1852, aged three years nine months and twenty-one days), Sandy Clark Birch (born January 18, JON, died September 2, 1852, aged --even months and fourteen days), David Birch (born July 18, 1853, is still living) and Sarepta Ann Birch (born December 20, 1854, died May 26, 1882, aged twenty-seven years five months and six days). After the death of his wife, Mr. Birch again married, and March 1878, with his family, including his wife, five daughters and two sons removed to Jewell County, Kan., where he still lives in the fifty-ninth year of his age. Such is a sketch only of a few of the trials and inconveniences of pioneer life in the early history of Montgomery Township, and, with this township, so has it been with a large portion of the territory over which this history extends. How wide the difference between that and the present time! Industry and frugality on the part of the early settlers have wrought a great change, and, as a result, how glorious the advantages of the present and future over those of the past. Our fathers have made the country what it is today. They have performed the laborious task of clearing away the vast forests, and reducing the fields to a state of cultivation. They have borne the trials of the pioneer that we, their children, May reap the cowards their labor has bought. As we raise our eyes from these pages to fall upon the few pioneers who still remain, and behold them bowed down with the labors they have performed, gray with the trials and cares of time, one by one dropping off to eternity, it is then we realize the great debt of gratitude we owe to them. It is then we read with grateful hearts and cherish this memento as a gift well suited to our wants.

JOHN BLANCHARD, (Claridon Township) Mayor of Caledonia, was born in Yorkshire, England, June 15, 1845, the son of Raimes and Ann (Mason) Blanchard, who immigrated to America in 1850, settling in Scott Township, and locating upon land now owned by Joseph Mason. They were the parents of three children, our subject being the only surviving one. Robert M. and George W. were both soldiers in the late war, the former having enlisted in June of 1861 in Company C, Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; participated at Bull Ran, Gettysburg, the siege of Vicksburg, and many other hard-fought battles. In a skirmish he detected a rebel taking steady aim at him; both fired instantly, the rebel was silenced and our hero received his ballet between his second and third fingers, and had his arm shattered to the elbow. This occasioned the amputation of the arm at once, and he was discharged from further duty. He applied, however, for farther service, but was rejected on account of disability. He settled in Fayette County and died while serving his second term as Clerk of the Courts. His brother, George W., having enlisted August 2, 1862, in Company D, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed in a battle at Grand Coteau, La., November 3, 1863. Mr. John Blanchard, having acquired a fair education by attending the Bucyrus Schools two terms, taught three or four winters, and having moved to Fayette County, commenced the study of law under the instruction of Charles A. Palmer, continuing one year. He then returned to his former home, assisting his mother about the farm. In the autumn of 1871, he located at Caledonia in the photograph business, following it successfully one year. He then commenced the practice of law, having been commissioned Notary Public December 24, 1872. He has been doing a good business since, and was the principal mover in incorporating the village of Caledonia. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1879, and reelected in 1882; also, Mayor in 1879. He owns a beautiful residence on Main Street, and has accumulated a good property. January 1, 1873, he married Hannah E. Black, daughter of William and Lydia (Rice) Black, natives of the Buckeye State. Her mother was born July 20, 1829, and died February 9, 1863; her father is still living, a resident of Morrow County, Ohio. They were the parents of five children, four living-Hannah E., Henrietta, Samuel and Isabel. John died in January 1863. Mr. Blanchard and wife are the parents of Maude, M. and Claude R. Mr. Blanchard's history is largely associated with the growth and development of the municipal affairs of Caledonia. He is always ready to aid every public improvement. He was founder of the Supreme Lodge of the Prudential Order of America. He is a Democrat, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM BLAND, (Marion Township) (1907) contractor and builder, was born on the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel, July 28, 1849. He is a son of James and Julia (Wilkinson) Bland, the former a native of Norfolk County, England, and the latter of County Galway, Ireland. Mr. James Bland served twelve years and 128 days in the Fifty-fourth Regiment of British Infantry. He was discharged when in the rank of Sergeant in May 1856, at Kingston, Ontario, having emigrated to British America in March 1852. He was engaged in railroading in Ontario till 1863, when he came over to the United States, settling at Akron, Ohio in 1864, he came to Marion and followed his former vocation on the A. & G. W. and N. Y., P. & O. Railroads till his death, June 10, 1874. Mrs. B. died September 10, 1868. 'They were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest son. He came to Marion in 1864, and worked two years on the N. Y., P. & O. Railroad; then two years for Godfrey Leffler, after which he learned the mason trade. He was a member of the firm of Culbertson & Bland and Bland & Seibert six years. June 24, 1881, he became a member of the firm of Leffler & Bland, which partnership still continues. Mr. Bland was married, November 19, 1874, to Miss Belle Treese, and has two children-Charles H. and Carrie E. Mr. Bland is a member of the Masonic order and K. of P.

HARRISON BONHAM, (Bowling Green Township) son of Elisha L. and Catherine (Dusthemer) Bonham, was born August 18, 1815, in Licking County, Ohio. The parents were of English and French extraction and natives of Maryland and Virginia They emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where he subsequently served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and helped to build the "block-house" at field, Ohio. He was born February 29, 1774, and died October 22, His wife, Catherine, was born August 6, 1792, and died September 1, 1855. They settled in Bowling Green Township in October 1838, and there until their death. Their children are Harrison, Amanda M., Oliver P., Jacob, Sarah, Mary, Harvey, Lydia, Huldah and Hiram, all of whom are living. Eliza, Elisha and Andrew are deceased. Harrison Bonham lived with his parents until 1821, during his minority securing a fair education at the common schools. At the age of twenty-three, he learned carpenter's trade, in which occupation, together with farming, he has been engaged. He was married, March 22, 1838, to Mary A. Catlin, a daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth (McKnatt) Catlin, of English and Irish extraction and natives of the State of Delaware; both died in Licking County, Ohio. Mr. Bonham is the owner of 104 acres of well-improved almost all under cultivation. He served his township two terms as Trustee, is a member of the "Church of God," and is an honored and respected citizen. Politically he is a Democrat.

TIMOTHY C. BONHAM (Bowling Green Township) was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 16, 0, and is a son of Harrison and Ann (Catlin) Bonham. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and had prepared to enter college; but at the breaking-out of the civil war he volunteered as a soldier in defense of the Union. He enlisted October 14, 1861, in Company B, Forty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was present at the battles of Corinth, May 28, 1862; Inks, September 19, 1862; Corinth, October 1862; and with his company during the Atlanta campaign up to June 9, 1864, when he was detailed as a clerk in the Commissary Department, which position he held seven months, and then rejoined his company at Atlanta, and when through with Sherman's army on its "march to the sea" He served until the close of the strife, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. At the expiration of his first three years' enlistment, he reenlisted as a veteran and returned home on a thirty-day furlough, and while home was married, February 4, 1864, to Elizabeth Lee, and February 11, 1864, rejoined his company. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham have a family of six children. He and wife are members of the Church of God," and politically he is a Democrat.

MEEKER BOTTENFIELD, (Prospect Township) farmer, was born near Waynesburg, Green County, Penn., August 23, 1818. His parents, John and Mary (Woodruff) Bottenfield, with their family, including the subject of this paragraph, moved to Knox County, Ohio, in 1830, where the father and mother both lived until their death. Meeker Bottenfield was married in Knox County, March 16, 1842, to Miss Bethiah Hubbel, born April 27, 1827, a daughter of John and Annis (McIntyre) Hubbell, formerly of Tioga County, N. Y., but then of Knox County, Ohio; both died in Knox County. For two years after Mr. Bottenfield's marriage, he lived near Galena, Delaware Co., Ohio, where he leased land and cleared fifty acres for other parties, taking as pay fifty acres of unimproved land; the property is located east of Prospect Village, and is now owned by John Q. Roads. They lived here six years and in August 1852, bought the farm of 101 acres where they now reside; about twenty acres of this farm was cleared at that time; there are now seventy acres of the homestead in a fine state of cultivation. They lived there just twenty-eight years in a log house, and then built, at an expense of $1,500, the fine frame building in which they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Bottenfield have had eight children-Mary Annis, born December 13, 1843, and died January 24, 1861; John H. born January 19, 1845, died September 28, 1875; Stephen J., born August 30, 1846: Carey J., February 20, 1849; Rozetta J., January 3, 1851; Helen Drusella, June 6, 1854; Emma H., June 23, 1857; William M., October 1, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Bottenfield have been members of the Baptist Church since 1847.

DR. RUSSELL C. BOWDISH (Big Island Township) (1907) was born in Delaware County, Ohio, November 19, 1826. He is the son of Eli ah and Sarah Bowdish, who were natives of the States of Rhode Island and Connecticut. Eljiah Bowdish came from Rhode Island to Columbus, Ohio, in the year 1815; remained there about three years, when he removed to Radnor, Delaware Co., Ohio, where he was married to Sarah Russell in 1821. They came to Marion County in 1830, where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Dr. R. C. Bowdish is a sociable, intelligent, well educated, respected gentleman., living on a beautiful farm of 227 acres, which be owns, situated near the village of Big Island. He was a medical student of Dr. J. C. Norton and Dr. T. B. Fisher, of Marion, Ohio, and of Cleveland Medical College. He has practiced medicine for more than thirty years, over twenty-five of which have been at his present location. He is a skillful and Successful physician. He was married to Irene Hardin, at Delaware, Ohio, December 28, 1848, and they had two children, a son and a daughter, who both died in childhood. Mrs. Bowdish died in 1876.

DAVID J. BOWER (Grand Township) was born in what is now Marseilles Township, Wyandot County, May 27, 1835. He is a son of John N. and Gertrude D. (Demarest) Bower, natives of New York State. They were married in Now York in 1834, and in the fall of the same year came to Ohio, and settled on land in Grand Township, which has since been included in Marseilles Township, Wyandot County. Mr. Bower died December 16, 1877, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Bower resides on the homestead in Marseilles Township, in the eighty -first year of her age. They were the parents of three children-David J.; Mary, now Mrs. E. H. Rubins, and Olive Al. Mr. Bower was Trustee of Grand Township, and also of Marseilles Township. In the latter township be served as Justice of the Peace six years. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the homestead. In 1860, he rented a farm in Hardin County, and in January 1862, purchased his present farm in Grand Township. He has cleared and well-improved this farm, and has made all the improvements. He is engaged in farming and rearing Durham cattle and Spanish Merino sheep. December 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Julia E. Vanarsdall, daughter of Thomas and Lucy Vanarsdall. She was born in York State September 15, 1838; of throe children born to this union two are living-Charles H. and Sophronia J. May 2, 1864, Mr. Bower enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He was engaged in the battle of Monocacy and Berryville. He was discharged from the office of Sergeant, August 31, 1864. September 23, following, he was drafted into Company B, Thirty-eight Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was injured by falling from a train near Chattanooga, Tenn., and thus disabled from further service. He was discharged, June 10, 1865. Mr. Bower and family are members of the Marseilles Presbyterian Church. Mr. B. is identified with the orders of P. of H. and G. A. R. He served Grand Township as Trustee One year, and as Treasurer five years. He owns a farm of 160 acres.

JACOB P. BOWER (Grand Township) was born in Chester County, Penn., July 9, 1809. His parents, David and Susan (Kepner) Bower. were also natives of Chester County. They removed to New York State in 1810, and in 1835 to Grand Township, Marion County, where Mr. Bower entered 240 acres of land, and died April 1861, aged seventy-five. Mrs. G. died in August of the same year, at the same age. They had born to them eight children, of whom five are living. Our subject passed his early life on a farm. When of age he took up the carpenter and joiner trade, and followed it about four years. He purchased land in Grand Township, which was afterward attached to Wyandot County. In 1837, he moved to Hardin County, and resided there most of the time till 1877, when he returned to Grand Township. October 9, 1830, he was married to Miss Sarah Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Johnson. Mrs. Bower is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., was born July 5, 1808. They were blessed with four children, three of whom are still living-Helen, wife of Oscar Ralls ; Catherine L., wife of Isaac Clark; and George M. Adam died aged twenty-six years. Mrs. Bower departed this life March 31, 1877. Mr. Bower is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles.

AUSTIN A. BOYD, (Prospect Township) farmer, was born in Waldo Township, this county, January 6, 1841, and was the son of Sylvester and Melinda S. (Selanders) Boyd. Mr. Boyd has always been engaged in farming, and is now farming forty acres of the old homestead in Prospect Township, which was bought by his father in 1862. His father died on this farm January 31, 1871, and the widow still resides there. Our subject was married November 2, 1871, to Mary E. Wasser, a daughter of Charles Wasser, of Prospect Township. They have three children--Edna May, born December 1, 1874; Charles Carey, November 23, 1876; and Mary E., August 18, 1878. Mr. Boyd is a member of Prospect Lodge, No. 483, IOOF, and in politics, is a Republican.

JOHN WESLEY BOYD, (Prospect Township) farmer, was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 5, 1817, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Devol) Boyd, both born near the Potomac River in Maryland, who came to Ohio about the year 1814.and located in Licking County, and in 1825 or 1826, came to Marion County and entered eighty acres of land three miles north of Waldo. They subsequently bought 160 acres of land in Pleasant Township, some three or four miles west of their first farm. The father died on the old farm in 1850, and his wife died at the same place four years afterward. They had four children-Edwin, Sylvester, John W. and George. Previous to his marriage to Sarah Devol, he was married to Miss Scott, by whom he had the following children: Joseph, Hiram, William, Eleanor, Ann and Mary, all deceased. He was an old-line Whig in politics, and served the township as Justice of the Peace two terms. John Wesley Boyd, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and when twenty-one years of age his father deeded the 160 acres in Pleasant Township to him and his brother Sylvester, where he resided for the next ton or twelve years. During this time, he was married to Isabel M. Davids, daughter of William and Margaret Davids, of Pleasant Township. The ceremony was performed April 21, 1845. From this marriage there were two children; one, C. J. Boyd, married Christina Smith, and died, January 19, 1883, leaving four children; the other one is deceased. Mr. Boyd's wile died in 1856 or 1857, and he was again married, January 10, 1861, to Mary E. Roads, daughter of John and Margaret (Winegardner) Roads; by the last marriage there were six children-Mary E., Alice K., Henry H., Louisa and Wilson G., and Frank E., who died in infancy In 1852, Mr. Boyd bought the 100 acres of land where he resides, at $14 per acre. It is now valued at $100 per acre. It was then nearly all wild land; at present it is all improved except fifteen acres of timber. His present residence was built in 1877. It is one of the finest farm residences in the township. The farm lies two miles east of Prospect Village. Mr. Boyd is a Republican, and although this is a Democratic township, he has been elected and served as Trustee two terms; also as Judge of elections. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd and their two eldest children are members of the Baptist Church.

ROBERT A. BOYD, (Marion Township) senior partner in the "Rock-Bottom" grocery, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 10, 1847, the son of Robert R. and Mary A. (Johnson) Boyd, of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was a native of Ireland, but his mother of Ohio. His fattier emigrated with his parents to America in 1820, settling for a short period in Jefferson County, Ohio, but came to Coshocton County, about 1823, where his father entered land, upon which Robert R. has since resided, adding many acres to the original tract. He owns at present 700 acres of valuable land. He is a prominent farmer and a highly respected citizen. Our subject obtained a good education at the Athens University, and entered the sophomore class at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1871, hoping to complete a scientific course, but was obliged to abandon this project on account of failing health, and he taught school one year. September 20, 1875, he married Jane A. McMurray, born July 12, 1846, a daughter or James and Eleanor (Virtue) McMurray, of Scotch ancestry. By this marriage two children were born, Maud V., born September 15, 1876, and Eleanor, August 28, 1878. Three year's subsequent to marriage, Mr. Boyd engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his father's farm . . . He removed to Marion in the spring of 1880, engaging in the grocery and provision business with J. M. Heller, under the name of Heller & Boyd. They did a successful business, Mr. Heller retiring at the close of one year, and George Brown purchasing his interest. This firm has a thriving and profitable trade, and are known as the Rock Bottom grocery. Mr. B. is a member of the IOOF, of the Beta Theta Pi of Delaware College, of the Republican party and of the official board of the M. E. Church.

ROBERT G, BOYD (Pleasant Township) is one of the pioneer settlers of Marion County. He was born in Allegheny County, Penn., August 30, 1816. He is a son of Joseph and Jane Bo d, who came to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1817, and January 20, 1821, settled in what is now Pleasant Township, Marion County, where Mr. Boyd bought land. He increased his farm to 380 acres, and after clearing sixty acres died in 1847, aged fifty-four years. His widow survived him until 1869, when she died at the age of seventy-eight. They raised a family of eight children, four of whom are living at the present time. One son, Thomas G. Boyd, a physician in Beaver County, Penn., and Joseph F. Boyd, Superintendent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad (Penn.). Robert G. Boyd is of a strong and healthy family. His grandfather came from Ireland in 1771, and was a soldier of the Revolution. His Uncle, Henry Boyd, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and with four brothers were, ministers of the Presbyterian Church. His father and two brothers were Justices of the Peace, and also Elders in the same church. At a reunion of the Boyd family at Beaver, Perin., in 1881, sixty relatives attended, one-third of whom were teachers, and about fifty members of the Presbyterian Church. The family, from our subject's grandfather, numbered, in 1881, 621, which does not include the fifth and sixth generations. Mr. Boyd, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and obtained most of his education in a log schoolhouse, 12x16 feet in size. In 1838, he purchased eighty acres, to which he added eighty acres more. He also owns 240 acres of farm land in Nebraska and two lots in Lincoln, that, State. In 1860, he erected a substantial brick residence on the homestead, at a cost of $1,500. February 8, 1841, he married Miss Rebecca Hall, a daughter of John and Jane (Shields) Hall, by whom he has had eight children. viz., John H., who was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain in 1864; Jane E., wife of Ezekiel Hughes; Mary M., wife of W. H. McNeal; Joseph S., died in 1881; Harriet E.; Sarah A., wife of P. H. Otis, and Ella A., who died in 1874. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boyd was a member and an Elder at the organization of that Church at Prospect.

CASHIUS BOYNTON, (Claridon Township) a son of Amos and Mary A. Boynton, was born on the old homestead in Claridon Township October 10, 1852. He was brought up on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He married, March 29, 1877, Miss Rachel Alban, a daughter of John and Jeanette (Carr) Alban, residents of Wyandot County, Ohio. Two children have blessed this union-Emma L., born March 4, 1878; and Charles C., January 27, 1880. Our subject is an enterprising young man, and has the charge of a part of the home place of ninety-three acres. In politics, he is a Republican.

ALBERT J. BRADY (Big Island Township) is the son of S. L. and Mary J. Brady, natives of Big Island Township, who live at present in Morrow County, Ohio, having brought up a number of children. Albert was born February 1, 1859, and at the age of sixteen he started out for himself and worked by the month for five years-four years with his uncle, William Brady. July 3, 1879, be married Ida M. Corey, daughter of Mary B. Corey, of this town ship. Mrs. B. was born June 22, 1861. Their two children are Ebenezer,(1907) who was born April 9, 1880, and Lura Irene, born January 12, 1882. Since 1881, Mr. Brady has attended the Lemuel Fite farm, of 500 acres, being paid by the year. This season (1883) he has eighty acres of corn and thirty acres of wheat.

B. D. BRADY (Big Island Township) was born January 29, 1858, in Big Island Township, the son of John C. and Elizabeth Brady. His father died in early manhood, so that he obtained but little education. He was married in the spring of 1877 to Miss Sarah Frederick, daughter of Jacob Frederick, of Marion. Their one child is Merrill Leroy. He purchased forty acres, where he resides, in 1870, for $2,000, but sold since twenty acres for $1,100; he is cultivating the remainder.

N. O. BRENIZER, B. S., M. D., (Prospect Township) a practicing physician at Prospect Village, was born in April 1854, at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, and is the son of William G. and Anna (Shaw) Brenizer. The Doctor's youth was passed on his father's farm in Morrow County, in the meantime attending the common schools of the neighborhood. When nineteen years of age he became a student at Otterbein University, of Westerville, Ohio, where, at the end of five years, he graduated in the scientific course. The last year of his university course he applied himself to the study of medicine; after graduating, he continued his medical studies, and in the fall of 1878, became a student at the Homoeopathic Hospital College, at Cleveland, Ohio, graduating at that institution in 1880. On completing his medical course, he located at Prospect Village, where he is still practicing his profession. The Doctor was married, December 30, 1880, to Anna Clime, a daughter of William Clime, of Columbus, Ohio; They have one child named Vivian Perses.

EMERY BREWER, (Grand Prairie Township) (1907) deceased, was born in Fulton County, N. Y., in 1820, and came to Marion County in 1845, settling in Salt Creek Township. He was a man of great energy and perseverance, and although he commenced with very limited means, he added year after year till his real estate amounted to 1,700 acres of land, stocked to the fullest extent with horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He was an enthusiastic Republican, and during the civil war, by his means and influence, gave energetic support to the union cause. He died May 7, 1880, leaving a widow and two children. His widow, Mrs. Cynthia Brewer, is a resident of Marion, and a member of the Christian Church.

ANDREW D. BETZ (Grand Prairie Township) was born March 6, 1827, and is the son of Samuel and Catharine (Bibber) Betz. Samuel Bretz was born in Lancaster, Penn., August 28, 1800, and his wife, Catharine, April 25, 1804, in Fairfield County, Ohio; they were married in 1828, and located in Grand Prairie Township when the county was first organized, and purchased 320 acres of land in the northern part of that township. At this time, Indians were quite numerous, but friendly. They had nine children; those living are Anna, Andrew D., Elizabeth B., Fannie M., David S. and Mahala V. Amanda and Mary are deceased. Mr. Bretz was a prominent and highly honored citizen during his life time, and was at one time elected Justice of the Peace; he also served in other public positions in the township, and as School Director for sixteen years. He was a member of the Regular Baptist Church, one of the first in the township. He died April 30, 1874; his widow, Catharine Bretz, still resides on the old homestead surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and pleasant and genial in her old age she awaits the Master's call. Andrew D. Bretz lives near the old homestead of his father, and is the owner of one of the finest farms in the county, worth with its improvements, at least $30,000. His residence is one of the best houses in the county, and situated on an eminence affording a fine view to the South and east. He is one of the oldest residents in the township, and one of its most influential citizens. He is, politically speaking, a Republican, and held various offices in his township, and is a member of the Regular Baptist Church, of which he is a Trustee. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Seitz, the daughter of a prominent Baptist minister. Several years ago Mr. Bretz met with a severe accident, injuring the spine, and bag been obliged ever since to use canes for a support while walking.

JOHN BRICKER (Brugger) (Big Island Township) was born in Thoerigan, Switzerland December 18, 1844, the son of John (1907) and Barbara (Brugger) Brugger, who emigrated to America in 1853, stopping in Delaware County, Ohio, eight years, then settling in Green Camp Township, where they still reside. Securing a practical education, John Bricker remained with his parents till marriage, which occurred March 17, 1870. His wife is the daughter of George and Fanny (King) Court (see sketch of George Court), and they are the parents of three children-Mary 0., Albert F. and Rosa. Immediately after marriage, he purchased, where he now resides, eighty acres, having then few improvements. He has erected an attractive home, surrounded by substantial outbuildings; is a thorough farmer, raises considerable stock, is a good citizen and votes the Democratic ticket.

MICHAEL BRIGEL, (Marion Township) senior member of the firm of Brigel & Eibling, harness-makers, is a native of Mannenberg, Wuerttemberg, Germany. He was born January 9, 1833, and is a son of George Michael and Christina Katharina (Kloz) Brigel. He came to the United States in the fall of 1854, and began the trade of saddler and harness-maker with T. J. Magruder; he worked until 1859, when he formed a partnership with Lucas Klingle, under the firm name Brigel & Klingle. This firm dissolved soon after, and in 1866 he admitted F. Everly as a partner, and continued five years, when J. C. Walters bought Everly's interest; then Walters & Brigel did business until January 1, 1872, and Brigel continued alone until 1882, when the present firm was formed. July 4, 1862, Mr. Brigel married Miss Frederica Eibling, by whom he has had six children; of these five are living, viz.: Sophronia, John M.(1907), Mary, Willie and Lewis; Henry is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. B. is also connected with the V. A. 0. D.

SILAS W. BRIGGS (Grand Prairie Township) (1907) was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., February 14, 1828, and settled in Grand Prairie Township, Marion Co., Ohio, April 10, 1861. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township, and has served in various local offices, among which is Justice of the Peace for several years. He affiliates with the Democratic party; is a member of the IOOF, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. They have the following children: Jonathan C., Luther, Emma. Otteimer G. and Eugene. The first named is a graduate of the Western Reserve Medical College. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have a farm of 245 acres, and the cash value of the estate would be at least $20,000 to $25,000. Mr. Briggs is a prominent and highly respected citizen.

JOHN BRINKER (Green Camp Township) was born January 28, 1836, in his father's native place, Westmoreland County, Penn., the only son of Henry Brinker. His people located in Green Camp in the spring of 1851, buying 180 acres, paying $15 per acre. Mr. Brinker cleared a good share of this farm, and in 1876 removed to the village of Green Camp, where he still resides. His wife, Elizabeth (Schiveler) Brinker, died some years since. John Brinker arrived at man's estate, entered the army, October 1, 1861, in Company B, Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Brown. He participated in those engagements: Pittsburg Landing, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost and Resaca. At this last battle. he was wounded in the left ankle and was carried from the field. After lying in the hospital, he was taken to Now Albany, Ind., and was nine months ab. sent from the service. He returned and fought till the close of the strife, receiving his discharge December 3, 1865. He re-enlisted January 1, 1864. April 4, 1867, he was wedded to Miss Ruth Sherman, daughter of Eber and Florinda Sherman. Wheeler Sherman, the father of Eber, was a soldier of 1812. Three children have been born to the above-named union -Flora E., Clara M, and Lucy L., aged respectively thirteen, eleven and nine years, Mr. Brinker came to his farm of sixty-six acres in 1871, and succeeded in clearing about one-half of it. It is a good quality of soil. He is a thorough worker and a substantial citizen.

JAMES BRITTON (Big Island Township) was born February 16, 1834, a native of Big Island Township, the son of William and Sarah Britton, who came from the State of Now York, entering eighty acres. Having raised a family of nine children, Mr. William Britton died in 1871, aged eighty-two years. James' grandfather, William Britton, came from England; was engaged in both the Revolutionary war and that of 1812. January 16, 1857, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Lydia McNabb, daughter of Augus and Lydia McNabb, of Massachusetts, and of Scotch extraction. Eight children blessed this union, three dying young. The names of the living are Asa M., Sarah R., James, Jr., Lydia R. and May M. Mr. B. inherited the old homestead, consisting of 102 acres, which he values today at $70 per acre. His farm is stocked with the best varieties. He has owned a two-thirds interest in an Aultman & Taylor thresher for twenty-seven years, but he refuses to follow it longer. Both himself and wife hold a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MRS. MARY S. BRITTON (Big Island Township) is the widow of Gitto Britton, whose parents came from New York in an early day. She was born February 26, 1823, the daughter of James Cram, who came to Big Island Township in 1886; his grandfather, Sanborn Cram, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Britton were married in the autumn of 1841, and their three children are William H., Sarah, wife of Harrison Deal, and Louis M., an enterprising farmer, living near his parents. After their marriage, they rented about five years, purchasing their present residence, of sixty acres in 1850. which subsequently was increased to 132 acres. Mr. B. died in 1863, aged forty-three years, having done a large of bard labor, though never a strong man, and was kind to the Mrs. B. is still hale and hearty, and enjoys the confidence of the bore generally.

WILLIAM BROCKLESBY (Claridon Township) was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 30, 1833. He is the son of William and Emma (Thew) Brocklesby, who immigrated to this country in 1844, locating in Claridon Township. Being a wagon and carriage maker, he bought property, and located in Claridon, where he lived and died. They had five children, of whom two survive-William, our subject, and Robert, a resident of Morrow County. Ohio. John, Bettie and Emma M. are deceased. The father was born February 29, 1807, and died in June of 1878. The mother was born about 1809 and died in 1844. William having obtained the rudiments of an education, lived with his uncle, William Thew, from his tenth year to his marriage, which took place January 1, 1856, to Miss Abigail Curtis, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Woodhouse) Curtis, natives of England. Eight children have been born to them, four living-Joseph C. (1907), born February 19, 1860; Emma, May 15, 1863; John B., October 22, 1865; and Ella A., November 2, 1878. William T. was born December 29, 1857, and died October 25, 1874; Charles Y., born July 1, 1868, died October 25, 1877 Mary 0., born August 9, 1875, died October 28, 1877. An infant died unnamed. Their mother was born June 3, 1835. Mr. Brocklesby is one of the leading farmers of the township, having the control of and owning 410, acres of arable land. He is an enthusiastic Republican, serving the township as Trustee for eight years; he also made a creditable race for County Commissioner one year, and in 1882 for Infirmary Director. His brother, John Brocklesby, enlisted in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at Kennesaw Mountain and died in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn., and his remains lie in the United States Cemetery at that place. Mr. Brocklesby, the subject of this paragraph, is a member of the IOOF, and, with his family, of the Methodist Episcopal Church; has belonged to this denomination thirty-four years, been class-leader fifteen years, and its Recording Steward twelve years. He is a useful citizen, exemplary in life, and an honored gentleman. The portrait of Mr. Brocklesby appears on another page of this volume

ELLIS W. BROWN (Montgomery Township) was born in Grand Township September 24, 1852, the Eon of Hamilton and Ellen (Clifton) Brown, natives of Ireland and Ohio respectively. He came to America when aged seven, acquired a fair education, and married, March 16, 1882, Miss Eliza Virden, daughter of William and Elizabeth (King) Virden, residents of Missouri. They the latter, are the parents of six children -Eliza, Jackson, Marion, Collier, George and Emmett. Mr. Brown has been farming and rearing stock for some time, having, with his father, at present 750 head of sheep, and much other stock. He is an industrious citizen and a wide-awake Democrat.

EZEKIEL BROWN, (Grand Prairie Township) (1907) farmer and tile manufacturer, is a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, born January 24, 1850. His father, Abraham Brown, was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and moved with his family to Wyandot County in 1843. Ezekiel Brown was reared to the life of a farmer, and on attaining his majority was given $400 for a start. He has made such good use of this start, combined with industry, perseverance and good management, that he is now, although but thirty-three years of age, one of the most substantial and well-to-do citizens of the township. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, and is also interested in the manufacture of tile. He has been Treasurer of the township three years, and Trustee two years, and politically, is a Republican. He is also a member of the Marion Count Agricultural Society. He was married, January 20, 1876, to Alice C. Bretz, and the same spring became a resident of Grand Prairie Township, where he still resides. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, the latter of the Regular Baptist Church.

GEORGE BROWN, (Marion Township) one of the proprietors of the "Rock Bottom" store, was born in Galena, Delaware Co., Ohio, April 29,1846. His parents were of English extraction, and natives of the Buckeye State. Our subject is the first son of Ezekiel and Harriet (Hance) Brown, who were united in marriage at the above place, residing there from 1842 or 43 to 1874. They then removed to Delaware, where the wife died. in December, 1878, aged about fifty or fifty-one years. Mr. B. still survives, a resident of the same town. aged (1883) sixtyfour years. He was a pioneer in his adopted county. the subject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of an education in the common schools at Galens, attending two terms at the Belleville High School, closing his literary pursuits when nineteen. His nuptials with Almeda Carhart, a daughter of Isaac and Roxy (Peckham) Carhart, were solemnized June 28, 1871. She was born in September, 1848. Effie, their only child, was born May 9, 1873, and died February 12, 1875. Mr. Brown applied his attention to various vocations in his native county until 1870, when lie began manufacturing horse hay-rakes and hand corn-planters, doing a successful business, under the firm name of Brown & Hughes. He retired in 1874, entering as clerk the mercantile trade at Galena. In 1880, he purchased in Marion a store of dry goods and notions, which he carried on ten months; then with R. A. Boyd, lie engaged in the grocery and queensware trade, doing business at No. 20 Main street. They are prosecuting a driving trade. Mr. Brown served two years as Trustee of his native township. He is a stanch Republican, and belongs to the 1. 0. 0. F. He has been officially connected with the M. E. Church for nearly twenty years. Mrs. B. is also a member.

D. W. BROWNLEE (Tully Township) is a bachelor, and a son of James and Angelina Brownlee, with whom he lives, and for whom he cares. His education was obtained in the common school, and he lives a quiet, unostentatious life living and letting live."He is benefitting his neighborhood and county by rearing fine stock of all kinds, particularly cattle. His farm of 160 acres he values at $100 per acre.

JAMES BROWNLEE, (Tully Township) residing near the boundary line between Marion and Morrow Counties, is one of the oldest of Tully's citizens. He bears his seventy-five years gracefully. Though nearly blind for the past two years; his native place is Buffalo, Penn. James Brownlee, his grandfather, of Scotch descent, came to this country when seven years of age. James is the oldest of eight children, who were educated in the very common schools of that day. He remained with his father, farming and milling, until his marriage which occurred March 2, 1837, to Miss Angelina Danley, of Washington County, Penn. Her grandfather sailed for America during the progress of the Revolutionary war, and did duty in the war of 1812. Mrs. B. is first cousin to ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio, and is at present (1883) in her sixty-fifth year. She rode to Ohio on horseback, 180 miles. Their children are ten in number, three deceased; the living are Rev. Hugh L., pastor of Portland Mills Associate Church; Nancy, wife of James Jackson, of Kansas; James E. of Kansas; David W.; Archibald D., of Kansas; Robert X, of Caledonia Mill; William M., also of Kansas. The Kansas children all have farms joining. In the spring of 1838 Mr. B. moved to Tully Township buying, in the southern part of the township, 240 acres. At one time they owned 500 acres. They lived in a cabin fourteen years. In his prime, Mr., B. was a successful cradler, never finding a man who could follow him with a rake, and he has swept down 110 dozens "between sun and sun." He is a stanch Republican, and himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church at Iberia.

JOHN BRUGGER (Green Camp Township) (1907) was born in Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland, November 18, 1818, the son of Hans Jacob and Susan (Moser) Brugger. He emigrated to America with his wife May 1, 1853, settling in Delaware County, Ohio, eight years, thence to Green Camp Township, purchasing, in 1861, 135 acres of timber land. By great effort he has cleared the most of this, and built a frame residence, which he now occupies. He was united in marriage, October 28, 1842, with Barbara Brugger, daughter of John and Barbara (Brugger) Brugger, natives of Thoerigen, Switzerland, who had seven children, three living-Mary, Jacob and Barbara. Mr. Brugger and wife have been the parents of six heirs, viz., John, Jacob, Mary A., Samuel and Rosena S., and one deceased. Mr. Brugger began in life a poor boy, but by persevering efforts has amassed a goodly fortune. His farm, which is in a high state of cultivation, is managed by his son, Samuel. This family are members of the German Reformed Church at Green Camp, and they affiliate with the Democratic party.

JOHN BRUNDIGE, (Waldo Township) (1907) a leading citizen of Marion County and one of it's oldest inhabitants, was born on the old "Brundige" homestead September 10, 1813, the day of Commodore Ferry's victory on Lake Erie. He is the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Kniffin) Brundige, whose sketch appears in the history of Waldo Township. Mr. Brundige is the youngest of a family of Dine children, whose names are as follows: Mary, Anna, Levin, (married to Samuel D. Wyatt, and on his death married to William Dudley. also, deceased; she is now living in Delaware), Elizabeth, Rachel, James, William, Sarah, and John our subject. The latter was reared to manhood on the homestead farm and received his education in the log schoolhouse of primitive times. He remained at home till of ago, aiding in clearing the homestead of which he is now the sole owner. Mr. Brundige, was married in September 1837, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Taylor, and born in Marlborough Township, Delaware County, Ohio, December 15, 1816. To this union were born seven children, four living, viz., Charles (1907), Mary E. (wife of J. J. Powell, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; she graduated from Granville Seminary and taught in that institution for three years), Josephine, (a teacher who also graduated from Granville Seminary) and John F., the youngest. Sanford (deceased) was born June 16, 1838, he enlisted in Company B, on its organization, Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at Shiloh, from the effects of which he died in the hospital at Fort Pickering, Memphis Tenn., November 20, 1862; Elizabeth was born February 1, 1854, died June 25, 1858, and Thomas N. was born July 27, 1862, died August 1, 1876. Our subject, like many of the early pioneers of Marion County, started for himself with but limited means, with great resources of energy, however, which he has industriously applied, and by perseverance and judicious economy he has acquired success and accumulated a large and valuable property, and now

ranks among the substantial citizens of Marion County. Mr. Brundige is a gentleman of live enterprise, and has always taken a leading part in movements tending to the benefit and prosperity of the community in which he lives. He and family are ardent members of the Norton Baptist Church, with which our subject has been prominently identified for a groat many years. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party, he united himself with it, and has since been an earnest advocate of its principles. While in Delaware County, he was for nine years Trustee of Marlborough Township. He has also served as Trustee of Waldo Township for a term of years. He was a juror in the United States District Court at Toledo in 1882-83. In military affairs, he was Lieutenant Colonel of a rifle battalion for five years. When our subject came of age, be received one-third of 160 acres and bought the rest, adding from time to time till he is now owner of 293 acres, besides a stock farm of 238 acres in Marlborough Township, and sixty-two acres on the Olentangy River. In addition to the ordinary cultivation of his farm, Mr. Brundige engages. He rears and in stock raising and keeps a high grade of stock. feeds cattle, and has usually on hand from fifty to seventy head.

JOHN F. BRUNDIGE, (Waldo Township) farmer and stock-raiser, P.D. Waldo, youngest son of John Brundige, was born November 24, 1856, on the old homestead and was reared there. In 1875, he entered on a collegiate course at Denison University, of Granville, and graduated in June 1880. From the time of his return home he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He keeps a good grade of stock-cattle, horses and hogs. In the spring of 1883, he moved to his present farm and married, March 22, 1883. Minnie 0. Hyde, of Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from the Institute of Granville in June 1879, and taught three years in the Deaf and Dumb Institute of Columbus. She is, a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brundige owns 125 acres of land on the Olentangy.

JAMES E. BRYAN (Marion Township) is a native of Marion, born December 28, 1650, to Thomas E. and Elizabeth (Bowen) Bryan, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia. The Bowens originated in Germany, but came to Virginia in 1650. His paternal grandfather is a resident of Marion, aged (1883) ninety-five years. His father's family consisted of four children-James, Mary (teacher in the public schools at Prospect), Arthur (telegraph operator at the C. & T. depot), and Martha (deceased). His father of Scotch extraction, also-lives in town, a carpenter by trade. James E. received a good education at the Marion schools, completing his literary career by taking a commercial course at Prof. Sharp's Business College, at Delaware, Ohio, graduating in 1871. When eighteen years of age, however, he entered the Huber establishment as a common laborer ; but upon his return from Delaware College, he became foreman of the rake department, which position he still holds. He has under his charge from twelve to forty men continually. He makes all the hay-rakes patented by Mr. Huber, from 6,000 to 8,000 annually. He also superintends the wood machinery for the scrapers. separators and engines. Mr. Bryan became a stockholder in tile Huber Manufacturing Company in 1872, entering $3,600. June 8,1873, he was married to Miss Emily Shur, daughter of John and Mary Shur, descendants of German ancestors. To them have been born two children-Charles and Harry, aged six and three years, respectively. He has just completed an inviting residence on North East street at a cost of $2,000. He also has two other town lots. Politically, Mr. Bryan votes the Democratic ticket. He belongs to the K. of P., and to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MARSHALL S. BURDGE, (Montgomery Township) first son of John H. and Margaret (Schooley) Burdge, was born August 19, 1845, at Columbia, N. J., at the village school of which place be was educated. He clerked in his father's store until his eighteenth year, when the family moved to Marion County, settling in Montgomery Township January 22, 1864. April 11 , 1868, Mr. Burdge married Betty B. Vesey, daughter of James and Jane (Demoss) Vesey, and they have since bud rive children, viz , Fannie R., Lide N., Laura B., Sallie G., James V., Anna M., Avis C., Margaret J. and Margaret Tope; the last three are deceased. Mr. Burdge began life with nothing but his innate energy, which has developed for him a valuable farm of 105 acres, and accumulated other property. He is a Democrat, and stands high in the estimation of the community.

JOHN BURTSFIELD (Grand Prairie Township) was born in Franklin County, Penn., on the 6th day of September. 1.822, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Burtsfield, who settled with their family in Grand Prairie Township, in April, 1828, on eighty acres of land that he pre-empted. He died on the same farm February 14, 1872, aged eighty-three years and six months. His wife died December 19. 1875, aged seventy-five years. John Burtsfield was married February 21, 1847, to Nancy Jane Van Meter, who died December 13, 1864, leaving three children. He was married again in July, 1865, to Amanda Lucas. By the last marriage they have no children. John Burtsfield is one of the most substantial and highly respected citizens of the township. He has filled all the offices of the township from Justice of the Peace down, and is serving as Trustee at the present time, while his son, J. W., is Township Clerk. He is the owner of 360 acres of well improved land, valued at $25,000, which he has made by his own industry and economy. He resides on the place where his father first settled in 1828.

JOHN S. BURKHART (Tully Township) is one of the thoroughgoing young citizens of Tully. He was born February 22, 1834, in Lycoming County, Penn., and is the son of Gottleib and Margaret Burkhart, the former dying when our subject was an infant. but be remained with his mother until twenty-one years of age. In his seventeenth year, his mother brought the family to Tully Township, settling where John S. now resides; she died in 1880, aged eighty-three years. Mr. B. has added thirty acres to the 110 acres which he inherited, and is worth about $10,000. In the winter of 1856, be married Elizabeth Shafer, of Morrow County, Ohio. Their children have numbered five, one dying in infancy. The names of the living are Mary L., wife of Abraham Gunther; Sarah E.; Sanford W. and John 0. Mr. B. and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for thirty-two years, and of which he has been a Leader for fifteen years and Steward for the same length of time.

FREDERICK BUSH, (Claridon Township) of the firm of Rinker & Bush, is a native of Germany, born March 5, 1850. At the age of nineteen years, he immigrated to Caledonia and worked at the carpenter's trade and such other employment as came to hand, for one season, when he engaged with C. C. Rinker to work at the cabinet business, which he had previously learned. After continuing for nine years as an employe, he became a member of the firm, carrying on a successful business, theirs being the only establishment of the kind in the place. Our subject was married April 23, 1870, to Mary L. Rinker, a daughter of 0. C. and Sophia Rinker, of German extraction. The names of the two children are Charles L., born June 6, 1880; and Loreta S., born February 4, 1883. Mr. Bush is an energetic and respected citizen, a member of the IOOF, and of the Democratic party.

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