THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
P
(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY - LETTER- P)
WILLIAM E. PARKER (Montgomery Township) was born in Zane Township, Logan County Ohio, April 5, 1844. His parents' names were William and Heppy (Ewans) Parker, the former a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and the latter of Logan County, Ohio. He passed his youth in Logan County, and learned the business of a miller in his father's mill at West Liberty. In 1862, being then eighteen years of age, he was employed as a clerk for the Quartermaster of the Fifty fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then stationed near Clarksburg, Va., remaining in this position for eighteen months. In 1884, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three months; was with a detachment of his regiment. that participated in the battle of Cold Harbor, and on the expiration of his term of service he was honorably discharged October 5, 1864, when he returned home. He soon secured a clerkship in the Bellefontaine Railroad freight office, where he remained until 1869, when he was appointed railroad agent at La Rue, a position that he held for six years; then he was transferred to Anderson, Ind. acting as railroad agent at that place for six months; then returned to La Rue and was employed at the wood-bending works until April 1883, when he was appointed Postmaster at La Rue, a position which he now holds. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served the village of La Rue as its Mayor for one term, and as a member of the Council for two terms. He was married in January 1877, to Miss Emma F. Bechtold, a daughter of Christian Bechtold, and by this marriage there are two children -Margaret and John Christian.
BENJAMIN R. PATTEN (Claridon Township) is living in his native county, born February 7, 1840, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Porter) Patten. His father was a native of Ireland, who came to America about 1810, and his mother was a native of Jamaica. They lived, after marriage, about ten years in Chester County, Penn.; then removed to Ohio. They located in Canaan Township, Marion County (now Morrow County), where they died, the father October 23, 1863, aged eighty-two years, and the mother in 1870, aged seventy-six years. The subject of this sketch received his education at the country school when a boy; after that he attended high school at Toronto, Canada West; and was united in marriage, August 12, 1868, with Frances A., a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Porter. Their only child is Porter W., born December 29, 1873. Mr. Patten was reared a farmer boy, but at the age of twenty-four he engaged in the lumber trade, which business he has successfully followed since. His mill is now located at the village of Claridon. Although two of his mills have been burned, and a third exploded, he has accumulated sufficient to purchase 120 acres of land in Michigan, besides property in both Claridon and Caledonia. He is an influential citizen, having served, while a resident of Midland County, Mich., in nearly all the local offices. He is a Past Master in the Masonic order, a Knight Templar, a member of the IOOF and of the Democratic party. He never tastes of whisky.
CHARLES L. PATTEN. (Green Camp Township) druggist, Green Camp, Ohio, was born in Prospect, September 21, 1842, the son of William and Sarah (Waters) Patten ten, who were joined in marriage near Prospect in 1834. The former, a native of that place was born November 8, 1811; the latter February 16, 1814. In 1833, the father purchased 133 acres, paying $1.25 per acre, which subsequently became the homestead. So dense was the forest covering it that he was obliged to clear a place to erect a cabin. They had six children, two dead-Mary E. and Olive A. The living are William R., Charles L., Henry C. and Albert G. Our subject's grandfathers both served in the war of 1812, and his father died May 17, 1860; his mother still survives, occupying the old farm. Charles Lee Patten was married, May 24, 1867. to Elizabeth C. Bear, in Marion, daughter of Levi P. and Barbara A. Bear. Their three children are Lorena C., Cora A. and Della P., aged thirteen, nine and seven years respectively. Mr. P. Patten continued farming until 1873, when he removed to Green Camp and engaged in merchandising, conducting at present the only drug store in the village; he is doing a good business. He enlisted in the autumn of 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. W. L. Martin. He fought at Perryville, Columbia, Campbellville, Fort, Donelson, Franklin, Triune, Shelbyville, Bridgeport, Whiteside Mountain, Sesochee Valley, Ringgold, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Buzzard's Roost, Snake-Creek Gap, Resaca, Rome, Altoona Hills, Big Shanty, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Harpeth River, and the end is not yet; he went also to the sea with Sherman. He was discharged June 1865; was wounded at Chickamauga, and Kenesaw. Mr. Patten has been an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, Prospect, Ohio, for fifteen years; received also the Scottish Rites at Dayton, Ohio. He has served as Clerk of Green Camp Township several times, and as School Land Treasurer three years. He was a prominent candidate for Sheriff upon the Republican ticket in 1876. He still retains an interest in the old homestead and is a worthy citizen.
MILTON PATTEN, M. D., (Green Camp Township) Green Camp, Ohio, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, November 27, 1823, the youngest of eleven children born to William and Mary (Harden) Patten. William Patten is a native of Maryland and Mrs. Patten of Pennsylvania. They resided in Ohio, in Del aware and Marion Counties, the most of their married life. The names of their children are Isaac, Richard, John, Sarah, William, Thomas, Ruth, Orin, Lorenzo, Maria and Milton. The first, tenth and eleventh are living. Milton Patten having a fair education, began to read medicine in 1843, under the direction of Drs. John Sigler and W. W. Bridge. He attended the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and commenced practicing at Prospect, Ohio, in 1848. He removed to La Rue in 1849; thence to Prospect in 1854; thence to Green Camp, where he remained seven years. In 1861, he went to Illinois, still pursuing his profession at Camp Point, Adams County. In 1880, he returned to Green Camp, where he has a good practice. The Doctor was wedded, October 22, 1850, to Jane Gillaspie; two children have been born to them, one deceased--Jennett. Clara Belle, born May 6, 1854, married James F. Magaffey, of Illinois, in 1872. He is a strong Republican, and has been Township Clerk and Trustee at various times. The Doctor and Mrs. Patten are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former with a membership of nearly forty years.
DAVID PENRY, (Prospect Township) farmer, Radnor Township, Delaware County was born November 4, 1806, the first white child born in that township. His parents were David and Mary (Pugh) Penry, the former a native of Breckenshire, and the latter of Radnorshire, Wales. Our subject's parents came to Ohio in 1806, settling in Radnor Township, bringing one child with them to America, who died in Baltimore, Md. They had twelve children born in Radnor Township, as follows: David, Mary, Hannah, Walter, William, Jane, John, Edward, Thomas (1907), Evan, Amelia and Margaret. Our subject was married, November 14, 1833, to Joanna Jones, who was born in Radnorshire, South Wales, May 20, 1812, and came to Radnor Township with her parents, John P. and Mary (Penry) Jones, in 1818. From this marriage there were ton children, five now living, as follows: Thomas L., John P., Mary M., Hannah J. and Amelia D.; those who died were Reuben, aged eight years; Margaret Ann, aged sixteen years; Ann, an infant, and two infants not named. Our subject has lived on his present farm in Radnor Township since 1833. When he purchased it, it contained 130 acres; for this he paid $1.50 per acre, and split rails at 50 cents a hundred to get money to pay for the land. He still owns this farm. Our subject's father was a soldier under Gen. Harrison, in the war of 1812. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN P. PENRY, (Prospect Township) farmer is a native of Radnor Township, Delaware County, and was born July 19, 1840. He is a son of David and Joanna (Jones) Penry. John P. Penry enlisted at Delaware, Ohio, October 2, 1861, in Company D, Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was a soldier in the war of the great rebellion. He served until the close of the struggle, having re enlisted as a veteran in 1863, in the same company and regiment. He was present at and participated in the following battles: Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Middleburg, Inks, Miss., the second battle of Corinth,. Holly Springs, Vicksburg, Little Kenesaw Mountain, Big Kenesaw and Atlanta, where he was wounded through the right shoulder and chest by a musket ball July 22, 1864. He still carries the rebel lead in his body. This wound disabled him from carrying a musket in after service. When he had sufficiently recovered, he was detailed as an Orderly for Dr. J. W. Guthery, at the headquarters of the Seventeenth Army Corps. In that capacity he went through with Gen. Sherman's army on its march to the sea. He was in the charge at Pocatalgo, N. C., and at the burning of Columbia, S. C., and was present at the surrender of Joseph E. Johnston's army at Durham Station, N. C., and was finally present at the grand review of the army at Washington, D. C., in 1865, and was mustered out of the service with his company July 15, .1865. He now receives a small pension from the Government on account of disability, which pension should be quadrupled at least. Mr. Penry has a farm of fifty acres in Prospect Township, where he resides. He was married, July 2, 1871, to Augusta G. Fleming. They have four children-Myrtis, born October 1873; Henry C., born March 23, 1876; Charles, March 3, 1877, and David, April 12, 1878.
THOMAS L. PENRY, (Prospect Township) (1907) son of the preceding, was born in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, August 7, 1838. January 1, 1862, he married Lucinda A. Arnold, who was born in Perry Township, Licking Co., Ohio, December 3, 1843, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth S. (Yates) Arnold, formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Penry have, five children Elizabeth Joanna, born September 8, 1863; Harvey O., April 19, 186'. William Henry, December 11, 1869; John Q., November 10, 1873; Watkin D., September 3, 1877. Mr. Penry has always followed farming, and now resides on and owns 151 3/4 acres of land, one and a half miles east of Prospect Village. The farm is improved with a fine brick residence, built by himself, in which he lives with his family. The farm was known as the "Thomas Cratty Farm." Mr. Penry is a straight Republican in politics.
CAPT. EBENEZER PETERS (Marion Township) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 27, 1818. His parents, Samuel and Mary (Stevenson) Peters, hailed from Philadelphia, Penn., and Manchester, Md., respectively. They were married in 1794, and in 1813, removed to Fairfield County, where his (the Captain's) grandfather, David Stevenson, had entered 1,200 acres of land, eight miles from Lancaster. His grandfather had moved there about 1809, and died upon the anniversary of his birth in 1826, aged ninety years. His wife died on her birthday at the same age. Our subject's father was Postmaster at Manchester, Md., about six years and died near Lancaster in 1829, aged fifty-eight years. His wife was eighty-eight years old when she died in 1860. The Captain is the youngest of a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. At a reunion of the family in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 8, 1882, the eleven were present-in all, 120 of the name. The average age of the eleven was seventy-six and one-half years, ranging from sixty-five to eighty-seven years. Mr. Peters passed his youth upon the farm, and obtained his education at the district school and at Granville Baptist College. In 1832. he came to Marion, remaining one year, when he returned to Fairfield Armanda University, studying and teaching one year in that institution. The two subsequent years he followed teaching. In 1838, he again came to Marion and entered the mercantile trade, with Henry Peters-, H. & E. Peters was the name of the firm. He continued thus three years, and then was the sole proprietor two years. Next he was a partner with J. D. Butler, under the name of E. Peters & Co., which company existed two years. He then continued alone until retiring in 1850. He had thus been handling stock twelve years, but he soon engaged more extensively, following it fifteen more years, trading in Ohio and Illinois. August 28, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as Quartermaster General, serving in that capacity two years. He was engaged at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Shelbyville, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. It the, last place he was stricken with spinal trouble, from which he has never fully recovered. He receives a pension of $20 a month. In October 1863, he was promoted to the Captaincy. His discharge dates May 1864. In April 1865, he was appointed State Agent for North Carolina and South Carolina. In July 1846, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Rightley, who died in 1851, leaving two children, both now deceased. He was wedded again in October 1853, to Miss Elvira Gardner. who died in August 1854. His third and final marriage took place December 25, 1855, with Miss Narcissus D. Holmes. Her death occurred in October 1881, leaving no children. Since the war, Capt. Peters has been physically disqualified for the performance of any labor. Was at one time a farmer and owned 600 acres of land. He reared Durham cattle and Spanish Merino sheep, and was a regular exhibitor at the fair. He retired from farming in 1877. He was Auditor of the county from 1851 to 1852, and a member of the State Legislature during 1854-55. He was President of the School Board eight years, and also of the Agricultural Society for the same length of time. Politically, he is a Republican, and a member of the GAR.
HARVEY PETERS, (Marion Township) deceased, was born in Marion March 4, 1828, and was the second son of Nathan and Alice Peters. He passed his childhood and youth in the village of his nativity, and entered the drug business with his brother, Wilson Peters, in 1854. He followed this trade until the January of 1881, when he retired. In 1856, his brother sold his interest, and our subject continued alone until 1863, when he sold to Mr. Sharpless. Rusticating six months, he re-entered the business with F. C. Ruehrmund, who were partners two or three years; then the latter gentleman retired, and Mr. Peters continued alone until 1881. He was the oldest druggist in Marion, having been engaged in that business over twenty-five years. He was a respected citizen and a very successful business man. He was joined in marriage in Baltimore, Md., December 29, 1864, to Miss Martha A. Boyd, daughter of Hiram and Matilda (Harbaugh) Boyd, of Maryland and Pennsylvania, severally. Mrs. Peters is a native of Adams County, Penn. Their three children are Fannie, born August 7, 1867; Walter B., born August 14, 1869; and Frederick W. (1907) orn January 5, 1871. Mr. Peters' death occurred January 1, 1883. He had served as a member of the City Council a number of terms, and as a Trustee of the township many years, and was a man of good ability . He was a Knight Templar. Mrs. Peters came to Marion in the spring of 1857, and has since resided here. She has two brothers, Joseph J. and Henry L. Boyd, who were soldiers, the former in the 100-day service; Henry L. enlisted in Company H, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and also in a 100-day regiment. He reenlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment, serving to the close of the strife. He was a Lieutenant and fought in many of the leading battles. They both reside in Larimer County, Colo., and are natives of Adams County, Penn. They came to Mendon, Ohio, with their father, who died a short time after, and they moved to Marion County, living here until their enlistment. Henry L. went to Colorado soon after his return from the war; but J. J. continued in business here until 1874, when he followed his brother.
NATHAN PETERS, (Marion Township) (1907) the subject of this sketch, was born in Manchester, Baltimore Co., Md., June 20, 1799. He emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1817, and thence to Marion in April 1826. The county was then much of it now and unbroken forest. The portrait of Mr. Peters, made from a photograph, the best that could be obtained, fails to do him justice in the ripe manhood of his life. He possessed a brain which ill accorded with his body; the nervous system greatly predominated. He was profound and deeply theoretical, looking more into the interior essence of subjects and discussing their special relations and properties. Mr. Peters possessed independence of spirit and great constructive ability and method. He was more sensible than showy, very sedate among strangers and extremely modest. His large human nature aided him in the faithful portraiture of character, whether in domestic or public life. He was eminently a self-made man; his education was derived chiefly at home from the instruction of his father. He drew two prizes in the matrimonial lottery. His union with Miss Alice Wilson, a woman of Scotch descent, who was well worthy of his affections on account of her many excellent qualities of mind and heart, possessing classical features of great beauty, was blessed with seven children, four sons and three daughters, the eldest soil being Wilson Peters and the eldest daughter Charlotte Baker, wife of Hon. A. W. Baker, of Van Wort, Ohio; and Pauline, the fifth child, are the only children now living. This marriage was celebrated January 10, 1825, and severed by death October 13, 1.838. Five years later, January 2, 1842, Mr. Peters was married to Mrs. Mary Ballantine, then denominated a Connecticut, beauty, who was born September 4, 1820, and died December 18, 1850. The three daughters of this union are Mrs. Mary Ellen Camp, wife of Capt. William M. Camp, of Bement, Ill.; Mrs. Irene L. Beerbower, wife of ex-Postmaster Samuel T. Beerbower, of Marion, Ohio, and Mrs. Alice Williams, wife of Jamesy Williams, hardware merchant, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Peters died at his residence on Mount Vernon Avenue, September 22, 1881, having been a resident of the town fifty-five years. At his funeral, assembled ton brothers and. sisters, of a family of thirteen children. Seven brothers acted as pall-bearers to lay him to rest near the spot where fifty-five years previous he had come in a wagon drawn by four horses, on account of the mud, with all his earthly possessions, including his wife and eldest child. Thus he rose from grim poverty, by his own indomitable energy and will, to the possession of a handsome fortune. Mr. Peters was an honorable, upright man, and was universally respected.
WILSON PETERS, (Marion Township) the eldest son and child of Nathan Peters, was born at Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 27, 1825. The following year. 1826, he was brought by his parents to Marion, where he was reared to manhood. He was educated in the public schools and in Otterbein University and Dr. Williams' Academy, near Lancaster. In 1843, he returned to Marion, and in the same year, with his father, engaged in the drug trade, under the firm name of W. Peters & Co. This partnership continued four years and dissolved; Mr. Peters then admitted his brother as a partner, and the firm of W. &. H. Peters continued two years. Since that time, Mr. Peters, our subject, has devoted his attention to farming. He owns 103 acres of land, eighty of which are within the corporate limits of Marion. In May 1864, Mr. Peters enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guard, and was engaged on garrison duty at Alexandria, Va., till his discharge in September 1864. January 22, 1881, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Olive S. Southwick, widow of Corydon Southwick, deceased; and daughter of Reuben Smith, a pioneer. Mrs. Peters was born in Marion County May 18, 1835. She had one child by her former husband, a daughter, now deceased.
DAVID PETTIT, (Marion Township) deceased, was born in Miami County, Ohio, June 9, 1820. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Dye) Pettit, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, and of English descent. The father came to the above county at a very early day. Our subject acquired a good common school education and was married, September 20, 1842, to Catherine Shidaker, born January 6, 1822, a daughter of Valentine and Emily (Harter) Shidaker. The former was of German and the latter of English descent, and natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. This couple were married in Miami County, Ohio, in a very early day, and were the parents of eight children, all living save one -Mitchell W., Catherine, Henry C., Andrew J., Jonathan T., Sarah L. and Robert F. Lucy L. died January 16, 1859. The father's death took place in May 1835, while the mother is still living. David and Catherine Pettit have had six children-Emma N., born March 17, 1847; Cora C., December 9, 1850; and David, September 6, 1859. The deceased are an infant, Eva B., born September 17, 1856, died July 28, 1865; and Katie, born September 6, 1859, died June 16, 1864. Our subject became a settler in Marion County in 1852-53, purchasing land three miles north of the town. This land amounted in time to 2,000 acres. He was a prominent stock-dealer, continuing as such all his life. He was President of the Agricultural Society four years, and one of the principal exhibitors. His death occurred December 13, 1868. He was a member of the Christian Church end a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises.
HUGH B. PETTEY (Green Camp Township) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. September 21, 1822, the son of Joseph and Susan (Biggerstaff) Pettey. He was a native of England, born about 1793, and, coming to this country, married his wife, of English blood, but a native of Virginia. They settled in Fairfield County, where Mrs. Pettey died, whereupon he removed to Marion County, settling in Pleasant Township upon a forty-acre lot. Selling this, he went to Prospect Township, buying another forty-acre tract, where he died in 1847, surviving his wife about seventeen years. They were the parents of eight children, two living, viz., Hugh B. and Sarah A. The deceased were William S., John D., Elsie and others. Mr. Pettey, growing to manhood, formed an alliance, September 19, 1847, with Susannah Fulton, of Scotch ancestry. To them five children were born, four living-Joseph, William, Mary A. and Susan J. Mrs. Pettey died after a married life of twenty years. Mr. Petty again married, January 21, 1858, Miss Bicila Elsner Bryan, and they had six children, namely, Ella, John R., Frank D., Lydia L., George and Eve A., who died in 1867, aged two years. Mr. Pettey is pleasantly situated upon his farm of fifty acres, located near the village of Green Camp. His buildings are now throughout. He is a worthy neighbor, and has been Trustee of the township several terms. He is identified with the IOOF, and the Republican party. He liberally supports the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN PFEIFFER is a blacksmith, living in Scott Town. His birth took place in Delaware County, Ohio, October 18, 1846, the son of Gregory and Mary P. Pfeiffer, who came from Germany in 1834. Of their eleven children, seven are still living. Joseph learned his trade of his father, and has plied it as follows: Four years with John McElroy and George Pugh; two and a quarter years with Levan Miller; two and one-sixth years with Conrad Fritchey, and four months with Mr. Null. He came to Scott Town in 1878, buying soon after his present residence, a neat house, lot and shop, worth $1,500. His hammer is pounding the year round. Mr. Pfeiffer was threatened by death three different times, viz., by being kicked by a horse, falling off a building and by being run over by a hand-car. He communes with the Catholic Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His marriage to Miss Minnie Essig, daughter of Andrew and Veronica Essig, of New Orleans, La., occurred in the fall of 1869. Four children have blessed this union-Louisa, Frank, Joseph and Bessie.
THOMAS PHILLIPS, (Prospect Township) pioneer farmer, was born in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, February 22, 1810. He passed his youth on his father's farm, amidst the early scones and customs of pioneer times. Cloths of all kinds, for wearing apparel, were difficult to obtain and expensive. The winter clothing for the men and boys was mostly made of buckskin. Tea and coffee were 7.5 cents to $1 a pound, and other luxuries in proportion. He was a child three years old at the time of "Drake's defeat," and was in the wagon from which, according to accounts published heretofore, a boy-one Robert Penry-was lost; but Mr. Phillips says the boy was not lost, but on falling from the wagon was picked up by a young man and carried to a house near by, where his parents stopped to pick up another family. Mr. Phillips' father was obliged to go forty miles to mill, and when short of flour were sometimes obliged to live on "roasting ears " for a week at a time. His market for wheat was principally at Portland, now Sandusky, on Lake Erie, requiring a week to make the trip. As a boy, our subject attended the old-fashioned subscription school, in a log house on his father's place. The windows were greased paper, and the chimney made of mud and sticks; and when about twenty years of age Le attended two terms of the common or free school. This was all the schooling he ever received. His father helped to build the first church edifice erected in Delhi; it was made of logs. In this house our subject went to the first, religious meeting he ever attended. In 1832, Mr. Phillips bought 125 acres of land, on which, in 1833, he set out an apple orchard some trees still living-where he now resides, for which he gave two horses, valued at $200, making the cost per acre $1.60. It was Virginia Military lands, and had no improvements of any kind, not, a stick having been cut on it by white men, unless for hunting purposes. No roads passed near it in any direction, and there was not a house between it and the present village of Prospect. In January 1838, he built a log house, 18x20 feet in size, and on February 8, 1838, was married to Margaret Maize, born June 9, 1818, a daughter of Francis and Margaret Maize, who were both natives of Frankstown, Huntingdon Co., Penn. On the 5th of April 1839, himself and wife took up their abode in this cabin. That spring, he cleared five acres of this land and planted it to corn. His horses and other stock ranged the woods for their feed, and had to be hunted up every night and morning. The meat used by the family for a long time was principally game-turkeys and deer being very abundant. Of the last-named. Mr. Phillips has killed a great many. The nearest mill was at Millville, Delaware County, fifteen miles distant. In 1854, he burnt a kiln of brick and built a brick residence near the site of the log cabin, but on the 6th of October, 1871. the brick residence was destroyed by fire, and the family were obliged to return to the old log cabin. Eighteen months afterward, he re-built on the same site, and moved into the large brick residence where he now resides. Mr. Phillips is the second oldest freeholder now living in Prospect Township, and is one of the township's best citizens, having always assisted, by influence and means, the educational and other interests of the township. He subscribed and helped pay for the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Lutheran Church buildings at Prospect; he furnished all the brick from which the last-named was built, donating to the church 2,000 brick. In 1833, Mr. Phillips, with three other men erected, for Obadiah Taylor. in Kenton, Hardin County, the first house built in that town. He relates that in May 1834, he went for a neighbor to Detroit with a drove of cattle. They started to return home the 16th of May, by boat to Portland, and that during a storm they were almost wrecked, being anchored some hours. It had turned very cold; wave after wave washed the deck, the water freezing to everything it touched. They finally arrived safe in port, after considerable suffering. This same season, the wheat and crops were killed throughout Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have a family of eight children-Sarah E., born December 9, 1838 John F., October 23, 1840, Eliza J., December 31, 1842; Ellen J., March 31, 1845; Zenas L., August 17, 1850; Emma V., April 8, 1855; Wilhelmina I., November 15, 1858, and Hattie V., March 15, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips state, what few other families of the same size can say, and that is, they have never had but three professional visits from a physician to their family during their married life. The parents of our subject were John and Hannah (Pugh) Phillips, both natives of South Wales. They emigrated to the United States, and settled in Delaware in 1806. He died in 1849, and his wife in 1863. They had eight children.
MRS. JANE M. PITTMAN, (Claridon Township) widow of Solomon Pittman, is a native of Knox County, Ohio, born February 9, 1828, the daughter of John and Morey Parcels, natives of Pennsylvania and Vermont respectively. They came to Marion County before marriage, and resided here the majority of their days; reared six children, four of whom are living-Jane M., Solomon W., Lavina (wife of James Irwin) and Henry. The deceased were Lucinda, wife of Jacob Cress, and Susannah D., wife of Andrew Irwin. Mr. Parcels was a prominent politician in his day, of the Democratic persuasion. His death occurred January 3, 1845, and his wife's April 16, 1873. Mr. Parcels was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Solomon Pittman, born July 5, 1828, was the son of John and Ann (Clark) Pittman. He was born in Pennsylvania May 17, 1786, and died June 28, 1870. She was born in the same State January 26, 1789, and died in 1865. Solomon P., having acquired a fair education, became an industrious and well-to-do farmer. He married Miss Jane M. Parcels July 4, 1850, and six children were born to them, five living-John W., born September 12, 1852; Andrew C., November 15, 1853; Addis E., February 2, 1856, wife of Thomas L. Miller; Eva L., February 7, 1858, wife of Hiram Hart; and Thomas J. (1907), August 16, 1862. Mr. Pittman was a member of the F. & A M., of the IOOF, and had been Treasurer of the township one term. He died January 20, 1874. John and Ann Pittman were the parents of eleven children, eight surviving-Mary, Andrew, Lydia, John, Rachel, Solomon, Clark and Caro line. Elias, William and Sarah are deceased. Mrs. Pittman is a member of the Universalist Church.
MRS. SARAH PLOTNER (Tully Township) is the widow of Joseph Plotner. and was born in Northumberland County, Penn., February 11, 1815. one of sixteen children, and the daughter of John and Catherine Crissinger, Her grandparents came from Germany. Her people came to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1832. Her marriage to Mr. P. took place in May 1835; in 1845, they purchased eighty acres of their present home, now consisting of 220 acres. Joseph Plotner was a strong, vigorous, active and highly respected citizen. He tilled with great commendation the offices of Trustee, Constable and Clerk of the township, but his earthly career was cut short by death at the age of fifty-five years; he left an estate of $15,000. His widow is still strong, and a consistent member of the Reformed Church. She has two sons living with her-J. W. and John Plotner; the former owns one-half interest in an engine (Westenhouse), thresher and huller. At Mount Vernon last year (1882) they threshed 25,000 bushels of grain. John D. shares "the old farm. His marriage to Miss Emma F. Simpson occurred May 0, 1875. She is the daughter of George and Rebecca Simpson, of Crawford County, Ohio, and they had three children, one dying when an infant. The names of the living are Harley R. and Melvin L.
CHRISTIAN POMMERT, (Claridon Township) (1907) boot and shoe merchant, is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Huffman) Pommert, born in Reitsheim, Baden, Germany March 9, 1830. His parents died when he was but ten years of age. Having learned the shoemaker's trade, he sailed for America in 1851, stopping in Sandusky City, working at his trade. In 1853, he came to Caledonia, and established the first boot and shoe store in the village. He is one of the oldest business men in the place; he has the largest and leading store of the kind in the town; carries a stock of about $3,000, and does an extensive business. He was first married to Elizabeth Gartner, and four children were born to them Catherine, Elizabeth, George P. and Annie. His wife died in 1801, and he again married, in the following year, Mary L. Haney, and six children have crowned this union, five living-John, Louisa, Ella, Charles W. and Mary A. Caroline died in January of 1866. This wife also died, March 12, 1876. His third marriage was to Henrietta Hart, a daughter of George Hart, June 22, 1882. Mr. Pommert has plied his business with energy, and has today good town property and a farm of seventy-four acres of valuable laud. He has been a member of the Town Council, was a soldier in the German Army (serving six months), is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically speaking is a Democrat.
DAVID H. PORTER, (Green Camp Township) of the firm of Matthews & Porter, Green Camp. Ohio, was born in the same township January 24, 1846. His father, John H., was a native of Warren County, bat his mother, Nancy Berry, was born in Virginia, near Abington. Her parents, John and Susan Berry, were also natives of Virginia, coming to Ohio in 1833, and settling in this county, on the Scioto River, upon a farm of 1, 100 acres, which he retained until his death. David's parents were married in this county and resided here till his father's death. They bought 150 acres, then in Pleasant Township, but since included in Green Camp Township. He has disposed of a part of that (eighty acres), but continued adding to the remainder until he owns 400 acres, all cleared by himself. He was a successful and influential citizen, serving in various local offices. He was one of the founders of the Free-Will Baptist Church at Green Camp and an active and liberal supporter of the same. He was the father of nine children, seven of whom survive. Mr. Porter is the second son and fourth child. He was reared on the homestead and educated in the common schools; he followed farming till 1874, when he became a partner with J. N. Matthews, continuing still in the business. Since his partner's election as Judge, of Probate, he has taken full control. They carry a stock of general merchandise, worth from $5,000 to $7,000. They are patronized generally. In April 1874, Mr. Porter married Emma J. Matthews, a daughter of J. N. and Mary Matthews. She was born in Pleasant Township in 1856, and is the mother of four children. three living-Malcolm, Metta and Arthur; an infant is deceased. Mr. Porter has, besides his store investment, eighty-two acres of the homestead and a half interest in 103 acres west of the Scioto. He is a Republican and has served as Treasurer of the township three years. He is also an Odd Fellow and a member of the Encampment at Marion.
GEORGE H. POSTLES, (Montgomery Township) sole proprietor of a livery stable at La Rue, Ohio, was born in Sussex County. Del., April 15, 1833, the son of John and Mary (Gray) Postles, of German descent and natives of the above State. They came to this State in 1839, settling in Salt Rock Township, Marion County, among the first settlers. They had four children, three of whom survive- Mary E., Rachel A. and George H.; Eliza J. is dead. Mr. Postles was married August 16, 1855, to Ann Waples, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Waples, of English ancestry, and natives of Delaware. This union has been crowned with six children-Elnore J., Mary R., John E., Georgietta, Harry B. and Louis. Mr. Postles, having obtained a limited education, engaged when aged eighteen years in farming, continuing ten years, when he followed tanning and other occupations. Some time since, he moved to La Rue, purchasing his stable of B. W. Miller. He is keeping a good outfit in both buggies and horses, and is commanding his share of the patronage of the traveling public. He enjoys the respect of the community, and is a Democrat
CORD H. PRETTYMAN (Montgomery Township) was born in Sussex County, Del., January 9, 1825, the son of Joseph and Nancy (Walker) Prettyman, of English and Scotch-Irish ancestry, and natives of the same State. They came to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1832, stopping there four years, and they settled permanently in Montgomery Township, Marion County, Ohio. They were the parents of twelve children, five surviving-Cord H., Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah and David. The names of the deceased are Mary, Nancy. George, Robert, James, Kensey and Violetta. The father died September 25, 1840, and the mother January 14, 1871. The subject of this sketch, having obtained a practical education, was for three years a drover, and two years a bartender for Lyman Walker, of Marion. He married, October 29, 1846, Comfort 0. Wilson, born May 13, 1827, a daughter of Kendle and Amelia (Dutton) Wilson, of English ancestry, and natives of Delaware. They moved to Ohio, and settled in Bowling Green Township, Marion County, where he died in 1833. His wife survived until 1860. Mr. C. H. Prettyman and wife are the parents of ton children, nine living-Nelson T., born October 23, 1849; Jennie A., November 9, 1851; George W., July 5, 1853; Alice, April 29, 1855; Happy V., February 19, 1857; Malinda B., December 13, 1859; Jeannetta L., November 28, 1861; Lovey A., June 23, 1864, and Nellie V., February 6, 1867. George W. P. was born May 5, 1848, and died May 27, 1852. For two years, Mr. Prettyman bought and shipped stock, but he has been giving his attention principally to the farm, which contains 278 acres of good land. He settled upon it in 1836, when it was a dense wilderness. He has been Trustee of the township several terms. its Assessor one year, and a member of the Board of Education five years, and of the County Board of Agriculture eight years. He is a Republican, belongs to the F. & A. M., to the IOOF, and to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DAVID PRETTYMAN, (Montgomery Township) son of Joseph and Nancy (Walker) Prettyman, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 4, 1837, of English and Scotch-Irish ancestry. Having acquired a fair education, he married, May 10, 1857, Martha J. Beach, who was born February 2, 1839, and three children wore born to them-Irven, born March 30, f858; Joseph, born June 19, 1865; and Eloiry, born December 30, 1862, dying April 21, 1863. Mr. Prettyman has been dependent on his own resources since his twelfth year, and so successfully has he labored that he now has eighty acres of valuable land, worth $60 per acre. He is a worthy citizen, Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS PUGH, (Prospect Township) deceased, pioneer farmer of Prospect Township, was born August 18, 1784, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales. He emigrated to the United States in 1802, landing at the port of New York. He came to Ohio subsequently, and was married , in Wayne County, Ohio, November 7, 1805, to Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of Samuel C. and Sarah (Bishop) Smith. Thomas Pugh, with his family, located in Radnor Township, Delaware County, in 1810, and in 1819, bought 122 acres of land, well timbered, at $2.50 an acre, on Section 6 of what is now Prospect Township. Not a stick had been cut on this land by white men, except for hunting purposes. He cleared about forty acres of this land, and died only four years after making it his place of residence; his death occurring September 27, 1824. He left a widow and six children-Sarah, born October 22, 1806, who married Samuel Martin, both deceased; Jane, born July 21, 1809, and married Samuel Cratty, both deceased; Lucinda, born June 17, 1815, and married John Hughes, she is deceased; Phoebe, born December 2, 1817, and married the Rev. Samuel Allen, became a widow and married the Rev. Samuel Gossard, and now lives in Iowa; Wesley, born March 18, 1820; Mary, born March 26, 1822, and married William A. Palmer, and died in Montgomery County, Ill. The subject of this sketch was a soldier of the war of 1812.
WESLEY PUGH, (Prospect Township) retired farmer, Prospect Village, is a son of Thomas Pugh, a pioneer, and was born on the old homestead in Prospect Township March 18, 1820. He was reared a farmer, and has followed that occupation all his life, He bought the old homestead from the other heirs and lived there until thirty-seven years of age, when he sold the place and bought a farm one mile north of Prospect Village, on the east side of the Scioto River, where he lived for twenty-five years. He then removed to Prospect Village, where he now resides, with his wife. Mr. Pugh was married March 31, 1846, to Martha Welch, a daughter of Solomon and Lavina Welch. They have had a family of five children, all of whom are deceased; two died when infants; Thomas died aged three years; Martha Jane died aged nine years, and Lucinda died March 3, 1879, aged sixteen years. Mr. Pugh has been a member of the Church for forty years, and in politics has been a life-long Democrat. He has served his township in various local offices. He is an earnest advocate of temperance, and for the past two years has acted with the Prohibition party. He is one of the oldest residents of the township now living, and one of its substantial and beat respected citizens.