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worked on a farm in Montgomery Co., Ohio, for about three years, receiving $12.50 a month. On the 24th of December, 1857, he was united in marriage with Mary Thomas; she was born in Germany Aug. 19, 1836; moved to New Madison, Darke Co., where he worked at coopering about eight years; sold out and engaged in the mercantile and hotel business, in the same place, for about twelve years; sold out, and moved to Greenville March 1, 1877; kept a boarding-house about fourteen months, with good success; after which, he moved to Versailles, where he took charge of the "Brandon House," May 1, 1879, and is doing the largest business of any hotel in the village. Four children were the fruits of their marriage, viz.: Mary L., born March 20, 1859; Emma L., Jan. 14, 1861 ; George H., March 16, 1863; R. E., May 1, 1869.

JOSEPH YODER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Versailles, Ohio; was born in France June 5, 1807; lived with his parents, working on the farm during the summer and attending school during the winter months, obtaining a good commonschool education; after arriving at his majority, commenced framing on his own responsibility, paying $400 rent per annum for 100 acres of land, and meeting with fair success; embarked for America March 19, 1833, and after a long and tedious voyage of three months-being lost at one time-landed in New York in May; moved near Utica, N. Y., bought a farm of 20 acres, where he continued to farm for about two years, sold out and moved to Stark Co., where he resided for a period of nine years on a farm; and, in 1844, he moved to Darke Co., Wayne Township, Sec. 5, where he has resided ever since; he bought 80 acres first, after which he added 92 acres, but has since sold 35 acres, leaving 137 acres in a good state of cultivation; when Mr. Yoder moved on his land, it was almost covered with water, and not an acre cleared; he built a log cabin, covered it with clapboards and used a puncheon floor, which he split with maul and wedge out of white-oak timber; he has, by his industry, and the help of his amiable wife, accumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to keep them the rest of their days. Mr. Yoder has taken a very active part in politics, and has always voted the Republican ticket; his religious impressions are mainly due to his mother, who was a pious, thrifty and hard-working woman, given to saving and devoted to her family. Was united in marriage to Miss Anna Klopenstine, in France, Oct. 5, 1829; she was born in France Oct. 9, 1810; eight children were born to them, of whom four are living, viz.: Catharine, born March 7, 1832; Christopher, March 1, 1835; John, Feb. 10, 1847; Mary M., July 7, 1849; Joseph, died Feb. 13, 1848; Barbria, May 18, 1852; Eli, Feb. 26, 1861; Anna, June 9, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have passed through the many struggles, incidents and dangers so common to the pioneers of the Great West, and are to-day hardy and robust, at the advanced ages of 72 and 69, an aggregate of 141 years-having shared the joys of connubial life for more than 50 years.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

ABRAHAM ARNETT, farmer; P. O. Arcanum; one of the settlers of Darke Co., was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1825, and is the son of Henry and Mary Arnett, natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to Montgomery Co., when there were but three houses where the city of Dayton now stands, and resided here till 1827, when he removed to Miami Co., and settled on 160 acres of land in the green woods; our subject assisted his father in clearing and other farm labor till his 19th year, when he began life for himself, and engaged in farming, and removed to Darke Co., at an early day and settled on a leased farm, and managed to clear up 50 acres, which he had previously purchased which he sold, and immediately bought 80 acres adjoining, cleared and improved,

and again selling out he purchased 116 acres where he now lives, which is in a high state of cultivation at the present time, and has first-class buildings erected thereon. Mr Arnett went out into the world with no capital save a resolution and determination to win, and by great industry and perseverance, in which he has been generously assisted by his industrious wife. He was united in marriage with Leah, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Friend, Sept. 12, 1844; her parents were natives of Maryland and afterward residents of Miami Co.; three children were given to this union, viz.; Tobias, born Jan. 27, 1846; Sarah A., Jan. 8, 1845, died Dec. 5, 1860; Margaret, May 8, 1848, departed this life April 8, 1854. Mr. Arnett's father still lives at the advanced age of 93 years, and resides in Whitley Co., Ind. Our subject has filled the office of School Director for nine years in succession, and has been elected Clerk of the Board. Mr. and Mrs. Arnett are members of the German Baptist Church of twentyfive years' standing, and are consistent Christian people.

SAMUEL M. BAKER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1; P. 0. Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery Co. in 1829, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah Baker, old residents of Montgomery Co., but natives of Somerset Co., Penn. When they removed to Montgomery Co., there was only one little cabin in Dayton. Our subject assisted his father in the duties of the farm till his 19th year, when he began life for himself and engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Niswonger, in July, 1849; nine children have been given to this union, viz.: Hollis, born April 22, 1850; Sarah E., May 31, 1851; Hamilton, Oct. 25, 1853; Pharis, Sept. 16, 1855; Mary C., Jan. 23, 1858; Ezra, Feb. 23, 1860; Susanna, July 10, 1862; Lydia A., Jan. 28, 1865; Aldie M., July 1, 1867. Mr. Baker has 162 acres of as fine land as is to be found in the county, all in a good state of cultivation, with good, comfortable buildings erected thereon.

BENJAMIN BLACKBURN, deceased. The subject of this memoir is a martyr of his country. He was a son of Moses and Lydia Blackburn, and a brother of Moses and John Blackburn, whose sketches appear in this work. At his country's call, when the first wild notes of war were echoing and re-echoing over the land, young Benjamin was among the first to respond to his country's call, and volunteered in Company B, 110th O. V. I.; he went bravely and resolutely forth to do his duty. Our informant, Mr. D. W. Niswonger, who was a member of the same regiment, speaks in glowing terms of the bravery and stability of the deceased. To the best of his recollection, he says he was in every engagement the regiment participated in, which was not a few, for the 110th bore the scars of many a well-fought and nobly contested battle, and we can fearlessly say none bore the brunt of battle or the fatigue of march better than this gallant band. In the battle of Cumberland Gap he was taken prisoner, but his fearlessness and presence of mind enabled him to make his escape. At Monocacy, on the 9th of July, 1864, he was again taken, and imprisoned at Danville, Va., and afterward in the pens of torture and suffering at Andersonville. He was a very robust young man, naturally cheerful, and bore up nobly under the brutish treatment he received, but hunger broke his iron will; the filth and dirt in the prison made his quarters worse than a living tomb. He had not clothing to cover his body, nor blankets to keep him warm during the night, and not a crumb to satisfy his hunger; for six months he withstood this terrible treatment, and during January, 1865, death came to his relief; his sufferings were ended, and the angels of mercy carried the soul of a martyr without the prison walls, but the mortal part was left and received interment where he had suffered so intensely.

JOHN BLACKBURN, farmer and stock-raiser. The subject of this sketch was born in this township, Jan. 23, 1835, and is a son of Moses Blackburn, who settled here about 1830, and made the first opening on this side. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in the duties of the farm till he was 26 years of age, when he began life for himself and engaged in farming, which pur

suit he has always followed; purchased 80 acres of land in 1871, and moved on it in 1872; it was mostly cleared, and his land is in good cultivation, with fair improvements; he has since purchased 40 acres adjoining the old home place, and now owns 120 acres. He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hall, Oct. 13, 186-. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are natives of South Carolina, and came here in a very early day; her mother died at the age of 60 years; her father is still living and resides in this township, aged 81 years; they were parents of sixteen children, of whom nine are living-James, John, Tamer, Eliza, Mary, Amos, Joseph, William and Ezekiel Hall. Our subject began the battle of life empty-handed, and he has, by hard work, industry and good management, with the assistance rendered by his industrious and amiable wife, succeeded in making a good home; they are the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living— Amanda, born Dec. 8, 1861; Andrew J., July 7, 1863; Lydia A., Jan. 13, 1865; Laura Bell, Sept. 25, 1870; Harley, Aug. 17, 1872; Hezekiah, Feb. 27, 1875; Lola, July 25, 1877; Harvey, Feb. 9, 1867, and departed this life Oct. 13, 1871. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have been members of the Brethren of Christ Church for three years, and are exemplary Christian people. Mr. Blackburn only had the advantage of such education as he could procure by his own exertions. Mrs. Blackburn was born May 3, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were both born in 1809; Mrs. Hall departed this life Jan. 12, 1870; Lydia is a member of the same church; is a co-worker with her parents in doing good, and is a very exemplary young lady.

MOSES BLACKBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21; P. O. Potsdam, Miami County. The subject of this memoir was born on Aug. 22, 1848, and is a son of Moses and Lydia Blackburn; his father was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 22, 1812, and removed to Ohio in 1836, and settled on 80 acres of wild land, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 31, 1877, aged 64 years and 6 months; his mother was born near Hamilton, Ohio, March 25, 1811; they were united in marriage in 1833. Mrs. Blackburn is still living, and resides on the old home place. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are living, viz.: Daniel, John, Sarah, William, Abner and Moses; the deceased are Margaret, Benjamin, Elmira (died Aug. 15, 1879), Lydia, Edward and Hannah. Our subject was reared on the farm, and at the age of 15 he began life for himself, and was engaged in various pursuits until 1865, when he made a trip to McLean Co., Ill., where he remained about one year, and then returned to Ohio; he purchased 45 acres of land where he now resides, in October, 1873; he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Martha Isenbaugh, Dec. 21, 1871; her parents were residents of Miami County and natives of Ohio; her mother departed this life June 14, 1855, aged 27 years 4 months and 4 days. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn are the parents of four children, viz.: Charley, born Nov. 19, 1873; George, born Oct. 10, 1875; Anna, born Nov. 4, 1877; Cora, born Aug. 24, 1872, and departed this life Aug. 26 of the same year, and Harvey, born Jan. 17, 1880. Mrs. Blackburn was born May 23, 1850; Mr. Izenbaugh was born May 14, 1822; Mrs. Izenbaugh was born Oct. 10, 1827; they were the parents of three children, viz.: Matilda J., Martha A. and Mary E.; his second marriage was consummated with Mary E. Knee, who was born March 22, 1836, and are the parents of six children, viz.: Joseph, now deceased, Awdine, Catherine B., Laura E., Florence M. and Jesse. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have been members of the Brethren-in-Christ Church for three years; they are leading members of the church, and are exemplary Christian people. This denomination have a regular organization, just below Georgetown, of eighty visible members, and are presided over by the Rev. George Wright; Abraham Wright, Elder; Moses Blackburn, Deacon. Mr. Blackburn has recently purchased the east half of the David Heckman farm, 50 acres in Sec. 16, also a 5-acre lot in Sec. 21.

A. C. BOBBS, physician, now a resident of and practicing physician and surgeon in Union Township, Miami County; was born in Clermont County in

the year 1838; he is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Bobbs; his father was born in the State of Pennsylvania, his mother in this State; his father is deceased; his mother is still living, and resides in Montgomery County; they were parents of four children-A. J., physician and surgeon, residing in Warren, Ind.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Henderson; and Caroline, now Mrs. Dr. Tedrow. The subject of our biography spent his boyhood days on the farm until he had arrived at the age of 15, when he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. D. Gaines, of California, Hamilton Co., this State; for three years he labored under the instructions of Dr. Gaines, engaged in solving the mysteries and science of medicine; he then entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, in which he studied two terms; he then entered the army as assistant surgeon, and finally entered the marine hospital at Cincinnati, in which he remained three years, where he received a broad experience in the profession; in 1863, he entered a college in Buffalo, N. Y., in which he finished his studies, graduating at this institution in 1864, and receiving his diploma; he commenced the practice of medicine in Union, Miami County, in partnership with Dr. Hawkins, with whom he practiced for one year; in 1865, he located where he now resides, and has built up a large and increasing practice, making a specialty of fevers and diphtheria. In 1861, he was married to Margaret Shellabargar, by whom he has had three children, viz., Charles C., Samuel O. and E. A. Mrs. Bobbs is a daughter of Samuel Shellabargar, who is a native of Pennsylvania; her mother, Elizabeth, is a native of this State; both living. When the Doctor settled at his present location he was without means, but, by close attention to his profession, has built up a lucrative practice, and is possessed of a good property; in 1878, he erected a residence in the village. which for taste and beauty in design and finish has no equal, in which the Doctor and his estimable wife have a desirable home; he owns 25 acres of improved land adjoining the village.

WILLIAM L. BONHAM, retired farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Gordon; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., Feb. 12, 1815, and is a son of Ambrose and Ann Bonham, natives of the same place; his father died in the place of his nativity, at the age of 81 years; after his death, his wife came to Ohio, and resided with a daughter till her death, which occurred at the advanced age of 86 years; our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till he was of age, when he began life for himself, and engaged in coopering for about fifteen years, mostly in Darke Co.; he emigrated to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Montgomery Co., seven miles below Dayton, where he resided for three years, and then came to Darke Co., April 1, 1841, and temporarily settled in Gordon for less than a year, when he removed to the place where he now resides, in February, 1842; his land was all in the woods, but by dint of hard labor and persevering industry, he soon cleared it of the mantle nature gave it he now owns 65 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation, with good, comfortable buildings erected thereon; Mr. Bonham is another of the self-made men of this township; he landed on the banks of the Miami River, with less than $75, but, by good management, combined with the assistance rendered by his amiable wife, has secured a competent income, from which to enjoy their declining years, and they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. He was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of David and Elizabeth Rittenhouse, July 1, 1837; they were also natives of New Jersey, and their remains are interred in their native State; Mr. H. died at the age of 81, and Mrs. H., at the age of 53 years; Mr. and Mrs. Bonham are the parents of eight children, of whom four are living, viz.: Harrison, born Aug. 24, 1840; Sarah, born June 29, 1844, now Mrs. Garrett Hulse Uriah, born June 27, 1847; Martha J., born Sept. 3, 1856, now Mrs. Carler. The deceased are: Amy, born April 14, 1838, died Nov. 10, 1841; Ann, born Oct. 18, 1842, and died Nov. 4, 1842; Andrew, born Sept. 22, 1849, died Sept. 10, 1851; Susan, born March 4, 1854, and departed this life Sept. 9, 1854. Mr. Bonham assessed this township in 1845, for which service he received $3.50, and was also Constable the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham are members of the Baptist

Church of long standing, are among the faithful ones, and are consistent Christian people. Our subject has given his children good education, and his son Harrison is one of the leading educators of the county, and has followed the profession at intervals for fourteen years. At his country's call for help to preserve the unity of the States, and to crush the rebellious spirit of the South, young Harrison was one among the first to respond and volunteer in Co. B of the 110th O. V. I., Aug. 22, 1862; the regiment was drilled in army tactics at Piqua, about two months, when they were removed to the front, in the vicinity of Parkersburg; his regiment participated in the severe and stubbornly contested battle of Winchester, and after three consecutive days of incessant battle, were obliged to yield the ground on account of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy; he received a severe wound in the right arm, and was taken prisoner on the morning of the last day's fight, and was entombed in the prison-pen at Belle Isle for one month, when he was paroled, and returned to his home for three months, when he was exchanged, and again returned to the front; but by disease caused by exposure, and army dirt, he was incapacitated from active duty till the following spring, when health and strength again returned, and he took his place in the ranks of his battered regiment on the eve of the great battle of the Wilderness; in the first day's fight, May 5, he received a severe wound in the right hip, and was again taken to the hospital, where he remained for some time, and then came home on a furlough; he recovered from his wound, and returned to the front in the winter of 1864; his regiment took an active part in the battles of the spring of 1865, that gave the death-blow to the rebellion; he was honorably discharged May 16, 1865. Has followed teaching for nine years, with the exception of two terms. He celebrated his marriage with Catharine, daughter of Hendrick and Elizabeth Barkalow, Nov. 26, 1865; they are natives of Butler Co., Ohio, but residents now of Darke Co.; Mr. Bonham has 79 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation, and his improvements are No. 1 in every particular.

DAVID BRENNER, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Gordon. Our subject was born in Darke Co. April 12, 1838, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Brenner, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Darke Co., in a very early day, and located in this township, where he, the father, lived for two years, when he met with an accident that cost him his life; he was unhitching a horse in the yard, when the animal became enraged and gave Mr. Brenner a terrible kick in the stomach, which caused his death a few hours afterward; his mother is still living, and resides near Union City upward of 60 years of age. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted in the duties of farm labor; at the age of 16, he began life for himself and worked as a farm-hand till his marriage, which occurred Dec. 23, 1860, with Susanna, daughter of John and Barbara Minnich, residents of Montgomery Co. afterward of this county; he settled on 152 acres of land, where he now resides, in 1861; it is now all in a good state of cultivation, with good improvements, all the fruit of his and his good wife's hard labor. Four children are the fruits of this union, of whom two are living, Barbara and John; the deceased are Mary and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Brenner have been members of the German Baptist Church for sixteen years, and are worthy Christian people, and delight in discharging every Christian duty. To our subject and John Ditmore, whose sketch appear in this work, belongs the credit of making the first open ditch in Monroe Township in 1862 or 1863.

JOHN S. BROWN, farmer; P. O. Gordon; one of the old settlers of Darke Co.; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, March 25, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Brown; his father was born in Virginia, in 1800, and removed to Warren Co. in 1811, and was one of the early pioneers of the Miami Valley; he learned the blacksmith trade at the age of 18, which business he followed there, and removed to Darke Co. in this township, in 1830, and was one of the sturdy ones who gave improvement and civilization a start in the great wilderness of Ohio; he followed farming and blacksmithing, till, within a few years of his death, he became disabled and was obliged to leave the field of labor ; lived an invalid for five years,

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