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Dec. 18, 1868; Anna M., born July 3, 1871; Susella, born Aug. 26, 1873; Ira M., born June 1, 1875; infant daughter dying in infancy; Marcus D., died Aug. 27, 1860, aged 6 months 26 days.

ROBERT SURBER, farmer; P. O. Arcanum; born in Montgomery Co.. Ohio. Dec. 18, 1838; in 1840, he with his parents came to Darke Co.; his father died in 1852, and mother in 1878. Our subject remained at home with his mother until 1865, when he united in marriage with Catherine Rhoads, and, from the date of his marriage until his mother's death, he was her support. Mr. and Mrs. Surber are the parents of seven children, of whom six are living, viz., Sarah J., Amos. Mary Etta, Emma, Minnie and Ira. At the time of their marriage, they had but little by which to commence in life, and have since, by hard labor and economy. accumulated 126 acres of splendid land in Sec. 13, Range 3 east, valued at about $8,000.

SAMUEL SWANK, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Gordon, Ohio; was born in Montgomery Co. Oct. 25, 1836, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah Swank. Mr. Swank was born in Kentucky, and Mrs. Swank was born in Pennsylvania; his father died at the age of 79 years, his mother at the age of 52 years. Our subject was reared as a farmer's boy, and assisted his father until he was 21 years of age. when he began life for himself, and engaged in farming in Montgomery Co. for three years on his father's place; thence to Darke Co. and purchased a steam sawmill, which he managed for thirteen years, and still has the mill in his possession : he purchased 124 acres of land, where he now resides in 1867; it was all in the green woods, which he has cleared up, so it is all in a good state of cultivation; his improvements are second to none in the township; his fine house, now in the course of erection, is an ornament to the farm and shows the taste and good judgment of the builder; his property is the fruit of his own hard labor and good management. He was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Paul Tobias, Feb. 28, 1861, and resides in Montgomery Co. Four children have been given to this union, viz.. Sarah, born March 20, 1864; Ira, April 21, 1866; Elmer. Aug. 1, 1870; Clement L., born in April, 1863, died in Sept. 1864. Mr. Swank has been School Director for a period of three years; he only had the advantages of a common-school education, but experience has made him a close calculator, and he is greatly interested in educational matters, and is giving his children good educations.

TWIN TOWNSHIP.

SIMPSON ALBRIGHT, retired farmer; P. O. Arcanum. Another of the old settlers of Darke Co. He was born in Anderson Co. East Tenn., in 1804, and is a son of Philip and Christena Albright, natives of North Carolina. He removed with his parents to Preble Co., Ohio, in the year 1814. In 1820, he returned to Tennessee, and remained till 1826, when he came back and permanently located in Darke Co., in Twin Township, in 1834. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Henry and Mary Snoderly, natives of North Carolina, Nov. 9. 1828. Twelve children have been given to this union, viz., Johnson K., Henry M., Henderson L., Daniel S., Philip S., William K., Adam C., Catherine S., Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Martha M., the latter dying in infancy. Henry departed this life in August, 1878, aged 48 years, leaving a wife and five children to mourn his loss. He was a member of the United Brethren Church in Christ, and died as he had lived, relying absolutely on the promises of his Savior. Mr. and Mrs. Albright had seven sons in the army at one time, and he informs us he offered his services to his country if they would supply him with teeth with which to bite the cartridge; they all returned to their homes uninjured except Philip, who received two

flesh-wounds; while these patriotic boys were in the front, suffering the dangers and privations of cruel and devastating war, their heroic and patriotic mother took the implements of labor in her own hands, and, with a determination and resolution that is the offspring of patriotism, entered the field, and, with her own hands, cultivated 16 acres of corn, and doing other labor of great fatigue. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have been members of the church for fifty years, and are greatly interested in religion, and in their declining years it affords them great satisfaction that they have not labored in vain, their children being co-workers with them in achieving righteousness. His son William has been a minister of the Gospel for eight

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JACOB BISH, grocer and tobacco dealer, Arcanum; born in Carroll Co., Md., Nov. 19, 1823, where he remained until about 1839, after which, during life. he learned three trades, viz.: tanner, carpenter and machinist; in his youthful days received no education; after his maturity, voted to introduce the public school system and donated the land for the first schoolhouse in his township; on April 24, 1845, he united in marriage with Mary Jones, and by this union have one child; they remained at the place of his nativity until 1855, when they emigrated to Dayton, Ohio, where he soon found employment in a machine-shop and was engaged in various pursuits until 1866, at which time he bought a farm, for $6,000, near West Sonora, Preble Co., Ohio, and moved on it; he soon after sold it, and in 1872 came to Darke Co. and bought a farm near Arcanum, what was then known as the Coons farm, which he afterward laid out in town lots and sold; in 1874, moved to Arcanum, located on lot No. 56, where he engaged in his present business, and since 1878 his entire attention has been turned to the tobacco trade for W. S. O'Neal, of Dayton, Ohio, and since a resident of Arcanum, has held the offices of Town Marshal, Town Councilman and Pike Superintendent of Twin Township; our subject is a man who has, during his whole life, done a great deal of traveling, thereby having viewed the scenes of the Alleghany Mountains a number of times and served four months in the late rebellion; when Mr. B. commenced in life, he had an amount of property so small that his tax receipts have increased from 25 cents to $75.

HENRY C. BRISTLY, carpenter; P. O. Arcanum. The subject of this sketch is the son of Charles Bristly, a native of Germany, and Elizabeth Olivine, of Pennsylvania; was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 7, 1826; his parents removed to Montgomery Co. in 1853, where his father died in 1857, aged 76 years. After a residence in this county of one year subsequent to the death of his father, his mother took up her abode with her son (Henry C.), where she remained till her death, Jan. 9, 1873, aged 77 years and 6 months. At the age of 21, Mr. Bristly left the old roof that had sheltered him all these years, and began life for himself by learning the carpenter's trade, which he has closely followed up to this time. He was united in marriage with Miss Delila, daughter of Jacob Baker, Esq., a resident of Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 18, 1855; eight children have been born, to wit: Elizabeth, Susanna, Mary, Levi, Sarah, Samuel, and two died in infancy. On the 2d of March, 1857, Mr. B. located on the land where he now lives, which at that time was covered by timber; by hard work, energy and industry, he has made great changes, and to-day has a fine residence, first-class farm buildings, and a farm in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Bristly has been School Director for years, and is at this time filling the office of Township Trustee. Is a member of the Lutheran Church.

ISAAC BURKE, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee Nov. 25, 1823; his parents removed to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1827, when he was but 4 years old, he continued to reside with his parents and assisted in the labors of the farm till 1846. He was then united in marriage with Sarah Wright, Oct. 27 of the same year; he then began life for himself, with no means except his own willing hands and resolute will, and, being nobly assisted by his amiable and energetic wife, they overcame the difficulties so common to early

pioooer life and succeeded in making a comfortable home, where his widowed wife still remains, assisted by her children in carrying on the farm. Mr. Burke's death occurred Oct. 7, 1867, in his 44th year, leaving many friends and a memory that will long be cherished by his lonely wife and fatherless children. Mr. Burke was an active member of the Methodist Church, and died trusting in the promises of his Savior. Ten children were given to this union, viz.: William A., born March 31, 1848; Mary E., born June 28, 1849; John M., born April 15, 1851; Ruth A.. born March 24, 1853; Richard H., born June 3, 1855; Irene, born June 16, 1857. Manervia A., born May 11, 1858; Calvin J., born July 18, 1859; Jesse D., born Nov. 21, 1861; Amanda A., born Feb. 12, 1863. Manervia died June 27, 1857; Irene died June 27, 1877; Jesse died Feb. 23, 1862. Mrs. Burke has been sorely afflicted by the loss of her husband and children, but seems resigned to the loss, and lives in the hopes of being again united.

JOHN D. CLARK, of the firm of Kraus & Clark, Arcanum. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the advance lines of the early pioneers of Darke County; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1814, and is a son of Barzilla and Mary (Davis) Clark; his father was born in Virginia Oct. 3, 1788, and died in Darke Co. in March, 1874, and his remains are interred in the cemetery at Ithaca; his mother was born in Maryland Sept. 1, 1780, and died Aug. 13, 1871, and lies beside her husband in Ithaca Cemetery; they settled in Twin Township in 1848, one mile southwest of Ithaca. Mr. Clark, Sr., was a volunteer in the war of 1812, and was in the army that was surrendered by Hull, and was on the pension rolls of the old veterans of that war. The subject of this sketch has been a continuous resident of Darke Co. since 1840; he had purchased 255 acres of land in its wild state, and, by his untiring industry and determination, in which he has been most nobly assisted by his industrious and amiable wife, succeeded in removing all the obstructions and thoroughly fitted it for the implements of agriculture; he still owns the same tract of land, with an additional 40 acres that he has cleared, improved and spent the greater part of his life upon; in 1872, he came to Arcanum and engaged in the drug business, which he followed for three years, then selling out to his son and embarked with Mr. Kraus in a general mercantile business, in which he is still engaged. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Jane Bowyer, Aug. 15, 1838. near Foster's Crossing, in Warren Co.; her parents were born in Pennsylvania in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Warren Co. in 1800, and were among the first settlers in that county; both died in the county of their adoption, her father at the age of 76, and her mother at the age of 68 years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of eight children, viz.: Mary J., born in Warren Co., Dec. 29, 1839; Sarepta, born in Darke Co., June 21, 1842; Nancy, July 3. 1845; John W., Sept. 15, 1848; Bowyer, July 12, 1852; Sarah E., July 6, 1856: Laura J., April 5, 1859, and one dying in infancy April 20, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been members of the M. E. Church for upward of forty years, and have faithfully performed the duties incident to a fervent Christian life. Mr. Clark is a Prohibitionist and a good worker in the temperance cause. Mr. Clark. assisted by Mr. Ivester, whose sketch appears in this work, was the first to agitate the question of free pikes, and under his supervision three miles were constructed in the fall of 1867.

MICHAEL CLINE, cooper, Arcanum; was born Jan. 20, 1811, in Hampshire County, Va., where he remained until March, 1836, when he came to Montgomery County, Ohio, and commenced coopering, which occupation he has followed through life. Jan. 14, 1844, he was united in marriage with Martha A. Miller, and by this union they have five children, viz., Mollie E., Henry M., Charles C., Edward A. and William; Mollie has been a teacher of the public school for a number of years. Mr. Cline came to Arcanum, Darke Co., in 1866, where he has since resided, and since then has filled the office of Township Trustee five successive terms, Town Councilman one term. The sum of the ages of our subject, father

and mother, and both of his grandfathers and grandmothers, was 582 years; this shows remarkable average age.

GORDON S. CLOYD, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Arcanum.

PHILIP COONS, merchant, Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1839, and is a son of William W. and Elizabeth Coons, old residents of Fairfield Co., but now residents of Arcanum; Mr. Coons only had the advantages of a common-school education, as he assisted his father in the duties of the farm; but by hard labor, which combined both energy and industry, he succeeded in acquiring a good average education; he removed from his native place to Arcanum in the fall of 1867 and engaged in manufacturing and handling a general stock of boots and shoes, which business he followed for two years, when he closed out his stock and purchased a farm of 60 acres in Twin Township, which he carried on for two years, when he disposed of this property, in 1871, and purchased 120 acres in Butler Township of Levi Slechty for $54 per acre, and again sold at the expiration of six months, realizing a fair profit; in 1872, he opened a store of general merchandise in Arcanum, where he still continues to do business; he has large double salerooms, with storerooms back, and carries a complete and perfect stock of clothing, dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes and groceries, in fact, everything found in a first-class retail business house. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Almira, daughter of Benjamin and Susan Founts, May 5, 1861; her parents being old residents of Darke County; Mrs. (Founts) Coons was born in March, 1840; six children have been given to this union, viz.: Flora, born Nov. 22. 1862; Elizabeth S., born Nov. 9, 1865; Luanna, born April 27, 1868; Leroy W., born August 23, 1871; Harry P., born Dec. 9, 1874; Cleo W., born Aug. 25, 1878. In March, 1879, the death messenger entered this quiet and happy little family and removed two of its members from earth to heaven; little Harry on the 13th of March, and his baby brother Cleo on the 18th following. Mr. Coons father, William W., was born in Harrison Co., West Va., Sept. 9, 1806, and removed when in infancy, with his parents, to Ross Co., Ohio; here he attended school, and assisted his father in the labors on the farm during vacations; Mr. Coons, the father of the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Sarah Schooley, Sept. 20, 1826, who were old residents of Ross Co., Ohio; they are the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, viz. Mary A., now Mrs. Robinson, who resides in Preble Co., Ohio; Henry, a resident of Camden, Ohio; Philip, the subject of this sketch; Ellen, now Mrs. Ford, who lives in Arcanum; Salem S., residing in Butler Co., Ohio; John, who also lives in Camden; Samuel, a minister of the U. B. Church, and at present resides in Lewisburg, Ohio; the deceased are Sallie, Mrs. Gifford; Cena, Mrs. Francis; and one dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Coons, Sr., have been members of the U. B. Church in Christ for forty-six years, and Mr. Coons has labored in the ministry for forty-three years, and, although his frame is bent with the weight of years, his mind is still vigorous and his memory unimpaired.

PHILEMON CROMWELL, retired farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Ithaca. The subject of this sketch is entitled to a place in the advance lines of the early pioneers of Darke Co.; he was born March 23, 1803, and is a son of Philemon and Mary Cromwell, natives of Maryland, both dying in their native State-his father at the age of 84, and his mother at the advanced age of 92 years; he removed to Ohio and settled in Darke Co. in March, 1838, and purchased 156 acres of land in its wild state, and by his energy and unflinching will, combined with the assistance rendered by his industrious and amiable wife, overcame all the obstacles incident to pioneer life, and they have as a reward of their toil and privations, a beautiful home, surrounded by every comfort and convenience, in which to enjoy their declining years. His marriage with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Snook, was celebrated March 12, 1835; nine children have been given to this union, viz.: William W., born Feb. 21, 1836; Catherine V., Nov. 14, 1840 ; Henry H., Sept. 4, 1843; Josiah O., Nov. 14, 1845; Sarah J., Nov. 9, 1847;

Philemon, Feb. 14, 1850; John W., Nov. 30, 1852; Alverdo, Dec. 13, 1857; Catherine, wife of Francis Huffen, died Feb. 22, 1874; Henry H. was a member of Co. D, 110th O. V. I., and at his country's call went nobly forth in defense of his country, and to help save the honor of his flag; on the 5th of May, the first day of the great and ever-memorable and disastrous battle of the Wilderness in Virginia, he fell, pierced by the enemy's bullets, while charging on a rebel stronghold, and, like many of his brave comrades in arms, his body lay for days between the contending lines of vast armies, amid the clash and turmoil of incessant battle, and to-day his remains are peacefully at rest on the ground where he fought to win. Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell have been members of the United Brethren Church for forty years, and their large family of children are co-workers with their parents in the cause and advancement of the Christian religion.

JOHN FASIG, merchant tailor and Justice of the Peace, Ithaca; the subject of this sketch was born in Sprendlingen, Grossherzogthum, Darmstadt. Germany, March 14, 1831; he is a son of John and Susan Fasig. Mr. Fasig emigrated to America in 1855, landing in New York in October, and made his way to Euphemia, Preble Co., Ohio, where he engaged in tailoring for upward of one year, when he removed to Ithaca and engaged in the same business which he is still engaged in. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Franz and Doratha Croell, May 28, 1854; twelve children have been given to this union, viz.: Luzetta, born April 27, 1856, died April 13, 1860; John, born Sept. 9. 1857, died Sept. 12, 1859; Mary, born Feb. 18, 1859, died March 25, 1861; Minnie L., born Aug. 15, 1860; Margaret L., born Sept. 5, 1861, died Oct. 3, 1862; Eliza, born Oct. 27, 1862; Catherine, born June 4, 1864; Charles A., born Oct. 31, 1866; Amanda S., born Aug. 23, 1868; Sarah J., born April 28, 1870. died April 29, 1872; William H., born March 22, 1873; Leah C., born Jan. 20. 1876. Truly, Mr. and Mrs. Fasig have a large and very interesting family; their charming daughters, with their various accomplishments, tend to make home a pleasant place. Mr. Fasig carries a fine stock of custom-made clothing, dry goods, notions, tobaccos and cigars, and if you want a perfect-fitting suit of clothes. give him a call. Politically, he is Democratic, and has been prominently identified in all the township offices, and has always carried the unanimous support of his constituents, which is ample proof of his official business capacity. Mrs. Fasig was born June 24, 1834, in Phaffenshabenneim, Germany; she had two brothers and eight sisters; four came to this country, and two have since died; her elder brother was killed in the Mexican war.

A. M. FLORY, of the firm of Wallace & Flory, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born May 12, 1851, and is a son of Henry and Catherine Flory, old residents of Montgomery Co., Ohio; his father followed coopering the greater part of his life, and was engaged in farming a short time previous to his death; his father dying when he was but 10 years of age, he went out into the world to take care of himself and battle with life, and, by energy and persevering industry, has overcome all obstacles, and so far has made life a success; at the age of 16 years, he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed till he removed to Arcanum, the last day of December, 1873, and on the 1st day of March, 1874, he opened a general hardware store. in partnership with Mr. Wallace, in which business they are still engaged; he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine E., daughter of Henry Burns, March 19. 1874, her parents being residents of Preble County; Mr. Flory has been identified with the offices of his village, having been a member of the City Council, and has had the honor of Mayor conferred upon him by his fellow-towns men.

MICHAEL FLORY, farmer; P. O. Gordon; the subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1811, being a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Flory; he resided in the county of his nativity till 1861, when he removed to Darke County, and settled on Sec. 26 of Twin Township, where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Hannah Wagerman in 1853, and by this

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