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now Mrs. George Foreman, of Monroe Township; Winfield S., born May 8, 1856" now married and resides with his mother and has charge of the farm; Josephine' born May 13, 1858, now Mrs. Oscar Moist, of Butler Township; Emma Medora' born June 25, 1862, now a young lady.

CHRISTIAN SCHLECHTY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. New Madison ; a life resident of Darke Co.; is the grandson of Christian Schlechty, who came from Switzerland to America before the Revolution, and was a boy at the time the war was going on, and who lived near enough to hear the guns of the battle of Brandywine; is the son of Christian Schlechty, who came to Darke Co. and entered land near Fort Jefferson as early as 1817, and about three years later was married to Susan Noggle, a sister to Michael Noggle, whose biography appears in this work. They lived on this land, near Jefferson, until their decease, which occurred, his in 1860, being in his 65th year, and hers in 1875, she being in her 75th year. The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township July 18, 1821; remained with his parents during his minority, and continued to have his home there until his marriage with Alamanda Morricle, which occurred in New Madison Nov. 22, 1846. She was a native of Virginia, and was partially reared by an uncle of Mr. Schlechty's; they began domestic life on the place where they now reside; he then rented the farm of his father, and about three years later bought it; the farm then consisted of 80 acres, almost entirely woods. Mr. Schlechty has cleared. ditched and added to it until he now owns 180 acres, 130 of which is under culti vation; he has also built quite extensive barns for the storage of grain and accommodation of his stock, and a good house, which he now occupies for his residence. Mr. Schlechty, while farming quite largely, makes a business of raising fine stock, of which he shows some excellent specimens of thoroughbreds; he is a reliable Democrat in politics, and a quiet, substantial citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Schlechty are the parents of six children-Susan, now Mrs. Napoleon Garland and George, both of whom are residents of Butler Township; Melissa J., now Mrs. Sebastian Veitor, of Neave Township; Franklin P., a young man, and Ellen and Laura, children.

A. I. SHULER, farmer and stock-raiser, also manufactures carriages, buggies and sleighs; P. O. Arcanum. Mr. Shuler was born in Pennsylvania in 1846; received a good common-school education, also attended one term at the High School of Middletown, Penn., and afterward took a course at the Commercial College at Hamilton, Ohio, clerking for different merchants in the mean time; was married to Miss Maggie, daughter of John Bobenmoyer, in 1872, being at that time interested in a carriage manufactory at Boyerstown, Penn; they went there, but soon after he sold his interest and returned to Butler Co., where her parents lived; in 1874, they removed to her father's farm, in Sec. 1, Butler Township, and have resided here since he having charge of the farm and is also manufacturing buggies, carriages, sleighs, etc.; having a shop on his farm, his expenses are low and enables him to put up first-class work at a very low price; always keeps a stock on hand, which he sells on easy terms and gives a warrant. Mr. S., although a young man, is already regarded as one of the substantial residents of Butler Township; is a member of the German Reformed Church, and both he and his wife are intelligent, respected members of society; they have three children-William A. Charles O. and Winford B.

TITUS SHULER, retired farmer; P. O. Arcanum; a native of Pennsylvania and an old resident of Darke County; was born in Lehigh County, Penn., in 1815. and lived there until 23 years of age; came to Butler County, Ohio, in 1839. Was married to Sarah Bobenmoyer in 1842; she belonged to the Bobenmover family whose biographies appear in the Butler Township list; her decease occurred in 1854; she left four children-Amandus, now married and a resident of Union City; Lucy, now Mrs. David Baker; Samuel, now married, resides with his father and has charge of the farm; Mary J., whom Mr. and Mrs. John Karn raised, is now Mrs. E. A. Clarke. In 1855, Mr. Shuler was married to Deborah Bridenstine, of

Butler County; immediately after their marriage, they came to Darke County and settled in Butler Township, on the farm in Sec. 12, where they now reside. Mr. Shuler came before the era of gravel roads and underground ditches, and has done his share toward these improvements, for which Butler Township is justly celebrated; he was once elected Justice, but declined the honor; he has been a quiet, useful citizen; both he and his wife are worthy members of the Reformed Church and respected members of the community; they are the parents of two children— Wilson, now a resident of Decatur County, Kan.; and Franklin, a youth of 15.

HENRY SHUMAKER, retired farmer; P. O. Castine; a native of Maryland and an old resident of Darke Co.; was born in 1815 and grew up as a farmer boy; came to Ohio in 1845; lived near Germantown one year, then came to Darke Co. and lived about two years in the Yankeetown settlement; settled on his present place in 1848. As we look over the cultivated and fertile fields on this farm now, it does not seem possible; but nevertheless, when he came here there were but five acres cleared and a small cabin built; all else was wilderness and swamp. It seems wonderful that a single generation, yet living, should have accomplished so much, but the evidences of the facts are before our eyes in the shape of fields rich with green verdure, promising an abundant harvest; long lines of ditches, with their numerous underground branches reaching in every direction, tell of the labor by which this very desirable state of things has been brought about. Mr. Shumaker is a self-made man, having began life for himself in 1839, with nothing but his energy and strength to rely upon, and has successfully battled with the difficulties of pioneer life, and in making himself, has done his full share toward making Butler Township, as it is to-day, one of the most productive portions of Darke Co. Mr. Shumaker now owns 160 acres, 80 in Sec. 23 and 80 adjoining in Sec. 24, which is farmed by two of his sons jointly, he having retired several years since. He was married in 1839 to Lydia Detro; she is a sister to Mrs. Horine, the mother of the Horine brothers, whose biographies appear in the Butler Township list, and is an intelligent, kind-hearted woman. The fruits of this union were eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity, five are married, two are single and reside with their parents.

DANIEL SPITLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33; P. O. El Dorado, Preble Co.; he is a native of Pennsylvania; was born in Adams Co. June 14, 1815; is the son of Jacob Spitler, who came to Montgomery Co. when Daniel was a little boy. Daniel was married to Hester Barst in 1838, and they commenced the duties of domestic life in Preble Co., near her home, where they remained till 1873; he purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 33, where he now resides; Mrs. Spitler's decease occurred Nov. 4, 1876; they were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, viz., Margaret (now Mrs. Moses Brackett, of Union City, Ind.) ; John (now a resident of Preble Co.; Mary E. (now Mrs. Jessie Foreman, of Arcanum); Daniel F., William and Clarence; the latter three are still at home. Mr. Spitler was married the second time, March 28, 1878, to Susannah Shaffer, daughter of Jacob Shaffer, of Preble Co.; she has borne him one child-Charles C.; Mr. Spitler is now past the meridian of life, and has been an industrious, useful citizen; he commenced in Preble Co., in 1838, a renter; he has gradually advanced until he purchased the farm he first rented, and afterward sold it and purchased the place he now resides upon, which consists of 50 acres in Sec. 32, and 140 acres in Sec. 33, upon which is a neat, commodious frame house and other improvements to correspond, all of which is the result of his energy, economy and wisdom.

GEORGE TRUMP, farmer; P. O. Arcanum; a life resident of Darke County; is the son of John Trump, who was a son of Frederick Trump; Frederick's father, Casper Trump, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America and settled in Maryland at an early day; Frederick was born in Maryland, and came to Darke County at an early day and settled near Castine; John was born in Maryland, and married there; afterward lived in Pennsylvania, and from there to Montgomery

Co., Ohio, and removed to Darke County about the year 1840; lived about one year near Castine, then removed to Twin Township. The subject of this sketch was born in Twin Township Oct. 27, 1847; was brought up on a farm, and received the benefit of a regular attendance at the district school during his youth, and three terms at the Normal School, at Lebanon; was married to Lurenna Howell June 29, 1876, and together they celebrated the 100th anniversary of American independence by visiting the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia; they also visited his father's birthplace. Mr. Trump began teaching in 1869, and has taught most of the winters since; his wife was a pupil under him; after their marriage, he taught school the first winter. and they kept house in an old log cabin, a relic of pioneer days, which was the only house then vacant near the schoolhouse; in the following spring, he rented her father's farm, in Sec. 3, Kutler Township, where they now reside; they first kept house, or rather "stayed in a shop and wash-house of their neighbor, Charles Bobenmoyer, during the spring and summer, while the present neat and commodious house was building. Mr. Trump is a young man, intelligent, energetic and industrious, and has already made a start which proves his ability to become, if life and health are spared, one of the substantial citizens; he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and both he and his wife are respected members of society; they are the parents of two childrenCarrie A. (deceased) and Lewis ().

BAKER VALENTINE, retired farmer; P. O. Arcanum. A "Buckeye" by birth; was born in Butler Co. and grew up in Warren Co.; after he was grow, he went to Cincinnati, and, being disappointed in finding employment, made an engge ment to boat on the Ohio River; after about one year's river experience, be engaged with his brother Aaron, who then had a grocery in Cincinnati, and remained in that city about nine years; in 1834, he came to Darke Co. and entered five 80acre tracts a little north of Arcanum, and commenced clearing, built a cabin, and in the year following, having got the cage ready, was married to Miss Matilda, daughter of Clarke Baker, a native of Warren Co., and an early settler of Twin Township, Darke Co. After his marriage, he concluded his neighbors were too scarce and far between, and sold in part and traded for a quarter of Sec. 13, Butler Township; afterward bought 80 acres of the southeast quarter of Sec. 12. upon which his present residence is located; Mr. Valentine is emphatically a self-made man, being thrown out upon the world when so young that he has no recollection of his parents; he had to depend upon the kindness of friends until he was old enough to earn a living, which he commenced doing while a youth; he started out for Cincinnati before he was of age, and has battled his way until he has become one of the substantial citizens of Darke Co. and a leading man of his neighborhood, and is now living a retired life, enjoying, in his later years, the fruits of the sacrifices and toils of his earlier years; both he and his wife are now quite advanced in years, being the oldest couple of early settlers now living in their neighborhood. but are still in full possession of all their faculties, and remarkably vigorous and active; they have three children living, all of whom are married and reside near them.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

ANSON ALDRICH, farmer; P. O. Laura, Miami Co. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the front ranks of the early pioneers of Darke Co.; he was born in Rhode Island Oct. 16, 1820, and is a son of Varnum and Martha Aldrich, natives of the same place, who settled in this township in 1834, and were among the first settlers in the township, locating on land in Sec. 33, where they have resided continuously for forty-seven years. They are the parents of eight children, of whom five are living, viz.: Anson, Robert, Betsy, Waldo and Orin:

the deceased are Amanda, Sarah and Lydia. Our subject's early days were spent on the farm, and he has had his full share of hardships and privations to undergo; he informs us he has cleared up over 400 acres of heavily-timbered land; he stayed at home till he was 30 years of age, and then settled, in 1850, on the place where he now resides; he owned 80 acres at the time, and has since added by purchase, till his present farm contains 158 acres of highly cultivated land, and his improvements are No. 1 in every particular. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown, Nov. 7, 1850; three children were given to this union, viz.: Lucy, born May 29, 1853, and departed this life Aug. 14, 1856; Erwin, born Dec. 20, 1851, and died Aug. 22, 1871; Martha E., born Nov. 27, 1855, nee Mrs. Dr. Brandon, who resides in Laura. Mrs. Aldrich departed this life Sept. 28, 1873; she was a member of the M. E. Church, and died as she had lived, trusting in the promises of the Savior. Mr. Aldrich was again united in marriage with Mary B. (Morrison) Dorwin, daughter of A. and Nancy Morrison, June 10, 1875; her parents are natives of Franklin Co., Penn., and were among the early pioneers of Ohio; her father departed this life in 1840; her mother is still living, and resides in Piqua ; they were the parents of six children, all living, viz., Jane, John, Nancy, Belle, Robert, and Margaret. Mrs. Aldrich had two children by her former marriage with Mr. Dorwin, viz.: Cora, now Mrs. G. W. Horner, and resides in Olney, Ill.; Jennie, who resides with her mother; Mrs. A. has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for twenty years, and is a consistent Christian woman.

SAMUEL BILLHIMER, farmer; P. O. Painter Creek. The subject of this memoir was born in Augusta Co., Va., Jan. 8, 1824, and is a son of Jacob and Susannah (Erbaugh) Billhimer, natives of the same place; they removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1835; Mr. Billhimer, Sr., was born Jan. 22, 1781, and departed this life April 9, 1840; Mrs. Billhimer was born April 12, 1789, and died Jan. 7, 1870 they were the parents of twelve children, of whom only two are living, viz., Solomon and our subject; the rest all lived to manhood and womanhood. then quietly passed away. Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted his father in the duties of the same till his decease, and he then labored for his widowed mother's support till his 19th year, when he began life for himself and worked for his brother, doing carpenter work by the month for one year; he then followed various pursuits, anything and everything that was honorable, to gain a livelihood. His marriage with Esther Miller was celebrated Sept. 13, 1846. Her father, Henry Miller, was killed by accident when yet a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Billhimer are the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living, viz., George M., John, Levi, Susannah, Mary C., Esther, Henrietta and Rachael; the deceased are Alta E. and Samuel. Mr. Billhimer is one of our self-made men, as he began life without capital, but energy and good management, combined with the assistance rendered by his amiable wife, have made them a good home in which to enjoy their remaining years; he owns 60 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved. They have been members of the German Baptist Church for thirty years, and are every-day Christian people, and take a lively interest in the church.

MOSES COATE, farmer; P. O. Red River. To the subject of this memoir we are pleased to accord a place in the front ranks of the early pioneers; he was born in Miami County the 9th day of the twelfth month, 1815; his father. Moses Coate, was born in South Carolina in the fifth month, 1767; his mother. Elizabeth Coate, was born in South Carolina the 9th day of the eleventh month, 1776; they were the parents of twelve children, viz. : Jane, born the 19th day of the seventh month, 1795; Mary, born the 15th day of the eleventh month, 1797; Thomas, born the 7th day of the fifth month, 1799; Esther, born the 1st day of the second month, 1801; Joseph, born the 22d day of the tenth month, 1802; William, born the 6th day of the fifth month, 1805; Margaret, born the 16th day of the fourth month, 1807; Samuel, born the 29th day of the twelfth month, 1808; Benjamin,

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born the 23d day of the ninth month, 1810; Elizabeth, born the 10th day of the ninth month, 1812; Moses, born the 9th day of the twelfth month, 1815; Jesse. born the 1st day of the third month, 1818. Our subject was reared on the farm and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 23d year, when he began life for himself and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brown in 1839. Her parents were natives of South Carolina, and emigrated to Darke Co. in 1822, and settled on Ludlow Creek, in Monroe Township. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom only six are now living. Mr. Brown was born in 1797, and died at the age of 82 years; Mrs. Brown was born in 1800, and departed this life at the age of 66 years. In 1844, our subject settled in Darke Co., in Adams Township. where he remained for three years, and then removed to the place where he now resides, in 1848. Just after his marriage, they removed to the vicinity of Terre Haute, Ind., where they remained over three years, when, becoming dissatisfied, they returned to their native State, where they have resided ever since. The land where he now lives was a howling wilderness when he first came on it, but. through hard work and good management, coupled with frugality, they have made a beautiful home and are surrounded by all the comforts of life. They are the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Ezra, Esther, Bethana, Nancy J., Samuel, Elwood, Susannah, Emma E., Martha O.; the deceased are Job. Calvin, Edmund and Jesse; Ezra was a member of Co. B, of the 44th O. V. I, and on account of sickness received his discharge and returned home till health and vigor were restored, when he again returned to the front and nobly did his duty. Edmund was killed by accident when he was in his 13th year; he was covering corn in the field, and, while passing near a large tree, that had become detached from the roots and loosened, it fell as he was passing by, and striking him, he was crushed to the earth; he lingered a few hours in an unconscious state, and then passed quietly into the arms of his Savior. Mr. Coate was raised a Friend, but has been a member of the Christian Church for forty years-laboring long and earnestly in the cause he loves so well. Mrs. Coate is a member of the Ger man Baptist Church of eighteen years' standing, and is an exemplary Christian woman. Their daughters, Susannah and Emma, are members of the church, the former belonging to the German Baptist and the latter to the Christian Church: both are excellent young ladies and are co-workers with their parents in their respective churches. Bethana married Noah Arnett in March, 1866; Esther married Z. Boggs in 1871; Nancy J. married Samuel Hall; Ezra married Melissa Thomas in April, 1866; Samuel was married to Mary Engall in June, 1876.

ISAAC B. COOL, farmer; P. O. Laura, Miami Co. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., April 5, 1842: his parents, John and Elizabeth Cool, were natives of the same place-lived, died. and are buried in the place of their nativity. To them five children were given. three of whom are living, viz., Henry, Samuel and our subject. Jacob was among the slain at the battle of Chancellorsville; Mrs. Cool died in May, 1846; Mr. Cool departed this life in August, 1854. Mr. Cool was married the second time, and by this union had two children, viz., Mary and Margaret, the latter deceased. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, having been bound out to a Rev. John Thomas, of Virginia, with whom he remained until he was 18 years of agethe stipulated time-and for two years after, which brought him to that period in our national existence when our country was struggling in the throes of civil war, when he was drafted into the army. His religious belief had inculcated an aversion and abhorrence to war, and he could not conscientiously take a part in the great struggle then pending, and, by making an intentional mistake, he boarded the wrong train and came to Ohio, where his religious belief was respected and tolerated. He first purchased 92 acres of land in this Township, on which he lived for two years, when he sold out and bought 40 acres adjoining, which he soon exchanged for the farm where he now resides. Mr. Cool is another of our self-made men; a refugee in a strange land, among strangers, and $3 in

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