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	CHARLES A. PALMER, attorney-at-law, has been an active practitioner of Washington C. H. since the date of his admission to the Bar, Apr. 15, 1860.  During the more than thirty years that have come and gone, he has established an enviable reputation as an able lawyer and honorable man, while his profound and varied knowledge of jurisprudence entitles him to be ranked among the eminent men of Ohio.      In what is now Jasper Township, Fayette County, Mr. Palmer was born, Jan. 28, 1839, the son of William and Margaret (Whiteside) Palmer, natives of Virginia, who settled in this county as early as 1805 or 1807.  William Palmer was prominently connected with the early history of Southern Ohio, and during the War of 1812 raised a company, of which he was Captain, and which was called out and served thirteen days, but was not mustered into service.  In 1840-41, he was the representative of Fayette County in the State Legislature, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket by a majority of Twelve votes, his opponent, being Gen. B. Harrison, in a strong Whig county.      In addition to his service in the Legislature, William Palmer accomplished much for the advancement of Fayette County by introducing thorough-bred Short-horn cattle, and fine horses.  He was a pioneer in raising fine stock, the value of which he proved so conclusively as to create a sentiment in their favor.  His farming operations were so successful that he became the owner of one thousand acres, most of which he cleared and cultivated.  He was especially interested in the Agricultural Society of the county, and officiated for a time as its President.  Having served his fellowmen both in public and private capacities for a long period, he passed to his rest at the age of Jan. 1, 1867.      The family of which our subject is a member consists of the following children: Emily W. Turrell, Evaline M. Hankins, Granville C., Mary J. Houston, Margaret M. Smith, William H., Rebecca A. Cox and Charles A.  The mother of the family died in 1865.  She was a member of the Universalist church, which was likewise the faith of her husband.  After gleaning a common-school education in Jasper Township, our subject was a student successively at Antioch and Marietta Colleges, and Miami University at Oxford, where his literary education was completed.      Having resolved to commence the study of law, Mr. Palmer entered the office of Judge Robert M. Briggs, of Washington C. H., and after remaining there for a time, continued his studies in the Cincinati Law School, graduating in 1860.  He was admitted to practice in all courts of the State of Ohio, and shortly afterward in the Federal Courts.  Upon commencing the practice of his profession, he was alone until Judge Briggs left the Bench, when a partnership was formed, which existed until the death of the latter in 1871, since which year Mr. Palmer has practiced alone.  His practice is extensive and lucrative, and he is the acknowledged peer of the best attorneys of the city.  His political beiief brings him into affiliation with the Democrats, which is not the popular faith in this section of Ohio.  His party has twice nominated him for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, but, being in the minority, failed to elect him.      The lady who, Oct. 15, 1861, became the wife of Mr. Palmer, born the maiden name of Jean M. Briggs, and is a sister of Judge Briggs, of whom mention has already been made.  Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, as follows:  Robert R., private stenographer to Gov. Campbell during his term of office, now Assistant Secretary to the Committee on Military Affairs in Congress, and also the owner and proprietor of the Ohio States Register; Margaret P., wife of H. B. Maynard of Atlanta, Ga.; Paul, who is engaged in farming in Clinton County; Helen, who is a student in the college at Painesville; Luther S., William M., Alice and Harrison B., who are at home.  The members of the family are attendants of the Episcopal Church, of which they are devoted members.  In his social affiliations, Mr. Palmer is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, Fayette Chapter, F. & A. M.  He owns a splendid farm in the western part of Fayette County, where he has a fine line of trotters.      Judge Robert Moore Briggs, brother-in-law of Mr. Palmer, was so closely identified with him during the latter part of his life, that brief mention of his career will be of interest to the reader.  He was born in Richmond, Va., about 1835, the son of Dr. Robert and Helen (Buckner) Briggs, and was named Robert Moore, after his father and the celebrated English poet from whom he was descended.  His father, a very prominent physician of Richmond, died when he was young, and afterward he and his sister accompanied their mother to Ohio, to look after their landed interests.      Although he read medicine for a short time, Mr. Briggs showed such an aptitude for the law that he turned his attention to legal studies, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School.  He commenced to practice at Chillicothe, but some time in the 50's came to Fayette County, where he afterward resided.  His aversion to slavery was so great that he and his mother and sister set free the slaves they had inherited from his father.  Soon after locating in Washington C. H., he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Fayette County, and later served two terms in the Legislature, where he was an active and prominent member.  He was next elected to the Common Pleas Bench to Supply an extra Judgeship that had been provided for by the Legislature.  In that position he was noted for his executive ability and dispatch of business, and attained eminence throughout the State.  After filling the position for five years, he resumed his practice and continued thus occupied until his death in October, 1871.  After the close of the Civil War, he followed the course of Chase, Greely and other eminent Republicans, and joined the ranks of Democracy.  His wife was Catherine, daughter of Charles Robinson, and a niece of Bishop Merrill of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the late Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, of Louisville, Ky. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 156
John H. Parrett	JOHN H. PARRETT.     Fayette County is greatly indebted for its present wealth and high standing to the sturdy, intelligent, enterprising tillers of the soil, who have been instrumental in developing and sustaining its vast agricultural interests.  As a worthy member of its farming community, who has contributed toward its material advancement, its gives us pleasure to present the biography and portrait of John H. Parrett in this volume.  A native of Ross County, he was born Oct. 11, 1821, and is a son of Joseph F. and Sarah Parrett.  They were Virginians by birth, both born in the same place, the father in 1791 and the mother in 1795.  The Parrett family originated in Switzerland, the founder of the branch in America being Frederick Parrett, great-grandfather of our subject, who came to this country in 1735, and settled in Virginia.  He had six sons, who did noble service in the Revolution, and among them was Frederick Parrett, Jr. who was the grandfather of our subject.      Joseph F. Parrett grew to manhood in his native State, which at that period afforded but meagre school privileges to the children born within its borders.  He was married in 1814, and at once set out with his bride for Ross County, in this State, the journey being made overland, and after his arrival bought one hundred and five acres of wild land on Buckskin Creek.  His first house was a most humble structure, being built of logs and having a chimney on the outside made of mud and sticks.  Thus, this energetic pioneer came into the wilderness with nothing but his hands with which to make his fortune, but he had a resolute will, knew well how to work advantageously, and his labors were crowned with success.  The rude cabin of the early days of his settlement here gave place to a beautiful residence, and the original one hundred and five acres of land were added to by further purchases, until he owned over eight hundred acres of fine farming land.  He accumulated his property by attending strictly to his business as a farmer and stock-raiser.  Politically, he was a Whig.  In his religious belief, he remained true to the Presbyterian faith, to which his parents had held.      The first wife of our subject's father was Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wilkin) Hess, natives of Virginia.  John Hess came to Ohio in 1814, and was a pioneer farmer of Licking County, in which he lived until he closed his eyes in death at the age of eighty years.  Elizabeth Wilkin was a daughter of Godfrey Wilkin, who came from Switzerland to this country in company with Frederick Parrett in 1735, and settled in Virginia.  Ten children were born to the parents of our subject, of whom these seven grew to maturity: Eliza, wife of Adam Nebergall; Mary A., wife of William Thomas; Mrs. Sarah Ware, deceased; John H.; Henry C.; Absalom and Aaron, deceased.  Joseph Parrett was married a second time, Melena Caley becoming his wife, and she bore him six children: George F., J. Milton; Margaret J., wife of John Braden; Susan E., wife of Isaac McClure; W. James and Augustus F.      Our subject was well trained in all kinds of farm work  under his father's instruction, and remained with him until twenty-three years old, when he went on a farm in Ross County with his brother-in-law.  He remained thereon six years, and in 1850 purchased the farm he now occupies in Wayne Township.  This is a fine place, with well-tilled fields and rich pastures, with a commodious set of buildings, and all the modern improvements to be found on a well-managed farm.  The beautiful brick residence in which he and his family have a very pleasant home, he built in 1860, making all the brick himself.  The first ten years of his married life were spent in a comfortable log home.       Mr. Parrett's home is presided over by the best of wives, to whom he was married Dec. 24, 1850.  Mrs. Parrett, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Harper, was born in Maryland in 1824, and is a daughter of Caleb and Mary Harper, who were natives of Delaware.  The fruit of her union with our subject is four children, namely: Caleb, Joseph; Mary, wife of C. W. Crosby and Sally, wife of A. L. Ireland.  Mr. Parrett and his wife are people of high standing in the community where they have lived so many years, and they and three of their children are members of the Presbyterian Church, while Sally is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In politics, our subject is a Republican of strong convictions.  He has been much sought after to help administer public affairs, as his ability and business tact bring him to the front, and he has held most of the township offices, besides being County Commissioner and a member of the Board of Equalization. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 481
	JOSEPH MARION PARRETT, who is one of the best-known residents of Union Township, Fayette County, is a son of Joseph Parrett, who was born in Virginia in 1811, and spent his early days in the Shenandoah Valley.  At the age of eighteen, he came to Ohio with his parents, Isaac and Mary Parrett, about the year 1830, and settled in Ross County, Ohio.  After some eight or ten years, the family moved to Fayette County, where Joseph Parrett was united in marriage with Elizabeth Harper, daughter of John Harper, a prominent farmer of the county.      After this marriage, the young people settled in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, and lived there until their death, the wife passing from earth about the year 1845, and the husband living until the 1st of April, 1876.  He was married a second time, to a widow, Mrs. Glaze, of Fayette County.      Joseph Parrett had a farm of four hundred and twenty acres of land in Jefferson Township.  Three of his children are still living, the eldest of whom, James M., enlisted in the Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, and suffered much in health during his term of service, and finally died of measles, having just returned home.  He was a young man of character and promise, and was deeply mourned by those who knew him.  Following him are Emeline, who married Mr. Saucus, and has now passed from life; our subject; Christina, who married Daniel Webster Kestler and makes her home on the old homestead, and Lewis Hamilton, who has a farm in Paint Township.      The father of our subject was a successful man and prominent in his neighborhood.  He was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for twenty years.  In his political tendencies, he was a Democrat.  His son, our subject, was born May 11, 1843, in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, and had his education at home in the district schools.  After concluding his studies, he worked for his father upon the farm about a year and a half before he was married, and then removed to the farm where he now lives, which was purchased for him by his father.  On the 17th of August, 1872, he was united in marriage with Hulda Wright, daughter of a prominent farmer of this county, Allen Wright.      The young couple after marriage went home to the farm, and it has been their home ever since.  In this farm, and it has been their home ever since.  In this farm there are now two hundred and forty-one acres, all well improved and in a good state of cultivation.  Grain is the principal product raised upon the farm, but Mr. Parrett pays some attention to stock.  Mrs. Parrett is a lady of more than ordinary amiability and strength of character, and is esteemed most highly in her neighborhood.  Mr. Parrett is an excellent manager, and has the respect and good-will of the community.  His political views bring him into harmony with the Democratic party, but in local politics he always votes for the man whom his judgment endorses as best for the position.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker therein, and his fellow-members have made him one of the Trustees, for his business reputation and integrity give him the confidence of that body. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 349
	THOMAS F. PARROTT.     Fayette County's native-born sons, who are represented in various walks of life, are many of them among the principal promoters of the prosperity that she enjoys, and of this number is Thomas F. Parrett, a farmer of high reputation, standing among the first of his calling in Wayne Township, and one of our best civic officials.  Jefferson Township is his birthplace, and he was born into the home of George and Anna Parrett of that place in 1840.      George Parrett was also a native of his county, born in 1813, a son of John and Catherine Parrett who were early settlers in this part of Ohio.  They were Virginians by birth, and after marriage came to this State in 1810, and first located in Ross County, whence they came to this county a year or two later and were among its most useful pioneers, buying and improving a large tract of land, lying along Paint Creek.  He served a short time in the War of 1812.  He was a son of Frederick Parrett, who was a native of Virginia, but was of Swiss descent.  The father of our subject grew to manhood on a farm in Jefferson Township.   His early education was conducted in the rude log schoolhouse of pioneer times, where he spent many a weary hour on a split log seat without any back to it.  He remained with his parents until his marriage at the age of twenty-four or twenty-five, to Miss Anna Fletcher.  Her father had died when she was quite young, and she was reared by her mother, with whom she came to Ohio.  Mr. Parrett began life by operating the farm that his father had left im.  Hewas very industrious, made every stroke of work county, and was also keen in money matters, so that he became well-to-do.  He added to the original area of his farm until he had three hundred and fifty acres of excellent farming land, the most of which he cleared himself.  He lived to a ripe age, dying in 1872, and thus closing a life that had been well spent.  Politically, he lived to a ripe age, dying in 1872, and thus closing a life that had been well spent.  Politically, he was of the old Whig stock in early life, but the Republican party found in him a strong supporter after is organization.  Both he and his wife were people of strict religious views, and the Methodist Protestant Church had in them good and faithful members.  Mrs. Parrett, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, died in this county in 1886.  She was the mother of seven children: Elmira, wife of H. Kirk; Thomas F.; Mary C., wife of T. F. Boyd; Caroline E., wife of J. P. Popejoy; Belinda A., widow of J. W. Morris; Susan, who died young, and Lucy O., wife of Dr. S. Marshall.      At the age of twenty-one, our subject started out in the world on his own responsibility, beginning life as a farmer.  At the age of twenty-four, he married Mary Greenlee, daughter of Samuel and Ann Greenlee.  Their union was blessed with three children:  Frank L., who married Stella Briggs; Fantie B., and Carey.  After the death of his first wife, Mr. Parrett was married to Miss Mary B. Coffman, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Coffman who were natives respectively of Fayette and Greene Counties.  They were the parents of eight children, as follows:  William E., deceased; Lewis C.; Charlotte J., wife of J. D. Pridy John M., deceased; Benjamin F., Mary B., Esther A., who married F. P. Willard, and is now dead, and Sarah J., her twin sister, who is the wife of R. W. Merchant.  Our subject and his wife have three sons: Harry, Thomas F., Jr., and Lewis C.      Mr. Parrett remained in Jefferson Townships thirteen years after his first marriage, and then came to Wayne Township, and to his present farm in 1880.  He owns three hundred and seventeen acres of well-improved land, and he may well take pride in the fact that its fine condition is the result of his persistent and well-directed labors, the building, fencing, ditching and tiling all of his planning, and much of the work done by his hand.      Our subject has a noble war record, which reflects credit on the soldier of his native State.  He first entered the service in Company H, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac, and while he was fighting at Harper's Ferry he was captured by the enemy.  He had the good fortune to be paroled at Annapolis, Md., and subsequently started for Minnesota to fight the Indians, but on arriving at Chicago he found that peace had been declared with the savages.  He remained in Camp Douglas two months, and his term of enlistment then expiring, he was mustered out of the service.  His patriotism had not been dampened by the many trials and hardships that he has undergone in defending the Stars and Stripes, and he afterward enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry, of which e was made Captain for his meritorious services and for the good soldiership that he displayed whether on the march in camp or in the heat of battle.  It was his misfortune to be again captured while engaged with the enemy in Kentucky, by John Morgan, the celebrated rebel raider, and his captivity terminated his usefulness in the field.  Politically, our subject is a Republican, and has ever stood firmly by his party in defeat as well as in victory.  His fellow-citizens hold him in honor, and have entrusted to him many of the most responsible local offices, such as that of Trustee, etc.  In 1887, he was first chosen as one of the County Commissioners, and he still holds that important office. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 331
	GEORGE W. PATTON.  Among the prominent and enterprising citizens of Washington Court House, none is more worthy of note than he whom we here name, who occupies the responsible position of Sheriff of Fayette County.  He was elected to that position in 1888 and so efficiently did he perform the duties imposed upon him that he was re-elected in 1890.  He is a genial and friendly gentleman and exhibits rare ability in his special department.      The original of this sketch was born in Greene Township, Fayette County, Jan. 7, 1840, and is the son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Wood) Patton.  The father in early life was a farmer in Virginia and became identified with the interests of the Buckeye State in 1832.  Our subject was given a good education in the common schools, and his father dying when he was a lad of ten years, he remained at home with his mother until his marriage, after which she lived with him and her decease.      George W. of this sketch operated the old farm in Greene Township, which contained two hundred and fifty well-improved acres.  He had not been interested in politics previous to his election to the office of Sheriff until being made the incumbent of that position.  Jan. 7, 1889, he moved into the city, which has since been his home and where his friends are as numerous as his acquaintances.      The lady whom our subject shoe as his wife Oct. 4, 1861, was Miss Mary D. Rowe, of Greene Township, this county, her birth occurring Mar. 2, 1815.  To them have been born a family of five children, viz.:  Elmer E., who is now the Deputy of his father; Minnie A., the wife of . S. Merchant, of Dayton, this State; M. J., Zella V. and Ollie, at home with their parents.  IN social matters, our subject is a member of Fayette Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Source:  Portrait and Biographical History of Fayette,  Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page 177

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