BIOGRAPHIES:

Source:
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
together with
Historic Notes on the Northwest
and
The State of Ohio.
Gleaned From Early Authors, Old Maps and Manuscripts,
Private and Official Correspondence and
all other Authentic Sources, Ohio - Publ. 1881
By R. S. Dills
Illustrated.
Dayton, Ohio
ODell & Mayer, Publishers.
1881
 

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	Caesar's Creek Twp. - JOSEPH SAVILLE, farmer with twenty-one children, Alfred being the third.  Virginia, where he lived until ten years of age, and then came to this county, where he has since lived.  Was born Feb. 15, 1817, and came to Ohio in 1827.  Was married Aug. 6, 1840, to Hannah Ketterman, of this county; she is also a native of Virginia.  Ten children were the result of this union:  Andrew C., John L., Milton G., Emiline, Mary J., Martha A., Sarah E., Ellen C., Florence, and died in her infancy.  All of them are living, save Andrew C., and John L., and are all married, save Ellen, who is at home with her parents.  Mr. Saville has a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, well improved; farms to both grain and stock.  Mr. and Mrs. Saville are members of the Reformed Church, having united with the same in the year 1838.  The children were all members of the church until Martha A. and Sarah E. were married, when they connected themselves to the Methodist Church with their husbands.  Mr. Saville has been an elder in the church about twenty-five years.  The family will some time join the Church Eternal, where they will reap the reward of their earthly labors. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 593
	Xenia Twp. - JOHN M. SELLERS, carpenter, Xenia, was born in the year 1824.  Is a son of Jacob S. and Susan Sellers, who were both in Warren County, Ohio, and had a family of seven children, Henrietta, John M., Lucinda, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Newton, and Jane S. John, the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1846, to Miss Olive Holcomb, by whom he had two children, both daughters; Millie, the eldest, who died in her twenty-first year, and Clara, now living with her parents.  He enlisted in Company H, Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteers, in 1862, and had a taste of battle at Tate's Ford, Kentucky, and after many long and tedious marches, was discharged in November, 1862.  Received a common school education in Warren County, Ohio, where he spent the principal portion of his life.  Removed to this city in April, 1852, where he has since remained.  A portion of the time he was engaged in the grocery business, and the balance of his life has been spent at his trade.  By his faithfulness, and strict attention to business, he has gained a full share of patronage from the people of this county.  He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-six years, and is today one of the influential men of the town. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 519
	Jefferson Twp. - ELIZABETH OSBORN SHEELY Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 845
	Bath Twp. - EDWARD F. SEARL, physician, Osborn, was born in Candagua County, New York, Sept. 27, 1841.  Is a son of Harman and Sophia (Skieff) Searl, natives of Massachusetts, where the greater portion of the family still live.  In 1841, Harman Searl removed to Portage County, Ohio, where he still resides.  Dr. Searl was reared at the village of Windom, Portage County, where he received the rudiments of an education under Professor Pickett, which he afterward developed at Hiram, under Professor James A. Garfield.  At the age of eighteen he went to Cleveland to prosecute his medical studies, having studied under Drs. Reed and Bentley, of Ravenna, Portage County.  Here he remained two years and a half, and graduated in 1861,  He then practiced at Huron two years, and in May, 1863, removed to Osborn, where he still remains and enjoys a fair practice.  He has made his practice and friends by attention to business, and a quiet, unobtrusive manner.  In 1866, he married Margaret, daughter of James Campbell.  They are parents of five children, James C., Harry O., Charles W., Lee Corbin, and Edward D., all living but Harry O.  Dr. Searl started in life with little but a desire to do and be something, and by indomitable will, perseverance, and courage, he has attained a  position worthy of efforts of other young men. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 733
	Beaver Creek Twp. - ABSALOM SHANK, farmer, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, May 6, 1813, and is a son of Henry, and Barbara (Crumbaugh) Shank, who were born in Maryland, both being of German extraction.  They were married in 1812, and in 1814 came to Ohio, by teams and wagons, their journey occupying four weeks and one day.  They remained south of Dayton the first winter, then settled in Sugar Creek Township, and for two years worked on leased land, which in conjunction with his saddlery business, enabled him to keep his family, and save enough to buy one hundred and nine acres of land, for which he gave $1000.  Here he made a permanent home till his wife's death, May 12, 1863, aged seventy-seven years, when he came to our subject's residence, where he died in 1867, aged eighty-three years.  They were parents of seven children, five living, Mary C., Margaret, George H., John M., and Absalom.  The deceased are Jeremiah and Solomon.  They were members of the Lutheran Church, and worthy Christian people, reared their children to sobriety, and to observe Christianity.  Our subject was reared on the farm, and labored for his father till of age.  April 6, 1837, he was married to Martha Ankeney, by whom he had twelve children, eight living, Julia A. E., Mary M., Martha J., Henry, Lewis F., George M., Jacob A.,  and Horace.  The deceased are Oliver L., David N., William and John N.  The latter was a member of the gallant One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Regiment.  In the great charge upon Lookout Mountain, he was the second man to scale the enemy's parapet, and gain the top of the mountain.  He died from sickness, Jan. 4, 1865.  His remains were brought home, and interred in the family cemetery, where a monument marks his last resting place, aged twenty years.  Mrs. Shank died in 1863, aged forty-five years.  Sep. 22, 1867, he was married to Margaret Fauber.  He owns two hundred and thirty-one acres of land, on a portion of which he has lived since 1829.  He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has been deacon and elder for a number of years; is also one of the trustees of the church. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 620
	Beaver Creek Twp. - JOHN M. SHANK, farmer, was born in Sugar Creek Township, in the year 1824, and is a son of Henry and Barbara Shank, whose sketch appears in this work.  His boyhood was passed on the farm, laboring thereon for his father, until he was of age, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Bellbrook, to which he have his attention for one year and a half; disposed of his stock, and turned his attention to the farm, in the above township, on which he labored until 1850, when he was married to Lydia, daughter of Mounts Hawkins who was borne him him six children, Jennie, Charles O., Henry H., Joseph C., Willy A., and Davis H.  After marriage, he removed to Cedarville, and for one year was engaged in the manufacture of lime, after which he removed to Xenia Township, where he carried on a farm for one year, then purchased property in Xenia, in which he resided one year, and engaged in whatever would produce an honest dollar.  Next, his brother George and himself, purchased the Conable farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres, onto which he moved, and resided for six years, when he sold to his brother, and returned to the old home farm, which he afterwards purchased, and lived on for three years, then sold out, and purchased two hundred acres where he lives - has since sold down his farm to sixty-three acres.  He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, of many years standing, and take much interest in religious matters.  Politically, Mr. Shank is democratic in general elections; in local contests, votes for the man regardless of party. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 620
	Jefferson Twp. - ELIZABETH OSBORN SHEELY was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1816, where she was reared; came to this county in 1833, and was married to William Sheely, Nov. 14, 1841.  Eight children are the result of this union:  Preciosa A., Sallie M., David, Isaac, Moses, and Lydia, all living except Moses, who died at the early age of two weeks.  The others are all married, except Lydia  who is at home with her mother.  Mr. Sheely was born Oct. 24, 1811, and died May 21, 1870.  Mrs. Sheely's father was one of the pioneers of this county.  Philip Gatch, her grandfather, was a noted minister of Ohio, and a very successful evangelist.  He and his friend William Waters attended the first Methodist Conference held in the United States, which was held at Philadelphia, in May, 1774.  He was elected associate judge of Clermont County Court in 1808; was president of the board of associate judges.  Judge Scott, of the Supreme Court of Ohio, said: "My personal acquaintance with Judge Gatch commenced the 1st of September, A. D. 1802 when he and the late Mr. James Sargent presented their election as delegates from Clermont County to the convention then assembling in the city of Philadelphia, to form a constitution and state government."  He was judge twenty-one years.  There was a church in Maine, known as the "Gatch Church," which building he erected, and where he organized the society.  That building stood until a few years since, when it gave place to a new one.  The posts of the altar of the old church were worked into canes, and distributed among the descendants of the builder of the church, which was built in 1772.  Mr. Gatch's son George was a minister, doing all the good he could, as did his father. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 845
	Xenia Twp. - REV. ALEXANDER SMITH was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in the year 1845.  Is a son of John and Mary Smith.  His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of North Carolina.  The former came to Ohio when he was but six years old, and the later in her seventh year.  After maturity they were married, and had a family of thirteen children, six daughters and seven sons.  Alexander, the subject of our remarks, as married, in the year 1874, to Mary E. Morgan, daughter of William and Nancy Ann Morgan, of Springfield, Ohio.  They have no children.  He is a member of the Masonic order, David Temple Lodge No. 15, and has filled the office of senior warden for some time.  Received his education at different schools, but finished at Wilberforce University.  Spent his youth in Harrison County, and now has charge of a congregation at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Yellow Springs, Ohio.  A congenial, attractive man, he shows from his fruits that he practices what he preaches. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 525
	Silver Creek Twp. - GEORGE SMITH, farmer, Jamestown, is a son of John C. and Maria (Keiter) Smith, natives of Virginia, and born in 1806, he June 18, she May 21.  They were married there, Dec. 11, 1834.  Nine children were born to them: George, Susan, Isaac, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, John f., and Margaret C.; Susan and Ann deceased.  They came to Ohio in 1863, locating near Paintersville, this county; here they remained some months, and then came to the farm on which our subject now lives, situated two and one-half miles southeast of Jamestown, and where the father died,  Feb. 12, 1880.  He and his sons, George and Isaac, had a farm of two hundred and fifty-two acres; the dead remains as before his death - to the tree, jointly.  George was married, May 27, 1874, to Miss Mary J. Smith, Mary to Justice Baker, Margaret to Robert January.  The mother is still living, and in her declining years enjoys the realization of having a highly respected family of dutiful children. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 808
	Xenia Twp. - REV. JESSE H. SMITH, Yellow Springs, was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, in the year 1845.  Is the son of Simpson and Sallie Smith; his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of Kentucky.  They were married about the year 1838, and had a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters.  The subject of our sketch was married, in the year 1858, to Martha J. Harris, daughter of Starlen and Martha Harris, of South Carolina, and have a family of three daughters, Jessie A., Josephine C. and Anna M., all living.  He is a member of the Wilberforce Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., and also a member of Lodge No. 1823, I. O. O. F., having filled all the chairs in the latter.   Received his education at Yellow Springs, and at Wilberforce University; ahs taught school in this county, where he was spent the principal portion of his life; has gained many friends and has unbounded success in all his undertakings.  Is a staunch Republican, and always stands ready, with open hand, to assist in any good cause. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 525
	Spring Valley Twp. - JOHN W. SMITH, grocer, Spring Valley, was born Apr. 7, 1844.  John Smith, sr., was born in this state, Jan. 9, 1817.  Miss Sophia Needles was born in the State of Delaware, in 1824, and came to this state with her parents when she was about fifteen years old.  She and John Smith were married Jan. 12, 1842.  The result of this union was three children, of whom John, the subject of this sketch, was the second.  While the school advantages in his youth were not so good as they are now, he was enabled by close application to his studies, and an attendance at school of the three winter months, to get more than a common education.  At the age of twenty-four he attended one term of the Lebanon (O.) Normal School, and this practically finished his education.  His chances for a superior education would have been good, but his father died in 1848, when John was only four years old, and he had his own way to make in the world.  In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances M. Bechtell by whom he has had five children, three living:  Effie, Jessie, and Willie, aged four, and one nine years of age.  Those deceased are Georgie, and an infant, unnamed.  The early period of Mr. Smith's life, with the exception of school time, was spent on a farm until his twenty-third year, when he started to learn the carpenter trade.  This was interrupted a short time by his normal school experience, after which he finished and worked at his trade until 1878, when he went into his present business at Spring Valley, corner Main Street and the railroad.  In 1866 Mr. Smith united himself with Spring Valley Lodge No. 302, Odd-fellows, and has ever since been a faithful member and exponent of hits beneficent teachings.  Politically he is a Democrat of pronounced views when asked, but he never allows himself to be drawn into an argument, if possible.  Horatio Seymour, in 1868, received his first vote.  Mr. Smith is one of the councilmen of the village, and also clerk of the township - the result of an election after he had served the unexpired term of B. B> Watson, who resigned.  He is a gentleman, well liked by all who come in contact with him. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 878
	Silver Creek Twp. - SAMUEL SMITH, minister and farmer, Jamestown, a native of Virginia, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Smith.  They came to this county in the fall of 1838, where he has since lived.  His mother died in Auglaize County, July 22, 1865; the father, about two years later.  Our subject was born Nov. 15, 1817, and has been twice married; first to Miss Nancy Sanders, Oct. 16, 1851, who was born Nov. 15, 1814.  There were six children by this marriage:  Mary E., John W., Albert N., Samuel M., George W., and James L., the two last named deceased.  Mrs. Smith died July 17, 1858.  He then married Miss Jane A. Patterson, Jan. 9, 1859.  One child is the result of this union, Charles L.  Mr. Smith and both wives and children were members of the Baptist Church, he having been reared and educated in that church, his mother being a member when she was married; she taught her children lessons of Christianity.  Mr. Smith, sr., joined the church when at about the age of sixty years, and was soundly converted.  They both died triumphantly in the faith.  He was very honest, suspecting evil of no man.  Our subject is the oldest child of the family.  He joined the church at the age of twenty-two years, and has been actively engaged in religious service; has been in the ministry fifteen years.  Was baptized into the Caesar's Creek Baptist Church by Elder William Sutton, and has been deacon of the church fifteen years.  His son, James is an eminent minister, preaching at Greenfield.  The father and family are exemplary members of the church, and good citizens.  He has a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, about two miles east of Jamestown, on the Washington pike, where he lives, and one of the one hundred and sixty acres south of Jamestown about three miles.  He had at one time about six hundred acres of land in this county, the result of industry and good management, having only twelve cents when he came to the county.  He possessed an iron constitution, and is a robust man yet. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 808
	Cedarville Twp. - SAMUEL SMITH, farmer, Cedarville, born in Clarke County, on the Little Miami River, Dec. 30, 1827, is the son of Seth and Deborah (Wildman) Smith.  Seth was born July 11, 1798, and was the son of Seth Smith, sen.; he was born in Virginia, May 19, 1761, and departed this life Apr. 1, 1837, aged seventy-five years.  Samuel, the gentleman's name who heads this sketch, spent the early part of his life on the farm with his parents; afterwards removed to the farm where he now lives.  Married June 1, 1869, Miss Esther J. Cook, daughter of Marcalus Cook, by which union four children have been born, three of which are now living.  The family are all members of the Friends Society. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 570
	Jefferson Twp. - THOMAS SMITH, farmer, is a native of this county, where he was reared, educated, and married to Mary Hussey, a native and resident of the same county.  Ten children are the result of this union: Alexander, Mary, Nancy J., Christopher H., Zenas, Margaret J., William, John, Thomas, and Catharine; Nancy and Catharine deceased.  Alexander, Mary, and Zenas are married, and Christopher is in Colorado, on a tour for his health.  Our subject has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he lives...  Himself, wife, Alexander, Mary, Christopher, Zenas, and Maggie are members of the Christian Church of Bowersville.  His father, Jeremiah, was married about the year 1822, to Jane Thornburg, Thomas' mother, a native of Tennessee, and had eleven children by this marriage, five of whom are living.  He died in December, 1848, aged fifty-six years, and was a member of the Christian Church, dying in the triumphs of a living faith, and is evidently enjoying the happiness that awaits the "pure in heart."  He came to Ohio about the year 1816, where he resided until his death.  His wife is still living; is seventy-seven years of age, and enjoying good health. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 846
	Beaver Creek Twp. - JOHN SNYDER, farmer, and justice of the peace, was born in this township, in the year 1822, is the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Miller) Snyder, who were born in Washington County, Maryland, in which they were reared, and after attaining majority were married, and about 1814 they emigrated to Ohio by team and wagon, and located in this township, buying the Trebein Mill, which he operated until 1836, when he sold to his son, and turned his attention to farming for ten or twelve years, and in 1858 departed this life.  His mother died in 1835 or 1836.  They were parents of thirteen children, of whom are living, Henry, Simon, Mary, Margaret, and John.  They were members of the German Reformed Church, with which he was prominently connected before his marriage, serving his church as deacon and elder, and was the latter when he died, aged seventy-four years.  During his life, he was successful in business management, leaving at his death a property worth $30,000.  The boyhood of our subject, was passed in the mill until sixteen years old, at which time he went on the farm, laboring for his father until he was twenty-seven years old, then engaged in the oil mill business for some time, then engaged in the mercantile business in Alpha, which he followed for nine years, afterwards turned his attention to farming, threshing, and butchering.  He has a lot of seven acres near Alpha, which makes him a pleasant home.  Politically, he is a Republican, having always given his support and influence to that party; has held the office of justice of the peace for ten consecutive years and is the present incumbent; been clerk and treasurer for two years each.  He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Kershner, whose sketch appears in the work.  To them three children were born, two living, Owen and Eli W., Emma deceased.  His wife is a member of the German Reformed Church, with which she has been connected thirty-five years.  He is a member of the Xenia Lodge No. 52, Odd-fellows, and Encampment No. 20 - belonging to the subordinate since 1848, and to the encampment since 1849; having passed all the chairs; is Past Grand and Chief Patriarch. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 621
	Silver Creek Twp. - C. H. SPAHR, the son of Gideon and Phoebe Spahr, who immigrated from Hardy County, Virginia, about the year 1816, and settled on the head waters of the Shawnee, east of Xenia, was born Jan. 30, 1826.  He with his parents, in the fall of 1832, moved to a farm two miles west of Jamestown, and remained until the fall of 1846, assisting at farm labor, and attending such schools, common and select, as the county afforded.  In the fall of 1846, he entered the office of Dr. E. Owen, of Champaign County, as a student of medicine.  After remaining in the offices of Drs. Owen and A. B. Newkirk for three years, and going through the curriculum of the Starling Medical College and doing some practice, he settled in Jamestown, on Feb. 2, 1854, into regular practice, and has continued therein until the present time, with the exception of the winters of 1864-5, during which time he served as the representative of Greene County in the legislature, having been elected to that office in October, 1863, by the largest majority ever given prior to that time to any candidate for the same office in the county.  In politics he is a Republican, endorsing the leading acts of the party from 1855 to the present.  Has long been closely identified with the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the I. O. O. F., in each of which he holds a membership.  Lives in comfortable circumstances.  He was married, Mar. 11, 1858, to Mary A., daughter of John Peters, of Ironton.  To them has been born six children:  Phoebe R., Fannie S., and George R. are living; three died in infancy.  The family of Gideon and Phoebe Spahr consisted of four sons and five daughters.  Dr. B. E. Spahr died in the spring of 1861, and Raper A. Spahr fell at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, in 1863, bravely defending the Union.  The Rev. B. N., of Ohio conference, and Dr. C. H., of Jamestown, survive.  The daughters are all living:  Mrs. Iliff, of Randolph County, Indiana; Mrs. McMillan, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Mrs. Zartman, of Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. Bargdill and Mrs. Adams, of Jamestown.  The father, Gideon, died June 1856, and the mother, Phoebe, died July, 1867. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 809
	Xenia Twp. - DAVID E. SPAHR, physician, New Jasper, this county, was born in the above place in the year 1852, and is a son of Gideon and Elizabeth Spahr; his father, a native of Virginia, and his mother of Ohio, both having spent the last fifty yeas in this state, with a family of our sketch was married, Dec. 3, 1872, to Emma Highwood, daughter of William and Caroline Highwood, of Van Wert, Ohio, and has a family of one son and three daughters, Lillie M., James H., Gertrude C., and Jessie.  Received his education at Van Wert, Ohio, and graduated at the Fort Wayne Medical College, in the alopathic school of practice, and has spent the principal portion of his life in this county.  Is now residing at New Jasper, where, by his inveterate study and hard work, he has gained a reputation and respect that few of his age have been able to control. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 526
	Beaver Creek Twp. - PHILIP R. SPAHR, Alpha, was born in New Jasper Township, this county, in the year 1850, and is a son of Gideon S. and Amanda Spahr, whose sketch appears in this work.  Phillip was reared on the farm, and received the rudiments of an education in the district schools, which was afterward developed by a three years' course of study in the schools of Xenia, from which he graduated in 1871, after which he was employed by Williams & Merrick, four months, as book-keeper.  In 1872, he was employed by J. H. Harbein, of Alpha, as book-keeper, giving complete satisfaction.  In 1875, he was married to Martha E., daughter of Abraham Cyphers, by whom he has had three children, Amanda, Ralph E., and Walter R., the last two deceased.  Politically, he is one of the strong Republicans, with whom Greene County is so well supplied.  Mrs. Spahr was born in this township, in the year 1854. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 621
	Jefferson Twp. - ANDREW J. STEPHENS, farmer, Bowersville, is a son of John and Eleanor (Hanes) Stephens, who were natives of Virginia.  His father was born in 1790, and came to this county in 1808, and remained here through life, with the exception of six years spent in Clermont County, this state, and two years in Indiana, where he died.  Mrs. Stephens was born about 1786, and died about 1866, aged eighty years.  There were nine children of this family, our subject being the fifth one.  He was married, May 24, 1840, to Miss Susanna Beason, of this county.  Nine children are the result of this union: John T., Mary L., Kesiah J., William C., Phoebe, Edward L., Amassa, Martha E., and Hiram A., all living, and all married, except Hiram, who is at home with his parents.  Mr. Stephens lived two miles west of Bowersville, on the Bowersville and Xenia pike.  Mrs. Stephen's parents, Thomas and Kesiah (Turner) Beason, were born in Tennessee.  He died in 1866; she is living in Jasper Township, this county.  Of this family there were fourteen children, seven of whom are living.  Our subject in a well respected citizen, of whom his neighbors speak highly. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 847
	Jefferson Twp. - BENJAMIN S. STEWART, farmer, Bowersville, is a native of Maine, where his parents, Joseph and Sallie (Snow) Stewart, were born.  He was reared, educated, and married in his native state.  Was married, to Mary A. Goodwin, of Maine, born Nov. 8, 1824, died Jan. 28, 1865.  May 17, 1866, he married Anna M. Story, of this county.  He came to this state in 1865, stayed until the following winter, then returned to Maine, where he remained until April, 1866; returned to Ohio, where he has since resided.  Has a farm of ninety-eight acres, on which he lives.  In a charter member of Bowersville Lodge No. 559, of Odd-fellows.  Also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.  Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bowersville, and are consistent Christians, walking humbly before God and man.  He is a local minister; has been class leader at least twelve years.  His first wife was a member of the Christian Church of North Fairfield, Maine, in which she died triumphantly, bidding the messenger of death a glad welcome.  Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have adopted two children, one of whom is living and is married; the other, Etta L. Johnson, died Feb. 3, 1877. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 847
	Cedarville Twp. - DR. J. M. STEWART, physician and surgeon, Cedarville, was born in York District, South Carolina, and immigrated to this county with his parents in an early day, locating three and one-half miles east of Xenia.  Receiving the rudiments of an education in the common district schools, he then attended Rev. Hugh McMillan's Academy, at Xenia; also a select class in mathematics, after which commenced life for himself, as a school teacher, following that profession for eight years, and again taking up the study of medicine with Dr. Martin, of Xenia, commencing his practice at Cedarville, in the year 1846, where he has remained until the present day.  The Doctor was married in the year 1848 to Rosanna Orr, daughter of John Orr, sr., whose biography appears in this work.  They have five children, all of whom are living - Martha D. (now Mrs. Ustick), Samuel L., John O., Jewett R., and Mary L.  The subject of this sketch and his wife have long been members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are strong advocates of the temperance cause. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 570
	Xenia Twp. - FRANCIS A. STEWART, musician, Xenia, born in the State of Virginia, in the year 18754, and only son of William E. and Elvira E. Stewart; received a common school education in this city, and spent his youth in Pickaway, Hardin, and Greene counties, making carriages and going to school.  Left his birthplace in 1857, and came to Ohio, remaining until 1873, when he connected himself with a concert troupe, known as the Tennesseeans (now known as Donoven's Tennesseans, who were engaged in giving concerts, the proceeds of which were for the erection of a new college building at Nashville, Tennessee, for the education of the colored race in the South), and is now tenor singer for the company.  Is a Republican in politics, and by his steady habits and economy has amassed a sufficient sum to be the owner of a fine two-story dwelling on Main Street in this city.  Is also a  member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a single man he is nicely fixed for the future. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 528
	Beaver Creek Twp. - JACOB B. STINE, retired farmer, was born in Washington County, Maryland, in the year 1803, and is a son of Matthias and Frances Stine, who were born in Pennsylvania, near Little York.  They settled in Maryland, on a farm, where they lived and died, she dying in 1805, and he in 1827.  They were parents of five children, of whom all are dead but Jacob, whose boyhood was passed on the farm, in his native county, having no opportunity of obtaining an education.  After coming to Ohio, he succeeded in obtaining a year's schooling in a house without a floor, and with a very inferior teacher.  Is a great lover of books, and all through life he has been a searcher for knowledge.  When in Maryland, in 1825, he was married to Mary Hanes, and the first year after his marriage, worked on the farm, after which he began weaving, a business he followed four years.  In 1830, he immigrated to Ohio, the journey occupying three weeks' time, and located in this township.  For several years he labored on leased land, when his accumulations enabled him to purchase eighty acres, on which he built a cabin, moved into it with his family, and began the almost herculean task of clearing up and improving his land, which, in the course of time, was accomplished.  At present, Mr. Stine owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of choice land, all under cultivation, and improved.  Three children have been born to them, Benjamin, John D., and Henrietta, the latter dying at the age of six years.  John D. is editor and proprietor of the Xenia Torchlight.  Mr. and Mrs. Stine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected since the age of twenty-seven.  Is much interested in educational matters, and has given his sons a good education, John begin a collegiate, and a talented man. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 622
	Cedarville Twp. - JAMES C. STORMONT, deceased, Cedarville, was born July 13, 1831, in Chester District, South Carolina; immigrated to this county, with his parents, when but a child; was educated in the district schools, remaining on the farm, with his parents, until the age of twenty-two years; then taught schools in the neighborhood where he lived, for a period of eight years.  Was marred Mar. 24, 1857, to Agnes McQuiston; she dying, he was again married, Dec. 24, 1861, to Miss Jennie Bradfute, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Laughead) Bradfute.  James, the subject of our sketch, was the son of John and Esther (McMillen) Stormont, a member of the Reformed Baptist Church, departing this life Oct. 23, 1877.  The people in the county in which he lived felt the loss of a valuable man and good citizen. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 571
	Bath Twp. - ISAAC STROHM, farmer, Dayton, is a native of Pennsylvania; born Dec. 11, 1810; son of Henry and Mary (LeFevre) Strohm, the former a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1769, his father dying on the voyage.  After reaching maturity he followed farming chiefly as his life's vocation.  Mary LeFevre was a descendant of the Huguenots, who fled from persecution in their native country, and came to the land of free speech, freedom of the press, and religious liberty.  Isaac Strohm was reared on the farm, and educated in the common subscription schools of that day.  Came to this state in 1835, locating in Butler County, where he taught school about eight months, and clerked at Rossville, now Hamilton, ten months, then removed to this county, and began clerking for John Kneisley, at Kneisley's mill, where he remained eight years, at the expiration of which time he built the house where he has since resided, spending, however, the greater part of his time away from home, clerking at a mill in Cincinnati, also at the Lafayette Bank for two years.  In 1850, he went to the Treasury Department, where he  remained till 1855, at which time he was allowed to withdraw on political grounds.  He was, however, the confidential clerk of Secretary Corwin, during his last three months in the Treasury Department, and is his only biographer, so far as is known.  After leaving his position, he was appointed engrossing clerk of the Thirty-Fourth Congress, which he held till the thirty-fifth came in and informed him that his politics were not of the right color; was restored at the coming in of the Thirty-Sixth Congress, and held the position of chief enrolling and engrossing clerk to the end of the first session of the Forty-Fourth Congress, sixteen consecutive years, when he was again asked to retire on political grounds, since which time he has been attending to his private affairs.  In 1841, he married Margaret Guthrie.  They are parents of five children.  Gertrude, Elizabeth, Mary E., and Harry L. are living, and Edwin deceased. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 734
	Sugar Creek Twp. - SOLOMON SWIGART, farmer, Bellbrook, was born on the old home farm, where Michael, his brother, lives, in the year 1832.  Is a son of Michael and Sarah (Ware) Swigart, whose sketch appears in this work.  Solomon was reared on the farm, and received a common education in the district schools.  In 1856 he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph Campbell, of New York, who has borne him eleven children, seven of whom are living:  Harriet, William H., Mary C., Joseph M., Albert S., Edward, and Nannie M.  The deceased are Drusetta E., Elmer E., John W., and an infant.  The same fall of his marriage he located where he now resides, and where he has since lived, owning one hundred and nine acres of land, which is mostly under cultivation, and well improved.  In connection with his farm he also runs a circular-saw mill, which proves a source of accommodation to the surrounding public.  Mr. Swigart and his wife are members of the Mount Zion Lutheran Church, with which they have been connected for any years, and are exemplary Christian people, taking much interest in religious matters.  Joseph and Drusilla Campbell settled in Bath Township, this county, about 1828.  Mrs. Campbell is living, and resides in the county.  Mr. Campbell died of cholera, in 1843.  Mrs. Swigart was born n Bath Township, in 1835.  Mr. Swigart is a Republican in politics, and has served his district in the capacity of school director.  The Campbells belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 655
	Sugar Creek Twp. - MICHAEL SWIGART, farmer, Bellbrook, was born on the place where he now lives, in the year 1827, and is a son of Michael Swigart, whose history appears in this work.  He was reared on the farm, and received an education in the common schools, which was obtained at odd times, and was rather meagre.  Michael has been  thrice married: in 1852 with Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon and Susanna Shanks, who has borne him one child.  Mrs. Swigart died in 1853, aged about thirty years.  The second marriage was celebrated in March, 1855, with Charlotta Swadner, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Swadner, of Montgomery County, Ohio, by whom he had five children, two living, Henry and Lincoln; the deceased are Charles, Wilson and Samuel.  Mrs. Swigart died in 1866, aged about thirty-four.  His third and last marriage was celebrated in 1867, with Hannah V. Rike, daughter of William and Elizabeth Patterson, of Xenia, who has borne him two children, one living, Oscar, born in Knox County, and an infant.  Mr. Swigart has lived on the place where he was born all his life.  and owns one hundred and forty-seven acres of land, all in cultivation and well improved.  Mr. and Mrs. Swigart are members of the Lutheran Church, to which they have been connected for a number of years.  He is elder of the church, and has been acting in the capacity of deacon.  During the war, in 1863, he was captain of a company of home guards.  Politically he is a Republican. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 656-657
	Sugar Creek Twp. - JOEL SWIGART, farmer, Bellebrook, was born in this township, on section 4, in the year 1820, and is a son of Michael and Sarah (Nave) Swigart; the former was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1787; he was a son of Peter Swigart, who with his family came to Ohio in 1808, and located in Beaver Creek Township.  Peter Swigart was born in Germany, and upon landing in America was sold to a planter to pay his transportation.  He was father of six children, who came with him to Greene county, in which they made homes, living here till their deceased.  Peter died about the year 1839, aged eighty-two years.  She departed this life in 1827 at an advanced age.  They were life members of the Lutheran Church.  Michael Swigart, father of our subject, was twenty-two years old at the time his father came to Ohio, and about two eyars after was married to Sarah Nave, who bore eight children, of whom four are living, Michael, Solomon, Joel and Barbara Huston, nee Swigart; the deceased are David, Elizabeth, Martha, and Sarah.  After his marriage he located in Sugar Creek Township, as before described, making a permanent home here till his decease, which occurred in Feb. 11, 1869, aged eight-three years.  She  departed this life about 1836, aged thirty-nine.  They were life-long members of the Lutheran Church, and were much interested in religious matters, he serving his church in the capacity of elder and deacon for many years.  Politically he was Republican.  Our subject was reared on the farm, and received an ordinary education in the district schools.  In 1843 he was married to Margaret Huddleston, daughter of John and Eva Huddleston, of Beaver Creek Township, who bore him five children, three of whom are living, Sarah J., Mary C., and Elmira.  The deceased are Elizabeth A., and Ida B.  Mrs. Swigart died in 1878, aged fifty-three years.  She was born in this county in 1825.  Her parents came here in an early day, living and dying where they settled.  She was a member of the German Reformed Church, to which she had been connected for several year, and was a very exemplary woman.  After their marriage they located on the place where he now lives and has since resided.  He owns one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land, mostly in cultivation and well improved, making a pleasant home.  He is connected with the German Reformed Church, of which he has been a member for a number of years.  Politically he is a Republican. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 657
	Cedarville Twp. - SAMUEL N. TARBOX, saw-mill, Cedarville, was born near Portland, Maine, Dec. 3, 1821, is the son of John and Lucy (Merrill) Tarbox.  Samuel, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, immigrated to thsi county in 1848, and married in about three years afterwards to Ruth L. Jackson, daughter of David and Nancy (Nichol) Jackson, who bore him five children, now living - Frank T., T. H., Harry L., David N., and Eliza O.  Mr. Tarbox and his wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 571
	Miami Twp. - DANIEL TAYLOR, stock dealer, Yellow Springs, was born in this county in the year 1840, on the 4th day of April; son of Isaac and Frances Taylor, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Virginia.  Immigrated to Ohio about the year 1827, with a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters.  Our subject received his education in Ross Township, spending his youth on a farm known as the homestead Sanders farm, and in March, 1863, removed to Jamestown, and in the fall of 1866 left there and went to Ross Township, on a farm known as Smith's farm; and in 1868 to the John Makin farm, where he remained till the fall of 1877, when he went to Yellow Springs.  He has filled the office of township treasurer for four years in Ross Township.  Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He was married in December, 1862, to  Miss Elizabeth Davis daughter of John and Elizabeth Davis, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Canada.  Our subject has a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter; John, Frankie, and Charles are dead; Jesse, Minnie, Jerry, and Edwin are now living.  Mr. Taylor is now living at Yellow Springs, and dealing in stock, grain, and a general trading business, and is one who is beloved by all who know him. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 705
	Cedarville - Twp. JAMES E. TOWNSLEY, farmer, and livery, born in this township, Apr. 30, 1824.  He is a son of Alexander and Margaret Townsley, who ere born in Pennsylvania - Alexander in 1788, and Margaret in 1785.  Alexander's parents emigrated to Cynthiana, Kentucky, shortly after this life in 1870.  His wife still survives him, is now in her eighty-sixth year, and one among a few of the early settlers remaining to tell us of the hardships of this country when it was a wilderness.  James, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, received his education in the common district schools, and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-seven, when he went to Iowa, and started in life for himself as a farmer in that far-off country.  Remaining in that state for thirteen years, he returned to this county, and embarked in the grocery business.  He followed that branch of trade for a number of years with success.  In the year 1851, he married Sarah A. Feree, of Washington County, Iowa.  She died in April, 1853.  But one child was born by this marriage, Ira B., who also died at the age of two and one-half years.  Again, April, 1857, he married Margaret A. Dalzell, daughter of John and Letitia Dalzell.  Four children have been born by this marriage, only one of which is now living.  The names of the deceased are Orrell, Clara B., and Bertty.  John D. is living with his parents, aged eighteen. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 571
	Ross Twp. - ISAAC TAYLOR, (Ross Twp.), farmer, Jamestown, was born on the Atlantic Ocean, near New York.  His parents were natives of Ireland, and were on their way to America when Isaac was born.  They located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, where Mr. Taylor, sen., died about forty-seven years after his arrival at that place.  Our subject was married in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and brought to where Oldtown, Greene County, Ohio, now stands, and were kept there several years, when they were rescued by some white men, and taken back to Virginia, where she lived the remainder of her life.  The marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Gilmore resulted in the birth of nine, and the rearing of five children, four having died in early life.  Magdalene, William G., John F., Daniel, and Isaac still survive.  Mr. Taylor came to Ohio in 1827, and located in Preble County, remaining there two years, and then came to this county, residing here ever since.  He has seen this country changed from the wooden, wet country, as it was when he came here, to a pleasant, fertile state, as it is now.  Mr. Taylorhas a farm of two hundred and three acres, on which he now lives, and has given his children four hundred and ninety-seven acres. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 763
	Beaver Creek Twp. - GEORGE TOBIAS, retired farmer, Zimmermanville, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1807 is a son of Peter and Barbara Tobias, who were born in Pennsylvania, where his father lived till his decease, after which his mother came to Ohio.  Mr. Tobias' days of boyhood were passed on the farm of his native county, where he obtained a limited education.  In 1822 or 1823, when only fourteen years of age he came to Zimmermanville, and followed carpentering for a number of years, then turned his attention to the farm, a pursuit he followed until he was seventy years of age.  In 1830 he was married to Catherine Durnbaugh, who bore him three children, two living, John W. and Mary C. (now Mrs. Wetzel); George, deceased.  Mrs. Tobias departed this life in January, 1878, aged sixty-nine years.  She was born in Greene County in 1808, was a daughter of John and Catherine Durnbaugh, early pioneers of this county.  She was a member of the German Reformed Church, having been connected with it for many years, and died as she had lived, relying implicitily on the promises of her Savior.  Mr. Tobias is a member of the Lutheran Church, having become so in childhood.  We find him, though farm advanced in life, quite strong and active for one of his age, yet the weight of years hang heavily upon him.  His son, John W., was a member of Colonel Stephenson's regiment, one hundred day men, served his time, and was honorably discharged. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 623
	Beaver Creek Twp. - WILLIAM TOBIAS, farmer, Alpha, was born in Beaver Creek Township, Mar. 14, 1821, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Tobias, who were born in Pennsylvania, in which state they were married.  In an early day of the settlement of this county, they located in this township.  Death came to him in the fall of 1827, when yet a young man.  Afterwards his wife was married to Mr. Swigert, and lived to the age of seventy-two or seventy-three years.  To Mr. and Mrs. Tobias, sr., six children were born, five living:  Mary M., William, Daniel, Samuel, and Catherine; Lydia, deceased.  They were members of the Lutheran Church from childhood.  William was reared on the farm, until his father's death, which occurred when he was eight years old, then lived with an uncle till past twenty-one years of age.  In 1846 he was married to Sarah Swigert, by whom he had two children, Martin and Samuel.  Mrs. Tobias died May 4, 1850, aged twenty-six years.  Jan. 29, 1852, eh was wedded to Jane Miller who has born him eight children, five living:  William A., Elizabeth and Catherine (twins), Orville, and Newton; the deceased are Calvin, Daniel W., and an infant.  After his first marriage he located in Sugar Creek Township, and rented land till 1870, when his accumulations enabled him to buy eighty-six acres of land, where he moved in 1877.  He and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected since eighteen years old; his wife joined recently.  She was formerly a member of the German Reformed Church.  He has been elder and deacon of his church, positions he has held alternately for twenty years.  Their children, with the exception of the youngest, are members of the same church. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 623
	RossTwp. JOHN TOWELL, (Ross Twp.), farmer, Grape Grove, was born in this county, May 13, 1818, and has been a resident of the county all his life.  Was married to Catharine Routh June 9, 1839, by whom he had eight children: Evestes F., Mary E., Sarah J. Eliza M., Martha J., John C., Miranda, and Catharine M., five of whom survive.  Of these, all are married except Catharine M., who is still at home with her parents.  Mr. Trowell was elected justice of the peace in 1872, and has held the office since that time, and has held all the offices of the township.  John Trowell, sen., father of John, jun., came to this county in 1810; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1821.  His wife died in April, 1880.  They were both natives of Virginia.  This county was almost an unbroken forest when they came here, and they took an active part in the labor of making this township as productive and pleasant as it now is. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 763
	Xenia Twp. - ALFRED TRADER, cashier First National Bank, Xenia, was born in this county in 1810.  A limited common school education was all that was bestowed upon him.  In 1834 he was married to Miss Lucinda Robbins, and has a family of four sons and one daughter.  He was engaged in the mercantile business with his father for a number of years.  In 1839 he was elected county treasurer, and continued in that position for twelve years.  At the end of that time he was elected cashier of the Xenis Branch Bank, and continued in that capacity after it was merged into the First National Bank of Xenia.  In 1871 he was succeeded by another party, and in 1878 was again elected to the position, which he continues to occupy at the present time.  He is a self-made man and competent to fill any business position. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 531
	JOHN & ELIZA JANE TURKINGTON, great-grandparents lived in Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, in the 1850's and 60's before relocating to Kansas in 1867.  John worked as a machinist.  They were married there in 1852 and had 5 children supposedly born there: Charles born in 1853, William Edward born in 1853, Mary Ann Elizabeth born in 1860, John D. born in 1862 and Eleanor Vanetta born in 1864. (Contributed by Larry Steen, descendants of John & Eliza Jane Turkington)
	Cedarville - Twp. - ALEXANDER TURNBULL, farmer and stock raiser, Cedarville, was born in this county, Feb. 24, 1838, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kyle) Turnbull, of whom mention is made in other parts of this work.  Alexander spent the early part of his life on the farm, with his parents.  In the year 1861 he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regiment for two years, passing through a number of engagements, during which time he was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run.  In December, 1863, he was married to Sarah J. Barber, daughter of John and Sarah Barber.  Five children have been born to them, all of whom are now living. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 572
	Cedarville Twp. - JOHN TURNBULL, farmer, Cedarville, was born near Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 17, 1801, and came with his parents to Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, at the age of nine years, riding on horseback the entire distance.  Soon after the family arrived in Ohio, he was sent, with an older brother, to Xenia Township, to cut brush and clear a small piece of ground, for the purpose of opening up a new farm.  The remainder of the family joined them in 1815, where they made a permanent home.  The subject of this sketch has been a man of great physical endurance, having been known to cut and make six hundred rails in two days, and we found him an active, energetic man at the age of eighty years.  He was married, Feb. 21, 1824, to Margaret Kyle, daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Mitchell) Kyle, whose names appear in a number of places in this work.  Again, in 1855, he was married to Margaret J. Allen, daughter of Hugh and Catharine Allen, and is the father of nineteen children, eleven of whom are now living. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 572
	Cedarville Twp. - S. K. TURNBULL, farmer and stock raiser, Cedarville, was born in this county, on the farm where he now lives, Aug. 19, 1829.  Is the son of John and Margaret (Kyle) Turnbull, who are mentioned among the pioneers of this county.  Our subject received his education in the common schools.  The house was a log cabin, with pole benches for seats, so common with all schools of those days.  In 1857, he was married to Catharine Hanston, daughter of John Hanston, a native of Ireland.  Both himself and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have four children, all of whom are now living. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 572
	Silver Creek Twp. ANDREW TURNER, farmer, is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cruzen) Turner, who were married in this county, May 28, 1819.  He was born near Cincinnati, Oct. 23, 1792, where he was reared, and from where he went to the war of 1812, in which he served as a teamster four months.  Our subject's mother was born in Virginia, Oct. 27, 1802, and died in this county, in1871.  There were nine children of this family, Andrew being the youngest one living.  He was born Mar. 11, 1843, and was married to Susanna Blass, of this county.  Four children are the result of this union - Mary E., Cora E., Carda and William G., all living.  He has a farm of seventy-five acres, on which he lives, and farms chiefly to grain.  His wife is a member of the Oak Knoll Christian Church. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 813
	Silver Creek Twp. - HIRAM TURNER, farmer, is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Beason) Turner.  His father was born in Cincinnati, May 11, 1795.  At that time there were but three houses in the place.  Mrs. Turner was born June 6, 1795.  They were married in this county, Aug. 10, 1819.  There were nine children of this family, our subject being the sixth child.  Of these, five are living.  Mr. Turner served six months in the war of 1812, and came to this county in 1815, where he died Apr. 30, 1870.  Mrs. Turner died July 16, 1845.  Our subject was born in this township, June 19, 1830, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Margaret J. Shrack, a daughter of Samuel and Abagail (McFarland) Shrack Apr. 11, 1855.  Four children are the result of this marriage:  Lorena J., who died Feb. 18, 1857, in her first year, Abbie S., Francis M., and Henry C.  Mr. Turner has a farm of fifty acres, well improved, situated two miles southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives.  His grandfather, Harkless, settled on what is now known as the Ireland farm, situated one mile south of Jamestown, when it was an unbroken forest, and when the Indians were numerous.  Mrs. Turner and children are members of the Baptist Church, with which she united at the age of fourteen.  Mr. Turner's father helped to dig the well at what is now the Galt House, at Cincinnati. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 813
	Silver Creek Twp. - WILLIAM TURNER, farmer, is a son of Levi and Mary (Sanders) Turner, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky.  They were married in this county, May 11, 1820.  there were five children from this marriage, three of whom are living, William being oldest.  Mr. Turner, sen., was born Aug. 31, 1797, and died Dec. 15, 1870.  Mrs. Turner was born Oct. 30, 1802, and is still living.  Our subject was born in this township, July 3, 1821, where he was reared, educated, and married Miss Elizabeth P. Shrack, May 3, 1855, who bore him nine children: M. Alice, James H., W. Dennison, Elizabeth J., Hulda A., Charles E., Florence E., Flora M., and Oscar, seven of whom are living.  Mrs. Turner died Mar. 30, 1872, in the fortieth year of her age.  She was a worthy member of the Baptist Church, with which she had been connected since the age of sixteen, and died triumphantly, saying, "Jesus, whom she embraced in her childhood, comforted her on her deathbed."  Mr. Turner is a well-respected citizen who is known throughout the township.  Though not compelled to do so, he hired a substitute to serve in the rebellion.  Politically, he is a Republican, and served several years as township clerk; also served one term as trustee of the township.  He is an actively engaged in the educational interests of the community.  He has a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, well improved, situated two miles and a quarter southwest of Jamestown, on which he lives. Source: History of Greene County, Ohio - Publ. 1881 - Page 813