JAMES M. DAVIDSON.  Among the many residents of Marion who deserve notice in this volume, J. M. Davidson is most certainly to one of the least.  He is at present the efficient and accommodating agent of the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad Company, which office he has held since 1891.
     Our subject is a native of Indiana, having been born in Hagerstown, May 21, 1846.  His father was Dr. E. H. Davidson, a prominent physician of Indiana, whither he removed some time prior to 1844, from his native state, Kentucky.  He was born in Maysville, and departed this life in Celina, Mercer County, this state, in 1872, at the home of our subject.
     Mrs. Elizabeth (Daughtery) Davidson, the mother of our subject, was a native of Hagerstown, Ind., and a most estimable lady, well liked by all who knew her.  Her death took place several years prior to the demise of her husband.  She reared a family of three children, of whom James M. is the only one now living.  He was educated in the common schools of his native place, and when quite young started out to make his own way in the world.  His first move was to go to St. Louis, where he took a course in a business college.  Later, coming to Ohio, he engaged in the mercantile business, but his venture he abandoned in 1878, in order to accept a position with the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company.  Although this kid of work was very agreeable to him and one to which he seemed to be well adapted, he resigned a year later, and with others formed a company to operate a mine in Silver Cliff, Colo.  They met with the same failure which many others did who expected to gain a fortune in the West.  Returning to Ohio, he was given his former position with the railroad, with headquarters at Celina, and has been identified with various railroads in different parts of the country from that time to the present.
     In January, 1891, Mr. Davidson came to Marion and was given charge of the business of the railroad with which he is still connected.  He possesses thorough knowledge of this particular branch of business, and is popular with all the residents of the city, commanding at once their respect and esteem.  He was married, in 1867, to Miss Amelia, daughter of Oliver and Elnora Ellis.  Mrs. Davidson was born in Celina, where her father was the proprietor of one of the best hotels.  To them has been born a daughter, Carra, now the wife of A. A. Mudge.  Our subject is the Chapter Mason, and in politics never fails to cast a vote in favor of Republican candidates.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 178

WILLIAM H. DAVIS, one of the old pioneers of Hardin County, is one of the best known citizens of Dudley Township, where he has resided for over a quarter of a century.  He owns an improved farm about two miles south of Hepburn, and has devoted his mature years to its cultivation.  He was born in Logan County, this state, Oct. 16, 1830, and is a son of William H. and Mary (Johnson) Davis, the parents of eleven pursuits.
     William H. Davis, Sr., was born in Maryland, where he was reared to man's estate and obtained a fair education.  On starting out in life for himself, he came to Ohio and settled at Chillicothe, where he worked at the cabinet-maker's trade for a time.  Later abandoning this occupation, he moved to Logan County and entered land, becoming one of the first settlers.  He made him home in that locality until 1832, when he moved to Marion County, entering from the Government a large tract of land in Montgomery Township.  This he improved and lived upon until his death, which occurred soon after his sixty-seventh year.  He was very successful in his farming ventures, and was popular among the old pioneers, who elected him for three successive terms of the office of Justice of the Peace.  During the War of 1812 he served as a private in its ranks.  His father fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was killed in that conflict.  William H., Sr., was killed in that conflict.  William H., Sr., was the only child of his parents, and, being deprived of his father's care when young, was reared by his widowed mother, who gave him the best education possible.
     The mother of our subject was born in Delaware, and at the time of her decease was in her sixty-seventh year.  She was a devoted member of the Christian Church, and reared her children to lives of honor and usefulness.  Her son, William H., of this notice, remained at home until he became of age, in the mean time procuring a good fund of information by attendance at the district school.  For a time after reaching his majority, he rented and worked a part of the old homestead, but in 1853 he married and went to Appanoose County, Iowa, where he entered land.  He stay there, however, was of short duration.  After selling this claim he returned to Montgomery Township, Marion County, and purchased land, on which he lived for three years.  He then crossed the line into Hardin County, becoming the owner of a farm in the eastern part of Dudley Township.  He sold the tract in 1864, and for the following year rented land, but in the spring of 1867, however, he bought the farm on which he is now residing.  It is three hundred acres in extent, and represents his own earnings, with the exception of the forty acres which were given him by his father.
     Feb. 17, 1853, our subject and Miss Isabelle Kelley were united in marriage.  The lady was born Feb. 26, 1834, to Benjamin and Martha (Snoddy) Kelley, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania.  He was there reared and married to Miss Snoddy, and in 1830 the young couple came to Ohio and settled in Marion County, where the father worked at the cooper's trade.  He afterward removed to Hardin County, dying within her borders when sixty-six years of age.  Mrs. Kelley was also born in the Keystone State and was post seventy-one years at the time of her demise.  They were both members of the United Brethren Church, and were people greatly respected in their community.
     There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, four of whom died in infancy.  Joshua Miller was born Oct. 31, 1854, and is now a prosperous farmer of this township; Charles C. is also an agriculturist of Dudley Township; Sarah was born April 21, 1878, and is still on the home farm. 
     In politics Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and on this ticket was elected to the office of Township Trustee and Treasurer.  Himself and family belong to the Methodist Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 180

SANFORD DEVORE, who is engaged in farming the stock-raising on section 18, Liberty Township, Hardin County, moved in 1860 to this homestead, which at that time was covered with timber, but after putting up a cabin he proceeded to clear and develop a farm.  He has succeeded well in his endeavors, and the entire farm is now under cultivation and well improved.  He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Washington County, July 22, 1826. 
     Our subject's father, Jacob Devore, was born in Washington County in 1801, and in 1832 emigrated to Carroll County, Ohio, but previous to this, about 1820, he had married Miss Catherine McCartney.  In 1836 he became a resident of Columbiana County, and two years later settled in Buck Township, near Kenton.  His last years were spent in Jackson Township, where he departed this life March 25, 1858.  He was a weaver by trade and seven years apprenticeship in Pennsylvania and Wayne County, Ohio, whither his master removed.  He followed the trade for a number of years in connection with farming, and was prospered.  In early life he joined the Free-Will Baptist Church, but after coming to his state became a member of the Christian Church.  Politically he was a Whig, and in 1856 voted the Republican ticket.  His grandfather, Andrew Devore, was a native of France, and died about 1830, at the extreme old age of ninety-seven years.  He was a General in the French army, and was also a soldier of officer in the Revolutionary War.  Several of his sons were in the War of 1812, and he was known as "Old General Devore."  Our subject remembers him as a tall, powerful man, and recollects the old sword which used to hang by his bed.  When Pennsylvania was first settled, he and a brother took up a whole township (Mingo Township, Washington County), but were not allowed to take out patents on more than half of that amount.
     Joshua, the father of Jacob Devore, was born in Washington County, and died when Jacob was quite young.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Permina A. Gibson, was also a native of Washington County, and became the mother of four children.  Catherine (McCartney) Devore was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1803, and is a daughter of James and Ann (Sandford) McCartney.  The former died in early manhood, but his wife lived to be ninety-nine years, seven months and five days old.  she visited our subject's parents in Ohio when in her ninety-fifth year, and returned to Pennsylvania, where her demise occurred about 1848.  A brother and sister of Ann Sanford were captured by the Indians, and were kept in captivity for seven years.  Their father kept a mill on the Susquehanna River, near Lewistown.
     Sanford Devore is one of ten children, the others being Lewis, of Huntington County, Ind.; Joshua, who now lives in Cass County, Iowa; George, who was killed in the war; Robert, a resident of Jackson Township; Jacob, who died in the Union army during the war; Elijah, of Kosciuscko County, Ind.; James, who died in youth; and Elwood and Joseph, who dwell in Forest, Hardin County, the latter being a Mason.  Young Sanford attended school in his native state one term before coming to Ohio, and later attended subscription schools.  He worked for his father until reaching his majority, and for several summers drove stock across the mountains to the eastern markets.  Then for two years he traveled with a circus, a part of the time being with the well known old Dan Rice, and visited points in the Central States, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.  Subsequently he was employed on the Wabash Railroad for about six months, after which he was variously engaged.  For three years after his marriage he rented land in Jackson Township, but for thirty-five years he has lived on his present homestead.
     June 1, 1857, Mr. Devore and Martha M. Johnson were united in marriage.  She was born near Kenton, Apr. 3, 1837, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Johnson) Johnson, being the seventh of their eleven children.  The father was born in Virginia, whence his father, John, Sr., had moved at a very early day.  Both father and son were soldiers in the War of 1812, and the latter drew a pension until his death, which occurred in 1887.  He was then ninety-two years old, and enjoyed good health until his last year.  When he was past ninety-one he walked from Ada to our subject's residence, a distance of about three miles.  Eight children were born to our subject and his wife.  The two eldest, John and Jacob, died in infancy; Angeline died when sixteen years of age; the next in order of birth are Delana and James; then follows George, who is now a resident of Ada and operates a farm; Flora A. died in infancy; and Nanny's death occurred when she was in her fourth year.
     The father of Mrs. Devore was one of the first settlers in Hardin County, only two or three families living outside of the forts, as the Indians were still in possession.  He cut his way through the timber to Ft. McArthur and built a cabin on land which he entered as soon as it came into the market.  For a time he lived in the old fort, and to him was given the first tax receipt ever issued in the county.  A copy of this appeared in the Ada paper about 1885.  He selected property in the center of the county, as he believed that the country seat would be eventually located there.  This tract of eighty acres was situated two and a half miles north of Kenton, and after improving it he sold out and bought three hundred and twenty acres.  This land he also improved and sold, and at the time of his death he owned upwards of six hundred acres, which he gave to his children.  Mr. and Mrs. Devore are members of the Christian Church.  Our subject has always voted the Republican ticket, and has frequently served as School Director and Road Supervisor.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 469

HENRY E. DICKINSON, well known in Hardin County as an energetic, pushing young business man, is the present Cashier of the Mt. Victory Bank, the duties of which office he assumed in February, 1892.  In partnership with W. I. Witcraft, he organized the bank in 1890.  They own and occupy a good brick building and are among the leading business men of the place.  It is therefore with pleasure that we give this record of his life and tribute to his worth a place in the history of the prominent men of the county.
     Our subject was born July 16, 1857, in Logan County, Ohio, and was the fourth son of the parental family.  His parents were Louis and Mary Ann (Beck) Dickinson.  Of their household two died in infancy; Joshua N. is engaged in the wholesale medicine business business at Howland, Neb.; Adelia is the wife of J. M. Keller, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, who is engaged in the insurance business; Margaret married W. S. Mussleman, who is a traveling salesman for the Mansfield Buggy Company; St. Leger is a farmer in Oklahoma; Minnie is teaching Latin in the Normal School at Ada, this state; Ella is a teacher in the schools of Rushsylvania, Ohio, and also is a music instructor; and Robert L. is farming on the old homestead in Logan county.
     The father of our subject was born in Logan County near the city of Zanesfield.  There he was reared and spent his entire life, dying when about sixty years old.  He was successful in business, and as a genial, jovial gentleman enjoyed the highest regard not only of his own immediate circle of friends, but also of the residents of the township and county.  He was very liberal in his gifts to worthy causes, and in religious affairs was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  His parents were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Ohio, being among the very first to locate in Logan County.  The Indians at that time were very troublesome, and on one occasion burned the dwellings of the prisoners, among them being the home of the grandparents of Mr. Dickinson.  They were Quaker and made friends of all whom they met.
     The mother of our subject was also born in Logan County, and there died at the age of twenty-nine years.  She, too, was a member of the Methodist Church, and was an active and valued worker in the same.  Her father served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
     Henry E. Dickinson passed his early life upon the farm, attending the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, after which he took a business course at the Delaware College.  For some time he taught a district school, and was then engaged to give instruction in business branches in the college at Morrill, Kan.  After resigning his position there, he farmed for about four years in that state, after which he returned to his native state and established himself in the implement business at Bellefontaine.  One year later, however, we find him engaged in the hardware and implement business at Mt. Victory, where he formed a partnership with T. M. Wallace.  The latter gives his attention to carrying on the store, while Mr. Dickinson is engaged in the bank.  The latter is a reliable institution and is receiving a large patronage from the business men and farmers of this locality.  Dr. Dickinson and his partner, Mr. Witcraft, are also largely interested in real estate at Mt. Victory.  They recently made an addition to the city, and the lots are selling rapidly at reasonable prices.
     The lady to whom our subject was married, Mar. 5, 1884, was Miss Lizzie Amanda Wallace.  To them were born three children, namely: Louis, now deceased; Mary Twila and John A.  Mr. Dickinson is a stanch Republican in politics, and for some time past has been a member of the Board of Education, a position which he has creditably filled.  He is a man of broad and liberal ideas, and does all that lies in his power to upbuild his community and uphold the best interests of his many friends and neighbors.  Socially he is a member of Mt. Victory Lodge No. 693, I. O. O. F., and belongs to Diamond Lodge, K. of P., of Ridgeway.  With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is first in all good works and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 492

THOMAS J. DICKINSON, an influential and extensive agriculturist of Hardin County, owns two hundred and sixty-five acres in Hale Township, besides a tract of one hundred and twenty-six acres lying in Logan County.  Both farms are under thorough tillage, bear a full line of adequate improvements, and yield large harvests of the various cereals, to the raising of which they are principally devoted.  Mr. Dickinson is an extensive dealer in life stock, and each year makes shipments of cattle, hogs and sheep.
     The Dickinson family were originally residents of Virginia, whence the paternal grandparents of our subject removed to Ohio and settled in Logan County, becoming pioneers of that section of the state.  At that early day the population of the county consisted almost exclusively of Indians, who, being unfriendly, never lost an opportunity of destroying the homes of the white men.  The house occupied by grandfather Dickinson was burned to the ground by them, and he suffered frequent depredations at their hands.  The members of the family have been honorable and energetic, worthy of their Scotch forefathers and their Quaker principles.
     The parents of our subject, Joseph N. and Mary Ann (Corwin) Dickinson, were natives of Logan County, this state, where the former still resides, being now (1895) seventy-nine years of age.  The mother died in 1894, at the age of seventy-four.  Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom Thomas J., was the fourth.  He was born in Andrew County, Mo., Feb. 8, 1845, and was a child of four years when the family returned to Logan County, Ohio.  At the age of fifteen years he came to Hardin County, where he has since made his home.  Upon attaining his majority he began in life for himself, and his first purchase of land comprised a portion of his present farm in Hale Township.
     Nov. 14, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dickinson and Miss Caroline Bird, who has spent much of her life here, though a native of Union County, this state.  To them was granted a family of five children.  Arlie, who died when twenty-two years of age, was the wife of Edward Griffiths; she left at her death a daughter, Bessie, who makes her home with our subject.  Nelson, Emma, Delpha and Bertha are all at home.
     Mr. Dickinson is a stanch Republican in politics, and on this ticket was elected to the office of County Commissioner of January, 1894.  Socially he is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to Mt. Victory Lodge No. 583.  His wife is a member of the Methodist Church, and although our subject is not identified with any religious body, he gives liberally to the support of that congregation.  He is interested in all worthy matters that affect the welfare of his community, and is at all times willing to give to public causes.  He has many friends and leads a happy life, surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts which a good income can secure.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 523