JOSEPH PAULUCCI.  The city of Kenton contains among its representative citizens no gentleman who takes a warmer interest in its progress or aids in a higher degree the development of its material resources than he whose name introduces this sketch.  For some years identified with the railroad interests of this section, later at the head of a large banking concern, he has made it his aim, in every position he has held, to promote the welfare of his fellow-citizens and increase the prosperity of the town in which he makes his home.  He has also been largely interested in the shipment of grain.
     The Paulucci family is of Italian lineage, its members for many generations having been among the most prominent and honorable citizens of that country.  Longevity has been a noted characteristic of the family; and not only that, but its members have also been conspicuous for retaining their mental and physical powers until very advanced years.  Almost without exception, they have been men of powerful physique and commanding appearance.  Many of that name were officer's in the army, and our subject is the descendant, in the fourth generation, of the Commander-in-Chief of the Italian army.
     The grandfather of our subject, Peter L. Paulucci, was born in Italy, whence he. went to England and engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile.  His death occurred at the age of one hundred and four years.  Our subject’s father, James, was a brickmaker by trade, and was thus engaged in England.  In 1850 he emigrated to America and settled at Chatham, Canada, where he entered upon the occupation of a farmer.  He continued to reside at that place until his death, in 1868, at the age of seventy-five.  His wife, Elizabeth Simpkins, was of English ancestry, but little is known concerning the history of her family.  She died two years prior to the demise of her husband.
     There were five sons and four daughters in the parental family, and of these Joseph was fourth in order of birth.  William, who was a lacemaker in England, came to America in 1870 and settled in Belle Center, Ohio, where he remained until his death, in 1891.  Eliza was married to Matthew Thomlinson, who was a lace manufacturer at Chatham, Canada; her death occurred in 1893.  Isabella became the wife of William Oldershaw, a brickmason of Chatham. Israel, a musician by profession, is a resident of Chatham.  Elizabeth is the wife of George Munk, a farmer, whose
home is in Chatham.  Ann is Mrs. James Commode.  George A. is a pork-packer and speculator
at Chatham, and is also extensively engaged in buying and selling beans, making larger shipments of this article than anyone in the Dominion.
     The subject of this sketch was born in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, England, Nov. 6, 1823.  In his native land he learned the trade of a brick and tile manufacturer, but believing that America offered better opportunities than his own country, he emigrated hither in 1848, and secured work as a common laborer on the Big Four Railroad at Cleveland, receiving eighty cents per day.  Two years later he came to Kenton, where he was similarly employed until his promotion to the position of section foreman.  Possessing, however, the ability that fitted him for a more responsible place, he received gradual promotions, until he became roadmaster, which position he held for over twenty years, resigning about 1873.  He was repeatedly urged to resume his connections with the company, the officials saying they would pay him any salary he might ask.  While working in that capacity he built the road from London to Columbus, and rebuilt it from Springfield to London.
     Taking advantage of his knowledge of where the road was going, Mr. Paulucci purchased large
tracts of land in this locality, and during the war made a fortune in buying and selling real estate.  During this time he became identified with what was known as the Paulucci, Espey & Williams Bank in Kenton, of which he was made President.  This institution was merged into the Hardin Savings Bank, and he was continued as President.  Finally the First National Bank was established, with himself at
its head, and he continued in that responsible office for a number of years, until failing health obliged him to retire both from the railroad business and the bank.  His attention is now given to the oversight of his valuable property interests, which include considerable valuable real estate upon the public square in Kenton, property on Columbus, Franklin and Market Streets, a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres near this city, and a valuable estate of three hundred and twenty acres in Wabaunsee County, Kan.
     In the truest sense of the word Mr. Paulucci is self-made, as he rose from a very humble position in life to one of affluence.  He is strictly temperate, honest and straightforward in all his dealings, and is very charitable to those less fortunate than himself.   His marriage, in 1853, united him with Miss Margaret Julia Brown, of Belle Center, Ohio, a member of an old Virginia family.  She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in 1888, after having become the mother of seven children: James L.; George H.; Joseph P.; Emma Elizabeth, the wife of Warren Filler, of Colorado; Margaret Ann; Dora May 7, wife of H. E. Hiestand, of Kenton; and William Ray.  Though never willing to accept official positions, Mr. Paulucci may always be relied upon to support the principles of the Democracy, and in his political views he is stanch and loyal to the platform of his chosen party.
†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page

JOHN M. PEARCE.  Few men have done more for the upbuilding of Kenton and its general advancement than the subject of this notice, who has been a resident of Hardin County since 1856.  His prompt and methodical business habits, good financial talent, and tact in the management of affairs have brought him  before the public at various times, and in every position he has promoted the interests of his fellow-citizens.  The insurance business of which he is the head is one of the most extensive in the county, and has been brought to its present dimensions through his earnest and indefatigable efforts.
     Mr. Pearce was born in New Bedford, Mass., Sept. 10, 1837.  His father, Dr. Benjamin Pearce, a native of Rhode Island, was born in 1813, and was a dentist by profession.  About 1840 he settled in Memphis, Tenn., whence, in 1845, he came to Ohio, and here he is still living, his home being with our subject.  The paternal grandfather, Benjamin, Sr., was also a native of Rhode Island, and was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, having command of the troops at Ft. Adams.  He was a distant relative of Commodore Perry, of Lake Erie fame, and when the monument was built to his memory at Cleveland, the first chip off the stone was presented to the father of our subject as a souvenir.
     The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan P. Nickerson.  She was born in Rhode Island in 1817, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1884, aged sixty-seven.  Her father, Jeptha Nickerson, was a sea-faring man and was master of a packet from New York to Liverpool for seventeen years, and later navigated Lake Erie from Buffalo to Cleveland.  She has three brothers, Jeptha, George and David.  Our subject, who was an only child, received his early education at Cleveland, where his father first settled on coming to Ohio.  His studies were completed at the University of Grand Rapids in Michigan.
     Coming to Hardin County in 1856, Mr. Pearce was for fourteen years agent of the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Railroad at Forest.  In the fall of 1869 he was elected Circuit Clerk of Hardin County on the Democratic ticket, and enjoyed the distinction of being the only Democrat who ever held that office in the county.  At the expiration of his term of service he remained in the same office as deputy to his successor, William H. Fleming, and later was with Joseph Timmons, being thus engaged for nine years.  On retiring from office, he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business, which he has since conducted successfully.  From 1879 until 1882 he served as Justice of the Peace.
     In 1860 Mr. Pearce was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. B. F. Whitney, of Mansfield.  They have four children living, and lost one son, John B., who died in Colorado at the age of twenty-two years.  Frank M. is the managing partner of the Robey Tobacco Company of Kenton; Sarah R. is a resident of Mansfield, this state; Francis W. is the wife of H. S. Black, also of Mansfield; and Hugh E. is bookkeeper for the American Straw Board Factory at Middletown, Ohio.  Mr. Pearce and his family occupy a pleasant and comfortable abode on North Main Street, opposite the new Armory.  Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 121

†Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 381

†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 256

†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 500

ANDREW POE, one of the representative citizens and prominent farmers of Hardin County, is living on a fine estate in Roundhead Township.  He was born in Bracken County, Ky., May 1, 1815, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Richey) Poe.  The father was of German and Scotch descent, and the mother of Irish descent.  They became the parents of twelve children, namely: William, Andrew, Ruth, Samuel, Barbara, Mahala, Allen, David, Stephen, John, Helen and Genevieve.  Of this large family only three are now living, viz.: Stephen, Allen and our subject.  Three sons fought as soldiers during the late war and one gave up his life on the battlefield.
     David Poe was a farmer throughout life.  He came to Ohio in 1815 and settled near Circleville.  After a short sojourn there, he removed to Fayette County, locating near Washington Court House.  From there he came to Hardin County, settling in McDonald Township in November, 1832.  The same year he bought two hundred acres of unimproved land, and in order to erect thereon a little cabin for his family, he was obliged to clear a space from the thick undergrowth of brush.  This rude dwelling was built of logs and was 16x20 feet in dimensions, containing but one room and two windows.  In order that the family might enjoy more of the comforts of life and that his last years might be passed in ease, he worked hard to improve his property, and made this place his home until three yeas prior to his decease, when he moved into Roundhead.  His good wife passed away on the old homestead several years before.  He was always a hardworking man, and in the prosecution of his chosen calling met with success.  As might be expected, his education was very limited, as there were not many schools near his home; but on having sons and daughters of his own, he did everything in his power to establish good schools in his district.  He was a Democrat in politics, and religiously was connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     The original of this sketch was married, Feb. 11, 1837, in Hardin County, to Lavina Zimmerman, who was born in Ross County, this state, April 10, 1819.  She was the daughter of Andrew and Ruth (Taylor) Zimmerman, natives of Maryland, whence they removed to this state in 1812, locating in Ross County.  There Mr. Zimmerman became the owner of land on what was known as Twin Hills, and at the time of his decease was the proprietor of two hundred acres.  He became the father of fourteen children, three of whom are now living.  In religious affairs he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and took an active part in all its meetings.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Poe there has been granted a family of seven children.  William married Helen Buffenbarger and lives on a farm in this township; Milton married Laura White and make his home on a farm in Kansas; Ann Maria  is the wife of Hamilton Hill, a farmer of Roundhead Township; Geneva married Samuel Neville and they reside in Virginia; Samantha is the wife of James Smith and their home is in McDonald Township; David, who married Mollie Blair, is also farmer of this township; Douglas married Anna Bordon and is the owner of a good property in this locality.
     When beginning life for himself, Mr. Poe purchased fifty acres of land in McDonald Township, near the old homestead.  His possessions at that time included a three-year-old colt and a cow, both of which animals were given in exchange for the land.  This tract was uncultivated, and Mr. Poe made it his first duty to erect thereon a cabin.  He worked the place for one year and then sold it for $500, which transaction netted him a handsome profit.  In 1839 he moved to Roundhead Township, first buying eighty acres.  This property lay in the low lands on section 32, and in order to improve it Mr. Poe built a cabin for his family, 16x20 feet in dimensions, and then gave his attention to clearing the timber from the place.  He was enabled to improve about ten acres each year, and when this was done added to his estate, until now it includes three hundred and eight acres of some of the finest land in the county.  Wild game at the time he located here was very plentiful and although the family often suffered for other articles of food, yet they were always supplied with fresh meat.
     In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat; but has never aspired to official honors, although having been prevailed upon to serve as Township Supervisor and School Director.  During his incumbency of the former office, he laid out roads, built bridges, and in other ways performed the duties of Supervisor and School Director.  During his incumbency of the former office, he laid out roads, built bridges, and in other ways performed the duties of Supervisor in a satisfactory manner.  Mrs. Poe is a Presbyterian in religion and in this denomination has been a faithful worker for many years.
†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 147