The subject of this brief sketch is a native of Harford County, Md.  He was born April 3d, 1821, and was the fifth son of Edward and Casandra Courtney, both native of Harford County, Md.  His grand-parents were all natives of England.  He emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1827.  They located in Stark County, where all around was one vast wilderness, nine miles south of what is now known as Alliance.  He remained with his parents on the farm until the fall of 1841, when he repaired to Millersburg for the purpose of learning a trade.  He engaged with J. G. Houk as an apprenticed saddler for two years, continuing for three years after as a journeyman, whereupon he purchased the entire establishment, at which business he continued till 1858, when he began photography, to which he still adheres.  HE was united in marriage to Miss Hannah M. Shaw, who was born in Millersburg, O., May 3d, 1829, on the 3d day of June, 1847.  They have reared a family of nine children, five of whom are still living; two are married and live in Holes County: Oellaw E. to Mr. J. M. Appleton, Howard W. to Maria L. Authenridge; three remain at home.  Mr. and Mrs. Courtney are faithful members of the Disciple Church at Millersburg, O.  Mr. Courtney has been a strong supporter of the religious and educational interests of his county.

EDWARD SMITH, Esq.

     Edward Smith, Esq., was born in Frederick Co., Va., on the 6th day of January, 1819.  He moved with his parents to Jeromeville, Ashland County, O., in 1823.  From thence moved to Holmes County in 1824, where he now resides.  His first union with Miss Loticia Lee was blessed with one son.  His second with Miss Martha J. Young with three sons and one daughter.  His third with Miss Martha Young with six sons and three daughters.  He is the father of fourteen children, ten of whom are still living; four died in infancy and rest in Heaven with their sainted mothers.  Mr. Smith lives on lot 19, in Paint Valley, surrounded by his children and grand-children.  He is a faithful member of the Congregational Church, having been a class leader in the M. E. Church for fifteen years.

ROBERT JOHNSTON, Esq.

     The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1796.  In 1822 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Buchanan, of the same county.  They immediately located in Monroe Township, Holmes County, Ohio.  Here Mr. Johnston pursued the occupation of cooper and farmer, until he built the Paint Valley sawmill, which still stands on the old site, now owned by Miller & Hoy.  God has blessed them with eight children, seven of whom are still living; one in Iowa, and another in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio.  One of whom, James Johnston, the author of this sketch had the pleasure of calling upon, and must say that his hospitality is inimitable.  He had the kindness to show us eleven of the most perfectly preserved and interesting Indian relics it ever was our privilege to examine.  Consisting of the most elaborate workmanship, and tomahawks, darts, etc., forming one of the most interesting and valuable cabinets of specimens of workmanship of the red man of the forest.  These specimens were fathered by the hand of our kind host during a life of industrious yeomanry.  Mr. Andrew Johnston lives upon the old homestead with his aged mother.  In this family society has found some of her most useful members, such as surveyors, farmers, machinists, and teachers.  Mrs. Mary A. Johnston still lives upon the old homestead, blessing children and grandchildren, having attained to the ripe old age of 74 years.  May the memory of this aged couple long be cherished, and may their good example shine as a beacon light to the rising generations.

SAMUEL DAVENPORT.

     Samuel Davenport was born in Fayette County, Pa., on Mar. 19th, 1803.  He moved to Hamilton County, O., in 1820, from thence he moved to Wayne County in 1822, when 19 years of age.  He was married to Rebecca Kimerer, of Va., in 1826.  God blessed them with five children, three sons and two daughters; two boys are dead, and are resting in Heaven with their dear mother, who died in March, 1872.  There are living Jacob in Indiana, Lovina and Hannah in Holmes County, Ohio, where now resides the subject of this sketch, who has reached the age of 17 years, surrounded by his children and great-grandchildren; still enjoying a remarkable degree of physical strength, suffering, however, from a loss of sight.

CHARLES ALLISON.

     Charles Allison was born in Washington County, Pa., on May 29th, 1802.  In 1826 he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Crane, of the same county.  They moved to Holmes County, O., in 1834, on the quarter now owned by David Allison, three-quarters of a mile northwest of Centreville in Monroe Township.  Their union was blessed with seven children, one son and six daughters, two of whom are living, David and Mamie; David on lot 10 in Monroe Township, and Mamie with her aged mother in Centreville, Monroe Township.  Charles Allison departed this life in April, 1869, in his 66th year, leaving a widow and six children and a large circle of friends to mourn the loss of a faithful husband, kind father, good neighbor, and devoted Christian.

JOHN MILLER, Esq.

     John Miller was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1802.  He moved to Ohio in 1820, and located in Monroe Township, Holmes County, where he remained for eleven years.  He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Sarah Bell in December.  The following spring he located on the farm now occupied by his widow and two of his sons, William and Albert, where he lived the life of an industrious yeoman, until the great I A M called him home to reap the rewards of a faithful husband, kind father, and devoted Christian.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller were faithful members of the U. P. Church in Hardy Township for twenty-five years.  God blessed his union with the object of his choice with ten children, four of whom are still living; two in Cedar County, Iowa.  The other two live on the old homestead with their aged mother; useful members of society, industriously and faithfully pursuing the footsteps of their lamented father.

JOHN L RIGGS.

     The subject of this sketch was born in Vermont on the 27th of January, 1794.  He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Foster, on the 29th of April, 1818, in Stockholm, N. Y., by Rev. Hiram S. Johnson, of Hopkinton.  He is the father of eight children, two of whom are dead; six are still living, one in Iowa, two in Indiana, two in Ohio, and one of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Riggs entered a large tract of land situated on Black Creek, in Knox township, upon which he reared his log cabin, amid the wilderness of the western forest.  Only one or two human beings lived within miles of this pioneer's cabin.  He was a hardworking honest yeoman, working at night to earn the money with which to purchase books.  He was a teacher in public schools, and was a ready and able quoter of the Bible, a constant reader of its sacred pages, and drew daily food from it constantly.  Before his death he made the following distribution of his vast estate:  73 acres of which he willed to his adopted daughter, Mary Jane; 43 acres to Elizabeth; 66 to Richard M.; to the others he gave large sums of money at different times, thus assisting all his children to make a start in the world, reserving till his death the old homestead, consisting of 168 acres, which he willed to the grandchild, Enoch M. P. Riggs, whom he raised from infancy, who took care of him until death released him of all pain.  John L. Riggs departed this life in the 76th year of his age, on the 5th day of January, 1871.

JOHN VANCE.

     The subject of this sketch was a native of the State of Pennsylvania.  He was born in Fayette County in 1820, on New Year's Day.  From thence he moved to Ohio with his parents in1825, who settled on the farm in Knox Township, familiarly known now as the old Vance place.  He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock on the 27th of September, 1845, to Miss Mary Hughes, of Knox Township, Holmes County, Ohio, who was born on the 18th day of March, 1827.  His union with the object of his choice was blessed with six children, five daughters and one son; all of whom are still living; Sophronia A. and Lydia R. being married, and are honored and useful members of society.  Emma M., Millie J., Ida V., and Joseph all remain with their mother, who lives upon lot 3 in Knox Township.
     Mr. Vance departed this life on the 30th day of October, 1870, in his 48th year, leaving a widow, six children, and a large circle of friends to mourn the loss of a faithful husband, kind father, good neighbor, and devoted Christian.  Mr. and Mrs. Vance were faithful members of the M. E. Church in Knox Township for about twenty-five years.

NOAH COX.

     The subject of this sketch was a native of Coshocton County, Ohio; born in 1812.  In September, 1846, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to the object of his choice, Miss Susan Lepley, of Knox County, who was born in 1823.  This pioneer couple settled upon the farm now known as the old Bird farm in Monroe Township, lot 1, S. E. corner of section 3, upon which stands one of the oldest residences in Monroe Township.  Here, in this old picturesque stone castle, have gathered the aged, the young, and the gay, where joy, happiness, and peace have abounded for nearly half a century.
     In this ancient and picturesque structure, which presents to the eye of the weary traveller an appearance at once interesting and inviting, the author of this sketch found not only rest and refreshment, but congenial and interesting companionship.  Late at night we bade our host and his excellent family food night and sought a night of quiet repose, which none but a weary civil engineer knows how to appreciate.  We found the hospitality of this exemplary family irresistible.
     The union of Mr. Cox with the object of his choice was blessed with eight children, seven of whom are still living, and useful members of society.  The other one awaits the gathering of the family in that home where separation will be known no more.  Mr. and Mrs. Cox, with some older members of the family, adhere to the Protestant Methodist  Methodist Church.  God has blessed them abundantly in wealth, health, and peace.

EDWARD BEALL.

     Mr. Edward Beall was born October, 1816, in Wayne County, Ohio.  He settled in Holmes County in Monroe Township in 1843.  He was united to his present wife, Mrs. Catharine Kanaval who was born in 1831, in Lebanon County, Pa., in September, 1872.  He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living; three are sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.  Mr. and Mrs. Beall live upon the old place familiarly known as the Barton place, situated three-quarters of a mile east of Centreville in Monroe Township.

WILLIAM MURRAY, Esq.

     William Murry was born in Alleghany County, Pa., in 1828; moved to Ohio in 1833.  He was married to Miss M. J. Moreland, of Va., in 1856.  God has blessed them with six children, five of whom are living.  They are both members of the Presbyterian Church.  May they ever be prosperous, and may their children grow up useful members of society.

JOHN PHILLIPS.

     Mr. John Phillips was born April 6th, 1806, in Washington County, Pa.  He was united in marriage to Miss Hester Crane, in 1828, who was born July 20th, 1811.  They moved to Ohio in 1835, on lot 19, near Centreville, Monroe Township, when all around was one vast wilderness.  God has blessed them with nine children, four boys and five girls.  Two boys are living in Iowa, and two are dead.  Four girls are living in Holmes County, O.; the other one is resting with her brothers in the quiet churchyard.  Mr. and Mrs. Philips are faithful members of the Disciple Church.  About twenty grandchildren surround them, honoring them only as those are honored who win our respect and love by a consistent Christian life.