J. B. DART, who is one of the successful and honored agriculturists of Peru township, Morrow county, Ohio, and who has passed nearly his entire life in this section of the Buckeye State, is well deserving of consideration in this connection.
     He was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 7, 1828, the son of Chauncey Dart, who was a native of Connecticut, and whose death occurred in 1838.  But little is known of his personal history or of his antecedents, though it is supposed that the family was of Scotch origin.  Chauncey Dart married Elizabeth Babcock, who was a native of Onondaga county, New York, where she was reared to mature years.  Her father was a native of the old Empire State, and the family had been long residents of that State.  The parents of our subject were married in their native State, and continued their residence there for a number of years.  They were the parents of seven children, ––four sons and three daughters, of whom we enter the following brief record: Russell is a resident of Illinois; Jonathan B. is the immediate subject of this review; Celinda is deceased; Alonzo is a resident of Peru township, this county; Florilla is the widow of the late Dennis Stanton, of Columbus, Ohio; Chauncey is a resident of Illinois; and Harriet is deceased.
     Our subject was the second child, and was but two and one-half years of age when his parents came to that part of Delaware county that is now incorporated in Morrow county, ––this removal taking place in 1830.  The family took up their abode in the sylvan wilds of Westfield township, where the father built a log house, and where he lived until the hour of his death.  In politics he was a Democrat, and was a man of considerable prominence in the pioneer locality.  The mother lived to attain the age of sixty-eight years, having been a zealous and consistent member of the Baptist Church.
     At the time of the death of Chauncey Dart the family comprised seven children, and the care of them devolved upon the widowed mother.  The eldest child was but thirteen years of age at the time and the youngest was a mere babe.  Our subject remained with his mother until he was thirteen years of age, when he courageously started forth to work for himself and to aid in the support of his mother and the younger children.  His first work was with William Brundage, and for his services he received $4 per month for six months.  He then worked two months for another man and received as his pay the making of a new suit of clothes.  His schooling was meager in extent, as he was able to attend the district schools through the winter months only.  During these months he worked for his board and it is interesting to note that he paid 18 cents for his first winter’s educational discipline.  Mr. Dart continued to work by the month for some few years, and the wages he received during his last service in this way was at the rate of $8 per month.
     In the fall of 1843 our subject was apprenticed to learn the harness and saddlery trade, in the city of Delaware, and in this line he served for three and one-half years.  His first work as a journeyman was performed at South Woodbury, Ohio, and after this he went to New York and was employed at his trade in his native county for two years, after which he engaged in business for himself, carrying on the business successfully for a period of eight years.  Thereafter he returned to Morrow county, and was here engaged in working at his trade for ten years.  At that time he was established in a diminutive log house located on the same farm which he now owns and occupies.  He walked to and from Ashley each day to attend to his work.
     In 1850 Mr. Dart was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Swatman, who was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1830, which year was that which marked the emigration of her parents from England to America.  She remained in her native county until she had attained the age of sixteen years.  She was a devoted companion and true helpmeet to her husband during the long years of their married life, her death occurring July 28, 1893.  Our subject and his wife were the parents of one son, Frederick A., who married Charlotte Baldwin and who has one daughter, Hazel.  They reside on a seventy-five acre farm belonging to our subject, in Peru township.  In addition to the farm just noted our subject owns in his home place 100 acres, the farm being under effective cultivation and thoroughly well improved.  He has conducted his business according to correct and progressive methods and has been prospered in his affairs.  He is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being trustee of the lodge at Ashley.  In politics he renders an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, and at the present time he holds official preferment as Trustee of Peru township.  He is a stockholder in the co-operative creamery at Ashley, and is president of the corporation.  A man of marked intelligence and much force of character, and one whose honor is beyond questioning, Mr. Dart holds as his own the respect and confidence of the community.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 421-423
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

BYRON DAVIS, a well known and highly respected farmer of Franklin township, Morrow county, Ohio, was born in Richland county, this state, August 12, 1846, a son of Thomas J. and Caroline M. Davis.
     Thomas J. Davis, a native of the “Keystone state,” born December 4, 1821, left Pennsylvania when he was eighteen years of age and came to Ohio, making settlement near Fredericktown.  Here for a time he rented and leased land, and finally he bought a two acre tract near Hagerstown.  By hard work and careful economy he saved enough money with which to purchase eighty acres of land in Richland county.  This gave him a start.  Then he bought, developed and sold other tracts, and in 1890 bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Franklin township.  In his youth he took advantage of his educational opportunities and was more or less of a student all his life.  In addition to conducting farming operations, he taught school for a time at Woodbury.  On December 4, 1845, he married Miss Caroline Hipsley, daughter of Caleb and Charlotte Hipsley, natives of Maryland and pioneers of the Western Reserve.  Her maternal grandfather ––Grandfather Nelson–– was a noted Methodist minister in early days.  It was in 1830 that the Hipsley family crossed the mountains on their way to the new home in Ohio, the journey being made in a covered wagon.  Arrived in Knox county, the elder Hipsley purchased a hundred acres of land near Fredericktown, where he settled and prospered exceedingly.  His children were George, Elizabeth, Caroline M., Hannah and Lottie America, all now deceased.
     Caroline M. Hipsley was born September 19, 1823, in Frederick City, Maryland, and was a child of nine years when the family came to Ohio.  After her marriage to Thomas J. Davis they resided for a time in Richland county, coming from there to Morrow county, which was ever afterward their home.  To their union were born four children, namely: Byron, whose name introduces this review, and Henry R., George and Mary, all deceased, Mary having died in infancy.  Henry R., the youngest son, was drowned while bathing in the river at Delaware in June, 1883.  He was twenty-four years of age, and at the time of his death was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University.  George lived to be forty-two years of age and died at home February 27, 1900.  The father died after a lingering illness, December 29, 1890.  He was buried in the Baptist cemetery.  The remains of the son Henry R. who was interred at the “Shauck” cemetery near Johnsville, were brought from there and placed by the father’s side at the same time
     Mrs. Davis died February 28, 1911, aged eighty-seven years.
     Her own testimony was that she was converted to God one Sabbath on her way to Sabbath school and united with the church when fourteen years of age.  It was her delight to hear the word of God expounded, and on the occasion of pastoral calls she was always very appreciative of the comfort and counsel given.  She had the adornment of a meek and quiet spirit, refined and purified through much tribulation.  Her later years were passed amidst comfortable and happy surroundings, and, mellowing in experience with the increase of her years, when the end came she was as a shock of corn, ready for the garner of God.  At home in the midst of her family she had much peace, and her very last years were filled with delight in the possession of her grandchild who was named for her.  Besides her son and his family, there were twenty-four neices [sic] and nephews on both sides who share in their sorrow.
     Byron Davis and Verna V. Watson were united in marriage December 31, 1903, and they were the parents of one child, Mary Caroline, born July 13, 1907.  Mrs. Byron Davis was born January 22, 1880, a daughter of William and Rosanna (Elder) Watson, who reside in Perry township and aged, respectively, seventy-one and sixty-four years, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 663-664
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Washington Twp. –
J. M. DAVIS, farmer; P. O., Iberia Station; was born in Greene Co., Penn., June 12, 1829; his father was engaged in farming in that State, came to Ohio in 1831, and settled immediately in Washington Township, Morrow Co., on the land where Mr. Davis now resides.  Mr. Davis has spent his entire life on this farm; he was married Nov. 15, 1849, to Elizabeth Dalrymple, whose early home was in Gilead Tp.; they have had four children, three of whom are living -- Harriet Louisa, was born Sept. 4th, 1850, (is now the wife of Wilber B. Thomas, and is living in the vicinity;) Mary Jane, born Aug. 28, 1852, and died June 14th, 1875; George Melville, born Aug. 29, 1856; (married Miss Rosa Sheffer, and is living on apart of the home farm,) and William Curtis, born Oct. 22, 1859; Mr. Davis has interested himself somewhat in politics; he is Democratic, preferring to vote for men of character, rather than follow strictly partisan principles.  For several years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, which office he has employed to keep the peace, harmonizing discordant elements, without allowing them to come to trial; such a character is very desirable in any community, and renders its possessor worthy of preferment.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 745-746
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
DR. J. W. DAVIS, physician; Shaucks; is the only son of John and Sarah J. (Wickersham) Davis.  He was born in Adams. Co. Ohio, April 15, 1853.  He assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, going to the public schools of his neighborhood until he was eighteen years old, when he became a clerk in a store at Locust Grove, where he remained about two years.  In the fall of 1873, he entered the Commercial Department of the West Geneva College at Logan Co. Ohio, where he graduated in the spring of 1874, when he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. L. Wright, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, attending lectures at the College of Indiana located at Indianapolis; on his return he became a partner with Dr. Wright, which lasted until the fall of 1875, when Dr. Davis retired to enter the P. M. College of Cincinnati, from whence he graduated Feb. 20, 1876; he first located at Carey, Wyandott Co., O., where he remained about one year, and afterwards for a brief period at Mexico, O.; he located in his present office at Johnsville, in Oct., 1877, where he has a good practice in Morrow and adjoining counties; June 5, 1877 he was married to Laura A. Meckley, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hosler) Meckley, born Jan. 1.6, 1859, in Troy Tp., of this county.  Dr. Davis and his wife are both members of the Evangelical Association at Haldemans; his parents were both natives of Adams Co., O.; they were married Feb. 17, 1852, by Rev. Huston; his mother, Sarah J. Davis, departed this life Jan. 22, 1855, aged 20 years and 6 months, leaving our subject, the only child; his father again married Elizabeth Sharp, Nov. 18, 1856; of this marriage seven children have been born -- Edwin, Sarah Belle, Rhoda, Mary, William, Milton and Leonidas; they lived in the path of John Morgan’s raid, in 1863, and the Doctor, then a lad of ten years, was out plowing when three rebels came up and demanded the team; but our subject not willing to be interrupted, said to the near horse, “get up Joe,” but when a revolver was presented he reconsidered their request, and said: “Whoa! Joe;” they took three horses, which were never recovered, and when his father came home and found them gone he was very indignant, and snatching his gun he followed them to his father’s porch, when two of the “raiders” came up, leading a valuable grey horse; they asked why he had his gun and told him to go home; he said he would show them leveling his gun, they fled in great haste, leaving the horse which they were leading; but they soon returned in numbers, and Mr. Davis sought refuge in a corn field near by, which they were surrounding, and as he fled to the woods the fired seven shots at him; some of them were so near that he could hear the whizzing of the balls; he passed on through the woods just as the main army passed along; they came so near that he was obliged to he flat upon the ground; in the haste with which he made preparations in starting out, he filled one of his pockets loosely with powder, and now, as he lay prone in a rut filled with water, the powder in his pocket became thorough saturated.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 806
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
MRS. SARAH DAVIS, widow; P. O. Chesterville; is the daughter of David James; born in Pembrookshire, South Wales, and Elizabeth (Breeze) James, born in 1791 in the same country. They were married in Pennsylvania, and soon after came to the Welch Hills, Licking Co., this State, and in 1816 settled where Mrs. Davis now resides, and here endured the trials of going to mill on horseback, attending church barefooted, etc. The father began preaching in the Baptist Church, and continued for fifty years. They had ten children; Elizabeth and Sarah are the only survivors, and live together. The father died in 1862, and the mother in 1855; she was a church member since she was 16 years old; Sarah was born May 5, 1817, and in her girlhood days attended school in the log cabin; she was married in 1839 to David P. Davis, a son of David and Margaret (Pugh) Davis. He was born May 2, 1816, in Wales, and came to Ohio when a boy, and learned carpentering and cabinet making; after marriage he farmed, and died in 1845. They had two children -- Lafayette enlisted in Co. F, 136th O. N. G., and died in the service. Luther enlisted in Co. E, 121st O. V. I., in which he also died. She owns eighty-five acres of well-improved land, the greater part of which she has obtained since her husband’s death by her own careful management; she manages the same by hiring the work done, and makes a good profit; she and her husband united with the Baptist Church at an early day, in which she takes deep interest. Her sister Elizabeth, who lives with her, is also a member of the same church; they can both remember going to church barefooted, as a case of necessity, and also riding to mill on a packsaddle.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 596-597
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
BRADFORD DAWSON, of House & Dawson, millers; Mt. Gilead; was born in Waterford, Knox Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1846, and lived there until he was 12 years of age; he then went to Chesterville, Morrow Co., and lived with his brother, George A., who carried on the flouring mill there; he worked in this mill until 1863, when he and his brother, Robert T. (the latter at that time being in the army) bought a half interest in the mill, and upon the death of Robert T., in front of Atlanta, Bradford became a full half partner, the firm being G. & B. Dawson; they continued in Chesterville until 1867, and in 1868 located in Cardington, doing business there under the same name, until 1869, when Bradford moved to Marysville and engaged in the livery business; also, holding stock in a joint stock mill at Cardington; upon the completion of the building in 1870, he and his brother occupied the same, and milled there until 1875, when he traded his interest for a mill in his native town of Waterford, and conducted the same until 1877, when he came to Mt. Gilead and entered upon his present partnership.  Sept. 9, 1864, he married Miss Abbie F. Cramer, who was born in Chesterville. They have one child, Albert B., born April 27, 1868.  In May, 1864, Mr. Dawson enlisted in the 136th O. V. I., and served for four months, when the command was discharged. His parents, Turner and Lucinda (Tole) Dawson, were natives of Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, Va. They were married in Virginia and moved west to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and later to Waterford, where he died in the fall of 1847. In 1858 Mrs. Dawson married Mr. Wm. Levering, who died in 1864, and she died in Cleveland, Ohio, while on a visit, in 1875.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 530
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
GEORGE A. DAWSON, miller, Cardington. Of those citizens of Cardington who have succeeded in their respective business enterprises, we must necessarily include the name of George A. Dawson. He was born in Fauquier Co., Va., Feb. 28th, 1836. His parents, Turner and Lucinda (Tolle) Dawson, were natives of Virginia, where they were married, and lived until 1837, when they removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where Mr. Dawson, Sr. took charge of the “Norton Mills” of that place. At the expiration of two years he was offered, and accepted the superintendency of the “House Mills” of Mt. Gilead. After remaining in Mt. Gilead two years he returned to Knox Co., and look charge of the mills at Waterford, where he remained until his death, June 4, 1847. His wife died Nov. 14, 1875. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. The father was an industrious, intelligent man, whom every one respected and trusted. George A. Dawson was but eleven years of age when his father died; he had received but a meager education, and thus left at an early age to look out for himself, the energy that has been a prominent characteristic of his life, manifested itself. He remained in the mill his father had been running, and although but eleven years old, had almost sole charge of it. After some time he entered the employ of a Mr. Walters, in a mill situated on Owl Creek. He remained with him until twenty-two years of age, and was married to Miss Minerva Bright, March 5, 1857, who was born in Knox Co., O., Sept. 20, 1834, and died Sept 30, 1871. From this union there were two children -- John and Mary. In 1858 he came to Chesterville, Morrow Co., and purchased the Lord Mill of that place, which he ran ten years, and then sold out and came to Cardington, and with others built the Steam Flouring Mills of that place. He now owns a one-half interest in both the steam and water mills of that place, and is one of the most practical millers in central Ohio. For years after his father’s death he gave all his earnings to his mother, to help support the family, and at the time of his marriage he had not a dollar he could call his own; but his energy and close attention to business has placed him in the front rank of affluent and enterprising citizens of Cardington. He has filled with honor to himself and lasting benefit to those for whom he has labored, numerous positions in the township and city government; he is a staunch Republican. He was united in marriage with Maggie S. Ocker, Apr. 7, 1875. She was born in Cardington Tp., Morrow Co., Feb. 3, 1847.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 571
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Perry Twp. –
MATTHIAS DEISCH, harness manufacturer; is the son of Matthias and Alma (Rapp) Deisch.  The name of Matthias Deisch has been handed down front father to son for five generations.  Our subject was born in the town of Fluorn, Wurtemberg, Germany Oct. 24, 1818; he was carefully educated in the schools of his native Kingdom from his sixth to his fourteenth year, being catechized in the Old Lutheran Church.  His father died when he was fifteen years old, and he was hired on by his guardian to work on a farm for one year; he was then apprenticed to learn harness-making, giving two and a half years’ labor and $55 in money besides.  The “boss” under whom he served was very exacting and required his apprentice to work from four o’clock in the morning until ten and some times one o’clock at night.  He sailed from Bremen May 20, 1837, and after a prosperous voyage of seventy days, he arrived at New York in August; His passage cost $34; he remained in the metropolis only three days when he went to Schenectady and found employment on the Erie Canal, where he worked about one month; he next worked on a farm near Moorsville, New York, about two months; from there he next found work on the railroad near Catskill about six weeks; then he worked at his trade in Cairo some thing over a year, when he went to Butler Co., Penn., and sojourned about eighteen months; Mr. Deisch came to Belleville, Ohio in the fall of 1839, and Sept. 19 he begat work in the shop of Ephraim Walter, where he worked until 1842; he was married to Naomi Hill, of Belleville, Dec. 3, 1840; he carried on a shop of his own in for some time; in the fall of 1843 he came to Johnsville, where he has resided ever since, Jan. 20, 1849, his shop burnt in the night with a total loss of contents and all; by his energy and perseverance it was soon rebuilt.  Jan. 1, 1860, he was appointed Postmaster at Johnsville, which position he held until May 10, 1875.  At twelve o’clock, June 14, 1865, he left his home in America for a visit to the scenes of his childhood; his route lay from New York to Queenstown, Ireland, which was accomplished in eleven days; from there to Liverpool, London, Paris, Strasbourg, and reached Fluorn, his native town, at ten o’clock p. m., July 4.  Thus our traveler, after an absence of twenty-eight years beheld his native home when his loved and adopted land was celebrating its independence, and at last in glad paeans of joy, proclaiming all men free and equal.  After remaining about six weeks to settle up his father’s estate, he returned by the way of Harvre, and reached New York after an ocean voyage of seventeen days; he is a devoted member of the United Brethern in Christ, in which he has held the offices of Trustee, and is Steward at present; he has performed the duties of Sexton for twenty-four years.  His wife, Naomi Deisch, was born in Fredericktown, Sept. 1, 1821; she died April 5, 1873.  Six children were born to them -- Martha A. was born Dec. 28, 1843; Amanda, Feb. 2, 1848; James S., Jan. 9, 1852; E. Clark, Oct. 22, 1859; Sarah E., Jan. 15, , 1842, died Feb. 3, 1877; Laura A. died in infancy.  Mr. Deisch was married to Elizabeth Starter, Oct. 1, 1875; he still does a thriving business at harness-making, and is able to furnish from his stock the finest and most durable kinds of work at most reasonable rates.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 806-807
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

SAMUEL DEMUTH, a farmer of Cardington township, is a son of John Demuth, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania.  He located on an unimproved farm in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1820.  He was married in Pennsylvania to Magdalena Wimmer, a native also of Bucks county, and a daughter of Philip Wimmer, a soldier in the Revolutionary war.  Mr. and Mrs. Demuth had seven children, four sons and three daughters, and four are now living: Samuel, the subject of this sketch; John, a resident of Circleville, Ohio: Jacob, of Cardington; and Daniel, also of Circleville.  The parents were members of the Lutheran Church, and both died in Pickaway county.
     Samuel Demuth was born in that county April 20, 1820.  He received his education in the district schools, also spending one term at Granville, and, after completing his education, taught thirteen terms.  After his marriage he located at Adelphi, Ross county, Ohio, where he worked at the blacksmith’s trade, and was also proprietor of a hotel.  Seven years afterward he purchased a farm in Hocking county, this State, and in 1860 came to his present farm of 240 acres, all of which is under a fine state of cultivation.  Mr. Demuth has served as Trustee, Justice of the Peace three terms, and School Director of Cardington township, and is identified with the Republican party.  He began life as a poor boy, and, although afflicted with asthma, has made all he now owns by hard labor and economy.
     November 6, 1842, Mr. Demuth was united in marriage with Harriet Patterson, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 9, 1820, a daughter of John Patterson, an early pioneer of Ross county.  To this union have been born eight children, viz.: Robert B., a soldier in the Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died at St. Louis, Missouri, while in the service; John, a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteers, also died in service, at Louisville, Kentucky; Smith, of Westfield township; Otto, Martin, and Samuel, at home; and two deceased in infancy.  Mr. and Mrs. Demuth have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty-five years, in which the former was Class-leader for fourteen years.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Cardington, has been a member of the Odd Fellows’ order since 1848, and has passed all the chairs in the latter lodge.
     Smith, eldest son of Samuel Demuth, was born at Ade1phi, Ross county, Ohio, February 16, 1849.  In 1860 he came with his father to Morrow county, and spent two years in a dry-goods store in Cardington, spent the following year in the West, and then taught school in this county one year.  In October, 1873, he entered the United States Navy as a “Blue Jacket” for eighteen months on the Roanoke.  Mr. Demuth afterward served as schoolmaster on the United States flagship, Minnesota, in New York harbor, his duties having been to teach the boys the common branches and drill them in all departments of seamanship on board the ship.  His time expiring July 20, 1876, he returned home, and taught school the following year in Westfield.  After his marriage he was engaged in the sewing-machine business two years, and then, in partnership with Mr. White, began the raising of Percheron horses, in which he still continues.
     Mr. Demuth was married, in 1877, to Miss Harriet White, a daughter of J. M. White, a prominent and early pioneer of Bennington township, Morrow county.  He had two daughters, ––Mrs. Lovenia Dickey and Mrs. Demuth.  Mr. and Mrs. Demuth are the parents of three children, ––Josephine, Roy, and Marie.  They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Demuth is identified with the Populist party, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 268-269
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
DR. A. B. DENISON, physician; Shaucks; son of Benjamin and Eunice (Williams) Denison; was born March 9, 1837, in Susquehanna Co., Penn.  He lived on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education until he was fifteen, when he entered a general store as clerk, where he remained until he reached his majority.  In 1858 he left the store and engaged in lumbering and farming for three years, at the expiration of which time he entered upon the study of the profession, for which nature has so eminently fitted him, in the office of Dr. T. C. Denison, of Mehoopeny, Wyoming Co., Penn. Here he remained one year, making careful preparation for the course of lectures which he attended in the Medical Department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, in the fall of 1862.  He returned to Mehoopeny, and practiced with success until September, 1865, when he came to Johnsville, and practiced until November of that year, at which time he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated Feb. 26, 1867.  He returned to Johnsville, where he has built up an extensive practice in Morrow, Richland and Knox counties.  Dr. Denison has gathered a fine collection of Professional Works, of which he is a close student.  He began life with few of this world’s goods, and has gained a handsome competence.  His success in practice is largely due to his comprehensive reading, quick perception and sound judgment.  He united his fortunes with Mary J. Ross, Sept. 2, 1867.  She is a daughter of Benjamin Ross, of Mehoopeny, Penn.  They have one son -- Adam B., born May 29, 1868.  The Doctor’s father, Benjamin Denison, was a Physician; died in February, 1837, leaving family of nine children -- John W., now a Physician at Mehoopany; Elizabeth, deceased, was wife of R. T. Stevens, and leaves a family; George M., died in 1866, in Pennsylvania; C. G., a merchant at Corning, New York; Eunice, now Mrs. R. T. Stevens; T. C., a Physician at Mehoopeny; Lewis B., died at the age of 18; Ann, died when young, and A. B., subject of these lines.  Dr. Denison is a member of Mansfield Lodge, F. A. M.; also the Mt. Gilead Chapter.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 805
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
J. L. DENMAN, farmer; P. O. Chesterville. The subject of this sketch descended from a long line of distinguished ancestors, all tillers of the soil. He was born January 17, 1815, in what is now Morrow Co., and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Trowbridge) Denman. His father was born June 23, 1776, and his mother on July 18, 1782, both in Sussex Co., New Jersey. They were married Oct. 11, 1800, and moved to Pennsylvania, and there farmed six years; and then in 1806 they came by team to the lonely wilderness of Morrow Co., and entered a farm of Government land, the deed to which was signed by President Thomas Jefferson. Here this old pioneer couple enjoyed the society of the Indians, who would bring animals’ skins filled with honey and cranberries, to trade them for meal and salt. Of course they started life in an old cabin, and their first dishes were chipped from a log of wood. The father served as a justice of the peace for sometime. He would work on the farm during the day, and at night cooper and watch the Indians. Several little reminiscences are mentioned, among which we relate the one in which he was awoke by the dog, and took his gun and determined to investigate the trouble, and in one moment would have killed a neighbor, who happened to cough, and who was coming over on some business. As they will be mentioned prominently in the township’s history, I will omit the rest here. They had eleven children -- Elizabeth, born - Aug. 26, 1802, died 1810; Sallie, July 10, 1804; Phoebe, March, 1806; William, Sept. 18, 1808; Lavina, March 19, 1811; Daniel, Feb. 6, 1813; Joseph L.; Juliana, April 30, 1817; Polly, Sept. 2, 1819; Minerva, Oct. 15, 1821; Marilia, Feb. 27, 1826. When the father of Mr. Denman came through Mt. Vernon in 1806, he was offered twelve lots on what is now Main street, for a pony he had, but far west he was going. Our subject attended school in the old log school houses, and worked on his father’s farm in his younger days. He was married in 1837, to Anna, daughter of Simon and Susannah (Abbott) Wright. Her father was raised in Vermont, and her mother in Connecticut. They came to Licking Co., Ohio, in 1816, and there died, leaving ten children. One died while young.  Seth, born Jan. 22, 1792; Hiram, July 25, 1802 -- both of whom were in the war of 1812 with their father, who was Major; Sallie, July 5, 1805; Wait, July 20, 1807; Robert P., Aug. 26, 1809; Polly, Apr. 5, 1813; Martha, May 3, 1815; James N., Feb. 20, 1818; Anna, March 11, 1821. Her parents were Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Denman settled on the present farm of 200 acres, obtained by buying out the heirs of his father. It is one of the finest farms in the county, being well watered and finely adapted to stock-raising, to which he pays the most of his attention -- having now a fine lot of Spanish merino sheep and Abdallah horses, and fine cattle and hogs. They have had six children -- Susannah, (now Mrs. S. J. Trusdell); Joseph, Livonia, deceased 1871; William, deceased 1854; Davis M. and Daniel T.  Mr. Denman has served his share of township offices. He and wife are exemplary members of the Old School Baptist Church, to which his parents belonged.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 598-599
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

JOSEPH S. DENMAN. ––The growth and prosperity of our country is largely due to that class of sturdy manhood and womanhood whose lives of industry, honesty and thrift have merited for them the honored position of “Builders of our Commonwealth.”  Prominent among this class we find the name of Denman.
     Joseph S. Denman, farmer and stockman, was born on the 22nd of December, 1844, the place of his nativity being Morrow, Ohio.  He is a son of Joseph L. and Anna M. (Wright) Denman, both of whom were born and reared in the old Buckeye state.  The name Denman originated from a term given them by the English, who called them “Dane men” because they came from Denmark.  They trace their ancestry back as far as the year 1620, at which time John Denman and Judith Stoughton, the latter of England, were married.  The son of this worthy couple, by name John, sailed in the ship Dorset, via the Bermudas, to America in 1635.  His destination was Boston, where Israel and Thomas Stoughton, brothers of Judith, resided.  John Denman 1, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was the original progenitor of the Denman family in America and he became the father of three sons, John Philip and William.  John II went to Long Island and there purchased land of the Indians, near Newton, Queen’s county, Long Island, in 1662.  He married Mary Gannaugh, of Long Island, and they had three daughters and four sons, namely: Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, and William, Philip, Thomas and John III.  John III wedded Mary Williams; Philip II married Mary Crane; and William III married Prudence of Springfield, New Jersey.
     In a family of six children––four sons and two daughters, Joseph Denman was the second in order of birth and of the number William died in infancy; Daniel is a minister in the Missionary Baptist church at Oak Park, Illinois; and the others were David, Suzanna and Lavonia.  In his youth Joseph attended the district school at Fairfield, Ohio, and later he was graduated in the high school at Chesterville.  He fitted himself for teaching and proved very popular and successful in that line of enterprise.  He was very well known as a good disciplinarian and was always in demand by the school boards, having devoted fully twenty years to pedagogic work.  He was united in marriage, April 8, 1867, to Miss Anna E. Thomas, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Thomas, of Chester township, Morrow county, Ohio.  She was born on the 31st of July, 1848, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children, namely: Enoch, Zacharia, James, John, Orlando, Mary J. and Anna E.
     After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Denman resided for one year at Galion, Ohio, but they had been residents of Chester township twenty years ere they moved to Galion, from which they went to Roanoke, Virginia, in which place they retained their home for a period of sixteen years.  In 1902 Mr. Denman returned to Ohio and at the request of his sons purchased the old Denman homestead, which has been in the possession of the Denman family for one hundred and five years in succession.  Mr. Denman has an old family Bible which was published in 1802.  The Denman estate, comprised of one hundred and fifty acres of most arable land, is eligibly located southeast of Chesterville and affords a fine proof of intelligent application and practical industry.  The son William recently installed an air pressure water system in the basement of the house, thus supplying both the house and barn with an abundance of flowing spring water.  The fine substantial buildings located in the midst of well cultivated fields lend an air of thrift and prosperity to the place, which are in harmony with the practical industry of the owner.  Mr. Denman during his active career has devoted most of his time to diversified agriculture and the raising of high-grade stock but now he confines his endeavors to a general supervision of the farm, his sons attending to the more arduous duties thereof.
     Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Denman became the parents of eight children: Josephine, Ludlow, Susie (deceased), Bertha, Allie, Arthur, Earl and William.  Bertha and Allie are both married and they reside in Virginia; Arthur married Miss Susie Boner and they maintain their home in Trumbull county, Ohio; Earl married Miss Mamie Truesdale and resides at Fredericktown, Ohio, where he is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and they have four sons, Clarence, Joseph, James and Robert; William was united in marriage on the 5th of October, 1909, to Miss Aleta Weaver, of Sparta, Ohio.  Mrs. William Denman is an accomplished and an unusually attractive young woman and her gracious personality makes her exceedingly popular in the best social activities of the community.  She was afforded an excellent education in her girlhood days and for a time was a decidedly successful student in the Art School at Cleveland, where she became very adept in landscape and china painting.  She is a daughter of Henry and Minerva (Modie) Weaver, of Sparta.  Henry Weaver was an eminently successful business man during his life time and in addition to a number of other important enterprises he was the owner of the Tile Works at Sparta.  He was a member of the Ohio State bar and engaged in the practice of law and for many years was notary public.  Being of sterling character and a man of the strictest honor, he was frequently retained as counsel by those whose cause demanded justice; he never countenanced an unjust cause.  He and his wife are residents of Fredericktown, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Weaver had two children, Aleta, who is now Mrs. William Denman; and Claude, who married Miss Emma Parker, a trained nurse in the city of Philadelphia.  They now reside in Westchester, Pennsylvania.  Mr. and Mrs. William Denman reside at the old Denman homestead with the subject of this review.
     Joseph S. Denman and his wife are devout members of the Pisgah old school Baptist church and they are also members of the Grange.  They are substantial and popular citizens in this section of the state, where they are held in high regard by all with whom they have come in contact.  They have ever endeavored to instill into the minds of their children those principles of honor and those ideals which are so essential in this twentieth century citizenship.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 645-647
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

WILLIAM DENMAN, a farmer of Chester township, Morrow county, is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Rose) Denman.  The father was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1777, a son of William Denman.  The maternal grandfather of our subject, James Butler, was born in the State of New York, and served three years in the Revolutionary war.  Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Denman came to Ohio in 1838, locating on an unimproved farm two miles west of Chesterville.  The mother departed this life March 24, 1862, and the father July 17, 1859.  During the later years of their lives they made their home with our subject.  They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, and three are now living, ––Caroline Quick, of Pennsylvania; William, the subject of this sketch, and James B., of Harmony township, Morrow county.  Mr. and Mrs. Denman were members of the old-school Baptist Church, in which the former held the position of deacon.
     William Denman was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, July 27, 1812, where he was also reared and educated.  In 1837 he came to Ohio, remaining nine years on a rented farm in Knox county, and then located on land near his present place.  His farm now contains 240 acres of well-improved land.  In political matters, Mr. Denman affiliates with the Republican party.
     He was married in 1841 to Sarah Ann Davidson, born in Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio, January 7, 1822, a daughter of William Davidson, a pioneer settler of that county.  They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Mary Williamson, John, Lucetta Ulmon, William Eliot, Cressy Blaise, Joel, Elnora, Belle Gardiner, Ida Chipps, and two deceased in infancy.  Belle Gardiner is a teacher of vocal and instrumental music.  The wife and mother died April 16, 1894.  Mr. Denman has served as School Director for many years.  While living in Knox county he served four years as assessor.  He is a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 94
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
ELAH DENNIS, farmer, and dealer in agricultural implements; P. O., Woodview; is the third son of Samuel and Catherine (Crack) Dennis.  He was born on his present place, Sept. 17, 1824.  He passed his youth here, and went to the old school house near where Joshua Singrey lives.  It had a large fire-place in one end, and was furnished with slat seats, desks on pins around the wall.  His first teacher was Abram Stevens.  He often went but two weeks during the year, on account of the time required for threshing out the grain.  At nineteen he began to learn wagon-making with his brother in North Woodbury.  He worked at the same business with Samuel Hoffman, and after learning the trade he formed a partnership with his brother Emanuel, which lasted some eighteen months, when he quit wagon-making, and took charge of the farm of George Rule, and farmed it for two years.  He next went to the homestead, where he farmed about ten years; from there he removed near N. Woodbury, and worked in a steam saw-mill one year.  Subsequently he bought an interest in the “Fish Farm,” and lived on that two years.  He next bought the 80 acres where Gabriel McWilliams lives, and sojourned there some two years; he then sold his farm and engaged in merchandising in North Woodbury for two years; then retired from the store and purchased the Gantz farm of 60 acres, where he lived ten years, when he sold, and bought the homestead of 83 acres of Samuel Hoffman, in the spring of 1875.  He married Eliza J. Rule, Sept. 17, 1845, being just 21.  She is a daughter of George and Mary Rule, born March 29, 1829, just south of Woodbury.  Of this marriage two children have been born -- Leander, born April 25, 1851.  He has a good education, and has followed the occupation of farmer.  He is now farming the home place in partnership with his father.  He has a fine stock of Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle.  He united his fortunes with Elizabeth E. Krout, Apr. 7, 1872.  She is a daughter of Jacob and Lovina (Rule) Krout, born July 12, 1852, in Baltimore Co., Md.  Leander has two children -- Ora A., born May 10, 1873; Mary A., Sept. 5, 1876.  Mary H. (see sketch of John Krout.)  Samuel Dennis, father of our subject, was born in Juniata, Md., May 3, 1787.  He lived in his native State 34 years, dividing his attention between the farm and the distillery.  He married Catherine Crack, of Maryland, Apr. 12, 1812.  In the fall of 1821 they set out with a two-horse wagon for Ohio, and owing to the inclement weather and bad roads they were six weeks on the way.  They arrived during the holidays and passed the winter with George Rule on the Fredericktown Road.  In the spring he moved into the house vacated by Adam Lucas, where he lived till fall; in meantime he built a shanty on the present eighty, which he had purchased of George Rinehart, a brother-in-law, about 1820.  They lived in this shanty two years without fire-place, floors, door or windows.  They built a fire in the middle of the house, and fashioned a bed and table by driving pins in the wall.  The wolves would approach within two rods, and keep a dismal howling until almost sunrise; and the Red Skins would pass through the woods almost daily.  When he arrived, he had but fifty cents in money, and he often worked at clearing all day for a bushel of corn.  He would chop in the woods all day and make shoes by fire-light at night.  He cleared fifty acres of his own farm and about five acres each year for others, for many years.  His cattle would often stray away, and he would find them five miles distant.  He went to raisings and log-rollings seven miles distant in early times.  He helped to cut the first roads that were opened through this vicinity.  He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and was class-leader.  His faithful wife died Feb. 15. 1861, aged 72 years, and he lived with subject, who cared for him nineteen years.  He departed this life March 25, 1880, aged ninety-two years, 10 months and 20 days.  His mental and physical powers seemed but little impaired until the last.  In 1879 he mowed the door-yard four times.  He raised seven children, and one died in infancy -- Elizabeth, now Mrs. Edward Murray of Marion Co., Iowa; Uriah, carpenter and stock dealer at North Woodbury; Emanuel, wagon-maker at Woodbury; Lucinda, now Mrs. Samuel Hoffman of this township, Elah (subject); Samuel, blacksmith in Nebraska; Jacob, deceased; Franklin, died when eighteen months old.  George Rule, the father of Mrs. Dennis, came with his family from Baltimore Co., Maryland, in 1828, and settled on a quarter section where Norman Merwine lives.  It was all in woods then, and he erected a cabin with a puncheon floor, in which he lived for some time, he cleared up the farm and erected the present building before he left.  He sold eight lots from his farm for the Village of Woodbury, and donated the one on which the United Brethren Church stands; he lived on that place until 1863, when he engaged in trade at different places, first at West Point, then Galion, Ohio, and from thence to Bourbon, Ind.  He now lives at Argus, Marshall Co., Ind.  He was much respected by his fellow citizens, and was chosen Justice of the Peace many years, he was also Assessor and Trustee of his township.  He was one of the first members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and held the office of Elder.  He raised eight children to manhood and womanhood -- Catherine, now Mrs. Adam Grove of Kosciusko Co., Ind.; Eliza J., wife of subject; Josiah, farmer, near Bourbon, Ind.; Eliza, the wife of our subject; Henry R., farmer in Kansas; Margaret, now Mrs. John Gautz of Argus, Ind.; Levi, farmer at Argus, Ind.; Jacob, farmer in this township; George lives in Indiana.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 807-808
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

GEORGE R. DENTON, who is one of the well-known and substantial agriculturists of Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, finds the place of his nativity in merrie old England, having been born in Lincolnshire, on the 12th of September, 1831.
     His father was Jonathan Denton, who was a native of the same English shire and who was a farmer by occupation.  He died at the age of sixty-six years, having never left his native land.  The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Frances Swabey and she likewise was born on English soil, coming to America when well advanced in years and dying in the State of Kansas, at the venerable age of about eighty-five years.
     George R. Denton was the eldest of ten children and he passed his boyhood on the paternal farm, receiving his educational training in the common schools.  At the age of thirteen he hired out by the year, working almost thirteen years for different farmers.  In the fall of 1854 he got into trouble by shooting a hare, sometimes called jack rabbit in America, the game-keeper claiming his gun or a lawsuit.  He gave up the gun in preference to entering into a lawsuit.  Soon after this he went to London, where he spent the winter months, working most of the time for the Great Northern Railroad Company.  In the spring of 1855, he bade adieu to relatives and friends, also to the crown of Great Britain.  He remained in his native land until he had attained the age of twenty-seven years, when he emigrated to America, coming direct to Marion county, Ohio, and thence to Morrow county.  For two summers he worked by the month, then by day piece work on shares, etc., keeping bachelor’s hall two years, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Eliza Jane (Trickle) Yagala, widow of George Yagala, thereupon locating upon his present farm of eighty-four acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention.
     Mr. and Mrs. Denton are the parents of three children, namely: Rachel F., wife of Albert Goorley, of Mount Gilead, this county; Samuel J., a resident of Dentonville, Kansas; and Benjamin E., who remains on the parental homestead part of the time.  In the spring of 1877, his first wife died, at the age of forty-seven years.  For his second wife he married Mrs. Christina Mitchell, a native of Scotland, born in the city of Dundee and reared by friends, her parents having died while she was yet a child.  She obtained her education by attending school half of each day, working in the factories the other half.  Her first husband died a short time after their marriage, in 1873.  She came to America, locating in Brooklyn; from there she went to Marion, Ohio, then came to her present home.  Mrs. Denton visited friends in her native isle in 1890.  She is a woman of perseverance, and has many true friends.
     In politics Mr. Denton is identified with the Republican party, and he has taken a somewhat active part in forwarding its interests in a local sense.  He has never sought political preferment, but for one term he served as Road Supervisor in his township, proving a most capable official.  Strictly in opposition to our present style of making smooth tracks by the ditch, he prefers filling ruts, giving a smooth track in the center of the public roads at all seasons.
     Religiously, he is prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a steward of the local organization and contributing liberally to the support and advancement of the same.  A man of deep integrity and unswerving honor, he has gained and held the respect and esteem of the community, and in him is reposed the most perfect confidence.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 224-225
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
JOHN V. DeWITT, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born January 23, 1810, in Sussex Co., New Jersey, and came to Ohio with his father, John, in 1818, settling first in Knox Co., and there bought 100 acres. In one year the family came to Chester Tp., where the father built a mill and continued the business for many years. His father died March 15, 1805; his mother’s maiden name was Mary Washer. John C. was one of thirteen children: Price, Isaac, Peter, Henry, John V., Richard, Joseph, Lewis, William, Levi, Phoebe, Elizabeth, and Mary. His mother died August 19, 1864.  Mr. DeWitt spent his younger days on a farm and in the mill; he was married in 1835 to Jane, daughter of John and Jerusha (Sylvester) Dalrymple, by whom he has had seven children, five of whom died in infancy; Milton and Aaron; the former was born April 22 1844, enlisted in Company F, 136th O. N. G. was married June 12, 1876 to Nettie, daughter of David B. and Eliza Phillips; her father was born in New Jersey in 1812; mother also was born in the same state. They had eight children: Nettie, Margery, Hugh, Nelson, Hattie C., and Daniel -- graduated at the Michigan Pharmacy at Ann Arbor -- Franklin and Ann, the latter graduated at the State Normal School, Trenton, New Jersey; is now teaching in the high school at Branchville, same state. Our subject settled on the present farm of 140 acres in 1835. The greater part of this has been attained entirely by their own labors. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church, and Milton’s wife of the Presbyterian. He is a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 597-598
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

North Bloomfield Twp. –
T. WILEY DICKERSON, farmer; P. O. Corsica; is the eldest child and only son of a family of nine children; born June 27, 1827, in Washington Co., Pa.; his father, Isaac H. Dickerson, was born in New Jersey, in 1802, and soon after came to Washington Co.; here he was married to Charity M. Evankirk, and in 1831 he emigrated to Ohio, settling in what is now Morrow Co.; he bought a quarter section of land, which he cleared and improved, besides working at his trade (mason and plasterer); he was accidentally killed in 1867. Wiley never left the old homestead, but remained with his father on the farm, spending his leisure hours in reading useful works on various subjects; he has made practical use of his knowledge of medicine several times, with good results; he was in the war a short time, at a post near Washington City; he was one of the charter members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and the first Master of the subordinate Lodge which he joined. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has belonged to several temperance organizations, and been a Republican since the organization of that party, and for many years previous was an “Abolitionist.” He was married Jan. 15, 1830, to Mary, daughter of Elias and Mary Kisling. They have had nine children; eight are living -- Ellen, Alfred W., E. Parker, Clara, William V., Eva J., Mary M. and Louada. His wife died July 2, 1869, and Sept. 26, 1872, he was again married to Nancy Casey, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Casey. They have one child, Lillie.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 623.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
JABEZ DICKEY, (Olds & Dickey, Atty’s at Law) Mt. Gilead; was born in Richland Co., Ohio, June 15, 1838; his father died when he was but ten years of age; Mrs. Dickey and family remained on the farm until Jabez was in his 15th year, when they moved to Mansfield; he attended school, and read law with Messrs. Burns & Dickey of that place, and in April, 1861, he was admitted to the Bar, and on the 19th of the same month and year, he enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry, and served about four months; again, in 1862, he engaged as clerk for Suttler of the 15th Ohio, and served in that capacity until after the battle of Pittsburg Landing; he then returned home, and began the practice of law in Mansfield, Ohio, where he continued until 1866; he then came to Mt. Gilead and followed his profession, forming his present partnership in 1867. He served as Prosecuting Attorney for the county in 1873-4, and held a similar position in Richland Co. in 1863; Sept. 1, 1869, he married Miss E. A. Rhodes; she is a native of Knox Co., Ohio, and came to this county when young; they have four children, viz: Chas. C. Edwin W., Berry B., and Carrie E.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 530
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JUDGE JABEZ DICKEY, a well known attorney of Mount Gilead, prominent at the bar of Morrow county, has a reputation not only among the public but also among his professional brethren that might well be envied by almost any legal practitioner.  This worthy gentleman is one of Ohio’s sons.  His father, David Dickey, was a native of Pennsylvania and the family is of Scotch-Irish descent.  He served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and during that time suffered an attack of the jaundice, lying ill at blockhouse at Mansfield, Ohio, until the close of the struggle.  He then purchased a farm one mile south of that place, ––a tract of wild timber land, and thereon spent his remaining days, an honored pioneer and influential citizen of the community.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Cook, was also born in the Keystone State, and with her father’s family removed to Richland county, Ohio, at a very early day.  Mr. Dickey died on the old homestead in 1848, and in 1853 she removed with her children to Mansfield, where her death occurred in 1880.  They were members of the Old School Presbyterian Church and took an active part in its work.  Their family numbered seven children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Susan M., who resides in Chicago, Illinois; Emma D., widow of Philemon P. Berry, and a resident of New York city; M. R., a member of the firm of Estey, Dickey, Carr & Goff, of Cleveland, Ohio; and the gentleman whose name heads this record.  The four sons of the family all served in the civil war as members of the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, ––Moses R. was its Colonel; Noah C., who was a private of Company H, was taken prisoner in Tennessee, and died in Mansfield, Ohio, in May, 1867; and James McBrier, who belonged to Company G, was killed on the second day of the battle at Pittsburg Landing.
     Judge Dickey is so widely and favorably known throughout Morrow county that he needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume.  He was born in the little log cabin on the old home farm, near Mansfield, June 15, 1838, and attended the district school until thirteen years of age, when he supplemented his early school privileges with a course in Monroe Seminary and at Vermillion Institute, in Hayesville, Ohio.  Not wishing to follow the pursuit to which he was reared, he took up the study of law, January 1, 1859, with the firm of Burns & Dickey at Mansfield, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of the State, April 4, 1861.
     He did not, however, at once begin practice, for, prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to his country’s call for troops, and enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made Corporal.  The troops were ordered to drive the rebels from Grafton, Virginia, and subsequently to Rowlesburg, on Cheat river, West Virginia.  After the battle of Philippi they were engaged in guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Judge Dickey remained with his regiment until, with a broken ankle, he returned home on a furlough.  In March, 1862, he started to rejoin his old regiment, which had been reorganized for three years’ service.  On reaching Bowling Green, Kentucky, he found that the bridge had been burned across Barron river, and he took the only train for Nashville, but after going twenty-two miles it was learned that General Morgan was lying in wait to capture the train at Gallatin, and the passengers unloaded, while the train returned to Russellville for a guard of soldiers.  Mr. Dickey pushed on ahead, walking a distance of fifty miles, and running the gauntlet of Morgan’s men.  This trip so lamed his ankle that he gave a colored man his last dollar to carry him in a little mule cart the remaining eight miles to Nashville, but on reaching that place he found that the regiment had gone on forty miles to Duck river.  With a provision train he proceeded to that place, but his ankle was so severely injured that he was unfit for field service and he entered the service of a sutler, continuing there until after the battle of Shiloh.  He then went on a boat, loaded with wounded soldiers, to Cincinnati, having charge of a ward while en route, and thence returned to his home in Mansfield, Ohio, where he practiced law until February, 1865.
     In the fall of 1863, in the celebrated Vallandingham campaign, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Richland county, ––being the only candidate elected on the Democratic ticket in the county at that election.  He thus served until February, 1865, when he resigned to go with his brother into the northern peninsula of Michigan to engage in hunting arid in the fur business, but after seven months thus passed, he returned to his old home, where he again practiced until the autumn of 1866.  At that time he formed a partnership with Major James Olds, which connection was continued until the fall of 1882, when our subject was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, second sub-division of the sixth judicial district.  In the fall of 1883 he was elected for a full term, and served until his six years’ term had almost expired, when he resigned, in order that he might serve as counsel on a murder trial.  In 1889 he entered into partnership with Judge G. W. Geddes, and they continued together until 1891, when, on account of ill-health, Judge Geddes was forced to withdraw.  Judge Dickey practiced at the bar of Richland county until June, 1892, when he went to Tacoma, Washington, practicing there until April, 1893; but his native State proved his most attractive place of residence, and he has since made his home in Mount Gilead.
     The Judge was married September 1, 1869, to Miss Eleanor A. Rhodes, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Rachel (Shaw) Rhodes.  She was born in May, 1847, and was educated in Mount Gilead.  To them have been born four children, ––Charles C., who married Harriet L. Coleman, and lives in this city; Edwin W.; Berry B., and Carrie E., all at home.  The parents worship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mrs. Dickey takes an active interest.  Judge Dickey was formerly quite prominent in Sunday-school work, and formerly served as Superintendent.  He has always been a stanch Democrat, influential in the work of his party, and is a member of the County Bar Association.  His abilities, both natural and acquired, have won him prominence as a lawyer, and his power before judge and jury is recognized by a large clientage, and by the general public as well.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 497-499
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Franklin Twp. –
ABEL DICUS, carpenter and farmer; P. O., Chesterville; son of Samuel and Sarah (Kelly) Dicus, was born April 12, 1821, in Northumberland Co., Penn.; his father was a native of Delaware, who came to Pennsylvania in about 1816, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in about 1829, leaving two children, Nancy and Abel, then only eight years old; the latter worked for his board and clothing eight years in one family. Then, after working by the month a short time, he learned the carpenter’s trade, working about two years, at from $2.75 to $3.50 per month. At the age of 18, he purchase a set of carpenter’s tools on credit, costing him $60; he has worked at his trade forty years in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He married Mary Hile, in Pennsylvania; she was a daughter of John and Hester (Johnson) Hile, who came from New Jersey to Pennsylvania in an early day. Mr. Dicus drove through from Pennsylvania in a one horse-wagon, a distance of 500 miles in three weeks, settling first in Congress Tp., in 1852, and lived there two years; and after living in various parts of Franklin Tp., he settled on the present farm of thirty-six acres, on which he has erected substantial buildings. Among the objects of interest in this township are the beautiful sulphur springs, in the western part of Mr. Dicus’ farm; they are said to contain peculiar medicinal properties; the clear, sparkling water boils up through porous formations of limestone origin, which resemble petrified moss. They have five children -- Melinda, Ira, William, Gracie A. and Samuel.  Mr. Dicus served eleven months in the 43d O. V. I., Company B. and votes the Republican ticket.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 779
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

North Bloomfield Twp. –
PHILIP DILL, farmer; P. O. Whetstone; the youngest of a family of eight children; was born in Germany, Nov. 9, 1825. His father's name was John W. Dill, and his mother's maiden name was Anna C. Allen. His father was one of the honest tillers of the soil, and made this his only occupation. He died Jan. 14, 1850. There were six boys in the family, all of whom were subject to the draft for service in the regular army; the two oldest brothers passed the required examination for the regular army, and Philip for the reserve corps. Only a certain specified number of these were required to perform military duty, and they were chosen by lot. These brothers each drew a number which exempted them from service, (but what is remarkable, they each drew the number “43.”) Philip emigrated to this country when 24 years of age, and came to Mansfield, Ohio; he soon apprenticed himself to a wagon-maker at Leesville, for two years, receiving for his services only $55.00; from this he paid a debt of $25.00 which he owed to an older brother for assisting him to this country. When his trade was learned, he worked one year in Mansfield and one in Columbus, when he set up a shop in Johnsville, and lived there four years, doing a good business; then sold his shop, and moved to the farm on which he now lives, having bought it three years previous, and has since been a farmer. He was married Jan. 28, 1855, to Elizabeth, a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Freeland. They were emigrants from Maryland, where she was born, April 26, 1833. They have ten children, all of them living -- Albert W., Jeremiah H., James F., Charles E., Anna M., Amelia C., Sevilla C., Phoebe E., Susan M., and Ida May; the oldest is married and lives in Galion. He and wife are members of the Reformed Mennonite Church. He owns near two hundred acres of land, mostly acquired by his own industry and careful management.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 623-624.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Canaan Twp. –
PETER DILTS, farmer; P. O., Caledonia; “Uncle Peter” was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1814; his parents were Peter and Elizabeth Dilts, who emigrated to this State from New Jersey in the year 1812, where they purchased land from the government, remaining on the same until their death. Peter had but the advantages afforded by those early times; schools were few and sparsely attended. He lived with his father until his 23d year, at which time he married Sarah Ann Knight in March, 1837, making his father’s home his place of abode until 1852; he was the youngest of a family of eight children. Since 1852, he has been a constant resident of the county; his farm consists of 84 acres, and is located in the northwest part of the township; since his advent to the county, he has not been out of the State. Nine children have been born to them; five of the number are living -- Amanda, now Mrs. Hipshire; Louisa, now Mrs. Monroe; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. A. Cunningham; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hipshire, and Austin M., all residents of Marion Co. Four are deceased -- Rebecca, the wife of Mr. White; Franklin at the age of 24; Freeman, when a babe, and Cordelia, the wife of Levi Ulch, who was shot in her own house by some unknown parties, her husband being absent at the time with stock. She was sitting in the room at nightfall, sewing, when the dastardly deed was done by some party outside. No light has ever been thrown upon the matter, and to this day remains a painful mystery.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 724
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Harmony Twp. -
SAMUEL DITWILER, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; was born Sept. 7, 1821, in Franklin Co., Penn., and was married in Dec. 1841, to Jane, daughter of James and Margaret Riddle.  Her parents emigrated from richland Co., this State at an early day, and were the parents of Joseph, Ibbie, Samuel, Polly, Margaret, Lettie, John, Jane, William.  Mr. Ditwiler by his second marriage has the following children – Wilson, Margaret, James, Fannie, Ella, Lettie and Edgar; Mrs. Ditwiler died Oct. 17, 1870; she was a member of the Methodist Church; he was again married in 1876 to Mrs. Mary George, whose maiden name was Pierce; she had nine children, three of whom survive – Curtis E., Lilly A. and Abbie L.  Her first husband died May 13, 1858.  Mr. Ditwiler owns 66 acres of well improved land, all of which has been attained by his own labors.  He is now located on 97 acres, which belong to William George’s heirs.  He paid out a portion of the township draft; has served in township offices.  He nad wife are Methodists; he votes the Republican ticket.  His father, Jacob, was born in Washington Co., Penn., May 9, 1792; his mother, Apr. 9, 1793; the father died there, and the mother and her sons, Samuel and John, came to Richland Co. and began anew in the green woods.  The sons were young, but helped their industrious mother to improve it and now have a nice little farm.  The mother died in 1879; she and her husband were Luterans.
Source #1:  History of Morrow County and Ohio - Publ. Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880 - Page 705

Westfield Twp. –
LEVI. P. DIXON, farmer, stock-raiser; P. O., Westfield; was born Sept. 29, 1843, on the farm where he now resides.  Alexander Dixon, his father, was born in Vermont, in 1807, and at the age of 2 years, he came with his parents to Bourbon Co., Ky.  At the age of 21 years he resolved to try his fortune in Ohio, where he engaged in buying horses, which he took to Kentucky and exchanged for sheep, which he sold in Ohio.  In this way he for several years carried on a profitable business.  He married Minerva Bartholomew, Jan. 3, 1829, who was born near Bradfordtown, Conn., June. 9, 1804, and came to Ohio with her parents when a child.  From this marriage there were eight children, only three of whom, two daughters and Levi, survive.  Leander joined the 65th O. V. I., and immediately after the battle of Shiloh, was taken sick and died; Lincoln, another brother, joined the 174th O. V. I., and participated in the battles of Overhall’s Creek, Cedars, Murfreesboro, and the evacuation and burning of Decatur, Alabama; and returning home died of diseases contracted in the army.  Levi enlisted in the 187th O. V. I., and served with his regiment until the close of the war, when he returned home and took charge of the farm, which he carried on for about five years, and then on account of ill health spent one year in the west.  On his return from Kansas, he married Miss Minerva Shaw, born in this county Apr. 2, 1851.  They have had three children -- Oscar, born Oct. 2, 1873; Archie, July 31, 1878, and died Sept. 14, of the same year, and Smith, May 8, 1880.  His father dying in 1876 Levi came in possession of the home farm, consisting of 164 acres of good land.  He makes a specialty of sheep-raising, keeping thorough-breds and good grades.  His residence is one of the old landmarks, being the first frame house erected on the “school section.”  He is a Republican, and of a patriotic family; his grandfather, Alexander Dixon, Sen., having served through the Revolutionary war.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 638
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

DANIEL J. DONOVAN certainly deserves representation among the men who have been influential in public affairs in Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio.  He has done much to advance the wheels of progress, aiding materially in the development of business activity and energy, on which depend the prosperity and growth of this state.  He has found in each transition stage opportunity for further effort and broader labor and his enterprise has not only contributed to his individual success but has also been of marked value to the community in which he makes his home.
     Mr. Donovan was born in Cardington on the 15th of August, 1868, and is a son, of Jerry and Anna (Bradley) Donovan, both of whom were born and reared in Ireland, where their marriage was solemnized and whence they immigrated to the United States about the year 1851, locating at Cardington, where the father secured employment as a mechanic for the Big Four Railroad Company.  Later he opened a shop of his own and he continued to be identified with the work of his trade during the remainder of his life, his death having occurred in the year 1882.  His cherished and devoted wife survives him and is now maintaining her home with her son, Daniel J., of this review in Cardington, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Donovan became the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now deceased except the immediate subject of this sketch.  Daniel J. was reared in the town of Cardington, to whose public schools he is indebted for his educational training.  At the age of fourteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship at the telegrapher’s trade in this city, and after completing it he had charge of an office in Dellington, Ohio.  In 1884 he resigned his position and returned home where he entered into the grocery business with his brothers.  In 1884 the brothers purchased the establishment of W. H. Marvin & Company and a few years later they purchased the building in which the business is now located, on the corner of Marion and Second streets.  Mr. Donovan has the leading grocery establishment in Cardington and does a large business in retail and also some wholesale business.  He has a large, clean, fresh stock of merchandise and his cordial and genial manner makes him a favorite with the people.  All of his brothers are deceased.  Aside from his other interests he is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Cardington and he owns a half interest in the Kries block, on Main street.  He owns some valuable residence property in the city, one of his holdings being the Kries homestead.
     In the year 1899 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Donovan to Miss Nellie Cleary, of Delaware, Ohio.  She is a lady of pleasing address and personality, and ably fills her place as hostess in their comfortable and hospitable residence.  To this union have been born three children, namely: Eustelle, Joseph and Robert.
     In politics Mr. Donovan accords a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor and he and his wife are devout communicants of the Catholic church, St. Mary’s, at Cardington, Ohio, in the various departments of whose work they have been most active factors.  While undoubtedly he has not been without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, Mr. Donovan regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts.  In the community affairs he is active and influential and his support is readily and generously given to many measures projected for the general progress and improvement.  His life history is certainly worthy of commendation and emulation, for along honorable and straightforward lines he has won the success which crowns his efforts and makes him one of the substantial residents of Cardington.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 653-654
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Harmony Twp. -
JOSEPH DOTY, farmer, P. O. Cardington; was born July 4, 1816, in Newark, N. J.; at the age of sixteen he began carpentering, at which he continued the most of his life; he came on foot to Pa., and then to Ohio in 1836, settling at Chesterville, joining his father's family at that place; he soon after returned to Pa., and subsequently came again to this county, and thence back to Pa., where he was married in 1837 to Cecelia, daughter of James and Jane Green; she was born April 25, 1814, in Butler Co., Pa.; by her he had nine children – Joanna married Daniel Beach; Sarah married Jacob Miller, W. D., Joseph S., deceased; James L., deceased; Catharine, deceased; Agnes, married D. R. Hilliard; Mary E., D. G. married Mary McDonald.  The family settled on the present farm of 98 acres in 1865; it is owned by the subject and his son, W. D.; it is finely improved and watered by spring, and has orchard and buildings.  There are perhaps but few who have experienced the trials of life encountered by Mr. Doty and wife.  W. D.  was seriously crippled by cutting his knees while raising a building, which has disabled him for life; he is successfully breeding the English Punch horses, being scarcely able to do anything else; he gives his entire attention to this business, and, of course, is very successful; he was engaged in the coal oil business for ten years in Pa.  Joseph’s wife can remember when her parents were compelled to bar the doors of their house to keep the wolves from entering.  Joseph’s father was once very wealthy, and once owned 200 acres of land, where now stands the present city of Newark, N. J.
Source #1:  History of Morrow County and Ohio - Publ. Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880 - Page 704

Gilead Twp. –
THOMAS E. DUNCAN, lawyer; Mt. Gilead; was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1837; the son of William and Fannie (Elliott) Duncan. Until he was 20 years of age, Mr. Duncan worked upon his father’s farm, laying the foundation of his education in the winter months at the district school. At this time he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he studied some three years, leaving school at the end of that time to enter the law office of Messrs. Bancroft & Voorhes, of Millersburg, Ohio., as a student; in 1862, he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, and in the same year came to Morrow Co, opening an office at Cardington; twelve years later, he came to Mt. Gilead, where he has continued the practice of his profession ever since; he was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1868, and re-elected in 1870; three years later he was elected to the Legislature from Morrow Co., and was returned for a second term in 1875; in the spring he was elected to a place in the Village Council of Mt. Gilead. In April, 1880, Governor Foster honored him with the appointment of Director of the Ohio Penitentiary. In all the public positions which Mr. Duncan has been called to fill, he has at all times shown himself to be possessed of marked ability, and has discharged the duties of his various offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In addition to the business of his profession and the cares of public life, he has found time to devote to commercial enterprises of considerable magnitude; he was for six and a half years a partner with the firm of Duncan Bros., hardware dealers, in Cardington, and is now a Director of the Cardington Banking Company, having been one of the originators of that enterprise. He was married to Rachel, daughter of Major John Frew, May 14, 1862; their union has been blessed by seven children, of whom six are yet living.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 529
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

  JUDGE THOMAS E. DUNCAN, the subject of this brief sketch, is an honored resident of Morrow county, where he has attained high distinction and precedence in the line of his profession, in business and social circles, and upon the bench in the exercise of important judicial functions.
    The subject of this review was born November 21, 1839, in Mechanic township, Holmes county, Ohio, the son of William Duncan, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1812, as the offspring of Andrew and Jane (Wiley) Duncan, the latter of whom was a sister of Dr. Andrew Wiley, a distinguished Presbyterian divine, as well as Dr. Andrew Wiley, who attained eminence as a physician.  The first named brother was for many years president of Washington College, Pennsylvania, which institution was subsequently consolidated with Jefferson College, forming the present Washington and Jefferson College.  The ancestral lineage of the Duncan family is highly honorable and dates back to Scotland, where Andrew was born.
     Andrew Duncan removed from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Jefferson county, Ohio, at an early day and here he subsequently met his death, receiving fatal injuries as the result of an accident in a clearing, in which a log rolled upon him.  The father of our subject was six years of age when his parents took up their residence in the Buckeye State, and he was reared to maturity in Jefferson county, remaining on the farm during his boyhood and early youth, and finally giving his time and attention to acquiring the trade of a blacksmith, but subsequently became a leading farmer and stockraiser.  He was an active participant in the Black Hawk war and was a sturdy, loyal and honorable son of the Republic.  In Holmes county where he finally settled and there passed the remainder of his days, he was united in marriage to Frances Elliott, a native of the famous old county of Donegal, Ireland, where she was born in 1819, being only a babe of six months when her parents, James and Hester (Stevenson) Elliott, emigrated from the Emerald Isle to America, settling in Holmes county.  Here the Elliotts made their permanent home, the father being a stone mason by trade, but eventually engaging in farming.  He was a man of literary tastes and became one of the prominent and successful men in that section, where he was one of the early pioneers.
     William and Frances (Elliott) Duncan consummated their marriage in Holmes county, and there passed the remainder of their days, being honored and prominent members of the community in which they lived for so many years.  He was killed by a falling tree, in December, 1877, and the mother of our subject entered into eternal rest in 1891.
     They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, ten of whom are now living.  The names of the family are as follows: Thomas E. (the subject of this review), Jane Carr, Mary, Andrew, Eliza, Fannie, Heddington, James, William, John, Emma Chase, Elmira Bickle and George.  Emma Chase and George are deceased.
     The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the mother was particularly active in her devotions to the same.  Andrew and James were soldiers in the late war of the Rebellion and the first named was severely wounded while in the service.
     Thomas E. Duncan, the immediate subject of this biographical resume grew to manhood on the parental farmstead in Holmes county, attending the district schools and subsequently supplementing the knowledge thus acquired in a rudimentary way by a course of study in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware.
     Within the time that he was pursuing his literary education he devoted himself to school teaching at irregular intervals, thus assisting in defraying the expenses of his own education.
     After he left college he at once made ready to take up the line of professional study which should fit him for the practice of the law, entering the law office of Barcroft & Vorhees, a prominent law firm of Millersburg, Holmes county; he continued his reading assiduously and, in 1862, was admitted to the bar upon examination at Columbus.
     Now thoroughly re-enforced in a theoretical way he at once proceeded to Cardington, Morrow county, where he proudly displayed his professional shingle and entered upon the active practice of his profession.  His technical ability, facility in debate and his judicial acumen in counsel gained him a representative clientage, as his power became known, and there he remained until 1878, when he came to the official center of the county, Mt. Gilead, where he has ever since continued in the practice of his profession, and where he has risen to distinction as the result of the qualifications above noted, as well as the confidence begotten by the integrity of his character.
     Politically he has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and has ever been active in the support of its principles and its candidates.
     He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Morrow county in 1868 and in 1870 was selected his own successor.  In 1873 he was elected representative in the General Assembly of Ohio, and at the expiration of his term was chosen to succeed himself, having proved a capable and discriminating legislator, and one to whose keeping popular interests could be consigned without reference to party or political creeds.
     Among other positions assigned him while in the Legislature, he was made chairman of the committee on the elective franchise.  At this time, 1876, party feeling was at its highest tension, stimulated in part by the doubts involved in the result of the presidential election of that year and the charges of fraud upon the ballot box, and believing that the law intended to secure the purity of the ballot was imperfect, and that the public peace and the interests of the State demanded more stringent election laws, he undertook, formulated and introduced into the Legislature, and, after a long and bitter contest, secured the passage of the first registration law in the history of the State.  The wisdom of this legislation is shown by the fact that many of its provisions remain upon the statute books to-day.  In 1882 our subject was appointed by Governor Foster, a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, a position which he held until 1884, when he was appointed by the Governor as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Thomas J. Kinney, deceased.  He retained this incumbency for one year.  In 1884 Judge Duncan was elected a delegate from the ninth Ohio Congressional district, as it was then composed, to the Republican National Convention, held in Chicago, and bore an honorable part in the proceedings of the convention, which resulted in the nomination of the Hon. James G. Blaine for President.
     In 1893 he became the Republican nominee for the important office which he had previously held by special appointment and was duly elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the second sub-division of the sixth Judicial district, receiving a majority of 700 votes in a district which gave a Democratic majority of more than 1,800 the preceding year.  This circumstance affords sufficient evidence of his popularity in a pronounced way, and of the confidence in which he is held by his neighbors and the voters of the district.  The Judge has served the public in a more local way as a member of the Common Council of Mt. Gilead, and other local offices.
     In all the public positions which Judge Duncan has been called upon to fill, he has at all times shown himself possessed of marked ability, and has discharged the duties of his various offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
     In addition to the business of his profession and the cares of public life, he has found time to devote to commercial enterprises of considerable importance.  He was for several years associated with the Duncan Brothers, hardware dealers, in Cardington, and was one of the organizers and principal stockholder in the Cardington Flouring Mill Company, and later on, in connection with Messrs. House & Dawson, built and equipped the Buckeye Flouring Mill, at Mt. Gilead, which enterprise has since been organized into a joint stock company, of which he is now one of the directors and principal stockholders.
     Judge Duncan is now in the prime of his life, with abundant opportunities for usefulness, and is what you may call a busy man, with health, ambition and strength to carry forward successfully whatever he undertakes.  With a keen sense of honor, social and genial, he never forgets a friend and many can testify to his generous magnanimity in helping them on in the world, and to his potent influence in the support of their cause.
     At the breaking out of the late war he was connected with the United States Survey Service, in Colorado, where he had been allured by what proved to be extravagant stories of the rich gold find in that Territory.  He had left his books and his home in high expectation of becoming rich and enjoying in life whatever aches bring.  Reaching Denver, then containing but a few log huts and adobes, he found to his dismay that he had undergone the hardships of a long journey of thousands of miles with ox teams, much of the way over a trackless prairie and desert plain, to find himself deceived and his fond hopes blasted.  He could not well return, and having by this time some experience as a frontiersman, well educated, young and active, he applied for and obtained employment as above stated.  In July, 1861, he received the first news of the war, and the officer in charge of the surveying party was ordered to report forthwith at Fort Leavenworth.  Being again disappointed and out of employment in the western fastnesses of Colorado, nothing remained but to return, so turning his face eastward and with sturdy tread, he reached his home in Holmes county to find his old chums and the boys of his age in the army.  So after recruiting his health and strength, now somewhat impaired by the hardships through which he had passed, he resumed the study of the law and the following year was admitted to the bar.  The Judge says that this experience while a boy doubtless cured him of a roving disposition, which he suspects he had at that time.
     Turning in conclusion to the domestic pages of Judge Duncan’s history, we learn that on the 14th day of May, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel, daughter of Major John and Sophia (Clark) Frew, the former of whom was a prominent dry-goods merchant at Coshocton, Ohio, for nearly a half a century; both parents are now deceased.  Mrs. Duncan was born at Coshocton, in September, 1841, and was there reared and educated.
     Judge and Mrs. Duncan became the parents of seven children, and of this number all are living save one.  William F. married Elba Ireland and they have one child; he is a prominent young attorney of Findlay, this State.  Seth C. has been admitted to practice law but is now engaged as a traveling salesmen [sic].  The other children are Carrie L., Josephine, Mary, Thomas A. and Bessie.  Thomas A. met his death at Cardington, Ohio, falling into a cistern and being drowned, at the age of two and one-half years.  Josephine is the wife of Wert A. Robinson, a dry-goods merchant of Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana.  All the children were afforded exceptional educational advantages.  The attractive family home is located on Court street.  Mrs. Duncan is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The family is a Methodist family.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 145-148
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Washington Twp. –
WILLIAM DUNLAP, farmer; P. O., Galion; was born in Washington Tp., Morrow Co., March 8, 1831, on the farm on which one of his sons is now residing, about two miles distant from his present residence. His father was among the earliest settlers in the township, and was the first school teacher. Being the eldest son, it was necessary for him to remain at home to assist in clearing up the farm, and so he was deprived of any advantages of education, except of common school. He married Miss Abbie Maria Dickerson, in the fall of 1856, whose early home was in North Bloomfield Tp. They have two sons -- Frank R., 23, who married Miss Fanny Shear, of Ashland Co., Ohio, and who is living on the home farm, and Harley Mitchell, 17 years of age. Mr. Dunlap has been a member of the Christian Church since 25 years of age. His two farms, numbering 426 acres (about 350 of which are in a good state of cultivation), the care of which he regards as sufficient to fill his time without dabbling in politics, and to their cultivation he devotes all his time and attention.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 745
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

FRANK KERSHNER DUNN is a native of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew Kershner Dunn, a native of Washington county, Maryland, and Emily (Armentrout) Dunn, a native of Richland county, Ohio, and he was born November 13, 1854.  He attended the Union Schools of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and in the year 1869 was admitted to Kenyon College and was graduated from the same in 1873, the degree of A. B. being conferred on him by his Alma Mater.  He attended Harvard Law School, and was graduated from the same in 1875, and the degree of L.L.B. was conferred on him.
     Our subject’s father came to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, in April, 1848, and was present at the first term of court in Morrow county, Ohio, and was one of the foremost members of the bar of Morrow county until his death, April 29, 1890.  He was a graduate of Kenyon College in the same class with President Rutherford B. Hayes, and in 1876, while President Hayes was yet governor of Ohio, he appointed Judge Dunn a judge of the Court of Common pleas for the Second sub-division of the Sixth judicial district of Ohio.
     Frank K. Dunn was admitted to the bar in 1875, and practiced with his father in Morrow and adjoining counties for three years, and in 1878 went to Charleston, Illinois, where he continued in the practice of the law until 1897, when he was elected judge of the Circuit Court for the Fifth judicial circuit of Illinois, and served as judge until 1903.  In 1907 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois for the term of eight years, and is now in office.
     On June 1, 1882, he was married at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, to Alice R. Trimble, second daughter of James S. Trimble and Margaret (Stroh) Trimble, one of the oldest families in Mt. Gilead, Ohio.  Mr. Trimble was one of the most energetic and successful merchants, bankers and grain dealers the village ever had for over forty years.  He was born May 25, 1818, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and died April 11, 1889, at Mt. Gilead, Ohio.  His wife was a daughter of Samuel Straw (or Stroh) one of the pioneers of Knox (now Morrow) county, Ohio, and she died June 14, 1879, and both lie buried side by side in River Cliff cemetery, Mt. Gilead, Ohio.  The children of Judge Frank K. and Alice R. (Trimble) Dunn are Andrew and Ruth.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 497-498
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.