counselor for eighteen years, and has been Secretary of the Champaign and Logan Co. Pioneer Association for the last six years. Has been a newspaper contributor for twentyeight years, and is President of the Editors' and Reporters' Association of this county. He has also been very successful as a detective. In 1856, Sept. 30, he married Ursula H. Evans, of Kentucky, born Dec. 23, 1829. She died Dec. 14, 1864, the mother of one child-Evans White, who met his death April 20, 1871, by a horse falling on him. Thomas S. McFarland and Catharine Evans were married March 20, 1866. She is also a native of Virginia, a sister to Ursula H., born Oct. 13, 1834. The fruits of this marriage are four children-Hattie B., Rebecca J., Sallie De Voe and Thomas D. C.

JAMES NEER (deceased). Mr. Neer was born in Virginia March 31, 1813, and came to Ohio in 1833. He married Penninah Harbor Sept. 15, 1836. She was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 23, 1813, and is a daughter of William Harbor, one of the early settlers of this (Concord) township. He entered several tracts of land, one of which (160 acres) he gave to his daughter. The only improvement on the land was a small deadening, but by hard work and economy they cleared and improved it. Nine children are the fruits of their marriage-William A., born Dec. 6, 1837; Sarah A. V., May 25, 1839; Ann R. E., March 13, 1841; Samuel Jesse, June 14, 1844; Mary A., March 18, 1846; Minerva J., Oct. 18, 1847; Ruth H. and Martha M. (twins), Dec. 13, 1849, and James R., who died in infancy. William A., enlisted in Co. G, 66th O. V. I., but on his way to the scenes of conflict was killed by the cars at Bellaire, Jan. 18, 1862. James Neer departed this life July 13, 1852. His wife is still living, but since Nov. 1, 1879, has been confined to her bed most of the time, and has been an intense sufferer. She and her daughters are members of the M. E. Church. Samuel J., the only son living, resides with his mother and conducts the farm for her.

JOHN P. NEER, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Urbana; was born April 27, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret S. Neer. She is a daughter of David and Florence Monroe, born in Harrison Township, of this county, Nov. 27, 1819. Joseph Neer was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Aug. 7, 1804. He came to Ohio about 1826, and, about 1831, purchased Sec. 16, of Concord Township, Champaign Co., but soon sold all but 260 acres in the northeast corner, which he improved, and afterward bought back all but 90 acres in the southwest corner of the section. He never experienced the inconvenience of moving. Part of the house which he erected is still standing. His marriage was solemnized Nov. 10, 1835, the fruits of which were six sons and six daughters-David C. was born Dec. 28, 1836, and lives in Allen Co., Kan.; Ann F., wife of J. W. Ellis, near Humboldt, Kan., was born Oct. 12, 1838; Eliza M., wife of J. V. Offenbacher, was born Aug. 28, 1840, and died in Southern Colorado Oct. 6, 1875; Martha J., born March 1, 1844, and died Sept. 16, 1870; Nathan A., Dec. 31, 1845, and resides near Los Angeles, Cal.; Sallie C., wife of L. T. Clemens, of La Fayette, Ind., was born June 16, 1848; Joseph F., March 29, 1850, and lives on the home farm; Mary F., living in Urbana with her mother, was born March 25, 1852; Samuel J., Feb. 8, 1855, now living with J. P.; Elizabeth A., born June 25, 1857, and died Aug. 25 of the same year; James M., Nov. 24, 1858, and is farming the homestead; David C. is the only one of the boys that is married; Joseph Neer departed this life Jan. 26, 1869. The subject of this sketch was raised to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed farming, except about three years that were spent in the civil war. He enlisted July 30, 1862, and was mustered out June 19, 1865. He served as private a short time only, when from Corporal he was promoted to different offices. For the last year and a half he served as Orderly Sergeant, but was mustered out as First Lieutenant, which was merely a complimentary commission. He was a member of Co. H, 45th O. V. I. At Dutton Hill they were first engaged. He was in the East Tennessee campaign in 1863; was besieged at Knoxville; was in the Georgia campaign in 1864; engaged at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. When Sherman started to the sea, they came back and fought Hood at Franklin, under Thomas and Schofield. He was shot through the left lung at Knox

ville, which disabled him for a time. With that exception, or when on detached duty, he was never absent from his regiment during the whole of his service. Since the war, he has been farming and dealing in stock. He owns 346 acres of land.

JOHN M. NILES, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is a son of Ezra and Louisa Niles. She was born in Londoun Co., Va., Dec. 27, 1801, and came to this State with her parents, John and Rebecca (Morgan) Miller, in 1806. He was born March 20, 1798, and came to Ohio, at a very early date, with his parents, Cyrus and Mary Niles. They came down the Ohio River, on a flatboat to Cincinnati, which was then only a small village, and located on Mill Creek, in Hamilton Co., where they lived for some time on rented farms. Ezra was raised on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits, principally, all his life. He never learned a trade of any kind, but he helped to con

struct the first steamboat that was built at Louisville. From Hamilton Co. he moved to Miami Co. and purchased 20 acres of land, which he afterward sold and entered 80 acres in Champaign Co., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of seven children-Sarah A., born Aug. 14, 1822 (deceased); John M., April 13, 1824; Thomas J., July 20, 1830 (deceased); Amanda M., born Oct. 24, 1833 (deceased); Rebecca J. (deceased); Lewis S. April 9, 1839, and Llewellyn, Jan. 9, 1843. Ezra Niles departed this life Aug. 19, 1871; his wife is still living and resides with her youngest son on the old homestead. Our subject worked at home on the farm until 21 years of age, when he was employed at various kinds of work, but principally at farming. He never served an apprenticeship at any trade, but is handy with tools and does his own carpenter work. He married Amanda Jane Miller Dec. 2, 1852. She was born Oct. 10, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the biography of Wallace Downs. In 1853, they moved to Indiana, thence to Kansas in 1857, and in the same year, back to Missouri, where they remained but a short time, when they went to Texas with a view of locating there, but finally came back to Champaign Co., in 1859. In 1864, they returned to Missouri to take possession of the farm they had sold, but had failed to receive the full payment. They repaired the farm, which had been made desolate by the war, and sold again in 1866, and bought 20 acres in Concord Township, Champaign Co., to which he has since added, in the same township, 122 acres, and 190 in Salem Township, besides a house and lot in Millerstown.

GABRIEL NORMAN, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is a son of Christian and Mary M. (Zimmerman) Norman. She was a native of Maryland, but moved to Virginia, where she lived at the time of her marriage. He was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., where he learned wagon-making, which he followed there till 1805, when he emigrated to Ohio. He purchased 160 acres of land in Concord Township, and, after erecting a cabin, he located in the following year. His cabin was constructed in the pioneer style, with wooden chimneys, puncheon floors and door of boards riven in clapboard style. After his farm was pretty well cleared up, and there was a demand for wagons, he resumed his trade, which he followed at the time of his death. In course of time, his hut was exchanged for a hewed-log house, and it, in turn, for a fine brick that yet stands on the old farm. He had, also, at intervals, purchased land, till he owned 800 acres in this State and 440 acres in Indiana, 1,240 acres in all; 720 acres of this he had deeded to his children. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. They were the parents of nine children. One daughter, about 4 years old, fell into a trough of water and was drowned. The eight grew to years of maturity. Christian Norman departed this life Sept. 12, 1851, at the age of 72. His wife survived till July 8. 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., June 6, 1814. He was raised on a farm and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 243 acres of land in the above-named township, 80 acres of the home farm. On the 24th of November, 1839, he married Rebecca Brubaker. She is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Comer) Brubaker both natives of Virginia, who were early settlers here. Rebecca Brubaker was born July 12, 1821. Gabriel and Rebecca Norman are the parents of six children. The living are John C.,

born Jan. 22, 1843; Samuel B., June 4, 1847; Mary E., May 10, 1844, and L. Monroe, April 21, 1856.

STEPHEN J. PACKER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Midway, Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 7, 1833; his parents, Moses and Sarah Packer, came from Pennsylvania about 1830, and located in the above-named county, where they remained till 1838, when they moved to Mad River Township, Champaign Co. Moses Packer departed this life July 17, 1843; his wife is still living, and is now Mrs. Michael Nichols, of Concord Township, Champaign Co. The subject of this sketch worked by the month on farms at different places till 21 years of age, when he rented a farm and commenced farming for himself. He is an industrious, enterprising man. His only fortune to begin with was health and energy. In about 1864, he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 2 of Concord Township, and, since that time, at intervals, has made purchases, till at present he owns 194 acres, all improved, except about 12 acres. He engages in stock-raising sufficient to consume the produce of his lands. Has served as Township Trustee two terms. In 1854, March 2, he married Mary Miller, daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the sketch of Wallace Downs; Nov. 10, 1835, is the date of her birth. The fruits of their marriage are four children; of these three are living, viz.: Joram D., born Feb. 4, 1855; Mary Corinna, born Dec. 6, 1864; Stephen Leroy, born Feb. 6, 1872.

JAMES DUNLAP POWELL. The grandfather of this gentleman was Abraham Powell, who was born in Virginia Oct. 20, 1754; served with credit in the Revolutionary war, and was married in his native State in August, 1780, to Ann Smith, who was also a native of Virginia, born Sept. 12, 1762; of this union, twelve children were born, Elijah, the father of James D., being the fifth in the family. He was born in Virginia, Aug. 20, 1789, and, his parents moving to Kentucky when he was a child, he there grew to manhood, and, in 1812, came with them to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling one mile west of Urbana, where his father died Jan. 3, 1817, and his mother Sept. 19, 1845. Here, in Champaign Co., Elijah was married, Jan. 27, 1818, to Mary Dunlap, the daughter of the Rev. James and Emily (Johnson) Dunlap, natives of the "Old Dominion," where her father was born July 10, 1773, and her mother Oct. 15, 1777. In youth they had moved to Kentucky, where they were married Aug. 29, 1794, and there Mrs. Mary Powell was born Oct. 26, 1800. In 1812, Rev. James Dunlap and family came to Champaign Co., Ohio, and few men were better known in the early pioneer days than this old preacher of the Gospel, who was laid away at rest Feb. 28, 1866. His wife died at Jacksonville, Ill., whither she had gone on a visit. To Elijah and Mary Powell were born eleven children, only three of whom are living, viz.: James D., Jeptha and Edward. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 3, 1819, and grew up under the parental roof, attending school a few terms. He had the same disadvantages to fight against that were then the common lot of every poor pioneer family, and few men were so fortunate as he in overcoming the difficulties attending the poor man. He was married Sept. 9, 1845, on the farm he now lives on, to Miss Minerva Hill, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Purcell) Hill, natives of Virginia. Her father was first married in Kentucky, to Mary Oliver, to whom were born eight children. In 1802, they came to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling on the farm where Mr. Powell now resides, and there his wife died. Some time after his wife's death he returned to Kentucky on a visit, where he was married to Mary Purcell, daughter of George and Margaret Purcell, natives of that State. Of this union five children were the fruits, Mrs. Powell being the third in the family. She was born in this county Aug. 26, 1822, and has had six children, as follows: Mary (deceased), Amanda J., Emma E., Elijah H., Sallie A. and Annie M. Mrs. Powell's parents died on the old farm, her father in September, 1861, and her mother July 3, 1869-dying as they had lived, firm adherents of the M. E. Church. Joseph Hill was the first white settler of what is now Concord Township; served in the war of 1812, and, although a poor man when he settled in the woods of Concord Township, he accumulated a comfortable estate. Mr. Powell's father professed the Baptist faith, and was a soldier in the war of

1812, dying in this county June 11, 1866. His mother resides with her son Edward, at the old homestead, where she went a happy bride, more than sixty-two years ago. She also belongs to the Baptist Church, and, considering that she is in her 81st year, is enjoying fair health, while the lingering sunset of life casts its shadows o'er a happy old age. James D. Powell is what we might justly style a self-made man, for the reason that he began life at the foot of the ladder, and is now the owner of over 800 acres of land, and is considered one of the leading farmers of the county. This success is the result of hard, determined industry in his younger days, and then saving his earnings and investing them judiciously. In all his labors, his wife stood ever ready to lend a helping hand and cheer him in his efforts. He has now one of the finest homes in Concord Township, and there every one will find a warm, genuine greeting of hospitality, without cold formality on the one hand, or utter neglect on the other. Mrs. Powell is a courteous, refined lady, who knows how to make her home a pleasant one, and in her presence there is no constraint. She is a member of the M. E. Church, but Mr. Powell belongs to no denomination, and is politically attached to the Republican party. He is a man of temperate habits, and is in favor of temperance laws. In his business affairs he is a close dealer, but no man is more honest or upright in every transaction. He is a good conversationalist and a well-informed gentleman, pleasant and affable at all times, and highly respected by all good citizens.

VALENTINE RUSSELL, farmer and carpenter; P.O. Urbana; was born in Virginia, May 24, 1814, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Miller) Russell, both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born May 1, 1788, and he Nov. 18, 1783. They mi grated to Ohio in 1818, and soon after located in Concord Township, Champaign Co. He entered 160 acres of land, and his father-in-law, Valentine Miller, entered 160 acres, and gave it to him, making a half-section. He cleared and improved the lastnamed quarter and also a small part of the other. He departed this life March 28, 1873. His wife is still living on the old farm, and is a pensioner of the war of 1812, in which her husband served. She is the oldest of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to be over 60 years of age, except one, who died at the age of 50. The subject of this biography was raised on a farm until 15 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed principally for forty years. In 1865, he purchased 160 acres of land in Sec. 9, of Concord Township, where he has since resided, and managed the farm in connection with his work at the trade. He has been Township Trustee two terms and Township Treasurer five years. On the 26th of July, 1836, he married Margaret Hill, a daughter of Joseph Hill, of whom mention is made in the biography of J. D. Powell. She was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., July 6, 1818. They had nine children, of whom six are living-Robert H., Minerva A., Elizabeth J., James E., John F. and Albert Willie. Mr. Russell and family, except the youngest child, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ROBERT RUSSELL, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1818. He is a son of Robert and Mary Russell, who are mentioned in the sketch of Valentine Russell. He has been a farmer all his life, and was raised principally on the farm where he resides. This has been his home since about 1 year old, except eighteen months that were spent in Iowa. Besides the homestead farm, he owns the old Christian Miller farm of 150 acres, and does a thriving business. On the 24th of October, 1848, he married Mary Sweet, by whom he had one child-Mary M., born Sept. 9, 1849. Mrs. Mary Russell departed this life May 23, 1854, in the 28th year of her age. In 1862, August 28, he married Lydia C. Hough, a native of Loudoun Co., Va., born Oct. 15, 1828. She came to this State with her parents about 1830. Robert and Lydia C. Russell are the parents of one child-Clinton E., born July 10, 1867. Mr. Russell and family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH SNYDER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, May 30, 1826, and is a son of Valentine and Catharine (Martz) Snyder, both natives of Rockingham Co., Va. He was born Dec. 21, 1793, and she April 21, 1795. They

came to Ohio and located in Greene Co., where they remained till 1836, when they moved to Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where he still resides and owns 199 acres of land. His wife died Dec. 4, 1838, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They were the parents of eight children-Isaac, George W., Mary (now Mrs. Presly Jenkins), Joseph, John, Delilah (now Mrs. Levi Bodey), Simon, and Catharine (now Mrs. Peter Bodey). They are all living, and the youngest past 44 years old. The subject of this sketch is a farmer, and owns 160 acres of land in Sec. 21, of Concord Township. He assisted in suppressing the rebellion; was a member of Co. B, 134th O. N. G. In 1855, Oct. 18, he married Deborah Harbor, a daughter of Jesse Harbor. She was born Nov. 9, 1838; they are the parents of eight children-Elizabeth C. (deceased), Sarah J. (now Mrs. Elmer E. Bowers), Mary V., Joseph, Franklin, William H., Rosa A., John W. and Jesse Hayes.

PRESLY TALBOTT, farmer; P. O. Urbana; is a son of Sampson and Mary Talbott. He was born in Virginia Nov. 22, 1767, and was subsequently the husband of four wives; his first, Cassandra Jarbo, was a sister of the wife of Simon Kenton. She was the mother of one child, William S. (deceased). Jane Kenton was his second wife. They were the parents of six children-Harvy, born in Kentucky, April 7, 1799; Sallie, May 1, 1801; Celia, born in Champaign Co., Aug. 27, 1804; Benjamin, Aug. 12, 1806; D'Movil and Samuel (twins), May 30, 1810. Some time after the death of Jane Talbott, he married her sister, Mary Kenton, by which union they had two children-Presly, born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug 8, 1813, and Elizabeth, Feb. 5, 1815. Mary Talbott died Oct 12, 1815, and he married Mrs. Anna Fitch. One child was the fruit of their marriage; Jane, born Nov 2, 1817. Sampson Talbott died Jan. 5, 1846. The subject of this sketch was bred a farmer's boy, and has spent nearly sixty-seven years on the place of his nativity. He now owns 160 acres of the home farm, and has a very desirable home, with a considerable amount of good stock about him. On the 27th of October, 1842, he married Mary A. Markley. She was born in Madison Co., Ohio, July 20, 1822. They have four children-Mary R., William M., Emma F. and Laura C. Mary A. Talbott departed this life March 16, 1861. She was an exemplary member of the Baptist Church; her husband and one daughter are also in connection with the same.

OLIVER TAYLOR. Among the solid, enterprising men of Champaign Co., Oliver Taylor stands deservedly high. His father, John V. Taylor, a native of Virginia of Scotch descent, came to this county about 1804, where he was soon after married to Miss Jane Vance, the sister of ex-Gov. Vance. By this union, eight children were born to them, Oliver being the sixth in the family, and the youngest son. John V. Taylor was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving in the company of Capt. Joseph Vance, who afterward became Governor of Ohio. At the close of that conflict, he settled down again on a farm and followed stock-dealing extensively, driving cattle East across the Alleghanies. He was one of the Commissioners of Champaign Co. for about fifteen years, and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination his wife also belonged, and both died in this county-he Jan. 28, 1858, aged 73, and she Jan. 29, 1869, in her 81st year. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co. Dec. 7, 1818, and here he grew to manhood, following the daily routine of a farmer's son, and attending, during the winter seasons, the primitive log schoolhouse, where he obtained a limited education. He was married, in this county, April 13, 1848, to Miss Catharine Caraway, daughter of John and Jemima Caraway, who were early pioneers of the county. John Caraway was born in Greenbrier Co., Va., and moved to this county about 1802, settling in the southeast part of Urbana Township, where his wife, the mother of Mrs. Taylor, died, Sept. 30, 1823. About 1825, he moved to Concord Township, where he remained until his death, Jan. 22, 1860. He was a man of wonderful energy and indomitable will power, who, coming to this county penniless, accumulated a handsome fortune, the legitimate result of industry and economical habits. Mrs. Taylor was born in this county Nov. 9, 1819, and had three children, viz., John