son of John and Margaret Williams; his father was a native of Maryland, his mother being born in Washington Co., Penn.; he was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 18th year, when he began life for himself, and engaged in ship-carpentering for three years, when, having gained his majority, he emigrated West, and traveled through the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and, on his way up the Mississippi River to Wisconsin, he erected the first building in Keokuk, and also the first fine frame building in Madison, Iowa. This Western tour occupied about twelve years, when he removed to Pennsylvania, in 1839, and operated a saw-mill for two years, when he returned to Warren Co., Ohio, and was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, daughter of Barzilla and Mary Clark, Dec. 13, 1846. Her parents being residents of Warren Co., he remained in Warren Co. till the next year, and then removed to Darke Co., in Twin Township; he first purchased 40 acres of land, on which he erected a frame dwelling, and moved his family into their new quarters in September, 1847; his land being in a wild state, Mr. Williams commenced his almost herculean task of removing the vast growth of timber and underbrush from the land, to prepare it for the implements of agriculture, and by dint of hard labor and perseverance, he succeeded in removing these obstructions; in 1871, he purchased 80 acres more land, and in addition to the other, he now owns 120 acres of as fine land as is to be found in Darke Co.; all in a good state of cultivation. Politically, Mr. Williams is a sound Republican. and has been identified with the most of the township offices; he, with his estimable wife, are leading members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have labored long and earnestly in their Master's vineyard. Mr. Williams is greatly interested in educational matters, and has spared neither pains nor expense in giving his children good educations, his son Thornton being a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and a proficient and successful educator. Mr. Williams informs us that James G. Blaine, America's greatest orator and statesman, was once a pupil in his brother's school, who was a very prominent educator in Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Williams are nine in number. viz.: Clark L., born Dec. 7, 1848; Thornton R., born July 21, 1850; Frank M., born Nov. 3, 1852; Mary Belle, born May 31, 1854; Martha J., born March 31, 1856; Melissa A., born April 5, 1858; their first child died in infancy; Clark departed this life Feb. 9, 1871; Frank died Aug. 30, 1868.

BUTLER TOWNSHIP.

EVIN BAKER, deceased; was born in Rockingham Co., Va., in 1808 ; died in 1863; a resident of this county nearly all his life; was identified with most of the public improvements of the county; was elected to the Legislature in 1854, and was the author of the Ohio ditch laws, and at the time of his death had a large law practice. He was President of the Richmond & Covington Railroad, for the location of which through Greenville he had labored long and earnestly.

BENJAMIN BOBENMOYER, retired farmer; P. O. Arcanum; a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Ohio for the past fifty years, and of Darke Co. nearly one-fourth of a century; is a brother to Charles Bobenmoyer, whose biography also appears in the Butler Township list. The subject of this sketch was born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1805; was brought up on a farm, and received but little education and that in German; was married in 1826 to Sarah Rhinesmith; they removed from Pennsylvania to Butler Co. Ohio, about the year 1833; came to Darke Co. in 1853, and purchased the farm in Sec. 11, Butler Township, where they

now reside; his farm then had an "opening" and a cabin on it, but was mostly woods and very wet and swampy; since then, he, with the other settlers, have, by means of clearing and ditching, made this to rank with the best lands in Darke Co.; he now has a pike in every direction from his place, good buildings, and in every way pleasantly situated and prepared to enjoy the remainder of his days, the fruit of his early toils and sacrifices. Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer are substantial, respected people; are the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, five sons and five daughters-Eliza, now Mrs. William Banois, of Cincinnati; Mary, now Mrs. Clarke Robinson, of Neave Township; William, a resident of Middletown, Ohio; Christena, now Mrs. Fred. Wagner; Frederick, now a resident of Allentown, Penn.; Sophia, now Mrs. John Bridenstine, of Hamilton, Ohio; John, now a resident of California; Nathan, a resident of Port Jefferson; Kate, now Mrs. Abram Baker, of Twin Township, and Benjamin, Jr., now married, and residing on and farming the homestead.

CHARLES BOBENMOYER, farmer; P. O. Arcanum; a Pennsylvanian by birth and an old resident of Darke Co.; is the son of Frederick and Christena Ann Bobenmoyer; was born in Berks Co., Penn., March 4, 1817; when about 14 years of age, his father came to Butler Co., Ohio, where Charles grew to manhood and was married to Caroline Burkholder April 20, 1847; she is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Meyers) Burkholder, both of whom were natives of Lehigh Co., Penn.; Caroline was one of a family of ten children, all but one of whom grew to manhood or womanhood; she was born in Lehigh County Dec. 20, 1824; her parents emigrated to Butler Co., Ohio, when she was an infant; Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer began domestic life on his father's farm, in Butler County, and continued there six years; then purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 3, Butler Township. Darke County, where they now reside, having lived in the same house for more than a quarter of a century; most of the fine improvements and all the gravel roads and public ditches have been made during their residence here. Mr. Bobenmoyer commenced life a renter, and, by persevering labor and economy, saved enough to get a start in Darke County when Butler Township was yet new, and has grown with the growing country, and is now retired from the field of labor, having accumulated sufficient to keep himself and family comfortably and have something left. Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer are worthy members of the German Reformed Church and useful, respected people; they have never had any children. but have raised two-Charles F. Bell, now a dentist in Arcanum, and Emma J. Harp, who still lives with them.

ASARIAH BRUSS, farmer; P. O. Arcanum; son of John and Mary (Sherman) Bruss; John was a native of Pennsylvania; his father, whose name was also John, came to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1819, the son being then 3 years old, and afterward removed to Marion Co., Ind., where his death occurred. Mary is the daughter of John and Susannah Sherman, natives of Maryland; the father had sold off his loose property to be in readiness to move West, but sickened and died about the time he had intended to start, and the widow came soon after to Preble Co., Ohio; Mary was born in Maryland in 1815; John Bruss, Jr., and Mary Sherman were married in Preble Co., in 1837; they first began domestic life in Preble Co.; he worked by the day or job as he could, mostly making shingles and roofing barns, for several years; then farmed a year or two in Preble Co., and in 1850 came to Darke Co., and purchased a farm near Matchetts Corners, where Asariah grew to manhood; in 1872, they traded for and removed to the farm in Sec. 11, where the widow now resides, his decease having occurred Oct. 26, 1878. Asariah was born in Preble Co., Jan. 18, 1843, grew to manhood here in Butler Town ship before the era of good schools, good roads, and easy farming; he was married Jan. 22, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph Hittle, and they lived with his parents several years, he having charge of his father's farm; the same year which his father traded farms, Asariah purchased 33 acres in the same section, and built a small house just across the road from his father's, where they first began

in

housekeeping by themselves, and are still residing, he here having charge of the old homestead, where his widowed mother now resides. In 1862, Azariah enlisted in the 94th Ohio V. I., and faithfully served his country three years, enduring the hardships and privations, as well as the dangers of the service, willingly, in defense of the flag of our country; he passed unharmed through several severe engagements, was taken prisoner while under Sherman, at Goldsboro, N. C., but was only held seven days, then paroled; the capture of Richmond and surrender of Lee soon followed, and he, with the other remaining brave defenders of their country, was mustered out of service and joyfully returned home, receiving glad and grateful welcome from friends and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Bruss have six children.

GEORGE BYERS, Sr. (deceased); the subject of this sketch was a native of Maryland; was married to Susan Hetzler; they came to Darke Co. in 1832, and located in Sec. 36, and are prominently mentioned in connection with the township history; they raised a family of four children, three of whom are living, viz., Catherine E., George H. and Joseph; Catherine is now the wife of Peter Fowble, of Preble Co.; George H. resided with his parents until his marriage with Kezia Fowble, daughter of Peter Fowble, of Preble Co., which occurred March 26, 1863 : they first began domestic life at his father's; about two years later he purchased and removed to his present place, but his mother's decease, which occurred March 26, 1872, made it necessary for him to remove to the old homestead; about two years later, Joseph married, and he returned to his own place in Sec. 25, where they now reside. They are both members of the United Brethren Church, and respected members of the community; they have six children-Peter W., Emma C., John H., Theodore, Bertie W. and Clara E.; Joseph was the youngest child ; he was married March 11, 1875, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John W. Smith, a resident of Butler Township, and they immediately took charge of the old homestead and the care of his aged father, his brother older removing to his own farm in the adjoining section; after their father's decease, which occurred Sept. 5, 1875, Joseph bought the other shares, and thus retains the old homestead, around which cling the memories of the struggles, toils and achievements of his parents during their forty years' residence, in which the wilderness and swamp which first covered this township were converted, by toil and perseverance, amid unfavorable circumstances, into one of the most fertile portions of the county; in this struggle, Mr. and Mrs. Byers bore their full share, and have handed down their legacies to their children, who, it will be seen by this sketch, are carrying forward the work of improvement and beautifying, and making pleasant and profitable, the legacy of their fathers.

HARRISON COBLENTZ, farmer and Justice of the Peace, Sec. 21; P. O. New Madison; a life resident of Butler Township; was born June 2, 1840 : remained at home until after his marriage, Sept. 18, 1860; he was united in marriage with Caroline Hittle; she is the daughter of Nicholas Hittle, an early settler of Butler Township; she is also a life resident of Butler Township; was born Dec. 25, 1843. After his marriage, Mr. Coblentz built a small frame house on his farm, which then consisted of 80 acres, the gift, in part, of his father, and, in the April following, they began the duties of domestic life upon the farm upon which they now reside. In the year 1875, he remodeled and enlarged his house, making a very neat, commodious home; he also added to the original 80 acres, as he had means and opportunity, and now has 334 acres in a good state of cultivation; 229 in the home farm, in Sec. 21, and 105 in Sec. 16. Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz are the parents of four children, viz.: John C., born Oct. 15, 1862; Lizzie, born Dec. 3, 1865; Kate, born April 29, 1871, and Frank L., born Oct. 24, 1873. Mr. Coblentz, though a young man, is already one of the substantial citizens of Butler Township; has been Trustee, and is now Justice of the Peace, and an intelligent, agreeable gentleman. Both he, and his amiable wife, are members of the United Brethren Church, and useful members of society.

GEORGE COBLENTZ, farmer; P. O. El Dorado, Preble Co.; one of the oldest residents of Butler Township now living; was born in Frederick Co.. Md., Nov. 26, 1812; when he was a young man, his parents came West and settled in Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he remained until his marriage with Miss Eva Foutz, which was solemnized March 16, 1834; she was the daughter ef Frederick Foutz, a native of North Carolina; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1813; after their marriage, they remained in Montgomery County about two years, then came to Darke County; his father had entered a piece of land in Sec. 21 for him, and they put up a cabin on it and lived there about one year, but, feeling that this was too slow a way to get a start, he bought 55 acres in Sec. 29, upon which there were about 10 acres cleared, a log cabin, and a young orchard started; they removed to this place in February, 1837, and have since resided here, improv ing and adding to the original 55 acres, until he had about 600 acres, all of which he has divided out among his children; Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz, now quite ad vanced in years, have seen the forest, once the home of the roving savage, cleared by the woodman's ax, the swamps, foul with decaying vegetable matter, drained and renovated, and all made beautiful by the advance of civilization and the improvements and embellishments they helped to make, creating fertile fields and pleasant homes for themselves and the generations to follow; Mr. Coblentz has been a quiet, industrious citizen; both he and his devoted wife have been worthy members of the U. B. Church for more than forty years; they are kind neighbors and useful members of society; they are the parents of nine children-Catherine. Mary, Ezra, William Henry Harrison, Susanna, Elizabeth, John, Rebecca J. and Eliza E.; Ezra is deceased; the rest are all married, and are substantial citizens of Darke County; John is the youngest son, and has the old homestead, and his parents reside with him; he was married to Mary C. Garrison May 26 1870; she is a daughter of Simeon Garrison, and was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 5. 1852; they have two children-Charles H. and William R.

GEORGE EMRICK, retired farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 34; P. O. New Castine; was born in Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1818; he learned the blacksmith's trade while a boy and worked at it for a number of years. He was married to Frances Arnold June 16, 1842; they first commenced the duties of domestic life in Montgomery Co., and removed to Darke Co. in 1852, and carried on a shop at Versailles and afterward at Hill Grove, and still later farmed in the vicinity of Hill Grove two or three years, then returned to Montgomery Co. and purchased a farm there upon which they remained until 1863, when he purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 33, Butler Township, Darke Co.. where Samuel Emrick now resides; four years later, he purchased and removed to the farm on Sec. 34, where he now resides; Mr. Emrick now has 159 acres of wellimproved land, with neat, commodious buildings, suggestive of industry and econ omy, and is a substantial, respected citizen; both he and his wife are member of the German Baptist Church, and useful members of society. They are the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom are living, viz., Josiah, Silas, Zacha riah, Barbara A., Matilda, Uriah, Benjamin F., Samuel, George W., Solomon and Sarah E. The first seven named are married and all residents of Darke Co. but one, who resides just over the line in Indiana.

SAMUEL EMRICK, retired farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. New Castine; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1818, and lived in Preble Co. during his minor ity; he is the son of Jacob Emrick. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Coonrod Emrick, April 19, 1845; after their marriage, they remained in Preble Co. until August, 1867, when he purchased and they removed to the farm in Sec. 33, Butler Township, where they now reside; the spring following his removal, he was elected Township Treasurer, and has continued to hold that office ever since: he is now a member of the Board of Directors of the County Infirmary; his home consists of 180 acres of well-improved land, with good buildings, and although not an old resident, he is a substantial and respected citizen. Mr. and

Mrs. Emrick are worthy members of the Lutheran Church, of forty years' standing, and useful members of society. They are the parents of eight children, only two of whom are living, viz.: Matilda, now Mrs. Geo. Bidlow, and Ananias, both residents of Butler Township.

PETER FARST, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. New Castine; an old resident of Darke County; was born in New York Oct. 7, 1818, and came to Ohio when 23 years of age. Was married in Pickaway Co., in 1844, to Matilda Stout; in the year 1850, they removed to Darke Co. and settled on the farm where they now reside, which consists of 200 acres of well-improved land, with good, substantial buildings. Mr. Farst is a quiet, substantial, respected citizen; has raised a family of seven children, viz.: Catharine (now Mrs. Martin Bowman), John, Amos, Susan (now Mrs. Joseph Elliker, of Neave Township), Lavina (now Mrs. Geo. Schlecty), Geo. W. a resident of Indiana, and Lida.

BENJAMIN FOUTS, farmer; P. O. and residence El Dorado, Preble Co. A Buckeye by birth, and an early resident of Butler Township; was born in Montgomery Co. May 18, 1813; he is a son of Jacob Fouts, who was a native of North Carolina, and settled in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1803, entering land upon which he lived all the remainder of his days; his decease occurred in 1864, he being in his 83d year. Benjamin was married Sept. 21, 1834, to Susannah Coblentz, sister to George Coblentz, whose biography appears in this work; soon after their marriage, they came to Darke Co.; settled first in Sec. 14, Butler Township, his father having entered the southwest quarter of that section; here he remained about seven years; afterward lived near New Madison, and later, a short time, in Preble Co.; he removed to the farm in Secs. 32 and 33, which he now owns, in 1848. Mr. Fouts is one of the pioneers of Butler Township; came when Butler was a wilderness, in the days of log-rolling and other social enterprises common to new settlements; he remembers attending rollings twenty-one days in succession one spring; Mr. Fouts has contributed a full share toward the development and improvement of the county, morally as well as physically. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. They had six children-Enos, now married, has a family of five children, and resides on and farms his father's place; Wilson B., married, and a resident of German Township; Almira, now Mrs. Philip Coons, of Arcanum; Julia, deceased, was married, and resided in Twin Township, and left a family of four children; Jacob K., was a single man of about 24 years of age at his decease, and Uriah, also deceased. In 1871, Mr. Fouts removed to Dallas, and Mrs. Fouts' decease occurred there, Aug. 15, 1867; he then lived with his married sons, part of the time at Dallas, and part of the time at the farm in Butler Township, until his second marriage, which occurred Dec. 7, 1879, the bride being Sarah Marshall; since his last marriage, he has resided in El Dorado.

JOHN P. FREDRICK, farmer; P. O. Castine; is the son of Peter Fredrick, who came from Germany to America in 1842; there were ten in the family when they crossed the ocean, and it required sixty-three days to make the trip; they landed in New York City in August, and came on West to Montgomery Co., Ohio, coming by water to Columbus, and then by wagon to Dayton, where they arrived after a three-weeks journey; the same season, they came to Darke County and settled in Harrison Township, near the lake; the subject of this sketch remained on the farm with his parents until he had attained his majority; then went to Indiana and worked at the carpenter trade. Was married there Jan. 25, 1852, to Rebecca, daughter of Wm. McFarland, who was an early settler of Butler Township and made the first clearing on the George Coblentz farm; afterward he removed to Randolph Co., Ind.; Rebecca was born in Butler Township, Darke County, March 18, 1833, and was about 3 years old when her parents moved to Indiana; after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick began housekeeping in Randolph County, he working at the carpenter trade there several years; also dealt in merchandise a short time. In 1861, he enlisted in the 40th O. V. I., and was elected 1st Lieutenant of Co. F; after about eighteen months' service he resigned and