From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

MRS. ANN W. FOSTER, of Macy, was the daughter of Jesse and Betsy (Hurst) Hays and was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 27, 1821. Her parents were natives of Maryland and Delaware, respectively. She grew to womanhood in her native County where, on the 29th day of October, 1846, she was married to John W. Hurst, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born December 27, 1818. He was the son of William and Sarah (Alkire) Hurst. In 1846 she came with her husband to this County and located upon a farm near Chili, in Richland Township. A few months later they removed to a farm in Allen Township, where her husband died, January 26, 1854, leaving to her care four children: Jesse H., Joseph W., Ira B., and Levi J., the first two of whom are deceased. In March, 1854, she in company with her children, returned to the home of her father in Ohio. While there she was married on the 11th day of December, 1856, to Abraham F. Gephart, who died July 26, 1857. That marriage resulted in the birth of one child, Abraham F., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. In the spring of 1864, our subject again came to this county and located upon the farm she had formerly occupied in Allen Township. On the 30th day of January, 1872 her marriage with William Tanquary occurred. With him she located upon a farm near Xenia, this county. There Mr. Tanquarry's death occurred on the 27th of May following their marriage. Our subject continued to reside near Xenia until August 5, 1873 at which time she was married to James Foster. She accompanied him to Moultrie County, Illinois, where the had of death again made her a widow, December 23, 1877. In February 1886, she once more returned to this county and this time located at Macy where she now resides in a quiet happy way. She has been a member of the M.E. Church since August 1838.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

A. F GEPHART a promising young man of Macy, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Oct 5, 1857. He was the only child born to Abraham F. and Ann W. (Hays) Gephart, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent and the latter a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. When our subject was six years old his mother came to this county and located in Allen Township, and in 1873 he accompanied her and his step-father to Moultrie County, Ill. There he acted in the capacity of a clerk and was otherwise variously employed until the spring of 1886, at which time he and his widowed mother returned to this county and took up their residence at Macy. Oh the first day of March, 1886 he became the partner of the his half-brother, L.J. Hurst, in the lumber business at Macy. He is, also, an equal partner of the latter in the agencies of the railroad and express companies at that place. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. He is a young man of good habits and irreproachable character, and is well worthy the confidence of the public.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

ALEXANDER N. HOOVER, one of the enterprising farmers of Allen Township is a native of the township in which he resides, and was born December 4, 1846. He was the fifth son born to Daniel C. and Frances (Shrofe) Hoover, both natives of Ohio, who settled in this county about 1832. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father’s farm in his native county. He attended the district school, in which he received a good common school education. In February, 1865, he made a third effort to enter the Union army, refused twice already on account of his youthfulness. This time he succeeded, and the name of Alexander N. Hoover appeared upon the roll of Company C, 151st Indiana Regiment. With this he served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in September, 1865. An attack of a chronic disease, occasioned by exposure and the habitual use of unwholesome food and water had impaired his health somewhat, in consequence of which two years were spent at the home of his father recruiting the same. As soon as if was sufficiently regained he resumed farming. He, however availed himself of an opportunity to attend school during the winter time, which he did until the fall of 1871, at which time he took up, for his winter employment, the avocation of a teacher. In this capacity he was successfully engaged for eight years. In order to qualify himself for this pursuit he attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, during the spring of 1874, one term. Since the spring of 1879 his attention has exclusively been given to farming. He located where he now resides in the fall of 1874. Emma A. Cook, a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, born June 6, 1847, became his wife March 26, 1879. She was the daughter of George and Rachel (Albright) Cook, who were respectively natives of Somerset and Bedford Counties, Pennsylvania. This marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Charles Guy, born January 22, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover belong to the M. E. church. Politically, the former is a Republican. He owns a handsome little farm of sixty-two acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer, and an honored and worthy citizen. He began with nothing, but through industry, perseverance and economy, he is now in comfortable circumstances.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

JOHN HORTON, an aged and venerable citizen of Allen Township, is a native of Berkley County, Virginia. He was born December 12, 1796, being the second son of John and Barbara (Hay) Horton. The former was born and reared in Germany, where, during our Revolutionary War, he was induced to join a company of German soldiers that came to America and assisted the British in their warfare against the colonists. At the close of the war he settled in the State of Virginia, where he became the father of the subject of this sketch. When the latter was six years old his parents emigrated to Steubenville, Ohio, where the father engaged at the hatter's trade. At twenty years of age, or in 1816, John came to this State and located in Jefferson County. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1836, at which time he came to this county and located in the woods of Union Township. A division that has been made places the site of the location in the present Allen Township. There he erected a rude log cabin, and with the aid of his sons, immediately went about clearing up a farm. He not only has the credit of erecting the first dwelling-house in Allen Township, but also the first school house. The latter, however, was not built for a number of years, or until the children of other settlers had come and made the number sufficient to form a school. Mr. Horton continued upon the scene of his labors until old age compelled him to desist. He now makes his home with his son, T. G. Horton, where he is spending the decline of life in a quiet, pleasant way. He was married at the age of twenty-seven to Jane Holcome, who was born in Virginia about the year 1801. Their marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: William A., Thomas G., Calvin R., Aaron C., Nancy E., Eliza, Joseph H. and a son that died in infancy unnamed. Calvin R., Aaron C., Nancy E. and Eliza are deceased. Politically, Mr. Horton formerly affiliated with the Whigs, but since 1856 he has supported the principles of the Republican party. Though more than four score and ten years age he is in full possession of his mental faculties and is enjoying good health. He has lived to witness the young grow old and sink to rest, his chosen companion among them, her death having occurred more than thirty years ago.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

WILLIAM A HORTON one of the influential citizens of Allen Township, is a native of Jefferson County, this state, and was the oldest son of John and Jane (Holcome) Horton, both natives of Virginia. William came with his parents to this County in 1835 and first located in Jefferson Township. They removed to that part of Union Township that is now known as Allen in the spring of 1836. They were among the first settlers of that part of the County. There William spent his youth working upon a farm. At twenty years of age he went to Peru where one year was spent in learning the trade of an edge-tool manufacturer with J.W. Boone, who will be remembered as one of the most influential citizens of which the city could boast. He located at Millark, Fulton County, in 1846, where he worked at his trade eight years; after which he went to Rochester, but a year later he returned to this county and located upon a farm in Allen Township. For twenty years thereafter his attention was divided between his trade, farming and the culture of bees. Since 1876 his entire attention has been given to his farm and to agriculture. In this latter pursuit his interests have become quite extensive. A few years ago he had the finest apiary in Miami County and it still ranks among the best. He was married on the 22nd of October, 1846, to Serenia Callaway, a native of Decatur County, this state, born December 29, 1827. She was the daughter of Charles and Ella (Griffith) Callaway both natives of Virginia. She died November 4, 1854 and on the 10th day of October 1855 he was married to Hannah L. Buchanan a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born May 21, 1819. She was the daughter of George and Nancy (Cassaday) Buchanan, both native of Virginia. By his first wife Mr. Horton had four children: Levi G., Charles S., Ella J. and another that died in infancy, unnamed. Charles S. died at the age of twenty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Horton belong to the Christian Church. In politics the former is a Republican. He is an upright, square dealing man and an honored and worthy citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

THOMAS G. HORTON, a prominent farmer of Allen Township, is a native of Jefferson County, this State, and was born August 23, 1826. He was the second son born to John and Jane (Holcome) Horton, both natives of Virginia, the former of German and the latter of Irish and English descent. When Thomas was ten years old, or in 1836, his parents came to Miami County and located within the limits of the present Allen Township. There his youth was spent assisting his father to clear and cultivate the farm. As soon as the settlement was provided with a school he became one of its students and he thus obtained the rudiments of an education. But the advantages were poor and in consequence his early education was quite limited. By diligent study, both in and out of school, he, however, obtained sufficient education to take charge of the school himself, which he did at the age of nineteen. He was successfully engaged in the capacity of a teacher for eight years spending his vacation upon the farm. After he became of age he began farming for himself and he has been chiefly engaged in this pursuit ever since. He located upon the farm he now occupies in 1848. In 1858, in the hope of recovering his wife’ health, which had become seriously impaired, he took his family to Winchester, Ohio. There Mr. Horton engaged in the manufacture of shoes and boots; but two years later he returned to his farm in this county where, excepting two years spent upon his father's farm, he has since continued to reside. Harriet M. ,Fenimore became his wife April 10, 1848. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 3, 1826, being the daughter of William M. and Maria (Hurst) Fenimore, who, also, were natives of Ross County, Ohio. Their relationship remained unbroken until October 3, 1874, when the wife and mother died. On the 16th of March, 1876, his marriage with Mrs. Mary L. Yost, occurred. She was the daughter of John and Laura (Perham) York, who were respectively natives of North Carolina and Vermont. By his first wife Mr. Horton was the father of. nine children, as follows: John T., Emily J., William F., Joseph M., Mary E., Laura M., Charles G., Addison E. and, Julia E., of whom John T., Emily J., Mary E. and Laura M. died in infancy. He and his present wife are the parents of six children. They are Hannah M., Ora, Cora M., Clara, one infant daughter, unnamed, and another that died in infancy, unnamed. Ora and Clara also died in infancy. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is an ardent Prohibitionist. He has held the office of assessor one term, and during the campaign of 1886, he was the candidate of his party for the office of sheriff. He is an industrious and successful farmer, an intelligent gentleman and a worthy and honored citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

JAMES W. HURST, grain merchant, farmer, and stock raiser, at Macy, is a native of Piqua County, Ohio, and was born September 28, 1839. He was the youngest son born to William and Sarah (Alkire) Hurst, the former a native of Maryland, of English descent, and the latter a native of Kentucky, of German descent. At the tender age of two years James was left without a father, and in 1845 his widowed mother came with her children to this county, and located, first, at Peru. In the spring of 1846 the family located upon a farm in Richland Township. A year later they located in Allen Township, where the mother had pre-empted an eighty acres tract of land. There James spent his early life working upon the farm. During the winter of 1859-60 he taught school. At the age of twenty-three he engaged in the mercantile business in Chili. A few months later he located upon a farm in Allen Township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1867, at which time he located in Macy and erected the first business house in the town. In that building he placed a stock of goods, and during the ten years that followed his attention was simultaneously given to merchandising, the buying and selling of grain and to farming. Since 1877 his attention has been divided between the last two. He was married to Romannia C Hoover, April 12, 1876. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of eight children. They are Earl J., Eva M., Scott J., Herd J., an infant daughter, and three children that died in infancy unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the F. & A.M. lodge at Macy, which he served as its First Master. Politically he is a Republican. He was elected to the office of County Commissioner in 1878, and served one term. In that capacity he discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In the fall of 1884 he was the candidate of his party for State Representative and succeeded in reducing an opposing majority from 340 to 229. He is an industrious and successful business man and a prominent and influential citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

IRA B. HURST, one of the enterprising young farmers of Allen Township, was born in the township in which he resides July 6, 1851. He was the third son born to John W. and Ann W. (Hays) Hurst, who located in this county in 1846. Ira spent his early life working upon a farm. He was left without a father at the early age of two years. Shortly afterward he accompanied his widowed mother to Pickaway County, Ohio, the former home of his mother. When he was thirteen years old, or in the spring of 1864 they returned to this county and again located in Allen Township. The youth of our subject was spent working upon a farm, by the month. At the age of fifteen he began doing farm work for his uncle James W. Hurst, in whose employ he remained about seven years during the last five of which he clerked in a store and assisted the latter in the stock and grain business. He then engaged in the mercantile business in connection with his brother Levi J Hurst. He was thus engaged between seven and eight years. In January, 1883, he accepted a position as agent for I., P. & C.R.R. Co. at Macy, still retaining as partner his brother, L.J. Hurst. They were also engaged in the lumber business. This position he filled with credit to himself until March 8, 1886, at which time he resigned and removed to a farm in Section 1, Allen Township. He was married February 1, 1874, to Ella J. Horton, by whom he has had five children - Ira A., Ethel S., Bertha, Mary and one infant son who died in infancy unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and at present holds the position of W. M. in Lincoln Lodge, No.523. He is a Prohibitionist. He is an intelligent and enterprising young man.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

LEVI J. HURST, agent of the I., P. & C. Railway Company at Macy, is a native of Allen Township, this county, and was born June 28, 1853. He was the fourth son of a family of four children born to John W. and Ann W. (Hays) Hurst, both natives of Ohio. His parents came to this county in 1846, and first located upon a farm near Chili in Richland Township. A few months later they removed to Allen Township, where Levi was born and where his early life was spent working on a farm. He attended the district school, in which he received an ordinary common school education. In 1876, in connection with his older brother, Ira B. Hurst, he engaged in the mercantile business at Macy. He was thus engaged about five years. In 1881 he accepted a position as agent for the United States Express Company at Macy, in which capacity he has acted ever since. Since December, 1885, he has also held the position of agent for the railway at that place. December 26, 1876, he was married to Victoria A. Enyart, a native of Fulton County, this State, born June 16, 1858. This marriage has resulted in the birth of three children. They are Ira A., Ora Glenn and Charlie R. The second, Ora died in the third year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the F. & A.M. Lodge, and a Prohibitionist in politics. He is a young man of good habits, irreproachable character and good business qualifications, and he is well worthy the confidence of his employers and the public.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

WILLIAM R. MARSHALL, blacksmith at Macy, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, November 7, 1833. He was the eldest child born to William and Catharine (Walker) Marshall, both natives of Bedford County, Virginia. His father was born June 23, 1810, and his mother February 24, 1815. The former died January 10, 1844, and the latter August 17, 1847. When William was about three years old his parents emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, and located upon a farm. Some years later they came to this State and located in Grant County. About three years later they returned to Virginia, but soon afterward they again came to this State and this time located in Wabash County. A year later they removed to Whitley County. There his father died and, his mother having re-married, William accompanied his mother and step-father to Cass County, this State. He was then about fourteen years old. At the age of twenty-two he went to Carroll County, where he worked at the trade of a blacksmith one year. He then went to West Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois, but a year later he returned to Fulton County, this State. He worked at his trade in the town of Fulton about four years; he went to Missouri in the fall of 1866; in 1870 he returned to Wabash County, this State; in November, 1871, he located at Rochester, Fulton County, but in the following year he came to this county and located at Macy, where he has ever since resided. He learned the trade of a blacksmith early in life, and this has been his occupation ever since. September 14, 1854 he was married to Mrs. Sarah A. St. Clair who died May 28, 1863; May 10, 1864, he was married to Sarah J. Oliver, who died June 2, 1871. He was married a third time to Mrs. Sarah Kamp, January 13, 1878; she died January 12, 1884, and on the 13th of April, 1886, he was married to Laura J Hosey. In all Mr. Marshall is the father of six children. They are Eugene A., Troylous B., Henry A., William A., Loyd I. and Florence N. Troylous B. died in the 22d year of his age. The first two were by his first wife, the next two by his second wife, and the, last two by his third. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall belong to the M. E. church. Mr. Marshall is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge and a Republican in politics. He is an industrious and skillful workman and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

DAVID McKILLIP, one of the prominent farmers of Allen Township, is a native of Union County, this state, and was born June 5, 1837. He was the seventh son in a family of eleven children, eight cons and three daughters; born to Alexander and Elizabeth (Skillman) McKillip, the former a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America at the age of fourteen, served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was one of Commodore Perry's victorious crew on Lake Erie. He finally located in Union County, this state where he died about 1847. Our subject grew up to manhood in his native county, working upon a farm. He attended the district schools, in which he received an ordinary common school education. In 1858 he removed to Henry County, this state where he landed on the 13th of January. There he worked upon a farm by the month about two years, after which he learned the trade of a cooper. He worked at this about two years. He then learned the carpenter's trade which received his attention more or less for a number of years. In February, 1870, he went to Delaware County and located upon a farm, but in July, 1872 he returned to Henry County. There he located upon the old home place of his father-in-law and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until August 1880, at which time he came to county and located where he now resides in Allen Township. June 16, 1861, he was married to Amanda Fouts, a native Henry County, this state, born April 16, 1840. She was daughter of Elias and Mary (Shaffer) Fouts, the former a native of Randolph County, North Carolina, and the latter a native Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. McKillip have had but two child their names are Alfaretta and Forest, the latter of whom died when eleven months old. Mr. and Mrs. McKillip are members of the Christian Church. Politically the former is a Republican. In the spring of 1886 he was elected to the office of Township Trustee and is the present incumbent. He owns a farm of eighty acres about half of which is in cultivation. It was merely low, swampy land and its present high state of cultivation reflects very creditably upon the energy and industry of Mr. McKillip. He is a very successful farmer and one of the worthy citizens of the Township.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

MILTON MURPHY, one of the industrious young farmers of Allen Township, is a native of Perry Township, this county, and was born August 15, 1844. He was the eldest son born to Joshua and Tacy (Shoemaker)Murphy, natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania, respectively, of English descent. Milton spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm in this county. At the age of twenty-two he began farming for himself. That was in Richmond Township. In 1869 he located upon a farm in Perry Township. Four years later he purchased and located upon a farm in Allen Township. His occupation, during his entire life, has been that of a farmer and stock raiser. August 11, 1866, he was married to Elizabeth E. Antrim, a native of Cass County, this State, born May 21, 1840. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Frances (Gray) Antrim. This marriage has resulted in the birth of four children: Laura A., Wallace M., Tacy M. and Lewis. Of these Tacy M. and Lewis died in infancy. In politics Mr. Murphy is a Republican. He owns a handsome farm of ninety-one acres, about sixty-five of which are in cultivation. He is an energetic, industrious and successful farmer and a No. 1 citizen. When he began doing for himself he had nothing but an ox, but through industry, perseverance and economy, he is now in comfortable circumstances.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township

AMOS MURPHY, one of the enterprising citizens of Allen Township, is a native of Perry Township, this county, and was born February 4, 1846. He was the second son born to Joshua and Tacy (Shoemaker) Murphy, who came from Wayne to Miami County in 1845. When Amos was yet an infant his parents returned to Wayne County, but in the fall of 1846 they again came to this county and located in Perry Township, where the father died September 12, 1882, and where the mother continues to reside. Amos remained at home, working on his father's farm until he became of age. after which he worked for a number of years on a farm by the month. He began farming for himself in 1876 on the farm where he now resides in Allen Township. There he has resided ever since, excepting four and one-half years, two of which were spent on a farm in Howard County, two on a farm near Macy, and six months in Akron, Fulton County. September 16, 1876, he was married to Eliza A. Hoover, who was born where she now lives, December 22, 1852. She was the daughter of Daniel and Frances (Shrope) Hoover, both natives of Miami County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have had but one child - Roscoe D., born October 26, 1884. In politics Mr. Murphy is a Republican. He owns a handsome little farm of eighty acres nearly all of which is in cultivation. He began life with a small sum of money given him by his father. This he invested and through industry, perseverance and economy, he has been able to add to it until he is now in comfortable circumstances. He is an industrious and successful farmer and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township