USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Pioneer record and reminiscences of the early settlers and settlement of Fayette County, Ohio > Part 2
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lightoned nations. It invigorates and enlivens the laborer, when he returns from the toils of his daily ocupation to his humble cabin, and listens to the sweet notes of music. Shake- speare says:
"The man that bath no music in his son!, And is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is only fit for treason, stratagems and spoils."
To the war worn and sun beaten pioneer, hoy beautiful it is, when the summer of youth has slowly wasted into the night- fall of age, and the shadow of past years grows deeper, as life wears on to its close, to look back through the vista of time, upon the sorrows and felicities of our earthly years. If we have a home to shelter our frail bodies, and hearts to rejoice us, and finds have been gathered together ground our fire. sides the rough places of our wayfaring will have been worn and smoothed away in the twilight of life, while the sunny spots we have passed through will grow brighter and more beantitul. Happy indeed are those whose intercourse with the world has not changed the tone of holier feelings, or bro- ken those musical chords of the heart, whose vibratiens are so melodious, so tender and touching in the evening of age.
BY J. L. MYERS, ESQ.
HON. J. S. BERIMAN was an early settler in the forests of Fayette. He has the credit of establishing and printing the Arst newspaper in the County. He has served his country in several important trusts, County Clerk, Judge, Representa- tive, and Cierk of that august body. He is now Mayor of Washington Court-house.
HON. DANIEL. MCLEAN, an carly settler and a merchant, las held the office of Judge, and is now President of the National Bank. Hle is a man of wealth and influence, pro- verbial for his honesty and benevolence.
JOSEPH MCLEAN, by ocupation a farmer. He. was one of our early emigrants. A man of integrity and a useful citizen.
WILLIAM R. MILLIKAN, editor and owner of the Payette County Herald, was born in Ross County, and when of age emigrated to the West, and then back to Fayette. He is a nephew of Jesse? Millikan, an early pioneer, who was first
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Postmaster and first Clerk of the Superior and Common Pleas Courts of the County. Mr. Millikan lost his first wife, and took for his second, a daughter of the venerable John Robin- son, of Ross County.
BY MRS. BEERLEY.
LIEUT. JOUN MILLIKAN was one of fhe first permament pioneers to the Scioto Valley. Was a man of prominence and influence. During the war of 1812, ho served as a Lieuten- ant. Was the father of William R. Millikan, present editor of the Fayette County Herald. Lieutenant Millikan died in 1813, lamented and respected by all who knew him. His father served in the Revolution.
JESSE JAMES BEATY emigrated to Payette County in 1818. Washington had but few log cabins, the County but seven Townships sparsely settled. Deer and game of smaller species were in abundance. His grandfather, George Beaty, served as a minute man, during the protracted war of the Revolution. His father was Charies Beaty, who died in 1850, aged 85. Judge Beaty was in the war of 1812, under Captain Isaac Hoiskell, brother of the late John Heiskell, of Clark County, and uncle to D. O. Heiskell, of South Charles- ton, & brave Virginian, who was the son of a veteran of the Revolution, Adam Heiskell. About the time the enemy were preparing to attack Fort Stevenson, the frontiers were in great danger, and General Harrison wrote to the Governer of Virginia, to send to bis aid the volunteer riflemen, organ- ized under the State Laws. Captain Heiskell, ou getting the Dews, was soon on the war path. This was named the general cail. Judge Beaty was then but 18 years old. He belonged to the company and was one of the first to volunteer in the defense of the frontiers, exposed to the British and Indiaus. The march was tedious and long. No roads uor public con- veyances, but wild fraces and trails made by the savages. They suffered untold privations and hardships until they arrived at head-quarters at Upper Sandusky, where were collected 8,000 militie, under Gen. McArthur. The troops having arrived at Upper Sandusky, formed the Grand Army of the Northwest Judge Beaty helped to creet Fort Meigs.
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Judge Beaty was elected and commissioned an Associate Judge in 1817, and served with great acceptance until the new Coustitution was adopted. Judge Beaty is a strong minded, euterprising man, possessed of an iron will; a man of sense and sound judgment and every way qualified for the honor conferred upon him. 'He is an honorable man, strict and close in business, but honest and benevolent, kind to the poor. Ile was born in Virginia in 1793, and is now 78 years old. He holds his age remarkably well. His family record is, Newton, Milton, James, Mary, Henry and Ferman, son-in-law. Newtou is a farmer and stock dealer, Milton farmer and preacher, Jamies farmer, Mary married Henry Ferman. They occupy the old homestead, and the Judge makes his home with them. In religion, the Judge is a Presbyterian.
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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
BY A. AND J. DEWITTE.
JOHN DEWITTE, Esquire, was born December 9th, 1785, in Clark County, Kentucky, and emigrated to Ross County, Old Town, 1726. He purchased 1,000 acres on Turkey rua, now Wayne Township, Fayette County, in 1805. He married Polly Barker April 11th, 1808, by whom he had ten children -- Euline, Jane, Anderson, Dartington, Decater, Greenun, Rachel, John, Jessee, Candes ; all married, and have families. John De Witte served as & soldier during the war of 1812; he served as a justice soveral terms, and during his life served in several other important township offices. His house was the headquarters of Governor McArthur, Massie, Douglas, Croton, Kendrick, Allen, Thurman, Randolph, Clay. Critten- den, and other prominent men of the South and West. D'e- ter De Witte, father of John, emigrated from Germany to America at an early day ; he was in the Revolutionary War, and was an carly pioneer to Kentucky ; a friend of Boone and Kenton. He died soon after the war of '12, aged 90, his wife died at the age of 92. John, the subject of this record, built the first cabin in now Wayne Township, then a wilder- ness inhabited by Indians and wild beasts of prey ; no roads, nothing but Indians' trails and bridle paths; uo mills aud no conveniencies, he had to encounter every hardship incident to pioneer life ; dangers seen and unseen to carly pioneers.
On Esquire De Witte's farm are the earth-works. The mound is abont 100 feet high, and in circumference about one mile ; on the top it is level, and contains rear teu aeres ; on the West side is the deep basin or pool, in circumference about eighty rods. There are three deep inclined passages running from the surface below to the top of the fort or mound. For past ages it was the camp of Big John and his war tribe. On the east side is the oldest cemetery in the county, donated to the public by Mr. De Witte, Erq. In this ancient depository
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of the dead, are the remains of John DeWitte, Esq., and wife; over their graves their children have crested costly and beautiful monuments, showing the respect and love they have for their lamented parents.
Jessee is the owner of the old ancient homestead, the old brick house, having been built in 1822. It still stands as a monument to tell the place where lived and died John De- Witte, Esq., who was known for his honesty, bencvolerce, and hospitality. In religion, he was a regular Baptist ; his latch- string was always out during associations, and the weary pioneer preacher found shelter and comfort.
BY ANDERSON DEWITTE.
Camp meeting ground, ou the south side of Chillycih. .pike, most beautifully situated on a high, dry piece of ground, a truly romantic forest grove interspersed with native oran- vental trees, inexhaustible supply of sulphur water of the best quality. The ground had been in past ages the cemetery of some imcient race, large in physical structure, as skeletons have been exhumed measuring seven and seven and one-half feet in length.
Anderson DeWitte was born August 23d, 1813, on the homestead, east of Washington four miles, on Turkey creek, Wayne Township. He lived with his father until of age; he married Miss Elizabeth Bare, daughter of Hlou. Geo. Hare, now of MeDouDougl: County, Illinois, who emigrated from Rose County, Olio, in 1850. Mr. Hare was an early pioncer to Ross County, and, during his residence there, he was popx- lac and favorably known-a man of note and prominence. Soon after his settling in his new locality he was elected to the General Assembly of his newly adopted State; be is still living, and enjoys good health and the society of his numer- ous friends and relatives.
Mr. De Witte, soon after his marriage, purchased land of his father, and moved on it; he still purchased, until he is the owner of 1,000 aeres. Mr. De Witte has been during his life a large and extensive dealer in fine stock -- such as horses, enatile mules, and hogs ; and he has been engaged in shipping for the past several years, horses, cattle, moules, and hogs to
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the Eastern markets, and has had imported fine stock from Europe. His stalls of yearly bulls are unsurpassed for pure blood and model beauty, and for many years he has been the successful man for important premiumis at State and County Fairs.
Mr. De Witte is the father of twelve children, all living and possessing sound minds and good health ; their names are as follows: Mary C., Semantha, Thomas Hamer, called after the lamented Gen. Thomas L. Hamer, of Brown County. Ohio, Joann, Harvey, Elizabeth, Hannah Bell, John, Martin, Jane Almeda, George, Crittenden, named after the late Hon. John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky. Mr. De Witte, in religion, is a Methodist, and in politics, a Democrat. He has often been urged to run for office, but always refused, having no aspira- tion in that way. He is a man of great energy of character, enterprise, and frugality. He is intelligent, and generally eu- tertains his friends in a social talk when they call on him; his health is unimpaired, and he bids fair to live yet many years.
BY W. R. HUKILL.
RICHARD HUKILL emigrated to Chic in 1905, then Ross County, and purchased six hundred aeres of land in the woods of Peter Harper, paying 8900; he lost this purchase, Har- per's title having proved a fraud. Hle then purchased three hundred acres of John L. Choier, in Wayne Township, now Fayetre county.
The following are the names of Richard Hukill's children who emigrated with him : Nathan, David, Zebulan, Herold, Stephen, Noah, Zachariah, Naoma, Polly, Nancy. Richard Hakill was one of the first Trustees of Wayne Township. In religion, a Baptist. He died in 1854. Noah Hukill was the first inn-keeper ; he still occupies the old farm. The names of his children are: W. R. Hukill, Esq., who has served as justice several terms, also as treasurer and school director, Maggie Hakill married W. R. Dizon.
The following pioneer names by W. R. Hakill: Philip Harper, Adam Ricas, William Baker, James Baker, William Barker, John J. Choicx, Samuel Choier, John Merret, Henry Thurman, one of the arst justices of the peace, J. Smith, J.
[ASig. 3]
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Carter, Daniel Hopper, Win. Harper, Peter Deull, Gilbert Yeoman, Stephen Hill, Humphrey Warren, Peleg Rogers, Willia:a Ware, Henry Byran, John Archer, Samuel Blain, S. Keller, Samuel Orr, Felta Post, Christopher Popejoy, George Poor, Isaac Aylshire, John McCoy, who were all farmers, and did much to open and improve the wilderness; but a ms- jority of them have passed away from the stage of action.
Among the most prominent and useful men of the town- ship at the present time are Nathan Coffman, Milion Hegler, Ira Yeoman, Jacob Eyeman, Hamilton Bogers, John Hukill, Anderson De Witte, Jesse White, William S. Rogers, T. N. McElwain, William MeElwain, John Smith, John R. Dixon, Stephen Geringer, W. B. Rodgers, John Summin, Philip Me- Williams, Thomas McCoy, John H. Parrott, Juhu Sellars.
The first store in the township was opened by Bush & Co., at MoElwain's tan-yard, now Good Hope. James and Wal- ler Yeomau bailt the first four-mill in the township, which stood near the site of the fine mill of Joseph Bonham's, on Paint creek, in the village of Rock Mills. The first still- house in the township was erected by Christopher Popejoy, on the large farm of Rev. Boyd. The first hotel in the town- ship was kept by Noah Hukill, on the farm where he now lives. Among the first school teachers were Andrew Hays and Thomas Finny. And one of the first school-houses in the township was built on the farm of the heirs of Mailoo, once the old Hukill farm.
The first ministers were Daniel Hays, James Bnrbridge, Mr. Alkire, Samuel Wilson, Dr. George Zimmerman, a half Chane Indian and a successful doctor. Rev. T. U. Dewees keeps store at present in Rock Village-soc Good Hope Basi- nous Directory, by Wm. Davis, on another pago.
Among the many good things of Wayne Township arc two tile factories for the making of drain tiles, which are car- ried on by Hegler & Co. and J. Willer. The first churches were built by the Baptists. The Baptists have two churches, and the Methodists one, and the Dunkards one. There is a good sebocl-house in every district, and the merry shouts of the scholars can be heard in every nook and corner of old Wayne. This is what the hand of time and improvement has done,
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The forest have become cleared out and the land improved. Onve what used to be the home of the Indian, the wild tur- key, pantber, bear, and deer has given place to civilization and intelligence.
Ira Yeoman is our most successful wheat farmer; he has held the important office of Township Treasurer fourteen years, to the entire approval of the community. In this town- ship is one of the best houses in the county-it is the resi- dence of Milton Hegler, Esq., which stands as a monument of architecture and wealth, on his model farmi of 1.500 acres, located in the east end of Fayette and west end of Ross counties, on the pike leading from Chillicothe to Washington Court House. Strewns running through the township are Main Tain creek, Indian creek, Turkey run, Habill "", Papaw run, and Davis lick. Wayne Township was named after the brave, mad Anthony Wayne. The face of the town- ship is level, and a little rich rolling soil. The inhabitants are honest, industrious, frugal, and hospitable. She has the honor of baving the oldest man and woman within her limits in the county --- see another page in the townshipe.
BY MRS. DAVIS.
ISAAC SMITH emigrated from Virginia to now Wayne Town. ship at an early date, and settled near the waters of Main Paint. His sons, Zach., John, Alexander, James and Isaac, are all farmers. James lives on the old farm. John Smith served several terms to entire satisfaction. Alexander was assessor several years, and sande a very popular oce.
MARTIRE GROVES emigrated from Hampshire County, Vir- ginia, at an early, to now Fayette. He settled on Main Paint ; he served in the war of 1812 ; he was by occupation a farmer, and made a good neighbor. He had five sons, Josiah, Noah, Vartio, Christopher, and David. Josiah is dead; Noah lives iD Ross County as a farmer; Martin is a farmer and large stock dealer, and is now erecting a large pork-house; his house is situated two miles east of Washington, on the Chillicothe pike; Christopher is a farmer in Illinois : David was drowned in Paint creek, in his sixth. year; he was, for his age, a very promi-ioc chill
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BY MRS. ROBERT M'ELWAIN, NOW 87, WIFE OP CAPTAIN ROBERT M'ELWAIN.
Captain ROBERT MCELWAINE emigrated from Kentucky to Fayette in 1810, and settled on Indian creek, a noted place for Indians and game. His family consisted of his wife and three children -- Jane, John C., and William. Jane and Johu O. are dead; William followed the occupation of a merchant and farmer. After arriving in Fayette, Mrs. McElwain had seven children -- Ozee, wife of fra Yeoman ; Robert T. was a tanner; he died in 1818, and left a wife and three children in Missouri; Nancy Stukey, wife of Simon Sinkey; they had nine childien-five boys; Robert N., Jacob, Samuel, William W and Jahn are all farmers and stock dealers Maggie, Mary, Uzeo, and Axy are all single; Samuel MaElwain died on the route to California ; Thomas N. MeElwain is a farmer and steek dealer, and occupies the old homestead ; his family, John H., Ozee and Jane are dead ; Ande ; Samuel N., is a far- mer; William R. and Lewis A. ; Elizo is the wife of Ander- son Rose ---- she is dead, but left one child, William T. Rowe; Minerva is also dead ; Jane had one son-Robert; Johu had nine children : William R., Robert, John T., Maria J., Emily, Usebie, Minerva, Samuel, and Alfred J. The following ore William's children : Mary J., Nanes, Joha N., Thomas B., Eliza, Henrietta, Eva, Robert T., and Willie. Johu N. is a clerk in the Treasurer's Office at Washington city : Thomas B. is an attorney at Washington C. H. Robert's children are as follows : Susan J., John W., and Esther I. John W., for- mer; served in the late war; Susan, teacher. Capt. Robert MeElwain served as captain of a rifle company during the war of 1812; while in the service he was elected a justice, and served nine years. He also, during his life, bold several im- portant civil offices. He was a man of influence; a useful citizen ; kind and benevolent to the poor; his latch-string at all times hung out. Ho died in his 18th year, respected aud lamented by relatives and friends. William MeElwain was in the revolutionary war.
BENJAMIN ROGERS emigrated from Virginia to Fayette in 1507, and settled on Indian creek, in the forest. His neigh-
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bors were Indians and beasts of prey. He was in the war of 1812. His children are scattered; Jackson, Hamilton, and William live in Wayne Township, and are farmers. Mrs. Benjamin Rogers died in 1871, in her 91st year.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL emigrated to Fayette in 1814; was in the war of 1812; a farmer.
PETER EYMAN was an carly emigrant ; a farmer. His sous, Samael and Jacob, both farmers.
HASSABD HOPKINS was an early settler ; was a farmer.
RICHARD STUBY was an early settler. He was the father of David, Abraham, Jacob, Jack, James, William and Jobn.
DAVID, WILLIAM, and JACOB FREES were early settlers or Jadian Creek. John Simerson was an early settler. James Ken was an early settler. William, Jerry, and Andrew are his sons ; occupations, fariners.
THOMAS DIXON was a private in the revolutionary war, un- der Gen. George Washington; he received a pension during his life. He emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, where he died in ISAS. Hisson, Thomas Dixon, Jr., was in the war of 1812; he went from Bedford County. Virginia .. He emi- grated from Virginia to Wayne Township, Fayette County, in 1833, where still lives, in bis 78th year. His son, Abyer, lives in Madison Township, following the occupation of a farmer and stock dealer. John Kelly Dixon, Wm. Richard Dixon, Giles Dixon, and Henry Dixon are all farmers and stork dealers, and live in Wayne Township, except Richard. who lives in Union. Susan Dixon married Wmn. De Witte, and lives in Wayne Township; Jane Dixon married Benjamin Devis, farmer; these were the daughters of Thomas Dixon. Jr. The Diven family present a noble war record, having in every national war in our country volunteered and rallied neder the flag of the Union. They descend from the ancient. stock of Dixous, who were noted for their valor and honesty. Heory Dixon was in the war of the late rebellion three years.
JACOB DAVIS, father of Mrs. Abner Dixon, emigrated to J'ayette County with his father, Benjamin Davis, from North Caroliun, fu the year 1802. Benjamin Davis was dram
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major in the revolution, and in the war of 1812. Ellen Davis, mother of Mrs. Abner Dixon, was born in Virginia in 1807, and now lives on the old homestead on Main Paint creek. Benjamin Davis died in 1837. John, Benjamin, Wil- liam, Sarah, Ellen, and Jacob A. are the children of Jacob and Ellen Davis. Susan is dead.
WILLIAM WILKINS was born in Surana County, Virginia. and emigrated to the Little Wabash, Fayette County, in 1816. The woods were full of game of every kind. He was the father of six sons and four daughters-living in Indiana. Mr. Wilkins was in the war of 1812, in Virginia.
CHRISTOPHER COFFMAN emigrated from Kentucky at an early day with his family, and settled in Wayne. His two sons live yet; Nathan on the old farm, very wealthy ; Samnel lives on Sugar creek; occupation, farmer and stock merchant.
STEPHEN YEOMAN, father of all the Yeomans, emigrated from York Siete at a very early date, and settled on Main Paint, near Rockville; he built the first brick house on Main Paint. His sons, James, Walter, and Samuel Yeoman, who was the father of Colonel S. N. Yeoman, now a large dry- goods merchant in Washington. The colonel served as a brave and popular commander in the late rebellion. Tra Teoman, son of James Yeoman, occupies the old homestead. Enos, Ely, Lon, Milton, Allen, and Jackson are sons of Wal- ter Yeoman, and are all successful and useful farmers but the colonel, whose occupation is a merchant, as above stated Mrs. Samuel Yeoman is still living in Washington, occupying the residence of her Jate lamented husband, Samnel Yeoman, Esq.
BY BENJAMIN DAVIS.
JACOB A. DAVIS, it will be remembered, was drowned in the Ohio river. at Scott's Landing, during the time of the Morgan raid. He was a member of Captain Greener s Com- pany (E), First Regiment, Fayette County Malitie.
WILLIAM IRWIN and his wife, Betty, emigrated to Wayne Township at an early day. They never had children ; both are dead. Nathan Coffman now owns his farm :.
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BENJAMIN DAVIS built the first horse-mill in the county. Hle purchased & book in 1781, for which he paid forty-tive dollars; in the book is inseribed the following :
" Don't seal this book for fear of shame, For above there is the owner's name."
The portrait and name is in the book: " T. Dilworth, author ; printed and sold in the year MDCCLXXIX."
DAVID GARRINGER emigrated at an early day. His son, David, married Serimo Yeoman, by whom he had nine chil- dren, as follows : Sarah, Angeliue, Manda, Semantha, Osa D., Albert, Stephen, Thomas B., and James J. ; all living. They never employed a doctor, using roots and berbs. When he died ho laft 210 000 to each child Berga a enormesful, safe farmer and stock raiser; he was a Baptist, and a good neigh- bor, and attended to his own business.
BY MRS. M'ELWAIN.
GEORGE HEATH was a Very early settler in Wayne Town- ship. During the war of 1812 his brother was killed by an Indian, and, iu retaliation, he killed an Indian, and stuck him in the cedar hole; he shot an Indian on the high banks of Main Paint; he was in the war of 1812. By occupatiou, a farmer. He was the father of two sons and eight daugh- ters; the sons dead ; girls all dead but Anna Wilson, Ehza- betk McCartney. and Matilda Hixon; her husband, Reoben Hixon, who lives in Good Hope, owns a saw and grist-mill : also a farmer and stock dealer, and a man of enterprise.
GOOD HOPE DIRECTORY.
Joseph Duens, John D. Raper, and Mr. Bodwell, dry goods merchants; Marian Peel, drugs; A. W. Roes, grocer ; George Tulwider, shoe store; Sant Sears and Jawes Davis, blacksmiths ; Nancy Aun Sanderson. milliner ; James Harper and Jonathan Rife, broom-makers; Reuben and Geo. Hivou, millers; Joseph Parker, justice; Abram Baker, physician ; Marian Peel, livery stable; Isaac Bainter, Isaac Depoy, W. B. Depey, James Murry, Joseph Parker, and Robert Scott, carpenters; Daniel Goen and Mr. Chnedenst, wagon and bng-
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gy makers; C. W. Bostwick, J. W. Parker, Rev. Barber, and Rev. Baker, preachers ; Turner and Dewese, sebool trus- tees ; one Baptist and one Methodist Church.
EDWARD SHORE was an early settler ; a tanner; his family moved West.
ISAAC DRAISE was an early settler ; a farmer; married the sister of Peter Buffabarger ; he was killed by the cars.
BY BENJAMIN DAVIS.
FELTA POST was an early settler in Wayne Township; a fermer; was in the war of 1812. He raised a family of pine children; six boys living. Jacob lives on the old farts. An drew lives in Union Township, and is a large iand boider ; Ella lives in Union ; John N. lives near Martinsburgh, as a farmer; Wesley, farmer; Abram, farmer, lives in Jasper Township.
HENRY SAWYERS was an early settler of Wayne ; cleared and owned the farm Benjamin Davis, Jr., now owns, He moved to Madison Township, Madison County, Ohio, in 1850; had no children
CHARLES and YOUNG STAFFORD were cmigrants from North Carolina in 1800, when the Indians and wolves were the ili- habitants. They were noted hunters, were both in the war of 1312; both raised large families. A. Jackson and Chas. Stafford, Jr., live in Fayette County; Zerubabel in Califor- nia, now in Nevada, a single man. He has four girls in lay - ette County, who are married; ove in Indiana. Charles Stafford had five sons -- Robinson, Solonion, Waymon, Stephen, and Charles, who were farmers, millers, &c. Five girls, all married; thece dead. The following are the names of his daughters: Rachel, Rebecca, Nancy, Jane, and Hannah. Save and Rebecca are living near Stanton.
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