The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 131

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 131

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JAMES HERD, farmer, P. O Raymond, a prominent farmer of Liberty Township, was born near Newton May 24, 1832. He is a son of James and Margaret (Edger) Herd, who were married in Clark County, Ohio, and removed to Liberty Township soon after the late war with Great Britain. They settled one-fourth mile east of Newton, where Mr. lIerd purchased 201 acres of woodland, paying $1.25 per acre. The township was then in its primitive state, and was inhabited with Indians and wild game. Mr. Herd was an energetic, industrious man, and devoted most of his life to felling the forest and improving the land. lle cleared up most of his farm, and made subsequent additions till he owned over 300 acres at his death. He was a man of more than ordinary business capacity, and was several times elected Commissioner. He served as Justice of the Peace eight years, and Township Trustee a number of terms. His po- litical principles were originally Whig, but became an avowed Abolitionist. His death occurred in March, 1843. He was an active member of the Free-Will Baptist Church many years. His marriage with Margaret Edger was blest with nine children, two of whom are living-Richard, who was born November 15, 1829, married Miss Ellen Weigel, and now resides in Butler County, Iowa; James, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. He was reared and brought up on the homestead, and educated in the common schools of Liberty Township. He has always resided in Liberty, except from 1865 to 1867, which time he spent at Waterloo, Iowa, in the grain busi- ness. In 1867, he returned to Union County, and located on the farm he now occupies. Feb- ruary 27, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy, daughter of Chambers and Docey Caley. Mrs. Herd was born in England November 25, 1835. This union was blessed with twelve children, of whom ten are living, viz .: Emma A. (a teacher), William H., Ida E. (a teacher), Charles S., Fay E., Flora, Frank A., Cora B., J. Bry and an infant son. Mr. Herd owns a farm of 500 acres, and is engaged in agriculture and stock-raising, making a special pursuit in rearing Spanish merino sheep. Mr. Herd has been active in local politics. In 1878, he was a candidate for Representative on the Democratic ticket. He was Land Appraiser of Liberty Township in 1871, and member of the Board of Trustees four years.

HENRY F. JACKSON, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Lincoln County, Me., January 20, 1842. His parents, William and Hannah (Melvin) Jackson, were also natives of Maine. His father was born January 12, 1812, and his mother August 28, 1807. They were married and came to Licking County, Ohio, in 1845, and, in 1850, came to Liberty Township. Henry passed his early life on the farm and received his training in the common schools. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He fought at Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and in all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign from Rossville to Atlanta, and also in all the conflicts on the march to the sea, and including Bentonville, N. C. He served with distinction, and was honorably discharged June 18, 1865, while serving as Corporal. He came home, and September 23, 1865, was married to Miss Christina, daughter of John A. and Lois R. Welch. Mrs. Jackson, a native of Licking County, was born December 21, 1845. Of the children born to this union the following are living : Owen G., born December 9, 1867; Edwin C., born February 13, 1874, and Minnie L., born May 21, 1882 ; Lois M., born August 26, 1866, and died August 24, 1867. Mr. Jackson moved to his farm in 1869, and has since occupied it, aud been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a farm of 1123 acres, besides thirty-one acres in Taylor Township. He and wife are both mem- bers of the Christian Church. In politics, he is of Republican principle.

SAMUEL S. JEWELL, farmer, P. O. Peoria, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, was born June 10, 1818. He is a son of Abram J. and Abigail C. (Jones) Jewell, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was born iu 1781, and his mother October 13, 1783. They were married in Pennsylvania, and removed to Wayne County,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Ohio, soon after the war of 1812. He was a soldier in the late war with Great Britain, and died leaving a widow and nine children-Catharine, Thomas, Lydia, John, Mary, Hannah, Samuel S., Sarah A. and Johnson. Mrs. Jewell removed to Knox County in 1825-26, and, in 1838, to Logan County, thence to Union, where she died November 1, 1858. She married for her second husband Tuttle Axtell, of Knox County. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, grew to his majority on a farm. In 1839, he came to Richwood and worked by the month till 1850, when he bought a small farm near the County Infirmary. In 1866, he located on the farm he now owns and occupies. He was married, December 10, 1846, to Roxana A., daughter of Josiah and Defrata (Luce) Kelsey. Mrs. Jewell was born in Champaign County February 9, 1836. Eight children were born to this union-Lydia L. (wife of T. L. Mullen), Huldah J. (wife of A. W. Turner), John, Charles, Jennie, Mary E. (wife of S. H. Rosette), George and Samuel A. In 1863, Mr. Jewell was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected in 1873. He was again chosen to that office in 1875. He served as Trustee of Paris and Liberty one year each, and filled various other local offices. He owns 186 acres of land, and is engaged In the avocation of farming and stock-raising.

BALDWIN JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Peoria, a native of Frederick County, W. Va., was born August 9, 1810. He is a son ot Joseph and Sarah (Bonard) Johnson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Old Virginia. His paternal grandparents emigrated from En- gland to the United States about the time of the French and Indian war. His father died in Frederick County, W. Va., about the year 1814 of the " cold plague," leaving a widow and eleven children. In 1820, Mrs. Johnson removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where she died in October, 1847. Baldwin remained on a farm till he was sixteen, then entered the employ of Benjamin Masters, proprietor of Fitch House, Chillicothe, and continued with him seven years. He worked on the Scioto canal and on the farm four years. In the fall of 1853, he came to this township and located on the farm he now occupies, which he had purchased in 1850. The whole farm was woodland and Mr. Johnson first cleared a site for a house. His farm now con- tains 114 acres, which he cleared and improved himself. His marriage took place February 11, 1836, to Miss Margaret, daughter of George and Catharine Ritchey. Mrs. Johnson was born in New York City October 11, 1809. They were blest with six children, of whom four are living, viz .: William A., John, David C. and Clinton. Noble and Jesse are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been identified with the Christian Church for twenty years.

JOHN W. LOCKWOOD, farmer, P. O. Raymond, a native of Liberty Township, was born November 20, 1826. He is a son of Israel and Angeline (Culver) Lockwood, natives of Connecti- cut and Vermont. Ilis grandparents on his father's side came to the county during the war of 1812. His maternal grandparents, Datur and Clara Culver, were among the early settlers of the county. John is the third son. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. When of age, he engaged working by the month for a time. Hle worked one summer in the woolen mills at Urbana, and has since followed farming. He was married December 18, 1850, to Mary A., daughter of David Gray. She died January 5, 1866, leaving one child-Eliz- abeth E., born September 8, 1857. Mr. Lockwood was again married January 10, 1867, to Sarah P., daughter of Jolin and Elizabeth (Pierce) Walker, by whom he has had three children, viz .: Willis A., born July 21, 1869; Carl P., born January 21, 1872; and Arthur W., born July 24, 1880. Mrs. Lockwood was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 22, 1843. Mr. Lock- wood owns a farm of 192 acres, and is engaged in farming and rearing stock.

REV. JOHN LYON, minister, Broadway, was born in Union County, N. J., March 17, 1818. He is a son of Amos and Charity (Harrison) Lyon, who were natives of New England. His father was born in 1775, and his mother in 1776, and both were of English origin. Mr. Lyon had two brothers who were soldiers in the war of 1812, and were imprisoned by the British in New York City. Our subject's father died in 1823, and two years later Mrs. Lyon sold the homestead and removed to Licking County, Ohio, where she died February 21. 1853. Our sub- ject is the youngest of ten children, four of whom are living, viz .: Nancy, wife of John Wilson ; Joseph B., Caleb and John. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in Martinsburg Academy and Meadville schools of Meadville, Penn. He engaged in teaching, which he followed five years. In 1840, he entered the ministry of the Christian Church at Utica, Licking County, where he resided till 1853, and moved to Logan County. He had charge of a church at Ridgway, till April, 1867, when he went to Woodstock, remaining there till he came to Newton in April, 1868; since that date he has farmed except the years 1873-74, when he had charge of the Christian Church of Newton. Rev. Lyon has been a member of the Ohio Central Christian Conference twenty-two years; and eight years a member of the Mt. Vernon Conference, of which he was Secretary till 1854, when he resigned. March 3, 1851, he was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Achsah, daughter of Samuel II. and Nancy Rockhill, who bore him five children, viz .: Amos H .; Frances E., wife of Homer W. Woodard ; Eliza A., wife of Harry Williams; and Jennie I., Ann E., died in infancy. Mr. Lyon is serv- ing in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, and in politics is Prohibition. He owns a farm of 104 acres.

JAMES T. MAHAFFEY, farmer, P. O. Raymond, ex-member of the Board of County Commissioners, was born near Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, April 4, 1827. He is a son

Houry Anine

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

of Alexander and Nancy (McCain) Mahaffey, natives of Maryland and Harrison County, Ohio, respectively, and a grandson of Alexander, Sr., and Margaret Mahaffey, who were owners of slaves. They liberated them when they removed to Pennsylvania, and, in 1830, migrated to Richland County, Ohio, where they both died. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Ma- haffey's maternal grandfather, James W. McCabe, was also a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. M.'s father removed to Knox County in 1825, and, in 1842, came to Union County. They removed to Tazewell County, Ill., in 1852. Mr. M. died in January, 1872, and his wife in November, 1868. James is the third of a family of seven children. He was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the schools of his native place. His early life was spent in clearing up his father's farm. He bought 107 acres in Jerome Township, to which he afterward added thirty acres. In 1864, he sold this farm, and, in October of the same year, came to Lib- erty Township, where he now owns a farm of 308 acres. He has followed farming and stock- raising successfully, devoting especial attention to keeping fine stock. February 9, 1847, he was married to Matilda, daughter of Alexander Kent, and grand-daughter of John Kent, one of the earliest settlers of Jerome Township. Mrs. Mahaffey was born in Champaign County April 11, 1827, and died August 25, 1855, leaving three children-Louisa (wife of Ed. L. Williams), Margaret A. (wife of Festus Edwards, of Reed City, Mich.), and James W., of Byhalia. Mr. Mahaffey celebrated his second marriage January 31, 1856, with Maria, daughter of Curtis and Elizabeth McCloud, and a native of Madison County, Ohio, where she was born March 8, 1827. This union was blest with five children, four of whom are now living-Nancy E. (wife of George C. Edwards, John W. (married Alice Lockwood), Alexander C. (married Olive B. Donley), and Flora M. at home. Riley, the eldest, is deceased. Mr. Mahaffey and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. M. is Deacon and Trustee of the church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. He was six times Treasurer of Liberty Township, and Justice of the Peace two terms. In 1878, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and served during the partial erection of the new court house.

JESSE MARIS, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield, a prominent Spanish merino sheep breeder, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 6, 1826. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Wick- ersham) Maris, who were natives of Chester County, Penn. Mr. Maris was reared on a farm till seventeen years of age, when he learned the shoe-maker's trade, which he followed in his native county ten years. In 1846, he went to West Middleburgh, Logan County, where he con- tinued at his trade till 1849, and came to Union County and bought 100 acres of land. March 30, 1849, Mr. Maris joined himself in marriage with Miss Rachel J. Chesher, a daughter of John and Julia Chesher. Mrs. Maris died in May, 1855, leaving three children-Joseph G., Sylvester and William P. Mr. Maris celebrated his second marriage in June, 1857, with Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, widow of Simon Stanley, and daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret Davis. Five children were born to this marriage; of these four are living-Lydia, James D., George E. and Charles P. Mrs. Maris departed this life June 10, 1879, and April 29, 1881, Mr. M. married Miss Rebecca E. Gordon, a native of Champaign County, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Gordon. Mrs. Maris was born in August, 1837. Mr. Maris owns a farm of 143 acres, and is engaged in farming and rearing thoroughbred Spanish merino sheep and French horses. He has about sixty head of registered sheep, and is a regular exhibitor at the Union County Fairs and Mechanicsburg Fair. Ile is one of the oldest fine sheep men in the county. In 1864, Mr. Maris was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and served his term on garrison duty.

HENRY MORSE, farmer, P. O. Raymond, a native of Windham County, Vt., born October 13, 1825. Ilis parents, Charles P. and Sarah (Knight) Morse, were respectively natives of Worcester County, Mass., and Windham County, Vt. They were married January 16, 1821, and in 1833 emi- grated to Loraine County, Ohio, and in 1836 to Ashland County. The subsequent year they canie to Claibourne Township, Union Co., and located on land which forms the present site of Richwood. He bought land to the number of 300 acres in Claibourne Township. In 1841, he removed to Marysville, where he carried on a dairy till 1848, and removed to North Lewisburg, and was engaged in farming, except one year he superintended a cheese factory at Homer, till 1854, when he came to this township and purchased a farm of 333 acres. He died June 20, 1871. He was an Elder and member of the Church of Christ for thirty-five years. He was once a member of the Vermont Legislature. Henry was brought up on a farm. He taught school a number of years, and was successful in the profession. His sister, Elvira, taught thirty-three terms, mostly in this county. She married Huston January, and died January 1, 1871. When of age, Mr. Morse made a trip to Nauvoo and Carthage, Ill., but remained a short time. He returned and resumed farming, which he has since followed. March 18, 1851, he was married to Miss Martha, daughter of James and Catharine January. Mrs. Morse was born in Marys- ville, April 15, 1830. To them was born one child-Mary, born January 2, 1852. She mar- ried David Skidmore April 28, 1870, and has one child-Henry M. Mr. Skidmore was born in Logan County, Ohio, June 3, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Morse are members of the Church of Christ. Mr. M. has been prominently connected with that church for forty-three years. He owns a farm of 227 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

LEVI REA, farmer, a prominent pioneer of Liberty Township, was born in Logan County, Ohio, June 5, 1815. He is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Dickinson) Rea, who removed from West Virginia to Logan County, Ohio, in 1808, and settled near East Liberty, subsequently re- moving to Jefferson Township where Mr. Rea bought 460 acres of land. The Indians and wild animals were numerous, and many were the difficulties which this pioneer encountered and passed through. Mr. Rea was twice called into service during the war of 1812. He was a poor man in his earlier life, but by his untiring energy and industry accumulated a great deal of property, and at his death in January, 1845, was one of the wealthiest men in Logan County. He left eleven children by his first and two by his last wife. Levi is the fifth child by his first wife. He was reared on the old homestead and received his education in the schools, which were held in log cabins. He was often associated with the Indian boys, and indulged with them in their hilarious amusements. In 1842, he removed to Liberty Township and purchased 100 acres of his large and well improved farm. But seven acres of this purchase had been cleared. He cleared it up from its original condition, and mate additions to it till his farm now contains 500 acres of land. From his fourteenth year till of age, he had charge of his father's farm, and conducted it successfully through these years. All of Mr. Rea's present property is the fruit of his own labor and management, he having embarked in life a poor man and made all that he possesses by his own exertions. ITis marriage occurred February 28, 1839, with Lydia, daughter of James and Mary Newman, and a native of Sussex County, N. J., where she was born October 14, 1812. To them were born seven children, of whom two are living, viz .: Da- vid A., born July 15, 1846, married Mary J. Glascoe; and Gertrude, born October 3, 1848, wife of James O. Thomas. Mary E., William F., Ruth E., James H. and Jehiel G. are de- ceased. Mr. Rea and wife are members of the Church of Christ.

DAVID A. REA, farmer, P. O. Raymond, only living son of Levi and Lydia Rea, was born on the home farm in Liberty Township, July 15, 1846. He remained at home till November 24, 1863, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He served under Gen. Sherman, and participated in the following battles : Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Atlanta and all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign and " march to the sea," including Savannah. He was afterward en- gaged at Bentonville and Goldsboro, N. C., after which he marched to Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged July 17, 1865. He returned home and was a member of the firm of Sterling & Rea, merchants of Newton for a time, then resumed farming which he has since fol- lowed. In 1878, he took possession of the farm he now occupies. He was married November 5, 1868, to Mary J., daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Glascoe. Mrs. Rea was born in Clark County, Ohio, December 15, 1844. One daughter was born to this union-Lydia, born September 17, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Rea are associated with the Disciples Church. Politically he is a Republican. He owns a farm of 100 acres, and is engaged in rearing short-horned cat- tle, Spanish merino sheep and Poland-China hogs.

DAVID REYNER, farmer, P. O. Raymond, an old pioneer of Union County, whose por- trait is given in this work, was born near Philadelphia, Penn., September 4, 1803. He is a son of John and Mary Reyner, natives of Pennsylvania. His father served in the war of 1812, and died in 1819. His mother died in 1814. David is the youngest of six children. He was reared on a farm till sixteen, when he took up the wagon-maker's trade near Philadelphia, where he worked six years. In 1834, he came to Columbiana County, Ohio, and the subse- quent year to Liberty Township, Union County, where he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres. Of this but ten acres had been cleared. Mr. Reyner cleared and well improved his land and made an addition till the homestead contains 108 acres. He also owns eighty-three acres in another part of the township, besides fifty-nine and one-half acres in York Township, making him in all 250 acres. In 1825, Mr. Reyner was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Mann. This union was blest with six children, four of whom are now living-John, Sarah A., wife of Isaac N. Skidmore; Theodore and Vianna. John served in the late war in defense of our country. Mrs. Reyner was born near Philadelphia, Penn., February 14, 1799, and departed this life March 15, 1879. Mr. Reyner is one of the few surviving pio- neer settlers of Union County. He came within its borders when the greater part was in woods, and with his own hand aided in making many of the first improvements of his township.

WILLIAM RIIOADS, farmer, P. O. Raymond, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 5, 1810, and is a son of Jacob and Mary M. (Yale) Rhoads of Bucks County, Penn .; his father was born December 21, 1776, and his mother November 11, 1779. They were married in their native State, and removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1814, where they resided till 1840, at which time they located in Delaware County, Ohio, where both died. They were parents of eleven children, five of whom are living. He was a stone-mason by trade, and late in life followed farming and milling. Our subject was married February 28, 1833, to Margaret M., daughter of John and Mary Irwin, who born him six children, viz .: Walter W., born August 15, 1835; Orville J., born December 23, 1837, and died in Andersonville Prison, August 15, 1864; Jacob Mckendree, born January 29, 1840, and died May 13, 1876; Horatio J., born January 19, 1842; Cassius Y., born June 19, 1844; and Marion F., born September, 8, 1846. Walter W., Orville J., Jacob and Horatio J. were soldiers during the late war. Mr. Rhoads

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

located in this county in 1873. He owns 121 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, to which they have belonged for forty-eight years.

DANIEL SHIRK, farmer, P. O. Peoria, eldest son of Adam and Anna (Dox) Shirk, was born in L berty Township, August 8, 1825. He was reared on a farm and educated in the dis- trict schools. His early life was spent in helping his father clear and improve the old home- stead. He had charge of the farm from 1846 to 1850, then started out for himself. In 1856, he bought fifty-six and a half acres, his present farm, which was all in woods. He cleared a place and erected a log cabin in which he lived till 1870, when he erected a frame residence. October 12, 1847, he was married to Miss Sarah D., daughter of Adam and Eve Brake. by whom he has had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz .: Samantha, wife of Franklin Turner; Julia A., wife of Franklin Walford : Matilda, wife of Joseph Donohoe ; Sarah E., wife of Jesse Wigle ; John W., married Dillie Jenkins ; Charles W., Daniel E., and Alneta. Mary M. and Elzada are deceased. Mrs. Shirk was born in Liberty Township August 5, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are earnest members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

STEPHEN SHIRK, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Liberty Township October 21, 1826. He is a son of Adam and Anna (Dox) Shirk, natives of Hardy County, W. Va. llis father was born October 22, 1791, and his mother August 5, 1796; they were married January 26, 1817, and in 1820 removed and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1822, they came to Union County, locating in Liberty Township, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Mary Connor, and in October, 1829, removed to Taylor Township, where he died July 29, 1876. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and during his life was an active worker in the Christian Church. Mrs. Shirk died April 25, 1859, and Mr. Shirk again married June 8, 1860, to Mrs. Charity Mann, who died September 25, 1873. Steplien is the second son and seventh child of sixteen children ; he was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was dis- charged September 5, 1864, at the expiration of term of service. He settled on his farm in 1852, first purchasing fitty-six acres, and subsequently adding thirty-two acres ; he also owns forty-six acres in York Township. He has always followed farming till within the last two years, during which time has been constructing pikes. His marriage with Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Adam and Eve Brake, occurred August 10, 1848. Mrs. Shirk was born in Liberty Town- ship February 17, 1827, twelve children were born to this marriage; of them ten are living- Emily, wife of Benjamin Hisey ; Amanda, wife of Orsamus Poling; William H .; Angelia, wife of Charles Holycross ; Lewis F., Viola, Charles L., Mary E., Rhoda and Cora. Cornelius and Josiah W. are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Shirk has been a minister in that denomination for eighteen years. For three years he had charge of Hildreth's Chapel as pastor. He was Trustee of Liberty Township for ten years. Politically, he is a Republican.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 131

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254