The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 95

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 95


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).


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THADDEUS WOOD, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a native of Paris Township, was born No- vember 6, 1837. He is a son of Michael S. and Eliza (Thayer) Wood, the former a native of New York and the latter of Crawford County, Penn. They were married in Union County, and were the parents of nine children; of these, seven are living, viz .: Alpheus; Joseph E .; Demmis D., wife of O. J. Cowely; Clarinda A., wife of J. Smith Alexander; Thaddeus, the subject of this sketch; Michael P., and Emily E., wife of William Stillings. Ira and Lebbeus are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wood resided on the homestead till 186.5, when they removed to Marysville, where they both died. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm where he was born. He was married December 23, 1860, to Mercy Reed, daughter of Zephanialı and Siddie A. Reed. Mrs. Wood was born in Paris Township August 30, 1840. They had eleven children, of whom nine are living -- Eva, wife of Mallon Burris, Lewis, Abba, Harvey M., James M., William, George F., and Maud and Rodney (twins). In 1860, Mr. Wood located on the farm that he now occupies, which contains 133 acres, His occupation is that of farming and stock-raising. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist.


CHAPTER II.


UNION TOWNSHIP.


The territory composing this township was, prior to the organization of Union County, embraced in the counties of Delaware and Madison, the north- ern portion in the former and the southern portion in the latter. The town- ship, as originally formed by the County Commissioners of Delaware County, included the northern portion of its present territory, and a large scope of the western portion of the present territory of Union County, extending north- ward to the northern boundary line of the county. After the erection of Union County, in 1820, on the 12th day of March, 1821, at a meeting of the Com- missioners of Union County, " agreed, that the County of Union be divided into townships as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of Union County, running east five and one-half miles; thence north six miles; thence north to the north boundary of Union County, all west to be Union Town- ship." * Subsequently, in June, 1822, Liberty Township was erected, embrac- ing all the northern portion to the northern boundary of the county. In 1827, Allen Township was formed, which again curtailed the boundaries of Union. It is now bounded north by Allen and Paris Townships, east by Paris and Darby, south by Madison County and west by Champaign County. The sur- veys of Union, begun in 1799, were as follows: June 7, 1799, for Lucas Sullivant, 200 acres, Survey No. 3,311; Lucas Sullivant, Deputy Surveyor, Jan- uary 21. 1807, for Warren Cash, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,196. James Gallo- way. Jr., D. S., November 5, 1807, for James Waters, 400 acres, Survey No. 3,459. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 31, 1802, for Elizabeth Rickman, widow of Dr. William Rickman, 1,080 acres, Survey No. 4,071. Joseph Kerr, D. S., October 26, 1813, for Robert Kays and Lucas Sullivant, 3663 acres, Survey No. 4,277. Walter Dun, D. S., October 3, 1806, for Robert Kays, 2,000 acres, Survey No. 4,278. Lucas Sullivant, D. S., December 12, 1805, for Frederick Stanton and Daniel Bailey, assignees, 283 acres, Survey No. 4,735. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 20, 1806, for Obadiah Smith, 4663


John Blair.


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UNION TOWNSHIP.


acres, Survey No. 4,807. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., December 12, 1805, for John Cole, 100 acres, Survey No. 4,818. James Galloway Jr., D. S., George Young enters 100 acres, on the west side of south fork of Darby Creek, Survey No. 4,821 (not surveyed). May 20, 1806, for Absolom Bainbridge, assignee, 400 acres, Survey No. 4,805. James Galloway Jr., D. S., June 8, 1806, for William Heth. 200 acres, Survey No. 4,946. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., Jannary 21, 1807, for James Galloway, Jr., assignee, 80 acres, Survey No. 5,038. James Galloway, Jr,, D. S., January 22, 1807, for Alexander Kerr, assignee, 150 acres, Survey No. 5,127. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., March 28, 1807, for Robert Means, assignee, 700 acres, Survey No. 5,265. James Gal- loway, Jr., D. S, June 6, 1814, for Thomas Holt, 200 acres, Survey No. 5,291. Walter Dun, D. S., March 27, 1807, for Robert Means, 200 acres, Survey No. 5.301. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., July 28, 1807, for Hugh Montgomery, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,475. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., De- cember 20, 1807, for John Patterson, assignee, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,602. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., February 27, 1808, for James Galloway, Jr., as- signee, 200 acres, Survey No. 5,708. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., June 20, 1SOS, for the representatives of Robert Young, 1,000 acres, Survey No 5, 726. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., June 15, 1808, for Samuel Finley, 255 acres, Sur- vey No. 5,740 James Galloway, Jr .. D. S., July 21, 1809, for Richard Ap- person. 300 acres, Survey No. 6,312. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., July 22, 1809, for Richard Apperson and Beverly Stubblefield, 3533 acres, Survey No. 6,316. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., March 10, 1810, for Andrew Alexander, assignee, 200 acres, Survey No. 6,543. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., August 15, 1811, for James Galloway, Jr., assignee, 100 acres, Survey No. 7,142. James Galloway, Jr .. D. S., April 24, 1812, for David Comer, assignee, 200 acres, Survey No. 7,406. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., April 24, 1812, for Alex- ander Reed, assignee, 100 acres, Survey No. 7,407. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., July 19, 1815, for Benjamin Hough, assignee, 172 acres, Surveys No. 7.472 and 7,677. Walter Dun, D. S., October 24, 1812, for Thomas Moore, 1, 500 acres, Sur- vey No. 7,491. Walter Dun, D. S., August 29, 1812, for John Graham, assignee, 640 acres, Survey No. 7,474. Walter Dun, D. S., December 8, 1817, for William Robinson and John A. Fulton, assignees, 500 acres, Surveys No. 7,492 and 9,461. Walter Dun, D. S., October 27, 1813, for James Galloway, Jr, as- signee, 100 acres, Survey No. 7,734. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 15, 1813, for James Galloway, Jr., assignee, 30 acres. Survey No. 7,737. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., October 26, 1813, for Anthony Walke, assignee, 284 acres, Surveys No. 7,770 and 7,836. Walter Dun, D. S., June 28, 1813, for Walter Dun, assignee, 80 acres, Survey No. 7,771. Walter Dun, D. S., July 20, 1813, for Joseph Parrott, 800 acres, Survey No. 7,789. Walter Dun, D. S., July 20, 1813, for Anthony Walke, assignee, 95 acres, Survey No. 7, 790. Walter Dun, D. S., April 29. 1815, for John Graham and Gross Scruggs, 260 acres, Survey No. 7,926. Walter Dun, D. S., December 24, 1813, for Robert Green, 195 acres, Survey No. 7,967. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 1, 1815, for Nathan Haines, assignee, and Henry Whiting, 120 acres, Survey No. 8,151. Walter Dun, D. S., June 23, 1814, for Henry Whiting, 220 acres, Sur- vey No. 8,152. Walter Dun, D. S., September 20, 1815, for John Graham, assignee, 94 acres, Survey No. 8,153. Walter Dun, D. S., April 29, 1815, for Walter Dun, assignee, 368 acres, Survey No. 8,414. Walter Dun, D. S., April 29, 1815, for Anthony Walke, Nathan Haines, assignees, and Edward Carrington, John Marshall, Henry Heth and Henry G. Heth, executors of William Heth, deceased, 500 acres, Survey No. 8,415. Walter Dun, D. S., September 25, 1815, for James Johnston, Gross Scruggs, John Graham and Walter Dun, assignees, Survey No. 8,523. Walter Dun, D. S., April 18,


10


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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.


1817, for Joseph and Benjamin W. Ladd and Thomas Newell, assignees, 120 acres, Survey No. 9,020. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., November 28, 1817, for Walter Dun, assignee, 95 acres, Survey No. 9,390. Walter Dun, D. S., No- vember 29, 1817, for Walter Dun, assignee, 400 acres, Survey No. 9,494. Walter Dun, D. S., June 6, 1818, for Walter Dun, assignee, Survey No. 9,591. Walter Dun, D. S., October 31, 1818, for the divisees of Benjamin Forsyth, deceased, assignee, 500 acres, Survey No. 9,724. Cadwallader Wal- lace. D. S., December 18, 1818, for Walter Dun, assignee, 60 acres, Survey No. 9,755. Walter Dun, D. S., April 29, 1818, for Joshua Poythross, as- signee, 1,0243 acres, Survey No. 9,79S. Walter Dun, D. S., June 16, 1820, for Alexander Breckenridge and William Boyce, 200 acres, Survey No. 10,338. James Taylor, D. S., January 9, 1823, for Samuel Smith, 600 acres, Survey No. 12,166. Walter Dun, D. S., October 26, 1823, for Lucas Sulli- vant, assignee, 3663 acres, Survey No. 12,214. Walter Dun, D. S., January 18, 1825, for Walter Dun, assignee, 70 acres, Survey No. 12,239. Walter Dun, D. S., January 18, 1825, for Walter Dun, assignee, 185 acres, Survey No. 12.338. Walter Dun, D. S., December 12, 1823, for James Galloway, Jr., assignee, 38 acres, Survey No. 12.349. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., De- cember 25, 1824, for Joseph Spencer, 8 acres, Survey No. 12,494. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., March 1, 1833, for Thomas Lucas, 120 acres, Survey No. 12,674. E. P. Kendrick, D. S., January 10, 1825, for Walter Dun, assignee, 143 acres, Survey No. 12,749. Walter Dun, D. S., September 6, 1939, for Nathaniel Massie, assignee, 30 acres, Survey No. 14,192. Nathaniel, Massie, D. S., Joshua Poythross enters 1,0663 acres, Survey No. 9,107. April 8, 1817, Walter Dun and Joshua Poythross, assignees, enter 820} acres, Survey No. 9,594. January 1, 1823, Lucas Sullivant, assignee, enters 643 acres, Survey No. 12,215.


SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.


The surface of the greater portion of this township is remarkably level; a small portion in the eastern part and along the Big Darby is rolling and slightly hilly, while the central and southern portions are a part of the cele- brated "Darby Plains," noted for their level surface, and deep, rich soil, consisting of black vegetable mold. Originally, as the first settlers found these plains, they consisted of prairie and oak openings, the former covered with an exuberance of grass, which in some portions grew to an enormous height; some of the settlers testifying that, as they rode through it on horse- back, they could grasp a handful on each side of the horse, and tie them together over the rider's head. This is an excellent grazing and stock coun- try, and from its first settlement, the people have devoted much of their time and attention to the stock business. During a few years of recent date, they have given attention to ditching, tiling and draining these lands, which are thus rendered excellent for corn and wheat. Here, as elsewhere, the first set- tlers sought the higher and more rolling lands, along the streams, upon which they located, considering the prairies on these plains as worthless; too flat and wet to ever admit of cultivation, or even to be habitable. But early in the settlement of this township, colonies from the New England States came here, and, appreciating the true value of these rich lands, with true sagacity and sound judgment selected and located upon them; and although, for some years, they endured sickness, and inconvenience attendant upon the work of first im- provement, and caused largely by decaying vegetation, yet now they are possessed of as fine farms as can be found in the State. When these prairies were first taken up, they were purchased for about one-half the price of the higher and more rolling lands, a large area being bought for 60 to 75 cents per acre, now they are worth abont twice as much per acre as the hilly clay lands. This. township


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UNION TOWNSHIP.


is well watered. The Big and Little Darby, with their many tributaries, drain almost every part of the township. The Big Darby enters this township in its northwestern portion, and courses in a southeastern direction, leaving the township on its eastern border, about midway between the northern and south- ern boundaries. In its course, commencing in the northwest corner of the township, it receives from the southwest the following tributaries: Watson Run, Hay Run and Prairie Run; from the north or east side it receives Buck Run, which courses entirely through the northeastern portion of the township in a southeastern course, emptying into the Darby at the east boundary line. The Little Darby enters this township near its southwest corner, from Madison County, courses northeast until it receives Treacle Creek, thence flows south- east and leaves the township at its extreme southeast corner. Treacle Creek is its principal tributary, and enters from Champaign County, near the southwest corner of the township, about one-half mile west of Irwin Station. It courses northward about two and one half miles, thence east one and a half miles, thence south to the Little Darby, inclosing with the latter a large tract of probably 3,000 acres of land, and almost making an island of it, there being only an isthmus in the northwest corner of the township, between the head-waters of Treacle Creek and Little Darby, of about one-half mile in width.


The principal productions of the soil here are wheat and corn, the rais - ing of which and the raising of stock claim almost the entire attention of the farming community. In richness of soil, in productiveness and in wealth, this township now ranks as one of the first in Union County.


PIONEERS.


The territory comprised in this township was among the earliest portions of the county to open its broad and beautiful lands to settlement. The first white man to penetrate the wilderness of this domain as a settler, was George Reed, who settled on the Big Darby, near Milford, in 1799. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a very useful citizen of Union Town- ship. About 1810-12, he erected a grist mill and a saw mill at Milford, the history of which is given elsewhere in this work. He also laid out and platted the town of Milford. He appears to have been a man of some means, of great energy and industry, and one of the leading active spirits of that day. He died September 28, 1836, aged sixty-seven years.


Robert Snodgrass, a native of Pennsylvania, married Jane Reed, a sister of the above George Reed, and emigrated to this county in the fall of 1800, and settled on the Big Darby, on Survey No. 3,311, where they lived and died. Mr. Snodgrass was a weaver by trade, which business he followed through life, in connection with farming. He died September 30, 1834, aged seventy- six years. His wife died January 13, 1833, aged seventy years. Of their children, Jane, married Thomas Reed, is now deceased; James was twice mar- ried, first to Polly McDowell, second to Mrs. Phelps, nee King, is now de- ceased; Hannah married William Porter and died in this county a few years ago; William married Sarah Robinson and died in Marysville about 1840 (the above children were born in Pennsylvania, and those that follow in Ohio); Robert was the first child born in this township, and the third in Union Co inty. He was born December 2, 1800, and January 1, 1828, married Ellen, daughter of Mrs. Jane Robison, who resided on the north bank of Big Darby, in Darby Township, about seven miles below Milford Center. Mr. Snodgrass was born on the north bank of Darby Creek, opposite the village of Milford, in a cabin which stood not far from the site now occupied by the rail- road water tank. In his childhood, he had for playmates the Indian children


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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.


in the vicinity. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1878, and he died on the 9th of February of that year. His wife died in 1879. They had seven children-Samuel, married Nancy Morrison, he died Feb- ruary 23, 1870, aged sixty-six years, and his wife about three years later; George, married Hannah Fox, February 8, 1828, with whom he lived nearly fifty-four years, she died December S, 1881 (Mr. Snodgrass still survives, and resides with his children in Marysville, Columbus and Urbana); Thomas, the youngest child, married Eliza Galloway, he died about 1879, his wife still survives. Of the above children, Robert, George and Thomas were born in Union Township, were all married the same year (1828), and all lived to cele- brate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, which took place in Marys- ville as follows: That of Robert and wife, January 1, 1878; George and wife, February 8, 1878, and that of Thomas and wife, October 20, 1878. Of this family of true pioneers, George is the only surviving member. He removed to Marysville in 1824; was Assistant Clerk of the county, and has remained a resident of Marysville nearly all of the time since. He served as Deputy Sheriff three years. He is now, probably, the oldest resident who was born in the county; is seventy-eight years of age and enjoying good health.


Paul Houston, who married Miss Reed, sister to George Reed, settled here in 1800, about the same time with Mr. Snodgrass. These were, perhaps, the only three families in this township in the year 1800. In 1801 or 1802. came Samuel Reed, first, brother of George Reed (he married Eliza Lackey); Samuel Reed, the second (no relation to Samuel the first); Vandever Reed, David Reed and perhaps a few others.


Three brothers, Richard, William and John Gabriel, were among the next earliest settlers on the Darby. As to the exact date of their settling here, we find a diversity of statements, fixing it from 1800 to 1810; but we think, from a preponderance of evidence, that it was not later than 1805, and perhaps as early as 1801 or 1802. They were citizens who took an active, leading part in the organization of the township and county, and in the general improve- ments, growth and progress of the county. William became Associate Judge of the county. Of his children, John became a man of more than ordinary ability, and represented this district in the Senate of Ohio; he died January 10, 1872. aged seventy-one years. One daughter married David Burnham; is deceased. William, never married; was a man of great ability, but with many eccentricities; he represented this county in the Legislature, and became quite wealthy. He died January 12, 1876, aged sixty-five years; is buried in the Milford Cemetery, where is erected to his memory a large and fine monu- ment. One other son of William Gabriel, Sr., was engaged in the mercantile trade in Bellefontaine; is now deceased. Richard Gabriel was the father of James Gabriel. John Gabriel was the father of John J. Gabriel; John died January 10, 1872, aged seventy-one years. William Gabriel, Sr., died Novem- ber 20, 1847, aged seventy six years. There was a large family of the Ga- briels. and many of them took an active part in the affairs of the county and township, and were among its best and most worthy citizens.


Rev. Samuel Woods, father of Judge W. W. Woods, and Samuel his brother, settled on the Big Darby in 1806. He was a native of Pennsylvania; was a noted and popular preacher at an early day, becoming the first minister of the Presbyterian Church at Milford, in 1808; or, as it was then called, " Upper Liberty." He was ordained to the ministry June 15, 1808; he died April 17, 1815, aged thirty-six years. Alexander Reed, brother of Samuel Reed the second, from Pennsylvania, settled here about 1810.


David Comer, a native of Pennsylvania, settled on the Plains, on Survey No. 7,406, about 1810-12, and was one of the first Commissioners of Union


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UNION TOWNSHIP.


County, a Major of the militia and a leading, active citizen. He remained a citizen here till his death.


John Irwin was born in York County, Penn., and was the son of William and Eleanor (Brisband) Irwin, he a native of Ireland and she of Scotland. He married Anna Steel, of Ohio County, Va., in 1791. In 1806, he settled in Union County, Union Township, on a farm in the southwest corner of said township, where he resided till his death in 1830, aged about sixty years. His death was caused by injuries received from being thrown from a young, spirited horse, soon after which he died upon the farm upon which he first settled in Union County. Mr. Irwin served as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Upper Liberty (now Milford Center), and was the leader of singing in the church; was a teacher of vocal music, and had in his library a large book of tunes of his own composition with pen and ink. He organized the first Sabbath school ever constituted in Union Township, which was conducted for some time in his own house. He sought earnestly the spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of his household, and lived to see all his children (except one, who united with another denomination) become mem- bers of the church he helped to organize after he came to Union County. Mr. Irwin was an excellent farmer, and also well versed in the mechanical arts Politically, he was a pure Jacksonian Democrat, and kept himself well ac- quainted with the political condition of the various governments of the world. He served as a Justice of the Peace of Union Township for several years. Anna Steel, his wife, was born in York County, Penn., a daughter of James and Mary (Harper) Steel; Harper's Ferry taking its name in honor of her father, James Harper. Miss Steel was seven years of age when the Revolu- tionary war commenced, and was in the fort or block house most of her time during that sanguinary struggle. Her father was one of the minutemen of the army, and kept his knapsack on his gun near the door ready to start at a minute's warning. Her ancestors were from Ireland. She died in 1854, from infirmities of old age.


John Steel Irwin, eldest son of John and Anna Irwin. was born, in Ohio County, Va., abont 1793. About 1816, he married Betsey Kilpatrick, daugh- ter of Samuel Kilpatrick, who resided on a farm three miles below Milford Center, on the north bank of Big Darby, where he died about 1844, of con- sumption. Mr. Irwin served in the war of 1812 as a teamster; was a farmer and teamster by occupation, and in those days of no railroads the latter occu- pation took much of his attention, in hauling goods for the merchants. He was a stanch Democrat, and served as a Justice of the Peace in Darby Town- ship, and as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Milford Center. He had six sons and two daughters. Archibald Steel Irwin, his fourth son, served in the army in the war of the rebellion, and was killed in Memphis at the time Forrest made a raid upon that town.


William Brisband Irwin, second son of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Ohio County, Va., October 2, 1795, and died October 17, 1878, from a compli- cation of diseases incident to advanced age, aged eighty-three years. He en- tered the militia as the lowest commissioned officer, and was successively pro- moted to the office of Brigadier General, in which rank he served several years, and resigned in 1840, having served as a commissioned officer twenty-six years. He was a Justice of the Peace twenty eight years, when he removed to Leban- on, Warren Co., Ohio, leaving the office. A remarkable feature of his official capacity was, that in no case tried before him was there ever an appeal taken from his decision. He was County Commissioner several years, serving in that capacity during the erection of the old court house, and was County Sur- veyor about twenty years. He was a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church


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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.


at Milford Center several years, and was likewise leader of the congregation in singing and a teacher of vocal music. After his arrival in Warren County, he was chosen Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Lebanon, April 3, 1859, serving in that capacity about nineteen years. Mr. Irwin possessed, when a boy, a natural genius as a mechanic, and when quite young, during the time his father and brother were taking their noonings, he would steal quietly away, and devote his time in constructing a saw mill, and when the time arrived to go to the afternoon's work, his father's patience was severely tried by having to call repeatedly for his son to go to work, giving him a severe reprimand. But one day subsequently, while Mr. Irwin was walking along the creek, the heard a peculiar noise, and upon investigation, to his surprise he saw a toy saw mill, perfect in construction, and running in good order. From this time he never dictated to his son, William, how he should employ his noonings. This was the first and only saw mill ever erected on Treacle Creek. In 1820, he erected a saw mill on Little Darby, about two miles below the mouth of Treacle Creek. He had to go fourteen miles to procure help enough to perform the laborious work of raising it. On this errand he started the evening before, and it was raining and the creek rising, but still he anticipated no damage to his foundation timbers. But after he was gone, the creek continued to rise quite rapidly; his thoughtful wife, becoming anx- ious about the safety of his timbers, went to the creek. found the small tim- bers already beginning to float, and with her own hands hauled them to higher ground. When this was accomplished, she saw that the larger timbers were also beginning to float. Hurrying to the house, she tied her babe, seven months old, in its cradle, took the bed-cord out of her bed, ran to the creek, and, wading waist-deep into the water, placed the rope around the timbers and then made them fast to the bushes on shore and secured the frame. Thus, by the thoughtfulness, energy and bravery of this noble wife, the entire timbers for the mill were saved. Mr. Irwin was married to Anna Bigelow June 15, 1818. Six daughters and three sons were the result of this union. James Harvey, the third child, died in infancy. The youngest two children were sons, and both served in the army in the war of the rebellion, the eldest of whom, William Lee, was discharged as unfit for further service, because of impaired health. The youngest, John Russell, was killed at Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862, aged twenty-one years and two months. On September 7. 1854, William B. Irwin married, for his second wife, Mrs. Margaret Kim- ble.




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