John HALL was born in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1794 and came with his parents to Springfield township in the year 1817, and resided with them until the time of his marriage to Miss Sarah HALL, in the year 1827. To them were born two sons -- Joseph and John. He lost his companion in the winter of 1827. He was married again in the year 1844 to Miss Catharine CHRISMAN. This second union gave him six children -- three sons and three daughters -- Charles, Leander, Lovina, Amanda, Henry, and Emeline. Those deceased are Charles and Leander, both dying in early childhood. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian church, and were ever consistent to the faith they professed. The father died in 1873. He was a citizen respected and esteemed wherever known, and his loss was keenly felt among family and other friends. He now lies buried in the Springdale cemetery.

---

Elijah HILLS came to Cincinnati in 1818. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and emigrated from that State to Ohio. While living in the former State he followed the tailor's trade. After coming to Ohio he was a farmer. His death occurred in 1848. His wife, Rebecca HILLS, died the year previous. The surviving members of his family are Townsend, Rebecca MALNE, Martha SPRONG, Susan, and Alfred, the eldest son, who was born in 1805, in the State of Connecticut. He came to Ohio with his parents, and at the age of thirty he married Ellen McCASH, the daughter of an early settler. Three sons were born to them -- Townsend, Alfred, and Charles, who died in infancy. Mr. HILLS has gained sufficient property to make his old age comfortable, and he and his aged wife can now fully enjoy their pleasant home, and cheerful surroundings.

---

Joshua YERKES was born in Virginia and came from that State to Ohio, where he settled in Springfield township in the year 1819. All through his life he followed the business of farming, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in Indiana in his hundredth year. His wife, Margaret YERKES, died in her eighty-seventh year. The surviving members of the family are John H., Rachel REED, Mary GRIFFITH, Margaret JOLLY, and Joshua; the second son and subject of this sketch. He was born in Virginia, in the year 1812, and came with his parents to Hamilton county when but a lad of seven summers. He left the parental roof at the age of fourteen; was twice married, first to Miss Eliza McGILLARD, daughter of an early pioneer. To Mr. and Mrs. YERKES was born an only son, Howard, who resides in Iowa and has a wife and two children. Mr. YERKES lost his companion after four years of married life. Mr. YERKES married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth BROWN, who was also of quite an early and prominent family, of whom an extended account will be found elsewhere. To this second marriage were born six children -- four sons and two daughters -- Susan, Alfred, Elizabeth, Hiram, Martin, and Edward -- all living.

---

Benjamin STERRITT was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Franklin county, in 1801, and came to Cincinnati in the year 1820. His business career has been entirely devoted to the mercantile trade in Cincinnati. He has been twice married; first to Jane B. KEYS. His second wife was Abigail C. McCOY. Both are dead, and our subject is now living a retired life in a pleasant home in Glendale.

---

Elias COMPTON was born in New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio in the year 1820. His settlement was made in Springfield township. He followed shoemaking, and afterward farming. His wife, Bacheba HILL, died in 1832; the husband lived till 1866. The children are Joseph, Azariah, Wilson, Mary Ann, Phoebe, and Charles. The last-named was born in 1827, and remained at home until his marriage in 1863, to Miss Margaret BOGGS. They had one child only -- Ella M. In 1871 his wife died, and he again married in 1873. The second wife was Martha N. HURST, who has become the mother of a son, Clarence M. The family are now living on the old homestead of the COMPTONS. They are all connected with the Presbyterian church. His father and mother are buried in the Springfield cemetery.

---

Archibald BROWN was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, January 22, 1776. In the year 1825 he emigrated to America, and settled in Cincinnati, but subsequently moved into Mill Creek township, where he died May 22, 1858. His aged wife, Ellen BROWN, survived him less than a year, dying. January 6, 1859. She was born on the twentieth of May, 1779. His business was that of farming. The children were William, Archibald, Isabelle ADAMS, and Matthew, the youngest son and subject of the following sketch. Matthew BROWN was born in Scotland in the year 1821, and four years later came with the family to Hamilton county. He remained with his parents till the time of his marriage to Miss Martha BROWN in the year 1847. Nine children have been born to them, eight of whom are now living. Mr. BROWN is one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of his region, and a citizen respected and esteemed. He and his wife are both earnest members of the Presbyterian church, and are staunch supporters of the faith they profess. By dint of hard labor and careful management, he has acquired a comfortable property. He is now surrounded by almost every comfort that a gracious heaven can confer, and as he and his estimable lady pass along life's journey, they can look back without regret upon a well-spent life. Grandfather and grandmother BROWN lie buried side by side in Spring Grove cemetery.

---

Thomas WESTON settled in Springfield township in in 1827. He was born in 1769, in Townsend, Massachusetts, and died in 1836, at his home in this township.  He was a farmer and shoemaker, and in the winter was sometimes a miller. Mercy, his wife, was born in 1776, and died in 1829. The surviving children are: Maria Adams, who lives at Mount Pleasant; Phoebe, who lives in Missouri; and Silas, the only present male representative of the family. He was born in Massachesetts in the year 1812, and came with his parents to Hamilton county.

---

John ADAMS, the eldest son of John and Asenath ADAMS, was born in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1805. He assisted his father in cultivating the farm and in the manufacture of barrels, up to the year 1827, when he married and immediately after came to Hamilton county. To Mr. and Mrs. ADAMS were born two daughters -- Mary Ann and Harriet D. His pursuit since coming to Ohio has been that of a cooper and farmer. In the year 1855 he lost his companion. He was married again, in the year 1856, to Miss Maria WESTON. Mr. and Mrs. ADAMS are active members of the Universalist church, and have ever been staunch supporters of the faith they profess. He has retired from business, and he and his family live at ease in a comfortable little home in Mount Pleasant.

---

Joseph B. HALL, the eldest son of John and Sarah HALL, was born in this township February 16, 1828. He resided with his parents until the time of his marriage to Miss Catharine AYERS, daughter of a prominent early family. Mr. and Mrs. HALL had eight children: Caroline, Mary E., Mary Elizabeth, William B., James A., George W., Thomas J., Flora May, and Mary Ellen (deceased). Hard labor and excellent management have accumulated quite a handsome property. Himself and wife are both members of the Presbyterian church at Springdale, and have ever been strong believers, and supporters also, of the faith they professed.

---

John HALL, the second son of John and Christiana HALL, was born in Springfield township, Hamilton county, in 1829. His occupation has always been that of a farmer. In the year 1877 he was married to Miss Clara RIDDLE, daughter of a quite early and prominent pioneer family. To Mr. and Mrs. HALL was born an only son, John Henderson. Mr. HALL is enterprising and prosperous. His wife is an active member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of its earnest supporters; he is not connected with any church organization, but always favors the right, and firmly advocates law and order.

---

William HERBERT may not be classed among Hamilton county's pioneers, yet he deserves a place in its history. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, in the year 1806. At the age of fourteen he began an apprenticeship at the tailors trade. His time expiring when he had attained his majority, in the year 1829 he married Mary PAGE, whose maiden name was MATTHEWS. They had three children, one son and two daughters: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and William, of whom only Elizabeth remains. He is one of the first farmers of the township. He followed the occupation of tailor for a period of seven years in Cincinnati. He has quite a comfortable home in Springfield township, where he resides, leading a quiet life. He lost his companion in the year 1872. Both he and his wife were earnest Christians, their sympathies being with the Presbyterian people.

---

Augustus ISHAM was born in the year 1801, in the town of Colchester, Connecticut, and comes of quite a prominent family. His life has been taken up in various pursuits, but principally that of the mercantile business. He married, in the year 1822, Miss Eliza BRYCE. To Mr. and Mrs. ISHAM were born six children, five of whom are living, one son and four daughters. He lost his companion in the year 1859. He now resides in Glendale, has laid aside business, and lives a quiet and retired life.

---

Mr. Alexander BROWN may not be identified with the earliest pioneers of Hamilton county, yet he is nevertheless a character whose name deserves a place on the pages of history. He was born in Scotland on June 3, 1809. He married, in the year 1834, Miss Margaret BROWN. They have had six children, one son and five daughters -- Elizabeth R., Margaret, Elizabeth Jane, Jeannette, and William. Elizabeth R., Margaret, and Jane, are dead. Mr. BROWN is one of the most enterprising farmers of his township, his home and surroundings denoting more than ordinary thrift. He and his family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church. Our subject is a member of the county board of control, and has occupied nearly every position of honor that the citizens of his township could give, thus be-speaking for him the full confidence of his people. Mr. BROWN is surrounded by almost every comfort necessary to his wants.

---

Mr. James LOVETT may not be classed among the earliest pioneers, yet he is a character whose name richly deserves a place in history. He was born in England January 13, 1813. He, with his parents, carne to America and first made settlement in the State of New Jersey. Here the family remained for about five years, when, hearing of Ohio's fine climate and fertile soil, they started for the land of promise. His father's first purchase was the farm now owned and occupied by him. Here the parents resided until the time of their decease, both living beyond four-score years. Mr. LOVETT married, in the fall of 1851, Miss Sophia McLEAN, daughter of an early settler. Two children were born to them -- Amanda, who died April 6, 1878, and Robert. Our subject lost his companion in 1875. He is now an old gentleman, living a quiet and retired life on the old LOVETT homestead. His only son, Robert, resides with him, looking after his interests and superintending the farm. Robert married Miss Julia RIDDLE, of whose family will be found an account on another page. To him has been born one child, James R., a bright lad of two summers. Grandfather and grandmother LOVETT are both dead, and lie buried side by side in the Hamilton cemetery.

---

Andrew L. SORTER, second son of Hezekiah and Sarah SORTER, was born in Springfield township in the year 1830.
He was married in 1852 to Miss Harriet HUFFMAN. To them were born six children -- Sarah Ann, William P., Laura, Mary, Ida, and Douglas. Sarah Ann is dead. Mr. SORTER is one of the substantial farmers of his township, and a gentleman respected and esteemed by all.