ELI HARRISON DRURY, a retired and highly respected citizen of Elizabeth Township, who during the greater part of his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Miami County, was born January 1, 1828, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Drury left his native State when about fifteen years of age and located in Perry County, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until his marriage, in 1848, at which time he removed to Ross County, and there became a clerk, and later proprietor of a store. Subsequently he went to Woodstock and became the proprietor of a hotel at that place, but later removed to Charleston, Bethel Township, where he served as clerk in his brother's store. Some time later he went to Miami City as a dry goods and grocery merchant, but sold out this establishment and purchased a farm of ninety acres from Benjamin Flynn, south of the city, on which he continued for fifteen years, operating as a general farmer. At the time of Mr. Drury's coming to this property nearly all the buildings on this property had been erected, but they were in need of repair, and this Mr. Drury accomplished, later selling the farm to Abraham Stortts. The next three years he spent on a farm of 105 acres, and he then spent one year on rented land at Brown's Station, but subsequently removed to another small farm, which be rented and which he devoted to the raising of grain for four years. After this Mr. Drury located on the L. Haines farm, and here his wife died July 27, 1907, interment being made at McKendree Chapel. After the death of Mrs. Drury her husband went to live with his son George G,, who rents a general farm of Andrew Staley, of Elizabeth Township.

On March 12, 1848 Mr. Drury was married to Mary Ann Stortts, who was a daughter of John J. and Mary Ann Stortts and there were eight children born to this union, namely: James; John H., who is deceased; Thomas J.; Alice A.; George G., who was married June 3, 1894 to Rebecca Ann Elliott, daughter of Fleming and Barbara Elliott; Mary E., and two children who died in infancy. Mr. Drury is very well known in the community in which be resides, and bears the reputation of a man of honor, integrity and public spirit. A Republican in his political views, he has served as school director for two years.