JAMES W. STAUFFER, whose accidental death on June 20, 1902, caused great regret throughout this section, was born near Dayton, Ohio, December 28,1850. His early industrial years were devoted to farming. On August 18,1872, he married Abby Jones, who was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Jones, residents of this county. After his marriage he located on the old Asa Jones place, but later purchased thirty acres of land for himself. This he subsequently sold and moved on to the Georgetown Pike, in which location he engaged in the sawmill business and farming. He later bought a place there, and also built a house in Georgetown, where he resided for nine years, operating an elevator and saw mill in Laura at the same time. In 1894 he removed to the village of Laura as his place of residence. He also purchased a farm in the vicinity, which he operated, though he never resided on it. He was the employer of a large number of men, and was a thriving and prosperous citizen. In politics a Republican, he held at times a number of township offices. He was especially interested in the cause of education, and built a number of schools in the township. At one time he was a candidate for the office of county commissioner. He was a man who was always before the public, and was known far and wide as a public-spirited citizen. His death, which was due to his being run over by a train, was a great shock as well as grief to the community. His remains now repose in the old Ludlow Cemetery.

Mr. Stauffer was fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias. He belonged to the Christian Church, and was much interested in church work. By his marriage with Abby Jones he had one child, Cora May, who married Newton Norris and resides in this township. Her husband is a farmer; they have no children. In addition to the above mentioned child, Mr. Stauffer and his wife adopted a boy

Edward M. Stauffer-who was born August 18, 1882, and whom they took to rear in 1884. He is now residing on a farm which the subject of this sketch gave him, and he also looks after the latter's estate. He married Edna Overcash, of Muncie, Indiana, and has one son, Glenn, who was born June 12, 1903.