JOHN M. STITH, teacher; P.O. Allen's, was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1852, and lived on a farm until 16 years of age, receiving limited education; during the summers, from 1868 to 1871, he attended the Fairfield Union Academy, also a short course at the Ohio Wesleyan University; in the winter of 1869-70, he taught his first school, in Fairfield Co., where he continued three winters; in the fall of 1875, he located in Shelby Co., and taught in Miami Co.; in 1878, he removed to Lena, this county, where he has since resided. The marriage of John M. and Chloe Hutcher was celebrated in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1874; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1855; one child - Maude, was born to them May 19, 1876; died May 17, 1879. Mrs. Smith, in early youth, obtained a common education, and afterward improved the same at the Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and is now engaged in teaching, with her husband, in the combined schools of Lena and Conover, where they have held their positions for the past two years, and are engaged for the ensuing year. They have, since residing in Lena, purchased their present property, which consists of 8 acres in Sec. 1, Brown Township, also a quarter-section near Carrolton, Greene Co., Ill.