John Shrodes, retired, Piqua; was born in Jefferson Co., Va., in 1817, where he procured his education in the common schools; in 1833, he emigrated to Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1850, at which time he came to Greene Co. His marriage was celebrated in Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1834, with Barbara Dessells, whose death occurred in her native county (Fairfield) - the issue of this union were two children-John W. and Emanuel, deceased. On March 15, 1877, he married, for his second wife, Hannah I., widow of the late Col. Foster, of Piqua; he was born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1821 his early education was acquired in the common schools; the prime part of his manhood days was devoted to the blacksmith's trade, from which he retired, after several toil some years, and began the study of law; this he pursued, perusing the pages of the best authors; through industry and intellect, he rose to the eminence of a leading attorney. About 1845, he came to Miami Co., locating in Piqua; after becoming a citizen of the same, he held the most prominent offices of this county; in the fall of 1861, he entered the United States service as Lieutenant Colonel, where he soon rose to Colonel, which position ill health necessitated hi m to resign, at the end of eighteen months, and return home; his illness, contracted while in service, gradually wore him down to the last days of his life, which ended, Feb. 28, 1873, the earthly career of a loyal and noble man. Mrs. Shrodes was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Aug. 11, 1823, and is a daughter of Samuel and Hannah I. (Clevenger) Chamberlin, both natives of New Jersey, and died in Lebanon---she in 1851, and he in 1863.