BENJAMIN NORMAN, retired farmer; P. 0. Millerstown. Another of the pioneers of Champaign Co. is Benjamin Norman, a grandson of John Norman, who was of German parentage ;he lived through many of the wild days of Virginia, where he died. Our subject is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Norman; Mr. Norman was born in Virginia, and she in Maryland; they married in Virginia, early in the. nineteenth century, and, in 1805, they emigrated to Ohio, locating on the present site of Millerstown. They were among the first white settlers in what is now Concord Town- ship. He entered a half-section of land, which was all in the unbroken forest. He lived through nearly half a century in Champaign Co., when death seized him and severed him from his wife, who, twelve years later, also passed away. They were the parents of nine children, of  whom four are now living, our subject being the eldest. He was born in what is now Concord Township July 16, 1806. He has since resided in the county, and is one among if not its oldest native. He lived through the pioneer days of the country, and watched its rise and progress, step by step, for three-fourths of a century. Mr. Norman is worthy of having a complete outline of his life, which we here record, on the pages of the Champaign Co: history, His earliest recollections are of the deep, unbroken forest that surrounded his father's lone log cabin, now sup- planted by waving fields of grain. Their first visitors were the troublesome Indians, who have long been exterminated, and the Wild animals that roamed the woods, now driven by advancing civilization to seek a home in the Far West. Fine buildings! have taken the place of the rude log huts, and many things! could here be given that properly belong in the body of this history. At the age of 25, he married Barbara Ward, born in Virginia in 1811 ;after the marriage, he engaged in farming, and, one year later, his father gave him a quarter-section of land, a part of which he yet owns. His first land purchase was made in 1840, since which many changes have been made, and he has nobly assisted his children, six of whom have married, and one remains at home and dutifully assists her parents, Mr. Norman is located on Sec. 7, Johnson Township, where he has devoted considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, which he made a success. Mr. and Mrs. Norman have for many years been consistent members of the Baptist Church, and raised their family in the faith of the same.

GABRIEL NORMAN, farmer; P. 0. Millerstown; is a son of Christian and Mary M. (Zimmerman) Norman. She was a native of Maryland, but moved to Virginia, where she lived at the time of her marriage. He was born in Shenandoab Co., Va., where he learned wagon-making, which he followed there till 1805, when he emi- grated to Ohio. He purchased 160 acres of land in Concord Township, and, after erecting a cabin, he located in the following year. His cabin was constructed in the pioneer style, with wooden chimneys, puncheon floors and door of boards riven in clap- board style. After his farm was pretty well cleared up, and there was a demand for wagons, he resumed his trade, which he followed at the time of his death. In course of time, his hut was exchanged for a hewed-log house, and it, in turn, for a fine brick that yet stands on the old farm. He had, also, at intervals, purchased land, till he owned 800 acres in this State and 440 acres in Indiana, 1,240 acres in all; 720 acres of this he had deeded to his children. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. They were the parents ofnine children. One daughter, about 4 years old, fell into a trough of water and was drowned. The eight grew to years of maturity. Christian Norman departed this life Sept. 12, 1851, at the age of 72. His wife survived till July 8. 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., June 6,1814. He was raised on a farm and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 243 acres of land in the above-named township, 80 acres of the home farm. On the 24th of November, 1839, he married Rebecca Brubaker. She is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Comer) Brubaker both natives of Virginia, who were early settlers here. Rebecca Brubaker was born July 12, 1821. Gabriel and Rebecca Norman are the parents of six children. The living are John C., born Jan. 22, 1843; Samuel B., June 4, 1847; Mary E., May 10, 1844, and L. Monroe, April 21, 1856.

JOHN C. NORMAN, of the firm of Norman & Comer, general merchants, Millerstown, a beautiful village located in the east central part of Johnson Township, in Nettle Creek Valley ;like all towns of its size, is represented by one or more general merchants, among whom we mention the firm of Norman & Comer. They formed their partnership in 1868, since which they have been favorably known in their line, which consists of dry and fancy goods, groceries, and all articles kept in a general store. The post office is located in their store. John C. Norman is a son of Gabriel Norml whose biography appears in Concord Township; also a nephew of Benjamin Norman of Johnson Township, in whose sketch proper mention is made of the ancestors. John C. was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Jan. 22,1843 ; raised farm life, and enjoyed the usual common-school privileges and a short period at the Urbana High School. He engaged in teaching. which he followed several years. Mal 17, 1868, he married Mary A. Pence, born in Champaign Co., in 1849. They had two children-Maude, the survivor, and Charles, who died at the age of 5 months.