Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 26 February 2005

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818

WILLIAM B. VAIL, deceased, one of Warren County's honored pioneers, was born in Montgomery County Jan. 7,1812. His parents, William and Ellen Vail, came to this county in 1813, where they both died. Mr. Vail passed his early life on his father's farm and received only a common-school education. Nov. 15, 1844, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Stoutenborough, daughter of John and Jane Stoutenborough; Mrs. Vail was born in Butler County Oct. 11, 1820; five children were given to bless this union, viz.: Ellen, wife of Richard White; Eliza J., wife of Harry J. Sheets; John W., William C. and Mary A. Mr. Vail was by occupation a farmer, and this he carried on most successfully; he was at his death the largest land-owner in Franklin Township; this sad event took place May 8, 1871. He was for forty years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a true Christian in the fullest sense of the term; he was a liberal contributor to every worthy and benevolent enterprise, and the poor, it can truthfully be said, never turned from the door of this hospitable man hungry or unaided. Too high a tribute to this worthy man the writer cannot pay; he was a man who possessed most sublime traits of character, and his life was one pure and blameless.