JOHN R. OCHELTREE, dealer in furniture and undertakers goods, established himself in business at Homer in the spring of 1860. The early years of his life spent in agricultural pursuits, and he has had quite an experience in the lumber and grain trade. His present business is conducted after the most approved methods, and his stock embraces a fine assortment of everything required in both departments. He began life without means, but by exercise of close economy and his own natural talents has secured a good property, and will be able to spend his declining years in the ease and comfort which he has so justly earned. Had it not been that he was forced to pay over $6,000 on account of friends, for whom he became security, he would have that much also added to his possessions. His life in all respects has been straightforward and upright, and his voice and influence have been felt and heard in many of the moral reforms of the present, especially that of temperance, which he has advocated with all the forces of his eloquence and his example. He has not tasted liquor for a period of over sixty years, and has never used tobacco in any form. He possesses considerable literary talent, and has used his pen in writing of several fine articles opposing the use of intoxicating liquors, and the weed with which the mouths of so many men, both young and old, of the present day, are defiled.

The subject of this history was born in Greenbrier County, Va., March 22, 1817. He is the son of John and Eleanor (WILSON) OCHELTREE, both also natives of the Old Dominion; the former was born Nov. 30, 1774, and departed this life in Fayette County, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1833. John OCHELTREE was a farmer by occupation, and removed from his native State first to Ross County, Ohio, when our subject was but an infant. Seventeen years later he took up his residence in Fayette County, where he established a good home and spent the remainder of his days. He was of excellent Scottish ancestry, his father having come from the Highlands, and although reared a Presbyterian eventually cast his lot with the Methodists. He possessed an education better than is usual with the people of those days, and was especially fine in penmanship. The mother of our subject was born June 18, 1785, and survived her husband twenty-three years, remaining a widow until her death, which occurred in Vermilion County, Ill., on the 23rd of September, 1856. She also was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a wife and mother fulfilled nobly her obligations to her partner and her children.

The parental household included nine children; Martha, the eldest, was born Jan. 4, 1808, and died in Ohio several years ago, having been married and become the mother of twelve children; Elizabeth, born July 6, 1810, is the wife of Jacob M. CUSTER, now living in Homer; Mary, born Oct. 2, 1812, became the wife of Jesse BRYANT, and both are now deceased; Eleanor, also deceased, was born Feb. 6, 1815, and married John ALLEN, of Fairmount, Ill.; John R., of our sketch, was the fifth child; Jane, born April 19, 1819, died many years ago in Ohio; Amanda, born Aug. 31, 1821, became the wife of S. BARKER, and died in 1884; Malinda, born Oct. 24, 1825, became the wife of T. HENDRICKSON, and died Jan. 9, 1887; America, born June 14, 1828, married G. SAMPSON, who is now deceased; she is living in Kansas.

On the 7th of September, 1842, occured a most important change in the life of Mr. Ocheltree, which had much to do in shaping his future course. On the evening of that day he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca MARTIN, who since that time has been his companion and counselor in difficulty, and who perhaps more than any other has rejoiced in his prosperity. Mrs. Ocheltree was born in Scioto County, Ohio, July 14, 1823, and is the daughter of Jacob and Lucina (CLARK) MARTIN. The former was a New England farmer, who removed to Ohio in 1816, and afterward to Indiana, dying in the latter State in 1855, when seventy-three years of age. The mother did not long survive the loss of her partner, soon joining him in the other life, and being seventy-two years old. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopla Church, and became the parents of seven children, namely, Franklin, George, Lucina, Ann, Rhoda, Emily and Rebecca. These also, with the exception of the wife of our subject, have passed to the silent land, Mrs. O. being the only surviving member of her family.

Mr. Ocheltree united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1841, of which Mrs. O. has been a member since 1838. In religious work he has displayed the same energy as in other matters, holding the offices of Trustee, Steward and Chairman of important committees, and takes great satisfaction in the reflection that he has contributed more money for Christian purposes, probably, than any man of his means in this section. Upon first exercising the right of suffrage he voted the Democratic ticket, but upon the organization of the Free-Soil party identified himself with the latter, and from them came over to the Republicans, in 1856, and for a period of over thirty years has cordially endorsed Republican principles. The household circle of our subject and his wife was completed by the birth of nine children, namely, John A., Rhoda J. (now deceased), Jacob M., Hortense A., Martha E., Gilson S., Gilbert B., Benjamin N. and Mary E. The latter passed away in infancy.