aged 87y, 8m, 24d

To his grand- daughter, Miss Mary E. Simons, we are indebted for the following sketch of this remarkable man's life

Peter Wirick, oldest son of John and Elizabeth Wirick, was born in Washington Co., Penn., on the 25th of July, 1794. His parents were of German descent, and reared to manhood and womanhood nine children. His father was a farmer and millwright, and left his native State when Peter was a small child, settling in Belmont Co. 0. Here he learned to read, write and cipher, which was all they taught in the schools of that day. He never attended school after reaching his twelfth year.

About 1806, his father again sold his property and removed to Guernsey Co. 0., where he lived some six years, and being of a roving disposition-never satisfied-he again sold out and removed to Richland Co. 0., and settled on the stream known as the Mohican. Here he entered land, and not being able to obtain the money for which he sold his former place, they were compelled to live very poor indeed for some time. Their clothing, warp and woof, was manufactured by their own hands. Peter had now reached his eighteenth year, and had never worn aught but "homespun." This was about the year 1812, and the almost unbroken forest abounded with every variety of wild game. Under these circumstances, Peter developed a passion for hunting which seemed to be innate, and has characterized him from that day to this. He being the oldest son, ranged the forest that the family might have meat while, his father labored in the mill, and in various ways sought to drive the "wolf" from his door.

In the years following 1812, the Indians gave the settlers much trouble. They "forted" three times, and under the command of Samuel Watson erected a block-house on the site of Bellville, which consisted then of a few dwellings. In this place of refuge they spent a greater part of the summer, and late in the autumn returned to their homes. On this twenty-third birthday he was married to Miss Deborah Huntsman, by squire Amariah Watson. She is a daughter of James and Catherine Huntsman. Her parents were from Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Richland Co. in an early day. (See sketch of William Huntsman.)

Soon after marriage Mr. Wirick entered land near Bellville. It was then a wilderness, full of deer and other wild game, which it was his chief delight to pursue and kill. Here he resided seventeen years, and in that time thirteen children were born to them-nine sons and four daughters, as follows: James, born April 3,1817; John, March 29, 1818; Jacob, Jul 31, 1819; Peter, Oct. 11, 1820; Mary Ann, Dec. 4, 1821; George, Jan. 24, 1823; William, Sept. 20,1824; Catherine A., Sept. 16, 1826; Daniel, Feb. 8, 1828; Jesse, Aug. 10, 1829; Washington, May 13, 1831; Elizabeth, in 1833; Deborah, Sept. 5, 1834. He sold his land on the Mohican for $1000, and purchased his present home of 94 acres for $800. Here three sons were born: Jeremiah, born July 16, 1836; Harrison, Nov. 25, 1838; Ziby, Dec. 27, 1840; making sixteen children in all, of which eleven are living, and in prosperous condition in life, and have families, except a son and daughter. The parents were members of the Disciple Church for many years, but drifted away, and at present the father's sympathies are with the Universalist Church; be has been a Republican can since the organization of the, party, and formerly wore the name of Whig.

He was the finest marksman of his day, and was ever ready to join a bunting party and spend days and even weeks in the forest; he spent the autumn months for eighteen years in bunting, and killed during his life over six hundred .deer. On one occasion Mr. Wirick was out hunting with a brother-in-law, John Huntsman, on the " Craven " farm, when from some cause they became separated. Soon after Peter saw a large "Buck," on which he fired, wounding it severely. He approached the animal, intending to knife it, but found that he had forgotten his knife. The deer was very angry and powerful, and he could only defend himself by striking heavy blows on its head with the muzzle of his gun until blood flowed freely from its nose, but its fury increased, until closing, they both fell on the snow covered earth, then stained with the blood of man and beast. Strength and courage were fast giving way when with mighty effort he caught the animal's neck and threw him on his side, but unfortunately with his feet toward him, giving the beast a decided advantage which he was not slow in using, for in this position he kicked and lashed his foe terribly. To use his own words: "I was bruised from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet." Realizing that the struggle would be brief with such odds against him, with an almost superhuman effort he threw the deer on its other side with its feet from him, and seizing his neck, with one limb across his body, he thought to destroy his sight with a flint, which he usually carried in his shot-pouch. But, alas ! no flint was there. He next searched for a pin or splinter of spicewood to accomplish the work; but the splinter was of little service to him. Despair was about to seize him, when he heard the report of his comrade's rifle, and his call brought him to the rescue. They dispatched their plucky antagonist by cutting his throat.

Mr. W. is now eighty-six years old, feeble and tottering on the verge of the silent grave, where he must soon follow his faithful companion to rest. She bore burdens, such as few mothers have suffered or endured. A strong determination and a powerful constitution sustained her through all.