My Genealogy Hound

N. P. WILES, merchant, Ripley, is a son of Joseph B. and Harriet (Bayne) Wiles. He (Joseph B.) was a native of Pennsylvania, and a son of Christian Wiles, who located and settled on a farm upon which the busy city of Ripley now stands. He became popular as a pioneer, and was Sheriff of the county some years, and resided in the county during his life. Joseph B. was raised on the homestead, and in connection with farming engaged in the transportation and sale of livestock in flat-boats to New Orleans. He died at his home in this township in 1880, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead in 1831, and until sixteen years of age worked on the farm, and was sent to school. Subsequently, he attended the public schools at Ripley and assisted his father in the store. His educational studies were completed in the college at Yellow Springs, Greene County, from which he returned in 1854. In the fall of the same year he was married to Miss Juliette B., daughter of Elias Hathaway, who was an early pioneer of Brown, and came with a colony from Connecticut and Massachusetts. His father, Dr. Hathaway, was a pioneer physician, and in his profession attained great prominence and was widely known. Mr. Wiles is one of the oldest merchants of the city. He first engaged in the grocery trade many years ago; at this time he, with his sons, commands a large patronage in groceries and dry goods. Their double store on Second street affords ample room for the large and well-selected stock, where the purchaser is treated with courteous and gentlemanly attention. The firm possess the push and enterprise of thorough business men, and are at all times alive to the wants of a customer. He is a Trustee and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church of this city, and has always taken an active interest in church affairs. His children are Harry N., Joseph B., Nellie H., L. Nathan, Edgar, and Leon S.