R. T. McAllister, a farmer and stock-dealer near Marysville. Ohio, was born, of Scotch Irish parentage, in Adams County, Penn., in 1827. His parents removed in 1830, to Delaware County, Ohio, where he was raised near Sunbury, receiving a common school education only. In October 1851, he married Martha C. Gale, a daughter of William Gale, at Delaware, Ohio, they have six children, viz.: Mary, who is married to James B. Cole, an attorney at law, of Marysville, Ohio; Abdiel T. ; William G., who married Josephine McFadden : Lemington W., R. T., Jr., and Emma. Abdiel T. is in the United States service, in the Pension office at Washington, D. C.; William G., Lemington W. and R. T., Jr., are farmers near Marysville, Emma resides with her parents. Mr. McAllister resides in Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, where he owns a fine farm of about 900 acres, which he has by industry and energy reclaimed from the forests and put in a high state of cultivation and improvement. Mr. McAllister has been honored by election by his fellow-citizens to various public offices. While yet very young, he was for five years Assessor of Berkshire Township, Delaware County, and afterward was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners of that county. In the latter position, he was an efficient instrument in recovering a large sum of money for the county, which had been lost by default of one of the county officers; also in collecting their part of the ,"Surplus Revenue Fund," which had long been neglected. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he offered his services as a private in defense of the Union, but was rejected on account of physical disability. He afterward was elected Colonel of one of the "Home Guard" regiments, and went into the camp of instruction at Piqua, Ohio, but their services proving to be unnecessary they were soon discharged. The services of the regiment were then tendered to the Governor to go out of the State, but were declined. In 1865, he removed to his present residence In Union County. He has served three years as Commissioner of Union County, during which time he was largely intrusted with the superintendence and management of the gravel road building, which was then being most vigorously carried on throughout the county, and discharged said duties with marked ability, being noted for the thorough and substantial work he insisted upon and obtained the interest of the tax payers. In 1880, he was elected by the Republicans of the Thirteenth District, composed of Union, Logan, Hardin and Marlon Counties, a member of the State Board of Equalization, in which capacity he served his full term, and secured for his district material benefits in reduced taxation. He was noted as one of the most indefatigable workers on the board. 'Mr. McAllister's chief characteristics for which he is most widely known, are strict integrity and high business ability, courageous independence of spirit as a public man, and keen, clear and comprehensive perceptions in regard to public interests and affairs, for which and many other good qualities he is highly esteemed in the community.