USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 74
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
568
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Thomas Winwood, an Englishman, but she had no children by that union.
When fourteen years of age William H. Snyder came to Springfield, Ohio, with his mother and stepfather, and after residing there for about six months they located on a farm near that city, where our subject re- mained until nineteen years of age. He next made his home in Union, Montgomery county, until 1842, and while there learned the millwright's trade of John B. Watts, remaining with him one year. On coming to Lewisburg, in 1842, he secured work at his trade with W. R. DeRush, by whom he was employed twelve years, working at dif- ferent places throughout the state. Later he spent a year or more with David Kumler, and then engaged in business for himself as a millwright for two or three years. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of Preble county, and so acceptably did he fill that office that he was re-elected in 1878, serving in all four years. Since then he has devoted his time and atten- tion principally to farming and the tobacco business. In 1866 he removed to Neosho county, Kansas, but after spending about ·eighteen months there he returned to Preble county, and is now practically living a re- tired life in Lewisburg.
On the 21st of June, 1845, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Moore, a native of Butler county, Ohio, who died April 12, 1896. By that union he had six children, namely : Winfield Scott, at home; Benjamin Franklin, Charles M., Willard F. and Elmer E., all residents of Lewisburg; and Martha, who died at the .age of two years. The wife and mother, who was a most estimable lady, was a mem- ber of the United Brethren church for twenty years and took an active part in its work.
In the fall of 1861, Mr. Snyder enlisted as a musician in the band of a regiment and served as a member of Company I for a time, being mustered in as a member of the colonel's staff. After serving one year he was honorably discharged, and is now a prominent member of Parmelee Home Post, No. 622, G. A. R., of which he was quar- termaster two years, and was also elected surgeon. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and has taken quite a prominent and influential part in local politics, having served as the mayor of Lewisburg six years, and a member of the city council several years. The first office he held in the county was that of con- stable of Harrison township, and he has served as census enumerator in the south- ern part of that township, and justice of the peace six years. In all of the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and he merits and re- ceives the respect and esteem of all who know him.
JACOB F. STOVER.
Jacob F. Stover, the subject of this sketch, was born January 23, 1820, near Hagerstown, Maryland. His ancestry can be traced back to Dr. George Stover, his grandfather, a physician of note in his day, who spent his entire life in the Old Dominion. He was at one time very wealthy, but met with heavy losses through the depreciation in the value of continental money. He was highly esteemed not only for his ability in his profession, his wealth and social position, but for his kindness and philanthropy: Daniel Stover, the father of our subject, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1773, resided for a time in
569
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Maryland, and in 1826 came to Ohio. In 1830 he took up his abode in Enterprise, Lanier township, Preble county. He mar- ried Miss Susanna Funk, a daughter of Jacob Funk, and the Funks, like the Stovers, were of German descent. Daniel Stover died in Enterprise in the year 1869. His only son was Jacob F. Stover, our subject, but in the family were seven daughters, four older and three younger than he. There are three children living, namely : Elizabeth, the widow of Wilson Eby, living on their farm in Lanier township; Catherine, the widow of Isaac H. Ulrich; and Sarah, the wife of Joseph M. Shank. All but one sis- ter had children and Mrs. Eby was the mother of nine.
Throughout his entire life Jacob F. Stover has been identified with the agri- cultural interests of Preble county and is one of its most leading and influential farmers. He is still actively identified with the grain and stock raising interests, al- though he leaves the management of his business largely to his son. His resolute purpose, indefatigable energy and reliable dealing have secured to him excellent suc- cess and made him one of the substantial residents of the community. On the 17th of February, 1853, Mr. Stover was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Chrisman, who was born March 17, 1829, in Gratis township, a daughter of John and Susanna (Fishbourn) Chrisman. . Her mother's first husband was Richard D. Hall, who died in 1818, upon the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Stover now reside. There Mr. and Mrs. Hall located in 1809 and began the cultiva- tion of their tract of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1820, having been left a widow, Mrs. Hall became the wife of John Chris- man. The children of this marriage were
Mrs. Stover, and Elizabeth, who was born December 10, 1822, and became the wife of Henry Riner. The mother died June IO, 1877, at the age of eighty-six years and four months, and the father passed away on the 26th of August, 1887. They were well known and well-to-do farming people and at their death left a good property.
Mr. and Mrs. Stover reside upon the old Chrisman homestead. One child was born to them, John C., whose birth occurred December 31, 1853. He was married Oc- tober II, 1883, to Miss Naomi E. Henkel, a native of Farmersville, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Dr. G. C. and Catherine (Martin) Henkel, of Pennsylvania, now living in Farmersville, where the father is success- fully practicing medicine. Mrs. J. C. Sto- ver also has one sister living, Orpha, who is now the wife of W. U. Young, and one brother, Vernon Henkel, who is now living in Farmersville. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Stover lost a son, Charles, who died on his second birthday. He was a beautiful and precocious child and his death was a great blow to the family. The living children are : Harry J., born September 19, 1884, a bright youth and a dutiful son, and Susanna Cath- erine, born July 16, 1891.
John C. Stover remained at home until twenty-nine years of age and was early trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm. He early began work in the fields and more and more of the man- agement of the property devolved upon him, for his father was in poor health. He de- voted his entire time and energies to the operation of the land and made himself one of the active hands in the fields until it be- came necessary to devote all of his attention to the supervision and management of his business affairs, which in the meantime had
570
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
grown quite large. On his splendid farm a barn 42x64 feet was built, about forty- two years ago, and its substantial construc- tion is shown by the fact that it is still one of the best in the county. A fine and pleas- ant brick residence was erected in 1884-5. These buildings and all outbuildings are kept well painted and in good repair and every- thing upon the place indicates his thrift, en- terprise, thorough supervision and careful management.
Mr. Stover and his father are Republi- cans, as were both of his grandfathers. He and his wife are active members and liberal supporters of the Brethren church, of which Mr. Stover's father was one of the found- ers. They are people of the highest re- spectability in the community and enjoy the warm regard of many friends. During their active life in Preble county they have exerted their influence for good in many lines of public improvement.
ABRAM P. JOHNSON.
For over four-score years this honored and venerable gentleman has been identified with the interests of Preble county, and for over seventy years has been a resident of New Paris. He was born on the 17th of February, 1815, four miles south of Ham- ilton, Butler county, Ohio, and is a son of Moses and Mary (Wagner) Johnson, the former a native of Trenton, New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent. It was in 1805 that his father removed to Butler county, Ohio, and in 1817 came to Preble county. He purchased forty acres of land in Jefferson township, upon which he erected a log house, making his home there until his death, which occurred January 5, 1830,
when he was about seventy-four years of age. By trade he was a carpenter. The mother of our subject, who was his second wife, died at about the age of sixty years. He was married three times and had seven- teen children, of whom our subject is the youngest and only one now living, though fourteen of the number reached adult age.
Abram P. Johnson was only a year and a half old when the family came to Preble county, and he remained on his father's farm until February 17, 1830, when he removed to New Paris, which place has since been his home. For fifty-five years he followed the tailor's trade and at one time did an ex- tensive business, but is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is the oldest resident of the town, his father hav- ing built the third house there, and has probably made his home in Preble county longer than any other of its citizens.
On the 22d of June, 1842, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Davis, of Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, by whom he had one daughter, Mary C., now deceased. The wife and mother died in December, 1844, and for his second wife, Mr. Johnson married Anna Maria Payne. By that union he had three chil- dren : Sarah E., the wife of George Young, of New Paris ; Charles H. L., who died at the age of two years; and Laura E., deceased. His third wife, who was Rebecca McKen- ney, is also deceased.
Politically Mr. Johnson has been a life- long Democrat, and has never missed voting but at two elections since attaining his ma- jority, and both of these were spring elec- tions for township officers. His first presi- dential ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren. He has always taken an active in- terest in public affairs, and has been hon-
571
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ored with several local offices, having served as school director, justice of the peace, post- master of New Paris for ten years, and mayor of the town about two and a half years. He has been a very strong temper- ance man all his life, and organized the Sons of Temperance and the Washingtonians in New. Paris, of which societies he was long an active and prominent member. Although he is not connected with any religious de- nomination, he is a believer in the doctrines of the Christian church, and has led an hon- orable, upright and useful life.
HENRY K. BROADBURY.
Henry K. Broadbury is a farmer and dealer in butter and eggs in Israel township, Preble county, his home being on section 35, near the village of Morning Sun, Ohio. He was born in Millford township, Butler county, Ohio, in 1838, his home being near Daretown. His birthplace was the old family farmstead upon which his grandfather, James Broadbury, settled at a very early day. The Broadbury family is of English lineage and was founded in America by the great- grandfather of our subject and his two brothers, who came to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war. They all partici- pated in the struggle and one gave his life upon the altar of his country, thus being numbered among the heroes whose sacrifice brought independence to the nation. The great-grandfather of our subject died about 1853 and his remains were laid to rest in the old graveyard near Daretown. Joseph Broadbury, the father of our subject, was born December 4, 1805, on Four Mile creek, near Daretown, and died in Hanover town- ship, Butler county, in 1850, his death re- sulting from the kick of a horse. He was married in 1837 to Miss Sarah Ann Waldon,
a daughter of James Waldon, who still sur- vives her husband. She has been a second time married and is now Mrs. Strowhuver, a widow of Butler county, where she lives with her daughter, Mrs. Pottinger, one of the children by her second marriage. By the first marriage she had five children : Henry K., of this sketch; James W., an ag- riculturist residing at College Corner ; Nancy, wife of John Simonson, of College Corner; Mary Elizabeth, widow of George Bartlow; and a son who died in infancy. The children of the second marriage are : William, a dealer in agricultural implements if. Indiana, and Charlotte, wife of James Pottinger. The mother is still active in both body and mind, although eighty-four years of age, her birth having occurred Oc- tober 25, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were farming people residing on the old homestead which the father located in the midst of the forest. He cleared that land, and in his farming met with success, so that he was enabled to give each of his children a fair start in life. In addition to his ag- ricultural pursuits, he operated a saw and grist-mill and also carried on a distillery. When his country became engaged in the second war with England he enlisted, serv- ing in the war of 1812.
Mr. Broadbury, whose name introduces this review, acquired a fair knowledge of the elementary branches of English learning in the district schools, pursuing his studies in a log school house of primitive construc- tion, a portion of a log being removed to form a window. The text books were of various kinds. Mr. Broadbury worked at home, assisting in the cultivation and har- vesting of the crops on his father's farm un- til he was twenty-eight years of age. He then chose as a companion and helpmeet on
572
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
life's journey Miss Mary Elizabeth Yeakle, who was born in Hanover township, Butler county, Ohio, December 27, 1843, a daugh- ter of David and Mary ( Henninger) Yeakle, the former a native of Butler county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his business career. In their family were six children, four of whom reached mature years, namely: Julia Ann, wife of Marion Curry, a farmer of Kansas; Michael, who was born in 1845, and is also living in Kansas; Polly Ann, wife of Jacob Henninger; and Mrs. Broadbury. The fa- ther of this family passed away at the age of fifty-five years and the mother was called to her final rest fourteen years later, her death occurring on the 4th of March, 1880, when she was sixty-eight years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were married February 16, 1865, and located at two dif- ferent places before coming to Preble county in 1867. Seven years ago, however, they took up their abode upon the present farm, comprising one hundred and eighty-three acres, and 'have since made it their home. For thirty-two years Mr. Broadbury has been engaged in raising vegetables and sell- ing butter and eggs, driving his team and covered wagon throughout the county. He buys butter, eggs and poultry, and in han- dling these products has secured a comfort- able competence. In 1866 ill health caused him to lose all that he had saved, but since that time he has acquired a good property, steadily working his way upward by de- termined purpose and unflagging industry. He built his new home on the hill and moved into it in 1897, while his son remains in the old farm house which was upon the place at the time the farm came into his possession. Other improvements on the place include two
good barns and substantial outbuildings .. The son there carries on general farming, raising good crops of grain and stock. He fattens about one hundred fine Chester White hogs anually and keeps a good herd of polled Durham cattle. He sells from five to six hundred bushels of wheat annually, but feeds. his corn crop, consisting of about three thou- sand bushels. Mr. Broadbury and his son purchased their excellent farm at a bargain and it is now one of the most productive and highly improved farms in this section of the state, its present splendid condition being due to their energetic efforts, guided by intelligence and sound practical common sense.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury were born three children, but they lost an infant son. Their other son, David Joseph, who has been mentioned as operating and owning the homestead farm, was born April 19, 1867, and married Laura Riggs. Helena Maud, a daughter, is the wife of R. D. Marshall, of Sedalia, Missouri, and has a daughter, Mil- dred. Mr. and Mrs. Broadbury are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church, take an active interest in its work and are people of the highest respectability, enjoy- ing the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.
WILLIAM W. KINSEY.
William W. Kinsey, an 'ex-county clerk of Preble county, is well known in the coun- ty. He was born in Monroe township, May I, 1854. His father, David Kinsey, was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the grandfather, David Kinsey, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania. Three brothers of the name came from Germany to the new world and were the founders of the family in Amer-
573
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ica. In religious faith they were Dunkards. The grandfather of our subject removed to Ohio in pioneer days, taking up his abode in Montgomery county, where David Kinsey, Jr., was born, reared and educated. He be- came a very successful farmer, carrying on agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1845, when he removed to Kansas. He resided in that state during the time of the border warfare and was a stanch Whig in his po- litical views, advocating the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free state. He was twice married. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary Garber, nee Petry, daughter of Henry Petry, one of the early settlers of Ohio. In his religious faitli David Kinsey held the belief advocated by his ancestry and was a member of the Dunk- ard church. He and his wife are both de- ceased.
William W. Kinsey, their only child, was educated in the common schools and in the Lebanon Normal School, acquiring a broad general knowledge which ably fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. In early life he was a successful teacher, being thus connected with the edu- cational interests of Darke, Montgomery and Preble counties. For five years he served as the principal of the village schools of West Manchester. He afterward en- gaged in selling books, until 1893, when he was elected county clerk, and on the ex- piration of his term of three years was re-elected in 1896. HIe first took charge of the office August 1, 1894, and held it until August 1, 1900. Upon the close of his services in the county clerk's office Mr. Kinsey removed back to West Manchester, his present place of residence. He had
previously held the office of assessor in Mon- roe township for five years, and has filled other positions, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. In addition to his official cares he also superintended the opera- tion of a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which he owns in Harrison township.
On the 8th of December, 1884, Mr. Kinsey was united in marriage to Miss Elsa J. Huffman, a daughter of George Huffman, and Margaret (Hulser ) Huffman, the father a native of Germany and the mother a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. Her father was a physician and lived and practiced in Darke county, where lie died in 1862, when she was only a few months old. Her father was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, in 1856. Mrs. Kinsey was born in Darke county, August 30, 1861, but reared in Preble county. Her mother married a second time in life and for many years resided in Darke county, at Arcanum, where she died in 1893. Their union was blessed with three children, but only two are now living,-Edith and Margaret. The eldest, Ethel, died aged nearly one year, in? 1886. Mr. Kinsey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at present he is an officer of the high courts of the Independent Order of Foresters for Ohio. He is influential in Republican politics and is an unswerving advocate of the principles of the "grand old party." His many reliable qualities and his social characteristics have made him a popular citizen, and he enjoys the high re- gard of many friends throughout the community.
3315
HECKMAN BINDERY, IN C. Bound-To-Please"
JUNE 03
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.