USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 2 > Part 57
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The first duty of the settler in the wilderness was to provide a rude log cabin for his family, and this was quickly done. In those days the pioneer settlements were few and far between. Robert Lytle, afterward one of the associate judges of the county, Matthew Richardson, who was one of the county commissioners in 1805-6; Jesse Simpson, and the Scott brothers, James, Robert, and John, were the nearest neighbors of the new settlers.
Amidst this frontier life the boy was reared. At the age of six years he was sent to the district school, then taught by an Irish teacher, William Hewett. The discipline of the school was severe, and the use of the rod of daily occurrence. The building in which the school was taught bore but a faint resemblance to the modern school-house. It was a log cabin about twenty feet square, covered with clapboards and weight-poles. Stoves were not in use, aud the room was heated by a huge fire-place in the middle of the house. On three sides a log had been removed and glass substituted, and by this means the room was lighted and ventilated. The seats were of slabs from the nearest saw-mill; and the writing-ilesks were simply boards, placed along three sides of the building, resting on long pins set in the wall. The course of instruction was about as imperfect as the house. It consisted of spelling, reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic. Geography and grammar were not much thought of. The reading books were tir. New Testament and a few copies of the Introduction to the English Reader. At the end of each week the master assigned to each scholar a " task " for the following Monday morning. This consisted, in must cases, in memorizing a certain number of questions from the Shorter Catechism of the Presbyterian Church And as the Presbyterian Church or meeting-house, as it was called, stood only a few rods from the schoolhouse, the pupils from the school were, on the fast days which
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preceded the communion, marched in a body, under the leadership of the master, to the meeting-house to hear a long sermon from the minister. The schools were taught by subscription, and a dollar and a quarter per scholar, for a terin of three months, was the customary rate.
In October, 1840, he obtained admission as a student in Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, graduating in the class of 1845. His college education, however, like that of so many other young men, was obtained only by the greatest self-denial on his part, owing to his poverty. On more than one occasion he was compelled to leave his place before the close of the college year, that he might be able to teach a term of school to raise the necessary means for the ensuing year. One such term he taught in the Summer of 1844 for fourteen dollars per month, boarding himself. Having, while still at the university, chosen the legal profession as the one he desired to fol- low, he devotel all his spare time in the senior year to the study of Kent's Commentaries, Walker's Introdue- tion, and otlier elementary text-books.
On leaving college he entered the law office of O. S. Witherby, of Hamilton. He remained as a law student in the office of Mr. Witherby about six months, support- ing himself, meantime, by writing in the office of Captain James George, then recorder of deeds of Butler County, and lately an attorney-at-law of Rochester, Minnesota, whose death occurred very recently. On the 26th of March, 1846, he was admitted to practice before the circuit court of Union County. Indiana, his law license being signed by J. T. Elliott and Jeremiah Smith.
After visiting many places, recommended as suitable for a young lawyer, he finally selected Winchester, In- diana, as a location. On the 26th of May, 1846, he took leave of his early home and youthful compan- ions for his new home. His outfit of books was ex- ceedingly meager, consisting of Blackstone, Chitty's Pleadings, and Swan's Treatise ; these, with a Bible, the gift of a mother's love, and a copy of Rollin's An- ient History, made up his whole stock of books. With this library, thirty dollars in his pocket, and a single suit of clothes, the young lawyer settled in his new home. It is needless to recount the embarrass- ments that met the young attorney, for they were infi- nite. But his resolution was superior to all discourage- ments. Applying himself diligently to his profession, he soon began to attract friends and business. On the 14th of September, 1846, he married Miss Caro- line Irwin, eldest daughter of the Rev. Robert Irwin, of Mundie, Indiana, a lady of accomplished manners and excellent education. She was a granddaughter of Mr. Robert Irwin, who moved from Woodford County, Kentucky, to Butler County in 1800, and set- tled in Hanover Township, on the farm afterward known as the Col. Robinson farm.
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The new-married pair, though rich in affection, were poor in purse; but with firm faith in God they boldly
took their place in the struggle of life, resolved to suc- ceed. At the election in August, 1849, he was chosen to represent his county, Randolph, in the State Legisla- ture. This was the more flattering from the fact that, the county was politically opposed to him by several hundred majority. He served his constituents with credit and ability, and, as a member of the Judiciary and Corporation Committees, took an active part in the legislation of the State.
By close attention to the business of his profession he soon attained a leading position at the bar of his cir- cuit, and in 1854 he was appointed by the governor of the State, Joseph A. Wright, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of his district. He held this office but a single term, and was succeeded by William A. Peelle, afterward secretary of state.
He took an active part in the educational interests of his county, and was for many years county exam- iner of schools, and secretary to the board of trustees of the county academy. In 1848 he was ordained a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Winchester, and was chosen by the presbytery of Muncie connis- sioner to the General Assembly that met at Coluimi- bus, Ohio, in May, 1862, and served as a member of that body.
In the dark days that preceded the civil war he took an active part in the Union meetings that were then being held in various parts of the State, as well as else- where, in the hope that something might still be done to avert impending war, and restore fraternal feeling between the North and South. But it was in vain! War was the result. When the conflict came, and con- ciliation . was no longer possible, he took an active part in the support of the Union cause. Realizing the peril of the hour, hie sought to use his influence as a leader in the Democratic party only to allay partisan feeling. and to rally all to the support of the Union. As evi- dence how effectually this was done is the fact that Company " E," of the Eighty-fourth Regiment Infantry Volunteers, commanded by Captain M. B. Miller, which was raised chiefly by his exertions, was composed al- most exclusively of Democrats, ninety-six of the com- pany being of that political faith.
At the Democratie State Convention of 1864, he was chosen presidential elector for the Fifth Congressional District ; and about the same time he was nominated hy the Democratic convention of his district candidate for Congress. His opponent was George W. Julian. The district was Republican by several thousand, and M :. Julian was elected by about the usual majority. The campaign of that year was an exceedingly bitter one. To be the Democratie standard-bearer at such a time was a position not to be coveted. At New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, where he had an appointment to speak. in copyertion with Garrett Davis, of Kentucky. the speakers were interrupted by an armed much ot angry
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men, the meeting broken up, and they followed to the depot by a howling crowd. Time and again he was threatened with mob violence and the destruction of his residence.
The health of his wife having suffered severely for some years past, he resolved to remove to the State of Minnesota, on account of its superior elimate; aud leaving a home, consecrated by the memories of cigiteen years of active life, he, with his family, consisting of his wife and five children, M. Cornelia, Charles I., Marcella, Henry W., and Robert E., arrived in Man- kato on the 19th of August, 1865. Since going to Minnesota he has confined himself closely to the prac- tiee of his profession. In January, 1866, he and the Hon. J. A. Wiswell, entered into partnership, and as such have continued in business up to the present time, with great success.
Hiram Darr was born in Darrtown, Ohio, on the 6th of October, 1806, and is the son of Conrad and Cathi- erine Darr. They came to the county about 1802. He was married May 13, 1827, to Harriet Sithens, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Sithens, who was born July 4, 1807, in New Jersey. They have had twelve children. Abraham was born March 24, 1828; Hiram, April 7, 1829; Gardiner, May 7, 1830; Isaac Thomas, March 17, 1832; George Washington, March 3, 1834; Luey Ann, October 16, 1835; Harriet Eliza Murphy, November 6, 1837; Matilda Durth, September 21, 1839; Emily Mar- shall, January 28, 1842; Louisa, May 6, 1844; Mary, January 17, 1842; John, March 27, 1852. George W. Darr joined the Union army August, 1861, served eight- teen months, and was discharged, on account of disabil- ity. He applied for a pension, and his claim was allowed November, 1880. Mr. Hiram Darr is a farmer and willow cultivator.
Edward Hinsey was born August 1, 1830, on the farm on which he now lives. His father was Albert Hinsey, and his mother, Sarah Morris. They came to this county April 5, 1804. Mr. Hinsey wis married May 21, 1857, to Julia Murray, born October 31, 1832, and has had three children. Clarabel was born June 5, 1862; Ida May, March 2, 1864; and Nancy Tenny, Jan- uary 1, 1869. Mr. Hinsey has been supervisor for six years. He is a farmer, owning sixty-five acres of land that has had a erop of grain oo for seventy-five years, no fertilizer ever having been applied. The crop of 1881 was beautiful and abundant. Mrs. Hinsey is the daugh- ter of John and Sarah Antrim, who came to this county in 1814.
William Hancock, son of Elisha and Bertha Hancock, was born in Preble County, September 9, 1818. Hc came to this county in 1847, and was married in Rush County, Indiana, January 31, 1840, to Elizabeth Jones, danghter of William ami Mary Jones. They have bad five children. Elisha M. was born January 16, 1842; Joli, April 4, 1844: Isaac, August 20, 184>; William
Thomas, June 30, 1850; and Wiley Ellsworth, March 1, 1864. Elisha and John were in the war of the Rebell- ion. Elisha Hancock, the grandfather, came here in 1812, and was burnt out the first Winter. Mrs. Han. cock was a seamstress and tailor. The present Mr. Hancock is a farmer.
Robert Harris settled in the county in 1810, having been born in Kentucky, November, 1809. His parents were Joseph and Sarah Jane Harris. Among the re- membrances of his childhood is that of being lost. A great search was made, and his parents prepared to go after him, as it was supposed he was in the hands of the Indians. He was married December 11, 1833, to Julia McCaine, daughter. of Robert and Jane MeCaine, who came to this county in 1798. The former was a brave soldier in the War of 1812. His grandfather Lytle was in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris have had seven children, of whonf the oldest is dead. Mary Jane was born January 20, 1837; Joseph, November 28, 1833; Robert, Novem- ber 22, 1840: William, June 28, 1843; Rebecca, Feb- ruary 6, 1845; Henry, April 22, 1848; and George W., February 22, 1854. Joseph and William Harris were engaged in the last war. William was in the Seventy- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was reported missing one day, and is now supposed to be dead. The children are all well to do. Mr. Harris has lived on his present . farma since 1876.
Henry Herron is one of the oldest settlers in the township. He was born in South Carolina, November 17, 1801, and was brought to this county in the Fall of 1806 by his parents, Thomas and Nancy Herror. They eame of long-lived families. Mr. Herron lived to see his eighty-sixth birthday, and Mrs. Herron her eighty-third. Her father was ninety-two, and her mother Jacked only a few days of being ninety-nine. They were honest, up- right people, and liglily esteemed. Mr. Herron con- manded a company of militia for a long time, taking it when a mere skeleton, and building it up until it was the best in the regiment.
When he had reached twenty-five he thought it was time for him to marry, and in June, 1826, he was united to Margaret Cramer, daughter of George and Barbara Cramer, who came to this county in 1816. They had eleven children, of whom six are living and five are lead. George Herron is the oldest, he was born May 26, 1827. Catherine Colter was born January 9, 1829; William Herron, January 11, 1831; Thomas Herron. January 2, 1833; Barbara Herron, August 25, 1825; Nancy Herron, December 10, 1837; Margaret Herron, December 11, 1839; Mary Jane Herron, March 1. 1842; Martha Ellen Emrich, March 1, 1844; Sarah Jane, Au- gust 7, 1817 ; and Lonis D. Winfield Scott Herron, Or- tober $1, 1852. They have lost Barbara, Nancy, Mar- garet, Mary Jane, and Sarah Jane.
William and Thomas served in the last war. Thomas
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was made a prisoner, being aboard of the Indianola when it was captured. He was taken all over the South, and finally got in Libby Prison. He remained there about ten days, and was then exchanged. He commanded one of the guns ou the Indianola. The morning after the surrender an offer was made for au exchange, but was not accepted. He was liberated after many months of terrible suffering. Heury Herron, it is needless to say, is a farmer, and a good one. He has never held office.
George W. Hood was born in Darke County, in this State, August 7, 1840, and is the son of Samuel and Catherine Hood. He was married October 1, 1861, to Catherine, daughter of William and Rebecca Cameral. He has seven children. Elmira was born May 17, 1864; Lucetta, February 14, 1870; Erminia, Novem- ber 20, 1871; William E., April 18, 1873; Ralph Al- len, February 6, 1875; Susau P., October 10, 1877, and Harvey T., November 17, 1879. He is a farmer, and removed to this county in 1868.
John Irwin, son of Martin Irwin and Anna Irwin, was born in Butler County, September 11, 1812. His father came west in 1798, settling in the neighborhood of the Big Pond, in Fairfield Township, and two years after moving to Milford Township, which then had no highways. He settled two miles and a half north of Darrtowy, afterwards cutting the road from Darrtown to his farm, being a part of the same road known as the Hamilton and Richmond Pike. His father cut the first tree ever cut by a white man on Section 17, Milford Township.
John Irwin was married December 28, 1838, to Caroline Homer, daughter of Nathan and Deleon Ho- mer, who had emigrated to this county in 1808. His children were Josephine Van Endling, born March 12, 1840; Cornelius, born February 25, 1842; Deleon, Sep- tember 1, 1844; William, May 14. 1846; Harriet J., 1849; Frank P., February 6, 1852; and Caroline King, December 12, 1854. Delcon and Harriet J. are dead. Mr. Irwin lost his wife in 1854, and since has lived single. He has a fine farm, situated on the Fair Haven and Hamilton Pike. He has been trustee of Milford Township for twenty years. His grandfather, John Irwin, served in the Revolutionary War.
James Arthur Stephens was born in Hamilton, Jan- uary 15, 1827. He was married in Somerville to Rhoda N. Norris, daughter of Benjamin Norris and Lena La- boyteaux. They have had four children. Edward Fitz- zeller was born May 11, 1856; William Byun, Septem- ber 2, 1858; Benjamin Norris, January, 1863, and Samuel Sholmanson, July, 1865. Mr. Stephens is now a manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. He was out in the late war, acting as captain of the One Hun- dred and Sixty-seventh Ohio National Guards. George W. Stephens was in the Eighty-third. Captain Stephens is the son of George Stephens and Catherine Barkalow,
who came to this county in 1834, and are now both dead.
Edward T. Stephens, sou of Andrew A. Stephens and Catherine C. Norris, was born in Germany, of which country his parents were natives. They came to this country in 1867. He was married in Somerville on the 22d of September, 1877, to Anna Elizabeth Stephens, daughter of August Ritter and Catherine Colter. She was born in Middletown. They have had two children. Blanche Cornelia was born January 21, 1879, and Arthur Franklin, April 21, 1880. Mr. Stephens has been a highly successful farmer, and has served as supervisor for one year.
David Sommer was born in Montgomery County April 26, 1823. His parents, Peter and Anna, came to this county in 1839. He was married on the 22d of April, 1850, to Barbara Kintsinger, daughter of Joseph and Magdalen Kintsinger, who settled in this county in 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Sommer have had ten children, all happily spared to them. Jacob A. was born March 28, 1851; Magdalen, January 30, 1853; Joseph K., April 8, 1855; Peter, October 16, 1857 ; John G., December 8, 1859; Anna R., April 15, 1862; Mary Ann, October 9, 1864; Cynthia J., May 10, 1867; Kate A., Novem- ber 24, 1869; William L., September 6, 1872. Jacob A. lives in Franklin, Warren County, as does his brother Joseph K. Mr. Sommer was for ten years treasurer of Milford Township. He is a farmer, and has been suc- cessful in his calling.
James Findley Stout, son of Abel and Theodosia Stout, was born in Butler County, July 18, 1895. His father moved here in 1803. The Indians were numer- ous at that time. He was lost when only two years old, and was not found for two days. He was married in 1870 to Winnie Gordon, daughter of James and Cath- arine Gordon, who came to this county in 1845. Their daughter was born in Ireland in 1842. Mr. Stout has three children. James Findley was born November 22, 1871; Mary Ann, April 28, 1872, and Caroline Myrtle, January 3, 1875. Mr. Stout lives on the farm his father entered, and has never parted with it. His memory is clear, and he recollects events of the War of 1812. His father, Abel Stout, was in the Revolutionary War, and his nephew Abel was in the Mexican War. It is a family of soldiers.
Frederick Smoyer, sou of Frederick and Susan Smoyer, was born in Butler County, March 27, 1825. His father was married in Scioto County, coming to Butler with himself and wife on horseback. They arrived here in 1814. August 7, 1849, Frederick Smoyer, Jr., was married to Phebe, daughter of Isaac and Hannah Cook, who came to this county in 1816. The daughter was born the 19th of July, 1827. Their children were four. Anna was born March 21, 1860; Carrie, October 28, 1865; Ada, October 8, 1868; Eli, October 7, 1872. Mr. Smoyer is a farmer, and served as trustee of Mil.
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ford Township for six years. One of his uncles was with Wayne's army.
Andrew P. Young was born in this county in 1806. His parents were James Young and Janet Scott, who emigrated to Ohio in 1796. He was married in July, 1830, to Julia H. Butler, daughter of Sanmel and Bar- bara Kirkpatrick. They had four children : Janet,
Barbara, Rebecca, and Maria. Mr. Young is a mer- chant. He has been postmaster and justice of the prare.
John W. Young is the son of Howard and Jane Young. He was born in Somerville, October 25, 1810, and was married in Camden, July 17, 1879, to Sally Honsker, danghter of Robert A. Honsker and Ant Housker. Mr. Young's occupation is that of a druggist.
UNION.
UNION TOWNSHIP was organized in 1823, and taken from Liberty. It is in the extreme south-east of the county. The south and east portions of the township, in particular, were heavily timbered formerly, the oak predominating. The south-west was low, swampy, and not regarded as the most valuable. About eight hun- dred acres of this land was taken up by Judge Burnet, of Cincinnati. Benjamin Mead lived on Seetion 9, now the land on which Port Union stands. He did some surveying for Judge Syinmes. His property was left to his two sons, Benjamin and Walter, and his three daughters. Walter Mead was justice of the peace in former times. The south-east quarter of Section 11 was deeded to William and John Wright, by James Madison, in 1816. It is now owned by James Patchell, Sen. His father, James Patchell, settled upon this tract in 1850. He died in 1844, at seventy-two years of age.
Union Township was settled principally by Maryland- ers, Pennsylvanians, and Virginians. The uplands were taken np and settled by resident owners, while the low and swampy lands were purchased and held in large tracts by wealthy parties, such as Judge Burnet, Isaac . Hunt, the Stocktons, and others, and were in a manner vacant for a long time. Abont the year 1838 Abraham and Lot Swift built a fine merchant and grist-mill on the Miami Canal, in the township, and in 1840 the swamp lands were ditched. About the same time the Great Miami turnpike road was ma le through the town- ship. These improvements, together with chopping the cord-wood and shipping to Cincinnati at a high price, created a new ambition among the people. Property of all kinds, especially fands, went up to two and after- ward to three prices; but the bank panie in the Fall of 1841, which set prices back to what they were seven years previously, broke up almost every person that had bought land two or three years before that event.
July 4, 1791, Joseph MeMaken made application for a volunteer sixth section in the north-east corner of the fourth section in the second township, cast of the Big Miami, in the second entire range, which was the prop- erty of John N. Commmins. He moved on the land eight
days before Christmas, 1795, meeting on his way General Wayne returning from the treaty at Greenville. Mrx. Elizabeth MeMaken came out to live with. her son some time before 1800, her children having all been married off. After being ont here six or seven years she dicd, in 1801, at the age of one hundred and one years. Joseph MeMaken died on the 10th of February, 1818, from injuries received by the breaking off of a limb from a tree. It struck him on the skull and fractured it. Mrs. McMaken died in September, 1836.
The earliest settlers in the township were Captain Cox, on Section 22; Joseph MeMaken, Seetion 4; George Van Ness, Section 5; Thomas IIuron, Mr. Travis, Section 35; and Brice Virgin, who afterwards went up to Princeton. Ayres settled just south of Westchester; Irwin settled in the south part of the township, and was an old acquaint- ance of MeMaken's, coming from the same neighborhood in Pennsylvania. Seward eame out in 1797, and lived in MeMakin's house while waiting for his own cabin to be put up.
Samuel Seward, an old Revolutionary soldier, died ou tlie 22d of April, 1828, at his residence, in the seventy- fourth year of his age. He left upward of one hundred descendants. The previous day Mr. Abraham Mont- gomery, also a soldier of the Revolution, had died. Mr. Seward and Mr. Montgomery had been in their boyhood schoolmates. Together they joined their country's stand- ard, and in the army they were messmates. Upon the close of the war, they retired from the army, and resided in the neighborhood of each other, in Union Township, Butler County. They departed this life ouly separated by death about four hours.
The justices of the peace of this township have been William Symmes, 1803; Michael Ayers, 1809; James Cummins, 1818; Joseph H. MeMaken, 1823; Michae! Avers, 1324; Joseph H. MeMaken, 1826; Walter P. Mead, 1829; William Parrish, 1830; Walter P. Med. 1832; William Parrish, 1833; Sanmel MeLeau, 1535: John Wakefield, 1836 ; Mark C. MeMaken. Michael Dalton, John Wakefield, 1839; Mark C. MeMaken, 1 1841; Robert W. M. Clelland, 1843; and since that
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Dames Patchel
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date, John Wakefield, Z. P. Gard, Alexander Miller, James Patebell, James Middleton, William Perine, Perry Wright, Z. P. Gard, W. W. Van Hise, James V. Spellman, Z. W. Selby, and A. S. Hutchison.
The following are the post-offices in this township, and the names of the postinasters :
Westchester .- This place was originally known to the post-offiee department as Chester. Under that title it had two postmasters. Enos Singer was appointed April 1, 1824, and James Freeman, August 2, 1826. On October 2, 1826, it was changed to Westchester. Abram Brewer was appointed November 5, 1828; John S. Davis, September 21, 1830; James Van Hise, May 24, 1845; Daniel Perine, July 5, 1849; James Jackson, Mareb 4, 1852; Zadock Wharion, April 4, 1855; William W. Van Hise, April 15, 1858; David W. Williamson, June 2, 1863; Charles W. Snyder, March 27, 1866; David W. Williamson, February 25, 1867; George Snyder, Jan- uary 6, 1871; James S. Jeffers, October 2, 1871; Dana L. Taylor, March 14, 1874; and Edwin P. Jackson, November 24, 1875.
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