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 61
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After marriage Mr. Myers remained in Sharon until coming to Butler County, in the Spring of 1835, settling upon the farm that be still owns, on Section 16, Union Township. It had a log house upon it, which is still standing, and had been partially improved. It was pre- viously owned by John Cox. In the Spring of 1836 be went to Westchester, where he owned a tannery and conducted a boot and shoe business jointly with farming. He was in the village seven years, and then returned to the farm. The log cabin was used as a dwelling until he built his present residence, about 1847. His place con- sists of one hundred and forty acres, under good cultiva- tion. He has been overseer of the poor for five years.
George MeKinney was born in Newbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1818, and was the oldest son of John MeKinney and Mary Fields. The father was of Irish descent, and was a soblier of the War of 1812. He died about 1830. George M.Kinney learned the trade of a blacksmith when fifteen, his ap- !
prenticeship to run until he came of age. He then worked as a journeyman for a short time, and in the Winter of 1840 came to Ohio, locating at Westchester, thero laboring for four or five years. He was married to Catherine Dawson October 20, 1844, and had born to him one daughter and two sons. John H. was born August 3, 1845, now being a resident of Warren County. James W. was born March 30, 1847.
Mr. Mckinney's wife died June 3, 1850, and on the 2d of March, 1851, he was again married. His choice was Mary Smith, daughter of Major H. Smith. They have had four children, two of whom are living. Anson was born January 20, 1856. He is a school-teacher, and lives at home. Sarah was born January 18, 1861, and is still at home. After his marriage he located on the site of his present place, in 1845, occupying a log house, and putting up a log blacksmith shop, which he has con- tinued up to the present time, still doing a little at it to convenience his neighbors. The Jog dwelling-house was replaced by the present handsome frame structure about 1874 He has never held any office, except that, of school director.
Robert Moore is a native of Butler County, being born here December 16, 1815. His parents were Alex- ander and Mary Moore, who came to this county in 1802. He was married in November, 1839, to Sarah Jane Ward- weil, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Wardwell, who was born in New York, April 23, 1817, and moved to this county in 1820. He has had eight children. William Oseer, born January 17, 1841; Mary Arnand, August 13, 1812; Frances Margaret, wife of J. L. Carr. Decem- ber 5, 1844; Isaac, November 14, 1846; Robert G., De- cember 20, 1849; James Alphonso, September 12, 1853; Theodore H., October 3, 1855; and Mark C., April 19, 1858. William lives in White County, Indiana: Isaac and Theodore in Mixerville, Mrs. Carr in Cincinnati, and James in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Moore is a fariner, and served as a justice of the peace for three years. John Moore, his grandfather, was killed in the Revoiu- tion, and Alesauder Moore served in the War of 1812 .. Williams Wardwell was in the Revolutionary War, serv- ing seven years, and William O. Moore served three years and nine months in the last war.
William M. Miller was born in Steubenville, Ohio. April 14, 1818. HIe was the son of John and Margaret (Andrews) Miller, both ratives of Pennsylvania. His father was a lumberman, and resided in Pennsylvania, and at an early day moved to Steubenville, where he lual a lumber-yard. In 1827 he moved to Butler County. from Wayne County, where he had res ided for the space of eight years. He followed the iumiber business, after coming here, for about five years, when he retired from active labor, and so remained up to the time of his death, September 17, 1852. The mother died in Wayne County November 5, 1826. William: M. Miller is the only child! now surviving of six. He received a coromon schont
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education in the district schools of this county, and on reaching manhood engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns a homestead near Maud's Station. In October, 1865, he was elected a commissioner of Butler County, and held that office for two terms of three years each. He has been a school trustee for a number of years, and a member of the board of education and director of schools, and has always taken a deep interest in educa- tion. He is a Democrat. He was married February 19, 1846, to Miss Mary Cummins, daughter of Isaac Cum- mins, an early settler. Four children were born to them. Alexander is engaged in farming; Marietta is now the wife of Obadiah Seward; Ross is in Kansas City, en- gaged as a traveling agent ; and John Harold, who is a graduate of the Central Normal College, Danville, In- diana, has recently been elected as principal of the Campbell Normal University, Holton, Kansas.
Richard W. Nixon was born in Union Township, October 5, 1819, being the younger son of John Nixon and Elizabeth Taylor, both natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. John Nixon was one of the pioneers of Butler County, settling on the place now owned by Charles Krouskopf about the beginning of the century. Be cleared up that place, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was born in 1776, and died in 1821. Ilis wife died in 1835. Richard W. Nixon was a pupil at the common schools, receiving an ordinary education. He has always followed farming as an occupation. He was at home until he was thirteen years of age, his mother then breaking up housekeeping, when he went to live with his brother John, in whose employment he was until his marriage. That occurred on the 29th of Cetoher, 1842. His wife is Abigail J. Ayers, the oldest daughter of Sanmel W. Ayers and Mary Cox. Mr. Ayers was born in the township, and was the son of one of the carliest settlers. The son settled on the premises now owned by Francis Krouskopf about 1825, raising a family of three daughters and three sons, all now living. Mr. Ayers died March 11, 1842.
Mrs. Nixon was born January 2, 1827, and has been blessed with nine children. Samuel A. was born No- vember 9, 1844S; Oliver P., October 30, 1845; George C., January 15, 1848; Mary E., February 23, 1850; Margaret Am, March 14, 1852; Lydia J., May 20, 1857; Hester F., May 11, 1862; Wade S., December 13, 1864; Allen M., February 14, 1869. The oldest son, Samuel A., enlisted in Company 1, Sixty-ninth Volunteers, in 1861, and participated in all the battles of his regiment until 1864. At the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1st of that year, young Nixon was mortally wounded while gallantly fighting in defense of our flag, dying on the 4th. Oliver P. and George C. pow I've iu Towa. Mary E. is the wife of January Spin- ner, a resident of Union Township. Margaret Ana is married, and lives in Warren County. The others are at home.
After marriage Mr. Nixon was a resident of the S. W. Ayers homestead for five years, then going to War- ren County, where he lived for four years. Returning to Butler County in 1852, he soon after settled upon the site of his present home. In the Spring of 1860 he put up the new buildings now upon the place. He enlisted in Company A, Sixty-ninth Regiment, in Decem. ber, 1861, but was discharged on account of physical disability in July, 1862.
Frederick C. Petri was born in Bavaria December 19, 1838, being the son of George C. Petri and Constance Fey. He came to America May 2, 1855, soon after being in Liberty Township, working for John Flenner. There he stayed for three years and a half. Mr. Petri was married on the 20th of March, 1862, to Elizabeth Miller, born in Germany in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Petri have been granted five children, of whom three survive. Cora Anna was born January 18, 1870; Fred C., Jr., July 3, 1872, and Edward, November 1, 1874.
Mr. Petri conducted the Gebhardt farm, in St. Clair Township, for two years. was one year on the Wood- mansee farm in Liberty Township, occupied the Peter W. Shepherd farm, in Liberty Township, two years, locating on the place where he now lives in the Spring of 1867. It was known as the Mills place. It consists of two hundred and forty acres. In 1874 Mr. Petri made a trip to Germany with his family, and was gone over six months. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, at Hamilton. Mr. Petri has served as school director.
John Pocock was born in Hanover Township, Butler County, September 5, 1837, and is the son of James and Harriet S. Pocock. The father was a native of Mary- land, coming to Butler County early in the century. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was married in this county, and raised a family of children.
John G. Polster, the youngest son of John and Anne Polster, was born in Bavaria, October 10, 1829. He came to America in 1849, living in Steuben County, New York, for fourteen years. He was married Janu- ary 14, 1854, to Margaret Strobel, who was born in Bavaria, January 27, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Polster are the parents of nine children. Mary was born Septem- ber 8, 1854, and is now the wife of Conrad Huffbagle, of Cincinnati. John George was born October 29, 1856, and lives at home. Margaret Elizabeth was born Janu- uary 16, 1860; Louisa, January 29, 1862; Katie Rachel, March 30, 1863; John W., October 16, 1865; Eli Joha, March 4, 1868; Mary Ann, September 25, 1871, and Lizzie Barbara, May 16, 1874. In the Fall of 1863 he came to Ohio, locating in Butler County in 1864, and purchasing the farm where he still resides. It consists of over one landred aeres of fine land. under goed cultivation. He began without money, having but five francs left when he arrived in New York State. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton.
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Henry Stickels was born in Sycamore Township, Ham- | - ilton County, April 12, 1837, being the son of Joseph Stickels and Mary Condon, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of German and English descent. The family re- moved, in 1849, to Butler County, where the boy was brought up to the occupation of a farmer. When about twenty he traveled for several years on the rivers and with show companies. Mr. Stickels was married, June 3, 1861, to Emily Walker, daughter of Joseph Walker, & well-known citizen of this county. She was born in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Stickels are the parents of eight children, of whom six are living. Oscar, the oldest child, died at the age of nine. Cora was born August 6, 1866; Rush, July 12, 1868; Charles, December 31, 1869; Annie, March 20, 1871; Elsie, July 5, 1872; Harry, September 8, 1873. An infant died September 27, 1878.
One year after his marriage, Mr. Stickels entered the Eighty-third Regiment, participating in the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Missis- sippi, and several others. He was taken prisoner at Carrion Crow, Louisiana, being confined at Alexandria for two months. On being exchanged, he returned to his regiment, serving until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July, 1865. He came to Butler County, and engaged in conducting a saw-mill for seven years. In 1872 he went to Maud's, beginning the lumber and coal business in connection with a mereantile business. He is now doing an exten- sive and increasing trade. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, trading a year among the Indians. Mrs. Stickels died September 28, 1878.
Jacob Steinman was born in Bavaria, May 23, 1842. He is the son of Valentine and Margaret Steinmann. He received a fair education in Bavaria, before coming with his parents to America in the Fall of 1854, the family remaining in Niagara County, New York, for some three years. Jacob was a pupil at the common schools in Niag- ara County. He came to Butler County in the Spring of 1858, working at farming in Fairfield Township. He was married October 25, 1866, to Susan M. Beiser, daughter of George Beiser, an early settler. She was born in this county January 26. 1843. They are the parents of five children, four now being alive. Jacob George was born September 17, 1867; Charles Frederick, September 4, 1869, dying when oue year and eleven months old ; John Edward, December 10, 1871; Susan M., October 14, 1873 ; and Charles F., February 27, 1876.
He lived one year in Fairfield Township after being married, and in the Spring of 1868 came to Union Town- ship, conducting the farm now owned by Christian Moer- leia first, and then a place near Port Union for four years. Ho then bought the place now owned by William W. Graham, and resided there seven years. In the Fall of 1879 he sold out, and the following Spring purchased the faria where he new lives, formerly the Captain Moore
farm. It comprises two hundred and twenty-five acres, and has a handsome residence upon it, with pleasant surroundings. Mr. and Mrs. Steinman are members of the Lutheran Church at Hamilton. He is a Demoerat in polities.
Anthony Salsman, son of Joseph Salsman and Eliza- beth C. Slifer, of Pennsylvania and Maryland birth, and German and French extraction, was born February 28, 1833. With his parents he came to this county about 1839, settling in Fairfield Township. His father died when he was a small boy, and he began working as soon as pos- sible. He was employed around a farm in various places in this county, and was a resident of Hamilton County for some years. He remained with his mother until a year after marriage, which took place November 22, 1857. The object of his choice was Miss Mary Jane Gray, daughter of William Gray, an old resident of the county. She was born June 16, 1839.
Mr. and Mrs. Salsman are the parents of ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living. John B. was born March 13, 1859); Elizabeth M., August 13, 1860; Fran- cis M., May 8, 1862; Anthony W., April 25, 1864; Amanda L., June 30, 1866; U. G., October 13, 1868: Emma C., August 11, 1874; Vermillion, December 26, 1876, and Norris L., January, 22, 1880. The last died August 9, 1881. Until 1859 he lived upon the place now owned by his father-in-law, settling in the Spring of 1861 upon the place where he now resides. The build- ings were then poor, and the improvements smali, but have since been remodeled and added to.
George Washington Swearingen was born in Union Township, April 8, 1826. He is the son of John Van Swearingen and Amelia Daley, natives of Delaware, or' German and English descent. John Van Swearingen was a Revolutionary soldier, and also served in the War of 1812. He came to Butler County in 1808, settling upon the farm now owned by his son. He was a prosper- ous farmer, but was a miller by trade. He was married about 1796, and reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are now alive, three daughters and two sons, all well-known residents of this county. Mary Ann, the youngest daughter, was born February 20, 1820, and al- ways has lived upon the place. George W. Swearingen went to the common schools until old enough to labor, when he began working upon the farm, where he has always lived. He owns fifty aeres, which are well enltivated. and lives in the old house, built about 1820. Upon the place is the grave of the Rev. Mr. Grimes, a missionary to the Indians.
Isaac S. Swearingen, the first member of the Swear- ingen family that came to Ohio, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, being a brother of General Joseph Swearingen, of the Revolutionary War. ile was a -ur- veyor, and come to this region as one of the first of thet calling over in this neighborhood. He laid out, it is said, the first road in the county. His brother, the ground,
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had been sent to fight the Indians, and he came with him. returning to the East with the army. About 1795 he brought out his family and squatted in Union Town- ship, and in 1803 his brother John came to Ohio and bought him out, when he returned to Maryland. In 1809 he came back and settled at North Bend, and about 1830 moved to Laurel, Indiana, and there died, leaving no family. The aneestor of the family in America was originally known as Vau Swearing. He was kidnapped when a child from Germany, and brought to this country more than a hundred years ago, being sold to a merchant in Baltimore. He afterwards became a merchant him- self. In after years two of his brothers came to America, and to distinguish the families he added "gen" to his name, making it Van Swearingen. When he died he was of the great reported age of one hundred and seventeen.
John Van Swearingen was born in Frederick County, Maryland, Jane 4, 1762, and died in Union Township in 1852. He married about 1799, in Maryland, Amelia Daily, who was born in Maryland about 1780, on the ground where the battle of Antietam was afterwards fought, and died July 30, 1836. She had eleven chil- dren. Drusilla was born July 25, 1801; Thomas V., June 2, 1804; Margaret, March 13, 1807; Naomi, Octo- ber 5, 1809; Isane, December 25, 1811; Elizabeth, Feb- ruary 25, 1814; Rebecca, August 22, 1816; John D., August 20, 1819; Mary Ann, February 21, 1821; Will- iam, born February 23, 1824; and Washington, April 8, 1826. Naomi is still living, and is the widow of F. C. Crawford; Elizabeth is the widow of Cyrus Crane; John D. lives in Bethany ; Mary Ann is at home; and Wash- ington lives in Union Township. The others are dead.
Mr. Van Swearingen came to Butler County in 1803, and settled in Union Township, purchasing the tract of ground upon which his brother Isaac had squatted, con- taining ninety-eight acres of land, where he settled and lived till the day of his death. During the War of the Revolution he was called out to watch the slaves, and to prevent the colored people from rising in response to the calls of the British. About 1832 he lost his eye-sight, and was blind till his death. He was a meehanie, and learned harness-making first of all. Afterward his father left him a grist-mill and he learned milling. For many years he ran the mills of Governor Morrow and Colonel Hunt, and also was called from long distances to dress mill buhrs. He was probably the only man in the Mi- ami Valley who could do this. He was the first man that ever made a cradle for cradling grain in Butler County. He was a mechanical genius, and could make ahnost any thing that was needful. He would go to the blacksmith's shop and make his own tools, and also made shoes, chairs, and wheels, and was also a weaver.
His son, John D., was born August 20, 1819, in Union Township, and was married on the 1st of Jant- ary, 1843, to JJulia Crane, who was born in Liberty, October 12, 1819, and died March 4, 1865. They had
six children, five of whom lived to grow up. Benton was born March 7, 1845: Eliza Ann. October 12, 1846; Christie Ann, October 21, 1848, now dead; Margaret F., June 26, 1850; Lvella Belle, February 9, 1852, now dead; and John D. was born May 3, 1854. He was married the second time, on March 2, 1857, to Emnice C., widow of William G. Wheeler, who was born April 2, 1865, in this county, and dying February 9, 1869. Her maiden name was Whipple. She had ao family. He was married the third time, November 13, 1870, in Lebanon, Warren County, to Lavina Hawthorne, born in Warren County, January 11, 1830. She has no fam- ily. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows' Society for some years, but of late years has retired. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is its steward. He has held all the offees except pastor. He joined the organization in 1836, and has been a liberal supporter ever sinee.
William E. Shepherd was born in Liberty Township, December 29, 1838, and is the son of David Shepherd and Elizabeth Ely. When David Shepherd came to this county in 1837, he looked around for a place on which to settle, and the next year found it. It is the one now owned by his son. Then it was but very slightly im- proved, but soon began to present a different aspeet. He had a family of three sons. He died October, 1876, being then a member of the Baptist Church. William E. Shepherd was married August 30, 1365, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Coy, who was born in Union Township, May 28, 1848. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Irene Gertrude was born June 3, 1869; Wilbur C., July 29, 1872; Isaac Percival, December 11, 1875; Abbie Elizabeth, November 6, 1877; David Lloyd, December 7, 1879. Mr. Shepherd has always lived on the home place, which he inherited from his father., He owns two hundred and sixty-nine acres, and is now engaged in putting up a fine house. They are members of the United Brethren Chureb.
Charles H. Shepherd, the son of David Shepherd and Elizabeth Ely, was born in Union Township, July 16. 1850. His parents were natives of New Jersey, of Ger- man and English descent. Mrs. Shepherd is still lv- ing, residing with her son Charles H. The latter was married March 1, 1875, to Miss Barbara Weber, daugh- ter of J. G. Wehr. They are the parents of two chil- dren. W. E. Shepherd was born September 24, 1877. and Elmer Shepherd, January 1, 1880. Mr. Shepherd resides upon a portion of the homestead, occupying a residence built in 1880. It is a handsome, weil built structure, and cost about $4,000. He owns one hundred and eighty four acres of finely cultivated land. Mrs. Shepherd is a member of the Lutheran Church in Ham- ilton. He is a Republican.
Nehemiah Van Hise was born in Union Township, Butler County, December 17, 1822. being the younger son of William Van Hive and Rachel Hageman, of Now
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Jersey. They are of German extraction. William Van Hise came to Butler County about 1800, and was one of the pioneers. He was township trustee for several terms .. He was a prosperous farmer, and raised a family of six sons and two danghters. Three sons are now living. Mr. Van Hise died about 1853. Nehemiah Van Hise remained on the home place until his marriage, which happened on the 28th of November, 1848. He was then united to Elizabeth Aydelotte, daughter of James A. Avdelotte. She was born in 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hise are the parents of four children, of whom two are living. Luella May was the wife of E. Moore. She died May 28, 1880, aged twenty-three. Anna Laurie died February 8, 1850. Benjamin F. is a resi- dent of Hamilton County, and James is still at home. After marriage he continued on his father's place for three years; then removing to Pisgah and engaging in the manufacture of brooms, a business that he conducted for some eighteen years. He then entered upon mercantile business in Pisgah, which he has since carried on, doing an extensive trade. He keeps a general stock of goods. Mr. Van Hise was township treasurer one term of two years, about 1864. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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George Vinnedge was born in Fairfield Township. No- vember 30, 1809, being the younger son of John and Ro- sanna (Moore) Vinnedge. John Vinnedge was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1774, on the 4th of April. He accompanied the expedition of General Wayne to the Indian grounds at the north, and was backhorse-master from Fort Hamilton to Fort Greenville, After the defeat of the Indians he remained in Hamilton, where he was married in June, 1795. This is the earli- est marriage in the limits of this county known to the editor of this book. He settled on the place now farmed by Thomas Van Cieaf, in 1798, and lived there till 1850. He raised a family of cight children, of whom but four survive -- two sons and two daughters. In 1850 he re- mored south of Hamilton, in Fairfieldl Township. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and was an active Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He died in August. 1868, in his ninety-fifth year. George was educated in the common schools in Fairfield! Township, and was brought up to farming. He remained at home until he was twenty-four.
In 1831 Mr. Vinnelge was married to Miss Malinda Robbins, and has had five children-three daughters and two sons. Three daughters are now living, residents of Butler County. They are Mary R., widow of Ispace Skill- man, living in Milford !; Nancy R., wife of Frank Jones, living in Hamilton ; and Julia W., wife of Johnston Ger- ard, living in Union Township. The first Mrs. Vin- pedge died in 1875. and he was again married, April, 1875. His wife was Mrs. Katy Magness, daughter of Henry Spellman. Mr. Vinnedge has nearly always been engaged in farming. In 1832 he purchased a farm on | Metho.list Episcopal Church.
the Springdale Pike, where he resided until coming to Union Township in 1856, loeating on the place now oc- cupied by Johnston Gerard, a short distance north of Port Union. He afterwards removed to his present home, a short distance south of Port Union, where he owns eighty-three acres, having on the old place one hundred and fifty aeres. He was a direeter in the in- firmary board some nine years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William Townsend, the son of Daniel Townsend and Mary Hamlin, was born in Devonshire, England, May 1828. He was employed upon a farm until coming to America in the Spring of 1850. From New York he proceeded to Cincinnati direct, being a resident of Ham- ilton County for some ten years, working upon a faim. He was married August 14, 1860, to Henrietta Craig, daughter of John Frederick Craig, an old settler in Texas, then the name of a part of Cincinnati, who assisted in building the first house in that part of the city. Mrs. Townsend was born in Hamilton County, February 8, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the par- ents of seven children. Mary Ella was born May 8, 1862; Sarah Anna, January 12, 1865; William Fred- erick, August 18, 1867; Benjamin Franklin, May 3, 1870; Ida May, June 21, 1872; Grace Edith, January 22, 1374, and Theodore Albert, May 20, 1877.
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