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 77
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Peter P. Schenck, an old and esteemed farmer of Mad- ison Township, was born in Somerset County, New Jersey. on the 3d of May, 1801. - Hc is the son of Garret G. Schenck, who was born April 30, 1758, and died in 1839. and Jane Van Kirk, born September 8. 1769, and dying in 1836. They were both born in Monmouth County, in that State. The father was in the Revolutionary War for four or five years. Peter P. Schenck's birth-place was abont forty miles from New York City. It was sold when he was about six years of age, his parents then hoving a farm in Monmouth County, within one mile of the ! wer bay of New York, and six miles from Sandy Hook. where they lived until 1816. That farm was then soll. and his father came to Ohio. Pour was then linien
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years of age. They arrived at Franklin, Warren County, on the 22d of June, 1815, the father buying a farm within two miles of that placc.
The present Mr. Schenck lived there until he married Catherine Joheson in 1821, and in 1822 moved to Butler County, having lived here ever since, or sixty years. They had five children, one of whom only is living, his youngest, who is forty-six years of age, now living at Peoria, Illinois. Their births and deaths are as fol- lows: Johnson, born December 12, 1821, died September 12, 1839; Mary Ann, born February 25, 1823, died July 21, 1854; William, born March 24, 1826, died January 26, 1875; Garrett, born July 8, 1830, died July 24, 1820; Henry, born December 14, 1825. Mrs. Schenck's father, John Johnson, came to Ohio in 1810, and died in 1850; and Polly Sutphin, her mother, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Mrs. Schenck died in 1858, and in 1868 Mr. Schenck married Mrs. Elizabeth Heffuer, whose maiden name was Morningstar. He was township trustee for about twelve years. His occupation has been that of a farmer.
William J. Schenck, sou of B. G. Schenck and Phoebe J. DuBois, was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 25, 1854. He began the livery business-in Middletown in 1879, and has done a good trade. He has a large stock both of horses and carriages. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been so for ten years. He was the secretary of its Sunday-school for three years. He is the grandson of a soldier of the Revolutionary War, William Schenck. His brother. _ 1. D. Schenck, was in active service for three years. In 1864 he went to West Point, to school, graduating in 1868, and has been in the service ever since. He has been to California, Mexico, and Texas.
Michael Simpson was born in York County, Penn- sylvania, July 24, 1820, being the son of Arthur Simip- son and Catherine Butcher. He was raised ou a farm, and at the age of fifteen went to Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia. and learned the tailod's trade. He served four years at this, and afterward engaged in buying and selling grain and shipping it to Cin- cinnati. About ten years ago be came to Middletown, and opened a merchant tailoring . establishment. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for twenty- eight years, his wife joining the Churel: at the same ' time. Her maiden name was Ellen Waruer. She was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, June 13, 1822, and was the daughter of John Warner and Rachel Rush, who came to this county in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were married April 25, 1847. They have had ten children. Theodore C. was born February 27, 1848; Frances C., July 23, 1850, Henry A., September 22. 1853 ; Joseph F., February 25, 1855; John R., Jannary 24, 1859 ; Carrie E., May 18, 1861; Mandie I .. Novem- ber 14, 1862; Ida May. August 19, 1864; Susie R., July 21, 1868; Jean W., October 14, 1872. Mr. Simp-
son was a justice of the peace for three years, being elected in 1853. His son enlisted in 1862, and was cap- tured and sent to Andersonville Prison for about four months, coming very near dying. He enlisted in the Fifty-third Ohio Regiment. Of Mr. Simpson's children Frances C. has received a very fine education, and fer the last twelve years has been teaching school in Jeffer- sonville. Henry A. Simpson is a cutter in a large tailor- ing establishment in Columbus, Ohio. John R. is the assistant cutter in the Middletown establishment. Theo- dore C. Simpson is book-keeper and paymaster in a large tobacco establishment.
William Sebald was born in Bavaria, Germany, De- cember 10, 1830. His parents are Casper Sebald and Margaret Schalk, the mother coming to this conuty with . William in 1854. He was married in Hamilton. on the 29th of September, 1857, to Mary Dilg, daugh- ter of Henry Dilg and Louisa Schwab, who was born in Hamilton June 12, 1841. Her parents came here in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Sobald have had ten children. The first was an infant, dying shortly after its birth, in 1858. Louisa M. Keller was born in May, 1860; Min- nie A., June 10, 1861; George H., November 15, 1864; Edward C., August 11, 1866; William J., April 15, 1869; Charles, September 2, 1871; Frank A., Janvary 26, 1874; Mamie A., April 9, 1876, and Gustavus A., January 25, 1879. Frank A. died April 15, 1875. Mr. Sebald learned carriage painting and trimming in Bavaria, and after coming to th's county he worked at his trade for about five years, when he built a brewery in Middletown, where he carried on the brewing bu-i- ness until his death, which occurred December 10, 1880, his wife carrying ou the business. He was a member of the town council and school board about five years.
Daniel C. Spyder was born in Madison Township. May 3, 1837. His parents were Daniel and Catherine Ann Snyder. He is a farmer. He was married De- cember 10, 1857, to Mary Jane Siukey, daughter of John Siukey and Louisa A. Weikel. She was born in Amanda, Lemon Township, April 15, 1838. They have had five children. Sarah C. Snyder was born January 1, 1859; John M. Suyder, November 22, 1862: Danie! S. Snyder, November 21, 1866; Clara L. Suyder. De- cember 13, 1871, and William M. Snyder, April 21, 1875. Daniel S. and William M. are dead.
Joseph Sutphin was born in Lemon Township, De- ceniber 24, 1817. His parents, John Sutphin and JJane Potter, were of the earliest families in the neighborhood. His grandfather, Abraham Sutphin, was in the Revolu- tionary War, and his father, John Suiphin, in the War of 1812. Moses Potter settled in Lemon Township in 1795, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He was carried on the 14th of April, Isto, or Piqua, to Care- line Johnston, bara in that town, in 1819 Her father, William Johnston, dial in 1823. and her mother, Miry Shaw, is also dead. Three children have been given to
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this marriage-Charles Sutphin, Harriet J. Gunckel, and Mary Belle Pendleton. Charles enlisted in 1861, in the Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and was afterwards ao- pointed as a lieutenant in the Ninety-third, serving three years, and was wounded in the battle of Chicka- manga. Mr. Satphin has been a member of the school board for nine years, and has been a member of the Episcopal Church since 1860. His basiness is that of a miller and paper manufacturer.
Jacob Schaffer was born in Bavaria, Germany, No- vember 24, 1841, and came to this county in 1860, and to the United States three years before. His first resi- dence was in Germantown, where he had an unele living. He hegar learning a trade there, working at it for three years. In 1860 he came to Middletown, when he went to work at his trade, but went out in the army April 19, 1861, in the Twelfth Ohio Infantry, for three months. Hore enlisted December 2, 1861, in the Sixty-ninth Regi- ment, and remained with it until the close of the war. While be was in the army of the West, he served under General Buel, General Rosecrans, General George B. Thomas, and General W. T. Sherman. He was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and from there went on the march through Georgia to the sea, to Savannah. After its subsequent marching, he went on to Louisville with his regiment, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Schaffer was in all the Western engagements, and was never exempted from duty, but was always ready. When he first went out Le was private under Captain William Patton. He was promoted to corporal within the first six months, and went through the regular promotions until ho becan.o the captain of Company G, Sixty- ninth Ohio.
When he came back from the army he went in part- nership with Charles Latterner. He was elected seere- tary of the German Building and Saving Association eight years. Hoswas elected town treasurer in April, 1876, and still holds the office. He row conducts a barber-shion. He was married in Middletown, October 4, 1861, to Eliza Merriman, who was born in Liscuel, Ireland, July 25, 1814, and is the daughter of Stephen Merriman and Elizabeth Regan. Mr. and Mrs. Schaffer have nine children. Jacob Schaffer was born June 20, 1862; William T. S .. April 18, 1866; Ulysses G., De- cember 2, 1867; George F., August 2, 1869; Joseph H., February 20, 1871; Anna, March 26, 1873; Harry, July 28, 1875; Daniel, May 6, 1877 ; and Mamie, July 26, 1879. Jacob Schaffer, the father of Mr. Schaffer, is stil! living, in Germany, but his mother, Elizabeth Knapp, died November 5, 1877. Mrs. Schaffer's parents are dead.
. John R. Slafor, a prominent stock breeder of Mid- dletown, Ohio, was born in Lemon Township, Butler County, Obio. December 6, 1817, andl was the fourth child and first son born to William and Jane Shafor. He remained on his father's farm until he had reached the age of nineteen, when he went to work in a sash- I two years there was a cessation from business cares, dur-
factory carried on at the mouth of Dick's Creek, by Mr. Isaac Gardner. He remained in this occupation three years. ar the end of which time he engaged to work a neighboring farm on shares. The product of the first season was principally corn, which did not sell at a re- inunerative price. TLis so discouraged the young farmer that he gave up agricultural pursuits and engaged in merchandising in Amanda. After two years of unprofit- able business, he sold his small stock of goods at a sacri- fice, and engaged to work on an uncle's farm at ten dol- lars per month. This was during the Summer season of 18443.
On the 6th of December of the same year, having. just reached his twenty-sixth birthday, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Davis, daughter of Vincent and Anna Davis, who resided on a farm near Hamilton. Nothing daunted with his past struggle, he went to work in the pork-house of F. J. Tytus at nine dollars per month, including his board.
The following Spring Mr. Shafor moved to the farm of Mr. P. W. Shepherd in Liberty Township, where he remained one year working the farm on shares. At the end of this time he removed to the farm formerly vera- pied by John Mulford, five miles south of Middletown, where he remained one year, aud at the expiration of this time found himself in possession of the neat sum of four hundred dollars. With this amount he purchased a farm of fifty acres near Princeton, seven miles north- east of Hamilton. For this farm he agreed to pay one thousand dollars-four hundred dollars down, and the remainder in two installments, covering a space of thece years. He remained on this farm one year longer, during which time land advanced in price, and at the expira- tion of this time he sold his farm for thirty-six dollars per acre. Returning to Amanda with two thousand dol- lars in cash, he purchased one hundred acres of fine land from John Dickey, agreeing to pay him four thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars for the sino. Making his first payment, three hundred dollars, he gave his notes for the remainder, and on the 1st of dan- unry, 1850, received the deed for the farm, and took possession of the same. During the following Summer Mr. Shafor erected a comfortable dwelling, and in Oeto- ber of the same year he moved his family, consisting of his wife and a little four-year-old daughter, to their new home. She and the ir fant child died April 29, 1851.
On the 15th day of December, 1852, he was again married, to Miss Rebceca B. Vail, daughter of Randal! and Maria Vail, of Madison Township, near Middletown, and in the following March he resumed the charge of his farm, having reuted it previously, from the death of his first wife, to a family with whom he boarded. As a result of this union four children were born to them, all of whom died. By the death of his family Mir. Shafor became again discouraged, and for the space of
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ing which time he sold out his implements and rented his farm. However, in 1859, he again commenced opera- tious in the grain and stock business, in partnership with S. V. Curtis at Amanda. They followed this business during the war, and were very successful. Being at the age that would make him subject to the draft at the com- mencement of the rebellion, he stood his chances until June 24, 1864, when he became exempt by law from doing military service. But to show his patriotic spirit and love for his country he furnished a recruit at his own expense, who fought in his stead until peace was declared.
In 1866 Mr. Shafor built what is known as the Shafor Block in Middletown, and in May, 1872, removed his family to that city. In that year he began dealing in fresh and cured meats, in partnership with F. M. Kemp, with whom he is now associated and doing a thriving business. Mr. Shafor is one of the charter members of the First National Bank of Middletown, and assisted in its organi- zation. He was one of its largest stockholders for a number of years, and also a director, and for one year its vice-president. Mr. Shafor has been foremost in all good works, and for the space of about forty years has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Middle- town. An enterprise worthy of special notice is that of breeding fine sheep, for which Mr. Shafer has few supe- riors and a wide reputation. In 1879 he imported from Oxfordshire, England, a few of the celebrated Oxford- shire down sleep, which proved so satisfactory that he was induced, in the Fall of 1880, to make another im- portation, making his selections from the noted flocks of Adams, Fox, Treadwell and Gillett, who have the largest reputation of any stock-breeders in England. Mr. Shafor's stock farm is situated on Dick's Creek, and con- sists of three hundred aeres. It is conducted by his nephew, W. A. Shafor, under the firm name of J. R. and W. A. Sbafor, and is well adapted in every respect for this purpose. Dick's Creek runs through the entire farm, affording plenty of good, clear water for the use of his stock.
Mr. Shafor is one of the most prominent citizens of Middletown. His carcer throughout has been one worthy of emulation, and shows plainly what can be aecom- plished by industry, good jalgment, and a straightor- ward course. Mr. Shafor is a gentleman of fine social qualities, and bas a very genial and affable disposition. From a poor farmer boy he has carved his way through adverse circumstances to a position of distinction and affluence, and stauds high in the community as a man of sterling qualities. In all his business relations he shows an equitable spirit. and toward all publie improvements he manifests a deep interest, and contributes liberally of his means for their support.
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Francis J. Tytus, president of the Tyres Paper Com- pany, and for fifty-five years a resident of Middletown, was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, about twenty miles west of Winchester, February 6, 1806, and con-
tinned on the farm of his father until he was fourteen years old, when he entered the store of Robert Sheward, in the same neighborhood, with whom he remained four years. Then having reached the age of eighteen years, he went to Winchester, Virginia, and entered the store of Thomas Phillips & Co., in whose employment he re- mained until May, 1827, when he removed to Ohio, and settled in Middletown, then a small village of a few hun- dred inhabitants. Mr. Tytus engaged as a clerk with Jonathan L. Martin, who was in the dry-goods business. and four years later married his daughter Sarah, who died in 1840. In 1832 Mr. Martin also died, and Mr. Tytus, in partnership with George L. Wrenn, purchased the stock of goods formerly owned by his employer, and under the firm name of Tytus & Wrenn conducted the business until 1849. In 1836 he engaged in the pork- packing business, in connection with which he was favor- ably known for the space of twenty-four years. In 1854 he associated himself with Oglesby & Barnitz, and pur- chased two mills, one engaged in the manufacture of white paper, and the other produced brown wrapping paper, erected by John W. Erwin & Brother. Mr. Tytus held an interest in these mills until March, 1682, during which time the buildings were greatly enlarged and improved. In 1873 he purchased another mill, and the same year the corporation of the Tytu: Paper Com- pany was formed, and Mr. Tytus owning three-quarters of the stock, was made its president. This corporation is composed of the following gentlemen : F. J. Tytus, presi- dent; C. Gardner, vice-president; J. B. Tytus, secretary; and W. B. Oglesby, treasurer. The business of the mill amounts to over half a million of dollars annually, and turns out twenty thousand pounds of manilla paper every twenty-four hours.
Mr. Tytus is one of the most substantial and influen- tial members of the Baptist Church of Middletown, with which he became associated in 1828, and has been fre- quently sent as a delegate to the Baptist couventions, and has been prominent in all Church matters. Not only has Mr. Tytus been prominent in religious affairs, but in every good cause and work. He has been active in en- hancing the material growth of his adopted city, and has contributed liberally of his means toward the building of turnpikes, public school buildings, churches, and all in- provements of the place. In personal appearance he is a fine specimen of physical manhood, being about six feet in height, of noble presence, weighing about two hundredl pounds, and in general make-up bears a striking resem- blance to General George Washington.
Mr. Tytus was married to Miss Sarah Butler in 1842. By thais lady he has had a family of four children, the oldest of which, E. J. Tymts, died in 1880. Three wise survive are John B. Tyrus, associated with his father in business as secretary of the Tytus Paper Company : Liz- zie P'., che wife of C. Gardner, vice-president of the above company ; and Enuna J. Moujean, whose husband is vice-
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president and agent of the Red Cliff Silver Mining Com- pany of Colorado, with office and head-quarters in Topeka, Kansas. Formerly he was a clergyman in good standing of the Baptist denomination, but health failing he was compelled to relinquish his position.
Mr. F. J. Tytus is now in his seventy-seventh year, and is a remarkably well-preserved man. He is found almost every day in his office attending to the duties de- volving upon him as president of the Tytus Paper Com- pany, and is quite extensively known as " the great paper manufacturer." Mr. . Tytus has a fine reputation as a business man, and his career in Middletown stands above reproach. Iu 1848 he purchased a beautiful farm in the suburbs of the city, on which he erected a handsome and commodious residence, where he now resides, surrounded by every evidence of refinement and affluence.
Daniel Brown Vail was born September 6, 1853, in Madison Township. He is a sign and ornamental painter. His parents were William W. Vail and Lucinda Brown, both natives of this county. He was married October 29, 1879, to Minnie R. Olden, daughter of David Olden and Celia Folk. She was born in Greenville, Darke County, February 13, 1858. To this union one child, Blanche E., was born December 25, 1880. In 1872 he went to Buffalo to learn a trade in the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad shops, where he stayed until the Spring of 1878, when he came back to Middletown, going into business for himself. He also makes excel- lent portraits.
Hugh P. Vail was born in Middletown September 17, 1843. His parents, Hugh Vail and Jane Porter, came here in 1800. At the age of sixteen he went to farming, continuing at this till he was thirty years old, when he went to teaming. He now constantly employs three teams. He was married December 7, 1871, in Warren County, to Alice R. Crane, who was born in that county May 14, 1851. Her parents were Samue! R. Crane and Ellen Jane Dearth.
William Webster was born in Liberty Township on the 2d of May, 1811, and is the son of William Web- ter and Mary Marsh, who came to this county from New Jersey in 1806. Mr. Webster was early in life en- gaged in the hardware business in Hamilton, in conjune- tion with his brother, Joseph Webster, but for the last forty years has been a resident of Middletown. He has been twice married. His first wife was Maria J. Ken- nedy, and he was married to her October 5, 1837. Her father's name was Joe! Kennedy, and her mother's Esther Moorehouse. By her he had eight chillren. Albert Webster was born September 26, 1838, and died on the 5th of December, 1851 ; Mary was born April 12. 1840, and died February 7, 1841; Joel K. was born May 20. 1843, and now lives in Kentucky; Laura JJ. Ford was born December 8. 1845, and lives in Texas; Charles was born November 30, 1848, and died June 27, 1868; Florence Nunnelly was born July 29, 1852, and lives in
Galveston, Texas; Thomas was born Angust 15, 1854, and William E. was born October 2, 1856. In a second marriage Mr. Webster was united to Charlotte E. Hook on the 6th of August, 1869, who has one child, Stanley, born September 30, 1876.
. George P. Webster, the nephew of Mr. Webster, served during the whole of the Mexican War. He also was in the War of the Rebellion, being shot at the bat- tle of Mill Springs. His rank was that of colonel, but he was in command of the brigade at that time. Mr. Webster is now engaged in the manufacture of paper bags, inventing the machinery himself, and employing sixty or seventy employees, mostly girls. The factory was built in 1873, but was destroyed by fre on the 6th of November, 1880. This was Saturday night, but by a week -from Tuesday it was again in motion as before, new quarters having been temporarily found.
Charles M. Williams, teacher, was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill., October 11, 1856. His father is Williams N. Williams and his mother Elizabeth J. Williams. His grandfather, David Lloyd, was a private soldier un- der General Taylor in the Mexican War. An unele, William Lloyd, orderly sergeant of a company in the Guthrie Grays, died of. typhoid fever at Bowling Green, Ky., in 1862 .. James M. Lloyd, another unele, served three years in the Seventy-fifth Ohio, being in seventeen set battles. Charles M. Williams lived in Illinois until he was six years old, when he was removed to Warreu County in this State, then being on a farm until 1875, when on the 26th of October, 1875, he came to Middle- town, where he was for seven years engaged in teaching school. He also teaches elocution, and has been very successful as a publie reader. He was married on the 25th of November, 1880, to Louisa Hinkle, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy Hinkle. . They are natives of this county, and she was born here September 10, 1562.
Allen Smith Wrenn, paper manufacturer, was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, March 6, 1815. His par- ents, who lived and died in Virginia, were Thomas Wrenn and Catherine Brent. He was married in 1845. in Middletown, to Parthenia Taylor, daughter of David Taylor and Joanua Envart, who are both dead. Mrs. Wrenn was born in Middletown March 22. 1826, and they have bad five children, Thomas A., Edward, Mary. Charles L., and Kate B.
Joseph Wiekoff was born in New Jersey, ou the 12th of December, 1802, coming to this county in 1821. His parents were Samuel Wickoff and Vesta Irton. Mr. Wiekoff was married on the 8th of November, 1838, to Eleanor Barklow, daughter of Tobias Barklow and Elizabeth Jeems, who came to Batler in 1806. They have had six children-Vashti, Rebecca, Tolnas. Henry, Sarah, and Joseph. Rebecca and Henry are de- ceased. The latter was in the army, but he was never heard of afterwards. and it is supposed he is dead. To- bias Wickoff was in the hundred-lays' service.
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Uzel Clark (deceased) came with his father, Jacob Clark, to Ohio in 1806, and in the Fall of 1807 settled on a farm near Monroe. His father married Miss Sarah Beach, and raised three children: Mrs. Mary Mulford, Mrs. Esther Kyle, and Uzel Clark. Mary married John Mulford abont the time of the War of 1812, who was the father of David, Jacob, and Job Mulford, the well-known citizens of Butler County. David Mulford now lives in the north part of the State. Esther Clark was the first wife of James Kyle. She died full fifty years ago, and her children are all dead but Mrs. Wyle, of Jericho. Uzel married Margaret Sampson. She died in 1834. He became the father of three children-Eliza, David
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