USA > Ohio > Adams County > A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth > Part 108
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John Sparks,
liveryman, of Piketon, Pike County, Ohio, was born August 12, 1870, the son of Salathiel and Clara Sparks, in West Union, Ohio, and resided there until May 4, 1894, when he removed to Peebles, where he resided and was engaged in the livery business until 1899, when he removed to Piketon, where he conducts a first-class livery.
Mr. Sparks was married December 3, 1896, to Elsie Williamson, and they have one child, Salathiel, born February 4, 1898. He is a mem- ber of the Order of Red Men, of Peebles, Ohio, and is also a member of the Volunteer Fire Company at Piketon. Mr. Sparks is a Republican, and as such is a leader in local politics.
Charles Luther Swain
was born August 19. 1866, in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio. His father was Samuel L. Swain, now a resident of West Union. His mother was Agnes N. C. Heberling. He attended the District schools of his
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home until he was thirteen years of age, when his father moved to West Union. There he attended the Public schools three years. Then he at- tended the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, from 1883 to 1886. He begun his career as a teacher of Public schools in 1886, when he taught a Summer school at Harshaville, and in the Fall he taught one term at Island Creek and two terms in the Ellison district in Monroe Township. In 1889 and 1890, he taught in the Whippoorwill district, east of West Union. From 1890 to 1892, he had charge of the schools at Peebles. He taught a Summer school at Locust Grove in 1891. He was a County School Examiner from 1889 to 1893, when he resigned. He was Pres- ident of the Teachers' Institute of Adams County from 1890 to 1892, and in that period there was a larger attendance than ever before or since. Mr. Swain distinguished himself and made quite a reputation as an educator in Adams County from 1886 to 1892. He became a law student in 1890 under George W. Pettit, of West Union. In the Fall of 1892, he entered the Cincinnati Law School and attended there that Fall and Winter. On March 30, 1893, he was admitted to the bar. He began practice in West Union and remained there eighteen months. He located in Cincinnati as a practicing lawyer on September 4, 1894, and has been there ever since. His office is No. 57 Atlas Bank Building. In 1897, he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Ohio Leg- islature. In 1898, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candi- date for Congress in the Second District of Ohio and defeated by Jacob H. Bromwell. the Republican candidate, by five thousand majority, the normal Republican majority being twice that number. He was married August 23, 1894. to Miss Anna N. Burkett, of Hartwell, Ohio. He is a member of the Fifth Presbyterian Church.
A gentleman who has been acquainted with Mr. Swain for a number of years says that he is remarkable for his sound judgment of men and affairs. He is honest. energetic, enterprising and useful; he was an excellent teacher. He is quite a reader, a fair talker. and always ready to make a speech. He has a good opinion of himself and one of those men who seem to be destined to gain great distinction. He keeps himself well informed on the current events of the day. He is always a very pleasant and agreeable companion. He has been re-elected to a second term in the Legislature from Hamilton County.
Dr. John Alexander Steen,
the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Leigh, Ohio, March 26, 1841. He was the second child of Alexander B. Steen and Nancy J. Steen, whose maiden name was Nancy J. McClure. She was born in Hillsboro, Highland County. Ohio, (October 16, 1820. Alexander B. Steen was born at Flemingsburg, Kentucky, May 5, 1813. Our subject was reared on his father's farm on Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio, working in the Summer time and attending school in the Winter, where he obtained a common school education.
August 11, 1862, he enlisted in the gist Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served until June 24, 1865. At the battle of Winchester, Virginia. September 19, 1864, he was severely wounded through the throat and arm, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Phil-
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adelphia, where he remained for ten months. He subsequently re- turned to the field at Winchester to look after the remains of his brother, James F. Steen, and his uncle, Ira T. Hayes, who were killed in action September 19, 1864. He identified their remains and saw their honored bodies laid to rest in the Winchester Cemetery having helped to dig their graves himself. At the close of the war, he was mustered out with his regiment at Cumberland, Maryland, and returned to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where they were paid off.
On return to peaceful pursuits, he attended school in the Fall and Winter of 1865 in his home district; and in the following Spring entered the dental office of Dr. J. N. McClung, at Cincinnati, Ohio, who after- wards moved to North Liberty, Ohio, and with whom he studied eighteen months. He formed a partnership with his preceptor which was main- tained for some time. In the Fall of 1868, he removed to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. In the Winter of 1869, Dr. McClung giving up the practice of dentistry, he removed back to North Liberty and resumed his for- mer practice.
On December 30, 1869, he was married at Eckmansville, Adams County, to Miss Jane M. Reighley, a native of Lockes Mills, Mifflin County, Pa., and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Reighley, whose fam- ily settled in Adams County. Of this union there were four children, Minnie M., the wife of Mr. Howard C. Green, residing at No. 6745 Emerald Avenue, Englewood, Illinois; Lulu E., the wife of Mr. Espy Higgins, residing at No. 3391 Hayward Place, Denver, Colorado; and Harry W. and Merta, who are still at home. Harry W. studied den- tistry with his father and attended dental college at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in 1900. In 1875, our subject removed to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, where he still resides and enjoys a lucrative practice in his profession.
His wife died January 13, 1894, and is buried in Maplewood ceme- tery at Ripley, Ohio. On March 17, 1896, he was married to Miss Sadie J. Lawwill. Of this union there is one child, John A., Junior.
Dr. Steen has served on the Board of Education at Ripley, Ohio. His political views are Republican, and his first vote was for U. S. Grant for President for his first term. His religious views are Presbyterian, and he joined that denomination when a boy. He has served as elder of the church. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ripley, well known and highly respected for his sterling virtues.
Sidney R. Stroman
was born in the County of Beaver, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1844. The place of his birth is now in Lawrence County, near New Castle. His father, Henry Stroman, was born in Philadelphia, in 1804. His mother's maiden name was Staple. born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa .. in 1805. His grandfather, John Stroman, was born in Switzerland. His wife, whose maiden name was Snider, was also from Switzerland. On coming to this country, they located in the city of Philadelphia. Henry
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Stroman had four sons and four daughters, all of them living at the writing of this sketch. The eldest is Sarah, now the widow of John Teets, of Douglass County, Kansas; the second daughter is Elizabeth, wife of Philip Teets, of Hebron, Indiana; the third daughter is Mary, wife of David Foreman, of West Union; the fourth daughter is Car- oline, widow of Wilson S. Burbage, of West Union. The eldest son is Levi B. Stroman; Joseph A., the second son, Henry C., the third, and the fourth is our subject, all of West Union.
Sidney R. Stroman attended school in Butler County, Pennsylvania, until 1856, when his father removed to Venango County, where his father followed his trade, that of a carpenter. In March, 1861, the entire family, excepting Henry C., located in Adams County. The father bought the farm where his widowed daughter, Mrs. Burbage, resides, and remained there until his death in 1886. Sidney R. worked on his father's farm one year. On August 9, 1862, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in Company E, gIst O. V. I., for the period of three years and served till June 24, 1865. In this same company were his brother, Joseph A., and his brother-in-law, Wilson S. Burbage. He was wounded June 17, 1864, at the battle of Lynchburg, Virginia, in the left groin and thigh, and was laid up a month and three days. With the exception of this period, he was never disabled from duty a single day. He was in every skirmish, or battle, in which his regiment participated, and was always in the front rank if he could get there. He never missed his rations, or a fight, except while disabled by a wound.
Soon after his return from the war in February, 1866, he returned to Venango County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in work as a carpenter. He returned to Adams County in September, 1868, to be married to Miss Elizabeth McColm. They were married September 8, 1868, and he took his bride to Venango County, Pennsylvania. He remained in Pennsyl- vania till 1874, when he returned to Adams County and purchased one hundred acres of land, part of his present farm. He began north of West Union in the poorest part of Adams County, with a stout heart, good health, an abundance of energy and determination to succeed. By hard work, economy, prudent and careful management, he has now a body of land of three hundred and fifty-two arcres, all paid for, has good buildings and barns, has all the implements and tools he needs and has his farm well stocked. His buildings are all in good order and well kept ; his fences are all well built and kept in perfect repair ; no weeds or briars are allowed to grow, and his entire farm has an appearance of neatness and care. He always has good crops and he knows how to produce them. His hay and corn are just a shade better than the average, and he knows it and is proud of it. The writer knew his farm long before Mr. Stroman purchased it and has seen it just before writing this sketch. The change is but little short of a miracle. The desert of forty years ago has been changed into fertile fields, pleasing to the eye. Most men would starve to death where our subject has prospered. What Aladdin could do with his lamp is not a circumstance to what Sid Stroman has done for the land he purchased. Beginning with nothing, he has a fine, large farm, highly improved, completely stocked, with everything on it in perfect order and repair ; with all the horses, cattle and hogs he could
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wish, all well cared for, and money beside. But in addition to this, Sidney R. Stroman has done something more creditable, he has reared six children to be honest and honorable men and women and to oc- cupy important stations in life. His eldest daughter, Mary A., is the wife of M. D. Shoemaker, Principal of the schools of North Liberty ; his second daughter, Flora B., is the wife of E. L. Haggerty, a farmer near Eckmansville; his third daughter, Anna M., is the wife of Brice McClellan, a farmer residing near Cherry Fork; his son, Wilson C., has charge of the farm of his aunt, Mrs. Burbage; Charles D., aged twenty years, and his youngest daughter, Nettie E., reside at home.
In politics, Mr. Stroman has always been a Republican. In his re- ligious faith and profession, he is a Presbyterian. .
It is just such men as Mr. Stroman that makes our country great and powerful. When the call to arms came, he went cheerfully and quickly, just as he would have performed the most usual duty. He gave three of the best vears of his life to his country and has the spirit to do it again on a moment's notice. When he returned to Adams County, he determined to succeed in farming in the least attractive part of the county. In twenty-six years, he has made his home and his lands a de- light to look upon. He has been a public benefactor. The lesson of his life and career has been a most excellent one. He has, of course, had more than ordinary good, common, hard sense, and has had a talent for accumulation. He is a model farmer. He has natural business ability superior to the average ; he has energy and thrift. Our national wealth counts not in dollars and cents, but in just such citizense as Sidney R. Stroman. When we find one like him who has made a success in life, it is a pleasure to recount the fact and hand him down to posterity with all that immortality a work like this can give him. Histories seldom record failures. It is best we should forget them and remember only those whose activities entitle them to remembrance. Historians have many unpleasant tasks, but of their pleasures, one is the contemplation of a character like our subject and the recording of his life and career.
Joseph Arnold Stroman
wah born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1836. His father and mother are mentioned in the sketch of Sidney A. Stroman herein and reference to that sketch is hereby made for any information as to them and his remote ancestors. His father removed to Venango Count, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and to Adams County in March 1861. As a boy, Joseph A. Stroman was educated in the essentials of reading, writing and artithmetic, but was taught hard work. As a youth, in Summer he worked on his father's farm and in the Winters he drove team from Franklin to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the Spring of the year he would be engaged in rafting timber on the Allegheny River. Before he came to Adams County, he learned the carpenter trade. On coming to Adams County, he determined to take up the life of a farmer. He worked on his father's farm from that time until the war broke out. He purchased sixty-six acres of land of his brother, Levi Stroman. In: 1888, he purchased seventy-two acres of William Greenley north of West Union. He purchased seventy-five acres of Samuel
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REV. JOHN W. SPRING
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Wright in 1875. He purchased twenty-two acres more, in 1897, of Wil- liam R. Mehaffey. He bought one hundred and ten acres in 1899, known as the James Demint farm. He had but just got to Adams County, when the call to arms came. He did not respond at first, but in the Summer of 1862, when the war had became a serious business and the real condition of the country was understood, he enlisted in Com- pany E, gIst O. V. I. He went from a sense of duty and from purely patriotic motives. He served as a Private until February 25, 1863, when he was made a Corporal. He was wounded September 19, 1864, in the head, by a piece of shell, at the battle of Opecquan, Va., and was sent to the Brick Hospital at Winchester, Va. This wound has disabled him up to the present time. He was mustered out June 25, 1865. The Government had value received in all the service it had from our subject. He served his country with his soul and spirit. He also gave it his bodily strength. Except for the time disabled by his wound, he never missed a ration or a duty. He was with his company all the time, on every march, in every skirmish, and in every battle. He was earnest in every duty as a soldier and when he had laid his arms aside for the quiet walks of peace, he took up life as earnestly as he had begun it be- fore his military service. He has studied ecomony, frugality and the acquisition of property to a good advantage. Now he is the owner of 330 acres of well improved land in Adams County, all in one body. He was married September 28, 1873, to Miss Sarah McDaniel, daughter of Hiram and Caroline McDaniel, of Brown County, Ohio. His land is all well cultivated and farmed, with suitable buildings, is well stocked with animals and improvements, and it shows that it has been handled so as to produce the best results. His farm is as clean and neat as a well kept garden and is a delight to look upon. It is a pleasure to drive along the road and look at it as it declares that its owner is active and energetic and keeping everything in order. He owes no man anything but good wiil.
Joseph A. Stroman believes that every duty is sacred and should be well done. He believes in continuance in well doing. He became a member of the Oak Grove Christian Church, February 28, 1869, and has continued in its faith and practice ever since. In October, 1898, he at- tended the Quadrennial Convention of that church at New Market in the District of Ontario as a lay delegate.
Rev. John William Spring,
of Ridgeway, Hardin County, Ohio, was born August 13, 1842, near Hamilton, in Butler County, Ohio. His father was Charles R. Spring, born in Pennsylvania. His mother, Nancy P., was born in Ohio. They had four sons and two daughters. Our subject was the eldest. When he was about three years of age, his parents moved to Brown County, Ohio, where they resided for five years. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved on a farm near West Union. At the age of ten, he went to work for himself on a carding machine in West Union. He worked there in Summers for nine years, and attended the District schools for a few months each Winter.
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On the Fourth of July, 1861, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Company I, 39th O. V. I., as a Private. This was the celebrated Gros- beck Regiment. He was made a Corporal soon after his enlistment, and made a Sergeant November 16, 1861. He was in all the battles in which his regiment participated ; and for further information on that point, reference is had to the article on "Adams County in the Civil War," in this work. It is sufficient to say here that no Ohio regiment saw more active service or participated in more engagements than the 39th O. V. I. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted and obtained his veteran furlough. At this time, he married Miss Carmillie Kendall. He re- turned to the war, and on March 8, 1865, was discharged to accept the captaincy of Company D, 19Ist O. V. I. For this position he was rec- ommended by his Colonel, Edward F. Noyes, afterwards brevetted Brigadier General. This is what Colonel Noyes said of him in recom- mending him to the Adjutant General of Ohio:
"January 24, 1865.
"Sergeant Spring has been three years and a half in the service, and is one of the best soldiers in the regiment. He is competent for almost any position in the regiment, and is a man of spotless character. It was my intention to have him promoted in my command had I re- mained on the field. I most earnestly and heartily endorse him."
For this position he was also recommended by Edward P. Evans, then Chairman of the Military Committee of Adams County. Here is what Mr. Evans said for the Committee :
"January 28, 1865.
"We concur in the recommendation of Col. Noyes as to his services and capacity.
"E. P. Evans, Chairman. "J. N. Hook, Secy."
As Captain of the 19Ist O. V. I., our subject was Provost Marshal at Winchester, Virginia, in May, June, and July, 1865. He served until August 27, 1865. when he was discharged. The Government never had any more faithful soldier or officer than he, nor did it ever have any from whom it obtained more service, nor did it have a more patriotic soul in its grand army. John W. Spring served his country on his conscience. He gave it all he had to give, and gave it with all his soul. In the four years, one month, and twenty-three days he was in the service, the Gov- etnment never lost a day's service from him.
In September. 1865, he became a minister of the Methodist Protes- tant Church, and has been engaged in that work ever since. From the army of his country he was transferred to the army of the Lord, and has been a faithful soldier all his life. He has been President of his Con- ference, and has been stationed at Cincinnati, Bainbridge, West Middle- burg, Springfield, Sabina, Manchester. Waynesfield, Dayton. Middle- town, Richmond, Forest, and Ridgeway. He served as a missionary in Kansas from September, 1883, to August, 1890. His wife died June 25, 1883; and while in Kansas, on June 1, 1893, he was married to Mrs. Harriet Moore, and returned to Ohio. He has one son, Charles Alva Spring.
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James Richard Tillotson
was born November 26, 1877, at Dunbarton, Adams County. His father is John W. Tillotson, and his mother, Lucinda D. Jobe. He at- tended the District school in Dunbarton. He began teaching at the age of sixteen, and attended the Normal school at Peebles in 1893, con- ducted by Prof. J. E. Collins, now of Batavia, Ohio, and James S. Thomas of Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1894, he attended Normal school at Manchester, conducted by Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer of 1895 and 1896, he attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and took a scientific course. His first year of teaching, 1894 and 1895, was at Colon, in Meigs Township. His second school, 1895 and 1896, was at Steam Furnace. In 1896 and 1897, he taught at Sugar Grove, in Washington Township, Scioto County. In 1897 and 1898, he taught at Hygiene in the same township. In 1898 and 1899. he taught at Lower Carey's Run, and at the time of writing this sketch, he is engaged in teaching at the same place. He holds a three years' certificate in Scioto County and a five years' certificate in Adams County.
He has been very successful as a teacher and has always given the most perfect satisfaction to the school boards and patrons of the several schools where he has taught. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has but few equals of his age in scholarship. He is true to every trust con- fided in him, and thorough in every duty or work he assumes.
He has those elements of character which will secure him success in any profession or business he may undertake.
Samuel B. Truitt
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was born in Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohio, February 21, 1839, a son of Henry P. and Caroline (Bloomhuff) Truitt.
In 1760, three brothers of the name of Truitt emigrated from Eng- land to America. Benjamin, the voungest of these and great-grand- father of our subject, located on the eastern shore of Maryland, where he married Margaret Kellum and settled on a farm near Snow Hill, in Worcester County. They were parents of four sons : Benjamin, Samuel, John K .. and William. The latter was born in 1778. He married Elizabeth Gootee, of Accomack County, Virginia, on March 17, 1817, and was the grandfather of our subject.
William Truitt, with five other families, left their native State to seek a new home in the West and arrived at Manchester, April 24, 1817. They settled near Clayton. in Sprigg Township, where he lived until his death in 1847. They reared a family of five children, viz., James, Henry P .. the father of our subject, Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth. Henry P. Truitt, the father of Samuel B. Truitt, was born November 16, 1809. He was married to Caroline Bloomhuff, daughter of Abraham Bloomhuff and sister of Rev. John P. Bloomhuff, January 24, 1832. She was born (October 26. 1808. Henry P. Truitt died October 18, 1847, and was buried in the Ebenezer cemetery in Brown County, Ohio. Caroline, his wife, died November 9, 1878, and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at New Haven, Ind.
Their children were Eliza Jane, who married George W. Taylor; Sarah P., who married Samuel Starrett; John W., Samuel B., subject
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of this sketch ; James H., deceased; Thomas S., and Maria B., deceased, who married Harvey Steneman.
Samuel B. Truitt was three years of age when his parents removed to Bradyville. At the age of eight, he went to Forth Wayne, Indiana, and lived on the farm of his uncle, Sidney C. Bloomhuff, for six years. He then returned to his native county and worked on the farm till his marriage. Mr. Truitt enlisted in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, September 8, 1862, and was made Commissary Sergeant of the company. He was promoted to Regimental Commissary Sergeant, May 18, 1865, and mustered out on July 4, 1865. He was with the regi- ment in all its battles and campaigns. For further information as to his service in Company ₣, of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, reference is had to the sketch of that company. On returning from the army, he bought a farm in Sprigg Township, on which he lived from 1867 to 1883. He was known as a model farmer and handled fine stock on a large scale.
In 1888, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of Commissioner of Adams County in which he served one term with much honor to himself and credit to his constituents. He was one of the Trustees of Brittingham Camp Meeting, which was conducted for several years. He was married December 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Starrett, a daughter of John and Emily (Hudson) Starrett. Mr. and Mrs. Truitt have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since their mar- riage. He has been trustce and steward in the Manchester Church for many years.
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