Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 60

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 60

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

cured a representative patronage and built up an excellent practice of a general order, while he gives special attention to the treat- ment of cancer, asthma, dropsy, hernia, goitre, hay fever and blood diseases, in the handling of which his success has been phe- nomenal, so much so that he feels himself justified in guaranteeing cures in cases com- ing under this category. In politics the Doctor has given an unwavering allegiance to the Democratic party from the time of attaining his legal majority, but he has never desired or held public office. Frater- nally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees, while Mrs. Nesbitt is identified with the auxiliary organization. the Ladies of the Maccabees. He and his wife and their two eldest daughters are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

.In the village of Amelia. Clermont county, Ohio, on the 2d of July, 1882, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Nesbitt to Miss Ruth A. Cole, who was born and reared in that place, being a daughter of Erin Cole, a prosperous farmer of that lo- cality. Of this union have been born four children, Bessie M., Albertine N., Russell C. and Fantie. Miss Bessie is a graduate of the Hamilton high school and is giving spe- cial attention to the study of music. The other children are attending the city schools.

JOHN MARTINDELL.

It is a matter of particular gratification that we are permitted to enter in this work even a brief review of the personal and an- cestral history of this highly honored citi-

Digitized by

Google

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

zen of Oxford township, for he is a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of the Buckeye state, where his father took up his abode in the early part of the last cen- tury, while the name has been intimately and notably identified with the development and material upbuilding of Butler county.

The Martindell family is of pure English lineage and its original representatives in America were devoted members of that no- ble organization, the Society of Friends, coming to this country in connection with the colonization plans of William Penn and locating in Pennsylvania. In Bucks county, that state, on the 10th of May.' 1791, was born Richard Martindell, the first represent- ative of the family in Ohio and the one from whom the numerous Martindells of Butler county are descended. When Rich- ard Martindell was a lad of seven years his parents removed to Huntington county. New Jersey, and settled a few miles east of Lambertsville, on the Delaware river. and there he was reared to manhood. About the year 1816 he set forth to seek his fortunes in the new state of Ohio, arriving in Pittsburg without a dollar, but he soon found employment, remaining in that city a short interval and then coming to Colerain township, Hamilton county, where he met and married Miss Nancy Wallace, their union being solemnized on the 17th of March, 1817. She was born and reared in Hamilton county, and was a member of one of its earliest pioneer families, as is evident when we revert to the fact that she was born October 5, 1798, being a daughter of James and Charlotte (Blois) Wallace. . of the daughters are yet living, and of the Shortly after his marriage Mr. Martindell · number the youngest is sixty years of age. Of the children we are able to incorporate the following data: Mahlon, born February rented a farm in Butler county, the same being but partially reclaimed from the virgin

forest, and there he continued to reside for eight years. This farm was located near what is now known as McGonigle Station. At the expiration of the period noted he traded two horses and a wagon for fifty acres of land in Hanover township, the tract being still covered with the native timber. and this place, afterward known as the Dr. Roll farm, is the one on which the imme- ciate subject of this sketch was born. After residing on the farm about three years Rich- ard Martindell sold the property for five hundred dollars and then effected the pur- chase of one hundred and seventy-two acres in Hanover township, for a consideration of one thousand dollars in silver. This place is now known as the Fox farm and at the time he took possession of the same only twenty acres were cleared. Here this ster- ling pioneer continued to reside about thirty-five years and then sold the property and removed again to Oxford township. where he passed the residue of his useful life, being summoned to his reward on the 8th of November, 1862. His devoted wife thereafter lived for a time in Hamilton, but finally took up her residence in the village of Oxford, where she lived until the final summons came, her death occurring on the roth of August, 1883, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Both she and her hus- band were birthright members of the So- ciety of Friends and held this simple and no- ble faith throughout their lives. They be- came the parents of fifteen children, all of whom attained maturity except Alice, who died in infancy. Five of the sons and three

Digitized by

Google

382

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

20, 1819, died in Idaho; Charlotte, born April 10, 1820, is deceased; Mary Ann, born January 15, 1822, is the widow of James Adams; Harriet, born June 5, 1823, is deceased; John, born October 14, 1824, is the immediate subject of this sketch; Mi- randa, born April 15, 1826, is the widow of Charles L. Weller; Martha A., born Octo- ber 10, 1827, became the wife of James Harter and is now deceased; David W., born January 22, 1830, is a resident of San Francisco, California; Nancy L., born April 10, 1832, became the second wife of James Harter and is now deceased; Richard, born July 26, 1834, is a resident of Centerville, Indiana; Franklin, born October 30, 1836. resides in Hamilton; Elizabeth F., born March 20, 1839, is the widow of George Ringwood; Louisa M., born January 28, 1841, is deceased; Alice, born June 21, 1843, died in infancy, and James K. P., born Janu- ary 12, 1845, is a resident of near Spring- field, Ohio.

John Martindell, whose name initiates this review, was thus reared under the con- ditions which obtained in the pioneer epoch in this county, the place and date of his birth having already been noted in this con- text. He assisted in the reclaiming and im- provement of the homestead farm, and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the primitive log school house of the locality and period, this discipline be- ing effectually rounded out by personal ap- plication and by the lessons learned in the great school of experience. Mr. Martindell was one of the valiant band of argonauts who made their way across the weary stretches of plain to California in the ever memorable year 1849, and when he reached his destination in the Golden state and made

ready to initiate his work in the placer mines, his financial resources were reduced to twenty-five cents. After two years of patient and indefatigable labor he returned to his native county, having realized eighteen hundred dollars from the gold which he had secured on the Pacific coast. With this money he purchased fifty-six and one-half acres of land in Oxford township, and the same is an integral portion of his present fine homestead of one hundred and eighty-five acres, practically all of which is under effective cultivation, while in the long intervening years prosperity has attended .his endeavors and he is now enjoying his just reward, having a well-improved farm and a comfortable and attractive home. His place is consistently known as the Maple- vale farm and is one of the best in this sig- nally favored section of the state. In poli- tics Mr. Martindell has ever been an un- compromising advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, but has never sought official preferment. He is a member of Hanover Grange. His life has been one of consecutive industry and inflexible integrity of purpose, and he has thus held high the standard of the honored name which he bears.

On the 19th of February, 1851, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Martindell to Miss. Sarah J. McChesney, who was born in Warren county, this state, on the 26th of September, 1829, being a daughter of John and Flora (Patterson) McChesney. Her paternal grandfather, John McChesney, emigrated from Edinburg, Scotland, to America, and took up his residence in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, on Fifth street, in the very heart of the now great Queen City, which was at that time a mere village. For two

Digitized by

Google

383

BUTLER . COUNTY, OHIO.

years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Martindell lived on the farm of the former's father and then removed to their present place, their residence having been erected in 1856 and having since been greatly modern- ized and improved. They became the par- ents of seven children, of whom three are deceased, a brief record concerning them be- ing as follows: Eva, born June 17, 1852, died April 21, 1863; William, born Septem- ber 23, 1853, died December 28, 1891 ; Rich- ard, born January 1I, 1857. is a bachelor. and has charge of the home farm; Franklin. born August 31, 1860, died September 22. 1863; Charles W., born September 30, 1862, resides in Hamilton; Jessie B., born August 14, 1865, remains at the parental home, as does also Louisa, who was born February 12, 1869, neither being married.

SILAS B. MONTANYE.

Seventy-three years of continuous residence in Butler county, during which he has grown from infancy to mature man- hood and ripe old age is the simple record of the honored subject of this review. On March 9, 1823, where he now lives, Silas B. Montanye first saw the light of day and from that time to the present his career has been very intimately associated with the growth of Union township and the develop- ment of its various interests. On the pater- nal side Mr. Montanye is of French descent and from his maternal ancestors he inherits many of the sturdy qualities and sterling characteristics for which the people of Dela- ware have long been noted. The subject's grandfather was the first Montanye to leave

France and find a home in the United States. He came to this country in an early day, and after marrying and living for some years in New Jersey, moved to Butler county, Ohio, settling in Union township, where he pur- chased a farm on which the remainder of his life was spent. Thomas Montanye was born in New Jersey. accompanied his parents to Butler county and, when a young man, mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Myers, whose birth oc- curred in the state of Delaware and who bore him nine children, the subject of this review being the only representative of this family now living.

Silas B. Montanye was reared on the home farm in Union township and while a mere youth was obliged to contribute of his labors to the support of the family, in con- sequence of which his educational advan- tages were exceedingly limited. After re- maining with his parents until old enough to be of service as a farm hand, he left home and hired out to a neighbor for five dollars per month, and in this way he earned his livelihood and helped support his father and mother until reaching the years of man- hood. Reared to farm labor, he early de- cided to devote his life to agricultural pur- suits and in due time he was enabled to en- gage in the same upon his own responsibil- ity. By patient, persevering industry and good management, he succeeded in the course of a few years in earning sufficient means to purchase land of his own, since which time he has brought it to a high state of tillage, besides making a number of sub -. stantial improvements, his farm being now regarded one of the most productive and valuable of its size in the township of Union. Although not as large as many other places in the neighborhood, embrac-

Digitized by

Google

384

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

ing an area of only sixty-one acres, it is cultivated to its utmost capacity and, being exceedingly fertile, the crops grown thereon are abundant and the returns liberal, as the owners present comfortable circumstances sufficiently attest.

Mr. Montanye has never stepped aside from his chosen calling to mingle in public affairs, further than to manifest a lively in- terest in politics, being one of the old wheel- horses of the local Democracy and for over a half century an influential leader in his party in Union township. While always earnest in the advocacy of his principles and fearless in the expression and defense of his opinions, he has never entered the arena of partisan politics as an office seeker, having no ambition to gratify in this direc- tion, his main object being to live an honor- able life, "far from the madding crowd," with nothing to disturb the even tenor of l:is way or interfere with his quiet and peace- ful experience as a contented and prosper- ous tiller of the soil.

Mrs. Montanye, who before her union with the subject was a widow by the name of LaRue, died in the year 1899, leaving one son by her former husband, the second marriage being without issue. Since her lamented death, Mr. Montanye's domestic affairs have been looked after by an esti- mable lady who is closely related to the family as housekeeper, and although not as actively engaged as formerly he still gives personal attention to his farm, and devotes considerable of his time to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which, as in agri- culture, his success has been very gratify- ing. Mr. Montanye is a creditable . repre- sentative of that large and respectable class of yeomen who by actions rather than words

make their presence felt and whose influ- ence has ever been given to the side of right on all great moral questions and issues. His life story abounds in no chapters of thrilling interest but contains much that is commend- able and worthy of imitation, having been spent in the upright, honorable manner char- acteristic of the man who makes every other consideration subordinate to duty, and serves both by precept and example to benefit his fellow men and thus prove a po- tent factor for good to the world.

THE CRANE FAMILY.

No family in the country has a more honorable record than that of the Cranes. It is an old English family, and its history in this country is traceable through an un- broken line to the year 1637, at which time one Jasper Crane and his wife Alice came to America and settled at New Haven, New Jersey, where they reared a number of chil- dren, and spent the remainder of their days. Among their offspring was a son by the name of Jasper, who became prominent in the affairs of the colony and was one of the committee of safety to protect the New Haven colony against De Ruyter, the Dutch admiral. He served with distinction in the legislature and left the impress of his strong individuality upon the material growth of the town in which he resided.

Any one who can claim a Crane as an ancestor has no trouble in proving eligibility to the Colonial Dames or Revolutionary Daughters and Sons.

Stephen Crane, son of Jasper. Jr., was born and reared in New Jersey and, like his

Digitized by

Google

385

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

father, became influential in matters of pub- lic import and a leader among his fellow men. He married and raised a family, the oldest of his children being a son, John, who, like his ancestors, became a potent fac- tor in the community and to no small degree a moulder of public opinion. John Crane, Jr., second son of the above John, was the father of a number of children, one of whom, the third in order of birth, was given his own name and, like him, stood high in the confidence and esteem of the public. This John married and became the head of a well-known and influential family and it was through his son Elijah that the branch in Ohio traces its descent. Stephen Crane. the son of Elijah, spent his life in New Jer- sey as a tiller of the soil, and two of his chil- dren, Isaac and Joseph, also became agri- culturists, the former owning for many years a fine estate of one hundred and seventy-eight acres near the city of New Haven. Joseph Crane contracted a matri- . monial alliance with Ruth Miller, who bore him several children, among them being Joseph, Jr., who married Miss Sallie Be- bout. William B., a son of Joseph, Jr., and Sallie (Bebout) Crane, was married on April 24, 1820, to Miss Deborah Conklin, daughter of Capt. James Conklin, and to this union were born the following children : Elias, Mulford and Jerusha. After the death of his first wife he chose a second wife in the person of Nancy Potter, their children being as follows: Hannah, Eliza- beth, John D., Samuel P., Sarah and Jacob.

In the year 1837 William B. Crane moved his family from New Jersey to But- ler county, Ohio, and, settling on a farm near Middletown, spent the remainder of his life as an honest, industrious tiller of

the soil, dying in the month of August, 1854, his wife following him to.the grave three years later. John D. and Samuel P. Crane are the only living sons of William B. and Nancy Crane. The former was born on the 15th day of August, 1833, the latter on July 14, 1837. Before attaining their majority they came to Middletown, where John engaged in teaming and Samuel se- cured a position in a grocery house, and to these lines of work they devoted their at- tention for a number of years, making money slowly but surely and sharing equally in their profits, which from time to time were judiciously invested in city and country real estate. By thus combining their earnings, the brothers in due time found themselves on the way to prosperity and the handsome property now in their possession shows them to be careful and discreet busi- ness men, whose judgment is seldom at fault and whose resourcefulness has re- bounded greatly to their financial advan- tage. As citizens they are energetic, pro- gressive and in touch with all enterprises making for the material advancement of the city, and in the more quiet walks of life they are regarded as kind and oblig- ing neighbors and high-minded gentlemen. courteous in their relations with friends and associates and true to every trust reposed in them.

Samuel P. Crane is a member of Jef- ferson Lodge, No. 90, Free and Accepted Masons. He was married on March 19, 1901, to Mary Hallowell, of Franklin, War- ren county, this state, and in his pleasant home in Middletown, surrounded by the many· comforts that have come to him as the legitimate result of his energy and well directed endeavor, he finds that peace, hap-

Digitized by

Google

386

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

piness and domestic tranquility which he has so nobly earned and which he so much ap- preciates.

John D. Crane has never taken upon himself the duties and responsibilities of matrimony, but in the single state has lived as nearly as possible according to his ideals of manhood and citizenship. being true to .his every obligation, an honor to the city of his residence, and by his example and in- fluence doing much to advance the moral standard of the community to benefit his fellow men.

Elias Crane, the oldest son of William B. and Deborah Conklin Crane, was born December 7, 1821, married to Anna At- wood, and to this union was born one child, Mary L. Crane, who died in November. 1900.

Mulford Crane, the second son of Wil- liam B. and Deborah Conklin Crane, was born February 22, 1823, served in the Mexi- can war, and was married March 28, 1856, to Rhoda Potter, of Middletown, Ohio, their children being as follows : William Conklin, John S., James P., Luella D., Frank O. and Martin L.

The P. J. Sorg Company as a laborer. The following year, 1884, he was promoted to the position of foreman in the press room, and in January, 1890, was appointed assist- ant superintendent of the plant, a position which he still acceptably fills. On the 5th day of December, 1883, Mr. Crane was mar- ried to Mary L. Blackburn, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth F. Blackburn. Her father was an Englishman, and her mother is a direct descendant of the old Bullock fam- ily of Virginia. To this union have been born four children, as follows: Roy B., June II, 1885; Paul J., April 5, 1887; William Ross, February 27, 1893, and Mary Elizabeth, May 28, 1894.

Fraternally Mr. Crane belongs to Jef- ferson Lodge, No. 90, Free and Accepted Masons, and Middletown Chapter, No. 87, Royal Arch Masons, holding important of- fices in both lodges. He holds membership in two fraternal insurance orders. In brief, he is a representative type of the strong, virile American manhood.

William Conklin Crane, the oldest son MRS. CAROLINE SEIDENSTICKER. of Mulford and Rhoda Potter Crane, was born on the 19th day of December, 1857. This highly esteemed lady is a native of Hamilton and the only daughter and eldest child of Jacob and Barbara (Sohn) Rupp. Her parents were both natives of Bavaria, who emigrated with their parental families in childhood. Her father was born Novem- It is always pleasant and profitable to con- template the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the, record of this well-known gentleman. Mr. Crane has lived in Middletown all his life, ber 22, 1822, and the mother's birth occurred except nine years, from 1865 to 1874, dur- ing which time he resided with his parents on a farm in Des Moines county, Iowa. In February, 1883, he entered the employ of the tobacco manufacturing firm known as · on the 19th of September, 1830. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848, and soon thereafter took up their residence in Hamilton. The father was a prominent and successful business man in this city

Google

Digitized by

387

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

for nearly half a century, the details of this appearing more fully in the sketch of George Rupp, the son. These parents were devout and active members of St. John's Evangelical Protestant church, and the mother was practically the founder of the Ladies' Aid Society in connection there- with, and was the first president. This so- ciety is one of the most popular religious organizations of ladies, as well as being one of the strongest numerically, in the city of Hamilton. Its existence has been perpetu- ated, in unbroken line, for more than fifty years. The good which it has wrought in the cause of humanity and in the dissemina- tion of religious teachings is incalculable. . A beautiful and impressive memorial service was recently held at the church, in com- memoration of the departed members of the society. Forty-three names appear on the list of those gone to their reward, while but twelve remain of the original members. The pastor of the church, Rev. H. A. Dickmann, introduced the services with an able and ap- propriate sermon and the solemn and im- pressive ceremonies were interspersed with music and eulogies.

Mrs. Seidensticker was reared and edu- cated in her native city. On the 10th of June, 1874, she was united in marriage with Albin Seidensticker, a native of Germany, who, when a child of five years, accom- panied his parents to Cincinnati. He was reared and educated in the Queen City and there learned the jeweler's trade. For a number of years he was employed in a wholesale jewelery stablishment in that city, and came to Hamilton in 1877 and engaged in business on his own account. He was prosperous, built up a large trade, and was a man universally esteemed for his integrity

and uprightness of character. This happy union was severed by death on the 12th of April, 1884. Mr. Seidensticker is spoken of by those who knew him as a citizen of the highest repute and a man devoted to his family, in whose presence his leisure hours were delightfully passed. He was a capable and successful business man, whose untimely death was a severe blow to the public, as well as to his devoted family. On the death of her husband, Mrs. Seidensticker, with he- roic energy and exceptional ability, took charge of the large business and conducted it successfully until her son attained man's estate, since which time she has been en- abled to divide the responsibility. The only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Seiden- sticker is Arthur W., a young man of twenty-seven years. He is a splendid speci- men of physical manhood and the picture of robust health. He received a liberal education in the city schools, the Dayton College and at a college at South Bend, Indiana. Foreseeing his future business career, he made special preparations for it and apprenticed himself to the watchmaker's trade at the well-known institution at Elgin, Illinois, there mastering the details of technology. He then took a course in an optical institution at Cleveland, Ohio. Being thus fully equipped for his professional du- ties, together with a familiarity with the business from childhood, he came into the firm in 1898 as part owner and at once assumed a prominent place in the manage- ment of the business interests. The Seiden- sticker jewelery store carries the largest stock in that line in Hamilton and is also the oldest in the business.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 60

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149