Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 81

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 81

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children are the fruits of Mr. Lane's second fluence in the home and among those with whom she is associated. marriage, Homer, born August 31, 1887, Chester, December 10, 1890, and Ruth, whose birth dates from December 28, 1893. James Williams, the father of Mrs. Lane, was born January 13, 1821, in Virginia, came to Butler county with his father when a mere boy, and here grew to maturity, be- coming in due time one of the leading farm- ers and successful merchants of this part of the state. He possessed business abilities of a very high order, as is attested by the fact of his having started in life at the bot- tom of the ladder, being a very poor man at the time of his marriage; but he so man- aged his affairs as to accumulate within a comparatively brief period a fortune of con- siderable magnitude, his estate at the time of his death, in May. 1902, being conserva- tively estimated at eighty thousand dollars. Mary Jane Thomas, who married James Williams, was born June 22, 1821, and be- came the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living. their names being as fol- lows: Margaret, wife of Albert Harrison : George T., a resident of Ross township; James, a real-estate dealer of Hamilton; Mrs. Addie Lane; Mamie, wife of Erastus Robinson, of Shandon, Ohio: Joseph, a broker doing business in the city of Hamil- ton, and John, a mechanic of the same place. Mrs. Lane received an academic education, also a thorough musical training, and her various attainments have fitted her to adorn the home over which she presides and the JAMES W. MORTON. social circle in which she is wont to move. She possesses many of the qualities of head Prominent among the leading citizens of the thriving village of Collinsville is the well-known gentleman and gallant ex-sol- and heart that insure popularity and win strong and abiding friendships, and as a neighbor as well as a devoted wife and dier under whose name this article is writ- mother, she exercises a wholesome moral in- ten. James Morton is descended from old

For some years past Mr. Lane has , owned the Eagie Hotel at Somerville, and with the assistance of his wife runs the same. the house under their .joint manage- ment being one of the best conducted and most popular hostelries in the county. He also owns and operates the Merchants' bus line between Somerville and Hamilton, which, in connection with the hotel business, has been quite profitable, the patronage be- ing liberal and paying a handsome margin on the investment. Mr. Lane is an enter- prising man, widely acquainted with the traveling public, and his familiarity with every detail of the business in which he is engaged, and his desire to make his place first-class in every particular, gives him high standing as a popular and accommodating landlord. While deeply interested in his business affairs, he has not neglected the duties which every citizen owes the commu- nity and the general public, being in touch with every measure for the growth and de- velopment of his town and county and an advocate of every worthy means for promo- ting the welfare of his fellow men. In poli- tics he is stanchly Democratic, but not a partisan, and in religion he and his good wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

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Delaware ancestry and the history of his of June, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, family in that commonwealth dates from a very early day. His grandfather, for many years a leading citizen of Wilmington, was a prominent slaveholder and a man of large. worth and wide influence. He was identi- fied in many ways with the growth and de- velopment of the above city, also took an active and prominent part in the affairs of his state, and was a leader in various enter- prises and a conspicuous figure among his fellow men. William Morton. the subject's father, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but when quite young came to Ohio and spent the remainder of his life in Butler county. as a tiller of the soil. He married a lady by the name of Eliza Waldon, who also died in this country, and of his children. two sons are still living. George R., of Ham- ilton. and James, of this review.

James W. Morton was born in Butler county, Ohio, October 19. 1844, and grew to mature years on the home farm in Mil- ford, where he was early taught the lessons of industry and thrift which had such marked influence in forming his character and determining his future course of action. Like the majority of country boys, he spent the summer time in the fields and during the winter months attended the district schools and in this way passed the first eighteen years of his life, a period varied by nothing aside from the usual routine of duty. But a marked change. however, was soon to dis- turb the even tenor of this quiet and peaceful mode of living, a change which appealed to his patriotism and induced him to exchange the implements of husbandry for the death- dealing instruments of war and go forth to battle for the honor of the flag and preser- vation of the national Union. On the 6th

Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, Capt. H. H. Wallace, and shortly after this his regiment was attached to the Third Brigade. Third Division of the Fourth Corps, and from the time of going to the front until the end of the war he experienced almost con- tinuous service in the campaigns of Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Georgia and other states, participating in many of the bloodiest battles of the Rebellion, to say nothing of numerous skirmishes and minor engagements. Mr. Morton shared with his comrades the varied vicissitudes of army life and experiences on the march, in the camp. and upon the field of conflict the terrible realities of warfare in all the term implies. Among the battles in which he took part were the following : Laverine. Kentucky. Stone River, Tennessee, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob and Mission- ary Ridge, nearly all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, including Buzzard's Roost, Liberty Gap, Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain, the siege and fall of the city of Atlanta, after which he returned to Tennes- see, with General Thomas's command, and participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He was severely wounded in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, but passed through the other engagements uninjured, although many times in dangerous positions and exposed to almost certain death. After three years of faithful service, during which he nobly sustained the reputation of a brave and fearless soldier. Mr. Morton was hon- orally discharged, being mustered out on the 8th day of June, 1865. on account of the close of the war, and he is now the recip- ient of a monthly pension of twelve dollars, an insignificant sum and out of all propor- tion to the pain and suffering which he en-

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dured and the magnitude of the service his loyalty by three years of faithful, consci- which he rendered the government.

Since the war Mr. Morton has been vari- ously engaged and for a number of years past he has been identified with the United States mail service, being the first man in Butler county appointed to a rural route and in point of continuous duty the oldest man now in this branch of the service. Since entering upon his labors as a carrier he has traveled on the aggregate considerably over forty-five thousand miles, using seventy horses, and seldom has he been absent from duty or failed to be on time at all places of delivery. His long period of arduous serv- ice speaks well for his diligence and faith- fulness to duty, and his record, which is emi- nently honorable. has received compliment- ary mention, not only from his immediate superiors, but also from high officials in the postoffice department. Mr. Morton has a beautiful and commodious home in Collins- ville and, as already stated, is one of the lead- ing citizens of the town, being actively in- terested in all enterprises for its growth and development and an influential factor in ev- ery measure having for its object the social and moral welfare of his fellow men. His eminent social qualities have made him pop- ular with all classes and conditions of peo- ple with whom he mingles, while his ster- ling integrity, manly character and general worth as a neighbor and citizen have won for him the esteem and confidence of the community to a very marked degree. Mr. Morton is essentially a man of the people. with the best interests of his kind at heart. and frequently loses sight of self in his ef- forts to promote the public welfare. Hav- ing struggled, fought and suffered in de- fense of the government. and demonstrated .

entious service, he properly appreciates his country and its institutions and would again if necessary endure a similar experience in its behalf. Politically he wields a strong influence for the Republican party, being one of its active workers and prominent leaders, not only in Milford township, but throughout the county as well. Fraternally he belongs to the Wetzel-Compton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Hamilton, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership with Darrtown Lodge, No. 472, in which he has passed all the chairs.

Mrs. Morton, whose maiden name was Martha Martle,-is a native of Butler county, and she has presented her husband with two children, a daughter Mildred and a son by the name of William T. The former, whose birth occurred on the 24th of Novem- ber. 1877. is an intelligent and well-educated lady and for some years past has ranked with the most accomplished and successful teachers of the county, holding at this time an important position in the schools of Mil- ford township. William T. was born Octo- ber 5. 1880, and departed this life on the first day of February, 1900.

GEORGE W. OREN.

The name so worthily borne by the sub- ject of this review is an old and honorable one, having been a familiar sound in Mil- ford township, Butler county. ever since the pioneer period. George W. Oren was born at his present place of residence August 24. 1841. and is one of four children of Samuel

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and Mary Oren, the father a native of York, Pennsylvania, and the mother of the state of Maryland. Samuel Oren, whose birth occurred in the year 1795, came to Butler county when a young man and not long after his arrival was united in marriage with Mary Greenwood, whose father, Benjamin Greenwood, moved from Maryland as early as 1800 and settled in Milford township, where he purchased a quarter-section of land from which he cleared and developed a fine farm, becoming in due time one of the leading agriculturists and prominent citizens of this part of the county. By occupation Samuel Oren was a carpenter, in connection with which trade he also carried on farming. having owned a small but well-improved place in the township of Milford, where he spent all of his life. Of his family of four children, three are yet living, namely : Mrs. Mary A. Beadle and Mrs. Sarah Cohee, of Preble county, this state, and George W. Oren, the subject of this review.

The early life of George W. Oren was spent on the farm in Milford township which he now owns and which, with the exception of three years, has been his home since he first saw the light of day, and he grew to manhood familiar with the various experi- ences which labor in the fields entails. Dur- ing his childhood and youth he attended the public schools and as soon as old enough took upon himself much of the work of the farm and the responsibility of its manage- ment, in both of which capacities his duties were ably and faithfully discharged, as is attested by the abundant success that at- tended his efforts. Later. on the death of his father, he took full charge of the place Mr. Oren has been the architect of his own fortune and has the satisfaction of and in due season became owner of the same, from which time until a few years ago knowing that every dollar of the ample com-

he devoted his attention very closely to its cultivation, the meanwhile becoming one of the most thrifty and prosperous agricultur- ists of his township. After acquiring a com- petency he rented his farm and since then has been living in honorable retirement, sur- rounded by many material comforts and with a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure the independence and ease during the remainder of his days. Mr. Oren owns about ninety-four acres of fine land, nearly all of which is under cultivation, the im- provements being among the best in the township and, all things considered. this farm is one of the most beautiful and attract- ive homes in Butler county. Although do- ing little in the way of manual labor, he still gives personal attention to his agricultural and live-stock interests and manages his business affairs with the same sound judg- ment and clear insight that he exercised during the more active period of his life. In his political views Mr. Oren is a stalwart Democrat and as such was elected trustee of his township, which office he filled by successive re-elections for a period of fifteen years, discharging the duties of the position in an able and impartial manner and prov- ing under all circumstances a faithful cus- todian of the important interests confided to him by his fellow citizens. He also served for a considerable length of time as a mem- ber of the school board and during his in- cumbency in this capacity was untiring in his efforts to advance the cause of education within his jurisdiction and make the local system equal in efficiency to that of any other part of the county.

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petence in his possession came to him ruption. Jacob A. Inman is an Indianian through industry and honorable dealing. From the beginning of his career as an inde- pendent agent to the present time he has shirked no duty, however difficult and oner- ous, and hesitated at no obstacle, but, on the contrary, nobly faced the future with the determination of meeting its responsibilities and if possible wresting success from condi- tions that did not appear at all encouraging. Animated by this laudable purpose, he per- severed in all his undertakings and his ener- getic labors, directed by tact and good judg- ment, finally brought their reward, as his present independent situation abundantly testifies.

The domestic chapter in the life of Mr. Oren bears the date of 1867, in which year he entered the marriage relation with Miss Minerva Coffman. of Preble county, this state, the fruits of the union being one daughter and two sons, namely: Cora, wife of Mitchell Johnson, of Milford township; G. H., a resident of Somerville, and Charles, who lives on the home farm and attends to its cultivation and management.

JACOB A. INMAN.

This gentleman is an enterprising citizen of Milford township, where he has long been engaged in the honorable vocation of agri- culture, and to him also belongs the distinc- tion of having worn the blue and served in the great and gallant army that crushed out the last vestige of rebellion from our coun- try and re-established the government upon the firm basis which renders forever impos- sible any further attempts to effect its dis-

by birth and the son of Benjamin and Louisa (Smith) Inman, both parents being natives of New Jersey. Benjamin Inman was born May 12, 1812, and six years later was brought by his parents to Preble county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Subse- quently he moved to Randolph county, In- diana, where he resided for a number of years, still later returned to Ohio, settling in the county of Butler, whence he removed to Preble county, where he died. While in Indiana he took an active interest in public and political affairs, served a number of terms as justice of the peace and for many years was one of the leading Republican politicians of Randolph county. The Smith family left New Jersey as early as 1825, moving to Preble county, Ohio, where a number of descendants still reside, others being scattered over various parts of the state. Of the six children born to Benja- min and Louisa Inman, five are living, namely: Rachel, an unmarried lady who made her home with the subject, but died on June 15, 1904: Hanna, wife of Hirman Pottinger: Jacob A., of this review ; Job S., a retired farmer of this county, and Benja- min E., a prosperous agriculturist and stock raiser of Preble county.

Jacob A. Inman was born in Randolph county, Indiana. February 8, 1842, and when quite young accompanied his parents to Ohio, of which state he has since been a resident. He was reared to farm labor in Butler county, attended the district schools during the winter months until a youth in his teens and grew to young man- hood with the fixed purpose of making the most of his opportunities to the end that his life might be a credit to himself and family

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and a benefit to his fellow men. He re- couraging success and winning a conspicu- mained with his parents, assisting in the cul- ous place among the leading men of his township similarly engaged. He owns a well-improved farm in Preble county, being a part of the old homestead, which is ad- mirably suited for agriculture and live-stock purposes, being fertile and highly product- ive, also well watered and containing every essential feature of a first-class rural home. tivation and management of the farm. On August 13, 1862, he responded to the Presi- dent's call for volunteers by enlisting in Company G. Eighty-third Ohio Infantry, and about fifteen days later was mustered into the United States service in Kentucky. thence proceeding at once to the scene of hostilities, where he soon experienced in the The presiding spirit in the subject's pleasant domestic empire is the intelligent. amiable and highly esteemed lady whose maiden name was Sarah N. Frazee, but who in the year 1879 became the wife of Mr. In- man. since which time she has been his faith- ful companion and true helpmate. encourag- ing him by her judicious counsel and advice. co-operating with him in all of his endeav- ors, and by her able assistance contributing not a little to the success which their joint efforts have achieved. Mrs. Inman is a na- tive of Franklin county, Indiana, but was reared in Preble and Butler counties, Ohio. and has spent the greater part of her life in the latter. being well and favorably known in the township of Milford. where she has lived since her marriage. full "the stern and awful realities of war." Mr. Inman's first active service was at the Yazoo Swamp, near Vicksburg, where his command met the enemy in a sharp and hard-fought engagement, following which he participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Raymond. Champion Hill, Black River. the siege of Vicksburg. being present at the surrender of that city on July 4, 1863. Subsequently his com- mand took part in the battle at Jackson, Mississippi, thence went down the river to New Orleans, where it joined the Red River expedition, after which it was sent to Bar- ancas, Alabama, thence to Blakely. where it won laurels in the bloody battle April 9, 1865. For some time after the latter date Mr. Inman's regiment did patrol duty in Alabama and Texas and on July 24. 1865. he was mustered out of the service at Gal- veston, reaching home on the 10th of the month following. He was twice promoted during his army service to corporal and then to sergeant, which rank he held at the time of his muster-out.

Immediately after his return from the army. Mr. Inman resumed the pursuit of agriculture on the farm of his uncle, Bazilla Inman, in Butler county, and from that time to the present he has devoted his at- tention to tilling the soil, meeting with en-

Fraternally Mr. Inman is a member of Grand Army Post, No. 361, at Camden, and in politics is a Republican, but not a partisan in the sense the term is generally understood. much less an office seeker, nor has he ever asked public honors at the hands of his fellow citizens. In matters religious he entertains broad and liberal views, not being identified with any church ; neverthe- less he is a believer in Christianity and con- tributes liberally to the support of the Pres- byterian church, which his wife attends, be- sides giving freely to charitable and benev- olent organizations and all other worthy en-

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terprises having for their object the material to purchase land of his own near the town and moral good of the deserving poor. Mr. Inman is a gentleman of modest demeanor, unostentatious in his relations with his fel- low men, but always stands firm for what he considers right and just and under no cir- cumstances whatever does he sully his in- tegrity or bring reproach upon his character. by compromising with evil or countenancing that which his conscience condemns. His conduct has been correct and manly, and by living as nearly as possible according to his standards of excellence he has won. the es- teem and good will of his neighbors and fel- low citizens and enjoys the confidence of all who come within the range of his acquaint- ance and influence.

DAVID CORNTHWAITE.

of Trenton, where he spent the greater part of his life. He farmed for a number of years, became not only a well-to-do agricul- turist, but also an influential citizen and a public-spirited man of affairs. He was for many years one of the leading Republicans of the community in which he resided, be- coming a member of the party upon its or- ganization and continuing one of its most zealous supporters to the end of his days. His wife, whose maiden name was Marga- ret Bone, bore him eight children, of which family five are still living, among them be- ing the subject of this review. Francis and Margaret Cornthwaite were active members of the Christian church, and their lives were fraught with great good to the large circle of friends and acquaintances with whom they mingled. They spent their later years in the town of Collinsville, and it was there that he died.

The subject of this review is a native of David Cornthwaite was born on the family homestead near Monroe, Butler county, February 26, 1842, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools of his neighbor- hood. He remained with his parents until a little past twenty years of age, when he Butler county. Ohio, and a representative of one of its old pioneer families, his grand- father, Edward Cornthwaite, having settled in which is now St. Clair township as early as the year 1806. Edward Cornthwaite was a native of England, but came to Amer- ica many years ago and located in Pennsyl -- severed home ties for the purpose of enter- vania, from which state he moved his family to Ohio at the time referred to, and spent the remainder of his life in Butler county, dying in 1835. His son Francis, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1799, was seven years old when the family moved to Butler county. He grew to maturity on the home farin in St. Clair township, and when a young man turned his attention to milling. by which means he earned sufficient money ing the service of his country, enlisting Au- gust 15, 1862, in Company G, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which shortly thereafter was brigaded with the Thirteenth Army Corps, and assigned duty in Grant's command at Vicksburg. Mr. Cornthwaite took part in the siege and reduction of that city, also participated in the battles of Champion Hill and Chickasaw Bayou, Ar- kansas Post, the operations on Black River,

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besides seeing much active service in other parts of the South, until being discharged on account of disability September 29, 1863.

Returning home, Mr. Cornthwaite re- sumed the pursuit of agriculture, but by reason of the serious illness contracted while in the army it was a long time before he was sufficiently recovered to prosecute his la- bors properly; indeed it may be said that he never entirely regained the vigorous phys- ical health for which he was noted prior to entering the military service. For a num- ber of years he has been a resident of Mil- ford township, where he owns a finely im- proved and highly cultivated farm from which he receives a liberal income, being at this time the possessor of an ample compe- tence and well situated to enjoy the many material blessings by which he is sur- rounded.

On December 29, 1864, Mr. Cornth- waite was happily married to Miss Mary C. Judy, of Preble county, Ohio, and to them five children have been born, namely : Hat- tie, wife of Edward Overpeck, of Butler county; Charlie O., who married Mina Hood and lives in the county of Preble; Harry E., who lives at home, and who is also a man of family, his wife having for- merly been Miss Catherine Antrim ; Bessie M., wife of Wesley Hale, a resident of Som- erville. this state, and George Grant. de- ceased.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 81

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