Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 98

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

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Mr. Miller's mind early yielded to the gentle but powerful influence of religious training and for many years he has been an earnest and consistent member of the Pres- byterian church, holding at this time the position of elder in the local organization to which he and his wife belong. Mr. and

Mrs. Miller have had three children, all daughters, the oldest of whom, Florence M., was born in 1869 and died in the bloom of young womanhood in the year 1888: Anna O., whose birth occurred in 1871, is pur- suing her studies in the Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Della B., born in 1873, departed this life in 1892.

ALBERT W. HINSEY.

The family of which the subject of this review is a representative has been identified with the history of Butler county ever since the pioneer period, his grandfather having been one of the earliest settlers of what is now Milford township. John Hinsey, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, was a native of Wales; he came to this country prior to the war of the Revolu- tion and settled in Delaware, where he reared his family, among his children being a son by the name of Cornelius, who was born in that state. Cornelius Hinsey married Sarah Crawford and early in the nineteenth cen- tury moved to Butler county, Ohio, locating in Milford township, of which, as already indicated. he was one of the first settlers. He improved a farm in the above township, lived a long and useful life and at its close was laid to rest in the old Darrtown ceme- tery, where so many of the early pioneers of this part of the country sleep. There were four children in the family of Cor- nelius and Sarah Hinsey, namely : William, John, Albert and Sarah, all of whom have followed their parents to the silent land. Albert. the third of the family, whose birth occurred in the year 1804, is said to have been the first white child born within the

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present limits of Milford township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and in due time became quite a thrifty and successful farmer, owning at the time of his death over three hundred acres of fine land, the greater part of which was cleared and im- proved by his own labor. He was an ex- cellent citizen, originally an ardent Whig in politics, later a zealous Republican and for many years an influential member of the Baptist church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Morris, was a native of Butler county and of his ten children, eight sons and two daughters, nine grew to years of maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Hinsey departed this life some years ago and were buried in the Somerville cemetery, the only

Mr. Hinsey is one of the leading Re- surviving members of their family being ~ publicans of Milford township and his three sons. Edward, of Somerville; M. D., of Dayton, and Albert W., whose name heads this article.

Albert W. was born in Butler county. Ohio. July 12, 1846, grew to manhood on the home farm in Milford township and during his childhood and youth enjoyed the best educational advantages the public schools afforded. In May. 1864, when but little past his eighteenth year, he enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Sixty- seventh Ohio Infantry, for the hundred-day service, during which time his command was principally engaged in guard duty at the national capitol and in various parts of Virginia and other states. Receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of the period noted, Mr. Hinsey returned home and resumed farming in Milford township. which vocation he continued quite success- fully for a number of years and in which he still has large interests. On April 25, 1867, was solemnized his marriage with

Miss Sarah L. Antrim, of Milford town- ship, the union being blessed with one child, Cornelius, whose birth occurred on July 5, 1868. Cornelius A. Hinsey was educated in the Somerville high school, of which he is a graduate, and for some time past has held an important position with the Colonial Salt Company, of Akron, Ohio, being the western agent of the concern with headquarters in the city of Chicago. He is a young man of excellent habits and fine business qualifications, enjoys the confidence of his employers and his present high stand- ing in the enterprise with which he is con- nected is indicative of a still larger sphere of action in the future.

ability and influence in political circles have contributed greatly to strengthen and pro- mote the success of his party in Butler county. In recognition of his valuable services he was appointed by President Har- rison postmaster of Somerville, which posi- tion he still holds, having been reappointed by President Mckinley. his management of the office being business-like and efficient and eminently satisfactory to the public. Aside from his official duties, he manifests a pardonable pride in the growth and wel- fare of the town, encourages all laudable en- terprises with these objects in view and lends his influence to every progressive measure for the advancement of the com- munity along social, educational and moral lines. He holds membership with Mitchell Post, No. 361, Grand Army of the Republic .. Camden Lodge, No. 59. Free and Accepted Masons, and Covenant Lodge, No. 54. In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in all of which he is an active worker and in the lat-

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ter an honored official, having passed all the chairs in the organization besides filling im- portant, positions in the other two at dif- ferent times. Religiously Mr. Hinsey and wife are Methodists, belonging to the church at Somerville. They are deeply interested in all departments of good work under the auspices of the congregation, contribute freely to all public and private charities and are highly esteemed members of society, moving in the best circles of the town.

Mr. Hinsey has always been an indus- trious worker, prudent and thrifty, and it is a source of much gratification to him at this time of life to be in possession of sufficient means to insure him and his faithful com- panion against every contingency of want and privation. He is an honorable man and a praiseworthy citizen whose ability and worth are deeply appreciated by the public and whose sterling integrity and many es- timable qualities have won for him the high esteem in which he is held and the com- manding position which he occupies.

JOHN R. WILLIAMSON.

The family of which the subject of this review is a representative is well known in Butler and the adjoining county of Hamilton and for many years its members have been honored and respected in their various spheres of life. John Williamson, the sub- ject's grandfather, a native of New Jersey, came to Ohio a number of years ago and set- tled in Hamilton county, where he purchased land on which he spent the remainder of his days as a fairly prosperous farmer, and he also enjoyed excellent standing as an en-

terprising, public-spirited citizen. Among his eight children was a son by the name of Benjamin. who grew to manhood on the family estate and a little later came to But- ler county and engaged in the manufacture of flour, purchasing a mill on Seven-Mile creek not far from where his son John R. now lives, which he operated for some time in partnership with one of his brothers, meeting with gratifying success in the busi- ness. He also devoted considerable attention to agriculture and in the course of years be- came the owner of several valuable farms in Butler county. He now lives in Collinsville with one of his family. Benjamin William- son has always been a man of sterling worth and his family is one of the most highly es- teemed in Milford township. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and a devout member of the Presbyterian church, being an elder in the congregation at Collinsville, which position he has held for many years. When a young man he married Miss Rebekkah Scott, who is still living and who has borne him three children, namely : Jennie, an inmate of the parental home; Charles, who departed this life in 1891, and John R., whose name intro- duces this sketch.

John R. Williamson was born in Mil- ford township. November 2. 1864, and spent his early years on the family homestead, at- tending at intervals during his childhood and youth the district schools of the neigh- borhood. He subsequently entered the Na- tional Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prosecuted his studies until ob- taining a good education, after which he re- sumed farming and has since devoted his at- tention to the same.

In October, 1888, Mr. Williamson en- tered the marriage relation with Miss Carrie

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Somoyer, of this county, daughter of one of the leading farmer and prominent citi- zens of Milford and for a number of years a trustee of the township. Mrs. Williamson was educated in the public schools and in the higher institutions of learning at Leba- non and Oxford, and possesses a bright, cul- tivated mind, being highly esteemed by all who know her and a favorite in the social circles in which she moves. She is the mother of one son, Charles, whose birth oc- curred in 1892.

Since his marriage Mr. Williamson has lived on a farm of one hundred and eighty acres. He is progressive in all the term im- plies, and believes in modern improvements. Since his twenty-first year he has been a pronounced supporter of the Democratic party.

HON. M. T. MUSTIN.

This venerable citizen, upon whose head rest the sifted snows of eighty-eight winters, has had an eminently honorable career and ·is now spending the evening of his days in the enjoyment of that quiet content and peace which are the best return for a life of integrity and usefulness. M. T. Mustin is a native of the old historic commonwealth of Virginia, where his birth occurred on Sep- tember 22, 1816, having first seen the light of day on the ancestral homestead in Fred- erick county. From the paternal side he in- herits the blood of a long line of sturdy Irish ancestors, and from his mother, the sterling attributes for which the German people have for ages been distinguished. His grandfather Mustin came from Ireland and settled in Frederick county, Virginia, in Co- . townships of Morgan, Reily, Hanover and

lonial times, and his mother's father, who was also a pioneer of the Old Dominion state, was a native of Germany. John L. Mustin, father of the subject, was born in Virginia and became one of the wealthy and influential planters of Frederick county, also one of the leading citizens of the community in which he lived. His wife, Mary Weaver, also a member of a well-to-do and highly es- teemed family, was descended from one of the early German settlers of Frederick county and is remembered as a lady of intel- ligence, great force of character, and many estimable qualities of mind and heart.

M. T. Mustin spent the first four years of his life in his native state, and about 1820 accompanied his grandparents upon their re- moval to Hamilton county, Ohio. A few years later they changed their abode to But- ler county and purchased the farm in Mor- gan township on which the subject was reared and near which he received his edu- cational training. Possessing a vigorous in- tellect and a naturally inquiring mind, young Mustin made rapid progress in his scholastic work and being fond of reading, eagerly perused all the books and papers that he could buy or borrow, in this way becoming in due time one of the most intelligent and widely informed young men of the commu- nity. Well qualified teachers being difficult to secure, Mr. Mustin when a mere youth was induced to take charge of a school in his neighborhood and so capable did he prove and so successfully was the term con- ducted that he decided to devote his life thereafter to educational work. His experi- ence as a teacher covered a period of forty consecutive years, during which time his la- bors were confined principally to the four

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Fairfield, and his success was such as to earn for him a reputation second to that of few school men of his day.

Mr. Mustin's superior intelligence, abil- ity and peculiar fitness for the discharge of important public duties early made him a power in local politics, and while still a young man he became one of the Democratic leaders in Butler county. Many years ago he was elected assessor of Hanover town- ship and in the fall of 1849 was chosen to represent the county in the state legislature. He served with distinction during the ses- sions of 1850, introduced a number of im- portant bills which became laws; had places on several of the leading committees, and in the general deliberations of the house was an active and influential participant. He stood well with his party associates, commanded the respect of his political opponents, and by devotion to the interests of his county and state won the confidence of his constitu- ents and made a record of which they. as well as himself, felt justly proud.

In the year 1841 Mr. Mustin contracted a marriage with Miss Rebecca Hand, who was born and reared in Butler county and whose parents moved to this part of Ohio · in an early day from the state of New Jer- sey. Five children were the fruits of this union, John L., Mary A., Hannah, Harriett and one that died in infancy, the only one living at this time, being John L., whose birth occurred on the 26th of March, 1843. and who has long been a prominent farmer and leading citizen of the township of Reily. The wife of John L. Mustin was formerly Miss Agness Dalzell and their two children, Charles E. and Cenith E., live in the city of Hamilton.

For some years past the subject of this review has not been actively engaged in any 43

pursuit, his advanced age and the infirmities incident thereto making a life of retirement imperative. For one so old he is remarkably well preserved, retaining much of his erst- while physical force, while his mental pow- ers are as clear and strong and he is still able to keep in touch with the times in matters of public interest and to attend to certain busi- ness affairs requiring his attention. Few men in Butler county have lived as long as Mr. Mustin and to few have been accorded the privilege of so filling their years with deeds of kindness and usefulness. Among his former pupils are many men and women who have grown gray beneath the burden and the heat of life's conflict, while others who received their first instruction from him are now filling honorable positions in various capacities, being the leaders of important enterprises in this county and elsewhere. Mr. Mustin's career has been fraught with great good to his fellow men and his influence has ever been on the side of right. His aims have always been laudable, his ideals high and his purposes honorable, and now as his sun is slowly and tranquilly sinking amid the gathering of the evening shadows, it is his fortunate privilege to look back over a well-spent life in which there is little to cause regret, but much to make the remainder of his journey bright and cheerful. Mr. Mus- tin was at one time captain of a company of Ohio state militia, known as the Milville Blues.

TOBIAS FINKBINE.

This well-known and successful farmer of Oxford township is a native son of the county and has here gained a position of independence and prosperity through his

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own well-directed efforts, while his is also the distinction of being one of the valiant sons of the republic who aided in perpetu- ating the Union when its integrity was placed in dire jeopardy through armed re- bellion. Mr. Finkbine is one of the sterling citizens of the county and is well entitled to consideration in this compilation.

Tobias Finkbine was born on a farm in Oxford township. this county, on the 14th of October. 1841. being a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Stebbins) Finkbine. Rob- ert Finkbine came of stanch German line- age and was born and reared in the old Key- stone state. About the year 1802, as a young man, he came to Butler county. Ohio. and settled on a pioneer farm in Oxford township, not far distant from the present homestead of our subject. He was a shoe- maker by trade, and followed this in con- nection with the work of improving and cultivating his farm. He was married in this county, his wife having been born in New Jersey. whence she came with her par- ents to Ohio in an early day. In 1857 Robert Finkbine removed with his family to Shelby county. Illinois, where he con- tinued his pioneer experiences. being there engaged in farming until his death, which, ocurred in about 1877. while his devoted wife passed away in about 1870. Their four children are all living.

The subject of this sketch was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and received such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the day. He was about sixteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Illinois, and had not yet attained his majority when the dark clouds of civil war cast their grue- some pall over the national firmament. In

August, 1862, he manifested his intrinsic patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, to the command of which Colonel Jesse H. Moore was assigned. The regi- ment became a part of the Army of the Cumberland and saw long and arduous service, participating in many important en- gagements, including the battles of Chat- tanooga and Chickamauga. It then was sent forward to take part in the Atlanta cam- paign, but before reaching its destination was recalled to take part in the movements against Hood's forces, while later the regi- ment was with General Thomas in the sec- ond battle of Nashville and also took part in the battle of Franklin. Mr. Finkbine was ever found a faithful and loyal soldier and continued in service until victory had crowned the Union arms, being mustered out in June. 1865, at Springfield, Illinois, and receiving his honorable discharge. He receives a pension in recognition of disa- bilities resulting from his military service.

After the close of the war Mr. Fink- bine returned to Illinois, where he remained about one year, and in 1867 he came once more to his native township in Butler county, where he has ever since resided. He began his active business career here as a farmer and was without financial reinforce- ment at the time of beginning operations, so that it is the more gratifying to note the success which is his, since it has come as the diametrical result of his own assidu- ous labors and discriminating management. He is now the owner of three farms in Ox- ford township, the aggregate area of the farms being one hundred and ninety-one acres, and all are maintained under a high

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state of cultivation and have those substan- tial improvements which indicate the energy and progressive spirit of the owner. In politics Mr. Finkbine is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and he has ever shown a proper interest in public affairs, particularly those of a local nature, though he has never sought or desired official preferment. He is identified with Millikin Post, No. 228, Grand Army of the Re- public, at Oxford, and is past commander of the same, while both he and his wife are prominent members of the United Presby- terian church.

On the 14th of February, 1867, Mr. Finkbine was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Wallace, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, and who is a sister of William B. Wallace, a well-known citizen of Oxford. Of the five children of this union four are living, namely : Helen E., who was gradu- ated in the Oxford high school and who is now a successful and popular teacher in the public schools at Rushville, Indiana; Rob- ert. who is a skilled mechanic and who is employed in the shops of a large manu- facturing concern in Pittsburg. Pennsyl- vania; William, who is married and con- ducting one of his father's farms, and Anna B .. who remains beneath the parental roof.

WILLIAM B. WALLACE.

He to whose life history we now direct attention is incumbent of the office of post- master of Oxford, as well as that of treas- urer of the Butler County Agricultural So- ciety, and is a representative of one of the sterling and honored pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state.

Mr. Wallace was born on the old home- stead farm, in Oxford township, this county, on the 2d of October, 1841, being a son of Alexander and Helen (Brown) Wallace, both of whom were born and reared in Campbelltown, Scotland, where both had been previously married, two children hav- ing been born of the first marriage of Mr. Wallace and one to Mrs. Wallace, while three children graced the second union, two of whom are living, William B., subject of this sketch, and Mary E., who is the wife of Tobias Finkbine, of Oxford township, this county. The parents emigrated to the United States about the year 1831 and took up their residence in Ohio, the father be- coming one of the successful farmers of But- ler county, where both . he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored by all who knew them.

William B. Wallace was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and his early educational training was secured in the district schools, while he later attended the Grundy Commercial College, in Cincinnati. where he was graduated in 1861. In Au- gust of the following year he gave evidence of his intrinsic loyalty and patriotism by tendering his services in defense of the Union. He enlisted in the United States navy and served on the magazine boat "Illi- nois," on the Mississippi river, until 1863, when he received his honorable discharge. On the 2d of May, 1864, he enlisted as a corporal in Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to guard duty in West Virginia, where it was principally stationed until the close of his enlistment. Mr. Wal- lace receiving his honorable discharge, at Hamilton, Ohio, on the 8th of September. 1864.

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After the termination of his military ca- reer Mr. Wallace returned to Butler county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the prominent and progres- sive representatives of the farming industry in Oxford township where he acquired and improved a fine estate of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, which he still owns. The farm has long been maintained under a high state of cultivation, and while giving it his personal supervision Mr. Wallace also de- voted special attention to the breeding of shorthorn cattle and registered Poland- China swine, and this branch of his farming enterprise is still maintained at a high stan- dard, recourse being had to his stock for breeding purposes. In politics Mr. Wallace has ever given a stanch allegiance to the Re- publican party, his first presidential vote having been cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has taken an active and zealous interest in the promotion of the party cause. He served for a number of years as supervisor of his township, and was given other un- mistakable evidences of local confidence and esteem, since he was called to the offices of township trustee and school director. He removed from his farm to the village of Ox- ford in 1888 and there lived practically re- tired until July 20, 1900, when President Mckinley conferred upon him the office of postmaster, of which he has since remained incumbent, giving a most able and satisfac- tory administration. He has ever retained a deep interest in the great basic art of ag- riculture and its allied industries, and has been one of the enthusiastic supporters of the Butler County Agricultural Society, of which he has been treasurer since about 1898. Fraternally he is identified with Oxford Lodge, No. 187, Knights of Pythias, of

which he is the present treasurer, and a member of Millikin Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Oxford.

On the 24th of December, 1867, Mr. Wallace was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Wright, who was born and reared in Oxford township, this county, where she passed her entire life. She was summoned into eternal rest on the 19th of January, 1889, and is survived by her two children, Rosella Alma, who was born March 16, 1870, and who is now the wife of Otha E. Kumler, railway mail clerk, their home be- ing in Oxford; and Charles R., who was born November 18, 1873, and who is deputy postmaster under his father. On the 9th of February, 1899, Mr. Wallace married Mrs. Mary E. Golder, nee Howard, of Ham- ilton, Ohio, she being a daughter of Wil- liam and Elizabeth Howard.

HON. ISAAC E. HUFFMAN.

Hon. Isaac Ellsworth Huffman, is a na- tive of Hamilton county, Ohio, born at Springdale, December 31, 1868, and is a son of Allen and Elizabeth (Waln) Huffman. The father is a native of Butler county. his birth occurring near Jones' Station on the 16th of January, 1830. He is a representa - tive of one of the earliest pioneer families, being a son of Job Huffman, who located in Butler county in a very early day, and here married Miss Margaret Wilkinson, who was born on the farm where her life was spent. Her birth occurred on the 20th of October, 1797, and she passed away January 26, 1886. Job Huffman purchased a farm which his

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 98

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