USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 42
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In 1879 Mr. Tobey was united in mar- riage with Miss Ellie R. Reed, a daughter of Browning Reed, of Troy. Fraternally, he is a charter member of Troy Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and is affiliated with Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Knights Templar.
ISAAC DUNRIDER, township trustee and representative citizen of Bethel Town- ship, where he manages a farm of eighty acres for his mother, was born in Bethel Township, Miami County. Ohio, January 12, 1855, and is a son of John and Sarah (Karns) Dunrider.
John Dunrider was born in Germany and died in Bethel Township, Miami Coun- ty, June 21, 1885. When he emigrated to America he landed in Maryland and from there made his way to Dayton, Ohio, and shortly afterward accompanied Abraham Studebaker to Bethel Township, Miami County. He worked as a farm hand for one year with Mr. Studebaker and for two years with the latter's brother, Michael. After his marriage he settled first in Bethel Township, and then moved to near Tippecanoe City, remaining on that farm for five years. He then moved to a farm near Casstown for five years more, after
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which he bought a farm of 160 acres situ- ated in Section 15, just north of the one now owned by his widow. It was on that farm that he died and his burial was in the Hickory Grove Cemetery. He was a high- ly respected man and was a worthy mem- ber of the Brethren Church. His widow survives, after the death of her husband, purchasing her present well improved farm in Bethel Township, from G. Heltzer.
John Dunrider was married April 2, 1854, to Miss Sarah Karns, a daughter of John Karns, and they had the following children: Isaac; Catherine, who married Korah Shafford; Lydia, who married George E. Beathley; an infant, with Sam- uel and Mary, all three deceased; John, who married Clara Arnold; G. W., who re- sides in Bethel Township; Sarah, who mar- ried P. P. Peters, of California ; and Emma M., who married I. J. Boone.
Isaac Dunrider in his boyhood attended the district schools, which were situated near Tippecanoe City, at Casstown and at Hickory Grove, after which he took up the duties on the farm and gave his father assistance as long as the latter lived. Since then he has done the same for his mother, cultivating and improving her land and attending to all business matters for her. The present buildings were standing when she took possession, but he has remodeled them and under his management the whole place presents a fine appearance. Mr. Dunrider is a Democrat in politics and he takes some interest in township affairs and for eleven years has served as township trustee.
C. M. HUNT, who is doing a large busi- ness in farm implements at Troy, is a rep- resentative citizen and a member of the
Troy Business Men's Association. He was born in 1868, in Darke County, Ohio. where he passed his early years on a farm and received his education in the public schools. He is a son of Ralph and Lydia (Walker) Hunt, both of whom were born in Ohio. Mr. Hunt's grandparents came from Virginia to Ohio and were among the pioneer settlers here, building their home in the woods. When Ralph Hunt married he also built a cabin in the woods. He was three times married. The subject of this sketch has one brother, James Aldis; four half brothers-Harvey, Abraham, Theo- dore and Arlistus : one sister, Almeda, and one half sister, Phebe Jane.
After retiring from farming Mr. Hunt was engaged in the butchering business at Laura, Miami County, for some years. later was in the grocery line at Spring Valley and for four years was in the hard- ware and farm implement business at Xenia prior to coming to Troy in 1904. Mr. Hunt is established at No. 11 North Market Street, where he carries a large stock of all kinds of farm implements, in- cluding wagons and buggies.
In 1887 Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Elvira Wright, of Darke County, Ohio, and they have five children, namely : Myr- tle Viola, who is the wife of Earl MeDon- ald, of Xenia, Ohio, and has two children, Jaunita and Charles; Hiram and Harry, both of whom assist their father in his business ; and Robert and Dewey, who at- tend school. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are mem- bers of the Christian Church. He is a man of social nature and is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and Franklin Lodge No. 14, F. and A. M.
1
LILLIE MAHALA SENOUR
JOHN GAHAGAN SENOUR, M.D.
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JOHN GAHAGAN SENOUR, M. D., was born in Troy, Ohio, July 4, 1855, and died April 21, 1904. His father, William Senour, was a native of Kentucky; his mother, Clara Maria Gahagan, a native of Troy. They were united in marriage in 1854. Two children-John Gahagan and Lillie Mahala-were born to this union. The latter married Mr. Frank Ed- wards, of Chicago, in 1879, and they re- sided there until her death, which occurred in 1884.
In 1865 Dr. Senour's mother was mar- ried to Mr. Frank L. Horter, who died in 1SSS. Mother Horter died in 1901. He was of pioneer stock and a man greatly beloved by all the members of the family.
Dr. Senour acquired his preliminary education in the Troy schools, after which, in 1873, he entered the drug store of Dr. Horace Coleman. He commeneed the study of medicine two years later under Dr. Joseph Green, of Troy. Having secured a good fundamental knowledge of medi- cine, he attended the Ohio Medieal Col- lege at Cincinnati, and was subsequently graduated from the Bellevue Medical Col- lege at New York City. He at onee re- turned to Troy, purchased the home and office of Dr. Green, corner of Franklin and Walnut Streets, with whom he had studied, and commeneed the practice of medicine, April 18, 1879.
On December 11, 1879, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Sadie L. Ross, daughter of John Wilson and Fran- ces Elizabeth Ross, at the family residence, corner of Franklin and Walnut Streets. To them two daughters were born-Lillie Mahala and Laura Beall. The former's span of life was brief, as she passed away at the early age of fifteen years when in
the dawn of lovely womanhood. Of a quick, responsive mind and sweet, lovable dis- position, she was a prime favorite with all, old and young alike, and her untimely departure east a gloom over many hearts. Her memory lingers yet, like a precious fragrance that shall long abide, and those in whose hearts it is enshrined feel, with the poet, that
" "Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all."
Dr. Senour was ever a close and thor- ough student in his profession and worked his way upwards to a commanding posi- tion in the front ranks of the medical fra- ternity. His efforts were blessed with success. In polities he was a Democrat, and he was elected coroner in 1884. In all life's relations he commanded the esteem and confidence of his fellow men.
Dr. Senour's mother, Clara Maria Ga- hagan, was a granddaughter of William Gahagan, who entered the land (now com- prising the east half of Troy, from the public square to the Bradford Bridge) the original deed of which was signed by James Madison. The site of Troy at that time was known as Staunton. He came through the place; forded the river. The Indians shot his horse from under him, but as he was unharmed, and having des- patches of importance in his possession, he walked all the way to Cincinnati. After fulfilling his commission he returned and purchased the land where he was so merci- fully spared. He had three sons-Solo- mon, William and John. Clara Maria was the daughter of John Gahagan, from whom Dr. Senour was named.
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
JOHN WILSON ROSS (deceased) was prominent for many years among the up- builders of Troy's commercial interests. He took a notable part in the development and improvement of the little city which he had elected to make his home. As a man of public spirit throughout his active career, this aid and influence could be counted upon in favor of any practical measures for the moral or material benefit of the community. He was born June 6, 1820, at Zanesville, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish parentage, his grandfather Ross coming direct from Scotland, the grandfather John Wilson direct from Ireland. He was about twelve years of age when his parents died in New Carlisle, this State. His early manhood was spent in that village, where he learned the tailor's trade under Mr. Moorhead, with whom he made his home. At the age of twenty-one he came to Troy, Miami County, in which city his subsequent life was spent.
Mr. Ross was married in 1846 to Fran- ces Elizabeth Louthan, in the parlors of the Hatfield House, Troy, Ohio, which was then called the "Washington Inn," the family residence of her sister, Mrs. Sarah Hatfield. Mrs. Ross was a native of Win- chester, Virginia, born September 2, 1826, and accompanied her parents to Miami County in childhood. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ross removed to New Car- lisle, Ohio. Five children were born into their household-Charles, Anna, Ella, Sadie and Iloward. They subsequently-in 1867-came back to Troy to rear their chil- dren, and purchased the home now occu- pied by Mrs. Ross, who survives her hus- band, at No. 29 South Walnut Street, which has been her home for almost half a century. After his return to Troy Mr. Ross
engaged in the nursery business, and for long afterwards the firm of J. W. Ross & Co. was the leading one in that line of in- dustry in this section of Ohio.
Mrs. Ross has been an active woman all her life. She was one of the founders of the Altrurian Club of Troy. Her li- brary is well filled with the best and choic- est of standard works; her love for and knowledge of history made her a valuable club worker. She has always conducted her own business affairs, in which she has shown great ability and has in various other ways shown herself to be possessed of remarkable ability. After her husband's death, and when the children were all in homes of their own-between sixty and seventy years old, she took up Chautauqua work, was graduated and passed through the Golden Gate at Chautauqua in the class of 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Ross were ideal parents; the love and welfare of the home was their mutual abiding thought. The following is a brief record of their chil- dren: Charles, the first-born, who died in June, 1908-known as a loving, loyal, devoted son, brother, husband, father and friend-married Seba Wagner, one of Troy's sweet singers, in 1883, and they had five children-J. Wilson, Harriet, George, Howard and Anna. To their home in 1902 a crushing sorrow came in the drowning of their son George. The grand- son, J. Wilson Ross, named after the sub- ject of this sketch, is now one of the lead- ing young men of Troy, both as regards business and social activities. He is em- ployed as cashier by the Hobart Electric Manufacturing Company, the leading in- dustry of Troy, and is well known and highly esteemed for his sterling qualities.
Anna Ross was married in 1872 to F.
MRS. FRANCES ELIZABETH ROSS
JOHN WILSON ROSS
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P. Brechbill, who died in 1898. He was Thomas Jefferson and a grandson of a prominent groceryman of Troy. She Thomas Sayers. has a daughter, Frances P., who is the wife of John K. De Freese, assistant cashier of the Troy National Bank.
Ella Ross was married in 1876 to Dr. W. A. R. Tenney, now of Cincinnati, Ohio. She has three children-Wilson Ross, well known in the newspaper world; Charles, a promising young lawyer, now in the Philippines ; and Helen.
Sadie was married in 1879 to Dr. John Gahagan Senour, by whom she has had two children-Lillie Mahala and Laura Beall.
Howard is single and resides in Mon- tana.
The subject of this sketch was an old- time Democrat and a man of sturdy vir- tues. Although not a member of the Pres- byterian Church, he was one of its most ardent supporters, working untiringly for the good of the church in every possible way. Hle was both a Mason and an Odd Fellow. His loyalty to Troy was evident in a marked degree; never failing to stand for the business interests of the different mercantile enterprises, expressing himself at all times to the effect that loyalty in patronizing home trade and allowing home merchants to make the profit by ordering through them, was certainly the most sub- stantial way to show one's loyalty to one's home town.
E. F. SAYERS, one of Troy's most es- teemed retired citizens, residing in his pleasant home at No. 318 Lincoln Avenue, is a member of one of the old pioneer fami- lies of Miami County. He was born Sep- tember 23, 1831, in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of
Grandfather Thomas Sayers was one of the pioneering Pennsylvanians who came to Staunton Township, Miami County, in 1807, taking up 160 acres of Government land. Until July, 1908, this land remained continuonsly in the possession of the Say- er's family. Thomas Jefferson Sayers was born in October, 1808. Both father and grandfather were men of local im- portance, serving as justices of the peace and taking an active part in the material development of this section.
E. F. Sayers has spent his entire life in Miami County with the exception of four years. from 1880 until 1884, when he resided in Lee County, Illinois. Ile at- tended the district schools and became a practical farmer on the homestead, con- tinuing his agricultural activities until August, 1893, when he moved to Troy. He has served occasionally in publie office, for six years being a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors, but has never sought political honors. As a stockholder he is interested in several business enter- prises and is one of the directors of the Troy National Bank.
In 1557 Mr. Sayers was married to Miss Caroline French, a native of Kosciusko County, Indiana, who died in 1878. Five children were born to that marriage, namely : Martha A., who married Horatio Klyne, of Troy; Carrie, who is now de- ceased; Altezera, who married Theodore Rodgers, of Miami County; Maggie, who married C. D. Free, of Spring Creek Township, Miami County ; and Harry Lin- coln, who is a resident of Miami County. In 1880 Mr. Sayers was married (second) to Miss Catherine Knight, of Champaign
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County, Ohio. Mr. Sayers is a leading member of the Baptist Church at Troy, being a member of the Board of Trustees and a deacon.
JOHN M. IIEFFNER, general farmer and tobacco grower, resides on a tract of thirty-one acres of land located on the Brandt and Addison Turnpike Road, in Section 14, Bethel Township, and also owns 67 acres of the old Bethel Township homestead. He was born August 25, 1856, near Brandt, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Hawn) Heffner.
The pioneer of the Heffner family was the grandfather, Michael Heffner, who came with his wife from Maryland, the journey being made over the mountains in great covered wagons. He settled in Bethel Township and built his house, one of brick, in which he conducted also a general store, and it is one of the oldest landmarks in Brandt, where a number of houses stand on what was once his farm. He was a charter member of the Lutheran Church at Brandt and undoubtedly was one of the town's most useful and progres- sive men. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. He married Elizabeth Fry and they had the following children: Edward, Henry, Joseph, Michael, David, Myra, Catherine, Harriet, Lydia Ann, Washing- ton, John, Thomas, Betsey, Ezra, Daniel, Elizabeth and Jane.
Henry Heffner, father of John M., at- tended the Sheets school when he was a boy and then assisted his father on the home place until his own marriage, after which he settled in Section 17, on Honey Creek, where he lived for several years, moving then to the Dimmitt farm and then
to a farm of 124 acres one and one-half iniles west of Brandt. He took posses- sion of that farm in 1855 and remained on it until his death. He was a Democrat in his political views and served as constable for several terms. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was one of the early members of the Masonic fraternity at Brandt. He married Margaret Hawn, who died November 28, 1890, whom he survived until August 4, 1904. They had eiglit children, namely: Libeon, unmar- ried ; Jane, wife of Thomas Ginn ; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Crider; John M .; George, unmarried; Isaac, who married Emma Kew; Matilda, who married George Par- son ; and Jacob.
John M. Heffner has spent his life in Miami County and since leaving school has devoted himself to quiet pursuits. After his marriage he settled on his grand- father's farm for about four years and then purchased a place of his own in Brandt, on which he lived for sixteen years, for eight years of this time operat- ing a well drill. When he retired from Brandt he settled on his present place and has been engaged in general farming and tobacco growing, giving the larger part of his attention to the latter. He has put all his buildings into good shape and has enough warehouse room to take care of a large tobacco crop.
On December 22, 1881, Mr. Heffner was married to Miss Amanda L. Maugans, a daughter of John and Mary Maugans, and they have had four children, as follows: Anna M., who is now deceased, married Ray Mann and their infant child is also deceased; Jacob; Harrison F., who was married October 18, 1909, to Ada May Cullars, a daughter of Jerome and Nora
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Cullars; and John Edward, who resides at home. Mr. Heffner is a member of the Brethren Church at Hickory Grove. He easts his vote with the Democratic party.
THOMAS CALVIN DAVIS, whose ex- cellent farm of eighty-eight acres is situat- ed on the southwest corner of Section 7, Elizabeth Township, three miles northwest of New Carlisle, was born in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, May 12, 1856, and is a son of Stephen and Eleanor (Thompson) Davis.
Stephen Davis was born in Bethel Town- ship, Miami County, Ohio, where he lived until after his marriage, when he moved to Elizabeth Township and later to Illi- nois. He subsequently returned to Eliza- beth Township and bought the present farm of eighty-eight acres, on which he died, in 1872. He was a worthy man in every relation of life. In politics he was a Democrat and served in township offices, for many years being a member of the School Board. He married Eleanor Thompson, a daughter of Mark and Re- becca Thompson, former owners of the farm under consideration. To this mar- riage two children were born-Martha Ann and Thomas Calvin. The mother died in January, 1906, and she was buried by the side of her husband in Saylor's Ceme- tery.
Thomas Calvin Davis attended school until he was twelve years old but from the age of fourteen he has been farming for himself on his present property, which he has placed in fine condition. He had some clearing to complete and put down abont 200 rods of tiling and also erected all the present substantial buildings. Each year his farm has grown more valuable. He
takes only a good citizen's interest in poli- ties and casts his vote for candidates of the Democratic party.
JOHN A. MeCURDY, an ex-treasurer of Miami County, Ohio, has been a prominent resident of Troy since 1874. Farming was for many years his principal ocenpa- tion, and he is owner of the old John Scott farm of 320 acres and an additional tract of eighty acres in Elizabeth Township. His residence is at 304 W. Main Street, and he has a comfortable home. Mr. Me- Curdy was born near Casstown, Miami County, in 1841, and is a son of James and Mary (MeDonald) MeCurdy. His father was born in Ireland and was young when he moved to Montreal, Canada, from whence in 1832 he came to Miami County, Ohio. Here he was married to Mary Mc- Donald, who was a native of South Caro- lina.
John A. MeCurdy was a child when his parents moved from Staunton Township to a farm in Concord Township, four miles west of Troy, and there he was reared to maturity. When a young man he worked out by the month as a farm hand, and being ambitious and industrious looked forward to better things. He became a citizen of Troy in 1874, and after his mar- riage in 1879 was for several years en- gaged in the nursery business there with good success. He also for a time was in- terested in the Troy Buggy Works. He early in life took a deep interest in public affairs and polities, and was a stanch Demoerat until the Civil War. He then became a stanch Republican and was twice elected to the office of county treasurer, serving from 1875 until 1879. In 1897 he was honored by the party with election to
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the office of representative to the State Legislature, and capably served two terms in that office. In 1879 Mr. MeCurdy was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Scott, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Spronl) Scott, of Miami County. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He served one year in the Union Army, late during the Civil War, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ELMER E. THOMSON is one of the foremost business men of the City of Troy, in which he has lived all his days. The furniture and undertaking business, of which he is the head, is extensive, its patronage coming from all parts of Miami County. Mr. Thomson has always inter- ested himself in the affairs of the commu- mity in a progressive and public-spirited way, and has frequently been called upon to serve in various official capacities. The family name has long been known to the people here, and his father, Joel T. Thom- son, was equally prominent in affairs.
Joel T. Thomson was born in Troy, Ohio, in 1819, and was a son of Andrew and Catherine (Tullis) Thomson. His father was born in Virginia and abont the begin- ning of the nineteenth century came with his parents to Miami County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, leaving a wife and two small children to go to the front. Upon his return he soon after moved to Indiana, where he remained three years. He then returned to Troy, and on the day following passed away. Joel T. Thomson being very young at his father's death and the care of his mother devolving upon him, he was bound ont for five years to learn the trade of cabinet maker. After two and
a half years' apprenticeship, he bought his unexpired time and went to Cincinnati, where he completed his trade. He re- turned to Troy in 1840, and almost imme- diately took a forward position in the ranks of business men, which he main- tained during his long and useful life. He engaged in cabinet making and gave em- ployment to a number of men; in 1861, he announced to his workmen that he would close shop and enlist in the defense of his country. Inspired by his enthusiasm and patriotism, they at once determined to en- ter the service and prevailed upon him to remain at home and look after those de- dendent upon him. His men went to the front and he elosed np the cabinet making plant and embarked in the undertaking business. He was immensely popular with the soldiery, as is attested by the fact that of the eighty-one who died while in the army and were brought home for burial, seventy-eight were carried to their final resting place by him. He was a big- hearted, liberal-minded man, and he en- joyed the unbounded confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His death in 1900 was mourned by the people throughout the county.
Elmer E. Thomson was born in Troy, March 8, 1862, and was reared in that city. He attended the graded schools and was graduated from Troy High School, after which he studied medicine two years under Doctor Green. He attended Columbus Medieal College one term, and Starling Medical College a like period, but gave up lis preparation for that profession for business reasons. He entered into part- nership with his father in the furniture and undertaking business, and the firm es- tablished an enviable prestige. In 1900
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the subject of this record became the sole proprietor of the establishment and has continued it with uninterrupted success. He also established a branch store at Ad- dison, and is partner in an undertaking business at Pleasant llill. IIe and his father were originators of arterial em- balming, a system which has been much followed. Mr. Thomson has a number of diplomas as an embalmer. He takes an active interest in politics, and has served as infirmary director of the county, mem- ber of the Board of Health of Troy, and as sealer of weights and measures of Troy.
In 1888 Mr. Thomson was married to Carrie J. Riley, who was born in Troy and was for some years a teacher in the schools. They have a son, Clifford Thom- son. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a Past Exalt- ed Ruler of the Elks; Past Worthy Presi- dent of the Order of Eagles, of which he is also treasurer; a member of the board of trustees of the Modern Woodmen; Past Chief of Knights of the Golden Eagle; and Past Sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is also a trustee of the Order of Elks, and is president of the Troy Business Men's Association.
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