USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 11
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 11
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Dr. Tyler, as an intelligent citizen, has always taken an ac- tive interest in politics, and gives his support to the Demo- cratic party, and served for six years as health officer of Rip- ley, and four years, during President Cleveland's last admin- istration, filled the office of United States pension examiner.
Fraternally, Dr. Tyler is a member of the American Medical Society and of the Ohio State Medical Society. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery ; High- land Commandery, No. 31, Hillsboro; Knights of Pythias, at present being past chancellor ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; and is past master of Union Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Ripley.
Dr. Tyler is a liberal supporter of the Methodist church, which he attends, and of which Mrs. Tyler is a member.
A man of prominence throughout the community, Dr. Tyler has a wide circle of friends, and is everywhere held in highest esteem. He is a man with many private interests, but he has always found time to perform a citizen's duty. He is a man of marked liberality as well as public-spirited, and commands the confidence of his fellow citizens.
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REV. PHILIP GATCH.
Rev. Philip Gatch, a man of deep piety and zeal, strong in the faith of the Gospel, was one of the first ministers to ad- vocate the Methodist belief in America. He was unassum- ing in manner, quiet, peaceful and harmonious; standing high in the esteem of the community in which he lived. He was a man of strong mind, not easily turned from a course he be- lieved to be right, enduring with gentleness and Christ-like attitude the persecutions that were heaped upon the ministers in those early days, being ready to suffer and die for the truth. These characteristics entitle the Rev. Gatch to a high and honorable place in the memory and affections of all, not only as a pioneer of Methodism, but as an earnest worker in laying the foundations of our great commonwealth.
The birth of the Rev. Philip Gatch occurred March 2, 1751, near Baltimore, Md. The first of the family in America, Godfrey Gatch, came to America from Prussia, about 1727 and in 1737, he purchased a farm not far from Baltimore, which at his death descended to the father of Rev. Gatch. His mother's people. whose names were Burgin, settled near Georgetown, on the eastern shore of Maryland, at an early date. They were originally from Burgundy and were descended from a long line of ancestry in that principality.
The educational privileges in the days when our subject was a boy, were not what they are now, but he learned to read when quite young and took great pleasure in books and re- ceived what was considered in those days a good common school education. He showed strong inclinations toward re- ligion when very young, spending many hours in reading the history of the lives of pious men.
. In April, 1772, the Rev. Gatch was converted to the Meth- odist belief, and in the fall of the same year felt the call of the Lord to preach the Gospel. At that time the preachers trav- eled in circuits, holding meetings in the homes of believers, in barns, in groves or wherever a congregation could be gathered together. He was given a small circuit in Pennsylvania, which he held until the fall of 1773. when he began traveling in the regular work ; being the first minister to be sent out in this capacity in Virginia.
The persecutions of the next few years were very severe and trying and only those who were well founded in the faith, re- mained steadfast and unshaken. In the case of the Rev. Gatch,
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he was often beaten with clubs, his life threatened and at one time he was covered with tar, in which operation one of his eyes was injured, as the paddle with which the tar was applied was drawn across the naked eye ball. This gave him a great deal of pain, both at this time and in later years. Through all these persecutions this saintly man had nothing but earnest prayers for those who treated him so cruelly. He was grati- fied to know that later, several men who had been prominent in his trials were brought to see the error of their ways and were converted.
In 1774, the Rev. Philip Gatch was made assistant to the superintendent of the conference and in 1777, was one of a committee of five chosen to act in the place of the superin- tendent who returned to England, he being placed at the head of the committee in 1780.
At the Baltimore conference, which began May 20, 1777, Rev. Gatch received an appointment to Sussex circuit, in Virginia. He was in poor health at this time and had to have help. The sufferings and hardships proved too much for him. His lungs became affected as a result of straining his voice while ad- dressing large open air meetings. The work for the remaining years of his ministry was conducted under great physical dis- tress.
During a number of years, 1770 to 1780, the subject of ad- ministering sacrament was discussed at the conferences, as the ministers were not ordained, and a committee was appointed to ordain these preachers. Rev. Gatch was the first ordained minister of the Methodist church west of the Alleghany Mountains.
The marriage of Rev. Philip Gatch to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Powhatan county, Virginia, was solemnized January 14, 1778. The Smith family were among the first families of Vir- ginia, and were of the established church, but some of the family later became ardent supporters of the Methodist church. One of the sons, James, became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On account of his poor health, the conference of 1780 thought best not to assign him to a circuit, but to allow him to work when he could and where he could do the most good. For that reason his name disappeared from the minutes of the conference at this time. Bishop Asbury made several attempts to restore his name, but it was not until a few years before his
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death, and then without his knowledge, that this was ac- complished.
In order to support his family, Rev. Gatch carried on farm- ing in connection with his preaching, but in no case did he allow it to cause his zeal for his Master's work to lessen. He made such trips as his health and domestic duties would per- mit, and his persistent efforts were crowned with success in bringing many to Christ, the ever present Savior of men.
In 1780, believing slavery to be against the teachings of the Book, he made a deed to liberate all his slaves, nine in all be- ing named in the deed.
About ten years after his marriage, Rev. Gatch made the first move of his home, which was occasioned by a neighbor building a dam across a creek, backing the water up nearly to the house. Later, he removed to Buckingham county, Vir- ginia, where he purchased 1,000 acres of land, intending to make it his permanent home. He put 500 acres under culti- vation, but became convinced that the Northwest territory was a desirable country, and resolved to move there. On Oc- tober 11, 1798, he, with his brother-in-law, Rev. James Smith, and a friend, Ambrose Ranson, with their families, set out. The party consisted of thirty-six persons, white and colored, and the outfit was made up of two four-horse wagons, one five-horse wagon, a stage drawn by four horses, a lighter two- horse carriage and three saddle horses. The way was very difficult and dangerous, through gloomy valleys, rugged moun- tains and deep streams. Part of the journey was made by road and part on flat boats on the Ohio river, and many were the accidents narrowly averted. They traveled through Point Pleasant, Chillicothe and Williamsburg and thence to New- town, where they camped on Turpin's bottom. Here they se- cured a house for temporary use until a home could be pro- vided. Rev. Gatch had traded his land in Virginia for land on the Miami river, but when he arrived he found that it was not suitable for a settlement, and so bought 1,000 acres in the forks of the Little Miami river. The home was completed in February and the family went at once to their new home, be- ginning the work of clearing and cultivating the land. This farm is now known as "The Old Gatch Farm."
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When Clermont county was established, Rev. Gatch was appointed justice of the peace, and although he felt that he was not competent to fill this office, his work was very satisfactory to all. In 1802, Congress granted to the Northwest Territory
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the right to form a constitution and State government on cer- tain principles. Rev. Gatch and James Sargent were elected to represent Clermont county at the convention, which was held in November. The constitution formed at this time was approved by many distinguished men of the day. The legisla- ture me the next spring and our subject was solicited to offer himself as a candidate, but he refused. He was elected, with- out his knowledge, to the office of associate judge of the court of common pleas, later becoming the head of the three asso- ciate judges, serving in this capacity for twenty-two years, dis- charging the important duties of his office in such a way as to secure the confidence of everyone. While he did not profess to be learned in the law, he had great practical knowledge of human affairs, and he aimed to arrive at the justice of every case brought to him. The tract of country between the forks of the Little Miami and to the Scioto rivers was reserved, by Congress, to satisfy military claims, under the service of the Virginia troops in the Revolution, on the continental estab- lishment. Being extensively acquainted in. Virginia, and also a practical surveyor, he was very useful to locaters of land under the military system. His position on the bench made him acquainted with the Virginia military titles, and he used this knowledge to perfect the titles of his friends and to settle any controversies, amicably, that arose.
On July 12, 1811, occurred the death of Mrs. Gatch, and her loss was most keenly felt. She was a faithful helpmate to the Rev. Gatch in all the conditions of his eventful life as a pioneer preacher, assisting him in all the laborious work of his minis- try. She was ever an inspiration and a guide to him.
The death of Rev. Gatch came in December, his religious activities continuing to the last. His funeral sermon was preached by an old acquaintance, Rev. John Collins, who had fought side by side with him in the cause of the truth. The remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground, on the farm, beside his life companion.
There were others who in those early days manifested equal zeal, eloquence and persuasive powers, and whose labors were richly rewarded in the conversion of souls, but sufficient has been said to show how deep was the religion of this ener- getic, sacrificing, earnest man of God, who devoted the best years of his life to the ministry. Thus in body. mind and saintly character he stands out in gigantic proportion on the pages of memory, as we recall the history of the past.
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HON. GEORGE P. TYLER.
Hon. George P. Tyler, of Georgetown, Ohio, a man of re- markable personality and of signal achievement in both busi- ness and political life, is one of the citizens of Brown county. whose useful and eventful career has been of such a character as to bring this section into honorable prominence. Mr. Tyler has long been an active resident of this part of the State and has been closely identified with its interests. His birth took place at Brockets Bridge, Herkimer county, New York, on the 23d of June, 1834. His parents were Hiram and Mary (Platt) Tyler, both natives of New York.
Hiram Tyler was born at Delhi, Herkimer county, in 1811 and died in Indiana in 1842. His wife was born at Brockets Bridge, Herkimer county, in 1810 and passed away November 17, 1888. Mrs. Tyler's people were highly esteemed, industri- ous residents of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Her Grandfather Platt was of English parentage and was a Revolutionary sol- dier and her Grandfather Murray was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war, he being of Irish lineage. Hiram Tyler's father was of French parentage and was active in the War of 1812 and his mother was of German parents who came to this country from Holland. Hiram Tyler was by trade a tan- ner and was the only one of his family to leave the eastern home to try the fortunes of the West. In the year of 1840 he, with his wife and two children, removed to Allensville, Switz- erland county, Indiana, where he engaged largely in the tan- nery business, but in 1842 he was poisoned in the hand from a hide with which he was working and died five days later. The family of Hiram and Mary (Platt) Tyler was made up of six children, of whom two are now living :
George P., who is the subject of this mention. .
Ann, who is the widow of Wash Miller, now resides in Denton, Tex., and her son, Delos Miller, has a large flour mill at Denton.
Hiram died in April, 1910, two years after serving two terms as clerk of the common court of Brown county. He left a wife and seven children-three daughters and four sons. His eld- est daughter is the wife of R. J. Stivers, president of the Cit- izens' National Bank, Ripley, Ohio. Three years after the death of Mr. Tyler, or in 1845, Mrs. Tyler became the wife of Rev. C. C. Philips, a minister of the Christian church.
At the age of six years George P. Tyler accompanied his
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parents to Indiana and there, in the schools of Allensville, obtained a fair common school education. When he reached the age of twelve years, Mr. Tyler obtained a position as cabin boy on an Ohio river steam boat, running on the boats in winter and in summer working in a blacksmith shop. In the year of 1850 Mr. Tyler settled in Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, and there entered the plow factory of Mr. John Thomp- son, where he remained for two years. In 1852 he again changed his location, settling at this time at Georgetown, Ohio, where he conducted a blacksmith shop. He continued in this occupation until 1859, when he removed to Russell- ville, Ohio, where he turned his attention to the carriage mak- ing business. A year later Mr. Tyler was elected assessor of his township on the Democratic ticket over a Republican ma- jority of sixty-five.
The business career of Mr. Tyler was interrupted at this time by the agitation brought about by the Civil war, when he assisted in the organization of the Fifty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer infantry, of which he was made first lieutenant and detailed at once on the staff of Col. James P. Fyffe, com- manding the brigade. During the eighteen months spent in the service Mr. Tyler sustained the loss of one of his chil- dren by death, in addition to the loss of his home and all it contained, by fire. Adversity further pursued Mr. Tyler, when, by the treachery of his partner in the carriage factory, he was greatly embarrassed financially upon his return from the war. However, he again engaged in the carriage business and went on the road as a traveling salesman in order to meet all of the indebtedness of the firm without sacrificing his in- tegrity by taking advantage of the bankrupt law. He con- tinued in the capacity of traveling salesman until the fall of 1877, when he was elected to the office of Senator by the Democratic party from the Fourth Senatorial district, com- posed of Brown and Clermont counties. In 1879 he was re- nominated by acclamation and was elected, serving four years in the Senate. He was instrumental in securing many State and district appointments for citizens of Brown county, whose claims had before been almost wholly unrecognized by polit- ical parties in State and district appointments. In the fall of 1881 he was elected Probate Judge of Brown county, which position he held for two terms, or six years, with great dig- nity, honor, and satisfaction to his constituents.
In 1888 Hon. George P. Tyler engaged himself with the
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Dayton Blank Book and Printing Company, of Dayton, Ohio, as traveling salesman, and is still in that position, covering a large territory on his trips.
During Gov. Mckinley's administration, in April, 1895, he appointed Mr. Tyler as one of the trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Columbus, Ohio, and at the expiration of his term of five years Mr. Tyler was reappointed for an- other term by Gov. Nash. At the end of that term he was again reappointed by Gov. Herrick.
On March 16, 1854, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Reed, who was born in 1838 in Louisville, Ky., a daughter of C. W. Reed, a prominent business man and at one time county commissioner and postmaster of Georgetown, Ohio, under the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan, and his wife, Mahala (Staten) Reed.
Judge George P. Tyler chose for his second wife Miss Emily Francis Mather, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Henry Witham at the Presbyterian church at Ironton, Ohio, on the 16th of March, 1893. Her death occurred November 10, 1910, at her old home, where she is buried. She left no children. Her parents were Richard and Harriet E. (Stinson) Mather, the former of whom was born in Brooklyn May 30, 1831. He located in Ironton, Ohio, in 1851, where he lived a highly respected life for many years. He passed away April 8, 1911, and his loss was greatly felt by his family and the com- munity in which he lived. He was a son of Col. William Mather, graduate and afterward a professor in the Academy at West Point. Later Col. Mather served as colonel in the United States army and made the first geological survey of New York State, being State geologist of New York until his removal to Ohio, where he was made the first geologist of the State of Ohio, which office he held until his death. He made the first geological survey of Ohio. Mr. Mather was connected with the Bank of Ironton, of which he was cashier for thirty-five years, and was a strong factor in the Ironton City Savings Bank until on the 10th of February before his death. Mrs. Mather died February 22, 1905. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Mather were two children, the wife of our subject and Alice M., the wife of Dr. G. R. Davis, who lives in West Virginia.
Judge and first Mrs. Tyler became the parents of ten chil- dren, all, with the exception of the second child, having been born in Brown county, Ohio. Those living are as follows :
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Clara. widow of Rev. Henry Witham, a Methodist minister who died in January. 1909. She now resides with her father. Her family consisted of three children: Georgiana, who died at the age of sixteen, Homer and Charles.
Kate married John A. Jennings and lives in Georgetown. Ohio, and has six children, four boys and two girls. to-wit: Howard and Clarence, who reside in Dayton, and Mary and Mae. teachers. Mary teaches in Georgetown public schools, Georgetown, and Mae teaches in township school. Wilfred and John Warren, young boys at home with their mother.
George P. Tyler, Jr .. married Miss Judith Leggett June 23, 1887, and they have one son. George P .. third. Both he and his son are practicing physicians of Ripley. Ohio.
Charles married Miss Lizzie Mann December 24. 1891, and resides at Blanchester, Ohio. They have three children in their family : Lolo, wife of Robert Stevens Stivers, Jr., of Rip- ley, Ohio, where he is connected with the Citizens' National Bank. His father is president and his uncle is cashier of the bank. Stanley and Edith are at home.
Hiram married Miss Nannie Moore, of Georgetown. Ohio, their residence being at Atlanta, Ga. They have four daugh- ters, Beatrice, Gerene, Judith and Virginia.
Alvah married Miss Lou Inskeep. of Russellville, Ohio. They are the parents of two daughters. Clara May and Mary Alice.
The death of Mrs. Tyler from pneumonia, occurred Decem- ber 29. 1891. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church and was greatly beloved by all who knew her.
Judge Tyler affiliates with the following named lodges: The Free and Accepted Masons. Highland Lodge, No. 38; Georgetown Chapter; Barren Council. Georgetown, Ohio; Highland Commandery, K. T., Hillsboro, Ohio; the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Georgetown, Ohio; and charter member of Ripley Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at Rip- ley, Ohio; the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias at Day- ton, Ohio; charter member of Capital Council, No. 87, Royal Arcanum, of Columbus, Ohio; and a member of the J. C. Mc- Coy Post. No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, Columbus, Ohio.
For many years Judge Tyler has been one of the leading members of the Presbyterian church to which denomination he has ever been most liberal in support. In his younger days he took a very active part in all church affairs and for many years was an office holder.
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Judge Tyler is a typical business man, quiet, conservative and industrious, and as quick to grasp as to see an oppor- tunity. He is gifted with the ability to comprehend large propositions without ignoring the inconspicuous. His life has been one of uprightness and justice, always conscientious in the discharge of his duties while in public office, and as a man and a citizen. he stands high in the estimation of the community. A man of affairs, he has wielded a wide influ- ence, his opinions doing much to mold public thought and action.
EDMUND MARTIN.
The death of Edmund Martin at his home on the North Pole pike in Union township, June 30, 1912, removed from Brown county, Ohio, one of its most eminent and honorable citizens. For years he was associated with the agricultural and commercial interests of this locality and was one of the most noted and extensive dealers in fine horses in the Ohio valley.
The family from which he sprang was of the oldest in Brown county, his grandfather, Elijah Martin, having erected the home in Union township, which is a substantial structure of brick. Elijah Martin was a native of Maryland and in 1804 went to Kentucky, settling at Maysville, where he remained for two years, after which he located near Aberdeen, Brown county, Ohio. In 1812 he recruited the First Ohio Rifle com- pany and was chosen as captain. After the war he returned to his home and carried on the business of general farming until his demise in August, 1855. His wife, Rebecca Boggs, was a native of Virginia and her death occurred in 1860. They were both prominently identified with the Methodist church for many years. Elijah Martin filled the office of Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty years.
The birth of Edmund Martin, of this mention, occurred in Huntington township May 17, 1837, and he was a son of Ed- mund Martin, who was a horseman of considerable note.
The subject of this review, Edmund Martin, was a great lover of horses and was an authority of more than local prom- inence and his superior judgment was recognized generally by horsemen and others. In 1857 he received the indorsement of a number of State officials, including the Governor, recom-
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mending him to the British government as a competent judge and a man in every way honorable and responsible. In that year he shipped a carload of horses to England and later shipped another, making the trip with them and making very successful sales. For some fifty years Mr. Martin shipped many carloads of horses to the Boston and New York mar- kets and probably handled more good draft horses than any other dealer shipping to eastern markets, at times shipping three and four carloads per week.
Mr. Martin owned some five hundred acres of land in Hunt- ington and Union townships, which included the home which was built by his grandfather, Elijah Martin, and the home farm. This land is still owned by members of the family.
In the year of 1862 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Catherine, daughter of Robert Stephenson, and they had eight children, of whom three and his wife are deceased. Their names follow: Minnie, Fannie, Edmund, Bernie and Maggie. Mary, Eva and Katie are deceased. Mrs. Martin died February 18, 1889, and was buried February 20th, the forty-ninth anni- versary of her birth.
Mr. Martin was a staunch Republican and, although a busy man, always took an active interest in all affairs.
HON. JOHN SHAW.
Hon. John Shaw, deceased, figured prominently in the af- fairs of Clermont county for many years, and his enterprise and capabilities won for him an honored name. He was a farmer and stock raiser, being one of the first to introduce the Durham Short Horn cattle into the county, also making a specialty of well bred sheep and hogs. Mr. Shaw was a large land owner, having tracts of land in Ohio, Kentucky, and In- diana, some of which is still in the family. Mr. Shaw was born in Ohio township, Clermont county, April 1, 1810, and died November 1, 1896, having spent his entire life in the county.
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