History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 26

Author: Byron Williams
Publication date: 1913
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 925

USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 26

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

Mr. Holmes received his earliest education in the country schools of the county, and later at Todd's Run College at Wil- liamsburg. Mr. Holmes was not yet twenty years of age when our country was called upon to give of both her young and old to preserve the Union, and on August 15, 1862, he re- sponded to the urgent appeal by enlisting in Company D. Seventh Ohio volunteer cavalry, lacking only one month of serving three years.

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For a time after returning from the army Mr. Holmes went into the sewing machine business, with the Wheeler & Wilson Company, but soon decided to go into the general mercantile business in Williamsburg, first forming a partnership with D. W. Atchley as Atchley & Holmes, but for the past fourteen years has been associated with T. G. Foster.

Mr. Holmes was first united in marriage to Miss Catherine Burke, born near Bethel, daughter of D. D. Burke, a farmer and native of Clermont county. Mrs. Holmes passed away October 22, 1880, leaving besides her husband two children to mourn her loss:

Addie, married C. A. Frazier, of Williamsburg, proprietor of the Ohio Chair Company. to which union four children have been born: Lucile, Stanley. Bertha and Harry.

Bertha, married E. S. Rush. editor of the "Clermont Cour- ier," at Batavia, and has one daughter, Helen Holmes Rush.

Mr. Holmes was married a second time, his bride being Miss Olivia E. Martin, of Covington, Ky., daughter of C. T. Mar- tin, now deceased. Mr. Martin was an unusually active busi- ness man and for many years was stockholder and secretary of a successful gas company. His second wife, step-mother of Mrs. Holmes, was a daughter of Israel Foster and sister of Bishop Foster, of the Methodist Episcopal church. the father was a jailor of his community and the son. Bishop Foster, was born in the jail. The mother was a Miss Ball, of Virginia.

Although Mr. Holmes has lived an exceedingly busy and active life. and been devoted a great deal of his time to his busi- ness, he has nevertheless found time to devote to religious. social and political matters, that were essential to the welfare of his fellowmen.

His standing has always been of such a high character among the residents of Williamsburg that they are always ready and willing to elect him to positions of honor. knowing that what he would set his hand to do, he would do well, and for the best interests of those who honored him with their votes. He has filled many town offices, has been a member of the school board and for twenty years was township treas- urer. In 1887 he was sent by the Republican party to the State legislature, serving in 1888 and 1889 and being the first Republican elected in Clermont county on the straight Re- publican ticket. Mr. Holmes has always been a staunch and active member of the Methodist church, and has taken a great interest in work of the Sabbath school. He has served as

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president of the Clermont county Sabbath School Union, and also as president of the Methodist Sunday School Union.

He takes great pride in his membership of the J. H. Jen- kins Post, No. 242, Grand Army of the Republic, in which or- ganization he has filled all the chairs. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the encampment at Williamsburg, and both he and his wife take interest in the Rebekah lodge, of that place, to which they both belong.

Through efficient and energetic work success has come to Hon. E. B. Holmes, not only in worldly goods, but also in the love, honor and respect that is accorded him by all his friends and acquaintances. and his long record as a faithful public servant is one that any man would be proud to own.

ARTHUR L. CARNES.

The name which forms the title of this article is well worthy of a place on the pages of these volumes as a representative of a family widely known in connection with the agricultural and industrial interests of Clermont county-a family which in its history exemplifies in a most admirable manner the triumph of excellent business capacity, keen discernment and untiring industry.

A. L. Carnes is too well known in this vicinity to need in- troduction to the readers of this work, having been success- fully engaged in the insurance business for many years at New Richmond, Ohio. Mr. Carnes is a native of Clermont county, his birth having occurred in Monroe township, October 18, 1856. His parents were Lewis and Elizabeth M. (Bark- ley) Carnes.

Josiah Carnes, grandfather of Arthur L. Carnes, of this mention, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. in the year 1762. He was bound out in boyhood. his father being a Revolutionary soldier, but as his master was very hard, he determined to seek fortune for himself "way out west," as this part of the country was then called. Settling in Mason county, Kentucky, the young man met and was united in marriage to Patience Marsh, about the year 1785. In 1809. Josiah Carnes removed with his family to Clermont county, Ohio, where they purchased a farm in Monroe township. They were old-time Methodists, their home being the first Meth-

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odist church of this portion of Clermont county, where pio- neers from far and wide came to worship. Josiah Carnes passed from this life in 1837, at his home farm in Monroe township. and his wife followed him to her eternal reward several years later. This worthy couple reared a large family, all of whom were representative citizens. Among them was Josiah, who removed to Indiana, where he raised a large family, and passed away at a venerable age ; William, after a very active business career of years in New Richmond, removed to Olney. Ill., rearing a large family, one of whom, Jesse, who died at Muncie, Ind., was the father of Prof. W. W. Carnes, an emi- nent elocutionist now living in Chicago-also of Edward K. Carnes, a well known citizen and hotel proprietor of Kansas City. A sister, Sena, married John Browning, a native of Ken- tucky, who removed to Monroe township, Clermont county. where he and his wife died, the latter at a very advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Browning were the parents of Hon. Charles N. Browning, a retired newspaper editor and publisher, formerly of the "Courier." of Batavia, Ohio, and latterly of the "Clin- ton Republican." of Wilmington, Ohio, where he was asso- ciated in the publishing business with his brother, Frank Browning, they having been associated for many years and known as the Browning Brothers, publishers, first of the "New Richmond Independence." then of the "Clermont Courier." and the "Clinton Republican." After the death of Frank Browning. Charles N. sold the "Courier." continuing the pub- lication of the "Clinton Republican" until 1910. He still re- sides at Wilmington, Ohio, past eighty-two years of age. Both Browning brothers were valiant soldiers in the Civil war. Of their three sisters, Minerva died in her young days ; Miss Car- oline passed away a few years since at Wilmington, Ohio: Derinda is the widow of Dr. Isaac N. Brown, a well known physician and Civil war veteran, who died some years since at Ironton, Ohio, where Mrs. Brown still resides with their only child, John Charles Brown. a well known railroad man.

Lewis Carnes, son of Josiah and Patience (Marsh) Carnes. and father of Mr. Carnes of this sketch. was born at Washing- ton. Mason county, Kentucky, in the year 1790. and after a life of great usefulness and activity passed from this life in Mon- roe township, Clermont county. 1884. He had followed the occupation of farming mainly, but was engaged to some ex- tent in the handling of horses, having led some fine ones to Baltimore for sale. He also conducted meat markets at New

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Richmond, Ohio, and at Alexandria, Ky. Lewis Carnes was twice married, the first union being with Nancy Slater, and to them three children were born, the eldest of whom died in in- fancy ; Patience Ann, became the wife of Isaac D. Williams, residing near Eastern avenue, Cincinnati. Her birth occurred December 24, 1839, died June 30, 1913, and she was the mother of one child, a son, Frank Williams, a wood working mechanic of much ability. He is married and has five children. Eliza- beth, who married Leonidas Fisher, died at Knightstown, Ind., leaving one child, Mrs. Nettie Stevens, of Cincinnati.

The marriage of Lewis Carnes to Miss Elizabeth M. Barkley was blessed with four sons and three daughters:

Jesse Luther, died September 1, 1868, at the age of sixteen years.

Charles E., who was born in 1854, died in Monroe township, Clermont county, in 1912. He was twice married, his first wife being Emma Boys, who was the mother of Fred L., a farmer of Champaign county, Illinois, and married Lottie Stout; Grace, who married twice, first to William Wulf, and to their union was born one son, William Wulf, and second to Frank Emmons, by whom she has one daughter, Martha, also Charles Warren and Allen Donald; Abigail married Rezin Hawkins, Jr., and they have three children, Helen, Arthur and Anna. The second wife of Charles E. Carnes was Mrs. Anna (Boys) Gravitt, and to them was born one son, Edwin L., who is attending New Richmond High School.

Arthur L., the subject of this review.

Sena Almira, wife of Nicholas H. Dixon, of Monroe town- ship, is the mother of one child, James Lewis Dixon.

Dora Belle, who became the wife of David Shelton, residing near Delaware, Ohio, is the mother of two sons and four daugh- ters: Guynn died in Oklahoma from an accidental gun shot wound at the age of twenty-one years ; Carrie Winona, widow of Ernest Ferrand, who has a daughter, May Ernestine; Hal- dane, Hazel, Geneva and Maebelle, all at home with their parents.

John Wilson Barkley, a farmer and stockman of Monroe township, is an extensive horseman. For some fifteen years he was a teacher and is now a member of the township board of education, and also president of the farmers' institute of New Richmond, Ohio. His wife was Julia Bettle, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Bettle, mentioned elsewhere in these vol- umes. Of their four children, Nancy, the youngest, died in

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infancy ; Mary Marguerite, John, Francis Virgil and Mildred Bettle are at home.

Miss Emma M. is a resident of Lawrence, Ind., where she is a teacher in the public schools.

Elizabeth M. ( Barkley ) Carnes, mother of A. L. Carnes, was born at New Hope, Brown county, Ohio, December 19, 1830, and passed from this life February 1, 1903. at the home in Monroe township. Her parents were Hugh and Elizabeth (Donham) Barkley.

Mr. Arthur L. Carnes spent his boyhood days on the home farm, which was purchased by his grandfather in 1809, and which remained in the family for a period of ninety-three years. His education began in the "Douglas" district school and was pursued further in the noted Parker's Academy, fol- lowing which his knowledge was broadened by a course at An- tioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, from which institution he received a diploma from the normal department. For twelve years Mr. Carnes devoted his time and energies to the profes- sion of teaching in Clermont county, at the end of which time . he engaged as traveling salesman for some three or four years. Tiring of this line of work, he entered upon the life insurance business, which has occupied his attention to the present time. During the years of his activity, Mr. Carnes has accumulated a measure of this world's goods, which includes a well improved farm in the Franklin neighborhood. in his native township.

On September 5. 1804. occurred the great event in the life of Mr. Carnes when he became united in marriage to Miss Florence N. Donaldson, a daughter of William and Arabella (Reakirt ) Donaldson, and a granddaughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Paul) Donaldson, whose sketch appears on another page. Mrs. Carnes acquired her preliminary education in the district schools of Clermont county, after which she attended Parker's Academy. She then took a course of study at the Lebanon. Ohio. Normal School, and later became a student at Valparaiso, Ind. Mrs. Carnes taught in the schools of Cler- mont county for ten or twelve years.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carnes united two of the most prominent pioncer families of Clermont county, whose histories are closely interwoven with that of the county from the earliest days.

In politics, Mr. Carnes affiliates with the Republican party, to which he has given his support, since he reached his ma-

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jority. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes embrace the belief of the Pres- byterian church, and are active in all worthy affairs of their community. Mr. Carnes is a progressive, enterprising citizen, lending his aid to many movements for the public good.

BENJAMIN F. DAVIS.

Benjamin F. Davis, a resident farmer of Union township, Clermont county, owns and operates his splendidly improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres of valley land, which in- dicates the careful supervision of a practical and painstaking owner, who at the same time keeps in touch with the progress that is manifest in agricultural circles.

Joseph Davis, the grandfather of Benjamin F., of this men- tion, was born in 1782. on a farm near Romney, Hampshire county. Virginia, and immigrated to Ohio in 1803 with his parents, coming down the Ohio river on a flat boat, and landed at the mouth of Crawfish. Joseph settled on Shaylor's Run, in U'nion township, and with no capital but his willing hands, a strong heart and an ax, went to work. He soon had saved enough money to purchase some land in Hardin's Survey, on the East Fork, between Perrin's Mills and Milford. He put up a log cabin on his new purchase, and on May 1, 1806, was united in marriage to Rachel Fowler, and to begin housekeep- ing he carried all of the household goods on a horse, the bride following with her dishes of pewter in her apron. There was no floor in the cabin and their beds were made of sticks and saplings, as were also their tables. At that time that part of Union township was a wilderness, but he reclaimed his pur- chase from the unbroken forest, adding new lands until he pos- sessed four hundred acres at the time of his death, July 18, 1845. He served his country nearly two years in the War of 1812, as lieutenant in Captain Hosbrook's company, raised from around Milford, and in Hamilton county, Ohio, and par- ticipated in the siege of Fort Meigs, in the Maumee Valley, and was under Colonel Crogan in his gallant defense of Fort Stephenson, at what is now the city of Fremont, Ohio. . His wife, Rachel. was the mother of ten sons, born in the log cabin, all growing to manhood but one. They were, Mathew, Jere- miah, Joseph, Samuel, Thomas, Henry, Robert F., Ira L., George W., and William B. The mother passed away De- cember 25, 1837. On April 16, 1838, Joseph married Rebecca Vail, by whom there was no issue. He was a man greatly re-

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spected for his honesty and integrity, and was a good citizen and enterprising farmer. He was liberal in aiding and sustain- ing the churches and served for many years as justice of the peace and no appeal was ever taken in any case from his docket. He was public-spirited and having risen from a poor boy to one of the substantial men of the county, he took great interest in all public improvements. His seventh son, Robert F., occupied the old homestead after the death of his father.

Robert F. Davis was born July 25, 1823, and died February 2, 1894. He received the best of the schooling advantages of the days when he was of school age, and his life's occupation was along agricultural lines. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years. His wife. Elizabeth (Marriott) Davis, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. February 27, 1828. and passed away October 28, 1897. She was a daughter of Jo- seph and Nancy ( Bickel) Marriott, early residents of Hamilton county, formerly from Pennsylvania, the father being a suc- cessful farmer all of his active life. Robert F. and Elizabeth (Marriott) Davis were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living :

Mrs. Rhoda Moon, of Columbus, Ohio.

Mrs. Sarah Pierce, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Miss Alba, of Hibbing, Minn.

Mrs. Phoebe Philhour and Mrs. Mary Galoway, of Omaha. Galatin, county, Illinois.

Benjamin, our subject.

Miss Harriet Francis, at home.

Mrs. Wyatt Turner, of Perrintown, Ohio.

Mrs. Isaac Turner, of Miami township.

Charles, of Newtown. Ohio.

Mr. Benjamin F. Davis was born on the farm which is now his home. April 25. 1860, and he is the third of the family to occupy this farm. He was reared on the farm and received a good common school education, residing thus far in the pres- ent home. He began the management of the farm at the age of eighteen years, and has carried on general farming, stock raising and dairying, shipping milk and cream to Cincinnati. In all his work he is practical and methodical and is a trust- worthy business man. never taking advantage of the necessity of others in his business transactions, and among those by whom he is well known. his word is as good as his bond. Po- litically, he is a Democrat, but is, however, without political

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aspiration, preferring to give his entire attention to business affairs. He is a Mason, having membership at Milford. The family are nearly all members of the Baptist church.

CHARLES ADAMS.

Mr. Charles Adams is the proprietor of the Milford bakery, which was established in 1864 by the late Charles Adams, Sr. The plant is fully equipped with modern machinery, and has local routes established, in addition to which they ship exten- sively to points on the Swing and Kroger traction lines.

The birth of Mr. Charles Adams occurred at Indianapolis, Ind., June 28, 1857. He is a son of Charles and Frances (Ehret) Adams, the former of whom was born at Strasburg, Province of Alsace, France, in the year of 1832. Charles Adams, Sr., was educated in France, where he learned the baker's trade, and came to America in 1852. He was engaged in the bakery busi- ness at Brookville, Ind., until 1864, when he established the business in Milford, Ohio. His death took place in 1907, and until five years before his demise he was active in the busi- ness. He married Miss Frances Ehret in 1856, at Cincinnati. She was born at Bruchsal, Province of Baden, Germany, in 1836, and came with her parents to America in 1850, settling at Zanesville, Ohio, remaining there for a period following which they removed to Cincinnati. She was a devoted member of the Episcopal church and her death occurred in 1885, in her forty-ninth year. They were the parents of six children :

Charles Jr., our subject.

Louis, is in the government employ at Denver, Colo.

Theresa, deceased.

Francis, deceased.

Frank, is a dentist of Cincinnati.

Emma, became Mrs. Frank Hollington, and lives in San Francisco.

From the age of seven years, Mr. Adams has been a resi- dent of Milford, where he enjoyed the educational privileges of the public school and practically grew up in the bakery shop of his father, learning the business thoroughly, and continued in the bakery business after his father retired.

Mr. Adams spent eight and one-half years at Columbus, Ohio, where he was foreman of the bakery at the State hospital at that place, returning in 1904, and resumed business at Milford.

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Mr. Adams has been twice married, the first time to Miss Belle Euyart, of Milford, who died in 1888, leaving one son, Robert, who was born in 1880, is now a draftsman by profes- sion, residing at St. Louis, Mo.

The second marriage took place in 1889, to Miss Eva Magee, a daughter of the late Robert Magee, of Owensville, Clermont county, where Mrs. Adams was born. The mother is still a resident of Owensville. This union has been blessed with two sons :

Charles Magee, who was born in 1893, is attending the State University at Columbus, Ohio, preparing for journalism and is in the second year. Owing to an accident in his early childhood, he lost his eye-sight, but is exceptionally bright and great things are expected of him when his education is completed.

William Ehret is attending the Milford High School, in the second year.

Mr. Adams gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and considers it the duty of, every citizen to take an active part in political affairs, and has served on the county board of elections and is always well informed on the political issues and questions of the day. He is a member of the board of public affairs at Milford. In social circles, Mr. Adams holds membership in the Laurel Lodge, No. 417, Knights of Pythias, of which organization he has been active for the past twenty- three years, helping to organize the lodge of which he is a member.

The religious faith of Mr. Adams and his family is mani- fested by their membership in the Presbyterian church of Mil- ford. In business transactions he is the soul of honor, and has a broad humanitarian spirit which reaches out to all his fellowmen.

JAMES H. EWAN.

James H. Ewan, a veteran of the Civil war, and a repre- sentative farmer of Clermont county, Ohio, is living in prac- tical retirement from active labors, on his nicely improved farm of forty-two acres in Batavia township, seven miles from Batavia. He is a native son of Clermont county, his birth hav- ing occurred near Bantam, in Tate township. December 10. 1838. and is a son of John and Sylvia ( Hankins) Ewan.

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John Ewan was born at Little Egg Harbor, N. J., in 1801. and died in Clermont county in 1850. He came to the county in 1837, locating in Tate township, near Bantam, where he secured a good farm. John Ewan built six miles of the Ohio turnpike, and he engaged in farming until his death, caused from cholera.

Sylvia (Hankins) Ewan was also a native of New Jersey, her birth occurring in 1805. She was a daughter of Richard Hankins, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a weaver by trade. Mrs. Ewan passed from this life November 25, 1877.

James Ewan is one of twelve children, three others are still living, and they are:

Mrs. Abigail Higbee, of Hyde Park, Cincinnati.

Mrs. Ellen Weideman, of Harrison, Ohio.

Samuel J., of 2114 May street, Cincinnati, a mechanic.

James H. Ewan received his education in the district schools and was reared to manhood in Clermont county, where he has always made his home. He remained at home on the farm until the call for volunteers in the army of the Civil war.

On June 3, 1861, Mr. Ewan enlisted in Company C, Twelfth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, serving until July 11, 1864. He served under Capt. Watts McMurchy on the Lynchburg raid and was captured while acting as messenger and mail car- rier, on Cotton Mountain, West Virginia, being incarcerated, for a shore time, in Libby prison, but was soon exchanged. Mr. Ewan was in several engagements and skirmishes, among them being South Mountain, Antietam, Scary Creek, Bull's Run, Cloid Mountain, and many others or more or less im- portance.

The marriage of Mr. James Ewan to Miss Elizabeth A. Johnson was celebrated, October 18, 1865. She was born in Tate township, February 12, 1845, her parents being Anderson and Maria (Kellum) Johnson, both of whom were of pioneer, representative families of Clermont county, the first of the family to come into the county being from New Jersey. An- derson Johnson died December 14, 1897, and Maria Johnson passed away March 25, 1872.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ewan were born four children : William D., is a farmer of Arkansas and married Pearl Oli- phant. They have two children-James and Sylvia.

Albertine is the wife of O. S. Gregor, of Macedonia, Cler- mont county. They are farmers and are the parents of four children-Lora L., Evert, Mary and Jessie May.

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Sylvia, who is Mrs. Jesse Gregor, also farmers of the county. They have one son-Richard.

Rebecca, died July 1, 1879, at the age of ten years.

Mrs. Ewan is the second of seven children, one other still living. She is the wife of Ed. Bishop, of Williamsburg, Ohio. One brother, William D., served three years in the Civil war, enlisting in Company E, Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry. Later he was in the Ninth cavalry from Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Ewan are members of the Methodist church of Afton, Ohio, and in political views, Mr. Ewan is a Re- publican. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Williamsburg.

Mr. James Ewan has devoted his entire life to agricul- tural pursuits, save the period spent in the Civil war, and his labors have been guided by practical judgment, and have been rewarded with a measure of prosperity. He well de- serves the release from active life which he now enjoys.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 26

Author: Byron Williams Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Number of Pages: 925

Author: Byron Williams
Publication date: 1913
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 925