History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 34

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 34
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 34

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. McKever was married December 29, 1878, to Miss Ma- tilda Jane Creager, who was born in Brown county, a daugh- ter of Elisha and Mary (Reddick) Creager, the latter passing from this life at the home of Mr. McKever, in March, 1912, where she had resided for the past sixteen years.

Elisha and Mary (Reddick) Creager were resident farmers of Brown county from about 1853. the former being a native of New Jersey, and was a son of William and Katie (Knitzer) Creagor, who brought the family to Ohio very early. locating near Loveland. He secured several farms in the county and resided there until his death. Katie (Knitzer) Creager was also a native of New Jersey, and came to Ohio, with her par- ents, when she was a child. To this couple were born four- teen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all now de- ceased. Elisha was educated in the schools near Loveland, and as a young man engaged in teaming about the wharves of Cincinnati. He returned to Loveland for a period and located in Brown county about 1853, and there lived until his death.

Mrs. McKever has four brothers and one sister living :

Richard P., of Logansport, Ind.

Jerome B., of Tonica. Ill.

Robert A .. of Brown county, Ohio.

John H., of Franklin, Warren county, Ohio.

Fannie. married Samuel Cobb. of Williamsburg township.

Mr. and Mrs. McKever had one daughter. Birdie May, born in 1881. and died March 6, 1005. She married John Mehl, a farmer of near Mt. Orab. Mr. McKever is a. Democrat and has served on the school board. and Mrs. McKever is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church of Williamsburg.

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Mr. McKever is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county, having concentrated his energies on his business affairs with exceptionally good results.

WILLIAM E. McKEEVER.

Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances. The successful men of today are those who have planned their own advancement, and have accomplished it in spite of obstacles. Mr. William E. Mc- Keever began his business career at the early age of thirteen years, when he began buying horses, in which occupation he has continued for forty years. He has made a specialty of high-action harness and saddle horses ; for many years training them, having for associates in business, three of his brothers. Believing that he was capable of attending to more than one style of work, he has also followed real estate, as a dealer, with great success.

Mr. Mckeever was born in Williamsburg, Ohio, October 9, 1857, and with the exception of twelve years spent in Cincin- nati, where he and his brother, E. C. McKeever, conducted a livery and sales stable on Sixth street, between Sycamore and Main streets, he has resided in the town of his birth.

The marriage of Mr. Mckeever to Miss Ollie Runyan, oc- curred in Williamsburg, November 7, 1880. Mrs. McKeever is a daughter of James, Sr., and Laura (Style) Runyan, both of whom were of early Brown county families. Mr. Runyan was a successful farmer, and at the time of his decease, owned a finely improved farm of two hundred acres. Mrs. McKeever was born in Brown county, Ohio, September 23, 1859, and is one of eleven children, of whom five sons and two daughers are living: Henry Runyan, James Runyan, Peter Runyan, Hiram Runyan, all farmers of Brown county, Ohio: William Runyan, a carpenter and builder, of Norwood, Ohio, and Ilat- tie is the wife of George Schilling.

Mr. and Mrs. McKeever are the parents of two children, the elder of whom died in infancy. The younger is Miss Laura Frances, who is a graduate of the Western College for Women, Oxford, Ohio, class of 1909. After spending one year at home after her graduation. Miss Laura accepted a position as teacher

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of science, in the high school in Lovington, Ill. She has held this position for two years, with such satisfaction that she has been engaged for the coming two years.

In political views, Mr. Mckeever is a Democrat, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Williamsburg. The fam- ily attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Mckeever is a member.

In 1908, Mr. Mckeever purchased the beautiful home known as the Amon Reece home, at the corner of Third and Gay streets. It can be said of the subject of this review, that his life record is one of energy and industry, and his diligence has constituted the basis, of his success, which is as admirable as it is gratifying. He early realized that if he would work persistently and earnestly he might hope to attain success. With this belief he has carefully directed his labors, and is to- day counted as one of the prominent men of the county.

MILTON JAMIESON.

A history of Clermont county would not be complete with- out an authentic record of the life of Milton Jamieson, widely known as a banker and business man. He was a native of Clermont county, having been born at Williamsburg, Octo- ber 2, 1825, the son of John and Catherine (Perrine) Jamie- son. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Clermont county, coming early in the Nineteenth century from Cyn- thiana, Ky., and was for over sixty years a prominent and in- fluential resident and active business man of the county. He died in 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.

Milton Jamieson came to Batavia with his parents when a child and while still a mere boy was an apprentice in the "Courier" office. Nearly all the type for the first number of that paper was set by him, and for many years almost unaided set the type for its issues. After diligent and conscientious work he eventually became the paper's owner, and for several years its editor. He always looked upon his early training in that office as the most valuable of his life. At the age of eighteen he began the study of law with R. W. Clarke and completed his preparatory education with a course at the Cin- cinnati Law School, conducted at that time by C. L. Tilford and W. S. Grosebeck, and was admitted to the bar in 1847.

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MILTON JAMIESON.

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One of the greatest deeds of Milton Jamieson's life and for which his memory will always be revered by his countrymen was his enlisting as a private in the military service, July 28, 1847, later being honored by being chosen as second lieutenant of his company, which was attached to the Second Ohio regi- ment with the army of occupation under General Scott in the city of Mexico. At the close of the Mexican war he returned to Batavia and resumed the practice of law, being associated for a time with his former preceptor, Mr. Clarke. At the sug- gestion of friends he wrote and published a book of reminis- cences relative to his experiences during the Mexican war. He was one of the youngest commissioned officers in the army at that time.

In 1865 he entered the business world in a manner that was subsequently to make his name known throughout this por- tion of the State, as one of the most conservative and sound bankers of his time. In that year, together with William Me- grue, W. N. Megrue, R. W. Clarke, S. F. Dowdney, A. M. Sinks, J. S. Dustin, T. M. Lewis, P. B. Swing, J. S. Griffith and George W. Hulick, he organized the First National Bank of Batavia, in which enterprise he was the chief promoter and its guiding spirit. Mr. Jamieson was the first cashier of the institution and in July, 1868, was elected a director and its president, succeeding William Megrue. He continued as its president by successive annual elections until a month before his death, in 1907, when he voluntarily retired on account of poor health. His life as a banker was characterized by his conservatism and far-sightedness.

In 1876, Mr. Jamieson was one of the prime movers in get- ting a railroad connection for Batavia with the outside world, giving freely of his time and putting in hazard his personal means in the construction of the Cincinnati & Eastern rail- road, now known as the Norfolk & Western. Later in life he financed the brickyard enterprise, converting it into a paying property, and was also associated in the establishment of the Carroll-Jamieson Machine Tool Company and other local en- terprises.

Although a thorough man of business Mr. Jamieson found time in his busy life to devote to religious and social organ- izations, and through them gave freely of his talent "to serve the present age." In 1867 he united with the Presbyterian church of Batavia, and served as a ruling elder during most of the forty years of his membership. He was also a teacher and

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superintendent in the Sunday school. He was made a Mason in Batavia Lodge, No. 104, February 16, 1847, and died on his sixtieth Masonic anniversary. He was probably the oldest Mason in Clermont county, and among the oldest in the State.

Milton Jamieson was united in marriage in 1854 to Maria Titus, to which union four children were born; one dying in infancy and three surviving him : Charles T., Mrs. C. E. Belt, and P. F. Jamieson. Mrs. Jamieson died in 1869. In 1873 he was again united in marriage, his bride being Miss Kate Bu- vinger, who died in 1889, leaving no children.

When ill health foreshadowed his passing, Mr. Jamieson withdrew from active business and spent his latter days in reading, a favorite pastime with him at all times. In his de- mise, February 16, 1907, Clermont county lost a most active and enterprising citizen. His life was marked by constant ef- fort to make his personality and gifts yield the best results for the benefit of his fellow men. In business and religion he was positive, aggressive and effective. Among the masses he may pass as most of us do, into the region of the partially for- gotten, but his work for his age was well done and will abide through generations.

GEORGE W. MOYER.

George W. Moyer, a retired farmer, residing at Williams- burg for a number of years, was born in Clermont county. Ohio, June 27, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Sarah Jane (Johnson) Moyer.

Henry Moyer, the father of our subject, was born in Cler- mont county, March 27, 1812, and died in 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a son of John and Salome ( Ear- hart ) Moyer, the former a native of New Jersey and came to Clermont county in the early days, where he followed the occupation of farming.

Sarah Jane (Johnson) Moyer was born in New Jersey. Feb- ruary 20, 1812, and died in 1896. She was a daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Soah) Johnson, who were the founders of the Johnson family in Clermont county. Soon after his arrival in Clermont. Isaiah Johnson purchased land in Williamsburg township, along Todd's Run, and being successful along lines of agriculture became very wealthy. Later he purchased an-

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other tract of land in Jackson township and gave his entire time to the cultivation of these farms. He was active in the Methodist church in its beginning. Isaiah and Mary (Soah) Johnson became the parents of five sons and five daughters:

Jonathan was a farmer and served as a commissioner.

Joseph was a farmer and with his brother, Jonathan, con- ducted a hotel at Batavia, being also a director of the in- firmary.

Isaiah, who was a farmer, sold out and removed to Wis- consin, where he died.

Benjamin operated the old farm until his death.

Charles was a farmer and died at a comparatively early age.

Mary, who married Wesley Smith, resided in Williamsburg township.

Jemimah married George Moyer, uncle of the present sub- ject, and resided in Brown county.

Elizabeth married Joseph Kain and resided in Williamsburg.

Lucy Ann married Seth Maker and resided at Cincinnati and various other places.

Sarah Jane, who became Mrs. Henry Moyer.

The wedding ceremony of Mr. Henry Moyer and Miss Sarah Jane Johnson took place on December 31, 1833, and to their union were born four sons :

· Mortimer J. was a Federal soldier in the Civil war, and died at La Grange, Tenn., during the war.

E. R., an expert machinist of Cincinnati.

B. F., a retired farmer, residing at Hamlet, this county.

George W., the subject of this mention.

George W. Moyer acquired a good education in the schools of Williamsburg township, which when completed, gave him the opportunity to become a teacher and for six years he followed this profession, from 1856 to 1862. He enlisted in the army of the Civil war from Williamsburg in 1862, in the Fourth independent cavalry, and served four months as a private soldier. Although he was a commissioned officer he did not serve in his official capacity.

The marriage of Mr. Moyer to Miss Elizabeth Weaver was celebrated in 1863. She was born in 1843, near Batavia, where she was reared and educated, and was a daughter of Samuel Weaver, being the youngest of eleven children. Her death occurred March 28, 1911. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Moyer was blessed with two children :

Frank H., a druggist at Cincinnati, was a graduate of the

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Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, and died at the age of twenty- five years.

Hattie, is the widow of John S. Davidson, former prosecut- ing attorney of Clermont county. She is the mother of one son. Hugh, who is a student at the University of Cincinnati, class of 1913, preparing for the practice of law.

Politically, Mr. Moyer is a Republican, and is a devoted member of the Methodist church. He has always taken a very active part in church work, and has served as treasurer for a number of years.

For the past four years, Mr. Moyer has been retired from active life, and is enjoying the fruits of his former labors. He and his daughter, Mrs. Davidson, own considerable property in Williamsburg. Mr. Moyer has had no exciting chapters in his life record, his time being fully occupied with business cares and his courage and determination to face life's obstacles have won universal respect of his fellowmen.

JOHN S. DAVIDSON.

Williamsburg has been called upon on more than one occa- sion to part with citizens of the very highest type of useful-" ness, and to hold only in memory, those who, for years. had been familiar figures and closely identified with her dearest interests. This was notably the case when the last dread sum- mons came to that distinguished representative of one of the oldest of Clermont county families, John S. Davidson, who passed to his eternal reward on June 28, 1936. Mr. Davidson had just completed a term as prosecuting attorney of Cler- mont county. on January 1. 1906. The birth of John S. David- son occurred February 16, 1866, near Boston (now Owens- ville ). Clermont county, a son of James and Martha (Sum- mers) Davidson.

James Davidson was born in Batavia township, and has fol- lowed the occupation of farming all of his life until his re- tirement five years since. He still retains his farm, but is residing at Bethel, where he is enjoying the fruits of his for- mer years of labor. He is a member of the Methodist church and in politics, is an advocate of the Democratic principles. and in former years served in the various local offices. His father. John Davidson, was a son of James Davidson, who was

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born in Ireland, and upon coming to America settled in Ken- tucky, where he was married and where John was born in 1799. About 1807, the family located in Clermont county, and became resident farmers.

Martha (Summers) Davidson was born in 1832, in Hamilton county, at Columbia, which is now a part of Cincinnati, her parents being John and - (Trump) Summers. Mr. John Summers was born in England, and when about twenty years of age immigrated to America, where he was married in Phil- adelphia to Miss Trump, shortly after which he came to the vicinity of Cincinnati. He was a teacher and in later years. purchased a farm in Batavia township, which he operated. Martha Summers taught school prior to her marriage, and her death occurred in 1897, in her sixty-fifth year.

To the union of James and Martha (Summers) Davidson were born nine children :

Joseph M., who was born in Batavia township, is a general merchant of Williamsburg, proprietor of the "Economy" store, located on Main street, between Second and Third streets. He was born June 12, 1860, and remained on the home farm in Batavia township until he was fifteen years of age, when his parents removed to Williamsburg township, which has since been his home. After receiving the prelimi- nary education of the schools of his vicinity, he attended the Lebanon Normal School, and for sixteen years following, taught in his home county. About 1899, Joseph M. Davidson embarked in the mercantile business at Williamsburg and has conducted a thoroughly up-to-date store. In politics, Joseph M. Davidson is a Democrat, and has served in the various local offices, as town treasurer and as a member of the school board. He has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and Mrs. Davidson are members of the Methodist church. Joseph M. Davidson was united in mar- riage to Carrie Kanauer, daughter of J. W. Kanauer, a former resident of this county, who died in Highland county, Ohio. To the union of Joseph and Carrie (Kanauer) Davidson have been born the following children: Idelbert B., a graduate of the Y. M. C. A. Law School, has practiced his profession at that place for the past year ; Mrs. Roy Fuhr, of Williamsburg, Ohio; Mrs. D. F. Dunham, of Cincinnati, whose husband is in the auto business; Bessie, is at home with her parents ; Theresa, at the parental home, and Julius, at home also.

Charles, of Northeast Kansas, is a farmer of that State. Thomas is a farmer of Williamsburg township.

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John S., the subject of this mention.

Emma, who became the wife of John Burnside, of Williams- burg township.

Herman, a farmer of Williamsburg township.

Nellie, of Bethel, is at home with her father, James David- son.

Alice, is also at home with her father.

Harvey is a farmer of Colorado.

John S. Davidson pursued his preliminary education in the schools of his vicinity and later was a member of the first · class graduating from the Williamsburg High School in 1886, under Superintendent Byron Williams, the author of this work. Following his graduation, Mr. Davidson taught school for three or four years.

In 1890, John S. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Moyer, and soon after this event, entered the Cincin- nati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1893. He at once began the practice of his profession at Williamsburg, continuing until his death.

He left one son, Hugh Moyer Davidson, who was born in 1891, and who makes his home with his mother and his grand- father, at Williamsburg. He and his mother are members of the Methodist church, as was his father.

Mr. John S. Davidson had, in addition to his splendid law practice, a half interest in the feed business at Williamsburg. and owned a fine farm in Brown county. He was a well known practical farmer, as well as lawyer and was a shrewd, successful business man.

In fraternal organizations, Mr. Davidson was a prominent member of the Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and of the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Re- bekah lodge of Williamsburg, and her son, Hugh Moyer David- son, is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

REV. ISAAC NEWTON RHOADES.

Rev. Isaac Newton Rhoades. deceased, was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal ministry in Ohio, and al- though he has departed this life. his influence yet remains a potent element for good and his memory is yet a blessed bene-

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diction to those who knew him. He was born near Lebanon, Ohio, March 12, 1835, a son of Isaac and Tamson (Roberts) Rhoades.

Isaac Rhoades was from New Jersey and came with his widowed mother and the family to Ohio, where they pur- chased a section of school land, some ten miles north of Leba- non. They brought their possessions in a wagon, with others who came to this locality at that time. He was the oldest child and with the help of his brothers, managed the farm, which they afterward gave to the mother. Isaac later secured a fine farm of his own. He was prominent as a class leader in the Methodist church. He died during the Civil war and left a large family, which is scattered, and but two brothers are now living.

Tamson (Roberts) Rhoades was born in the East and sur- vived her husband about thirty years. They became the par- ents of twelve children, two of whom are now living.

Rev. Isaac N. Rhoades was reared in Warren county, Ohio, and there began in the public school to lay the foundation of his education. He graduated from the Lebanon College and began teaching his home school at the age of sixteen years. As a young man, he was a local preacher, and in 1867 or 1869, entered the West Virginia Conference, devoting his life until his retirement, to the ministry. In the fall of 1872, he entered the Illinois Conference, becoming a member in 1873. About the year 1877, he was transferred to the Northern Indiana Conference, continuing there until his throat gave out, when he partially retired, in 1886. He then located in Williamsburg and did a great deal of ministerial work as his health per- mitted. He could easily claim that he was instrumental in bringing some fifteen hundred souls into the kingdom, seven. of whom were active ministers and some are still in the ser- vice.

On December 25, 1861, Rev. Mr. Rhoades was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Young, who was born in Clermont county in 1841, three miles from Williamsburg, and is a daughter of Orson and Hannah (Burnett) Young, the latter being born in New Jersey and came to Clermont with her parents as a child. She died when Sarah was five years of age. Orson Young was a native of New England, and after the death of his wife he married Miss Sarah Hall, of Williams- burg, and went to Illinois, where they had six children. He

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died in Nebraska, at an advanced age. Mrs. Rhoades had one sister and two brothers who died in infancy. and two sisters who grew to maturity, one of these, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Jen- kins. resides at the Rhoades home at Williamsburg.

Rev. I. N. Rhoades owned a nice farm near Batavia, which his widow still retains. and which has been leased for several years. He also owned considerable property in Illinois. He had two brothers in the Methodist ministry, one, Rev. Joseph F. Rhoades, is deceased, and the other, Rev. Leonidas Rhoades. is now in the Southern Kansas Conference. The entire fam- ily were active workers in the church. Rev. Rhoades voted the Republican ticket.

Mrs. Rhoades joined the Methodist church when she was thirteen years of age, and has always taken a most active part in church work. She still teaches a large Sabbath school class at Williamsburg.

JUDGE WILLIAM R. WALKER.

William R. Walker, probate judge of Clermont county. Ohio, is a representative of one of the oldest families of Brown county. Ohio. He is well and favorably known in the business circles of Clermont county and Batavia, where he has been a leading factor in many and varied progressive enter- prises, for the past thirty-eight years. He has won an enviable reputation as an organizer and promoter. as well as in his chosen profession, showing great versatility and efficiency in all that he deemed worthy of his consideration.

On September 12. 1853, at New Hope. in Brown county, occurred the birth of William R. Walker, a son of James and Mary Jane (Dowdney ) Walker.

James Walker was born at Geogetown, Ohio, in 1821, and was a harness maker and saddler of New Hope for many years. He had several brothers, one of whom was Thomas. a soldier, the father of Capt. John Walker, who was a nephew of Colonel Fyffe. and a West Point student and Federal offi- cer. James Walker was a staunch Democrat, although he never accepted of any office for the party. Of fraternal orders he was a member of two; the Masonic and the Odd Fellows. For many years he was a consistent member of the Christian Union church. Mary Jane (Dowdney) Walker was born at Bethel. Ohio, in 1824, and was a daughter of William

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O. Dowdney, whose mother was a .Reed, and who was a na- tive of Philadelphia, Pa., who came to old Clermont county in pioneer days. The grandfather of Judge William R. Walker. John Walker, was a native of New Jersey. He was a merchant of Bethel, and latterly of Georgetown, and in both of these places he conducted a hotel in addition to his regular business. Mrs. Walker had three brothers: Judge Samuel Dowdney, who was a prominent lawyer and politician, serving as pro- bate judge and State Senator for two terms, having been elected by the Democratic party ; a younger brother was a sol- dier of the Civil war, and Christopher Dowdney, of George- town, Ohio. Mrs. Walker was a devoted member of the Chris- tian Union church. Her death occurred in 1900, in her seven- ty-sixth year, her husband having passed away in 1891.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 34

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

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