USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 35
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John Walker was a pioneer of Texas, and located there in the early 40's. He owned many thousand acres of land in Texas and conducted an extensive merchandise business, transporting to New Orleans. As the traveling facili- ties of those days were very poor it was necessary to walk the distance on the return trip. He married a Miss Graham, whose father was a Frenchman and whose mother was from Pennsylvania. John Walker was a contemporary of General Grant's father and his son, James, and General Grant were boyhood friends.
Judge William R. Walker was reared and educated in Brown county until he was twenty years of age. He received a good schooling and when prepared, read law with Judge Dowdney, being admitted to the bar in 1878. He has prac- ticed law continuously since with the exception of the years spent in office. He filled the unexpired term of Sheriff Bur- vinger, and has filled the office of probate judge since 1909. His services in the latter capacity have been satisfactory in all respects, having the commendation of his fellow citizens.
Besides his professional interests, Judge Walker has given his attention to many commercial enterprises. He organized the Building & Loan Company of Batavia, of which he served as secretary and attorney for twenty-four years. He also helped to organize the Jones Heel Manufacturing Company of Batavia, and in this concern he has large holdings. This company has, beside the plant at Batavia, factories at Wil- liamsburg and Dayton, Ohio. At present, he is president and a stockholder on the Batavia Realty Company, who have re- cently completed the finest brick business block in Batavia.
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William R. Walker has one brother and one sister living: A. R. Walker, who was a lawyer, instructor and merchant for many years before he retired from active service, and Miss Nellie E. Walker, who lives at Felicity, Ohio.
The marriage of Judge Walker to Miss Anna Ashburn, a sister of Dr. A. W. Ashburn, occurred in Clermont county in 1879. Mrs. Walker is a native of Clermont county, having been born at Batavia. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of four children :
Miss Elizabeth, who is living at home.
Mary Louise, who is the wife of A. E. Keen, residing at North College Hill.
Miss Marjorie A., graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, class of 1912.
Penn A. is attending the Ohio Wesleyan University.
Judge Walker has always been a Democrat, and is a mem- ber and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an active worker. Judge Walker is a popular citizen, having many warm friends, both socially and in business circles.
FLETCHER BUSHMAN.
Mr. Fletcher Bushman is well and favorably known in Cler- mont county, Ohio, because of his activities along the lines of general farming and stock raising, and as a carpenter and builder. He resides on a fine farm near Point Pleasant, in Monroe township. He is a native of the county, his birth having taken place on June 13, 1855, and with the exception of seven years spent in Shelby county, Ohio, he has been a resident here. He is a son of William Henry and Drucilla (Houseman) Bushman. The former was a contracting car- penter and boat builder.
William Henry Bushman was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, near Belmont (now Mentor), in 1812, and passed from this life in 1882. His parents, Henry and Sophia (De Moss) Bushman, came to Clermont county between the years of 1800 and 1812, locating in Monroe township. They came, early in 1800, down the Ohio by flat boat, stopping at Belmont (now Mentor), Ky., where he was employed building water wheels, dams and mill races ; also cut stones for grinding grain. They secured many hundreds of acres of what was called
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"Military Land," and there they resided until the death of Henry, which occurred in 1835, in the sixty-ninth year of his life. His wife died in 1837. William H. Bushman had the following brothers and sisters: David, Daniel, John, Lewis, Isaac, Abraham, Katherine (Clark), Elizabeth (Leyfield), and Barbara (Seaton).
Drucilla (Houseman) Bushman was a native born Virginian, her birth occurring March 17, 1815, and her death in 1899. She was a daughter of David Houseman, and was one of six chil- dren, five daughters and one son. The names of the others are, John Peter, Mary, Barbara, Susan and Millie. David Houseman had one sister, Catherine, who married Peter De Moss.
Fletcher Bushman was one of nine children :
Millie Ann, married Franklin Fridman, mentioned elsewhere in these volumes.
Miss Frances, who was born in 1836, died in September, 1884.
David H., a resident farmer of Shelby county, Ohio, where he has lived since 1865. He was born January 9, 1840; mar- ried Catherine Elliott. David H. and wife have one son and three daughters, Joseph, Mary, Ida and Clara.
Isaac Benton, was born October 21, 1842, and died January 12, 1901.
William Albert was born March 25, 1846, and is residing at the Fletcher Bushman home in Monroe township.
Clayton, died in infancy on July 1, 1851, aged ten months and eleven days.
Mary L. was born June 13, 1852, and died November 23, 1878.
Fletcher, of this mention.
Elon, born August 25, 1859, died October 14, 1883.
Fletcher Bushman acquired his mental training in the pub- lic schools and at Parker's Academy, after which he spent seven years in Shelby county, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Ida Burmeister, February 27, 1884. Her birth took place at New Bremen, Auglaise county, Ohio, September 2, 1863, she being a daughter of Henry and Louise (Teabusch) Burmeister, both of whom were born at Rehna Mechlinburg Schrewen, Germany. They came to America in 1862, soon after their marriage, and settled in Auglaise county, Ohio. The father was born July 27, 1837, and is residing near Piqua, Miami coun- ty, Ohio. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in
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the Federal army. The mother was born August 8, 1836, and died October 29, 1898. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Bushman ; George, a farmer of Miami county, Ohio, and Tillie, who married Pat- rich Mulligan, a farmer of Miami county, Ohio.
Mrs. Bushman received her education in Shelby county, Ohio, where she was reared to young womanhood.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bushman there have been seven children :
Bessie, who was born December 10, 1884, at Point Pleasant, Clermont county, is the wife of John Thomas West, a farmer residing in Warren county, Ohio, near Loveland. They have one daughter, Mary Gladys, born April 6, 1909, at Wyatt, Mo.
Sidney M., who was born two miles southwest of Anna, Ohio, August 26, 1886, is at home.
Bonnie Blanche, born near Anna, Shelby county, Ohio, March 18, 1888, is the wife of John Sylvester, of Valparaiso, Ind .. They were married June 12, 1912.
Elsie Floy, was born near Anna, Shelby county, Ohio, Oc- tober 22, 1890.
Louise Charlotte, born at 1209 Main avenue, Sidney, Ohio, April 5, 1892, at home.
Matilda Ann, born at Point Pleasant, Clermont county, October 18, 1894, is the wife of Irwin Guynn, and they have one daughter, Lenora Margaret.
Leonidas Henry, born at the old home farm in Monroe township, March 15, 1909, is at home.
Mr. Bushman is an independent, progressive Democrat, and has served his township as justice of the peace for two terms, also as notary public for three terms. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Oken Council, No. 228, of Moscow, Ohio. Mrs. Bushman is a member of the Daughters of America, Magnolia Council, No. 36, of Moscow, Ohio. They are both members of the Mt. Zion Christian Church, to which Mr. Bushman has contributed largely.
When Mr. Bushman's grandfather left West Virginia on a flat boat, floating down the Ohio river, their intended destina- tion was Bowling Green, Warren county, Kentucky, but on account of sickness they stopped at Belmont, Ky. The grand- father bought and received a deed for six hundred and forty acres of land, where Bowling Green now stands. On this he paid taxes many years. Some times there would come along a traveler and tell him the land was worthless, and he would
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quit paying the taxes. Another would come along and tell him the land was valuable and he would then redeem it and pay the taxes again. After the death of the grandfather no one would pay the taxes for a number of years. Later when the heirs concluded to pay the taxes they found it had been sold and had been neglected so long that it could not be re- deemed.
Mr. Bushman in looking over his father's day-book notes a few entries that shows that the prices of coffins in the earlier days ranged from $2.50 to $8.00. He also remembers well when the cooking for the family was done by the open fire- place of early times. Pots and kettles hung over the fire by a long, swinging, iron crane, and the baking was done by means of the "Old Dutch Oven," and he remembers well when the first cook stove was brought home to take the place of the brick ovens.
The family raised the flax and the wool from which the clothing and necessary bedding was made, being made up almost entirely by the members of the household, his mother being an expert in spinning with the large wheel, as well as the small flax wheel. She was also an expert knitter and nearly up to the time of her death did the knitting for the family. She made her own tallow candles and used the old grease lamp.
In the preparation of the flax it had to be threshed, then the straw spread out to rot, then put through the breaking machine, hackled, carded, spun and woven into cloth.
Mr. Bushman also furnishes the following family record : Henry Bushman, born March 14, 1768, died April 18, 1835. Sophia (DeMoss) Bushman, born February 14, 1769, died May 27, 1837. They left Martinsburg, Berkeley county, West Vir- ginia, between the years 1800 and 1812.
Peter DeMoss and Catherine Houseman were married May 27, 1777. He was born November 11, 1752, and she was born September 16, 1758. She was a sister of David Houseman, whose son, John J. Houseman, died November 16, 1854.
Catherine (Bushman) Clark was the grandmother of Col. Henry C. Corbin.
Millie Houseman was married twice, first to a Mr. Stevens, second to a Mr. Clawson, of Booneville. Cooper county, Mis- souri.
Mary Houseman married Christopher Pampell. of Port Jef- ferson, Shelby county, Ohio. They have the following living
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children: G. W. Pampell, Kansas City, Mo .; Dr. Leonidas Pampell, Vermilion, Kan .; John Pampell, Detroit, Mich .; P. H. Pampell, Galena, Mo., and Mrs. Drucilla Bercaw, Mason, Warren county, Ohio.
Barbara Houseman, who died December 30, 1878, was never married.
Susan Houseman, who died March 11, 1847, was married first to a Mr. Foulder, by whom she had one daughter, Addie, who married L. M. Crawn, Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. Susan, second husband was a Mr. Brenner, by whom one daughter, Elizabeth, who married G. W. Ralls, of Nicholsville, Clermont county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ralls have three daugh- ters, Grace, Addie and Minerva, the last mentioned marrying Charies Calhoun, of Bethel, Clermont county, Ohio.
David H. Bushman, brother of Fletcher Bushman, married Catharine Elliott, March 10, 1865, of Shelby county, Ohio. He died very suddenly at his home, Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, Sunday morning, June 8, 1913, aged seventy-three years and six months.
JOHN COSLETT.
For many years the late Mr. John Coslett, whose death oc- curred April 13, 1910, was prominently identified with the agri- cultural interests of Brown county, Ohio. He was a native of Brown county, his birth having occurred May 2, 1839, in Union township, where, in 1831, his parents, John and Sarah (Potts) Coslett, settled.
John Coslett. Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania and was by occupation a miller. From 1855, he owned and operated a mill known as the "Franklin Mill," which, after his demise, was operated by his son, John, Jr. His wife, Sarah (Potts) Coslett, was a native of Brown county.
John Coslett, the subject of this review, was reared and re- sided on the farm in Union township during his entire life, and was well educated. After his father's death, he conducted the mill until September, 1903, when it was destroyed by fire. After this event, Mr. Coslett devoted his entire attention to the farm, which since his death, is operated by his widow and the family.
On November 17, 1871, Mr. John Coslett was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Hannah Haas, who was born in
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Adams county and is a daughter of Gottlief and Hannah (Plummer) Haas, 'who were of German nativity, and their marriage took place in the old country. They came to Amer- ica, locating first in Adams county, Ohio, where they remained for some years, and later settled in Brown county. Mrs. Cos- lett was but ten years of age when she was deprived of her mother. Her father died in the year 1895, at the age of seventy- five years. She has three brothers living ; one in Brown coun- ty ; one in Adams county, and one at Columbus.
In 1863, Mr. John Coslett entered Company I, Eleventh regi- ment, Ohio cavalry, in the defense of his country, at the time of the Civil war, and at the close of his services was given an honorable discharge at Fort Laramie.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Coslett were eleven children, and with the exception of one in the West, all are residents of Brown county.
Mr. Coslett was a Democrat in politics, and was always ac- tive in the interests of his party. He was at one time candi- date for sheriff of Brown county, and also served on the board of education. His fraternal connections were with the Knights Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. The religious belief of the members of Mr. Coslett's family were of the Methodist faith.
HON. JAMES E. McKEVER.
One of the most prominent, and at the same time versatile business men of Clermont county, is Hon. James E. McKever, who is the alert, courteous cashier of the Williamsburg First National Bank, which organization was opened for business, April 19, 1911, with the following officers :
President, N. T. Dailey ; Vice-President, J. H. White; Cash- ier, James E. McKever; Board of Directors, N. T. Dailey, J. H. White, M. N. Glancy. L. F. Hulick, J. A. Hugo, Dr. J. P. Allen, J. M. Davidson, G. H. Leeds, J. A. Dyer.
This is the first National bank established in Williamsburg and it is capitalized at $25,000. The banking company erected the building which, with the two lots, is owned by the com- pany.
Hon. James E. McKever was born February 18, 1856, and and was educated in this county, also taking a business course at Lebanon, Ohio. He entered upon his career in the busi-
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ness world as a farmer and trader, in connection with his brothers, Charles P. McKever, William E. McKever and E, C. McKever, and was thus occupied until he engaged with them in the stock business, in which they made a specialty of fine horses. For three years Mr. McKever was engaged in the real estate business, being associated with Mr. C. H. Lock- wood.
In the fall of 1879 Mr. McKever was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Steward, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, and is a daughter of W. N. and Melissa (Malott) Stew- ard, residents of Brown county, near Williamsburg. Mr. Steward was a general merchant at Crosstown and the mother is deceased.
In political matters Mr. McKever is a Democrat and has served as supervisor and is now president of the Board of Affairs, of which he has been a member for the past six years. He was elected to the legislature in 1885 to 1887.
Mr. McKever is a member of Clermont Lodge No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a past worshipful master. He is also past worthy patron of the Eastern Star, and in Novem- ber, 1912, was elected for a third term, Mrs. McKever is also a member of that organization.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McKever are widely and favorably known in the community where they make their home and a friendly spirit has rendered their home a hospitable one, its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by many who know them.
GEORGE W. SLADE.
Mr. George W. Slade, a most highly esteemed resident of Williamsburg, Ohio, where he now lives a retired life, enjoy- ing the fruits of years of industry and frugality, is one of the best known farmers of Clermont county, Ohio. He was born near Batavia, this county, September 25, 1841, his parents being Ezekiel and Susanna (Monday ) Slade.
Ezekiel Slade was born in Brown county, at Georgetown, in 1819, and removed to Clermont county as a young man, fol- lowing the occupation of farming until his marriage, after which event he engaged in the mercantile business, at Con- cord, Williamsburg township, being thus employed until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted in and recruited
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GEORGE W. SLADE Williamsburg, Ohio
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Company B, Eighty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was appointed lieutenant on the 9th of August, 1862, serving until he became ill, and was discharged on account of disability. As soon as he was able he recruited another, Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and served from May 2, 1864, to September 9, 1864, at which time he was discharged, having served during the One Hundred Day Ser- vice as first lieutenant of his company. He took part in many important engagements, but was so fortunate as never to have been wounded. Returning from the war, Ezekiel Slade traded his mercantile business for a farm in Batavia township, which was practically his home until his demise, which occurred at Williamsburg, March 5, 1900, past eighty years of age. He was a Republican, serving as trustee of the township and as justice of the peace for over twenty years. He was also an active member of the Methodist church for many years. His father was a farmer, living in Kentucky.
Susanna (Monday) Slade was born in Clermont county, Ohio, March 7, 1823, and died August 18, 1897, at Batavia. She was prominent in the Methodist church and was a daugh- ter of James Monday, a native of New Jersey. He was or- phaned at an early age, his parents dying from yellow fever. He was bound out as a child and was too young to remember his proper name. He ran away from his master and hid on board a ship, probably in New York harbor, and was later discovered by the captain, who was kind to him, naming him "Monday" because of the day on which he was found. Later he was taken by another man and his family, who reared him. He married and resided in New Jersey, later removing to Cler- mont county, where he was a successful farmer. His daugh- ter, Susanna (Monday) was one of several children, of whom now living is Mrs. Ann Willis, of Williamsburg.
Mr. George W. Slade is one of six children, one of whom died in infancy.
James H. was born April 3, 1843, of Batavia township, and was a member of the Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving three years during the Civil war. He was never seri- ously injured, although he had the tip of one finger shot off.
John William, was born March 14, 1845, and died May 4, 1848.
Sarah Elizabeth, was born July 26, 1849, became the wife of F. M. Duckwall, residing now at Abilene. Kan.
Andrew M., was born August 3. 1854, a resident of Brown county, Ohio.
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Our subject was reared mainly in Williamsburg township, his home at the beginning of the Civil war, and he enlisted at the first call for three years' service, in Company C, Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry, being mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in 1864. He was in different corps and participated in many engagements, among them being Scary Creek, West Vir- ginia ; Carnifex Ferry ; the second battle of Bull Run; South Mountain ; Antietam ; Cloyd Mountain ; and many others. He never received a wound, although his clothing was pierced with bullets. Returning from the war to his home, he, with a brother, operated the home farm, finally purchasing it and for over forty years farmed at this place. His brother, J. H., still operates it.
The marriage of Mr. G. W. Slade to Miss Olive Wilson oc- curred in Batavia township, September 3, 1874. Miss Wilson was born in Clermont county, January 11, 1847, and died May 8. 1891. She was a daughter of Joseph and Alice Wilson, both natives of this county. Mrs. Slade had two brothers and one sister, John, Arthur and Lavancia, all now deceased. She was an active Methodist.
On October 2, 1892, occurred the second marriage of Mr. Slade to Miss Georgia Fitzwater, who was born at Batavia, and is a daughter of Albert and Sarah (Davis) Fitzwater. Mrs. Slade has one brother, Mark, a resident of Clermont county, living between Williamsburg and Batavia, and one sister, Mrs. J. H. Burnett, of Clermont, and one sister, living in Brown county, Ohio, Mrs. G. W. McCollum; and another sis- ter. Mrs. Rufus Davison, of Afton, Clermont county.
Of the first union of Mr. Slade there were five children, all born in Batavia township, Clermont county :
Otis A., was born on August 5, 1875. He is a street car conductor, and married Miss Bessie Shields and they are the parents of three children.
Thomas M., was born September 30, 1876, is a farmer of Batavia township. Ile married Miss Emma Bell Marsh, and has one daughter.
Jacob R., was born October 1, 1878. and is a farmer of Batavia township. He married Miss Lodi Brown.
Albertine, was born June 1, 1880, is the wife of Roscoe Shaw, of Williamsburg township, and has one child by a former marriage.
Susanna, was born May 30, 1883, and is the wife of Otis Kain, a farmer of Williamsburg township, and has three daughters.
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One son was born to the second union of Mr. Slade, but died in infancy.
Mr. Slade is an active Republican, and is a member of the J. H. Jenkins Post, No. 242, Grand Army of the Republic, being now senior vice-commander. He is in addition, a mem- ber of the Social Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, and has filled various chairs. Mrs. Slade is a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist church.
Mr. Slade retired from the farm and removed to Williams- burg in 1904, where he is now enjoying the peace and quiet of home life after a long term spent in fruitful labor. In per- sonal character he has always been one to command respect, and is numbered among the most honorable and upright men of Williamsburg.
WILLIAM D. SIMMONS.
William D. Simmons, a farmer residing at Laurel, Mon- roe township, is a typical and representative citizen of Cler- mont county, and possesses the enterprise which has made him a dominant factor in the upbuilding of the country. He was born near Laurel, July 9, 1839, and is a son of Hatton and Esther (Nichols) Simmons, the latter being a grand-aunt of the late Judge Perry H. Nichols, mentioned elsewhere in this work. She was born in 1797. in what is now the city of Cincinnati, and passed away February 16, 1864. She was thirteen years of age when her parents removed to Clermont county.
Hatton Simmons was born on Bull Skin creek, Franklin township, in 1800, and was a son of James and Sarah Simmons, the former of whom came to this locality with his father, Adam Simmons, settling in what is now Monroe town- ship. James was a farmer and a prominent Methodist, having the pleasure of entertaining the first minister of this circuit. He died in 1855. in the seventy-fifth year of his life. To the union of James and Sarah Simmons were born ten chil- dren.
The following is a genealogy of the Simmons family in America :
John Simmons was born in England and came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where he had many chil- dren born unto him. Adam being the youngest. Adam Sim-
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mons was born in Pennsylvania, January 15, 1747. Mary Hatton was born in Pennsylvania, December 1, 1753. Adam Simmons and Mary Hatton were married November 13, 1770, in Pennsylvania.
John Simmons was born November 13, 1771; Leonard Sim- mons was born December 15, 1773; Benjamin Simmons was born May 31, 1776; James Simmons was born July 30, 1778; Margaret (Lakin) was born September 25, 1780; Mary (De- Bruler) was born February 25, 1783; Elenor (DeBruler) was born November 29, 1785; Adam Simmons, Jr., was born July 9, 1788; Sarah (Lakin) was born October 30, 1790; Nancy (Hitch) was born October 10, 1793; Elizabeth (Lakin) was born July 15, 1797.
Sarah Evans was born in May, 1775, and married to James Simmons. William Simmons was born June 2, 1798; Hatton Simmons was born July 26, 1800; Mary (Nichols) was born December 22, 1802; Elisha B. Simmons was born February 13, 1805; James Simmons was born June 15, 1807; Leonard Simmons was born January 3, 1810; Elenor A. Simmons was born April 10, 1812; John B. Simmons was born June 15, 1814; Benjamin H. Simmons was born May 12, 1819.
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