History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 41

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 41
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 41

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. George Keen is a Democrat in politics. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, is a trustee and a teacher of the Men's Bible Class in the Sunday school. He became a member of Felicity Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and was demitted to Batavia. He has filled the various chairs and has also taken Chapter and Council degrees, at New Richmond.

Thomas A. Keen, of the firm of George A. Keen & Brother, was born at Covington, Ky., October 21, 1857, a son of Archi- bald and Rebecca (Kirkpatrick) Keen. He was reared and educated at Covington, attending the public schools of that place until he was sixteen years of age, when he entered the brick manufacturing business of his father, following this occupation for four years. He then took up the cold storage businss and continued in this employment for fourteen years.

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In 1892 the partnership with his brother, George, was formed. Mr. Keen was never married.

The firm of George A. Keen & Brother deals in coal, lumber, lime and cement. They enjoy a liberal patronage and are well known in the county.

CAPT. CHARLES H. MURRAY.

Capt. Charles H. Murray was a native of Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, and on January 30, 1861, was united in marriage to Miss Amy J. Huling, who was born in the old log house in Monroe township, which was built by her grandfather, William Huling.

William Huling came to Clermont county from New Jersey in 1803, traveling the distance by horseback, and on the way looking at many locations that might be suitable for a future home, but he was not entirely satisfied with all surroundings until he reached the county of Clermont. He kept a diary of the trip and could have settled on the site where Cincinnati is located. The interesting diary is still in the family. After finding a location that desired for a future home, William Hul- ing returned to New Jersey for his family and in 1810, settled on the farm which is the present home of Mrs. Murray. He erected a log house, in which the family resided for many years. He became a large land owner in this section, and died in 1826, in the prime of life.

The parents of Mrs. Murray were Jacob and Amy (Ware) .Huling, the former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1800 and died in 1881, and the latter of whom was also a native of New Jersey, her birth occurring in 1807, and who died in Jan- uary, 1889. Jacob Huling was twice married, there being three children by the first union and three children by the second, Mrs. Murray being the youngest child of the second marriage. He was in early years a Whig, and later a Republican, although he would never accept of an office. He was a devout member of the Methodist church.

Capt. Charles H. Murray received a fine education and was attending Miami University, of Oxford, Ohio, at the time of the first alarm of the Civil war. He at once offered his services and assisted in forming a company, of which he was made lieutenant. Later. he became captain of the Fifth Ohio

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cavalry, and was in the service from 1861 to 1865. Soon after his return from the war, Mr. Murray removed with his fam- ily to Clay City, Illinois, where he purchased forty acres of land adjoining the town. This was their home for some years, Mr. Murray following the occupation of a farmer until he be- came a prospector of Colorado. Mrs. Murray remained in the home in Illinois until the death of her father, in 1881, when she returned to her girlhood home to care for her mother in her declining years. This has been her home all her life, with the exception of the fourteen years spent in Illinois.

To the union of Captain and Mrs. Murray have been born two daughters :

Maude, who is single, lives at home with her mother.

Jessie, married Leslie D. Spence, a dentist of Amelia, Ohio.

Mrs. Murray occupies the old home farm of her parents and grandparents. The old log house in which she was born and spent the first two years of her life was standing until 1885. She is highly esteemed in the community where she has lived for the most of her life, and has a host of warm friends and acquaintances.

WILLIAM H. H. HENNING.

William H. H. Henning. a highly respected and prosperous farmer and dairyman of Batavia township. Clermont county, Ohio, where he jointly owns and operates the old Lytle home- stead, with John Ethelbert Lytle. These two families are a refutation of old theory, that "no roof is large enough for two families," as they have for years lived and farmed together as. one family, rearing their children in peace and harmony. They carry on the business of general farming and dairying as part- ners, along scientific lines.

William Henning was born July 2, 1874, in Batavia town- ship, and is a son of Henry D. and Mary (Eichner) Henning, the former of whom is a native of New York City and who came to Ohio with his parents, when he was thirteen years of age. He worked in a store in Cincinnati for a time and after- ward worked on a boat. plying the river between Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later he became a photographer. working at that business until his marriage, when he purchased the farm where our subject, William Henning. was born, and which they still own. Mary Eichner was a native of Harris-

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burg, Pa., coming to Ohio with her parents, who located at Dayton, Ohio. To them were born five children: George, who lives in Batavia township; William H. H., our subject; Stella; Clarence, who lives at Norwood, Ohio, is married and has one daughter, Florence, and Harry D., also a resident of Norwood, Ohio, who married Kathern Ellabach, December 31, 1909.

Mr. Henning is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Christian church, a Christian by faith and practice, con- tributing largely of his means toward the betterment of man- kind.

JOHN ETHELBERT LYTLE.

John Ethelbert Lytle, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Clermont county, Ohio, whose home is on the old Lytle home- stead on the Bantam pike, was born in the county of Clermont. He is a son of Nelson and Betsey (Wheeler) Lytle.

Nelson Lytle was born at Batavia, Ohio, July 1, 1827, and was a son of William and Annie (Kinnan) Lytle, the former of whom was a carpenter by trade. When quite young, Nelson went to live with his paternal grandfather, William Lytle, who gave the boy a good common school education, which, when completed, was turned to scientific farming under his grand- father's instruction. He followed this vocation in various places until his death. His father, William Lytle, met his death in 1856 by the falling of bark from a tree in the timber. It is a curious coincidence that both the father and the mother of Nelson met death by accident, the latter being thrown from a buggy shortly after the death of her husband. Nelson Lytle was twice married, the first to Miss Elizabeth Harris, October 28, 1848, and the second to Miss Betsy Wheeler, on September 18, 1864. To the first union, six children were born, four of whom are living, and to the second union were born five chil- dren, four of whom are still living. Of the second family are the following :

George O., who is a fruit grower near Seattle, Wash.

Emma J., who married William Henning, and has one son, Earl, born July 21, 1902.

Horace M., a farmer of Monroe township, this county, and has four children.

John E., our subject.

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Clifford, who died at the age of twenty-four years.

Nelson Lytle was a successful farmer and was a Republican but not an office seeker. He was a consistent member of the Christian church of Mt. Holly, and served as treasurer for years before his death, which occurred August 8, 1901, his wife passing away July 2, 1892.

John Ethelbert Lytle grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving a good education in the common schools of his local- ity. He married Miss Stella Henning, September 18, 1900. She is a daughter of Henry D. and Mary (Eichner) Henning, and was born at Batavia, Ohio, September 15, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle have two children :

Clarence, who was born November 13, 1901.

Walter, whose birth occurred June 13, 1905.

Mr. Lytle is a Republican, although not an office seeker, and is interested in all political questions of the day. He is a mem- ber and a trustee of the Christian church, also being super- intendent of the Sunday school.

A. B. APPLEGATE.

Among the oldest residents of Milford, Ohio, Mr. A. B. Applegate is numbered, having for many years been identified with the agricultural, professional and public life of Clermont county. He is the present mayor of the thriving town of Milford, having been elected in 1911, and his term has been one of progression.

Mr. Applegate was born on a farm near Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, August 10, 1842, his parents being John and Anna (Emery) Applegate, who were successful farmers of the county for many years. His maternal grandfather was Judge John Emery.

The boyhood of Mr. Applegate was spent on the farm. attending the schools of the district, later becoming a student of the Lebanon, Ohio. Normal School, and, in 1861, engaged in the profession of teaching. After two months he thought himself a failure and gave up his position and, in September. 1864. enlisted in Company E, Seventy-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, being sent at once to the front. He was under fire at Nashville. Tenn., and remained in the service until June, 1865.

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The following fall, after his return from the war, Mr. Applegate attended spelling school in the same district in which he had taught and was asked to pronounce the words, which he did with so pleasing a manner that the directors of the school asked him to teach the school for the winter term. Remembering his former unsuccessful venture in this line of work, he refused. However, his refusal would not be ac- cepted, and even though he had no certificate, he was urged to take the position, which he finally did. Instead of using Professor Holbrook's methods he used a little army discip- line, with such success that he was engaged to teach the school for five consecutive years.

In the year of 1872, on the 8th of May, Mr. Applegate was married to Miss Amelia Boutell, of Charleston, Goshen town- ship, where she was born and reared, having been a former pupil in his school. She was a daughter of Capt. George and Marietta (Brooks) Boutell.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Applegate were born five children :

Marietta was born in 1873, her sweet life ending in 1876.

A. B., Jr., was born at Belfast, Clermont county, June 7, 1878, was graduated from the Milford High School, after which he taught school four years. He crossed the ocean six time- as an employee of the United States Government, on a mail steamer. He was also employed as clerk in the postoffice at Cincinnati for one year, later becoming a clerk for the Adams Express Company, which position he holds at the present time. He married Mrs. Pearl Jones, and they have no children.

Florence, who was born at Milford, was married to Jacob Brauer, their home being at Covington, Ky. She has two children, Florence and J. Barton.

George W. was born at Milford and is a graduate of the high school of that place. He has been bookkeeper and cash- ier of the Mutual Banking Company, of Cincinnati, for the past eight years. He married Miss Valerie Trauth and they have one child, George Barton.

Anna Amelia was born in Milford and took a business course in Cincinnati. March 9, 1913, was married to Robert II. Drews, of Iowa City, Iowa, on her mother's sixtieth anniver- sary.

Mr. Applegate has always been a Democrat, though not an extreme partisan. He served as constable and justice of the peace, and although he has tried many cases, and some were

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appealed, none was ever reversed. From 1885 to 1889 he was postmaster at Milford and for six years was township clerk, also being the township treasurer for four years. Being in- terested also in educational matters he was a member of the school board for six years and also served as treasurer of the board for five years. Mr. Applegate was secretary of the Mil- ford Building & Loan Association for eight years. He was elected to the council at different times and during his term be- gan the paving of the streets.

Mr. Applegate is a member of the S. R. S. West Post, Grand. Army of the Republic, and has been commander and adjutant, being privileged to attend some of the National re- unions. He was a delegate to the State encampment in 1911, held at Lorain, and was alternate to the National encamp- ment, held at Los Angeles, Cal., in 1912, and aid to Com- mander Blodget in 1913.

For the past thirty-four years Mr. Applegate has been active in the interests of Milford, and his influence has been one of progression, and his many good traits of heart have endeared him to all with whom he has come in contact, and at seventy-one years of age is hale and hearty.

MAJOR DION WILLIAMS.

Major Dion Williams, United States Marine Corps, was born in the Williams homestead, at Williamsburg, Ohio, on December 15, 1869. He is the only son of Byron and Kath- erine Park Williams. He received his earlier education in the public schools of Williamsburg, graduating from the high school in the class of 1886.

Appointed a naval cadet on July 16, 1887. he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, on June 1, 1891, and for two years thereafter served as a midshipman on the United States steamer Atlanta, one of the cruisers of the Squadron of Evolution, known throughout the country as the "White Squadron." During this cruise, the Atlanta visited the West Indies and South America, and cruised along the east coast of the United States, touching at most of the important ports between Maine and the straits of Magellan.

On July 1, 1893, having passed the final examinations for his class. with a good standing, he was commissioned a second

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MAJOR DION WILLIAMS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

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lieutenant in the United States marine corps. The marine corps, which is an integral part of the navy, is the oldest branch of the government service, having been organized at Boston in 1775 pursuant to an act of the First Continental Con- gress. In every war in which the United States has taken part, the troops of the marine corps have taken part in the first engagement, and so well has the duty been performed that they have well won the title of the "Ever Faithful," and the official motto of the corps is "Semper Fidelis."

After receiving his first commission Lieutenant Williams was ordered to the Officers' School of Application, Washing- ton D. C., graduating from that institution in June, 1894, at the head of his class. June 30, 1894, he was promoted to be a first lieutenant, and was ordered to the marine barracks at the navy yard, New York, where he served as adjutant of that marine battalion.

On February 20, 1895, he was married at New London, Conn., to Helen Mar Ames, only daughter of Col. Nathaniel H. and Elizabeth McDonald Ames. Colonel Ames was for years the colonel of the Third regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, and a leader among the military men of New England. Mrs. Williams' mother is a member of the noted McDonald and Crawford families of Scotland.

In October, 1895, Lieutenant Williams was transferred to the marine barracks at Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco Bay, California, where he served until September, 1897. Dur- ing this time he studied law with especial reference to military procedure, and was appointed judge advocate of many im- portant naval courts martial. In September, 1897, Lieutenant Williams was ordered to duty on the United States cruiser Baltimore, then flagship of the United States Pacific Squadron. The Baltimore proceeded to Honolulu, Hawaii, then an un- stable republic, and remained there through the winter of 1897-98, protecting American interests. When the sinking of the Maine, in Havana harbor, made war with Spain inevitable, all the available naval ammunition on the west coast was rushed to Honolulu and loaded into the Baltimore, and she proceeded with all despatch to Hong Kong, where Commodore Dewey's United States Asiatic Squadron lay anxiously await- ing permission to sail for Manila. The Baltimore arrived just in time to transfer the ammunition to the other ships, don her war paint of sombre grey and sail with the squadron for Manila. In the battle of Manila Bay. May 1. 1898. Lieu-

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tenant Williams, in charge of the forward 8-inch gun of the Baltimore, fired the first shot from that ship, and he was offi- cially commended for his conduct in the battle by Captain N. Mayo Dyer, the intrepid commander of the Baltimore, who had himself commanded a small ship on that famous "August day with Farragut" at Mobile Bay.

On May 2d, the Baltimore forced the surrender of the Span- ish forts on Corregidor at the entrance to Manila Bay, and on May 3d, under direct orders of Commodore Dewey, Lieu- tenant Williams, in command of a company of marines and sailors from the Baltimore, landed and took charge of the Spanish Navy Yard and Arsenal at Cavite. This was the first landing of American troops on Spanish soil in the war, and Lieutenant Williams at once disposed his force to establish order and protect the innocent inhabitants, and then raised the Stars and Stripes over the captured arsenal, this being the first American flag raised on Spanish soil in the Spanish- American war. For his energetic and efficient work on this occasion Lieutenant Williams received the official commenda- tion of Admiral Dewey, who since that date has been his high- ly valued friend. As a result of the Spanish-American war Lieutenant Williams was promoted to a captaincy on March 3, 1899. He served in the Philippines until May 1, 1900, serving on board the Baltimore, the battleship Oregon, and the flag- ship Olympia, and also on land with the army. During the Spanish war and the resultant Philippine insurrection, Captain Williams took part in some thirty engagements in various parts of the islands, and commanded the marines at the cap- ture of Olongapo and at the capture of Vigan, in the latter af- fair retaking from Aguinaldo's army ninety American and Spanish prisoners. During the latter year of his service in the Philippines, Captain Williams held, in addition to his regular command, the position of assistant judge advocate general on the staff of the admiral commanding the fleet.

On May 1, 1900, Captain Williams was ordered to duty on the staff of Admiral John C. Watson, and sailed from Yoko- hama. Japan, on board the United States flagship Baltimore for New York, by way of China, the Malay Straits, India, the Suez and Europe, arriving in New York in October, 1900. He was immediately ordered to the marine barracks, Boston, Mass., where he served for two years, in charge of the United States Naval Prison, as military and technical instructor of a class of second lieutenants newly appointed from civil life, and for half

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of the time as acting commanding officer of the post. For this duty Captain Williams was twice officially commended by Major General Charles Heywood, then commandant of the marine corps, in the annual reports of the Navy Department. From September, until December, 1902, Captain Williams commanded Company "A" of the marine battalion serving in Panama for the protection of the Panama railroad and foreign interests during a serious revolution. During this service Cap- tain Williams was commended in orders by Admiral Casey, commander in chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, by Col. B. R. Russell, commanding the United States forces on the Isthmus, and by United States Consul-General Gudger, the latter commendation being transmitted to Congress by the State Department.

From Panama, Captain Williams was transferred to Cule- bra, West India Islands, and appointed adjutant of the First provisional regiment of marines engaged in fortifying that island. But this was to be a brief detail, as within two weeks he was selected to be fleet marine officer of the Atlantic battle- ship fleet, in command of the battalion of marines attached to the ships of the fleet. In this capacity he served until Octo- ber, 1904, seeing service aboard the battleships Maine and Kearsarge, in the West Indies, South America and Europe. On this cruise he was presented to the late King Carlos of Portugal, and King George of Greece. In January, 1905, Cap- tain Williams was selected as a member of the staff of instruc- tors of the United States Naval War College, at Newport, R. I., where he delivered lectures on military subjects and pre- pared important papers for the country's naval war plans.

In February, 1905, he was promoted to be a major, and when the revolution of 1906 made American intervention necessary in Cuba, he commanded a battalion of marines, 450 strong, which were among the first landed in Cuba in September that year. Landing at Havana this battalion crossed Cuba to Cien- fuegos and for one month kept peace and order in that im- portant city. In October, 1906, General Franklin Bell, then chief of staff of the United States Army, detailed Major Wil- liams to the staff of the Army of Cuban Pacification, and by orders of President Roosevelt he was temporarily transferred from the marine corps to duty with the army. For nearly a year Major Williams was first assistant to the chief engineer of the Army of Cuban Pacification, his principal duties being in charge of the field work of the military map of Cuba, which

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was carried rapidly to a successful completion. For this work he received the official commendation of Major General Frank- lin Bell, Major General G. F. Elliot, then commandant of the marine corps, and Colonel Langfitt, the chief engineer of the Army of Cuban Pacification.

Major Williams was selected by the late Admiral Robley D. Evans, to be fleet marine officer of the Atlantic battle fleet for the famous cruise around the world in 1907-08-09, and in December, 1907, he joined the flagship Connecticut. All through that cruise of the battle fleet, Major Williams com- manded the marine regiment of the fleet, 1,300 strong, which paraded on shore at San Diego and San Francisco, Cal .; Seattle and Bellingham, Washington State; Sydney, Mel- bourne and Albany, Australia ; and at the Hudson-Fulton cele- bration in New York in 1909, and on many occasions for drill. He was commended by Admiral R. D. Evans in an official let- ter to the Navy Department, for his efficient performance of duty during the cruise of the battle fleet from Hampton Roads, Va., to San Francisco, Cal., and also by Admiral Sperry, who commanded the cruise of the fleet from San Francisco, via the Suez to New York. Major Williams was also chief intelli- gence officer of the fleet, and in October, 1909, was detailed to duty in the office of naval intelligence of the Navy Depart- ment, at Washington, D. C., where he remained until March 15, 1913, when he was ordered to Peking. China, as com- mandant of the American Legation Guard, which consists of 350 men, comprising infantry and artillery and a mounted sec- tion, and is a very important foreign post of our armed forces.

Major Williams wears the following government medals : Congressional medal commemorating the battle of Manila Bay, May 1; 1898, the Spanish war medal, the West India campaign medal, the Philippine insurrection medal and the Cuban pacification medal. He has taken a constant interest in rifle firing and marksmanship and wears the government sil- ver sharpshooter's badge.

Major Williams has devoted considerable attention to liter- ary pursuits, and has written several books on subjects per- taining to the naval profession, among them being "Naval Reconnaissance," a manual of instruction for the reconnais- sance and survey of harbors and surrounding country ;. "The Port Directory." containing valuable information concerning all the principal ports of the world; "The Uniform Regula- tions, United States Marine Corps," and many articles for the

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press, the magazines, and the service journals. In the cruise of the battle fleet around the world, by special authority of the Secretary of the Navy, he acted as special correspondent for the "New York Times" and the "London Daily Mail."

DR. C. A. BENNETT.

Dr. C. A. Bennett, a well known physician and surgeon, whose home and office are at Withamsville. Clermont county, Ohio, was born in the village where he now resides. He is a son of Dr. Elisha and Hannah (Smith) Bennett, who were also natives of Withamsville. In the '50s the former served two terms as a member of the Ohio legislature.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 41

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

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