History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 45

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 45
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 45

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).

Frank E. Boyd was born at Levanna, Brown county, Ohio, February 10, 1871, and is a son of the late Capt. Charles W .. and Margaret Frances (McMeekin) Boyd. The latter was a native of Adams county, Ohio. Her death occurred May 12, 1897, at the age of sixty years. She was a devout member of the Christian church.

Capt. Charles W. Boyd was born in Lewis county, Ken- tucky, in 1834, and died in 1894. He was a very active and successful business man and conducted a lumber saw mill and boat building business at Ripley, Levanna and Higginsport, Ohio. In his later years he was active in politics and served as deputy collector of internal revenue under President Har- rison. Upon coming to Brown county, Captain Boyd became associated with his uncle, Samuel Horn. a merchant and boatman, for some time. After becoming thoroughly fa- miliar with this line of business he purchased the business from his uncle and conducted it with the assistance of a brother, Samuel, who is now in the lumber business in Cincin- nati. The firm operated under the name of C. W. & S. G. Boyd and later as the Boyd Manufacturing Company, with head offices at Ripley. This venture proved very successful and they continued this association until the disastrous fires and floods of the early '80's. Captain Boyd then turned his attention to general farming on his farm in Union township, four miles from Ripley. In 1861, at the first call for volunteers, he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth regiment, Ohio volunteers. He re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. He won much admiration by his gallant service and was promoted at various times, leaving the service as major, although he was always known as captain. He participated in many important engagements and was wounded at Fay- etteville, W. Va.

Socially, Capt. Charles Boyd was a member of the Masonic order, Blue Lodge and Chapter, of Ripley, of the Cincinnati

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Commandery. He was also a member of the Loyal Legion and the Blaine Club. He served in the various offices of the Wirt Liggett Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and as com- mander in the State department.

Mr. Frank E. Boyd, the subject of this mention, is the youngest of six children living, the youngest having died in infancy. The others are :

Alice K., wife of A. E. Humphreys, of Denver, Colo., where he is engaged in the mining and real estate business.

Alberta Lee, widow of T. S. Thomson, who is residing with her daughter at Canton, Ohio.

Mattie A., wife of W. O. Saum, Charleston, W. Va. James P., of Ripley, Ohio.

W. C., a miner of coal in West Virginia and until recently superintendent of stores of the Carbon Coal Company.

The education of Frank E. Boyd was acquired in the public schools, after which he entered upon his business life in the livery business, continuing for a period of fourteen years.

Upon reaching the age of his majority he chose for his com- panion of future years Miss Esther Ladenburger, a native of Brown county. and a daughter of Mr. Louis Ladenburger, of Ripley. Their marriage has been blessed with one son, Charles W., who is eight years of age, and is in school.

Mr. F. E. Boyd votes the Republican ticket and has always taken an intelligent interest in all public affairs. He has served for the past twelve years as township trustee of Union town- ship.

The fraternal relations of Mr. Boyd include the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order, of Ripley, and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Ripley.

Mr. Boyd has membership with the Christian church. while Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Presbyterian church.

B. R. CRISWELL.

Mr. B. R. Criswell. a member of the drug firm of Criswell & Bristow, at the corner of Second and Main streets. Ripley. Ohio, is one of the city's most prominent and substantial citi- zens. He was born at Ripley, August 14. 1866, and is a son of R. M. and Ellen (Donaldson) Criswell. the latter of whom is a resident of Ripley, and is eighty years of age.

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Mr. R. M. Criswell was reared in Pennsylvania, his parents being of an old Bradford county family. His grandfather was of English lineage, and his grandmother was of Irish parent- age, and many of the family now reside in Central Ohio. R. M. Criswell came to Brown county from Washington Court House, Ohio, and settled in Ripley in 1860, where he embarked in the carriage manufacturing business. For many years his carriage factory was the only one at Ripley. He was widely known and enjoyed an enviable reputation be- cause of the excellent workmanship on his carriages and surreys. His demise occurred in 1894, at the age of sixty- three years. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were devout members of the Methodist church.

Ellen (Donaldson) Criswell was born at Zanesville, Ohio, and was practically reared there until her marriage. She was a member of an early and prominent family of Muskingum county. She became the mother of four sons and one daugh- ter, whose names follow :

James M., who owns a farm in Union township, near Rip- ley, and is successfully engaged in general farming.

C. D., has charge of a department in a large store in De- catur, Il1.

B. R., who is the subject of this mention ..

One son is deceased.

Mrs. W. P. Reynolds, wife of a printer of Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. B. R. Criswell was reared and educated at Ripley, graduating from the high school, after which event he entered the business world in the confectionery and restaurant busi- ness at his present stand. Prior to starting out in life for himself, Mr. Criswell was associated with his father in the carriage manufacturing business.

The present partnership in the drug business was formed early in the year of 1912. Mr. W. H. Bristow is a graduate pharmacist, and has been a resident of Ripley for the past year. He was formerly from Covington, Ky. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Masons.

In politics, Mr. Criswell is a staunch Democrat and takes an active interest in all public affairs.

The fraternal relations of Mr. Criswell are with the Ripley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which organization he has filled the office of high priest for the past three years, and

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with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor commander.

In religious belief, he is a member of the Methodist church, to which denomination he gives liberally of his means.

For the past year, Mr. Criswell has given his entire atten- tion to the drug business, and has met with a large measure of success. The firm enjoys a fine patronage and Ripley is proud to number it among the business enterprises of the town.

POLEMAN NELSON ELLIS.

The death of Mr. Poleman Nelson Ellis, on August 28, 1912, at his home in Higginsport, Ohio, removed from that town a valued and well known citizen. Mr. Ellis was a successful farmer and progressive tobacco dealer, during his active life, and because of the energetic labors of his younger years was enabled to spend the sunset of life in the calm and peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of his endeavors. Mr. Ellis was born in Lewis township. Brown county, Ohio, March 4, 1838, and was a brother of Mr. Amos F. Ellis, of Williamsburg, Ohio.

On the 2d of December, 1862, Mr. P. N. Ellis was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Hannah Pangburn, who was born in Brown county, June 16, 1838, a daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Hodkins) Pangburn, both natives of Brown county. Mr. Pangburn was a farmer by business and also flat boated on the Ohio river, carrying produce to the South. He was a son of Lyons Pangburn and Rebecca (Applegate) Pangburn, who were born in Pennsylvania, and were among the earliest resi- dent farmers of Brown county, of near Lavenna. Mr. John Pangburn died at the age of seventy years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-three years.

John and Sarah Jane (Hodkins) Pangburn were the parents of the following sons and daughters: Ruth Hannah, Mary Ann (deceased), Martha (deceased), James E. (deceased), Winfield Scott, Lines Albert, Alexander B., Alfred (deceased), Calvin, William (deceased), Washington and Grant (de- ceased).

Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Ellis were the parents of four children : One child which died in infancy unnamed.

Oston, died March 20, 1865, aged eighteen months.

Oscar C., who is in the tobacco business at Ripley, Ohio.

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He has two daughters, Elizabeth Virginia, born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1910, and Ruth Evelyn, born August 24, 1912.

Edgar W., of Avondale, Ohio, who is now in Florida, where he recently purchased twenty thousand acres of land on In- dian river, and has laid out a town there. He has two daugh- ters: Edna, born March 30, 1890, married Paul L. Henkel. Their wedding was a society event in Avondale. Mr. Henkel died December 24, 1912. Marie was born September 2, 1913.

Mr. Ellis was a staunch Republican, and was active in all worthy enterprises in his locality. During the Civil war, he was a member and captain of the home guards.

In religious faith, Mr. Ellis and his family embraced the belief of the Christian church. The place he occupied in the hearts of his many friends can never be filled. Known alike to rich and poor, he was esteemed by all and many were the touching expressions relative to the general loss.

SAMUEL B. MEFFORD.

Mr. Samuel B. Mefford, one of the best known citizens of Union township, Brown county, Ohio, who has proved him- self a successful farmer and stockman, owns and operates two hundred and thirty acres of the old Mefford farm, which was settled by John Mefford, the great-grandfather of Mr. Samuel Mefford of this mention. Mr. Mefford was born on a farm adjoining his present home, December 7, 1854, he being a son of John Walker and Annie (Pangburn) Mefford.

John Walker Mefford was also a native of Brown county, his birth having taken place in Union township, February 3, 1814, and his death, May 17, 1891. He was a prosperous farmer, which occupation he followed during his entire active life. In politics, he was a staunch Republican, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Christian church. He was a son of George and Polly Mefford.

George Mefford was born November 22, 1786, and departed this life, October 30, 1872, while his wife was born October 20, 1793, and passed away, May 16, 1832. He was engaged in the produce business and in connection with this line of busi- ness, made eighteen trips to New Orleans. He and his wife were active members of the Baptist church, and were prom-

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inent in the community in which they lived. George was a son of John Mefford, who was also the great grandfather of Mr. Samuel B. Mefford.

John Mefford was born in Pennsylvania, April 19, 1764, and came to Mason county, Kentucky, from his native State in 1787. Shortly after, he removed to Brown county, locating near Levanna, where he purchased five hundred acres of land and there carried on general farming until his death, April 21, 1834. He made the trip from Pennsylvania to Kentucky by flat boat, then the common means of travel.

Samuel B. Mefford is one of fifteen children, of whom thir- teen grew to maturity. One died at the age of fourteen years, and one at two years of age. There are eight still living, namely : George W., L. P., Melissa (Drake) and Mrs. Flora White, all of Higginsport; William P., of Felicity, Ohio; Emma (Burgett), of Dayton, Ohio; and Clamenza (Smith), of Ripley, Ohio.

Mr. Samuel B. Mefford has resided thus far on the old home farm, and has been engaged in the business of farming along general lines. He has made many improvements during his residence as owner, including a handsome home, which was erected in 1910.

The marriage of Mr. Samuel B. Mefford and Miss Albertine Loudon took place on the 2d of April, 1879. She was born in Union township, Brown county, Ohio, September 25, 1852, and is a daughter of W. P. and Eliza J. (Rogers) Loudon. The birth of the former occurred in February, 1827, and he passed away November 27, 1903. The latter was born in 1832 and died June 8. 1911, both natives of Brown county.

Mrs. Mefford's grandfather, Charles Loudon, was a brother of Gen. James Loudon, who came to Brown county together, from Mason county, Kentucky. Her maternal grandfather, Ezekiel Rogers, was born in Brown county, and was a son of Thomas Rogers, who settled in the county soon after the Rev- olution. Mrs. Mefford is one of four children, two sons and two daughters, the others being: W. B. Loudon, of Union township, a farmer on Pizgah Ridge; E. W., a tobacco man of Cincinnati, whose office is at No. 10 East Front street ; Rachel (Myers), of Union township, a widow of William Myers.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Mefford consists of the follow- ing children: Bertha, who died in infancy; Harry L. and Thomas L., furniture dealers and undertakers of Ripley. Ohio; and Earl I ... a traveling man of Dayton, Ohio.

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Mr. Mefford takes an intelligent interest in politics, and has served for the past six years as township trustee of Union township.

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Mefford are active members of the Christian church. He is a thoroughly respected citizen and all who know him appreciate his many noble traits of char- acter.

J. H. NEU.

Mr. J. H. Neu has been prominently identified with the commercial interests of Higginsport, Ohio, since October, 1895, as a dealer in hardware and farm implements, carrying an extensive line of goods and implements. Mr. Neu is a native of Brown county, his birth having taken place in Pleas- ant township, November 6, 1869, his parents being Jacob and Margaret (Wolfe) Neu.

Jacob Neu was born in Brown county in 1845, and passed from this life in 1907, while his wife was born in Germany in 1851, and is a resident of Higginsport. She was a daughter of Louis Wolfe, who came to America when his daughter was three months old and settled in Brown county. Jacob Neu was a very successful farmer of Pleasant township, where he was highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. He was an active member of the Democratic party and his religious belief embraced the faith of the Lutheran church, and his wife was a member of the Christian church. He was a son of Jacob Neu, who came to America when he was eight years of age with his father, Conrad Neu, who settled in Brown county.

Mr. J. H. Neu is a member of a family of nine children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living :

Charles E., a farmer residing in Lewis township, Brown county, Ohio.

Louella (Shelton), of Xenia, Ohio, married first, Mr. Robert Armstrong.

Ada M. (White). is a resident of Pleasant township, where her husband is engaged in farming.

Stella C. (Shelton), of Dayton, Ohio, where her husband is engaged as superintendent of the Prudential Insurance agency.

Minnie, who died in 1895, at the age of eleven years.

Clarence, is a farmer of Pleasant township.

Edna died in 1895, at the age of five years.

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Miss Nellie, at home.

Mr. J. H. Neu acquired a good common school education in the schools of his locality, and remained at the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age, thus gaining a good prac- tical experience in the occupation of farming.

Mr. Neu married Miss Emma M. Sontag, who was born in Brown county, and is a daughter of Richard and Catherine (Gross) Sontag, a native of Germany, now of Hamilton county, Ohio.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Neu are four children, and the family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death Their names are as follows: Mabel L., Ruth A., Mildred M., and John H., Jr.

Mr. Neu affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, of which organization he is past chancellor, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and of the Re- bekahs.

He gives his support to the Democratic party and has served three terms as township treasurer.

Mr. Neu is interested in various prosperous enterprises, in- cluding the Higginsport Independent Telephone Company, being vice-president and general manager of that company, and he is also a director of the Citizens' Bank of Higginsport.

Mr. Neu has met with an unusual degree of success in his undertakings, and is deserving of all the praise implied in the term, self-made. His energy and perseverance are salient features of his success, and he has won the esteem and high regard of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Neu and his family attend the Christian church.

MRS. HELEN BEASLEY.

Mrs. Helen Beasley, widow of the late John Beasley, resides three miles from Ripley, Ohio, on a beautiful farm on the Rip- ley and Hillsboro pike, Union township, Brown county, Ohio. Mrs. Beasley is held in high esteem in and about Ripley, and in this section she has spent her life thus far. She is a daughter of John M. and Mary (Baird) West.

John M. West was born in Byrd township, Brown county, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and resided on the home farm where his birth occurred until his death, July 15. 1873. He was a son

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of John M. West, who was a native of Virginia and came to Brown county in pioneer days, locating in Byrd township, and there remained until his demise at the age of eighty-five years.

Mary (Baird) West was born in Jefferson township, Brown county, Ohio, in 1844, and died in 1898, and was a daughter of John Baird, who was an early settler of the county. To her union with John M. West, five children were born :

George B., who was born July 14, 1852, has resided at the old home farm in Byrd township and followed the occupation of farming. In later years, he has resided with his sister, Mrs. Beasley.

Levina became the wife of Samuel Edinfield, a farmer of Jefferson township.

Joseph E., has been a resident farmer of Nebraska for the past twenty-five years. He has reared a nice family.

Helen, our subject, married John Beasley, who died in 1903, at the age of forty-nine years. They were the parents of two children : Grace, a graduate of the Ripley High School, class of 1913; and Nellie J., who died in 1905 at the age of eight years.

William Rufus, operates the old home place in Byrd town- ship.

The politics of the family is mainly Democratic.

Mrs. Beasley and her brother, Mr. West, reside on the farm in Union township, and are progressive farmers along general lines.

In religious belief, Mrs. Beasley and the family are mem- bers of the Christian church, as were also her parents. Mrs. Beasley is well known in Brown county and her home is al- ways open for the entertainment of her friends and neighbors.

WILLIAM NIMON WEST.

Mr. William Nimon West, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Union township, Brown county, Ohio, own- ing a well cultivated and valuable farm of ninety-six acres on the Arnheim pike, was born May 17, 1863, in Byrd town- ship, and is the son of Rev. Joseph S. and Susanna (Dixon) West.

Rev. Joseph S. West was born in Byrd township, December 7, 1825, and passed to his eternal reward in 1892. He was a

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minister of the Christian church for many years and filled the pulpit of Liberty Chapel from 1855 to 1890. His father, John West, was born in Pennsylvania, January 1, 1797, and came with his parents, John and Eleanor West, in 1798, to Kenton Station, Ky., where they spent a short time, coming on to Brown county and settling in Byrd township. The great-grandparents of our subject, William Nimon West, se- cured land and became successful farmers of the county. They passed away at the old West homestead, between De- catur and Russellville, which is now owned by Mr. Rufus West.

Susanna (Dixon) West, the mother of Mr. W. N., of this mention, was a daughter of William and Mary (Carr) Dixon, of Union township, and her birth occurred April 28, 1833, and her death in 1897. She was an active member of the Chris- tian church and was an able assistant to her husband in his · ministerial work.

William Dixon was a native of Kentucky and accompanied his father to Brown county in 1793. He was a general farmer and was prominent in politics, serving as justice of the peace for many years.

William Nimon West is the fifth of twelve children, all of whom are living: Louie, Sadie, Susie and James H. re- side in Norwood, Ohio; Dr. John W., of Philadelphia, Pa .; Mary Lovina married William Smith and lives near Mt. Hope, Kan .; Thomas A., a minister of the Christian church, of near Wichita, Kan .; Joseph S., a banker, of Russellville, Ohio; Oscar A. resides on the home farm in Byrd township; Martha E., who married G. H. Buchanan, lives in Jefferson township; Elizabeth married Archibald N. Leggett, a farmer of Jefferson township.

Mr. William Nimon West was reared on the farm and grew to be an intelligent and practical agriculturist, but his beginning was in a small way and his success is the result of his own industry and enterprise.

In 1890, Mr. W. N. West was united in marriage to Miss Lou Esther Kearns, who was born in Union township. Brown county. in 1866, a daughter of Samuel and Elmira (Martin) Kearns. Her death occurred April 19, 1900, leaving five chil- dren. all of whom are at home: Florence, William Earl, Joseph N., Archie S. and Alonzo K.

Mr. West is an advocate of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and although not an office seeker. he takes an active interest in all questions of the day.

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Fraternally, Mr. West has membership with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Ripley. Religiously, he and his family are devoted members of the Christian church, of Ripley, and is a most liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises.

MARION ALONZO KEARNS.

Numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Brown county, Ohio, is Mr. Marion Alonzo Kearns, who is a repre- sentative of an old family of Brown county. He owns and operates a well tilled farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres on the Arnheim pike, in Union township. Mr. Kearns recently sold another farm of one hundred and nine acres in Jefferson township. He was born in Jefferson township, one and one-half miles southwest of Russellville, October 18, 1850, and his parents were Samuel and Elmira (Martin) Kearns.

Samuel Kearns was born in Pleasant township, Brown county, March 24, 1824, and his death took place in Union township July 9, 1899. He was a son of Daniel Kearns, who died when Samuel was a youth. Daniel's parents immigrated from Pennsylvania and settled on the Little Miami river. Some of the family located in Cincinnati, where they were prospered as business men.

Samuel Kearns, having been reared to the pursuits of agri- culture, continued in this vocation. He was a soldier in the defense of his country during the Mexican war, and was in the battle of Monterey. He was also active in the home guards during the Civil war and made several trips into Kentucky. Thus, from experience, he was known as a man of military knowledge. Samuel Kearns was a Republican in politics and for over forty years was a very active member of the Christian church.

Elmira (Martin) Kearns was born in Franklin township, Brown county, June, 1826, and died September 26, 1904. She was a daughter of Joel and "Jennie" (Brown) Martin, the former of whom was a Scotchman, who emigrated to Brown county, locating in Franklin township, where he died after a useful and active life. The mother was one of nine children, four of whom lived to be over eighty years of age.

Marion Alonzo Kearns is one of six children, whose names follow: Lizzie (Myers), a widow residing at Georgetown,

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Ohio; Taylor died at the age of twenty-three years of small- pox ; M. A., our subject ; Belle J., wife of J. W. Work, of Union township; Anna died at the age of five years; Lou Esther, de- ceased wife of W. N. West, a sketch of whom appears on an- other page.

The mariage or Mr. M. A. Kearns to Miss Nancy Purdum occurred October 17, 1876. She was a native of Brown county, her birth occurring in Pleasant township, her parents being Isaac W. and Hannah (Hodkins) Purdum. Isaac Purdum was born in Brown county and carried on the business of farming all his life. He was an active politician and served in the various local offices of the township. He died December, 19II, at the age of eighty-two years. Hannah (Hodkins) Purdum was also born in Brown county and was a daughter of Samuel Hodkins, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Isaac W. Purdum was one of sixteen children, of whom one was a soldier under General Sherman.

Mrs. Kearns has three brothers: John W. Purdum, of Kansas; James, of Indiana, and Jesse Lee, of Georgetown, Ohio.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kearns are three children : Jesse Lou, who is married, is a merchant at Russellville; Min- nie L., is a resident of Jackson township; and George T., is at home.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 45

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

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