USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 55
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 55
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Mr. John G. Quinlan enjoyed the educational privileges of the Eureka College, of Eureka, Ill., entering school in the fall of 1889 and graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1895. After completing this course he entered the ministry at Lafayette, Stark county, Illinois, and for a period of two years was occupied in preaching and for three was occupied as superintendent of schools. Following this time he spent a year at New Bedford, Ill., as a minister, and the two years following at Alpha, Henry county, Illinois, as superintendent of schools. The next four years were spent in New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where Mr. Quinlan was superintend- ent of schools. He then removed to Keithsburg, Ill., where he became the pastor of the Disciples church at that place, and in connection with his ministerial duties had charge of the business interests of the Times-Record, of Mercer county, Illinois, in Keithsburg and Seaton. At the expiration of this engagement Mr. Quinlan resigned all his interests in Illinois and returned to the county of his nativity. In December of 1907 he entered the ministry at Georgetown and during the years of 1908 and 1909 conducted the religious services at the church in Georgetown and neighboring churches. In the fall of 1909 he became the principal of the Georgetown High School. On January 1, 1910, he assumed charge of the Bethel Disciple Church, which he still holds.
The marriage of Mr. John G. Quinlan to Miss Ella E. Hill occurred July 26. 1893. She was born in Pleasant township, Brown county, February 11, 1869, and is a daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Rees) Hill, the former of whom was born near Higginsport, Ohio, in 1838, and died in 1911, and the latter of whom was born near Feesburg. Ohio, and died in Lewis township, Brown county, Ohio, in 1871, aged twenty- five years. Of the three children born to this worthy couple two died in infancy, only Mrs. Quinlan reaching mature years.
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In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan three children have came to gladden and brighten their home, their names follow :
Joseph A., who was born in Eureka, Ill., July 20, 1895, is a graduate of the Georgetown High School and will enter the Cincinnati University in the fall of 1913 for a course in tele- phony.
William Vern, who was born near Georgetown, Ohio,, Oc- tober 4, 1896, attends the high school at Georgetown.
Edgar E., who was born in Lafayette, Ill., January 28, 1900, is also attending school.
Mrs. John G. Quinlan is a member of the Eastern Star and is eligible to the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a member of the Research Club.
Mr. Quinlan is a Democrat in politics but votes independ- ently, for the best men and measures. He has made a study of political science and frequently lectures on subjects bear- ing on issues and questions of the day.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Quinlan are with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
During the past year he has taken up insurance business, taking the interest of Mr. Charles Biehn, who has removed to Texas, and Mr. Thomas W. Weaver.
Mr. Quinlan has offices over the People's National Bank and is one of the busiest men in Brown county. His ambi- tion to be able to speak on any subject at any time has surely been accomplished, and his preaching, teaching, writing and speaking have made him a well known and popular citizen. He is also representative for Brown county of the Geiger- Jone Company, of Canton, Ohio, underwriters of industrial securities.
Mrs. Quinlan is a graduate of the Georgetown High School and taught music for two years.
FRANCIS M. SMITH.
Mr. Francis M. Smith, retired merchant and real estate dealer, of Georgetown, Ohio, has for many years been one of the useful and prominent citizens of Brown county, where he was born, in 1844, his parents being Nicholas and Sallie (Spires) Smith.
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The Simth family is one of the old established ones of Brown county and of Ohio. The grandfather of the subject of this review, Benjamin Smith, was a native of Maryland and moved to Kentucky some time prior to 1803, after which time he settled in Brown county, Ohio, four miles from George- town, in 1804. His death occurred soon after the close of the war of 1812.
Nicholas Smith was born in Mason county, Kentucky, in September, 1801, and died in 1876. He was a farmer and a justice of the peace for many years. His marriage to Miss Sallie Spires took place in 1825, and to them were born ten children.
Benjamin C. was a farmer of Brown county, Ohio, now de- ceased.
Alexander was a resident of Pike county, Illinois, now de- ceased.
Richard was a member of the Forty-eighth regiment. Com- pany H, Ohio volunteers, and was killed at Pittsburg Land- ing, in 1862, when but a few months in the service.
James G. enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Ohio volun- teers and served five years. His death occurred soon after his return from the war.
Sallie Ann, who was the wife of Samuel Remley, is deceased.
Rebecca J., widow of William J. D. Boothby, lives in Brown county, Ohio.
Mary Elizabeth, wife of Spence Wallace, who was a soldier in the Civil war, is deceased.
Francis M., the subject of this mention.
Mrs. Sallie (Spires) Smith was of English descent and was born in Maryland, April 13, 1800, and died in 1887 She was brought to Ohio by her parents, in 1812. Her father served in the war of the Revolution.
Francis M. Smith obtained his education in the schools of Brown county and spent the days of his youth on the farm of his father. He desired to enter the army of the Civil war and volunteered, but was rejected on account of disability. He taught school for some years in Brown county, and then en- tered the mercantile business, in 1871, at Mt. Orab, and, in 1876, sold out and retired. In 1884 he established a mercantile business in Georgetown, where he continued until 1887. From 1890 to 1893 he was occupied in the real estate business in Co- lumbus, Ohio, returning to Georgetown in 1893. entering again into the mercantile business. He continued in this line of work until 1906, when he retired from active life.
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Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in all worthy enterprises of the community in which he lives. He was one of the incorporators of the People's National Bank, of Georgetown, Ohio, and has been one of the directors and has held the office of vice-president of that bank since its organi- zation, in 1903. He was one of the seven directors of what is now the Norfolk & Western Railway Company, for seven years, during its constructive period.
In 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Rice, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, near Bethel, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Swing) Rice. Mrs. Smith died in 1868.
In 1875, Mr. Smith became the husband of Mrs. Mary E. Cochran, who in maidenhood was Mary. E. Richards, a na- tive of. Brown county, her birth occurring in 1842, and a daugh- ter of James and Violet (Thompson) Richards. Mr. and Mrs. Richards were both natives of Brown county and were enter- prising farmers. Of their large family but four are now liv- ing: Charles, a resident of Missouri, and James, who lives in Dakota ; Amanda, wife of Rev. Hayward, of Mishawaka, Ind., and Minnie, wife of William Trisler, of near Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had one child, Sallie Violet, who was born in Brown county, in June, 1876, and married Dr. J. N. Meyers, of Georgetown, Ohio. Mrs. Smith was the mother of two children by her former marriage to Mr. Cochran, of whom one is living, Peggie, who married George W. King, of George- town, Ohio. Mrs. Smith passed away in 1902 and was laid to rest in Georgetown cemetery. She was a life-long member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Smith's third marriage occurred September 17, 1907, when he wedded Miss Anna B. Mckibben, who was born in Georgetown, Ohio, a daughter of Hervey and May J. (Young) Mckibben. Mr. Mckibben was born in. Clermont county, Ohio, and was reared in Augusta, Ky., and died when Mrs. Smith was a young child. Mrs. McKibben was born in Hig- ginsport, Ohio, and died in 1907, in her seventy-ninth year. Mr. Mckibben was a merchant of Georgetown and was clerk of the courts of Brown county on the Republican ticket. He was active in politics and held many township offices. He bought the red brick house on Grant avenue opposite the postoffice at a very early date and spent the greater part of his life there. They had seven children grow to maturity :.
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Mary L., who married J. R. Moore, an attorney of George- town, Ohio.
Charles, deceased.
George L., who resides at Van Wert, Ohio.
Grant W., who is in the insurance business at Georgetown, Ohio.
Mrs. F. M. Smith.
Sallie, wife of T. C. Rapp, of Kokomo, Ind.
Jeannette, wife of Mr. Cropper, a real estate dealer of Georgetown, Ohio.
Mrs. Smith is a graduate of the Georgetown High School and was for many years a teacher in the public schools of Georgetown. She is a member of the Methodist church and is a charter member of the Eastern Star.
For a period of twenty-five years Mr. Smith served the Methodist Sunday school as superintendent, and practically all his life he has held some office in the Methodist church, of which he has long been a consistent member.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and was serving on the board of education at the time the present school house was erected and has held various township offices in Green township.
Mr. Smith is a man of upright life, who well represents the very best citizenship of this section, and is widely known and everywhere respected. He is self-made and from a small beginning has accumulated a goodly competence, own- ing besides his pretty home on North Main street, several tenant houses and a number of business houses. Mrs. Smith has assisted him materially in all of his enterprises and their home is one of ideal comfort.
JAMES W. ROBERTSON, V. S.
Numbered among the rising young business men of George- town, Ohio, is Dr. James W. Robertson, practicing veterinary surgeon. Although not long a resident of Clermont county, Dr. Robertson has a fine practice and has made himself many friends. He was born in Dundee, Scotland, October 17, 1885, and his parents, William and Jane (Wallace) Robertson, are also natives of Scotland.
William Robertson was born in 1854, while his wife was
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born in 1860. Mr. Robertson came to America in 1882 and spent four years in Pittsburgh, but returned to his native land, where he and his wife and daughter now reside. They were the parents of four children, whose names are as follows:
William, of Detroit, Mich., is chief draftsman for the North- ern Electrical Engineering Company.
James W., the subject of this sketch.
Albert, of Detroit, is in business college at that place.
Grace is with her parents in Scotland.
James W. Robertson attended the schools of Scotland and is a graduate of the Valparaiso, Ind., School. After finishing the high school Dr. Robertson became a student of the Chi- cago Veterinary College, from which he graduated with high degrees. His first practice in his profession was at Dayton, Ohio, where he remained for three years. Since the expira- tion of that period he has been engaged in his profession at Georgetown, with offices in the National Hotel. From youth Dr. Robertson displayed business ability and his future is very bright.
Dr. Robertson is one of the city's public spirited men, and is a useful member of the society of that place. His personal character is one that commands respect and his affable man- ner makes many fast friends.
In fraternal circles Dr. Robertson is well and favorably known, having membership with the Masons and Woodmen.
In politics, Dr. Robertson votes for the men and measures of the Democratic party.
He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and is a liberal supporter of that denomination.
The personal success of Dr. Robertson is due largely to his enterprising and energetic disposition and he is a credit to the community in which he lives.
THOMAS W. WEAVER.
Numbered among the representatives of the early families of Brown county, Ohio, is Mr. Thomas W. Weaver, a promi- nent citizen of Georgetown, conducting a prosperous real estate and insurance business. The grandparents of Mr. Weaver were among the very first to settle in Brown county, and it was necessary for them to clear away the timber
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before erecting their home. Thomas W. Weaver was born in Georgetown, Ohio, August 15, 1857, and is a son of Louis L. and Eliza A. (Hicks) Weaver.
Louis L. Weaver was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1825, and passed to his eternal reward on December 8, 1871. He was but four years of age when his parents determined to seek their fortune in the New World, and thither they came, in 1829, settling in Franklin township. and later at George- town. Mr. Weaver learned the trade of saddler with Thomas Walker, in Georgetown, and later engaged in the saddler's business for himself, having a shop in Georgetown until his death.
Eliza A. (Hicks) Weaver was born in Washington, D. C., March 4, 1827, and died in February, 1897. The Hicks family were Southern people and were originally from Virginia. When a small child she was taken and reared by Thomas L. Hamer, then a member of Congress. Mrs. Weaver became the mother of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity :
Francis M., deceased.
Charles G., a resident of Georgetown, Ohio.
George K. and Katie, deceased.
Thomas W., our subject.
Mr. Thomas W. Weaver attended the schools of George- town, Ohio, until he reached the age of thirteen years, when because of the death of his father he was forced to leave school to assist his widowed mother. He began his business life in the shoe store of Mr. L. F. Roth, and gradually rose from one position to another until he finally became a partner in the business, the firm name being Roth & Weaver. He continued in this business until he reached the age of thirty years. In addition to this business Mr. Weaver has been interested in a cigar manufactory in Georgetown and has traveled some in the interests of the cigar company. In 1900 he took up the real estate business, together with the insurance work. and until the past year has been associated with Mr. Charles Biehm, the firm being known as Weaver & Biehm. Mr. Biehm has within the past year removed to Texas, selling his interests to Mr. John A. Quinlan, mention of whom is made on another page. Mr. Weaver has offices over the People's National Bank, cor- ner of Main street and Grant avenue, and among the com- panies he represents are the North British Company, the Royal of England. Northern of England, Home of New York, National of Connecticut, Philadelphia Underwriters,
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Fire Association of Philadelphia, German-American of New York, Union Central of St. Louis, Penn of Philadelphia, Home Life of New York, American Casualty Company of Pennsyl- vania and the New Amsterdam Casualty Company of New York. Mr. Weaver has one of the largest insurance agencies in Georgetown. His real estate business is all local, and mostly for other people.
In September, 1882, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ella Crouch, who was born in Matomoor, Wood- ford county, Illinois, in 1859, and is a daughter of Aaron D. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Crouch, the former of whom was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1830, and died in January, 1912, after having conducted an undertaking establishment of great credit for many years in Georgetown. His death was very sudden, occurring but a few hours before he and his family were to start for a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver at their winter home in Florida. Mrs. Crouch was born in George- town, in 1834, and still resides in the pretty home erected for her by her husband before his death. Her ancestors were from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Crouch were the parents of three children, Mrs. Weaver being the eldest. The others are : William, deceased, and John T., who succeeded his father to the undertaking business. He married Miss Lena Dunn, a daughter of O. F. Dunn, whose sketch also appears on these pages.
Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, both born in Georgetown. One is deceased and the other, Guy W., born in July, 1886, holds the responsible po- sition of county inspector of weights and measures. He mar- ried Miss Laura M. Cutler, of Mt. Washington, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Ellen Elizabeth.
In politics, Mr. Weaver has always been a staunch Demo- crat, and, in 1889, he was elected director of the Brown county infirmary, and, in 1892, was re-elected to the same office. In 1893 he became a candidate for the office of county clerk, was elected, and re-elected in 1896. He was president of the board of public affairs of Georgetown until, in January, 1912, when he declined to qualify, as he spends his winters in Florida at Daytona Beach for his health, believing he could not do jus- tice to his constituents, being absent one-half the time.
Mr. Weaver has fraternal relations with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men, and in all these or- ders he is a valued member.
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In religious matters, Mrs. Weaver was raised in the Bap- tist belief, while Mr. Weaver was raised in the Disciples church.
Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have a very pleasant and comfortable home on South Main street. Mr. Weaver has ever been pub- lic spirited, active and energetic, and deserves much credit for the success he has made of life.
CHARLES B. FEE.
Mr. Charles B. Fee, one of the prominent and representative men of Brown county, Ohio, is the present mayor of George- town, and was born in Scott township, Brown county, Ohio, August 15, 1853. His parents, Dr. Enos B. and Amanda (Blair) Fee, were early residents of Clermont county, Ohio, who removed to Brown county about 1847.
Dr. Enos B. Fee was born in Clermont county, Ohio, Octo- ber 4, 1817, and passed to his eternal reward in October, 1884. He was a very busy and useful man and was highly respected by all with whom he was associated. The family was orig- inally from Pennsylvania and came west in the pioneer days of Ohio. He practiced his profession first at New Hope and, in 1869, removed to Georgetown, where he continued in his chosen work until his decease. His wife, Amanda (Blair) Fee, was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, in 1826, and passed from this life in 1893. She became the mother of seven children, all of whom were born in Brown county, and of that number three are still living. They are as follows : ,
Lillie,.of Georgetown, has not married.
Charles B.
Dr. Robert Fee, of Georgetown, Ohio.
After completing the common schools of New Hope and Georgetown, Mr. Fee entered the Augusta, Ky., College and later attended the Cincinnati schools. He then taught school for one year in Brown county and Georgetown, following which he became a student of the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1873. He then began the practice of law and, in 1880, was elected mayor of Georgetown, in which capacity he served for a period of three years. At the expiration of this time, Mr. Fee turned his attention to agricultural pur-
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suits for some years, returning to Georgetown, in 1911, when he was again elected mayor. Prior to his last election he was editor of the ."Brown County News," during the years of 1888-1889, while practicing law occasionally.
In 1884, Mr. Fee was made captain of Company G, Thir- teenth Ohio Nation Guard, and has carried the title since that time, being known throughout this section as Captain Fee.
In politics, Mr. Fee is a Democrat and has served his party in the capacity of town councilman, and his popularity is evi- denced by his second election to the office of mayor of George- town.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Fee are with the Masons.
Mr. Fee is a lawyer of great ability and is a recognized factor in the progress of the county. He and his sister, both of whom are unmarried, have residence at the corner of Third and Green streets.
O. F. DUNN.
Mr. O. F. Dunn, one of the prominent citizens of George- town, Ohio, after a long and eminently successful business career, is now enjoying the comforts of retired life, surrounded by all that makes advanced years often the most enjoyable ones of a lifetime. Mr. Dunn was born three miles south- west of Sardinia, Washington township, Brown county, Ohio, June 26, 1843. His parents were J. H. and Elizabeth (Day) Dunn.
J. H. Dunn was born near Youngstown, Ohio, February 2, 1808, and died May 1, 1899. IIe was a prosperous and exten- sive farmer and stock raiser in Brown county, owning at one time over three thousand acres of the most fertile soil in Brown county. His father served his country faithfully and well during the Nation's peril in the war of 1812, and his mother's father in the Revolutionary war.
Elizabeth (Day) Dunn was born on Bull's Skin creek, Lewis township, Brown county, Ohio, March 1, 1812, and passed from this life, June 14, 1889. The maternal great- grandfather of Mr. O. F. Dunn, Robert Hamilton, was born in Ireland and crossed the Atlantic to America six months before the Revolutionary war broke out. He enlisted and served the country of his adoption during the entire war. He
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was twice wounded, once with a musket ball and once with a sword. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Elizabeth (Day) Dunn, Mr. Williams, was killed in Kentucky by the Indians and his family of five or six children were scattered among his friends. Mrs. Dunn's mother was brought up by a friend and never knew what became of her brothers and sisters, which was always a source of great grief to her.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dunn eleven children were born, all born in the same house on a farm in Washing- ton township, Brown county, Ohio. All of them lived to reach the age of fifty years :
Ira B., who died March 7, 1903.
Abigail, widow of David Calvin and later of Lewis Bing- ham, a resident of Mt. Orab.
Julia, the wife of Francis Marion Tracy, of Tracy Station, Brown county.
Elizabeth, wife of Martin Courts, died September 5, 1912. Perry T. died September, 1911.
Orman Fletcher, the subject of this mention.
Margaret E., who is the wife of Henson L. Vance, a resi- dent of Macon, Brown county, Ohio.
J. C., of Fayette county, Washington.
J. W., of Sardinia, Ohio.
Joseph E., of Georgetown, Ohio.
Caroline Fee, wife of James Cumberland, of Mt. Orab, Ohio,
Mrs. J. H. Dunn was a devout member of the Methodist church, and while her husband was not a member, he was a firm believer of the doctrine and a liberal contributor to that denomination.
Orman Fletcher Dunn obtained the education afforded by the school of Washington township and remained at the home farm, assisting in the duties that make up the life of the average agriculturist, and under his father's supervision grew to be a practical farmer and stock raiser.
On September 5, 1865, Mr. O. F. Dunn was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth A. Wardlow, who was born in Brown county, February 26, 1842, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Purdom) Wardlow, both of whom were natives of Brown county, and who have long since been deceased. They were the parents of seven children :
William, deceased.
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Thomas L. Hamer, a member of the Seventh Ohio volun- teer infantry for four years, deceased.
Benjamin, deceased.
Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn, deceased.
Mell, wife of Peter McKee, who lives at New Hope, Ohio.
James, who lives on the old home farm at New Hope, which he owns.
Nancy, wife of Jacob Heiler, who lives in Covington, Ky.
Mr. and Mrs. Wardlow were prosperous farmers of Brown . county for many years.
After his marriage Mr. Dunn managed his father's exten- sive agricultural interests for two years and then moved to another farm belonging to his father, above Georgetown, where he spent one year. He then purchased a fine farm of two hundred forty-three acres in New Hope and rsided there from 1870 to 1887, when he returned to Georgetown, where he became engaged in the livery business. He erected the largest livery stable in southern Ohio, and conducted this business for fifteen years, and still owns a half interest. In this business he met with success, as he did also in his gen- eral farming.
The death of Mrs. Dunn occurred April 8, 1875, and. left, beside her husband, four children to mourn their loss. Their names follow in order of birth :
Lenna, wife of John Crouch, of Georgetown.
Lillie F., wife of William R. Waters, who is in partnership with William Richards in the livery business and owns a handsome home adjoining Mr. Dunn's. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have one son, Howard Dunn, who was born in June, 1893, a graduate of the Georgetown High School, and is attending the State University, in his second year. Mrs. Waters is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which was organized in 1912.
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