History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 58

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 58
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 58

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).

Mrs. Anshutz has one of the finest collections of curios in

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the State of Oiho, which was left to her by her husband, and it is always a pleasure for her to show them to those inter- ested in these things. She is the author of two beautiful little poems to the memory of her late husband. We regret that we cannot reproduce them.

HENRY PARKER SMIZER.

The Smizer family has been prominent in Clermont county, Ohio, for three generations as progressive, proficient agricul -. turists, gaining an enviable reputation for reliability and in- dustry by reason of their straightforward, practical busi- ness methods.

The family were originally from Germany, the first to leave their native land to seek their fortune in the "Great America" being two brothers and a sister, Mathias, George and. Margaret Schmeisser, the German spelling of the name, which has been Americanized to the present form of Smizer. They emigrated to this country in 1738, settling at York, Pa.

Two sons of Mathias Schmeisser, Philip and George, re- moved to Kentucky in 1795, the latter locating in Harrison county, on the Licking river. He was three times married, the first being to Miss Katherine Lair, and the second time to her sister, Mary. The third marriage was to Miss Martha Lair, a cousin of the sisters. She was the mother of Samuel Smizer, who married Rebecca Frazier, November 8, 1827, in Kentucky, after which they removed to Whitley Creek, Moul- trie county, Illinois.

Philip Smizer brought his family to Clermont county from Kentucky, in 1797, locating on a farm of two hundred and fifty acres adjoining the farm, which is now owned by Mr. Henry Parker Smizer, the subject of this review. Philip built a log house but later, about 1827, he erected a substantial brick dwelling. Henry Smizer has in his possession a receipt for the brick used in this house which quotes brick as being $2 per thousand. This house is occupied by George Smizer.

David, a son of Philip and Mary Smizer, was born in Har- rison county, Kentucky, in 1795, and when two years of age was brought by his parents to Clermont county. He married Miss Ruth Brown and they had eight children born to their union, three of whom are still living. George, who lives on the old homestead, Louisa, who married Mr. W. B. Fitzwater

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and lives near Windsor, and Henry Parker, who lives three miles east of Milford, Ohio. David was a farmer all of his life, and was first a Whig, afterwards a Republican. He wa's a devoted member of the Christian church, and also a deacon in the church at Newberry, helping to put up the church at that place. David lived to the good old age of seventy-seven years, leaving a memory that ever lives in the hearts and minds of his people.

Henry Parker Smizer was born in Maimi township, Cler- mont county, October 20, 1833, and received his education in a private school at Milford, Ohio, and on December 17, 1859, married Miss Lucy Howes, who was a native of Connecticut. She was a daughter of Solomon and Lucy (Day) Howes, who came to Ohio when Mrs. Smizer was six weeks old. They located in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and there she was reared and educated. She afterward became a teacher in the district in which our subject lived. To this union was born three children :

Alma, who married William P. Price and lives in Miami township. They have three children.

Edwin F., married Miss Flora Wright, of Middle Grove, where they now live. They have five children.

Abielen, was a graduate of the Milford High School in 1890, under Prof. Byron Williams. She died in 1893.

After his marriage, Mr. Smizer carried on general farming on the old homestead until in 1864, when he entered the army, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio volunteer infantry. He was located at Paw Paw Station, near Harper's Ferry, and with about forty others started out on a scouting expedition to capture some Confederate soldiers. Upon their arrival they found to their consternation that what had been considered a small detachment was an army of three thousand. Mr. Smizer and twelve of his company were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville prison, where he remained from July until in January, 1865, when he was sent to Annapolis and from there to his home.

Upon his return home from the war, Mr. Smizer again resumed his occupation as a farmer and bought from his father one hundred and eighty acres of land. Mrs. Smizer died in 1872, and on February 18, 1875, he was again married at Whitley Creek, Moultrie county, Illinois, to Miss Lucetta A. Smyser, who was a daughter of William and Ellen (Robinson) Smizer. She was reared and educated at Whitley Creek, and

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is a granddaughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Frazier) Smyser, and a great-granddaughter of George and Martha (Lair) Smizer. There have been no children to bless this union. Mrs. Smizer has been a devoted mother to the children, the youngest of whom was but four years of age when she came into the family.

In 1904, Mr. Smizer moved his family to another farm which he had purchased. He has been an extensive fruit grower, hav- ing forty-five acres alone in peaches. In 1911, he erected a fine new brick dwelling, which is their present home.

While not an office seeker, Mr. Smizer was born and reared a Republican, and is well versed in all the political questions of the day. He is of the Universalist faith, although Mrs. Smizer is a member of the Christian church, in which she is an active worker.

Mr. Smizer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Goshen, and is also a member of Kilpatrick Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife have at- tended a number of the reunions of the post: One at Boston, in 1890, one at San Francisco, in 1886, and at Columbus in 1888.

Henry Parker Smizer is now retired from active life, and is spending the evening of his life in the enjoyment of the fruits of the endeavors of his early years. He has followed up the characteristics of his German blood by industrious labor and truth. He has ever been a good neighbor, a faithful friend and an honest citizen.

J. N. ROBBINS.

J. N. Robbins is one of the oldest business men of Goshen, his native place, and was born diagonally across the corner from his present home, on Main and Elizabeth streets, his business location being nearby. He belongs to one of the older families of Goshen, where his father was a prominent business man. He was born July 10, 1837, son of J. B. and Ruth (Wood) Robbins, the father a native of a village near Boston, Mass., born in 1808. At the age of eight years J. B. Robbins was taken by his father, who was a watch maker. the rest of the family accompanying them, down the Ohio river in a flat boat, to the vicinity of Crittenden, Ky. There the grand- father carried on his business and there J. B. Robbins grew

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up, and worked for a time at cigar making. Later he went to Cincinnati and learned the business of chair painting, soon afterwards removing to Milford, Ohio, where his marriage occurred. A short time after his marriage he located in Goshen, and there took up the manufacture of handmade chairs. He was not a mechanic himself, so was obliged to hire all the work done except the painting, which he did himself, so he decided to follow another line and took up house paint- ing. He became skilled in painting clock faces, and as his sons grew up to the right age, he taught them painting. There were then two shops in Goshen where wood turning was car- ried on and J. N. Robbins learned the trade, and this gave his father the idea of buying one of the shops and resuming the manufacture of chairs and some other furniture. The lathes were run by horse power and they had a great business. However, the manufacture of chairs by machinery at Wil- liamsburg compelled them to give up this enterprise, so they took up the manufacture of revolving rakes and lard presses, which they continued to the time of the Civil war.

In October, 1861, Mr. Robbins enlisted as a member of the band of the Fifty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving honorably in this capacity for six months. Leaving Batavia, they went to the vicinity of Richmond, and went into camp at Maysville. He participated in a small engagement at Piketon, Ky., or Ivy Mountain, and after the government had ordered. the discharge of the regiment bands, he was honorably dis- charged at Nashville, having served faithfully in all his duties. Later, he participated in the capture of Morgan.

While Mr. Robbins was at the front, his father had con- tinued the manufacturing business, but after the return of the younger man, the firm dropped this enterprise and engaged in the sale of farm implements, and later purchased an under- taking business. They made their own coffins, and built up a good reputation for the quality of their work. During the life of the father they were partners, and after his death the son continued the business. When coffins began to be manu- factured more by machinery, he discontinued making them and purchased his supply of the Cincinnati Coffin Company, then a small concern. Finding this company did an upright and honest business, he has continued to patronize them to the present time, and during this time they have progressed and developed greatly. Mr. Robbins stands well in business circles and is held in high esteem for the manner in which he

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deals with his fellowmen, in business relations and otherwise. He is one of the best known men in the community and is popular with his many friends.

Mr. Robbins was married, in 1868, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Miss Christina Day. Two children were born of this mar- riage, one of whom died in infancy. The other, Mrs. Nelly Robbins Williams, and her daughter, Christine, nine years of age, reside at the parental home. Mrs. Williams is a graduate of the Cincinnati . Conservatory of Music, under Theodor Bohlmann and also a graduate in sculpture at Cincinnati Art Academy, under Louis T. Rebisso.

GOSHEN SCULPTRESS IS HONORED IN GERMANY.

Miss Nelly Robbins, of Goshen, Ohio, daughter of J. N. Robbins, complimented by critics in Berlin, Germany. Her Bust of Prof. Bohlmann given unstinted praise.

The article printed below is taken from a recent issue of "The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune." While the paper claims Miss Robbins for Cincinnati, and we do not blame it, it is, nevertheless, a fact that she is a native of Clermont county, and was born and reared at the village of Goshen, where she still resides. She is a young lady of most engaging manners, high social standing, and a prime favorite with all who know her. Her charming ways and happy social qualities make her adored by her many friends. She is exceedingly popular among her acquaintance, both in Clermont county and in the Queen City, where she is well known. Too much cannot be said in her praise and Clermont county is proud to claim her among her many distinguished sons and daughters. On the other hand, Miss Robbins is proud of the fact that she is a native of Clermont county, and a resident of the charming village of Goshen. The "Commercial Tribune" compliments her artistic talent in the following clever manner :

"The work of Miss Nelly S. Robbins, a Cincinnati sculp- tress, artist, and musician, has attracted attention and re- ceived recognition at the hands of some of the most noted critics of Berlin, conspicuous among whom is Hugo Lederer, the famous sculptor of the Royal Art Academy."

The above item was taken from the "Clermont Sun," De- cember 19, 19 -.

Again, under date of December 5, 1900, the "Commercial Tribune says :

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"A few years ago, when Miss Robbins, who was not yet twenty years of age, was a pupil under Prof. Bohlmann at the Conservatory of Music, and at the same time attending the Cincinnati Art Academy, she created a life-size portrait bust of Prof. Bohlmann, to whom it was presented. The bust was placed on exhibition at the academy and won for Miss Robbins much praise.

"Recently Prof. Bohlmann visited Berlin and while there displayed the bust in the Royal Art Academy, where it was seen by Sculptor Lederer, who passed judgment upon it as being one of the finest pieces of work he had ever seen. Day after day, for some time, he spent hours studying it, and re- peatedly praised the artist and the school in which she had received instruction.

"Recently Miss Robbins received a letter from the famous sculptor, telling her of the pleasure he had derived from her work, and declaring that it was by far the best specimen of its kind that had ever been sent from America and exhibited in Europe.

"Several other pieces of Miss Robbins's work have received honorable mention at the spring exhibits at the Cincinnati Art Academy, and one, a bust of Dr. Daniel S. Lyman, re- ceived special recognition. While at the academy, Miss Rob- bins was a pupil of the late Louis T. Rebisso."

We also have before us very complimentary notices of Miss Robbins's work from the "Cincinnati Post," "Times-Star," and the "Western Christian Advocate." Each of these men- tions the enthusiastic praise bestowed upon her work, both by foreigners and home people.

Mr. Robbins is a Republican and cast his first vote for Mr. Lincoln, his father being a stanch Republican also. He stead- fastly supported the Republican party until the Philippine Is- lands were annexed to the United States, and not liking the attitude of the government in this matter, he decided to trans- fer his allegiance, and since then has been an independent Re- publican. He has never been an office seeker, and has often refused to become a nominee when solicited to run for office. He has been occupied with his business affairs and is a man of retiring, modest nature, who fulfills the duties of good citizen - ship by giving his support to those whom he thinks will best represent the interests of the people. He is a charter member of Kilpatrick Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and has served in every office except that of commander, which he has

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refused to accept. lIe has attended. several National re- unions of the organization, including those at Boston, Wash- ington, D. C., St. Louis and Cincinnati. Mr. Robbins is of a family that has lived in America for many generations and originally came from England.

DANIEL W. MURPHY.

There is, perhaps, no profession more high or holy than that of the law, for in no other is it given to man to see the human heart in all its emotions more completely. The office of a lawyer is one of trust and confidence, to vindicate rights and redress wrongs, hence one of importance. The Clermont county bar has always occupied an enviable niche in the legal jurisprudence of the State of Ohio, on account of the learning and ability of its members, as well as their personal and po- litical standing.

Numbered among the foremost in the profession is the prosecuting attorney of Clermont county, Mr. Daniel W. Mur- phy, who is a native of Milford, where he has a comfortable home at the corner of Mill and Mound streets. His offices, however, are in the Blymyer Building, Nos. 35-39, Cincinnati, Ohio, and at Batavia, Ohio.

The birth of Daniel W. Murphy occurred April 20, 1866, at Milford, and his parents, William D. and Margaret (Breth- ney) Murphy, were natives of Ireland, the former having been born in County Abbeyfeale, and the latter in County Galway. They crossed the sea to the land of opportunity when they were young and drifted into Clermont county many years ago.

In response to the call for volunteers in the army of the Civil war, William Murphy enlisted in Company D, Tenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and served as a body guard for General Lytle at the battle of Chickamuga, where the gen- eral met his death. He was in the service for more than three years, during which time he was slightly wounded at several different times and was once taken prisoner. He remained in the service some months after the close of the war and upon his return, entered the mercantile business at .Milford, which he conducted very successfully for some time. He was the father of four children, of whom our subject is the oldest. The others are :

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Katherine, who became the wife of John Guilday, who re- sides at Xenia, Ohio.

Margaret J., married to John Walsh, of Camp Dennison.

John, whose home is at Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.

Daniel W. Murphy enjoyed the educational privileges of the Milford school, from which he graduated in the class of 1884, later becoming a student of the Woodward High School of Cincinnati, graduating in the year of 1886. About this time Mr. Murphy's father urged him to study to fit himself for the profession of the law and to help the young man, often going with him to hear noted men in the profession. The am- bitions thus started in the heart and mind of our subject was the foundation on which his later successful career was built. He entered the Cincinnati Law College, graduating in 1889, and since that time has had offices in Cincinnati. His practice has been in all the branches of the law, and his clientele is ex- tensive both in Cincinnati and in Clermont county. Not only is he an able pleader, but he is an eloquent speaker before a jury. His success at the bar, his long experience in active practice and his undoubted judicial attainments fit him for the office he now fills.

Mr. Murphy was reared a Democrat and has been promi- nent in the public affairs of Clermont county for a number of years. He served his party as city councilman for two years, as city solicitor several times and continuously since 1902. He was elected to the Milford school board in 1904 for a term of five years, and from 1906 to 1908 he served as presi- dent of that body. In 1908 he was elected prosecuting attor- ney for Clermont county and was re-elected in 1910, serving four years. At various conventions, Mr. Murphy has acted as State delegate and has been chairman of the Democratic com- mittee of the county. He has also served as treasurer of the county committee. In addition to all of these offices he has been active in the senatorial and congressional conven- tions, being a very popular speaker and worker in the political campaigns.

Although Mr. Murphy is largely self-made and deserves all the credit that the term implies, he gives great credit to his father for the encouragement to enter the profession in which he has been so efficient. He has offices with the law firm of Nichols & Nichols, at Batavia, and has been associated with them in many cases of importance, although he has never been a partner.

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Mr. Murphy was married in 1894 to Miss Emma C. Ducklo, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they have three children-Helen and Hilda, twins, aged sixteen, and George, aged eleven years.

Mr. Murphy is liberal in his views, broad in his sympathy, charitable to an extent that is self-injurious, and one of the greatest and most unrelenting fighters at the bar. His char- acter is beyond reproach and his large practice is due largely to his ability and fearlessness after once undertaking a cause to push it to a successful termination.

DR. RICHARD C. BELT.

Dr. Richard C. Belt has attained more than local prominence as a representative of the medical profession in Clermont county, Ohio, and his activities have been of a most beneficial nature. He has utilized his opportunities, making steady progress along the lines that ultimately reach the objective point. The residence and office of Dr. Belt are at the corner of Water and Mill streets, Milford, Ohio.

The birth of Dr. Richard Belt occurred at the village of Goshen, Clermont county, December 13, 1849, his parents being Richard and Amanda (Haywood) Belt, the former of whom came to Cincinnati, in 1820, from Pennsylvania, with his par- ents, when he was a child. Richard Belt, Sr., became a boot and shoe merchant at Goshen and for several years continued in this business. In 1854 he removed with his family to a farm in Williamsburg township, where he carried on a general farming business until 1865, when he purchased a farm in Batavia township, to which he moved.

Dr. Richard C. Belt was reared on the home farm, and hav- ing acquired a high school education, at the age of twenty years he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. C. Moore, of Amelia, obtaining a good groundwork for a thorough medical education, which he completed by a course at the Ohio Med- ical College at Cincinnati, graduating in the class of 1873. At once he began the practice of his profession at Olive Branch, where he remained but a few months, locating at Milford, in 1874.

The great event in the life of Dr. Belt took place when he became united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Strong West, on September 16, 1874, at Olive Branch, which was her birthplace,

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her parents being S. R. S. and Harriet (Huber) West. This union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, Harriet, who is agraduate of the Thane-Miller School at Cincinnati.

Dr. R. C. Belt is identified with the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, the Miami Valley Medical Association and is president of the Clermont County Medical Society. . He is an enthusiast in his profession, which is generally recog- . nized throughout the entire section of the country.

Dr. Belt is a Democrat, but has been too busy to accept an office. He is interested in educational matters and has been an active member of the board of education, also being a mem- ber of the city council.

In fraternal circles Dr. Belt became a member of the Ba- tavia Lodge No. 109, Free and Accepted Masons. He demitted to Milford and has filled all the chairs in his local lodge, also representing it at the grand lodge. In addition, he holds mem- bership with the Knights of Pythias at Milford. Both he and his estimable wife are untiring workers in the Episcopal church. He is a good citizen and takes an active interest in all affairs that tend to promote the welfare of his townspeople. He is a man of strong convictions, is capable and earnest, and none stand higher with his fellows in Clermont county and vicinity.

JOSEPH M. APPLEGATE.

Of the men who have passed from this life, whose record for good citizenship entitles them to honorable mention in these volumes, is numbered Mr. Joseph Moreland Applegate, who was born at Hamersville, Brown county, Ohio, April 10, 1828, and died in 1902.

Mr. Applegate was reared on the farm of his father, receiv- ing his education in the district school of the neighborhood. When he was about sixteen years of age he enlisted as a sol- dier in the Mexican war, taking part in many battles, among them being the battle of Monterey.

After the close of the war. Mr. Applegate took a trip through the Southwest, principally through Missouri, and finally reach- ing California became interested in mining. He spent about thirty-five years in California, although he was not successful as a miner. In 1,882 he returned to his native place, intending

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to spend a short time in visiting the scenes of his childhood, and to return to California to resume his activities in that locality. While on this visit Mr. Applegate met Miss Missouri Weaver, whom he married, August 13, 1884.

Mrs. Missouri (Weaver) Applegate was born in the home in which she now lives, and is a daughter of Simeon and Mary (Duckwall) Weaver, who were natives of Berkeley county, Virginia, coming to Clermont county with their parents when they were children. The families of Duckwall and Weaver settled on adjoining farms, and it was on the farm which Mrs. Applegate's grandfather, John Weaver, purchased at this time that is her present home. The first house was a cabin on the river bottom and a little later another house was erected. The present splendid brick house was put up just before the death of the grandmother. There were five hundred acres in the original farm, which was divided among a large family, the homestead coming into the possession of Mrs. Applegate. Mrs. Applegate was one of six children :

Lavina married W. R. Ely, a minister of the Methodist church. They were the parents of Edwin C. Ely, a prominent attorney of Batavia, mentioned elsewhere in this work.

John Lewis was a farmer and a great church worker, being well and favorably known throughout the county.

Sarah, deceased.

Mary S., deceased.

James W., deceased, leaving several children.

Simeon Weaver was a Democrat, as was his father.

He is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Batavia.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 58

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

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