USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 6
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 6
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Ellen, who married Lisbon Simcox, of Shelbyville, Ind.
Carrie, who is the wife of Charles Porter, the principal of one of the Cincinnati schools.
Mrs. Abbott's father and several of his brothers were sol- diers in the Civil war, enlisting from Ohio. They were all staunch Republicans.
Dr. and Mrs. Abbott have been blessed with two children, both born in Clermont county :
Harriet Louise, who is a Latin professor in Antioch College, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, from which she graduated in 1910, taking the chair as soon as she was graduated. She was born April 21, 1880. She is the author of a valuable history of Bethel, Ohio, which was published in the county papers a few years ago. It was greatly enjoyed and is in the possession of many in the county.
Willard Pemberton, who was born March 28, 1886, is a grad- uate of the State University of Ohio of the class of 1909, and is a civil engineer for the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Com- pany. He is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Abbott is a Republican, although he has never been persuaded to accept any office. In fraternal circles, he is well known, being affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Pythian Sisters and also a mem- ber of all the church clubs and societies of the Methodist church, in which she and her family hold membership.
Although of very methodical habits, Dr. Abbott is of a most generous and kind disposition and the impress of his char- acter is felt, not only by his family but by all in the com- munity in which he lives. He is ever ready to help those who
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are in trouble, endearing himself in the hearts of all with whom he is associated. He is justly proud of his two chil- dren, who have both made the most of the opportunities that were given to them, although never boastful of their achieve- ments.
MAJOR JULIUS A. PENN. 1818-1882.
Many of the older residents of Clermont county have pleas- ant recollections of Major Julius A. Penn, for many years an able and highly esteemed member of the Clermont bar. He was an upright and conscientious citizen, a brave and patriotic soldier, a loyal friend, a generous host, and a faithful member of the church. Although not intrusive or aggressive, he pos- sessed unflinching courage and boundless energy, and was known for his noble perseverance, and expressive decision of character.
Major Penn's ancestors came from England and they were among the early settlers of Maryland. His grandfather, Ben- jamin Penn, was born in 1740, in Frederick county, Maryland. In 1774 Benjamin Penn married Mary Sargent, daughter of James Sargent, who came from Snow Hill, England. in 1745. On August 26, 1776, Benjamin Penn was enrolled as a private for the Revolutionary war, under Henry Ridgely, Jr., by J. Carvil Hall. In 1808, in company with James and Snowden Sargent, John Prather, Mathew Pigman, William Phillips, and others, Benjamin Penn and Mary Sargent Penn came to Cler- mont county, with their children. Benjamin Penn died Au- gust 13, 1834. aged ninety-five years. His three sons were, Joseph, Benjamin, and Elijah Taylor, and his nine daughters married respectively, Richard Tucker, George Richards, Wil- liam Molen, R. C. Lanham, Benjamin Thrasher, John Rich- ards, Joshua Ridgeley Pigman, Nathaniel Hines, and James Prather.
Elijah Taylor Penn was born in Frederick county, Mary- land, December 27, 1792, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1808. On January 12. 1815, he married Philenia Walriven. and they became the parents of eight sons and three daughters : Julius Augustus, subject of this sketch, Benjamin F., Joseph Warren, Samuel Milton, John D., William W .. Elijah G., and George W. Anna married John D. Holter, Sarah W. married Judge Thomas Q. Ashburn, and Mary.
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Julius A. Penn was born at Neville, Clermont county, Ohio, May 13, 1818, brought up on a farm, and engaged in farming with his father until 1839. He taught school in Felicity, Ohio, and later studied law with Hanson L. Penn, at Georgetown, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. Moving to Batavia, Ohio, in 1842, he practiced his profession there until his death, forty years later, June 6, 1882.
At the outbreak of the war with Mexico he volunteered for active service, but was rejected on account of disability. In 1861 Julius A. Penn organized the first military company fur- nished by Clermont county to assist in suppressing the rebel- lion, Company E, Twenty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer militia, and as captain of this company, and later as major of the regiment, he saw active service in West Virginia. The original muster roll signed at the first meeting of citizens of Batavia in answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, is a treasured possession of Major Penn's family. Three of Major Penn's brother, Benjamin F., Elijah G. and George W., also served as officers in the War of the Rebellion. Politically, Major Penn was a Republican. He cast his first vote for Gen- eral Harrison for President. He was widely known as a zeal- ous worker in the temperance cause, and in 1873 canvassed Clermont county as a temperance advocate. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Major Penn married, first, Eliza C. Minor, and second, Mary J. Brock, to whom were born two children, Julius Augustus, now of the United States Army, a sketch of whom appears in this work, and Jennie, now residing in the old home in Ba- tavia. All who know Major Penn hold his memory in high re- gard and respect. He was a worthy representative of the sturdy race of soldiers and pioneers who made homes for themselves and their descendants in what was then the forest wilderness of Clermont county.
MAJOR JULIUS AUGUSTUS PENN, United States Army.
Major Julius A. Penn was born in Mattoon, Coles county, Illinois, February 19, 1865, the son of the late Major Julius A. Penn, of the Twenty-second Ohio volunteers, and Mary Brock Penn. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this his-
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tory. The mother, Mary Brock Penn, was born in Crawfords- ville, Ind., removing with her parents first to Paris, Ill., and in 1834 to Chicago, where she resided until 1850, when she removed to Batavia, Ohio, and continued to reside there until her death, December 11, 1910.
Her father, Thomas Brock, was born in North Carolina, of Scotch parentage, and was of the sterling type of pioneer, set- tling first in Ohio, later in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1862 he removed overland across the plains to Stockton, California, where he resided until his death, in 1877. Her mother, Nancy Moore Brock, a native of New Jersey, died in 1840. At an early age Mary Brock Penn became a faithful and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her life was devoted to the unselfish care of others, and was truly one of Christian service and corresponding happiness. Her long and useful life so full of good and kindly deeds and her cheerful nature endeared her to all who knew her.
In April, 1865, Julius A. Penn returned with his parents to their home in Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio. He attended the public schools there and graduated in 1881 from the high school, in the first class to be formally graduated from that school. In May, 1882, upon the recommendation of his neigh- bor and friend, Judge James B. Swing, he was appointed by the Hon. H. L. Morey, member of Congress, a cadet at the United States Military Academy, at West Point, N. Y. Passing the entrance examination successfully, in June, 1882, he served as a cadet from July 1, 1882, until he graduated, July 1, 1886, and was appointed a second lieutenant in the Thirteenth in- fantry, United States Army. His first duties with his regi- ment were in New Mexico, 1886-1888. Then in the Indian Territory and Oklahoma, 1888-1889 and 1891-1892. He took part in several expeditions after runaway Mescalero, Apaches, and Jicarilla Apache Indians in New Mexico; and later in Ok- lahoma participated in the formal opening of lands for settle- ment, in 1889, 1891, and 1892.
From 1889 to 1891 he attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, and was valedictorian of his class. His thesis on "Mounted Infantry" was published on the recommendation of the faculty, in the journal of the Mili- tary Service Institution. He served on ordnance duty and instruction at Frankfort Arsenal, in Pennsylvania, October I, 1892, to October 1, 1893.
Promoted to first lieutenant, Second infantry, on July 29,
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1893, he joined his company at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, in No- vember, 1893, and in June, 1896, was appointed regimental quartermaster, and in the following year was appointed regi- mental adjutant. In addition to his regular duties with his regiment, he served as instructor of tactics at the Omaha High School, from March, 1894, to June, 1896.
He served with his regiment on strike duty at Butte, Mont., in 1894, and was chief commissary of the troops in the field, and assistant quartermaster in the Bannock Indian ex- pedition in Wyoming and Idaho, July to November, 1895. He served in Montana in 1896-1898, and in Chickamauga and Tampa in 1898. He was captain and assistant quartermaster of United States volunteers, from May 12 to November 30, 1898; quartermaster of the First division, Seventh Army Corps, quartermaster First Brigade, Provisional division, Fifth Army Corps; and quartermaster division, Third Army Corps, at Tampa, May to July, 1898; quartermaster at Port Tampa, July, 1898. Assistant instructor and senior instructor of in- fantry tactics, United States Military Academy, October, 1898, to July, 1899. He was promoted to rank of captain and as- signed to the Seventh infantry, March 2, 1899. He was major Thirty-fourth United States infantry volunteers, July 5, 1899, to April 17, 1901. Major Penn commanded the first battalion of the .United States volunteers, raised in 1899, to arrive in the Philippines, October 11, 1899; took part in General Lawton's northern expedition, in October and November, 1899; was with General McArthur's advance on Dagupan, from Bautista to Dagupan, November, 1899; participated in General Young's expedition in Northern Luzon, in November and December, 1899, rescuing over 2,000 Spanish officers and soldiers, and Lieutenant Gilmore of the United States Navy, and twenty- five Americans from the insurgents. He took part in actions at Tagnadin Mountain, December 4th and 5th; at Bandi, De- cember 8th; at Banna Canon, December 9th; at Gaset, De- cember 16th; and in the rescue of Lieutenant J. C. Gilmore, December 18, 1899.
He was active in events connected with the outbreak in the Province of Illicos Norte, Philippine Islands, in April, 1900. He served as inspector general of the Fifth district, Depart- ment of Northern Luzon, September, 1900, to February, 1901. Served on muster out duty in California, April to July, 1901. Served in the Philippines from January to June, 1902. Par- ticipated in the Samar, Philippine Islands, campaign in March
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. of that year. Served as adjutant general of the Sixth separate brigade. Division of the Philippines, in April and May, 1902, and served with his regiment at San Francisco. Cal., from September, 1902, to October, 1903, then in Manila, Philip- pine Islands, from November. 1903. to November 17, 1904.
He was adjutant of the Seventh infantry, from August, 1903, to August, 1904. Captain and aide-de-camp to Major General H. C. Corbin. November 17, 1904. to April 24, 1906. Lieuten- ant colonel and military secretary to Lieutenant General H. C: Corbin. April 24. 1906, to September 15. 1906. Inspector small arms practice, Philippine division, January, 1904, to February 1, 1906. Major Penn served in the Philippines until February I, 1906. and was at headquarters of Northern division at St. Louis, Mo., from March to September, 1906.
He served as captain general staff corps from September 15, 1906, to August 10, 1900, and was assistant instructor Army War College. Washington, D. C., 1906. graduating from this institution with the class of 1907.
He was chief of staff to General T. J. Wint, at base of opera- tions, Newport News, Va., in October. 1906. Was inspector of military schools and colleges, in April and May of 1907, 1908, and 1909. He was promoted to the rank of major and joined the Twelfth infantry. August 10, 1909. He served as acting adjutant general. Department of Luzon, in April and May, 1910, and as acting adjutant general, Fort William Mc- Kinley, Philippines. May and June. 1910. He was inspector and instructor of State militia for Nebraska in 1911, and part of 1912. and was assigned as major of the First infantry in 1912. He is now. January, 1913, stationed with his regiment at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii.
WILLIAM H. GUYNN.
William H. Guynn, retired nurseryman living at Mt. Carmel, Clermont county. Ohio, by his activity and energy in former years accumulated the capital that now enables him to rest in well earned ease from further labors, and to enjoy life and all its pleasures. He is a representative of one of the oldest of pioneer families in the county.
The grandparents of our subject were Joseph and Margaret (Camery ) Guynn, the father of the latter settling in the county
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in the very early days, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Joseph Guynn was a shingle maker by trade, and for six or eight years was assessor of Washington township, Clermont county ; also served several years as justice of the peace.
Samuel, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Camery) Guynn, was born in Washington township, Clermont county, October 12, 1819, and resided in the township of his birth until a few years before his death, October 26, 1912, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was a well-to-do farmer of the county and married Miss Elizabeth Dixon, who was born at Big Indian Creek, Washington township, 1820, and died there in June, 1911. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom were born in Clermont county. Those living are :
William H., the subject of this review.
Milton, a resident of Ivor, Ky.
Samuel, living on the old home farm.
Elizabeth, is Mrs. Frank Philips, of Ivor, Ky.
William H. Guynn was born at Ray's Run, Washington township, June 10, 1843, and was reared on the farm of his father and pursued his education in the schools of Moscow, graduating from the high school. He engaged in farming for a few months, and in 1863 enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, serving his country until 1865. He was engaged in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, and others.
Returning from the war, Mr. Guynn was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Mottier, who was born at Bex, Switzerland, October 11, 1847, and the youngest of seven children born to Abraham and Julia (Pitchard) Mottier, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, the former was born in 1814, and died in 1891, and the latter was born in 1815 and passed away in 1877. They crossed the Atlantic from the land of their nativ- ity to America in 1850, and settled in Green township, Hamil- ton county, Ohio. They were farmers and grape raisers, and sold Catawba wine by the wholesale, also took many prizes at the wine shows.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Guynn, they located on the old Irwin farm, northwest of Moscow, where they carried on general farming and fruit raising in connection with the nursery business for twenty years, developing about seventy acres. Mr. and Mrs. Guynn have had one son to bless their union :
Ellis L., who was born in Moscow, Washington township,
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Clermont county, Ohio, May 6, 1866. He is a graduate of the same school which his parents attended, and married Alice Musser, a daughter of Jacob Musser and wife, both of whom are deceased. She is the youngest of six children. Ellis Guynn is the father of seven children, all born in Clermont county. They are: Alvah, was born in 1890; Irwin, born in 1892, married Tillie 'Bushman and they have one daughter, Lenora M., born November 28, 1912; Clarence, born in 1893; Edna, born in 1897; Russell, born in 1900; William, born in 1903, and Thelma, born in 1908.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Guynn had relatives in the Civil war, the former having three uncles, William, Hensen and Thomas Guynn, who enlisted in the Twelfth and Fifty-ninth Ohio vol- unteer infantry. He also had two cousins, William and Jo- seph, of the Twelfth Ohio volunteer infantry. All of these men have passed away. Favor Mattier and Edward Grenat. cousins of Mrs. Guynn, were on the Sultana when that boat was blown up.
Mr. and Mrs. Guynn are active members of the Christian church, she being secretary of the Christian Endeavor for a number of years. Mr. Guynn is a Republican, and is well posted on all questions of the day. In fraternal matters, he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Workman, Junior Order American Mechanics, and the Grand Army of the Re- public.
Recently Mr. Guynn sold his farm and nursery and now has a pleasant home in Mt. Carmel. He and his estimable wife were schoolmates and have trod the path of life together, she being a genuine helpmate to him in business as well as in the home. He is a genial, broad-minded gentleman, and is active in all worthy enterprises.
EDWARD S. RUSH.
Among the citizens of Clermont county who, by their ster- ling qualities and energetic efforts, have won honor and pros- perity in their native locality, is numbered Edward S. Rush, who was born in Batavia, Ohio, June 3, 1868, son of Ran- dolph and Priscilla (Pollard) Rush, both of whom were born and reared in Clermont county. Randolph Rush was born in Monroe township, in 1838, and is now a resident of Cincin- nati, and Priscilla Pollard was born in Laurel, Monroe town-
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ship, in 1840, and died in 1900. Randolph Rush enlisted and served his term in the One Hundred Day service, in an Ohio regiment, in 1864, and gave honorable service in the cause of the Union. He is a Republican in politics, and served a num- ber of years as marshal of Batavia. He and his wife became the parents of five children, viz .: Turpin D., resides in Georgetown, Ohio; Nannie E., married Augustus Hayes, and they live in Cincinnati; W. P. is a resident of Batavia ; Edward S. is the subject of this review; one child died in infancy. All were born in Clermont county.
Edward S. Rush received his education in the public schools of Batavia, and subsequently entered the printing office of the "Clermont County Sun," where he remained three years. In 1885 he joined forces with the "Courier," and this connection has been continued for a period of twenty-seven years. He is an expert typesetter and it is said he is able to perform this work more rapidly than any other man in the county. He is acquainted with the printing business in all its branches, and there is nothing in this line which he has not thoroughly mas- tered. For the past three years has held the position of editor and manager, for which he is well fitted by natural ability and training.
On January 27, 1898, occurred the marriage of Edward S. Rush and Miss Bertha Elizabeth Holmes, daughter of Hon. E. B. and Catherine (Burke) Holmes, whose sketch appears in this work. She was born August 18, 1872, at Williamsburg, Clermont county, and graduated from Williamsburg High School. The Rush family own a beautiful home on Spring street, where they enjoy an ideal life of peace and harmony.
One child has been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rush, a daughter, Helen Holmes Rush, born at Batavia, November 6, 1903. She is a daughter of whom they are justly proud, and gives promise of beautiful young womanhood. She has won considerable attention for her elocutionary gifts, and partici- pates in many entertainments. At the fiftieth anniversary of the Seventh Ohio cavalry, of which her grandfather, Hon. E. B. Holmes, was a member, and which was held for surviving members of the regiment, September 25, 26 and 27, 1912, at Ripley, Ohio, she was a prominent participant at each session. This celebration lasted three days, and little Miss Rush favored the audience with many select recitations, winning unstinted praise on one particular evening by her rendering of "I Wish I Were a Soldier," and the following day, at the morning ses-
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sion, held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, by the unanimous vote of the sixty-seven members of the regiment, she was made the "Daughter of the Regiment," the only little girl to be given this honor, which was very pleasing to herself and her many friends and admirers. Capt. C. D. Mitchell, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who was one of the speakers, and who was one of the two men who suggested giving the little girl this token of ap- preciation for the part she had taken in this celebration, sent Miss Rush the following letter :
"October second, Ninteen twelve. "Miss Helen Holmes. Rush, Batavia, Ohio.
"My dear Girl :- I want to acknowledge our debt to you for your presence and recitations during our splendid reunion at Ripley. In fact, I don't see how we have gotten along so many years without you. But you are now one of us- Our Daughter.'
"My little girl, let me say that this is a distinguished honor conferred by the 'Rear Guard' of a noble regiment of fighting men-men who fought for the Right, for Freedom, and for the preservation of our Country. We want you to live worthy such knightly men and their cause, and we are sure you will.
"It may be-most likely will be-that the time will come when you are the sole and only bearer of our colors. May God preserve you and prepare you for your life work, is the wish and hope of Very sincerely yours, "(Signed) C. D. Mitchell.
"P. S. I am sending you by this mail, under separate cover, a little souvenir and keepsake from Chattanooga, that will remind you of my address when you come South."
The souvenir accompanying the letter was a teaspoon. Miss Rush also received a letter from Major D. S. Brown, the other member of the regiment, who requested she be given the title of "Daughter of the Regiment," reading as follows:
"Peoria, Ill., October 14, 1912.
"My dear Helen :-
"Just had a nice long letter from Captain Mitchell, enclos- ing copy of letter he had sent to you.
"Good! Now, we are started on the good road to your long successful career as 'Reader' and .Rostrum-Elocutionist.'
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.
"Mitchell and Yours Truly, along with your faithful parents, will hold up your hands-sustain your pride, spirit and ambi- tion.
"In this same mail I send you a souvenir-an exact fac- simile of the first saber I ever carried. It may now be chris- tened the 'Sword of Peace,' and your mamma will procure for you a gold lace belt, and then when you recite, wear it as the sure enough 'Daughter of the Regiment.'
"Very best wishes to your parents-and may the Good Father in Heaven keep you for His very own!"
Mr. Rush is a zealous Republican and held the office of .township and corporation treasurer for eight years, during which time he handled more money than has ever been han- dled before in the same period of time. He is a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star and for the past two years has served as worthy matron of the chapter at Batavia. She also belongs to the Order of Rebekah, and has filled all the of- fices in the lodge, of which she is a member. She also belongs to the Mothers' Club and the Woman's Club. Mr. and Mrs. Rush are consistent members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Rush is what is termed a "self-made man," having reached the prosperity he now enjoys entirely through his own efforts, aided by his faithful wife. His success is the re- sult of faithful and conscientious attention to the details of his chosen life work. He and his wife are delightful people to meet, by reason of their kindly manner and courteous bearing.
Mr. Rush's maternal uncle, William Pollard, and also his paternal uncle, David Rush, were soldiers in the Civil war. His grandfather, William Pollard, was a pioneer settler of Monroe township, Clermont county, where the family took a promi- nent part in early history.
CHARLES H. WOODMANSEE.
Clermont county is proud to number among her representa- tive citizens, Mr. Charles H. Woodmansee, a man of broad and liberal culture, whose versatility has made him widely and favorably known in the professional, commercial, political and social circles of this section of the State. He is at present engaged as cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Felicity, Ohio, in
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connection with which he practices law. Mr. C. H. Wood- mansee is a member of one of the oldest and best families of Clermont county, he being a son of Lot and Jane (Manning) Woodmansee. His birth occurred in Franklin township, Cler- mont county, Ohio, October 18, 1865.
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