USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 61
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 61
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Harriet, who is the widow of William Clare, is the present owner of the old Grant home at Bethel.
Nancy J., who is Mrs. Fossyl.
Mary, who was born November 19, 1852, married Thomas Meeker, a farmer of Tate township. She died in May, 1912.
Lewis E., was born October 8, 1854, and died in 1909. He was a farmer of Brown county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Fossyl were given one child to bless their union :
Minnie, who was born in Clermont county, January 2, 1871, and received her education in the common schools of the county and was united in marriage to Cloyd W. Henderson, December 24, 1902. He was born at Bethel, Ohio, August 20, 1870, and is a son of Perry and Susan (Hicks) Henderson, the former of whom was an employee in the Bethel shoe fac- tory, and passed away in 1908. His mother still lives in Bethel. They were the parents of the following children : Lee and Mamie, of Bethel, Ohio; Margaret, married John Nel- camp, of Bethel ; Maude, is the wife of Alfred Holmes, a farmer living near Bethel; Court and Leveret, of Cincinnati, and Laura, who is the wife of Mr. Peck, living in the East End of Cincinnati.
Mr. Henderson is assistant superintendent of the shoe fac- tory of Bethel, and is a reliable machinist, receiving many pro- motions from time to time. He is a Republican, but not an office seeker. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have had one child born to them, Mary Grace, who was born in Clermont county, February 5, 1904, and after six months her sweet life was taken, on August 21, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Fossyl's foster son, Howard, was born May 5, 1887, and attended the schools of the county, after which he was engaged in the shoe factory for a period. He married Miss Irene McCann, and is now residing in Cincinnati, en- gaged with the Miller Shoe Company. They have two chil- dren, who were born in Clermont county: Claude, was born May 27, 1905, and Estelle died at the age of six months. This foster son has been a great comfort to Mrs. Fossyl and she is justly proud of him and his progress in the business world.
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About 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Fossyl moved to Bethel, where they spent a pleasant six months in their home on Main street, before death came to take one of the members from this life.
Mrs. Fossyl and her daughter, Mrs. Henderson, are devoted members of the Christian church, being members also of the Ladies' Circle. The elder lady holds membership in the Wo- men's Christian Temperance Union, and is a great doer of kindly deeds.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Fossyl was Frederick Zugg, who was born and reared in Germany. He and his good wife, Caroline, came to Cincinnati in the early days when that city was in the beginning of its growth. Their family con- sisted of: Frederick, Christian, Henry, William, and Samuel, who was the father of Mrs. Fossyl. All of the sons are de- ceased.
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Fossyl was Samuel Swing, who married Lydia Dryall in 1815, and they were the parents of the following: Michael, Sarah, Abraham, Ellen, Jeremiah, David and Shadrach, all deceased.
Both the families. of Mrs. Fossyl and her daughter, who re- sides with her, are of the substantial ones of the county, com- bining all the characteristics of refinement and integrity that goes to make representative citizens.
ALBERT CRANE.
After an active, useful and honorable career as an agricul- turalist, Mr. Albert Crane passed from this life, February 7, 1905. He was a representative of one of the oldest families of Clermont county, Ohio, his birth occurring October 12, 1844, on the same farm, near Bethel, on which his father was born, June 26, 1820. His father was also a farmer of prom- inence in the county. His mother was Miss Euphemia Burk, who was born in Clermont county, December 25, 1822, and who died June 26, 1893. George W. Crane, father of our sub- ject, was a Republican and a member of the school board, taking an interest in all affairs that were for the good of the community. His death took place July 9, 1892.
Albert Crane received his education in the common schools of Bethel, helping his father on the farm, familiarizing himself with all the details of farm life. He followed this occupation
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until his marriage to Margaret N. Bragdon, January 1, 1871. She was born in Pierce township, this county, October 28, 1849, a daughter of William B. and Elizabeth (Noyes) Brag- don), the former of whom was born in Brown county, Ohio, in in 1809, and who died July 12, 1887. Her mother, born at East Fork, Clermont county, in 1822, and died March 31, 1906. Of the eight children born to this union all are living :
Anna, is Mrs. Thomas Holland, of Bethel, Ohio.
Margaret, is the widow of Mr. Albert Crane.
Laura, is the wife of Samuel Edwards, of Bantam, Ohio. Nora, married John White, of Terrace Park, Ohio.
Dr. Ernest, of Bethel, Ohio.
Thomas C., resides in Williamsburg, Ohio.
Abner N., of Los Angeles, Cal.
Etta, is Mrs. William Strock, residing at Chattanooga, Tenn.
At the call of his country for volunteers, Mr. Crane en- listed in the Union army, in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was honor- ably discharged from service at the close of the war.
Mr. Crane was successful as a farmer, being a practical business man and carried on his work in a methodical manner, getting the best results from his labors. He was a Republican, serving as a member and officer of the Bethel school board for many years. He held membership with the fraternal order of Odd Fellows, and in the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Crane joined the Baptist church when quite young. There were two children born to this union :
Edwin L., born September 21, 1873, and died December 6, 1898. He married Miss Bertha Prickett, and to this couple were born two children :. Emmett, born March 26, 1894, makes his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Crane; Mildred Grace, born March 3, 1897, is with her mother, who resides in Cincinnati.
Grace E., who was born January 12, 1877, is the wife of George P. Hibbets, of Kansas City. They had two children : Philip Crane Hibbets, born March 17, 1902, and died July 16, 1902; Margaret E., born May 22, 1906.
Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Crane rented the farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres, which Mr. Crane left her, and purchased a comfortable home at the edge of Bethel, where she has since resided. She is an earnest worker in the Baptist church, and is an active member of the ladies' aid.
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DR. WILLIAM EDWARD LEEVER.
Dr. Edward Leever belongs to one of the oldest families of Clermont county, where they settled about one hundred years ago. He is a native of Clermont county, born in Jackson township, in 1875, son of John Wesley and Mary (Johnson) Leever, the father born near Guinea, Clermont county, in 1841, and died in 1878, and the mother, who was born in Jackson township, Clermont county, 1842, now lives at Afton, Cler- mont county, and is the wife of John Meek. John Wesley Leever was a son of Henry W. Leever, who was a Methodist preacher, spending some time on the "circuit," and also preaching in local churches. His home was at Guinea and in later life he became a blacksmith and farmer. He was one of the most highly esteemed men in the county and well known in that part of the State. The family originally came from Germany, and several members participated in the Revo- lutionary war after coming to America. They originally set- tled in Pennsylvania, the father of Henry W. Leever being one of eight sons who located there, and later came to Ohio, locating at Loveland, Guinea, and other places in Southwest- ern Ohio.
John Wesley Leever engaged in farming in Jackson town- ship and became successful in this enterprise. He also con- ducted a nursery for some years. He served three years and three months in Company G, First Ohio volunteer cavalry, and his brother Felix was killed while serving in the Union army.
John W. Leever and wife had four children, namely: Ju- lietta, wife of D. Lamkin, lives at Mannsville, Okla .; Charles H. is a lawyer and resides in Cincinnati; Dr. William E. is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth married Isaac Shoemaker, and they reside at Hillsboro, Ohio.
Dr. Leever's father having died when he was very young, he had his own way to make, and early developed habits of self-reliance. In boyhood he worked at farming in summer and attended local schools in winter. He received his scientific education at Lebanon, Ohio, and Ohio Medical College (known as Cincinnati Medical College), from which he grad- uated. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Owensville, where his reputation as a successful general prac- titioner is well founded. He has won the esteem and respect of his fellows and stands well in professional circles. He has taken an active interest in local affairs and helped promote the
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Building & Loan Association, of which he is secretary and is a director of the local bank, also a member of the village board of education. He is a Republican in political belief and be- longs to Owensville Methodist church, of which he is a trus- tee and steward. His wife belongs to the Baptist church of Bethel, and both are conscientious workers in the cause. He belongs to two fraternal organizations, the Masons and the Odd Fellows, and is popular in both. He and his wife are well known socially and both have reason to feel proud of the part taken by their families in the past history of Clermont county.
Dr. Leever was married, in 1901, to Miss Florence Crane, who was born in Bethel, Ohio, in 1879, daughter of Cyrus and Olive (Van Osdol) Crane, whose sketch appears in this his- tory. Three children have blessed this union, all born in Owensville: Vivian Crane, aged nine years; Lester Leon, aged seven, and Russell E., four years. Dr. and Mrs. Leever erected their pretty home on Broadway in 1902, and there his office is located.
FRED H. SCOTT.
The popular, energetic and progressive marshall of Bethel, Ohio, Fred H. Scott, is a son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Fields) Scott and was born at Bethel, August 31, 1867. Har- rison Scott was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having oc- curred in 1815, in Westmoreland county. He came with his parents to Clermont county, Ohio, when a lad. He and Gen- eral Grant were fast friends in young manhood, at Bethel, and at one time when Grant returned from West Point, Harrison, who was a great mimic, had a suit made which was the exact duplicate of the uniform worn by the cadets at. the military school, causing great amusement among the young people by following his friend around town. He afterward enlisted in the Civil war, under General Grant, receiving an honorable discharge direct from him at the close of the war. Elizabeth (Fields) Scott, the mother of our subject, was born in Ala- bama, in 1830, and died in 1901. Harrison Scott passed away, April 25, 1885, and a peculiar occurrence in regard to both of these deaths is, that both died on Saturday before Easter Sunday, and both died in the seventy-first year of their life. They had born to their union nine children :
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Olive, who married Albert Warden, of Ripley, Ohio, passed away at the age of fifty years.
Jane, is Mrs. O. C. Thompson, of Bethel, Ohio.
Laura, of Bethel, Ohio.
Mary, is the wife of George Armour, Ripley, Ohio.
Zella, is Mrs. John Browning, of Bethel.
Callie, is the widow of Griffith Wasson, of Portsmouth, Ohio, where she is forelady in a shoe factory.
William H., of Cincinnati.
Fred H., of this mention.
Frank, who resides at Bethel.
Mr. Fred H. Scott received his mental training in the pub- lic schools of his native town, following which he was em- ployed at various occupations, until his marriage to Miss Georgia Thomas Easter, June 2, 1890. She was born at Fal- mouth, Ky., in 1874, and is a daughter of Jacob and Martha (Thomas) Easter, both natives of Kentucky, the latter of whom passed away May 24, 1912. There were four children :
Georgia T., is Mrs. George Scott.
Leo, of Bethel, Ohio.
Blanch and Lottie are at home.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Scott are four chil- dren, and the family circle has remained unbroken by the hand of death. These are:
William Earl, who was born October 4, 1890, and pursued his education in the schools of Bethel and graduated from the high school. He studied the clarinet from Mr. James Fitzpat- rick, who is the leader of the Bethel band, and is now playing first cornet in the Twenty-sixth regimental band of Detroit, Mich.
Matson Leo, who was born July 14, 1892, is a graduate of the high school of Bethel, and is substitute mail carrier on one of the rural routes.
Gladys, who was born September 4, 1897, is attending school at Bethel.
Harold Rexford, was born January 5, 1901.
Several relatives of Mr. F. H. Scott answered the call for volunteers in the army of the Civil war. An uncle of Mr. Scott's, James Wasson, was in the same company as his father and a cousin, Palmer Wasson, received mortal wounds in the army. Two brothers-in-law, Mr. Warden and Mr. Thomson, were in the service, enlisting from Ohio.
William H. Scott, a brother of our subject, was at one time on the police force of Cincinnati, and after the death of his
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wife, traveled with the Barnum & Bailey circus for two years, as boss hostler, thus enabling him to see the countries of the old world as well as this country. He was privileged to visit all the principal cities and see many noted personages of the royalty.
Mr. Scott is an independent voter in politics, always plac- ing his vote for the best man regardless of which party he represents. He was elected marshall of Bethel on the Demo- cratic and Home ticket in 1911, in which capacity he is still serving to the satisfaction of all.
Mr. Scott is universally well liked and is a wide awake citi- zen of the county, and gives to the public whom he serves the best possible service. He is conscientious. and upright in his conduct, performing any duty falling to his lot in a busi- ness like way.
E. C. MANNING.
One of the rising young business men of Bethel, Ohio, who is successfully engaged in the fire insurance business is E. C. Manning, of an old and representative family of Clermont county, Ohio. He is a pleasantly progressive gentleman, hav- ing a fine, up-to-date busines and numbers his friends by the scores.
The birth of Mr. E. C. Manning occurred March 29, 1874, on the farm of his father, O. J. Manning, who is also a native of the county, being born April 2, 1844. He has followed farm- ing as an occupation all his life. He married Miss Francis M. Fee, who was born in Clermont county, September 14, 1851, and whose death took place July 19, 1883. Of the five chil- dren who were given to this union three are living:
E. C., the subject of this sketch.
Samuel F., assistant secretary of the board of health of the city of Chicago.
Elmer J., of Bethel, with the Interurban Traction Company.
Mr. Manning acquired his education in the schools of Bethel and Clermont county and began his business career in the to- bacco business in connection with farming, continuing for ten years. For five years following, he was with the Interurban Traction Company, after which he was deputy of the probate court for one year. Since the expiration of his term as deputy. he has devoted his entire time to fire insurance business, rep- resenting the following companies: Old Hartford Insurance
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Company, Insurance Company of North America, New York Underwriters, Home Insurance Company of New York; Phil- adelphia Underwriters, Aetna Insurance Company, German American Company, Continental, Royal, Fidelity Underwrit- ers, Sun of England, Norwich Union of England, and Amer- ican Central.
On April 27, 1899, Mr. Manning was united in marriage to Miss Blanch Penny, a native of Brown county, Ohio, whose parents are G. H: and Mary (Norris) Penny, residents of Bethel, Ohio. There are four children in the family :
A. H., resides at Memphis, Tenn.
Miss Bessie, now the wife of Clemens Reif, residing at Morrow, Warren county, Ohio.
Blanch, who is Mrs. Manning.
Grace, who is an exceptionally fine teacher, has taught in the schools of Youngstown, Middletown, and Bethel, Ohio. She is a graduate of the Bethel High School, and holds a life teacher's certificate in Ohio.
One child has blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Man- ning, Beulah Mae, born February 3, 1908, in Clermont coun- ty, Ohio. They are consistent members of the Methodist church and Mr. Manning has membership in the fraternal organizations of Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Manning has membership in the Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters.
Mr. Manning endorses the principles of the Democratic party and is at present township clerk. He has also served his party as mayor of Bethel most acceptably. In June, 1912, he was elected deputy grand chancellor of Clermont county, Ohio, at the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias, in session at Canton, Ohio. Mr. Manning deserves all the praise that is implied in the term "self-made," for his prosperity and advancement is due to his own energy and close application to his business interests.
A. C. WOOD.
Few names are more familiar or more closely identified with the affairs of Clermont county, Ohio, than that of Mr. A. C. Wood, owner of the "Bethel Journal." The Wood fam- ily is of English descent and has been prominent in the his- tory of Clermont county since it was known as the Northwest
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Territory. Absalon Wood, the grandfather of the Mr. Wood of this mention, was one of the first settlers of the county.
Mr. Wood is a son of S. S. and Mary J. (Smith) Wood, and was born in Tate township, Clermont county, Ohio, August 25, 1867. His father and mother were both natives of Cler- mont county, the birth of the former occurring in the year of 1845, and the latter being born in 1847. They were well to do farmers and raisers of fine stock. Their family consisted of three children : A. C .; Nina A., is the widow of Charles Sells, of Dayton, Ohio, and Rosa A., who died in her eighteenth year. The death of Mr. S. S. Wood occurred in 1885, his wife being spared until April, 1911.
Mr. Wood enjoyed the educational privileges of the schools of Hamersville, Ohio, and was graduated from the high school with high honors. He then followed the occupation of farm- ing for a period, after which he was checkman for the transfer company of Omaha, Neb. Returning to Hamersville, Ohio, he engaged in the hay, grain and coal business at that place. He sold out his business interests there and took up the insur- ance business in Cincinnati, which he followed for some time. Mr. Wood was later connected with the Daum Shoe Com- pany, of Ripley, Ohio, and in 1908 located in Bethel, where he has since engaged in the insurance and real estate business. In 1911, he purchased the "Bethel Journal," one of the best news- papers in the county. The various business experiences which he has had, has fitted Mr. Wood for the position he now holds in the community.
Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Stella Chapman, in June, 1889. Mrs. Wood is a daughter of W. N. and Emma (Cheeseman) Chapman, who are residents of Brown county, Ohio, and was born in 1871. She is one of three children, the others being:
Edward, of Ripley, Ohio.
Allie, is Mrs. William Daugherty, of Brown county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had four children born to bless their union :
Lola, who was born in 1890, is the amiable telephone opera- tor of the Bethel exchange.
Verner B., whose birth occurred in February, 1892, is em- ployed in the National Cash Register at Dayton, Ohio.
Dale C., who was born in October, 1898, is in the office of his father's printing establishment.
Forrest D., was born November 2, 1902.
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Mr. Wood's study of the political issues of the day have led him to give his support to the Democratic party and is like- wise interested in the public schools, having been clerk of the school board in Clark township, Brown county, Ohio. In re- ligious views, both Mr. and Mrs. Wood are devoted members of the Disciple church.
One incident in the life of the subject of this review that is rare and is experienced by few is, that he was a man grown before death claimed any of his grandparents, and that he plainly remembers two of his great-grandparents. His ma- ternal grandfather, S. B. Smith, was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Clermont county, and was a wealthy farmer and stock raiser, in connection with which occupation he taught pen- manship and music in the schools of the county in the early days.
JACOB VINSON.
Germany has furnished to the United States many valued citizens, who have crossed the broad ocean to seek their for- tune in the "Land of Great Opportunity." To this class be- longs Mr. Jacob Vinson, the popular and enterprising baker of Bethel, Ohio. In the six years of his residence in Bethel, he has built up a fine and prosperous business, and by his genial manner has made for himself a host of friends.
Mr. Jacob Vinson was born at Walsdenberg, Germany, August 13, 1876. His parents, Kasimer and Elizabeth (Bris- ton) Vinson, were natives of Germany, the former having been born in 1844 and the latter in 1847. The father died in Germany in 1907, and the mother is still living in the land of her nativity. They had born to them, six children, three of whom are in America :
John, a resident of the State of Washington.
Mary, married John Bower, of Hamilton, Ohio.
Jacob, of this review.
Jacob Vinson .pursued his education in the schools of his home town, beginning his business life as a carpenter, which occupation he followed until 1893, when he came to America, locating at Hamilton, Ohio. He engaged in a bakery at that place, familiarizing himself with all the details of the busi- ness and in 1906 went into the business for himself at Bethel. Mr. Vinson does his own baking, using one and one-half bar-
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rels of flour each day. He employs two helpers and delivers to grocers and retail bakery stores and the demand for his goods proves that they are first, class in every way.
The marriage of Mr. Jacob Vinson to Miss Olga Gessell oc- curred in 1899. She is also a native of Germany, her birth tak- ing place in 1873. Her parents, Antone and Eva (Wind) Gessel, came to America when she was a small child, the father living on a nice farm not far from Bethel. Her mother died January 28, 1912. There were five children in the family :
Lewis, of Cincinnati.
Ernest, of Clifton Heights.
Tony, living near Bethel, Ohio.
Olga, who is Mrs. Vinson.
Marie, married Frank Dworshack, and lives in Austria.
Mr. and Mrs. Vinson are the proud parents of four fine chil- dren, all born in Clermont county, Ohio:
Jacob, was born September 24, 1900.
Sophia Eva, born October 20, 1901.
Edward H., born April 8, 1906.
John William, was born December 16, 1910.
In political affairs, Mr. Vinson votes the Independent ticket, believing that the right man for the place should have the office regardless of the party he represents.
Mrs. Vinson attends the Catholic church, and Mr. Vinson holds membership in the fraternal organization of Odd Fel- lows. He has been solicited for public office, but he has re- fused for lack of time to devote to anything aside from his business, which keeps him well occupied. He has the largest bakery busines in Bethel, and is broad-minded and liberal citizen.
CYRUS L. CRANE.
Cyrus L. Crane, deceased, was well known in Clermont county, Ohio, for many years as a progressive agriculturist. He was one of the county's workers, assiting materially in its growth and progress. In purity and strength of character, Mr. Crane was among the foremost.
A native of the county, he was born February 20, 1851, on a farm, now a part of Bethel, Ohio, on which his father's birth occurred. He was a son of George W. and Euphemia (Burke) Crane, the former of whom was born June 26, 1820,
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and who died July 9, 1892, the latter being born near Bethel also, December 25, 1822, and died June 26, 1893. They were the parents of two children :
Albert, deceased, was born October 12, 1844.
Cyrus L., of this sketch.
Cyrus L. Crane was a Republican, an active member of the Knights of Pythias, and interested in education and every- thing that tended to the betterment of mankind.
The maternal grandfather of George W. Crane, Obed Den- ham, donated the land for the town of Bethel, and being a far- seeing man, reserved for the town the right to a fine well on a portion of the land. He stipulated that the water should be used only for the purpose of supplying the town, and not to be sold under any consideration.
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