USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 62
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 62
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).
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
The grandfather of our subject, Davis Crane, came to Cler- mont county early in the Nineteenth century.
Mr. Cyrus Crane pursued his education in the public schools of Bethel, and after completing the high school course he at- tended the State University at Ann Arbor, Mich. After the completion of his education, he taught school during the win- ter terms, in Clermont county, for several years.
The marriage of Mr. C. L. Crane to Miss Olive Van Osdol took place December 29, 1875, and the young couple settled on a farm near Bethel. He followed the occupation of farm- ing for the remainder of his life, meeting with success. His death occurred September 16, 1906. He left two children :
Florence M., who is Mrs. Dr. Lever, of Owensville, Cler- mont county. They have three children-Vivian C., Lester Leon and Russell E.
Hazeltine L. is at home with her mother.
Both daughters are well educated, being graduate of the Bethel High School, and of the National Normal. Univer- sity, at Lebanon, Ohio.
Mrs. Crane was born near Bethel, in 1854, and is a daugh- ter of Isaac and Martha G. (Crouch) Van Osdol. Isaac Van Osdol was born in sight of the birthplace of his future bride, Martha Crouch. Mrs. Crane's grandparents were among the first settlers in Clermont county, and the grandfather, Oakey
. Van Osdol, served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Crane built the home in Bethel, where she now resides, although she still owns the farm where she and Mr. Crane spent many happy years rear- ing their family. She is a member of the Woman's Club of
Digitized by Google
675
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Bethel, and is an active member of the Baptist church. She has three sisters, one of whom is deceased :
Elizabeth, married William Hancock, and both are deceased. Mary, is Mrs. J. C. Trout, of Brown county, Ohio. . Ellen, married Elihu T. Laycock, of Bethel.
DIMMITT ELWOOD SOUTH.
Among the progressive and enterprising families of Cler- mont county, Ohio, who by their united industry and ambi- tion have been rewarded by a measure of prosperity, is the family of Mr. Dimmitt Elwood South. Mr. South is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest of families of the county and was born at Bethel, August 16, 1858, a son of Ezekiel and Cather- ine Esther (Flick) South.
Ezekiel South was born at Bethel, Ohio, May 6, 1816, and Catherine Esther . (Flick) South was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1814. The father of Ezekiel, Isaac South, came to Clermont county, Ohio, in the early days, from New Jersey, and was a hatter by trade. He also did some farming in connection with his other occupation and during the cholera time, in 1826, died, his wife living but a short time after his death. Ezekiel was a shoe maker and was appointed postmaster of Bethel by Abraham Lincoln, in 1861, holding the position continuously for twenty-three years. He was also elected mayor of Bethel, serving in this capacity for one term. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, Clermont Chapter, No. 211, Free and Accepted Masons. Both he and his estim- able wife were devoted members of the Methodist church and their home was always open to the ministers and presiding elders of the church. Ezekiel South passed from this life in 1902, his wife having died in 1891. Both are buried in the Bethel cemetery. There were five sons, all born in Clermont county :
Corwin, who was a resident of Bethel, Ohio, is deceased.
Eugene, a physician in the Civil war for one year, in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth regiment, Ohio volunteer in- fantry, died in 1867.
Philip T., is a lawyer of Indianapolis, Ind.
Ledrue, died in 1879.
Dimmitt Elwood, the subject of this mention.
Digitized by Google
.
676
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Mr. Dimmitt Elwood South received his education in the schools of Bethel and his first work after the completion of his schooling was in the bureau of engraving and printing of the treasury department at Washington, D. C., where he re- mained for nine months. Upon his return to Bethel, in 1877, he learned the shoe maker's trade with his father and brother, continuing at this occupation for about ten years. He was then associated with the Cincinnati, Georgetown and Ports- mouth and the Interurban and Terminal railways as agent at Bethel for eleven years, and has since been engaged as a rural mail carrier.
On October 3, 1883, Mr. South was united in marriage to Miss Edith Harrison, who was born at Owensville, Ohio, Oc- tober 24, 1856. Her parents, C. J. and Leah Ann (Parker) Harrison, were born in New Brunswick, Canada, and in Cler- mont county, Ohio, respectively. The father was born in 1828 and the mother in July, 1826, the latter passing away in October, 1906, and is buried at Miamiville, Ohio. C. J. Har- rison came to Clermont county when he was twenty years of age, taking his first examination for a teacher's certificate, under the late George L. Swing, of Batavia, Ohio, who was then probate judge of the county, and taught school for many years. For several years Mr. Harrison was school examiner and was county auditor for two terms, following which he re- tired from active service because of failing hearing. He has since written several books, one of which, "Tracadia," was published, meeting with great success. Several serial stories that he has written have never been published, but one poem, entitled, "The Fate of Hassan," was published in 1857 in Har- per's Magazine, and attracted much attention and comment by reason of its uniqueness. It is thought to be the only poem ever published containing no letter "e" in the several verses. It has gone the rounds of the magazines for years, and was last seen in the Scrap Book. Mr. Harison makes his home with his several children since the death of his wife, who was a devoted member of the Methodist church. To them were born seven children :
Ella, married J. S. Meek, of Afton, Ohio, deceased.
Louise, is Mrs. Thomas Lever, of Loveland, Ohio.
Edith, is Mrs. D. E. South.
Belle, married William Thurston, of New York, deceased.
Charlotte, became the wife of Frank M. Titus, of Batavia, deceased.
Digitized by Google
677
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Annie, the widow of John Potts, is matron of the Indian school at Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
James, met with death by drowning in a pond near his home at Branch Hill, Ohio, in 1885, in the eighteenth year of his life.
Mr. and Mrs. South have three children to bless their union, all of whom were born at Bethel Ohio:
Dale R., whose birth occurred March 3, 1885, pursued his education in the schools of Bethel, following which he at- tended the Ohio State University for three years.
Camille L., was born April 7, 1889. She attended Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and is at home with her par- ents.
Annie Marie, was born January 18, 1893, and is attending the Ohio State University, taking the Domestic Science course.
Mrs. South has demonstrated what a woman can accom- plish in a business way. For several years she has engaged in manufacturing infant's moccasins, the steadily increasing trade warranting the building of a two-story factory in 1906. .
Mr. and Mrs. South are consistent members of the Meth- odist church, and give largely of their means for the support of all worthy affairs. They are Christians, both by faith and practice, their dealings with mankind are in perfect accord with the tenets they believe. Mr. South is trustee and stew- ard of their home church.
Mr. and Mrs. South and three children are members of the Eastern Star, while Mr. South and son, Dale, holds member- ship with the fraternal order of Masons. Mr. South is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics, Mr. South is a progressive Republican, and has served as township clerk for two terms, and for the same time as tax collector.
A. F. ELY.
Among the prominent and energetic farmers of Batavia township, Clermont county, Ohio, none is more deserving of honorable mention than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was a son of Amasa and Roxanna (Noyes) Ely, and was born November 1I, 1856, in Batavia township, on the farm on which he resided until his death, February 1, 1913. after an illness of four months.
Digitized by Google
678
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Amasa Ely was born on the East Fork, near Bantam, Cler- mont county, Ohio, May 31, 1817, and died December 25, 1889. In early life he was a cooper, later engaged also in agricul- ture, in connection with his trade. He was one of eight sons, who were all bound out and learned trades. They are as follows :
Benjamin became a weaver by trade.
James, for many years conducted the "Ely House" at Ham- let, his place being a changing point in stage traffic.
John became a blacksmith.
Amasa learned the trade of a cooper.
George was a carpenter.
Samuel became a hatter and later was a merchant and post- master at Mt. Olive, Clermont county.
Josiah learned practical farming.
Robert learned the trade of a weaver and went to the army at the age of eighteen years. He was color bearer all through the Civil war, and one day when he was unable to carry the flag, the bearer who took his place was shot down. He brought the flag home with him, and it is now in Columbus, Ohio.
A half-brother, Joseph, is a cabinet maker, and. he has made a number of banjos and other musical instruments. He is the only one living, his home being at Peebles, Ohio.
Roxanna (Noyes) Ely was born in Clermont county, near Amelia, June 17, 1826, and died October 23, 1900. She spent her girlhood days near Bantam. To her union with Amasa Ely were born four children, all of whom are deceased :
A son and daughter died in infancy.
Lewis died at the age of twenty-seven years.
A. F., our subject.
The educational privileges of Mr. A. F. Ely were excep- tionally good for the days when he was young. After attend- ing the schools of Batavia township, he pursued his studies at the Lebanon, Ohio, Normal School. When he had completed his education, Mr. Ely returned to his parents' home and as- sisted his father in the duties on the farm, thus becoming con- versant with the most practical methods of successful farm- ing.
Mr. A. F. Ely was married to Cora Hancock, on April 9, 1879. Miss Hancock was born December 1, 1859, a daughter of Henry and Martha A. (Gray) Hancock, the former of whom was born in Maryland, September 5, 1829, and died January 7,
Digitized by Google
679
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
1891. The mother was born June 3, 1831, near Pleasant Hill, Clermont county, and pased away April 27, 1910. Both are buried in the Amelia cemetery.
Mr. Ely continued to operate the farm of fifty-six acres, which he inherited from his father, and during the passing years he made many improvements. He remodeled the house and enlarged the barns, giving the place a most prosperous appearance.
Mr. Ely always voted the Republican ticket, but was never an office seeker, preferring to give his entire attention to his farming interests.
The fraternal connections of Mr. Ely were with the Knights of Pythias, and he was an active worker for that organization.
Mr. A. F. Ely's is one of three families who settled in this neighborhood in the early settlement of the county, and he never lived elsewhere. Both he and Mrs. Ely are industrious and energetic and enjoy the respect of the entire community in which they live. They are pleasant and hospitable and their home is ever open to their friends.
LAFAYETTE NASH.
Mr. Lafayette Nash, a prominent retired farmer of Batavia township, Clermont county, Ohio, is one of the native sons of the county, who found opportunity for business advance- ment in their home locality. His life occupation has been along agricultural lines and a reasonable amount of success has crowned his efforts. He was born in Batavia township, March 14, 1845, and is a son of William, Jr., and Melvina (Gray) Nash, the latter a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county, her father having settled in the county in the very early days. She was born at Twelve Mile, Pierce township, and died in 1906, and is buried in the Amelia ceme- tery.
William Nash, Sr., grandfather of Lafayette, was born near Laurel, on Indian Creek, December 29, 1776, and passed away January 1, 1873, at the age of ninety-seven years. He followed the occupation of general farming all of his life and was con- sidered one of the substantial men of the county.
Lafayette Nash is one of ten children, three of whom are living :
Rosetta died at the age of eighteen.
Digitized by Google
.
680
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Ruth became the wife of John Hamilton, and both are de- ceased.
Lafayette, the subject of this mention.
Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Vandeman, is de- ceased.
Andrew, Theodore and Lewis are deceased.
Edgar, a twin of Lewis, is a resident of Cincinnati.
Susan died in infancy.
Frank is deceased.
Mr. Lafayette Nash was educated in Batavia township and remained at the parental home until he reached the age of twenty-three years. He thus acquired a practical education under the instruction of his father, in the best methods of successful farming.
On August 23, 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr. Nash to Miss Josephine Moore, who was born near Nicholsville, this county, March 14, 1842, a daughter of James and Lucinda (Hinds) Moore, whose record appears on another page in these volumes, under the name of H. U. Moore, of Batavia. Mrs. Moore's mother was born in Willsburg, Va., in 1800, and died at the age of ninety-four years.
For five years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Nash lived on a farm, and upon the death of Mr. Nash's father they removed to the home farm, which was the family home for thirty-five years. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nash were born four children, all natives of Clermont county. They are:
Eugenia Lou died at the age of one month.
James Canby died at the age of nineteen months.
Clara Myrtle died at the age of six years.
Wilma, who is the wife of Mr. C. E. Smith, and lives with her father. Mr. Smith was born in Batavia township, in 1867, and is a teacher in the schools of Hamilton county, Ohio. He is a Republican and formerly served as town clerk of Amelia. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and was local register of the Amelia lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two daughters, both born in Clermont county: Alice is a senior in the Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and Genevieve was born in 1910. Mrs. Smith and her older daughter are members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Nash is a trustee of the German American Bank, of Batavia, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat, although not an office seeker, preferring the quiet of private life. Mr. Nash is quiet and
Digitized by Google
681
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
unpretentious, a man to be relied upon in all things, and bears the respect and regard of the entire community. Six years ago, Mr. Nash purchased a beautiful home at Amelia, on the Ohio pike, which he has remodeled to his own ideas of Comfort and convenience, and is now enjoying a well earned rest, after a life of activity.
Mrs. Nash passed from this life on March 9, 1909, and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Amelia. She united with the Methodist church in 1869, under the pastorate of Rev. Merrick Head, at Zion Chapel, at Hulington, Ohio. Mrs. Nash was an exemplary Christian and her death found her happy and trusting her Savior. Her life was one of good deeds and kindly services for those with whom she was as- sociated. Mr. Nash is also a member and an elder of the Methodist church, being one of the substantial men of that denomination.
September 14, 1912, Mr. Lafayette Nash married Mrs. Mary E. Short, nee Smith and widow of Squire Joe Short, who died September 5, 1901. She was born in Illinois, daughter of Rob- ert M. and Sarah (Whitaker) Smith, the former a teacher dur- ing his life. The mother died when Mrs. Nash was but four- teen months old, and the child was reared in the home of Joel and Mary H. Behymer, in Clermont county. Mrs. Nash . taught for thirty years in Pierce township. She was for over fifty years a member of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, transferring her membership to Amelia immediately following her marriage to Mr. Nash.
J. V. MOTT, M. D.
Dr. J. V. Mott, one of the native sons of Clermont county, Ohio, is a representative of one of the pioneer families in this section. He is engaged in the general practice of his pro- fession at Amelia, in which he has attained unusual prom- inence. He is a man of wide reputation in medical circles, and is a great reader and student, keeping well abreast of the times ; there being few engaged in general practice with so broad and comprehensive a knowledge of the medical science in its entirety. The birth of Dr. J. V. Mott occurred July 26, 1863, on the old John Donham homestead, in Pierce township, which is one of the oldest homesteads in Southern Clermont. He is a son of Joseph and Jennette (Donham) Mott.
Digitized by Google
682
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Joseph Mott was born in Vincennes, Ind., October 5, 1826, and passed away December 18, 1904. He was brought to Clermont county by his parents in infancy, and to his death made his home in this locality. He was a farmer by business practically all of his active life, and met with deserved success. In politcs, Mr. Joseph Mott was a Democrat and filled many of the various local offices of trust in the township. He evi- denced his religious faith by his membership in the Methodist church, and gave liberally to the support of that denomination. Joseph Mott married first, Miss Margaret Donham, and to their union were born three children, all of whom are deceased. The second marriage was to Mrs. Jennette (Donham) Colvin, a cousin of his former wife, and their union was blessed with two children :
Charles H., who is a farmer, resides on the old home farm in Pierce township.
J. V., who is the subject of this mention.
Jennette (Donham) Mott was born in 1820 at the old Don- ham homestead and passed to her eternal reward March 30, 1896. She had been twice married previous to her marriage to Joseph Mott, her first husband being John Pierce, and to their union were born two sons and two daughters, of whom E. B. Pierce, of Norwood, Ohio, is now living. Her second husband was John Colvin, and they became the parents of two daughters, twins, of whom one is now living, Cynthelia, the wife of J. D. Leeds, of St. Louis, Mo.
.
The father of Mrs. Joseph (Donham) Mott was John Don- ham, known throughout this section as "King" Donham, who came to Clermont county from Pennsylvania. He was an uncle of Mr. D. J. Donham, of New Richmond, Ohio, and a brother of the late Col. Jonathon Donham, also of New Rich- mond, whose life record appears elsewhere on these pages. "King" Donham and a Mr. Mason were two of the hunters for the Columbia colony and were probably the first white men to visit Bethel, Ohio. On one of their big hunting trips, they killed several deer, near Deer Lick, not far from Bethel, which they hung in the trees out of the reach of the wolves and other wild animals numerous at that time, after which they "blazed" a trail so that a squad of men could be sent for the venison, from Columbia. They also broke the first ground for the colony at Columbia. John Donham was a man of few words and prompt action, as was illustrated upon one occasion when, needing flour badly, he put two bags of wheat on a horse
Digitized by
1
1
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES . 683
which he led to a water mill at Ten Mile. Upon arriving at the mill, he asked the proprietor's son to carry the bags into the mill for him, which the boy rudely refused to do, where- upon the gentleman turned away and taking his wheat with him returned home. He then sent one of his sons to Twelve Mile creek to locate a site for a grist mill, while he journeyed to Cincinnati to secure a mill wright. A tract of two thou- sand acres was secured and a mill erected on what is now the Francis Werst place. The busines thus established flourished for many years, and was a great benefit to the community. Politically, Mr. Donham was a Democrat, and served his party as a member of the State legislature of Ohio, from Ham- ilton county. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Sallie Jennings, by whom he had four children, and the second union was with Miss Elizabeth Brown, and to them were born six children. At the time of his decease, in 1858, he was the owner of some twenty-eight thousand acres of land, of which about three thousand five hundred acres were in Pierce, Ohio and Monroe townships, Clermont county.
.
Dr. J. V. Mott, the subject of this review, received his pre- . liminary education in the public schools of Pierce township, following which he became a student of the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated in 1885. He at once began to practice his profession, and with the exception of one year as house physician at Maplewood In- stitute, his practice has been continuously in Amelia and the surrounding country.
The marriage of Dr. Mott to Miss Nina Gillaspie took place at Mount Pisgah, the ceremony occurring on the 26th of Sep- tember, 1883. Mrs. Mott was born February 18, 1867, at Mount Pisgah, Ohio, her parents being J. B. and Jane (Cox) Gillaspie, the former of whom was born in 1834, and the latter in 1835, both being natives of Mount Pisgah. Mr. Gillaspie gave his political allegiance to the Democratic party, which . he served as justice of the peace for many years. He has membership with the New Light church of Ten Mile, and Mrs. Gillaspie embraces the faith of the Methodist denomina- tion. They became the parents of eight children :
George, of Mt. Pisgah, Ohio.
Eliza, who became the wife of John V. Lewis, of Pierce township, Clermont county.
Digitized by Google
-
684
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Golder, of Mt. Pisgah.
Nina, who is Mrs. Mott, of this sketch.
Florence B. died at the age of one year.
John H. is a resident of Henderson, Ky.
Charles, is also a resident of Henderson, Ky.
William Richard, of Mt. Pisgah, Ohio.
As the years have pased four children have come into the home of Dr. and Mrs. Mott, who are as follows:
Victor Cleveland, who was born June 30, 1884, passed from this life at the age of eight months.
An infant son, not named, deceased.
Myrtle S., who was born February 27, 1887, is a graduate of the Amelia High School and taught three years at the Lin- dale school. She was married to Dr. F. C. Leeds, a practicing physician of Winchester, Ohio. They have one daughter, Anna Maurine, who was born at her grandfather's home at Amelia, May 29, 1912.
Anna G., who was born October 1, 1880, is a graduate of the Amelia High School, and is at home.
Two half-brothers of Dr. Mott, Albert R. and Elridge B. Pierce, were soldier in the Civil war, serving in Company G, . Fiftieth Ohio volunteer infantry. They were captured at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., and were incarcerated in Anderson- ville prison for a considerable length of time.
Dr. Mott is a member of the Clermont Eclectic Association, of the Ohio State Eclectic Association, and of these organiza- tions he has filled the various offices, and is a member of the National Eclectic Association. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he has held the office of county coroner for three terms. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
JAMES SILLETT.
Mr. James Sillett, veteran of the Civil war, and the present progressive mayor of Amelia, Ohio, well deserves mention among the representative citizens of Clermont county, be- cause of those sterling traits of character which always com- mand respect and confidence. He was born in Suffolk, Eng- land, May 27, 1846, and is a son of William and Harriet Sillett,
Digitized by Google
.
685
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
both of whom were natives of England, where they passed away some years ago.
Of a family of six children, James Sillett has but one brother living, Henry Sillett, of Willard, Kan., who served in the Civil war, enlisting in the Seventeenth Indiana volunteer infantry. James attended the schools of Suffolk, England, until 1857, when he came to America with an uncle, who, after a period of two weeks spent in New York, came on to Ohio, where he bound out the young lad to a farmer living in Hamilton coun- ty. He remained with this man until the Civil war broke out, when he enlisted in the Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry.
Mr. Sillett participated in a number of engagements, in- cluding the battles of Dumfrees, Chancellorsville, Spottsyl- vania Court House, Gettysburg, going from there to New York to quell a draft riot in 1863, after which he returned and was transferred from the Twelfth to the Twentieth corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He was engaged in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Rocky Face, Resaca, Buz- zard's Roost and was wounded June 22, 1864, at Kenasaw Mountain, and was discharged July 16, 1865.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.