USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 67
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 67
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
CHARLES A. LANHAM.
The name of Lanham is closely associated with the early his- tory of Clermont county, where members of the family were among the earliest settlers. Charles A. Lanham was born within a half-mile of the farm where he now lives, in Franklin township, Clermont county. on December 19. 1854. son of Green- berry and Rachel (Griffing) Lanham. His father was born in the county. April 24. 1805. and died April 1. 1861, being buried in Johnson cemetery. Franklin township. His mother was born
Digitized by Google
730
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
near Trenton, N. J., January 25, 1819, and died February I, 1896, being buried in Calvary cemetery. The grandfather Lan- ham was one of the first settlers of Franklin township and pur- chased the farm where Charles A. Lanham was born, and which at the time the latter left it had been in the Lanham family over one hundred years.
Greenberry Lanham was born on the Lanham farm in Cler- mont county and followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He and his wife had two children, namely, George W., a sketch of whom also appears in this work, and Charles A., whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. Lanham had been married before her marriage to Greenberry Lanham, to Thomas Lawson Wedding, by whom she had three children: Loretta, widow of John Nich- ols, lives in Felicity, Ohio; Harriet, widow of John Brannen. lives at Nicholsville. Monroe township. Clermont county ; Mar- tha, widow of Newton Brannen, also resides at Nicholsville. Before her marriage Mrs. Wedding's name was Rachel Grif- fing. Mr. Wedding's mother was an Eberhardt before her marriage and her ancestors lived in beautiful palaces and were rulers in Wurttemberg. Germany, generations back. Later gen- erations lived at Stuttgart. Germany, and several of the family came to America in early days in the history of our country. Greenberry Lanham and wife were members of the Methodist church and were highly respected members of the community, being identified with various measures for the good of the town- ship and county. .
Charles A. Lanham received his education in local schools and early took up farm work, as his father died when he was a child of five years, and he and his brother found it necessary to give their mother all possible assistance. He lived with his mother until reaching his majority, then worked by the month for various farmers in the vicinity until he was thirty-four years old, and then married. In 1886 he was united in wedlock with Miss Alice Wedding, who was also born in Franklin township. the date of her birth being March 8, 1856, and she is a daughter of William and Sarah (Smith) Wedding. Mr. Wedding was born in Maryland. November 30, 1825. is now eighty-seven years of age and retired from active life, and he and his wife reside at Felicity. Ohio. Mrs. Sarah (Smith) Wedding was born in Franklin township. March 3, 1839. and died. September 12, 1860. having borne her husband three children, two of whom now survive: Mrs. Lanham, and Mary, wife of G. W. Can-
Digitized by Google
731
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
ter, of Mount Olive. Mr. Wedding was a farmer in Frank- lin township until he retired and moved to Felicity. The Weddings and Smiths were among the earliest settlers of Cler- mont county, and all were highly respected and thrifty farm- ers. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wedding married Miss Maria Camerer, and they became parents of three chil- dren, of whom but one now survives, Della, wife of W. N. Nichols, of Los Angeles, Cal. He was a prominent Clermont county citizen, but removed to Los Angeles, where he is an expert glazier in a large planing mill. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have one son, Lawrence, who married Miss Mabel Gray, and had one daughter, Barbara. Mrs. Nichols, before her marriage, taught school in Clermont county, and was located nine years at Batavia and seven years at Felicity. She is now one of the Senior A class English teachers in a Los Angeles high school. She is a woman of high culture and refinement and keeps abreast of the times in all ways. She has great ability in her chosen profession and has won a high reputation in this field. She and her husband own a beautiful home and have a large circle of friends. Mr. Wedding and wife are members of the Methodist church.
After renting the farm where he now resides for a period of four years Mr. Lanham bought it. There are one hundred acres of land and he lived in the old house until erecting the present home. in 1908. He follows modern methods in his farm work and now has a very pleasant modern house, well located and well planned. Like his grandfather and father before him, he plans and executes with foresight and good judgment. C. A. Lanham erected big barns and a good summer kitchen, all the buildings being a credit to the neighborhood and to the builder.
Mr. Lanham and wife had three sons, namely: Peter C., born September 5, 1891, works with his father; Edwin I., born July 22. 1893, is also at home ; Archie G., born October 9, 1896. Mr. Lanham is a Democrat and a member of the local school board. He and his wife are members of the Christian church at Point Isabel and he is a trustee. They are held in high esteem by their friends and neighbors and both have social gifts. Their children were all born on the farm where they now reside and are a credit to their parents. Mr. Lanham has practically made his own way in the world, having won success through untiring energy and hard work.
Digitized by Google
732
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
GEORGE W. LANHAM.
George W. Lanham is one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Franklin township, Clermont county, where he has spent practically all his life. He was born near his present home, September 1. 1853, son of Greenberry and Rachel (Grif- fing) Lanham. The parents are mentioned at some length in connection with the sketch of Charles A. Lanham, which ap- pears in another part of this work. The father was a successful farmer of Clermont county and was respected for his worth and integrity.
Mr. Lanham received his education in the schools of his na- tive township and took up farming as a young man. He worked for his mother in boyhood, his father having died when the son was a small boy, and worked for farmers by the month three years before his marriage, which occurred February 1, 1877. when he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Nichols; also a native of Clermont county, born May 31. 1855, daughter of John S. and Martha ( Turner) Nichols. also natives of that county. Mr. Nichols was born in 1832 and died February 13, 1878, and the mother died when Mrs. Lanham was a small child. They were old settlers of the county, but the grand- parents came from Maryland and settled on land in Franklin township. where they developed farms. Four children were born to John S. Nichols and wife, of whom but two survive : Mrs. Lanham and Sarah Caroline, wife of Benjamin Fisher. residing near Calvary church.
After marriage Mr. Lanham settled on his father's old farm. which his grandfather had purchased on first coming to the county. This was their home twelve years, then they purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of fine farming land near Fe- licity, Franklin township, and began to further improve and de- velop it. He rebuilt the house and barn, erected a nice summer house, and in many ways added to the beauty and productive- ness of the place. He and his wife are highly respected in the neighborhood and are recognized as being desirable neighbors. They have been very industrious and thrifty and are now able to enjoy many comforts denied them in earlier years. Both be- long to well known families and have many friends and ac- quaintances. Their pleasant home is the scene of pleasant hos- pitality and they take an active part in various movements for the good of the community. Mr. Lanham is a Democrat in pol- itics and has served in local offices, such as road commissioner
Digitized by Google
733
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
and school director. He and his wife belong to the Christian church, of which he is a deacon. He is a member of the Ma- sonic order.
One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lanham, a daughter, born on the same farm as was her father, now Mrs. Etta Nichols Gardner, wife of John Gardner, who lives with her parents. Mr. Gardner helps carry on the farm and they have two children, Mary Florence, born March 6, 1908, and Ruth Marie, born on April 20, 1913. Mr. Gardner was born in Clermont county, April 11, 1880, and is a son of B. E. Gardner, a sketch of whom appears on another page in this work. He is an able and energetic farmer and has a good standing with his neighbors and associates.
JAMES HARVEY GATES.
James Harvey Gates, a retired farmer of Washington town- ship, is one of the oldest residents in the county. He is en- tirely self-made, having begun life on his own account with nothing, and won a competence by his industry and energy. He is the oldest Odd Fellow in the county and has a fine memory for old times and events. He is a native of the county, born in Monroe township, September 30, 1826, son of James Henry and Margaret (McMichael) Gates. The father was born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, near Petersburg. in 1790. and died in 1876, and his mother was born in London- derry, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1783, and died in the same year as the father. His mother moved to Mason county, Ken- tucky, where she lived from 1789 to 1794, during which time she lived in a fort, as there were many Indians in the region. James Henry Gates was one of the earliest settlers of Clermont county, Ohio, and had to clear land for a farm. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and came to Monroe township in 1815. He was a farmer in Monroe township, but spent the last three years of his life with his son, both parents dying in the latter's home. They were Methodists and active in church work. They had seven children: Maria Jane, wife of James Hunt, both being deceased; Sarah B. married Joseph Dawson and both are deceased; Mary A. married Isaac Bainum and . both are deceased; Paulina W. married Samuel West and both are deceased; Louisa V. married David Bainum and both are
Digitized by Google
734
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
deceased ; Margaret married James Dixon and both are de- ceased; J. Harvey. The father and mother were both buried in Laurel cemetery.
James Gates Dawson, son of Joseph and Sarah Dawson, served in the Civil war from Ohio, in the Eighty-ninth regi- ment.
After attending the common schools, Mr. Gates took a course at Parker's Academy, entering the latter institution at the age of thirteen years, in 1839, and being the first pupil enrolled there. He remained with his father until 1859. In 1849 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elvina Sim- mons, born in Monroe township, Clermont county, in 1824, daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Pollard) Simmons. Mr. Simmons was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1835 and his wife was born in Maryland and died in 1855. They were farmers of Monroe township and had twelve children, all of whom are now deceased: Pollard, Wesley, James B., Sanford, Willis, Milton ; Julia, wife of Samuel Bettle; John A .; Nancy. wife of Sam Buchanan; Eliza, wife of Dixon Buchanan: B. H .; Mary Elvina, who married Mr. Gates. A grandson of Leon- ard Simmons and wife, John W. Simmons, served from Ohio in the Civil war.
After marriage Mr. Gates remained on the farm with his father ten years, then moved to Indian Creek, Washington town- ship, where he purchased a farm. He began with one hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land and has added to it until he now has two hundred acres. He cultivated his farm himself until about fifteen years ago, then retired from active life, for some time making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Abrams. He is well known throughout his part of the State as an old member of the order of Odd Fellows, having joined Mistle- toe Lodge at New Richmond and later transferred his mem- bership to Point Isabel, where he became a charter member. He has served as noble grand of the lodge. He can remember much of conditions in early days and looks back on a long life of in- dustry and toil, during which time he was always a progressive and useful citizen and interested in whatever affected the wel- fare of his community. Mrs. Gates died November 30, 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates had thirteen children, namely :
Margaret Elizabeth, born in Monroe township, married L. . H. Padgett, lives in Kansas, and has five childen: Jessie, wife of Emmett Philips, of Batavia, has three children, Margaret,
Digitized by Google
735
:
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
Homer and Arlyn ; Mary Elvina, wife of Andy Phillips, lives in. . Kansas and has two children, Lena and Frances; Angenette, wife of Martin Edwards, of Kansas, has two children, Martin and Marguerite ; Harvey Gates Padgett married Effie Grace Fox, lives in Kansas, and they have three sons, Glen, Paul and James ; . Susan Alice married Simpson Foster, of Kansas, is deceased and left one son, Gerald.
James Henry, born in Monroe township, married Miss Jen- nie Florence Hill, lives in Washington township, and they have three children : . Allen Thurman married Emma House, lives in Moscow, and has two children, Homer and David Russell ; George Frederick, of Moscow, married Lellie Roush and they have one child, William Frederick; Mabel Alice, wife of Jesse Prible, lives in Washington township.
Luella J., born in Monroe township, wife of Thomas G. Hill, of Washington township, has had six children, four of whom survive: Nichols H., deceased; Edna Florence; Peter C .; Robert married Miss Josephine Castleberg, lives in Kansas, and they have a son, Thomas; Bertha is the wife of Francis O'Neil, of Washington county, Ohio, and they have a son, Milton.
Mary Ann, born in Monroe township, died in 1891, and is buried by the side of her mother.
Julia Virginia, born in Monroe township, married McClel- lan Reed, lives in Colorado, and they have five children: Anna, wife of William Toner, of Colorado; Royal, John, Alice and Enoch.
John Simmons, born in Washington township, lives at Salina, Kan., married Mabel Simmons.
Emma Louisa, born in Washington township, married Charles J. Pealtz, of Tate township, and they have four children: Min- nie, wife of Glen Hill, of Tate township; Louise, Gladys and Naomi.
Harriet Elvina, born in Washington township, married Frank Buchanan, and died in 1892, being buried in Calvary cem- etery.
Alice C., widow of Markley Abrams, who was also born in Washington township, in 1867, son of James and Emeline ( Bun- ton) Abrams, was a farmer and died in 1906, being buried in Calvary Cemetery. Mrs. Abrams has two children, born in Wash- ington township, Emeline May and Clara Elizabeth.
The other four children born to J. H. Gates and wife died in infancy.
Digitized by Google
736
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
SAMUEL A. CANTER, M. D.
Dr. Samuel A. Canter, of Point Isabel, Clermont county, is a broad minded, liberal thinker, highly respected and enjoying the benefits of a good practice. He is a man of recognized ability in his profession and is doing very good work in his chosen field. He has been identified with Clermont county all his life and is well known in various circles. He was born in Tate township, Clermont county, March 16, 1846, son of Ste- phen and Keturah (Altman) Canter, also natives of Clermont county. The mother was born in Tate township July 24, 1827, and died November 13, 1902, and the father was born in Wash- ington township, November 6, 1822, and died November 2, 1866, both being buried in Bethel, Ohio. The father was a good mechanic, but was very fond of agricultural pursuits and be- came an excellent farmer. He and his wife had nine children, six of whom grew to maturity and four of whom now survive: Dr. Samuel A., the oldest; William T., born October 3, 1849, resides in Tate township; Nelson E., born November 4, 1851, died in 1902; John R., born September 16, 1853; Thomas A., born January 20, 1859, died at Williamsburg, Ohio, November 23, 1897 ; Orlando R., born in Tate township, May 31, 1863, lives in Columbus, Ohio.
After graduating from Clermont Academy. Samuel A. Can- ter attended the College of Medicine and Surgery. of Cincin- nati, from which he graduated in March, 1879. He began practice at Point Isabel, where he has remained ever since, the only physician and surgeon in the village. He has built up a large practice and has won the confidence of the community. He takes a genuine interest in his fellowmen and has many sincere friends. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as township trustee and as a member of the blind re- lief committee of Clermont county. He has belonged to the Masonic order since attaining his majority and is also an Odd Fellow.
On April 1, 1875, Dr. Canter was united in marriage with Miss Harriet M. Parrish, born in Tate township February 22, 1848. daughter of Stephen and Missouri (Davis) Parrish, her father a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Clermont county, and both now deceased. They lived for many years in Clermont county and were prominent farmers of Tate town- ship. They had nine children, of whom Rebecca, wife of William McChesney. lives in Tate township; . B. F. lives on
Digitized by Google
737
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
the old home place in Tate township; Elizabeth was the wife of Joseph L. Canter, both deceased; Mrs. Canter, wife of Dr. S. A. Canter, of this review.
Dr. and Mrs. Canter have a very pleasant home on Main street, where he has his office. This has been their residence for a great many years. She is a member of the Methodist church, and he of the Christian church. Two children blessed their union, both born in Washington township: Walter E. died at the age of one week; Lena D., born January 16, 1881, died May 30, 1907. Both are buried in Bethel cemetery. The daughter was a great worker in the Order of the Eastern Star, and for several terms was matron of the local organization.
Dr. Canter has won success by his own unaided efforts, for he is self-educated and made an independent start in life at an early age. He belongs to a very old family of the county through his mother, whose parents came to Clermont county from Pennsylvania. His father's parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. The grandfathers of Dr. Canter were named Thomas Canter and Samuel Altman, both well known names in the county's early history.
JOHN J. BOLENDER.
John J. Bolender, a progressive fruit grower and farmer of Franklin township, Clermont county, has made a favorable impression on all who have had dealings with him and has a large number of warm friends. He belongs to an old family in Clermont county, of which he is a native, born near Fe- licity, son of Joel and Melissa (Trisler) Bolender. The father was born near Felicity in 1824 and died in 1908, and the mother was born in 1830 and died in 1904, both being buried in Zion cemetery. The Bolenders came from Pennsylvania to Clermont county at a very early day and always held a respected place in the community. Joel Bolender spent all his active life farming in Franklin township, except for two years, when he was engaged in mercantile business.
John Trisler, father of Joel Bolender's wife, died on Decem- ber 10, 1880, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Coff- man, aged ninety years, eleven months and eleven days. . He was born near Hagerstown, Md., December 31, 1789, young- est of the four children of Michael Trisler. Michael Trisler
Digitized by Google
738
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
moved to Lexington, Ky., when John was ten years of age, and died soon thereafter, leaving John and his brothers to support themselves and their mother. In 1811 John Trisler married Miss Fannie Reid and moved to Lewis township, Brown county, Ohio, which was then an unbroken wilder- ness, the habitat of deer, elk and bears, and the home of the Indian. They made their home near Feesburg, and in com- pany with a few others, Mr. Trisler erected a little stone church at Shinkle's Ridge, where they met to worship. In June, 1825, his wife died, and he subsequently married Cath- erine Gray and moved to Tate township, Brown county, where he became one of the charter members of the local church, and where he remained until 1870, at which time he retired from active life and thereafter lived with his children. At the time of his death he had thirteen children, ninety-two grand- children, over one hundred great-grandchildren, and six great- great-grandchildren. He was the fathaer of eighteen children, and he lived to see fifteen of them married, and with families. Three died in infancy. On the 11th of December, 1880, the re- mains of "Grandfather Trisler," as he was affectionately known by all, were conveyed to Mt. Zion church, where Rev. J. Lowell delivered an appropriate sermon, which touched the hearts of the assemblage of relatives and friends come to pay their last tribute of respect to the pioneer and friends who was revered and loved by all. His body was then consigned to the grave in the cemetery near the church, there to await . the coming of Him upon whose name he delighted to call. Thus closed a beautiful life and the entire community felt the loss of this kindly old man.
Joel Bolender and wife had eight children, all born in Cler- mont county : Martha married Samuel Ross and both are de- ceased; Daniel lives near Felicity; William lives in Brown county ; Susan married Tilman Richie and resides in Brown county ; John J. is the subject of this sketch; Albert died at the age of six months; Wright is deceased; Lottie, the wife of Frank McGahan, lives in Franklin township.
In boyhood John J. Bolender attended the local schools and learned the rudiments of farming. He well remembers his old school days in Benton school house, near his father's farm. He remained with his father until his marriage, in December, 1887. to Miss Sylvia Hill, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on August 6, 1868. daughter of Warren and Anna Allen Hill, both natives of Ohio and farmers of Fayette county,
Digitized by Google
739
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
that State. Mr. Hill was born in Fayette county, September 30, 1847, and died March 11, 1871, at the age of twenty-three years, eleven months and five days. He served six months in the last call for men during the Civil war. His wife, Alma L. Allen, was born near Georgetown, Brown county, May 17, 1849, and died October 13, 1885, aged thirty-six years, four months and twenty-six days. After the death of Mr. Hill his widow lived for a time in Fayette county. The only child of this marriage was Mrs. Bolender. Mrs. Hill was married (sec- ond) to David Draper, and by this marriage there were five children, three of whom are now living: Minnie, wife of Sher- man Wilson, of Indiana; George lives at New Castle, Ind., and William at Benton Harbor, Mich.
Mrs. Bolender's great-great-grandfather, Alexander Hill, father of Arnold Hill, was born in Maryland and moved thence to Pennsylvania, later to Kentucky, and eventually to Brown county, Ohio. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kelly, was born in Ireland. James K. Hill, Mrs. Bolender's great-grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Brown county, Ohio, when his son, John A., was but fourteen years of age. His wife, Amelia, was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Arnold, and was born in Virginia. The ancestors of the Hills were people of good circumstances, all having good homes and many of them wealthy: They were well known for their frugality, industry, honesty and integrity. The Arnolds were all honest and industrious, well-to-do, and noted for neatness. John A. Hill, who was the grandfather of Mrs. Bolender, was the eldest child of James and Amelia ITill and inherited the qualities of both families in a marked de- gree. John Arnold and Abby C. (Leach) Hill were the par- ents of Warren Hill. She was the third daughter of Wal- ter and Elizabeth Leach, and was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, her father being a native of Indiana. Wal- ter and Elizabeth Leach moved to Mason county, Kentucky, and in 1816 came to Brown county, Ohio, buying a farm at Georgetown. John A. Hill was born in Ripley, Ohio, mar- ried Abby C. Leach, November 27, 1832, and moved to Fay- ette county, Ohio, in 1834. He and his wife were members of the old school Baptist church, which he joined in 1843, and she in 1844. Their hospitable home in Jasper township, Fay- ette county, seven miles from Washington Court House, was the scene of many gatherings. Mrs. Hill's father, Walter Leach, was a fine man, very handy at most kinds of work,
Digitized by Google
740
CLERMONT AND BROWN COUNTIES
and was able to do all kinds of odd jobs, such as making bas- kets, etc. He was a man of good principles and highly re- garded. He was born in Maryland, December 28, 1773, moved to Kentucky with his parents, and married Elizabeth Francis, daughter of Thomas and Tabitha Francis, who was born in New Jersey in 1784 and died in 1843. He built a fine two- story house after locating near Georgetown, Ohio, in 1816, as before mentioned, and this old home, about two and one- half miles from the town, is still occupied.
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.