History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 71

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

USA > Ohio > Brown County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 71
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 71

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).

Laura, who was born in Defiance county, Ohio, is the wife of Walter Bodley and resides in Miami township and is the mother of two children, Edward and Jessie. May.

Jessie May, who was born in Defiance county, Ohio, is a teacher at Branch Hill. Ohio, and is a graduate of the Goshen High School. She holds a five years' certificate for teaching.

Clifford, who married Lena Burns, is a resident of Goshen township. He is a graduate of the Goshen High School and has taught some in the schools of the county. He is the father of one son, LeRoy.

Clyde is at home as a farmer.

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Nellie, a graduate of the Goshen High School, is a stenog- rapher in Cincinnati.

Elizabeth is attending the high school at Goshen.

Walter and Ida are attending school.

In politics, Mr. Brown is a Democrat and has served in the various township offices, including the office of township trustee, in which capacity he has served three terms. He is finishing his second term as a director of the Infirmary' board.

Fraternally, Mr. Brown is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic order and the Woodmen, and to all of these organizations he gives full allegiance.

Mr. Brown is a genial, social gentleman and is justly re- spected in the community in which he resides. His desire is to cast his influence in the direction of morality, endeavoring to inculcate the principles of good citizenship.

CONRAD J. WISSEL.

Mr. Conrad J. Wissel, director of the Farmers' and Mer- chants' Bank, of Owensville, Ohio, is one of the progressive and representative men of Clermont county, and is well known as an instructor, having taught in the schools of this section for over twenty years. He was born in Stonelick township, Clermont county, in 1857, and is a son of John Francis and Elizabeth (Baumgardner) Wissel, the latter of whom was born in Cincinnati, in 1827, and is now a resident of Stonelick township.

John Francis Wissel was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1825, and died in January, 1907. He was a son of John Con- rad, who was a soldier under Napoleon, and who came to America in 1838, to avoid the necessity of entering his sons in the German army. He was a farmer and raised his sons to the same occupation, and his first settlement was made in Union township, Clermont county, then moving to Stonelick township, where he remained until his death. John Francis was known as an enterprising farmer of Stonelick township for over sixty years. He was a participant in the Morgan Raid. In the family of John Francis Wissel were eleven chil- dren :

Philomina, who is the widow of John Chrisman, is a resi-

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dent of Middletown, Ohio, and is the mother of three chil- dren, Nora, George and Charles, all born in Stonelick town- ship. George Chrisman married Reba Jones and has two chil- dren, Donald and Edward. . He resides in Middletown, Ohio.

Anna 'M. is deceased and was never married. She died at Heartwell, Ohio, in 1902.

Caroline died at the age of twenty years.

Conrad J., of this sketch.

Jacob married Dora Clark and to them were born two chil- dren, Mamie and Charles, both born in Cincinnati. Jacob died in 1895 in Cincinnati.

Joseph P. at home with his mother.

John died at the age of fourteen months.

Cecelia E., Mary J. E. and Francis M. are at home with their mother.

Andrew A. married Gertrude Dausman. To this union one son was born, John Francis. Andrew is superintendent of the Ice Delivery Company, of Cincinnati.

Both John Francis Wissel and his wife were devout mem- bers of the Catholic church.

Mr. Conrad J. Wissel attended the public schools of Stone- lick township and finished his education at the Lebanon. Ohio, Normal School. Immediately following his graduation he entered upon the profession of teacher in the rural districts. In the twenty years of his professional life he never had an assistant, teaching all the branches and thoroughly wedded to his work. He gave up his chosen occupation to be at home with his mother, who is declining in health.

The farm on which Mr. Wissel resides was first owned by John Williams, the father of Mr. Byron Williams, who sold it to Mr. Maxfield, and he sold it to John Conrad Wissel, the grandfather of the Mr. Wissel, of this sketch.

The two farms consist of one hundred and sixty-eight acres. with about sixty-eight acres under cultivation and the remainder in pasture land. The home was built by the father of Conrad J. Wissel and the general appearance of the farm indicates great pride in the farm and energetic labor.

In politics, Mr. Wissel is an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and has given his support to that party since he reached his majority.

The religious belief of the entire family is evidenced by their membership in the Catholic church.

Mr. Wissel and his brothers are self-made, especially the

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subject of this mention. He earned his way through school by raising tobacco and farming during the summer and attend- ing school during the winter. He also assisted his brother, Andrew, through the Commercial College at Lebanon, from · which he was graduated. Mr. Wissel has worked earnestly and energetically and whatever success he has achieved is at- tributable entirely to his own efforts.

FRANK W. WISE.

The "Meadowbrook Farm" is well known in Clermont county, both for its great productiveness and for the fine grade of cattle and stock produced. The owner and operator of this excellent farm is Mr. F. W. Wise, one of the eminently suc- cessful agriculturists and influential citizens of this section. He is a native of the county, his birth occurring near Cedron, January 5, 1868, and is a son of George F. and Mollie (Barber) Wise.

George F. Wise was born near Felicity, Ohio, in 1837, and his whole life was devoted to the occupation of farming. He was industrious and honorable, being considered by one and all as one of the reliable and substantial men of this locality. He was a son of Henry Wise and was one of eleven children. George F. Wise, the father of our subject, was twice married and to his first union were born two sors:

Henry Edgar, who resides near Point Isabel, Ohio.

William E., who resides near Bethel, Ohio.

To his union with Mollie ( Barber) Wise, who was born near Felicity, Ohio, in 1838, were born four children :

Frank W., the subject of this review.

Josie, deceased.

Raymond S., of near Batavia, Ohio.

Maude E., who married George Ireton, whose record appears elsewhere in this work.

The Barber family were natives of Ireland, the first of whom to come to America was James, the grandfather of our sub- ject's mother. He settled first in Boone county, Kentucky, and there raised a family of eight children, all now deceased.

Frank W. Wise assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age, becoming familiar with all the details of farm work, which enabled him to choose his life work.

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In 1893 the marriage of Mr. Wise and Miss Minnie Fletcher occurred, she being a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Bennett) Fletcher, and was born near Moscow, in 1866. Her father was born at Neville, Washington township, in 1818, and died in May, 1896. Her mother was born near Moscow, Ohio, in 1823, and passed away in November, 1911. Both parents were buried in Calvary cemetery. They were the parents of eight children :

Addie married Thomas Norris, of near Chilo, Ohio.

Amanda, deceased.

William, of near Moscow, Ohio.

Ella, who married Robert Norris, lives near Moscow, Ohio. Lucy is the wife of Edward Dawson.

James died in infancy.

George married May Delano and lives near Bantam, Ohio. Minnie, the wife of our subject.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wise located on a farm near Moscow, Ohio, where they made their home for five years. At the expiration of this period, they purchased their present farm of ninety-eight acres and have one of the finest homes in the township. They have one child, a daughter, Hazel May, who was born in Washington township, in 1894, and is a graduate of the Williamsburg High School.

Mr. and Mrs. Wise are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Williamsburg, to which they give lib- erally.

Mr. Wise is one of the self-made men of the county and de- serves all that the term implies, for it is through his own efforts that he is enjoying his present prosperity.

Mr. Wise is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party, strong in his convictions, but in no way an office seeker.

HENRY G. SCHOBERT.

Mr. Henry G. Schobert is a retired farmer residing at Ba- tavia, Ohio, who, after years of active connection with the agricultural interests of Clermont county, during which time he won a gratifying measure of success, is now enjoying a well earned rest in a pleasant home in Batavia. He was born near Batavia, Ohio, in 1856, and is a son of Frederick and Doretta (Prell) Schobert, both representatives of old Ger- man families.

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Frederick Schobert was born in Germany in 1833, and in the country of his nativity he spent his boyhood. In 1852, at the age of nineteen years, he immigrated to America and settled in Clermont county, where he became one of the fore- most agriculturists of the county. At the call for volunteers at the time of the Civil war Mr. Schobert entered the one- hundred-day service. He married Dorretta Prell, who also was a native of Germany, her birth occurring in 1825. She left her native home in 1853 to come to America, and to this union were born six children :

Henry, our subject.

Charles died January 29, 1912, aged fifty-one years.

Rosa became the wife of Randolph Sweet, of Batavia, Ohio. Lena lives in Batavia.

George died September 9, 1902, aged thirty-seven years. Clara, wife of Henry Reynolds, in Batavia.

Frederick Schobert was a great worker of the United Breth- ren church and for many years was a Sunday school leader. He lived all that he professed in his daily life. Mrs. Schobert was also an active worker in the same church with her hus- band and hers was a beautiful character.

Mr. Henry Schobert received the education afforded by the schools of Batavia township, and with the exception of one year spent in the West, remained at the parental home until his marriage. He was thus reared to habits of industry and thrift, early becoming proficient in the work of the farm.

The marriage of Mr. Schobert to Miss Mary Erion was celebrated in 1881 and her parents were John and Barbara (Hess) Erion, the former of whom was born in Germany, May 29, 1816, and the latter was born in Germany December 4, 1826. They were the parents of eight children, all born in Clermont county, Ohio:

Lena, deceased, at the age of nine years.

Christie died at the age of six years.

George died at Olive Branch, Ohio, February I, 1907, age fifty years.

Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Wolf, lives in Clermont county.

Mary, who became the wife of Mr. Schobert.

Hannah, the wife of Thomas Carter, died April 23, 1910, age fifty-three years.

John is living near Olive Branch, Ohio.

Kate, of Batavia.

After his marriage Mr. Schobert settled on a farm near Batavia and for eleven years tilled the soil, and became en-

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abled to purchase a farm of seventy-six acres on the East Fork in Stonelick township, which proved to be the very best land in the county, on which he lived twenty years. This farm he afterward sold and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in Batavia township, which he still owns. Recently Mr. Schobert purchased a comfortable and convenient home in Batavia in which to spend his declining years.

As the years passed by four children have come to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schobert, which constitute a fam- ily of whom they are justly proud. They are as follows:

Etta, who was born in 1884, married Louis Bauer and lives on her father's farm near Batavia. They have two children, Allen and Hilda.

Saloma, born January 12, 1888, died at the age of twenty years and is buried at Batavia.

Sophia, who was born May 28, 1893, is at home.

Ruth, who was born January 24, 1898, is attending the Ba- tavia school.

Mr. Schobert has long voted the Democratic ticket and is unfaltering in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He is interested in educational matters and has served on the board of education for several years.

In religion both Mr. and Mrs. Schobert are devoted mem- bers of the United Brethren church and the former has been steward of his denomination for a number of years. He has also served his church as trustee for many years. The lives of Mr. Schobert and his wife are in harmony with the faith they profess.

With practically few advantages in his youth Mr. Schobert started out to make his own way in life and placed his de- pendence on untiring labor and diligence. It was a splendid foundation on which to build the superstructure of success, and as the years went by he became one of the prosperous farmers of this part of the State. He is progressive and en- terprising and deserves and receives the respect of those with whom he comes in contact.

WILLIAM B. CHRISTIE.

Mr. William B. Christie, retired farmer of Jackson town- ship, Clermont county, Ohio, is an example of that class of men who by earnest and honest industry have achieved suc-

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cess in the battle of life. By his labors of former years Mr. Christie is enabled to spend the evening of his life in calm and peaceful enjoyment of a well earned rest. He was born Jan- uary 16, 1838, on a portion of the farm which is his present home and is a son of Robert and Rebecca (Gaston) Christie.

The Christie family is of Scotch origin. The great-grand- father and great-granduncle of Mr. Christie of this sketch bore the title of Laird in Scotland, and the grandfather, Rob- ert Christie, came to America when seventeen years of age as a British soldier and was a sergeant in Lord Cornwallis's army. He was an expert weaver and wove two coverlets for Mr. William Lytle, who gave him in return ten acres of land where the present site of Fountain Square, Cincinnati, now is.

Robert Christie, father of William B., was born on the farm now known as the Charles McKever farm, across the East Fork from Williamsburg, in 1794, and died May 6, 1856.

Rebecca (Gaston) Christie, mother of William B., was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Montgomery, in 1788, and passed away in 1845. To her union with Robert Christie were born ten children, the seven younger of whom were born on the west end of the farm on which our subject now re- sides. Their names are as follows: Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Kittz, is deceased; Frances and Lydia died unmarried; John P. died at the age of sixty-five years; Mar- garet, who became the wife of Nathaniel Behymer, who died while in service of the Civil war, is also deceased; Mary Ann died unmarried; William B., our subject; Rebecca, who was the wife of W. W. Wiley, who lives in Blowville, Ohio, is deceased; Robert and Martha are deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robert Christie were devout Christian people and were numbered among the substantial citizens of Clermont county.

.William B. Christie attended the Marathon school and as- sisted his father with the duties of the farm, becoming well versed in all that tends to the making of a good farmer. His youth and boyhood were uneventful until September 28, 1864, when he enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and was sent to Chattanooga, where he, with others, was put in charge of cattle for Sherman's army, at Atlanta. Exposure to inclement weather in Georgia gave him rheuma- tism and he was sent back to Chattanooga and after a few days an officer came and asked who wanted to go their com- mands, and although he could not get up, Mr. Christie said he did, and was the only one who responded. On November

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18 he joined his company at Pulaski, Tenn., and at 3 p. m., on the 23d, started on retreat to Columbia, fifty miles distant, where they arrived at II a. m. on November 24, with Hood following. There they fought a three-days battle before they crossed the river, where they fought two days more, after which they retreated to Nashville, having fought the battle of Franklin on the way, being one of the fiercest during the war, where they lost over six thousand in one and one-half hours after 4 p. m. He was later in the battle of Nashville. At one time at Nashville a ball singed his hair near the left ear. Later he was at Huntsville, Ala., then to Greensburg, East Tennessee, then to Nashville, where he was honorably discharged, June 1, 1865. After his release he remained on the home farm until his marriage to Miss Mary M. Williams, on August 15, 1869, after which he moved to his present farm, which he purchased from the home farm, January 4, 1870. At that time he began purchasing the interest of various heirs until he became the owner of sixty-seven acres, and has since added to his worldly possessions a fine farm of thirty-two and one-half acres in Brown county, Ohio.

Mrs. Christie was born on the East Fork, in 1847, a daugh- ter of. W. B. and Thursy Ann (Curry) Williams, the former of whom was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was born near Batavia, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are deceased. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three sons and one daughter are living :

Olive, wife of Robert W. Christie, of Marathon.

Courtland, of Blairsville, Jackson township, Clermont county, Ohio.

Curry, living near Newtown, Hamilton county, Ohio.

George, of Williamsburg.

Mr. Williams had a mill in connection with farming, and was a successful business man.

Mrs. William B. Christie passed to her eternal reward No- vember 18, 1910, and was laid to rest in the Williamsburg cemetery. She was the mother of five children, of whom four survived her.

Thomas C., who was born in 1872, married Miss Grace Gil- more, their home being in Lebanon, Ohio, where he is an at- torney. They have three children, Loraine, Alma and Wil- liam G.

William Edward, who was born in April, 1874, married Miss Zelphia Innis and they reside with his father on the

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home farm. They have one child, Alma Marie, aged four years. .

Clara, who was born in 1876, is the wife of Frank Dimmitt, . now of Newtownville, Ohio. They are the parents of one child, Gladys.

Olive died in infancy. Annetta, who was born in 1881, is the wife of Raymond Weaver, who lives near Lebanon, Ohio, and has two children, Helen, aged five years, and Mildred, aged three years.

Rev. William B. Christie, uncle to our subject, was one of the most prominent of the early Methodist ministers of Cler- mont county and was most zealous in his work. He traveled over a considerable of the territory surrounding and often was compelled to swim his horse across the streams to meet liis engagements. His birth occurred September 3, 1803, and a son of Robert Christie. Christie Church, of Cincinnati, was named in honor of this devout minister.

Mr. Christie favors the measures and methods of the Demo- cratic party.

In religious matters both Mr. Christie and his wife embraced the faith of the Methodist church and in his younger days held many of the church offices, being class leader several years.

Mr. Christie is a type of the true Scotch gentleman-lib- eral, broad-minded, and during his active life was one of the most progressive and enterprising men of the county. He enjoys the high regard of all with whom he is acquainted.

WILLIAM ELMER DUCHEMIN.

Mr. William Elmer Duchemin, who in his business career, through his enterprise and well directed activity, has reached prominence in the industrial circles of Clermont county, Ohio, is successfully engaged as a brickmason and contractor. He is thoroughly conversant with the best methods employed in his business and moreover manifests close application and dili- gence in his work. He is one of the native sons of Clermont county, his birth having occurred near Monterey, January 20, 1875, and is a son of Samuel J. and Samantha (Foster) Duche- min.

Francis Duchemin, the paternal grandfather of the subject

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of this review, was a native of France, who, hoping that he might enjoy better business opportunity and secure more rapid advancement in the new world, crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Clermont county in its early his- tory. He chose for his home New Boston, which is now Owensville, became a farmer and brickmolder, and raised a large family.

Samuel Duchemin was born near New Boston, in 1847, and after receiving the usual education afforded the young men of his day learned the trade of brick mason from an uncle, Abe Duchemin, who lived near New Vienna. When he reached the age of maturity Samuel J. Duchemin wedded Samantha Foster and they became the parents of the following named children :

Permelia, who became the wife of John Carrol, is now married to Fred Switzer, of Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio. William Elmer, of this mention.

Edwin is a resident of Jackson township and is in business with his brother, William.

Paulina is the wife of Charles Rogers, of Madisonville, Ohio.

Joseph died in 1908 at the age of twenty-one years. He was three months old when his mother left this life, and was raised by his grandparents.

Samuel Duchemin chose for his second wife Miss Sallie Clark and to them has been born one child :

Mary, who spends a portion of her time at the parental home and the remainder with her sister at Madisonville. Ohio.

Mr. William Elmer Duchemin, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, was educated at Monterey, and when but a young lad began to learn the trade of brickmason with his father. The father, Samuel, and his two sons, William and Edwin, have been associated together in the contracting business until a broken arm, in 1912, forced the father to in- activity for a time. They have worked on the Odd Fellows building and under Mr. James Barr, of Batavia, as journey- men. Their handiwork is also seen on the Masonic temple, the Farmers' bank and the Presbyterian church, of Williams- burg. They worked on the ice plant building at Loveland and on numerous residences throughout the county. The work of these gentlemen is satisfactory in every way and they are in great demand all over the county.

Mr. W. F. Duchemin was united in marriage. in 1897, to Miss Florence Emma Glancy, who was born near Pleasant

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Valley, October 20, 1878, and is a daughter of Francis M. and Mary Jane (Gorman) Glancy, the latter of whom was born in Jackson township, in 1836, and passed from this life in 1881 and is buried in Hartman cemetery. Francis M. Glancy was born in Stonelick, June 27, 1832, and died in February, 1912, he also being laid to rest in the Hartman cemetery. He en- listed in the army of the Civil war in Company G, Eighty- ninth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, at the first call for men and served during the entire war. He was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Tullahoma, Brown's Ferry, Buz- zard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Fayetteville, Savan- nah, Peach Tree Creek, Chattahoochie river and others. He participated in the grand review, May 25, 1865, and was hon- orably discharged on June 7, 1865. Mr. Glancy had four broth- ers in the Civil war, whose names are Philip, Clinton, William, Addison, all enlisting from Ohio. The Glancy family were among the first families to settle in Clermont county, John Glancy, the grandfather of Mrs. Duchemin, having come to the county when there were still many Indians in the locality. There were also deer and wild turkeys to be found in great numbers.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Duchemin have had four children to bless their home :

Gwendolyn Imo was born February 14, 1900, and is a stu- dent at her home school.

Florence Adrian was born September 2, 1902, attending school.

Dorothy Edrie was born April 26, 1905.

William Allen was born December 28, 1911.

Mr. Duchemin votes the Republican ticket and is interested in all that tends to the betterment of his locality.

The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Duchemin are with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and in this organization he is well and favorably known.

The religious faith of both Mr. and Mrs. Duchemin is evi- denced by their membership with the Christian church, of Monterey, he being a valued trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school.

The home of Mr. Duchemin is a fitting monument to his skill as a mechanic and is a credit to the township. He is pro- gressive and energetic and has accomplished a great deal dur- ing his comparatively short business career. His manner is pleasant and his home and family are such that any man may be justly proud.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 71

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

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