History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 72

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 72
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 72

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).

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HENRY S. WATSON.

Although he has been a resident of Clermont county for a . comparatively short space of time, Henry S. Watson has won many friends. He is recognized as an upright and conscientious citizen, and a credit to his community. He is retired from active life and has a pleasant home in Jackson township. He was born in Washington county, New York, October 6, 1831, son of David R. and Lydia (Whedon) Watson, also natives of that county. His father was born March 5, 1806, and died October 6, 1890, and his mother was born March 21, 1811, and died. February 6, 1871. He was buried in Cattaraugus county, New York, and his widow was buried in Clay county, Illinois. He was a merchant and mechanic and spent the latter part of his life in Georgia. Their three children were: Henry S .. who served in the Union army ; William D., of Clay county, Illinois, served in the Civil war; Mariah, wife of John McKin- non, is deceased, as is her husband also. William Terrell, great-grandfather of Henry S. Watson, served in the Revo- lutionary war.

Mr. Watson attended the public school in his native State, later worked on a farm in Georgia, and from the age of four- teen years until the year 1854 he clerked in a store. In the latter year he married Miss Julia Wood, who was born in Southwick, Mass., February 3, 1832, daughter of William Wood and wife, who were natives of Massachusetts and spent their entire lives there. There were four children in the Wood family and the only one now surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Lucy A. Cushman, of Short Beach, Conn.

Mr. Watson and his wife remained in Georgia until 1857, then removed to Clay county, Illinois, where he became a car- penter and farmer, and later was a banker. He served as county treasurer and was always an earnest worker for the cause of the Republican party. He remained there until 1912, when he came to his present home and purchased seven and one-half acres of good land and built part of the house. He stands well with his neighbors, is pleasant and genial, and is very gentlemanly in manner and general appearance. He is a fine penman, and is well informed on the topics of the day. He has a very good memory and gained most of his education by his own efforts, for he has made his own way in the world since he reached the age of fourteen years. While a resident of Illinois he held many local offices of trust, and performed his

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duties with ability and usefulness. Fraternally he is a Mason.

In 1862 Mr. Watson enlisted in an Illinois regiment for ser- vice in the Union army, serving nearly three years in Com- pany C, Ninety-eighth mounted infantry. He was detailed on scout duty for some time, and served as port quarter- master at Macon, Ga., until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at the close of an honorable service to his country.

Mrs. Watson died in Illinois April 24, 1900, a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and held in high regard by all who knew her. She had two children, both born in Georgia, Laura S. and Henry E. Laura S. is the widow of John F. Rapp, lives in Clermont county, has one son, Harley, at home, and a sketch of her deceased husband appears in this volume. Henry E. was married in Illinois twice, now resides in Arkan- sas, and has five children : William H., M. E., Henry S., Jr., Mark A. and Ernestine.

On June 8, 1904, Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Vincent, a native of New York, born May 12, 1848, daughter of Van Rensselaer and Mary (Lawton) Vincent, na- tives of Dutchess county, New York, and both deceased. They had six children. A daughter, Cora, wife of a Mr. Vincent, lives in Los Angeles, Cal. She writes for a Los Angeles paper. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Presbyterian church and she, as well as her husband, has a large number of friends in Clermont county.

JOHN F. RAPP (Deceased).

The Rapps were among the early settlers of Clermont coun- ty, and several generations have made it their home. They are representative citizens and have done much to help forward the general welfare and progress of the region. The late John F. Rapp was a native of the county, born February 20, 1849, and died November 25, 1905. He was a son of John and Re- becca (Roudebush) Rapp. John Rapp, a deceased farmer of Jackson township, was born near Straight Creek, Brown county, Ohio, in 1810, and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Heizer) Rapp. Jacob Rapp was born in Virginia in 1772 and died in 1846, and his wife was born in 1789 and died in 1868, and both are buried in Stonelick cemetery, formerly known as

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Rapp cemetery, the land having been donated by Jacob Rapp. and used as early as 1816.

John Rapp was a farmer in early life but in his later years bought and operated a saw mill on the farm still owned by members of the Rapp family. This farm was his home until his death. He and his wife had eight children, all born in Cler- mont county : Mary, deceased ; Samantha, of Monterey ; Olive and Jacob O., deceased ; Emma, at home; John F., deceased ; W. D. Rapp, of Sabina, Clinton county, Ohio; Sallie, at home. The parents of these children were members of the Christian church, in which the father served as elder. He was married in 1838 to Rebecca Roudebush, born in Stonelick township in 1813, and died December 22, 1891, two days after the death of her husband, and both are buried in the same grave in Rapp cemetery. Her father, Mr. Roudebush, was born at Hagers- town, Md., and her mother in New Jersey. He came to Cler- mont county about 1800 and he and his wife had ten children : Daniel married Elizabeth Rapp, and both are deceased; Mary married Michael Cowen, and is deceased; Rebecca married John Rapp, and is deceased; John, deceased; Paulina married James Rapp, and is deceased ; James married Paulina Maderis, and is deceased; Ambrose married Ellen Patchell; Sarah, de- ceased ; Francis J., who was familiarly known throughout the county as F. J., is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Roudebush were members of the Baptist church. The Roudebush and Rapp families were located in Clermont county before 1810, cleared their land a little at a time, and were hard working and indus- trious citizens. John Rapp carried on farming eight years near Branch Fork that opens into Stonelick creek, and lived there eight years, then located on the farm of two hundred acres which is now owned by his three unmarried daughters. He erected a very fine brick residence and in 1851 erected the mill. He was a Republican in politics, and for some time served as justice of the peace. He received a common school education and was so eager to learn that he made it a practice to study on the way to and from school. Throughout his life he retained a great love of reading and was an intelligent and clear thinker on subjects in general. He was a man of liberal ideas and was interested in everything that stood for the good of the community.

John F. Rapp was educated at Lebanon, Ohio, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He was a mer- chant in Illinois at the time of his marriage, November 5, 1874,

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to Miss Laura Watson, born in Boston, Ga., November 9, 1854, daughter of H. S. and Julia (Wood) Watson, whose history is to be found on another page of this work. After marriage the young couple lived until 1877 at Iola, Ill., then they located near Monterey, Clermont county, and engaged in farming. Mr. Rapp was an energetic and industrious farmer and won success in his undertakings. He won the respect and esteem among his neighbors and at his death was missed in many cir- cles. He was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Owens- ville. He and his wife became members of the Christian church, of which he was secretary. Both were much inter- ested in good works, which they felt would be for the benefit of the community and both had many friends. In February, 1910, Mrs. Rapp 'and her son moved to their present farm of eighty acres, where they built a beautiful home, selling the old place near Monterey.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rapp: Frank W., born at Louisville, Ill., April 16, 1877, died August 2, 1898, and is buried beside his father; Harley, born in Clermont county, November 20, 1881, is a graduate of Valparaiso (Ind.) College, and carries on the farm. He is a young man of good habits and follows modern methods of farming. He is a Republican in politics and has held the office of county surveyor one term, as had his father. He is a member of the Christian church and stands well in the community.

ELI H. SPEIDEL.

Clermont county includes among her foremost citizens, Eli H. Speidel, who has been active in the public life of the county and his home town of Batavia for the last ten years. Mr. Speidel is an attorney with offices in the Hamilton Building. He enjoys a lucrative practice and represents many of the busi- ness concerns of the county, together with the Cincinnati & Columbus Traction railroad and the Cincinnati, Milford & Loveland Traction railroad. Mr. Speidel has the reputation of being extremely zealous of the cause of his clients and ever loyal in his devotion to their interests, and these traits have brought to him the confidence and esteem of the public.

Mr. Speidel is a son of Henry C. Speidel, who was formerly

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sheriff of Clermont county, and Lillie (Conkling) Speidel, and is the eldest of four sons, the brothers being :

Dr. Thomas A., of Felicity, Ohio.

Louis, who is a farmer living near Milford, Ohio.

Gatch W., who. is in the automobile business at West Union, Ohio.

The subject of this review was born and raised at Milford, Ohio, and attended the public schools at that place. He grad- uated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1902, and was ad- mitted to the bar in June of the same year. After spending a few months in Mexico and Arizona he located at Batavia, where he has continuously since resided and practiced his pro- fession.

Mr. Speidel was married, in 1904, to Miss Alpha Frazier, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustavus A. Frazier, Mr. Frazier being one of the prominent lawyers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Speidel have three children: Russell Frazier is eight years of age ; Anna Virginia is six years of age, and Charlotte is one year of age.

In politics, Mr. Speidel is a Democrat. He was elected pros- ecuting attorney in November, 1912, and by one of the largest majorities ever received in the county.

Mr. Speidel has always taken a keen interest in fraternal work, being a member and past master of Batavia lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, No. 104, and also a member of Batavia chapter, Royal Arch Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Batavia encampment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Speidel are members of the Order of Eastern Star, and belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Speidel is widely known in Clermont and adjoining counties, where he enjoys the esteem of his clients and the con- fidence and good will of his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM RICHARD BUSHELMAN.

William Richard Bushelman conducts one of the leading industries of Jackson township and is well regarded as a busi- ness man and as a citizen who appreciates the needs of the community. At his plant at Marathon he turns out first-class work in the lines of cement, tile and brick, and he also carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a native of Cov-

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ington, Ky., born in 1858, son of Henry and Mary (McCarthy) Bushelman. The father was born in Germany, in 1822, and died in April, 1888, and the mother was born in New Orleans, La., in 18-, and died in 1861. Both were buried in Covington, Ky. The father was also a dealer in brick and carried on his business in Kentucky. They had eight children, namely : Mary, widow of Luke McDermott, lives in Pennsylvania ; John, of Cincinnati; William R., of this sketch; Theodore, of Ken- tucky; Elizabeth, wife of Anton Frisch, of Kentucky; Kate, wife of John Overman, of Cincinnati; two are deceased.

Mr. Bushelman received his education in parochial schools in Covington, and at the age of seventeen years began work- ing out by the month. He continued this most of the time until his marriage, in 1888, to Miss Mary Rosselot, born in Lerado, Clermont county, in 1860, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Clerce) Rosselot, natives of France. The parents came to America in their early married life and were among the early settlers of Jackson township. Mr. Rosselot died in April, 1903, at the age of seventy-eight years, and Mrs. Rosse- lot lives in Brown county with a daughter. They had eight children, all born in Clermont county, namely: George died in December, 1910; Henry, of Middletown, Ohio; Mrs. Bushel- man; Frank lives near Newtown, Hamilton county; Kate, wife of Charles Berwanger, on Glady Run, Brown county ; Elizabeth, deceased; Julia, wife of John Boggs, of California ; Charles, of Lerado. Mr. and Mrs. Rosselot and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bushelman were members of the Catholic church.

After marriage Mr. Bushelman held a position as gardener for three years, then bought his present fine farm of one hun- dred and forty-two acres in Jackson township. He rebuilt the barn, erected a silo and windmill, and in many other ways im- proved the place. He now also owns fifty-four acres of land near Greenberry, Ohio. Besides carrying on this farm he has developed a good business in the village of Marathon. where he employs six men and manufactures a high-grade of tile, cement building blocks, columns and brick. His output is shipped to all parts of the State and he has a growing demand for it. He is a man of probity and square dealing, and as such is much respected. He is hard working and industrious, being a self-made man. He started out in life as a poor boy and now, besides owning a fine farm, has built up a prosperous and growing business, which furnishes employment to a number of persons. He is broad and liberal in his opinions and is well

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liked among his associates. Politically he is a Democrat and he and his wife belong to Vera Cruz Catholic Church.

Four children have blessed the union of Mr. Bushelman and wife, all born in Clermont county: Clarence was born at Avondale, where his parents spent the first three years of their married life, February 5, 1889, is a graduate of the Lerado schools and runs a hay press; Charles, born in Jackson town- ship, October 12, 1891, attended Lerado schools and spent one year at school in Owensville, and now works on the home farm; George, born September 29, 1893, is on the home farm; . Ada, born January 21, 1899, attends school at Lerado. All live with their parents. The sons are industrious and ambi- tious, following in the footsteps of their father. All give promise of becoming good citizens and business men. The family have a nice home, with every comfort, and have many friends. Mrs. Bushelman's uncle, James Rosselot, served in the Civil war.

JESSE OWEN RIDINGS.

J. O. Ridings is a highly respected citizen of Jackson town- ship, Clermont county, Ohio, where he is one of the younger farmers and stock raisers. He was born at Hollowtown, High- land county, Ohio, in 1876, son of S. M. and Hester C. (Brown) Ridings, the father having been born in the same place, in 1851, and the parents are now residing in Goshen township. The father is a farmer by occupation and is well known in his vicinity. The mother was born in Edenton, Clermont county, and is now sixty-one years old. Her parents had to clear land . for their farm, having located in Clermont county in 1810 from Knox county. They were Dunkards and settled in Wayne township. S. M. Riding's and wife had six children and have four sons living : J. O., of this sketch ; Cyrus F., a farmer liv- ing near Monterey ; Clarence E., of Hamilton, Ohio, is a trav- eling salesman ; S. F. is a teacher of Clermont county.

Mr. Ridings attended the local schools and graduated from Goshen High School, then took a course in the Ohio State University, fitting himself there for the profession of teacher. He taught school seven years in Goshen and Jackson town- ships and during part of this time lived at home. In 1905 he married Miss Nellie Hutchinson, born in Clermont county, in 1875, daughter of E. J. and Marie Louise (Robb) Hutchinson, whose sketch may be found in another part of this work.

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After marriage Mr. Ridings and his wife began housekeep- ing in a primitive log cabin, and in 1910, he erected their pres- ent beautiful home, which is a model of neatness and arranged for convenience and comfort. Mr. Ridings is a progressive . farmer and follows modern methods. He does general farming, raising grain and paying considerable attention to stock. He is a Democrat in politics and fraternally a Mason, his wife be- longing to the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mr. Ridings enjoys the good opinion of his neighbors and he his marriage was of considerable assistance to his family at home. He enjoys the good opinion of his neighbors and he and his wife are representatives of old Ohio families. Mr. Rid- ings had four uncles in the Civil war, three of whom were killed, their names being Frank, George, C. C. and William Ridings, C. C. being an ex-judge, of Kansas.

AUGUSTUS FRESCHARD (Deceased).

Augustus Freschard, who passed away November 8, 1895, had been a resident of Clermont county, Ohio, for half a cen- tury, and is remembered as a merchant of uprightness and fair dealing, who had the respect of all. He was a native of south- ern France, born February 15, 1828, son of Nicolas and Rose (LaCroix) Freschard, who also were born in that country. The mother died in 1836 in France, where she is buried. The father had retired from active life, and, in 1840, came to Ohio with friends. He died in Darke county, Ohio, February 27, 1848, at the age of sixty-one years, and is buried at Versailles.

Mr. Freschard began his education in France and was a bright, active child. He was an ambitious student and became proficient in his native language. He began life on his own account as a clerk in a store in Darke county, and. for some time worked in this capacity at a little town named Newport, on the canal. In this establishment were kept supplies for the men working on the canal, and it had a good trade. In 1861 he married Miss Mary A. Gomien, a native of Miami township, Clermont county, born in 1845, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Martin) Gomien, natives of France. She was the only one of their children born in America. The family located in Cincin- nati, in 1832, lived there for some fourteen years, then settled in Clermont county.

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After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Freschard located in Stonelick township and he kept a general store in the place now occupied by Mr. Will Craver, the latter having purchased the business of him. After conducting this business seventeen years Mr. Freschard retired and moved to Owensville and bought from Dr. J. S. Combs the home now occupied by Mrs. Freschard, one of the finest homes in the city, and kept up in very good shape, inside and out. Mr. Freschard was a man of modesty and loved a quiet home life. He was a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church, of Owensville, and was buried in the church cemetery there. He was missed in many circles, for he was a man who did his duty and had at heart the best interests of all, being a public-spirited citizen. He was a kind husband and father and a generous, true friend. His wife is a devoted member of the church named above and helps in its various good objects. Her beautiful home shows the marks of taste and refinement, but contains the vacant chair which belongs to the father and husband who is so greatly missed.

Mrs. Freschard has four daughters, namely : Matilda, widow of Charles Von Weller, of Cleveland, Ohio; Miss Mary L., at home; Jennie F., wife of B. P. Wagner, of Sidney, Ohio, and Miss Clara E. at home. The two younger daughters are grad- uates of Ursuline Convent, of St. Martins, Brown county, Ohio.

WILLIAM M. FEE.

William M. Fee is the oldest merchant in Clermont county, having been in this business since 1858, and is one of the most prominent and popular citizens of Moscow. He was born in what is now Washington township, November 9, 1825, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Camery) Fee. The father was born in what is now Washington township, Clermont county, in 1804. and died in 1886, and the mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1802 and died in 1862, both being buried near Moscow. Jacob Fee became a general farmer in Washington township, where he made his home many years, and the Fees were among the earliest families in the county, coming there when it was very sparsely settled. They were active in early affairs and were valuable residents of the community. The parents were mem- bers of the Methodist church and had twelve children, all born in Clermont county : Eliza, wife of John Fletcher, who died in

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1896; William M .; John married Miss Alice Allee and is now deceased ; Daniel died in 1897; Enos died in childhood ; Elijah is a carpenter and lives in Richmond, Ind .; Thomas, deceased ; Sarah Jane, wife of James Mahan, resides at Anderson, Ind .; Elizabeth died single ; Wesley R., a retired merchant of Mos- cow; Jacob Dimmitt lives at Edinburg, Ind .; Mary Ann died in infancy. The Fees came to Ohio at a very early date, from Bracken county, Kentucky, the grandfather and great-grand- father of William M. Fee.

Mr. Fee attended the public school at Moscow, Ohio, which were then typical pioneer schools, and for a few months at- tended a private school. Upon leaving school he became clerk in the store conducted by Nathan Keyt, in Moscow, where there was a line of general merchandise, beginning this work in 1848. In -1849 he went into business as a general merchant with J. R. Downs, and this arrangement continued two years. Mr. Fee's next partner, B. F. Fisher, who remained with him a year, and for the next two years he was associated in business with Robert Smith. He was in partnership with his brother, John, four years, and in 1858 engaged in business for himself, having at one time the largest stock of general merchandise in the village of Moscow, and this business has been continued up to the present time. For two years he was interested in buying and selling tobacco, and had a large warehouse. He is an energetic and industrious merchant. He is upright and con- scientious in his dealings and has the full confidence of his patrons.

Mr. Fee is a strong Republican, as his father was before him, and has served in various local offices of honor and trust. He was mayor of Moscow and served on the school board when it contained but two members. For the past twenty years he has been a notary public, and for nearly fifty years he has been a trustee of the Methodist church, being an active member of the church. In 1851 he married Miss Emma Eliza Pinney, born in Vermont, daughter of Haskell H. and Melina (Towne) Pinney. Mr. Pinney was a cooper by trade and a cattle dealer in Ver- mont. He followed his trade in Moscow many years. Mrs. Fee died in 1884 and was buried in Moscow. Although she was reared in the Presbyterian faith, she became a Methodist after her marriage.

Mr. Fee married (second), July 14, 1885, Miss Elfa Mckib- ben, who was born in Florence, Ind., daughter of Dr. Charles T. Mckibben. Dr. Mckibben was born in Augusta, Ky., in 1821, and died in 1893. His wife, whose maiden name was

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Elizabeth Lindsey, was born at Rising Sun, Ind., and lives with a son and daughter in Cincinnati. For over eighteen years Dr. Mckibben resided in Moscow, where he most suc- cessfully practiced his profession. He was a Republican in politics and very prominent in the Masonic order. He was a stanch Presbyterian. He died in Moscow and was buried in Augusta, Ky. Dr. and Mrs. Mckibben had seven children, namely : Anna Maria, wife of James. Handsaker, of Mattoon, Ill .; Hiram C., purchasing agent for a traction company in Cincinnati; Grace E. lives with her aged mother; Mrs. Fee; Gertrude, wife of E. C. Shelley, of Cincinnati; Dr. J. T., is a very prominent physician and an excellent citizen of Cincin- nati, and lives with his mother; Dr. William, of Toledo, Ohio, like his father and his elder brother, is a fine physician and has won a good standing in his profession.

Mrs. Fee belongs to the Methodist church and is one of the charter members of the local organization of the Eastern Star. She has held all the chairs and is past worthy matron.

In 1878 Mr. Fee built his present home at Second and Eliza- beth streets, one of the best and largest residences in the vil- lage, and had erected his store some years before this. Mr. Fee is one of the oldest men in the county, but is hale and hearty and is each day able to attend his duties in the store, assisted by his capable and efficient wife. Both are well fitted for this work and are highly regarded by all. . Their home is known as one of the most hospitable in the vicinity and they have done many good deeds to their fellow men. Mr. Fee's brothers, Wesley R. and Jacob Dimmitt, served in the Civil war, as members respectively of the First Ohio independent battery, and in a regiment of heavy artillery, and won good records therein.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 72

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

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