History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 8

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 8
USA > Ohio > Clermont County > History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2 > Part 8

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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noted Methodist minister. After serving as a sergeant in Captain Boersttler's company, in which his brother, Samuel Raper, was first corporal, in the War of 1812, Holly served four terms as sheriff of Clermont county. Joseph raised a fam- ily and died on the home farm. Samuel married Mary Jones, of a New Jersey family, and died on his farm a mile and a half south of Bethel, leaving the reputation of a strong minded man worthy of his ancestry. His daughter, Sarah, who was born January 20, 1822, and died November 22, 1896, was married April 25, 1839, to Robert Blair, who was born July 22, 1816, and died September 8, 1879. Robert was the son of John Blair, who married Antis, a daughter of David and Nancy Vaughan White, elsewhere sketched. The children of Robert and Sarah Raper Blair are Augustus C., Judith, Elizabeth, and Katherine. Of these Elizabeth married Albion T. Kain, else- where sketched.

The children of John and Elizabeth Raper Kain were Mar- garet, Thomas, Sarah, Samuel H., James, Daniel, Elizabeth, John Wesley, Caroline and George W. Of these Elizabeth, who was born March 12, 1816, and died November 5, 1889, was married October 15, 1835, to Lewis Ellis, who are mentioned in the sketch of Mrs. Estelle N. Ochiltree. John Wesley Kain was born November 7, 1819, and on August 27, 1840, was married to Almira Hull, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Wil- son Hull, who came from Pennsylvania, where he had been a soldier in the War of 1812. The children of John Wesley and Almira Kain are Luther, Lorisa and Albion T. Lorisa is the wife of Charles P. Chatterton, sketched on other pages.

John Kain was a soldier with his brother, Daniel, in Wayne's army. He was on much duty for the county of Old Clermont, and was county treasurer seven years. He was also a colonel of the militia. After his father's death he built the tavern at the northwest corner of Main and Third streets, in Williams- burg, which was popular till his death, February 6, 1846, and continued so under the management of his youngest son, John Wesley Kain, until his death, April 4, 1888. The house was the scene of much historic action, of which the most dramatic was its occupation as the headquarters of General John Mor- gan, on July 14 and 15, 1863, in his famous Northern raid. In person John Kain was a dark-eyed, swarthy, broad-shoudered and stern visaged man, who tolerated no loitering about his inn. Yet he was sternly kind, and rarely devoted to friends. Masonry was his chief ideal. From his initiation in the old

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jury room, April 19, 1819, to his last attendance, April 18, 1845, just twenty-six years, Clermont Social Lodge held 415 meet- ings, at which he was present 383 times. Besides other offices, he was elected treasurer for sixteen successive years. During the thirteen years of anti-Masonic excitement, he was present at all but eleven of the 185 meetings of his lodge, and the rec- ords of committee work show that his example of punctual, efficient, resolute and prudent ways was as a corner stone for the work of the craft.

Thomas, the youngest son of James Kain, on March 1, 1812, was married to Mary Herbert, who was born in Trenton, N. J., April 9, 1794, and died November 5, 1864. She was a daughter of James Herbert, who as the keeper, was then re- siding in the stone jail. Some four weeks after his marriage Thomas Kain answered the first call for the War of 1812 as first lieutenant of Captain Boersttler's Rifle Company. After the captain was killed at the battle of Brownstown, Lieutenant Kain was promoted to be captain. When Batavia was fixed as the new county seat, in 1824, Captain Kain, who had come to be colonel of militia, moved, and became a noted innkeeper and was highly esteemed in Methodist, Masonic and social rela- tions until his death, on August 17, 1856. The children of Colonel Thomas and Mary Herbert Kain were, as named and married, as follows: James Herbert Kain to Margaret B. Ellis. John Washington Kain to Mary Lukens, and then to Caroline Moore. Daniel D. Kain to Jane Tate. Caroline Kain. William Milton Kain to Eliza J. Gerard, and then to Eliza Robinson. Almira Kain to David J. Clossin. Matilda Caroline Kain to William Baum. Sarah Catherine Kain to Jesse Ellis. George Forman Kain. Charles Henry Kain to Laura Perrine Jamieson. Mary Herbert, the mother of these eleven chil- dren, was a daughter of James Herbert, who was born June 6, 1765, and died March 19, 1822, and was married July 14, 1793, to Sarah Hendickson, who was born February 9, 1772, and died July 22, 1828.

MILLARD FILLMORE MCNUTT.

Because of both civil and religious trouble in Scotland, the McNutt family, of Presbyterian faith, went to Northern Ire- land probably in Cromwell's time. Of these. James McNutt, Sr., married Catherine Foster, and they had Elizabeth and

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James. This family immigrated about 1790 to Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where Elizabeth married William Allen, who left her a widow with one son, George. James McNutt, Jr., born July 29, 1776, was married on Feb- ruary 18, 1810, to Mary Donaldson, who was born in Hunting- don county, December 25, 1791, eleven weeks after the ar- rival of her father, Alexander Donaldson, and his wife, Rebecca Simpson, who was the sister of the father of Bishop Matthew Simpson, of the Methodist church. Alexander and Rebecca Donaldson lived for a while at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and then at Petersburg, where their children, as far as known, were John, James, Alexander, Mary, Lydia, Rebecca and Nancy. One daughter, four years old, died in the voyage, and was buried in the sea. Rebecca married Dr. Collar, then David Homan, and then Eli Homan, and, after a long life there, died in Wil- liamsburg. Sometime before 1814, James McNutt, Sr., came west with a stock of goods, of which he eventually traded a part for three hundred acres of land, at the rate of one dollar per acre, situated on the waters of Clover creek, and being a part of Hawkin's Survey, No. 2950. He returned to Peters- burg and died soon after. In settling his estate, one-half of the Clover tract went to his grandson, George Allen, and the other to his son, James, Jr., to whom John McNutt was born April 4, 1812, and Rebecca Simpson on February 14, 1814. In the meanwhile Mary Donaldson, who, like all the rest of these people, had been strictly Presbyterian, was converted in her seventeenth year to the Methodist faith, which so embittered her family that she lived from home till her marriage.

In 1814 all the living of the family of James McNutt, Sr., came to their land on Clover creek, where they became mem- bers of the Clover Methodist church that had been organized ten years before. The other children of James and Mary Don- aldson McNutt, and born in Ohio, were: Alexander, April 21, 1816; William Foster, May 13, 1817; Catherine, January 1I, 1820: James Donaldson, June 11, 1822; Mary Ann, September 5, 1825; Elizabeth, March 4, 1828; George Allen, September 4, 1831 ; and Robert Simpson, March 13, 1834. James McNutt was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his youngest son was a veteran in the Fifty-ninth Ohio, in the war for the Union. His daughter, Mary Ann, married John Harvey Wright, mentioned in the sketch of Thomas K. Ellis. The pioneer, James Mc- Nutt. Jr., took his land when a wilderness and from it made it a hospitable place, known as a "Preacher's Home." He died

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December 28, 1857, aged eighty-three years-a Methodist to the end and is buried near his mother, Catherine Foster Mc- Nutt, who came with him to the West and died February 25, .1833, in her seventy-sixth year. His widow, Mary, though lat- terly overwhelmed with blindness, lived happily in Christian resignation to be eighty-one years old, and on December 28, 1873, went to rest with her husband in Clover cemetery.

In 1852, when not yet of age, George Allen McNutt left the quiet of his father's home, and made the overland trip to Sac- ramento, Cal., where he spent four successful years in gold mining. On his return he and his brother, James, became part- ners in wagon making. On May 7, 1857, he married Mary Me- lissa Sims, who was born near Bethel, January 29, 1833. Her parents were Samuel Sims and Sarah Crane, both of Scotch descent, and lived in the vicinity of General Grant's home. where Melissa became acquainted with the general and inti- mately acquainted with his younger sisters. Her later girl- hood was spent in Williamsburg, in her sister's home, where she was married. George McNutt bought a furnished house opposite his place of business, that was his lifelong home. Their children were Millard Fillmore, Stella, Alice Burket and Anna Pearl. In 1857, George McNutt joined the Methodist church, in which he was a faithful member of the official board and a class leader. He was fifty-four years a Mason, after taking the degrees in California in 1854. He shared the trials and remarkable success of that order as is shown in the History of Clermont Social Lodge. He died January 20, 1908.

Millard Fillmore McNutt completed the course of study in the Williamsburg public school at seventeen, after which he was engaged one year in the flour mill, where his father owned an interest. Desiring a knowledge of the drygoods business he spent one year and a half in his uncle's store at London. In 1878 he formed a partnership for a drygoods business in Williamsburg. On October 5, 1881, he married Ella May Sharp, as sketched with the Sharp family, and lived in her par- ent's home. In 1884, after clerking two and one-half years for Mr. McNutt, Charles McNutt became his partner, and they remained together until 1892.

On March 2, 1894, Mrs. McNutt died, leaving her husband with one child, Louise Katharine. Mr. McNutt then sold his store and spent a quiet year with his daughter in the home, after which he entered his father's business in farming im- plements and vehicles, under the name of G. A. McNutt and

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son, which is borne to the present day. On September 16, 1896, he married Lillie May Davis, who was a daughter of Azariah Davis and Ruth Patten, who were married Novem- ber 26, 1843. Azariah Davis was born July 23, 1817, near Mt. Washington, Hamilton county. His ancestry is clearly traced through a long line of the Welch Davis family, which, in 1780, crosses the American connections of the Dutch consul and historian, Emmanuel Van Meteren, that first appeared, in New Amsterdam, September 12, 1662; See Genealogy Duke -Shepherd-Van Metere Family, by Samuel Gordon Smyth, pages 67, 72 and 80. Ruth Patten was born March 3, 1823, in Warren county, near Mason. Her father's parents came from England, and her mother's, whose name was Davis, though from Scotland, were related to her husband. Azariah Davis was a prosperous farmer, living near Batavia, on the Davis Pike, which he built and controlled. He was also a successful dealer in live stock. He and his wife were members of the Union Chapel Methodist Church. They were given to much hospitality and were friends indeed to those in need. The children of Azariah and Ruth Davis are: Rev. Lucian M., John W., deceased, Alonza A., deceased, Dr. William O., de- ceased, Emma E., Dr. George W., Dr. Charles W., Ed- ward C., Lillie M. and Albert L., who lives in and owns the old Davis home near Batavia, where his father, Azariah Davis, died. June 13, 1859. Mrs. Davis being left with four small children and heavy business cares, though fre- quently aided by the able and kind advice of her older sons, was the legal head of the family and its countless responsibili- ties in a manner and with results most remarkable and gratify- ing. She was of a cheerful disposition, charitable, well in- formed, of sound religious convictions-a noble woman. She died November 1, 1901. Lillie May Davis, after graduating from the Batavia High School, attended the Lebanon Normal University at its best. After two years' teaching, she spent much time with her mother in the home, and was active in church work, and loved to study and travel. Thus she spent her girlhood until her marriage, when her amiable talents, and usefulness were transferred to her new home. The children of Millard and Lillie McNutt are: Frances Emma, Ines Mae and Ruth Davis. Mr. McNutt and his family are members of the Methodist church. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1904 he became interested in what is now a suc- cessful enterprise, the Williamsburg Canning Company, which

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with his other occupation, and the overseeing of his farming land, makes a busy life. As a diversion, he delights in hunt- ing and fishing ; he is a master of the checker board; is fond of dogs and horses and enjoys reading. He and his family reside in the home of the late Dr. E. C. Sharp, Jr., where he is a strong advocate of the "simple life," which accords well with the characteristics of his ancestors.

THE SHARP FAMILY.

Harvey Sharp, born December 27, 1773, and Sarah Coats, born November 28, 1777, in Connecticut, near Pomfret, Wind- ham county, were married September 26, 1798, and moved to Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York. The family lived in Buffalo, N. Y., when that place was raided by the Indians in the War of 1812.

In 1816 they moved near Cincinnati, in 1835 to Marion coun- ty, Indiana, near Indianapolis; in or about 1840 to St. Louis, Bartholomew county, Indiana; and in 1851 back to Marion county. Their children were: Oran, Gaylord, Erastus Coats, Alva, Elisa, Mary A., Abby Jane, Sarah Mariah, George W. and William. Harvey Sharp died January 24, 1861. Mrs. Sharp died June 22, 1856.

After 1816, while near Cincinnati, Erastus Coats Sharp, born April 25, 1804, studied, taught school, and read medi- cine, which he began to practice in 1825 in Williamsburg, where, July 25, 1827, he married Mary Ann Lytle, born De- cember 10, 1805, who was the only daughter of the six chil- dren of John Lytle, born August 8, 1766, near Carlisle, Pa., and Dorcas Waring, born June 20, 1787. who were married in 1804 in Williamsburg. John Lytle was the elder brother and efficient aid of the noted Gen. William Lytle in his extensive arduous and often dangerous operations that included the sur- veying, mapping, founding and settlement of Clermont county and a very considerable part of the region between the Miami and Scioto rivers. In the adjustments of the Lytle properties, the principal house built opposite the old stone court house, in 1815-17, was taken by John Lytle and eventually fell to his daughter. For more than sixty years, it was the home of Dr. Sharp's family. Dr. Sharp was notable for his skill and kindly manner. His fort-one years' practice, more laborious then

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than now, was rounded with success. On October 16, 1867, with the words, "I put all my trust in my Savior," he passed into the realization of his faith. Mrs. Sharp died October 30, 1873. The children of Dr. E. C. and Mary Lytle Sharp were John Harvey, Erastus Coats, Jr., Mariah Asenath, who died young, Sarah Dorcas, Adelia Samantha, who died young, and Mary Ellen.

John Harvey Sharp, born May 13, 1828, was educated in Williamsburg, where he married Margaret Sinks, born in Bethel, September 2, 1830, whose parents were Edward Sinks and Sarah Calvin Salt. Edward Sinks was a son of Nicholas Sinks, Sr., who married Margaret Pence and came from Vir- ginia to Newtown in 1797, and then to Williamsburg in 1801. He owned a tan yard, and the Thomas Morris tavern after 1804, managing both successfully. He was the third post- master of Williamsburg, and county treasurer for seventeen years, and otherwise prominent in public affairs. He died April 9, 1825. Sarah Calvin Salt was the daughter of Edward Salt and Priscilla Conrey. Edward Salt was the oldest son of Edward Salt, Sr., who was born in Birkshire, England, and came with his Irish wife to Berkeley county, Virginia, where their five children were born. He died in 1812. Priscilla was a daughter of John Conrey, a Revolutionary soldier in the battle of Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. John Harvey Sharp re- sided in Williamsburg, where he was a merchant. Katie is the survivor of their three children, the other two dying early. After living some time in New Richmond and Hillsboro, Mrs. Sharp and her daughter have located permanently in Williams- burg, where they are filling out their life with much worth and fine intelligence that accords well with the traditions of their historic families.

Sarah Dorcas Sharp, born September 2, 1838, lived in the ancestral home with her sister until married to Erasmus D. Boyd, who served in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio infantry. She was an earnest member of the Woman's Relief Corps. After a well spent life, she died, April 3, 1910. Mary Ellen Sharp, born May 29, 1844, at an early age, married Wil- liam Offutt, who died shortly after. She then married F. J. Boyd, living in her old home. She was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Though an invalid for years she was cheerful to the end, which came August 14, 1889.

Erastus Coats Sharp, Jr., was born June 6, 1830. With fine mentality he was a student, esteemed by his teachers, and

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classmates among whom were the eminent financier. Washing- ton Ellis. Another was the distinguished divine, David Swing, who long after in speaking of those days, said, "Coats was the friend of all, he was a stranger to enmities of any de- gree." After reading medicine with his father, he entered the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and was an earnest stu- dent, graduating in March, 1856, with high honors. He served as an interne in the Cincinnati Hospital, where he met Doro- thea Wuist, a head nurse, whom he married in 1858, at Alex- andersville, Montgomery county. His father gave him a beau- tiful building site, where he built his home, standing today. His office in his home, his companion a physician, and their daughter formed a congenial, ideal home. "Young Dr. Sharp" gained a fine reputation as a physician and citizen. His simi- larity to the "old doctor," and his winning characteristics made a pleasing personality. The needy had his help for mercy's sake alone. He was public-spirited and a sound adviser. His useful life closed December 10, 1884. Dorothea Sharp was born in Sarsheim, Kingdom of Wurttemburg, Germany, Oc- tober 18, 1830. In 1835 her parents, who were strict Lutherans, immigrated to America and located in Warren county. After a carefully planned education, she entered the Cincinnati Eclec- tic Medical College, in 1854, graduating in 1858. With a strong intellect, rare conversational powers, refined tastes, deep re- ligious convictions, and a kind unselfish nature, she was a woman of unusual ability. She died February 19, 1891.

Ella May Sharp, the daughter of Drs. Erastus Coats and Dorothea Sharp, was born November 23, 1859. Her tempera- ment and nature were thoroughly understood by her parents, who carefully guarded her health, planned her education and guided her inclinations. She was instructed at home except the last two years in the Williamsburg school. Receiving the best musical instructions her parents could afford she de- veloped that divine talent to a remarkable degree of execution and expression. Possessing a beautiful voice with her ex- quisite touch, she was a general favorite. Some lessons in art led to the pleasure and satisfaction of many beautiful paint- ings, now treasured by her family. . On October 5, 1881, she married Millard Fillmore McNutt, eslewhere sketched, and they lived with her parents. She was an understanding, ideal mother to their child, a capable woman in society, and in her church. Failing in health soon after her mother's death, the loving care of husband. daughter, and the faithful friend. Miss

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Minta Johnson, who lived with them twelve years, and many friends were to her a comfort and delight. She died March 2, 1894. All these people were Presbyterians.

Louise Katharine McNutt, daughter of Millard Fillmore and Ella May McNutt, received her first instructions from her mother, after whose death she entered school. Graduating from the Williamsburg High School, she attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and then Oscar Ehrgott's School of Music in Cincinnati. She married Earl Hampton Davis, the only child of Dr. William O. and Zuella Nash Davis. Dr. William O. Davis was an older brother of Mrs. Lillie Davis McNutt, mentioned in the sketch of Millard Fill- more McNutt. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hampton Davis are mem- bers of the Methodist church, and live in Williamsburg.

RIPLEY CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

The Ripley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution is the first organized in Brown county, and was organ- ized October 17, 1912, the anniversary of Burgoyne's surren- der, by Mrs. Judith Field (Leggett) Tyler, with the follow- ing officers chosen :

Regent-Mrs. Judith Field (Leggett) Tyler. (Mrs. George P.)

First Vice-Regent-Mrs. Mary Venetia (Dixon) Williams. (Mrs. L. V.)

Second Vice-Regent-Miss Elizabeth Field Leggett.

Secretary-Mrs. Clara Tate (Brooks) Newcomb. (Mrs. J. B.)

Treasurer-Mrs. Grace (Ridgeway) White. (Mrs. S. J.) Historian -- Mrs. Maude Wylie.

Registrar-Miss Florella Wylie.

Chaplain-Mrs. Margaret (Thompson) McPherson. (Mrs. Frank.)

Other members include the members of the following com- mittees :

Program Committee-Miss Elizabeth Field Leggett, Mrs. . Jeanette Gilliland Baird, Miss St. Clair Ross Hickman, Miss Edith Vernon Wylie.

Entertainment Committee-Mrs. Belle Tyler Stivers, Mrs.

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Jessie Tyler Shotwell, Miss Sallie Gay Kelley, Miss Marie Adkins, Miss Jeannette Baird Stivers and Mrs. Clara Tate Brooks Newcomb.

Historical Committee-Mrs. Inez Thompson Bambach, Mrs. Judith Ann Leggett Baird, Mrs. Florence Adkins Nelcamp, Miss Mary Criswell and Miss Esther Rae Beasley.

It is remarkable that in the village of Ripley and vicinity there are upwards of fifty or more who are eligible for mem- bership of the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution, and the outlook is bright for a large membership of this organ- ization. There were more Revolutionary pensioners in Brown county than any other county in Ohio.

THOMAS W. HILL.

The Hill family was one among the earliest in Clermont county, and has been prominently identified with its history since 1808. Its members have been public-spirited citizens and have always stood for progress and advancement along all lines. Several members of the family have been soldiers and have given valuable service to their country. They have been active in helping to establish churches and schools and the name stands for good citizenship. Thomas W. Hill was born on the farm where he now lives, January 11, 1840, son of John R. and Charity (Conrad ) Hill. John R. Hill was born near Mt. Zion Church, Stone Lick township, Clermont county, December 24, 1811, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Rudisill ) Hill. the former a native of Maryland, who had removed to North Carolina from his native State. Thomas Hill was a son of John and Rachel ( Butner) Hill, and came to Clermont county from Salisburg, N. C., in 1858, settling permanently in Stone Lick township. There he became the owner of a piece of land which is now the property of a Mr. Yeager, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a skilled mechanic and manufactured spinning wheels. Near him his son, Thomas, located and there spent the rest of his life. On the latter farm John R. Hill was born, but this place · is now the property of Bert Motsinger. John R. Hill bought one hundred and thirty-five acres of land. where the subject of this sketch now lives, in 1835. at a price of $2.25 per acre, as it was then considered almost worthless, and known as

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THOS. W. HILL

MRS. ELIZA J. (SMYSOR) HILL

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Maple Swamp. At the present time, however, there is not a better farm in Stone Lick township.

John R. Hill lived to a good old age, passing away July 30, 1890. In early life he was a Whig, as were most of the Hills, and later became a Republican, and he voted for John C. Fremont for President. His grandfather's brother, Judge Sam- uel Hill, who had settled on the south side of Stone Lick, had left several descendants, who inherited the judge's Demo- cratic principles and politics, and for many years it was known whether a member of the Hill family was a Democrat or Republican by considering which side of Stone Lick was his home. John R. Hill was an active and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being instrumental in having the church at Belfast built and securing subscriptions therefor. He sold out soon afterwards and removed to Westmoreland, Kan., so that he did not see the church building for many years after it was erected, when he came back for a visit. He died while on a visit to his eldest son, at Lizton, Ind., and was buried at North Salem, nearby. His wife had died in 1874 and was buried at Westmoreland, Kan.

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History of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio, from the earliest historical times down to the present, V. 2, Part 8

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

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