History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 111

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 111

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Jacob Stieritz, eldest son of Henry and Sophia (Trautwein) Stieritz, was born in Clark township. Clinton county, Ohio, on January 12, 1850, and has continued to live in that neighborhood. I'pon the division of his father's estate. he inherited one hundred and twenty-five acres, to which he added a small farm which he previously had acquired adjoining and there he lived until 1908, In which year he bought the well-appointed form which he now occupies. On this place he has a fine brick residence and the farm buildings are in full keeping with the same, the farm being well equipped for the profitable pursuit of modern agricultural methods. In February, 1894. Jacob Stieritz was united in marriage to Alexenia F. Abernathy, daughter of John Abernathy, of Highland county, this state, and to this union two children have been born. both sons, Harry Lee and Howard Edwin, both of whom are at home, valuable alds to their father in his agricultural pursuits.

Godfrey Stieritz, second son of his pioneer parents, was born on June 17. 1863. receiving. as did his brothers, such education as the district schools of Clark township provided in those days, and has always been a farmer. Upon the division of his father's estate he received the home section of the farm and has continued to live in the old home. Ile is quite successfully engaged in general farming and has made important additions to his original holdings, now being the owner of two hundred and eighteen acres, all of which is in an excellent state of cultivation.

David Stieritz, youngest of the three sons of Henry Sticritz, was born on the old home place in Clark township, on July 10, 1860. He received one hundred and twenty- Ave acres in the division of the home farm and continued to make his home there, having erected a comfortable residence upon the occasion of his marriage and has prospered. he. as well as his brothers, being regarded as among the substantial farmers of Clark township. On May 14. 1900, David Stieritz was united in marriage to Rosa Rost, who was born in Hamilton county, this state, the daughter of Henry Rost, but a resident of Highland county at the time of her marriage. David Stieritz, as well as

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his brothers, takes a warm interest in local affairs and is highly concerned in the advancement of the common good thereabout. He formerly was director of schools in his district, an office which he filled faithfully and well.

The Stieritz brothers are excellent citizens, straightforward, industrious and hon- orable before men and are held in the highest regard throughout that whole community.

WELDEN N. MCKAY.

Welden N. MeKay, who belongs to one of the leading families of Clinton county. a family which has every reason to take just pride in its ancestry, is himself an educated and intelligent young farmer of Chester township, who has enjoyed advantages which fall to few men born and reared on the farm. As a matter of fact, he is a practical farmer with the theoretical knowledge of agriculture, since he has made the modern theories of agriculture pay bim handsome returns for his pains, and, in addition to this. for the past three years he has been interested in road and bridge building under contract. The founder of the MeKay family in Ohio was Moses Mckay, the great-grandfather of Welden N. Mckay, who, accompanied by his wife and children, about 1814 immigrated from Virginia, by way of Pittsburgh and thence by flat-boat to Cincinnati and Qually to lebanon, this state. Still later they settled at Waynesville and a short time Inter purchased the large tract of land east of the Little Miami river, but a short distance west of Caesars creek, in what is now Massle township, Warren county. From Warren county the family gradually moved over into Clinton county,

Welden N. Mckay was born on the farm where he now lives, in Chester township, this county, on November 21. 1874. the son of Robert F. and Mary F. ( Nickerson) MeKay, the former of whom was born on the same farm on February 9, 1838, and the latter born on July 21, 1843, the daughter of Clark and Martha ( Asbbey) Nickerson. Robert .F. MeKay and Mary F. Nickerson were married on December 28. 1861. Robert F. MeKay was the son of Francis and Mary. ( Collett ) MeKay, the former of whom was born in January, 1502, the son of Moses MeKay, and died on March 26, 1871. He was a native of Frederick county, Virginia, and on October 7. 1830, was married to Mary Collett, daughter of Moses and Rebecca Collett.

Various records show that the founder of the MeKay family in America was Andrew MeKay, who was born in Scotland, the son of Robert MeKay. Prior to 1766, Andrew MeKay, who was a member of the Society of Friends, married Jane Ridgeway and they settled in Frederick county. Virginia. They were the parents of five children. Moses, Enos, Jacob, Margaret and Patience. Moses MeKay, who was born on Septem- ber 17, 1706, was united In marriage in 1793, according to the discipline of the Friends church, to Abigail Shinn, daughter of George and Rachel ( Wright ) Shinn, who was born on May 3. 1776, in Stafford county, Virginia, to which union were born thirteen children, namely : Rachel, who was born on January 19. 1794; Robert, December 17, 1795; Sarah, November 11, 1797; George, March 11. 1800; Francis, Janmiry 9, 1802; Margaret, January 16, 1804: Jonas. September 9, 180G; Virginia, August 22, 1808; Maria, May 23, 1811; Jonas T., May 10, 1813; Levt D., February 29, 1816: Jacob F., July 3, 1819; and Mary E., July 27. 1822. It was Moses, the father of this family, who settled in Warren county, Ohio. Francis MeKay, the grandfather of Welden N., was the fifth child born to his parents. Moses Mckay died on January 28, 1828, and his wife in July, of the same year.

The Nickerson family, of which Weldon N. MeKay's mother. Mary Frances (Nicker- son ) MeKay, is a member. has an even longer record in America than that of the Mckays. Willam Nickerson, the ancestor In Amerles of this remarkable family, with his wife, Anna, four children and the family of his father-in-law. Nicholas Bushy, sailed from Norwich, England. on the ship. "Anne," landing in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 20.

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WERDEN N. MCKAY.

H Io MI R.s. winy belongs to one of the leading families of Clinton county. a :pey ron to take first price in his ancestry, Is himself an educated former of Chester townsht;, who has enjoyed advantages which top and reared on the farm. As a matter of fact, he is a practical the Pierertical knowledge of sprintture, slave he has made the nadlers Grup pas i hate returns for his prins, and. In addition to this. ( p seurs he has been interested in road and bridge bifbilne under contract .f the Mckay family In Oh!n was Muss MI- Kay. the great eraudfather of

", is was of Pittsburgh and then by flat boat to ('invinunti and finally 's state. Still later they settled at Waynesville and a short time later sim trust of hand must of the Little Mani river, but a short details A. in what is now Mosse township, Warren county, Fruto Warren

ar was born on the farm where he now lives in Chester township. 141 21, 1%*4 Th . 23 of Robert F. and Mary F. (Nickerson) Mr Kay, 1% In towa form on February . 1 and the latter four ric and Martha i Ashbuy) Nickerson. Rubert F. married on December 2, 191. Robert F. M. Kay

.1 4. - 1 (tollett) MeRay, the farmer of whom was born In Mekav, and died oft March 28, 1871 sed on Ortober 7. 1&n was married to Mary Coliert ' C'ullesi.

at the founder of the Mckay funfly in America was Jan in Mailand, the son of Robert Mckay. Frur to 1Til. # metpour of the Society of Friends. married Jane Hiceway .Fink ronny. Virginia, They were the parents of fire s'ildr .. . rrel and Patience. Moses Mrkev, who was born on Semer. - to daughter of Gientre and Rachel & Wright, Shion, who was inapte Tarif county. Virgura. to which union were hory thirteen children,

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1637. William Nickerson served as representative from Yarmouth, Massachusetts, In 1655, and he and his sous figure largely in colonial records from Yarmouth.

William Nickerson, Jr., married Nancy Williams and settled in North Chatham. He served as a soldier in King Philip's War and died in 1719. His sou, Thomas Nickerson, married Mary Bangs, a daughter of Capt. Jonathan and Mary ( Mayo) Bangs and grand- daughter of Edward and Lydia (Hicks) Bangs. Edward Bangs came to America from Chichester, England, and had wealth, honor and influence. His descendants Intermarried with many of the leading Pilgrim and Puritan families and appear always to have maintained an honorable position and to have been useful citizens in their day and generation. The Bangs coat-of-arms was emblazoned with a Moor's hend.

Mary ( Banga) Nickerson was also a lineal descendant of Sir Ellis Hicks, who was knighted by the Black Prince at the battle of Poitiers, September 19, 1356. Ebenezer, son of Thomas and Mary ( Bangs) Nickerson, and his wife, Constance, also were residents of Chatham, Massachusetts. Their son, Seth, and his wife, Mary, emigrated from Massa. chusetts to New York state and were the parents of Joshua Nickerson. Joshua and Abigail ( Waring) Nickerson came from Poughkeepsie. New York, to Oblo, In 1804, and settled in Adams township. Clinton county. They had three sons and one daughter. Their son, Clark, married Martha Ashby, a daughter of Silas and Sarah (Collett) Ashby, to which union seven children were born, two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth Ann, who died at an early age, and James, Joshua, David, Mary Frances, who married Robert F. MeKay, and Susanna, the wife of Evan Hadley.

Francis Mckay was reared on a farm and received the rudiments of an education. On October 7, 1:30, he married Mary Collett, who was born on November 7, 1808, and to this union eleven children were born, seven of whom lived to maturity. In the spring of 1832 the family settled in the northern part of what is now Chester township, Clinton county. Francis Mckay Inherited several hundred acres of land, which was partially cleared. He was a man of industrious habits, sterling integrity and unblemished charac- ter. He died on March 26. 1871. It has been said of him that in his death "Clinton county lost one of ber most worthy and respected citizens." Not only was his presence missed by the loved ones of his own family but by the poor and needy, to whom he ever extended a helping hand. His widow lived to a very advanced age.

The Inte Robert F. Mckay received his education in the schools of Chester township and was a farmer all his life. In the beginning he had one hundred and fifty acres, to which he added from time to time until he owned four hundred acres of land. He and his wife were good citizens and for many years maintained a hospitable bome in this county. They were the parents of four children, namely; Martha M., who married Charles Skimming ; Welden N., the subject of this sketch ; Sarah M., who married Harley H. Smith, and Susannah M .. who married Everett Terrell. Robert F. Mckay was a trustee and class leader for many years in the Methodist church. He voted the Republi- can tleket and was a man of Inrge Influence in his community.

Due to the careful management of his father, Welden N. Mckay received a good . start in Ife. He received his elementary education in the schools of Chester township. supplementing the same by a course in Wilmington College, after which, during 1897. 1998 and Is09, he was a student at Oblo State University, where he took a thorough course in agriculture. U'pon completing his studies he took up farming in Clinton county and now owns ninety-five acres of land in Chester township. He and his mother live together on the home farm and are held in the highest esteem throughout that whole neighborhood.

Welden N. MeKay has never married. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is now serving as trustee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. MeKay votes the Republican ticket. Such families as those of the MeKays are the bone and sinew of the great Hawkeye state, the familles to whom is due much of the credit for the present high state of progress in this great commonwealth.

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DAVID F. FISHER.

The Fisher family in Clinton county had its origin In the early days of the settlement of this section of the state, its founder, David Fisher, having come here as a "bound boy" with the family of Thomas Thatcher, who emigrated from Virginia and located in this county when there was little hereabout to which the name of civilization might be applied. David Fisher was an orphan and was reared in the home of the Thatchers, who had settled in the Cuba neighborhood, where the "bound boy" grew to useful manbood. He married and be and his wife, Hannah, became the parents of thirteen children. David Fisher lived in this county until about the year 1858, when he moved to Illinois, where his death occurred in 1863, he being then about sixty-seven years of age. David Fisher was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was one of the company of troops surrendered by General Hull, at Detroit, and shared with many others their hatred of Hull for his uncalled-for surrender.

George W. Fisher, son of David and Hannah Fisher, was reared amid the primitive conditions which surrounded his father's home in this county and upon reaching manbood was thrown upon his own resources, without means, other than his courage and determination, and was thus compelled to fight his own way through life. He entered upon the trade of brickmaking, which business be followed for fifteen years at Cincinnati, Shelbyville. Indiana; in this county and in other places, and in the spring of 1857 be engaged in farming, buying seventy-five acres of land in Green township, this county. where he spent the rest of his life. He was successful in his farming operations and gradually Increased bis holdings until he was in possession of two hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent Iand surrounding his home, all under fine cultivation, with good buildings and Improvements. During the Civil War, George W. Fisher was member of the Ohio National Guard and, in the spring of 1564. when the services of this body were deemed necessary at the front, he left his plow in the furrow and went to the front, serving under Captain Wilson, in Company K, One Hundred and Forty- ninth Regiment, Ohio National Guard.

On February 15, 1850, George W. Fisher was united in marriage to Martha Fife, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on August 20, 1828, the daughter of David and Nancy Fife, who came to America in 1840, locating in Philadelphia, a few years Inter coming to this county. Following the death of his wife here. a few years later, David Fife moved to Illinois, where he spent his last days. George W. Fisher and his wife were the parents of eight children. namely: Jennie, born on June 21, 1852; David F., the immediate subject of this sketch: John W., September 11, 1856; George JA. November 8, 1558; Thomas, Derember 29, 1860; Matthew. January 17, 1865; Maggie I., Apri! 23. 1869, and James, July 25. 1873.

David F. Fisher, son of George W. and Martha ( Fife) Fisher. was born in l'uion township, Clinton county, Ohio, on July 18. 154, and was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the schools at New Antioch, and has been a farmer all his life. He began as a tenant farmer, but his industry and energy soon gave him a start sufficient to enable him to see his way ahead, and in 1907 he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and three acres in Washington township, where he since has lived, and where he has prospered, as becomes the dillgence with which he has applied himself to his extensive farming operations.

On January 20, 1579. David F. Fisher was united in marriage to Nora Haynie, who was born at New Antioch, this county, daughter of George S. and Elizabeth Ellen ( Rannelis) Haynie, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born in I'nion township and the latter in the village of New Antioch. George S. Haynie was the son of Thomas and Charlotte (Thatcher) Haynie, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, Virginia, and the latter near the village of Cuba, in this county.

Thomas Haynle was the son of Charles Haynie, a soldier of the War of 1812. and

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came to this county from Virginia at an early day in the settlement of the county, engaging in mercantile business at West Woodville, later moving his store to Burton- ville and still later to New Antioch, in which latter village he and his son, George S., were for many years regarded as among the leading merchants of the place. Thomas finally sold out his store and retired to a farm which he had bought and there spent the remainder of his life. Thomas Haynte's wife, Charlotte Thatcher, was a daughter of Thomas Thatcher, who was well known as a land agent in this part of Ohio in the early days, he having been a descendant of Col. Peter Thatcher, of Colonial fame, who came from England. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Fisher were Harvey and Elizabeth ( Flemming) Rannells, he of Scottish descent, and she a native of Pennsyl- vunia. who came from Pennsylvania to this county about the year 1825, locating on a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres at the edge of the village of New Antioch, entering the land direct from a government grant. On this homestead they erected a log cabin and created a home, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Harvey Rannells and his wife were among the most influential people of that neighborhood and their memory will long endure in that region. They contributed a portion of their land to the uses of the church and school at New Antioch, the first school and church in that neighborhood having been erected on land that they gave.

To David F. and Nora ( Haynie) Fisher eight children have been born, namely : Ethel May, Harry Ethelbert, Walter Matthew, Mary Elizabeth, Emmet Hanie, Benjamin Herman Lee, Ernest Evelyn and Dorothy May. Mrs. Fisher Is a member of the Christ- ian church and the several members of the family take an active part in the good works of their community, all being held in the very highest esteem thereabout. Mr. Fisher is a Republican and has served as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Republican committee and is a member of the Martinsville Protective Association. He is a great temperance worker, few men in his neighborhood being more active in the anti-liquor fight than he.

W. P. RUNK.

W. P. Runk, one of the successful farmers of Clark township, this county, where he owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, was born on December 14, 1853, in that township, the son of George W. and Rachel ( Ratcliff) Runk, natives of Berkeley county. Virginia, and Highland county, Ohio, respectively, the former of whom was born in 1819, son of John and Elizabeth ( Miller) Runk, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, who were married in Pennsylvania and in 1835 located on the farm now owned by their grandson, W. P. Runk. John Runk first purchased one hundred acres, later sold twenty-five acres, and then added sixty acres to the farm, and both he and his wife spent their last days on the farm. He was a soldier during the War of 1812 and drew a pension for bis services In that war. During the Civil War, he was a member of the famous "squirrel hunters" organization, which resisted Morgan's raid. Mr. Runk's maternal grandfather. Jacob Rateliff, was a native of North Carolina, who enme with his parents to Ohio. locating in Highland county. The family was of Quaker descent, and the parents died In Highland county. Jacob Rateliff was proprietor of a grist-mill at Sharpsville and. later in life, a farmer. His wife, who was n Smith, was a native of Highland county.

The late George W. Runk was educated in the subscription schools of the Old Dominion state, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade at Martinsville after coming to this country. He worked at his trade In Dayton, Ohio, but later took up farming in his home community, and still later removed to his home farm. George W. and Rachel ( Rateliff) Runk, who had five children, died on the farm that their son, W. P., now owns. The family were members of the Lutheran church.

W. P. Runk was educated in the public schools of Clark township, and owns one

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hundred and twenty-five acres of land in that township, where he has been farming all his life. On March 1, 1885, he was married to Ida Ent, a native of Sligo, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Lydia (Lambright) Ent. both natives of Frederick City, Maryland. Mrs. Runk's paternal grandfather was George Ent, who was a well-known carriage painter and who came to Ohio in 1855. He died in this state while visiting his son, George. His wife, however, died in Maryland. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and the founder of the college at Fredericks City, Maryland. Mrs. Runk's maternal grandfather, who married a Miss Schell, spent all his life in the state of Maryland. Her father was a student at the college at Fredericks City and Jacked but one year of graduating. He became a carriage painter, and, after coming to Oblo, located at Clarksville, where he followed his trade for some time. Later he moved to Sligo, thence to Upper Sandusky, thence to New Vienna and finally settled at Martins- ville. He and his wife were the parents of nine children. Three of their sous, William, George and Milton, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil War. For ten years Mrs. Runk was a teacher in the public schools, she having completed her educa- tion in the high school at Martinsville.

To W. P. aud Ida ( Eut) Runk have been boru four children, Viola, Leslie, Stella and Blanche. Mr. Runk is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ROBERT D. WALL.

In contemplating the many estimable qualities of the Inte Robert D. Wall, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics. He possessed an integrity which no personal or material consideration could swerve, and an industry which knew no rest while a personal duty remained unperformed. When given a task to accomplish he was accustomed to devote himself to its completion with indefatigable energy, and when the task was done, he threw off all cares to devote himself to the interests of his home and family. His temper was calm and equable, and his manners emphatically those of a gentleman, plain, simple and digultied. He despised sham and pretense of all kinds His devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was almost intuitive. Although his life was a busy one. he never allowed the demands of business to Interfere with his Christian obligations or with the faithful performance of his church duties. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his memory will long be cherished by his friends and acquaintances, and especially by the members of his own immediate family.

Robert D. Wall was born on February 28, 1839, in Chester township, Clinton county, Ohio, and died on May 30, 1910. He was a son of Mahlon and Mary ( Vanderburgh) Wall, the former of whom was born on May 31. 1810, in the Steward cabin, in Chester township, this county, and the latter on March 20, 1818, ju the state of New York. Mahlon Wall was the son of John and Mary (Mills) Wall, the former of whom was n native of York county, Pennsylvania. born on September 9, 1775, and died on January 5, 1857, and the latter of whom was born on February 10, 1777. They were married in York county. Pennsylvania, In 1502 and came to Clinton county in 1809, locating on a farm on Dutch creek, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The farm which Grandfather Wall owned consisted of about one hundred and four acres, which was a wilderness when he purchased it, but In true pioneer fashion he and his wife set about to cultivate and develop their farm. John Wall and wife were the parents of five children. Eli, Anna, Thomas, Mahlon and David. John Wall was a son of Absalom and Margaret Wall, the former of whom was a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, who sold out to the Dutch, and removed to Bedford county. In that state, in an early day.

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History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 111

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1108

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108