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 138
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John B. Moore was born In Green township, Clinton county, Ohio, October 20, 1825. He was the son of William and Susan (Childs) Moore, the former of whom was born in Rockcastle county, Virginia, in 1781, and the latter born in the Old Dominion state in 1801. William Moore was the son of John Moore, a native of Virginia, who bought one thousand acres of land and gave it to his son. William. William was brought to Lexington, Kentucky, by his parents when he was but three years old, being the only child of his parents born in Virginia. After coming to Kentucky, they lived in a fort for several weeks until they bought a farm near Millersburg. John Moore and wife were the parents of seven children, namely : William, who died in 1874; James, who died in 1822; John, who died in 1851 ; Abraham, who died in 1874: Peggy, who married Alec Rutter: Mary, who married Isane Layson ; and Sallie, who married Alec Ardery, Will- lam Moore came to Green township, Clinton county, when a young man and was married here. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, of whom nine, Margaret, Susan Jane, John B., Mary McClelland, James, William, Jr., Marjorie. Abraham and Samuel, are deceased. The living children are Sarah and Thomas.
John B. Moore was married, in 1845, to Nancy Johnson, who was born In 1818. in Frederick county, Virginia. She was the daughter of George and Susan (Johnson) Johnson, natives of the Old Dominion state, who later emigrated to Fayette county. Ohio, and lived five miles north of Leesburg. Mrs. Susan Johnson died in Fayette county on the old homestead. George Johnson died in Green township.
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Moore were the parents of ten children, as follow : Susan Jane, who was the wife of James Vance, died on May 23. 1890, leaving six children. Cecil. Arna, Jane, John, Lindley and Lucy; George, who lives in Washington C. H., Fayette county, married Ellen Wright and had one child. Leslie, who died in 1913; Mary Ellen married William Johnson, but has no children; John Wesley died In Kansas at the age of forty-five years; America Callie is unmarried and has lived on the old home-
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stead since a child; Grafton Benjamin died unmarried in Kansas City in 1905; Flavious Josepheus married Jennie Doak and has two children, Roscoe and Mabel ; Douglas is a prominent farmer of Green township; Anna is the widow of James Meadows and has two children, Marian and James; Samuel married Emma Ayers and to them have been born nine children, of whom seven are living.
The late John B. Moore died on November 20, 1909. His wife had died previously on May 22, 1004. They had been members of the Methodist church, but late in life joined the Friends church. In politics the late John B. Moore was identified with the Democratic party.
CHARLES JOHNSON.
Charles Johnson, a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, where he and his wife own two hundred and fifteen acres of land and where for several years he has been engaged in general farming and e 'much ising, was born in that township on June 28, 1873, son of Joel and Cornelia > descenier) Johnson, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, October 22. 1844, and -ne latter, in Clinton county, in 1854, the daughter of Isane and Margaret ( Hildebrant) Miller.
Joel Johnson was the son of Michael and Nancy (Chamberlain) Johnson, both natives of New Jersey, born in 1817, and on February 20, 1820, respectively, who were married in New Jersey, in 1840, and came to Ohio four years later, settling in Penn township, Highland county, on the Woodmansee land. Soon afterwards, they came to Clinton county where they spent the remainder of their days. Michael Johnson spent most of his life in Green township. He was a charter member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons, and voted the Whig and then the Republican ticket until the close of the war, after which he was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had ten children, Celia, Joel, Mary Hannah, William, Edward, Callie, Fred, Mattie (decensed), Alice and Libble. Michael Johnson died on July 12, 1912. His wife had died several years previously, in 1897.
Joel Johnson was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools of Green township, this county. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and served until June 9, 1865, having participated in the battles of Resach, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Bentonville, Burnt Hickory, and in many skirmishes. Upon the close of the war, he returned to Clinton county and worked by the month on the farm. Subsequently, he removed to Illinois and worked in Knox county on a farm. Later, however, he returned to Clinton county and worked two years by the month for Zephaniah Spear. In 1871 he was married and a little Inter purchased a farm of thirty- five acres in Green township. Later he sold that farm and bought one hundred and six acres, to which he added by purchase until he owned one hundred and eighty neres near New Antioch. in Green township. He owns a farm of about fifty acres just out- side the corporation line on the Martinsville pike. In 1912, Mr. Johnson moved to New Vienna where he has since lived retired. His father was always a renter, and he has made his own way in the world. He first voted for Lincoln, but has been n Democrat since the war. He served three years as township trustee, and is a member of Carey Johnson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at New Vienna. By bis mar- ringe to Cornelia J. Miller, he has had eleven children, Harry, Charles, Addie, Nannte, William, Norma, Ethel, Mary, Ralph, Beruice and James, all Hving.
Mrs. Joel Johnson is a daughter of Isaac and Margaret ( Hildebrant) Miller. the latter of whom was the daughter of Christopher Hidlebrant, a pioneer of Clinton county who came here from New Jersey. Isaac Miller, who was born on July 30, 1812, was reared on the farm and was educated in the public schools. He and his wife had
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ten children : Columbus, Ralph, of Wilmington; Janae Newton, of Harveysburg; William. of Wilmington: Charles, of New Vienna : Mrs. Mary Van Devort, of New Antioch: Mrs. Lydia Hunter, of Jamestown; Mrs. Joel Johnson, of New Vienna : Mrs. Fred Johnson, of New Vienna, and Mrs. Allie Doat. of Martinsville. Isaac Miller Was the son of Isaac C. and Polly (Stewart) Miller, both natives of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. the former born on February 5. 1777, and the latter in 1787. Isaac C. Miller was the son of l'eter and Catharine ( Roads) Miller, the farmer a native of Wales, born in 1740, and the latter a native of the United States. They had five children, John. Jacob. Abraham, Isaac C. and Elizabeth. Peter Miller, who served as a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, died in the service and his burial place is not known.
Charles Johnson was reared on the farm and was educated in the common schools of this county. Mr. Johnson a. ' his wife own two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Green township, where he ! ' farmer and stock raiser. He has long given his most thoughtful attention "affairs of his community and is now serving his eighth year as trustee of enship.
On February 27. 1:00 Cha Johnson was married to Cora Bernard, daughter of James K. Bernard, who is h. ntioned in a blographical sketch presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union four children have been born. Oscar ( decensed). Bernard. George and Geneva.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Friends church and their children thus have a birthright in that society. The family is well known and popular in Green township and enjoys the respect and esteem of the whole community.
EVERETT JAMES.
Everett James, who is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, and whose father was a valiant soldier in the Civil War, enjoys the distinction of being descended on the maternal side from the captain of a company of Boston "minute men." bis great- great-grandfather, having been killed at the battle of Bunker Hill by a solid shot from the British Heet.
Everett James was born on January 1. 1878, In Clinton county, Ohio, the son of John W. and Emily ( Kilgore) James, the former of whom was a native of High- Iand county, Ohio, born in 1843, and the latter a native of Clinton county. His paternal grandparents were George and Mary (James) James, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Highland county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Ills maternal grandparents were Abraham and Martha ( Bloom) Kilgore, early set- flers of Clinton county, where both died.
John W. James, who died on May 7, 1914, worked most of his life in the Van Dervort hursery in Green township. He was a Republican and his wife was a mem- her of the Christian church. From July 4, 1863. until the close of the Civil War, the late John W. James served in the I'mlon army In Company I, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He helped to capture John Morgan and also helped to guard bim.
John W. and Emily (Kilgore) James were the parents of four children, of whom ['. Chase and Ethel are deceased, the living children being Ida and Everett. U. Chase James served in the same company with Everett in the Spanish-American War. He was a graduate of Hiram College and had received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Everett James was reared in Green township and received his education in the public schools at New Antioch. On April 25, 1895, he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War and served until the close of that war. Upon returning to Clinton county he took up farming, and Is now engaged in farming one hundred and seventy acres of land in Green township. He also owns land In the township.
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On October 1. 1899. Everett James was married to Bertha Cartwright, who was born in 1880, in Green township, daughter of Willis Cartwright, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume. To this union eight children have been born, Lucille, Frank, Stanley, Jee. Eva, Lowell, John W. and Juanita.
As a Republican, Mr. James was elected a member of the school board of Green township, but at the present time is an ardent advocate of the principles of the Progressive party.
GEORGE W. BERNARD.
George W. Bernard, the second child in the family of the late James K. and Kesinh (McVey) Bernard, is a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Green township, this county. The complete history of the Bernard family is given in the blographical sketch of Mr. Bernard's father, presented elsewhere in this volume. The present gen- eration of this family, in Clinton county, have much be grateful for in the careers of their distinguished ancestors, for they are descen is of a patriot of Revolutionary
days, Thomas Bernard, who was a vallant soldi in the great struggle for inde-
pendence. Moreover, the successive generations of : family have been conspicuous as business men of large ability in the various communities in which they have set- tled and Hved. To a large degree, George W. Bernard, who is a representative of the fifth generation of the Bernard family in America, possesses the commendable traits of his ancestors. He is named for his grandfather. George Washington Bernard, who was an enterprising farmer in this county until his death, in 1804, at the age of ninety- five years.
George W. Bernard was born in Green township, this county. August 14, 1863, und was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of that township. Mr. Bernard now owns three hundred and ten acres of land and is a general farmer und stockman.
On December 24. 1804. George W. Bernard was married to Cora Staubus, who was born in Virginia, danghter of Lewis J. and Mary (Clark) Staubus, Inter of this county, and to this union three children have been born, Aleda, Georgia and Lewis James.
Mr. Bernard is a Democrat in politics, but has never aspired to office. having been too busy with his farm and his own personal affairs to give much time to politics. The Bernard family are members of the Friends church and active in the church work at Fairview.
THOMAS H. ROADS.
Thomas H. Roads, a resident of Green township, this county, who owns one hun- dred and fifty acres of land in Highland and Clinton counties, was born on August 9, 1×69. in Highland county, this state, a son of James and Ellen (Medsker) Roads, both natives of that county.
The paternal grandfather of Thomas H. Roads was Daniel Ronds, a pioneer of Highland county, where he lived for many years, his death, however, occurring in Clin- ton county, he having come here after the death of his wife in Highland county. Mr. Ronda' materual grandparents were Thomas and Nancy (Miller) Medsker, also early settlers in Highland county, both of whom died at Hillsboro.
James Ronds was renred on the farm and attended the public schools of his home county. At the outbreak of the Civil War be enlisted as a soldier in the I'nion army, in which he served three years. He now lives retired on his farm in Highland county. He has always been a Republican In politics, while religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. To James and Ellen (Medsker) Roads were born four children. Thomas H., Rose, Susie and Nellie, all of whom are living.
Thomas H. Roads was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education
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in the district schools of Highland county, afterwards supplementing this with a course in the Hillsboro high school. Mr. Roads 18 a well-known resident of Green ' township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has met with a very gratifying degree of success.
On August 30, 1894, Thomas H. Roads was married to May Rayburn, a daughter of Thomas Rayburn aud wife, of Wilmington, this county. Mrs. Roads died on Feb- ruary 17, 1901, at the age of twenty-seven years, and about two years later, June 24. 1903, Mr. Roads married secondly, Nellie Creed, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, on October 27, 1877, daughter of Sanford and Harriet (Hern) Creed, the former a native of Highland county, born in 1842, who Is still living there, and the latter n native of England, who died in Highland county in March, 1882, whose parents, natives of England, came to this country in an early day. Mrs. Roads' paternal grand- father, Bennett Creed, and wife were early settlers in Highland county.
To Thomas H. and Nellie (Creed) Roads four children have been born : Lucille, born on November 14, 1904; May, February 17, 1906; James W., July 9, 1907, and George E., June 10, 1909.
Fraternally, Mr. Roads is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is an ardent adherent of the principles of the Republican party.
ELMER E. PAGE.
Elmer E. Page, now a well-known and progressive farmer and stock raiser of Green township, this county, was born in Brown county, Ohio, November 15, 1882, the son of Benjamin B. and Mary H. (Crispin) Page, the former of whom was born in Virginia, July 7, 1812, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 9, 1823.
Benjamin B. Page was the son of Thomas and Mary (Bellamy) Page, who spent their entire lives in the Old Dominion state. They had eight children, Samuel, Thomas, Edmund, James, John, Benjamin D., Dicy Ann and Wesley. Of these children, Ben- jamin B. Page and three brothers, Samuel, Wesley and James, came to Clinton county, Benjamin B. Page being a young man at that time. He was marrled on August 12, 1841, to Mary H. Crispin, whose mother, Matilda Crispin, came to Clinton county about 1835. To Benjamin B, and Mary H. (Crispin) Page were born twelve children, as follow : George W., born on October 1, 1843; John W., May 23, 1845; Anna, August 7, 1847, who died on February 23. 1876; Matilda F., June 7, 1849, who died on Sep- tember 23, 1850; Nancy Jennie. June 7, 1849, who died on May 3, 1904; Mary E., December 24, 1852, who married Harrison MeFadden: Emma, 1854, who died on April 24, 1894; Benjamin E., April 20, 1857; Benson W., April 21, 1859; Derinda, January. 3, 1861; Elmer E., November 15, 1862, and Silas P., November 6, 1864, who died on October 27, 1871. Benjamin B. Page died on March 9, 1864, in Brown county. Obio, and his widow died on October 17, 1908, in Clinton county. He was a farmer by oc- cupation and a Republican in politics. He and his wife were members of the Chris- tian church. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Lynchburg, in Highland county, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Antioch, this county. In addition to being a farmer, he was also a well-known auctioneer in Clin- ton county, and had a business extending over several counties in this section. The widow of Benjamin B. Page married, secondly, In 1884, Jobn McFadden, who died on October 17, 1900.
Elmer E. Page was reared in Clinton county and was educated in the public schools. A farmer by occupation, Mr. Page owns the old John McFadden farm of seventy acres in Green township; another of one hundred and thirty acres and still another of sixty acres in Wayne township. He is an extensive breeder of Poland China
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hogs, and, at the present time, has over two hundred head on the farm. Mr. Page's extensive property interests have been acquired almost altogether by his own efforts.
On April 17, 1886, Elmer E. Page was married to Lizzie Bernard, who was born in Wayne township, this county, November 15, 1865, the daughter of Thomas F. Ber- nard, an extensive farmer of Wayne township, the son of George W. Bernard, Sr., mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this union two children have been born, Elmer J. and Edna Troy. Elmer J. Page, who was born on July 27, 1886, was educated in the public schools and in the Centerville bigh school. He is a farmer by occupation and lives on one of his father's farms. He married Stella McPherson, daughter of Carey and Alice (Steele) McPherson, of Clinton county, the former of whom is deceased and the latter of whom is living, to which union two sons have been born, Howard Austin, born on October 7, 1908, and Raymond Arthur, December 6, 1910. Edna Troy Page was born in Troy, Colorado, April 13, 1888, and lived at home with her parents. She was educated in the public schools and In the Centerville high school.
Mr. Page votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are prominent socially in Green township, where they are well known.
JOHN W. JOHNSON.
John W. Johnson, now a well-known farmer of Green township, this county, was born on June 8, 1872, in Highland county, Ohio, a son of Thomas W. and Minerva (John) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, June 6, 1846, and the latter, near Woodville, over the line in Clermont county, September 26, 1844.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were John and Jane (Botts) Johnson, natives of Highland and Clinton counties, respectively, the latter born near Westboro. John Johnson was a son of William Johnson, who married a Miss Watkins, and emi- grated from Virginia to Highland county, Oblo. Both he and his wife died in Clin- ton county. Jane Botts was a daughter of William and Sarah ( Moon) Botts, who came from the Old Dominion state to Clinton county, and died In this county, near Martinsville. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were Andrew and Sarah (Dunlap) John, natives of Clinton county, Ohio, the former a son of Andrew John, Sr., who married a Miss Brown, a native of Wales. Andrew John was a minister of the Gospel in the early days, prominent among the early settlers of Clinton county, whose death occurred in Illinois.
Thomas W. Johnson, father of John W. Johnson, was reared in Jefferson township, this county, and was educated in the common schools of his home county. In 1862 he answered the call of President Lincoln for volunteers, becoming a member of Company F. Eighty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years, doing guard duty at Columbus, Ohio. He is now a member of Carey Johnson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and lives near Farmers Station, but owns a farm of eighty-four acres in Green township, this county, upon which his son, John W., with whom this narra- tive deals, now resides. Politically, Thomas W. Johnson was a Republican, but is not active in political affairs, never having aspired to public office. Fraternally, he is a member of Dalton Lodge No. 578, Free and Accepted Masons. Thomas W. Johnson and wife were the parents of five children, Jennie, John W., Hampton, Allce S. and Geneva, all of whom are living.
John W. Johnson was reared in Clinton county and received a good, common- school education. He is a farmer and lives on the old homestead farm in Green town- ship, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising.
In 1906 Mr. Johnson was married to Mattie Holmes, who was born In Green town- ship, this county, daughter of Lemuel and Amanda ( Fenner) Holmes, also natives of Green township. To this union has been born one child, Madge W., born on Janu- ary, 1907.
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ELISHA POWELL
Elisha Powell, who for many years, was a resident and farmer In Green town- ship, this county, was born on October 28, 1842, a son of John and Serena Powell, both natives of Hampshire county, Virginia, the father born in 1804 and the mother in 1800.
Mr. Powell's parents came to Ohio about 1820, locating in Highland county, and during the thirties settled in Green township. this county, where they purchased seventy acres of land, and baving erected their rude log cabin proceeded to clear and cultivate the land. During the fftles they sold the farm and bought one hundred and eleven acres. gradually adding to this latter tract until they had one hundred and seventy-tive acres of fine farming land. Mr. Powell's father died in 1885, and his mother some years later. at the age of ninety years. John Powell was an old-line Democrat in politics, and was prominent in the life of bis community in the early days. He and his wife were the parents of the following children, Elias, Cyrus, William. Thomas M .. James H., Joseph E., Elisha. Eli, Alpheus and a son, who died in infancy. Of these children Alpheus was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar. John Powell was also a Knight Templar.
Elisha Powell, who was reared on the farm and educated In the public schools, owns fifty neres of land in Green township, where he has lived all his life, except a period between the years 1865 to 1871, when he lived in Missouri.
On March 9. 1865, Elisha Powell was married to Mary Emily Hoskins, who was born in Clinton county in 1844, daughter of George and Lydia (Bankston) Hoskins, early settlers in Clinton county, both of whom are now deceased, Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Powell are the parents of four children: Serena, widow of Harry Edwards, who lives in New Vienna : Lizzie E. and Lydia Bell, unmarried and living at home, and Oscar H .. an attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana.
On March 9, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Powell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of their daughter in New Vienna. Mr. Powell's "best man" at the wedding fifty years ago, and the bridesmaid, who was Lucinda Hoskins, now Mrs. Silas Wood- mansee, of Greenfield. Highland county, Ohio, a cousin of Mrs. Powell, were present at the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Powell is an enrnest and devoted member of the Baptist church. in which she is actively Interested. Politically, Mr. Powell is a Democrat.
CHARLES L. SMITHSON.
Charles L. Smithson. now the proprietor of two hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Green township, this county, and an enterprising farmer and stockman, was born on December 28, 1856, In Clinton county, Oblo, the son of Drummond and Han- nah (Trenary) Smithson, the former of whom was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1823, and the latter. in Green township, this county, in 1829. on the farm now owned by her son. Charles L.
Mr. Smithson's paternal grandparents were Campbell and Sallle (Terrell) Smithson, both natives of Virginia and pioneers of Highland county, Ohio, who later came to Clinton county, where both died. The maternal grandparents were Thomas and Susie (Achor) Trenary, both natives of Pennsylvania, who were married in the Keystone state, and afterward settled In Green township, this county, on the farm now owned by their grandson, Charles L. Smithson.
Drummond Smithson was reared In Highland county, Ohio, and was a shoemaker by trade, having maintained a shop In the country near where his son Charles L. now lives. He later owned one hundred and thirty acres of land where his son lives, and there he died on January 8, 1598. His widow died on August 2, 1910. He was a
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Democrat and his wife was a member of the Christian church. They had four children, Joseph R., Julia E., Charles L. and Sarah B. Julia E. Smithson married Flavius J. Johnson, of Green township, and Sarah B. Smithson married Frank Custis, of the same township.
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