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 58

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 58

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Mr. Clevenger was appointed by Governor Frank B. Willis, on June 21, 1915, a member of the Ohio state board on uniform state laws, for the term ending June 5, 1918. The object is the outgrowth of a movement made by the bar association about ten years ago. The object is for each state to provide a board which will formulate plans to bring about uniformity of laws throughout the United States, They shall collect data as to the prevailing law in the United States and other countries, upon special subjects where uniformity is important, and especially on the following subjects: Conveyances-form and execution : commercial law, Including bills of lading; corporations; insurance, fire and life: negotiable instruments: partnerships; trade-marks; unfair competition; ware- house receipts; labor, uniform hours of; marriage and divorce; wills, execution and probate.

CHARLES BOTTS.

After three years' experience with the German military service, as a soldier in Badeu's standing army, Henry Botts "jumped" bis furlough one day and came to America, making his way to Cincinnati, That was in the year 1844. Two years later. when the call for volunteers to serve in the war against Mexico was made. Henry Botts enlisted in the First Regiment. Ohlo Volunteer Infantry, and was with that regiment until the close of the Mexican War. Henry Botts had three brothers and one sister. all of whom also came to America, and became so widely separated that they never were reunited, except in one instance, which hinged on an astonishing chance. Thirteen years after their separation, long after Henry Botts had settled in Highland county, this state, he made a trip over into the adjoining county of Brown in quest of seed wheat and there encountered his brother, Frederick, the two brothers having. anknown to each other, settled within a few miles of each other's homes.

Henry Botts returned to Cincinnati at the close of the Mexican War. later moving to Highland county. this state, locating in the Webbertown neighborhood. where he spent the remainder of his life. After arriving in Highland county he married Elizabeth Gerard. of that county, who was born in Alsace-lorraine, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Gerard, who emigrated to Amerien about the year 1538, coming to Ohio, where they located in Highland county, buying a farm on which they erected a log enbin and there they spent the rest of their lives. To this union seven children were born. four sons and three daughters, five of whom are still Hving.

Charles Botta, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Gerard) Botts, was born on the home farm in Highland county, not far from the village of Lynchburg, near the Clinton county line, on January 6, 1863. and was reared there. receiving his early education in the district schools of that neighborhood. When about twenty-two years of age he came to this county to work on the Ward form in Washington township and ever since has resided there, for on November 7. 1888, the year after his arrival at the Ward home. he married Anne Maria Ward. the youngest daughter of the house, who became pro- prietor of the farm upon the death of her father. To this union six children have been born. Fay. John, Margaret, Israel, Alice and Elon.

This latter child was named in honor of his venerable grandfather, the late Elon

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Bramble Ward, who for many years was one of the best-known and most Influential residents of that part of Clinton county. Elon B. Ward was born near the village of Madisonville, this state, on September 27, 1822, and lived to be nearly ninety years of age. He was one of the eleven children of Morris and Mary (Bramble) Ward, the former of whom was born in New Jersey on October 19, 1700, and the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, on July 25, 1795. Morris Ward was one of the six children of Israel and Sarab (Cook) Ward. the former of whom was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who followed his father from New Jersey to Ohto, locating in October, 1811, in the Madisonville neighborhood, where the rest of his life was spent. Israel Ward was one of the seven sons of Joseph Ward, who was born In New Jersey in the year 1784, his other sons being Jeremiah, Amos, Usual, Stephen, Isaac and Anron.

Joseph Ward and his three eldest sons, Jeremiah, Amos and Israel, were soldiers in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, the three sons Hving to draw pensions from the government for such service. these pensions being granted about the year 1832. Israel Ward went Into the service at the age of sixteen and he brought with him. upon coming to Ohio, the musket he carried during the war. This ancient musket stood in his room. with bayonet fixed for band-to-hand charge, until his death, in June, 1846.

In the year 1797 Joseph Ward emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio and entered from the government a section of land nine miles from Cincinnati, in Hamilton county, where the town of Madisonville now is situated. He built a log house in the wilderness and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1828, he then being ninety- four years of age. Joseph Ward's wife was killed by the Indians and he married, secondly, a woman of the name of Muchmore, continuing to live In the pioneer cabin until his death. Joseph Ward's sous all followed him, one by one, from New Jersey to Ohio, all settling on the same section of land, Israel being the last to come.

Morris Ward, son of Israel and Sarah (Cook) Ward, was about twenty-one years of age when he accompanied his parents from New Jersey to Ohio in the fall of 1811. On February 10, 1814. he married Mary Bramble, whose father. Elon Bramble, had brought his family from Pennsylvania to Obio in the fall of 1801, floating down the Ohio river in a small Hatbont. Elou Bramble and his wife were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, Laban, Major, Ayres, Fannie. Lavina and Mary. the Inst named of whom was the great-grandmother of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Botts. To Morris and Mary (Bramble) Ward were born eleven children, namely : Abigail, who married Martin Varner and died without issue; Elizabeth, who married Solomon Way- bright, and had two children, Benjamin A. and Henrietta W .; Marietta, who married Willlam Erebeart. and had one daughter, Eveline; Elon B., father of Mrs. Botts; Benjamin C., who married Sarah Holt, upon whose death, four years later. he married. secondly, Matilda Chew, to which latter union two children were born, Morris and Frank : Ayres B., who married Elizabeth Pearson, upon whose death be married, secondly. Margaret Rutlege, to neither of which unions was there issue: Harriet C., who married David Stites, and had four children. Mary, Priscilla, Phoebe and George; Frances, who married John Giffin; Danforth B., who remained unmarried, and Isanc and Edgar, who died in infancy.

Elon B. Ward was united in marriage on November 26. 1845, to Anne Marie Vanmiddlesworth, to which union were born six children. Marietta, Sarah Ellen, Cath- erine W., Jane V., Alfred B. and Elon B. The mother of these children died on January 24. 1864, and Elon B. Ward married, secondly, Sarah M. Vanmiddlesworth, sister of his first wife, to which Intter union two children were born, Jefferson and Anne Maria, the former of whom died at the age of six months. Of the above named children, Marietta married Watkins J. Farren, Sarah Ellen married George King. Catherine W. married Elisha T. Custis, Jane V. married James Williams, Alfred B. married Ida May Hoskins, Elon B. married Mary Shaffer and Anne Maria married Charles Botts.

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

Mr. and Mrs. Botts are members of the Baptist church, to which all their children also are attached, and all take a warm interest in the affairs of the church, as well as in all good works in their neighborhood, this family being regarded as one of the leaders in affairs generally in their community. Mr. Botts has taken much Interest in public affairs and Is keenly concerned in all measures looking to the advancement of the common welfare. For nearly twenty years he served his township In the capacity of supervisor of highways and made an excellent reputation in that direction. He is held In high repute in his community and enjoys the confidence of all.

BENJAMIN DUNHAM ASHCRAFT NOSCAR.

The founder of the Noscar family in America spelled his name Noftzgar, but this presently was stripped of some of Its superfluous letters, for the sake of convenience. and later generations of the family have been quite well contented with the more simpli- led form of the spelling noted in the caption of this brief biographienl sketch. The first of the name to come to America was John Noftzgar, who came from Germany. locating in Maryland, where for some time he was connected with the military service. He Inter married and he and his wife emigrated to Ohio, coming down the Ohio river on a flatboat. They brought with them a favorite ent. Some time after their arrival at their new home. in the Madisonville section of Hamilton county, where they loented. they missed the cat. Much to their astonishment, they later learned that the ent, following that marvelous sense of direction for which cats are an particularly noted. had returned to its old home in Maryland. The Noftzgars settled in Hamilton county. at about the point where the Longworth property. In Cincinnati. now Is situated, and there they reared their family and spent the rest of their lives.

William Noftzgar, son of John and Jane Noftzgar, was reared on the pioneer farm in the Cincinnati neighborhood and married Elizabeth Ashcraft. daughter of Danbam Asheraft and wife. natives of the north of Ireland, of Scottish descent, who emigrated to America and also settled in the Madisonville neighborhood near Cincinnati, where the rest of their lives were spent. Dunham Asheraft was a shoemaker and became one of the best-known and most popular residents of that section in his day. For some years before his death, John Noftzgar gave much time trying to make a machine that would work by "perpetual motion."

T'pon reaching manhood. William Nofragar. or Noscar, as he later became known. became a fireman on the railroad out of Cincinnati, and for some years was engaged in the railway service. He then became hend sawyer in Crane's mills, a position he also held for years, after which he went to Missourl. where he was engaged for some lime in operating a saw-mill. He then returned to Cincinnati and upon the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted for the ninety-day service, at the end of which be moved to Pleasantplain (now Winsor), in Warren county. this state, where for some years he operated a saw-mill. To Williams and Elizabeth ( Asheraft) Nosear were born two children. Upon the death of the mother of these children. William Noscar married. secondly, Sybil Ann lange. member of a pioneer family of the Pleasantplain neighbor- hood. to which union three children were born. Mrs. Nosear's grandfather. Alfred Sendder. was the owner of five hundred neres of land in that vicinity and he leased to Its granddaughter's husband fifty acres, which Mr. Noscar Inter bought, at the same time adding thereto twelve acres, and on this farm he spent the remainder of bis days. Hix widow is still living.

Benjamin Dunham Ashcraft Noscar, son of William and Elizabeth ( Ashcraft) Noscar, was born in Hamilton county, this state, in the year 1855. His parents moved to Warren county during his youth and he was reared there. He spent three years at Lynchburg. in this county. learning the shoemaker trade, but never worked at the same. He concluded this apprenticeship when he was about twenty-one years of age

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and immediately began working on farms in the neighborhood of Lynchburg, continuing this form of occupation until his marriage in 1880, in which year he and his wife moved to Cincinnati, where for more than four years he was engaged at work in a coal yard. Hle then returned to this county and in 1800 bought the farm on which he now lives, in Washington township. This farm of fifty acres Is well Improved. Mr. Noscar having made all the improvements on the same with the exception of the frame of the barn.

In 1880 Benjamin Noscar was united in marriage to Mary Winston, who was born at Loveland, in Hamilton county, this state, a daughter of George and Mary (Sears) Winston, both of English descent. George Winston came to America as a young man and lived to be ninety-four years old. To this union three children have been born, Læuelda, Mary Elizabeth and Howard William. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Noscar spent one year In Warren county, five years In Clinton county, then moved to Selma, Clark county, for one year, then to Cincinnati for about five years, then moved to Clinton county, where they are now situated.

Mr. and Mrs. Noscar are members of the Methodist church, to the affairs of which they are devoted, and their children have been reared in this faith. Mr. Noscar is held in high repute in his neighborhood and has served his district in the capacity of school director and his township in the capacity of supervisor, in both of which positions of trust and responsibility he acquitted himself in such manner as to win the commendations of his neighborhood.

LINDLEY MURRAY MOON.

After an honorable, faithful and efficient service of twenty-eight years as a member of the able teaching corps of the Clinton county public schools, Lindley Murray Moon retired from that form of service and engaged in farming, since 1905 baving devoted his attention to agriculture in Washington township, where he has a well-kept farm of more than two hundred acres, upon which he is living in comfort, enjoying the confidence and respect of the whole countryside. The same diligent attention to the duties in hand which made Mr. Moon's service as a teacher so successful has been given to the operation of his farm and during the ten years he has followed this vocation he has prospered, being now numbered among the substantial residents of that portion of the county. He has been honored by his neighbors and is now serving his second term as township trustee. having been for three years president of the town- ship school board.

Lindley Murray Moon was born on a farm east of Martinsville. in Clark township, Clinton county, Ohio, on March 21, 1857, son of Pleasant and Huldah (Pike) Moon, the former of whom was born in this county on May 20, 1819, and the latter of whom was born in Highland county, this state, on June 16, 1817, daughter of William and Lucy ( Butler) Pike, pioneers of that county.

Pleasant Moon was born in Clark township, this county, son of Joseph and Rachel ( Hockett ) Moon, members of the celebrated Moon colony that came from Sevier county, Tennessee, and settled In Clark township In the year 1809, the year before ('linton county was organized as a civic unit. Pleasant Moon was reared In the forest wilderness surrounding bis boyhood home, receiving such education as was provided in the "back- woods" school of that neighborhood. Upon reaching manhood's estate he married and moved to Washington township and for twenty-six years lived on a rented farm west of where his son, the subject of this sketch. now lives. Following the death of his wife. In 1×63. Mr. Moon returned to Clark township, taking a farm near Lynchburg. where he spent the rest of his Hfe. his death occurring in 1885.

To Pleasant and Huldah (Pike) Moon were horn sixteen children, twelve sons and four daughters, namely : Lucy, Parker, Rachel, Sarah E., Mary A., Samuel, James A.,

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Lindley M., Daniel. Carey, Joseph P., William, Harvey, Stephen R., Elwood and Manary (or Manara). The mother of these children died on May 25, 1863, and in April, 1868, Pleasant Moon married, secondly, Mrs. Susan Boyd, widow of Samuel Boyd and daugh- ter of Jobs and Jane Terrell, who was the mother of five children by her former husband, Jane M., Sylvester W., John T., James and Suzana.

Lindley M. Moon was reared on the home farm in Washington township and attended the district schools of that township until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he entered the training school for teachers at Martinsville and equipped himself for teaching, engaging in this profession the following winter, the pay for bis first term's service being at the rate of thirty-five dollars the month. The next winter he was engaged as teacher at the Brown school, near bis home, at a somewhat better wage and continued as teacher In that school for four years, working for his father for his board. He then was engaged as a teacher at Macedonia for two years, at a further advance of wages, and then for five years served as principal of the graded schools at Cuba, this county. Following this service he was engaged for two years as teacher at Farmers Station. At this period of his career he moved to Wilmington, where he made his home, and for two years was engaged as teacher at Burtonville, after which he went back to the Brown school in Washington township, teaching there for four years, at the end of which time he was engaged to serve as principal of the central school building at Wilmington, a position which he filled for five years, after which he returned to Cuba, where he concluded his service as a teacher three years later. having for twenty- eight years been engaged in instructing the youth of Clinton county, a service of Inestimable value. During that time Professor Moon made many enduring friendships. his students, now men and women of affairs in this county, entertaining for him to this day feelings of the most sincere esteem and deepest gratitude.

While thus engaged in teaching. Professor Moon was looking abend to the future and made some judicious Investments in land. In 1892 he bought a small farm of sixty- one acres in Washington township, later adding an adjoining small farm of fifty-three acres, this being the tract on which he now Hives; to this Intter adding another truct sixty-five neres in extent, to which seven acres later were added and still later a tract of seventy arres, all adjoining, which gives Mr. Moon a fine farms, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation and to which he has given his personal attention since the year 1:05. This farm has three dwelling houses on it. and Mr. Moon rents the larger part of his land to responsible tenants, giving his chief attention to the tract on which his home is situated. In connection with his general farming. Mr. Moon is engaged extensively in the dairy business and has derived considerable profit from his fine herd of dairy cows. He also is much interested In poultry raising, giving particular attention to Black Langshans, and has found this department of his agricultural opera- tions quite profitable.

On May 22. 1890, Lindley M. Moon was united in marriage to Allce B. Brown ione of his former pupils), who was born in this county, daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth ( Auson) Brown, and to this union two children have been born. Vivian, who died in in- fancy, and Vira Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have a very pleasant home and entertain their friends with the most cordial hospitality. They are Interested in all measures designed to advance the common welfare of their community and are held in the highest regard by all. They are members of the Christian church and Mr. Moon Is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being looked upon as one of the leaders in the kulge to which he is attached. For years he has given close attention to public affairs in his neighborhood and is now serving his second term as a township trustee. He has been a member of the Cuba Special District board since 1907 and has been president of that board since 1912. In both of these official positions having given faithful and valuable service to the public.

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

HARRY L. CONNER.

The Conner family has been represented in Clinton county since 1831, In which year Jacob Conner, born in Maryland In 1801, and his wife, who was Susan White, also n native of Maryland, came to this county and located in Union township, where they became established as among the best-known and most influential residents of that section of the county. Jacob Conner was the son of Patrick and Mary ( Lannem) Conner, also natives of Maryland. Patrick Conner was a blacksmith, held a captain's rank in the army of the I'nited States during the War of 1812 and at the close of that war did not return home, the presumption being created that he was numbered with the unknown dend. His widow accompanied her son to this county and spent her last days here. Susan White's father. also a blacksmith, was a soldier during the War of 1812. and he, too, was reported among the missing. His widow spent her last days in Maryland.

Joseph Conner, father of the immediate subject of this sketch. a son of Jacob and Susan ( White) Conner, was born in I'nion township, this county, receiving his education In the district schools of that township. He always has been a farmer and has been quite successful, most of his life having been spent In Washington township, where he now reshles. He has given much attention to public affairs and is regarded as one of the most public-spirited men in the township, his services as ditch commissioner and road supervisor for years having given an Impetus to highway improvements and drainage In his community that has resulted in vast Improvements in this direction. He is now, and for some time past has been, commissioner of drainage in Washington township and his effective administration of the affairs of that office has met with the approval of all concerned, he being generally recognized as a man of large usefulness in the community. Two of Mr. Conner's brothers. Jesse and Charles, performed valiant service in behalf of the nation during the Civil War. as soldiers In an Ohlo regiment. and survived that dreadful struggle between the states.

Joseph Conner married Eliza Ireland, who was born In Warren county, this state. a member of one of the old families of that county, and to this union two children were horn. both sons, Harry I ... the immediate subject of this sketch, and Walter 8. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Christian church and their sons were reared in that faith, the family long having been active in the good works of the communitk. their influence ever having been exerted In behalf of all movements designed to elevate the standards of living thereabout.

Harry 1 .. Conner, son of Joseph and Eliza ( Ireland) Conner, was born on the home farm in Washington township. Clinton county. Ohio, and his entire life has been spent in that township, He received his education in the neighboring distriet school and was reared as a farmer, to which voration he early gave his serions attention. In 1525 he bought the farm of one hundred and two acres in Washington township, on which he since has made his home, and has prospered, being regarded as one of the most sub- stantial farmers of his neighborhood. Energetic, industrious and enterprising, he has done well those things which his hand found to do, and is now very well elreumstaneed. approaching middle life with a fair competence, well fortified against the future chances of fortune.

On February 8. 1888. Harry I .. Connor was united In marriage to Minnie May Stephens, who was born in I'nion township, this county, daughter of Frank and Sarah Drusilla (Gallaher) Stephens, the former a native of Warren county, this state, and the Iatter a native of Washington township. this county.

Frank Stephens was the son of Obadiah and Susan (Ireland) Stephens, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey and the latter a native of Warren county. this state. Obadiah Stephens came to Ohio when a lad about seventeen years of age. locating In Warren county, becoming a farmer and Inter operating a distillery in that county.

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

About the year 1830 he came over into Clinton county and bought three hundred acres of land in Union township, becoming one of the most substantial farmers in that section of the county, and there spent the remainder of his days. His son, Frank, Stephens, married Sarah Drusilla Gallaber, of Washington township, this county, daughter of Harvey and Ann (Williams) Gallaher, the former of whom was the first white child born in Warren county, who later became a resident of Washington township, this county. where both he and his wife spent their last days. One of their sons. James Gallaher, served the Union as a soklier in one of the Ohio regiments during the dark days of the Civil War and survived that great conflict.

To Harry L .. and Minnie May (Stephens) Conner thirteen children have been born, namely : Armeda Emaline, Eva Eliza. FAwin Leslie. Leo Ras (deceased), Otto Neal, Bessie Lillian, Stacey M. (deceased ). James Espy (decensed). Susan (deceased), Ruth ( deceased ). Harold Joseph, Herbert Franklin and Ruby Rotensis. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the l'hiversalist church and their children have been reared in that faith. They ever have taken an active interest in the general welfare of the community in which they reside and are held In the highest regard throughout that whole section of the county.

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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 58

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