History of Greene County, Ohio: its people, industries and institutions, Volume II, Part 93

Author: Broadstone, Michael A., 1852- comp
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1440

USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio: its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 93

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On February 27, 1890, William A. Dean was united in marriage to Mariella Rader, who was born at Xenia on August 2, 1859, daughter of Adam and Susan ( McKnight) Rader, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Virginia, but who had been residents of Greene county since the days of their childhood, they having accompanied their respective parents to this section of Ohio when they were mere children. Adam Rader was born at Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1818, and was not yet three years of age when his parents, Adam Rader and wife, came to Ohio. driving through, in 1821 and settled on a farm on the lower Bellbrook pike in Beavercreek township, this county. During the days of his youth his par-

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ents left the farm and moved to Xenia, where he grew up and was for years engaged in the cooperage and brickmaking business. On December 13, 1849, at 171 Columbus avenue, Xenia, the younger Adam Rader was united in marriage to Susan V. McKnight, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 21, 1827, and who was but about fourteen years of age when her parents, Josiah McKnight and wife, came to Ohio and settled at Xenia. After their marriage Adam Rader and his wife established their home at the above number in Xenia and with the exception of two years spent at Jamestown, in this county. there spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Rader died there on May 15, 1894, and her husband survived hrer for more than eleven years, his death occurring on January 30, 1907, he then being in the eighty- ninth year of his age. They were members of the Reformed church at Xenia and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these chil- dren, namely : Emma, who died at the age of ten years; Edwin C., a con- tractor at Xenia and further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume : Henry Willard, Mrs. Dean's twin brother, who is now living at Day- ton, this state: Martha, still living at Xenia, widow of Dr. H. R. McClelland. and Ada Virginia, wife of D. C. F. Oglesbee, of Xenia.

BURLEY J. COY.

Burley J. Coy, merchant in the village of Zimmerman, in Beavercreek township, this county, was born in that township on January 2, 1873, son of Abraham and Catherine (Zimmerman) Coy, both members of pioncer families in that part of the county, as will be noted by extensive reference made to these families elsewhere in this volume. Abraham Coy was born in Beavercreek township in 1820, a son of Jacob Coy, and died on October 19, 1905. For some time, many years ago, he operated a store at Zinimer- man and was the first postmaster of that village, that having been back in the days of the stage coach. He and his wife were the parents of eleven chil- dren, four of whom, Mary, Ellen, George and William, died during the '603, the others being the following: C. Lincoln, who is living in Beavercreek township; Lewis, who lives at Dayton; Burley, the subject of this sketch ; Dr. Marcellus Coy, of Dayton : Parmelia, wife of Melville Brewer, of Beaver- creek township; Emma, who is living at Dayton, and Lodema, wife of Will- iam Stewart, of Beavercreek township.

Upon completing his schooling in the home schools in Beavercreek town- ship. Burley J. Coy was for a time variously engaged and then took up rail- roading, employed as a motorman on the traction line between Dayton and Piqua, and for eighteen years was thus engaged. He then bought a corner lot at Zimmerman and on that lot, just opposite the site on which his father

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years ago was engaged in mercantile business, built a store building and became engaged in business on his own account, with a view eventually to making a general store of his place. Mr. Coy is a Republican and has held township offices. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masons, with the Elks, with the Knights of Pythias and with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

CHARLES E. FISHER.

Charles E. Fisher, proprietor of a meat shop at 36 East Main street. Xenia, was born in that city on January 9, 1879, a son of Andrew and Katherine (Wolf) Fisher. natives of Germany, and the former of whom died on January 28, 1918, he having been succeeded in the meat business there by his son, the subject of this sketch.

Andrew Fisher was born in the city of Frankfort, the most ancient of the old free cities of Germany, February 18, 1842, and was but a child when he came to this country with his parents, the family locating in eastern Penn- sylvania. There he remained until 1853, in which year, he then being but eleven years of age. he came over into Ohio to join his elder brother, George Fisher, who was at that time the forman of a distillery at Spring Valley, in this county. At Spring Valley Andrew Fisher completed his schooling and "as a young man became engaged in farming in the vicinity of Frost Station. On the last one-hundred-days call for volunteers for service in the Union army during the progress of the Civil War he enlisted and was sent with his comrades into Virginia, where he was captured by the enemy and was for four months confined in Libby Prison. In 1868, at Xenia, Andrew Fisher married Katherine Wolf, who was but nine months of age when her parents came to this country from Ger- many with their family and located at Cincinnati. As a young woman Kathe- rine Wolf went from Cincinnati to Xenia and in the latter city was married and spent the rest of hier life. her death occurring there on May 21, 1910. She was a member of the Reformed church. Andrew Fisher years ago became engaged in the retail meat business at Xenia and so continued until he retired and in the fall of 1903 sold his place to his son, Charles E., who is still conducting the same. Andrew Fisher for some time served as a mem- ber of the city council from his home ward. To him and his wife were born ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity. these, besides the subject of this sketch, being Elizabeth, widow of Homer Hawkins, of Xenia township; Maud and May, twins, the former of whom married W. L. Miller and the latter, William Grottendick, and both of whom are now deceased : Harry M., a locomotive engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, who married Stella Hamilton, of Xenia: Clarence W., who married Nellie VanCleave and is

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also living in Xenia ; Elmer A., who married Mrs. Van Winkle and is also liv- ing at Xenia ; and Fred C., also of Xenia, who married Hazel Berry.

Charles E. Fisher was reared at Xenia, receiving his schooling in the schools of that city, and early became familiar with the details of the retail meat business, presently becoming engaged in that business on his own account. In 1869 his father had, in association with his brother-in-law, opened a small shop at the corner of Main and Columbus streets, later moving to Detroit street and thence, in 1880, to 38 East Main street and shortly after to 36 East Main street, where the shop has ever since been located. On September 10, 1903, Charles E. Fisher bought out his father's business and has since been conducting the same at the same old stand. Mr. Fisher is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 49, Free and Accepted Masons, of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is one of the charter members of the Xenia lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On March 23, 1904, at Jamestown, this county, Charles E. Fisher was united in marriage to Bessie Walker, of that place, daughter of Dr. L. C. and Ella (Marsh) Walker, who are still living at Jamestown and who have two children. Mrs. Fisher having a brother, C. Tiffin Walker, who is married. his wife being a Reynolds, and lives at Cedarville.

MICHAEL A. BROADSTONE.

Michael A. Broadstone was born in Greene county, Ohio, on October 30, 1852, and has made the county his home practically all of his life. Born on a farm in Beavercreek township, he passed his boyhood days in a manner similar to that of most of the boys reared on the farm in his day. After completing his elementary education in the rural schools, he became a stu- dent in Xenia College and there prepared himself for the teaching profes- sion. Before reaching his majority he was teaching in Cedarville township and later taught in Sugarcreek township. He saved his money in order to continue his education and subsequently entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio.

Mr. Broadstone later became a representative of the firm of L. H. Everts & Company, of Philadelphia, a company engaged in the publishing of county atlases and histories. During the eight years that he was with this firm he traveled over several states in the Union, thereby gaining a fund of experience that has been valuable to him later in life. He located permanently in Xenia in 1882, having been married the previous year, and has since made that city his home. He purchased in March, 1882, an in- terest in the undertaking business of John Shearer and was in that business for several years. At different times he was in partnership with W. M.

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McMillen and subsequently was associated with T. M. Moore for eleven years. For several years in connection with the business he conducted it alone.

While thus engaged in the undertaking business, Mr. Broadstone spent his spare time in studying law and in June, 1895, passed the state board of examination at Columbus and was admitted to the practice of law in all the courts of the state; since which time he has devoted most of his time to the practice of law, though while thus occupied he has found time to participate in local political activities and has filled various official positions. Mr. Broadstone's first official position was that of a member of the Xenia common council, an office in which he served for a five-year period follow- ing his first election to the council in 1883, and during part of which time he served as president of the council. He was elected county coroner and in that office served three terms of three years each. Upon the death of S. N. Adams, county recorder, in 1900, Mr. Broadstone was appoined to fill out the unexpired term and was then elected to that office as the nominee of the Republican party. He was re-elected and thus served for about three terms in that office. The last official position filled by Mr. Broadstone was that of state senator from this district, a position which he filled from 1912 to 1914. At present he is serving as attorney in Greene county for the Miami Conservancy Board. In 1918 Mr. Broadstone was prominently men- tioned by the press and solicited by his friends over the state to become a candidate for the office of lieutenant-governor of Ohio, but declined to con- sider the candidacy on account of the press of business which engages him and because of a severe accident which befell him in the spring of that year, when he was caught beneath on overturned automobile.

On March 8, 1881, at Coldwater, Michigan, Mr. Broadstone was united in marriage to Ella Cretors, then a teacher in the state public school at Coldwater. Mrs. Broadstone was born in Xenia, a daughter of Samuel B. Cretors, and was graduated from the old Xenia Female Seminary. later Xenia College, and was a student in the latter during the time of Mr. Broad- stone's attendance there. To Mr. and Mrs. Broadstone have been born three daughters, Louise D., Jean and Patricia, the latter of whom is the wife of Findley M. Torrence of Xenia, secretary of the Ohio Retail Lumbermen's Association and editor of Wood Construction, the official organ of that association. Louise D. Broadstone married John W. Dillencourt, now liv- ing at St. Louis, where he is engaged as manager of the fine cordage depart- ment of the Graham Paper Company, and has three children, Margaret. John B. and Jane. Jean Broadstone married Lawrence E. Laybourne, a lawyer now practicing at Springfield, this state, and has two children, Everett

(53)

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B. and Lawrence. Mr. Broadstone is affiliated with the local lodges of the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Xenia. The family residence is at 101 East Church street and Mr. Broadstone has offices in the Steele building.

CHARLES A. WEAVER.

Charles A. Weaver, vice-president of the Xenia Business Men's Asso- ciation and proprietor of a clothing store at 13 East Main street, is a native son of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life, a resident of Xenia since he was nineteen years of age. He was born on a farm just over the line in Chester township, in the neighboring county of Clinton, a mile east of the village of New Burlington, in 1879, son of Volcah E. and Arabella ( Peter- son) Weaver, who retired from the farm in 1900 and moved to Xenia, where they are now living.

Volcah E. Weaver was born in the village of New Burlington on October 2, 1842, a son of Samuel and Anna (Ellis) Weaver, both members of pioneer families in that vicinity. Samuel Weaver was born in the neighborhood of Winchester, in Virginia, a son of Abraham and Mary Magdaline Weaver, the latter of whom died at her home in Virgina, leaving six sons and three daughters. Not long after the death of his wife Abraham Weaver came to Ohio, bringing with him his six sons and one of his daughters, and settled in Greene county. He bought a tract of two hundred acres of land in Caesars- creek township and there established his home. His death occurred not long afterward and he was buried in the burying ground at Vorah church. Samuel Weaver, one of the six sons of Abraham Weaver, had been trained as a tailor in Virginia and upon coming to Ohio did not remain on the farm with his father, but located in Cincinnati, where for some time he worked at liis trade, later coming up here and locating at Xenia, where he opened a tailor shop, which he presently moved to the village of New Burlington, where he engaged in business and was thus engaged at that place the rest of his life, his death occurring there in 1885.

Sammel Weaver was born in 1809. Not long after coming to Greene county he married Anna Ellis, who was born on a farm one mile east of New Burlington, in Spring Valley township, this county, in 1814, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Schillinger) Ellis, both of whom were born in South Carolina, where they were married, later locating in Kentucky, whence, in 1812, they came up into this part of Ohio and settled in Spring Valley town- ship, this county. Joel Ellis was of Scottish descent and was the son of Abraham Ellis, a soldier of the Revolution, who came into Ohio from Vir- ginia at an early day in the settlement of this part of the state and bought a farm in the Port William neighborhood in Clinton county, where he spent his last days, his body now lying in the Lumberton cemetery. Abraham Ellis

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was the father of four sons and three daughters and the descendants of these children not many years ago, Volcal E. Weaver being one of the chief pro- moters of the project, erected at the grave of their Revolutionary ancestor in the Lumberton cemetery a monument fittingly setting out his record as a soldier during the time of the War of Independence. Joel Ellis bought a tract of two hundred and six acres of land in Spring Valley township upon coming to this county in 1812. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church and were the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, namely : Adam S. Ellis, who spent his last days on the home farm, having come into possession of the same, increasing the acreage to three hundred and fifty-two acres, and on which he died unmarried, his place being left by will to liis nephew, Volcal E. Weaver; Anna, who married Samuel Weaver, the New Burlington tailor, and Mary ( Polly), who married Doctor Bald, of New Burlington, and died one year later. To Samuel and Anna ( Ellis) Weaver were born four children, namely: Manuel, who died at the age of three years ; Amanda, who is now living at Centerville, this state, widow of Josepli Nutt; Volcah E., father of the subject of this biographical sketch, and Mary Jane, wife of John Oglesbee, of Xenia. The mother of these children sur- vived her husband five years, her death occurring in 1800.

Reared at New Burlington, the place of his birth, Volcah E. Weaver received his schooling in the schools of that village and as a young man began farming on his grandfather Ellis's place just east of the village and in time became the owner of a farm of his own, a tract of one hundred and forty-three acres on the line between Greene and Clinton counties. Upon the death of his uncle, Adam S. Ellis, he inherited the old Ellis place of three hundred and fifty-two acres and there continued to make his home until his retirement from the farm and removal to Xenia, where he and his wife are still living. Upon moving to Xenia Mr. Weaver bought a house at 513 South Detroit street, remodeled the same and is there now living. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church. It was in 1877. in Clinton county, that Volcah E. Weaver was united in marriage to Arabella Peterson, who was born in that county. daughter of Abraham Peterson and wife. both now deceased, and to this union were born three children, Charles .1., Laura E., and Anna Elizabeth, all of whom are living. Laura E. Weaver married Norman G. Buxton, who is now president of a bank at Johnstown, in Licking. county, this state, and who also operates a farm of three hundred and ninety acres in the immediate vicinity of that place. Miss Anna Weaver, who was graduated from the Xenia high school and later took a three-year course at the Mary Baldwin Seminary in Virginia, is living with her parents in Xenia.

Charles A. Weaver received his schooling in the schools of New Bur- lington and in the business college at Xenia and when nineteen vears of age became employed in the clothing store of R. S. Kingsbury at Xenia. Two years later, in 1904, he and C. E. Nesbit, the latter of whom also was work- - ing in the Kingsbury store, decided to engage in business for themselves and

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at 13 East Market street opened a clothing store, doing business under the firm name of Nesbit & Weaver, an arrangement which continued for about ten years, or until the death of Mr. Nesbit on February 20, 1914. After the death of his partner Mr. Weaver bought the latter's interest in the store and has since been conducting the business alone. In 1915 he remodeled the store, putting in an entirely new set of fixtures and furnishings. For the past two years Mr. Weaver has been serving as the vice-president of the Xenia Busi- ness Men's Association, with which useful organization he has long been actively connected. He is a Royal Arch and Scottish Rite (32°) Mason, affiliated with the blue lodge, the chapter and the council, Royal and Select Masters, at Xenia, and with the consistory at Dayton, and is also a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Antioch Temple at Dayton. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On January 12, 1913, Charles Weaver was united in marriage to Verna Baker, who was born at Fremont, in Sandusky county, this state, daughter of William L. and Anna Baker, both of whom are still living and the former of whom is engaged in the grain business at Fremont, Ohio, and to this union one child has been born, a son Charles Ellis, born on December 17, 1914.

FRANCIS MARION BURRELL.

Francis Marion Burrell, proprietor of "Fairview Farm" in Sugarcreek township, rural mail route No. 7 out of Xenia, former trustee of that town- ship, chairman of the Greene county Democratic central committee, com- mander of the local camp of the Sons of Veterans at Xenia and for years the county agent for a fertilizer firm, was born in Greene county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Caesarscreek township, Febru- ary 1, 1869, son of Albert and Phoebe (Smith) Burrell, the former of whom is a veteran of the Civil War and further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.

Having been but eighteen months of age when his parents moved from Caesarscreek township to Xenia township, Francis M. Burrell grew up in the latter township and received his schooling in the Clarks Run school. After his marriage he rented a farm in the Clifton neighborhood and two years later bought the William McClellan farm of fifty acres just off the Upper Bellbrook pike in Sugarcreek township, where he now lives, and has ever since made his home there, a few years later having added to that tract by the purchase of an adjoining tract of ninety-five acres over the line in Beavercreek township, and calls his place "Fairview," a very appropriate name. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Burrell has for years acted as

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the county agent for a fertilizer company and spends about half his time in that behalf, now having thirteen men acting as salesmen under him in this county. Mr. Burrell is a Democrat, served for four years as trustee of Sugar- creek township, for nine years as a member of the township board of educa- tion and is now chairman of the county Democratic central committee. He is the present commander of the Xenia Camp of the Sons of Veterans and is also a member of the Bellbrook lodge of the Knights of Pythias, representa- tive from that lodge to the grand lodge for twelve successive years, and a member of the local council of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics at Bellbrook. His wife is a member of the First Presbyterian church at Xenia. Mr. Burrell has in his house the first iron safe brought to Greene county, this interesting relic of another day being the old safe that was in use in the old court house and which was handed down by his wife's grandfather Baker, who came into possession of it when the old court house was dis- mantled.

On December 25, 1894, Francis M. Burrell was united in marriage to Mary E. Baker, who was born in Xenia township, daughter of Abram H. and Sarah A. (Miller) Baker, the latter of whom was born in Frederick City, Maryland. Abram H. Baker was born at Xenia, son of Major Brinton Baker, who came here from the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and set up a saddlery shop at Xenia in pioneer days and who for four years (1852-56) was treasurer of Greene county. Abram H. Baker followed his father as a saddler and continued thus engaged until his death at the age of sixty-two years. His wife died in 1898 at the age of fifty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell have seven children, namely : Elmer Ankeney Burrell, who is now assisting his grandfather Burrell on the latter's farm in Xenia town- ship; Sara Ruth, at home; Abram Albert and Marion Millard, who are attending high school at Xenia, and Phoebe Mary, Marguerite Rebecca and Kenneth Baker.

CHARLES DEWITT CLINTON HAMILTON.

The late Charles Dewitt Clinton Hamilton, a veteran of the Civil War, formerly and for years engaged in business at Yellow Springs, former mayor of that village and for years also justice of the peace in and for his home township, who died at his home in Yellow Springs on September 12, 1912, had been a resident of this part of Ohio all his life. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Dayton on January 10, 1845, second in order of birth of the four sons born to John W. and Anna Hamilton, who later became resi- dents of Yellow Springs, which town John W. Hamilton served for some time in the capacity of mayor and was for forty years justice of the peace, widely known as "Squire" Hamilton. In addition to his three full-brothers,

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William, of Troy, this state; James, of New York City, and John, of Xenia, Charles D. C. Hamilton had a half-brother, Edward.

Reared at Yellow Springs, Charles D. C. Hamilton received his school- ing in the schools of that village and was living there when the Civil War broke out. When the Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was enlisted in 1861 his elder brother William marched away with the colors of that regiment and in the next year, 1862, although but eighteen years of age at the time, he enlisted in the same command and with his brother remained with that regiment until its period of enlistment expired, when it was reor- ganized and again mustered in, this time as the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, and with this latter command Mr. Hamilton rendered further service until the close of the war. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Hamilton returned to Yellow Springs and during the years 1866-67 was a student at Antioch College. In the fall of 1868 he married and for some time there- after was engaged in the grocery business at Yellow Springs, but later opened a shop for the repair of clocks, watches and jewelry and was thus engaged for years, or until failing health compelled his retirement from active business. Prior to his death, as the local newspaper set out in an appreciative obituary notice following his death in the fall of 1912, Mr. Hamilton "had been in feeble health for many months and during that time had been anxiously considered by his many friends and most tenderly cared for by his devoted wife." This newspaper further observed that "the funeral serv- ices were conducted by Rev. Graham and by Burkholder Post, Mr. Hamilton being a member of both the Presbyterian church and of the G. A. R. Post. The services were very impressive both at the house and at the grave in Glen Forest." In addition to his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Hamilton was a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a lifelong Republican and had filled the office of mayor and of justice of the peace, as the local newspaper fittingly said, "with satis- faction to his fellow citizens."

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History of Greene County, Ohio: its people, industries and institutions, Volume II, Part 93

Author: Broadstone, Michael A., 1852- comp Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1440

Author: Broadstone, Michael A., 1852- comp
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1440