USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 100
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
1892 his health began to fail, and having acquired considerable means he purchased property in Xenia and removed to this city, where he lived in retirement until called to his final rest.
Mr. Raney married Miss Mary J. Mc- Coy, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Davis) McCoy. Mr. McCoy learned the carpenter's trade in early life and through- out the years of his manhood followed it as a source of income. He died about 1860. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Raney was blessed with two children, who are yet liv- ing- William E. and Anna B., and they also lost four children, one of whom, joseph H., died at the age of eighteen years. The two who still survive are yet at home with the mother in a pleasant residence at No. 331 East Market street. Mrs. Raney has in her possession an old chair which she prizes very highly, it having belonged to her grandfather, to whom it was given by Whitelaw Reid's mother. Mr. Raney was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his family also belongs. He was called to his final rest August 9. 1900. His life was ever upright and honorable. He had served as an elder in his church for many years and had taken an active interest in ali that tended to promote the welfare of his community along material, social, in- tellectual and moral lines. In politics he was a Republican and as every true . \mer- ican citizen should do kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but he never sought or desired office. Through- out the years of his manhood he was true to the principles that tend to develop an up- right character. Men of sterling worth recognized in him a kindred spirit and he enjoyed uniform regard by reason of his fidelity to Christian principles.
EDWARD M. SMITH.
Edward M. Smith is one of the most popular and widely known citizens of Xenia. For many years he stood as a defender of the rights and liberties of his fellow towns- men, both as a member of the police force and as chief of police. Energetic, prompt and notably reliable in the discharge of his duty, he proved a most capable officer, win- ning the commendation of all law abiding citizens.
He is one of Xenia's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 3d of June, 1859, his parents being Adam L. and Sarah (Gano) Smith. The father was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and after acquiring his education there learned the painter's trade. When he had reached the age of nineteen he determined to try his fortune in America, and crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in Clifton, Ohio, where he fol- lowed his chosen occupation for a number of years, after which he removed to Xenia, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred in 1899. His wife passed away in 1001. They were the parents of nine chil- dren.
Under the parental roof the subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the common and high schools pursued his education. He learned the molder's trade, which he followed for several years, and then became a member of the police force of the city, acting in that capacity for fourteen years, when his faith- fulness and ability won him promotion to the rank of chief of police. At that time he was presented with a handsome gold star, about the size of a silver dollar and artistically engraved with the letters "E. M. S." and "Presented by the citizens of
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Xenia. May 20, 1898." In the center of career has ever conferred honor and dig- the star is a large beautiful diamond. pure nity upon the profession and civic organi- zations with which he has been associated, and there is in him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that command the re- spect of all. white, and weighing more than a caret. This was given to him in recognition of his faithful service as an officer and was also a tribute to his personal worth and popu- larity from friends who had known him long and intimately and respected him for his sterling worth and repoiced in his ad- vancement.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Crumbaugh, a daughter of Sam- uel Crumbaugh, and unto them have been born the following children: Ferol Erma, Leon, Bernice, Mary and Ruth. Mr. Smith is a member of the Baptist church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his children all belong to the Presbyterian church. In his political views Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican and takes a deep interest in the growth and success of his party. He belongs to Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & A. M .: Xenia Chapter. No. 36. R. .A. M .: the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is regarded as a valued representative of these organizations. His loyalty in citizenship, his fidelity to public duty, his reliability and his sterling worth make him one of the esteemed and valued citizens of Xenia.
JUDGE THOMAS E. SCROGGY.
.As a distinguished member of the bar. as an honored veteran of the Civil war, and as a judge on the bench, Thomas E. Scrog- gy is so well known that he needs no intro- duction to the readers of this volume. His
The Judge was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1843. and is a son of John and Lucy ( Northrup) Scroggy, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Connecticut. The father was born February 5. 1780, and in early life learned the miller's trade, working both as miller and millwright in connection with agricult- ural pursuits. Emigrating westward he took up his abode in Mount Holly, Ohio, where he operated a sawmill for a number of years. Subsequently he removed to Can- bytown, Ohio, where he built a mill, con- dueting it for some time. He afterward be- came a resident of Harveysburg. Warren county, and it was there that our subject was born. John Scroggy was twice mar- ried, and by each union had eight children. but none are living in Greene county with the exception of the Judge. The father died on his farm, near Harveysburg, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother passed away while visiting her son. Judge Scroggy, in Xenia, in 1872, when sixty-six years of age.
In the schools of Harveysburg the Judge obtained his early education and when a boy of fourteen years began learning the car- riage-maker's trade. He was eighteen years of age when the Civil war was inaugurated. Aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he of- fered his services to the government in May, 1861, responding to the first call for seventy- five thousand volunteers. He became a member of Company B. Twelfth Ohio In-
J.E. Scrvagy.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
fantry, but when the time came to be mus- they proceeded to Springfield, Missouri, and tered into the United States service he was on to Sedalia and Syracuse, guarding the rejected on account of his youth. There Missouri Pacific Railroad at its western ter- minus. They spent the winter at the latter point and in the spring proceeded to St. Louis and thence to Commerce, down the Missis- sippi river and on to New Madrid, where the Judge took part in his first regular en- gagement. He also participated in the cap- ture of prisoners at Island No. 10, and from there went to Fort Pillow and on to Pitts- burg Landing by transports on the Missis- sippi and Tennessee rivers. Proceeding to Corinth with his command he participated in the siege of the city and the Thirty-ninth Ohio was the first regiment to enter the works there. On to Booneville and to Camp Clear Creek, from there to Iuka, Mississippi, where the rebel forces under General Price came upon theni so that they fell back to Corinth, such was their next move. Under General Rosecrans they marched back to Iuka, where they met and defeated the Confederate forces in battle. Later the Thirty-ninth Ohio participated in the battle of Corinth, facing the desperate charge of the Confederates under Colonel Rogers of the Second Texas on Fort Robin- ett. Judge Scroggy participated in every engagement in which the Thirty-ninth Ohio took part until the 4th of July, 1864. when. in an assault on the rebel fortifications at Nicojack Creek, he was shot through the right lung. For three months afterward he lay in the hospital at Marietta, Georgia, and then started northward, but had to remain for a time in the hospital at Nashville. He had forty-two pieces of bone taken from his body. His brother was summoned to what all supposed would be the death-bed of the Judge. It was found practicable, however. to remove him to his home, but for six having been forty-nine volunteers in excess of the quota the older and larger men were accepted. In July, however, he again en- listed and became a member of Company H. Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, being mustered in at Camp Dennison, near Milford. The regiment was assigned to guard the North Missouri Railroad, being stationed at Mex- ico, Macon City and Utica, Missouri. From Utica the Union troops were ordered to the relief of Mulligan, but when within six miles of Lexington that commander sur- rendered to General Price. The Confeder- ates-a force of six thousand men-then crossed the Missouri river and the regiment was almost captured, but managed to escape and went into camp near sundown on Pros- pect Heights, from which point they could see the Confederate flag floating over Lex- ington, and thus knew that Colonel Mulli- gan had surrendered his post. About 1 o'clock at night, having been aroused by the rebel advance, they started to Liberty. where they remained until the afternoon of the following day. 'In the meantime. Gen- eral Sturgis sent to Kansas City for trans- ports, and as the Confederates were in pur- suit, the troops with whom Judge Scroggy was connected went from Liberty to Lib- erty Landing, a distance of four miles, which they made in double-quick time. throwing away all their baggage except the knapsacks and their personal belongings. even to the cooking utensils. They were met by transports at Liberty Landing and when they had proceeded up the Missouri river for a distance of a mile and a half, the ad- vance Confederate troops could be seen dis- tinctly at the landing. From Kansas City
43
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
months thereafter he was confined to his bed. After being able to leave home he re- ceived his discharge and was mustered out at Camp Dennison. In January, 1866. the Judge was mar- ried to Steela Ledbetter, a daughter of Robinson and Keziah Ledbetter. They be- came the parents of one son. Earl, who died When he had somewhat recovered from his injuries Mr. Scroggy secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store in his home town of Harveysburg. In June, 1805. he arrived in Xenia, where he engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted until January, 1866. He then entered into partnership with his father-in-law in the millinery busi- ness and was thus engaged until 1871. In the meantime he read law under the direc- tion of Hugh Carey and Judge C. C. Shear- er. then constituting the firm of Carey & Shearer. While a law student he was elected to the office of justice of the peace of Xenia township in 1869, and served in that capacity for three years. On the 8th at the age of ten months. and Mrs. Scroggy died December 14. 1887. On the 4th of February. 1892. the Judge wedded Mary Bloom. of Xenia. a daughter of Wendell and Margaret Bloom, and in this city they have a very pleasant and attractive home, whose doors always stand hospitably open for the reception of their many friends. Fraternally the Judge is connected with Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & .A. M .: Xenia Chapter. No. 36. R. A. M .. and to the Coun- cil, having been identified with the order since 1866. He likewise belongs to the Grand Army Post of Nenia, of which he is a charter member, and of the Union Vet- eran Legion, and the Xenia Lodge of of September, 1871, he was admitted to the Elks. and is an honorary member of bar and at once entered upon practice, since the Junior Order of American Mechan-
which time he has given his attention to his legal work, being an active practitioner until 1891. when he was elected judge of the court of common pleas. His diligence and energy in the preparation of his cases. as well as the earnestness, tenacity and cour- age with which he defended the right as he understood it, challenged the highest ad- miration of his associates. He invariably sought to present his argument in the strong. clear light of common reason and sound. logical principles. His record on the bench has been in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, and his course being such as to upholdl the dignity of his profession. He has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. although he has served for three terms as city clerk and for three terms as city solicitor.
ics. He has traveled quite extensively in Europe and in the United States from coast to coast. He has ever occupied a prominent position in the foremost rank of the legal practitioners of the Buckeye state. His life has been one of untiring activity, and has been crowned with a high degree of success, yet he is not less esteemed as a citizen than as a lawyer, and his kindly impulses and charming cordiality of manner have ren- dered him exceedingly popular among all classes. The favorable judgment which the world passed upon him in his early years has never been set aside nor in any degree modified. It has, on the contrary. been em- phasized by his careful conduct of important litigation, his candor and fairness in the presentation of cases, his zeal and earnest- . ness as an advocate, and the generous com- mendation he has received from his con-
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temporaries, who unite in bearing testimony as to his high character and superior mind.
WILLIAM HARVEY OWENS.
One of the residents of Cedarville, num- bered among the native citizens of that place, is William Harvey Owens, whose birth there occurred on the 7th of April, 1848. He is a son of Henry and Eleanor Jane (Crawford) Owens. The father was a native of Virginia, born near Winchester, who when a young man came to Ohio, set- tling in Greene county near Cedarville. where he followed the blacksmith's trade which he had previously learned. He con- tinued his work in the smithy until 1859, when he removed to a farm in Cedarville township, thereon making his home until his death. He devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil and to the raising of stock, and his place, which was located about a mile and a half south of Cedarville on the Jamestown pike, became one of the well improved properties of the locality. Mr. Owens served as a member of the school board for a number of years, and was a citizen deeply interested in the general wel- fare. He voted with the Republican party. and in his religious faith was a Methodist. and for a number of years served as steward of the church to which he belonged.
passed away in 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and thus a long, use- ful and honorable career was ended. His wife passed away upon the old home farm seven years ago. She was born near Cul- peper, Virginia, and both are buried in Cedarville township. In their family were
twelve children, seven are yet living upon the old home place, the subject of this re- view being the eldest. The others are: Martha, Thomas, Charles, Marietta, Calvin and Reid. Those who have passed away all died in early life.
At the usual age William H. Owens be- came a student in the public schools in' Cedarville. He remained upon his father's farm until about twenty years of age and during that time assisted in the work of field and meadow, but just before he at- tained his majority he began learning the blacksmith's trade in Cedarville and has since followed that pursuit in this town. He is an industrious and energetic work- man and his capable and honorable dealings have secured to him success in his under- takings. As a companion and helpmate upon life's journey Mr. Owens chose Miss Harriet R. Iliff, of Cedarville, a daughter of Wesley Iliff, who was a lime burner, but is now deceased. The wedding was cele- brated on the IIth of April, 1876, and the marriage has been blessed with two chil- dren, Mabel, who was born in Cedarville township; and Harry, who is now a stu- dent in the Cedarville College.
Mr. Owens is identified through mem- bership relations with the Methodist church and takes a deep interest in the growth and development of this denomination. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge in Cedarville, in which he has filled all the chairs. At the present time he is serving as one of its trustees. He votes with the Republican party and has been honored with a number of local offices. For three terms he has served as a member of the school board, for two terms was a
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
member of the village council and at the present time he is serving as township treas- urer, having filled this position for two years. He is well known in the commit- nity in which he has always lived, having ยท a wide circle of friends here.
CHARLES F. HAGLER.
Charles F. Hagler resides about four miles southeast of Xenia and is accounted one of the wide-awake. intelligent and pro- gressive farmers of Xenia township. He was born on the old family homestead in this township, July 24, 1856, his parents being William Leonard and Mary L. Hag- ler, who are represented on another page of this work. No event of special import- ance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He performed the duties of the school room, enjoyed the pleasures of the play ground and assisted in the work of field and mead- ow. He remained at home until thirty-two years of age, but prior to this time he op- erated rented land, and in partnership with his brother. Moses A. Hagler, he purchased one hundred acres and afterward an addi- tional tract of one hundred and eighteen acres. Eventually they dissolved partner- ship, our subject taking the last tract pur- chased.
On the 7th of April, 1887. Mr. Hagler chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Jennie Crawford, a daughter of Robert and Jane ( Cherry) Crawford. Her father was born in County Tyrone. Ireland, and was a son of James and Nancy ( Harper ) Crawford. the former also a na-
tive of the northern section of the Emer- ald Isle, while the mother was of Scotch lineage. They had sailed from Lon- donderry in an old man of war called John Bushman and commanded by Captain Ward. After a voyage of five weeks, two of which were spent upon a sandbar off the coast of England, they arrived at Phila- delphia, and from there made an overland trip with a wagon and six horses to Pitts- burg, proceeding thence down the Ohio river by boat to Cincinnati and by wagon across the state to Xenia. In the family were six children, but only two are now living. Alexander and Harper, who are resi- dents of Xenia. Robert Crawford, the fi- ther of Mrs. Hagler, died January 30, i>92, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away November 30. 1891, at the age of seventy-two years, the remains of both being interred in Xenia cemetery. In their family were five children : Elizabeth, who resides in Washington. Ohio: James .Andrew, also a resident of Washington : Mrs. Hagler: Della, the wife of J. H. Lackey, of Jamestown: and Emma, who died April 25. 1873, at the age of fifteen years. The parents were both members of the United Presbyterian church, and Mr. Crawford was a stanch Republican and held the office of township trustee for a number of years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hagler was blessed with four children, but two of the number died in infancy. Those still living are Mary Jane and Charles Crawford. After their marriage they removed to their present home, and Mr. Hagler has made many substantial improvements which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In his political views he is a Re-
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
publican, but has never been an aspirant for office. Both he and his wife are members of the First United Presbyterian church of Xenia, and throughout the community they have a wide acquaintance, having long re- sided here.
JOHN D. COLLINS.
John D. Collins, of Sugarcreek town- ship, was born in Warren county, Ohio. December 3, 1863, and is a son of James W. and Martha ( Whittington) Collins. His paternal grandfather, Henry Collins, was the first of the family to come to Ohio and located upon the farm where Miami City, a suburb of Dayton, now stands. This was a few years before the Civil war, and soon after the John Brown raid James W. Collins also arrived in Ohio, remaining for a time in Dayton, after which he removed to Warren county. He was born near Charleston, West Virginia. as was the mother of our subject, his natal day being in October, 1831. Their marriage was celebrated in West Virginia and thence they came to Ohio. The father remained in Warren county until our subject was about thirteen years of age, when with his family he removed to Centerville. He always rented land, but is now living retired in the city of Dayton. His wife passed away when our subject was about eighteen years of age. In their family were seven chil- dren, namely: Richard H., who married Margaret Allen and died in Centerville : Anna, a resident of Dayton; Franklin L., who married Florence Troen and resides in Montgomery county with his wife and two children ; John D .: Charles, of Dayton, who married Isaphine Schank and resides in
Dayton; Harry C., who wedded Caroline Worth, by whom he has one child and also makes his home in Dayton; and Eden S., a resident of the same city.
In the public schools John D. Collins be- came familiar with the branches of English learning which fit one for life's practical duties. About the time of his mother's death he started out in life on his own ac- count, and for seven years he engaged in cultivating land on shares, making a spe- cialty of the raising of tobacco. This he followed in Montgomery and Warren counties.
On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Collins was united in marriage, on the farm on which he now resides, to Miss Alice J. Owens, who was born near Greencastle, Indiana, December 4, 1867, a daughter of Ira S. and Malinda ( Middleton) Owens. She was only about two years of age when her mother died, and afterward her father returned from Indiana to Ohio, going to the home of his mother in Yellow Springs. Mrs. Collins then lived with her grand- mother until her father married again. After the marriage of our subject he began cropping and raising tobacco in different places until he rented the farm upon which he now resides. In 1891 he purchased this property, at first becoming owner of forty acres, while later he added to it a tract of thirty acres. He has succeeded in his un- dertakings, for he had no inheritance or in- fluence to aid him, but has had to depend entirely upon his own resources. He has three children : Harry Everett, born May 8. 1892: Bessie O., born December 23. 1895 : and Hazel C., born March 30, 1897. All were born in the house which is yet their home.
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1888 Mr. Collins has been a stalwart Republican. He and his wife hold membership in the United Brethren church at Beavertown and are people of the highest respectability who en- joy the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact. Fraternally he is connected with Oregon Lodge, No. 351, K. P., of Dayton. His life has been quietly passed in the faithful performance of the cluties which have devolved upon him in connection with his business interests.
JOHN LEAMAN.
John Leaman scarcely needs an intro- duction to the readers of this volume, for through a long period he was numbered among the most prominent and progressive merchants of Xenia, and although eleven years have passed since he was called from the scene of earthly activities he is yet re- membered for what he accomplished in be- half of the city along lines of progress, de- velopment and improvement.
A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Mr. Leaman was born on the 26th of Au- gust, 1815, being the eldest of the six chil- dren of Peter and Margaret (Shingle) Lea- man. The parents were married in the year 1811 and the father engaged in the manu- facture of pottery in the Keystone state. Coming to Greene county, he was a resident of this section of the state for five years and was then called to his final rest. In the place of his nativity John Leaman, of this review, acquired his education, and in the year 1836 he arrived in Greene county.
being at that time twenty-one years of age. Soon afterward he became a factor in mercantile circles of Xenia, entering into partnership with John Hivling. They es- tablished their store on the present site of the Xenia National Bank, and there for many years Mr. Leaman carried on busi- ness ; having a large and complete stock. his store was one of the best in the city and he received a very liberal patronage. which came to him in recognition of his reasonable prices and honorable dealing.
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