USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 102
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this family died in 1876, at the ripe old age of eighty years. For many years he served as justice of the peace and was fa- miliarly known as Squire Mason. His wife passed away in 1877, at the age of eighty years.
Gideon Mason, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Belmont county, Ohio, remaining at home until about three years prior to his marriage, when he went to Paintersville and made his home with his sister. After his marriage he turned his attention to farming upon the land that now constitutes the farm of his son Isaiah. Throughout his remaining days he was identified with agricultural interests and though he started out in life for himself a poor boy he steadily worked his way up- ward, and the years have witnessed his ac- cumulation of a comfortable competence. He became the owner of about four hun- dred acres of fine farm land. His political support was given the Democracy, and for ten or more years he served as trustee of his township. As a citizen he was loyal to every interest for the public good. In busi- ness he sustained an unassailable reputation for reliability, and in his home was known as a kind and considerate husband and fa- ther. He married Hannah Mullen, a daugh- ter of James and Plebe ( Ellis) Mullen. Her father was born in Paintersville about 1811. and when a boy of twelve years be- gan learning the blacksmith's trade under the direction of James Painter, the founder of the village that bears his name. For a few years thereafter Mr. Mullen carried on blacksmithing, and then turned his atten- tion to merchandising, establishing a gro- cery store which he conducted for some time, also carrying on a tavern for about
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twenty-five years or until a short time prior to his death. In his family were eight chil- dren: Hannah, the mother of our subject; Mary, now Mrs. Conklin, who resides at Port William, Ohio; Isaiah, who is at the Soldiers Home at Dayton, Ohio; Eliza, who became Mrs. Ary; James, a resident of Alpha, Ohio; one who died in infancy; Henry, who lives in Ohio; and Ella, now Alrs. Reard. The father died in 1875 and his wife passed away in 1892, when she was laid by his side in the New Hope cem- etery. His political support had been given the Democracy and he did all in his power to promote the growth and insure the suc- cess of his party. Fourteen children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, of whom eleven reached years of maturity. They are: Catherine, who married Will- iam De Voe and lives in Jefferson township; David O., a resident of Jefferson township. Greene county ; Burrell; Isaiah : Stacey, who lives in Clinton county, Ohio; Phoebe, the wife of Charley Armentrout and resides in Caesarscreek township; Mary, now de- ceased; Ella, the wife of Stephen Powers and makes her home in Jefferson township; Gideon, who resides in Columbus, Ohio: Fannie, the wife of Lucian Powers, a resi- cent of Clinton county, Ohio ; Samuel, now deceased : and Laura, the wife of Joseph Wood, of Xenia, Ohio. The other two children died in infancy. Gideon Mason was called to his final rest in 1892, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife died in the same year at the age of sixty-one. their burial place being the cemetery in Port William.
Isaiah Mason remained with his parents until their deaths, and in the common schools near his home he pursued those
branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He was married in 1883 to Miss Elizabeth DeVoe, a native of Jeffer- son township and a daughter of David and Mary DeVoe, the former now deceased and the latter a resident of Paintersville. Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason : Bertha, Charles, James, Russell and Cleophas, all of whom are yet under the parental roof.
The home farm is located upon a rich tract of land of one hundred and forty- three acres, and the green fields of summer give promise of golden harvests in the autumn. Mr. Mason has erected a new house, a good bary and has fenced his place. He uses the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his land and his methods are progressive and practical, showing that his work has been the means of bringing to him satisfactory success. He carries on both farming and stock raising and his life history proves how potent are enterprise, capable management and unflagging indus- try in the business affairs of life. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and both are held in warm regard.
HORACE L. SMITH, B. A., LL. B.
Horace L. Smith, well known in connec- tion with the Greene county bar, was born in Loganville, Logan county, Ohio, on the 28th of August. 1853. His father. Clinton Smith, was of English ancestry and was born in Dublin, Franklin county, Ohio. Pre- paring for the practice of medicine, he de- voted his entire life to the noble work of alleviating human suffering. He wedded
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Mary Davidson, who was of Irish ancestry and was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania. In 1855 the parents removed with their fam- ily to Bloomingburg. Fayette county, Ohio. In their family were three children: Dr. Homer Smith of Westerville, Ohio : Dr. Eva Smith, of Middletown, Ohio: and Horace L., of this review. The father passed away November 9. 1879. but the mother is still living.
Horace Lee Smith began his education in the common schools and later attended the Bloomingburg Academy. He next ma- triculated in the Wooster University of Wooster, Ohio, where he was graduated in June, 1872, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. With a good literary education to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning. he took up the study of law in the Univer- sity of Michigan, and was graduated in March, 1875. with the degree of LL. B. In April of that year he was admitted to prac- tice by the supreme court of Ohio and estab- lished an office in Xenia, where he was not long in securing a large and growing client- age. He remained a practitioner at the bar lintil February, 1889. In November of the preceding year he had been elected judge of the court of common pleas of the third sub- division of the second judicial district of Ohio and in the succeeding February, took his place upon the bench to serve for a term of five years. The public confidence in his ability was manifest by re-election in No- vember. 1893, and he remained upon the bench until the 9th of February, 1899. when after ten years' service, he resumed the pri- vate practice of law in Nenia.
The Judge was married in April. 1875. to Miss Mary .A. Jones, of Bloomingburg. Fayette county. She died in 1885, leaving
two sons who are yet living, while two chil- dren, a son and a daughter. died in infancy. In January, 1887. the Judge was again mar- ried. his second union being with Mrs. May Loughry, a daughter of John Orr, who for eighteen years was clerk of the court of common pleas. The Judge belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and in his political views is a Republican.
FRANKLIN M. H.W'ERSTICK.
Franklin M. Haverstick, a practical and progressive agriculturist residing in Bea- vercreek township, one mile west of Zim- merman, is a native of Greene county, his birth having occurred in Xenia township. on the 14th of January, 1843. His father, John Haverstick, was a native of Penn- sylvania and a son of Daniel Haverstick, who spent his last days in this county, dy- ing at the home of his son in Xenia town- ship. In early life John Haverstick removed to Virginia, where he married Elizabeth Halley, who was born either in that state or Maryland. Her father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and her grandfather had an invitation to attend General Washing- ton's funeral, and was present. . At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Haverstick came to Greene county, Ohio, and were identified with the pioneer development of this lo- cality. He died in 1853. at the age of forty years, and his wife passed away in 1882. the remains of both being interred in Woodland cemetery, Nenia. They were earnest and consistent members of the Reformed church. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, namely: John, a resident of
MRS. FRANKLIN M. HAVERSTICK.
FRANKLIN M. HAVERSTICK.
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Sugarcreek township, this county ; Thomas, still standing, and he also engaged in farm- deceased, who was in the service of his country during the Civil war, being a niem- ber of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; William, a res- ident of Dayton : Maria, wife of Daniel Eck- man, of Dayton; Frank M. of this review ; Christopher, a resident of Montgomery county ; and Millie and Mathias, both de- ceased.
The subject of this sketch was quite young when he removed with the family to Beavercreek township and he is indebted to its schools for his educational privileges. Being left fatherless at the age of ten years he was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood and worked for others by the month until he entered the army during the war of the Rebellion. On the 14th of August, 1862, he enlisted at Alpha in Com- pany E, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain David Steele, and went with his command to Washington, D. C. He was wounded in the right thigh at Chattanooga, and though off duty for a time did not go to the hospital. ›At another time he had his cartridge box shot off. Af- ter serving nearly three years and seeing much active service under General Sherman he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, on account of the close of the war, in June, 1865.
Returning to Greene county at the close of the war Mr. Haverstick was here married April 9. 1867, to Miss Catherine Coy, a daughter of Nicholas and Charlotte (Shoup) Coy, and a granddaughter of Moses Shoup. Her father was born near Alpha, in Beavercreek township, and was there reared and educated. Being a car- penter by trade he assisted in the erection In September, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Hav- of many buildings in that locality which are erstick removed to Indiana, but the follow-
ing. He was a man of unusual strength and of fine physique, and took a delight in his work. After his marriage he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres where our subject now resides, but at that time a log cabin constituted the only improve- ment and but five acres of the land had been cleared. He placed the greater part of it under cultivation, clearing from two to five acres every winter. Politically he was a Republican, and both he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Ger- man Baptist church, and took a very active part in religious work, especially during his latter years, when he took especial delight in attending divine services. In his family were nine children, namely: Moses, who died young : Elizabeth, wife of J. P. Engle, of Zimmerman; Benjamin, a resident of Beavercreek township: Sarah Jane. wife of William Knisley, of Indiana : Aaron, a res- ident of Beavercreek township: Mary Cath- erine, wife of our subject ; Martin, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Oren and Ellen, who both died young.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haverstick were born eight children, as follows: ( I) De- lila is now the wife of John Lewis Hower, of Beavercreek township. (2) Martha is the wife of Edward Snyder. of Bath town- ship, and they have five children : Frederick. Irene, Mamie, Harry and Edward D. (3) Charlotte is the wife of Frank Koogler. of Beavercreek township, and they have five children : Homer, Joseph, Chester, Delila and Esther. (4) Joseph is now in the em- ploy of the Dayton, Springfield & Urbana Railroad. (5) Elizabeth: (6) Harry; (7) Herbert ; and (8) George, are all at home.
44
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ing -pring returned to Ohio, and located upon a farm about a mile from their present home. It was in 1874 that they took up their residence upon the farm of ninety-five acres Mrs. Haverstick had received from her father's estate, and there they have since made their home. Our subject carries en general farming and stock-raising quite successfully, and is regarded as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his com- munity. Ile is a Republican in poltics, and both he and his estimable wife are active and faithful members of the German Bap- tist church, in which he is now serving as deacon.
JOHN W. MANOR.
Each life yields an influence for good or ill. It has a bearing upon the material. social and moral development of a commu- nity and its influence is detrimental or bene- ficial. When a life record is ended it is customary to review the important events of the history, and pass judgment upon what has been accomplished. The concensus of opinion in the case of Mr. Manor is that Xenia profited by his labors and that his genuine worth gained for him the good will and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. He was numbered among the pioneer settlers, and when he entered upon his business career his work as a contractor and builder proved of substantial aid in pro- moting the welfare of his community.
Mr. Manor was born near Winchester. in Frederick county. Virginia, on the 24th of August, 1824. His father. Benjamin Manor, was a native of Berkeley county. West Virginia, and was there united in
marriage to Catherine March. They re- sided in Berkeley and Frederick counties until 1828, in which year the father brought his family to Ohio, establishing his home in Greene county. He was accompanied by his wife, eight sons and three daughters. and the entire journey was accomplished by team and wagon, camping out along the roadside at night, and resuming their jou - ney at the break of day. At length they reached their destination, arriving in Xenia, which at that time contained a pop- ulation of about one thousand inhabitants. Other portions of the county were but sparsely settled and the work of improve- ment and progress largely lay in the future. The family located first on Main street, but on the ist of March, 1829. removed to a farm on the Dayton pike, the place being in- proved with a log house and barn, while a small portion of the land had been cleared. Mr. Manor at once began the work of further development and spent his time thereon throughout his remaining days. becoming a progressive and influential ag- riculturist of the community. He died in 1860. at the age of seventy-two, while his wife passed away in 1874. having reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years. In their family were twelve chiklren, eight of whom reached years of maturity.
John W. Manor, the subject of this re- view, completed his education in Xenia. where he learned his trade of a carpenter and builder. He began working on his own account when he had attained his majority and was numbered among the builders of Xenia until 1859, when he returned to his father's farm, of which he had the man- agement for two years. He was then ap- pointed superintendent of the infirmary and
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continued in that position until 1868, being reappointed each year. a fact which plainly indicated his efficiency, fidelity and prompt- ness in the discharge of his duties. He then came to Xenia, where he worked at his trade until 1871, when he began con- tracting. He took and executed the con- tracts for many important buildings in Xenia and throughout the surrounding county. He was well known as a master of his chosen profession and early established a reputation for reliable workmanship and for the honorable fulfillment of his contracts.
On the 12th of June, 1844. Mr. Manor was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Scott, who was born in Beavercreek township. Greene county, December 27. 1824, but was reared to womanhood in Xenia. Her father, James A. Scott, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1814 took up his abode in Greene county. The fol- lowing fall he returned to his native state and there married Miss Elizabeth Shannon. bringing his bride to his new home. He continued his residence in Beavercreek town- ship until 1827, when he removed to Xenia. where he remained until his death, which oc- curred August 12, 1881. His wife survived him only a few weeks, passing away Octo- ber 24, of the same year. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Manor were nine children. eight of whom are living: David T., now of Hartford City, Indiana ; William A., of New Albany, Indiana; Samuel H .. of Xenia : Asbury L .. of Hartford City, Indi- ana; Kate, now Mrs. Henry C. Bankerd. of Xenia township: Nettie, remaining with her mother ; Benjamin L., of Connorsville, Indiana, who died January 2, 1902; James S., of Muncie, Indiana ; and John E., a tele- graph operator of Xenia.
At different times Mr. Manor was hon- ored with public office. About 1845 he served as county coroner, and later was elected a director of the infirmary, in which capacity he served for three years, and in 188; he was again elected to that position, being the oldest director on the board. A prominent advocate of the Republican party, he served as a member and chairman of the county central committee for two years and was also chairman of the executive committee. He was identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, belong- ing to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He held membership in the Reformed church, and its teachings perme- ated his life. He passed away on the 2d of December. 1897, at his home in Xenia. Throughout the long years of his residence here his fellow townsmen had come to know him as a man of genuine worth, of re- spectability and fidelity to principle. The city thus lost one of its valued representa- tives, but he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His widow still survives him and is living in a comfortable and attractive home at No. 126 East Second street.
MATTHEW V. MORRIS.
Matthew V. Morris, who follows farm- ing in Sugarcreek township, his home be- ing near Bellbrook, is a native of the local- ity in which he resides. Here he was born March 23, 1836, one of the children of Will- iam and Priscilla (LeCompt) Morris; the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Delaware. They were married in her na- tive state and in the '20s came to Ohio, re-
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siding for a time in Franklin, Delaware county. above Columbus. Subsequently they again came to Greene county, and conducted a hotel in Bellbrook, after which the father became the owner of a half-interest in the Washington mill near Bellbrook. When he sold that he retired to the farm upon which our subject now resides, making it his home throughout his remaining days. He had about one hundred and seventy acres of land in that place and his landed possessions alto- gether aggregated six hundred and twenty acres, for as his financial resources had in- creased he had made judicious investments in property. Ile became a prosperous man. yet all that he had was acquired after he came to Ohio, His parents had died in the east and as he was the eldest of the family le cared for the children, providing for their support. He also brought them with him to Ohio and thus a heavy burden devolved upon him, but he bore it uncomplainingly. Strong resolution and determination at length en- abled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and gradually he worked his way upward to prosperity. In addition to the operation of his mills he con- ducted a distillery and marketed his prod- ucts in Cincinnati. At the time when An- drew Jackson vetoed the national bankrupt bill, the money stringency which followed this measure caused him to become a bank- rupt. He was one of the two most exten- sive business men in the county and his ef- forts resulted not only in promoting his own success but proved of value in promoting the general welfare. He had been a Democrat up to the time of Jackson's administration but never afterward voted that ticket. While he did not become identified with any church after his removal to Ohio, he believed in the Baptist faith. Although he suffered finan-
cial disaster. his honesty was never called in question and it was well known that he was a man of his word and did the best that he could. In his family were eight children who reached maturity and of whom Mr. Morris of this review was the seventh. They were as follows: Thomas, who married Jo- hanna Stipp, died in Nenia, leaving one child. Sarah owns the old homestead. Will- iam, of Xenia township. married Rebecca Wilson and has one child. Frances is de- ceased. James, who married Sarah Earl of New York, by whom he has one child, now makes his home in Liberty. Indiana. Mary resides in Columbus. Matthew V. is the next younger. Carrie is the wife of F. Ben- jamin AAtkins, of Columbus, and has one son. George has passed away. The death of the father occurred April 21. 1875. and the mother died November 19. 1876. He had served his country as captain in the war of 1812 and was ever loyal to the best inter- ests of county, state and nation.
At an early age Matthew V. Morris took his place in the fields, working at the plow through a long period. When winter came and the crops had all been harvested. he entered the common schools, there ac- quiring his education. He remained with his father most of the time until his mar- riage. . \ period of three years was passed in West Jefferson, Ohio, where he owned and operated a sawmill. He also purchased land there which is now under a high state of cultivation. His home farm comprised sixty acres of land, on which is a good resi- (lence and modern improvements that stand as monuments to his enterprise and indus- trv.
On the 19th of October. 1871. Mr. Mor- ris was married to Miss Lavra V. Clements. who was born on a farm near Ingleside. in
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Queen Anne county. Maryland, a daughter Sunday-school superintendent. Their son Charles is a charter member of Mount Herman University Congregational church, which was established in memory of Moody in the year of the death of that great evan- gelist. The sons are both young men of excellent ability and strong mentality, of whom the parents have every reason to be proud. Mr. Morris has set them an excel- lent example, for throughout life he has been true to manly principles and has con- scientiously performed every duty that has devolved upon him.
of Joel and Louisa ( Jarrell ) Clements. Mrs. Morris was reared in the state of her nativ- ity and after attending the common schools. continued her education in the Wesleyan Female Seminary in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1869 she came to Ohio where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Morris, but their marriage was celebrated at her home in Maryland. They have two sons: Herbert Earl, born on the home farm, September 29. 1872; and Charles Clements, born Sep- tember 5. 1874. The former is a graduate of the home school of the class of 1891 and at the age of eighteen years entered Antioch College. The latter completed the high school course in Bellbrook with the class of 1891 and when sixteen years of age entered Antioch College with his brother. He spent two years in the preparatory department and one year in the collegiate department. The elder brother became a student in the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in the fall of 1894 and was graduated with the class of 1898. He then remained upon the home farm for a year and in the fall of 1899 entered the Ohio Medical College at Cin- cinnati where he will graduate with the class of 1903. After leaving Antioch College the younger son taught school for a year and in the fall of 1895 matriculated in the State University of Michigan where he was grad- nated with the class of 1899. The same year he accepted the seat of mathematics in the Mount Herman Boys' School at Mount Herman, Massachusetts, in which capacity he is still serving. Mr. Morris exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he and his wife and their son Earl are mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has served as trustee, steward and
JEREMIAH KREPPS.
Jeremiah Krepps, who is a retired black- smith and well known farmer of Greene county, living in the township of Xenia, on the Cincinnati pike, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1831, and is a son of George and Nancy ( Baughman) Krepps. Our subject was about five years of age when his parents drove across coun- try with a team and wagon and settled in Xenia, where the father, who was a black- smith by trade, entered the employ of Sam- uel Harry. Later he removed to what was known as Trebein, and built a shop there, conducting business on his own account un- til about 1845, when he took up his abode about two miles and a half out on the Fair- field road, there carrying on business until about 1850. He then purchased a farm in Spring Valley township, comprising one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land known as the John Scarff property. He took up his abode thereon in the winter of 1852 and made it his place of residence through- out the remainder of his days. Unto him
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