USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 105
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THOMAS B. WAADE.
Thomas B. Wade has from an early day been a resident of Greene county and is classed among its citizens of worth and value. He was born in Frederick county. Virginia. June 6, 1814, and came to Ohio with his parents. John and Mary ( Butter- field ) Wade, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. The father followed farming throughout his entire life and about 1817 he brought his family to Ohio, taking up his abode in the city of Nenia, where he remained until he purchased a farm near what is now Selma. His first purchase was a tract of land in Clark county and there he
T. B. WADE.
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and his wife resided until they were called to their final rest, his demise occurring in 1833, when he was sixty-two years of age. The mother survived him for eleven years. passing away in 1844. In their family were eight children of whom two are still living : Thomas B., and Hamilton, a resident of Clark county.
Thomas B. Wade gained his early edu- cation in the district schools of Clark county and remained upon the old home farm until 1857, when he came to Greene county. lo- cating in Ross township. He has lived upon his present farm of seventy-four acres since 1866, and is one of the wide-awake, enter- prising and progressive agriculturists of his community, having added to his possessions until he now has over one hundred and fifty acres. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary Butcher. their marriage being celebrated in 1838. near Selma, in Greene county. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Butcher, who re- sided in this county, but both are now de- ceased. In 1883 Mr. Wade was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of sixty-eight years. In their fam- ily were five children: Ruth, Elizabeth, Julia A., and Jolin being the surviving mein- bers of the family. The son resides in Springfield. Clark county, where he is em- ployed as a stationary engineer. He mar- ried Eliza Gibson, of Greene county, and they have five children : Homer G., Raper Carl. Eva, Grace and Clark.
Mr. Wade was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and has never been con- nected with any denomination in Greene county. In early life he supported the old Whig party and upon its dissolution joined the ranks of the new Republican party and
has since marched under its banners. He is now eighty-eight years of age, having trav- eled thus far on life's journey. Through- out the entire course he has followed the straight and narrow path, his life being characterized by honesty, by fidelity to duty and by strict adherence to those characteris- tics which in every land and every clime command respect. He has witnessed to a great extent the development and progress of this portion of the state, is one of the venerated partriarchs of his community, and as such deserves mention in this volume.
WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM.
In a record of the successful and prom- inent agriculturists of Sugarcreek township is William Cunningham, whose birth oc- curred in the village of Bellbrook. Septem- ber 17, 1860, his parents being James and Sarah (Stratton) Cunningham. The fa- ther was also born in Bellbrook. September 15. 1818, and his death occurred January 24, 1884. In early life he learned the coop- er's trade and for several years he carried on that business in his native town, employ- ing a number of workmen. He was married i1. Bellbrook, April 18, 1844, to Sarah Strat- ton, whose birth occurred in Frederick coun- ty, Maryland, August 19, 1826. When quite small she came to Ohio with her parents and located two miles south of Bellbrook. Her death occurred a half mile east of the village on the 9th of December. 1867. After fol- lowing the cooper's trade for several years, Mr. Cunningham abandoned that occupation and removed to the farm owned by Matthew Berryhill, continuing the cultivation of the land for some time. While living there his
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first wife died. There had been ten children born of that marriage. F. P., the eldest, born April 6. 1845. resided in Xenia for many years but is now a practicing attorney of Clarksville, Ohio. Mary Angeline, born November 25, 1846, is living in Dayton. Robert .A., born July 28. 1848, died in in- fancy. Charles E .. born September 27. 1850, was a musician in the regular army for five years and is now living with his eldest broth- er. Martha, born January 24. 1853. is the wife of John S. Turner. Elizabeth, born May 18, 1858, died at the age of fourteen years. J. C., born December 19. 1857. mar- ried Grace Jeffries and lives in Sugarcreek township. William is the next of the family. Nellie M .. born June 3. 1863. is the wife of Victor Taylor. Minnie L., born November 22, 1865. is the wife of William Stephenson. The father had good educational privileges, completing the high school course in Xenia. and throughout his entire life was an exten- sive reader. He read law for his own amuse- ment and instruction and was also a great Bible student. For over forty years he served as an elder in the Presbyterian church, filling that office up to the time of his death. Hle cast his first presidential vote for llarrison and on the dissolution of the Whig party became a stanch Republican.
William Cunningham was educated in the common schools and at the age of six- teen went to Xenia where for three years he was employed as a clerk in a store, return- ing then to the home farm. In Sugarcreek township, March 3. 1887. he was married to Miss Jeanette Thorp, who was born in Day- ton, a daughter of William and Ellen ( Mac- Hatty ) Thorp. The young couple began their domestic lite on the old home east of Bellbrook where they remained until 1899. when they went to live with Mrs. Angeline
Berryhill, the widow of Matthew Berryhill, who was a great-uncle of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have no children of their own, but have recently adopted a little girl. Nellie Friermood, who was born near Stringtown, January 23, 1891.
Mr. Cunningham is a Republican and for one term was township trustee, while as a member of the school board of Bellbrook lie has labored earnestly in the cause of edu- cation. He served as a delegate to both the state and congressional conventions in 1902. and keeps well informed on political issues. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church and he was one of the building committee that planned for the erection of the fine edifice there, contributing freely to the cause. Socially he is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, of which he is a trustee. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-two acres of very valuable land and his home is one of the best in the county. All of this has been ac- quired through his own earnest efforts and his life history proves conclusively what a potent element in the business world is un- flagging industry.
SILAS B. LE SOURD.
That the plentitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be con- sidered a most grateful and beneficial ‹le- privation for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim realized, if such is possi- ble .- there must follow individual apathy. Effort will cease, accomplishment be pros- tiate and creative talent waste its energies in supine inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have
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been those to whom satiety lay ever in the future, and they have labored consecutively and have not failed to find in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Mr. Le Sourd is accounted one of the most enter- prising and progressive business men of Xenia where he is widely known as a real estate, insurance and loan agent.
He was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 9. 1850, and is a son of Nicholas and Eleanor (Gorsuch) Le Sourd. His pa- ternal grandfather, Peter Le Sourd, was a native of France and accompanied Lafayette to America when that brave French gentle- man and his men volunteered to aid in the establishment of the American republic through the force of arms. The family name was then spelled La Seur, but has since been changed to its present form. The grandfa- ther was an officer of the French army, but instead of returning to his native country at the close of the war for independence, he decided to remain and take up his abode in Maryland, where he first followed farming and afterward became a large railroad con- tractor. In this country he was married and then removed to Butler county, Ohio, mak- ing the journey by wagon in 1835, acconi- panied by his wife and eight children. His remaining days were spent in this state and he was actively associated with the early pioneer development of the community in which he took up his abode.
Nicholas Le Sourd, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland and with his parents came to this state. He acquired his education in the common schools and when he entered upon his business career followed the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. extensively operating land in Butler county for a number of years. He never left that locality but spent his remain-
ing days there, passing away in 1884 at the age of sixty-eight. His wife was called to her final rest in 1874. They were the par- ents of six children, but only three of the family are now living. One brother, J. T. Le Sourd, is a resident of Xenia, where he is also engaged in the insurance, real estate and Joan business.
In the common schools S. B. Le Sourd pursued his early education which was sup- plemented by a course in the Lebanon State Normal. He also pursued his studies in the Monroe Academy at Monroe, Ohio, and later he engaged in teaching school in But- ler for a time. In the fall of 1878 he came to Xenia and established a real estate and loan business on a small scale. In 1880 he admitted F. E. McGervey to a partnership that has since been maintained and gradually their business has grown in volume and im- portance. As insurance agents they write a large business each year. their policies rep- resenting many thousands of dollars. Mr. Le Sourd is also adjuster for the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company of the south- ern district of this state. He has also hand- led considerable real estate, negotiating many important property transfers and is an assistant secretary of the Home Building & Savings Association of Xenia.
On the 30th of March, 1876, Mr. Le Sourd was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Stewart, a daughter of Judge J. M. Stewart, and unto them have been born five children : Harry, who is a graduate of Del- aware University and also of the Cincinnati Law School; Florence, who completed the course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware: Gertrude, who died at the age of six years: Rebecca, who is a student in the Xenia schools; and Mabel, who died at the age of a year and a half. Fraternally Mr.
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Le Sourd is connected with Xenia Lodge. No. 49. F. & A. M., and Xenia Chapter. R. A. M. He also belongs to Tabor Lodge. No. 315. I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand and in politics he is an earnest Repub- lican, having firm belief in the principles of the party. He also has membership rela- tions with the Methodist Episcopal church of Xenia, of which he is a steward. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor : and today he is numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of the northwest, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any move- ment calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful develop- ment.
J. DARWIN EDWARDS, M. D.
Death often removes from a community one whom the citizens feel that they can ill afford to lose and such was the case when Dr. J. Darwin Edwards departed this life. vet he accomplished great good in the years allotted to him and through a long period maintained a prominent and distinctive po- sition as one of the most skilled and capable physicians of Greene county. His labors here covered a period of more than a quarter of a century, during which time his honor- able manhood, as well as professional abil- ity won him the confidence and esteem of all. He was also associated with business enterprises of importance and both directly and indirectly his labors proved of benefit to the community.
Dr. Edwards was born September 16. 1820. in Bethel. Clermont county, Ohio. His
father. Caleb Edwards, was born in News Jersey about the year 1772 and married Miss Betsey Meeker. In 1806 they left the east, removing to Ohio, and in Clermont county' they were numbered among the early settlers. The father of our subject hewed out a farm in the midst of the for- est, working hard to clear enough land in order that his labors as an agriculturist might provide comfortably for his family. Throughout his remaining days he devoted his energies to the work of tilling the soil, and in 1859 his labors were ended in death. His widow survived him until 1876 and five of her children were living at the time of her demise.
Dr. Edwards spent the first fifteen years of his life on the old home farm and then left the parental roof in order to learn a trade. He had acquired a good education in his youth, displaying special aptitude in his studies and in learning his trade he also progressed rapidly and became proficient. To a man of strong mentality such as Dr. Edwards possessed it was but natural that professional life should have stronger at- tractions for him than industrial pursuits, and desiring to acquire proper knowledge he eventually entered Angusta College. in which he was graduated with the class of 1839 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For a short time he engaged in teaching. but soon took up the study of medicine with Dr. Edwards, of Greenfield, Indiana, as his preceptor. He also attended medical lect- ures at Cincinnati, and was there accorded the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Enter- ing upon the practice of his profession, he devoted much of his remaining life to the alleviation of suffering and the restoration of health.
In the year 1850. however, Dr. Edwards,
J. D. EDWARDS, M. D.
ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
attracted by the discovery of gold in Cal- ifornia, crossed the plains, making his way from St. Joseph, Missouri, by way of Salt Lake City, to the El Dorado of the West. He traveled with mule teams and accom- plished the journey from the Missouri river to Sacramento in ninety days. While en route he passed no town or habitation of white people except at Forts Bridger and Kearney. Dr. Edwards first located at Sac- ramento, but afterward resided at different times at Michigan Bar, Stockton and An- gels. He became interested in mining, but also conducted a drug store and practiced his profession. He there won a large cli- entage and his services were in almost con- stant demand. Prospering in his work he was enabled to purchase a quartz mine which had some very rich pockets. For about nine years he remained upon the Pa- cific coast and in 1859 again came to Ohio, intending, however, to spend only a short period here, but changed his mind and made a permanent location. It was about this time that he received his diploma from the med- ical college and was married to Mrs. Ruth McFarland, a daughter of Robert and Mar- gie (Mylie) Chapman. Her father was d native of Pennsylvania and removed from that state to Ohio. The marriage of the Doctor and his wife was celebrated in Greene county, February 2, 1860. He had previously married Dorcas Edenfield, but she died leaving one son, Frank.
In the year 1860 Dr. Edwards located for practice in Xenia and for a quarter of a ·century was an active, influential and suc- ·cessful member of the profession here. . Is he demonstrated his skill and ability to suc- cessfully cope with the intricate problems presented by disease, his patronage grew until his business has assumed extensive pro-
portions, his professional services having been sought at many distant points as well as in Greene county, and during seasons when illness was very prevalent, there have been weeks at a time when he was unable to obtain a complete night's rest. The first enterprise with which he became connected in Xenia outside of the strict path of his profession was the Citizens' National Bank, which he aided in organizing. It opened its doors for business on the 15th of Novem- ber, 1881, with J. W. King as president and Dr. Edwards as vice president, and upon the death of Mr. King, in July, 1883, the Doc- tor was elected as his successor and served continuously as the president of that reli- able institution until his own death, which occurred on the 19th of November, 1896. As the years passed the Doctor made invest- ments in mining stock and through his pro- fessional labors and through his ownership of mining property, he accumulated a hand- some competence.
He was honored with the vice pres- idency of the medical society and for many years was president of the Greene County Medical Society and the Xenia Academy of Medicine. He was deeply interested in everything which tended to bring to man the key to that mystery which we call life, and by constant reading and investigation. he always kept abreast with the advanced thought of the times. From his youth he belonged to the Republican party and was one of its active and earnest workers, al- though he was never an aspirant for polit- ical honors. Much against his desire he was made a member of the city council and for two years represented the second ward. The Doctor possessed an artistic nature and had a decided talent for reproducing in dif- ferent forms his ideals. His skill in manip-
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ulating clay is demonstrated in a very fine bust which he modeled from clay taken out of his cellar and which shows in a marked degree his artistic ability. Perhaps the most wonderful work which he accomplished in this direction is a little study three-fourths inches high and weighing six grains. It was cut from the pith of a cornstalk and is called the Catholic Missionary Presenting the Cross to the Heathen. It represents a man in priestly garments holding out a cross. Every detail of the work is perfect and the pose of the figure as viewed from every side is easy. natural and graceful. This wonderful little work of art receive.l very favorable mention from artists at the Ohio Centennial in Cincinnati and was pro- nounced by all to be nearly perfect.
When the Ohio law was inaugurated compelling the practicing physicians to reg- ister. Dr. Edwards took this opportunity to retire from the profession and spend his re- maining days in quiet and in the enjoyment of his well earned rest. Throughout the long years of his residence here he had gained a very wide acquaintance and his sterling characteristics were such as to com- mend him to the confidence and respect of all. His aged widow is now spending her declining years in a very handsome home on Main street, living with her irece. Like her husband she has shared in the esteem of many friends and is widely known in Nenia.
JACOB LEWIS PETERSON.
In a history of the agricultural interests of Greene county Jacob Lewis Peterson well deserves mention, for he is an enterprising farmer, his home being on the Peterson
road in Caesarscreek township. He was born in Xenia township May 12. 1836. his parents being Felix and Mary ( Weaver ) Peterson. The father was born May 18, 1809. in Virginia, and was only four years of age when brought to Ohio in 1813 by his father. Jacob Peterson, who located temporarily in Ross county, whence he re- moved to Greene county, settling in Xenia township. Here he purchased a large tract of land, and the farm upon which our sub- ject now resides, comprising two hundred and ten acres, was a part of the original tract. Mr. Peterson had learned the wagon- maker s trade. but subsequently gave his at- tention to farming. The father of our sub- ject was reared to manhood on the old home place and acquired but a limited education. His training in the work of the fields, how- ever. was not meager. He was married. December 11. 1833. in this county, to Miss Mary Weaver, and then took up his abode upon his father's land, having inherited one lmindred acres. Subsequently he became the owner of about seven hundred acres owing to judicious investment and careful manage- ment. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, seven of whom reached years of maturity, while five are yet living : Martha, born September 13. 1834. became the wife of David Boots, and unto them were born three children, while later she married William Smith, by whom she also had three children. Jacob Lewis is the next member of the family. Catherine J., born October 24. 1838, became the wife of S. M. Fudge and died leaving three children. James S., born January 30, 1841, is resid- ing in New Burlington and has seven chil- dren. John W., born March 22. 1843. is living in Nenia township. Felix Harper,.
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born February 14, 1845. resides in Kansas and has three children. Ezra MI., born October 26, 1848, is now deceased. Isaac C., born October 23, 1850, died in child- hood. William M. also passed away in childhood. The father of this family died on the 9th of April, 1874, and his wife passed away April 8, 1900, their remains be- ing interred in Woodland cemetery. He was a Whig in early life and later became a Republican, while his religious faith con- nected him with the German Reformed church.
The boyhood days of our subject formed a period of hard toil. He worked on the farm, receiving but limited educational priv- ileges, but he was very fond of reading. and in this way and through experience he great- ly broadened his knowledge. He was mar- ried December 4. 1879. to Miss . Lizzie Whitson, of Arcanum. Darke county. Ohio. whose birth occurred in Butler county. No- vember 5, 1856. Her parents were Israel and Mary ( Barger) Whitson. the former a native of Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania. while the latter was born in the Buckeye state. During childhood they came with their respective parents to Ohio and were married in Butler county. Mrs. Peterson was only twelve years of age when her parents removed to Darke county. Three years later she formed the acquaintance of the gentleman who afterward became her husband. They have one son, Calvin, who was born December 15, 1880, and is at home.
At the time of the Civil war our sub- ject manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in Company D, one Hun- dred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and was sent to the camp at Piqua. Ohio. In Oc-
tober he was sent to the front and soon afterward became so afflicted with rheuma- tism that he was forced to return home, where he remained through the winter. In 1863. however, he rejoined his regiment and took part in the battle at Locust Grove. He was afterward in the battle of the Wil- derness and in the engagements at Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Mon- ocacy. At the last named he was wounded in the left ankle and the wound has never healed. He received an honorable discharge February 9, 1865. after having been in sev- eral hospitals, first at Baltimore and then in Westchester, near Philadelphia. He was a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering i.i the performance of his duty.
Mr. Peterson is a Republican and since voting for Lincoln in 1860 has supported the men and measures of the party. He is a member of the German Reformed church at Maple Corner. He inherited some land from his father and has since purchased one hundred and fourteen acres, so that he now has a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty-four acres, which is well improved with modern equipments that he has placed there himself. As a citizen he is as true to-day to the duties which devolve upon him as when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields.
ELIAS QUINN.
Elias Quinn belonged to the little group of distinctively representative men who have been the pioneers in inaugurating and building up the chief industries of this sec- tion of the country. Everywhere known
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he commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He was born in Greene county on the 8th of January, 1827. being one of the three children of Amos and Jane (Goe) Quinn. The father was called upon to serve as sheriff of Greene county and also represented his district in the state leg- islature, where he gave to every question which came up for consideration his earnest thought, and when once he had determined upon a course as right, neither fear nor favor could swerve him from it.
During his early boyhood our subject was left an orphan, but throughout life he made the most of his opportunities and ad- vanced to a prominent position, not only in business circles, but also in the regard of all who knew him. For many years he was identified with industrial and commercial interests in Xenia as one of its leading lum- ber dealers. At an early date he estab- lished his lumber yard there and through many years enjoyed a large patronage. which brought to him an excellent financial return. His business methods were such as would bear the closest investigation. He was ever honorable and straightforward and all who knew him respected him for his genuine worth. His reliability in trade transactions was proverbial, and he contin- ned to successfully conduct his lumber yard until about eight or ten years prior to his death. He then retired from business cares to enjoy a well merited rest.
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