History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 108

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 934

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township, in 1832, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Miller ) Tobias, who were both natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. There the father passed his boyhood and youth and attended school, his education, however, be- ing in the German language and very limited. In early life he learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed after com- ing to Ohio. In 1820 he took up his resi- cence in Beavercreek township, this county. and there he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. Ile- had seven children. four sons and three daughters, namely: Peter. John and Dan- jel, all now deceased: Andrew J., of this review : Betsy and Catherine, both deceased ; and Susan, a resident of St. Mary's. Ohio.

Andrew J. Tobias acquired his early education in the schools of Auglaize county, where the family removed when he was only three years old, and where the father en- tered eighty acres of land. Our subject pursued his studies in the subscription schools taught in old log cabins so common at that day. On leaving school at the age. of sixteen years he returned to Greene coun- ty. where he worked as a laborer for some time and then followed the carpenter's trade for twenty-two years, erecting many houses and barns in the locality where he now lives. He subsequently turned his at- tention to farming and in 1884 purchased the fine farin of two hundred acres in Beavercreek township, where he now re- sides, and to its cultivation and improve- ment he has since devoted his energies, har- ing retired from carpentering. He raises a good grade of stock, making a specialty of Jersey cattle, and in his herd are several registered animals. He also raises con- siderable corn, wheat and oats, and is meet-

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ing with most excellent success in his farm- ing operations.

In 1863 Mr. Tobias was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah E. Harshman, who was also bern in Beavercreek township and reared on a farm adjoining that on which she now lives. She is a sister of J. F. Harshman whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have two children, one son and one daughter. namely: Samuel E. who resides on his father's farm, is carrying on a gun shop and is one of the finest workmen in that line in the state. He married Jennie Bates, and the children born to them are Blanche L., Elmer Fay, Elsie May. Congress, Winifred and an infant daughter. E. Nora, daughter of our subject. is the wife of Lewis Coy, a grocer of Dayton, and they have two chil- dren : Ethel May and Herbert.

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have been members of the Reformed church of Beaver Creek and are people of the high- est respectability, whose circle of friends and acquaintances is extensive. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, but at local elections votes for the man best qualified for office regardless of party lines. He has never cared for political honors, though he takes a deep interest in public affairs as every true American citizen should.

HUGH HARVEY McMILLAN.

A retired farmer now living in Cedar- ville. Ilugh Harvey McMillan is a native of South Carolina, his birth having occurred in Chester county, that state, February 20. 1831. As the name indicates the family is

of Scotch lineage. Ilugh McMillan, the great-grandfather of our subject, was among those who fled from Scotland at the time of the religious persecution. He was connected with John McMillan, who organized the so- cieties known as the Peoples Society. Hugh McMillan, Sr., removed to County Antrim. Ireland. where the grandfather, who also bore the name of flugh, was born in 1750. He married Jane Harvey and their first son, Daniel, was born in 1776. Owing to the re- quirement of the government which com- pelled people of all denominations to pay for the support of the established church of England-the Episcopalian-he left Ireland for America in company with Alexander Kell, the father of Rev. John Kell, William Rock and one or two others, in 1797, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina, after a three months voyage. They made their way to Camden, Kershaw district, and re- mained there for some months. Learning that there were a few families of Covenant- ers located on Rocky creek. in Chester dis- trict, about thirty miles distant. all went there and located. During that year they sent for their respective families, whom they were to meet at Charleston. All arrived safely after a voyage of nine weeks, Daniel McMillan was then about ten years of age. Mary, John. David and Gavin were the other children of Hugh McMillan who crossed the Atlantic from Ireland, while James and Ilugh were afterward born on the farm which the grandfather first bought and on which he lived and died, four miles west of the oki brick church, near which he was buried. He passed away in 1818.

John McMillan, the father of our sub- ject. was born on the Emerald Isle and when five years of age was brought to America,

H. H. McMILLAN.

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the family settling in Chester county, South Carolina. He came to Ohio in 1832 and remained in Cedarville township, upon the old home farm, which he purchased, umtil his death. He bought three hundred acres, nearly all of which was wild land, but this he improved. erecting good buildings and cultivating his fields, so that the tract soon became productive. This farm is still known as the McMillan property and is now owned by our subject. John McMillan married Martha Chestnut, a daughter of James Chestnut, who was an officer of the Revo- lutionary war. He had two brothers, Alex- ander and William, and their mother bore the maiden name of Jannette Brown. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression James Chestnut joined the Colonial army, and during the war hie was captured and sentenced to be hung by the Tories, the place and time of the execu- tion were fixed upon, but before the deed was done a company of General Washington's soldiers came along and succeeded in cap- turing a number of his captors. After the war he married Esther Stormont, of Little Rocky Creek, and settled about eight miles north of Rocky Creek, where he spent his remaining days. He was a member of the Reformed Associate church, and his wife be- longed to the Reformed Presbyterian church. They had four children, one son and three daughters, but James died in early life. The three daughters became members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Jan- nette married Daniel McMillan about 1807, and Martha became the wife of John Mc- Millan, February 15, 1809. Esthier re- mained single and after her father's death went to live with her sister Martha.

Unto John and Martha McMillan were

born nine children, of whom two died in in- fancy, while our subject and his sister Martha Ann are the only ones now living. She is Mrs. J. D. Williamson, of Cedar- ville, her husband being a prominent retired farmer. The parents were consistent mem- bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and when called to their final rest were in- terred in Massie's creek cemetery. The for- mer was a Whig in his political affiliations. and throughout his business career he car- ried on general farming and stock-raising. He died upon the old homestead in Cedar- ville township in 1881, and his wife passed away January 3, 1860, at the age of sixty -. eight years.

Reared under the parental roof and early- becoming familiar with the work of the farm, Hugh H. McMillan assisted in the labors of field and meadow when his atten- tion was not given to acquiring his educa- tion. He was a student in the district schools for some years and spent one win- ter as a student in the Xenia high school. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and was thus engaged upon the old homestead place until his retirement from business life. By purchase he added to his. property, which he greatly improved by the erection of a new residence and other im- provenients of a substantial nature. In 1887 he put aside the plow and took up his abode in Cedarville, where he has since rested from his labors in a very pleasant home.

Mr. McMillan was married December 24. 1851, to Abigail J. Winter, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Winter, who were early settlers of this county and here lived and died, the father following the occupation of farming. Mrs. McMillan departed this life on the old farinstead in 1881. She was

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the mother of five children: Anna L., the wife of Rev. Smiley, of Sparta, Illinois; John C., who died in 1890: a daughter who died in infancy ; James C., who is in the tele. phone and furniture business in South Charleston, Ohio; and Gavin R., who mar- ried Minnie Alexander, of Clifton, and re- sides at home, his attention being given to the farm work. Ile has three children. Ethel. Harvey Alexander and Wilbur. On the 4th of March, 1884. Mr. McMillan was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah M. Jackson, a daughter of John Ilammond, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and came to Ohio in 1808, living in Harrison county. Both he and his wife died there at an advanced age.

For many years Mr. McMillan has been a member and elder of the Reformed Pres- byterian church. He is also the treasurer of the Cedarville College. He is now serving as a member of the building committee un-, der whose direction a new house of worship is being erected, and he gives a great deal of time and attention to the church work and is a liberal contributor to its support. In his political views he is a Prohibitionist. Hle is an honorable and upright man, who has lived at peace with his fellow men. He has never had a law suit or been sued, but has paid his debts promptly, met all obliga- tions fully, and by genuine worth has com- manded the respect and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

THE ST. JOHN FAMILY.

John and Noah St. John, two brothers. who were of French parentage, came from England to America probably about the

middle of the eighteenth century, and set- tled in Dutchess county. New York. In 1770 John St. John married Anna Lock- wood in Dutchess county. A few years later when the country became involved in war with England in an attempt to sever all al- legiance to the British crown, he joined the army and aided in winning American inde- pendence. Some time between 1788 and 1798 he and his wife came to Ohio, settling first in Hamilton county, and in 1803 re- moved to Warren county, this state, locat- ing on a farm near Fort Ancient. Unto them were born ten children: Job, who died in childhood; Ann; Bethiah, who married a Mr. Huron and removed to Hendricks county. Indiana: John, who spent his life near Lebanon, Ohio; Mary, who became the wife of Samuel Thomas and lived near South Charlestown, in Clark county, Ohio; Sarah: James, who settled near Morrow. Warren county, Ohio, and some of his de- scendants are yet living, including ex-Gov- ernor St. John, of Kansas ; Seth ; Nathaniel ; and Joseph, who spent his life on the old home farm near Fort .Ancient, Ohio, where his father first located. He had six chil- dren, of whom three are now living.

John St. John, the fourth member of the family, whose record has just been given above, was born November 28, 1778, and married Rhoda Wood. They became the parents of nine children. Daniel, the eld- est, married Eliza Bone and removed to Greene county, Ohio, in 1828. He located in Caesar-creek township, where his de- seendants are still living. He had eleven children: Cyrus, Joseph. John. William, Morgan, Ann. Charles, Jeniah, Jane, Wilson and Raper. Of this family Cyrus married Dorothy Hickman and lived in Jay county,

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Indiana, where he reared a family of nine children: Milton, Wesley, Kate, Loranso, Josephine, Raper, Morton. Lillian and Frank. Joseph, the second member of the family, married Julia McNair and they had four children: Ward, Daniel. Kate and Pearl. John, the third member of the fan- ily of Daniel St. John, married Phoebe Hiney and they had eleven children : Thom- as, Martlia, Morgan, Lavina, Frank, Emma, William, Grant, Alva, Lavona ( who died in infancy) and Oscar. William, the fourth son of Daniel St. John, married Elizabeth Smith, and their children were Eva, Al- fred and Maggie. Morgan, the fifth mem- ber of the family of Daniel St. John, mar- ried Eliza Beam and they had ten children : Anna, who died after becoming the wife of David Ford : Alvah; Lodema : William, who died in childhood; Ada ; Ella; Arthur : Dora : Everette and Bertha. Ann became the wife of James McNair and lived at Dunkirk, In- diana, and they had three children : Martha, Emma and Anna. Charles, the seventh member of the family, married Martha Peterson and they had eight children: Es- tella, who died in infancy: Belle: Otis: Pliney: Lillie, who died in childhood : El- mer : Daisy, who died after reaching young womanhood ; and Jennie. Jeniah married Mary Hook and they had nine children : Clarence ; Lewis ; Walter ; Mina : Amy ; Rob- ert, who died in infancy ; James ; Maude and Clara. Jane, the youngest daughter of Daniel St. John, became the wife of Frank Peterson and lives near Coffeyville. Kan- sas. and their children are Effie ; Ann ; Orie. who died after becoming the wife of Frank Day: Carrie; Wilson and Edward. Wil- son, the tenth member of the family of

Daniel St. John, married Corilla Hook and lived at Dunkirk, Indiana; their children were Olive; Mary; and Oscar, who died in infancy; Burnice, who died in girlhood : Solon; Eunice; Ilomer, who died in boy- hood ; and Howard. Raper, the youngest of the family, married Alice Smith, and unto them one daughter was born, Myrtle. Of the family of Daniel St. John there are now living one hundred and fifty-two descend- ants, including nine children, fifty-nine grandchildren. seventy-five great-grand- children, and nine great-great-grandchil- dren.

Jeniah F. St. John, to whom we are in- debted for the history of the family, was the eighth child of Daniel W. and Eliza ( Bone) St. John, and was born June 27, 1842, upon the farm which he now owns. He was ed- ucated in this county and has always re- sided here with the exception of the time which he spent in the army. In October, 1861, he enlisted at Xenia as a private of Company A. Seventy-fourth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, for three years' service. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Nealey's Bend. Nashville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap. Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and also present at the time of the surrender of Johnston. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Denni- son, in July, 1865, as first sergeant and then returned to his home.

Mr. St. John resumed farming upon the old family homestead, where he has since carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married August 23, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Hook, a native of Greene county, and a daughter of Louis and Minerva (Lloyd)

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Hook, both of whom died during the early girlhood of their daughter. In their family were five children: Mrs. Mira Stowe; Thomas, who joined the Union army as a private of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infan- try and came out as sergeant major, and died in 1900; Mrs. St. John; John, who is living in Indiana; and Martha, who died in 1001. She was the wife of Wilson St. John, who served in Company A, of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war. Mr. St. John is a Republican in his political views and for six years served as trustee of his township. He is an hon- ored member of Lewis Post. G. A. R., of Nenia, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now one of the stewards.

Unto Jeniah St. John and his wife have been born nine children : Clarence S., a con- tractor and builder of Dayton, Ohio, who married Daisy Heaton, of that place; Lewis E., an attorney at law at Piqua, who mar- ried Nora Wilkinson; Walter C., a resident of Silvercreek township. Greene county, who married Cora Sutton and has two children, Edith and Elbert: Mary E. and Amy, who are residents of Xenia ; Robert, who died in infancy: James, a resident of Caesarscreek township. who married Ona Milburn; Maude and Clara, at home. The farm com- prises one hundred and three acres of good land, on which Mr. St. John is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. The house 'und barn upon the place he has erected himself, the former in 1897 and the latter in 1802. There are excellent improvements and equipments upon this place, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner.

GEORGE J. SINZ.

George J. Sinz, who is now deceased, lived an honorable and upright life and won that untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He was one of four children of Bernhardt V. and Kresen- zia ( Immler) Sinz. His father was born in Kinnelbach, Germany, on the 14th of Feb- ruary, 1830. and on crossing the Atlantic to the United States located in Greene county, Ohio, where he took up his abode in the fall of 1853. Ilere he was engaged in farming. He had previously learned the baker's trade, and after carrying on agricultural pursuits for some time he removed to Xenia, where he purchased a home and established a bakery. In the conduct of that enterprise he met with success, carrying on business there for a number of years. He thus ac- cumulated considerable wealth and was ac- counted one of the enterprising merchants of the place. He died on the 31st of January, 1885, leaving a widow and four children. who yet survive him.

Mr. Sinz, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia in the year 1862, and acquired an excellent education, which he pursued in the common and high schools of this city, while later he pursued a com- mercial course in the Dayton Business Col- lege. Immediately thereafter he entered upon his business career, accepting a clerk- ship in a grocery store, where he remained for several years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of that branch of business. In 1885 he established a gro- cery on his own account and became a model merchant. His store was neat and attractive in appearance, his business methods were

GEO. J. SINZ.

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straightforward and above suspicion, and owing to his honorable dealing and earnest desire to please his customers he secured a large patronage. Successfully did he carry on business until 1889, when on account of ill health he disposed of his stock and re- tired to private life.

Mr. Sinz was united in marriage on the 6th of October. 1885, to Miss Ida Savilla Lutz. a daughter of John and Savilla ( Wool- ford) Lutz. The father, John Lutz, is one of the honored pioneers of Greene county. and has long been connected with industrial interests of Xenia. In 1855 he began busi- ness here as a wagon and carriagemaker and conducted his shop for many years. Both he and his wife were of German lineage. Her grandfather, however, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, near Mil- lersburg, in 1802. In the spring of 1826 he married Frances Moudy, a native of Will- iamsport. Maryland, and at an early epoch in the development of Greene county, Ohio, they became residents of this portion of the state. Mrs. Sinz was one of a family of six children. In 1895 she was called upon to mourn the loss of her husband, who de- parted this life on the 15th of March, his remains being interred in the Woodland cemetery. Many friends were left to mourn his loss, for during the years of his business career in Xenia he had formed a wide ac- quaimance and gained the high regard of all with whom he had been brought in con- tact. His worth was widely acknowledged. and his life record contains many elements that are worthy of emulation.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Sinz has engaged in the millinery business. embarking in this line of activity on the 17th of March. 1897. Her store is located in the

Steele building on the site formerly occupied by her husband's grocery prior to the erec- tion of the present building. By her perse- verance, good taste and wed selected stock she has secured an excellent trade and is without doubt recognized as the leading mil- liner of Xenia. Her home is at No. 333 West Market street. In the management of her store she displays excellent business and executive force as well as excellent taste, and her labors are being crowned with a richly merited success.

REV. WILLIAM S. MCCLURE.

For five years the Rev. William S. Mc- Chire has been pastor of the Third United Presbyterian church of Xenia. This de- nomination is a particularly strong one in this portion of Ohio and its influence is be- ing constantly extended through the zealous efforts of capable preachers of the word, such as Rev. McClure. Broad intellect- ually, a ready sympathy and consecrated effort have made his labors a potent force in promoting the growth of the church and the moral development of the community and throughout Xenia his labors are appreciated by all who have regard for truth and right.

Rev. McClure is a representative of an old and prominent family of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Dr. Robert McChure, of Washington, that state, was of Quaker ex- traction, and a practitioner of medicine. His skill and ability won him confidence and his practice extended throughout the west- ern counties of Pennsylvania and through castern Virginia and Ohio. He made long trips on horse back, often traveling as much as fifty miles in a single night.

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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Robert B. McClure, the father of our subject, was the eldest son of Dr. McClure and was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania. January 11. 1818. There he ac- quired his early education and later com- pleted a course in the Washington and Jef- ferson College. He was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of West Middletown, Pennsylvania, and for thirty- five years he held the office of justice of the peace and also held other official positions. As a public official he made it his aim to keep all cases out of the courts if the differ- ences could possibly be settled otherwise. Ile had the distinction of building the first threshing and cleaning machine manufac- tured in the United States, the work being executed in West Middletown, where he for one-half a century manufactured his machine on account of which he was widely known. His activity in commercial and political circles made him a leading and val- med resident of that portion of the state. For years before his death he had held membership in the United Presbyterian church of West Middletown. He married Letitia Templeton and they became the par- ents of eleven children, of whom nine are living. Mrs. MeClure died October 30, 1873. and Mr. MeClure on the 20th of .April. 1899.

Rev. MeClure of this review was born in West Middletown, Pennsylvania. Sep- JOHN 11. KOOGLER. tember 4. 1853. and acquired his literary education in Westminster College of Law- rence county. Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1880 he was grad- nated from the Allegheny Theological Seminary, and later took a post graduate couve at the Theological Seminary of to agricultural pursuits. His father, Sol-

Xenia, Ohio. He was licensed to preach in April, 1880, and on the 4th of January. 1881, was ordained and installed as pastor of the Sugar Creek congregation. Xenia Presbytery, where he remained until April. 1893, his work there being very successful. He then accepted the pastorate of the United Presbyterian church at Greeley, Colorado, where the following four years were passed. At the end of that time he returned to Xenia as pastor of the Third United Presbyterian church, and has now been in charge of the work of that congregation since 1897. Dur- ing this period the church has grown along many lines and he has the confidence and love of his own people and the high esteem of those of other denominations. He is now financial secretary of the board of managers of the Xenia Theological Seminary. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon Mr. MeClure by Monmouth College of Mommouth, Illinois, at a recent meeting of the senate.

On the 14th of August. 1883. Rev. Mc- Clure was united in marriage to Miss Nan- nie 1. Imbrie, a daughter of De Lorme Im- brie, a prominent attorney of Beaver. Penn- sylvania, and two children. Margaret Car- man and Mary Letitia have come to bless their home.

This well known farmer of Greene county and honored veteran of the Civil war was born in Beavercreek township on the 16th of July, 1842, and there has spent almost his entire life. his time and attention being principally devoted.

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omon K. Koogler, was also born in Beavercreek township. February 18. 1813. near Byron, and as the schools in the lo- cality were very few and poor during his boyhood his educational advantages were necessarily limited. At an early age he worked three months for Henry Jacoby, of Xenia township, and subsequently worked off and on at the carpenter's trade with his brother for a time, but later gave up that trade entirely and turned his attention ex- clusively to farming. He received fifty acres of land from his father's estate, it being the place now occupied by our subject, and he gradually added to it until he had one hun- dred and forty acres. He gave his attention principally to the raising of cereals, and for a few years was also interested in stock-rais- ing, keeping cattle, hogs and a large num- ber of sheep. On the 3d of September. 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Jones, a native of Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four sons, namely: John H., of this review ; George W., deceased, who married Martha Vancleff, of Beavercreek township: Thomas J., who married Sarah Westfall and lives not far from our subject's home: and Jacob N., who died October 10, 1888.

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History of Greene County, Ohio, Part 108

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 934

Author: Robinson, George F., 1838-1901
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 934